If you live in one of Archstone’s Santa Monica apartments, you’re within blocks of Palisades Park, a popular area for running, walking, cycling, yoga, tai-chi and laying out! It also happens to be quite beautiful with views overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Malibu. Take your dog or a book and spend hours basking in the sun or people watching! Our Santa Monica on Main location puts you within steps of this gorgeous trail and the Santa Monica Pier!
Here’s the thing. I’m not one of those bitter single girls. In fact, I find a day dedicated to celebrating all of the love in someone’s life quite charming. I do think that celebrating for one day is not quite enough, and we should really be grateful for the people in our lives year round … but that’s another blog post entirely.
Here’s why I’m schmalentinesing … I think it’s somewhat ridiculous to spend a ton of money on something just because the calendar tells you to. (You can apply this rule to Christmas as well). I think we could all stop and challenge ourselves to find a little joy in the smaller things in life. Recently, I was driving around Westside near Archstone’s West LA apartments and I realized there are a lot of little things that I love in this area.
Let me introduce you to the Ocean. You can go to the beach for free. Every day. And it’s beautiful. Every day.So thus concludes my love for West LA. I moved here four years ago, and I love you more today than the day we met. Happy Schmalentine’s Day.
Some call it a “Hallmark holiday”, but for others it’s a true make it or break it day for a relationship. Will he send flowers to my office? Is there a surprise homemade dinner she just never mentioned to me? Are we going to the White Castle Valentine’s Day candlelit special?
I know what it is…we’re going to Serendipity. The romantic dessert restaurant featured in that movie a few years back. For me, I got offended when a co-worker scheduled a meeting for the special day. It’s a HOLIDAY.
No need for anyone to worry, here are some excellent options for those of you near our Manhattan apartments — single or coupled up.
I need a romantic restaurant:
Gramercy Tavern: Always a hit, very popular and your date will love the Danny Meyer hot spot.I need an “out of the box” romantic date. I’ve been sending flowers and cooking for years:
I’m single … what do I do?
I do not want to leave my apartment, just broke up with significant other, what’s on TV or On Demand:
Tuesday TV Line Up:
On Demand Hits:
As I recently moved into a new place, much of my “free time” has revolved around decorating my place and turning a blank slate into something completely me. I like to keep my eyes open for things I like, gathering ideas from my favorite stores, websites and now my new obsession, Pinterest.
I love to be able to collect the ideas and create the moods for my decorating projects, as well as the ability to find others who share a similar style and follow them to see what they’re finding.
Entering into a new year, I am loving some of the new trends I’m seeing on my favorite sites and Pinterest. Some that have really been catching my eye are the use of bold colors, gender-neutral decorating, unique light fixtures and revamping existing pieces instead of buying new ones.
I started with my spare bedroom, a.k.a. the office. I love bold colors, but most of my decorating has been very natural, with lots of greens and browns. So I decided to go out on a limb and paint an accent wall bright orange, almost identical to the color of this accent wall I saw while on the website for Archstone Terracina. Along with my hardwood floors, big plants and white office furniture, it looks outstanding and my husband loves it too, so extra point for being gender-neutral!
In addition to all of this white furniture, I still needed a little extra room for some books. So I took a hand-me-down end table that I would never in a million years dream of putting in my home, stripped it and painted it turquoise blue. Et voila — a revamped old piece using a bold color that I now love!
As far as unique lighting, I haven’t gotten there yet, but am collecting ideas. I love the lighting department at IKEA, as it is expansive and affordable, and I’ve also gathered some good ideas on Pinterest and other websites, including some really cool square lamps I saw on the site for Archstone CambridgePark.
Since I’ll be finished soon, I can’t wait.
The big game is finally here. Have you made your Super Bowl pick yet? Which team’s colors will you be wearing? (Ok, everyone will be wearing blue.) But seriously, have you planned your Super Bowl party yet? Here are a few tips to create a great Super Bowl party.
Location – Optimize the furniture layout into different “party zones.” Designate areas within your apartment (or Archstone club suite) for those who are intent on watching every minute of the game as well as commercials and those more interested in snacking and socializing. You don’t want someone dipping their chips at the coffee table blocking the view.
