Apartment Blog

There are many reasons to love Halloween.  Here are 5:

• 1. It means that Fall is really here. You get to enjoy the beautiful colors of fall and even enjoy the cool weather before the fresh winds of November roll through.
• 2. Candy is in abundance and you don’t have to feel guilty about purchasing lots and lots of it. People will automatically assume that you are buying candy for the neighborhood kids, but you may just be buying it for yourself! Enjoy it, it will be your last candy binge before Christmas!
• 3. Potential to meet new neighbors. Halloween gives you a reason to interact with neighbors that you may have been shy to meet in the past. It may also help your kids meet good friends in the neighborhood
• 4. Kids! Well, you may not be a fan of kids but you won’t be able to turn them down in their cute costumes. Even if you don’t have your own, you can spoil other people’s kids, see their smiles, and then see them leave. This might be the ideal interaction with kids.
• 5. Another excuse to have a party. The last quarter of the year can be extremely stressful and any occasion to have a party is a good occasion. Don’t miss out this year.

Have a Happy and Safe Halloween!

Colorado has a vast array of attractions including everything from sporting events to historical sites, casinos and much more! Take your family to an amusement park or live like an actual cowboy on a working dude ranch. For you artsy folks, Colorado has one of the most unique and complete arts and cultural experiences; check out the Denver Art Museum with one of the nation’s finest collections of American Indian Art or a live production at the Cabaret Dinner Theater and Metro Playhouse.

Whether you are looking for a ski resort or spa, you can have vacation living right in your home town! And if the attractions aren’t enough, the picturesque landscape should surely lure you in. Colorado has one of the most unique and varied natural landscape in the entire nation, with sand dunes, mountain peaks, emerald green forests and beautiful mountain lakes. This is why it is nicknamed “Colorful Colorado” because of the magnificent scenery of mountains, rivers and plains.

Sound like a place you’d like to live? Get more information and search tips on Denver Apartments or Colorado Springs Apartments, or view all Apartments for Rent in Denver, CO and Apartments for Rent in Colorado Springs, CO

We’ve got a few specific apartment communities that are waiting to welcome you…

Westmeadow Peaks Apartments in Colorado Springs, CO
Peakview by Horseshow Lake Apartments in Loveland, CO
Broadstone Vesta Apartments in Denver, CO
Broadstone Avena Apartments in Thornton, CO
Lincoln Place Apartments in Loveland, CO
TwentyOne 01 on Market Apartments in Denver, CO

Information source: www.colorado.com

During the month of February, which as you know, contains Valentine’s Day, an extremely commercialized holiday, it is good to think about other aspects ‘love’ can encompass. For example, the love of a family member, the love of a friend, the love of a pet, the love of your apartment, the love of your hair or even your city.

Speaking of love and cities, did you know that Philadelphia, the largest city in Pennsylvania, is referred to as the ‘City of Brotherly Love’? It’s because translated from Greek philos is love and adelphos is brother. The ‘Brotherly Love’ motto is attributed to William Penn, the English Quaker, who had envisioned the area to be a place where people of any color or background could live together in peace and harmony. Isn’t that LOVEly!

So instead of viewing this month with negativity and skepticism, perhaps we can adopt a different perspective and appreciate what there is to LOVE in your life! Starting with that beautiful apartment in Philly!

Get more information and search tips on Philadelphia Apartments, or view all Apartments for Rent in Philadelphia, PA.

Feeling inspired to decorate this year? As you may have read, decorating your apartment was number four on our ‘10 New Years Resolutions for Renters’ blog.  So we’re here to provide you with the styles in home décor in 2009, getting inspiration in pattern, environment and texture. See for yourself…

1. The Devil Wears Prada: Being a fashionista is hard work! So why not incorporate the style of your clothes into your home décor? Embellish your outfit with some gems; then incorporate those gems into the style of your apartment! One way to do that would be with decorative pillows. Pillows are said to be dressed in high fashion this year, so you better hit the stores for the ones that express your true style.

