Hi everyone! Recently we did a YouTube video covering the ways we cut over $1,000 per month in expenses once we moved to NYC. Living in any large city is expensive, so we do whatever possible to minimize our expenses and live frugally. Here are 14 tips that helped us save!
1) CUT THE CORD!
This means cancel your cable subscription! As millennials, we have different TV consumption habits than older generations which means we look to streaming services more and more. We use a combination of Netflix and parents' cable login to stream shows we really have to see. Turns out, we've been much more productive since cancelling the cable subscription.
Savings $50 - $100 / Month
2) UPGRADE LIGHT BULBS.
Seriously, in the long run energy savings can equate to hundreds or even thousands of dollars. We've found LED's to be pretty pricey, but they last nearly forever and use a fraction of the power as traditional incandescent bulbs. CFL bulbs are a cheaper solution, but some people are sensitive to the light they produce and they still use more electricity than LED. If you can't afford to do them all at once, we suggest replacing your most frequently used bulbs first. You should see a quick return on your money.
Savings: $20 - $60 / Month
3) GET RID OF CARS BEFORE MOVING.
This may not apply to everyone, but we knew the added expenses of parking, maintenance, and insurance would create a massive headache and cost when living in NYC. Selling the vehicle before the move is crucial, we learned the hard way. The key is to live near public transportation options and have a couple of different options to get to where you're going!
Savings: $600-$800 / Month
4) GET RID OF ALL UNNECESSARY JUNK!
For us, this meant downsizing from a house, to a large storage unit when we got to the city, to eventually a smaller storage unit. Apartments are small, and it's extremely easy to accumulate too much stuff in a NY. Our rule is that if we haven't used an item in 6 months (and it isn't seasonal clothing), it may be best to scrap it. We try to earn extra money from our purges by selling items through apps like 5Miles, OfferUp, LetGo, Poshmark, Depop, and Craigslist. The rest is usually donated to our local Goodwill or Housing Works donation center. We've found sanity after decluttering our lives, and it also helps keep down on accumulating unneeded new items.
Savings: $150 - More / Month (depending on how much stuff you're storing!)
5) MANAGE THAT CELL PHONE DATA.
Fortunately today, most carriers offer an unlimited data plan with their contract plans, but when we got our new phones last year it wasn't an option. If you're in the same boat, make sure you enable text alerts for data consumption! This is something that most carriers require you to opt into on their website, but buried. It's better for them if you go over! After we went over a few times, it didn't take long to learn our lesson and use our data wisely.
Savings: $20 - Hundreds / Month
6) MEAL PREP AND DON'T BUY LUNCH.
Think about it, at $10 a meal, it equates to $50 a week, and $200 per month. For a couple, it's now $400 / month! We've made huge strides to buy wisely, cook large meals, and store/freeze leftovers for the week.
Savings: $250 / Month
7) PREGAME!
For social events where alcohol will be flowing, we always make sure to have our own cocktail hour at the apartment. Whether it's wine, a hoppy IPA, or a fine liquor that you enjoy, it's MUCH less at the corner store than the fancy bar. For example, a beer at the bodega cost $2.50, but the same bottle is $8-$10 + tip at restaurants and bars.
Savings: $50 - $200 / Month (depending on habits)
8) ALWAYS CHECK GROUPON FIRST FOR DATE IDEAS!
There are definitely occasions where it's appropriate to spend a lot on a date night, but doing so weekly isn't practical. Typically, we can snag a meal for two for under $40 on Groupon, and it often even includes wine. It's also helped us get to know the city better and discover many great restaurants, always a plus! Also, check out Fever and Living Social for couple's events and deals.
Savings: $40 - Hundreds depending on how often you go out
9) LEARN TO CUT AND CARE FOR YOUR OWN HAIR!
Really. Once you get over the fear and have a few YouTube tutorials under your belt, it's really not that hard. Sure, you'll need the occasional shape up from a professional barber, but we've managed to save a ton of money taking care of our own hair. Sheena's hair doesn't require much trimming currently, but she invests several hours each week ensuring it's conditioned and taken care of. Dustin, on the other hand, prefers a fresh haircut every week. It's been 6 months since he's been to a barber, which means over 24 weeks worth of cuts. At a bare NYC minimum of $18 a cut, plus tip ($7), it adds up to over $1200 each year!!
