The Healing Power of Plants
The Retreat at Mountain Brook, takes pride in its plants. Not only is the upscale apartment community—located just minutes from downtown Birmingham, Alabama—and nestled against the City of Mountain Brook, Alabama, with mature trees and naturally wooded topography, it’s also known for its popular community garden. The Retreat’s residents enjoy and appreciate easy opportunity to step outside and enjoy some of the benefits and beauty that nature brings. Their homes’ balconies, sunrooms and bright and open interiors are just the right spaces for the pleasant and practical placement of even more plants. And plants are more than pretty. There’s a healing power to them, both for body and soul: lavender to help you relax and get to sleep, a lush pot of variegated arrowhead vine to round out a corner and serve as an organic air purifier, and that reliable stalwart, aloe vera—it’s not just for sunburns anymore. Ready to step into the spirit of spring by bringing some greenery into your home? The Retreat at Mountain Brook’s Idea Specialists ™ say it’s hard to go wrong with these popular and hardy indoor specimens: Aloe Vera Snake Plants Philodendron Lavender Spider Plants Note: When deciding which types of plants to have in your home, do your research. Know which plants are best if you share your abode with pets: Plants and Pets. They also can’t say enough good about Oak Street Garden Shop and Local Market. Located just a few minutes away from The Retreat at Mountain Brook in the heart of Crestline Village, it’s the perfect place for a Saturday morning outing, with a funny and fabulous staff who, among other things, specialize in container gardening. Just imagine one of their Southern Living Magazine-worthy plant collections beside your large living room window! And of course, The Home Depot is right around the corner on Crestwood Boulevard, with everything from decorative containers to dirt and fertilizer and, yes, the plants themselves. One-stop shopping! No time for that sort of field trip? Another easy way to get started is to buy fresh herb plants when you’re making your regular run to the Montclair Place Publix. If you’re looking for a fun project, you can make yourself a hanging herb garden with their guidance. You also can find all manner of indoor garden starter kits on Amazon, including this cute and low-maintenance mason jar set of hydroponic rosemary, lavender, and oregano. (Remember, lavender has been shown to help with anxiety and insomnia. And, speaking of science, check out this study conducted with Texas A&M that showed that being around plants helps with memory retention and concentration!) Whether you’re new to the greatness of greenery or just feel like you need a little refresher course on care and feeding, a reliable source for guidance is MarthaStewart.com. Martha always offers up great tips and techniques to help navigate plants, both the indoor and outdoor types. And some aloe vera. Because in addition to being a safe and effective treatment for minor burns? Its anti-inflammatory properties make it a great vitamin-rich and decidedly wallet- and eco-friendly skin serum. So, with spring right around the corner, March 20, to be exact, plan now to bring the outdoors inside your apartment home at The Retreat at Mountain Brook and enjoy all the benefits plants have to offer!
Kick 2020 to the Curb with Mood Boosting Apartment Décor at The Retreat at Mountain Brook – Birmingham
Adios, au revoir, sayonara, and so long—no matter how you say it, we are kicking 2020 to the curb! And what better way to refocus our lives in 2021 than by starting with our home and surroundings? Because for many of us, The Retreat at Mountain Brook has become the place where not only do we live, now we work here, too. We want and need both function and comfort, an enhanced style, and multi-functional rooms and areas that fit this new lifestyle. We want our surroundings to make us smile. What makes you happy? SUNLIGHT Sunlight – we all need it. So, let it in! Replace those opaque window coverings with sheer fabric for optimal light that can transform a room. You can’t beat white sheers for a clean, romantic look and feel, but don’t be afraid to experiment with other neutrals, a print, or a jewel tone to cast the light and set the mood. If it makes you happy, do it! Check out these sheers at Amazon for just $4.50 (yes, you read it right), with approval of an Amazon Visa. Or, here’s a no-strings-attached sheer option at Wayfair available in white, silver gray, and teal. PERSONAL WALL GALLERY Say NO to bare walls. Make them meaningful with a family photo gallery or collection of your favorite art. Don’t be afraid to mix mediums and/or shapes and sizes. Perplexed as to how to arrange things? Read designer Kathy Kuo’s guide for hanging and grouping wall art. NATURAL TEXTURES Rattan is making a comeback as a way to showcase natural palettes and textures. Bring it into the bedroom with a headboard like this one from South Shore Furniture. Or, pick up a rattan room divider to create definition between your living area and your “new” home office! We love the modern lines of this one from Beachcrest Home, available at Wayfair. PLANTS Whether it’s a decorative pot of rosemary in the kitchen or a grouping of various greeneries in your office, plants help clean the air and have a huge impact on our mood and well-being. Give your spirits an extra lift by using a favorite coffee cup to hold your herbs, or by giving an old planter a fresh coat of paint in a fun spray-on color.
