Blog Posts

The Easiest Halloween Costumes

For those wanting a simple Halloween costume that doesn’t cost much and is clever, then you’ve come to the right place. Here on the Virginia Square Towers Blog, we want to share some of our ideas with you. Get together with friends at your apartment this Halloween and celebrate! We hope you enjoy your month here in Arlington, VA. Gumball Machine This idea is simple to put together. You might even already have everything you need to turn yourself into a gumball machine. Wear a white shirt that you don’t care about ruining and wear red pants or any other solid colored pants. On the white shirt, glue colorful craft pom poms about ¾ of the way up the shirt. These pom poms can be found at any craft store. Glue them on using a hot glue gun and that’s it! It’s Raining Men This is a fun costume that shouldn’t take more than an hour to put together. First you’ll print out or cut out pictures of any men (it doesn’t matter who), then you’ll cut out those images around their heads. You’ll then punch a hole in the top of the image and thread a piece of string through the hole. Tie the string onto the image and tape the other end to an umbrella. Wear rain clothes such as a rain jacket and rain boots and voila — it’s raining men! Fork in the Road For this costume, you’re going to wear a black shirt. Using white tape or white t-shirt paint, make lines on your shirt like the lines you see on roads. Then simply tape a plastic fork onto your shirt crossing the lines. A play on words, this costume is clever and simple. Medusa This costume requires plastic toy snakes. Grab some from a local store and wear them in your hair. Either tie them to the ends of your hair or slide them through hair that is pulled back. You can wear some kind of fancy dress or something that resembles a Greek style of clothing. Tourist Pick up a Hawaiian t-shirt from a local thrift store for an easy costume. Add a camera/video recorder over your neck, a wide brimmed hat, khaki shorts, tennis shoes, sunglasses, and you’re set. Scarecrow This costume requires items that you may already have at home. Use makeup to create stitches on your face and round red cheeks. Wear your hair in braids or wear it messy, stick some hay in your clothes, wear a plaid button up shirt and jeans, and you’re set! What’s your favorite simple and easy Halloween costume? Comment below so we can try it out. Thanks for reading our Virginia Square Towers Blog post.

Decorating With Greenery

Adding plants to your home can bring a calm and soothing mood into your space. Virginia Square Towers Blog brings you some tips on adding plants into your home decor at your apartment here in Arlington, VA. Hanging Planters This idea is a perfect way to creatively add greenery to your place. You can easily hang these pots from your window sill, while not using up counter or table space. Not to mention they’re beautiful! For this project, you’ll need chalked paint, a paint brush, string, and a terracotta pot (or 2 or 3!). After painting the pot, you can use the tutorial guide to see how to twist and tie the string onto the pots. That’s it! You now have a beautiful hanging pot. House Plants Buy plants that are good for living indoors . Some plants that work well would be spider plants, aloe vera, snake plants, dracaenas, palms, philodendrons, and succulents. Many plants are also great for purifying your home . Some of these include peace lilies, rubber plants, bamboo palms, snake plants, and dumb canes. Choose the right plant for you and your home. For example, if your apartment doesn’t get a lot of sunlight, choose a plant that’s okay with that. If you aren’t home a lot, find one that’s okay with little watering. Caring For Plants Some plants can be easier to take care of than others. It’s important to learn about the plants you have and determine what they need to stay alive and healthy. Determine how much water and sunlight they need and what type of soil to use when potting them. Having that information can save your plants. You can also find some general indicators about what your plant needs based on its appearance. For example, an indicator of overwatering is that the leaves are wilted, droopy, and pliable. A sign of dehydration would be that the tips are brown and the edges are crunchy. What are your favorite houseplants? How do you creatively incorporate greenery into your home decor? Let us know in the comments. Thanks for reading!

