sleepwear Archives - Jacaranda Living

How to Prepare Your Bedroom for Colder Weather

cozy winter bathrobe from jacaranda living — We will give you some tips on how to prepare your bedroom for colder weather

Winter is almost here, and colder weather, rain, snow, and longer nights come winter. Out with delicate linens and silk and In with warm wool sweaters and puffer jackets. This is the perfect season to spend in bed, under a cozy blanket, and with a cup of tea. It’s also the season when our immunity drops due to cold weather, and we usually end up with the flu. So it is essential to be prepared. In this article, we are going to focus on how to prepare your bedroom for colder weather. It would help if you did some things to go through the long winter ahead of us. It is essential that you feel comfortable and cozy in your bedroom and be able to get a good night’s sleep. Today we will give you some guidelines on how to achieve that.

Make Room

The first thing you need to do to prepare your bedroom for colder weather is to make space in your bedroom for all the winter things. You usually need more space for those than for summer things. That’s because winter things are thicker, bulkier, and take up more space. Big warm sweaters, jackets, and coats need much more space than summer dresses, shirts, and skirts. It is not uncommon that people don’t have enough space for all of their things in their closets. In this case, the solution is renting winter storage. But when choosing a storage unit, it is important to know what to look for. In your case, you need storage where you can keep clothes, bedding, and holiday linens for a few months. The best thing you can do is invest in climate-controlled storage. This way, you will know that your items will be stored safely and protected from damage.

relax in white cotton jacaranda living nightgown — After decluttering, the next step is cleaning your bedroom and room where you love to relax.

How to Prepare Your Bedroom for Colder Weather- Clean it Thoroughly

The next step is cleaning your bedroom. The area where you will spend so much time must be clean. And not just surface cleaning. Spend one entire day deep cleaning every area of the bedroom. Carpets, curtains, duvets, furniture, everything has to be cleaned, washed, and vacuumed. Also, don’t skip cleaning the windows and mirrors if you have them. Make a list of all the cleaning supplies you need (soap, disinfectants, wipes, duster, etc.). If you find it difficult, ask a friend to help you clean. As soon as you are done cleaning, you will feel the difference in the bedroom.

New Décor

white cotton bathrobe and christmas towels — Prepare your home for the holidays so you can relax luxuriously in a Jacaranda Living white cotton bathrobe! Tis the season to be cozy!

Preparing your bedroom for the new holiday season is not just tricky, tiring jobs like decluttering and cleaning. There is some fun to be had as well. This is the perfect opportunity to freshen up your bedroom and redecorate it. Even though winter is a dark and grey season, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t add some color to your bedroom. You can change your curtains to light sunny color, so those rainy days are not that depressing.

Another thing you can do is add some nice pillows, knit blankets, and rugs to make the room look cozier and inviting. And if you have the time and feel like putting in that much effort, you can even paint the walls. That will give the room a new and fresh feel. You can add some scented candles and a potted plant or two as a nice final touch.

festive linens to spruce up your home — Decorate your home with festive linens to keep you cheerful throughout the decluttering process.

Check Your Mattress

Before replacing the summer bedding, you need to check your mattress. If you have had the same mattress for many years now, there is a good chance this is the time to get a new one. There are a few signs your mattress needs replacing. For example, when you wake up in the morning, you don’t feel rested and fresh or have pains in your spine. Another sign is if there are visible dents and the mattress is sagging. Check if your mattress has a bad smell that you can’t seem to wash out. Another obvious sign is if your mattress makes a loud noise whenever you lie down. All of this means it is time for some early winter shopping. Go and pick a good comfortable mattress to keep you rested during the cold winter nights. If your old mattress is very heavy and you have trouble moving it, you should hire professional help. According to experts at Spyder Moving, many people hire them for their heavy item moving services precisely because they need help with their mattresses.

New Bedding

girl on new clean bedding sheets — New bedding, pillows, and a long sleeve nightgown goes a long way during the winter season!

After you buy a new mattress, it is time to replace the summer bedding with the winter one. As the temperature drops, you will need heavier, warmer blankets to keep warm. So don’t put off doing that unless you want to shiver through the night. The only way you will get a good night’s sleep is if you are warm and comfortable. And you must sleep well during the winter so you have energy and boost your immunity. This task might be a little difficult, considering how heavy the mattress can be. You should call a family member or a friend to help you with this.

