Toys for Tots donations can be dropped off at any of our front offices, and we are a Toys for Tots donation spot in the community. THE TOYS FOR TOTS FOUNDATION is looking for new, unopened toys. Toys for Tots is accepting donations until December 8th, when they will no longer be accepted. Drop off a toy and make a child's Christmas brighter. Give back this holiday season.

Look for the signs!

During the Christmas season of 2022, the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program will celebrate its 75th anniversary! Please join us in a one-of-a-kind national celebration of this historic occasion.

For more than seven decades, the Program has developed and grown enormously, delivering Christmas hope and enchantment to over 281 million poor children. The Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program, now in its 75th year, also provides year-round assistance to families facing challenges and extraordinary situations, so assisting in the realization of the goals and ambitions of millions of families and children in need across our wonderful nation.

This centennial year will allow us to bring the Marine Corps Reserve and the Toys for Tots Program to a national audience by sharing our rich history, traditions, and the tremendous community support we get each year. We are delighted that renowned American Pop Artist Charles Fazzino has agreed to memorialize this occasion. The net proceeds from the sale of his official anniversary poster, which can be seen here, will be donated directly to our cause.

Events and events taking place around the country will excite the American people and focus their attention on:

Showcase our exceptional Reserve Marines, both current and former.
Highlight the Toys for Tots Program's impact on communities around the country.
Leaders in the community, business sponsors, organizations, and volunteers are recognized and acknowledged.
Most importantly, aid children in need for every family in need of Christmas assistance.

Please join us in commemorating and applauding the Reserve Marines and numerous volunteers who have selflessly benefited over 281 million children in need. We encourage you to join us as communities around the country come together to help children in need via the Marine Toys for Tots Program. We've been in business for 75 years!

The post Marquette Apartment Complexes Give Back as Toys for Tots Donation Centers appeared first on The Magnolia Apartments Blog.

Work-life balance means something different to every individual, but here health and career experts share tips to help you find the balance that’s right for you.

1. Let go of perfectionism

A lot of overachievers develop perfectionist tendencies at a young age when demands on their time are limited to school, hobbies and maybe an after-school job. It’s easier to maintain that perfectionist habit as a kid, but as you grow up, life gets more complicated. As you climb the ladder at work and as your family grows, your responsibilities mushroom. Perfectionism becomes out of reach, and if that habit is left unchecked, it can become destructive, says executive coach Marilyn Puder-York, PhD, who wrote The Office Survival Guide.

The key to avoid burning out is to let go of perfectionism, says Puder-York. “As life gets more expanded it’s very hard, both neurologically and psychologically, to keep that habit of perfection going,” she says, adding that the healthier option is to strive not for perfection, but for excellence.

2. Unplug

From telecommuting to programs that make work easier, technology has helped our lives in many ways. But it has also created expectations of constant accessibility. The work day never seems to end. “There are times when you should just shut your phone off and enjoy the moment,” says Robert Brooks, a professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School and co-author of The Power of Resilience: Achieving Balance, Confidence and Personal Strength in Your Life. Brooks says that phone notifications interrupt your off time and inject an undercurrent of stress in your system. So don’t text at your kid’s soccer game and don’t send work emails while you’re hanging out with family, Brooks advises. Make quality time true quality time. By not reacting to the updates from work, you will developing a stronger habit of resilience. “Resilient people feel a greater sense of control over their lives,” says Brooks, while reactive people have less control and are more prone to stress.

3. Exercise and meditate

Even when we’re busy, we make time for the crucial things in life. We eat. We go to the bathroom. We sleep. And yet one of our most crucial needs – exercise – is often the first thing to go when our calendars fill up. Exercise is an effective stress reducer. It pumps feel-good endorphins through your body. It helps lift your mood and can even serve a one-two punch by also putting you in a meditative state, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Puder-York recommends dedicating a few chunks of time each week to self-care, whether it’s exercise, yoga or meditation. And if you’re really pressed for time, start small with deep breathing exercises during your commute, a quick five minute meditation session morning and night, or replacing drinking alcohol with a healthier form of stress reduction.

“When I talk about balance, not everything has to be the completion and achievement of a task, it also has to include self-care so that your body, mind and soul are being refreshed,” says Puder-York.

These exercises require minor effort but offer major payoffs. Psychotherapist Bryan Robinson, who is also professor emeritus at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and author of the book Chained to the Desk, explains that our autonomic nervous system includes two branches: the sympathetic nervous system (our body’s stress response) and the parasympathetic nervous system (our body’s rest and digest response). “The key is to find something that you can build into your life that will activate your parasympathetic nervous system,” says Robinson. Short, meditative exercises like deep breathing or grounding your senses in your present surroundings, are great places to start. The more you do these, the more you activate your parasympathetic nervous system, which “calms everything down, (and) not just in the moment,” says Robinson. “Over time you start to notice that in your life, your parasympathetic nervous system will start to trump your sympathetic nervous system.”

