Creative lighting ideas for your Orange County apartment.

bed surrounded with string lights.

Are there any corners in your apartment that could be more vibrant? Here are some creative lighting ideas that you can easily install and experiment with to make each space of your home feel unique.

 

Put lights under cabinet lighting.

There are different forms of under-cabinet lighting, mostly sold as strips that you can stick anywhere with velcro. By putting lights under the kitchen cabinet, you will not only make that area brighter but also you are bringing the light closer to you when preparing your meals or working in other kitchen tasks.

 

String lights.

Create a joyful environment in your room or living room by adding some LED string lights! They come in many shapes and sizes and you can get creative decorating with string lights too! Use damage-free adhesive hooks to create your own pattern. White Christmas lights look great and subtle too, and they’re usually very resistant to the outdoors, in case you want them for your patio or balcony.

 

Floor Lamps.

Floor lamps are great because they do not take up a lot of space. They can be cornered anywhere or you can move them around if easily in case you want to take them elsewhere. Check out Victor’s Lightning in Orange, not too far from our headquarters. They’re having a sale!

 

Mirrors and frames.

Placing large mirrors adjacent and directly opposite to your open windows will help bounce out natural light, as it is reflecting the window itself. Large, full-body mirrors can usually stand on the floor and are also a great way to take a last look before leaving to work!

 

At Aperto Property Management, we believe lighting can drastically change a home’s environment and the feeling of comfort. Many of our apartment communities have large windows to allow natural light to come to your apartment home. Many of our apartments in Orange County also have recessed lighting installed! 

 

How else do you keep your Orange County apartment lit? If you have any other decorative apartment lighting ideas you would like to share, let us know in the comments!

Going Green in 2020: Some simple tips for busy people.

Young couple in a farmers market.

Many of us have become more mindful of our health and developed more conscience about taking actions that make our lifestyle more eco-friendly. It has steadily become the norm to mind the use of our natural resources as they’re limited. Taking into account that we have to reduce pollution, but many of us are busy with all our daily responsibilities, what are some quick changes we can make to become “greener”?

 

Here are some easy ways in which you can start going green in 2020 from Orange County. 

 

Bike to work!

Over 10% of our Carbon Dioxide (CO2) gas emissions come from road traffic. If your commute is not significantly long, consider investing in a bicycle! You can start by biking a few days of the week. You can also combine public transportation and biking if you live a little further away from work. By using your car less, you will be significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and saving money on gas!

 

Invest in a reusable water bottle.

One of the quickest ways of using less plastic is by avoiding the purchase of bottled water. Plastic bottles release chemicals that are bad for your health, plus not all of them get adequately recycled and only add to the waste that keeps getting collected in our oceans and lands. Use a water filter at home and refill your bottle every day. You will stay hydrated, and feel better by knowing you are not creating more waste. Here are some tips on how to choose a reusable water bottle.

 

Buy from your farmers’ market!

By buying from your local farmers’ market, not only you are supporting local business owners, but you are also helping to reduce your carbon footprint by purchasing vegetables and fruits that are in season and that have not traveled far to get to your city. Most of the food products in farmers’ markets are organic, and it is always fresher than the ones in grocery stores. Going to a farmers’ market is fun! Some of them have arts and crafts by local artists and live music. Don’t forget to bring your reusable bags!

 

Mind your energy usage.

Turn the AC off as you leave home. There’s no use in keeping it on if no one is there! About 11% of our greenhouse gas emissions come from the CO2 generated by buildings’ AC units. It is best to avoid it altogether. To keep your house fresh, you can leave the windows open, or shut down the blinds. If you have electric fans, consider using these instead when you are home. You will lower your energy bills and cut down on pollution!

 

Which of these tips do you already apply to? At Aperto Property Management, we care about the environment and our community. What are some ways in which you participate in the eco-friendly movement in Orange County? Share your tips with us in the comments!

How to Make Friends in Orange County.

Happy friends jumping in an Orange County Beach.

Along with all of our own responsibilities comes a more significant dread: the fact that we might often feel alone. It seems it is hard to make new friends as an adult. While it’s also essential to be able to spend time on our own, we are still social creatures who need to be engaged in our community.

