When it comes to giving gifts, you’ve likely heard the saying, “it’s the thought that counts,” and there is certainly no gift more thoughtful than something that is made with love. Homemade gifts are not just thoughtful; they’re also budget-friendly. If you’re looking for some gift ideas that you can make yourself, check out the list of suggestions below.
Baked Goods – Baked goods and homemade food items are always a great and tasty gift option. Plus, you can make them in bulk so that you have plenty of extra items on hand in case you need a last-minute present for someone.
Gift Basket – Why not create a custom gift basket for someone that you care about. Do they have a sweet tooth? Fill it with cookies, candies, and other confections. Are they a gourmand? Gather lots of foodie items at World Market in Elmwood like gourmet olive oils, artisan cheeses, and a bottle of wine to complete the basket.
Scrapbook – Pictures are worth 1000 words, so communicate your affection with a photobook or scrapbook. Theme the album around a favorite family vacation, a special event, or create a chronological history of memories. Make it by hand or visit a photo-friendly site like Shutterfly.com for some high-tech help.
Special Day – Memories last far longer than things, so why not create a “special day” for someone you love. Plan a romantic evening out, complete with dinner and a movie at Elmwood or Clearview AMC Theaters or organize a family day at the New Orleans Audubon Zoo. So they actually have something to open, print out a picture of where you’re going or get a gift card toward a special place you’ll visit that day.
Get creative and have fun – your loved one will adore you for it!
You’ve scoured the real estate market to find the perfect new apartment rental in New Orleans and now you’re ready to move in!
Before you sign on the dotted line, be sure you read through your lease thoroughly and understand what it means. There are some basic protocols that you’ll need to remember, that if aren’t followed, might mean owing extra fees at the end of the month or even eviction in extreme scenarios.
As long as you know and honor what you’re signing up for, you’ll be able to enjoy all the comfort, convenience and amenities at 1st Lake Properties with no problems!
It’s best to honor the full rental term as stated in your lease.
Sometimes, unforeseen life changes happen that force you to move. Contact your rental office as soon as possible to discuss your options.
Abandoning your rental property is a different story, however. The lessee will be in default if they abandon their property. In the case of abandonment, the property manager reserves the right to demand the remaining full amount of the unexpired rent term that will be due immediately.
There is certain conduct that renters are expected to uphold for certain reasons and common courtesy.
All 1st Lake apartment residents are required to:
It is a common policy that rent must be paid in full by midnight on the third day of each month. Residents who are late paying rent may be subject to a fee. Luckily, you can pay your rent online each month.
Make sure to keep track of your 1st Lake passes and keys or you may have to pay for replacement keys, passes or lock changes.
Upon moving in, residents will be given a move-in checklist to indicate if anything is damaged or not working properly. If not returned, it will be assumed everything is in good condition.
Upon moving out at the end of the rental lease term, the deposit will be returned in full or with necessary deductions for damages other than reasonable wear and tear. If damages exceed the cost of the security deposit, the former resident will be charged the difference. If the former resident doesn’t return keys, they will be charged for the lock replacement.
Get renters insurance to protect losses or damages associated with theft, weather, fire or electric problems that aren’t covered by the property!
Check out 1st Lake’s many excellent options for Metairie apartment rentals.
One of the beauties of apartment living is enjoying the upkeep without having to do any of it! At 1st Lake Properties, all maintenance is taken care of for you.
You don’t have to even step inside one of 1st Lake’s New Orleans apartment rentals to see all the work that goes into making it a lovely and clean place to live. The grounds of each property are beautifully attended to, including the walking paths, pool and picnic areas, and everything in between.
Being a renter allows you to sit back and really enjoy the space you live in without the worry of yard work or making repairs – instead, you can leave it to the experts! One of the other upsides to renting an apartment instead an entire house is the lower utility bills. You will save on your energy bill with 1st Lake’s energy efficient kitchen appliances and with less space to heat or cool, depending on the season.
A renter of one of 1st Lake’s Kenner, River Ridge or Metairie apartment rentals in the New Orleans area can take comfort in the fact that they can always count on coming home to a care-free living environment that’s part of a smooth-running operation. 1st Lake employs their very own architectural, construction and property management companies, so you can rest assured that all work is done with the utmost pride and care.
