The Look for Less

Whenever I am home, my mother has tons of design magazines. Ballard's Designs in particular is one that always makes me want to claim bankruptcy! A few months back they showed beautiful glass jugs with fairy lights in them on the "apron" of a fireplace (it's that little stoop in the front fyi). It was so adorable and I already had the lights, all I needed were the jugs… that cost $100?? You can see them here if you are curious. Now I get it, these are sold as hand blown glass and that makes them really expensive…no, you're right I don't get it at all. So I was on the hunt to find the perfect replacement.

I actually like mine better AND it's a real wine jug. Carlo Rossi, some of the cheapest wine on the planet. Most people use it for cooking because it tastes horrid, I use it for decoration. I work at an upscale Italian restaurant and when I saw these in the kitchen (they use it to cook with, of course), I asked them to save me one. 

*Tip to remove the label: Put the jug in the sink and let hot water run over the side of the jug where the label is. Remove from the water after about a minute and use rubbing alcohol on a paper towel to rub the label off. Repeat from beginning if necessary.*

It has created an adorable little corner in my apartment and I hope it will inspire you to create one of your own! And of course, I hope this helps your life stay simple and easy.

Best,

Michelle

Other mentionables:

Apothecary bottle from Target

Bombay Sapphire Dry Gin

Carlo Rossi

Fairy Lights from Anthropologie

Budgeting and Planning: Drinks!

Going out on the weekend is what we do best - we are the youth! We are living in our first apartment and we are fabulous! Yes! I can handle another shot of tequila, who are you to tell me otherwise?!

We all know it gets excessive and I'm not just talking about shots - I'm talking about spending money. I very much regret nothing from last night except for the $100 bill that I insisted on picking up. Whoops! What helps this spending? Pre-game parties and of course soirées.

As for my bar area… it's a work in progress. It's a shared table with my record player and it's location is not quite settled in the space. I will have a more extensive bar area post once I think it's ready - I really would like a bar cart but the one I want is a little out of budget right now.

Technically these glasses are stemless wine glasses - but I plan on using them for cocktails too. They were much cheaper than the cocktail glasses that I wanted from Macy's and cheaper and better quality than the ones I wanted from Anthropologie. I saw them in the store and they were very light, I was nervous they would break easily. The glasses I purchased are from West Elm at $8 a piece (you can buy them a la carte in the store) and they feel very sturdy. Not to mention, breaking $8 glasses won't make me cry as hard as breaking $20 glasses. The fact that they are wine glasses does kind of bother me but I figure at my age, I very well might be the only person that knows that these are wine glasses - also if there is alcohol in it, who cares?

Sometimes I feel like I am constantly entertaining people and of course it gets tiring, but it's a lot cheaper than bar hopping and can be a great way for you to expand your inner bartender! Think of it this way: $20 - $40 on a bottle can be less expensive than the bar tab.

Here are a few tips to help this method be successful:

• Don't purchase cheap alcohol. Go ahead and spend more than you normally would knowing that it is for you and you are going to make yourself nice cocktails. 

• If someone asks for you to make them a drink, say "of course, but you owe me one later!" You bought the bottle to save money, not dish out.

• This may or may not be obvious, but do drink enough before so that you know you will only get one or two drinks while you're out.

I hope this inspires you to start entertaining your guests with a little bar fun! And of course, I hope this helps your life stay simple and easy.

Best,

Michelle

Alternative Coffee Methods and Why

There are many reasons why alternative coffee methods are the way to go. These are my three favorites: The French press, the drip coffee maker, and the espresso percolator ( or Cafetera). All three create a different type of coffee and a different type of coffee-drinking experience. These are much better than electric percolators and especially Keurigs. And all fulfill the need to clear counter space for the minimalist lifestyle.

First, the drip coffee maker (and my current favorite) creates the most rich and flavorful coffee. The design allows you to pour hot water over ALL of the coffee grounds, which really makes me feel like I am getting the most out of each individual ground. This method costs much less than electric perc ($40) and it makes better coffee so for me it's a no-brainer. Filters come in packs of 100 at $10 - I use un-bleached. The pointed end of the filter helps the coffee filter through slowly making each drip really count.

The brand is Chemex and you can get it at most specialty coffee shops. Here is a link to get it from Sur la Table. They have many sizes, I got the 6 cup maker.

The next coffee maker is the French Press. This is probably the most common among alternative coffee methods. In my opinion, it makes great coffee (and loose leaf tea!) but it does take more to make it great. I think that if you do not buy specially ground coffee specifically for the French press the end result may leave a type of "soot" at the bottom of your coffee cup. Unlike a usual filter, the mesh bottom of the French press will allow small grinds to pass through. This can be easily fixed though, either buy special grounds or wrap a regular coffee filter underneath the press - this will eliminate the "soot" tremendously. French Press coffee makers are easily found at TJMaxx (like mine) for no more than $15. IKEA has it for $9!

When it comes to espresso, things can get expensive. If you are all about that taste, Cafeteras are the way to go. I wouldn't just go ahead and invest in an espresso machine, great makers need even better espresso beans (which can be extremely expensive - like $80 a bag). Stove-top percolators make really great espresso (but be warned they do not make crema (light creamy foam on top) so you will not be on your way to making latte art any time soon with this). When I was in the south of France, this was the only way we drank coffee and I apparently got hooked. These are also very inexpensively found at TJMaxx but here it is on Amazon too. I do really like illy espresso but I wouldn't spend the money (yes, I found it at TJMaxx for much cheaper). There are plenty of other brands at grocery stores for you to try out at a much smaller price.

And in case you are curious, the following photo is how I usually have them displayed on my counter top. My boyfriend bought me the vintage coffee tin, the coffee scoop is something I found at an art festival - lucky for you I saved their card and here is their Etsy: Riverwood Trading Co.

I hope this makes your mornings (and afternoons and evenings - let's be real) a little more minimal (and tasty). And as always, I hope this helps your life stay simple and easy.

Best,

Michelle

Penny Saver!

I used to hate sponges! I thought they were a waste of money because they go bad so quickly. I still continued to buy them even though my disgust was evident. If only I could make them last longer…

It's been two months since I've bought a two-pack of sponges and I didn't even touch the second sponge until this morning to take these photos. Seriously, cutting my sponges into 1/8 sections has changed my dish-washing-life! I thought about it, you do not actually need the entire sponge to get something clean! 

You can cut them to whatever size you need (or whatever size your budget allows). I know some people may not like them this small (for whatever reason - I find it easier to scrub with a smaller, scrubby, surface area).  The photo above shows you half, a quarter, and eighth sizes. 

It is so helpful to have little things like this all around the house to save money because later, it does make a difference. As always, I hope this helps your life stay simple and easy.

Best,

Michelle

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