Blog Posts

Holiday Shopping Tips

Though Black Friday has passed, there will still be a variety of good deals available for when you wish to purchase gifts for your family and friends during this season of giving. Shopping in December can get a little hectic, so in this week’s Sunset Palms Blog, we’re going to share tips for how you can make the most of your shopping as well as save you some stress. Make a List, Check it Twice When it comes to shopping, having a list can be a great benefit. Not only will having a list remind you of the things you wish to purchase for your friends and family, it’ll give you solid direction when you’re out shopping as long as you’re sticking to it. Take the time to think about what your loved ones will be excited to receive. Give special consideration to what they are interested in, instead of how expensive the gift is. Go Early The early bird gets the worm! During the season of giving, many people will be flocking to the malls and shopping centers to purchase their gifts. Do yourself a favor and go earlier than everyone else. Shopping early helps you to avoid the large crowds and the stress that comes from being in close proximity with strangers as well as reduces the risk of not being able to find the item you wish to buy. Online Shopping With advances in technology, going to the mall is slowly becoming a thing of the past. Thankfully, online shopping allows you to skip lines and avoid crowds all while you get the opportunity to buy the gifts you need to buy. Whether you’re using an online boutique or going on Amazon, you’ll be able to find what you need quickly! Talk about a stress saver! Shopping for your friends and family shouldn’t be difficult, but we hope these tips will help make your life a little easier. If you have any other tips, share them with our Hollywood, FL apartment community!

Holiday Movies to Enjoy

It doesn’t get too cold here in Hollywood, FL, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t still get in the mood of the December holidays! There are plenty of options to choose from when you’re looking to get festive, but we suggest finding some fun holiday movies to watch! In this week’s Sunset Palms Blog, we’ve got movie suggestions that are perfect for a night in! The Polar Express “Tom Hanks and director Robert Zemeckis reunite for The Polar Express, an inspiring adventure based on the beloved children's book by Chris Van Allsburg. When a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades.” The Holiday “Two women on opposite sides of the globe, Amanda Woods (Cameron Diaz) and Iris Simpkins (Kate Winslet) find themselves in a similar predicament. Desperate for a change of scenery, the two women meet on the internet and swap houses for the Christmas holiday discovering that a change of address really can change your life.” Home Alone “When bratty 8-year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) acts out the night before a family trip to Paris, his mother (Catherine O'Hara) makes him sleep in the attic. After the McCallisters mistakenly leave for the airport without Kevin, he awakens to an empty house and assumes his wish to have no family has come true. But his excitement sours when he realizes that two con men (Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern) plan to rob the McCallister residence, and that he alone must protect the family home.” It’s time to pop some popcorn, make some hot chocolate, and settle back at your apartment for some holiday fun! Do you have any movies you enjoy watching during the December holidays? Let us know by leaving a comment!

Ways to Express Gratitude

The month of November is a good time to express gratitude, especially with Thanksgiving at the end of the month. We’ve decided to share with you some ways that you can express your thanks in this week’s Sunset Palms Blog. Write a Letter Take some time to think about the many people who have affected your life in a positive manner and write down the experiences you share. When you’ve figured out who you’d like to thank, start by picking someone and writing a personalized letter to them. It may seem old fashioned or a little cheesy, but this small act will show your gratitude to those who have changed your life and may even make their day. There’s no limit to how many letters of gratitude you can write, but make sure you make each one sincere! Small Gifts Giving gifts and receiving gifts can be a part of how someone shows and feels love. Think of someone who you want to show appreciation to, and while you’re out shopping, try to consider a gift that you think they would appreciate. The gift doesn’t have to be big, as a small sincere gesture can have more impact than a large generic one. If you live close by to the person you wish to give the gift to, take the time to give it to them personally. Gratitude Journals Since there are so many, it can be easy to forget the good times to be thankful, which is why we suggest keeping a gratitude journal. With a journal, you can keep track of the many things you can be grateful for, big or small. As you write them down, you can look back upon the things that have happened, bring them to your remembrance, and help you feel gratitude. If you feel inspired to do so through your reflection, you can write letters of thanks or buy a small gift for those who have touched your life. Do you have any way you express your gratitude? Let our Hollywood, FL apartment community know about them by leaving a comment!

