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As a result of COVID-19, many of us suddenly have a lot more free time on our hands, and we don't know what to do with it.
If social distancing and state regulations have you stuck inside going stir crazy, there are several activities you can do to pass the time and keep yourself grounded.

Below you will find suggestions from West Coast Cowgirl for how to stay busy during the Coronavirus outbreak.

Playing in Nature

If you have animals go out and play with them! They aren't worried and will help keep you grounded. If not, go for a walk or hike, have a picnic in your yard, or just sit outside and remember all the things we have to be grateful for like:

Time with family
More alone time for self-care
How communities are coming together in this riveting time
Food and shelter
Springtime

Arts and Crafts

Whether you have little ones or not, arts and crafts are always fun! Even if it's coloring in a coloring book, adults and children alike enjoy these projects. If you don't have any paint or crayons, get creative. You can upcycle your empty food cans into vases by covering with fabric or cutout magazines, remember the necklaces made from macaroni? Chalk art? Why not? Now that we have extra time our creative juices can flow.

Visit a Museum online

If you're hungry for some culture and want to quench your thirst for knowledge then now is the time to check out the best virtual museum tours, right from the comfort of your own home.
We found 10 museums you can virtually visit on the Smithsonian Magazine site.
How about the Guggenheim or the Vatican museums? The Anne Frank House?

Workout

With all the gyms closed, we have to find ways to move our bodies which helps keep our immune systems strong. There are lots and lots of workout videos on Youtube. If you don't have any workout equipment at home and don't want to buy any online, you will be able to find lots of videos that don't require weights. Don't forget about yoga. Besides being amazing for your body. it's also amazing for your mind and has a calming effect and helps get you grounded. Don't forget about dancing, playing and wrestling with your kids!
Golds Gym is offering free access to its app, Goldsamp, until the end of May, where more than 600 audio and video workouts along with DJ mixes get you ready to work up a sweat. Planet Fitness is offering "Home Work-Ins" streamed live at 7 p.m. ET daily on its Facebook page.

Home Projects

Plant trees and start getting your garden ready. There is nothing more grounding or mind clearing as getting your hands in the dirt. It's also a FUN family project and mother nature will thank you for it.
De-Cluttering is another mind cleaning journey that we sometimes avoid but once we get in the groove of it, we flow and the finished project feels so good. We like Marie Kondo's idea "Keep only those things that speak to the heart, and discard items that no longer spark joy."
Tackle some Spring Cleaning projects. Don't try to get all your spring cleaning done in one day. Focus on one room at a time and schedule different rooms for different days. Divide the jobs -- vacuuming, dusting, window washing, organizing -- among family members.
Interior paint is a great room refresher. Painting a small bathroom and adding artwork can brighten up your home. Touch up painting or re-staining/painting baseboards add a fresh look.

Take a FREE Online Class

Now that social distancing and shelter-at-home policies are in place across the country, taking an online course is a good opportunity to pass time, learn something new, or advance your career.
We found this site that has 45 FREE online classes offering ways to learn something new or up-level your career.
There are FREE online courses from some of the best colleges in the United States. Here's a link to Business Insiders reviews.

Connect with Friends and Family

Video chatting and phone calls enable heart to heart conversations across any distance. What a great way to stay in touch to feel the human connection that might be waning in isolation.
Here are some apps that can help keep you connected.
Facebook Messenger: This app has video and audio call features that can connect up to six people at once.
FaceTime: FaceTime is available on all iPhones, and only between iPhone users. It allows up to 32 people to join one video call.
Skype: Skype is one of the top video chat apps, it allows up to 50 people to be on a call.
Zoom: Zoom video free version can connect up to 100 people at one time.
WhatsApp: WhatsApp has a video chat platform that allows up to four people to come together at a time.
Google Duo: Google Duo allow up to 8 people to be on one call.
Google Hangouts: Google Hangouts allows up to 10 people to participate.
Sending out a simple text or email when someone comes into your mind is a great way to tell someone you're thinking about them and their well being.

Discover a New Hobby



Everyone needs a hobby and maybe you already have one but now is a great time to discover other exciting things you may be interested in. The perfect hobby is one that lets you tap into some of your energy and creativity but doesn't tap into your wallet too hard.

