28 Day Giveaway with Adalou Vintage

Sandi of AdaLou Vintage
LOVE her outfit!

Today kicks off our 28Day Giveaway with the always awesome AdaLou Vintage!!

I've been an admirer of AdaLou for awhile now.  Not only do they have a great collection of mod housewares, but Sandi, the owner and curator of AdaLou, also keeps the shelves stocked with the cutest vintage baby clothing!  I don't have kids but after seeing some of the adorable little rompers, I'm dying to have my own vintage baby one day!

When Sandi's not busy at AdaLou she's running Benandi, her handmade store where she sells her handmade plush toys, pins, and charms featuring her own original illustrations.  She's also got a great blog where she shares her favorite finds (I love Take Ten Tuesdays), art lusts, and tales of motherhood.  I'm still trying to figure out how she does it all!


So what are we giving away?  Well we have TWO prizes on TWO blogs and TWO ways to enter!

Complete your retro kitchen with this Pyrex dish from AdaLou.  The 2.5liter casserole dish is tough enough to go from oven to table without breaking a sweat!  You also get a $10 gift certificate to the Apt528 Store so you can stock up on your favorite handmade and vintage decor and accessories.

To enter:
Browse the AdaLou shop and find your favorite item.  Then choose one (or more) of the methods below:

1. Comment below stating your favorite item.  Each comment counts as ONE entry.
2. Follow us on Facebook and leave a comment telling us your favorite AdaLou item.  Each facebook comment counts as TWO entries

Make sure to give your email, otherwise we'll have no way to contact you.  You have until Sunday night at 11:59PM to enter and you can enter up to 10 times.  The winner will be chosen Monday morning.  Valid for US residents only.

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Tea towels!  You love 'em, now win some.  Head to AdaLou to enter.

Good luck!

The Big Move 2011 - The Negotiation

So yesterday you used all those awesome apartment hunting tools to find some apartments you like, now it's time to get into the nitty gritty.  I know I said we'd talk about moving out tips but I left out something super important.  Negotiation.

There are people out there who don't care about things like what color the walls are and who think you're nuts for fixing up a place you may only live in for a year or two.  I am not one of those people.  As a person who LOVES the thrill of renting a new place and coming up with new ideas, I think everyone should put their personal stamp on their apartment. No, you don't need to blow money on expensive, time-consuming improvements and you don't have to be a designer.  But you should surround yourself with things you like so that when you come home at night, you're happy to be there and when you have people over, you're proud, not embarrassed.  Whether you hang a few pictures, buy a gallon of paint, or buy a piece of furniture that you like, just do something that makes you happy!

Our first apartment together.  We went with a soft grey for the living room but punched it up with bright furniture and records on the wall.

That said, some landlords are a little touchy about tenants personalizing a place.  Many of them have had tenants before that were anything but careful and left the apartment full of nail holes and paint on the ceilings.  If that's the case, do your best to ease their fears.  Let them know you're responsible and give examples of past work if necessary/possible.  When negotiating, don't be pushy.  The last thing you want to do is start out with a bad relationship.  It's still their apartment so they have a right to say no.  If you're really passionate about something and the landlord won't budge, consider alternative solutions like hanging things with removable 3M strips instead of nails or adding color in your furniture instead of on the walls.  Still not happy?  Move on to a different place where you'll have a little more freedom.  I've done this before when landlords wouldn't let us paint.  It sucked at first to let go of a place I liked but in the end, I was ten times happier when I found another apartment I loved that I could also make my own.  If your landlord is great about letting you express yourself then awesome, you can skip this post.  Either way, make sure you let them know how appreciative you are and don't take advantage of their generosity.


The Negotiation...

Painting - If painting an apartment colors you like is important to you, ask the landlord if painting is allowed BEFORE leasing the apartment.  I've fallen in love with apartments only to be told that the landlord doesn't allow painting of any kind.  Thankfully we didn't sign the lease so I was able to back out.  If the landlord is on the fence, offer to paint the apartment back to a neutral color before moving out.  You can also ease their minds about your painting skills by showing them pictures of your last apartment if you painted, that way they can see your work...most landlords don't mind the actual paint colors so much as the horrible paint job that some people do, getting paint allover the ceilings and trim.  I've also run into landlords who let you pick the color as long as a professional does it.  If they foot the bill for a pro, awesome.  If not, check group deal sights like groupon.com and Living Social.  They always have discounts up for painting services.

Our Boston landlords were happy to let us paint our once-neutral apartment as long as we painted back in the end.  They even reimbursed us for the neutral paint at move out.

