It’s February – have you already broken your resolution to get into shape this year? Don’t worry Maple Lawn at Bozzuto Fitness Center will get you started back on track for your fitness, weight loss, and overall better health goals that you had set for 2012.

Exercise goes beyond the vanity of physical appearance. Regular exercise is associated with long-term health benefits such as improving your overall mood and reducing the risk of some cancers. To help you bring consistency and enthusiasm to your exercise schedule, here are some powerful reasons to work out at your Maple Lawn home.

1. Endurance

Regular exercise can increase energy levels which can help you stay active even during those long work weeks.

2. Clarity and Concentration

An active body has been linked to an active mind. The more consistently you exercise, the less prone you’ll be to grogginess and lapses in concentration.

3. Cleansing

Sweating regularly through exercises removes toxins and will help you feel more comfortable.

4. Better Sleep

Studies have shown that exercise improves sleep.

5. Longer Life

When you choose to exercise, you’re making an investment, not just in your present physical appearance, but in the rest of your life. People who exercise regularly live longer and stay healthier into old age. If not for yourself, consider the family members that love and depend on you.

6. Stress Relief

Exercise has also been shown to reduce stress. This is a combined result of the benefits of cleansing and a physical outlet for frustration.

7. Self Confidence

The sum of all these benefits is self confidence. (And, yes, looking good will help here too.) Greater self confidence drives success, so its value can’t be underestimated. Exercise and fitness are an enormous part of reaching your potential.

So get started and get back in the gym to make 2012 the best year ever!

Hanging outdoor holiday lights can be less than a cheerful experience, particularly when you’re faced with a teetering ladder and a web of lights. However, given the proper with the proper tools and steps any beginner can successfully light up heir townhome in Maple Lawn, MD. Here’s how to safely hang Christmas lights like a pro, regardless of your set of skills and experience.

Step One – Gather Proper Materials

Materials for hanging Christmas lights include the following:

-Sturdy ladder – tall enough to safely reach the highest level to be decorated
-Bucket to hang from ladder and hold materials
-Proper Christmas light clips
-Outdoor extension cord
-Outdoor timer
-Handy tape measure

Step Two – Consider Design

This vital step is where design begins, and limitations are found. When hanging Christmas lights on your Fulton townhome, there are many obstacles that will surprise the first time installer, but if planned correctly, every limitation or obstacle is easy to overcome. Begin by studying the roofline, gutters, and shingles in order to identify the type of clips necessary to properly hang decorations. All-in-one clips are a great pick as they work with the largest variety of bulbs and applications. You will also need to locate all power sources to discover how many feet of power cord will be required.

Step Three – Measure

To enhance accuracy and efficiency, measure all parameters of the Maple Lawn house that you intend to decorate. These measurements would likely include: the base of the house, gutters, door frames, window frames, and any columns.

Step Four – Christmas Light Testing

Nothing would be more disheartening than hanging several feet of lights only to notice that half of them do not work. Inspect your Christmas light strings. Looking for broken or missing bulbs and worn or defective wires. If the string doesn’t work at all, check it for a blown fuse. If the fuse has blown, replace it; if it blows again, replace the entire string.

Step Five – Turn the Lights On

After assembling all decorations turn the power on and admire the view, take pictures, and enjoy the remainder of your holiday!

Positioned between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., Howard County is known for its ideal location, welcoming communities and superior public school system. Howard County, MD is the 5^th richest county in the United States. The average sales price for a Maple Lawn townhome which is located in the affluent area of Howard County is a pricey $582,530, according to Trulia.com. However, a luxurious, but less pricey option can be found at Maple Lawn Bozzuto where amenities like a beautifully decorated community center, state-of-the-art fitness center, and Olympic-sized pool rule. Bozzuto offers you luxury townhomes in Howard County starting from the low 300’s.

Choose from two distinct models, each with a variety of options and special features to ensure your Howard County townhome has exactly what you need. The Red Maple models feature 2 bedroom homes in Maple Lawn with 2.5 baths, while the Silver Maple models offer 3 bedroom homes in Maple Lawn featuring 2.5 baths.

