Whether it’s your first apartment or you are starting over in a new city, furnishing an entire apartment can be an expensive, if not overwhelming process.  You may already have some idea of what you’d like your space to look and feel like, but your bank account is not quite ready to support your vision; we have a few solutions for that as well.  The most common mistake is leaving the big purchases to the last minute.  Planning for the essentials early affords you time to find, save, shop and possibly order what you really want. 
 
Thankfully, others have been where you are, made the mistakes and shared their valuable hindsight.  Give yourself a 3-month lead, and in three easy steps, you’ll be on your way to first apartment heaven.
 

• Start a Design Board – pin photos of the look you want to accomplish, paying special attention to prices and order times of the larger pieces (mattress, bed, dresser, sofa, dining).  Furniture stores typically don’t stock everything on the showroom floor.  It may take a week or so to receive it from the furniture store's central warehouse, possibly 4-12 weeks if they need to order it from an American manufacturer, and 3-6 months if they need to order it from overseas.  Giving yourself the 3-month lead allows you time to order, shop for suitable alternatives, or wait for a sale if the items don’t fit your budget.  * Furniture stores generally have a sale every couple of months. 

 

• Place your order for the larger pieces 8-10 weeks ahead of the move-in date, unless the store or website suggests differently.  About two weeks before your move-in date, arrange for pickup or delivery of your ordered items. Many furniture stores have a week or longer wait time for delivery, depending on the season.

 

• Next, you can focus on the smaller essential pieces - bed linens, window treatments, bath towels, pots, pans, plates, bowls, utensils and cleaning supplies (broom, dustpan, mop, sponges for bath and kitchen, lavatory brush, etc.)

 
With the large and small essentials out of the way, you can relax on the finishing touches.  Take your time finding the perfect wall art, accent tables, and other decorative touches.  Give yourself time to curate accents that reflect your unique taste and personality.  Better yet, if you or your friends are crafty or artsy, create a few one-of-a-kind pieces yourself.  Below we offer a few nationwide locations for inspiration and fixer-upper finds. 
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Keep in mind, you don’t need to start with all of the essentials at move-in, if you own a mattress, but don’t have a frame – furniture stores carry metal bed frames starting around $50, and platform bed frames can be ordered for about $100. 
 
Estate Sales
Estate sales happen for a variety of reasons, downsizing, debt, divorce, or in some cases, the passing of a loved one.  While most estate sales are run by professionals who know the value of the items being sold, occasionally you either find something that you feel is undervalued, or worth every penny they are asking for it, and you considered it a steal.  Opening day at estate sales are very busy, many local antiquers, and even dealers, will visit hoping to score a treasure or two.  You can expect to pay full price for the first and possible second day of an estate sale.  By the third day, discounts usually ensue, if an item has not sold.  You can expect prices to drop 25% on the second or third day, and 40 – 50% on the last day.  If you find you have fallen in love with an item, you can ask the professional in charge to be placed on a sort of last call list.  If the item has not sold when they are wrapping up the estate sale, the professional will start the call list for the remaining items.  It helps if you establish a relationship with an estate sale professional. 
 
Flea Markets are Gold Mines
Sometimes in the most literal sense, you are just as likely to walk away not having found anything as you are finding the perfect fixer-upper.  But the sheer amount of creativity, ingenuity, and variety behind the vendors at open markets is hard to find. You never know what you’ll see, and it is probably different every time you go.  For many of the vendors, this is a full-time job.  Their time is spent acquiring and curating the best finds.  It is possible you’ll find a seller that matches your taste to a tee, and you’ll find yourself visit them for years to come.  The great thing about these small businesses, they are hunting for new items all the time.  If you share the piece, treasure or concept you’re looking to execute, they might just be able to find it for you or point you in the right direction.    
 
Secondhand Stores
Industry insiders refer to it as the resale industry.  You may also hear it called goodwill hunting, consignment cruising and bargain hunting.  Regardless of the name, you might be surprised that 1 out of 6 Americans goes thrifting a year.  On the hunt for a good deal and perhaps you want to contribute to a good cause, you can find new and used clothing, shoes, electronics, washers, dryers, furniture and exercise equipment at thrift stores across the U.S.  Research estimates there are around 18,000 reseller stores across the nation, bringing in revenues over $12 billion annually.
 
