12 Father’s Day gift ideas

My dad always loved Father’s Day, and even though it’s been 12 years since we’ve celebrated the day with him, not a year goes by that I don’t imagine what I’d get for him — because, really, as much as he loved being a father, he also loved presents! Here are 12 of my favorite picks for all the amazing father figures on your list…

A personalized iPad cover full of family instagrams, $44.99.

A survival kit in a sardine can for all those times he finds himself exploring in the woods, $9.99.

Solar-powered radio, so he can show off his favorite tunes at summer barbecues, $42.

Tangy BBQ sauce from Lillie’s Q ($8 each) and a gourmet BBQ grilling crate ($49.95) because he’s determined to be a grilling master this year.

A rockin’ mug for his morning coffee, $16.

These fun math glasses in honor of everything he taught you, $38.

Be The Change paperweight because he influenced your life in so many wonderful ways, $36.

This upcycled solar watch, which can run up to three months without a sun-boosted charge, so he’ll always be on time, $45.

Two of his favorite things — chocolate in the shape of tools, $12 each.

A funny t-shirt to remind him of all your childhood hijinks, $12.95.

And, of course, a heartfelt card because he is — and always will be — your superhero, $5.

Any other fun gift ideas, friends? Feel free to share them in the comments! xoxo

Have a lovely Father’s Day weekend

Happy Friday, friends, and happy Father’s Day to all the great, wonderful, awesome dads out there! What are your plans for the weekend? We’re getting together with some friends tomorrow and laying low for Father’s Day on Sunday. It will probably be a pretty emotional day since it’s the first Father’s Day without my grandfather. I hope you all enjoy the day, and here are my favorite finds from the wonderful Web…

YES!! Hillary Clinton has finally joined Twitter.

Word on the street is that there’s going to be a NEW Friday Night Lights movie!

I’m loving the Oxford look for summer, aren’t you?

Humans could look like this in the future.

10 plus-size models who are changing the industry.

Ha, Hollywood’s Older Dads Club.

A great hostess gifts round-up.

15 toys you can create with a cardboard box…who knew?

This whole wedding was photographed via Instagram.

The Target Lady on SNL always makes me laugh.

Aww, emotional fathers “give away” their daughters.

One woman’s thoughts on being raised by her single dad.

The fanny pack? Oh, yes!

Down with immature dudes!

Mr. McFeely was my favorite character on Mister Rogers.

What one dad knows about fatherhood now that he has a son with a disability.

Albert Einstein’s advice to his son.

Blogging advice: 4 traits of highly effective bloggers.

Yikes! The world’s population may reach 11 billion by 2100.

Never say these three little words on a first date, according to a HuffPo blogger.

And, in honor of Father’s Day, here are 5 posts about my own father (I miss you EVERY DAY, dad!)…
*Surviving the suicide of a loved one.
*Happy birthday, Father! And here.
*An Open Letter To My Father. Another letter here. And here.
*On a teddy bear and a quilt.
*My father’s suicide…ten years later.


And as always, feel free to connect with me on Pinterest, Twitter and Facebook! See you there, friends! xoxo

Father’s Day: 10 Fun Gift Ideas

Lobster bottle opener for fun summer barbecues, $16.

An illuminaire moon stake because he was obsessed with space as a kid, $25.

This eye glasses holder since he’s always losing his specs, $18.

This baseball game because it’s his favorite pastime — and so he can play year-round, $48.

Emergency clown nose, so he’ll always be nosed and ready, $5.

Einstein socks in honor of his favorite scientist, $9.99.

An iPhone case because he’s finally moving into the 21st Century, $19.95.

A 6- or 12-month subscription to the Candy of the Month Club from famed Dylan’s Candy Bar to satisfy his huge sweet tooth.

A funny card with a heartfelt message because, whether he admits it or not, he’s a big sentimental softy at heart, $4.50.

A father-daughter date to go see Man of Steel because, well, your father’s always been your Superman.

Bow+Arrow Art Giveaway!

Just in time for Father’s Day! Today’s giveaway is from Ashley from Bow+Arrow Art, a beautiful Denver-based design studio. Ashley creates fun and colorful art prints, note cards and greeting cards. She describes her cards as fun, inspirational and encouraging and puts her own personal touch on each of her hand-drawn pieces.

She’s offering two lucky readers their choice of Father’s Day card. You can choose this “Dad, You’re Great” card or this “P.S. You’re The Best Dad Ever” card. They’re both so whimsical and fun, aren’t they? Which one would you choose?

For your chance to win, simply visit Bow+Arrow Art, and leave a comment below telling us which card you’d choose if you won. You can also LIKE Bow+Arrow Art on Facebook, FOLLOW on Twitter and GET INSPIRED on Pinterest for extra entries. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow afternoon. Have fun, friends!

**Bonus for all readers: Ashley is offering a special card sale. Buy 3 cards and get the 4th free! Just be sure to leave a note at checkout!


Update: Congrats to winner Sophie and Krystal. Thanks so much! 🙂

Family photos: Hidden treasures

Fate works in mysterious ways sometimes, doesn’t it? I was doing some cleaning a few days ago when I came across a pile of papers we had saved when we cleaned out my father’s office shortly after he died. The photos above were taken in his office, and it was always such an adventure to visit him in his “shop,” as he called it, which was located in a deep, dark basement (well, it seemed like that when I was a child, anyway… ). And then I found this gem…

I couldn’t help but smile when I pictured my father reading the article, cutting it out of the newspaper and then backing it with a piece of cardboard! He was always doing things to make sure he raised us with a good dose of self-esteem; the fact that he saved this article is such a sweet gesture, don’t you think? Maybe finding these was his way of saying “hello” for Father’s Day? It’s a comforting thought… xoxo

What hidden treasures have you found lately, friends?