Great Spring Cleaning Tips for Your Apartment

Apartments in PhoenixSpring has sprung and it is time to deep clean your Phoenix apartment. These easy to follow spring cleaning tips will make cleaning your apartment a breeze.

Begin with Decluttering

A change in the season is the perfect time to declutter your apartment and a great place to start. Decluttering will clear space and make it easier to see what areas need sweeping, wiping down, or vacuuming.

Clean Your Apartment’s Bedroom

Turn up the music and create three piles: keep, store, and trash! Purchase storage bins for those items you will put away until winter and a large trash bag for items to throw away or donate; the rest of the items can be put away. But before you put them away, wipe down the inside of drawers and shelves with a mild cleaner and sweep or vacuum corners. If possible, move furniture away from the walls and sweep, wipe down, or clean the baseboards and the floors. Don’t forget to change the linens and mattress covers and vacuum the mattress before remaking your bed.

Deep Clean Your Bathroom

No spring cleaning is complete without a deep clean of your apartment’s bathroom. Start by removing all the items from your bathroom vanity and discarding expired medicine, old makeup, and other items that you no longer need. Once you remove the items, wipe down the interior and exterior of drawers and cabinets before neatly putting them back.

Next, turn your attention to the tub/shower. Remove soap, shampoo, and other items from the tub. Using a toothbrush, clean the shower head to remove any soap buildup. If possible, remove the shower head and place it in a bag with vinegar and leave overnight. If you cannot remove the shower head safely, simply place vinegar in the bag and fasten it on the shower head with an elastic for several hours.

To clean the surfaces of your shower, turn the shower on at a very hot temperature and leave it on for several minutes. Spray the surfaces with a mild cleanser and let sit. Using a non-abrasive sponge, clean the entire surface and rinse it thoroughly.

Cleaning Tips for Your Apartment’s Living Area

The main living area of your luxury Ironhorse at Tramonto apartment is easy to clean if you first start be decluttering and pulling all furniture away from walls to clean behind. Wipe down all the surfaces, vacuum or shake out area carpets and cushions.

These easy spring cleaning tips to clean your apartment will get your apartment ready for the new season!

Rainy Day Activities in Phoenix

apartments in PhoenixIt’s winter in Phoenix and that means cool days and colder nights. You could hunker down and binge watch Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Hulu OR you could get out and enjoy the amenities at Ironhorse at Tramonto apartments and the surrounding area with these great rainy day activities.

The Amenities at Ironstone at Tramonto

Grab your sweater and head to the outdoor fireplace at your Phoenix apartment or gather with friends and neighbors at the Resident Lounge to watch a game. On warmer days, you can grill out in the outdoor kitchen or sit by the pool and spa. Since summer is just a little over 100 days away, why not head to the gym to do a cardio workout or gain strength with the free weights.

Read a Book

Winter, no matter where you live, is the perfect time to read a book. While the weather is cool you can find a cozy spot in the grounds of Ironstone at Tramonto apartment or sit on your balcony and read one of these New York top sellers:

MORAL COMPASS

by Danielle Steel

THE LAST WISH

by Andrzej Sapkowski

WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING

by Delia Owens

BECOMING

Michelle Obama

THE GUARDIANS

by John Grisham

THE TATTOOIST OF AUSCHWITZ

by Heather Morris

On one of the rare days that we get rain in Phoenix, these great reads are the perfect way to spend an afternoon in your apartment.

Area Parks and Trails

Take a hike! No, we really mean, take a hike at area parks and trails. Winter is a great time to visit Phoenix’s hiking trails. Here are a few that are located near your apartment in East Phoenix.

Black Canyon Trail – Bob Bently Trailhead

7260 W Carefree Hwy, Phoenix, AZ 85086

Desert Hills Trailhead

705 W Carefree Hwy, Phoenix, AZ 85085

Rainy Day Cleaning

Rainy days are the perfect time to do a deep cleaning of your apartment. Reorganize your pantry and closets. Move furniture and dust those hard to reach places. Turn on your radio and dance while you clean; it is a great way to shake off the rainy day blues and catch up on chores.

Whether it is a rainy day or just cooler weather, there are plenty of activities to fill even the gloomiest day.

