workin on my fitness

technically, my apartment complex has a gym,

however, 

the tv's are broken,

only 1 treadmill is in working order,

and i'm not sure if the free weights have ever been cleaned.

since i'd rather spend a little extra money decorating for fall and shopping for new sweaters, i found an alternative solution to pricey gym memberships.

i'm sure the first thing that pops into your head when someone says workout video is one of the following:

russell simmons

leotards

sweatbands

let's get physical, physical!

don't be afraid,

there are so many dvds that are PERFECT for working out in an apartment, you just need to find the one that fits you best. 

before you invest in a lot of dvds you may or may not love, check out your local library, or even youtube and netflix.  they have tons of great ones you can try out before you make the investment. a few of my favorite youtube channels are blogilates & livestrong woman. 

as an Apartment Guide Blog Partner, i will be sharing ideas on how to work out in your apartment.

here are a few things to think about when choosing your best fit:

1. it requires a minimal amount of equipment.

look for a dvd that focuses on body weight training, which means you don't need a full set of dumbbells to get a good work out in.

2.  it is low impact.

low impact does not equal an easy work out.  it just means you won't have to worry about your downstairs neighbors complaining about a herd of elephants living above them. 

3. look for variety.

find a work out that keeps you engaged.  since you're in your apartment, it's easy to just turn off the tv and walk away. you have to be self-motivated. so pick a workout that's fun for you!

my fit is jillian michaels.

and i know it's hard to see, but i also have a non-jillian dvd in there. 

it's called fit body yoga.

it's the bomb.com.

it's my go-to-i-need-to-stretch-so-bad-but-can't-afford-a-yoga-class workout.

you only need a few things for your equipment stash:
1. an yoga or exercise mat.  

since i have wooden floors, this is a must!

one time, i had to use a towel, and it was a disaster. i was sliding all over the place. 

2. 2-3 sets of dumbbells.
i have a set of 5 lbs and a set of 8 lbs. these are great because they are coated in rubber, so they won't scratch up your floors and they won't slip out of your hands if you get sweaty.
#sweatygirlproblems
3. exercise bands.
these take up absolutely no space and they can be used in stretching and resistance training. overall, they are a must have for your equipment stash.

whether you’re living, looking or moving, Apartment Guide has features and tips to help you find theperfect apartment community. “Like” Apartment Guide on Facebook, tweet at  them @AptGuide on Twitter, “circle” them on Google+ and follow them on Pinterest for real-time tips and updates on how to make the most of your small space.

Disclosure Statement:

Apartment Guide and owner Consumer Source, Inc. partner with bloggers such as me to participate in blogger programs. As part of that program, I received compensation. They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about any products and believe that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. Consumer Source’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.

organized clutter 101

i would probably describe my personal style as organized clutter.

i love walls and shelves full of picture frames and books and prints.

i even have boxes of frames and books sitting in my closet right now. oops. 

but as much as i love being surrounded by stuff, i definitely think there is a fine line between organized clutter and chaos. 

#basicallyhoarderstatus

i'm excited to tell you guys about a partnership that i'm doing with Apartment Guide. they contacted me and asked if i'd be willing to share some tips about apartment living and making the most of a small space on a budget.  so i thought i'd give you a few tips and tricks on how to display clutter in an organized fashion. whether you're living, looking or moving, Apartment Guide offers tips on how to decorate your apartment and make the most of your space on the Apartment Guide blog

[1] a sturdy shelf or two or three - i love the rubbermaid shelves they sell at home depot.  they are really simple to install and can hold up to 25 pounds. do you know how many picture frames that is?

[2] some stuff!  you can use books, picture frames, knick-knacks, candles, flower pots, anything you want!

[3] patience! sometimes, everything comes together perfectly the first time around. but most of the time, it takes a few rounds of rearranging before you find your fit. just take a deep breath and try again.

1. work in small sections at a time. 
i like to start with larger objects, like these coffee table books, first and add smaller pieces in around them.

i love using coffee table books, especially for their color.  when using heavy books, be extra careful and make sure you have something, like a book end, to support their weight keep them upright. i used a basic book end i found in the dollar section at target on one side and a woodcut on the other.  i like to use frames, or in this case, a container of pretty flowers, to hide the book end and add an extra something special. :)
it's a budget-friendly alternative to the pretty, but expensive, designer book ends.

2. don't be afraid to stack objects. 
i love the way picture frames and art prints look when they are clustered together.  you can lean things against each other or even stack items.
larger art prints, or photo canvases, can rest against the wall to create height, or, you can hang it on the wall just a few inches higher than the shelf, with a nail or hook, for a floating effect.

3. play around and create different looks.
move things around, take pieces out, add pieces in, swap things around.
when you finally have a shelf full of stuff, take a step back and stare at your creation.
it may take a few attempts and some rearranging before your feel that pitter-patter of happiness in your heart, but you'll get there.

here is another set of shelves to ponder over.

this set is a little simpler, but it still allows me to display all of my favorite photos! :)

yes i know, i'm a little obsessed with my bub-hub.

sorry i'm not sorry.

and of course, a girl's gotta display her cookbooks right?

4. have confidence in your creation.

tadaaaaaaa!

you're awesome, so therefore, everything you do it awesome.

duh.

the beauty of this decorating method is that there is no right or wrong.
nothing had to match,
nothing has to coordinate.
you can use what you already have floating around.

so there you have it, decorating with organized clutter 101.

if you’re ready for a whole new space or looking to move, apartment guide has the photos, floor plans, features and tips to help you find the perfect apartment community. “like” apartment guide on facebook, tweet at  them @AptGuide on twitter, “circle” them on google+ and follow them on Pinterest for real-time tips and updates on how to make the most of your small space.

Disclosure Statement:

Apartment Guide and owner Consumer Source, Inc. partner with bloggers such as me to participate in blogger programs.  As part of that program, I received compensation.  They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about any products and believe that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. Consumer Source’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.