Thanksgiving Tips

Thanksgiving can sometimes last the whole day, so you may want to be prepared. Whether you’re headed to someone else’s home or hosting a Thanksgiving meal at your own Hollywood, FL apartment. In this week’s Sunset Palms Blog, we’ve got a few tips for you on how you can make Thanksgiving just a little easier and more enjoyable. Eat Slow One of the downsides of Thanksgiving is the feeling you get after eating all of that food. Often times, people eat their fill, then spend the rest of the evening on the couch, regretting having eaten that much food. We suggest taking your time while consuming your meal. Eating slow allows your body time to recognize that it’s getting full, and also gives you time to catch up with your guests! Instead of being fully occupied with your meal, strike up a conversation with the people around you. Help Out/Bring a Dish One way to spend your Thanksgiving is by helping out. This tip applies to the people attending Thanksgiving meals at a friend’s or family member’s house. With the permission of the host, head over early to aid them in the food preparation and other tasks, or bring a side dish or dessert to share with others. Be considerate of other people’s allergies and other dietary restrictions. Share What You’re Thankful For Though it may seem cheesy, taking the time during your meal to express your gratitude and say what you’re grateful for out loud can be a good way to add to your Thanksgiving. Sharing what you’re thankful for can not only help you realize how much you have to be grateful for, but can also strengthen your relationships with your family and friends! Do you have any tips for Thanksgiving? Let our apartment community know by leaving a comment!

Suspenseful TV Shows Perfect for October

After decorating your Hollywood, FL apartment with Halloween decorations, you can further get into the Halloween spirit by watching some suspenseful TV shows! In this week’s Sunset Palms Blog, we’ve got a few suggestions of suspenseful TV shows that will get your blood pumping just in time for October 31st. Supernatural What do you do when your dad hunts supernatural beings and then goes missing? Follow in his footsteps, of course. Join Sam and Dean Winchester as they search for their father and hunt down creatures like vampires, ghosts, and demons. Will they be able to find their father or will they succumb to the supernatural beasts? Find out by watching today! Brace yourself for the paranormal and supernatural with this 13-season-and-counting series! Scream If you loved the Scream movies by Wes Craven, you’re going to enjoy this TV series adaptation! This series brings the slasher theme into the modern day by covering cyber-bullying as the catalyst for murders. Find out what happens when Emma Duval becomes the center of a murderer’s obsession and as she seeks to find out who the killer is. American Horror Story The stories in this series are loosely based on true events, so it’s the perfect way to get into the Halloween mood. Each season is its own mini series, detailing different characters and events, so there’s always diversity when you’re binging on this show. Get ready for suspense and thrills when you watch it. There are only seven seasons, so pace yourself! These shows are meant to be suspenseful, and may be too much for some viewers. Viewer discretion is advised. Find these shows on Netflix and watch them through the rest of October to get you ready for Halloween! If you have any suggestions for our apartment community, leave a comment for us!

Ways to Decorate Your Home for Halloween

If you’re having trouble getting into the spirit of Halloween, we suggest trying to decorate your home! Decorations can create a different atmosphere, allowing you to get into the Halloween mood. If you’re unsure how to do so, you’re in luck. In this week’s Sunset Palms Blog, we’ve got a few tips on how you can decorate your Hollywood, FL apartment for a Halloween party or to bring the spirit of the holiday into your home. Exterior Decorations Exterior decorations for an apartment can be difficult. There isn’t a lot of space, so you have to be more creative in decorating. It doesn’t have to be elaborate, but you can make the most of the space you have! Mummify Your Door Adding door decorations is the easiest way for you to get into the mood of the spooky season. Mummify your door by getting white streamers and tape. Wrap your door with the streams in a criss-cross pattern and you’ll end up with a door straight from the grave! Remember that people will still need to go in and out of the door, so try not to cover up the door handle or the locking mechanism. Spruce Up the Patio The patio is perfect for exterior Halloween decorations. You can opt for spooky decorations or mild autumn related ones, but feel free to make your patio your own! Be sure to clean it up well after! Interior Decorations Since you don’t have many exterior decorating options, you can spend more of your attention in making the interior great! Understanding that this is your home, and you may not necessarily enjoy seeing scary decor all over the place, we suggest being very careful in picking your decorations so you don’t scare yourself. Here are a couple suggestions: Head in a Jar Print off a rendering of your face or the face of someone else’s head and then laminate it for a decapitated illusion. Find a large jar, like a pickle jar, and fill it with water. Place the laminated head into the jar and add green and brown food coloring to give it a murky, pickled look. Bloody Handprints For these awesome window clings you’ll need Elmer’s Glue, red food coloring, blue food coloring, saran wrap, wax paper, a cutting board, and tape. Though these handprints are meant for windows, you can place them on mirrors or other surfaces! Bloody handprints are a nice and easy way to decorate for Halloween.