apartmentdecor

September 23 2020

How to Celebrate Halloween at Home This Year

Jenny Yarborough Uncategorized apartmentdecor, apartmentliving, camping, candy, candycorn, costume, evolve, evolvecompanies, evolvecos, evolvethewayyoulive, fall, halloween, local, lovewhereyoulive, luxuryapartments, luxuryliving, modernliving, ncapartmenthomes, northcarolina, propertymanagement, southcarolina, tennessee, thewayyoulive, trick-or-treating

Ready to celebrate Halloween at home this year?

Halloween might look a little different this year, but that doesn’t mean it won’t still be a spooktacular time. At Evolve, we know how important it is for our communities to stay safe. Even though trick-or-treating and big parties are off the table for 2020, there are still so many ways to enjoy the holiday at home with a small group of friends. Check out these 5 ways to celebrate Halloween at home this year.

Keep things creepy with

Bloody Mary syringes

Halloween is the perfect time of year to get creative with cocktails–especially when you’re celebrating at home! These Bloody Mary syringes from Delish are some our favorites. Feel free to leave out the vodka for a kid-friendly option!

Ingredients:
2 cups tomato juice
8 oz. vodka
2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp. horseradish
2 tsp. hot sauce
Juice of ½ a lemon
Freshly ground black pepper

Directions:
In a large bowl, combine the tomato juice, vodka, Worcestershire, horseradish, hot sauce, lemon juice, and pepper. Whisk to combine. Fill your food-safe syringes with mixture and chill. Serve cold for all your vampire friends!

Make your own

Jack-o’-lanterns

painted pumpkins celebrate halloween at home evolve blog

You’re truly never too old to carve pumpkins! Making your own Jack-o’-lanterns is one of the most festive activities you can do for Halloween. Lay down a bunch of old newspaper, get your design ready, and don’t be afraid to get a little messy! One of the best things about carving pumpkins is that you can roast all of the pumpkin seeds and have something to snack on for days to come!

If carving pumpkins feels a little too daunting, or you’ve got kids around who may not be ready to use a knife, painting your pumpkins is such a fun alternative. You can get even more creative with your design without having to worry about the mess of pumpkin guts!

Host your own

scary movie marathon

We all love a good scary movie this time of year, so there’s no better time to binge than right now. Invite your closest friends over, order some pizza and grab your favorite spooky snacks! Some of our go-to classics are Beetlejuice, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Hocus Pocus.

If you’re looking for even more frightening films, Sleepy Hollow and Halloween are some especially creepy classics.

Create a campsite

in your living room

tent flashlight indoor camping halloween evolve blog

Who didn’t love to build forts as a kid? Move your furniture aside and get ready to bring the outdoors in! We love the idea of setting up a full-sized tent in your living room. Invite your closest friends over and load the tent up with cozy blankets and pillows. Now is the perfect time to grab popcorn, candy corn, and any other tricks or treats you can!

Your indoor campsite is the best seat in the house for that scary movie marathon. But if you want your camping trip to be really authentic, turn off the TV and lights, grab some flashlights, and prepare to tell the most ghoulish ghost story you know!

Have a creepy costume contest

people with sugar skull face paint celebrating halloween evolve blog

Just because people likely won’t be out trick-or-treating this year doesn’t mean you can’t get creative with costumes! Your crew might make their costumes at home and wear them over to be judged (by an unbiased individual of course!).

Or you can have each friend bring over a couple of different things from around the house—old sheets or blankets, face paint or costume makeup, glitter, cardstock, or even old cardboard boxes from packages that might be lying around. Spread the materials out and have everyone grab what they want to make their costumes on the spot! Who can create the most terrifying ghoul, goblin or clown?!

Want to see how Evolve communities celebrated Halloween at home last year?

Check out what 808 West, Mountain View Apartments, and Summit at Cullowhee did to get festive!

How are you celebrating?

Try out these fun and festive ideas, and let us know if you come up with any of your own creepy creations!