Donations to these stores come from all walks of life.  Often, they are the recipients of yard sale leftovers, emergency move-outs or relocation, estate sale leftovers or upgrades.  Donators receive charitable donation receipts for the value of their gifts.  There is really no telling what you might find at a thrift store.   TV shows like Baggage Battles, American Pickers and Storage Wars publicize locating rare and valuable treasures in peculiar places.  Thrift stores are among the hiding spaces of these items.
 
Are you hunting apartments in Lafayette Louisiana?  Do put Lafayette Gardens Apartments on your must-visit list. ​

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Apartment hunting in any city can be a formidable task, but when you are searching for one out of state, it presents a whole new set of challenges.  No matter your reason for the move, we found a few tips that can help make you go a little smoother.
 
IF POSSIBLE, VISIT YOUR NEW STATE AHEAD OF TIME
If your schedule permits, it’s advised to visit your new city ahead of time. Getting a feel and the vibe of your new city and potential apartment in-person is the best way to start your search. If you are fortunate and have a company relocation package, they may provide you with temporary housing while you’re visiting.  If not, visiting your new city will afford you the opportunity to visit different areas in relation to your new job or school.
 
RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH
Today, information is readily available via the internet. Most reputable apartment communities have websites that offer images of their grounds and apartments, along with amenities and special features.  And with Google Maps, you can research the area to get a feel for local features, hangouts, shopping, neighborhood groceries and other points of interest.
 
SEEK LOCAL HELP
Many times, the university or your HR department can shed light on relocation. Check with these sources first, usually, someone there will have the inside scoop on popular neighborhoods and nearby amenities. Consider reaching out to the leasing agents at apartment communities. Often, they can share distance to the school or business that brings you to the city and possible benefits or hindrances of their location. It’s their job to stay informed on the area, so be sure to ask questions. 
 
SEEK OUT VIRTUAL TOURS
Most apartment communities are going to share their best images on their website.  But the more tech-savvy apartment communities are jumping on board with 3D touring. This technology gives a more accurate depiction of your new living arrangements and is considered the next best thing to a live tour. 
 
BE AWARE OF THE LOCAL MARKET
While we all like to shop around to find the best bang for our buck, keep in mind the rental market of your new city. College and large cities often have a high demand for temporary housing arrangements. The earlier you start looking, the better, and if you find something you like, you need to act quickly or could end up missing out. 
 
FOCUS ON LOCATION
Finding an apartment near your employer or school would be great and relieve you of the stress associated with learning your new city's layout. But occasionally, where you are employed or go to school may be in high demand area and out of budget. If this turns out to be the case, look for alternatives that are close to public transit or near the interstate just outside of your desired area.   
 
BE READY WITH A SECURITY DEPOSIT
If you are relocating for work, your deadline may be out of your control. Make sure you have a security deposit ready when you start looking. While you are at it, have your references and bank statements available as well. It would be very disappointing to miss an opportunity for a lack of preparation.
 
MONEY MATTERS
For students and fist time renters, take time to understand the full cost of renting. Most apartment managers can share the average utility bill for a 1-bedroom apartment. But you need to factor in groceries, transportation, internet/cable and possibly renters insurance. Be sure that the apartment you are considering works well within your budget. Also, keep in mind that your credit score plays a role in your approval to rent. If you have not established credit, now is a good time to do so. If your credit score is low, consider taking steps to improve your score. Most local banks can help you understand the steps you need to take to establish or clean up your credit.
 
HONESTY REALLY IS THE BEST POLICY
If you are honest with the property manager about your credit situation, you might find they have a little wiggle room or discretion in this matter and can offer solutions to help you secure your first apartment.
 
Apartment hunting can be stressful, especially when you are out of town or state. Our friendly property managers are here to help   If you are looking for apartments for rent in Lafayette,LA be sure to stop by Lafayette Gardens Apartments to take a tour or call to schedule your virtual tour. ​

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Halloween just over a month away, what better way to get you and your Apartments in Lafayette Louisiana into the spirit than to do some fun Halloween Kids Crafts? With so many fun ideas we thought we would share a few of our favorites with you. 
 
Spooky spiders top our list.
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Spider Handprint
Supplies you need to make this Spider Handprint

• Orange construction paper
• Black construction paper
• Googly eyes
• Glue stick
• Black glitter glue or you can make your own
• Scissors

 

1. First, fold your black paper in half and then half again.
2. Trace just four fingers and leave about 1/2 an inch from the edge of the paper.
3. Cut out your handprint. You should now have two spiders.
4. Draw your spider webs on orange construction paper in the corners with a pencil or black pen. Add two web lines down to where you will place your spider handprints.
5. Carefully trace your web with the black glitter glue. If possible, make a continuous line when you are tracing your spider web to avoid the glue from making clumping marks. Allow the glue to dry overnight.
6. Glue your spider's eyes on.

