Spring is finally here and that means change and new beginnings. Not only with the weather, but in your apartment, too!
Whether you’re on the messy or neat-freak side of the spectrum, the spring cleaning tradition is always a good annual practice. Spring is all about fresh starts and rebirth, and the best way to rejuvenate your place is by following a spring cleaning checklist.
Besides regular chores like putting clothes or dishes away, sweeping, and cleaning the bathroom, this is your chance to pay attention to details. Time to store, sort, and get rid of extraneous clutter!
Use this as a guide for spring cleaning the areas of your apartment that aren’t usually on the cleaning to-do list. Here’s our definitive spring cleaning checklist!
Part of making room for the new is getting rid of the old. It’s all about finding that perfect feng shui, and one of the best ways to do that is to take inventory of your possessions and evaluate what you want to keep.
We love the method outlined in Marie Kondo’s best-seller, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing. The gist is this: starting with your clothing, go through all of your possessions, category by category, and keep only those items that spark joy when you hold them.
Once you’ve decided what to keep, you can pass on the remaining items to others in need. After you’ve gone through your drawers and closets and sorted your discarded items in a donation section, decide where to give them away. Use these places below for ideas:
Shelters – Community shelters in your area are a great option to donate your clothes and household items. Bridge House and Hagar’s House provide services to those in need in the southeast Louisiana region.
Online – Freecycle, Craigslist, and eBay are free and easy online tools to use to give away your old clothes or appliances. You can manage the entire process by listing the items you want to give away for free or sell and coordinate your own shipping or delivery.
Clothing Swaps – Another great way to pass on your unwanted items to someone who might be happy to take them, plus discover some new treasure of your own, is to participate a clothing swap. A clothing swap is a gathering of people who all contribute clothing that doesn’t fit or that they don’t need anymore, and anyone can take someone else’s clothing if they choose. If you don’t know of anyone having one, host your own and invite family and friends!
Salvation Army – The Salvation Army is always a great option that accepts all types of donations to sell for a discounted price to underprivileged people, or anyone looking for a bargain. Check your area for Salvation Army drop-off locations.
The Green Project also provides a recycling guide for the greater New Orleans area, with details about local organizations that accept donations of various materials.
If you accomplish all these tasks, you’ll be well on your way to being completely spring-cleansed! Other than looking shiny and new, your living space will be rid of dirt and dust that you may have not even be aware of that can make you and your guests sick. So tie your hair back, put on those yellow gloves, and spring into action!
Find your new home at 1st Lake Properties! Click here for a list of our apartment homes.
It’s officially 🎶 “CARNIVAL T-I-I-I-ME!” 🎶
With Carnival season comes purple, green, and gold galore, delicious king cakes, and the most fun of all – dazzling parades! To help prepare you for the season, we’ve curated a list of all the Northshore and Southshore parades. Keep reading for more and get your bead bags ready!
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| Photo by @mardigrasworld via Instagram |
Krewe of Excalibur • Friday, February 2nd • 6:30 PM
Magical Krewe of Mad Hatters • Saturday, February 3rd • 5:00 PM
Krewe of Athena • Sunday, February 4th • 5:00 PM
Krewe of Atlas follows
Krewe of Symphony • Thursday, February 8th • 6:30 PM
Krewe of Athena • Sunday, February 11th • 5:30 PM
Krewe of Centurions • Monday, February 12th | LUNDI GRAS • 6:30 PM
Krewe of Argus • Tuesday, February 13thst | MARDI GRAS • 10:00 AM
Krewe of Elks Jeffersonians follows
Krewe of Chewbacchus • Saturday, January 20th • 7:00 PM
Krewe Bohème • Friday, January 26th • 7:00 PM
Krewe du Vieux • Saturday, January 27th • 6:30 PM
Krewe of Nefertiti • Sunday, January 28th • 1:00 PM
‘tit Rəx • Sunday, January 28th • 4:30 PM
krewedelusion • Sunday, January 28th • 7:00 PM
Krewe of Cork • Friday, February 2nd • 3:00 PM
Krewe of Oshun • Friday, February 2nd • 6:00 PM
Krewe of Cleopatra follows
Krewe of Alla follows
Krewe of Pontchartrain • Saturday, February 3rd • 11:30 AM
Legion of Mars follows
Krewe of Choctaw follows
Krewe of Freret follows
Knights of Sparta • Saturday, February 3rd • 5:30 PM
Krewe of Pygmalion follows
