Search

1st Lake Blog

Bella Ridge South – 3D Matterport Tours

Bella Ridge South is one of the newest apartment communities in River Ridge, LA. Residents will experience “Another Level of Luxury” at Bella South. From high-end finishes, such as 10-foot ceilings and stainless steel appliances, to the endless amenities, like the Bella Bark Park or Strength and Wellness Center, you’ll be sure to notice the many differences that set Bella Ridge South apart from traditional apartment living. 

Let’s Stay Connected! Follow Bella Ridge South on Facebook and Instagram.

View our floorplans below: 

The Optimist: 1bed/1bath 1,000SF

The Creative: 1bed/1bath 1,015SF 

The Inventor: 2bed/2bath 1,310SF

The Composer: 2bed/2bath 1,387SF

 

 


Ring In The New Year In Style

The holiday season is coming to a close and we can’t wait to round out the year by celebrating New Year’s Eve. With our open floor plans, spacious kitchens, and cozy living areas, your party is guaranteed to be a success. 

Party Punch, Charcuterie Board, Countdown, Decorations and amazing food, that’s what you need to throw a great NYE party! Read more party tips here.

Charcuterie boards are all the rage, and a holiday board is sure to spice things up and make your spread look even more festive.

An easy way to ensure all your photos are “post-worthy” is by creating a backdrop like the one shown below. All your memories, and pictures, from the last few moments of this year will be sure to make everyone jealous. 

@1stlake

Party prep starts now! How are you ringing in 2023? #1stlake #1stlakeproperties #nolaapartments #apartmentliving #apartmentinspo

♬ original sound – GrandPeachEdits

Did you like our TikTok? Don’t forget to follow us @1stLake

We curated an Amazon Shopping List with everything you could possibly need! Just follow the steps below and soon you’ll be taking photos in style. 

  • STEP 1- Hang your curtains from your spare shower rod in a hallway or entryway that will not be in use! (Pro Tip: This is a great way to keep guests in the common areas of your home.) 
  • STEP 2- Attach your garland and fairy lights to your backdrop using zip ties. 
  • STEP 3- Jazz it up! Let your creative juices run wild by adding balloons, photo props, or anything else that you find Instagram-able! 

These pictures were taken at Artesia Apartments in Covington, LA!

New Year, New Apartment? The New Year is the perfect time to find the home that’s right for you! CLICK HERE for more information on what we have available! 


Movies at The Green Benefiting Take Paws Rescue

It smells like… popcorn! Join us for a FREE outdoor showing of the classic Hocus Pocus at our Bella Ridge Green Space on October 25th! Doors will open at 6:15pm, movie will start at 7pm. Click here for a list of FAQ’s.

 Event will take place at: 1101 Dickory Ave, River Ridge, LA. Continuous tours of our Bella Ridge Apartment Homes will be offered all night long!

 

All are welcome, we promise not to put a spell on you! 

This free outdoor showing of the CLASSIC Hocus Pocus will take place on Tuesday, October 25th at 7pm, doors will open at 6:15pm.

Refreshments will be available for purchase. CASH ONLY! All net proceeds will be donated to Take Paws Rescue. If you would like to donate items to Take Paws Rescue directly, please utilize their Amazon Wish List

Click here for a list of FAQ’s.

Thank you to our sponsors: 

 

Live in luxury at our newest River Ridge apartments. Bella Ridge offers peace-of-mind living with better pricing, larger floor plans, a free direct-access parking garage, and thoughtfully selected amenities. Stop by our leasing office or give us a call to schedule a tour today!


Gym 101: Fitness Center Etiquette

A heart-pumping workout is a great way to reduce stress — unless the gym creates a stressful environment in and of itself. While you can’t always control the actions of others, you can help create a focused workout zone by following basic gym etiquette. Take a look below, and follow these simple rules while you get your burn on at one of our many 1st Lake Fitness centers!

Fitness Center Etiquette

Pack your gym bag like a pro. Stash your gym bag with essentials like a towel, wet wipes, and a water bottle. This means you won’t have to hog the water fountain, and if for some reason the gym is out of towels or wet wipes, you’ll be prepared.

Wipe down equipment. Most gyms provide antibacterial wipes specifically for gym equipment. After your workout, wipe down any surfaces you’ve touched, whether a bench, weights, treadmill, bicycle, etc. Remember, even if you can’t see any evidence of sweat, germs are still present. Clean up after yourself to ensure the next person using the machine gets a truly fresh start.

Follow time limits on machines. Gyms can be busy places, especially at peak hours like after work or early in the morning. Because of this, many fitness centers implement a time limit rule on machines like treadmills or ellipticals. Be courteous of others and only exercise for the allotted period of time. If you’re not quite finished working out, use the opportunity to try out a new machine instead.

