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Every month we research new ideas to help you enjoy a full life at your apartment in Austin. And every blog that we produce is backed by our mission that is centered around you – living a wholesome living experience at Juniper Springs.
With summer temps rising daily, we thought you might appreciate some top tips on how to stay cool in the summer heat.
Play in the Pool
Our first choice, of course, is to encourage you to enjoy the pool at our apartments in Austin. Whether you swim some laps in the morning, enjoy a full day in its cool waters, or plan a BBQ pool side in the evening, our pool and pool-side amenities are there for you and your family to enjoy.
Need ideas on how to keep the kids entertained while you read your favorite book pool-side, there’s a great article on ActiveKids.com. Read on to read more about pool games for your kids that include: Beach Ball Race, Ping Pong Madness, Sharks and Minnows, What Time Is It Mr. Fox , Coin Hunts, Floatie Races, and we must mention the oh-so-famous: Marco Polo!
Keep it Cool in the Kitchen
As noted above, feel free to use the BBQ to keep the heat out of your kitchen. And instead of the comfy foods that we enjoy during our cooler month, swap those out for fresh fruit salads, scrumptious sandwiches, and of course, ice cream and popsicles for dessert! If you need more ideas on cool things to cook during the steamy summer months, take a look at this site that offers 50 options to keep your kitchen and apartment cool this summer.
Get Spicy
This deserves a paragraph all on its own. As home to the best BBQ and restaurants in the USA (our opinion), order it HOT. Yes, spicy hot! We have learned this lesson from some of our neighbors who noted that some of the spiciest foods come from South America where the temps are tops most of the year. Although spicey foods may feel hot at first bite, and we start to sweat, the air on our damp skin cools down our body’s temperature. So here’s another tip on how to keep your body cool. Click into this story published on EATER Austin re: 10 Places to Light Your Mouth on Fire in Austin!
To get you fired-up to read the story, here’s how it starts:
Texas weather can get hot, but its food can get even hotter. The city’s restaurant scene thrives on peppers and spice and everything else that makes for delicious, flavorful food, but there are certain plates that stand out amongst the rest.
Here is your guide to Austin’s spiciest dishes, the ones that will make you break out in a sweat and light your mouth on fire. There’s an ample number of Thai and Sichuan specialties like Dee Dee and Sichuan River, to hot chicken at Tumble 22, and oh-so-hot Indian dishes at Clay Pit. This update adds Tommy Want Wingy to the mix. Keep those glasses of milk handy.
Keep All Things Cotton
From your sheets at night to your summer wardrobe, cotton is always our top pick to beat the heat in Austin. We found a good article written by Voila ~ Wellness Made Simple that explained why cotton is good for you, and the environment too. Here are some highlights:
- Breathability In hot and sweaty seasons, as the body perspires, cotton fibers absorb the moisture and release it on the fabric, so it evaporates. This makes cotton breathable. It also allows for better air circulation while drawing heat away from the skin and keeping the body cool and dry. Because it is absorbent it removes liquid from the skin, like a towel, according to Cotton Incorporated.
- Comfortable – Cotton fibers (especially organic) are one of the only natural fibers that cause almost no allergic reactions and don’t irritate human skin. Cotton’s hypoallergenic nature and moisture-wicking properties won’t aggravate dry skin or cause allergic reactions, even in people prone to skin problems like rashes or eczema.
- Stylish cotton is not only the best choice for t-shirts, PJs, and jeans! You can find beautifully made and stylish cotton outfits from top designers these days. Great looking garments that will not only make you look good but also make you feel good while wearing them no matter how hot it gets!
But wait, there’s more! Watch our next edition for more ways to keep cool during the summer months in and around your apartment in Austin.
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Throughout our blogs, we always like to bring you only good news to share with your family at our apartments in Austin, TX. And today, we are continuing to this mission and providing you with an educational list of things you can do in your daily life to save you time and money this spring and long into 2021 and beyond.
Below is a start to a list of simple household tips that we have collected over the years. The initial list came from my Mom who gave it to me when I was in college. Since then, similar lists have popped up all over the web. And with good reason!
Watch our blog later this month for more ways to use products that you have in your house for things that you probably have not thought of in the past.
Safe Way to Pick-up Broken Glass d of using a sponge that will retain the small particles pieces of glass, use cotton balls. They do a much better and safer job of getting the job done.
