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There are hundreds of things to do around our Chicago, IL apartments every day, but some events in the Windy City can cost a pretty penny. Fortunately, there are just as many money-saving situations as pricey ones; you just have to do a little digging to find some fun and free (or nearly free) stuff. We've done a little homework on your behalf and come up with some great options.
Head to the Zoo
Lincoln Park Zoo is open every day of the year, and it's free of charge. The zoo also puts on plenty of fun events all the time that is certainly worth the splurge if you're looking for good times with great wildlife. There's another zoo in town that's worthy of your attention, too. Brookfield Zoo has periodic free admission days. Keep an eye on the Tickets page of this zoo's site for information about free days.
Check Out a Museum
Chicago has no shortage of museums, and fortunately for you, many of them offer free days on occasion. Plan your day by picking a museum that's not charging admission, then head to a deli for an affordable lunch. If the weather happens to be cooperating, you could even opt for a picnic.
Plan a Potluck
Have your friends over to your pad, and ask everyone to bring a dish or drink. This way, nobody's budgets are overstretched, but there will still be a plethora of things to pick from on the table. Make a list of everyone you're inviting, then ask people to bring items within a certain category, such as appetizers, desserts, cocktails, entrees or snacks. Don't forget to have someone bring paper towels, paper plates, and plastic wear!
Volunteer
Find an organization that fits with your own personal values and see how you can help out. Maybe you serve dinner or read to little kids; perhaps you walk dogs or talk to lonely seniors. In any case, you'll meet like-minded people and fill your days in fulfilling ways.
If you're looking for an apartment that's easily accessible to all the fun things that happen in Chicago, you've come to the right place. Stop by The Montrose so we can give you a personalized tour of our community!
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When winter settles into our Chicago, IL, apartments, once-soft skin can quickly become dry, itchy and irritated. At best, it's uncomfortable, and at worst, it's downright painful. Luckily, we've come up with some tips to help you stave off dry winter skin so you can enjoy handshakes and hellos without embarrassment.
1. Pick the Right Moisturizer
On the surface, this seems like an obvious answer, but many people opt for lotions that contain perfumes or alcohol — both of which can dry out sensitive skin. On the other hand, a lot of lotions aren't thick enough to do the job right. If you put a dollop of lotion on your palm and turn your hand over, the lotion should stay. If it runs off or drips to the floor, it's not thick enough to combat Chicago's cold winter air.
Look for moisturizers that are formulated with ingredients such as:
- Ceramides (oils)
- Dimethicone (a type of silicone)
- Shea butter
2. Wear Mittens and Socks to Bed
After you've slathered your body in your favorite lotion and performed all of your nightly pre-bedtime rituals, slide your feet into socks and your hands into mittens. These pieces will help keep your appendages warm, which, in turn, will enable the moisturizer to do its best job on your skin.
3. Get Cuticle Cream
Cracked cuticles are no good for anybody. They can become quite painful, and if they end up in a bad situation, they can actually become infected. Keep them soft and moist by applying cuticle cream or oil after you remove your mittens, and apply the substance a few times throughout the day.
4. Shorten Your Shower Time
Although ultra-hot showers can feel good in the morning when you're trying to wake up, the heat can dry out your skin. To avoid this pitfall, shower as quickly as possible and use lukewarm water.
5. Use a Humidifier
Indoor heating can suck the moisture right out of the air. This, in turn, can leave your skin thirsty. A humidifier helps keep moisture in your home and body.
Are you searching for a Chicago apartment that'll welcome you into its warm, cozy community all winter long? We're glad you found The Montrose! Swing by so we can show you around!
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There are many different cleaning products on the market today. You can choose your old standby product that your own mom used or one of the brand-new cleaners on the market. However, there are many cleaning jobs that you can complete by simply using a fresh lemon. We’ve put together three examples of ways you can use lemons to help clean the kitchen of your Chicago apartment.
