Here at Woodlands Village, we’re proud to be part of the Flagstaff community. Part of that pride means taking the opportunity to give back when and where we can! Our Woodlands crew is excited for our upcoming food drive to give back to the Flagstaff Family Food Center!

The Flagstaff Family Food Center provides amazing support to Flagstaff families. In fact, through their efforts, approximately 247,000 nutritious meals are served every year to families in need in our community! The Center also serves up an awesome literacy program through its reading room, which serves approximately 2,200 children a year! It’s no wonder their mission is “serving hope to Flagstaff families!”

The Food Center overs a variety of opportunities to volunteer and give back to the Flagstaff community! Volunteers have the opportunity to prepare and serve daily hot meals, prepare and pass out sack lunches, help children and youth with homework and reading, distribute emergency food boxes, and more. We have been proud to serve the Family Food Center at the holidays, and look forward to bringing an opportunity to serve to you in May! From May 1 to May 14, we’ll be collecting non-perishable items to donate to the food bank and make a big difference here in Flagstaff!

Besides joining in our food drive, you can learn about even more opportunities to help the Flagstaff Family Food Center by visiting their Volunteer Page! Let’s join together to show Flagstaff that the Woodlands Village life is all about spreading some Woodlands Village LOVE!

The post Woodlands Village Gives Back: Flagstaff Family Food Center appeared first on Woodlands Village Apartments Blog.

April 1^st

We seriously hope it’s a joke, but apparently The X-Files, Firefly, House, and Arrested Development (seasons 1-3) are all scheduled for an April Fool’s Day departure from Netflix.

Card Trick

If this is a card trick, we’re not impressed. Apparently, House of Cards will also go away after March 31^st!

As You (Don’t) Wish

Get your tissues ready … because this next part hurts. The following movies are also set for removal, so get ready to stream before March 31^st:

• Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
• The Gradate
• From Dusk Till Dawn
• The Princess Bride
• Pulp Fiction
• Ocean’s Twelve
• Caddyshack
• The Superman movies (Superman: The Movie, Superman II-IV, and Superman Returns)
• The Usual Suspects

If it’s any consolation, we’ve heard that Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Return is scheduled to premiere April 14^th on Netflix, along with some other awesome shows and movies (and possibly Star Wars: Rogue One? Fingers crossed!) between March and May. Still … we recommend you pop some popcorn (or stop by our office—some folks call ours the best popcorn in town, maybe it’ll ease the pain) and prepare to binge your way through these sad departures with us!

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Summer is the perfect time to take advantage of some of our awesome community features … including the grill! Here are some tips to help you host an awesome summer barbecue!

Burger, Schmurger!
Yes, everybody loves a good burger at a barbecue, but why not try mixing it up? Add black bean burgers for your vegetarian friends, and try jazzing things up with some tasty kabobs!

You’re the Tops
If you’re sticking with the standard barbecue fare (chicken, burgers, hot dogs, etc.), you can easily impress with some stellar toppings! Add blue cheese or bacon to your burgers. Make cheddar stuffed, bacon-wrapped hot dogs and brats. Pull out some untraditional toppings that your friends and family can use to customize their meal for a unique experience!

Theme Team
Pick a theme for your barbecue and decorate accordingly. We’re still waiting for someone to throw us a Game of Thrones themed BBQ … please, let it be you!

That’s Entertainment!
Break out some music! Snag some classic backyard games. Don’t expect your guests to entertain themselves (as awesome as you are at the grill … nobody’s THAT awesome). Make sure there’s plenty of entertainment to keep your party going!

Time is On Your Side
Make sure you plan, plan, plan! Marinate meats 2 hours in advance. Double and triple check your supplies a few hours before your start time. Budget time so you don’t over or undercook your food. And make sure folks aren’t sitting around too long before you feed them!

Happy Grilling! Share your perfect barbecue moments with us on Facebook and Instagram!

The post Be the Grill Master: Summer Barbecue Tips appeared first on Woodlands Village Apartments Blog.

1. The Caddy Shack. Find yourself a nice, easy to tote, cleaning caddy. You can pick up a cheap one at the Dollar Store. It doesn’t need to be anything fancy … just easy to move around!