Decorations – Whether taking a trip to the party store for football-themed decorations or just making your favorite decorated cupcakes, it’s fun to incorporate the theme of this big event into your apartment decorations. But more importantly, remove breakable and collectible items so you don’t have to worry about diving to save a special piece of art from a rowdy fan.
Food – No Super Bowl party would be complete without amazing treats. Stay away from large meals and stick to great finger food, snacks and sweets. Keep the chips and guac stocked, and add a variety of wings, veggies and appetizers. Have your friends bring their own treats and drinks to share, but remind them this isn’t an Oscar party.
Games – It can be as simple as picking the Super Bowl Champion. But there are endless opportunities for your party-goers to get in the game – picking the first play, who will score first, or Jocelyn’s football party game. Even your visitors who are there just for the snacks will become a little more interested in the game if they have a pick.
Residents of Archstone’s Boston apartments and New York City apartments will be in full force this weekend for the game, but how does everyone else feel? Will the Patriots or the Giants be victorious? Comment below.
The New Year has come … and so have the resolutions. You’ve joined the New York Sports Club, have a new diet plan and have promised to live a healthier lifestyle. Well, New Yorkers, we’re here to help you with your resolution.
Archstone has recently acquired a property on 33rd street and 1st avenue, Archstone Kips Bay. We are completely renovating many units and are offering smoke-free living options! Now’s the time to quit smoking, and what better way to do so than moving to an apartment building that promotes a healthier lifestyle. It’s rare to find a luxury building in New York that offers this perk.
If you’re not a smoker, then these apartments are ideal for you. No longer will you have to close your window because the person below you is smoking … I’ve been there. It’s not fun.
These New York City apartments will also feature stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, concierge services, a fully-equipped fitness center and other great amenities. It’s a property that’s in a great location and has unique features.
We welcome you to come check out Archstone Kips Bay. Follow through on your resolution!
Tired of being a gym rat? One of the best things about Los Angeles is the awesome weather which affords us the luxury of dropping some pounds outdoors.
Archstone Citrus Suites in Santa Monica offers complimentary bike rentals to their residents. If you do not live in the Santa Monica apartments, just a few yards away, is a bike shop that rents beach cruisers for an affordable price.
I enjoy the 25-mile, roundtrip bike path that begins at the historic Santa Monica Pier, through the eclectic boardwalk at Venice Beach, around the harbor at Marina del Rey, past Archstone Playa del Rey, and finally ending in Manhattan Beach. Along the way, you will cruise past funky street performers and vendors selling a cornucopia of Californian paraphernalia. There are also a plethora of delicious restaurants and bars with great outdoor seating and happy hour specials – in case you need to load up on some energy for the long bike ride! All with a gorgeous, ocean view!
Manhattan Beach is also home to the notorious Sand Dune. This 100-f00t sand incline will make you feel the burn in your quads, calves and glutes, and make you wish you never ate the second serving of pumpkin pie and mashed potatoes. Imagine running on a sandy beach and hiking up a mountain simultaneously; that is the challenge that this dune will provide. It is not for the faint of heart and trekking up the dune more than once is moderately difficult. But all the men and women with 50-pound packs on their backs conquering the summit will help keep you motivated!
Although the Pacific Ocean is a bit chilly, it’s nothing that a full-body wetsuit can’t fix. Stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) is a great pastime and one of those workouts that are so fun that they don’t feel like workouts. Malibu Longboards Surf School, located 0.2 miles away from Archstone Santa Monica on Main, offers SUP lessons and day rentals for all the gear needed for this great shoulder and core workout.
If the water isn’t for you, maybe you will like the trails at Runyon Canyon Park in the Santa Monica mountain range. Watch out for paparazzi! You are bound to have a celebrity encounter if you hike at Runyon often enough. It’s also extremely pet-friendly so bring your four-legged friend for an escape from the hustle and bustle of LA and Hollywood.
Whatever your goal or motivation may be, get out there and have fun while you work on your fitness!
2012 is upon us, which means that gyms are full to the brink with everyone and their mom whose New Year’s resolution was to be healthier this year. Whether you’re new to working out or a seasoned veteran and the crowds are daunting (try kickboxing “around” the person in front, in back, and next to you!), the gym membership fees are out of your price range, or you’d rather just roll out of bed and do your thing, there is hope!
