Month: February 2017

Packing Tips for a Quick Business Trip

Tis the season for trade shows and business trips. Are you a packing tips pro? If not, these packing tips may be just what you’re looking for!

Packing Tips – The Essentials

Websites abound that provide a list of packing tips and essentials. Scan through and you’ll find that most contain the same information. The following list inspired by Travel Fashion Girl’s site is a good starting point.

  • Ziploc bags – For dirty or wet items, medications, cosmetics and so much more. Jacaranda Living’s cute lingerie and cosmetic bags are classier than plastic bags, and make finding and organizing your essentials
  • Survival kit – Lip balm, ear plugs, eye drops, moisturizer and hand sanitizer. Fit great in our small Cosmetic bag to throw in a backpack for easy access.
  • A scarf/shawl –to cover up when its cold or you’re traveling to a more conservative destination, or dress up a basic outfit.
  • Small Purse – The large bag is great at home, but less is more for business travel. A small purse works for dinner meetings, evenings out, and makes finding important items, like IDs, cash, cards, etc. much easier.
  • Phone charger –There’s nothing worse than getting stuck without your phone!

As About Travel states, you want to “travel lightly – and look good doing it!”

Cosmetic bags to help you get organized
Packing tips include cosmetic bags

Quick and easy travel wardrobe

So how do you fit all the clothing needed for a three day business trip into one carryon? IN a list of packing tips, your first task is to select the perfect bag! Jacaranda Living offers some great choices in our Rosehip collection, including both our weekender bag, and the sling bag! Travelista recommends the following:

Travel Wear
  • Jeans – If okay for business travel, a nice pair of skinny jeans (or straight cut/trouser cut) work well with ballet flats or tucked into a sturdy pair of nice boots. Wear them on your travel day to avoid carrying/packing bulky items.
  • Drapey overshirt/tee –Provides coverage when you’re bending, stretching and crawling over the guy who’s sitting in the aisle seat. It also layers great under a sweater or jacket, and can be dressed up with a scarf!
  • Jacket/Sweater – Find something comfortable and light enough to wear for warmer weather, but also something that can give a casual look a bit more polish. Select a neutral color like black, navy, grey or tan.
  • Scarf – A definite must for travel. It’s the one item you’ll always use: as a pool cover up, additional coverage in countries where shoulders, heads, or other body parts must be covered. It can also double as a picnic blanket, or a dressy shawl for a night out. Select a pattern and color that go with the rest of your minimized wardrobe. Hint, hint, you should have a color palette and try to make all pieces you pack work together!
  • Shoes – The lighter the better, but don’t pack too many. If you’re doing a lot of walking, go with something comfortable and supportive. But consider wearing them on travel day, rather than packing them. Don’t forget a dressy look if you’re going out, but if you’ll be on your feet all day skip the stilettos!

Travel day can turn into travel night in a heartbeat if planes get cancelled or delayed. Wearing clothing that can do double duty on your way to your destination is always a good idea.

Pretty cosmetic bags to keep your essentials organized
Coordinated linen cosmetic bags

The best way to pack wisely for a quick business trip is to know what you’ll be doing, and select clothing that falls into a color palette that works together. Then choose clothing that does double duty. Wear bulky or heavy items, and stay away from items that wrinkle easily, or won’t stand up to a full day of wear.

Don’t forget medications, and personal items, and if you travel frequently consider keeping essentials packed and ready to go at a moment’s notice. It takes the stress out of last minute packing, and forgetting important items. Having everything packed ahead of time gives you the time you need to prepare work related items, papers, and technology so when you arrive at your destination you’ll be ready to go!

Packing Tip! Jacaranda Living offers a variety of cosmetic bags, sling bags, and weekender bags that are perfect for a quick business trip, and add style to your business look.

 

Sources

http://travelfashiongirl.com/60-travel-packing-tips-from-the-experts/

http://businesstravel.about.com/od/luggageandpackingtips/tp/essentials_for_women.htm

http://travelista.com/packing/foolproof-travel-outfit/

Thread Counts, What Do Those Numbers Mean?

These days we see thread counts noted everywhere, even on hotel advertisements! Egyptian cotton sheets sound luxurious, and does it really matter if your sheet has a lower count, or is a poly blend? Read on to find out more about thread count.

a bed made with high quality thread count sheets
Elegant respite after a long day

Thread Count Involves Federal Standards!

According to Home & Garden’s HowStuffWorks, “thread count means the number of threads woven together in a square inch. You count both lengthwise (war) and widthwise (weft) threads. So why would a higher count be considered “better?” Because the finer the thread, the more you can fit into that one inch space.  But how high can those counts go, and at what point does it become a marketing ploy and not really something you can feel?

 

A 400 Thread Count is the Sweet Spot

Consumer Reports explains, once a manufacturer starts listing thread counts of 600, 800 or even 1,000, its actually misleading. Using thinner and thinner strands, threads are twisted together to make a single thread but allowing for “double, triple or even quadruple the thread count.” That doesn’t mean it’s a better sheet, but it certainly seems to mean the higher price is accepted by many. Don’t get fooled. In tests done by Consumer Reports, the sheet that scored the highest was only 280! It maintained its size and fit. The difference is in the fabric itself.

Percale, Sateen, Egyptian, Pima, What Does it All Mean?

The top three choices for cotton are Pima, Egyptian and Combed. Make sure you know what you’re buying, and purchase based on your personal preference. Sateen provides a soft sheet. Percale provides those crisp cotton sheets we hear about. And remember, cotton sheets are usually treated to make them feel softer in the store. Don’t be surprised if a sheet feels differently after it’s been washed. As a matter of fact, it’s a good idea to wash sheets before using them the first time. And if you don’t like how they feel after that first wash, return them.

Beautiful embroidered bed linens
200 – 400 Thread Count Is Quality

Cotton Primer

  • Combed Cotton – cotton that has had short fibers and impurities removed
  • Egyptian Cotton – Grown in Egypt and of amazing quality due to the long growing season there
  • Flannel – Usually a blend of different cottons
  • Italian Linen – luxurious cotton grown in Egypt and manufactured in Italy
  • Muslin – rough, lower count cotton used many times for children’s sheets
  • Percale – a mix of combed and close-woven cloth. May be cotton/poly blend or 100% cotton, known for its crisp feel
  • Pima – Grown in Peru, Australia, or Arizona

How Long Will Good Sheets Last?

Sheet counts under 200 will not last long, and will probably feel coarse to the touch. According to Sleepdex, if you hold a 160 thread count sheet up to the light with this low count level, you will be able to see through the threads. At 180 you’ll have a decent quality and can expect three to four years of usage. Between 200 and 400 count, you’ll get an additional two years or so if you change out sheets regularly. In fact, 400 is the sweet spot for thread counts with sheets. At Jacaranda Living we offer a choice of thread counts, 200 – 400, which are the softest and best quality 100% Cotton.  Our fitted sheets fit up to 18” deep mattresses, and also come in a 200 or 400 thread count option.

Buy Quality Sheets and Save Money

If you’re considering new sheets, and want quality that will last, select 100% cotton sheets with a thread count between 200 and 400. These sheets will last longer, and give you the feel seek for a great night’s sleep. We offer a wide selection of embroidery options and sheet sizes from Twin to Queen to King, including fitted and flat sheets.

embroidered pillow cases
Fluffy pillows welcome rest
Sources

http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-decor/bedroom/thread-count.htm

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2013/09/higher-thread-count-doesn-t-guarantee-better-sheets/index.htm

http://www.sleepdex.org/sheets.htm