Time To Clean Up

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Cleaning is something that no one wants to do. It is time consuming, and we would rather be out having fun. We all get a little lazy with our apartment cleaning. That’s alright, though. The spring weather is sticking around for a while so you still have tons of time to spruce up the place. Spring cleaning doesn’t have to begin before the official start of spring. Here’s how you can get your The Louis apartment back in tip top shape.

Split the work up for yourself. If you try and do it all in one or two days, you’ll stress yourself out about having to get it all done. Spreading it out over the span of a week or so will let you work at a slower pace and give more attention to the details. You won’t miss any spots if you spread all the work out. Create yourself a schedule and you’ll know exactly what needs to be done on what days.

Living Room

Get into those couch cushions and vacuum in between them to get all the built up clutter and dirt out. You might even find some money in there! Take everything off of coffee, side tables and book shelves. Make sure to dust not just under the objects but the objects themselves too. Dust all light fixtures and lamp shades. You’d be surprised at how much brighter it will get in the room once you remove that layer of dust. If you have any rugs lying about make sure to take them outside and shake them out to get the dust and debris off of them.

Kitchen

You wash dishes all the time but you probably don’t think of the place where your dishes live. Get everything out of your cabinets and wipe down the inside of the cabinets as well as the outside of the cabinets and handles. Think of how many hands have been on those handles! Next, empty out the refrigerator and wipe down all the shelves and drawers. Toss anything from the fridge that you know you won’t eat or is out of date. Wipe down your stove and oven. Messes are attracted to the stove so scrub it down extra well. Clean the microwave out by first putting a glass of water in for 30 seconds. This will loosen up all of the gunk caked onto the inside walls. Don’t forget to sweep and mop to clean up all those spills from the last few months.

Bathroom

Wipe down that mirror so you can see your beautiful face in it again! There’s no point in having it if you can’t see yourself in it. Your showerhead has probably built up a lot of residue over the time you’ve used it. Take a plastic zip bag, fill it with distilled white vinegar and tie it up around the shower head using a hair tie or rubber band. Let it sit for and hour and then wipe the head clean with a wash cloth. Take stock of your beauty products and hair care products. Over the next month keep track of what you’ve used or haven’t used and at the end of the month toss everything you haven’t used. You’ll cut down on your clutter and also streamline your routine.


It doesn’t take a lot of work to keep a home clean but it does take a lot of work to get it clean in the first place. So get a head start and get your stylish, luxury apartment back in shape and from here on out you’ll only have to do small things here and there.

What’s your best spring cleaning tip? Share it with us on Facebook page.

Easter Weekend in DC

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Not everyone celebrates Easter but there are some traditions and events that go along with the holiday that everyone can participate in regardless of your beliefs. The holiday is especially fun if you have young children in your family. Easter eggs hunts and photos with the Easter bunny, there’s tons of fun to be had! So grab your baskets for eggs and make sure your bunny ears are on tight because we have some bunny business to take care of. 

On Easter Sunday the 27th, Odyssey is offering Easter brunch cruises. Take a leisurely ride down the river while munching on the most delicious breakfast foods you can get your hands on. Two time slots are offered for the cruise so both early risers and those who sleep in can enjoy the cruise from 10-noon and 3-5. Adults will receive a complimentary glass of champagne or mimosa during the cruise. Kids will have access to coloring books as well as a special appearance by the one and only Easter bunny! Brunch on the river? What could be better than that? Book your spot on the river cruise now to ensure your spot at the buffet. Luckily, we won’t have far to travel to reach the boat dock since it’s a short 20 minute hop away from The Louis.

Del Frisco’s Grille will be hosting their very own Easter brunch on Sunday the 27th. Del Frisco’s take on prime rib will knock you off your feet with flavor. They also serve up the most egg-celent Easter dessert around: the signature lemon cake jar! To see their full menu or to make yourself a reservation, check the link above. 

It’s not Easter in the Washington DC area until we’ve had the White House Easter Egg Roll! Taking place this year on Monday the 28th, the annual family event is here and the hunt is on. The race to find the most eggs is fierce competition for the little ones. Enjoy live musical performances and a dance party out on the lawn. Children can gather around while celebrities read stories out loud to them. Participate in Easter egg dying and a challenging obstacle course. There are so many exciting things happening at the White House Easter Egg Roll this year that we hope you got a ticket ahead of time. 

