Blog Posts

How to Properly Clean Your Phone

Did you know that phones carry 18 times more bacteria than a public restroom? If you don’t regularly clean your phone, then you’re carrying around a handful of germs on a daily basis — and it’s disgusting! While we wish that a simple YouTube video would do the trick to help you feel clean, it sadly won’t physically clean your phone for you. Before you dump your phone into a bucket of bleach (not a good idea) or fork out nearly $100 or more for one of these phone cleaning devices , take some steps that are both affordable and effective. The Liv Ahwatukee Apartments Blog is highlighting a few phone cleaning tips in today’s post. Stop carrying bacteria around in your pocket every time you drive around Phoenix, Arizona and take charge of cleaning your phone. Most of the information in this post comes from How-To Geek , so feel free to check out their webpage to learn more. To begin, you’ll need the following: — Lint-free microfiber cloth — Q-tips and cotton swabs — Toothpicks — Distilled water — Rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol After turning off your phone, remove the outer case if you’ve been using one. We also recommend removing the battery, if you can. Start by pouring a small amount of distilled water onto the microfiber cloth, but don’t soak it. You can also make your own cleaning solution using the water and rubbing alcohol. When you wipe the screen, use single straight strokes. Avoid circular motions to prevent scratches. After this, use a toothpick to clear out any gunk in your phone’s tiny crevices. You’d be surprised by all the stuff you can find hiding around your smartphone’s speaker, for example. To clean the camera lens, dampen a cotton swab with distilled water and then use a spinning motion. You can dry the lens using the other side of the cotton swab. We hope that these few simple tips will help you get in the habit of cleaning your phone in your apartment. Try to wipe down your phone every day — even if it’s right before you go to sleep — for a healthier life. Add any cleaning tips of your own in the comments below.

Filling Out Applications

For many people, finding a new place to live is on the top of their list of resolutions for 2018. If this is you, you’re invited to come and check out our great apartments in Phoenix, Arizona. Our Liv Ahwatukee community offers great sights, location, and amenities. Contact us today to schedule a tour! If you’re thinking of applying, then here are a few things you’ll need to prepare: 1. Verify Your Credit It’s important to know where you stand financially before you start filling out an application. Getting a copy of your credit report is a good place to begin the process. Review the report and verify that the information is accurate. If it is not, take steps to make corrections before you fill out an application. Determine if your credit matches the requirements of the application. This is an easy way to avoid disappointment based on credit issues. 2. Documentation Preparation Track down and gather up the documentation you will need. Generally speaking, you will need your driver’s license, social security card, proof of employment, and possibly references. Many applications require a copy of these documents to be attached. Scanning and saving them as a PDF file prior to starting the application can expedite the process when you are actually filling in the application. 3. Do a Read-Through Before you begin filling out an application, read through it to get a general idea of what will be required and what information and documentation you will need to have on hand. 4. Double-Check the Document Once you’ve completed, but before you submit your application, double-check it for accuracy and completeness. This ensures that you didn’t miss anything and that the information is correct. It is annoying to realize after you hit the “send” button that you made a mistake. Be sure to check for typos and correct spelling too. First impressions still count, even if it’s only an application. If you already live here, what do you love about our community? Share in the comments below.

Top Life Hacks According to Reddit

Welcome back to the Liv Ahwatukee Apartments Blog! As we near the summer season, we’re focusing on life hacks. “Life hacks” are strategies or techniques that can make daily tasks more efficient. Summer is a busy season and it’s almost here! Take some time to learn a few life hacks so that you can spend less time doing menial or boring tasks and more time enjoying your summer. Let’s find out what the users of Reddit have to say about the best life hacks. If you don’t already know, Reddit is a website where people can post content such as links, text posts, and images, which people can comment and vote on. The more popular the comments in the post, the more points they receive. We found a great Reddit thread about the best life hacks you can use during your everyday life. Whether you’re relaxing in your apartment or working in Phoenix, Arizona, there are plenty of life hacks to go around. Without further adieu, here is a list of life hacks that received up to nearly 6,000 points on Reddit: Don’t put it down. Put it away. Stop clutter at the source. Always look like you know where you’re going. You’ll almost never get questioned. Clean up while you cook. If you’ve ever handed your phone to someone so that they could look at a photo, you’re probably familiar with them swiping through your photos. This can be annoying and easily avoided. Simply enlarge the photo just a little bit before handing your phone to them. When they try to swipe, the picture will move around. Or, just don’t hand them your phone. The largest cup setting on a Keurig coffee maker is perfect for instant ramen cups. Pressing down the Windows and ‘E’ keys on your keyboard will open My Computer. Have some life hacks of your own? Share in the comments below.