Books to Read This Month

September brings with it some great books coming out. Here on the Virginia Square Towers Blog we want to highlight some of those books, as well an older but classic book to check out and read at your apartment. Visit the Central Library here in Arlington, VA and enjoy a good book this month! Solutions and Other Problems “Allie Brosh, the ‘gut-bustingly funny’ (NPR), award-winning, and #1 New York Times bestselling author of Hyperbole and a Half , shares an all-new collection of autobiographical and illustrated essays.” The Language of Thorns: Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic “ Love speaks in flowers. Truth requires thorns. “Travel to a world of dark bargains struck by moonlight, of haunted towns and hungry woods, of talking beasts and gingerbread golems, where a young mermaid's voice can summon deadly storms and where a river might do a lovestruck boy's bidding but only for a terrible price. “Inspired by myth, fairy tale, and folklore, #1 New York Times–bestselling author Leigh Bardugo has crafted a deliciously atmospheric collection of short stories filled with betrayals, revenge, sacrifice, and love. Perfect for new readers and dedicated fans, these tales will transport you to lands both familiar and strange—to a fully realized world of dangerous magic that millions have visited through the novels of the Grishaverse.” Sing, Unburied, Sing: A Novel This book comes out on September 5th. Check it out online! “Jojo and his toddler sister, Kayla, live with their grandparents, Mam and Pop, and the occasional presence of their drug-addicted mother, Leonie, on a farm on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. Leonie is simultaneously tormented and comforted by visions of her dead brother, which only come to her when she’s high; Mam is dying of cancer; and quiet, steady Pop tries to run the household and teach Jojo how to be a man. When the white father of Leonie’s children is released from prison, she packs her kids and a friend into her car and sets out across the state for Parchman farm, the Mississippi State Penitentiary, on a journey rife with danger and promise.” The Kite Runner “The unforgettable, heartbreaking story of the unlikely friendship between a wealthy boy and the son of his father’s servant, The Kite Runner is a beautifully crafted novel set in a country that is in the process of being destroyed. It is about the power of reading, the price of betrayal, and the possibility of redemption; and an exploration of the power of fathers over sons—their love, their sacrifices, their lies.” What books are you planning to read this month? Let us know in the comments so we can check them out as well. Have a great month and enjoy!

Throw a Fall Party at Your Virginia Square Towers Apartment

September 22nd is the Autumn Equinox , a time when “the Sun crosses the celestial equator – the imaginary line in the sky above Earth’s Equator – from north to south,” according to TimeAndDate. The site explains why we call the spring and fall season changes an equinox: “On the equinox, night and day are nearly exactly the same length – 12 hours – all over the world. This is the reason it’s called an ‘equinox,’ derived from Latin, meaning ‘equal night.’” Here on the Virginia Square Towers Apartments Blog we want to help you celebrate this change in the seasons by throwing a party or get together with friends. Make food, play games, and enjoy each other’s company in your apartment. Read on for some suggestions to help you celebrate here in Arlington, VA! Table Decor Decorate your table at your Virginia Square Towers Apartment using these simple and beautiful table decor tips. This idea comes from Julie Blanner . For this table setup lay out a cheesecloth in the center of the table. You can then use eucalyptus plants on each end of the table leading to a centerpiece of your choice. That centerpiece can simply be a large candle or something more elaborate like an autumn bouquet. Add in smaller white candles throughout the eucalyptus branches along with red apples. Voila, that’s it! You now have a beautifully decorated table that can be set up with delicious snacks. Autumn Spiced Nuts This Autumn Spiced Nuts treat is perfect to set out on your beautifully decorated table. It’s a pretty simple recipe from Culinary Ginger. To make this you’ll need garam masala, cardamom, cinnamon, grated nutmeg, allspice, salt, rosemary, egg whites, honey, almonds, pecans, cashews, and pumpkin seeds. Chocolate Turtle Apple Slices Another delicious treat to set out for your guests are these Chocolate Turtle Apple Slices . The recipe comes from Mom Loves Baking . You’ll need Fuji apples, semi-sweet chocolate chips, coconut oil, caramels, chopped pecans, and popsicle sticks. Doughnut on a String Contest This is a classic fall game that is great for anyone, even kids, to play. Put out your choice of store-bought or homemade doughnuts on a string. You can tie the string between two trees or poles. It can be an activity or a contest of who can eat the most doughnuts in a set period of time without using their hands. What’s your favorite autumn treat? Let us know in the comments. Thanks for reading!

