Mother’s Day is just around the corner and for those last minute-shoppers out there, we’ve got ideas for affordable gifts you’ll be able to find at your nearest shopping center. Make mom feel special with any of these Mother’s Day gift ideas!
Summer scarf – Scarves aren’t just for winter! A bright and light summer scarf can be just the thing for adding a pop of color to summer basics – something moms are sure to love!
Stationery – Whether you’re giving your mom a custom-made card for Mother’s Day or a set of stationery with specialty messages in artistic type, note cards are always a good idea.
Coasters – Up your mother’s coaster game with special linen or satin stitched coasters that add a touch of sophistication to the common surface protectors.
Knit kit – Whether she’s just learning or it’s been a long-time hobby, a knitting starter kit or new needles and thread makes a great gift for any mom.
Floppy hat – Make sure your mom is protected from the shade with a new, stylish floppy hat. No matter if her style is casual or dressy, there are types for every taste.
Cactus garden – Many moms enjoy planting a flower or vegetable garden, but when it comes to low-maintenance plants that can live inside, a variety of cacti is the way to go!
Rolling pin – If your mom loves to bake, a rolling pin is essential. Personalize a basic rolling pin by getting it laser-engraved with her name and even a favorite recipe.
Looking for a great new apartment in the New Orleans area? 1st Lake Properties has over 9,500 apartments in Metairie, Kenner, River Ridge and across southeast Louisiana and Mississippi!
Tortillas make a great base for quick, easy and lighter meals for when time is tight, energy is low and diets are conscious. Any of these lunch or dinner ideas can be used with whole wheat, corn or gluten-free tortillas for a healthier substitute to the standard flour if desired. These are also adult and kid approved!
Photo courtesy of simplyrecipes.com
Tortilla Pizza – Using tortillas for pizza crust is easier than making homemade crust and healthier than buying frozen pizza, plus you get to build your own pizza with your choice of toppings! Just spread pizza sauce over the tortilla, add cheese and your choice of meat or veggies, pop in the toaster oven or regular oven and presto! Add your choice of seasonings like garlic salt, Italian seasoning or red pepper flakes and cut into triangles. Dinner is served.
Hummus Wraps – This is a popular way to use tortillas and the combination possibilities are endless. Spread your favorite hummus over a tortilla, top with greens, cold cuts or prosciutto, fresh veggies and cheese, and wrap like a burrito for a delicious, hearty snack or light dinner.
Quesadillas – This is probably the most common use of tortillas and for a good reason. You can also make many different kinds of quesadillas, just like with the tortilla pizza or hummus wrap. Heat up butter or oil in a skillet or sauté pan on medium heat, place a tortilla in the pan, top the first layer with your choice of cheese like cheddar or a Mexican mix, the second layer with beans or veggies like onions and peppers, and a third layer if desired with meat like chicken or steak. Fold the tortilla over and make sure to flip the quesadilla until both sides are golden brown, transfer to a cutting board and cut into triangles.
If you have the budget to hire a moving company, they can be a very helpful and convenient service. It’s not always easy moving everything from your old apartment to the new one by yourself.
In order to save money and make the move easy, here is a checklist to follow before hiring movers and during the moving process.
Moving companies charge by the amount they have to move, so it’s best to only have them move what’s necessary. A good practice before moving is to hold a yard sale and get rid of anything you don’t want to bring with you in the move. This will reduce the number of items you need to move and make you a little money at the same time.
Try to move in less busy moving months or in the middle of the month. There will be more availability and possibly lower rates from moving companies.
Try to schedule the move and book the moving company as far in advance as possible to avoid higher rates. More than two weeks ahead is ideal.
Be open to the times that the movers can pick up your boxes and when they can drop them off at your new apartment. This might result in a discount. And it is also best practice to allow enough time in the day for the movers to arrive and load.