Celebrate National Eggnog Day at The Retreat at Mountain Brook
You will only see it once a year. It makes its debut around Thanksgiving, and then, poof! it’s gone – just like Santa, until this time next year. You’ll find it at your local grocery store in the dairy section, wedged between buttermilk and other milk. Its sweet, ultra-creamy….and maybe a little high in calories. But it’s Christmas, so who cares about that, right? Right. And it has its very own day – December 24 is National Eggnog Day! Eggnog is one of the most popular beverages served during the holiday season. The traditional recipe for Eggnog is milk, cream (told you so), sugar, beaten eggs like cinnamon and nutmeg, and sometimes alcohol. Americans drink it with rum or bourbon, while Peruvians use pomace brandy and Germans use beer. There are a few theories about how eggnog got its name. One story claims that eggnog was first called “egg n’ grog,” which was eventually shortened to “eggnog.” According to other sources, the name comes from the Old English word for strong ale, “nog.” This theory suggests that combining the words “egg” and “nog” refers to any drink that contains both eggs and strong alcohol. We sincerely try not to think about drinking eggs, especially with rum, but we must admit that eggnog is rather tasty at least once a year. Regardless of how eggnog got its name, it has been a favorite holiday beverage for centuries! Make some today to toast the holidays and celebrate the holidays and National Eggnog Day! Want to make Eggnog at home? Here’s a great recipe from tastesbetterfromscratch.com. Homemade Eggnog 6 large egg yolks 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1 cup heavy whipping cream 2 cups milk 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg pinch of salt 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract ground cinnamon for topping Instructions Whisk the egg yolks and sugar together in a medium bowl until light and creamy. In a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the cream, milk, nutmeg and salt. Stir often until mixture reaches a bare simmer. Add a big spoonful of the hot milk to the egg mixture, whisking vigorously. Repeat, adding a big spoonful at a time, to temper the eggs. Once most of the hot milk has been added to the eggs, pour the mixture back into the saucepan on the stove. Whisk constantly for just a few minutes, until the mixture is just slightly thickened (or until it reaches about 160 degrees F on a thermometer). It will thicken more as it cools. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla. Pour the eggnog into a pitcher or other container and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until chilled. It will thicken as it cools. If you want a thinner, completely smooth consistency, you can add the entire mixture to a blender with 1 or 2 tablespoons of milk and blend until smooth. Serve with a sprinkle of cinnamon, and fresh whipped cream, if desired. Store homemade eggnog in the fridge for up to one week. Cheers to all and to all Happy Eggnog Day!
