Archive for March, 2011
Kate Middleton’s London
March 29th, 2011 | 
Author: A guide to the favorite London shopping and dining spots of the “high street princess,” including LK Bennett, Peter Jones, TK Maxx, Tom Aikens and Boujis. London is swinging again thanks to bride and princess-to-be Kate Middleton. Millions are hanging on her every move — where she shops, where she primps, what she eats and drinks.
Published Mar 25, 2011.
Read more: Los Angeles Times
Posted in 
Plush Pillow Animals
Every child needs a pillow so why not opt for plush pillow animals instead of the standard fare? Plush pillow animals are nothing if not completely unique, cute and huggable, and best of all, they can be used as full sized pillows. They’re terrific for both playtime and sleep time and can go along with your child when travelling.
Most people have two or three pillows on their bed. Today, pillows are mostly stuffed with polyester, down, feathers, or a combination of the last two. The least expensive pillows to make are those made from polyester and they are by far the most durable, the easiest to wash, and cause very few allergic reactions. Goose down filled pillows are the most expensive, while feather stuffed pillows are more moderately priced.
Over time, both the contents and shape of pillows has varied. Wealthy Greeks used richly embroidered pillows to rest their head and feet. The Egyptians regarded the head as the seat of life so they paid a great deal of attention and money on pillows for the dead. In direct contrast, the Chinese believed soft pillows took away vitality from the body so their pillows were made out of leather, wood, and ceramic materials. To cure disease, restore lost teeth, inspire sweet dreams, and turn white hair black, some were even filled with herbal medicines.
People mostly slept upright for centuries; they may have had a pair of pillows on the bed, but there were also rounded bolsters as well. Bolsters were often the same width as the bed and were usually stuffed with down or batting and then closed up. They were placed against the headboard and served as the foundation for the pillows which resulted in a sleeping position that was more like sitting than reclining. Up until the mid-1880s, it was believed that the sitting sleeping position was better for the body anyway.
On beds found in the 19th and 20th centuries, other types of fancy pillows could be found. Sometimes there were large square pillows covered with a pillow cover that was placed against the pillows used for sleeping. Before going to sleep, these decorative pillows were often removed from the bed. Up until 1840, when cotton was easy to come by, American women used their skills with needlework to hand weave and sew pillow cases made of linen; they were usually marked with their initials and the number the case was if it was part of a set of pillow cases.
Plush pillow animals for children are much more than just a stuffed animal — they are a pet with a purpose — easy to sleep on, easy to cuddle. With their ultra-soft fabric, plush pillow animals will be enjoyed by any child lucky enough to have one.
Copyright Shelley Vassall, 2010. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.
Originally published here.
Shelley Vassall
