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Artistic Take and Make Kit Fun in Gilbert

If you’ve been craving the addition of a little bit of creativity in your schedule, you’re not alone. Plenty of us have wanted to find something fun and creative to break up the days, and maybe even give us the chance to develop a new skill! Luckily, Gilbert has some wonderful local art studios and workshops that offer things like recorded classes and take and make kits, which brings the fun of an art class to you at home. Here’s some great options for your next artistic fix. The Art House The Art House has a variety of recorded art classes with accompanying take-home kits, from watercolors to kids’ painting classes to brush pen lettering. Some of these classes are geared towards the practical (for instance, how to cut and distress your own denim), while others are all artsy fun. Pick your class of choice and spend the night developing your artist’s eye! You could even make it into a cool family event. (Photo from The Art House) The AR Workshop The AR Workshop has a whole selection of DIY take and make kits, mostly focused on home decoration! These kits include detailed instructions and all the required materials to spruce up your wall or decorate for your favorite upcoming holiday. It’s never too early to start getting ready for Halloween, is it? They even have specific project types within the different categories, so you can really customize according to your preferences and what you need. If your wall decor is looking a little sparse, this might be the perfect way to spend a couple of days and make something cool with your own hands! (Photo from The AR Workshop) Studio 223 Studio 223 has a super fun lineup of diverse take-home crafts for you to peruse. They have their own spin on things you might find elsewhere, like decorations you can craft yourself for your room or yard, as well as more exotic options like soy candles, chunky blanket knitting, or cookie decorating! They also offer some really cute themed coloring books which could be a great gift for the kids in your life, including one that’s Gilbert themed! We love celebrating our wonderful area, and this is a great way to do it. (Photo from Studio 223) Of course, there are other ways to get into crafts at home, whether you want to start cake decorating or try your hand at collage. However, we think these are all fantastic possibilities, especially if you’ve wanted a little more creativity in your life and aren’t sure where to start! These detailed kits can help you make something out of this world. Let us know in the comments if you or your families have been trying out any new artistic endeavors in this time, with a take and make kit or otherwise!

Home Spa Tips for DIY Relaxation

There’s no shame in admitting it -- life can be stressful sometimes, and some of us are feeling the effects of that stress more than usual right now. Taking care of ourselves is an instrumental part of managing daily life, and honestly, sometimes we don’t focus on it enough! We’re here to provide you with a few options for the best at-home spa day you’ve had in a while. A Warm Bath This option is both super relaxing, and super customizable to create the best possible home spa experience for you! All you need is a bathtub, and the rest is up to you. You can add bubbles, or go all out with a bath bomb. You could (safely!) set up candles in the bathroom to really hammer home that spa atmosphere. You could even combine it with another treatment or two, like a refreshing face mask while you soak! The steam is good for your skin, and the hot water is good for your muscles. Collect your favorite bath supplies and enjoy your ideal spa-style bath, with all the works. Give Yourself a Mini Massage Never underestimate the power of some hands-on care. It could be nice to grab some soothing lotion and give yourself a massage in some of the places that you may not pay as much attention to, like your hands, wrists, calves, and feet. When we think of a massage, we often imagine the neck and shoulders, but those smaller parts of our bodies can hold a lot more tension than we realize, especially when we’re doing a lot of different things with them! Do yourself a favor and rub some of the stress out of your muscles. Finish Up With a Calming Beverage One of the best ways to round off a relaxing evening is with a good night’s sleep. The right drink could put you in the mood for a great rest, as well as being a meditative and soothing activity by itself. There’s lots of potentially perfect beverages, and we’re sure you have your favorites, but we’d love to recommend some hot tea for this! Choose a type without any caffeine, heat some water, and have a warm mug, maybe with some lemon and honey. Even the action of drinking something hot can help you wind down! We hope you take some time for yourselves soon, and have a relaxing evening! Let us know if there’s any special comforting ritual that you do that we didn’t list, because we’re always eager to hear suggestions!

