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Moving into a new setting can be stressful, particularly if you don’t know anyone. Flagstaff is known for some beautiful weather, so why not use that to your advantage to make some delicious food and new friends at the same time? Many apartments in Flagstaff are designed to have gorgeous, functional outdoor space to really take in the beauty of the area with friends and family. If you want to make use of communal spaces this year to turn some neighbors into friends, we’ve put together a list of essentials that will make introductions a snap.
Patio Party Essentials
Throwing together a quick backyard barbecue is about more than just being open to neighbors dropping by—you want to make your event inviting, fun, and interesting.
Make sure you have more than enough food.
You never know if your neighbors will stop by, and if they do, who they might have with them. Load up on cheap, simple foods for the grill that most people will find appealing:
- Hot dogs
- Burgers
- Bratwurst
- Sandwich-cut rib-eyes
- Chips
- Desserts
You don’t need to make fancy foods—just something to munch on while mingling is all it takes, and you don’t want to break the bank, either. Even with buns and condiments, you can feed quite a few people with just some of the foods listed above and have plenty left over (or in case your neighbors have all their loved ones in town for some reason).
Music
Most community spaces in apartment complexes have accessible outlets, so have some great music going at a reasonable volume. Top 40 is always a good choice, as there’s almost always something for everyone playing. It also gives the impression that your gathering is open.
Friends
The best way to draw people in is to have some people already having fun. Invite a few of your good friends to break the ice and make mingling easier.
Food makes friends.
If you want to make the best impression in an inviting community setting, our University Square apartments in Flagstaff have a sprawling, beautiful courtyard at your disposal. If the comfortable, inviting landscaping and grills make you want to plan your own patio party, you can see what spaces University Square has available right now.
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One of the guaranteed projects any student will face in college is a group project. Group projects can potentially be completed solely through calls, emails, and texts, but this is not recommended. Some of the challenges that come with group projects are finding a location that is close to everyone, aligning schedules, and getting each part of the project completed on time. While we can’t help with much, we can give you some of the best tips that you can use to turn one of our Flagstaff apartments into the perfect place for working on your group project.
Clean up your apartment
Whether you select one of our studio, one-, or two-bedroom Flagstaff apartments, you must keep it clean in order to house your entire group. If you have junk on the floor or items sitting on the couch, you limit the amount of space you have to fit everyone. You also give the eye a place to wander to while everyone should be working. A messy apartment is a big distraction.
Provide ample seating and surface area
Group projects typically involve long work sessions, so you don’t want to have anyone standing the whole time. Utilize your couch, dining room seats, desk chairs, floor pillows, and any other seating options you have available. Also, try to provide as much surface area as possible, so everyone can set down their laptops, notebooks and anything else that is required to efficiently work on the project.
Make sure you have surge protectors
Laptop batteries can last for some time, but it’s possible they may die. Have a surge protector or two on hand, so everyone can charge their laptops, if necessary. You don’t want a group member to avoid working simply because their laptop isn’t charged.
Your friendly off-campus housing community
Our community has the perfect apartments in Flagstaff for students who regularly work on group projects at home. We have some of the best amenities available, and we’re pet friendly! Contact our front desk today to see what floor plans we have available.
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If you enjoy entertaining in your Flagstaff apartments but don’t want to have a formal sit-down meal, a tapas bar is the perfect solution. The concept of tapas comes from the Spanish town of Seville. Tapas are commonly served in the bars of Seville to help sustain the revelers. Traditionally, tapas are served to guests standing and are a “help yourself” kind of meal. The dishes are quite varied, but they are always offered in small portions.
How to Make the Tapas Bar
A great place to serve your tapas is your kitchen counter in your apartment in Flagstaff. There’s lots of counter space, so you’ll be able to spread out the dishes so that each guest is able to reach whatever they want. The first thing you’ll want to do is plan your menu. Tapas bars can be made from any food, as long as it can be served in a small dish or bowl. Typical tapas food can include things like:
- olives
- almonds
- cheese
- crackers
- toast corners
- fruit
You aren’t limited to any one particular menu, so let your imagination carry the day.
