Category / holiday

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

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

Enjoy Memorial Day Weekend

Enjoy Memorial Day Weekend

When I was a little girl, Memorial Day weekend marked the start of summer for me. School usually got out around Memorial Day, and I had the extra bonus of having a birthday at about the same time, so I loved the end of May…still do! And this year will be no different.

I have written before about how we need to remember the reason we celebrate Memorial Day…to honor those who lost their lives defending the very freedom we enjoy every single day. I have written about how my parents always made sure, when we were gathering with friends and family, that we remembered the meaning behind the day.

Does that mean it can’t be fun too? I like to think those who lost their lives would be happy to see us enjoying the freedom they made possible. We tend to have a pool day at our house. Sometimes we have friends over, and sometimes we don’t. Sometimes, our daughter invites friends over, and sometimes she goes somewhere else. This year, we will be fortunate to have some houseguests over the holiday weekend, and we are excited to hang out in the pool, cook out, and relax.

In fact, I’m ordering a few things from Amazon to help me be sure we have fun and stay safe at the same time, and if you order today, you can probably get them in time too! Even if you don’t want them for Memorial Day, these items can be great all summer! My new necessities for starting summer with some fun (and safety in mind):

  • Fun Boy Mesh Floats. I love being outdoors, but when it’s really hot, I need to be in the pool. And I don’t mean I need to be floating on top of something. I need to have some of my body actually in the water. These inflatable mesh floats from Funboy are perfect for relaxing and staying cool. Priced at just $39 for a mint colored or yellow one, and the pink ones are $41 each. Or you can get two pink ones or two mint ones for under $67. I just ordered two pink and two mint. They’ll add a little color to the pool and keep us all cool. Of course, on Saturday and Sunday, the weather isn’t likely to be cooperative, but it’s supposed to be pretty warm Monday. Purchase here.
  • Backyard Blast. When our daughter was a little girl, she and her friends loved to set up a Slip n Slide in our yard. They could play for hours. I even participated a few times. Personally, I think sliding water play is fun for all ages, so when I saw this Backyard Blast heavy duty waterslide for adults and teens, well…I had to have it. We haven’t tried it yet, but it’s 75′ long and 12′ wide! Priced at $159, it’s not cheap, but since it’s “heavy duty,” I hope to get lots of fun out of it. It gets good reviews. Purchase here.
  • Nerf Water Products. Nerf is a name we can trust in water toys, but there are so many to choose from! A good SuperSoaker battle is always fun, but Nerf also makes refillable water balloons for younger kids, and even ride-on floats for on-the-water battles! See what they offer here. The possibilities are endless!

  • Fun in the Sun Toys. In fact, there are lots of summer fun toys out there: Bubble machines, bubble wants, reusable water balloons, beach balls, splash pads…fun stuff to keep everyone cool and keep everyone moving! These toys are great for kids of all ages…including those like me who will be turning 56 this weekend! Amazon will ship quick and free if you have an Amazon Prime account. Check them out here.
  • Sunscreen. You have to stay safe in the sun! Sunscreen is essential. There are lots of different brands to choose from. Personally, I prefer Coppertone lotions when I’m going to be outside for a while, because they smell like my childhood. Other times, I like Hawaiian Tropic oils, because we used them when I was a teen, and it reminds me of some happy times. I do not like sprays, because one of the first ingredients listed is often alcohol, so while it’s easy to apply a spray, it actually dries out your skin! Not good. To purchase Coppertone lotions, click here. To purchase Hawaiian Tropic oils with different SPFs, click here. (You might have to scroll down a little.) And remember to protect your lips, which can burn fast. We use Coppertone Sport Lip Balm with SPF 50. Purchase here.
  • Hawaiian Tropic After Sun Products. Don’t forget you’ll need something to soothe your skin after you’ve been in the sun. In our house, we swear by Sun Bum Cooling After Sun Gel. Purchase here. They offer lots of products to choose from: lotions, gels, body butters.

Summer’s almost here! Let’s be ready for some fun! Happy Shopping!

by Kelly Mattei

Basic Travel Outfits for Women

Basic travel outfits for women.