2. Van Gough: Who doesn’t love a beautiful art piece? I know I am also captivated by art in my, and other’s, homes. In 2009, art is a big ‘YES’ for interior decorating. Show your appreciation for local or nationally recognized artists by having a beautiful painting sit center stage in your apartment. A more creative way, if you’re talented, would be to make your own masterpiece! Now talk about a one of a kind piece.

3. Pattern & Textures: Who doesn’t love a nice paisley? Or a striking animal print? Or luxurious silk sheets? This year, home décor will incorporate all your favorite patterns and textures. Stripes and geometric patterns will appear in decorative accessories and furnishings all over the stores. Be sure to incorporate one that fits your style best!

4. One decorating trend you’ll see this year is the sanctuary feel. Create a safe haven for yourself in your home. This environment will be something that comforts and offers you refuge from the outside world. For this type of décor, simple, serene colors will work best. The cool color palette (blues and purples) exemplified this idea. And I would suggest something that reminds you of a peaceful place so you can escape.

5. Another decorating style you’ll find is MODERN. Modern can be defined as a contemporary style that would include classic pieces with a new twist; re-interpreting the definition of classic. A sophisticated modern style would have the edginess of new shapes and designs while also including timeless elegant pieces.

For pictures of these ideas and more, visit DecoratingDiva.com.

It’s a tradition with my family year after year. We always pile up in our car and drive around to look at Christmas lights. There is one house in particular we always stop and see. We call it the ‘NOEL House’ as it has the ‘NOEL’ saying prominently displayed on its rooftop. We also make it a point to go to see the Holiday lights at Virginia Beach Oceanfront. There is something grand about looking at the holiday light displays across our city. I look in amazement at the creativity and the excitement that I feel. I feel like a child again, anxiously waiting for the big day!

Accumulated by americasbestonline.net, here is a list of the best holiday light displays in cities across the nation. Look who turned up number 11! J If you are near one of the areas, make sure you go out and look at the wonderful lights displayed.

1. Silver Dollar City- Branson, MO
Millions of Christmas lights cover the whole park. Plus, the entire city is transformed into a holiday wonderland each evening at 5:30 p.m. as guests join together on the Square for the lighting of the dazzling, five-story Special Effects Christmas Tree. Adorned with over 250,000 lights coordinated to blaze to the musical movements of Christmas songs, this unique Special Effects Christmas Tree presents classics such as “Carol of the Bells” and Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” in a spectacular light and sound show.
  
2. Oglebay Festival of Lights- Wheeling, WV
In 1985 a holiday tradition began at Oglebay and spread throughout the city of Wheeling. That tradition is the Winter Festival of Lights celebration. The first year, displays and landscape lighting covered about 125 acres over a three-mile drive throughout the resort. Since then, the show has grown into one of the nation’s largest Christmas light shows, covering more than three hundred acres over a six-mile drive throughout the resort. 
 

3. Fantasy of Lights- Pine Mountain, GA
A 5 mile drive by car or trolley takes visitors past 13 holiday scenes with more than 8 million  Christmas lights.  Since 1992, this outdoor light and sound show has glittered with holiday magic for millions of people. Families from across the Southeast have added Fantasy In Lights to their list of memorable holiday traditions. This year, experience the 15th annual Fantasy In Lights with its eight million lights creating more than a dozen beautiful scenes, and you’ll see why this is the brightest holiday light show in the South! 
 

4. Smoky Mountain Winterfest- Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville, TN. 
Smoky Mountain Winterfest is a magical celebration that begins in late fall.  Ride the Trolley Tour of Lights around Pigeon Forge and claim a spot on the sidewalk  for Gatlinburg’s “Fantasy of Lights” Christmas Parade, featuring lighted floats, marching bands and giant helium balloons.  This event combines 3 Tennessee cities: Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville. These neighboring Smoky Mountain towns are ablaze with 5 million lights thru February. 
 

