by Kelly Mattei

Get Ready for Summer

Get ready for summer. In my mind, May 1st is a reminder that summer is just around the corner. I need to prepare myself for what I consider the most fun season of the year! But if you think I’m going to recommend swimwear, think again. Swimwear, to me, is a personal decision. And if you think I’m going to tell you how to get in shape, you’ve come to the wrong place. Aside from that, here are some things I need in preparation for the Summer 2023 season.

For the backyard/patio/pool:

  • Funboy floats (and other products). Y’all, I love Funboy. I started buying Funboy products a couple of years ago when an ad popped up on Instagram, and I love them! They have a huge line of pool floats, beach floats and toys, towels…you name it. You can see their products on Amazon by clicking here. Or click around. To see their beach towels, click here. To see their bestsellers, click here. Pool floats, click here. See their Barbie line here.. And their kids line here. Highly recommend!
  • Unbreakable plates. I love dining outside on the patio/poolside during the summer, but I don’t like chasing paper plates that blow in the wind. That’s why I purchased some unbreakable plates in pretty pastel colors that are dishwasher safe. See them here.
  • Unbreakable Tumblers. From Scandinovia, I love clear, unbreakable tumblers for poolside. See my faves here.
  • Unbreakable stemware. Planning to serve wine poolside? These unbreakable, stemless glasses are perfect! See them here
  • Fly Fans for Tables. If you’re going to be dining outside, you need to keep the flies and other insects away from food. The easiest thing I have found? Fly fans. They’re awesome. I first saw them used at an outdoor restaurant in the Bahamas, and they work like a charm! They’re battery-operated, and they keep the flying insects away from your food! Get yours here.

For you:

  • Miracle Heel Stick and Miracle Foot Repair. We can let our feet become less than pretty during winter, but sandal weather calls for smooth heels and feet. I tried these products after a friend told me about them…good stuff. I even use them on my elbows. Purchase here.
  • Summer nail polishes. Summer calls for summer colors, and Essie has some great ones. If you like to do your own nails, or if you prefer to take your own polish for your mani/pedi, check out the selection here.
  • Volatile Wedge Flip Flop. Like a little lift with your flip flops? These are foam platform with a wedge heel, and they’re super comfortable. I have them in the beige color, because I feel like they make my legs look longer. Perfect for pool days, but I wear them all the time, They come in three color options on Amazon. Get them here. Volatile offers other styles, as well, but I prefer these, because they are the most comfortable to me. You can see their other styles here.
  • Show Me Your Mumu Coverup. I love the Show Me Your Mumu brand, and their Paula pullover has always been a fave. I’m not sure they market it as a cover up, but I love it as a coverup. See it here.
  • Other Coverups. Some of my favorite coverups are simply gauzy, buttondown, long shirts. I have some favorites I got from Amazon here.
  • Head scarf. Riding around with the top down on your convertible or Jeep in the summer? I need something to keep my hair out of my face. A pretty head scarf makes me feel like Jackie O. See some options here.
  • Full headband. Don’t want the scarf? Consider a wide headband to keep your hair off your face. Click here.
  • Beach fragrance. If you like to walk around smelling like the beach even when you’re not at the beach, you can get the fragrance from Bobbi Brown Beach perfume by clicking here, or from Vacation perfume by clicking here.

I’m ready for summer to be here! Bring it on!

by Kelly Mattei

A Great Gift for Mother’s Day or Graduation

A great gift for Mother’s Day or Graduation.

I cannot possibly be the only person in the world who sometimes has to return items I have purchased. Sometimes, things don’t fit, or I’m disappointed with the quality of a product, and sometimes, I have several things to return at once. This happened to me yesterday. I had several pairs of shoes to return to a local store…three boxes. It’s difficult to juggle three shoe boxes walking into a retail establishment, so I used my trusted Hulken bag. (Amazon shopping link here.) It’s a tote bag (medium or large) on wheels! And it’s easy to use! Plus it folds! Y’all know I have mentioned the Hulken bag before for college move-in and move-out, but it occurred to me yesterday that the Hulken is the perfect Mother’s Day gift or Graduation gift! Every woman on the planet could use a Hulken bag to help return items, for grocery shopping, for bringing things to and from the car, for moving, for spring cleaning, for college laundry…seriously, I use mine all the time. Their slogan says it all: Schlepping made easy.