Not only are these homes near Columbia, MD offered at an incredibly low price, but their closing costs deals save you thousands. For select Red Maple homes the builder pays up to $17,500 towards closing costs and up to $20,000 on select Silver Maple homes. However, as every good deal, this is for a limited time with preferred lenders only.

Contact Maple Lawn today to speak to a sales manager for further details.

After decorating your Maple Lawn home with creepy Halloween decorations go out and excite the senses by exploring one of Maryland’s top haunted attractions. Rated as one of the top haunted houses by MSN, The Reader’s Digest, The Travel Channel and more, Bennett’s Curse is a can’t miss haunted house. A step above your traditional haunted houses featuring only a few painted faces; Bennett’s Curse offers three fright filled attractions all for one low cost. Enjoy the sensational “House of Vampyres”, the tantalizing “Zombie Kingdom 3D”, and the paranormal “Sanctuary of Insanity” maze.

For a more family oriented event, visit Boo at the Zoo at the National Zoo in D.C. Take pleasure visiting the beautifully decorated zoo at night while the kids enjoy trick-or-treating, animal encounters, keeper talks, and haunted trails. All proceeds from Boo at the Zoo benefit the Zoo’s conservation science and animal care programs. Tickets are required and usually sell out in advance. You can purchase them at the Zoo’s Visitor Center or online.

It’s not Halloween without a few screams. No matter where you go, remember – it’s not a Halloween if you don’t visit a few favorite haunts.

Exploring restaurants in Maple Lawn, MD has never been easier. Living in a Bozzuto at Maple Lawn townhome puts you in the midst of the best restaurants in Howard County. These unique two-story Maple Lawn condos are minutes from not just the best restaurants, but also the best food experiences.

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Ranazul

Voted the Best Tapas 2009 and 2010 by the readers of Howard Magazine, Ranazul (pronounced ra-naz-ool) is an international Tapas style restaurant that truly has something for everyone. Located in the newly developed Maple Lawn area of Howard County, Ranazul delivers a level of quality and style typically associated with high priced big city restaurants, but does so affordably and in a very warm, friendly, and neighborly way. Try one of their most popular dishes: Tuna Tartare, Arepas, and New Zealand Lamb Chops.

8171 Maple Lawn Blvd., Suite 170
Maple Lawn, MD 20759
301-498-9666

Venegas Prime Filet

Venegas Prime Filet offers the best Aged Prime Steaks totally accessorized, and paired with superb wines.  It is a place where friends and lovers meet to enjoy great food, great wine, and share great times in a sophisticated and truly romantic setting.

8191 Maple Lawn Boulevard #100

Fulton, MD 20759

(301) 490-2290 ‎

Kloby’s Smokehouse

Kloby’s serves the best smoked Pulled Pork (served Carolina-Style), Beef Brisket, Ribs, Chicken and all of your favorite “made from scratch” sides.

7500 Montpelier Road

Laurel, MD 20723

(301) 362-1510 ‎

Family day no longer has to be a monotonous board game or movie. Expand your family friendly activities beyond the clubhouse at Bozzuto at Maple Lawn and enjoy moments with your little ones exploring the town! Experience any or all of these eight attractions and the outcome will be happy family memories combined with fundamental learning.

• Port Discovery – Port Discovery is an attraction where kids can play, learn, exercise their creativity and expand their minds. Dominated by KidsWorks, a three-level climbing structure, the museum’s other exhibits all surround the giant jungle gym.

• National Aquarium in Baltimore – The National Aquarium in Baltimore has over 16,500 specimens in an array of environments and exhibits, all of which are dedicated to environmental education and stewardship.

• Urban Pirates Family Adventure Day Cruise – Located in the historic Fell’s Point area, you’ll be thrust into the excitement of pirate history told through captivating stories in a learning environment that’s sure to be fun for all.

• The Walters Art Museum – This internationally renowned museum owns more than 25,000 pieces of art from pre-dynastic Egypt to 20th-century Europe. Children will enjoy the displays of knights’ armor, statues, colorful paintings, decorative furniture, and many small and lovely trinkets.

