Summertime Fun in Richmond

Photo Credit: VentureRichmond.comRichmond, Virginia’s capital city, is the perfect place to live all year long, but in the summer, it is even more special. This funky city with a bit of southern charm has been named the top 25 best places to live in the U.S. by US News and World Report.

Summers can be hot and humid with temperatures in the 80s and 90s, but there are some great ways to cool off.

James River Park System and Hiking Trails

The James River Park System is a collection of riverfront trails, meadows, and forests along the beautiful James River. This area includes walking paths, accessible from downtown and located not far from your Bella Vista at Hilltop apartment in Richmond. You can cool off in the water, bike, climb or jog or take in one of the many outdoor events. The system includes fun walking paths that are accessible on foot from downtown Richmond. Parks also offer a chance to get on or in the water, and to bike, climb, or just kick back at an outdoor event.

The Footbridge and Belle Isle

Explore the footbridge and Belle Island this summer. The second-largest island in the James River, it is a great spot to hike or take in the sights and sounds of Hollywood Rapids. The 1,040-foot-long footbridge suspended under the Lee Bridge is part of the adventure and provides great views of the river and the rapids.

Enjoying the Amenities at Bella Vista at Hilltop

If you would prefer to stay home, the amenities at your Oakland apartment will keep you fit and busy this summer.

Grab your racket and a friend and play on the lighted tennis courts. Tennis is a great way to stay fit this summer.

The state-of-the-art fitness center and the cardio center also provide ways to improve your fitness and the dry sauna is a great way to release stress and improve your skin.

Don’t forget the pools at Bella Vista at Hilltop where you can relax and read a book or do morning laps, great for lowering your blood pressuring, toning your muscles, and improving your flexibility.

Whether you choose to spend time in your apartment community or get out and explore, Richmond in the summer is the perfect place to be!

How to Feng Shui Your Richmond Apartment

Are you looking for ways to fill your Richmond apartment with positivity? Consider Feng Shui, the ancient art to balance energy, or chi, and add harmony. The goal of Feng Shui is to invite positive energy into your home so that it feels both energized and balanced. We are here to inspire some good energy for making your home peaceful and harmonious.

Commanding Positions

While that might sound a bit forceful, the principle of commanding positions in Feng Shui. This is essentially positioning important pieces of furniture: the bed, the desk, the stove in a manner so that you can see the door (but not directly in line with it. These pieces should not have their back to doors or windows and should be placed in a way for energy to flow around and from them.

Go Vertical

According to the principles of Feng Shui, integrating vertical shapes and lines in your apartment represents growth and expansion. Add some lighting where the light travels upward. Add a Ficus tree to a corner to make space feel taller. Add some tall bookshelves or some artwork with vertical lines. We especially love these beautiful pieces we found online. And since they come in a pair, why not add them to the right (romance) corner of your apartment in Richmond.

Declutter the Entryway

Doesn’t it make sense that the first place you see when you open your door is an important place to have good energy? In feng shui, your entryway represents the way positive energy enters your home and your life. Make sure that this area is dusted and clutter-free. Add plants and artwork and have a place to leave shoes and hang coats. In other words, leave any negative energy outside and only welcome positive energy in.

Using these basic principles of Feng Shui in your Bella Vista at Hilltop apartment will add harmony, peace, and balance.

Green Cleaning Tips for Your Richmond Apartment

It is spring, time to deep clean your Richmond apartment. But did you know that the cleaning products that you use show up in our water long after the suds go down the drain!

Here are some tips to keeping your apartment CLEAN and GREEN with these eco-friendly cleaners.

Your Washing Machine

The list of toxins in your laundry detergent may surprise you. From artificial colors, dye and fragrances to bleach and nonylphenol ethoxylates and phosphates. The ingredients in most common laundry detergents can be harmful to your health and the environment.

Here is a link to some of the best eco-friendly laundry detergents that will help you find an alternative to conventional selections.

Bleach

Bleach is a popular and effective disinfectant; cleaning everything from mold and mildew to bacteria, but it is also unhealthy for the environment and unfortunately is in so many of our household cleaning products. Look for bleach free products and use hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, lemon juice and castile soap as eco-friendly alternatives.

Keep Your Windows Clean

Keeping the windows, mirrors and other glass surfaces in your apartment clean is important, but it also releases toxins. Instead of using a commercial cleaner, why not make your own? Combine ½ teaspoon of liquid soap, ¼ cup of white vinegar and 2 cups of water in a spray bottle for a great alternative to toxic window cleaners.