Nightstand

The last thing to do is prepare your nightstand for wintertime. As the seasons change the things you need to keep on your nightstand change as well. First, here are some basic things:

Face cream/ moisturizer
Lip balm(our lips often get chapped in the winter, so this is a must)
A nice-smelling candle
Ear plugs(for those stormy nights when thunder is making it hard to sleep)
Tissue box(winter is the season of runny noses, and you don’t want to have to get up out of bed every time you sneeze)
A glass of water
A good book

In Conclusion

These were some basic guidelines on how to prepare your bedroom for colder weather. Winter is all about being comfortable, warm, and cozy. And as you can see, there is a way to achieve that smoothly. It is just important that you are prepared and plan ahead. Make a list of all the things you need to do (decluttering, cleaning, mattress shopping, etc.) and start checking it off one by one. If you start now, you will be able to get everything done before winter really arrives. Hopefully, our guidelines and tips were helpful to you!

Guide to Preparing Fine Linen for Long Term Storage

model wearing jacaranda living white cotton nightgown on a bed — We are going to talk about preparing fine linen for long term storage and why it is important

Everybody who has a lot of stuff in their house and doesn’t like to throw anything away knows how life-saving storage units are in those situations. Storage is the perfect solution when you are moving, relocating your office, or simply making more space in your home. But to get the maximum use out of storage, you need to know how to prepare different types of items for it. You also have to know there is a difference between preparing things for long-term and short-term storage. Today we are going to simplify all of that a little bit. Specifically, we are going to talk about preparing fine linen for long term storage, especially items such as pillows, sleepwear, towels, and children’s dresses for long-term storage. Linen is a delicate material and should be properly stored.

The importance of preparing fine linen for long-term storage

jacaranda living nightgown with embroidery — It’s important that you separate linen from other materials when washing it in a machine

First, you may ask why it is important to know this.

Well, because linen is not an accessible material to store, you may damage your linen items if you are not careful. And according to experts at Best Long Distance Movers, it makes moving and packing things for storage much easier when they are prepped beforehand. So, knowing how to prepare linen for long-term storage properly is essential if you want to speed up that process. Same as cotton, linen is a natural fiber. But it’s more absorbent, and it dries faster. Also, linen items such as bedding can be costly, so preserving them while they are stored is necessary.

The first step- Pick the right storage

A cardboard box for packing. Packing carefully is important when preparing fine linen for long term storage — Use big boxes for packing to give your line items enough space

Before anything else, you must make an intelligent choice when it comes to choosing the appropriate type of storage. Because you want to store your items long-term, you should search for good temperature-controlled storage. Over time many things can cause damage to your belongings, such as sunlight, pest, and mildew. Temperature-controlled storage is designed for items, like pillows, beddings, etc., that require a certain temperature level so they don’t decay. Linen also needs to be sheltered from sunlight, so storage without windows is necessary. These types of storage are a bit more expensive but definitely worth it in the long run.

Step two – Cleaning

Cleaning and washing your fine linen items before storing them is a must. The good thing about linen is that you can both hand wash it and wash it in a washing machine. Both options will do fine. If you decide to hand wash it, follow these steps. First, fill a plastic wash basin with lukewarm water. Then add detergent, but not the one that’s too strong. Find some milder types of detergent; soak the linen item in the water for about 15 minutes. Then when washing, be gentle, so you don’t stretch the material. After that, rinse it a couple of times until you are sure the detergent is completely gone from the item. Hang to dry. The second option is the washing machine. There are a couple more rules to follow when washing linen like that. First, you must separate linen from other materials when washing it, especially if those linen items have anything embroidered on them, because other more rough materials can cause damage to it when mixed. Then you will also have to separate white and colored linens, so they don’t mix colors in the washing machine. When setting the dryer, avoid high temperatures because they can cause shrinkage to your linen items. Also, avoid strong detergents and find some detergent that is specifically for delicate fabrics. Don’t use fabric softeners, as they can cause your things to go yellow after a while. And a quick tip, if you decide to dry linen items in a dryer, don’t set it on too high a temperature.

Step three – Packaging fine linen

Organization is key when it comes to packing anything. First, prepare all the supplies you are going to need for this. Make a list of all the linen items you have to pack so you don’t miss anything. Boxes, paper, and markers are some of the items you are going to need. One thing to you have to avoid when packing linen items is plastic. Plastic is an easy target for mold, humidity, and pests, and your items will likely end up damaged. The best thing you can use is acid-free packing paper. Acid-free paper is beneficial for storing more delicate items for a long time. It prevents them from getting damaged and going yellow. And this paper can last more than 100 years.

