Tips for Cleaning Before the Holidays

Clean the Bathrooms

One thing that is inevitable if you have people over is that your guests will need to use the restroom. You want to make sure that the bathrooms are clean and have everything that someone would need. Make sure you have plenty of toilet paper available as well as soap and lotion. Remove any clutter from the space and sanitize everything so you know that the bathrooms are clean and tidy. 

Clean Gathering Areas

Wherever you are going to have your guests gather, you need to make sure that there is not only plenty of space for them to come together but also that it is clean. You want to remove any clutter from the area while taking the time to vacuum, mop, and sweep. While you are doing this, you also want to clean the counters in the kitchen and make sure you have plenty of clean space to really ensure you can cook what is needed and that people can be in there if they want to be and if you have space. 

Prepare Guest Bedrooms

If you are planning to have guests stay with you for the holidays, it is necessary to prepare your guest bedrooms. This includes making sure the bed is guest-ready with clean linens, vacuuming, and tidying up any clutter.

The holidays are a great time for people to spend time together. Ensure friends and loved ones have a wonderful time at your home by offering a clean space for them to enjoy. If you are looking for a new place to call home and host the holidays, be sure to check out our Flagstaff apartments!

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Bag of Jellybeans: Such a Sweet Costume

Take a large clear garbage bag and cut arm and leg holes. Get a bag of multi-colored balloons and blow them up.  Stand inside the bag, and fill the bag with the balloon "jellybeans." Just look out for those party goers who want to "pop" your jellybeans!

Person in an Old Black and White Photo

It's easy to dress up like a person in an old black and white photo; all you need to do is wear vintage black and white clothes, then paint your skin a cool shade of gray. If you want to take this costume to the next level, dress up like your favorite black and white movie star.

Person in a Hurricane

This is a good costume for someone who decides to celebrate Halloween at the last minute. Grab your umbrella, flip it inside out and then slick back your hair like you're caught in a wind storm. Tell everyone you're a person caught in a hurricane!

Starbucks Rainbow Drink Girls

Ladies who plan to attend a party with a few friends will enjoy this costume. Have your girlfriends all dress in a different colored dress. Use a headband and green card stock rolled into a cylinder to create a "straw" to wear on your head. Also, use the green card stock to print a large copy of the Starbucks logo to pin on the dress.

If you're planning on hosting the party, you'll want to make an impression on your guests by inviting them to the best apartments in Flagstaff, Arizona. At Highland, there are five different floor plans to choose from, with studio, one-, two-, three-, or even four-bedrooms. Contact us today to see which floor plans are available. 

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Erin go Bragh! St. Patrick’s Day is coming up fast, and we’re ready to get our green on! Unlike Kermit’s classic song, it IS easy being green when it comes to St. Patrick’s Day … from green clothes to green food and drink, we love this fun and festive holiday! Flagstaff loves it, too, and has a ton of great ways to celebrate when St. Patrick’s Day comes to town on March 17^th!

Southside Tavern’s St. Patty’s Day Bash
Enjoy green drinks, corned beef and cabbage, and more when Southside Tavern’s doors open at 3:00 pm! There will be music, dancing, t-shirt giveaways, and more!

Collin’s Irish Pub
Well this is an obvious choice! Head on down to Collin’s for a real Irish celebration. Festivities will include Irish dishes, green drinks, and The Knockabouts, a Flagstaff-based Celtic band.

Uptown Pub
This St. Patrick’s Day celebration will feature Flagstaff’s newest Irish band, The Trouble With Whiskey. Uptown is promising fantastic specials and a ton of great entertainment!

Mia’s Lounge St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
Doors open at 9:00 pm for this jamboree! Enjoy live music from Andy See and His Swinging Jamboree. Hit the dance floor and enjoy a great time.

Of course, you don’t have to go out to enjoy a fun St. Patrick’s Day in Flagstaff. Invite friends over for a Green Jamboree of your own! Hang green décor, and don’t forget the shamrocks. Play Celtic music and have a dance contest! Serve green drinks (we love this Homemade Shamrock Shake recipe!), food (break out the corned beef and cabbage, or get cheesy with some green eggs and ham), and desserts (hello, pistachio pudding). Have a limerick off! Watch movies: The Departed, Gangs of New York, Leprechaun, and The Secret of Kells all top our list!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

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1. I Will Step Out On Limbs

Remember that scene in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade when Indy has to take a leap of faith? It’s not easy—in fact, it can be downright terrifying—to take risks when you can’t see the path ahead, but it is usually worthwhile. It sounds contradictory, but don’t be afraid to try something that terrifies you this year, whether it’s a new food, a new hair color, or a new job opportunity!

