The Day of Unplugging

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Living in today’s modern world can be draining. We’re always on the go with our faces buried deep in the world of our phones, tablets and laptops. It can be hard to remember to look up every once in awhile and take in everything around you. This week, in honor of the Day of Unplugging, take a step back and disconnect yourself. Embrace the spirit of the olden days and put your phone down!

One of the best ways to get your mind off of your electronics is to take it to the outdoors. Spend some time outside and you’ll forget all about your iPhone. At the Residences at La Cantera, your very own private balcony is the best place to set the scene for your electronic escape. Lounge in a comfortable chair while you gaze out at the hilly country views. Outdoors, you’ll forget all about the obligations of your cell phone or your laptop.

The best place to forget about your phone is to go to the movies. A cinematic escape will immediately take your mind off of your electronics and the world of your cellphone. Not only will you forget about your phone but the pressure of your fellow moviegoers will prevent you from trying to peek at your phone in the middle of the movie. The Regal Cinemas Stadium 16 has everything you’ll need to relax into the world of your movie. Grab your popcorn, drink and maybe some candy too and then head into the theatre. Don’t let your phone distract you from the excitement of your movie experience.

Heading to a place where you actually can’t even use your phone is a great way to avoid it. At Six Flags Fiesta Texas, you’ll be having so much fun you’ll forget that you shouldn’t be on your phone. Thrilling roller coasters don’t bode well for cellphone use. Chuck that phone in a locker or leave it in the car because it has no place at Six Flags Fiesta Texas! This weekend is only the second that they’ve been open this season so you’ll be one of the first ones back in the park since last year.

Phones are useful in everyday life, we can’t argue that but too much dependence on it can turn it into a ball and chain. Take some time to step away from the electronic world.

Do you enjoy taking time away from your electronics or do you prefer to be always connected?

Spring Cleaning Comes Early

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Winter weather is hard on everyone. It makes it difficult to leave the house, it sucks away your motivation, it’s just downright rough! It probably also means that you’ve gotten a little lazy with your apartment cleaning. That’s alright, though. Winter is sticking around for a while so you still have tons of time to spruce up the place. Spring cleaning doesn’t have to begin in the springtime. Here’s how you can get your Residences at La Cantera apartment back in tip top shape.

Split the work up for yourself. If you try and do it all in one or two days, you’ll stress yourself out about having to get it all done. Spreading it out over the span of a week or so will let you work at a slower pace and give more attention to the details. You won’t miss any spots if you spread all the work out. Create yourself a schedule and you’ll know exactly what needs to be done on what days.

Living Room

Get into those couch cushions and vacuum in between them to get all the built up clutter and dirt out. You might even find some money in there! Take everything off of coffee, side tables and book shelves. Make sure to dust not just under the objects but the objects themselves too. Dust all light fixtures and lamp shades. You’d be surprised at how much brighter it will get in the room once you remove that layer of dust. If you have any rugs lying about make sure to take them outside and shake them out to get the dust and debris off of them.

Kitchen

You wash dishes all the time but you probably don’t think of the place where your dishes live. Get everything out of your cabinets and wipe down the inside of the cabinets as well as the outside of the cabinets and handles. Think of how many hands have been on those handles! Next, empty out the refrigerator and wipe down all the shelves and drawers. Toss anything from the fridge that you know you won’t eat or is out of date. Wipe down your stove and oven. Messes are attracted to the stove so scrub it down extra well. Clean the microwave out by first putting a glass of water in for 30 seconds. This will loosen up all of the gunk caked onto the inside walls. Don’t forget to sweep and mop to clean up all those spills from the last few months.

Bathroom

Wipe down that mirror so you can see your beautiful face in it again! There’s no point in having it if you can’t see yourself in it. Your showerhead has probably built up a lot of residue over the time you’ve used it. Take a plastic zip bag, fill it with distilled white vinegar and tie it up around the shower head using a hair tie or rubber band. Let it sit for and hour and then wipe the head clean with a wash cloth. Take stock of your beauty products and hair care products. Over the next month keep track of what you’ve used or haven’t used and at the end of the month toss everything you haven’t used. You’ll cut down on your clutter and also streamline your routine.

It doesn’t take a lot of work to keep a home clean but it does take a lot of work to get it clean in the first place. So get a head start and get your stylish, luxury apartment back in shape and from here on out you’ll only have to do small things here and there.

What’s your best spring cleaning tip? Share it with us on Facebook and Twitter.

Singles Awareness Day

Valentine’s Day might be over but today we celebrate those who don’t have a valentine to celebrate with. It’s Singles Awareness Day (Sorry to make you aware of it). Whether you’re single or one half of a couple everyone can appreciate a little time alone. There are plenty of outings that are great to do with other people but doing them alone is sometimes just much more satisfying. Doing things at your own pace, zoning out, doing whatever you please; it’s a great experience. We’ve rounded up a few of the best things to do in San Antonio all by your lonesome.

