Blog Posts

Refreshing Drinks for Summer

The weather can get pretty sweltering here in Arlington, VA, which is why you’ll need to find some ways to cool down! Aside from dressing for the weather and not going out at all, one of our preferred methods of cooling down is by sipping on some delicious and refreshing drinks! In this week’s Wildwood Park Apartments Blog, we’ve got a few drink recipes for you to try out this summer! Earl Grey Lemonade 4 Earl Grey teabags 1 cup fresh lemon juice 3 tablespoons honey (or to taste) If you like Arnold Palmers, you can try out this recipe! Earl Grey and lemonade may seem like an odd combination, but it works! This recipe is so good, you’ll want to make a whole bunch to keep cool during the hot summers! S’mores Milkshake 8 marshmallows 1 pint chocolate ice cream 1/4 cup milk 1 tsp. vanilla 1 pinch of salt What better way to celebrate the summer than by drinking some of this S’mores milkshake! This recipe will remind you of the times around the bonfire, roasting marshmallows. The sweetness of the marshmallows coupled with the chocolate ice cream blends together for a decadent treat you’re sure to love. Mango Lassi 1 cup plain yogurt 1/2 cup milk 1 cup chopped very ripe mango, frozen chopped mango, or a cup of canned mango pulp 4 teaspoons honey or sugar, more or less to taste A dash of ground cardamom (optional) Ice (optional) When was the last time you had a mango lassi? You’ve probably had this sweet treat at your local Indian restaurant, but now you can have it at any time! Delicious and sweet, it’s a great drink for hanging out in the summer! Share with our Arlington, VA apartment community some of your favorite drink recipes! Thanks for reading.

Summer Date Ideas

When was the last time you went on a date? Whether you’re looking to be fun or to treat your significant other to a romantic evening, the summer is the perfect time for a date! It can be difficult to figure out what to do, which is why we’ve decided to share some summer date ideas in this week’s Wildwood Park Apartments Blog. There’s plenty to do here in Arlington, VA, so we hope these tips will help you think of things to do! Watch an Outdoor Movie If you and your significant other love movies, what better date is there than enjoying a nice movie outdoors? Ideally, you can find an establishment hosting an outdoor movie, but if you aren’t able to, the least you could do is procure a projector to watch a movie on. Get yourself a comfortable spot, preferably on grass, and break out all of the pillows and blankets to set the mood! After all of that, pick a romantic movie and you’ll be all set!. Pack a Picnic Because the weather is nice, we recommend taking full advantage of it by packing a picnic! You probably haven’t been on a picnic in a while, so it’s time to do so! Pack delicious handheld food like sandwiches or wraps and don’t forget the side dishes. Find a spot near some shade and have yourself a romantic day! Stargazing Sometimes simplicity is the key to a successful date, which is why we believe that stargazing is a great activity for a date! It may be difficult to find a good spot near the city, so try venturing out into the more rural areas of the city, far from the city lights. Do you have any date ideas you enjoy going on during the summer? Share those ideas with our apartment community so we can try them out! Thanks for reading.

Hiking Tips

Do you enjoy the outdoors? If you do, then take advantage of the warmer weather here in Arlington, VA and go for a hike! Hiking is a good way to experience nature and get in some exercise. In this week’s Wildwood Park Apartments Blog, we’ve got a few tips for you on keeping safe and making the most of when you go hiking. Gear Before you get out into the wilderness, we suggest you gear up properly. Depending on the type of hikes you’re intending on doing, you may not need as much gear, but it’s always best to be prepared. The first thing you need to get is a good, sturdy pair of hiking boots. Since hiking is heavily dependent on walking, you don’t want to injure yourself at the start of the hike. A good pair of boots can help stave off rolling your ankles and other foot injuries. Once you’ve gotten those boots, invest in a backpack to hold all your water, first aid kit, and trail snacks. Once you’ve gotten these few pieces of gear, you’d have your base gear for hiking! Essentials What do you consider an essential of hiking? For us, it’s water, but there are plenty of other essentials to consider before you go on your hike. Beyond a significant amount of water, having trail snacks keeps you energized throughout your hike, a first aid kit can help you in emergency situations, and a packet poncho can be a lifesaver when the weather turns sour! There are plenty of things that can be considered essential, so find the things you can’t hike without and make sure they’re packed. Planning Have you ever spontaneously wanted to go hiking? Though spontaneity is a fun way to remain adventurous, planning a hiking trip can ensure that you actually get to hike as well as helps you avoid inclement weather. Do your research, check the weather, and get all packed up and ready to go!

Staycations!