I have the medium Hulken bag that I purchased through Amazon, and my college student daughter has the large. The medium sells for $89,90, and the large sells for $104.90. The bags are offered in three colors: black, rose gold, and silver. They have smooth-rolling wheels that go in all directions, and they each carry up to 66 pounds! The handles are long and reinforced…one on each side for rolling the bag next to you, and one on the end for pulling the bag along. Plus, an added bonus is that they are lightweight and easy to fold and unfold, so they take up minimal space in your home or car. I only have one right now, but I’m getting myself another one, so I can keep one in the house and one in my car. You never know when you’ll need it! I normally recommend products, but I’m absolutely insisting you purchase a Hulken bag for the mom or graduate in your life.

You see the silver bags above. Black and rose gold are pictured below. You can purchase all colors and both sizes from Amazon here, but order now, because right now, they are estimating delivery between May 12 and May 17. The longer you wait, the later the delivery. Mother’s Day is May 14, so there is a chance you will receive it before the actual date. Mine arrived earlier than estimated, so fingers crossed. But if you’re purchasing a graduation gift, order now too, to ensure it arrives in time!

I simply cannot stress enough how much I love this product. This is a gift they will actually use!

***Shopping link: Hulken bag

by Kelly Mattei

Finishing Freshman Year of College

Finishing freshman year of college.

My daughter attended an independent school in Charlotte from Transitional Kindergarten through 12th grade, and the former head of the school often had wise words to share. One of his favorite phrases? “Finish well.” As the end of each school year approached, I would remind our daughter, “Finish well!” Did she always hear me? She always finished pretty well, so maybe.

Now, the end of her freshman year of college is rapidly approaching. Like a train out of control, freshman year is moving forward at lightning speed. She will be home in less than a week. Less than a week! I find myself saying, “Finish well!”

We moved her into her dorm at the beginning of August. It was an exciting time. It was a scary time. Like lots of moms out there, I was excited for her to experience college, but I was nervous about leaving her 450 miles away. However, I remembered something I had read before:

Put the basket in the water.

I got that sentence from a piece written by Ashlei Woods. You can read it here. “Put the basket in the water” is a reference to the time of Moses, when midwives were ordered by Pharaoh to kill baby boys born to Israelites by drowning them in the Nile. Moses’s mother, in an effort to save her baby, placed him in a basket and placed the basket in the river, in hopes that he would live. I’m no Biblical scholar, but even I remember the story from Sunday School lessons. Moses did live, obviously, and went on to become a great prophet. I certainly don’t expect my daughter to become a great prophet, but I want her to live and become the best person she can be. I want her to live life. And by placing her proverbial basket in that proverbial river (college), I sent her on her way.

Has she learned things in college that will help her in her future endeavors? In short, yes. She has learned something in each class she has taken. She has learned about music, public relations, writing…so much. More importantly, she has learned more about who she is. She has learned how to make friends from lots of different places. She has learned how to handle medical emergencies and automobile situations. She has learned how to make doctor appointments and pick up her own prescriptions. And even though I always tried to expose her to as many new experiences as possible, she has been exposed to even more new experiences. She has learned to manage on her own. Sure, she still gets advice (sometimes wanted, sometimes not) from me, but she is doing it! We still support her financially, but she is doing it! We put the basket in the water, and we trusted God and trusted her.

Have there been hiccups along the way? Yes, but she has learned from each one. Last week, SpaceX launched a test rocket…the most powerful one ever launched. There was excitement surrounding it, but it failed. And afterward, Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX, seemed happy in spite of the failure, saying they (the engineers, the company) would learn a lot from the failure. He was excited about what they would learn! Those words stuck with me, because this very successful man was reminding the world that we learn from failure. Don’t get me wrong. Our daughter’s hiccups, so far, haven’t been in the classroom. But any hiccups she has experienced along the way have been opportunities for learning. Learning what doesn’t work is how she will learn what does work.

In a few days, we will move our daughter out of her freshman dorm. As she finishes her freshman year, I will remind her several times, “Finish well.” I am already reminding her to start packing things up and cleaning out her room. And after we get her home for the summer, I feel sure we will notice she is a different girl than the one we sent to college in August. She is older. She is more confident. She is more independent. She is more knowledgable. As my own parents said when I came home after my freshman year, “We sent our daughter off to college and got a different person back.” They often joked that I was “switched at college.”

