Get Organized in the New Year

It’s February now and maybe you need to rethink some of your New Years Resolutions.  Perhaps you want to get more organized.  Here’s a few tips to help you out:

Get your bathroom back in shape by using some beautiful cosmetic bags and baskets to store your hair clips, make up, soaps, and even towels or toilet paper.

 

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File all that paperwork and keep a “work in progress” pile.  Here’s a guide to help you with filing and some inspiration for some pretty file cabinets.

Get your closet in order.  Sort through clothes you haven’t worn in a year or more.  Consider donating these to a local charity.  Once you have your clothes sorted through, organize them on proper hangers for them.  Having a properly organized closet makes it easy to take an inventory of what you have.

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Go through your kitchen.  Perhaps there are some tools you never use.  There may be some you use more often.  Use this helpful guide to help you get your kitchen into an optimal working space.

Take a look at your dining room.  Are you in need of new table linens? Do you have serving platters you never use?  Take out you old linens and replace them for a fresh new look!  Use your own linens to help you polish up some silver since it’s nice and soft or as a rag.

napkins

5 easy ways to care for your bedroom

We all spend a lot of time in our bedrooms, be it sleeping or checking Facebook on our phones in the dark. That’s why it’s important to know exactly how to care for and maintain your nest. Here are five pro tips to keep your bedroom clean and fresh.

 

1. Wash your sheets the right way

Bed linens need to be pulled off and washed every one or two week. With cotton sheets, it’s important to use warm water when cleaning, as hot water could shrink some of the fibers. If you have any special embroidery or other delicate flourishes, such as some of our sheets, make sure to read the care instructions.

Some embroidery requires gentle hand washing. In those cases, don’t scrub with a brush or rub parts of the sheets together. Instead soak the material to loosen stains and unwanted smudges.

Chlorine bleach may be too gruff for most bed linens. Instead try an oxygenated bleach for white sheets. Gentleness is the main idea to keep sheets in tip-top shape as long as possible.

 

2. Seal it up

Make sure to use a vinyl mattress cover to protect against spills or leaks. If given the chance, mattresses will sponge up any mess, including ones from human bodies. These are extremely difficult to clean and it’s much easier to prevent the problem in the first place. The vinyl cover will act as a barrier to keep the mattress unsoiled.

 

3. Vacuum the bed

You have probably heard from time to time that skin cells and dust mites build up inside the mattress and will double the weight over a decade. That’s actually an urban legend, but even though the dramatic scale is wrong, there is still a real problem with shed skin and dust mites. To help combat the menace, every time you strip or rotate the mattress, pull all materials off the bed and use your vacuum cleaner’s upholstery to clean the top and sides of the mattress.

 

4. Use a duvet

Comforters are difficult to clean, and their bulk requires a commercial-grade washing machine to avoid compressing the item and leaving pockets unwashed. The comforter will still need to be cleaned now and then, but wrapping it in a duvet cover will keep it much cleaner during the stretches of time between cleanings. Duvets should be cleaned in a similar manner to bed sheets.

 

5. No plants and animals

Constant contact with human bodies already presents a large amount of exposure to bed linens. There’s no need to add on additional problems with animal contact. Cats and dogs leave dander behind, so if you want a clean bed then you need to banish your pets from the bedroom. Even having plants in the bedroom can create some airborne debris, so keep them out of the room too.

Make Your Home Look Like Game of Thrones

One of the interior design goals of the epic fantasy series “Game of Thrones” is to present rich settings that do not look like generic European castles, so creators incorporated elements from Nordic, Moorish, Spanish, Persian, Mediterranean, and indigenous cultures to create a series of unique looks.

The North has thick fur coverings and sparse, dark rooms of the North and the cities across the Narrow Sea feature dusty desert beauty, but we’re going to concentrate on the decadent, boastful settings in King’s Landing where some of the most dramatic events in the series takes place.

