Category / joy

by Kelly Mattei

My Favorite Amazon Purchases of 2025 to Make Your Holiday Shopping Easier

My favorite Amazon purchases of 2025 to make your holiday shopping easier…

  • Solar Power Bank. I have purchased a lot of power banks over the years, but this one is my favorite of all time for several reasons. You can charge it with solar power (sunlight) or at an electrical outlet. It’s fast-charging, and the charge lasts a long time. It has built-in charging cords for different devices. It also has a wireless charging platform, so you can charge your phone without a cord. I also love that it’s not as heavy as lots of power banks. Added bonus? It’s inexpensive! It makes a great gift for lots of people, including teenagers and college students who might need extra power on their devices. Priced right now (at time of writing) at just $29.59 on Amazon, you can purchase it here.

  • Dyson AirWrap i.d. Multistyler. Dyson AirWrap systems have been popular for a long time, and there’s a reason…they are great products. It’s a gift lots of people would love to receive. I have seen people get more excited about this than anything else. They’re expensive, no doubt, but right now, this one is on sale at Amazon. Regular priced at $649, it’s now priced (at time of writing) at $499! That’s a $150 savings! Get them while they last here.

  • SUNNOW 12 Ounce Multicolor Crystal Wine Glass,for Home Dinning, Bar and Party,Set of 6 I got these for my college daughter, because she is always having friends over. With this multi-colored set, its easy for each person to remember which glass is theirs! And because they are inexpensive, it one gets broken, no one panics! They make a great gift, and these are a popular item on Amazon. I get “fast-selling item” alerts, and this was one of them. Purchase for $32.99 while supplies last here.

  • SHOWKOO Luggage Sets Expandable PC+ABS Durable Suitcase Double Wheels TSA Lock I purchased a set of this luggage for myself and one for our daughter. They are inexpensive but more rugged than I expected, and if you get a cool color, you can spot it easily on an airport carousel! Purchase for someone on your Christmas list here.

  • Trendy 14K Gold Plated Hoop Earrings for Women, Chunky Gold/Silver Earrings for Women Cubic Zirconia Baguette Hoop Earrings Heart Hoops Lightweight Hypoallergenic Jewelry,25mm/35mm/40mm/50mm. I have purchased these inexpensive earrings six times over the past year. They are my favorite grab-n-go earrings for running errands or meeting friends for lunch. I get compliments on them every single time I wear them. You can purchase them in multi-color, single-color, gold, or silver. When I say these earrings are one of my favorite Amazon purchases ever, I mean it. Most colors are $13.99, but some are as low as $13.59, and some colors are $14.99. They’d make a great stocking stuffer for every girl/woman on your list! Get them here.

  • Damero Pill Bottle Organizer Bag, Travel Medicine Bag Organizer, Medicine Organizer and Storage for Pills, Vitamin, Fish Oil, Medical Supplements for Women and Men. Another favorite purchase! I used to just keep my meds in a ziploc bag, but earlier this year, I decided to be more organized, and what a difference! I used this bag when I’m home and take it with me when I travel. It has slots for medicine bottles and pocket for other things like a pill-cutter or anything else. I literally use it every day. It comes in dusty rose or black. It’s great for college students too…for items like Tylenol, ibuprofen, cold medicine, allergy meds, etc. In fact, it could be a great gift for someone you know who is going to college soon…fill it with all those items and wrap it up for a Christmas gift! Purchase from Amazon here.

  • Girafit 3MP 2K Window Camera,2.4GHz&5GHz WiFi Indoor Cameras for Home Security 2 Pack with ChroMax Al Color Night Vision,Person & Motion Detection,24/7 Recording,Easy&Quick Install. I purchased these for our daughter’s college apartment. I had sent her a Ring doorbell, but because of the design of her apartment, installation was complicated. Since their front door has a window, this was super easy to install. The picture quality on it is amazing! She and her roommates thought they had an intruder one night, so the police came, and later, when she showed me the video of the officers arriving, I could read their names on the tiny nameplates on their uniforms. Highly recommend! Purchase here.

  • Protected By Home Security System Signs for Yard – 10″ x 28″ Police Dispatch Connected Warning Sign with Ground Stake, Alarm Signs for Home Security Rust Free 40 mil Reflective Aluminum Composite – UV Protected. I also purchased these for our daughter’s apartment. Her apartment is part of a house, so she put these in the front yard. Purchase here.

  • Makeup Eraser 7-Day Set. If you have never used Makeup Eraser, its time you did! It’s amazing how quickly these remove makeup with just water! My daughter have been using them for a long time and love them. they make a great stocking-stuffer or a great gift! Purchase here.

  • Nespresso Vertuo Plus Deluxe Coffee and Espresso Maker by De’Longhi, Matte Black I’m just a regular coffee drinker, but our daughter loves specialty coffees, so we got her this Nespresso Espresso Maker, and she loves it. Someone on your list will love it too! At just under $125, it’s not cheap, but she said it’s worth it! Purchase here.

