Blog Posts

Quotes by Inspiring Women in History to Live By

Welcome to March at Liv Avenida! Did you know that it’s Women’s History Month? Look for ways to actively support women this month and always, in or out of your apartment in Chandler, AZ. This month’s blogs are focused on how you can do this. Start by getting inspired by some of the most influential women in history. We have a few quotes everyone should live by. “There is no royal flower-strewn path to success. And if there is, I have not found it, for if I have accomplished anything in life it is because I have been willing to work hard.” — Madam C.J. Walker “If society will not admit of woman’s free development, then society must be remodeled.” — Elizabeth Blackwell “The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.” — Coco Chanel “A strong woman understands that the gifts such as logic, decisiveness, and strength are just as feminine as intuition and emotional connection. She values and uses all of her gifts.” — Nancy Rathburn “Be bold. If you're going to make an error, make a doozy, and don't be afraid to hit the ball.” — Billie Jean King “I would like to be remembered as a person who wanted to be free... so other people would be also free.” — Rosa Parks “My mother told me to be a lady. And for her, that meant be your own person, be independent.” — Ruth Bader Ginsburg “Don't let anyone rob you of your imagination, your creativity, or your curiosity. It's your place in the world; it's your life. Go on and do all you can with it, and make it the life you want to live.” — Mae C. Jemison What other quotes would you add to our list? Share them with the rest of us by leaving a comment. We look forward to sharing more posts about Women’s History Month in the upcoming weeks. Check back for more!

Service Ideas to Try

Finish up the month of February doing something good for the people you come across here in Chandler, AZ. Today the Liv Avenida Blog has a few suggestions for ways you can serve in or out of the apartment community to help you get in the habit of spreading goodness all year long. Donate. “Donating” can mean anything, and we love that freedom! It gives you the room to be creative and do something meaningful to you and appropriate for your time, resources, desires, and skills. Remember that your efforts don’t have to be part of an official movement or campaign to affect lives. Whether you donate your time to visit a friend or neighbor, donate your skills to teach a friend something, donate your money to a worthy cause, or donate your blood at a local blood drive, you can make a difference. Pick up litter and garbage. A simple way to beautify our community is to clean up trash in the streets or at a local park. It can make a big difference and take a short amount of time. If you’re worried about germs, keep some disposable gloves and hand sanitizer or cleansing wipes on you so you can do your part without stress. Make food for a friend or neighbor. Do you know anyone who may need a lift in their spirits? Make them a sweet treat, or even cook them dinner. This can especially be important and meaningful for people who are going through a hard time, physically or emotionally, or who simply may not be able to do a ton of cooking themselves. Talk with people you know in the community to find out who might need help! If the person needs help that may last a bit of time like a couple of weeks, recruit friends and sort out a schedule of you each making a meal for certain days. What are your favorite ways to serve? How do you manage to fit it into your busy schedule? Share your thoughts and ideas with us in the comments. Good luck! We hope you have fun and find fulfillment serving.

Tips for a Better Sleep

Keep an eye out for your personal health this month and always by paying attention to your sleep patterns! Your Liv Avenida apartment here in Chandler, AZ is a great place to relax. Get a better sleep by remembering these tips. Prepare your sleep situation. Some of us may be in the habit of washing and changing our sheets weekly, like we should. For others, it’s all too easy to let that chore slip out of our fingertips week by week. Take time to do it this week if you haven’t already. There’s nothing quite like slipping into warm, clean sheets to soothe your tired body after a long day! Remember also to prepare your whole room for bed: Clean your room, remove clutter from your bed or the floor that can cause you physical stress or pain, and turn off all lights. Use an alarm clock if that helps you focus on sleeping rather than keeping your phone nearby, which can disrupt or totally postpone your sleep. Make time for it. Life gets busy, and it’s easy to procrastinate your nighttime routine because you want to make the most of your evening. The night is young, right? Give yourself deadlines for what is acceptable for your nighttime outings so you can get home and start getting for bed early enough that you get the sleep you need, without rushing. Wake up earlier so you can finish your daily tasks earlier and get to bed earlier, without missing out on anything! Relax yourself. It’s not a great idea to get a full- on workout in right before bed, as it can raise your heartbeat and keep your body awake and alert. Instead, try a 5-minute before bed yoga routine to get your mind and body relaxed and ready for sleep. Address problems. This could mean writing down your worries before you get to bed so you can physically put them aside, knowing you can address them in the morning. Or it could mean going to a doctor to see if you can prevent problems like insomnia, sleep apnea, or another condition that may be causing unrest. Get a better feel for what you need by keeping a sleep diary or using an app on your phone or smart watch to track your habits. What other tips do you have for getting better quality sleep or for making time for sleep? Share your ideas with the rest of us by leaving a comment. Thanks for reading. Good luck, and sleep tight!

