Category "Christmas"

Thoughtful Gifts for Walkers & Runners

Princess Diana - May 24, 2016 - Birthday, Christmas, Gifts for Me

Besides quality walking or running shoes, there are some items that walkers and runners should have.

The right pair of socks is very important for both comfort and to prevent blisters. Then they need the right clothing to wick away sweat and to prevent chafing.

After that, accessories, such as ear buds, headbands, sunglasses, water bottles, hydration belts and fitness trackers, can make walking and running a more enjoyable experience.

There is one accessory that is not yet common, but should be because it saves lives. They’re small and lightweight, and they do an excellent job of making walkers and runners highly visible to motorists to avoid potentially deadly accidents.

I’m talking about LED Safety Lights designed for runners and walkers to wear.

Bluapple Keeps Produce Fresher 3X Longer

Queen Darlene - May 13, 2016 - $20 or Less, Birthday, Christmas, Gifts for Me, Housewarming

Wish I could have saved all the money wasted on throwing out my fruits and vegetables that went bad before I could eat them. I’m sure you know exactly what I’m talking about.

Bluapple is here to “save the day” or should I say “weeks” of extending the life of your produce.

This amazing product absorbs ethylene gas that causes produce to over ripen.

I remember hearing something about ethylene gas in my high school science class. I probably thought it was something I would never need to know. Was I wrong!

The Bluapple is easy peasy to use. Just place the golf ball size Blueapple in your Crisper to keep your fruits and vegetables fresher three times longer!

Invite Mom to Afternoon Tea

Princess Diana - May 3, 2016 - Birthday, Christmas, Experiences, Food & Drinks, Mother's Day

More than anything, mothers love to spend quality time with their children.

So when thinking of gifts for her birthday, Mother’s Day or Christmas, a memorable bonding experience for the two of you to do together will always make her happy.

Consider inviting your mother for an Afternoon Tea Experience at a nice hotel, tea room or tea restaurant.

Can you hear it? The sound of a dainty china cup clicking against its saucer.

Can you feel it? The mood of stylish elegance and luxury.

Treat your mother to a lovely and charming afternoon tea with tea trays and service. (At some places, they even have tea butlers!) You and your mother can enjoy sipping tea from delicate teacups while sitting in a room filled with beautiful ambience.

Together, share in meaningful conversation while dining on delicious scones, freshly made sandwiches, and petite pastries!

Customizable Room Wall Decals

Queen Darlene - April 28, 2016 - $20 or Less, Anniversary, Birthday, Christmas, Kids

I love seeing beautiful quotes written on walls that inspire fun, laughter, warmth or a simple Ahhh feeling.

At first, I thought they were professionally painted but learned they are removable wall decals.

Wall decals (also called wall stickers) are a quick way to enhance a room whether it’s in someone’s home or office.

Peel and stick wall decals will adhere to any clean, smooth surface including mirrors, doors and cabinetry. They’re easy peasy to apply, look hand-painted, and leave no mess.

Even more amazing is the wall lettering will not damage walls or leave residue and can be easily removed.

I selected several wall decals at a craft store and gave them as gifts. There are so many designs and varieties you can find one to match every personality, interest or occasion.

If you can’t find what you want, you can always order custom wall decals through websites like Etsy.com. There may be a quote or saying that is unique to your friendship or family. Continue Reading

Glamour Shots Fairy Tale Portraits

Queen Darlene - April 21, 2016 - Birthday, Christmas, Experiences, Kids

Growing up my brothers and I played dressed up. Don’t tell the world but many times they would allow me to dress them up as the sisters I never had!

We loved playing dress up and make believe.

One of my favorite memories was when I played a princess and my brothers were warriors defending my kingdom, protecting me with their swords and riding through the pretend forest on their stick horses.

Sadly, I do not have a single photo of that memory.

What to my surprise, Glamour Shots offers Fairy Tale Portraits! Kids from ages one to 12 dress up in flowing fairy dresses and woodland warrior costumes. Continue Reading

Add Your Own Message to Hand Stamped Silverware

Princess Diana - April 19, 2016 - $20 or Less, Birthday, Christmas, Congratulations, Father's Day, Going Away, Graduation, Host, Housewarming, Kids, Mother's Day, Retirement, Teacher Gifts, Valentine's Day, Wedding

It’s fun to have our own special silverware to use for eating cereal, ice cream or dessert.

