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With summer well on its way, you've likely finished up your spring cleaning and getting prepared for the brightness of a new season. Make sure your Flagstaff apartment is ready for the warm weather with a few tips to brighten up the atmosphere.
Change to lighter window treatments.
Bringing in as much natural light as possible always makes it feel just a bit more like summer. If you currently have some heavier drapes, blinds, or shades on your apartment windows, consider swapping them out for some window treatments that are a bit more lightweight. For example, you will get a lot of nice natural light with a basic white shade and some sheer curtains.
Swap out darker area rugs for lighter or more vibrant colors.
Area rugs are an awesome addition to your apartment's interior, but even these can really affect the overall atmosphere. If you are using darker area rugs, it can change the brightness of the entire space, even if you are allowing in a lot of natural light. Try a nice lightweight woven rug in lighter colors to really brighten up a room. For instance, try a cream and white area rug with a low-pile construction in your living room, and it will instantly feel a lot more like summer.
Bring in some summertime flora.
Not every apartment dweller is a big fan of plants, but plants don't have to be living to induce the same kind of summer atmosphere as real ones do. It can really help to highlight the season if you track down either live or faux plants similar to those that grow naturally in the Flagstaff area.
Find a Flagstaff Apartment Perfect for Your Summer Decorating Ideas
When you have a comfortable apartment where you can be happy, it is so much more fun to get prepared for every new season by tweaking your interior style elements. To take a look at the floor plans we have available at our Flagstaff apartment community, reach out to us today!
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With a cool, fizzy drink in hand, it is easy to stay hydrated and refreshed all summer and beyond. You do not have to turn toward commercially made sodas for help, however, as there is a better way. You can create your very own tart and fizzy drinks using just a few ingredients you may already have at your Flagstaff apartment. And these beverages are super easy to make. Just follow the recipes below to get started, and then use them as inspiration for your own delicious creations.
Cherry Pineapple Twist
With a sip of this drink, you will experience cherry and pineapple in a whole new way. The fizzy soda base helps elevate the tart fruity flavors while allowing the sweetness to linger for ages.
Here’s what you will need:
- 1 cup carbonated water
- 2 cups cherry juice, unsweetened
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup white sugar
Add the sugar into a large pitcher, then pour in the cherry and pineapple juice and stir. After the sugar dissolves, add the carbonated water to give the drink the satisfying fizz you crave. Serve over ice to elevate the tart flavors even more.
Strawberry Apple Refresher
Strawberries and apples have enough natural sweetness that they don't need any extra sugar. To create this drink, gather up:
- 1 cup carbonated water
- 2 cups apple juice
- 1 cup strawberry puree
Using a large pitcher, mix the apple juice and strawberry puree together until well combined. Then, add the carbonated water and mix gently. Serve in tall glasses over plenty of ice.
Grapefruit Chamomile Delight
The champions of breakfast and bedtime routines beautifully come together in this drink. Get started with:
- 1 cup carbonated water
- 2 cups grapefruit juice
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup chamomile tea
In a small saucepan, simmer the grapefruit juice and sugar together until slightly thickened. Allow the mixture to cool, and then pour it into a large pitcher. Mix in the chamomile tea and carbonated water to complete this delicious drink.
Each of these recipes makes enough for up to eight other people, so plan to share these beverages with your friends, family, and neighbors. When you are done entertaining a crowd, give our team a call at 928-774-1800 to learn about our available apartments in Flagstaff.
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Nothing is better than ice cream on a hot Flagstaff, Arizona day, especially when you make it yourself. Making your own ice cream might sound complicated, but it's easy to whip up. Here are some easy recipes for you to get started!
Easy Homemade Ice Cream Recipes
What you need
All it takes to make ice cream is four ingredients:
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream.
- 2 cups half-and-half.
- 1 cup sugar or a sugar substitute, such as Stevia.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract.
Remember, if you decide to use a sugar substitute, read the directions to find out how much to use. For example, one teaspoon of Stevia, powdered or liquid, equals one cup of sugar.
Start with a little prep
Making ice cream is something anyone living in Flagstaff apartments can handle, but you do have to plan in advance, so you can do some prep work.
Put a freezer-safe bowl or pan into your freezer. Something made from Pyrex or stainless steel is typically a good choice because it won’t crack in the cold. There is no set time to leave the pan in the freezer. Overnight is a good idea, though.