Choosing Serving Dishes
The serving dishes should be plentiful, but small. The largest dish should be about the size of a saucer. Be sure to provide enough toothpicks so that guests don’t have to use their fingers. If you want, you can invest in some of those tiny appetizer forks they sell at party stores, too.
Setting the Tone
To ensure your guests get the complete tapas experience, play some Spanish music in the background at a low level. The mood should be lively, but not so heavy that the music dominates the environment. Your guests should be able to converse without having to shout. If you want to serve alcohol at your tapas bar, there are some nice Spanish wines you can choose from at your local grocery or wine store.
The best thing about a tapas bar is that you and your guests can either treat it like an appetizer and go out to dinner later, or you can make it the main meal. It all depends on how many tapas you opt to serve. For more great ideas about your Flagstaff, AZ apartments or to see available models, please contact us today.
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Summer makes you feel lazy and not much in the mood to fire up the oven. Still, residents of University Square in Flagstaff, AZ still need something to serve when they have a few friends over. Try throwing together one of these great summer recipes designed with the idea of beating the desert heat!
BLT Sliders
Turn this classic sandwich into a fun party treat. Fry up a pan of your favorite bacon – turkey or pork, it doesn’t matter! Next, stack your sandwiches with your meat of choice along with lettuce and tomatoes on toasted white or wheat bread.
Slice them into fours and serve them up on a platter to your guests. Leave their favorite condiments off to the side so guests can finish them off how they wish!
Easy Shrimp Tacos
Just pull together these ingredients for something tasty that guests can serve themselves.
Shrimp Taco Ingredients
- Fresh or frozen shrimp
- ½ cup freshly chopped onions
- ½ cup sliced red bell peppers
- A pinch of sea salt
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Ground black pepper
- A pack of corn tortillas
Saute your onions and bell peppers in a pan with some olive oil. Toss the shrimp in a bowl along with your salt and ground pepper. Cook them in a separate pan until pink and fully cooked.
Spread some corn tortillas out on a baking sheet in an oven set on broil until warm. Place everything out for your guests along with sides like avocado or other fresh vegetables.
Melon Mix Fruit Salad
Serve your guest something cool for dessert by slicing up different melons like cantaloupe, watermelon and honeydew into a large bowl. Add some grapes and strawberries for extra flavor.
We want community members of our University Square apartments in Flagstaff, AZ to keep as cool as possible this summer. If you want more information on our available floor plans, call our office at (844) 795-6793.
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Everyone's super busy during the holiday season, so plan the date and time of your get together well in advance. Decide who you will invite. Will your guests be family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, or a mix of all of the above? Consider how much space you have and what type of atmosphere you're striving to create when determining who to invite. Send out invitations or simply invite people via phone or email.
The Food Feast
Of course, the centerpiece of your holiday dinner gathering is the food. As much time as possible before the event, decide what you will serve. Include main dishes like turkey, beef, and/or fish. Also add to the menu, side dishes like rice, potatoes, vegetables and fruit. Don't forget desserts like pies, cakes and cookies. Find out ahead of time whether any of your guests have special dietary requirements such as gluten- or dairy-free or vegetarian. Serve food that will meet everyone's dietary needs. Consider having a potluck-style get together by inviting guests to bring side dishes to share.
Ambiance and Mood
Decide what type of tone and style you want to set, whether that's low-key or a bit more upbeat. You can plan decorations and background music based on that. Make sure you have plenty of serving dishes, silverware, plates and glasses for everyone who will attend your holiday dinner.
You'll need a place to call home as the spot for your holiday dinner. If you're looking for apartments in Flagstaff that are ideal for hosting special get togethers, call our office today to see which floor plans are still available.
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