22 Cozy Winter Scarf Knitting Patterns

What’s the one thing someone can’t do without when entering winter? The answer is a knitted scarf! Apart from providing functional value to warm the body during winter, knitted scarves also serve as fashion statements to enhance one’s style.

Scarf Functions Beyond Just Warmth!

You might think that the function of a scarf is merely to keep the body warm during winter, worn wrapped around the neck. However, scarves have several functions beyond just warmth.

• Fashion Accessory

Scarves are one of the fashion accessories that can enhance one’s appearance. Not only worn during winter, scarves can also be worn on various occasions such as hanging out with friends, dinner dates, outings, and various other activities. In fact, scarves have become a trendy fashion mode favored by many.

• Special Gift

You can turn a scarf into an extraordinary gift for loved ones. If you can create your own knitting patterns, you can make simple scarves to give to loved ones on special occasions. For example, as Christmas gifts, graduation presents, birthday anniversaries, and other moments.

You can choose the best yarn and special colors for the special people you love. Moreover, if you have leftover yarn, you can turn it into a matching beanie, creating a perfect gift.

There are various types of scarf knitting models and patterns that are perfect for winter. For example, knitted scarf patterns, cable scarf patterns, triangle scarf patterns, lace scarf patterns, and more.

Here are the Best Winter Scarf Knitting Patterns

We have gathered some comfortable scarf knitting patterns to be used when winter arrives. If you are a beginner in knitting winter scarves, here are some knitting pattern projects you can try.

1. Infinity Scarf Knitting Pattern

The Infinity knitting pattern is relatively easy to make, so it doesn’t take much time, making it perfect for beginners. This scarf is knitted using a seed stitch pattern, making it comfortable and warm to wear throughout the winter because it uses very thick yarn.

See also : 5 Best Collector’s Model Train Sets

2. Leaf Lace Scarf Knitting Pattern

This scarf stitch can create textured and beautiful patterns as it’s a simple combination of yarn. The unique leaf lace knitting pattern can create beautiful dimensions. Additionally, the circular stockinette pattern around the neck provides warmth like a gentle hug.

3. Rosewood Scarf Knitting Pattern

The rosewood scarf is a cable-like pattern that can be reversed and knitted entirely. The unique combination of stitches and reversibility creates a smooth textured knit, making you not want to take off this scarf when you go out in winter.

4. Toothed Triangle Scarf Knitting Pattern

This knitting pattern for scarf stitches is quite easy to make for beginners because the technique is not complicated. This triangular scarf can also be used as a shawl, winter scarf, or accessory to make your fashion look more attractive. The toothed triangle pattern is a side garter stitch with additional stitches on the body of the scarf.

5. Doctor Who Scarf Knitting Pattern

For those who follow Doctor Who, you’re probably very familiar with the unique, attractive, and comfortable scarf knitting patterns used. This TV series has managed to attract many people to create unique, interesting, and comfortable scarf knitting patterns for both winter and fall seasons.

6. Infinicowl Travel Scarf Knitting Pattern

For those who love traveling on foot, you must have a scarf with the Traveler Knit Infinicowl pattern. Called a traveler’s scarf because it has versatile functions and is flexible and comfortable to use. This scarf is made using Lion brand woolspoon yarn, which has a soft and thick texture, making it suitable as the most comfortable accessory when walking through cold weather.

7. Lace Scarf Knitting Pattern

Do you like knitted scarves but with lace patterns? This one is made by knitting but has lace-like stitches using thick yarn that provides warmth and comfort to the body.

8. Chunky Tassel Scarf Knitting Pattern

This scarf pattern has a modern style and tassels made using thick yarn. This scarf is very comfortable to wear throughout the winter because it provides warmth to the body.

The combination of stitches with many tassels makes the scarf look more fashionable. This scarf has a length of about 76 inches and a width of about 10 inches. However, you can still adjust the length and width according to your preferences.

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9. Trailblazer Scarf Pattern

This scarf is the best result of the one-ball scarf project from the Cold Spring Creation yarn super pretty from Acorn. This scarf has a crescent moon shape with a soft texture, making it look like a shawl. However, this scarf is still easy and comfortable to wear like a simple knitted scarf.

10. Larch Triangle Scarf Knitting Pattern

Do you like scarves that are small in size and easy to use? The Larch triangle knitting pattern scarf is the perfect choice for those who like small and simple neck scarves. You can choose yarn according to your preference and use specific needles to produce the desired scarf drapery.

11. Cedar Hill Scarf Knitting Pattern

This scarf knitting has a soft and comfortable texture when touching the skin. Especially when winter arrives, a simple knitted scarf pattern becomes the best choice even though its making is much more complicated. The stitching model on the Cedar Hill pattern makes it a unisex accessory that everyone must have when entering winter.

12. Alpine Scarf Knitting Pattern

Do you want to wear a scarf that makes you look more masculine? If yes, you need to consider using the Alpine scarf. This scarf pattern is made with thick and unique textured yarn like tree bark.

