JillA's Profile

Display Name: JillA
Member Since: 1/4/13

Latest Comments...

Though my large apartment is far from truly "Cure"d, it is much improved. I've skipped a number of days, but deep-cleaning my bedroom is probably the most pressing--and will be the most rewarding. I have plans to paint it later this Spring, so whatever I don't get to now, I will by then. One thing is true: doing housework all alone can be drudgery, so joining the group has made it feel like teamwork. Thanks for all the inspiration!


Day 19: Catch Up & Take a Photo Apartment Therapy January Cure
1/29/13 11:16 AM

Good for you, and best of luck!


Day 18: Weekend Chores: Flowers, Living Room, Empty Your Outbox Apartment Therapy January Cure
1/25/13 5:24 PM

Similar problem in my apartment--only two outlets in the room, and it would look ugly to run an extension cord past the fireplace to the corner that sorely needs a lamp.


Day 17: Looking at Living Room Lighting Apartment Therapy January Cure
1/24/13 12:48 PM

Yesterday I did reward myself for passing a tough exam--I went to Old Navy (10% off on Tuesdays), bought a shirt I needed, splurged on a few pieces of fun jewelry from their sale rack, and bought four pairs of bright gloves, also on sale, to give as gifts.

And a new scarf for me. I love cotton scarves and wear them frequently, but because they were hanging in my bedroom closet, out of sight, I'd ended up with three purple scarves!

So last year, when I spotted a hammered-tin scarf rack with a sea turtle motif (a favorite animal), and it was 50% off, I snapped it up (excuse the pun). Now it graces the wall across from the foot of my bed, above my jewelry cabinet, each scarf hanging neatly in a colorful display.

So if there's something you keep buying because you truly love it, try honoring it: having it on display in your home will not only help you avoid repetition, it also show your personality and give you the same thrill at home that you get while out shopping for something else.


It's the Little Things:
5 Ways to Spend Less & Reduce Clutter
1/23/13 2:14 PM

In my old rental apartment, the tiny sink was set into a narrow cubbyhole. However, the counter wasn't wide enough, leaving a 2.5" space on one side and 3.5" gap on the other. Not only was I deprived of a valuable six inches of extra counter space, at some point, everything fell down into the dark chasm between the undersink cabinet and the wall--tweezers, comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, makeup wand, earrings...ugh.

I moved last year, and I love my larger, brighter bathroom with roomy countertop and spacious undercounter storage. Only complaints are the emerald green shag carpeting (getting rid of this spring) and that the old chrome medicine cabinet is so small But least I can liven it up with contact paper!


Liveblogging Day 16:
Cuckoo for Contact Paper Liveblogging the January Cure
1/23/13 11:12 AM

Oh, and I keep a stair-step basket to toss my mail into and keep it tidy unti I have time to look through it. Otherwise it piles up on the front stairs or on the little table at the top of the stairs.


Day 14: Get Papers & Files in Order Apartment Therapy January Cure
1/21/13 2:45 PM

All the reader posts are so helpful--I love hearing what others are doing!

I've been paying bills online for at least 15 years--can't even imagine what I've saved in postage and envelopes, not to mention avoided late fees, since I'd sometimes forget to drop things in the mail.

Paper clutter is the bane of my life; I've been known to shovel it all in a box to get it out of my way. In December, I finally dug through numerous old boxes--it was daunting! I shredded and recycled big bags of old papers, and doing that was a weight off my mind, as well as extra space in my apartment. There's still plenty to tackle, but not today. Today's step could take up the entire month of February.

Last week my boyfriend bought me a dozen colorful roses, but they didn't last long, so I'm drying the petals to fill up a small vase. Preferring live plants anyway, yesterday I bought a blooming African violet.


Day 14: Get Papers & Files in Order Apartment Therapy January Cure
1/21/13 2:41 PM

I'm enthusiastic about most of the suggestions so far, but buying cut flowers every week is not for me. They don't clean the air because they're dead. Plus you have to remember to throw away the dying flowers and clean the vase. And it's definitely not in my budget.

So instead, I bought a potted houseplant. Most of my houseplants died last summer following a move and months of extreme heat. I spent less than $5, and I get to use a favorite decorative planter that's been sitting idle. I feel a lot better about the swap!


Day 3: Weekend Chores - Flowers, Floors, Green Cleaners & Outbox Apartment Therapy January Cure
1/4/13 4:05 PM