  • Women’s Sandals Peep Toe Slides. I’ve told y’all about these before…my favorite dupe sandals! I have them in four colors. No, I’m not wearing them in freezing temps, but they’re great in spring and summer…and on tropical vacations! Someone on your list will love these! They’re awesome! I found them to be true-to-size. Purchase here.

  • Favorite Dupe Handbag. Since we are talking about my favorite dupes, let’s look at my fave dupe handbag I purchased from Amazon this year. In fact, I purchased it in three different colors. Is it a perfect dupe? No, but it’s cute! And it’s 1% of the real thing. I have some nicer bags, but I do not like to travel with them, so these are great for that. Purchase here.

  • OCTOBUDDY Classic – Silicone Suction Phone Case Adhesive Mount – Hands-Free, Strong Grip Holder for Selfies and Videos – iPhone and Android Compatible. My daughter loves this phone case adhesive mount. It’s not the case; its something to mount on the case so the phone will stick with suction to surfaces…window, tables, shower walls, etc. It’s available in lots of colors. Just trust me on this…it’s a great gift for teenagers and college students. At just $14.99, it’s a great stocking stuffer. Purchase here.

  • JBL Vibe Beam – True Wireless JBL Deep Bass Sound Earbuds, Bluetooth 5.2, Water & Dust Resistant, Hands-free call with VoiceAware, Up to 32 hours of battery life Y’all, I’m prone to losing things, so I don’t want to pay a lot of money for wireless earbuds. I just can’t make myself do it. I found these from JBL, and I love them. They’re more comfortable than others to me, and they produce great sound. Starting at just $29.95 right now, they are a steal! This makes a great gift! Get them here.

  • SPOTMINDERS Apple MFi Certified Wallet Tracker Y’all…this is a game-changer. I always used other tracking devices for my luggage/handbags, etc, but they didn’t track in real time. Spotminders are rechargeable and track in real time! I have purchased them for the whole fam! Just link them to your phone’s tracking app. It will make a great gift or stocking stuffer for anyone who has a wallet, handbag, passport, luggage, or anything else they don’t want to lose! HIGHLY RECOMMEND! You can charge them on a wireless charger, and the charge lasts five months! Purchase here.

  • Stitchy. Who knew this tiny gun-shaped item would be such a life-saver? I didn’t know I needed it until someone gave me one, and now I use it all the time…almost daily! I use it to stitch collars with one click, so they will stand. I use it to reinforce buttons. I use it to ruche items. In a fix, I’ve even used it to secure the hem of some pants! At our white elephant Christmas party last year, this was the single hottest item! Purchase it for everyone on your list! Purchase here.

  • Tales Conversation Cards. We have one two different sets of these, and as corny as it sounds, we use them all the time! We use them when our little family is gathered around the table or when friends come over for cocktails. Each card has a question or directive. “Who here is most likely to live off the grid?” (No one named me, for sure.) “What’s something you think everyone should experience at least once.” https://amzn.to/4pUeP6xThere’s a family version, a teen version, and more! Get them. We find them great fun! Purchase here.

  • JBL Flip Portable Speaker. Y’all, I love this little speaker with big sound! I use it by the pool in the summer, in hotel rooms, in the kitchen…or anywhere else I want good sound. With Bluetooth capabilities, it plays straight from my phone. This is a great gift for just about anyone on your list, and it comes in a variety of colors. Purchase here.

  • Matcha Set. Our daughter came home for the summer and wanted to make Matcha at home, so we got her the kit to do it. She made Matcha all summer, and she has been making it all fall in her apartment. If you have someone on your list who loves Matcha, this could be a great gift. Purchase here.

  • Arctic Air Personal Air Conditioner. Y’all, I sleep with this thing pointed at my face every night. Sometimes, I put water in it, and sometimes, I don’t. It also has a light that you can set to one of many colors. I set mine on red, because it seems to give off the least light but just enough for me to make it to the bathroom safely. HIGHLY RECOMMEND! When I say I highly recommend this, I mean it…it’s one of my favorite things ever. Purchase for under $30 here.

  • OtterBox Rugged Tracker 4 Pack for Apple AirTag I got this for our keys…just pop an AirTag in it, and anytime you can’t find your keys, this will help you find them! Purchase here. And if you need AirTags for it, get the four pack here.

  • Ladies’ Wallet with RFID protection. I love this wallet. It makes it easy to find my credit cards when I need them. My ID is in a window pocket. It’s everything I need in a wallet, and it’s cute too! It comes in several colors, so you can get a different color for each person on your list. Plus, it’s priced right at $16.99. Purchase here.

  • 12 Pack Extra Heavy Duty Large Moving Bags with Strong Zipper & Comfortable Handles I purchased these when we were moving our daughter back to college last summer, but now I’m using some of them for storage at home! I love them! And they’re super-sturdy. I’m not sure they’d be a great gift, but maybe they would for the future college student? Purchase here.