When packing linen items, make sure they are loose and not too tightly folded. A fabric like fine linen needs some breathing space. Get a really big box for linen items so you can place them comfortably inside. Add a slit to the box to allow air to circulate through it. To keep your things smelling nice, add a sachet bag with a smell of your choice. Finally, if the whole packing process proves too challenging and overwhelming for you, you can always find experts to help you with preparing fine linen for long term storage. There are many moving and storage companies that can be useful when it comes to this.

In conclusion

This was a quick guide to preparing fine linen for long term storage. If you follow these steps, your linen items should be fine in storage. But don’t forget you can choose just any type of storage. All this prepping of linen items will go to waste if you don’t find appropriate storage. As we said, temperature-controlled storage is a bit more expensive than regular storage but extremely worth it. No amount of washing and careful packaging can save your fine linen items from a storage unit that is full of sunlight, humidity, mold, and all kinds of pests. Picking the right storage is half of the job. And finally, don’t hesitate to get some professional help. It’s better to get professionals to do it for you than risk damaging your fine linen items.

How Your Sleepwear Can Affect Your Sleep

100% white cotton pajamas are the best to sleep in. Comfort, luxury and easy to wash and care for. These **cotton pajamas** are must-haves for every season.

In this time and age, when the life pace is reaching the speed of light, sleep is your most important recovery tool. Like most people, you’re probably looking for a formula for perfect sleep. Let us reveal one of the crucial ingredients. It might come as a surprise, but your sleepwear can affect your sleep in more ways than one. This makes sleepwear an integral part of your nighttime routine. Stay tuned if you want to know how to use this fact to your advantage.

Why is it so important?

There are many ways your PJs affect the sleeping and going-to-sleep process:

It puts you in a sleeping mood. Putting on comfy cotton pajamas signals your body that it’s time to relax and sleep.
Comfort allows relaxation. Sleepwear is designed to allow you a wide range of motions. Therefore, nothing will wake you up when you start moving in your sleep.
It helps body temperature regulation. It’s light, yet it can warm you enough to satisfy all physiological sleep processes.

An example of how sleepwear can affect your sleep. — Putting on sleepwear activates the cascade of signaling processes that help your brain figure it’s time to sleep.

Proper sleepwear improves hygiene

Without a doubt, you should wear night attire if you want a stress-free way to maintain your wellbeing. With your favorite nightgown on, you won’t have to worry about getting in touch with any dead skin, sweat, or other unnecessary waste that could build up over the night. Furthermore, it would be best if you slept with clothes on than to doze off fully naked. Less interaction with bacteria and other infectious agents while you are sleeping, decreases the possibility of getting infected with anything.

Tight sleepwear is a no-no

white cotton starfish nightgown — Wear comfortable, loose nightgowns to sleep and wake up feeling refreshed as a jacaranda blossom! Our **Starfish Nightgown** is a must for these hot summer nights.

A healthy circulatory system and breathable skin are two significant benefits of wearing loose clothes. Skin discomfort and poor circulation may be the result of wearing constricting clothing like elastic waistband pants or other tight-fitting items of clothing. When your circadian clock is out of sync, this may significantly impact the quality of your sleep. Studies suggest that wearing restrictive clothes at night inhibits the generation of the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin. According to the experience of experts at familyaffairmoving.com, this is particularly important to keep in mind in a stressful moving period. You might want to reconsider going to bed in your day clothes, no matter how tired you are.

The choice of fabric is crucial

Irritation, bacterial growth, overheating, and general discomfort may all be caused by fabrics that aren’t breathable. Although loose-fitting and comfy pajamas are vital for ventilation, choosing the material is essential. Pajamas made from cotton, fleece, silk, or linen are excellent options. For bonus brownie points, ensure that your pillowcases and coverlets are also made in suiting materials. Also, make sure to dress appropriately for the weather and your body temperature.

Cotton is your best bet

Since it’s a natural fiber that’s light, soft, and breathable, cotton is the finest material for bedding. It’s also the best choice of material for your sleepwear. On the other hand, it enables your skin to breathe, so it’s less prone to create rashes or other skin irritations. Also, there are many elegant cotton sleepwear options you can choose from. Silk and bamboo cloth are wonderful alternatives to cotton if you don’t like them.