4. Limit time-wasting activities and people

First, identify what’s most important in your life. This list will differ for everyone, so make sure it truly reflects your priorities, not someone else’s. Next, draw firm boundaries so you can devote quality time to these high-priority people and activities.

From there, it will be easier to determine what needs to be trimmed from the schedule. If email or internet surfing sends you into a time-wasting spiral, establish rules to keep you on task. That may mean turning off email notifications and replying in batches during limited times each day. If you’re mindlessly surfing Facebook or cat blogs when you should be getting work done, try using productivity software like Freedom, LeechBlock or RescueTime. And if you find your time being gobbled up by less constructive people, find ways to diplomatically limit these interactions. Cornered every morning by the office chatterbox? Politely excuse yourself. Drinks with the work gang the night before a busy, important day? Bow out and get a good night sleep. Focus on the people and activities that reward you the most.

To some, this may seem selfish. “But it isn’t selfish,” says Robinson. “It’s that whole airplane metaphor. If you have a child, you put the oxygen mask on yourself first, not on the child.” When it comes to being a good friend, spouse, parent or worker, “the better you are yourself, the better you are going to be in all those areas as well.”

5. Change the structure of your life

Sometimes we fall into a rut and assume our habits are set in stone. Take a birds-eye view of your life and ask yourself: What changes could make life easier? 

Puder-York remembers meeting with a senior executive woman who, for 20 years of her marriage, arranged dinner for her husband every night. But as the higher earner with the more demanding job, the trips to the grocery store and daily meal preparations were adding too much stress to her life. “My response to her was, "Maybe it's time to change the habit,'” recalls Puder-York. The executive worried her husband might be upset, but Puder-York insisted that, if she wanted to reduce stress, this structural change could accomplish just that.

So instead of trying to do it all, focus on activities you specialize in and value most. Delegate or outsource everything else. Delegating can be a win-win situation, says Stewart Freidman, a management professor at the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School and author of Leading the Life You Want: Skills for Integrating Work and Life. Freidman recommends talking to the “key stakeholders” in different areas of your life, which could include employees or colleagues at work, a spouse or a partner in a community project. “Find out what you can do to let go in ways that benefit other people by giving them opportunities to grow,” he says. This will give them a chance to learn something new and free you up so you may devote attention to your higher priorities.

6. Start small. Build from there.

We’ve all been there: crash diets that fizzle out, New Year’s resolutions we forget by February. It’s the same with work-life balance when we take on too much too quickly, says Brooks. Many of his workaholic clients commit to drastic changes: cutting their hours from 80 hours a week to 40, bumping up their daily run from zero miles a day to five miles a day. It’s a recipe for failure, says Brooks. When one client, who was always absent from his family dinners, vowed to begin attending the meals nightly, Brooks urged him to start smaller. So he began with one evening a week. Eventually, he worked his way up to two to three dinners per week.

“If you’re trying to change a certain script in your life, start small and experience some success. Build from there,” says Brooks.

The post Work-Life Balance Starts at Home and Finishes in the Office appeared first on The Magnolia Apartments Blog.

Fall is finally here! Are you prepared to bring the splendor of the autumn season into your apartment or house? When it comes time to pack it all away, rely on some of the décor ideas listed below. Decorating can make fall even better!

Decide on a focus.

If you enjoy the change of the seasons and can't wait to display your pumpkin décor, you might be eager to cram your house with as many objects with an autumnal theme as you can. To avoid overwhelming your visitors with decor, choose one (or two, alright) key focus areas before going overboard.

A dining room table, a fireplace mantel, a kitchen island, a coffee table, or simply wherever you and your people spend the most time together are all excellent places for your focal point. You want to be able to appreciate it! 

Once that's done, place smaller arrangements around the remaining areas of your home. Small pumpkins, candles with a fall motif, faux fruit and foliage, and other such items make wonderful accent pieces.

Embrace Local Artwork

Why not frame your local artist’s artwork if you want to give your holiday décor a sincere and lovely touch? We promise you'll smile every time you see it, and it will make your home feel part of the community.. You may amass quite the collection over the years, and bringing these things out of storage with each new season will undoubtedly bring back some wonderful memories.

