Category / gifts

by Kelly Mattei

Holiday Gifts for the Home

Holiday gifts for the home.

Lots of us love gifts for the home. I love when someone gives me something I can use or display at home. Therefore, I’m sharing some favorite ideas for 2023:

  • Vietri Vase. Y’all, I love Vietri glassware, and their vases are my very favorite. They add a little beauty and color to any room. Your friends/family would love to receive a Vietri vase. My fave is the Vietri Hibiscus mouth blown glass vase, starting at $65 for the small clear version and $69 for various colors…the cobalt, the dark green, the pink…I love them all! Purchase here.
  • Ice Ball Maker. This is great for the person on your gift who loves a good cocktail on the rocks. Or if they like a good Old Fashioned, they will love being able to make their own ice balls to perfectly chill their cocktails. Get this thoughtful gift for just $16.99 at Amazon here.
  • EXVALO nightlight/charger/speaker. This is an unusual gift I would love to receive! An adjustable bedside nightlight with phone charging capabilities and a Bluetooth speaker. It’s portable and rechargeable! In fact, I think we need one on every nightstand in our house. Priced at just $35.99 right now (on sale 40% off!), it’s a great gift for anyone on your list. Get it here.
  • Frozen Beverage Machine. I want a frozen drink machine at home. I did a little investigating, and I found that the Margaritaville brand gets great reviews and is priced right too! It’s not commercial grade. For that, you’ll spend more, but for a home machine, Margaritaville gets great reviews. It’s still $320 (at time of writing). If you have someone in on your list who likes to entertain with frozen margaritas, daquiris, or anything, else, this could be a great gift. The Margaritaville brand makes 2.5 pitchers at a time. Purchase here. If you’re up for commercial-grade, I recommend VEVOR brand. Prices start at $542 for the slushie maker on Amazon. What I really like about VEVOR is that no pitcher is required. You can dispense the beverage straight from the machine. I love it. . See the various VEVOR options here.
  • Garden Potting Bench. Have someone on your list who loves gardening? Me. I’m the one on the list who loves gardening. My husband knows I would be happy to receive a potting bench for Christmas. I found one from Yaheetech on Amazon that I would love, and priced at under $70, it’s a deal. There is some assembly required, but according to reviews, it’s pretty easy. If you have a gardener on your list, this could be a great gift at a great price. They’ll never suspect it’s under $70. Get it here.
  • Double Stitch by Bedsure Throw Blankets. Who doesn’t love a good throw blanket? Double Stitch by Bedsure makes quality blankets at great prices. Add a splash of modern charm to any room with these blankets, priced right now on sale at Amazon for $59.99. Get one for each person on your list! See them here.
  • Hippo Resin Figurine Dish. Y’all are going to think I’m crazy, but I love this hippo figurine that also acts as a bowl for keys, candy, whatever you want. It will be a conversation piece, for sure! Priced at $30.99, it’s a fun gift that will get noticed Christmas morning! Get it here.
  • Jonathan Adler Greek Key Frame. I love Jonathan Adler products for their modern look and for their whimsy. This one isn’t as whimsical as some, but it’s a great frame. Pop in a favorite photo for the recipient and wrap it up. Photo memories make great gifts. See it here.
  • Birdfeeder. The older I get, the more I remind myself of my mother. During summer, I enjoy watching the birds flock to my garden, but during the winter, they need to eat too! I’m adding a “birdfeeder” to my Christmas list this year. Hopefully, my husband will read this and come through. Otherwise, I’ll have to rely on Santa. There’s a great one at Amazon for $17.99 here.
  • Great Escapes Coffee Table Book. I’m a big fan of coffee table books. They add color a room and tell visitors a little bit about the residents. Have a traveler on your list? They might like a Great Escapes Coffee Table Book. My favorite right now? The Great Escapes USA: The Hotel Book. Priced under $50, it makes a lovely gift for the traveler on your list. Get it here.

There you have it…ten home gift ideas for the holidays. I’ll be following up with more ideas until Christmas.

Happy Shopping!

