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Decorating your Flagstaff apartment for the holidays shouldn't be a chore. But sometimes, the task can seem daunting and it can be hard to know how to get started. If you are looking to get into the holiday spirit and decorate your apartment without stress check out the tips below to help to make decorating a breeze.
Start With a Plan
Pouring over boxes of decorations and trying to find a place for everything can be a frustrating experience. Instead of winging it, start with a plan, deciding what types of decorations you would like for each room and specific space. Draft a quick sketch so you can remember what you originally envisioned.
Take an Inventory
Next, pull out all of your decorations and sort them by your plan based on the room they are going in and the area. This will also be a good time for you to determine if you will be in need of any other decorations to make your vision complete.
Make Any Necessary Repairs
With all of your decorations out give them the once over to see if there are any in need of repair. It is easier to fix anything that needs it now before you notice the problem once it is in its place. For example, if you plan to use lights in your decorations, make sure that all the bulbs on the strands work before putting them up.
Start Big
When you are ready to begin the decorating process for each space, start with the largest item going in the space. Items such as garland and greenery can be more difficult to place around smaller items, so it is best to place them first as a background.
Don't let decorating your apartment for the holidays get you stressed. By following the few tips above you can make the process easier and more enjoyable. Looking for a new Flagstaff apartment to decorate this holiday season? Call Pine View Village today to inquire about available floor plans.
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Flagstaff has a well-earned reputation as a winter wonderland, but what's a beautiful winter day without hot chocolate? If you're like many people, however, the same old beverage wears thin after a while. Even though it's hard to imagine getting tired of chocolate, it can't hurt to give your taste buds a treat by mixing it up a little now and then. One of the easiest ways to change up any cup of hot chocolate is by adding your choice of flavored extract. The following are just four easy hot chocolate recipes that residents of apartments in Flagstaff need to know about.
Butterscotch Hot Chocolate
All you need to do to create this delectable delight is to stir in a little butterscotch extract into your favorite hot chocolate and top it off with some freshly whipped cream. Sprinkle on some butterscotch shavings if you want to further play up the butterscotch accents.
Raspberry Hot Chocolate
You may have heard of raspberry-chocolate cake, and maybe you've been lucky enough to have enjoyed a slice or two yourself. Imagine it in liquid form, and you've got raspberry hot chocolate. Stir in raspberry extract to taste, top with freshly whipped cream, and garnish with fresh or frozen raspberries.
Banana Hot Chocolate
Add banana extract to your hot chocolate and garnish it with a skewer of banana slices. This one is good with or without whipped cream, but if you want to mimic the flavor experience of certain Mexican desserts, top with whipped cream and sprinkle liberally with cinnamon.
Maple Hot Chocolate
Maple and chocolate may be an off-the-beaten-track flavor combination, but that doesn't make it any less delicious. This one's best sans whipped cream or anything else that may distract from the intriguing play of flavors.
Whether you want to live by yourself or with a group of other NAU students, we've got something to suit your lifestyle at our Flagstaff apartments. Please contact us today to find out more.
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Whether it's just the continuation of your routine or a New Year's resolution, getting fit and staying fit are admirable goals that will help improve your health and appearance. However, it's very easy to let it slide during the cold winter months. Fortunately, there are a number of options available to help you keep your groove on without getting frozen.
Kick it up a notch
Instead of stopping for the winter, why not kick your outdoor exercise routine up a level instead? By exercising just a little bit harder and pushing yourself a little more when you do get a chance to get outside, your body will produce more heat, which means that you'll not only burn more calories, you'll also up your endurance, strength, and agility as you go.
Take it indoors
Though you don't want to end up with irate neighbors due to a lot of pounding and banging from your workout, finding a section of hallway to walk in, a fitness center to work out in, or a gym near work are all great options to consider during the cold winter months. Consider taking a regular class to change up your routine or see if there are groups in your area you can meet with to help you stay motivated.
Change it up
If you love being outdoors, why not swap your hiking boots for skis, snowshoes, or other wintertime outdoor fun? Take the kids outside for a sledding excursion, get a season pass for your nearby ski resort like the Arizona Snowbowl, or get together with a group of your favorite friends to try some cross-country options.
By staying active in the winter months, you'll be able to rock that swimsuit when summer's heat comes blasting down. Looking for great Flagstaff apartments that keep you active even during the cold months? We've got a great indoor fitness center to help keep you moving whether it's during the worst heat of summer or coldest chill of winter. Contact us today to learn more about our community!
