Miami for the Holidays – Good Enough for a Last-Minute Escape

Have you ever fantasized about disappearing during the holidays –rebelliously ditching gift-giving consumerism, traffic, grumpy, stressed-out people and boring family gatherings?  Sure, you could book an expensive, exotic cruise if you plan far enough in advance. But if you are looking for a quick getaway during the holidays, you need not look further than Miami.

Photo by Sami Keinanen ( Flickr Creative Commons)

What makes Miami a good holiday retreat?

First, Miami has warm weather. If you live in a cold climate, Miami in December is a terrific break. Also, Miami has an exotic feel, without the expense or hassle of leaving the country. Since Miami is heavily influenced by Latin, Italian and French heritage, you’re bound to find a new club, restaurant or clothing store that envelops you in another culture.

Plus, Miami has more to offer visitors than crystal clear beaches and plenty of sunshine. If you are a history buff, visit the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, an Italian sixteenth-century style mansion on Biscayne Boulevard, for a day. This house is where James Deering, a wealthy agricultural developer, used to spend his winters from 1916 to 1925. Let your imagination take you back to what life was like for this family as you tour the elegantly restored rooms of this house. You can also visit the Deering Estate at Cutler, a historical, environmental and archeological preserve, where you can take canoe rides, nature guided tours and butterfly hikes. If you really like tourist attractions, Miami also has a sea aquarium, a zoo, a monkey jungle and charter boats if you like to fish.

Of course, you can spend a day strolling around the charming historic district of Coral Gables. Take a dip in the public Venetian pool filled with the water from natural springs. Or, stroll around the Outdoor Lincoln Road Mall in South Beach. If you are looking to see and be seen, there are endless nightclubs where you can dance the season away –and further deny any taxing holiday responsibilities.

Isn’t Miami expensive?

Like any popular tropical getaway, Miami certainly can be expensive, but not if you are a savvy holiday escape artist. Because you are visiting during a time when many other local residents are traveling, you can probably score a great house for rent in Miami. Many times, renting a house or apartment on Miami Beach is cheaper than staying in a hotel, and if you are staying more than a week, staying in a place with laundry facilities and a full kitchen is much more accommodating.

You still must budget in the cost of night clubs, attractions and shopping. But as with any other vacation, it is up to you to decide how much money you are going to spend. Hanging out by the beach or pool is always free. Plus, there are some cool farmers markets where you can buy your own groceries and cook your own food. Make friends with the locals, and soon you’ll be invited to private parties.  Not only will you save money on drinks and cover charges, but you will probably have more fun.

What do I tell my family?

Hopefully, your family will understand your need to blow off the holiday madness and treat yourself to a relaxing getaway. You can argue that it is for your mental health, that your job is stressful. If they don’t buy that, tell them that your holiday retreat in Miami was a gift from your boss or Aunt Nita and that it was already booked (conveniently) during these dates.

For many, sneaking away to subtropical places such as Miami during the holidays is practically an American tradition. Consider it a gift to yourself and whoever you decide to take with you.

April Lentini writes for apartmentguide.com

Posted via web from Apartment Living

Tips for Fuss-Free Holiday Entertaining

If you are hosting holiday events this year, there is no need to stress over decorating and preparing fancy food. Learn to apply the “less is more” rule to your holiday preparation, and create a decisively elegant atmosphere for your next gathering.

Whether it’s your turn to do Thanksgiving this year, or you have been chosen to host the traditional gift-giving exchange in December, here are some tips to make your holiday entertaining run as smoothly as possible.

Declutter Your Home

Remember the first time you saw your home, before you moved your stuff in? It was a blank canvas, alive with pure potential. You don’t have to strip your house down to the stark basics, but do take a fresh look at your home. Pack up or get rid of any unnecessary accumulated extras, especially in the rooms where you will be entertaining. Clear, open space makes visitors feel at ease. Besides, your guests and family will be bringing loads with them, including wine, food and gifts. Clear a path, and make some room for the holiday tidings.

