Blog Posts

Making the Most of Your Renaissance Place Apartments Storage Unit

Renaissance Place offers walk-in closets at our apartments, and many of our apartments also come with attached storage, another perk among the many amenities we offer to members of our community. Today we have tips for how to organize your storage area so you can get to what you need when you need it without going through multiple boxes every time you need just one thing from storage. Use uniform boxes/containers as much as possible in your storage unit. Doing this allows you to pack thing in more efficiently, meaning you can fit more into the available space. Whether that’s boxes or totes, look for a container that is sturdy. Categorize your storage items. Typically things that you store fall into one of these categories: seasonal items, travel/camping supplies, holiday items, kids toys, tools, supplies for hobbies, sports equipment, papers, memorabilia, and everything else. The key to storing all of these things is to do it in an organized manner so you can find what you need when you need it. Come up with a system to designate different categories, and group them together in storage when you can. Label your containers. This is an essential part of having an effective storage plan. Put a unique number on each box or container for ease in identifying what is in the box. Along with labeling, when you are filling the containers put similar things together — winter mittens and summer swim toys need to be in separate boxes, for example. If you currently have a jumbled mass of boxes of odds and ends it will be worth the time to sort through and repack and label your containers. Make a master content list and post it in your storage unit. It takes time to create a detailed list of the contents in each box, but when you need to find a specific item quickly, it proves its value. Print out custom labels for your boxes to make it even easier to identify what you’ve got. Plan how to organize your storage unit. One idea is to put furniture and other odd-sized items on one side and stack your (uniformly sized) boxes on the other. Leave a center aisle if possible. If you can’t, place easily moveable items there. Group your boxes by content, with like things together. Consider color coding your boxes so you can tell at a glance what is where. We hope these tips for organizing your storage unit at Renaissance Place Apartments is helpful! Let us know your favorite hacks for organizing in the comments. Have a great month here in Williamsville, an awesome city in western New York!

International Talk Like a Pirate Day in WNY

It’s September, and the 19th day of the month is International Talk Like a Pirate Day! Prepare to walk the plan. . . errr, hear some piratical language — words like blimey, ahoy, and swab, for instance. To get a jump and be ready to talk like a pirate to get in on the fun, The Renaissance Place Apartments Blog has pulled together some pirate-themed books and movies to recommend to members of our apartment community here in Williamsville, New York — so blow the man down! Pirate-Themed Books Under the Black Flag: The Romance and the Reality of Life Among the Pirates Written by David Cordingly, this book presents an overview of the history of pirates covering a range of topics about pirates for the general public. It’s a great jumping off point to learning more about the myths, legends, and pirate life. Pirate Women: The Princesses, Prostitutes, and Privateers Who Ruled the Seven Seas An article from the Smithsonian, The Swashbuckling History of Women Pirates , touts Laura Sook Duncombe’s book as a tomb that “does more than revel in the mystery and infamy of lady pirates: It contextualizes them, providing history and background on the societies they came from.” For more reading, we like this selection of Recommended Books on Pirate History from the blog Colonies, Ships, and Pirates. Pirate-Themed Movies If you are looking for a good movie simply to get into a pirate-speaking-frame of mind, may we suggest The Pirates of Penzance? This movie, originally a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta (which is still regularly performed), is a delightful parody romping through pirate lore. A telling line from the movie sums up the role of pirates quite nicely. Geoffrey Rush, who plays Captain Hector Barbossa captain of the Black Pearl in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, is arguably the best-voiced pirate in cinema history. Check for yourself by watching (or rewatching) the movies from this Disney franchise and listening to the accents and phrasing of all the characters. The Princess Bride, while not exclusively about pirates, does make reference to The Dread Pirate Roberts. It is a wonderfully crafted tale, and as the grandfather says, it has “Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, True Love, miracles….” It’s definitely worth a watch! This Complete List of Every Pirate Movie Ever Made list is a great resource for finding movies and listening to a plethora of pirates speak. Thanks for taking the time to peruse our post today! Here’s luck and a fair wind to you. PS: To up your pirate speak, go ahead and pillage from this piratical resource from Autumn Creek Apartments!

Playground Etiquette

Welcome back to the Renaissance Place Apartments Blog! Your beautiful apartment is a great place to spend your days, but be sure to also get out and about and enjoy the sunshine here in Williamsville, NY. We have a few amenities to help you do so, including our Toddler Playground and Activity Zone Playground, which are a perfect spot for stretching your legs and bonding with your little ones. While you’re there, don’t forget these tips for a fun and successful visit. Stay aware. You may not be in the middle of the action on the playground, so it’s easy to get bored and to turn to your phone or a book to stay entertained. However, this can make it easier for preventable problems to go under your radar. So stay aware of where people are, what they’re doing, and how others are reacting to the actions of those under your care so you can promote safe behavior and intervene promptly when necessary. If you’re bored, interact with other adults in the area or push your kid on the swing to mix things up and better foster a good environment. Come prepared. If you’re taking a child to the play area, be sure to know their habits and what sorts of needs they may need to be filled at the playground. Remember that all sorts of accidents can happen when kids are letting go and having fun, so take along a playground survival kit filled with disinfectant wipes, band-aids, a roll of gauze, and a bag for trash, just in case. Having what you need on hand can help you confidently react to adverse situations, which helps soothe the child, too. You can also stay prepared by having a water bottle and even a small bag of snacks on hand so neither of you gets dehydrated. Just clean up your messes and don’t flaunt snacks around other curious kids. Practice avoiding playground tussles. Getting along with others using the playground is an important way for you and your child can avoid getting hurt. Encourage them to have fun, respect others’ space, and be kind while they do! Help them have fun without engaging in horseplay or roughhousing too much, as those sorts of play can encourage accidents. What other playground etiquette tips would you add to our list? Let us know in the comments below. Thanks for reading. We hope keeping these ideas in mind helps everyone have a great time at our community’s playground

