Lemon-Lime Punch With Rosemary

It is easy to pull this delicious Southern concoction together when you are short on time.

Ingredients

• 6 cups of preferred lemon-lime soft drink
• 6 cups of limeade
• 1 pt. of lime sorbet
• 1 pt. of lemon sorbet
• Fresh rosemary sprigs, two to three
• Lemon and lime slices for garnish

Stir the limeade and soft drink together into a large punch bowl. Scoop out both sorbet flavors and place them in the punch. Add your fresh rosemary sprig and start serving immediately.

Apple-Spice Iced Tea

Looking for a nice twist on serving traditional iced tea? Give it some holiday flair using this recipe.

Ingredients

• One 12-oz can of apple juice concentrate
• 2 qt. of hot unsweetened tea
• 1 split vanilla bean
• 1 sliced piece of 3-inch fresh ginger
• Three 3-inch cinnamon sticks
• 1 sliced lemon

Stir the apple juice, hot unsweetened tea, vanilla bean, cinnamon sticks, ginger, and lemon together in a container. Place the container in the refrigerator to chill for 24 hours, giving the punch an occasional stir. Remove the cinnamon, ginger and vanilla bean before serving it to your guests over ice.

Chocolate and Raspberry Milk Punch

The following recipe is a great option if you are looking for something chocolatey to serve your guests at your next holiday gathering.

Ingredients

• 2 cups of heavy cream
• ¾ cups of chocolate syrup
• 1 qt. of 2% low-fat milk
• 2 strips of orange rind
• ½ cup of seedless raspberry jam

Place the cream, milk and orange rinds into a large saucepan and simmer over medium heat, stirring it often. Remove the mixture from the heat and whisk in the raspberry jam and chocolate syrup. Throw the orange rind away and serve to your guests in festive holiday cups.

Let us know how these recipes worked out for you by contacting Candlewood North apartments in Northwood, CA at (866) 796-2183.

The post 3 Recipes for a Flavorful Holiday Punch appeared first on Candlewood North Blog.

Make the Most of Every Inch of Space

Our spacious apartments feature open floor plans with a guest-ready layout that can be further maximized with ease. Large kitchens with ample countertop spaces are ideal for setting out a spread buffet style. Place any unneeded gadgets and small appliances typically situated on counters into cabinets during the gathering for additional places to set foods, drinks, decorations, and condiments.

However, you can also adjust your furnishings a bit in your primary hosting areas to create ‘traffic flow’ for your guests. Coffee and end tables placed against walls or in corners can create ‘stations’ for snacks where individuals can gravitate and connect with one another during the party. Put out a few folding chairs or cozy cushions for seating, and don’t forget to point guests to your patio or balcony that boasts gorgeous views of Northridge.

Entertain Guests at One of Our Luxurious Outdoor Spaces

We’ve recently redesigned our beautiful outdoor lounge and BBQ stations with state-of-the-art grills, making it a space that’s perfect for a small get-together with friends or family to celebrate any season. Relax and unwind with your guest at the resort-style pool or in the outdoor spa before chatting around the courtyard fire pit to add to the ambiance. Our community members can also take respite in a number of indoor spaces designed for communal activities.

Make Candlewood North in Northridge, CA Your New Home

Find everything you need to entertain yourself and others in our comfortable and friendly community. Beyond spacious floor plans and ample amenities, we're nearby plenty of restaurants, activities, and attractions within the community. Contact us today at Candlewood North to schedule a tour of our recently updated luxury apartments in Northridge, CA.

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Practical Fall Decluttering Tips

1. Donate Unloved Clothing

   Can you go through your closet and pull out multiple pieces that didn’t get any love this summer? If so, it may be time to donate them to someone that can get better use out of them. You can give them to a friend or family member, or simply gather them up along with other items in your home for a charity shop donation. Either way, you’ll make room in your closet for your fall/winter wardrobe and help someone who’ll likely get more use out of your unloved items.

