Good Morning! Tony and I celebrate SIX MONTHS of marriage today! How exciting? It is so hard for me to believe that six entire and full months have already passed. Yes, I know some of you are reading that and thinking six months is nothing. I know we have a long way to go, but I have been so blessed by the last six months spent day in and day out with the one man the Lord created just for me. We definitely have had our up days and down days. However, one thing that stands firm is our love for each other no matter the circumstances. Six months ago we vowed "for better or for worse, in sickness and in health" and we meant it with everything we had. We still mean it today, too.
For today's post I thought I would share where we are six months in. As much as I want to be a teacher, I would love to be a baker, photographer, event planner and interior designer full time. However, I must only choose one path and dream big... for now at least. My precious husband allows me to play with all my other dream professions in our little home through all that encompasses the role of a wife's world, which is a nice touch outside of reality on certain days.
Since I have never lived on my own I have never had the opportunity to decorate my own space. Thankful, my husband knows that I love interior challenges. He has pretty much let me do as I pleased. Luckily, he and I have many of the same tastes when it comes to colors and such. Overall, he says our new crib has a "homie (sp?) feeling" and that was my main goal. Have I mentioned how blessed I am? I am so so so thankful for my husband-- even on the days that we get on each others nerves.
These are photos from when we first started moving things into our apartment as soon as we signed our lease in April 2011.
Since moving to Birmingham we have certainly come a looooong way! At one point, we had personal items in four different cities before we finally were settled! Without the help of our family and friends from all over we would not have been able to fill out little home as quickly as we have. I think Tony and I have changed a little in many ways in the past six months. We have growth in many ways, also. However, one thing that must be noted is that our little home has certainly consumed every inch of our comfort and well being. Our apartment was the first thing that we settled on before getting married. We were finished planning the wedding and were house hunting during late January through March. We decided to not rush into buying a home and settled for an apartment that is 5 minutes from Tony's office. Within a 5 mile range we have everything that we can possible need, which is nice, too.
I have never lived in an apartment. It has definitely been a test of my patience due to space issues. Also, I have this odd problems of forgetting that we have neighbors below who can hear my every step or hair dryer drop in the wee hours of the morning. Needless to say, at times things are awkward and loud for me. On the other hand, Tony has lived in an apartment for the past six year. Nonetheless, he is ready to move on to bigger and better spaces. Regardless, I tried my best to clean up and spruce things up once we were settled after the wedding. But, everyone knows the best things come with time. I think we have found a resting place in our little home for a little while longer. Currently, we plan to stay where we are for at least another half year or year.
During high school I was a very materialistic person. College brought me back to life a bit and I have learned to make do with less, which is an awesome feeling. If you live in a materialistic rut, try simplicity. Living in an apartment, I have learned to make do with a lot that we already have or were given, which is fine by me. We are certainly much better off than most people are our age. We realize that we are blessed beyond most and certainly do not take the first thing for granted. However, this does not mean that I am no longer a frugal buyer. I still LOVE a steal of a deal! I am not an impulse buyer. Occasionally (every 6+ months), I do try to find something new while I am out and about.
I have been shopping a few times with a few friends in the area to help them decorate their new cribs. We typically find wonderful items at TJ Maxx, Home Goods, Ross, Big Lots, and even Walmart or Target. Specifically, I thought I would give you a tour of our little home and point out a few recent finds that were wonderful deals that Tony and I decided to not pass up. Every now and then I will pick up a few odds and ends. Most of the things we have obtained will be used as decor or furniture in our future home in the coming years. Therefore, we sit well knowing that our style of interior design will not change much once we transition to a larger living space.
I really love the way in which Kelley's Korner hosts the "Show us your life.." series every now and again. I try to participate when I can. So, today's post is going to be very similar. By now I assume if you are a regular you have noticed that I often refer to Kelley's blog. If you have a minute, check out her little corner of the Internet! She is a beyond amazing, Godly woman that I have loved getting to "virtually" know.
The last time I went shopping for our home was when we first moved in things before the summer. So, since I am out of school I have been scoping out a few deals in the newspaper and saving coupons. These are a few of my favorite recent finds at Ross and Tuesday Morning all under $35.00!!
All of these photos below have been taken at different times since we moved in for different reasons. Most of the decor that seems placed in odd areas will not be placed in these areas once we have more walls or shelves to cover in a home. For now, these items are displayed in a random bathroom spot simply because we do not have storage space. If you recognize some of the items in the photos, they were part of our wedding decorations. Also, if you notice the time of day is different in some photos or a few decor items have been replaced or changed, know that your eyes are not failing you. Things really are a little different based on when the pictures were taken.
Without further ado... I would like to welcome you into our little home six months into things!
Let's start with the Entry and Kitchen
I adore the cross hanger and red sign hanging from the door knob on the left. Each were gifts we received from Village Jewelry and Sports in Butler, Alabama. (Check out their Facebook Fan Page!) In the photo on the left- the right door leads to our laundry room. The left door leads to our supply/cleaning closet.
The kitchen is my favorite room, obviously! I continuously call it my "happy place". It is not perfect and it is not large, but it does allow me to discover what I love to cook and bake. Also, I love all the unique and special aspects of this space from the photos and life sayings on the fridge to the Louisiana culture decor, wedding remnants, and a few of my favorite kitchen items. (Is it bad that I know who gave us which gifts in this room? We are SO thankful for all we received!)