2. I Will Forgive Myself

We all make mistakes. But as Shakespeare said, to err is human; to forgive—even yourself—is divine. Even when you fumble at the ten yard line, you can still recover; maybe not that play, but the next one. And you’ll be wiser for it. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, and smarter. So stop ticking off mistakes as points lost and start tallying them as lessons learned and experiences gained.

3. I Will Eat Something AMAZING

No, seriously. Get out there and try a new dish. If life is all about the living, then a good meal should be about more than just filling your stomach. Maybe, just maybe, it should be about pampering your taste buds. And yes, that means you, too, weight-loss-resolvers: just because you’re dieting or on a new healthy eating plan does not mean you should completely cut off your sweet tooth.

4. I Will COOK Something Amazing

Yes, you. Whip out the skillet and go at it. Raid your pantry for unexpected dishes. See what happens when you just toss some things in the same pot, even things you think might not usually go together. Check out sites like Yummly for quick and easy recipes. And once you’ve mastered a few dishes, take one night—just ONE, out of 365, is not asking too much—and cook yourself a three course (minimum) meal, including dessert.

5. I Will Dance

Hello, Pandora mix! Hello, speakers! Hello, open floor space! Hello, closed blinds! Do a little dance, make a little noise, and get down tonight. Dance alone, or dance with friends. Learn a line dance from YouTube (we recommend The Wobble, but that’s just us!). Take a night and learn the Thriller dance in its entirety. Buy a copy of Just Dance for your gaming system (or find some tutorials on YouTube). Just do it. Get up and move. You’ll feel better.

6. I Will See Something I’ve Never Seen Before

Go on a road trip. Watch a documentary. Sit and observe a crowd of people. Get yourself out there to see something beautiful and new, even if it’s just your first time actually watching the sunrise.

7. I Will Let Myself Get the Feels

It’s okay to cry. Your laugh is amazing. Verbal road rage is (relatively) okay … as long as the windows are up and your passenger seats are empty. Stop bottling up your feels. Just let ‘er rip. Allow yourself to feel whatever it is you’re feeling, even if you have to put a cap on it. A good five minute cry works wonders. A nice, long laugh after a lousy day is bliss.

8. I Will Face a Fear

Real talk. The person who wrote this is deathly afraid of clowns, and yet has resolved to either go to a circus or watch a movie with a (non-homicidal) clown before June. Why? Because fear can be crippling, and it really bugs us that some THING can hobble our ability to live. It’s not easy, but facing a fear is a big deal. Even if it’s just allowing yourself to really take a look at that spider in the corner before you scream. Even if it’s just peeking out the window from a great height before you scream. Even if it’s just sitting through one clown juggle before you scream. The scream is okay; it’s a release of pent up fear energy. It’s keeping it in that’s keeping you back.

9. I Will Remember How Awesome It Was To Be a Kid

What was your favorite thing to do as a kid? Maybe it was swinging as high as you can on the swing set, or playing with your food, or splashing in mud puddles, or playing in the rain. Guess what? Growing up doesn’t automatically mean you have to stop doing those things. Pick a favorite childhood thing—finger painting, video games, adventures in the land of make believe—and relive it as an adult. Grab your cardboard sword and slay an imaginary dragon. Invest in a Play-Do set and reinvent the universe. Watch an episode of Sesame Street. Be a kid again, if only for a day.

10. I Will Let It Be

When you find yourself in times of trouble … let it be. When the world is crashing in, let it be. When you feel like an outsider, let yourself be. Be yourself, and let your life be lived. Embrace your world for what it is, changing what you can and accepting that while some things can’t be changed it doesn’t mean they have to ruin the wonderful world you live in. Let 365 days of living, of loving life, of being you, of making change, of being change, of feats and failures, trials and triumphs … be. Go boldly, not gentle, into that bright day, that good night, that wild world. And when the broken hearted people living in that world agree, there will be an answer: Let it be.