5. Trail of Lights - Austin, TX
The  Trail of Lights is a mile long display of 42 lighted scenes, US Post Office, Santa’s House, the Yule Log, and an entertainment stage. The festival begins with the lighting of the Zilker Tree, a 155 feet tall, 180 feet diameter lighted tree consisting of 3,309 bulbs on 39 streamers strung from Austin’s historical Moonlight Tower. Since 1987 the honor of lighting the tree has been bestowed upon the winner of the city-wide children’s tree coloring contest. The tree lighting ceremony takes place on the first Sunday of December. 

6. Magical Nights of Lights - Lake Lanier, GA
Rekindle an old tradition or create a new one at Lake Lanier Islands Resort’s 16th annual Magical Nights of Lights holiday celebration. Known as the world’s largest animated light extravaganza, the fun kicks off November 22 through December 30 from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 pm. nightly! Bring the whole family a drive through tour of over six miles of twinkling, holiday light displays and a live nativity scene complete with live actors and animals!

7. Holiday Festival of Lights, Charleston, S.C.
Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission created the Holiday Festival of Lights to bring families and friends together and to raise support for the Charleston county park system. With over 600 individual displays located throughout the park in 132 power locations, the Holiday Festival of Lights is a magical sight to see! 
  
8. Enchanted Garden of Lights, Chattanooga, TN
See Rock City! The gardens’ natural beauty is complemented by more than 25 holiday scenes as half a million lights illuminate rock formations along the Enchanted Trail. 

 9. Southern Lights - Lexington, Ky.
The annual Southern Lights event is the largest fundraiser held for The Kentucky Horse Park. Over 25,927 vehicles passed through the electrical wonderland in 2006 alone! Everything from petting zoos, model railways, arts, crafts, and Santa Claus fill the Indoor Attractions section free of charge to guests.

 10. Mission Inn - Riverside, CA
This magnificent hotel and grounds have over two million Christmas lights!  Enjoy the sounds of the holiday season as our Dickens’ Carolers stroll throughout the hotel every Thursday through Sunday, beginning November 25, 2005, or enjoy a romantic carriage ride around the grounds - to take in the lights of the holiday season.
 
11. 100 Miles of Lights - Virginia Beach, VA
Come share the glow of the season and experience millions of lights and hundreds of events from Virginia’s capital city to the Atlantic Ocean. The region will glitter and glow, sparkle and shine with lights, lights and more lights. 100 Miles of Lights features holiday events and activities in Richmond, Williamsburg, Newport News, Hampton, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Virginia Beach.

Drive-through and walk-through light shows will dazzle and shine with more than two million lights, providing a colorful backdrop to the wide range of events and activities for the young and young-at-heart. Lighted boat parades, city illuminations, festivals, parades, living history re-enactments, caroling, dining events, music and dance are among the many activities occurring throughout the region from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day.
12. Bright Nights at Forest Park - Springfield, MA
New England’s most popular holiday destination and largest drive-through lighting display. Two and a half miles of Forest Park are illuminated with more than 500,000 twinkling lights, bringing the magic of the holiday season to life for people of all ages, in dozens of dramatic scenes such as “Poinsettia Fantasy,” “Seuss Land,” “Toy Land,” and “Victorian Village.” Plans are in place this year for bright new displays, and special celebrations to commemorate the holiday traditions of the many cultures that make up the region.

Source:
http://www.americasbestonline.net/christmas.htm

The Save the Children organization and Julianne Moore have teamed up to create a wonderful campaign this Valentine’s Day. By making a donation to Save the Children’s organization, you can print out or email beautiful Valentine’s Day cards featuring children’s artwork to give to classmates, friends and family. If you choose, you can honor someone special with a gift donation and Save the Children will send a personalized card for you. Your donation will help Save the Children reach more children in poor, rural communities in the United States through early childhood education, literacy, physical activity and nutrition programs.

This is a beautiful way for kids and families across America to make a difference in the lives of children in need. Since you’re already going to be giving out Valentine’s Day cards, why not use cards that will actually do some good for other children.

Visit Save the Children website and donate today! Save the Children is offering children hope for a brighter future, and what better gift can we give on Valentine’s Day than hope?

Thanks!

ForRent.com