Blog Posts

How to Celebrate Independence Day in Chandler

Welcome back to the Liv Avenida Blog! Independence Day is this Wednesday, so plan your celebrations today to make the most of this holiday, in or out of your apartment at Liv Avenida. Today, our blog is highlighting the event not to miss in Chandler, AZ as you’re celebrating the 4th of July this year and offering ideas for other things you can do in honor of the holiday, too. In Chandler July 4th Fireworks Spectacular at Tumbleweed Park July 4th from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm Head to Tumbleweed Park for an evening of fun, without breaking the bank! Bring five dollars for parking and funds for food and any shopping at vendor booths you may want to do. Or simply come and enjoy the live music, family-friendly activities, and fireworks show at the end of the night. See the site for detailed information about parking. At Home Of course, if you can’t or don’t want to make the Fireworks Spectacular show at Tumbleweed Park, stay in your apartment and celebrate in your own way with your loved ones. (This way, you can escape the heat!) We suggest throwing a barbecue or pool party if you still want some time outside, or watching your favorite movie with patriotic themes or set around the 4th of July for a relaxing day inside. Top Gun , National Treasure , Jaws , All The President’s Men , Remember the Titans , Independence Day , and A League of Their Own are all perfect movies for the summertime and the Fourth of July. And don’t forget the treats and activities! You can make almost any food (especially dessert) patriotic by incorporating red, white, and blue into your decorating. We suggest these 4th of July firecracker dogs for a fun snack, appetizer, side, or even main part of your meal and this firework poke cake for dessert! What are your favorite 4th of July traditions or events to attend near your apartment? Let us know by leaving a comment. Thanks for reading! We hope you have a happy Independence Day!

Cool Drinks for the Summer to Make in Your Apartment

No one is spared the harsh heat of Chandler, AZ, but everyone can take a reprieve from it here at Liv Avenida by relaxing by heading to our community saltwater pools and spas. Of course, if you want to enjoy the comfort of your own home, stay in and enjoy your apartment, which is equipped with ceiling fans and central air. Add a delicious, cool drink to your evening for a little something extra. Try these recipes! Kiwi Watermelon from Betty Crocker Blend together these frozen fruits for a fun and delicious smoothie. You’ll need a kiwi, watermelon, and green or purple grapes (or both!). Check out the Betty Crocker website for even more great make-ahead smoothies recipes that can be stored in the freezer before being blended. Fresh Peach Lemonade from Gather for Bread This lemonade is a perfect refreshing drink you can enjoy, whether you have a blender handy or not. You’ll need three large peaches, pitted, and cut into quarters, half a cup sugar, a cup of real lemon juice, and water. Click on the link above to learn the tips and tricks to make this a delicious and thirst-quenching drink. Copycat Sonic Cherry Limeade from Lil’ Luna Sometimes the thought of leaving the comfort of your cool apartment just to get a drink that will leave your hands sticky in a few seconds doesn’t sound like the most appealing idea. If that situation sounds familiar to you — or if you simply want to try making your own version of a classic drink — try this recipe! All it takes is 7UP or Sprite, cherries, lime wedges, ice, and maraschino syrup. What are your favorite drinks to make and enjoy for the summer? Leave your recipes or links to any great ones you’ve tried and loved in the comments so the rest of our apartment community can also enjoy! Thanks for reading. We hope you love these suggestions!

Pantry Musts

Stocking your pantry can seem like an overwhelming, expensive, never-ending chore. Today the Liv Avenida Blog has ideas to make it easy, or at least doable! Try these tips and stock up on these things to keep in your pantry for a comprehensive stock of items you’ll actually use in your apartment kitchen here in Chandler, AZ. Baking Supplies This can include anything and everything under the sun, but some staples include baking powder, baking soda, flour, salt, sugar, brown sugar, confectioners sugar, honey, canned pumpkin puree (and other fillings for your favorite pies), cocoa powder, vanilla extract, corn starch, corn syrup, and dried fruit. Herbs, Spices, and Flavoring Having the right spices for your dishes can add not only a pretty garnish but that extra kick of flavor that makes a recipe stand out. Include basics such as garlic and onion powder, ground cumin, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, Italian seasoning mix, oregano, cloves, cream of tartar, ginger, paprika, rosemary, and anything else you love in your collection. Pastas and Grains Find whole-grain pastas, crackers, and breads to find healthier options, or simply go for the normal ones. Spaghetti and various types of noodles, and rice are important ingredients to have on hand for your meals. Oils and Fats Whether you’re cooking or baking with them or even using them for other household purposes, you’ll thank yourself for planning ahead when you stock up on oils like coconut oil, vegetable oil, and canola oil. Learn more about the 4 types of cooking oils you should have in your kitchen . Fast Meals It’s not always realistic to stick to a strict menu or to prepare a full-on meal. Busier nights often call for quick meals, and that’s ok! Decide what ingredients you need for your favorites. That may even include microwavable dinners. Have a variety of options to amp up the excitement and nutritional value. Snacks Healthy snacks make all the difference for when you’re craving something to satisfy you after a hearty meal. Include things like nuts, low-fat popcorn, applesauce, granola bars, and anything else you love. And don’t forget the fruits and veggies! As you put a few of these items into your grocery list each time you go, you can go about stocking your pantry with all the musts, low stress. What tips do you have for cleaning, organizing, and stocking your pantry? What items do you think everyone should keep in theirs? Share your thoughts with the rest of us by leaving a comment. Thanks for reading! We hope these ideas help.

