Resource Guide for Renters in the New Orleans Area by 1st Lake Properties

It Really Is The Thought That Counts

The holiday season in New Orleans can be stressful. Not only are there family functions to attend, work parties to organize, and meals to plan, but giving the perfect gift to a loved one can be tricky.

Many of us will rack our brains trying to come up with the gift that sends the perfect message to the recipient. But, what if it doesn’t matter? According to recent research by Stanford University psychologists, going the extra mile or spending a lot of money for the right gift may not mean as much as you think!

In the study, research showed gift-getters would rather have money or something they had previously added to a wish list than a suprise gift. The study also showed the price of the gift was much more significant to the giver than the recipient…so, you might be able to save those extra dollars!

According to the Stanford University researchers, we tend to have an “egocentric bias” when giving gifts, and focus on the experience we personally have while buying the gift. However, the recipient of the gift doesn’t know what we may have had to go through or what alternative presents we didn’t buy instead.

Does this mean you should skip out on trying to find something meaningful for a loved one in your life? Not exactly.

If buying a special or extravagant gift makes you feel good, go right ahead! Sometimes people feel more fulfilled when they take the time to surprise someone they love with a thoughtful gift, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

However, if you don’t have the time or energy to spend scouring stores to find something that makes a statement to the recipient of the gift, you can rest easy! Try finding the Amazon wish list of the person you’re looking to buy a gift from, and buy them something from there. You can’t go wrong, since the person obviously wants the item in question!

If all else fails, money or pre-paid gift cards are also a mutually fulfilling option for the person who you’re not quite sure about buying for!

Whatever you decide to do, there’s no need to feel guilty for not having the time or resources to go all out on gift-buying. Studies show that the gift itself is not as important as the sentiment of giving. So, have fun shopping!

Posted in Lifestyle Tips | No Comments »

Getting a Better Night’s Sleep

First of all, keep your bedroom dark and quiet. Many people depend on some sort of background noise to get to sleep, whether it be the TV, stereo, or a fan. However, this noise, while it may be soothing and help you get to sleep, can cause disturbances while you’re asleep. The brain will continue to process what it’s hearing, and you may find yourself not as well rested in the morning. Beyond disrupting your sleep, distractions such as the stereo or TV can keep you up longer than you need to be if you find yourself paying attention to them.

Be conscious of what you’re putting in your body before you go to bed. Drinking caffeine too close to bedtime can keep you awake and alert longer than you may like. While many of us depend on caffeine throughout the day, whether it be coffee or soda, it can remain in your body for up to 14 hours! If it’s at all possible, try to avoid drinking caffeinated beverages anywhere from 4-6 hours before bed, depending on your reaction and tolerance to it.

Many people try to use alcohol to get to sleep as well. While it may seem like a quick and easy way to relax before bed, alcohol can actually cause you to toss and turn in your sleep, which will leave you feeling more exhausted in the morning.

It’s also important to eat right, regularly. Try not to go to bed hungry, but don’t eat anything too filling or heavy right before bed. Generally, a good rule of thumb to use is to avoid eating anything from 1-2 hours before going to bed. If you need a snack before bed, try eggs, or peaches. The old trick of drinking milk before bed to help go to sleep is actually true as well. Milk contains tryptophan (much like your Thanksgiving turkey), which helps to promote sleep.

When going to bed, try to relax as much as possible. While worries and stresses may tend to pop up in your head when you’re trying to rest, your bed should remain a stress-free zone. Allow yourself to keep your mind clear, and deal with stresses tomorrow. Reading, taking a warm bath, or meditating to get your mind off of the day’s events can help you get in a more relaxed state of mind before bed-time.

Also, when trying to get to sleep, keep your pets off the bed! While cuddling with your dog or cat may be a great stress relief at the end of a long day, when they move around at night it can cause disturbances in your sleep that leave you feeling tired in the morning. If you want to have some time with your furry friend, do so before you turn in, and then allow yourself the privacy and comfort of an animal free bed!

Posted in Lifestyle Tips | No Comments »

Keeping Your Apartment Clean With a Pet

Having a pet in a New Orleans apartment can be a fantastic joy, especially in the colder months, when more people are spending time indoors! While there’s nothing quite like having our favorite furry friend greet you at the door after a long day, or watching TV with a pet curled up beside you, it can also be difficult keeping your apartment clean with them around! Pets can scratch up furniture and floors, leave behind hair and dander, as well as make messes in the home that can be tough to clean. If you take a few simple steps, and consistently follow a few routines, it can take a lot of the hassle out of cleaning up after your furry best friend! Not only do you want to ensure that you get a return on your deposit, but it’s important to make your apartment human-friendly while keeping your pet comfortable as well!

First of all, and most importantly, make sure your pet is completely housebroken. If your animal is completely trustworthy indoors, that can go a long way in ensuring that your apartment stays mess-free and odor-free. Accidents in the home can be a huge mess, and stressful for you, the pet owner. If you own a cat, make sure he or she knows how to use the litter box, and keep clean litter at all times. Some first-time cat owners discover to their dismay that cats will leave little “presents” everywhere if their litter is not kept clean. If you have a small dog, make sure they are crate trained or can be left alone while you’re at work, until you can take him or her outside for a walk.

