Spring Cleaning in Eco-Friendly Ways

Wellness has never been more important than it is today. Living in a tidy and organized home can have a major impact on your emotional and physical health. We have all spent 2020 cooped up at home and many of us have probably let things slip. Let’s make 2021 a fresh start with a great spring cleaning in your 20 West Apartment.

The Mental Health Benefits of a Clean Home

There are clear and measurable mental health benefits of a clean home. A clean home relieves stress. Recent studies have shown that people who regularly spend time cleaning their homes are more relaxed and happier than people that don’t. Clean homes boost productivity. Experts agree that keeping your home organized with everything in its place has a significant impact on personal productivity. Clean homes can help you stay active. Studies show that people who spend time cleaning their homes exercise more often than people that don’t.

Ways to Go Green with Your Cleaning Process

Most of us want a clean home without contributing unnecessarily to climate change, so it’s very important that we follow green practices during our spring cleaning. The good news is that there are several easy tips you can follow to do just that. First, since many products are not safe for kids or pets, make sure you are using basic safety when storing and handling cleaning products. With that out of the way, it’s important to target green cleaning products. Baking soda is great as a gritty base for scrubbing. Vinegar is great as a disinfectant and for loosening dirt. Lemon juice is also a powerful disinfectant and it’s excellent with grease. As a pro tip, you can use all three together. Adding lemon or vinegar activates baking soda with a mild acid to really improve its cleaning power.

Local Stores for Cleaning Material or Cleaning Services for Hire

Things are starting to open up in Mt. Prospect in 2021! Target and Walmart are chock full of great cleaning materials. Need a hand with your spring cleaning? Check out Empire Cleaning and their 5 Star Reviews. They are a solid local cleaning service.

Spring 2021 is going to be all about a fresh start, which starts with a clean home. Having a clean home will really help with your mental and emotional health. This year, you can have one without hurting the environment and visiting your local stores will help them get off to a strong start, too. Have a great time making that clean, orderly, and organized house a reality this year!

Tips and Tricks to Stay Warm and Cozy in Your 20 West Apartment

Winter can be difficult. However, with a little planning and preparation, you can make winter 2021 the best winter ever!  The weather can be tough, it can be hard to stay warm, and the features of your apartment can make a real difference. Here are some tips and tricks to stay warm and cozy in your 20 West Apartment. 

Winter Weather in Mt. Prospect

Winter 2021 is expected to be mostly mild for much of the United States. This winter you can expect highs at about 31 degrees Fahrenheit and lows down to 18 degrees Fahrenheit. Snow is typically not more than 4.5 inches on average although there may be about 3.7 inches of rain during the year. This year, it is likely to be wetter than in the past. 

Winter weather can be harsh on the body, inside and out. Make sure to stay hydrated as your skin and your body tend to be dryer in cold weather exacerbated by the use of a heater. Drinking plenty of water will help and if your skin gets dry, then use lotion regularly to help keep your skin hydrated, too. 

Great Ways to Stay Warm 

When it does get cold, you can stay warm without having to turn up the heat. Your parents were right, so make sure to dress in layers. It’s easy to add a cute sweater or jacket over a long sleeve top and an under shirt. Wearing thick socks or slippers around the house will help keep you comfy. A great cup of soup will fill you up and warm you up. A hot cup of coffee or cocoa will also help you to keep warm. A lot of us suffer from dry air, so consider using a humidifier when you do feel the need to turn on the heater.

Apartment Features for Comfort

Where you live can really have an impact on how you live. This winter your apartment can keep you safe, warm, and comfortable. 20 West has some stand-out features including the fire pit or fitness center to keep you warm and healthy. Check out 20 West’s amenities page for more information. Want to hang out inside? This pet-friendly complex is a great place to snuggle with your pet. It’s the perfect place for you this winter.

We all know 2020 was a tough year and we are looking forward to a great 2021. This winter can be your best winter ever. You can make the most of it by preparing for the weather, planning to stay warm, and picking the right apartment. Make this your best winter ever!   

