Lease-an-Apartment

Welcome to the blog page for Lease-an-Apartment. On this page, we share information that we believe can be helpful to existing and potential future tenants in our various apartment buildings. We hope you find our musings to be useful and/or interesting. Please feel free to leave comments to add your own two cents!

Also, on the other pages of this site, we share information about the various apartments that we have available. Please feel free to browse for an apartment for yourself or for a friend or family member. We’d be more than happy to give a tour of any of our fine facilities. Thanks for visiting us here. We hope to see you in-person soon.

Posted on March 26, 2011 by leaseanapartment | Leave a comment

February Events on the Way

Posted on January 26, 2012 by leaseanapartment

It’s hard to believe that January is almost over already, but there’s still a lot to look forward to in 2012. While Chicago is hosting some incredible activities within the next few weeks, the city of Joliet has a few of its own exciting events on the way.

Looking for some wine, cheese, or chocolate? How about coming down to the Food Tour on February 16^th, where you’ll find all three! This spectacular event includes a walking tour of delicious treats, wine and prizes. Local restaurants like the Chicago Street Pub, Gji’s Sweet Shop, and others are coming together to give community members another great night in Downtown Joliet. Only $22 per person, the fun starts at 5:30pm.

You may also want to check out the Joliet Drama Guild’s schedule of upcoming shows. February 10-19^ththe production of The Lion in Winter will be showing with a fantastic cast and crew. Come and endure this epic story of love and power, as Henry II of England puts on a performance you’ll never forget.

If you make your way into the big city, stop by McCormick Place February 10-19 to check out the Chicago Auto Show. The Chicago Automobile Trade Association has been putting the show on since 1935, though it was originally introduced in 1901. Today, it’s the biggest auto show in North America, offering a total of 2.7 million square feet of exhibit halls. It’s only $11 to get in, so come check it out.

With Valentine’s Day coming up, consider treating that someone special to one of Chicago’s finest romantic restaurants. Spend the day walking the city or ice skating at Millennium Park and top off the night by staying over in one of the Chicago’s luxury hotels. Joliet is only a short drive away from the city, so it’s the perfect weekend getaway!

Posted in Community Info, Things-to-do, Tips | Leave a comment

One More (Green) Reason to Love IKEA

Posted on January 23, 2012 by leaseanapartment

IKEA is one of the first places people go when it comes to home furnishings. It’s easy, affordable, and there’s usually something for every style in every department.

Recently, though, IKEA has taken its popularity even further with steps to adhere to the growing green movement. Along with recycling 80% of store waste, the company has taken to green education, philanthropy, and manufacturing processes.

IKEA has also taken the liberty of changing the materials of store products. First to go were harmful chemicals, like Formaldehyde, in ceramics, glass and adhesives/lacquers. The stores have also made it a priority to hold each supplier responsible for the origin of its wood, and they’ve even developed new particleboard.

This, plus the use of recycled paper and plastic and the reduction of chemicals used in textiles, has led IKEA to soar years ahead of other companies. It’s also helped reduce
the use of raw materials by over 85,000 tons.

The stores have made it their mission to pursue sustainability through all means possible.
No more plastic bags, recycling, and the adoption of strict emissions policies are only a few of the ways IKEA has taken the reigns.

While some might still view the company as a big-box vendor taking over the market, IKEA has come a long way and continues to make a difference in the environment.

Posted in Design, Tips | Leave a comment

Budget Living

Posted on January 18, 2012 by leaseanapartment

We’re a few weeks into the New Year, and it’s probable that many resolutions revolve around the subject of budgeting. It’s not the most exciting of things, but it is often necessary. There are a few things you can do, however, to make the jump a bit more comfortable.

Start small – If you’re new to really watching your budget, consider starting out by cutting some of the smaller expenses. Do you buy a cup of coffee on your way to work every morning? Try taking some home-made brew to go instead. Even if you only spend two dollars a day on coffee, that’s an extra $40-50 a month you’ll end up saving.

Switch to cash – It’s so easy in today’s society to mindlessly hand over our credit card every time we think we need something. Instead, try withdrawing an amount of money that you feel comfortable allowing yourself to spend for the week and carry the cash with you. Having that certain amount and actually seeing it diminish as you spend will help keep you on track and not splurge on something in the moment.