  • Little Jesus. Lots of us could use a little Jesus. These pocket Jesus figurines could be fun stocking stuffers or fun to hide around the house. I hid them in our house, and my husband laughed every time he encountered one. Now we have a few strategically placed in cabinets or drawers to remind us that Jesus loves us. Purchase here.

  • A Super Comfy, Cozy Recliner. Y’all are going to think I’m crazy. Yes, I ordered a recliner from Amazon. I had a couple of surgeries earlier this year, and when I found out I needed a second one, I knew I needed a recliner to sleep in when I got home, but I only had a couple of days. I went on Amazon and found this gem. It was delivered two days later, and my husband took it up to the guest room, where I would recover from my surgery. Easy assembly…just slide the backrest into the back of the seat. It rocks, swivels, and reclinesl, and it has storage compartments built in. This has now become my favorite place to be! I call it my “drug chair,” because it just totally relaxes me! I think everyone needs one! If you know someone who could use a super comfortable, cozy recliner, this could be the perfect holiday gift for them. It’s available in gray and cream. I got the cream colored one. Did I mention I love it?!?! One of my best purchases ever, even though it’s not perfectly suited to our decor. Purchase here.

  • Acrylic Clutch Purse for Women Evening Bag This was something my daughter needed for all the cocktail parties in college. She got it in gold, but it’s offered in lots of colors, and it has held up very well for her. Could be a great gift for the college girl or anyone who might need an evening bag. Purchase here.

  • Bedside Lamp with Wireless Speaker and Phone Charger. This lamp/speaker/charger combo is also portable! I keep it on my nightstand and use it every night to charge my phone. I love it and think everyone needs one. Purchase here.

  • Vibration Plate. I know lots of people who swear by vibration plates to stimulate muscles and improve bone density. I don’t claim to be a doctor, but I have friends who swear they feel healthier after regularly using a vibration plate. If you’d like to try it, you can get one at Amazon for $99, and if you like it, purchase a more high-end one later. You can get a bestseller at Amazon here.

Happy Shopping!

*As an Amazon Associate, I receive commission on the items purchased through my links.*

by Kelly Mattei

Someone On Your List Wants Barbie™ x Stanley Quenchers

Someone on your list wants Barbie x Stanley Quenchers. Now there’s a collaboration with the Barbie brand, celebrating 65 years of Barbie! Barbie x Stanley! These are hot items this holiday season! See all eight variations here. This is a great opportunity to get the perfect gift for the people on your list who love Barbie, or Stanley, or both! Get them before they’re gone! Use your Amazon Prime membership for free shipping!

  • Stanley x Barbie™ Icon 40 Oz Quencher Icon is the key word here, because this one is iconic! This beauty features the iconic Barbie logo in…you guessed it…pink! This 40-oz Quencher is priced at $60 and makes a great gift! Get it here.

  • Stanley X Barbie™ ’60s Twist ’N Turn Quencher 40 Oz With a soft, sorbet gradient and tangerine lid and straw combo, this vibrant Barbie Quencher captures the movement that made the Twist ‘N Turn Barbie doll so striking! Great colors and great for the Barbie collector too! Get it here.

  • Stanley x Barbie™ ’80s Rockers Quencher 40 Oz Inspired by the Barbie and the Rockers dolls, the Rockers Quencher features bright, retro graphics that are ready to rock. In a new wave style that is quintessentially Barbie, this unstoppable Quencher is born to lead. Purchase here.

  • Stanley x Barbie™ ’70s Superstar Quencher 40 Oz The hot pink and purple gradient of the Superstar Quencher is all about glitz and glam. A pattern of gold, dainty stars echo the sparkle and star-shaped stand of the Superstar Barbie doll. Purchase here.

  • Stanley x Barbie™ ’80s Western Ken Quencher 40 Oz Lasso your own Western Ken Quencher in a Midnight-black. With a print that mimics the contrast stitching and silver buckle showcased on the Western Ken doll, stand tall — adventure’s calling. Purchase here.

  • Stanley x Barbie™ ’80s Dynamite Quencher 40 Oz Rich colors, gold accents and disco lights of the Dynamite Quencher celebrate the first Black Barbie doll. Iconic in every way, the Dynamite Barbie doll debuted in a vibrant red bodysuit and wrap skirt with glamorous jewelry and star quality poses to shine. Purchase here.

  • Stanley x Barbie™ ’80s Rockers Quencher 40 Oz Inspired by the Barbie and the Rockers dolls, the Rockers Quencher features bright, retro graphics that are ready to rock. In a new wave style that is quintessentially Barbie, this unstoppable Quencher is born to lead. Purchase here.

