Have you ever felt like getting away from it all? If work, relationships, or just your general routine are causing you stress, sometimes a weekend escape is necessary. We understand.
We also understand that deciding what to bring on such a short getaway can be difficult, which is why we’ve decided to share some tips on how to pack for your weekend trip. Besides, isn’t the whole point of your miniature vacation to relax?
Read on for how to avoid overstuffing your suitcase if you’re getting away for the weekend.
Let’s start with the essentials: what you’ll be wearing. This is also where most people get in trouble. What you’re looking for here is versatility and comfort.
Shoes take up a lot of room. They aren’t ideal for squeezing into a bag or suitcase. That’s why you should choose one pair of footwear that you’ll be wearing all weekend. If your destination will have lower temperatures, wear a pair of low-key boots that will match with most winter outfits. If you’re headed to warmer areas or the beach, comfortable sandals or sneakers are all you need.
Blue jeans are your best friend when you’re packing for a short trip. You can wear them for an entire weekend if you need to. Plus, they match with just about anything. For the day, bring a few t-shirts or a polo. Pack a dressier shirt or top for the evening, just in case you end up having a nice meal or end up in an unforeseen situation where casual dress won’t cut it.
Bring the exact number of pairs you’ll need, plus one extra. Simple.
If you’re unsure about bringing a laptop or tablet with you, ask yourself this question: Will it stress me out? If the answer is yes, leave them behind! Even if you need access to email, most people can get by with just their phone for a few days. If your goal is to relax and disconnect, don’t bring anything that will tempt you. It’ll save you space, too.
Remember to bring all the necessary bathroom accessories you’ll need: toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo (if necessary), deodorant, sunscreen, moisturizer…you get the idea.
Also, whether you’re driving or flying, you should bring some entertainment for the time you’ll spend getting to your destination. Remember your earbuds so that you can listen to audiobooks or music. Pack a fun book or deck of cards. And, last but not least, a phone charger!
That pretty much does it. By following these tips, you should have plenty of space to pack everything you’ll need on your weekend getaway. Less is more in these situations, and keeping it simple will allow you to keep the stresses of your daily grind out of sight and out of mind, if only for a little while. After you’re all packed, you can get busy with relaxing!
Summertime is here, and so is the heat. But that means it’s time to grab your bathing suits and head out to the pool! There’s no better way to spend a summer day.
However, in order for all of our residents to have a good experience, it’s important that everyone maintains a basic set of rules and etiquette while they’re having fun in the sun. So, we’d like to offer some advice on how to be polite at the pool. Read on for a list of ways to ensure that you and your neighbors have the best summertime possible!
No matter which one of our properties you call home, it’s important to us that you can enjoy your time at the pool safely and peacefully. Thank you for your cooperation — now, go enjoy the summer!
Whether you’re cooking for a large group or just for yourself, saving time in the kitchen is a wonderful thing. It means more time spent with family and loved ones, more time for productivity, or maybe just more time for relaxing by the pool. And as the old saying goes, “time is money.”
So we’ve put together a small list of cooking tools that will make your life easier, both inside and outside of the kitchen.
Let’s start with waking up. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so why not treat yourself to a gadget that will help you eat a nourishing meal without missing a beat. Breakfast sandwich makers allow you to prepare a fresh breakfast — complete with eggs, your choice of meat, and other ingredients of your choice — that you can simply grab and go on your way out of the house.
These are small tools that will constantly come in handy. Place the garlic in its tube, roll, and suddenly you’ll have peeled garlic.
This is an essential tool for any kitchen. A sharp knife will allow you to slice and dice produce quickly, saving you lots of time while preparing your meal. Make sure you know how to keep your knife sharp.
Immersion blenders are incredibly useful for quickly making smoothies, pureed soups, and sauces without leaving a mess behind. Check out this tutorial to learn more about why an immersion blender is such a useful kitchen appliance.
A colander is a perforated bowl used for straining liquids from food. Using a colander is the fastest way to drain pasta, and they’re also a great container for washing vegetables.
Having a large variety of whisks will allow you to specialize and expedite your whisking duties. For example, Bon Appetite suggests using large whisks for foods in large pots, medium whisks for soups and sauces, and small whisks for salad dressings.
