Did you know we recycle 63% of all our trash – this helps reduce impact on landfills. But how can you help? Here are our top 5 things to remember when recycling:

• Be Informed- Know what you can and cannot recycle – every city has their own list of what to recycle and dispose of Visit Montgomery Count’s Division of Solid Waste Services for full details.
• Make It Convenient – Be sure to keep your recycling bin within reach, right near your trash. This gives you the easy access to think twice when throwing items away. Our ecopods already come equipped with a handy recycling sorter!
• Reuse It – Buy reusable products such reusable or electric razors, reusable dishes, mugs and utensils, and bring your lunch to work in a reusable lunch bag.
• Check The Bathroom – Do you just throw your finished toiletries away? Lots of items from the bathroom can be recycled too. Simply rinse out those empty bottles and toss them in your recycling!
• Remember Glass Jars – From jam to spice jars, just give them a rinse and recycle with your other glass! For added reuse, keep them around instead of purchasing new tupperware for food storage.

DON’T FORGET! Be sure to bring your own bags with you when hitting the shops. Starting this year, the new law, designed to cut down on pollution caused by plastic, places a five-cent charge on each paper or plastic carryout bag provided by retail establishments! Even if you don’t plan on saving your 5 cents by going reusable, that money will be deposited into the County’s Water Quality Protection Charge (WQPC) fund.

We aim for a beautiful and eco friendly community that you can simply put your feet up and relax. We’re glad you can help us build a more beautiful Silver Spring!

Get the Gear. In order to be a success on the ice or on the slopes, you need to look great and have the technology to set you apart! The Silver Spring, MD and Washington, DC area host some of the greatest places to pick up gear. Like Ski Chalet in Gaithersburg from snowboard jackets to ski apparel, they have it all (even wakeboards and hiking shoes when snow is not in season!) Ski Center in DC is your one stop shop for all things ski related. Can’t make it in the store? Their online shop delivers, and will still allow you to support local businesses in the Washington DC Metro area!

Hit the Slopes. If you’re not familiar with all 34 resorts in the mid-Atlantic, DCSki is the best place to start, with profiles of every resort from Liberty Mountain in Pennsylvania to Snowshoe in West Virginia. Just a short drive from Silver Spring and you’re on the Shawnee Mountains, geared and ready to go!

Not the type for skiing? Shivering on the slopes not your idea of a great time? Well, grab a cup of cocoa and cozy up in our lounge . It’s the perfect place to put your feet up and tune out the bustling city. Plus, there’s always the beautifully lit Silver Spring Ice Skating at Veterans Plaza, which is open until March 13^th this year!

1. Take A Breath

Start with what’s most important. Breathe! Whether that’s getting back to nature at nearby parks in Silver Spring or lounging by our outdoor fire pit, be sure to take a break from your day and enjoy. This will encourage a new outlook on life and slow you down.

Looking for other ways to breathe? Start with meditation and yoga at hot spots like Willow Street Yoga, just down the road.

2. Get Out There

Whether it’s working the stress off in our top of the line gyms at The Blairs or getting your dance on in the city, there’s no better way to relax than sweating it out.

Mix up your everyday routine, with a few laps at our Olympic size swimming pool, or trying a new club downtown. Download our free Silver Spring map, with all the local hot spots to start planning!

3. Live Simple

The New Year is the perfect time to get rid of the clutter in your life! Try The Container Store, IKEA or Bed Bath & Beyond, all within a short drive, for your chance to simplify your apartment here at The Blairs!

You can even simplify your diet by choosing local, fresh ingredients. Visit Fenton Street Market (Opens in April) or join a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program such as Sandy Spring CSA in Silver Spring to have fresh produce delivered regularly!

Public Art

The experience of window shopping in Silver Spring can be as captivating as walking through a renowned art exhibit. With over 36 public art exhibits to enjoy, you can experience art its highest level just steps outside your Blairs home. One of our favorites is the magnificent mural outside of the Discovery Communications Headquarters Building. “A Brushstroke of Discovery” is a unique and engaging depiction of interconnectedness of life’s species with the history of planet Earth.