Don’t forfeit the fun! Celebrate Halloween at home this year

We know how important it is to stay safe during this time, but you don’t have to forfeit the fun! There are so many great ways to celebrate Halloween at home this year with your close friends and family. Be sure to tag us on IG with photos of how you’re celebrating this spooky season so we can see how you #evolvethewayyoulive!

evolve blog simplify for spring apartment living room

September 1 2020

Refresh Your Space This Fall Season

Jenny Yarborough Uncategorized apartmentdecor, apartmentliving, design, evolve, evolvecompanies, evolvecos, evolvethewayyoulive, fall, fallcleaning, houseplants, local, lovewhereyoulive, luxuryapartments, luxuryliving, modernliving, ncapartmenthomes, northcarolina, plants, propertymanagement, seasonaldesign, southcarolina, tennessee, thewayyoulive

Need an apartment reset? Refresh your space this season!

One of the most important things we’ve learned over the last several months at Evolve Companies is how crucial it is to love where you live. With cancelled trips, closed amenities, and more time than ever spent in your own space, now is the best opportunity to really make your apartment a home. Check out these ideas to refresh your space this season and get ready for fall!

Spend time fall cleaning

(that’s a thing, right?!)

evolve blog refresh your space fall cleaning kitchen island

We know that more time at home doesn’t necessarily mean more free time, but it might offer a little bit more of a chance to organize your space. Clear out any clutter you might have accumulated over the last 6 months of #quarantinelife. Choose a rainy weekend you don’t want to spend outdoors to go full-on Marie Kondo.

Pull everything out of your closet and create a pile of your unworn clothes to donate—and be honest with yourself about what you wear! Another great space to focus on is your kitchen. Get ruthless with your kitchen drawers! What can you toss out? Be sure to clear your countertops of anything you don’t use regularly as well!

Since many of us are working from home now as well, makeshift workspaces like kitchen islands or coffee tables can get a little crowded. Whether you have a designated office with a desk or you’re working from your couch, take some time to declutter and organize.

A clear space often means a clear head. Keep things simple as you refresh your space this upcoming season!

girl working from laptop on couch evolve blog

Make simple design shifts

that fit with the season.

refresh your space evolve blog girl arranging throw pillows

Some of our favorite elements of Evolve apartment homes are the bright, open floorplans, granite countertops and modern features. This means that no matter your style, you’ll always have a solid foundation to build your design!

Simple seasonal shifts like new throw pillows and blankets are such easy ways to refresh your space for the fall season. Consider incorporating warm colors like brown, orange and yellow into your space.

Try a new centerpiece for your island, like seasonal fruit or an arrangement of plant clippings and twigs. Fresh-cut autumn flowers are a great way to invite a feeling of warmth into your home! Another idea we love is to add a new stack of books to your coffee table—bindings with warm, earth tones, or books with subjects that tie into the fall season.

Grow your own pumpkin patch

(…but not literally.)

evolve refresh your space pumpkin centerpiece

Apart from the cool, crisp autumn air, what’s your favorite thing about the fall? We’d venture to guess it has something to do with pumpkins! But using pumpkins as décor doesn’t have to stop at simply carving one to place beside your front door.

We love the idea of using smaller pumpkins throughout your apartment to create a consistently cozy atmosphere. They work great paired with pinecones and small pine branches as a stunning fall centerpiece for your kitchen island or dining table.

You can also set them around other potted plants you have in your home. Windowsills, bookshelves and side tables are just a few of our favorite pumpkin spots—but the possibilities are truly endless! Check out this beautiful bookshelf inspiration below from Making Manzanita.

evolve blog refresh your space pumpkins on bookshelf

Treat yourself to new houseplants

that don’t need much sunlight.

evolve blog refresh your space girl with baby houseplant

As we (slowly) say goodbye to summer, treating yourself to some low-light houseplants is a must for the new season! There are so many beautiful options that require far less light than what we typically see in the summer.