 

Holiday Happenings In Phoenix 2019

apartments in PhoenixThere might not be snow near your Phoenix apartment, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get into the holiday spirit. Check out these festive holiday events and activities near your Ironhorse at Tramonto apartment this year.

Lights of the World in Phoenix

This fantastic light display was voted as one of the “5 Over-The-Top Christmas Lights from Across the US” by USA Today. Lights of the World will light up the skies of Phoenix through January 12th at the Arizona State Fair. Back for a third year, this exhibit showcases over 65 displays with over 10 million colorful lights, displaying different cultures and civilizations around the world. Enjoy cuisine and crafts from global cultures and daily performances.

Learn more and purchase tickets here.

Tumbleweed Christmas Tree in Nearby Chandler

Who needs a Douglas or Balsam Fir tree when you have tumbleweeds! About 45 minutes from your apartment in Phoenix you can find a Tumbleweed Christmas tree! A holiday staple, this Christmas “tree” is made of 1,500 to 2,000 tumbleweeds! Said to be the only tumbleweed tree of its kind, visit the iconic tree in downtown Chandler this holiday season.

More information can be found here.

Elf: The Musical at Phoenix Theatre

Did you love the movie Elf as a kid? Do you still love it? Come on, you can admit it! If you said yes to either of those questions, then you will LOVE our next holiday event. The Phoenix Theatre will be home to Elf: The Musical through December 30th.

Learn more here and relive a Holiday classic live.

Holiday Happenings in Downtown Phoenix

Downtown Phoenix will be hosting four New Year’s Eve parties. For only $20.00 you can get your groove on to disco at The Van Buren, have a punk rock party at The Crescent, dance along to hip hop on 2nd Avenue, or dance the night away on 3rd Avenue to some of the area’s best DJs.

Flannel is not just for PJs anymore!  The New Belgium Brewing Company will be hosting a Flannel Ball New Year’s Eve Party and Art Show. The evening will feature local musicians, an art show, food trucks, a beer garden, lawn games, a photo booth, and a New Year pinata drop! Located at the Roosevelt Row Welcome Center at 918 North 2nd Street in Phoenix, this is a great way to ring in the New Year! Get more information and purchase tickets online.

There is so much to do near Pheonix all year round, but the holidays are even more special, so get out and explore and enjoy these holiday happenings near your Phoenix apartment.

The Best Thanksgiving Day Traditions in Phoenix

Thanksgiving, a national holiday held on the fourth Thursday of November is a day to celebrate with friends and family. It’s a day to honor old traditions and to make a few new ones. And because it falls on a Thursday (Thank You Abe Lincoln), for most of us it means a four-day weekend!

It also kicks off the holiday season, a time when Phoenix really shines. If you are looking for fun things to do before and after your Thanksgiving meal tryptophan and carbohydrate coma, we think you will love these fun Thanksgiving traditions near your Phoenix apartment.

Turkey Trots

A tradition that began in 1896, Turkey trots are almost as popular as the bird it was named after, the turkey!  There are now over 43,000 turkey trots held on Thanksgiving Day or over the weekend.

There are several Turkey Trots in Phoenix, so lace up and head to one of these Thanksgiving runs near your Ironhorse at Tramonto apartment.

28th Annual Fountain Hills Turkey Trot

Growing in popularity, the Fountain Hills Turkey Trot is held each year in the community of Fountain Hills in Northeast Phoenix. The 5K run starts at 7:15 and is followed by the Chamber of Commerce’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which begins at 9:00 a.m.

Phoenix Turkey Trot

The annual Phoenix Turkey Trot is a fun-spirited, family-friendly event in downtown Phoenix. Runners and walkers can participate in a 5K, 10K, a one-mile fun run/walk and a turkey trot for toddlers.

To keep in the spirit of the holiday, pumpkin pie and cranberry aid stations will be located along the course and there will be prizes for top runners, best turkey outfit, most creative costume, best-dressed family, couple and team!

Local Lighting Ceremonies

Kick-off the holiday season with these area lighting ceremonies. ZooLights and the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess both have holiday lighting ceremonies on Thanksgiving night.

Football

Thanksgiving and football go together like mashed potatoes and gravy because let’s face it, you just can’t have one without the other! The NFL has three games to round out your Thanksgiving tradition.

