Let the Spring Games Begin!
It isn’t just Earth Day we’ll celebrate April 22, 2021! Spring has sprung at Belmont at Park Bridge in Alpharetta, Georgia, and with it the chance to get outside and play! Group games are such a fun way to spend time with family and friends and get to know new people in our upscale Atlanta-area apartment community. Maybe you want to organize some friendly cornhole competitions, or do something a little more casual, like spend time throwing horseshoes while you’re at one of our grilling stations. Options abound! We asked the Belmont at Park Bridge Idea Specialists™ what their go-tos are on the gaming front. Along with cornhole and horseshoes, they are fans of some other classics—bocce ball and ladder toss. Any of those pair well with a tasty craft beer or a glass of fresh lemonade, soft or hard—or you can try your hand at some of this season’s popular cocktails like a Cherry Blossom or Griffith Park Swizzle. Visit Mcfarland Wine & Spirits (on Mcfarland Parkway, of course) to get just what you need. Think about taking some indoor clubhouse favorites outside. There’s a giant version of almost everything these days, from yard Yahtzee and ginormous Jenga to checkers and tic-tac-toe on a blanket. Once it gets just a _little_ bit warmer, you may want to start socializing on the sundecks. When things heat up, you can take your volleyball game into Belmont Park Bridge’s resort-style pool. Or, play the water-based version of cornhole. Of course we can’t leave our furry friends out of the gaming fun; one of the reasons our residents recommend us to friends is because we’re such an animal-friendly community. Doggie Frisbee is fun for everyone to watch, and gets you and your good boy or girl some great exercise! Our pet park is the perfect place for that, and Pit Stop for Pets on Crabapple Road is the perfect place to buy a No Stuff Ultimate Ring-Red Paws, which is both durable and gentle on your pet’s mouth. If sitting inside the clubhouse out of the sun is more your speed, board games are the way to bring people around the table. Again, our Belmont at Park Bridge Idea Specialists™ are fans of the classics: Scrabble, Monopoly, and chess (“The Queen’s Gambit,” anyone?). For multi-player fun that doesn’t last as long, they suggest Articulate!, a fast-paced team game for up to 20 players. The concept is that, taking turns, each member of a team has only 30 seconds to describe as many words from a category as they can. The catch? No saying what the word rhymes with or sounds like. Or, plan an outing to Top Golf on Westside Parkway. Fun!
Your Place at the Table
Isn’t it funny how a chore we all tried to get out of when we were growing up is now almost a hobby? From basic place settings to trendy tableware, our Idea Specialists™ at Belmont at Park Bridge in Alpharetta, Georgia, are here with recommendations on how to set your table for spring! HARMONIOUS WHITES There’s no better way to start than with a set of strong white dishes—the potential for mixing and matching them with other elements of your table settings is almost limitless. An always reliable go-to is the Gibson brand, and its Noble Court timeless rim shape 12-piece set is a value buy at Target. If you’re in the mood for something a little more funky, check out Mikasa’s Coronado Pearl 4-piece place setting (part of its Portugal Dinnerware Collection) offered by Macy’s. Unique shapes and rich pearlescence turn everyday soup bowls and salad plates into works of art in their own right. GLAMOROUS GLASSWARES Pair your new dishes with a mix of goblets and glasses in all hues of the rainbow. We could (and do!) spend a lot of time looking at Lulu and Georgia’s Insta, so it just makes sense that we would be drawn to their Estelle Stemware, which comes in a variety of colors. We’re partial to smoke as we head into spring. But if you’re already ready for brighter and lighter, Pottery Barn’s Happy Hour Goblets might be just the ticket! FUN WITH FLATWARE We will always be a fan of Oneida and its classic Louisiana flatware. What’s not to love about the luster and the details, not to mention the balance of the pieces? Plus, it’s always easy to find, just in case your youngest accidentally gets the butter knife caught in the disposal. Again. A 45-piece set now available online at Bed Bath & Beyond includes dinner forks and knives, salad forks, dinner spoons, teaspoons, and more. For something a little more casual, there’s the West Elm Color Pop Caddy—four place settings in Easter egg colors stored in a clever handled carrier, which means it’s easy to take back and forth from the dining table to the porch if you want to dine al fresco! GET IT TOGETHER Whether you’re serving a serious Sunday dinner or just enjoy seeing your table nicely set, a table runner is a little piece of magic you can use to draw everything together. No matter your style, from contemporary to Victorian with Southwestern and Scandinavian in between, the Houzz collection features almost any option you can imagine, and at almost that many price points! We decided on the Metallic Glam one in rose for our first one. Placemats are another way to coordinate, and it’s really hard to have too many. From holiday happies to patterns and solids, again, options abound—it’s all about what makes you happy. The Spruce featured SHACOS round braided placemats as one of its 14 Best of 2021, and we can see why: They’re easy to wipe clean and come in everything from canary yellow to plain ol’ beige. We can work with that! And, if you’re looking for inspiration for how to set your family’s Easter table this year, our Belmont at Park Bridge Idea Specialists™ recommend visiting the HomeGoods blog, then heading over to the store in Mansell Crossing Shopping Center on North Point Parkway. There is sure to be something there for every bunny!