Bring Taco Tuesday Home From These Gilbert Restaurants

Many of us have taken to our own kitchens to make the favorites that we used to go out for since restaurant dining rooms have closed. And although some restaurants in Gilbert are open again, most of us can agree that your very own dining room is one of the best places for dinner these days! So if you’re looking for an excuse to take the night off from cooking, and you’ve been craving tacos, here are three Gilbert taco restaurants that offer takeout and delivery so you can enjoy Taco Tuesday from the comfort of your Acero Cooley Station apartment! Backyard Taco Voted Best Taco in Town three years in a row by the East Valley Tribune, Backyard Taco is the definition of authentic tacos in the heart of Gilbert, AZ. With a passion for flavor , every dish that comes from the Backyard Taco kitchen is enough to make you wish you had ordered more. Adhering to the continuously changing dining experience due to COVID-19, Backyard Taco has online ordering along with takeout and delivery options, so you can have all of your favorites right at home! Famous for their always fresh and never frozen Tacos al Carbon, prepared on a mesquite grill for supreme authenticity, Backyard Taco brings a new dimension of flavor to your typical Taco Tuesday dinner. (Photo by @BackyardTaco) SoCal Fish Taco Company When was the last time you had fish tacos? Nothing says summer like fresh mahi tacos from The SoCal Fish Taco Company . Offering all sorts of coastal favorites, like broiled salmon tacos, beer-battered lobster tacos and of course, shrimp tacos, you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu . Located in the Heritage District of Downtown Gilbert, you can enjoy the flavors of California, beach-inspired street tacos while kicked back on your Arizona patio with a street taco in one hand and chips and salsa in the other. Whether you’re placing a delivery order or stopping by to pick it up yourself, you’ll be glad you did because these fish tacos are out of this world. (Photo by @JaredSegerPhoto) Rusty Taco What do you get when you combine fresh ingredients, authentic flavor and a splash of spice? Rusty Taco . That’s what you get. And it’s easy as ever to get all of your street taco cravings satisfied with Rusty Taco's online ordering and delivery. Essentially, you could put on your favorite sweatpants, sit back on the couch, place an order on your phone and dinner could be at your door in just a few minutes. What a time to be alive! When placing your order, be sure to add the smoked BBQ Brisket Street Taco to your cart (you’ll thank us later). (Photo by @RustyTacoGrams) We know how fun it is cooking up delicious masterpieces in your Acero Cooley Station kitchen, but we also know how relaxing it can be to just order your favorite meals right to your door! Keep these local Gilbert Mexican restaurants in mind the next time you’re craving tacos without the hassle, and let us know how your takeout dinner goes on Facebook and Instagram ! We’ll see you next time here on the Acero Cooley Station blog .

Local Gilbert Coffee Shops That Deliver Beans Right to Your Door

What a world we live in! Gone are the days of driving to a store for necessities like coffee beans or milk. Now with the simple click of a button, we can have almost everything we need delivered right to our doorstep. Which is immensely convenient in a time where the entire nation is encouraged to stay home to help stop the spread of COVID-19! If you’re running low on coffee in your Acero Cooley Station apartment, check out these three Gilbert-area coffee shops that can deliver fresh beans right to your door. Bergies Coffee Roast House Nestled in a little garden oasis in the heart of Downtown Gilbert is Bergies Coffee Roast House . In an atmosphere that makes you feel as though you’re in your own little world, the coffee beans that this local roaster offers can make you feel the same way from the comfort of your home! Bergies knows that varying conditions contribute to the taste and quality of delicious coffee beans, and that is why they get their beans imported from around the world. Roasted in small batches and monitored for premium quality, Bergies Coffee Roast House packs a punch of bold flavor. “The roasted beans at Bergies are never more than 14 days old,” their website says, and with just one sip you can tell! Even better? Bergies delivers beans right to you , not via mail, but actually in a car, so there is no hassle in getting your beans to your Acero Cooley Station apartment! (Photo by @BergiesCoffee) Mythical Coffee Living in Gilbert means you’ve likely heard of Mythical Coffee in the Gilbert Town Square. Known for their vibrant style, trendy coffee shop and beautiful beverages ranging from iced coffees to matcha lattes, they’re an all-around small-town favorite. In addition, Mythical Coffee roasts five different varieties of coffee beans ! And you can have all of them delivered right to your apartment. (Photo by @Mythical.coffee) Gill’s Grounds When it comes to coffee beans, fresh is best! And Gill’s Grounds knows that. You’ve likely driven past this veteran-owned drive-through coffee shop a few times and probably didn’t even know it. It’s not large or flashy, but the coffee is delicious and their beans are even better! Gill’s Grounds is as fresh as it gets, with coffee beans that are locally roasted every Wednesday. Any item on their menu, including beans, can be delivered via Grubhub, DoorDash and UberEats. If you’re like most of us, you already have these apps downloaded, so what are you waiting for! Support local and get some fresh coffee beans today. (Photo by @GillsGrounds) Here in Gilbert, we are lucky to have an impressive variety of local coffee shops and coffee roasters, so take advantage of this luxury! Get your favorite coffee beans delivered right to your Acero Cooley Station doorstep while supporting local businesses. Let us know which beans you got on Facebook or Instagram , and we’ll see you next time here on the blog !