How to Clean Your Kitchen With Lemons
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Clean the microwave. One of the easiest ways to clean your microwave is with a lemon. Cut a lemon in half. Squeeze the juice into a microwave-safe dish and add approximately 1/2 cup of water. Add the lemon itself and microwave the entire dish for approximately two and a half minutes. When the timer goes off, do not open the microwave door. Let it sit and “steam” for at least 10 minutes. When you open the microwave, it should be easy to wipe down, and the inside will smell fresh and clean.
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Remove stains with salt. Lemon juice can be a great stain remover. Cut a fresh lemon in half and sprinkle it liberally with salt. Use this to remove stains on your laminate countertop, stove or floor. Be cautious when using lemon on any natural surface. You will likely not want to use lemon juice on granite or marble. In addition, test it in an inconspicuous spot if you have worries about fresh lemon juice damaging the surface of any other material.
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Freshen the drain. If you have a disposal, grinding through lemons (with ice if possible) is a great way to clean this kitchen appliance. Even if you do not have a disposal, you can still freshen your drain by letting lemon peels sit in the drain overnight to get rid of stale odors. The best thing is that the same lemons you've already used for making lemonade or squeezing into your tea can be reused to clean your drain.
As you can see, a simple lemon can go a long way toward keeping your kitchen clean and fresh! However, if you are searching for the ideal apartment in Chicago, we invite you to check out the available units at The Montrose. We offer many luxury options with kitchens that are sure to please!
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All those holiday plans are well underway, and food is bound to be a major component. If you want your holiday table spread to pop with color in your Chicago apartment, there are three yummy appetizers that can do just that.
Tortilla Roll-Ups with Salsa
Tortilla roll-ups one of the simplest appetizers ever. You only need to create a filling, slather it on some tortillas, chill, and slice. Tortilla roll-ups are usually not all that colorful, but these tortilla roll-ups are anything but bland. The filling is a collaboration of softened cream cheese, pimentos, olives, and peppers. To jazz things up, even more, you can pick up spinach tortillas so they have a green hue. Sliced and stacked, you can deck out these appetizers with even more colorful bits, such as cherry tomatoes or yellow bell pepper slices.
Red Pepper Jelly with Cream Cheese and Crackers
Red pepper jelly is pretty amazing, and it is something that everyone must try at least once even if they don't necessarily care for peppers. Filled with bits of sweet bell peppers in red, green, and even yellow, and sometimes a few pieces of jalapeno peppers for a kick, this jelly looks like it came right out of a holiday magazine with its colorful splendor. Slather some of the jelly generously over a block of cream cheese and serve it with crackers and your holiday spread will instantly look more colorful.
Olive Wreath Appetizer
If you want your food table to look really festive, simply add a wreath made of colorful and delicious foods. The olive wreath appetizer is made with fresh sprigs of rosemary, cherry tomatoes, and colorful mixed olives of different varieties. Simply arrange the "wreath" of rosemary onto a circle-shaped platter and nestle in all the goodies. Tuck in a few small chunks of fresh mozzarella for even more flavor and color. A quick drizzle of olive oil and some coarse sea salt will give your wreath a sparkling sheen that your guests will love.
Among your spread of roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, rolls, and stuffing, slip in some of these colorful appetizers and your table will really pop. Your holiday dinner at your Chicago apartment will be one to remember. Talk to us at The Montrose to find out why holiday parties are great in our apartments.
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Your closet can be one of the scariest places to clean out, largely because it's likely a mishmash of items that were haphazardly shoved into every nook and cranny. Just the thought of what to do with one thing can be overwhelming — especially when you consider just how many more items are waiting in the wings. If you've avoided this dark space for a long time, we'll give you a few tips on how to jump into the dreaded task.
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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The cooler temperatures of fall invite us all to turn our ovens back on for a little comfort food. Not only is autumn bursting with new produce, but it's also a good time to reconnect with the hearth of your home. If you're having trouble getting inspired for your weeknight dinners in the apartments in Chicago, keep the following options in mind for quick and simple solutions.
Butternut Squash Alfredo Pasta
The sweetness of the squash paired with the sharpness of the cheese makes for a crowd-pleasing dish. Plus, this versatile meal can be customized by adding anything from bacon to BBQ chicken. It's a great way to use up leftovers and experiment with which flavors pair best for your taste buds.