Do you feel like you need a vacation? If you do, you may be wanting to go somewhere different, to escape the routine and monotony of your life. Doing so can be expensive, which is why we recommend a staycation! If you don’t know what a staycation is, it’s a vacation where you don’t go beyond your own country, or in this case, your own city. In this week’s Wildwood Park Apartments Blog, we’ve got a few ways you can make the most of staying in Arlington, VA and relaxing! Hotels When you go overseas on vacation, hotels can get expensive. Due to that, you’re more likely to spring for a cheaper housing accommodations just so you can enjoy the travel experience. With a staycation, since you aren’t spending the money on plane tickets, you could use some of the money that you’re saving on splurging on a fancier hotel! Don’t cheap out on your experience! Restaurants When you’re at home, you probably cook for yourself. Normally, going out to restaurants (besides fast food) can be an uncommon experience, but since you’re going to be on a staycation, treat yourself! Research some restaurants in the local area or ask your friends where they love to eat, then try it out for yourself! Keep in mind that fancy restaurants doesn’t necessarily mean good food, so keep your eyes and ears out for good food! Treat Yourself Part of a vacation is treating yourself, be it pampering yourself at the spa, spending some money at fashion boutiques or outlets, or just sleeping in. Use your staycation as a way to relax and unwind in a city that you’re familiar with. Do your best to shut out the world you’re wanting to escape. Silence your cell phone, or even put it away for the duration. Put yourself and anyone you’re staycationing with first. You deserve it!

Barbecue Side Dishes

Did you know that May is National Barbecue Month? Get outside of your Arlington, VA apartment and enjoy a day of grilling with your friends and family! Since barbecues are about the food, we always recommend making sure that the food you provide or bring is top notch. In this week’s Wildwood Park Blog, we’ve got a few side dish recipes that we believe are sure to give your barbecue that extra boost! Mama Neely’s Baked Beans 2 tablespoons canola oil 1 large onion, finely chopped 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped 1/2 pound smoked sausage, sliced Three 16-ounce cans pork and beans 1/2 cup ketchup 1/2 cup light molasses 1/4 cup light-brown sugar 2 tablespoons apple-cider vinegar 2 tablespoons prepared mustard Dash of hot sauce, preferably Tabasco If you’re looking for a side dish for your barbecue during National Barbecue Month, don’t miss out on this delicious baked beans recipe! Baked beans are the perfect side for a rack of ribs or some pulled pork sandwiches. Hot and Spicy Hush Puppies 1 cup yellow cornmeal 3/4 cup self-rising flour 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon sugar 1/2 teaspoon cayenne 1/2 small sweet onion, finely chopped 1/2 jalapeno, finely chopped 4 green onions, sliced thin 1 large egg, beaten 1/4 cup grated Cheddar 1 cup buttermilk Gina's Orange Dipping Sauce: 1/4 cup Dijon mustard 1/4 cup honey 1/4 cup orange marmalade Balance out the sweetness of the barbecue sauce you’re sure to put on your ribs, wings, or whatever you decide to cook with these hush puppies! This side dish is perfect for when you want a spicy alternative to your regular hush puppies! Sweet and Spicy Coleslaw 2 pounds green cabbage (about 1 small or 1/2 large cabbage) 4 carrots 1 medium onion 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1/4 cup mustard 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar 1 cup sugar Freshly ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper Kosher salt Choose to get in your daily vegetables by diving into this refreshing coleslaw recipe! This recipe is delicious enough that you’ll want a large helping of it along with your traditional barbecue fare!

Movies with Strong Mothers

May 12th is Mother’s Day and a day to celebrate and recognize the mothers in our lives that have molded us into the people we are. There are various ways to celebrate Mother’s Day, but we suggest watching some movies that feature strong mothers! In this week’s Wildwood Park Blog, we’ve got a few movie suggestions for you to watch with your mothers! The Incredibles Though The Incredibles is a story about a family of people with superpowers, it perfectly illustrates the strength of the mother of the family: Elastigirl. Being a good mother and raising three kids is hard enough, but throwing the additional responsibility of saving the world into the mix calls for a superhero mom! The Incredibles is a fun, family friendly movie perfect for Mother’s Day. The Blind Side The profound effect of a mother can change the trajectory of a child’s life. This concept is illustrated in this touching, heart-felt movie. Leigh Anne Tuohy and her husband take in a homeless teen, giving him the love and care that he was missing, which effectively transforms his life and helps him realize his potential as a student and a football player! Get some tissues ready, because this movie is sure to tug on your heartstrings! Lion Though focused heavily on a young man seeking to find out more about his past after being adopted from India by an Australian couple, Lion features strong adoptive and birth mothers. This movie illustrates the complex relationships encapsulated in adoption and the power of a mother’s love regardless of blood relation as well as the deep love of a mother who had lost her child but never gave up hope. Do you have any movies you enjoy that feature strong mothers? If you do, share them with our Arlington, VA apartment community!