Children Archives - Jacaranda Living

7 Tips for a Warm and Cozy Christmas Morning

a woman wearing a white cotton nightgown and having a warm and cozy Christmas morning — cozy in the Cara nightgown

Whether you care about the religious side of the holidays or not, there’s something sacred about Christmas morning. We mean this in the sense that everyone deserves to be perfectly comfy while enjoying this one day a year, at least. So, here are the seven tips for a warm and cozy Christmas morning so you can organize the perfect day for yourself!

Make plans to stay nicely wrapped up

Of course, if you want a warm and cozy Christmas morning, then you need to make sure you have the right thing to wear! There’s nothing worse than getting up into a room that’s just a little too chilly to be comfortable. It immediately saps away your coziness and makes it impossible to enjoy yourself as much as you otherwise would. It jolts you to wakefulness and chases away those decadent last vestiges of sleep that can make a morning delightfully slow as they naturally fade. Having warm and cozy nightwear is a step in the right direction, but it’s not quite enough to keep the dreadful cold at bay. To complement it, you want to make an additional investment and get one of those blankets you can wear and complete the set! Slip them on while still in bed, and you can start off your day right.

girls wearing white cotton pajamas — cozy in white cotton pajamas on Christmas eve

Leave no work for Christmas morning itself

Of course, if you want to continue having a pleasant day, you must put in some work before Christmas morning. There are few things as horrible as the realization that you still have lingering obligations to worry about. Even little things, such as knowing that you’ll need to pop out later to make a shopping run, can kind of ruin the mood. Simply because it means stepping away from your warm and cozy Christmas morning to face the world. This is to say nothing of major obligations, such as when considering whether you should move before or after Christmas to figure out the right time and, for some reason, decide to move after. This is a horrible idea because it casts a pall of upcoming stress over everything you do during Christmas morning. It is much better to have nothing holding you back from enjoying yourself.

Draw yourself a luxurious bath

What’s more indulgent than taking the time to draw yourself a luxurious bath and enjoy it at your leisure? Very, very few things. However, with the knowledge that you have nothing to do the entire day and that you can dedicate the day to yourself, it is a real treat to do it. You can just kick back in the steamy water, maybe grab a glass of something to drink, and feel the stress and tension draining out of you. It will feel almost wrong to spend all that time just soaking, but it will be well worth it and help set the tone for the rest of your day and the rest of your free days—especially if you slip into a nice, luxurious bathrobe that simply envelops you in its warmth and coziness.

Distract your kiddos

If you have kids, things can get a bit more complicated when planning your ideal warm and cozy Christmas morning. Thankfully, it’s Christmas! This means you won’t have to put in too much effort to distract them and get them to play while you enjoy the rest of your day. You can simply direct their attention back to their gifts when it wavers and encourage them to enjoy themselves, too. You can afford to let them get away with some small mischief on Christmas if it means you, too, get to have the perfect morning. And, hopefully, you’ll have your own cozy gifts to enjoy and try out while lounging on a sofa with a warm cup of chocolate milk or coffee!

Kids on Christmas morning — it’s much easier than you think to distract your kids.

Lounge in bed a little longer

If some of the other options we laid out don’t really appeal to you that much, you can always choose to lounge in bed! The wonder of Christmas morning is that you don’t need to be active at all. For once, you can sleep in guilt-free. And even if you are awake, there’s no reason you can’t afford to fall to the temptation of your perfectly comfy bed sheets and just stay bundled up. However, we recommend that you prepare something to entertain yourself the day before. Leaving a book, your laptop, and maybe even a snack within easy reach of your bed will let you avoid getting up.

Sleeping in on a large bed wearing Candy Cane dresses from Jacaranda Living — Sleeping in is often one of the best feelings after a stressful period! Wearing Jacaranda Living’s cozy cotton Candy Cane dress in bed.

Spoil yourself a little

Christmas morning is the time to spoil yourself and do things you might not otherwise do. Even if you are a perfect health buff the rest of the year who insists on eating healthy, Christmas can be your cheat day. Buy a box of chocolates, get some greasy, unhealthy food that’s a guilty pleasure for a change, and skip your workout routine. It’s not going to wreak havoc on your discipline and physical condition, making the morning seem all the more like a real treat.

