Mardi Gras in Atlanta: Feb 18th, 2012

Be in the town this weekend, so that you may be able to experience, The Mardi Gras Music & Food Fest put on at Park Tavern in Atlanta! The event is scheduled for this Saturday, February 18th 2012, at the nearby tavern on 500 Tenth St. NE.

While in attendance, you will be able to drink and act like you’re on Bourbon Street (beads included)! Get the best of New Orleans music, including acts from: SEED & FEED MARCHING ABOMINABLES, Ryan Hickey & The Saints; Half Dozen Brass Band, The Breeze Kings Lethal Rhythms and more…

Of course food menus will include: Jumbalaya, Crawfish, Beans & Rice, plus more… Drink Menus will feature Bourbon Street staples: Hurricanes, and renditions of Grenades.

There’s fun to be had under “The Heated Tent” so make sure you plan your day according to the scheduled events! There’s no better fun than fun  that’s planned close to the Metro West neighborhood! Residents are encouraged to have as much fun as possible–being only a night’s walk or a cab ride from the festivities.

Sound off: Share your best Mardi Gras experiences or Park Tavern experiences with us on our Facebook page! We’d love to hear what from you…

It’s never too early to keep your heart health in check. One of the easiest ways: Fitness and movement. We could name 101 ways to get fit here at Alexan MetroWest, but we’ve found simpler solutions within 10 miles of our premier address.

Check out these fitness activities around Atlanta for you to get pumping:

Source: Yelp
Name: FitWit
Location: 1270 Caroline St – Ste D120 – 403 Atlanta, GA 30307
Reviews: 19

Link: Read the Yelp.com Review

More Reviews
I went here during the free week and it is definitely worth the hype. The workouts are scary enough to make you dread going back, varied enough to keep you…Read More…

FitWit is a fantastic program! I am in my late 40′s and have tried everything from personal trainers to countless gym memberships. It wasn’t until I…Read More…

I’d recommend FitWit to anyone in the Atlanta area, from fitness beginners to weekend warriors…Read More…

FitWit

Source: Yelp
Name: Gravity Fitness
Location: 2201 Faulkner Rd Atlanta, GA 30324
Reviews: 9

Link: Read the Yelp.com Review

More Reviews
I like Gravity for many reasons…
* Nice facility
* Great energy
* Friendly members
What I don’t like is some of the staff. My $30/mo. membership was $200…Read More…

Clean, Friendly, competent Staff! I’m 3 months into my program and Gravity has been a major part of my success! Everyone has genuinely encouraged me to push…Read More…

This is probably the best overall gym inside the perimeter. Unlike my previous gym, all of the cardio equipment is newer and machines are never down for…Read More…

Gravity Fitness

Source: Yelp
Name: The Forum Athletic Club
Location: 3393 Peachtree Rd NE – Ste 2010-A Atlanta, GA 30326
Reviews: 12

Link: Read the Yelp.com Review

More Reviews
I love this place. It’s high energy, fun, great classes, and amazing personal trainers. If you enjoy being fit or want to be fit this is the gym for you. I…Read More…

Best gym in Atlanta, no question. Members come here to work out first and socialize second…not the other way around. Trainers definitely know what…Read More…

Best gym that I’ve worked out at in Atlanta. Facilities are clean and well-maintained, the staff is friendly and the gym is never too crowded. It’s a very…Read More…

The Forum Athletic Club

If you really just can’t beat feeling at home while getting your fitness on, Alexan MetroWest conveniently has all the amenities right here on property to function just as well: our oversized vbeach entry swimming pool, sauna & full fledged fitness centers are just a few….

Our community may be in the middle of the Metro city, but residents can still get a taste of outdoor lifestyle in one of our four artfully landscaped courtyards. If you’re a Zen person or even a more social-outdoors resident, one of these spaces on our property will suit you:

• The Ch’ i: Despite being right in the heart of the city, you can find an escape in our urban garden getaway. The reflective pool is the focal point for peace and rejuvenation.
• The Oasis: Gather your friends, or meet up with a date at the centered fountain in our oasis courtyard. The beautiful landscape almost makes you forget you are in Atlanta.
• The Beach: Perfect for the summertime, but still cool enough to use in the spring. With the beach-entry pool the main point in this courtyard, you’ll be basking in the sun and sipping drinks with friends within steps of your apartment.
• The Bark: Residents with furry additions can enjoy simple family time at the bark park. It’s a playful area for pooches and parents to relax on the lush lawn while their pets play.

Living at Alexan MetroWest, you’ll be inspired to let go, not only in our courtyards, but our other relaxing amenities. Residents deserve it after a day out in the city…

Come see what escapes await you at our community, located in the West Midtown Design District in the heart of Midtown Atlanta! Call us today, 877-622-4080 or visit us at 1040 Huff Road, Atlanta GA.

Get ready for your day with a custom playlist.

If you find yourself consistently running late in the morning, it’s time to make a change. Instead of adding more clocks in your apartment, put a beat to your morning routine by making a playlist. This great idea from Apartment Therapy will have you tapping your toes and out the door on time in no time.

The first step to creating your morning soundtrack is to figure out how much time you have. If your alarm sounds at 7am, and you need to be out of the apartment by 7:45, you will need to create a 45 minute playlist that should start when you wake up.

It only takes about a week using your new playlist before you begin to associate certain actions to specific songs. You will soon realize that you need to speed things up if you aren’t finished brushing your teeth before Adele starts Rolling in the Deep. You still have time when Blink 182 plays as your put in your contacts. As long as you are out of the house before the final beat of Eye of the Tiger, you will get to work on time.

For other great tips like this, continue reading the Alexan MetroWest Community Blog each week.

