Before you get geared up for the return of back-to-school and other fall routines, make plans to spend the last days of your summer staycationing in luxury at The Retreat at Mountain Brook and taking a new look at what Birmingham, Alabama, has to offer!

The American Automobile Association (AAA) says the key to a good staycation is remembering that you’re on vacation, which can be hard to do when you’re staying home. They offer a few tips for planning:

• Stop daily chores and routines.
• Focus on activities you wouldn’t normally do.
• Select activities that relax you and bring you joy.
• Have a plan, even if it’s a loose one.
• Set a budget and stick to it.

Of course the loose plan the Retreat at Mountain Brook Idea Specialists™ have come up with involves hanging (with some bottles of Aperol Spritz) at the convenient community pool. And not only is it convenient, it and the sun deck and all of the landscaping and common areas are always so gorgeous and clean! We owe this to the exceptional work of our service team members, which is why we’re going the extra mile to honor them by declaring August as Maintenance Appreciation Month.

Both AAA and Apartments.com have some great ideas about ways to spend your staycation. One suggestion is to cook a fancy meal. And sure, that’s always easy to do in your well-appointed apartment home kitchen, but the Idea Specialists™ have been amusing themselves lately by watching TikToks on private chefs in the Hamptons, which gave them an idea……

YOUR OWN PERSONAL CHEF

Why not hire a personal chef for your staycation? Check out The Magic City Chefs! After a consultation they create your custom meal offsite and deliver it freshly packaged and labeled. Want to take things to the next level? Book them for a dinner party and watch them work their culinary (and clean-up!) magic in your own kitchen.

And if you’re going to enjoy lovely meals, why not splurge a little and get some lovely new linens to freshen up your dining table?

ELLE Decor has turned the Retreat at Mountain Brook Idea Specialists™ on to the Ridhi brand of boho-inspired linens (handmade!) in all manner of summery patterns and prints. According to the site, “You can score a set of printed cloth napkins for just $26, tablecloths starting at $53, and placemats for under $40 (all on Amazon), allowing you to create the colorful tablescape of your dreams without breaking the bank.”

FAMILY SUMMER MOVIE MARATHON

Another good idea for an August staycation is a family summer movie marathon. A google search (the Idea Specialists™ do so love to search!) shows that the Pioneer Woman has a popular post up: “30 Best Summer Movies for Kids That Are Almost as Fun as Being Outside”

One of those is that all-time classic The Karate Kid, starring Ralph Macchio. It doesn’t matter whether your gang is caught up on all six series of Cobra Kai or not, it’s still worth the watch—or re-watch!

EXPLORING BIRMINGHAM

The Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau produces an excellent travel guide, which includes information on many of the wonderful FREE local attractions the city has to offer, including the historic Negro Southern League Museum, Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark, and the beautiful Birmingham Botanical Gardens. There’s something for everybody to enjoy!

And, if you haven’t been already, now might be the time to spend some time at the CityWalk BHAM Skate Park—58,000 square feet of skateable area, including a pump track, street course, two large bowls as well as beginner bowls, and quarter pipe areas. (No admission fee, but a waiver is required.)

The Retreat at Mountain Brook is a very pet-friendly community, so the Idea Specialists™ of course want to spend some time at the CityWalk Barkery.

BACK TO SCHOOL

School seems to start earlier and earlier every year, doesn’t it? These days getting the kids ready to go back to class means familiarizing yourself with their different schools’ websites. The Retreat at Mountain Brook is close to both public and private schools:

• Grantswood Community School
• Irondale Community School
• Irondale Middle School
• Shades Valley High School
• Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School (located at Shades Valley High School)
• Highlands School
• The Altamont School
• Francis Xavier Catholic School

Getting ready also means scoping out those sometimes wicked drop-off and pick-up lines, and making sure everybody has got the supplies they need.

And want.

According to the National Retail Federation’s Annual 2024 Back-to-School Survey, families with children in elementary through high school plan to spend an average of $874.68 on clothing, shoes, school supplies, and electronics. The NRF’s survey said they expect $38.8 billion to be spent on school supplies in the United States—the second-highest figure on record.

Hot items for teens for fall semester 2024 are North Face backpacks and Vera Bradley lunch bags. (Students at schools that require clear backpacks can still have some fun with colors if they go with a Vorspack.)

HIGH SCHOOL DOESN’T HAVE TO BE HORRIBLE

Got somebody about to start their freshman year of high school? Here’s some guidance for them, from a teenage neighbor of one of the Idea Specialists™. “For classes keep on track with your work and make sure you have all the supplies you need. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you don’t know something. Most people are nice and will talk to you if you talk to them. For things to wear be casual, don’t dress up crazy for school. Lastly, keep in mind that learning is important but that’s not what school is all about, have fun and make friends.”

Oh, and: “With girls Nike, Lululemon, and Free People are popular clothing brands.”

Just knew you’d want to know that!