Jacaranda Living, Author at Jacaranda Living

Cute Bridal Ideas for Your Best Friend’s Wedding

One of my dear friends is getting married in April and I have been coming up with creative ways to splurge on her with fun knick knacks and sweet gifts. Her wedding is going to be in Florida at Jupiter Beach Club and we decided that we would have all her bridesmaids wear Jacaranda Living while getting make up and hair done. I’m so excited to help make it happen.

FOR THE BRIDE

I had the bride go through the Jacaranda Living website and pick a few of her favorite things. It was interesting to see how much she really loved all the nighties as not just to wear to bed but to wear as a beach cover up on the beach and by the pool. The Lisa dress in particular works well for her wedding because it has her wedding logo colors with the blue stitching detail on the bodice. It immediately jumped out to her.

Lisa Nightgown

This will be a lovely cover up for her beach days before the wedding.

She fell in love with our new Caftan dress with embroidery and also ordered that as well as the short Kristen nightie.

The Caftan

jacaranda living caftan — Effortlessly chic caftan with drawstring waist and embroidered cascading flowers in blue & green. The perfect outfit for a bride to wear at her honeymoon in Bahamas and during her wedding weekend on the beach!

Nothing gets more comfortable than a caftan especially one that has a flattering adjustment with drawstring at the waist. The embroidered flowers along the body add some elegance and character while long sleeves keep you protected from the sun. It’s a perfect item for the beach and especially for the bride-to-be.

Now something for the bride that’s a bit more romantic…

The Kristen Nightie

kristen nightgown_jacarandaliving — What fun to twirl around in a mini nightie post wedding activities. This is a great dress for the bride’s wedding night! And just perfect for her honeymoon and romantic getaway post wedding. If you got it, flaunt it!

The last item she wants is the plain white nightshirt to monogram so she can match all her beautiful bridesmaids. The bridesmaids will be wearing nightshirts with blue piping and luxurious waffle weave slippers to keep their feet from getting dirty while getting ready on wedding day!

The Marjorie Nightshirt with White Piping

jacaranda living nightshirt for bride — Choose any monogramming and this blue is great for this particular wedding because it’s the same Tiffany blue she wants to match her wedding colors!

FOR THE BRIDESMAIDS

What the bridesmaids wear is very important on the wedding day for photos and to set the mood. It’s even better when bridesmaids are in the same outfit. My friend wants the bridesmaids to be in matching cotton nightshirts with the blue piping that matches her wedding colors. It’s the cutest idea and will look so nice to have all the bridesmaids in the same outfits while they get ready.

The Ginny Nightshirt with Blue Piping

All our sleepwear is made from pure, soft, lightweight, natural cotton fabric that is breathable, durable and extremely comfortable to wear. No need for dry cleaning. Our 100% cotton fabrics only need to be gently washed and cared for in your home. Keep washer and dryer options gentle and cool, not hot, to enable your fine fabric to become softer and cozier with every wash.

And lastly, the slippers and cosmetic bags. The cosmetic bags with blue embroidered holly hocks is a new design by Jacaranda Living and my friend chose it for her wedding because it’s such a beautiful flower that will go nicely with the floral arrangements at her wedding.

Bridesmaids Slippers and Cosmetic Bags

I hope these helped you when you start thinking about your wedding or a good friend’s. Jacaranda Living has so many items that work well for weddings, bridal parties, baby showers, bachelorettes, and more. What fun to choose items and then to also personally monogram them with your best friend’s initials? Have fun shopping our new arrivals today and let us know if you want to customize anything.

xx,

Gracie & the Jacaranda team

Our Holiday Shopping Gift Guide and 20% OFF for Black Friday

Our holiday shopping sale is coming up in a few days and we’re so excited to help deck your halls with some festive cheer. This Thanksgiving weekend enjoy 20% off everything on our site!

For the Holidays:

We created a special HOLIDAY page to help you fill your home with fun. Everyone needs to spruce up their home with a few seasonal touches every now and then, and starting this week, there’s no better time to do it. People are going to be buying their Christmas trees, singing Christmas carols, and baking holiday cookies. Everyone feels a hop in their step during the holidays. The streets are filled with beautiful holiday lights, so what’s not to love?!

holiday shopping from jacaranda living — Happy holiday shopping!

