Tag: apartment living
Keep Your Apartment Cool This Summer
As we’re entering the Dog Days of summer, we’ve compiled some tips to keep your apartment cool and comfy all spring and summer long!
- Leave your lights off when possible. While we can’t promise this will drop the temp down to a nice fall day, it can make all the difference when the
outside thermometer is reading 98 in the sun. Just think of it as your eco-friendly act of the day!
- Strategically place your fans. Moving stagnant air will always help your apartment’s vibe, and creating a cross breeze between rooms can be a more efficient way to keep your apartment cool. Plus, it will make your space feel a bit more easy-breezy. (This tip will also work wonders when entertaining in an apartment, stay tuned for more of our entertaining advice)!
- Consider investing in black out curtains. Any sort of window covering will add some insulation, and avoid the Hot Car Affect, but these heavy duty curtains can also help keep things cozier in the winter, and help on those snooze-button-needed-mornings. There’s also something to be said for the placebo of a darker room on hot days.
- Lock your windows. While a good safety practice in general, this simple act during the summer will more thoroughly keep the hot air out, and your newly created cross breeze in!
- Pull out your dehumidifier. Whether it’s for your whole space, or just your work-from-home area, a dehumidifier will help keep the classic New England summer humidity at bay. Talk about breathing room!
If you found this article a helpful guide to keep your apartment cool this summer, and you’d like more tips and life hacks for apartment living, follow us on Instagram and Facebook! Be sure to turn on those post notifications so you never miss out. Interested in joining one of our many welcoming communities? Explore our many options and schedule a tour!
12 Essentials to Pack For Move-In Day
Packing to move can be a hassle. When you finally get the keys to your new place the last thing you want to do is be searching through boxes for essentials. If you’re scheduled to move into a new apartment with us soon, here is a list of essentials to keep in an easily-accessible (and clearly labeled) box on move-in day!
- Clean, dry bath towels
- Your toiletries (i.e. toothbrush, toothpaste)
- A hand soap for the bathroom
- Any medications you take daily
- A first aid kit
- Phone charger
- Sheets and pillows
- A shower curtain
- Paper plates, cups, napkins
- Toilet paper & paper towels
- Basic cleaning supplies (i.e. surface cleaner, a sponge, dish soap)
- Water & non-perishable snacks
You’ll be so glad you have these items available and nearby on your first day in your new home. We’re glad to have you as a new resident at Princeton Properties! Happy moving!
5 Tips for Setting the Thanksgiving Table
It’s Thanksgiving week and it’s time to prepare for the big day! Before you start roasting that turkey, it’s time to think about setting the table. Here are 5 tips for setting the perfect Thanksgiving table for your guests.
1 – Don’t wait until Thanksgiving! Start setting your table at least one day before. Washing cutlery and ironing cloth napkins are tasks that take more time than you think. You don’t want to worry about doing those things when you need to be in the kitchen.
2 – Know where to place everything! Bread plates go on the left, drinking glasses on the right! Place your silverware in the order they will be used – outside to inside. Forks go to the left of the plate and knives and spoons on the right.
3 – Decide how you’ll serve! If your table is large consider serving your meal “family style” which means the food will go right in the center of the table. Make sure you’ve found plenty of hot plates and trivets! If you’re choosing to serve buffet-style, make sure you have a large, clean surface ready for the food (that’s not too far away from the table!)
4 – Decorate with a centerpiece! Many local grocery stores sell beautiful Thanksgiving centerpieces that can be picked up the day before. Rather try a DIY? Add some pumpkins, LED candles and greenery to give your table a special touch.
5 – Place cards are the final touch! Not only do place cards give your guests a personalized touch, they also eliminate any question or confusion as to who should sit where.
Enjoy and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
The Easiest Way to Clean Your Microwave
We all neglect our microwaves now and then when cleaning. It’s easy to close the door and keep the mess hidden inside. If you’ve been neglecting yours, here is a quick and easy way to remove dirt, grime, and stuck-on food!
1 – Fill a microwave safe bowl with water about halfway full.
2 – Add a couple tablespoons of baking soda to the bowl of water.
3 – Put the bowl in the microwave and run the microwave for about three minutes (longer if it’s really dirty).
4 – Carefully (it will be hot!) remove the bowl from the microwave.
5 – Use a damp cloth to easily wipe away all of the grime and food stains.
This trick is so easy you can now clean your microwave at least once a week. Just run the microwave with the bowl of water while you’re doing other dishes and before you know it, your whole kitchen is clean!
What are some of your favorite kitchen cleaning hacks?
5 Ways to Go Greener at Home
Earth Day is approaching and it’s always a great time to start evaluating how we are treating our environment. There are plenty of ways you can go greener at home beyond the classic “reduce, reuse recycle.”
1 – Switch the lightbulbs in your lamps to energy efficient light bulbs. When shopping at your local hardware store just look for the “energy star” label on the package. While we’re talking about lamps…make sure to always turn yours off when you’re leaving a room.
2 – Use more reusable bags! These are not just for grocery shopping. Start thinking about packing your lunch in a reusable bag and bringing your bags to department stores for shopping as well.
3 – Plant a vegetable garden. Don’t have a lot of space? Many vegetables can grow in containers that you can put on your patio or balcony.
