Month: April 2023

When you bring home your new baby, it’s natural to want to dress her up in everything from rompers and dresses to little outfits with fun sayings or appliques. You’ll also want to stock up on a few essential pieces that can be worn day or night and that don’t come at a hefty price tag. Clothes that are comfy and easy to put on and take off are crucial, as is clothing that doesn’t irritate sensitive skin. Weigh the fabrics you choose, and try to avoid synthetic materials that can trap moisture against your baby’s delicate skin. Cotton, terry, and other soft fabrics are a good choice. Functionality is key for those early months, so look for clothes with snaps and zippers on the front that make diaper changes easier. Onesies and footies are especially useful for daytime wear, and a gown is a great way to keep your baby warm in cooler weather. Neutrals are a good option, too. While pink is always cute, blue and white are safe alternatives that will work for both girls and boys. There are also brands that offer unisex baby clothing options, which is helpful if you aren’t sure of the gender until birth. Many of these brands are also GOTS-certified, which means they are environmentally friendly and socially responsible. These brands make it easy for you to find the perfect outfits for your baby, with a wide range of colors and styles that are affordable and will last for years to come. The best part is that you can also use these items for more than one child, so they’re great keepsake items that will be passed down from one generation to the next. Organic is an ideal choice for baby’s delicate skin, so choose fabrics like mercerized cotton or bamboo that are certified organic by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). These fabrics are soft to the touch and a breeze on your baby’s skin, but they don’t contain any chemicals that could irritate her. If you’re looking for an eco-friendly brand that is easy to wear and made of high-quality fabric, consider Kate Quinn. The brand’s apparel is sourced from organic cotton, bamboo, and modal fibers that are grown sustainably and sewn in fair trade factories around the world. The company has a variety of adorable styles for babies, including sleepers, swaddles, and pajamas in a wide array of neutral colors and prints. Their collection also includes classic polo shirts, tees, and sweatshirts. It is important to remember that your baby’s skin will be exposed to a lot of chemicals and dyes during the early weeks of life, so choosing organic baby clothing that is chemical-free is a smart choice. This is particularly true if your baby has a medical condition, such as asthma, or if they’re prone to allergies. A hat is a necessity in the early months to protect your baby’s head from the sun and wind, as well as from getting too cold. If you live in a place with very cold climates, fleece hats are also a nice addition to your baby’s wardrobe.

A funeral is a time for remembering, so it makes sense that you would want to dress your loved one in an outfit that represents their personality and style. Burial gowns can be an excellent way to do this. They allow you to honor your loved one with a personal touch and are also easier for people to see than other types of clothing. Some burial gowns are made of high-quality materials and can be adjusted to fit a variety of body sizes. They are also often designed to be easy to put on or remove. There are several factors to consider when choosing a burial outfit, including the deceased’s wishes and religion. If the deceased has given specific instructions on how they wanted to be dressed, then this will make choosing a burial outfit much easier. If you don’t have any specific guidance, however, it is still a good idea to consider your loved one’s preferences and choose an outfit that they would be proud of. The most important consideration when selecting a burial outfit is to choose something that is comfortable and fits well. If your loved one’s skeleton or muscles are stiff and swollen, it may be difficult to find clothing that fits them correctly. If this is the case, it’s best to select clothes that are cut down the back and can be easily tucked under. Other things to keep in mind when picking a burial outfit include the person’s age and whether they were married. If your loved one was married, it is usually a good idea to pick an outfit that reflects their wedding attire. If the deceased was unmarried, then a simple, formal outfit is typically sufficient for their burial. Many religious traditions have dress standards that are reflected in their burial outfits, so it is always important to check with the church or religious leaders for specific guidelines. For instance, Hindus follow a different tradition than other religious groups. While most people bury their bodies, Hindus do not bury their dead until they have been cremated and the body has been cleansed. Until this point, they are usually dressed in simple clothing, such as white. These types of burial outfits can be hard to come by. You may need to look around for someone who will sell you burial gowns that are affordable and can be adjusted to fit your loved one’s size. Another option is to buy burial clothing online. This can be a great way to save money and ensure that your loved one’s outfit is appropriate for the service. If you’re unsure about which burial outfits are best, it is always a good idea to talk to a professional embalmer or funeral director. They will know the best choices and will be able to guide you through the process. They can also help you select a suitable casket and coordinate the funeral dress with the body. This can make the entire process easier for everyone involved.

