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Fun facts about Dallas 

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Dallas, colloquially referred to as ‘Big D’, is located in the North of Texas. Here are just 10 fun facts about the US city. 

  • Population
  • Visitors 
  • Big Tex
  • Frozen margaritas
  • 7-eleven 
  • German chocolate cake 
  • Popcorn
  • Cake 
  • Famous faces
  • Art

Population 

Dallas is home to 1,281,047 people, making it the 3rd largest city in Texas and the 9th largest city in the US. 

Photo by Talena Reese from Pexels

Visitors 

On average 24.9 million people visit Dallas each year. The JFK Museum, Botanical Gardens, and Reunion Tower are just some of the attractions that tourists travel to see.

Photo by Irbin Medina from Pexels

Big Tex

Big Tex is a 52-foot tall statue that welcomes visitors to the annual state fair of Texas, which is held at Fair Park in Dallas every year. Not only is Big Tex a cultural icon of both Dallas and Texas, but he is also the tallest cowboy in the whole of Texas. 

Image by David Grant

Frozen margaritas 

The only way to improve on the perfection that is a cocktail is to freeze it. Although we don’t know who invented frozen margaritas, we do know that Mariano Martinez was the genius behind the frozen margarita machine. In 1971 Mariano Martinez was receiving complaints from customers at his restaurant in Dallas because bartenders weren’t accurately measuring the quantities of their frozen margaritas due to their high demand. Cleverly, Martinez figured out that an automatic mixer could both produce the perfectly mixed frozen margarita and ease the load on his bartenders. Thus, he began using a soft-serve ice cream machine to generate his frozen margaritas, and the frozen margarita machine was born. 

Image by Missvain

7-eleven 

We’ve all heard of, and probably visited, 7-eleven, America’s popular convenience store. But, did you know that 7-eleven was founded in Dallas, where its headquarters remain? The chain was founded in 1927 as an ice house storefront in Dallas. Then named Tote’m Stores, they sold ice as well as basic essentials such as bread and eggs. The name 7-eleven wasn’t used until 1946 when the name changed to reflect the store’s new opening hours- 7 am to 11 pm.  

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German chocolate cake 

Contrary to the name, German chocolate cake does not originate from Germany, but Dallas. In 1852 an English American baker named Samuel German created a dark baking chocolate with more sugar than the average semi-sweet baking chocolate. 105 years later, the Dallas Morning News published a cake recipe by Mrs. George Clay called German’s Chocolate Cake, because it used Samuel German’s specific baking chocolate. As the recipe was distributed, the apostrophe was dropped and the name altered to German Chocolate Cake as we know it today. 

Image by Kimberly Vardeman

Popcorn 

According to Fortune magazine more popcorn is consumed in the Dallas-Fort Worth area than any other. Historian and columnist for the Dallas Morning News, A.C Greene, believes that this is because many people in Dallas still visit the movies to see the latest blockbusters. Naturally, popcorn and movies go hand in hand, thus explaining the high demand for it in the Dallas area. 

Photo by Pavel Danilyuk from Pexels

Cake

Another fun Dallas cake fact is that there is a slice of cake from the 1913 wedding of President Woodrow Wilson’s daughter, Jessie, in Woodrow Wilson High School. The cake was sent from one of Jessie’s bridesmaids in Texas to her cousin in Dallas. In 1927, the cake was laid in one of the cornerstones of the school. 

Photo by Rene Asmussen from Pexels

Famous faces 

Dallas was the birthplace of some of the world’s most famous faces. Included in that list are Owen Wilson, Usher, Selena Gomez, and Kelly Clarkson. 

Image by Eva Rinaldi

Art

At 68 acres, The Dallas Arts District is the largest urban arts district in the US. It is home to facilities for visual, performing, and developing arts including the Meyerson Symphony Centre, Winspear Opera House, and Dallas Museum of Art. It is in the arts district that you can find a wide variety of art spanning from ancient times to the present. 

Image by Dallasborn&bred

The best thing about Dallas is that Laundryheap operates in the city. Book your Laundryheap order today by heading to the Laundryheap website or downloading the free Laundryheap app. 


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How to stay active in LA

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Staying active keeps both the body and mind healthy. LA is overflowing with fun and entertaining ways to stay active, sometimes without even realizing it. 

  • Hiking
  • Surfing 
  • Running
  • Walking
  • Yoga 

Hiking 

The best way to see LA is to take a hike and observe the city from above. Due to the mountains and forests that surround Los Angeles, there is an abundance of hiking trails, both for beginners and advanced hikers. To view LA in its entirety, you can hike to Griffith Park, or, if it’s a sea view you are after, try Corral Canyon Park. Hiking is an incredible form of exercise. Not only does it get your body moving, but the different landscapes and terrain you encounter on your journey keep your mind sharp and alert. Above all, hiking is an excellent chance to escape in nature, and find some peace away from the bustling city below. 

