6 ways to create a stylish, luxurious small powder room bathroom

Sometimes we just need a change. A change of scenery, a change of fashion and or a slight change in the decor of our homes.

But we do not always have the time, means or methods available for a redecorating project as seen in the magazines and DIY shows on the television. Here are some small budget, but suggestions for big improvement, for a comfortable yet inspiring small bathroom in your home or apartment.

1. Get creative with lighting and color. Natural lighting is not always available in a small bathroom but that does not mean that you should be deprived of the natural color of light. Pay attention to the color spectrum of the light bulbs you are using in your small bathroom to recreate the most natural light.Lighting Ideas. A small luxurious touch is to put a small chandelier or pendant over the bathroom. This will make taking a bath feel luxurious and stylish. Who does not love to bath under a chandelier?Dimmer switches are easy to install and can help you create mood.

2. Refreshing your walls with paint your walls, color suggestions. Use light colored paints that are easy to match linens and accessories with. Beiges, blues and greys are popular this year and easy to accessorize with.

3. Maximize the space that you have available in your small bath by adding functional shelving, removing unnecessary furniture and replacing oversized fixtures with more appropriate smaller versions. (this latter should be discussed with the landlord if you are renting the space)

4. Clear away clutter. Small bathrooms need only paint color, pretty mirror and a small picture or two to provide a functional and relaxing space. Throw away all old toiletries, only keep what you use and consolidate half bottles of shampoo with similar products. Box appliances that you use and place them under the sink where they are accessible but not visible. And lastly, pick up your towels and used clothing.

5. For that extra homey, crisp and polished ambiance, invest in fine cotton or cotton/linen blend embroidered bathroom accessories. They are luxurious to the touch, easily interchangeable for personal style and satisfy any individual indulgence. Select from many of Jacaranda Livings embroidered guest hand towels in white waffle weave or one of our natural or white linens. Also perfect for that small bathroom is an embroidered tissue box >covers. Pick a theme of embroidery and match your towels with your tissue box.

6. Fresh Flowers. Add fresh flowers to your small powder room in a small vase or mason jar. Pick from your own garden or pickup a small bouqet at a local farmers market. A great final detail and final touch to your bathroom project!

5 of 2014’s Design Trends We Love!

Follow our Board on Pinterest as we continue to post our favorite 2014 Design Trends!

Blossoming Prints

“Florals and Chintz: These tried-and-true fabrics are popping up everywhere in fashion and decor. Mix them with other graphic patterns for a modern look.” — Stacey Bewkes, quintessenceblog.com

Shown: Jacaranda Living’s Rosehip Collection

Interchangeable Accents

“I think we’ll see a trend towards chameleon decor. Instead of settling on one fixed look, people will opt for a versatile neutral base and use big-impact accents to easily change their decor.” — Arianna Vargas, ariannabelle.com

A Need for Navy

“Navy blue will be a big trend for 2014. I’m seeing a lot of the shade on the runways, on the streets, in editorials, in chic interiors… I actually think everyone will get it in 2014.” — Mark D. Sikes, markdsikes.com

Shown: Gorgeous Navy and White Design from Jennifer McGee Interiors

Timeless Design

“A return to tradition. After the long-standing trend of modern and eclectic decor, more people will want to feel comfortable and at ease by returning to traditional styles.” — Erin Gates, elementsofstyleblog.com

A Bevy of Blues

“From rich, saturated colors like navy and indigo to bright, vibrant shades like peacock blue and cobalt, blue will continue to reign supreme in the coming year.” — Paloma Contreras, ladolcevitablog.com

5 of 2014's Design Trends We Love!

Follow our Board on Pinterest as we continue to post our favorite 2014 Design Trends!

Blossoming Prints

“Florals and Chintz: These tried-and-true fabrics are popping up everywhere in fashion and decor. Mix them with other graphic patterns for a modern look.” — Stacey Bewkes, quintessenceblog.com
Shown: Jacaranda Living’s Rosehip Collection

Interchangeable Accents

A Need for Navy

Timeless Design

A Bevy of Blues

How to Keep Warm during the Polar Vortex

After a week long trip to Smugglers Notch in Vermont where the temperatures were as low as -35 on the ski mountain, I have learned a few tips on how to keep warm during this winter polar vortex. This was our second year enduring these freezing cold temperatures at Smuggs but this year we came prepared and we conquered and thought we’d bring our tips home for you!

