Posted on

10 Creative Graduation Party Ideas

As the end of the school year wraps up, graduation is right around the bend for many students.  Get started planning for you or a loved one’s graduation party with these ideas!

  1. Graduation cap cupcakes

Top a chocolate cupcake with a square piece of chocolate to mimic a graduation cap.  Add an m&m candy in the middle of it with a piece of string to complete the tassel for this sweet treat!

2. Class rings

Lay out a tray full of ring pops for a funny graduation themed candy.

3. Photo letters

Attach black and white photos to wooden block letters, it’s recommended to use the word “GRAD” but you can also use the graduate’s initials or Alma mater.

4. Memory jar

Place a jar on a table, accompanied by a stack of sticky notes and pens.  When people walk by they can write some of their favorite memories about the guest of honor for them to keep forever.

5. Diploma rolls

Fill a tortilla wrap with any food items of your choosing.  A savory option being ham, cheese, mushrooms, etc.  A sweet option being Nutella, peanut butter, bananas, strawberries, and more! Tie a little string around the wrap to complete the diploma aesthetic. 

6. Graduation wreath

Display an arrangement of photos from childhood to present time in a circle, with their graduation cap on the top to complete the wreath.

7. Backdrop

Cover one wall in school colors with their graduation year in big numbers at the top of this wall.  This makes for a great decoration, as well as a nice photo-op.

8. Theme

If this is for a high school graduate, and they have already chosen what college they are going to attend, deck the place out in the color scheme and logos of their future college. If they have just graduated college and are planning on taking on a career such as a doctor or teacher, perhaps decorate it accordingly to their future occupation.

9. Large balloon numbers

Get some classic big helium balloons to celebrate their graduation year as well as create another great photo op.

10. String lights

String lights always add a pleasing aesthetic to any party.  Whether you are stringing these lights outdoors, or inside along a wall, they will serve as a lovely piece of décor for your graduate.

If your graduate is moving off to college or moving home from college, get a quote from Zippy Shell today to help you move your belongings! 

Posted on

Don’t Wait Until Spring to put Your Home on the Market in New Orleans

Most people move at the end of spring or beginning of summer, that way they can get their kids adjusted before the new school year starts. They will be looking at homes as early as winter if not right now so act quick and get your home on the market if you are trying to sell soon!

Here are some tips that will help your house shine in the spring:

Rake and trim

The first thing a buyer will see is your yard and shrubbery. To make a good impression, you want to have them in tip-top-shape. Cut your grass and trim your bushes regularly. If you do not already have any, plant some colorful flowers to spice up your front yard.

Prep your home in the winter to prepare for it to be ready in the spring time!

Any indoor cleaning and decluttering that can be done, get that over with in the winter. While it’s cold outside you won’t be prepping the exterior of your home or your yard, so get to work reorganizing inside.

Offer a welcoming front entrance

At the front door have a homely welcome mat outside, as well as a small carpet right inside the front door. You can also set up an umbrella stand or coat rack right inside as well.

Utilize colors

Accessorize your rooms with pretty throw pillows or carpets, tailoring the colors to be spring themed, such as light blue or pink.

Polish your windows

Give your house an extra sparkle by brightening the exterior of your house. It will make your house appear newer.

Need Storage While you are Selling your Home?

Zippy Shell of Louisiana makes decluttering easy and affordable. We’ll deliver a storage container directly to your door for you to pack then store it in our secure climate-controlled storage facility. Out of the eyes of buyers! After your home sells, we’ll deliver your storage container to your new home!

Posted on

What to Look for in a Home in the Piedmont Triad

When house hunting, there are a few important tips you need to make sure you recognize before purchasing a house. Use these pointers to help you find your perfect house.

Have high expectations

Every house that is on the market has been groomed to look it’s best. It won’t take long after you move in for the house to get cluttered and appear much worse than when you first saw it. Make sure the rooms are big enough to allow for some extra items to be added to them so that when you develop some clutter you will still have enough room to function.

Sniff it out

If a house has an extremely strong scent, indicating too much potpourri or candles were used, this may indicate that the house has an unpleasant odor deep down. Take a deep breath in each room to see if there is a pleasant, natural smell. Keep an eye out for mold, pet stains, and mildew in cracks and crevices of the home.

Seek parking options

Some questions about parking options need to come into consideration when choosing a house. Does this new house have a garage to fit as many cars as you need? If it is in an area that receives a lot of snow, will the driveway and walkways be easy to plow? Is there free street parking in front of your house for when you have guests over?

Inspect for signs of neglect

Keep an eye out to see if the previous home owner really did take care of their home. When forgotten about, routine maintenance work can detrimentally ruin the value and structure of the house.

