Ever Wondered What You Would Do if You Didn’t Have Stuff?

First up: Surfs Up!

Catch a Wave and You’re Sitting on Top of the World

If  you’ve flown to Australia and Hawaii for short trips, maybe even spent a summer a few years back catching waves of the California coast, and can quote Point Break religiously, this might be the Off the Hook adventure for you.

Follow the example of the ASP Dream Tour and blaze a trail around the world’s best surf spots. From Teahupoo, Tahiti to Santa Catarina, Brazil to Jeffrey Bay, South Africa, you can battle some of the best breaks this planet has to offer. Spend your days riding the surf and working on your tan, and fill your nights with plenty of marshmallows and beach bonfires. (Oh yeah, pack that ukele!)Finish your trip with a Big Kahuna getaway to Hawaii, and catch the best of the best compete for the ASP title from the front row.

Temporary Storage Solutions Make It Easy to Travel Light

When you’re traveling around the world in search of the big one, you can’t be worried about your stuff.  With temporary storage solutions, we’ve got you covered. Your furniture, clothes, and drum kit will be safe and secure in our storage units for whenever you get tired of your beach hammock (or run out of clamshells).

So whether you’re planning to surf around the world or teach English in Thailand Manhattan Mini Storage’s temporary storage solutions will allow you to make your dream adventures a reality for as little as $29/month!

Feel that nip in the air? No, it’s not the temperature but rather the beginning buzz of Fall Fashion Week. Set to start the second week of September, the Tents will officially take over Lincoln Center (bye bye Bryant Park). New York Magazine has come out with their annual Fall Fashion Guide to preview the best trends of the season.

Start your engines. Here are three Fall trends to watch out for:

GET READY TO GET COZY. Because you’ll be extra warm on chilly fall nights with one of the season’s furry outerwear options.  Fuz-dopped boots, hats, and jackets are the rage for Fall. And we’re sure there will be plenty of PETA-friendly faux options to choose from.

TWEEN GIRLS WILL BE LOOKING ALL FLY. If you have a pre-teen daughter in the house, she’s probably already dragging you to Macy’s by the hair as we type this. Why? She wants to nab the Material Girl line in time for the Back to School fashion show known as the first day. (And yea, “Material Girl” is a reference to Madonna, who’s own daughter designed the line.)

CAPES, AND KNEE SOCKS, AND BAGS, OH MY. Far be it for New Yorkers to pick just one trend. We’re the city of options – just look at our takeout choices! So naturally we love this mishmash of fun, funky styles to mix your fall wardrobe. Chain-mail bags, sky-high heels, and a rockin red cape that would make Batman jealous await you.

You can read all of the fabulous Fall trends by heading over to New York magazine’s website (and they’ve also got interview with the uber-stylish Mrs. Tom Cruise.) Of course you need a place to put all of these new finds! That’s why we came up with our Tips for Seasonal Wardrobe Storage to help you pack away summer clothes before your shopping spree. We’ve also got low seasonal rates starting at $29/month so if you just cannot cram one more “Bikinis and Boy Shorts” box into your dresser, check out Manhattan Mini Storage today.

Come By Any One Of Our Locations To Drop Off School Supplies For Needy Children

Before the mind-numbing arithmetic problems, there are brand-new pencil erasers.  Before waking up early to catch the bus, there is an Action-figure lunchbox to get. Before tests, and teachers, and homework (oh my!) there’s the thrill of picking out the perfect “First Day” outfit. The excitement, the newness, the possibilities! It’s late August and that means back to school shopping.

For the 15,000 homeless boys and girls in New York City, back to school shopping is a distant concept. There aren’t brand new pens and notebooks and binders with Hannah Montana’s mug plastered across it – in fact, they’re lucky if they have school supplies at all.

That’s why we’ve paired with the awesome foundation, Coalition for the Homeless, to help needy children in New York City get the essentials they need to head back to the classroom this Fall.

And you can help too!

While you’re doing your own back to school shopping, pick up a little more than you need for your own family. You can drop off extra school supplies at any Manhattan Mini Storage location (there are 17) and the supplies will then be sorted and distributed by Coalition for the Homeless to the boys and girls who need them.

Let’s see if together we can get every child armed with the essentials they need to head back to the classroom.

Read more about Project Back to School at www.coalitionforthehomeless.org

Photo by Aaron Gustafson

Did you just move to the Murray Hill neighborhood in Manhattan? Well hold on to your hat because you are in for a treat (or four)!  This cozy little neighborhood under Midtown East is known for some delicious eateries, lively pubs, and an unbeatably convenient location.  Here are the top five things to do in Murray Hill!

