2019’s Top 5 Swimsuit Trends

Summer is here! With it comes lazy days by the pool or on the beach. Here are some of the top swimsuit trends of 2019 to help you find the perfect swimwear this season! Don’t forget, Eucalan can keep it looking great and smelling fresh and clean every time.

Stripes

Whether it’s a gorgeous rainbow of colour you’re after or slightly more neutral tones, stripes are hot for 2019. Go rainbow fun with the High Leg One Piece Swimsuit from Gap! Or try a more modern look with the Chroma Bandeau Top and Bottom from Athleta. For a classic look, we love Sassy Striped One Piece Suit from Lingerie Diva.

Textures

Ribbing, smocking, ruching – it’s all about texture this summer! If you’re up for some colour, try this Violeta Ribbed Bikini by Mango. Looking for ruching? Try the flattering Elegant Dance Solid One Piece by Cupshe. For a sweeter look, we love this Tory Burch Costa Printed One Piece by Shopbop.

Prints

As with mainstream fashion in 2019, prints are in! Make a statement with animal pieces, go for bold geometrics, or keep it sweet and demure with wallpaper florals. We love the Beach Floral Keyhole One Piece Swimsuit by LOFT and the Beach Riot Julia One-Piece Swimsuit by Anthropologie for fun summer prints. For something a bit racier, try this Zebra Print Swimsuit by Mango.

Cutouts

Cutouts are another design trend for the season: think plunging necklines, high cut bottoms or snips in unexpected places. Try a daring neckline with the Adriana Strappy Monikini by Lingerie Diva. Stick to stripes and (mostly) classic shapes with the Solid & Striped Louise Swimsuit by Shopbop. Or try a few fun cutouts in this floral Mia Printed One Piece Swimsuit by Free People.

Details

It’s all in the details! Belts, hoops, laces, ruffles and more; all the extra details are where it’s at this year. We love the lacing in this Magical Mauve Bikini by Lingerie Diva. Or try elegant braiding as a bust detail with the Empreinte Curl One Piece Swimsuit (Modeled and reviewed by Wen of Comics Girls Need Bras). Or stick to a more classic look with this Ruffle Neck Plus-Sized Swimsuit from Old Navy.

We hope we’ve given you some fun ideas for being pool and beach-ready this summer!

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Special Occasion Lingerie

Spring signals the coming of special occasions: proms, weddings and more! As lingerie addicts, we love purchasing new lingerie (or wearing a treasured favourite) each time the occasion warrants.

The keys to keeping special occasion lingerie in top shape are washing before storage and storing appropriately each and every time. For more tips on how to keep your strapless, backless or plunging bras, corsets, lacey panties, and shapewear in great condition for all the special days to come, check out Preserving Special Occasion Lingerie with Eucalan.

Do you have a special event coming up? Now is the time of year when lingerie companies feature their special occasion lingerie and we love seeing what’s hot right now!

This Lingerie Journal review has you covered with several boutique bridal items… but you don’t need to be a bride to wear these! Check out Spring, Bridal and Swim Looks from Independent Boutiques for more.

Our favourite looks include (from left to right): Leglicious Girardi Marianne Toeless Holdups, Leglicious Millesia Cravache Basque, and Lashes N Lace Love Song Robe

There are a ton of amazing lingerie makers on Etsy. We browsed through a few of our favourite makers and selected a few highlights for you below: Daydream sets in lights or dark by Barely There Intimates, ethereally lacy sets from Allechanto, silky sleepwear from BettiBones, a stunning White Lace Corset from Corsettery, and a fiery camisole and panty set by Dannyliz.

Finally you can check out some of our favourite sources for lingerie reviews and recommendations. We’ve already mentioned The Lingerie Journal, but we adore Cora from The Lingerie Addict and Wen from Comics Girls Need Bras.

We hope we’ve given you some inspiration for any special occasions you may have coming up, along with some tips and tricks to keep your new purchases or old favourites in great shape!