First, you’ll need to decide on a heraldry theme to tie into various elements. If your family name is associated with a symbol or animal you may decide to embrace it, but you can always use online design sites like MyBlazon or MakeYourCoatofArms to create your own.

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You can then take that heraldry and have it printed on banner flags or even a shield for your wall. If you don’t have kids in the house you can also consider mounting a sword on your wall.

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Alternatively, you can take the heraldry from the show, like Stark direwolves and Lannister lions, with items from Etsy, like these banner flags and these throw pillows.

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Either way, there’s a wide range of products in the world that could be festooned with the heraldry you select, including slippers, tissue box covers, cosmetic bag covers and linen napkings.

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Scout out more subtle applications for the heraldry as well. If you chose a lion, try investing in a lionhead door knocker or drawer pulls cabinets.

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Wooden latticework screens on windows will immediately set your home apart and give guests something unique to ponder over while you plot your next move. These Moroccan designs give you a lot of options.

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This red fainting couch provides an asymmetrical elegance to any room, being both an eye-catching centerpiece and a functional piece of furniture.

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Lastly if you have some blank walls try covering them with a velvet curtain.

 

5 DIY Fourth of July party ideas

What better way to celebrate Independence Day than with a red, white and blue themed outdoor party! This year instead of relying on the same flimsy discount store decorations why not try using unique items to make your party stand out.

 

Patriotic jars

Painted mason jar utensil holders present the perfect opportunity to bring bright colors to your table. Click here for the instructions. The trick is to use painters tape to guide your brush strokes so the dividing lines are sharp and straight.

 

Flag-themed wreath

If you have a wooden door facing your party area try adorning it with a homemade flag wreath. The basic idea is to tie colorful plastic pieces around a wire frame to make a unique decoration that stands out and can be reliably stored for next year. The instructions are here.

 

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Red, White and Blue linen napkins

Bring a touch of class to your outdoor party by ditching the cheap paper napkins and instead bring a stack of our blue starfish or red lobster napkins linen napkins. You won’t have to worry about slight breezes blowing them around your yard.

 

Watermelon stars

This is quick and easy viagra naturel pas cher. Use a star-shaped cookie cutter to punch out pieces from watermelon slices. The watermelon pieces will be a rich patriotic red and the watermelon slices with negative star spaces will also look fetching.

 

Tie-Dye flag tablecloth

This is an ambitious project, but well worth the effort to make your table the toast of the town. Use white glue to prevent the dye from reaching star-shaped areas in the blue field in the center and surround it with red and white stripes using rubber bands. The full instructions are here.

Lou Harvey – Effortless Chic for the Conscientious Buyer

What started as hobby for Lou Harvey, has turned into an international brand that is being sold in the US, AUK, Singapore, UAE and many other countries. Founded in 2002 in Durban South Africa, Lou Harvey, a South African native, oversees her creative designs locally. This hands-on approach ensures a unique personal touch that Lou Harvey enthusiast has come to expect.

Lou Harvey’s flamboyant fabrics and designs are synonymous with effortless chic and recognized for their classic style with a modern twist. Her eye catching fabrics and prints are bold and perfect for bright summer days. The laid back relaxed South African designs appeal to conscientious buyers with a need for durable family friendly quality. These cutting edge and fully functional bags can be wiped down or thrown into the washing machine.

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Making Tooth Fairy Memories with your Child

We only have them for a brief time period.  We watch them grow, change and move on. But for those memorable moments, we can create shared lasting memories that can be revisited, explored and enjoyed at any time.  One such moment is the loss of a tooth.

PInk toothfairy Pillow on Girls BedEach tooth lost has a story, provides an anchor in time that brings you and your child to that moment of shared intimacy as you place the lost tooth into its packaging specially made for the tooth fairy to find.

Jacaranda has wonderful handmade heirloom tooth fairy pillows for just such a moment.

My eldest child lost his first tooth at six.  He took the loss in stride.  Most of the kids in his first grade class were on their 4th tooth so he knew the drill and was expecting a visit from the tooth fairy.  My husband, wanting to make this a memorable experience, went to the store in search of fairy dust.  He came back with glitter infused eye shadow make up and dusted a crisp one dollar bill with the glittery fairy dust.

