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in Lifestyle &middot September 16, 2014

Decorating a Small Space

So since I moved back to Boston, I’m living at my parents’ house because I can’t work right now (hence, you know, the move back to Boston). And I’m not living in my childhood bedroom – because that is in Maine and someone else is living in there now. My parents moved to Boston the summer before my senior year of college, and majorly downsized since my little sister was going to college that fall. So my bedroom is small, I share it with my sister when she is here, and it doesn’t have pretty much any personalization.

Well, let’s make that didn’t.

I took these built-in shelves next to my bed and filled them with things to make me feel more at home. And I definitely succeeded.

how to decorate a small space on a budget | Kate the (Almost) Great

 

 

Decorating On A Budget | Kate the (Almost) Great
My sister and me, receiving my Vanderbilt diploma, and a picture of me and one of my best friends. Plus, of course, Vanderbilt pennants, Red Sox pennant, and an Irish flag.
SEC College Pennant Set / MLB Pennants / Flags

 

Decorating Bookshelves | Kate the (Almost) Great

 

Cats on Bookshelves | Kate the (Almost) Great
Print

 

Dear Coffee I Love You | Kate the (Almost) Great
Coffee Print 

Like my print? It’s a great one from Letters from Rita! Letters from Rita is a small shop with a big goal – to bring more customized artwork into your home. Currently in her shop, there are prints that range from $10-$39, so not only is it customized, but it’s affordable. Stephanie was a dream to work with, and is so incredibly talented. Don’t believe me? Check out her Instagram, where she regularly posts sneak peeks and pictures of her works in progress.

CS Lewis Inspirational Quote | Kate the (Almost) Great

 

Hardships Often Prepare Ordinary People For An Extraordinary Destiny | Kate the (Almost) Great

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I did receive this print in exchange for a review. That is the only compensation I received for including it. For more information, read my disclosure policy on my About page.

Kate Mitchell

Kate Mitchell is a blogger, chronic illness patient, and advocate who helps people understand chronic illness and helps chronic illness patients live their best lives.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lynsey @ Eternally Wanderlyn says

    September 16, 2014 at 1:36 pm

    You did a great job of making the space your own. 🙂 I especially love the cat! Hah.

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  2. Kati Rose says

    September 17, 2014 at 2:32 pm

    I love that even though you have a very small space you made it your own. It may only be a few square feet – but now it FEELS like home to you and that's what matters. You decorated it really cute too 🙂

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  3. Marla Rogers says

    September 19, 2014 at 5:37 pm

    I like that cat decoration ;] Heheh. But really you did an amazing job sprucing up your space!

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  4. Kat Tanita (With Love From Kat) says

    September 24, 2014 at 4:35 pm

    I love that print!!! You did such a good job decorating a small place!! 🙂

    Hope you'll enter my L'Occitane giveaway: http://withlovefromkat.com/fall-beauty-must-haves-with-loccitane-divine-body-oil-cream-collection/

    xo Kat
    http://www.withlovefromkat.com

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Fun fact! Being even more chronically ill makes my Fun fact! Being even more chronically ill makes my life more boring 

The last few weeks have been: leave Maine, work, have symptoms. 

Living with lots of chronic pain and fatigue is incredibly boring, except when things are bad, in which case they are way too interesting. I’m just trying to keep my head above water! 

#RheumatoidArthritis #ChronicIllness #InvisibleIllness
Weeks 29 and 30 of #2026Weekly! The last few wee Weeks 29 and 30 of #2026Weekly! 

The last few weeks I’ve been in Maine! 

