Bowled Over at Belmont at Park Bridge in Alpharetta, Georgia
If you haven’t checked out the options for upscale living at Belmont at Park Bridge in Alpharetta, Georgia, be prepared to be bowled over at the amenities offered! With private patios and balconies, outside storage closets and incredibly pet-friendly stations throughout the community, Belmont at Park Bridge affords its residents beautifully landscaped grounds and luxurious spaces for leisure. And along with that, the Idea Specialists™ at Belmont at Park Bridge are always on hand to provide quality of life suggestions and ideas! In keeping with the bowled over theme, they’ve decided the focus of this month’s blog should be —you guessed it—bowls!! Form & Function From our first cereal bowls to our grandma’s mixing bowls, bowls are part of our memories. They can be pretty, they are certainly functional, and they come in all shapes, sizes, and patterns. Apartment Therapy, always informative, has a great piece on how to use bowls in all manner of ways. The Idea Specialists™ have long been fans of using wooden bowls to hold keys and spare change by the front door, and ceramic ones for lipsticks and the like in the bathroom. They also love the convenience of having a kitchen counter garden with herbs and greens in a large metal bowl—healthy and pretty! And speaking of healthy, they’re all about some all-in-one bowl meals like the ones the Food Network has featured in “24 Wholesome Bowls to Power Your Day.” Chicken quinoa bowl? Yes, please! Bacon and broccoli rice bowl with fried egg? We know what our new go-to breakfast is going to be! Fun & Funky Looking for some fun and funky options? Check out Uncommon Goods for everything from bowls made of record albums to sculptural bowls that could be featured in an art museum. Or, plan an outing with friends to All Fired Up on South Main Street to select and personalize a pottery bowl of your choice—or to Main Event on Davis Drive for another kind of bowl entirely. Strike! Tailgate Yummies It’s football season, so of course the Idea Specialists™ at Belmont at Park Bridge have some ideas about tasty treats to share in bowls on game day, whether you’re tailgating onsite or on sofa! This month, they’re linking to What the Fork for some recipes for gluten-free goodies like jalapeno poppers and loaded “totchos.” Yummy! Kickoff Here are some convenient links to key college football schedules: Georgia Bulldogs Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Morehouse Maroon Tigers Holiday Planning While it might still feel like summer outside a lot of the time, the fall and winter holidays will be here before we know it. The Belmont at Park Bridge Idea Specialists™ have scoped out a couple of possibilities for you to go ahead and put on your calendar, starting with this year’s North Georgia Running Company Thanksgiving Day Gobble Wobble. The starting gun for the 10K will fire at 7:45 Thursday, November 24, 2022, at 7:45 a.m.; the one for the 5K at 8 a.m.; and the Kids 1K Fun Run will start at 9:15 a.m. Another is booking a little December getaway to Barnsley Resort in Adairsville, where festive décor and more than 1 million lights adorn historic manor house ruins and an English-inspired village throughout the winter holiday season. Their Light Up the Holidays promotion includes luxurious inn and cottage accommodations, a $50 activity credit, and the resort’s exclusive Woodlands candle. Spa treatments, clay shooting, axe throwing, horseback riding, golf on the Fazio Course, or just a walk about the grounds—there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Here at home, the Alpharetta Holiday Market is set for Saturday, December 10, 2022, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Alpharetta Community Center. And you’ll have two chances to see Santa Claus that day—first at the Market, where you can get a free photo with the jolly old elf from 10 a.m. to noon, and then at his cozy North Pole-inspired village at Avalon as the day goes on. Ho-ho-ho!