Look through the Dollar Section

If you're decorating on a tight budget, you don't need to spend a lot of money at pricey department stores. You can find some high-quality things in many retailers' dollar aisles, or you can visit your community's dollar store to see what special Christmas deals they are offering. You'd be shocked at how many excellent things are offered at much lower price points, and there are frequently a few one-of-a-kind treasures in there, as well.

How Does Your Front Porch or Patio Look?

Since your front porch is the first thing guests see when they arrive at your house, this is a wonderful opportunity for you to showcase your decorating prowess. A few pumpkins, a floor mat with a fall motif, and a cheery wreath can make a world of difference! Some even spend extra money on scarecrows, beautiful signs, or orange twinkling lights.

What are your fall decorating tips? Tell us in the comments!

The post DIY Fall Decorating Tips: How to Decorate this Autumn appeared first on The Magnolia Apartments Blog.

We have a superb apartment complex, as The Magnolia Apartments is tucked away among old trees and lovely landscape. The Magnolia Apartments offer residents a range of communal amenities where they can unwind and play, including a recently renovated clubhouse with a resident lounge, coffee bar, co-working space, kitchen, gaming/aqua lounge, arcade lounge, and more. In addition to breathtaking views of the woods, these apartments also have a spectacular location.

Summer is in full swing, and while it can be very hot outside, there is so much to do here at The Magnolia apartment complex. Here is a highlight list of all our great amenities to utilize this summer!

We have some of the best amenities in the business, and they include:

• An Olympic-sized swimming pool with sundeck

  • Our pool is one of the nicest apartment pools in the area!

  • Come sunbathe on our big, beautiful sun deck, complete with an Olympic pool for swimming and getting out of the Tennessee heat! Lawn chairs, towels, and summer fun is all included.

• Indoor and outdoor basketball courts

  • Into sports? Check out our indoor and outdoor basketball courts. Challenge the neighbors to a game on the outdoor courts, or beat the heat indoors and practice those free throws.

• Gated dog park

  • Wondering what your pets will do all summer?

  • We have an amazing gated dog park for your furry friends to play. Being pet-friendly is something we take pride in.

• Picnic and grilling areas

  • Looking to have a gathering and hang out outdoors? 

  • We have picnic and grilling areas right by the pool. Eat outside with friends and family, enjoy your favorite BBQ, and take a dip in the pool after. 

• Lighted tennis court

  • Day or night, enjoy our lighted Tennis courts. Play with a friend, or brush up on that serve. This is best place to play tennis in the neighborhood!

• Playground

  • Kids and adults can both enjoy our outdoor playground with slides, swings, games, and places to climb! Unleash your inner child!

• Sand volleyball court

  • Before cooling off in the pool or grilling on the sun deck, break a sweat on the sand volleyball courts. This is a great way to meet the neighbors or get your friends together and play this summer.

• Coming soon:

  • Updated Clubhouse COMING SOON

  • Co-working Space COMING SOON

  • Arcade Lounge COMING SOON

  • Gaming Lounge COMING SOON

With such awesome amenities and one of the largest outdoor pools in the area, we can’t wait to see you at Thge Magnolia this summer!

Contact Us

The post Apartment Complex Amenities: Olympic Size Swimming Pool at the Magnolia appeared first on The Magnolia Apartments Blog.

Spring has sprung and that means it's time for a good old-fashioned spring cleaning! If you're like most people, you probably dread the thought of spring cleaning. It can be tough to know where to start, especially if you live in an apartment complex. That's why we've put together this list of five spring cleaning tips specifically for people who live in apartment complexes. Follow these tips and your spring cleaning will be a breeze!

1. Tackle the grossest first:

 This may seem like common sense, but it's important to start with the grossest cleaning tasks first. That way, you can get them out of the way and move on to the less-gross tasks. Trust us, you'll be glad you did!

– Start with the bathroom: The bathroom is usually one of the dirtiest rooms in an apartment complex, so it's a good place to start your spring cleaning. Be sure to clean the toilet, sink, and shower/bathtub. Don't forget to scrub those tile floors too!

– Move on to the kitchen: The kitchen is another room that tends to be pretty dirty. Be sure to clean all of your appliances (inside and out), as well as

2. Remember your pets:

-Pet-friendly cleaning products.

– Laundry: Pet hair can easily end up in your laundry, so be sure to shake out all of your clothes before putting them in the washing machine. This will help prevent pet hair from clogging up your drains.

– Furniture: Pets love to lounge on furniture, so be sure to give your couches and chairs good vacuuming or shampooing.

– Carpets: Carpets are another breeding ground for pet hair. Be sure to vacuum them regularly and If you have pets, it's important to spring clean with them in mind. Be sure to sweep and vacuum regularly to remove pet hair from your floors. You may also want to consider investing in good brushes like the Furminator!