We are excited to have our girl home soon.

by Kelly Mattei

Peplum Tops for Moms

Peplum tops for moms.

I was never a faithful fan of What Not to Wear when it was on. In fact, I likely only saw two or three episodes, but I learned something. I didn’t learn a lot, but I learned that defining your waist and a v-neck can make you look slimmer, but it’s not always easy to do. Lots of clothes are big and bulky, so any time I find a cute peplum-style top with a defined waist, I buy it…in every color! If you’d like to try the “defined waist,” here are some peplum tops I have found on Amazon that I love:

  • Peplum Tie-Front Top by Grace Karin. Y’all, I love this one so much that I purchased it in every color. It’s true. The bell sleeves conceal my upper arms, and the tie-front defines the waistline, while the peplum just skims the hips. Love it! And it’s only $29.99. Click here to purchase.
  • Buttondown Drawstring Peplum Blouse. This one is offered in multiple colors. It’s a buttondown/drawstring style that accentuates the waist while hanging loosely otherwise. I love the yellow, and it’s under $23. Click here.
  • Floral Wrap Style Blouse. I’m not normally a floral girl. When I was younger, I felt like they made me look like a little girl. I’m not young anymore, so I like florals better. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t have a closet full of them, but I like these blouses, and at $33.99, they’re priced right. I like them paired with white jeans or crisp denim, but they can be dressed up for dinners out. Click here.
  • Deep V Peplum Blouse. Yes, it’s a deep V, but it’s flattering. I love this one in green, but there are lots of colors offered. The sheer fabric is forgiving, and the wide sleeves camouflage upper arms. At $18.99, I couldn’t afford to pass it up! Click here to purchase.

These are just a few peplum-style tops I highly recommend for anyone who wants a little waist definition without having to go with skin tight tops. These styles encourage more movement with less tugging. In addition to these, Amazon offers lots more peplum-style tops. Check out more by clicking here.

Happy Shopping!

by Kelly Mattei

Comfy Summer Clothes for Moms

Comfy summer clothes for moms.

I don’t know about every other person in the world, but I have different “types” of clothes. I have “real” clothes for daytime…the ones I wear to meetings or lunches with friends. I have “real” clothes for evening…the ones I wear to dinner or parties. And I have my “comfy” clothes…the ones that are just comfortable and work well for vacation too. Here are some comfy things I have found recently for summer. If you see me running errands, cheering on a baseball team, on a tour, or if you drop in at my house, this is what I will likely be wearing.

  • Loose Cropped Pants. Love these linen pants for casual summer days. Easy to wear with the tshirts below. Priced under $20, they’re inexpensive and good-looking. Click here.
  • Loose-Fit V-Neck T-shirt. I have this one in several colors. It’s loose, but not too loose. I like that it just skims my body instead of clinging to it. Looks great with the pants above or with the skorts below. And the v-neck is flattering. Priced under $25. Click here.
  • Comfy Colorful Shirt. I love colorful shirts that can be casual or dressy, and I have found one I love on Amazon. It could even work when I go to lunch with friends on a hot summer day. Or I could lounge around home in it too. It’s $46…great price. Click here.
  • Loungewear. The set pictured below is about $25, and it’s super comfortable and good-looking. My daughter has it in one color, and I have it in another. Click here for that set. For other loungewear, click here.
  • Half Sleeve Loose Fit T-shirt. Again, it’s loose fit but not too loose…skims the body, and the half sleeves provide coverage for upper arms. And looks great with the pants above or skorts below. Click here.
  • Columbia Summerdry Skort. Columbia makes quality outdoor wear, and I love this skort in all colors. Click here.
  • Avalanche Ripstop Cargo Skort. Another cute skort option. I like the slight a-line shape of this one. Click here.
  • Baleaf Skort. A little stretch makes this one extra comfortable. Click here.
  • Comfy Colorful Dress. I love a colorful, lightweight summer dress, and I found one on Amazon I love. It comes in multiple colors. Dress it up or down. You’ll want to wear it every day. Priced at about $50, I want one in every color. Click here.
  • Sorel Women’s Slingback Heel Sandal. I have always been a fan of sporty sandals, but I hate flat ones. These give me a little lift in the heel and look cute too. Offered in four colors, they’re priced at just under $200, so they’re not inexpensive, but they are great quality. Click here. Other Sorel sandals, click here.
  • Saucony Cohesion 13 Running Shoes. I love these shoes. They come in several colors. Sure, Saucony has made more generations of these since the 13th, but I love this one, so I will be buying them as long as I can. Priced at under $50, tjhey are great running/walking shoes. Keep in mind, they might seem a little stiff at first, but they break in fast. Saucony makes great shoes. Click here. Other Saucony options, click here.

