Blog Posts

Tips for Biking to Work

Welcome back to Liv Avenida Blog! May is National Bike Month, and it’s the perfect month to start using your bike again since the cold season is over. From Bike to School Day on May 8th, Bike to Work Week from May 13th-19th, and Bike to Work Day on May 17th, this month is filled with different events you can participate in nation-wide if you choose to. Whether this month marks the beginning of a new bike commuting habit or whether you just decide to join in on this month’s activities for a few days, we’re here to bring you some tips that will make your bike riding a little more enjoyable and safe this month. Consider the following when you bike near your Chandler, AZ apartment: Plan Your Route Because your route to a given location could vary depending on your mode of transportation, it’s a smart idea to plan your bike route before you head out the door. Thanks to helpful apps like Google Maps and MayMyRide, you can find the most efficient bike-friendly route for any given location you choose. Whether you plan to memorize the route beforehand or use the GPS feature as you go, it’s a good idea to at least look over unfamiliar routes so you can focus most of your energy on biking safely and not on figuring out where to go. Be Prepared Bicycle commuting can be unpredictable, and because of that, you have to be ready for whatever might come your way. Because bike tires lose air more quickly than car tires do, get in the habit of setting aside enough time to check your air pressure before you leave. On top of that, it’s smart to have a simple bicycle repair kit and a travel pump with you on your commute so that if your tire gets a hole in it or goes flat unexpectedly, you have the right tools to address the problem. Also, because biking to work typically takes more time than driving does, make it a goal to get your work bag ready either before bed or right when you wake up so that your day starts off less hectic. Remember Why While commuting might seem really fun on National Bike to Work Day, when you choose to do it on a more consistent basis, there are times when it is more appealing to drive. For moments like these, it is to your advantage to prepare a few reasons as to why you’re doing this to be able to remember when you need to get excited again. One of the biggest reasons to commute, in our opinion, is the number of benefits it has for your personal life. If you bike to work, you’re saving a significant dollar amount on gas, car repair and maintenance, and even insurance. Simultaneously, the exercise you get by biking will benefit your physical and mental health. At the same time as you’re getting these personal rewards, you’re also contributing to a fresher air and a happier planet. We hope you have a successful and safe National Bike Month! Stay safe, and thanks for reading.

Earth Day Ideas

It’s Earth Day! Have you made any plans to observe this special holiday? If you haven’t, this week’s post on Liv Avenida Blog is dedicated to giving you a few simple ideas to help you take better care of our wonderful Earth. Try one of these suggestions out at your Chandler, AZ apartment or wherever else you might be on Earth Day this year: Get a Reusable Bottle Between disposable water bottles, coffee cups, and soda cups, it’s easy to use far too many single-use items without even realizing it. If one of these drinks is part of your daily ritual — water should be if it already isn’t — then why not reduce your carbon footprint by purchasing a reusable bottle or cup? They usually last multiple years, even if you use them every day. Think about how many plastic water bottles you would use in a two-year period if you didn’t have a reusable bottle! One small adjustment like this can make a big difference. Reduce Your Paper Mail Do you ever get a bill or a notice in the mail that could be received in a way that doesn’t involve paper? If so, there’s a good chance that you can request to stop receiving physical paper copies of these messages and get them via email instead. This goes for junk mail as well; if there is mail you receive that you don’t even look at before it’s in the garbage, take a minute to contact these companies and ask to no longer receive their mail. It’s easy to do, and it will save a significant amount of paper at the same time! Hang a Bird Feeder If you see birds out your balcony occasionally, invite them to stick around a little longer by hanging up a bird feeder! You may not have your own private yard here at Liv Avenida, but a simple action like this will make your personal space seem a little closer to the natural world around you. There’s no doubt that it will make the birds happy as well. Do you have any other suggestions for celebrating Earth Day? Let our community know by leaving a comment below.

