I'm just putting this out there for all of you folks who might still be working your way through undergrad. Be prepared. I had no clue that I would be MORE stressed about finances after I graduated, but it has happened. Moving to a new city and going to graduate school are not exactly super-affordable endeavors. When that meets with a summer of working at a non-paid internship (and so many are non-paid), things can get a little be tight in the financial department.
When I moved into my apartment, I needed all of those things that you need when you move, so I spent a day out in the 'burbs of D.C. going to Walmart and Target (it was heavenly). But I was really concentrated on buying ONLY necessities: like, say, a trashcan and shower cleaner. Not glamorous, but true.
I have always loved the look of apothecary jars, especially when they are used in a kitchen or bathroom. But these start at $20 a piece, even if you find them at a discount store like Home Goods, they are pricey. So I decided to use mason jars instead.
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| via Pottery Barn |
I bought the jars brand new from Walmart and I purchased a set of 12 for about $7.00. Things don't get much more affordable than that. (Bought in an antique store or flea market, antique jars usually start around $7.00 a piece, but oftentimes you can find a blue jar, which is so pretty!)
Truth be told, I think I prefer the look of these, I store the things I need all the time here and they are so easy to use. (I don't have the lid on these- just the other piece of the lid, so I can just reach right in and get what I need.)
I also found a ton of ways to use the 8 other jars.
Left to Right: for make-up brushes, extra buttons, and food items that I buy in the bulk aisle at Whole Foods. I also use mason jars when I make iced tea or homemade dressing. They work so well that I only have one empty one left.
Sometimes when you have to get creative due to lack of funds, it works out better than you can imagine!
So I totally agree with you about trying to find attractive, cheap ways to store items. I have used pretty decorative bowls that I found for cheap at a Royal Standard Tent Sale for my bathroom storage. I don't have much counter space so that helps a lot, and looks cute.
ReplyDeleteI love to find unique ceramic pieces on the sly, like at the local university ceramic sale. LSU has one at least once or twice a year and I can find unique pieces there. I like how you stored your TP in that basket on the bottom shelf. I might steal the idea. Keep up the insightful posts!
-Steph