Holidays

10 Dad Approved Father’s Day Gifts for Under $75

June 8, 2018 by Natasha Hopkins Leave a Comment

Hello friends, I can not believe that it’s already June and Father’s day will be here in less than 10 days!! Are you ready or are you drawing a blank as to what type of gift you want to surprise your loving fathers in your life? Well, I can tell you right now, don’t go out and buy another tie! Most men want a gift that is functional and items that they can use on a daily basis. However, they will not tell you that outright or they will not write you a wish list either. So, today I am going to relieve your stress and share 10 dad approved father’s day gifts for under $75 that your fathers in your life will love.

1. Wireless Charging by Samsung

Take your father’s wireless charging experience to the next level with the Samsung Fast Charge Wireless Charging Stand. The wireless Fast Charge feature is compatible with Galaxy Note5, Galaxy S6 edge+ and later models of the Galaxy Note and Galaxy S series. My hubby currently owns one and LOVES it! All you do is place the phone on the device, and it charges fast too! I am kind of jealous that I don’t have one!

2. Fire 7 Tablet With Alexa

Ok, Alexa, I am officially jealous of you and my hubby’s new relationship, but you are super cool!! If your father in your life would love to have access to millions of movies, TV Shows, songs, Netflix, Kindle Ebooks (My hubby favorite part, I think), and more then this is a must. If your dad is a Prime member, then he will enjoy unlimited access to over a thousand books and magazines, songs, movies and TV episodes at no additional cost!! All I can say is my hubby loves his Fire 7 Tablet with Alexa, and I know yours will too!!

3. Amazon Basics Backpack For Laptops

Have dad get rid of the traditional briefcase and travel to work in style with the Amazon Basics Backpack for Laptops. This backpack is functional with its padded interior that features a separate interior space that can hold up to 17-inch laptops and notebook computers. The bag also has a smaller pouch for tablets. In addition to the areas for devices, the shoulder straps are padded for comfort when traveling.

4. Avengers: Infinity War Pre-Order

If your dad is a Marvel fan and lives for collecting anything Avengers, then do him a favor and pre-order Avengers: Infinity War. Let dad relive the intense battle between Thanos and the Avengers with his favorite beer and popcorn. In addition to that, let him enjoy the special features and fun gag reels that comes along with every Marvel movie too!! Plus ladies you get a chance to see your Marvel favorites also!! Is it Thor, Peter Quil or Dr. Strange?

5. 4k Ultra HD Blue Ray Player

Let dad enjoy his favorite movies in 4k Ultra HD! He will enjoy Magnavox’s 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player with HDR support is the best way to realize the full potential of your 4K TV. Progressive scanning Deliver extraordinarily colorful images to compatible TVs. Virtually eliminate dot crawl and flicker for a seamlessly picture full of rich detail. Your dad will be in heaven and will be in his man cave for hours!!

6. Best Dad Ever? Let Him Show It

Dad deserves to relish in the joys of fatherhood. Let dad walk around proud of his new best dad ever t-shirt this father’s day. This graphic tee is made from 100% cotton jersey 50/50 blend fleece that makes this top comfortable to the touch.

7. Wet Shave Kit For Dad

Help dad achieve a clean shave for the summer months with a wet shave kit by Gentleman Jon. This kit includes eight essential items for shaving such as safety razor, badger hair shave brush, shave stand, canvas & leather Dopp kit travel bag, the famous Gentleman Jon alum block, sandalwood shave soap, stainless steel shave bowl, and a 5 Astra SP Razor Blade. Dad will have all of his essentials in one bag.

8. Tools for the DIY Dad

Does your dad need some new power tools? If so, give him the gift of a new Bosch keyless chuck power drill. You will satisfy his love for DIY, and maybe it will get your list of honey-dos complete!