Pumpkin Ravioli
As easy as it is to head to the store for premade pumpkin ravioli, it's a lot more satisfying to whip it up yourself. This recipe gives tips on how to cut down the cooking process if you don't feel like making the pasta from scratch.
Mushroom Chicken Skillet with Herb Cream Sauce
The name kind of says it all for this dish, but it's worth pointing out that this recipe is both inexpensive and delicious. The white miso and white wine work together to create a backdrop for the mushrooms and herbs to take center stage.
Seared Sausage with Cabbage and Pink Lady Apples
This sausage dish uses apples, apple cider, and vinegar to help bring the flavors together. This dish uses very few ingredients and just one pan, making it an easy one to put together after a tough day at work.
5. Mushroom and Burrata Lasagnette
As you might have guessed, lasagnette is related to lasagna, it's just a little smaller in terms of width and has a different pattern along the edges of the ribbons. This cheesy, vegetarian delight adds kale to balance out its richness.
Chicago, IL apartments can get pretty chilly during the months leading up to the winter, so you may as well find ways to warm up with these hot dishes. If you're looking for a new place to make all your favorite recipes, call The Montrose to see our kitchens today.
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Distraction, when you're cleaning, can almost feel like a given. Not only is the task somewhat boring, but it's also an invitation to open up the door to the past. You might find old photos or clothes while you're cleaning, slowing down the process and ultimately making for a dragged-out afternoon. If you're hoping to stop the madness before it starts, here are a few tips to avoid the dreaded distraction.
Use Music as a Cue
Certain types of music cue your brain toward different tasks. Put on emotional music while you're cleaning, and you may just find that everything makes you sentimental during the process. Opt for something a little edgier and energetic, and you may find that you're able to power through even the darkest corners of your closet.
Prepare Yourself
It can be overwhelming to be confronted with a mismatched mess everywhere you turn. The sheer weight of deciding what to keep and where to put it all can be enough to give up entirely. But if you find a way to counter this feeling before you even have it, you stand a better chance at getting through the task. Having a contingency plan just in case can be exceptionally helpful. For example, you may want to start making piles of certain items as a way to organize everything before you're faced with deciding where to put it.
Take Breaks
Taking a break and getting distracted is not the same thing. One is meant to give your brain a little break, while the other gets you tangled up in another task or feeling entirely. If you tell yourself you're going to clean for an hour before taking a 15-minute break, you may be more likely to jump back in once you're feeling more refreshed.
Apartments in Chicago, Illinois, are simply better when they're clean. Not only is it more inviting to you and your guests, but it's also healthier when you can breathe clean air. If you're looking for a new apartment in the city, The Montrose has floor plans and layouts that make it easy to stay organized. Give us a call today to learn more about our availability!
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More and more people are living in communities that don't have yards. Instead, they may have a balcony or a patio. If you love to decorate for the holidays, you may find yourself wondering how you can maximize your patio or balcony while decorating for Halloween. Here are a few tips to help you decorate your space to the fullest in spooktacular fashion.
Use the Depth to Your Advantage
When you're decorating a patio or balcony, you may think that you don't have much space to decorate with. However, you can use the depth of your patio or balcony to your advantage. You can hang skeletons, bats, witches or other fun decorations while using items like strobe lights or black lights to illuminate the figures. By layering the elements on your balcony or patio, you can create an elaborate scene that can be haunting and scary.
Drape a Tarp Over Your Railings
When you are decorating a patio or balcony for Halloween, you may think the only way you can use outdoor lights is to wrap them around your balcony or patio railings. However, there's an alternative: First, drape a tarp over your railings. Then superglue your outdoor lights onto the outside of the tarp to create a design that shines from your railing when the tarp is draped over it. Or, you can poke holes through the tarp and push the lights through in a pattern or design. Either way, this gives you more space to come up with a creative design for your railing.
Take Advantage of Outside-Facing Windows
The final tip that can help you when decorating for Halloween is to take advantage of your outside-facing windows. You're not limited to just decorating your patio or balcony. Consider placing light-up decorations in your window to help add more color, light, and design.