Welcome, 2016 … We can’t wait to see what you’ll bring to our doors!

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Christmas Tree Wire Ornament Holder

For this project, you’ll need crafts wire, an old frame, plenty of ornaments, and a handful of other accessories and craft tools. We love that this untraditional “tree” gives you the chance to take something old and make it new! It also makes a wonderful tree alternative if you don’t have a lot of space in your apartment for a full-sized tree. Hang your tree in a central spot in your home, or lay it wherever you’ll be doing your holiday gift exchange! For a full tutorial, pack up your crafty sleigh and head on over to Better Homes and Gardens!

DIY Pallet Christmas Tree

Looking for an easy decorative piece for your patio or balcony? Check out this easy guide to making a Christmas pallet tree. This is a project that you can size to meet your needs; if you want a bigger tree, just get bigger pallets, or go small for a corner tree for your living room. You’ll need several pallet slats, paint, tools, and maybe some holiday lights and ornaments to make your tree extra festive! Get all the supplies and instructions you’ll need to bring this project to life at Hometalk.

Paper Christmas Tree

We’ve seen this project done a few different ways, but one thing they all have in common is that they are super easy! For a homemade paper tree, all you’ll need is tape, several pages from old books or sheet music, twine, and something decorative to serve as your tree’s star. We’ve seen folks use empty frames, wooden cutout stars, favorite family photos, and more. Simply hang your pages in the general shape of a tree, securing them with tape (or adhesive putty) to the wall and each other. Decorate your “tree” with twine, lights, or any other décor you’d like (just keep in mind … your tree is made of paper, so avoid fire hazards). Hang your “star” at the top, and lay your gifts at the base. You can find a ton of tutorials for making a paper Christmas tree, but we used this one from My Sweet Savannah!

Upcycled Sparkly Christmas Tree

This tree DIY calls for the use of cemetery vases, but you can easily replace them with paper mache cones or doll cones, which can be picked up at almost any craft store. The project has you wrap the cemetery vase in craft paper, but with our craft cone alternative, you can easily skip this step! The main craft supplies you’ll need are hot glue and strands of gold beads! You can find the beads you’ll need at a craft store or a Dollar Store (just head to the party section). This is an easy tree to place on your table or bookshelf. Just set it down as it is, or place it on top of a pretty matching candlestick! For easy to follow instructions, visit Vintage News Junkie … and scroll all the way down for a ton of other fun DIY tree ideas!

“From Trash to Trees” Book Spine Tree

Unless you’re a diehard book junky who thinks dismantling a book is sacrilege, we think you’ll love this project as much as we do! All you’ll need is a pallet wood or other sturdy craft background and pretty spines from some vintage books (head to a second hand or consignment shop to find some if you don’t have any of your own), plus some craft glue. (If the idea of taking an old book apart is giving you heat palpitations just scroll down on the tutorial page for a tutorial for another tree project; it calls for vintage book pages, but you can easily replace them with craft paper or old newspaper!) Check out the full tutorial from Vintage with Laces.

In these final days until Christmas, we wish you happy crafting, and much joy!

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Print a Present

The ultimate last minute gift is one that’s worth more than a thousand words (so save your excuse on why you didn’t bring anything!). Think of a moment of significance for you and the recipient, and share a photo from that moment! Whether it’s a real picture you took during the event—like a birthday party, wedding, vacation trip, etc.—or a snapshot you can take that captures the moment, the photo memento will mean a lot! You can print the picture at home (save your color ink … black and white is SO in!), and snag a nice frame and gift bag on your way to the party!

Subscribe and Save (the Day!)

There are so many subscription services out there these days, it would be hard to NOT find one your special someone will enjoy! Monthly boxes make great gifting options: try Blue Apron for meal deliveries, Birchbox for a health and beauty bounty, or even KitNip Box for your fellow cat lover! Then there are the subscriptions everybody loves: Netflix, Hulu Plus, and Pandora are all monthly subscriptions that won’t set you back too much! You can also shop great bargains on magazine subscriptions from Amazon or Blue Dolphin!