9. For the Health Conscious Dad

The new NutriBullet balance has a built-in smart nutrition sensor that connects to an app via Bluetooth and visually counts calories, protein, carbs, fat, sugar and more based on ingredient volume. For the first time, every NutriBullet balance customer will enjoy the same great tasting smoothie with detailed nutritional tracking as if they had their own personal Nutritionist right at home. How cool is that?

10. Keep Dad’s Drink Cool All Day

Just in time for the summer season the Stanley Classic Vacuum 2 Qt. Growler is ready to keep dad’s favorite drink nice and cold during this hot summer season!! This Growler is vacuum insulate and has a foam insulated lid. His drink will stay nice and cold up to 24 hours after filling. And, it’s naturally BPA-free for safe drinking. I can see this used during those fun summer trips or a nice hike at your local park too.

There was so many father’s day gift ideas I could have shared today. However, my goal is to help inspire you as you get ready to celebrate with your special dads this year. What items listed above you think your dad would love to have? Leave me your thoughts below. Until then, have a beautiful day!

Xoxo Natasha

5 Ways to Add Rustic Charm To Your Christmas Tablescape

December 15, 2017 by Natasha Hopkins 4 Comments

Happy holiday friends! I just had to hop on and share my Christmas tablescape I created for our home this holiday season. I am so glad I created this fun table setting a while back because with the changes in the weather I have caught a nasty sinus infection this week. So, since I am home bound per doctor’s request, I wanted to share this with you all while I have a spark of energy. (yes, I am bored, lol) In this post, I will share 5 ways to add rustic charm to your Christmas tablescape this season. So, if you need some inspiration as you finalize your holiday dinner plans then grab a cup of cocoa and let’s dive in.

1. Rustic Place Setting

I don’t know why I get so excited when I see a slab of wood layered on top of cedar branches!! I instantly think of a rustic Christmas in a log cabin in the woods. This year I decided to re-purpose my wooden trays from last year and add my new Pier1 cedar branch placemats I got online for only $5.56. I needed a way to introduce the color green to my tablescape since my home is decorated in red and green.

2. Galvanize Lanterns With Candles

Having a focal point or a statement piece is important for any table when you are entertaining your guests. In my home, I wanted to introduce and an element of texture with galvanized metal. So, of course, I used the Hearth and Hand With Magnolia house lanterns as my element of texture. I decided to use the medium and small lanterns because the large-sized lantern blocked too much conversation space when it comes to dining with my guests this year. To finish my scape I wanted to add a little ambiance to my centerpiece, so I went for chunky ivory candles at different heights. The add just the right amount of glow to my table.

3. Adding Pine & Berries

When I see pine and berries, I get all of the Christmas feels running through my body. How about you? So I just had to add pieces of that element to my table. I decided to clip off pieces of my pine and cone garland and layer them on the sides of the lanterns and in between to have a bit of green to the centerpiece. Then I added sprigs of berries to tie in some red. You can find pine garland at any retailer like hobby lobby, Michael’s, and even Amazon!!

4. Napkin Rings With Pine & Berries

I always have napkins at my kitchen table, but this year I wanted to dress up my cotton napkins by threshold at Target. So, I decided to add the hearth and hand with magnolia “Gather” rings. I love the metal touch and the simple lettering on them. In addition to that, I decided to embellish them with cedar branch leaves and berries. I purchase one spray of cedar branches and one spray of berries from Hobby Lobby, and it was enough to complete 6 napkin rings. Just the simple touches can transform this beauties in to Christmas.

5. Metal Place-card holder on chopped Wood

I guess you can tell that I am loving my Hearth and Hand with Mangolia purchases, huh? I just thought it was be so adorable to place a simple message of peace, love and joy at each setting inside the hearth and hand placecard holder. (I created these cards in Microsoft word.) Then I thought to myself, lets place them on top of my birch wood coasters in order to continue that rustic theme.

