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We know there are a lot of residents who want to learn to be better cooks or chefs-in-the-making in their Chicago apartments, but they don't know where to start. One thing that you can do to spark your imagination in the kitchen is to add a few of the right tools. Here are some suggestions for some space-saving appliances that will add a lot of versatility to your cooking routine.
Small Kitchen Appliances to Expand Your Cooking Arsenal
- Stand Mixer: If you enjoy baking, a stand mixer is a must-have addition for your kitchen. This tool makes it easier to whip up a broad range of foods, from cookie dough to mashed potatoes. You can make your own bread dough or homemade pizza dough with one of these. Modern stand mixers are also very stylish, so you should be able to find one that matches your kitchen decor nicely.
- Slow Cooker: These are great for people who don't have a lot of free time for cooking, but who still want to prepare delicious home-cooked meals. Toss the ingredients in, turn it on and forget about it for a few hours until the meal is ready. With a slow cooker, you can prepare a nice family roast, soups, stews, enchilada fillings and more. When it's not in use, a slow cooker is also small enough to tuck away inside a kitchen cabinet.
- Vegetable Chopper: The thing about a vegetable chopper is that it will definitely help you add more vegetables to your diet. They're so fun to use that simply owning one will remind you to pick up more vegetables at the store.
- Expandable Oven Rack: These are fantastic when you're preparing a big feast. For just a few dollars, an extra oven rack allows you to nearly double the cooking surface inside your oven, to prepare multiple dishes at once. It also folds flat when you're not using it, so it's great for saving space.
Those are just a few suggestions to bring you closer to dreams of being an amateur chef. And as a reminder, we still have floor plans available as we head into the New Year. If you know anyone hunting for Chicago, IL apartments right now, tell them to call our leasing office at (866) 273-0973.
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If you've recently moved into one of our apartments in Chicago and are struggling with meeting new people, you'll be glad to know that our community features many amenities that make it easy for you and other new residents to get to know your neighbors. Following are just five of the many available ways to meet new people and make new friends in our community.
Work Out in the On-site Fitness Club
Our on-site fitness club provides a way to keep in good shape as well as a way to connect with others. You'll soon get to know other fitness enthusiasts if you make a habit of visiting our fitness club on a regular basis.
Visit the On-site Play Area
Many lifelong friendships are formed by parents or grandparents who are relaxing on the sidelines watching their children play. Children provide natural icebreakers, and they'll soon strike up friendships with other children. From play dates to hosting them in your own apartment, you'll find that friendships develop naturally among other parents.
Grab a Bite in One of the On-site Dining Options
Several on-site dining options are available, so don't hesitate to visit the venue of your choice and enjoy a meal. You'll start seeing the same faces, which makes it easier to strike up conversations.
Relax on Our Sundeck
Our open-air rooftop sundeck features a variety of seating options from single chairs to couches designed for groups of family or friends. Meet your neighbors while soaking up some sun.
Walk Your Pet
Pets are another natural icebreaker, and our pet-friendly apartment community provides a home for many pet lovers and their animal companions. Meeting others is as simple as being friendly and open while you're out walking your pet. Keep in mind, however, that it's never a good idea to approach a strange dog or allow your own dog to do so without first getting approval from the owner.
Other amenities of our community include direct-access garage parking, 24-hour maintenance, and numerous lounge spaces. Please contact us today to find out more about enjoying life with us.
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Life is crazy busy. Between killing it at work, maintaining your workout training schedule, and leaving time for self-care, it can be hard to see family and friends on a regular basis. For a unique way to get together that's not just dinner and drinks, invite your loved ones over to your Chicago, IL apartment for a game night! Here are our top three tips for making it a great time for everyone.
Start With Snacks
First of all, you'll need to provide snacks and drinks for everyone. Our well-appointed kitchens make it easy to set up the perfect meat and cheese board or serve delicious drinks. There's tons of cabinet and counter space to lay it all out, and some homes also have breakfast bars for serving guests. Your choice of espresso or oak cabinetry, plus granite countertops and stainless steel appliances means your guests will be stunned by the beauty of your kitchen.
Spread Out in the Living Room
When everyone is fully energized, head over to the spacious living room and let the fun begin! Whether you're playing with a board game, card game, or just old-fashioned charades, you'll all have plenty of room to keep your moves private and give teams the space to converse without being overheard. Consider setting up the floor with blankets and pillows for added comfort. You may even wish to set up some snacks in the living room for quick bites between rounds.