Melodic Tunes

Downtown Silver Spring hosts annual Blues and Jazz music festivals which galvanize community around music. These free events feature an eclectic variety of performers from Aaron Neville to Ida Campbell & the Blues Nation. This is event not only for adults, children can enjoy themselves as well with crafts, face painting, magicians, clowns, and a musical instrument petting zoo.

Enticing Films

Almost every month film festivals are taking place in the Silver Spring area. Independent filmmakers create informative documentaries that build community dialogue which adds to the depth of the Silver Spring living experience. Currently the Washington Jewish Film Festival is showing at AFI Silver Theatre from December 1-11, 2011. These award-winning feature films, documentaries and shorts illustrate the diversity of the Jewish experience, culture and history.

Dining

Palatable pleasure describes dining in Silver Spring while consuming these traditional arts. Delectable restaurants rule in Silver Spring such as the Golden Flame, voted Best of Silver Spring, or the enjoyable Jackie’s Restaurant which honors from The Washington Post.

 Living in Silver Spring has made a name for itself in meshing luxury living and casual coolness. The Blairs apartments emulate that same superior energy in each of its five distinctive styles of apartments, from studios to townhomes. Boasting GE ENERGY STAR qualified CleanSteel appliances and Silestone quartz countertops, our kitchens are sparkling from the moment you walk in, the perfect contrast to the panoramic views of Rock Creek Park.

But how do you decorate your new abode? Take a few tips from us; here are some of the hottest trends this fall.

Glamour & Gilt

This fall is all about incorporating rich materials, sultry curves and sophisticated colors into your home. Classic pieces with a little refinement can easily be mixed with the things you love. Can’t afford a new metallic leather couch (another trend we love)? Go for mixing in some swank accessories, like silk pillows with a pop of color or gilded accessories atop your Silver Spring townhomes’ fireplace. Try visiting World Market  in Chevy Chase, MD to find these luxury items.

Slim & Practical

Make your apartment seem even bigger by using clean lines and simple storage solutions. Clean lines are the easiest way to keep a simple, crisp look in your room. Try a great side table with a nice pop of color; Ikea  is infamous for its cheery and modern take on furniture, just moments away in College Park. Look for other pieces that are multi functional: beds with built in storage, tables that can just as comfortably fit 2 as 20, and even nesting kitchen accessories that keep the clutter away.

Go Gray

Gray is everywhere in interior design lately – the hottest neutral to the market. Cool tones of gray against warm colors really pop. Gray paired with chartreuse, yellow, and orange make for a sophisticated combination in an unexpected way.

Looking to tone it down? Gray with a mix of other neutrals like taupe and white provide a calming versatile base for accent colors, perfect for apartment living, for more great design shots, check our gallery of Silver Spring Apartments!

Where to Play:

Try the Pyramid Atlantic Art Gallery (Gallery/Space), for some inspiration and creativity. Updated monthly, the gallery supports and energizes regional artists, so you always have more local flair. They also do workshops and programs to introduce you to print making, book making and more!

American Film Institute (Theater) – Who doesn’t love a good film? The AFI is where it’s at, from timeless classics, to the hottest blockbusters, you are sure to find something to fit the bill for your next night out. From November 3^rd – 22^nd, AFI is holding their European Union Film Fest as a package deal!

Jackie’s Sidebar, Open Tuesday through Saturday. With a killer $6 cocktail happy hour, this hip hangout is sure to be your new favorite neighborhood bar. Featuring well crafted cocktails and pool tables all at this incredible venue off the beaten path.

Where to Shop:

City Place is your one-stop-shop in Silver Spring, with all your shopping needs in one spot. Not just there to pick up the latest trends and fashions, City Place has featured restaurants, bars, banks, salons and more! All of these great places just moments away from The Blairs.

Pacers (Running Gear) – The holiday season brings a lot of goodies, from turkey with all the fixings to fruit cakes. Beat the holiday season before it starts by picking up some gear at Pacers: running shoes, apparel and accessories, to make the most of your next run. Added bonus: they do seminars every week to show you how to run harder and safer.

