Tips to Remote Working with Roommates

apartments in PheonixWorking from your Phoenix apartment sounds like the ideal situation, but it can be tasking, especially if roommates, spouses, or children are all sharing the same space. These tips will help ease the stress of working and learning from home.

Create Separate Workspaces

When you have multiple people sharing a space and working from home, it can feel a bit crowded. Set up dedicated workspaces for everyone in your North Phoenix apartment and respect each other’s areas.

Coordinate Schedules

It is important that you communicate with those that are sharing space to understand each other’s schedule. Perhaps your roommate has a Zoom meeting set up at a certain time or a deadline due that day. Understanding each other’s schedules and priorities can help you navigate the tricky waters of multiple people working from your apartment in Phoenix.

Give Each Other Space

Whether it is a family member or a roommate, we all need a little bit of personal space! Consider scheduling time in common living areas and don’t apologize for taking some private time in your own room when you need it!

Listen

We are all feeling a bit stressed and distant right now! Despite technology that has made social distancing easier, we don’t have office mates, friends or family members to talk to and sometimes people need to be heard. Remember to take a moment to listen and empathize, not criticize or give advice. It will go a long way to creating a harmonious environment.

Let it Go

No matter how spacious your apartment is, sometimes you must just let it go, whether that means going out for a walk while maintaining social distance or sitting down and talking.  Don’t focus on your family or roommate’s flaws, instead focus on their positive traits.

Get Out

Getting out for fresh air or exercise can make all the difference in the world, even if that means going out on your deck for some fresh air. Stretching or going for a walk or run (follow local government and CDC’s guidelines) can help you deal with stress and feel both energized and balanced.

These tips to staying in your Ironhorse at Tramanto apartment will help make the time go by quicker and more stress-free!

You Do Not Have to Go Far for these Donuts in Phoenix

apartments in phoenixPhoenix may not be home to the infamous Voodoo Donuts or have as many donut shops per capita of Boston, but it is home to some of the best donuts in the country!

Before we share the list of our favorite Phoenix donut shops and bakeries, we want to share some tasty facts about this iconic pastry!

Donuts also spelled doughnuts were introduced by the Dutch when they migrated to the USA used to be known as “olykoeks” or oily cakes.

Portland Oregon’s famous Voodoo Doughnuts, famous for its creative (ok, a bit wacky) flavors used to offer both Nyquil and Pepto-Bismol donuts. 

The concoctions were inspired by its many late-night visitors who may have drunk too much and needed a tasty treat that would help them recover in the morning.

Actor Clark Gable introduced the world to the art of dunking donuts! He explained, “Don’t let it soak so long. A dip and plop, into your mouth”.

LaMar’s Donuts and Coffee

2340 W Bell Road
Phoenix, AZ 85023
Website

This regional chain serves more than 70 rotating donut flavors, fritters, and coffee drinks.

Donut Parlor

1245 W Elliot Rd #103
Tempe, AZ 85284
Website

This popular donut shop serves freshly-made donuts from unique flavors to the classic old-fashioned donuts. All are delicious.

BoSa Donuts

Multiple Locations

Website

With several locations in and around Phoenix, this casual counter service and drive-through donut shop serves over 50 varieties and is famous for their donut holes!

Rainbow Donuts

1347 E McDowell Road
Phoenix, AZ 85006
Website

Haled as the BEST donuts in Arizona, Rainbow Donuts is an old-school restaurant serving freshly made donuts, breakfast, and lunches.

Krispy Kreme

3607 E Bell Road Suite A, 
Phoenix, AZ 85032
Website

This franchise favorite serves iced, glazed, filled, cake, and chocolate donuts! The original glazed, “the OG”, is still the most popular donut that Krispy Kreme serves.

No matter what style of donut you have a hankering for, Phoenix has some of the BEST donuts around. Gobble up a baker’s dozen or a few at these donut shops near your Ironhorse at Tramonto apartment in North Phoenix.

 

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.

Spooktacular Halloween Happenings Near Phoenix

apartments in North Arizona

Photo Credit: Howl-o-Ween at the Phoenix Zoo

It’s that time of year again!  A time to celebrate witches, zombies, pumpkins and other things that howl or go bump in the night. Yes, it is Halloween and the Phoenix area sure knows how to celebrate!

Check out these Spooktacular Halloween events near your North Phoenix apartment.

Enchanted Pumpkin Garden

Located just 20 minutes from your apartment in North Pheonix, Carefree Arizona hosts the Enchanted Pumpkin Garden. The stars of this two-week festival are the whimsical village and the magnificent pumpkin carvings, but The Enchanted Pumpkin Garden also features costume contests, a beer garden, food, fun, and other haunted happenings.

The event happens rain or shine and will be held this year from October 18th to October 27th.

Check out their website for directions, details, and tickets.