Order some food

Speaking of food, the last of our tips for a warm and cozy Christmas morning is to just order something. This goes double if you have kids. Having to worry about cooking, not to mention the health of the stove and the sweat you’d work up doing it, can be really off-putting. Sometimes, there’s nothing that grounds us and brings us back to our everyday grind, like having to cook. Besides, you’re not the only one who might appreciate the change. Getting to eat pizza or some other delicious ordered food for breakfast will be a novelty for your kids, too.

Final comment

Even with the seven tips for a warm and cozy Christmas morning we put together, there is one final thing that can make this time special: family. So, once your perfect morning is over, make sure to give your loved ones a call.

7 Simple Tips for Designing a Calming Kid’s Bedroom

cute girls wearing amelia white cotton dress — Cute sisters in the Amelia white cotton dress before bedtime.

Our kids need calmness in their lives so that they can grow harmoniously. They need a balanced environment in which they can grow, as well as a sense of security. And this starts at home, in their most familiar environment. Children’s rooms should be a space where they can be creative, learn, play, and unwind. Above all, their room should be a safe place to be themselves. As a result, we thought to help you with some simple tips for designing a calming kid’s bedroom. So, we invite you to continue reading our article to see how you can create the perfect nursery or kids’ bedroom.

1. Choose the right colors

Colors have the power to influence our moods and state of mind. Kids are no different. In reality, they can be much more sensitive to colors than adults. The color of their room can help them either relax and feel cozy or make them feel tense and anxious. So, if you want to design a calming bedroom for your children, pay attention to the colors you choose. Try to use soft colors that can help them relax, like green or blue. If you have newborns, try to use pastel colors that brighten rooms, like lavender or peach. If your kids are older, use primary colors like purple or orange.

But, whatever color you decide to use, if your kids are old enough, ask for their opinion. Children enjoy being part of decision-making because it gives them a sense of importance and involvement. Also, this can help them get through difficult times, such as a relocation, with more ease. You can support them with transition and help them settle in faster in their new home if you get them to help design their room.

2. Keep the room tidy and clutter-free

Calming bed with cool blue and white colors. Little girl wearing the Starfish white cotton dress on bed.

Kids need an organized room to do their daily activities, such as studying or playing. The tidier their room is, the more space they have to do those activities. In contrast, if their room is untidy and full of clutter, they will feel stressed and frustrated. Therefore, try to keep things in their place and get rid of everything that is not needed. Teach your children to pick up their toys from the floor and put them away, show them how and where to store their sleeping dresses or pajamas, etc. In addition, periodically get rid of the items and clothes that your kids don’t need anymore. Throw away broken toys and damaged clothes and give away the ones they outgrew.

3. Focus on the bed

One of the simple tips for designing a calming kid’s bedroom is to focus on the bed. Your children need a comfortable and cozy bed to relax in and sleep well. At the same time, some kids can be resilient towards going to bed when they should or napping during the day. So why not make them look forward to meeting the Sandman by giving them the bed of their dreams? For instance, get them the bedframe that they would love, some soft sheets, and beautiful pillow covers. And if you need to make the perfect bed on a budget, don’t worry. You can find plenty of DIY bed frame ideas on the internet that you and your children can work on together. That way, you can create something together while bonding and having lots of fun.

4. Give your kids space

little girl in her onesie from jacaranda living — It’s important to keep your kids comfortable in soft white cotton onesies and dresses! Give your kids space to roam and relax at home and in their bedrooms.

We all wish to give our kids all the space they need for playing or learning. Unfortunately, not all of us have the luxury of big homes with large enough rooms, so we often need to improvise.

Make the most of the room you have to provide your children with the space they need. For instance, don’t overcrowd the room with furniture, but try to use furniture that can have a double purpose. Chairs and tables with extra storage space, for example, can come in handy. In addition, loft beds with study space underneath can help you save a lot of space. Also, if you have two older kids, you could use a bunk bed.

Bunk beds can also prove to be very useful if you have to relocate to a new home. Given that the first thing you should do when moving with kids is to set up their room, having a bunk bed will ease your work. You just have to assemble one bed instead of two. Just make sure that you do it the right way, and your kids will be able to sleep in their familiar beds from day one in their new home. That can be helpful to children in terms of accepting and adjusting to a new home.

A simple tip for designing a calming kid’s bedroom using pillows. — After you finish adding the furniture to your kid’s bedroom, you can add an extra touch of coziness with some throw pillows.

