We take immense pride in our apartment buildings. We also know that besides the apartments themselves, it’s important to think about the environment and surroundings of those apartments. This is why at Kelmscott Park Apartments we love the idea of creating a park-style setting for our residents in Lake Forest. With beautiful gardens designed by Mariani, we have created the feeling of visiting a park right here at home.

Here are four benefits of living in a park-style setting.

Nature Relieves Stress

Science has already shown that nature has the healing power to soothe and relieve stress. We get a sense of calm by breathing in fresh air and seeing the colors of mother nature around us. By bringing this park-like setting to our residents, we make it easy to wake up to beautiful scenery or relieve stress with a walk through our gardens. 

Community Matters

When you are new to a town or area and you want to make friends, it can be hard to talk to someone in the few seconds you have on an elevator or passing them in the halls. Going outside and being in the open air makes it easier to mingle with people on the lawn or sit outside by our outdoor grilling station and make new friends. There’s nothing quite like sitting by the fire at sunset with friends.

Pets Have Room to Roam

Animals can get stressed out in close quarters or on busy city sidewalks. We all know our canine friends love the park, so having one right outside makes it that much easier to take your dog for a walk or meet other dog friends out on the lawn. When your dog is happy, so are you.

A Cooler Environment

Having greenery and grass surrounding an apartment cools the area much better than asphalt or even dirt and cement. It insulates the ground rather than heating the way asphalt does, giving you more comfort in the hot summer months. This also creates a cooler space for you and your pet to enjoy the nice weather without overheating.

Why do you love living in a park-like setting? Tell us in the comments!

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Do you enjoy new DIY hobbies? Knitting, crocheting, and painting are examples of creative activities that are beneficial to activitaing your brain. They increase cognitive capacities, lift your spirits, and reduce stress. Not to mention, they're entertaining. You only need to choose one and stay with it (or in our case… stitch to it.)

1. Knitting

Dispel any misconceptions you may have about this age-old craft: It's no longer only your grandmother's pastime to knit. Everyone is taking up a set of needles and some yarn these days. (If you ask us, finger knitting has always been one of our favorite crafts.) You're ready to create something of your own once you understand how to cast on, knit, purl, and cast off again as well as the many types of yarn. Just have a look at our comfortable knit blankets, mittens, hats, and other items.

2. Painting

You only need a paintbrush, a color palette, and the desire to study; you don't need to be a natural-born Picasso. There are several methods to experiment with in various finishes, including acrylics, oils, watercolor, and even glitter painting. Consider using stencils to create the ideal design; they are available in any form and size imaginable. To discover a look you like, try out various tools and materials. Your craft area is a terrific place to start, but the world is your canvas.

3. Hand Lettering

It's been posted on Instagram. So why not give it a shot? Whether you are right- or left-handed, we guarantee it isn't as difficult as it seems. An easy technique to improve the aesthetics of your handwritten scribble on paper is hand lettering, a more casual style of calligraphy. Take a basic typeface as your starting point and add your own flourishes, such as curlicues, and green laurels, to make it uniquely yours. Cards, chalkboard signs, and presents of all types may be swiftly customized from there. The result is simultaneously endearingly traditional and vibrantly contemporary.

4. Bullet Journaling

Scrapbooking, get out of here. There is no actual right or wrong way to bullet journal, which is one of its wonderful features. You can keep a journal of your everyday activities, such as your chores and meditations, add images and other reminders of the past, or make future plans. It can be structured using bullets, brief words, page numbers, and topics. All of it is up to you.

5. Sewing

A set of knitting needles could appear frightening. Sew something. All you need to get started are some fabric scraps and a needle and thread. Learn the fundamental stitches, and you'll find usage for them throughout the house: Make a charming tomato pincushion out of it, fix a seam, patch small holes in sweaters and socks, etc. Start off modestly, and when you're confident in your ability, you may move on to a sewing machine of your own.