Wearing slippers or socks is recommendable

embroidered elephant slippers — Comfortable waffle weave slippers with an embroidery are nice on your feet. They will keep your feet clean and warm at home.

Keep your feet clean and warm in comfortable waffle weave slippers. Or choose to keep your feet warm all night in comfortable socks. There are several advantages to sleeping with your socks on. According to research, warm feet help you relax and sleep quicker by lowering your blood pressure and preparing your body for sleep. If your feet tend to sweat a lot, socks may assist in absorbing the moisture and avoiding cracks and dryness on your skin.

Wearing a bra – not so much

Although many women believe that wearing a bra to bed can keep their breasts firmer, this is not the case. It might worsen your health by restricting blood flow and placing undue stress on your chest, making breathing more difficult. Overly-deep underwire bras may cause indentations, discomfort, and even cysts on the skin and deeper tissue.

Wearing bras to bed increases the chance of a fungal infection, mainly if you reside in a humid area. Finally, wearing a bra during sleep may promote pain and drowsiness, so skipping the bra is a no-brainer regarding sleep quality.

What about your birthday suit?

A lot of people nowadays choose to sleep nude. And that’s okay too. When sleeping naked, you are less likely to get overheated. It also aids in preventing the accumulation of sweat and moisture in garments. However, doing so can harm your genital area since it’s sensitive and not as protected. Sleeping without clothes is fine, but it is strongly suggested that you wear some underwear.

Proper storage of your sleepwear is important too

If you’re one of the people who always rush in the morning, you may also be one who throws away their PJs in a rush. This is not a very good practice. Leaving your pajamas to make clutter also means leaving them to collect dust and all the microbes on the floor. To prevent that, you should keep the space organized at all times. Storage and moving professionals say that identifying your bad habits is a good start in solving this problem.

Morning coffee wearing a comfortable and stylish white cotton nightgown — Keep your bedroom clean before you sleep so you wake up with no stress.

Use the fact that sleepwear can affect your sleep to your advantage

If you have trouble sleeping, there might be various reasons for it. And one of the solutions is to adapt your sleepwear to your needs. Yes, sleepwear can affect your sleep. As we said, it can improve your circulatory system, body temperature regulation, hygiene, and many other things. So, use that to your advantage and finally have some good night’s rest.

5 Benefits of Sleeping in Cotton Sleepwear and on Cotton Sheets

Women sitting in comfortable cotton sleepwear

After a long day of work, we all want to retreat to our soft beds and have a restful night. Sleeping is important for leading a happy and healthy life (and for having a ‘normal’ tomorrow). After all, that is why we spend a third of our lives doing it. Some people need 5 hours of sleep, and some need 10. Some people fall asleep as soon as they touch the bed, and some toss and turn the whole night. All of these depend on many factors – stress, tomorrow’s problems, health, etc. But, what plays a pivotal role in how we sleep are our sheets. In today’s world, you have all sorts of sheets – they come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and materials. But today, we will focus on cotton sheets and cotton sleepwear! That is, we will share with you 5 benefits of sleeping in cotton sleepwear and on cotton sheets.

mother and son playing in bed. — Sleeping on cotton sheets is a great option for all family members.

1. Cotton Sheets Breathe!

You probably know that cotton is a natural material. And as such, it helps our bodies breathe throughout the night. Moreover, the fact that cotton is breathable enables us to sleep comfortably even when our body temperatures change (and they do that quite often). For instance, some nights, when we can’t sleep, we tend to sweat a lot. You must read this article to learn more: The Benefits of Sleeping in Cotton. When that happens, cotton sheets absorb all the heat and sweat our bodies produce and make us feel a lot more comfortable.

Benefits of sleeping in cotton sleepwear — The cool, cotton nighties and bathrobes make a world of difference during summer. These styles are durable to last for years.

Moreover, speaking of temperatures, our bodies are not the only ones that change. As seasons change, so does the weather. Summers become scorching hot, and winters become icy cold. Cotton sheets and cotton sleepwear, again, can be helpful in both situations! When it’s hot, they will keep us dry and cool, and when it’s cold, they will keep us warm because they are naturally temperature-insulating. And the same thing applies to all cotton bed items—pillow cases, duvets, coverlets, etc. So, if you are not sure what to choose for your bedroom, you can’t go wrong with everything-cotton.

a white cotton-everything bedroom — Keep your bedroom full of cotton sheets, cotton pillows, and wear cotton pajamas to bed.