I hope that you all enjoy my quick update to my table for Christmas. And if you have not started your Christmas tablescape, then I hope this inspires you to create a fun statement for your own family this Christmas. Well, I better go rest for now. Questions: would you like to see a video of my tablescape? If so, leave me some feedback below. My voice is gone, but I can create a video with just holiday music to get you all in the mood. Until then, happy holidays my friends!!

Xoxo Natasha

10 Charming Gift Ideas For Mother’s Day

April 30, 2017 by Natasha Hopkins 2 Comments

Mother’s day is that special day we take time to celebrate and honor the mothers in our lives. We adore her and admire her strength as a mother to create a loving, nurturing and warm environment for us. As mothers, we love to celebrate with our families on this day and sometimes receive a special token of appreciation from loved ones. Sometimes shopping for that special mom can be a challenge because she just has everything. Or, time just sneaks up on you, and now you need to find something quickly!!

In this fast-paced world we live in, we are consumed with work, tending to our children and their activities to the point where we run out of hours in the day to go out and just shop. We want to, but we are so tired to the point that when we get home from a long day at work, we just want to sit back and veg out, right? Can I get an amen? So, I was thinking since we live in the day and age where technology is on our side why not let our fingers do the walking and shopping for us! If I could help you find a special mother’s day gift and help you receive it in time for mother’s day would that put you at ease? If so, then I have 10 charming gift ideas for mother’s day your special mom will love!!

1. Fresh Flowers To Brighten Her Day

If your mother is the one that lives for fresh cut flowers then sending her a floral arrangement is perfect. When my mom used to live in a different state from me, Amazon prime was such a great resource for me. They have partnered with vendors like 1-800 flowers and more!! I was able to shop online from the comfort of my home and shop for a beautiful bouquet I knew she would love. It was a fast and easy process, and my mom was so happy!!

2. Starbucks Gift Card

Image Source: Sun-Sentinel

Do you have a mom that is obsessed with her favorite cuppa of coffee from Starbucks!! Why not gift her a Starbucks Gift Card. You can load up a card and have it shipped to her in just a few days if you are a prime member. If you are not a prime member you should consider it. I love the fact that my husband and I get 2-day shipping, sometimes same day shipping in certain markets, and have access to all the movies and videos we want. Click here to Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial.

3. “The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Last”

If your mom loves to spend her weekends with her favorite cuppa of coffee and a good book that will lift the soul, then I would gift her this book. The 5 Love Languages: The secret to Love that Lasts gives amazing tips on how to keep your relationship fresh and growing through the complexities of everyday life. This book is on my list to buy and read on my personal kindle app! Speaking of the Kindle app Amazon offers the Kindle unlimited program. You receive unlimited reading from over 1 million e-books, you have unlimited listening to thousands of audiobooks and you can read or any device. If you or man want to Join Amazon Kindle Unlimited 30-Day Free Trial then click that link.

4. “Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear”

Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert is a perfect book for mothers of any age. If you are looking for inspiration to embrace your curiosity and let go of what people may think or say about you then this book is for you and your mom too! My friend over at KristaRaeHayes recommended this book as a great read and I trust her! I am adding this to my kindle app asap. So, dearest hubby..if you are reading this then this is one gift request you can remove from your honey-do list (smile).

5. Set The Mood With Glass Of Wine

Just admit it, sometimes mom would enjoy a yummy glass of wine to help her relax from a busy day at work, or a yummy bottle of wine she can share with her friends at the next get together. If you are unsure of what wine to get your special mother, then check out Amazon top 100 wines by clicking here. I already see a few that I need to add to my list of must-haves already!!

6. Statement Wine Glass For Her

This one makes me laugh, but sometimes life happens. If your mom has a good sense of humor, then she will laugh out loud with this adorable wine glass from Amazon. Sometimes we do get a little B*tchy, and that glass of wine comes in handy from to time to time. Just make sure you add on that perfect bottle of her favorite wine with these wine glasses.

