Jacaranda team, Author at Jacaranda Living

Cute and Elegant Ideas for Flower Girls from Jacaranda Living

What comes to mind when you hear the phrase bridal party? Bridal showers? Getaway weekends? Bachelorette parties? It keeps everyone pretty busy in the weeks (and months) leading up to that big day. But if your bridal party includes a flower girl or two (or three) why not include them in your planning? And give some extra thought to making them look oh so sweet when it comes to the big day?

embroidered cotton dresses for girls — Sweet embroidery on delicate cotton is perfect for a flower girl

What Does a Flower Girl Do?

Asking someone to be a flower girl is the first step. But knowing what they’re supposed to do can help make that question (and your choice of little girl) an easier one. According to The Knot, flower girls are usually three – eight years old. Their primary duty is to walk down the bridal path (or aisle). They traditionally walk ahead of the Maid of Honor, scattering flower petals. For a change of pace, consider having her walk just ahead of the bride, or hand in hand with the ring bearer. Just remember the most important requirement of a flower girl: she needs to be able to follow direction, and not be so overcome with stage fright that she dumps the basket and runs. (Don’t laugh, it’s happened more than once!). You want it to be a fun (and successful) day for both of you!

Traditions for the Flower Girl

According to BrassPaperClip, the tradition of flower girls started back in ancient Rome with young girls carrying sheaves of wheat and herbs to ensure blessings of prosperity and fertility. You can bring this tradition to today’s modern wedding with a pretty basket of lavender, or a small bouquet of wheat. OR, have a dainty lavender and wheat circlet made for your flower girl to wear on her head. Mix in a bit of baby’s breath to give a natural organic feel to her ensemble.

Closeup of embroidery on our little flower girls Sweet Pea dress — Dainty embroidery is perfect for a flower girls ensemble

This fits in well with pretty cotton girl’s dresses from Jacaranda Living. Detailed with dainty embroidered daisies and butterflies, your little flower girl will be sweet for the ceremony and look darling in group photos or candid shots.

Perfect for DIY Brides and Bridesmaids

If you’re a crafty bride or have a friend who loves to create, consider the step-by-step directions providing by A Practical Wedding and create your own floral crown for the flower girl in your wedding party. Just make sure its sturdy enough to withstand an active little girl enjoying the day.

Involving Younger Bridal Party Members

When it comes to weddings, traditional bachelorette parties, and bridal party getaway weekends may not be appropriate for flower girls or junior bridesmaids, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be a part of the pre-wedding celebration.

Consider including them in pre-wedding spa appointments. Manicures, pedicures, and maybe a little cosmetic bag gift with lip balm, tissues, and scented hand cream would make your big day a day they remember for a very long time.

Cotton cosmetic bag with our bee embroidery is perfect for the flower girls in your wedding. — The perfect gift for a flower girl or junior bridesmaid

Alternative Ideas for Flower Girls

Not sure you like the idea of a Flower girl throwing petals, and carrying a basket? A Style of Living suggests these alternatives:

Balloons – For an outdoor wedding helium filled heart shaped balloons could be very pretty. Just make certain to tie them tightly to tiny wrists so they don’t blow away.

Bubbles – As a change of pace, have flower girls blow bubbles, with fun themed bubble wands. These are very cute for photos and video.

Lacy parasol – These can be very sweet for an outdoor summer wedding. Consider matching fabrics to gowns, or contrast to give the bridal party a bit of a color splash. The bride and bridesmaids may even want one for photos!

Pets – Including your pet in the wedding party? Consider having a flower girl walk the pet down the aisle in a covered leash.

Floral Garlands – If you’re having multiple flower girls, or a combination of flower girls and junior bridesmaid, they can carry pretty floral garlands.

Bouquet of Individual Flowers – These can be handed out to guests as she walks down the aisle.

Herb/Flower Decorated Lantern – Beautiful for a candlelit wedding. You can use battery-operated tealight candles to keep everyone safe!

Your wedding should be as unique as you are. Every member of the bridal party, even the smallest will play a part in making that happen. Jacaranda Living offers dainty embroidered dresses and sweet cotton embroidered pant sets for little girls. They’re the perfect way to dress up a young child in comfort and elegance.

cute embroidered pant set for little girls — Cute embroidered pant set. Perfect for a country wedding.