The stitches for the Alpine scarf tend to be complicated at first, but once you get used to it, the pattern is quite simple and repetitive. You can choose modest colors to add a masculine impression when wearing this scarf.

13. Snowflake Keyhole Scarf Knitting Pattern

This scarf looks unique compared to other scarf patterns; it looks like it has a snowflake keyhole pattern. This scarf is very beautiful with delicate and comfortable snowflake motifs. The unique keyhole design on this scarf is suitable for those who don’t like scarves that are too close to the neck.

14. Fur Hooded Pocket Scarf Knitting Pattern

Not only does it warm the body during winter, but this scarf model is also very functional because it has pockets. So you can store your belongings in the scarf pocket while traveling.

This scarf model is shaped like a fur hood with a soft texture, inner pockets, and a cozy hood. Another advantage is that this scarf is made using thick yarn so you can get through winter with warmth.

15. Luxurious Crochet Winter Scarf Knitting Pattern

This scarf has Puff stitches that add volume and texture to the scarf, making it warmer to wear in cold weather. There are also delicate chain decorations that add geometric appeal to the scarf.

This scarf knitting pattern will attract everyone’s attention. Interestingly, this scarf is suitable for various purposes such as singing, hanging out, Christmas gifts, and even for dinner.

16. Misty Rainbow Scarf Knitting Pattern

This knitting pattern has a unique style because it highlights multicolored yarns, making it look unusual. The stitches of this scarf create beautiful textures and prominently display color changes like a misty rainbow. The fabric used also looks good from both sides because it is dense enough to keep you warm and comfortable.

17. Waffle Neck Warmer Scarf Knitting Pattern

Looks simple and easy to use! This waffle neck warmer knitting pattern scarf is perfect for watching Netflix as it provides comfort. You can easily knit this scarf yourself because the waffle pattern is relatively simple and repetitive.

18. Nordic Super Scarf Pattern

For those of you who are looking for the best scarf knitting patterns, the Nordic super scarf is one of the options. The design of this scarf is beautiful like geometric flowers with a width that is wide enough like a blanket, making it very warm.

This item truly becomes something perfect to snuggle in cold weather. You can use almost any type of yarn to make a Nordic pattern scarf, but for better results, you can use thick wool yarn.

19. Chunky Barcelona Scarf Knitting Pattern

To make a scarf with the Barcelona Chunky knitting pattern, you need a large-sized yarn roll. For the stitching pattern, you use front and back double knitting for a perfect result.

You can also use two strands of yarn for one stitching pattern with various color options. The pattern is quite easy to follow, making it suitable for beginners who want to knit a simple scarf.

20. Brava Stripe Scarf Knitting Pattern

The Brava Stripe pattern is one of the popular scarf knitting patterns among beginners. The colors used are usually striped yarn in purple and white, creating an elegant color combination. The scarf knitting pattern is super easy because it only uses a few knitting stitches with basic techniques like single and double knitting.

21. Chain Scarf Knitting Pattern

This scarf has a simple and easy-to-follow knitting pattern because it only uses basic knitting stitches. Generally, this stitching pattern uses chain stitches and double knitting. Of course, this scarf project is perfect for beginners!

22. Wavy Shells Pocket Scarf Knitting Pattern

The winter scarf knitting pattern with wavy shell pockets is a fun and very easy scarf-making process. Even in winter, many people use scarves with this knitting pattern.

You simply apply basic crochet techniques for beginners to produce a thick-textured, wide-sized scarf. This scarf is perfect for use throughout the winter and fall.

Those are some knitting patterns for comfortable winter scarves that can be used by both men and women. Some of the knitting patterns above are simple, making them the best projects for beginners.

5 Best Collector’s Model Train Sets

Train models are not just children’s toys. Rather, they are more than small replicas of actual vehicles for collectors. Train models are considered works of art that represent technological innovation, artistic design, and historical value. There are various sets of train models available in the market for collectors, offering various attractive options.

Moreover, train models show how technology has improved over time. From the old steam trains to the fast trains we have today, each model represents a step forward in making trains better. Companies always try to make models that look and work more like real trains. They use new materials and clever techniques to make them more accurate.

These models don’t just look back at history; they also give us ideas about what trains might be like in the future. This inspires people who design and build trains to keep improving them. So, train models teach us about progress and how we’re always trying to make things better.

On this occasion, we will discuss in more detail the train model sets favored by collectors.

Why Are Train Model Sets Highly Collected?

Train models possess various aspects of value that are crucial yet often unknown to the general public. Here are some reasons why many collectors want to collect train model sets, which are replicas of real vehicles.

– Train Models Are Works of Art

Train model sets are mechanical replicas but hold significant artistic value. Each detail of a train model set, from the visual exterior design to the internal components, is meticulously arranged to create an accurate reproduction. Passionate collectors tend to choose train model sets with high precision and quality, emphasizing the beauty of art in their collections.

– Detail and Scale

Collectors understand that detail and scale are crucial aspects. Scale refers to the comparison between the size of the train model and the size of the actual vehicle, while detail refers to the accuracy of small elements in the train model. Collectors prioritize high levels of accuracy in scale and detail, aiming to add authentic nuances to their collections.