Fixtures - I've seen some tacky apartments on craigslist.  Gold fixtures. 80's wallpaper. Sea shell toilet seats.  Um, no.  Other times, it's not so much about tackiness as it is efficiency...our bathroom has a small bird bath sink with no room to put the soap.  Not cool.  Instead of letting it bother you, check with the landlord to see if it's an improvement they'd be willing to make.  Don't be afraid to ask.  Often, landlords have things on their to-do list that they just don't get around to.  They're human too after all!  If they think you don't care, they most likely won't bother to fix it, so make sure you put in your two sense.  We asked our landlord if we could add shelving in the bathroom for toiletries and a small shelf above the sink for the soap.  Not only did he say okay, but he installed the shelves for us and we didn't pay a dime!! If it's a fix you know how to do yourself, ask if they'd be fine with you doing it.  In some cases, they may be willing to pay for the cost of materials.  If it's a temporary fixture that you plan on taking with you when you leave, like a light, store the original in a safe place with all its parts so you can replace it when it's time to move.  I hate the ceiling fan in our kitchen but my husband didn't think our landlords would let us change them out for a pair of vintage pendant lights.  I asked anyway and got the go ahead.  Yea!  Now all I have to do is find the perfect lights and I'll have the kitchen I want.

Originally the trim in our bedroom was unfinished pine but our landlords let us paint it a neutral white that would stay even after we left.

Reduced Rent - This doesn't have anything to do with reduced rent but falls under the negotiation umbrella.  At our last place in Boston, we were able to reduce our rent by mowing the lawn.  Though our landlords already had a landscaper to keep things looking nice, letting us take care of the weekly lawn mowing saved them big bucks.  We only earned $25 for each mowing ($75-$100/month) but it was better than nothing, the lawn wasn't that big, and it was an excuse to get outside and walk around for a bit. Win-win all around!  If you're a hands-on person, you may be able to negotiate similar deals in return for your handiwork.

Our first apartment together.  I fell through the glass top of this table hanging this light in the dining room but it was all worth it to get rid of the ugly wicker basket cover that was there originally!

So, your landlord said yes.  Awesome!!  Now it's your responsibility to do a good job and not start projects you can't handle.  Don't forget that you may have to put things back when it's time to move.  No landlord wants to get stuck with bright red walls when you said you'd paint them back or tons of nail holes in the wall.  Yes, your security deposit is for fixing mishaps and mess-ups but that's worst case scenario.  A good renter is a renter who leaves the place in good condition with only reasonable wear and tear left.  It's the irresponsible renters who make landlords uptight and paranoid.  Don't ruin it for us all!

Our last apartment.  The landlord let us do black walls as long as we agreed to paint them back.  The couple moving in liked the walls though and asked us to leave them black.  Awesome!

HAPPY NEGOTIATING!!!

The Big Move 2011 - The Apartment Hunt

It's about that time again where everyone's moving around.  Typically, I'd do this post a little earlier but you know what they say, better late than never!  Whether you're thinking about moving, already in the process, or trying to get settled, we'll have tips and tricks for you all week to make sure you get back your security deposit and move-in faster to your new home.

Still Apartment Hunting...

The internet is crawling with great tools to help you find the place you're looking for.  While craigslist is the reigning king of online classifieds, there are other great apartment hunting sites out there offering in-depth info to help you find the place of your dreams.  One of my favorites?  Zillow.com which gives you detailed info about both the apartment AND the neighborhood.  You can see how much you'd be paying per sq. foot, how many grocery stores and coffee shops are around, and the walk and transit scores of the neighborhood so you know whether to get a car, bus pass, or a new pair or walking shoes.

There are an incredibly high number of 1bed apartments going for $2k-$4k in Boston.  CRAZY!

Once you've narrowed down your list, make sure you're getting a good deal by using the Rent-o-Meter.  It looks at what other rentals in the neighborhood are going for and shows you whether you're high, low, or just right. Thankfully our apartments have always been right in the middle!  Is yours a little high?  Visit some of the other available apartments in the area and see how they compare to the one you're interested in as far as square footage and upgrades.  If everything seems level, use the Rent-o-Meter results to strike a conversation with the landlord to see why the rent is higher and maybe get it reduced.  You never know!

Even crazier than the number of $2k+ apartments in Boston is the fact that $3300 is "reasonable" for a 2bed!

