Tag Archives: home

Welcome To My Crib: Home Office Edition

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Welcome To My Crib: Home Office Edition

Hi, MTV, and welcome to my crib! For the most part, my apartment is pretty much completely furnished and decorated minus my home office. So, I was hoping that my darlings with an eye for decor could help me out with figuring out what to do with this space.

For now, it has been so nice doing my paperwork for my big girl job and writing at my own desk instead of the dining room table at home! But, it will definitely feel better once the room has a deliberate design as opposed to a spare one with a desk in it. Lol, you’ll see. Check it out:

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Two great things about my office is the gigantic storage closet as well as the door that leads to my back balcony. I honestly don’t even have enough stuff to fill all of the storage options in my apartment and here I was before worrying that I wouldn’t have enough space! Anywho, as you can see, the office is a work in progress. I plan on taking some time off in May to completely finish my apartment so I’m hoping I’ll get some inspiration to get this space looking as good as the rest of chez moi. Help your girl out!

What would you do with this room to make it more home office ready? How is your office decorated at your place? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Welcome To My Crib: Living Room Edition

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Welcome To My Crib: Living Room Edition

Hello, MTV, and welcome to my crib. Today, we are going to take a closer look at my living room and bonus points to anyone who can name the movie that’s playing on my TV in the pictures! My living room is actually my favorite space in my apartment and you guys will also get to see the furniture that I got for a song at a secondhand store called Abbey Ann’s. I wasn’t able to take pics when I got the furniture because it was all stored up in the garage and I am in love! Take a look:

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The couch, floral chair, coffee table, and the two end tables pushed together to form the TV stand are thanks to Abbey Ann’s and I think that they are all perfect. I love how the colors of each piece compliment each other and look so nice against the light hardwood flooring. It was a lot of fun putting this space together and once this part of the unpacking process was complete, the rest was relatively easy.

I love being able to display my collection of books and movies and also peep that Step Brothers blanket! I have also been enjoying watching my movies on the hand me down TV from my sister until I figure out which streaming service that I will be going with. My living room feels cozy but still chic and cool and I adore it. I can’t wait to have people over to share a drink and a chat on my loveseat and to show off all of my hard work, of course!

How is your living room decorated? Where did you do your furniture shopping at for your home? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Welcome To My Crib: Walk In Closet Edition

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Welcome To My Crib: Walk In Closet Edition

Hello, MTV, and welcome to my crib! Your girl is all moved in and obviously the first thing that I wanted to show all of you in my new apartment is my GIGANTIC walk in closet. Perfect for a fashion blogger/shoe and clothing addict. Honestly, this closet is what sold me on the entire apartment and I am so in love I can’t hardly stand it. Check it out:

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There she is – ain’t she a beaut?! Setting up my closet was so much fun because it was like living my dream. I have always wanted a huge closet where I could proudly display all of my apparel and I finally have it. I had the movers take all of my shoe shelving from my old bedroom up into my closet and, although there was a hanging rod in there, I set up another hanging rack that I purchased from Target, because just one will never do. And, apparently two won’t do, either, because I have another extra one just in case!

Behind my clothes and shoe collection is extra storage, which will be nice, because I can put all of the random things that don’t have a home there. For now, it’s just shoe boxes but that might change for later! My closet is truly the piece de resistance of my apartment and I am so happy to be able to show all of you. :))) Tune in tomorrow for another tour of chez moi! xx

What is your closet like? How do you keep your closet organized? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Moving Update

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Moving Update

Hi everyone! I have been super busy with the big move but I just wanted to let all of you know that it’s going swimmingly so far! I cannot wait to give you guys a virtual tour of my apartment once it’s to my liking and show you my new digs. In the meantime while I am unpacking my brains out: What are some of your tips to help a move go smoothly? What was your first apartment like? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Six Improvements To Make In Your Home

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Six Improvements To Make In Your Home

If you’ve lived in your home for a while, it can sometimes get a little boring having the same furniture and features that you’ve had for years. With general wear and tear, there are improvements that you might look to make when you have the budget and time to do it. So with that in mind, here are six improvements to make to your home:

Reinvent A Room:

Depending on how many rooms are in your property, you may have one or two spaces that are empty or are currently a storage space for extra bits and pieces that don’t have a home. This might be a great opportunity to reinvent a room and turn it into something that could be useful. When clearing out the room, try to declutter as much as possible. Then, look at the size of the space and figure out what might work well. Perhaps a walk in wardrobe or maybe a mini cinema room!