5. Create different zones in the bedroom

As mentioned earlier, a child’s bedroom will have multiple functions. It will be the place for relaxing, learning, or playing. So, when you try to design a calming kid’s bedroom, keep in mind what your child’s needs are and make separate zones. In addition, separate the zones you create using different colored rugs. Or, paint the play corner one color and the study area another. In the play area, hang a hammock where your youngsters can sit and play with toys. In the study area, place a bookcase, a desk, and a chair. That will help your kids keep their focus during each activity.

6. Give your child a space to decompress

little girl wearing the ruby dress — Give your kids time to decompress and do their own thing in the privacy of their own bedrooms. Little girl wearing the Ruby dress with red and pink rose embroidery.

Sometimes, our kids just want to hide away from the world in their room. And it’s a good idea for children to have a special place where they can feel safe when this happens. Therefore, if you want some simple tips for designing a calming children’s bedroom, create a small corner where your child can find refuge. It can be the space under the stairs, a cozy spot in the closet, or a fort in a nook. Put some warm blankets and soft pillows inside the hiding spot to make it more comfortable. Also, you can add some of your kid’s favorite toys and place a door hanger at the entrance. That way, everyone will know not to bother them.

Final thoughts

Now that you know the simple tips for designing a calming kid’s bedroom, you just need to put them into practice. Get your kids to help you pick the color of the room, the bed frame, or the accessories. And if it would be helpful to save some money while designing the perfect bedroom for your kids, you can check out our sale items page. We are confident that you will find something delightful.

The Benefits of Sleeping in Cotton

The benefits of sleeping in cotton are endless but one thing for sure is we pride ourselves of producing quality cotton gifts at Jacaranda Living.

The phrase “sleeping like a baby” exists for a reason. Dosing off and waking up after a good eight hours’ sleep is now considered a luxury, thanks to the busy lifestyle we all lead. A glass of warm milk, a boring movie, ambient music, the sounds of rain, or complete darkness is not always enough to have a good night’s rest. Even though people are always looking for crafty ways to get themselves to sleep, one thing often gets overlooked. The quality of your bed sheets plays a crucial role in the quality of your sleep. With that in mind, let’s see what the benefits of sleeping in cotton are and why you should choose it as the material for your bedding.

Cotton is a Breathable Fabric

The number one reason everyone likes to sleep in cotton bedding is that the fabric is light and breathable. It is pure, natural material. People often wake up at night covered in sweat, which happens if you are sleeping in the wrong type of material. Cotton solves this problem. Moreover, for the same reason, it’s a perfect choice for bedding during summer.

Cotton linen is the best choice for your family.

However, cotton should also be your choice during winter. Since people usually crank up the heating once the snow falls, the temperature in the apartment or a house goes up overnight.

Cotton is Easy to Clean and Maintain

I have a really cute tissue box cover made of white cotton. I have been using it for a long time now, and every time I get it out of the washing machine, it looks pure and white, just like the first day.

White cotton tissue box covers are easy to clean and maintain. Just stick them in the wash with other whites and they come out just as new!

This is an excellent example of how easy it is to clean cotton. We sleep in cotton sheets, but a tissue box often gets from one hand to another, and it is so easy to get it dirty. Knowing that I can throw it in a washing machine without worrying about anything makes me really happy about using cotton for bedsheets as well.

Despite Being Light, Cotton is Very Durable

You might think that cotton will easily rip since it is so light. However, that’s not the case, especially when you consider the price. Natural cotton linen usually costs more than any other material for bedsheets, but it’s a great investment in the long run. It can last twice as any other bedding, so it will actually save you a few bucks. Also, considering how versatile the fabric is, it is not strange that people often choose to buy 100% cotton products as gifts for their loved ones, even if it costs them a little more.

It’s Soft and Cuddly

Now that we have covered all the more “technical” benefits of sleeping in cotton, let’s focus on the most exciting advantage; cotton is soft and cuddly! If you are looking for something snuggly for your little ones, there is no better choice for bedsheets and pillows.

Furthermore, cotton is a fantastic material for decorative pillows. We all know how easy it is to fall asleep in front of the TV, especially if you have the inviting cotton pillows to lean on. And knowing that washing cotton pillowcases is a piece of cake, they can easily be both decorative and useful.

Cotton Fabric is a Solution for People with Allergies

Since it is naturally hypoallergenic, cotton linen is the go-to solution for people with allergies. If you have sensitive skin and you cannot sleep because you are itchy all over your body, buying cotton bedding will make your problems go away as if they never existed.

