I have lots of earrings that I wear for different occasions, but for travel and for regular days around the house/town, I have some hoop earrings I love. Add in the fact that they are super inexpensive, and they’re even more fun to wear! They’re so inexpensive that I don’t worry about losing them. In fact, I have at least six pairs of them. Obviously, I really like them. They are “gold” and “jeweled” with multicolored “gems,” and they match anything I want to wear on the daily. I get compliments on them every single day. These are another HIGHLY RECOMMEND item. Get them for everyone woman on your list! Check out the pics an purchase them from Amazon here.
*As an Amazon associate, I receive commission on items purchased through my links.*
EZVALO Bedside Dimmable Lamp with Wireless Charger and Bluetooth Speaker. Y’all this is a great gift for anyone on your list. I have been using one of these for months. I got one for my college-age daughter last Christmas, and I liked it so much that I got one for me too! It’s a great addition to the nightstand, because it provides just enough light when I need a little light to get to the bathroom (I’m 58, after all) in the middle of the night. It has the wireless charger for my phone, and there have been nights I have drifted off to sleep while listening to a soothing audiobook through the speaker. I love it. This is a rare HIGHLY RECOMMEND item for lots of people on your list: moms, college students, high school students, Grandma…virtually anyone. Purchase it for anyone on your list who has a smartphone. It’s offered in Wood Grain or White for under $35 on a Cyber Monday Deal with Amazon. Get it here.
*As an Amazon associate, I receive commission on items purchased through my links.*
I tried the Westmore Beauty Body Coverage Perfector today on my shins and on my arms. Actually, on just one shin, because I wanted to see the difference. I love it! When my 21-yr-old daughter came in this afternoon, I asked her which leg looked better, and she immediately pointed to the one with the Westmore Beauty Body Coverage Perfector!
At 58, I have those little white spot on my legs…the ones where the pigment seems to have magically vanished. It makes for a much less smooth appearance. The leg with the perfector looks much better than the other.
To test it, I applied it before going outside in 98° heat to water my plants. Then I got in the pool. When I got out…the Perfector was still on the leg! Y’all, I love this stuff. The tube I have is 3.5 ounces, but I just ordered the 7-oz tube from Amazon.
Also, here are pics of my legs…one outdoors and one indoors. You can see the difference. Is it perfect? No, but I only applied a very light coat. Might do more tomorrow. Yes, the leg on the right in each pic is the “perfected” one.
My daughter just finished her junior year of college.. It’s hard for me to believe she is 3/4 of the way through college. I remember my own college days so well; I’m so happy she is getting to go to the same awesome university and have her own experiences. We feel pretty seasoned now that she has survived three years. So while I’m thinking about it, and since you have time to prepare now, I’m going to make some suggestions on necessities. Seriously, I know graduation festivities (ugh) are upon you, but start purchasing and ordering now, and you’ll have less to do as your college freshman’s departure approaches. You can also spread out the expenses over the next few months instead of being slapped in the face with big credit card bills at dorm move-in time. These are just a few items I recommend purchasing early, before everyone else jumps in, making them difficult to find.