New Year, New Possibilities

It’s time to say goodbye to 2020 and say hello to 2021! With some planning, a little work, and a great attitude this can be your best year ever. Check out these can’t miss ideas to make the most out of 2021. This is a new year with new possibilities at 20 West.

Personal Goals to Set for the Year

Every year we tend to focus on what we can do better and that certainly is true for 2021. The New Year is a time for goal setting, for doing new things, and for making sure we improve the important things. Here are some of our favorite goals for 2021. First, learn a new skill, what could be better than investing in yourself? Money is always a challenge, so be sure to create a monthly budget.

Perhaps it’s time to stop streaming shows and movies and start reading more, so try to read 12 new books this year. Start the day off right by creating and sticking to a new morning routine. Many of us probably picked up some bad habits in 2020, so be sure to eliminate one.

We have all been separated by COVID-19, so be sure to spend less time online and more time reconnecting to friends and family. For the adventurers, travel to a new place and start a travel journal. No matter what you choose, make sure to focus on a goal that makes this version of you the best version ever! For many of us, celebrating the holidays this year will probably have to be done at home.

Apartment/Home Goals 

There are so many ways to get your apartment ready for the New Year. We all know it’s important to make a good first impression and this year that’s truer than ever. Time to throw out the old and bring in the new. Get rid of the clutter and organize your workspaces. Since you may still be working at home or your children may still be attending school from home, then it’s time to reorganize the areas around your home to help with productivity.

Organizing your living spaces and workspaces can help you to destress and we could all definitely use less stress in the new year. Take the time to clean out what you no longer use and keep only what you need. Less is more in 2021. You don’t need the stress from clutter and disorganization. Get rid of what you don’t need and keep your life and living areas simple. A clean and organized home can help you stay healthy, make it easier to clean, and help you to find what you need when you need it. 

2021 Apartment Décor Trends

With a new year, you may want to redecorate your apartment. Start with a theme. 2021 will be all about a basic modern style driven by a return to minimalism. Next, make sure the new year is bright with maximized light in your living space. 2021 will see a dominance of lighter woods combined with darker color accents. Make sure to choose design elements that elevate your own style whether that’s casual, formal, elegant, or even rustic.

A new year probably means some great new shopping. Although most shopping will likely be done online this year, you will have more options than ever. Sometimes you need to actually get out and look for yourself. Plus, most of the malls will be sure to have some new and fun things to do. If you need to pick up new decorations or gear for your great new habits, visit Randhurst Village or Canyon Park Place. They are open and sure to help you make 2021 your best year ever.

Celebrate the Holidays in 2020

The holiday season is going to be fantastic in 2020, if a little different. Sure, it’s 2020, so we need to social distance and wear masks to help us stay safe, but we can still have a healthy dose of holiday cheer. Check out these can’t miss ideas to make the holiday season a hit in 2020. Celebrate the holidays at The Vermont.

How to Decorate Your Apartment for the Holidays

There are so many ways to get your apartment ready for holidays. We all know it’s important to make a good first impression. Most of us will keep party goers at a safe distance this year. Start with a theme. First, choose a color to get everyone in the mood for the holiday season. While red and green are some favorite traditional colors, other festive colors include gold and silver. This year, bright colors like purple, teal, white, and blue are also going to be very popular. Next, add in some holiday icons like snowmen, snowflakes, elves, or stars. Finally, keep in mind the atmosphere you have in mind. Make sure to choose minimalistic elements for your casual, formal, elegant, or even rustic themes. Make sure that you don’t forget the lights! 

How to get into the Holiday Spirit

For many of us, celebrating the holidays this year will probably have to be done at home. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to get into the holiday spirit at home. Start setting the mood by baking or joining a cookie exchange. Make sure to have some seasonal comforts around your apartment like apple cider or hot chocolate. Music is a great way to get into any mood, so play some holiday favorites (Alexa and Apple both have fantastic holiday playlists). Gather with your family, in a safe way of course, to watch favorite movies or TV shows. And, as always, the best way to get into the spirit is to give back. Sadly, we all know that this year has more need than ever. 