Back to School Means Shifting into High Gear — The Belmont at Park Bridge Idea Specialists™ in Alpharetta, Georgia, Have Tips on How to Manage
Even if you don’t have kids at home, back-to-school season seems to kick everyone’s schedule into high gear. That’s why the Idea Specialists™ at Belmont Park Bridge in Alpharetta, Georgia, have put together this timely online care package for residents of their upmarket apartment community, complete with tips for getting organized and making the most of your commute. Get Organized Some days it can be hard enough keeping up with yourself, right? That’s why online calendars and organizer apps are so wildly popular, especially the easy-to-use Google Calendar. Whether it’s just you and your partner trying to avoid scheduling conflicts—or you’re figuring out how to get your eldest to soccer practice at the same time the middle child has an orthodontist appointment and the toddler has ballet—having all the info easily accessible from your phone is a modern day-must! Others to check out? Greenlight, a relatively new debit card app for kids, and “electronic corkboard” Trello, a long-time professional project management that can be used for collaborative meal planning and so much more. Plan On It While the Belmont at Park Bridge Idea Specialists™ are all about the mod cons, they are also all about a good solid hard copy planner; sometimes it’s just quicker and easier to jot down notes and times and dates by hand. FindThisBest did the work for us and provides the details on a range of academic year planners ranging in price from $4 to $27. Routine Maintenance Make your mornings go more smoothly by establishing—and sticking to—a set routine. Deciding on the next day’s clothes, setting the coffee to come on automatically, and having easy breakfast options ready to go are a few things you can do to get a jump on the day ahead. Mommy Nearest has more suggestions for those with little ones to manage. Our favorite? “Wake yourself up early.” Make The Most Of Your Commute Living at Belmont at Park Bridge means you’re conveniently located to so many things. Ferrying schoolchildren to-and-fro? Creek View Elementary, Webb Bridge Middle School, and Alpharetta High School are all within a 5-mile radius. And, the picturesque suburban retreat is at the center of North Fulton’s prestigious business corridor, just a mile-and-a-half away from the Georgia 400/Old Milton Parkway interchange, which makes commuting to work easy most of the time. For those other times? There’s always the radio (commercial, public, subscription), and audio books—Audible offers many of its Top 100 best sellers free with a 30-day trial. You can also spend some quality time with the rave-reviewed Ten Percent Happier Podcast with Dan Harris, who describes himself as “a fidgety, skeptical journalist who had a panic attack on live national television, which led him to try something he otherwise never would have considered: meditation. He went on to write the bestselling book, 10% Happier.” Recent shows have covered topics like being present, how a Buddhist monk deals with anxiety, five ways to be less distracted, and what sadness can be good for. Meal Management Made Easy Getting food on the table every night can pose a challenge even when schedules aren’t hectic, no matter how well-appointed your Belmont at Park Bridge gourmet kitchen. Here are some ideas from the Idea Specialists™ about making mealtime a little easier to manage. Take advantage of Alpharetta’s incredible local restaurant scene without ever leaving home by subscribing to GrubHub+ and having dinner delivered at your convenience. com does a good job of breaking down the benefits of paying the monthly fee, and makes this important note: “With a GrubHub+ membership, GrubHub matches donations to No Kid Hungry through Donate the Change to feed food-insecure children around the country.” Go to one of the convenient area Publix locations and pick up some of their tasty Publix Aprons® premades: Meal Kits, Ready to Cook Meals for One, and Ready to Cook Entrées. Try a meal delivery service that offers pre-made and DIY meal kits. There are many options to consider; one that’s very popular is Home Chef. You can read a review of it Alpharetta Events Looking for something fun to do sometime soon? As usual, Alpharetta does not disappoint when it comes to offering up a little something for everyone. Because Belmont at Park Bridge is such a pet-friendly community, we’re especially excited about Yappy Hour, on the calendar for Saturday, August 20, 2022, from noon to 4 p.m. The Hamilton Alpharetta on Milton Avenue is partnering with Tito’s Vodka for a fun event that will include dog-themed cocktails, live music, swag giveaways, and doggy portraits, with proceeds going to PAWS Atlanta. Woof! Alpharetta Food Truck Alley will be back on the fourth Thursday of the month, August 25 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. It’s a family-friendly event featuring live music, but seating is limited, so bring a blanket or chair. And speaking of live music, go ahead and plan in advance on making the scene at the Outlaw Music Festival Friday, September 9, 2022, at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre. Everybody’s favorite red-headed stranger Willie Nelson will be taking the stage with a lineup that includes Jason Isbell, Billy Springs, and Larkin Poe.
