Blog Posts

Five Tips For a Better Night's Sleep

Happy November to all in our Chandler, AZ apartment community! Since this month is National Sleep Comfort Month, we here at Liv Avenida Blog are sharing our best suggestions for getting better sleep. Keep reading for some of our top tips. Put Away The Screens It has become quite normal these days to fall asleep with our smartphones in hand. But did you know that the blue light your screen emits is significantly affecting the quality of your sleep? For a better night’s rest, we suggest powering down smartphones, laptops, and tablets at least one hour before you crawl into bed. Consider a New Mattress When was the last time you bought a new mattress? They are made to last 7-10 years, assuming the one you have is right for you. When shopping for a new mattress, look for a nice balance between comfort and support. A soft mattress may feel like a cloud, but chances are it isn’t providing your body with the support it needs. An extra firm mattress may offer ample support, but is likely to keep you up from discomfort. Try to find something in between! Stay Active Not only will only getting enough exercise help your body remain physically fit, but it will also help you sleep better. Perhaps you enjoy swimming laps at the pool, or maybe you prefer running around the block a time or two. Regardless of how you exercise, developing a regular workout schedule is sure to contribute towards a better night’s sleep. Regulate Temperature and Light Most of us have probably trained ourselves to fall asleep to an array of light levels and temperatures, but regulating both of these will seriously improve how well you sleep. Make sure your room is neither too hot nor too cold, and that you set a temperature that will keep you comfy throughout the whole night. As far as light, the darker the room the better. Close your shutters at night, and if you still find it hard to block out all the light, consider buying a sleep mask for a few dollars from a local department store. Develop a Pre-bedtime Ritual Though most people have developed a daily morning routine that their body has gotten used to, adding one at night could work wonders for your sleep time. Implementing a pre-bedtime ritual, like drinking a calming tea or practicing meditation or dimming the lights, will let your body know that it is time to wind down and climb into bed. We hope you’ll benefit from these five tips for a better night’s sleep. Thanks for reading, and may you sleep well tonight!

Halloween Treats

Get ready for Halloween here in Chandler, AZ in a fun and tasty way by making some themed treats! The Liv Avenida Blog is sharing some of our very favorite Halloween-themed foods that you will enjoy making at your apartment almost as much as you enjoy munching on. Halloween Popcorn Pumpkins from All Recipes These tasty popcorn balls are made to look like pumpkins with just a little bit of food coloring and a green licorice stem. To make them you will need popped popcorn, candy corn, chopped salted peanuts, butter or margarine, miniature marshmallows, red and yellow food coloring, and green or black licorice. Frankenstein Rice Krispie Treats from Big Bear’s Wife With the help of some green food coloring, edible candy eyes, and melted chocolate, ordinary Rice Krispie treats can be made to look like Frankenstein’s monster. Use Rice Krispie cereal, marshmallows, butter, green food coloring, semisweet chocolate, and candy eyes. Spiced Chocolate Bat Cookies from Country Living Use a bat-shaped cookie cutter to make these spice-filled chocolate cookies that are a perfect addition to any Halloween party. What you will need to make them: flour, cocoa powder, ground cardamom, ground cinnamon, fine sea salt, baking soda, baking powder, dark brown sugar, unsalted butter, an egg, unsulphured molasses, granulated sugar, and silver edible sugar pearls (for eyes). Mini Pretzel Pumpkins from Taste of Home With a little-added flair, these white chocolate covered pretzels can be made to look like pumpkins! Gather up white chocolate, miniature pretzels, orange colored sugar or sprinkles, and sliced green gumdrops to make them. Butterbeer Fudge from Delish Inspired by the butterbeer from Harry Potter, this butterbeer fudge is so incredibly sweet that it must be made with magic. Ingredients you will need include butter, sweetened condensed milk, butterscotch chips, pure vanilla extract, white chocolate chips, and mini marshmallows. Share your favorite Halloween-themed treat recipes with us in the comments. Thanks for reading our post. Have a great month filled with tasty treats!

Pet Costumes to Try this Year

Including your pet in your festivities is a great way to give them the exercise, love, and attention they need and deserve. Put in quality time with your pet this Halloween by dressing them in something sweet or clever, whether you’re receiving trick-or-treaters in your Liv Avenida apartment, going out on the town in Chandler, AZ, or heading to a pet-friendly home for a party elsewhere. Raptor Dinosaur Dog If you’re a fan of dinosaurs, help your pet embrace their wild side by dressing them up in this costume! Do as @trisarahtops137 on Instagram did and dress up as your favorite character from Jurassic Park to complete the look. Beetlejuice Turn your dog into one of Tim Burton’s iconic movie characters. We have to admit, this costume is much more adorable than the actual character! Beanie Baby Pet This costume is super simple, smart, and sweet! Throw it back to your childhood this Halloween by cuddling up with your favorite life-size beanie baby. Just fold up some cardboard, cut out a heart shape, and paste some colored paper cutouts to form the classic tag. Tie it to your pet’s collar or tie a makeshift collar around their neck to secure it. You could even do this with the Scooby-Doo tag , if that’s where your heart lies! A Purrrfect Queen Is your cat the one in charge in your apartment? Well, now they can be with this adorable Queen Robe Pet Costume. This crocheted cape and crown are the perfect outfit to match your cat’s “royal” attitude. Just be sure to find yourself some comfy servant clothes to wear while hand feeding them! Are you planning on dressing up with your pet? Leave your favorite pet costume ideas in the comments! We’re excited to see you and your pets and loved ones having fun this Halloween.

