Avoid Roommate Problems…Choose Wisely!

September 13, 2014 | By Sarah AuthorMy First Apartment

There’s a lot more to choosing roommates than you may think, especially in your first apartment. They need to be fun but not too wild, responsible but not rude. When I first moved to school, I didn’t get to choose my roommate and she and I were complete opposites. It was fine, but definitely not…

Inspirational Interiors for First Apartments: Glamour Chic in Pink and Gold

September 7, 2013 | By Audra AuthorMy First Apartment

If you are familiar with my posts, then you know I’m a self-professed color and decorating junkie. My latest fix? Pink and gold decorated living rooms. If I could, I would paint everything in my home gold and add gold accents to every room, but even I know that’s a little overboard. Instead, I decided…

5 Housewarming Gifts They’ll Actually Like

August 26, 2013 | By Audra AuthorMy First Apartment

Fellow blogger, Christa, recently gave you guys some excellent tips on how to plan the perfect housewarming. Reading her post got me thinking. Just like with birthday parties and weddings, being invited to a housewarming party often requires a gift purchase of some sort (if you feel so inclined, of course). But what do the…

Tips for Smart Decor Purchases That Last

August 5, 2013 | By Audra AuthorMy First Apartment

If you are anything like me, then you’ve got a serious decorating problem. It’s not that you don’t love decorating, it’s not that you aren’t particularly good at it, it’s not even that you don’t have the time, your decorating problem is that you suffer from decorating vacillation. Whenever I change apartments, see a pretty…

Apartment Décor DIY: Nautical Rope Shelf

July 8, 2013 | By Audra AuthorMy First Apartment

The one month date for our apartment move is upon us, and let’s just say that it hasn’t been smooth sailing the entire way. I like to joke that our apartment has gone through three phases from the moment the lease was signed: 1) Void. 2) The Hazard Zone. 3) Work in Progress. We are…

The Best Online Home Goods Deal Sites: What You Need to Know

February 12, 2012 | By Alex AuthorMy First Apartment

Deals! They’re everywhere online these days. Gilt Group started the revolution a couple years ago by selling designer clothing at steep discounts, and sites like Ideeli and Rue La La followed suit. The deals have since expanded to home goods. Below are a few of our favorites: 1) Fab.com has been getting a lot of press…

MFA Test Drives the “Muscle Car” of Portable Air Conditioners

June 27, 2011 | By MFA Editors AuthorMy First Apartment

As the hot, sticky summer settles in for the long haul, the nice folks at the Air & Water, Inc.,; an independent online appliance retailer, let us test drive their new portable air conditioner. We assigned the task to our technology and large appliance expert, Andrew. Here’s what he found out. “I live in a…

Easy First Apartment Last-Minute Thanksgiving Dinner Party

November 23, 2010 | By MFA Editors AuthorMy First Apartment

First Thanksgiving away from home and the budget does not allow you to go “over the river and through the woods” to grandma’s house. Instead of getting depressed and crying into your sushi dinner after a lonely movie, throw your own Thanksgiving dinner party and hardly dip into your personal finances. The menu planning is…

7 Items to Keep You Warm When the Radiator Stays Cold

November 16, 2010 | By Alissa AuthorMy First Apartment

Remember last winter, when banging at the cold radiator sounded like a rocking drumbeat but still didn’t bring any heat? This year, don’t depend on the radiator gods — be prepared with a few inexpensive items that’ll help make you get warm fast, no matter how cold your apt is. A Hot Water Bottle Stays Toasty…

5 Flights or Staying on Budget and in Shape

November 12, 2010 | By MFA Editors AuthorMy First Apartment

Our blogger Elyse shares her exercise secrets. 5 Flights: Staying on Budget and in Shape When you’re living on your own for the first time, it’s probably safe to say you don’t really have the money to spare on a gym membership. (Especially if you live in New York City.) When I first moved in…