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Spring & Summer Crafting Inspiration

The weather is (finally) warming up! There are so many new knit and crochet patterns for spring and summer that you won’t want to pack away your needles and hooks for the season. Here, we share a few of our favourites to inspire your next project!

Tops and Tees

Spring and summer months are the perfect time to make lighter tops and tees in cottons and linens. These projects are more portable than bulky sweaters, and perfect to wear on warm summer days. Practice your crochet skills with Water Clover by Isa Catepillán, a runaway hit from the Spring 2019 issue of Pom Pom Quarterly. Or learn a new skill, Tunisian Crochet, with the Tunisian Drop Top by Stephanie Piper. Savour the hot sun with the Desert Tunic by Carrie Bostick Hoge or the Asymmetrical Tank by Norah Gaughan. Or just relax with some simple tees like Daybreak Tee by Destiny Meyer or Malaquite Tee by Amy Gunderson.

Sweaters & Cover-Ups

Even when the temperatures are soaring outside you may need a sweater to fend off the chill of air conditioning indoors. Or you can whip up a coverup for lounging in style near the pool or on the beach! We love Opportune by Emily Ringelman as a simple knit cover-up. The Cropped Eyelet Pullover by Laura Zukaite adds a bit of sass to any outfit. The Olive Leaf Pullover by Ririko is the perfect ¾ sleeve top for warmer days, and Belmonte by Filipa Carneiro is a sweet cardigan that works with any outfit. For our crocheters, we found this fabulous Crocheted Coverup by Cristina Mershon in the newest issue of Vogue, and the Coffee Cup Pullover by Lee Sartori.

Shawls and Scarves

Whether you’re looking for a show-stopping piece to add to your wardrobe, a light shawl to throw over your shoulders or the perfect accessory to accent summer outfits, we’ve found some hot new shawls for you! We can’t get over the stunning Wingspan by Kyle Vey! Tasha by Kirstin Omdahl adds a touch of lace to your spring and summer knits, and Eclecticity by Cheryl Faust adds luscious texture. The Desert Sunset Shawl by Amy Christoffers could be a great stashbuster and a fun way to add colour to your day, and the Jewel Wrap by Carmen Heffernan does the same with crochet. If you’re looking for a delicate piece for evening wear, we love From the Ashes by Rachy Newin.

If you choose to knit or crochet one of the lacier patterns above, check out our tips on How to Wet Block Lace with Eucalan.

Socks

Socks are the perfect summer project because they’re small and portable and usually only require one ball of yarn at a time. If lace is what you’re after, we love the new Composition Socks by Mone Dräger. For a bit more texture, check out the Carmanah Toe-Up Socks by Catherine Knuttson. Stitch a pair of delicate summer socks with some pretty pink yarn and settle into the Summer Blooms Socks by Thistle Glen Designs or XO Socks by Leeni Hoi. If you’re up for some colourwork fun, check out the Avo Toast Socks by SpillyJane in the newest issue of Interweave Knits! And if you’re looking for an easy “vanilla” sock to make, spice it up with some self-striping sock yarn and grab your free copy of Trusty Toe Up Socks by Tanis Lavalee.

We hope we’ve given you some inspiration to keep crafting this spring and summer. With any of the projects above – don’t forget to block! Wet blocking with a bit of Eucalan smooths out all the lumps and bumps and gives you a clean, fresh garment that smells great. We’ve got you covered!

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Our Top 5 Spring Activities

It’s finally starting to feel like spring and we’re delighted to spend more time outdoors. Today we’ve put together a list of our favourite spring activities to break the winter blues.

Plant Something Green

Spring is a time for renewal and growth and the perfect time to plant something in the ground! Whether it’s a few flowers for some colour or fruits and vegetables for summer eating, enjoy the sunshine and renewable energy. If you’re looking for something fun to do with little ones, start some seeds in soil pellets or small pots and watch them grow!