Savings: $100 - $250 / Month
10) STOCKPILE TOILETRIES ON SALE AND WITH COUPONS.
For some reason, toiletries are really expensive in the city. Toilet paper runs about $1.25 a roll for the decent stuff. When sales hit, we use coupons and store savings (we've been known to clear the shelves!). Although storage is a challenge in our apartment, we've figured out some creative ways to store the stockpiles.
Savings: $30-50 / Month
11) SEAL CRACKS AROUND WINDOWS AND DOORS.
Whether it's a house, apartment, or condo, it pays to make sure your home is energy efficient. It's truly unbelievable just how much power costs in NYC, so be sure to visit the local hardware store and pick up some products to help seal those cracks. Be sure to take pictures of any gaps you see (or feel a draft from). Here are a few other tips we have come across: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-make-windows-warmer-for-winter-reader-intelligence-report-198230
Savings: $20-50 / Month
12) ALWAYS COMPARISON SHOP PRICES!
Both in-store and online, always make sure you're using your resources for maximum savings. Does the store price match? Find it online cheaper. Is there a coupon code on RetailMeNot? Check! As for online purchases, we're huge fans of Amazon Prime ($99/year), and think its totally worth it. Besides free same, one, and 2 day shipping on thousands of items competitively priced, you'll also gain access to Amazon's video streaming service (Prime Video), unlimited photo cloud storage (Prime Photo), music streaming (Prime Music), among numerous other benefits. Check out the complete list here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=200444160
Savings: $20 - hundreds (depending on habits)
13) BUY USED AND THRIFTED!
As mentioned above, we love apps like 5Miles, Depop, OfferUp, and Poshmark! For any items we need that are usually expensive when bought new, we are always checking local ads for gently used items. Periodically, we'll also visit the local Goodwill or thrift store to see what items we can find. We've discovered several killer deals on designer brands, so give it a try!
Savings: $10 - more (depending on tastes/habits)
14) ASK ABOUT STUDENT, MILITARY, PUBLIC SERVANT, CHILD, AND SENIOR DISCOUNTS!
All you have to do is ask, and you'd be surprised how many places offer discounts for students, military, and seniors! Take full advantage of all of the benefits available to you!
Savings: $10 - more (depending on tastes/habits)
We hope these tips were helpful! If you've got more money savings tips, we'd love to hear them! Please leave your ideas below, we'd love to put them in a future video and shout you out!
Our NYC Living Room
DIYs + Life Hacks | for small spaces
Hello all!
Apt Hunt (cont'd)...
Hi Guys!
We are happy to say, the hunt is finally over and we've found a nice little pad in Harlem, NY! We wanted to venture further away from the crazy rush in Hell's Kitchen, but still experience the "city vibe" that we moved here for. So far, Harlem has been a good mix and we're enjoying the neighborhood!
We are happy to say, the hunt is finally over and we've found a nice little pad in Harlem, NY! We wanted to venture further away from the crazy rush in Hell's Kitchen, but still experience the "city vibe" that we moved here for. So far, Harlem has been a good mix and we're enjoying the neighborhood!
Apt Hunt #1
With the end of our lease approaching, we couldn't believe how quickly the apartment hunt has come and gone. We dreaded the event just due to the initial move to NYC which consisted of downsizing a 5 bedroom house to a sardine can, New York apartment.
We luckily started the hunt with resources and an agent that we trusted. We toured about 7-8 places before making our decision on the right apartment. The search can be intimating in NYC because the places are expensive and the go extremely fast. The average "sleep on it" time for an apartment you love, should be no more than 24 hours. (In those instances, you can still lose the place)
If you find a place you love, snag it! This means having first month's rent and security deposit(s) ready to go. Don't forget credentials such as driver's license, pay stubs, etc.
Best of luck on your hunt and plan ahead! If you have any questions, shoot us an email.
Check out our video below where we documented some of our hunt and the laughs we had along the day. Which place is your favorite?!
DIY Silhouette Wall Art
We came up with this new idea for wall art in our tiny NYC apartment as we began creating our family feature wall in the kitchen! For under $25, we were able to create something truly unique & personalized & hope you love it as much as we do!