I have always loved travel. I love hopping on a plane with my husband, my family, or with friends and heading off to somewhere fun. But first I have to get there. Right out of college, I was a flight attendant for a hot minute. When you work for an airline and travel on an employee pass, there is a dress code. Traveling on an employee pass, I was required to dress professionally, and that set a tone for me. Therefore, I like travel clothes that look good but give me some comfort. You won’t see me on an airplane in athletic shorts…or shorts of any kind. You might see me in joggers, because they’re comfortable, and I can dress them up. As summer gets closer, more people travel, so I have some recommendations. Here are some travel outfits I love:

Wide Leg Jumpsuit. As I scrolled through Instagram a few weeks ago, I came across a wide-leg, short-sleeve jumpsuit perfect for travel. It has a v-neck, and it also has some spandex, meaning stretch, so it’s more comfortable on long flights. It comes in a variety of colors, but I prefer the darker colors. I have ordered this in several colors, but the black is my fave. It’s great, because the v-neck is flattering, and the wide legs make it easy-fitting. At just $35.99 (yes, you read that right), it’s a great buy. Pair it with a cute jacket for some dimension. I love to add a scarf for a pop of color; it can also act as a lightweight blanket on a chilly flight. To purchase this fabulous piece (picture below) from Amazon, click here.

Amazon Essentials Joggers. Somehow, I got lucky and stumbled upon the inexpensive Amazon Essentials Joggers a year or two ago, and since then, I have accumulated a collection. While they offer a variety of colors, my entire collection consists of black joggers. They’re lightweight. They’re cute. They’re flattering, and most importantly, they are wash-and-wear…so easy! I know what you’re thinking: sweatpants. Sure, joggers can be considered sweatpants, but these can be dressed up, without a doubt. In winter, I wear them with cute ankle boots and sweaters, while in warmer months, I wear them with wedges. Priced under $20, these joggers are so inexpensive, you have to get them. Purchase here.

V-neck tshirt. I am pretty particular about my “t-shirt” type shirts. I like long sleeves, but they also offer this shirt in short sleeve version. I like a flattering v-neck. And I like for it to fit my arms but not hug my body tightly. I found one on Amazon that has worked for me time and time again. It works great with the joggers above or with the Miramar joggers below. Purchase it here

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Large scarf. I love a colorful scarf for “dressing up” an outfit. Years ago, I learned the “third piece,” whether it is a jacket or scarf, completes an ensemble…making the wearer appear more “put together.” It’s something I believe in, for sure. So when I’m wearing an all-black outfit, as a jumpsuit or joggers and shirt, I like to add a colorful scarf to break up the black a little and make me look complete. A large scarf can also help ensure I stay warm on a chilly flight. I found a couple of faves on Amazon that are pretty darn inexpensive. The first is a silk scarf that’s priced at under $20, and it measures 70″ x 35″…making it a good size. It comes in lots of colors and patterns, and you can purchase it here. For one that has a “cashmere feel,” and measures 78″ x 27″, click here.

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Rag and Bone Miramar joggers. OK, y’all, I’m giving away a big secret here. No joke, I have only shared this info with my closest friends, but here it is: I wear sweatpant jeans. Yep. Rag and Bone makes Miramar joggers that are printed to look like cute jeans, but they are really French terry sweatpants, and they look great! I’m not going to lie…at $225, they are pricey, but I love them. In fact, I love them so much that, over time, I have purchased two pairs in each color. They are 100% cotton, so you need to remember not to put them in the dryer when you wash them, but other than that, they are pretty easy. As joggers, they have elastic around the ankles, so they are great for lots of heights. I’m only 5’2″, and I love these, because I wear them pushed all the way down to the ankle, or I can wear the elastic underneath a little higher on my leg to make them look more cropped. These are truly some of my favorite travel pants. I can pair them with a cute top or blouse and jacket, and I look finished. No one knows they are sweats, unless they are familiar with the brand. To see the Miramar joggers on Amazon, click here. Another company, BLANKNYC offers something similar at a much lower price. I haven’t tried them (yet), but if you’d like something similar without the sticker shock, try them. The BLANKNYC version is priced under $52 in the lighter color (click here) or the darker color ($81) here.

