Weekend Update: Lofts for Less

I was a busy little bee this weekend.  Friday my day consisted of getting my oil changed, a much needed haircut, constructing our new desk, and hosting friends for dinner that.  Saturday Joel and I went to visit my sister and brother in-law.  She and I got to shop the streets of Cambridge while the boys enjoyed beers nearby.  Sounds about right.  Annnddd, I finally feel as though our loft in our apartment is complete.  

Below are some before and after pictures of this quaint, but slightly awkward space.  Every apartment in our building has a loft, which is both great and not so great.  It's very appealing to have a second living area that can be home to the less feminine household items, such as Joel's 3 guitars and amp.  While I love Joel's passion for music, it does come with quite the assortment of tools.  The loft, or as Joel prefers to call it, "the studio" has always felt a little unfinished and hodge podgey to me.  While Joel's convinced I like to change things after only a weeks time (not true by the way), I was was only doing that because I felt that the room was unfinished.  With the lovely addition of our new desk, which was Joel's idea, and a little TLC I think this room has finally come together and I couldn't be happier!

The best part, we didn't have to break the bank to make the small, but much needed improvements.  The desk was on price cut at Target for the weekend, each pillow featured above is from the lovely home section of T.J. Maxx (I truly am a maxxinista), and most knick-knacks were either Homegoods purchases or hand-me downs from my mom or Joel's.  

Before

After

Weekend Update

This weekend was nothing short of fabulous.  I got to see some of my absolutely wonderful girlfriends.  While we didn't organize a synchronized dance to show off at the bar we went to, because yes, these are the sort of things we hope to do one day, it was still quite special, along with some of our dance moves.  And while some of those moves were documented, I didn't want to post them in case any of you got jealous, because you would.  Happy Tuesday weekend update!

Weekend Update

While I've learned a thing or two about cooking since living in an apartment for the last two years, Joel's a different story.  During college Joel mostly lived off chicken nuggets, ramen noodles, and probably a slew of other things I don't even want to know about.  Needless to say, he's not entirely domesticated, but we're working on it.  As you look below you'll notice Joel featured as professional cutter for this meal.  We enjoyed a lazy Sunday together while listening to some fun music, which I'm finding Joel really enjoys to do while cooking, and got cookin'! We made white bean chicken chili, which I prefer over beef chili.  I even got Joel to wear an anthro apron, but he refused to let me take a photo of it.  Sad, I know.

What you'll need:

-peppers of your choice

-onion

-garlic

-can of white beans

-chili powder

-ground cumin

-chili seasoning packet

-bag of frozen cor

-chicken

-cheese

Put the peppers, onion, and garlic in pot for 10 minutes before adding other ingredients.

Add chicken, spices, corn, and beans.  Let sit for two hours.

Enjoy!

Weekend Update: Bedrooms on a Budget

Thinking back on this weekend I'm trying to remember things of significance I did, but oddly I'm having trouble. Ha! Maybe that's because I didn't.  The past few weeks have been pretty busy and it was nice to have an uber-relaxing few days.  Yesterday I stayed in my pajama's until noon, oh and did I mention I slept for 11 hours on Friday night.  I know, I'm cool.  I watched not 1, but 2 movies this weekend and previewed The Hunger Games trailer an unmentionable amount of times.  Sigh, is it 3.23.12 yet? Just kidding, because there is a lot to look forward to in the coming months.  

I've decided to dedicate this weekend update post to more apartment pictures. While I'm sure you'd love to see pictures of my laying in bed watching Netflix, that's next week's post.  

Since living on my(our) own, I've loved each and every bit of decorating, hanging and inevitably taking down pictures, moving and then putting back knick-knacks.  Decorating is something I've loved for a long time and I'm quite pleased with our first little apartment.  I hope you all enjoy it as much as we do, but if you don't, well be happy you don't have to live in it!  

Here's a few tips I've learned since officially being "on my own.

-Budget.  If you're in a position like mine, you don't have unlimted funds to buy that $1000 rug from Anthro, as much as you think you should.  Make sure to scour places like Homegoods for Anthro like items.  The Anthro sale room is full of wonderful treats as well, but remember I've been collecting my odds and ends from there for some time.  

-Re-use, re-use, re-use! Now I realize not all families are like mine.  Not everyone's Grandmother has engraved spoons from the early 1900's (which yes, I do have).  Luckily for me though my grandmother, aunts, mother, and sister have all lived just enough longer than me that they are recycling old items out for new ones.  And hey, old is fine by me because I just call it vintage.  It's also really fun to have family items in your home.  And no sister, this was not a dig at your age, it's I'm just grateful for the things you've given me.

-Beware of clutter.  For someone like me who loves things, not one thing in particular, just things, it can be hard to edit.  While I've gotten a lot better as I've gotten older, it is important to edit your apartment.  I have so many decorations, pictures, and candles that I had to make sure not to put them all out. It tends to look crazy if there 3 lamps on one table, trust me.  

These are my words of wisdom for new apartment dwellers.  Good luck, and happy bargain hunting!

'Tis the Season...

...for seeing old friends, celebrating martial unions, and ringing in the new year.  While most of free time in the past few weeks has been spent reading this gem of a series, (click here and succumb to addiction), I have managed to do some extracurriculars outside of The Hunger Games.   I was able to see my dear friend, Kerry, who you may remember from here.  She was home for the holidays and it was more than wonderful getting the chance to spend time with her.  I attended a wedding for a family friend, so amazing and all my congratulations to the newlyweds, and spend New Year's eve with some of pretty wonderful people.  

Home.

Wedded Bliss.

NYE.

Weekend Update: A Christmas Story

That's right folks, those long days spent thinking about what perfect presents to get  your loved ones is yet again over in a blink.  Ahh, but not to fear, today is my half birthday.  For those of you who know my thoughts about birthdays (not only mine, shame on you.), you know how seriously I take any day which involves the words birth and day.  Just kidding, but not really (presents are appreciated, but not necessary). While I'm trying to get my timing and consistency back on track with this little blog of mine, enjoy a few family photos taken this Christmas.  

Weekend Update

This past weekend was the perfect balance between busy and relaxing.  Saturday afternoon Joel and I celebrated his grandmother's birthday with his family in lovely Southern CT.  That evening a few friends came over while we indulged in bacon pizza and episodes of SNL (if you have yet to see the latest episode please make a point of it.  I might never get over how hilarious Jimmy Fallon's impression of J.Biebs was). Sunday I finished up my Christmas shopping (and possibly some of Joel's.  Men, hopeless) and had my parents over for dinner.  Corned beef and vegetables, I know, I'm so Irish.  While I've seriously been slacking on photo documenting my clearly fascinating life, below is what I'd like to think of as our Christmas card if we happened to actually send those out.  

Merry Wishes,

Sarah and Joel

Weekend Update

I'm pretty sure my mouth is permanently glued in smile formation due to the amount of time I spent with that expression on my face this past weekend.  Joel and I hosted a holiday/house warming party at our new apartment with a bundle of friends.  It was such a wonderful feeling having so many people I love under one roof.  We're so lucky to have as many wonderful friends as we do.  Thank you, friends, for making this weekend so special.