Author: Stacey

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5 Valentines Gifts for Him

As we established in our previous post, ‘7 Gifts for Her on Valentines Day,’ this romantic holiday is the perfect one to let your loved one know how special they are. Here at PacaNaturals, we have just the items you need (plus a few additional suggestions) to make this Valentines Day a great one. Keep reading for 5 Gifts for Him this Valentines Day.

1. A hearty breakfast. It is no secret that men like a nice big meal, so why not give him one this Valentines Day morning? Make him some fluffy pancakes and add yummy Hilltop Boilers maple syrup over the top. This will be sure to kick his V-Day off right, and you’ll get points for the effort.

2. TV seasons on DVD. What better way to show your man you love him than to buy him his favorite television series on DVD. Not only will he love having the power to watch his show whenever he wants, but he’ll love all of the bonus content that comes with most series sets. Plus, with the time he spends binge watching his series, you can catch up on all your favorite shows (without any griping) in another room!

3. Chocolate. Who doesn’t like chocolate? In addition to being a day of love, Valentines Day is also a sacred day of chocolate eating. Encourage his appetite with a delicious set of gourmet chocolates from local Portland shops.Wrong Side Tab Scarf With Border

4. A luxurious alpaca scarf. Scarves are in for men and women, and we have just the scarf your man needs to survive what’s left of winter. Come in and choose from our vast selection of premium knit alpaca scarves – you’re guaranteed to find just the one your man will want. He’ll love this gift for its style and its functionality.

5. A romantic getaway. Just as we suggested in our previous post about perfect gifts for women, men also enjoy romantic getaways. You know your man best, so make a list of the things he likes and plan a quick weekend adventure somewhere in New England. The winter scenery in the northeast is like nowhere else, enjoy it together!

There you go! We’ve provided you with 5 great gift ideas for your man this Valentines Day. Not sure about any of these suggestions? Come on down to our store and we’ll help you find something perfect for your guy. Happy Valentines Day!

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7 Gifts for Her on Valentines Day

Valentines Day is almost here! Or, as some like to call it, Singles Awareness Day. Whether you’re celebrating with your special someone or you’re simply recognizing your own awesomeness this year, PacaNaturals has the perfect items for you. In honor of this most romantic of days, we’ve put together a comprehensive list of ideal gifts for her. Read through for gift ideas and stay tuned for our next post, Valentines Day Gifts for Him!

handwarmers1. Super Comfy Hand Warmers. February is known to be one of the coldest months of the year, just remember that 36″ snow storm we got last year! That’s why these hand warmers are the perfect gift for the busy woman. Functional and stylish, these warmers will keep your hands toasty while still allowing their full use. Awesome!

2. DIY Instagram Coasters. Don’t let the ‘DIY’ of it all freak you out. These Instagram coasters are an awesome gift for anyone special to you, or to simply make for yourself! Super cheap and very easy, these coasters will get you lots of brownie points for your efforts. Go here to find out how to make your own!

3. Flowers. It may seem cheap or cliche, but it’s really not. Flowers are a wonderful way to show you care. If you put enough effort into the card, you can really hit a home run this Valentine’s Day.

4. Knitting Classes. Has your lady love expressed interest in taking up a craft? What better way to show you’ve been paying attention than to get her lessons for whatever she’s been meaning to learn about. Might we suggest that the two of you take up a partners knitting class? But before you hit your first lesson, make sure to stop by PacaNaturals for some premium alpaca yarn.

5. Personalized Phone Case. Everybody loves personalization and everybody loves their phone. Combine those two loves and get that special someone a phone, tablet, or laptop case complete with a picture of the two of you printed on the back. This will be a cherished possession for years to come.

6. A romantic getaway. It also may seem a touch cliche, but I guarantee your loved one isn’t going to be complaining when she’s being pampered at a couples spa with a glass of crisp champagne in hand. Take her someplace special and show her all tuckstitchvestthe treatment she deserves. And, if you’re celebrating Singles Awareness Day in place of St. Valentine’s, take yourself someplace great – you deserve it!

7. A Soft Alpaca Vest. Here’s something she never knew she wanted: the world’s coziest alpaca vest, made from SuriPaco’s Eastport Yarn Collection. This vest has an elegant stitch and is available in multiple colors. Grab one for your sweetheart and let her know she deserves all of life’s finer things. It’ll keep her warm on even the coldest February day.

There you have it: seven great ideas ready to be put into action for this Valentine’s Day! And stay tuned for our upcoming post, Valentines Gifts for Him. Happy Valentines Day, everyone!

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From the Farm to Your Closet: The Journey of Alpaca Fiber

brownalpacaOften we, as consumers, buy things without knowing where exactly they came from. Sure, we can take a quick glance at the tag and determine what country it was manufactured in, but we don’t know much beyond that. Fortunately, with alpaca goods, things are a little easier to visualize. While you may not know exactly what farm the fiber in your scarf or sweater came from, you can still picture a herd of alpacas grazing somewhere on a pasture, their fiber growing into an increasingly luxurious commodity with each passing day. But even though you’re aware of where the fiber in your items may originate, how exactly does it move from the animal grazing in the pasture to the soft material that keeps you warm in the dead of winter? Click through to find out!

Step 1 – Shearing:
Alpacas have some of the most premium fiber in the world. The natural fiber grown by alpacas is called fleece, and has the ability to be light or heavy, depending on how it is spun. Left unattended, alpaca fleece could grow long enough to touch the ground after just a few years. For the most part, in North America, alpacas are sheared once a year, usually in the spring. At our farm – Abbott Farms in Cumberland, Maine – our animals are sheared in May to make sure that they will stay cool in the summer months.

Step 2 – Skirting:
Once sheared, the fleece must be checked for bad pieces. This process is called skirting. Basically, any pieces that are too short or too coarse to be spun into a high quality yarn are removed before the fiber can be sent to local spinners. Pieces of hay or food that may have been caught in the alpaca’s fleece are also removed during the skirting process.

Step 3 – Spinning: 
The skirted fiber is sent to local spinners who spin it into yarn. The method of spinning is dependent on the individual spinner, but the end result is the same: a premium yarn that is then used to make the wonderful alpaca products found in our store. Fiber that has been skirted and spun can also be dyed into various colors, depending on the needs and wants of the weavers, knitters and crocheters.

Step 4 – Creating:
Once the spun yarn is finished, it is sent to local weavers, knitters and crocheters who make scarves, blankets, sweaters, vests, hats, mittens, socks, and other great items. Alpaca fiber, once spun into yarn, is used just the same as wool or other yarns, and can be made into a slew of different products.

Step 5 – Enjoying:
Here at PacaNaturals, we are committed to selling the most premium of these alpaca goods. Our selection is vast, and our customers are guaranteed to find something they love. Our products have all been through the process you’ve just read about, and are sure to be unique. Alpaca products are as durable as they are beautiful, and will be keeping you warm for years to come.

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Why An Alpaca Scarf Is the Must Have of the New Year

alpacascarfAlpaca products are growing increasingly popular as people become more and more aware of these beautiful animals and the many benefits of using their fiber for apparel and other goods. As we enter the new year, it seems appropriate to tout the greatness of the alpaca scarf. So, what makes this such a “must have” for 2014? Keep reading for the reasons that we love our alpaca scarves here at PacaNaturals!

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