Moving in with a significant other is an exciting step for couples, but it comes with its own set of challenges that can make it seem like an intimidating milestone. For some people, this is their first experience living with another person, and when adding a relationship into the mix, you are sure to run into a few areas that will cause frustration. Below are some tips to make this new transition easier for you and your partner, and to get you prepped and ready for this next season of your relationship.
Talking finances
When it comes to talking finances, it can be tough to start a conversation about something you may not normally share openly with your partner. But talking about your financial health is key to knowing your current expenses and what you will need to budget for once you move in together. It also helps to know what type of housing you can currently afford, and what your joint price range will be before hunting for the perfect space.
You’ll need to discuss your current monthly expenses, any outlying debts or loans, and even your monthly habits as well. This can help to establish a budget before you move in together, and help to make sure your finances never become a cause of stress or anxiety, which could potentially put strain on your relationship. You can calculate how much of your monthly income needs to be put towards rent, groceries, and other necessary expenses (i.e. gas, utilities), and how much money you will have left over for date nights, unexpected expenses or for your hobbies and interests.
You’ll also want to discuss how you will split your contributions to monthly bills to accommodate for differing salaries and income. If one partner makes more than the other, it’s okay to find a balance that takes that into account. You also need to decide if you should live on a shared income or keep your finances separate. Click here for more in-depth methods and tips into how you can combine your finances with your partner.
Packing Belongings
Once you have your finances figured out, and have picked the perfect space to start this next chapter together, it’s time to start packing those boxes! This is a great opportunity to sort through your older belongings and get rid of some of the items you no longer use or need. There are so many ways to get rid of your old, tired furnishings. Do some research into local businesses that take in gently used furnishing and decor donations, or set up a garage sale. Make it fun, and have a little competition with your partner to see who can sell more. Then, you can use the extra money to put towards new home furnishings.
Maybe it’s time to let go of that old bedroom set, or invest in a new sofa. Don’t be afraid to invest in high quality items, as they will last you much longer and won’t show wear and tear as quickly. Sit down with your partner, and talk interior styles. You might have two very separate design tastes, but look to the World Wide Web for some inspiration. Pinterest and Instagram are great for finding interior design advice and tips, and can help you and your partner come to a consensus on the design style that will best reflect both your tastes.
Once you’ve chosen the right theme and have unpacked that mountain of moving boxes, you can buy that new high quality plush sofa you’ve been wanting, to tie your living room together, or maybe you have space to entertain guests around a new dining room table. Moving into an apartment may make it seem like interior design isn’t doable, but there are still ways to bring pops of color or decor elements into your space to make it your own, even if you are not allowed to paint the walls. Put up family photos or art that remind you both of adventures you have taken as a couple. Or you can decorate seasonally with fresh flowers to add some color and life to your new space.
Explore Your New Town
When you are finally settled in to your new space, it’s time to relax and explore around your new neighborhood or region. Use sites like Tripadvisor to find local hot spots, or to get an inside scoop on the best food and entertainment in the area. Or if you two are outdoorsy, you could find some local hiking trails to explore on the weekends. Make a point to try something new in the area as a couple, or maybe even take a few mini road trips to the surrounding areas. Peek into antique shops for more unique home decor options, or grab a bite at the best restaurant in town. You’ll be feeling like a local in no time!
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!
Memorial Day weekend marks the beginning of summertime for many of us. We honor the lives of those who have fought for our freedom and spend time with friends and loved ones. It’s a time of picnics, pool parties and cookouts, all of which have something in common: great food!
To help you prepare, we’ve put together a list of simple recipes that will be easy winners for any Memorial Day gathering, whether you’re a host or just a participant. Read on for some delicious ideas that will help you spend less time in the kitchen and more time hanging out this Memorial Day weekend.
Grilled chicken is sure to satisfy, and this recipe by Closet Cooking is an easy-to-make, delicious centerpiece for your Memorial Day gathering.
There are few side-dishes that say summertime more than corn on the cob. Try this delicious recipe by Blissful Basil for a tasty twist on a classic recipe.
It’s not a real cookout if there’s no mac n’ cheese! This recipe for easy macaroni & cheese by Genius Kitchen requires only 30 minutes and serves 6.
This ingenious dessert by Family Fresh Meals takes just a few minutes to prepare. It’s also a relatively healthy option for a dessert dish.
We wish you a great Memorial Day weekend, and hope these recipes make your gathering delicious!
As spring transitions into summer, the days will get longer and warmer. Summer is also the season of backyard cookouts, leisurely afternoons and pool parties. And whether you’re entertaining guests every week or prefer to relax in solitude, summer is the perfect time to update your home’s decor.
Read on for a few of this year’s summertime decorating trends!
Floral prints are “in” right now, and summer is the perfect time to incorporate them into your apartment’s decor. Whether it’s shower curtains, throw pillows or rugs, floral prints add a pop of nature to any room.
Check out The Spruce for more ideas!
If you’d like to bypass floral prints and go for the real thing, we encourage it! Placing flower arrangements around your apartment is a great way to create a summery atmosphere. Make sure you use warm colors for an upbeat, cheerful vibe.
Other plants, like an ivy tree, can make your apartment look lush and tropical. According to The Spruce and Pinterest trend data, climbing plants are very popular this year.
Mixing bright colors together will make your apartment feel vibrant and in the spirit of the summertime. House Beautiful Magazine suggests starting with neutral tones to “ground” the room, such as neutral colors for walls and bedding. Then, use items like cushions, rugs and curtains to bring bright pops of color to the room.
Geometrics are also trending in 2018. One way to include geometric patterns into your decor is through artwork. Whether you purchase a piece of art or get creative and make one yourself, hanging geometric artwork on your walls allows you to incorporate bold design elements without permanently affecting your walls. Check out House Beautiful’s recommendations if you’d like more information.
Now that you know some of 2018’s biggest summer trends, get busy decorating!
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!
1st Lake Properties | P. O. Box 73709 | Metairie, LA 70033 | info@1stlake.com