All Purpose Cleaners

Many all-purpose cleaners contain harmful ingredients that will make it into our water and our air. Instead try this DIY scented cleaner.

Combine one-part white vinegar, one-part water, lemon rind and rosemary sprigs and let infuse for a week before using. Once it is done you can add to a spray bottle and use to clean counters, trash cans, toilets and everyday smudges.

These clean, eco-friendly cleaning products can go a long way to reduce pollution and keep your Bella Vista at Hilltop apartment in Richmond clean and green!

Tips to Warm Your Apartment

It is winter and that means we are spending even more time in our homes. Like many of us you may be thinking of ways to make it feel warm and cozy, but you don’t know where to start. These tips will make your Richmond apartment inviting, no matter what interior decorating style you have chosen.

Scented Candles

Arranging candles around your apartment is an easy way to add warmth, style, and comfort. Choose calming or familiar scents like warm vanilla, lavender or baked goods scents like angel food cake, blueberry muffin, or apple pie.

Layered candle display gives a beautiful stay at home feeling. Candles of varying heights look amazing and make your apartment in Richmond feel warm and cozy. You can also try displaying candles in lanterns. Check out these gorgeous and stylish lanterns from Pier1.

Rugs and Textiles

Warm up those tootsies by adding area rugs in your apartment. Adding thick pile rugs to any room will bring that extra warmth to your apartment.

Adding textiles is another way to add comfort and coziness to your apartment. Consider materials that are soft and feel good on your skin. Chunky throws, velvet blankets, knit and crushed linen all are easy ways to make a room cozier.

Pile on the Blankets and Pillows

Add blankets and throw pillows on your sofas, beds, and chairs. Be sure to have a nice mix of pillows with different patterns and textures. You can add style to your apartment with a blanket rack displayed against a wall. There are plenty to choose from online, such as these selections from Wayfair.

Accessories

Accessories can make a room feel more inviting. Bring in wood elements like wooden bowls, a wooden shelf or a cutting board. A caramel-colored leather foot stool and warm brass accents will add interest and warmth to a room.

No matter what style you have chosen to decorate your Bella Vista at Hilltop apartment in Richmond, adding small touches can help it feel cozier and more inviting.

Brighten Your Richmond Apartment This New Year

Say good riddance to 2020 by bringing some warm, beachy accents into your Richmond apartment. This year’s New Year’s resolutions should include brightening your apartment with these easy and affordable tips.

Bring the Summer into Your Apartment

You will not have to wait for the summer to bring some of the style and ease of summer inside with these five easy ways to add summer to your Richmond apartment. Try ocean-inspired colors like bright teal or neutral sand.

Add Light and Breezy Pillows

Brighten your apartment with pillows. Look for fabric with texture and patterns that are light and breezy.

Add Some Beachy Items

Even though your Richmond apartment is hours from sandy beaches, it does not mean that you can’t bring a little beach into your apartment. Add a glass bowl of pretty shells, or some glass sea balls to enjoy that summer beach feeling all year long.

Add a Little Blue and White

This classic color combination is the perfect way to add summer to your apartment. Use bowls, pillows, rugs, and throws to your apartment and you will soon be dreaming of days at the beach.

Paint Something White

A fresh coat of white paint will brighten the whole room. If you are hesitant to paint a piece of furniture, try painting or adding a white home décor accessory to your Bella Vista at Hilltop apartment.

Add a Sisal Rug

Bring in an organic, lighter feel to any room by adding a sisal rug. There are many inexpensive options that will bring the beach into your Richmond apartment.

Relax and Read a Beach Book

Now that you have brought a little bit of the beach into your apartment, kick up your feet, and find a good book. Here is a list of the best beach reads.

Looking forward to warmer weather and brighter days are a great way to bring in a new year and to say good riddance to 2020!

Celebrating the Holidays in Richmond

The most wonderful time of the year is here! Celebrating the holidays in Richmond is a magical time as storefronts, parks, and neighborhoods light up with spectacular holiday displays!

If you are looking for ways to make this holiday merry and bright, you have come to the right place! Create new holiday traditions and unforgettable holiday memories at these wonderful light displays.