The Healing Power of Plants
Belmont at Park Bridge in Alpharetta, Georgia—with its beautifully landscaped walkable spaces, grill areas and proximity to the Big Creek Greenway Trail—affords the residents of our luxury apartment homes ample opportunity to get outside and enjoy some of the beauty and benefits that nature brings in Alpharetta. And Belmont’s balconies, porches and bright, open interiors are just the right spaces for letting nature indoors and the pleasant and practical placement of plants. There’s a healing power to them, both for body and soul: a lush pot of variegated arrowhead vine to round out a corner and serve as an organic air purifier, lavender to help you relax and get to sleep, and that reliable stalwart, aloe vera—it’s not just for sunburns anymore. Ready to step into the spirit of spring by bringing some greenery into your home? Belmont at Park Bridge’s Idea Specialists ™ say it’s hard to go wrong with these popular and hardy indoor specimens: Aloe Vera Snake Plants Philodendron Lavender Spider Plants Note: When deciding which types of plants to have in your home, do your research. Know which plants are best if you share your abode with pets: Plants and Pets They also say you just can’t go wrong with two “home-grown” Georgia-based sources for almost all things green: Pikes Nurseries, located about 15 minutes from Belmont at Park Bridge, is perfect for a Saturday morning outing with its own “Play in the Dirt Club” (just imagine how cathartic!). And of course, The Home Depot is right around the corner, with everything from decorative containers to dirt and fertilizer and, yes, the plants themselves. You can do your one-stop shopping at any of those stores’ numerous and convenient locations in the area. No time for that sort of field trip? Another easy way to get started is to buy fresh herb plants when you’re making your regular run to Publix. If you’re looking for a fun project, you can make yourself a hanging herb garden with their guidance. You also can find all manner of indoor garden starter kits on Amazon, including this cute and low-maintenance mason jar set of hydroponic rosemary, lavender, and oregano. (Remember, lavender has been shown to help with anxiety and insomnia. And, speaking of science, check out this study conducted with Texas A&M that showed that being around plants helps with memory retention and concentration!) Whether you’re new to the greatness of greenery or just feel like you need a little refresher course on care and feeding, a reliable source for guidance is MarthaStewart.com. Martha always offers up great tips and techniques to help navigate plants, both the indoor and outdoor types. And some aloe vera. Its anti-inflammatory properties make it a great vitamin-rich and decidedly wallet- and eco-friendly skin serum. So, with spring right around the corner, March 20, to be exact, plan now to bring the outdoors inside your apartment home at Belmont Park Bridge, and enjoy all the benefits plants have to offer!
