Now that we’ve burrowed out from a dreary winter and spring has sprung, I wanted to tell you about a few fun things we’ve got lined up this month:

April 7^th is National Caramel Popcorn Day, and we’ve got some sweet crunchy Cracker Jack to give out.  As if the sugary goodness wasn’t enough, you get an awesome prize inside the box.  Stop by the office for a box of Cracker Jack and let the kid inside you rejoice.

April 15^th could have been a day just like any other, but then the IRS had to swoop in and ruin that day for many of us.  The saying goes that there’s nothing certain but death and taxes, but we’re certain that you deserve a Payday (just like the government!).  Stop by the office for your own Payday treat.

We’ve always been told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day-though many could argue that Happy Hour comes in at a close second.  Our days get so hectic, that we often neglect breakfast.  Does your typical breakfast consist of a cup of coffee and whatever stale baked goods you can scrounge up from the office fridge?  We want to treat you to a little piece of early morning delight on April 16^th from 7am-9am with a special Breakfast on the Go.  As you start your early morning commute, drive your car through the main entrance and pick up a goodie bag full of breakfast treats.  Feel free to share with your coworkers, or keep them all to yourself.  We won’t judge you; sometimes a little cubicle envy is necessary.

Have you ever had one of those days where you feel like you could curl up and sleep all day-but then remembered that work gets in the way?  April 18^th is National Wear Your PJ’s to Work Day, which is the perfect opportunity to embrace the fact that footie pajamas really do make you invincible and give you super human powers.  If your boss seems skeptical, simply show them how productive you are in your “work appropriate attire”.  Look Mom, I’m doing spreadsheets!

Did you know that April 26^th is National Pretzel Day?  Chances are you didn’t, but now you know and knowing truly is half the battle.  Celebrate this crunchy treat by hitting up our pretzel rod dipping station.  We’ll have melted chocolate, candy toppings, cookie toppings, nuts, and just about anything else you can get to stick to a pretzel rod.  Short on time?  Don’t fret, we’ll have some already wrapped up and ready to go!

Greystar Management is a proud supporter of the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  Their unique mission is to find cures for children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases through research and treatment. And no family ever pays St. Jude for anything.  Help us reach Greystar’s nationwide fundraising goal of $450,000.  On April 27^th, we’re offering up a Car Wash for our residents in exchange for a donation to support this life changing cause.

Each month we will be inviting all residents with birthdays within that month to come down for a slice of cake.  We would like to invite all of our April babies (and any March babies who missed out on the cake last month) to come to the clubhouse on April 30^th from 4-6pm.  A very happy birthday month to Kimberly Y., Amanda C., Doug G., Matt L., Alia C., Lisa G., Amanda J., Katherin H., Brian B., Stephanie K., Yassminda H., Brad H., Felicia W., April R., Hannah M., Anne L., Claire S., Sara M., April C., Cole W., Jeremy B., Stephanie T., Charmaine P., Woojin S., David R., Brett H., Shelia P., Teresa S.,Joesph M., Barbara J., Tenicia J., Tamrah S., Brian B., Jaymie B., Kellie M., Nicholas S., Marcelo O., Stephanie J., Nikki R., Tracy D., Angela Z., and Jared L.!

As always, if you haven’t liked our Facebook business page, jump on it!  That’s where I like to post my little words of wisdom, our resident events, and all the fun things that I think of during the day.  Be on the lookout for info on our upcoming summer events-pool party time!  Do you have a great suggestion for a resident event?  Send me an email, and we’ll try to make it happen!  See you all soon!

It’s a beautiful spring afternoon and we’re feeling generous at our community today!  This weekend, YOU can get lucky!  We’ve got amazing deals on our apartments-our one bedrooms are starting as low as $865 per month when you sign a 12 month lease by March 31st.  Not looking to move until April or May?  Don’t worry, your luck hasn’t run out!  You can get a full month of free rent!

There’s a lot of great TV shows premiering this spring.  What better way to watch them than on your new FREE 50″ HDTV?  If you’re feeling lucky, stop by this weekend and see how you can get one!

Come try your luck,

Arti the Frog

It has been long debated which kitchen the best Southern cooking comes from.  With so many regional specialities, its hard to nail that down to one location.  Restaurant menus blossom with local favorites, from spicy Nawlins’ Creole, to Charleston’s Low-Country seafood, and toe-tapping good Memphis BBQ. Well my friends, it seems our very own Bull City (that would be Durham for those not in the know) is making its own headlines.  Durham is in steep competition with nine other cities to be named by Southern Living Magazine as The South’s Tastiest Town.  You can log onto the magazine’s website to vote for Durham through February 28th, plus you’ll be entered for a cahnce to win $1500!

http://www.southernliving.com/travel/souths-tastiest-towns-00417000076768/

Swimmingly yours,

Arti the Frog

Here, in the heart of North Carolina, we love our BBQ.  We like it cooked low and slow so its tender and smoky.  Many try, but come up short in the BBQ deliciousness equation.  No one does it better than the Triangle-favorite; The Humble Pig!  This husband/wife duo has been serving up locally raised pork and chicken for the Triangle masses, and we can see why there are so many happy faces on their website.  Forget the age old debate about vinegar vs. tomato based sauces, they have a sauce for almost every regional palette.  They will be here from 5-7pm, so be sure to swing by!  If you’ve got a favorite food truck and want to see them out here, shoot us an email so we can contact them.  See you soon!

