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Tips Archives - Le Montreaux A Concierge Community Blog Just another Rent Cafe Blogs Sites site Tue, 30 Dec 2025 14:42:10 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 Top Tips for a Clean and Organized Year to Come (Part One) https://www.lemontreaux.com/blog/2025/12/30/top-tips-for-a-clean-and-organized-year-to-come-part-one/ https://www.lemontreaux.com/blog/2025/12/30/top-tips-for-a-clean-and-organized-year-to-come-part-one/#respond Tue, 30 Dec 2025 14:34:00 +0000 https://www.lemontreaux.com/blog/?p=1516 With the holidays of 2025 behind us, it’s time to focus on a brand-new year to come! To help you have a more organized home to leave more time for fun and adventure in Austin, our family at Le Montreaux apartments for rent in Austin put our ideas together to share with you! Be sure…

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With the holidays of 2025 behind us, it’s time to focus on a brand-new year to come! To help you have a more organized home to leave more time for fun and adventure in Austin, our family at Le Montreaux apartments for rent in Austin put our ideas together to share with you!

Be sure to check in later this month for PART TWO on some of the top tips to organize your home in 2026!

Put Away Holiday Decorations

If you’re someone who takes down holiday decorations before the new year, turn the process into a mini-adventure! Challenge yourself to find creative ways to store your ornaments and lights—maybe color-code your bins, snap photos of your best setups for next year, or write funny notes to your future self. And don’t be afraid to say goodbye to any decorations that have lost their sparkle or survived one too many seasons; we recommend that you only keep what you truly love.

Lighten up The Freezer

Turn this usually-overlooked task into a treasure hunt— and don’t be surprised if you tackle this in just a few moments!  Make it a fun challenge: can you plan creative meals using only what’s in your freezer this week? We like to click into TasteofHome.com and list what we have uncovered, then see what the pros recommend. You might rediscover old favorites or invent a new go-to dish!

Deep Clean the Entire House

Don’t worry, be happy … with the end result.  This is not a task that has to last a full day. In fact, we suggest you take the concept of a “Deep Clean” and stretch it out over one week’s time. For example, maybe you clean your bedroom on Sunday, or the bathroom on Monday, you get the idea.  Honestly, we keep Saturday open for cleaning the kitchen, from top to bottom. That task is always an adventure as we find forgotten snacks, read the ‘expired’ labels (and make a list to replace the goods) and if you are really into it, alphabetize those spices!  You will appreciate the latter when it comes to saving time in the kitchen in the year to come. 

Corral Those Papers

If your home is a sea of stray papers, it’s time for a paperwork rescue mission!   Pick one day a week for a quick ‘paper power hour’: deal with the easy stuff on the spot, schedule time for trickier tasks, and file away what you need to keep. Turn on some music and see how much you can conquer before your favorite song ends!    

Next, play detective: scan the paperwork you actually need and file it safely in your favorite cloud system, then send the rest through the shredder with satisfaction. For the truly important originals—think birth certificates or passports—set up a VIP section in a small filing box or fireproof safe.

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“Easy-to-Keep” New Year’s Resolutions for 2023 https://www.lemontreaux.com/blog/2023/01/09/easytokeep-new-years-resolutions-for-2023/ https://www.lemontreaux.com/blog/2023/01/09/easytokeep-new-years-resolutions-for-2023/#respond Mon, 09 Jan 2023 23:50:00 +0000 https://www.lemontreaux.com/blog/?p=1197 Out with the old, in with the new!  Every new year brings plenty of time to set ‘resolutions’ to live a happy and healthier life in our great state of Texas. And thanks to the endless lists of suggested resolutions that you can find online, you don’t need to go anywhere else but right here…