6. Embroidery

Embroidery is mostly for people who enjoy giving something old a fresh look. All it takes is a few short needle pokes. You will be well on your way to custom-embroidering everything from napkins to mittens to tea towels to full-sized quilts and everything in between if you learn a few fundamental stitches like a cross stitch, french knot, blanket stitch, etc. Knowing how to embroider a monogram, name, or date can help you tackle any holiday, birthday, or other life milestone.

7. Crocheting

Are you looking for a new skill to learn in 2019? Replace your needles with a crochet hook. You may build hats, headbands, cases, purses, a bouquet of flowers, or even tiny wreaths by mastering two fundamental stitches: the chain stitch and single crochet. Invite like-minded friends over for a crochet and rose party to turn it into a crafternoon.

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Spring has here, which means it's time for some good ol' spring cleaning! If you're like most people, spring cleaning is a chore you'd rather avoid. It might be difficult to know where to begin, particularly if you reside in an apartment building. That's why we've compiled a list of five spring cleaning suggestions tailored exclusively for apartment dwellers. If you follow these suggestions, spring cleaning will be a breeze!

1. Tackle the grossest first:

This may sound obvious, but it's critical to begin with the dirtiest cleaning duties first. You'll be able to get them out of the way and move on to the less unpleasant jobs. You'll be glad you did, we promise!
– Begin with the bathroom: As one of the dirtiest rooms in an apartment complex, the bathroom is a good spot to begin your spring cleaning. Make sure the toilet, sink, and shower/bathtub are all clean. Remember to scrub those tile floors as well!
– Then it's straight to the kitchen: Another room that is notoriously filthy is the kitchen. Make sure to clean both the interior and outside of your appliances.

2. Remember your pets:

-Cleaning products that are safe for pets.
– Laundry: Pet hair can easily end up in your laundry, so shake out all of your clothes before throwing them in the washer. This will keep your drains from becoming clogged with pet hair.
– Furniture: Because pets enjoy lounging on furniture, be sure to vacuum or shampoo your couches and chairs.
– Carpets: Another breeding habitat for pet hair is carpets. Vacuum them on a regular basis, and if you have pets, remember to spring clean with them in mind. To keep your floors free of pet hair, sweep and vacuum on a regular basis. You might also want to consider purchasing quality brushes, such as the Furminator!

3. Get to those pesky corners :

– Use a vacuum attachment: Vacuum attachments are helpful for getting into tight spots and corners. Make sure your vacuum cleaner has the suitable attachment and get to work!
– Use a broom: Don't worry if you don't have a vacuum attachment. A broom can also suffice. Just make sure to clean the dirt off the baseboards.

4. Take care of your light fixtures

– It's crucial to look after your light fixtures if you have them in your home. While light fixtures may appear to be little details, they can have a significant impact on the overall appearance of your home. They can also produce issues like flickering lights or uneven light distribution if they aren't properly maintained. Fortunately, maintaining your light fixtures is pretty simple.
– You begin, be sure to dust them on a regular basis to avoid build-up.
– Next, inspect the bulbs and replace them if necessary.
– Finally, if any of your parts are broken, replace them as soon as possible.
You can keep your light fixtures in good shape and guarantee that your home always looks its best by following these simple procedures.

5. Put things in order

Putting things in order is one of the most effective ways to spring clean your home. This entails decluttering and organizing your space for a few minutes. Not only will this help you keep more organized in the future, but it will also make your home look cleaner. It can also save you time by making it easier to locate items when you need them. So, the next time you're spring cleaning, make sure to set aside some time to organize your belongings. It's possible that you'll be astonished at how much of a difference it makes.
These are just a few spring cleaning suggestions for apartment complex residents. You can help maintain your home clean by following these suggestions.

Meta: This list of five spring cleaning ideas was created exclusively for people who live in apartment complexes. If you follow these suggestions, spring cleaning will be a breeze!