West Coast Cowgirl has some ideas that you might vibe with:
Raising/Fostering animals
Reading
Working out
Knitting or Crocheting
Sewing
Baking or Cooking
Brewing Beer
Fermenting Wine
Dancing
Learn a new language
Reading
Music
Genealogy
Gardening
Coding
Becoming a movie buff
Writing
Photography

All of us at West Coast Cowgirl care about your health and safety during this interesting time. We thank you for supporting our small business and we continue to be here to serve you. Sending love and blessings to all of you. 💙
 

A fence provides an amazing slate for holiday decor, and doing it right is dependent on your style and budget. Whether you are creating something spectacular for a commercial property or whether you are attempting to make your ranch or neighborhood sparkle, you can put some important principles together to make your display dazzling.

Type of Fence

The fence you are working with will play a major part in your decorative efforts. Chain link provides different challenges and benefits than a wooden fence offers. As you work with a more solid fencing material, you have the benefit of a basic color in the background. You can use color contrasts to create visibility in your display. Chain link fencing, meanwhile, produces a more transparent background, allowing your decorative elements to blend with the landscape. You’ll need bulkier decorating material to achieve good visibility and contrast.

Weather Concerns

Your fence decor can be impacted quickly by winter weather events. A huge windstorm can remove garland in an instant. Excessive snow can interfere with illumination. Use reliable mounting materials to keep your decorative elements in place. Find water-resistant materials to use in creating garlands or pictorial displays. Make sure that your lighting components are able to withstand rain and snow.

Decorative Approaches

Garland is a popular option for basic fence decor. While most professionals are looking for something distinguished to please their customers, it’s good to start with the basics. As you expand, you can make the look unique for each client. As you decide on the right garland for accenting a fence, consider whether the decor will stand alone or whether it will coordinate with additional yard decor.

Greenery is always appropriate, and when it’s used for a fence, thicker material will stand out. Artificial greens tend to be better for long-term use as you don’t have to worry about the materials drying out and losing needles. Accents for the greens can include pinecones, bows, bulbs or lights. This type of garland is excellent for any type of fence, but make sure that you use more bulk on a chain-link fence. You can also consider tinsel garland or lush ribbon as an alternative, but make sure that the bulk is enough to stand out and that the material will stand up to the weather trends of the season.

Draping Your Garland

Draped garlands tend to create more drama and appeal in your work. It’s essential that you aim for consistency as you hang the garland. Imprecise placement can look sloppy and unprofessional. Plan before you actually order your materials so that you can place them without running short. Take time to carefully test a length of material to evaluate how it hangs. Measure for midpoints between posts, making light marks to ensure that you are able to precisely place each section. Use wiring, zip ties or twist ties to hold the pieces in place at critical points. Use decorative enhancements at the posts and throughout the garland strands to add lighting and color. You can opt for colorful choices or more natural materials. Just make sure that you are consistent in your placement so that you achieve an attractive display.

Lighting Your Fence

Novelty lights can provide lots of enjoyment in your fence decor. However, sloppy hanging is a big mistake. Take time to be sure that your strands are sufficient for your plans. It’s helpful to work with DIY products to make your own custom strands so that you are sure that your lengths and bulb placements are just right.

Characters and Symbols

Whether you love reindeer or snowmen, you can add some fun accents to your fence decor on a small or large scale. Find character yard stakes that can be placed along the fence to display penguins, Christmas bulbs or a nativity scene. Add specialty lights to create fun effects. A red bulb is the perfect Rudolph’s nose. A light-up Christmas star works well with a nativity. Find a holographic decorative set like a Christmas train to outline the fence. Metal and wooden figures are great for expanding or developing your decorative theme. Find themed fence toppers to add character to wooden fence decor.

Use the Entire Fence

Don’t miss the important area at the base of your fence. Most fence decor for the holidays focuses on the placement of materials at the top. However, you can use the base to place giant candy canes, oversized bulbs or additional garland. Mount items close to the fence to avoid their loss in winds. Weave tinsel through chain link sections. Use fun and active items like pinwheels to add motion to the scene.

