As the weather gets colder and the holiday season approaches, there’s nothing quite as comforting as a steaming mug of hot chocolate. This seasonal classic is even better personalized with toppings, mix-ins, and your favorite holiday mugs. Creating a DIY Holiday Hot Chocolate Bar ensures all these extras are in one place, making it the perfect setup to easily grab a cup or have friends and family over to join in the cozy festivities.
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Selecting the Perfect Spot:
Find the ideal location for your hot chocolate bar, whether it’s the heart of your kitchen on the island, a cozy corner on your countertop, or a stylish bar cart.
Crafting a Theme:
Infuse personality into your hot chocolate bar by selecting a theme that resonates with the season. Think candy cane stripes, delicate snowflakes, cozy plaid – the possibilities are endless. To keep things seamlessly coordinated, snag your supplies in your chosen theme!
Gathering the Essentials:
Curate a checklist of must-have items to ensure your hot chocolate bar is both functional and fabulous. From charming mugs, elegant spoons, and festive napkins to handy containers and eye-catching decorative elements like tablecloths and signs, each detail contributes to the overall enchantment.
Picking Your Hot Chocolate Flavor:
Begin your hot chocolate journey by choosing a flavor that sets the tone. Opt for classic hot chocolate powder, or venture into alternatives such as velvety white chocolate, rich dark chocolate, or spirited peppermint and caramel options. For a mess-free and effortlessly delicious experience, consider indulging in convenient hot chocolate sticks.
Toppings & Mix-ins Extravaganza:
Now, the fun begins! Let your creativity run wild as you assemble an array of toppings that turn a simple cup of cocoa into a masterpiece.
Organization
Now that you have everything you need to create your hot chocolate bar, it’s time to set up! Add your cocoa powder and toppings to separate containers with a lid to ensure they stay fresh, and keep your refrigerated items cold until it’s time to add them to your delicious cup of hot chocolate. Once you have everything organized, lay it out in the spot you chose for your hot chocolate bar and finish by decorating with your festive essentials!
There you have it! A deliciously fun and festive hot chocolate bar to enjoy all throughout the holiday season!
Looking for a new home this holiday season?! We’ve got you covered! Browse our list of apartment homes here and find the perfect one to call your cozy haven!
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With its vibrant culture and renowned academic institutions, New Orleans stands out as a top destination for college students and recent graduates. According to a recent Forbes ranking, New Orleans is among the best cities for higher education. Its rich cultural heritage, academic opportunities, and growing job market create a unique experience for those seeking more than just a degree.
For students attending local universities, such as Tulane University, University of New Orleans, Xavier University, etc., finding the right place to live can be challenging. Many students enjoy the lively energy of downtown New Orleans, but for those looking for a suburban environment that still offers close proximity to campus, there’s good news. At 1st Lake Properties, many of our communities are located just outside the city, offering a balance of comfort and convenience.
In Forbes’ analysis of the best cities for college students, New Orleans stands out for several reasons:
For those who prefer to live just outside the city, our communities in Kenner, Metairie, and River Ridge are just a short drive from local colleges. This allows students to stay close to campus while enjoying a more relaxed residential atmosphere. Whether you’re a student, recent graduate, or early-career professional, our communities provide an ideal mix of comfort and convenience.
Living just outside of New Orleans means you can experience the best the city has to offer while avoiding some of the busier aspects of city life. Our communities are thoughtfully designed, offer great amenities, and provide convenient access to all of New Orleans’ attractions, from local hotspots to career opportunities.
If you’re looking for a place near a local university, our communities offer a variety of options to suit your needs. To see a list of available communities near you, click here!
Forbes data sourced from Forbes’ Best Cities for College Students and Graduates.
It’s no secret Jefferson Parish’s Elmwood neighborhood is a shopping destination for residents across the Greater New Orleans Area. Its large shopping center has a great selection of big-box stores, its movie theater boasts 20 screens, and its area attractions include an indoor trampoline park and laser tag venue. In addition to an abundance of amenities, Elmwood is an ideal place for those looking for a quiet and affordable alternative to downtown New Orleans living.
Living in Elmwood makes shopping a breeze. Elmwood Shopping Center is a one-stop shop for all of the items on your shopping list. In one trip, you can find new shoes at DSW, a new dining table at World Market, a television at Best Buy, and more! Instead of having to drive all over town to get the items you need, you can make one trip to one central location and then head right on home! It will save you gas, time, and a lot of patience.
Elmwood’s little corner of the Mississippi River is a quaint residential area with quick access to paved bike paths, public parks, and recreational spaces. La Salle Park is a well-kept multi-purpose recreational space for sports and nature explorations. Its nature boardwalk winds through native cypress trees, making it a scenic and calming spot for outdoor enthusiasts.
If you’re looking for some two-wheeled fun, the paved levee bike path is a great way to enjoy the action on the river while you get some exercise in. Pack a blanket and some snacks for a riverside picnic, or wind your way over to Oak Street on the outskirts of New Orleans for some good local eats and live music.
Elmwood might be a shopping haven, but it’s also a secluded treasure. Many of our 1st Lake properties sit tucked away on peaceful, open green areas which provide a feeling of escape and relaxation.
Bella Ridge is a blissful haven for easy living in Elmwood.