If you aren’t already, take advantage of the dedicated and responsive customer service you’ll find living at one of the 1st Lake apartment communities. The attentive staff will be there to help with any issues, unless they’ve already been resolved before you even noticed!
In the spirit of giving, 1st Lake’s Citrus Creek apartment community has hosted a number of thoughtful and charitable events over the past few months at their apartment community in River Ridge.
Back around Halloween, Citrus Creek gave all residents’ pets a special treat for the holiday. This was carried out in conjunction with Hickory Knoll Veterinary Hospital which donated small bags of treats for cats and dogs. The staff at Citrus Creek then distributed the treat bags along with a toy and a special note made out to the pet. The idea was that each pet would get a toy to do tricks with and a treat to enjoy. All the pet owners at Citrus Creek were extremely appreciative, and touched that their pets were thought of in such a special way.
With the holiday season upon us, Citrus Creek is hosting a food drive for Second Harvest Food Bank and a pet food drive for the Animal Rescue of New Orleans. All residents that donated food to either drive by November 30, 2012 were then entered to win a $50 gift card to Fox & Hound English Pub-Grille in River Ridge.
With so much goodwill going around, the residents at the Citrus Creek River Ridge apartments are sure to be in the holiday spirit!
These days, it’s practically normal for most people in New Orleans to get fewer than 8 hours of sleep. With people working longer hours and leading busier lives, the old standard of 8 hours is getting harder and harder to many to get consistently. Whether or not you’re able to squeeze in the proper amount of hours into your sleep schedule, getting restful sleep can be just as important as the length of time you sleep.
Here are a few ways to ensure that you get a more restful sleep, no matter how many hours you get in, to help you feel refreshed when morning comes!
Many people depend on some sort of background noise to get to sleep, whether it be the TV, stereo, or a fan. However, this noise, while it may be soothing and help you get to sleep, can cause disturbances while you’re asleep. The brain will continue to process what it’s hearing, and you may find yourself not as well rested in the morning. Beyond disrupting your sleep, distractions such as the stereo or TV can keep you up longer than you need to be if you find yourself paying attention to them.
Drinking caffeine too close to bedtime can keep you awake and alert longer than you may like. While many of us depend on caffeine throughout the day, whether it be coffee or soda, it can remain in your body for up to 14 hours! If it’s at all possible, try to avoid drinking caffeinated beverages anywhere from 4-6 hours before bed, depending on your reaction and tolerance to it.
Many people try to use alcohol to get to sleep as well. While it may seem like a quick and easy way to relax before bed, alcohol can actually cause you to toss and turn in your sleep, which will leave you feeling more exhausted in the morning.
Try not to go to bed hungry, but don’t eat anything too filling or heavy right before bed. Generally, a good rule of thumb to use is to avoid eating anything from 1-2 hours before going to bed. If you need a snack before bed, try eggs, or peaches. The old trick of drinking milk before bed to help go to sleep is actually true as well. Milk contains tryptophan (much like your Thanksgiving turkey), which helps to promote sleep.
While worries and stresses may tend to pop up in your head when you’re trying to rest, your bed should remain a stress-free zone. Allow yourself to keep your mind clear, and deal with stresses tomorrow. Reading, taking a warm bath, or meditating to get your mind off of the day’s events can help you get in a more relaxed state of mind before bed-time.
While cuddling with your dog or cat may be a great stress relief at the end of a long day, when they move around at night it can cause disturbances in your sleep that leave you feeling tired in the morning. If you want to have some time with your furry friend, do so before you turn in, and then allow yourself the privacy and comfort of an animal free bed!
Shop local! Bedding Plus is a family-owned subsidiary of Doerr Furniture, one of the oldest and most respected furniture stores in New Orleans. They have mattress stores throughout southeast Louisiana and the Mississippi Gulf Coast, convenient to all of our apartment communities.
1st Lake Properties | P. O. Box 73709 | Metairie, LA 70033 | info@1stlake.com