Dominion Energy GardenFest

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden will host their holiday extravaganza again this year! This holiday tradition is outdoors and following safety protocols. The theme for the year is “Magic in the Air” and is inspired by things that can fly! You will see fireflies, flying pigs, spaceships, unicorns, and more take flight with a dazzling display of lights.

Find out more details and purchase tickets on their website.

The Valentine Museum

The Valentine Museum will be hosting the Holiday Glitter Walking Tour this year down Monument Avenue in Richmond. Some of the city’s most spectacular homes will decorate with wreaths, lights, trees, and garland.

The tour is scheduled for December 7th, but you can visit any time during the holiday season. So put on your warm coat, your mittens and hat and take a walk to Monument Avenue, less than three miles from your Bella Vista Apartment in Richmond.

Area Neighborhoods

Many area neighborhoods put on a show during the holidays. If you are looking for fun ways to celebrate the holidays in Richmond, here is a https://thewilsongrouprva.com/richmond-christmas-lights-events/list of some of the best neighborhood light displays.

Holiday Light Scavenger Hunt

Are you looking for family-friendly fun activities to celebrate the holidays in Richmond this year? Why not create a map of all the places you will go to see holiday lights, animated characters, and displays. Then create a list and see which one can check off their list first.

Here are some ideas of what to look and listen for:

Red Bow
Icicles
Garland
Wreath
White Lights
Santa Claus
Snow Man or Woman
Elf
Reindeer
Mrs. Claus
Jingle Bells
White Christmas
Deck the Halls

These are just some fun ways to safely celebrate the holidays in Richmond this year. Happy Holidays.

Halloween Events in Richmond

Don’t be spooked, there are plenty of things to do this year for Halloween in Richmond. From adult parties, to kid-friendly events, and haunted houses, we have the 411 on the best Halloween events in Richmond.

Adult-Friendly Events

Early Halloween Featuring First Jason

Ricks Rock Café
1500a Eastridge Rd, Richmond, VA 23229

Enjoy some spooky music from local band, First Jason. For tickets and more information, click here!

Official Halloween Bar Crawl

Don your scariest, funniest, or sexiest costume and join others for a Halloween bar crawl. Located at bars throughout Richmond. You can get a full list of participating bars and purchase tickets here.

Creepy Carnevil

Be prepared to be spooked at this fun Halloween event. Learn more and purchase tickets on their website.

Kid-Friendly Events
Trunk or Treat at Hobson Lodge

This fun annual event supports local charities. Bring the whole family for contests, games, and candy!

Get more details here!

Westwood Fall Festival

A socially distanced fall celebration where kids get the opportunity to dress up and get Halloween candy! Find out more here.

Big and Little Chef – Halloween Treats

Publix Aprons Cooking School

5400 Wyndham Forest Dr, Glen Allen, VA 23059

Aprons Cooking School in Richmond will be hosting a kid-friendly Halloween cooking class on October 30th. Learn more and purchase your tickets here.

Haunted Houses

Haunted houses are a popular Halloween attraction. Here is a list of the area’s spookiest Haunted Houses from now through Halloween.

Halloween Movie Night

Not feeling the Halloween spirit this year? Host a Halloween Movie Night at your Bella Vista at Hilltop apartment in Richmond. These classic Halloween movies are sure to get you in the mood!

Here are a few of our favorites:

Hocus Pocus
Clue
The Witches
Halloween
The Amityville Horror
Pet Sematary
Child’s Play
Children of the Corn
Goosebumps
Friday the 13th
Scream
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
Casper, The Friendly Ghost

These Halloween events in Richmond will ensure that you have a Spooktacular time and are practicing safe-distancing guidelines to keep you safe!

Tips to Staying Healthy in Your Richmond Apartment

During these times when getting to the gym is hard (if not impossible), it is still important to stay on track for your health and wellness goals. And while there are endless reasons to put it off, these alternatives to going to the gym and staying healthy in Richmond make it easy to stay on track!

Get some fresh air.

Go outside! There is a big world waiting for you to explore and your Bella Vista Hilltop apartment in Richmond is in the thick of things. Take a hike, go for a walk, or grab your bike and head outside. Outdoors exercising helps you clear your head from distractions, strengthens your core muscles, and provides you with your daily dose of Vitamin D. Now, that is multitasking.

Use household items for exercise equipment.

