Living Better With Less... Dirt in the House

(come in go away mat, buy here)

It doesn't matter whether or not you wear shoes in the house, they're still coming in along with all the lovely things that have been picked up from the street. And you don't want that in your home and/or closet... Your choice; spend $3 at your local hardware store, $100 for a custom one, or any amount in between.

It's a no brainer, seriously - if you don't have one, get one now!!

Apartment Progress... Bathroom Transformation

DONE

- installed 4 of the 5 shelves on back wall (cost: existing shelves $0, brackets $5, installation $30)

- put in new bath mats (cost: $20)

- installed towel, robe and misc hooks (cost: $12)

- styled/decorated (cost: $0 existing)

TO BE DONE

- install remaining shelf

- get curtain for shower stall

- repaint back wall; dark grey??

- repaint rest of walls white; there's a red hue now

- install mirror across from medicine cabinet

- replace medicine cabinet

When decorating I only like to do what is absolutely necessary, not only to save money, but time and energy. Normally I'd just leave the medicine cabinet but it's ugly and in bad shape; outside looks like it's been chewed and there's water damage on the inside. Since the vanity has plenty of storage room, I figured it would be less expensive to replace it with a mirror not another cabinet. Also I'll have better luck reusing a mirror than a cabinet if I move again. I picked up this one today from Yesterday's News for $45. I plan on painting it either high gloss white or an accent color like turquoise... still deciding.

Living Better With Less... Trying To Remember

A fun side effect of being neat and organized is being called a neat freak and obsessive compulsive. It used to annoy me (just a little) but the truth is I just prefer having my things work for me, not the other way around.

Take my skin care regimen. Products work best when used on a regular basis. I wash my face everyday with a gentle cleanser, use a scrub every three days, and a glycolic wash also every three days but not on the same days I use the scrub. After weeks of trying unsuccessfully to remember when to use something, I ended up either over or underusing one or the other. Simple solution; label the bottles so I don't have to remember.

The Cutest Stuffed Animals Ever

(images courtesy of zooguu)

I had the pleasure of meeting the couple behind ZooGuu at a party the other night. Not only are they great, but when I saw their creations I freaked out! I'm not a gushy person especially over kid's stuff like stuffed animals but come on, LOOK at that little bunny! I hope my sister-in-law likes them as much as I do cause I'm definitely getting my soon-to-be-niece several...

Having Trouble Visualizing Paint Colors?

(images courtesy of Mochi Home)

Ask the guys at Mochi Home who help you 'picture your place' literally. Simply submit your pics and question and wait for them to give your room a virtual makeover. Genius!