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Out with the old, in with the new!  Every new year brings plenty of time to set ‘resolutions’ to live a happy and healthier life in our great state of Texas. And thanks to the endless lists of suggested resolutions that you can find online, you don’t need to go anywhere else but right here to make your own resolutions for 2023.
Over this past week, we searched the worldwide web for the most popular and achievable new year’s resolutions that are easy to keep throughout the year.  
Thanks to Parade.com, Goodhousekeeping.com, and CollegeLifeMadeEasy.com we have compiled 50 easy resolutions that seem to be simple to keep.
So sit back, take a look at the list, and toast to yourself for a healthy and happy year to come:
50 Easy & Achievable New Year’s Resolutions
1.    Drink plenty of water
2.    Move more, sit less
3.    Make plans to take a mini-adventure 
4.    Prioritize eco-friendly choices 
5.    Volunteer more often 
6.    Adopt an attitude of gratitude 
7.    Send handwritten letters 
8.    Spend five minutes a day cleaning
9.    Practice mindfulness
10.    Cook something new each week
11.    Read more books
12.    Try a new restaurant
13.    Donate clothes you never wear
14.    Avoid people who complain a lot
15.    Talk less, listen more
16.    Practice remembering names
17.    Make your bed each morning, you will have accomplished something
18.    Commit to a healthier sleep pattern
19.    Join a club
20.    Eat more vegetables
21.    Schedule an annual health examination
22.    Take the stairs
23.    Plan a stay-cation in your hometown
24.    Do yoga 
25.    Make time for cuddling
26.    Volunteer regularly
27.    Join a club
28.    Hone or learn a new skill
29.    Stop procrastinating a new skill
30.    Keep clutter out of the kitchen
31.    Bake cookies for a veteran
32.    Explore new hobbies
33.    Do one thing at a time
34.    Put your phone down, go outside
35.    Keep current with the news
36.    Ease stress with kindness
37.    Give one compliment a day
38.    Do random acts of kindness
39.    Go someplace you have never been
40.    Schedule ‘me’ time
41.    Write down one thing you are grateful for every night
42.    Call a friend and have a conversation, skip the text
43.    Don’t by things you don’t need
44.    Clean your car once a month
45.    Let go of grudges
46.    Be more punctual
47.    Make a new friend
48.    Stop gossiping
49.    Learn something new everyday
50.    Just do it!
 

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Best Gifts for Dads and Grads in Texas https://www.lemontreaux.com/blog/2022/06/01/best-gifts-for-dads-and-grads-in-texas/ https://www.lemontreaux.com/blog/2022/06/01/best-gifts-for-dads-and-grads-in-texas/#respond Wed, 01 Jun 2022 17:57:00 +0000 https://www.lemontreaux.com/blog/?p=1141 It’s that time of the year!  Whether you are seeking a perfect gift for your Grad or looking for something fun to give Dad for Father’s Day, our great state of Texas has you covered! To save you time, we have hand-picked some of our favorite ideas to congratulate those who mean the most to…

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It’s that time of the year!  Whether you are seeking a perfect gift for your Grad or looking for something fun to give Dad for Father’s Day, our great state of Texas has you covered!

To save you time, we have hand-picked some of our favorite ideas to congratulate those who mean the most to you during this festive time of the year.  From baskets of snacks to local brews and sauces for the BBQ, the following “Tastes of Texas” gift selection is just the start of the best gifts for Grads and Dads this year.

For pictures and to make a purchase, click into each selection below.

The Grand Tour of Texas

If you are planning on celebrating with the entire clan, “The Grand Tour of Texas” gift basket is a super-sized option.  Packaged in a Texas-themed tin bin, this gift overflows with a pile of Texas-made goods. 

– 1 lb Milican Pecan Co. Fresh Pecan Halves
– 24 pcs Lammes Texas Chewie Pecan Pralines
– 2 x Cin Chili Mixes
– Whittington's Beef Jerky 4oz
– Lone Star Snack Mix
– Mikey V's Garlic Sprinkles
– Longhorn Snack Mix
– We're Nuts For You In Texas Snack Mix
– Jalapeno Dip Mix
– Fredericksburg Farms Longhorn Dip
– 2 x Thunderbird Bar
– Meyer's Elgin Smokehouse Seasoning
– Hobi's Bites Crackers
– Texas Trail Mix (4oz)
– Bravado Spice Hot Sauce Set (4 flavors)
– Milican Pecan Co. Mini Pecan Pie
– 2 x Texas Shaped Pralines
– Texana Brand Olive Oil
– Stroope's Wildflower Honey Bear
– SuckleBusters Championship BBQ Rub
– Reusable Texas Tin (17" x 11" x 6") 