Each person has their own needs, so the amount of socializing you need and want is up to you! If you are new to Orange County and feel like it’s time to meet people and make friends, you have to put yourself out there!

Here are some ways in which you can keep yourself entertained in the company of others:

If you practice sports, adult sports leagues are an option!

There are many local sports leagues that meet on a scheduled basis. It is an excellent way of staying active and social! Take a look at the official website of the City of Irvine. There, you can register for their sports leagues, they have plenty to choose from, such as softball, basketball, soccer, and tennis!

Do you like to read? Join a book club!

Call your local public library to find out if they host a book club. The City of Orange’s library has one that meets monthly, check it out here. Libraries are great resources! Visit them to see if they have a community board that mentions which books are trending and if there are any discussion groups for these. 

If you’d like to learn something new, think about joining a class.

What is a skill that you always dreamed about learning or nurturing? Whether if this is something that you’d like to turn into a hobby or pursue to a larger extent, joining a class will teach you a tip or two while bringing you closer to others who also have similar interests. There are many private lessons for music and other art practices, but also Orange County has a great selection of community colleges, which offer classes with a more structured program. 

Volunteering

The OC Animal Care Center is located in Tustin, and they can definitely use your help! If you love animals, this is your best opportunity to help them while hanging out with cats, dogs, and more. And other people, of course!

Other tips

There’s plenty of ways in which you can surround yourself with other persons who are also new to your area or to meet people who are already locals. An example of meeting locals would be by checking out the community boards at your local coffee shops or asking if they host any events. 

One of the pros of social media is that now you can search for events or other things that are trending according to your location.

Meet Up is also a great source that has gained popularity and gathered plenty of members in the past years.

Again, it all depends on the hobbies that you’re into and the type of activities you’re interested in exploring. There’s always something different for everyone anywhere!

What are some ways in which you’ve unexpectedly made a new friend in the past? If you have any other tips on making friends in a new community, share with #ApertoLiving!

Reasons to live in Orange County.

Laguna Beach, CA

Reasons to live in Orange County.

Is moving to a different place part of your New Year Resolutions? Then consider getting an apartment in any of the many cities and towns in Orange County! Living in this beautiful area of California has all the pros you can think about. You will be close to everything you ever dreamed about. Here are the top reasons why moving in Orange County is probably one of the best decisions you could ever take.

 

The beaches.

We could probably start and end the list right here. The beaches in Orange County are just some of the best in the entire world. They’re clean, many of them have lots of vegetation, and they’re the perfect temperature! If you enjoy surfing or want to learn, waters like the ones in Huntington Beach and Laguna Beach have incredible waves. Make sure going to a beach in Orange County is the first thing you do when you move!

 

Its rich history and culture.

Orange County has a very rich history and there’s always an opportunity to learn something new in the multiple historic downtowns, missions, and old ranches that are open to the public. There are multiple small museums that present international artists’ work, such as the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana. Needless to say, Orange County is very diverse, and you will find the greatest food all around you.

 

The proximity to the best areas to explore.

Yes, Orange County is only a short commute away from Los Angeles, but it is also very close camping sites like Joshua Tree, ports like San Pedro, and even less than two hours away from Mexico! So if you move into any of our apartments in Orange County, get your passport! Because besides driving down to the Baja, there are several airports that will fly you anywhere, like the John Wayne Airport.

 

At Aperto, we have several rental properties across the West Coast, and we offer many apartments in Orange County. Visit our website to browse through them and contact us if you need any more information!

Things to do for New Year’s Eve on Orange County.

Celebrating the New Year in Orange County.

Things to do for New Year’s Eve on Orange County.

 

2020 is only a few days away! And as we are wrapping up the holiday season, we should also be getting ready to receive the New Year! Some of the ways to prepare for the New year include: shopping for new outfits, buying lucky charms, cleaning our homes, and listing out our resolutions… But if you are planning on starting with the primary night, that is New Year’s Eve, here are some spots where you can party into the new decade!

 

Gatsby’s House.

You cannot miss a Roaring Twenties-themed New Year’s eve party! Pasea Hotel and Resort is hosting Gatsby’s House, with rooms full of music by top-rated DJs, a premium open bar, party favors, and a fantastic countdown! Put on your best flapper dress or vintage tuxedo and head over to the party of the century! Buy your tickets here.