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– Thematic and Historical Collections

Another reason train models are widely collected is their historical and thematic aspects. Train transportation has undergone significant changes over time. Train model sets represent specific historical periods with particular themes, making them thematic collections.

Many collectors focus on collecting train model sets from specific eras, such as classic steam train models. Collectors choose sets based on their fashion or historical interests, adding depth and meaning to each train model.

– Technological Innovation

Technology advances rapidly over time, and recent innovations have also impacted the world of train models. Train models are not merely toys; they represent sophisticated modern technological innovations.

Many train model sets come equipped with advanced technology such as LED lighting, authentic sound, and digital controls. Collectors often choose sets with the best features to explore new dimensions in their collecting experience. The presence of train model sets combines technological advancement with collectors’ imagination.

– Passionate Collector Communities

Interestingly, enthusiasts of train model sets have their own forums or communities where discussions revolve around train models. Similar to other collector communities, train model collectors are passionate about delving deep into their chosen vehicle replicas.

Community forums facilitate information exchange, experiences, and tips among collectors, helping them make informed decisions and deepen their knowledge of the train model world.

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Interesting Types of Train Model Sets to Own

For train model collectors, here are some interesting choices from Mjcarew.com of train model sets to consider:

1. The Hogwarts Express Set

Are you a fan of Harry Potter? If so, this train set is a must-have. The design of the Hogwarts Express is inspired by the train in the Harry Potter films, featuring the iconic red locomotive and highly accurate and detailed passenger carriages. It is suitable not only for train model collectors but also for fans of the magical world of Harry Potter.

2. The Orient Express Collection

This train model set is the most iconic in the world of train models. Collectors must have the Orient Express type as it reflects the luxury of train travel in the past. The design of this train model set is detailed, accurate, and visually artistic. The Orient Express collection includes various train sets ranging from passenger carriages to locomotives and other luxurious accessories from the Victorian era.

3. The Bullet Train Collection

This train model set is perfect for collectors interested in modern technology. Collectors refer to it as the Japanese bullet train or Shinkansen model. The set includes replicas of popular Japanese bullet train parts known for their efficiency and speed. The design of this train model is eye-catching and aerodynamic with bright colors, making The Bullet Train an attractive collection for train model enthusiasts.

4. The Vintage Steam Train Set

Who doesn’t know the vintage steam train set, a favorite among collectors? This train model is popular among collectors for its impressive steam locomotive and various attractive passenger carriages. The design of this train model set evokes nostalgia for the past, especially the era of adventurous train travel. The uniqueness of this train model set lies in its accurate details, bringing a realistic atmosphere of the past.

5. The Classic American Train Set

Classic American train model sets have their own uniqueness, depicting the joy and spirit of America’s past glory. Classic American train models represent the cheerful lifestyle of past American eras. This set includes several parts, with the main focus being the steam locomotive with a majestic design.

There are also passenger carriages that reflect the lifestyle of Americans from the 19th to the 20th century. The design of these classic American trains is distinctive due to their authentic details. Collectors interested in the history of classic American trains can add this model to their collection.

Each train model set has a story and essence to convey. For passionate train model collectors, choosing sets with the highest quality standards is essential. Train model collections are not just collections of replicas but also hobbies and reflections of love for history and art, reviving the history of railways.

9 Creative Photography Ideas With Your Smartphone!

To produce aesthetically pleasing snapshots, you don’t necessarily need to use a special camera! It turns out you can still utilize your smartphone to create creative and innovative photos.

Moreover, the minimalist size of smartphones makes them easy to carry anywhere, making it more flexible to capture images when you encounter beautiful subjects. This time, we will discuss creative photography ideas taken using your smartphone.

Inspirational Object Photography Using Your Phone

You can try photographing various interesting objects with your smartphone. No need to worry, here are some inspirational ideas to help you capture images with your phone:

1. Light painting

Light painting is a fun photography subject because you only need to capture the shape of light trails. You can use long exposure and a light source to capture the object.

To capture light paintings, you can use various light sources such as flashlights, fireworks, and light sticks. Place the camera on a tripod and use the bulb setting. Then move the light source while taking the photo.

Another way is to choose a flower subject and illuminate it with a flashlight to create bright spots that result in excellent snapshots.

2. 365 Days Project

This photo subject can be described as both easy and difficult because you don’t need to go anywhere but still have to stand and take photos day by day. You need to choose a theme, texture, color, or people to photograph every day for 365 days or a year.

You can also take any inspiring photos that allow you to capture the subject every day. But if it seems too long and impractical, try a 30-day project, especially for beginners.

See also : Watercolor Painting Techniques for Beginners

3. A-Z Project

This photo subject is quite unique and simple because you only photograph objects forming letters of the alphabet. For example, photographing a street lamp that forms the letter S.

If there are no objects forming letters of the alphabet, you can also create them yourself. For example, making alphabet letters from a row of ants, cracks in branches, biscuits, and so on.

