Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
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.
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.
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Make Your Apartment A Home
Posted by Lincoln Pointe Apartments on 10:35 AM
Does your apartment feel like your home yet? We have four great tips to help you get that homey feeling that you are looking for. Lighting, artowrk, and a few other things will help you achieve your goals. Read this blog and get excited about coming home! You can learn more at Apartment Therapy.
The Right Lighting: Lighting is one of the quickest ways to change the feeling of a room. If you are only using your overhead lights, you are missing an important part of the equation. By having different levels and placement, you can create an atmosphere that's comfortable and cozy for guests to relax in.
Well-Chosen Artwork: What you have on the wall should reflect who you are, what you like, and what makes you happy every day. The artist or the source is less important than how it makes you feel. Plus, artwork adds a different layer to your walls — color and interest. Don't forget that non-traditional things can be stand in for art as well. When framed and/or put in a place of honor, an instrument, postage stamps, or shoes also show your personality.
Fill It With People: The most important thing in the home are the memories you create while living there. If you work at all hours of the night, and only return home to sleep, then those warm fuzzy feelings about your abode are few and far between. Similarly, open your doors to others and invite them to share your space.
Personalized Details: All of us have lived in boring, blank boxes at some point — whether it’s a dorm room, or a standard builder-grade home, that aren’t perfect, might be temporary, or are just we were are at that moment in our lives. Even with standard and predictable finishes, it’s easy to tweak your space enough to make it reflect your personal taste. If you are renting, stick to swapping out hardware or painting furniture. These needn’t be large massive changes, but small tweaks and choices that make you smile and feel good about where you are.
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Veteran's Day Facts
Posted by Lincoln Pointe Apartments on 11:03 AM
Fun Fact #1:
Veterans Day was once known as Armistice Day. The term comes from an armistice between Germany and the Allied Nations on November 11, 1918 (Also known the armistice ending on the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day of the eleventh month). World War I actually ended on June 28, 1919, during the Treaty of Versailles. The first Armistice Day was acknowledged on November 11, 1919.
Fun Fact #2:
November 11 is both a State and Federal Holiday. (And yes, we’re still open.)
Fun Fact #3:
The original idea behind the celebrations for this holiday was parades and public meetings and also a brief suspension of businesses at 11:00 AM. This is true to this day as a number of parades are held across America as well as speeches are given.
Fun Fact #4:
On June 1, 1954, Armistice Day had its named changed to Veterans Day. This was due to a change in an act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, which made the 11th of November a legal holiday, known as “Armistice Day”. The primary purpose was to honor the veterans of World War I, but in World War II, there was a great immobilization of Veterans, thus changing its name of “Armistice” to “Veterans”.
Fun Fact #5:
Disney made films for during World War II, for each branch of the United States government.
Fun Fact #6:
Approximately 90% of Disney employees worked in the making of propaganda and training videos during World War II.
Fun Fact #7:
Today, there exists about 1.6 million female veterans.
Fun Fact #8:
Between 1971 and 1977, Veterans Day was celebrated on the fourth Monday in October. It was changed back to its original date, on November 11, 1978 due to a General R. Ford’s signing of Public Law 94-97 (89 Stat. 479).
Fun Fact #9:
Arlington National Cemetery has ceremony on Veterans Day every year to honor those who died during times of war. The ceremonies are held around the Tomb of the Unknowns and at 11:00 AM, on November 11, a combined color guard representing all military services executes “Present Arms” at the tomb.
Fun Fact #10:
Veterans Day falls on the same day as Remembrance Day and Armistice Day in other countries.
Fun Fact #11:
There is not supposed to be an apostrophe in Veterans Day. Still some spell it Veteran’s Day or Veterans’ Day.
Fun Fact #12:
Raymond Weeks, a World War II veteran came up with the idea to honor all veterans on November 11, not just the ones who died in World War I.
Fun Fact #13:
On November 11, 1921, an American soldier was buried at the national cemetery in Arlington. His identity was unknown (and his grave site is what we know as today as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier). Every year on November 11, the president or a high-ranking member of the government lays a wreath on his grave.
Fun Fact #14:
In a 2009 report, there were estimated to be 21.9 million veterans.
Fun Fact #15:
The median income for veterans in 2009 was approximately $35,000 a year.
Fun Fact #16:
Many people confuse Memorial Day with Veterans Day. Memorial Day is primarily remembered for those died during their service to our country, particularly ones who died as a result of battle. Veterans Day is to acknowledge primarily all those served in the military, either during wartime or peacetime.
Fun Fact #17:
Some schools close on Veterans Day and some stay open. There is no legal requirement for a school to close or to stay open, as individual schools districts or states are free to establish their own policies.
Fun Fact #18:
The word veteran comes from the nomenclature of the old English language, meaning old, experienced soldier.
Fun Fact #19:
The first use of the word, veteran came to use in 1789, in the English language when referring a former member of the armed forces or an ex-serviceman. The extended meaning of the word goes back to someone who has served a longtime in any position.
Fun Fact #20:
California has more U.S. military veterans than any other state.
I hoped you enjoyed these fun facts about Veterans Day and for all those veterans out there, living or dead, we proudly support you.
Thursday, November 6, 2014
The Perfect Pie Crust
Posted by Lincoln Pointe Apartments on 9:23 AM
The holiday season is quickly approaching. What do you like to make for those family dinners at the end of the year. We have provided you some tips on how to make the perfect pie crust. This crust will be delicious and perfect for your favorite pie. You can learn more at The Kitchn.
1. Blind Bake
The most common way to ward off a soggy pie crust is by a process called blind baking. Blind baking means you pre-bake the crust (sometimes covered with parchment or foil and weighed down with pie weights to prevent the crust from bubbling up) so that it sets and crisps up before you add any wet filling.
You can fully blind bake a pie until it's completely cooked, which you have to do when adding a cooked filling like custard or mousse, or you can partially bake the crust before adding the filling and finishing the baking. In either case, blind baking goes a long way in keeping everything nice and crisp!
2. Brush With Egg
Another way to prevent a soggy crust is to basically seal the surface of it to make a barrier between the crust and the filling. Brushing the surface of the unbaked crust with beaten egg or egg white mixed with water before adding the filling means that as it bakes, the proteins in the egg will form a moisture barrier over the crust and provide a layer of protection.
3. Brush With Chocolate
Along the same vein as brushing unbaked crust with egg to make a moisture barrier is the tasty method of brushing blind-baked crust with chocolate to make things even crispier. Let your fully blind-baked crust cool completely, then brush with melted chocolate and let that set before adding your filling. Not only do you end up with a super-crisp crust, but you get a sweet bonus layer of chocolate too!
4. Bake on a Hot Baking Sheet
Pie crust gets light, flaky and crisp when the heat of the oven melts the little nubs of fat inside the crust quickly and so that they form steam that puffs the crust up. You want that process to happen quickly so that the crust sets before the filling has much of a chance to seep in and make things soggy. Place a baking sheet in the oven as it heats, then place your pie dish directly on that hot baking sheet — this little extra boost of heat will do wonders in terms of getting the crust to cook and set quickly.
5. Keep Moisture Out
One of the easiest ways to prevent a soggy pie crust is to keep the moisture out in the first place. Toss your fruit with sugar, let it sit for awhile so the juices start to come out, then strain out those juices. You can discard those juices or boil them down into a syrup that gets tossed back in with the fruit before baking.
And if you're doing a double-crust fruit pie, don't forget to cut a little circle in the middle or slits in the top crust — it's important to create a vent where steam from the filling has a chance to escape instead of settling into the crust.