Have a trial run – For the bigger expenses like that magazine subscription, Netflix account, or HBO movie pack, consider challenging yourself to a few months without. Cancel your extra accounts, and consider it to be a temporary trial. Note the things that you really miss and the others you realize you can live without. You can always start them up again when you feel the need.

Treat yourself – Don’t be too hard on yourself. It’s important to reward yourself for good
budget behavior every now and again. Try picking something inexpensive that you can treat yourself to each week or every two weeks. Having that something to look
forward to will make getting there a lot easier, plus you won’t get burnt out from continually denying yourself some good fun.

Posted in Budget living, Tips | Leave a comment

Get Creative with Crayons

Posted on January 13, 2012 by leaseanapartment

Looking for a new way to make your own art? How about just wishing you had some truly unique pieces to display in your place? With a few simple ingredients and a free weekend afternoon, you’ll be able to turn your old crayons into new and beautiful items.

Eye-popping wall art – Take your favorite colored crayons and hot glue them to the top of a canvas in a straight line. Grab a hair dryer and turn it on hot & high. Move the hair dryer back and forth over the crayons until you get the desired amount of wax to drip. Let dry and then display. (Turn upside down and add flowers for a fun spring look).

Unique and colorful crayon vase – Boil about two inches of water on the stove. Break up your crayons and put them in a Pyrex measuring cup, filling it up to about two or three inches high. Place the measuring cup in the pot of simmering water and heat until the crayons are melted. Remove the Pyrex cup from the pot and let cool for a minute. Using an oven mitt or towel to hold the handle, slowly swirl the Pyrex cup, coating the sides with
thin layers of the melted crayons. Continue to swirl until the entire inside is coated and all of the melted crayon at the bottom is gone. Put in the freezer for one hour, and then remove.

Crayon candles- Get a candle kit at your local craft store including boil bags, wicks, and white wax. Tape one of your wicks to a pencil or a chop stick and lay it flat across a glass jar or tin of your choice. Melt the white wax in one of the boil bags. Pour the wax slowly into the jar, adding broken crayon pieces to the mix. (The wax is hot enough to melt the crayon) Fill to the top adding as many crayons as you’d like to get an interesting, artistic look. Allow to dry.

These are just a few of the cool things you can do with an old recycled material like crayons. You’ll turn your old coloring collection into beautiful, breathtaking art pieces, that will give your apartment some added personality.

Posted in D-I-Y, Design | Leave a comment

Year-Round Holiday Twinkle Lights

Posted on January 10, 2012 by leaseanapartment

Just because the Holidays have come to an end doesn’t mean you have to pack up all the lights. Keeping some twinkle lights out for all times of the year can help give your apartment a little bit of character. Here are some neat ways to put them to use:

Use white string lights to create or accent art pieces. On a piece of canvas (either white or painted the color of your choice) mark the design you want with pencil on the back, making small dots half-inch apart. Then, gently press an awl through each dot to make a small hole. Push a light bulb into each hole, using glue to secure into place. If you already have a piece of art that you love, draw more attention to it by stringing lights around its perimeter.

Drape icicle lights behind sheer curtains to create a dazzling display when the sun goes down. You may even want to cozy up your bed by surrounding it with sheer fabric and hanging beautiful fairy lights behind it. If you happen to have a canopy bed and want
to ditch the fabric, wrap your lights around the canopy posts for a warm and dreamy look.

Use some lights to dress up a boring white wall or a room full of neutral colors. Cover and use Dixie cups to create unique shades for your light garland. Cut an X shape slit into each cup bottom and push a light bulb through each. Once each light on the string is covered by a colorful cup, hang your garland along a blank wall or over a doorway for a beautiful DIY look.

Before you pack up those holiday lights, consider using them to add a little comfort and décor to your apartment. Manipulate the garlands into unique and awe-inspiring looks that will have your friends asking “Hey, how’d you do that?!”