  • Stanley x Barbie™ Icon 30 Oz Quencher The Barbie Icon Quenchers arrive in a bright pop of Barbie pink to celebrate shining bright together and creating limitless possibilities for all. This one holds 10 few ounces than the others, so it’s easier to carry and costs less! Purchase here.

These won’t last long! Take advantage of this opportunity to make lots of people on your list happy. Granddaughters? Check! Daughters? Check! Cousins? Friends? Moms? Check..check…and CHECK!

HAPPY SHOPPING!

by Kelly Mattei

2024 Stocking Stuffers

2024 Stocking Stuffers

I know lots of people struggle with what to do for stocking stuffers for their families at Christmas. Personally, I love shopping for stocking stuffers, because they can be anything…serious, silly, electronic, nostalgic, or even essential. When I was growing up, as the holidays approached, if there was something we needed or wanted, my mother would always say, “Put it on your Christmas list!” Toothpaste? Razors? Underwear? Yep…on the list. I’m not above adding some of those essentials to a Christmas stocking, but I love to try to get a little more creative. Let’s go…

  • Mini UFO Hand Drone for Indoors. This is definitely silly, but it’s a lot of fun too…for all ages. I got one for each of us a couple of years ago, and we actually had a lot of fun with them! There’s virtually no learning curve, and they are rechargeable! We are all adults, so I can only imagine how much fun they would be with kids in the house. Get it at Amazon here.

  • JBL Vibe Buds. I have had it with spending lots of $$$ on wireless ear buds and promptly losing them, so the last time I needed some (in September), I purchased the inexpensive JBL Vibe Buds, and I like them better than any of the more expensive ones I’ve tried. They are far more comfortable in my ears, and I think they provide superior sound. As of writing, two colors (black and white) are on sale for about $30. Get ’em while they last here.


  • Merit M Flush Balm Cream Blush/Rouge. I know, the word “rouge” makes you think of your grandmother, but stick with me. I read somewhere recently that, even though we have been using pink/peach/coral blush for years, it’s not a natural cheek color. Apparently red is what we should be using, so I tried it in the form of this Merit product, and will never look back. Yes, it is a little pricy, but one little pot will last a long time, since it only takes a tiny smear to get full blush. I love it. I’m dropping some in our daughter’s Christmas stocking, because I think she will like it too. It also works if you need a little lip color too. Get it at Amazon here.

  • Rainbow Loom Original. Since we are talking stocking stuffers, I’m going with the Rainbow Loom Original. It should fit in (and fill up) a Christmas stocking. Priced at $7.99, it’s good for hours of creativity for all ages. My daughter loved rainbow loom when she was 7 or 8, and she still loves it at 21. Get it here. For a Rainbow Loom with lots of extra rubberbands, I recommend the Rainbow Loom Mega Combo Set for $19.99, but it won’t fit in a stocking. Get it here.
  • Peter Thomas Roth Temporary Face Tightener. It’s temporary, but it really does make wrinkles look smoother. I have friends who swear by it. In fact, there will be some in my stocking this year! I have the eye cream that temporarily smooths lines around the eyes and across the bridge of the nose. Get the face tightener here. And get the eye tightener here. If someone on your list (male or female!) would appreciate it, it makes a great stocking stuffer or just outright great gift! I have a guy friend who uses it daily!

  • Oura Ring. If someone on your list has been wanting or would appreciate this wearable technology, Christmas is a great time to make the purchase! The Oura Ring makes a great gift! It tracks sleep, activity, stress, heart rate, and more with the Oura app. People I know who have it swear by it. Right now, it’s priced at 22% off at Amazon. At $349, it’s $100 less expensive than normal, but it’s going fast! Purchase here.
  • Osea Ocean Eyes Age Defying Serum. My daughter and I will both find this in our Christmas stockings this year. It is supposed to awaken tired eyes while brightening and revitalizing. Thank you! May I have another?!? Get it here.

  • Lume Whole Body Deodorant. Seems weird, I know, to include deodorant in stocking stuffers, but this stuff is all the rage. Developed by on OBGYN, it’s safe for use all over the body. When I first tried it, I didn’t like the smell, but it has been improved. The women on your list will appreciate it. Get the starter pack here.

  • Rechargeable Headlamp. If my husband walks outside at night to check anything, he’s going to put on a headlamp. Same if he goes into the crawlspace under our house. He loves a headlamp, and a rechargeable one?!?! Well, that’s just the greatest! This pack of three will be in his stocking this year. You can bet on it. Get it here.

  • Bible Verse Jar. I saw this advertise and had to get it for my daughter. In fact, I will likely get one for lots of people on my list this year. It’s a jar with Bible verses tailored to your needs. The verses are color coded for “read me when you are happy/thankful/angry/anxious/lonely/sad.” I think it’s an awesome gift, and it will fit perfectly into Christmas stockings. Get it here.

