All about my adventures with cooking, crafts, and travel
Your Mission: Stay Hydrated- Hot summer days zap us all of energy. It’s important to stay hydrated. You’ll feel great & your overall wellness will improve.
Whenever I am feeling lousy, the first thing I think of is if I am properly hydrated.
Or that is a tumor and I will probably be dead in 3 months.
But more likely, I’m just not properly hydrated.
…
I love summer.
The outside activities, sunshine, and warm mornings all make me happy.
The smell of sunblock and bugspray are my perfumes.
Water activities are the best.
Sunkissed cheeks are extra kissable.
I love the way that Autumn comes home with tangled hair matted to her from running around and getting sweaty.
Cold glasses of ice tea are a must.
Melty ice cream cones make for sticky fingers.
Our dogs flop into the cool tile floor after a long walk.
The smells of grills fill the air at night.
S’mores are my summer time addiction.
Flip flop tan lines are a sigh of freedom.
Piles of sand on the car floor means a great weekend was had at the beach.
Going down the slide at the pool is a given.
Summer is the best season.
Pics from this weekend’s community splash pad event.
Did you forget that Father’s Day is this Sunday?
Oh, only me then…
Well, I’ll use the new baby as a decent excuse, but what’s your excuse?!?!?!
It’s time to get shopping!!!
I hopped over to Amazon for ya to check out some awesome stuff. Amazon has tons of great products and the majority of them are Prime eligible. Some are even available for Prime Now, depending on where you live.
Let’s be real, you’re an amazon addict if you’re a parent. It saves ya when you need to order diapers or tub toy organizers (like what we needed to do this past week after our daughter Hulk’d her organizer off the wall and broke the bracket!)
Essential Oil Diffusers – Monq $120 for 7
Okay, so this won’t arrive in time to give to Dad for Father’s Day but… it’s still an awesome gift. Like, maybe he won’t mind if you put an IOU in his card.
I have been using Monq for the past 6 months and I love it. I am a big fan of essential oils and love the benefits that they provide. These are portable diffuses so they can be tossed in a bag or pocket. I find that they really help with giving me an afternoon pick me up or helps me relax before bed.
Beard Oil – Mountaineer Brand $12
For the dad’s with some facial hair, a beard oil is a must. It helps keep the hair soft and helps condition your skin underneath the beard.
Tripod Mount for Smartphones – Studio Neat $30
This is great for the Dad who loves Instagram or who loves to share family memories on Facebook. Having the tripod mount for smartphone devices is great for capturing moments of the whole family together.
And make sure dad snaps a self timer picture of everyone on Father’s Day with his new tripod!
Digital Laser Measure- Bosch $30
I have been using laser measures at work for years. They are so awesome. They are really precise and easy to use. Dad will love having one of these around for his next big home project.
Grilling Cookbook – America’s Test Kitchen $19
It’s time to fire up that grill! I love cookbooks from America’s Test Kitchen as they are clear and easy to follow. They are packed with great, helpful trips and tricks. You know Dad is gonna love to share his new found knowledge with you while he grills up a big steak, some kabobs, and some beer can chicken.
Smoker Box – Char-Broil – $13
If Dad likes grilling, then he might like to try smoking as well. This smoker box is a great way to start that. You can get all different kinds of wood chips for him too!
6 quart 7 function Pressure Cooker – Instant Pot $100
No place for a grill? Or dad doesn’t enjoy it? Then give him an instant pot. I bet he will love making pulled pork or batches of mac and cheese in there. Shoot, my husband loves that he can hardboil 18 eggs in there at once.
Baby Bike Seat – CyclingDeals $60
Family bike outings are always a blast. These bike seats are great for young kids so they can join the family. Having them right behind you lets you talk to them and play ‘I Spy’ while out on the trails.
Bike Trailer – Via Velo $400
Have 2 kids? This bike trailer is perfect for both of them.
And if they are doggo kids… they are great to hang out in there too! ha!
Insulated Water Bottle – KINGSSO $12
While Dad is hauling everyone around with his bike, make sure he is well hydrated! A sleek looking water bottle will help him stay hydrated and looking cool.