Texas Pecan Lovers Basket

Your Dad or Grad will go nutty over this one! With seasonings for the chef or snacks for the kids, this is win-win for anyone who has an affection for the State Nut of Texas.
– Lammes 6oz Pecan Pralines
– Millican Pecan Caramel Pecan Popcorn
– Millican Pecan Roasted and Salted Pecans
– Millican Pecan Fresh Pecan Halves in Burlap Bag
– Millican Pecan Syrup
– Millican Pecan Mini Texas Pecan Pie
– Golden Gals Texas Shaped Praline
– Millican Pecan Cinnamon Pecans
– Millican Pecan Honey Roasted Pecans
– Texas Olive Ranch Pecan Balsamic Vinegar
– TeGar-den Farms Pecan Jelly
– SuckleBusters Texas Pecan BBQ Rub

Breakfast in Texas

Everything’s big in Texas and this is no exception.  Any Grad or Dad will appreciate breakfast in bed – and this basket pulls it all together with Texas goods wrapped in a Texas-shaped tin. 
– Sow Good Smoothie
– Wildway Hot Cereal (4 Packets)
– 2 Wildway Single Serve Granola
– Austin Jam Co Single Serve Jam
– 2 Vicky Cakes Flavored pancake/waffle Mix
– Vicky Cakes Syrup
– 2 Bella Bars
– 12oz Café Latina Texas Rum Coffee grounds

Go Big!

Completing our list of our favorite gifts for the Dad and Grad is this all-inclusive BBQ & Beer Gift set.  

Grill Set – Included in a fully-lined aluminum case is a complete set of BBQ tools, grilling skewers, corn holders, basting brush, and salt & pepper shakers, too!
PLUS
–    Hardbite Smokin' BBQ Cips
–    East Shore Dipping  
–    Bruges Classic Chocolate Covered Blueberries Pillow  
–    Braswell's Great On Anything BBQ sauce with Vidalia Onion  
–    Campi Verdi di Toscana Balsamic Vinegar of Modena IGP  
–    Campi Verdi di Toscana Extra Virgin Olive Oil  
–    Grant & Mein's Fine Spice Company Montreal Steak Spice  

From our family at LeMontreaux apartments in Austin, may your celebrations be everything that your Dad and Grad deserves!

 

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How to Keep Those New Year’s Resolutions – For Good! https://www.lemontreaux.com/blog/2022/01/25/how-to-keep-those-new-years-resolutions-for-good/ https://www.lemontreaux.com/blog/2022/01/25/how-to-keep-those-new-years-resolutions-for-good/#respond Tue, 25 Jan 2022 18:26:00 +0000 https://www.lemontreaux.com/blog/?p=1071 With any success, you may have instituted a few of our suggestions from our most recent blog. And now the hard part begins: keeping up with those New Year’s resolutions throughout the year.  In an effort to help you enjoy a “New You” in 2022, we have collected some suggestions on how to continue to…

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With any success, you may have instituted a few of our suggestions from our most recent blog. And now the hard part begins: keeping up with those New Year’s resolutions throughout the year. 
In an effort to help you enjoy a “New You” in 2022, we have collected some suggestions on how to continue to keep your focus on those tasks all year long.

•    Review your list and produce a good plan of action.
•    Focus on your list before you get out of bed and select a few tasks for each day.
•    Start with small steps and take it one task at a time.
•    Stay realistic and true to yourself and time.
•    Share your list with friends and family. See if you can share the load.
•    Keep track of that ‘to do’ list and cross off tasks as you complete each one.
•    Be easy on yourself; you do not need to accomplish everything in one day. 
•    If you have chosen to break a bad habit, replace it with a good one!
•    Make a list of simple rewards and use them as you accomplish your chores. 
 