Materials:
Thick-stock paper (28lb or higher)
Pattered paper for background
Artist's Loft Canvas (Can substitute with anything sturdy that will fit within frame)
Picture Frames
Chalk Paint (Optional, but will need some black paint in it's place)
Hot Glue
Mod Podge
Scissors
Materials:
Thick-stock paper (28lb or higher)
Pattered paper for background
Artist's Loft Canvas (Can substitute with anything sturdy that will fit within frame)
Picture Frames
Chalk Paint (Optional, but will need some black paint in it's place)
Hot Glue
Mod Podge
Scissors
Step 1: Take a photo of each family member from the side profile & import each into the computer. Print the pictures on thick-stock paper, & carefully cut out the silhouettes. It may take a few tries to get the size & cutting correct, but you'll get it!
Step 2: Use chalk colored paint to paint the silhouette that you've just cut out. It may take a couple of coats, but allow to dry between each coat. You can also wait until after step 4 to paint it!
Step 3: While the silhouettes dry, use your Artist's Loft Canvas to trace your cut for the background. You may want to allow an additional 1/2" on each side if you prefer to wrap the edges, but is not necessary (especially with thicker paper). Use Mod Podge to glue them together & allow dry. Once dry, apply Mod Podge with foam brush from one side to the other, keeping texture consistent. This will give the background a shiny coating that repels chalk that will be used to write on the silhouette.
Step 4: Carefully use Mod Podge to coat the back of your silhouette, and apply to the front of the Artist's Loft you just completed. Be sure to work from one side to the other slowly, and avoid bubbles by catching them early. Allow to dry.
Step 5: Apply touch ups. With the picture frames, reverse the original stock photo so that the white side shows. Close up the frame. Next you'll need to heat up the glue gun, & apply a few drops to the back of the finished silhouette & carefully center and apply to the FRONT of the photo frame. Nothing except the backing should be inside the picture frame.
You're finished, now just hang and enjoy! We love to use them to write notes to one another, or to-do lists. Hope you enjoy!
Step 3: While the silhouettes dry, use your Artist's Loft Canvas to trace your cut for the background. You may want to allow an additional 1/2" on each side if you prefer to wrap the edges, but is not necessary (especially with thicker paper). Use Mod Podge to glue them together & allow dry. Once dry, apply Mod Podge with foam brush from one side to the other, keeping texture consistent. This will give the background a shiny coating that repels chalk that will be used to write on the silhouette.
Step 4: Carefully use Mod Podge to coat the back of your silhouette, and apply to the front of the Artist's Loft you just completed. Be sure to work from one side to the other slowly, and avoid bubbles by catching them early. Allow to dry.
Step 5: Apply touch ups. With the picture frames, reverse the original stock photo so that the white side shows. Close up the frame. Next you'll need to heat up the glue gun, & apply a few drops to the back of the finished silhouette & carefully center and apply to the FRONT of the photo frame. Nothing except the backing should be inside the picture frame.
You're finished, now just hang and enjoy! We love to use them to write notes to one another, or to-do lists. Hope you enjoy!
Our NYC Apartment Tour
We found our NYC apartment several months ago, what an adjustment! Still, it's totally worth the sacrifice to live in such an amazing city. Between the hustle & bustle, sounds, ease of transportation, and totally amazing things to do, we wouldn't have it any other way!
Making do in such a small space is incredibly challenging, but some creativity & letting go of a lot of stuff let us make the space as comfy as possible.
Watch Our NYC Apartment Tour on Youtube!
Making do in such a small space is incredibly challenging, but some creativity & letting go of a lot of stuff let us make the space as comfy as possible.
Watch Our NYC Apartment Tour on Youtube!
Tips for Moving to NYC (or any big city!)
We had a lot of people asking for some 'moving to the city' tips after recently relocating from Atlanta to NYC, so we thought we would put together a top 10 list! We learned a LOT during the process, and hope they're helpful to you, should you ever decide to take the leap to a big city!
#1 PLAN AHEAD!
Moving to a big city can be expensive!! You should really try to plan as much as feasible before actually relocating into a city like NYC. This includes trying to line up work prior, leverage contacts or friends that may know the areas, etc. The more you can do before the move, the less expensive the move will be!
#2 Know your Budget
Remember we said big cities can be expensive? RENT IS RIDICULOUS! Know your budget for rent that you can afford each month that will still allow you to eat, pay bills, and save some money on the side. The good news is that rent drops dramatically the further out you go from a metropolis, and NYC has a pretty darn good transit system (for being 100 years old)! Get to know the good neighborhoods and start talking to agents! You will need at bare minimum, first month's rent + 1 month security deposit (this is for excellent credit). Additional months security deposit will likely be required. When in doubt, plan for the worst & hope for the best. This is the most stressful part of the move!