A fence doesn’t have to be overdone to be beautifully decorated. You can aim for simple elegance. You can also opt for kid-friendly themes and lots of glitz and glamour. It’s important to decide on a theme that will complement additional display decor behind the fence so that each component works together to achieve an exceptional overall effect.

Cowgirl Pledge

At West Coast Cowgirl, we cater to the free spirit within you. We pride ourselves on a special line of products tailored to fit your everyday style. Customer satisfaction is our number one priority.  Have a beautiful day.

Whether it’s a silver necklace, bracelet or silver statement rings, there seems to be a growing demand for silver accessories.

Perhaps you’re one of the many who have decided to make room in your jewelry box for some silver pieces. If that’s the case, it’s a good idea to learn how to wear them. Here are some tips for pairing that silver with your wardrobe so you always look like the rock star you are.

WEAR BLOCK COLORS

If you really want your sterling silver statement rings to pop on your fingers, consider wearing them with block colors. The best choices are black, white, and grey. They create a cohesive backdrop for showcasing your silver rings.

Wearing block colors gives your outfit some style without taking away from your silver accessories. darker jewel tones, such as burgundy, royal or navy blue, and eggplant also work for color blocking as a neutral palette for your silver pieces.

BE CAREFUL MIXING WITH GOLD

For bracelets or rings, silver mixed with gold tends to work better than with necklaces. Unless you’re pairing your silver with a fancy evening gown, mixing metals is generally not recommended. Instead, let the silver be the star of the show by wearing it on its own.

At night, mix a simple silver necklace with matching shoes and a handbag. During the day, wear a delicate silver necklace to work or for lunch with friends by pairing it with a t-shirt or a simple dress.

SIMPLE OR DETAILED SILVER NECKLACE?

When you wear simple silver rings or a simple silver necklace or bracelet, you can pair either accessory with a pattern on your outfit. However, if your silver jewelry is more detailed and intricate, it’s best to let it shine by wearing it with an outfit that is a solid color and that isn’t too busy or bright. In either case, allow your silver to take center stage and don’t end up wearing an outfit that is too much to look at or that looks cheap.

STACK RINGS FOR A UNIQUE LOOK

If you have several simple silver rings, consider wearing them all at once for an elegant and modern look that is enhanced when compared to wearing each of them alone. Make sure the edges are flat so they nestle together on your finger and that they aren’t too detailed to make your hand look busy and overdone.

If you have one funky ring, go ahead and stack it, but make sure the others are basic. Don’t wear too many or your fingers will look too busy and it might not be all that comfortable either.

WEAR SILVER WITH LEATHER

If you’re looking for a western or cowgirl look, wear your silver rings or necklaces with leather. Both tan and black leather work for this style choice as long as the item isn’t too busy itself. Stay away from studded leather or pieces that have a lot of zippers.

Instead, wear your silver with a simple leather jacket or vest layered over a tank top or t-shirt. You can also pair a leather jacket with an evening dress and heels to give your silver pieces a night on the town look that you’ll love.

AVOID WEARING SILVER WITH CERTAIN COLORS

As mentioned above, silver pairs best with black, grey, white and jewel tones. On the other hand, silver shouldn’t be worn with some shades. The main colors to stay away from are anything pastel, including baby blue, lilac, or pale pink. A simple silver necklace won’t stand out as well against these colors and tends to get lost in the outfit.

You should also stay away from bright colors like green and yellow because they’ll take over the silver color and you won’t find your pieces standing out as well against these hues.

CONSIDER THE SEASON

The great thing about silver is that it can be worn year-round since it pairs best with neutral colors. Wear your silver necklaces and rings all year round, summer to winter. Pair your silver with black or grey year-round as well.

When it comes to wearing jewel tones with your silver, this is the iconic option for the holiday season, especially if you choose ruby red or emerald green as a backdrop for your chains.

DON’T FORGET ABOUT YOUR FINGERNAILS

When you wear your silver rings, keep the look of your nails in mind. Even the best and most beautiful silver ring will lose some of its impact if your nails look like you've been mucking stalls all day.

Because your ring will likely draw the eye to your hands, be sure your nails are well manicured. That means clipped evenly, buffed, filed and painted. Even a clear coat is better than nothing.