Easy Tip for Removing Dust Under the Fridge – We have talked about spring cleaning in our former blogs and should have added this tip, too. To get the dirt out from under your refrigerator, grab an empty paper towel holder and attach it to your wand on your vacuum. You will be amazed at how much dust and dirt you can remove with this household tip.
Removing Static Cling – Back in the day when most women wore slips under their dresses and skirts, they would place a few safety pins to the inside of the seams. This immediately removes and eliminates ‘static cling.” This works for shirts, too!
Easy Tip to Clean Sticky Measuring Cups – We love peanut butter, yet we don’t like the tacky mess it leaves in our measuring cups and spoons. Thank goodness we were reminded about this simple trick. Just warm up the spoons and cups with hot water, pour it out, yet do not dry them off. You will find that any sticky substance will simple slide out with no mess left behind. This works wonders on Honey in particular!
Simple Way to Rid the Foggy Windshield – Although this may be a rare occasion in Austin, this is still a great tip to share with your friends and family. To easily erase a foggy windshield, buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in your car for the next foggy morning.
Got more ideas? We would love to see them and share them with your neighbors at our apartment community in Austin, TX.
Follow this link to our Facebook page and post away!
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Earlier this month we shared some of our top tips for spring cleaning. The article was so popular we decided to do more research to help you get your apartment in Austin clean and shiny this spring!
Coffee Filter Cleaners
One of the most affordable tools in the house is probably sitting next to your coffee cups in the cupboard. Time to pull them out and put them to a new use! Did you know they worked really well as a dust rag? Just wipe and toss and you will be on your way.
Even better, when placing food into the microwave, top it off with a coffee filter and say good-bye to spaghetti stains and other colorful sauces that used to pop all over inside!
Shoe Storage Savior
The next time you cannot find a match for your left shoe or right, go out to the local liquor store and pick-up a wine box. It is the perfect home for storing your shoes together and saving space at the same time.
Computer Cord Caddy
Just before you toss that toilet paper or paper towel tube, hold on to it! They are the ideal solution for gathering all those computer cords into one tidy bundle. This works for electrical cords as well so save those handy cylinders and repurpose them today.
Another ideal container that works well for this same purpose is pipe insulation. We got some at the hardware store and found that the ½ inch is the ideal size for seizing the mess under our desks.
Pie Plate Dustpan
For quick clean-ups of spilled dirt, sugar, flour and more, keep an aluminum pie plate handy. Cut it in half, clean up your mess, and toss it all away into the trash.
Glove Dust Magnets
Here is a great tip for dusting off the knickknacks around your apartment in Austin. Grab a pair of ‘cotton’ garden gloves, spray them with your favorite natural cleaner, and dust all those small accessories that have collected dust over the winter months. This ‘fingertip’ cleaning tip is one of our favorite ways to keep our keepsakes clean throughout the year.
Designer Drawers
When was the last time you could not find something in your bathroom drawer? Gone are the days of trying to find the lip balm or toe-nail clippers! We have found that a silverware drawer insert is the ideal solution for sorting out all sorts of stuff that deserves its own space.
If you have any more ideas that we should share with your neighbors at our pet friendly apartment community in Austin, send them our way! And in the meantime, the best of success to you in your spring cleaning endeavors!
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With spring officially around the corner, our team at Juniper Springs apartments in Austin, Tx, knows exactly what that means: It is Spring-Cleaning Season.
Luckily for most of us, all the things we need to clean our apartment without the harsh chemicals that are included in most cleaning agents, are right here in our kitchen. Here is your list of items that will help you leave your apartment at Juniper Springs spic and span!
- Vinegar
- Baking Soda
- Lemon Juice
- Salt
- Borax (or similar product)
- Plastic Spray Bottle
- Clean Soft Cloths
By following the tips on how to naturally clean your apartment in Austin, TX, below, you will end up with some simple and affordable ways to clean your carpets, bathrooms, windows, and kitchen, without the intrusion of chemical fumes.
White Vinegar
Place mixture of ¼ part vinegar and ¾ parts water into a spray bottle. Then get to work. I have found this combination to work well to remove hard-water spots throughout by bathroom, and well into the kitchen where it works to remove the spots on my coffee pot and other glassware. It is a good one to take with you when you are washing windows or need to get gooey stickers off products that you recently purchased.