Stay home if you’re sick. While some doctors recommend a light workout to help your body recover more quickly from ailments like a cold or virus, plan to do an at-home workout video rather than put others at risk at the gym. If you do go, take extra care wiping down all the equipment, and wash your hands before and after you’re finished exercising.

Mind headphones. You might be tempted to chat to your neighbor to help you get through a tough workout, but if they have headphones on, be respectful: they’re in the zone!

Dress appropriately. Gyms are for focusing on your workout — not on someone else’s distracting clothing. If you’re worried about your outfit, test it out first at home to make sure everything stays put as you exercise.

Put weights away. Dumbells can be hazardous when left on the mat for people to trip over. Always put free weights back after you use them. Please unload the weight bar as well to keep the weights area accessible for everyone and free of any obstacles.

Watch your rest time between sets. If you’re resting for more than 10-20 seconds between sets, plan to excuse yourself from a machine to give someone else a chance to use it. However, keep in mind that ideally you’ll want to rest for no more than 10 seconds: studies show that short rest periods lead to increased caloric burn and a higher metabolic rate.

Be courteous. Allow other gym-goers their space and respect during a workout session. If the gym is busy and you have the flexibility to come back later, consider adjusting your time.


Vegan Friendly Restaurants

If you live in or near New Orleans, you know that finding a good place to eat is easy. But how easy is it to find a good vegan-friendly restaurant? We created this list of some of our favorite go-to places.

In recent years, people have become more health-conscious and have adapted to a healthy lifestyle. According to Emily Krempholtz in Veganism Has Gone Mainstream, But It’s Not Just About The Animals Anymore, “The rise in selective eating habits whether due to allergies or diet trends has created a massive demand within the food market.” Because of these growing trends, we have seen a rise in vegan restaurants in the metro New Orleans area. 

Whether you have adopted a vegan lifestyle or not, this list is a great place to start for healthy, earth-friendly options!

Vegan Diet Guide: Benefits, Risks, Weight Loss Effect, Food List | Everyday  Health

Kindred

Looking for vegan “junk-food”? Look no further than this uptown cafe! At Kindred, you can enjoy vegan versions of classic New Orleans staples such as red beans and rice, a spicy chicken sandwich, shrimp po’boy, and more. The best part is, they also have brunch items too!

Breads on Oak

Did someone say baked goods? Cinnamon rolls, brioche puffs, blondies, and tea biscuits, and more. Breads on Oak has two locations, one on Oak Street and one in the CBD. You can even order a whole cake from them!

Seed

At Seed, located on Prytania, you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner. While you’re there, enjoy one of their unique and artfully crafted cocktails, mocktails, or a plant-based coffee.

Bearcat Cafe

With two unique locations, the Bearcat Cafe is a local favorite. Bearcat Cafe offers fresh breakfast and lunch options and a wide variety of coffees and loose-leaf teas. The menu at Bearcat is divided into a “good cat” and a “bad cat” section. Most of the items on the good cat side are vegan-friendly.

Sweet Soulfood-Nola Vegan Cuisine

Located on N. Broad St. in New Orleans, Sweet Soulfood-Nola Vegan Cuisine offers an ever-changing weekly menu with items such as red beans, jambalaya, bread pudding, potato salad, and more! 

Dat Dog

Looking for a hot dog that’s vegan-friendly? Look no further than Dat Dog! With three convenient locations on Magazine, Feret Street, and Frenchman’s Street, getting a vegan dog is easy! Their buns are steamed, toasted, and vegan! and they have 4 vegan sausage options that include the Spicy Chipolte Dog, the Vegan Italian Dog, the Smoked Apple Sage, and the Vegan Bratwurst.

G’s Pizza

G’s Pizza has two great locations that deliver to Mid-City, Lakeview, Old Metairie, Downtown, The French Quarter, Marigny, and the Garden District. This pizza joint doesn’t just have vegan-friendly options, it has a separate menu dedicated strictly to vegan-friendly food! Check it out here.

True Food Kitchen

According to their website, True Food Kitchen is the only restaurant that is fundamentally based on science. This chain restaurant opened its location on St. Charles and offers “crave-able food that boosts your mood.”  From pizza to salads, to burgers and desserts, there are so many options to choose from!

Vegan Wit’ A Twist

At Vegan Wit’ a Twist, they combine traditional preparations with fresh vegan ingredients for dishes that are authentic. They even host private parties with hookah, music, drinks, and food! Check out their happy hour specials menu here.

Carmo

Located in the warehouse district, this tropical cafe and bar offer a unique menu with delicious vegan-friendly options! Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner you’re looking for you are sure to find something delicious!