Blog Posts

Fall Fashion

The first day of fall was this past Saturday so we thought it would be appropriate to share a post about fall fashion with residents of our Tacoma, Washington apartment community. Get ready for fall weather and read our post to stay up-to-date on the latest fall fashion trends. Plaid Plaid is definitely a fall wardrobe necessity. Whether it is a plaid jacket, blazer, scarf, or sweater, you should definitely rock that look this fall. There’s just something about plaid that is comfy and inviting, much like the season itself. Cable-Knit The cable-knit style is perfect for fall. Shop for sweaters, scarves, cardigans, and sweater dresses in this style. You will both look and feel cozy while still managing to look put together. Boots Fall is the perfect time to rock a cute pair of boots! Find boots in a style that best suits your taste and personality and that can go well with several different outfits. Brown or tan boots are usually a good choice. Scarves There are so many different types of scarves out there and cool ways to tie them. Look for patterns and colors that will work well with the rest of your fall wardrobe. Choose material that is both comfortable and breathable. Gold Fabrics Fall is the season for warm, vibrant colors. Add spark to your wardrobe by incorporating into it bold pieces with pops of gold. Cosmopolitan points out that gold is the color of choice for this year’s looks, so keep an eye out for some stunning fabrics in this hue. Whether it’s in metallic Converse high tops , the fabric of a slip-on or heel, or even the shine of a belt buckle, gold shoes add instant glam to any outfit and bring a modern vibe to the fall pieces already in your closet. What are your fall wardrobe essentials? Share your fashion knowledge with the rest of our Nantucket Gate apartment community in the comments. Happy fall!

Video Games Worth Playing

Video games are a fun hobby for many and can allow you to immerse yourself into new worlds. In today’s Nantucket Gate Blog post, we are sharing a few suggestions for video games that are worth playing. Try out one of these games at your apartment, and who knows, you might just find a new favorite! Overwatch In Overwatch, you control one of several heroes in competitive 6-person team shooting matches. Battle over objectives, take down the other team, and achieve victory. As you play games of Overwatch, you’ll gain levels, unlocking new customization options to make your heroes look and sound unique! BioShock BioShock is an exploration-focused first-person shooter that makes streamlined, simplified use of some of its predecessors' mechanics, such as the use of audio logs as a storytelling device, a hacking minigame (reminiscent of the classic puzzler Pipe Dream), and special abilities. Set in 1960, BioShock begins with a plane crash, with the player character, named Jack, being the only survivor. The player takes refuge in a lone lighthouse in the middle of the ocean. A bathysphere leads down into the bowels of the underwater city of Rapture. Guitar Hero The gameplay of Guitar Hero is based around a rhythm mechanic. The player uses a guitar shaped controller with five buttons to hit color-coded notes, and a "strum bar" to simulate the picking of strings in time with the music. A "Rock Meter" on the side of the screen indicates the crowd's satisfaction with the performance. Hitting notes raises the meter, missing notes lowers it. Super Mario Galaxy Super Mario Galaxy takes place in space, high above the Mushroom Kingdom. As Mario arrives at the centennial Star Festival, Bowser and his armada of airships attack, bringing destruction down upon the kingdom and physically lifting Peach's castle into the heavens. Mario attempts to rescue the Princess, only to lose track of her as he too is sent soaring into the universe. Share your video game recommendations with the rest of our Tacoma, WA apartment community in the comments of this post. Thanks for reading. Have fun gaming this month!

National Cream-Filled Donut Day

Do you love donuts? September 14th is National Cream-Filled Donut Day! Our Nantucket Gate Blog wants to help you celebrate so we are highlighting a few Tacoma, WA donut shops where you can go to satisfy your craving for a great donut. Helen’s Donuts and Ice Cream (11 mins away) This family-run local donut shop has been bringing you the best donuts, with the best service, at the best price for almost a decade. Also stop by on Sunday for Fritter Sundays! Every Sunday, they have 7 different types of the biggest fritters in town for only $1.49 each. Krispy Kreme Doughnuts (14 mins away) Krispy Kreme has been serving up donuts and coffee for over 70 years and has become a well-known name all over the nation. Stop by for one of their original glazed donuts or one of the countless other tasty options. Dockside Donuts (17 mins away) Freestanding shop selling donuts & other baked goods 24/7, with table seating & a drive-thru. Stop by to satisfy your donut crazing at anytime of the day or night because they are open 24/7! We highly recommend trying their bacon maple bar. Legendary Donuts (19 mins away) Here you will find handcrafted gourmet donuts, fritters & dessert bars, plus custom donut cakes for special occasions. Legendary Doughnuts strives to create amazing and fun doughnuts using quality ingredients and a “twist” of uniqueness to make people smile while indulging. Pao’s Donut and Coffee Shop (20 mins away) This family-owned shop offers a classic assortment of donuts, scones & muffins, plus hot & cold drinks, to stay or go. Just be sure to bring along some cash when you go, because they don’t accept cards. Where are your favorite places to get donuts nearby? Share your recommendations with the rest of our apartment community by leaving a comment on this post. Thanks for reading. We hope you have fun celebrating National Cream-Filled Donut Day this month!