Sources

https://www.theknot.com/content/flower-girl-duties-in-detail

https://apracticalwedding.com/how-to-make-a-floral-crown-for-wedding/

http://brasspaperclip.typepad.com/brass_paperclip/2010/04/wedding-history-101-flower-girl-customs-traditions.html

http://astyleofliving.com/2014/08/20-ideas-accessorises-flowergirls-can-carry-aisle.html

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

New Year’s Resolutions – Renew You with a Home Spa

A Home Spa – Incentive to Stick to Those Resolutions

The big new year’s celebration is over, and for some those resolutions have already been forgotten, but for many a resolution to get healthier is a very real, and very attainable goal. If you’ve vowed to run more, walk regularly or renew that gym membership and really use it, read on! Consider creating a home spa to relax and rejuvenate after your workout. It’s a definite motivator, and It’s easy with these 4 simple steps!

Create a Home Spa Environment

When you go to the spa, what do you notice first? The scent of eucalyptus? The soothing music? The soft, fluffy towels? These are easy to recreate in your home spa!

Spa Scents Made Easy

From aromatherapy candles, to essential oils and room sprays, the scent of a spa is an immediate signal to your brain that its time to relax and revitalize. ScratchMommy recommends the following to ease you into a relaxed state of mind:

Jasmine, rose, chamomile, or ylang-ylang for frustrations with loved ones
Citrus, lavender, sandalwood or sage if dark days have you feeling down.
Oregano, peppermint, eucalyptus, pine or rosemary can help with a stuffy head

scented candles for relaxation — Scented candles bring a relaxing glow

ScratchMommy also has a great candle recipe using beeswax or soy to create a soothing scent to turn your bath into a sweet space to rediscover your sanity.

Music to Relax and Inspire

Relaxing in a warm bath with soft music in the background is a great way to end a busy day, or soak away tightness in tired muscles. Kohler has some great tips for adding music to your bathroom to help create that spa environment. The Moxie Showerhead and wireless speaker is an easy addition to make your favorite music a part of your Home Spa. The speaker just pops into the showerhead, and is interchangeable so each family member can have their own.

Or if you’re into a bit more immersive experience, consider the VibrAcoustic Hydrotherapy system which works with your smartphone, tablet or MP3 player to send vibrations pulsing above and below the waterline!

Look for appropriate spa music on iTunes, Pandora, or even your Amazon Echo Dot and you’ll be ready to sit back and relax.

Fluffy Towels, Robes, and Slippers Complete the Sensory Experience of a Home Spa

We can’t forget the luxurious feeling of fluffy towels for drying, slipping your feet into linen slippers and wrapping yourself in a luxurious robe after your home spa experience. Quality cotton like that used in products offered by Jacaranda Living can give you that spa at home feeling every day!

Generous bath sheets – 35” x 70” are large enough to wrap you up after a hot shower, or a warm bubble bath. Choose from white or ivory to give that clean, uncluttered spa look to a bathroom. If you want to give your home spa a personal touch, why not choose embroidered designs drawn from the sea, or our popular Bee Wreath design.

Sweet Accessories Amp Up the Home Spa Feeling

Looking to really transform your bath to give it that home spa feeling? Consider adding a fluffy terry robe, an elegant shower curtain, and even slippers and a shower cap all embroidered with the same design. With 100% cotton, you’ll have the soft, super absorbent accessories you love at the spa, right in your own home! What a great way to reward yourself after a long run, or a yoga class. It’ll keep you on track and be an incentive to continue to treat yourself throughout the year. Why not? You deserve it!

A Few Additional Touches

With just a few more simple touches, your bath will really stand out as a home spa! Add fresh cut flowers in a pretty vase to a small table in the bath. Consider adding a dimmer switch to your bathroom lighting. Add a small table for candles, a favorite book, hand-made sugar scrubs, or a glass of wine. With just a few simple steps your family bathroom becomes a home spa you’ll look forward to using every day!

Resources

www.popsugar.com

www.scratchmommy.com

ideas.kohler.com

Enjoy your Home Spa and Happy New Year from Jacaranda Living!