Snake plants

These unique plants are such a stunning way to add some height to a blank space. Do you have an unused corner you’re not sure what to do with? Or a bookshelf looking for the perfect partner to sit next to it? Not to mention they require very little effort! Low light and allowing their soil to dry between watering will give them space to thrive!

evolve refresh your space fall houseplants

Ferns

With so many different types of ferns, you’re sure to find the perfect plant for your space. We love ferns in hanging planters, but they also work great as a centerpiece for your dining table!

evolve blog refresh your space houseplant

Pothos

These beauties thrive in low light, but they can also handle bright, indirect light. They like their soil to dry out well between watering, which means they’re incredibly low maintenance. These are perfect for hanging planters or a bookshelf where their vines have space to trail down.

Consider the power of smell

for evoking your favorite fall memories.

evolve blog apple pie with cinnamon sticks on table

The sense of smell can be so powerful for suddenly sparking your mind to bring you back to a particular place in your memory. Refresh your space for the fall season by incorporating some of your favorite seasonal smells into your home to create that cozy vibe we all know and love!

The fall season means everything pumpkin spice, cinnamon and pinecone. Some of our go-to ideas are to (safely) light your favorite autumn candle, diffuse fall-scented essential oils, and bake your Grandma’s famous cinnamon apple pie.

You can also create a deliciously scented simmer pot by adding orange peels and cinnamon sticks to a saucepan of water. Bring the water to a boil and then turn the heat down to simmer for 20 minutes or so. Continue to add more water as needed!

How are you refreshing your space this season?

Give these ideas a try and let us know if you’ve thought of your own great ways to refresh your space this season. We’d love to hear what you’re up to!

Give yourself an apartment reset and refresh your home for the fall

We know how important it is to love where you live, especially when you spend so much time there! Be sure to tag us on IG with your favorite ways to refresh your apartment this season so we can see how you #evolvethewayyoulive!

January 14 2020

Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas for Your Favorite Interior Design Lover

Jenny Yarborough Uncategorized 2020, apartmentdecor, apartmentliving, be mine, decor, decorationideas, decorations, diy, events, evolve, evolvecompanies, evolvecos, evolvethewayyoulive, gift ideas, gifts, gifts for her, gifts for him, interior, interiordesign, interiors, lovewhereyoulive, luxuryapartments, luxuryliving, modernliving, ncapartmenthomes, propertymanagement, realestate, residentevent, residentevents, thewayyoulive, valentine, valentinesday

5 Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas for Your Special Someone

The holiday of love is just around the corner, and that means it’s time to start thinking about Valentine’s Day gift ideas for your special someone. At Evolve, we’re all about asking how you can evolve the way you live, and what better way than by helping your favorite interior design lover make their apartment feel like home?!

Even if you aren’t too design savvy yourself, it doesn’t mean you won’t find the perfect addition for your special someone’s secret oasis. The thought behind the gift is what matters most, and with these easy ideas they’re sure to be yours this year. Check out these 5 Valentine’s Day gift ideas that your partner-in-crime will obsess over.

Art for a Pup-Parent

valentine's day gift ideas girl with dog in front of animal art evolve companies

When your Valentine loves décor almost as much as they love their fur-child, there’s an easy answer for what to gift them. People love their pets, and they love them even more when they’re up on the wall for everyone to see! Ask local artists how much they would charge for a portrait of their pup (or cat—we can’t leave them out!) and go from there. Whether it’s realistic or abstract like this piece at Mountain View is up to you.

Do you have a photographer friend? You can also ask them to photograph the pupper and blow it up for a life size print! When your special someone gets their animal in the form of art, you can’t go wrong.

Funky Fixtures

valentine's day gift ideas funky light fixture at evolve companies

As much as we love funky fixtures at Evolve communities, they can definitely be a less obvious gift choice. But even interior design lovers can overlook the impact that fresh new lighting can create in their apartment. If your Valentine’s apartment is super simple or a little on the outdated side, fun and funky fixtures can help spruce things up in a big way. If their community doesn’t allow residents to switch up lighting, opt for a unique reading lamp to help keep things cozy.