  • Turkish Towels. OK, so they’re not clothes, but Turkish Towels are great to have around during summer…to take to outdoor concerts or for beach or pool time. They’re lightweight and do the job without absorbing water or extra sand, and the ones I like are priced right at Amazon. They’re even light enough to use as a wrap, if you need one on a chilly night. If you haven’t tried them, it’s high time you did. Priced at about $17, they are a bargain. Click here.

Summer’s almost here! Let’s get ready! Happy Shopping!

by Kelly Mattei

College Dorm Move-Out (and what you’ll need)

College dorm move-out (and what you’ll need).

In less than a week, I go to move our daughter out of her freshman dorm. Anyone who has experienced this knows how I feel right now. It’s hard to believe she has finished a year of college. Less than a year ago, we were experiencing excitement and fear over the fact that we were all entering new phases of life…she as a college student, and we as empty-nesters. Now, here we are, ready to bring her home for summer. And anyone who is planning to go move their son or daughter out of a freshman dorm knows what else I’m feeling: How are we going to get her out of there?!?!

Here’s my plan and what I plan to take to make it easier:

  • Encouraging daughter to get rid of stuff early. That’s my first plan of action. I tell her every day: take out a few items you don’t need and throw them away. Does she hear me? I don’t know, but if I get there, and there’s a bunch of junk to toss, I’m not going to be happy.
  • Moving bags from Amazon. I shipped moving bags to her, so she can start packing up anything she isn’t going to use again. I purchased heavy duty ones from Amazon. You can purchase here. I used some of these for move-in, but stupidly, I brought them home with me. I will take them with me, but she needed some to start packing early, so I ordered the same ones. They’re awesome.
  • Collapsible wagon. When we moved her in, the university provided volunteers and giant bins. That won’t happen at move-out. They honeymoon’s over! I highly recommend a collapsible wagon. Amazon offers a multitude of choices. Pick one here. You can roll out a lot of stuff in a collapsible wagon, and because it’s collapsible, you can still fit it in your car to bring home when you are done.
  • Hulken Bags. These tote bags on wheels have become necessities at our house. They fold flat, so I keep one medium-sized one in my car at all times, in case I have a lot of things to bring in when I get home. My daughter has a large Hulken, because she is likely to have more to carry from her car in the dorm parking garage to her room. They roll on wheels, and they’re easy to pull alongside or behind. I cannot stress enough how great these bags are. If you can get one or two, get them. Starting at about $89, they’re an investment, but we have found we use them all the time. Purchase the medium in silver here. Or see other Hulken sizes/colors here.
  • Large Nylon bags. OK, you could use garbage bags instead, but for me, it’s important to keep garbage and “good stuff” separate. I have made the mistake of throwing away a garbage bag full of “good stuff,” thinking it was garbage. Therefore, I only put garbage in garbage bags. Plus, I feel like large Nylon bags are more sturdy. Get two for less than $10 here. You can use these instead of the moving bags or in conjunction with them.
  • Cleaning supplies. If you purchased cleaning supplies for your student when you moved him/her in, they likely still have some. Double check. You’ll need a Swiffer Wet/Dry Mop, sponges, Windex, Clorox Wipes, and maybe Bathroom Cleaner. If you don’t want to take them with you, click on the name of each above to purchase through Amazon and ship to your child, so it’s all waiting for you when you arrive.
  • Garbage bags. You’ll need them. Get them from Amazon here.

And if there are things your child will not be using again, consider whether you really need to bring it home. Your child might have some stuff to store locally for next year. If that’s the case, get it arranged now! And if there’s stuff they don’t want to keep at all, the best thing to do is donate it to a local charity instead of bringing it home, but there will be some things you simply need to throw away. Every time I talk to my daughter these days, I say, “I hope you’re throwing out what you don’t need!”