YOU CAN’T GO WRONG BY BUYING SILVER JEWELRY

If you don’t already have a silver piece or two, it’s time to start shopping. You’ll love the new heights that your outfits go to when you pile on some silver instead of gold. Whether it’s for work or for date night, bring some new drama and dimension to any outfit with a lovely silver piece around your neck or on your fingers. You won’t be sorry!

Need more style tips? Find advice on a wide range of topics at West Coast Cowgirl.

Many of the items in our boutique are handmade and made with natural stones.  We want to share these stones with you and a description of how they can support you.  These ancient stones from mother earth are available to you in our stone collection.

Turquoise

Turquoise is one of the oldest protection amulets and was also known as a symbol of wealth in many ancient cultures. Strength, protection from harm, psychic sensitivity and connection to the spirit world. It is considered to be a bridge between Heaven/Sky and Earth, grounding us while still remaining open to Spirit. Many Native American cultures believe Turquoise helps to connect the mind to the infinite possibilities of the Universe. Turquoise is a symbol of friendship and stimulates romantic love. Turquoise is a purification stone; it dispels negative energy and can be worn to protect against outside influences.

Protection, healing, and calming. Agate enhances creativity and strengthens the intellect, making it a beneficial stone for both students and artists. It is also known as a good luck stone. Energetically, it is considered to give strength in both battles and physically.

Jasper, solid and earthy in form has a gentle warmth that seems to resonate from the soil itself. It comes in many colors form a deep green of an oak tree to an orange seemingly from the desert sands at sunset. Jasper’s energy is almost primal in the way it echoes with each of us, its strength is slow and steady, like the growing of trees. Jasper enables us to be present in the now, to really feel grounded which in turn helps to keep our feet firmly on the floor. Jasper encourages time to reflect, be at one with nature and really see what is right in front of us. They are nurturers; bringing grounding and stability, making you feel comfortable and secure which enables us to connect better to all living things. Jasper has a strong association with the Earth’s energy, it is the spirit stone of courage and wisdom whilst bringing strength to those who utilize it.

Howlite is predominantly a calming stone. It will aid in sleeping, calming the overactive mind, eases insomnia, dreaming, dream retention and stress relief. Physically, it calms the whole body and releases muscle tension. It eliminates pain brought about by stress.

 Lapis Lazuli

Stimulates wisdom and good judgment in the practical world. Lapis Lazuli is a powerful crystal for activating the higher mind and enhancing intellectual ability. It stimulates the desire for knowledge, truth, and understanding, and aids the process of learning. It is excellent for enhancing memory.

Lava Rock is easily the oldest and most abundant stone in the world. It literally comes from the core of the earth -fiery brimstone that bubbles to the surface and cools. Once the stone is cool, it becomes porous and black.

Lava stones carry energetic qualities and have been used for their healing properties. 

Emotional- Since lava is known for its grounding qualities, it’s wonderful for calming the emotions. In fact, the quality of fire springs from the ground, so in terms of healing gems, this lends itself to a calming- but intense- energy. Because it comes from raw energy, it’s considered to be a stone of rebirth and shedding unneeded layers of emotional attachment.

Spiritual- Lava stones are fantastic for stabilizing and grounding the root chakra. This is because of the strong connection to the earth and its creation within the center of Earth. In folk remedies, it was also given to soldiers to help them remain calm during battle.

 Amazonite

Amazonite tempers aggression tames the irrational and stills the disquiet. It provides harmony and balance.

Called the Stone of Courage and the Stone of Truth, Amazonite empowers one to search the self and discover one’s own truths and integrity. Amazonite soothes the chakras and aligns the physical body with the etheric. It is particularly rejuvenating to the Heart and Throat Chakras. Amazonite assists in communicating one’s true thoughts and feelings without over-emotionalism. It also enables one to see a problem from another’s point of view in order to affect peace. As a support stone, Amazonite aids in overcoming loneliness, and has been credited with making married life happier

Pearls

Pearls help to bring centering, calming reflection, as well as attune the wearer to the ebb and flow of life. They give purity, promote faith, charity and integrity. Due to its watery and lunar elements, they have a balancing effect on emotions. Spiritually, pearl soothes and heals the negativity and struggles in your life by surrounding negative energy with Light.