Delight in the Deliciousness Alpharetta’s Farmers Markets Have to Offer the Belmont at Park Bridge Community
One of the great things about living at luxurious Belmont at Park Bridge in Alpharetta, Georgia, is being able to make a quick trip out to one of the city’s bustling farmers markets and load up on summer-fresh fruits and veggies—and flowers and more! The Belmont at Park Bridge Idea Specialists™ always have a great time at the Halcyon Farmers Market. Held every Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Halcyon Forsyth, it features local products grown or made within 60 miles of Alpharetta—everything from seafood and meats to honeys, jams, candles, and soaps. Oh, and fresh eggs, don’t forget the fresh eggs! Pet-Friendly Community Fun Repeatedly recognized in the local media as a “Best Saturday Morning Excursion,” the Downtown Alpharetta Farmers Market, in front of Alpharetta City Center, is open Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. until November. You can enjoy outdoor music and a cup of fresh-squeezed lemonade, as well as experience a lively sense of community while you browse the offerings from vendors like Chang Family Farm, David’s WOW Garden, Her Garden and Produce, and many others. The Idea Specialists™ really do appreciate how dog-friendly the market is, too. Summer Cooking Inspirations Not sure what to do with all the healthy produce and other goodness you brought home with you? Then maybe it’s time to take advantage of one of the classes offered by the Publix Aprons® Cooking School at the Alpharetta Commons store. The Idea Specialists have already put the Saturday, July 23, 2022, Summer Cooking Inspirations 6 p.m. demonstration-style class on their calendar. And they plan to show up hungry—because the menu will include chilled lobster salad with sweet corn succotash and tarragon dressing, and roasted, bacon-wrapped jalapenos with mint chutney, not to mention a baked cherry clafoutis with maple-macerated cherries. The $60 course fee also covers the wines that accompany the evening’s dining deliciousness. You can learn more online about other style classes offered. Chic Coastal-Style Dining At The Cape Not in the mood to whip up something on your Belmont at Park Bridge gourmet kitchen gas range? Make a reservation at The Cape Restaurant & Beach Bar at Avalon and get ready to experience its chic coastal-style dining inspired by cuisine and wines from Cape Town, South Africa. The Idea Specialists™ highly recommend the whole red snapper house specialty, which is served fried and topped off with pickled pico de gallo alongside a sweet cilantro coconut sauce and a spicy peri-peri sauce. They plan to try the ostrich sliders next! Say Salud To Mezcal Cocktails If you’re not ready to say the party’s over when you get back, then mix up one of this summer’s hottest cool cocktails—the El Chapo, made with mezcal, tequila blanco, ginger liqueur, guava puree, and agave syrup—and enjoy it on the deck at the apartment community’s resort-style pool, or in the air-conditioned comfort of your home. Salud! An International Experience Less Than 3 Hours Away If thinking about South African-inspired food and Mexican cocktails has you in the mood for even more things international, then this might be a good time to make a visit to Birmingham, Alabama, the site of this year’s World Games. From July 7-17, 2022, the “Magic City” will play host to 3,600 of the world’s best athletes in 30-plus unique, multi-disciplinary sports, from Boules to DanceSport with all manner of ball sports, martial arts, and more in between. When you’re not watching competition at an elite level, you can avail yourself of the city’s diverse and delightful food scene and craft beers from local breweries, as well tour the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum. The Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau has made it easy to imagine your stay, offering suggested itineraries on its site. The great thing about Birmingham is it’s not even three hours from Alpharetta by car via Interstate 20—just the ticket for a long day trip or a few nights away. And if you go for the World Games, you’ll be part of an historic event—the competition hasn’t been held in the United States since it was first held in Santa Clara, California, in 1981. Can’t make the trip but still want to be a part of things? Merch is of course available to all at Shop World Games.