#3 Try the "DIY" Apartment Hunt
Great sites are www.triplemint.com (formerly suitey.com), www.renthop.com , & www.nakedapartments.com . Utilize these sites, but if you're in the city, visit the neighborhoods and look for fliers that could be posted for available apartments!
#4 Job Hunting
As soon as you possibly can, get out there and start looking for work! Sometimes you can snag a job in the city prior to moving, but that wasn't the case for us. Once we landed, we quickly started focusing solely on landing interviews. This is also a stressful time, it will often be difficult to find the company that you really want to work at. Sure, you can take the first job offer that you get, but only when you've finally found the right 'fit' will you really love your job.
#5 Know your Transit
Important to know how you're going to get around! Do the math on a weekly metro pass, and see if it makes sense to buy vs. the per-ride fare. Learn the subway lines, stops, and which are the most convenient to the places you'll be commuting to and from each day. This was really important for us when looking for apartments. Convenience is key!
#6 DOWNSIZE!
You're moving to a city where, unless you're a millionaire, square footage is SMALL! Before the move, go through your entire wardrobe, furniture, gadgets, and toys and determine what you really can't live without. Use Craigslist, eBay, local salvage shops, & friends to try and earn some money before your move. Believe us, you will be so glad you did! In situations where you just can't part with some of the items, plan on obtaining a storage unit when you get to the city. It was a shock to us just how expensive these storage units can be, and learned that prices are usually based on season and demand. Summer & fall are ridiculously priced, so think hard about what you really want to bring!
#7 Control your Food Spending!
Ah, how convenient. Food on every corner, many places open well into the morning hours. What's the problem with that? Well, for one, it adds up rather quickly. Restaurants in the city are quite pricey, averaging $20-$30 a plate and higher for pretty basic food (when compared to what it gets you in the suburbs). This is a quick way to run out of money, and have nothing to even show for it! You will do your wallet a huge favor by being savvy about where you buy groceries, and religiously cooking as many meals as you possibly can. We love cooking a huge meal because we know we'll have lunches for the following day, maybe even dinner again.
Adding even more to the tab are drinks, where a domestic beer will run you $7-$8. Mixed drinks? Get outta here! PRE-GAME, you'll be glad you did ;)
#8 Become a HUSTLER
If you came to the city & think you can sit back and coast for a bit, you're dead wrong. We learned first-hand on many occasions just how expensive (often unexpected expenses) the city can be, even if you've planned everything. Don't be above any job, if you need the money. Roll up the sleeves and serve some tables, tend bar, or get creative with bringing in money (keep it legal though lol). Don't go into debt when you can avoid it! The great thing about NYC is that there are so many people in their own 'hustle' that it almost feels unnatural to sit around. Make friends, make money, and make more friends. You'll never know when you need them!
#9 Explore the City
You moved here for adventure, right? Well get out and seize the day! Although big cities can get expensive quickly, there are TONS of free or discounted things to get into. From concerts, window shopping (be careful), checking out the landmarks, or just strolling the streets, be sure you take time each week to go out and live a little. It's a beautiful place, get out there & enjoy!
#10 Have a Plan B..... C..... D..... E
We're not referring to subway lines! ALWAYS plan for something to go wrong, because you may be surprised how you sometimes simply don't have control over every situation. Definitely have an emergency fund, but also line up possible alternatives for almost every big thing you take on. Moving? Something will happen that wasn't in your plans. Apartment hunting? Be ready for a hunt & some stress. Same goes for the job hunt. It doesn't hurt to become a bit more pessimistic than you were in your last town.... not negative... but don't take anyone's word on anything until they come through. You'll save yourself the disappointment, and you'll have a backup plan ready to go!
#1 PLAN AHEAD!
Moving to a big city can be expensive!! You should really try to plan as much as feasible before actually relocating into a city like NYC. This includes trying to line up work prior, leverage contacts or friends that may know the areas, etc. The more you can do before the move, the less expensive the move will be!