Why Do Babies Wear Hats?

Are Baby Hats a Must for a New Baby?

Any baby looks sweeter with baby ducks along for the ride. When it’s cold outside, hats on everyone is a must to keep stay warm. Significant body warmth is lost through the head when you’re outside on a freezing wintery day. But why is it that newborns wear a baby hat at the hospital? They don’t go outside! And you may also wonder, is it necessary for them to wear hats all the time? This article will make you realize it’s not always necessary.

Newborns wear baby hats for a reason

According to BabyCenter, babies are given a hat immediately after birth because they’ve just come from a warm, moist place and let’s face it, the hospital can be a relatively chilly one! But once they’ve acclimatized to their environment, and certainly when they leave the hospital, a hat isn’t as necessary. Except for looking cute! “’Healthy, full-term infants don’t need to wear a cap once they get home,” says Howard Reinstein, a pediatrician in Encino, California, and a spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics.’ But there is a reason you may want to skip the hat initially and just enjoy your first few minutes together undisturbed, skin-to-skin, enjoying a special time that will never come again.

Skin-to-Skin Bonding is a Reason to Skip the Baby Hat

You know that new baby smell that everyone loves? Well, it helps mothers and babies bond. That smell triggers certain bonding responses in a new mother’s brain. When the mother smells her baby’s scent, that new baby smell very specific to her own child, it triggers a big boost of oxytocin which speeds along the birth process itself. Covering up the infant’s head with a baby hat can change that effect in the first hour or so after birth.

Just let your doctor or midwife know you’d prefer to practice skin-to-skin bonding right after the birth. Your baby will be able to stay warm snuggled up close, and as long as there have been no complications, everyone should be safe and happy. In addition, as further explained by BabyBelly.com, when you are practicing that skin-to-skin contact right after the birth, a hat isn’t needed because the mother’s body warmth will keep the baby’s body warmth regulated. So enjoy those first few moments. There is plenty of time after you get to know each other to don those sweet little hats.

Sweet newborn baby hat with embroidered sheep — A baby hat for the trip home

Dress Your Baby in Layers

Once your baby is ready to come home, it’s a good idea to dress them in layers so they can stay warm but you can easily remove a layer or add a layer to assist them in staying comfortable.

Baby hats, onesies, booties, and pillows — A beautiful set for baby with sweet embroidered details

If the ambient temperature is below 80 degrees, a hat is a good idea. It’s also a great way to prevent sunburn. But how do you know if baby is too hot? OurEverydayLife recommends you check baby’s hands, feet or back. If they feel cold, add a layer of clothing, a warmer hat, or just a blanket.

Gifts for the Winter Baby

A winter baby can enjoy the luxury of multiple hats, head bands, knitted, crocheted, and soft cotton items to build a truly personal wardrobe. If you’re welcoming a new baby into your home or family this winter, why not choose a variety of colors, textures, and patterns of hats, bibs, and blankets to make the new little one feel welcome?

It’s best to stay away from wool, but cotton, terry, acrylic and linen are perfect. They’re all washable, comfortable and perfect for layering.

embroidered pillows, baby hats, quilts and more — A bundle of gifts including items from Jacaranda Living for the newest member of the family

Add onesies in both newborn and larger sizes because little ones grow up fast and come Spring and Summer, additional larger pieces will be a welcome addition to the wardrobe.

Jacaranda Living has beautiful, washable, embroidered baby hats, onesies, blankets and booties to keep your baby comfortable, safe and looking sweet all year round.

Sources

http://www.babycenter.com/404_when-can-my-baby-stop-wearing-those-infant-hats_1368473.bc

http://oureverydaylife.com/newborn-need-hat-11369.html

http://www.bellybelly.com.au/baby/no-hats-on-newborn-babies/

http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00597/full

Handmade vs. Custom Made – Gifts for the Holidays to Show You Care

Not everyone is a gifted crafter. Not everyone can bake, or has the time to make embroidered gifts. Sure, we love to receive homemade fudge, or a beautiful knitted sweater or afghan, but these days most people have a tough time finding the time to wrap gifts, let alone make unique items for family and friends.