Kick 2020 to the Curb with Mood Boosting Apartment Décor
Adios, au revoir, sayonara, and so long—no matter how you say it, we are kicking 2020 to the curb! And what better way to refocus our lives in 2021 than by starting with our home and surroundings? Because for many of us, at Belmont Park Bridge, a top apartment community near Johns Creek, has become the place where not only do we live, now we work here, too. We want and need both function and comfort, an enhanced style, and multi-functional rooms and areas that fit this new lifestyle. We want our surroundings to make us smile. What makes you happy? SUNLIGHT Sunlight – we all need it. So, let it in! Replace those opaque window coverings with sheer fabric for optimal light that can transform a room. You can’t beat white sheers for a clean, romantic look and feel, but don’t be afraid to experiment with other neutrals, a print, or a jewel tone to cast the light and set the mood. If it makes you happy, do it! Check out these sheers at Amazon for just $4.50 (yes, you read it right), with approval of an Amazon Visa. Or, here’s a no-strings-attached sheer option at Wayfair available in white, silver gray, and teal. PERSONAL WALL GALLERY Say NO to bare walls. Make them meaningful with a family photo gallery or collection of your favorite art. Don’t be afraid to mix mediums and/or shapes and sizes. Perplexed as to how to arrange things? Read designer Kathy Kuo’s guide for hanging and grouping wall art. NATURAL TEXTURES Rattan is making a comeback as a way to showcase natural palettes and textures. Bring it into the bedroom with a headboard like this one from South Shore Furniture. Or, pick up a rattan room divider to create definition between your living area and your “new” home office! We love the modern lines of this one from Beachcrest Home, available at Wayfair. PLANTS Whether it’s a decorative pot of rosemary in the kitchen or a grouping of various greeneries in your office, plants help clean the air and have a huge impact on our mood and well-being. Give your spirits an extra lift by using a favorite coffee cup to hold your herbs, or by giving an old planter a fresh coat of paint in a fun spray-on color.
Celebrate National Eggnog Day at Belmont Park Bridge
You will only see it once a year. It makes its debut around Thanksgiving, and then, poof! it’s gone – just like Santa, until this time next year. You’ll find it at your local grocery store in the dairy section, wedged between buttermilk and other milk. Its sweet, ultra-creamy….and maybe a little high in calories. But it’s Christmas, so who cares about that, right? Right. And it has its very own day – December 24 is National Eggnog Day! Eggnog is one of the most popular beverages served during the holiday season. The traditional recipe for Eggnog is milk, cream (told you so), sugar, beaten eggs like cinnamon and nutmeg, and sometimes alcohol. Americans drink it with rum or bourbon, while Peruvians use pomace brandy and Germans use beer. There are a few theories about how eggnog got its name. One story claims that eggnog was first called “egg n’ grog,” which was eventually shortened to “eggnog.” According to other sources, the name comes from the Old English word for strong ale, “nog.” This theory suggests that combining the words “egg” and “nog” refers to any drink that contains both eggs and strong alcohol. We sincerely try not to think about drinking eggs, especially with rum, but we must admit that eggnog is rather tasty at least once a year. Regardless of how eggnog got its name, it has been a favorite holiday beverage for centuries! Make some today to toast the holidays and celebrate the holidays and National Eggnog Day! Want to make Eggnog at home? Here’s a great recipe from tastesbetterfromscratch.com. Homemade Eggnog 6 large egg yolks 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1 cup heavy whipping cream 2 cups milk 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg pinch of salt 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract ground cinnamon for topping Instructions Whisk the egg yolks and sugar together in a medium bowl until light and creamy. In a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the cream, milk, nutmeg and salt. Stir often until mixture reaches a bare simmer. Add a big spoonful of the hot milk to the egg mixture, whisking vigorously. Repeat, adding a big spoonful at a time, to temper the eggs. Once most of the hot milk has been added to the eggs, pour the mixture back into the saucepan on the stove. Whisk constantly for just a few minutes, until the mixture is just slightly thickened (or until it reaches about 160 degrees F on a thermometer). It will thicken more as it cools. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla. Pour the eggnog into a pitcher or other container and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until chilled. It will thicken as it cools. If you want a thinner, completely smooth consistency, you can add the entire mixture to a blender with 1 or 2 tablespoons of milk and blend until smooth. Serve with a sprinkle of cinnamon, and fresh whipped cream, if desired. Store homemade eggnog in the fridge for up to one week. Cheers to all and to all Happy Eggnog Day!