 
Paper Spider
Supplies you need to make the Paper Spider.

• Black paper – one sheet will make one spider
• White paper
• Black pen
• Black bakers twine for hanging
• Glue stick
• Scissors

 

1. Begin by cutting out four 1/5 inch strips off the top of your sheet of paper – set aside for the legs.
2. Next, use a small cup to trace and cut out 8 same-sized circles from the rest of sheet – however many you can fit.
3. Fold each circle in half to create semi-circles.
4. Add glue to half of the semi-circle and place another semi-circle on top, then add glue to the next layer and repeat.
5. When all of your circles are glued together and stacked high, cut a piece of bakers twine – about 8 inches long fold it in half and tie a knot.
6. Add a generous amount of glue to the spine of your paper circle stacks and place the baker's twine against it. Add glue to the top semi-circle, unfold the circle and bring it round
7. Make the legs with the strips of paper you cut first, make 4 longer legs and 4 shorter legs for each side of the spider's body, 8 total.
8. Fold the legs about 1/3 of the way down to make a right angle and then fold again about ¾ of the way down the opposite direction to make the foot
9. Last, you'll add your spider’s eyes. Draw two circles the size of a dime, cut out and add pupils. Bend the two middle flaps of your spider back slightly and glue the eyes on.

Craft Stick Spider Webs
Supplies you’ll need to make Craft Stick Spider Webs.

• Popsicle sticks
• Glue (or a hot glue gun)
• Paint in Halloween colors
• Yarn in black, white, and/or orange.
• Scissors
• Optional: Spider stickers

 

1. Paint your popsicle sticks with paint.
2. Once dry, glue three popsicle sticks together. Use a hot glue gun to eliminate drying time.
3. Now tie one end of the yarn to one base of the glued popsicle sticks.
4. Wrap your yarn around each popsicle stick or simply feed it in between each stick in a circle fashion twice.
5. Once you’re done wrapping the web, tie a knot to the end of the last stick, leaving a long trail of yarn to hang your spider web.

Any of the crafts we described above can be scaled by using larger craft supplies. Are you looking for a fun and inviting, family-friendly apartments in Lafayette, La? Stop by Lafayette Gardens Apartments and take a tour.

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Summer has been fun at our apartment community in Lafayette, La. But now it’s time to think of the school year ahead, so we’ve compiled a few tips from the pros below on how to smooth the transition — wishing our residents and students a successful school year. 

Back to school fills children with excitement and a little of the first day jitters, while parents are consumed with thoughts of “Have I prepared enough?” To help remove these thoughts and get you and your children prepared for the school year, all you need is a little planning and organization. Here’s a list of proven back to school tips to get you started on the right foot.

1. Sleep routine - get back into it. To help ease the stressful school mornings, restart a regular bedtime and morning time routine. Start your usual school sleep routine a week or two before school starts.

 2. Start shopping for school supplies together.  Entering a new grade is exciting and a little scary. When shopping, allow them to pick out their lunchbox, backpack, etc.  Set a budget and share with them how much they can spend on these items, so it doesn’t stress you out. This is an excellent way to teach them about money and gives them a little bit of responsibility too!

 3. Re-establish school year routines. Start setting the alarm and have them wake up at the same time every day and eat breakfast at the same time they would before or at school. Now would be an excellent time to have them start reading a book in the afternoon, preparing them for their homework routine.

 4. Speaking of homework, set up a homework station. Talk with your child about a designated time and space where they can do homework. Depending on your child’s ability to finish homework without help, consider a time and place where you are available in case your child needs assistance.

 5. Prepare for the unpredictable.  As working parents can attest, it can be challenging to find a last-minute sitter when your child is sick. Now is a good time to start lining up sitter on the off chance you get a call from the school that your child is ill.

 6. Create your after-school game plan.  If both parents work, where will your child go after school? Depending on the age of your child, will they attend an after-school program, stay at a neighbor’s or will they be allowed to stay home by themselves? This helps eliminate confusion during the already crazy first weeks. If they will stay at home alone, go over house rules, safety concerns and what to do in case of an emergency.

 7. They are not going to like this one. Turn off the video games and TV.  It’s going to feel like you are cutting their summer short, however two weeks before school starts is a good time to start weaning the electronics. Shock sets in when they realize that six to eight hours of their day will be spent learning and not gaming or binge-watching favorite shows. Ease your child back into the learning process by limiting the electrics and encouraging them to read or play quietly.