1. Sure, Katz’s Deli in the Lower East Side had Meg Ryan, but The 2^nd Avenue Deli has something else that will make you say “o” – delicious sour pickles to make your mouth pucker! From Matzo Ball soup to brisket to pastrami, this kosher deli deserves a star on the Yiddish walk of fame.
2. Smoke a cigar on the rooftop of the Shelburne Murray Hill Hotel at the Rare View bar. A menu chock full of fruity cocktails and the upscale furnishings are the height of modern elegance, while the stunning proximity to the Chrysler Building proves this bar lives up to its name.
3. The landmarked B. Altman Building, home of the CUNY grad Center, is now among the most extensive research libraries in the city, but it once was the megalomaniac idea of a New York real estate mogul. Benjamin Altman, arguably the Donald Trump of his time, had grandiose visions for a city-block wide department store, though he didn’t live to see its completion.
4. If sports are what you want, the Mercury Bar has it. From MLB to NFL to March Madness, the place to watch the big games are in their red leather banquettes or clustered around the long pine bar. To fit in the regular bar crowd, you should be into Jäger shots and popped collars.
5. Visit the Scandinavia House on Park Avenue where works by leading scholars, musicians and intellectuals from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden are regularly exhibited.  Catch a film screenings or wander the third floor galleries.

Looking for more? We publish regular neighborhood guides in our Newbie NYC section. And remember, if you just moved and realized your new apartment won’t fit everything you brought, we have a storage facility near Murray Hill that’s safe, close and convenient.

How to Store Summer Clothes When the Weather Changes!

In the words of Pete Seeger, “To everything, there is a season.  ”We’re not totally sure but we think Pete was probably worried about how to transition his summer wardrobe into a fall one! One of the hottest months on record, July, is over and we’re halfway through August. Now is time to start thinking about what to do with all those shorts and sleeveless tops when the weather turns. This fall, get your wardrobe clothes closet ready for cooler temps by saying good-bye to sleeveless tops and Daisy Duke shorts the right way with our how-to store summer clothes guide!

How to Store Summer Clothes for Women

1. Pick and Choose Your Soldiers. While filmy white dresses are generally passé post-Labor Day not every piece of your summer clothes have to go into hibernation.  Blouses and dresses can sometimes last through fall simply by pairing them with a blazer or tights. Rule of thumb – pack up anything pastel or made from a very thin fabric.
2. Wash Your Summer Clothes! Fashion Week hasn’t happened yet, but we can guarantee that dirt, food, and drink spills will not be in style next Spring. Wash and dry all of your summer clothes (and swimwear) pre-storage so they’re ready to be fabulous out of the box!
3. What to Store Summer Clothes In. Determine what size storage bin you’ll need to use to store all your summer clothes. Plastic or metal bins with tight fitting lids work best.
4. Separate for Success! After you have washed and folded each item, separate each summer clothes by types (i.e. a tub for shirts, one for wraps and light jackets, one for skirts, one for dresses.) If you absolutely have to go digging for that one top in November, you’ll have a better chance of finding it.
5. Put Formal Aside. Place any formal summer clothes or summer suits you might have into heavy garment bags to hang.  Sigh, wouldn’t it be nice if wrinkle prevention for our skin was this easy?
6. Keep the Bugs Away! Clean clothes and tight fitting storage lids will do their part but consider  stashing moth balls or cedar chips in your bins to prevent pests from making a doily out of your favorite flirty sundress.
7. Where to Store Summer Clothes. The most important question to ask yourself when you’re about to store summer clothes for winter is where you plan on putting these clothes. Determine if you have any space under your bed or the bottom of your closets.  If not, you know who to call! We offer great rates on

You are now extremely prepared for the months ahead knowing that your summer clothes are safely stored till next year.  Now go have some hot apple cider to celebrate.

There’s nothing quite like the joy Naie Amedia describes in “Season Changes and Storage Solutions” on Divine Caroline,

I’ve already packed away most of my shorts and sundresses, leaving a few for those Indian-summer days that can stretch into October. I’m done with anything made of linen, and longing for my heavier knits. As I dig through my closets, creating piles of seasonal clothing, I find myself glad for the closet storage solution in Manhattan that is Manhattan Mini Storage.

With the summer coming to an end and the need to find alternative storage solutions for summer clothes, Manhattan Mini Storage is looking more and more reasonable (and evidently fun too!) to so many people.

Photo by MMadden

Better Homes and Gardens Says, Think Pink!

Decorating a New York apartment can be tricky. For one thing, there are the usual space and budget limitations. (Check out our newest commercial “New York is Tough” for more on the pitfalls and payoffs of living in NYC.) But for those who refuse to say “can’t,” take an example from Better Homes & Gardens!

Add Chic, Not Clutter, to a New York Apartment!

This West Village apartment has a couple of how-tos that anyone in Manhattan can use when planning their stylish and fun apartment.

1. Colors that are muted and calm can have a space-opening effect on a room but go all-pastel and suddenly you’re the shredded wheat side of the cereal! You can give the room a little “frosting” of an accent color to help the space feel more personable. Note the pale blue, pink and grey colors dominate the walls and furniture in this area – but are livened up with spring green blankets, pillows and vases.

2. It helps that the room is not cluttered!  When decorating a New York apartment, think like an editor. You must pair it down to the bare essentials that make sense. In this living room, though “hand-me-downs, gifts, and flea market and antique store finds” are displayed on the table tops and walls, they are limited to a few per area. If you have too many treasures, rotate them monthly or seasonally.