The mundane task of grabbing silverware out of the drawer gets a little bit more exciting as you search for your special spoon or fork.

Last Mother’s Day gift, I gave my mother and mother in-law custom hand stamped silverware with the message: A mother’s love is beyond measure.

Every time they use the spoon to eat with or to stir their cup of tea of coffee, I hope they’ll think of me and know how grateful I am for their love and kindness.

You can make your message sentimental like mine or pick something funny like Cereal Killer for a breakfast spoon.

For a wedding or anniversary present, you can give the gift of His and Her spoons with corresponding messages like: I love you and I love you more or Good morning handsome and Good morning beautiful.

Wet brush-pro Detangle Hair Brush

Queen Darlene - April 14, 2016 - $20 or Less, Birthday, Christmas, Kids, Mother's Day, Teacher Gifts

Sometimes we come across a beauty product that works miracles so we want to share it with everyone! The Wet brush-pro Detangle Hair Brush is such a gift!

I have collected lots of hair brushes over the years. Round ones, big square ones, small ones, brushes with bristles and others with rubber tips.

A brush is a brush is a brush you say. Well… not always.

I only use my Wet brush-pro Detangle Hair Brush to untangle my wet hair. I love how it feels going through my hair so much that I’ve purchased several to give to family and friends.

It works fabulously for my friend who no longer struggles with her daughter’s thick, long curly hair.

Finally, there’s no more fighting and her daughter loves for her hair to be brushed. It’s a miracle brush! Continue Reading

A Gift Used Daily – A REALLY Good Kitchen Knife

Princess Diana - April 12, 2016 - Birthday, Christmas, Gifts for Me, Housewarming, Mother's Day, Wedding

For a task repeated often, the right tool means everything. It can save time. It can give you a better end result. In the kitchen, the most important tool is the knife. Think of the many hours people spend cutting, chopping and slicing.

A Wusthof Classic Nakiri Vegetable Knife is a must have in any kitchen.

A lot of people cook with poor quality knives that are often dull – making them unsafe and hard to use. (Yes, I’m talking to you – my sister Julia – who’s knife I couldn’t cut an onion with!) I told her the next time I visited I would be bringing my own knife, and I was being completely serious.

A high quality sharp kitchen knife provides greater efficiency and precision so that cooking a meal becomes a much easier, quicker and more enjoyable task. I would know.

My chopping experience changed when I bought the knife recommended by Pioneer Woman herself. Ree is my blogging and cooking idol so when she recommended the Wusthof Classic Nakiri Vegetable Knife with Hollow Edge and mentioned she used it almost exclusively, I had to buy it!

Unique & Awesome Museum Gifts

Queen Darlene - April 7, 2016 - Anniversary, Birthday, Business, Christmas, Father's Day, Mother's Day, Teacher Gifts, Valentine's Day

Ever wonder where you can go to find unique and awesome gifts? Try a museum gift shop.

Don’t have a local museum? No worries! Shop online from many of the world’s most famous museums like The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York or The Louvre in Paris.

Discover hundreds of unique gifts and art reproductions, including jewelry, sculpture, apparel, wall art, stationery, toys and more.

You’ll find plenty of gifts to choose from available in any price range.

One of my favorite gift shops is The National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. The gifts are unlike anything else I’ve ever seen and more affordable than you might think.

I recently purchased a beautiful $25 velvet bag for my sister-in-law to use as a small purse or make-up bag. The embroidered design motif of a peacock feather is based on a color stencil print by Maurice Pillard Verneuil (French, 1869 to 1942). I was certain she didn’t have anything like it. Continue Reading

Herb Garden Marker Signs

Princess Diana - April 5, 2016 - Birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, Mother's Day

It’s quite rewarding to grow your own fruits, vegetables and herbs and to cook with and eat something that you planted, grew and harvested yourself.

When my boss started an herb garden in her backyard. She talked excitedly about how fast they grew, which ones were multiplying like crazy, and which ones were ready to be eaten.

Sometimes she had way more than she could use so she brought them to the office to share with us.

It was fun to hear about her adventures in gardening and made me interested in growing my own herbs too.

When her birthday came around, I decided to give her something for her new hobby. I gave her a set of Herb Garden Marker Signs so she could clearly label the herbs in her backyard.