With the right smartphone photography technique, you can get the best results. This project is quite simple and doesn’t take much time.

4. Self-portrait

Have you ever thought of taking self-portrait photos using your smartphone? It turns out that you are also an interesting and creative photo subject if you can use the right photography techniques with your smartphone.

For cool photo ideas, you can take selfies all day long by changing settings. You don’t have to use a DSLR camera because your smartphone is the best alternative for producing quality snapshots.

For example, document your day by taking photos of your activities such as starting the day with breakfast, being on public transportation, working at your office desk, going for lunch, and until night.

5. Documentary

Documentary photos are also a creative idea for photography subjects with excellent results. Documenting an event or history can produce very attractive photo patterns.

You can start by traveling to a place and photographing a current or past event. Some objects that can be documented include protest actions, social phenomena, war zones, world events, and various other life events.

6. Patterns

Have you ever thought of photographing patterns as interesting photo subjects? You certainly encounter various patterns everywhere, such as spider web patterns, close-up leaves, hotel room window patterns, and so on.

Even if you don’t travel, you can still get pattern objects or create them yourself, such as aligning stones in rows or photographing neatly arranged shoes.

7. Optical Illusions

Optical illusion objects are very interesting photo subjects, and many photographers have captured optical illusions. Actually, it’s very easy because it’s just a visual illusion, so you can use special tricks.

For example, place someone close to the camera to make them appear as large as the background, so their size looks the same as the background building.

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8. Rainbow Colors

Rainbows have very beautiful colors, making them very interesting and creative subjects to capture. You can take snapshots of rainbow colors with your smartphone camera. However, make sure that the snapshots are clear and the colors appear on the camera.

9. Mosaic

You can produce mosaic photos using your smartphone by placing various photos with different colors on the canvas to form another image.

For example, if you make a blue-eyed picture, you can place various photos showing blueness on the canvas to form the desired eye object.

Photography Tips With Just Using Your Smartphone

There are several practical tips you can follow to produce the best photo snapshots using your smartphone.

• 108 MP Resolution Camera

To produce quality images, you can use the rear camera of your smartphone, which generally has better quality than the front camera. The rear camera has a larger sensor and megapixels, resulting in clearer images.

To take photos from a distance, you can use the zoom feature as a practical way. However, sometimes the zoom feature on a smartphone camera reduces photo quality, unlike professional camera lenses. Unless your smartphone already uses 3x In-sensor Zoom technology, which produces better snapshots.

• Using Additional Camera Features

You also need to use other camera features to support photo quality. For example, if you want to focus on the main object, use the portrait feature with a bokeh effect. You can also use manual control to improve the quality of the area you want to focus on.

• Adequate Lighting

Try to find locations with sufficient lighting to get quality photos. If the camera receives sufficient light, it can work faster, and the resulting photos will be more detailed. Also, use the night mode feature on your smartphone.

• Editing Photos

If you want to print or share the photo results, try editing or retouching them first. Sometimes good atmosphere and objects viewed by the eye become less attractive when captured through the camera.

Try to edit photos to get clearer image quality. You can use editing tools on your smartphone or additional editing applications. Also, try to edit photos as naturally as possible.

That’s an Mjcarew.com explanation of some creative photography ideas with your smartphone along with tips you can do to optimize the photo results. You don’t have to use photography equipment; you can also utilize your smartphone to produce quality images.

Watercolor Painting Techniques for Beginners

Painting activities are now increasingly popular among various groups of people because they offer many benefits. Being one of the enjoyable hobbies to pursue, painting can also help reduce anxiety and stress levels. Below are some watercolor painting techniques specifically for beginners who want to unleash their creativity.

Watercolor Painting Techniques for Beginners

Painting is generally done using canvas and watercolor, employing specific techniques to produce beautiful results. At first glance, painting with watercolor may seem easy to do. However, watercolor has its own characteristics—it dries quickly and leaves little room for error.

Watercolor is a painting medium that uses pigment as a water-soluble solvent and has transparent properties. Painting media with watercolor can vary from canvas, paper, leather, fabric, wood to papyrus. Mastering watercolor painting techniques and developing them well allows you to draw anything you desire. Here are some techniques for painting with watercolor for beginners:

1. Wet in Wet

The wet-in-wet technique involves applying color to pre-moistened painting paper. The result of painting with this technique appears faded, with the degree of fading depending on how wet the paper is. This painting technique can also be used after washes technique, provided that you wait for the paper to dry.

2. Flat Wash

Watercolor painting technique involves wetting the painting paper with water before applying color. The purpose of this technique is to facilitate color mixing on the painting paper. Coloring the paper can also be done by moving horizontally, moving from top to bottom, or with overlapping movements.

3. Glazing

The next painting technique is glazing, which is quite similar to the washes technique. However, in this painting technique, thin and transparent brush strokes are made on the dried painting surface. The purpose of this technique is to make improvements to previous coloring processes that may be deemed unsatisfactory.

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4. Dry Brush

The opposite technique of wet-in-wet involves applying watercolor to the dry surface of the paper. The purpose of this technique is to make the painting look fresh, realistic, and dry. Moreover, using this technique can also help determine the painting theme effectively.

