Abberly Crest Blog

Spring is right around the corner. If you’re like me, your under the bed storage containers are probably fighting it out with the dust bunnies. If you’ve ever tried to figure out if you should keep something or throw something away, here’s a quick guide.

1. It’s sentimental. Sentimental things that you care about can be saved — in limited quantites. Everything can’t have sentimental attachment, so save what matters to you.  

Let’s face it — Valentine’s Day can get expensive. Purchasing flowers, candy, and dinner at one of the fanciest restaurants in Lexington Park can add up. You want to show your wife or girlfriend how much you care without emptying out your bank account.

Here are few romantic ideas that will save you money and say “I adore you” to that special person in your life.

1. Dinner at Home – Having dinner at your apartment can be incredibly romantic. All you have to do is set the mood with the right music, dim lights and candles, and of course a scrumptious meal.
2. Apartment Scavenger Hunt – Instead of exchanging gifts send her on a scavenger hunt through your apartment. Fill your master bedroom with balloons that contain romantic messages and clues to her hidden gift. Sprinkle rose petals in your garden style soaking tub and write clue #2 on one of the rose petals, and so on. There are so many places you can hide a gift in your luxury apartment from the oversized closets to the additional storage space…just get creative.
3. Romantic Displays… of Affection – Get flirty in the living room. Create a romantic display on your coffee table. Sprinkle paper hearts that you cut out earlier that day on the coffee table. On the table have a bottle of wine chilling in a wine bucket and chocolate covered strawberries sitting on a tray. The two of you can enjoy nibbling on the sweet dessert and feeding each other.

More Romantic Ideas

Happy Valentine’s Day!

This Sunday this biggest unofficial American holiday will be here, Super Bowl Sunday! Who are you rooting for? Even if your team did not make it that far this is one game all football fans and non-football fans tune into. Some watch for the commercials, others watch for the love of the game, and some people just watch because everybody else they know is watching it to. If you are planning a Super Bowl party this is one party will everyone will enjoy. Here is a checklist of everything you will need.

Food – Finger foods are perfect for football parties. No one is really concerned with eating healthy or eating a balanced meal they just want to eat and be merry. Feel free to add a vegetable platter.

Disposable Items – to keep your clean up to a minimal you want disposable plates, cups, and plasticware. You also, will need garbage bags.

Beverages – Your guests will definitely be thirsty from munching on all the salty and fried foods. You should have a variety of drinks for people to enjoy.

Hosting a Party? Here Are Some Tips

Do you want to turn you bathroom into a space you love? All you need is a little inspiration and can turn your bathroom into a room of sophistication and elegance, a seaside dream, and more. Decorating your bathroom is relatively inexpensive and easy to do. Choose a décor style that you love and that welcomes your guests. Follow the tips below to complete the job. 

Once you have chosen your décor style everything else that you purchase for your bathroom should put an emphasis on that style as well as the colors you chose to deliver that décor style. The first item you should purchase is your shower curtain. Your shower curtain is the first thing people are going to notice when they enter your bathroom so you want to decorate around it. Next add bathroom accessories such as a trash can, toothbrush holder, a tray, a kleenex holder, and a soap dispenser that emphasizes your décor style. And of course you cannot forget snug rugs.

More Bathroom Décor Tips

If you walked into my college dorm room you probably thought I was boring. Nowadays, if you were to walk into my apartment you probably think I am stylish, trendy, outgoing, and that I like to entertain or host parties. Your apartment décor is an expression of your personality. Does your apartment do your personality justice? If you think your apartment décor is sending the wrong message about you it is time to update your décor.                          

If you are a person who enjoys the sounds of nature, retreating to paradise, and being in a tranquil environment a water element will suit your apartment and your personality. You can purchase an affordable fountain for under $25 at Target. They have several fountains you can choose from that are perfect for almost any room. If you enjoy infusing different cultures into your décor style you can purchase an Asian or Moroccan inspired fountain.

More Ways to Update Your Apartment

Are you ready to go on an adventure? Bargain shopping will take you through the wild of store rummaging, to the far off place of Craigslist finds, to your local community for a garage sale. You can never know where bargain shopping for your apartment will lead you, but one thing is for sure…you will save money. If you are new to the world of bargain shopping I listed some of the best places to find a bargain for home furniture and décor. I also, featured one of my favorites below.

Featured Online Store

Décor Universe – What I like best about this website is that you can shop by your style. If you are a modern gal like me you can search all things modern by filtering your search results. This is also helpful if you are still trying to learn your style or if you want to ensure all the pieces you are looking at fall into the same style category.

For more quality furniture and home décor at bargain prices check out the list below.

Target

Amazon.com

DaniaFurniture.com

Overstock.com

Craigslist.com

Wal-Mart

Home Goods

Bellacor

Marshalls

HomeDecorators.com

JenniferFurniture.com

HomeFurnitureShowroom.com

DecorUniverse.com

Now that you are all moved in it is time to go shopping. If this is your first apartment here is a list of things you will need.

•       Master Bedroom    frame & mattresses

     Bedding – Pillows, blankets, comforters,  and sheets

      Dresser or Storage for Clothing

      Night Stand

      Table Lamp

          Hangers

    Alarm Clock

     Mirror

    Chair

- Living RoomCouch and Chairs

    End Tables

    Table Lamps or Floor Lamps

    Entertainment Center or TV Stand

Coasters

    Bookcases / Shelving

    Coffee Table

 €

    Table Chairs

-Dining Room or Kitchen

    Utensils Plates, bowls, glassware, pots and pans, blenders, can openers, coffee makes, and any other cooking tools you find necessary

-         Optional Study Area

Desk (with flat surface for writing & the computer)

Laptop

-         Office Tools (stapler, pens & pencil storage)

Organizer

-         Chair

File cabinet

-         Post its

Desk lamp

Cleaning Supplies

   Vacuum Cleaner

    Duster / Dusting cloths

    Cleaning Chemicals

    Plunger

-           Sponges

    Mop

    Broom€

    Towels & Wash Clothes

Hello Abberly Crest! Are you a behind in starting your New Year’s Resolution? Procrastination is one of the biggest reasons people do not successfully reach their goals. If you are trying to live a greener lifestyle for the New Year you will come across some challenges and your transition will be less than perfect, but that is not a reason to give up. Just try again. Here are simple tasks you start at your apartment today.

Reduce Water Usage – Do you let your shower run while  you are preparing to get in or how about the sink water while you are brushing your teeth. If you are not using the water than the easiest thing you can do is turn it off.

It is Time to Unplug – It is normal to leave electronics such as your TV plugged in all day, but your laptop or that toaster that you only use in the morning time. Save the earth and your money by unplugging your appliances and electronics.

More Green Tips

It is the day of your big interview. You have rehearsed, selected proper attire, and arrived ten minutes early. But here are some interview DON’Ts that you don’t want to miss.

 1. Don’t allow your cell phone to sound during the interview. (If it does, apologize quickly and ignore it.) Don’t take a cell phone call. Don’t look at a text message.

 2. Don’t chew gum or smell like smoke.

 3. Don’t act as though you would take any job or are desperate for employment.

 4. Don’t give the impression you are only interested in salary; don’t ask about salary and benefits issues until the subject is brought up by your interviewer.

 5. Don’t make negative comments about previous employers or professors (or others).

 These are just a few things to remember when interviewing. Check out the full list of interview do’s and don’ts. Have you done any of these? Do you have any funny interview stories?