#2 Know your Budget
Remember we said big cities can be expensive? RENT IS RIDICULOUS! Know your budget for rent that you can afford each month that will still allow you to eat, pay bills, and save some money on the side. The good news is that rent drops dramatically the further out you go from a metropolis, and NYC has a pretty darn good transit system (for being 100 years old)! Get to know the good neighborhoods and start talking to agents! You will need at bare minimum, first month's rent + 1 month security deposit (this is for excellent credit). Additional months security deposit will likely be required. When in doubt, plan for the worst & hope for the best. This is the most stressful part of the move!
#3 Try the "DIY" Apartment Hunt
Great sites are www.triplemint.com (formerly suitey.com), www.renthop.com , & www.nakedapartments.com . Utilize these sites, but if you're in the city, visit the neighborhoods and look for fliers that could be posted for available apartments!
#4 Job Hunting
As soon as you possibly can, get out there and start looking for work! Sometimes you can snag a job in the city prior to moving, but that wasn't the case for us. Once we landed, we quickly started focusing solely on landing interviews. This is also a stressful time, it will often be difficult to find the company that you really want to work at. Sure, you can take the first job offer that you get, but only when you've finally found the right 'fit' will you really love your job.
#5 Know your Transit
Important to know how you're going to get around! Do the math on a weekly metro pass, and see if it makes sense to buy vs. the per-ride fare. Learn the subway lines, stops, and which are the most convenient to the places you'll be commuting to and from each day. This was really important for us when looking for apartments. Convenience is key!
#6 DOWNSIZE!
You're moving to a city where, unless you're a millionaire, square footage is SMALL! Before the move, go through your entire wardrobe, furniture, gadgets, and toys and determine what you really can't live without. Use Craigslist, eBay, local salvage shops, & friends to try and earn some money before your move. Believe us, you will be so glad you did! In situations where you just can't part with some of the items, plan on obtaining a storage unit when you get to the city. It was a shock to us just how expensive these storage units can be, and learned that prices are usually based on season and demand. Summer & fall are ridiculously priced, so think hard about what you really want to bring!
#7 Control your Food Spending!
Ah, how convenient. Food on every corner, many places open well into the morning hours. What's the problem with that? Well, for one, it adds up rather quickly. Restaurants in the city are quite pricey, averaging $20-$30 a plate and higher for pretty basic food (when compared to what it gets you in the suburbs). This is a quick way to run out of money, and have nothing to even show for it! You will do your wallet a huge favor by being savvy about where you buy groceries, and religiously cooking as many meals as you possibly can. We love cooking a huge meal because we know we'll have lunches for the following day, maybe even dinner again.
Adding even more to the tab are drinks, where a domestic beer will run you $7-$8. Mixed drinks? Get outta here! PRE-GAME, you'll be glad you did ;)
#8 Become a HUSTLER
If you came to the city & think you can sit back and coast for a bit, you're dead wrong. We learned first-hand on many occasions just how expensive (often unexpected expenses) the city can be, even if you've planned everything. Don't be above any job, if you need the money. Roll up the sleeves and serve some tables, tend bar, or get creative with bringing in money (keep it legal though lol). Don't go into debt when you can avoid it! The great thing about NYC is that there are so many people in their own 'hustle' that it almost feels unnatural to sit around. Make friends, make money, and make more friends. You'll never know when you need them!
#9 Explore the City
You moved here for adventure, right? Well get out and seize the day! Although big cities can get expensive quickly, there are TONS of free or discounted things to get into. From concerts, window shopping (be careful), checking out the landmarks, or just strolling the streets, be sure you take time each week to go out and live a little. It's a beautiful place, get out there & enjoy!
#10 Have a Plan B..... C..... D..... E
We're not referring to subway lines! ALWAYS plan for something to go wrong, because you may be surprised how you sometimes simply don't have control over every situation. Definitely have an emergency fund, but also line up possible alternatives for almost every big thing you take on. Moving? Something will happen that wasn't in your plans. Apartment hunting? Be ready for a hunt & some stress. Same goes for the job hunt. It doesn't hurt to become a bit more pessimistic than you were in your last town.... not negative... but don't take anyone's word on anything until they come through. You'll save yourself the disappointment, and you'll have a backup plan ready to go!
ATL Vlog: Bride to Be & Dentistry
We recently snuck down to Atlanta for Sheena's sister's big day! Congratulations to the Rayfords!! It was a great time, we were so happy to be a part of their wedding party!
