The home has been featured on television and in national lifestyle magazines such as Harpers Bazaar has sold for $13.9 million. She has since moved on with her life and into a new home in LA. For entire story click here.

If you are on a budget, you may feel that your redecorating options are limited. However, with a little creativity, you can completely change the décor of your place to make it feel like your own and still stay within your budget.

Grab a Paintbrush
A gallon of paint and a few brushes will not make a large dent in your wallet but they can make a huge difference in your room. Think creatively about what you will paint, too. If you love a particular color, but fear that it would overwhelm the room, why not consider using it on one wall, with a subtler, complementary color on the other walls? If the ceiling is architecturally interesting, paint it to make it really stand out.

While you have your paintbrush handy, think about other surfaces besides walls. Picture a favorite table, desk, or dresser with a fresh new color. This can be especially effective if you like the lines or structure of the piece but do not like the color or finish. It can also be an excellent way to introduce a bold color into a room. For example, if you have done your bedroom in muted tones but would like to anchor it with a few spots of color you could paint a dresser or nightstand in a bright and eye-catching hue.

Living Room on a Budget 101
If you want to redecorate your living room but you have limited funds, you should begin by thinking about paint, as noted above. If you are in an apartment, find out first if you are allowed to paint.

Fabric can make a big difference, too, especially in terms of visual impact. Slipcovers can make old, drab furniture look new and vibrant. If you can operate a sewing machine, you can even make them yourself; this gives you greater flexibility in terms of material and color. One of the greatest advantages of slipcovers is that you can usually toss them in the washing machine when they get dirty. You can use fabric in other creative ways, too. Look in the bargain bin at your local fabric store; you can drape remnants over tables or the back of the couch for a whole new look. If you are not handy with a needle and thread, turn the ends under and secure them with fabric tape for a no-sew version. You can make curtains the same way. Just make sure that there is room for the curtain rod to slide through when you secure the ends with fabric tape.

Bedroom on a Budget 101
A new comforter changes the overall look in the bedroom because the bed is the focal point of the room. If you would rather not go with a new comforter, new pillows can make a significant impact, too, especially if you choose a variety of sizes, shapes, and materials. If you want to make a change but keep your bedding as it was, look to your accessories. A new lamp placed in a strategic location will draw the eye; a new picture can also change the feel of the room if it is placed in a spot where it is very visible. For a final touch, consider new curtains; you can choose the same color family as your bedding if you would like to tie everything together. Alternatively, you could choose a complementary color if you want to avoid making everything look too monochromatic.

Texas freshman may need a vaccine before heading to college this year. This rule is for anyone living on campus. Texas is now among a dozen states that require the vaccine. Read more here.

There’s a great article today on Huffingtonpost.com about knowing your rights when you rent a place to live. The article focuses on your health and the best ways to protect it. If you rent and think the condition of your housing is worsening your health, you should first determine whether your building is “fit and habitable” under state and local laws. Local housing codes can vary from state to state, but if you live in section 8 or other federally-sponsored housing, it has to abide by federal standards, which often are stricter than local rules.

TenantsDirect.com is your go to source about EVERYTHING dealing with relocation! How to protect yourself, your home and live your best life.

Read the full article here.

Chicagomag.com has a cool article about luxury condo living in downtown. Tenantsdirect.com has free quotes for you to protect your purchase after the deals done. Click here for full article.

40 Rock actor and comic Tracy Morgan recently moved into a posh apartment with four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, private parking, and a 1,000-square-foot terrace in NYC. If you could have anyone for a neighbor, who would you choose? Full article here.

Elle.com has an article focusing on Supermodel Jessica Stam taking 2 years to redecorate her apartment. Check out the article!

Are you committed to living a green lifestyle? If so, you may choose food that is free of pesticides and produced in an environmentally-friendly manner. You may also drive a hybrid car or reduce your carbon footprint even more by walking everywhere or riding a bike. Did you know that you can extend your green lifestyle to your apartment?

Less Electricity, Less Water
Many people do not realize how much electricity they use during the course of the day. Focus on your electricity usage and make an effort to reduce it. One easy first step is to turn the lights off when you are not in the room. Take it a step further by making sure that you turn off other items that use electricity, such as the television, radio, and computer when you are not actually using them. Do you rely on air conditioning or fans to cool your home during the warmer months? You could try opening all the windows so that you can get a cross breeze and maybe just use one fan when it is particularly warm.

Think about how and when you wash clothes. Do you wash a few items at a time, when you need them? If you wait until you have a full load of laundry, you will reduce the number of times you use your washing machine. This will translate to less water and less electricity. How about when you dry your clothes? If possible, use a clothesline or clothes rack rather than your dryer.

Are you intrigued by the idea of reducing your water usage? If so, there are other equally easy ways to use less water. Do you love long, hot showers to wash away stress? Instead, take a quick shower and follow it up with a new stress reduction technique. Read, have a cup of tea, watch an episode of your favorite television show, or go for a walk. Now, think for a minute about brushing your teeth. Do you leave the water on while you brush? It may seem like a small detail, but it is not a small amount of water. Turn the water off while you brush so you do not waste water.

Recycle and Reuse
When you are done with things, do not automatically throw them away. Establish a good recycling system so you can quickly and easily recycle items that do not belong in a landfill. Think creatively, too, about whether the items can be repurposed and reused. Old crates? Cover them with a scarf: voila! You have a new coffee table. Suppose your neighbor is throwing an old door away. Ask the neighbor to give it to you instead. Sand it and clean it up and you have a new desktop with a lot of character. Garage sales provide a wonderful and inexpensive way to find items for creative reuse.

Be Kind to the Environment and Yourself
When you clean your apartment, use environmentally-friendly cleaning products. If you are thinking about redecorating, choose paint that is friendly for the environment. Although you will be helping the environment when you use these products, you will also be helping yourself because these products do not have the toxicity that many typical products have.

Luxury Apartment Amenities: Which Ones Matter?
If you’re shopping for a luxury apartment in NYC, I found this great article about the top 4 things you should look for when considering renting in a luxury building. If you’re going to spend the money… it should impress you each day!
The top 4:
An Attentive Staff
Security on High Alert
A Rooftop Rest Stop
Fitness Within

Read more here.

What do you look for when you’re shopping for a new place? I always wanted a doorman… some people just want a parking space they don’t have to fight over and others want a floor plan big enough to entertain. What amenities are really worth the money?

Thinking about a change of atmosphere for the rest of the summer? Or maybe a new place to live and work? A life of luxury in downtown Miami, FL could await you. According to BusinessWeek.com young professionals are getting great deals there thanks to the housing crash. The article profiles Brandon Klein who lives with two roommates. They only pay about $900 a month each for an obstructed waterfront view, a wraparound balcony and access to a gym, spa and steam room.
A Miami trip sounds so good right now. Are you in?
Read more here.