When it comes to cleaning drains, my neighbor told me about the power of White Vinegar or Cider Vinegar. It is much better for your pipes than any of the more toxic products.
It is also great for getting any lime scales or stains on your sink, shower, or tub.
One more plug for the power of vinegar. Mix a cup of vinegar with a few tablespoons of olive oil and a few drops of lemon juice – then go give your furniture a fresh and lemony dusting and polishing.
Lemon Juice
I bet you have never thought about putting lemon juice in your wash machine. Using a half cup of juice for every gallon of water will brighten those light and bright spring whites in no time. For tougher stains on your clothes, or your countertops, just spray the juice (no water) right on the stain, let it sit, then wash or wipe it down.
We have also used lemon juice to clean our toilets. Grab some baking soda and mix it with lemon juice – then use this paste to make your toilets lemony-fresh and clean.
If you are using lemons, and not the purchased lemon juice product, the juice from a fresh lemon works wonders in the fridge. Just cut it in half and leave it on the shelf for a week or so. You will know when it is time to toss it in the trash.
Baking Soda
Make a batch of this non-toxic abrasive cleaning product by mixing the baking soda with equal parts of salt.
Apply the mixture on a wet sponge or cloth and head to the bathroom to spit-shine your sinks and tubs.
This works wonders when cleaning your refrigerator. Got fresh stains on the carpet? Rub a bit on the spot, leave it for about an hour, then vacuum it out. It should remove any unwanted smell as well.
One more note about baking soda – for your teeth. Really! Add a touch to your toothpaste then brush away!
Now that is a shine that you can appreciate for years to come!
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In our first blog for February, we shared some ideas to help all of us get out and enjoy the spring season. Today, we continue to do the same with a mission to help our local economy spring into a more successful year ahead.
Within the same theme of ‘getting out of our apartments in Austin, we thought we would share some dining options where you can enjoy the fresh air dining ‘al fresco’ in Austin.
In addition to all our ideas as to where to Dine Outside in Austin that we listed in a blog last fall, here are new restaurant options in Austin that are offering outside dining.
Bon Appetit!
Always a favorite, Easy Tiger is one of the trendiest spots for dining outside. With a location in North Austin and South Austin, and NEW East Austin location (opening this month!), there are plenty of options no matter where you are within the city and outskirts of Austin.
We looked into their reviews to find a local’s opinion to share the experience with you.
“Easy Tiger at the Linc offers a spacious beer garden complete with ping pong, a stage and outside bar. The location also offers the same amazing food as downtown with a couple extra options along with a larger bakery with pastries. Parking is ample, and there is even a drive thru! There is a bar both inside and outside serving up craft beer, creative cocktails and wines. It is the perfect space for a happy hour, date night, business meeting or flying solo. I enjoyed myself so much, I didn't want to leave!” (Amy D, Austin Tx)
Whether you choose to sip a beverage alongside the river or treat your pooch to a dinner night out, this dog-friendly favorite spot of ours is always on our list when we have guests in town. Promoting its restaurant as a “Gathering Place for Family and Friends,” the setting alone will assure you and yours a delightful dining experience in the great outdoors.
They have also opened a new outdoor party venue called Rendezvous – complete with a ‘canoe bar,’ Tivoli lights, and casual seating within an open tented private setting.
Touting its establishment as The Sunset Capital of Texas, this expansive operation has more than enough outdoor seating for all who flock to the edge of Lake Travis in Austin, TX. Noted as “quite possibly one of the most spectacular sunset locations on the planet,” the views are just the beginning of what is in store for you and yours.
They are also famous for their signature cocktails. Among our favorites ~ a very unusual yet yummy Spiced Banana Colada, Oasis Mexican Martini, Sunny Peach Lemonade, and Oasis Sunset.
If you had planned a wedding in 2020 and had to wait, give them a call to find out when you can rekindle your plans for that special occasion within one of their many private event locations.
Be it indoors, outdoors, or on the go, El Alma restaurant and bar is doing whatever it takes to ensure you can still enjoy their sensational selection of food and drinks with a real local touch.
As best said by the proprietors:
“El Alma is the culmination of two great friends — Restaurateur Carlos Rivero, and Chef Alma Alcocer. Together, they bring to life a fresh approach to Mexican flavors in a cozy neighborhood restaurant.”
Rather dine at home? You can still support their business by pre-ordering and picking up their popular Dinner Kits to Go in Austin, TX!