Check their website out, but try not to drool on your keyboard!  www.thehumblepig.com

Swimmingly yours,

Arti the Frog

http://www.oprah.com/gift-list/Oprahs-Favorite-Things-2012/1

Swimmingly yours,

Arti the Frog

Well our Big Day has finally arrived!  We’ve wrangled fierce bouquets of mums and hydrangeas, wrestled with yards and yards of linens, climbed to the highest of heights with strings of tiny white lights, tamed a beast of a red carpet, juggled crates and crates of bottles, and literally walked on broken glass.  The circus madness of these last few days has lead up to our official Grand Opening party tonight, and we couldn’t be any happier! 

We hope to see each and every one of you under our Big Top tonight.  The paparazzi bulbs start flashing on the red carpet at 7pm.  We promise you’ll be dazzled and amazed!

Swimmingly yours,

Arti the Frog

Anyone with a dog knows that look they get in their eyes as you shut the door to leave.  Panic.  They always think you’re leaving for good, yet there you are each evening coming back home.  And who’s at the door waiting to greet you?  When you’re feeling less than your usual stellar self, who is there to cuddle with you on the couch?  When you’ve just finished making yourself a Dagwood Bumstead-worthy sandwich,  who is there to snatch it off your plate once your back is turned?  They call them man’s best friend for a reason folks; because they are loyal through and through. 

I figured it’s time we do something special for our four-legged friends, so on Saturday, October 20th we’re officially opening our Bark Park.  Swing by with your pooch between 12pm and 2pm to let your best friend roam the grounds while you enjoy a hot dog (no pun intended).  Once your doggie is pooped out (don’t even go there) they can enjoy a special treat just for dogs.  There will be a photographer on hand to snap photos of all the action.  So let your friend run wild with the pack for a few hours, he’s deserved it!

Swimmingly yours,

Arti the Frog

Resident Fun Captain

This drop in temperature has got us all searching for something comforting, something slightly…warmer.  But you know that feeling when all your usual go to spots sound a little less than desirable?  They’re all the same, only the names will change?  We’ve got something new for you to sink your teeth into.  Join us at the clubhouse Wednesday, October 10th as the Baguettaboutit Food Truck rolls in.  What could be better than a freshly baked baguette that’s been hollowed out and stuffed with a plump handmade sausage, then drizzled in a homemade sauce designed to bewilder the senses?  The answer is nothing.  Except maybe TWO freshly baked baguettes hollowed out and stuffed with…you get the picture.  I must also mention the fact that these ingredients are all sourced locally.  Bonus!

Go ahead and turn your nose up at those ridiculous golden arches, give the pizza delivery kid the night off, and just say no to a #13 combo with fried rice and an eggroll.  Baguettaboutit is rolling in from 5pm-7pm, so stop by and get yourself a little loaf of heaven.

Swimmingly Yours,

Arti the Frog

Keep your eyes peeled for this truck, it's rolling in pretty soon!

Hi everyone,

If you love food trucks as much as Team ABL does, then join us Wednesday afternoon at 5pm when one of our favorite trucks, American Meltdown, rolls in.  This truck takes the grilled cheese sandwich we all loved as a kid, and turns it into the Mighty Melt that you will crave as an adult.  They start with locally baked breads, get those delicious morsels of cheese all gooey, then throw in unexpected ingredients like salsa verde, cherry peppers, or speck.  Go ahead, look up speck.  We’ll wait.

If you’re done salivating on your keyboard now, make yourself a reminder to come out the clubhouse on September 26th, starting at 5pm, to get your melt on.  You’ll be sorry if you don’t…

http://americanmeltdown.org

Swimmingly yours,

Arti the Frog

Looking for a new pad?  Don’t waste your valuable time touring apartment community after apartment community!  Hop on over to Artisan at Brightleaf to visit THE premier community in Durham.  Where else can you lounge on a poolside cabana chair, sipping a beverage, while a steak sizzles on the grill?  If your mind is drifting off to that Caribbean resort you visited, then you’re on the right track.  Artisan at Brightleaf is designed to feel like you are on a permanent vacation.  When you make a beeline for the door at the end of your shift, nothing is more comforting than knowing you’ve got a “mini vacay” until it’s time to put the nose to the grind again.  If you move in before September 30th, you can get a discounted monthly rate AND one month of rent free!  Anyone applying this month is entered into a drawing for a free iPad.  If that’s not the cute little umbrella in your drink, then I don’t know what is.

And if you got that Tom Cruise reference, then I applaud you with my little webbed hands.

Swimmingly yours,

Arti the Frog