But if you’re a crafter, and there are definitely a lot of you out there, Jacaranda Living has some great embroidered gift items or blank items to be embroidered that will fit right in with your desire to give something special to those you love. Think it’s too late? Not really.

Embroidered or hand painted items can be beautiful as gifts. Time may be running out to give a completed item by Christmas or Hannukah, but you can order the item and provide your recipient with a picture of the finished product. Then let them know you’ll be working hard during the winter to create their gift.

Embroidered Gifts are Unique and Beautiful

Whether you’re embroidering a cosmetic bag for a friend, or a tissue box for a co-worker, or a pair of slippers for a favorite aunt, Jacaranda Living has a variety of blank pieces ready to embroider that will work perfectly.

large cotton cosmetic bag — large cosmetic bag ready for your embroidery or painting

Not sure where to find the unique patterns that will make your gift the one they treasure? Consider Mary Corbet’s Needle ‘n Thread blog. She’s got great ideas for a variety of designs and even shows you how to use coloring books for inspiration. With so many coloring books out there for adults, you may even be able to ask the person you’re making something for to share their favorite design and you can turn it into an embroidered piece!

Fabric Painting Can Create a Custom Gift to Treasure

If you like painting, why not try fabric painting to create a one-of-a-kind gift for someone special? Look for videos on YouTube that show how to paint flowers, and other designs on bed sheets, scarves, and tablecloths. Jacaranda Living has quality cotton napkins, robes, and pillow cases that would work well for this type of project.

Cotton Dinner Napkins Ready for Embroidery — The Perfect Cotton Dinner Napkin

Just search for “one stroke painting” on YouTube to find a wide variety of projects from easy to complex.

Not All of Us are Artistic – Some Ideas for Embroidered Gifts

Not the type to sit and embroider or paint? Don’t worry, Jacaranda Living can still be your path to giving a unique, embroidered gift to treasure for years to come. From baby gifts to bed linens to ladies’ nightgowns and dresses for the little girls in your life, we’ve got a range of embroidered and monogrammed items made of high quality cotton

a full range of baby items — A beautiful set for baby with sweet embroidered details

and linen, enhanced with lace and fine details that show how much you care.

Consider a pretty set for the littlest member of your family, perhaps booties, a hat, a bib and a onesie all embroidered with little sheep.

Maybe a sweet cotton springtime dress for a young lady with a love of elephants.

little girls dress with pink elephants — Pretty white dress embroidered with pink elephants

Who doesn’t love a cool cotton boudoir pillow and you can have it embroidered with a wide selection of designs including this pretty Nantucket basket of flowers.

Embroidered pillows with multiple design options — Pretty Boudoir Pillow with flower-filled Nantucket Basket Embroidery

Or put together a picnic basket of goodies featuring these fun lobster embroidered cocktail napkins that would be a hit with anyone who likes to plan an outing with just a bit more flair than the usual.

embroidered cocktail napkins - lobster design — Lobster embroidered cocktail napkins, the perfect picnic accent

Embroidered linens and handmade gifts show you’ve thought about the person you’re giving to. Whether the gift is something you’ve created, or something you’ve had created just for them. If you’re shopping for gifts and want something personal, consider Jacaranda Living. We’ve got gifts that show people how much you care.

Sources

http://www.jacarandaliving.com/linen-for-monogrammers.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CpX9s-sRSI

http://www.needlenthread.com/

Three Quick Tips for the Best Holiday Cocktail Party Ever

It’s the season for parties. But with so much to do, and time running out, it’s easiest to keep things simple! Planning a quick cocktail party for friends, neighbors, or people at the office can be the best way to connect, catch up, and still have time for all the other things that seem to pop up on your calendar at this time of year.

Holiday Cocktail Party Decorating

If you’re going to take the time to have a party, make it memorable. Assuming your home or apartment needs only a simple dust and clear up, let’s look at decorations.

No need to set up a tree if that’s not part of your plans. A centerpiece of greens, colorful ornaments, and a few candles, collected into a large glass vase can look beautiful. Midwest Living features a beautiful Cranberry Candles centerpiece that combines all of the above displayed in a simple tray you may have lying around just waiting for it’s moment to shine.

