Category: Uncategorized
6 Ways to Get Back in the “Back to School” Routine
Summer vacation is officially winding down. Soon it will be time to start setting alarms, packing lunches and sticking to stricter bedtime routines. It can be tough getting back in the swing of a schedule after spending the summer at home. Help your kids get ready for the upcoming school year with these tips…
1 – Start heading to bed earlier as a family. No more week nights of staying up late! Get the kid’s body’s used to a different and stricter sleep pattern now instead of later.
2 – Establish a place in your home that will be your student’s study space. This will be where they store their books and backpack and this is where homework will be done.
3 – Shop for lunch box essentials now. Start filling the pantry with items that you can easily pack for school lunch so you aren’t scrambling the night before school starts.
4 – Shop for school supplies together with your kids. Let them feel involved and excited by picking out their own backpacks and notebooks.
5 – Check with your school registrar to make sure all forms for enrollment are complete. You may need additional paperwork that you can start collecting now.
6 – Go over the school bus route so you and your children are comfortable with where they will get on and off the bus for school.
10 Unique (and Last Minute) Father’s Day Gift Ideas
Father’s Day is this weekend! If you haven’t already found the perfect gift for your dad, try one of these ideas that you can pickup before the big day. Dad is sure to love anything on this list!
1 – A gift card to his favorite restaurant
2 – Tickets to a sporting event
3 – Gardening tools and plants for his garden
4 – Grill tools along with a gift card to the local butcher shop
5 – A bag of his favorite fresh-ground coffee with a unique mug
6 – Tickets to tour a local brewery
7 – Create a personalized itinerary for a “day out with dad”
8 – Slippers and pajamas so Dad can relax
9 – Tickets for a boat cruise
10 – A car wash kit with all of the essentials to wash his car.
Holmes Beverly…Coming Soon!
Introducing Holmes Beverly….coming to Beverly, MA in 2018!
67 mixed-income, transit-oriented rental housing rental units adjacent to the Beverly Depot Commuter Rail station and garage. Commuting to the city is a breeze by jumping on the Newburyport/Rockport line right across the street.
Barnat Development’s 112 Rantoul Street brings new mixed-income rental housing and commercial space to Beverly’s downtown.
Construction started in 2017 and we expect units to come online in 2018!
Mill and 3 Apartments in Chelmsford, MA
High-end finishes, 9+ foot ceilings and one or two bedroom floor plans await you at Mill & 3 Apartment Homes in Chelmsford, MA! This new construction property consists of 3 three-story buildings with direct access garage parking and a first class clubhouse.
Work up a sweat in the clubhouse fitness center and enjoy relaxing by the pristine outdoor pool.
The apartments feature two-toned kitchen cabinets and granite counter tops, glass tile backsplashes, luxury plank flooring in living areas and kitchens, washers and dryers, 9+ foot ceilings, walk-in closets, patios or balconies, and dining areas in select units. Visit our website to view floor plans, our photo gallery and more.
Contact us today to be one of the first ones to live in this new apartment community!
5 Tips for Spring Cleaning Your Pantry
When we think of spring cleaning we usually think of packing away clothes and washing the floors. Don’t forget to clean what’s behind your pantry door too! Get yours in tip top shape for the season with these great tips
1 – Start from scratch. Pull all of the items in the pantry out and put them on your counter so you can vacuum the floor and clean the shelves.
2 – Take inventory. See how many items you have, what can be donated, what is expired and decide which items are going to stay.
3 – Reorganize your shelves. Decide what is going where and stick to it. Put the kids snacks on the bottom shelf and the canned goods above. When you’re looking for what you need you’ll know exactly which shelf to go to.
4 – Consider using some baskets or plaster containers to help with your organization. If you buy snacks in bulk you can save space by emptying and recycling the large boxes and keep your snacks in a basket instead.
5 – Stick to it! Don’t let your hard work get ruined the next time you go grocery shopping. Keep your pantry in tip top shape by following these steps every couple of months.