Let Us Give Thanks
Thanksgiving is a time when many of us gather together to reflect on the things for which we are—well—thankful! ☺ Here at The Retreat at Mountain Brook, what we are most thankful for is our residents, and the sense of community we all share. It is in that spirit of gratefulness that we offer you a little bit of lightheartedness and some suggestions on how to create new traditions and make good memories this Thanksgiving holiday. Some years it’s easy to get all excited about Thanksgiving, isn’t it? You brought out your World Market Cider & Clove Potpourri Jar November 1, you’ve already ordered your new Thirtystone Harvest Collection turkey and pumpkin wine bottle stoppers for in-store pickup at the Macy’s at Brookwood Village, and that much-anticipated Galley and Garden Thanksgiving Brunch with family and friends is never really far from your mind. But other years things are a little harder, aren’t they? You never know what the weather will be like. Sometimes you have to travel when you’d much rather stay home. And this year we’ve got the Covid-19 pandemic thrown into the mix. Dealing with the virus has upended people’s lives in many ways, most of them a lot more serious than having to go to our Aunt Ruthie’s and eat her “special” green bean casserole again. Whether your family and friends will be gathering in person or online later this month, or not at all, we are fortunate to have a wide variety of ways to make this holiday special. One fun one is to wear Thanksgiving-decorated face masks. If you don’t have the time to make your own, Better Homes & Gardens has curated a list of Etsy options that’s worth checking out. We’re thinking about getting our brother-in-law David one that says “Will Remove For Pie.” An easy way to bring some joy into people’s lives is to order them a beautiful seasonal bouquet from Dorothy McDaniel’s Flower Market or Wildflower Designs. If you’re Zooming, think about getting each household that will be on the call, including yours, arrangements that complement each other—a great suggestion from our resident lifestyle professionals, the Idea Specialists™. You also could go to one of Birmingham’s amazing wine stores—R&R Wine & Liquor in Crestline and Classic Wine Company in Homewood, to name just two—and get several bottles of the same wine for your family and friends, whether you’ll be gathering together or not. What wonderful traditions to begin! Of course you also can find some really good wines at area grocery stores, whether you are shopping The Pig in Crestline or The Publix on Montclair. And, Publix is offering a complete Thanksgiving dinner you can order online and pick up in the store or have delivered via your favorite service. That way you can spend more time in the den watching football, or bingeing on your favorite series, or entertaining yourself with a Thanksgiving movie. What? You don’t _have_ a favorite Thanksgiving movie? Well, maybe check out the classic Alice’s Restaurant, converted from the Arlo Guthrie song of the same name. Talk about a real oldie but a goodie. . . Need to laugh? Watch Free Birds, with Reggie the Pardoned Turkey and his cohort Jake, a fanatic turkey who also happens to be a time traveler. That should do the trick. On the other hand, maybe you want to do a little bit, or a lot, of the cooking yourself. Life is short, so let’s start with dessert first: Pick up your gorgeous and delicious cornucopia cake from Edgar’s at The Colonnade, then go across to The Summit to Trader Joe’s for its seasonal specialties, which include a vegetarian turkey-less stuffed roast with gravy, a brined bone-in turkey breast that’s just the right amount for two people, corn pudding, and a flock of milk chocolate turkeys. OK, well, maybe flock is overstating things just a little bit. But there are several in the package, and they are so cute! In a turkey sort of way, of course. While you’re in the area, head over to Williams-Sonoma and pick up a jar of their apple-orange cranberry relish and a new carving set. Then download one or two of their fun Thanksgiving photo vignette Zoom backdrops. Everyone will be _so_ impressed with what you’ve done with your place! Now, for many of us, Thanksgiving Day wouldn’t be Thanksgiving Day without a Turkey Trot or the like. For the rest of us, Thanksgiving Day wouldn’t be Thanksgiving Day if we didn’t have to go stand out in the cold and cheer you on in a Turkey Trot or the like. A Birmingham favorite is the Sam Lapidus Montclair Run, named in honor of the young man who died of Ewing’s sarcoma, a form of childhood cancer. This will be the 44th annual run organized by the Levite Jewish Community and the Alabama Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, and this year it’s with a twist: Like so many events impacted by the pandemic, it will be virtual. You can run it any time between November 14 and November 29. We, on the other hand, will be right over here, nice and warm in our leggings and Thomasa Turtleneck Sweatshirt from Anthropologie—the one in limeade, so you can see us better when we wave at you as you go by. Whenever you run it. Maybe you don’t want to run, but you do want to be outside in what we hope will be pretty weather. You could take a hike at Ruffner Mountain, or get Ashley Mac’s Turkey Bundles and take yourself and your family on a picnic in Railroad Park. Or on your sister-in-law’s back patio. Or your best friend’s driveway. Anywhere you can enjoy yourself while keeping social distance in mind. If you would like to include faith and fellowship in your holiday plans, consider attending The Five Points Community Interfaith Thanksgiving Service Tuesday, November 26, at noon at South Highland Presbyterian Church; lunch will be served