Candy cane vase for your cocktail party — Beautiful vase of candy canes hold holiday inspired flowers for your holiday cocktail party

Spicy Mexican Hot Cocoa is a signature drink that can warm up your cocktail party!

Other options include displaying ornaments in family heirloom bowls or platters, creating flower or candle holders from holiday candy favorites, and filling jars with colorful beads and dried herbs. Make the centerpiece reflective of your own style, and that of your guests. They’ll feel right at home.

Holiday Cocktail Party Recipes

Cookie exchanges and complicated appetizers area great if you’ve got nothing but time on your hands, but if you’re working full-time, trying to get around to all the office parties, and fit in time for shopping and visiting family, you may be looking for far simpler fare. Why not feature healthy appetizers at your cocktail party to counteract all the sweets and heavier foods most parties feature. FoodNetwork.com has some great ones including greek yogurt dip, hot crab dip, and even a light version of guacamole that may surprise you.

Also consider a signature beverage to cut down on liquor costs, and keep things simple. Why not offer a warming Mexican Hot Cocoa like the one from Epicurious. Made with chocolate liqueur and ancho chili powder, it’ll tantalize, and can be made ahead and kept warm on the stove, sending out the scent of cinnamon, chocolate and and chile! For those who want something cold, fill a cooler with bottles of red and white wine, some hard cider, or seasonal beers, and your cocktail party will be ready to go!

Don’t Forget Cocktail Party Essentials

So now comes the important parts of party planning. How much do you need and what should you have on hand? To show your guests you really care, consider skipping the plastic glassware, and plastic cutlery, and going for glass and real silverware. There are multiple sources for inexpensive but nice glassware, dishes, and cutlery. From boxstores to online restaurant supply stores, you’ll have your choice. Order extra to allow for breakage. You’ll enjoy yourself so much more, and matching, simple glassware can make clean up a whole lot easier as well.

Waffle-Towels-DG08-Christmas-Wreath — Make sure your guest powder room gets into the cocktail party spirit too.

Use a runner rather than a tablecloth for buffets and tables. And purchase cloth cocktail napkins that can be used year after year. Jacaranda Living offers a beautiful range of embroidered cocktail and dinner napkins perfect for a small party, or a large formal dinner.

As an added way to show your guests you care, don’t forget the powder room. Simple things like scented candles, pretty guest towels, and fancy soaps, or holiday scented hand wash add a nice touch. It can make your cocktail party stand out, and be the one your friends look forward to next year.

Sources

http://www.midwestliving.com/homes/seasonal-decorating/easy-christmas-centerpiece-ideas/

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/mexican-hot-cocoa-241138

http://www.foodnetwork.com/healthy/packages/healthy-every-week/healthy-appetizer-recipes/healthy-appetizer-recipes.html

Great Holiday Gifts for Mom Start With Jacaranda Living

When it comes to holiday gifts for mom, let’s face it, she may be the most important person on your list. Mom, Ma, Mum, or Mommy, young, old, or just hitting her stride, moms are an important recipient and can also be one of the toughest people on your list to buy for. But fear not! There is hope!

Something Practical – Sleepwear from Jacaranda Living

Remember when you used to receive socks, or underwear for Christmas? Perhaps not your favorite gift. Maybe you also received gifts of simple toiletries, or clothes you needed anyway, and it didn’t seem much like a gift. But have you given thought to whether your Mom received those types of gifts?

In fact, many mothers forego their own needs to make certain their kids have more than enough. A “practical” gift can actually be quite luxurious when you give it some extra thought. So why not make the “practical” extra special this year? Some of the following items offered by Jacaranda Living make great gifts. You’ll be giving top quality items that can be customized for your Mom or any other special women in your life, and it’s probably something she’s hoping for but wouldn’t buy for herself. Why not show her how special she is with a special gift from Jacaranda Living?

Sleepwear – Who doesn’t love to snuggle down at the end of a long day in their favorite robe and slippers. Jacaranda Living offers a wide range of beautiful cotton nighties, pajamas, slippers and robes that would be a perfect choice. They can be embroidered with many beautiful designs to make them a gift she’ll treasure for many nights to come.