The Chicago Bears take on the Detroit Lions (Fox), while the Buffalo Bills will take on the Dallas Cowboys (BS) and the New Orleans Saints will be playing against the Atlanta Falcons (NBC).

Enjoy these Thanksgiving traditions in Pheonix.

Go Green When You Clean – Green Cleaning Tips for Your Apartment

apartments in PhoenixLike many of us, you are looking for ways to improve your health and go green. From organic food, to electric or hybrid cars, Americans are making the move to green!  But did you know that the cleaning products that you use to clean your Phoenix apartment show up in our water long after the suds go down the drain!

Here are some tips to keeping your apartment CLEAN and GREEN with these eco-friendly cleaners.

Your Washing Machine

The list of toxins in your laundry detergent may surprise you. From artificial colors, dye and fragrances to bleach and nonylphenol ethoxylates and phosphates the ingredients in most common laundry detergent can be harmful to your health and the environment.

This link to some of the best eco-friendly laundry detergents will help you find an alternative to conventional selections. Your local Walmart Super Center and even Target (located at the Deer Valley Towne Center) also may carry eco-friendly products!

Don’t forget the dryer, laundry sheets can emit toxins into the air of your apartment in Phoenix, so toxin free selections are a great and healthier option.

Bleach

Bleach is a popular and effective disinfected; cleaning everything from mold and mildew to bacteria, but it is also unhealthy for the environment and unfortunately is in so many of our household cleaning products. Look for bleach free products and use hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, lemon juice and castile soap as eco-friendly alternatives.

Keep Your Windows Clean

Keeping the windows, mirrors and other glass surfaces in your apartment clean is important, but it also releases toxins. Instead of using a commercial cleaner, why not make your own?  Combine ½ teaspoon of liquid soap, ¼ cup of white vinegar and 2 cups of water in a spray bottle for a great alternative to toxic window cleaners.

Many all-purpose cleaners contain harmful ingredients that will make it into our water and our air. Instead try this DIY scented cleaner.

Combine one-part white vinegar, one-part water, lemon rind and rosemary sprigs and let infuse for a week before using. Once it is done you can add to a spray bottle and use to clean counters, trash cans, toilets and everyday smudges.

These clean, eco-friendly cleaning products can go a long way to reduce pollution and keep you Ironhorse at Tramonto apartment clean and green!

Spring’s Secret Gem – Fresh Garlic Scapes Near Phoenix

We wait all year for the opening of local farmers markets, and it is finally here! We meander down the aisles, taking in the sights and smells, browsing local artisans and farmers who showcase spring’s fresh bounty; locally grown asparagus, juicy apricots, berries, fresh garlic scapes, chives and English peas!

Check out these local farmers markets and ideas on how to use one of spring’s delicacies; garlic scapes!

Open Air Market

Enjoy the Open Air Market every Saturday through the summer 8am to 1pm

Website

Uptown Farmers’ Market
Uptown Farmers’ Market is open this May on Wednesays and Saturdays from 8am to noon!

Website

Roadrunner Park Farmers Market
The Roadrunner Park Farmers Market is now open on Saturdays in May at 8am.

Website

Here are some easy ways to use Garlic Scapes, but don’t miss them, they go quickly! These grassy, garlicky buds of a garlic plant are only available in the late spring and you can swap them out when recipes call for garlic cloves, but their flavor will kick things up a notch!
Grilled Garlic Scapes

Throw the scapes on the grill until they are charred, then drizzle them with lemon juice, salt and paper! These make for a perfect side dish or topping for a grilled steak!

Salad Dressing
Whisk finely chopped garlic scapes into some home made salad dressing to add a delicious, grassy garlicky flavor to your salads.
Garlic Scape Butter
What could be better than butter and garlic scapes, we can’t think of anything!  Chop garlic scapes and blend them with softened butter! Garlic scape butter is perfect on fresh bread or on top of other spring vegetable like asparagus!

Get out to area local markets or farm stands to enjoy some of late spring’s delicious fresh produce near Phoenix, Arizona.