Cheers! No matter where you go and choose to dine, our team at our apartments in North Austin thank you for doing your best to support our local restaurants and businesses this year.
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Welcome to 2021! If one of your New Year’s Resolutions is to get your apartment in North Austin, TX, a little more organized and welcoming, our January blogs are for you!
Starting a new year gives us every reason to toss the past behind us and focus forward on the good things in life. With so many of us spending more time at home, this may be the best resolution to put at the top of your list!
We have just walked through our apartment at Juniper Springs and used that tour to develop our own list of how we will start the process, today! On behalf of our entire team, we wish you the best of success in streamlining and organizing your apartment this month!
Happy New Year!
Welcome Home!
We all know about ‘first impressions.’ How’s yours … as friends and family walk in the door. Shoes on the floor, coats hanging off the edge of the closet door? Perhaps your plant has seen better days? To get started on your new resolution, go outside, and then walk in and take a visual inventory. If you are pleased with what you see, fabulous! You are on your way.
If not, time to tidy up the entry. And that does not mean just throw everything in the closet. It will be there when you need to repeat that habit the next time. Maybe it’s time to donate a few jackets to the local thrift shop. Perhaps you need a small bench for the variety of shoes and boots? Whatever you can do to make that closet purposeful and not a holding tank will be a super first step to getting your entry welcoming and clutter-free.
A Kitchen is for Cooking
Are your countertops cluttered with unread mail or perhaps missing bills? Has your kitchen table become a mailbox holding ground? One of the fastest habits to break that will bring the purpose of your kitchen back to work is tossing your mail or various stacks of paper where they belong -before you land in the kitchen.
We have added a new and colorful basket right by the entry of our apartment. When we come home, we stop and assess the mail at the entrance to our home. Bills go in one pile, the useful paper goods (like our favorite magazines) go to into the basket for further review, and all other unwanted materials go directly into the trash which is conveniently located under our sink in the kitchen!
Our neighbors did it differently – yet their system works. They bought several rectangle baskets, labeled them, and placed them on a shelf. Bills into one bin, cards and other personal items in another, and junk mail in the final basket for review or removal when time allows. They also finally convinced us to go to online billing and contact the publisher of unwanted magazines to remove our name from their list.
Bedrooms are for Sleeping
There’s a favorite chair in our bedroom that brings back endless memories of family time gone by. Prior to our reorganizing spree, you could not see it as it turned into a “clothing catcher” of all sorts. Today, it proudly sits awaiting our return to enjoy some quiet time with a good book. The piles of clothing now have their own designated space. They are either placed on hangers (we bought quite a few for a great value) or live in a hamper to await laundry day.
Stay tuned to our next blog later this month for more top tips on how to organize your apartment in 2021!
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“A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues.” – Cicero
With Thanksgiving in our focus at our apartment community in North Austin, TX, it brings back great memories of gathering together with friends and family during this time of the year.
It is also time to reflect-back to all the good in life that we may have forgotten to appreciate through our most recent challenging times. In that light, we thought we would share some ideas to help children, and adults as well, get together to share their ideas and memories about the more positive things in life.
Below you will find an easy list of ideas that we have gathered from our favorite family-focused websites. We encourage you to take some time to share these ideas before Thanksgiving and perhaps during the upcoming holiday as well.
Make Time to Say Thanks
During this busy time of the year, it is often challenging to get a family to sit down for dinner when it is usually the best time for a family conversation. Perhaps you can start the inspiration at breakfast and ask everyone to spend a moment to share what they are thankful for each morning. This will jump-start everyone’s day in positive note which they can carry with them throughout each day.
Post Your Gratitude
If you have some post-it notes, pull them out and put them to good use this Thanksgiving! This simple idea can last a long time when it comes to reminding your family how grateful you are for their love and kindness. Just write a quick note – and perhaps post it in the bathroom on the mirror. You can rest assured they will see it at some point during the day!
And then leave the post-it pad with a pen close by … to encourage their own inspirational thoughts.
Give Thanks Across the Street and Beyond
With all the delicious recipes overflowing on the internet, maybe this will inspire you and your children to make something yummy to share with the next-door neighbors?
Or help out at the local Food Bank or Soup Kitchen volunteering, safely, to help those who need it most.