Howl-o-Ween at the Phoenix Zoo!

Lions, tigers, and zombies, oh my! The Phoenix Zoo celebrates Halloween from October 25th to the 26th with activities, treats and frightening characters hiding around every corner!  Great for the entire family; activities are either “Merry”, perfect for the whole family or “Scary” for kids eight years old or older!

Get all the scary details on the Phoenix Zoo’s website.

Salt River Fields Balloon Spooktacular

It won’t just be witches and ghosts filling the sky at the Salt River Fields Balloon Spooktacular on October 25th and 26th. Over 20+ hot air balloons, tethered balloon rides, over 4,000 pounds of candy, costume contests, fireworks, vendors, and food all make this annual transition a must-do on your Halloween to-do list.

The event is about 30 minutes from your Ironhorse apartment and more information and tickets can be found online.

BooFest at Bizzle’s

The 2nd Annual BooFest at Bizzle’s on Central was so popular, it is BACK! This year you can celebrate Halloween with a costume party with prizes, cash bar, food, and dancing!  If you missed it last year don’t miss this year!

The fun begins on Saturday, October 6th at 8pm with tickets starting at $25.00. Get more information and ticket details here.

Enjoy these wonderful Halloween events near your Ironhorse at Tramonto apartments.

Add Fragrant Indoor Plants to Your North Pheonix Apartment

apartments in phoenixAs summer quickly comes to a close, we look for ways to bring nature into our North Pheonix apartment. One easy and affordable way is to purchase indoor plants. Plants help purify the air, ads style and color to your apartment and create a warm and relaxing environment. While all these reasons are splendid, we would like to add one more reason to love your household plants and that is fragrance.

Here are five of our favorite deliciously scented indoor plants.

While the Azores Jasmine, might be slow to bloom, once it does your apartment will be filled with an intense fragrance, similar to a gardenia. They love warmth and sun, place them in southern-facing window for the best blooms!

There is nothing like the smell of Spearmint. Plant it near a sunny window for the best results and you can even add a leaf or two to your morning tea!

Pretty and fragrant, Eucalyptus is a wonderful addition to your apartment. The silver blue leaves add a subtle color to your décor and the refreshing scent of the forest will remind you of long summer hikes!

There is no way we could leave Lavender off the list of our favorite, fragrant indoor plants. Lavender is easy to grow in a sunny room and like to be kept on the dryer side, but the blooms are both pretty and give off a floral and sweet scent!

Our next choice may surprise you!  Known for its winter hardiness, many varietals make great indoor plants.  The woodsy, piney scent is fragrant and appealing. Add a twig or two to some fall soup or stew to add flavor. Rosemary likes to be in a cool area and does not require a great deal of water!

These five sweet smelling plants are the perfect addition to your North Phoenix apartment and can be found at Home Depot and Wright in the Garden near your Ironhorse at Tramonto apartment.

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!

The Best Summer Events Near North Phoenix

apartment in north phoenixAre you ready to celebrate summer and the 4th of July, to beat the heat and get out and enjoy all that the area near your North Phoenix apartment has to offer? Here is a list of some fun 4th of July celebrations, ideas for summer fun and a list of great events at Desert Ridge Marketplace!

Enjoy!

4th of July at the Fabulous Phoenix 4th Event

Are you looking for a spectacular fireworks display, loads of fun and a way to beat the heat on the 4th of July?  Then the Fabulous Phoenix 4th event is the place to be!  This family-friendly (non-alcoholic) event draws more than 100,000 people each year!  Enjoy entertainment, vendors, food, arts and crafts, a classic car display and a water spray zone!

The evening culminates with a firework display at 9:30.

Located at Steele Indian School Park, 300 East Indian School Road, Phoenix.

More Information Here!

4th of July at Fountain Park

One of our favorite places to spend Independence Day near your ??? apartment is at Fountain Park!  This year’s celebration begins at 6pm and goes until 10pm.  Enjoy live music, bounce houses, a rock-climbing wall and DJ tunes!  Fireworks start at 9pm and best of all it is FREE!  Parking is available but check for area road closures before heading out!

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

There really isn’t anything more American than baseball and hotdogs (well maybe apple pie), so why not head to Goodyear Ballpark this summer to catch a game or to celebrate the “Star Spangled Fourth”. This event is FREE and includes a water slide, bounce houses, live music and a hot dog eating contest!  The night ends with a spectacular fireworks display!

Click here for this summer’s game and events schedule.

Beat the Heat at Desert Ridge Marketplace

Have you been looking for a fun way to spend summer evenings near Ironhorse at Tramanto in North Phoenix, then check out all the great events at Desert Ridge Marketplace!  From concerts, to movie nights and even a foam party (you will have to click on the link below to learn more about that one), this is a great way to beat the heat this summer.

Get more information here!