5. Lifting Off

The last technique involves removing applied watercolor from dry paper or painting media. However, it is recommended to avoid certain colors that are difficult to lift off, such as magenta, black, and navy blue. The process of removing watercolor can be done by moistening the area to be removed with a brush and water, then absorbing the color with tissue and paper to cover other areas.

Things to Consider when Painting with Watercolor

When painting with watercolor, there are also several important things to consider:

a. Use a color palette

For beginner painters, it is highly recommended to use a color palette to obtain more colors for painting with better quality. You can create various types of secondary and tertiary colors using primary colors such as blue, red, and yellow. Use plastic or wooden pallets that can be washed after use, but you can also use disposable paper palettes for practicality.

b. Provide two clean water glasses

After preparing the watercolor to be used, do not forget to provide 2 clean water glasses next to the painting area. You can use one glass of clean water to wash the painting brush after using a certain color, and use the second glass to moisten the clean brush and dip it before painting. Replace the water in the glass with clean water immediately if it appears murky with black or brown color.

c. Moisturize the brush with clean water

Make it a habit to always moisten the painting brush with clean water before applying it to the paper or painting media. To obtain a brush with a pointed tip, you can hold the brush and shake it while the brush is still wet. Do this on tissue paper so that water and watercolor do not splash everywhere.

d. Mix the color

Before applying watercolor to the painting media, you can mix it with water first. For colors with dense pigments, you can add more water so that they do not lose their color density. Meanwhile, for colors with soft pigments, you only need to add a little water so that the color remains soft but not too thick.

e. If using bottled paint

You can transfer a little watercolor from the bottle to an empty palette hole, then add a little water and stir it in a circular motion to even out the color. Make sure not to add too much water so that the watercolor does not become too thin or faded. If you want to mix two colors, make sure to do it in another new palette hole.

See also : 22 Cozy Winter Scarf Knitting Patterns

f. Brush strokes and observe the results

When starting to apply watercolor to the painting media, you can stroke the brush from one side to the other, creating thick lines. Then tilt the drawing paper so that the watercolor can flow down and not pool on the surface of the paper or painting media. You may notice that the watercolor on the painting paper is much lighter than the watercolor in the bottle, but it still appears harmonious in color.

g. Wait until the painting dries

After finishing the watercolor painting process, it is recommended to wait and let the painting dry completely, approximately for 30 minutes. Avoid touching or rubbing the painting surface if you do not want the painting to change or be damaged. After the watercolor dries, the painting colors usually appear lighter than when the painting was wet.

These are some Mjcarew.com tips for painting with watercolor specifically for beginners:

  • Learn the characteristics and colors of watercolor by trying to apply them on painting paper to understand how dark or light the colors are.
  • Color the painting by starting with light colors before using dark colors.
  • Try to use high-quality brushes with characteristics of bristles that are not easily loose or shed so that you can produce good painting results.
  • Make sure to know the type of paper used so that you can paint with the best results.

That concludes a brief explanation of watercolor painting techniques for beginners that you can master first to create captivating paintings. You can practice brushing on paper or canvas frequently to understand the color characteristics and get good painting strokes.

Achieving a Clutter-Free Home: Minimalist Living Tips

Having a neatly organized and clutter-free home is indeed very satisfying, and it can be easily achieved by adopting a minimalist lifestyle. In minimalist style, the process is generally simple and uncomplicated, making it easy to tidy up all the mess with just simple steps. But can you maintain a minimalist lifestyle for the long term?

Minimalist Living Tips to Get a Clutter-Free Home

A lived-in home naturally appears more lively and chaotic, but this clutter can be tackled by tidying up and cleaning regularly every day. A home is where family activities take place, so inevitably, there will be a lot of mess happening and accumulating without prevention. One bad habit that leads to the accumulation of clutter in a home is when we tend to gather new items.

Having a clutter-free home can be achieved if you also have a living space that supports it. Among many types of homes, the minimalist type is the one that supports a clutter-free home the most. Not only does it have a simple concept in its interior and exterior design, but minimalist homes also tend to be easier to maintain and care for.

There are several benefits to having a clutter-free home, including:

  • Effective for reducing stress
  • Can help you improve focus
  • Makes life happier
  • Leads to a more organized and controlled life
  • Increases enthusiasm for creativity and experimentation with minimalistic styles

One of the main focuses of adopting a minimalist lifestyle to have a clutter-free home is by having fewer possessions. You also need to consciously reduce unwise consumption behaviors. This way, there is consistent awareness and intentionality to maintain simplicity and freedom from clutter in the long run.

A clutter-free home is not an empty, cold house devoid of anything that might make it look messy. Instead, it’s more about the lifestyle choices you make, where the home only contains necessary and used items. Each item has its own value, stored in its proper place, and known to all occupants of the home.

Below are some minimalist living tips to achieve a clutter-free home:

1. Establish Storage Rules

Ensure that every item is stored where it belongs and get into the habit of returning items to their proper places after use. All household members should return items they’ve used to their designated spots. This significantly helps in keeping the house tidy and ensuring items stay where they should be.

