April 2017 - Jacaranda Living

Children’s Photos – How to Capture That Great Shot

Spring is the perfect time to get outside and take some photos. Children’s photos are always a challenge, but always fun, whether it’s a wedding, a party, or just a daytrip with everyone in tow, family photos capture today are treasured for a lifetime. To capture the moment in a way that truly reflects the beauty and warmth of the day, try these simple tips.

Family Photo Frames — Capture the color of your family

Children’s Photos – Kids Will be Kids

Is your idea of the perfect childrens’ photo all the children in your family lined up and sitting still? That’s not really representative of kids today. You’re going to get frustrated, and so are they. Also, you won’t be capturing the true essence of the children. With everyone carrying a smart phone these days, make sure yours is in hand and prepare to capture a candid shot when the moment arises; at the beach, in the yard, or at a game. Sunlight is the best lighting to capture true colors and real smiles.

At a wedding? Consider grouping children together in a common activity, eating cake, dancing, a sweet circle around the bride? Green Child Magazine recommends “avoid harsh sun by seeking shade, and shoot when the sun is lower in the sky.” Make sure the light is behind you and snap away while letting them be who they are. Be creative on angles, closeups, and know that if you get one or two really great shots, you’ve captured a time to remember.

Planning Children’s Photos – Clothing Does Matter

Sure you’ve seen professional portraits of families at the beach with everyone wearing the same color, holding hands, jumping in the air. You can capture the same magic in a family photo with a bit of planning, but consider your goal. You could dress everyone in shades of white or blue. Perhaps adults in jeans and white shirts, and little ones in summer white cotton. Jacaranda Living’s short sets and embroidered dresses are a great option for the youngest members of the household.

Great Kids Photo Outfit — A Cute Outfit for a Spring Day

Sweet outfits for the look of a summer breeze that goes perfectly at the beach, a sunny field, or playing at home. ClickItUpaNotch recommends choosing coordinating colors, not strict matching. Will photos be displayed in a living room? A hallway or staircase? Consider where photos will be displayed and use colors that go with that area. Using props, or matching hats, or other fun items can tie a photo together. Other fun ideas:

Everyone eating ice cream cones
Men/boys wearing the same hats
Women and girls carrying oversized flowers
Gather the family on a favorite blanket

Make it fun, make it unique, and don’t try to script the event.

Shorts Outfit for boys — Remember, with children’s photos, let kids be kids

Just take photos of your family and loved ones in all their imperfect and beautiful glory.

The End Result – Photo Editing So Everyone Looks Good

That’s the point of a family photo after all, capturing everyone at their true best. Whether you have an iPhone or an Android, if you’re capturing family photos you want to be able to edit them. iPhone Photography School lists Snapseed, VSCO, and Filterstorm Neue as the top three editing tools. AndroidPIT includes Pixlr, Snapseed, and SKWRT among their top apps. There are many out there so don’t get discouraged. Look for the app that works for you.

Most phones come with their own editing capabilities, so even just learning how those work can provide some amazing results. Make sure to download your photos rather than leaving them in your phone. Or upload them to the cloud so you don’t find yourself losing them when you get a new phone. Don’t forget to take advantage of the many digital services available to create not only framed pictures but t-shirts, coffee mugs, and many other great gifts that family and friends will enjoy.

Embroidered cotton dresses and short sets from Jacaranda Living are the perfect wardrobe for children’s photos at weddings, special occasions, or just a warm day at the beach. Why not set aside a day to capture your own family in pictures they’ll treasure?

Girls Cotton Dresses — Capture the moment as it happens

Sources

http://www.greenchildmagazine.com/how-to-capture-great-images-of-your-child/

https://iphonephotographyschool.com/best-photo-editing-apps/

http://clickitupanotch.com/2013/10/what-to-wear-in-family-photos-5/

https://www.androidpit.com/best-android-photo-editing-apps

Spring Decorating Tips – Welcome Spring!

When the air is fresh and snow has melted we’re anxious to welcome all that is new and fresh into our homes. Spring cleaning is a not so popular chore at this time of year, but a bit of spring decorating can bring some fun into the tasks at hand!

DIY Cleaning Solutions

While only a few of us truly enjoy cleaning windows, we all love to look out on a bright sunny day. This recipe from SheWearsManyHats guarantees an easy and simple method for cleaning away the filmy residue left after a winter of stormy nights and hazy days.

2 cups water
¼ cup white vinegar
½ teaspoon dish detergent

If you’re filling a bucket just multiply the ingredients appropriately. Then using a soft scrub brush, dip the brush into the solution and scrub the window. Do a few windows, but be sure to spray off the window before the solution has had a chance to dry. Obviously this is for windows outside the house! On the inside, using a scratch-free scrubber, dip the sponge into the solution, scrub the window, and with a clean bucket of water and sponge, rinse! Consider filling a spray bottle with the solution and using sponges to rinse. But be certain to rinse completely before it dries or you’ll just be adding more residue!

Spring Finger Towels and Tissue Cover — Delicate Springtime Bath Accessories

Then, when your windows are clean and sparkling, why not add some delicate touches indoors like our pretty herbal embroidered tissue box covers, or a new shower curtain to give a bath a beautiful springtime look? Or consider a few new delicately embroidered toss pillows for the master bedroom.

Springtime Shower Curtain — Fresh new look for any bathroom

Mattress Care

Airing out mattresses isn’t something we consider all year round, but it’s a good idea to check your mattress in spring and consider a new set if yours is 10 years or older. New technologies and mattress construction have done away with the need to flip mattresses, but many still need to be rotated, especially if you see a sag. If you’ve got a box spring underneath, that should also be rotated.