7. Elegant Bar Cart By Safavieh

What a gorgeous and stylish bar cart from Safavieh. This is so classy and will look amazing in your mom’s dining room or even a chic home office! I am loving the shape of this cart and the reflective element that will help add a little sparkle to any room in her home. This is a great gift that will ship fast with amazon prime.

8. Beautiful Arm Candy For Her

Sometimes a simple piece of arm candy that is inscribed with a beautiful message of love goes a long way. I am in love with this “Remember I Love You Mom” bracelet by O.Riya. How adorable is this! I would wear this every day if my child gifted this to me and I am sure you would too!!

9. Sterling Silver & Rose Gold Diamond Double Heart Pendant

For the mom that loves jewelry with a touch of diamonds in place will fall in love with this beauty. This pendant necklace features two intertwined hearts accents with 14k rose gold and diamonds encrusted in the setting. It is boxed chained with a spring ring that is 18″. It beautiful, dainty and simple for mom to wear with any outfit.

10. Kate Spade Cross Body Bag

We know mom is always on the go and sometimes a girl could use a small grab and go bag that is stylish and small for those dash out the door errands. This Cameron Street Byrdie crossbody bag by Kate Spade is a match made in heaven for those days. I love this black and white option because it can be worn with almost any outfit and any time of the year. Just timeless!

I hope that you found this article helpful as you are starting or completing your mother’s day shopping for the special moms in your life. If you decide to click on any of the links provided in this article and shop, please know that I do receive an affiliate commission on any purchase you may make. Just like if you were to shop with your favorite commissioned beauty consultant at your local retailer I receive a commission which helps fund this amazing content we bring on weekly. Thank you all for visiting, and I wish you all the best mother’s day celebration ever!

8 Fun Easter Entertaining Ideas You Will Want To Try

April 10, 2017 by Natasha Hopkins Leave a Comment

Easter, what a fun time of year to celebrate with your family and the young children that dream of fun Easter egg hunts, crafting and playing in all of the yummy sugary candies they discovered in their baskets. Sometimes with planning Easter gatherings with the family each year, it becomes a challenge to keep the festivities fun and fresh.

If you are feeling that way, then I am here to help you out! Today I will be sharing with you 8 Fun Easter Entertaining Ideas You Will Want To Try this season. You will find fun ideas for the kids and even some fun things for the adults to enjoy too.

1. Greet Your Guests With A Easter Wreath

Refreshing your front door with a simple wreath that is filled with organic life is a start. Choose a wreath that reflects your style of Easter decor for your home. I adore this beautiful wreath from Pier1. It is bursting full of Easter goodness such as speckled eggs, spring florals, and, even carrots. Your guests will know they are getting ready for some Easter fun.

2. Create an Easter Tablescape That Is Simple

Whether entertaining indoors or if you decide to bring the party outside treat your guests to an Easter brunch or dinner with a simple yet easy themed tablescape. Creating this will set the mood and tone of your gathering. Your guests will be amazed that you took the time to create an elegant space for them to dine and enjoy your wonderful meal. If you would like to see how I created my Easter table then check out my article, “5 Simple Easter Decor Ideas For Your Kitchen Table.”

3. Serve Colorful & Refreshing Beverages

Create a fun beverage station area in your home for your guests by simply adding your drinks on a beverage cart. This will let them know where to find something to drink if they get thirsty. Kick it up a notch by serving a colorful raspberry lemonade in a glass that is coated in pink colored sugar. To jazz the drink up, add a few drops of real raspberries and for your adult friends add some bubbly Moscato! Furthermore, decorate your beverage station with coordinating pink serving items like pink straws, stir sticks and napkins.

Image Source: CelebratingEverdayLife.com

4. Create Unforgettable Easter Eggs

How adorable and beautiful are these Easter eggs created by Celebrating Everyday Life? When I came across this beautiful photo on Pinterest, I just had to share it with you all here!! Some of the eggs are a solid color, and some are speckled. This would be a fun craft to create with your child a few days before your Easter gathering. If you click here, this blogger shares with you simple steps on how to create the speckled eggs.

