Must-Haves for a Birmingham – Mountain Brook Summer
Summer has arrived and the pools and grills at the Retreat at Mountain Brook are ready for you, and our Idea Specialists© have curated a list of the hottest items for summer fun! This must-have list is compiled with pool, party and outdoor accessories for adults and children that will heighten your next outdoor experience! For The Lounger: The ultimate lounging float equipped with arm rests and drink holders. Comfortable meets pool fashion with the Kelsyus Chaiser. Amazon Prime offers a deal for this perfect pool lounger at $33.99. For The Poolside: Do you have a family member or friend who’s solely about soaking up the sun? We have found the most versatile lounger this summer. The Cillbo Don Poolio, serves many purposes; beach bed, inflatable mattress, campsite lounge and more. This easy-to-use inflatable requires no pump – instead, it only takes a gulp of wind as you swing it through the air to fill the mattress with air. Instantly. It’s easy to carry to the pool because it comes with a matching carry bag with a shoulder strap. A versatile accessory the whole family will enjoy, only $59.99. For The Ice Cold Group: It doesn’t take long in the Birmingham heat to become dehydrated. Keep an ice cold beverage near you at all times with this incredible design, Float-a-Bout-Cooler. This cooler has three personal drink holders with a raised cooler in the center – also comes with a built-in carrying bag. On sale now for $53.82 For The Busy Child: Sometimes taking your children to the pool is not enough to occupy them after a few hours pass. Louie Lobster Claw Catcher is your savior, affordable at $11.95. This toy will occupy you kids and their friends! Squeeze the handle on Louie Lobster to grab the fishy run-aways in the pool! A fun game to suit young children! For The Girly Girl: What little girl doesn’t dream of transforming into a mermaid once emerging into water? We have found a toy that works across the board – fits girls, boys and adults. The Fin Fun Mermaid Tails, the best-selling and highest reviewed swimmable mermaid tails on Amazon. This mermaid accessory comes in a variety of colors as sizes! For The Outdoorsy: Treepod Cabana released their adult version of the popular child sized cabana. The Treepod is a mesh-sided and portable shelter available in various colors and sizes. Turn your outdoor view into a luxury with this hanging seat on your porch, camping spot or backyard. For The Grill Guru: The Weber 6492 Original Instant Read Themometer, has an easy-to-read digital dispkay and roataitng swivel head. It’s perfect for summer barbeques and gatherings. No more guest-imating with this sleek grill device! For The Event Expert: Summer parties are all about accessories and aesthetic. Keep you party classy with this chic glass pitcher. Libbey Acapulco Glass Pitcher is budget-friendly and has a timeless design. This 89-ounce vessel will keep your event going – not to mention it’s just $12.99. These affordable and long-lasting items will spice up your summer fun! Don’t forget our pool, garden, grills and tennis courts are perfect places to lounge around. Tag us on social media using #RetreatProud at your next outdoor venture.
Summer Cool Off Concoctions
Summer is almost in full swing and we’re thirsty for fabulous frozen cocktails that can wet our whistle and cool us off! If you are hosting a patio or balcony party at your very own apartment oasis at The Retreat at Mountain Brook, try our number one classic cocktail recipe of all time—the Frozen Margarita! Rub the rim of 4 margarita glasses with lime; dip in coarse salt. In a blender, combine 1 cup tequila, 2/3 cup fresh lime juice, 1/3 cup orange-flavored liqueur (Grand Marnier is a favorite), and 2 teaspoons superfine sugar along with one cup ice. Blend well, then pour into the glasses. Garnish with lime wheel. And, if you want to mingle with your guests rather than behind the blender, don’t blow out your flip flops! Take advice from The Yummy Life for make ahead margaritas. Simply pour blended margaritas into 1/2 pint (1 cup) mason jars (available at Walmart), screw on the lids and freeze. To serve, remove from freezer and immediately dip it in salt (while the margarita is still solid and won’t come out of the inverted jar). Use a fork to break up and stir the semi–frozen margaritas into a slushy consistency. Want to get out and about for your taste of summer fun? The Idea Specialists© at the Retreat love the recent article from the always on trend StyleBlueprint that lists eight great places in Birmingham to get your frozen cocktail groove on this summer. Several locations are just minutes from The Retreat which makes summer just that much better! Our favorite frozen concoctions that we think would “help us hold on” include the Negroni Popsicle from The Atomic Bar & Lounge, the Orange Dreamsicle Daiquiri from The Rougaroux in Forest Park, or the Mango Tango from Mom’s Basement in Avondale. So, plan to beat the heat with whatever suits your fancy this summer, whether it’s an adult beverage of your liking or some good old fashioned Milo’s sweet tea!
