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Queen Darlene

Collapsible and Expandable Flower Vase

Queen Darlene - March 23, 2017 - $20 or Less, Birthday, Teacher Gifts

Do you like surprises? I do! I received red roses from my friend, Karen. Even though that was a surprise in itself, that wasn’t the BIG surprise. She delivered roses in a gift bag with an collapsible, expandable vase.

What’s an collapsible, expandable vase you ask?

They are folded flower vases that do everything a glass vase can do except collect dust.

The vases are thin, strong, durable and amazingly stable. They will not leak.

Not only are they beautifully designed to display in the home or office, they are ideal for poolside and patio dining because they will never chip, scratch, or break.

I followed the instructions on the back of the package holding the vase.

Stepping Into Retirement Celebration

Queen Darlene - March 17, 2017 - Retirement

My co-worker, Judy, retired after 36 years, and we wanted to celebrate her retirement in grand style.

Just a plain retirement cake and punch would not do. We were looking for the WOW! factor to represent her years of service.

We decorated our agency’s conference room with fancy and fabulous decorations of heels, pearls and jewels with the theme of “Stepping into Retirement and Kissing OHFA Goodbye.”

Judy’s favorite color is red so we provided red cut-out lips on popsicle sticks for all employees – to kiss her goodbye! Continue Reading

Speak Out Mouthpiece Challenge Game

Queen Darlene - March 9, 2017 - Birthday, Experiences, Family, Kids

When was the last time you doubled over, your side hurting and you couldn’t breathe from laughing so much? Do I have the side splitting game for you! Speak Out is the ridiculous mouthpiece challenge game.

The object of the game is to earn cards by successfully guessing phrases. The team with the most cards at the end of the game wins.

Simple enough, but not really. Continue Reading

Ultra Bright Flashlight for Gal Pal

Queen Darlene - March 2, 2017 - $20 or Less, Birthday, Christmas

Tactile Ultra Bright Flashlights are not just for guys while camping or hunting! Gals need them too.

I needed a birthday gift for my girlfriend, Karen. We met at my office when she represented a client through Legal Aid. We became instant friends, played on a tennis team together, and have been exchanging gifts for almost 20 years!

I’m always on the hunt for something we haven’t exchanged before and came up with the idea of a sturdy, small but powerful flashlight. A flashlight that had some umph!!!

I purchased the Ultra Bright Flashlight because it is compact, easy to carry in a purse, shines a very bright light up to 600 feet, uses a single AA battery, has zoom and high-low-strobe modes.

A flashlight is a little unusual gift for a woman but listen up.

They come in quite handy when the electricity goes out, searching for items in dark places like the back of closets, cabinets or underneath a car seat for a lost earring. Continue Reading

One Night Stay Destination | Experience Gift

Queen Darlene - February 17, 2017 - Anniversary, Birthday, Christmas, Experiences

My sister-in-law and her husband enjoy going out-of-town. With that in mind, I gave them a destination experience as a gift!

My husband and I gave David and Lesa a gift certificate for a one-night-stay at a historical hotel. Inside the envelope, I included a picture of the hotel’s breathtaking lobby.

When they opened their gift, they were completely surprised! They had never heard of The Mayo Hotel and were excited about their upcoming adventure.

The Mayo Hotel in Tulsa

The Mayo Hotel located in Tulsa, Oklahoma is a beautiful hotel that has been renovated to its previous historic grandeur.

Opened in 1925, The Mayo instantly became synonymous with high society. Famous guests included President John F. Kennedy, Bob Hope, Charles Lindbergh, Babe Ruth, Lucille Ball, Charlie Chaplin and Elvis Presley. Continue Reading

Valentine’s Day Traditions Reimagined

Queen Darlene - February 9, 2017 - Valentine's Day

It’s time to fall in love with Valentine’s Day all over again!

We’ve reimagined routine Valentine’s Day traditions by adding a new twist to make it even more special. After reading our You say…We say… list, we’re sure you will come up with your own unique ideas!

Celebrate Valentine’s Day Family Style

Queen Darlene - February 2, 2017 - Kids, Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day is usually reserved for couples, but I have another idea. Start a tradition of celebrating Valentine’s Day family style.

Living Room Floor Family Picnic

Have a picnic for all the Valentines in your family on your living room floor. Kids love this!

Keep it simple and move the furniture, lay out a blanket, and use Valentine’s Day paper plates with red plastic utensils. Depending upon the age of the children, I would use cups with lids and straws to prevent any spills.

If you want to be more elaborate, add a red and white picnic table cloth, eating trays, red pillows to sit on, sprinkle rose petals around the room, beautiful flowers, decorative lights, etc.

Make it a family affair and have the kids help with the set-up and decorating. Continue Reading

Send Valentine’s Day Cards Postmarked From Valentine, TX

Queen Darlene - January 26, 2017 - $20 or Less, Valentine's Day

Looking for a thoughtful twist to sending a Valentine’s Day card? Have it postmarked from a town with a name associated with Valentine’s Day.

Like Valentine, Texas, Romance, Arkansas or Loveland, Colorado.

I called the postmaster in Valentine, Texas, and he explained the process.

All you have to do is send your card addressed and stamped inside a larger envelope addressed to the Postmaster Remailing Program of the town from which you want it mailed.

He also said the elementary school in Valentine has a contest every year for the students to come up with a cancellation stamp for the post office to use on all Valentine’s Day cards.

Interesting Fact: Valentine, Texas’s population is 134, and the post office’s one employee hand stamps 7,000 to 10,000 cards. WOW!

I’m sending a box of chocolates as a thank you for stamping my cards. Continue Reading

Keep It Simple | Office Birthday Gift Ideas

Queen Darlene - January 19, 2017 - $20 or Less, Birthday, Business

I work in an office of nearly 100 employees and someone is having a birthday just about every other day.

Birthdays are listed on a monthly employee calendar which make it easy to send a birthday wish by email. But there are times when you want to recognize a co-worker’s birthday with a birthday gift.

Even though there are five different departments at my place of employment, we all work together from time to time and get to know one another’s likes and dislikes.

Favorite Cereals

This year, Jody came up with a great idea for Tiffany’s birthday. Tiff LOVES cereal and eats four bowls a day!

On the way to work the morning of Tiffany’s birthday, Jody picked up two boxes of Tiff’s favorite cereals, Froot Loops and Frosted Krispies, with a half-gallon of milk.

Jody tied it all together with a ribbon and when Tiff saw the gift sitting on her desk, she was thrilled! Continue Reading

Ceramic Woven Bread Basket | Keeps Bread Warm

Queen Darlene - January 12, 2017 - Birthday, Christmas, Gift Baskets, Host, Housewarming, Mother's Day, Teacher Gifts, Wedding

Have you ever heard of a ceramic woven bread basket that keeps bread warm? My sister-in-law received one for Christmas and now, I want one!

What I’ve always done to keep my bread warm is to wrap them up in a tea towel (just like my grandmother, mother and mother-in-law used to do) and place them in a wicker basket. Of course, they never stayed warm very long.

Keeps Homebaked Goods Warmer Longer

A heated Williams Sonoma ceramic woven bread basket will keep bread warm during your entire meal. Bread lovers can eat their second and third dinner rolls still warm!

It works by placing the ceramic bread basket in a 350°F oven for approximately 15 minutes. Afterwards, remove from the oven and line the basket with a cloth napkin before adding your bread, muffins or biscuits. Continue Reading