WE’RE IN A SUMMERTIME FRAME OF MIND— THE IDEA SPECIALISTS™ AT BELMONT AT PARK BRIDGE IN ALPHARETTA, GEORGIA, DISH ON IDEAS & FINDS
The Idea Specialists™ at Belmont at Park Bridge in Alpharetta, Georgia, are in a summertime frame of mind—and here to dish on some of their coolest ideas and finds for the hottest time of year! Poolside Must-Haves One of the greatest things about living at Belmont at Park Bridge is being able to lounge in luxury on the deck at the upscale apartment community’s resort-style pool. To do so in comfort, you absolutely have to have the right accessories, first and foremost bathing suits and swim trunks. Forbes breaks it down for the ladies; Men’s Health lists some great options for the gentlemen. Idea Specialist™ favorites are the Hurley Men’s Standard Supersuede One and Only Board Shorts for the fellows, and the Lululemon Waterside Chevron One-Piece for women. For The Host & Hostess With The Most & Most-est Even though summer doesn’t technically begin until the Summer Solstice—always on June 21st—most of us here in the Deep South have been attending warm-weather gatherings since late April. Whether you’re visiting friends for a weekend at their beach place, or planning on going to a co-worker’s Fourth of July cookout, you know you don’t want to show up empty-handed. So the Idea Specialists™ did a little research and came up with some fun and functional gifts for your hosts. First, flowers—hard to go wrong with those, right? The Spruce features a festive burlap-wrapped bouquet from Farmgirl Flowers in its post on some of the best gifts to give in 2022, and who wouldn’t enjoy seeing such bright and happy loveliness on their breakfast nook table? Or maybe you want to go the whimsical route, give your college bestie the funny cat hand towels she never realized she wanted, until now…. On the other hand, maybe your college frat brother, as cool as he is with cats, would prefer something a little bit more understated, like this set of monogrammed leather coasters from Food52. Don’t know what might be appropriate? Well, it’s hard to go wrong with an extremely practical and environmentally friendly bundle of sponge cloths in neutral grays and whites–they replace up to 17 rolls of paper towels! Ready To Hit The Road? While the Idea Specialists™ at Belmont at Park Bridge are all about cuddling on the couch and finishing up the final season of Better Call Saul (what are we gonna do without some Mike in our lives?), summer is also the right time for hitting the road, and they’ve scoped out some great day–and night—trips. It wouldn’t be summer in Georgia if the Atlanta Braves weren’t up at bat, so first and foremost the recommendation is to drive down into the city to catch the hometown homerun heroes at play at Truist Park. Peanuts, Cracker Jack, draft beer, and a hotdog and some popcorn will make the outing complete! Feeling fancy (but not like Applebee’s)? Then head less than an hour away to Braselton, Georgia, and avail yourself of all the Château Élan Winery & Resort has to offer—food, drink, European spa treatments. Yum! Another upscale option is to treat yourself to a restaurant and cocktail experience at The Garden & Gun Club at the Battery Atlanta. Atlanta native and Art Institute of Atlanta graduate Sam Davis has just been named the new executive chef, so whether you plan to gnosh on some nibbles from the raw bar menu or feast on an entrée with a Proper Old-Fashioned in hand, the evening is sure to delight. Awesome Alpharetta Don’t forget there’s almost always something fun going on in “Awesome Alpharetta” during the summer—from Avalon Nights Live in the Plaza every Friday night and the Home by Dark at Brooke Street Park Concert Series to the Downtown Alpharetta Farmers Market at the Town Green every Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. A Little More Pool-Side Action It just wouldn’t be summer if we didn’t sit by the pool and read a good book. So, get a comfy poolside cushion—perfect for keeping your legs safe from that hot Georgia concrete and your swimsuit from those unfortunate snags—and get going on one of most-talked-about reads of 2022, Night of the Living Rez, a set of 12 modern and incendiary stories set in a Native community in Maine. Cold Libations Then, when you’re ready to put the book down, enjoy a summer cocktail like a Hendrick’s Gin Julep out of your fun new Chill Lemon Takeaway Cooler. Be safe, enjoy!
Are You Looking for a New 1-Bedroom Apartment in the Heart of Alpharetta to Call Home?
How about an apartment community with amenities like a brand-new fitness center, indoor racquetball court, resort-style pool with sun deck, two lighted tennis courts, and beautifully landscaped walkable spaces? Welcome to Belmont at Park Bridge, located at 150 Rockberry Lane, in the prestigious 30005 zip code, and our much sought-after 1-bedroom apartment home favorite, The Derby. Choosing The Derby floor plan offers residents reimagined living in a jewel of an apartment, a spacious open floor plan, ample closet space, and a private patio or balcony with outside storage. Add a wood-burning fireplace, gourmet kitchen with gas range, silver mist or black appliances, and a serving bar and dining room ideal for entertaining—and you have to ask–what more could you want? (High-speed Internet? We have that too!) There is one more thing—location, location, location. Located at the center of North Fulton’s prestigious business corridor, near John’s Creek, Avalon, and the Ameris Bank Amphitheatre, Belmont at Park Bridge offers the convenience you desire and the value you love–all at one location. Get to know our friendly leasing team and call them at (770) 664-6502 to schedule a personal tour of your new 1-bedroom home at Belmont at Park Bridge. You’ll be glad you did!