Posted in D-I-Y, Design, Tips | Leave a comment

(Winter) Apartment Gardening

Posted on January 4, 2012 by leaseanapartment

You don’t have to own a house to have the garden of your dreams. Apartment gardening is easy and affordable, so anyone can do it – green thumb or not. Even in Winter!

Bring the natural world into your home with an indoor herb garden. Cooking herbs like basil, sage, and thyme are easy to grow at any time of year and all you need is a pot and some soil to get started. Plus, using fresh herbs in your cooking will enhance the flavor of your food, and you won’t even have to leave home.

A planter box on the windowsill is a great way to add a pop of color to your home. You won’t always be able to paint in a rented space, so choosing vibrant plants and flowers will give a white wall some much needed detail and decoration.

If you don’t happen to have a green thumb, you may want to bring some air plants into your home. These plants store water in their leaf bases, so they require minimum
attendance. They don’t even require soil, so they’re easy to store and display anywhere.

The Fields on Caton Farm is a great place to get your garden started. With an extensive plant inventory, this nursery provides new and exciting varieties of flowers to more traditional types. There’s a plant to fit all personalities. This unique garden center is open
Monday-Friday all winter, so you don’t have to wait for warm weather to bring the outdoors in.

Posted in D-I-Y, Design, Tips | Tagged apartment gardening, Joliet | Leave a comment

Cleaning Home Remedies

Posted on December 29, 2011 by leaseanapartment

Who says you have to wait until Spring to get cleaning? With the New Year on the way, now is the perfect time to get organized and whip your apartment into top shape. Cleaning supplies can get expensive, however, so before you head to the store, consider trying a few of these home remedies in the bathroom, kitchen, and around the home.

Clean your toilet with Kool-Aid. The citric acid in the lemon and orange drink powder can help eat away tough stains in your toilet bowl. All you have to do is sprinkle some in, scrub with a toilet brush, and let sit overnight. When you wake the next morning, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find your toilet free of buildup. (You can also run this through the dishwasher to clean mineral deposits.)

Use baking soda to thoroughly clean your kitchen sink. After wetting the sink, sprinkle some baking soda and softly scrub with a toothbrush or sponge. If you have a garbage disposal, pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain and follow with a cup of white vinegar. Let it fizz for a few minutes before rinsing with hot water.

Steel wool can be used to eliminate hard floor stains in no time flat. Use a fine grade and press lightly, careful not to scrape the surface too hard. Dab with a little bit of water and watch that spot disappear before your eyes.

For those hard-to-remove microwave stains, place a wet sponge in the microwave and cook on high for two minutes. When finished, let sit for a few minutes leaving the microwave door open. This will help loosen the mess, leaving it ready to clean. Use a damp rag or paper towel to wipe the inside.

Used tea bags can be re-soaked in cold water and used as a cleaning solution. Spray this onto your countertops to remove grease and grime, and you might even use on mirrors to
remove any streaks and stains. Make sure you wipe with a clean paper towel afterword to prevent any new tea stains.

Give these simple home solutions a try, and let us know if you have any other home cleaning secrets of your own!

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New Year’s in Joliet and Other Upcoming Events

Posted on December 27, 2011 by leaseanapartment

Joliet is one of Illinois’ fastest growing cities with an increasing number of great restaurants, unique shops, and popular entertainment venues. Over the past year, residents and tourists alike enjoyed Joliet’s incredible downtown events like the farmer’s market, Race Fan Rally, and concerts among others. Now, as we get ready to embrace a whole new year, the excitement is building for Joliet’s 2012 event schedule.

If you’re looking to have a kids-free New Year this time around, bring them by the Multi-Purpose Center for a night full of fun. Kids are invited to ring in the New Year with a celebration all-night party. They’ll get to enjoy music, games, art, movies, and even inflatable bounce houses with a midnight snack and delicious breakfast the next morning. Drop-off starts at 7:00pm New Year’s Eve and doors lock at 9:00.

Don’t forget to check out the New Year’s Bash at Harrah’s Casino! Las Vegas is coming to Joliet with great drink specials, food, live music and dancing. Party through to 2012 with swing-dancing, party favors, and a giant balloon drop at midnight. Don’t miss this wonderful event as Harrah’s in Joliet is transformed into the city of sin for one night and one night only. Festivities start at 6:00pm.