Create a Cuddle Up Sleepwear gift package especially for her by including a cocoa mug featuring pictures of you, grandchildren, special artwork, and it’ll make ending every day a celebration. Popsugar has a great article on how to make your own very special mug to go along with a cuddle up sleepwear gift package.

Lingerie Bags

Every woman can use our special lingerie bag to ensure that delicates, and hand-wash only items don’t get damaged in the wash. Moms are busy women so having a lingerie bag (especially a beautifully embroidered one from Jacaranda Living) is the perfect way for her to get all those much loved delicates cared for gently.

Our Every Day Life recommends pretreating any stains first, then using the lingerie bag to make sure your delicates stay that way. Your Mom may appreciate more than one lingerie bag, one for every day, and one for special delicates to keep them stored safe.

Something Fun – Botanical Patterns for Raingear and Luggage

Some Moms are outdoorsy, active types who would enjoy a gift that goes along with that lifestyle. Some do the 9 – 5 thing, and spend most of their day in an office wishing they could bring the outdoors in. We’ve got some cute items that might be perfect:

Umbrella and Raincoat

Some days heading out into a nasty morning filled with rain and fog can be downright dreary. But with a raincoat and umbrella from Jacaranda, Mom could take the sunshine with her. Our ensemble is sure to put a smile on her face and perhaps a few others as she commutes to the office.

Shoulder Bag

As with the raincoat and umbrella, carrying a hint of springtime can be a great way to keep your Mom feeling positive and upbeat. Our bags are made of cotton with beautiful botanical patterns.

Weekender Bag

If Mom travels for business, she may love a beautiful carryon bag that stands out from the pack, and has room for all her important items.

RH109-BOT Weekender Bag - Botanical

Gifts for the Hostess with the Mostest – Tablecloths and Napkins

If your Mom is the one in the family who hosts every holiday dinner and is at her happiest planning a party surrounded by family and friends? She may enjoy a gift that makes that kind of day extra special.

Beautiful cotton embroidered napkins

The table is usually the highlight of the event. These tips from Martha Stewart can help her create a table worth remembering. Elegant table linens can make a big difference in the overall look of a table. Jacaranda Living offers a variety of embroidered table linens. We also offer a variety of fabrics and embroidery patterns to match her personal style.

The most important thing when selecting a gift for Mom is putting thought into it. In fact, any gift should be something you think about. Who is the person you’re buying for? What do they like? When you care about the recipient, you should also put care into selecting a gift that shows it. Giving a gift from Jacaranda Living means you’re choosing a gift of quality and elegance. Our gifts can be personalized to tell your Mom, or the person who is like a mother to you, just how much you care. Visit our website to see more and consider a gift from Jacaranda Living this year.

Sources

http://www.popsugar.com/smart-living/Sharpie-Mug-DIY-Project-24955886

http://oureverydaylife.com/wash-bras-using-lingerie-bag-28781.html

http://www.marthastewart.com/274744/holiday-table-settings#225498

Duvet or Comforter, What’s the Difference?

As we get ready for winter weather, we start thinking about cozy warm bedding for ourselves and our family. But you may be asking yourself, what’s a duvet? Do I need a duvet cover? Or maybe a comforter would be better. Are they the same? If you’re shopping for bedding it’s a good idea to understand the difference.

Classic sheets and pillowcases from Jacaranda Living — A bolster pillow and sheets from Jacaranda Living

When is a Duvet Cover Not a Duvet

It’s not a trick question! A duvet is not the same thing as a duvet cover. Duvets are a wonderful way to stay warm and make the whole task of making a bed easier, but it is important to understand how they work together. Houzz.com explains a duvet as “a soft flat bag filled with down, feathers or a synthetic alternative.”

In most cases, you’ll want to use a duvet cover with your duvet. You can wash the cover, and it allows you to include color in the room’s look since most duvets actually come in plain white or beige. With a colored, embroidered or patterned duvet cover, you can match a bedroom’s décor. Duvets are made to be used without a top or flat sheet, or blankets/quilts. This is why you want to make certain your duvet cover is washable. Jacaranda Living sells a beautiful line of simple, elegant duvet covers to match any décor.

