SCORE! Football Season is off and running
It’s Football season so let’s talk about Alabama’s Big Three! At The Retreat at Mountain Brook that means the Alabama Crimson Tide, the Auburn Tigers, and hometown favorite UAB Blazers. Football has a mighty hold on the South, particularly in Alabama which boasts more than 17 National Championship teams since the first college football national championship was awarded almost 150 years ago, in 1869. On Thursday, August 29, The University of Alabama Blazer football team will face off at 7 p.m. CDT against the Alabama State Hornets in Birmingham’s Legion Field. If you plan to attend the game, be sure to check out Blazer Village which has all things Blazer for the UAB fan, along with activities for young ones with inflatable toys, dance with the DJ and face painting. Plus, Blaze, the friendly dragon mascot of UAB will be available for photo ops for young and old alike. And for adults 21 years and older, there’s a new beer garden and pregame lounge. But, if you plan to stream the game on ESPN+, might we suggest a great tailgate snack that’s easy to prepare? How about Easiest Ever Football Bean Dip? Check out Lydioutloud’s blog to make this picturesque charmer filled with ingredients you can pick up at your local Walmart. Next, head on over to what we call Saturdays Down South and you’ll find both Auburn and Alabama kicking off their season. Starting the afternoon with a 2:30 EDT kickoff will be the Alabama Crimson Tide football team against the Duke Blue Devils. Yes, they also have a football team. If you aren’t driving over to attend the Chick-Fil-A kickoff classic, in the Mercedes Benz Stadium, then tune your tv to ABC and let the magic pour over you. Crimson Tide—How did they get that name? Well according to lore, the name was earned after a particularly muddy Iron Bowl against across state rival Auburn in 1907. According to David Crauswell, the story most often accepted for the origin of the nickname comes from the 1907 Iron Bowl game against heavily favored Auburn. The game ended in a tie, causing a local sports editor to describe Alabama’s play in the red clay mud as “a crimson tide” washing across the field. The nickname stuck. And while there are a slew of Crimson Tide drinks you can make with a host of liquors and other ingredients, this August heat has us recommending easy Sangria available at Costco in Hoover for under $9 for 1.5 liters. Now that’s a Tide we can get behind. Meanwhile over at Jordan-Hare, WAIT, WAIT. Not this Saturday. Turns out, No. 16 ranked Auburn is traveling also for their opening game, this year to Arlington, Texas to meet the No. 11 Oregon Ducks. We are sure this will be a meaty faceoff since the two participants last met in the 2011 BCS National Championship Game, a game which the Tigers won. Well, naturally. Fire up the grill if you are watching home on ABC television or on the ABC app and try this meaty recipe from food.com for some souped up burgers you can make on The Retreat’s masterful grill stations at our outdoor kitchen. Settle in for a 6:30 p.m. kickoff and enjoy what is sure to be a thrilling match up. So, there’s the line up for this week, but if you need to check on any other SEC football team, just download this pdf courtesy of FB Schedules. Tell ‘em your friends at The Retreat sent you. Better yet, come see your friends at The Retreat for your personal tour of all our great amenities including our two Clubhouses with Resident Lounges, perfect for Saturday football viewing! You can contact the Retreat team at (205) 956-9722 or just stop in for your own personal tour today.