2. Clear Out Houseplants

   You were probably busy this summer enjoying the beautiful weather and hanging with friends. So, it’s no wonder that a few of your houseplants didn’t fair through the season very well. If any of them are too far gone, now is the ideal time to lay them to rest and clear space for your more festive fall decor.

3. Recycle

   Are you of those people who like to hang onto Amazon boxes and magazines “just in case” you can use them later? If these kinds of items are taking up space in your apartment, it’s time to declutter and send them to be recycled. Even if your cat loves to play in your old boxes, it’s time to say your goodbyes and maybe make some room for a new cat perch instead!

Make Room for a Fresh Start this Autumn

Interested in more great apartment living tips? Visit the Candlewood North blog today and be sure to check out the available floor plans at our pet-friendly apartments in Northridge, CA.

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Jazz Up Clear Ornaments

Clear glass ball ornaments can be easily personalized with a variety of items. Here are a few ideas for items you can add to the inside of a glass ornament:

• Pretty small feathers in a variety of colors

• A sprig of rosemary, which resembles a pine tree branch
• Beaded or faux pearl necklaces
• Fake snow and some silver or white glitter to add some sparkle
• Rose petals
• Sand and small shells (for a beachy Christmas scene) 
• Clippings from succulents and small house plants can give a clear ornament a fun Instagram worthy look!

You can also create:

• Marbled ornaments. Simply, add a little water to the inside of the ornament, then dump it out. Next, squeeze a little bit of acrylic paint into the ornament. You should add two or three different colors. Place your finger on the opening and swirl to spread the paint around the inside of the ornament until the interior is covered. 
• Glitter ornaments. To create these glittery balls, add a small amount of glue to the inside of the glass ornament. Lightly swirl the glue around until the interior is coated. Next, pour glitter into the ball and swirl again until the interior is completely covered. 

Fun Holiday Vases

• Fill hurricane lamps or large glass vases with small ornaments and/or fairy lights to create a festive, bright look.
• Take a wide vase and fill it with pinecones, you can either paint these or leave them natural and add in fairy lights to make the vase shine!
• You can also make adorable vases out of plastic decorative pumpkins by cutting off the tops and repainting them with fun personalized designs. 

Is a new place to live on your list of things you want for the holidays? Then, please come check out our beautiful apartments in Northridge. Our community boasts everything you'll need for a happy new year, including a resort-style pool and an on-site laundry center. Our apartments are also pet-friendly. 

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1. Mop Maintenance

The mop head tends to be one of the grungiest cleaning tools in Northwood apartments because it's used to scrub kitchen and bathroom floors. Mop heads should be cleaned about three times a year (once every four months). For microfiber mop heads, you can wash them as a laundry item on the hottest setting. For sponge mops, soak the sponge in a bucket of hot water and vinegar for half an hour. Allow the mop head to air-dry outside.

2. Toilet Brush Cleaning

To sanitize your toilet brush, soak the bristles in a bowl or bucket with two cups of bleach. Let the bristles soak for about an hour.

3. Vacuum Cleaner Wipe Down

Have you ever cleaned your vacuum cleaner? It builds up a lot of dust, hair, and debris if you don't. Unplug the vacuum before cleaning it. For bagless vacuums, take them apart and wipe everything down a damp sanitary cloth. Allow the parts to fully dry before reassembling. If your vacuum cleaner uses a bag, dump the entire bag and wipe down the inside with a dry cloth. A damp cloth can be used to wipe accessories and the exterior parts.

4. Broom Clean Up

Cleaning your broom is a two-step process. First, vacuum the bristles with a round brush attachment. Then, soak the bristles in warm dishwater for about 30 minutes. Stand the broom upside down in a corner to allow it to air-dry.

Those tips will extend the lives of most of your cleaning tools, which will save you money and helps to keep your Northwood apartment nice and clean. Know anyone who plans to move soon? Let them know we still have floor plans available, which they can view by calling the leasing office at 866-796-2183.

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1. Spice Up Your Night With Hot Buttered Rum

The Harry Potter series floated the notion of butterbeer. Although one can only imagine what it tastes like, you won’t need a degree from Hogwarts to fix this potion.