If you're moving in with roomates, Splitwise.com has AWESOME calculation tools to put an end to roomie squabbles.  Their SplitTheRent calculator has a fairness scale that takes in to consideration factors such as room size and layout, windows, bathroom access, and annoying noise issues to determine who should pay what.  Now instead of arguing about fair rent, you can save your energy for those super important feuds over who left their dirty underwear in the kitchen.

Tomorrow we'll have all you need to know about moving out and getting your security deposit back.  Happy Apartment Hunting!

{By the way, none of the sites mentioned today are sponsors, they're just super awesome!}

The (Belated) Weekender: Make Your Own Chalkboard Paint for under $5

We spent the weekend painting.  First we painted our kitchen an awesome turquoise blue and then we started painting our dining room rug.  If you're considering painting a rug, let me tell you right now that it's hard work!  With all the projects we have going on, I didn't get a chance to post last week's DIY...chalkboard paint!

Before I give the details, I have to state my position on chalkboards in the kitchen.  I think chalkboards (and dry erase boards) are a super handy way of jotting down notes in the kitchen.  We had a dry erase board in our last apartment and loved it.  The thing I DON'T like is that every house tour and magazine spread seems to have a big, black, chalkboard wall in the kitchen.  It's time to add some color!

That's why I was thrilled to find this super easy chalkboard paint recipe from Martha Stewart.  It takes about two minutes to mix and costs less than $4.  Because it's so easy, I didn't take any pictures...I think you're all smart enough to figure it out!

LAZINESS SCALE: 

TIME: 2 minutes
COST: less than $5

SUPPLIES:

• paint
• 2 tbs non-sanded grout (per cup of paint)
• 150 grit sandpaper (UPDATED 10/17/11)

MIX your grout and paint, making sure there aren't any lumps.  My paint got a little thicker with the grout added.  Once mixed, roll/brush on like normal.  Do a couple of coats so that it's evenly covered.  Let dry.

Once it's dry, (I let mine dry about 45min) rub a piece of chalk across the whole board to condition it.  Erase with a damp (NOT WET) sponge and you're all set!

The un-sanded grout ($4.50 at Home Depot, Lowes, etc) comes in a pretty big box.  You only need a few tablespoons of it depending on the size of your project so you'll definitely have tons left over to share with a friend or for future projects.

The paint doesn't store well so make sure you only make as much as you need.  For the green chalkboard (20"x24), I used a full cup of paint and had a lot left over that I threw away.  For the orange board (same size) I reduced the mix and used 1/4 cup of paint and 1/2 tbs of grout.  I just barely had enough so next time I might try 1/2 cup of paint and 1tbs grout.  Remember, you can always mix more if you need it so it's better to start off with a little so you're not just throwing paint away.  The green paint I used was actually glossy, gloppy paint from years ago.  I thinned it with water but it was still pretty thick.  In the end, it came out with a more chalkboard-like feel than the orange eggshell paint.  Both erase well so I don't think it matters what kind of paint you use.

Have fun :)

UPDATE 10/17/11 - WAIT!!!!  I forgot to mention, you need to lightly sand the board with 150 grit sandpaper when it's dry.  Afterwards, condition the board by rubbing a piece of WHITE chalk sideways across the whole board.  Erase.

After having our board for two months I've learned that you should NOT use dark chalk on light colored boards.  I tried using red, green, and blue chalk on the yellow board and it left a faint stain.  It's only noticeable if you get close to the board, but if you used the dark chalk continually you'd definitely end up with a ruined board.  Stick with lighter colors on lighter boards.  We use yellow, orange, and white on the yellow board without a problem.  The other two boards are fine with colors and erase well.  Every now and then, clean the board with a damp, NOT wet, cloth. 

PICTURE UPDATE 10/17/11 - The yellow board is fine as long as we use white and yellow chalk.  The other two boards erase fine with all colors.

NOW, have fun :)

Another Space-Saving Storage Bed

The most popular posts on this blog are about the Moddi Murphy Bed and the awesome wooden contraption built by a Brooklyn couple that houses a bed, loft and couch.  Apparently we all have a longing for our beds to be useful for more than just sleeping!

Which is why I'm here today with another Ikea-inspired bed.  This one takes complete use of the space under your bed by nesting two twin-sized Alsarp beds (which already lift) inside a king Malm frame.  The hacker made the bed on her own in one afternoon so it's definitely not outside the realm of possibility, even for a lazy-DIYer like me!

For more details, pics, and instruction, go the the Ikea Hackers website.