Change Your Home’s Color Scheme

Upholstery and fabric are two of the most basic items that can change the mood of your home. Purchase a red or green slipcover for your sofa. Change your curtains. For window treatments, consider lush, velvet materials in royal blue or rich purple. Metallic gold or silver also looks festive. Rugs, pillow covers, blankets and lampshades are also effective and simple ways to change up your home’s color or texture. Modern holidays come in all rich hues, so don’t limit yourself to traditional green and red.

Decorate Minimalist-Style

A few sprigs of rosemary from your backyard in a vase of water, some ribbon and even some well-chosen twigs and pinecones from your backyard can go far. In a clean, uncluttered space, just a few festive accents will speak volumes. Spray-paint the twigs a metallic color and put them in a colorful vase. Tie some red ribbon around the spray-painted pinecones and hang them from doors or drawer knobs. If you choose to decorate a tree for the holidays, choose a simple theme, and clear the space for it, so it is more of a decoration than an obstruction. If you have a smaller space, get a couple of pre-lit, artificial topiary plants in place of a tree.

Delegate the Holiday Meal

When it comes to food, stick to your specialty and leave the rest to the guests. Don’t expect to do everything yourself. Unless you have a staff of people working in your home, your guests will be eager to help you with the food preparation. So, if you are known for your fabulous macaroni and cheese and almond pound cake, just cook those. Let Grandma bring her homemade stuffing and tell your brother-in-law that he is in charge of the sweet potato casserole. Plus, you can actually make out nicely with the leftover bottles of alcohol your guests bring, using them to stock the bar for the next party you host.

Make Your Pets Party-Perfect

Your guests should know if you have any pets. If you have three cats, the last thing you want is someone coming over who is severely allergic them. De-funk your home or apartment with a deodorizer, even if you don’t smell anything. Chances are, you have become desensitized to the smell of your pet. Also, make sure your pets are clean and groomed a day or two before your guests arrive. If you have more than two dogs or cats, you may consider boarding them for the night or keeping them away from all the action during your holiday gathering.

Keep Kids Entertained

Kids will not be impressed with your decluttered home or your spray-painted sticks tied with a ribbon. However, you can minimize their boredom by planning ahead to keep them entertained. For younger children, fill a toy box with crayons, paper, coloring books, building blocks or other things to keep them distracted. Older kids may want to watch a DVD or play a video game. Make sure you have some movies and games on hand so they are content to stay at the kiddie table.

Holiday entertaining can be enjoyable if you keep things simple and remember that the whole point is to share a good time with your guests.

April Lentini writes for apartmentguide.com.

Posted via web from Apartment Living

Surviving Thanksgiving with Acid Reflux

Thanksgiving can be an acid reflux sufferer’s worst nightmare; a smorgasbord of rich, tempting food to choose from and the inevitable heartburn, GERD or LPR that goes with it. Don’t despair. If you have been diagnosed with one of the above diseases related to acid reflux, here are some tips and tricks to help you survive the Thanksgiving feast and even show you how to enjoy it.

Photo by: Rabble on Flickr Creative Commons

Unfortunately, I know more than I’d like to know about acid reflux. After being diagnosed with an acute case of LPR (Laryngopharyngeal Reflux) over the summer, I had to completely re-learn how to eat, when to eat, what foods to avoid and discover what medications worked best for me. Based on my experience and research, I put together a brief Thanksgiving survival guide for acid reflux sufferers.

See your doctor and get medicated

This is a no-brainer. But unfortunately, many people don’t do this. If you have a bad case of acid reflux, over-the-counter medications may not cut it. In my case, I was told that even a double dose of OTC Prilosec would be like “a drop in a pool”.  The only thing that worked for me was a heavy duty prescription time-released capsule. If you are reading this article, you already know that you have acid reflux. But many people do not. Not all acid reflux patients experience the obvious heartburn. LPR or “Silent Reflux” affects the esophagus. Sufferers experience coughing, problems swallowing and in some cases restriction of their airway. Finding the right medication can help tremendously and may even allow you to eat like you normally –without stressing over food in the first place.

