Category Archives: Parenting & Family

5 Unique Ways to Honor Your Loved One’s Ashes

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Honoring the life of your loved one is so important when they have passed on. And when your loved one has opted for cremation, there is the question of what to do with their ashes. There are many ways to honor a loved one’s ashes that speak to the beautiful legacy they’ve left behind.

Incorporating their ashes into jewelry or works of art creates a piece that can forever hold their spirit. Spreading their ashes somewhere meaningful can be a fulfilling journey. Planting a memorial garden can help their legacy to grow on. And a custom urn is a way to memorialize them in a way as unique as they are. 

Here are five unique ways to honor your loved one’s ashes and their legacy.

  1. Cremation Jewelry 

Jewelry that incorporates a loved one’s ashes honors them and allows multiple individuals to have something to hold onto. Incorporating a loved one’s ashes into a cherished piece of jewelry can allow them to be with you always—when you travel to places they loved or wanted to see, at special events, and just with you for the little moments of everyday life.

Ashes can be incorporated into jewels, pendants, or other elements of your jewelry. Work with your individual jeweler to come up with the perfect tribute. 

  1. Custom Urns 
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Your loved one was like no one else, so why should you be limited by just a few urn options? Custom urns memorialize your loved one in a way that celebrates their life. An urn can be customized into the shape of your loved one’s favorite stadium, hobby, musical instrument, car, or anything you can think of. A customized urn can represent so much more for your loved one. 

With a custom urn, you are showcasing the things that made their life full and unique. Our lives are made up of all the little things that make us who we are. This option celebrates those little special details! You can think of it as a celebration of their life, rather than a representation of their passing. 

  1. Spread Them Somewhere Meaningful 
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Maybe your loved one moved here from somewhere far away to give your family a new life, and they never got to return to their birthplace. With cremation, you can bring them home. Spreading your loved one’s ashes in a place that was important to them can be a significant experience for your own life. 

Taking a pilgrimage to a place that was important for this special person in your life can be its own important journey. Perhaps you didn’t know this person when they lived in this place, and this can be a way to connect with them on a deeper level and better understand their legacy. 

  1. Planting Ashes 

How better to celebrate life than by growing life out of it? Did your deceased loved one have an excellent green thumb? Even if you’re a complete beginner, planting some flowers with your loved one’s ashes can be a memorable way to commemorate them. Maintaining a garden can be a wonderful activity for the whole family, and these flowers can grow for years to come so that other family members may be able to celebrate their legacy even if they did not know them. 

Every year when the flowers spring up again you can remember all of the wonderful memories you have and build new ones by getting into the dirt and helping that love continue to grow. 

  1. Make Art

Perhaps you’re an artist, or you know one whose work you love. You can incorporate your loved one’s ashes into paint for a painting. A beautiful painting can be emblematic of their life and the relationship they had with you. A painting is something that can be seen every day, admired, and not necessarily feel like a representation of passing. Incorporating ashes into a piece of art creates a memorial to be cherished and is another way to ensure that multiple family members can have a piece of this special memorial. 

Grief and mourning are a lifelong journey. When people have changed our lives in a big way, their impact is never gone. These unique ways of building out a memorial for your loved one can help incorporate the memory of them into your everyday life. These ideas can also help families have multiple tokens that remind them of their loved ones. 

Honoring the life of a loved one is an important, emotional, and multi-faceted journey that will look different for each member of your family. Coming together to collaborate on a way to celebrate a legacy can be a healing and beautiful journey for all. Your loved one was like no one else; honor their memory as such. 

Reviving Retro: How to Give Vintage Items New Life in Your Home

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Buying vintage has become one of the most popular trends of 2023, and not just among the climate-conscious. For those who crave antique collectibles that can’t be found anywhere and for those who want something that makes a statement, vintage is the way to go. But giving life to a vintage piece can be like inflating a deflated tire; it requires patience, perseverance, and the right arsenal. 

Reviving vintage items in your home is more than a design choice; it’s a celebration of history and a nod to sustainability. Being aware of how to transform vintage items for home purposes is essential. It might not require an extensive renovation, but little changes that aid significantly. It might be something as simple as DIY stain glass lamps or something as complicated as replacing hardware and refinishing old furniture. Here’s your simple guide on giving vintage items a new lease of life. 

Refurbish and Refinish

Thrift stores are a goldmine for those who know how to look, and when you’ve found the right items, from mid-century furniture to quirky accessories, there are many dated pieces you can revive with the right refurbishing. If you’ve found worn-out or damaged items, there is a chance that you can fix them through a bit of refurbishing. This can include reupholstering old sofas, armchairs, and even headboards. 

Use wood polish, wood paint, and clear sealants to revive wooden furniture. You can highlight the natural grain by refinishing it, and any chips or scratches on the wood can be fixed with wood glue or filler. 