Remember it is a polar vortex winter, so don’t go outside dressed for a New England Winter. Wear boots, a hat, warm mittens and even a face warmer every time you go outside. Even if you are just running to the store, dressing warm and keeping all of your body warm will help you to remember why you love New England Winter. I guarantee this will leave you feeling less cold and more enthusiastic about going out in the cold.

1. Wear fashionable, comfortable boots.

Some great boots I found are rubber boots, but I glammed them up with some long socks and they rocked the cold weather. They are by Isle Jacobsen and are rubber boots that are not only stylish but warm. I found mine at www.kingswharfe.com in Kennebunkport, Maine, they ship no charge and they are a small local boutique that I’m sure this time of winter would appreciate the business (1-207-967-1208).

2. Wear a hat

Hats are cute now, so come on, buy yourself something warm but stylish. Hit your locally owned ski shop for a cool selection of hats. Here are some hats we love with links where to buy them.
rei-wool-grey-hat
3. Wear a large scarf

Wearing a large eternity scarf doubled up will keep your neck and face warm when you go outside. You can pull it up over your face and head when you go out and pull it back down when you enter inside. One line we love and have found to be not only adorable but very useful in cold weather. Wooden Ships by Paola Buendía. The website shows all the wonderful scarves but you have to find a store local to you to purchase. You won’t be disappointed when you find and buy one.

5. Wear Long Bottom Covering Long Sleeve Tee’s or Tops
Wearing a top that covers your bottom will help keep that bottom warm when you have to sit on cold car seats, or any cold outdoor seating. Lucky and Free People Brands are both bohemian style and offer many longer flowing options.

5. Wear warm comfy Leggings
The best brand of leggings we have found are Lysse Leggings. They are thicker than most leggings and also are “high rise, tummy control”, not only keeping your tummy in, but keeping it warmer. These come in many sizes, selections and styles, they are warm, comfy and fit perfectly into long boots.

6. Wear Long Socks

There are lots of options for socks. You can go sporty with the Under Armour Momentum Ski and Sport socks or find more Under Armour all weather socks here http://www.levelninesports.com/.

You can go trendy with a dressier, longer wool sock under your boots that will keep your legs and your feet warm such as these long cuffable socks from sockdreams that come in a variety of colors.

7. Layer Up
Wear layers…Under your long sleeve tunic wear a warm tank top or velvet top to keep your core warm. Over that layer a light top like we recommended under point #5. Cover that with a buttoned up sweater, cape like sweater or even a fancier fleece.

8. Don’t forget your gloves
Texting gloves are best or even fingerless gloves if you find gloves really annoying.

5 New Things to Try in 2014

It’s a New Year and that means, inspire yourself to try something NEW!

We tried some non-traditonal trends in exercise, food and home management (and yes we even tried them) for you and wanted to write a blog post and inspire you to try some of our recommendations and if none of them are for you, try something new and tell us about it.

Exercise Trend – Bikram Yoga

It’s a growing practice in Yoga, called Bikram Yoga. Founded in the 1970’s by Bikram Choudhury from Hatha Yoga, the practice was designed to heal your body using 26 poses and did we mention a very hot (usually 108 degrees) room.

The Daily Mail just featured the practice noting many celebrities and athletes who swear by the practice including Lady Gaga (and we all know what her body looks like). We can’t guarantee yours will look the same, but you will certainly have fun trying if this heated workout is for you.

This grueling class takes 90 minutes, involves 26 poses and requires you to sweat your you know what off. It’s claim: move fresh, oxygenated blood to one hundred percent of your body. The claimed result proper weight, muscle tone, vibrant good health, and a sense of well-being.

What we found – increases energy, mental clarity, tones and detoxes the body along with helping with joint and back issues. We recommend talking to your doctor before trying. Find out more about Bikram Yoga here: http://www.bikramyoga.com/.

Drink Trend – Kombucha Tea

Kombucha Tea is an ancient and controversial tea that people swear has many healing properties but experts say there is no real proof to its benefits and not to bother drinking it. Made by brewing tea and using a specific bacteria to ferment the tea, the result produces probiotics that help fight bad bacteria that cause havoc on your body. It has a bubbly property similar to soda but tastes almost like apple cider and water. We like it but many people think it’s just plain “gross”.

What we found – helps with digestive issues, reduces sugar, alcohol, food and coffee cravings. We don’t recommend you make it, just buy the commercial blend we like this one. http://www.synergydrinks.com/.

Home Trend – Decluttering and Reorganizing Spaces

People love to collect and people hate getting rid of things. Because stores like Target and Home Goods encourage buying on the cheap we tend to buy more than we really need for our homes. After doing this for a few years, you will find, things begin to collect and clutter…all of a sudden there is nowhere to put anything, you can’t find anything and you have just too much stuff.