Utility Shirt Jacket. I love a good utility shirt jacket, because it can add to so many different outfits. For travel, I have a few I use, but a favorite is definitely a Lucky Brand version. It’s olive green, so basically a neutral. I will wear it with all of the items above, and it’s offered in more than one color. It’s lightweight and well-made, and because it’s a neutral, it can be used in various ways with different styles of outfits, even dresses. Get yours here.

Blazer. If you prefer a more tailored look, a blazer might be the way to go. I have a few of these lightweight blazers from Amazon. Priced under $50, they won’t break the bank, and they’re comfortable and travel well. Offered in 15 colors, they make a great addition to any travel wardrobe. Get a few colors, and switch things up! Purchase here.

And this is when I tell you that, in order to keep these pieces from looking too casual, I never wear sneakers on planes. Personally, I prefer comfortable wedge sandals in spring and summer and comfortable boots or loafers in fall and winter. It’s just my way of dressing it all up and pulling it together. But by all means, you do you. And always remember that, if you are checking luggage on commercial airlines, you need to pack at least one change of clothes in your carry-on bag. I always pack a swimsuit in my carry-on too, if I’m going to a warm location.

Happy travels!

by Kelly Mattei

Easter Basket Stuffers

Easter basket stuffers.

It’s not too late! If you’re just now trying to figure out Easter Basket stuffers, you’re in good company: me. I just finally ordered Easter stuff today. Yes, I still put together an Easter basket for our 19-yr-old daughter and one of her friends every year. For years, our daughter’s friend has spent the night at our house the night before Easter, and every year, the bunny brings them baskets. Even though they are college freshmen this year, they will still get baskets. In fact, as long as I am able to do it, they will get baskets from our Easter Bunny.

Try to shop local whenever possible! I have purchased some items from local boutiques in Charlotte like Paper Skyscraper, The Buttercup, and more. The Buttercup has some great Easter items for younger children. They are located at 1035 Providence Road in Charlotte, and Paper Skyscraper is on East Boulevard.

Target also has some good Easter basket offerings, but they’re getting pretty picked over by now I haven’t had the opportunity to go there, so I sat down and started ordering online.

Today, I ordered a couple of baskets in the girls’ sorority colors. They are in the same sorority at different schools, so those baskets will match! I ordered them from Amazon, and they are actually baskets for “gamers,” but I thought they could actually use the baskets in their rooms, because they don’t really look like Easter baskets. See the Easter baskets offered by Amazon here. You can see and purchase the one I purchased here.

And then I went straight to Easter basket stuffers. I purchased Easter candy at my local Walgreens, but I wanted to get the girls some things they could actually use. Even though a garden gnome seems like a strange Easter Basket stuffer, I got them each one, simply because I got them gnomes a couple of years ago. Purchase the one I purchased here. And see Amazon’s other gnome selections here.

Since they are both first-year Kappa Kappa Gammas, I thought it would be fun to incorporate that into their basket items too.
They love sweatshirts, and I found some cute sorority Comfort Colors sweatshirts. I needed them to arrive in time for Easter, so the pickings were slim, but I found these. To find similar ones for your daughter’s sorority on Amazon, click here. Just be careful to be sure whatever you order will arrive in time for Easter if you want to include it in the basket.

Additionally, I got them some Jojowell Shower Steamers that come 21 to a package in seven different scents. Each package is less that $25, and these steamers can make a shower feel like a spa! They come complete with two mesh bags and two suction cups for hanging the steamers in the shower. To purchase them, click here.

What else are they getting? How about some matching pajamas in their sorority colors? Yes! They get very excited about PJs every year, so they will be expecting some kind of pajamas, but the sorority colors will be a surprise! See the ones I purchased here. To see other cute PJ options on Amazon, click here. Or purchase some at your favorite boutique or retailer.

Because they loved Nickelodeon, specifically the show, iCarly, I got them both some XL iCarly t-shirts. They’ll laugh, and honestly, they’re likely to use them as pajamas sometimes. Last year, I gave them some iCarly Kooky pens, so this will carry on that theme. You can see the Amazon’s selection of iCarly t-shirts here. There are t-shirts for various Nickelodeon shows on Amazon here.

I also got them some acrylic glasses they can use in their dorms or in next year’s apartments or sorority houses. They can never have too many plastic or acrylic cups that they don’t have to worry about breaking. See the large selection on Amazon here.