I was reveled with stories of raised eyebrows from the less bold to the outright questions from shoppers as he stood for at least an hour at the makeup counter testing the eye shadow against his skin looking for the correct luster and shine.  I tried to suppress my amusement as I dubbed him the official family tooth fairy.   We marked the occasion with a picture of the toothless youth with his fairy dusted dollar.

A fairy tooth linen embroidered pillow is a great way to share the moments throughout your Childs school years and becomes a great memory.  Every time you or your child catches a glimpse of the pillow, the memories and feeling will be returned and relived again.  Make lasting memories with a Tooth Fairy Pillow from Jacaranda.

<a href="https://www.pinterest viagra recherche.com/jacarandaliving/tooth-fairy-pillows/” data-pin-do=”embedBoard” data-pin-scale-width=”80″ data-pin-scale-height=”200″ data-pin-board-width=”400″> Follow Jacaranda Living’s board Tooth Fairy Pillows on Pinterest.

7 Tips to put the “Spring” into your home!

Spring is just around the corner (we hope) and that urge to do some Spring redecorating is starting to tug at you.

Here are 8 simple ways to put the “Spring” back into your home, even before the green grass starts to pop through!

  1. Declutter!
    Yes, that traditional Spring cleanup is underway and it’s time to put away that Winter clutter!Take the weekend to clean-out drawers, papers, donate clothes and household items you are no longer using. You will feel like the roof has been lifted and that decluttered  living space will help you start the Spring off with an extra hop in your step.
  2. Spring Cleaning.
    We know you don’t want to hear it, but Winter can leave you feeling, ugh well, a tad dirty!Windows, floors, under couches, dust and dirt buildup after Winter with snowy boots and lunch crumbs being dragged across the house daily (well that is if you have kids or a really messy spouse!)It’s time to lift the cushions, pull out those couches and clean those windows. If you don’ t have time, hire a cleaning company or your kids.
  3. Dismantle the mantle.
    Take down any decorations or themed items that even remind you that Winter once existed. Yes, that picture of a snowy barn, Take it down! Christmas cactuses, dark pillows or any winter themed gadgets you have laying around to accessorize, put them into a storage container and forget about them until October.
  4. Re-accessorize.
    Yes you have a bit of a reason to go shopping, Homegoods, One Kings Lane, a Local recycled shop, whatever you like to shop for, find  a few spring items to accessorize with and redecorate those spaces that used to remind you of Winter.
  5. Pop of Color.
    Add a pop of color to your home with just a few pillows, a bright colored peice of furniture or a new throw. Great colors to pop with are lavenders, greens and yellows along with robin’s egg type blues.
  6. Paint.
    If your really energetic and want to step outside of the box, grab a paint can and paint a room that will leave you feeling of Spring clean. It could just be a front door, a small room or even just an accent wall.
  7. Bring in the Living Spring.
    Buy a few great Spring plants for in the home. Some tulips, herbs or anything green. If things can’t grow outside yet, no reason they can’t grow indoors.

Make Your Home to Look Like Downton Abbey

Are you a fan of Downton Abbey?  Maybe you dream of being Lady Grantham.  Mahogany walls, crystal glassware, silver platters and the like.

downton abbey decor - downton abbey house - decorate like downton - downton abbey home - downton abbey dining room - downton abbey library Here’s a few touches to easily add to your home to get that Downton feel.