Where to Eat:

Need something quick AND delicious? Crisp & Juicy (Peruvian Chicken)  is right here at the Blairs and the best place to get Peruvian chicken in Silver Spring. Dine in and get some crisp chicken with classic sides like yucca and plantains, or take the whole chicken to go and live it up at your Blairs’ Apartment.

Ray’s The Classics chooses only the finest natural and farm-raised beef, guaranteeing one of the best char grilled steaks you’ve ever had. But, for an even better deal? Try for a spot on the Bistro Side of the restaurant, which has one of the best burgers in DC (Ray also runs Ray’s Hell Burger in Arlington, so he knows what he’s doing).

Those committed to living an eco-friendly lifestyle in their downtown Silver Spring apartment are all trying to do the right thing. From recycling bottles, paper and cans to bringing reusable shopping bags to the grocery store, or even buying fuel-efficient cars, “greenies” have adopted routines designed to make a difference in their environment.

But one thing may have been overlooked – household furniture. In fact, it’s probably the biggest green “offense” committed. Part of the reason it’s overlooked is that most people don’t even think of furniture as contributing to a sustainable or “green” lifestyle. Or perhaps it’s because no one even knows what sustainable furniture is.

So, what should you look for when buying sustainable furniture for your green apartment home in Silver Spring, MD?

1. Furniture from sustainable materials – the most obvious choice is found in the best of modern wood furniture-making practices. From mahogany grown and harvested from sustainable wood plantations in Africa and Honduras to the king of all sustainable wood – bamboo, there are a multitude of wood alternatives that are now farmed sustainably and readily available to environmentally conscientious furniture makers and buyers.
2. Recycled/reclaimed furniture – this is not what you might find abandoned on the side of the road. We’re talking about furniture made from old wood beams, wood from deconstructed buildings, or even old orchards. Having already served a useful life, this wood gets the opportunity to be productive yet again.
3. Vintage/consignment antiques – resale stores are an excellent source for sustainable furniture. Generally speaking, these antiques tend to be well crafted, hardwood furniture that have withstood the test of time. Craftsmen utilized real maple, walnut and cherry wood to create beautiful, sustainable furniture that can be passed down from generation to generation as opposed to ending up in a landfill. If it was good enough for Grandma, it should be good enough for you!

Other suggestions include light fixtures made from copper which is long-lasting, incredibly durable and 100% recyclable or those made from recycle glass and aluminum which produce some of the most beautiful, sophisticated designs.

Just a few tips to keep in mind when you’re looking to decorate your new home at The Blairs Apartments, with LEED Certified apartments.

Getaway 1: Stay-cation in the City

With the Red Line just moments away from your front door, why go to the trouble of driving somewhere? Washington, DC is just within your grasp, and with a little planning you can fall in love with the city. From the history to night life, DC really has it all – visit neighborhoods you rarely get the chance to see like Dupont Circle or Capitol Hill, see monuments that bring visitors from all over the world to your back yard, or just live it up with Georgetown shopping and club hopping.

Want to make it an official trip? Book a high-end hotel for the evening to really feel like you’re in the lap of luxury. Try the W Hotel or The Monaco.

Getaway 2: Hit the Shore

As autumn turns up and the weather gets cooler, you may be weary of hitting the beach – But, you can still get that salty air and catch the end of crab season with a visit to the Chesapeake Bay! Dotted with small coastal towns, there’s plenty of exploring to do, from quaint St. Michael’s to Ocean City. Your best bet? Try an incredible slice of Smith Island cake (a uniquely Maryland treat) and work it off with kayaking and biking along the coast!

Take Blue Crab Scenic Byway to really experience the beauty of fall foliage on your way back.

Getaway 3: Country Bound

Head west and live it up country style – West Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley can provide you that little bit of fresh air you need to get back to nature. Whether you stay at a quaint bed and breakfast or a luxury spa, the small towns of this region offer wineries, apple orchards and antique stores. Shenandoah National Park is known for its beautiful hiking and nature walks, but you can also try horseback riding, hot air ballooning or fishing. Old Town Winchester is another great stop for picking up some lovely antiques or visiting some historic landmarks.

