With the holidays of 2025 behind us, it’s time to focus on a brand-new year to come! To help you have a more organized home to leave more time for fun and adventure in Austin, our family at Juniper Springs apartments to rent in Austin put our ideas together to share with you!

Be sure to check in later this month for PART TWO on some of the top tips to organize your home in 2026!

Put Away Holiday Decorations

If you’re someone who takes down holiday decorations before the new year, turn the process into a mini-adventure! Challenge yourself to find creative ways to store your ornaments and lights—maybe color-code your bins, snap photos of your best setups for next year, or write funny notes to your future self. And don’t be afraid to say goodbye to any decorations that have lost their sparkle or survived one too many seasons; we recommend that you only keep what you truly love.

Lighten up The Freezer

Turn this usually-overlooked task into a treasure hunt— and don’t be surprised if you tackle this in just a few moments!  Make it a fun challenge: can you plan creative meals using only what’s in your freezer this week? We like to click into TasteofHome.com and list what we have uncovered, then see what the pros recommend. You might rediscover old favorites or invent a new go-to dish!

Deep Clean the Entire House

Don’t worry, be happy … with the end result.  This is not a task that has to last a full day. In fact, we suggest you take the concept of a “Deep Clean” and stretch it out over one week’s time. For example, maybe you clean your bedroom on Sunday, or the bathroom on Monday, you get the idea.  Honestly, we keep Saturday open for cleaning the kitchen, from top to bottom. That task is always an adventure as we find forgotten snacks, read the ‘expired’ labels (and make a list to replace the goods) and if you are really into it, alphabetize those spices!  You will appreciate the latter when it comes to saving time in the kitchen in the year to come. 

 Corral Those Papers

If your home is a sea of stray papers, it’s time for a paperwork rescue mission!   Pick one day a week for a quick ‘paper power hour’: deal with the easy stuff on the spot, schedule time for trickier tasks, and file away what you need to keep. Turn on some music and see how much you can conquer before your favorite song ends!    

Next, play detective: scan the paperwork you actually need and file it safely in your favorite cloud system, then send the rest through the shredder with satisfaction. For the truly important originals—think birth certificates or passports—set up a VIP section in a small filing box or fireproof safe.

The post Top Tips for a Clean and Organized Year to Come (Part One) appeared first on Juniper Springs A Concierge Community Blog.

Out with the old, in with the new!  Every new year brings plenty of time to set ‘resolutions’ to live a happy and healthier life in our great state of Texas. And thanks to the endless lists of suggested resolutions that you can find online, you don’t need to go anywhere else but right here to make your own resolutions for 2023.
Over this past week, we searched the worldwide web for the most popular and achievable new year’s resolutions that are easy to keep throughout the year.  
Thanks to Parade.com, Goodhousekeeping.com, and CollegeLifeMadeEasy.com we have compiled 50 easy resolutions that seem to be simple to keep.
So sit back, take a look at the list, and toast to yourself for a healthy and happy year to come:
50 Easy & Achievable New Year’s Resolutions
1.    Drink plenty of water
2.    Move more, sit less
3.    Make plans to take a mini adventure 
4.    Prioritize eco-friendly choices 
5.    Volunteer more often 
6.    Adopt an attitude of gratitude 
7.    Send handwritten letters 
8.    Spend five minutes a day cleaning
9.    Practice mindfulness
10.    Cook something new each week
11.    Read more books
12.    Try a new restaurant
13.    Donate clothes you never wear
14.    Avoid people who complain a lot
15.    Talk less, listen more
16.    Practice remembering names
17.    Make your bed each morning, you will have accomplished something
18.    Commit to a healthier sleep pattern
19.    Join a club
20.    Eat more vegetables
21.    Schedule an annual health examination
22.    Take the stairs
23.    Plan a stay-cation in your hometown
24.    Do yoga 
25.    Make time for cuddling
26.    Volunteer regularly
27.    Join a club
28.    Hone or learn a new skill
29.    Stop procrastinating a new skill
30.    Keep clutter out of the kitchen
31.    Bake cookies for a veteran
32.    Explore new hobbies
33.    Do one thing at a time
34.    Put your phone down, go outside
35.    Keep current with the news
36.    Ease stress with kindness
37.    Give one compliment a day
38.    Do random acts of kindness
39.    Go someplace you have never been
40.    Schedule ‘me’ time
41.    Write down one thing you are grateful for every night
42.    Call a friend and have a conversation, skip the text
43.    Don’t by things you don’t need
44.    Clean your car once a month
45.    Let go of grudges
46.    Be more punctual
47.    Make a new friend
48.    Stop gossiping
49.    Learn something new everyday
50.    Just do it!