To put it all into perspective, we found a good article on PsychologyToday.com.  Here are some highlights of their insight on how to keep true to your goals. If you are interested in learning more, click into the story on the link provided below.

“At the end of each year, we get a new opportunity to improve ourselves—exercise more, eat a healthier diet, quit smoking, or be more productive. Whatever it may be, a new year's resolution provides a guiding principle meant to lead us to become a better version of ourselves.

However, we know all too well that new year's resolutions rarely tend to stick. In fact, according to a ComRes poll, only 20 percent of new year's resolutions are kept beyond the first five weeks of the year. Why is that? Why is it so hard to keep a promise we make to ourselves, in all earnestness, from year to year? (Read more)
On behalf of our entire team at our apartment community in Austin, Texas, we wish the best of success in accomplishing your resolutions this year!
 
 

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New Year’s Resolutions for Your Home and Office https://www.lemontreaux.com/blog/2022/01/03/new-years-resolutions-for-your-home-and-office/ https://www.lemontreaux.com/blog/2022/01/03/new-years-resolutions-for-your-home-and-office/#respond Mon, 03 Jan 2022 22:23:00 +0000 https://www.lemontreaux.com/blog/?p=1056 It’s here! A brand-new year to look forward to at your apartment in Austin, Texas.  With most of the world focusing on New Year’s resolutions this month, we thought we would save you some time and provide a list of tips to improve your home life at LeMontreaux. We scoured the internet to find the…

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It’s here! A brand-new year to look forward to at your apartment in Austin, Texas.  With most of the world focusing on New Year’s resolutions this month, we thought we would save you some time and provide a list of tips to improve your home life at LeMontreaux. We scoured the internet to find the best ideas for spit-shining your home and office in 2022.
Our list comes from a variety of websites that focus on living the good life in apartment settings like ours. 
Here is what we found so far. And if you have any other tips, feel free to post them on our Facebook to share with family and friends. 

Time to Spit-Shine

•    Dust above and under everything
•    Declutter your cabinets
•    Throw out outdated food in the cupboard
•    Give the fridge a good scrub 
•    Organize your spices alphabetically
•    Sweep the corners and clean the baseboards
•    Wash the dishes you did not use in 2021
•    Clean off the countertops
•    Give your curtains or blinds a good bath
•    Give the tub, sinks, and oven a good scrub
 

Organize Your Space 

•    Rearrange your furniture
•    Plan your meals once a week
•    Stash the seasonal décor (under the bed works really well!)
•    Replace your batteries in clocks, smoke alarms, and other important gadgets
•    Donate the clothes you have not worn in a few years
•    Sort through your house goods (towels, pillows, sheets, etc.) and donate used items to your local pet shelter
 

Streamline Your Life

•    Shop on Wednesdays – the least traveled day to the grocery store
•    Unsubscribe to emails you do not read
•    Set up autopay to save you time
•    Mark of ‘Me Time” on your calendar to do something fun, or nothing at all
•    Set realistic deadlines and stick to them
•    Make faster decisions
•    Learn to delegate
•    Find time for quality time
•    Try something new every month
•    Find a new hobby
•    Cut back on-screen time

 
 

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More Top Tips for Spring Cleaning Your Apartment in Austin, TX https://www.lemontreaux.com/blog/2021/03/31/957/ https://www.lemontreaux.com/blog/2021/03/31/957/#respond Wed, 31 Mar 2021 23:55:00 +0000 https://www.lemontreaux.com/blog/?p=957 Earlier this month we shared some of our top tips for spring cleaning.  The article was so popular we decided to do more research to help you get your apartment in Austin clean and shiny this spring! Coffee Filter Cleaners One of the most affordable tools in the house is probably sitting next to your…

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Earlier this month we shared some of our top tips for spring cleaning.  The article was so popular we decided to do more research to help you get your apartment in Austin clean and shiny this spring!

Coffee Filter Cleaners

One of the most affordable tools in the house is probably sitting next to your coffee cups in the cupboard.  Time to pull them out and put them to a new use!  Did you know they worked really well as a dust rag?  Just wipe and toss and you will be on your way.

