7 Pre-Vacation Tasks to Tackle

Whether your idea of a vacation is going to a big city or laying on the beach, it is a time that should be as stress-free as possible. Aside from the normal tasks of packing and making sure you have all of your travel necessities, here are 7 less thought of tasks to take care of before your trip, courtesy of Apartment Therapy.

1. Tell your neighbors and/or friends. Inform your neighbors and friends of the dates that you will be gone and ask them to keep an eye out for any suspicious activity around your home. Leave an extra set of keys and contact information with a trusted neighbor or friend. If you will be gone for more than a few days, ask your neighbor or friend to pick up your mail. You can also go to the USPS website to place a “stop” order on mail and newspapers. Consider asking a friend to check in if you have plants that need to be watered.

2. Tidy your kitchen. Clean out your fridge. Dispose of food that will spoil, eat your leftovers and take out the trash and recycling. Any food left in the trash or the sink will spoil and stink up your home, so make sure to do the dishes.

Photo courtesy THOR.

3. Tend to the bathrooms. Sprinkle a little baking soda in toilets and down the sink drains to avoid coming home to the stench of stagnant water dripping.

4. Take safety precautions. If you are concerned about safety, invest in a light switch timer that can turn lights on and off according to a programmed schedule, park a car in your driveway, and leave curtains or blinds exactly as they usually are. Make sure all windows and doors are locked before you leave and double-check that the alarm system is armed, if you have one. It is also a good idea to place any valuables in a locked safe or in a part of your home that is out of plain sight.

5. Pay the bills. This is especially pertinent if you are going to be gone a few weeks. Plan ahead and pay all the bills that will be due while you are away. You shouldn't need to worry about when bills are due while you are on vacation.

6. Conserve energy. Adjust the thermostat so that it saves energy. Make sure all faucets are turned off and no water is dripping. Consider shutting off water lines to washing machines to avoid flooding problems. Make sure all lights of the home are turned off. Double-check to make sure all appliances are turned off and unplug electronics to save on power.

7. Clean the house. Tidy up and clean up the clutter! I love coming back home to a clean house; it makes you appreciate your home that much more and will make unpacking and getting back into the routine that much easier.

What is your normal pre-vacation routine like? Is there anything you would add to this? Share your thoughts below!

Local Cuisine without Leaving Your Apartment

Photo courtesy Stu Spivack

Part of #LaCanteraLiving is actually getting to enjoy time in your apartment. While the city of San Antonio has a lot to offer, sometimes you want to just kick back and relax at home. We like to do our part to make sure this happens, so we want to give you more information about food delivery at La Cantera.

In our most recent newsletter, we mentioned G-Runners grocery delivery service. If you have never used this service before, it is very simple and reliable. You can place your grocery order via phone or website, and it arrives at your door either the same day or the next. If time is of a concern you can always call ahead to see what the turnaround time will be. G-Runners accepts cash or credit.

We’re also excited to share something new that’s in the works. We have a few local restaurants within The Residences at La Cantera on-board to deliver to La Cantera residents’ doors, including Burger Fi, Z’Tejas and Va Bene. As this goes into effect, each apartment unit will be equipped with a special delivery menu compiled by each restaurant.

You have to leave your apartments for this, but you don’t have to go far. This Saturday, July 19, come to the clubroom/pool area for complimentary samples from Burger Fi from 3-6 PM! We hope to see you there!

Fitness at La Cantera

Photos courtesy Ashton Paley

As a part of La Cantera Living, we like to encourage our residents to lead a healthy lifestyle by having fitness equipment and classes readily available. Our fitness director, Artemus Moore of Core Fit, and his staff are available daily to both lead group fitness classes and to provide one-on-one fitness training. Please note, you should always consult your doctor before beginning a new exercise regimen.

Fitness Center

The fitness center at La Cantera has cardio and weight equipment. Residents have the option of participating in one-on-one personal training or working out on your own. We also provide a complimentary fitness assessment to our residents To schedule your assessment, call Artemus at 548-2913.

Yoga Room and Classes

At La Cantera, we have a room solely dedicated to the practice and teaching of yoga. Our current class schedule includes Hatha I, Hatha I & II and an All Levels class.

Photo courtesy Ashton Paley

Hatha I: Beginner yoga class. Focuses on poses to stretch and strengthen the legs, back and shoulders. Emphasis is given to the basic alignment and fundamentals (1 hr.).

Hatha I & II: This class is the next level up from a Hatha I class. Hatha I & II mixed-level class includes the basic alignment and fundamentals shown in Hatha I, with little to no pose modification, to allow you to increase your flexibility and to prepare your body for a more intense Hatha II practice (1 hr.).

Hatha All Levels: This class is open to a wide range of practitioners, with modifications given for basic to beginner-level students, and variations given for more intermediate to advanced level students.

As with any workout routine, please advise your instructor of any injuries or special physical needs prior to class starting time.

Coming Soon...

We will soon be adding bike rentals to our amenities. Residents can take the bikes out on the paths surrounding the La Cantera community. For any residents who already own bikes, we will have an expert come in to repair and assess your bicycles. We will let you know once this goes into effect!