Tags: spring cleaning, how to clean, cleaning tips, DIY, cleaning, organizing

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We are celebrating women by showcasing a momentous occasion for women in education.

Dr. Jill M. Baren has been named Lake Forest College's first female president.

The Board of Trustees has accelerated Lake Forest College's history-making momentum by appointing Dr. Jill M. Baren as the College's first woman president, following a record-breaking year in which the College welcomed its largest incoming class in history.
In July 2022, Jill BarenBaren, the College's fourteenth president, will take over as Provost and Vice-President of Academic Affairs at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. She takes over from President Stephen Schutt, who is stepping down after 21 years at the helm of the College. The College has grown dramatically in terms of student body, facilities, funding, and academic programming during his tenure.

Baren is a prominent academic, physician, and administrator with a strong foundation in the liberal arts and a background in humanism, medical ethics, experiential education, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
"To develop into talented professionals who can address the most daunting challenges that lie ahead, students need a strong foundation that encompasses art appreciation, cultural studies, communication and writing skills, scientific reasoning, critical thinking, and problem solving," she said.

The Presidential Search Committee, which included Lake Forest College trustees, teachers, students, and administrative personnel, unanimously recommended Baren to the Board of Trustees. The search committee, led by Vice Chair William Lowry '84, sought feedback from all College stakeholders and carefully reviewed those proposals in order to direct the nationwide search. The committee worked with Storbeck Search, a national executive search agency, to find and interview highly qualified applicants from a variety of backgrounds.
Lowry stated, "Jill will lead with confidence, sincerity, and an entrepreneurial approach."

"She brings a wealth of leadership expertise to the presidency of Lake Forest College. Her experience in the health professions and academia will not only strengthen our relationship with Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, but will also help her to think strategically and contribute fresh ideas to all facets of the College."
Baren comes to Lake Forest College with nearly 30 years of experience in key academic, research, and administrative leadership roles at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of the Sciences. Over the last 15 years, she has co-authored more than 90 scholarly publications and many books in the field of emergency care, as well as secured millions of dollars in funding and grants.

"With its mix of a strong liberal arts history with great career training, Lake Forest College has built a unique brand that places the College as a leader in higher education," she added. "This new and modern approach to a rigorous liberal arts education resonates strongly with me, and the post at Lake Forest College appealed to me immediately." The largest incoming freshmen class in history, as well as recent improvements in state-of-the-art academic buildings and athletic facilities, are evident indicators of expansion and attractiveness. They provide a fantastic platform for advancing Lake Forest College's objectives."

David Gorter '80, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, believes Baren is particularly equipped to head the College.

Gorter stated, "Jill is a well-rounded, vibrant leader whose experience as a college administrator and faculty leader coincides with the College's vision and aspirations."
"She believes that tiny liberal arts schools are one of our country's greatest educational assets, and that our success is inextricably linked to our students' inspirational success." Jill will connect with students frequently and purposefully as our campus leader to learn what is essential to their futures. She'll take the same approach when it comes to building ties with faculty, alumni, staff, and the community."
The selection of Lake Forest College's first female president is the latest in a long line of significant accomplishments that have cemented the college's position as a leading institution of higher learning.

Brown Hall, a historic 1878 classroom structure at the heart of campus that has been refurbished and repurposed into an interdepartmental collaborative learning environment, had its grand opening last autumn. The Lillard Science Center, a $47 million cutting-edge science research and teaching center, had opened two years prior. The Oppenheimer Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, a collaborative space for student entrepreneurs in the most popular academic minor on campus, recently opened at the College. Furthermore, Lake Forest College has formed a strategic partnership with Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science to develop a joint Health Professions Program that prepares students for careers in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy, and all aspects of health care. This is a first among liberal arts colleges.

In the next months, Baren and her family intend to relocate to Lake Forest, Illinois, where she will officially accept the presidency in July.

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