You Don't Need A Yard To Garden

(Image courtesy of Robina Wheeler)

Spring is here and we’re all given the great pleasure of watching flowers bloom! Though we boast gorgeous open apartments, it can be a little difficult to stretch your green thumb in the middle of Dogpatch.

If you have your heart set on cultivating your own mini-garden we have a few ideas to help you reach your goals. This list, courtesy of apartmenttherapy.com, contains links to plenty of DIY home-gardening projects that will be sure to give you the green fix that you’re looking for. Keep reading to learn more.

1. How to Plant a Super Easy Tomato Container Garden - If you want to grow tomatoes this summer, now's the time to plant them. Rachel Wray at Re-Nest gives a super simple guide.

2. How to Plant a Terrarium in a Jar - Terrariums are hot right now. Here's how to make your own for pennies.

3. How to Grow a Salad Greens Windowbox Garden - Guest blogger Maria Finn wrote this how-to for an edible indoor garden.

4. How to Re-Pot Your House Plants - Helpful tips on how to move your plants into a bigger pot from Tanya in Boston.

5. How to Make Can Planters - Laure in Los Angeles made these beautiful tins from old tomato cans.

6. How to Make a One-Pot Indoor Herb Garden - This post went up on the Kitchn three years ago and it still keeps resurfacing. A great guide for cooks who want to grow their own herbs.

7. How to Start a Container Garden - Tips for growing lettuce, arugula, tomatoes, and herbs.

Easy Tips To A Clean Bathroom

(Image courtesy of Kim)

Even in the biggest bathrooms, space can be an issue. There always seems to be a wealth of half-empty shampoo bottles, toothbrushes, hair care products and other essentials hanging around-if you’re not careful things can get tight very quickly.

Though we each have our own particular essentials in every commode, that doesn’t mean that the space can’t be stylish, controlled and organized. These tips courtesy of apartmenttherapy.com will be sure to have your bathroom looking more spacious in no time!

1. Keep only the products you use daily in a small bathroom

What hair and makeup products do you actually need to get ready each morning? Which do you actually use when you shower? If you're lacking in lots of bathroom storage, remove everything you only use occasionally — special hair products, medicine, first aid — and consider finding another spot in your home to keep it. (Yes, if you have a small bathroom you probably have a small home, but maybe there's a titch more storage somewhere else!)

2. Create and disguise new storage

If you absolutely can't get rid of all of the items, assess your storage situation and see where additional or hidden storage can be installed. If you've got under counter storage, maximize it. These under sink storage ideas can easily be applied for bathroom storage. Over the door solutions work, but use sparingly since they don't really hide the clutter well. Install small or narrow cabinets with doors in tight spots for a custom, hidden storage look.

3. Collect, corral & beautify

Trays are an old organizing trick that's always in style; use them to turn a pile of unsightly hair and make-up products into something resembling decent. Baskets and boxes work great on open shelves and tucked uniformly on ledges and in corners. In fact you could make your own today! Want to take it up a notch? Transfer beauty products into new or DIY (and labeled) bottles and containers that are all uniform and nicer to look at so your bathroom counter doesn't look like a drug store.

4. One in, two out rule

For every new lipstick you bring into your bathroom, toss or give to a friend two shades that don't work and you'll never wear. Same applies to shampoo, conditioner or whatever products are causing clutter piles in your bathroom.

5. Pick up and put away daily

This is more chore reminder than actual organizing tip, but some people still need to hear it! You can't let even one bottle stay where it's not supposed to be in a small bathroom — it'll look cluttered instantly. Figure out the decluttering and storage methods that work for you, and then stick with it daily until you create a habit.

Find Comfort In Your Apartment

(Image courtesy of Jamie Davies)

After the rigours of running around to jobs, dinners and activities it’s nice to be able to come back home to a nice quiet relaxing apartment. Taking time to appreciate your home and what it is about it that makes you feel safe there can help you amplify those feelings.

This article from apartmenttherapy.com breaks down the most calming components of your home and teaches you how to maximize the relaxing feelings you get from them. Keep reading to learn how to enjoy even more comfort from your apartment!

1. Diversify lighting. I'm a proponent of having three points of light in a room. Make your home work for you by being able to switch between brighter, more concentrated light when you need to focus and something softer when you want to relax. Build in that kind of flexibility by installing a dimmer switch for an overhead light or table lamp — both doable DIY projects.

2. Invest in comforting textures. What's cozier than soft pillows, throws, and blankets? The bonus is they're inexpensive and portable. I'm a fan of other small splurges too (for me, it's good-smelling hand soap).

3. Don't kill yourself getting clean; accept the never-ending cycle of household chores. I feel better in my home when it doesn't look dirty or really disorganized, but I also don't want to feel as if I'm constantly cleaning. While many people like keeping a cleaning schedule, I like incorporating chores into my daily routine. I'd also point you to The Lazy Person's Guide to a Happy Home: Tips for People Who (Really) Hate Cleaning.

4. Carve out a space for what you care about. Even when you're short on space, there's always a way to prioritize what's meaningful for you. Whether it'sturning a closet into a craft zone, designating a cozy reading nook or a place for your bike, or making your kitchen more functional with pegboard, follow your bliss.

5. Make space by paring down. Right now I feel like I have a lot of stuff that I no longer want to give room in my home. A combination of donating and throwing things out will lighten the load in terms of your home's need for storage and your (perceived) need to organize.

Won't You Be My Neighbor

(Image courtesy of Johnny Ainsworth)

Moving into a new apartment can be tough. And we don’t just mean moving all your stuff, trying to get settled, and the unpacking and organizing process that seems to never end. If you’re moving into a new area, it can be lonely for the first few weeks while you get used to your surroundings!

One of the best parts about living in Sandia Village is the great community that we have to offer - and getting to know your neighbors will be a great way to stave off loneliness while you get more acclimated to your new surroundings! This article from renters.apartments.com offers a few great ideas to make friends with your neighbors in no time flat! Keep reading to learn more:

There are many reasons why you should get to know your neighbors. If they've been living there for a while, they can be a great resource for information like what day the garbage is picked up, what the landlord is like, parking tips, and where to find the best neighborhood restaurants. They may also be able to lend a helping hand if, for example, you’re locked out and need to use a phone, or you need someone to feed your cats and water your plants while you’re away.

Although everyone should try to be a good neighbor by keeping the noise down, keeping common areas clean and following other common courtesies, inevitably, something will happen that may inconvenience your neighbors (a barking dog, a loud party, a spill in the hallway). But if your neighbors know you, they will be less annoyed by these unintentional annoyances, and will try to work out any problems with you directly rather than going straight to the landlord.

So how do you go about getting to know these people? Although it may seem cliché, knocking on their door with a plate of cookies or brownies really works. It’s an unexpected and very appreciated gesture, especially if you live in a large city where the norm is to keep to yourself. Take the opportunity to introduce yourself, let them know who lives with you (four-legged companions included), what you do for a living, and if you’re new to the area.

If they are not overly friendly in return, don’t take it personally. The important thing is you made the effort, and you can say hello in the elevator rather than awkwardly trying to avoid eye contact. On the flipside, if they are nice in return, you may even make a new friend.

Getting to know your neighbors is a win-win no matter the outcome. So don’t be shy – and start baking!