Hematite helps to absorb negative energy and calms in times of stress or worry. Hematite is a very protective stone and is great to carry to help you stay grounded in many situations. Hematite is also good for working with the Root Chakra, helping to transform negative energies into a more positive vibration.

Adorn your body in our beautiful bracelets, earrings, and necklaces from West Coast Cowgirl stone collection.

Choose different stones, patterns, and colors to pair with your favorite outfits.

Since each natural stone is unique (just like you ❤️), colors and shape will vary slightly from earring to earring, making this beautiful handmade item truly one of a kind.

Shop for natural stone jewelry here.

Photos and gemstone descriptions courtesy of Egret Jewelry.

The Bracelet has been a large part of our daily dose of jewelry for a long time now. They have been a status symbol, a reflection of our style and even a small glimpse into the person we are striving to become. 
Wearing them for decoration and status started thousands of years ago. We’ve come a long way since the first Native American women started decorating their arms with pieces of bone and shell. 
  
In today’s society, we are bombarded with choices, we can wake up in the morning and decide that today we are going to be a career girl by delicately draping on a classy bracelet, perfect for the office. Later, we get home, throw our shoes off, slip on our favorite jeans and t-shirt twinned with our Halona Heart Bracelet and become a sultry cowgirl by nightfall.  

What about the trend you're seeing on the streets? The stackable bracelet... 
Here is a style that allows us to recycle our old, much-loved bracelets of times gone by and pair them - or even multi-stack them - with new deliciously subtle, or delightfully extravagant bracelets of our future. It is inexpensive, organic and it can change from day to day, even hour to hour, depending on your mood or destination.

So how to get the right look for you? 
Well, that’s easy, start trying them on together! Start off with what you feel comfortable with, as your confidence grow’s with matching styles and themes so will the size of your layers. Have fun with it and make sure your style evolves from day to day. 

Wrap Bracelets are a great way to start off, they come in different sizes and colors so you can choose the perfect balance of bracelets for you. 

  
Try looking at West Coast Cowgirl for some design ideas. 
Pair a wrap with a beaded bracelet or friendship bracelet to give it that layered look. Choose different sizes, patterns, and colors, try using different materials and shapes. 
  
Most of all have fun with it and don’t forget to add a little you with every layer!

Shop for stackable, wrap and friendship bracelets here.

Post provided by Egret Jewelry.

This time of year is packed full of holiday gatherings. There are work parties, get-togethers among friends, and neighborhood gatherings. Don’t arrive empty-handed to your next holiday cocktail party. Find some creative and whimsical ideas from the list below.

Wine Glass Charms

These adorable wine glass charms will ensure no one forgets where they placed their wine glass. Plus, they’re cute and make fun conversation starters.

Erasable Wine Glass Markers - Even better, let everyone write their own names with these erasable wine glass markers. This set in particular comes in 5 colors. The marker dries in minutes and can be easily washed off with soap and water.

Cookie Mixes in a Jar - You can now purchase these at your local grocery store, but why not make your own? Follow the instructions for this Chocolate Peppermint Cookies in a Jar mix and surprise your host with her own jar of ready-made Christmas cookies.

Personalized Cork Coasters - These are fun and creative way to show appreciation to your host. You can purchase monogrammed cork coasters or make your own quite easily from supplies you can find at your local craft and DIY store.

DIY Herb or Spice Blends - A few glass jars, some recipes from Pinterest, and you have a homemade gift idea that is unique and delicious. Short on time? Wrap up spice or herb gift boxes. You can find various ones for every budget and any occasion.

Board Games - Think Jenga, Sorry, or Clue - a classic game that may bring back some favorite childhood memories. If your host and hostess have children, include a game for them like Candy Land or Headbandz.

Downton Abbey Wine Glasses - This is a perfect gift for that Downton Abbey fan! These wine glasses come in a set of 4, each with a different quote from the beloved character, Lady Violet, the Dowager Countess of Grantham.

Personalized Ornaments - Many local craft fairs feature homemade Christmas ornaments that can be personalized, especially this time of year. If you’re crafty you can also choose from one of these ideas and make one specifically for your host and their family.