Also, you may want to check out a show at Rialto Square Theater. January 11^this a special production of the Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein. Join Igor, Dr. Frankenstein, and the rest of the talented cast for a monster show you’re sure to remember forever.

Feel like hitting the slopes this winter? Come out to Woodruff Golf Course on January 8^thfor the Joliet Nordic 12K and 4K Cross Country Ski Race and Ski Rentals. Take part in the fun race 4K, or push yourself to compete in the 12K classic. Registration starts at eight, so grab a few friends and come on over.

Joliet is the perfect place to live, work, and play. Check out some of our available properties and spend the New Year exploring and enjoying all that this marvelous city has to offer.

Posted in Things-to-do | Leave a comment

Spa-Themed Gifts from the Kitchen

Posted on December 20, 2011 by leaseanapartment

There’s still a few days left before the holiday madness begins, so if you’re looking for a unique last-minute gift for someone special then head to your kitchen! Here are a few
great home-made gifts you can make using some simple ingredients from your pantry.

Soaps – You’ll need to pick up some glycerin from Michaels. For each cup you use, add 1 tsp. honey and 2 pinches of ginger for a lovely honey-ginger soap. Or try 2 pinches of cinnamon and 2 pinches of ground clove. For an oatmeal-honey soap, try clear glycerin with 1 tsp. honey, 2 pinches of ginger, and 2 tsp. of oatmeal. Whichever combination you decide, mix them together and put them in a mold to set (you can use a yogurt cup). Once they’re hardened, pop them out of the molds and give as gifts!

Body Scrub – Mix together 2 cups sugar and 1 cup of carrier oil in a big bowl. Then add 8 drops of essential oil and 1 drop food coloring. Stir until the color is consistent throughout. Then all you have to do is spoon the mix into small canning jars and package as you please. Easy as that!

Bath Salts – Using about 4 cups of Epsom salt, mix in several drops of any aromatic bath oil. Throw in some dried plants like lavender or eucalyptus for an added scent, and pour into a jar. Package this mixture however you like, and give the gift of a relaxing and wonderfully scented bath.

Soap Cubes – These make great gifts that are fun to make, too! Melt a block of glycerin in a microwave safe bowl, stirring every 15 seconds until completely melted. Coat the inside of an ice-cube tray with petroleum jelly before pouring the melted glycerin into the tray. Let cool for about 2 hours and then pop your soap cubes right out! Use food coloring to give your cubes an added pop.

These home-made spa gifts are perfect for making someone feel special. With just a little bit of time, patience, and creativity, you can give a gift that can be enjoyed long after the holidays are over.

Posted in D-I-Y, Things-to-do | Leave a comment

Make Your Holiday Party a Hit

Posted on December 14, 2011 by leaseanapartment

Ever show up to one of those parties where people are just standing around, the music’s too low, the food is cold, and there’s that bug-filled fluorescent light flickering on the kitchen ceiling? If you’re thinking about putting together a holiday party, here are some important things to remember to ensure it’s a hit.

Invite the right number of people for your place. Consider the amount of space you have when you’re putting your guest list together. If you’re having a sit-down dinner party, less is better. People will want to have a bit more space. If it’s a cocktail party or just a fun dance party, having a larger number of guests might be more appropriate.

Don’t be afraid to move some furniture around. Your party should consist of four key
stations – entrance, bar, food, and music – all of which should be located in different places. It’s ideal to have open space in between all of these areas, as it will allow people to mix more freely from the very beginning.

Lighting is another important element when it comes to throwing a successful party. Vary the intensity of the lights throughout the party, using candles and warm lamps
along with overhead lights. You might even put up some white Christmas lights for added charm.

Lastly, keep things moving. Have a constant stream of food and drinks available to your guests so that nobody has to go looking for it. Having a variety of finger foods and hors d’oeuvres set strategically in different places is a great way to prevent people from clustering in one particular room. Continuously mingle yourself and introduce people who might not know each other as you go along.

Keep all of these things in mind the next time you throw a little get-together, and you’re sure to have people eager to come back again.

What are your party tips?