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.
Create a Home Office That Means Business!
Let’s talk business! With so many of us working now from home, the Idea Specialists*at The Retreat at Mountain Brook thought we’d share our favorite home office tips, designed to increase your productivity within the most potentially distracting environment – your very own home. So hang up the “do not disturb” sign, put on your noise-canceling headphones, and we’ll help you maximize your results with minimal effort! The best way to begin is by bringing work away from the couch, out of the bed, and into a dedicated home office. Our apartment homes offer several options for a potential workspace. A bonus room, den, sunroom, or bedroom would be an excellent choice. But remember that Retreat at Mountain Brook Apartment Homes offer such a spacious living area, that a thoughtfully arranged home office could quite easily be carved from your living room! You could even accommodate an armchair for an alternative spot to relax while brainstorming or proofreading, or create a compelling backdrop for that next Zoom meeting. Of course your desk chair should be just as comfortable so that you can remain focused. The Three Posts Eckard Task Chair from Wayfair has excellent ratings and reviews! Mimic a traditional office with clipboards for documents and bulletin boards for memos and inspiration. Take advantage of our legendary storage closets to keep your work materials organized and handy for maximum efficiency! Position your desk near a natural light source to stay lively. Full-spectrum light bulbs mimic sunlight to reduce eye fatigue. They’re great for desk lamps and other task lighting. The Anglepoise Original 1227 Desk Lamp from Perigold is fully adjustable and clamps securely to your work surface. Keeping your computer screen at eye level or below will help prevent dryness associated with tired eyes. Are your eyes tired, or just tired of gazing at that hulking printer humming beside you? Hide it inside a cabinet, closet, or behind a decorative room divider. Now you have more room to spread out paperwork. Place personal keepsakes and plants on shelves; reserve your desktop for work materials. The Perch Magnetic Modular System from The Container Store allows for customization while taking advantage of vertical space. Try to not go overboard with personal items, as clutter can crowd out space needed for important materials while becoming a distraction. Clear away unnecessary items regularly, and stash a paper shredder under your desk to eliminate a trash pile. Marie Kondo teaches a minimalistic approach to living that will permanently declutter your space. Keep the décor uplifting, and freshen it by rotating pieces around the room. Or simply step outside for a breath of fresh air on the balcony or patio of your modern apartment home while you take in the gorgeous wooded scenery!
Make a Referral to the Retreat and Reap the Rewards!
Kudos to Dylan, Assistant Community Manager, The Retreat at Mountain Brook – for this great review!
“Highly recommend The Retreat at Mountain Brook. We were in need of an apartment fairly quickly and only for a short term lease. On top of that we were moving from out of state and were not going to be able to view any floorplan or apartment community in person before we moved. The front office, especially Dylan, at The Retreat at MB was hands down the friendliest, most informative, most helpful and extremely patient with me while I made my calls to complexes around the Birmingham area. They made the moving and living experience the most effortless and easiest experience that I could have asked for. The maintenance staff as well as the security guards were just as friendly too. You cannot beat the location, apartment size, prices, ALL staff members, amenities and overall front office communication at The Retreat at Mountain Brook. I don’t know what we would have done without Dylan!!” Former Retreat Resident, Lauren Pitts
Luxury Apartment Living – Take a Self-Guided Tour Today at The Retreat at Mountain Brook
Finding the right apartment home is essential. And, although social events have been paused while we all maintain our safe distances, your pursuit of superior apartment living can continue. The Retreat at Mountain Brook has developed the perfect touring system to eliminate all of the guesswork for you. We offer virtual tours so you can get a feel for the layout of our available apartments or, you can arrange a self-guided tour of your chosen apartment when you’re ready to schedule a visit. The Retreat at Mountain Brook community is nestled against the City of Mountain Brook and just minutes from downtown Birmingham, yet in its own serene space. Nearby neighborhoods like Avondale, Forest Park, and Crestline provide a variety of shopping, dining, and entertainment experiences. Medical facilities, schools, grocery stores, country clubs, nature preserves, and Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International airport are all located within minutes of The Retreat at Mountain Brook. Try taking a virtual tour of The Retreat at Mountain Brook apartments from literally anywhere! Our three charming gated villages boast a collection of 19 unique floor plans. In each apartment unity you will find stainless and black appliances, granite countertops and a washer and dryer. Highland Village provides 1-, 2-, and 3- bedroom flats, as well as 2- and 3- bedroom townhomes, ranging in size from 1,082 to 1,900 sq. ft. In Greenbriar Village, you will find 1-, 2-, and 3- bedroom flats, ranging from 1,093 to 1,780 sq. ft. And Canterbury Village features 1-, 2-, and 3- bedroom flats, ranging from 1,284 to 1,893 sq. ft. Browse the floor plans on our website to find the option that best suits you. Photos, videos, and virtual tours are available to assist you. And, did we mention that 4-legged furry family members are welcome as well? We have pet-walking courtesy stations throughout the community and a bark park located conveniently next to our community garden. You may request a virtual tour of your chosen apartment when you contact us. You then may take a self-guided tour when you decide to see our beautiful community in person. Simply make arrangements with a leasing agent by calling (205) 956-9722 or emailing info@retreatatmountainbrook.net. Our team will prepare your prospective apartment for viewing. We’d love to help you find your new home here at The Retreat at Mountain Brook.
