#LifeHacks: How to Transition Your Summer Clothes into Fall!

In a perfect world, we could all get a new wardrobe each time the season changes. However, that would all add up pretty quickly! Purchasing a whole new wardrobe when the first leaf hits the ground in the fall might be out of the question. However, who's to say you can't wear your summer outfits in the cool weather? Here's how to transition your summer clothes into fall with a few simple steps. 

Just Add a Scarf!

Don’t be afraid to add a scarf to your summer tops and blouses. Scarves add a little spice to what could be a plain outfit. A scarf will keep you warm and complement the season, while allowing you to get additional use out of your summer apparel!

Try Tights

Not ready to stop wearing those summer dresses? You don’t have to! Just add tights to your outfit to add warmth, while creating more of a fall look.

Layers are Your New Best Friend

A simple way to stay both warm AND cool in the fall is layering. Mornings can be chilly, but once the sun comes out you could be warm by the afternoon. Avoid the temperature and outfit confusion by layering tops, whether it’s with a cardigan, denim jacket, tunic, or other warm apparel.

Change Up the Colors

Whether you’re wanting to wear a summer dress, top, or skirt, pair it with the deeper fall colors. By doing so, you can keep your pastel summer colors, but with a deeper fall color in the mix, it’s basically a fall outfit! Fall colors include burnt orange, mustard yellow, maroon, olive green, and deep mocha. Consider finding the fall colors in statement pieces like a jacket, necklace, or scarf.

Buy Yourself Some Boots

Boots are the perfect footwear for fall. Whether they’re riding boots, booties, or combat boots, they’ll transform any outfit into a cozy, cute fall one. Don’t let your feet get cold in those open-toed shoes —buy yourself some boots!

We all love fall, but don’t feel like you need to splurge a ton to change your style with the season. With these tips on how to transition your summer clothes into fall, you’ll be fashion-forward in no time — all while saving money!

Apartment Resident #LifeHacks was created in 2018 by Grady Management, Inc.  Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area.  Learn more from our website or Facebook page.

#ApartmentHacks: 10 Apartment Move In Do's & Don'ts!

You've finally made the decision on the apartment you wanted- yay you! Once you have signed your lease and started packing your bags and boxes for your big move consider these 10 do's and don'ts when it comes to moving into your brand new apartment!

1. DO Inspect the unit carefully upon move-in: On your first day in your new apartment, you'll be full of excitement for the actual move in! But make sure you take a moment to do some inspections on the spaces before adding your boxes and furniture inside. Making sure the outlets, light switches, and doors lock is a helpful thing to do first. Once you have established what works and what doesn't- you can notify your leasing center to send a request for these to be fixed!

2. DON'T be a bad neighbor:  When moving into your new apartment, you'll have a couple of neighbors either beside you or across from you and even throughout the entire building! What does this entail? It's more than just giving a smile when you run into someone in the hallway. Being 

3. DO coordinate deliveries: Since you're moving into an apartment, you might have acquired furniture from your last place or buying brand new items such as a couch, bed, mattress or TV. Some apartment buildings have guidelines on big deliveries, so aim to have all your items come around the same time so that you can have all your items in your apartment on the same day you move in!

4. DON'T forget to organize: Whether you hire movers or simply ask your family and friends to help, organizing the time, location and what they should do is important. Create a schedule for everyone and notify them of their tasks. This creates less confusion and a smooth move-in! 

5. DO read the rules: Does your new place have an elevator that needs to be requested to move larger objects? Are you expected to move within a time-frame? Read your lease or talk to your leasing consultants before you move so that you know exactly where to go and who to talk to when you arrive on moving day with a truck full of of furniture.

6. DON'T wait to report maintenance issues: Issues with your water, electricity, heating/cooling, and pests will only get worse the longer you let them linger. It's always better to report problems as soon as they arise so that maintenance can come fix any issues.

7. DO engage in regular cleaning: The chore list doesn't stop just because you've moved into a new clean place! You must maintain the cleanliness of your home on a daily basis. Get into the habit of washing your dishes every night, making your bed, and taking the trash out once it gets full. It will change the overall appearance of your apartment just like the first day you moved in!