Some additional charges may accrue during the move depending on how many services are required during the process. Some of these charges include packing, unpacking, multiple pick-ups, long-hauls, expedited service, long distance carrying, or a special vehicle for locations that are not accessible by a standard moving van or truck.
Shop around to make sure you pick the best deal for the job. Compare pricing and inclusive services from a few different companies to make the most cost-effective decision.
Be ready for the movers before they get there and make sure all items are completely packed. If movers have to pack themselves, extra fees will likely be added to the bill.
Looking for a great new apartment? 1st Lake Properties has tons of options in the New Orleans area, Northshore and Mississippi!
Interested in industrial style decor? Not quite sure what your interior design aesthetic is yet? If you’re new to the whole decorating your own apartment thing, there are several styles to choose from.
As always, your interior style comes down to your personal taste. While you’re exploring your options and finding the best fit for you, consider the industrial look, one of our favorite design styles. If you’re not sure what that is, below are some elements that fall under that category for your consideration!
Photo courtesy of Apartment Therapy
Metal furniture – One feature of an industrial décor is metal furniture. This could be anything from metal standing shelves or file cabinets. What may have been considered too basic or not of high quality before has now become cool and chic, like reclaimed lockers and office furniture.
Accessories – If you like fixing up found objects or bygone products that aren’t operational anymore, like a typewriter, this may be a sign that you have an industrial aesthetic. Think differently about discarded materials and how you could incorporate them into your interior apartment design.
Colors – A major characteristic of the industrial decor style is the color palette, which includes a lot of steel blues and grays, and black and white. This might seem drab too some, but the use of these colors contributes to the interesting and unique industrial look, and really creates a warm vibe for white walls and when contrasted with wood flooring.
Distressed material – Another way to create industrial touches in your home is displaying distressed materials. Exposed brick and piping is a big industrial component, as well as distressed furniture. An easy way to create a distressed look is to sand painted pieces of furniture.
Edison bulbs – Edison light bulbs are a common detail used in industrial décor. For a bigger industrial effect, let them hang bare without a cover.
At 1st Lake Properties, you don’t have to join a club, pay a membership fee or book a flight to the beach to have access to luxurious swimming pools. There are many apartments with great pools that are perfect for laying out and swimming during the warm spring and summer! Though there are many excellent pools to choose from, these are the top 10 at 1st Lake Properties’ apartments in metro New Orleans and Mississippi!
Grand Palms – The Grand Palms apartments in Mandeville on the Northshore have a nice sized swimming pool with a built-in hot tub, the perfect way to relax right at home.
Registry – The Registry apartments in Metairie has a stylish and modern shaped swimming pool in the middle of a floral oasis.
Windmill Creek North – Enjoy an evening dip at the lighted swimming pool at the Windmill Creek North apartments in Metairie or weekend barbecues by the pool in the grilling area.
Canterbury Square – The Canterbury Square apartments in Metairie has not one, but two glistening swimming pools, in addition to a playground, gazebos and a grilling area.
Lakes of Chateau Estates South – This luxury apartment community in Kenner not only offers residents a private lake and putting green but a large swimming pool for lounging in the summer.
Park Oaks – Park Oaks apartments in Metairie has beautifully landscaped grounds and outdoor amenities including a swimming pool surrounded by lush plants and greenery.
Walnut Creek – One of the great amenities that make this River Ridge apartment community unique is two swimming pools with their own grilling areas that are located along the large community courtyard.
Palmetto Creek – Nestled in the center of this resort-like apartment community in River Ridge is a swimming pool surrounded by bubbling creeks and fountains, bridges, gazebos and more lovely outdoor features.
Brewster Commons – Brewster Commons apartments in Covington offer the best in luxury style living in Covington, including a large swimming pool with a sheltered lounge area.
Arbor Gate – Enjoy a large swimming area with plenty of lawn chairs and umbrellas for the ultimate comfort right in your backyard at these apartments in Picayune, Mississippi.
1st Lake Properties | P. O. Box 73709 | Metairie, LA 70033 | info@1stlake.com