Between helping with last minute wedding duties, & Dakota having some teeth removed (we call him gumby now lol), the week flew by. We made sure to capture some of the moments and share them with you below!
Between helping with last minute wedding duties, & Dakota having some teeth removed (we call him gumby now lol), the week flew by. We made sure to capture some of the moments and share them with you below!
VLOG!!! 'Kids for the Weekend'
Our close friend Bradley came into town, we were so glad to meet up and see the city! First, we grabbed some brunch, then went to FAO Schwartz before it closed for good :( We had a lot of fun, then took the train to Brooklyn to pay a visit to the tourist trap, Big Gay Ice Cream. Line out the door, but well worth the wait. YUMM!
Check out our laughs and 'good times' by viewing the link below!
DIY Plyo/Crossfit Box
Hey Everyone!
Welcome back to the SpokenHome blog! We really appreciate the constant love and support from you guys with each video, update, etc. With that said, this video demonstrates how we threw together a "Crossfit/Plyo" box to accomplish more workouts that require this type of equipment. As we try to cut back expenses each month and live more efficiently, we decided to cancel our gym membership and just have a little "home gym."
With Crossfit becoming the new rave all over the country, a ton of fitness programs are now including moves such as box jumps, plyo box burpees, box jump-overs, etc. Sheena has started trying out the DailyBurn series that you can subscribe to for a monthly costs, and the workouts involve equipment like dumbbells, medicine balls, yoga mats, and of course - a plyo box. These items do add up, so we felt like sharing an inexpensive tutorial on how to make one of these on your own and become a Crossfit/Plyo BEAST! ;-)
M A T E R I A L S :
3/4" Thick Pine Plywood | http://thd.co/1LoAxah
2" Construction Screws (Make sure Flat Top!) | http://thd.co/17CYZFD
Wood Glue | http://thd.co/1AZDDOT
E Q U I P M E N T :
Table Saw (Or have your home improvement store pre cut for you!)
Power Screwdriver (Impact driver is best for this job) & 1/16" drill bit
Power Sander (Or manually sand with sand paper) - 80 Grit Paper
Jigsaw (for handles)
E X P E R T L E V E L / T I M E
Intermediate - Weekend Warrior / 30min - 2hr depending on cuts/tools
D I M E N S I O N S :
12”H x 15.5”L x 18”W
{ Remember to account for the 3/4in thick plywood, which will affect sizes cut. Be sure to refer to the video to see this in action! }
Alrighty guys, these are your cuts. (First) Two side pieces, (Middle) Two additional side pieces, (Last) Top piece, aka the piece you will be stepping/jumping on.
The next steps are probably most difficult, and thats just finding how you're going to begin assembling the box. We needed all four hands on deck for this one! Remember, this is also the best time to hide any stickers or imperfections by facing them inward. We LOVE personality in wood, so we looked for any knots or distortions and faced them outward!
Don't forget, this box is going to receiving a ton of impact from your workouts and need to stay solid! There really isn't any way to 'overdo' it in these circumstances. Apply that wood glue to eat corner/side that you complete!
Once you've gotten it held sturdy, you want to drill a hole into the side where two pieces touch/connect. We are just pre-drilling right now for the actual screws. (This helps to avoid wood chipping and cracking during your screwing in)
Next step is creating a divot point right above the pre-drilled holes, to ensure that your screw will sit snug into the wood and not protrude.
This is what it should look like! (Photo above)
Now we can go ahead and screw in one of those 2'' construction screws to lock the side in. Complete this same process on this same side.
This is what your completed screw/side should look like so far.. (Photo Above)
Once you've completed all sides, go ahead and knock out the top piece! We doubled-up as you can see and we really like the look of this. This is probably also a good time to "step up" CAREFULLY (lol) and test your project. At this point we let it sit out to dry up all the glue in the sun. If you're not having any sunny days ahead, try to let it dry for at least 2 hours.
Time to sand! A power sander is going to be your best friend when it comes to giving your weekend projects that polished look. A few minutes with this baby and you'll have smooth sides, edges, corners, and no splinters!
This part is optional, but if you would like to add a handle to maybe lifting it up, burpees, mountain climbers, this is for you! Everyone's hand is different, so we recommend gripping your hand on the edge of the box and marking an inch and 1/2 wider. Here is what our box looked like after we measured Sheena's hand:
Keep in mind that its going to be a handle so it should be as wide as possible. But of course, start small and take off little by little to avoid making a gaping hole.
