#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: Trick or Treating Tips for Apartment Living!

Living in an apartment has so many perks! Apartment buildings aren't only beneficial for adults but also for children. If you think about it- apartment buildings are the perfect places to go trick-or-treating: You get all the candy without having to brace the cold! Here's why you should be convincing the other parents to join in on the fun!

Dress up your door: Trick-or-treaters might not stop to knock on your door if they don't think you're home- so be inviting and festive! You can go the traditional route and get a jack-o-lantern outside. Or add cobwebs on the door frame! To get extra spooky add some flickering lights or a hanging ghost from the door!

Get in the spirit yourself:  Picture this- you knock on someone's door and yell "Trick or treat!" and receive candy from someone dressed in a t-shirt and jeans. What a letdown! Don't be boring on this exciting day. Plan to dress up in a creative costume that they won't expect.

Don't neglect the inside: In addition to your outdoor decorations, you have to spice up the inside as well! While trick-or-treaters might catch a glimpse of inside- they should be wowed by what they see! Add a nice spooky touch that they won't sure to forget.

Spread the word: Trick or treating in your apartment building won't be half the fun if you still have leftover candy sitting in your bowls! Reach out to your leasing office and see what they have planned for the holiday. Make sure you get involved to spread the spirit of fun to everyone in your building. Let your neighbors know you'll be passing out candy so they can stop by with their children!

Remember to have fun! Spooky season is here. 

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.

#ApartmentLiving: 4 Must Haves For a Football Party in Your Apartment!

The arrival of fall brings crunchy leaves, cooler temperatures and...football season! Want to invite some friends over to watch the next game? Here are four must-haves for a successful football party in your apartment!

TV: You can't watch the game without a TV. The longer the screen, the better!

Food and Drinks:  Make sure you have plenty of food and drinks to go around. One idea is to have everyone bring a snack, drink, side or dessert to supplement the food and drinks you're already supplying.

Seating: In addition to your couch, place extra chair and stools around your apartment with a visible view of the TV. Borrow some chairs from your neighbors or friends if your're short/.

Friendly Competition: Ask the folks you invite to show their spirit by wearing their favorite team's colors.

Now, sit back, relax and enjoy the game!

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: Keeping your Home Smelling Fresh!

The aroma of your home is one of the first things you encounter once you walk inside. This pleasant feeling of a fresh home can instantly change your mood- for the better! Living in close quarters makes it easy for odors from one apartment to be smelled in another. Here are a couple tips for combating those stubborn smells, so all residents can enjoy their community!

Open the windows when you cook: This may seem like common sense, but a little fresh air can make a big difference when it comes to minimizing food odors. When you cook be sure allow the smells to leave your home and not become stagnant inside.

Freshly ground coffee acts as a deodorizer:  Try placing a cup of ground in the area where you need to absorb odors. This is also a helpful tip to get rid of insects! 

Boil cinnamon sticks or cloves: In a pot of water on the stove and let it stand. This will create a pleasant fragrance in your apartment. Similar to lighting a candle!

Remember to take your trash out often: Organic waste like banana peels and apple cores have strong odors so get them out of your apartment as soon as possible!

How do you recreate that "new apartment smell"?  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.

#LifeHacks: Celebrate National Make your Bed Day!

*Yawnnn* Happy National Make Your Bed Day! We all love that moment when we come home from a long day of work or school the first thing you want to do it lay down in bed for a nap- or sleep all together! Here are some tips on how making your bed after that wonderful sleep can actually benefit your sleep pattern in the long run!

A great night's sleep can sometimes be hard to come by constantly. However the comfort you feel in your bedroom environment ultimately starts with the way your bed is made each morning.

Studies have shown that people who make their bed daily are more likely to have a better night's sleep. The sight of a nicely made bed will create comfort in your brain without you even laying down yet. Freshly fitted sheets, pulled comforters and fluffed pillows also play a factor in mastering elevated sleep comfort.

Besides the comfort aspect, the visual appearance invited us to a nice slumber- one that you can take without even having to make yourself feel comfortable first or even having to get to that right spot of the bed.

Being faced with crumpled sheets, twisted blankets and soggy pillows at the end of an already long day can cause frustration.

But don't you worry- here on National Make Your Bed Day we are challenging you to make this habit stick! Make your bed as a morning routine of yours each day. Set aside 5 minutes in your morning routine before you head off to work or school to make your bed. Start with the sheets and tuck them in. Then cover your bed with your comforters and lastly fluff your pillows and sit them face sided up! Wa-la! You have now celebrated National Make Your Bed Day.

Encourage your entire family to use this day as an opportunity to start another healthy habit. Get your children involved as well! Creating these healthful habit early in life can last a lifetime.

Remember to always get a good nights rest each night!

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.