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Winter is a great time to catch up on your reading whether you're traveling or at home. Especially when it’s chilly outside and you have a hot cup of coffee or tea. All you need is a good book. Here are four suggestions to help you get started:
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
From the author of the bestseller Everything I Never Told You, Celeste Ng’s latest book tells the story of a family in the suburbs of Ohio, an immigrant mother from China, and a fierce custody battle. Celeste Ng is a writer who creates a complex, compelling and fascinating look at the American suburb, parenthood, politics and more.
The Cuban Affair by Nelson DeMille
This novel takes place when the United States and Cuba are starting to normalize relations. A U.S. Army veteran who is a charter boat captain brings a Cuban-American expatriate and his granddaughter to Cuba so they can bring back millions of dollars hidden in Cuba.
Vacationland by John Hodgman
John Hodgman, who is a former Daily Show comedian, takes the reader on a meandering trip through the hills of Massachusetts and the beaches of Maine where he often vacationed. Along the way, Hodgman talks about life with humor, sincerity and poignancy.
The Power by Naomi Alderman
This novel has been called “our era’s The Handmaid’s Tale” and it won the 2017 Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction. It’s the story about a dystopian future where teenage girls wield immense power by producing electrical charges.
Looking for an Apartment in Flagstaff?
Even though winter is right around the corner, it’s still a good time to move to Flagstaff, Arizona. If you’re looking at apartments in Flagstaff, check out Pine View Village. To learn more about our apartments and take a tour, call us today at (844) 807-1412 or visit our website!
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December is here, and that means the holidays are almost upon us! The countdown to Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and our other favorite holidays is officially on like Donkey Kong, and what better way to do the countdown in style than with a sweet new calendar?! We’re all about saving during the holidays, so if that store-bought chocolate-filled advent calendar isn’t quite your thing, here are some of our favorite DIY calendars to brighten up your ho-ho-holiday! And the best part is, all of these can be adapted to the holiday you're looking forward to. Have fun!
1. The Mini Tree Advent Calendar
Make a list … and don’t forget to check it twice! Your list might be made up of fun holiday-related activities, favorite memories from Christmases past, a to-do list of tasks to get your home ready for the holidays, or anything else that will make each day leading up to Christmas merry and bright. This DIY calendar has you then put each item from your list in a small box with a cute ornament on top. You’ll need small brown boxes (enough for each day leading up to Christmas or New Year’s), mini pine trees, glue, scissors, and this tutorial from Oh Happy Day!
2. Toilet Paper Roll Christmas Calendar
If you’re like us, you always wonder what you could use those empty toilet paper or paper towel rolls for rather than just throwing them away. Or maybe that’s just us … But if it’s not, this craft project is the answer for you! We love that this idea is both a neat way to recycle and a beautifully crafty way to countdown to one of our favorite holidays! Check out the tutorial from Morning Creativity here!
3. Easy Envelope Advent Calendar
Want to keep it simple? All you need for this calendar are envelopes, decorative paper, and a poster board! Cut out envelope liners from the pretty paper you pick out (try simple red and green craft paper, or some of the many holiday prints you can find at a craft store!). Fill the envelopes with tiny, quirky holiday treats, number each envelope’s lip with your countdown, and mount each envelope to a poster board! (Hint, hint: try a “reverse” advent by adding money to each envelope each day leading up to Christmas or New Year’s … it’s a great way to get a head start on your New Year’s Resolution to save!)
4. (Slightly More Complicated) Geometric Advent Calendar
Maybe “simple” isn’t a word in your vocabulary. If not, give this slightly more complicated calendar a try! The creator describes it as “simple, minimal, [and] with just enough festive sparkle,” so maybe it’s not as hard as we think, but we see the word “geometric” and get a little nervous. Unfortunately, the designer didn’t share how to make the geometric boxes, but fear not; we found you this video tutorial! Or try this awesome template maker that will automatically design the template for a box to your specific measurements. The rest of the tutorial on making this calendar can be found here.
5. DIY Punch Box Advent Calendar
So, we all know the holidays can be stressful … Here’s a calendar that will help you get a little frustration out, and you even get to enjoy a sweet treat as you do it! You can adapt the design to however many days you’re counting down, and the decorations of your box to whichever holiday you’re celebrating. The key, though, stays the same no matter what: Have fun makin’ it, and have fun breakin’ it! Get the tutorial from Studio DIY!
Enjoy your crafting! Enjoy your calendars! And enjoy your holidays! Ho-ho-ho!
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