  • Polaroid Go Instant Mini Camera with film bundle. I never met a Polaroid camera aI didn’t like. They’re instant fun! This bundle is on sale for 17% off (as of writing) and priced at $99. It will make a fun gift for kids and adults alike…to document the craziness of the holidays and laugh at it immediately! Hang the polaroids on the refrigerator or a bulletin board…instant fun!

  • Silly Bandz. These fun little shaped silicone bands were all the rage in the early 2000s. Kids love them, and it would be cool to introduce them to a whole new set of kids! They are inexpensive colletibles. Get them here.

  • Beanboozled. Something fun for the whole family! In this game, each player spins to see which color jellybean to eat. Each color has two different flavors, and you don’t know which one you’ll get! It might be pear flavored, or it might be stinky socks flavored! It makes for silly fun! Get it here.

  • Custom Socks with Faces. You’ve likely seen these before, but maybe you haven’t purchased! Now is a great time to entertain the whole family with photo socks! Priced at less than $10, they’re a fun stocking stuffer! Get them here.

  • Custom Luggage Cover. I have wanted one of these since I saw them advertised. This could be the year I get one! When my husband and I were waiting at baggage claim last week, I told him I was going to get him a customized luggage cover. He thought I was kidding. There will be one in his stocking this year! It’s a silly gift…but it’s practical too! Purchase and personalize here.

  • Too Faced Lip Plumper. Would someone on your list like a premium lip plumper but you don’t like the premium price? Forget Dior. Get the Too Faced Lip Injection Power Plumping Gloss. It’s my personal favorite, and it comes in lots of different colors. Priced under $30, it’s a premium plumping gloss at a not-premium price. Get it here.

  • Mini Karaoke Machine. What a fun thing to have at your fingertips! Kids and teens will love it, and chances are, Mom and Dad will want to use it too! Get it at Amazon here.

Happy Shopping for Stocking Stuffers!

***I might receive commission for items purchased through my Amazon links.***

by Kelly Mattei

The Ted Lasso Effect

The Ted Lasso Effect.

I’m finally watching Ted Lasso. I don’t know when or where the series started, but I’m watching it on Apple+ these days. Lots of my friends told me I should watch it over the past few years, but I am the person who usually doesn’t like to watch what everyone else is watching. You’re watching Grey’s Anatomy? I’m not. You love Yellowstone? I might love it if I watched it, but knowing everyone else loves it makes me not want to watch it. It’s the same way I pick travel destinations. Everyone’s going to Italy? Greece? I know they are lovely countries, but I don’t want to go when everyone else thinks it’s the thing to do. I’ll go to Panamá, Argentina, or Montenegro instead. I know. I’m weird.

However, a few weeks ago, my friend, Jennifer, came over for coffee, and she mentioned Ted Lasso again. I finally gave in and started watching that night.

Wow.

Even though the first episode is a little slow, I was bowled over. By the second episode, I was all in. It might be my favorite series ever. I have loved Mad Men for a long time, but if I had to choose between the very handsome hound dog, Don Draper (one of my favorite characters ever), and Ted, I think I’m leaving Mr. Draper for goofy, wordsmith-y Ted Lasso. Why? It’s going to sound corny, but I think Ted, the character, makes me want to be a better person. There’s something about his positivity that is infectious, and it makes me want to be more positive! It makes me feel joyful and makes me want to share that joy! I like to say he brings “fresh joy” into my life. Sure, there is joy in life every day, but sometimes, we get an infusion of joy from an unexpected place…that’s what I call “fresh joy.”

If you’re not familiar with Ted Lasso, the series, I will try to get you current. In the first episode, we meet the female owner of a men’s soccer team in England. She got the team in her divorce, and the team was her now ex-husband’s prized possession. Her goal for the team? Run it into the ground…just to make her ex-husband miserable. Her first order of business? Fire the current coach and hire a coach from the mid-western United States who has no knowledge of soccer…er, football, in England. The guy she hires? Ted Lasso, played brilliantly by Jason Sudeikis. He has coached a low level college American football team to a championship, but he literally knows nothing about soccer. He gives everyone nicknames. He wants good things for people, even while he is suffering through his own marital issues. And he enjoys wordplay and movie references. Most of all, he believes in his team…even while struggling with his own personal issues.

In some ways, ol’ Ted reminds me of my daddy. No, my daddy wasn’t goofy with a bad mustache, but he did enjoy wordplay. He liked literary and movie references. He liked personal stories, and he was a good storyteller with a great sense of humor and a sense of loyalty…like Ted. He wanted good things for other people…like Ted. He knew life isn’t all about the win. It’s also about doing the right thing and sharing joy with others. No, Ted’s not perfect. My daddy wasn’t perfect, either, but I’m just saying I see some similarities. Maybe that’s why I like Ted so much…even though the fans of his new team consistently seem destined to hate him.