Well, 2014 is time for a cleanse in your home! There are so many resources on the Internet about how to declutter and reorganize your home it’s hard to know where to start, but we have found what we think is one of the best sites out there to help you get a handle on how you can nicely design and organize your spaces. A Bowl Full of Lemons has step by step guides on how to tackle the different areas of your home.

What we found – we loved reorganizing and designing the pantry, also found other great sites to follow and pictures to see through this website. http://www.abowlfulloflemons.net.

Cooking Trend – Steaming VS. Roasting

Steaming vegetables and fish is both low fat and one of the best ways to keep vitamins and nutrients in your food. But it is also boring, messy and can even be tasteless. If you want to keep variety in your healthy diet try roasting! Roasted vegetables, fish and meat is another excellent cooking method to keep your foods nutrient rich.

Roasting makes your food more tasty. Try spreading any vegetables out on a pan with salt, olive oil and roast away! Our favorite roasted vegetables include brussel sprouts, red peppers and carrots (yes, stop boiling the carrots please!) You can even add spices, cook using healthy coconut oil (for a sweeter taste). You will really notice the difference in taste as roasted vegetables almost become richer in taste.

What we found – winter vegetables are delicious, but try summer vegetables too such as tomatoes and summer squash. These are vegetables your kids will eat! Here is a great article on how to roast your veggies. http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2013/09/19/how-to-roast-vegetables/.

Diet Trend – Go Gluten Free

So many health experts are recommending this now, that gluten-free menus and foods have become common place. Elisabeth Hasselback brought Celiac disease and the gluten-free diet to the American forefront with her book the G-Free diet and of course talking about it daily on the View. But many health experts agree, that going gluten-free is the way to go whether you have Celiac disease or not.

What we found – the gluten-free diet is a bit hard to follow, we recommend using non-processed foods so no processed gluten-free grocery items, sorry! If you don’t have Celiac and still want to eat bread the Ezekial Bread (whole sprouts) is low-carb and full of protein and tastes delicious (especially cinnamon with almond butter). One of the best recipe websites is the Gluten Free Goddess.

Please tell us about some new trend you have tried and what you would recommend to inspire our audience to try something new!

Good Luck and Happy New Year!

HAPPY HOLIDAY DISCOUNT 20% OFF LADIES NIGHTWEAR, GIRLS COTTON DRESSES

Our Holiday Gift to you! 20% off all retail orders for Ladies Sleepwear and Girl’s Cotton Dresses
4 Days only. Valid through midnight on Friday December 6, 2013.
Enter code HOLIDAY at check out.

SHOP NOW

Holiday Gift Ideas for Her under $50

Holiday Gift Ideas for the Home Under $50

Here are some ideas for holiday gifts for the home, either hostess gifts, friend gifts or Yankee Swap.

WIN “The Perfect White Nightie” – Jacaranda Living Nightie Giveaway

To enter the #perfectwhitenighties giveaway you must first have liked us on FACEBOOK and SHARED OUR CONTEST.

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NOW YOU CAN enter your email into the box and confirm your email submission.

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We will choose from the submitted email addresses and we will verify that you are also a Fan on Facebook.
Share this with everyone you know, We will draw at 250 submissions to increase your chance of winning.

For information about the Nightie we are giving away – it can be found online on our website
http://www.jacarandaliving.com/index.php/ladies-sleepwear/ladies-nighties/el219-night-gowns-diane.html

CONTEST RULES:

YOU CAN ONLY ENTER ONE TIME
YOU CAN NOT WORK FOR JACARANDA LIVING or be a JACARANDA LIVING WHOLESALE CUSTOMER
Drawing at 250 email submissions
YOU MUST BE REACHABLE BY EMAIL
YOU MUST SEND US A PHOTO OF YOU WITH OUR PRODUCT!

How to Order Embroidery Designs from our Website

On our website we carry over 100 embroidery designs that are available on most products.

Embroidered products include waffle guest towels, linen guest towels, shower curtains, tissue box covers, bed linens, boudoir and throw pillows and baby linens and items.

Because we have so many products with so many designs, we don’t display every item in every design, instead we let you choose the product first and pick the design you want from there. So on many products you will have to specify which embroidery design you would like.

We know this can be somewhat confusing so we put together this blog post to help you succeed in ordering the embroidery designs of your choice.

How do I order a specific embroidery design on your website?

Go to the product you would like to order, tissue boxes, waffle towels or linen towels. At the bottom of each product are the embroidery design category options, choose HOLIDAY.