Mixing it up
Once the pan is good and frozen, mix all the ingredients in a separate bowl. Make sure the sugar or sugar substitute freezes completely, otherwise the texture will not be smooth.
Pour the ice cream mixture into the frozen pan.
Freeze it up
Put the pan with the ice cream into the freezer for about 30 minutes. When the edges start to thicken, take it out and beat it with the mixer. This is to break up the ice cream to give it a creamy texture.
Repeat this process five or six times until the ice cream is firmly frozen. Add your favorite goodies to it, such as candy or sprinkles, and serve.
It's a real treat when the temperatures start to rise. If you are coming to Flagstaff, Arizona, call our office and find out more about our apartment homes.
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The warm summer months in Arizona give Flagstaff residents the perfect excuse to stop trying too hard in the kitchen. You have much better things to do this summer than spending hours working over a hot stove. With so many fun things to see and do, you shouldn’t have to stress about creating some elaborate dinner each night. However, there’s still plenty of opportunities to whip up a fabulous main dish to bring to your next backyard BBQ or holiday celebration. Check out a few of our favorite quick and easy summer dinner ideas to get your creative juices flowing!
3 Simple Dinner Recipes to Try This Summer
1. Summer Squash and Basil Pasta
Few things pair better with a light summer pasta dish than sauteed squash and basil. When left to saute in the pan, summer squash gets s great jam-like consistency that is ideal for coating big, hearty pieces of pasta. This simple recipe is fast, delicious and vegetarian too!
2. Dry-Rubbed Flank Steak and Grilled Corn Salsa
Flank steak seems like the perfect summer protein choice because you can easily prepare it in the morning and come back to it in the evening when it’s ready to sear over an open flame. With this recipe, you’ll combine sweet and spicy flavors with the distinct crunch of your corn salsa for a complete summer dinner entree.
3. Tomato and Cabbage Tabbouleh
Tomatoes come into season during the summer months, so this is the right time to add them to just about every dish you whip up. This tabbouleh recipe features lots of tasty seasonal tomatoes, along with other bright veggies and herbs to create a light and flavorful main dish.
Enjoy a Safe and Happy Summer at Highland Village
For more great lifestyle tips or to take a look at the available floor plans at our apartments in Flagstaff, AZ, contact the team at Highland Village online today!
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Wouldn’t it be great to step into your apartment and still be surrounded by the feel of summer? Residents of our Highland Village apartments in Flagstaff, AZ should try out these decorating ideas. You don’t have to break the bank for any of them!
Add Pops of Color Everywhere
Look for brightly colored throw pillows at your favorite flea markets or discount stores and add them to your sofas. Find some fun new dishes for your kitchen in your favorite summer colors.
Make the room appear fresher by finding some inexpensive art prints. We recommend using your furniture to lean them against the wall to avoid any damage.
Put Some Plants Around the Room
Flowers and hanging greenery do wonders for changing the look of an apartment. Add a centerpiece to your coffee table or place them along the edges of the room. If you don’t have much of a green thumb or aren’t home enough to care for plants properly, going with some nice fakes is fine.
Change Up Your Rugs
When’s the last time you added new rugs to the room? Go with vivid colors or different textures with fun designs embedded to switch up the look of your rooms. Place a few in your living room or down your hallways to add some summer pizzazz to your apartment.
Other Ideas for Rug Placement
- Straw mats to your front and patio doors
- Beneath your living room furniture
- Next to your bed for your feet to enjoy
Try Some Sea Shell Flair
Look in your favorite thrift stores or other decorating shops for different seashell designs if you don’t get the chance to travel to the beach. Leave them as is or decorate them to place around your apartment.
We hope residents of our Flagstaff, AZ Highland Village apartments have a great time this summer. Reach out to the staff anytime by calling (844) 819-1677.
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The greater Flagstaff area is home to some of the most beautiful natural views in the state. Whether you’re looking for a quick day trip with friends or you’re out to conquer every hiking trail this summer, you don’t have to travel far from home to have a great time and enjoy the natural beauty surrounding Flagstaff!
4 Awesome Day Trips from Flagstaff
Slide Rock State Park. Head south on state Route 89-A into Oak Creek Canyon and you’ll discover Slide Rock State Park. Less than 45 minutes from town, here you’ll find a natural water slide and a half-mile of Oak Creek that is open for swimming; perfect for beating the heat.