2. Reduce Storage Space

Did you know that having fewer storage spaces also helps reduce clutter in the home? Therefore, you don’t need to store many items because there isn’t space for them in the house. You can start doing this in every room of the house. With limited storage space, there will be fewer items, life becomes simpler, and everything becomes more straightforward.

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3. Sort Through Items

Tidy up the house by doing it from one room to another, straightening and cleaning up one room completely before moving to the next. Prepare at least one box to contain items sorted from each room. Wait for some time to decide whether you need the sorted items or not.

4. One In, One Out Rule

The minimalist lifestyle applies the one-in-one-out rule. Before deciding to buy a certain item, think about which item needs to go out to replace it. Also, consider where the appropriate place to put the new item is; it helps you buy fewer items in life.

5. Use All Items In The House

Try to use all the items in the house before buying new ones. This applies not only to food and beverages but also to cleaning and personal care products. By doing this, you not only avoid cluttering up unused items but also save money.

6. Practice Tidy And Clean Living Habits

This tip requires establishing habits that need to be done regularly every day to be automatically incorporated into your life. Habits such as tidying up rooms, desks, closets, and beds that look messy, and immediately cleaning up if something gets dirty. These can become small daily routines to maintain a neat and clean environment.

7. Reduce Unused Items

Often, we find rooms cluttered because many unused items accumulate in the corners of the room. To overcome this, you can try sorting out which items are still used and then store them in a special place. As for items that are no longer used, you can either dispose of them (if they are damaged and cannot be used) or donate them if the items are still in good condition.

8. Provide Specific Storage Spaces For Each Item

Make sure to provide specific storage spaces for each item according to its category of use. For example, everyday use items can be placed in a common cupboard, cooking utensils can be stored in the kitchen, cleaning tools and cleaning products can be stored in a cupboard placed near the back room. In addition to making the house look clean, tidy, and clutter-free, this will also help you quickly find some items when needed.

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9. Schedule Regular Cleaning

You can also schedule specific cleaning activities regularly. Separate the daily cleaning activities that need to be done every day, such as sweeping the floor, making the bed, washing dishes, doing laundry, and others. Schedule periodic cleaning activities that can be done every few days, such as mopping the floor, ironing, cleaning the bathroom, and sorting out unused items.

10. Don’t Shop Too Often, Especially For Non-Essential Products

Sometimes we forget ourselves and buy something that is not really needed, but because it is sold at a discount, we end up buying it. To anticipate this, before deciding to buy something, make sure whether you really need it or not. Before shopping, it’s also a good idea to only bring the exact amount of money needed so there’s no temptation to buy unnecessary items.

These are some Mjcarew.com tips for achieving a clutter-free home by adopting a minimalist lifestyle. Certainly, the motivation to achieve positive changes to have a clutter-free home will also impact all the occupants of the house. Hope this helps.

Healthy Meal Prep Ideas to Ease Busy Weekdays

Most people tend to overlook their eating patterns, especially during busy days. The result is decreased productivity and weakened immunity, which should be addressed promptly. This article will discuss healthy eating planning to stay productive and healthy even on busy days.

Stay Productive Through Busy Days with Healthy Eating Planning

Everyone has different health conditions and jobs, but their primary need remains the same: eating healthily and on time. There are plenty of healthy foods that can be prepared quickly and simply, so there’s no excuse to neglect healthy eating habits. Your body deserves rest and adequate nutrition to support daily activities.

According to nutritionists, meeting the body’s nutritional needs makes it strong and healthy. Not only that, but your mental health can also be better maintained to improve your overall quality of life. There are several benefits you can gain by striving to adopt healthy eating habits even when extremely busy, such as:

  • Keeping the body healthier and preventing various diseases
  • Increasing productivity and work quality
  • Maintaining a better mood

Even when busy, you can still prepare healthy and nutritious meals to maintain good body health. Here are some ways to make a healthy eating plan specifically for busy workers:

1. Prepare Nutritious Breakfasts That Are Practical

Preparing breakfast is important because the energy for activities on that day comes from the food consumed during breakfast. Make sure to prepare staple breakfast foods that are practical yet nutritious, such as various nuts like walnuts, almonds, whole grain cereals, fresh or frozen fruits (for smoothies), and oatmeal. Always make time for a healthy breakfast before starting your day.

2. Make Cooking Plans

Today, many homemakers and career women are becoming smarter at managing households. For example, making weekly cooking preparations or plans can keep them from high daily busyness. You can prepare ready-to-cook vegetables or other marinated ingredients so that cooking only requires a simple process.

This method not only saves time in preparing cooking ingredients but also ensures that busy individuals still eat healthily and nutritiously. Additionally, thorough cooking planning is more effective and efficient in using ingredients without waste.

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3. Provide Frozen Dishes

Frozen foods are not limited to processed foods only; there are plenty of processed meal recipes that can be frozen for long-lasting preservation. You can not only choose the types of dishes according to your taste but also portion them out so that no food is left uneaten. Cook your favorite recipes and freeze them by storing them in the freezer.

