Monday, February 23, 2009

The Inspiration is stuck inside - help!

Hello Friends,

I have a lot in my head today, yet am stuck as to what I write. I thought I would write more about mommy guilt and giving myself a hard time, but changed my mind. I don’t want to bog down my blog with that right now.
Instead I decided I wanted to share something with you that frustrates me. There are days I just absolutely do not like living in an apartment. It really has nothing to do with the apartment community or neighbors (although, I could explain why slamming a door in the middle of the evening is annoying!) It’s the fact that it’s not a house and specific things that go along with that truth.

I realize right now we cannot afford a house and I am ok with that. What frustrates me most is that my apartment is a mess of random! In the living room/dining room alone there are 4 different colors of wood. Nothing really goes together and I feel stuck when it comes to decorating and organization. I want to paint and I realize I can, but I also know I would have to paint over what I paint when we move out and I don’t want to have to do that.

I don’t know where to begin when it comes to decorating an apartment or how to organize. I know I want to do creative things. I would love to make a corkboard with cloth over as not only something practical, but also something decorative to bring color in. I want this place to look put together and cute and I want things to match and I don’t want to be ashamed of it anymore.
It’s like, I have all these thoughts and ideas in my head, but don’t know how to get them out and make them reality. (Not to mention, I don’t have the money to go nuts over this either!) I know one thing I love is that I use a cute bench that is supposed to be for blanket storage as toy storage so when I am able to pick up Parker’s toys, I can hide them. I feel lost from there.

So here is my question for you…when you lived in an apartment, how did you make it look nice and organized? And what things in your home are not only practical but also add a punch of color and décor? I need some inspiration, I am feeling very stuck!

3 comments:

Heatherlyn said...

Well, when I lived in an apartment I tried to make it look more like a home than an apartment. Looking back, I wish I would have just saved all my money. Not bought anything I didn't absolutely need. Simply kept it clutter-free and clean. And saved every last dime and idea that I had for my house someday.

That's probably not what you wanted to hear. But it makes the most sense looking back!

If you were going to invest in something, maybe do it with nice sheets and comforters and pillows for your bed since you would take that with you if you moved.

Carrie said...

We live in a trailer, so we don't have the nicest walls & such... but I still try to make it homey.

We lived in a furnished apartment for a while, and I just tried to add my own vases & decorations around so it would seem like home.

Bottom line: Don't be ashamed of your home, you have so many more important things to do- like take care of Parker- than decorating. :) I always try to think, What will Z remember- a clean, gorgeous house, or time I spent playing with him? :)

Damama T said...

Hi there! I popped over from Italian Mama's. I don't think your blog is boring. ;o)

This decorating/organizing thing is hard for lots of new moms. Especially when money is tight, it is important to not stress over any of it. That won't help anybody! LOL!

There are, however, some fairly inexpensive alternatives available. Do you have a donation resale shop like Goodwill or the Salvation Army store or a church-based place anywhere hear you? They often have great stuff to help decorate and organize. They're also great for picking up gently used kids clothes and other items.

The bottom, line is, though (as Carrie said) that Parker will remember your smile, your smell, your touch, and your love long after he's forgotten what was hangin on the wall or laying on the floor.

Hang in there!
Damama's at it Again!

damama002@yahoo.com