Spring Egg Decorating Ideas

Hello from Liv Avenida Blog! Since spring is finally here, we thought we’d share some egg decorating ideas to get you excited for the season. In this post, you will find several different ideas for how to decorate eggs in April. Invite some friends over to try out one of these techniques or ideas in your apartment together! Bunny Eggs from Bitte Turn plain hard-boiled eggs into adorable little bunnies! All you will need is hard-boiled eggs, an egg coloring kit, and black and pink crayons or colored pencils. Dip the bottom half of the egg into the dye to be the clothing. Use the crayons or colored pencils to draw in the details on the clothes and the bunny’s face, ears, eyes, and nose. Watercolor Eggs from Craftberry Bush Use watercolor paint, a paintbrush, a little creativity, and some talent to decorate your plain white hard-boiled eggs and transform them into something extraordinary! These floral-themed eggs are just one idea. Glitter Easter Eggs from The Girl Inspired Glamorize your seasonal eggs by adding some glitter to make them sparkle. You will need glitter, white glue, toothpicks, washi tape, a small bowl, eggs, and a poking device. Set your finished shimmering eggs in a bowl and dazzle any guests that visit your apartment. Calligraphy Eggs from Oh Happy Day For this fun idea, you will need tattoo paper, scissors, hard-boiled eggs, a small bowl, water, and a paper towel. Download the text template and print it onto your temporary tattoo paper. You will love the adorable eggs with written messages on them. Marbled Eggs from Alice & Lois For this fun decorating idea, you will need a plastic container, water, nail polish, rubber gloves, and a stirring stick. Add a few drops of nail polish to the container filled with water and lightly stir to create a marbled look. Dip the egg under the water and swirl. Remove the egg and let it dry. The result should be a cool marbled pattern on the egg. Which of these ideas are you most excited to try? Let us know in the comments. Also, feel free to share any of your egg decorating ideas or techniques as well. Thanks for reading. Have a wonderful spring here in Chandler, AZ!

How to Build a Skin Care Routine

With so many opinions out there on how to take care of your skin, it can be confusing to know which advice to follow to keep your skin clean and clear. This week on Liv Avenida Blog, our goal is to help guide you toward the three most essential steps in any skincare routine. While everyone’s skin is different and individual regimens may vary, these three steps serve as a strong foundation. Start implementing these in your Chandler, AZ apartment today! Cleanser Cleansing your face should always be the first step in any skin care routine, and it’s a habit that should be consistently developed before you add anything else to the mix. Since your skin is exposed to bacteria, dirt, chemicals, and other unknowns nearly all day long, it’s crucial to wash it both morning and night. This will help your pores from clogging up and breaking out excessively. Depending on if your skin is oily or dry, the right cleanser may look like a foam or a cream, but there is certainly a product that is fitting for your skin type! Toner While washing your face cleanses your skin, using a toner will help to balance it out. After removing most of the dirt with a cleaner, a toner will typically enhance your skin by adding to it something that might not already be there. For example, a toner with hyaluronic acid will help your skin to retain moisture, while one with rose water and green tea will reduce any irritation and redness you might have. This is a great step to implement once you’ve built a habit of washing your face, and it can be applied quickly afterward with a cotton pad. Moisturizer As its name implies, a moisturizer helps keep the skin soft and hydrated. Facial moisturizers often include sunscreen with them, and they’re recommended to be used at all times of the year. Again, the type of moisturizer you use will depend on what type of skin you have, but there is something that is right for everybody. This step is particularly important to protect your skin in the dry Arizona heat! Implement these products one-by-one. Make sure you’re consistent with them so your skin doesn’t get overwhelmed. For additional information and for further discussion on these three products, check out this guide to building a skin care routine from The New York Times.