Knights of Nemesis • Saturday, February 3rd • 1:00 PM
Krewe of Barkus • Sunday, February 4th • 2:00 PM
The Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale • Sunday, February 4th • 11:00 AM
Krewe of Carrollton follows
Krewe of King Arthur follows
Krewe of Druids • Wednesday, February 7th • 6:15 PM
Krewe of Nyx • Wednesday, February 7th • 6:45 PM
Knights of Babylon • Thursday, February 8th • 5:30 PM
Knights of Chaos follows
Krewe of Muses follows
Krewe of Bosom Buddies • Friday, February 9th • 11:30 AM
Krewe of Hermes • Friday, February 9th • 5:30 PM
Krewe d’Etat • Friday, February 9th • 6:30 PM
Krewe of Morpheus • Friday, February 9th • 7:00 PM
Krewe of Iris • Saturday, February 10th • 11:00 AM
Krewe of Tucks • Saturday, February 10th • 12:00 PM
Krewe of Endymion • Saturday, February 10th • 4:00 PM
Krewe of Okeanos • Sunday, February 11th • 11:00 AM
Krewe of Mid-City follows
Krewe of Thoth • Sunday, February 11th • 12:00 PM
Krewe of Bacchus • Sunday, February 11th • 5:15 PM
Krewe of Proteus • Monday, February 12th | LUNDI GRAS • 5:15 PM
Krewe of Orpheus • Monday, February 12th | LUNDI GRAS • 6:00 PM
Krewe of Zulu • Tuesday, February 13th | MARDI GRAS • 8:00 AM
Krewe of Rex • Tuesday, February 13th | MARDI GRAS • 10:30 AM
Krewe of Elks Orleans follows
Krewe of Crescent City follows
Krewe of Isis • Saturday, February 10th • 6:00 PM
Krewe of Rosethorne • Saturday, February 10th • 12:00 PM
The Mystic Krewe of Music • Monday, February 5th • 6:00 PM
The Culinary Queens of New Orleans (TCQNO) • Tuesday, February 6th • 6:00 PM
The Krewe of Nandi • Wednesday, February 7th • 6:00 PM
Krewe of NOMTOC • Saturday, February 10th • 10:45 AM
Des Allemands • Sunday, February 11th • 1:00 PM
Krewe of Push Mow • Saturday, February 3rd • 12:00 PM
Krewe of Bush • Saturday, February 10th • 9:00 AM
Krewe of Olympia • Saturday, February 3rd • 6:00 PM
Carnival in Covington • Tuesday, February 13th | MARDI GRAS • 10:00 AM
Krewe of Bogue Falaya • Tuesday, February 13th | MARDI GRAS • 10:15 AM
Krewe of Mardi PAWS • Sunday, February 18th • 2:00 PM
Krewe of Folsom • Tuesday, February 13th | MARDI GRAS • 2:00 PM
Omega • Friday, February 2nd • 6:30 PM
Krewe of Tchefuncte • Saturday, February 3rd • 1:00 PM
Krewe of Eve • Friday, February 2nd • 7:00 PM
Krewe du Pooch • Saturday, February 17th • 12:00 PM
Krewe of Pearl River Lions Club • Sunday, January 28th • 1:00 PM
Mystic Krewe of Titans • Friday, January 26th • 6:30 PM
Krewe of Bilge • Saturday, January 27th • 12:00 PM
Krewe of Poseidon • Saturday, January 27th • 6:00 PM
Krewe of Antheia • Sunday, January 28th • 1:00 PM
Krewe de Paws of Olde Towne • Saturday, February 3rd • 10:00 AM
Krewe of Dionysus • Sunday, February 4th • 1:00 PM
Krewe of Selene • Friday, February 9th • 6:30 PM
From the Northshore to the Southshore, there are not only plenty of parades to experience but also plenty of properties for you to move into! See a list of our Northshore and Southshore properties and find the one that meets your needs today!
King Cake in New Orleans is a beloved and special tradition – and one you can only enjoy during the Carnival season. So it’s important to make the most of your King Cake window and try as many delicious renditions as you can!
Ask any local and they’ll tell you that King Cake in New Orleans is only eaten from Twelfth Night (January 6) through Mardi Gras Day. And there are so many bakeries, restaurants and special spots that serve up their own spin on the confection.
Need a good starting point to find the best King Cake in New Orleans? Here’s some must-try options for you to enjoy!
Almost everyone has heard of the Randazzo family and their secret family king cake recipe is the stuff of legend in New Orleans. As the most well-known keeper of the family’s sweet treat, Manny Randazzo’s King Cakes offers everything from traditional King Cakes to special flavors like apple, lemon, and strawberry.
A bite of Manny Randazzo’s king cake is an essential part of the Mardi Gras experience – if you’re lucky enough to snag one!
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| Photo by Caluda’s King Cake via Facebook |
Caluda’s, another classic king cake spot, is a go-to bakery offering a variety of traditional and non-traditional flavors both during the carnival season and year-round. Their 30-step baking process makes for a delicious and decadent king cake.
Either pick one up locally or order one for shipping!
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| Photo by @laboulangerienola via Instagram |
This French bakery on New Orleans’ charming Magazine Street is the perfect spot to pick up a delicious King Cake. Well-known and popular year-round for their croissants and pastries, they offer traditional cakes alongside cinnamon, strawberry, almond, and pretzel flavors during Carnival.