MAY MEANS MOTHER’S DAY, PET MONTH & FESTIVAL FUN AT BELMONT AT PARK BRIDGE IN ALPHARETTA, GEORGIA
May means moms, pets, and most of all—fun! The residents of Belmont at Park Bridge in Alpharetta, Georgia, will be marking National Pet Month, doing a little upscale online shopping, and making the festival scene. Mother’s Day Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 8, 2022. The most important feminine presence in your life deserves an equally important present, and Fieldshop by Garden & Gun has curated some classics for you to peruse. From the Deich Crescent Earring by Charleston’s Brackish to a 1,000-piece Early Bird Puzzle by Piecework Puzzles, there’s something for everyone! Fieldshop is an Idea Specialists™ at Belmont at Park Bridge favorite even when it’s not Mother’s Day—they particularly recommend checking out the Mixers section for fun cocktail ideas. National Pet Month According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), 70% of U.S. households own a pet, up from 56% in 1988, the first year the APPA conducted its National Pet Owners survey. And, says the organization, people in the United States spent $123.6 billion on their animal companions in 2021. That’s right – billion with a B! Our love for fuzzy critters means we celebrate our pets every day of the week, especially during National Pet Month, because Belmont at Park Bridge is such a pet-friendly apartment home community. Maybe you’ll want to mark the occasion by getting together with friends at the clubhouse for a “yappy hour,” or by donating to one of Alpharetta’s animal shelters like Sadie’s Place on Union Hill Road. They’re always in need of towels and toys, chlorine bleach, wire crates and carriers, and leashes and collars in all sizes. Every little bit helps! Festival Fun Two town festival classics are on tap for this month—Taste of Alpharetta and the Alpharetta Arts Streetfest. Taste of Alpharetta is a beloved event for visitors and residents alike, boasting crowds of over 35,000 attendees. After a two-year hiatus, the festival is being welcomed back with a chef’s kiss, and attendance is expected to be even greater thanks to the excitement surrounding the event’s return for its 30th year! On Thursday, May 12, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., the streets of downtown will be filled with drool-worthy aromas from signature dishes served by restaurants across the North Fulton area. Both sides of Main Street will be lined with booth after booth serving delectable bites, and you’ll get to enjoy toe-tappin’ tunes from live music performances from soulful pop artist Michael Mango, blues Americana folk band Heather Luttrell and the Possumden, British Invasion/pop group Her Majesty’s Request, and more across three different stages throughout downtown. Then, Memorial Day Weekend in Alpharetta will be bursting in color during the Alpharetta Arts Streetfest. More than 100 artists will have their creations for sale during this free-to-attend event, happening this year Saturday, May 28, and Sunday, May 29, at The Grove behind the Alpharetta Community Center in Wills Park. The folks at Awesome Alpharetta say festival-goers should come hungry to this event, too! Food vendors will be onsite serving up festival eats and drinks to keep you fueled as you wander the grounds. Kiddos can enjoy face paintings and interactions with parrots, and—in keeping with National Pet Month—dogs are also welcomed to join their owners during this “pawsitively” wonderful event. Enjoy and be safe!
It’s Spring-Cleaning Time at Belmont at Park Bridge in Awesome Alpharetta, Georgia
There’s something satisfying about a good spring cleaning, so let’s take a look at some tips and tricks to get your lovely Belmont at Park Bridge apartment home in Alpharetta, Georgia, spick and span! Tools of the Trade Get ready to tackle the task by getting your supplies together first. Vacuum, mop, feather duster—check, check, check! Don’t already have a vacuum? The Belmont at Park Bridge Idea Specialists™ are big fans of the Wyze Cordless Vacuum, perfect for pet-friendly apartments like ours because they do a fantastic job on a wide mix of surface types. They’re also huge fans of Method’s naturally derived and planet-friendly cleaning products, all non-toxic, paraben-free and biodegradable. Their latest favorite? Method All-Purpose Wipes in refreshing pink grapefruit—perfect for wiping down kitchen sinks, counters, cabinets, and appliances, and they’re compostable. You can pick some up when you’re doing your regular shopping run at the Saddle Brook Kroger. For the bathroom, you’ll want something antibacterial, and Method doesn’t disappoint here, offering up serious options in pleasant mints, as well as a ylang ylang daily shower cleaner. Whistle While You Work Housework always goes a little faster when you’ve got an up-tempo soundtrack to keep you company. Don’t just take our word for it: Research shows that music has positive effects on mental fatigue caused by routine tasks, and there’s a direct connection between improved motor coordination and motivation. Working to the rhythm of music helps your motor skills and increases your self-confidence. So put in your earphones and turn on the tunes! Of course Amazon has a suggested spring cleaning playlist; you also can find more information and other playlists on The Maids website. For Fast Results Maybe you don’t have time for a full-on spring cleaning like the kind the folks at Apartment Therapy and Good Housekeeping recommend, complete with window washing. Not to worry—you can quickly freshen up your comfy Belmont at Park Bridge home even if you do just one or two things they recommend, starting with de-stinking your garbage can! Then, follow their tips for keeping the smells down, including putting lemon peels between the can and its liner. While you’re in the kitchen, take a few minutes to clean the inside of your microwave—at least once a week, and of course when you’ve had one of those “spaghetti explosions,” LOL. The Idea Specialists™ don’t necessarily think appliance cleaning can be considered fascinating, but they were impressed with the suggestions offered in 8 Fascinating Ways to Clean Your Microwave, especially this one: “The fastest method for cleaning your microwave oven is to place a handful of soaking wet paper towels inside and run it on high power for up to five minutes. The steam from the towels will soften and loosen caked-on grime. Once the towels cool down, you can use them to wipe the interior clean.” Relax & Enjoy Once you’ve completed your cleaning chores, take a moment to treat yourself! From punch to Pimm’s, Southern Kitchen has put together a list of warm-weather cocktails and spring spritzes, all perfect for sipping while relaxing on your private balcony or patio.
