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1st Lake Blog

New Orleans Mardi Gras Tips

Mardi Gras is kicking into gear, and the entire greater New Orleans area is about to become a party! While locals and tourists alike can get together to enjoy this fantastic carnival season, it’s also imperative everyone be prepared.

Parking –

Dealing with your parking situation can save you a lot of headaches and money! This time of year, there is always a very limited amount of parking around parade routes.

  • If you’re traveling to a heavily populated area such as the French Quarter, try carpooling, taking the streetcar, a taxi, or having a friend drop you off near the festivities to save you the hassle. Getting back and forth to where you’re going without having to drive a vehicle can save you a lot of time and stress.
  • If you are driving to and from the parades, make sure you observe all restricted parking areas around you. This includes not parking in front of fire hydrants, driveways, no parking zones, loading areas, and other places that may get you ticketed or towed!
  • It is also imperative you do not park on the parade routes at any time near the parades. The New Orleans City Ordinance states that there is to be no parking on the parade routes 2 hours prior or 2 hours after the parades. If you think you may be on the parade route, double check and make sure that you get your vehicle moved before it’s too late!

Possessions –

Once you’ve ensured your vehicle is parked safely and legally, make sure that your vehicle isn’t a target for vandals.

  • Remove all valuables from your vehicle, or if you have to leave something of value in the vehicle, move it or hide it from public view.
  • Make sure all doors on your vehicle are locked before walking away. Sometimes, this simple mistake can make things all too easy for a potential thief.
  • Take a walk around to  make sure that your windows are closed and keys are on your person.
  • Either memorize or keep something with your license plate information on you at all times. In the unfortunate event your vehicle is towed away or stolen, this will assist the police in quickly determining what has happened and locating your vehicle.

If you follow these basic rules and exercise common sense, you can have a fantastic and safe Mardi Gras season!


Apartment Renting Is On The Rise In America

The rate of home ownership among young people in America has dropped significantly along with household net worth in the last several years. Because of the struggling job market and strict lending restrictions, home ownership for younger citizens has become difficult to achieve. Enter: apartment communities – affordable and attractive options for a person of a younger age, or any age for that matter.

Households made up of occupants 35 years or younger have largely opted for apartment renting instead of home ownership, even for young families with children. Some were forced out of their homes due to foreclosures following the Great Recession and others have been discouraged to buy in the current high-risk state of the housing market.

Luckily for those who don’t wish to pursue home ownership at an undesirable time, 1st Lake Properties offers hundreds of fantastic apartments for rent in metro New Orleans, including in-demand areas like Metairie, Kenner, River Ridge as well as on the Northshore and in Ridgeland, Mississippi. According to census data, home ownership by heads of households that are 35 years or younger have been on the steady decline with no signs of improving any time soon. Choose an apartment home while they are ripe for the picking!

1st Lake Properties’ apartment rentals in New Orleans and the outside area are serene escapes with beautifully landscaped grounds inside access gates that provide privacy and at the same time are near all the business, shopping, community resources and entertainment in their respective towns that any resident could ask for.


Super Bowl XLVI Party Snacks

Half the fun of watching the Super Bowl is being a part of the right gathering! If you plan on hosting a Super Bowl watch party, do it right! Your guests are sure to be starving from all the excitement!

The most important aspect of your party being a success are the Super Bowl snacks! You could choose to go with the tried and true favorites, such as:

  • Popcorn
  • Peanuts
  • Hot wings
  • Chips and Dip
  • Queso
  • Nachos
  • Burgers
  • Chilli-cheese Fries!

…or you could try your hand at something a little different for your guests!

If you’re a Patriots fan, try making some New England clam chowder to keep your guests in that New England spirit! If you’re pulling for the Giants to win the big game, try making some New York style pizza or New York style cheesecake! If your apartment will be filled with guests who are split among each team, try making both!

How ever you choose to nosh for this event is sure to set the tone for your party! Live it up!


The Advantages Of Using A Baby Bath Tub

For first-time parents in New Orleans, there are many challenges to look forward to. One of those challenges is how to safely bathe your baby when it’s cleaning time. And for an easy, stress free process, a baby bath tub is essential.

While some parents will be tempted to use the sink for their new baby for fear of a bath tub accident, using the sink carries risks as well. Using the sink can also be less hygienic, so it’s important to weigh your options when it comes to caring for your newborn. The safest and best alternative is using a baby bath tub.