Holiday Events Near Your Apartment

What is the season without shopping? Most shopping will be done online this year and you have more options than ever. Sometimes, you need to actually get out and look for yourself. Plus, most of the malls will be sure to have some safe and fun things to do. If you need to find that last minute gift, pick up wine or a dessert for a dinner party. Need to get out? Visit The Grove or the Beverly Center, which are open and can provide some holiday cheer.

Social distancing will definitely make the holiday season different this year, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun and safe for everyone. Curbside and at-home delivery make it easier than ever to get the decorations, supplies, food, or gifts that you need to make the season a hit. Don’t be afraid to get creative with some seasonal inspiring at-home celebration ideas. Celebrate the holidays at home. 

Be Thankful! How To Celebrate Thanksgiving Safely In 2020

Thanksgiving always kicks off the busy holiday season and our attention turns to family, food, and fun. There are so many reasons to be thankful this year, and while we’ll celebrate Thanksgiving a little differently, we can still enjoy quality time with family and friends. Here at 20 West, we want to help you create new Thanksgiving holiday traditions, so pop that turkey in the oven and get ready to relax and have fun!

Cooking Tips and Recipes

What are your favorite Thanksgiving side dishes? We love creamy mashed potatoes with lots of butter and homemade cranberry sauce! No matter how many you’re cooking for, making the meal come together is the challenge. We recommend prepping early. How? Start menu planning a week ahead, then get that grocery shopping done. A few days before, soak your turkey in brine water and prep make-ahead casseroles.

Safety in the Kitchen

No matter how well you prep, cooking will keep you busy. Make sure you have lots of crafts and activities planned for the kids, so you can keep them away from dangerous hot ovens and stovetops. We recommend hands-on crafts that allow kids to be creative.

Once everyone is stuffed to the gills, ignore the dishes, and get outside for some safe, socially distanced activity before the tryptophan kicks in! Grab the football and head over to nearby Busse Park! There are plenty of open spaces to spread out and toss the ball around or take a leisurely walk on the 1/2 mile path.

Online Black Friday Shopping

Once the dreaded kitchen clean-up is done, it’s time to start thinking about Black Friday. That’s right, folks! Thanksgiving marks the start of the busy holiday season and this year the focus is on online Black Friday shopping. Wal-Mart has already released its Black Friday deals, and you can conveniently pick up your purchases at your local store in Mt. Prospect Plaza.

Sure, Thanksgiving is going to be a little different this year, but the best parts stay the same, including amazing food and quality time with our loved ones. From our 20 West family to yours: stay safe this holiday season and Happy Thanksgiving!

Halloween in Mt. Prospect

Halloween is going to be fantastic in 2020, if a little different. Halloween is on a Saturday, there will be a full moon, and people want to celebrate. Sure it’s 2020, so we need to social distance, wear masks of a different sort to help us stay safe, but we can still have a spooky great time. Check out these can’t miss ideas to make Halloween 2020 a hit. 20 West is the right place to celebrate. 

How to Decorate Your Apartment

There are so many ways to get your apartment ready for Halloween. We all know it’s important to make a good first impression and this year that’s even truer as most of us will keep trick-or-treaters at a safe distance. Set the stage. Carve creepy pumpkins with stencils and easily available templates. Decorate doors with cut-outs of ghosts, goblins, witches, and more.  Make sure the neighbors can see some colorful creatures by combining monster cut-outs and contact paper on the windows. For the inside, fairy lights, felt spiders, and glow in the dark skeletons are always hit. It’s the little things that really set the mood. Try the mirror hidden message trick, get some scotch tape and spell out a scary message on your mirror, allow the tape to set and remove. Then run some hot water to reveal hidden messages to your guests.