Green Thumb Goodies

valentine's day gift ideas girl reading next to houseplant evolve companies

Is your Valentine a crazy plant man or lady? Houseplants are the perfect way to bring some life into any home. Even if your person doesn’t have the biggest green thumb, there are tons of houseplants that are a piece of cake to take care of! Some of our favorites are:

– Snake plants
– Golden pothos
– Prayer plants
– Philodendron
– Money trees

Not only do plants add a whole other layer of dimension to décor, but they’re amazing sources of oxygen for your space. These green goodies can help promote a sense of peace and calm, as well as clean the air and assist in breathing! Best gift ever, right?!

Jump-for-Joy Throw Pillows

valentine's day gift ideas girl jumping on couch with throw pillows evolve companies

I mean really, who doesn’t love a good set of throw pillows?! Any interior design lover will be thrilled at the thought of adding more pillows to their apartment. If you’ve got a good feel for your Valentine’s style and what will go great in their home, then you’re on the right track. Do they love soft and subtle or bright and funky like these at 811 East Downtown? Look at what they’ve already got and go from there. The great thing about pillows is that they create the perfect opportunity to mix things up with the seasons without having to completely redecorate. That way, things can stay fresh all year long!

The Perfect Reading Nook Chair

valentine's day gift ideas girl reading in chair evolve companies

If your special someone loves nothing more than curling up with a blanket and getting cozy with a good book, consider helping them revamp their reading nook. Pop by their favorite furniture store or look online to find the perfect piece. If there’s something they’ve been eyeing, now is your chance to surprise them with exactly what they want. They’ll be completely unsuspecting of the perfect reading nook chair!

valentine's day gift ideas people dancing and kissing in living room evolve companies

What gift ideas do you have for your favorite interior design lover?

Ultimately, it really is the thought that counts! Celebrate the holiday of love with a meaningful gift that will show your Valentine how much you care.

Want to see how Evolve communities are celebrating? Check it out below!

811 East Downtown

will be your Valentine! DO-NUT worry if you don’t have your own – 811 East has got you covered! Swing by their office on February 14^th for a sweet treat.

They’re also doing an amazing Valentine’s Day move-in special, so if you haven’t already locked in your space at 811 East, now is your chance! Move in by February 14th and receive $500 off move-in money!

Mountain View

is keeping things sweet this Valentine’s Day with a candy buffet. Residents can get a little bit of everything when they fill up a bag of delicious treats! Be sure to stop by for your favorite goodies.

Wishing You All a Happy Valentine’s Day!

If you give your special someone any of these Valentine’s Day gift ideas, be sure to snap a photo and tag us on IG. We’d love to see how you and your boo are evolving the way you live!

December 27 2019

New Year, New Workout: 8 Fitness Tips to Keep You Motivated in 2020

Jenny Yarborough Uncategorized 2020, apartmentdecor, apartmentliving, december, decor, decorationideas, decorations, diy, events, evolve, evolvecompanies, evolvecos, evolvethewayyoulive, lovewhereyoulive, luxuryapartments, luxuryliving, modernliving, ncapartmenthomes, newyear, newyears, newyearseve, nye, nyeparty, party, propertymanagement, realestate, residentevent, residentevents, thewayyoulive

Get Motivated to Stay Active with These 8 Fitness Tips

The New Year is upon us, and that means it’s time for new workout ideas! One of the best ways to stay motivated to work out in the New Year is to keep your fitness routine fun and exciting. At Evolve, each community has its own top-notch fitness center that will make you want to work out in 2020. Ready to hit the ground running this New Year and evolve the way you live? Check out these 8 fitness tips to keep you motivated to crush your goals in 2020.

It’s a Stretch

Girl stretching in fitness center during workout at Evolve

Make sure to start and finish your workout with several minutes of stretching. Stretching your muscles and lubricating your joints before you hit the gym can help prevent tears and strains while you work out. Plus, getting your muscles and joints ready can actually help you get more out of your workout!

Run for Your Life

friends high-fiving on treadmills while they run and work out at evolve

Evolve communities like 1701 North are equipped with treadmills so that even on the coldest, rainiest days, you can still get your heart rate up! Running for a few minutes before you start working out allows your muscles a chance to get warm. Getting blood flow to your muscles can help prevent injury during your workout.

Bonus tip: grab a buddy to keep you accountable and help you stay even more motivated while you move!

