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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.

Hammock Activities

In light of July 22nd being Hammock Day , this Virginia Square Towers Blog post is featuring some fun activities involving hammocks so you can celebrate this summer holiday in the most relaxing and laid-back fashion possible. July is in the middle of summer and it is hot, which is why it makes perfect sense that July 22nd was deemed Hammock day. Take it easy in your hammock in the shade. Don’t have a hammock? No worries, visit OverStock.com for a huge selection of hammocks. Read a Book When it is hot we often feel lethargic and don’t want to do much, so why not spend the day swinging in a hammock reading a great book? Check out this list of 21 Recommendations for Anyone Who Wants to Read Books and Chill from Huffington Post. Also enjoy this fun poem about reading in a hammock written by Billy Collins. Hammock Camping Break tradition this summer and bring a hammock on your next camping trip instead of a tent. The setup is much easier and you can see the stars! Still not convinced? Check out this article on W hy You Should Switch from a Tent to a Hammock from Trek Light Gear and we think you will be convinced. Take a nap This one might seem obvious, but honestly you will be amazed by how soundly you sleep suspended above the ground gently rocked by the gentle breeze. Make a Sail You can easily turn your hammock into a sail and use it while kayaking, water-skiing, or even skateboarding! Use the wind to your advantage and kick back while it does all the work. Indoor Swing Stay indoors and out of the heat and turn your hammock into an indoor swing that everyone can enjoy. Get some great ideas from this article called 20 Epic Ways to DIY Hanging and Swing Chairs from HomeDesignLover What are some fun uses you have found for a hammock? Share them with us in the comments! Thanks for reading our Virginia Square Towers Blog post!

Welcome to Virginia Square Towers Blog

Living at Virginia Square Towers means coming home to a luxurious apartment community with all the perks of living at a hotel. Our blog highlights our community, local events, apartment living, info about area attractions, and other topics related to living in Arlington, VA. We write about the various amenities available to our community, too. We may include history about the area, movie reviews, book suggestions, and more. Don’t be surprised to find the scoop on upcoming festivals, plays, and concerts in our blog. Check back often to see what’s new on the Virginia Square Towers Blog. This month we’re featuring some of the amenities that Virginia Square Towers has to offer our residents. 24-hour Concierge Service Our residents and their needs are very important to us, which is why we offer a 24-hour concierge service. We understand that sometimes you have questions or needs that require immediate attention so we have someone available around the clock to assist you. You will enjoy the friendly and helpful service you would find at a hotel’s front desk, but instead on the first floor of your apartment complex. Outdoor Swimming Pool & Lounge Patio All of our residents have access to our lovely outdoor swimming pool and lounge patio. Take a breather and relax beside our crystal clear pool in one of our reclining beach chairs. This is the perfect place to relax and catch some rays or work on your tan. Game Room All Virginia Square Towers residents will enjoy access to our game room complete with a pool table, several tvs, lounging areas, and more. Come socialize with other residents and have a friendly pool competition. These are just a few of our many amenities we offer to our Virginia Square Towers residents. See a list of all of our community and apartment specific amenities by following the link. Welcome again to the Virginia Square Towers Blog. We look forward to updating you on local events, giving apartment living advice, and much more! Are there any topics you’d like to see covered in our blog? Let us know below in the comments!