Quickly Connect to the Internet
At Presidential Towers, each home comes equipped with ultra-fast fiber internet. So, if your chosen game happens to be on the Xbox or other console that requires internet connectivity, you'll be able to quickly get online and get each player set up. You also won't experience lag or buffering during the game which can make or break a game during those buzzer-beater moves.
Have More Fun When You Live at Presidential Towers
If you'd like to hear more about the fun our residents have at Presidential Towers, please call us today at (866) 273-0973 or contact us online. We'd be happy to discuss our current availability and help you find the West Loop apartment of your dreams.
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Thanksgiving is one of the few days out of the year where many feel guilt-free while indulging in all of the delicious dishes on the table. However, overindulging can lead to sluggishness and a bloated feeling. Implement these three fitness tips before and after the meal in our Chicago, IL apartments to help you beat the too-full feeling this Thanksgiving.
Start Working Out Before the Holiday
The sooner you begin, the better you will feel. Working out often causes an increase in hunger and the amount of food you must consume. If you begin working out before Thanksgiving, you will be used to the increased hunger feeling and eat more appropriately. You will also pay more attention to what you eat through your healthy activities, which will help you avoid eating to the point where you can't move on Thanksgiving.
Keep Up Your Fitness Routine
The holidays combined with Daylight Savings Time encourage laziness. Keep up your fitness routine before, during, and after the holiday to help prevent overeating and bloating. The more often you are active on a consistent schedule, the more likely you are to make smarter decisions when it comes to eating. Your fitness routine will also help keep your core tight, so you will look and feel better after a large meal.
Go for a Stroll
Thanksgiving food is incredibly tempting, and it can be hard to not overeat. If you make the mistake of eating one or two more plates than you should have, go for a stroll after the meal. Moving around will help you feel better and it burns calories. It can also help promote digestion, which is necessary when you eat too much Thanksgiving food.
No one likes feeling overly full, especially on a holiday like Thanksgiving. It's uncomfortable and, oftentimes, painful. Beat the bloat by following your fitness regime before and after Thanksgiving to help yourself feel better after the meal. Contact our leasing office now to schedule a time to see our floor plans and find your perfect entertaining space.
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In addition to Thanksgiving, a tradition has been started called Friendsgiving. They invite friends to their place, and they all enjoy a holiday meal with each other. If you have been invited to spend Thanksgiving with your friends, you may want to bring a dish that is very fall-like yet different from all of the common side dishes that are served on Thanksgiving. Here are a few trendy side dishes that you may want to bring with you to a Friendsgiving celebration.
Pumpkin Soup
Pumpkin soup is a warm side dish that is earthy, comforting and tasty. Best of all, pumpkin soup is also very easy to make. Most recipes combine pumpkin puree with vegetable stock to create the base for this soup. There are different recipes out there that can spice up the soup or make it a bit unique. Look around to find something that appeals to you and then bring your soup along for your meal.
Brussels Sprouts
On Thanksgiving, green beans are commonly served. They can be served by themselves or in a green bean casserole. However, younger generations are turning to Brussels sprouts rather than green beans. If you want to bring a trendy side dish with you to a Friendsgiving event, consider making a Brussels sprouts-based dish. You can incorporate Brussels sprouts with bacon or even make fried Brussels sprouts. No matter how you prepare this cruciferous green vegetable, your dish is sure to be a hit.
Harvest Salad
If you want to bring something light and fresh to Friendsgiving, consider opting for a harvest salad. A harvest salad can be prepared in a number of different ways, but most call for your choice of lettuce or greens to be mixed with common fall fruits and walnuts or pecans. Some common fall fruits that you can throw into a harvest salad include cut-up apples, dried figs, cranberries or pears. You can also throw in things like goat cheese or butternut squash to add depth and flavor to the salad. A vinaigrette is typically used as a dressing.
A Friendsgiving meal is the perfect time to enjoy an amazing meal with the people who mean the most to you. If you enjoy hosting events with your friends, you may be searching for apartments in Chicago, IL. that are ideal for entertaining. Presidential Towers offers spacious apartments with amazing views. Visit our community today to learn more about the amenities our community has to offer.
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It's common to have a centerpiece on your Thanksgiving table, but unfortunately, centerpieces from florists or specialty shops can be pricey. And if money is tight, you may not want to spend a lot on one. Fortunately, there are many centerpieces you can make that look classy and are relatively inexpensive. Here are a few easy and inexpensive centerpieces you can make to display on Thanksgiving.
