Posts about luxury apartments in baltimore

Pool Etiquette-image

We’ve all read the typical rules posted along the pool fence (no running, no food or drink, no diving) but there are unspoken, common-curtesy rules that many people seem to vastly ignore. Whether you frequent our community pool or go to a public pool in town, take a look at these etiquette points to avoid being that person : Noise level, language, and profanity Nobody likes a loud mouth, and I can’t think of one parent who is okay with curse words bouncing around like a beach ball. Remember you’re in a public, shared community pool full of people who come from all walks of life and might find your language offensive. While you’re certainly entitled to private conversations with friends, family or neighbors, be mindful of your noise level, the language you use, and refrain from profanity if at all possible. Rafts In some public or community pools, rafts are banned, and for good reason. If this isn’t already a rule set in place, don’t lug in that giant donut floaty you found at Costco. Remember you are one of many who want to use and enjoy the watering hole, and there’s only so much space to do so. Not only will you take up precious pool real estate, you’ll find yourself extremely annoyed with getting splashed while you’re just trying to float in peace. Do everyone a favor and leave the raft at home. Trash This is usually an actual posted rule, but it’s one that needs to be driven home. It’s never a problem to snack on some munchies while poolside, but no one wants to clean up your cans, plastic, wrappers, or worse, broken glass bottles (this one in particular is not only a nuisance, but a danger—just don’t). Put your trash back in the bag or cooler in which you brought it, so you can throw it away when you get home. Spills When’s the last time you stepped in a puddle of sticky liquid at the pool, and loved it? You didn’t. Understand spills happen, but make the effort, take the time, and find a way to clean it up. Not only does it cause annoyance to the other pool-goers, it attracts pests like ants, bees and wasps. Simply washing the spill away with some water will take care of the problem pretty quick. Behavior Pushing, drowning, stealing toys. These behaviors have been seen by young and old alike, believe it or not. It’s important to treat others with respect, no matter the situation, even if you’re just playing. A game of Chicken is fun and innocent enough in the privacy of someone’s personal pool, but any kind of extreme rowdiness in a community pool will disturb others. Attire So you went to Europe and EVERYONE was donning itsy-bitsy, teeny-wheeny swimwear. Cool. But not everyone is a fan of flaunting flesh in a public or community pool. Know your surroundings, audience, and situation. While a speedo might be perfectly fine at a Las Vegas hotel pool party, it’s possible someone could find it to be a bit too much for an afternoon dip in a shared community pool. Claiming multiple chairs Don’t do this. It’s great you arrived the second the pool opened and want to save chairs for your friends, but it’s a little rude when you claim more than half the loungers for yourself. Be a good neighbor and only claim one extra chair, two at the most. Also, don’t do anything on the chairs other than sit or lay. Standing, flipping or using them in any fashion that will bend, break, warp or damage the chair is just plain disrespectful. The same goes for any umbrellas, tables, or equipment in or around the pool. Respect the community pool and all of the property in it.    