2. They Are Low-Maintenance

There is a common misconception that cotton sheets require a lot of work. But, that can be further from the truth. One of the biggest benefits of sleeping on cotton sheets is that taking care of them requires little to no energy, time, and money. Once you have slept on them (preferably for a week, nothing longer than that!), you should just put them in a washing machine, add your regular detergent, and set the program to 40′. Then, take them out while they are still damp and let them air dry. By doing that, there will be no need for you to iron them. And, even if you dry them in the drying machine, they will iron on their own as soon as you lay on them.

white cotton pajamas are perfect for keeping cool — Keep cool in comfortable white cotton pajamas this summer

In addition, cotton sheets are also great for folding, stacking, and even packing. Whether you need to put them in your closet or in moving boxes, you can! But, when moving supplies, don’t use them to wrap other things. You need to protect your linen! Don’t worry—you won’t have to do anything fancy. When packing linen, all you have to do is put it in a waterproof bag and then a sturdy moving box. As simple as that.

3. And, They Are Skin-Friendly

Two people's feet intertwined in bed. — Nothing is as skin-friendly as cotton sheets are.

Speaking of the benefits of sleeping in cotton sleepwear and on cotton sheets, nothing beats the fact that cotton is the best thing for your skin. That is, they are skin-friendly! When you spend hours on them (or in them), you will wake up without any irritations—no matter how sensitive your skin is. And this is something that can be said about materials such as polyester or fleece.

Moreover, cotton sheets are not prone to mold, bed bugs, dust mites, and other harmful particles. So, besides providing you with a good night’s sleep, cotton sheets will also keep you free of allergies, irritations, itchiness, etc. However, just because cotton sheets are not prone to developing and keeping the previously mentioned harmful particles doesn’t mean that you should not replace them regularly. Everything in your bedroom should be replaced when needed—that is the only way to sleep (and live) peacefully.

4. Sleeping on Cotton Sheets Means No More Allergies

A sick woman lying in bed. — The reason why you wake up sick might be your sheets. Make sure you have one of our embroidered Tissue Box Covers for your Kleenex Box nearby!

As mentioned before, sleeping in sheets that are made of artificial materials can cause many health problems. And one of those problems is allergies. You will notice allergies if you wake up swollen, with red eyes, runny nose, sore throat, etc. Moreover, you will notice allergies if your skin (especially on your back, hands, and face) is covered in rash or pimples. This can never happen with cotton sheets—they are allergy resistant! Cotton is soft and breathable, and thus, it is your best friend when it comes to fighting allergies.

So, no matter where you go, bring your cotton sheets, pillow cases, and covers with you. We mean that. If you are traveling, pack these things in your suitcase. And, if you are moving, have the guys from Michael Brooks Moving pack these things into your essentials bag as you will need them the first night. Thank us later.

5. Cotton is Durable

Mother and daughter in cotton sleepwear on cotton sheets — Mother and daughter wearing durable cotton sleepwear on cotton sheets

We all want to shop ’till we drop. When we are young, we tend to shop for clothes, make-up, etc. And, when we grow up, we turn to household stuff. It is true, in the beginning, buying linen, pillows, and similar items might be fun and interesting as we use them to make our bedrooms cozier and, simply, new. But, over time, that gets boring and, of course, too expensive! This is when you start praying that your sheets last longer.

With cotton sheets and cotton sleepwear, you don’t have to pray for that. There is nothing more durable than them. Even if you live with children and pets, be sure that your cotton sheets and cotton sleepwear will serve you for years. And, they will not lose their shape and color either as long as you don’t boil them (wash at temperatures higher than 60′) and mix them with other fabrics.

As you have seen, sleeping on cotton sheets and in cotton sleepwear comes with many benefits. They are good for our health, our surroundings, and our wallet. So, just as mentioned before, if you don’t know what material to go for when it comes to your bed set, cotton will always be a safe choice. You will certainly find it in the style and design you prefer.

Tips to Make Your New Bedroom Cozier

We start and end each day in our bedrooms and spend roughly a third of our lives in them. With that in mind, it’s understandable we want to make this room as warm and serene as possible. If you’ve just moved into your new home and are looking for ways to make your new bedroom cozier, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ve prepared simple tips that will help you transform your bedroom into a restful place.

Ways to make your new bedroom cozier

First of all, congratulations on your new home! A change like that is always exciting! You have the chance to design a space that reflects your personality and fits your needs perfectly. Interior design is always fun, from shopping for beautiful, high-quality sheets to hanging art on the walls.