Graphic Tee’s- $20+
These Fun ‘Drink Local‘ Tee’s are great for the Dad’s that love local brews and live in CA, DC, MA, NY, TX, and WI.
This ‘For Fox Sake’ shirt is great for the dad that has a fun sense of humor.
Bike Messenger Bag- Manhattan Portage $120
This messenger bag is great for the stylish Dad who commutes to work on public transportation. It’s compact but still manages to hold a lot of stuff with
Vintage Canvas Backpack- Hotstyle $35 or less
Or maybe a messenger bag isn’t his thing? This backpack is pretty awesome. It’s waterproof and looks really stylish. Plus, it won’t break the piggy bank for less than $35.
Cool Diaper Bag- Diaper Dude $25+
And for the dad’s to be, a cool diaper bag is a must. My husband has a messenger bag from diaper dude and has loved using it over the past few years. It’s comfortable and has plenty of storage, including pockets for smart organization.
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What are you getting Dad for Father’s Day?
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Woohoo! Mother’s Day is fast approaching. Are you ready?!
Resist the urge to take mom out for brunch. Everyone does it and it’s a madhouse out there. Also, resist the idea of making breakfast in bed for her. Unless you make everything, give her the breakfast, and walk away to clean EVERYTHING up. Let her eat in peace. Personally, I think it’s a better idea to let her sleep in while you take a gremlins out of the house, and you bring back her favorite donuts/bagel/pastries and a giant coffee. Again, you leave her alone to eat in peace.
Have you caught on yet?!?!?
In addition to that, some gifts would be nice. Feel free to go while and get some fun things. Maybe you should skip that spinning stone necklace in exchange for these awesome goodies.
A Great Lipstick- Melted by Too Faced $21
I am loving lipsticks from Too Faced lately since they have great coverage and colors. Nudes are classic but bright colors are fun for summer. Just get her one that will make her feel wonderful.
Her Favorite Perfume – $60+
It’s just wonderful how when you give your mom a big hug and you take in a deep breath, breathing in her perfume, it takes you back to memories of your childhood.
Getting her a fresh bottle of her signature scent is a winning gift. Or pick up a new scent for her that is sure to become a classic.
Key, Wallet Tracker – TrackR $30
If mom misplaces her keys or wallet as much as I do, then she will probably love this gadget. It will make getting out of the house with keys in hand quickly and stress free. Instead of running around like crazy looking for her keys, she will be able to quickly locate them with the app on her phone.
Ultra Compact Portable High-Speed Charger- Anker $17
For the moms on the go, these portable phone charges are great. They help you stay connected, or at least on Instagram while at the park.
Pineapple embossed wineglasses – Luminarc $32 for 6
Pineapples are super trendy now. Yay! So you can’t go wrong with gifting these fun glasses and a bottle of wine.
Then walk far away from mom so she can enjoy a glass of wine in silence. shhhh!!
7 In 1 Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker– Instant Pot $99
This could be tricky. She might be offended that you are giving her a kitchen gadget, but
the risk might pay off when she tries it and falls in love with it. I am loving mine so I hope she loves hers too.
A fun mug- $15
I swear that it’s a real victory if I can manage to drink a cup of coffee without reheating it in the microwave. Why are morning so crazy?!?! At least a new large mug will be a cute addition to her collection. Hopefully, it will give her a good laugh when she retrieves it out of the microwave again and again.
And don’t forget to gift her favorite coffee or tea along with the mug!
Delightfully Delicious Macarons – $15- 90
Online order some macarons or stop by a local bakery to pick some up before visiting mom. I bet she will get a kick out the inventive flavors, like passion fruit, lychee, or lavender.
Activity Tracker- Fit Bit $99- $150
I have used a FitBit for the past few years and I have loved every step of it. There are all different styles of fitness trackers so get one that you think mom will like. The low profile Alta or the Charge with the heart rate monitor? So many options, so many mix and match bands to accessorize with it.
Fitness Membership – Orange Theory
If mom likes to push herself then have her check out an Orange Theory class. She will love to see how many calories she burned and how many splat points she earned during class. Then she can calculate how many glasses of wine she can have in exchange for the calories she burned during class. ha!
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Price snapped these pictures when my mom was recently visiting while we were checking out the sunset. It was a fun visit.
See you soon Mom!!