Image Source: Country Living

5. Wow Your Guests With A Speckled Cake

This cake is stunning in presentation and will catch your guest’s eyes instantly. Gosh, I want a slice right now! Country Living created this beautiful Easter Speckled Malted Coconut cake recipe on their site, and I just had to share it. I know that some of you are baking queens and would hop on the chance to make this for Easter Sunday. Click here to get the recipe!

6. Easter Tea Party For The Kids

We already know that the table where the adults will be dining at will look gorgeous, but how about setting cute tables for the kiddos to enjoy their Easter brunch too!! You can create a zone in the backyard with little tables for little people filled with treats, toys and maybe a cute little tea set for pretend play. They will have fun pretending to have adult conversations like you and your adult guests.

Image Source: Growingajeweledrose.com

7. Add Some Fun Easter Themed Games

If I had small children to entertain, I would create a colorful paint filled Easter Egg on canvas activity! What a fun way for the kiddos and adults to create a fun Easter theme abstract art together. Additionally, your guests will have a souvenir to take home and relish on the memories of this day for years to come. If you would like to know how to create this fun activity, then click here to read more.

Image Source: Hellolittlehome.com

8. Party Favors With Mason Jar Easter Baskets

If your gathering involves little guests, then create a treat for them to enjoy when they leave your home. I guarantee this will make you the favorite aunt or uncle for sure!! Blogger over at hellolittlehome gives you step by step directions on how to create these mason jar Easter baskets. Heck, I would love this for myself, how about you? Darn sweet tooth.

Well, enough about my sweet tooth. I do hope that after reading this, you are inspired to create a fun gathering for your loved ones. A gathering to celebrate Easter and day to create new memories to talk about for years to come. Thank you for stopping by and until next time, I hope that you and your family have a Happy Easter and Happy Resurrection day.

25 Fun & Goofy Guy Gifts For Valentine’s Day

January 28, 2017 by Fred Hopkins Leave a Comment

Valentine’s Day is marked by boxes of chocolate, bouquets of roses and lots of bling. But wait! Isn’t that all designed to make you squeal? What about the guy in your life? Doesn’t he deserve a little appreciation and a good gift too?

If you are one of those gals who expects a thoughtful and romantic Valentines gift, but you tend to grab something at the last minute for him, it is time to up your game. Make this the year that you shock and surprise your guy with a gift he can’t help but love as much as he loves you. Short of ideas? That’ okay. We have compiled a list of items that are designed to bring a smile to any guy’s face.

Gadgets Galore

What man does not love gadgets? From the simplest to the most ultra-tech, it doesn’t matter. Guys love anything they can play with. If your man is entranced by gadgets, here are a few budget friendly ones to consider:

Fitbit Blaze Smart Fitness Watch: This simple gadget is great for the guy who enjoys tracking his workouts, monitoring his performance stats, and gauge his progress.

Magnetic Wristband. A great gift for the handyman, this wristband lets him keep a hold of small screws, nails and bolts while working. Practical, yet fun, this magnetic wristband ultimately works as a third hand, making every job easier.

3-in-1 Touchscreen Stylus Pen. This sleek multi-functional stylus can be used on phones, tablets and computer screens. It comes with a flashlight and is versatile enough to carry in your short pocket.

Techy Gift Basket. Not sure what gadgets your guy will love? Consider a pre-made gift basket that is chock-full of techy gadgets and fun toys.

Levitating Bluetooth Speaker. Make your guy smile with a futuristic floating wireless speaker. With high end sound quality, this speaker is not only practical, it is also loads of fun.

Drones. What man could resist launching his own drone? From the simplest to the most complicated versions, drones come in all shapes, sizes and price ranges.me console. Featuring 80-plus of his favorite games, he will enjoy this blast from the past with hours of gaming fun.