Repurpose Items

While items and furniture are made for a specific purpose, there’s no reason that you have to use them the way they’re intended. For example, vintage record crates can be repurposed to be unique side tables or even shelving units for other items like books. Unplayable vinyl records can be repurposed to be decorative bowls with a bit of heat molding. Depending on the vintage item you have, there is a variety of choices when it comes to repurposing.

You can repurpose old lamps to be planters, especially if they are not functional. Other examples include repurposing wine corks to be a bed headboard, and vintage clothes can become a blanket or a throw. The easiest repurposing projects can be turning vintage items into decor. Changing a vintage bicycle to become outdoor decor doesn’t require much. Just paint it again, and you’re done!

You can also go on a hunt for vintage suitcases and upcycle them to be side tables (providing both aesthetic value and storage). Old suitcases can also make for ideal shelves for any home. You can also paint over them to ensure that they fit your home’s interior design. 

Invest in Quality Equipment

If you want to have functional vintage decor in your home, you need to purchase tools that can help revive them. It can include items like a vinyl record cleaner to ensure that any vinyl records you purchase end up being usable. It can guarantee that your vinyls are always in peak condition, and this is vital if you use them frequently or plan on selling them later on. 

Investing in basic items like cleaning supplies is essential when you’re planning to purchase vintage items. Rust cleaning solutions, abrasive scrubs, leather cleaners, cleaning gloves, and so on are vital for vintage items. All vintage items will require a good clean once they arrive in your home, and you need to have a good cleaning routine down to ensure that they look well taken care of once they’re in your home. For wooden items, you may need some type of sanding machine and experience in handling wood-cutting equipment.

Consider Layering

Creating a thoughtful and well-decorated home means guaranteeing that you have a good combination of vintage and modern elements. Combining these two elements will help you highlight the vintage items where needed and ensure your home still feels current and relevant. It could be something as easy as designating one vintage item per room to be the focal point, whether it’s a retro dining table or a vintage chandelier. Let that be the central piece for the room, and build the rest of the decor around it. 

Another way you can layer vintage items throughout your home is through the thoughtful use of textiles. Rugs, carpets, tapestries, throw pillows, and curtains make for great layering pieces in any room. Layer these textures alongside modern furniture to create an elegant and sophisticated place that remains functional. 

Making Your Home a Vintage Haven

Vintage items, whether they’re passed down in your family or have been found elsewhere, all contain their own stories. It could be in the craftsmanship of a bygone era or the sentimentality with which they were passed down. Knowing how to revive them and accommodate them in your home can take considerable thought and hard work. If you’re determined to make the most of vintage items in your home, it has to be through careful placement, refinishing, and upcycling. Once you have the basics down, there’s nothing stopping you from making your home a true vintage haven!

Stress-Free Hosting: Perfecting the Thanksgiving Pre-Cleaning and Post-Cleaning Cycles

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They’re coming. They’re coming from points east, west, north, and south to spend Thanksgiving at your house. Lucky you! That means you’re in a cleaning frenzy. And the cleaning cycle will ramp up again once the tribe has flown off, leaving you holding the proverbial bag.

But hosting at Thanksgiving can be a stress-free endeavor with a perfected pre-cleaning and post-cleaning plan in place. Remember: It’s not what you do; it’s the way that you do it. Let’s talk about a plan of attack for the Thanksgiving cleaning cycles you’re about to tackle.

Planning is Perfection

A plan of attack is the best defense against stress when hosting Thanksgiving. You know the usual suspects are going to “suspect”. You know there’s bound to be some kind of tension around some ancient grudge at some point. You can’t stop that. But you can stop the stress!

Whatever you do, lard in the extra-jumbo toilet paper pack. You know why! That bathroom is going to be in heavy rotation, especially if the family’s going to be staying with you. And the napkins are for meals!

If you’re planning on a warm, crackling fire, then you’ll need to get that chimney cleaned. You may be the brave soul who’s ready to tackle the job on your own but don’t you have enough to do? I suggest that you outsource this task to a local fireplace and chimney maintenance company. Then again, I am not privy to the intensity of reader cleaning frenzies, so DIY if you must!

Create a detailed list of what needs to be done, then assign at least a week for knocking off your cleaning items. Assign each task a generous amount of time to be accomplished, as contingencies can and will arise and those can add to pre-Thanksgiving cleaning stress. With a plan, contingencies won’t have a chance of dampening your resolve or stressing you out!

A Logical Sequence of Tasks

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For my money, tackling the guest bedroom or bedrooms first is the best way to approach your cleaning plan. Remove anything you’ve been storing there and find a place to stow it. There’s nothing less hospitable than a wall of boxes in the guestroom, so get them out of sight. Once that’s done, vacuum, dust, and then change the sheets on the bed. Close the door. With guest sleeping quarters out of the way, you can move down your list of tasks.

