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Certain scents can instantly bring back memories and transport you to a different place. For many people, scents they smelled around the holiday season when they were growing up can make them think of loved ones they spent the holidays with and may make them feel joyful or festive. There are many ways to make your home smell like the holidays, including lighting candles, using essential oils or burning incense. Here are a few of the more overlooked ways to make your home smell festive.
Make a Simmer Pot
One of the easiest ways to make your home smell like the holidays is to make a simmer pot. During the holiday season, you can add items like oranges, cinnamon sticks and cloves to a pot of water on the stove. Bring the water to a boil and then turn it down so it simmers. The smell created by the simmer pot then carries throughout your home. You can add more or less items to the simmer pot to create the perfect scent strength for your space.
Infuse Your Shower
Another way to make your home smell merry and bright this holiday season is to infuse scent in your shower. Hang a bundle of dried herbs in the shower. The steam from the shower carries the scent from the dried herbs throughout your room. Some of the herbs people equate with holiday scents include rosemary, bayberry, cinnamon and ginger.
Bake Holiday Goodies
The final way you can make your home smell like the holidays is to start baking holiday goodies. The goodies you're making, such as a warm apple pie or holiday cookies, fill your home with a sweet scent. Anyone who walks through your door can smell this scent, and it can linger in your home for hours, making your home feel more festive. In addition to making your home smell good, you also have delicious treats to eat or share with your family and friends.
Scents can help your space to feel more like your home. If you're searching for Phoenix, Arizona, apartments, Element Deer Valley has the perfect place for you to call home. Contact us today to learn more about pricing and availability.
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If you work from home (or if work sometimes follows you home) it's crucial to have a designated workspace. When guests come calling, on the other hand, a gigantic sit-to-stand desk covered with papers, staplers, and hole punchers doesn't exactly generate a festive mood. The gold standard for apartment dwellers who work from home is to add a workspace without making your apartment feel too much like the office.
Visitors should walk into your living space, and everything their eye falls on says "home." Here are three tips from your friends at the Element Deer Valley to add a home office without compromising the living space of your Phoenix apartment.
Invest in a Stealth Desk
Ingenious, affordable desks like the Suave Floating Desk by Latitude Run mount on the wall and fold down from an unassuming cabinet into a useful desk. The fixture even doubles as shelving to display plants, photos, and knickknacks. PRO TIP: Select a comfortable dining or club chair that you can roll or slide into position. An ergonomic office chair will stick out like a sore thumb.
Build an Office Into the Closet
If your clothing does not take up a lot of space, a wall or walk-in closet makes a perfect place to conceal a desk. You can build shelves to store office supplies, or just use hanging nylon or canvas closet organizers! Need your walk-in space? Even a coat closet can host a cozy desk. Screw some coat hooks into the wall for guests' coats. Just close the closet door on your discreet office at quitting time.
Storage, Storage Everywhere
Just about any piece of attractive, non-office-y furniture could conceal your office supplies, keeping them close at hand while you work at the kitchen table, coffee table, or breakfast bar. Examples include storage ottomans, storage benches, and floating hutches.
Try any one of these strategies to outfit a welcoming, relaxing home with a secret workspace. Contact the team at the Element Deer Valley to discover more tips on how to add a discreet home office to one of our beautiful, upgraded apartments in Phoenix, AZ!
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Although cats spend a good part of their day sleeping, they do need regular physical activity and stimulation. When cats get bored, this can lead to behavioral problems, such as scratching up furniture and other household items. You can make sure that your cat stays happy and active with the following tips.
Set Aside Playtime
No matter how busy your schedule is, make sure that you set aside playtime with your cat. Whether you play right after work or before you go to bed, you should grab a toy or two and spend time with your cat. Have your cat chase after a feather wand toy that you’re holding, or see if he’ll chase after a toy mouse or a favorite toy. If your cat tends to get hyper at night when you’re trying to sleep, playing before bedtime is a good idea. This helps him burn off energy, so he’ll be less likely to run and jump around during the night.
Get a Cat Tree
Cat trees offer great ways to keep cats entertained. These items give cats a chance to climb and maneuver around, so they won’t do so on your furniture or cabinets. Place a cat tree near a window to give your cat a view of the outdoors for added stimulation. Keep in mind that many cat trees also serve as scratching posts, so your cat can sharpen his claws on those surfaces instead of your sofa. You can find cat trees in a wide range of designs and setups. Some are simple with two or three shelves for cats to sit on, while others have tunnels and other areas for cats to explore.
Rotate Cat Toys
Leaving cat toys around can help your cat stay entertained when you’re not home. However, your cat might get bored with the same toys around. You can prevent this by switching up the cat toys that you leave out in your home. Every so often, put out a few new toys for your cat to play with, and put the rest away for another time.
Our pet-friendly apartment community welcomes cats and dogs. Contact us to get detailed information on our pet policy for our apartments in Phoenix, AZ.