Head to the Park for a Picnic

It’s finally sunny and warming up, and it’s the perfect time to enjoy the sunshine outdoors. Grab a blanket and a few toys for the park, and head out to soak up some rays and enjoy a meal together as a family. We can’t wait to try these Quick & Easy Walking Tacos from Eating on a Dime – the kids will love them!

Or maybe you’d like to get away for an afternoon of fun. Whether it’s hanging with your best buds or enjoying a little romance with your partner, these Tips for a Perfect Spring Cheeseboard from The Edit are the perfect portable snack to pack.

And don’t forget the Eucalan Wipes for spills and messes that need quick treating!

Fly a Kite

While you’re in the park, what better activity is there than flying a kite? We found some great tutorials on Pinterest for building your own kites, but we especially love this DIY Fabric Kite tutorial from Zest it Up! Build your kite before you head to the park (or the beach) and watch it soar in the air. A slightly breezy day is best for this one!

Visit a Farm to see the Animals

Do you live near a farm or a zoo? Spring means babies! Head out to see those brand new babies before they grow up. Or if you can’t get out to see the baby animals, bring them to your living room. Check out the Zooborns Instagram account which shares the most adorable baby animals from zoos and aquariums worldwide!

Shopping at Farmers’ Markets

Spring and summer mean fabulous produce. Find farmers’ markets near you to take advantage of the bounty of the season, then head home and try a new spring recipe or two! We’re drooling over these Asparagus and Brie Puff Pastries with Thyme Honey from Half Baked Harvest, this Spring Pasta Primavera with Lemon Ricotta from Our Salty Kitchen, and this delicious looking Spring Salad from Proud Italian Cook.

Bring Spring Flowers Indoors

Brighten up your home with the lovely sights and smells of spring. Whether you cut a bouquet from your garden or purchase one from a local florist, add some freshness to any room with a beautiful floral arrangement. We just love this Early Spring Vignette from Stone Gable.

We hope that we’ve given you a bit of inspiration for making the most of your spring. Looking for more ideas? We’ve got a Pinterest board full of spring activities for you and your little ones to try!

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Organizing and Storing Your Lingerie

The push to sort, organize and tidy has hit a fever pitch since the New Year’s release of Marie Kondo’s series on Netflix. If you’ve watched the show, you saw a single brief segment on storing lingerie, which showed 4 bras beautifully arranged in a drawer. However, most of us probably have a bra collection that is much larger, and available space that is much smaller.

Did you add to your lingerie collection this Valentine’s Day? Whether received as a gift or purchased for yourself, beautiful lingerie is a wonderful way to mark this romantic holiday. But now you’re faced with finding room in your already-crowded drawers for your new acquisition.

Here is a practical step-by-step guide to organizing and storing your lingerie that works for the real world.

Step 1: To Keep or Not to Keep?

Start by gathering up all your lingerie and piling it on your bed. Sort the big pile into four categories:

Everyday favorites are the panties, bras and camisoles that you reach for every day. These items are comfortable, fit you well, and look presentable.

Special occasion includes your strapless and backless bras, as well as the pieces you save for private time with your partner.

Donate anything brand new with tags that you bought more than 6 months ago. If you haven’t worn it yet, you probably won’t. Pass it on to a local women’s shelter.

Throw away anything worn out, faded, discolored, stained or torn. Items with tired elastic, with underwires misshapen or poking through, or with holes goes in the discard pile. Add anything that doesn’t fit well or that just doesn’t feel good. If in doubt, remember: you deserve to wear beautiful lingerie!

Step 2: Prepare Your Storage Space

While your drawers and/or shelves are empty, give them a good cleaning. Vacuum out the corners and wipe down the surfaces. Replace old drawer liners with fresh, new fabric or paper.

Make sure your drawers, dividers and boxes are free of any rough spots that might snag delicate fabrics.

Drawer dividers and boxes will help you stay organized. You can purchase drawer dividers like these, or make your own with foam board or salvaged cardboard. Choose the system that works best with your available space and budget.