Swing, Swing, Swing

girl swinging kettlebell at evolve community new workout

Kettlebells are such a great piece of equipment because the possibilities are essentially endless. From kettlebell swings and bent-over rows to squats and lunges, you can really get a full-body workout with just a kettlebell or two. We love this article for kettlebell exercises that are perfect for anyone!

Let the Battle Begin

girl with battle ropes at evolve community new workout

Battle ropes are the perfect way to spice up your routine and get a full-body workout at the same time. Not only are battle ropes great for arm strength, but they also incorporate tons of core. You can also add in squats or lunges while you’re using the ropes to fire up your legs at the same time!

Let Free (Weights) Ring

guy using dumbbells in evolve fitness center new workout

Free weights are incredibly diverse, so they’re perfect if you’re looking for a simple way to strengthen your entire body. Use dumbbells for bicep curls, push presses or during squats to get great results. Evolve communities like 811 East Downtown are fully loaded with a wide range of free weights, so you’ll always have just what you need!

Kickstart Your Workout

girl kickboxing at evolve fitness center new workout

Kick your workout into high gear with a kickboxing routine that will leave you feeling energized and ready to take on the world! There’s no better way to get excited about working out than by doing something that’s fun! Kickboxing is fantastic for cardio, strength, and balance. If you’re looking for some beginner moves, check out this Livestrong article to get the basics!

Take it Outside

girl working out outside at evolve community new workout

If you’re tired of being stuck indoors during the winter, try taking it outside. It doesn’t have to be a warm summer day for you to enjoy the fresh air. Switching up your workout spot helps keep things interesting and helps you stay motivated to keep going!

Finish Strong (but Not Hard)

girl meditating at evolve community new workout

If you want to finish your workout strong, be gentle with yourself. Don’t skimp out on the cooldown. When you rob yourself of those final few minutes to slow down, stretch, and reconnect with your breath, you don’t give your body the space it needs to restore.

Practicing yoga gently—even if only for 10 minutes—at the end of your workout can help slow your heart rate and prevent soreness.

Closing your eyes to meditate for a few minutes is another great way to come back to your breath and ease your heart rate before heading out to tackle the rest of your day!

girl doing yoga in evolve fitness center

What new workouts are you bringing into 2020?

Start your New Year off strong with new workouts to match! Be sure to check out all the awesome equipment the fitness centers at Evolve communities have to offer.

Wishing You All a Happy New Year!

If you try out any of these workout tips and ideas to stay motivated in 2020, let us know! There’s nothing wrong with a gym selfie or two! Tag us so we can see how you’re evolving the way you live this year.

December 12 2019

Top 5 New Year’s Eve Party Decorations

Celebrate the New Year with These Top 5 New Year’s Eve Party Decorations

Can you believe we’re in the final month of the decade?! With 2019 coming to a close, there’s no better way to ring in the new year than with a party for all of your close friends. We’re all about evolving the way you live at Evolve communities, and now is the perfect time to come together and celebrate that evolution! Check out these top 5 New Year’s Eve party decoration ideas for the celebration of the decade!

Garlands Galore

Don’t be afraid to get a little crazy with the garland when you’re considering your NYE party decorations. The more glitter and gold on New Year’s Eve, the better! We love this mixture of textures and styles from OhSoFancyParty on Etsy. Garlands like tassels, stars, and fringe are all fun options to play around with!

New Year’s Resolutions Board

7 nye party decoration ideas resolutions chalkboard

How do you plan on evolving into the new year? One of our favorite things about New Year’s Eve is taking the time to set intentions for the year ahead! This chalkboard + New Year Resolutions lettering combo create the perfect focal point for your party. This decoration idea is such a great way for your guests to get interactive and intentional at your New Year’s Eve party!

Confetti Dipped Balloons

We love this super simple DIY project from Studio DIY. Grab a big bag of balloons from your local party store, gold foil confetti (so your balloons don’t pop), Mod Podge or decoupage glue, and a paint brush or foam brush. If you’re using helium to fill your balloons, be sure not to overdo it on the confetti so they still float.