BELMONT AT PARK BRIDGE APARTMENTS IN ALPHARETTA, GEORGIA, WISHES YOU THE LUCK OF THE IRISH ON OUR ST. PATRICK’S DAY SCAVENGER HUNT!
Everybody’s a little bit Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, as the old saying goes, so here at the lively Belmont at Park Bridge upscale apartment community in Alpharetta, Georgia, we are already picking out what green to wear Thursday, March 17! And, we’re gonna have a ShamROCKIN’ good time—both with our Belmont at Park Bridge St. Patrick’s Day 2022 Scavenger Hunt AND out and about in Alpharetta, where we have so many fun opportunities to take advantage of that it really doesn’t matter that we can’t quite make it across the pond to celebrate this year. Keep reading—the Belmont at Park Bridge Idea Specialists™ have scoped out the scene, and have a few recs for you! And, we’ve hidden the clues to the Scavenger Hunt in the blog, sure and begorrah we have! Will you be the one to find the gold at the end of the rainbow? The first and foremost suggestion from the Idea Specialists™ is to get out and have some fun at the Luck of Avalon Friday, March 11, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with special performances from King O’Sullivan School of Irish Dance + North Georgia Pipes and Drums, live music, Irish flair and, of course, green beer! Like Awesome Alpharetta says, you can sip and stroll the boulevard as you enjoy this annual Avalon tradition. Bring your good doggo, you know how pet-friendly this city is! Belmont at Park Bridge is, too—just check out our full amenities list here, and think about making plans to enjoy some time on the tennis courts as the weather warms up. Later in the month, you can take part in ShamRockin’ for a Cure Saturday, March 26, at the Ameris Bank Amphitheatre. Set to run from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m., this “Party for a Purpose” turns a romping good time into a fantastic fundraiser—it’s generated more than $2.9 million dollars in proceeds for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation since its inaugural event. There will be live music, a silent auction, and food and drinks from over 30 vendors! Get your tickets today. Comfort Food Prefer to stay in the luxurious and cozy comfort of home? Us, too, sometimes! If that’s what we decide to do this year, we’ll still mark the holiday, just with homemade corned beef sandwiches—there’s a good recipe for them in this Martha Stewart slideshow about St. Patrick’s Day corned beef and cabbage recipes. Or, if it’s pretty outside, plan on a poolside picnic. No need to sit on the ground, there are tables and chairs! The Man, The Myth, The Legend Just in case you didn’t know, St. Patrick’s Day marks the death of Ireland’s fifth-century patron saint, who, according to folklore, introduced Christianity to the Irish and banished snakes from the island. Perhaps the most well-known legend of St. Patrick is that he explained the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, & Holy Spirit) using the three leaves of a native Irish clover, the shamrock. “Paddy’s Day,” as it’s known there, began as and still is a religious holiday during the Lenten season, but not in the way it once was; beer company campaigns transformed it from a church-going holiday to a pint-raising one in the 1980s. It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Clover St. Patrick’s Day festivities wouldn’t be complete without a toast. The Idea Specialists plan to visit Alpharetta’s Jekyll Brewing in the City Center for their Erin Go Braugh brew, and think you should, too! And remember to take your umbrella with you—March weather can be so unpredictable! Sláinte!