Since I started watching it, I find myself happier! I’m literally happier. I find myself seeing the good in people and complimenting them in the airport and in Target. I find myself smiling all the time! I have found my old self again! It made me realize I had become less cheerful than before, and damn it, it’s not fun to be less cheerful. It’s a lot more fun to be cheerful. When I was out of town over the past week, I met lots of people I wouldn’t have met had I not been shaken back into spreading joy by Ted Lasso. I met a lovely couple, Henry and Alice. They were sitting outside the hotel where I stayed last weekend. He just turned 85, and they were celebrating their 60th anniversary, even though their house just burned. They are finding the positive. We talked for a while about how, often, things we think happen to us actually turn out to be something that happened for us. This lovely elderly couple was able to see the silver lining of their house fire! We shared some stories and hugged. I also met a young man in McDonald’s, when I went in to use the bathroom (and get a Big Mac Meal) after a football game. I walked past him on my way to the bathroom, and he waved. It reminded me I was in Alabama, where people are friendly, so before I left McD’s, I told him he had made my day by reminding me how friendly people are there. He smiled. Yes, he might have thought I was completely nuts, but that’s OK too. There are people who think Ted Lasso is nuts too.

I got halfway through the third season of Ted Lasso before I convinced my husband to watch an episode. I like the series so much that I was willing to start it over, so I can watch it with my husband from start to finish! We are still in the first season, but even the man who never wants to watch a series I pick agrees it’s a great show. Last night, I talked with my aunt in Florida, hopefully, I convinced her to watch it. She is very much a positive-thinker. We both have always believed that doing something nice for someone else actually makes us feel better, so when I told her about it, she sounded excited.

I telling you to watch it even if you’re absolutely happy, but you especially need to watch it if you’re not. It’s a game changer. The characters are well-developed, and the different story lines fit together while the show flows perfectly. Like Ted Lasso, the character, you’ll likely find yourself seeing the good in some of the characters you want to hate. My favorite characters besides Ted? Sam, Dani Rojas, Rebecca…heck, I like all of them, even Jamie.

So get off your arse and go watch Ted Lasso on Apple+.

by Kelly Mattei

Sorority Rush Prep Should Be Well Underway

Sorority rush prep should be well underway.

If your daughter is participating in sorority recruitment, especially in the south, you need to be knee deep in preparations by now. If not, it’s not too late, but get busy. I wrote a piece in February called Don’t Sweat Fall Sorority Rush Yet, and in it, I included a timeline of preparation. It’s almost mid-June…let’s gooooooooo! To read the piece I mentioned, click here.

In the piece, the timeline mentions the wardrobe in July. That is when it should be shored up and ready to go. Shop now for rush appropriate dresses. That means you don’t want to be too flashy, too skimpy, or too matronly. Most college-age girls know what is fashionable, but if you wouldn’t wear it in front of your boyfriend’s mother, don’t wear it for rush.

If you haven’t registered for rush or made any required videos, get busy. I’ve mentioned this before: don’t read a script for your video, but have some talking points, making sure you cover any prompts they have requested. Smile and be confident, and use good lighting!

Millions of young women have participated in recruitment over the years; you can do this!

Please send any questions, comments, or concerns. I love getting questions!

by Kelly Mattei

Fun Holiday Cocktails for New Year’s Eve

Fun holiday cocktails for New Year’s Eve.

I’m 56 years old. The last thing I want to do for New Year’s Eve is go to a big party with lots of people. Like many people my age, I want to visit with good friends, enjoy a good dinner, and drink a few cocktails before returning home to watch New Year’s Rocking Eve on TV from the safety of my own bedroom. This year, we have a big party to go to on the 30th, so I will be all “partied out” after that. Just give me comfy clothes, good friends, and fun cocktails. I will be happy.

In the past few days, I have looked up recipes for some good, easy cocktails, and I’m sharing them with you now.

  • Sugar Cookie Martini. This is a personal favorite! It tastes like a traditional sugar cookie, but not quite as sweet, and that a good thing, in my opinion. If vanilla vodka is difficult to find, I recommend Pinnacle Whipped Vodka or Pinnacle Cake Vodka…both good substitutes. See the recipe here.
Sugar Cookie Martini photo from Wholefully.com

  • Mistletoe Margarita. I had one of these recently at a friend’s house, and I highly recommend! A little tart like a regular margarita, but with a merrier taste! See the recipe here.
Mistletoe Margarita photo from Delish.com

  • Poinsettia Champagne Cocktail. This is a personal favorite…for the ease, and because I love champagne cocktails. However, I usually substitute Prosecco for the Champagne, simply because of personal preference. For a non-alcoholic version, you can always substitute white sparkling grape juice. See the recipe here.
Poinsettia Champagne Cocktail from thespruceeats.com
  • More cocktails. The ones listed above are my personal faves, but there are lots more out there. I also love Bailey’s on the rocks…super simple, and even soothing! But to see more holiday cocktail ideas, click here. You can get great ideas for cocktails to prepare ahead in a pitcher.