The Weekender: Adjustable Toilet Paper Roll Cord Holders

The Weekender's back! With all the moving, painting, and (un)packing we've gone through this past year, I haven't had must energy or creativity left for the DIY projects I love.  Now that we're a little more settled with no plans of moving any time soon, I've decided to make a commitment to do at least one project a week for the next year, no matter how small.

To kick things off, we're going super basic.  I'm sure you've seen toilet papers turned into cord storage a million times before.  It's an old trick that takes just five minutes and some scraps of paper but it will keep you from going crazy when you're searching for the cords.  To shake things up a bit, I added velcro so you can adjust them for different cord sizes.  I also made some shorter just because :)

LAZINESS SCALE: 

TIME: 5 minutes
COST: Free!!! Just use scrap paper.

SUPPLIES:

• toilet paper roll(s)
• paper, fabric, or wrapping paper
• glue, spray adhesive, or tape
• scissors
• adhesive velcro

CUT  Scrape any leftover tissue off the rolls and cut them down the middle.  If you want to make shorter cord holders, cut them in half first.

Spread out the rolls on top of your fabric/paper/wrapping paper.  Trace along the top and bottom edges.  Add about a 1/4" to the ends so you have some to wrap around the inside of the roll.  Cut your paper/fabric.

GLUE  For paper, you can glue, tape, or use spray adhesive to attach your paper to the roll.  For my black and white paper, I used spray adhesive.  I tried using the spray for the brown fabric as well but it bled through and led to a sticky situation!  I'd recommend light glue for fabric.  Wrap the extra 1/4" around and glue/tape it inside.

VELCRO  Attach your velcro buttons.  Wrap the rolls around a cord to see about how big you want them and press the last velcro pieces into place.  For shorter rolls, one set of velcro will work.

To make adjustable rolls, attach another row of velcro to the INSIDE of the roll, for smaller cords like headphones.

ENJOY!   Use your new cord holders in a drawer to organize extra cords or to manage extra long computer and TV cords so they don't tangle.

BEFORE - messy!

 

AFTER - so clean :)

What a year!

One year and 2 days ago, my husband and I packed all of our belongings into a Uhaul trailer and drove from Boston to our new home in Chicago!  I still remember whipping through the fog-covered hills of Pennsylvania, terrified that any minute our trailer would come unhitched or a deer would appear out of nowhere.  After 26 hours of driving, we finally arrived in the windy city with "Chicago" by Sufjan Stevens blaring on the ipod setting the scene for our arrival.

Our old master bedroom.  It was so pretty and BIG!

Pics of our old Boston apartment.

The view of Chicago from the Hancock building.  The pictures I took when we first arrived in Chicago are on the computer that was stolen so this one will have to do :(

Since then, we've lived in THREE apartments!  The first was gorgeous but full of centipedes...yuck!!!  We spent our first anniversary moving into the second apartment which was decent but a little too bland for my taste and had extra space in all the wrong places.  Now we're happily residing just 2 blocks from the second place in a cute apartment with modern updates in all the right areas.  We've started painting, built a concrete kitchen island (DIY and pics to come soon) and are slowly making the place our own.

Apartment 1...absolutely GORGEOUS vintage details!!!!

Apartment 2...a bit too bland.  We tried to add drama with black walls and bright colors.

Apartment 3...a pic of my office.  This is the only picture I've taken so far though I'll hopefully have more soon.

This past weekend, my in-laws came to visit.  They had a AWESOME lake-view room at the Drake hotel downtown that was just steps to the beach.  We got to spend the weekend being tourists...going to the beach, touring the city, visiting the Hancock tower, and eating delicious food.  It made us appreciate Chicago even more.  We couldn't be happier!

The view from my inlaws' hotel room.  It was so beautiful.  You'd never guess this was the lake and not an ocean.

The Hancock Tower.  It's the second tallest building in Chicago.

The view from the top of the Hancock Tower.

With all the moving around this past year, Jerome made me promise that we'll stay put for at least 2 years.  Though I like moving, I have to admit it feels nice to know that this will be our home for awhile.  It's also nice to know that Apartment 528 has a new home for the next few years.  I've already begun mapping out all the exciting new things coming up, like the opening of the Apt528 Studio (finally!) which will be open by appointment only for those looking to shop us locally.  We'll also be hosting some great events for city dwellers and renters.  We're even diving into the furniture renting business for vintage-loving brides, photographers, and organizations.  We've got a bunch of furniture stored up here just waiting to be used!

We're so excited about where things are going over the next few years.  It's going to be a fun ride :)

Relaxing on the steps of the Hancock Tower