Ye Basket of Gifting

Ah, the old tried and true gift basket … Rather than going out and ordering or buying a premade gift basket, head to the store and get creative! Think about your host or pal’s favorite colors, and find household items and other fun trinkets that go along with a color theme. Or, pick a theme you know the recipient will love. For a foodie, snag some tea towels, a nice cutting board, wooden utensils, fancy spices, a few tried and true recipes (or a cookbook), etc. For a pampered pal, try chocolates, scented candles, pleasant smelling bath and shower products, and a fluffy robe. For a techie, grab some tools, a fancy USB drive, a wireless speaker, computer cleaning supplies, etc. Remember: a gift package is just as much about the presentation as the present, so be sure to get creative and pick out the perfect packaging to make your gift really shine!

The Gift of Learning

Sign your friend—and yourself!—up for a fun class! Check out Groupon for great deals on local classes from yoga to cooking, or see what some local shops might have to offer! Check out Creative Live for a ton of great classes you can sign up for online and find your friend’s interest to get them started. Check out Brit + Co for classes on coding, calligraphy, crowdfunding, and more! It’s a gift that keeps on giving!

Give Some “Me” Time

Does your host love hosting but hate cleaning? Chip in for a housekeeping service for a day! Maybe you’ve been listening to your friend complain about some much needed car service. Set up the appointment and prepay for the labor … you can even volunteer to take their car in for them so they can just relax and wait for it to be done! If finding a service isn’t something that’s easy for your friend, maybe you can try a day or night out: buy them some movie tickets, concession stand vouchers, and for friends with kids find a babysitter (or offer to do it yourself). You could do the same with a spa day, a dinner out, a sporting event, or whatever tickles your friend’s fancy.

Remember: Just because it’s a last minute gift doesn’t mean you didn’t put a lot of thought (and love!) into it! Find something simple and unique to give this holiday season, and take joy in the simplest gift of all: the gift of giving!

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1. The Mini Tree Advent Calendar

Make a list … and don’t forget to check it twice! Your list might be made up of fun holiday-related activities, favorite memories from Christmases past, a to-do list of tasks to get your home ready for the holidays, or anything else that will make each day leading up to Christmas merry and bright. This DIY calendar has you then put each item from your list in a small box with a cute ornament on top. You’ll need small brown boxes (enough for each day leading up to Christmas or New Year’s), mini pine trees, glue, scissors, and this tutorial from Oh Happy Day!

2. Toilet Paper Roll Christmas Calendar

If you’re like us, you always wonder what you could use those empty toilet paper or paper towel rolls for rather than just throwing them away. Or maybe that’s just us … But if it’s not, this craft project is the answer for you! We love that this idea is both a neat way to recycle and a beautifully crafty way to countdown to one of our favorite holidays! Check out the tutorial from Morning Creativity here!

3. Easy Envelope Advent Calendar

Want to keep it simple? All you need for this calendar are envelopes, decorative paper, and a poster board! Cut out envelope liners from the pretty paper you pick out (try simple red and green craft paper, or some of the many holiday prints you can find at a craft store!). Fill the envelopes with tiny, quirky holiday treats, number each envelope’s lip with your countdown, and mount each envelope to a poster board! (Hint, hint: try a “reverse” advent by adding money to each envelope each day leading up to Christmas or New Year’s … it’s a great way to get a head start on your New Year’s Resolution to save!)

4. (Slightly More Complicated) Geometric Advent Calendar

Maybe “simple” isn’t a word in your vocabulary. If not, give this slightly more complicated calendar a try! The creator describes it as “simple, minimal, [and] with just enough festive sparkle,” so maybe it’s not as hard as we think, but we see the word “geometric” and get a little nervous. Unfortunately, the designer didn’t share how to make the geometric boxes, but fear not; we found you this video tutorial! Or try this awesome template maker that will automatically design the template for a box to your specific measurements. The rest of the tutorial on making this calendar can be found here.

5. DIY Punch Box Advent Calendar

So, we all know the holidays can be stressful … Here’s a calendar that will help you get a little frustration out, and you even get to enjoy a sweet treat as you do it! You can adapt the design to however many days you’re counting down, and the decorations of your box to whichever holiday you’re celebrating. The key, though, stays the same no matter what: Have fun makin’ it, and have fun breakin’ it! Get the tutorial from Studio DIY!

Enjoy your crafting! Enjoy your calendars! And enjoy your holidays! Ho-ho-ho!

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