AMLI Blog | Living Apartment Life

If you live in an apartment rental, you probably can’t make structural changes to your bathroom without violating your lease agreement. But just because you can’t renovate your bathroom doesn’t mean you can’t make it more luxurious. Here are several easy, affordable upgrades to make your apartment bathroom look and feel nicer. High-end towels If your bathroom towels have seen better days, or they look like they have, it’s time to bid them goodbye. Invest in softer, more luxurious towels that will improve your post-shower experience and freshen up your bathroom’s look. For an especially refined look, roll and stack your new […]

The Seattle area has been continuously inhabited for more than 4,000 years. That’s a heck of a lot longer than most parts of the United States. With four millennium’s worth of occupation, development, and betterment behind it, it is no surprise that the Emerald City is an interesting one. Here are 13 fascinating facts about Seattle you may or may not know. Seattle is one of America’s most well-educated cities More than 50 percent of Seattleites over the age of 25 have a university degree. Using undergraduate college degrees as a baseline for comparison, Seattle has the country’s most well-educated populace. It’s […]

Austin is much smaller than Dallas or Houston, but the Texas capital punches above its weight in international renown and celebrity production. Here’s a list of 10 major celebrities who were born, grew up, or have put down roots in Austin. Ben Crenshaw Retired PGA golfer “Gentle Ben” Crenshaw was born in Austin in 1952. Crenshaw played golf for Austin High School and the University of Texas. To this day, he calls Austin home. Tom Ford Fashion designer, screenwriter, film director, and producer Tom Ford spent the first 11 years of his life in Austin. He now divides his time between London, Los […]

Around the world, people of different religious faiths and cultures celebrate important holidays in winter. And just about all of these holidays are celebrated by at least one subset of America’s multicultural population. The occasions these winter holidays commemorate differ, but there are common threads between them. These include gift-giving rituals, holiday-specific decor, and time-honored culinary traditions. Today, we examine the raison d’etre for eight winter holidays. We also take a look at the snacks, sweets, and decor observers prepare, hang, and eat in celebration. Hanukkah Tuesday, December 12 – Wednesday, December 20, 2017 Approximately 10 million Americans celebrate Hanukkah, an eight-day […]

In 2009, Forbes Magazine ranked Atlanta the most toxic city in the nation. In almost a decade since, Atlanta has made admirable strides toward becoming a greener city. Its air and waterways are less polluted. Its carbon footprint is down. Green building is on the rise, with strict regulatory standards in place for new construction. Even the city’s parks are nicer. Here’s a look at the city’s most laudable sustainability initiatives. Power to Change Plan In 2010, recently elected mayor Kasim Reed teamed up with Atlanta’s new Office of Resilience (then called the Office of Sustainability to develop and launch Power to Change. The citywide initiative established a basis for […]

If you’re an environmentally-conscious consumer who likes to support local business, you’ll be glad to hear green retailers are thriving in Dallas. And thanks to Green Source DFW, Dallas’ Green Business Certification Program, and other green business initiatives, the area’s green retailers are getting the recognition they deserve. Here’s a list of successful green retailers in North Texas to keep in mind throughout the holiday shopping season and beyond. A post shared by Fair and Square Imports (@fairimports) on Nov 20, 2017 at 8:13am PST Fair and Square Imports This fashionable McKinney home goods store works exclusively with fair trade organizations who care for their producers […]

AMLI resident Chári Herndon, featured on the blog this spring for her impressive balcony makeover, recently completed another Home Depot makeover challenge. Using a color scheme of cobalt blue, gold, and red, Chári transformed her living room into a holiday wonderland. We recently interviewed Chári about her participation in the latest Home Depot style challenge. Here’s what she had to say, accompanied by photos of her stunning Christmas morning scene. Jason: In addition to the pops of red, are other elements of your Christmas morning scene reminiscent of your childhood holidays? Chári: Almost every single aspect of my makeover stemmed from things reminiscent of […]

According to a NerdWallet.com survey, Miami is one of the country’s most dog-friendly cities. Most Miami dogs have it especially good this time of year, the nicest for spending time outside. Make the most of South Florida’s heavenly winter weather by visiting these amenable, fun, and well-maintained Miami area dog parks. Amelia Earhart Dog Park 515-acre Amelia Earhart Park is a beacon of nature in Miami-Dade County. In addition to a lake, petting zoo, soccer fields, and bike trails, Amelia Earhart is home to a 5-acre dog park. Highlights include two large, fenced-in runs, paved walking paths, and doggy fountains. Blanche […]

In most of the country, camping is primarily a summer activity. But in Southeast Texas, the outdoorsy pastime is especially pleasant during fall, winter, and spring. If you’re craving some time in nature or a night under the stars, now’s a great time of year to for weekend camping in the region’s state and national parklands. Dig up your camping gear, pack supplies, and head for one of these stunning camping spots near Houston. Bastrop State Park A wildfire devastated Bastrop State Park’s scenic Lost Pines in 2011. But the forest, lush and verdant just a few years into recovery, is well on the way to regaining […]

The Windy City is buzzing with new restaurant activity. And while the jury is still out out on what new restaurants in Chicago will make the biggest mark on this city of foodies, there are several worthy contenders. If you’re looking to reserve a table at one of the better restaurants to open in Chicago in the last six months, consider these fashionable new eateries. Barrio The hospitality group responsible for Bar Siena and Siena Tavern opened this River North restaurant in July 2017. DineAmic‘s decision to work with “Top Chef” contestant Fabio Viviani proved a wise move for its Italian ventures. […]