Whether you’re planning on getting married or just want to declutter your closet, donating wedding dresses is a great way to give your wedding dress a second life. Not only can you help someone else enjoy their dream wedding, but you also may be able to get a tax deduction for your donation. There are many ways to donate your wedding dress, including through a local thrift shop or charity organization. In addition to helping people in need, these organizations may also sell your wedding dress for a reduced price to raise money for their causes. One such nonprofit organization, Brides Across America, gives free wedding dresses to military and first responder brides who are struggling financially. The organization has given over 26,000 gowns since 2008 and has helped over 25 couples have their weddings free of charge. You can find out if your local area has a nonprofit that accepts wedding dresses by searching online. Once you’ve found a few that appeal to you, contact them in person or via email for their donation schedule and guidelines. Other places to donate your wedding dress include Oxfam and Brides Do Good*, where proceeds from their resale will go toward helping vulnerable young women in the UK. You can choose to have your donation shipped or drop it off at the store. Adorned in Grace, a faith-based organization, provides wedding gowns and formalwear to victims of human trafficking. Sales from their stores help fund professional counseling, awareness publications and other resources for survivors. Another option is to donate your gown to Fairytale Brides on a Shoestring, which sells bridal apparel at affordable prices for those in need. The nonprofit also provides opportunities for high school students to gain retail experience at its locations in D.C. Cherie Sustainable Bridal, located in Maryland, is another place to donate your wedding dress. The store stocks a variety of designer gowns less than five years old, and it also sells donated bridesmaid dresses at a partner store. It does not require you to have your gown professionally cleaned, and you can mail or drop it off in its store during opening hours. The Angel Gown Program by NICU Helping Hands is a wonderful option for donating your wedding gown to someone who will appreciate it more than ever. This is a project started by NICU Helping Hands founder Amy Stulgis when she couldn’t afford her own wedding dress. She decided to pass her dress on to other mothers who couldn’t afford it, but could still enjoy the look of a beautiful lace gown on their wedding day. If you’re a breast cancer patient, consider donating your wedding dress to Brides Against Breast Cancer. This nonprofit sells pre-owned wedding gowns at a fraction of the original cost to benefit breast cancer research and prevention. In the United States, it’s easy to find wedding dresses that are in excellent condition at a bargain price, thanks to the popularity of online shopping. But it’s also important to make sure your donation goes to a charity that can help your cause.

Angel Gowns are beautiful burial gowns made from donated wedding or special occasion dresses that are hand-crafted by volunteers to comfort grieving parents in the NICU. Every year in the USA, more than 626,000 babies are born through miscarriage and stillbirth. These babies don’t get to go home with their parents, and many times never see them again. Founded by Missy Ray, Angel Gowns of WNY is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity that strives to honor these precious little ones by providing one-of-a-kind Angel Gowns to the families who have lost their children. Cortes and her team of volunteers take the gowns from their storage, deconstruct them, and create beautiful, lovingly finished Angel Gowns. Once complete, they are distributed to local hospitals and care centers. Oftentimes, chaplains or charge nurses will donate these gowns to local bereaved parents who are in need of something kind and thoughtful to help ease their grief. The mission of Sunshine State Angel Gowns is to provide these final-photo and burial gowns, along with a blanket for the baby, to bereaved families in need. The organization reaches out to all hospitals across Central Florida, working directly with Winnie Palmer Hospital and Florida Hospital to ensure that each family in need has what they need when they need it. Each gown is made with love by volunteers from around the area, including Orlando to Arkansas. New volunteers are welcome, with no sewing experience required. Volunteer days are held monthly at Waterfront Studios in Altamonte Springs where they meet to deconstruct and sort gowns, cut, sew, and lovingly finish them. For the smallest of souls, Angel Gowns also creates memory blankets – little bundles of fabric with a tiny blanket and hat. These blankets are often the only thing that a parent takes with them from the hospital, and they can be cherished as a reminder of their child or a way to hold on to a precious memory. A group of dedicated volunteers meets monthly at Waterfront Studios to deconstruct and sort gowns, then cut, sew, and lovingly finish and package them. These finished gowns are then distributed to local hospitals and care centers, where chaplains or charge nurses will donate them to bereaved families who need something kind and thoughtful to help ease their grief. Those who have been touched by the loss of a child and would like to help can contact Cortes directly or make donations online. Monetary donations are always needed to cover the costs of supplies and shipping, and can be sent through PayPal or check (click here for more information). As a mom of three boys who has suffered from loss, Cortes is incredibly passionate about helping those in need. She says that despite the difficulty of the mission, sewing these beautiful gowns and blankets can be an important step in healing. It’s the first touch of humanity and dignity that she and her team can provide to families who have lost their children, and Cortes wants to do whatever she can to give them a moment of peace when they need it most.

