Blog Posts

Low Maintenance Crockpot Recipes-image

Making dinner can be a chore: it takes formulating a menu, going to the grocery store, and occasionally extensive preparation. But it doesn’t have to be that way! Today The Townhomes at Highcrest Blog is here to help you turn dinner into an easy, delicious mealtime you can enjoy hassle-free in your apartment. Try our suggestions for low maintenance cooker recipes that you’ll love.   Crock Pot Creamy Mashed Potatoes These mashed potatoes make for a great side to any meal. Especially if you don’t have a lot of time to monitor cooking mashed potatoes on the stove, cooking them in a slow cooker is a simple solution for fluffy and beautiful mashed potatoes you won’t be able to wait to dig into.   Slow Cooker Steak Soup from Plain Chicken  This is a “leave it and go” kind of recipe, which is arguably our favorite kind of recipe. Slow cooker steak soup is great for those days when you just want dinner without the fuss. This simple recipe will have you happy that you invested in that slow cooker.    Black Bean and Pumpkin Chili It doesn’t get much more fall-like than chili and pumpkin. Serve this tasty dish with a side of cornbread to make the perfect meal for a chilly day. Ingredients include cooked, cubed turkey, pumpkin puree, diced tomatoes, chopped onion, minced garlic, black beans, chicken broth, dried parsley flakes, chili powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, salt, chopped sweet yellow pepper, olive oil, cubed avocado, and thinly sliced greens.   Slow Cooker Berry Cobbler Don’t forget about dessert! This recipe only takes about two to two and a half hours to cook on low in your crockpot, so if you need a bit of digesting time after a heavy meal, this is a perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth without overdoing it. Use your favorite fresh or frozen berries to fill the cobbler’s batter. Then when it’s cooked, top with ice cream or frozen yogurt for a delectable treat!   What are your favorite low maintenance crockpot recipes? Share them with the rest of our apartment community in the comments. Thanks for reading our blog!  

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Apartment Decorating Tips-image

In this post, The Townhomes at Highcrest Blog has a few ideas to help you decorate your Woodridge, IL apartment home. We hope that you get the chance to spruce up your apartment before the month is through. Use a few tastefully chosen pieces to make your apartment feel like home.    Hang pictures Pictures in your home can make your space unique to you. You can hang photos of your family and friends or your own photography. If it’s a shared space with roommates, hang cool art from local artists or make your own artwork. Planning out the placement of your pictures can be difficult, but you can find some great ideas on how to hang the perfect wall gallery online.   Use warm lighting Lighting can make all the difference in a space. Buy lamps, candles, and a candle warmer to use for nighttime lighting. Lower lights can be great for watching your favorite TV show before bed or for late-night talks when you don’t want the bright overhead lights on. IKEA has great lamps of all different styles that are easy on the wallet.    Hang curtains Curtains can create a comfortable and “put-together” look for any room. Generally, a neutral color will look best, but curtains can also work well to be an accent or bright color based on your color scheme. Curtains frame the window, making it look beautiful.   Add Rugs Add some warmth into the room by laying down a rug or two. Layer rugs on top of each other for a textured look. Choose fabrics and patterns that complement the rest of the room. We recommend switching out your rugs seasonally. Pick reds, faux furs, and thicker fabrics for the winter. In the summer, lay down rugs in blue, green, and white.   What are your favorite decorating tips and tricks? Share them with the rest of our apartment community in the comments!  

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Summer Fashion Tips-image

It can get hot here in Woodridge, IL, and nothing is more uncomfortable than being too hot throughout your day. In this week’s The Townhomes at Highcrest Blog, we’ve gathered a few summer fashion tips to share with you so you have a more comfortable time during the remainder of the hot summer. We hope you enjoy these tips! Fabric How often have you considered what type of fabric your clothes are made of? If that thought had never crossed your mind, it’s time to change that. The type of fabric your clothes are made of can make the difference between being too hot and sweaty and being comfortable! Opt for clothes made of cotton and linen rather than wool and polyester, for they’re not only light fabrics but breathable as well. Though these are the preferred fabrics, keep in mind that they come with unique challenges, for example, linen is breathable and light but it is known to get wrinkly fast.  Fit How your clothes fit you affects how comfortable you will be throughout the day. A fitted outfit may work well during the winter when the weather is colder, but when you factor in perspiration and the heat, a fitted outfit may end up being an uncomfortable choice. Looser fitting clothing will allow more airflow and thus a cooler clothing experience.   Accessories What do you do when the sun is in your eyes and or beating down on your face? We recommend investing in a few accessories that will make your summer a little more bearable! The first thing you should invest it in is a pair of good sunglasses. Sunglasses keep the sun out of your eyes and will add that little extra flair to your outfit. Second, find yourself a good hat, preferably a straw hat. A straw hat will keep the sun out of your face and allow the breeze to flow easily through.    Do you have any fashion tips you’d like to share with our Woodridge, IL apartment community? Leave us a comment!  

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Swimming Pool Tips-image

Welcome to the Townhomes at Highcrest Blog! We not only provide a comfortable and convenient living for our residents, but we also strive to provide informative content that will make your apartment living a little easier! In this week’s blog, we’ll share with you some swimming pool tips so you can keep safe during the remainder of the summer while taking advantage of our community pool!  Put Safety First This may be a no brainer, but remember to always consider safety first. Have fun as much as you can, but make sure you’re being safe. It’s important to not get too caught up with playing around in the pool and forget that your actions could be harming someone else. Instruct younger children and your friends to walk around the pool to avoid slips and falls caused by running or reckless behavior. Avoid accidents and unnecessary trips to the emergency room by putting safety first.  Be Mindful of Others  You may be tempted to horse around and get physical with your friends, but there are plenty of ways you can hurt or bother someone else, especially in a crowded pool. Keep the splashing to a minimum if you’re close to someone and practice having fun without getting into a stranger’s personal space. This is not only polite, but it can help you avoid accidents. Since we’re being mindful of others, remember to take frequent bathroom breaks to avoid any chance of evacuating the pool for cleaning.  Don’t Swim Alone Accidents can happen with even the most experienced swimmers, so have a friend with you — not only so they can help you in case of an emergency, but so you can have someone to share in the fun with. Ensure that children are not left unattended at the pool to reduce any potentially fatal situations.    Do you have any pool tips you’d like to share with our Woodridge, IL apartment community? Share them with us in the comments!  

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