According to mattress.com, vacuuming your mattress is another step in keeping your mattress healthy and happy. If you feel the mattress has a musty smell (maybe with cottage bedding that has been closed up all winter) sprinkle baking soda across the surface. Let it sit 20 minutes, then vacuum. To give your bed a new, fresh feel, consider pretty, embroidered sheets and pillow cases from Jacaranda Living. Our embroidery patterns include starfish, seashell baskets, seahorses and more designs that represent summer and a life of relaxation. Many stores tout 800 thread count and higher as the best, do you know the perfect thread count? Our blog article explains it all and you’ll be happy to see that our sheets offer the highest rated thread count!

Spring Fresh Bedding — Fresh as Spring – New Bedding

Don’t Forget the Guest Room!

One of the rooms in the house that frequently gets overlooked is the guest room, and especially the guest bath. It doesn’t get used much, but just a few simple steps can give a feeling of springtime brightness. Homedit.com recommends spending time to make a guest bathroom welcoming. Many people decorate a guest bath to suit their own tastes, or choose items that are bland and inexpensive, but then find that they’re replacing items before they’ve even been used much. Homedit suggests choosing neutral colors and not skimping on accessories. Fit it out with soaps, tissues, towels and all to make your guest feel welcome, and comfortable. Our selection of embroidered towels, and tissue boxes are the perfect accent to an elegant and special guest bathroom.

Spring themed bath accessories — Bring Springtime into the bath

Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be something you dread. Rather than the chore that no one notices, give your home a cleaning AND makeover. Your guests, your family and you will enjoy the change.

Sources

https://shewearsmanyhats.com/the-best-window-cleaner/

https://www.mattress.com/mattress-care.html

http://www.homedit.com/guest-bathroom-decorating-ideas/

Starting a Tooth Fairy Tradition with Pillows from Jacaranda Living

The Tooth Fairy Tradition is probably the only tradition that actually has TWO national days to recognize it. According to holidayinsights.com, It’s celebrated on either February 28^th, or August 22^nd. If you’ve got a little one in the house who is getting to that age when teeth are starting to loosen and big girl or big boy teeth are coming in, why not start a Tooth Fairy tradition in your household?

Pretty embroidered tooth fairy pillow — Tooth Fairy Pillows fit every decor

Why a Tooth Fairy?

While it may seem old news to you, losing a tooth is a new experience. It seems like an every day thing to you, but whether a tooth falls out naturally, or gets yanked out by a string and a door knob, or it some other speedy arrangement it’s a big event that first time. Holding a tooth in your hand that was once in your mouth can be thrilling and scary. There’s blood, there’s a bit of pain, and everyone knows its happening. And if it’s a front tooth, it can be embarrassing for some children to suddenly find themselves struggling to speak clearly. They may even have friends laughing at them.

Introducing the Tooth Fairy! She rewards the child for their tooth, always knows the tooth has come out regardless of whether it’s lost or not, and adds excitement around part of growing up. Wouldn’t we all like a magic fairy to come along when growing older brings that first wrinkle or first grey hair?

Little girl waiting for tooth fairy — A Joyful Smile

How Much Does a Tooth Go For These Days?

In the US, children receive cash for their teeth. The treasured tooth is tucked under a pillow at night and in the morning the tooth is gone and money is left behind. To make it extra special, why not give your little one a special Tooth Fairy pillow from Jacaranda? It comes complete with a tooth pocket to tuck that newly lost tooth in so it doesn’t get lost during the night. It’s also easier to slip a surprise into the pocket before morning comes! And the pillow is a nice addition to any child’s bedroom decor!

You may be asking yourself though, how much do you pay per tooth? According to mentalfloss.com the average was $3.70 per tooth back in 2013. Inflation does show a jump year over year, with cbsnews.com stating that some years the jump can be as much as 23%! Why? Well, kids talk, and it seems there is comparison on what is received. No one wants their kids to be the lowest paid. If you’re not sure what to give, and want a comparison, ask the parents in your area. But if it doesn’t matter to you, pay what you feel is right, or consider a totally different tradition. Perhaps a new book, or a new character inspired toothbrush and toothpaste. But if you’ve got multiple teeth falling, that can get just as expensive if not more.

Pillow featuring tooth fairy embroidery — A cute tooth fairy tribute!

Tooth Fairy Traditions Around the World

You can also draw on traditions from around the world. In many Hispanic countries children are visited by Ratoncito Perez, a little mouse who collects teeth from under a pillow or even left in a glass of water! He leaves behind gifts or money. In South Africa, teeth are left in the child’s slippers. And in Asian countries like India, China, Japan, Korea and Vietnam, children throw lost teeth up onto the roof or under or onto the floor and make a wish.

Tooth Fairy Traditions That Can Be Passed Down

Whatever you decide, it’s nice to have some traditions that can be passed down. Jacaranda Living offers pretty Tooth Fairy Pillows that are perfect to recognize that first lost tooth, and provide a place to snuggle the teeth that will certainly follow. You can give each child with their own pillow, or pass the pillow on from child to child. Consequently, once children grow up, they can pass on their own personal pillow to their own children. When those little ones are old enough, they’ll enjoy hearing stories of when their parents were young and going through the same experience. Having a tradition to hold on to and share with future generations is part of making a childhood to remember. Why not build the Tooth Fairy Tradition into your own child’s life?

Sources

http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/February/toothfairyday.htm

http://mentalfloss.com/article/58503/7-tooth-fairy-traditions-around-world

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/tooth-fairy-inflation-flies-high/