A child funeral is a time of grief, sadness and loss for a parent, but also a chance to say goodbye. This can be an emotional and stressful time for children, and it is important to be able to include them in the planning. Explain the funeral in a way that is age-appropriate and encourages them to ask questions, even when it’s hard. The key is to explain what will happen so that your child understands and can choose whether or not they want to attend. Talk about the different things that will happen and how long they will be at each location. Let them know that everyone is going to be sad and that they will see many people crying, but this is normal and a part of the grief process. If a closed casket is your preference, explain that their sibling will be laying inside it fully dressed and with their arms folded and their eyes shut. Reassure them that their sibling can no longer feel cold, pain or fear and that they are not scared. Be aware that some children may want to view the body of their sibling and this is a decision they will need to make with guidance from adults present (if there are any). Discuss what you’ll do at the service and the reception/gathering, including the order of events and how long each will last. If they were involved in the planning or decision-making, consider what they wanted to do as a memorial for their loved one. It could be a photo board, a special memento or something else that is familiar and comforting for them. Have a trusted adult sit with your child during the funeral or memorial service and tell them that it is OK to get up and walk to another room if they need to take a break. This person can help them to calm down if they are feeling restless, and can bring a book or other entertainment for them to keep them busy during this time. A child’s funeral should be meaningful and a time for them to remember the life of their loved one in a way that feels right to them. You can choose a traditional funeral or a more intimate, private memorial service, either of which will be meaningful for your child. It is important to remember that your child will be attending a funeral or memorial service for the first time, and it will be a big event for them. This is a new experience for them and they will need support from you. Prepare your child for the funeral and memorial service, and let them know that they will be surrounded by other children who are also feeling very sad. This is a normal reaction, and children will find it comforting to be surrounded by other people who are sharing this experience. The funeral can be a very powerful experience for a child, and they will likely have many questions about what is happening, where it is going and who will be at the service. It is important to explain what will happen and to allow your child to ask their own questions, as this can help them deal with their emotions in a healthy way.

As soon as you know that you’re pregnant, you probably start to think about what kind of clothes your little one will need. Buying baby clothes is one of the most exciting parts of being a parent, but it can also be confusing and overwhelming at first! It’s a good idea to read the size labels carefully and get familiar with how babies grow so you don’t buy too much at once. The best way to do this is to shop in person and try on items to see how they fit your little one. Choosing organic clothing is important for both you and your child’s health. Many fabrics used for baby clothes contain pesticides or other chemicals that can irritate your baby’s skin and cause itching, rashes, and other issues. Using organic cotton is one of the most effective ways to avoid these nasties. Bamboo is an incredibly sustainable natural resource, and it’s also a hypoallergenic fabric that will not irritate your baby’s sensitive skin. It’s also incredibly soft, and it’s a great choice for infant wear because it reduces friction and chafing. You’ll find a variety of bamboo-made items here at the nursery, including bodysuits and onesies. They’re great for preventing spit up, and they’re easy to wash in the washing machine. They’re also a safe choice for babies with sensitive skin, and they’ll keep your baby’s lungs clean and free of airborne germs. A sleeper or footie pj set will be a staple of your newborn’s wardrobe, and they’re also great for daytime wear when you’re on the go. Pair them with a swaddle for nighttime in cooler climates, and you’ll have a versatile wardrobe that will last throughout your baby’s first few months. Another essential item for a newborn is a long-sleeved onesie or bodysuit. These will help to keep your baby’s arms warm and prevent chafing and rash, especially in cooler climates. You’ll want to pick up a few different styles, so you can choose the best one for your little one’s unique style. They’re also a great option for reducing the number of clothes you need to store, as they can be machine-washed and dried quickly. If you need to, you can always use a stain pre-treater or soak your baby’s clothes in warm water before placing them in the washer, but you shouldn’t have any problems washing them without a special laundry treatment. Besides being comfortable, you’ll want to make sure that your baby’s clothes are easy to put on and take off. Some outfits, like sleepers and footies, are a single piece, so you can easily remove them when you need to change your baby’s diaper. It’s not unusual for newborns to outgrow their clothing rapidly, so be prepared to rotate out items as your baby grows. Having a storage bin for these worn-out pieces can be an organizational lifesaver. Newborns are going to be a lot messier than you may think, so it’s wise to purchase clothing that can be easily cleaned up when spit up and other spills happen. Some of the brands we carry, like mighty goods(tm), are made from high-quality materials that can withstand repeated washing and drying.