The Grand Canyon.Located just 90 miles from downtown Flagstaff, a trip to visit the Grand Canyon is a great way to spend a warm summer day. Drive along the South Rim, browse the various visitor centers and take a lot of pictures to document your day.
Sedona. Head out of town to enjoy some shopping, dining, arts and maybe even some spiritual enrichment in Sedona. Book a guided tour or simply explore on your own to maximize the fun. At a quick 45-minute drive, there’s really no excuse not to escape to Sedona for the day!
Navajo National Monument. Get up early and head out to the northeastern corner of the state to visit the Navajo National Monument and Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. With an 11-hour round trip, you’ll need to make the most of your time at the park, so stick to the hiking, jeep or horseback tours of the area.
Get the Most Out of the Summer Sun at Highland Village
With so many great things to see and do in the greater Flagstaff area, it’s no wonder our residents love calling Highland Village home. For more summer exploration in our community or to take a look at the available floor plans at our apartments in Flagstaff, visit our friendly team online today!
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]]>The post Five Share-Worthy Summer Road Trip Adventures in Arizona appeared first on Highland Village Apartments Blog.
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You cannot live in Arizona without visiting the Grand Canyon at least once. In less than a 90-minute drive north of Flagstaff, you could be taking spectacular selfies while hiking the trails or riding a horse at the South Rim.
Tombstone: The Town Too Tough to Die
In just six hours, you can travel back in time to the wild west of the 1880s. Update your Snapchat by walking the same streets as Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp. Make sure to watch a gunfight show, ride the stagecoach and enjoy a refreshing saloon sarsaparilla.
Prescott: Hometown Charm
A two-hour drive southwest takes you to Prescott. At 5,200 feet above sea level, the area enjoys an average temperature of 70 degrees. Update your Instagram while attending the World’s Oldest Rodeo or on an outdoor adventure in the breathtaking mountain landscape.
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
Three hours north is Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. One of the world’s most photographed locations, the park features 1,000-foot sandstone formations and panoramic Butte views. Recreate your favorite John Wayne scenes for your YouTube channel and learn the actual history of the Navajo Nation.
Hopi Reservation: Walpi Village
Walpi Village on the Hopi Reservation is just two hours north or Flagstaff. Built 300 feet above the valley, this ancient stone pueblo complex is one of the oldest continuously inhabited villages in the country. Appreciate the simple life by taking a break from updating your social media feeds to enjoy the beauty of this Native American community.
These are just a few of the weekend warrior adventures you can enjoy when you live at the Highland Village apartments in Flagstaff, Arizona. Contact our leasing agent at 928-774-1800 to learn more about our community.
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]]>The post How to Make the Most of Your Summer Break appeared first on Highland Village Apartments Blog.
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The last thing you probably want to do is to jump right into another stressful situation, but a summer position can benefit you in a lot of ways. Not only can you bank some funds for the coming school year, reducing the amount of time you'll have to work while taking classes, you can also make connections that look great on your transcript.
Volunteer
Look to your interests and find a volunteer opportunity. If you love animals, work at a shelter or volunteer with assistance animals. Clean up a local river, add your talents to a kids' day camp or work to collect food for Second Harvest. You'll get a great feeling every day you work, and your community will be better because of it.
Start a Business
Eight or ten weeks don't sound like enough time to start a genuine business, but plenty of college-age people have created online businesses successful enough to support themselves, and they've done it in a short amount of time. Even if you don't make a million dollars your first year, the experience of creating a business can give you a leg up in upcoming economics classes.
No matter how you spend your summer vacation away from NAU, you'll enjoy coming home to your comfortable apartment in Highland Village. Call our office today for a tour, and see how our neighborhood is the right place for you.
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Summer is here … and it’s the perfect time of year to enjoy the little things. Summer is the time to get out there and do things you’ve never done before. Before heading out on your next great adventure, try making a Summer Bucket List of things to try and document it all in a journal, scrapbook, or on Instagram! Here are some ideas to get you started.