3. Get to those pesky corners :

– Use a vacuum attachment: Vacuum attachments are great for getting to those pesky corners and tight spaces. Be sure to attach the appropriate attachment for your vacuum cleaner and go to town!

– Use a broom: If you don't have a vacuum attachment, no worries! A broom can also do the trick. Just be sure to wipe baseboards where dirt collects.

4. Take care of your light fixtures

– If your home has light fixtures, it’s important to take care of them. While they may seem like a small detail, light fixtures can play a big role in the overall look of your home. Plus, if they’re not properly maintained, they can cause problems like flickering lights or uneven light distribution. Luckily, taking care of your light fixtures is relatively easy. 

– First, make sure to dust them regularly to prevent build-up. 

– Second, check the bulbs and replace them as needed. 

– Finally, if you have any broken parts, be sure to replace them as soon as possible. 

By following these simple steps, you can keep your light fixtures in good condition and help ensure that your home always looks its best.

5. Put things in order

One of the best ways to spring clean your home is to simply put things in order. This means taking a few minutes to declutter and organize your space. Not only will this make your home look neater, but it will also help you stay more organized in the future. Plus, it can even help you save time by making it easier to find things when you need them. So, next time you’re spring cleaning, be sure to take some time to put things in order. You may be surprised at how much of a difference it can make.

These are just a few spring cleaning tips for people who live in apartment complexes. By following these tips, you can help keep your home clean and tidy all spring long. So, what are you waiting for? Start spring cleaning today!

The post Get Your House In Order and Ready for Summer with These 5 Spring Cleaning Tips appeared first on The Magnolia Apartments Blog.

Just because it's colder outside doesn't mean you can't turn up the heat on romance. It's great cuddling weather in Nashville, and the city is brimming with options to rekindle the flames of love in an existing relationship or ignite a new one. Make one of these ideal arrangements to spend some quality time together and watch what happens.

Candy Wonderland at Goo Goo

SoBro

Following a multi-million dollar refurbishment, the Goo Goo Shop on 3rd Avenue has reopened as a must-see (and eat) attraction. The new shop's walls are festooned with Willy Wonka-esque switches and levers, and displays recount the history of America's first combination candy bar, which is still a cult favorite. While you wait for the creative confectioners to prepare your own unique Goo Goo Premium bars, you may sip a boozy milkshake at a kiosk.

Dabble in Art (and Wine)

Germantown

You like to drink wine, don't you? Even if you tell yourself you have no artistic abilities. You won't care if your "happy little trees" actually look like angry shrubs after a couple of glasses and classes at Dabble Events. Any lesson will be a joy thanks to the instructors' encouraging attitudes, and you'll be able to take home a fresh artwork to place on your wall. Alternatively, you may look in the back of the coat closet. There will be no judging here.

Have a Date on Ice

Various locations

When the Winter Olympics come around every four years, people become temporarily enamored with the strange sport of curling, which is similar to shuffleboard on ice. "I could do that!" someone will always comment after a few minutes of viewing. Now is the moment to put your money where your broom is because Tee Line in West Nashville is Nashville's first official curling center. If you're looking for a more traditional ice date, the Ford Ice Centers in Bellevue and Antioch both offer public skating sessions, but you must register ahead of time.

Find the Magic

SoBro and Downtown

Over the winter, Music City transforms into Magic City (sorry, Birmingham), with some fairly excellent prestidigitation opportunities in the downtown area. House of Cards, a speakeasy-style restaurant buried beneath the Johnny Cash Museum, has a wonderful bar, a reasonable chophouse cuisine, and, most significantly, several different magic performances included in the price of your meal. Dress to impress and enjoy close-up magic as well as a larger showroom performance. With the Dream Hotel's "Magic in Music City" package, you can bring the magic to your accommodation. The package includes an overnight stay in a suite, as well as wine and appetizers delivered to your room prior to a private one-hour magic presentation by Michael John, the hotel's in-house illusionist. After that, it's up to you to work your magic.

Escape…Together

Downtown

Although it may be simpler with a larger group, the Escape Game allows couples to play alone as they try to solve clues in the allocated time to be liberated from a locked chamber, or you can participate in their online virtual challenges. Consider how proud your date will be of your collaboration and chemistry if you figure it out.

Candlemaking 

Berry Hill

You never know when another ice storm will hit Nashville, bringing with it the usual power disruptions that come with it. You'll need some candles because the light on your phone won't last forever. At Paddywax Candle Bar, you may make personalized candles using a range of aromatic oils to create your own beautiful and fragrant tapers. While you're huddled in the dark waiting for the utility staff to arrive, you might as well smell great.

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