If you are planning on moving in the near future, you may be looking for Chicago, Illinois, apartments that have a patio or balcony space. Here at The Montrose, our apartments come with balconies that have beautiful views of the Chicago skyline. Stop by today to take a tour of our community.
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Pumpkin! For many, it's the reason for the fall season. So, here are three easy pumpkin treats you can whip up for your friends and family!
Pumpkin Fudge
Ingredients:
- 2/3 cup evaporated milk
- 2 1/2 cups sugar
- 3/4 cup canned pumpkin
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 7 ounces marshmallow creme
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
- Line a 9×9-inch pan with foil, then apply the cooking spray.
- Add milk and sugar to a medium-size saucepan and cook over medium heat until the mixture starts to boil. Stir occasionally.
- Stir in pumpkin puree and cinnamon. Stir the mixture and bring to a boil. The mixture needs to reach approximately 239 degrees before you can remove it from the heat.
- Allow cooling for approximately two to three minutes.
- Add white chocolate chips to a large bowl.
- Pour fudge mixture over the top of the chips and allow to stand for five minutes.
- Stir until the mixture is smooth.
- Mix in marshmallow creme, butter and vanilla until butter melts and the mixture is smooth.
- Pour into pan and cool.
- Cut into squares and store in a cool, dry location.
Easy 3-Ingredient Pumpkin Cake
Ingredients
- Box spice cake mix
- 15-ounce pumpkin, canned
- 2 eggs
Directions:
- Grease a 9×13 pan.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Add all ingredients to a medium-size bowl, and use a mixer on medium to combine.
- Pour mixture into a pan and spread evenly.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. To check for doneness, insert a toothpick until it comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool completely.
Pumpkin Muffins
Ingredients:
- 1 15-ounce can pumpkin
- 1 box spice cake mix
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375 F.
- Spray a muffin tin with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, use a spatula to fold together ingredients, then beat the mixture with an electric mixer.
- Scoop into the muffin tins.
- Bake for 18 to 20 minutes.
Of course, after consuming these delicious treats, you'll probably be in need of a workout. Have you been searching for apartments in Chicago, IL that will help you stay in shape? Then, please check out our beautiful community, which boasts a resort-style swimming pool and a brand-new fitness center where you can work off extra calories.
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Most people are familiar with spring cleaning. However, deep cleaning your home one time a year is not enough to keep it looking its best and keep it dust-free. Taking the time to clean your home in the fall can help you keep your home clean and prepare it for the winter months. Here are a few fall cleaning tips to help you prepare your space for the winter.
Clean Out Your Pantry
Most people eat different foods in the winter months compared with the summer months. During the summer, you may barbecue and eat a lot of salads. During the winter months, warm comfort foods like soup and chili may be on your menu. Before you go shopping to stock your pantry with winter foods, take the time to clean out your pantry. Discard expired food and clean out any crumbs or debris.
Dust and Test Your Smoke Alarms
When you are cleaning your home in the fall, you should take the time to dust your smoke detectors and test them out. If needed, replace the batteries or replace the entire smoke alarm. This can help to ensure your smoke alarms are working in the event of a fire.
Change Your Filters
Once winter hits, you will be using a heater or furnace to keep your space warm. Before cold weather hits, replace any filters in your home. This helps to increase the energy efficiency of your unit and prevents dust from being blown into your home. While you are at, grab a dampened soft cloth and wipe down your vents and registers, removing dirt, dust, and residue.
Vacuum Your Upholstered Surfaces
The last thing you should do to get your home ready for winter is to vacuum all of your upholstered surfaces. This includes your couch, dining room chairs and curtains. This removes the accumulation of dust from these items, making the air you breathe inside your home a little healthier.
No matter how much you clean, a space that is dull and dated may never look as good as you desire. If you live in a space that has lost its appeal, it may be time to think about moving. When you are looking for apartments in Chicago, IL., visit The Montrose Apartments. Our beautiful and luxurious apartments have a lot of charm and appeal, which can make you proud to call them home.
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