How to Celebrate at Home

For many of us, celebrating Halloween this year will probably have to be done at home. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to raise goosebumps at home. Start by setting the mood with Halloween baking and some apple cider. Carving pumpkins is always a hit, so each person can get involved in making their ideas come to life. What’s Halloween without costumes? Make sure to get everyone dressed up and set up a video conferencing call with friends and family so everyone can share the scares. Set up a baby monitor on the porch, so you can have fun interacting with trick-or-treaters. Treats can be in the form of an outdoor haunted house or a video performance through your windows instead of the typical eatable delights. Movie marathons are great since you can choose movies appropriate to any age group or audience (from Goonies to Friday the 13th, there is something for everyone) and those can be shared from the comfort of your own apartment through a number of popular streaming services (Netflix Party, KAST, YouTube, Discord, Facebook, and more).

Halloween Hotspots in Mt. Prospect

Luckily, stores are open in Mt. Prospect, so you can get what you need for Halloween. If you need costume, makeup, and decorations, there is a Spirit Halloween store open this year in Arlington Heights. The City of Mt. Prospect has many suggestions for Halloween this year, too, to stay safe this year. The Illinois Department of Health also has suggestions for how families can stay safe this year and what they are able to do to celebrate the holiday.

Social distancing will definitely make Halloween different this year, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be a fun and safe holiday for everyone. Curbside and at-home delivery make it easier than ever to get the decorations, supplies, and costumes you need to make Halloween a hit. Don’t be afraid to get creative with some seasonal inspiring at-home celebration ideas.

Healthy and Happy Apartment Living

As a resident of 20 West, you have the perfect peaceful backdrop to develop a new health and wellness routine. The spacious floor plans and quiet community setting are sure to inspire you to live your best life! Here are some tips on how to stay healthy in Mt. Prospect from the comfort of home.

 

Eat Healthy at Home in Half an Hour or Less

 

Let’s face it, most of us have a lot on our plate. In the hustle and bustle of crossing items off the ole to-do list, eating nutritious foods can be challenging. Luckily, you can make a ton of healthy meals in just about twenty minutes! This list of delicious recipes offers great ideas for how to get started. In a time crunch? You can always add a few scoops of green protein powder to your breakfast shake or workout smoothie!

 

Engage in At-Home Exercise

 

Studies suggest that getting at least thirty minutes of physical activity in a day is key for optimal health. You can find a full-body workout routine without equipment on Youtube! One channel to watch is Yoga With Adriene. There are yoga sessions for all occasions, from restorative practices when you’re feeling beat to high-intensity core strength videos. Or, target your whole body with this low-impact HIIT routine. This video has zero jumping motions, so your at-home exercise session won’t disturb your neighbors downstairs.

 

Staying Mentally Mindful

 

Before anything else should come mental health. Having a refreshed mind boosts motivation and mood, which lends itself to assisting your other health and fitness goals! There are the basics, like getting enough sleep and spending time outdoors. For a high-tech addition to your mindful routine, download a meditation app. These function to set aside time and space for mental quiet. Even if it’s just for five minutes a day, your mind will thank you for the break.

 

Stay healthy in Mt. Prospect using these helpful tips! How are you tackling your wellness routine from home? Let us know in the comments!

Back to School Season: Tips for Success

School supplies for the prospective student

Summer vacation is coming to a close for many students across the country, and the fall session is just around the corner. Feeling unprepared for back to school season? Not to worry! Following these best practices will help make returning to school a seamless stress-free process. 

 

At-Home Studying Tips

 

Whether you’re learning online or in the classroom, your courses, like it or not, come complete with regular homework assignments. If you struggle to maintain motivation to stay on task, it may be time to rethink your schedule. First, get a planner to map out important due dates and tests. Then, structure your week by chunking larger homework assignments into smaller and more manageable tasks. Using the Pomodoro technique is a great way to maximize productivity while still placing importance on regular homework breaks!

 

Buy Sustainable School Supplies

 

We are all students of the earth first and foremost. Luckily, you can honor the environment while still preparing for back to school by stocking up on sustainable school supplies! Before buying anything, check around and see if there are any spare supplies around the house that you can use up first. After that, check out EarthHero to fill in the gaps. From bamboo ballpoint pens to recycled paper notebooks, it’s easier than ever to study and save the earth simultaneously.

