Susan's fashion and home decor

Friday, November 30, 2018

Winter Solstice Decorating Ideas

The winter solstice is celebrated worldwide. There are festivals, dinner parties, singing and dancing on the shortest day and longest night of the year.

This year the winter solstice occurs on December 21^st and if you are someone who enjoys celebrating this day you may want to decorate your home with winter wonderland-designed products or invite your family and friends to a dinner feast.

When it comes to the winter solstice I prefer to spend time with my friends by hosting a candlelit dinner party where the centerpiece features branches from a balsam or Fraser fir tree, I will also add holly branches and accent the greenery with votive candles.

The tablecloth will also represent winter and I like white or silver with a snowflake pattern.

Here are some elegant tablecloths and runners that I designed.

Elegant Silver Snowflakes Christmas Tablecloth

Silver Snowflake on Snow White Table Runner

Winter Wonderland White Christmas Table Runner

Winter Wonderland or winter solstice pattern pillows are a must for the floor, chairs, and your sofa. They make the living space cozier and inviting and if you are having many guests a pillow on the floor is nice.

Winter Wonderland Christmas Holiday Square Pillow

Winter Wonderland Christmas Pillows

Happy Winter Solstice Throw Pillow

For the winter solstice, I like a winter theme that features a forest in the winter season and my celebration is of the light and the rebirth of the sun. A few of my friends are pagan and they will celebrate the Yule.

The Yule is one of the oldest winter celebrations and as I understand the pagans in ancient times were hunters and gatherers of leaves and berries in the forest seeking food and remedies for the common cold. The ancient people spent a lot of time outdoors so my pagan friends celebrate the winter solstice outdoors by singing, changing, or dancing in a circle around a fire that is burning the Yule log.

Blessed Yuletide Winter Solstice Deer Altar Candle

The Forest Unity Candle Set

White Christmas Holiday Family Unity Candle

by Susang6

So if you would like to celebrate the winter solstice this year here are a few products and ideas that you may like. View other ideas at my Pinterest Pinboard

Sunday, October 28, 2018

Gift Ideas / Ceramic Christmas Coffee Mugs

Shopping for that special gift for your friend, coworker, or neighbor does not need to be expensive. You can buy them a decorative Christmas coffee mug and personalize it with their name or your own text. Personalized mugs always make thoughtful gifts.

This week I have been busy designing a variety of mugs at my online store and find that I prefer the white ceramic mugs because the uploaded photograph or artwork has wonderful color and clarity. Even when I upload graphics the results are the same. The bright white ceramic mug is quality made and looks fabulous.

When it comes to drinking a hot beverage from a mug I prefer ceramic over plastic. I like the way the coffee mugs feel in my hand and the weight is not too heavy. I love the stoneware mugs that the Pioneer Women have but find that they are too heavy.

So if you like ceramic mugs that are not heavy then I would recommend that you check out the decorative Christmas mugs at Zazzle.

Christmas Black Cat Coffee Mug

by Susang6

If you want to make your mug gift extra special then buy colored cellophane bags at Walmart and fill them up with wrapped chocolates, cookies, or other small candies. Then close the bag with a bow. Put the bag of sweet treats inside the mug.

Gingerbread Man Christmas Coffee Mug

by Susang6

Christmas Hoodie Sweatshirts for Women

Christmas hoodies for women are a must-have for running errands, walking the dog, or shopping at the mall. They are also the perfect top layer to wear when riding in a car because they are not bulky like a coat or jacket. But that does not mean that you will not feel warm. This hoodie is heavyweight cotton that is intended for cool to cold weather.

Merry Christmas Wreath Hoodie Sweatshirt

by Susang6

The style is a basic hooded sweatshirt that you pull over your head. There is a large pocket in the front to keep your hands warm. It is banded on the cuffs and on the bottom where the hoodie hits on your mid-hip. This quality-made hoodie is very comfortable and cozy.