Self-Improvement Tips

September is a great time to start fresh and look for ways to improve your life. With the transition to a new season and September being Self-Improvement Month, take the chance to look for ways to become your best self. Today the Nantucket Gate Blog has some suggestions. Start small. Through your evaluation you may find many ways you can improve, either in your personal or professional life. In order for you to actually succeed, you should feel positively motivated. Find your reason for changing whatever aspect it is you want to change, and make sure it’s a healthy one so your progression can actually be progressive. Evaluate your strengths and weaknesses. If you’re not sure where to start, grab a notebook and start writing down the things you think you struggle with in certain areas of your life. What stresses you out? What takes up too much of your time? See how you can make adjustments to your habits or your schedule to ease these burdens or improve how you interact with them. Set goals. Goal setting is an important tool when it comes to self-improvement. The motivation of having a goal can prompt you to get out of slumps, so take a moment now to think of a necessary change you need to make in your life. Write it down and choose something simple to start with so you can get in the habit of reaching your dreams. Work on a skill. Developing your skills is a great way to boost your confidence and to learn new things about yourself and the world around you. Keep up your talents by sharing them with others or by even making a commission off of them, if that’s what you want. Try something new to exercise your mind and body to help you grow in healthy ways. What are your best self-improvement tips? Share them with the rest of our Tacoma, WA apartment community in the comments. Thanks for reading our post. Good luck on your goals!

Reasons to Shop at Your Local Farmers Market

Welcome back the the blog for Nantucket Gate! Today we are discussing farmers markets, but more specifically, why you should choose to shop at a local farmers market instead of a grocery store. Head to your favorite farmers market in the Tacoma, WA area to reap the benefits! You’re Buying Local When you buy local you are supporting the economy of your city. You aren’t helping a big business to get wealthy; you are helping families to meet their needs. Buying locally grown food also benefits the environment because it does not have to be shipped, which requires the use of limited natural resources and fossil fuels. You Get the Freshest Produce When you shop at a farmers market you can rest assured that you are getting the freshest produce around. Everything that you find there is in season, grown nearby, and at peak freshness so you are guaranteed high quality ingredients. Eating in season fruits and veggies will also have health benefits that you will feel. It’s Cheaper You can find a variety of fresh, organic produce at more affordable prices at a farmers market than in a supermarket. There are also many farmers that carry products that are not technically “organic,” (as this is a costly and an often bureaucratic-heavy process), but have many low-priced foods that are pesticide and herbicide free. The advantage at a farmers market is that you can actually talk to the farmer, learn about their methods, and then decide for yourself if the produce is something you’re interested in. They may even allow you to come and visit their farm to learn more! You Find Safer Foods Purchasing food from your local farmers market is generally safer. Remember the recent outbreaks of E. coli in bagged spinach? These things happen mostly in large industrial settings, where business people work to mass produce food, preserve it, and bag it in large amounts. Avoid all that by knowing where your food is coming from and how it got to you. What are your favorite things about shopping at a farmers market? Share your thoughts with the rest of our apartment community in the comments. Thanks for reading our post.

Inspirational Movies to Watch

Looking for some inspiration this month? The Nantucket Gate Blog is highlighting a few inspirational movies in today’s post. Watch one of these great films at your Tacoma, WA apartment this month for a new perspective. Collateral Beauty (2016) Retreating from life after a tragedy, a man questions the universe by writing to Love, Time and Death. Receiving unexpected answers, he begins to see how these things interlock and how even loss can reveal moments of meaning and beauty. Secondhand Lions (2003) A coming-of-age story about a shy, young boy sent by his irresponsible mother to spend the summer with his wealthy, eccentric uncles in Texas. Dead Poets Society (1989) Painfully shy Todd Anderson has been sent to the school where his popular older brother was valedictorian. His roommate, Neil Perry, although exceedingly bright and popular, is very much under the thumb of his overbearing father. The two, along with their other friends, meet Professor Keating, their new English teacher, who tells them of the Dead Poets Society, and encourages them to go against the status quo. Unbroken (2014) The life of Louis Zamperini, an Olympic athlete who joined the armed forces during the second world war. Only to be captured by the Japanese navy after a plane crash in the Pacific. During his capture, Louie must continue his fight by surviving through the war. The Blind Side (2009) The story of Michael Oher, a homeless and traumatized boy who became an All American football player and first round NFL draft pick with the help of a caring woman and her family. Freedom Writers (2007) A young teacher inspires her class of at-risk students to learn tolerance, apply themselves, and pursue education beyond high school. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013) When his job along with that of his co-worker are threatened, Walter takes action in the real world embarking on a global journey that turns into an adventure more extraordinary than anything he could have ever imagined. What are your favorite inspirational movies to watch? Share them with us in the comments. Thanks for reading our post. We hope you are able to find some inspiration this month!