The simplicity of duvets with beautiful duvet covers from Jacaranda Living. — Beautiful, embroidered duvet covers from Jacaranda Living. 6 – 8 weeks delivery

Another added benefit to duvets is that you can use them without sheets. Without sheets to worry about, making the bed is so much easier! Perfect for a child’s room, and wonderful for a guest room too, since when your guests leave, you just have the duvet cover to wash up.

So Why Use a Comforter?

Comforters are sometimes less expensive, usually come in patterns and multi-color without embroidery. They are filled with layers of insulating material (polyester batting is common in the less expensive ones), or down feathers, wool or silk. Comforters are always stitched to secure the filling, unlike duvets which can sometimes be just a loose sack of feathers. Comforters also fill double duty, acting as both a bedspread and something to keep you warm, so no need for an additional bedspread on top of a comforter.

DG117 Euro 27" x 27" (Satin Stitch)

A nice lower loft (thickness) comforter is a great option for a guest room. It’s easy to add when a guest is cold, but remove if the weather warms up or you have a guest who doesn’t want that extra warmth. It’s easy to throw on or off the bed, and a simple way to also change up the look of a room since many comforters are reversible.

While We’re at It, What About Quilts and Coverlets?

Quilts are made of three layers of fiber/fabric: a cloth top, a layer of batting, and a woven cloth back. All three pieces are stitched together using decorative designs, and patterns, and sometimes embroidery is also used to add a personalized touch. Most quilts are also made of multiple pieces of cloth, all different designs, either placed together randomly (a crazy quilt), or using very specific color schemes, patterns, and designs. Today quilts are also used as wall hangings or to commemorate a special occasion, with wedding guests signing a quilt being given as a wedding gift, or family and friends signing a quilt being given to a high school graduate as a gift to take with them for their first year of college. Looking for new quilt block patterns? Try JinnyBeyer.com for free block pattern downloads.

A coverlet is more like a bedspread. The difference here, according to Cuddledown, is the actual size of the piece. “A bedspread is usually designed to cover the entire bed, up over the pillows, and down to the floor. Whereas a coverlet is smaller, designed to just cover the top of the bed and barely past the box springs, and is accompanied by matching decorative pillow shams and often a bed skirt.” Jacaranda offers a range of embroidered diamond pique coverlets for twin, queen and king size beds. You can choose from the starfish or scallop design in pure cotton and in beige or blue.

purchase coverlets from Jacaranda Living — Beautiful embroidered diamond pique coverlets from Jacaranda Living

The Choice is Yours – What Type of Bedding Do You Prefer?

Today, home decor leaves decisions up to the individual. You decide whether to go with a comforter, a duvet, a blanket or all three! You may live in Florida and choose lighter weight but lofty comforters to make a bedroom look luxurious and welcoming. Or you may live in a New England home with modern linen sheets, a duvet and an antique quilt to give some character to a room. It’s up to you and your taste and desires. From modern to classic to antique to a mix of them all, whichever you choose, we wish you sweet dreams, and hope you choose bedding from Jacaranda Living.

Sources

http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/1084803/list/coverlet-duvet-quilt-comforter-whats-the-difference

https://www.jinnybeyer.com/quilting-with-jinny/design-board.cfm

https://www.cuddledown.com/ResourceCenter.aspx?article=66

Christmas Traditions Begin with Jacaranda Living – Start Yours This Year!

Does your family have Christmas Traditions already in place? For many, the holidays are a time to start new Christmas traditions that will be enjoyed and treasured by your family as it grows! A few of our favorite traditions include:

Reindeer Gifts

If your family attends church on Christmas Eve, the reindeer can stop by the house to leave Christmas pajamas, slippers and robes for the whole family. Include a little note from the reindeer with a few tips

get to bed as soon as possible
leave Santa some cookies and maybe chocolate milk this year
thank them for taking care of their assigned elf (if your family enjoys the christmas traditions of Elf on a Shelf)

While superhero and princess inspired pjs are great for the little ones, consider our comfortable Kelsey Pajamas for the ladies of the household. Finish the outfit with our sweet scuffy slippers embroidered for the season with wreaths, snowflakes, and even a Christmas Tree! We’ve got 10 Holiday designs to give our slippers a true Christmas Eve touch.