Even better, when placing food into the microwave, top it off with a coffee filter and say good-bye to spaghetti stains and other colorful sauces that used to pop all over inside!

Shoe Storage Savior

The next time you cannot find a match for your left shoe or right, go out to the local liquor store and pick-up a wine box.  It is the perfect home for storing your shoes together and saving space at the same time.

Computer Cord Caddy

Just before you toss that toilet paper or paper towel tube, hold on to it!  They are the ideal solution for gathering all those computer cords into one tidy bundle.  This works for electrical cords as well so save those handy cylinders and repurpose them today.

Another ideal container that works well for this same purpose is pipe insulation.  We got some at the hardware store and found that the ½ inch is the ideal size for seizing the mess under our desks.

Pie Plate Dustpan

For quick clean-ups of spilled dirt, sugar, flour and more, keep an aluminum pie plate handy.  Cut it in half, clean up your mess, and toss it all away into the trash.

 

Glove Dust Magnets

 

Here is a great tip for dusting off the knickknacks around your apartment in Austin.  Grab a pair of ‘cotton’ garden gloves, spray them with your favorite natural cleaner, and dust all those small accessories that have collected dust over the winter months.  This ‘fingertip’ cleaning tip is one of our favorite ways to keep our keepsakes clean throughout the year.

 

Designer Drawers

When was the last time you could not find something in your bathroom drawer? Gone are the days of trying to find the lip balm or toe-nail clippers!  We have found that a silverware drawer insert is the ideal solution for sorting out all sorts of stuff that deserves its own space.

If you have any more ideas that we should share with your neighbors at our pet friendly apartment community in Austin, send them our way!  And in the meantime, the best of success to you in your spring cleaning endeavors!

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All-natural Top Tips for Spring Cleaning Your Apartment in Austin, TX https://www.lemontreaux.com/blog/2021/03/16/allnatural-top-tips-for-spring-cleaning-your-apartment-in-austin-tx/ https://www.lemontreaux.com/blog/2021/03/16/allnatural-top-tips-for-spring-cleaning-your-apartment-in-austin-tx/#respond Tue, 16 Mar 2021 23:01:00 +0000 https://www.lemontreaux.com/blog/2021/03/16/allnatural-top-tips-for-spring-cleaning-your-apartment-in-austin-tx/   With spring officially around the corner, our team at Le Montreaux apartments in Austin, Tx, knows exactly what that means: It is Spring-Cleaning Season. Luckily for most of us, all the things we need to clean our apartment without the harsh chemicals that are included in most cleaning agents, are right here in our…

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With spring officially around the corner, our team at Le Montreaux apartments in Austin, Tx, knows exactly what that means: It is Spring-Cleaning Season.

Luckily for most of us, all the things we need to clean our apartment without the harsh chemicals that are included in most cleaning agents, are right here in our kitchen.  Here is your list of items that will help you leave your apartment at Le Montreaux spic and span!

  • Vinegar
  • Baking Soda
  • Lemon Juice
  • Salt
  • Borax (or similar product)
  • Plastic Spray Bottle
  • Clean Soft Cloths

 

By following the tips on how to naturally clean your apartment in North Austin, TX, below, you will end up with some simple and affordable ways to clean your carpets, bathrooms, windows, and kitchen, without the intrusion of chemical fumes.

White Vinegar

Place mixture of ¼ part vinegar and ¾ parts water into a spray bottle. Then get to work.  I have found this combination to work well to remove hard-water spots throughout by bathroom, and well into the kitchen where it works to remove the spots on my coffee pot and other glassware.  It is a good one to take with you when you are washing windows or need to get gooey stickers off products that you recently purchased. 

When it comes to cleaning drains, my neighbor told me about the power of White Vinegar or Cider Vinegar.  It is much better for your pipes than any of the more toxic products.

It is also great for getting any lime scales or stains on your sink, shower, or tub.

One more plug for the power of vinegar.  Mix a cup of vinegar with a few tablespoons of olive oil and a few drops of lemon juice – then go give your furniture a fresh and lemony dusting and polishing. 