I’ll give a report after the move-out…what we refer to in our family as “post-game wrap-up.” Good luck, Moms and Dads! I suppose we should pat ourselves on the backs for surviving freshman year.

by Kelly Mattei

Great Mother’s Day Gifts for 2023

Great Mother’s Day gifts for 2023.

You have almost a month to find the perfect gift for Mom. Mother’s Day this year is May 14.

When our daughter was a little girl, she gave me the best Mother’s Day gifts. One I still have a was a bracelet she made for me in third grade. It’s made of safety pins and beads, and it’s awesome. I came across it in my jewelry box last night and thought to myself, “I need to wear this on Mother’s Day this year.” Very few gifts mean as much as the gifts our children make for us when they’re young, but there are some thoughtful gifts mom will love, and they don’t all break the bank. Here are a few suggestions for you to purchase early, so you don’t find yourself scrambling at the last minute. And remember, Amazon ships free if you have a Prime membership!

Beach kaftan. My family knows I love a good beach kaftan…especially with summer just around the corner! I take good care of the ones I have, but I love adding to my collection. I have found one on Amazon that is inexpensive, colorful, and pretty. What do I love about a kaftan? I can wear it over swim, and instead of looking all sweaty and tired, a good kaftan makes me look a little more put together…even when I have been in the sun or in the water. I throw them on over a swimsuit to have lunch at an outdoor cafe, and I feel good about how I look. To see the latest one I have found, click here. Mom will love it!

Kate Spade scarf. Years ago, I decided adding a “third piece” to my outfit made me look more complete. It could be a scarf, a jacket, or a statement necklace, but whatever it was, that third piece made me feel more put together. Somewhere along the way, over the past couple of years, I lost touch with that idea, but 2023 is the year my “third piece” makes a comeback. Lately, when I have seen scarves I like, I’ve purchased them. Some of my favorites are made by Kate Spade, because they are well-made, not terribly expensive, and many of them add a punch of color or to an ensemble. Amazon offers several at good prices. To see them, click here.

Samiah Luxe Chunky Knit Blanket. I have admired chunky knit blankets for a long time, but I have never purchased one for myself. I considered making one for myself; it would be easy to make. However, to get good quality, thick, cable yarn, I would have to spend a fortune before I even got started on the actual knitting. Therefore, it’s much more cost effective to just purchase one made by Samiah Luxe, and they make beautiful, quality blankets! You can see what they offer on Amazon here.

Kendra Scott Jewelry. It’s no secret that Kendra Scott jewelry is popular with women of all ages. Even teenagers love it. They offer a lot more selection than you think! Personally, I love their trademark shaped jewelry, but they have a lot of other things, including ring sets, beaded bracelets, and necklaces and earrings of different shapes…in a wide range of prices. To see Kendra Scott’s offerings on Amazon, click here.

Blissy Silk Pillowcase. My mother told me when I was a little girl that silk pillowcases will save my skin and hair. She was right. And Blissy makes a great product from Mulberry silk! Moms will love this. I need to make sure my own family knows about Blissy. They come in six colors and three sizes. She’ll thank you and mean it. Purchase at Amazon here.

Pure Enrichment Deluxe Feet Warmer. It’s a relaxing evening at home, but Mom says her feet are cold. Or maybe mom just needs a little extra relaxation. I have a foot warmer at home, and it’s great for nights I need to wind down before going to bed. Check out the Pure Enrichment Deluxe Feet Warmer here. Priced at about $50, it’s a bargain.

Christian Dior Addict Lip Glow Lip Balm. Y’all, I got a couple of these for myself after hearing everyone talk about it, and I love it. I then ended up giving them to my daughter when I visited her at college and she needed a lip balm. I promptly ordered some more for myself. All of them except the “clear” have a hint of color, but just a hint. And they are smooth, not cakey. Mom will love it. Plus, it’s Dior! We love Dior! Priced under $50, it’s a great gift. Purchase from Amazon here.

Shower Steamers Aromatherapy. I know I mention these all the time, but there is a reason: they’re awesome! If someone gave me some Shower Steamers Aromatherapy essential oil shower bombs, I’d be a happy mom! Nothing can make a shower feel like a spa more than some essential oil shower bombs. I found some from Jojowell that are priced under $25 for 21 shower bombs! These are made to hang in your shower, releasing whichever aroma you pick of the seven offered. If no one in my family gives me some for Mother’s Day, I’ll be ordering them myself. Get them at Amazon here.