Let Us Give Thanks
Thanksgiving is a time when many of us gather together to reflect on the things for which we are—well—thankful! ☻ Here at Belmont Park Bridge in Alpharetta, Georgia, what we are most thankful for is our residents, and the sense of community we all share. It is in that spirit of gratefulness that we offer you a little bit of lightheartedness and some suggestions on how to create new traditions and make good memories this Thanksgiving holiday. Some years it’s easy to get all excited about Thanksgiving, isn’t it? You’ve already ordered your new Thirtystone Harvest Collection turkey and pumpkin wine bottle stoppers for in-store pickup at Macy’s, and you brought out your World Market Cider & Clove Potpourri Jar November 1. Now that much-anticipated classic Thanksgiving meal with family and friends at Ray’s at Killer Creek is never really far from your mind. But other years things are a little harder, aren’t they? You never know what the weather will be like. Sometimes you have to travel when you’d much rather stay home. And this year we’ve got the Covid-19 pandemic thrown into the mix. Dealing with the virus has upended people’s lives in many ways, and most of them are a lot more serious than having to go to our Aunt Ruthie’s and eat her “special” green bean casserole again. Whether your family and friends will be gathering in person or online later this month, or not at all, we are fortunate to have a wide variety of ways to make this holiday special. One fun one is to wear Thanksgiving-decorated face masks. If you don’t have the time to make your own, Better Homes & Gardens has curated a list of Etsy options that’s worth checking out. We’re thinking about getting our brother-in-law David the one that says “Will Remove For Pie.” An easy way to bring some joy into people’s lives is to order them a beautiful seasonal bouquet from Carithers Flowers. If you’re Zooming, think about getting each household that will be on the call, including yours, arrangements that complement each other—a great suggestion from our resident lifestyle professionals, the Idea Specialists™. You also could go to one of the area’s amazing wine stores—Olde Crab Apple Bottle Shoppe and Fermented to name just two—and get several bottles of the same wine for your family and friends, whether you’ll be gathering together or not. What wonderful traditions to begin! Of course you also can find some really good wines at area grocery stores, whether you are shopping at a convenient Kroger or Publix. And, both offer complete Thanksgiving dinners you can order online and pick up at the store or have delivered via your favorite service. That way you can spend more time in the den watching football or bingeing on your favorite series, or entertaining yourself with a Thanksgiving movie, all comfy and cute in your leggings and a Crystal Tunic Sweater from Anthropologie (we like the one in lilac). What? You don’t _have_ a favorite Thanksgiving movie? Well, maybe check out the classic Alice’s Restaurant, converted from the Arlo Guthrie song of the same name. Talk about a real oldie but a goodie. . . Need to laugh? Watch Free Birds, with Reggie the Pardoned Turkey and his cohort Jake, a fanatic turkey who also happens to be a time traveler. That should do the trick. On the other hand, maybe you want to do a little bit, or a lot, of the cooking yourself. Life is short, so let’s start with dessert first: Pick up a delicious cranberry rosemary pie from 2B Whole Gluten Free Bakery, then go to Trader Joe’s for its seasonal specialties, which include a vegetarian turkey-less stuffed roast with gravy, a brined bone-in turkey breast that’s just the right amount for two people, corn pudding, and a flock of milk chocolate turkeys. OK, well, maybe flock is overstating things just a little bit. But there are several in the package, and they are so cute! In a turkey sort of way, of course. Next, head to Williams-Sonoma and pick up a jar of their apple-orange cranberry relish and a new carving set. Then download one or two of their fun Thanksgiving photo vignette Zoom backdrops. Everyone will be _so_ impressed with what you’ve done with your place! However you spend your holiday, we want you to be safe and healthy. We’re hoping to get to spend at least a little of it outside. Some of us want to go hiking with friends or have a picnic with our family on the Big Creek Greenway. You might have plans that involve gathering on your sister-in-law’s back patio, or your best friend’s driveway; anywhere you can enjoy yourself while keeping social distance in mind. Whatever you decide to do, we hope you enjoy. Thanks for reading, and Happy Thanksgiving! DRESSING Ha, you didn’t think we were really going to write about Thanksgiving without mentioning dressing, did you? (OK, OK, _and_ stuffing, just in case that’s what you grew up with.) Whatever version of the classic side dish you eat on Turkey Day, just don’t make the mistake of saying, “Well, Grandmommy’s tastes better than MeMaw’s.” No, no, no, no, no. Each person’s dressing is the best. Period. You just have to appreciate their version of it for what it is. That said, we’re quite sure that everyone knows it is written in stone that you can’t make dressing without crumbled up white loaf bread and corn bread (get out of here with your sweet corn muffins, right this instant!), boiled chicken, cream of chicken soup, chicken broth and water, some butter, salt, pepper, celery powder, onion powder, and sage. Right? Right. If you want to try your hand at making your own and would prefer a little more guidance than what our MawMaw gave us back in the day, Southern Living offers not only a quintessential cornbread dressing recipe, it also can instruct you in how to prepare the more
5 Restaurants near Belmont Park Bridge Apartments in Alpharetta, Georgia that we love
This holiday season it’s time to come together with friends and family and celebrate. And while this time may look a little different, with COVID 19 looming large, what better way to do that than sharing a meal together? Or, better yet, let someone else fix it for us, order ahead and pick it up curbside. With that in mind our Idea Specialists® at Belmont Park Bridge are sharing 5 of our favorite restaurants in the area and we think you’re gonna love this! Get your taste buds ready because here comes delicious! 1. Sink your teeth into steak—Pampas Steak Pampas Steakhouse is just six minutes away from our luxury apartment community on State Bridge Road in John’s Creek, Georgia, but their food makes you feel like you’ve walked into South America! Why? Because this place focuses on fabulous. Here that means Argentinian-style cuisine with different cuts and varieties of steaks that you don’t find at other steakhouses, that’s why. Want wine with that? Be our guest since the Pampas Steakhouse wine list is pretty extensive and has received a few great awards from cool people in the know at Wine Spectator, Open Table, and Zagat, among others. This awesome restaurant was named #1 Steakhouse in Georgia by Open Table diners in 2014 if that’s not enough, they’re on Zagat’s list for Best Service, Best Décor, Best Steakhouse, and Restaurants with the Best Food in Atlanta. But we already knew that. Now, you do too! Our favorite pick from this mouthwatering place is the bone-in steak, “The Brick” Filet, prepared the traditional Argentinian way over oak, a woodfire grill and a bank of hot coals. Start with some Bangs Island Mussels made with smoked ham, shallots, garlic, cream and add a great glass of cabernet like their Duckhorn Paraduux. We’d recommend a vegetable to go with all this, but why? 2. What’s not to love about pasta? Pasta Vino in Alpharetta OK, now that we have beef out of the way, who can forget about our other favorite food group—pasta? Not us, for sure. That’s why we love, love, love Pasta Vino. It’s only about a mile and a half from Belmont Park Bridge, so we love to pop over for a quick meal like their $10 Lunch Specials that include a house or Caesar salad, and your selection of 10 different pastas. Our favorites are Rigatoni Bolognese, Chicken Parmigiana served with spaghetti, and their Sausage & Pepper Arrabiatta. Add their complimentary wi-fi and you’ve got a great excuse to schedule a working lunch or just quickly catch up on Instagram! But we would be doing you a disservice if we filed to mention another great feature that we love at Pasta Vino and that’s their $5 Grey Goose martinis every Wednesday! Perfectly chilled and served to your taste, yum, yum! Pair that with grilled Grouper Florentino and you’ve got a meal to ensure some seriously happy, satisfied vibes! 3. Authentic Indian Cuisine—Madras Chettinaad If you are looking for something a bit more spicy, you can’t go wrong sampling the amazing flavors and textures created at Madras Chettinaad. Head down Old Milton Parkway, and in four minutes—give or take, you’ll be pulling up to the Alpharetta Common Shopping Center (next to Publix) where you can enjoy their superbly spiced and seasoned dishes featuring the flavor profiles of South India. You can choose from seafood, chicken and lamb dishes, or savor their vegetarian curries and dosais. Oh, their dosais! Nom, nom, friends! Madras Chettinaad combines oil and spices like cinnamon, bay leaves, cardamom; green and red chilies to add to the taste and aroma in these delicacies. Plus, their weekend lunch buffet is also a huge hit. One TripAdvisor reviewer shared that the “Must have is the goat biryani and malai kofta with butter naan.” That just sounds good just thinking about it, but our all-time favorite is the Lamb Chettinaad which has lamb meat pieces cooked in Vindaloo gravy. 4. It’s always a party at Caribbean Fiesta Heading back over the ocean a little closer to home in terms of distance, is Caribbean Fiesta, featuring a wide assortment of beverages you might order at the beach! Of course, their authentically prepared food is the top draw with dishes we love like conch fritters, Caribbean chicken and shrimp, and their vegetarian dishes like Channa (chickpeas) Vegetable Roti. Hey, we told you it was authentic! Try it for yourself and tell us what you think. 5. Breakfast, brunch, can you say yesssss? First Watch Of course, no list would be complete without a great breakfast place! After all, it’s our favorite meal of the day. Well our favorite FIRST meal of the day. And, we love that we are literally just a stone’s throw (or 1.3 miles if you are driving) from one of the best breakfast spots in Alpharetta, Georgia. First Watch is so wonderful we don’t event know where to start. Yes, we do—bacon! A bacon order comes with four slices of signature hardwood smoked bacon baked with brown sugar, black pepper, cayenne and a maple syrup drizzle. Two, please. Pair that with their Carnitas breakfast burrito and Holey Donuts for dessert (yes, you CAN have dessert at breakfast, see?). These are fabulous cinnamon sugar-dusted cake donut holes with chocolate sauce, mixed berry compote and vanilla crème anglaise for dipping. Totally and perfectly healthy in our book. Literally, there are so many fabulous restaurant choices like these and others right around the corner from where you live. Furthermore, if you don’t live here yet, give the team at Belmont Park Bridge a call at 770-762-2644 or stop in today for your own personal tour of our spacious apartment homes. We’re conveniently located just a mile and a half from the GA 400 / Old Milton Parkway interchange, a picturesque suburban retreat at the epicenter of North Fulton’s prestigious business corridor.
Pumpkin & Spice & Everything Nice
There are two types of people in this world, right? The ones who really like their pumpkin spice lattes…..and the ones who really like their pumpkin spice lattes with extra nutmeg and whipped cream. No matter how you take your frothy taste of fall, you can place your order for a pumpkin spice latte at any one of the many coffee shops convenient to Belmont Park Bridge Apartments in Alpharetta, Georgia. Whether you want to sit and relax and enjoy your steaming pumpkin spice latte with a fresh homemade bagel from Bagel Boys Café at Kimball Bridge, or you opt for a Pumpkin Latte at PJ’s Coffee Alpharetta, either is sure to please! And PJ’s will create your favorite seasonal beverage with a signature Espresso Dolce, your choice of milk, Pumpkin sauce, and lightly garnished cinnamon — nirvana for the pumpkin spice connoisseur. Of course, on the sleepy Sunday mornings you don’t want to meet up with friends you might be more inclined to light your favorite pumpkin spice-scented candle and lounge on your couch or porch after enjoying some warm oatmeal flavored with a little something from Jordan’s Skinny Syrups Limited Edition Pumpkin Trio. As we’ve shared with you before, our resident lifestyle professionals, the Idea Specialists™, use Jordan’s Skinny Syrups for everything from comfy coffees to classic cocktails, with some baking in between. We really couldn’t make up our mind which one of this fall’s pumpkin offerings was our favorite! Back to candles: There are about a million places to buy them, right? Well, one always-reliable source is Bath & Body Works, and its Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin 3-Wick Candle made O: The Oprah Magazine’s list of Fall 2020 candles that smell “almost as good as fresh pie.” Depending on how much pumpkin spice lights up your life, you also could make the quick run down to the Sephora at North Point Mall and pick up the Too Faced Pumpkin Spice Warm & Spicy Eyeshadow Palette. And the Sephora Collection Mini Pumpkin Infused Brush Set. There are also about a million recipes for this pumpkin spice latte out there; if you don’t already have one you prefer, try the one from Delish (we’ve put the recipe at the end of this blog). Before we go any further down this yummy-smelling road, though, we probably ought to pause and ask ourselves: What, actually, is pumpkin spice? You may think you have a gourd idea, but you might not….. Ahem. Seriously, what is it in pumpkin spice, and what is it about it, that makes so many people crave bonfires and boots and sweaters and snuggles? Well, the basic recipe most often is a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. Different blends might contain a little allspice and cardamom. Some chefs even add lemon peel. There is not a bit of pumpkin in it whatsoever. The elements alone, though, don’t work the special magic that has us buying everything from pumpkin spice protein smoothies (this is our favorite recipe right now!) and Kind bars to dog treats and tortilla chips. The ingredients also have to be heated together. That’s what creates the aroma compounds that get us—and food chemists—all excited. Taken to that next level, the “pumpkin” spice when we taste it is kind of caramelized, maybe a little bit burned, and evocative of wood fire. Get out your flannel shirts, we are going to that bonfire! And taking some chemists with us! Because, they’ve educated us: The scent is supposed to remind us of pumpkin pie—can’t you just smell grandma’s at the Thanksgiving table? It turns out, though, that the pie filling used by a lot of us, and our mothers and grandmothers, often is not made with pumpkin, either. Instead, inside those familiar cans we’re all used to seeing each fall is usually a sweet squash that is specially bred to be less watery and hard to chew than the pumpkins you might use to make a Jack-o-Lantern and decorate your porch. Combined, of course, with one of our favorite spice blends. Don’t take our word for it, check out the American Chemical Association’s Chemical & Engineering News website. Now, back to baking. If a busy schedule means you can’t take the time to make your own muffins, just pop over to Starbucks. (Pop over? Did we mean to do that? Maybe…..) Can’t you just taste their pumpkin cream cheese muffin? And their pumpkin bread? Which of course you will order along with that classic latte. And if you’re too busy even for Dunkin just pour yourself up a mug of some Califia Farms Pumpkin Spice Latte Cold Brew straight from your own refrigerator; it’s available at Whole Foods Market Old Milton Parkway. Cheers! Thank you for letting Belmont Park Bridge Apartments have a little bit of fun with a beloved fall tradition. What’s your recipe using favorite pumpkin or pumpkin spice? What’s your favorite candle? Do you bring out your pumpkin-orange throw for your couch around this time every year? We’d love to hear from you with your fall fun ideas! Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe from Delish Ingredients 1 c. whole milk 2 tbsp. pumpkin purée 1 tbsp. maple syrup 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice, plus more for garnish 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract 1/4 c. hot espresso or coffee Whipped cream, for garnish Directions In a saucepan over medium heat, whisk together milk, pumpkin, maple syrup, spice, and vanilla extract. Cook, whisking constantly, until mixture is warmed, then blend mixture with an immersion blender until frothy. Pour hot espresso into a mug, then top with pumpkin-spice foamed milk. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice Need A Little Diversion? See how many words you are able to make out of the letters P U M P K I N S P I C E. We got to 50 by ourselves, 63 with a little help from the internet (and no we didn’t include any of those special two- or three-letter words from Scrabble). Want to Know
Elevate Your Space – Move up to Belmont at Park Bridge
Moving to Alpharetta and looking for a great place to live, convenient to everything — restaurants, entertainment, hiking, biking and work? Then, look no further! Welcome to Belmont at Park Bridge, a luxury apartment community conveniently located in the heart of Alpharetta, Georgia, at the center of North Fulton’s prestigious business corridor. In case you don’t know, Alpharetta is perfectly positioned between the enchanting and adventurous North Georgia Mountains and the vibrant international city of Atlanta. And according to our friends at Awesome Alpharetta, you have quick access to more than 300 things to do. So, we’re going to brag a bit — we’ve come up with a list of our own to let you know the places you can see and the things you can do when living at Belmont. Near prestigious John’s Creek, Belmont is close to Big Creek Greenway Trail, where you can enjoy biking, hiking and the great outdoors. If shopping is your thing, North Point Mall with over 100 retailers (including an American Girl Doll store) is right up the road. Avalon, also close to Belmont at Park Bridge, features prominent retailers like Anthropologie, Arhaus, Kendra Scott, and Orvis. And, if strolling through a historic and quaint downtown with a colorful, vibrant atmosphere is your idea of a perfect Saturday, then, Historic Downtown Alpharetta is a must to visit often, to shop boutiques, enjoy festivals, and local, seasonal farmers markets. Or, explore Windward Parkway where spas and international cuisine line the street alongside boutique stores. But actually, you might want to just stay home and enjoy Belmont at Park Bridge and its professionally detailed one and two bedroom apartment homes, with private patios or balconies, wood-burning fireplaces and gourmet inspired kitchens with gas ranges. Our residents enjoy an amenity-rich environment, including a resort-style pool with sundeck, two lighted tennis courts, indoor racquetball courts, and a fitness center. With all of that said, Belmont at Park Bridge really is the ideal place for you to call home. Contact a member of our friendly leasing team today at 770-762-2644 to arrange your personal tour.