Lemon Juice

I bet you have never thought about putting lemon juice in your wash machine.  Using a half cup of juice for every gallon of water will brighten those light and bright spring whites in no time.  For tougher stains on your clothes, or your countertops, just spray the juice (no water) right on the stain, let it sit, then wash or wipe it down.

We have also used lemon juice to clean our toilets.  Grab some baking soda and mix it with lemon juice – then use this paste to make your toilets lemony-fresh and clean.

If you are using lemons, and not the purchased lemon juice product, the juice from a fresh lemon works wonders in the fridge.  Just cut it in half and leave it on the shelf for a week or so.  You will know when it is time to toss it in the trash.

Baking Soda

Make a batch of this non-toxic abrasive cleaning product by mixing the baking soda with equal parts of salt.  

Apply the mixture on a wet sponge or cloth and head to the bathroom to spit-shine your sinks and tubs. 

This works wonders when cleaning your refrigerator.  Got fresh stains on the carpet?  Rub a bit on the spot, leave it for about an hour, then vacuum it out.  It should remove any unwanted smell as well.

One more note about baking soda – for your teeth.  Really!  Add a touch to your toothpaste then brush away!

Now that’s a shine that you can appreciate for years to come!

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Top Tips for Organizing Your Apartment in 2021 (Part Two) https://www.lemontreaux.com/blog/2021/01/27/top-tips-for-organizing-your-apartment-in-2021-part-two/ https://www.lemontreaux.com/blog/2021/01/27/top-tips-for-organizing-your-apartment-in-2021-part-two/#respond Wed, 27 Jan 2021 17:35:00 +0000 https://www.lemontreaux.com/blog/?p=924 Earlier this month, we started to take you on a tour of our apartment at Cantera in an effort to share our ideas about organizing your apartment in El Paso, TX.  As promised, this edition continues our quest to cross off our New Year’s Resolution to simplify our lives and get our home more organized…

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Earlier this month, we started to take you on a tour of our apartment at Cantera in an effort to share our ideas about organizing your apartment in El Paso, TX.  As promised, this edition continues our quest to cross off our New Year’s Resolution to simplify our lives and get our home more organized in 2021!

Buy One, Donate One 
This is a rule that has lived for generations in our family. And we encourage you to do the same.  It’s simple:  When you buy something new, donate something old.   You will be amazed at how good you feel in the new dress/shirt/coat when you know you have helped someone less fortunate enjoy what you did for years.  

This rule can apply to anything and everything in your pet-friendly apartment in El Paso, TX.   Now that Christmas has come and gone, maybe the new towels and sheets are everything you wanted.  Your local pet or homeless shelter could use those towels/sheets/bedding more than most.  Time to donate!  Ditto for toys, cookware, tools … you get the idea!

To keep this in motion, take those items you want to donate and put them in your car. This step makes it much easier to get them out of the house and on their way to a local thrift shop!

If you need more inspiration, find the book by Marie Kondo entitled:  The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up!  Within this short yet inspirational read you will learn all about finding the “joy” in your possessions.

Get Rid of the “Never or Hardly Used”
To make things easier on my sister and me, my Mom (at the age of 93) has done an amazing job of going through her “stuff” and either donating, tossing, or sharing her possessions.  As hard as it may be to ‘let go’ of possessions you have had forever, it will be much easier on those you leave behind.  The start of a new year seems to have a unique power within itself to make this process much easier, and more enjoyable for all involved. As this is always a tough subject, let us recommend another book:  it’s called The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by Margareta Magnusson.   

Invest in some Lazy Susans!  
Organizing shelves, particularly in the kitchen, can be overwhelming.  From the spice cabinet, to the bathroom, under the sink and bed, you will be amazed at how small investments in Lazy Susans can make you feel more organized.  The ability to turn a jam-packed spice shelf into a visual turntable will make the art of cooking seem so much more fun. Oh, and be sure when you put your new turn-able into a place that your spices are in alphabetical order.  Really!

If it seems odd to place a Lazy Susan in your closet to spin around that fancy selection of shoes, a shoe rack is in your future.  

One more note about storage gadgets: we always use the first of the year to go through our summer clothes, donate what we no longer want, and then stash them for next year in clear ‘under the bed’ storage containers.  This leaves us with much more space in our closest and the feeling of being ready and organized for the next season to come. 

Let your personality help you get organized!

While researching more ideas to add to our blogs, we came across a very intriguing subject:  Organizing our home by our personality.  

You really need to click into this story to learn all about how those who are Right-brained organize differently than Left-brained individuals!

From our home to yours, we wish you all the best of success in organizing your apartment in El Paso, TX.
 

The post Top Tips for Organizing Your Apartment in 2021 (Part Two) appeared first on Le Montreaux A Concierge Community Blog.

]]> https://www.lemontreaux.com/blog/2021/01/27/top-tips-for-organizing-your-apartment-in-2021-part-two/feed/ 0 924 Top Tips for Organizing Your Apartment in 2021 (Part One) https://www.lemontreaux.com/blog/2021/01/13/top-tips-for-organizing-your-apartment-in-2021-part-one/ https://www.lemontreaux.com/blog/2021/01/13/top-tips-for-organizing-your-apartment-in-2021-part-one/#respond Wed, 13 Jan 2021 22:50:00 +0000 https://www.lemontreaux.com/blog/?p=915 Welcome to 2021!  If one of your New Year’s Resolutions is to get your apartment in Austin, TX, a little more organized and welcoming, our January blogs are for you! Starting a new year gives us every reason to toss the past behind us and focus forward on the good things in life.  With so…

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Welcome to 2021!  If one of your New Year’s Resolutions is to get your apartment in Austin, TX, a little more organized and welcoming, our January blogs are for you!

Starting a new year gives us every reason to toss the past behind us and focus forward on the good things in life.  With so many of us spending more time at home, this may be the best resolution to put at the top of your list!

We have just walked through our apartment at Le Montreaux and used that tour to develop our own list of how we will start the process, today!  On behalf of our entire team, we wish you the best of success in streamlining and organizing your apartment this month!

Happy New Year!

 

 

Welcome Home!

 We all know about ‘first impressions.’  How’s yours … as friends and family walk in the door.  Shoes on the floor, coats hanging off the edge of the closet door?  Perhaps your plant has seen better days?  To get started on your new resolution, go outside, and then walk in and take a visual inventory.  If you are pleased with what you see, fabulous! You are on your way.

 If not, time to tidy up the entry.  And that does not mean just throw everything in the closet.  It will be there when you need to repeat that habit the next time.  Maybe it’s time to donate a few jackets to the local thrift shop.  Perhaps you need a small bench for the variety of shoes and boots?  Whatever you can do to make that closet purposeful and not a holding tank will be a super first step to getting your entry welcoming and clutter-free.

A Kitchen is for Cooking

Are your countertops cluttered with unread mail or perhaps missing bills? Has your kitchen table become a mailbox holding ground?  One of the fastest habits to break that will bring the purpose of your kitchen back to work is tossing your mail or various stacks of paper where they belong -before you land in the kitchen.

We have added a new and colorful basket right by the entry of our apartment.  When we come home, we stop and assess the mail at the entrance to our home.  Bills go in one pile, the useful paper goods (like our favorite magazines) go to into the basket for further review, and all other unwanted materials go directly into the trash which is conveniently located under our sink in the kitchen!

Our neighbors did it differently – yet their system works.  They bought several rectangle baskets, labeled them, and placed them on a shelf.  Bills into one bin, cards and other personal items in another, and junk mail in the final basket for review or removal when time allows.  They also finally convinced us to go to online billing and contact the publisher of unwanted magazines to remove our name from their list.

Bedrooms are for Sleeping

There’s a favorite chair in our bedroom that brings back endless memories of family time gone by.  Prior to our reorganizing spree, you could not see it as it turned into a “clothing catcher” of all sorts.  Today, it proudly sits awaiting our return to enjoy some quiet time with a good book.  The piles of clothing now have their own designated space.  They are either placed on hangers (we bought quite a few for a great value) or live in a hamper to await laundry day.