Image by April K

Surfing

LA has several amazing beaches, the most notorious of which is Santa Monica. Surfing is amazing for both cardio and strength fitness. Paddling out to sea will strengthen your back and shoulders, whilst riding waves strengthens your core and leg muscles. If you have never surfed before, but are eager to give it a go, there are plenty of services across LA that offer surf lessons, both one-on-one and in small groups. For beginners, El Porto in El Segundo is a great beach to begin surfing, and Sunset Beach off of the Pacific Coast Highway attracts a massive amount of surfers of all levels.

 Running

Whether you like running with a sea-view, or prefer more of a concrete-jungle experience, LA comes with plenty of stunning running locations. For sea-views, you can run from Santa Monica to Venice beach (5 miles), or head to Palisades Park (3 miles). Griffith Park, one of the largest urban parks in the US, spreads out over 4,300 acres of land, perfect for running on. There are countless running trails that you can take, however, the 6.3 miles Canyon Drive Trail, which takes you to the Hollywood sign, is one of the most popular. Running is a fantastic way to improve cardiovascular health, release mood-improving endorphins, and see the amazing city of LA.

Walking

If running isn’t really your thing, walking for just 30 minutes a day can improve the circulation in your body, strengthen your muscles, and release endorphins. All of the LA running trails available you can also walk, just look out for runners! LA is overflowing with incredible sights, such as the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which can be walked to and around. Even strolling down Santa Monica or Venice beach will up your step count. There are so many incredible things to see and do in LA, that you won’t even realise the amount you have walked in just one day. 

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Yoga

Yoga is incredible at improving strength and flexibility, whilst providing a few moments of reflection and calmness. Across LA, you can find either free or donation-run yoga classes. From Runyon Canyon to Echo Park, these free classes are run by professional yoga instructors, and are just as effective as $25 yoga classes. Free yoga classes are often day and time specific, so it’s best to do some research before heading to one. 

Photo by Artem Beliaikin from Pexels

Whilst you are keeping active in LA, we will be keeping active by doing your laundry. To book your Laundryheap service, simply head to the Laundryheap website or download the free Laundryheap app. 


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Top places to visit in Boston

Boston is the capital city of Massachusetts. It is overflowing  with history and culture for you to explore at your leisure. 

  • Boston Common
  • Freedom Trail 
  • Faneuil Hall
  • Boston waterfront 
  • Boston Public Library 
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology 
  • Boston Museum of Fine Art 
  • Fenway Park 
  • The North End 
  • Museum of Science

Boston Common 

Boston Common can be found right in the heart of the city. It is America’s oldest park and is used by tourists and locals all year round. From November to mid-March you can rent skates and go ice skating on the Frog Pond. In the Spring months, you can watch blossoms bloom, and, in the summer, enjoy splashing around in the wading pool.

Adjoining the park, is the 24-acre Public Garden, America’s oldest botanical garden. It is here, that you can experience one of Boston’s most iconic experiences- sailing across the lake in Swan Boats, established in the 1870s. 

Freedom Trail 

Boston Common is also the beginning of the Freedom Trail- a three-mile trail that leads you to 16 of Boston’s historic monuments and sites. To follow the trail, simply keep to the red bricks on the sidewalk and footprints at the street crossings. 

You will begin your trail at Boston Common, where you can pick up brochures about each site you will be visiting at the Visitor Centre. From Boston Common, you can visit the State House, before moving on to the Old Granary Burying Ground, King’s Chapel Burying Ground, and the Old State House. 

The Boston Freedom Trail is the perfect way to learn a brief history of Boston, and America, in one day. 

Faneuil Hall

Faneuil Hall was built in 1740 as a market hall. It was presented to the city of Boston, under the condition that it would always be open to the public. On the ground floor, you can browse market stalls that spill over into the adjoining Faneuil Hall Marketplace, founded in the early 19th century. Here, you will find an abundance of shops, restaurants, and exhibitions. If the weather is nice, you may also find buskers and street performers in the square around the market. 

The second floor of Faneuil Hall is home to a council chamber where, in the 18th and 19th centuries, revolutionaries met. Above this chamber, you can explore the Ancient and Honourable Artillery Museum, which showcases an array of weaponry, uniforms, and paintings from significant battles.