Stay Positive

Most of us probably know the lyrics to the famous Bob Marley song “Don’t worry; be happy.” In this post, our Liv Ahwatukee Apartments Blog is featuring a few tips to help you feel happy this month. We’re highlighting a book, TED talk, and movie that we think will help cheer you up. We hope that you have a very happy month here in Phoenix, AZ! Book The Happiness Project (Revised Edition) by Gretchen Rubin “ Award-winning author Gretchen Rubin is back with a bang, with The Happiness Project . The author of the bestselling 40 Ways to Look at Winston Churchill has produced a work that is ‘a cross between the Dalai Lama’s The Art of Happiness and Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love .’ (Sonya Lyubomirsky, author of The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want ) In the vein of Julie and Julia, The Happiness Project describes one person’s year-long attempt to discover what leads to true contentment. Drawing at once on cutting-edge science, classical philosophy, and real-world applicability, Rubin has written an engaging, eminently relatable chronicle of transformation.” TED Talk There are plenty of great TED talks out there about achieving happiness. Check out the official TED website to find a TED talk that will cheer you up and make April seem a lot brighter and happier. We are featuring one of our favorite TED talks, by the great writer Pico Iyer, below. The Art of Stillness by Pico Iyer “So, in an age of acceleration, nothing can be more exhilarating than going slow. And in an age of distraction, nothing is so luxurious as paying attention. And in an age of constant movement, nothing is so urgent as sitting still. So you can go on your next vacation to Paris or Hawaii, or New Orleans; I bet you'll have a wonderful time. But, if you want to come back home alive and full of fresh hope, in love with the world, I think you might want to try considering going nowhere.” Movies Moana (2016) “ An adventurous teenager sails out on a daring mission to save her people. During her journey, Moana meets the once-mighty demigod Maui, who guides her in her quest to become a master way-finder. Together they sail across the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous monsters and impossible odds. Along the way, Moana fulfills the ancient quest of her ancestors and discovers the one thing she always sought: her own identity.” Do you have any advice to help us cheer up? Let us know in the comments. Thanks for reading our post!

All Things Watermelon

To celebrate the warmer weather of the fast-approaching summer months, we’re excited to share some incredible recipes using one of the summer’s favorite fruits: watermelon. If you’re craving something sweet or savory, or maybe you want a breakfast or afternoon snack — perhaps for a big fun BBQ coming up — then keep reading. There’s bound to be something that fits the menu here at Liv Ahwatukee Apartments in Phoenix, Arizona! Grilled Watermelon When people hear “BBQ,” it’s no surprise they think of the delicious food. The next time the grill is going, why not set a few slices of watermelon on top? Just slice, brush with oil, sprinkle with salt, and before you know it you’ve got one delicious snack! Watermelon Popsicles Watermelon, lemon juice, coconut milk, kiwis, and chocolate chips are the ingredients you’ll need to make this icy treat come to life! Watermelon Pizza This is basically a large slice of watermelon topped with a mix of honey, ricotta and cream cheese, vanilla, and your choice of berries. It’s delicious and a perfect summer snack. Watermelon Jerky If you’ve ever been camping, you’ll know that jerky is a pretty common snack. Have you ever had jerky made from watermelon? Now you can with this recipe. Honey Grilled Watermelon Caprese Salad Take a few minutes to prepare this refreshing yet satisfying salad. Watermelon Pudding Topped with grated chocolate, this is the perfect dessert. While it takes over five hours until it’s done, every minute will be worth it in the end. Bacon-Wrapped Watermelon Bites While the bacon is still warm, wrap each slice around a chunk of watermelon. Then, secure with a toothpick and enjoy! Watermelon Gazpacho This recipe is packed full of delicious flavors that go well together. Enjoy mint, garlic, asiago cheese, watermelon, cucumber, and a variety of other ingredients that pair well together in this lip-smacking recipe. What watermelon recipe is your favorite to make in your apartment? Share in the comments. Thanks for reading!

Funny Youtube Videos

We thought it would be a nice change of pace to share a few funny YouTube videos that will hopefully put a smile on your face. Join residents of our Liv Ahwatukee Apartments in Phoenix, AZ as they watch some hilarious videos that were featured on many “Funniest YouTube Videos” lists around the internet. Let us know which one made you smile. “ Fireplace Fairy ” posted by America’s Funniest Home Videos . This is a classic award-winning video of a little girl showing off a new holiday gift. The description reads: “In this funny video by America's Funniest Home Videos, This girl's brand new toy is most likely ruined after its first flight. Dad was so close to saving it!” “ 10 How To’s That Will Blow Your Mind! ” posted by Nigahiga . Learn how to light a light bulb with a potato, read minds, ask a girl out and never get rejected, type faster, revive a dead mouse, and more. The solutions will probably surprise you. “ Top Soccer Shootout Ever With Scott Sterling ” posted by Studio C . Studio C is an internet sketch comedy show that has been featured on CONAN and BYUtv. In this sketch, Matt Meese acts as a famous soccer goalie who repeatedly gets hit in the face. The description reads: “A soccer match between the Yale Bulldogs and the North Carolina Tar Heels. Mat comes down to Scott Sterling and the most epic penalty kick shootout you'll ever see.” “ When I’m Nigel ” posted by OtakuNol . Nickelodeon’s Nigel Thornberry is transformed into some of Disney’s iconic characters in this 11-second clip. “ Twenty One Pilots: Stressed Out Parody (21 hydrants music video) ” posted by Tobuscus . Twenty One Pilots’ new song receives a new parody that we think you’ll love. If you like dogs, don’t miss out on watching this video. Here are a few more that we love: “ The Sound of Violence - A Sound of Silence Batman PARODY ” posted by How It Should Have Ended , “ Expectations vs. Reality: Action Movies ” posted by Nigahiga , “ YouForgotBlueberries.com ” posted by pbrewton , and “ LITERAL IT - Official Teaser Trailer ” posted by Tobuscus . Share your favorite funny YouTube videos in the comments below. Thanks for reading and watching!