Spring is finally here and that means change and new beginnings, not only with the weather, but in your own apartment, too. Part of making room for the new is getting rid of the old, and one of the best ways to do that is to take inventory of your possessions and evaluate what you want to keep and what your don’t really use anymore that you can pass on to others in need. After you’ve gone through your drawers and closets and sorted your discarded items in a donation section, decide where and how 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. Shelters can always use donations and there will always be people who are in need of clothing and other items.
Online – We live in a digital era where most things are done 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.
Looking for a great New Orleans area apartment? Check out what’s available at our Metairie, Kenner and River Ridge locations!
Making your own home-improvement projects yourself instead of hiring someone or purchasing expensive furniture and housewares not only saves on cost, but is fun and instills a sense of gratification from your own accomplishments. Here are some ideas for at-home DIY projects to spruce up your apartment.
Use rugs – Does it feel like something is missing in your apartment? Is there a room that just seems too bland that needs something extra to spice it up and pull it together? The answer might be as easy as a floor rug, and they come in many different shapes, sizes and patterns for virtually every room in your apartment. Check out these ways to use rugs in your apartment for that finishing touch.
Felt and fabric coasters – Instead of buying overpriced clunky coasters, enjoy the accomplishment of making them your own with soft fabrics! You can buy new fabric or use leftover scraps you may have in storage. What you’ll need to make six coasters is ¼ yard of patterned fabric, one 18”x18” square of white wool felt and one 18”x18” square of gray woof felt, or whatever contrast color you would like. Use these tips from Apartment Therapy on how to construct your fabric coasters.
Painted pillow cases – Tired of your boring, solid color pillow cases or can’t ever find a design or pattern that you love? Create your own by simply creating designs on one of your old pillowcases or a new one by applying paint with a sponge in whatever shape you like. Get creative – you could make crescent moon, heart or star shapes or just abstract shapes.
Milk paint – If you have an old piece of wooden furniture that maybe you found at a yard sale that needs a makeover, consider making your own milk paint for a low-cost solution with charming rustic results. If you’re not sure what milk paint is, it’s a very easy wood finish you can make using a powder found at a hardware or home improvement store, mixed with equal parts warm water. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes, then apply to your piece of sanded wood and let sit for at least one hour. To experiment with a weathered look, sand again once the paint is dry, and reapply another coat if necessary, until you’re happy with the look.
March marks the beginning of spring, the season for new beginnings! Let one of those new beginnings be a new 1st Lake Properties apartment. Embrace the changing of the seasons with a fresh new place to call home, and with these exclusive deals and specials at several quality apartments in the metro New Orleans area, you’ll be sure to find one that fits your criteria and budget.
Palmetto Creek – At Palmetto Creek, you will find luxury apartment living at its finest with the best in amenities including elaborate landscaping, gazebos, jogging trails, tennis court, fitness center, swimming pool and more. This month, the River Ridge apartment community is offering two weeks of free rent, totally $1,200 off the annual rental rate.
Hickory Creek – Check out these great River Ridge apartments, offering special reduced rates on two bedrooms in March. Apartments come with spacious closets, full size washer & dryer, free movie rentals, 24 hour maintenance and more.
Chestnut Creek – Another lavish River Ridge apartment community, the Chestnut Creek apartments are offering reduced rents, half off deposits and waived move-in fees. Find bonus features like wood burning fireplaces, sunrooms, extra-large walk-in closets and more.
Turtle Creek – Find privacy, rest and relaxation at this peaceful Metairie community with a recreation area and swimming pool. This month, the Metairie apartments are offering one week of free rent on select studio apartments, so call now to schedule a tour.
Lakes of Chateau Estates North – In addition to all the exterior features like fountains, walking paths, bridges, a tennis court and swimming pools, these luxurious Kenner apartments are offering $1,125 in savings on select apartments plus reduced move-in costs.
Crossings – These Metairie apartments not only have large floor plans, are minutes away from New Orleans and have an on-site service team, this month the Crossings apartments are offering special rates on two and three bedrooms!
Boardwalk – The Boardwalk apartments in Metairie have extra space for sunrooms and home offices, plus a pool, modern design and amenities, plus reduced move-in costs this month. Call today to learn more!
As with most holidays in the New Orleans area, St. Patrick’s Day isn’t just one day, it’s a whole week of food, parties and parades. If you are a resident of one of 1st Lake’s New Orleans area apartments, you are right next to all the action.
On Thursday, March 13, New Orleans bars Tracey’s and Parasol’s have their annual block parties in the Irish Channel in New Orleans. Expect lots of great food, green beer and festive music.
On Friday, March 14, Molly’s at the Market in the French Quarter is hosting St. Patrick’s festivities all day and all night, starting with a limousine-lead pub-crawl at 8:30 a.m. Then, at 6:30 p.m. the annual Jim Monaghan St. Patrick’s Parade departs from Molly’s, winding through the French Quarter with the New Wave Brass Band, Kazoozie Floozies, marching groups and more.
St. Patrick’s Day in New Orleans (Photo by Cheryl Gerber)
Saturday, March 15, the New Orleans St. Patrick’s celebrations really kick in to high gear. Tracey’s and Parasol’s block parties resume and the Irish Channel St. Patrick’s Day Club’s 66th Parade rolls through the Irish Channel, considered by many to be the main event of the St. Patrick’s Day events in New Orleans.
Then, on Monday, March 17, the actual St. Patrick’s Day, the Downtown Irish Club Parade starts at 6:00 p.m. from the corner of Burgundy and Piety in the Bywater neighborhood of New Orleans.
As you can see, there is no shortage of options for spending St. Patrick’s Day the way you want to in New Orleans.
One of the comforts of living at a 1st Lake Properties apartment is all the amenities residents can enjoy right at home. Another perk of apartment living: we bring the luxury experience to you. You don’t have to seek it out. At 1st Lake, we take pride in our carefully maintained and artfully landscaped properties, and one of our favorite features are the walking paths at select apartments. If you enjoy a brisk walk before work to get your blood pumping, or prefer a leisurely stroll in your spare time, these metro New Orleans apartments accommodate.
Citrus Creek – If you want to live at an apartment community where it’s easy to get in shape, the Citrus Creek apartments in River Ridge are for you. Citrus Creek promotes fitness, not only with their on-site fitness center and tennis courts, but the ¾ mile exercise path with custom designed training stations.
Palmetto Creek – These charming apartments in River Ridge offer an excellent amenity package including access gates, creeks and fountains, garden, gazebos, pet walk, swimming pool, theater room and more. Palmetto Creek also has a jogging trail with workout stations, so all you have to do is lace up and hit the ground running right outside the door!
Lakes North and South – Get lost in these sister communities that have winding walkways and jogging paths adorned with bridges and flourishing landscaping. Plus at Lakes of Chateau Estates South, you can enjoy the ultimate walking path along a private lake as well as a golf course!
1st Lake Properties | P. O. Box 73709 | Metairie, LA 70033 | info@1stlake.com