4 – Avoid drinking out of plastic water bottles. Purchase a reusable bottle to eliminate the amount of plastic water bottles you are using each week.
5 – Wash more things in cold water than hot. Washing clothes and dishes in colder water is much more energy efficient.
How to Host a Virtual Super Bowl Party
We’re all getting really good at finding creative ways to be together these days – including during the Super Bowl! We may be used to having a big, loud party with family and friends to root for our favorite teams. This year you can still have fun with some of these tips!
1 – Virtual Super Bowl Squares – Setup some virtual squares with friends and make your own contest using Super Bowl Pool Site!
2 – FaceTime or Zoom – Meet with your friends over the web whether it’s for the first quarter or the whole game. Joining in and cheering together will make you feel like you’re together even if you’re not. Test out your technology ahead of time to avoid any difficulties.
3 – Choose the Same Menu – Just because you can’t be together doesn’t mean you can’t all enjoy nachos, wings and your favorite beverages at the same time. Create a super bowl menu to all enjoy virtually.
4 – Make Sure to Show Team Spirit – Wear your favorite gear from your favorite team and give an award for the best getup!
5 – Play Some Games – Track your favorite commercials and compare with friends. Give out a virtual award for the best commercial! Create some NFL trivia to play while you’re waiting for the game to start. Feel like singing? Do your best virtual reenactment of the halftime show and share with friends!
3 Thanksgiving Games to Play With Family
Whether you are together with family or celebrating via Zoom, there are fun ways you can celebrate turkey day this year! Try one of these fun games with your family and maybe you’ll create a new tradition for years to come.
1 – A Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt – Get the family searching both inside and outside for a list of items and have a whole lot of fun while you search!
2 – Color the table! Ditch the standard table cloth and opt for one you can color. Buy one at your local party store or create your own with craft paper and a sharpie.
3 – Act it out! You don’t have to be face to face with your family to play Thanksgiving charades. Try these free printable cards from readwritemom.com!
Princeton Westford – Your New Home Without the Hassle
Princeton Westford in Westford, MA offers so many amenities for everyone in your family to enjoy throughout the year! Sitting on a very tranquil and spacious 90 acres, this community has plenty to keep you busy while spending time outdoors. Numerous areas to get out and walk or bike, play with the pup in our dog park, swing, slide and play in the onsite playground or take a dip in the swimming pool. All these outdoor amenities are available to enjoy during the warmer months. Or year round if that’s your thing. Spend your evenings sitting on your balcony or patio while overlooking the expansive grass courtyard below. Imagine….a beautiful lawn without the mowing! We’ll take care of all landscaping. Do you have a green thumb? Pick out a plot in our community garden and plant your own vegetables to grow. Come enjoy Home without the Hassle.
One and two bedroom floor plans are available are we’re ready to help you choose which option is right for you! Call us to schedule an in-person or virtual tour of Princeton Westford today.
Additional information, photos and floor plans can be viewed at princetonwestford.com.
Organizing The Junk Drawer – At Home With Princeton
We all have one. That one drawer in the kitchen that holds LOTS of things. All of the things you don’t know where to store. Yours might be full of pens (many that are probably out of ink), scissors, receipts, coupons or trinkets you’ve collected. Whatever is inside, let’s all take fifteen minutes together today to tackle that junk drawer together once and for all!
Step 1 – Remove all of the contents of the junk drawer and lay it out on the counter so you can see what you’ve been hoarding. Don’t worry…we won’t judge!
Step 2 – Grab a trash bag and start tossing! Test your pens and pencils. If they’re broken or out of ink, it’s time to let them go. Have expired coupons? Dead batteries? Now is the time to send them on their way.
Step 3 – Clean the drawer. You might need the vacuum for this part! Get rid of the dust and debris and give that drawer a wipe down with some disinfectant.
Step 4 – Make it pretty! You don’t need fancy contact paper for this one. Have some wrapping paper lying around? Measure and cut a piece to secure to the bottom of your drawer.
Step 5 – Now that you’ve decided what’s going to stay, it’s time to organize. Put together all of your takeout menus, coupons, gift cards etc and stash them in envelopes for safe keeping. Pens (that work), pencils, scissors can be stored towards the front for easy access. Use recycled glass jar or tins to store things like paper clips, thumb tacks, safety pins, rubber bands etc. All of the items that don’t belong in this drawer? Now is the time to put them in a more appropriate place for good!
5 DIY Valentine’s Day Decorating Ideas
Love is in the air!
Are you hosting a Valentine’s Day party or dinner at your place this weekend? You don’t need to break the bank to decorate with rose petals. Check out these fun and easy DIY projects that will make your home look decked out for Valentine’s Day!
1 – Pucker Up Balloons – All you need is red lipstick and some white balloons for this one!
2 – Candy Heart Garland – Grab some construction paper and some baking twine to create this garland the kids are sure to love!
3 – Candy Heart Bouquet – The vase of water is hidden underneath a pile of conversation hearts in this cute Valentine’s centerpiece!
4 – Heart Branch Tree – Some twigs from the yard, twine, paper and a little spray paint and you can create this adorable heart branch tree for your Valentine’s party.
5 – Heart Balloon Backdrop – If you’re an Instagram lover, this balloon heart will make the perfect background for your Valentine photos!