Use a thin, even layer of glue around the bottom of your balloon and start dipping or sprinkling on your confetti. Make sure you have something underneath your balloons to catch the extra confetti so that you can still use it!

Bubbly Bar

Ringing in the new year just isn’t the same without a champagne (or sparkling grape juice) toast! We love the idea of turning a bar cart or counterspace into a bubbly bar. Keep your favorite champagnes or non-alcoholic options chilled for your guests. Orange juice and cranberry juice are delicious additions to any champagne as well. You can even set out bowls of berries for guests to add to their drinks.

Photo Booth Fun

7 nye party decoration ideas balloon backdrop

One of our favorite decoration ideas for the perfect New Year’s Eve party is to create a stunning photo booth backdrop! The beauty of this idea is that it can be as elaborate or as simple as you want it to be. We’re all about incorporating helium balloons on strings of different lengths to create some depth. We also love any kind of garland, gold tassels, or fringe! This is the perfect opportunity for you to have fun and get creative.

Happy holiday season!

How are you celebrating?

This month is jam-packed with holidays, and we couldn’t be more excited about it! Check out all the ways these Evolve communities are celebrating the season.

808 West

offered lots of delicious snacks and hot apple cider during finals week for their residents. Because they’re a student property many of their residents will be away until January, but that didn’t stop them from getting festive!

Evolve at Stones Bay

has a hot cocoa bar and gift wrapping station set up for their residents. Head to the clubhouse to make wrapping gifts a little more fun this year with a mug of hot chocolate to keep you cozy!

Stones Bay is also doing a toy drive for Toys for Tots this year. We’d love it if you could bring any toys you’d like to donate down to the clubhouse.

811 East Downtown

is baking fresh cookies for the office daily and is also offering free Christmas present wrapping!

Mountain View

also has a gift wrapping station set up for their residents, complete with festive wrapping paper, tissue paper, bows, tape, and more!

They had milk and cookies with Santa earlier this month as well, and Santa read the Night Before Christmas to everyone who joined!

Wishing You Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!

Are you ready to throw the best NYE celebration to ring in 2020? Remember these top 5 decoration ideas when you plan your New Year’s Eve party this year!

If you do try out any of these fun decoration ideas, post pictures on your IG! Be sure to tag us in them so we can see how you’re evolving in the new year!

October 20 2019

Top 6 Ideas for Hosting the Best Friendsgiving Party

Jenny Yarborough Uncategorized apartmentdecor, apartmentliving, decor, decorations, diy, events, evolve, evolvecompanies, evolvecos, evolvethewayyoulive, friendsgiving, lovewhereyoulive, luxuryapartments, luxuryliving, modernliving, ncapartmenthomes, party, propertymanagement, realestate, residentevent, residentevents, thanksgiving, thewayyoulive

Ideas for Hosting the Best Friendsgiving Party

Thanksgiving is just around the corner! If you don’t live near family, Thanksgiving is the best time to invest more in your apartment or community. At Evolve, we’re all about evolving the way we live, play, eat, and drink. What better way to get to know your neighbors than to treat your community like family? Check out these top 6 ideas for hosting the best Friendsgiving party.

Get Festive with Food and Drinks

Any good party always revolves around food—especially at Thanksgiving. Potluck-style is a really fun and easy way for all of your guests to come together and create the best holiday gathering you can imagine. Choose a few dishes to make yourself, and let your guests bring the rest. This is a great time to create text chain or Facebook group so everyone knows what to bring! Remember that hosting the best Friendsgiving party starts with food!

Cauliflower en Croute

We love this Cauliflower en Croute recipe from Real Simple. If you’re looking for an easy and delicious vegetarian-friendly option, this is the way to go. Underneath a crispy, golden brown puff pastry is an entire head of cauliflower for you to dip in vegetarian gravy! It’s simple to make, and it can be done ahead of time to make your morning even smoother.

Apple Cider Sangria

When the holiday season is in full swing, there’s nothing like the perfect festive cocktail to warm you up. Grab your favorite fall fruits, brandy, cider, apple whiskey, and sparkling white wine to create Apple Cider Sangria that will keep your guests coming back for more! Check out this recipe from Recipe Girl for the details.