Improve Outdoor Space:

Outdoor space, unless you consider yourself a keen gardener, will often get ignored. It might be that the garden is too high maintenance or you’ve not invested any time or attention into doing it up. No one wants to spend their time in a space that might be messy or ugly to look at. So if you’re looking for ideas to improve your outdoor space, here are a few suggestions:

Be Bold With Color – When it comes to your garden, you can go crazy with color. The brighter the colors, the more appealing the space will look to you and your guests. Also, having a variety of plants and flowers will attract more wildlife.

Install A Pond – A pond is another feature that attracts wildlife and it also feels like you’re giving your outdoor area some extra luxury. When making a pond, make sure to dig the right size and in an area that is easily visible. Make sure the base of the pond and the sides are well sealed before filling it in with water. Add a variety of fish friends, too!

Add Levels And Different Materials – Adding levels and using different materials is what gives your garden space that wow factor. It’ll make your guests think that you’ve really put some effort into the space. Think about using more than just grass, perhaps marble, stones, and bark. Add decking for levels and hire patios builders to help with the more complex work.

Update Your Bathroom:

The bathroom can end up becoming a little dated, especially if you haven’t done anything since you moved. If you can’t renovate the bathroom fully, then start with the smaller items and work your way up. Tiling and painting can help dramatically transform it and adding new taps, a more modern toilet, and a rainfall shower can be the slightly bigger buys later on down the line. Make sure that the room is well ventilated and that you accessorize it with soft furnishings that match the theme of your bathroom.

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Pexels Image

Rearrange The Furniture:

Improvements don’t need to cost a thing, you can simply rearrange the furniture. When you first moved into your property, you will have likely put everything where you first thought it could go. Now is an opportunity to change up the space a little and rearranging the furniture can make a big improvement without spending any money. Start on each room individually and try changing the position of the biggest piece of furniture. If that’s not possible, then look at moving the smaller pieces of furniture and seeing if that makes any difference. To finish it off, replace or update your soft furnishings, and it’ll feel like stepping into a new room.

Renovate Your Kitchen:

Kitchen renovations are sometimes necessary as it’s one of the most used places in your home. Therefore, the wear and tear will be clear on most of your appliances, particularly your everyday essentials like the kettle and oven. Kitchen cabinets are also the first things to fall off their hinges. Kitchen renovations are expensive but well worth the investment. It might also be financially beneficial to get it done if it needs doing as it can add value to your property if you sell it at any point in the future. Even if you start with replacing or painting the cabinets, that’ll make a difference. To begin your kitchen renovation, simply enter a search for “Queens kitchen renovations” (or your local area). The professionals you choose will be able to work with your vision while using their own expertise for an end result that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Insulate Your Property:

Insulation is important to your property, especially during the colder months. Overall, it helps to keep the heat in and the cold out. This can also save you a lot of money further down the line as you’re likely to save on energy because of it. So, to insulate your property, make sure your windows are either double or triple glazed. Insulate them with heavier blinds or curtains. Darker colors are going to attract sunlight which should, in turn, make your rooms a lot warmer. Insulation doesn’t need to be expensive as there’s a range of materials that are available at different costs. Try insulating your walls if possible and the loft space. If you have the DIY skills, you can always try it yourself, but it might be handy getting in a professional to do it.

Adding improvements to your home can help your space feel brand new, like when you first moved in. Change things up and see the difference for yourself!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Three Easy Ways To Prepare Your Home For A Pet

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Three Easy Ways To Prepare Your Home For A Pet

Having a pet can add a huge amount of love to a home. Whether it’s getting a family pet that children can grow up with or an older person getting an animal companion to help with loneliness, the day you take your new furry friend home is a delight. In all of the excitement of what type of pet to choose, finding them, and naming them, you may not have considered that there are some simple steps you will need to do to prepare your home for your new arrival, too:

Pet Proof Your Space:

Depending on the type of pet you’ve chosen, you will need to make your home safe. A puppy or a kitten will naturally want to explore and if you haven’t had pets in the home before, there may be some hazards that you need to take care of. Make sure you’ve covered all of the bases by ensuring you have trashcans with tight-fitting lids, remove any garden pesticides such as lawn care products, and keep any unsafe domestic chemicals or cleaning solutions in a lockable cupboard. Watch out for electrical cords which may get tangled or chewed up and stock up on training pads or litter trays to try and avoid any accidents.

If you don’t have a garden for your dog to play in or you want to create the illusion of a garden indoors, it could be a good idea to get artificial grass for dogs for a safe space for your pet to play, rest, and enjoy. Artificial grass is a low-maintenance and inexpensive idea that can help get your home pet ready quickly. When you have your grass down or space prepped, it can give you a safe and convenient area to store your pet toys and supplies or add other dog-friendly features.

