Author My First Apartment

Audra

Audra is a recent college graduate and an aspiring writer based in her home state of Georgia. She’s a lover of the sweetest Southern tea, warm weather, and decorating with lots of color, DIY projects, and shabby chic pieces. Her apartment living journey is still young, so she’s busy navigating the ups and downs and learning along the way. For more from Audra, follow her on Pinterest or check out her website shepenspretty.com.

10 Simple DIY Alternative Christmas Tree Ideas

December 23, 2018 | By Audra AuthorMy First Apartment

Here’s another oldie but goodie, updated from our archives — Audra’s take on simple DIY Christmas trees. (OK, the last one is by Martha Stewart, so it’s a little more elaborate.) The first holiday season I ever spent in my very own apartment, I went a little crazy. I was absolutely convinced that I had…

IKEA’s New Stockholm Collection Is Stylish and Apartment Friendly

March 16, 2017 | By Audra AuthorMy First Apartment

The reviews are in, the votes have been tallied, the collective internet voice heard: IKEA has upped their style game. Big time. Building on top of their reputation for affordable, space-saving furniture for minimalist apartment living, IKEA’s newest collection (out next month) offers items that you’d be proud to showcase in your apartment, regardless of…

Our Top Picks from Pottery Barn’s Small Spaces Line

March 7, 2017 | By Audra AuthorMy First Apartment

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a person in possession of a small apartment must be in want of smart, savvy, space-saving furniture. Enter Pottery Barn’s Small Spaces line stage right. IKEA has long reigned as the place to find multi-purpose furniture for small apartments, but Pottery Barn is giving them stiff competition. Although less budget…

Dressing Your Bed for Sweet Dreams

December 8, 2016 | By Audra AuthorMy First Apartment

So you bought a mattress. It probably wasn’t a fun purchase (what adult purchases usually are?), but we can assure you that you did a good thing. And, hopefully, you’re channeling your inner Goldilocks: “It’s not too soft. It’s not too firm. It’s just right.” Now all you have to do is to throw on…

Tips for Holiday-Stress-Proofing Your SO Relationship

December 1, 2016 | By Audra AuthorMy First Apartment

The holidays are a time of wonder, cheer, giving — some would even say magic. But you know what else the holiday season is full of? Stress. Lots and lots of stress. Sure, I may be pessimistic about “the most wonderful time of year” but there’s no denying that in addition to gifts and good…

5 Free Money Tracking Apps That Are Great For Staying Within Budget

November 1, 2016 | By Audra AuthorMy First Apartment

Unless you’re a boss when it comes financial responsibility, it’s likely there have been one (or many) times in your life that you’d made purchases without considering the consequences on your budget. (Guilty.) If you haven’t had the (dis)pleasure of receiving a lovely overdraft fine, let me go ahead and clue you in on a little…

IKEA’s Limited Edition Sällskap Collection is a Renter’s Dream Come True

October 12, 2016 | By Audra AuthorMy First Apartment

In the renter community, IKEA is an undeniable life saver. Sure, the furniture can be a serious pain in the butt to put together and, yeah, the furniture can be kinda bland (but that can be fixed with a little creativity and craft supplies). But, overall, the design and cost leaves the Scandinavian furniture giant without competition…

5 Bed Frames Perfect for Apartment Living for Under $300

September 27, 2016 | By Audra AuthorMy First Apartment

Hello again, budget apartment shoppers. Over the last few weeks, My First Apartment has been diving into finding all your apartment furniture needs on a dime, whether it’s a space-saving dining set, apartment-friendly sofas, or how to equip your first kitchen for under $200. This week, we’re tackling queen-sized bed frames for under $300 (note that the…

8 Safety Tips for Living Alone

September 9, 2016 | By Audra AuthorMy First Apartment

After years of living at home with a large, loud family or in college dorms, I was totally unprepared for living alone in my first apartment post-college. Suddenly, I heard every sound. A creak in the floor, the sound of the AC kicking on in the middle of the night, neighbors shutting doors down the hall…you name…

5 Apartment-Friendly Dining Sets Under $250

August 19, 2016 | By Audra AuthorMy First Apartment

A few weeks ago, we brought you the first installment of The Affordable Apartment Furniture Basics Series (if you missed it, mosey on over here to check out 5 awesome couches for under $500). This week, we’re heading out of the living room and into the kitchen to bring you 5 apartment-friendly dining sets—often with multi-use functions (can…