• Maryland Science Center – Voted by Parents Magazine as the Top 10 Science Center & Top 10 Children’s Museums, the Maryland Science Center is the perfect museum that combines engaging exhibits with fundamental learning.

• American Visionary Art Museum – This is a unique museum that has captivating sculptures and painting for any age. The outside is just as magnificent as the treasures discovered inside. Your family could even participate in an art workshop.

• The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore – Come learn about animals in your own backyard, as well as those in more exotic locations. Take a walk through the Maryland Wilderness, home to the award-winning Children’s Zoo, or embark on an African Journey.

• Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum – Enjoy rides from historic steam engine trains. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum also offers a range of activities and workshops for the little ones.

Warmth and personality can be accomplished in any room without spending hours painting. Here’s ten great ways to add color and charm to your Maryland townhome of Maple Lawn.

Removable Wall Graphics

Also referred to as wall decals, these are great additions to any space. They’re easy to apply and equally easy to remove; making them perfect for a kid’s room as they grow from a baby to a teen. No matter what your style, you’ll find wall decals that will seem custom made for you. In fact, you can have them custom made and create your own designs for your Maple Lawn home.  These decals can also be used to spruce up the kitchen cabinets or make a coordinating lampshade.

Removable Wall Hooks

Are you the type of person who constantly loves to change the look and feel of your space? Well removable wall hooks are the ideal solution for changeable designs in a new townhome in Howard County. They go on easy and come off without leaving a mark. Use them to hang mirrors and pictures in your bedroom or in the hallway to create a collage affect.

Floating Wall Shelves

Use floating wall shelves to add appeal to your walls. Not only do floating shelves add visual interest, they also provide extra storage space, which is always a plus in any condo in Howard County. You can use floating wall shelves for books, but they’re also a great place to keep your colorful glassware or favorite decorative items.

Add Flare with Folding Screens

Folding screens are another item that can serve double-duty. They bring visual interest to the room, but can also camouflage items you’d rather not have on public display. Most people think of an Asian design when imaging a folding screen and there are many beautiful Oriental screens available, but they are certainly not limited to that style. There are screens offered today that will enhance any Fulton, MD condo décor.

Are you looking for new ideas on how to save money on your utility bills? These monthly expenses may have been overlooked when considering the overall cost of living in your Maple Lawn townhome. From electricity to gas and water, a homeowner’s utility bills can run several hundred dollars each month. While it is impossible to completely cut them from your budget, there are ways to minimize the costs of your utilities.

Here’s a guide to lowering your month-to-month usage of gas, water, and electricity without giving up the comforts of your home in Howard County. The added benefit of adhering to any or all of these money-saving tips is that you’ll be helping the environment and conserving natural resources!

How to save on your electricity bill

Here are several things you can do to cut back on your utility bills by controlling how much electricity you use in your home.

• Always turn lights off when you leave a room.
• Unplug devices when they are not in use. Devices continue to use energy even when they’re not being utilized. Using a power strip that automatically shuts off when devices aren’t in use is a good solution.
• Consider installing solar-powered outdoor lighting. It’s lower in price and more durable than ever before, plus the designs look great!
• Install CFL bulbs on frequently used light fixtures and lamps.
• Use natural light whenever possible instead of turning lights on.

How to save on your water bill

There are several frugal behaviors that you can practice to help limit your water consumption in and around your home. Using just a couple of these ideas will help to reduce your utility bills.

• Don’t leave water running. A tremendous amount of water is wasted when washing dishes, showering, and brushing your teeth.
• Always run the dishwasher and wash machine with a full load.
• Install aerating, low-flow faucets and shower heads to limit your water usage.
• Limit all outdoor watering.

How to reduce your monthly gas bill

Natural gas bills can run high, especially in the winter or if you cook and bake a lot. Here are some ways you can cut back:

• Set your hot water heater at 120 degrees.
• During colder months, set your thermostat to 68 degrees or below when you are in the house and awake.
• During colder months, set your thermostat to 62 degrees or below when you are sleeping or away from your house.
• Close vents and shut the doors to rooms rarely used.
• Open curtains and shades on sunny winter days to help warm your home.
• Use cold water whenever possible.
• Replace furnace filters often.