3. Remember this line, “Fabric-covered cushions serve as extra seating … When the evening is over, they can be stacked and kept in a neat pile out of the way.” Having a place for everything and putting it away is the best way to keep your apartment chic. Let’s just assume no one wants to have dinner at one of the Hoarders houses, mmmkay? If you don’t have a place for everything, then why not bring it to our place? With over 17 locations in Manhattan, we’re surely more convenient than begging your neighbor for use of their bathtub to stash magazines in every time you have a guest.

Okay, we did our breakdown – now it’s your turn! Do you like the way Better Homes & Gardens styled this apartment? What are some of you own suggestions be for glamming up an otherwise ho-hum New York Apartment? Tell us in the comments below!

Swim! Slurp! Store!

Even though the July 2010 Heat Wave is officially over, and New York City residents can now pin their weather hopes on August, we’re just not convinced that we’re in the clear yet. SO, we’ve devised some very unique and season appropriate ways we’re suggesting everyone keeps cool. Because with global warming, it might be hot till Halloween…

MANHATTAN MINI STORAGE TOP 5 WAYS TO BEAT THE HEAT WAVE

Make a Splash. New Yorkers can find relief in one of 54 outdoor pools run by the city, open till Labor Day. The only rules? You can’t wear anything into the designated pool area, except your locker key and swimsuit. No shirt, no shoes, and you’ll have no problems!

Blackout? Pig out! Enjoying rolling blackouts is only a matter of perspective. Ditch your diet (who can read a scale in the dark?) and get to work eating the three cartons of ice cream you have in your freezer before they melt! Got milk in there too? Slurp down milkshakes made with that battery operated blender from last Christmas’s White Elephant exchange.

Catch a Wave. From free kayaking offered at points along the bike path to sunset sails paired with microbrews, get off the hot concrete and onto the Hudson River. The cooling sea breezes will feel like magic, even if only for a couple hours. Address all landlubbers with an “Ahoy Matey” for the rest of the  summer.

Find Relief Wherever You Can. Some people go to the movies, while others set up shop in the freezer aisle.  If you can’t possible watch Bella agonize over werewolf abs for the sixth time, visit one of our storage units which are climate controlled. For a fun afternoon, stream movies from Hulu with our Free Wifi.

Have Christmas in August. While you’re inside your storage unit, grab mittens and a scarf from your seasonal wardrobe storage. You’ll need them for the indoor ice skating rink at Chelsea Piers. Blast Bing Crosby your ipod while you twirl away, then finish up with an iced hot chocolate from Starbucks.

From shoe-stealing neighbors to cab wars, see what New Yorkers brave to live in the “Greatest City on Earth” and how we can make it easier in our newest commercial!

Photo by Seth W.

Storing Your Bike Lets You Enjoy the Perks of Pedaling – Without the Burn

Hot on the heels of a certain romantic ride, the Big Apple seems to be all abuzz for biking these days. And it’s certainly true that when you have a bike in NYC, you have a whole bunch of awesome things to partake in like:

• Blissed out rides along the East River.
• Charging at tourists in charged up two-wheelers.
• A composting project.
• Latte-sipping at an urban bike café (yes it exists.)

One thing you shouldn’t have to do? Worry about where to keep it. That’s why getting bike storage in NYC lets you enjoy all the perks of pedaling without the hassle.

Why Bike Storage in NYC is A Must

City living ain’t always easy, but New Yorkers know that behind every smog cloud there’s an urban rainbow. When you’ve got a bike in New York City, you can pretty much guarantee that if you leave it locked up outside while you go away for a long weekend or chained outside in the snow all February, you won’t have it for long. By all accounts, bike thefts in New York are far higher than anywhere in the country (hey, even our criminals are better than anywhere else!). And unless you have this apartment,  you’d probably be tripping over your vintage Schwinn every five minutes if you left it in the  hallway (that is of course after you hauled it up 7 flights of stairs – super fun!) So what’s the alternative for bike storage if you live in NYC?

Bike Storage in New York City Can Be This Easy

Imagine: You’ve worked a ten hour day. You pedal through the early evening streets of Manhattan, happy not to be jammed elbow-to-gut on the hot subway. Just before you reach your apartment, you pop into your conveniently located Manhattan Mini Storage unit, waving to the friendly staff as you wheel your trusty two-wheeler into the elevator. You open your clean, climate-controlled storage unit, and place “Roberta” (your cycle which is maybe named after your pet bunny) into her nightly resting place.  You’re home and on the couch less than ten minutes later, comfortably assured that your bike will be exactly where you left it in the morning.

Let our Storage Advisors Help You Get Bike Storage in NYC

At Manhattan Mini Storage, we’re all about how storage can make city living as painless as possible. Whether it’s tips for tackling small spaces or great home design ideas, we’re here for you! Now let us help. Call us for bike storage in NYC and take your quality of life up a notch. And here’s another great idea: why not save money by joining the Manhattan Bike Polo league instead of your anger management classes.

Wondering what to do with the bikes once you get to work? Our sister company, Edison Parkfast offers bike parking in Manhattan for only $1/day or $20/month.