And don’t forget the plastic Easter eggs! Sure, you can get the standard plastic Easter eggs, or you can get some that are especially cute from Amazon! I found some that I will fill with chocolates and other candies, because what’s an Easter basket without colorful Easter eggs?!? See the cute ones I purchased here. Or if you’d like something different than what I bought, you can see a huge selection here.

I know some of you might have younger children, so your Easter basket stuffers will likely be different than what I’m getting. If you have younger children, there is a whole section on Amazon that’s just for basket stuffers of all shapes and sizes. You can see them here.

But order right away! You don’t want to be left with an empty basket on Easter morning!

by Kelly Mattei

She’s Returning to College

She’s returning to college.

Our daughter is returning to college for the second semester of her freshman year. In just 36 hours, our blissful month of having her under our roof will end. She and my husband will load up her car and start the 450 mile drive back to her university. She will drop him off at the airport before she goes to her dorm. He will fly home…without her.

And our house will be eerily quiet…again. It will be as quiet as it has been for the past few months, since we dropped her off in August. That dorm move-in is a distant memory now. Remember all the planning? Remember all the boxes of dorm supplies and decor stacked up in my foyer? I can hardly remember it now.

She survived first semester. With medical emergencies, the flu, late nights, lots of fun, lots of new friends…she survived. Not only did she survive, she thrived. Our girl was made for the big college atmosphere. It’s her happy place, for the most part. Don’t get me wrong; there were occasional tears. If you have a child leaving for college next fall, just know there will be tears. Sometimes they just have to get through the tears to get to the good stuff. I have told our daughter that in many late night phone conversations. If we didn’t have the bad, we wouldn’t appreciate the good. It’s absolutely true. The good seems so much better after you experience the bad. If your child calls you crying from college, remind them and yourself of that.

I will be having to remind myself of that over the next few weeks, as we adjust to a quiet house again.

Our house has felt like our house again for the past month, while our girl has been home. We had her friends in and out of the house at all hours. Many times, I was up at 2am, making grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup for a gaggle of friends. I’m not complaining; I loved every minute of it. Some nights, I was picking her up from a friend’s house or a party in the wee hours of the morning. After the murders at the University of Idaho, I wasn’t real keen on her taking an Uber. That horrible crime was a reminder that a background check is just a check of what someone hasn’t been caught doing or hasn’t done yet. It’s scary to think young girls all over the country hop into the car with strangers all the time, right? So while our daughter was in Charlotte, I was her personal Uber driver if she needed me. *Say a prayer for the families of those University of Idaho students.*

Did my husband love the late nights? No. It drives him crazy to have to stay up past midnight. He leads a very structured life, and if the timing gets messed up, he’s not happy. I’m a total vampire who flies by the seat of my pants, so in my world, I love the chaos. I love spontaneity. I love getting in the car at 1:30am to pick up our daughter and friends to bring them back to our house. I love standing in the kitchen, in my pajamas and robe, preparing food for them after they get here. And I’m going to miss it.

Will we get to bed at a reasonable hour every night? Yes. Will the amount of laundry I have to do decrease exponentially? Yes. But honestly, I will miss the extra laundry. I will miss watching the clock as we wait for her to come home. I will miss the late night talks in her room. I will miss watching football games with her.

I will miss her.

Thank God we have some vacations coming up soon, so we won’t be in this quiet house. Before we know it, she will come home for a visit. If she doesn’t, chances are I will hop on a plane and go see her one weekend soon…just because I miss her. She’ll need a Mama hug, and I’ll need to see her face to make sure she’s OK.

I keep reminding myself that in just four short months, she will be home for summer. We will take mother/daughter trips again. She will likely want to visit friends in different cities, and that’s OK too. We will just be happy to have her here when we can. Just having that to look forward to will keep us going. Well, that and some fun trips.

Meet us in the Bahamas, but bring your own snorkel gear!

by Kelly Mattei

We Miss the Elves

We miss the elves.

I know, I know. Every parent who is having to deal with The Elf on the Shelf right now is wondering why they ever bought into that commercialized bit of Christmas.