Easter might not be a holiday for everyone but the fun traditions and events surrounding the holiday are great for every family to participate in. Does your family celebrate the pastel holiday? How do you celebrate? Tell us on Facebook and Twitter!

Make Your Apartment A Home

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We are so happy that The Louis is becoming your new home. Washington DC has so many great restaurants and activities for you to enjoy during your days off of work. Whether you take a stroll downtown or a run through our many parks, Washington DC will become your new home within a few weeks. However, before you explore outside, it is time to get your place furnished inside. You may be worried that it will be hard to find furniture, but Washington DC has so many great shops that all of your design ideas can come true. 

Do you need some design inspiration? We recommend starting off at Pottery Barn. Pottery Barn is a little less than six miles away from your home at The Louis. Their unique and creative furnishings will give you an idea of what you want your home to look like. Do you want more of a modern or classical feel? One day in Pottery Barn will give you the direction you need to start furnishing your home.

Now that you have your design scheme, head to Room and Board on 14th Street. This upscale shop has home furnishings and decor for your new apartment. They have small and large pieces for your living room, dining room and bedroom. You can head to their website to see what they have in store before you buy. With their one-of-a-kind pieces, you may find a perfect centerpiece for your living room or bedroom at this local store.

Now that you have your big pieces, head to Bed Bath and Beyond on 14th Street to get your bedroom and bathroom supplies. It is a short 10 minute drive from your home at The Louis. This store has so many colors and patterns to choose from, it will be easy to find one that matches your design scheme. They even have home appliances that you may have forgotten to bring or pack with you. Check out their website for the great deals they have every day.

We hope you love your new home at The Louis. With these great stores all within 30 minutes of your new home, your new apartment will be ready to live in within a few days.

Get Your Green On In DC!

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Get your green on. St. Patrick’s Day is coming up and we cannot wait to celebrate. Even if you are not Irish, you can still celebrate with your friends at many events in the Washington DC area. DC knows how to party, and we have found some great events throughout the next week. So go find your green shirt and beads, you are going to have a great time!

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

The St. Patrick’s Day parade is an event that everyone looks forward to all year. Green is everywhere as we see some of our favorite local floats and celebrities ride along Constitution Avenue until 17th Street NW. The St. Patrick’s Day parade will be held on March 13th this year. It is super close to your home at The Louis. The parade starts at noon.

Shamock Fest

You can still get tickets for Shamrock Fest in DC. This festival is held on March 12th at RFK Stadium. It features bands for the entire day from 3pm-11pm. You can experience eight hours of dancing to celtic rock bands at this famous event. The festival also includes food, beer and party games to help keep you entertained throughout the day and between bands. 

St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl

There are a few great pub crawls occurring all throughout the DC Area. The official St. Patrick’s Day pub crawl is March 17th. There are various drink specials as you make your way through your favorite bars in the DC Area. There are various dates for you to choose from on the website. 

Irish Bars

If you want to get your Irish on at a local bar, Washington DC has a few to choose from. You can always go to Fado Irish Pub Washington, D.C. They will have plenty of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations this weekend and next week.  

We hope you have a safe and happy St. Patrick’s Day with friends and family in Washington DC.

Distract Yourself From Your Phone

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Today’s fast paced society can be draining. Being on the go all the time can make you forget the time before you were busy nonstop. With our faces constantly buried in our phones, tablets and laptops both at work and at home, it can distract us from the real world. Even though our phones are great connectors and open up a whole new world to us, sometimes there’s nothing that beats good old face-to-face communication and alone time. In honor of the Day of Unplugging, take a day or even just a few hours to unplug from your electronics and live in the moment.

Now that the weather has been a little kinder to us, it’s almost okay to spend tons of time outside again. Luckily, at The Louis, we have a fabulous BBQ picnic area. So even if the weather is still a little chilly, you can still hang out near the picnic area and grill up some burgers. Relaxing in the picnic area with your pals is a great way to be social without having to be attached to your phone. If all of your friends are already with you, you don’t need to stare at your phone! Hopefully, spring will be here soon so we can start to use the picnic area regularly!