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Sure, museums are a great place to spend time with a loved one. You can walk hand in hand through the museum, marveling at the ancient artifacts together and comparing knowledge. OR you can head in alone and take as much time as you’d like wandering through the exhibits, taking your time at each fascinating thing you find along the way. You won’t have to be dragged ahead to some other exhibit or room your partner finds more interesting. You have all the time in the world to do as you please! Some of the best museums for doing that are right around us. The Institute of Texan Cultures, The Alamo and The San Antonio Museum of Art are all within a 25 minute drive of the Residences at La Cantera.

You might think that dinner and the movies is the quintessential date night idea but imagine this: walking into the movie theater and purchasing ONE ticket, hitting the concession stand and buying popcorn, ONE drink and ONE box of candy, then heading into the theater to choose any seat anywhere without worrying if there are two seats next to each other. Sounds less stressful doesn’t it? Silverado 16 is dinner and a movie all wrapped into one. Grab yourself some pizza, a burger, or a sandwich before heading into the movie of your choice. The best part of going to the movies alone is you don’t have to argue about what movie you should see! See the menu and check the movie times for Silverado 16 here on their website.

Just because you’re in a relationship doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy time alone and just because you’re single doesn’t mean you can’t have a good time by yourself. Being alone doesn’t mean you’re lonely!

What’s your favorite way to spend your time alone out in the city? Tell us on Facebook and Twitter.

Valentine's Day Lovin'

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Valentine’s Day is almost upon us! It’s the perfect time for showing a little extra appreciation for that special someone in your life. It can feel like a lot of pressure to choose the perfect location and the perfect date or the perfect dinner. Don’t let it stress you out! We’ve rounded up the most romantic and fun dates for Valentine’s Day this year to take the pressure off of you.

If you’d like an interesting Valentine’s Day date, the 13th Floor is hosting Valentine X, a Valentine’s Day themed haunted house. You and your date had better hold on to each other for safety! It’s a great opportunity to get closer to your date also. The limited time only event will be taking place February 12th and 13th so make sure you get your tickets early! They’re sure to sell out! If you and your date have a penchant for danger, then this is the date for you! It’s located 25 minutes away from the Residences at La Cantera Apartments so you won’t have far to travel.

The 2nd annual Love Letter Celebration and Carnival is taking place at Brick at Blue Star on Saturday the 13th from 7-10PM. It’s a grown up version of a children’s carnival fit with booze laden snow cones, cotton candy, popcorn and tasty gourmet hot dogs from the Esquire Tavern. You’ll also have the chance to see some death defying acrobatic entertainment via Aerial Horizon. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to show your date to a fabulous evening. Find your tickets here.

Get away from everybody else and spend Valentine’s Day with your loved one in your own little private getaway. The Valencia Hotel on San Antonio’s River Walk is offering up a wonderful Valentine’s Day special for couples. You’ll even receive a bottle of champagne, chocolate covered strawberries and a romantic rose petal turndown service. Other packages include continental breakfasts in the morning, dinner for 2 in Citrus Restaurant and complimentary valet parking for your vehicle. Book your reservation now to ensure you have a room for your romantic getaway.

Don’t let the holiday stress you out! We’ve got you covered for a romantic (or spooky) Valentine’s Day weekend.


Do you have a Valentine’s Day tradition? Tell us about your traditions on Facebook and Twitter.

Valentine's Gifts for Your Loved One

It’s that time of year: Valentine’s Day is almost here and it’s time to show a little extra love for those you care about. Even though it’s not until next week, if you were planning on finding a gift for loved ones, you should do it now! Don’t be left empty handed next week!

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Treat your loved one to a true relaxation experience. A massage is something that your loved one will never forget and they’ll beg you to schedule one every month from thereon out! The La Cantera Spa offers a bevy of different spa treatments to soothe you from head to toe. Swedish massages, Volcanic Stone massages, an illuminating facial, an organic seaweed body wrap: the choices are numerous and each one will leave you feeling relaxed. Schedule your appointments now to ensure you have a spot. Rejuvenate your loved one this Valentine’s Day at La Cantera Spa.

Next up is a gift that’s appropriate for any loved one you might have, not just a boyfriend or a wife. Shari’s Berries offers arrangements of fruits, chocolates and other tasty treats. If that doesn’t seem like something your loved one would be interested in, they even have a Starbucks Recharge and Renew basket filled with a coffee addicts necessities. For your sweet toothed friend, a basket filled with Mrs. Fields’ delicacies will certainly make them smile. Specially for Valentine’s Day, you can find tasty baskets filled up with chocolate covered strawberries, chocolate covered Oreo cookies and a dipped cheesecake trio. Your loved ones will go wild when they see their basket filled with treats picked just for them. Order your basket now to make sure it arrives in time.