Play the Alphabet Game
This is an easy one that everyone can play – be it indoors or out! Start with the letter “A” and ask everyone to name something that they are grateful for that begins with “A”. Think: adoration for my family, art, apple pie!
Try A Game of Gratitude
All you need are a few pieces of paper and pen, and a timer, for this easy and interactive game. Tell the players that they will have one minute to write down everything that they are grateful for this past year. Whoever has the biggest list can then oversee starting a similar game with a ball in hand. The idea here is to hold the ball, say what you are thankful for, then toss the ball to another friend or family member. This can be a timed event as well. Set it for a minute and see how many times the ball can be passed.
Start a Piggy Bank Filled with Love
We love this one. Give everyone seven pieces of paper on which they will write their thoughts. No name is required – just the thought. Every morning, have them place their paper in a jar through the week. On Thanksgiving, or during the holiday weekend, find time to pass the Piggy Bank around the table and ask everyone to pull out one thought and share it with all involved.
Create a Family Thank You Journal
All you need for this idea is a blank book (or large notepad) that will be a treasured keepsake. We like to start this on Thanksgiving and encourage our family to write their thoughts of gratitude within the Journal until Christmas Day. It is not necessary to write every day, yet at least once a week. We use Sundays as our days to stop and reflect on what we are thankful for during that past week.
On Christmas, we close the book and share it on New Year’s Eve. You may be surprised how all the entries can set a healthy and happy tone for the new year ahead.
Bring Back the Hand-Written Thank You Note!
If there is one act of kindness that our staff at Juniper Springs apartments in Austin appreciates most – it’s a good-old-fashioned Thank You note. These are certainly appropriate after one receives a gift yet are just as powerful as an impromptu act of kindness. No need to wait to just to tell someone you are thinking about them or appreciate their guidance and advice.
We hope you have enjoyed this bit of inspiration to kick-start the holiday season. From all of us at the Juniper Springs apartment community, we thank you for your friendship and wish you a warm and memorable Thanksgiving.
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With Father’s Day around the corner on June 21st it is time to finalize your plans and gift ideas for Dad. Instead of heading out to the mall from your apartment in Austin, TX, this year is the perfect year to try to make something yourself to present a heart-felt package to your favorite Pop.
To help you get your creative juices flowing, we visited some of our favorite websites and resources and hand-picked some easy and affordable ways to make a personal gift this year.
Whether Dad loves to BBQ, enjoys a cool brew, or looks forward to quality time with you know who, there is a perfect idea to please the big guy in your life all wrapped-up with DIY TLC!
If you need more ideas, just click into the links that we have provide within this blog. And speaking of which, on behalf of our team at Juniper Springs Apartment Community in Austin, TX, we’d like to offer credit where credit is due to all the websites we have noted below.
M&M Bow Tie Card
Photo/Idea Credit & Resource: Alydosdall.com
How sweet is this? And it is really simple to make as well. Just click into the resource above for all the directions on how to create a DIY candy card for Dad this year.
Super Dad Candy Card
Photo/Idea Credit & Resource: IHeartCraftyThings.com
There might not be a better way to let Dad know that he is your Superhero! All you need is a bit of construction paper and a tasty candy bar and your DIY card is DONE.
Monster Mix
Photo/Idea Credit & Resource: Lilluna.com
This delicious mix will keep Dad snackin’ through the weekend. It is a healthy mix of nuts and such that just might be in your cupboard as we speak. Make a batch or more to share with the rest of the family or make him a six pack that he can enjoy throughout the summer months.
Personalized Spatula
Photo/Idea Credit & Resource: SkiptoMyLou.com
This might be our favorite idea of all. And it is so simple! All you need is a little bit of paint and you are on your way to sharing your love every time it is time to BBQ.
Beer Bouquet
Photo/Idea Credit & Resource: Unoriginal Mom
Beer could be one of the best gifts to give a Dad who enjoys his brews. The picture pretty much shows you how to DIY yet for a complete play-by-play, click into UnoriginalMom to wrap this project up, and see many more ideas to please your Pop this year.
Grilling Apron
Photo/Idea Credit & Resource: LovelyIndeed.com
Keep all that BBQ sauce off Dad’s shorts! With this custom apron, you can keep Dad clean between the ribs, burgers, and brats all summer long.