Large Luxury Apartments and Amenities at The Retreat at Mountain Brook
Here at The Retreat at Mountain Brook, we’re always excited to show off our large, luxurious apartment homes and amenities to future residents. So often from first time visitors we hear “Wow, I didn’t know apartments this area could be so large, and with so many great amenities!” That’s music to our ears because we offer outstanding luxury apartments and exciting community features for an excellent value. “The Retreat offers a plethora of modern amenities for our residents that include a community garden, three saltwater resort-style pools, two state-of-the-art fitness centers, two resident coffee lounges equipped with Wi-Fi, championship-modeled tennis courts and walking trails,” says Lauren Turner, community manager at The Retreat. “Our goal its to ensure that our residents can enjoy luxurious living in every aspect of their lives here at The Retreat.” Our luxury community offers 1- 2- and 3-bedroom flats and townhomes from 1,060 to 1,900 square feet starting at just $1050 per month. First time guests are amazed with the size of our walk-in closets, sun rooms, master bedrooms and living areas. With over 15 floor plans to choose from, in three unique villages, and this month we’re highlighting two of our finest—The Beaumont and the Brookshire townhomes. The Beaumont, located in Highland Village, is our newly remodeled and styled 3 bedroom/2.5 bath apartment town home with 1,670 sq. ft. of spacious living space. You’ll find a large master bathroom with walk in closet, and its own private balcony looking out over peaceful wooded views. The Beaumont’s kitchen that has plenty of cabinet space for any “Top Chef” or just-getting-started cook. If you prefer delivery or take out instead, don’t worry, our large stainless-steel refrigerator can hold all your munchies easily! And our separate dining room space stands ready for family meals, or fun-filled gatherings with friends with doors leading outside to the covered patio for outdoor entertaining also. In the airy living room, an electric fireplace stands ready for action if these summer temps ever cool down! Also in Highland Village is The Brookshire, our largest townhome offering 1900 sq. ft. with 3 bedrooms/2.5 baths. In this townhome, the master bedroom features a closet large enough to serve as a small home office if needed, and opens up to a full balcony, also with wooded views. Both full bathrooms in this home feature double vanities, and plenty of storage space for daily essentials. And more storage can be accessed from the Brookshire’s porch, for out of season or outdoor items that need to be tucked away. Words perhaps can’t really do this townhome justice, so why not take a 360 tour? Click here and see for yourself why luxury living s so easy to do here at The Retreat. Last, one other amenity that The Retreat team is super proud of is our 6,500 sq. ft. Pet Park equipped with agility stations to keep your beloved pets happy and healthy. “Many of our residents have pets and they love coming home to play with them at our Pet Park,” says Turner. “It’s also provides a sense of community and a place for people to come together and love where they live!” So, why wait? Pack your belongings (including your gardening or fitness gear) and come enjoy all that The Retreat has to offer in terms of large, luxurious location with amenities that can’t be beat. Want to see them for yourself? Call us at (205) 956-9722 to schedule your personal tour with one of our friendly leasing center team members.
It’s Birmingham Restaurant Week we’re celebrating with a street food festival of our own!
Food is a topic and taste much loved by our residents and the community management team at The Retreat at Mountain Brook. Lucky for us we live in a thriving food community—in fact—one of the hottest food scenes in the nation is right here in Birmingham and its surrounding areas. Recently, national restaurant guide Zagat.com ranked Birmingham No. 1 on its new list of America’s Next Hot Food Cities. To appropriately honor all this food goodness, we’re also hosting our 1st Annual Street Food Festival, celebrating our residents, Saturday, August 24, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. We’ll have Fat Mama’s Lunch Box, Pazzo Big Slice, Urban Pops, along with cold beverages and prizes! (You must be present to win.) Visit our event page on Facebook and let us know you are joining us. Aren’t we lucky? And luckier still because starting August 16, Birmingham Restaurant Week (BRW) begins. For the uninitiated, BRW is a 10-day food-a-liscious event (we know, it says week but why not celebrate a few days more) that begins August 16 and lasts until the 25th. Founded in 2010, BRW is a unique and original food fest featuring Birmingham bred and born restaurants along with some awesome chains that we love. Now in its 10th year, the event draws foodies from near and far to enjoy the city’s premier dining out event. Here’s how it works – for 10 days, participating restaurants across Birmingham and its surrounding neighborhoods offer special lunch and dinner menus at set price points in $5 dollar