If you have recently experienced a loss, choosing the appropriate burial clothing can be a challenge. It’s important to choose clothes that will allow mourners to remember the person fondly. You can also consider the funeral service and the type of casket to be used. For women, burial gowns are a good option. They come in a variety of sizes and are easily adjustable. They’re a great choice for people who have lost weight and cannot fit into their old clothing anymore. The gowns can also help conceal any scarring the body may have from a recent injury or surgery. You can also find burial gowns in different colors to suit the personality and preferences of the deceased. For example, you might want to go with a white outfit if the deceased is Buddhist and was a person who valued morality and virtue. In addition, the burial gown can be made from a natural fiber so it doesn’t harm the environment. When deciding on burial gowns, it’s a good idea to consult with a local funeral home to ensure they offer a wide selection. If they don’t, ask about other options that might be more affordable and appropriate for your loved one. Some funeral directors will even offer to re-purpose your loved one’s existing clothes, if they have the right size. This is a helpful option if your loved one has been recently diagnosed with a life-threatening disease and hasn’t been able to wear their usual attire. Other options include using a shroud or the deceased’s undergarments, which can be purchased at most funeral homes. It’s a good idea to ask about these if you have any questions about the process, or if you want to ensure your loved one’s clothing isn’t cut in any way during preparation. Many families are looking for more personalized ways to honor their loved ones’ lives. They’re not always comfortable with traditional funerals, and they’ve often left it up to loved ones to pick out what the deceased will be wearing. For young adults, casual t-shirts and jeans can be a good option for a funeral. These styles are also usually more common than suits and dresses, which are more appropriate for older adults. In addition, funeral homes may offer to dress your loved one in a funeral outfit that fits their personality and style. This can be a great way to make the experience more personal for everyone who is attending. A funeral director can also help you determine if your loved one would want to be buried in any particular way. This could be based on their religious beliefs, or how the loved one wanted to be remembered. If your loved one has a preference, it’s a good idea to let them know that you will be picking out their burial clothing. This can help you make a more informed decision and it will also make the process less stressful for your family members who are grieving.

Your wedding dress is the one item of clothing that will always be a part of your wedding day memories. But once your big day is over, you might find yourself with a used gown that no longer fits or that you simply don’t want to wear any more. If you’re looking to donate your wedding dress, there are many organizations that can help. Give your wedding dress a new life Some charities and thrift shops accept wedding dresses, but most require them to be five years old or less. This is to ensure that the charity is able to resell the dress for profit. If you have a dress that’s not five years old, you can still donate it to one of these organizations, but be sure to follow their specific instructions on how to pack and ship your donation. Share your wedding dress with a bride in need If you have a beautiful dress that you’d like to see a bride in, consider donating it to a friend or family member who is getting married soon. This will help save them money on their own wedding expenses and allow them to feel the joy that you felt on your wedding day. You can also donate your wedding dress to a nonprofit that resells the dresses for a fraction of their original price. For example, the Brides Project in Ann Arbor, Michigan, sells donated dresses to fund free programs for families affected by cancer. This is a great option if you’re looking to support breast cancer research. The organization resells pre-owned wedding dresses at affordable prices, and the proceeds go to breast cancer causes. Donate your wedding dress to an anti-sex trafficking nonprofit If you’re looking for a way to help prevent sex trafficking, consider donating your wedding dress to Adorned in Grace. This Christian-based charity sells new and gently used dresses to raise money for counseling, awareness publications, and other resources. Donate to a military or first responders’ charity If your wedding dress is in good condition, consider donating it to a nonprofit that supports members of the military and first responders. This organization distributes 2,000 wedding dresses each year and covers the costs of the weddings for the military and first responders who receive them. Another option is to donate your wedding dress to a nonprofit that provides clothes for low-income women. Some of these nonprofits provide clothing to women in the workplace, while others focus on supplying women who have lost their jobs with brand-new attire. Cherie Sustainable Bridal in Maryland is a good choice for those looking to donate their wedding dress. This store sells pre-owned bridal and formal wear and supports Success in Style, a nonprofit that provides professional clothing to low-income clients. It also doesn’t require you to have your gown professionally cleaned before donating it. The Angel Gown Program by NICU Helping Hands is a unique program that turns donated wedding dresses into funeral gowns for babies who die prematurely. They’re offered to hospitals, birthing centers and funeral homes, and they are provided free of charge to the grieving parents.