Here are a few ways to stay fit in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area this year without a gym membership:
So there you have it, six great ways to stay fit in Dallas without a gym membership. Now you have everything you need to stay true to your new year’s resolution, avoid the extra monthly expense, the guilt you feel if you don’t actually step foot in the gym you’re paying for (been there, not fun!) and you have a variety of options to keep your workouts fun and exciting.
If you’d like to bust a move without spending a dime and on your own time, check out all of our Dallas Archstone Apartments and find the one that’ll make you feel at home and ready to work it!
I found a new favorite activity, Pinterest, a social network where individuals can pin pictures of things they like and categorize by creating custom boards. It’s the online version of the way we used to collect our favorite ideas in the old days … lots of folders with torn magazine pages filed away neatly and organized in binders. What’s the best part about the site? It allows you to share your favorites with others as well as browse other boards for great ideas.
So what do people pin? The most common themes I see on Pinterest are Home/Décor, DIY/Crafts, Food/Recipes, Photography, Fashion, Kids Ideas and Weddings. Brides no longer have to create a massive binder with all of their wedding items, just browse Pinterest for pictures of wedding dresses, table settings, floral arrangements, cakes, invites and more. Moms can share kids’ birthday party themes, as well as family recipes, fitness routines and homemade gift instructions.
For me, my favorite category is Home Décor. Since I’m currently renting, I love looking for ideas to enhance my living areas in a non-permanent fashion. Pinterest is filled with great DIY projects for wall accents, furniture repurposing, and accessories. Since I’ve tightened my budget a little this year, the clever ideas shared by pinners help me achieve the look I desire for far less than buying new. (I will create a DIY headboard like the one at Westchester at Rockville Station apartments in Maryland). Now of course I have a board that I’ve collected ideas for my “dream home.” Pictures of deluxe kitchens, expansive great rooms and dream bedrooms display the plans I have for the future.
I also have an Organization board on Pinterest. I’ve found several pins that direct me to helpful blogs about home organization and more. Relating to my last blog post, Optimizing My Life, I’ve collected pins regarding organizing my life … from the kitchen pantry, kids closets, my checkbook and meal planning to my workspace, laundry and important documents.
Time to stop cutting out magazine articles and start pinning. If you are renting a San Francisco apartment and looking to update your living space, check out the trendy decorating tips. If your current residence is a studio apartment in New York City, look for organization tips and storage solutions. Residents of our Archstone apartments, from Los Angeles to Boston, are sure to find helpful pins and clever ideas to improve their living space.
It’s the New Year and time for the resolutions. Lose weight, eat healthier, save more money, get organized … the list goes on and on. I’m definitely a planner, but I’m not one to set resolutions each year. Most people seem to give up on their resolutions before the end of January. So instead, I have decided to take an audit of the areas of my life and set some small goals toward optimizing my life.
Home organization: Each year, I develop a master list noting each area within each room that need to be cleaned and decluttered. I find breaking cleaning into small tasks helps keep me from feeling overwhelmed. Purging, re-organizing and cleaning each room helps “reset” each area of the apartment. Peter Walsh has some great tips and checklists for attacking each room and problem area. Re-organizing the apartment also gives me an excuse to visit one of my favorite stores, The Container Store.
Finances: The New Year is definitely a great time to re-evaluate spending, working to pay off holiday shopping and finding ways to build savings. Does the budget need some adjusting? Can I work harder to pay down debt faster? Dave Ramsey has developed critical Baby Steps and online tools for getting your finances on track. Now is the time to cut back, spend less and save more.
Get healthy: The holidays are over and most of us have a few extra pounds to shed. Thankfully, the chocolates have disappeared from the office and the next big family dinner isn’t until Easter, so it’s time to start eating healthier. I’m searching for ways to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into each day’s meals. And it’s time to get moving. The most I walk is from my car in the parking lot to the office. I know, pretty pathetic. During the day, my co-workers and I are setting a plan to walk during a morning break or walk the mall during lunch. (Don’t laugh; I will be a mall walker.) Thankfully, Archstone apartments include state-of-the-art fitness centers, including Caliber Sports Clubs, so that your gym is just steps from your door. Check out Dr. Oz and his Resolution Solutions and my favorite, Trainer Bob, for motivation to stay on track.
Whether you are jumping full force into your New Year’s resolutions or just re-evaluating your life, I wish the best for you in 2012.