Since it’s a natural fabric, the use of cotton reduces the chances of skin irritation to minimum. And if you have allergies, our embroidered cotton tissue box covers are a pretty way to cover your tissues! 🙂

You Will Sleep Better

Considering all the benefits of cotton linen, you will sleep better. It keeps you warm during winter and cools your down in summer. It is light, durable, and soft, making it comfortable and, therefore, an ideal option for sleeping. This fabric is also a must for your sleeping garments – cotton pajamas, nightgowns, bathrobes, etc. And not just for sleeping, many people prefer clothes made of cotton because they are comfortable, pleasant to wear, and easy to maintain.

With cotton bedding and sleepwear, there is no need to worry whether you will have a good night’s rest or not.

Different Uses of Cotton Fabric

While we are on the subject of cotton’s usefulness, let’s talk about the different ways to use cotton and get the most out of it.

It can protect your belongings from dust and dirt

If you are placing some of your belongings in a self-storage unit, the number one issue is dust. The longer they stay inside, the more dust forms on the surface. Unless you plan to clean the storage every few days, getting cotton covers and placing them over your things is a smart idea. Simply speaking, you get all the benefits and avoid problems with self-storage units. Well, at least some of the problems you can easily solve with cotton covers.

Are you painting your house? No problem.

By following the same example as before, you can use cotton covers to protect beds and other furniture while painting the ceiling or walls in your home. Since they are so easy to clean, you don’t have to worry about paint spilling anywhere.

The Benefits of Sleeping in Cotton Explained!

You should try a lot of materials before you find the right choice for your bedding. However, consider the benefits of sleeping in cotton mentioned above before you purchase anything else. We have a lot of solutions for you at Jacaranda Living. We’re all about cotton! Have fun picking out gifts this year for your loved ones, and remember the benefits of sleeping in cotton. Once you go cotton, you never go back!

Nautical Items You’ll Love for Hot Summer Days

Let’s face it, the weather is scorching, so, turn the AC all the way up, and dress your home up with our favorite beach themed items. Also, wear nothing but flowy cotton dresses around your house. Our nightgowns are where it’s at because they are comfortable, loose, and breezy. Other than these gorgeous nightgowns, we also have other ideas to keep you busy this summer like gifting friends and neighbors gorgeous nautical embroidered towels, pillows, and tissue box covers. Check out our roundup below and let us know what’s your favorite!

Beach Life

Let’s get nautical! We’re into the end of July – have you dressed up your home with some fun beachy designs? Start with our Siesta lady….

Soak in the rays like our Siesta Lady… nothing like beach days and taking dips in between naps.

and our gorgeous coral embroidery….

Can’t get enough of our coral embroidery! Who is looking for new gift ideas this summer?

Coral Embroidered Items

Host in style with our beautiful coral embroidered cocktail napkins and tissue box cover for the bathroom.

Sand Dollar embroidery or Coral? What’s your favorite?!

School of Fishies are divine in summertime or for your beach house. Gift it to a friend who loves to fish, snorkel or scuba dive!

For Children

I’m sure your little girls and boys are complaining about this heatwave too so put them in cool cotton pant sets and English girl’s dresses. Some of our favorites (including pillow designs) for summer below:

sweet cheeks wearing our sweet pea little girl’s dress 💗💗💗. Order one today for your little girl! #JacarandaLiving

childrens pillow — Meet Freddie the Fish 🐠 children’s boudoir pillows available to shop online 💗

Beach days in our Ava cotton dress with rosebud embroidery is a great choice for your little one.

Snack time! Little Caroline wearing our Wendy Whale dress and looking adorable in her pink bow.

For Ladies

The smocked Lisa nightgown will keep you cool during this #heatwave. Order one for you and a friend today.

Cool Cotton Nightgowns are the BEST for hot summer days.

Smocked detail of the Lisa Cotton Nightgown for ladies…. keep cool out there!

Heading to the beach? There’s nothing quite like our new one-size fits all floral embroidered caftans for carefree caftan days. A great cover up and 100% cotton, easy to wash and dry and most convenient to pull over a bikini or wear while pottering around the house trying to keep cool.