It’s very convenient whenever you want to eat; just heat it using a stove or microwave, and your healthy meal is ready to eat. Don’t forget to label the frozen food with the production date to make it easier to manage food storage.

4. Use A Slow Cooker

If you feel overwhelmed to allocate specific cooking times, simply use an electronic device for slow cooking, namely a slow cooker. You just need to put the ingredients you want to cook in the slow cooker, then turn it on, and the ingredients will be cooked slowly without worrying about burning because it’s set with a special timer.

The advantage of cooking with a slow cooker is that the seasoning flavors penetrate better, and the texture becomes softer due to slow cooking.

5. Prepare Cooking Equipment

Thoroughly and maximally preparing cooking equipment according to your needs will greatly help you have a short, simple, and easy cooking process. Get cooking utensils that can cook healthier meals even without oil. You can also minimize dishwashing by choosing the right cooking and dining utensils.

6. Allocate Time For Grocery Shopping

Schedule at least once a week to shop for groceries needed at home. Make sure to make a shopping list beforehand so that you only buy the items that are truly needed. After shopping, organize the groceries immediately and store perishable items in the refrigerator to prevent spoilage.

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7. Prepare Healthy Snacks

If you’re used to snacking during daily activities, it’s best to prepare healthy snacks in advance that are ready to take to work. For example, bring whole grain biscuits, almonds, or freshly cut small fruits. Consuming light snacks will not only help replenish energy before the next main meal but also maintain your focus and concentration at work.

8. Meet Fluid Intake

In addition to preparing healthy foods as mentioned above, it’s also important to meet fluid intake in the body. Make sure to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. You can also bring juice or fruit juice if you want to drink refreshing beverages.

Those are some Mjcarew.com specific healthy eating plans for those who are experiencing busy workdays. Whatever your busy schedule is, make sure to maintain your body’s health by consuming healthy and nutritious foods.

Eco-Conscious Shopper’s Guide to Sustainable Fashion Brands

When discussing sustainable fashion, it inevitably revolves around clothing. Clothing is the largest contributor to environmental waste. Almost all clothing uses plastic materials, where microplastic fibers are absorbed into water and trigger environmental pollution.

What Sustainable Fashion Brands Embrace Environmentally Friendly Concepts?

Fashion is an integral part of human life. The increasing demand for fashion has proven to have adverse effects on the environment. Therefore, significant lifestyle changes are needed to reduce these impacts by prioritizing eco-friendly and sustainable fashion.

With the rising demand for fashion, there are now brands that cater to sustainable lifestyles with environmentally friendly modes. The designs created can also be contemporary fashion styles while still maintaining environmental consciousness.

Here are some sustainable fashion brands that embrace environmentally friendly concepts:

1. Sejauh Mata Memandang

Sejauh Mata Memandang is a fashion brand created by Chitra Subiyakto, committed to creating environmentally friendly fashion. This commitment is based on the fact that fashion contributes the most to pollution on Earth.

Through the Sejauh Mata Memandang brand, the owner aims to show love for Indonesia and the Earth by being more responsible for the environment through their design creations. Additionally, this fashion brand empowers communities to package clothes that support sustainable living concepts.

2. Wilsem Willim

In collaboration with Lezing, Wilsem William launched environmentally friendly products made from biodegradable materials such as paper pulp, with an environmentally friendly production process in creating fashion trends. One of their successful sustainable fashion collections is the spring-summer 2020 collection titled ‘Anatomy’.

In this collection, Wilsem William explores contemporary silhouettes and cuts that remain tailored. Almost all of the collection’s dresses, shirts, blazers, and skirts feature black and white colors. Therefore, collections from this sustainable fashion concept are suitable for those who like earth tones or monochrome.

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3. Lanivatti

Lanivatti is a local fashion brand created by photographer Nicoline Patricia. In collaboration with Tencel, Nicoline Patricia successfully launched the latest fashion collection titled “Beyond Borders”.

Through the Beyond Borders collection, Lanivatti selects fashion products made from cellulose fiber materials that consider body temperature, making them suitable for both summer and winter seasons. This collection is undoubtedly suitable as a sustainable concept because clothes can be used in two seasons simultaneously.

4. Rapahaus

Rapahaus collaborates with craftsmen in small villages to preserve Indonesian textiles and prevent them from losing their identity. Considering that many textile processes are now done using machines rather than traditional methods, they are far from sustainable concepts.

Through the fashion trends they create, Rapahaus combines traditional leisure wear designs with handmade concepts using natural materials that do not harm the environment.

5. Cottonink

Cottonink is a fashion brand that keeps up with launching new innovative clothing to support sustainable living concepts. The collection they launched is sustainable fashion titled Pastel Whimsical.

The launch of this collection invites the public to choose fashion not only as a lifestyle but also to embrace sustainable concepts.

It’s not just the above five fashion brands that can be used to reduce environmental impact. There are many brands you can choose from with trendy model concepts.

