Make Piles 

There should be at least a few things in your closet that can be categorized. From clothes to books to sentimental mementos, sometimes the most you can ask yourself to do is to sort through what you have and place items into groups. To avoid another tangle of incompatible objects, try to make the categories a little more specific — for example, sweaters as opposed to all tops. As you watch everything come together, you may be inspired to take the next step. If you have a lot of old greeting cards saved up, consider recording them in a digital format if you don't want to throw them away completely. 

Toss or Donate 

Throwing things away can be satisfying at the moment, but recycling them is always going to be the better option. Today, nearly all kinds of fabric can be recycled somehow, and this is true for clothes as well as shoes. Anything that's still in relatively good shape can be bagged up and taken to a consignment store (if only for the tax deduction). If you're feeling particularly motivated, you should take photos and list unwanted items on resale websites or hold a garage sale. Just $5 here and $10 there can really add up if you have enough leftovers in your closet. 

The apartments in Chicago are more worthwhile when you take the time to organize them. Imagine opening up your closet and having everything you need right at your fingertips. Talk about a stress-reliever! If you're looking for a more spacious floor plan to hold all of your things, call The Montrose today to learn more about our current availability. We offer a number of amenities to our residents that help them live their best lives. 

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If you have a dog, chances are they already know how to follow basic commands like stay, sit, come, and down. While it is essential that you teach your pet basic dog training commands, you shouldn’t stop there. You should consider teaching your pet a few dog tricks. Not only are many dog tricks cool, but they will provide your dog with mental stimulation. Here are five simple yet cool tricks that you can teach your dog.

1. SHAKE PAWS

In just a few brief training sessions, you can teach your pup to greet you and your friends by shaking hands. For most dogs, shaking paws is a one of the easier tricks to learn.

2. BACK UP

Not only is backing up a cool dog trick, but it can also be helpful depending on the situation. You can use this dog trick to entertain friends and family, keep your dog from running out the door, or prevent your dog from crowding you while you’re eating a delicious meal.

3. TAKE A BOW

Taking a bow is another cool dog trick that you should consider teaching your pet. This trick involves having your dog keep their rear in the air while positioning their chest on the ground. According to trainers, dogs frequently bow to ask other dogs to play. You can take advantage of this natural tendency to teach your dog to bow on command.

4. WAVE

Another simple trick that you can teach your dog is waving hello and goodbye. This trick will be easier to teach your dog if you’ve already taught them how to shake paws. This is because your dog will use the same action to wave as they do to shake hands.

5. SPEAK

Believe it or not, teaching a dog to speak isn’t very difficult. Not only is training a dog to speak a pretty nifty trick, but it can also resolve behavior problems like excessive barking. Speak and quiet commands will help you control when barking should stop as well as when it should start. Family members and friends will also be impressed by your pet’s conversational skills.

A dog park is the best place to teach your dog these five simple tricks. Fortunately, The Montrose is very pet-friendly and even has a dog park on-site. For more information about our Chicago apartments, don’t hesitate to contact us.

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If you feel like 2017 was a major challenge in your life or you just want to amp up your 2018 positivity, here are some ideas that we hope our residents in Chicago, Illinois will consider.

LAUGH A LITTLE LONGER

Some days that may be easier said than done. But there are plenty of opportunities to put yourself in a situation filled with humor. Rather than scrolling through the off-putting news headlines, click on a stand-up comedy video, Google something like “cheesiest food jokes,” sign up for a joke-a-day email or watch more late-night comedy on the weekends. If you don’t fear your stomach muscles cramping up, go to a live comedy show once per month. Laughter releases endorphins and a regular dose can fill you with good vibrations.

PRACTICE MINDFULNESS

Take time to step away from the distractions of text messaging and multitasking among other things. Work on being in one place at one time and conversing with one person. Meditation or spending time in nature can go a long way to settle the short attention spans so prevalent in today’s culture. Take a moment and just breathe.

FIND A CREATIVE OUTLET

If you don’t play the guitar, write poetry or some other creative activity, 2018 is the perfect time to start. If you already have a special talent, invest more time doing it. As human beings, we are all naturally creative in some fashion. Being in that space between intellect and intuition can have a profound impact on everyday emotions and outlook. Besides learning to do something super cool, it provides a sense of accomplishment. Be more creative and enjoy the joy.

GIVING IS LIVING

Joining and participating in charitable organizations is a wonderful way to give back. But in many ways, you are giving to yourself as well. That’s because performing acts of kindness provide us with a sense of positive self-worth. Waking up every day knowing you have helped others just feels good. Dedicating a day off to help at a soup kitchen, organize a food drive or work with children brings meaning and joy into our lives.

GIVE MORE LOVE

Many people have experienced falling outs with friends and loved ones. Perhaps 2018 is a time to reconnect in a loving way by just telling people in your life how you feel. Letting others know that you care can help break down barriers and rekindle positive feelings for one another. Also, being more of a hugger can help as well. Embrace love.

We hope residents of The Montrose consider these 2018 positivity suggestions. If you or a friend would like more information about our Chicago apartments, call us today.

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Creating a warm, welcoming and comfortable guest room in your apartment doesn’t have to be a difficult task when you set your mind to it. Whether you entertain guests regularly or you’ve been nominated to have family stay at your place for the holidays, it’s a good idea to have your guest bedroom ready for visitors at a moments notice. Check out these simple tips and tricks to make sure your guest room is an inviting and cozy space for all of your visitors to enjoy.

5 TIPS FOR CREATING A COZY GUEST BEDROOM

1. START WITH A SOLID BASE

Any room in your apartment can easily be jazzed up if you begin with a great base. Basic decor items like a comfortable bed, clean bed linens, curtains, lighting and a rug help to fill the room and make it comfortable. But the addition of decorative accessories, wall art and personal touches will make the space feel extra cozy.

2. ADD A CHAIR

Whether your guests need a place to take off their shoes at night or a cozy spot to tuck into a good book, a comfortable chair can instantly transform your guest bedroom into a welcoming retreat.

3. GET MORE PILLOWS

A guest bedroom can never have too many pillows. Invest in several sleeping pillows for the bed, accent pillows to complement the bedspread and a few throw pillows to adorn the bed and chair for good measure.

4. HANG A MIRROR

Your guests will enjoy the chance to take a quick glance in the mirror before heading out for the day. If your room design will allow it, consider adding a full-length mirror and a decorative mirror to give your guests plenty of viewing options.

5. PLAY WITH TEXTURE

Your guest bedroom won’t be complete without adding a bit of texture to the decor. While adding color to a room can easily brighten up the space, texture is just as important for creating depth and making guests feel cozy. Add texture with a chunky throw blanket, interesting wall art or other fun decorative accessories.

HAVE FUN WITH YOUR APARTMENT DECOR

Interested in more great apartment decorating tips? Visit our blog for more info and be sure to check out the available floor plans at our Chicago apartments today.

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Wintertime lends to becoming one with the couch, blanketed in cozy comforters. Cold Chicago mornings beg even the metro area’s highly productive professionals, here at The Montrose, to go into hibernation inside our Chicago apartments. But, of course, that just won’t do. Here are a few tips that can be useful throughout the year, and especially in winter, to help you maintain your feeling of high efficiency.

1. STAY ACTIVE

Sitting all day at your desk can be a drag on your energy level. Even the briefest routine of frequently taking a few moments throughout the day for a bit of stretching, bending, walking around, and taking deep breaths can reduce stress and increase mental clarity. And, it can infuse energy into your body and mind, and a greater sense of dynamics into your work.

2. KEEP HYDRATED

When you’re in the zone, it’s easy to forget to drink enough water. Lack of proper hydration brings on sluggishness, can cause headaches, and it’s unhealthy for the body’s organs. Keep a water bottle on your desk, or start taking a few minutes every hour or so to get up from your chair, walk around, and drink some water.

3. GO OUTSIDE

With frigid winds blasting outside the soothing, beautiful, warm interiors of The Montrose, any advice to get outside may seem grossly counterintuitive. But, Chicago does have a number of milder and less windy days throughout the winter season. Seize these opportunities to get outside at least briefly, for the sake of your vitamin D levels, and to refresh your mind.

THE MONTROSE IN CHICAGO, IL

The Montrose, in Chicago’s historic Uptown neighborhood, offers brand new modern flats, studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments. Our floor plans offer amenities such as city and Lake Michigan views, high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, private balconies, vinyl wood flooring, sleek kitchens, walk-in closets, in-unit washer and dryer, and nest home technology.

A spectacular grand entry with a 24-hour doorman greets you. And, abundant upscale amenities include the new high-end fitness center, resort-style pool, on-site grocery store and dog park. Public transportation is steps away, and the best of Uptown’s restaurants, cultural venues, and shops are all nearby.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

If you would like more information about The Montrose, contact our office to see which floor plans are currently available.

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Chicago’s cold chills you to the bone. When you need to get out in the morning, you want a warm breakfast to help you out the door. At our Chicago apartments, it’s easy to make a delicious morning meal.

THE FRY UP

This is a standard breakfast in the UK. If you have any friends from England, they’ll describe this as a proper meal. Give this hearty, warming British staple a try.

You’ll need:

• At least two kinds of standard breakfast meat, like link sausage or thick-cut bacon
• Black pudding (a.k.a blood sausage)
• Eggs
• Thick-cut white bread
• A tomato, sliced thick
• Mushrooms
• Baked beans
• A huge skillet

Put all the ingredients in the same pan and fry them in a bit of oil. It may take a bit of practice to get it right and to start out with, you may want to use separate pans to fry the ingredients. After you’ve finished, you’ll be full and satisfied!

SLOW-COOKER OATMEAL

What is better on a cold morning than a warm bowl of oatmeal and coffee? Forget about the thin gruel that is microwavable oats in a packet. Cook a hearty breakfast in your slow cooker. Recipes vary based on whether you like stiff oats or a soupier texture. However, you must use steel cut oatmeal or else you’ll be grabbing for cold cereal when the dish turns out poorly.

MISO SOUP AND FISH – JAPANESE STYLE IN CHICAGO

The combination provides a great balanced meal that should keep you going until lunchtime, giving you a high-protein meal with a healthy proportion of simple and complex carbohydrates. Add green tea for your antioxidant drink.

SOUTHERN STYLE CLASSIC BREAKFAST

Chicago is famous for the food and music traditions that have carried on throughout the years. One great Southern breakfast tradition is grits. Around the Gulf Coast, grits are served with spicy shrimp.

If you live in The Montrose, you’ll find making breakfast easy in our kitchens. You’ll find a great selection of stores nearby our community to purchase what you need. Call us today or come by and see how warm and cozy life can be at The Montrose.

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By following these soothing skin care tips, taking care of your complexion won’t feel like a chore, but a way to pamper yourself. Cold weather has finally arrived and it brings along a friend called dry skin. You’ll soon be on your way to a softer and more healthy-looking complexion after diving right into these soothing skin care tips for cold weather!

SOOTHING SKIN CARE TIPS WHEN COLD WEATHER HITS

HUMIDIFY

You’ll probably have your heater blasting all season long, but doing that really takes a toll on your skin. Investing in a humidifier will work wonders for the air in your apartment by putting the moisture back into the air, ultimately soothing dry skin. Power it on as soon as you turn up the heat for best results.

EAT AND DRINK YOUR WAY TO SOOTHING SKIN

Even though it’s cold out, the weather can really dry out your precious skin. So, it’s key to stay a little more hydrated during this time of year as it helps with skin irritation. Consuming nutrient and antioxidant-rich foods like blueberries help perfect your complexion. It rids of impurities that we face outdoors, like pollution and sun damage.

DON’T SKIP THE SPF

There’s still sunlight hidden behind those clouds. Make sure to protect your skin from it even on the cloudiest of days, especially on your face. A lightweight SPF will do just the trick and not make your skin feel heavy in addition to all of the products that are currently in your regime.

CHOOSE A SOOTHING SKIN CARE ROUTINE THAT WORKS BEST FOR YOU

The products you used during the summer will most likely not be enough to endure the cold weather. Slather on a thicker moisturizer that will retain hydration and indulge in some extra-nourishing body lotions that will leave your skin wanting more. Also, don’t forget about your lips, hands and feet!

A flaky surface shouldn’t ruin the season. It’s never too early to start spoiling your skin with hydrating products and good habits before winter hits. This is the perfect way to stay indoors and keep warm inside our Chicago apartments. If you’d like to learn more about our community and what it has to offer, feel free to contact us!

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The upcoming Thanksgiving feast is exciting to think about—but if you are the one hosting the dinner, it probably also fills you with a bit of apprehension. Not only do you have to put in all the time and effort to cook the meal, you also have to clean up afterward. And everyone knows that the cleaning up is the least enjoyable part.

Fortunately, there are things you can do to make cleanup a little bit easier. Try out the following tips to keep your kitchen clean during Thanksgiving!

TIPS FOR A CLEAN KITCHEN DURING THANKSGIVING

1. SHARE THE WORKLOAD

Before you ever turn on the oven, talk with those you are going to be sharing the feast with and get an agreement to share the cleanup. It will make your life much easier if you have some help.

2. USE DISPOSABLE DINNERWARE

If you are feeding just you and your immediate family, using the regular dishware makes sense. But if you are feeding a big group, consider disposable plates and utensils.

3. SERVE FOOD IN ITS COOKING DISH

Unless you really want to impress with fancy serving dishes, it is better to send food out to the table in the dish it was cooked in. That way you only have one dish to clean per meal item.

4. SET UP A SYSTEM FOR CLEANING

Before the chaos of the meal and the lethargy that hits afterward, set up a system to ensure everything gets cleaned. Make a place for dishes to soak, create an assembly line for washing/drying, etc.

5. GIVE LEFTOVERS AWAY

Thanksgiving almost always produces more leftovers than one family can eat, leaving a lot that goes to waste. Be active in giving away leftovers to your guests to minimize food waste. You will have less to store and fewer storage containers to clean later. Ideally, send them home with inexpensive disposable storage containers they can keep.

ENJOYING YOUR CHICAGO THANKSGIVING

As your management team, we are here to help you enjoy your Thanksgiving. If you have any questions about our amenities or our Chicago apartments, stop by our office or give us a call!

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Fall months in Chicago is a time where warmer days quickly roll out and cooler temperatures make wardrobe selections a bit problematic. Before you store up your entire summer gear, transition those pieces with a few warmer selections to get double-duty out of your summer fashions.

EXTENDING SUMMER FASHIONS INTO FALL

ELEVATE SUMMER COLORS WITH NEUTRAL PALETTES

The light and breezy colors of summer can easily be mated with monochrome fall selections. As temperatures dip, start by mixing warm, luxe leggings with an oversized fringe wrap featuring muted autumn colors into your wardrobe. Light hazel, chestnut brown, peachy tones, mustard yellow, and muted but rich blues and greens are all colors to transition summer garments to an autumn look.

ACCESSORIZE FOR WARMTH

Since the weather can easily change from sunny to breezy, warm up your summer whites (yes, whites are no longer banned from fall and winter wear) with a plaid pattern scarf or newsboy cap. This is also a good time to pair that slim fitting winter blazer with a floor-length floral dress. A leather cross-chest purse is a perfect way to bring it all together.

LAYER YOUR BASICS

Nothing feels better than a hefty cotton sweater during chilly fall days. Think long boots, leggings, oversized sweater, and a scarf—add in your summer skirt, and you’re ready for a no-shiver November day. You can always opt for simplicity by layering necklaces with a simple black dress, tall boots, and a military-style jacket.

CASUAL COMBINATIONS

Fall is the perfect time to mix it up with your denim pieces. A sleeveless turtleneck or t-shirt can go a long way underneath any number of fall combinations—paired with your darkest denim and a plaid long-sleeved shirt knotted at the waist, layered with a long-sleeved t-shirt hanging below a short waisted cardigan and roll-up jeans, or with a cashmere sweater tucked into your favorite shorty denim skirt.

Making the jump into fall with cool color combinations and warm layering schemes is the best way to extend your summer wardrobe into the fall season. Those lighter summer skirts pair well with warm leggings and loose fitting over-sized sweaters that look great with the thinner fabrics of summer.

Our comfortable, luxury apartments in Chicago, Illinois are located near culturally-rich shopping and dining venues. Take advantage of the excitement and energy of the city while enjoying upscale amenities. Call our office today to schedule a viewing of our available floor plans.

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