Learn the importance of baby bath tubs that make washing newborn babies easy for new parents.

Why Use a Baby Bath Tub?

One thing that makes bathing a little easier is that babies who are only a few weeks old don’t tend to get very dirty. Besides the potty accidents, food mishaps, and a little baby drool, they stay fairly clean and don’t require much more than a good wash with a little warm water.

This makes bathing a quick process as long as you have the right setup. And while there are ways to bathe your baby safely in the shower or sink, a baby bath tub is fairly inexpensive and will give you peace of mind.

Which Kind Should I Get?

There are many types of baby bath sets available for sale, with some only costing around $20. You can even find cheaper versions by searching online retailers like Amazon or Ebay who sell unused baby bath tubs that may be surplus stock.

Several of these bath tubs are made to fit inside your kitchen sink. Others allow you to securely fit them into full-sized adult bath tubs.

One of the great benefits of using a baby bath tub is that they prevent slippage from your baby, and come with a contoured head rest that allows your child’s head to remain above water level. Most of these tubs also contain a newborn sling and a drain plug.

Each different baby bath tub will have different features, but some include a digital thermometer that helps you set the water to an appropriate temperature, and sidewall drains that will expel dirty water throughout the bath. While these features are a bit pricier, the difference is fairly negligible. And you can compare prices in stores and online to get a good deal.

When Should I Buy a Baby Bath Tub?

The first few weeks after giving birth could be very tiring, so it’s important to prepare in advance and buy a baby bath tub along with the necessary accessories that are required to bathe your newborn.

A specialized bath tub will help you avoid the hassle of bending or squatting. It’s also extremely helpful for mothers who have had a Cesarean section, and will also prevent you from wasting water.

There are plenty of bath tubs that are available in the market, but you should consider buying one that’s ideal for your baby. Tubs made out of BPA-free materials are a good choice. Also look for slip-resistant tubs and those equipped with a digital thermometer.

Once your baby crosses 6 months of age, it may be necessary to switch to a larger type of bath tub. Most importantly, make sure you read product reviews online when looking for good variations of baby bath tubs. The most expensive tub may not always be the best one, so do your research well before you make a purchase!

In the end, keeping your baby safe and hygienic is key. Once your weigh your options and decide which type of baby bath tub is right for you, the peace of mind it offers will be well worth the little bit of extra money!


Getting Over The Flu

Flu season in New Orleans  is in full effect at the moment, and many people are falling prey to it. As a precaution, it’s always a good idea to get a flu shot when flu season begins. However, you can still catch the flu after getting the shot (although your chances become much slimmer and the illness is generally reduced) and some people may forego getting vaccinated. The trick to navigating your way through the flu if unfortunate enough to catch it is minimizing your symptoms and making sure it passes as quickly as possible.

Again, the best way to avoid catching the flu in the first place is to get vaccinated early! Flu shots are fairly cheap and can be given in most drug stores. This will drastically reduce your chances of catching the flu and can help to guard against the more nasty strains of the virus that can change from year to year. Put it on your to-do list once flu season is in effect to help avoid a bout with the flu that can leave you feeling miserable!

If you have recently contracted the flu, a few rules of thumb that are old standbys can go a long way in making sure that you get over it quickly:

  • Get plenty of bed rest and hydrate! It’s important to catch up on as much sleep as you can, as your body will feel exhausted. Any strenuous physical activity could prolong your illness or make it worse. Hydration is important because your body can lose a lot of fluids when you’re sick, and dehydration is always a concern. Stay away from sodas and stick with juices, water, and sports drinks to replenish what your body may lose.
  • When ill with the flu, stay home and away from others! While taking sick time from work may be a bit of a hassle and a stress in its own right, it’s important that you remain removed from others as much as possible when you have the flu. You could run the risk of spreading the virus to others, who could also further contaminate other co-workers. Also, you need to make sure your already weakened immune system doesn’t come in contact with any other illnesses that may be present in the workplace. Stay home, and stay in bed or on the couch as much as possible!
  • It’s also important to remember that while your immune system is under attack, stay away from alcohol and smoking! These activities can make your illness worse or prolong its symptoms.
  • When you sneeze or cough, cover your mouth with a tissue or the inside of your elbow rather than your hand. This helps to make sure you don’t contaminate surfaces around you. Also, try to wash your hands frequently. Especially if you are sharing space with others, ensuring that your hands do not spread contagion is important. Ideally, you’d like to get over the flu quickly and not spread it to friends or loved ones!