Community Garden an asset for Arlington Managed Retreat at Mountain Brook
When the owner of the The Retreat at Mountain Brook needed a placeholder for future development he thought about things that would be an asset to the recently re-imagined 80 acre community and a benefit to current and future residents. He landed on two things: a community garden and a play park for pets. The community garden was to have a backdrop of a strategically placed picket fence to provide residents and pets a private area for exercise and play. The garden fronted a highly traveled residential road leading in to the upscale community of Mountain Brook, Alabama. The Retreat team took advantage of the road frontage, planting seasonal flowers and vegetables in raised beds, allowing residents to “claim a plot” if so desired. The picket fence was a natural for a mural. For this, Heller engaged the assistance of Mentone Alabama artist, Lydia Randolph. Randolph says, she is inspired by Gauguin’s violent use of color, Mary Cassatt’s delicate and precise renderings, and Eakins’ honesty. Her paintings reflect the colors she sees in nature and are priced from several hundred dollars to several thousand, with many in gracing the walls of patrons homes throughout Mountain Brook. So while, cute murals weren’t necessarily her thing, she thought the project would be fun and a way to engage the community. “The community garden has been a big hit and the mural on the fence adds to the playful ambiance of the Retreat, said Lauren Turner, community manager. We continue to receive high marks from residents and people passing by—they just love it.” [rl_gallery id=”2342″]
Pumpkin & Spice & Everything Nice
There are two types of people in this world, right? The ones who really like their pumpkin spice lattes…..and the ones who really like their pumpkin spice lattes with extra nutmeg and whipped cream. No matter how you take your frothy taste of fall, you can place your order for a pumpkin spice latte at any one of the many coffee shops convenient to The Retreat at Mountain Brook, in Birmingham, Alabama, whether you want to sit and relax and enjoy your steaming mug along with a scone at Seeds Coffee Co. on Oxmoor Road in Homewood, or grab one to go from Red Cat Coffee House at Pepper Place on your way to work or class. Of course, on the sleepy Sunday mornings you don’t want to meet up with friends at Revelator Coffee Company, you might be more inclined to light your favorite pumpkin spice-scented candle and lounge on your couch or porch after enjoying some warm oatmeal flavored with a little something from Jordan’s Skinny Syrups Limited Edition Pumpkin Trio. As we’ve shared with you before, our resident lifestyle professionals, the Idea Specialists™, use Jordan’s Skinny Syrups for everything from comfy coffees to classic cocktails, with some baking in between. We really couldn’t make up our mind which one of this fall’s pumpkin offerings was our favorite! Back to candles: There are about a million places to buy them, right? Well, one always-reliable source is Bath & Body Works, and its Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin 3-Wick Candle made O: The Oprah Magazine’s list of Fall 2020 candles that smell “almost as good as fresh pie.” There are also about a million recipes for this pumpkin spice latte out there; if you don’t already have one you prefer, try the one from Delish (we’ve put the recipe at the end of this blog). Before we go any further down this yummy-smelling road, though, we probably ought to pause and ask ourselves: What, actually, is pumpkin spice? You may think you have a gourd idea, but you might not….. Ahem. Seriously, what is it in pumpkin spice, and what is it about it, that makes so many people crave bonfires and boots and sweaters and snuggles? Well, the basic recipe most often is a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. Different blends might contain a little allspice and cardamom. Some chefs even add lemon peel. There is not a bit of pumpkin in it whatsoever. The elements alone, though, don’t work the special magic that has us buying everything from pumpkin spice protein smoothies (this is our favorite recipe right now!) and Kind bars to dog treats and tortilla chips. The ingredients also have to be heated together. That’s what creates the aroma compounds that get us—and food chemists—all excited. Taken to that next level, the “pumpkin” spice when we taste it is kind of caramelized, maybe a little bit burned, and evocative of wood fire. Get out your flannel shirts, we are going to that bonfire! And taking some chemists with