One of the best ways to avoid the draw of your phone is to occupy yourself. Strike out into the city for an event! If you’re enjoying yourself and keeping busy, you’ll forget all about your phone and enjoy yourself even further. This month is the famous National Cherry Blossom Festival. This three week event from March to April is the perfect time to enjoy the scenery and stop staring at your favorite screen.

Another great way to remove yourself from the burden of technology is to take yourself outdoors! Spending time outdoors is never a waste of time. There are tons of lovely local parks in Washington DC to enjoy. The Yards Park has everything you need to distract you from your electronics. This new park features water areas, kayaking and a summer concert series. However, when going to the concert make sure you watch through your eyes instead of through your phone.

Enjoy your Day of Unplugging with some distractions to keep your mind off of the fact that your phone isn’t in front of your face.

It Is Chili Day!

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Yum! We love a good chili. From a great traditional chili to a five-alarm bowl at a chili cook-off, you can never have enough of this great dish. Did you know that February 24th is National Chili Day? This is the perfect day to make your own traditional chili, or you can get out and explore some of the great restaurants with chili in Washington DC. We hope you and your stomach have a great National Chili Day.

If you are looking for classic chili with a twist, head to Ben’s Chili Bowl on U Street. This neighborhood joint is a favorite of DC residents. You can get your chill with many different options and styles of serving. From bowls to fries, you will never get bored of Ben’s Chili Bowl. 

If you want chili for lunch tomorrow, you need to find the BBQ Bus Food Truck. Their bowl of chili includes an earthy blend of black beans, kidney beans, white beans, corn, onions, peppers, chilies and tomatoes. It has just the right amount of spice, and it can be served with a delicious buttermilk cornbread biscuit. 

If you want some Mexican food with your chili, you can head to Peacock Cafe. This DC staple is known for their robust and flavorful chili with nutty cheese, creamy sour cream and more served over fresh crunchy tortilla chips. You can also add guacamole or fresh tomato salsa to your chili dish. 

Hard Times has a few locations throughout the DC Area. We love Hard Times because of their many options for the chili fanatics in your life. From vegetarian chili to Cincinnati chili, there is a dish on this menu that everyone can like. You can even try their crowd favorite chili mac and cheese with various add-ins and toppings. 

These are just a few of the many chili options you have close to your home at The Louis. What is your favorite chili recipe? Share with us in the comments underneath this post on our Facebook Page. We hope everyone has a great and delicious National Chili Day.

Get Away This Weekend

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We could all use a little vacation. Even if it is only for a few days, the ability to fly away from home is a great escape. Lucky for you, there are some great getaways from Washington DC that will not break the bank. Do you need some ideas on where to start? We have researched some of the best quick vacations from Washington DC. Keep reading and decide where you will make your escape.

Spontaneous Weekend Getaways

Groupon has great deals on hotels, but they also have great deals on vacation packages. Maybe you have a few more vacation days and a little extra money to spend. You can head to the Tropical Princess Beach Resort & Spa with airfare for as little as $599 a person. This all-inclusive resort has many days to choose from. However, these specials always sell out fast, so make sure to check everyday to find the best trip for you.

New York, New York

The city that never sleeps is waiting for you to visit. There are so many places to go in NYC that you will fully understand “The City That Never Sleeps” mentality. Whether you want to see a Broadway show or climb the Empire State Building, NYC is a perfect getaway from DC. You can get a BestBus from DC to NYC for $60 dollars round trip. The short five hour drive will give you time to relax, surf the internet and chat with your travel companion. Once you get to NYC, you can use Groupon to find some great deals on NYC Hotels. Groupon has hotels for as low as $75 dollars a night!

The City of Champions

You have so many options to travel from DC to Pittsburgh that it is almost impossible to not find a cheap option. Pittsburgh has three sports teams, but also a thriving arts and foodie scene. No matter what your interest, Pittsburgh has something for everyone on a short weekend trip. 

We hope this blog gave you a few ideas for your next vacation. No matter where you go, we will be happy to see you once you get home to The Louis.