Trail Mix Recipes for Your Next Hike

Did you know that August 31st is National Trail Mix Day? The Virginia Square Towers Blog has some delicious trail mix recipes to share with you this month. Take a hike near our apartment community and enjoy a treat along the way. Try out the Potomac Heritage Trail which is about a 10-minute drive to the trailhead. You could also try out the Washington and Old Dominion Trail which is a little more challenging; it’s a 20-minute drive to the trailhead. Breakfast Trail Mix This recipe is so delicious with lots of dried fruit and protein; it comes from eBay . It’s perfect for a morning hike if you didn’t have time for breakfast. To make this snack, you’ll need dried cranberries, pistachios, dried bananas, Honey Nut Cheerios, and yogurt covered pretzels. S’mores Snack Mix This recipe is great for an outdoor summer movie. Make a big mix of this and share with friends and family. It comes from Like Mother Like Daughter . You’ll need Golden Graham cereal, mini pretzels, mini marshmallows, and chocolate chips. Peanut Butter Lover’s Trail Mix If you have a love for peanut butter, then this recipe is for you. It comes from Rachel Cooks . You’ll need peanut butter morsels, Reese’s Pieces, Peanut Butter M&M’s, peanut butter filled pretzels, golden raisins, and peanuts. We think you’ll love this delicious and peanut buttery recipe. Parmesan Ranch Cheez-It Snack Mix If you’re looking for something savory, you’re going to love this recipe full of delicious flavor. This recipe comes from Delightful-E-Made . You’ll need Cheez-It Original crackers, Cheez-It Grooves crackers (Zesty Cheddar Ranch flavored), pretzels, rice/corn breakfast cereal, cashews, melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, ranch seasoning mix, and grated parmesan cheese. Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Trail Mix For those who love a mix of chocolate and fruit, you’re going to love this recipe. It’s a great indulgence with added protein. This recipe comes from The Healthy Maven . You’ll need almonds, cashews, sunflower seeds, freeze-dried strawberries, and dark chocolate chunks. What’s your favorite trail mix recipe? Let us know in the comments. Thanks for reading and have a great month here in Arlington, VA.

National Relaxation Day

August 15th is National Relaxation Day. The Virginia Square Towers is bringing you some tips on how to have a relaxing day here in Arlington, VA. We have a few ideas to practice at home as well as nearby spas to try out. We hope you get a chance to relax this month and treat yourself. Take a Pause Taking some moments throughout the day to pause and breathe can reap great benefits. We live in a culture of busyness, but sometimes our bodies need a minute or two to focus on how we feel and let go of the daily tasks we’re consumed by. This gives our bodies the chance to tell us what we need to feel better. Maybe we have some aches and pains that we aren’t aware of because of the constant tasks on our mind. Give yourself a minute to focus on your breath and focus on how you feel. You’ll be surprised by how those couple of minutes can help. Evaluate Your Goals Sometimes stress can come if we’re too worried about the future or we’re focusing on the past. It’s important to live in the present moment and not worry too much about the things we can’t control. It’s also important though to take some time to evaluate where our lives are headed. This can bring the peace of mind we need to keep moving forward in a good direction. Evaluate where you’re headed based on your goals and if that’s where you want to go. Realign those goals with where you want to end up. This can give greater meaning and motivation to work harder and live happier. Learn New Skills Learning skills to help us cope and manage stress can help us to live a more relaxed and happy life. One skill could be to practice having a routine. For those who get anxious easily, a routine can provide the stability they need to feel some security in life. For others maybe they need to learn and practice relationship skills to create more peace in their relationships with friends and family. Other skills could be meditation, yoga, exercising, or learning what helps you individually to feel relaxed. Visit a Spa A day at the spa is a great way to unwind and relax. Did you know there’s a spa that’s just a 2-minute walk from our apartment community? Check out Aura Day Spa to get your nails done or have a massage and facial. Amanda H. said this about Aura Day Spa: “Amazing salon! Super friendly staff, very clean, highly recommend aura Day Spa!” Mimi Day Spa is also very close to the Virginia Square Towers (just a 3-minute walk). Tarah J. said , “The staff [at Mimi Day Spa] is super nice and the salon is very clean. I'll definitely be back!” What helps you to feel relaxed? Let us know in the comments. Thanks for reading and take a day to relax this month.