Gather These Ingredients

• 3 ½ ounces of room-temperature butter
• 2 tablespoons of cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon of nutmeg
• Captain Morgan’s Spiced Rum
• Boiling water

Combine the butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg together in a mixing bowl until it is a cream. Scoop a glob and place it in a bourbon glass. Pour in boiling water and mix thoroughly. Then add a shot of spiced rum and stir.

2. Chai-Infused Hot Toddy

The Hot Toddy is an old-school classic that may bring back some fond memories. This chai-infused hot beverage puts a contemporary spin on the iconic beverage you may enjoy.

Gather These Ingredients

• 4 cups of hot water
• 8 chai tea bags
• ½ cup of granulated sugar
• 2 cups of milk
• ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons of cinnamon
• Captain Morgan’s Spiced Rum

Bring the water to a boil and integrate the chai tea bags. Steep for up to 10 minutes, depending on how strong you want the chai flavor. Bring the milk to a mild boil and mix in the sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. Remove the tea bags and combine the two hot mixtures together. Pour into mugs and add spiced rum to the strength you desire.

3. Easy-Make Hot Orange-Infused Cider

Hot cider is a welcome classic fall and winter beverage. This orange-twist on traditional recipes is as easy as pie to make. Well, easier than pie.  

Gather These Ingredients

• 2 liters of quality apple cider
• 1 ripe orange (sliced)
• American whiskey (of choice)
• 1 teaspoon of nutmeg
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract
• 4 tablespoons of granulated sugar

Warm the cider over low heat on the stove. Once warm, add the orange slices, sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla. Use a ladle to scoop the hot cider into a mug and add whiskey to the desired amount.

We hope our Candlewood North residents find these hot beverage recipes useful. If you or a friend would like more information about our Northridge apartments, call us today.

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1. Plan Ahead, But Not Too Far Ahead

When it comes to getting people together, there seems to be a sweet spot with regard to the timing of invitations. If you send invites out too far ahead of time, people will forget about your event. If you wait until the last minute, they'll already have plans. Shoot for a month to two weeks before your big event to give people proper notice.

2. Use Food-Serving Hacks

Instead of having a thousand different serving dishes on the table, look for ways to consolidate condiments and other food accessories into minimal storage options. For example, muffin tins make great condiment holders, and six-pack carriers can easily turn into utensil holders. Get creative with the stuff you already have in your home to eliminate excess dishes while still throwing an awesome get-together.

3. Parcel Out Products

It's completely OK to ask everyone to bring something. People who love to cook can contribute to the main dishes, while others might stop at the store for apps and desserts. Don't forget that you'll need napkins, utensils, chips, and condiments, too. You can also ask guests to bring alcohol. Make a list of the things you'll need, then ask your attendees to contribute. Keep track of respondents' contributions so you don't wind up with too many muffins but no entree items.

4. Put Your Food Where People Will Mingle

Food is a great icebreaker, as long as it's not back in the corner where nobody will see it. Put your food front and center so people are encouraged to interact with each other when they're getting their fill of chips and dips. You could also consider putting snack stations around the room so people are enticed to gravitate from one station to the next as they get to know each other.
 

Are you looking for a beautiful apartment in Northridge, CA? If so, you've come to the right place. Stop by Candlewood North so we can show you around!

The post Quick Tips for Your Next Friendly Get-Together appeared first on Candlewood North Blog.

1. Apple and Walnut Salad

Apples are everywhere this time of year, so it only makes sense that they should be on your salad plate, too. With this Apple and Walnut Salad, you can enjoy the crisp, fresh taste of the lettuce and apples, alongside the crunch of toasted walnuts. The crumbled gorgonzola cheese brings all the flavors together in perfect harmony.

2. Beet Salad With Arugula and Balsamic Vinaigrette

Beets are often an overlooked vegetable, but they're so good for the body. They bring a combination of fiber, folate and vitamin C, which can be essential when cold season shows up. To get these good ingredients into your body, add some fresh beets to baby arugula, feta cheese, and toasted pecans. Top it off with some dried cranberries to complete a sensational salad.

