By Colleen Ford
Spruce up your balcony or patio with some hardy outdoor plants!

By Colleen Ford
Spruce up your balcony or patio with some hardy outdoor plants!
By Jason Ernst
In Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo, ramen is an art form. As America’s fascination with Japanese culture and food matures, we’re seeing ramen viewed in a similar light in most major cities. If you’re looking to sample the bowls of ramen in Austin most worthy of masterpiece status, here’s a checklist of restaurants to check out. Daruma Ramen Communal sitting gives Daruma Ramen on Sixth Street an authentic Japanese feel. The soup served at Daruna, made from a chicken-based broth, contributes further to this Austin ramen shop’s authenticity. Lighter and less intensely flavored than some ramen, Daruma is a great place to take someone trying ramen […]
By Jason Ernst
Few activities herald the arrival of fall quite like apple picking. Leaves on the trees are changing, and apples are ready to be plucked. And we know this is only the beginning. October is the month to go apple picking in most parts of the country. But we’ll get to enjoy crisp, flavorful apples, delightful apple pie and pastries, and warming apple cider for months to come. If you’re planning a day trip to an apple orchard, here are several within driving distance of your Chicago apartment where you’ll find farmer’s market quality produce and baked treats. All Seasons Orchard Located […]
By Jason Ernst
You care about the environment, and want your life to reflect this. Literature offering tips on repurposing and reusing is proliferating, and recycling is more comprehensive and convenient than it was ten years ago. But opportunities to waste seem to also be rising in spades. If your sustainability goal is to ultimately live a zero-waste life in your apartment, here are some practices to adopt. Declutter If you’re looking to kickstart your journey to waste-free living, there’s nothing like a large-scale decluttering of your apartment. Sort through your clothes and trinkets, setting aside things you rarely wear or use. Donate whatever […]
By Jason Ernst
Pumpkin patches are open for business. Your favorite coffee shop has started serving pumpkin spice lattes. And the first leaves half fallen from trees in much of the country. Does your wardrobe reflect the changing seasons? If you haven’t already packed up your tank tops and flip-flops for the next several months, don’t worry. Here’s a helpful guide to assembling your wardrobe for fall. Bring out the dark Just because fall has arrived doesn’t mean you need to bin all bright-colored articles of clothing you have. But it’s probably a good sign if tans, browns, blacks, and darker shades of […]
By Jason Ernst
Not everyone has time to cook. But many people who have a little extra time on their hands often overestimate how time-consuming preparing a healthy home-cooked meal has to be. If you’re looking to putting more time in the kitchen but need to be able to prepare meals in 30 minutes or less, take these tips to heart. Equip yourself Living in a luxury apartment, some of the work has already been done for you. You’ve got state-of-the-art appliances and a nice space to work with. Add to that a set of good knives, a few essential food prep accessories, and […]
By Jason Ernst
Buckhead, Midtown, and Virginia Highlands are the Atlanta neighborhoods best known for their vibrant nightlife. But if you live in the northern suburb of Alpharetta, you’ve got some excellent cocktail bars and lounges nearby that should not be overlooked. The next time you catch up with a friend over a few drinks or want to impress a date, pay a visit to one of these Alpharetta hot spots. Bite Bistro & Bar Quality is the cornerstone of Leif Johnson’s success as a chef and restaurateur. After running a catering company in Dunwoody for five years, he opened this Alpharetta bar […]
Seattle’s South Lake Union neighborhood is one of the Emerald City’s most happening quarters. Straddling the southern shore of Lake Union, the neighborhood is also one of the most scenic parts of town. South Lake Union offers something for everyone, regardless of the weather, your food preferences, or your tastes in fashion. Here are a few South Lake Union activities residents like to partake in time after time. Watch seaplanes take flight Scenic seaplane tours are one of the most popular tourist attractions for visitors to South Lake Union. A favorite pastime for neighborhood residents is watching these vessels take off […]
By Jason Ernst
Summer is behind us, but fall is off to a more-beautiful-than-usual start. Hopefully, the clear skies and warmer temps will last later this year than they usually do to make all of the festivals and activities coming up in Bellevue all the more enjoyable. Regardless of the weather over the next few months, here are several area events you can look forward to between now and the new year. Nightmare at Beaver Lake One of the freakiest haunted houses on the east side, Nightmare at Beaver Lake is open for those who like to get scared October 14-16, 21-23, and […]
By Jason Ernst
There’s something satisfying about preparing a beautiful, balanced meal that also pleases taste buds and meets nutritional needs. If you’ve never been much of a cook, you may find getting started a bit daunting. Thankfully though, learning the basics is quite easy, and many delicious meals can be prepared from start to finish in fewer than 30 minutes. If you’re looking to make better use of all that space in your apartment’s kitchen, follow these simple steps to becoming a better at-home chef. 1. Get organized An organized work space saves you time and energy while cooking. Organize cooking utensils, equipment, and foodstuffs in […]
By Jason Ernst
A vacation can be exotic and rejuvenating. But the stress associated with planning, travel, and trying to see and do so much can also wear a person down. If you’ve got a few days off work coming up and want a getaway that is likely to recharge your batteries, here are some South Florida staycation ideas for you. Resort it People travel to South Florida from across the country in search of sunny days, sandy beaches, and laid-back vibes. While you might live and work in a Dadeland, Doral, or Sunrise, how frequently do you get to experience the vacationer’s side […]