We do not have much counter space of cabinets. I have used many of the gift items in this room as display pieces for now. Hopefully, one day I will be able to put these items to use.
We do not have much counter space of cabinets. I have used many of the gift items in this room as display pieces for now. Hopefully, one day I will be able to put these items to use.
On another note, we ordered furniture in May. It did not all arrive until late July. Furniture would arrive piece by piece, which I thought was crazy. However, it turned out that these pieces were pretty popular this past summer. Picture this: During late June we did not have a table, couch, or chairs. First, we started eating dinner by standing up in the kitchen. Then, we actually brought our patio table and chairs inside to use while eating dinner (Thank you, Mt.Sterling Baptist!). We thought we were roughing it even though we were no where close!
Eventually, by September we had everything moved out of this space that did not belong and the picture frame collages were hung on the walls. I was determined that we would eat dinner at the table without sitting in front of the TV like so many families do today. Thankfully, we have had more dinners at this table than anywhere else!
I am in love with the fact that the "R" table runner, lanterns and gold and silver globes and vases fit right in with the rest of our furniture and decor in our little home. The gold and silver globes and vases were used at our wedding reception as table centerpieces. My mother has a few pieces and I have a few pieces.
One day we may possibly have a rug for this space...
If we stay here for longer than another year those blinds are coming down! We dislike them greatly! I am thinking some type of free moving curtain and a pretty rod may look good here. For now, I am checking out ideas on Pinterest. We really like allowing the sun to come through during the day so, I am going to continue to look around and see what I can find.
Study
All of our odd and end little trinkets ended up in this room if it could not be stored in our outside storage. Also, some of Tony's Alabama pictures that did not match the rest of the decor were hung on the wall with his graduation diploma.
This room was actually the sell factor/deciding factor for us when trying to find an apartment that suited my needs and Tony's needs. I normally use this room to study in while he has full reign on the rest of the apartment. Plus, the large bay windows are absolutely gorgeous. And, the view outside the window is not too shabby!
Obviously, the "Home" sign and the photo shutters will not stay in the bathroom once we have a larger space to decorate. Most of the decor pieces in the bathroom came from Home Goods if we did not receive a particular item as a wedding gift or use it as decor at our reception.
The bathroom is one area that we did not spend a lot of money. We have decided to wait until we buy a home to buy certain dishes for soap, toothbrush holders, q-tips holders, ect., because we want the styles to match. However, we did purchase our rugs and towel sets which will definitely be used for years to come in our next home.
This is the area in which I noticed I have an attraction to red, green, brown, black, and neutrals. These colors can be found in our kitchen, living room, and bedroom. Tony and I have discussed venturing away from the darker clothes when we move into a home only in our bedroom. We plan to do something with lighter, brighter colors- possibly.
We like all of our decor in our apartment, except our bedding. This bedding I have had for a number of years! I used it almost 10 years ago and then put it in storage when I went to college. Since then, I figured we could use it until we bought a larger bedroom suite in the future. Bedding is entirely too expensive to try and find something for a queen size bed that may not work with a king size at a later date.
If your husband has a problem with putting things away in their proper place, GET HIM A BASKET. I cannot tell you how many times I would pick up Tony's mess each day. Eventually, I learned to pick my battles. I found an old basket and told him to start using it. Since then, I have not picked up all his mess from his pockets each evening. I won that battle, ladies.
Now, does someone know how I can teach Tony to hang up his clothes that are not dirty instead of throwing them on our ottoman for days? I actually had to hang up a bunch of his clothes that were covering this ottoman before taking this picture. I have no clue what the deal is with that? He will wear something for a few hours and then throw it here to get wrinkled. I hardly ever see the ottoman! Then, I have to iron the stuff again! Regardless, this piece of furniture is actually part of our living room suite and does not fit. Hence, the reason it is in our bedroom.
All of our plants have lasted since we bought them in August. I am so proud that I have not killed them, yet!
I really enjoyed being able to sit outside and drink my morning coffee when it was not so hot. Right now it is too cold to get outside. Hopefully, I can get back out here when the seasons change.
I love that so many of our wedding gifts and decor items were not only beautiful at our showers or reception. They also work well in our little home because even if I am not using a certain item or serving piece it can be displayed. During our journey to the altar I felt so overwhelmed by all of the friends and family who supported us. I am extremely thankful for all the Lord has placed in my life. If you are reading today and see something you gave us, know that we truly appreciate it! Thank you for everything to everyone who who had a part in making our wedding journey so memorable. We are blessed and forever thankful.
I saw this photo quote on Pinterest the other day and have full intentions of abiding it to the fullest come the new year in our home! Before making a purchase I plan to ask myself: "Do we really need this?" and "What will it do for our home?"
This post has been included in a "Delightfully Inspiring Thursday" link up party on the blog Delightful Order. If you are interested, check out all the other linked posts fom fellow bloggers on organization tips, decorating, crafting, party planning, gift ideas, or recipes!
Just as a reminder, if you have not had a chance to check out the discounts currently offered on stocking stuffer ideas from the P&G eStore, you can check out the last three posts I have created based on my product use and reviews. [This is sponsored content from BlogHer and P&G. #ad #pgstocking]
- P&G eStore Discount Codes and Link [Downy Unstopables]
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