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Even if your apartment in Phoenix, AZ has large, oversized windows that will allow natural light to pour into your home throughout the day, it probably isn’t enough to keep your home lighted for all of your needs. While dealing with basic fluorescent lighting is typically a thing of the past in many luxury apartment homes, the lighting that comes standard in your apartment may still not feel sufficient in helping you to feel at home in your new space.
There are plenty of ways to bring lighting into your home, from small desk lamps to attractive lighting features that will provide an abundance of light without requiring any permanent changes to your apartment. However, as you bring in these different lighting fixtures, it is important that you take into account a strategy that will help your apartment to flow and feel cohesive.
Here are a Few Tips For Setting Your Home Up With the Best Lighting:
- Pick a hue and stick to it. You’d be surprised how often homes are filled with all sorts of different types of lighting. Light bulbs are available in different hues, and when you don’t make a conscious effort to choose one of these hues over the others, then you are going to end up with a mash-up of different color lights in your home. Choosing one will bring all of your lighting fixtures together to create one solid flow of light.
- Think long term for reliability. LED lights are more reliable in the long term, and will save you money on your electric bill. Those old lightbulbs are a thing of the past, and what’s worse, if you find yourself living with them, you are likely to find yourself in the dark with a burned-out bulb far more often than you’d prefer.
- Put the lighting where you need it the most. It may seem like it makes the most sense to stick a lamp far in the corner where the table is already sitting, but if you don’t typically sit on that side of the room, then that lamp isn’t going to be very helpful. Move your furniture to accommodate your movement, and bring the light to where you will need it the most.
In most cases, making a few small changes to the lights in your home can have a big impact on the way your apartment feels. For help finding the right apartment for you to light up, contact us.
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Being a part of a community means more than simply living in a particular ZIP code. People love knowing that they are a part of something larger — a way to connect to their fellow humans through fellowship, service, and fun. Community events don't have to be intensive or overly time-consuming, so don't be worried! People have been joining community service organizations and helping others since the dawn of time, and it fulfills a fundamental missing piece in our lives to help others. Sure, you could leave it up to the professionals and elected representatives — but where's the fun in that? Here are all the reasons you'll ever need to get involved in community events in the Phoenix, Arizona, area.
Expand your network
It's true; you never know who you will meet during a community event. All kinds of people, from past presidents to celebrities, look for ways to improve the world around them, and community events fulfill that need. Who knows? You might meet your next employer — or future spouse!
Enhance your skill set
Are you looking for a way to get some on-the-job training for a new career without making a complete change? Getting involved with community events allows you to push yourself with new skills or tool kits, providing you with valuable knowledge that you can leverage in the future.
Make your voice heard
Depending on the organization, getting involved in the community may provide you with a way to share your thoughts and voice with a broader audience. You bring special expertise that is unique to you — and the world needs to hear from you!
Create a sense of ownership
Whether you are helping clean up a children's playground or helping build a ramp to a community center for the elderly, you will appreciate the sense of accomplishment and ownership each time you think of your community project. The positive vibes coming your way can encourage others to get involved, too.
Community is an incredibly important part of our life at Element Deer Valley in Phoenix, Arizona. While we are still close enough to allow you to commute to Phoenix, our friendly and refined style of living promotes harmony with the elements and our community. Learn more about the stunning locale of Element Deer Valley and our pet-friendly modern apartments online, or visit us today.
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]]>The post 3 Reasons to Take Advantage of the Pools at Element Deer Valley appeared first on Element Deer Valley Blog.
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Phoenix is undoubtedly a hot place, and thus staying cool during the spring, summer and, yes, even fall (and sometimes winter!) is a priority for all residents. Keeping residents cool and comfortable all year long is a priority of Element Deer Valley, and one way this apartment community does that is by offering an incredible variety of water features, including four different pools with spas to enjoy.
Swimming pools, in general, may be a common asset available in apartments in North Phoenix, Arizona, but few offer the great array as that offered here. But maybe you're not sure what's so great about such backyard water features? Well, just take a look at the following three reasons why it's high time for every Element Deer Valley resident to take advantage of the on-site pools:
Social Interaction
What better way to cool off from a hard week of work than by inviting your friends over and enjoying a lazy afternoon poolside? Or maybe you're new to town and looking for new friends? Living in a luxury apartment complex such as this offers plenty of opportunities to meet new people while sharing great apartment amenities such as the pool.
Fitness With Style
Of course, pools don't just have to be enjoyed in leisure style. One of the great things about this amenity is that it offers both fun and fitness opportunities. In fact, swimming is among the best, if not the best low-impact workouts a person can do. From swimming laps to underwater cardio, there are plenty of different ways to use the on-site swimming pools to get fitter.
Staycation In Your Own Backyard
Here at the Element Deer Valley, you just need to step into your backyard to enjoy access to a relaxing oasis complete with pools, spas, grills and gorgeous landscaping. Around each of the apartment pools are plenty of lounge chairs and cabanas with comfortable outdoor furniture. Need to unwind after a long day? Grab your favorite book and some sunscreen, and enjoy being transported to a whole different environment.