increments from $10 to $50 per person. Whether you’re revisiting your favorite restaurants or experiencing new ones, it’s easy for food lovers to savor the flavors of Birmingham and celebrate the landmark eateries that have elevated Birmingham’s culinary scene to national stardom! Participating restaurants near The Retreat include the Avondale/Forest Park neighborhood which is less than five miles from our apartment community. Restaurants in the area include: Whistling Table, Avondale Common House, Brat Brot, Little Savannah Restaurant & Bar, and Lucky Cat to name a few. In the Lakeview neighborhood you’ll find these awesome restaurants participating: Blueprint on 3rd, Eugene’s Hot Chicken, Ovenbird and Skycastle along with the ever-popular gourmet-inspired Slice Pizza. Close to home in Crestline Heights, you can enjoy Otey’s Tavern, and a short hop over to English Village offers you Vino and Chez Lulu for the best garlic soup you will ever put in your mouth. Yes, garlic. Yes, ever. Further afield (but still just 15 minutes by car or Lyft) in Southside, Ocean, helmed by superstar award-winning executive chef George Reis offers a menu that features your choice of Fried Oysters with leek frisee, red onion, roasted tomato aioli or Duck Rillettes with arugula, figs, and grilled bread, followed by Gulf Shrimp Carbonara lady peas, beech mushrooms, guanciale or Norwegian Salmon with beet risotto, and horseradish apple yogurt. His BRW special menu ends with Chocolate Pot De Crème, always a diner favorite. To appropriately honor all this food goodness, we’re also hosting our 1st Annual Street Food Festival, celebrating our residents, Saturday, August 24, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. We’ll have Fat Mama’s Lunch Box, Pazzo Big Slice, Urban Pops, along with cold beverages and prizes! (You must be present to win.) Visit our event page on Facebook and let us know you are joining us. Yes, the food scene in Birmingham and surrounding communities has come a long way since the days of iceberg-only salads. We encourage you to come have fun at our street food festival and before that, check out the BRW and discover a restaurant (or two) that suits your fancy. And be sure to let us know your food impressions, because is there anything better than talking about food in the ‘HAM? We think not. See you August 24 at The Retreat.
Service with a Smile—The Retreat at Mountain Brook team
Living at The Retreat at Mountain Brook offers everything a resident could ask for—large spacious floor plans, beautiful amenities such as our saltwater pools, outdoor grilling stations and dining, pet park, community garden, luxurious clubhouse and fitness center to name a few. But one thing residents love the most is the amazing customer service provided by our Community Management crew led by Lauren Turner. Assistant Community Manager Amory Strange, and leasing consultants Dylan Hoover, Savannah Kliman, and Rachel Sandefur also go above and beyond to make sure residents are well taken care of. [huge_it_gallery id=”6″] “At The Retreat, we strive to give the wow effect. This means standing and greeting the guests, making our interactions personable, and doing our best to stand out from our competitors,” says Lauren Turner, community manager. Some of the services offered by the team include accepting and holding packages from FedEx or UPS. The community also provides valet trash pick up so that residents can simply leave their trash by their door for pickup, a service that residents rave about. “We enjoy providing our residents with all types of assistance to help make their lives easier and fun,” says Strange. “It’s part of our culture and something that sets us apart from other apartment communities. We want to provide our residents with an ease of living that they can’t find anywhere else.” Also, the Idea Specialists© develop and host resident events so that community members can interact socially and get to know one another better. In late August, the Idea Specialists© at The Retreat will host a resident pool party featuring local food trucks including Pazzo’s Big Slice, Urban Pops, and Fat Mama’s Lunchbox. Beer and wine selections will be provided by Cahaba Brewing. The Retreat also offers a 24/7 Anytime, Anywhere Online Customer Service portal so that residents can pay rent, email an associate in the business center or file a service request fulfilled within 24 hours by The Retreat’s stellar maintenance team led by Supervisor Alonzy Bryant along with Jimmy Jolly, Ricky Parsons, and Denzel Patton. “A resident knowing that you’re there to provide an answer, a solution, or a simple communication when they need you can really make a difference in their satisfaction level,” says Turner. “We take a lot of pride in being able to serve our residents in so many ways.” Together the team strives to ensure that superior customer service is provided each and every day. “We aim to treat our residents like we would want to be treated,” says Turner. “It gives us a great deal of satisfaction knowing that we are committed to making sure that our residents enjoy a superior quality of life here at The Retreat.”