Beautiful floral embroidered cotton caftan for carefree summer days! The perfect beach cover-up with drawstring ties at the waist and butterfly sleeves, shop it now online🦋

Sealife Cosmetic Bags

To keep all your small possessions organized like sun screen, make up, car keys, sunglasses and more.

Gift ideas (cosmetic bag and terry towel) that will bring good beach vibes this summer 😎

Have a wonderful time choosing from our roundup. We can’t get enough of some of these gift ideas for friends. Also if you’re looking for a comfortable night’s sleep during summer, we recommend not only wearing one of our breezy nighties but sleeping on a CBD infused pillow from pilozzz – every pillow is made of hypoallergenic down alternative fibre and a superior double knit cover. It is the most luxurious cooling pillow you will ever own! A new company that seems to please a lot of our customers.

Have a great rest of your week! We’ll leave you with these happy new mermaid designs because…. we all want to be a mermaid in summer, don’t we?

We’ve been so excited about these new mermaid embroideries, custom ordered for a sweet shop in Bermuda! Now available online for you and your girlfriends. 🧜🏻‍♀️🧜🏼‍♀️🧜🏽‍♀️🧜🏾‍♀️🧜🏿‍♀️

Tips To Stay Sane and Comfortable While Working From Home

It is important to stay comfortable and sane during this pandemic crisis especially while you work from home and spend the majority of time at home. Here are tips to help you have a routine that works for you so you don’t feel flustered. Scroll through to find what might work for you and bookmark this page to come back to it.

Journaling and Writing a Daily Schedule

Have you been writing down everything you want to accomplish in the day? Working from home has taken a toll on a lot of people because it’s different, and people don’t like to adjust to a completely new way of life. There are ways to cope, however, and you can make it a lot easier on yourself if you take some pressure away and you make lists. By writing down a schedule you will be sure to accomplish at least 80% of the things you planned on getting to that morning.

Make Your Home Pretty

Get a few things for your home that make you smile. Either tissue box covers or pretty embroidered pillows that will keep you from going insane. It’s important to take the trash out and scrub the floors because no one likes journaling or living in a house that gets dirty. One little idea to add to every room in the house is this:

Decorate your home with pretty things. Our embroidered tissue box covers are the perfect addition to jazz up any room in the house.

Picking Out Your Child’s Outfits

Kids don’t like to be forced into uncomfortable outfits that will be a mission to get them in and they just want to be comfortable at home. If you want them to be dressed in something that is decent and makes them at least look nice but isn’t a pain to wash, then pick something from the children’s section on our website. There are white cotton pants and shirt sets for little boys with embroidered sailboats and then there are a dozen of cute English cotton dresses for your little girls. These outfits are very easy to be washed and will have the kids smiling as they can play around the house freely without any discomfort, and they’ll look pretty and elegant. Nothing is nicer than seeing your kids happy and smiling in something that you can toss into the wash after without worrying about wrinkles or shrinkage.

Some favorite outfits for the children are below:

Boy’s Ship Shape Shorts Set

Einor Elephant and Wendy Whale dress

💘 stay home with your cute little ones. Enjoy cooking, doing puzzles, playing games and sharing laughs.

Lucy Dress

Amelia Dress

Yoga Pants and Meditate

Ladies, I’m sure you want nothing more than to just lounge and relax after all your chores and hustle around the house. If you’re a mom, you probably have resorted to keeping on your pajama pants for most of the morning unless you go straight into yoga pants which you’ll be wearing all day. We suggest a morning routine of working out or doing yoga to get you in the zone for the day. There’s a lot to be done especially if you’re a working mom and it’s hard enough being the teacher to your kids on top of your full time job. The world is crazy right now but remind yourself this is only temporary, and you are a boss woman.

Kick on those yoga pants and do an at home workout video to calm your mind. We suggest checking out @whitsich from Instagram or any Yoga and Pilates class from HYP Yoga (based in Needham, Massachusetts). Such a favorite and all the instructors are passionate about their practice. Don’t be shy to donate to the tip jar via Venmo after you take a class. Their classes are free but tip jars are highly encouraged to keep small businesses like these from sinking.

After you do your little morning workout and have a meditation session, your mind will be feeling at ease. You are ready to take on the day and your next list of things that are listed on your schedule. Pick out something comfortable to wear and get to it.

Lounge in Cotton Pants or Breezy Nightshirts

Once you’ve checked off a few more work or house related tasks from your list, take a shower, and get into something cozy and comfortable.