Be Your Own Valentine — Luxurious Treats for Your Life & Home at Belmont at Park Bridge
Valentine’s Day is all about indulging the people we love, and the Idea Specialists™ at Belmont at Park Bridge in Alpharetta, Georgia, are here to help the members of our upscale apartment home community with on-trend gift and experience ideas! And, if some of these seem like just the perfect present for yourself? Well, why not be your own Valentine this year? You deserve it! Color & Comfort Add color and comfort to the living room and bedroom by treating yourself to cozy throws and luxurious Valentine-red crushed velvet pillows. The Clara cushion, by designer Joanna Gaines in collaboration with Loloi, is on sale now at Magnolia. As is this Pottery Barn chunky-plush handknit cable pattern throw with a sherpa reverse. Then, bring in a hint of spring while celebrating Cupid with a bromeliad or red anthurium from Bloomscape. Wining & Dining Valentine’s Day is on a Monday this year, so many folks are planning on an evening out either the weekend before or after February 14th. No matter when you plan to celebrate with your sweetheart (or your bestie!), there are plenty of wonderful restaurants to choose from in Alpharetta. The Belmont at Park Bridge Idea Specialists know for a fact you can’t go wrong with choosing Pampas Steakhouse on State Bridge Road to mark an important occasion, and their Valentine’s Day menu is out of the world this year, complete with a choice of bacon-wrapped scallops or lamb lollipops for an appetizer and both chateaubriand and crab meat-stuffed lobster tail as the entrée. Altobeli’s Restaurant & Piano Bar in the Haynes Market Shopping Center on Old Alabama Road will continue its lovely tradition of giving ladies a complementary rose during its Valentine’s Week Celebration, including on Super Bowl Sunday, also known this year as Valentine’s Eve! And, Alpharetta’s newest romantic restaurant, UP on the Roof (atop Liberty Hall on South Main Street) is offering some special “love potions”—and it might be hard to choose between the Kisses ‘n Cream and the Between the Sheets. Champagne for sure, though! Intimate Evening Maybe you would prefer to mark the occasion in the comfort of your lovely Belmont at Park Bridge apartment home. You could get yourself a gorgeous rainbow bouquet from Sprouts Farmers Market on Alpharetta Highway, light a limited edition Diptyque rose-scented candle from Nordstrom, enjoy some champagne, and order in anything from pizza to a five-course meal. Oh, and of course you’ll want some chocolate for dessert, right? Pop over to Kilwins Alpharetta-Halcyon on the Town Green in the City Center and browse their selection of ice creams, cakes, and confections. And, for something really sweet, they’re offering complementary packaging and gift wrapping this year! Future Fun Experiences often make the best gifts of all, and part of the fun with them is the anticipation leading up to the actual outing. The Idea Specialists™ can’t make up their minds about which musical artists to go see this year, there are so many great live performances coming up, but for sure they’re going to have some fun at the Ameris Bank Amphitheatre. They also plan to enjoy time at some of Alpharetta’s more intimate entertainment venues, including The Velvet Note on Old Milton Parkway. And, they are treating themselves to tickets to this year’s Taste of Alpharetta, set for Thursday, May 12, 2022, from 5 to 10 p.m. And day spa experiences at The Woodhouse Day Spa at Avalon and LifeSpa, a full-service salon and spa inside the Life Time locations on North Point Parkway and Johns Creek Parkway (you don’t have to be a club member to get pampered!). 😎 Clever & Cute While diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, maybe you’re in the market for a little something to give as a gift that’s not jewelry. USA TODAY pulled together a long list of ideas and deals that’s worth checking out. If you don’t have time for that, here are some links to fun finds from the Idea Specialists™: [rl_gallery id=”1309″] A mini retro-inspired Bluetooth speaker This Fujifilm instant camera in flamingo pink Some record album drink coasters A really cool scratch-off map This Baimei jade roller Did You Know? Did you know that the English poet Geoffrey Chaucer was the first to record St. Valentine’s Day as a day of romantic celebration? Yep, he did it in his 1375 Parliament of Foules, writing, “For this was sent on Seynt Valentyne’s day / Whan every foul cometh ther to choose his mate.” Often thought to commemorate the marriage of Richard II to Anne of Bohemia in 1382, the poem describes a conference of birds that meet to choose their mates on St. Valentine’s Day. You can read a lot more about the holiday on this History page.