2. Mrs. Meyers. We are seriously in love with the entire cleaning line from Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day series! Check out the multi-surface everyday cleaner, which comes in a variety of enticing scents.

3. Go Green on Glass. It used to be that every home needed a bottle of Windex, but in today’s green culture maybe something a little more natural is called for. We like the whole Method line, but their Glass and Surface cleaner in mint warms our hearts brighter than the light it lets pour through our windows!

4. The Method to Our Madness. Every home needs an all-purpose cleaner, and Method delivers again with another perfect scent: honeycrisp apple.

5. “Goo”d Housekeeping. Goo Gone. No home is ever clean enough without Goo Gone. This stuff is like magic.

6. Do You Believe in Magic? We do. If housekeeping had a Mount Olympus, the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser would totally be Zeus. This thing cleans EV.ER.Y.THING!!! And there’s a variety pack? Hallelujer!!

7. Eat My Dust. Not you … a dustpan. Target sells a cute little Up & Up Mini Dustpan Set. Saying goodbye to dust bunnies has never been so easy.

8. A Royal Flush. “I love scrubbing the toilet!” Said no one … ever. That’s why we have toilet wands. Grab a Clorox Toilet Wand and keep your hands out of the toilet. You’re welcome.

9. Swiff and Flick! Speaking of wands, we’re convinced the Swiffer Duster is secretly a magic wand. Stick one of these in your cleaning kit and you’re set. Bonus: when you run out of the actual duster covers, just replace it with homemade fleece bands!

10. A Breath of Fresh Air. We probably could have made this whole list Method products, but variety is the salt of life. That said … when it comes to a planet-friendly air freshener, we’re giving the gold to Method again. Their scents include pomegranate, beach sage, and wild poppy. Captain Planet would be proud.

Happy Cleaning!

The post Top Ten Must-Haves for Your Apartment Sparkle Kit appeared first on Woodlands Village Apartments Blog.

You know we love our popcorn here at Woodlands Village … and we give you all the flavors you need to make sure you love it, too! What makes popcorn so awesome? It’s SO fun to eat! It’s flavorful, it’s explosive, it’s fun to try to toss and catch in midair … it’s a practically perfect treat. For the next time you pop a batch at home, here are five fun flavoring ideas to get a creative, uniquely delicious and deliciously unique treat!

Churro Popcorn
Churros? Popcorn? Why not both?! Start with freshly popped unbuttered popcorn: add two tablespoons melted butter, two teaspoons (or more!) of sugar, and a couple dashes of cinnamon. Mix well to coat all the popcorn with this sweet flavor combo for a perfect sweet-and-salty snack!

Cookies ‘N’ Cream Popcorn
Pop a bag of kettle corn, removing any unpopped kernels once the bag is done. While the popcorn pops, crush up about a dozen Oreo cookies. Mix the popcorn and Oreos together until mixed evenly, and drizzle it all with melted vanilla candy melts, using a spatula to coat the popcorn and Oreo mixture evenly. Spread the mixture onto a large sheet of wax paper to let the candy coating set completely (about 20 minutes) … Then serve!

Bacon Truffle Kettle Corn
Okay, so this one is a little fancy-schmancy, but bacon + truffle + kettle corn = almost too much “YUM!” to handle! Check out the easy-to-follow recipe from Shockingly Delicious HERE!

Margarita Popcorn
This spicy (and totally nonalcoholic) popcorn recipe is phenom-dot-com! Pop a bag of plain (unbuttered) popcorn. Add a pinch of salt, a pinch of chili powder, and a tablespoon of lime zest … and you’re done! You can add a little cilantro for flavor, or skip it. Either way … we can’t wait to margar-eat-a bag!

Browned Butter Snickerdoodle Popcorn
Popcorn? Check. Browned butter? Double-check. Cinnamon and sugar? Yum! Brown butter brings a rich, nutty flavor to anything. Add a cinnamon infusion of flavor and your taste buds will sing. You can find the full recipe, from I Heart Eating, HERE!  

Happy Snacking!
 