Start getting into that festive spirit. Browse our new holiday gift guide and enjoy picking festive gifts for yourself, your home and those you love most. We want to help you pick something out that will make you smile and that you will love most.

FOR MEN AND WOMEN:

We are known for our tissue box covers….

tissue box cover christmas wreath — Natural Linen TBC with Christmas Wreath

Christmas Wreath embroidery on White Linen Tissue Box Cover

You can never go wrong with gifting someone a tissue box cover with a unique embroidery design on it. It comes from the heart, the design reminds them of you, and it’s timeless so they can use it every year to add some personality and flair to their home.

Our embroidered towels are another way to cheer up a powder room and make a great gift.

You can pick your favorite embroidery design and place it on natural linen or white linen depending on your preferences. They’re both soft, easy to wash, and are an easy way to enhance a room. What’s your favorite? Natural linen or white linen tissue box covers? Do you love terry towels or waffle weave? Have fun, get festive with your designs!

FOR THE KIDS AND LITTLE ONES:

Embroidered designs on tissue box covers and towels aren’t the only thing that keeps our customers coming back to our site. We have tons of baby clothes! Ladies’ nightgowns! And adorable children’s outfits – both boy’s PJ sets and little girl dresses. Pick out something festive for your daughter or son to wear over the holidays… like our Candy Cane dress or boy’s embroidered Christmas Tree PJ set. Pics below.

FOR GIRLFRIENDS AND YOURSELF:

SLEEPWEAR GALORE! We live for nightgowns, we live for comfort. Don’t we ladies? Especially the *new moms* out there. That’s why we deliver 100% cotton, machine-washable, ultra soft, beautiful, Victorian nightgowns and cotton pajama sets. We love to be comfortable, and of course, just love looking cute while sleeping in ultimate luxury.

jacaranda living cotton nightgowns — Mandi cotton nightgown

jacaranda living pajama set — Caroline PJ set with Napoleon Bee embroidered trip

Browse all our nightgowns and cotton PJs and decide what you, your mom, your sister, or maid of honor needs next. There is something for everyone at Jacaranda Living so come visit, take it all in, mark your favorites, and come back from Black Friday to Cyber Monday where we will be having our big 20% off sale.

At checkout make sure to enter GIVETHANKS20 to get your special discount. Please reach out with any special requests, personal monogramming, or other questions you may have, we’re always more than happy to help! Shoot a note to info@jacarandaliving.com.

x,Jacaranda

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

Why A Good Night’s Sleep Is Essential To Your Health

No one can live without sleep, but countless Americans are trying to survive without getting enough. Getting a good night’s sleep is essential to our overall health and well-being. But what happens if we don’t get enough?

Here’s how a good night’s sleep can improve your health.

Healthy weight

It’s estimated that adults are 55% more likely to become obese when they get an improper amount of sleep. Sleeping less than seven hours per night is thought to impact the hormones that regulate your appetite, so those who suffer from insomnia may be at an increased risk of obesity or weight gain. So don’t be afraid to put on your comfiest lace nightgowns before tucking in for the night.

Healthy heart

Sleep is a necessity for a healthy heart. There has been a correlation between fewer hours of sleep and increased risk for high blood pressure and cholesterol. These symptoms can lead to even worse health issues, including heart attack and stroke without the proper intervention. It’s estimated that you should get between seven and nine hours of sleep each night, though some people might need up to ten.

Healthy memory

A good night’s sleep will make you more alert and improve your memory. Though researchers aren’t sure why we dream at night, it’s thought that sleep plays a crucial role in consolidating your memories and processing new information. REM and deep sleep also serve to create links and aid in both short-term and long-term memory.

Chronic bad sleep can cause…

With chronically bad sleep, your body won’t function as well as it should. You may notice your memory begin to falter, your mood worsens, and your sex drive may diminish. Because your body isn’t repairing itself properly, your immune system will also falter, causing you to get sick more often. Your heart will also suffer and you may be at a greater risk for diabetes and weight gain.