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Living in a space less than 1,200 square feet would be unfathomable to some people, but to you it means that you’ve chosen to reside in one of the greatest cities in the country. 500 Park is a modern and upscale apartment community centralized in the dynamic area of Baltimore, where everything you could possibly need or want is right outside your door. But the law of supply & demand dictates this location comes at a cost of vast living quarters. Luckily, we’ve listed tips on ways to maximize the space you do have and continue to enjoy the heart of Charm City. 1.   Storage is the key to happiness As much as possible, keep items concealed and out of view for an uncluttered look. Closet storage is best. To maximize it, be careful of closet organizers. These can actually take up more space if not planned properly. Regular shoe boxes, meanwhile, take up a minimal amount in a closet and can be stacked tighter for better use of space. Consolidate all of your travel items into your suitcase and store in there -- this makes packing faster and easier when you are ready for a quick getaway (see Tip 10). Use tote bags, which hold tons of stuff and can be monogrammed or labeled for easy identification. These are also easy to move for cleaning, and since they’re made of fabric, they give more flexibility in tighter space. This is a great way to store magazines or books. When you don’t cook, use your stove as a storage area – it has adjustable shelves and can provide much-needed space (just remember to take your stuff out again before preheating!).   2. Adopt a chic, clean & stylish design   Be sure that your apartment has an aesthetic. Play with color and accessories; don’t be afraid to use them. Design elements aren’t just for mansions. If you’re lacking closets or cabinets, create a storage/display making your space both decorative and functional. So many couture items such as vintage handbags, shoes, ties, and scarves are actually pieces of usable art. A smaller space can be a more opulent space. 3. Buy multi-functional furniture   Use a bed that has storage drawers underneath. Some have found that the drawers on the bottom actually had more space than a dresser, and free up a ton of floor space.   Ottomans and stools can convert from storage cubes to tables to additional seating. 4. Forget about room dividers, go for artwork instead Use art to section off areas of the room instead of room dividers. These dividers often make the room look much more cramped and disrupt the flow of good energy through the apartment.  Using art to differentiate spaces makes your apartment feel bigger and more open.  5. Be obsessively organized   When closets and cabinets are overflowing, it’s time to clean and reorganize. In a small apartment, you often find that you don’t have that catchall space that you do with a larger apartment. Mail must be sorted each day and laundry must be done on a regular basis. Once a routine is established, you’ll find that -- just like your space -- your time becomes more efficient.  6. Buy only what you love and purge often After living for a few years with less space, you tend to buy only what you really need or really love, eliminating trends or donating them when the trend is over.  Buying quality instead of quantity makes your dollar stretch further in the long run. And being on your fashion game in one of the most stylish cities in the world is a bonus.  Owning one pair of great shoes is better than owning twelve pairs of mediocre ones. 7. Use every square inch It’s not the amount of space, but how the space functions that matters. Make use of every square inch. Many people have a guest room and they use it once a year when that friend comes to town. In fact, most people actually use only 20% of their house. But not you. You’re utilizing every last bit. Live simpler. 8. Do cost comparisons   When you start to get apartment envy and consider moving to a larger space, talk to your friends with bigger apartments and you’ll quickly realize their rent and utility bills are much higher than yours. Living in a smaller space, the costs are lower. 9. Travel as often as your schedule and budget permits Go out of town at least five times per year, or as often as your schedule permits. This is a nice break and change of scenery. Friends will love to visit you, because you’re in one of the best cities on Earth. People in other parts of the country have 2-3 guest rooms, and no one ever goes to visit. It’s a good reminder that your piece of heaven is a sanctuary no matter the size.  

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Size Doesn't Matter-image

Size doesn’t matter. Apartment size that is. We live in a world where it’s increasingly “cool” to downsize and live free from a large mortgage. But many people still can’t get past the idea of needing large spaces. The truth is you don’t need that much space, you just have to get rid of stuff . Thanks to organization consultant, Marie Kondo, and shows like “Tiny House Hunters” and “Tiny House Nation”, America is finally waking up to the overwhelmingly unnecessary need for space and things . Even once you finally accept that 700 square feet is actually a good size, you’re still left with, “but where does all my stuff go?” There’s a way to live small, yet comfortable. Like many others things you hear about, it’s a lifestyle change. But it’s completely doable if you’re in the right headspace. All it takes is a little time and planning, and dedication, to execute it. Step 1: Purge. That. Stuff. Those sweat pants you only wear once a winter when you’re reminiscing about college? Gone. That ceramic frog you painted in 6 th grade that holds paperclips? It’s time. Heed Marie Kondo’s advice and really dig deep on the things that matter to you, and letting go of the things you’re holding on to for, really, no reason at all. Start with clothes. Select the basics you need every day. Keep only 6-7 of each item (six or seven yoga pants, six or seven work shirts, six or seven pairs of socks, etc.) because you are more than capable of doing laundry once a week. Once you’ve purged your wardrobe, move on to accessories like hats, scarves, belts, jewelry, and—this one’s hard for some people—shoes. One pair of sneakers. One pair of dress shoes, one pair of sandals, etc. Use your discretion on the other accessories, but remember to be particular and let go of the things you don’t absolutely need . The same goes for kitchen appliances/gadgets, books, office supplies, knick-knacks, and toiletries. Sell the things that might bring in a buck or two, like expensive jewelry. You’re likely aware of sites like LetGo, Ebay, and Facebook Marketplace. To get rid of a lot of stuff at once, ask a family member if you can get in on their annual yard sale. A good rule of thumb: If you haven’t worn or used it in the last year, it’s time to let it go. Step 2: Map it out Measure and draw the dimensions of your new apartment on graph paper with a pen. Then take a pencil and draw in your furniture pieces. See how you can arrange them in the apartment. If not all of your furniture fits, consider getting rid of certain furniture items you no longer need (now that you’ve purged all the stuff inside it). Also consider different, more versatile furniture pieces from IKEA, or modular furniture that have dual functions ( like this desk that turns into a dining room table ). Selling your old furniture will give you the money to buy these new modern pieces. Another biggie is your bed. If you’re anything like me, you love your sleep. But if you live alone, ask yourself if you really need that king size bed (or even a full size bed).   Step 3: Don’t stress about decor In smaller spaces, less is (obviously) more. The items you truly cherish will fill the space accordingly, and if you organize it well, your everyday items will double as décor; like this mini wall herb garden . And that’s another thing, try to think of ways to make function meet fashion. See below for inspiration, or simply Google small space living to find a wealth of information. Step 4: Learn how to be organized and tidy This is tricky for some folks. They will openly admit they are not tidy or organized, but it is a lifestyle change after all, isn’t it? Put things away right after you use them, from taking off your shoes to putting the hairspray back in the cabinet, make it a habit to put everything in its place or your apartment will quickly become a cluttered mess. Step 5: Stick with it! If you like to shop, by all means, shop. Just remember the limited space you have back at your place. And when you’re out and about (or worse, shopping online), ask yourself, honestly, if you absolutely need that item. If so, immediately rifle through your current things for the item you’ll be replacing it with. It doesn’t have to be an item of the same type (for instance, a shirt replaces a shirt) but get rid of however many items you brought into the apartment to avoid clutter. If you brought home a new kitchen gadget, get rid of a different kitchen gadget you never really used before. Step 6: enjoy the adventures! It’s no wonder people adopt this new lifestyle, when you don’t have a crippling mortgage you can go out and make memories instead of making your friends jealous of your giant house. Tiny living is revolutionary and we’re excited to get you started on your journey!  