us! Because, they’ve educated us: The scent is supposed to remind us of pumpkin pie—can’t you just smell grandma’s at the Thanksgiving table? It turns out, though, that the pie filling used by a lot of us, and our mothers and grandmothers, often is not made with pumpkin, either. Instead, inside those familiar cans we’re all used to seeing each fall is usually a sweet squash that is specially bred to be less watery and hard to chew than the pumpkins you might use to make a Jack-o-Lantern and decorate your porch. Combined, of course, with one of our favorite spice blends. Don’t take our word for it, check out the American Chemical Association’s Chemical & Engineering News website. Now, back to baking. If a busy schedule means you can’t take the time to make your own muffins, just pop over to Starbucks. (Pop over? Did we mean to do that? Maybe…..) Can’t you just taste their pumpkin cream cheese muffin? And their pumpkin bread? Which of course you will order along with that classic latte. And if you’re too busy even for Starbucks, just pour yourself up a mug of some Califia Farms Pumpkin Spice Latte Cold Brew straight from your own refrigerator; it’s available at Whole Foods Market in Cahaba Village Plaza. Depending on how much pumpkin spice lights up your life, you also could make the quick run down to the Sephora at The Summit and pick up the Too Faced Pumpkin Spice Warm & Spicy Eyeshadow Palette. And the Sephora Collection Mini Pumpkin Infused Brush Set. Then head next door to Trader Joe’s for some Howling Gourds Pumpkin Ale or non-alcoholic Pumpkin Spice Ginger Beer. You can use the latter of course, to flavor your favorite Moscow Mule for fall. Cheers! Thank you for letting The Retreat at Mountain Brook have a little bit of fun with a beloved fall tradition. What’s your recipe using favorite pumpkin or pumpkin spice? What’s your favorite candle? Do you bring out your pumpkin-orange throw for your couch around this time every year? We’d love to hear from you with your fall fun ideas! Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe from Delish Ingredients 1 c. whole milk 2 tbsp. pumpkin purée 1 tbsp. maple syrup 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice, plus more for garnish 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract 1/4 c. hot espresso or coffee Whipped cream, for garnish Directions In a saucepan over medium heat, whisk together milk, pumpkin, maple syrup, spice, and vanilla extract. Cook, whisking constantly, until mixture is warmed, then blend mixture with an immersion blender until frothy. Pour hot espresso into a mug, then top with pumpkin-spice foamed milk. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice Need A Little Diversion? See how many words you are able to make out of the letters P U M P K I N S P I C E. We got to 50 by ourselves, 63 with a little help from the internet (and no we
Nearby Neighborhoods We Love — Crestwood
One of the great features of The Retreat at Mountain Brook is our proximity to some of the area’s best, most vibrant neighborhoods. This month, we’re spotlighting Crestwood, a neighborhood just 10 minutes away from our community with a treasure trove of fun places to shop, eat and enjoy. First, down Crestwood Boulevard where you’ll find Crestwood Village, featuring funky shops, restaurants, and activities. On your must do list is Crestwood Pharmacy and Soda Fountain featuring new creations like a variety of kombucha and timeless favorites such as the Classic Chocolate Milkshake. In the mood for music or a haircut? Amazingly, Seasick Records is just the place combining a record store and barbershop. What’s not to love about that? Browse new and used vinyl and cds to your hearts content. Everything is alphabetized and they have everything from hip hop to jazz and rock. On your way in, stop by Neuman’s Classic Cuts for a haircut and a shave! Or, in the mood for a great brew or a meal? This little gem of an area offers eateries including Crestwood Coffee Co., Crestwood Tavern and The Filling Station. Try a great fresh brewed cup of coffee out on the restaurant’s lustrous back patio, or grab some great local brews and bar food while watching a game on the big screen over at Crestwood Tavern. On the corner you’ll find The Filling Station, formerly a full-service gas station, offering pizza, past and salads and most importantly—a DOG-friendly patio! Retreat residents know how much we love our dogs! Stock up on all your grocery needs at Vineyard Food Market a local grocery store that “specializes in customer friendships” and is stocked with a selection of wine, cigars, beer and groceries. Check with Tony if there is something you need and can’t find. He’ll take great care of you. Last but not least is Crestwood Park, a city community area with a playground, a walking/running track along with a fenced football-sized playing field with bleachers. It’s a great destination for these fall days coming up. So, make your plan to come live at The Retreat at Mountain Brook, a great location within minutes of cool, buzzy places like Crestwood. Call (205) 956-9722 to schedule your tour today and see for yourself all that our apartment community offers.
