Lindsay's Little & Luxurious

Another entry in Apartment Therapy's 2011 Small/Cool Contest, Lindsay won me over with her Long Island abode. Her 780 sq ft space has a touch of luxury, yet seems like something that could be realistically recreated on any budget. I was never a fan of parquet wood floors, but her bedroom decor made me sing a different tune. The combination of blue paint, yellow comforter, and gray/white accent pillows was spot on. Her apartment made me see the value in painting your wall, which is something I think most renters tend to shy away from. Yes, it can be a bit of a hassle to paint things back once you move, but to be able to enjoy your space while you live there is something we should all do.

Click here to vote her up!

Name:

 Lindsay 

Location:

 Long Island City, New York 

Division:

 Little 

Square Feet:

 780 

What I Love About My Home

 
My Home is pure love. My origin. Where I start from and where I end, The beginning and the end of my day. When all is not right with my home all is not right with me. I love that in NYC I have the luxury of a modern kitchen (with dishwasher!) and a walk in closet! Also I love that my Kitty is always waiting here to greet me after a long day. 

Biggest Challenge in Furnishing My Home

 
I was one of the first tenants to move into my huge empty new building. My unit lacked character and a story. It seriously was when I was reading Maxwell's 8 step cure and saw the question, "what would your apartment say to you if it could speak?", that I heard my apartment scream " Give me a story, Make me different and unique!" My challenge was to give my cookie cutter space a soul. 

Paul's Sleek Studio

Fellas please take note - - this is how you do a bachelor pad!

While many men don't take the time to style their spaces, New Yorker Paul does wonders with his 350 sq ft apartment. An entrant in the Teeny-Tiny Division of Apartment Therapy's Small/Cool 2011 Contest, Paul has one of the sleekest, most streamlined bachelor pads I've seen.

 I was so excited about this space I showed my husband... only for him to ask "Where's the TV?" lol... such a guy thing to wonder about. Still, I think this should inspire a few guys out there to step it up on the interior design front. When I was a single lady I would have fallen out if I walked into a guy's pad and was met with this sight!! Very nice. (Sidebar: There's nothing worse than a guy that is seemingly pulled together style wise with his fashion, yet lives in a house that's sloppy, messy, and full of college-ish mix-match furniture.)

To vote for Paul and his delightful digs click here.

Name:

 Paul 

Location:

 New York, New York 

Division:

 Teeny-Tiny 

Square Feet:

 350 

What I Love About My Home

 
The high ceilings and large windows create a bright, open environment and contribute to make the main room (242 sq. ft) look larger than it is. The dark hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances and countertops give the place a very sleek, modern feel, which my furniture and décor complement, while also making the space feel warm and inviting. I’m proud that I’ve been able to collect some classic pieces that function well for lounging, sleeping or working, and can also accommodate social gatherings without having to move a single piece of furniture. 

Biggest Challenge in Furnishing My Home

 
Studio living requires that every single thing serves the space well, and this has forced to me to be very selective in what I purchase. Before buying anything, I ask myself, “’What function does this serve?’, ‘How will this improve my space?’ and ‘Will I want to own this 10 years from now?’” One result of looking at everything I own all the time, is that I constantly want to add new elements — yet I realize adding a new item means I have to get rid of something else. My apartment was a featured house tour in January (http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/pauls-perfectly-suited-studiohouse-tour-139847) and since the only additions I’ve made since are the two glass hurricanes in the window to the left of the desk. It took me three days to figure out where to put them and what they would replace!

Review: Suave Professionals Almond + Shea Butter Moisturizing Conditioner

When I was transitioning I swore by Suave's Tropical Coconut Conditioner. Not only did it provide an amazing amount of moisture and slip, but it was $1 a bottle so it didn't break the budget. Over time I started experimenting with other co-washers and introduced Aussie Moist and Herbal Essence Hello Hydration into the mix. Although I still like those two, I was tired of paying $5 for conditioner. I don't mind investing in a good leave-in, but with the frequency I co-wash I needed a huge bang for the buck.