Save Time and Money With an In-Home Coffee Bar

Are you someone who can’t start your day without a cup of coffee in hand? If you nodded your head to that, that’s okay, you’re not alone. A study by the National Coffee Association shows that 64% of Americans drink coffee, and it’s no surprise that not all of that is brewed at home! Brewing a delicious cup of coffee can be done in a variety of ways, and most all of them are really quite simple. Knowing how to make your perfect cup of joe can not only save you the trip to the coffee shop, but also money! So today we’re looking at how you can save money and time with your own coffee bar in your Acero Cooley Station apartment. What’s Your Go-To Coffee? You pull up to your favorite drive-through coffee shop and you don’t even have to look at the menu, you know what you want. If that’s you, this coffee bar will be easy! Do you love iced vanilla lattes? Maybe an Americano with a splash of cream? Make a list of your typical order when getting coffee. This way, you can narrow down what ingredients your coffee bar should have, along with the proper brewing tools. Ingredients can range from different coffee beans, sugar, organic cane sugar, simple syrup, flavored syrups, chai latte mix, etc. Usually, all it takes is a simple Google search to find exactly what goes into your preferred coffee drink, making it easy to determine what you’ll need in your home coffee bar. Choose Your Coffee Maker Do your drinks always include expresso shots? Or do you favor a drip cup of coffee? Maybe even French Press! This is important to consider when assembling your coffee bar. The Keurig is a household favorite for many reasons; such as your ability to easily make a variety of coffee styles, the convenience in pressing a button and having a single cup of coffee a few seconds later, as well as it’s newer more compact sizes. If you simply want a traditional cup of coffee with some hazelnut syrup and a splash of cream, the Keurig is likely a great option for you! However, if you are looking for an iced coffee that tastes the same as it would from your local coffee shop, you might want to explore other brewing options, like an espresso machine! Channel Your Inner Barista Once you’ve determined what you like to drink, the ingredients you’ll need for it, and the best mechanism for brewing your coffee, it’s time to channel your inner barista with the perfect set up! Gather your syrups, sugar canisters, favorite coffee mugs and stirring utensils and get creative with how you design your coffee station. It makes sense to have your coffee bar near your refrigerator if you like to add cream to your coffee. However if you opt-out of adding any refrigerated ingredients or drink black coffee, your coffee bar could be similar to a bar cart and could really be anywhere in your Acero Cooley Station apartment! (Photo by @Details.by.shelby) Making your own coffee bar in your apartment is much easier than you might think! Not only can you save time and energy by not having to drive to a coffee shop, but you can save money too! Give it a try and let us know how your new coffee corner turns out by tagging @AceroCooleyStation on Facebook or Instagram ! Keep following the blog here for more posts like this one, and we’ll see you next time!

Goodbye Spring Cleaning, Hello Summer Digital Detox!

Spring is notorious for cleaning. Dusting off the tail end of winter and welcoming a new season both outside and in the home! You’ve likely already wrapped up your spring cleaning, but there’s one thing you might have missed; tidying up your digital life! Is your email overflowing worse than your laundry? How about your phone contact list? Today we’re helping you bid farewell to spring cleaning, and say hello to the summer digital detox. Here are three easy things you can do in less than an hour that will help declutter your online life. Unsubscribe and Empty Your Email Ahh, the dreaded email inbox. An overcrowded inbox is almost as daunting as the laundry basket after you get back from camping or vacation. If you’re like most of us, you’ll put it off until it absolutely has to be handled. We get it! But it doesn’t have to be a painful experience. Think of it as a small task that will free up your inbox for more useful and important things. Find yourself a comfy spot on the couch, open your email (either on your phone or laptop) and simply start scrolling. Each email you come across that is from a brand or an email list you no longer want to subscribe to, open it, find the “unsubscribe” button, and that’s one less unwanted email! In addition to unsubscribing, delete emails that no longer need your attention. Is whatever the email was concerning resolved? Do you not need it for your records? Trash it! Scroll until you feel you’ve decluttered enough that you can breathe easy each time you open your app. Filter Your Contact List Have you had the same phone number for 10+ years? If you answered yes, it’s likely that you might not still be in contact with some of the folks listed in your phone’s contact list! If your phone is new and your contacts were automatically wiped, skip to the next paragraph. But if you’ve had the same phone/phone number for a while now, it’s time to clean up that contact list. Just the same as detoxing your email, start with the top of your contact list and as you scroll, delete contacts you no longer need! In some cases, you might be reminded of an old friend you haven’t talked to in a while. Give them a call, then pick up where you left off. Delete Old or Unnecessary Apps Most of us can admit that we’ve downloaded an app just for one, particular thing, then never used or opened it again. Can you think of a time you’ve done this? Well, that app is taking up storage, memory space, and battery life on your phone. If you don’t use it regularly (or haven’t used it since downloading it), you likely won’t miss it if you delete it. And the beautiful thing about technology is that if you delete the app, then a few months later need it for something, you can re-download it! Swipe through the different apps on your phone and get rid of those that you haven’t used in over two months. That is a simple and easy way to determine if you should keep it or not! Detoxing your digital life is almost as important as deep cleaning the bathroom or dusting the blinds. You probably don’t realize just how bad it needed to happen until you get started. If you found this summer digital detox guide handy, share it with your friends or family on Facebook and Instagram ! And keep following the Acero Cooley Station blog here for more posts like this one. Happy cleaning!