When creating the actual shape of handle, we had to go Macgyver! Don't judge! This battery worked perfectly in getting us a rounded edge, just wide enough to grip.
Once you've gotten to half circles completed, use a straight edge to finish off the handle shape. If you make mistakes here its okay, we can clean it up in a few steps!
For this step, Dustin had to use his Dremmel tool to create two small drill holes adjacent to each other. This will allow the jigsaw blade to fit right in to begin cutting.
Here are two completed holes with the Dremmel. (Photo above)
This part was tough! Dustin had to put his full body weight on it to prevent shaking - this thing is pretty powerful. Any easier approach would be a drill saw that had the correct shape for your project. But we always say, use what you have as long as its safe! ;-)
One completed handle after the jigsaw. As you guys can see, its pretty messy, but in the next step that changes!
Our Dremmel (aka, Master Splinter) is the sidekick to our power sander. A few minutes with this guy and the handles were completely smooth and evened out to perfection!
Touch up any additional screws at this point and double-check for rough edges/splinters. Also, placing your box on a flat surface and stepping on it slowly, will let you know if its uneven at this point. If so, simply bring the sander back out and try to smooth those uneven edges down. (This may take some time, but of course, WORTH IT!)
Dustin touching up the base of the box! (Photo above)
And thats it guys! You now have a brand new plyo box/child seat/storage container/step stool that you can totally customize to your liking! Always remember to seal the project once you're 100% done with color and decal choices.
We understand that DIY and woodworking may not come easy to most, or may just not be as easily accessible. We've gotten a few requests from friends and family regarding the plyo box, so feel free to reach out to us under our "Store" tab to request a box! We will only be making a limited amount and would be happy to talk about customizations! Thanks for stopping by and see ya in the next one!
Love in the details,
SpokenHome
(Dustin & Sheena)
Our Frames | DIY Magazine Art
Welcome back guys!
Due to previous requests we have finally uploaded a new video showing how we utilize hanging frames in our home and also a quick DIY project with magazines. Yeah, sounds odd but stand by! ;-)
When it comes to hanging artwork there are no rules! We believe in hanging what holds significant value to you and your family without getting too tacky. Examples of unconventional artwork are:
- Artwork that your children made. It really doesnt matter if it is scribble or finely crafted double-rainbows, artwork made by children is not only adorable, but adds a cool touch to 'adult' decor. ( Try to use pieces that go with colors in the room you're decorating )
- Old sheet music, pilot logs, chemistry diagrams, etc. Showing/hanging accomplishments is fine as long as its done tastefully. Hanging every award you've had since middle school throughout your home will make you nostalgic, but everyone else weirded out. Hanging diplomas and such in an office space is totally cool, but beyond that - not recommended! Also, use alternatives to diplomas and trophies by using old sheet music that you have laying around or something visually appealing that you are really proud of.
- Good ol' fashioned purchased art. We know that not everyone exited the womb wielding Crayolas, so purchasing your artwork/prints is totally OK! The best places to snag them are your local craft stores. They tend to have blowout sales that start on Sundays and offer art for as low as $5! Take your time sorting through the lots, and check online resources for coupons. (RetailMeNot, Shopular, Coupons.com)
All in all, have fun with creating art! You can grab a piece of fabric from an old dress or shirt and make that into art as well by cutting it into a cool pattern. The project we demonstrated shows how to use an old magazine to quickly create artwork for your favorite space. Be sure to check out the tutorial and share your creations with us! Thanks for stopping by again and showing love -
see ya in the next post.
Love in the details,
SpokenHome
Trip to NYC…. engagement!
It's finally official, we're engaged! A couple weeks ago we took a trip to New York City for a few days. Sheena is from Brooklyn, so I knew it would be extra special to propose while we were there.
( Above: Dustin trying the famous Lucia's in Queens, NY )
So that there is no confusion, this is Dustin writing today's blog post & I wanted to recap our awesome week in New York from my perspective. Lots of planning and patience went into making this happen (and surprisingly I didn't goof anything up)! I picked up the ring a couple days before we flew out, but had absolutely no idea when, where, or how I would propose. I thought about in Times Square... but not really romantic. Then there is the classic proposal after dinner.... well every time we went out to eat, it was crowded, loud, basically not even remotely romantic. For four days, I walked the streets of Manhattan with Sheena, and her ring in my pocket (constantly checking to make sure it was still there)!