Mattress Topper. I never met a dorm mattress I liked. Goodness. One would think they could find a way to improve those things. I was a freshman in 1985, and I daresay my daughter’s freshman dorm mattress was no more comfortable than the one I had way back when. We knew that would be the case, so we invested in a quality mattress topper. There are lots of them out there, but we opted for the Sleepyhead brand. Our daughter’s dorm room has a twin XL bed, so we ordered the Twin XL 3″ Topper from Sleepyhead. She loves it. Priced at over $300, it’s not cheap, but right now, they are offering a $70 coupon. It’s probably some of the best money I’ve ever spent. Our daughter used hers freshman year in the dorm and sophomore year in the sorority house. She loved sleeping in her bed, calling it “cozy and comfy.” She got two full years of use out of it. She moved into an apartment with a queen bed last year, so she can’t use the topper again, but we purchased Sleepyhead topper for her queen bed. Check out Sleepyhead on Amazon here. ***Keep it in the box until you get to the dorm room!***
Stand-up Steamer. I think people thought I was crazy when I told them I was getting our daughter a stand-up steamer to take to college with her, but it is one thing that definitely got used…and it’s so much easier than ironing! Plus, a stand-up steamer won’t “walk away” to someone else’s dorm room, never to be seen again! Our daughter participated in sorority recruitment as soon as she arrived at school, so I knew she would need to steam out her dresses before she wore them. We couldn’t have her showing up all wrinkled! She tells me she has used it countless times throughout the year for steaming formal dresses, cocktail dresses, and anything else that was overly wrinkled. We opted for the a Rowenta model. You can see it and purchase it on Amazon here. If you want to purchase a handheld steamer instead, I highly recommend one from Rowenta you can purchase here.
Bankers Box Smooth Move Wardrobe Boxes. These stand-up boxes are more for the move-in, but they were big helps with our daughter’s hanging garments. They have a bar across the top on which to hang the clothes, and they hold a lot of clothes. We only used one, and our daughter took a lot of clothes with her. When we arrived in the dorm, we simply lifted the hangers off the bar and moved them straight to the closet bar…super easy. For about $44, you’ll get three bankers boxes. We gave one to a friend who was going off to college too, and saved the third one…might use it for move-out. You can purchase here.
Swiffer Sweeper 2-in-1 Mop. I don’t know how often this item has been used, but if they can’t really clean the floor without it. At least give them a fighting chance at having a “clean-ish” floor. Plus, you will want to run it through the room before you set everything up. Just get it. It will make you feel better knowing your child can mop the floor if he/she chooses or needs to! Get it from Amazon here.
Velvet Hangers. I know how easy it is for a college student on the go to grab a shirt and just snatch it off the hanger on the way to class. Hangers go flying, and other items fall to the bottom of the closet. That doesn’t happen with velvet hangers. They have added a lot of organization to my own closet. I purchase Zober non-slip Velvet Hangers in Ivory. Just trust me on this one. Shirts don’t get horns in the shoulders. Dresses hang nicely and don’t fall off the hanger and into the floor. Get them at Amazon here. You’ll think you won’t need many, but start with 200.
And I’m going to repeat some move-in essentials from a piece I wrote recently:
Hulken Bag. I ordered two. My daughter has one at college, and I have one at home, but I will take mine down with me when we move her out. They simply make moving lots of items easier. We got large ones. Get them here.
Moving Bags. These are similar to the Ikea moving bags, but I ordered from Amazon, because I thought these were a little bigger and sturdier. They worked great for move-in, and I expect them to work great for move-out too! Get them here. (Keep in mind: these sell out during summer, as families stock up on them, so get yours early.)
Collapsible Wagon. We got one of these for our daughter when she was returning to college after the holidays. It was an easy way for her to get everything from the parking garage to her room. Get it here.
Versacart. This is one my aunt told me about, and it’s awesome! She calls it her “old lady cart,” but it does the job! She uses it to bring in groceries or any packages from her car. Get it here.
Stick with me, moms of future college students, and I’ll provide you with all sorts of helpful ideas over the next few months. Start shopping now! And please use my links above to purchase! *I may be compensated for some of the items I suggest, but I wouldn’t suggest them if I didn’t believe in them!
When I was growing up, I heard adults (including my parents) start sentences with “when I was a kid” all the time. As a teenager, I would hear it and think, “Everything’s not like it was in the 1950s!” Now, I catch myself saying it.
We are staying in a rental beach condo for the long weekend. Our college student daughter and a friend met us here. Yesterday, my daughter texted me at 8:30am, asking, “What is that noise?” I thought it was probably people at the elevator, so I told her to turn on white noise to drown it out. This morning, she texted me again, “I hear kids outside my window again.” Her window faces the hallway. I decided to investigate, expecting to find people talking while waiting for the elevator.
