Category "Anniversary"

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!

Hummingbird Feeder | Backyard Entertainment

Queen Darlene - June 22, 2017 - Anniversary, Birthday, Experiences, Father's Day, Mother's Day, Teacher Gifts

My husband and I really enjoy watching hummingbirds. These beautiful birds have become our favorite backyard entertainment.

Hummingbirds are small, colorful birds with iridescent feathers. They are fascinating to watch because they can hover, fly right, left, up, down, backwards and even upside down.

They flap their wings about 80 times per second which causes a humming sound. Continue Reading

Plan A Surprise Party on a Holiday

Princess Diana - May 31, 2017 - Anniversary, Birthday, Going Away, Graduation, Retirement

My husband, Kevin, graduated with this Master’s degree this year. To celebrate such a major accomplishment, I decided to throw him a surprise party.

I schemed with his parents who was hosting the graduation party in their home. After checking with each other, the only date in May that worked with both of our schedules was Mother’s Day. Oh no!

That was my initial reaction. But after thinking about it, I realized there is NO WAY he would see this surprise party coming.

A graduation party on Mother’s Day? Who would do that?!

Planning a surprise party on a holiday provides the perfect cover story.

The Perfect Cover Story

I simply told Kevin we needed to go to his parents’ house because for a Mother’s Day brunch. He easily believed it. I didn’t need to concoct some elaborate story to get him there.

Do you have people coming from out of town? They can say they’re coming into town for the holiday.

Magical 3D Pop Up Greeting Cards

Princess Diana - May 9, 2017 - $20 or Less, Anniversary, Baby Shower, Birthday, Business, Christmas, Congratulations, Father's Day, Get Well, Graduation, Housewarming, Kids, Mother's Day, Teacher Gifts, Thank You, Valentine's Day, Wedding

3D Pop Up Greeting Cards are so beautiful and mesmerizing, they are almost a gift in itself. And they’re definitely keepsakes!

When you open one of these cards, instead of seeing words, you see the card magically come to life as it POPS UP into a unique design. They are truly miniature works of paper art!

Send Someone a Pop Up Surprise

You can buy 3D Pop Up Greeting Cards in all sorts of designs for all sorts of occasions. Some of them are designed to hold a gift card.

Although, do you even need an occasion to send a 3D greeting card with a pop up dragon, a pop up pirate ship or a pop up rocket? Send them just because the cards are badass and you want to surprise someone!

Holding Hands Photos | Sentimental Gift

Queen Darlene - April 13, 2017 - $20 or Less, Anniversary, Birthday, Family, Father's Day, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day

I’ve known my friend, Sherry, for years and have had the privilege of meeting her parents on many occasions. When I recently attended a reception honoring their daughter’s achievement, I noticed they were holding hands across the table.

I asked if I could take a picture of them holding hands. Her parents smiled and agreed. I thought it was so precious and wanted to capture the sweet, tender embrace for Sherry.

Sherry’s parents are her biggest supporters. Their hands have held her, guided her, hugged her, loved her, and clapped for her and her awesome accomplishments. 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

Give Your Partner A Sensual Oil Massage

Princess Diana - February 14, 2017 - Anniversary, Birthday, Experiences, Valentine's Day

I have a Valentine’s Day gift that can transform your relationship by creating deeper intimacy. You can give it over and over, and it’s amazing every time!

Give your partner a sensual massage with your own two hands using massage oil.

If you think about it, who better than to pamper your lover with a romantic massage than you?

My husband is no professional masseur, but he gives THE BEST massages. I only wish he could massage me longer than 20 minutes before his fingers get tired. Really though, I’m not complaining because those 20 minutes are pure heaven!

My body becomes putty in his hands as he sensually rubs my aches and tensions away… leaving me feeling completely relaxed and loved. There’s something very intimate in knowing that your partner is focusing all of his or her efforts on making you feel so good.

By the way, massage oil is essential. It makes a massage feel 100 times better!

The 5 Love Languages for A Happy Marriage

Princess Diana - February 7, 2017 - Anniversary, Gifts for Me, Valentine's Day, Wedding

Have you ever wondered what the secret is to a long, happy marriage? I am completely serious when I tell you I’ve found it.

I learned it in the book, The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts, the #1 New York Times bestselling book by Dr. Gary D. Chapman.

Communication doesn’t break down because men are from Mars and women are from Venus. It’s because we often speak different love languages than our spouse.

In the book, Dr. Chapman explains the 5 Love Languages using wonderful stories and examples from real couples he has helped through marriage counseling. He says it’s the secret to keeping love alive.

The 5 Love Languages

Words of Affirmation
Acts of Service
Receiving Gifts
Quality Time
Physical Touch

Reading this book helped understand what makes me feel loved and what makes my husband feel loved.

Splurge on a Fancy Dinner | Culinary Experience

Princess Diana - January 31, 2017 - Anniversary, Birthday, Christmas, Congratulations, Experiences, Father's Day, Food & Drinks, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, Wedding

Have you every wanted to try an expensive restaurant but always talked yourself out of going there?

I’m guilty.

There is an expensive steak restaurant near where I live that I’ve always wanted to try. It’s so close to my house I drive by it almost every day.

The restaurant has a great reputation, and I’ve heard about the delicious food from lots of people I know. So why haven’t I gone there yet?

It’s not that I can’t afford it. I just always come up with different reasons not to. Let’s see…

I’d rather spend that money on something else I want. I feel guilty spending that much money on steak when I’m perfectly happy with the steak served at other less expensive restaurants. I end up deciding to try another new restaurant in town that isn’t so expensive.

But guess what this lucky lady got for Christmas?! My thoughtful husband gave a gift card to the expensive steak restaurant in my Christmas stocking!

Since I would never splurge on going to that restaurant, he decided he would do it for me!

A Candy Bouquet for Any Occasion

Princess Diana - January 24, 2017 - $20 or Less, Anniversary, Birthday, Business, Christmas, Congratulations, Food & Drinks, Get Well, Gifts for Him, Graduation, Host, Housewarming, Kids, Mother's Day, Party Favors, Retirement, Teacher Gifts, Thank You, Valentine's Day

Flowers bouquets are considered a perfect gift for any occasion. Although, realistically, women tend to appreciate the gift of flowers more than men. Not so with candy bouquets. Men, women and children love them equally!

A candy bouquet is like a flower arrangement except it uses candy instead of flowers.

Think about it. Not everyone has a favorite flower, but everyone has their favorite candy (or candies).

If you’re like me, you have more than one favorite candy. My perfect candy bouquet would contain Twix, Sour Patch Kids, Sweet Tart Gummies, Hershey’s Hugs, and Hershey’s Candy Cane Kisses.

Candy bouquets are a beautiful sight! They look expensive, but they can be created simply and inexpensively.

You can purchase pre-made candy bouquets, but by creating your own you can customize it to contain the gift recipient’s favorite flavors.