AMLI Blog | Living Apartment Life

On a summer morning, there are few things cooler and more satisfying than a sip of iced coffee. Cold brew coffee is simple to make, but it does take a full 24 hours of steeping. It’s worth the wait though. Have a batch of this rocket fuel strength concentrate ready to drink, and you’ll be happy for the rest of the week. Whether you like a light or dark roast, your cold brew should always be smooth and somewhat sweet. It’s not difficult to learn how to make cold brew coffee at home but it’s more complicated than pouring water […]

You want clean clothes, a spotless kitchen and a germ-free bathroom, but you also care about the environment. Many household cleaners have harsh chemicals that are harmful to our health and our planet. Most are also packaged with non-recyclable materials leading to even more problems. We’ve found a line of eco-friendly green cleaners that are made from plant-based ingredients and have all the cleaning power you’ll need. They are carefully packaged with 100 percent post-consumer recycled bottles and always include How2Recycle icons on each package. On top of all that, it’s affordable and available at most popular retail stores. That product […]

‘Tis the season for summer barbecues, picnics and dinner parties. If you’re hosting a party or bringing a dish to a potluck, you want something that will feed a crowd and be a hit! This collection of people-pleasing side dishes includes recipes for all kinds of gatherings. Even better, most of these are super easy to make and only require a handful of ingredients. Put on your apron and bring out the pots and pans—let’s get cooking. A post shared by Megan (@sassyeats) on Apr 27, 2014 at 7:37am PDT Caprese skewers These balsamic caprese skews are easy to make, classy […]

Growing herbs is an easy way to bring color and flavor to your home. It’s fresh, tasty and readily available whenever you need to add a dash of seasoning to your next meal. Even better, you can create a small herb garden anywhere—on your apartment balcony, window sill, patio or rooftop. Cilantro and mint are some of the most popular herbs because of their diversity in dishes. While not all of us are gifted with a green thumb, herbs are a good place to start because they are some of the easiest to keep alive. We put together some helpful tips […]

Along with fun and sun, the summer months also bring with them loud noises such as fireworks, which can cause our pets quite the fright. It’s natural for dogs to be afraid of loud noises. The sudden cracks and booms can overload their nervous systems, causing undue anxiety and stress. The experience of fireworks for a dog can be much different than other natural loud noises, like thunder and rain. Fireworks are closer to the ground and accompanied by bright lights and burning smells. The loud drumming of fireworks can even cause your dog to run away. Keep in mind that fireworks can […]

Just because you are living in an apartment doesn’t mean you can’t spruce up your bathroom to make it something you love. You may not be able to tear everything out and start over, but there are some easy (and inexpensive) ways to transform your apartment bathroom that won’t involve any renovations. We’ve got a few creative things you can do, like adding color, patterns and storage to make your bathroom beautiful and uniquely you. Decorate with flair Most apartment bathrooms are painted a basic white, but luckily there is so much you can do to change that—without the hassle of re-painting a room. Add a bold […]

In the summer months, outdoor air quality is an increased concern, and smog and haze tend to linger and be more noticeable. The thing is, the air inside our homes is likely to be more polluted than the air outside. Dust, fragrances, chemicals (in cleaners) and pets can all decrease your home’s air quality. Your apartment is constructed to be well insulated and airtight, (to improve energy efficiency) keeping these irritants inside your home. There are some simple steps you can take to improve indoor air quality within your apartment. Switch to natural cleaners While you may associate lemon, lavender and pine scents […]

Every fall, AMLI throws a social media contest for the residents living at its communities around the country. Last fall, we held an Instagram and Facebook photo contest called My AMLI View, which sought the brightest, best, and most creative shots residents could muster from in and around their AMLI communities. Some residents chose to snap photos from their balconies, others looked to their building’s unique design for inspiration, and still some chose to focus on the natural areas and neighborhood surrounding their AMLI community. A select few even decided to capture a scene straight from their very own living rooms. The point of […]

Unless you are an obsessively disciplined minimalist, you probably wish you had more storage space in your apartment. Furnished storage space is an option worth considering, but too much additional furniture is likely to clutter your apartment. DIY storage systems are a less expensive, more practical alternative for many apartments. Before buying new furniture or renting storage space, make sure your closets, cabinetry, desks and dressers are organized for optimal storage. If they’re not, these space-saving DIY projects should help you better use your apartment’s existing storage infrastructure. Magazine rack organizers Magazine racks are conveniently sized for storing an array of household […]

We all have time-wasters that make us feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done. Between work, spending time with friends, and enjoying much-needed alone time, it can feel impossible to check everything off your to-do list. The good news is you can eliminate many of the time-wasting tasks on your to-do list, thanks to subscription services and outsourcing that you may not have yet considered. Use the following ideas to get rid of pesky tasks and start doing more of the things you enjoy. 1. Cleaning your home There’s nothing worse than spending a […]