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Chances are, when you first move into a new apartment, you see every surrounding door as a new stranger. Well we’re here to encourage you to look at those doors differently: as unique opportunities to meet new people. One thing that sets us apart is our sense of community, and we want to encourage you to embrace your part in it. We’re a puzzle, and you’re an essential piece! Not sure where to start? Here are five tips to help you meet your neighbors:

Check the Mail. You get your mail key on your first day here … which means you have an opportunity to start meeting people from Day One! When you check your mail, also check out who’s around you. It only takes a moment to catch the eye of the other person checking their mailbox and say hello. Introduce yourself!

Hit the Gym. One way to easily meet people with mutual interests? Head to the gym! Leave your iPod at home and be open to starting up a conversation with the other folks working out with you.

Walk the Dog. Head to the dog park and swap tips (or horror stories) with the other animal lovers there. Walking the dog isn’t just the way guys in 90’s movies pick up girls anymore … It’s a great way for anyone to spark up a conversation!

Count on CARES. Are you shy when it comes to meeting new people or starting conversations? Our awesome CARES Team is here to help with that. With free events every month, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to meet your neighbors. And the CARES Team is more than happy to chat with you and help get you started meeting new people and feeling more at home!

Take Chances. Walking to your car and pass a neighbor? Say hi. Taking the trash to the dumpster and pass a neighbor? Say hi. Doing the laundry? Say hi! If you feel comfortable with it, leave your door open while you’re home, and say hello to anyone who catches your eye through the door. Stop by the Welcome Center and talk to whoever else is waiting. Don’t be afraid to turn every day into an opportunity to meet someone new!

The post How to Meet People at Your Apartment! appeared first on Woodlands Village Apartments Blog.

February is a month full of heart … No, not because of Valentine’s Day! February is also National Heart Month, which makes it the perfect time to think about what you can do to be “heart happy.” After all, your heart is one thing you quite literally can’t live without. Everything from diet and exercise to your levels of stress and happiness contribute to how your heart performs. Keeping your heart healthy and happy, then, is about more than just getting in a good workout every once in a while (though it couldn’t hurt). It’s about making good lifestyle choices to do what’s right for your health! Here are a few suggestions to help you concentrate on heart health this month!

Kick Up the Cardio

Add a little exercise to your daily routine. Go for walks. Join a Zumba class. Take advantage of the free Fitness Center! Aim for 15 minutes of activity three times a week to start, and gradually increase your activity level as you feel more comfortable!

Kick Out Bad Habits

If you’re a smoker, now’s a good time to quit. Quitting can significantly reduce your risk for heart disease and stroke, among other things! Wave farewell to fatty foods. Reduce the amount of sodium in your diet. Use spices instead of salt to add flavor to your food. Say goodbye to bad habits and say hello to a happier heart!

What’s Up, Doc?

Don’t forget the importance of regular check-ups with your doctor … even when you’re not sick. Your doctor can help you set heart healthy goals. Doctors are also great resources for asking questions about your health in general; remember, there’s no such thing as a stupid question when it comes to your health! And make sure you’re willing to trust their advice … because they’re doctors, and you’re not.

Just Relax …

Raise your hand if you’ve NEVER had a stressful day at school, work, home, the store, church, the park … Yeah, we’ve all had stressful days. It’s impossible to avoid stress, but it is possible to learn to manage it. Take time daily just for yourself. Take a long bath or an extra long shower. Do some yoga. Take a nap. Meditate. Listen to relaxing music. Do whatever it takes to allow the stresses of your day to simply melt away … even if it just means putting your stressor on the back burner for now. Your heart will thank you!

Heart health is not magic. It is simply the process of making good choices. Celebrate National Heart Month by showing your heart a little extra TLC!

The post Have a Heart: Stay Heart Happy for National Heart Month appeared first on Woodlands Village Apartments Blog.

1. A Hunk, A Hunk of Burnin' Love

We're with Elvis on this one … you've got our temperature risin'.
 

2. Call Us Corny …

… But we can't wait for you to "pop" by!
 

3. This Is No Mirage …

Life without you is like a desert with no water! 
 