Halloween-Themed Movies for October Viewing

Halloween is almost upon us, and we hope you’re excited! Get in the spooky spirit by having a party or watching a few movies in your apartment! Today the Liv Avenida Blog has suggestions for magical or Halloween-themed movies you can watch this month if you don’t want to venture too far out into Chandler, AZ to celebrate. Hocus Pocus (1993) — Comedy, Family, Fantasy “After three centuries, three witch sisters are resurrected in Salem, Massachusetts on Halloween night, and it is up to two teenagers, a young girl, and an immortal cat to put an end to their reign of terror once and for all.” The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) — Animation, Family, Fantasy “Jack Skellington, king of Halloween Town, discovers Christmas Town, but his attempts to bring Christmas to his home cause confusion.” It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966) — Animation, Short, Comedy “The Peanuts gang celebrates Halloween while Linus waits for the Great Pumpkin.” Beetlejuice (1988) — Comedy, Fantasy “When a recently-deceased ghost couple find their now-vacant home invaded by an obnoxious family, they hire a sleazy ghost who gets rid of humans to help them.” The Addams Family (1991) — Comedy, Fantasy “Con artists plan to fleece an eccentric family using an accomplice who claims to be their long-lost uncle.” Practical Magic (1998) — Comedy, Drama, Fantasy “Two witch sisters, raised by their eccentric aunts in a small town, face closed-minded prejudice and a curse which threatens to prevent them ever finding lasting love.” What are your favorite Halloween-themed movies? Share your recommendations — whether they’re funny, scary, or simply festive — with the rest of the apartment community by leaving a comment. Thanks for reading! We hope you enjoy these and any other movies you watch this month in celebration of fall and the holidays.

October 2018 Events Not to Miss

October is a month of celebration! Whether you’re excited for spooktacular festivities at the end of the month or other autumnal fun, we’ve got you covered! There’s plenty for you to do and experience here in Chandler, AZ for a great day or evening out of your Liv Avenida apartment. Check out these events near you! Get The Led Out October 4th at 7:30 pm Start your month with a great concert honoring a classic. Here’s what the site has to say about the event: “Back by popular demand! From the bombastic and epic, to the folky and mystical, Get The Led Out has captured the essence of the recorded music of Led Zeppelin and brought it to the concert stage. “Revel in the music of Led Zeppelin as played by musicians who are passionate about one of the greatest rock bands in history.” A Taste of Greece Fall Greek Festival of Chandler October 5th through 7th at various times Fall is the perfect time for festivals here in Chandler. The temperature is slowly but surely winding down and the best opportunities for experiencing the goods of local vendors abound! Check out the food, entertainment, and goods options at this Greek fest. Here’s more you can expect: “Bringing a slice of Greece to Chandler, A TASTE OF GREECE blends together the historical ancient times of Greek culture with today’s Modern Age in a classic celebration of community and heritage. All proceeds benefiting St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church and related philanthropic activities and community charities.” Find out how you can receive one free admission at the site! Hispanic Heritage Month October 6th at 7 pm Hispanic Heritage Month is going strong, especially with events like these that celebrate all aspects of the cultural history of various cultures. Check out what’s in store: “The rich, cultural history of Mexico fills the stage as this bright, colorful festival returns to Chandler. The 19th annual event features the acclaimed Mariachi Angeles de Pepe Martinez Jr., along with Mariachi Sonido de Mexico, directly from Guadalajara Mexico Soloist, Sandra Guevara and a dazzling array of folklorico dancers firmly rooted in tradition. Order early as this festival always sells out.” And of course, we can’t forget the Brew HaHa Halloween 5K on the 14th! Celebrate Oktoberfest and Halloween all in one go! It may be sold out, but you can always offer support to participants if you’re not signed up. What other events are you looking forward to this month? What are your favorite October activities? Share with the rest of the apartment community by leaving a comment. Thanks for reading! Enjoy!

Self-Improvement Week 4: Giving Yourself a Break

All month our blog has been going over meaningful ways you can improve yourself and your life here in Chandler, AZ. There will always be something you can do to improve, so today our blog is here to focus on the importance of taking a break! Your Liv Avenida apartment is a great place to do that. Try these ideas to better train yourself to balance work with rest. Find out what self-care means to you. Self-care is different for everyone. Sure, face masks and bubble baths can relax your body and do wonders for your skin, helping you feel refreshed and calm. But they’re not cure-alls, and that’s ok! Your diverse needs are part of being human. So remember also to drink plenty of water, eat healthy meals, exercise every day, take naps when necessary, or stay home from a social engagement when you’re not feeling well. Find out what helps you feel good — what rejuvenates you physically and mentally — and make time for that. Give yourself permission to do what you love. We’ve touched a bit on how disconnecting from technology can open up room for enjoying hobbies or developing skills. But remember that the things you choose to put your attention to that are more of indulgences are good, too! If it helps, make it a part of your daily schedule so you don’t have to feel like you’re missing out on something else for it. Prioritize sleep. Sometimes it seems like there’s not enough time in the day for all the good and fun things we need or want to do in the day. While there’s some truth to that, it’s even more important to remember that these things shouldn’t come at the cost of your health or rest. Sleep helps your brain work properly and improves emotional and overall health and well-being, so get your sheets cleaned, pillow fluffed, and sleeping area clear of clutter so you can rejuvenate with quality rest. Don’t fret. The idea of improving yourself is good, but try to focus on improving the quality of your life, rather than on defining too much of you on how much you’ve accomplished or on how you have or haven’t lived up to what others are doing. This is easier said than done, but we’re here to remind you that you’re enough! Who said life has to be one way for everyone anyway? How do you physically or mentally give yourself a break? Let us know in the comments! We hope our ideas on improving yourself, handling the negatives of life, and giving yourself some slack positively affect your life this month and always.