Blog Posts

Clean Your Space

Cleaning your entire Tacoma, WA apartment can take up a lot of time. Because of this it can sometimes take a backseat. Certain rooms especially are tougher to keep up with. Trying a “walk through” is a good way to get a lot of rooms clean in a short amount of time. Simply walk through different rooms of your home, with a box or bag in hand for any garbage. As you walk through and collect trash, you’ll get a really good read on each room and what shape they’re in. At the same time, you’re picking up trash so it is, in turn, getting cleaner. Take note of burned out light bulbs, windows that need to be cleaned, beds to be made etc. After doing the walk through start to tackle those tasks you noted previously. You’ve already visited every room and you know just what to expect so you can plan out your attack. As you revisit the rooms, do it task by task. Get glass cleaner and a rag and clean windows of all rooms that need it. If floors need to be swept, do every floor at once. This way you are getting tasks done in each room and you can tackle the whole house much easier. You will also avoid having to get cleaning products out time after time. For recurring tasks like laundry and dishes, make a schedule that works with your lifestyle. For some, nights are a great time to tackle these chores. For others, weekends are the best time to work them in. other tasks don’t need to be done as often but should be incorporated into your cleaning routine as well. If you have little ones or pets, be careful of harmful cleaning products. We hope these tips help you keep your space clean and spotless. Thanks for reading this week’s post from the Nantucket Gate Blog!

Get Glowing

At Nantucket Gate we are excited to offer complimentary tanning. For those who are new to tanning beds, we have some advice to help keep you bronzed all year long. Tanning is a great way to enhance your natural beauty. It evens up your skin tone and gives you a healthy glow. There are several ways to get an even tan, like at-home self-tanning or spray tanning. At Nantucket Gate we have tanning beds, which are a relaxing way to get your tan on! It is certainly a process, so you’ll need to be patient. Start tanning for about four to eight minutes, depending on your skin type. Wait about 48 hours between tanning sessions each time. Increase your time by one to two minutes each session. So if you go on Monday for five minutes, tan again on Wednesday for six minutes, then again on Friday for seven minutes. Know your skin type! Those with lighter hair and eyes most likely have more fair skin, which will be more sensitive to the light in the tanning bed — therefore increasing your chance of burning. If your skin feels hot or red after a tanning session, apply aloe and let your skin heal for a day or two. Use a good tanning lotion. Apply this before using the tanning bed. Some people like to purchase theirs at a tanning salon or online. These lotions can be expensive, but they are worth it to keep your skin nourished and make your tan last! Some people like to tan in a swimsuit; others like less coverage. Do what’s most comfortable to you. Make sure you are always tanning in a clean bed. Some people think tanning beds get really hot, but that’s a myth. Many have fans, and the glass itself stays cool to the touch. You won’t burn yourself by touching the glass. Tanning is a really relaxing way to get a great bronzed glow. We hope you enjoy using this luxurious amenity we have to offer at our apartment community in Tacoma, WA!

Start a Book Club

The first of the year is a great time to establish a book club in your own Nantucket Gate apartment. We’ve got some tips to help get you started and keep you going! Some of these great tips come from River City Reading . Set the Tone People like to know what they’re getting into before they commit to something, so it’s important to take a second and think about the vision you have for your book club – even if you’ve never been in one before! Are you picturing something easygoing and social or more academic? This doesn’t mean you need to approach people with a 10-point list of rules from the get-go, but setting the tone for your book club is important. Cast Your Net If you have a bookish friend or two that you think might be interested in taking part, start there and let it spread! Social media (Facebook, Twitter) is a great way to let your friends know that your thinking of putting together a group and are looking for people to join in. Again, remember to let everyone know your general thoughts on the tone of the club, which can be detailed as you communicate further. Establish Communication This ties directly into casting your net, because you want to establish an effective form of communication from the start. Whether you set up a Facebook, Goodreads or Google Group, talk through e-mail or join Book Movement, you want some way to communicate easily with everyone in the club. Include Treats Once you’ve figured out what works for you and your group, you’ll definitely want something to entice members to attend! We love the idea of including some little snacks or treats to offer attendees — obviously something low-mess that can be eaten while holding a book in the other hand! Try something like these Rice Krispies Dipper Treats or these Smoked Salmon Bites from Baker By Nature. We hope you love this book club idea. With the perfect snack, great reads, and a friendly group, we know it will be successful. Have fun reading new titles and discussing them with friends!