Back to School Tips You Can Use
Well there is still plenty of summer sun to soak up, but back-to-school time is just around the corner and that means stocking up. School systems that serve The Retreat at Mountain Brook begin their first day of classes ranging from August 8 to August 27. The Idea Specialists© at The Retreat put together these ideas to help you and your kids transition to the school year. Tip 1: Take inventory before you buy! Sure, you need to download the list of school supplies provided by your child’s school, but before you spend hard earned dollars, take an inventory of what you may already have. You’ll find that you may be able to reuse items such as: Backpack Lunch Box Binders Calculator Flash Drive Pencil Box Reusable Water Bottle Ruler/Protractor/Compass Scissors Ear Buds (only for use outside of the classroom of course) Markers/Colored Pencils/Crayons (Wait, who are we kidding? That is probably going to be a brand-new purchase. Below, we’ll tell you about local stores and websites to visit so that you can get the items you need at low back-to-school-prices.) Tip 2: Make a list Before you buy anything, you’ll need a list to check off items in your current inventory (remember Tip 1?) so that you only buy the things you need. Review classroom lists provided on your school’s web site and mark off items you already have. Once you have your final list, it’s time to shop. Stores near The Retreat include Walmart, which offers free two-day delivery on a wide variety of back-to-school items. Also, you can shop a unique Walmart feature called Kidbox, which allows you to solve back-to-school shopping for clothes with up to 50% off premium brands. It’s easy to use—just take a brief quiz on your child or children’s style and get a Kidbox delivered to your door with outfits your kid can try at no initial cost. Pricing ranges from $48 and up depending on the items you choose to keep. Also nearby is Walgreen’s, located just 1.4 miles from The Retreat, which has a wide variety of school supplies, coupled with the convenience of quickly getting in and out of the store and back to the home you love! Target Back to School – offers same day delivery, order pick up, and drive up service. Locations near The Retreat are at Brookwood Village in Homewood, Alabama or in Trussville. And, for tech savvy family members who need to organize your list by store, check out Cozi, a free app that lets you keep events and activities all in one place, keep and share the lists for each store in real time. Plus, you can also store recipes, plan meals, and shop for ingredients while using from your mobile or a computer. Now that’s a timesaver we love. Tip 3: Do your homework first. Every week, stores nearby and online will feature loss leaders, or items with a low cost designed to encourage you to shop and acquire both those products, and other regularly priced items that you may also need. So, before you walk out the door, sign up for weekly ads to be delivered to your email. Check your list and plan your shopping accordingly. And that leads us to Tip 4! Tip 4: Price match Many stores have a price match policy. You’ll have to visit individual websites to see specific stipulations. For instance, Target matches its own website (sometimes online prices are cheaper than in stores) and competitors’ in store and online prices. And if you purchase an item at Target and find it cheaper somewhere else up to 14 days later, you can bring in the receipt and receive the difference. Staples features a 110% Price Match policy where you not only get items at the same price but also receive another 10%. Tip 5: Shop when you have time! Of course, busy parents may not have time to make the rounds (raise your hand if you’ve ever shopped at midnight! We have!) Try amazon.com for school supply needs. If you are a college student, you can sign up for a free six-month Amazon Prime membership and get free shipping along with a host of other benefits. Tip 6: Coupons Don’t forget the power of couponing. Stores we like that are offering back-to-school deals include: Office Depot has 20% Off Qualifying School Supply purchases. PLUS, you can shop online and pick up in the store, even scoring those $0.10 notebooks. Staples has a 20% Off School Supplies Coupon when you purchase a backpack. School shopping doesn’t have to tank your finances. You can save money and time on school supplies! And, by using these great tips, you’ll see that this is a test you can pass with flying colors!
