Isabella Fall Newsletter- Apartment Living

QUESTION:  Brrr! How Can I Prep My Pad and Block Out Those Winter Chills?

Winter is just around the corner, so it’s time to start thinking about ways to keep your apartment warm and cozy. Winterizing your apartment helps you to keep the heat inside, blocks the cold from getting in, and can even save you money on your utility bills. Here are some tips to help you get started.

Start with the Windows - Curtains! They aren't just for adding flair to your space.  A nice thick pair of curtains can help keep your apartment warm or cool by blocking any breezes or the sun in the summer. Plus they look really amazing! If curtains fall outside your budget, an other option is buying at-home window winterization kits to prevent heat loss from the main culprit in every home and apartment: The windows. All you need is a hot air blow-dryer to install the kit. These inexpensive kits create a pocket of air between the see-through plastic and the glass of a window, which acts as an extra layer of insulation.

Stop That Front Door Draft - If you notice a large draft coming in from your front door, let maintenance know. You could possibly need new weatherstripping or door sweep. For extra measure you can add a bean bag door sweep. It is a simple and inexpensive solution to that cold draft that creeps in beneath everyone’s door. It’s a long, slender cloth bag filled with sand or other materials. Simply place it on the floor in front of the door and that chilly draft is a thing of the past! This also works for sliding doors too!

Don’t Forget the Ceiling Fan - Ceiling fans aren’t just for cooling your apartment in the summer. Every ceiling fan has a switch on the side that can be flipped to reverse the fan’s direction. (Turn the fan off first!) Fan blades should spin counterclockwise in the summer, or clockwise in the winter to push warm air downward and set to low.

APARTMENT LIVING TIP: How to keep your resurfaced tub in tip-top shape?

Many apartment tubs have been resurfaced. This means they need to be treated with care. In order to keep them from chipping or peeling, you can follow some simple tips to keep them lasting for years! Tip #1 is to never use an abrasive cleaner such as comet or a scrubbing brush. Instead use mild cleaners such as Mr. Bubbles, Lysol etc. Only use a soft cloth and clean weekly to keep the job a fast an easy one.

FUN FACT: More People Fall in Love in Fall.

FUN APARTMENT: 4 Must-Haves for a Football Party in Your Apartment

The arrival of fall brings crunchy leaves, cooler temperatures and…football season! Want to invite some friends over to watch the next game? Here are four must-haves for a successful football party in your apartment.

• TV: You can’t watch the game without a TV. The larger the screen, the better! Just make sure it fits in your space! ha ha

• Food and Drinks: Make sure you have plenty of food and drinks to go around. One idea is to have everyone bring a snack, drink, side or dessert to supplement the food and drinks you’re already supplying.

• Seating: In addition to your couch, place extra chairs, floor pillows and stools around your apartment with a visible view of the TV. Borrow some chairs from your neighbors or friends if you’re short.

• Friendly Competition. Ask the folks you invite to show their spirit by wearing their favorite team’s colors. Now, sit back, relax and enjoy the game!

SEASONAL RECIPE: Apple Crisp

This easy apple crisp is made the old fashioned way like Grandma used to make, and is perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and salted caramel sauce!

Ingredients

Spiced apples

• ▢6 golden delicious apples peeled and chopped (other varieties can be used, can also be sliced)

• ▢2 Tbsp granulated sugar

• ▢3/4 tsp ground cinnamon

• ▢1 1/2 tsp lemon juice

Crisp topping

• ▢1 cup light brown sugar

• ▢3/4 cup old fashioned oats quick oats can be used, but it may have a slightly different texture

• ▢3/4 cup all-purpose flour

• ▢1 tsp ground cinnamon

• ▢pinch of kosher salt

• ▢1/2 cup cold unsalted butter diced into small cubes

Instructions

Prepare

• Preheat oven to 350 F degrees.  Butter an 8×8 baking dish, or spray with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.

Make spiced apples

• In a mixing bowl, add chopped apples, granulated sugar, 3/4 tsp of the cinnamon and lemon juice.  Stir to combine, then transfer to prepared baking dish.

Make topping

• In a separate mixing bowl, add topping ingredients (brown sugar, oats, flour, 1 tsp cinnamon, salt, and diced cold butter).

• Use a pastry cutter to cut the butter into the oat mixture, using a slight downward twisting motion, until mixture resembled pea-sized crumbs.  Alternatively, you can use two forks or even your hands to cut butter into the mixture.

Bake

• Spread topping over apples in baking dish, and gently pat to even it out.  Bake 40-50 minutes, until golden brown and bubbly.

Serve

• Serve warm and enjoy! We love to top ours with some vanilla bean ice cream, or whipped cream.