Monthly Archives: July 2016

The Gift of Song | Singing Lessons

Queen Darlene - July 28, 2016 - Birthday, Christmas, Experiences, Gifts for Me, Mother's Day

Is there something you have always wanted to learn to do? I love to sing. I just couldn’t carry a tune so I decided to take singing lessons.

I found a voice teacher at a local university who gave private lessons. She was surprised when I told her my request.

“I want to learn how to sing one song – Fever.”

I’ve heard it all my life on the radio and in live musicals.

Peggy Lee made the song famous, and my favorite rendition is by Michael Buble.

It is one sexy song!

Never know how much I love you
Never know how much I care
When you put your arms around me
I get a fever that’s so hard to bear

You give me fever
When you kiss me
Fever when you hold me tight
Fever in the morning
Fever all through the night

Balloon Room Surprise

Princess Diana - July 26, 2016 - $20 or Less, Anniversary, Birthday, Business, Congratulations, Experiences

Balloons turn adults into little kids again, especially when they appear in an unexpected place like the office!

Turning someone’s work space, whether it’s their office or cubicle, into a playroom of colorful balloons is a great way to surprise someone for their birthday, work anniversary, or to congratulate them on an achievement.

Giving someone a Balloon Room Surprise could mean blowing up enough balloons to cover their floor and their desk, or it could mean filling the entire room with balloons all the way to the ceiling!

For a thoughtful twist to the Balloon Room Surprise, hide a gift among the balloons for them to find!

Chocolate Band-Aids for Life’s Boo Boos

Queen Darlene - July 21, 2016 - $20 or Less, Get Well

Chocolate Band-Aids! Who thinks these things up? Whoever they are… I’m glad they do. I love the idea!

As a child, Band-Aids on a boo boo always made me feel better even if they were the plain kind. No originality waaay back then.

My children chose their own Band-Aids like Spider-Man or The Hulk. The instant a super hero Band-Aid was applied to a scrape, cut or scratch, my kids were up and running.

Now, you can get rid of someone’s crocodile tears and create a smile by giving a treat of chocolate Band-Aids! Continue Reading

Card & Gift From Child’s Favorite Disney Character

Princess Diana - July 19, 2016 - Birthday, Christmas, Kids

One of the biggest joys of parenting is the opportunity to inject a sense of wonder and excitement into your kids’ childhood. It’s why we get up in the middle of the night to set out presents from Santa and to tuck money under the pillow in exchange for a tooth.

This thoughtful gift idea is a creative way to add a sense of magic and mystery to a young child’s birthday or Christmas gift experience!

Almost every child has a favorite Disney character or animated character they just adore. My son is obsessed with Mickey Mouse and his clubhouse friends.

Queen Darlene remembered this and for my son’s birthday she gave him a card and a gift from Mickey Mouse and Friends. She made the birthday card herself and signed it “Mickey.”

Adorable Pillow Case Sets

Queen Darlene - July 14, 2016 - Anniversary, Birthday, Wedding

We met Dan and Barb when they became our Realtors during my husband’s home building days.

We became close friends and through the years we have shared our life stories. One of my favorites is how Barb and Dan got married.

pillow-case-wedding-anniversary-thoughtful-gift-idea

Tie the Knot Matching Pillow Case Set

They had been together for a couple of years, and one morning Barb proposed to Dan by saying she was going to be a Mrs. by the end of the day. She was waaaaay past waiting for him to propose first.

He, of course, was nervous but Barb is the love of his life and that day they went to the courthouse and became Mr. & Mrs. He has said lovingly more than once she “roped him” into marriage!

When Barb and Dan were celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary, I saw these adorable pillow cases of a bride roping her groom with heart string in order to tie the knot on Etsy.com. Well… it just seemed to fit their marriage proposal perfectly so I gave it to them as an anniversary gift. Continue Reading

Personalized Beach Towels

Princess Diana - July 12, 2016 - Birthday, Christmas, Kids, Wedding

Some childhood gifts are so good you will still use them as an adult.

In grade school, I received a pink beach towel with my name embroidered on it from my aunt and uncle.

Each time I went to the public swimming pool, I enjoyed laying out my personalized beach towel happy with the thought that no one would ever mistake my towel for theirs.

A Useful Gift That Lasts

Almost 20 years later, I still use that same beach towel. Let me point out that I don’t even own another beach or swim item from my childhood. Just this one custom beach towel.

I will admit it’s no longer pink though due to a washing machine accident. It’s more of a cream color these days but my embroidered name looks as great as ever and the towel itself is in great shape!

High School Reunions Create New-Old Friendships

Queen Darlene - July 7, 2016 - Gifts for Me

Recently, I attended my 45th high school reunion and I’m still relishing in my new-old friendships.

I have several cherished high school friends who we’ve kept in touch all these years but with each 5-10-15-20 years and more, I’ve also created new friendships with old classmates.

I was a band nerd.

My whole high school experience was in the marching band, concert band and jazz band. We played victorious music at every football and home basketball games!

So my world mostly revolved around my band mates. Continue Reading

Indoor Snowball Fights Any Time of Year

Princess Diana - July 5, 2016 - $20 or Less, Birthday, Business, Christmas, Gifts for Him, Kids

No longer does it have to be winter for everyone to enjoy a free-for-all snowball fight. Because someone invented indoor snowballs!

Indoor Snowballs actually feel and squish like real snowballs even though they’re soft and dry!

Kids, adults, the whole family will enjoy getting into an indoor snowball fight. Minus the cold, wet mess of course. No one ever liked that part anyway.

Here are ways to use indoor snowballs to add a ton of unexpected fun and laughter to any occasion. You might even get a little workout from all that throwing!

Gift for All Ages

Everyone from toddlers, kids, teenagers and adults will get a kick out of indoor snowballs! They make a fantastic gift for all ages at any time of year. Oooh, think how perfect these would be for a Frozen themed party!

Celebrate Obscure Holidays

Princess Diana - July 1, 2016 - $20 or Less, Business

Do you ever need a reason to celebrate? I’ve got hundreds of them for you.

Almost 365 reasons really because there exists an obscure holiday on almost every day of the year. How is this a thoughtful gift idea?

Because people will love you for turning an ordinary day into an unexpected celebration!

If you work in an office, you’ll be giving your co-workers an opportunity to take a break from staring at their computers to have a little bit of excitement and variety.

Take this scenario. It’s a typical Monday at the office. You surprise everyone with s’mores because it’s National S’mores Day! Your co-workers enjoy eating their delicious snack, and it makes them feel like a kid again thanks to you!

Bosses, supervisors and managers can use obscure holidays related to food (think Sundae Day and Pie Day!) to show some love to their employees.

On Popcorn Day, you could give your friends, family members or co-workers flavored popcorn. Oreo Popcorn is my favorite and it’s easy to make!

You could also place an unpopped bag of popcorn on your co-workers’ desks with a small note about it being National Popcorn Day. They’ll appreciate the snack and the fact that you thought of them, making it a thoughtful gift!

Here is a list of some obscure holidays that would be fun to celebrate. View a more comprehensive list.