Step 3: Wash Before You Store

Be sure each piece is fresh and clean before you put it away. Washing with a high quality product made for delicate fabrics, like Eucalan, is the best way to preserve your fine lingerie. Eucalan is available in a variety of subtle scents to make choosing your lingerie a daily aromatherapy treat.

Step 4: Fold with Care

Do not stack your lingerie. Fold or roll your panties and stand them on end. You should be able to see everything that’s available as soon as you open the drawer. Camisoles and slips should also be folded and rolled.

Bras deserve special care. Fasten the clasps. This protects the clasps from damage and prevents snagging delicate lace on the hooks. Fold the straps down, then stand your bras vertically, with each bra nestling into the next. Do not fold bras with molded cups to tuck one cup inside the other. When you invert the cups, you break down the shaping and shorten the life of your bra.

Keep special occasion lingerie separate from your everyday favorites. If you have the space, chemises and teddies can be stored on hangers. Use hangers with notches or padding to prevent falling straps.

A few hours spent sorting and organizing your lingerie will pay big dividends. Not only will you extend the life of your delicate pieces, you’ll save time and aggravation when you get dressed every day.

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Think Spring: Crafting and Celebrations!

This week, we celebrated the Spring Equinox, also known as the official start to spring. Even if it might not feel that way just yet, now is the perfect time to start thinking about fun spring activities and Easter crafts. Did you know that we have a Pinterest board full of spring and Easter ideas?

Eggcellent Art

No celebration would be complete without some colourful Easter eggs! If you want to up your decorating game, check out How to Make Natural Easter Egg Dyes from Ingredients in Your Kitchen. If you don’t want to mess with dyes, check out this great Sharpie Easter Egg Decorating Idea. And if you’re up for something completely different, how cute are these Unicorn DIY Eggs?

Sweet Treats

Whether you’re craving cute sweets or springy treats, we’ve got some great recipes for you to try. Add some flower power to your spring with these salty and sweet Spring Flower Pretzel Bites. Or try these adorably sweet Sparkly Surprise Carrot Cupcakes – ice cream cones give the carrots their shape and hold a cupcake within. And nothing says spring like fresh citrus – this Lemon Ricotta Cake with Almond Glaze makes our mouth water!

Hop to it!

The animal of the season is definitely the bunny! We found these adorable bunny crafts that would be fun for you (and the kids!).

With some scrapbook paper and spare yarn, you can create this springy Pom Pom Bunny Tail Easter Garland in a Few Steps! Nothing says spring like fresh plants and flowers. With just a few crafty materials you can make these adorable Tin Can Bunny Planters and add some fresh flowers to brighten up any room. And if you’ve got some single socks without mates, check out these cute No Sew Sock Bunnies!

Spring Ahead

Bring a breath of spring indoors with a touch of flowers! We love this this DIY Spring Planter Box, but if your flowers aren’t blooming yet, try these Pretty Peonies Made of Cupcake Wrappers. Or, add the smell of spring to your home with these 7 Amazing DIY Scents!

We hope you enjoy your spring! Like this post? Pin it!

Planning Your Spring Break Getaway

It’s March, which means Spring Break is just around the corner! If you’re planning a getaway, travel smarter with all of our best travel tips, which we’ve collected easily in one place!

Destination Vacation

Still stumped on where to go? Check out Jen’s Top 10 Vacation Destinations. From Dublin, Ireland to following Route 66 through the United States to Tokyo, Japan for the Cherry Blossom Festival to Banff National Park in Canada, Jen has rounded up some of her favourite vacation destinations and given you highlights of things to see and do in each spot. Even if it’s too late to add them to this spring’s travels, bookmark this post for future adventures!

We also have a Pinterest board full of exotic destinations Near & Far if you’re in need of a little more inspiration!