 8. Go over school materials and information. Most schools provide a packet online or via email with a ton of information on your child’s teacher, important dates, emergency forms, and transportation arrangements. Jot down important dates on your calendar or put them in your phone.

 9. Get organized.  Perhaps you remember, back to school means lots of paperwork that can consume the counters in your home. Designate a spot in your home for permission slips, upcoming projects and any other school-related papers. This can help eliminate surprises like last-minute runs to school to sign paperwork and midnight Target, Walmart or Dollar Store runs for project supplies.

 10. Summer is also a good time to get your child’s yearly checkup. Germs and school are synonymous, so getting your child’s well checkup in before school starts is optimal. It allows for a baseline when you do have to bring them in for something more severe and you can also take care of any required vaccinations. 
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While a smooth transition is not guaranteed, these tips are likely to take the edge off the rocky start. If you are looking for a new apartment in Lafayette, Louisiana, stop by Lafayette Gardens Apartments and take advantage of our back to school promotions. ​

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​College students headed to life away from home for the first time may fair better in an apartment community with the amenities and privacy of home, than in living in a dormitory.  Consider the following when looking for college freshman living accommodations in Lafayette, Louisiana.

Freedom:  while rules and regulations lend themselves to a civil society, dorms life comes with many more restrictions than an apartment does.  The ability to welcome guests without someone watching over your shoulder, like a resident assistant or advisor would, is one such freedom.  Also, having control over your roommate selection is a welcome advantage to apartment living.  There will still be rules that the college student will have to observe, like paying your rent on time, keeping the noise level down, and avoiding anything illegal on the premises that risk eviction.  Many would argue that living without an RA (resident advisor) builds maturity more rapidly.

Space:  A dorm room, well, is a room.  No private full bath, well-equipped kitchen, or separate study space exists.  An apartment that comes with an appliance equipped kitchen will save many a trip to the dining hall with limited offerings and hours.  Imagine your late-night study sessions not having to be interrupted for coffee runs or trips for snacks.  Your kitchen cabinets and refrigerator can be well-stocked accommodating special diet needs.

Having a private bathroom is a wonderful plus when it comes to health and hygiene needs.  Rather than having to share facilities and tote your toiletries down the hall, an apartment allows privacy.  Having your own private bath stocked with your personal items is a small luxury for the first-year college student.

Parking spaces come with most leases at an apartment complex.  Campus parking at the dormitories can be limited and further away from some buildings than most apartment complexes in the Acadiana area. If you have a vehicle and visitors with cars, the ability to park in designated areas within a well-lit gated community is a considerable safety advantage.

Finances:  Dormitories may cost more in the long run.  Consider meal plans and having to move to another room at the end of a term may end up costing more in time and effort than renting an off-campus apartment. 

Additionally,  establishing a great renting history at an early age is another advantage of renting an apartment off-campus.  You will have established credit and rental history before holding your first professional job.  

The ability to stay year-round and not leave for holiday breaks is an advantage students don’t always think of when deciding where they will live while earning their degree.  24-hour fitness centers, high-speed internet connections, and nearby shopping, entertainment, churches, and restaurants that come with leasing at Lafayette Gardens Apartment makes economic sense.

Looking for a place to live minutes from campus in Lafayette?  Tour Lafayette Garden Apartments in Lafayette, La and ask about student move-in specials.

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​Good, old summertime is around the corner. The days are longer and warmer. School will soon be out and vacation time is much desired.  Instead of leaving the area or vacating the premises and heading out-of-town, why not have a stay-cation.  A Stay-cation is a break without the travel. Stay-cations are a great way to relax and unwind without the hassle of sitting in traffic or a crowded airport. Economically speaking, Stay-cations can help you save more and spend less. So, don’t pack your bags. No need to gas up the vehicle. All you need is some time and some creative suggestions for your stay at home break from the day-to-day routines of life.

Inside Beach Experience
Items needed:  beach towels, bottles of lotion (coconut scent recommended), music source, favorite beach read, and bathing suit or cut-off and comfortable t-shirt.

What to do:  Clear the room by pushing the furniture back.  Put on your beachwear. (No shoes allowed!) Spread towels on the floor. Lotion up inhaling the smell of the tropics. Lay on your towel and read or flip through a magazine while your favorite playlist blasts in the background. Calypso music or surfing songs highly recommended. Have lemon-aid and a sandwich that you pack in an ice chest or picnic basket for full-effect.