I opened the door and stepped into the hallway, and I was surprised to find four little boys…ages approximately 3, 4, 8, and maybe 10…playing in the hall. Yes, playing in the hall. Don’t get me wrong. I love when children play, but in the hallway of a hotel-type building? No, thank you.
This is where “when I was a kid” comes in. When I was a kid, my parents had very strict rules about hotels. We were not allowed to run and play in hotel hallways. We were not allowed to talk loudly in the hallway or even in the room…no indoor “horseplay” at all. We were not allowed to play on the elevators. We were allowed to play as much as we wanted in the pool and in resort play areas. It was about respecting the other hotels guests. We didn’t want to disturb them. My husband and I held our daughter to the same standard and had the same rules. We didn’t even have to “enforce” the rules, because she understood she wasn’t supposed to do those things. Not once in my life have I ever had someone ask me to hold down the noise in a hotel.
I know I’m not alone about this rude behavior, because I read an article about the “most annoying” hotel guests, and you can read it here.
That brings me back to the kids in the hall. I was on the phone with a friend when the kids were playing in the hallway today, so I asked my friend what she thought. She told me her parents had the same rules as mine, and she and her husband have the same rules for their kids. Apparently, the parents of the kids in the hall this morning don’t have the same rules.
There is no way I would admonish them, but I decided to speak nicely with them. I stepped outside where the four kids under ten were playing and said, “Hey guys! I have a favor to ask. Do you mind holding the noise down a little? My kids are trying to sleep in the room right here.” They said, “Yes ma’am.” And I said, “Thank you so much. Y’all are very sweet.”
And you know what? They actually kept the noise down! They were good kids. It wasn’t their fault their parents were allowing them to engage in the most annoying hotel guest behavior. When I was a kid, that wouldn’t have happened on my parents’ watch.
The best pill bottle organizer for travel and home (and it makes a great graduation gift!).
This week, I found the best pill bottle organizer bag for home and travel! I know there are lots of people who don’t have any regular prescriptions, but a pill bottle organizer bag is great for essential over-the-counter meds too! Just recently, at spring break, my college-age daughter found herself feeling ill, but she had not taken any pain or nausea medications with her! I couldn’t believe she was traveling without essentials like her Zofran prescription, but she was. That’s when I first thought about a pill bottle organizer…one for her and one for me. Anyone who is a mom knows it’s always up to us to provide the meds for our families at home and when traveling.
For years, I have carried all those pill bottles (my prescriptions and over-the-counter meds) in a gallon-sized Ziploc bag. I always put that big Ziploc bag in my carry-on bag when I travel, because who wants an airline losing their medications?! On a recent trip, though, I realized that’s probably not the best way to carry my meds and vitamins. I was at a hotel, and one of my prescriptions had fallen out of the Ziploc bag into my carry-on bag. I panicked when I didn’t see it in the Ziploc, but I found it when I looked in my carry-on, and I realized I must have left an opening in the Ziploc in my haste. I needed to do something different.
When I returned home, I went online to Amazon to look for a pill bottle organizer bag. In fact, I wish I had thought of this sooner for me and my daughter! It would make a great graduation gift! I know young ladies don’t think they need to carry medications with them, but they do need to carry the essentials when they travel, and they need to have them in their dorm rooms and apartments! I wanted something soft that had slots for medications but wouldn’t take up too much room in my carry-on bag. Of course, Amazon had exactly what I needed! In fact, I have already put my medications in it, so I’m ready for a trip! I’m leaving the meds in the organizer all the time, so I can use it at home and just zip it closed when it’s time to travel.
You can see the one I purchased here, and I highly recommend it! It’s soft-sided, and it won’t take up a lot of room in my carry-on bag, but it has plenty of room for my essential meds and extras like Tylenol, Advil, nausea meds, vitamins, seasonal allergy meds, eye drops, and more. Yes, I actually carry anything I can think of, because who wants to try to find a pharmacy when you’re traveling? I like to try to have everything on hand. This particular “organizer” comes in two colors: Misty Rose and Black. I opted for the Misty Rose, because in a dark carry-on, it’s easier for my 57-yr-old eyes to see something lighter.