4. "Just Relax …"

We're like a warm blanket … We've got you covered.
 

5. "Whenever You Need Me …"

" … I'll be there." Jackson 5. Awesome.
 

6. A Recipe for Love

A cup of you. A dash of us. Mix for 2-12 months. Serve hot.
 

7. Lights On!

Sing it with us: "You light up my days / And fill my nights / With song …"
 

8. Hot and Spicy

You're the butter to our popcorn … you give our lives the flavor we savor!

9. Get Cozy …

Relax. Stay awhile. We love having you here.
 

10. Never Change … 

We love you just the way you are … aka, living here. Making Woodlands Village awesome.

11. Treat Yourself

… 'Nuff said.

Thanks for making Woodlands Village your home, and spending Valentine's Day with us! You complete us. 
 

The post Happy Valentine’s Day! appeared first on Woodlands Village Apartments Blog.

The Grammys are coming! The Grammys are coming! It’s the biggest night of the year for music, and you can be part of it from the comfort of your own home. Of all the annual award shows the Grammys are probably our favorite: it’s like an amazing concert from all the hottest artists in the industry! Not only that … the Grammys are also an excuse to throw an elaborate show. And we’re not just talking about on TV. What better reason to gather friends and family for awesome food and music than a Grammy party?

Here are some award-worthy tips for making your Grammy Award party “sing”:

Rock the Casbah

The Grammys are a big night for music … So how can you even imagine celebrating without a rockin’ playlist?! Power up your cellphone, laptop, or tablet and make a playlist of all the nominated tracks. Not sure who’s up for an award? You can find the full list of nominees here. Pick your favorite artists or categories and download the nominated tracks. (And we’re talking legally here, folks … remember, piracy is NOT cool, no matter what Jack Sparrow may say.) Pre-party with your favorite songs, and you’ll dance even harder when they take home the gold!

Dress to Impress

Come on, guys … This is the Grammys we’re talking about! Don’t leave the dressing up to the nominees. Break out your fancy dress and celebrate in style! Make your Grammy Awards party a dress-coded affair with everyone arriving in outfits worthy of the red carpet. Or, have your guests come in character. Invite your guests to dress as their favorite Grammy-nominated star. Bonus: Have special party favors for guests dressed like the actual winners! When their performer wins, have the guest dressed liked the winner give their own little award speech during the commercial break, and make sure everybody gives them a solid round of applause.

Deck the Halls

Turn your living room into the red carpet, or a pre-show dance club. It’s all about the glitz and glamor, so go all out. Head to the Dollar Store, Party City, or Michael’s for all the decorations you’ll need. Black and gold are the traditional colors of the Grammys, but don’t feel the need to limit yourself to those colors. Take cues from the nominees’ albums and music videos. Have goody bags for all your guests, and special snacks and appetizers fit for the occasion!

Pass the Mic

Encourage the celebration of music with plenty of song and dance. We’re talking about making sure there’s plenty of room to dance around … and a karaoke machine. Find the karaoke version of nominated songs on YouTube and share in a little friendly competition with your friends by performing your best live versions of the songs!

Fun and Games

No party is complete without plenty of fun and games. Beside karaoke, have print outs of the nominees and challenge your friends to pick the winners before the awards start. Have a prize for the winner. Remember the costumes you’re all wearing? Have a prize for best dressed, or the person who best emulates their musical icon. Create a custom party hashtag and have your friends share their photos from the party to Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter all night to share all the fun you’re having! (Hint: Follow and tag us on Instagram as you post! We’d love to see your photos, too!)

Follow these tips and you’ll be sure to have a blast before, during, and long after the awards! Tune in to the Grammy Awards on Monday, February 15^th, at 8ET/5PT on CBS!

The post Go for the Gold: Throw an Awesome Grammy Party! appeared first on Woodlands Village Apartments Blog.

1. I Will Step Out On Limbs

Remember that scene in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade when Indy has to take a leap of faith? It’s not easy—in fact, it can be downright terrifying—to take risks when you can’t see the path ahead, but it is usually worthwhile. It sounds contradictory, but don’t be afraid to try something that terrifies you this year, whether it’s a new food, a new hair color, or a new job opportunity!