 

Great Phoenix Hiking Spots for Spring

Beautiful Hikes in Phoenix

There is so much to love about living at the Ironhorse at Tramonto Apartments, but one of our favorite things are the abundant Phoenix hiking spots! Sprinkled throughout the area are the beautiful landscapes, wildlife spring blooms and waterfalls just waiting to be explored!

Here’s a list of just a few of the best trails to explore this spring!

Deem Hills West Located just 11 miles from your Phoenix apartment off the I-17 you will find one of the area’s newest trails. Perfect for beginners or those looking for quiet, secluded trails with spectacular views, choose between the full 6-mile hike, a 3-mile trail or the easier two-mile trails!

Waterfall Canyon White Tank Mountains Regional Park—Jump in the car and head to this family-friendly and dog-friendly trail for an afternoon exploring Arizona’s wilderness! Great for first timers or groups with less experienced hikers, you will enjoy views of the beautiful waterfall and experience the splendor of Arizona’s flora and fauna.

Siphon Draw Trail There is no better hike for aerial views and beautiful spring wildflowers. This trail is a bit difficult—with a distance of 6 miles—but, for those who want to be dazzled by brittle brush, poppies, lupine and strawberry hedgehogs and don’t mind a bit of mystery and intrigue, this is a great way to spend an afternoon! Bring water and plan on at least 6 hours!

What are your favorite Phoenix hiking spots? Drop a comment and let us know!

 

DIY Home Decor Ideas to Add Style to Your Apartment

Are you tired of looking at plain walls Looking for DIY home decor ideas for decorating your apartment?

apartment in Phoenix

Photo Credit: roommatesdecor.com

Why not consider stick and peel decals!

They are an easy and fun way to add style, color, and personality to your apartment and better still, they are easy to remove when you grow tired of the design or move out of your Phoenix apartment.

Here are some fun ideas on how to use decals and wallpaper in your apartment.

Create an accent wall with a geometrical pattern, available from roommatesdecor.com for instant style.

Add style and personality to a work area. Bed, Bath & Beyond has several temporary wallpaper options which can be cut to create YOUR own style.

Or, why not try these fun faux mirrors or picture frames.

apartment in Phoenix

Photo Credit: Home Depot

Available from Home Depot online and perfect for your Phoenix apartment at Ironhorse at Tramonto.

With temporary wallpaper and decals, it is easy to decorate your apartment without the risk of damaging walls!  Have fun, we hope we these DIY home décor ideas have inspired you.

Winter Activities in Phoenix, AZ

There is no better season than winter. The weather change, the holidays, the cozy feeling you get. You also get the pleasure of enjoying all the amazing winter activities there are to do out there. Don’t spend your entire winter hibernating and doing nothing, you can enjoy so much both indoors and outdoors. Head out on the town for some winter adventures you won’t forget. The city is filled with numerous things and events you can explore and join during the winter. If your a homebody don’t fret, there are tons of winter activities you can enjoy right in your home.

DIY Projects

So going out may not be your style, and you have everything you need at home, no problem. There are a variety of household winter activities that can fill up your day. Doing DIY projects are simple, fun, and a productive way to spend your time this winter. Come up with some creative ideas on some things you’ve been meaning to try. Whether it’s cooking, decorating, or simple arts and craft project, you can’t go wrong with DIY. If you need some help on how to get them done, tune in to a some Youtube segments or blogs to help you get started.

New Year’s Eve in Phoenix, AZ

Everyone is getting their things together and getting ready for the new year. People are using this month to wrap up all that they wanted to get done before the year is over. Time to finish up all the things we wanted to do before we give ourselves new goals and aspirations. The one thing we definitely want to do is celebrate the new year coming in and see this year off with a bang. Get loud, crazy, and have a great time celebrating New Year’s Eve with all the wonderful events happening in the area. If you’re thinking of bringing in the new year in a fun and exciting way in the city, here are a few ideas.

Head to a Restaurant Bar and Club

Shake things up when you celebrate this New Year’s and head to some great restaurants, bars, and clubs. Start your night of fun with a delicious meal so that your pumped and energized for the adventures ahead. Make your way to an exciting bar or club and dance the rest of the year away while you wait for that big countdown. Spend the last part of the year having the time of your life. Check out Eventbrite to see which clubs and bars have special events going on in your area.