10 Items to Buy Before a Storm
They say March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb. According to our forecast that may be true! It looks like we have a lot of wet, damaging weather heading our way. If you’re going out to the store today to prepare, make sure you have plenty of these items so you don’t have to venture later!
1- Bottled water
2- Coffee and/or tea bags (so you don’t have to venture out for your morning cup!)
3- Specialty foods for infants (like baby formulas, milks or pureed foods)
4- Pet food – don’t forget about your 4-legged friends!
5- Pantry staples – i.e. bread, snacks, soup mixes, canned foods
6- Toiletries (you don’t run out of these in the middle of a storm!)
7- Batteries
8- Medications
9- Diapers (if you have little ones at home)
10- Cereal, oatmeal or fruit to have on hand for breakfast the next morning after the storm!
Schedule For Washing Linens in Your Home
If you’re someone who is really organized you probably already know how often you should wash your sheets and pillows. But do you know when you should wash your shower curtain and bath towels? Keep reading to find a schedule that will keep your home in tip top shape.
- Bed Sheets – Wash every week
- Bathroom Rugs – Wash every 3-4 weeks
- Curtains – Wash and steam every 3 months
- Bed Pillows – Wash every month
- Bath Towels – Wash every other day
- Shower Curtain – Wash once a month
- Comforter – Wash every 3 months
5 Tips for Keeping Your New Year’s Resolutions
Whether you decided to eat healthier or keep your home clean and organized, keeping a resolution can be challenging. Before you start getting frustrated or thinking about throwing in the towel, check out these helpful tips!
1- Make your goal very specific. Instead of saying “I’m going to be healthy in 2018” make your goal more specific by saying “I’m going to exercise three times per week in 2018.”
2- If you need someone keeping tabs on you to keep you honest, make your goals and resolutions public. Share your goals on your social media account or with a friend and share your progress.
3- Reward charts aren’t just for kids. Make a chart that you can check off to keep organized. List all of your household cleaning chores and check them off as you complete them. Reward yourself with something special when you’ve completed everything.
4- Make your goals progressive. Instead of making one big goal to reach by the end of the year, make smaller goals that you’ll hit each quarter to build up to the bigger goal.
5- Don’t be too hard on yourself. If you slip back into old habits it’s okay. Don’t give up – you can always jump right back into a new lifestyle without ruining your plans for the year.
7 Tips for Setting A Thanksgiving Table
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and if you’re hosting you are probably busy with preparations! Your turkey is thawing, your vegetables are chopped, the house is clean….now it’s time to set the table! Read these tips before you start putting out your napkins and flatware…
- Iron your tablecloths and napkins the day before.
- Wash and set aside all of your flatware and glassware the night before. Make sure to dry everything so there aren’t any spots or watermarks.
- Consider using place cards. It makes things easier and it makes your dinner table much more personalized. Your guests will be happy that you’ve chosen a special place for them at your meal.
- Add some seasonal touches by putting centerpieces on your tables. Consider flowers, candles, pumpkins or faux leaves to give your table a festive look.
- Keep in mind that bread plates go on the left and drinks go on the right of each place setting.
- Wow your guests with a festive napkin fold! Try one of these ideas
- Make sure to have the guests water glasses filled before they sit down. Have a full water pitcher on hand in the fridge so you can easily refill.
5 Ways to Get Your Outerwear Ready for Winter
There is already talk of snow in the forecast in New England so it’s (finally) time to start pulling out the winter jackets, hats and boots! In order to keep things organized and to make sure your gear doesn’t take up too much space, follow these tips:
- Start by washing your winter coats, gloves and hats and scarves after you pull them out of storage.
- Make sure you have matched all of your gloves and mittens and fold or tie them together to keep them from separating.
- Shop for a shoe tray if you don’t already have one. Clean a spot by your front door to place it so you can take off your wet, snowy boots without making a mess.
- Have baskets laying around the house? Use one for your gloves, one for hats and one for scarves to keep things organized. Put the baskets on a shelf in your coat closet.
- Pull your lightweight jackets out of the closet to make room and put them in storage. Hang your winter coats underneath your baskets for your cold weather accessories.