What are your favorite ways to get fit at La Cantera? Share them in the comments below! Have any questions about our fitness programs? Call us at the concierge desk!

Create a Scentsational Home

Photos (top L, clockwise) courtesy hurley.k e, THOR, Nic McPhee, Junhao

Just as colors and decor help to create an atmosphere in a space, so does scent. Certain scents help to energize, while others have a calming effect. So what are the basics of fragrance notes and where should you use them? This article from Style at Home gives you the rundown.

Fragrance: Florals

There’s a reason that the gift of fresh flowers is a tradition that has endured over the centuries. Once placed in a vase, the blooms are not only gorgeous, they perfume your home beautifully, memorably and entirely naturally. Though not all flowers are fragrant (notably tulips, daffodils and orchids don’t have much scent), consider the flowers that do. Rose, gardenia, lily of the valley, freesia and peony are instantly recognizable classics. Any of these floral fragrances will create a strong association for people who smell them in your home and tend to be the most memorable. If you use a peony or lilac scent in your bedroom, for instance, your kids are likely to always associate it with you. Aside from fresh flowers, a few drops of a top-quality home-fragrance oil is one of the most authentic ways to replicate floral smells in your home, which can be added to potpourri or a diffuser.

Where to use this home fragrance: Florals are timeless, traditional and highly memorable. They’re great for bedrooms and entryways.

Fragrance: Spices

Thyme, cinnamon, lavender (often assumed to be a floral but is actually a part of the mint family), ginger, and vanilla evoke the warmth of baking. These spice-cupboard fragrances are often reminiscent of the winter months, especially cinnamon. And peppermint, in fact, has been associated with curbing overeating and boosting your mood. These spicy smells are a natural fit in the kitchen but are just as lovely for any room in the home. They are usually more suitable than florals for the dining room because they don’t clash with food smells. Candles tend to do a great job of replicating spicy smells like cinnamon and thyme. Reed diffusers are wonderful if you lean toward lavender, minty, and vanilla scents as they perfume the air with just the right amount of tingly scent.

Where to use this home fragrance: Spicy fragrances create a warm, cozy atmosphere and work well in the kitchen and dining room.

Fragrance: Citrus

Citrus fruit fragrances, like lemon, orange, bergamot and grapefruit have one thing in common: they are energizing and crisp. (It’s not a coincidence that lemon is a typical scent for household cleansers and detergents; it smells clean and fresh). A citrus aroma is sunny and bright, it’s ideal for lifting up your mood and reminding you of a subtropical or Mediterranean vacation. The smell of orange, for instance, has been shown in a study to reduce stress. Citrus is also ideal for entertaining in the morning and early afternoon when it’s a little too early for heavy floras or heady spices. Room sprays, the kind you spritz like a perfume, tend to smell fantastic and zingy in citrus notes.

Where to use this home fragrance: Citrus aromas are fresh, clean and sunny. Use them anywhere in the home when you want to add an energizing mood and reduce stress.

Fragrance: Woodsy

Sandalwood, oud (also known as agarwood), cedar and pine are age-old, ever-popular scents for the home. Cedar wood has long been prized for its clean, outdoorsy fragrance, durability and moth-repelling qualities, and pine reminds us of Christmas trees and the holiday season, but also of camping and mid-summer. Sandalwood and oud are dark, mysterious and exotic. All of these resinous, woodsy scents are earthy, intricate and sensual and they can be used to create an inviting ambience in your home. Incense is an ancient way of bringing smells of a woodsy garden into the home, but candles are a more modern way to introduce these scents. They perfume the air intensely when lit, and gently when they are not.

Where to use this home fragrance: Woodsy home fragrances are earthy and can be used anywhere indoors or out, to set a mood that’s either clean and outdoorsy (pine, cedar) or exotic and sultry (sandalwood, oud).

Outside La Cantera

Whether you have just moved into La Cantera or have been here since the beginning, there is a lot to do and take in around our complex. If you are a thrill-seeker, a shopaholic or an outdoorsman, you are in a dream location! If there isn’t something you are looking for within walking distance, it’s most likely just a short drive away. Here are a few of the must-sees/dos!

Photo courtesy Sheila Scarborough

Six Flags Fiesta Texas

You have probably seen the nightly fireworks and laser lights display from your apartment, but have you taken a day off work to enjoy the park?  Six Flags has thrill rides,  family rides, a water park, entertainment and more. The amusement park opens daily at 10:30 a.m. and the water park opens at noon.  The park is hosting a  Fourth of July Fest July 4 through 6, featuring early ride times and a special fireworks display.

Photo courtesy fd2s

The Shops at La Cantera

The Shops at La Cantera has almost everything you could need, from Anthropologie to Zara. You can sign up for “The Club”  to receive emails with exclusive sales, newsletters and events. The Shops are open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.  A new addition to the Shops, candy store Lolli and Pops, opens July 4.

