Author My First Apartment
Shelby

Outdoors/adventure writer. Living proof that you can take the girl out of the Midwest, but you can't take the Midwest out of the girl.
Beat the Winter Blues
Beat the Winter Blues

Beat the Winter Blues

  |   By AuthorMy First Apartment
Got a case of the winter blahs? It’s understandable. After all, those of us with 9-5 jobs get up in the dark, work all day, and when it’s time to go home – oh look, it’s dark again. Depending on where you live, it may also be wickedly cold. In winter, people tend to eat…
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My ten steps to green your apartment
My ten steps to green your apartment

My ten steps to green your apartment

  |   By AuthorMy First Apartment
10. Set up a recycling area. This can be as simple as a grocery sack next to the trash bin. Seriously. It’s not that complicated. 9. Install compact fluorescent light bulbs. It will save you money in the long run – always a good thing. 8. Live close to work so that you can walk,…
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Six ways to survive winter in your first apartment
Six ways to survive winter in your first apartment

Six ways to survive winter in your first apartment

  |   By AuthorMy First Apartment
The days of frosty windows and six hours of sunlight are upon us. Brrrr! Here are six tips for staying cozy, saving money and being green. Wait for a sale, then stock up on soup and hot cocoa/tea/instant cider. Also, pony up for a Netflix subscription. My plan is only about $9 a month and…
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Decorating and furnishing when you and your roommate have different styles
Decorating and furnishing when you and your roommate have different styles

Decorating and furnishing when you and your roommate have different styles

  |   By AuthorMy First Apartment
So you love sleek, modern design and your roommate adores the lacy, floral, Victorian look. Now what? If you don’t talk about your conflict before you furnish your apartment, you’ll end up with a goofy hodgepodge look that you’ll both hate. There are two basic solutions to a design conflict like this. One, you could…
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Ten essential places to find in your new hometown
Ten essential places to find in your new hometown

Ten essential places to find in your new hometown

  |   By AuthorMy First Apartment
This would make a fun Sunday project – a sort of recent-transplant treasure hunt. If, like me, your new hometown is teeny-tiny, you may have to venture outside the town limits to find some or even all of these places. Bring a friend, if you’ve have one, and make a day of it. 1. Greasy…
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How to make friends in your new hometown
How to make friends in your new hometown

How to make friends in your new hometown

  |   By AuthorMy First Apartment
How does a recent transplant make friends in a small town? If anybody knows, they should tell me. Seriously, though. When people talk about moving, they talk about finding the best deals and being near public transportation and making sure you don’t forget to bring or buy a bath mat. (Ahem.) Nobody talks about what…
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Is this “settling down”?
Is this “settling down”?

Is this “settling down”?

  |   By AuthorMy First Apartment
My boyfriend and I moved into our studio apartment two days ago. I’m almost 23, but this is my first apartment. I haven’t lived in one place for longer than eight months since I graduated from high school. Why not? you ask. What have you been doing for five years? Let’s see. The summer after…
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