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Implementing Sustainable Fashion

In implementing sustainable fashion, the steps that can be taken are:

  • Care for Clothes: Taking care of existing clothes is a basic yet essential step in reducing the negative impact of fashion on the environment. This is necessary to ensure clothes have a long lifespan and promote sustainable living choices.
  • Invest in Good Quality Clothes: Good quality clothes here do not necessarily mean expensive clothes but are evaluated based on the durability of the materials used and the quality of the stitching, which should not easily come apart. Additionally, comfort when worn should also be considered.
  • Buying Clothes Is the Last Resort: Applying the principle of buying clothes as a last resort proves effective in leading a sustainable life, especially when the desire to buy new clothes naturally arises. Therefore, to counteract this, you can use methods such as borrowing, renting, buying second-hand, and exchanging clothes.
  • Prioritize Natural Fabrics: When choosing clothing materials, it is best to prioritize linen and cotton fabrics. This is closely related to washing clothes. Linen and cotton fabrics do not release microfibers that can cause environmental pollution.

By consistently following sustainable fashion trends and implementations, it will reduce the negative impact on the environment. Therefore, following lifestyle trends will not disrupt environmental safety.

Meditation Techniques for Stress Relief

Many people believe that a quiet space, special music, or specific rituals are necessary for meditation. However, you can do it anytime, for example while waiting for the bus, taking a break during work, or in the midst of traffic congestion.

Meditation is one form of practice to focus and clear the mind, so you can feel calmer, more comfortable, and productive. This practice is generally done by sitting quietly, closing your eyes, and regulating your breathing slowly and regularly, at least for 10–20 minutes.

Yes, stress is indeed an inevitable part of life for everyone, especially for those with busy routines. To cope with stress, one can engage in meditation, one of which is mindfulness meditation.

What Are the Meditation Techniques for Stress Relief?

Mindfulness meditation creates a space between the mind and reactions to stress triggers. It brings one to a state of being aware of thoughts without feeling judged.

In fact, there are many benefits to meditation, including improving sleep quality, managing moods, increasing focus, and addressing specific conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, insomnia, depression, and more.

To practice mindfulness meditation, there are several techniques to be aware of. Techniques for relieving stress through mindfulness meditation include:

a. Attention Meditation Technique

This technique relies on focusing attention on the breath, coupled with recognizing and exploring thoughts that may arise. In essence, it’s like standing on the riverbank, enjoying the flow without diving directly into it.

b. Music Meditation Technique

This technique involves using music throughout the process. You can meditate with different music and rhythms. Especially for those suffering from tinnitus (perceiving silence as disturbing), using this technique to relieve stress is an excellent choice.

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c. Body Scanning Meditation Technique

This technique directs attention gradually from one part of the body to another. For example, you can start by focusing attention from the toes to the head. During body scanning meditation, stress-triggering thoughts gradually shift to calming and positive thoughts.

d. Mantra Meditation Technique

Mantra meditation uses calming words or phrases. These mantras divert disturbing thoughts. This technique can be likened to a lullaby, with each verse bringing you into a calm and relaxed state.

e. Walking Meditation Technique

When you hear the term meditation, you might associate it with sitting still. However, meditation doesn’t always have to be static. Walking meditation combines physical activity with full awareness, making it a suitable choice for those who enjoy being active.

f. Loving-Kindness Meditation Technique

Loving-kindness meditation involves sending good intentions, doing good deeds, and mentally expressing affection for oneself, followed by expressing feelings of love. Examples of loving-kindness phrases include “may you always be happy, healthy, and peaceful.” You can also use other beautiful phrases to cultivate positive feelings and alleviate stress.

How to Practice Mindfulness Meditation?

After learning mindfulness meditation techniques, here’s how to practice it:

1. Choose the Right Environment

The environment plays a crucial role in the success of your meditation. Start by finding the right practice space. You can meditate indoors, in a garden surrounded by trees, or in a place free from stress-triggering work environments.

Next, find comfort. You can adjust the room temperature, sit on a soft cushion, and allocate time. Meditation time can start from 10 minutes or can be adjusted according to your needs.

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2. Begin Meditating

Once you’ve found the right environment, you must manage your thoughts and take deep breaths when starting meditation. During the meditation process, position yourself as not being what is in your mind.

3. Practice Mindfulness Techniques

Lastly, you can practice the mindfulness techniques mentioned earlier. Just as in weight loss, you must eat calmly or meditate while walking to keep your muscles moving and not tense.

Also, focus on the sensations you’re experiencing. Especially if your body feels pain or tension in certain areas, you can start meditating by focusing on those areas.

Basically, anything a person does can be turned into meditation. You can start meditating while brushing your teeth, driving a car, and so on. However, the most important thing is to meditate gradually so that your focus is not divided by various distractions, maintaining comfort and peace during the meditation process.

It’s important to note that meditation is an individual journey aimed at self-exploration and finding what works for you. Therefore, the mindfulness meditation techniques above are not a universal solution to the stress you face. In fact, with just one meditation technique, you can achieve what you desire.