Summer Fun — Take It Outside Birmingham
The Retreat at Mountain Brook is ideally positioned for residents who want to enjoy the outdoors and all the fun that summer in the South offers nearby including a wide variety of parks, nature trails, and everyone’s favorite summer sport—baseball. Just down the road from The Retreat, you’ll find the Flora Johnston Nature Trail a 2.2 loop that offers easy to moderate hiking and trail running. For other wildlife activities, you can visit, hike, explore and volunteer at Ruffner Mountain, a 1,040 acre urban nature preserve in the heart of Birmingham, Alabama providing science and nature education programming, 14 miles of trails, and a protected area for thousands of species of native flora and fauna. Also, each Tuesday in June from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. the organization is hosting a Habitat Garden work day for those who enjoy gardening activities. And, dogs are allowed on leash at both the Flora Johnston Trail and Ruffner Mountain trails. For those who appreciate viewing beautifully planted and maintained gardens, the Birmingham Botanical Gardens are a few miles from The Retreat and open daily 365 days a year. Right now, daylilies, roses and hydrangeas are in their peak season according to the website. A bit further in the heart of downtown Birmingham lies the Parkside District, a mixed-use development that includes living spaces, restaurants, and two of Birmingham’s crown jewels, Railroad Park and Regions Field, home to the Birmingham Barons. The Birmingham Barons are a Minor League Baseball team based in Birmingham, playing in the Southern League, as a Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. Home games are held at Regions Field, a state-of-the-art 8,500 seat facility in downtown Birmingham which opened its doors in April 2013. Come and enjoy any of the 45 home games left during the June to September season. The ballpark features a variety of unique seating areas that offer an intimate atmosphere and unique views of the downtown skyline, UAB, Children’s Hospital, Vulcan and Red Mountain. Each home game features a different promotion such as “Thirsty Thursdays” featuring beverages for just $2, fireworks night, dollar hot dogs, and Family Sundays just to name a few. Individual game tickets can be purchased here. Meanwhile just across the street a variety of free activities take place at Railroad Park, so named for its proximity to the Norfolk Southern and CSX rail lines that run through downtown Birmingham. The 19-acre green space lies along 1st Avenue South, between 14th and 18th Streets in the Parkside District. Each week at 6 p.m. a free fitness class is offered. Get Healthy on the Railroad is an eight-month (March through October) exercise program offering a variety of exercise classes every weekday at 6:00 p.m. Classes include: Monday, Hip Hop Cardio®; Tuesday, Bootcamp; Wednesday, Zumba; Thursday, Yoga and Family Fun Friday. Also, Tuesdays at 8 a.m., a Senior Fit a weekly exercise class focusing on strength, balance, endurance, and flexibility is offered. It’s a great way to stay healthy and meet new people, all while having some fun too. And if all that exercise has you thinking of better managing your eating choices, you can join the Get Healthy on the Railroad Cooking Classes, on the first Sunday of every month through September. These healthy nutrition classes are FREE to attend and led by area non-profits from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. on the Regions Bank 17th Street Plaza. Also, this June for those adventurous types who enjoy it, the park will host a family camp out night June 22. Tickets are $29 and can be ordered here. The camp is offered to families with children only, and campers will enjoy activities such as arts and crafts, a scavenger hunt, giant lawn games, camp games, and more. Also, healthy snacks, delectable dinner options, and a nourishing breakfast will be provided by Publix Supermarkets and a build‐your‐own trail mix bar will be offered. Finally, to cool your whistle or grab a bite to eat anytime, you’ll find Good People Brewing located nearby at 114 14th Street. Another brewpub, Monday Night Brewing, is scheduled to open later in 2019. So, plan to visit these amazing places this summer that assist Birmingham in staying true to its nickname, The Magic City. There is great summer fun to be had at many locations near The Retreat at Mountain Brook!