You may find that taking a dual action chewable PPI like Pepsid AC before and after your Thanksgiving  meal helps with acid reflux–regardless if you take prescription medications or not.

Eat early

Fortunately Thanksgiving is a meal that is often served as a late lunch. If you suffer from acid reflux, it is best to not to eat 3 hours before bedtime. So no late-night pumpkin pie for you. Make sure that you get plenty to eat before bedtime so you are not tempted to raid the fridge later.

Don’t stuff yourself

Take your acid reflux as a lesson in better eating habits. Over-eating is a big no-no in general, but it’s even worse for acid reflux sufferers. It is better to eat many small portions rather than gorging out in one sitting. Don’t feel bad about eating something before the “big meal” so that you do not eat too fast and overdo it at the table.

Food and beverages to avoid

It’s a shame, but most of the good things we eat and drink are acid reflux offenders.  During my acute phase of LPR, I had to avoid most anything with spice or flavor. I was also instructed to avoid major food groups including dairy, alcohol (bummer) and citrus. Hopefully, you don’t have it that bad. Here is a basic food chart to help you make wise choices during Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Cheat Sheet for Acid Reflux Sufferers

Avoid Like the Plague	Eat in Moderation	Go Nuts!
Alcohol (Red wine is the worst) Caffeinated drinks Cranberry sauce Gravy Chocolate Peppermint Mint Fried and fatty foods Tomato products Onions Garlic Mustard Heavy spices Vinegar Carbonated beverages, such as soda Citrus fruits and juices	Dairy products ~Milk ~Cheeses ~Cream sauces ~butter Stuffing Corn bread Mashed potatoes (NO gravy) Pumpkin Pie Sugary dessert	Turkey and lean meat Tofu Bread Rice Potatoes Whole grains Vegetables (non citrus) Fruits (non citrus) Nuts Egg whites

Put yourself in motion

One of the best things you can do for your delicate acid reflux condition is to get your digestive juices going and kick up your metabolism before and after the meal. But you don’t have to run a marathon. A 30-minute walk will do the trick. If you are hosting Thanksgiving, why not allow your guests to get competitive with an active video game match or a potato sack race? On second thought, maybe a walk around the block will do.

Sources:

Have a question? Try the heartburn help forums

April Lentini writes for apartmentguide.com and rentals.com

Posted via web from Apartment Living

Keeping the Halloween Spirit Alive

Some people say that Halloween is alive and strong.  But while retail stores push costumes, candy and decorations on their seasonal displays, and while night clubs and other corporate establishments promote Halloween events, some people say that the true spirit of Halloween is almost, well, dead.

Photo by Foxtongue on Flickr Creative Commons

In the old days, when people actually knew their neighbors, costumed kids would roam the streets in groups with an older sibling or an adult and knock on doors.  The idea was that good-humored adults would give out candy in exchange for a costume parade of cute kids (the treat) and perhaps a chance to spook them out when they come to the front door (the trick). Today, however, many neighborhoods and communities have become less involved. The fine art of trick or treating is slowly becoming a dying tradition.

Photo by: Paul Keleher on Flickr Creative Commons

“Haunted” neighbors’ houses are replaced by brightly lit shopping malls.  Retail employees, who would undoubtedly rather be handing out goods from their homes with some friends and a few drinks, dump out packaged candy to kids in long lines. Homes are closed for private parties; churches and other community organizations host festivals to veer kids away from the streets; and some residents, worried about of being left with massive bags of tooth-decaying candy, just give up and hang signs on their door that read, “No candy here.”

Fortunately, there are still neighborhoods where the spirit of door-to-door trick or treating is very much alive. JR Lentini lives in a neighborhood near Washington, D.C.  Each year, he carefully considers the trick-or-treaters on Halloween and goes all out with the treats.

