28Day Giveaway!!

Today's the first 28Day of the year!  To celebrate, we're giving you 28% off your Apt528 order TODAY & TOMORROW ONLY!!  Just enter 28DAY at checkout.

28% not good enough?  Enter the Apt528 28Day Giveaway.**  Four winners will get a $10 Apt528 store credit and one lucky winner will receive a $28 store credit.  To enter, browse Apt528's colorful array of decor and accessories then let us know what your favorite product is in one of the following ways:

  1) Leave a comment below telling us your favorite Apt528 item (counts as one entry)

  2) Send a tweet to @Apt528 letting us know what your favorite Apt528 item is (counts as 2 entries)

  3) Leave a comment on our facebook page telling us your favorite Apt528 product (counts as 2 entries)

Enter as many times as you want!  The giveaway ends tonight, January 28th, 2011 at 11:59p central.  FIVE winners will be chosen at random using random.org and announced Saturday morning.

• The FIRST randomly selected winner will receive a $28 credit** to the Apt528 Store
• The next FOUR randomly chosen winners will receive a $10 Apt528 store credit**

**NOTE: 28% discount is not valid when paying with store credit.  We gotta make money somehow :) **

Good luck and happy shopping!!!

My First Decal!

As you may know, I have a long-running obsession with wall decals.  They're great, especially for renters who want to liven up their walls but aren't allowed to paint.  You can stick them on walls, furniture, and even laptops to make creative, unique statements.  When you're bored with them or it's time to move, peal the decal off and your back to a blank canvas.  Such a great idea!  But after years of talking about my favorite decals, I've never actually owned one until now.

In a desperate attempt to get the look of a coat tree without taking up floor space, I went on a search for coat tree wall stickers.  I've shown a coat tree decal before.  Many come with the hooks that attach to your wall and make the decal actually functional as a coat tree.

The decal I chose is from Etsy seller Art and Decoration.  It didn't come with the hooks, but for $20 it was a great deal.  If you're looking for a decal but working on a limited budget, you should definitely check them out.  Be warned that their decals come in a lot of pieces, which is why they're able to sell them for so cheap...more pieces arranged in a smaller space means less sticky film is used which translates into lower prices for penny pinchers like us.  I had to ask them to send me a diagram so I could figure out which piece goes where, but once they did, it took me no time at all to put the decal together.

 

The original decal included cats chasing butterflies at the bottom of the coat tree.  I don't know why.  I threw them out. 

Piecing it together.

I cut the pieces apart, then used painter's tape to arrange them on the wall.  Once they were in the correct positions, I pealed away the backing, used a credit card to smooth everything out, then pealed away the transfer tape and, voila!  Once I get the hooks up, it will be even more awesome!  What do you think?

Photo Inspiration

Now that we finally have a couch for our basement living room and I've reupholstered it in the perfect green fabric, I can start working on the color scheme for the room.

So far, I think I want to go with jewel toned versions of the pink, blue, yellow, and green that are upstairs.  Most of the room will be a soft grey (Subtle Touch by Behr) so I don't have to paint it back when we leave, but the big long wall of the room will have some sort of color and pattern.  I'm not completely sure what I want to do, but I definitely want a big, fun pattern.

I considered zigzags/a chevron pattern but the wall is so big it would take FOREVER to do.  Still at the back of my mind though...

{Image via Apartment Therapy}

These aren't even the finished product, just the taped-off pattern but I like the idea of the lines kind of dropping off here and there.  Neat idea! {Image via Remodelaholic.com}

Love the varied angels. {Image via It's Great to Be Home on Flickr}

 Super cute! It's like an organic version of the traditional damask design.

{image via Style Hive}

 The combination of the two patterns is perfect.  I think I might use the random strip idea on my side walls.

I think my absolute favorite pattern is the octagon.  Aren't these rooms awesome?! What do you think?

I have no clue where I got these last 3 images from...sorry! 

Keep Your Computer Protected Part 1: The Backup Plan

Now you have your security alarm to deter criminals and your renter's insurance just in case.  The next thing we'll talk about is your computer.  Computers are usually one of the worst things that could be stolen.  Not necessarily because of their monetary value, but because of all the info they hold.  Your music library, your vacation pictures, your private info, work, etc., are all stored on your computer.  If your laptop's stolen and you have to buy a new one, it usually takes a few weeks before you get the new computer just how you like it with all your programs, preferences, and folders.

It's even worse if you don't have a backup of your old laptop's info.  Thankfully, you can easily backup your computer with an external hard drive which is easy to use and affordable...check out NewEgg.com for prices starting at $30 for 80gb of storage.  Some external drives come with their own backup software that syncs to your computer, or you can go to your computer's backup center and do everything from there.  You can choose which folders/files you want to update and even schedule automatic updates so that, for example, every Sunday at 3am your computer will sync up to your external drive.