Monpure Silky Strengthening Shampoo. After I told a friend I needed something to help repair my damaged hair, she recommended I try Monpure. At $49, it’s not cheap, but it sure helped my hair. It received the Good Housekeeping “Tried and Tested Award” in 2021 for the Best anti-breakage shampoo. I love it. My hair has more shine, and the shampoo’s herbal scent is increcible. Mom will appreciate it. Purchase from Amazon here.

If your mom is like me, she considers YOU the best gift ever…just like I think of my daughter. However, it’s nice to get a little recognition on Mother’s Day. Let Mom know she’s special. Maybe some of the ideas above will help you find something for her. Remember, it’s best to purchase early! Order now from Amazon and have the gift in hand with time to spare!

Happy Shopping!

by Kelly Mattei

Weekly Link Recap, Week Ending 4/15/23

Weekly link recap, week ending 4/15/23.

COLLEGE FACEBOOK PARENT PAGES REVISITED: ADVICE FOR FRESHMAN MOMS

  • Adulting Made Easy: Things Someone Should Have Told You About Getting Your Grown-up Act Together by Amanda Morin. Purchase here.
  • Adulting for Beginners – Life Skills for Adult Children, Teens, High School and College Students / The Grown-Up’s Survival Gift by Matilda Walsh. Purchase here.
  • The Manual to Manhood: How to Cook the Perfect Steak, Change a Tire, Impress a Girl & 97 Other Skills You Need to Survive by Jonathan Catherman. Purchase here.
  • Emily Post’s Etiquette, 19th Edition: Manners for Today. by Lizzie Post and Daniel Post Senning. This is a hardcover book that I think every young lady should have. Having it in hardcover form allows them to keep it forever and reference it often. My mother gave me one when I went to college, and I still use it for reference. Also makes a great graduation gift. Purchase here.
  • SureGuard Mattress Encasement. Click here.
  • Viscosoft Mattress Topper. Click here

COLLEGE GEAR FOR FRESHMEN FAMILIES

  • Amazon Fan Shop for college gear. Purchase here.

MORE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION GIFTS

  • Longchamp bags. Click here.
  • Shower Steamers Aromatherapy. Click here. ***This one has become a personal favorite!***
  • Clear Accessories Bags. Click here.
  • Personal Blender. Click here.
  • Dyson Airwrap System. Click here.
  • Blissy Silk Pillowcase. Click here.
  • Dry Divas Showercap. Click here.
  • Compact Binoculars. Click here.
  • Monocular. Click here.
  • Rumpl Nanoloft Puffy Blanket. Click here.
  • Rumpl Amazon Store. Click here.
  • LapGear Home Office Lap Desk. Click here.
  • LapGear other lap desks. Click here.
  • Illuminated LED Message Board. Click here.
  • Amazon Basics Safe. Click here.
  • Electric Scooter. Click here for various offerings. Click here for Amazon’s recommendation.
  • DynoTag Smart Recovery Luggage Tag. Click here.

FAMILY LADIES WEEKEND

  • Mayhaw Jelly. Click here.
  • Proud Source Water. Click here.

Happy Shopping!

by Kelly Mattei

Family Ladies’ Weekend

Family Ladies’ Weekend.

Recently, my aunt (my dad’s baby sister) set up a group text inviting me and all my female first cousins to a weekend in the North Carolina mountains. I think I was the first to respond, “I’m in!” We all decided on a date, and in March, we met for a weekend.

Normally, I’m not up for a “girls weekend.” I don’t know why, but I’m not. This was different, though; it was family, and I actually looked forward to it. It has been a long time since I have seen my aunt and all my “girl” cousins in one place. They all live near each other in Florida, and I live in North Carolina. I’m the outlier…always have been, because my family was the part of the family that didn’t live near the rest. We moved hundreds of miles away when I was just a baby, but I have great memories of visiting my cousins in Florida when I was a little girl. Together, we learned to call doodlebugs (antlions) out of their homes in the dirt. We have memories of picking up pecans in our grandparents’ backyard and memories of getting quarters from Granddaddy and walking down to the store down the street to buy RC Colas. We have memories from Mexico Beach and wading into St Joe Bay looking for scallops. Good times.