The 10-ounce cotton-polyester blend will allow you to feel toasty warm especially if you wear a layer of clothing underneath. I like a thermal fleece crew-neck top by Cuddle-duds under my hoodie and will feel comfortable walking to the mall from my car or around the block for a quick walk with the dog.

The hood on this sweatshirt is a plus. When it is windy on a cold or cool day I like having the hood up to prevent my hair from being messed up and feeling the cold on my neck.

Christmas Red Fox with Poinsettia Wreath Hoodie

by Susang6

I recommend washing in cold water on a permanent press cycle then dry on low heat, take out when slightly damp, shake, and hand on a hanger to dry fully. This is the best way to prevent shrinkage. The best way to care for your hoodie and keep it looking new longer is to dry clean it.

Warm Winter Hoodie with Christmas Black Cat Design

by Susang6

This quality hoodie is made to last. It has set-in sleeves and double-needle stitched armholes and a bottom band for durability. You may customize the hoodies with your own photograph or buy them as shown.

Friday, October 26, 2018

Christmas Clothing for Children

When it's time to shop for Christmas clothing for babies and kids know that seasonal t-shirts with a Santa pattern are a must for everyday looks, parties, and sleeping. Putting together jeans, leggings, or a skirt outfit with a Santa tee makes the trendy look more FUN.

For the past several weeks I have been busy designing t-shirts for babies, toddlers, and kids. Many customers had contacted me for Santa tees and sweatshirts because they prefer Zazzle's quality clothing over the kid's clothes at the mall. So I created some unique clothing designs.

Many of my customers asked me about the quality of the kid's tees and they were concerned with how the fabric felt. Most kid's clothing at the big box stores feels rough and you need to launder the clothing a few times with dry sheets to make the fabric feel soft. Know that the fabrics used on the kid's clothes are super soft right out of the bag.

There is no need to launder the shirts several times to make them feel soft. Plus the printing is excellent and does not fade after you wash it the first time.

Saturday, October 13, 2018

Organize Extra Keys with Zazzle Keychains

If you are like me and have many keys on your ring then you may want to downsize by buying specialty chains for the keys you do not use all the time. This is a fabulous idea to lighten your key ring and to be more organized.

On my keychain, I have my car, house, garden shed, garden gates, and storage shed keys. Because I have the gate keys my husband is always grabbing my keychain to open up the gates and sure enough he leaves my keys outdoors in the lock while he works in the yard. Or I may be wanting to go to an appointment and sure enough, my husband has my keys at the storage center across town.

It is never a good idea to have all your keys on one ring. It is, however, a great idea to buy inexpensive classic button keychains for all of your “other” keys.

Zazzle offers a variety of inexpensive to high-quality keychains for your extra keys. The button-style rings are great because you can buy them as shown or personalize them with your own photograph of your kids, garden pets, or another photograph. You can also add your own text; gate, shed, storage to identify what the keys are for.

I find that the basic button-style chains have a sturdy clasp that keeps your keys together securely and holds up well through daily wear and tear. If you do not like the basic button then you can choose from a variety of keychain styles.

I bought 3 additional keychains for my garden gates, shed, and storage unit. I like that my main keychain with car and house keys is no longer heavy. It is really a good idea to keep all of your other keys organized.

Garden Shed Keychain

by Susang6

Organize Extra Keys / Rental House Keychain

Sunday, August 5, 2018

Favorite Brown Home Decor at Zazzle

Many people decorate their homes with a neutral color scheme and will accent the beige colors with brown or touches of green or pumpkin. I personally like the warm and cozy feeling of beige and brown colors because it reminds me of the earth.

Brown pattern throw pillows accent cream sofa.

Shopping for a brown color scheme for your home might be difficult because most stores at the mall carry bright colors and patterns. However if you know the colors that you are seeking you can always take a photograph and make your own home decorations, throw pillows, lamps, and bathroom décor at Zazzle

Or you can shop from the products that I found at Zazzle. (Note several of these products are templates which means you can customize them with your own photo or text).