While external drives are handy for backing up your new computer in the case of a theft, they won't help much if there's a flood or fire and they're destroyed right along with your computer.  Plus you have the added pain of having to remember to connect the drive to back everything up, something I'm horrible at!  That's why online backup services are perfect.  There are both free and paid online options that take the hassle out of keeping your info protected.  Once you sign up, your info is synced to a secure server where it's stored until you need to access it.  Most online backup services have options that allow you to share files with others (good for work situations) or even sync multiple computers.  There are tons more features available and I'm still figuring this all out myself so you should check out reviews from sites like MacWorld.com or PCMag.com.

If you already use an online service leave a comment below letting us know which one you recommend.  What's your favorite backup option?

Textile Discount Warehouse, I love you.

Monday night, the husband and I headed over to Textile Discount Outlet to find fabric to reupholster our new vintage sofas.  We'd already struck out at Joann Fabrics (pricey, low selection) and Vouge (good prices, okay selection), but after reading the Yelp reviews of Textile Discount Warehouse, I had high hopes that we could finally find just the right fabric.  Boy am I glad we went.  The reviews were right!  The warehouse is a huge, three-story building FULL of all the fabric and sewing notions your heart desires.  Bolt after bolt.  Isle after isle.  Room after room.  The place is even bigger than I imagined.  Now I know why most Yelp reviewers recommended you take a couple hours just to look around.

There's a print for everyone at the warehouse!

The main floor is where you'll most likely find your fabric.  There are four big rooms of hanging bolts organized by type. They have all the fabric you can think of: ethnic prints, solids, spandex, lace, satin, animal prints, retro themes, etc.  As a bonus, almost all the fabric is 54" or 60" wide so you get even more for your money.  You'll also find multiple isles of ribbon, tie-backs, and lace.  One thing I'd suggest is that you bring small scissors.  I saw it mentioned in a review so I brought mine and I'm glad...the bolts are too big to carry around doing comparisons so I was able to easily snip off a small swatch instead.

Ribbons anyone?

Just one isle of fabric on the main floor.

The attic and basement are supposedly where you find even bigger discounts.  The bolts are on shelves so it takes a lot of digging to see what's there.  You'll definitely need patience and a few hours to find hidden gems here. I came across an awesome teal in the basement.  I hid it inside a bigger bolt so I can come back and get it later!  The basement also has loads of zippers, buckles, buttons, and even more ribbon!  I'm pretty sure they own stock in the ribbon business!  The attic had even more fabric and an awesome door original to the warehouse...super cool.

The awesome attic door.  I envision it in my dream loft one day!

Just some of the many buckles we found in the basement.

If you're in the market for fabric and you're in the Chicago area, you definitely need to hit up the warehouse.  Keep in mind it is a warehouse with concrete floors, open ceilings, and no frills.  It's actually cleaner than we expected.  If I have to give up decorative displays in order to get dirt cheap prices, I'm all for it!  We left with an awesome green fabric that was only $6.50/yard (the most expensive fabric we saw in our 2hr shopping session was $12.99).  Because we bought 15yards, we got a 10% discount which brought it down to $5.85/yd.  Our total for the night was $107 including the yard of grey wool fabric we bought.  We went into the reupholstering project expecting to pay about $350 at Joann...more if we missed the 50% off sale...so we're looking at a savings of at least $250.  AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We went with green fabric for our couch.  It looks solid here, but it actually has a great texture.

For more pics, head over to our facebook page.

My New Sectional

I've always wanted a vintage sectional but they're hard to come by and expensive to reupholster.  Nonetheless, I kept searching.  Just when I thought my dreams of owning an awesome sectional (for a reasonable price) were gone, I finally got one this weekend for just $500!  While it's not a full sectional, it's close enough in my book!  To complete my dream, I'm building a corner piece that will connect the two sofas and give me the retro sectional I've always wanted!

As great as the original coral Naugahyde covers are, I'm recovering the couches in fabric so they're comfy for movie nights.  We tried Joann Fabrics but they're a little pricey for the amount of fabric we need and the selection isn't that great.  We also stopped by Vogue Fabrics over by the UIC campus.  They have super affordable fabrics and a good selection, especially for clothing.  Unfortunately we just couldn't find the right upholstery fabric to go with our color scheme.  Our next stop is Textile Discount Warehouse which is apparently THE place to go in Chicago and is literally a warehouse of amazingly discounted fabric.  I CAN'T WAIT TO GO!!!!!  Just look at all the fabric.

 {image via Yelp}

Aside from the couches, I also got two vintage chairs from the same seller for just $10.  They're in horrible shape right now but they'll look great once I'm finished fixing them up.  Keep a lookout, they'll probably end up in the Apt528 Store's soon to come furniture section!

Apartment Security: Get it done!

