THE Space

This living area of my apartment has to be the best part of waking up in the morning and walking out of my bedroom. It is something that in order to get perfect, I had to be very patient. As they say "Rome wasn't built in a day" so I suppose if I want Rome, I have to wait for it to build over time. This is not, by any means, the finished product. But it is a very complete beginning. I will do a complete tour of the space when it is indeed complete but for now here is my favorite wall!

Well, I guess it is more than a wall, it is very much a chunk or section of my living room. One thing I love about this space is how much money I saved in creating it! I am just going to jump right in and tell you where I got my couch. Believe it or not, this futon was just $200 from Walmart. Yes, I said it, Walmart! I ordered it from their website because it's not something you can find in the stores. It only took a couple of days to arrive and it was really light and easy to put together. The cushions come all attached in a thin box (it kind of looked like an ice cream sandwich pulling it out). The legs came in a zippered pouch in the back of it! Which makes it super easy to move later on. It is surprisingly comfortable too. My main concern was not comfort, but seating and I got both! It opens up to about the size of a full bed, possibly a little thinner. The fabric is a wonderful faux leather and is super easy to clean. Pen comes right off!

Odds and Ends: The lovely little fluff on top is from IKEA. It was $30 because it is real but I know that they have fake ones for $12 as well. ( I honestly bought the real one because it reminds me of my dog and I really miss him!) The candle is from ZARA HOME. My exact one is not listed on the website (I got it about a year ago) but the link brings you to something pretty close and I am kind of jealous because I like it better than mine! The criss crossed vase is from a garage sale - sorry. 

The trunk is from a consignment shop, which here is a couple of bargain tricks for consignment shops - when you sell at consignment shops, some will give you a discount if you have sold a couple of things.This $60 trunk was $35 after I sold a few things there. 

Bargaining tip: If you think a trunk is overpriced, look for things like: initials, if the inside was painted at all, or if you see some sort of ledge about 5 inches from the opening (the purpose was for a shelf that it was made with) and the shelf is missing then all of these things can all bring down the price! You can sound like a historian knowing these things. Offer them a little over half (trunk was $95, you offer $50) and then work it down to maybe $70 or $80 - always offer lower than you will actually pay. If it isn't in your budget, forget about it. If you love it, check on it again in a week, if it is still there is it worth less now and try again! Or just wait till something better in price comes along.

The marble tile is from Lowes for $4! It is literally a floor tile. This is how you avoid over priced marble at the store. One of my favorite things about Lowes is how much you can recreate trends on a much smaller budget. Always check Lowes for things like this before buying, even at TJMaxx.

The photo wall has taken much time to develop (no film pun intended). Not only am I very particular about what of my art goes on my wall but also, I generally do not want it to have any context. It is just a pretty picture. My home is not somewhere for me to talk about me and brag about my latest projects. My home is a comfortable conversation space where we can talk about wine and movies. I have no problem sharing my thoughts, if asked, but I don't want the questions lingering on the wall. 

Frames have accumulated from IKEA to Hobby Lobby, I do not think that I have ever spent more than $15 on a frame. I am trying to get my derrière to the printing lab to fill some more frames that I have here shoved in a corner that I got at yard sales and have spray painted. Walmart also has fantastic prices on frames. Never spend the money to have things framed at craft stores! It is such a waste of money.

If you find yourself with the most beautiful frame that you cannot live without but it has no glass - have no fear! Lowes is a magical place where you can buy plexi glass (it is super light and thin) and ask them to cut it for you for whatever strange size you may need. Then just super glue the plexi into the frame and let it dry over night. In the morning use ACID FREE tape (it will avoid eating at the photo paper) to attach to the back of the frame. And voila!

As you may already know, apartments don't really like when you put nails and things in the wall so I buy these little babies! They are velcro command strips. You simply make two kiss, remove the backing and attach them to your frames, then the wall. They hold up to 9 lbs (4 kg)! Which is insane! But I love that I never have to wait for things to stick or dry, it is so instant!

I hope this section of my apartment finds you inspired to bring home the bargains! As well as help your life stay simple and easy.

Best,

Michelle

Budgeting and Planning: Groceries!

If there is one thing that I have learned from living a true minimalist lifestyle, it is where to spend more money and where to cut back. It may sound boring but my first topic of spending is groceries!

Nonperishable items are things that you can buy in bulk and should, if you have the space. I buy the large canister of Olive Oil (about 34 oz), it is $12 at my grocery store but to buy just the 8 oz bottle is $5, for me the solution is obvious - go big! If you are curious to try this specific brand, you can also buy it on Amazon for $12. This way, I lay down the big bucks now and save later. I got a dispenser for $4 at Target (it isn't as green as it looks online.) So buy the big peanut butter because you are saving money in the long run. In some cases I am wrong, it is always best to do an ounces to dollars comparison.

When it comes to fresh produce: always buy less. I go to the grocery store every couple of days just to get a few things. Dinner for today and tomorrow. Don't try to think too far in advance. You are only shopping for one or two people. It is not that same as shopping with your mom for at home where there are 5 people! It is just you now so it is time to be a little selfish and just think of YOU and maybe your significant other if they spend a lot of time in your fridge (like mine). If you can, buy things a la carte - instead of a big bag of huge carrots, get three lone large carrots. The most heartbreaking thing is throwing away that bundle of asparagus that you forgot about and became quite slimy... so don't do that! Plan the next couple of days of cooking (and/or eating out) and just shop for that. You could actually be spending less dreadful hours in the grocery store by running in for just the few things you need.

Hope this helps your life stay simple and easy. Check out the links below for more things that I've mentioned.

Best,

Michelle

Zoe 

Welcome to Minimalist Apartment!

So I just moved into my first apartment in the end of April. Slowly, I'm learning how to live reasonably. It is so hard to live within your "means" when Pinterest is full of beautiful spaces created by people with all the money in the world! Here, I will help everyone create their first space exactly the way they dreamt it up without breaking budgets, but being creative! I would also like to provide lifestyle, budgeting, and anything a young adult needs to know advice! Tips and tricks that anyone can do to create a minimalist space... in the minimal space you are given, along with a minimalist wardrobe and lifestyle. I know exactly how to search the right places to get the perfect look on a small budget.

A little bit about me: I am a 21 year old living in Pittsburgh, PA. Originally I am from western New York, but I am attending school here and am working as a barista at an Italian restaurant as well as a gallery attendant over the summer.  I found an apartment to live for this summer which will take me into my senior year. I am working toward my BFA in Photography (I am a visual artist, not a just a photographer, I like photographing for a concept... but you will see a lot of pictures on this blog for your benefit haha).

I can't wait to share with you all my space and how I achieved it. I hope you stick around to find out.

Best,

Michelle