The post “Easy-to-Keep” New Year’s Resolutions for 2023 appeared first on Juniper Springs A Concierge Community Blog.

To save you time, we have hand-picked some of our favorite ideas to congratulate those who mean the most to you during this festive time of the year.  From baskets of snacks to local brews and sauces for the BBQ, the following “Tastes of Texas” gift selection is just the start of the best gifts for Grads and Dads this year.

For pictures and to make a purchase, click into each selection below.

The Grand Tour of Texas

If you are planning on celebrating with the entire clan, “The Grand Tour of Texas” gift basket is a super-sized option.  Packaged in a Texas-themed tin bin, this gift overflows with a pile of Texas-made goods. 

– 1 lb Milican Pecan Co. Fresh Pecan Halves
– 24 pcs Lammes Texas Chewie Pecan Pralines
– 2 x Cin Chili Mixes
– Whittington's Beef Jerky 4oz
– Lone Star Snack Mix
– Mikey V's Garlic Sprinkles
– Longhorn Snack Mix
– We're Nuts For You In Texas Snack Mix
– Jalapeno Dip Mix
– Fredericksburg Farms Longhorn Dip
– 2 x Thunderbird Bar
– Meyer's Elgin Smokehouse Seasoning
– Hobi's Bites Crackers
– Texas Trail Mix (4oz)
– Bravado Spice Hot Sauce Set (4 flavors)
– Milican Pecan Co. Mini Pecan Pie
– 2 x Texas Shaped Pralines
– Texana Brand Olive Oil
– Stroope's Wildflower Honey Bear
– SuckleBusters Championship BBQ Rub
– Reusable Texas Tin (17" x 11" x 6") 

Texas Pecan Lovers Basket

Your Dad or Grad will go nutty over this one! With seasonings for the chef or snacks for the kids, this is win-win for anyone who has an affection for the State Nut of Texas.
– Lammes 6oz Pecan Pralines
– Millican Pecan Caramel Pecan Popcorn
– Millican Pecan Roasted and Salted Pecans
– Millican Pecan Fresh Pecan Halves in Burlap Bag
– Millican Pecan Syrup
– Millican Pecan Mini Texas Pecan Pie
– Golden Gals Texas Shaped Praline
– Millican Pecan Cinnamon Pecans
– Millican Pecan Honey Roasted Pecans
– Texas Olive Ranch Pecan Balsamic Vinegar
– TeGar-den Farms Pecan Jelly
– SuckleBusters Texas Pecan BBQ Rub

Breakfast in Texas

Everything’s big in Texas and this is no exception.  Any Grad or Dad will appreciate breakfast in bed – and this basket pulls it all together with Texas goods wrapped in a Texas-shaped tin. 
– Sow Good Smoothie
– Wildway Hot Cereal (4 Packets)
– 2 Wildway Single Serve Granola
– Austin Jam Co Single Serve Jam
– 2 Vicky Cakes Flavored pancake/waffle Mix
– Vicky Cakes Syrup
– 2 Bella Bars
– 12oz Café Latina Texas Rum Coffee grounds

Go Big!

Completing our list of our favorite gifts for the Dad and Grad is this all-inclusive BBQ & Beer Gift set.  

Grill Set – Included in a fully-lined aluminum case is a complete set of BBQ tools, grilling skewers, corn holders, basting brush, and salt & pepper shakers, too!
PLUS
–    Hardbite Smokin' BBQ Cips
–    East Shore Dipping  
–    Bruges Classic Chocolate Covered Blueberries Pillow  
–    Braswell's Great On Anything BBQ sauce with Vidalia Onion  
–    Campi Verdi di Toscana Balsamic Vinegar of Modena IGP  
–    Campi Verdi di Toscana Extra Virgin Olive Oil  
–    Grant & Mein's Fine Spice Company Montreal Steak Spice  

From our family at Juniper Springs apartments in Austin, may your celebrations be everything that your Dad and Grad deserves!
 