Embrace Fall 2020 with an Outdoor Décor Re-do at The Retreat at Mountain Brook
With Labor Day quickly approaching, but social distancing still a priority, a weekend staycation may be just what the doctor ordered. Instead of spending money on traveling and hotels, why not upgrade your EQ — Entertainment Quotient, that is—by embracing fall with an outdoor décor re-do, setting the stage for when you do feel safe enough to entertain. The Retreat at Mountain Brook is known for its spacious apartment homes — and it is also recognized for its outdoor living spaces. Sunrooms, porches, and balcony’s offer a way to extend our living options by creating a place we can sit – enjoy the seasonal changes and appreciate nature. Whether your outdoor space is a sunroom, porch, or balcony, the decorating options are endlessly fun! One of our favorite inspirational go-to’s for home décor is Real Simple Magazine. You can always count on their designers to present timely trends each season. Here is a recent article we think you will enjoy, on ultimate outdoor entertainment. It states what many of us are still thinking, and that is that indoor entertaining is still off-limits for the foreseeable future. We asked our own resident lifestyle professionals, the Idea Specialists™, their thoughts on how to make the most impact with outdoor entertaining and décor, and what tips they might offer that would be fun leading into Labor Day weekend. Here’s a few of their suggestions: Whether you have a sunroom, porch, or balcony, one of the easiest, most impactful ways to gradually lean into fall is with plants and color. Leave your existing plants in place and integrate fall colors of pumpkin, (traditional orange or the newer sage green) mustard, and cinnamon into the backdrop for a pop of seasonal color. Create a focal point. Since we love pumpkins we found this item at Ballard Designs. Perfect for the season, it combines a fairytale pumpkin, a wreath of seasonal greenery, and a pedestal flower pot. VIOLA! But also, don’t be afraid to be creative and frugal — repurpose a vessel you already have and create your own. Forage for greenery or purchase it someplace fabulous and nearby The Retreat, like SHOPPE on Clairmont. (Be still my heart.) This type of treatment would also be a welcoming addition to your front door-area decorating, as a centerpiece for a dining room table, or on a coffee table. Light up the night! Lighting is magical, isn’t it? It can make or break a room. We love vintage festival or Edison lights for indoor or outdoor lighting. Love early mornings in the fall? Are you a coffer drinker? Turn that potting bench into a cute seasonal coffee station and enjoy that morning cup of Joe on your porch. Treat yourself to special handcrafted coffee mugs from Andrea Hill Pottery – Etsy and Jordan’s Skinny Mix Syrups in an assortment of flavors like salted caramel, pumpkin spice or Cinnamon Dolce. YUM! If coffee isn’t your thing—flip to evening cocktails with a twist of fall. Look at this amazing Pumpkin Spice White Russian recipe, also from Skinny Mixes. One of the easiest ways to cozy up a sunroom is to use casual throws in a variety of colors. They can range in price from $25-$30 or, well — the sky is the limit. We love this one from Crate & Barrell. But if you’re on a budget – you may prefer a lower price point packed with style—like this one we found at Birch Lane for $34 — we like the fringe. Want to celebrate your new décor? Have a party – virtual of course! Add Invitations – receiving an invitation, whether paper or digital, is always fun. Choose a fun fall theme and create your party! We love Paperless Post (which isn’t just paperless anymore!) And be sure and check out their options for hosting a “virtual party”. You’ll be glad you did! Send us your tips and techniques on decorating! We’d love to see your outdoor décor redo!