Mini Pumpkins on Candleholders
One of the easiest centerpieces you can make is to place mini pumpkins on flat candleholders or candle pedestals. You can find candleholders in a variety of colors, including cream, silver, and gold. Select a color that you like and then purchase them in varying heights. Then, purchase mini pumpkins. (You can also buy mini pumpkins in different colors, including cream.) Place the candleholders in the center of the table and put the pumpkins on top. If desired, add fake leaves or greenery at the base of the candleholders.
Clear Cylinder Vases With Fruit
Another easy centerpiece to make is to purchase clear cylinder vases and then fill them with fall fruit. You can select apples, pears, cranberries or oranges. You can also mix and match fruit to create different looks. Alternatively, you can fill a clear cylinder vase with autumn leaves or create a centerpiece with autumn flowers, such as mums.
A Flint Corn Display
The final easy centerpiece that you can create to display on your table this Thanksgiving is a flint corn display. You can purchase flint corn at most grocery stores, or you can purchase fake flint corn at craft stores. Start by selecting a serving bowl. You can choose a wooden bowl, or one that has some color to it, such as a metallic copper bowl. Place a piece of floral foam in the center of the bowl. Insert wheat stalks into the floral foam, so that the stalks cover the open space in the bowl in a circular shape and slightly protrude out of the bowl. Once that's complete, position three to five stalks of flint corn on the top, covering up your foam and wheat stalks. This will look like the corn is lying on a bed of wheat stalks, which creates a natural and festive centerpiece.
The holidays are nearly upon us, and before you know it, the new year will be here. If you're not happy with where you're living now, you may be looking to start the coming year off on the right foot in a new place. If you're searching for apartments in Chicago, Illinois, look no further than Presidential Towers. Contact us now to learn more.
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During the fall months, many people decorate in and around their homes using hay bales, scarecrows, pumpkins, apples, and burlap. If you're decorating for fall, you may be looking for items that are still associated with the season, but not as traditionally used. Here are a few of the more unique ways to decorate your space for fall.
Use Lesser-Known Fall Fruits
When people think of decorating for the fall, they often reach for items such as pumpkins, apples, Indian corn, and squash. But these are not the only fruits and vegetables that are commonly found during the fall months, or that you can use to decorate. Fruits such as pomegranates, pears, figs, and cranberries are all in season. You can fill a tall cylinder vase with these fruits to create a centerpiece or slice up, dry out and string them to make a fall garland or wreath.
Decorate With Copper Accents
People also commonly use a lot of orange and cream colors when they're decorating for the fall months. If you want to change things up and like a little sparkle in your life, consider using copper accents instead. You can use copper rings around fabric napkins, use copper chargers on your dinner table, or spray paint pumpkins, pine cones or leaves using copper paint to create one-of-a-kind decorations for your home.
Bring in the Plaid
Another way to decorate for fall using non-traditional decorations is to bring in plaid. The aforementioned orange and cream are also used quite a bit for throw pillows or throw blankets in the fall. However, plaid blankets and pillows can help to make your home cozy, while also feeling fall-like. Best of all, many plaid color schemes can also be used during the winter months, helping you carry your decor from one season to the next.
Decorating a space can only go so far at transforming it. If you're unhappy with your current place, you may be looking for new apartments in Chicago, Illinois. Here at Presidential Towers, we offer beautiful and spacious apartment homes that anyone would love to call home. Visit our complex today to learn more about our floor plans, availability, and pricing.
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With fall in full swing, residents of our Chicago apartments have been preparing for the season by swapping their T-shirts and flip-flops for sweaters and boots. With the arrival of cooler temperatures, we're turning up our thermostats and spending more time inside. That leads many of us to look for ways to reduce our carbon footprint — not to mention our utility bills. Here are some energy-saving (and cost-saving) tips for fall.
Invite the Sunlight In
Open the blinds during the day to let the sunlight warm your apartment home. Close them at night to retain that warmth.
Use a Humidifier
Running the furnace for extended time periods can dry out the air in your home. Using a humidifier adds moisture to the air so it can hold heat better. Plus, a little humidity can actually make you feel warmer. With a humidifier on hand, you can lower the thermostat and still be comfortable.
Lower the Thermostat
The US Department of Energy reports that you can save up to 10 percent on energy costs if you lower the thermostat by 10 to15 degrees for at least eight hours at a time. You can do this before going to sleep or leaving for work.