Indoor Racquetball Court, New Fitness Center make Exercising Easy for Residents of Belmont at Park Bridge
The indoor racquetball court and fully equipped new fitness center make exercising easy for residents of the upscale Belmont at Park Bridge apartment community in Alpharetta, Georgia. And what better time to take advantage of them than now, when you’re returning to your routine—or starting a new one—after the winter holidays? No need to pay extra for a gym membership when you can work on cardio and strengthening with onsite facilities and equipment, right? And, Belmont at Park Bridge is a pet-friendly community, complete with pet stations throughout the property, so you can get outdoors for a walk with your fur baby, too! The Idea Specialists™ at Belmont at Park Bridge are making more time in their 2022 schedules for health and fitness and want to share some resources and ideas with you! New Year, New App? Maybe all you need to stay motivated is that weekly Fitbit report on your step count, and/or you’re perfectly satisfied with the fat-burning feedback you get from your Apple watch. Or, maybe you’re in the market for a new app, one that provides target area-specific workouts, or effective full-body workouts that can be done in as few as 5 to 30 minutes? Or one that you can use to change your approach to eating, or help you to begin a meditation practice? The Idea Specialists™ recommend Daily Workout Apps—it’s like having your own personal trainer, they say. They also found this great list of apps on Verywell Fit, an award-winning resource for credible and up-to-date information on all nutrition and exercise topics: Best Fitness Apps to Download Work Your Body & Your Brain Verywell Fit also has put together an excellent list of podcasts you can listen to while you’re exercising: The 31 Best Fitness Podcasts to Listen to Right Now After checking it out, The Idea Specialists™ are now really into Mind Pump, an online radio show/podcast that describes itself as being “dedicated to providing truthful fitness and health information.” They’re also fans of Half Size Me, a weekly show that focuses on sustainable weight loss. Its host, Heather Robertson, lost 170 pounds—and has kept it off. Close to home, there’s the recently renamed Big Peach Ride + Run podcast, produced by Big Peach Running Co. One of their newest episodes is “Dealing with Fitness Insecurity”—as in how to move past it so you can achieve your fitness goals. Running Buddies And on that note, if 2022 is the year you’re planning to lace up your running shoes and hit the streets, then you might want to spend some time looking into everything Big Peach Running Co. has to offer. It’s not just running shoes; they keep the area running community up to date on races and training workshops. The Alpharetta store, on Winward Parkway, does group runs on Mondays and Wednesdays. Hit The Trails One of the great things about living at Belmont at Park Bridge is how close it is to so many great hiking trails, including the Big Creek Greenway. If you want to lace up your boots and venture a little farther afield, check out the list of “10 Beautiful Must-Do Hikes Near Atlanta” shared by area lifestyle and travel blogger Tayala “Tee” George at A Sip of Tee. And if you want to enjoy the great outdoors in the company of others, the Atlanta Trail Running and Beyond Fitness Meetup group might be for you! For some runners, this group is about socializing and getting a good low-impact workout by running through beautiful scenery. For other runners, it’s about training for races. Rest & Recovery Whatever fitness activity you choose, The Idea Specialists™ want to remind you not to forget to devote time rest and recovery, and that includes consuming the right nutrients after you exercise. Healthline explains that after you engage in physical activity, your body tries to rebuild its glycogen stores, as well as repair and regrow muscle proteins. It’s especially important to eat carbs and protein after your, they say, because doing so helps your body: decrease muscle protein breakdown increase muscle protein synthesis (growth) restore glycogen stores enhance recovery Have a glass of chocolate milk and some peanut butter on rice crackers as a quick snack, or cottage cheese and fruits. If you’ve got more time, whip up an omelet with avocado spread on whole grain toast, or make a protein shake and drink it and eat a banana. Whatever you do, stay hydrated! While water is usually your best bet, sometimes an electrolyte drink is the way to go. Relaxation Hydration is also very important if massage is part of your health and fitness regimen. Drink water both before and after your session, whether you’re getting one for pain relief at the Hands On America Massage Professionals location on South Main Street, or a deep tissue massage for relaxation and stress relief at Terra Nova Wellness Spa on Winward Parkway. The experts at WebMD say your massage therapist will thank you if you drink water before you stretch out on the table because your muscles will be more soft and supple, which makes it easier for your practitioner to manipulate tender tissue. And, this body work releases substances you should flush out afterward, something that’s extra important if you get any type of heavy-duty massage. Happy New Year, Happy New You!
