My Credit Card Needs A Break

It's time for another rendition of Saturday night on lock down. It's been a full year since the stay at home order was put in place. Like many Americans, I too spent this time having to adjust to the reality that staying at home was actually supposed to be a good thing.

Before the lock-down I lived a pretty active social life. Happy hour with friends, dinner dates, concerts, plays, birthdays, you name it. My point is that for most of my adult life I've made it a point to maintain a social life and get out of the house. So as the anniversary of the lock down dawns on us, you would think that one might have begun scaling the bedroom walls by now. But it's the total opposite, instead I sit here on the living room sofa, watching Netflix's Bridgerton and enjoying a bowl of kettle popcorn and a glass of wine. The best part of just sitting in my living room is the atmosphere that it creates. It feels so cozy and inviting; it wasn't always like this.

Before the pandemic my living room gave a vibe of city chic- minimal. That's Gen-Z verbiage for "I was too broke from traveling the world to invest in my living space". When we approached month two of lock down and there was no change in our situation, it became clear. We were going to be here for a while. How long will this last? I asked myself this very question one day while standing in the kitchen. I took a good look around the apartment and although I felt comfortable before the pandemic, I really didn't like what I saw. It was time that my living space actually reflect, that you know, people actually live here. The space felt so cold and lifeless. With the exception of my husband and 5 year old yellow lab, you wouldn't think that people lived here and adults nonetheless. The furniture was basic, the couch was sturdy, but other than that, I pretty much didn't do anything to this place but place furniture in it. I decided that I needed a change.

As much as I was looking forward to taking on this project, I didn't know where to start. I took to social media immediately to start researching ideas on the latest home decor trends. The things I was finding online were surprising. It seems as if we all had the same thing in mind with taking on the challenges of home improvement. From small DIY to a full blown renovation, we've all been busy preparing our homes to spend more time in them, and I for one am no different. From easy to peel wall coverings, to small gadgets that spruce up the office, here are some of my favorite products that I have purchased recommended from the online influence. And just like the video said "TikTok made me buy it".

1. Let's get organized. A clean space will equal a clean mind. This saying is tried and true. If you're looking to upgrade your space, one of the easiest things you can do is clear and de-clutter everything first. Take the time to look over the spaces that need a good comb through, kinda like a self-audit of all your stuff. You'll start to see what you already have and what you truly need to purchase. You may even come across some items that could be refurbished with a little DIY. Some of my favorite organizational items include lazy Susan's, clear mid-size storage boxes (with lids), and my personal favorite a label maker. Yes, you heard me, one of my favorite items I've purchased thus far based off my thorough TikTok research is a label maker. Reason being, I can print the labels in various fonts and sizes and it is small enough not to take up too much space in the drawer. Remember a clean space will instantly give the illusion that you've "spruced up the place".

2. Who knew curtains are actually worth it. Okay, now I know what you all are thinking. Curtains...really? Normally I would agree, a set of curtains is definitely something that can be overlooked. I will say that quality window treatments really do go a long way. Not only will they help with insulating your home, but it will add a nice touch of style for a fraction of the price. I purchased a set of grey velvet curtains for my bedroom, and they instantly made the room feel very sexy. I freshened up the living room and balcony as well. Plus they make a nice backdrop for zoom meetings.

3. I will pay for the convenience! After months of staying in you start to miss the little things that came with old life. The one thing for me was coffee. I have a coffee maker at home, it's pretty basic and it gets the job done, but I do miss stopping by my favorite cafe for my occasional afternoon latte. That's why I decide to upgrade my at home coffee routine. There are a lot of appliances that are on-sale now that are not AirFryers. I didn't buy a new coffee maker, but I did buy a few accessory items including a hand-held milk frother. Now this has nothing to do with home renovation, but I love this little kitchen tool because in just a matter of minutes you've transformed your basic cup of joe into an actual cafe experience. You'll be able to enjoy your hot beverage in your cozy new living room.

4. Earth and Fire. So I really love candles. When I have the time to set aside for self-care, I assure you that there is candle somewhere burning. So when I saw the "Amazon must-haves" candles edition I almost flipped my laptop. The coolest thing I saw on-line was this candle care kit. Imagine an entire kit dedicated for maintaining your candles. Sounds bougie? That's because it is. Some kits include an electric lighter, slim tongs to pluck the wick out of the melted wax, and a mini candle extinguisher to put your candles. Even though products like this may seem highly unnecessary, they are a value add. If you are the type of person who does purchase candles regularly these will definitely extend the lifespan of your candles. A mixture of scents can elevate your living space and so can plants. Take a trip to your local farmers market for fresh cut flowers or visit your local nursery to shop around for plants. Adding some greenery to living space is a nice way to add texture and improve your indoor air quality. You now have a real use for all those DIY vases lol.

5. Rugs and pillows. I was on the fence about buying these items. Especially since I have a dog. After a few video reels on IG, I came across a video where this young lady showed two ways to use a rug. The first way was on the floor of course (boring!) and the second way was to display a nice rug like a wall tapestry. I thought this idea was funky and eclectic, but it aligned more with bohemian vibes. It did prompt me to buy a small outdoor rug for the balcony. I previously added the curtains to add privacy and keep bugs out, but adding an outdoor rug made my balcony feel like a little piece of getaway. Sitting outside on the balcony in the mornings soon became part of my morning routine.

Within a few short months I managed to transform my apartment from a place I rested my head at night after a long day into a real home. The best part about it is that I managed to make every step of this cost effective. When it comes to at home projects it can be very overwhelming. Even though this is the time to save our coins, I'm thankful for all the social media mavens out there because your honest opinions and reviews are not just entertaining but they help people like me become smarter consumers.