Buy Your Pet Supplies:

Before your new pet comes home, you’ll need to stock up on a few supplies to keep them comfortable. A hutch or cage for smaller animals like rabbits or Guinea pigs with clean straw bedding and a supply of fresh water, a cozy bed for a dog or cat, feeding bowls, plenty of toys to keep your pet entertained, dog or cat grooming supplies, and a stock of food or treats to help them settle in. Focus on making their first few days as quiet and comfortable as possible. Pets may be timid at first as they get used to their new environment, so try to calm down any over excited children down for the first few days. Decide where your pet’s food, water and their bed will be, and if you’re going to use a kennel or dog crate during the day, and set them all up ready to help your new pet settle in.

Have A Good Clean And Sort Out:

Before your new family member arrives, it is a good idea to make sure that any valuable items are placed in closed storage containers out of reach and check your environment for any small spaces a pet could wriggle into that you can’t, such as under beds or down the side of the sofa. Think about what steps you will need to take to keep a clean home with pets in it – you may want to consider getting a cordless vacuum so that you can quickly clean up a mess or an outside faucet where you could wash off muddy paws before they come into the house. If a cat is coming home, you could look into furniture protectors to make sure they don’t scratch up the arms and legs of your furniture.

With a little preparation, your new pet will soon be settled and happy in your home and ready to be part of the family.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Moving On Up: Family Dollar Haul

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Moving On Up: Family Dollar Haul

Hiya! The discount stores during my shopping hauls for moving have been my most frequented. And, my neck of the woods has a ton of them. Lol, us Akronites are partial to our Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, Dollar General, and Five Below. 😀 But, for good reason. I was able to knock off some items from my “to buy” list for a fraction of what I would have paid at Target or even TJMaxx, ready for when the movers come. Take a looksee:

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As I’ve mentioned in a few of my previous posts, the lighting in my apartment sucks on ice. It is really dark in there with not a ton of windows so I’ve been on the prowl for different lamps to brighten things up. I paid twenty bucks for the two lamps seen above, which will be perfect for my office and my bedside table. I also purchased four jumbo candles for five dollars apiece to create a nice glow that will smell really good! Especially the watermelon one – yum!!

And, finally, my storage bench. I have always loved these, but I have not been able to find just the right one so I was really happy to have snagged this one at Family Dollar. I got it for thirty-five dollars, which I consider a steal. I love the fabric and the shiny silver design and the inside storage is actually very deep so I’ll be able to fit a lot my things in there that I can’t quite find a place for. A successful haul, indeed. 😀

What is your favorite discount store? How do you create good lighting? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Moving On Up: Hobby Lobby Haul Edition

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Moving On Up: Hobby Lobby Haul Edition

Greetings! While shopping for my new apartment, I have had a little help. My clients have loved coming with me to pick things out and it has been so nice to have their personal touch in some of the items that I purchased. I told all of them that I want to use decorations that they chose in my home office and it has been such a blast seeing what they come up with.

During a shopping trip with one of my clients to Hobby Lobby, I ended up buying a new dinosaur and mermaid friend compliments of his recommendation. Check it out:

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This particular outing was really special to me because the client who I took is blind. So, we went down the aisles of Hobby Lobby and I would describe to him the things that would catch my eye and then we would give a yes or no verdict from there. However, I was told to get basically everything that I would tell him about!

As much as I would have loved to buy out the store, we went with the mermaid and dinosaur. I suggested something nautical because he loves to go to the beach and that idea sat very well with him. And, I friggen love the dinosaur and green is his favorite color so that was a no brainer! It was so special to me to have his help picking out some decor for my office and I can’t wait to put my new pals on my desk. 😀

How do you have your office space decorated? Are you partial to a particular theme of decor? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Combating The Loneliness When Living Alone

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Combating The Loneliness When Living Alone

When you are younger, you are likely to be living with at least one person, a parent or guardian. But for many people families come in all shapes and sizes and when the time comes to get a place of your own, it can often feel very isolating and overwhelming. You may be wondering if there is anything that you can do to combat the loneliness that you feel, so here are some suggestions to consider:

Get a roommate:

One of the obvious things that you can do when you live alone, and you have the space for it, is to get yourself a roommate. Initially, the idea of living on your own may have been very appealing, but perhaps a companion or a friend who is there when you get home from work or on the weekends will make you feel better. A roommate could be someone you already know, or you can advertise the room you have for rent. This can also be a big help when it comes to your outgoings, so there could be more benefits than one to consider here.

Plan your days and nights:

It’s essential that you start to think about your days and your nights when it comes to living alone, and if you plan for them, then you are less likely to feel alone and at a loss of what to do with your time. Routine workouts at the gym or going for a run, head out for walks, schedule in TV programs you want to watch, go out to dinner with friends. Make sure you have a full schedule and routine that you can throw yourself into. It leaves you with less time to comprehend that you are on your own as the chances are when you are home, you are tired and will just want to relax or go to bed.