The Great Outdoors

If you have an outdoorsy man, then we have lots of ideas for this Valentine’s Day. Here are few he may enjoy.

Waterproof Backpack. Don’t let a little rain dampen your outdoor fun. Gift your outdoorsman with a waterproof backpack to keep every outing dry. Designed with his comfort and ease in mind, this stylish backpack can be used in all types of weather and terrain.

Sleeping Bag for Tw o. Warm up those cold nights under the stars with a backpack made for two.

Survival Kit. Carry everything you need in an emergency on your wrist with a Para cord survival kit. Featuring an embedded compass, fire starter, knife, and whistle, this easy to wear bracelet is a must have for the outdoorsman in your life.

Camping Hammock. From the forest to the beach, this lightweight hammock is great for a relaxing weekend adventure.

Picnic Backpack. Make planning a romantic picnic for two easier with this all-inclusive picnic backpack. It comes with everything you need for a day together in the woods including including a cheeseboard, wine opener, plates, wine glasses, utensil and cooler to store your food.

Sports Stuff

Show your guy how much you care by giving him a gift that showcases his love of sports. Here are a few ideas.

Golf Analyzer. If you have a golfing enthusiast on your hands, help him improve his game with a golf analyzer.

Ballpark Blueprint. If your guy is a Cubs fan, surprise him with blueprints to Wrigley Field. This unique print is designed on museum quality paper and is ready to be framed for display. Other ballparks also available.

Football Dice Game. A fast paced games that can be played alone or with a group, any football fan will love this.

Used Uniform Wallet. Gift your favorite guy a piece of authentic game jersey worn by the pros made into a wallet. Made from authentic jerseys from top college and professional teams, these unique wallets are available for multiple sports and teams.

Cooking Classics

What man doesn’t love to eat? Whether he is an expert griller or an upscale chef, consider one of these classic cooking gifts this Valentine’s Day.

Darth Vader Mug. Practical and fun, this unique coffee mug is perfect for the galactic nerd in your life.

Whiskey Wedge. This unique silicone wedge allows your guy to enjoy a cold glass of whiskey without watering it down with ice.

Meat Guide. What guy doesn’t love a good slab of meat? In this book Meat: Everything You Need to Know, he will learn everything he needs to know about choosing the best cuts as well as cooking it.

Molecular Gastronomy Kit. A kitchen chemistry kit for grownups! This innovative kit will let your budding chef experiment with algae and other texturing agents to make homemade sauces and dressings.

Homebrew Kit. Brewing your own beer is a fun way to experiment with different flavors and styles. With a home brew kit, your special guy can create his own special recipes.

Tabasco Chocolate Wedges. Chocolate isn’t just a good Valentine’s gift for women. Men like it too – especially when it comes with a bit of a twist. These unique chocolate wedges offer the perfect mix of sweet and spicy. Features a smooth dark chocolate with a hint of heat thanks to a mix of Tabasco.

Just for the Two of You

Valentines’ Day is a day set aside for love and romance. Spice up your evening with a gift designed for just the two of you.

Conversations for husbands and Wives. What a fun way get to know one another again, and better. Each side has a question and an accompanying Scripture verse or quote that is sure to spark some lively conversation and lots of laughter. Learn more about your partner's hopes, worries, dreams and joys with this fun resource.

What I Love About You and Me Book. This simple fill in the blank book gives you a simple way to tell him what he really means to you. Filled with 112 pages of prompts, this book will allow you to tell him all of the things he needs to hear.

Date Night In: 120 Recipes to Nourish Your Relationship. This simple yet eclectic recipe book gives you plenty of ideas for ways to spice up a night in.

Valentine’s Day shouldn’t be reserved for making women feel special. It should be a day for couples to enjoy the love they share. Show your special guy how much you care with a thoughtful gift that is chosen with him in mind. Men need to feel appreciated and respected. BY taking the time to tell him that you know what he likes with a gift that says “I’m for him” you will show him how much you really care.