While many of these tips may seem minor, combined they can add up to huge savings on your utility bills.  A penny saved is a penny earned!

No we’re not the Jetsons, but adding innovative technology in any home adds to its luxury. In no particular order, we have compiled a list of our favorite tech savvy gadgets. Any one of these additions to your Bozzuto home would add personal flare to your Fulton townhome.

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Laser Robot Vacuum – I’m sure you’ve seen the infomercials of these little guys, but the new Neato Robotics takes robot vacuums to the next level, by adding a LASER. Using the laser technology, the Neato robot vacuum is capable of creating a map your house, so it knows what it’s already cleaned and what still needs to be done. When the work is complete, the Neato robot vacuum uses its GPS to return to its home base.

iChime Doorbell – If you’re tired of the monotonous sounds of your doorbell, the iChime Doorbell is the perfect gadget for you. Customize that familiar “ding-dong” with your very own sound effects, audio clips, movie quotes, etc.  with a simple USB upload.

Heated Driveway – Living in a townhouse in Fulton, we are all too familiar with shoveling snow in the winter. Well now, with Warmly Yours you no longer have to shovel the driveway or the sidewalk. See how much it would cost to install in your Maple Lawn Home with the “Snow Melt Quick Estimate”.

Virtual Views – Have you always wanted to wake up to the views of a Caribbean Beach or a crisp blue sky? Thanks to companies like The Sky Factory, you can have any view you want — anywhere. These “digital windows” are comprised of an HD LCD monitor embedded in a custom-designed window frame, that you can place anywhere within your Bozzuto home.

Touch Faucet – Whether you have messy hands, no free hands, or just too lazy to turn a knob, the new touch faucets by Delta can be a great addition to any kitchen or bath in your new Howard County townhome. The tap technology enables you to turn the faucet on and off with just a touch.

Ready to move into a new townhome in Howard County, but don’t know the first thing about decorating? Or, do you need a little decorating inspiration? Don’t worry, here at Maple Lawn Bozzuto Homes we are here to help. The essence of a good design starts with thorough planning. These tips to decorating your townhome in MD will help you overcome the challenge

SHOW YOUR PERSONALITY

Before starting any decorating initiatives you must first decide on the desired “look” of your MD townhouse. There are many styles to choose from so take time and choose wisely. Deciding to mix styles is a great idea which adds diversity and depth, but make sure one style doesn’t dominate the other. Continuing the theme throughout the space will create flow and rhythm, which will give your space a sense of harmony and balance.

CHOOSE A COLOR SCHEME

With color you can manipulate the proportions and mood of a room, making it seem smaller or larger, loftier or more intimate. On the whole, rooms washed with an abundance of natural light are best painted either white or a pale color; darker rooms are more attractive in a rich, warm color.

Adding a splash of color to any room livens up a space. But before you select a color, consider the function of the room and how the color makes you feel. If you’re a morning person, painting your bedroom a bright magenta may help you start the day with energy, but if you can’t face the morning without a strong cup of coffee, a soothing shade of blue may be best.

STORAGE, STORAGE, STORAGE!

When decorating your Maple Lawn home, follow the same guidelines as for decorating for a small space. It is imperative to keep clutter under control. Purchasing furniture that doubles as storage is the best tactic, such as dressers with adequate drawers, shelving space, and ottomans with storage compartments.

DON’T IGNORE LIGHTING

Lighting is an inexpensive way to decorate and instantly improve the atmosphere of any luxury townhouse in Fulton. Replace dim overhead light fixtures with a chandelier or expressive light fixtures that showcase your own personal style. Dimmer lights are great for controlling the ambience, and canister lamps placed on the floors wash light up the walls.  Avoid blocking the source of light. Restricting natural light by the use of draperies and blinds will make the room look crowded and small. Leave the windows completely bare or at the most dress them with sheer fabric to allow the light to come in. To make your Bozzuto home more energy-efficient use Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL) and Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs.