Blog Posts

Hiking Tips in Arlington, VA

It’s a great time to get outside and go hiking here in Arlington, VA. In this week’s Virginia Square Towers Blog, we’ll be sharing some hiking tips to help you prepare for your next adventure. We hope you have a great time! Have the right gear. Before you head out of your apartment, make sure that you have the correct gear for the type of hiking you’ll be doing. If you’re going for a 30-minute hike you’ll need much less gear than if you’re going backpacking for a few days. Check out this useful list of gear that you’ll need for a hiking trip. Drink enough water. Make sure you pack enough water to last you throughout the hike. It’s better to pack more water than less. Drink plenty and drink often so you can stay hydrated and energized to continue forward on your hike. Wear sunscreen. Even if it’s not a hot and sunny day, your skin can still get burned, especially if you’re hiking at higher altitudes. Make sure to apply some before you leave and reapply as necessary. Map out your hike. Map out your hike and determine how long it will take you. Take into account when the sun will be setting and whether you’re going to need additional gear for cooler temperatures or a flashlight if it gets dark. Give yourself ample time to hike in order to stay safe. Have directions. Your phone’s GPS may not be the best thing to rely on while hiking. Be sure to have an additional map — preferably one on paper — of the area so you don’t get lost if you lose service. Even if you’ve hiked in the area before, it’s better to be safe than sorry. What other hiking tips do you have? Let us know in the comments below. Thanks for reading and be sure to visit the blog again soon!

Decorating Tips for Spring

Springtime is here! In this week’s Virginia Square Towers Blog, we’ll be sharing a list of spring decorating ideas for you to do in your apartment. We hope you enjoy the warmer weather and sunshine this month here in Arlington, VA! Magnetic Flowers from Martha Stewart This idea is a very creative way to add floral accents to your kitchen. Put out a spring-themed tablecloth and add on these fun magnetic flowers. To make them you’ll need fabric flowers of your choice, mini magnets, and fabric glue. Flower Basket Centerpiece from Southwest Living This seemingly elaborate flower basket may seem intimidating, but it’s fairly simple. It’s a great piece to put on your dinner table this month. To put it together you’ll need a flower pot, floral foam, flexible branches, assorted flowers, and twine. Adding Pops of Color from The Chronicles of Home Color is a distinct feature of springtime decor. Check out this spring home tour for some ideas on how to add color to your apartment. They use white and gold as the basis of their color scheme, but then bring in pops of color through pillowcases, flowers, and other accent pieces. Farmhouse Style Tire Wreath from The Craft Patch This rustic wreath will look great on your front door for springtime. You’ll use an antique metal tire, pink fabric flowers, spring greenery, floral foam, and wire cutters. If you can’t find an antique metal tire, be creative and find something else that will work such as a simple branch wreath. DIY Painted Birdhouse from Alice & Lois These birdhouses are perfect to set up on a mantel or shelf in your apartment. To make them you’ll just need these three supplies: acrylic paint, small birdhouses, and a Sharpie acrylic pen. Do you have any other decorating tips or ideas? Share them with us in the comments below!

Celebrate National Waffle Day

Did you know that March 25th is National Waffle Day? In today’s Virginia Square Towers Blog, we’ll be sharing a list of tasty waffle recipes for you to try out at your apartment. Invite friends and family over for a brunch or even for a late-night treat and enjoy these tasty waffles on the 25th — and all month long! We hope you have a great month here in Arlington, VA! Insanely Great Waffles with Buttered Pecan Syrup from Lick The Bowl Good These waffles topped with Buttered Pecan Syrup are so delicious and filling. They make for the perfect weekend morning breakfast. To make them you’ll need these ingredients: all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, salt, whole milk or buttermilk, vegetable oil, an egg, sugar, vanilla extract, chopped pecans, butter, and maple syrup. Maple Bacon Waffle Recipe from Ashlee Marie For a mix of savory and sweet, you have to try these Maple Bacon Waffles. Gather up these ingredients and get started: flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, eggs, melted butter, milk, maple extract, candied bacon , and maple whipped cream. Oatmeal Waffles from Butter with a Side of Bread This simple recipe is a great twist on a traditional waffle recipe. To make it you’ll need flour, oats, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, eggs, milk, melted butter, and brown sugar. Don’t forget to top these waffles with fresh berries and whipped cream! Orange Dream Dessert Waffles from Buns in My Oven The name of these waffles lets you know what you’re getting yourself into; it’s a dreamy orange dessert that you won’t regret trying out! To make these you’ll just need a few ingredients. Buy a box of Pillsbury Orangesicle cake mix with all the necessary ingredients including oil and eggs. You’ll also need powdered sugar and water to make the icing. Top with sprinkles and that’s it! Apple Fritter Waffle Doughnuts from Completely Delicious Another dessert-style waffle, these apple fritter waffle doughnuts are delicious! You’ll need the following ingredients to make the doughnuts: all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, buttermilk, unsalted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, chopped apples, and vegetable oil. For the glaze you’ll need powdered sugar, whole milk, and vanilla extract. Sweet Potato Waffles from Jerry James Stone Here’s another recipe that is perfect to top with sweet pecans. You’ll need sweet potatoes, flour, baking powder, salt, egg whites, milk, brown sugar, melted butter, grated orange zest, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, freshly ground nutmeg, and grated ginger. Do you have any recipes you would add to our list? Share them with us in the comments below. Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Create a Cleaning Schedule for Your Apartment