Image: Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

1. Get a flu shot – It’s almost never too early or too late to get the vaccine and stop the flu virus dead in its tracks.
2. Vitamin C – Stock up on vitamin C, orange juice, and citrus fruits to get your recommended doses of this cold-fighting nutrient each day. If you start taking vitamin C before even feeling sick, it significantly lowers your chances of catching something icky.
3. Disinfect – From hand sanitizer and scented-hand soap to Clorox wipes and tissues, make sure you’re keeping your germs to yourself and others away from you!
4. Rest up – In the season of sickness, get plenty of sleep when you can. Got to bed on time or slow down your daily pace if you’re starting to feel sick symptoms. If you can’t manage to dodge a cold, take time off to recover!

All right, we all know you love living at Alexan MetroWest! What’s not to love? The chic apartments, exciting resident events, and fantastic amenities make living here more than home–it’s basically a party resort! If you’ve got the enthusiasm to express your love of Alexan MetroWest apartments then you should share it with the world! Or at least YouTube and your fellow residents!

Alexan MetroWest is asking our residents to make short videos explaining why you love living in and being a part of our community. The videos should be creative, fun, unique and show your true personality while showcasing your apartment and/or the community amenities.

Videos should be 1-5 minutes in length and be submitted via email to jrichardson@bainbridgere.com by Friday, February 3, 2012. The videos will then be posted by the management team on the I LIVE AT ALEXAN METROWEST and the ALEXAN METROWEST Facebook pages. The video with the most “likes” by Wednesday, February 8, 2012 will be the winner of AMW’s Next Video Star.

The following prizes will be awarded:

3rd Place: $300 off March Rent
2nd Place: $500 off March Rent
1st Place: $750 off March Rent
(That’s a lot a chedda’ yo!)

All submissions must be received 11:57 p.m. (yes, 11:57 p.m. — just because) on February 3, 2012.
Please be sure not to include profanity, nudity or any other offensive material. Management reserves the right to determine what is and is not considered offensive material. Videos deemed to include offensive material will be disqualified from the competition.

“The Hooping Life,” directed by Amy Goldstein, is a documentary about the life of the hula hoop and the hoopers who love it! Through dance, fitness, art, and beyond, there is much more to this toy than its simple circular shape. You can see the film first and experience the thrills of hooping yourself at “The Hooping Life” Film Screening Atlanta on February 24 at 7 Stages in Little 5.

Expect to be entranced by more than just the colorful revolutions of hoop-pros like Atlanta’s own Rebecca DeShon (founder of HoopEssence) and New York City’s Riahoopaleena Blossoms. There will be high-flying performances by aerialists, jugglers, poi dancers, and more!

If it sounds like a circus, it’s because the most talented “ring” leaders in the country are ready to kick-start your New Year’s “revolutions” into high gear! Enjoy the screening party starting at 8pm and catch the film starting at 9:30pm. Tickets will start at $15 on sale on January 24, or $20 on the day of the event. Check the Atlanta Screening Party Facebook for updates or be sure to watch “The Hooping Life” trailerto get a peek at what’s in store!

"The Hooping Life" Screening Party is Feb. 24.

Omnomnom!

I consider myself a pretty proud “nerd.” What I don’t consider myself is a very good baker. While the two might seem mutually exclusive, it will take a fusion of both uber-geek and confectionery chef to win big in Battle and Brew’s first ever Cookie Competition.

Sugar, spice, and sprinkled with otaku-flavor: that’s the perfect start for this baking battle. Battle and Brew is the only video game bar in the Atlanta and Marietta area to host such a delicious event because, well, they are the only video game bar! You may remember a feature on them a few months ago on the Alexan MetroWest blog, but if you still have not made your way to their geek-tastic grotto, the Cookie Competition is the perfect time. I mean, there will be COOKIES!

Judges are eager to take bites out of 8-bit baked treats with themes like Space Invaders, Legend of Zelda, Firefly, Star Trek, Pokemon, or whatever fantasy, sci-fi, or gaming fandom you want to portray. Cookies will be based off of best taste, best decorations, and best overall theme with house cash prizes and overall culinary bragging rights.

The cookie battle wages on Saturday, January 21 from 4-6pm so come with your freshly baked fandoms and let the cookie competition begin!

This lovely door-hanger is just one craft you can learn at the Pinterest Craft Party on Jan. 16.

Arts and Crafts isn’t just a class you left behind in grade school. It’s the ultimate way of expression, especially in your adult (or at least “big kid”) years. The team at Alexan MetroWest apartments knows that our residents love the artistic and creative side of urban living–why else would you choose to live in the center of Atlanta’s West Midtown Design District? So we’re inviting everyone to our Pinterest Craft Party on Monday, January 16.

Our team has already found a handful of fun and crafty project from Pinterest.com and other great DIY websites to try out at this upcoming event. Supplies are included so bring yourself and your artistic side!

This week you’ll be learning yarn wreath w/felt flowers, tee-shirt scarf, lace earrings, embossed and cinnamon sticks candles, and embossed stationary!

If you have not discovered Pinterest.com, you’re in for an online experience that will blow away all of your senses. Think of it as your personal design book of digital photos and ideas. A virtual To-Do list, if you will. It’s easy to grab photos of recipes, fashion, furniture, crafts, and creative clips from then Internet and “pin” them to your personal boards.

You can even upload your own creative pics for the World Wide Web to view (especially after you fining creating your Pinterest Craft Party project)! Ask someone you know to Invite you to Pinterest and join the creativity craze soon! If you find something particularly exciting that you’d like to try at the next Pinterest Craft Party, we are always opened for suggestions!

Already have an account with tons of visually stimulating boards? Share your Pintrest name with other Alexan MetroWest residents on I LIVE AT ALEXAN METROWEST Facebook!