Living in a small place (hand raised)

We live in a one bedroom apartment. No shame we are ready to move.. but some things that city life brings are not desirable. With a 1 and 2 yr old constantly littering lol and a hard working husband occasionally loitering lol (he's the best!) :-)
Well it can be discouraging, someone who has not lived somewhere small would say it cleans up faster and yes floor day, floor space is cleaned quick.
But with diminishing ground
tables and necessary items
crowding your feet
becomes confusion and stress. :)
Ok a little poetry for whoever stumbled upon this who could use some break in your lines. :)

My entryway - 6 categories
Do it how you like:
Electronics - unused electronics
Glasses
Keys
Wallet
Deodorant and mints (hubsand)
Dismissal bag
Mail

Dismissal bag is work clothes or outgoing items.

Also flowers and diffuser on welcome shelf that bears one catch-all tray



Clean lines
LV to Dining room is one long stream differentiating but matching and minimal.
As much open space as possible you may assume you have no space to spread out but hiding as much as possible makes you more relaxed when all is well and when it is messy the simplicity of the space will cheer you on to get rid of the pile of clutter in the room.



I chose a pink, mint and gold theme on a completely white canvas. Easy to do in apartments. Since "hospital white" seems to be a necessary evil of a renters complex. With black accents.



The pride of the LV is the center canvases. I have come to appreciate leaning paintings after moving and removing many nails. This look is very relaxed and a clean modern. I'd rather invest in a shelf and switch out pictures that never hang to left. Also, I fit a lot behind them that is surprising to me to this day that my children don't mind leaving alone! Currently stashing albums and kid reads.

The Dining area is all white with navy and white accents with a more orange theme. Pink roses to tie in the LV. The teal compliments this as well, at the other end of the room by the coffee station. The teal takes on a different role next to the blue in the dining room but yet still appeals to the previous/ongoing pattern of the LV.



My coffee station! This painting is by my aunt Esperanza Romero from Spain. The porcelain, Moroccan decor lost its lid thus it became my gorgeous cup holder haha! :-D #neverdone :) the baby trashcan *hides* the used k-cups that make it to the trashcan after being dumped twice. #peace lol.

This works beautifully, sometimes desperation creates.

The kitchen is simply a farmhand with a blue and white classic look. Only accented by perfectly placed yellow flowers. :)

My favorite space saving focal point for the kitchen is the a hidden square containing cleaning supplies and a bills board. You need this in your life, easy to assemble. Worth any investment. Hidden and sleek. These are the items all spaces reject and say, "we have no room or time for you!" Give them a home worth deserving haha a bit satirical but it is what is.

My hallway doesn't bare a ring or a tone. But two doors facing eachother in close juxtaposition. I kept this simple black and swinging between the LV, BDR and BTR. Yes, the bathroom and bedroom also steel away black and white bases! But almost there, not quite yet.
The Linen closet houses my "garage" a much needed storage for anyone trying to stay sane with that apartment in the perfect place but sacrifices those privileges. Another Investment in that peace of home.. homedepot sells, Martha Stewart bins. More times than not, on sale 2 for 2.80. I have 48 a housewarming gift from my mother in law :) she always takes care of me!

Each row is a different color. All of my essentials are in the front and they go double deep. Some labels to consider revamping your perspective, tools, glue-housing tape, velcro, command hooks. Crafts, paint, socks- miscellaneous, son's shoes.

My bathroom is the funnest room of all. With a daring black and white draw with gold accents it only needs one more color! Red! A tapestry woven rug, white rolled towels on a bench giving it the spa I mean sauna feel especially since this the only room spared the ac ugh. #sweat
Crystal candles on the windowsill and a real black curtain on the shower window. Don't go cheap on the most relaxing room of the house. Make this your spa! Or not! Lol

Orchids dress the toilet completing the Oriental touches, black and white overture and

Last but most, my beddy weddy! Haha get it? Get it? Hehe well I like luxe not a snobby shine but rather an elegant statement.
My final resting grounds, literally is green (emerald) grey, black and white with gold accents, won't deny! :-) This came together in a unique way. The dressers were my side table (multifunctional) but not functional until they came together. I created dress boudoir look. When assembled with a great leaning gold mirror, perfumes and make up on the top drawer. :)

This gives the room power not do I only get my neat spot but also my floor is clear for extra toddling space as well as a protective wall for nights when nursing extends past bed time.

Happy, happy decorating!

Saving space all in one place! :-)

To minimize your closet?

Minimizing your closet, tips, pictures, video to come and thoughts on whether it is right for you and how too.

To minimize or not to minimize? Maybe you came to this blog, already prepared to downsize just needing tips on how to do it for you... or maybe you are interested in the thought but think you are too wild and free for something as boring sounding as a minimal closet. Let me explain, you don't have to only have 4 black dresses in your closet to be a minimal girl :) (sigh of relief)

That said, let's jump into the potential how to... one YouTuber beautifully explained it as just defining your style and minimizing your closet down to only that. Which makes sense because that is probably what you like. Whether you like it every time you see it on pinterest or you love it every time you see someone wearing it. :) No matter what your style, there is room for you to feel minimal and have a beautiful closet even if you don't get rid of anything. (The idea is storage for stuff you are not ready to let go of or stuff that is not in season) If you have never been able to accomplish the whole winter, summer thing, this tutorial will definitely help you complete and understand the concept more completely :) :-).

So onto the actual doing of where to start in minimizing your clothing and ultimately making your closet feel glam even if all you have to work with is a simple, standard, builder grade closet. Also, if you don't have room for a vanity in your house you can create one in a small closet even if you feel like you barely have room for your clothes. My house has two and a quarter standard closets for four people. Thankfully we are up for an upgrade in that area! We live in socal : ) We trade space for perfect weather all year long. Lol.

OK this is where I started, after how-to researching. I created a pinterest board,  and pinned (at first only stuff I was in love with or would actually wear, that fit my style) once I had gathered enough outfits, I observed patterns. Like, surprisingly I learned I preferred hats, shoes and big purses as simple accessories rather than statement necklaces, bracelets and bling! I also realized I opted for shoes that weren't so obvious, like nudes, tans and blacks. I feel like they make more of a statement when they are less visible. But I had to learn that through studieing what I was attracted to, fashion wise. This is probably the funnest part of the process, so enjoy! :-)

Once all was defined I printed a page with 20 outfits summarizing my style with colors as well, and clipped it to a gold clipboard. While I am dressing my mood picks a photo and voila! Or I have a piece I want to wear and I automatically know my favorite colors to go with. Also for shopping, it is easier having exacts in mind, you won't be disatisfied when you get home with your new sale! Happy shopping!

Now it's time for dwindling and weeding down your closet! Working off your new clipboard or pinn-board put clothing that does not fit that criteria in a bag either to go or to store under your bed or what not. The more you do this, the more you will get addicted to leaving out only your favorite pieces or "embracing who you  are in fashion" :)

I will be adding photos and a video shortly

Enjoy a peaceful, fashionista and more glam you and closet! :-) :-D