Blog Posts

Build Your Best Dinner

Thinking of what to eat for dinner night after night can get a little monotonous and boring, but we’ve found a couple of great ideas you can try tonight in your apartment kitchen at Liv Ahwatukee Apartments in Phoenix, Arizona. Try one of these delicious dishes (you can even make a little extra for lunch the next day). And next time you host some friends for a gathering, you could totally try some of these ideas. Start your meal with something healthy. Both salad and soup are great for getting some added vitamins into your diet. This spinach salad with warm bacon dressing recipe combines some delicious flavors together. The bacon dressing is our favorite part. For a soup, we love this superfood quinoa soup . If your dinner needs a little boost, try some rolls or bread as a side dish. Fresh bread makes your home smell amazing and is great for sharing and storing for later. These Lion House rolls from The Girl Who Ate Everything are light and fresh. For a hearty main dish, we always love the Pioneer Woman ’s chicken spaghetti . This dish combines lots of fresh and simple ingredients into one dish that is warm and comforting. As we mentioned before, this makes a great “next-day” lunch to take to work or school. Any dinner is made even better by a great dessert. Sometimes a complicated dinner calls for a simple dessert, and we think this sopapilla cheesecake is just that! With only a few easy ingredients, this is not a labor intensive dessert. It’s an easy twist on a classic favorite, and it’s delicious even after being refrigerated and eaten the next day! We hope you love this great dinner idea, and we also hope that it gets you thinking about more dinner ideas! Thanks for reading.

Get a Better Night's Sleep

We could all use a few extra hours of sleep at night. Sometimes that alarm clock rings just a little too early in the mornings. Though we can’t always add more hours of sleep, we can definitely enhance the sleep we are already getting. If you feel like it’s a struggle to wake up or you’re still feeling exhausted in the morning, try one of these ideas tonight at your apartment. It definitely starts long before your head hits the pillow. An hour or so before you head to bed, try a calming night routine. This could include drinking tea, taking a warm bath, or reading a book. Try to avoid the bright lights of a TV, cellphone, or computer screen. This will help your mind and body relax and prepare for sleep. Certain smells can also aid in feeling more relaxed. A lavender sheet spray or diffuser in your room can help here. Try avoiding caffeine later in the afternoon as this can keep you awake at night as well. Check your mattress and pillows. A simple fix like rotating your mattress or a sturdier pillow could really help enhance your sleep quality. While an intense workout can get your heart and mind going, and in turn keep you awake, there are some exercises that can help you sleep better. Deep stretching and yoga can really calm your body and your mind. Check out this 8-minute workout for better sleep . Take note of what things stay on your mind and might keep you up at night. Make a list of the things you need to accomplish the next day. Getting a really good night’s sleep will help you be more effective the next day. If you take long naps during the day, this could also hinder your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep at night. For some people, the inability to sleep is a more serious problem and should be brought to the attention of a doctor. However, for most of us, these tips can really help you get a better night’s sleep and feel more relaxed. Thanks for reading our Liv Ahwatukee Blog! We hope you have a great month here in Phoenix, Arizona!

Decor Ideas

Hey, readers! Welcome back to our Liv Ahwatukee Blog. In our last post, we shared three useful skills to learn. One that we didn’t mention is the skills associated with apartment decorating. Today, we’re sharing some ideas for establishing your personal style in your Phoenix, Arizona apartment. Just like your wardrobe, classic pieces like jeans, a leather jacket, and white sneakers are things that are always in style. Different prints, cuts, and accessories are things that change with the times. A neutral-toned couch and a quality dining table are staple pieces you want in your home. As far as trends go, picture frames, mirrors, throw blankets and other accessories are where you can really take some risks! With inexpensive pieces, you can try out different trends and develop your own style in your home. If you find you aren’t really loving a certain piece or trend, it can easily be switched out for something different. Of course, design trends aren’t rules by any means; they are meant to inspire you! In 2018, the trends are leaning more toward a variety of colorful and earthy tones. Of course, terracotta—a dusty burnt orange color—as well as jewel tones like pine and midnight blue are always popular when it comes to interior design. For more color trends, head to Behr’s color trends 2018 page for some suggestions. Nyde presents some of the year’s design trends that you’ll want to watch out for. Our favorites are the industrial revolution and quirky statement pieces. Do you have a favorite from the list? We hope these trends inspire you and you can find a way to work them into your own home. These trends and tips will be a great starting point for establishing your own personal style aesthetic in your apartment home. Thanks for reading. Check back next week for another great post!