Learn More About Element Deer Valley
Curious about what other amenities this North Phoenix apartment complex has to offer? Visit our website or contact one of our friendly representatives to learn more.
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Are you tired of walking into your kitchen and feeling overwhelmed by all the clutter? We understand that residents of our Element Deer Valley apartments in Phoenix, AZ might need a little help getting it in order. That is why we are providing you with a few tips to get you started. Hopefully, that puts you on the path to getting everything in its proper place.
Fill Empty Spaces
Look around for oddly shaped empty spaces in places like above your refrigerator or in corners. You can use them to add storage elements like stackable bins. That is a great way to store your extra coffee mugs or other oddly shaped containers that don’t quite fit into your cabinets with the rest of your dishes.
You can also create a place to store items like mail or other important papers. Hanging baskets are a great way of storing these types of loose items. That way they are not spread around your counters and kitchen table. Get even more organized by labeling your baskets to hold specific paperwork.
Tackle the Fridge
It is amazing how a clean refrigerator can make your kitchen feel that much neater. Do the following to ensure you have a clean, organized fridge in the end.
Refrigerator Cleaning Tips
- Toss anything old or molding
- Check expiration dates on items like milk or juice
- Set your temperature controls to optimal levels
- Take out any remaining food items and give the inside of your fridge a thorough wipe down
- Organize items by type when placing them back in the refrigerator
- Place the most frequently used items in front
We also recommend adding a box of baking soda to keep things fresh.
Rearrange Your Cabinets
Changing the order of your dishware can stop items from falling out when you open the cabinets. Start by pulling everything out and taking stock of what you own. We recommend throwing away any cracked or stained items. Put the dishes you use most on the shelves that are easiest to access.
Restack your dishes by placing larger items on the bottom to help with balance. You should also put every other glass in your cabinet upside down to maximize space.
We hope these ideas allow you to start moving away from the clutter in your kitchen. Contact the Element Deer Valley staff at any time with any questions about your Phoenix, AZ apartment by calling (866)367-3402.
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Dinner parties are more than just an excuse to get your friends together. They provide an opportunity to show off your cooking skills, exercise your creativity and introduce strangers to their soon-to-be spouses. There are few things more thrilling than a night when you can put aside your stresses and just live in the moment. If you live in Phoenix apartments, here are three reasons to start planning one today.
Out of the Ordinary
Most people are used to being invited over for traditional-style parties where people stand around holding drinks while chatting in selective groups. Unless your friends are master entertainers, dinner parties aren’t always the most popular choice. They can be a lot of work and put pressure on the host or hostess. But people want to attend things that are a little different, and a dinner party can provide just the tweak you need to really spice up the conversation and have some fun.
A Chance to Shine
There’s an art to being a good host or hostess in Phoenix apartments, and just because we live in an age of smartphones doesn’t mean that the art should be lost. Hosting a dinner party gives you a chance to explore new flavors and improve your mastery in the kitchen. And it also teaches you important lessons about time management and relationships — all without feeling like it's a chore or an obligation.
New Conversations
When people step outside their comfort zone, it leads to more lively conversations. It’s at the dinner table where people have a chance to voice their opinion and talk about the things that matter most to them. You can’t dictate or predict the tone of a conversation, but by throwing a dinner party, you give people an opportunity to communicate in a way that they may not experience very often. Who knows what interesting facts you might learn?
The apartments in Phoenix are always more fun when you surround yourself with interesting people you want to learn more about. If you’re looking for a new home with a modern kitchen and more space to host all your friends, give Element at Deer Valley a call today to learn more about our availability.
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If you’re trying to cut back on how much you spend, you’re probably getting tired of all the standard advice about how you should brew your own coffee or stop eating out so much. It’s not that these generic tips are bad necessarily, but you probably wouldn’t still want to tighten up your budget if it was as easy as skipping your Starbucks run. Here are three better ways to start cutting back in Phoenix apartments.
Weigh the Costs
All of us have a price we’re willing to pay for the things we want. Let’s say your morning latte costs $3, but its delectable taste, the camaraderie you feel at your local coffee shop and the time and effort you save are worth at least $5 to you. Well, then we’d say you found yourself a bargain! But if there's something you feel like you’re spending too much on compared to the experience you get, it’s time to take a hard look at cutting it out of your life. Get into the habit of putting a value on things and see how well it matches up with the actual dollar amount.
Shop Around
This one may be a common piece of advice, but few people tell you just how much time and energy you’ll put into researching different companies and deals. Still, if you really want to tighten up your budget, you have to learn how to comparison shop. Someone, somewhere out there is offering what you want for less. You don’t have to give up your full-time job to find it, but it may be worth a few hours of shopping around.
Start Small
Tightening up your budget is all about awareness, so don't start with deprivation. Instead, aim to spend just a few extra bucks less a day and then put that money aside. Once you see it grow, you'll hopefully be more motivated to keep it up.
When you're in control of your finances, you can stop worrying so much about the future. If you're looking for apartments in Phoenix where you can maximize your dollar, contact Element at Deer Valley. See if we can help you find a new place to call your own.
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