Building Memories Jar
Photo/Idea Credit & Resource: TheSeasonedMom.com
Legos unite! Turn those buildings, ships, and super structures into a year-long jar of love. All you need to do is sacrifice a few Legos, grab a sharpie pen, and present a jar full of fun ideas to do with Dad this year.
And that is just the beginning. Click into more ideas noted below and get your DIY Fathers’ Day Gift Ideas into full gear this week.
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]]>So many shelves in our grocery stores and pharmacies have been empty for weeks.
No bread? No problem. Flour. Yeast. We got this.
We're nothing if not resourceful. But when it comes to that empty shelf once full of hand sanitizers, not so fast.
There's a lot to consider, and while there may be a slew of DIY hand sanitizer “recipes" online, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), among other experts and health agencies, stresses there's a lot of room for error in regard to mixing the right elements in the right proportions to create a hand sanitizer that's safe and effective.
Here's why you should leave the creation of hand sanitizer to the professionals and what to do to stay safe right now.
Clean, disinfect, sanitize: What's the difference?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it's uncertain exactly how long the virus that causes COVID-19 lasts on surfaces but studies suggest it could be anywhere from a few hours to several days. That's why it's important to clean your hands and keep them away from your eyes, mouth or nose.
Cleaning doesn't necessarily kill germs, but it will reduce the amount of all types of germs and chemicals, which in turn helps to lower the risk of spreading infection.
Disinfecting uses chemicals to kill germs, but you're not necessarily cleaning. Ideally, disinfect after you clean to help lower risk of spread.
Sanitizing, according to the CDC, “lowers the number of germs on surfaces or objects to a safe level as judged by public health standards or requirements. This process works by either cleaning or disinfecting surfaces or objects to lower the risk of spreading infection."
No room for error
Professionally manufactured hand sanitizer is made of alcohol, glycerin, hydrogen peroxide and sterile water mixed together in particular proportions as determined by health agencies such as the WHO or FDA.
For instance, FDA guidelines state the alcohol should not be less than 94.9 percent ethanol by volume. The WHO recommends a formula with alcohol (ethanol) of 80 percent by volume “in an aqueous solution." Using improper ingredients in the wrong proportions means your DIY hand sanitizer won't be effective.
No agency recommends adding other ingredients such as aloe or essential oils, as has been seen on some DIY options that have floated around the web. (Many of these have been removed, like a popular Facebook post touting a recipe using Tito's vodka. In the face of this, Tito's announced it would make its own authorized hand sanitizer.)
Additives can impact the quality and potency of the hand sanitizer. Also, additives may improve the hand sanitizer's smell or taste, which could attract and harm children who might ingest it.
Making a mistake creating hand sanitizer in your kitchen isn't like putting in too much salt in a recipe. The stakes are higher. Too much alcohol can irritate or burn the skin. You'll be inhaling hazardous chemicals during the creation process. And, if you cut corners or mix incorrectly, it might not effectively get rid of the microbes you want to remove.
Hand sanitizer best practices
The only reason to use hand sanitizer is if you have no access to soap and water. And, those times are few and far between, especially while we're spending so much more time in our houses and apartments.
Plus, for hand sanitizer to be most effective, it must be used properly, according to the CDC:
- Cover all surfaces of the hands and rub in the hand sanitizer until it's dry
- Clean hands first; using hand sanitizer on hands that are greasy or dirty can lower its effectiveness
Soap and water best
Ultimately, hand washing is more effective than hand sanitizers at removing certain kinds of germs. The soap — and no need for antibacterial soap — will lift away oil and microbes, and the water washes them away.
Get thee to a sink.
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]]>- You can use many items already in your home to make DIY Halloween decorations
- Milk jugs, paint cans and egg cartons can make for some spooky decor
- Add the DIY Halloween decorations to your front door, above your mantel or in your balcony
Halloween marks the beginning of the holiday season, which means it's time to get festive! Decorating isn't just for those who own big homes. There are a lot of ways to make your apartment festive for Halloween.
We found some easy, inexpensive Halloween DIY decorations that kids would not only love to make but love to see around their home, too! With these decor ideas, you'll have the spookiest apartment in your complex.
1. Ghost lantern
Photo courtesy of isavea2z.com
Save your milk jugs for this adorable project. All you need is a milk jug, sharpie, pencil, knife, rocks and mini lights.
Draw out the face you want on the jug with a pencil and then fill it in with a sharpie marker. Add a few rocks to the bottom to weigh it down so it won't get knocked over.
