Downsizing to a Minimalist

We're out of the house and back into an apartment. Not a big deal for us. Some repairs were made to the house but there was so much wrong with it. It needed more work than we were told, plumbing, structure, etc. Just goes to show you even if you think the repair job is good you could run into more than you can handle.

One of the things we're going to have to fix is the amount of stuff we have! From the 15k sqft house to a 700sqft apartment things certainly do NOT  fit. So how to make it fit? First we downsized out entertainment center from a 2 piece to a small 1 piece that fits just the tv and game system. The desk has gone from a corner desk to a single top desk. And no more dining room. That last part is the only sad thing about it all.

But what did we do with all the stuff? We sold most of it! Between Craigslist and a yard sale we got rid of many things we didn't need and made a small profit. The rest of it went to charity. Since we don't have room I didn't want to keep it all here; we didn't see the point in renting a storage unit for things we don't need. So, out it went!

Here's to a less cluttered home!

Stay green,
Yasha

My "new" old picture frames

I have some old picture frames that just don't match. You know the kind, every shape, size, material, and color ever thought of. Some how my taste has changed over the years and I decided to buy new frames while never throwing out the old ones.

I finally got fed up with my frame fetish and decided to fix the problem only to discover a new and much larger problem.

I'm broke.

So what to do? What to do? Hmm... Don't I still have a can of spray paint around here somewhere? I do. I do! Hooray!

I am now the proud owner of 7 "new" black frames. All it took was a little bit of time and effort. No my frames don't all match in size or shape but they are all the same color. It gives it a kind of eclectic feel without being overwhelming. Since the color scheme in my living room is pewter and black this worked out pretty well for me.

Tips for decorating on a tight budget:

• Look around. You may have something you can use. The picture frames and spray paint I already had.
• Check resale, yard sales, and charity stores. Since I'm painting all the picture frames the same color and don't care if bevels or sizes match I could get any frame I want.
• Redefine your limitations. For the longest time I wanted frames from only one collection. One shape, one size, one bevel. I'm much happier with reusing my old frames and actually being able to display my pictures than having to wait and save up to buy the new frames at $8 a pop.

My next project will be a DVD stand that currently has a wooden finish. It will soon be black to match the rest of the living room!

Stay green,
Yasha

Recycling clothes... and saving money

So the easiest way to save money, at least that I've found, is to sell things you don't use. I guess that isn't really saving money but making money off of things you don't use. But money is money lets not quibble over how it gets into our pockets.

Every time my baby outgrows something I take it to a resale shop. Most of the shops offer store credit for items brought in and I use the credit to buy new clothes. I've seen a lot of outfits that still have tags on them. I've even located a few resale or consignment shops around town that take adult and teen clothes. Saving money and recycling how much better can it get?

For all of the clothes I can't sell at shops I sell in yard sales. This is a slightly trickier since I don't have a yard or driveway. I have found, however, if you ask a friend they will let you borrow theirs. If you don't know anyone that has a driveway sometimes you can locate community yard sales. For a small fee you get a spot to display your stuff. These are similar to a flea market but usually much cheaper.

Shopping at yard sales are a good way to recycle as well. When I was pregnant a coworker went to neighborhood yard sales and bought me a whole maternity wardrobe! Many of the items were brand names and quite stylish. It's not always a score but if you shop the nicer neighborhoods it's very easy to find great clothes usually in decent condition.

One last place I like to shop is Goodwill. Now I know they don't really have many nice clothes but when I go to donate items I can't get rid of at shops and sales I do peruse the racks. Do I buy a lot there? No. But time to time I find a cute shirt in great condition or a pair of pants from my favorite store.

So how is any of this recycling? If it doesn't go straight to a landfill and someone else is reusing it wouldn't that be recycled?

Stay green,
Yasha