Seriously, how many times will you forget to move the damn elves during the season? I remember many times our daughter would come downstairs in the morning to find the elf in the same spot as the day before. She would ask if it had lost its magic. “Oh, no honey! It was just really foggy/stormy/cloudy out last night, and he couldn’t make the flight safely.” I had to think fast, and I couldn’t let the panic show on my face.

Other times, I would wake up in the middle of the night and remember I hadn’t moved the elf. I would get up, try to wake up enough to be creative with a “hiding place,” and stumble back to bed…cursing the elf the whole time.

And then, the elves multiplied at our house! She teceived them as gifts. Or she asked them to bring friends. When all was said and done, we had SIX elves visiting our home, and that meant I had to move all six of them every night. (I know…I know…I’m crazy to have allowed it.) Not only that, but I also had to get more creative after she heard about other friends’ elves that did more interesting things than just sit in the Christmas tree. Keeping up with the Joneses was real where the elf was concerned. She didn’t want to think Santa sent her a lame elf (or elves!).

Seriously, it got out of hand. Those damn elves were leading better lives than I was: writing all over the vanity with toothpaste, bungee jumping from the stairs, bathing in Christmas M&Ms, coming in on a wrecking ball, drinking Karo Syrup, trapping each other in cake domes…oh, to be an elf! And the notes and “surprises”! They brought little trinkets. They wrote her notes in their special elf handwriting. My brain had not been that creative in years, but I made it happen. Honestly, I became an overachiever where the elves were concerned, and I’m sure all her friends’ parents hated me for it. I don’t blame them. I hated that I let myself fall into the trap of that level of insanity after seeing others post on social media, but I did it.

I thought about all this last night, because my daughter, who is now 19 and a freshman in college, was hanging out with friends and texted me, “Can you send me pictures of the crazy things my elves did?” I searched through years of pictures and found some to send her. She sent back lots of laughing faces, lots of “Lol” and lots of “wow.”

Then I went down the rabbit hole.

I started texting her elf stories. I told her about the time she came running into the kitchen just before Thanksgiving Day (when the elves are supposed to arrive) with an elf in her hand. I’m not sure how old she was…maybe six of seven? She had gone into my room to look for something in a drawer, and she had found an elf. “Mommy! Look what I found in your drawer!” I was standing at the stovetop preparing dinner but looked down to see her holding the elf up for me to see. Somehow, I thought fast and replied, “Wow! He must have known you would look in there today, and he was just waiting for you to find him!” Her eyes widened! She bought it hook, line, and sinker! She replied, “I guess so!” And the elves got an early start (ugh) that year…lucky me (insert eye roll here).

Another year, on Christmas Day, she seemed a little sad…unusual for Christmas Day. She was eight, and she should have been excited and happy the whole day. Finally, in the afternoon, I asked, “Honey, are you OK?” Immediately, the flood gates opened…her bottom lip rolled down as her chin quivered, and tears rolled down her cheeks. “I miss my elf!,” she exclaimed. My heart broke. My sweet little girl thad been holding in those emotions all day. I could have been stern. I could have followed the elf rules, but I didn’t. I hugged her. I comforted her. And then I said, “There might be a way to get him back.” Call me a sucker if you want, but personally, I love knowing my child is full of so much love. That year, her elf had taken on the task of replacing some of her “babies” (stuffed animals) that had been accidentally thrown out while we were having her room painted. She appreciated what that elf had done for her, and she loved her elf for it. Who was I to say the elf couldn’t come back? Surely, there was a way?!? I said, “Here’s a little secret: since it’s still Christmas Day, you can make a wish on a Christmas candle, and maybe the elf will come back.” I’m still patting myself on the back for this one. My husband brought us a Christmas candle, and I sat down on the sofa with her, telling her to close her eyes and make the wish before blowing out the candle. Then close her eyes again and slowly count to ten, just to help the wish. Whatever…I was winging it, OK?!? While she slowly counted to ten after making the wish, my husband scampered quietly into our room, got the elf out of a drawer and placed him on the dining room table. When she opened her eyes, I said, “Maybe the elf will return. He might show up in an unexpected place.” Of course, she couldn’t resist the urge to start searching. When she found him on the dining room table, it was sheer joy! Her Christmas wish had come true! Since the elf had returned on a Christmas wish, she was allowed to hold him (against the Elf on the Shelf rules), so she settled in on the sofa to watch a Christmas movie with him. I told her she had 30 more days with the elf, but he wouldn’t fly back and forth to the North Pole, and had to leave after those 30 days. She agreed 30 more days would be enough…and it was.