Play Games in Your Apartment or at Your Community

If you want to host the best Friendsgiving party, bring everyone together with festive games and activities! Whether you’re hosting Friendsgiving in your apartment or you’re getting together with neighbors in the clubhouse of your Evolve community, one of the best ways to bond is to simply let loose!

Cookie Decorating Contest

A little friendly competition never hurt anyone! Bake a bunch of cookies before your guests arrive so they’re ready to go for the contest. Set up a table with edible goodies like sprinkles and different colored icing, and let your guests get creative. Deem a few friends as judges to choose their favorites when all the cookies are complete!

Gratitude Board

You can find a decent sized chalkboard online that’s perfect to use as a Gratitude Board. Have your guests write down something they’re grateful for when they arrive. If you can’t find a chalkboard, you can use brown paper as a tablecloth and have your guests write on it with permanent markers. Take a photo of the board or paper at the end of the day and send it to each person so they’ll always remember what they’re thankful for!

FALL in Love with Your Décor

Get into the holiday spirit by falling in love with your cozy autumn décor. One of our favorite ideas for hosting the best Friendsgiving party is to spruce up your décor. It doesn’t take much more than bringing hints of nature indoors. From centerpieces to placeholders, there are so many ways you can get creative with your decorations.

Thanksgiving Centerpiece

Depending on the theme of your party and decorations, you can really get creative with this centerpiece and make it your own! Start with some fabric from your local craft store to use as the base for your centerpiece. You might add in some fall flowers or wheat—simply laying them across the table looks really great. Add in pinecones, orange and yellow leaves or a few small pumpkins. It’s helpful to serve your feast buffet-style in the kitchen.

Succulent Pumpkin Placeholders

These Succulent Pumpkin Place Cards by Giggles Galore are the perfect place settings and will bring your guests joy for years to come! Grab one tiny succulent from your local garden store for each guest, as well as one tiny pumpkin to pair with it. You’ll want to transfer your succulents into little terra cotta pots, but first outline the widest part of your terra cotta pot on the top of your pumpkin. Use a sharp knife to carve almost to the bottom (but not quite!). Dig out all of the seeds, extend the life of your pumpkins by giving them a bleach bath. Add in some natural moss and place your succulents inside the pumpkins. Top them off with a little extra moss and planter stakes with your guests’ names, and you’re ready for Friendsgiving!

What are you thankful for?

We’re thankful for YOU!

Check out the events these Evolve communities have planned to show you how thankful they are for you!

811 East Downtown

is hosting their 5th Annual Chili Cook Off on November 15th. Do you think your chili is so good it can’t be beat? Let your cozy creation speak for itself!

The Summit at Cullowhee

is inviting their residents to Eat, Drink and Be Stuffed with them the Thursday before Thanksgiving! The feast starts at 1pm on November 21st and it’s one you won’t want to miss!

1701 North

is hosting a Grab ‘n Go Breakfast on November 13th. The only thing better than complimentary coffee is complimentary breakfast! Be sure to stop by the clubhouse to before work or class for the most important meal of the day!

Mountain View

is hosting their own Resident Potluck this season! They’ll be providing some of the basics, but are asking that residents bring their own signature dish as well. And even more fun – residents will bring the recipe for their dish so that the Mountain View team can create a Community Cookbook to share with everyone!

Wishing You a Happy Friendsgiving!

Keep these 6 ideas in mind for hosting the best Friendsgiving party. We know your friends and neighbors will love you for it!

If you try out any of these ideas for hosting the best Friendsgiving party, be sure to post pictures to your IG and tag us so that we can see how you’re celebrating this season!