How to improve your sleep

Improving your sleep can be difficult since it varies from person to person. Experiment with different ways of sleeping and your preferred pajamas. Some people sleep better in longjohns while others prefer the comfort of lace nightgowns as they drift off to sleep. You might also want to install a nightlight or get blackout curtains, purchase a white noise machine, or even buy a new boudoir pillow for the peak in nighttime comfort.

When you want to have a better sleeping experience, your bedtime routine will only improve from lace nightgowns and Victorian pajamas. Visit Jacaranda Living today for the best selection in cute nightgowns, boudoir pillow covers, and Victorian pajamas.

Using Nature-Inspired Design for a More Peaceful Bedroom

cute pajamas

Thousands of Americans are dissatisfied with their home’s interior. In fact, only one in five Americans feel happy with their home’s appearance and decor.

Among other rooms, the bedroom is a common cause for concern and discontent among Americans looking to redesign. Cluttered bedrooms with busy and synthetic designs can cause tension and unhappiness, and can even disrupt a good night’s sleep. Having too many harsh, synthetic fabrics and decorations can rob a space of the natural, sleep-inducing mood needed for rest.

Use these design tips for a more natural bedroom and more natural rest:

Use Natural Fabrics For Linens and Sleepwear

Sometimes, we focus too much on the appearance of a room and forget that a big part of design is how we interact with our other senses, including touch. Incorporating natural fabrics will increase the natural feel and look of the space. Choose fabrics like cotton for your cute pajamas and decorative pillows. Natural linen lampshades, curtains, and blankets will all help the bedroom seem more down-to-earth and simple, a perfect setting for stress-free sleep.

Choose Earth Tones

Colors inspired by nature can also help a bedroom seem more connected to the outdoors and more restful simultaneously. Choose colors like soft greens, mellow browns, and even pale blues for a soothing effect in any room. Don’t forget to bring the color scheme into your master bathroom with matching linen guest towels or an embroidered tissue box cover. Choosing a color scheme that avoids harsh, synthetic tones is a great step towards a restful space.

Include Plants

Not only are plants beautiful, but they also help a room’s air quality. Grow plants that are known for their air filtering properties, like peace lilies or snake plants, for cleaner and more restful breathing.

Simplify Accessories

Sometimes, less is more. Consider going through your bedroom belongings and purging unnecessary items that don’t fit with your new, more natural atmosphere. Consider whether or not you really need dozens of sleeping clothes, or if one or two sets of cute pajamas will suffice. Cutting back on belongings to live minimally will help you keep a clear closet and a clear mind.

A more simple resting space is fairly easy to come by. Focus on natural elements and colors, bring in the outdoors with plants, and purge unnecessary items for a more naturally restful bedroom.

How To Clean Your Nicest White Linens

Back when the original Victorian pajamas were in use, fancy detergent and electric-powered washers weren’t around. How did they keep their clothes clean? In fact, many pieces of clothing for children and nighttime or undergarment clothes were purely white. This was considered the easiest color to clean, as you could boil it and be rough without bleeding precious dyes. How about today when we have the technology and know-how to gently clean our nicest, whitest clothing? When you decide to purchase a pretty white lace nightgown, how do you keep it looking fresh as the day you bought it?

It turns out the internet has plenty of helpful suggestions, so a few relevant bits of washing wisdom are collected right here for you.

Material plays a big part in how you wash whites. Percale weaves, for example, are sturdy, pill-resistant and tend to get softer with each wash. That being said, you want to use cold water, not warm or hot, to minimize any shrinkage. Cotton percale especially is susceptible to shrinkage when washed in hot water. The Victorians must have made their clothes a bit on the large side to account for shrink while boiling their linens!

Obviously, a piece of cloth like linen guest towels don’t have to be coddled as much. Even if they shrink a smidge, they’re not going on anyone’s body.

So how do we wash whites without hot water? Here are a few tried-and-true tips:

Keep all white clothing separated from colors and darks for wash cycles. No red socks turning your white nighties pink!