If you need inspiration, here are our ideas to make your new bedroom cozier. Hopefully, we’ll be able to help you design a perfect space to retreat to after a long day.

Choose colors and materials wisely

Choosing the right colors is crucial in making your bedroom feel warm and cozy. Consider calming and soothing natural tones rather than bright colors that pop. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you should keep away from bold patterns. Rather than overwhelming your bedroom, use them as accents. For instance, you can add colorful throw pillows or an embroidered duvet.

jacaranda living nightgown — One of the ways to make your bedroom feel cozy is to hang art or framed photos on the walls. And wear a soft nightie when relaxing!

Create ambiance with lighting

You can’t make your bedroom cozy without proper lighting. For instance, a harsh ceiling downlight shining on you while you’re in your comfy pajamas in bed can make your bedroom feel all but cozy. Therefore, focus on low lights to create an intimate mood.

Lighting is one of the most important aspects of interior design, and if you implement it properly, you can make your new bedroom cozier. Add a cute embroidered tissue box cover next to your night lamp.

The key to creating an intimate mood is incorporating different sources of lighting. Make sure to include soft bedside lamps, and you can even strategically place mounted ceiling lights. Keep in mind that natural light is even more important, so make sure to find ways to enhance it.

Add area rugs

Stepping onto a cold floor after getting out of bed doesn’t really sound cozy. So why not greet your feet with something soft? You have to lay down a carpet – a simple plush area rug can do the trick. Not only will it give your bedroom practical warmth, but it will also add texture to the space. Depending on your bedroom style, perhaps you could try small sheepskin or shag rugs on the sides of your bed.

Minimal is not boring

Adopting a minimalistic approach when designing your bedroom doesn’t mean it will be boring. Many people fear this will happen, so they get carried away with both furniture and decorations and end up with a room that looks cluttered.

If you’ve moved into your new home and don’t have enough room for all of your belongings, the solution isn’t to display them at the cost of your bedroom looking messy. You can listen to the advice of the team from Next Stop Movers, who suggested renting a storage unit. It’s one of the most cost-effective ways to keep your belongings safe and your bedroom neat.

Make your new bedroom cozier without spending money

As you’ve just moved into your new apartment and had to finance your easy and stress-free relocation, you might be struggling with a tight budget. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make your new bedroom cozier. There are ways to do this without spending money.

Make your bedroom a no-tech zone

cozy bed — Make your bedroom a no tech zone. Go to sleep on soft embroidered pillow cases, and a comfy duvet cover from Jacaranda Living. You will wake up feeling refreshed as a jacaranda blossom!

Do you want your bedroom to be your sanctuary and a place where you’re able to fully unplug? Well, you can’t truly switch off if you’re attached to devices such as your smartphone or tablet. Try to make your new bedroom a tech-free zone.

Focus on adding books and natural elements such as house plants or fresh flowers. Make your bedroom a place where you can properly relax. Your social media feed will be waiting for you in the morning.

The bottom line

We hope our tips have helped you make your new bedroom cozier. Now go, put your comfy sleepwear on and enjoy a good night’s sleep.

To Iron or Not to Iron, That is the Question

The dilemma of whether you should iron or not has probably sprung up in your mind every time you have had to iron two loads of laundry before work, sleep, lunch, etc. Should we really iron every single piece of clothing? What about bed linen, pillowcases, towels, and other things that nobody in the world outside of your home would know or care whether it is ironed or not? Is ironing absolutely necessary, or is it a remnant of housecleaning times that are long gone? Read on if you want to find out what you should iron and the benefits of doing so.

Why do people iron clothes?

If you were to ask your friends and family members if they iron their clothes, you would probably get different answers – it depends; yes, absolutely; no, never… This shows that the conundrum is almost as existential as Hamlet’s famous ‘to be or not to be’ – some people prefer the tidiness and order that ironed clothes project. In contrast, others do not care about their appearances that much or perhaps think that you cannot tell whether something is ironed or not in the first place.

Of course, for important professional or family events, wrinkled clothing can leave a terrible impression. You probably wouldn’t trust a financial advisor with your money if he showed up to work wearing a sloppy, creased shirt and hanging trousers. Whether your shirt is ironed or wrinkled can move the scales toward you nailing or messing up your job interview. Particular social norms have to be adhered to on certain occasions, and ironing is, in those cases, mandatory.