I like using it at home, and I am leaving town tomorrow, so it will be my first trip with my new pill organizer!
I highly recommend purchasing this pill bottle organizer here for yourself and anyone on your list for graduation gifts! At under $30, it’s a deal! To give it to someone graduating from high school, you can add some essentials: Tylenol, Advil, antacids, over-the-counter seasonal allergy meds, and maybe a pill cutter. (Purchase a pill cutter here.)
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Y’all, this awesome tote bag from Simply Southern has spinner wheels, comes in some beautiful colors, and is less expensive than some competitors’ rolling totes! And did I mention it’s collapsible? This makes a great gift for the college student, the team mom, or just about anyone! I keep one in my car, so when I arrive home with a bunch of stuff, I can wheel it all into the house with this tote! As of writing, the turquoise and silver are priced at $64.99…a great price on an awesome gift!
Simply Southern Collapsible & Colorful Rolling Tote Bag – Perfect Shopping Bag on Wheels for Women, Mothers, Families, Grandmas – Bag on Wheels for Easy Transportation. I really love the pink and turquoise versions of this bag, but I like the silver and black too! Purchase any of them or all of them here!
But wait! There are more colors! How about orange or red? Purchase here.
Or maybe someone on your list would prefer a floral??? Yes, a floral! It’s glorious! See it here.
There’s even a color they call Rainbow, but to me, it looks like a holographic pink. It’s beautiful! Purchase here.
They’re all great! You just have to decide which color to give which recipient!
HAPPY SHOPPING!
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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. Purchasehere.
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!
Smashbox is a cosmetics brand that offers cruelty-free, vegan makeup and primers. They are favored by lots of makeup artists and photographers for their long-lasting wear. It’s high performance makeup for artistry made easy. Someone on your list needs some Smashbox in their life!
Smashbox Always On Longwear Matte Liquid Lipstick| Long Lasting, Waterproof + Non-Drying, 0.13 fl. oz. This long-lasting, waterproof, non-drying matte liquid lipstick is a crowd favorite for its vivid, lasting color. Offered on Amazon in 13 colors, this makes a great stocking stuffer. Get two or three colors while you’re there! Purchase here.
Smashbox Always Sharp Longwear Waterproof Kohl Eyeliner Pencil | Self-Sharpening Cap, Waterproof + High Pigment, 0.01 oz. Built-in self-sharpener ensures a precise tip with every twist of the cap on this popular eyeliner pencil. Eyeliner glides on easily to give eyes definition. Another great stocking stuffer under $30! Purchase here.
Smashbox Be Legendary Prime & Plush Lipstick | High Pigment + Moisturizing, 0.12 oz. Another great stocking stuffer under $30, this lipstick has high pigment, meaning beautiful color, and it moisturizes during wear! Purchase here.
Smashbox Always On Mood Board Eye Shadow Palette | High Pigment + Shimmer, 0.24 oz. This palette from Smashbox is offered in several varieties: Bougie Vibes, Earthy Vibes, Cozy Vibes, and Fiery Vibes. Each palette provides a different look but since it’s priced at just $39, go ahead and get two! BUTTERY SMOOTH: Glides on and blends without skipping or dragging. Shades can be worn alone or combined for custom depth and dimension. Purchase here.
Smashbox The Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Makeup Primer | Vitamin E + Oil Free This stuff is legendary. It provides a great, smooth finish that helps blur fine lines and pores. It’s great for anytime wear! Primes skin, helping makeup look better, longer, so the wearer is set for the day or night. This is another “under $30” stocking stuffer! Get it here.