You can unwind poolside at Bella Ridge. You can share a casual and fun afternoon with your dog and your neighbors’ dogs in Clearwater Creek Premier’s gated pet park. You can go for an easy evening stroll alongside the flowing streams of Palmetto Creek. Every one of our Elmwood locations is designed to make you feel like you’re living in a remote luxury retreat.
If you’re considering a move, consider Elmwood as your new neighborhood. With great shopping, great outdoor spaces, and great living communities, you’ll find it easy to settle in and make yourself at home in Elmwood.
Here at 1st Lake, we work hard to make every day feel like Earth Day. Check out some of the steps we are taking to be environmentally friendly!
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When creating our well-thought-out landscaping plans, we have the earth in mind!
We have over 10,000 trees across all properties.
Trees improve air quality, help with conservation, and more!
At 1st Lake Properties, we use LED lights which are 80% more efficient than traditional lighting & use less energy.
Less energy usage = a more positive effect on the environment!
Stormwater management reduces the runoff of rainwater in streets & lawns by regulating the collection, storage & movement of stormwater.
We have taken measures to recycle stormwater in our sprinkler systems and lawn care maintenance.
We use Energy Efficient Appliances across our apartments.
They use technology that is less energy intensive & reduces the amount of electricity used per product.
We are actively trying to reduce our paper consumption by providing more paperless options including; online housing & employment applications, work orders, rent payments & more.
We also print on recycled paper!
Looking for ways you can reduce your carbon footprint? Take a look at our tips below!
Unplug your devices.
Bring your own reusable bag when you shop.
Start a compost.
Take shorter showers.
Drink from a reusable water bottle or coffee mug.
Eat more fruits and vegetables.
Like what you see? Move to a 1st Lake apartment today and together we can make the world a better place, one change at a time!
Arranging Your Apartment According to Feng Shui Principles
What is Feng Shui? You’ve probably heard about the practice in movies, books, or television shows. Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese practice that invites positive energy, or “chi” inside your home. Improving the flow of energy inside your apartment can boost your mental and physical health.
Chi has been described as the glue that binds your life together with the elements. The elements include wood, metal, water, fire, and earth. Each element can be represented in different pieces of furniture or decor.
Be Organized
A disorganized home can lead to chaos. Dirty dishes, unfolded clothes, and cluttered cabinets and countertops can create a stressful environment. If you have a beautiful natural stone counter in your kitchen like marble or granite, the last thing you want is to cover it up with clutter. If you are beginning to practice Feng Shui, you’ll need to organize your apartment before moving forward.
It can feel overwhelming to begin this process. Start with a small closet or bedroom. Filter out clothing that you don’t wear anymore or items that are just collecting dust. Donate them to a local nonprofit. Then, organize what’s left into a new system. Get rid of items that you do not need.
Don’t think of this process as decluttering. You are creating new space inside your apartment. While it’s not the end of the world if you replace this open area with new items, just make sure the area stays organized over time.
Remove Obstacles
We’re not getting philosophical here. I literally want you to think about the path inside your home. Are you moving around furniture to walk through your apartment? If so, it’s time to adjust the placement of your furniture.
You might be overlooking these physical obstacles in your life. It’s a nuisance that impacting your mental health more than you would think. Take the time to properly move furniture around your apartment. Figure out what floor plan works best for you and the chi inside your apartment.
Separate Your Work and Rest Space
This is another major rule in Feng Shui. When creating a floor plan inside your apartment, you will need to separate work and rest space. It’s tempting to place a desk and computer inside your bedroom. But this practice will restrict the flow of positive energy inside your apartment. You will not be fully relaxed if you walk into your bedroom and relive your work day. Set up a workstation in a high-energy area like the kitchen, a small office, or a spare bedroom.
You will want to create a calming environment inside your bedroom. This is where you unwind after a long day. Place the head of your bed against a wall, so the piece of furniture is facing a door. This will allow you to properly recharge as you sleep. You will also want to avoid having too many electronics inside your bedroom. A blaring TV or radio will distract you from meditation and reflection each day.
Understand Your Colors
It’s important to understand how the color inside your apartment can influence your mental health. Strategically adding different color palettes inside your home can eliminate stress, boost your mood, and rejuvenate your soul.
Blue and green are calming colors that should be used in bedrooms. Red is a passionate color that can bring life to a room. Neutral colors can also be used in communal living spaces.
Brighten Your Entryway
Energy enters and leaves your apartment through the front door. It is important to create a positive and welcoming environment through your main entryway. Like other rooms inside your apartment, you’ll want to properly declutter this area. Do not have shoes, jackets, or purses blocking the entryway.
You can make more space or compliment the doorway with decor, flowers, or a special door mat. You can really personalize this area and make it your own. You can also add more lightning inside or outside the entryway. By doing this, you are creating an inviting and spacious area. It invites positive energy into your apartment. And if you are properly practicing Feng Shui, that positive energy will stay.
Buy More Plants
There are plenty of benefits to adding fresh plants inside your home. From a Feng Shui perspective, plants bring life energy inside your apartment. Greenery can bring vibrant energies and moods inside your home. Plants represent health, vitality, and relaxation.
Guest blog by: marble.com
1st Lake Properties | P. O. Box 73709 | Metairie, LA 70033 | info@1stlake.com
