Have you sometimes felt less than truly at home when celebrating the holidays in an apartment unit? Maybe you were still new to the place, or you discovered that your roomful of decorations wouldn't suit the available space. Maybe you simply didn't know how to give your apartment the proper atmosphere of holiday cheer. This year, however, will be different. Check out these simple yet effective tips for creating a holiday-ready Chicago apartment.

Seasonal Scents

When you think about this time of year, you probably recall the smells of gingerbread cookies, candy canes, vanilla-rich desserts and, of course, pine needles. You can create some of these lovely odors simply by baking your favorite holiday treats. When it comes to scented candles, however, you run the risk of violating apartment rules, setting off the smoke alarm or even causing a fire. Instead, look for seasonal aerosol sprays or scented odor-absorbers. A spritz of scent here and there, and it's beginning to smell a lot like Christmas.

Spirit-Warming Beverages

A lot of holiday ambience can be evoked by the hot or cold beverages you serve to your loved ones. For instance, ginger and cinnamon can both be brewed into delicious, warming teas that evoke the spirit of the season beautifully. You can also mix cranberry and pomegranate juices into a delicious, ruby-red drink that matches your holiday decor. A delicately-spiced "virgin" eggnog will make even Santa envious — unless, of course, you leave some out for him.

Festive (Yet Sensible) Decorations

You can get away with minimal holiday decorations if you've downsized to a modest apartment. Consider getting a mini-size tree that fits handily on a table and comes with its own tinsel. You've just made one major aspect of holiday decoration much easier, while leaving plenty of foot traffic for guests. If you're allowed to hang lights that are visible from the parking lot, go with a more minimal look so your neighbors don't regard your apartment as an eyesore.

An apartment in Chicago, Illinois, can be the perfect place to enjoy a happy holiday. If you're in the market for one, contact River Park North!

The post Make Your Apartment Festive This Holiday Season appeared first on River North Park Apartments Blog.

Active Outings

Whether you want to enjoy the beauty of winter on a local outside ice skating rink or prefer to learn a new skill inside, the area is perfect for active outings. Consider indoor rock climbing or yoga, go for a jog outside, or even slip on some skates for a romantic evening on ice. 

Pampering Outings

Escape the chill with a couples massage, special meal, or wine tasting. Choose from a huge variety of one-of-a-kind experiences designed to pamper and please. You can both enjoy the luxurious treatment at a spa, head to one of the town's award-winning and renowned restaurants, or try out a wine or beer flight — sampling local and regional offerings in a single fun meal or session. 

Fun and Whimsical

Head to an arcade for grown-ups, play laser tag, or set up a scavenger hunt. Any of these dates will be fun for you both and take a minimal amount of time to set up. If you prefer a night at home in your Chicago apartment, set up a temporary fort and watch a favorite movie, cook a new cuisine together, or sample new desserts from your favorite bakery. 

No matter where you look, there are plenty of amazing winter date night options for couples right in the Chicago area. Thinking ahead and taking some simple steps to plan can help you create a memorable experience for you both and give you a night to remember. When you're ready to come home, you'll love warming up in one of our luxurious Chicago apartments! Stop by soon to see how easy it is to entertain guests or set up a fun winter date at our Chicago location; we'd love to give you a tour and show off all we have to offer. 

The post Winter Date Night Ideas appeared first on River North Park Apartments Blog.

Turn Down Your Thermostat

One of the easiest ways to use less electricity and see a significant impact on your bills is by turning down your thermostat when you are going to be gone for a few hours. You do not need to turn it off but just turning it down a few degrees will impact your bills in the next month. Whenever you leave your home for several hours, like when you go to work, be sure to turn it down a few degrees so your system does not need to work as hard. Since it isn't working as hard and you aren't there to enjoy it anyway, it is one of the easiest ways to save money on utilities. 

Unplug and Turn Off

Something that a lot of people do not even think of when it comes to saving money is how much electricity is used when things are plugged in. Even if you are not using something, but it is plugged in, it is using electricity. For things that you do not use often, you should unplug them when not in use and plug them in when you do need to use them. For things you do use often, make sure you turn things off when not in use so you are not running up your bill. 

Just by doing these few things, you can really start to save money on your utilities. If you want to see savings as early as next month, be sure to make some changes now. If you are looking for a new place to call home this winter and stay warm, be sure to check out these apartments in Chicago, IL. You can stop by for a tour and to see what we currently have available. 

The post How to Save Money on Utilities This Winter appeared first on River North Park Apartments Blog.

Winter White Chicken Chili With Cilantro and Lime

Ingredients

• Olive oil spray
• 2 small boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 small white onions
• 1 small carrot, peeled
• 2 stalks celery
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 garlic clove
• 2 4-ounce cans chopped green chilies
• 2 14 ½-ounce cans cannellini beans (undrained)
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon ground white pepper
• 1 teaspoon cayenne
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ½–1 cup fresh cilantro (garnish)
• 1 fresh lime (garnish)
• 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
• Fried tortilla strips (garnish)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cook the chicken.

Start by cooking your chicken breasts with olive oil spray and a bit of salt and pepper to taste. Cook both breasts fully (ideally in a cast-iron pan). Set aside to cool. Once cool, shred the chicken with two forks and set aside again.

2. Prepare and sauté the vegetables.

Clean and chop the onion, carrot, celery and garlic (chop or crush), and add it all to your soup pot with the olive oil. Sauté until onions are translucent.

3. Add everything and simmer.

Add in the rest of the ingredients, minus the cilantro, lime, cheese and tortilla strips. Allow the soup to come to a boil. Then reduce the heat to a simmer; cover and cook for 20 to 30 minutes. Taste test along the way, adding more spices as needed.

4. Serve!

Once all the flavors of this yummy white chicken chili have melded together, serve it in bowls with a spritz of fresh lime juice, some mozzarella cheese, and a small bunch of fresh cilantro leaves on top! For a little crunch, feel free to add a few tortilla strips as well.

What can make serving this delicious white chicken chili even more enjoyable this winter is serving it at a dinner party for friends in your very own apartment! Looking for Chicago apartments? Contact us to see what floor plans we have available. 

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