Creating a cleaning schedule can save you time and energy. Today the Virginia Square Towers Blog has some tips for creating one for daily, weekly, monthly, and annual tasks. We are always happy to share something that will help residents of our apartment community here in Arlington, VA. These are suggested tasks, however, so feel free to modify them to meet your needs and use this list as a guideline rather than a set of rules. Daily Cleaning — Make bed — Do dishes — Sort and wash clothes in the laundry (or do it weekly, depending on how much there is) — Sweep kitchen floor — Sanitize and wipe down sinks and surfaces Weekly Cleaning — Mop floors — Vacuum carpet — Scrub bathroom and kitchen surfaces and appliances — Clean mirrors — Dust — Wash bedding — Wipe down bathroom sinks, toilet, and walls Monthly Cleaning — Dust blinds — Clean light fixtures — Clean large appliances (dishwasher, washing machines, refrigerator, etc.) — Wash vents Semi-Annual or Annual Cleaning — Garbage Disposal: These can be cleaned by putting ice (frozen water, frozen lemon juice, or frozen vinegar) down the disposal. This will help get rid of bacteria under the plastic ring. — Exterior Kitchen Cabinets: These can be cleaned using Dawn dish soap to remove greasy stains. — Curtains and Furniture: Use your vacuum to clean off dust and dirt from these fabrics. Clean wood, aluminum, and glass components with recommended cleaners. — Light Switches, Doorknobs, and Baseboards: These areas can get dirty and dusty. Use a wet washcloth or disposable cleaning wipe to clean and sanitize them. — Window Screens: Take out the screens and wash in warm soapy water. You’ll be surprised at the difference it will make. Don’t forget to include your car in your cleaning plan, too. Make it a habit to remove trash frequently, wash regularly, and get it detailed periodically. You never know when you may need to give someone a ride. Plus, it’ll keep your car running smoothly and you feeling great! However you get it done, keeping your apartment clean feels good. Be sure to take some time to relax after cleaning and enjoy your well-earned rest.

Feel Better With These Exercise Tips

To some, exercise is a necessity, but to others, they’d rather be doing anything else. Maybe you’re somewhere in between. Wherever you are on that scale, check out some of these tips in today’s Virginia Square Towers Blog to help you on your fitness journey. We hope they help. Enjoy some exercise this month here in Arlington, VA. Find what you love. Exercise can seem like an annoying task you have to add to your already long to-do list, but it doesn’t have to be. If you can find some form of exercise that you enjoy doing, then it’s no longer a task, but a reward. If you get into the habit of exercising regularly, you may find that your body craves that movement and feels sluggish without it. Try out a team sport, yoga, running, a dance class, or something else you’ve never done before. Visit our 24-hour fitness center as well to try out the machines and equipment they have there. Schedule it in . If exercise isn’t on your schedule or isn’t a priority, then it won’t happen. If you know that waking up to exercise will be difficult, then try to find another time that’s better for you. Make sure there’s ample time to get changed, exercise, and shower afterward. Put it on your calendar and it’ll be that much easier to do. Find a workout buddy. Having someone to help you on your fitness journey can make all the difference. Workout with a friend on a regular basis so that you can both hold each other accountable. If you aren’t feeling like exercising, having that friend there will motivate you to get up and workout so you don’t leave them hanging. Practice mindfulness . Mindfulness is a practice of learning to be in the present moment. It can help you to be calm and to be more aware of your body. This is important because when deciding whether or not to get up and exercise, your body may be telling you no , while your mind is saying yes . Mindfulness will help you to get over what your body says and let your mind control your decisions which means more exercise. What’s your favorite type of exercise? Let us know in the comments below so we can try it out!

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

With Valentine’s Day just over a week away, we want to help you celebrate in today’s Virginia Square Towers Blog. We’ll be sharing a list of gift ideas for you to give to your Valentine or loved ones. We hope you enjoy this holiday here in Arlington, VA. Medley + Noir Blooming Teas from Food52 For the tea-lover in your life, purchase these beautiful blooming teas. Put the flower into boiling water and watch it bloom before your eyes while infusing the water with a delicious tea. “Each set contains six flowers made with Silver Needle white tea and six flowers made with black tea, for a total of 12 flowers.” Valentine’s Day Strawberry Sugar Scrub from Totally the Bomb For a woman who loves a deliciously soothing sugar scrub, make this scrub to give them the gift of an at-home spa day. To make this sugar scrub you’ll need cane sugar, freeze-dried strawberries, coconut oil, and vanilla extract. Crimson Heart Umbrella from Uncommon Goods A practical and fun gift, this crimson heart umbrella is a great gift to give to your Valentine. “Stand out in a crowd of black trench coats and add a little love to a rain shower with this delightful umbrella. Featuring a bright red canopy and charming heart silhouette, this ergonomic design offers a strong yet lightweight 16 spoke fiberglass frame, which is totally wind-proof. It's the perfect companion for puddle jumping and downpour dancing with your Valentine or anytime.” Valentine’s Day Candle from Candle Delirium Purchase one of these delightful, scented candles from Candle Delirium . They have a variety of scents that will all be great for a special Valentine’s evening dinner. They have Pink Peony, Passionfruit & Citrus, White Currant & Rose, and many more to choose from. Watercolor Cards by Kristina Werner If you want a simple gift for your loved one, give them this pretty watercolor card. You’ll need these supplies to make it: a heart stencil using paper and scissors, watercolor paper, a watercolor set (they used an inexpensive Crayola set), and a black pen. Write a note on the back expressing your love and appreciation to make it complete. What gifts do you give to your loved ones on Valentine’s Day? Share any of your ideas with us in the comments. Thanks for reading today’s post!