A few days before our weekend together, my aunt texted me and asked if she could bring me anything from “down south,” meaning the Florida Panhandle. I immediately had an answer, “Yes! I’d love some Mayhaw Jelly!” If you’re not from the Deep South, you’re likely not familiar with Mayhaw Jelly. It is a jelly made from the fruit of the Mayhaw tree, which is found in/near wetlands in deep south states. You can read about the Mayhaw in Southern Living here. My daddy grew up in the Florida Panhandle, and I suppose he introduced my mother to it after she moved there from Birmingham, Alabama. My parents loved it, and I love it too. The red fruit of the beautiful Mayhaw tree is actually rather sour, but the jelly is sweet and delicious. The jelly is great on biscuits, toast, in pastries, and I even eat it on bread with peanut butter. Just as I knew she would, my aunt brought me some, and it does not disappoint. She got it from a farmer’s market in Panama City, but if you’d like to try some Mayhaw Jelly, you can get it from Amazon here. The jelly on Amazon is made in Louisiana, and I haven’t tried it from that particular place, but it could be your easy-to-obtain introduction to Mayhaw Jelly.

Not only did my aunt bring me some Mayhaw Jelly, but she also surprised me with some water from the Florida Panhandle! It’s called Proud Source. The company bottles some of their water in the Rocky Mountains and some in the Apalachicola Forest in the Florida Panhandle. It’s good, smooth, alkaline, spring water. I first encountered it when I was in the Bahamas last fall. How shocked was I when I looked at my aluminum bottle of water and saw it was bottled in Marianna, Florida?!?! They “bottle” it in aluminum, because apparently, aluminum has a higher recycle yield than both plastic and glass. Soon after that Bahamas trip, I told my aunt what I had seen, and she was familiar with it. Before our ladies’ weekend, she purchased some to bring me in North Carolina. If you’d like to try it, you can order from Amazon here.

While I enjoyed the gifts my aunt brought me, I especially enjoyed getting to spend time with my cousins. As I said before, I didn’t grow up near them, but I have lots of memories with them. It was nice to have an opportunity to make more memories with them as a group. We visited a winery/vineyard. We ate at some great restaurants. We made fun of each other, which is what cousins do, right? We exchanged shopping tips. My aunt and I watched some March Madness college basketball and drank spritzers while the other ladies went out shopping, but most of all, we all laughed and talked…my favorite things to do! I know my parents were looking down from Heaven with joy in their hearts. Daddy loved his family, and he would be thrilled that we all got together. My aunt tells me she will plan another ladies’ trip, and I’m looking forward to it!

If you haven’t spent time with extended family in a while, I highly recommend it! (I also recommend some Mayhaw Jelly.)

by Kelly Mattei

More High School Graduation Gifts

More high school graduation gifts.

I know. I know. Y’all think it’s too early to be thinking about graduation gifts. It’s not. You don’t want to the be the person who is scrambling at the last minute to find graduation gifts. And if you have a son or daughter graduating this year, you need to be prepared. Lots of classmates and parents will give your child gifts, and you want to reciprocate. You can see my first suggestions for graduation gifts here. In case those aren’t what you want to give, maybe you’ll find some ideas for both boy and girl grads here, some of whom will matriculate to college and some who won’t…gift accordingly:

  • Longchamp Bags. No, they’re not inexpensive, but they are great quality. Longchamp makes nylon bags in lots of sizes, and what I love most about them is that they are packable. I can fold and pack a large one in a suitcase, in case I will be bringing home more stuff than I left with. And the larger ones can be checked with airlines! The smaller ones can be packed and used as handbags at a travel destination. But they are lightweight and great for everyday! A high school graduate would be happy to see this among her gifts. Shop Longchamp on Amazon. Click here.
  • Shower Steamers Aromatherapy. I got these for my daughter for Easter, and wow! They are incredible! She hung one in her shower using the net and suction cup, and after the first use, her bedroom and bathroom smelled like a spa! It’s incredible! When she went back to school, she took a few with her, so I’m sure her dorm room smells like a spa now too! Highly recommend! These are great for the girl going to college or the girl going straight into the work force! At under $22, they are inexpensive, so would go well as a gift with the clear accessories bags listed next. Purchase them here.
  • Clear Accessories Bags. Girls travel with “stuff.” My daughter loves a good clear bag for makeup and toiletries, because she can see what’s in the bag and find items without having to dump them out. This four-bag set is great for any high school graduate! They’re labeled with colorful chenille letters. And it’s cute too! Click here.
  • Hamilton Beach Personal Blender. College students love smoothies. Mine makes them all the time. This Hamilton Beach Personal Blender is perfect for a dorm. Just add fruit and cold milk or almond milk. It’s easy to use and easy to clean. Get it at Amazon by clicking here.
  • Dyson Airwrap System. Admittedly, this is an expensive gift. We got one for our daughter when she went to college, and she loves it. This system is very popular with college-age girls for creating loose waves in long hair while drying the hair! It’s expensive for a reason…because it’s good. Priced at $599.99, it’s a gift that will be appreciated. Get it from Amazon here.
  • Blissy Silk Pillowcase. My mother told me for years, “A silk or satin pillowcase will save your hair.” Now, I hear myself regularly telling my college-aged daughter the same thing. Blissy Pillowcases are the ones they are familiar with, so they will love receiving one as a gift. Make sure you know the right size for their bed pillows. Priced at $58, these are made from Mulberry silk. Purchase from Amazon here.
  • Dry Divas Showercap. Oh, how I love Dry Divas Showercaps! They are quality and gorgeous! They come in various prints, and they actually keep your hair dry when you use them. I cannot stress enough how great this gift is. Young ladies don’t have time to wash their hair every day…and they shouldn’t! Hair stays healthier if it’s not washed daily. Give them the gift of dry hair with Dry Divas. Maybe pair this with the Blissy Pillowcase or the Shower Steamers above. These are priced at less than $30, and they last three years or more! I have a couple I have been using for five years! Click here.
  • Compact Binoculars. Binoculars are fun for lots of things, but especially for sporting events, concerts, and birdwatching. Young generally love concerts and sporting events, and some of them even love birdwatching! The binoculars I’m featuring fit pretty well in an adults hand, and the price is under $40. To purchase, click here. Or Monocular, click here.
  • Rumpl NanoLoft Blanket for Concerts/Camping. This travel-size ultra-lightweight and packable blanket is 35″x 52″ and is great to take to concerts or other outdoor activities. This is an all-around great gift. The Nano blanket is on sale for under $75 as of this writing. And Rumpl is a trusted brand. Click here. Or other sizes at the Rumpl Amazon Store here.
  • LapGear Home Office Lap Desk. Every college student needs a lap desk. They like to sit in bed and study sometimes. It’s a fact. LapGear offers lap desks that have a device ledge and a phone holder, plus other accessories. Amazon recommends one that is priced at $39.99. To see it, click here. Or see the LapGear offerings on Amazon here.
  • Illuminated LED Message Writing Board. Back in the day, we had chalkboards or whiteboards for messages between roommates. Of course, they can text now, but it’s still fun to have a board in the room for impromptu messages or “good luck on your exam.” I think this one is awesome, and priced at $45.99, it’s a fun gift that won’t break the bank. Click here.
  • Amazon Basics Safe. It sounds crazy to some people, but lots of people have valuables they simply don’t want others to have access to. I recommend using the included cable to connect it to something in a hidden place, like inside a closet. They’re priced at about $20. Click here.
  • Electric Scooter. College students on big campuses tend to travel by electric scooter. I see them all over the place when I visit my daughter. There is a wide range of scooters out there…fast, slow, long range, short range, inexpensive, inexpensive, and so on. If you’re considering this as a gift, check with the student to make sure you get what they want/need. Click here to see lots of different scooters on Amazon. Amazon recommends a Razor version that’s priced at under $200. You can see here.
  • Dynotag Smart Recovery Luggage Tag. These are great whether the student travels or not. I recommend putting them on anything of value that could be misplaced…luggage, large handbag or backpack, workout bag, or even a computer case. The Dynotag brand is durable, and it contains the information to help recover your items if they are lost. Priced at about $20 each, they are more expensive than other tags, but they are also more durable and contain more info. They come in several bright colors that make them easy to spot on the baggage carousel at the airport. Click here.

There are some more great ideas for high school graduation gifts. I’m sure I will think of more in a week or two, and when I do, I will create yet another post. If you can do your shopping now, you can be ahead of the curve! Purchase now to avoid the “out of stock” notification!