- Act like a tourist where you live
- Buy a Wreck-This Journal and wreck it like nobody’s business
- Call your aunts, uncles, and grandparents just to say hi
- Do random acts of kindness for a week
- Eat breakfast for dinner
- Follow an unfamiliar road for as long as you can
- Go a full day without technology
- Go star gazing
- Go to a concert
- Go to a music festival
- Go to a wildlife park
- Go to an amusement park
- Have an all-day (and all-night) movie day in your jammies
- Have an at-home spa day
- Have an old-school water balloon or water gun battle
- Host a themed binge-watching marathon party
- Invent a new game and teach it to your friends/coworkers
- Join a new group (a book club, a yoga class, etc.)
- Knit, crochet, or craft something for a friend
- Learn a new dance
- Make a blanket fort
- Make s’mores
- Plan an all-day menu of meals and treat yourself to homemade fine dining
- Play messy Twister (It’s Twister meets paint. Protect your floors.)
- Read a new book
- Send a message in a bottle
- Start a blessings jar
- Take a road trip
- Treat yourself to a massage
- Visit an aquarium
- Watch the sunrise
- Watch the sunset
How many can you do this summer? Share your pics with us on Instagram!
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It’s officially heating up outside, and we love no way of beating the heat more than enjoying a day inside at the movie theater! Since we’re part of the Eight Wonders of Flagstaff, we’re here to bring you a look at eight recently released or upcoming films that we know will be some of the top blockbusters of the summer! So grab your favorite popcorn and theater treats and read on!
Jurassic World
Because Chris Pratt + Dinosaurs = Epic Win. If you loved the original film about a failed soft open of a dinosaur theme park, you’ll love seeing John Hammond’s failed dream because a reality. You might tell yourself (like we did) that there’s no way this movie could live up to all the hype. But we’re pretty sure it does. Because life, uh … finds a way. (Hat tip to you, Ian Malcolm!)
Dope
An audience favorite of the Sundance Film Festival, DOPE follows the story of a young nerd named Malcolm surviving and thriving in one of the toughest neighborhoods in LA. We’re excited for this film that New York Magazine/Vulture called “remorselessly entertaining”!
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
This film will definitely not be your run-of-the-mill coming of age story. The movie stars Thomas Mann as Greg, an awkward high schooler who is forced to spend time with Rachel, a girl in his class who was just diagnosed with cancer. As their friendship grows, he begins to make a film for her to show her support during her struggles, only to learn it’s much harder than he could have imagined. We’ll be taking our tissue boxes to this one.
Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation
Tom Cruise. Explosions. Spy stuff. Dangling from the wings of jets. Need we say more? Spy movies are going to be big this summer (see Spy, The Man from U.N.C.L.E. , etc.), and we have high hopes for this latest film from the film franchise that’s been bringing the hits since 1996. Your mission, should you choose to accept it: Go see this movie!
Mr. Holmes
We’ve got thrills … now let’s go for some mystery! We are SO excited for this film featuring Sir Ian McKellen as an aged Sherlock Holmes. With all the fun we’ve had with Robert Downey, Jr.’s recent films and the BBC series starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Sherlock Holmes is huge right now. But now we get to see a new side: the more vulnerable side. Join us on the edge of our seats as we watch our favorite detective try to solve his greatest mystery: the mystery of lost memory, as he struggles to remember details of a past case to rewrite the history his partner Watson put in print.
Ricki and the Flash
We will watch Meryl Streep in literally anything. But there’s something about seeing her play and aged rock star that makes us REALLY want to see this movie! Streep’s character, Ricki, abandoned her family to pursue her dream of fame, and now has the chance to go back to try to salvage the pieces of her broken family. The release of the film has been delayed quite a few times … but we’re hoping it will be well worth the wait!
Z for Zachariah
If you’re one of the three possible last people on Earth after a global catastrophe, we wouldn’t be opposed to two of them being Chris Pine and Chiwetel Ejiofor … unless, of course, they’re possibly trying to kill each other. We’re looking forward to this intense thriller featuring Margot Robbie as a woman torn between Ejiofor as the first person she’s seen in a long time and Pine as a mysterious stranger who comes between their already precarious relationship.
Inside Out
We’ve heard nothing but rave reviews for this latest film from Pixar. What makes it unique, beyond its premise, is the fact that it’s the first film out of Disney’s Pixar—and possibly the animated Disney universe—to NOT feature a villain. It’s a careful look at how we all—through the lens of Riley, a precocious young girl—deal with emotions that sometimes feel beyond our control. This might be classified as a children’s film, but we’ve found we’re never disappointed by whatever Pixar puts out!
What films are you looking forward to seeing this summer?
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