September 24 2019

Top 5 DIY Halloween Decorations for Your Apartment

Jenny Yarborough Uncategorized apartmentdecor, apartmentliving, decorations, diy, events, evolve, evolvecompanies, evolvecos, evolvethewayyoulive, evolvetimbercreek, garner, halloween, lovewhereyoulive, luxuryapartments, luxuryliving, modernliving, ncapartmenthomes, poolparty, propertymanagement, realestate, residentevent, residentevents, thewayyoulive

Make Your Apartment Spooktacular with DIY Halloween Decorations

Whether you’re dressing up as a ghoulish ghost, a vicious vampire, or a silver sequin disco ball, Halloween is the perfect time to get festive. It’s just around the corner and we’re ready to see some spooktacular décor at Evolve communities this season! Add a little life (or death) to your apartment this Halloween with super easy and fun DIY decorations. Check out 5 of the ideas we love most!

Spooky Spider Web Wreaths

are sure to add a little fright to your front door.

evolve-companies-diy-halloween-blog-spider-web-wreath

This is such an easy and fun project to do at home! Choose a bare wreath that works with your style, and grab faux cobwebs or spiderwebs from any craft store to wrap around your base. Add some fake spiders for a little extra spook or simply wander the aisles of your local craft store to find the perfect haunting accessories for your home!

Laboratory Specimen Jars

are the perfect way to give your goodies a hint of ghoul.

If you’re having people over for a Halloween feast, think about what you’ll be serving up. Grab some wide mouth mason jars and throw in anything from hot soups to exotic fruits like jackfruit resembling brain tissue for dessert.

Spook up your entire table setting by switching out your current dressing jar or gravy dish for an aged, antique option.

Steaming Swampy Punch

will leave you feeling like a creature lurking in the lagoon.

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Everyone loves the misty punch effect during Halloween. Luckily, the only scary thing about it is the way it looks – it’s super simple to create. Get two large bowls – one slightly smaller than the other so that it fits inside. Using gloves or tongs, carefully place dry ice in the larger bowl. Fill your smaller bowl with your favorite Halloween punch. When you’re ready for the fog to flow, pour a little warm water in the larger bowl.

Keep Out Door

will have your guests running for their lives!

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When you don’t have a huge front yard to decorate, using your door is the perfect way to show off your skills and your personality! There are so many creative ways to decorate your front door, but we love this KEEP OUT idea. Cut cardboard into planks to mimic wood, and add in any other touches that you’d like – eyeballs peeping through the planks, cobwebs, caution tape, and so much more.

Ghoulish Cheesecloth Ghosts

to spook away unwanted guests!

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These cheesecloth ghosts are the perfect way to add some fright to your fun! You’ll need cheesecloth, glue or liquid starch, and something to mold the cheesecloth over. Depending on the shape you want your ghosts to take on, you can use balloons or water bottles with lightbulbs resting in the top.

Cut your cheesecloth into smaller pieces, unfold it completely and douse it in your glue or liquid starch. Ring it out enough so that it isn’t dripping but it’s still wet, shape it over your base in layers, and let it sit overnight so that it’s completely hardened. If you let your cheesecloth pool at the bottom of your base, it will be able to stand on its own!

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Want to Celebrate?

Let the Halloween haunting begin!

Who doesn’t love to get festive for Halloween? Keep it low-key, and grab some popcorn and snacks. It’s the perfect night to watch scary movies with your friends!

Spice up the spook a little bit with a Halloween party! Now’s the time to test out those Specimen Jars and Steaming Swampy Punch!

Evolve at Stones Bay

is gearing up for their Halloween event, A Movie in the Courtyard. What’s Halloween without Hocus Pocus?! Popcorn and drinks will be provided, but bring your own lawn chair or blanket to curl up and get cozy with!

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808 West

is hosting their Halloween party on October 25th.

If you’re ready to be spooked, you won’t want to miss it! What will you dress up as?!

The Summit at Cullowhee

goes all out for Halloween. Don’t let their sweet spirits fool you! The fear factor is through the roof, the team is preparing for their Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest and Halloween Party!

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Have a Spooktacular Halloween

Get ready for the spookiest season of all at Evolve communities! From pumpkin carving and scary movie nights to door decorating contests and lots of tricks and treats, you’re sure to have the most frightening fun. Check in with your Evolve community to find out how they’re celebrating this season!

If you try out any of these DIY Halloween decorations, be sure to post it to your IG and tag us so we can see your spooktacular work!