Photo courtesy Mario Riojas

Enjoy the Outdoors

There are plenty of local parks nearby for jogging, hiking or walking your dog. Nearby Leon Creek Greenway Park has approximately 15 miles of trail for hiking, biking, or walking and connections include UTSA, Earl Scott Pond, Cathedral Rock Park and more. Fox Park trail is a good location if you are a runner and Eisenhower Park is a nice location for a large group gathering. Best of all, as long as you’re not renting a pavilion, it’s free!

What are your favorite spots near The Residences at La Cantera? Comment below or snap a picture and share it with us!

Photo Challenge

We love that living at La Cantera is a unique experience and we take pride in the features that we offer our residents!

Can you determine what (we think) the best features of living at La Cantera are by scrolling through the photos below? There's three words - if you think you've got one, leave us a comment and tell us your guess! 

#1

#2

#3

Is there an element of La Cantera that you love more than the rest? Leave us a comment and let us know!

Welcome To La Cantera!

Now that you're getting settled into your new home at The Residences At La Cantera, it's time to start getting involved. We're proud of our beautiful community, the ease with which you can walk to The Shops at La Cantera, and the awesome residents we have - and we want you to get to know all of them!

If you're having a little trouble breaking out of your shell, here are a few ideas to get you acclimated and out enjoying the La Cantera lifestyle. Follow these tips from renters.apartments.com and you'll be out and about in no time. See you around!

Take a Tour

Nothing tops discovery than a little exploration. The city of Chicago was my first destination beyond the cornfields near my parent’s house. As skyscrapers were a somewhat different form of greenery and this was the pre-smartphone era, the Not for Tourists Guide to Chicago never left my purse.

Post-its adorned the categorized pages highlighting restaurants I needed to try and museums I needed to visit. It also described the neighborhoods so I had an idea which ones were safe for me to venture to on my own.

Not For Tourists App

Luckily for today’s mover, the NFT has an app for that. My guide is about a decade old, so it’s nice to have an updated version on hand and accessible via my iPhone (makes the decision of which handbag to wear that day much more versatile).

But for those who want to carry something around but have it not be as bulky as a book, check out the City Walks cards. My friend gave them to me as a gift when I made my second big move to New York. And boy did I need them! Each “city” features an open-topped box with a stack of cards inside. Each card in the deck outlines a self-guided walking adventure, with a detailed map on the front and information on the back filled with insider tips. Take one or several cards with you and you and you can find the best spots in your new neighborhood!

Map My Run

Are you a runner or just someone who likes to find walking paths nearby? Check out Map My Run. It’s an online community where you can find walking, running, biking or even dog walking routes based on location. You can search for walks or create your own walk. I highly recommend it if you want to find your unbeaten neighborhood paths.

Do Your Research

In the land of Google, we can pretty much find out anything with just a few clicks on a keyboard or swipes on a smart phone. One of my favorite tasks when exploring a new area is going to Google Maps on my computer, typing in my address and clicking on “Search Nearby” to find local coffee shops, restaurants, shops and grocery stores.

Google bought famous rating guide company, Zagat, in 2011. Users quickly noticed how business listings on Google Maps had the Zagat logo conveniently located next to the business name. Very convenient for the user to find nearby spots and check out the Zagat ratings all in one place!

I also have Foursquare and Yelp downloaded on my iPhone for when I’m on the move. Both have features allowing you to search venues near your location along with user ratings from both friends and strangers.

Know Your Neighbors

Speaking of friends and strangers, you can walk the city streets or small-town sidewalks all you want, but that doesn’t necessarily help you meet people. The days of neighbors walking to your door with a “Welcome to the Neighborhood” gift basket aren’t necessarily the norm anymore. And you may not feel comfortable asking for a cup of sugar either.

Nextdoor App

Nextdoor is a highly-rated app that you can download to get to know and keep in touch with people in your neighborhood! Their website lists the following uses for this private network:

• Quickly get the word out about a break-in
• Organize a Neighborhood Watch Group
• Track down a trustworthy babysitter
• Find out who does the best paint job in town
• Ask for help keeping an eye out for a lost dog
• Find a new home for an outgrown bike
• Finally call that nice man down the street by his first name

Sometimes, however, the best way to meet people is to not rely on technology but rather think more old school. My favorite neighborhood that I lived in during my stint in New York was Harlem; and one of the reasons was because it was my first apartment that had a stoop.

I would read the newspaper, a book or just people watch on that stoop on such a regular basis that I met everyone who lived in my building along with a few neighbors! You’d be surprised how many people ask to read sections of your newspaper when they see you reading one. (And people say print is dead. I call poppycock!)

Don’t have a stoop to sit upon? Find a local coffee shop, restaurant or bar you like and make a point to become a regular. You’ll start recognizing other frequent visitors and that gives you the opportunity to introduce yourself. As you both have already seen one another there regularly, it can be almost awkward continuing to ignore them. A great opportunity to break the ice!

Be Patient

It’s commonly told that it takes about a year to fully move into your new home. I moved back to Chicago just a year ago, and can second that statement. As much as you want to be a neighborhood expert and develop a full-fledged routine within three months, be patient and take your time. It’ll take you some time to explore and develop your own routine.

Hopefully these tips and tools will help ease you along the way.