3 Useful Skills

At Liv Ahwatukee, we encourage residents to take advantage of our many high-quality amenities , including our outdoor BBQ and lounge areas, 1-mile jogging path, splash pad, and more. Staying active and engaged makes way for a healthy lifestyle that can help build up positivity and encouragement—but this doesn’t have to happen just outside of your apartment. Today, we’re sharing a few skills that you can learn in your Phoenix, Arizona apartment. Want to make a difference in your life by learning a new skill? Check them out below. MyMoney.Gov is a valuable resource that can be used to teach you the benefits of being financially literate. Read tips about saving and investing, as well as earning money. Okay, so maybe this isn’t necessarily a skill as much as it is a valuable life lesson. But maybe you have a few friends that could benefit from your newfound knowledge. Care to test it out on them? Confidence is a skill that can go a long way. Lacking confidence in certain areas of your life? No worries. It doesn’t take long to set you on the right path. Confidence is a skill that you can use in all aspects of your life. It can help in your professional endeavors as well as your social encounters. Did you know that maintaining good posture is a powerful confidence builder? Go ahead and practice using good posture today. Sit and stand up straight. Then, let us know if after a few days practice you feel differently. Sure, it takes more than a day to perfect confidence, but it definitely takes less than a day to begin on that path. Codecademy is a great resource where you can find information on how to code. Are you familiar with CSS, HTML, PHP, or other coding languages? Maybe it’s about time you start. Not only is the website free, but there are so many jobs out there in need of people that know how to code. Want to customize your own website with your own code? Learn the language of the future—the code behind what makes websites appear as they do—in no time. While proficiency in coding takes longer than a day, learning the simple basics and facts do not. When you’re not busy enjoying the amenities that Liv Ahwatukee has to offer, we invite you to take some time to work on these three skills that we’ve outlined for you today. Thanks for reading!

Exercises for Your Pet

Liv Ahwatukee is a pet-friendly, luxury apartment community in Phoenix, Arizona. Whether you prefer a cat, dog, bird, or fish, we love them all! In today’s post, we’re focusing on dogs, and what better way to do that than to highlight one of our great amenities : a fully enclosed bark park! Daily walks are a good habit, not just for your pet but also for your own exercise. Having a pet is a great excuse to get outdoors, explore your surroundings, and meet your neighbors and other dog owners. Plan for at least two to three walks a day, but this will depend on your pet’s energy level and exercising needs, as well as your own schedule. If you can find the time, head out of the apartment community and take your dog on one of these great hiking trails nearby. A lot of dogs love hiking, and there are a good number of hiking trails near Phoenix, Arizona that you can read about online. Hikes are great because they bring a new challenge to you and your dog. Before you head out you’ll want to check a few things first: 1. Make sure that the hike is dog-friendly. 2. Be prepared to clean up after your dog when on the trail. 3. Confirm that your dog is in good physical shape. 4. Bring water for you and your pet. 5. If you can find paved hiking and walking trails, these might be preferable. The terrain will be easier on your dog’s soft paws. 6. Invite friends who have dogs. This month is perfect for going outdoors to exercise with your pets. Whether you decide to play fetch in the park, go on a hike, or let your dog run and socialize with other dogs in our apartment community, the most important thing is that your dog stays healthy and happy. What are your favorite ways to exercise with your pets? Share in the comments. Thanks for reading!

Coolest Tech Gadgets Part 2: Keyboards

Last week, we shared a few cool tech gadgets including a glass keyboard. Today, we’re sharing a few more keyboards that we think you’ll like. Take some time to read about a typewriter-inspired keyboard, as well as a keyboard that can be submerged in water and washed. Give your computer in Liv Ahwatukee Apartments an upgrade with these cool tech gadgets. This Retro USB Typewriter Inspired Keyboard is an incredible piece of equipment. Loaded with a chrome plated body and keycaps, the sound of an old-style typewriter, and a water and dust resistant design, this keyboard is quite remarkable. “A nostalgic classic reborn with modern innovations. A timeless design fit for composing literary masterpieces. Introducing the Azio MK Retro, a typewriter inspired mechanical keyboard.” Possibly the world’s thinnest keyboard is the Wekey Pocket . This 3mm-thick keyboard weighs 7.04 ounces, is wireless, and has a battery charge that can last up to 1 month. With a price point of $30 and the ability to pair to a phone, this keyboard is impressive. And yes, it fits in your pocket. Wow! Keyboards are disgusting. If you read our last blog post, you know that your keyboard might be dirtier than a toilet. Yes, we mean toilet . For a quick refresher, you can check out the information as reported by ABC NEWS, that keyboards are filthy . One keyboard that really grabbed our attention in our search for clean solutions to this disgusting situation we find ourselves in almost daily, is Logitech’s Washable Keyboard . Here’s the description found on Amazon.com: “From a light dusting to a deep soak, this washable keyboard is easy to clean and easy to dry because [it’s] fully [submersible] in water and has convenient drainage holes at the back. Laser printing and a UV coating also ensures these keys can take a washing as well as a pounding. Enjoy smooth typing thanks to the familiar layout with F-keys and a number pad all packaged in a contemporary design. Contemporary design looks great with your computer and workspace. Robust yet elegant this keyboard is ready for real life.” Do you have a favorite keyboard for your computer or tablet? Upgrade your Phoenix, Arizona life with one of these sweet accessories. Or, if you’re not sold on any of these keyboards, visit the blog next month to read about new and exciting topics. Thanks for reading!