Small Apartment Hack: DIY Shelf Bedside Tables!

If you're anything like me you always pictured your first apartment to be the size of a small mansion, fully equip with walk-in closets, double sinks in the master bath, waterfall shower heads etc. But as a 24-year-old working an entry-level job living minutes to Manhattan, you know very well that's impossible. While my apartment is small (420 sq ft to be exact....), it's newly renovated with exposed brick and stainless steal appliances so naturally I couldn't say no. All of this being said, the bedroom is tiny. Luckily, we're able to fit a Queen-size bed and two IKEA dressers, but the only wall we could put the bed on is shared with our closet leaving no room for side tables. While not totally necessary, I'm used to having somewhere to keep my phone and a water bottle next to the bed overnight, so I was determined to find a solution - And luckily, I did!

The PREFECT Breakfast Smoothie: Just 4 Ingredients!

I've always saaaid I wanted to try meal replacement shakes/juicing etc. but realistically that will never happen. I like the physical act of eating too much and they don't taste all that great. But one day when I was lost in a never-ending Pinterest binge, I found myself pinning a ton of smoothie recipes. Me being the "I'm going to become healthy when I move out" person that I am, decided I was going to craft a smoothie that was healthy, filling and actually yummy that I could take to work for breakfast everyday. Keep reading to find out how!

Say Goodbye to Winter Lips for under $5!

Anyone who lives on Northeast Coast knows how winter is here. One day it's below freezing and as windy as can be but the next day it's 50 degrees and sunny. Mother Nature's bi-polar attitude can wreak havoc on your skin/immune system and of course, your lips. I was determined to find an easy (and cheap) remedy for my winter lips this year - here's what I found!

Fully Customizable DIY Photo Ledge

Pinterest truly creates unrealistic expectations of decorating and furnishing your first apartment. Literally everything is either super expensive or super hard to recreate and it's quite defeating when all you want is a really cute apartment you can showoff to your friends. That being said, I was on the hunt for something to put on the blank part of the wall between the two windows in our living room when this photo ledge was born.

EASY Parmesan Zucchini Chips

Does anyone else have a severe salty tooth? Yes, salty. Forget the chocolate cake, cookies and brownies and give me chips, french fries and pretzels. I physically cannot eat a sandwich without a salty, crunchy side-kick. It's gotten so bad I've slowed down on eating sandwiches to avoid eating chips (dramatic? maybe but seriously the combo goes hand in hand!) I've been searching high and low for the perfect alternative and I think I have it: Zucchini Chips!

First post?!

Hello, hello! I never thought this day would actually come. I finally decided to stop just reading blogs and to have one of my own.

A little about me: I'm a 20-something living just outside of NYC in New Jersey, hence Across the Hudson :) I work full-time at a social media/digital agency in the city (yes, I get to manage brands' social pages for 9 hours a day... hello dream job). I moved into my first real apartment this past year and I've come to realize growing up is harder than I thought.

I live with my boyfriend of almost 5 years and I'm obsessed with our apartment. It may be mini, but it's perfect. I've created a lot of DIY decor pieces and found tons of cheap alternatives while furnishing and I cannot wait to share them with you guys! Other than decor/apartment tips, I will also be sharing various recipes I've been trying out (they're easy, I swear! I'm no chef and queen of "Pinterest fails") and my favorite beauty/lifestyle tips and products.

I hope you enjoy my future posts! Happy reading!

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