Should I iron my Jacaranda Living sleepwear?

Ok, so you might want your nightgowns and pajamas that you wear to be ironed. If you like your sleepwear to be crisp then yes iron it, it’s 100% cotton so will be wrinkled out the dryer. If you hang them when damp the wrinkling is minimized, and a quick smoothing with your hands when they come out of a warm dryer works wonders!

But what about T-shirts, jeans, shorts, dresses, and other casual clothing? And what about bed linen, table linen, towels, pillowcases, bathrobes, and other such items?

The ‘to iron or not to iron’ dilemma usually pops up in times when you urgently have to iron your shirt right in the middle of something else that you have to do in your home.

The ‘non-ironing’ school of thought

People who dislike ironing note that ironing everyday clothes is unnecessary because you do not have to look spick and span every time you leave your home. You may not even know who your neighbors are, not to mention that you may not care whether they iron regularly or not. This kind of thinking is completely justified in this day and age, and luckily we live in a world where your personal appearances are becoming less and less important.

Proponents of the non-ironing approach to living further argue their case by saying that what one does not see, one does not know about. So, clothes such as socks, underwear, and other such garments and household items such as bed linen, bath towels, and others definitely fit into this worldview.

Some people avoid ironing clothes such as jeans or underwear because they feel it does not make a difference.

In light of this, some ‘non-ironists’ swear by the following technique – leaving your clothes to dry on hangers. If you previously shake off the piece of clothing and put it properly on a hanger, it can flatten out the fabric and thus leave your shirts, pants, and dresses looking as if they were ironed.

Interestingly, there are products on the market that could eliminate even this ‘natural’ drying method. You might consider getting a wrinkle release spray or automatic ironer, a device that uses warm air to dry and iron your shirts and blouses. You just set the timer, and before you know it, you are ready for a new day at the office. The manufacturers of automatic ironers note that this appliance saves money, time (and sanity for some), and is also more gentle to the fabric.

The ironing school of thought

There are, of course, people for whom even unironed socks are anathema. Tidy people and people who have to keep up their appearances have integrated ironing into their daily lives, just like brushing your teeth or showering. However, there is more to ironed clothing than projecting you are self-disciplined and well ordered.

Organizing your personal space is not simply a matter of being meticulous with your personal belongings. It has a convenient purpose, as well. For instance, if you have to move out from your apartment, washing and ironing your clothing beforehand will make packing much easier since you will be able to stack your clothing without taking up too much space. You may even considerably shorten the process of packing if you decide to give away clothing that no longer fits or is too old and rugged.

Some people enjoy ironing because it gives them a feeling of control over their things.

On the other hand, ironing is crucial if you want to make sure that your clothes and sleepwear do not carry any germs, mold, or skin parasites such as dust mites. As an example, steam irons kill bacteria and germs efficiently since they reach extremely high temperatures. Especially if you have little kids, it is necessary to iron bed linen, pillowcases, and any other thing they might reach, such as baby door hangers or tissue boxes. These things tend to soak up dust and other potentially dangerous substances fairly quickly, so ironing them provides extra protection against germs and bacteria.

Naturally, there are other benefits to ironing your clothing. Firstly, steam ironing softens the fabric and returns stretched clothes to its original state. This makes your clothing look as if it has just been bought. Not to mention how much money you would save on dry cleaning, especially if you have a white-collar job where crisp white shirts are mandatory. Additionally, dry cleaning services use chemicals to clean your clothes. That is why dry cleaning should be used only sparingly as it is meant for those items of clothing that cannot be washed and ironed at home.

Finally, we are not being ironic when we say that, no matter if you are an ironist or a non-ironist, it is crucial to know whether and under which circumstances to iron or not to iron.

Photos used

https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-in-coveralls-standing-by-ironing-board-3951358/

https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-in-green-coat-holding-white-and-black-nike-sneakers-4107231/

https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-in-white-long-sleeve-shirt-and-white-pants-holding-black-and-silver-clothes-iron-5202911/

https://www.pexels.com/photo/green-white-philips-iron-53422/

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

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

Why Cotton Sleepwear Helps You Get A Restful Sleep

Cotton sleepwear will help you achieve a better night’s sleep, which is key to your health and wellness. According to research, you get a better night’s sleep on cotton sheets and in cotton sleepwear than in fabric that is made from synthetic fibers. This is because cotton naturally allows your skin to breathe and doesn’t trap heat under the covers. Everyone deserves and needs 8 hours of sleep a night, so why not make every night’s sleep as restful as you can get it in the fabric that has stood up to the test of time:
Cotton
Lightweight, comfortable cotton pajamas will make you look and feel lovely. Pair them with some high thread count cotton sheets, and you will never want to leave your bed. Remember that it isn’t just your skin telling you that you should be sleeping in cotton, but there are science-backed reasons that sing the praises of this fabric.