Tips & Tricks

Need some travel tips to make your trip a snap? We’ve got a ton of great ideas to make your planning easier, your travel less expensive and your packing as easy as pie. Check out our Best Travel Tips: Round Up and learn our best hacks for a stress-free vacation!

We found so many great tips and tricks we couldn’t fit them all in our blog post. Check out our Pinterest board full of Smart Travel Tips where we’ve collected everything we want to remember!

Family Time

Perhaps you’re heading out on a family vacation and saddled with packing for yourself and the kids. If that’s the case, check out our guest post by Julie Crawford on How to Pack Light When Traveling with Kids. Julie shares her top tips for packing as well as stain treatment on the go with our Eucalan Getaway Gang, our travel pack including single use pods, stain treating towelettes and a handy sewing kit.

We’ve also got a free PDF with more tips, tricks and printable checklists to help you plan your trip. Click here to sign up for our newsletter and get the PDF!

For even more handy travel tips, check out our Pinterest board full of ideas for Traveling with Kids.

Last but not least, if you’re hitting the open roads, check out our Pinterest Board for the best Road Trip Tips!

We hope these tips make your next vacation amazing – we can’t wait to hear all about it!

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Crafting and Caring for Baby Wraps with Eucalan

Although the practice has been around for ages, we have seen a resurgence of babywearing in recent years. Babywearing is the practice of carrying your infant or toddler on your body using a carrier or wrap.

From Babywearing International: [Babywearing] is a traditional practice in many cultures that is not widely used by modern industrialized societies, but it nonetheless has many benefits for both children and caregivers. Babywearing promotes bonding, supports breastfeeding, can help combat postpartum depression, makes caregiving easier, and can be a lifesaver for parents of high-needs children. Carried babies sleep, feed, and grow better. One study found that carried 6-week-olds cried 43% less than other children.

Recently we have seen an interest in hand-making woven or dyed wraps. Whether you purchase or craft your own wrap, keeping it clean and fresh is where Eucalan can help!

Caring for Baby Wraps

Eucalan is gentle enough to use on baby items, and it’s especially great for washing nursing bras, diaper covers, and other baby items, including baby wraps. When considering scents, Eucalan Natural (unscented) and Lavender are great choices for baby things. Not only are both gentle on their delicate skin, but the fragrance of lavender oil promotes relaxation and is very gentle in the Eucalan formula.

To wash your baby wrap we suggest the following steps:

Step 1: Fill your sink or a bowl with cool water and add one capful or one pod of Eucalan in the scent of your choice.

Step 2: Add your baby wrap to the sink or bowl, and let sit for about ten minutes, lightly agitating the water.

Step 3: Drain the water (no need to rinse with our no-rinse formula!) and gently squeeze out extra moisture. Roll the wrap in a towel, and then lay flat to dry away from heat or direct sunlight (which could cause shrinking or discolouration).

Crafting Your Own Baby Wraps

If you are a crafter who’s been contemplating making your own baby wrap, we’ve got some great ideas for you on our Oh Baby! Pinterest board.

For handweavers, there are tons of projects that would make beautiful woven baby wraps. We particularly like How to Weave a Baby Wrap. This comprehensive post covers everything you’ll need to get started as well as some tips and tricks the author uses when weaving. If you’re a weaver and looking for more project ideas Interweave Knits has an ebook: Handwoven Presents: Baby Wrap Ebook.

If you’re itching making your own baby wraps, but don’t have a weaving loom, there are many other crafty ideas for creating baby wraps. We love this post from Mommy and Love, Sew & Hand-dye Your Own Woven Baby Wrap for Cheap. She covers how to select fabric, sew it into a wrap, and then how to dye that fabric to create wonderful colours you’ll love. The No Sew DIY Moby Wrap Carrier over at Rookiemoms is a bit of a misnomer, but only requires a machine for hemming edges!

We hope you enjoy these tips on how to create and care for baby wraps!

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3 Crafty Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day!