Smashbox The Cali Contour Palette | Highlighter + Bronzer I love a good highlighter and bronzer palette. Last month, I forgot to take my makeup with me on vacation, so I ran into a store and purchased this for my contouring, highlighting, and bronzing needs! It was so easy to pack when it was time to come home. I’ll be traveling with it from now on. Pick from two different color palettes. At $46, it’s a deal. Get it for someone on your list here.
HAPPY SHOPPING!
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Our little family has had a lot of of fun over the years with active holiday gifts. Here are some great ideas for members of every family. Let’s gooooooo:
Razor DXT Drift Trike Yellow, One Size This drift trike has a capacity of 198 pounds, so mom and dad can join in on the fun when Jr’s not playing with it. Steel trike style frame combined with Super Slider POM rear wheels. Riders can power slide through corners, throw fish tails or fast 180s! It’s fun for the whole family… no joke, I think everyone in my family would have a blast with these! I should mark these as ***Great Gifts for Grandchildren***! Grandma and Grandpa, you will be heroes if you deliver these at Christmas! And at writing, it’s 20% off, just $169. Get one (or two or three) for your little daredevils (or Dad!) here.
Razor RipRider 360 Caster Trike for Kids Ages 5+ – Lightweight, Rubber Handlebars, Steel Frame, for Riders up to 160 lbs. A great gift for kids (and some adults!) of all ages. This was, without a doubt, one of our daughter’s favorite toys when she was growing up. It keeps them moving! Purchase here. Razor makes lots of great active gifts to keep kids moving. To see what they offer, click here.
Flybar Pogo Sticks. Y’all, these were some of the best Christmas gifts ever. We were all pretty good at it, but our daughter could pogo forever. I have videos of her bouncing all over the driveway and the back patio. These are great exercise, and you can purchase them for different ages and levels…yes, even adults! To see a Flybar pogo stick for kids 40 to 80 pounds, click here. To see the pogo stick for weights 120-220, click here. For 80-160 pounds, click here. But there are pogo toys for all ages! Check out the Pogo Ball for children and adults up to 200 pounds here. Check out the Flybar store here.
Spikeball 3 Ball Original Roundnet Game Set – Includes 3 Balls, net and Bag. A great way to get the family outdoors and playing together. This competitive game is tons of fun, and it’s portable! Set up is easy. It’s also a great gift for college students who need to take a study break with friends! Get it here.
Cornhole Sets. Cornhole is a great game for the whole family to play together! It’s fun for all ages and brings together groups of people. It’s great at parties or just with the family or neighborhood kids. Set up a tournament! To purchase this great gift for someone on your list, click here.
Razor RipStik Ripster, compact lightweight caster board, for kids 8+ Kids love RipStiks! And frankly, lots of adults enjoy them too! The Razor RipStik Ripster’s lightweight and compact size is perfect for riders with a narrower stance. Inclined, 360-degree caster trucks and concave deck provide a one-of-a-kind, twist-and-carve ride. Slip-resistant deck platforms deliver maximum grip.. High-grade urethane wheels with ABEC-5 bearings deliver a smooth ride. Get one for someone on your list here. Or maybe a version for kids and adults you can purchase here. Or maybe the more sophisticated version that has more maneuverability and a weight capacity of 220 lbs here.
Stomp Rockets. These have been around for a while. My daughter and all the neighborhood kids loved Stomp Rockets when she was a little girl. It was a great toy that got them outside, moving, and playing together! I’m sure they have been improved since the early 2000s. Any kid on your list will love this! Purchase here.
Ankle Skip Ball for Kids, Foldable Skip it with Colorful Flash Wheel. When I was a kid, we had something similar to this that had a lemon toy on the end of a flexible tube. We skip-hopped all over the neighborhood! It seems it has been improved! This toy provides hours of great exercise and fun! Get one for every member of the family! Get it here.
Active gifts are a great way to get the whole family together and get each family member moving around! Kids can get exercise without even knowing they are getting exercise with these great gifts.
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Kelly's Favorite Things 