Cut a small flap on the opposite side of the jug for the lights to go in. String in your lights and place your ghosts around your space.
2. Egg carton bats
Photo courtesy of craftsbycourtney.com
Upcycling makes great DIY projects. To make some awesome hanging bats for your apartment, save your next carton of eggs. For this project, you need an egg carton, scissors, paint, string and googly eyes.
Let your kids get creative and paint the bats however they see fit. Add googly eyes to the middle cup and attach a string to the top. These bats will be sure to spook up your apartment!
3. Spider webs
Video courtesy of YouTube/Gillian Bower
Your kids will love making these spider webs to hang around your apartment. Fake spiders are optional but will definitely make your webs look more realistic.
Start by blowing up your balloon. Attach a string to the end so you can hang it to dry once you're done. Place a good bit of yarn into a bowl with glue and water. Mush it all together so it creates a paste on the yarn. Wrap the yarn around the balloon so it looks like a web. Once you've created your masterpiece, let it hang until it's dry.
Lastly, pop the balloon to reveal a creepy web that no one will suspect was made by anyone but a spider! Glue on your fake spiders to complete the webs.
4. Spider windows
Photo courtesy of diyandfyi.wordpress.com
If you want to scare your neighbors, this spiderweb window decoration is for you. To make this, you need black yarn, scissors and tape.
Using your yarn, create a spider web in your window from the inside of your apartment. Use your tape to keep the web in place. Get creative. You can't go wrong with this web!
5. Front door mummy
Photo courtesy of dinahollandinteriors.com
Create a chilling entrance to your apartment home by making this front door mummy. The supplies include white streamers, black and white paper, scissors and tape. All you have to do to create your mummy door is wrap, wrap, wrap. Using your scissors, cut a large circle out of the white paper and a smaller circle out of the black paper.
Tape the black paper on top of the white to make eyes. Tape them near the top of the door to complete your door mummy!
6. Eyeball wreath
Photo courtesy of The Love Nerds
This wreath looks scary yet it's easy to make. Grab a foam wreath from the local craft store, a bag of googly eyes and ping pong balls. With a hot glue gun, start attaching the ping pong balls, layer by layer. Once you're good with the layout, start attaching the eyes to each of the ping pong balls. You can follow the easy tutorial here.
7. Candy corn wreath
Photo courtesy of The Gracious Wife
This is a good DIY Halloween decoration to do with kids during a Saturday afternoon. Grab a stack of paper plates and on the back, paint a circle of white in the middle, then a bigger orange circle and then the outside circle in yellow. Let me plates dry completely.
Once dry, cut the plates into eight slices (similar to cutting a pizza). Use a hole punch to string twine through each plate and then hang it up above your mantel.
8. Front yard tombstones
Photo courtesy of eHow
This tombstone would be a scary addition to your front door or to your little outdoor space. Draw the tombstone outline on a cardboard box and cut out two identical pieces (these will be the front and back of the tombstone). This tutorial explains how to attach them together.
After your cardboard tombstone is complete, paper mache the outside with newspaper, allow to dry and use dark gray spray paint to get it to that cemetery color. Paint the letters using a stencil and add cobwebs for extra flair.
9. Tin can ghosts
Photo courtesy of Chicken Scratch NY
Boo! Paint one or two large tin cans white. Once dry, draw the ghost's face on each one — have fun with this and make some fun expressions. Cut some white ribbons in different lengths and glue them to the inside of the can. Don't worry about being perfect. If anything, raggedy lines will add to the effect.
Then, add a little hook to the top for hanging. This tutorial shows you how.
10. Scary eyes for plants
Photo courtesy of Kitchen Fun with My 3 Sons
These creepy eyes in plants will get a jump out of your neighbors. Start by purchasing two green pumpkin baskets, you'll be using the bottom of them for the eyes. Tape off the bottom and paint the rest of the pumpkin white. Once dry, paint the red veins and a black circle on the green bottom.
Bring the spooky to your home
Halloween decor doesn't have to be expensive. You can use materials already sold at the dollar store or that you have on hand.
Use paint cans, paper plates, tissue paper and other affordable materials to make your apartment the scariest in the whole complex.
Article By: Muriel Vega
The post 10 Easy DIY Halloween Decorations Your Kids Can Make for Your Apartment appeared first on Juniper Springs A Concierge Community Blog.
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