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Clean Eating At Restaurants-image

We all know Baltimoreans love their food. And it’s likely you eat out at least 5 meals a week.              Come on….admit it! With so many amazing restaurants in this city, it’s easy to say t’hell with your diet. But eating clean is important, and there are ways to keep the calorie count down while still enjoying all Baltimore has to offer. Take a look at these tips we put together for when dining out: Plan ahead, and know the ingredients—check the restaurant’s website beforehand for their nutrition section, and shoot for a meal with as little processed ingredients as possible. Look for buzzwords.  “Organic,” “locally sourced,” “grass-fed,” “antibiotic- and hormone-free,” “sustainably raised” are, yes, a bit trendy, but they can also serve as indicators that the restaurant is concerned and conscientious about its sources. When ordering a salad, pay attention to what they put in it and ask yourself, honestly, if it’s healthy. Many chain restaurants make an effort with “under 500 calories” or “fit” dishes, but still load it with flavor-enhancers. Be mindful of all components and remember its okay to substitute or take away certain ingredients. Avoid creamy dressings, and always ask for it on the side. If you order a burger, check if they have wheat buns, and stick with veggie toppings instead of bacon, cheese or other fatty garnishes. While a deli turkey sandwich is always better than a greasy burger, you should still be aware that most thinly-slice deli meats contain a lot of sodium and preservatives. If the restaurant offers freshly carved turkey or chicken, order that instead. Try to choose lean meat like chicken or turkey over red meat like ham or beef. And when considering the sandwich, also be aware of the toppings and dressings/condiments. Remember, creamy=fatty. When eating Mexican, choose corn tortillas over flour tortillas. Flour tortillas (even the whole wheat varieties) are higher in calories, fat and sodium. Or nix the tortilla altogether and ask for a lettuce wrap. You’d be surprised how you don’t miss the taste of a tortilla. Choose a dish that is mostly veggies, and opt for avocado or guacamole instead of sour cream. Ask if they make their own salsa. Fresh salsa won’t have as many preservatives or sodium, but store-bought salsa is still better than sour cream. At Chinese restaurants, very little of their food is clean. Ask for simple steamed vegetables and brown rice (not fried). A little bit of soy sauce is okay, but one tiny packet holds 520mg of sodium—one quarter of your DAILY intake—so tread lightly. Remember that you’re human, and you can’t restrict yourself forever. For your mental health, splurge!….But only every once in a while. You can combat over-eating by drinking lots of water in between bites. It takes 15 minutes for your brain to recognize that you’re full, so chewing slower will reduce the chance of over-eating/ingesting unnecessary calories. Drinking all that water will also help you fill up faster. This can be applied to any meal, clean or not. Side note: talking more means less food is going in your mouth; consider dining with a chatty Kathy! And for those times you just have to splurge… Dab your pizza with a napkin (or two) before eating. That grease you see on top is actually fat that melted away from the cheese when it was heated. Blotting your pie can save about 40 calories and 4 grams of fat per slice. Steak is not the worst thing in the world, but your sides can be. Choose steamed vegetables or a side salad instead of fries or loaded baked potato. If you still want to carb it up, choose a simple baked potato and use a small amount of butter. It’s best to stay away from soda. But if you must, ask for lots of ice, and order a water with it as well. The more ice in your cup, the less soda you’ll consume (while still satisfying the craving). And when you run out of soda, you’ll drink the water while waiting for the server to refill your soda. Lattes are amazing, but they are also jam-packed with sugars and sweeteners. Decide what you absolutely must have in order for it to taste right, and stick with those few ingredients. Telling them what to put in it gives you control over your calorie and sugar intake. We here at 101 Ellwood utilize these tips regularly, and encourage everyone to eat clean both at home and on the go. Exercise weekly, if not daily. Remember to take your health seriously--be mindful of your food choices and practice fitness activities that you find fun!  

