Monthly Archives: July 2017

Thoughtful Second Marriage Wedding Gift

Queen Darlene - July 27, 2017 - Anniversary, Birthday, Christmas, Uncategorized, Wedding

When my friend announced she would be saying “I do” for the second time, I wanted to give her a special wedding gift.

Traditional gifts such as dishes, towels and kitchen appliances are usually not needed in a second marriage.

I had the perfect opportunity to give a creative and thoughtful wedding gift!

Mike and Teresa were getting married on a beach in Florida and hosting a reception later for family and friends. This gave me time to do a little research…

Teresa posted on Facebook pictures of their beach wedding, and it sparked a gift idea.

I had seen custom couple silhouette portraits on Etsy.com, and thought I would create my own using one of Teresa’s wedding photos. I picked one of them in a unique pose.

Inflatable Solar Powered Lanterns

Princess Diana - July 25, 2017 - $20 or Less, Family, Gifts for Him

My inflatable solar powered lanterns give better light than my battery operated ones. And they’re not even expensive.

A friend brought hers on a camping canoe trip, and I wanted my own immediately. I now own two!

Eco-Friendly Design

During the day, my friend carried it on the outside of her pack to let it absorb solar energy, and at night she used it to light up our entire tent. When fully charged, it shines for up to 12 hours.

I also like to go backpacking, and all of my gear needs to be lightweight. These are perfect!

These inflatable solar powered lanterns weigh 4 oz. and don’t take up any room because they have a collapsible design.

Easy to Read Oversized Watch

Queen Darlene - July 20, 2017 - Anniversary, Birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, Mother's Day, Retirement

I haven’t worn a watch in years. One reason, I can check my cell phone for the time. The other reason, my age!

When I got older, I always required my reading glasses to see the time. The thought of purchasing an oversized watch just never crossed my mind.

Oversized Watch Face

My friend, Susan, gave me a beautiful rhinestone Betsey Johnson oversized watch for my birthday. She knows I love bling!

I cannot believe how much I enjoy wearing a watch again.

I love the HUGE NUMBERS because I can see them so clearly!

Canoe Camping Wilderness Adventure

Princess Diana - July 19, 2017 - Birthday, Christmas, Experiences, Gifts for Him, Gifts for Me, Graduation

There are places in the United States known as canoe country. It’s where water and wilderness combine for a canoe trip of a lifetime.

Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), or Boundary Waters for short, is one of those places. The area is a million acres of pristine wilderness containing more than 1,000 lakes that borders Canada, hence the name Boundary Waters.

I recently returned from a Girl Scouts travel camp where 11 of us drove north from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Ely, Minnesota for everyone’s first camping canoe experience. There were seven girls ages 12-17, and four adult volunteers.

Into the Wilderness

Separated into two groups with two guides each, we unplugged from civilization and headed out with only our canoes, paddles, camping gear, food, and a thirst for adventure.

For five days, we experienced breath-taking views of a wilderness paradise as we paddled across crystal-clear waters. I can’t believe I spotted more than 10 bald eagles on my trip!

State Parks Gift Certificates for Outdoor Enthusiasts

Princess Diana - July 14, 2017 - Birthday, Experiences, Family, Gifts for Him

I named this website Sunburst Gifts because I believe the perfect gift makes someone light up like the sun and burst with happiness.

Last month, I resigned from my job to pursue several entrepreneurship opportunities. When I opened my farewell gift from my work family of 12 years, I had the exact reaction I described above. They gave me the perfect gift!

They gave me gift certificates I could use at Oklahoma State Parks along with a copy of this year’s Oklahoma State Parks & Outdoor Recreation Guide.

My co-workers know my love of the outdoors, and they listened when I talked about my family’s camping trips. (My one-year old son has already been on two camping trips!)

Good for Camping, Lodging, Food & More

The gift certificates can be used for camping, lodging, food, golf and other recreational activities at any facility operated by the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department.

Finding New Homes for Old Photos, Post Cards, Letters & Mementos

Queen Darlene - July 13, 2017 - $20 or Less, Family

When people pass away, they leave behind their possessions which include old photos, post cards, letters and mementos. When it’s you who has to sort through it all after a parent, grandparent or siblings dies, it can be overwhelming.

My mother-in-law broke her hip and we had to move her to a memory care nursing center. I am going through her keepsake photos and some of them she has kept for 70+ years.

I’ve done this before with my grandmother’s, mother’s and brother’s things after they passed away. It’s definitely hard and emotional.

I felt if they held on to it for so many years, then it must have been a sweet memory or a special place in their heart. I just couldn’t throw them in the trash! Continue Reading

Sun Protection UPF Clothing

Queen Darlene - July 6, 2017 - Birthday, Experiences, Gifts for Him

To celebrate my husband’s 67th birthday (oh my, I can remember when he turned 17), we took a vacation to Big Cedar Lodge and Table Rock Lake in Missouri for a fishing trip.

On our trip, we visited the granddaddy of all outdoor stores – Bass Pro Shop in Springfield, Missouri. Did you know it’s Missouri’s number one tourist destination?

We were in the store for hours looking at boats, motors, fishing gear, seven aquariums, alligators, and finally clothes.

(Now I know how he felt after all these years shopping with me. Bless his heart!) Continue Reading

Compact Car Jump Starter | Road Safety

Princess Diana - July 5, 2017 - Birthday, Business, Father's Day, Gifts for Him, Gifts for Me, Graduation

My car battery died after work one day, and thankfully a co-worker came to my rescue.

He didn’t use jumper cables.

He used something even better called a compact car jump starter.

It’s better than jumper cables because you don’t need another car to jump you!

Peace of Mind on the Road

Think about it, your battery could die when no other car is around. Or you’re parked in a spot where another car can’t pull up close enough for the jumper cable to reach. In both situations you’re out of luck.

Every car should seriously have one of these! It gives you peace of mind on the road that a dead battery won’t leave you stranded.

A compact car jump starter is so small it can fit in your glove compartment, and it can be used as a USB charger to charge a phone or anything else with a USB cord.