“I make a point of having the best damn candy on the block: generally a dozen or so full-sized bars, a ‘handful rule’ for the poorly named ‘fun-size’ bars and usually a couple of gourmet chocolates for the adults tagging along,” Lentini said.

Lentini has seen a fluctuation of trick-or-treaters in the last few years and says it depends on where you live. “My former neighborhood always left me with piles of leftovers, but last year, our new neighborhood practically cleaned us [out],” Lentini said. “We had groups of kids coming and going for about two hours, not nearly as many as there seemed to be in my neighborhood when I was a kid, but still a respectable number.”

Photo by: Profstewartfk on Flickr Creative Commons

In smaller towns, the spirit of Halloween is still going strong. Amber Mckay-Glinski , a resident of New Boston, Mich., says while she has noticed fewer households participating in Halloween these days, it is still a huge event in her neighborhood, and there is definitely a community effort to spook it up and entertain the kids.

“In town, the fire station hands out cider, donuts and hot chocolate,” Mckay-Glinksi said. “There are many hayrides and party trains that always join in on the fun. Most folks go in large groups with their kids, and in town, it is like a reunion every year. We usually run into many folks from high school.”

From the evidence in party stores and costume shops, people still thrive on Halloween and look forward to celebrating the artistry and effort of little trick-or-treaters who knock on their front doors. These festive Halloween enthusiasts encourage kids by decorating their yards, dressing up in costumes and stocking their homes with enough sugar to hyper activate the dead.  But what do these neighborly candy-giving patrons have to say about the Halloween spirit coming from the kids?

Cincinnati resident Jason Sparks is not impressed with recent trick-or-treaters that come to his front door.

“Whatever happened to the good costumes?” Sparks said. “Halloween is about witches and warlocks, ghosts and goblins. When did Britney Spears become Halloween? And I’m sorry, but a pillow case, ripped-up jeans, a white t-shirt and some facial makeup do not constitute a Halloween costume. Trick or treating is for kids, not teenagers who just want free candy.”

So, the spirit of Halloween goes both ways. It takes a good neighbor to perpetuate the haunt and provide candy, but it also takes genuine trick-or-treaters who actually put forth some solid effort into their costume.  Traditionally, that’s the deal. The spirit of Halloween is, after all, a mutual effort between neighbors to bond the community through combined generosity and imagination. If it’s just the candy you are after, go buy a bag for yourself at the store.

Many people are disappointed that the Halloween tradition is being “sold out” to shopping malls and contained festivals. George Franks from Bethesda, Maryland agrees;

“Today it is more about parents and partying,” Franks said. “It is a big-dollar corporate business, and it is less about kids. When it is about kids, it is over-structured, over-sanitized and activity-driven, like everything else for kids today.”

Photo by: Uriel 1998 on Flickr Creative Commons

Dave Mason from Minneapolis, St. Paul says Halloween in his community is stifled by unusually strict rules and limitations. “When I was a kid, and my three children were of that age, we made our costumes, and that was a big part of the fun. There would be a Halloween party at school where the kids could wear their costumes and have fun. Now, we get a list of the things they can’t dress as, including ghost, witches, etc. [Is Halloween] gone? No. Changed? A lot”

Halloween is one holiday that brings out the kid in all of us. Adults and children alike can wear costumes and visit or create spooked-out homes for tricks and treats. Today, some feel that Halloween has lost that personal connection with the community, as the tradition is being gradually outsourced to commercialism.  It takes a grassroots movement from each of us to keep the original spirit of Halloween alive.

April Lentini writes for Apartmentguide.com

Posted via web from Apartment Living

How To Spook Up Your Apartment for a Halloween Party

 

If you are hosting a Halloween party this year, you may be looking for cheap ways to put some creepiness into your place. Treat your friends to some festive décor, and spook them out with a few tricks, too. From ominous lighting to eerie optical illusions, here are some great tips for spooking out your apartment.