Make Your Surroundings Cozy
Adding insulation to your surroundings is easier than you might think. Placing a few pillows and throws on your couch and laying some rugs on the floor can go a long way toward helping you feel warm and cozy in your apartment home.
Dress Up for Warmth
While it's second-nature to bundle up before going outside on a cold day, most of us don't think about doing it indoors. That doesn't mean you have to wear gloves and a scarf in your own home, but layering up with an extra sweater and warm socks can help you stay warm without turning up the heat.
Use LED Lights
If you like to put up strings of lights for the holiday season, using LED lights will help you use less energy.
Our Chicago, IL apartments are equipped with energy-efficient appliances and heating and cooling systems to help keep utility costs reasonable. Contact us today to learn more about floor plans and amenities.
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We all know the Windy City can get pretty blustery when winter's bitter temperatures settle in. Since our Chicago, Illinois, apartments are dog-friendly, we thought this would be a good time to give you some tips to help keep Fido safe when the fall season is over.
1. Have dog sweaters and coats on hand
It might take a few more minutes to get going before your walks in the winter, but the extra layers can help protect your dog from wind and freezing temperatures. Some dogs don't have enough fur or fat to combat Old Man Winter's wrath on their own, so they need a little help with fleece layers and waterproof outfits. If you don't want to buy new items, you can recycle old hoodies, long-sleeved t-shirts, and sweatshirts.
2. Buy dog booties
Dog booties are purely utilitarian and have nothing to do with fashion, although you can certainly buy fashionable booties that do double duty! They actually serve a purpose, helping to keep deicing chemicals and salt off your dog's foot pads. Both salt and deicing substances can cause harm to your dog's feet, sometimes even leading to chemical burns. When ice is on the ground, dogs can also develop ice balls on their feet between their toes, which can make it painful to walk. Booties keep your dog's feet protected so he can enjoy his walks with you.
3. Keep extra toys and treats on hand
Dogs get cabin fever just like people do. If you won't be heading to the dog park as often when temperatures start to fall, make sure your dog has plenty of entertainment available inside your apartment. Chew toys, tug ropes, and similar items can help wear your dog down, so he expends energy within the comfort of your own home.
4. Dog-proof your home
Make sure things like candles, houseplants, and chemicals are out of reach of your dog. Candles can easily be knocked over by moving tails, which can lead to fires. Chemicals and many houseplants are hazardous to dogs if they ingest them, so it's important to put such items away.
If you're searching for a dog-friendly apartment in the heart of Chicago, you've come to the right place! Find your perfect floor plan at the Presidential Towers today!
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Gift baskets are a creative way to show someone that you're thinking about them. These also make great party favors if you entertain a lot. The best gift baskets have a theme that ties in with the season. For autumn, you have a lot of options to choose from. Take a walk through your local park and get inspired by what you see.
Fall Foliage
You can decorate and pad your basket with bright fall leaves. Cloth leaves are available at local craft stores. If you have a little patience, you can also pick your own fresh leaves and seal them with a craft spray. Press colorful leaves, and they can be glued to greeting cards and thank-you notes, creating a charming keepsake.
Harvest Season
Harvest season is a colorful and delicious time of year. Swing by your local farmer's market to see what's seasonal and eye-catching. You may be able to find tiny heirloom squashes to pop into each gift basket. Other options might include bunches of grapes, pumpkin-spice treats, and roasted spiced walnuts.
Homemade Treats
Did that last paragraph make your mouth water? A number of seasonal treats can be made by even beginner cooks. Tuck a few of these into the basket to give a sweet personal touch:
Mulled Cider
Heat for 10 minutes in a large pot:
- 3c cider
- 2c red wine
- 1/2c maple syrup
- Thinly sliced apples and oranges
- 1 cinnamon stick
Pour into jars and seal tightly.
Roasted Walnuts
You'll need:
- 1 bag raw walnut halves
- 1 tbsp oil
- Cinnamon and sugar to taste
Toss well, spread on a baking sheet, and bake at 375 degrees until golden brown. Cool and share!
Pumpkin Spice Bites
Ice premade sugar cookies with homemade pumpkin spice frosting.
Easy Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1/2c brown sugar
- Pumpkin spice mix, to taste
Beat well until fluffy and spread generously on the cookies.
Space for Everyone in the Windy City
Presidential Towers, our apartments in Chicago, IL are perfect for people looking to entertain from the comforts of their own home. We offer a wide range of floor plans including studios, one bedrooms, and two bedrooms. Ready to schedule a tour? Visit our website to find out more.
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