Christmas Traditions include the Twelve Days of Christmas — sweet embroidery designs that feature favorite Christmas Carols, another of many Christmas Traditions

Sweet Twelve Days of Christmas embroidery options for slippers!

And don’t forget robes! Light cotton or cozy waffle or willow weave with satin trim. Robes from Jacaranda Living are the perfect Reindeer Gift and will be used all year long.

EL280 Bath Robe** - Cotton, Long Sleeve

Cookie Traditions – Making Holiday Cookies Can Be an Annual Event!

And speaking of cookies for Santa, why not make Christmas cookies a tradition? Whether yours are a family tradition, like Pizzelle, pfeffernusse, or pepperkakor, making the perfect Christmas cookie takes time and can become a fun competition each year with other family and friends. Who has the best cookie? Sites like allrecipe.com and bettycrocker.com have 100’s of recipes to choose from if your family doesn’t already have a favorite. Ours would be this recipe for Soetkoekies (sweet cookies) from South Africa which can be found on food.com.

South African Traditional Soetkoekies (Sweet Cookies)

Yield: 80-90 cookies. The dough should be rolled out really thinly — about 1/6th of an inch — to get a crispy cookie.

INGREDIENTS
- 5 cups cake flour
- 2 cups brown sugar or 2 cups yellow sugar, if available. (yellow sugar is very light brown sugar)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1tsp ground cloves
- 1TBS ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/4 lb butter, soft
- 1/4 lb rendered pork fat (or Crisco)
- 1/2 cup sweet sherry or 1/2 cup muscatel or 1/2 cup madeira wine or 1/2 cup port wine, but you may need up to 3/4 cup of the sweet wine
- 2 large eggs, whisked well
  Fun aprons for adults and kids from Jacaranda Living

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 380 F
Grease cookie sheets.
In a large container mix first eight ingredients very well.
Cut in the butter and Crisco/fat with your hands until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
Whisk the eggs, add just 1/2 cup sweet wine to the eggs, then stir into the dry mixture until well-blended. Add more wine sparingly if too dry. Mix until it forms a fairly stiff dough. The dough should be easy to handle.
Remove dough from bowl, kneading until smooth, then, on a floured surface, roll out to a thin sheet (1/6^th of an inch). This will need to be done in batches.
Using your favorite holiday cookie cutters, cut cookies and place carefully on the greased sheets. Bake in batches in the preheated oven.
Use the center rack in the oven, as cookies burn easily on the bottom, especially if you use dark sheets.
Check cookies after 5 minutes being careful not to let them burn. Cooking time can vary depending on oven and size of cookie but is usually about 7 minutes.
Remove with a spatula, and let cool on wire racks. Store in airtight containers.
Can be made and stored weeks in advance.

There are so many recipes for holiday cookies, and so many different ways to make them your own. Make the search for this year’s recipe part of your holiday fun! Have young chefs in the household? Consider Kiddie and Ladies Aprons from Jacaranda as a pre-holiday gift to help everyone get in the mood.

Take Out as Part of Christmas Traditions – Explore Take Out Options on Christmas Eve

Many households celebrate both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and it can get pretty hectic preparing two celebrations with food, dishes, planning, and cleaning up! Why not make Christmas Eve the time to get takeout. Whether you go Chinese, Mexican, hearty soups and fresh baked bread, or try something entirely new, researching menus, and deciding what you’ll share this year can become an annual ritual in the weeks leading up to the big day.

Whatever you do for the holidays, make sure to enjoy the time together with family and friends. Life is stressful and at busy times, when to-do lists seem endless, it can be easy to forget the reason for the holiday, and get overwhelmed with making certain everything is perfect. Give yourself a chance to sit, relax, and savor those you love. It’ll give you a chance to breathe, and to create memories that will sweeten over the years.

Get your orders in now for the holidays!

At Jacaranda Living we’d love to help create your Christmas Traditions and make your holidays a time to remember. Get your order in now while there is still plenty of time to embroider and ship your gifts wherever you’ll be celebrating this year!