Light Up the Party

One of the easiest and least expensive things you can do to create a menacing atmosphere is to change your lighting. Remember, this is one of the few holiday parties where people actually expect to hang out in dimly lit rooms. This can be achieved by creating a few lighting accents and replacing your light bulbs in the lamps you already have.

LED Halloween Candles (Nieve44/LaLuz Flickr Creative Commons)

Flicker flame candle bulbs are perfect for creating a drafty but safe candlelit environment. Place the flicker bulbs in an electric candelabra for a gothic effect, and you have an instant haunted mansion. Another option for candle light is battery-powered tea lights.  Simply buy a dozen or more LED tea lights, and stick them in candle holders around your house.

For your other lamps, replace the standard bulbs with colored bulbs. The best colored light bulbs for Halloween are red, blue, green and purple incandescent bulbs. These low watt shades cast an array of ghoulish shadows in your home.  Of course, every Halloween party needs at least one black light to bring out that special glow. But be careful not to overdo it with black lights, as they can be hard on your eyes.

If you want to create a dungeon effect, set up a fake flame-blowing electric torch lamp in your home. You can find these on the internet for as low as $24. Whether you choose a hanging torch light or a tabletop torch light, these lamps are sure to add that special chamber-lit feeling to your Halloween party.

Skulls, Chains, Spider Webs and Other Creepy Ornaments

Just a few accent pieces can make a big impression in your home. For example, consider a realistic looking skeleton and foam chains. Did someone die while chained up in your house? Foam skulls, shrunken heads, ghosts and mummy figures are a dime a dozen in department stores. But have you ever considered some more unusual haunts?

Mystery Formaldehyde (Skpy Flickr Creative Commons)

One way to look for inspiration is horror movies. Consider the stick figures from “The Blair Witch Project,” for example. Gather sticks from your backyard, bind them with twine to make stick men and hang them from trees in your backyard. Or, take a white shower curtain and paste or paint a silhouette of an old woman with a knife (from “Psycho”).  Sometimes the crudest decorations are the scariest.

Window Treatments and DVDs

The largest and most obvious elements in people’s homes today are windows and televisions.  The simplest way to change your home’s look and color theme is to change your curtains, sofa pillow covers and throws. Check out your local fabric store. If you are going for a more authentic haunted apartment, stay away from kitschy Halloween prints such as pumpkins or spiders. For curtains, use simple black lace. Nothing says “scary old witch’s house” like black doilies draped over lamp shades.

Psycho Curtains (SOCIALisBETTER Flickr Creative Commons)

Make pillow covers and throws from fake fur found at the fabric store. Or, if you really want to get gory, create “blood stained” pillow cases with white fabric and dye. Ew.

If your television is in plain view during your party, put it to use. While you do not want TV to be the focal point of your spooked-out social event, you can certainly create ambient art with scary DVDs.  The best kind of party ambient DVDs do not have much sound if at all (assuming you will be playing music). Turn your TV into a digital fireplace, a Dead Sea Aquarium, or a Possessed Painting.

Games and Party Favors

Even if it is not “game night” at your place, having a few Halloween-type games strung casually around your house can serve as a way for people to break the ice or strike up conversation.

The Ouija Board, Tarot Cards or even a mindless game like Operation are perfect distractions for party goers. Set these games up randomly around your house, and watch the laughter ensue as your guests get their fortune told by another guest or try to remove an organ without the buzzer lighting up.

Many adults – especially if they come to your house dressed up for a Halloween party – are kids at heart. Do not underestimate the power and amusement of a juvenile Halloween-themed toy box. Get a basket and fill it up with goofy stuff like slime, squishy brain or gurgling guts stress relievers, blow bubbles, Rubik’s cubes or other party favors. You may be surprised at how many people feel compelled to pick these things up as they drink and carry on.

~April Lentini writes for Apartmentguide.com

Posted via web from Apartment Living