Boston waterfront   

If you are looking for a spectacular view of the Boston city skyline, then head to the Boston waterfront. When you reach the waterfront, you can take a stroll along the harbour, currently 38 miles long, and take in the wonderful view of the city. The best way to experience the Boston waterfront, is by starting at the New England Aquarium and following the walk to the John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse. Make sure you have your camera ready, because you won’t want to leave without a photo or two. 

Boston Public Library 

The Boston Public Library, founded in 1848, was the first publicly funded lending library in America. As you venture inside, you will find Renaissance Revival architecture and murals by John Singer Sargent and Edwin Abbey, granite medallions over the entrance arches, and three sets of bronze doors in the vestibule. It is one of the most beautiful buildings in Boston. 

Once you have admired inside the Boston Public Library, admire it on the outside by enjoying a picnic on the grassy lawn. You can relax amongst a strange mixture of old and new buildings, which tower over you in perfect harmony. 

Massachusetts Institute of Technology 

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a must-visit for fans of modern and postmodern architecture. Spread across 150 acres, you can explore the works of noted architects, such as Alvar Aalto, Eduardo Catalano, I. M. Pei, Frank Gehry, and Eero Saarinen. Littered around the museum are sculptures and installations by artists such as Pablo Picasso and Henry Moore, all which can be viewed with the help of a self-guided walking tour map. There is plenty to see at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 

Boston Museum of Fine Art  

Nestled within the Boston Museum of Fine Art you will find impressionist paintings, Asian and Persian fine art, and ancient art from Greece and the Middle East. Recently, the museum has expanded to house an array of American art, laid out in chronological order. In this wing you will find American paintings, furniture, decorative arts, folk art, silver, glassware, and design dating from pre-Columbia. You don’t have to be a lover of fine art to find something of interest in this vast museum. 

Fenway Park 

Home to the Boston Red Sox, Fenway Park is known as America’s Most Loved Ballpark. First opened on the 20th of April 1912, not a lot has changed in the century it has been opened. As you tour the park, you can observe some of it’s classic features, such as the hand-operated scoreboard. Don’t forget to get a picture of the Green Monster, Fenway Park’s 37-foot green wall that you can find in left field. Even if you aren’t a sports fan, you will find a tour of the quirky Fenway Park interesting. 

The North End 

North End is one of Boston’s oldest neighbourhoods. It is where silversmith and activist leader Paul Revere lived during the American Revolution. The house that he lived in at the time, situated in North End, is open to tour, as is the Old North Church, where lanterns were lit  in April 1775 to alert Paul Revere that British troops were headed to Lexington to arrest the patriot leaders and confiscate the munitions supplies.

The North End is Boston’s Italian neighbourhood and, asides from the historical importance of the site, is the best spot to find Italian restaurants, cafes, and bakeries. 

Museum of Science

You will find 700 permanent -hands-on exhibits at the Museum of Science. From physics and biology, to zoology and astronomy, no matter what your science interest is, you will find it at the museum. Just some of the highlights include a 65-million-year-old fossil, butterfly garden, and the planetarium which has daily laser and star shows. This museum is the perfect opportunity to explore science in the most interactive and engaging way possible.

Whilst you’re busy exploring the many sites of Boston, let us take care of your laundry. Book your Laundryheap service and we will pick-up, dry clean, and re-deliver your laundry to you within 24 hours. Simply head to the Laundryheap website, or download the Laundryheap app, to book your service. 


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Thanksgiving top tips

Image by Biljana Jovanovic from Pixabay

Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks for everything that you are grateful for. It can also be incredibly stressful for the person/people cooking the Thanksgiving dinner. These top tips will take some of that stress away. 

  • Make a game plan
  • Stick to the basics
  • Don’t forget the drinks
  • Ask guests to contribute
  • Organise your kitchen effectively
  • Stock up on containers
  • Start prep the night before
  • Keep recipes in reach and in order
  • Enlist help 
  • Enjoy your day

Make a game plan

Before Thanksgiving day arrives, sit down, with a pen and paper, and come up with a game plan. Think about how you want the day to run, what dishes you want to cook, what food you need to buy, etc. Start by brainstorming all of your ideas, and then narrow them down. Come up with a timetable of how the day will run and this will help prepare you.

Stick to the basics 

Thanksgiving dinner does not have to be a fancy, high-end, 5 course affair. Cover the basics before you start turning into Gordon Ramsey. Focus on getting the turkey, seasonal vegetables, potatoes, and cranberry sauce perfect, and worry about the rest later. If you need to, print out recipes for each section of your dinner and organise them by time of when you will need them.