Enjoy a Spa-like Atmosphere at The Retreat at Mountain Brook
As we juggle a career and a household, we often forget to manage ourselves. The Retreat at Mountain Brook Idea Specialists are pleased to share with you a few tips and tricks for feeling your best here in Birmingham, Alabama. Is working from home stressing you out? Have your quarantine mates become a bit too much? A stroll around the fountain or through the community garden and bark park areas of the Retreat at Mountain Brook property is certain to perk you up! Change the scenery by stepping off the property for a walk through nearby Crestwood Park. For a quick trip outside, the patios and balconies of our apartment homes offer a view of the woods, where you can take a moment to watch the birds while you catch your breath. Aromatherapy is a popular solution for creating a relaxing and uplifting environment. This 700ml Essential Oil Diffuser from ASAKUKI holds enough water to run all throughout your workday, your evening, or overnight. It’s great for large rooms, like the spacious living rooms in our modern apartment homes! Try a combination of lemon and lavender essential oils for a fresh, invigorating scent that will help take the edge off. To take the aromatherapy experience even further, Dr. Teal’s carries an extensive line of bath, shower, and body care products in a wide array of fragrances for you to create your own relaxing spa experience at home. Frequent exercise improves both physical strength and mental focus. It burns off steam and helps to level out mood. You may benefit from a hike along the Irondale Furnace Trail or Ruffner Mountain. Reenergize with a set of resistance bands or weights during your workday, or between chores, or while simply lounging at home. If maintaining energy is a challenge, ask yourself if you’re sleeping enough. Working late into the night is likely to affect your performance the following day, whether you’re fully working from home or taking your work home with you. Maintain consistent work hours daily, and choose tasks according to your energy level; be realistic before you become overwhelmed. Decide what tasks will bring a sense of accomplishment to your workday. This is as important for a homemaker as it is for a CEO. Your biggest project may be the best to knock out first, before your daily energy is expended. Don’t forget to schedule your workouts and breaks when filling in your calendar and daily planner. Prioritize tasks in writing to prevent confusion when trying to remember where to place your focus. Avoid the overwhelm of having to think of everything by writing it down once and allowing your notes to do the planning for you. You may enjoy using a specialized Goal Journal or Gratitude Journal to keep your thoughts positive and productive. A daily meditative practice could be developed to encourage mindfulness. Pour yourself a cup of tea and take some time to reflect. If you prefer loose-leaf tea, Adagio makes the clever ingenuiTEA teapot, which carefully filters loose ingredients to create the perfect cup. Tea is delightful, but are you drinking enough water? Hydration is a key component of good health. It improves mental clarity and physical performance, as well as brightening the appearance and condition of skin, hair, and eyes. All bodily functions rely on adequate amounts of water in order to power our bodies effectively. Water flushes out impurities and reduces puffiness. Thorough hydration lives up to the hype, and is totally worth the effort. The Reduce 40oz Cold 1 Stainless Steel Hydration Bottle from Target provides a large capacity to minimize refills. And if you forget where you left it, your water will still be cold when you find it the next day! Dietary factors affect our energy level and mood more than we might like to admit. It’s true that you are what you eat. So if we want energy, we have to eat energy. This means packing in nutrient dense foods at every opportunity. The original NutriBullet Nutrient Extractor from Bed Bath & Beyond has long been a favorite personal appliance for whipping up delicious smoothies on the go, or blending nutritious dressings and sauces. Meal prep has never been easier with the high quality of Rubbermaid Brilliance Leak-Proof Food Storage Containers keeping ingredients fresh and easily visible. Retreat at Mountain Brook Apartment Homes in Birmingham, Alabama are outfitted with stainless steel appliances and espresso cabinetry in every kitchen. A breakfast bar provides a convenient spot to eat, or extra counter space for meal prepping. Contact the Retreat at Mountain Brook leasing office at 205-956-9722 or at info@retreatatmountainbrook.net to arrange a virtual or self-guided tour. One of our friendly team members will assist you in finding your favorite modern apartment home!