Financial Fitness for 2017

You work so hard for your money, and you know how easy and quickly it can all disappear. With monthly expenses like rent and insurance, it can sometimes feel like there isn’t much left over. But we want to help you budget your money and reach all your financial goals. First, keep all your receipts for one week. This works for transactions done in person. For things you purchase online or pay for with automatic bill pay, make a note of those. This will help you get a grasp on just how much money you are spending each week. Figure out where you can save. Perhaps there are errands you can consolidate. Instead of stopping for coffee each morning, maybe you can make your own at work or at home. Instead of getting soda with your lunch, bring a water bottle. Saving three or four dollars here and there will make a difference. Try carpooling or taking the bus to work to save on gas and car expenses. Try using cash only. Once you have an idea how much you spend each week, withdraw that amount from your bank account in cash. Spending with tangible money will give you a better idea of just how fast your money is going, and you won’t want to let go of it as easily. Set goals for yourself. Maybe you want to save for a vacation or have a specific dollar amount saved by a certain date. Having these benchmarks will help keep you on track with your savings goals. Know your weakness! If you know you’ll buy a pair of jeans when you hit the mall with your friends, try skipping the shopping trip and inviting them over for a movie night instead. Put yourself in situations where it is easy to save. Your wallet will thank you! Good luck reaching all your financial goals this year! Thanks for reading the Nantucket Gate blog.

Best Netflix Shows and Movies

If winter doesn’t scream “Netflix binge,” we don’t know what does. This weekend is the perfect opportunity to watch some of these classic favorites in your Nantucket Gate apartment. If you don’t have a Netflix account, consider signing up this month. It’s easy to do, and you get your first month free! Some subscriptions even let you stream on multiple devices at a time, so it’s perfect to share the subscription with a friend. The Office is such a classic TV show. It first aired on NBC and became a quick hit. It chronicles the day-to-day work life of a bunch of your typical small business employees. Some characters are lovable, others you just love to hate! With storylines of love and emotion intertwined with pranks and holiday parties, you’re sure to fall in love with this bunch! Also available on Netflix is Grey’s Anatomy . It first aired in 2005 and has 12 available seasons. This show is a medical-based drama centered around Meredith Grey, an aspiring surgeon and daughter of one of the best surgeons, Dr. Ellis Grey. Throughout the series, Meredith goes through professional and personal challenges, along with fellow surgeons at Seattle Grace Hospital. For something more light-hearted, try Parks and Recreation . The show follows the absurd antics of an Indiana town's public officials as they pursue sundry projects to make their city a better place. If you’re interested in something crime-related, try Forensic Files . Police increasingly utilize scientific laboratory analysis to solve crimes. This program reviews and re-enacts dramatic cases from around the world in which forensic scientists find and examine previously undetectable evidence. Through their hard work, criminals are brought to justice and the innocent are set free. If you’re more in the mood for a movie than a show to get invested in, check out the classic teen comedy also on Netflix, Mean Girls . Cady Heron, a homeschooled girl, lived in Africa for 15 years. Entering public school for the first time, she meets the "worst" of her classmates, the Plastics. She joins and eventually gets assimilated into the group of three unkind girls. But she later tries to bring them down. What are some of your favorite Netflix shows? Let us know in the comments!

Happy New Year

We’ve worked hard all year long — 365 days to be exact. This is the night for reflection and goal setting for the next year. We can take a look back at the previous year and decide what changes need to be made or goals set for the next year. A crowded New Year's party in downtown Tacoma might not be exactly your style, so we’re helping you celebrate on a little smaller scale! Start with this checklist we found here . Some items they suggest are noisemakers for midnight, string lights (reuse your holiday decor!) and balloons. We think anything gold, silver, or sparkly would be perfect for the occasion. Champagne or sparkling cider is traditionally the perfect drink for the evening, and matches the color scheme perfectly. Since your party will most likely last until at least midnight, we found some party game ideas you could try. The Fishbowl game is fun for a group of people, try this version from Sara’s Favorite Things. This ice breaker Bingo is a good way to get to know all your party guests and help people mingle together. We found a great list of ideas from Simply Kierste that we think could be adapted for any party. The cookies and milk look especially delicious! A photobooth and backdrop with goofy props is a fun activity. Taking pictures gives your guests something to instagram and remember the night all year long! A TV for watching the ball drop and fireworks at midnight is fun for those who love the countdown! As many parties go late into the evening, remember to be safe as well. Driving while impaired or fatigued isn’t safe, so taking a taxi or uber home might be a good idea for your guests. You want everyone to remember the evening and return home safely! We hope you have a fun and safe New Year’s Eve.