The post Best Gifts for Dads and Grads in Texas appeared first on Juniper Springs A Concierge Community Blog.

With any success, you may have instituted a few of our suggestions from our most recent blog. And now the hard part begins: keeping up with those New Year’s resolutions throughout the year. 
In an effort to help you enjoy a “New You” in 2022, we have collected some suggestions on how to continue to keep your focus on those tasks all year long.

To put it all into perspective, we found a good article on PsychologyToday.com.  Here are some highlights of their insight on how to keep true to your goals. If you are interested in learning more, click into the story on the link provided below.

“At the end of each year, we get a new opportunity to improve ourselves—exercise more, eat a healthier diet, quit smoking, or be more productive. Whatever it may be, a new year's resolution provides a guiding principle meant to lead us to become a better version of ourselves.

However, we know all too well that new year's resolutions rarely tend to stick. In fact, according to a ComRes poll, only 20 percent of new year's resolutions are kept beyond the first five weeks of the year. Why is that? Why is it so hard to keep a promise we make to ourselves, in all earnestness, from year to year? (Read more)

On behalf of our entire team at our apartment community in Austin, Texas, we wish the best of success in accomplishing your resolutions this year!
 

The post How to Keep Those New Year’s Resolutions – For Good! appeared first on Juniper Springs A Concierge Community Blog.

Time to Spit-Shine

Organize Your Space 

Streamline Your Life

The post New Year’s Resolutions for Your Home and Office appeared first on Juniper Springs A Concierge Community Blog.

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:

1.  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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

The post Top Tips to Stay Cool at Your Austin Apartment this Summer (Part 1) appeared first on Juniper Springs A Concierge Community Blog.

Ask anyone within our apartment community what they like about living at Juniper Springs, and chances are, everyone will have a different answer – and with good reason.  Within our community and wrapped all around for miles and miles are endless reasons why Austin was just chosen as one of the top retirement spots in the nation.

Within an article on BestBabyBoomerTowns.com, the author noted many of the reasons why we love it here, and why boomer from all over the USA are now calling Austin “home sweet home.”

“Ask people what they love most about living in the Austin area, and you’ll find as many answers as stars in the big Texas sky. For some, it’s the Hill Country, with its gentle rolling slopes and beautiful vistas. For others, it’s the lakes, the creeks, and the swimming holes that offer an escape from the work-a-day world. 

Others claim that the real reason to live here is the culture, the arts, the laid-back attitude. Whether you are an Austin native or a recent transplant, Austin is a city of worldly culture where people feel welcome.

Education has always been a central concern in Austin, probably because the city’s such an educated town.”

Here's more insight about why our community in Austin, TX, is seeing such growth of the Boomer market.   US News and World Report placed our thriving city in the #4 top spot of places to retire in Texas.  Within their article it noted:

“Austin's hot job market and unique, quirky culture draw many people to the area, including retirees. The city attracted over 16,439 new residents between July 2018 and 2019, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. This state capital city is the home of the University of Texas—Austin, where seniors age 65 and older can take up to six tuition-free credit hours per semester. 

The area is also a hub for tech jobs, including Apple, Dell and IBM. Major health care providers include St. David's Medical Center and Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin. Housing in Austin costs more than in many other parts of Texas, but retirees relocating from more expensive cities with similar amenities may be able to reduce their housing costs.”

As we all continue to “grow-up” in our apartments that we rent in Austin, TX, let us all remember to get out and enjoy everything that our bourgeoning city has to offer all summer long!
 

The post Austin Tapped as #3 Spot in the Nation for Baby Boomers to Retire appeared first on Juniper Springs A Concierge Community Blog.

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!

The post appeared first on Juniper Springs A Concierge Community Blog.

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!

The post More Top Tips for Spring Cleaning Your Apartment in Austin, TX appeared first on Juniper Springs A Concierge Community Blog.

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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