8. DON'T put off packing: We all know what a drag packing can be. But one of the key ways to remain organized (and sane) while preparing for your big move is to pack early. Start gathering nonessential things first and then move on to the important things. By dividing the packing into shifts, you will feel less overwhelmed and have more time to relax at the end when you're finished!

9. DO make it your own: Just because it's a rental doesn't mean it can't feel like home! Make those most of apartment living by putting your own personality into your new unit. If your lease allows it- things like painting the walls, hanging wall decor, etc can add a personal touch in the place you live in.

10. DON'T forget the basics: The first night in your apartment you might be tired to unload every box! Make sure you keep a small box with basic items like a plate, cup, food, towels etc that can get your through the night until the next day!  

Sure moving can be stressful- especially if it is your first apartment- but try not to let the stress overtake the excitement. So have fun!

How do you make the most of your apartment community?  Let us know in the comments!

Apartment Resident #LifeHacks was created in 2018 by Grady Management, Inc.  Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area.  Learn more from our website or Facebook page.

Apartment Cleaning Hacks You Need to Know

Apartment Resident #LifeHacks compiled a list of apartment cleaning hacks and house cleaning hacks that will help you keep your home immaculate, without forcing you to waste any elbow grease. Just make sure that you check with the leasing office if you have any questions regarding proper cleaning techniques for specific items in your apartment home.

Buff away water spots with used dryer sheets

There’s something about the texture of a used dryer sheet that makes it perfect for buffing away water spots and rings. Keep your used dryer sheets handy and use them whenever you want to give your smooth surfaces a nice shine.

Use spare jar lids to keep jars from leaking onto refrigerator shelves

Dirty refrigerators have a way of lessening the appeal of any food contained therein. So, when jars start to leak their contents onto refrigerator shelves (or even in cupboards or cabinets), use clean spare lids from previously discarded jars, and place the leaking jars on top of the bottom-side-up lids. This will give the jars a nice, contained area in which to leak, thus saving your surfaces from unnecessary gunk.

Use bleach and cotton balls to clean between bathroom tiles

Mildew and mold hate bleach, which makes it the perfect substance for cleaning bathroom tile. So, get some cotton balls, soak them in bleach, and place them liberally on difficult-to-clean bathroom areas (such as between tiles and on grout). Let them sit for about 24 hours, and then remove the cotton balls, and wash the area with soapy water. Make sure to wear gloves when handling bleach, and don’t let it come into contact with your skin or clothes; after all, cleaning bathroom grout isn’t worth risking your health.

Clean shower heads with vinegar and a plastic bag

Cleaning shower heads not only makes your bathroom look nicer but may also help unclog the shower head of mineral deposits, thus allowing the water to flow more smoothly. To get your shower heads looking like new, just pour distilled white vinegar into a plastic bag, and then fit the bag around your shower head. Secure it with a rubber band, so that the shower head is submerged in the vinegar. Leave the showerhead to soak for an hour, and then remove the bag. Wipe the shower head with a damp cloth.

DIY Hack: Three Tips for a More Organized Closet

Making the Most of Apartment Closet Space

Closets are not just a place to store clothes: closets can become a place to organize accessories, hang bags and backpacks, and keep housekeeping items such as vacuums, dusters, and cleaning products.  When living in an apartment, it is best to make the most of closet space to keep all belongings neat and organized and to create more space in apartment living areas for furniture and decor.  Below are three closet organization hacks specifically for apartment residents:

1) Create specific containers and sections with labels: The first step to organize a closet is to create specific sections so that it is possible to easily arrange closet space to contain, in addition to clothes, cleaning supplies, seasonal accessories, pet food and carriers, and/ or luggage.  To do this, try out color coded bins and/ or dividers so that everything has a specific section.  For example: the blue section contains batteries, tools, and light bulbs, the red section contains wrapping paper, gift bags, and leftover holiday decorations, etc.  In addition to creating sections, try labeling the different areas of the closet so roommates and guests can easily determine where specific items are stored.  This process can be completed for any apartment closet space: bedroom closets, hallways closets, and linen closets.  By doing this, clutter in apartments will become practically non-existent.