The loss of a baby is a devastating blow for a family, and a volunteer project is working to ease the pain. An angel gown is a burial outfit for infants who aren’t able to survive the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). These tiny outfits are made from donated wedding dresses and then sewn together by volunteers, who donate their time to create them. They then distribute them to hospitals nationwide, and the angel gown program is part of a wider charity called NICU Helping Hands that provides comfort to families who lose their children in the NICU. ‘We just want to be a little extra to give the parents that final thing that they need,’ says Lisa Grubbs, who started the angel gown program last year. She collects dresses from around the country and then turns them into these ‘angel gowns’ to adorn babies in for final photos and burial services. She explains that she gets a lot of donations from people who want to do their part to make sure other mothers don’t have to face the same experience. She hopes to help the program expand as more women across the United States donate their gowns and turn them into Angel Gowns. “I wanted to do something that would honor their little one, and also provide some peace for the parents who are going through such a devastating time,” she tells KHOU. She believes that a baby’s death should be a special, sacred event. Some of these dresses are embroidered with phrases like ‘heaven’s angel,’ and the seamstresses often add antique buttons or hats to finish them off. Recently, they’ve been sewing bells into the gowns, inspired by the movie It’s a Wonderful Life. In the US, 626,000 babies are born through stillbirth and miscarriage each year. Then, another 20,000 die before reaching their first birthdays. And that’s not even counting the number of babies who pass away due to other medical problems before leaving a hospital. So what’s the solution? Many of the families who have lost their babies in the NICU have cried out for a way to offer comfort and support. That’s when the idea for an angel gown was born. There are several organizations across the country that make these beautiful funeral outfits from used wedding dresses. Some of them have been around for a while, while others were founded in the last decade. ‘An angel gown is a wonderful way to honor a child,’ says Michelle Matthews of Marysville, Washington. She runs Angel Gowns by Michelle, and has a waiting list of over 60 dresses she needs to turn into angel gowns. A few weeks ago, I wrote about a local woman who makes angel gowns from donated wedding dresses. RoxAnn Walker of Spokane was looking for someone to work with to make these outfits for hospitals. She got in touch with Mangiaracina, and they’re teaming up to bring the gowns to hospitals across the country.

A child funeral is an emotional time for everyone involved. But while it can be hard, it can also offer a way for kids to connect with the life of their loved one. Children are often very sensitive to death, so it is important that they feel comfortable at the funeral or memorial service. It is also essential that they know how to handle their feelings so that they can make the best choice possible for themselves. If a child is old enough to understand what is going on, it is usually okay to let them choose whether or not they want to attend the funeral. However, if they are not ready or don’t have the information they need to make this decision, it is a good idea to talk to them about their concerns and fears. Explain what will happen at the funeral or memorial service, including where they will go and how long they will be there for. Allay any fears by explaining the funeral process in a way they can understand, including the possibility that they will cry and see others grieving. Remind them that they will see people expressing many different emotions, including crying and laughter. This is normal and can be a helpful way to show them that they are not alone in their grief. Depending on the age of your child, you may wish to ask them to help prepare some items for the funeral or memorial service. This could include writing a message, or making a card for the person who has died. It is also a good idea to allow them to be involved in choosing the funeral clothing, makeup, and music that will be used. This will give them a sense of control, and it can be a comforting experience for them to see the clothes they chose being worn by other family members and friends. You might also want to consider allowing your child to help choose the casket, urn or other decorative elements for the funeral or memorial service. They might have some ideas about the colors or design of these items, and they might like to wear a favorite item as part of their outfit. The child might also prefer a certain kind of food, or they might have special wishes for the type of music that will be played during the service. It is always a good idea to give them some input into the funeral or memorial service so that it will be a personal and meaningful celebration of their loved one’s life. Another thing that might help is if you allow them to visit the place where their loved one is buried before or after the funeral. This can be a comforting and healing experience, and it may even help them to process their loss more easily. When you are at the graveside, encourage your child to leave a flower or memento for their loved one. This can be a way for them to express their love and support, as well as a chance for you to say goodbye.