Starting Out: Decorating Your Apartment

             When you're in your 20's and starting out in a new apartment, chances are you're not going to have a lot left over in the budget for decorating. Unless of course you're one of those young people who gets everything handed to you, in which case I hate you. Kidding! (Kind of) But yes, while starting your first real job, making it through school and/or paying off the massive debt you've accumulated whilst in school, decorating is not going to be your number one priority. However, you still want your apartment to look nice and presentable and have a homey feel to it. This is what I've been trying to achieve since moving into my apartment with my boyfriend, and I've picked up a few tricks on how to do it without having to spend too much. Not everything is going to match right away, and some furniture may not go with others, but you do the best you can!

Everything in this photo are things that we've picked up over the years, with the occasional new item we've bought for our apartment. If you have an island area like we do, it is essential that you pick up some bar stools, as they make the biggest difference. I believe these were about $30-$40 each from Canadian Tire. They're comfortable, really sturdy and are a great way to add more seating options to your apartment.

I never thought I'd be one to buy fake flowers, but I LOVE these! These cost $10.00 altogether from the Dollar Store. It's a great way to always have seasonal looking flowers without constantly having to repurchase. Just fill the vase up with water and it's hard to tell the difference between real and fake!

Let me just say, I LOVE LOVE LOVE this dog. This is the Bulldog Decorative Figure from Urban Outfitters, which I got on sale for $27.99 from their website. Unfortunately he's no longer available, but I think he's such a cute addition to our apartment. He's quite heavy, and has little grips on the bottoms of his feet. This dog was originally $59.99, so I couldn't complain about the price.

This is another recent purchase from St. Lawrence Market. This was from one of the souvenir stores on the first floor, and was the only one there. I wasn't originally going to buy it, as it was on for $34.99 and the very top was broken off. However, I managed to bargain down the store owner to $20.00 and he fixed the top for me. 

The best thing about this by far, is that it's a tea light holder! Once I realized that I couldn't just let it go. (That may look like dust around the edges, but it's not!)

This is the Bonjour Multi Hook in silver from the Urban Outfitter's website as well, which hangs by our doorway as a key holder! It really couldn't be much of anything else as it is quite small, but it's a nice touch as you walk in the doorway. This was not expensive at all, I purchased it for $12.00 at regular price.

There are all kinds of prints going on with our dining table, but that's okay! We actually got the table and chairs for free from someone who was getting rid of them in our building, so that was a bonus. However, the top was fairly scuffed up, so we purchased a tablecloth from Homesense to just throw over it for now. The elephant LED light was about $10 on sale from Pier 1 Imports in Guelph, and the seat covers were $12 each from IKEA. IKEA will become your new best friend when you're starting out in your apartment.

Last but not least, at any given time you will find about 5-10 items from Bath and Body Works in our apartment. This is the Birdhouse Mini Candle holder, which you can't get anymore. I need to go purchase a fall one! I have 3 Wallflowers in our apartment to keep it smelling fresh, and numerous soaps. You can always get amazing deals at Bath and Body works, and it's a great way to find little decorative details for your apartment. 

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND! xx

Living in Toronto in your 20's

               Toronto is the place to be when you want to experience pretty much anything. Whether it's going shopping, going to the theater, concerts, baseball games or eating any kind of food imaginable, there is little you can't do here. I know so many people who whenever they come to visit, say how much they would like to live in downtown Toronto. But what is it actually like to live here on a daily basis? I had no idea what it would be like before I moved here. And although I love it, what I thought it would be and what it actually is are two different things.

The Toronto Harbourfront

Toronto Music Garden

My two favourite places to go in Toronto would have to be the Harbourfront and the Toronto Music Garden, which are in the same area. These are my two favourite places, because you can get away from the noise of the city, smell the fresh air and hear yourself think. I could spend every day visiting either location in the summertime, just relaxing and lying out in the grass. They are both incredibly relaxing and peaceful.

Downtown Toronto is an amazing and relatively safe place to go out at night. You definitely get the odd crazy (I've had my share of experiences with these kinds of people) but overall there's always plenty of people around, and everybody's out with friends or on dates and just wanting to have a good time. However, once you actually live here you begin to avoid the main tourist spots like Dundas Square. This is funny to say now, because it used to be my favourite area when I'd come down to visit, as I always found it so busy and exciting. The fact that it's so busy is exactly what I don't like about it now, and I rarely visit the area, even to go shopping.

           If you're like the majority of those living in downtown Toronto, you take public transit pretty much everywhere. Now, there are times when taking public transit aggravates me to no end, and I'm in a furious mood by the time I get off the subway or bus. This is mainly do to the behavior of other people. Also, the TTC cannot always be relied on if you want to get somewhere on time, such as needing to get to work or showing up on time for an important test. But generally, I don't mind the TTC, and use my commute time to listen to music and sip iced coffee. Due to the fact that I'm in school right now, I am lucky enough to mostly avoid the main commuter times where the subway and buses are absolutely JAMMED and you cannot move for the people. There are times where you cannot even turn around and have to push your way off of whatever form of transportation you're on. I've seen people just barely miss their stop because they can't get off the subway (I, being one of these people). It can also get very hot and sweaty, and mess up your hair and makeup before you get to where you're going. Thankfully, I haven't had to experience that in a while!

As much as I complain about living in the city, (and I do a lot) when the day comes that I no longer live here, I will miss it. I didn't think I would until last year, when there was a period of time that I moved away. I literally became homesick for this city. All the sights and smells that I thought just aggravated me became things that I couldn't wait to have around me again. This city truly is an interesting and exciting place. There are so many little areas where you think you've stepped out of the tall buildings and construction that is Toronto, and entered somewhere beautiful.

Sometimes I feel like I need to step back and appreciate where I am, and not let the craziness of the city get to me. Although some days I want to be able to just walk outside my door and smell the fresh air, that will come in time. Right now, it's time to just enjoy what's around me!