See to it your pets play with pet toys and not your furniture. Not only can pets tearing up furniture be costly, but it can make your apartment look shabby. This can be a big problem, especially if you have a cat that isn’t de-clawed. Break the habit early on if your pet exhibits destructive behavior. Encourage them to play with toys, and scold them if they attempt to chew or claw your possessions. You can also purchase sprays which tend to repel animals away from the area and discourage destruction such as Pet Block, by Nature’s Miracle. (http://www.ilovenaturesmiracle.com/home/index.php)

If you own a small dog, it’s important to keep them healthy and happy by allowing them safe access to the outdoors. Whether it’s a small patio, dog park, or other protected space, dogs need exercise and room to roam. Take your dog outdoors often, both to potty and to play!

You’ll probably notice that your pet sheds and excess hair and dander can be a problem. Vacuum your apartment often to ensure that it remains hair-free. Having a small hand-held vacuum can be very useful for sucking up hair from couches, chairs, and other areas where your pet tends to lay. It may also be a good idea to have a lint roller on hand to make sure that your clothes are hair-free before leaving the house! You can also brush your dog or cat to cut down on some of the shedding. Brushing loosens dead hair that’s about to be shed, removes dander, and keeps your dog or cat’s coat healthy from shedding all over your apartment. Brush your pet as often as possible, and try to do it outside, to keep hair from accumulating throughout your apartment.

It’s also important to bathe your pet fairly often so they don’t become smelly. Animal smells can permeate a space quickly, and make your apartment unpleasant to visitors.

Keeping both your pet and your visitors happy can make your living situation a much more pleasant experience. Not only is cleanliness and maintenance important for the look and feel of your apartment, but it’s also helpful to the health of both you and your pet!

Posted in Lifestyle Tips | No Comments »

Staying Warm While Saving on the Electricity Bill

In the greater New Orleans area, the weather can change from warm and muggy to wet and cold at the drop of a hat. With the recent weather change taking a turn for the colder, it can be tough to adjust. Many people are cranking the heat up at the home and in their cars. However, if you’d like to save a little on your electricity bill while still staying toasty in these cold winter months, there are a few things you can do.

First of all, make sure all your doors and windows are closed securely. Any openings can let the cold air right in, and can make the New Orleans apartment drafty. After ensuring that all openings to outside are closed properly, also make a quick check to make sure your doors and windows are as air-tight as possible. Check to see if the weather stripping around your doors is doing its job and the caulking around your windows is keeping the air out as well.

While many people assume curtains are strictly for blocking sunlight or keeping your apartment cool, they can also be tremendously useful for keeping cold air out as well. The heavier the curtains, the better they’ll be at blocking any window drafts that may be present. When the sun is shining, you can open the curtains to allow the warmth in, then close them when it’s overcast outside or once night falls.

Close off any rooms you’re not using. A closed door is all it takes to make an unused room another barrier between you and the frigid outdoors. It also stops air from circulating as much, which reduces heat loss. You can also opt to use smaller rooms to ensure that you don’t have to heat as much space. If you have a bedroom that’s cozier than your living room, make that the common area when people are around. This will keep the space warmer, and give you less of an area to account for when trying to keep the room warm.

Dress warmly, and keep a light jacket on while inside. A hat is a great accessory to have when the temperature drops. A turtleneck sweater can also work wonders when it comes to keeping you warm. Dress in layers, especially with wool or cotton clothing. Wear slippers or warm socks. A comfortable throw or blanket while indoors can also keep you cozy without having to crank up the thermostat.

If you have wood or tile floors, try putting a rug down. This will keep the floor from feeling as cold, which can help quite a bit when you’re having to traverse back and forth. Another idea to stay warm is to drink warm beverages. Tea, hot cocoa, or coffee are not only delicious treats, but practical beverages this time of year!

One of the most effective ways of staying warm without cranking up the central heat is to use a space heater in the room that you’re in. Space heaters tend to use much less electricity than a central unit would, and you can carry the heater with you whenever you go from room to room. Not only will it save you money, but you may find the localized warmth of a space heater comforting when it’s blustery and cold outside!

Posted in Lifestyle Tips | No Comments »

The Circus is Coming to Lake Town

Coming starting Thanksgiving night and rolling through the following weekend, the Jerusalem Shriners will be hosting their 65th annual Circus at the Pontchartrain Convention and Civic Center in Kenner, Louisiana.

The Shriners are dedicated to supporting Shrine hospitals throughout North America. Shriners’ Hospitals throughout the country provide care to children under the age of 18 for the treatment of orthopedic disorders, burns and cleft palette care.  This very important care is provided to children at no cost to the family.  They are able to provide this type of care gratis due to the events the Shriners’ organize and volunteer for, such as the circus, and donations from the public.

Follow up your Thanksgiving feasts with a visit to the circus and support the Shriners’ efforts, and future of the circus, as they welcome Agente and Cardin Circus! The George Cardin Circus presents a three-ring production touted as fascinating to children of all ages! Representatives from the Shriners’ promise a great line-up and show like nothing before!

Tickets are available by phone at 1-800-745-3000, online at www.ticketmaster.com and at the Pontchartrain Center Box Office.

Posted in Events | No Comments »