Stay tuned to our next blog later this month for more top tips on how to organize your apartment in 2021!

The post Top Tips for Organizing Your Apartment in 2021 (Part One) appeared first on Le Montreaux A Concierge Community Blog.

]]> https://www.lemontreaux.com/blog/2021/01/13/top-tips-for-organizing-your-apartment-in-2021-part-one/feed/ 0 915 DIY Gift Ideas for Father’s Day https://www.lemontreaux.com/blog/2020/06/02/diy-gift-ideas-for-fathers-day/ https://www.lemontreaux.com/blog/2020/06/02/diy-gift-ideas-for-fathers-day/#respond Tue, 02 Jun 2020 23:19:00 +0000 http://www.lemontreaux.com/blog/?p=831 DIY Gift Ideas for Father’s Day   With Father’s Day around the corner on June 21st it is time to finalize your plans and gift ideas for Dad.  Instead of heading out to the mall from your apartment in Austin, TX, this year is the perfect year to try to make something yourself to present…

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DIY Gift Ideas for Father’s Day
 

With Father’s Day around the corner on June 21st it is time to finalize your plans and gift ideas for Dad.  Instead of heading out to the mall from your apartment in Austin, TX, this year is the perfect year to try to make something yourself to present a heart-felt package to your favorite Pop.  

To help you get your creative juices flowing, we visited some of our favorite websites and resources and hand-picked some easy and affordable ways to make a personal gift this year.
 
Whether Dad loves to BBQ, enjoys a cool brew, or looks forward to quality time with you know who, there is a perfect idea to please the big guy in your life all wrapped-up with DIY TLC!

If you need more ideas, just click into the links that we have provide within this blog.  And speaking of which, on behalf of our team at Le Montreaux Apartment community in Austin, TX, we’d like to offer credit where credit is due to all the websites we have noted below.

M&M Bow Tie Card 
Photo/Idea Credit & Resource: Alydosdall.com

 How sweet is this?  And it is really simple to make as well.  Just click into the resource above for all the directions on how to create a DIY candy card for Dad this year. 

Super Dad Candy Card 
Photo/Idea Credit & Resource: IHeartCraftyThings.com

There might not be a better way to let Dad know that he is your Superhero!  All you need is a bit of construction paper and a tasty candy bar and your DIY card is DONE.

Monster Mix
Photo/Idea Credit & Resource: Lilluna.com

This delicious mix will keep Dad snackin’ through the weekend.  It is a healthy mix of nuts and such that just might be in your cupboard as we speak.  Make a batch or more to share with the rest of the family or make him a six pack that he can enjoy throughout the summer months.

Personalized Spatula 
Photo/Idea Credit & Resource: SkiptoMyLou.com

This might be our favorite idea of all.  And it is so simple!  All you need is a little bit of paint and you are on your way to sharing your love every time it is time to BBQ. 

Beer Bouquet 
Photo/Idea Credit & Resource: Unoriginal Mom

Beer could be one of the best gifts to give a Dad who enjoys his brews.  The picture pretty much shows you how to DIY yet for a complete play-by-play, click into UnoriginalMom to wrap this project up, and see many more ideas to please your Pop this year. 

Grilling Apron 
Photo/Idea Credit & Resource: LovelyIndeed.com

Keep all that BBQ sauce off Dad’s shorts!  With this custom apron, you can keep Dad clean between the ribs, burgers, and brats all summer long.

Building Memories Jar 
Photo/Idea Credit & Resource: TheSeasonedMom.com

Legos unite!  Turn those buildings, ships, and super structures into a year-long jar of love.  All you need to do is sacrifice a few Legos, grab a sharpie pen, and present a jar full of fun ideas to do with Dad this year. 

And that is just the beginning.  Click into more ideas noted below and get your DIY Fathers’ Day Gift Ideas into full gear this week.

DIY Pre-Shave Oil 

Wood Slice Coasters
 
Homemade Orange Bitters 

DIY Agate Coasters 

Beard Balm

Grill Set Holder 

Rocky Picture Frame

 

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