***As an Amazon Affiliate, I might receive commission on items purchased through my links.

by Kelly Mattei

More Holiday Shopping in October

More holiday shopping in October…

Be ahead of the curve, my friends! Purchase gifts now, so you aren’t struggling to get them at the last minute! Here are some suggestions and great deals! ***All prices are valid at time of writing.*** Here are twelve suggestions:

  • Apple Airpods. Y’all, I never owned Airpods until recently. Right before I traveled to Panama earlier this month, I finally decided to purchase some for myself. Normally, I don’t download things to watch on planes, but before this trip, I decided I would, so I needed Airpods to be able to hear my downloads. I was so happy I had purchased them! You don’t have to get the most expensive ones, unless that’s your jam. I got mine on Amazon for $99. They are Gen 2, so they aren’t the latest model, but for those of you, like me, who do not want to spend more on Airpods, these could be perfect. Yes, they have the charging case. They’d make a great gift for any Apple user in your family who doesn’t have Airpods already. Purchase here.
  • I Luv My Buds. If you’d like some less expensive wireless earbuds for someone on your list, these get great reviews. Don’t trust your kid to keep up with them? Get these less expensive ones and see how it goes. At just $24.99, these are waterproof and come with a charging case. Plus, they come in lots of cool colors! They are compatible with Apple and Android. Purchase here. Pictured here:
  • Amazon Fire TV. Someone on your list need a new TV? Amazon Fire TV makes a great addition to any dorm room, apartment, bedroom, gameroom, or living room. My friend, Angela, got one recently and loves it. Amazon has great deals on their 32″ model ($109, a savings of $45%) and their 40″ model ($179, a savings of 28%). Act fast, though. These deals won’t last forever! And they’re only available to Prime members. Purchase here. Pictured here:
  • Amazon Essentials Men’s Packable Jacket. Have a man on your list who needs a lightweight, packable, puffer jacket? Look no further! Amazon Essentials has one for just $35.60 (20% off) right now, and it gets great reviews. Maybe he just needs a jacket he can take on vacation for chilly evenings? This one is perfect, and it won’t break the bank. Plus, it comes in lots of colors…basic black and more! Get it here.
  • Amazon Essentials Women’s French Terry Joggers. I have about six pairs of these. I love them that much. I wear them everywhere…when I’m relaxing at home, on airplanes, running errands, and out to lunch with friends. They come in lots of colors, but I prefer basic black. You can wear them with sneakers for a casual look or even dress them up a little with boots/booties/sandals. Truly, these are one of my best purchases ever! They retain their shape. They have pockets. And they are uber-comfy. Get them here.
  • Victrola Nostalgic 6-in-1 Bluetooth Record Player and Multimedia Center. Is there someone on your list who has some old 45s or LPs laying around unused? This Victrola unit is normally $159, but it’s on sale right now for just $99.99 for Prime members. I think my husband would love to have one of these upstairs in his “man cave.” In addition to a turntable, it offers a CD player, cassette player, AM/FM radio, and it even offers streaming from your phone through the speakers. If you have a nostalgic music buff on your list, this could be the perfect gift! Get it here. Purchase it with a stand here for $169.24 or with a Victrola crate and stand for $219.83 here.
  • K Cups Holder/Organizer Stand. These things are crazy handy for coffee drinkers like me. I love my coffee, but I refuse to purchase it at chain coffee stores. Therefore, I prepare my own coffee at home with my Keurig and K Cups. A K Cup holder is a great place to store the cups and makes it easy for selecting which coffee you want. Get one at Amazon for $22.97 here. Or maybe you like the drawer-style organizer? See it here.
  • Samsung Freestyle Portable Projector. Not gonna lie. This one is not cheap, but if someone on your list likes big movies projected onto big screens with big sounds, this could be the perfect gift. Priced right now at $459.99 (regularly $597.99, a savings of 23%), you’ll get it at a discounted price. Have friends over for outdoor movies? Have family over to watch a movie during summer? Project onto a wall or a screen! It’s good for travel, and it comes loaded with apps. Purchase here.
  • Bug Hull Rechargeable Hand Warmers. These can be a gift or make great stocking stuffers for anyone on your list who doesn’t live in south Florida. They hold a charge for 16 hours! Keep these in your jacket pockets!They’re inexpensive but very useful…especially at January sporting events or anything outdoors. Heck, just getting to work or school can be no fun in the freezing cold! Get these for $28.99 at Amazon here.
  • Anti-Theft Backpack. When I travel, I like to walk around new cities or areas with my hands free, so I can shop, snack, whatever. However, lots of backpacks open on the outside, making it easy for pickpockets to unzip the backpack quickly and easily, taking whatever they want. Therefore, I like to carry a small backpack that opens on the side facing my back. There are lots of them out there, but you don’t have to spend a fortune for a small backpack to carry your items safely. For $28.99, you can get a cute nylon one from Pincnel at Amazon here. Before a recent trip to Panamá, I purchased a “leather” one from Amazon for $26.99 that worked great. You can see it here. I tend to not purchase black ones, because I’m less likely to leave it somewhere if it’s a standout color. I chose lavender. Or see lots of anti-theft backpacks from Amazon here.
  • Hanging Toiletry Bag. When I traveld with a friend to Pittsburgh earlier this year, she had a hanging toiletry bag. All her toiletry items in one place…not taking up valuable counter space in a hotel room! Hang it over a door in the bathroom or closet. I just remembered and ordered one for myself. Get one at Amazon for $20.99 here. It’s great for college students or anyone on your list who travels.
  • Amazon Kindle Paperwhite. For anyone on your list who enjoys reading, this is a great gift, no doubt. I would love to find one under the tree for me on Christmas morning! Get the 8G version here for $139.99, or the 32G version here for $189.99.