You can never go wrong with a big beautiful bouquet of flowers. Everyone of any gender can appreciate a gorgeous array of flowers. The Tuscan Rose Florist has tons of options for you this Valentine’s Day to brighten your valentine’s day. Roses are never a wrong choice for Valentine’s Day but there are so many other options that it will be difficult to choose just one bouquet! Lilies, roses, daisies: how can you possibly choose? Whatever the occasion, Tuscan Rose Florist has what you need. Make sure to order early to be sure your bouquet will arrive on time. Luckily, Tuscan Rose is only 10 minutes away from the Residences at La Cantera so you can always stop in to see what’s in stock.

Don’t wait until the last minute to find a Valentine’s Day gift for your loved ones! Order them early to make sure that they’re available. What’s the best Valentine’s Day gift you’ve ever given or received? Tell us on Facebook and Twitter.

February Events in San Antonio

Phew! We’ve (almost) made it through the first month of the new year! How did you feel about it? Did it exceed your expectations or did it fall flat? Either way, February is ready to knock you off of your feet! Are you ready for what February has in store for you, San Antonio?

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January 31st

While not technically February, SeaWorld is opening back up January 31st for some more aquatic shows. There are so many animals and shows to see that you’ll have to come back another weekend! From the alligators to the penguins to the killer whales, you’ll be amazed at all of the animals contained in one park. February means four weekends of SeaWorld Wild Days are back. Get up close and personal with some wild animals that you won’t get to see anywhere else. Learn about each creature and how it gets food, how they behave and where they live. Any animal lover will go wild at the chance to see this! Find out more on their website here.

February 13th

The Institute of Texan Cultures wants to showcase the unique cultures and traditions of Asia. The Asian Festival will take place on Saturday February 13th from 10 AM until 5 PM. See music and traditional performances and learn the history behind each. Enjoy authentic Asian American food from 15 different local vendors offering Japanese, Korean, Thai, Laotian, Philippine dishes that you’ll love! Catch a glimpse of your future by getting your palm read and decorate yourself with traditional henna painting. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn more about Asian tradition and culture. Read more information on their website here. The Institute of Texan Cultures is located only 20 minutes away from the Residences at La Cantera so you don’t have far to travel to experience this cultural festival.

February 27th

San Antonio’s most exciting and death defying amusement park is ready for you again! They’ve been closed for the winter season but they’re preparing, and by the end of the month, you’ll be back on the Goliath, the go karts and the Scream. This year, you’ll have three new thrill rides to whirl you around. Located on the Fiesta Bay Boardwalk, you’ll see the Fireball, which features 360 degree loops, the Hurricane Force 5, sit facing outwards on a spinning disk while you go back and forth on a track, and finally Spinsanity will spin you around other riders. Head to their website to see their full schedule and their full list of rides.

February is ready to give you the best it’s got! With all of these exciting events going on, you’ll have no excuse to sit at home.


What are you most looking forward to next month? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter.

San Antonio Winters: The Pros and Cons

While most of the rest of the country suffers through single digit weather and feet of snow, San Antonio is sitting pretty with 60 degree averages. We’re pretty lucky to have such fabulous weather here. It allows us to do things that others might not get to do during the winter months.

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Pro: We can go to Six Flags Fiesta basically anytime we want.

Most parks in the country shut down come October and don’t open back up until late springtime. Six Flags Fiesta might be closed right now but it’ll open back up in about a month on February 27th. You can get your fill of the Batman coaster, the Boomerang and the Crow’s Nest all year round. You can find out more about ticketing information and the rides here on their website.


Con: We don’t get to have snowball fights.

We’re not that sad about this one. Who wants a face full of snow when you can have thrill rides all year round? We’ll settle for a snow cone at one of the concession stands at Six Flags instead. 

Pro: You can eat outside basically anytime you want.

The next time you’re strolling down the San Antonio River Walk and you stop at a restaurant for a bite to eat, you can take it outside. Sitting riverside while you munch on your delicious dish from the Esquire Tavern or Bourdro’s on the Riverwalk. Eat your chalupitas from Esquire then head on over to Boudro’s for a glass of wine from their massive selection. Enjoy outdoor dining while everyone else in the United States sits indoors and watches the snow pour down.


Con: Your air conditioner works overtime.

It might be comfortable during the winter time to live in San Antonio but during the summer months, the weather can be absolutely unbearable. You’re sticky and sweaty by the time you get to work every morning. So you have to work your air conditioner to get back to a comfortable body temperature to even think about getting any work done. It can be a little bit of a drag.

There are ups and downs to having such mild, warm winters every year. But we like to think that the pros outweigh the cons!

What’s your favorite part about San Antonio winters? Tell us on Facebook and Twitter.