Tag: summer
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!
5 Tips for Keeping Your Home Clean During the Summer
Keeping the home clean during the summer can be tough. Kids are home for summer break and you’d rather have fun than clean. If you’re struggling to keep things tidy keep reading for some helpful tips.
1 – Have the kids help – create a chore chart and hang it in the kitchen this summer. Give the kids some responsibilities like cleaning their rooms, taking out the trash and washing the dishes.
2 – Encourage more outdoor play – If the kids get out of the house early in the morning there is less of a chance of creating a mess. Clean the clutter right away in the morning and try your best to spend as much time outdoors as possible.
3 – Have a designated shoe and outdoor toy area – This should be right near the door. Have everyone drop their shoes, sports equipment and beach bags at the door so dirt and sand don’t get tracked into the house.
4 – Designate laundry days – Don’t let the summer laundry pile up! If you designate a couple days a week as laundry days you lessen the risk of overflowing laundry baskets.
5 – Keep cleaning supplies in close reach – Leave the broom, vacuum and surface cleaners in a centralized location. Messes happen but you can clean them quickly and encourage the kids to clean them too by keeping the proper supplies and tools on hand.
Start Planning for Summer Vacation Now With These Tips!
Memorial Day is next week which means the unofficial start to summer is almost here! Pool days and outdoor fun are in order for the whole family for the next few months. Here are some great ways you can help your family prepare for summer now so you can enjoy fun in the sun!
1 – Make sure you purchase new sunscreens. Sunscreen has a shelf life just as food does. Check expiration dates on yours to make sure you are keeping your family safe in the sun.
2 – Do the same for your insect repellents! If you prefer natural remedies, make sure to stock up on essential oils like peppermint to repel the bugs.
3 – Locate and wash the swimsuits and pool towels. Pack a beach bag that has towels, sunscreen, bug sprays etc. so it’s always ready for an unexpected pool day.
4 – Start making plans for summer activities. Look out for local camp signups, community events and mark any special dates on your calendar.
5 – Prepare a summer schedule for the kids so they know what to expect. It might include chores, sports, camps and of course plenty of downtime to have fun and relax.
6 – Pack the car with beach chairs, a blanket, sand toys and an umbrella. You never know when you’ll need these items in the summer and you’ll be glad you have them!
We hope everyone has a safe and happy Memorial Day Weekend! Cheers to a great summer ahead.
5 Ways to Keep Your Pets Safe in a Heat Wave
We haven’t officially hit the first day of summer yet and the temperatures outside are already scorching! Putting on sunscreen and drinking plenty of water are important for us during these hot days, but what about our pets? If you’re wondering what you can do for them to keep them safe and healthy in the heat keep reading.
1 – Make sure to offer your pet plenty of water throughout the day. If you’re going to be taking your pet outside or in the car bring water for them in a bottle that you can pour into a bowl when they need it.
2 – Be mindful of their paws! Pavement can get really hot during this time of year. If you’re going to take your pet for a walk try and do it on a grassy or shady area.
3 – Dogs can get much hotter much quicker than a human. They don’t have as many sweat glands as we do so they need chances to sit down in the shade and cool off.
4 – Never leave your dog in a car during the summer. Even with windows down, cars directly in the sun can heat up quickly. Leave your dog home while running errands if the temperatures are going to be too hot.
5 – Make sure to know the signs of overheating in a pet. If they are experiencing heavy panting, vomiting or wobbly legs they may be suffering from heat exhaustion. You can move them to a cool place, offer them water and even put a damp towel on them to cool them off.
End of Summer Bucket List
The long, sunny days of summer are dwindling! Before we know it the sun will be setting on our beach days and boat rides and the cooler temperatures will move in. Before summer ends make sure to take a look at this summer bucket list and check off as many items as you can…
1 – Visit a local New England beach
2 – Eat an ice cream from your favorite ice cream stand
3 – Toast marshmallows around a campfire
4 – Ride on a boat
5 – Go on a summery, nature scavenger hunt with your kids
6 – Hike your favorite trail
7 – Float down a river in an inflatable tube
8 – Make homemade popsicles
9 – Flip hamburgers on the grill (eat them with all the best summer fixings)
10 – Go camping under the stars
11 – Watch fireworks
12 – Drink an ice coffee from your favorite local coffee shop
13 – Visit a summer farmer’s market
14 – Water-ski or go tubing in a New England lake
15 – Make a salad with vegetables from your own garden
5 Summer Day Trips to Take in Massachusetts
Sunny, summer days are here and before we know it the crisp, fall weather will be sneaking in. There are still plenty of summer weekends left to take some day trips in Massachusetts. Check out these awesome places you can cross off your bucket list!