Christmas in July
Items needed:  small palm tree (real or artificial), empty boxes, markers, wrapping paper or tissue paper in yellow, orange, hot pink, and turquoise, music source, red and/or white clothing, and at least one relative.

What to do:  Decorate your palm with found items or earrings and necklaces procured from a willing participant. Take the empty boxes and markers and write words of intangible giftings (love, health, kindness, peace, etc.) inside the box. Don’t let anyone see what you write! Wrap the boxes and have a gift exchange while you blast your favorite sing-a-long Christmas songs. This can be a ho, ho, ho lot of fun with kids of any age. Find a fireplace image for extra effect.
 
Service Days
Serving Vacations are popular travel choices for many. A service vacation is when you spend your time going and performing charitable acts for others. Sometimes it’s building homes for a stranger, traveling to a foreign country and helping dig wells, or maybe working for a mission organization by spending your vacation time as volunteer time. You can do similar things with a Stay-cation.

Items needed:  Things you no longer need, canned goods, spare change or unredeemed gift cards, some time, and a willing spirit.

What to do:  Day one of your Stay-cation can be spent cleaning out closets and cabinets. Donate usable items to local charities or host a yard sale and donate the proceeds to the charity of your choice. On another day, gather canned goods and non-perishables and head off to your local food bank or soup kitchen and spend some time volunteering. On another day, bring your spare change and unused gift cards to a venue with machines like Coinstar that allow you to sort and gift to charities of choice without a usage payment. Cannot find coin machines, head to a bank, get some money wrappers and roll change. Bring to your favorite non-profit organization.

Enlisting the help of your apartment complex neighbors or friends down the block is a way to be of more significant service to local charities.
Stay-cations can be fun, helpful, and just the thing needed during the summertime—a break from the routine!

Looking for a new family and pet-friendly apartment home in Lafayette Louisiana?  Consider touring Lafayette Gardens Apartments.

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​Easter weekend, graduations, weddings, and Spring Break are all times when friends and family come to visit.  When you are hosting family, how do you make them feel at home when they are away from their primary residence?  Practice what hotel staff calls radical hospitality.  It goes beyond just a place to lay their heads for a few nights.

Start with these radical helpful hospitality hints to make visitors feel right at home!

Clean, clean, clean:  Clean the bathroom, guest room or area where they will be sleeping.  Provide plenty of clean towels, sheets, and even common cleaning products for their use.

House secrets:  If you know them well enough and can trust them with this information, give your guests a spare set of keys, the alarm combination, and your WIFI password.  That way they don’t have to ask if they like to go out for an early morning run, cannot sleep and want to stream a favorite sitcom or need a breath of fresh air without disturbing you.

Packets of information:  Leave your guests a packet of information about local attractions, restaurants, shopping, special events, and history.  You can pick up packets at local tourist bureaus, chamber of commerce offices, and even churches.  Your guests may not want to be dependent on you for information so make it easy for them to explore the area you call home.

Snack Attack:  Leave a selection of beverages, fruit, crackers, water, cheeses, and juice that can be eaten without preparation at their fingertips.  Even better, make a quick trip with them to the local store after a brief menu planning for the days they will be in town.  That way, they can select things they truly enjoy and let you know of any allergies or dietary constrictions they have to observe.

It’s in the details:  Fresh flowers on the bedside table, a pair of slippers or flip flops they can wear and bring home with them, a few extra pillows and blankets, and their favorite DVDs at the ready are all special touches that will make a guest feel extra special.

See if you have what you need:  Go through your routine as if you are the guest at your house.  Anything you can anticipate needing if you were visiting someone, provide it for them.  A toiletry kit with toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, razors, lotion, tissues, air freshener, and even a small candle is a fabulous touch. Even bottles of water or a pitcher and glass is welcome at the bedside so they don’t have to venture into dark rooms in a strange place.

Consider the kids:  If your guests have children, make certain you have kid-friendly entertainment for them.  Games, coloring books, small toys, and healthy snacks easily win the parents hearts because you were thoughtful enough to include special things for the kids.  Be really radical and take the kids to the park or zoo and give parents some relaxing time after traveling to join you.

Regardless of the reason you welcome guests, if you practice radical hospitality, everyone will have a great experience.  Lafayette Garden Apartments is in the business of radical hospitality, offering both short and long term corporate leases in Lafayette, La.  Amenities offered are many and include two 24-hour fitness centers, alarm systems, and fully supplied and furnished units.  Take a tour today!

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