So I'm still on my apartment security kick.  Having someone rob your house and steal your stuff will do that to you!  Today I'm reminding everyone again of my two favorite alarm options.  If your apartment doesn't already have a security system, I STRONGLY suggest asking your landlord to install one, especially if you live on the first floor like we do, have a basement, or live in a garden-level apartment.  Those are the apartments a burglar will normally choose first since they're easier to access.  Most landlords are perfectly willing to work with you if you ask.  Read up on your options and be ready to suggest a system or two in case they ask.  If there's been a number of thefts/assaults in your area or building, you'll want to include this info as well when you plead your case.  Currently, my landlord is installing the SimpliSafe alarm in our apartment...I just wish I'd asked BEFORE our apartment was robbed!  If your landlord won't budge on installing a system don't worry, below are two super affordable alarms that are perfect for you!

The first is the Intrud Alert door alarm for just $1 at Dollar Tree.  I've used it before and it does just what it's supposed to do...sound a loud, annoying noise if someone opens the door/window you've placed it on.  The main piece attaches to your door/window and the contact piece goes on the door jam/trim.  Once you turn the alarm on, it will sound a noise anytime someone opens the door and breaks the contact between the two pieces.

While the Intrud Alert isn't guaranteed to stop a determined criminal, it will deter your average bad guys from breaking in once they hear the noise and it does just as good of a job as most of it's pricier counterparts. It works great on windows, as an add-on to an existing system, to protect doors leading to common areas, or if you just want a little something to give you piece of mind.  I love these things and will continue to use them as an additional layer of warning even once our security system is installed.

The other alarm I highly recommend is SimpliSafe.  It's received awesome reviews from testers, including the New York Times and Apartment Therapy.  SimpliSafe is a full-fledged, customizable security system that's great for renters.  The starter kit is just $200, a lot less than ADT, Broadview, etc., and comes with a base system, keychain remote, 2 door/window sensors, and a keypad.  If you need more, you can easily purchase additional sensors, remotes, and even panic buttons to make the perfect system for your apartment.  SimpliSafe comes pre-programmed and installs using 3M strips which can be removed without damaging your walls which is a major plus for renters.  It's also wireless so you can easily take it with you from one apartment to another without having to worry about setting up a phone line.  For $15/month, you can get monitoring which will alert the police if your alarm goes off.  You can start/stop the service at anytime.

Whether you choose one of the options above or go for something totally different, you should definitely get something, even if it's just the $1 Intrud Alert.  No matter where you live, you're not immune to a robbery.

Remember, you shouldn't sit around in constant fear of being robbed, but it's always smart to be ready just in case.

Renter's Insurance...What's Your Excuse?

Today's not only the first post of the new year, but also my first post since our apartment was broken into and our laptop stolen.  It feels so good to have a new laptop and be connected to everyone again!  As promised, I'll spend this month giving tons of advice on keeping safe and protecting your belongings.  Have any additional tips or suggestions?  Leave a comment, shoot me an email, or start/join the discussion on our facebook page.

First we're going to cover renter's insurance.  Before today, I didn't completely know what renter's insurance covered.  I now know that insurance not only covers your if your apartment's robbed, but also if you're mugged, your car's broken into, your place catches on fire, or someones injured at your apartment and decides to sue you for damage.  Basically, wherever your stuff is, it's covered!

If you don't have renter's insurance already, you're probably like I was, living with the thought that no one would ever break-in and that insurance can wait.  NOT TRUE!!  I found out the hard way that break-ins can happen anytime.  After being a renter for 8 years, someone broke into our apartment two weeks ago and stole our tv, laptop, and xbox.  Because we procrastinated and decided to put off getting insurance until 2011, we're left buying all new electronics on our own dime.  Not cool! 

If you're a procrastinator, you'll be happy to hear that getting renter's insurance takes no time at all.  In the few hours before writing this post, I was able to not only get quotes from multiple agencies, but also completely sign up for both renter's AND auto insurance.  Not only is the process quick and easy, but prices range from $10-$45/month depending on the coverage level and deductible.  That means even those living on a tight budget can afford insurance.  Just think...it's easier to pay $20/month than to be out several thousand dollars buying everything new!

I looked into State Farm, 21st Century (they use Farmer's for rental insurance), Commerce (our old auto agency), and Allstate.  Allstate and State Farm were my top 2 companies.  I spent about an hour total talking on the phone with them before deciding to go with Allstate for both renter's and auto insurance.  My renter's insurance is $33/month with a $500 deductible...definitely a lot less than what we're currently paying for the new tv, laptop, software, and xbox.

When signing up for insurance, don't forget to ask questions such as how long it takes to process a claim (2 weeks or less seems standard) and make sure you'll be covered for the full cost of replacing your items.  Some policies only cover the item's current value which, depending on depreciation, can be a lot less than what it costs to replace it.  If you have an engagement/wedding ring or other valuable jewelry, you'll have to add on jewelry coverage which was only $12/year in my case.  You can also get discounts for bundling your car insurance or for having an alarm installed in your apartment.

Like I said, there is NO EXCUSE for any renter to not have renter's insurance.  Even if you don't have a lot of valuables, you should at least have basic coverage to cover your clothing, computer, furniture, etc.  All it takes is a few bucks and a couple of hours...DO IT!!!  For those who already have it, what agency do you recommend?