1 – Explore the wide-open shoreline of Crane Beach in Ipswich, MA. There are plenty of great seafood restaurants to stop at on your drive home to get a real taste of New England.
2 – Explore a submarine, battleship, and destroyer at Battleship Cove in Fall River, MA.
3 – Visit a living history museum depicting how life was in New England from 1790 to 1840 at Old Sturbridge Village (advanced registration required at this time.)
4 – Jump on a ferry and sit back to enjoy the ride to Martha’s Vineyard! You can access the ferry in Massachusetts from New Bedford, Hyannis and Falmouth!
5 – Take a beautiful hike at World’s End State Park in Hingham, MA – a beautiful area with wooded, natural beauty.
5 Must-Haves for Summer 2020
Summer is only a few weeks away! Whether you plan to spend your summer relaxing, reading or cooking great BBQ food, there is a cool gadget on this list that you’ll want to try…
1 – PadHat Sunshade for iPad or Tablet – If you’re planning to read or scroll your social media feeds at the beach or on your balcony you’ll need one of these! They protect your tablet from the sun and heat so it’s easy to see.
2 – Grill Light & Fan – Need to grill at night? No problem! This grill light and fan has LED lights to help you see your food and a built in fan to blow smoke away from your face.
3 – Bear Paws Shredder Claws– If you prefer smoking to grilling, shred your meat quickly and easily with these shredder claws!
4 – Beach Towel Clips – Claim your chair and keep your towel in place with these bright and colorful beach towel clips!
5 – Popsicle Molds – No visit from the ice cream man? No problem! Make your own popsicles at home by freezing your favorite fresh fruits, yogurts and juices.
A Lot to Love About Maine – Casco Bay Lines
There’s a lot to love about Maine in the summer time. If you haven’t spent a weekend visiting Maine’s islands you should make plans before summer is over! Maine’s islands include Peaks Island, Little Diamond Island, Great Diamond Island, Long Island, Chebeague Island and Cliff Island. Getting to the islands is a quick and enjoyable ferry-ride away. Our residents at Foreside Estates and Princeton on Back Cove love jumping on Casco Bay Lines for a ride.
Whether you are visiting for a day, staying for vacation, or enjoying one of their scenic or music cruises – Casco Bay Lines is your fun and safe connection to the islands of Maine! The regularly-scheduled ferry operates 365 days a year. There are also lots of fun specialty cruises including a sunset and moonlight run. Learn more about the ferry and boat rides you can enjoy at Cascobaylines.com.
5 Ideas for Your Summer Bucket List
Tomorrow is the official start of summer! Get ready for longer, sunnier days ahead. If you haven’t created a summer bucket list yet, consider adding one (or all) of these great ideas.
1 – Learn something new. Keep your mind fresh this summer by learning a new skill! Always wanted to try a cooking class or learn to sew? Now is the time.
2 – Unplug from technology. Take a full day (or more if you’re able) away from your cell phone and social media. Have your family drop their cell phones in a basket and leave them there for 24 hours. Get outside, connect with each other and enjoy the company.
3 – Take an unplanned day trip. Get in the car with friends and drive. Stop along the way at any new shops, sites or restaurants you’ve never been to. It’s a great chance to find gems and places you may want to revisit again.
4 – Create a summer scrapbook. Start printing your iPhone photos and put them in a scrapbook you can look at years down the road.
5 – Read! If you haven’t found time lately in your schedule to dive into a good book, now is the time. Make it your goal to read at least one book before summer is over.
Summer Photo Contest Winners
Thank you so much to everyone who participated in our Summer photo contest! Looking through your photos made us want summer to last forever!
Congratulations to our three winners!
Meagan Shank
Kariny Diniz-Reamer
Angela Murgia Owen