1-Incorporate a few nice china pieces.
You don’t need to display and use all your fine china set (think of all that washing by hand!)  But use a few pieces from your set for things, such as the sugar bowl, teapot or serving platters.<a href="http://blog prix viagra pharmacie.jacarandaliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/china.png”>Downton Abbey Dining Room - Downton Abbey China - Downton Abbey Dinner - Downton Place Setting - Gold and White China - pressed napkins - linen napkins - embroidered napkins - luxurious napkins

2-Make use of trays
Whether it’s a small silver valet tray, a wooden tray for serving or a large silver platter, using things like this will give that luxurious feel.

silver tray - valet tray - silver serving tray - downton abbey trays - downton abbey silver - downton decor - downton dining room3-Mood lighting
Try using candles and dimmable lights.  If you’re not a fan of the open flames, try this battery operated candelabra for the same effect.candelabra - silver candelabra - downton abbey candelabra - downton abbey candles - downton abbey decor - downton abbey dining room - downton abbey table

5-Enjoy the Fire.
Light up that fire place of yours for the ultimate ambiance.  Enjoy your time there with a cup of tea or glass of scotch.

fireplace at downton abbey - fire downton abbey - sitting room downton abbey - downton abbey drawing room - downton abbey after dinner - downton house - downton castle

6-Set a perfect table
Use this guide to help you with place settings.  Accent with charger plates or a nice table cloth and pressed white napkins.Downton Abbey Dining Room - Downton Abbey China - Downton Abbey Dinner - Downton Place Setting - Gold and White China - pressed napkins - linen napkins - embroidered napkins - luxurious napkins

7-Buy an antique or two
Buy an antique piece to put on display, like a sofa table, cast iron bell, or writing desk.

antique desk - writing desk - downton abbey desk - downton abbey girls writing desk - downton abbey library - downton abbey house - downton abbey decor

8-Create a library
While you may not have a large room dedicated to books, consider putting in a bookshelf.  Don’t have many books or want that antique book look?  Use these “book fronts” that look like old time hardcovers.fake book fronts - downton abbey library - downton abbey books - downton abbey decor - decorate your house like downton

 9-Nice Flatware
No, you don’t need silver, but having a nice flatware set that matches and has a classic look will do the trick!  If you really want to have some silver, seek some out at a consignment shop.  Usually it just needs a good polish to get it looking new.flatware - silverware - downton abbey silverware - downton abbey style silverware - downton abbey flatware - classic flatware - classic silverware

10-Chaise or Chair?
Seek out a nice tufted chaise or leather tufted arm chair.  This can be a comfortable place to unwind or read like Lord and Lady Grantham.  This leather chaise is perfect for enjoying your fireplace. leather couch - leather chaise - downton abbey leather couch - downton abbey furniture - downton abbey couches - downton abbey living room - downton abbey library - downton abbey decor

5 Unique Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas for Him

We brought you 5 Unique Valentine’s Day Gifts for Her recently, but we can forget about the men!  Here’s a few ideas on some unique gifts for him.

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Shaving Set with Custom towels
Men like pampering too.  Treat him to a classic shave set, soap and a few nice towels to bring his grooming experience to a whole new level!  He’ll be thankful to get such a close shave and pat dry with luxurious custom towels for him.
mens valet - mens storage box - cufflinks box - valentines day gifts for men - gifts for him - gifts for men

-Valet
Help him keep his things organized with this custom valet.  It even has space to put his cellphone charger in it.  These boxes are great for storing his cufflinks, watches, collar stays and wallet.

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Frank and Oak
Do you have a fashionable man in your life?  He will appreciate a subscription on Frank and Oak.  This company creates new, customized clothing selections for him each month and then he can select what he would want to wear.

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-Bourbon of the month
Maybe your man enjoys a good bourbon now and again.  Check out Mouth’s Bourbon Every Month.  They send a full size bottle of a different type of independently produced bourbon every month.
car care kit - gifts for car lovers - car enthusiast gifts - car cleaning kit - gifts for men - unique mens gifts - valentines gifts for him
Car Care Kit
For your car lover, get him a car care kit!

NY NOW!

Come see us at NY Now from January 31-February 4th!

We will be showcasing our most popular products and some of our newest products, including terry cloth towels, new embroidery designs, and more!

Stop by booth 2753 in the Home Section of the show to come see us!
Use this map to help you navigate all the vendors.  

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