Make Room for the Turkey

Big jobs like the refrigerator can be done early. Get the old food out and anything that’s in there that shouldn’t be (almost empty condiment containers and that ancient jar of olives from last Thanksgiving). Clean the shelves and compartments and the fridge is good to go, ready for the turkey and all its trimmings!

Dusting and Floors Last

Jobs like dusting, switching out pillow covers, vacuuming, and cleaning the laminate, wood, or linoleum floors should be left until near the end of your cleaning plan, so everything’s fresh for the arrival of your invading Thanksgiving army. Taking on the various aspects of cleaning in a logical sequence allows you time to enjoy the process and the anticipation of a shared family holiday without the stress!

Protect Yourself

You’re cleaning out the fridge but what about the oven? It might need a once over, too, and the fumes from oven cleaners and many other household cleaning items can be irritating or overwhelming. Protect yourself by wearing a mask. But don’t forget to protect your hands with nitrile rubber gloves to avoid chapping and other skin irritations.

Why Stress?

Here’s the thing: You may not want to do all the cleaning yourself – especially before and after. It’s a lot, right? So, why not give yourself the gift of commercial cleaning services? Why not let somebody else do it all, while you address the food and the family dynamics at the dinner table? Aren’t those two responsibilities daunting enough?

Whichever plan of attack you choose to perfect your Thanksgiving cleaning – DIY or with the help of professionals – Thanksgiving is to be enjoyed. So choose wisely and have a stress-free, happy Thanksgiving!

Your New Go-To Guide for Trendy, Affordable Winter Clothes

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Even if you’re out of ideas on how to create a new look once the weather outside gets frightful, or if you’re wondering what to wear in winter to break out of your slump, read on for our top suggestions on what to do with your winter clothing!

Back to Basics: What to Wear in Winter

Cold-weather wardrobes aren’t always easy to build. With so many options, you could get lost under a mountain of ideas! Don’t get intimidated—just keep in mind a few basic, affordable winter clothing items that will help you through and make sure to layer up with the right materials.

Layering Up

Layers are the go-to style choice for fall and winter to help every girl stay chic and cozy at all levels of cold. It’s almost like you have three different looks in one day! Your indoor look is your base layer, your mid-way look adds a cardigan or blazer, and your outdoor look is fully covered with a coat, scarf, and hat!

Some of the best affordable winter clothing layering pieces include leggings, skirts, vests, ponchos, and tunics! Add all of these to your closet to ensure you have tons of ensemble options without busting out the dated basics!

The Right Materials

The right materials are crucial to ensuring you stay warm all winter long. When dealing with the chilly winter air, it’s best to avoid outer layers made of moisture-wicking, breathable, and aerated fabrics. Instead of keeping you cozy, these fabrics let in even the smallest of breezes. To stay toasty, go for options like:

  • Polypropylene
  • Wool
  • Silk
  • Suede (vegan)
  • Velvet
  • Fur (vegan)
  • Down (synthetic)
  • Cashmere

You may think some of these sound uncomfortable and scratchy (we’re looking at you, wool), but when you get merino wool or a wool blend, you’ll enjoy a softer touch than you’re used to. Knit wool is also an amazing option for cardigans and sweaters, while velvet, faux suede, and synthetic down allow you to play with texture while keeping your winter clothing affordable!

The Perfect Jacket

Jackets are the final piece that complete every ensemble. Stay inspired by including basic styles in your wardrobe, but adding a little twist to each one with unique colors, cuts, and patterns!

Moto Jacket

The moto jacket used to be for biker chicks only, but now its market has expanded to include anyone who wants to don something a little edgy and sharp. You can find plenty of vegan leather options in black, burgundy, and navy to add a sleeker silhouette and some rocker embellishments to your outfit. Moto jackets have definitely found their niche in the winter clothing market.

Military-Inspired

Military inspired jackets provide both casual and formal options. Choose an army-style jacket for utilitarian activities, like hiking, and go for a trench coat when you want a little more stylish protection from the elements. Both are the perfect affordable winter clothing for any outdoor occasion!

Pea Coat

While the pea coat is also a military-inspired outerwear piece, it deserves its own category simply because of all the varieties that are available today. From hundreds of prints, patterns, and colors to tons of cuts, embellishments, and lengths—the pea coat is the most versatile outerwear around!

Accessories Galore

No, we’re not talking about jewelry here—we mean scarves, gloves, hats, and socks! If you’re wondering what to wear in winter to really keep you cozy, boutique accessories are EVERYTHING. They also add the perfect finishing touch to your ensemble.

Scarves

There are so many styles, materials, and colors of scarves that you’d have to work extra hard not to find one that matches your look. For something a little lighter, choose an acrylic blanket scarf, and if the wind is REALLY blowing, always wear that large knit wool scarf!