1️⃣ Making progress on my needlepoint, which Harley was curious about 
2️⃣ My parents’ beautiful mahjong set 
3️⃣ Mitchell Family Reunion, which I had so much fun at that I barely took any pictures 

#Needlepoint #MaineSummer #207 #TheWayLifeShouldBe
July is: ⁣ - Disability Pride Month ⁣ - Juvenile A July is: ⁣
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- Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month ⁣
- the anniversary of when I was diagnosed with autoimmune arthritis at age 19 after 9 years of symptoms ⁣
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As you can imagine, that makes me very aware of my disability via juvenile arthritis⁣
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I’m Kate, a chronic illness patient and advocate sharing what my life is like with 10+ chronic illnesses. Follow me for more and check out my blog at katethealmostgreat.com⁣⁣.⁣
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#DisabilityPride #JuvenileArthritis #RheumatoidArthritis #AutoimmuneDisease
There are a lot of reasons why you shouldn't doubt There are a lot of reasons why you shouldn't doubt someone's chronic illness, but this is one of them. ⁣
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I'm always amazed by how people can have the exact same illness or set of illnesses and still have different experiences. Sure, there will be similarities, but which symptoms are the worst, what medications you respond to, and your quality of life can vary significantly. ⁣
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It doesn't mean that one person is necessarily worse off than another; they're just different.⁣
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I’m Kate, a chronic illness patient and advocate sharing what my life is like with 10+ chronic illnesses. Follow me for more and check out my blog at katethealmostgreat.com⁣⁣.⁣
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#ChronicallyIll #RheumatoidArthritis #Endometriosis #Fibromyalgia #POTS
This basically sums up my summer so far: Harley, a This basically sums up my summer so far: Harley, a sewing project, and my foot in a cast⁣
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I’m Kate, a chronic illness patient and advocate sharing what my life is like with 10+ chronic illnesses. Follow me for more and check out my blog at katethealmostgreat.com⁣⁣.⁣
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ID: Harley the golden retriever has his head on Kate's lap. Also on her lap is an in-progress needlepoint project and Kate's leg (in a walking cast) is elevated.⁣
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#Osteoporosis #RheumatoidArthritis #GoldenRetrievers #Needlepoint #Needlework
Week 28 of 2026 Weekly A very busy week! 1️⃣ Foo Week 28 of 2026 Weekly

A very busy week!

1️⃣ Foot checkup! Walking boot is on occasionally from now until September 
2️⃣ Boston 
3️⃣ IVIG
4️⃣ Dentist 🦷 All good! 
5️⃣ Not a filter - this was the Boston area the second half of the week 
6️⃣ Physical time!

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I’m Kate, a chronic illness patient and advocate sharing what my life is like with 10+ chronic illnesses. Follow me for more and check out my blog at katethealmostgreat.com⁣⁣.

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IDs:
1️⃣ Kate takes a selfie in a doctor’s office
2️⃣ Looking at TD Garden, the bear statue for the Bruins, and Zakim Bridge in the background 
3️⃣ Looking at tubes coming out from under Kate’s clothes. There’s a Kindle on her stomach
4️⃣ Kate takes a mirror selfie before leaving
5️⃣ Medford Square looking like there’s a yellow filter over it
6️⃣ Kate takes a selfie in a doctor’s office

#ChronicallyIll #InvisibleIllness #AutoimmuneDisease #Bostonian #IVIG
Also, if this is how you’re finding out, I’m sorry Also, if this is how you’re finding out, I’m sorry. I’m fortunate enough to have a lot of people who care about me and this is the fastest way to tell everyone. 

Video: Kate talks to the camera while putting on makeup. There are captions. 

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Week 27 of 2026 Weekly (Delayed because last Sund Week 27 of 2026 Weekly

(Delayed because last Sunday was baaaaad)

1️⃣ Due airport difficulties, we got a few more days with Emma. Harley was THRILLED!
2️⃣ Beautiful bird/squirrel visitors
3️⃣ A beautiful Maine summer day

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I’m Kate, a chronic illness patient and advocate sharing what my life is like with 10+ chronic illnesses. Follow me for more and check out my blog at katethealmostgreat.com⁣⁣.

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1️⃣ Harley the golden retriever putting his front legs up on Emma’s legs to demand hugs.
2️⃣ A bird feeder and hummingbird feeder on a deck. There is a hummingbird at one and squirrel at the other.
3️⃣ A barn, a pond, and the Maine woods

#207 #MaineLife #MaineTheWay #NewEnglandSummer #IGMaine
Reminder: you can be proud of your disability comm Reminder: you can be proud of your disability community while wishing your body cooperated more⁣
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