Keep Location in Mind

If the potential home you are looking at is near any type of body of water, even as little as a creek, take that into consideration that your backyard, or even worse, your home, may flood at some point. Also make sure the home is not located on a busy street or intersection where you will get a lot of excess noise from nearby traffic.

Check out the flow

When touring the home, can you picture yourself enjoying your time here? Make sure the flow of the home matches your lifestyle; for example, having easy access in and out the back door if you enjoy going outside to grill or hang out on the patio.

The Piedmont Triad area has many beautiful homes that would be lucky to have you. Once you have found your new home in the Piedmont Triad area, have Zippy Shell move your items for you! We can ease your move by safely delivering and unloading all of your belongings into your new dream home.

Posted on

Top 10 Reasons to Move to the Buckhead Neighborhood

If you are planning a move, whether you are upgrading, downgrading, or just looking for a change of pace, consider moving to the Buckhead neighborhood in Atlanta, Georgia for these reasons.

  1. Sporting events

Home of the Atlanta Falcons, Braves, Hawks, and United FC, Atlanta has a team you can cheer on in almost any sport.  These stadiums are located right outside the Buckhead area, allowing for an easy commute to the games.

2. Historical significance

Atlanta has many historical landmarks that you can visit and learn about.  You can see the birth home of Martin Luther King Jr., the historic Oakland Cemetery, the Smith Plantation Home, and much more.

3. Beautiful homes

If you are considering moving to the Buckhead neighborhood, you will know that it is home to some of the most desirable homes in the country.  No matter what the size of the home you are looking for, Buckhead will have a gorgeous home suited for you.

4. Piedmont Park

Being one of the most amazing parks in the country, this is definitely a site to see.  Piedmont Park hosts hundreds of events each year including fitness activities, dog parks, farmer’s markets, and much more!

5. Restaurants

Downtown Atlanta has numerous trendy restaurants ranging from all types of foods to satisfy your cravings.  Whether you are in the mood for a fancy sit down meal, or a quick bite on the go, Buckhead has plenty of delicious options for you.

6. School District

Buckhead has plenty of good schools nearby to give your children a great education with many well qualified teachers.

7. Universities

The Atlanta area has multiple exceptional colleges for you or your children to attend, including Georgia Tech, Emory University, Georgia State, and many more.

8. Zoo Atlanta & the Georgia Aquarium

Being so close to Zoo Atlanta as well as the Georgia Aquarium provides for amazing opportunities for you and the whole family to go see a variety of magnificent animals.

9. Weather

Georgia gives you a nice range of temperatures, that don’t stray too high or too low.  Summers are hot; averaging in the 80’s (degrees Fahrenheit), while winter’s only drop down to the 50’s.  Spring and fall both are nice warm temperatures ranging from the 60’s-70’s.

10. Lenox Square

This upscale shopping mall is the perfect location to go to buy whatever you are in need of.  This mall contains almost 200 varying stores including Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, and Neiman Marcus.

When planning your move, have Zippy Shell of Atlanta 
https://www.zippyshell.com/locations/georgia/atlanta-storage help move your belongings or store your items for the duration of your move. 

Posted on

Preparing Your Home For Fall

Check for drafts

Check around windows and doors if there are any spaces where cold air could leak in.  Seal these spaces with new frames, drapery, insulation, etc.

Turn off outdoor faucets

To prevent water from freezing within your pipes, turn off your outdoor water faucets.  Disconnect hoses and sprinklers so the remaining water can drain out.

Put away all seasonal furniture

If you haven’t done so already from summer, clean off and stow away all outdoor furniture.  This will ensure they will not be moldy or pest infested in the spring.

Inspect your chimney

If you have a wood fireplace, and use it often, consider having it cleaned out to have it in good shape for when it gets cold.

Stock up on snow gear

Buy salt for your driveway and sidewalks so that you are ready for when the first snowstorm of the season hits.  If you live in an especially cold area that receives a lot of snow, consider buying a snow blower.

Inspect trees

Look around to make sure none of your trees have weak branches that could result in thousands of dollars of roof repairs if they were to land on your house.

Clean your gutters

As the leaves start falling from the trees they are going to fill up your gutters.  Make sure to get up there and clean them out, so that when it rains water does not overflow onto the foundation of your home.

Fertilize your lawn

After fertilizing your lawn in the fall, it stands a better chance to survive the winter with minimal damage to your yard.

Drain your lawn equipment

Any machines you use for your yard that require gas, such as your lawnmower, should be drained.  Keeping excess gas in the tank can lead to a messy buildup and make it hard for the machine to return to work in the spring.