Valentine’s Day is next week and if you’re still scrambling for sweet ways to celebrate the day, we’ve got a Pinterest board full of great ideas! If you’re short on time, here are a few of our favourites to inspire you:

Paper Crafts

Are you scrambling at the last minute to make cards for your child’s class, or perhaps need a card with just the right sentiment for someone special in your life?

These adorable Penguins by Housing a Forest are perfect for kids, just grab some construction paper and clear your afternoon to assemble! For party invites or a special card for your sweetie, we love these Hand Hold Heart Pop Up Valentine’s from The House that Lars Built. If you’re feeling adventurous, check out these crazy cool cards with clip-art and pop up templates (via Martha Stewart).

Don’t forget the decorations! We adore this Valentine’s Day Heart Cards Garland by Happiness is Homemade.

Say it with Sweets

Nothing says love better than making delicious sweets for your sweetie! These Valentine’s Marshmallow Pops from Glorious Treats look mouthwatering. If you’re baking with little ones, try these Heart Shaped Peanut Butter Cookies from The Semisweet Sisters – no rolling pin or cookie cutters required! Short on time? Check out these Conversation Heart Pretzel Bites by Two Sisters – a quick zap in the microwave and you’re ready to roll. Add a cute touch to prepackaged candy with these adorable Hershey’s Kisses Mice by Practically Functional.

Yarn Love

It’s not too late to whip up something crafty for yourself or someone special, even if you don’t knit or crochet! Here’s a simple idea virtually anyone can do: pick up a few letters at your local craft store and cover them in yarn (use a hot glue gun to secure the ends!). If you crochet, grab your hook and get going on this Valentine’s Day Mug Cozy by Rebecca Langford, warming your sweetie’s heart and his or her mug. If you have time and knitting needles, whip up a few Valentine’s Pouches from Lion Brand to hold sweets, treats and lovely cards. And if your love transcends the zombie apocalypse, try your hand at Voodoo You Love Me? By Susan Claudino.

We hope you feel inspired to craft a few sweet treats for Valentine’s Day. From all of us at Eucalan to all of you, we wish you a day of love and fun!

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2019’s Sexiest Valentine’s Day Lingerie

Valentine’s Day is less than a month away and now is the perfect time to drop a few hints or start secretly shopping to spoil yourself or your partner. Today, we’ll spotlight the hottest looks in lingerie to spice up your holiday. Once you have those sexy numbers in your hands, we’ve got all the best tips and tricks for keeping your lingerie looking great and smelling amazing with Eucalan!

Our friends at The Lingerie Journal recently shared the Valentine’s Day collection by Adore. There’s plenty of va-va-va voom and fiery red drama to this collection – with one of these pieces you’ll be ready for anything from love to lust!

The Lingerie Journal also put together an Etsy Valentine’s Day Lingerie Spotlight. Whether you’re looking for soft romance like the lace and velvet offerings from Rose Powder Shop, to cheeky flirtation with the camisoles from Betti Bones, to sensuous elegance in classic red like this set from Barely There Intimates, or majestic drama with a corset from Corsettery, there’s something to appeal to everyone. All these talented artisans hand make your goods to your sizing specifications, so you’ll need to allow plenty of time to make sure you receive them in time for the big day!

While not specifically geared towards Valentine’s Day, we love this review of Tutti Rouge Minx by Comics Girls Need Bras. The black lace is both stunning and seductive and would make a perfect set paired with a beautiful robe.

Another review we spotted on The Lingerie Addict blog featured Washable Silk Nightgowns from Wintersilks. These gorgeous gowns offer a taste of luxury in a reasonable price range and a generous variety of sizes, perfect for Valentine’s Day or every day!

And if your beloved has a fondness for all things lingerie, you could surprise them with the ultimate guide to intimate apparel, In Intimate Detail: How to Choose, Wear and Love Lingerie by The Lingerie Addict’s Cora Harrington. Signed copies are available on her site!

 

We hope we’ve given you (or your partner) some inspiration for this Valentine’s Day!

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