A sharp, resilient vegetable peeler will save you immeasurable amounts of time preparing any meal that calls for vegetables, and its ability to evenly remove vegetables’ outer skin will improve your presentation as well.
Heat resistant spatulas are wonderful for mixing, stirring, and scraping pans. They are also great for quickly and evenly spreading condiments on bread, which makes for a lovely sandwich.
Measuring cups with handles attached allow you to quickly scoop ingredients like sugar and place them directly into whatever you are cooking with. Make sure you purchase a variety of cups for large and smaller measurements.
Trying to open a jar that won’t budge is one of the most frustrating problems that occur in the kitchen, and even if it doesn’t affect your meal, it can certainly derail your good mood. Grab one in the kitchen aisle the next time you’re at the supermarket, and save yourself all that trouble once and for all.
If you’d like a list of even more tools, check out the official website of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Foodal, and Cooking Light. Now that you know how to save time in the kitchen, enjoy the summer with all the time you have left over!
The Louisiana summer is fast approaching, and you know what that means. Soon, temperatures will exceed 90 degrees, and everyone will be trying to beat the heat.
The most important part of battling the summer heat is preparation. Read on for several tips on how to prepare for hot weather this year!
The first step in servicing your A/C is changing your filters. Air filters that are obstructed by debris cause your cooling system to work harder, increasing the potential for malfunction. 1st Lake requires residents to change their filters every 30 days, and we offer filters free of charge.
If you have ventilation problems in your home, all the hard work you’ve done maintaining a clean air filter won’t matter. A simple check for drafts in windows and doors is the first step to addressing any issues. If you find any, notify management to take the next steps in protecting your apartment.
Finding cracks and drafts is also the first step to protecting against bug invasions. During the summer, bugs come out of hibernation and are more likely to find their way into your home.
It is recommended that thermostats be set between 75° – 78°. Turning the A/C below these settings only makes the unit run more and use more electricity. Also, turning your unit off during the day will only cause the unit to run longer that evening, as it will have to cool down the whole apartment before it reaches a comfortable temperature. This can also lead to higher energy bills and potential unnecessary A/C repairs.
Summer is a season to enjoy time with friends and family. Pool parties, outdoor cookouts, and leisure time will all be much more satisfying if your home is taken care of and prepared for the summer heat. Now that you have everything in order, enjoy the sun!
Whether you live in a suburban neighborhood or a residential apartment community, it’s important to maintain a good relationship with your neighbors. A community that displays an understanding of neighborly etiquette is sure to be a happier one.
Read on for some tips about how to be a great neighbor!
The first step in ensuring a good relationship with your neighbor is to create one. Introduce yourself to your neighbor, and if it feels appropriate, offer them a welcoming gift. On a day-to-day basis, say a simple hello if you see them outside or around the community. This will create a feeling of mutual warmth and respect, which will come in handy if a problem or conflict arises in the future.
This one is pretty simple. Being conscious of your noise level at all times is an important part of being a good neighbor. Put yourself in your neighbor’s shoes: how would you feel about your schedule being disrupted by noise at an inconvenient or inappropriate hour?
Maintaining a general standard of cleanliness inside and outside of your apartment maintains a uniformity of hygiene and visual appeal within the community. Don’t be the neighbor to create a problem with pests, or become an eyesore with a dirty balcony or exterior!
Make sure you always follow any community regulations regarding pets. Get them vaccinated, and keep them leashed so they don’t disrupt your neighbors’ personal space. It’s also a good idea to let your neighbors know that they are free to come over and speak to you if your pet is bothering them, or if they have any other concerns.
Be sure that when you park, you’re not causing future difficulty for other vehicles around you. Loud music late at night and revving the engine are not conscientious. Also, keeping your voice at a reasonable level after you exit your vehicle is a good idea.
Take these tips into consideration in order to become a better neighbor! We promise that developing a good relationship with the people in your residential community will make life a lot easier. And if you would like more tips, check out The Spruce, wikiHow, and HuffPost for more great information!
1st Lake Properties | P. O. Box 73709 | Metairie, LA 70033 | info@1stlake.com