Get a cat:

A cat can be extremely loyal and a great pet to have in your home. It gives you a purpose, a sense of responsibility, and something to greet you when you get home. Ensuring they have what they need for when you aren’t around like a cat bed, litter tray, food, water and even a realistic cat toy can make them feel happy and content for the time that you spend away from your place. It could definitely be an option to consider.

Other pets to consider:

Further to that, there are other pets you could think about as well that could provide you with the same level of company, but tend to be very low maintenance. Hamsters and gerbils, and even a fish tank. It all depends on the type of pets you like. Another note could be that you could volunteer at your local animal shelter. Walking the dogs and spending time with the animals could leave you feeling content and happy, and fill up any spare time you did have.

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Start a new hobby:

If you have some free time and you don’t want to feel alone or bored, then maybe it is the perfect time to start a new hobby. Has there been a sports team that you have wanted to join? Do you want to attend a gym class? Maybe you want to be creative so getting artsy or even starting a blog of your own. These are all great things that you could consider doing in your spare time to give yourself a full day. Activity integration through new hobbies is something that the Clover Group Buffalo uses to help combat loneliness as this is an ideal way to find people with shared interests.

Get engrossed in the latest box set:

A great idea is to get yourself engrossed in a box set when you have some free time. There are so many amazing TV, film, or drama series that you can watch. Game Of Thrones, Suits, and Netflix are always releasing something new. While it may sound a little strange just watching TV when you feel alone, the box sets and the programs you watch will have you mesmerized and transfixed. Before you realize it you will have devoured three episodes and wondered where the time has gone.

Take it in turns with your friends to host dinner parties:

There are likely to be other friends of yours that also live on their own, so it may be time to join forces. Take it in turns to host nights in. It could be a lavish dinner party, it might just be pizza and a few drinks, but it means that you are able to spend some time together and enjoy each other’s company without feeling like you are on your own.

We hope that this post has helped you take some of the potential loneliness out of living alone. Good luck!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

What Is Visual Weight And How Can You Use It To Improve Your Home Decor?

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What Is Visual Weight And How Can You Use It To Improve Your Home Decor?

When you’re decorating, it’s important that you have a good sense of balance and symmetry in a room. It’s also important that you’re considering the size of the room that you’re decorating so that you don’t end up with large rooms that feel too empty or smaller spaces that are cramped and uncomfortable. Often, the furniture choices that you make have a big impact on this, but that’s not the only thing to consider.

Visual weight is an interior design term that refers to the weight that an object or surface appears to have, rather than how much it weighs on a scale. Understanding how to use visual weight to your advantage when you’re decorating your home will help you design the best space possible. Read on to find out more:

Color And Material:

The first thing to consider is the color and material of things around the room. As a general rule, darker colors and materials have a higher visual weight. Red tends to have the highest while a pale yellow has the lowest, blues and greens are somewhere in the middle. That’s why a room that is painted entirely red will feel very claustrophobic and so will a room where all of the furnishings are red.

That doesn’t mean you can’t use colors with a high visual weight, but it’s important that you balance them with lighter colors, as well. The same goes for materials; using reclaimed wood in the home is a great way to get a rustic look, but it has a high visual weight. If you design a room with reclaimed wood on the walls and then fill it with wooden furniture, the balance will be off. You need to choose one or the other and offset the wood with some light furniture or pale shades on the walls.

If you need some visual examples, it can be helpful to visit a Furniture store in Rockwall, TX (or your local area) for inspiration. Browsing through the displays and fixtures in person can really help you start to picture your home in a different way. Be sure to snap pics as well as inquire about different color options to the staff for any pieces you might like.

Size:

Size plays a big role in visual weight so it’s important that you consider it when choosing furnishings and ornaments to put around a room. If you’re using thick curtains on the windows, for example, they have a heavy visual weight. If you combine that with a lot of large pieces of furniture, the room will start to feel cramped. If you wanted to have a big coffee table and some large armchairs in your living room, you’d be better off looking into blind installation rather than sticking with the heavy curtains, so you can balance out the furniture. When it comes to decorations around a room, you need to group them by size. So, if you’ve got a large sculpture on one side of the room, you need to balance that with something of a similar size, or a grouping of small objects on the other side of the room.

Transparency:

Any items that are transparent seem to have a lower visual weight, and you can use this to your advantage. If you’ve got a room where the walls and furniture already have a high visual weight, you can offset that by using clear vases or bottles to decorate with. This is also ideal for darker rooms where you want to improve the flow of sunlight and brighten the space up a bit.

If you experiment with visual weight and remember these rules when you’re decorating, your home will be stunning and guest ready in no time.

Featured Image By: Pexels