Is it bad that last night I was looking on Overstock, Target and Macys at things like Sno-cone makers, panini presses and mixers instead of essentials for my new apartment?
Keep Calm and Snack On Tray $14.99 Target.com
  Heart-shaped Waffle Maker $34 at Overstock.com
Martha Stewart Blender $60 at Macys.com

This definitely tops my list. I would love to make my own Almond Yogurt, if that's possible. :)


Yogurt Maker $29.99 at Macys.com

 I'm writing an Apartment Move-in Checklist to just see the amount of things I need for my new place. I'm really starting from scratch after being a nomad for the past year and half.
Unfortunately these items won't be topping my "Must-Haves" , but my "Must-Lust" list.

784 sq ft.

That's how much space I will have to work with in two weeks. Thats right, I am finally getting my own apartment! This is the time I have been waiting for with baited breath all year.
So, as the move in begins and the decorating starts, I will be updating much much more frequently to document my adventures and experiences designing my first place.
The keys to making my first place perfect will include the following:

• Using the floor plan to map out furniture Before I bring a load of stuff in. 
• Finding bargains and once-loved pieces that I can breath some life into for a little amount of cash. (I'm just out of college so low-budget items are always welcome) 
• Utilizing each space for a specific function or allowing them to serve dual purposes. 
• Bring luxurious textures, fabrics and colors into each space to define my own style and give each space life and attitude. 
• fresh flowers. 

Obviously my favorite site at the moment is Apartment Therapy. To quote Edward Cullen, "Like my own personal brand of heroin." I LOVE THIS SITE. Especially now since I'm finally about to get my first apartment. Completed addicted.
I spent hours looking at the spaces submitted in the small cool contest.


















this was the winners space. I die for that clear plex chair! ahhhh. Ikea has some similar ones right now. They are a great way to not clog up a space, but still have function.


I'm going to be in Austin, with almost 800 sq.ft. But I love the idea of printing the floor plan out and "playing tetris". In a studio like this one, this was definitely the key to making it work.

5 mistakes to avoid when living in a small space

1. Clutter- Just because you don't have a lot of space to work with doesn't give you the right to leave your crap everywhere. Take a day to organize and give all of your things a home.


2. 3's a party...4's a crowd- When you're working with a small space, keep it simple and dial down on the furniture, there's no need to fit all your hand-me-down college furniture just because it was free. If its not in great condition or a family keepsake...donate it. 
3. Not Cleaning- This shouldn't even be one of the 5, but everyone lets this one slip every once and a while. But keeping a space clean is vital to having a relaxing, calm environment. Not to mention coming up with excuses of why your place smells so bad is NOT chic or sexy.

  
4. Forgetting flowers- Nothing beats the aroma and allured of fresh flowers waiting on you when you return to your humble little abode. and according to studies is proved to improve your mood and energy.

5. Not letting the light in- This should be a mistake to avoid in any home, but this especially applies to small spaces! Like flowers, light is a mood enhancer and there is NOTHING better than drawing the curtains in the morning and letting your living space flood with natural light. Yum! Leave the curtains for nighttime privacy.