Happy New Year!
A Departure From The Ordinary
Located in Pittsburgh’s South Hills area, Lincoln Pointe Apartment homes are available in spacious one and two bedroom floor plans with amenities that go way beyond the everyday.
A Departure From The Ordinary
With an array of accessible restaurants, shopping areas, entertainment choices and business centers only moments away, Lincoln Pointe Apartments redefine luxurious living.
A Departure From The Ordinary
Neighboring the city of Pittsburgh, Lincoln Pointe Apartments allow convenient access to many downtown attractions as well as the Pittsburgh International Airport.
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Stress Free Holiday!
Posted by Lincoln Pointe Apartments on 9:01 AM
The holidays can be a stressful time for any family. This is a great blog about how to get that stress relief you desire around this hectic time of year. These helpful tips will help you with that stress free holiday of your dreams. You can learn more a tmoneycrashers.com.
Plan the Perfect Holiday
It’s important to remember that there is more to Christmas than the giving and receiving of gifts – there are decorations to be made and hung, food to be prepared and served, and homes to be cleaned for guests. However, if you can stay within your budget and set aside sufficient time to complete all these tasks, you and your guests will delight in a stress-free and memorable holiday.
Gifts
The bulk of time and money spent each Christmas revolves around gifts – choosing, buying, and wrapping presents for those we love. This year, consider the following:
A Family Gift Exchange. As families get larger, the costs of buying gifts can be a financial burden. To reduce costs and the time spent shopping, establish a dollar limit for the individual gifts, as well as any other desired criteria (for example, only clothes, toys, books, and gift cards).
Gift Cards. Gift cards allow the receiver to pick his or her perfect gift. In fact, more than 77% of shoppers gifted cards in 2011. Most retailers offer their own, and also accept gift cards issued by major credit card companies, which can be combined to purchase more expensive items. However, when choosing a gift card, be aware that some may charge inactivity fees after one year if the card isn’t used.
Internet Shopping. Shopping online is faster, often cheaper, and far more convenient than visiting brick-and-mortar stores. It is easy to compare prices, gift wrapping is often available, and your purchase can be delivered wherever you choose. Most Internet retailers also guarantee delivery by a certain date.
Price Comparison Apps. Shopping apps enable in-store price comparisons and an easy way to verify and obtain discount coupons to save more money. Consider free apps, such as Price Check for Android devices and Google Shopper for the iPhone.
Personalized, Inexpensive Gifts. These are unique and meaningful. For example, the small illustrated book “I Like You” with a personal note to a family member, business associate, or friend will be cherished and kept for a lifetime. A letter to a friend recalling a special time together or simply telling a loved one how much they mean to you will be remembered for years and always appreciated.
Paid Gift Wrapping. Paying to have your gifts wrapped can save you time as well as money spent on excess wrapping paper, tape, bows, and gift cards. Many retailers offer an in-house service and include free gift wrapping with each purchase. Professional gift wrappers charge a different rate for different sizes of packages, which can run as low as $5.
Charitable Donations. Making donations to charity in lieu of buying and receiving gifts can make you feel good, and it teaches your children the joy of giving while helping those less fortunate. Consider
Alternative Gifts International, where $45 feeds an American family of five for a week;Heifer International, which provides domestic animals, such as cows, sheep, goats, and chickens to poor families around the world; or Kiva, which makes micro-loans to third world entrepreneurs.
If your holiday includes children, involve them in the gifting process so they can learn how much better it feels to give than to receive. Take them shopping to buy inexpensive Christmas gifts that they can wrap themselves. Let them print their names on the gift cards and pass out the presents they’ve purchased and wrapped.
Monday, December 15, 2014
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Free Family Movie Night
Posted by Lincoln Pointe Apartments on 10:59 AM
Come enjoy a free showing of Elf, the hilarious 2003 Christmas classic. On Wednesday, December 17, at 7pm, join us for the movie, along with free snacks and holiday beverages! On screen you can enjoy the star-studded cast of Will Ferrell, Zooey Deschanel, Bob Newhart, James Caan, and more, and in the theater you can make new friends and share the holiday cheer with other East End families.
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Make Your Own Salt Scrub
Posted by Lincoln Pointe Apartments on 10:33 AM
We love making our own gifts for the holidays. This is the perfect gift for the loved one that needs a little pampering. Did you know you can make your own salt scrub. The recipe is very easy. Also, the salt scrub in a great packaging makes a very creative gift. You can learn more at The Kitchn.
Which Salt to Use?
For this particular scrub, I used coarse sea salt. Sea salt is simply just evaporated seawater, which means it's not processed and doesn't contain any additives. Sea salt exfoliates by sloughing off dead skin cells, allowing smoother (and healthier!) skin cells to take their place.
If you have particularly sensitive skin, you can sub brown sugar for the salt. Brown sugar is a soft and gentle exfoliant, which makes it a milder alternative to the coarse sea salt.
Which Oil to Use?
Since there are about 101 uses for coconut oil, I always have some of this miracle-in-a-jar on hand. Coconut oil is deeply moisturizing, as it contains medium-chain fatty acids, which provide hydrating and anti-inflammatory properties. As a bonus, coconut oil quickly absorbs into skin, so it won't leave your hands with a greasy residue.
If your pantry isn't stocked with coconut oil, olive oil also works as a great natural moisturizer!
Which Essential Oil to Use?
I chose grapefruit essential oil for this scrub simply because it's my favorite. Grapefruit essential oil brings a fresh, citrusy note to the scrub and leaves my skin feeling energized and bright. It also has antibacterial and antiseptic properties, which are bound to come in handy during the winter months. Lemon or orange essential oils would also do the trick.
If you're looking for something more calming, go with lavender, bergamot, or chamomile essential oils.
Grab your supplies: You'll need 1 cup coarse sea salt, 1/2 cup liquid coconut oil, 5 to 7 drops of grapefruit essential oil, and a 10-ounce glass container.
How To Make Sea Salt Hand Scrub
What You Need
Supplies
1 cup coarse sea salt
1/2 cup liquid coconut oil
5 to 7 drops grapefruit essential oil
Equipment
Dry measuring cups
10-ounce glass container (I used a Weck canning jar)
Fork
Instructions
Grab your supplies. You'll need 1 cup coarse sea salt, 1/2 cup liquid coconut oil, 5 to 7 drops of grapefruit essential oil, and a 10-ounce glass container.
Add the salt. Pour 1 cup of salt into the empty glass container.
Add the oil. Pour 1/2 cup of coconut oil over the salt.
Add essential oil. Add 5 to 7 drops of grapefruit essential oil to mixture.
Stir the mixture. Stir all ingredients until well combined.
Seal and gift. Seal the jar and affix a label or gift tag to the top.
Recipe Notes
Use scrub sparingly — about once or twice a week — by spooning a small amount into your hands, gently rubbing it in, rinsing it off with warm water, and drying your hands thoroughly.
I tried (and failed) to wrap both ribbon and twine around this jar. (It was so slippery!) To save your sanity, just affix a label, tag, or bow to the top of the jar.