Place Settings for a Stunning Valentine's Day Dinner

Valentine’s Day is this week! Now is the time to finalize your plans with your loved ones here in Chandler, AZ. Make those reservations if you haven’t already — or skip the hassle altogether and make a delicious dinner in an intimate setting at your Liv Avenida apartment! Whether you’re cooking for one, two, or many, spice things up by putting together a table setting. Try one of these ideas! Woodsy Romantic Valentine’s Day Setting from DigsDigs Who says a table setting has to be formal, dark, and stuffy? This setting gives an airy, light feel to the table, and it doesn’t have to cost you much of anything! Mimic the idea by getting a pink tablecloth, paper plates, branches for a clear vase or mason jar, mini wood logs, and some Scrabble pieces to spell out a fun message. Top the setting with a folded napkin and a note tied with string for a relaxed but still put-together look. Blooming Place Card Setting from Martha Stewart The 14th slide in Martha Stewart’s slideshow for Valentine’s Day flowers is simple, sweet, and personal. As the site describes, “fold a 3-by-8-inch piece of card stock in half, inscribe it with a name, and cut a small hole in the crease. Trim a rose stem to 2 ½ inches; slide it through the hole. Place in a plastic floral tube.” This idea also works if, instead of a one-on-one date, you’re hosting a get-together with friends and you want to add a touch of fanciness to the table. Very Very Valentines Table from Purple Chocolat Home Go all out for someone who loves the romance of Valentine’s Day by decking your table in red-handled silverware, red plates, red glasses, red napkins, and a box of chocolates to welcome your guest or date to the table. Layer in some white plates or napkins to add contrast to the setting, and add white or red candles in differing heights to amp up the romance! What are your favorite ways to decorate for Valentine’s Day? Are you staying in for the big night? Let us know in the comments. Thanks for reading. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Valentine's Day Cards Perfect for Anyone

Welcome to February, the month of love. Whatever your plans for the upcoming holiday here in Chandler, AZ, it’s always a fun idea to express your care for someone through a card. Make your own Valentine’s Day card in your apartment by trying the suggestions in today’s blog. All the Fish in the Sea Valentine Printable from Oh Happy Day If you want to give a treat with your card, try this idea. It’s as easy as “one, two, three”! Just download the printable , print it out on your favorite colored paper, cut and fold, and tape or glue a bag of goldfish crackers in the hand. If you’re careful about how you cut around the fingers, you can even make it look like the hand is actually holding the bag. If your recipient doesn’t like goldfish crackers, try some Swedish fish, or other fish-themed candy. ASL I Love You Craft from Busy Mommy Media This card is great for anyone, especially someone who knows American Sign Language. If you plan on pasting the hand to a card, it’s probably a good idea to trace the hand of a child with a smaller hand so you can have an easier time making it the size you want. Cut out the hand, fold down the middle and ring fingers, and glue to secure! Puzzle Piece Valentine’s Day Card from Real Simple For the minimalist in you or the person you’re giving to, try this idea. All you need is some cardstock, glue, and spare puzzle pieces. Take from a puzzle you don’t mind stealing from. It’s a great way to make use of a puzzle you no longer use or a puzzle with pieces already lost from it! Write in your best penmanship the words, “We just fit” under pieces, and be sure to write a more personal note on the inside to make it extra meaningful. Share any links to or descriptions of your own favorite Valentine’s Day cards with the rest of the Liv Avenida community by leaving a comment. Thanks for reading. Happy crafting!

Furniture Storage Options for Your Apartment

As spacious as your apartment at Liv Avenida is here in Chandler, AZ, it’s easy for your home furnishings and items to expand as time goes on. Make room for each item to have a home by trying out furniture storage. Today on the blog we have a few ideas you can try to add a bit of extra space, functionality, and style to your apartment. Bookshelves A bookshelf is a classic way to display not only your books, but also other trinkets and even framed photos or small art you want to display. There are plenty of ways you can do this, from choosing an interesting, unconventional bookcase that is a decoration itself to mixing up the book placement, arranging the books by color, or adding something natural (like a plant) to a shelf. Design Sponge has 10 homes that get styling a bookshelf right that you can gain inspiration from. Ottomans These are great because they (just like the other items on this list) are multi-functional. You can use an ottoman to complete the design of a room, provide space to put your feet, give extra seating to a room, and open up a place to put blankets and pillows you don’t have room to keep on the couch. Wayfair has more than a thousand storage ottoman options you can check out, whether you’re ready to shop for one or you just want some ideas. Armoires and Wardrobes These are great additions to your home to add a finishing touch and extra storage space. You can even move some clunky shoes, jackets, or sweaters from your apartment’s bedroom closet to the armoire or wardrobe so you can make room for your summer clothes. Armoires are also a good place for things like scrapbooks, movies and CDs, and even more fragile ornaments and decorative items you don’t want out in the open. Of course, if you’re not in the market for buying new furniture, try other hacks for opening up space in your home. For example, we love Nifty’s video about how to find space in your small kitchen . Try any of their ideas and you’ll be pleasantly surprised! What are your favorite ways to add space or storage to your home? Let us know your ideas for other furniture storage options by leaving a comment! Thanks for reading. Good luck!