I hope you all plan to enjoy the remainder of the holiday season as much as I do! On Christmas Day, we had some friends over and tried a few of these different cocktails…all were a big hit! And if you want to do something different, maybe try Drunken Cherries! We made batches of them! You’ll need to start them at least 24 hours in advance, but they are super easy, super good…and boozy, so don’t let children have them under any circumstances! See the recipe here. (We used Pinnacle Whipped Vodka and Pinnacle Cake Vodka. We also used melted Andes Mints on some of them for a twist on the flavor!)

Happy Holidays!

Remember, be safe…don’t drink and drive.

by Kelly Mattei

All You Need is Love

All you need is love.

My friend, Linda, shared a video recently (on Facebook) that featured Sir Ian McKellen telling a story about getting into a taxi in Manchester, England, and the driver asks, “Where you going to, love?” Sir Ian said he immediately feels at home, where grown men call strangers “love.” He goes on to say the world would be a better place if we all called each other “love,” and I agree. It’s a practice I hope to start now. In my estimation, once I say in 10 or 12 times, it should become a habit, right?

It’s really not a stretch. I already tell everyone I love that I love them when we hang up the phone or when we say goodbye in person. I have written about that before and how it annoyed my friend, Wendy, until I got her in the habit of saying it too. But calling complete strangers “love” could be a little tougher.

In recent months, I have started something new with my daughter. She likely hasn’t noticed. Every now and then, I simply text her “I love you” out of the blue. That’s not really abnormal for us, but in recent months, it has become more frequent for a reason. Sometime after the first of the year, I realized I would text her things that sounded like I was correcting her or giving unsolicited advice. Once I realized it, I decided to try to keep myself in check, so every time I find myself preparing to send her a text with unsolicited advice, I stop myself and text “I love you” instead. Don’t get me wrong. I still offer advice, but normally, only when we are talking on the phone or in person. So basically, I’m replacing my unsolicited advice and nagging with love messages. It makes me feel better, and I’m sure that, even thought she hasn’t even realized the difference yet, she feels better too. She always returns the message with “I love you too.”

So now I need to implement my plan to call everyone “love.” I’m sure some people will find it odd. Some people might even say, “I’m not your love.” And that’s OK. I will know, deep down, that I’m just trying to be nice and spread joy and love. I know everyone will react differently, because my friend, Mary Ann, and I did a social experiment in Beverly Hills ten years ago. We said “good morning” to everyone we passed on the sidewalk. Some people acted like we were weirdos, but a few hugged us and thanked us. You never know when someone needs some love! I feel like there are lots of people walking around out there who haven’t been called “love” or felt loved in a long time! Maybe just one stranger will appreciate being called “love”? Don’t get me wrong. I’m not going to walk around just saying “hi love” to everyone I see. It will likely be used where I would normally use “sir” or “ma’am.” For example, if someone holds the door open for me as I’m walking into a store, I might say, “Thank you, love!” Or if I’m in a restaurant and my server asks me a question, maybe I answer, “Yes, love.” Maybe I will use it with my friends when they answer the phone, “Hi love!” It is a work in progress. I’ll keep you posted.

Any chance you might want to join me in this plan, love?

All you need is love…love!

by Kelly Mattei

McDonald’s is My Kind of Place

McDonald’s is my kind of place.

I was born in the late 1960s, so most of my childhood was in the 1970s. If yours was too, you likely loved McDonald’s. From the time I was a year old until I was seven, I lived in a little town in Alabama that didn’t have McDonald’s. We had a local hamburger drive-in that was really good, but it wasn’t McDonald’s. We even had a Dairy Queen…not McDonald’s. Eventually, we got a Jack’s, a hamburger place based in Birmingham, Alabama, but we still didn’t have McDonald’s when I moved away. We often went to Pensacola or Mobile for doctor appointments or to shop, so we had McDonald’s then, and it was a treat! I’m not kidding…a treat we could hardly wait to get! Those hamburgers! Those fries! Those chocolate shakes!

When I was seven, I moved with my family to the Mobile area, and we got McDonald’s all the time, because McDonald’s was plentiful in Mobile…I mostly remember the two on Government Street, and the one near the University of South Alabama on Old Shell Road. As kids, we even went to birthday parties at McDonald’s, and those were the best birthday parties! When I was eight years old, they even opened a McDonald’s in Bel Air Mall…a big, huge deal, because that whole wing of the mall started smelling like McDonald’s. To kids back then, McDonald’s was a little slice of Heaven.

One night last week, I craved McDonald’s. It happens occasionally. McDonald’s crosses my mind, and I simply have to have it. That night, I hopped in the car and drove to the nearest McDonald’s, got in the drive-thru line, and placed my order: hamburger, large fries, and a large Diet Coke. The service was quick, and I didn’t even make it out of the parking lot before I started gobbling up the feast from the paper bag. That first bite smelled and tasted like childhood happiness. I can’t explain it, but as soon as I unwrapped that burger, I felt like I was a kid again. And the fries? Well, it doesn’t get better than hot McDonald’s fries. I have known that my whole life.