When I was in Target a few weeks ago I came across the Suave Professionals lines. I couldn't find any Tropical Coconut, but the Almond + Shea Butter Conditioner caught my eye. It was about $2.94 for a 32 oz bottle (amazeballs!!) so I grabbed it and gave it try.

Let me just say that this stuff is the cat's meow!! I absolutely LOVE it and it has replaced all the co-washing conditioners I was previously using. The scent is yummy, the texture is creamy providing tons of slip, but still managing to coat each strand. The bottle markets this as being comparable to Aveda's Dry Remedy Conditioner (which I have not tried), but I think the quality of this conditioner is better than Hello Hydration and Aussie Moist.

I was in Target the other day and horrified to see that there were only two bottles of the conditioner left! The secret must be out that this conditioner is the ish because it was the ONLY product nearly sold out. I bought both bottles and wanted to spread the word that this conditioner is absolutely amazing. This will be my staple (and only) co-washing conditioner moving forward.

Have you tried it yet?

New kids on the 'Reality Block'

Tonight marks the addition of two new shows to the world of reality TV: "Sinbad: It's Just Family" and "Braxton Family Values". Both shows feature the family dynamics of rather famous brown faces - - Sinbad and Toni Braxton.

With 5 sisters the Braxtons have a female brood that rivals that of the Kardashians. Baby sister Tamar seems like she may be the breakout star as she isn't one to bite her tongue and is full of one liners. I never knew much about their family so this show will be a whole need learning experience for me. Hell, I can only name a few Toni Braxton songs lol. Still, it looks like it may be one to watch.

Catch the season premiere tonight on WE tv @ 8/9c




After being divorced for 10 years, Sinbad and his ex-wife are getting back together, along with their 20-something kids moving back into the family home. This show chronicles Sinbad's journey trying to make a come-back in Hollywood and reconnect his family unit.

I'm always fascinated with celebs that are obsessed with making a "come-back". Is it so bad to have had success, made your $, and be left to go about living a normal life? Sinbad always came off as a little bit corny to me, but the show may be a nice change of pace for him... it really just depends on what he does with it.

Series premieres tonight on WE tv @ 10/9c

Days like this I miss living in Chicago...

A year ago today one of my amazing BFFs gave birth to two of the most precious boys in the world! Not only are these adorable twins turning 1 today, but I'm blessed to be their god mother :)

I wish I lived in the same state as them because these are the years that seem to fly by. Before I know it they'll have their first day at school, first sport's game... girlfriend!! It feels good to be growing older with all of my friends and seeing them become wives, mothers, buisness-women... it's all very heart-warming.

Happy 1st Birthday to Noah & Nehemiah

Coco's Cozy Hollywood Regency

What I love most about Corina's 600 sq ft retreat in LA is her ability to keep the glam look notorious of the Hollywood Regency design while managing to have 3 indoor cats!! Yes, this apartment is home to 3 lovely fur balls and doesn't look anything less than sublime. Looking at her layout I had to know where she hid the litter boxes. I have 2 cats and can already tell the difference in litter box maintenance, so with 3 I knew she had to have at least two boxes hidden somewhere.

Corina's apartment is an entrant in the Apartment Therapy 2011 Small/Cool Contest (Tiny Division) so feel free to give her a vote if you like. Her space goes to show how much crown molding and natural light can do for a small space.

Name:

 Corina 

Location:

 Los Angeles, California 

Division:

 Tiny 

Square Feet:

 600 

What I Love About My Home

 
I love that it feels like a complete house even though it is such a small space. I have everything I need and everything fits so perfectly. In just 8 months I have made it feel like home. 

Biggest Challenge in Furnishing My Home

 
I have one closet! That is for clothing and storage. That was a big challenge so I have to stay on top of things and keep really organized. I also have three indoor cats. I wanted great furniture in whites and shags (which aren't the easiest with kitties) so keeping the place tidy is a MUST!