We will post more ideas leading up to Christmas!

by Kelly Mattei

Holiday Shopping in October? Start Here!

I love to start my holiday shopping in October. For one, I can get a jump on everything and hopefully, reduce the risk of missing out on something I want to purchase for a member of the family. Also, I can spread out the shopping over a three-month period, so it doesn’t look so bad when the credit card bill comes in.

Wanna get started? Let’s Gooooooo!!

FOR DADS:

  • Solo Stove. I know I push this all the time, but y’all, I push it because it’s a gift I believe in. It’s actually a great gift for anyone in the family, because I can tell you I probably love our Solo Stove more than my husband does! What do we love? Fall and winter nights, sitting on the patio, sharing dinner and drinks with friends. My personal favorite is the Solo Bonfire. For just the fire pit, it’s $249 here. Or get it with the stand for $344.95 here. I don’t remember the stand being an option when we got ours, so we just keep it on a paver on the patio.
  • Screen Magnifier for Smartphone. This one is inexpensive but useful. Seriously, for less than $20, you can get a screen magnifier that makes it easy to watch sports or movies on your smartphone anywhere. Bowl games? Your husband/dad won’t have to miss one. He can sit almost anywhere and be able to see his screen easily. Why not get one for everyone in the family? I know we could all use them. This idea just moved to the top of my list…I’ll take three, please. Get it here. Or see other versions here.
  • Toilet Night Light. I know it sounds silly, but we actually have these at our house. We love them. Get a two-pack for under $15 here. Or look at other versions here.
  • Cooling Weighted Blanket. Like the relaxation of a weighted blanket, but don’t like the sweat? This one is a “cooling” one from Zonli. Get it for under $50 here.
  • UGG Men’s Tasman Slipper. Come on, y’all. All dads need some good slippers. Get these quality UGG slippers for $109 here.
  • Rabbit Freezable Glasses. Y’all, these cocktail glasses are the bomb! I have some and love them. If you have someone on your list who likes a cold cocktail, this is your answer. Get two for $30 here.
  • OOFOs Recovery Slides. Any man who exercises needs these OOFOs Recovery Slides. They offer comfort and support post-exercise. For just $59, they are a bargain, and they are offered in lots of colors. Get them here.
  • TUSHY Bidet Toilet Seat Attachment. Laugh if you want. This is a great gift. Dad (or whoever the recipient may be) might not understand at first, but he will end up appreciating this gift. Get it for about $50 here. Honestly, these are going to be popular gifts this year. Get them while they are available.
  • Rayban Wayfarers. Is anyting more classic than a pair of Rayban Wayfarers? Any dad who has ever watched Risky Business knows how awesome these shades are. Get them on sale for about $110 here..
  • Bomber Flight Jacket. A friend got this for her husband last year, and he loves it. I guess he saw Tom Cruise in Top Gun? I feel the need…the need for speed. Get it for about $200 here. Sure, you can get a less expensive one, but will it be the same quality. Dad will appreciate this one. It will be money well spent for Dad to feel as cool as Maverick.