Dog Days of Summer
Everyone can agree on one thing this July—it’s HOT. Luckily for residents at The Retreat at Mountain Brook, we have not one but three salt water pools where you can cool off to your heart’s delight. But what about our furry friends? Dogs in particular need extra care this time of year. Here are some tips from the Idea Specialists© at The Retreat to ensure that your pooch stays safe during the summer heat. Hot Weather Tips for Your Pet Be proactive about Vet Care. Things really heat up during the summer months, so make sure you pup is up to date on heartworm, and flea and tick protection so they can enjoy those walks outside or at the Pet Park at The Retreat without bringing home critters that can make everyone itch! Don’t leave your pet alone in the car on a warm day. It’s common sense to make sure animals are kept cool, but perhaps you get home and realize you need to make a store run, but your sweet pup hasn’t seen you all day, and you expect that you’ll just dash in and be back out in no time. Why not take your pet? Because in the summer heat, you can put your precious furry loved one in danger quickly if left in a car, even with windows cracked. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA), “On a 70-degree day, a car’s interior temperature can climb to 90 degrees. On an 85-degree day, it takes only 10 minutes for a car’s interior to top 100 degrees; in 30 minutes, the temperature can jump to 120 degrees.” Avoid Walking Your Dog in the Heat. Ground temperatures can be much higher than air temperatures. If walking your dog on pavement, test it by holding your hand on the surface for 10 seconds. If it’s uncomfortable for you, it’s uncomfortable for your pup. Burned paws can be incredibly painful for your pup and can lead to blisters, cracking or even missing pieces of the paw pad, so it’s important to consider the weather and walking surface before talking your pet out. Try taking your animal to our amazing Pet Park instead for needed exercise and fun. Keep Your Home Cool for your pets. According to rent.com, pet owners should do three things to keep their animals cool: Keep them hydrated; keep the air flowing; keep them groomed. To keep your animal hydrated consider using a larger bowl and add a few ice cubes in it for an extra treat. While you are at work or away from your home, be sure to set your air conditioner on a reasonable temperature so that pets stay comfortable. And, by grooming your pet, you’ll reduce the hair that can trap the heat. Just be sure to see a professional groomer for big jobs. Keep summer foods away from your pet. Summer is a great time to grill out especially with The Retreat’s Pool Side Outdoor Kitchen and our Grilling Stations with Dining Terrace. Just be aware that food and beverages often commonly found at barbeques can be poisonous to pets. Bones from cooked meats can splinter and cause death to your pet. And snacks such raisins, grapes, onions, chocolate and products with the sweetener xylitol may cause your dog or cat to have severe digestive ailments including death. So, enjoy the season, but keep harmful foods away from your pets, no matter how sweetly they beg. Remember, summer is a season that should be enjoyed by everyone including pets. Just make sure to help them enjoy these dog days of summer in a responsible, safe way.