 

Study in Style at 20 West

 

As a new resident of 20 West, you have access to a wide variety of amazing amenities. Students will find that there are a ton of places to study here on-site! You can set up your desk on your private patio or balcony for al-fresco studying. Or, find a secluded spot to read at the Outdoor Rooftop Lounge. There’s nothing like curling up to a book (even a textbook) by a warm fire, and the fire pits here offer no exceptions!

 

Following these helpful studying tips can help make your fall semester shine bright! Let us know how you’re preparing on returning to school in the comments.

Best Ways to Celebrate National Ice Cream Month

 

There’s no better way to cool off on a hot summer day than with an ice cream cone! This July, we celebrate National Ice Cream Month. There are plenty of ways to enjoy this delicious dessert this month, so read on for the full scoop!

 

The Different Types of Ice Cream

 

When you think of ice cream, you most likely think of it in its most common form: milk and cream frozen and slow-churned to perfection. But there are so many other types of ice cream versions to try! There’s gelato, whose silky texture is made possible with the addition of egg whites to the mix. Sorbet, a water-based dessert, gets its refreshing taste from fruit juices and syrups to sweeten the deal. And frozen yogurt replaces milk with its protein-packed cousin, which has the added benefit of active cultures to aid digestion. No matter your taste palate or dietary preferences, there’s an ice cream for you!

 

Making At-Home Ice Cream in Your Apartment

 

While you will most likely find most of these ice cream types at the grocery, there’s something special about making your own batch from scratch. This DIY ice cream recipe takes just a few ingredients and two zip-up bags! If you’re dairy-free, you can still make this ice cream by replacing the half-and-half with a vegan substitute. Once you’re done making your at-home ice cream, it’s time to pile on the toppings! Try salted caramel sauce for a decadent pairing to plain vanilla, or mix in edible flowers for a gorgeous pop of color.

 

Explore the Local Ice Cream in Mt. Prospect

 

As a new resident of 20 West, you’ve made your home in a city that loves its desserts. The local scene for ice cream in Mt. Prospect is impeccable! For chef-inspired frozen delights, check out Capannari Ice Cream. With a list of rotating and set flavor options available, there’s sure to be a pick for everyone in-store. They offer convenient curbside pick-up too! Check out their website for more information on this artisan ice cream shop.

 

It’s time to celebrate National Ice Cream Month with a scoop and a smile! How are you planning on ringing in this sweet month? Let us know in the comments!

Trending Apartment Decor to Liven Up Any Room

Trending Apartment Decor, Summer Decor, Trendy Decor, Apartment Decor, Minimal Decor

The environment you live in can determine your mood and sense of comfort. Now that you’ve moved into the vibrant community of 20 West, you have the freedom to transform your unit to suit your unique design tastes. To make your apartment truly yours, invest in some trendy decor! Let’s dive into some of the trending apartment decor styles that will make your living spaces stand out.

 

Minimal Decor for the Modern-Minded

 

One design trend that never seems to go out of style is modern minimal. Minimal decor is marked by its clean lines, geometric patterns, and marriage between form and function. Because of its simplicity, matching minimal decor to your current apartment layout should be a seamless process. Here are some more tips on how to incorporate modern minimal in your home!

 

Summer Decor for Sun-Lovers

 

This month we move into a new season. Summertime brings about longer days, brighter sunshine, and a laid-back attitude. You can mirror these feelings of positivity by putting up some summer decor! Think nautical-themed accouterments, natural materials like jute and wood, and fun pops of color when you’re redesigning your space. Need some more inspiration? Check out this listicle!

 

Get Trendy Decor Delivered to Your Door

 

It’s easier than ever to get the furnishings you want delivered straight to your apartment. With the ease of online shopping, you can pick and choose which pieces fit your style without having to enter a store. For fans of modern minimal decor, All Modern has got you covered. You’ll love the classy furnishings there, like this sleek coffee table. And for summer decor stans, Etsy has a ton of homemade goods that are sure to make you smile. This pineapple wall art is sure to be a hit!

 

No matter how you decide to redecorate, adding some trendy decor to your apartment is sure to liven up your living space. How are you planning on revamping? Let us know in the comments!