One of our close friends recently got engaged and we texted back and forth, but finally he mentioned "Top of the Rock," so I googled it and thought "That's it!" Friday evening, we made our way over to 30 Rockefeller Plaza to buy tickets and go to the top... except it was a Friday night in NYC. Only 4 hours to wait and take a ride to the top :( So we left and bought tickets for the following evening.
All this time, Sheena thought I just wanted to go do some tourist stuff, Top of the Rock only one of them. It was tough not giving it away (had to fake an indifferent attitude so that she wouldn't suspect anything). Next challenge? Where to hide the box. Luckily there were a few items we needed to exchange at H&M, so I hid it at the bottom and carried our bags all day long…. gripped tight!
Finally, we made it to the Top of the Rock & I wasted no time. As Sheena shuffled for a good place to take photos, I asked a random tourist to hold my camera, as I was about to propose. Didn't even catch his name, but so appreciative that he was willing to help with the moment. We began backing up to pose for a photo, then I stopped. Nervous, I fumbled for a moment in the bag I had been carrying all day, and dropped to one knee (she initially thought I was tying my shoe (: ).
"I wanted to know if you will marry me?" I opened the box, and she began to sob! A few seconds pass, then she nods "yes" several times but couldn't find the words. So much for speeches, but we both knew already how much this moment meant to one another. Words couldn't begin to describe anyhow!
Surprisingly, only a small handful of people realized what was taking place! I must admit, the view was pretty spectacular. Over the next hour, we watched the sun set over NYC. I am sure it will be one of the most memorable nights of our lives. Now, time to save, save, save for our wedding!
DIY Laundry Room Pictures (Under $10!)
Hey guys! We're excited to be back & share with you a simple project to give a laundry room a little bit of extra charm! We were out shopping a couple weekends ago and got the idea from something we saw, but it was $30 (and something we knew we could easily knock out!). We bought some $1 picture frames from Ikea probably a year and a half ago, knowing that we would eventually put them to good use. Seriously, a simple project anyone of almost any age can do... so have fun!
Materials:
Home-made stencil (free)
Paint & household sponge (we used black acrylic paint, but you could probably get a similar effect with markers)
Thick, textured paper (we used some pages from Sheena's sketch book)
8.5 x 11" picture frames (ours were $1 each)
Scrap Burlap (it's super cheap!)
1) Use a stencil, or print one from the inter webs :)
We used RapidResizer.com to input the text and print the stencil, as shown. Use an x-acto knife or flat razor, BE CAREFUL. This isn't the part for kids to do, ask a parent for help.
2) Using thick pieces of paper, gently (and lightly) tape your stencil in place as you blot the letters with sponge & paint. Be very careful not to over saturate the sponge! DON'T WIPE!
3) On a completely new piece of paper (printer paper is fine) free-hand sketch the washer & dryer (or you could probably find an image online & print it to be used as a stencil). You can also find stencils at your local hobby store. Repeat what we did for the text in step 1 by cutting out the sketch to be used as a stencil.
Using the sponge, lightly blot paint onto the paper underneath. For different designs, you may find it easier to simply free hand paint your design. Totally up to you!
Once you're done with your design, allow your artwork to dry.
Next, lay the picture frame on your burlap sheet & trace around the edges. Following the lines you've just drawn, cut out the burlap that will be used in the picture frames.
Using a hot glue gun (not absolutely necessary), glue the burlap to the frame's backing & trim up any excess edges
Once this is complete, it's time to crinkle the artwork you just created (make sure its dry though)! We squished our paintings into a ball & opened it back up, only to squish it again and again... until you've reached the desired look. We're going for a 'weathered' look, so when you've reached that point, it's time for the next step. You're going to LIGHTLY dab the hot glue onto the back of your painting, then place in the center of your burlap frame backing.
Next, simply put the frame back together & your project is finished!
We hope you enjoy making your own frames, & be sure to show off/share with us what you've created! As always, we appreciate all of the support and great feedback!
Don't forget to stop by our 'Before & After' tab, to see some of the furniture/room makeovers we've completed so far!
Love in the details,
SpokenHome.
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