The elves were popular at our house for several years until one day, she simply said, “Mom, I know the elves aren’t real.” In some ways I was happy. I wouldn’t have to remember to move them! I wouldn’t have to find creative places to put them! I wouldn’t have to wake up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat when I realized I hadn’t done anything with them! I wouldn’t have to lie about the fog/storms/clouds. At the same time, my heart broke a little. Sure, my life would be a little easier because she didn’t believe in the elves anymore, but it would be a lot less fun.

Now that she’s 19, the elves no longer come around. One moved to a new home when a neighbor melted her daughter’s elf on a lamp and was in a desperate search for a new one. We had one that matched hers, so we let her have it. Our daughter didn’t believe anymore, so it was nice to know we were saving another parent from a meltdown. Now, we look back on the elves with fondness. And honestly, they make good stories.

We miss the elves…not enough to bring them back, but we miss them!

by Kelly Mattei

Last Minute Holiday Gifts

Last minute holiday gifts.

We are getting down to the wire. If you still have gifts to purchase but don’t know where to start (or finish), we have suggestions.

Shop Local. It’s always important to shop local, and I did a lot of local shopping this year. Your local business owners always appreciate your business, but they especially appreciate it when inflation is crazy and prices are soaring. Don’t forget, they are having to pay more for the items from their suppliers too. If you don’t know about local boutiques in your area, ask around. Or if you live in Charlotte, you can check out the Charlotte’s Got A Lot website. They have compiled a lengthy list of local places to shop for everyone on your list. You can check it out here. I checked out their list and got a few ideas for my husband and daughter. Then, I passed along some ideas to friends…straight from the Charlotte’s Got a Lot list. If you don’t live in Charlotte, you might be able to find a similar list for your town. My personal favorite local shops are The Buttercup (great for women/young ladies/neighbors/friends), Paper Skyscraper for whimsical gifts (and stop in for lunch at Thai Taste next door when you go), Charlotte’s for women, Swoozie’s for fun gifts for friends and neighbors, and though it’s not really a shop/boutique, I love purchasing sports tickets or sports merchandise for local teams…the Carolina Panthers (available through Ticketmaster or at the Panthers store in the stadium), Charlotte Checkers hockey tickets/merchandise, and Charlotte Hornets tickets/merchandise.

USA Today List. USA Today published a list just yesterday of some last-minute gift ideas, and it includes gifts for everyone on your list. Prices range from below $100 to over $1000, but you’re likely to find something that will work. Get busy looking, though, because the longer you wait, the less likely it will get here in time. See the USA Today list here.

Amazon. No, it’s not shopping local, for sure, but sometimes you just need Amazon. My mother used Amazon for lots of her shopping when she was alive, because she just didn’t get around real well. Even if you can get around well, you might find that time is not your friend, and you just need to get something now. Amazon has a section on their website called Very Merry Deals, where you can find popular discounted items that can be shipped to your home or to the recipient’s home in time for Christmas. But do your Amazon shopping now! You can see their Very Merry Deals here.

Gift Cards. It sounds cliché, but if there are any college students in your life, they love gift cards. You can purchase gift cards to just about anywhere in Harris Teeter, Target, and CVS. My college-age daughter loves gift cards from Starbucks, Panera, ChickFilA, Netflix, and Amazon, but I’m sure there are others that are popular. As a freshman, our daughter has a dining plan through her university, but sometimes, she just wants to eat what she calls “real food.” That’s when gift cards come in handy.

Experiences. If you have an amusement park near you, it might be possible to purchase season passes or gift cards for someone on your list. Call ahead to find out. Movie passes make great gifts too. Maybe there is an attraction in your town that’s fun for someone in your family. We have the US National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, and it’s fun for the whole family! A gift card there can mean hours of fun! Or give the gift of travel! Charlotte is a hub airport for American Airlines, so a gift card on American Airlines could be a great gift for someone who could fly out of here or fly into Charlotte to visit! See their gift cards here. Delta offers them on their website too. You can see theirs by clicking here.