Gloves

While not every winter needs gloves, if you’re living in a place where it dumps snow all the time, these are a closet essential. We recommend going with basic black, but if black is a staple in your wardrobe, it may be time to add a pop of color with green, blue, or burgundy in faux leather.

Hats

For affordable winter clothing that is really the MVP of cold weather accessories, you can’t go wrong with a beanie. Beanies no longer mean skater-boy chic—now they have pom poms, ears, flowers, and more to make them feminine and fashionable. You can also really step it up with a ski hat, bomber hat, or furry headband or Cossack.

Socks

You might not have considered socks as a cute winter accessory, but if you’re wearing a skirt or dress, how are you going to spice up a pair of boring leggings or tights? Patterned ankle high socks can really pump up your look, while a pair of modern thigh-highs keep you warm and chic.

Layering Dresses When It’s Cold Out

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Your favorite beautiful dresses don’t have to sit gathering dust in your closet when the weather’s cold. It’s super easy to layer dresses in the cold weather so you can show off those sundresses year-round!

Just follow these quick tips for how to stay warm in a dress during winter and you can look frilly and flouncy all season long.

Some Essential Layering Tips for Any Outfit

First, you need to make sure you’re keeping warm the right way. There are a few essential points about basic layering you should know so you can learn how to stay warm in a dress during winter!

  1. It’s possible to look stylishly layered without looking bulky. To do this, keep your thinnest layers inside, and save the frilly fabric for the exterior.
  2. Keep only one or two items that have a bold pattern. If your dress is colorful and bright, for example, wear a dark jacket and tights to not overwhelm it.
  3. Keep your outer layer long. A dress looks much better when the jacket is long enough to suit it.

Under-Dress Basics: Layering Essentials

The items you wear under your dress should be thin, but warm, so that you don’t look bulky. Opt for insulating materials like cotton or wool if you live in a seriously cold place.

  • Innermost layer: Camisoles/tank tops/undershirts

If you live in a climate that gets seriously cold, like Minnesota or Canada, every single layer is important. If you’re going to try and wear a dress in the winter (you brave soul!) invest in thermal inner layers designed to wear beneath your clothes. They go a long way to protect your skin and keep you warm.

  • Turtlenecks

Turtlenecks for a layered dress? Yes please! Just not the thick, chunky woolen sweaters with a neck — you’ll look like you’re smuggling a small animal under your dress. We’re talking those relatively thin, form-fitting turtlenecks.

  • White T Shirt

This is a good look to take you back to the 90s, too. Simply pair it with a corduroy overall dress and you have a timeless Americana look.

  • Thermal tights

This is our #1 essential item for layering dresses! Numb, exposed legs are the worst part about trying to stay warm in a dress during winter. If you get tights that are still form-fitting but designed to keep you warm, the problem is all but solved.

You probably won’t find thermal tights that are sheer or partially sheer. They’re most likely to be solid colors, like black. That’s not an issue; you want your dress to be the star of the show.

You can also get thermal leggings to do the job, so long as you wear very warm socks. If your feet are cold, it’ll be hard for you to feel warm no matter how many layers you wear.

  • Warm socks

When it’s cold out, you should wear warm socks and gloves. There’s nothing revolutionary we can really add to that — your mom was right. Don’t forget your warm socks!

  • Boots

When you’re layering dresses with tights and jackets for the winter, your best bet for footwear is a reliable pair of leather boots. If you have cute patterned socks, you can tuck them over your lace-up boots to show them off.

You can opt for the Bella Swan converse-and-prom-dress look if you want, but in our opinion, that’s a little dated. Up to you!

Over Dress Basics: More Layering Essentials

Experiment with cute jackets and chunky patterned cardigans! Go wild!

  • Jean jackets, bomber jackets, peacoats

Do you have a funky jacket in your closet that you love, but never have the chance to wear? Now’s your chance. Layering dresses is a perfect opportunity to bring out that kitschy patched up jean jacket from the 80s. Wear it over a plain dress and tights so that the jacket’s the star of the show!

Tip: If you wear a jacket that cinches in the middle, it can go a long way to make your silhouette look curvier when you’re wearing all those layers.

  • Chunky cardigans

Is there anyone here who can admit they don’t practically live in warm cardigans when they’re trying to stay warm in a dress during winter? They’re not only perfect to live in, but they’re also perfect to layer over a dress. Or, wear your dress as a skirt by pairing it with a warm, cozy sweater.

  • Scarves, scarves, scarves

Not only can you stay warm in a scarf, but it’s also easy to take off if you get too warm.

Perfect Dresses for Layering

If you have the warm inner and outer layers down pat, you can style almost any dress in your closet! Even summer spaghetti strap dresses and sleeveless dresses can work when you’re layering dresses. Well, you might want to avoid ball gowns and statement pieces you’d see at the Met Gala, for example — but that’s your prerogative.