 Don’t forget the drinks 

Make sure that your drinks cabinet is well-stocked for your guests. It may also be a good idea to think about how you will be serving your drinks. If you are busy making Thanksgiving dinner, it may be best to leave bottles of wine and beer in ice buckets around the room for guests to help themselves. Think about what will be easiest for you. 

Ask guests to contribute 

It doesn’t matter how many people you are cooking for, cooking a Thanksgiving dinner is a big undertaking. There is lots to buy, think about, and, surprise surprise, cook. As such, it is more than acceptable for you to ask your guests to contribute in some way. This could be by bringing the wine, making a dessert, or providing the vegetables. Every guest should be contributing in some way. 

Organise your kitchen effectively 

To make your Thanksgiving cooking as easy as possible make sure that your kitchen is organised effectively. Make room in your fridge for all of your food and drinks by clearing it out a couple of days before Thanksgiving. As well as this, re-organise your kitchen so that all of the equipment that you will need is easy to reach. This will hopefully alleviate some of the stress of cooking.

Stock up on containers 

It’s always best to have too much food than too little. With this in mind, make sure that you have plenty of containers ready to put the leftovers in. You can give your leftovers to your guests and let them enjoy your cooking a couple of days after the feast itself. Make sure that you keep some for yourself though. 

Start prep the night before 

There will be so many things to think about on Thanksgiving day, so it’s best to begin your prep the day before. Get some of the simpler tasks, such as cutting up vegetables and setting the table, done the day before. This will give you more time on Thanksgiving day to focus on the cooking of everything rather than the prep. 

Keep recipes in reach and in order

Stay calm whilst you are cooking by keeping your recipes in reach and in order. That way, if you need to check anything you can reach the right recipe in seconds. 

Enlist help

Remember: you don’t have to cook a whole Thanksgiving meal on your own. Enlist the help of your guests to take care of some of the smaller tasks, so that you can focus on the bigger ones. This could include, making the sauce, boiling the vegetables, or even just making sure nothing burns. A little help can really go a long way, so make sure you ask for some.

Enjoy your day

The most important thing to remember is that Thanksgiving is your day to enjoy as well. Don’t let the pressure of cooking get you down. Relax, enjoy your day, and spend some quality time giving thanks with your friends and family. 

Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay

Whilst you are busy enjoying your Thanksgiving, let us take care of your laundry. We will pick-up, launder, and re-deliver your laundry within 24 hours. Simply head to the Laundryheap website or download the free Laundryheap. 

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Things to do this Labour Day

Labour Day 2020 will be like no other Labour Day that has come before it. Due to COVID restrictions, many of the usual celebrations will be restricted, or not going ahead at all. That does not mean that the day should not be celebrated. Here are some COVID-safe things to do this Labour Day. 

  • Dip into a swimming hole
  • Watch a drive-in movie
  • Organise your own parade
  • Host a cookout
  • Enjoy a Labour Day camp out

Dip into a swimming hole

Sometimes it’s nice to be at-one with nature, especially when you spend your days relentlessly working. There are natural swimming holes located across America that are perfect for a Labour Day dip. Immerse yourself in refreshing waters, as you take in the mountains that surround you, and let all of your stresses melt away. A quick search will let you know where your closest swimming hole is. 

Image by Gerry & Bonni

Watch a drive-in movie

Drive-in movies were all the range in 50’s America, and some businesses are keeping them alive. With a mixture of new releases and golden oldies being shown on a regular basis, the only thing you need to enjoy a drive-in is a car. Gather your loved ones in the car, get the popcorn in, and enjoy a Labour Day movie in the same way they did in the past. 

Organise your own parade

A big part of Labour Day is the parade, so why not host your own? Gather your family, friends, and neighbours, adhering to social distancing of course, and put on an amazing parade. Spend the day making flags, banners, and getting dressed up, then march up and down your street to show off your hard work. Just make sure that you make your neighbours aware before you start making too much noise. 

Host a cookout

This Labour Day why not host a good old all-American cookout. Gather your friends and family and enjoy a spread of burgers, hotdogs, corn, etc. You have earned this holiday, so treat yourself to some good food and good company to enjoy it with. Make sure that you stay socially distanced and adhere to COVID guidelines. 

Enjoy a Labour Day camp out

Take advantage of the long weekend and camp out under the stars. Whether you camp with friends, family, or just on your own, enjoy some well-earned time to rest. Make smores on a campfire, go star-gazing, and simply enjoy some time out of the office. You don’t even have to travel to a campsite, simply do it in your own backyard. 

Don’t let laundry get in the way of your Labour Day fun. Let us take care of your laundry by booking a Laundryheap service. Simply head to the Laundryheap website or download the free Laundryheap app. We are operational in Boston and New York City, including Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and The Bronx. 

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