Embrace Fall 2020 with an Outdoor Décor Re-do at Belmont Park Bridge Apartments in Alpharetta, Georgia
With Labor Day quickly approaching, but social distancing still a priority, a weekend staycation may be just what the doctor ordered. Instead of spending money on traveling and hotels, why not upgrade your EQ — Entertainment Quotient, that is—by embracing fall with an outdoor décor re-do, setting the stage for when you do feel safe enough to entertain. Belmont at Park Bridge is known for its spacious apartment homes — and it is also recognized for its outdoor living spaces. Sunrooms, porches, and balcony’s offer a way to extend our living options by creating a place we can sit – enjoy the seasonal changes and appreciate nature. Whether your outdoor space is a sunroom, porch, or balcony, the decorating options are endlessly fun! One of our favorite inspirational go-to’s for home décor is Real Simple Magazine. You can always count on their designers to present timely trends each season. Here is a recent article we think you will enjoy, on ultimate outdoor entertainment. It states what many of us are still thinking, and that is that indoor entertaining is still off-limits for the foreseeable future. We asked our own resident lifestyle professionals, the Idea Specialists™, their thoughts on how to make the most impact with outdoor entertaining and décor, and what tips they might offer that would be fun leading into Labor Day weekend. Here’s a few of their suggestions: Whether you have a sunroom, porch, or balcony, one of the easiest, most impactful ways to gradually lean into fall is with plants and color. Leave your existing plants in place and integrate fall colors of pumpkin, (traditional orange or the newer sage green) mustard, and cinnamon into the backdrop for a pop of seasonal color. Create a focal point. Since we love pumpkins we found this at Ballard Designs. Perfect for the season — combining a fairytale pumpkin, a wreath of seasonal greenery, and a pedestal flower pot. VIOLA! But also, don’t be afraid to be creative and frugal — repurpose a vessel you already have and create your own. Forage for greenery or purchase it someplace fabulous and nearby Belmont at Park Bridge, like Good Life Flower Farm (Be still my heart.) at the Alpharetta Farmers Market. This type of treatment would also be a welcoming addition to your front door-area decorating, as a centerpiece for a dining room table, or on a coffee table. Light up the night! Lighting is magical, isn’t it? It can make or break a room. We love vintage festival or Edison lights for indoor or outdoor lighting. Love early mornings in the fall? Are you a coffer drinker? Turn that potting bench into a cute seasonal coffee station and enjoy that morning cup of Joe on your porch. Treat yourself to special handcrafted coffee mugs from Andrea Hill Pottery – Etsy and Jordan’s Skinny Mix Syrups in an assortment of flavors like salted caramel, pumpkin spice or Cinnamon Dolce. YUM! If coffee isn’t your thing—flip to evening cocktails with a twist of fall. Look at this amazing Pumpkin Spice White Russian recipe, also from Skinny Mixes. One of the easiest ways to cozy up a sunroom is to use casual throws in a variety of colors. They can range in price from $25-$30 or, well — the sky is the limit. We love this one from Crate & Barrell. But if you’re on a budget – you may prefer a lower price point packed with style — like this one we found at Birch Lane for $34 — we like the fringe. Want to celebrate your new décor? Have a party – virtual of course! Add Invitations – receiving an invitation, whether paper or digital, is always fun. Choose a fun fall theme and create your party! We love Paperless Post (which isn’t just paperless anymore!) And be sure and check out their options for hosting a “virtual party”. You’ll be glad you did! Send us your tips and techniques on decorating! We’d love to see your outdoor décor redo!