Summer Patio Party Ideas
With summer in full swing you can’t go wrong with an easy patio party! The Idea Specialists© at The Retreat at Mountain Brook have put together some great recommendations for your next gathering designed to help make your life easier, so you can kick back and enjoy the rest of summer with family and friends. Spruce up your patio or balcony decor Residents at The Retreat enjoy spacious outdoor living with large patio and balcony options at each apartment home. If you have a set of patio furniture, make sure the cushions are clean and sparkling, and inject a little sizzle with fresh accent pillows to spruce up your look. Or, if shopping for the ideal design, check out the many options offered by our friends at Wayfair like their Sarver set which is currently on sale. Add an outdoor rug that fits your color scheme, and don’t forget lighting like these cool, battery operated string lights from Amazon. Add fresh flowers such as daisies to complete the summery chic look. Easy Fun Food Cooking can be cumbersome in the hot summer weather so why not make things easy on yourself? Pick up some of your favorite ready-made food and beverages at your local Publix, located just 1.5 miles from The Retreat. Better yet, order online and have your items delivered! Start at the seafood counter with cooked, peeled with shrimp, cocktail sauce and horseradish. Add sliced lemon for squeezing and you have a tasty, protein-rich option for your guests. Another option is the always delicious chicken fingers, available at the Publix deli. Also, pick up everyone’s favorite Wholly Guacamole and Tostito’s Baked Tortilla chips and continue the healthy selections at your shindig! Add a veggie tray and nonfat ranch dip and those melt in your mouth brownie bites can serve as a well-deserved treat for dessert! Sipping Sangria Of course, a sweet and tangy sangria recipe is one the best beverage additions to any summer party. Our friends Southern Living share that “Sangria can be made using white, red, or sparkling wines. A red wine sangria recipe is the most traditional and we suggest using fruits like oranges, cherries, and lemons to add flavor and colorful garnish.” Whip up the perfect easy summer sipping sangria recipe by combining just four ingredients for the base: one cup Ruby Red Grapefruit juice, one bottle of inexpensive Red Wine such as Rioja, a traditional Spanish red wine is readily available in most supermarkets, a quarter cup each of fresh lime juice and sugar. As an option, add any fruits that you like such as berries, cherries, citrus, watermelon or whatever strikes your fancy. Pour club soda or prosecco before serving to turn the beverage into shimmering, sparkling treat. Use a beverage dispenser to dispense the refreshing treat so guests can refill their drinks, allowing you the freedom to mix and mingle. Want to host a summer get together at The Retreat but don’t live here yet? No problem, just come by or call our friendly leasing team at (205) 956-9722 to schedule your tour today and see for yourself our spacious patio and balcony spaces along with all the amazing amenities that our apartment community offers.
Look | Lease | Party on the Porch Starts Now
There’s nothing better than coming home to a beautiful porch or patio — relaxing, entertaining or enjoying the morning’s first cup of coffee. Large porches and patios are a tremendous asset to our residents here at The Retreat at Mountain Brook, so much so, that our team thought the time was right to feature our personal outdoor living spaces by offering a patio furniture incentive for prospective residents and we’re calling it Look| Lease | Party on the Porch. (We’re all about a party, you know!) And, who better to partner with for Party on the Porch than Wayfair, one of the world’s largest online destinations for furniture and home accessories? Here’s how Look | Lease | Party works: Drop by or schedule a time to visit The Retreat at Mountain Brook. Let one of our friendly team-members take you on a personal tour of our re-imagined community, complete with 2-state of the art fitness centers, beautifully designed resident club houses, and meticulously kept grounds. Take a look at one of our 3-featured floor plans, The Brookshire, The Marlowe, or The Winsford, lease within 48 hours and choose your new patio furniture from Wayfair, with an average retail value of $1400. Now, more about our featured floorplans…both The Brookshire, a three-bedroom, 2.5 bath townhome with 1,900 square feet of spacious accommodations and The Winsford, a 1,400 square foot three-bedroom, two bath-flat with den, are located in In Highland Village, bordered by evergreens, pine trees, and oak leaf hydrangeas. Nestled in Canterbury Village, with its backdrop of pines, and flanked by The Retreat at Mountain Brook Community Garden and championship-modeled tennis courts, you will find, The Marlowe, an 1,893 square foot floor plan featuring two bedrooms, two baths and den. As with all The Retreat at Mountain Brook apartment homes, large luxurious closets are a welcomed standard. In addition to our exciting “Party on the Patio” giveaway, new residents will most certainly appreciate The Retreat’s other outdoor amenities including three saltwater pools, a poolside outdoor kitchen, grilling stations with a dining area, championship-level tennis courts, the Bark Park and our colorful community garden. And remember, if you want to select your Wayfair patio furniture right away, it’s easy. Simply schedule a tour with our friendly, knowledgeable Leasing Team and lease within 48 hours. Then make your personal selection from one of the three fabulous Wayfair patio designs offered. There’s something for everyone here at The Retreat at Mountain Brook. Call (205) 956-9722 to schedule your tour today and see for yourself all the amazing amenities that our apartment community offers.
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!