FOR MOMS:

  • Electronic Foot Massager. Y’all know I’m not a medical professional, but I do know about nerve pain and restless leg syndrome…personally. I recommend this, if your medical professional approves it. I love mine. I take restless legs meds, but as recently as last night, they were slow to start working. I got out of bed and put my feet on the foot pad of this inexpensive massager for about 10 minutes. It’s like a TENS machine for your feet/lower legs. Plus, it’s easy to pack in luggage! When I got back to bed, I fell asleep quickly. Get yours here.
  • Personalized Recipe Cutting Board. This is a great personal gift. Maybe your mom has one of her mom’s recipe cards in her mom’s handwriting? Maybe you get a cutting board made from that? She will love it. Get it for about $40 here.
  • Free People Groovy Baby Kaftan. I have this, and I love it! It’s $98. It’s one size fits all, and its glorious! I love it! In fact, I gave one to a friend last week, and she loves it too! Get it at Amazon here.
  • Dyson Air Wrap. It’s expensive, but people (including my daughter) swear by it. Yes, it’s $599, but people who use them say they will never give them up. Get it here. The Dyson Air Wrap is likely to sell out before the holidays, so keep that in mind. If you can purchase now, get it now. Hoping to spend less? Another one that gets good reviews is the Shark FlexStyle for $299. Get it here.
  • Ceramic Trinket Tray. Any mom will love a trinket tray with a sweet message. One that says “Remember I love you, Mom” will warm my heart every time I look at it. There are lots of others messages on variations of this tray. See them and purchase here.
  • Fishers Finest Mulberry Silk Pillowcase. These pillowcases help prevent wrinkles, regulate temperature, and they help keep hair healthy. ‘Nuff said. Get it at Amazon here for $53.99. Mom will thank you.
  • Zip Up Get Ready Robe. I love a good robe. Saturday Night Live can make fun of robes for Christmas gifts all they want. I love a good robe. I still have a great bathrobe I received as a gift in 2000. It’s a great fleece robe, but I love a good, lightweight “get ready”robe too. Get one for under $30 here.
  • 1000 Adventures. Have a traveler on your list? Maybe you want to take a trip with Mom? I love traveling with my daughter. I love when we make memories on Mother/daughter trips. This book is full of ideas. Titled The Bucket List: 1000 Adventures Big and Small, this book makes a great gift. Maybe earmark some pages for ideas. See it here.
  • Pink Picasso Paint By Numbers. Y’all can think I’m cheesy, but how relaxing does it sound to do some paint by numbers on an adult level? Sign me up, please! These kits are $46, and they contain everything you need to complete a lovely painting. Heck, I’ll take two! Purchase here.
  • Dior Addict Lip Products. I love all the Dior Addict lip products…especially the maximizers. Look at the options on Amazon here.

That’s it for today! Start your shopping early! You’ll thank me, without a doubt!

I’ll be posting more ideas over the next couple of weeks, but don’t wait!

#shopamazon #amazonaffiliate

by Kelly Mattei

Favorite Household Goods from Amazon

Favorite Household Goods from Amazon.

There are some things I just like to have around the house…our “must haves.” Things that make the house smell fresh. Items that add a little something to our everyday lives…things that make a small different that other people might not notice, but I notice. Because I like having these things around the house, I’m going to share with you:

  • Febreze Air Freshener. Back in the 90s, everybody went crazy over Febreze Fabric Refresher, including me, but the air freshener is the bomb! It’s water based, so use it all you want! Personally, I love the Gain scent, because I also love Gain Laundry Detergent. It’s a theme for me. But a six pack of air fresheners for under $15 here. You’re Prime membership gets you free shipping!
  • Velvet Hangers. I have mentioned these before, but they are a must have! They save lots of space in closets, and they’re not slippery, so your clothes actually remain on the hangers and not in the floor. I prefer ivory, beige, or white. Get the 100-pack here for under $60!
  • ThisWorks Deep Sleep Pillow Spray. I love this stuff! A hotel had samples of it in our room a few years ago, and I’ve loved it ever since! With scents of lavender, chamomile, and vetiver, it’s a great calming pillow spray! Buy it here.
  • Stylus Pens. I love a smooth-writing pen, and I have favorites. I purchase the 20-pack from Amazon every few months for just $9.60, because they just walk away with friends and family; everyone who uses these colorful stylus pens at our house loves them. At $9.60, you almost have to buy them. Get them here.
  • 13” Step Stool. At $15.99, this folding stepstool is such a bargain that you’ll need to get at least two…one for upstairs, and one for downstairs! We have them in all our bathroom linen closets, in case we need it or a guest needs it. Get one here.
  • Wrist Cuff Blood Pressure Monitor. It’s always a good idea to keep an eye on your blood pressure, and the older I get, the more I realize how important it is. This one is about $60 at Amazon, and it’s FDA approved. Follow directions! Get it here.
  • Olly Sleep Gummies. If you have found that melatonin helps you fall asleep and stay asleep, these gummies are great. I love them, and I’m picky about my supplements. *Check with your doctor before taking supplements.* If doc says you’re good, purchase these here.
  • Fly fans. In the south, fall is the perfect time to entertain outdoors, but you’ll still need something to keep the flies away from food. These fly fans are great and easy to operate. At $30 for four, they’re a steal. Get them here.
  • Indoor Watering Can. I love this little watering can for indoors, because I’m less likely to create a mess with it. Priced at $13.99, it’s something you’re likely to use all the time. Get it here
  • Spray Bottles. I use spray bottles at home for all sorts of things…spraying orchids and indoor succulent plants, cleaning spots off furniture, and lots of other stuff. Get a four pack of spray bottles for under $14 here.

I think almost everyone could use all these items! I will share more as they come to mind!

Happy shopping!

by Kelly Mattei

Back Pain? Foot Pain? Leg Pain? OOFOS!

Back pain? Foot pain? Leg pain? OOFOS!

This summer, I learned about chronic pain. When I say I learned about it, I mean I experienced it, and that’s how I learned. I mentioned in The Only Pain I Want in My Life is…Champagne, which you can read here. I wrote that piece when I was less that a month into the excruciating pain of sciatica. At the time, I had no idea how long it would last.

Now it’s September, and while the pain is mostly gone (FINALLY!), I still have intermittent pain. It’s not severe, and it’s not constant, thank God, but I feel it sometimes. And yes, I’m still praying about it every day. I thank God every day that it’s better, and I pray every day asking Him to help me get well. I’ve done everything I can think of to help myself with it. I’ve seen multiple doctors. I’ve walked. I’ve done physical therapy. I’ve stretched. I’ve done new exercises as directed by the physical therapists. I’ve taken steroids. I’ve iced my back and heated it. I’ve used a TENS machine. I’ve used lidocaine patches and creams. I’ve worn sneakers instead of heels or sandals with every outfit since May. Seriously, I’ve done everything I can think to do.

And on my neighbors recommendation, I purchased some OOFOS recovery flip-flops. She said she had suffered from sciatica and plantar fasciitis, and the OOFOS helped, so I got some to wear around the house. Going barefoot hurts my back and feet, and after wearing sneakers at home all the time, I finally tried the OOFOS.

I have thanked my neighbor many times since.

I have thanked her and thanked her. I will be traveling to a sunny destination next week, and I will be especially thankful for my OOFOS there. All I can say is buy them if you experience back, leg, or foot pain. Try them. They might offer you some relief. If you’re hurting badly enough, you’re likely willing to try them. No, they’re not the cute, but they’re awesome. To purchase from the OOFOS store on Amazon and take advantage of Prime benefits, click here. You can see their various lines and choose for yourself. I choose the thong-style, but they also make slides, clogs, and even sneakers.

Hoping you have happy feet (and back and legs) soon!

by Kelly Mattei

Sorority Party Box

Sorority Party Box.

Last year, my daughter pledged a sorority as a freshman at a big state university. Soon thereafter, a friend of mine sent her a “party box,” which turned out to be a fun, thoughtful gift that was absolutely perfect! Wondering what’s in a “party box”? Short answer: it should contain things she could likely use at themed parties or mixers, so the new sorority pledge is prepared for almost any themed party! Or at least she will have some useful pieces! If you know someone who has recently joined or is about to join a sorority at a big state university in the south (I don’t know anything about Greek life in other parts of the country), chances are she could use a party box too. Below, see some common items that are great for party boxes. You don’t have to get them all. Pick and choose which ones you want to add to your personalized party box:

  • Colorful glasses. These can be used for lots of different themes, whether it’s a color theme, a hippie theme, a neon theme, or something else. Get a multipack here. Or a neon multipack here.
  • Colorful bandanas. Again, the multiple colors can be used for a color theme, but bandanas can be used for a hippie theme, a cowboy theme, or even a pirate theme. Get here.
  • Hippie glasses/headband sets. The theme on this is obvious, but they could be used for a lot more too…Renaissance theme, for instance. Get here.
  • Face paint crayons. College girls love the face paint. Get here.
  • Tutus. Get multicolor here. If you already know sorority color (blue for ADPi or Kappa, Green for KD, Pink for Phi Mu, etc), you can get a 2-pack in her sorority color here.
  • Superhero capes and masks. Multicolor pack of 7 here.
  • Colorful knee high socks. These can be used with lots of different themes: color, neon, Barbie, silly…basically anything. Get here.
  • Colorful leis. For an island or Hawaiian theme, or even a summer or pool party theme, these are great. They’re also great for a color theme. Get here.
  • Grass skirts. Same as above…Get here.
  • Colorful wigs. What themed party isn’t more fun with a colorful wig? Get here.
  • Cowboy hats. Great for color themes or an obvious cowboy theme. Get here. Or see a variety of options here.
  • Disco Skirts. Disco is a popular theme. Pair one of these skirts with a tank top and some of the colorful glasses…you have a costume! Get here.
  • Tie dye T-shirts. Throw in a few tie-dye t-shirts for good measure. They will definitely get used. I recommend size L or XL for almost any college girl, because they can do a lot more with oversized t-shirts. Get here.
  • Multipack of plain t-shirts. College girls can turn a plain t-shirt into whatever they want it to be. These are a great, inexpensive addition. Get them here.
  • Feather Boas. A girl can always use a boa. Get multipack here.
  • Light-up accessories. Any light up item gets extra fun and extra attention at a theme party. Purchase some light up boas and glasses here.

When I say my daughter loves her party box and uses the items from it regularly, I mean she loves it. My friend included enough items in the gift, so my daughter can share with her sorority sisters when they need things too. It is a fun, useful, thoughtful gift that will definitely be appreciated by the recipient!

If you want to surprise a sorority pledge you know with a party box, you can do it in a cardboard box, or you can put it in a plastic bin with a lid. See some bins on Amazon here.

This is guaranteed to be a welcomed gift! Seriously, she’ll love it! In fact, I’m going to send a few new items for my daughter to add to her party box now!

Happy Shopping!

by Kelly Mattei

Shopbop on Amazon

Shopbop on Amazon.

I love Shopbop. I have been shopping with Shopbop for years, and a few years ago, I was lucky enough to stumble upon a Shopbop pop-up shop in New York! “Shopbop pop-up shop”…wow, that’s a lot of bops and pops.

Until recently, though, I didn’t know I could shop Shopbop through Amazon to take advantage of my Amazon Prime benefits...free shipping and easy, peasy, Amazon returns! It’s true! Shopbop has an Amazon shop! You can see it and shop it here.

If you’re a fan of Shopbop already, you know how awesome their offerings are. If you’re not a fan of Shopbop, it’s high time you became one. They have the latest styles in apparel, beauty, and accessories from brands at lots of different price points, and they have great sales too! They even have a section of “under $200 fashion finds”! All of it…all of it…is listed on their Amazon site!

Need a dress for an upcoming event? Shopbop. Need something to wear to an athletic event? Shopbop. Want to freshen your wardrobe? Shopbop. Just want to surprise your college-age daughter with a new bracelet or handbag? Shopbop.

Check it all out here. And if you’re still looking for some dresses for sorority recruitment, check out their sales section for dresses like those shown below!

Happy Shopping!

by Kelly Mattei

Father’s Day Gifts 2023

Father’s Day Gifts 2023.

Father’s Day is this Sunday, June 18!

Let’s just get right to it. You know Dad needs a gift. Here are some things you can order from Amazon and have delivered directly (and quickly) to you or your dad:

  • Ice Ball Mold. If Dad’s a whiskey drinker, he’ll love this ice ball mold. If he drink’s sodas but doesn’t like them diluted, ice balls melt more slowly, because they are larger. At under $12, this is a great gift! Purchase here.
  • JBL Portable Speaker. Teenagers aren’t the only ones who love to have tunes! My husband takes his JBL speaker on vacation, so he can use it on boats, beaches, or by the pool. He also uses it if he’s working outside at home. JBL makes lots of great portable speakers. If you need something really small and easily portable, the JBL Go 3 or the JBL Clip might be best. They’re both small but put out big sound. See them here. My husband prefers the JBL Flip 6, which is a little larger speaker with great sound for the beach. See JBL Flip speakers here at lots of different price points between $67 and $200. It’s a gift Dad will love!
  • Massage Chair Cushion. My husband loves a good massage. No, he won’t get a full-on massage from this chair cushion, but for $49, he will get some soothing heat and vibration. Get it at Amazon here.
  • Yeti Cooler/Cup. If dad ever tailgates, camps, or spends time at the beach, a Yeti cooler will always come in handy. They come in lots of different sizes and price points. They are built to last and keeps sodas and beers super cold! If you don’t want to spend the $$$ for a cooler, a Yeti cup won’t set you back so much, and it makes a great gift for Dad too! Check out the Yeti page on Amazon here.
  • Tabletop Ice Maker. These are great for tailgates or in the mancave. I know several people who have the portable tabletop ice makers, and they love them! Priced under $80, they’re a bargain! See it here.
  • Lifestraw Products. If dad enjoys the great outdoors, camps, or travels to countries where the water supply is questionable, Lifestraw Products could make a great gift for him! I love the originial Lifestraw (the actual straw) for portability, but they also make pitchers and bottles with the Lifestraw technology to clean water. See Lifestraw here. Prices start as low as about $9 for the original straw.
  • Solo Stove. Solo Stove makes great, easy-to-use, smokeless firepits. Some are portable, and some are even tabletop (shown in photo below)…perfect for roasting marshmallows for s’mores! Or get a larger one for those evenings when he’s gathering with family and friends on the patio. We love ours! See all of Solo Stove’s offerings on Amazon here.

There are a few ideas! Get busy shopping! Father’s Day is Sunday!

by Kelly Mattei

Summer Travel Necessities

Summer travel necessities.

Our little family got home last night from a sunny vacation. Based on experience, I knew exactly what I needed to make my life easier while traveling, so I’m going to share some ideas. Lots of these items also make great graduation gifts, in case you’re still searching for the perfect gift. Also, some of them make good Father’s Day gifts…that’s coming up…don’t forget!

No matter what, there are some things I like to have when I’m away from home. Here are some suggestions for making your life easier:

  • LeakLocks Toiletry Skins. I found these at Amazon a year or two ago, and now, they are absolute essentials when I travel. They are rubber “skins” that you pull over the top of bottles to keep them from leaking in your luggage. I used them on my shampoo, my self-tanner, and my sunscreens, and I still put them in Ziploc bags for extra protection. There’s nothing worse than arriving at my destination to find my self-tanner has leaked all over the plastic bag it’s in. Secretly, I will tell you I’ve even used this over the top of a plastic flask I was sneaking into a college football game. I didn’t need vodka leaking all over my clothes. LeakLocks are an inexpensive way to save all your stuff, and they stretch to fit different types of bottles. To purchase LeakLocks, click here. And if you’d like to look into a plastic flask before football season starts, you can get one at Amazon. Plastic flasks are great, because metal detectors don’t pick them up. To purchase a Rabbit plastic flask for under $8, click here. *The Rabbit flask says it is leak-proof, but I recommend using the LeakLock with it.*
  • Packing Cubes. Don’t groan. I always thought packing cubes were a waste of time and money until recently, when I tried them at the suggestion of a friend. What did they do for me? They made packing and unpacking a lot easier when I arrived at my destination and again when I returned home. For under $25, you get a set of eight packing accessories, and they come in lots of different colors! Get them at Amazon here. Or check out some others from Olarhike for about $20 here.
  • Travel Adapter. If you’re traveling internationally, it’s possible (likely) you’ll need a travel adapter. Otherwise, you’ll burn up any electrical appliances like hairdryers, curling irons, and straighteners when you plug them into the hotel outlet. Back when I was a flight attendant, I burned up a hairdryer this way, and one of my coworkers burned off her bangs when she used her curling iron in a hotel in another country. Seriously, she burned off her bangs. Even she thought it was funny! Purchase for about $18 here.
  • Laundry bags. It’s a lot easier for me to start laundry when we get home if I have all the dirty laundry in one (or two) bags. I can put one bag in my luggage, and my husband can put one in his, if we have that many dirty items. When we get home, I just grab those two bags out of the suitcases and take them straight to the laundry room…no sorting through the clothes to figure it out. Anything that wasn’t worn can be steamed and put away quickly. To see the laundry bags I use, click here. Or you can get a different type from Miamica on Amazon here.
  • Portable Bluetooth Speaker. If you’re going to be on a beach or in a boat, it’s nice to have a quality portable bluetooth speaker. We love the JBL Clip 3 when we travel. It puts out quality sound and is easy to operate. It’s small and lightweight, so it doesn’t take up a lot of space in your carry-on or checked baggage. It also comes in a variety of colors. To purchase for under $60 from Amazon, click here. ***This also makes a great graduation gift!!!***
  • Lifestraw products. If you’re traveling somewhere that might not have a clean water supply, you need some Lifestraw products. If you’ve ever had Montezuma’s Revenge in Mexico, you know you need something to purify the water. Lifestraw makes lots of travel products…personal straws and collapsible cups/pitchers. This is a product I highly recommend! Also, they’re great for camping trips and hiking trips, and they make great gifts for someone who might be traveling to a developing country. I gave one to a friend’s daughter as part of her graduation gift when I knew she would be traveling on a mission trip to Cuba. I am traveling to Panama in October, and I will be taking some Lifestraw products with me. See the Lifestraw straws here. And see their whole line of products here. These are products I highly recommend!