Summer Living Outside at the Retreat
At The Retreat at Mountain Brook, residents enjoy large floor plans with lots of indoor space. But perhaps just as important is the outdoor space that accompanies each apartment home in the form of a patio, balcony or sunroom. Our residents love to use these spaces for entertaining friends and family, or just to enjoy the relaxed feeling that comes from spending time outside in a beautiful setting. The Idea Specialists© at the Retreat have been compiling ideas, trends, tips and techniques designed to inspire– on how to furnish your outdoor area and make it completely yours. First, consider outdoor furniture that fits your lifestyle. Keep the weather in mind. You’ll want to choose furnishings with attractive finishes that will hold up in the elements. Shops and stores near The Retreat that offer a selection of outdoor furniture include Blackjack Gardens, Home Depot, and Family Leisure. A word about accessories: Don’t forget that pillows instantly refresh or pull a look together. Add in decorative outdoor-friendly pillow in the colors your desire. Feel free to mix patterns and prints to truly express your own personal style. And to provide even more ambiance, consider hanging soft lighting to enhance the ambiance of your special outdoor area. According to Best Reviews, the five top styles of outdoor lighting include Brightech light strand, Lighting Ever LED curtain lights, Brightown globe string lights, Taotronic LED waterproof string lights, and Urpower LED solar lights. Of course, no outdoor area would be complete without a variety of flowers and other easy to care for plants in beautifully designed containers. Get the look you want by following the three-step formula of thriller, filler, spiller. Find the container that suits your style at nearby shops including Oak Street Garden Shop, in Mountain Brook Shoppe Birmingham in Forest Park, Charlie Thigpen’s Garden Gallery at Pepper Place and Leaf n’ Petal which has several locations nearby. Other options include garden centers at Wal Mart and Home Depot. “Start with thriller which will be the big, bold focal point of your container plant designs. This plant provides an eye-catching vertical element. We use Angelonia in many of our designs,” says Jamie Cross, greenhouse manager for Oak Street Garden Shop. Other options can include tall ornamental grasses such as Purple Fountain Grass, or flowers such as Cosmos, Salvia and Dahlia. Filler is usually composed of mid-size, mounding or rounded plants that surround and enhance the thriller and fill the space in the planter. You can use one filler or opt for two or three different plants in your container gardening design. Cross recommends Lantana or Vinca as options because these selections do not require deadheading. Other filler options include: Petunias, Begonias, and Ageratum to name a few. Spillers are splashy plants that cascade and tumble over the sides of the container. Cross recommends Trailing Vinca. “It’s a beautiful plant with marvelous training capacity,” she says. She added that “We also carry a variety of ready-made container plantings because we like to see how they grow out, and because some of our customers prefer to stop in an select something that they can enjoy right away.” Other trailing options include: Sweet Potato Vine, Ivy and Alyssum. And for more ideas, check out their blog at Oak Street Container Gardens. So, relax and luxuriate in your own personal outdoor retreat at The Retreat at Mountain Brook’s beautiful apartment community and share your personally decorated space with friends and family this summer. If you want to enjoy the advantage and spaciousness that our community provides, feel free to schedule a tour with our team members by calling us at (205) 956-9722.