If you’re anywhere near my age, chances are you have some McDonald’s memories. Maybe you went to birthday parties there. Maybe you ate there after every high school home football game (like I did). Maybe you remember the aroma of those hamburgers and French fries. Maybe you remember the McDonaldland characters and can identify all of them! Maybe you went there with high school friends or stopped there for breakfast on the way to school in the morning.

Sadly, the latest generations don’t seem to appreciate McDonald’s like we did. However, our daughter might be one of the exceptions. She loved McDonald’s Happy Meals as a kid. I took her to McDonald’s because I liked it, so she learned to like it too. Sometimes, we met friends there, so the kids could play in the indoor play area. Sometimes, we went to the two-story McDonald’s in South Park in Charlotte. My daughter, when she was a little girl, called it the “upstairs McDonald’s.” But I think a lot of kids didn’t have the joyful McDonald’s experience because society became health conscious and frowned upon it. Too bad, because kids missed out on that little indulgence. McDonald’s is supposed to be fun, and frankly, I think it’s OK in moderation. Do I want my daughter eating there all the time? No, and she doesn’t. But if she wants some fries from there once or twice a month…enjoy!

Fortunately, my daughter has a friend who told me about the McDonald’s App. If you have any appreciation for McDonald’s and don’t have the app, you’re leaving money on the table! Through the app, you can earn points to use toward future purchases, but you have immediate access to special deals like Free Fry Fridays, BOGO offers, and more! Seriously, if all you like about McDonald’s is their perfectly fizzy sodas, get the app now!

Right now, they have a BOGO order on breakfast sandwiches. They also have percentage off offers on different sandwiches, meals, and beverages. Seriously, if you like their coffee (it’s good) you can use the app for deals on that!

So if you’d like to experience a little childhood happiness, go download the app. You’ll be glad you did, because McDonald’s is your kind of place!

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

Facebook Memories: A Gift to Ourselves

Facebook Memories: A Gift to Ourselves.

I joined Facebook in 2009, because a friend from high school “invited” me to join. At the time, I didn’t think much of it. I friended a few people, and then I realized I needed to get my mother to join, because it was an easy way for me to share photos of my then-five-yr-old daughter. I had no idea what an effect it would have on life, in general.

Here is where I am the first to admit that Facebook can be a giant “time suck,” as one friend calls it. I choose to call it a “time bandit,” because it steals my time, and when I look up, I’ve lost minutes or even hours of my life…to Facebook.

At the same time, it’s a good thing. We get to communicate with friends from lots of different stages of our lives. I’ve mentioned before that Facebook connected me with a friend who lived across the street from me when I was a toddler. It connected me with kindergarten friends I never dreamed remembered me after I moved away in second grade. It connected me with friends from the school I started attending in second grade and left after fourth grade. And it connected me with friends from high school and college, jobs I had over the years, and new friends I’ve made along the way. It’s a gift.

But there’s one part of Facebook that I truly consider a gift: Facebook Memories. I love Facebook Memories. I love that, every day, I can open my Facebook account, click on “memories,” and I can see things I’ve posted from years past. Today, for example, when I opened my account, the first memory I came across from one year ago was a photo of a space heater. I had posted it, telling my friend I had purchased new heaters to put at our feet while we visited in the garage. Yep, it was a sign of the times…the pandemic forced me to visit with friends in the open garage. The next memory, also from 2020, was a photo of a Christmas gumdrop tree, something nostalgic from my childhood that was clearly nostalgic for other people too, judging by the comments. The next post? One of my favorites of all time: a video from my daughter’s eighth grade basketball season…a girl on the team hit a buzzer beater to win the game 33-31 (yes, 33-31, because it was middle school girls’ basketball, after all) and a celebration ensued! As I continued to scroll, I came across a photo of me with a group of friends at the Good Friends Luncheon in Charlotte in 2016…a great cause that raises funds to help kids and adults in need. From 2013, there is a photo of me and my cousin before the ACC Championship game here in Charlotte. His team, the Florida State Seminoles won that year…great memory! Below that are a few pics from church basketball league in 2012…our daughter was nine. And then there are photos from 2010, when I took our daughter and some of her friends to a Christmas party at the country club. Lots of great memories! And every one of them made me smile. A gift.

Later this month, I will get to “re-live” Christmas memories…pictures of the Christmas tree after “Santa has left the building,” photos of the joy on our daughter’s face on Christmas morning, pictures of vacations during the holidays, photos of gatherings with friends, and so much more.

Every day, after I scroll through my Facebook memories, I want more! But I always have to wait for the next day…and often, another gift…another great memory…another smile.

For all its faults, Facebook, used correctly, is a gift. I will keep adding memories to it for as long as I can! And hopefully, along the way, I will have at least one smile a day.