You can even grab a personal mini King Cake to enjoy on the go!
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| Photo by @haydelsbakery via Instagram |
Haydel’s classic king cake is famous around town. Made of Danish dough, hand braided with cinnamon and sugar, and baked to perfection, these treats are sure to be one of your top favorites with just one bite.
Plus, they have many special flavors to choose from like praline pecan, cream cheese, strawberry cream cheese, German chocolate, and brownie chocolate chip!
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| Photo by @gambinosbakery via Instagram |
Gambino’s has been a well-known New Orleans King Cake spot for decades. Many call them the King of King Cakes and with good reason. Their classic King Cake is just that – fluffy dough, topped with icing, and drizzled with sugar, exactly how a King Cake should taste.
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| Photo by @graciousbakerynola via Instagram |
If you’re looking for an adventurous flavor to try for your King Cake indulge, Gracious Bakery is the perfect place to start. Their delicious confections showcase some mouthwatering flavors like chocolate, almond frangipane, and nectar cream – they even have a bananas foster-flavored King Cake that’s definitely worth a bite!
Our friends at NewOrleans.com wrote a very extensive blog on all the king cake finds this city offers. Check it out here!
A typical Charcuterie board usually consists of a variety of meats and cheeses and is a staple for holiday parties. This year, they have become more popular and people are making their boards with a variety of different items!
We tried our hand at it with a couple of our own twists and tricks! See how we assembled two, modern charcuterie boards just in time for the holiday season, using items you will love!
First up, we created a charcuterie board that pairs perfectly with a glass of wine! Our board included three main ingredients: cheese, grapes, and crackers. All of which were purchased from Rouses! This year, our holiday decor at Artesia Apartments featured a lot of snowflakes, and we decided to bring those elements to the board.
We placed tinsel in the shape of a tree and alternated between grapes and cheese. Add some snowflakes on top and you have a cheesy winter wonderland scene. Not only did this one come out tasty, but it also added a festive flair to our countertop!
For our second board, we decided to go down a sweeter path to make the dessert board of our dreams! We gathered all of our favorite holiday treats and found the perfect spot to share, at our new apartment community, Bella Ridge South.
We suggest making yourself a delicious cup of hot chocolate or egg nog to enjoy this one. From staples like Little Debbie Treats, red and green gumdrops to peppermint marshmallows and even Oreo cookies, this board had everything! Adding popcorn and pretzels is a great way to add a splash of salty snacks into the mix. The final product is perfect to leave in the kitchen for midnight snacking or even to make as your table’s centerpiece!
With oversized kitchens and huge floorplans, our apartment homes are a perfect place to come home to for the holidays!
For more ideas on holiday decorating, check out our blog on how to create a Show-Stopping Table Setting!
When it comes to gift-giving, it’s often said that it’s the thought that counts. However true this may be, you should strive to give the best gift possible.
Adding a personal touch to your gifts is a way to show someone they’re special. That’s why DIY gift baskets are so cool – they’re a way to give a great gift with a personal touch.
In this post, we’ll share some ideas for DIY holiday gift baskets. With a gift basket, you can give your loved ones an assortment of goodies that show you’ve been thinking about them.
Read on for some great gift basket ideas!
Both wine and coffee are great themes for a holiday gift basket. Chances are, you know someone who is a wine or coffee enthusiast, or both. There are lots of coffee or wine-themed gifts you can turn into a basket that will provide them with everything they need to enjoy their favorite beverage.
For coffee, include mugs, to-go cups and lids, coffee beans of your choice, mini-creamers, and sugar. And if you want to go the extra mile, you can even include a coffee bean grinder.
For wine, include wine glasses, a corkscrew, wine aerator, and a bottle of delicious red or white. For a more in-depth tutorial on wine baskets, check out The Wine Cellar Group’s detailed guide.
Do you know anyone with a green thumb? If so, they’ll be delighted by a gardening gift basket.
Use your gardening basket as a way to replace old or worn tools and provide inspiration for new things to grow.
Include gardening gloves, a garden trowel, seed packets, gardening books, air plants, a garden cultivator, and gardening pots. Check out Gardening Know How for more.
The grilling gear basket is great for anyone who spends their holidays entertaining guests and flipping burgers out in the backyard.
Include a basting brush, a high-quality dry rub or sauce, skewers, an assortment of grilling-related condiments, and top it all off with a cutting board. Country Living provides a few more ideas for the grilling pro in your life.
You probably also know someone who loves to bake. Because those who bake love to share the fruits of their labor, a “baking essentials” basket might end up being a gift to yourself as well!
Include baking utensils, a whisk, spoon, spatula, measuring cups and spoons, tongs, and a strainer. Dish towels, oven mitts, and some kind of cake mix or dough are also great additions.
Contact us today for information on our private residential communities.
1st Lake Properties | P. O. Box 73709 | Metairie, LA 70033 | info@1stlake.com