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Is Brandless Worth It?-image

You may have heard of the new online grocery store, Brandless. Their slogan “Better everything, for everyone” has people excited to replace their food and home products with a simple, unbiased brand. Brandless was brought to life on July 11, 2017 with the intention of making better stuff accessible and affordable for more people. Their mission is deeply rooted in quality, transparency, and community-driven values. It’s the idea that big-brand names are charging too much for their product, simply because of the brand name. Here, you can purchase the same product at a much lower cost. After seeing this new hit store several times across social media, I decided to check it out. My instant reaction was to completely replace my weekly trip to the grocery store with this easier online shopping experience. But it got me thinking: does it really save me that much money? Is there really much of a difference in their stuff? I thought I’d embark on a comparison journey to get to the bottom of my skepticism. Step 1: make a list Before I even visited the Brandless site I made a list of groceries I typically pick up. Not realizing Brandless is void of any fresh produce, meat, or dairy, I was immediately deterred from using them as I slowly discovered these weren’t even options. (All things considered, it makes sense why they don’t do fresh food, but, I have to say I was disappointed I could only use them for select items.) I decided to proceed with my ‘versus’ mission anyway. My grocery list consisted of 20 fresh food and snack items, and 10 household items. Of these 30 products, I found only half of them on the Brandless website. I then had to decide which grocery competitor would be best compared to Brandless, and ended up choose Walmart since their slogan is, in fact, “Always low prices.” At Brandless, each item costs only $3 so you’d think you’re getting some bang for your buck, right? I thought the same, until I saw their $3 bag of almonds weighed in at a mere 5.5 oz. Not much compared to Walmart’s 14 oz. for only $2 more. For this reason I made sure to list the size, weight or count on the list to get a proper comparison. Step 2: compare As mentioned, Brandless boasts a low $3 price tag for all their products. I wanted to find the cheapest options available on Walmart’s website to get a good comparison, so I tried to use their Great Value brand whenever possible, but if I couldn’t get GV, I went with the cheapest option for that product.     The final price for my Brandless cart—note HALF the items weren’t in there—rounded out to an even $45. Walmart’s online shopping cart came to $76.92, and I was able to get every item on my list. Even if Brandless  did  have all the items on my list, the cart total would come to $90. Right off the bat, Walmart wins with a $16 savings. Step 3: shipping There is more to consider than price alone, however. What’s the delivery charge? How long does it take to get to you? Will you be happy with the taste of your food? Let’s take a look:                                                                  Brandless                                              Walmart Delivery price                                    $5 for free over $40                        $8 or free over $30 Delivery time                                     3-5 days                                               2-4 days   Walmart wins again. Not only is shipping cheaper, but your stuff arrives quicker. Step 4: quality It’s now, though, that we have to ask ourselves the most pivotal question—does price outweigh quality? Depends on your taste. For me, Great Value paper towels still absorb liquids, no matter the maker, and candy is just as sweet no matter the manufacturer. For some people, though, quality is  everything.  Brandless offers certified organic, gluten free, non-GMO, vegan, and cruelty & tree-free products. Walmart also offers (some of) those things, but many people are skeptical of big-brand, corporate company’s so-called “clean” products. Brandless puts time and care into their products, as opposed to mass producing them. In addition, Brandless works with local communities and donates a lot of their products and time to fight hunger and help those in need. If that’s not worth your dollars, I don’t know what is. Step 5: The verdict If you’re hoping to make a full switch to Brandless for your grocery needs, I wouldn’t hold your breath. But, if you want to replace a few of your panty items with organic and healthy alternatives to Great Value then you’re in the right place. Just don’t expect to save that much money. Their marketing strategy with “everything only $3” is quite brilliant, because $3 sounds so cheap. But once you consider the amount you’re getting for $3, it balances out with your everyday shelf item, and actually costs a little more than what’s in your local grocery store. Is that totally worth receiving the best quality products? You be the judge.