2. I Will Forgive Myself

We all make mistakes. But as Shakespeare said, to err is human; to forgive—even yourself—is divine. Even when you fumble at the ten yard line, you can still recover; maybe not that play, but the next one. And you’ll be wiser for it. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, and smarter. So stop ticking off mistakes as points lost and start tallying them as lessons learned and experiences gained.

3. I Will Eat Something AMAZING

No, seriously. Get out there and try a new dish. If life is all about the living, then a good meal should be about more than just filling your stomach. Maybe, just maybe, it should be about pampering your taste buds. And yes, that means you, too, weight-loss-resolvers: just because you’re dieting or on a new healthy eating plan does not mean you should completely cut off your sweet tooth.

4. I Will COOK Something Amazing

Yes, you. Whip out the skillet and go at it. Raid your pantry for unexpected dishes. See what happens when you just toss some things in the same pot, even things you think might not usually go together. Check out sites like Yummly for quick and easy recipes. And once you’ve mastered a few dishes, take one night—just ONE, out of 365, is not asking too much—and cook yourself a three course (minimum) meal, including dessert.

5. I Will Dance

Hello, Pandora mix! Hello, speakers! Hello, open floor space! Hello, closed blinds! Do a little dance, make a little noise, and get down tonight. Dance alone, or dance with friends. Learn a line dance from YouTube (we recommend The Wobble, but that’s just us!). Take a night and learn the Thriller dance in its entirety. Buy a copy of Just Dance for your gaming system (or find some tutorials on YouTube). Just do it. Get up and move. You’ll feel better.

6. I Will See Something I’ve Never Seen Before

Go on a road trip. Watch a documentary. Sit and observe a crowd of people. Get yourself out there to see something beautiful and new, even if it’s just your first time actually watching the sunrise.

7. I Will Let Myself Get the Feels

It’s okay to cry. Your laugh is amazing. Verbal road rage is (relatively) okay … as long as the windows are up and your passenger seats are empty. Stop bottling up your feels. Just let ‘er rip. Allow yourself to feel whatever it is you’re feeling, even if you have to put a cap on it. A good five minute cry works wonders. A nice, long laugh after a lousy day is bliss.

8. I Will Face a Fear

Real talk. The person who wrote this is deathly afraid of clowns, and yet has resolved to either go to a circus or watch a movie with a (non-homicidal) clown before June. Why? Because fear can be crippling, and it really bugs us that some THING can hobble our ability to live. It’s not easy, but facing a fear is a big deal. Even if it’s just allowing yourself to really take a look at that spider in the corner before you scream. Even if it’s just peeking out the window from a great height before you scream. Even if it’s just sitting through one clown juggle before you scream. The scream is okay; it’s a release of pent up fear energy. It’s keeping it in that’s keeping you back.

9. I Will Remember How Awesome It Was To Be a Kid

What was your favorite thing to do as a kid? Maybe it was swinging as high as you can on the swing set, or playing with your food, or splashing in mud puddles, or playing in the rain. Guess what? Growing up doesn’t automatically mean you have to stop doing those things. Pick a favorite childhood thing—finger painting, video games, adventures in the land of make believe—and relive it as an adult. Grab your cardboard sword and slay an imaginary dragon. Invest in a Play-Do set and reinvent the universe. Watch an episode of Sesame Street. Be a kid again, if only for a day.

10. I Will Let It Be

When you find yourself in times of trouble … let it be. When the world is crashing in, let it be. When you feel like an outsider, let yourself be. Be yourself, and let your life be lived. Embrace your world for what it is, changing what you can and accepting that while some things can’t be changed it doesn’t mean they have to ruin the wonderful world you live in. Let 365 days of living, of loving life, of being you, of making change, of being change, of feats and failures, trials and triumphs … be. Go boldly, not gentle, into that bright day, that good night, that wild world. And when the broken hearted people living in that world agree, there will be an answer: Let it be.

Welcome, 2016 … We can’t wait to see what you’ll bring to our doors!

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