The Apartment Refresh That’s Turning My Mood Around

I was thinking today about this post I’m about to write. And about how my blog is called Preppy Runner, but how I don’t often blog about running any more.

But yet about how running and fitness are so key to my happiness, my soul, my identity. How my face lights up the most when I talk about running, and about how fitness has the power to change your life, how it changed mine. I’m studying for the NASM exam, and that’s been on my mind a lot lately.

(That’s all, just a musing.)

Last week, I said I was embarking on an apartment refresh. I had a really scary panic attack last week, to the point that I almost went to the ER, before calling my doctor and realizing it was just a terrible case of anxiety. (My fave grief author has an upcoming book about grief + anxiety that can not come out soon enough!) Once I took a Klonopin and calmed down, my best friend thrust me into organizing and redecorating my apartment, and my therapist suggested the same thing the next day. I actually moved into my apartment two years ago today, and…obviously a lot has happened in those two years, so I didn’t really decorate much/as much I would have liked to.

And so, I’ve spent a lot of the past week organizing and decorating…and it’s been really fun.

We started out with my closet. And I will just leave at this: I am really glad I didn’t take a before! My apartment has kind of been like I think I am — seems mostly OK on the outside, kinda a hot mess inside. I was ashamed to open my messy closet and told Meg not to judge me…outside. I have probably eight bags of stuff to be donated now! And I am shocked that all of this fit into one closet — this was spread throughout both of my closets before. But Meg suggested I get these hangers, instead of my beloved pretty wooden ones, and they made a huge difference!

In my bathroom, I went for this shower curtain and this cheery rug. Not pictured, but I got these AWESOME new knobs from Anthro. I don’t know why I’d never thought to change out knobs, but it is such a quick update! Now I’m on the hunt for new knobs for my kitchen, but I need 14, so slowing my roll on that.

In my bedroom, I went for this Kate Spade duvet. I love the pink pillow that they sell with it, but at $89…LOLLLLLLLL. (Ali sent me Ellie the Elephant just after my mom died, and yes, I’m 35 and sleeping with a stuffed animal, it’s cool.) I got these curtains and then went to M&J for ribbon for the tiebacks! I’m not sure yet which one I’m going to go with, but I’m leaning yellow/navy.

In my living room, so far the biggest change I’ve made is moving that bookcase over from one side of the TV to the other. I got this rug  just before Christmas in an insomnia shopping binge, and I regret nothing. This chair is on its way to replace the one in the corner there, and this desk is also on its way, because hello crazy sale!!! (Couch and table also West Elm. I try really hard to buy furniture elsewhere…but they always just have exactly what I want at the right price.)

It’s nice having this project to work on!

Also, here’s an awesome (timely for me!) post that one of my fave bloggers, Grace, wrote this week on home decor tips. What are your tips/fave finds?