If you’re not a nightgown lady, we suggest a cotton nightshirt or comfortable cotton PJ pants and classy top. These options might seem like Pajamas but they’re really just chic loungewear. You can dress them with flip flops and a lightweight cardigan and no one will know! These days pajamas are hardly looked down upon and if you wear any of the below around the house before 5pm, no one will call you out for it. Get comfortable!

Pru PJ set

Cute Nightshirts

Do Some Puzzles and Set the Table

It’s puzzle time. Set out a plate of carrots, homemade hummus, with custom monogrammed dinner table napkins by yours truly for an elegant table setting.

It’s important to differentiate work time and relaxing time. After most of your list is checked off and you are in your cozy little Jacaranda Living outfit and the house looks somewhat tidy, then you can unwind from your day. It’s APERITIVO TIME!

Play some music (we’ve personally been loving Rita Wilson’s Quarantine Playlist on Spotify) and put the news on in the background so you can keep up with the news on the pandemic. It’s important to be in the know so you and your family are aware but it is also important to keep to your old schedule and have a little fun and time to relax.

Set the table with elegant table napkins and proper glassware to add some sanity back into your work from home life.

After an hour or two of relaxed chilling, you and the family can get to cooking together and setting the table.

Back to Journal and Lights Out

The next few hours are time to relax, laugh, unwind to a movie or TV show (we’ve already binged Tiger King) and before bed journal a few things down. What did you love about the day? What scares you about the pandemic? What do you want to tell your future self after all of this dies down? Has this new routine given you hope or made you tap into a new creative side you didn’t realize you had? This is a crazy time for everyone but it will help you stay sane by keeping to a schedule and jotting down your thoughts along the way. I hope it helps.

xoxo,

The Jacaranda Team

For All the New Mothers Out There Entering MommyHood… You’ve Got This

Hello Fall, and hello to you new moms, we are here to help you enter mommyhood with ease, grace and style. The time has gone by so quickly and September is already here – can you believe it? We’re sad to see summer has gone by so fast but we had so much fun at the AmericasMart show in July seeing old and new faces. Also had a couple wonderful visits out to some stores in Hilton Head and along the east coast in Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. But we’re looking forward to all things NEW and want to make sure we help you new moms out. A lot of our friends are expecting or just had a baby so here we are offering our two cents to help make the experience a beautiful one.

So for all those new mothers out there, we have something special for you. Some beautiful new embroidered mother’s nighties, baby onesies, children’s embroidered boudoir pillows, and much more to help you step into new mommyhood effortlessly and with ease.

What says effortlessly chic, comfortable yet romantic more than a beautiful embroidered cotton nightgown?

victorian pajamas for mommyhood — Beautiful, romantic and super comfortable.. as a new mom you have an excuse to wear a gorgeous embroidered nightgown all day long. We love this one, the Cathy Nightie, with pink floral embroidery.

Being comfortable is the most important thing when you’re a new mom because you feel like you can’t ever relax. Those few precious hours when your new infant does decide to close her or his little eyes, you can take a deep breath. Maybe you have time to shower or wash your face but we all know that won’t last long. Remember to use this precious time to phone a friend or do some yoga stretches in the living room. The most important thing you can do is take care of yourself when you have the time.

turkish towels jacaranda living — Wrap yourself up in Jacaranda Living’s soft turkish towel after stepping out of your quick shower or use to wipe your face after a thorough face wash.

Now for the more important stuff. Your new baby or baby girl has to be cleaned, fed, and treated like the prince or princess that she or he is! So spoil them rotten with cute baby stuff! We are very happy to carry an array of different styles and designs – pick from our baby section, we offer embroidered bibs, pillows, comfortable onesies, baby hats, and cotton booties. They may likely get dirty after the first wear, but everything we carry is 100% machine-washable and can be thrown in the dryer instantly without worry. Not to mention we have more effortless styles of nightgowns for you to wear comfortably around the house!

comfortable baby clothing — Babies need your love! Spoil them rotten, treat them to something pretty and comfy, adore them. It’s a precious time. We love these embroidered sleep sacks, onesies and little hats. See more designs to choose from here. You can also shop this Eloise nightgown.

Pay attention to when your baby is ready to interact and then talk, sing, dance, and play. Take a break when you need it.

cute embroidered pillows — A new baby girl or new baby born like to cuddle up. Dress up their new crib or bed with their favorite embroidered animal. All our designs for baby and children pillows can be found here.