Summer Traditions

The summer is not over yet, but you may be running out of ideas for summer fun. We’re here to help with some suggestions for summer traditions to keep you going strong for the rest of the season. Whether you hang out in your Renaissance Place Apartment or head out to explore Williamsville, we think this list of activities can be helpful when you need something to do. Hiking. Hiking is a great way to get exercise and fresh air. Being in nature can also do great things for your mood and your health. Bring along a friend and go hiking in WNY this month. Fishing. Here’s another great way to get outside and breathe in the fresh air. Here’s the 101 on fishing if you’ve never been. Buy a used fishing pole and get started on a hobby that can last your whole life. Reading. If you’ve never been a reader, give it another go. Find something that interests you. Maybe you were forced to read books that weren’t interesting to you and you haven’t picked up a book since. Read a variety of genres and find something new! Playing the guitar. Tune into your musical side and start playing the guitar. Find a local class or find YouTube tutorials to get started. Cooking. A hobby that’ll always be worth it, cooking is a great thing to learn. Learn some cooking basics if you don’t cook often and hit the kitchen. Canning food. Canning food can save you money and help you to preserve food for a longer period of time than what you’ll typically get out of a food. Learn the basics of canning and get started. Coloring . Coloring can be for adults, too. You can find all kinds of adult coloring books online. Find one that interests you. It’ll help you to relax and forget about your everyday worries. DIY projects. The internet is full of DIY projects from all kinds of blogs. Start making decor items, refurbishing furniture, and doing all kinds of other fun crafts and projects. Playing board games. Board games can be a lot of fun, and they are a great excuse to get together with family and friends. Find some games you enjoy and start playing. What are your favorite summer traditions? Are there places in Western New York you go every summer without fail? Activities that make the summer complete? Share your favorites in the comments. Thanks for reading our post today!

What to Wear to Combat Summer Heat

Last time, we shared some peach-inspired recipes to help with cooling down this summer at Renaissance Place Apartments. This time around, we’re switching gears from what to eat to what to wear. Stay cool when you’re out and about in the New York summer heat with these fashion tips. The power of natural fibers. Cotton, linen, and wool are the best known natural fibers, and there’s a good reason they are recommended for summer wear — the breathe. Which means the heat isn’t trapped against your skin the way it is with many synthetics. Exceptions to the go with natural fibers guideline include clothing made of fabrics that are specifically engineered to wick away sweat. Investing in summer wardrobe pieces may be worth the price. Light colors, flowing designs. It’s no secret that black and other dark hues absorb the heat. So during the warm summer months wear lighter colors with a loose fit that allows for air flow. When you can do it, shorts and capris noticeably decrease the heat factor. Be smart with your accessories. In addition to being a fashion statement, hats with brims bring with them a welcome bit of shade, and they keep the sun off your head. Sunglasses both accessorize and protect your eyes. Stay cool. Though not something you wear, a few other tips for staying cool include drinking plenty of water throughout the day include staying inside during the hottest part of the day, using a personal fan or cooling neck wrap, and seeking the shade and grassy areas when you’re out and about in Williamsville. Of course, one of the best ways to beat the heat is to simply stay inside your Renaissance Place apartment which is nice and cool — but when you must venture out into the New York summer heat, following these tips can help you keep your cool!

Just Peachy Peach Filled Summer Treats

Welcome to summer season at Renaissance Place Apartments where everything is just peachy! This month, we’re sharing four recipes featuring peaches as the main ingredient. Stop by our local farmer’s market or take a quick walk to Wegman’s and pick up some peaches soon. Then, head back to your apartment to make a peach-alicous treat. Peaches ‘N Cream This sweet and creamy smoothie is naturally sweet and low in sugar. Combine 1 cup frozen peaches, 1 cup coconut milk, ½ cup water, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and a handful of ice. Add a scoop of protein powder if you’d like. Fresh Peach Lemonade Lemonade is a summer classic, so if you haven’t already poured yourself a glass of some, try this peach lemonade recipe. All it takes is a few basic ingredients: three large peaches, ½ cup of sugar, a cup of real lemon juice, and water! The tartness of the lemonade is sure to mix well with the sweetness of your ripest peaches for a drink you won’t forget. Honey Roast Peaches Head to your local farmers’ market for fresh peaches to make these delicious honey roast peaches. Pit your peaches, place a pad of butter on each, drizzle honey on top of them, and then finish off these peaches with mascarpone cheese and almonds. Not a fan of mascarpone cheese? Try this recipe with ice cream instead. Click on the link to learn more about making this delicious treat. Peach Sherbet If you want a dessert to combat the heat and cool you down, try out this peach sherbet recipe. It’s another dessert to make you feel like you’re having the perfect summer. Plus, all it takes is frozen sliced peaches and sweetened condensed milk! Just practice your patience while you wait for the peaches to freeze and for the blender to cream it all into your favorite sherbet consistency. What is your favorite way to enjoy peaches? Feel free to share your recipe with everyone in our apartment community by posting a comment! Have a wonderful July here in New York!