Milk jugs and empty detergent bottles make perfect weights! Fill them with sand or water for a good arm workout! Do bicep curls holding one jug in each hand or hold one jug with both hands to do overhead presses. Climb stairs to burn calories and a dining room chair to do triceps dips or work your thigh muscles. These tips to staying healthy in your Richmond apartment are both easy and affordable.

Do chores.

Doing chores can help burn calories and help with your state of mind! Take some old t-shirts or towels, place them underneath your feet, turn on the music, and shuffle to the rhythm. You will not only collect dust but also stimulates your endorphins from the cardio workout!

Dance as if no one is watching.

Turn your living room or kitchen into your own personal dance hall! Turn up the music and move to the beat of your own drum.

Take a hike.

Literally, take a hike or a walk on one of these hiking trails near your Richmond apartment.

Even if you cannot get out to the gym, you can achieve your physical fitness goals with these five tips to staying healthy in your Richmond apartment.

Back to School Study Tips

It is back to school time and like so many of us that means studying from your Richmond apartment. But studying from home can be stressful with so many distractions, lack of supplies, and sharing the space with others.

These tips will help you make sure that you are successful, both at getting your homework done and maintaining your well-being:

Get Dressed

This simple tip is a crucial one! While it might be tempting to stay in your pajamas all day, don’t give in to that temptation. Getting dressed will help create a sense of normalcy and improve productivity.

Do not forget to shower, brush your hair, and even put on makeup; this will go a long way to setting your back to school mindset.

Set a Schedule

Set a schedule and stick to it! If you are more productive in the morning, set a start time right after your morning coffee or breakfast, and set a time for a break! If you are more productive in the afternoon, schedule to do chores and exercise in the morning and set a time to start studying after lunch! It is important to also set a time to end your school day and leave it behind.

Get Up and Stretch

Studying from home often means hours in front of the computer! It is important to take time to get up from in front of your computer regularly throughout the day. Stretching throughout the day boosts muscle and brain health, strengthens joints, and allows you a physical and mental break.

If you have a long reading assignment, consider heading down to the pool to read in the warm sun!

Create a Dedicated Study Area

One of the biggest challenges when it comes to studying from your Richmond apartment is keeping your school and home space separately. Your study space does not have to be in its own room; it could be a corner in the living rooms, a converted room in your apartment, or even just an area that is dedicated solely to schoolwork.

If you are going to study from a table or area in a common room, be certain that when your school work is completed for the day, to put away files, tuck away your chair, and prepare your school area for the next day studying

These easy to follow tips will make working from your Bella Vista apartment in Richmond stress free.

Richmond’s Tasty Ice Cream Shops

Hot summer days and warm evenings call for a scoop or two of ice cream. Richmond has a slew of places to quench your cravings for traditional ice cream, gelato, Italian Ice, vegan options, and frozen yogurt.

Here is a list of the best places to find ice cream in Richmond.

Gelati Ice Cream

Gelati Ice Cream has several locations near your Richmond apartment. In addition to gelato and ice cream in some wonderful flavors, they also served ice cream cakes, ice cream pies, and ice cream sandwiches. Keep an eye out for their Food Truck and check out their website for current flavors, eating and takeout options.

Charm School

311 W Broad St, Richmond, VA

Website

This charming ice cream shop serves delicious ice cream by the scoop, ice cream sundaes with toppings, hand-packed pints, and floats! They have some vegan options and are open for takeout and delivery!

NarWhals Rolled Ice Cream

3313 W Cary St, Richmond, VA

Website

Hand rolled and delicious, you get to create your own frozen concoction with inspirational toppings. Check out their website for more information on this unique ice cream experience and any updates.

Moon Rocks Gelato

2400 W Main Street, Richmond, VA

Website

Moon Rocks Gelato is now open and serving some amazing gelato in a variety of flavors. This cozy gelato shop also makes some of the area’s best handmade waffle cones. And to top it off, they offer flavorful, toppings.

Ray’s Water Ice and Frozen Yogurt

2416 Old Brick Road, Glen Allen, VA

Website

Ray’s is currently open for take-out only, but they are still serving up some cold, refreshing treats! Enjoy Ray’s Famous Italian water ice in over 15 flavors or try one of their rockets; hand scooped vanilla yogurt topped with water ice. Don’t miss their hand scooped and frozen custard in a variety of flavors.

If all of these shops don’t entice you to venture out of your Bella Vista at Hilltop apartment to try some ice cream, these easy to make, no machine required ice cream recipes are sure to satisfy your hankering.

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