Add a half cup of borax or a cup of baking soda to the load along with your usual detergent.

One cup of distilled white vinegar during the rinse cycle instead of fabric softener helps strip any detergent residues from white fabrics.

Use laundry bluing or optical brighteners to trick your eyes into believing your clothes are bright and white.

Dry clothes outside in the sun. The sun’s natural UV rays help gently bleach the fabric and keep it bright-looking.

Drying clothes in the sun is also a good fail-safe for leftover stains you miss after the wash process; drying stained clothing on high heat in a dryer can lock in the stain. If you notice a stubborn stain, hold off on drying the fabric. Re-treat it and wash it again.

Why Are They Called ‘Pajamas’?

victorian pajamas

The origins of some words we use in English are fairly easy to suss out. For example, ‘nightgowns’ or ‘nighties’ for short are quite literally gowns women wear at night. The same principle applies to a ‘nightshirt’. But what about ‘pajamas’, the word most modern English-speakers use as a catch-all term for clothing worn specifically for sleeping?

You may have seen quite a few spelling variations such as ‘pajamas’, ‘pijamas’, ‘paejamas’, ‘paijamas’, and the British spelling ‘pyjamas’. The abbreviation ‘PJs’ is fairly common in the English vernacular as well. So where did this funny word come from?

It actually dates back to the Ottoman Empire, stemming from the Hindi word “pae jama” or “pai jama,” which can be literally translated as ‘leg clothing’. Originally, this ‘leg clothing’ was a kind of unisex loose pant fastened at the waist with a drawstring. Although they originated among Hindi peoples in India similar styles were popular throughout India, the Middle East, and Far East.

When the British caught on to these colorful and comfortable unisex pants in the 1800s, rich Victorians adopted the style as casual nightwear. Victorian pajamas were quite distinct from the typical long white nightshirts worn by most classes, and quite a change from simply wearing the day’s undergarments to bed. Even women would wear Turkish-styled pajama pants up into the early 1900s, perhaps becoming part of the gateway into androgynous fashion in the 1920s.

Victorian pajamas were the gateway to more beautiful nightwear. Designers began to add lace, patterned fabrics, and other accents to pajamas. While the conservative Victorians resisted this change at first, the fashion world quickly came around to pretty pajamas and cute nighties.

Fabrics, of course, range from the luxurious and impractical to the simple and sturdy. Silks and embroidery were the height of luxury, but just like today, a sturdy cotton percale is quite popular. For reference, percale is a kind of cotton woven with at least a 200 thread count. It’s more durable and less likely to pill than cotton satin, for example. If you’re looking for a pajama set that authentically mimics the high-fashion Victorians but won’t fall apart after a couple washes, percale is a nice option.

Victorian pajamas are still an influence on classic pajamas today. Classic, cozy pajama sets are a staple on American winter mornings. If you’re the type who enjoys flipping through Dickens novels on a frosty December day, consider investing in some vintage-styled pajamas to lift your spirits.

Five Steps to a More Restful Bedroom

white cotton nightgown

Life can be hectic, and finding time and space to relax is sometimes difficult. Stressful days can even lower your sleep quantity and quality, which could be dangerous. After all, studies have shown that lack of sleep could increase the risk of heart disease or stroke.

After an exhausting day, returning to your bedroom for sleep should create feelings of relief and rejuvenation. However, a messy or unorganized bedroom can add to daily anxieties. Use the following tips to transform your bedroom from a place to desperately catch up on sleep to a place of luxury and rest:

Declutter
Some say that a clear space creates a clear mind, and having a clear mind before bed is essential to a good night’s rest. For example, keep piles of laundry out of the bedroom so that you’re not reminded of the chores you still have to do. Make sure that the walkway is clear, too, for greater accessibility in your den of relaxation.
Create a Color Scheme
A color scheme can have a powerful impact on your mood. Choose soothing, soft tones to encourage rest, like gentle blues, lilacs, and grays. Try not to pick any patterns or accents that are chaotic and jarring. Mental Floss recommends making sure color schemes are spread around the room for a good design. For example, if you choose a navy accent, having a navy boudoir pillow, a navy throw rug, and a few navy elements in your curtains would help make the scheme more cohesive.
Upgrade Your Sleepwear
Once your bedroom scheme feels luxurious and well-designed, start thinking about your actual sleeping habits. Do you flop into bed in your work clothes, or rely on the same worn pair of shorts in place of pajamas? Feel more comfortable (and fancier) by investing in quality pajamas or nighties. White cotton nightgowns are particularly comfortable and provide breathability, warmth, and a level of luxury perfect for unwinding in the evenings.
Keep it Clean
Though you should keep laundry and other messes out of the bedroom, it is also a good idea to keep the bedroom items themselves clean. Fresh sheets, wrinkle-free white cotton nightgowns, and dusted surfaces will help the room smell good and feel more luxurious and restful.
Keep Work Out
Finally, try to avoid bringing work items or thoughts into the bedroom with you. You won’t be able to appreciate your white cotton nightgown or your embroidered pillows if your phone keeps ringing or your laptop is pinging with new emails.

Relaxation at night is important for success, happiness, and good health during the day. Follow these steps for a stress-free bedroom and a better night’s rest.

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.

CEO-Approved Bedtime Rituals You Should Try

You work hard. You come home tired and having residual stress from the day. How do you relax and ready yourself to go back to work the next morning? Take a few pages of advice from some of the busiest people you’ll meet — chief executive officers (CEOs) of big companies. Many of these top bosses have shared their bedtime rituals with the public in the past. Let’s consider some of their more attainable goals that could help YOU go to sleep with soothed muscles and a quiet mind.

Eat dinner with family or friends.

Intuit CEO Brad Smith and Virgin Founder Richard Branson are among the numerous CEOs who make a point of spending time with loved ones in the evening, especially over a nice dinner. Treating meals as a relaxing and social time instead of a necessary interruption in your day lets you have some thoughtful down-time. Plus, studies have shown that people who make time to socialize during meals eat more thoughtfully and make healthier food choices. If you live alone, set up another situation to thoughtfully eat, such as with a good book or sudoku puzzle.

Have a consistent self-care ritual.

Whether it’s a skincare routine, hot bubble bath, or light snack with herbal tea, have a sensory self-care ritual every night. Your body will train itself to recognize the ritual as a sign of impending bedtime, and you’ll feel yourself winding down in no time. For example, Oprah Winfrey enjoys the transcendental meditation method (that is also capturing the hearts of other executives) before bed.

Choose dedicated, comfy, dare we say CUTE pajamas.

Cute pajamas that aren’t old workout clothes and ratty t-shirts are a must. There are three benefits here: being comfy, establishing a routine your body will recognize, and feeling confidently “put-together” while you do it. Look the part of a confident, sophisticated CEO and you’ll feel the part, right? A nightgown, simple white nightshirt, or soft white cotton pajamas are all CEO-approved. Yes, men, you can also stand to benefit from investing in dedicated pajamas or at least a robe.

Don’t use your phone.

Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg and media giant Arianna Huffington make a point to keep their phones off and away when they’re getting shut-eye. Huffington keeps her phone charging in another room, not her bedroom, so the temptation isn’t there. You’re likely glued to your phone out of want or necessity all day, and all that activity and blue light mess with your circadian rhythm. Many CEOs and industry leaders opt to use a good old fashioned alarm clock instead of their phone for their morning alarm.

Don’t stay in bed long — but make it COMFY.

Beyond stylish or cute pajamas, having a comfy, dedicated bed space is also CEO approved. Don’t be in bed longer than you have to; only lay down when you’re ready to sleep and don’t linger in the morning. When you ARE in your bed, make it as comfy as an experience as you like. Choose soft linens or nice touches like embroidered pillowcases, and wash everything once a week. Use more sensory experiences like pillow sprays on top of it; around 75% of people report a better night’s sleep with fresh-smelling sheets, so don’t underestimate the power of your nose.

As some of the world’s busiest and most successful people, executives probably know what they’re talking about when it comes to relaxation. All these things can be tailored to your personal preferences, so don’t be afraid to experiment before you reach that perfect night’s sleep.