So hopefully some of our ideas to a dreamlike motherhood will find you in hopes and ideas to get going on treating yourself and taking care of your precious newborn. There is a lot to be done but with a little bit of self-care and support from your husband and friends, you will get through it. Before you know it, your mommyhood will be drifting away and they will be onto early teens. Cherish it while it lasts!

xx,

Jacaranda team <3

Ways To Teach Kids To Appreciate Their Nice Things

Who hasn’t seen the social media posts about someone’s young child painting over their home’s flat screen TV or playing with their mom’s high-end lipstick? Children aren’t generally careful with nice things because they don’t understand the value of it yet or the consequences. But could we be teaching our kids to appreciate nice things earlier on? Here are some things you can do to instill a sense of care and pride in kids when it comes to their possessions.

cute pajamas

Teach Them How To Gently Handle Delicate and Expensive Items In Their Home

Children as little as eighteen months can interact with things in their home like delicate knick-knacks, makeup, pillows, dishes, etc and be taught how and how not to handle these things. Kids are individuals who handle situations differently, and all kids have new, developing impulse control. Still, almost all kids can learn by age four how to mindfully handle objects.

cute pajamas

Teach Them Early Money Basics

Kids won’t be able to competently handle money math-wise until they’re a bit older, but young kids can still begin to understand that everything from their playroom toys to their comfy decorative pillows to their food is not free. Make them aware of how you’re paying for things when you visit the grocery store, mall, or do recreational activities. Give them small money rewards for chores and good choices. If they grow up not resenting having to work for money and understanding everything comes at a price, they’re already ahead of people who were sheltered from finances as kids.

cute pajamas

Everyone loves a happy baby! Teach your kids how to appreciate the value of nice things like this embroidered baby hat earlier in life.

Trust Them With Their Own Nice Possessions

Designate a few ‘nice’ possessions that children should especially take care of, even something as small as cute cotton pj sets or cotton dresses. Have small personal details that make the objects theirs, like traditional monogramming with one to three of their initials. Yes, they may get that cute white dress dirty, but try showing them how you clean it. Maybe they’ll crack the screen protector on their tablet, but show them how you need to order a new one and how you change it next.

It’s probably not as easy as it sounds, any parent or guardian can acknowledge that, but kids really can learn that kind of careful responsibility even when they’re young. You might want to stick to cute pajamas instead of expensive tablets at first, though.

Holiday Gift Ideas For Awesome Young Girls

girls white cotton dress
The holidays are here, and you might be looking for the perfect gifts for your daughter, granddaughter, or niece. Jacaranda Living has the perfect items to wrap up with a bow and place under the tree this year. Whether the recipient is just learning to walk or is running around the house, they will revel in the sweet details that our gifts provide. The following are some ideas to add to your list.
Cotton Dresses
Girls white cotton dresses are perfect for any occasion, and the child in your life will love the soft fabric and pretty, feminine details. To make the outfit complete, consider purchasing some shoes and jewelry to match. They might just want to put on their new cotton dress right away.
Tooth Fairy Pillow
There is nothing quite like losing a tooth and waking up to a surprise from the tooth fairy herself! Our tooth fairy pillows are embroidered with childlike designs, enticing the imagination. For older children, our boudoir pillow covers for kids might be a better option.
girls white cotton dress
Monogrammed Towel
Young kids love all things personalized, and your little loved one will certainly enjoy a bath towel with their own monogram. Stepping out of the bath at night will feel that much more cozy when they can wrap themselves in this fluffy towel. These gifts can be a great option for an entire family on your list as well.
Room Accessories
Our door hangers for kids and babies offer sweet messages to anyone passing by. And a linen tissue box cover can make a nightstand more cozy. You know your daughter, granddaughter, or niece’s personality, so select room accessories that match her just perfectly.
Matching Bed Set
Whether the little girl in your life is a newborn who sleeps 10.5 to 13 hours per day, or a child jumping on their bed, you can help make their bedroom feel magical. From our boudoir pillow cases to entire sheet sets, you can give this child a full bed set to tie their room’s decor together.
From girls white cotton dresses to bed sheets, there are plenty of gifts to make the child in your life happy this holiday. By gifting high quality items to your loved ones, you can support small businesses and give them a gift they will use. Happy gifting!

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

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/