3. Blackberry Spinach Salad

Blackberries contain a wide variety of vitamins, including A, C, E, and B. They're also rich in potassium, magnesium and powerful antioxidants. When placed atop a bed of spinach, these delicious little berries will burst with flavor, particularly when they're accompanied by cherry tomatoes, green onion slices, and chopped walnuts.

4. Broccoli Salad

Broccoli loves autumn, which is why this is the perfect time of year to concoct a side dish or lunch salad that puts this veggie in its best light. It pairs well with sunflower seeds, bacon bits, and dried cranberries, among a few other fall-favorite ingredients.

5. Fig Salad With Goat Cheese and Baby Arugula

If figs aren't normally on your dinner plate, maybe this fall season will inspire you to branch out and try something new. When served with goat cheese and toasted walnuts, these little beauties take on a life of their own.
 

Are you searching for an apartment that'll welcome you home every time the day is done? Candlewood North is proud to provide peaceful respite to our residents. We invite you to check out our available floor plans today!

The post Salads Inspired by Autumn’s Freshest Foods appeared first on Candlewood North Blog.

To get a good night's sleep, keep a regular schedule for when you go to sleep and wake up, avoid caffeine late in the afternoon and evening, and turn off your electronic devices well before bedtime. It also helps to have a beautiful, relaxing bedroom, like the ones you'll find in our Candlewood North apartments in Northridge. When you make good sleep a habit, these are some of the benefits you'll enjoy:

Lose or Maintain Weight

When you don't get enough sleep, you are more likely to gain weight. Lack of sleep affects the hormones that make you feel hungry. You could get cravings for carbs and fat, and your metabolism may slow down. When you sleep well, you will find it easier to eat healthier and to shed pounds or maintain your current weight, if that is your goal.

Be More Active

Lack of sleep can make you feel sluggish and not inclined to move around. But good sleep energizes you. It even improves your athletic performance and reaction times.

Prevent Health Problems

If you are sleep-deprived, you could increase your risk of getting diabetes or heart disease. Safeguard your health by getting enough sleep. Good sleep reduces stress and inflammation, and that helps keep you healthy.

Have Better Relationships

The quality of your sleep impacts your relationships. People who sleep poorly have more conflicts with other people the next day. On the other hand, people who sleep well are better able to resolve problems with their romantic partners, especially when both people are well-rested.  

If you're looking for the perfect place to live in Northridge, California, consider the Candlewood North apartment community. You will sleep well in our beautiful newly renovated apartments. During the day, you'll enjoy our convenient location and resort-style pool. Give us a call, and we'd be glad to show you around.

The post Why It’s So Important to Get a Good Night’s Sleep appeared first on Candlewood North Blog.

Add Some Throw Pillows

Effective throw pillows are about more than just throwing together a bunch of pillows on your couch. It's all about layering. Start with three to five large neutral-toned pillows that match your couch's base tone. Then shop around for five to seven accent pillows to add as the final layers. These accent pillows should be different sizes and feature various shapes, colors, and patterns to give the couch an extra pop.

Take Off The Fabric Skirt

Furniture has trends just like clothes, and currently, the trend with couches is to have them show some leg. So if you have an older model that has a fabric skirt or similar piece of fabric that was designed to hide the legs of a couch (which was once fashionable), then now is the time to lose it. If you can't remove the skirt with tearing your couch, use a staple gun to secure it to the bottom of the couch.

Wrap Things Up 

Using some bright and colorful fabrics, you can test out different looks on your couch by wrapping each cushion with a large piece of fabric. Or you can opt for a throw or quilt that decorates the couch by day and offers a comfortable blanket at night. The key to adding a quilt or throw is to choose colors that are the opposite of the color of your couch. Contrast is king here.

For a more intensive update to your living space, maybe you should swap out your apartment keys altogether! Our Northridge, CA apartments are now accepting resident applications for our spacious and scenic apartments that include access to a long list of on-site amenities. 

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