 

Winter Fest OC with a Special New Years’ Eve Celebration 2020.

We’ve mentioned it before; you cannot miss Orange County’s very own winter wonderland at Winter Fest! This family-friendly fair has everything from entertainment to characters’ meet and greet, and for New Year’s Eve, they got planned a series of concerts with tribute bands to Taylor Swift, ABBA, and Elton John. Take a look at Winter Fest OC concerts’ schedule and buy your tickets here.

 

Time Nightclub NYE ’20.

If you’re looking for an Orange County party that’s over-the-top in the best way, come ring in the New Year at Time Nightclub. This mega-club brings all the magic of Las Vegas right to the OC, and this year they’re throwing an epic New Year’s Eve blowout. Time Nightclub is in Costa Mesa, and they guarantee you will have the most memorable of all New Year’s parties. Learn more and get your tickets right here and right now!

 

How will you be celebrating New Year in Orange County? Share with #ApertoLiving and visit our website today to learn more about our rental properties in California!

 

Holiday decor safety tips for your apartment.

safety tips for holiday decorating.

Holiday decor safety tips.

 

We all want to have the merriest of holidays, and the last thing in our minds when we are decorating is what could happen if something goes wrong. However, we need to remember that it is crucial to keep our apartments’ decorations out of harm’s way, as it will ensure no accidents happen and everyone has a joyful time. So here are some safety tips for decorating your apartment.

 

Blow off candles when you are not home.

This might sound easier said than done: but ALWAYS blow off your candles if you are leaving. It might be tempting to leave that big beautiful scented candle on since it makes your apartment smell better, but even if it is in a thick glass container, this will not help it from spreading fire if say, tinsel or anything else is to fall on it.

 

Watch out for the electricity.

Sure, you will be spending a few extra bucks on the electric bill this holiday season. To help your neighborhood save energy (and to not overspend), turn off the lights overnight and when you are not home. Also, do not overload the circuits! 

 

Chose the right Christmas tree.

If you are a big fan of the festivities and will be bringing a Christmas tree home, you might be thinking about bringing the biggest one in the lot. However, when you are shopping for your tree,  make sure it is the right fit for your apartment. Also: keep your Christmas Tree away from heat sources such as the fireplace or the heater.

 

Use unbreakable ornaments.

Use unbreakable holiday ornaments, especially if you will be hanging them on the tree. That way, if pets or children get near them, they have fewer chances of getting hurt.

 

Did you decorate your apartment for the holidays? Share with #ApertoLiving! 

 

Celebrating the holidays in Orange County.

Celebrating the holidays in Orange County.

Some of us may think it is a little difficult to get into the holiday spirit in South California due to our sunny weather. But after adding some holiday lights into our palm trees, and thanks to the snowy mountains in San Bernardino, we can easily get that festive feel and get ready to celebrate the holidays in Orange County too! Not to mention that as the weather gets colder, it makes the perfect condition for some ice skating and other fun winter activities in Orange County!

Here are some winter events and holiday activities near your apartments in Orange County:

  1. Winter Fest Orange County.

The ultimate winter festival in Southern California is back! You cannot miss out on this family-friendly holiday festival! Meet with characters, race down the ice tubing slide, and stroll through the illuminated pathways at dusk! Purchase your tickets here!

  1. A Southern California Christmas (Winter Festival).

If you enjoy music and Christmas caroling, then you must attend A Southern California Christmas! With over 150 local musicians, singers, and dancers, your day will be full of holiday joy. This will be this Saturday, at Musco Center for the Arts, not too far from our headquarters! Learn more here.

  1. Riverside Festival of Lights.

Visit this alluring winter wonderland at the Mission Inn Hotel and Spa in Riverside! With plenty to see from entertainment, an artisan collective market, and horse carriages, this bright spot should be on your list of to do’s and to visit this holidays in Orange County! View the festival hours and their calendar on this website.

There are so many options for holiday events in Orange County. How will you be celebrating the holidays in Southern California? Share with Aperto and contact us to learn more about our property rental management company and our career opportunities. Visit our website, or call us today!