Category: Uncategorized
5 Ways to De-Clutter in the New Year
The holidays have come and gone once again and it’s time to put away the decor and organize our homes. Feeling overwhelmed with the tasks of getting things cleaned and organized? Try these ten tips…
1 – Move all of your holiday decor to one spot. Take it down and put it on your kitchen table (for example). You’ll see everything you have and be able to decide if you want to purge anything before packing it away for next year.
2 – Get lots of clothes for Christmas? Now is the time to clean out your closet and donate old clothes before hanging up the new ones.
3 – Kids tend to get lots of toys for the holidays and when you mix their new toys with old ones it can create a big mess. Now is the time to purge old toys! Donate ones that are gently-used and make room for the new toys.
4 – A lot of people want to eat cleaner when January rolls around. If that sounds like you, now is the time to declutter your fridge and pantry. Pull everything out and toss anything that is expired. Start fresh with healthier foods in a clean and organized space. Don’t put the food away until you’ve wiped down and sanitized all the surfaces.
5 – Don’t forget about your car when de-cluttering. Now is the time to clean out those consoles and cup holders and vacuum the interior. When you’re done cleaning make sure you have all of the safety essentials in place for winter (i.e., a scraper, brush, sand and all fluids topped off.)
10 Last-Minute Holiday Gift Ideas
There are only 4 shopping days left until Christmas. If you are still running around trying to find something for people on your list, help is here! There are always people we forget and even unexpected gift givers this time of year. Try one of these ten great ideas and you won’t be caught empty-handed!
1 – A box of fine chocolates
2 – A bottle of wine or champagne
3 – Cozy slipper socks or slippers
4 – A holiday plant
5 – A coffee mug with fresh ground coffee
6 – A scarf and winter gloves
7 – A floral centerpiece (for the Christmas host or hostess)
8 – Gift cards or scratch tickets
9 – Bake a batch of holiday cookies or a holiday bread
10 – A holiday scented candle
5 Tips For Taking Care of Your Real Christmas Tree
There are still 3 weeks until Christmas. Make the most of your real tree (and make sure it lasts) with these great tips!
1 – Give it a fresh cut on the bottom. This will re-open the tree’s source of getting water.
2 – Keep it away from any heat sources. Being close to heat will force the tree to dry out prematurely.
3 – Make sure to check the tree’s water supply every day and water it each morning.
4 – There is no need to add anything else to the water. Plain water gives the tree everything it needs.
5 – Make sure your tree stand holds enough water. It should easily hold at least one gallon of water.
DIY Creepy Halloween Popcorn Treats
Looking to add a creepy twist to the snacks at your Halloween party? Try this easy and festive DIY project!
6 Ways to Get Back in the “Back to School” Routine
Summer vacation is officially winding down. Soon it will be time to start setting alarms, packing lunches and sticking to stricter bedtime routines. It can be tough getting back in the swing of a schedule after spending the summer at home. Help your kids get ready for the upcoming school year with these tips…
1 – Start heading to bed earlier as a family. No more week nights of staying up late! Get the kid’s body’s used to a different and stricter sleep pattern now instead of later.
2 – Establish a place in your home that will be your student’s study space. This will be where they store their books and backpack and this is where homework will be done.
3 – Shop for lunch box essentials now. Start filling the pantry with items that you can easily pack for school lunch so you aren’t scrambling the night before school starts.
4 – Shop for school supplies together with your kids. Let them feel involved and excited by picking out their own backpacks and notebooks.
5 – Check with your school registrar to make sure all forms for enrollment are complete. You may need additional paperwork that you can start collecting now.
6 – Go over the school bus route so you and your children are comfortable with where they will get on and off the bus for school.
10 Unique (and Last Minute) Father’s Day Gift Ideas
Father’s Day is this weekend! If you haven’t already found the perfect gift for your dad, try one of these ideas that you can pickup before the big day. Dad is sure to love anything on this list!
1 – A gift card to his favorite restaurant
2 – Tickets to a sporting event
3 – Gardening tools and plants for his garden
4 – Grill tools along with a gift card to the local butcher shop
5 – A bag of his favorite fresh-ground coffee with a unique mug
6 – Tickets to tour a local brewery
7 – Create a personalized itinerary for a “day out with dad”
8 – Slippers and pajamas so Dad can relax
9 – Tickets for a boat cruise
10 – A car wash kit with all of the essentials to wash his car.
Holmes Beverly…Coming Soon!
Introducing Holmes Beverly….coming to Beverly, MA in 2018!
67 mixed-income, transit-oriented rental housing rental units adjacent to the Beverly Depot Commuter Rail station and garage. Commuting to the city is a breeze by jumping on the Newburyport/Rockport line right across the street.
Barnat Development’s 112 Rantoul Street brings new mixed-income rental housing and commercial space to Beverly’s downtown.
Construction started in 2017 and we expect units to come online in 2018!
Mill and 3 Apartments in Chelmsford, MA
High-end finishes, 9+ foot ceilings and one or two bedroom floor plans await you at Mill & 3 Apartment Homes in Chelmsford, MA! This new construction property consists of 3 three-story buildings with direct access garage parking and a first class clubhouse.
Work up a sweat in the clubhouse fitness center and enjoy relaxing by the pristine outdoor pool.
The apartments feature two-toned kitchen cabinets and granite counter tops, glass tile backsplashes, luxury plank flooring in living areas and kitchens, washers and dryers, 9+ foot ceilings, walk-in closets, patios or balconies, and dining areas in select units. Visit our website to view floor plans, our photo gallery and more.
Contact us today to be one of the first ones to live in this new apartment community!
5 Tips for Spring Cleaning Your Pantry
When we think of spring cleaning we usually think of packing away clothes and washing the floors. Don’t forget to clean what’s behind your pantry door too! Get yours in tip top shape for the season with these great tips
1 – Start from scratch. Pull all of the items in the pantry out and put them on your counter so you can vacuum the floor and clean the shelves.
2 – Take inventory. See how many items you have, what can be donated, what is expired and decide which items are going to stay.
3 – Reorganize your shelves. Decide what is going where and stick to it. Put the kids snacks on the bottom shelf and the canned goods above. When you’re looking for what you need you’ll know exactly which shelf to go to.
4 – Consider using some baskets or plaster containers to help with your organization. If you buy snacks in bulk you can save space by emptying and recycling the large boxes and keep your snacks in a basket instead.
5 – Stick to it! Don’t let your hard work get ruined the next time you go grocery shopping. Keep your pantry in tip top shape by following these steps every couple of months.
10 Items to Buy Before a Storm
They say March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb. According to our forecast that may be true! It looks like we have a lot of wet, damaging weather heading our way. If you’re going out to the store today to prepare, make sure you have plenty of these items so you don’t have to venture later!
1- Bottled water
2- Coffee and/or tea bags (so you don’t have to venture out for your morning cup!)
3- Specialty foods for infants (like baby formulas, milks or pureed foods)
4- Pet food – don’t forget about your 4-legged friends!
5- Pantry staples – i.e. bread, snacks, soup mixes, canned foods
6- Toiletries (you don’t run out of these in the middle of a storm!)
7- Batteries
8- Medications
9- Diapers (if you have little ones at home)
10- Cereal, oatmeal or fruit to have on hand for breakfast the next morning after the storm!