Tips for Being Good to the Earth this Summer

Welcome back to the Liv Avenida Blog! Chandler, AZ is a beautiful place to live, although definitely a hot one! Do your part to do good to the earth this summer by being mindful of how you are consuming energy and impacting the earth. Last year we offered up tips for easy ways to conserve water in the summer . Today we have ideas for other ways to be environmentally conscious, in or out of your apartment. Air-dry. Air-drying clothing instead of putting them through the dryer can be a bit more space- and time-consuming, but it can save a lot of energy. If you don’t want to go to the effort, then you can set your dryer to use the auto-sensor function so it doesn’t keep running after the clothes dry. Most dishwashers have an air-dry setting, too, which uses less energy than the heat-dry setting. Plus, it keeps your clothes bright and in good shape! Recycle. Recycling is one of the best and easiest ways for you to lower the amount of waste you contribute to the world. Keep a separate bin for recycling near all of your trash bins, and check out what items can and cannot be recycled to do it right. Do it yourself. Reduce even more potential waste in your home by making your own products, such as non-toxic home cleaners , or crafts to decorate your home with. It’s a great way to develop skills, make use of the things you already have in your apartment, and use products that aren’t going to negatively impact the environment or the air you breathe. Support companies that care. You can’t always make, repurpose, or recycle things, so be sure that the things you do buy come from companies that put the environment first. They can greatly impact your local community and others worldwide, so support companies that are doing good to the environment or making efforts to reduce their carbon footprint. Check out these 8 eco-friendly brands and how you can learn from them. What other ways do you like to stay environmentally conscious? Share your experiences and suggestions with the rest of the apartment community by leaving a comment. Together we can make a huge difference! Thanks for reading.

Summer Songs to Rock Out to All Season Long

Summer is the perfect time to listen to your favorite hits — both new and old! Whether you’re looking for something cheerful to add to a summer drive playlist or something with a great beat for your workout playlist, today’s your lucky day. The Liv Avenida Blog has ideas for summer hits you’ll enjoy listening to all season long in or out of your apartment here in Chandler, AZ. Summer by Calvin Harris This song can carry you through the warmest days and the coolest parties. As the leaves turn brown and the skies turn blue you’ll have something to dance to — or at least bop your foot along with — all season long. Cool for the Summer by Demi Lovato With a music video that not only features Demi Lovato enjoying a cool summer drive but also hitting up the clubs and having a great time, this song will empower you to live life unfiltered, and to have a blast while you do it! Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles Another must-have for your summer music playlist, this song is another one to bring a smile to your face and lift your spirits. Whether it’s the steady beat or the easy melody that you connect with the most, we’re glad to have a song to remind us that “it’s all right” — no matter the season! Umbrella by Rihanna featuring JAY-Z Remind yourself of cooler days with this iconic song by the queen of fashion and ferocity. This tune will never get old! For some extra fun, check out Zendaya and Tom Holland battling it out to 24K Magic, Singing in the Rain, and Umbrella . Tom does a great job paying tribute to this song! What are your favorite summer jams? Leave your recommendations with the rest of us in the comments so we can add them to our playlists! Thanks for reading. We hope you enjoy these songs, no matter what you’re doing this summer.

Ice Cream Shops in Chandler

Welcome back to the Liv Avenida Blog! Last week we offered up a few tips for cooling down in or out of your apartment here in Chandler, AZ. Of course, in addition to following all those great tips, you can also cool down by grabbing a frozen treat near your apartment. Visit one of these ice cream shops this month! Plan your visits by checking out these reviews and driving times from our community. Kokomo Frozen Yogurt (4 mins) “Very tasty coconut gelato! Cream, fresh and loaded with shredded coconut! Friendly staff as well. I'm impressed!” — Diane M. on Yelp I Roll Thai Ice Cream (12 mins) “I’d heard of rolled ice cream before but we don’t have any near us. You can pick your ice cream flavor, mix ins, and toppings. I chose the original flavor with almond butter and pecan mix ins. I chose the mini chocolate chips and mochi on top. I wasn’t entirely sure how it would all go together but was pleasantly surprised. It was fun watching them make it and it was delicious. I’d like to go back and will definitely check it out if something similar opened nearby. 5 stars.” — Christina M. on Yelp McMahon’s Ice Cream (13 mins) “Life changing ice cream made with passion and care and love. The flavors are inspired and pure, so you can taste every ingredient. Any other ice cream moving forward will always be compared to this brilliance. Plus the owner... can we just have a group hug.” — Angela A. on Yelp Popbar (13 mins) “First ever Popbar experience and I LOVED it! They should open these everywhere !!! They had a little board with popular combinations and thank god for that! There were so many options and possibilities so it was nice to have it narrowed down for me :)" “The staff was nice, the concept is great and what they're serving is top tier! Cannot wait to come back !!” — Zoe J. on Yelp What are your favorite places to get a frozen treat near you? Share your recommendations with the rest of the apartment community by leaving a comment below. Thanks for reading! We hope you enjoy any of these shops or others this summer.