Books to Read for National Humor Month

The month of April marks National Humor Month, and this year on Liv Avenida Blog we’d like to help you celebrate! While there are plenty of hilarious comedies to watch or stand up sketches to enjoy on YouTube, we’d like to focus on a few entertaining books. This month, we invite you to pick up a humorous book when you have a minute to relax in your Chandler, AZ apartment. Consider reading one of the following: Calypso by David Sedaris Known for his hilarious collections of stories and essays, David Sedaris has once again hit the mark with his latest book Calypso. This time, Sedaris has created an articulate description of middle age and growing old in a way that’s personal, painfully universal, and still absolutely hilarious. Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh Allie Brosh, known for her famous blog Hyperbole and a Half, has become a #1 New York Times Bestseller with her first ever print release. An even mix of new content and popular blog posts, this full-color mix of text blurbs and goofy cartoon drawings will have you saying, “I can relate to that!” while laughing your head off all along the way. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams If you’re interested in the intersection between science fiction and fantasy, then this bestselling book is perfect for you. Read this description from Amazon: “Seconds before Earth is demolished to make way for a galactic freeway, Arthur Dent is plucked off the planet by his friend Ford Prefect, a researcher for the revised edition of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy who, for the last fifteen years, has been posing as an out-of-work actor. “Together, this dynamic pair began a journey through space aided by a galaxy of fellow travelers: Zaphod Beeblebrox—the two-headed, three-armed ex-hippie and totally out-to-lunch president of the galaxy; Trillian (formerly Tricia McMillan), Zaphod’s girlfriend, whom Arthur tried to pick up at a cocktail party once upon a time zone; Marvin, a paranoid, brilliant, and chronically depressed robot; and Veet Voojagig, a former graduate student obsessed with the disappearance of all the ballpoint pens he’s bought over the years. “Where are these pens? Why are we born? Why do we die? For all the answers, stick your thumb to the stars!” Have a happy National Humor Month!

Movies to See in the Next Few Months

Are you ready for quarter two of 2019? This week on Liv Avenida Blog, we’re here to get you excited to dive into this next chapter of the year by reminding you of some of the most anticipated cinema coming out between the months of April and June. Whether you are looking forward to the next quarter or not, take a few minutes today to get excited to see some entertaining movies near your Chandler, AZ apartment. Shazam! “Two years after the events of Justice League, Billy Batson, a troubled 14-year-old orphan living in Philadelphia, is set up to move into a new foster home – his seventh in a row – with the Vazquez family and their other five foster kids. One day, Billy gets on a subway car and finds himself transported to a different realm where an ancient wizard gives him the power to transform into a godlike adult superhero by uttering the word ‘Shazam!’ Billy and his new foster brother Freddy Freeman must learn what Billy’s new powers are and how to use them in order to stop the villain Dr. Thaddeus Sivana from wielding powers of his own.” Rocketman “The film tells the story of Elton John’s life, from his years as a prodigy at the Royal Academy of Music, through his influential and enduring musical partnership with Bernie Taupin, as well as his struggles with depression, substance abuse, and acceptance of his sexual orientation.” Men in Black International “The Men in Black have always protected the Earth from the scum of the universe. In this new adventure, they tackle their biggest, most global threat to date: a mole in the Men in Black organization.” Toy Story 4 “Woody (voice of Tom Hanks) has always been confident about his place in the world, and that his priority is taking care of his owner, whether that is Andy or Bonnie. So when Bonnie's beloved new craft-project-turned-toy, Forky (voice of Tony Hale), declares himself as "trash" and not a toy, Woody takes it upon himself to show Forky why he should embrace being a toy. But when Bonnie takes the whole gang on her family's road trip excursion, Woody ends up on an unexpected detour that includes a reunion with his long-lost girlfriend Bo Peep (voice of Annie Potts). After years of being on her own, Bo's adventurous spirit and life on the road belie her delicate porcelain exterior. As Woody and Bo realize they are worlds apart when it comes to life as a toy, they soon come to find that is the least of their worries.” We hope your second quarter is filled with plenty of accomplishments and, of course, good cinematic experiences!