Whether you are looking to get away or stay close to home, The Blairs’ is central to your every need – From Silver Spring, MD to Shenandoah, your new apartment brings the conveniences of Washington, DC with the access to everything in between. To learn more about The Blairs’ location visit: http://www.blairapartments.com/location.html

We at The Blairs know this is important to you – So, how do you treat your pet with the same respect? Go Green!

1. Cleaning up after your pet can be a hassle, but skip the over-produced cleaners and try something home made. DIY cleaners like a classic hot water, vinegar and baking soda combination is entirely pet-friendly. If you don’t have the time to produce something homemade, at least pick up cleaning products that are natural and non-toxic to protect your pets.
2. You are what you eat and the same goes for your pets! Choose natural, organic pet food that is free of chemicals and preservatives that can be harmful to your pet. Certified organic pet foods meet strict USDA Standard and contain no pesticides, hormones or artificial/genetically engineered ingredients.
3. Picking “it” up is never a pleasant experience, but you can make sure you’re doing your duties with biodegradable doggy bags or biodegradable cat litter. Did you know that traditional clay based cat litter isn’t biodegradable, and the chemicals used in them are the same as for grouting and sealants?
4. Having fun with your pet can be eco-friendly, too. Choose toys, beds and collars made with sustainable fibers such as hemp  for long lasting fun that is safe for your pet. Look for seals and certifications on toys next time you’re shopping. Another option is to reuse old toys from friends and family or fashion clothes and rags into new recycled toys for your pets.
5. Choose eco-friendly and pet-safe products and services throughout the area. Try Living Ruff in Silver Spring for raw food options and toys or Washington DC’s Planet Pet that offers environmentally friendly day care and grooming.

The Blairs offers your pet the same healthy, sustainable lifestyle we offer our residents. The non-toxic landscaping and cleaning options we use mean even your next walk around the block is an environmentally friendly experience.

Not a resident? Learn about our Ecopads , The Blairs’ brand new eco-friendly apartments featuring GE Clean Steel appliances, recycled counter tops, along with oversized closets and the other amenities you expect from a luxury complex.

Film – Across DC – September 8-18th, 2011
Can’t stand sitting through a full length film? The DC Shorts Film Festival (www.dcshorts.com) is featuring 145 films from 23 different countries this year. At four theaters across the city and 3 weeks to check it out, you have a plenty of time to really get a taste of the DC life you’re so close to. Better get those tickets in advance, they’re prone to selling out!

Music – Silver Spring Station – September 10th, 2011
Right in your own back yard, don’t miss the Silver Spring Jazz Festival with live performances in downtown Silver Spring, at Veterans Plaza at the Silver Spring Civic Building. Check the event page at Silver Spring Downtown (http://www.silverspringdowntown.com/event/2011-silver-spring-jazz-festival) for updates on participating jazz bands, events and more!

Food – Rockville Station – September 10-18th, 2011
Did you miss DC, Baltimore or Bethesda’s restaurant weeks? You can still get your grub on at Rockville Restaurant Week (www.rockvillerestaurantweek.com) featuring world cuisine at small town prices ($15-$30 for a great prix-fixe menus). From Italian to Thai – you’ve got some great choices. Check for prices and menus at: www.rockvillerestaurantweek.com.

Culture – Across DC – September 15th-October 15th
National Hispanic Heritage Month has contributed some incredible events to the area. Some of our favorites include: The National Gallery of Art’s exhibit featuring Hispanic artists, local AFI Silver Theater’s Latin American Film Festival (September 22nd – October 12th) in Silver Spring; and the biggest event of all, Fiestia DC, which will feature parades, arts, cuisine and more, taking place in Columbia Heights on September 25th. For full event details visit: www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov.

Arts – Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan Station – October 1st, 2011
The Crafty Bastards Arts & Crafts Fair (http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/craftybastards/) has some of the hottest indie artists and Etsy stars in the area. Now, in its 8th consecutive year, this all-day event offers great items for purchase, food, entertainment and prizes – Best of all it’s FREE! New this year, check out their Food Craft section featuring everything from preserves to pickles!

Just hop on the Red Line and live it up this fall – Your apartment in Silver Spring gives you access to endless nightlife, culture, and more. Still looking? We’re always updating our Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/blairsapartments) with great local events throughout the week!