  • Travel Door Alarm. If you have ever been awakened in a hotel room by someone coming into your room, you know how important a travel door alarm can be. I had someone walk into my room one time, because a hotel accidentally checked him into my room after I had already been checked in. When I screamed, he left immediately. I called the front desk, and they apologized profusely for the error. There are different types of travel door alarms. One is in a door stopper, and the other is not. If you’re concerned someone wouldn’t be able to get to you in an emergency, don’t get the door stopper one. You can see the door stopper one here. It keeps people from entering the room and emits a siren. For a travel alarm that doesn’t block the door but emits a loud sound, there’s the Lewis and Clark Travel Alarm. You can purchase here.
  • Travel Fan. I love my O2 Cool Travel Fan. It’s small and lightweight, and it doesn’t take up much room in my suitcase. It also puts off way more air than you think it will. I usually plug it in (it’s can be battery-operated or plugged in, which I prefer) on the nightstand right next to my head in any hotel. I turn it on, and I don’t get hot during the night. It’s an inexpensive way to improve your sleep in hotels. Get it at Amazon here. This is another product I highly recommend!
  • Road Trip Games. Interstate driving travel can be boring. If you have a road trip planned, you might benefit from having some road trip games in the car. It can improve the ride and helps keep kids from staring at phones the whole time. I love road trip games. See a selection of them at Amazon here.

There you have some suggestions. Feel free to message me with more ideas for travel necessities, and I will share those too!

by Kelly Mattei

This Just In: BIG Memorial Day Deals at Amazon!

This just in: BIG Memorial Day deals at Amazon! Some of the items listed below could be great graduation gifts!

  • HUGE deals on Gap Apparel at Amazon…up to 68% off! Click here, and click on “deals”!
  • Rent the Runway New and Pre-Loved Apparel on Amazon! If you’re not familiar with Rent the Runway, it’s an online business that offers apparel for rent. Right now, they are selling off some of their apparel on Amazon! Get it here! There are lots of great deal, including this gorgeous Victoria Victoria Beckham dress for less than $100!!
  • Amazon Basics. Lots of deals on Amazon Basics Home products. It’s a good place to stock up on stuff for dorm rooms! I see deals on shelving, hangers, bedding, towels, organizers, chargers, garbage cans, sheets, tensions rods, pillows, and lots more stuff you can use in the dorm! Check it out here.
  • Segway Electric Scooters. I see some that are up to 48% off! Some college students use electric scooters to move around big campuses! If your student needs/wants one, this is a good time to get a deal on Amazon! Purchase here! The one pictured below is regularly about $400, but you can get it now for $275! Click here to see this one.
  • Mr Coffee Iced and Hot Coffee Maker. Priced at just $45, this is a deal. If your kid spends a lot on iced coffees at Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts, this could save you some big bucks. Click here.

Aqualeisure Pool Products. It’s their summer kickoff sale, so you can get up to 47% off and inflatable recliner and more! Click here.

Those are some of the deals offered by Amazon for Memorial Day weekend. I will post more tomorrow!