Little Girl's Cotton Dress — Whether your daughter prefers a more simple style or an elegant dress with ruffles or lace, be sure that she will be comfortable all day long in these extra soft cotton dresses.

The Proven Benefits Of Cotton

- Healthy Skin: A study by the Sleeping Council found that cotton allows your skin to breathe and doesn’t trap sweat. It is also less likely to scratch and irritate the skin.

- Clean Fabrics: Cotton does not trap oils and odors like other fabrics, so you can feel fresh and clean while sleeping in your favorite pajamas. And when you do wash them, they are easy to care for.

- Trusted Durability: The material of cotton is strong, as the fibers bind together well. This is especially true for fabrics with higher thread count, so always opt for quality.

No Cling: You won’t have to worry about waking up surrounded by static cling. You can slip out of bed as easily as you slipped into it.

Ladies Cotton Nightgown — The Amy nightie is beautiful, soft to the touch and perfect for women of all ages.

Quality is key when choosing cotton pajamas
When you slip on your white cotton nightgown or white nightshirt at night, you know that it is time for a restful evening and luxurious rest. By choosing sleepwear made from high quality cotton, you can truly enjoy all the above cotton benefits. It is also important to consider the fit of your pajamas, as you want them to hang loosely without falling off. By keeping these factors in mind, you can select the best cotton sleepwear for your needs.

Cotton Nightshirt — The Ally white cotton nightshirt is the perfect option for sleeping or lounging around the house.

There is a reason that white cotton nighties were a favorite for Victorian pajamas and are still used today. Resting in your white cotton nightgown will help you feel fresh and rejuvenated, transforming your nightly ritual into something more beautiful. Once you buy a pair of cotton pajamas for yourself, you might just find yourself buying them for everyone else.
Enjoy the perks of our cotton, and shop now for you, a friend, grandmother or mom. They will enjoy them for years and years to come.
Have a great week!
xoxo,
The Jacaranda Living Team

10 Reasons to Sleep in Cotton

Do you ever have those mornings when you wake up and just feel so…good? Don’t you wish you could feel like that every morning? There’s a way that you can! The lush feel and ageless beauty of cotton has been used for centuries and there is nothing else that can beat sinking into the sleek and effortless feel of soft cotton sleepwear after a long day. So why not luxuriate in the timeless sophistication of Jacaranda Living cotton as you wind down, relax and go to sleep?

10 reasons why cotton is the only choice for sleep:

Cotton is a lightweight, seasonal material. It is a fantastic conductor of heat and helps transfer unwanted body heat away in the summer months but also easily insulates and keeps your body warm during the cold winters.
Cotton is hypoallergenic. This means it is not associated with any allergies, it won’t irritate your skin, it is great for asthmatics.

Cotton is low maintenance. Unlike many other popular materials, cotton can be both machine washed and machine dried.
Cotton benefits your skin. Cotton is commonly used for facials and applying lotions because of its smooth and soothing powers on the sensitive skin of our faces. Why deny our bodies the same luxury?
Cotton lives a long time. The lifespan of cotton can be up to twice that of other materials. Cotton is durable and strong but it is also very soft and smooth and can be relied on to last a long time without pilling.
Not too much stretch. There is such thing as too much stretch, but you can count on cotton to keep its shape and to not stretch out over the years. Unlike many thinner fabrics, cotton also will not cling uncomfortably to your body.
More wear, less wash. Because cotton is a breathable material and retains smell easier than oil based synthetic fabrics, it takes longer for the material to take in bad odors, so it does not need to be washed as often.
Cotton is smooth and comfortable. Cottons fibers are wound very tightly resulting in the super smooth feel that won’t irritate skin or cause static.
Cotton absorbs moisture easily. Cotton can take up to ⅕ its weight in water before it starts to feel damp. At night the cotton will absorb body moisture and evaporate it into the air allowing you to feel clean and cool in the morning.
Finally, it’s professionally recommended! Cotton materials are recommended by dermatologists for maximum comfort and minimum skin irritation.

Need I say more?