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How to Rid Your Apartment of Pet Smells-image

You love your pets, but one of the biggest downsides of pet ownership is that pets can make your apartment smell. And that can mean you might not get your full deposit back when you move out if the odor is too strong and the pros have to be called in. Here are tips on how to clean up common pet messes and banish odors for good. We interviewed Jeremy Strickland, marketing director for Holland, Michigan-based  Randy’s Carpet Care  with the help of the company’s senior technician Mike Sheridan who gave us tips on how to get rid of common pet odors. But first, it’s advisable to clean up messes regularly and not wait. Keeping your apartment clean is key.   Cat and Dog Pee If your dog or cat has peed on the carpet, it can be tough to clean. “Urine spots are like icebergs: what you see on the surface may be but one-fifth of the problem,” says Strickland. “The other four-fifths is underneath the carpet, onto and/or into the padding and perhaps even on the sub-floor.” To remedy this, sop up as much as you can with paper towels.   You love your pets, but one of the biggest downsides of pet ownership is that pets can make your apartment smell. And that can mean you might not get your full deposit back when you move out if the odor is too strong and the pros have to be called in. Here are tips on how to clean up common pet messes and banish odors for good. We interviewed Jeremy Strickland, marketing director for Holland, Michigan-based  Randy’s Carpet Care  with the help of the company’s senior technician Mike Sheridan who gave us tips on how to get rid of common pet odors. But first, it’s advisable to clean up messes regularly and not wait. Keeping your apartment clean is key.   Pinterest Facebook Twitter Google+   Cat and Dog Pee If your dog or cat has peed on the carpet, it can be tough to clean. “Urine spots are like icebergs: what you see on the surface may be but one-fifth of the problem,” says Strickland. “The other four-fifths is underneath the carpet, onto and/or into the padding and perhaps even on the sub-floor.” To remedy this, sop up as much as you can with paper towels.   Pinterest Facebook Twitter Google+   Next, “mix a solution of equal parts hot water and vinegar. Wet a towel and scrub the spot with a circular motion. If it still smells when the spot’s dry, try it again. Once the spot feels dry, if the odor has improved, but the spot still looks ugly, mist hydrogen peroxide onto it and rake it in with your fingers. No need to soak the fibers, just make sure they are coated. NOTE: Don’t use peroxide on wool or other natural fibers,” says Strickland. If vinegar and peroxide aren’t effective, search an enzymatic pet spot cleaner at your local pet store. Follow the directions on the bottle. Please note that if a male cat won’t stop spraying, you might want to talk to your vet. Neutering your cat might help with this, says Strickland. Pet Smell Any pet owner can tell you that dogs or cats can make a home smell. “Your dog’s lingering odors are, in large part, body odors. Body odor is caused by bacteria, so not only do you need to deodorize, you need to kill the bacteria, which is tough to do without hiring a professional carpet cleaner or renting an ozone machine,” says Strickland. But all is not lost. To get rid of the pet smell, you can try sprinkling baking soda on the carpet and vacuum it up. You also can find products that can help eliminate this odor. If you have tile, mopping them with a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and water may help with the smell.   Pet Hair To take care of pet hair: vacuum, vacuum, vacuum. Strickland recommends vacuuming daily, if possible. Try to focus on well-traveled areas of the home like your entrance. Feces Step one: let it dry. Remove the solid parts. “Scrape any excess off the top, then dilute a small amount of dish soap in hot water, mixed with a cap full of ammonia. Clean the spot(s) with a disposable towel dipped in this solution. Scrub in a circular motion. Careful not to get things too wet,” says Strickland. ”White vinegar and water mixed 50/50 after the ammonia and dish soap solution should neutralize the pH so it doesn’t brown as it dries,” says Strickland. “Finally, when the mess is clean and you’ve dried it as best as possible, put a spray nozzle on your hydrogen peroxide bottle and give the area a good misting (don’t saturate). Peroxide is great for organic stain removal, and it also helps prevent browning. After you’ve misted, use your fingers to rake it in.” You now know how to best clean your apartment when you have pets. 

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