Our Father's Day

The tie is so yesterday.

Part of being a haute mom is learning how to work your household. It is hard to be a mom and be haute so we deserve all that we can get!  What did you do for Mother's Day?  I am willing to bet 99% of you cleaned or laundered something in your house.  Well, thanks to guest writer Michelle Pino, moms may be able to enjoy a little Father's Day as well!

Father's Day doesn't simply have to be just about pleasing the man in your life and father of your children. Wives are also able to enjoy this holiday by purchasing gifts that can be used by the two of you. Here are a few ideas of gifts for dad that mom can get some use out of also.

                            A Romantic Dinner

Have you been longing to try that new restaurant that opened up in town? Father's Day is the perfect occasion to make a reservation at that luxurious restaurant for the both of you to enjoy. Start your meal off with a fine glass of wine and appetizer. After your entrees, don't forget to finish off the meal with a delicious dessert. Because Father's Day is a popular holiday to dine out, make sure to book reservations in advance for guaranteed seating and to enjoy a romantic dinner together on this very special day.

Outdoor Grill

Have you been preparing and cooking all of the meals lately and simply need a little break? Invest in an outdoor grill, which makes the perfect gift for any husband on Father's Day. The grill will motivate him to get outside and to try out new recipes that the two of you can enjoy trying together. Provide him with ideas of what to cook and give yourself a little relaxation time while dinner is made for you.

Resort Day

One of the best options for both husbands and wives on Father's Day is a day pass to a local area resort. While your husband is winning the big bucks on the poker tables, or shooting a round of golf, you can be relaxing with a day of beauty and wellness at the spa. Or you may even choose to sit around by the pool with a cocktail in your hand, working on your tan. Many top notch resorts today are very focused on catering towards couples and both of their interests so that it is easy to plan a day filled with fun activities that both of you will love.

Wine Clubs

If you enjoy drinking wine on a regular basis, joining a Wine of the Month Club could be an excellent Father's Day gift for your special day. No one likes to drink alone, making this the perfect gift option that can be shared together. Each month you will be sent a new, delicious wine to sample that gives you the chance to bond while enjoying this adult beverage.

Father-Child Bonding Time

Sometimes it's nice to have some alone time that you can spend at home or with friends. Get your husband and kids out of the house for a day so that you can relax. One great idea is to buy them a gift card for the local batting cages or go kart tracks. This will be one gift that your children are excited to give their father, as it allows them to spend some fun-filled time together.

Say goodbye to that boring old Father's Day that you've celebrated year after year and turn it into a new celebration that everyone can enjoy. These gifts are sure to make the day an unforgettable one.

Michelle learned many of this while working at Skana, one of  New York's finest spas.  When Michelle isn’t working you will find her baking, crafting, reading a magazine or catching up on her favorite TV shows. If you have any comments or questions feel free to contact Michelle via email at michellepino@turningstone.com.

Summer Sun Protection

With high temperatures this past week and summer just around the corner, it's that time again to think about a little sun safety.

As you enjoy the sunshine, remember that it's important to cover all angles when protecting your children from the sun. It's estimated that your child will get more than half of their lifetime sun exposure before age 18, and using sun protection can decrease your child's risk of getting skin-cancer later in life.

I've done some research on this subject and learned that the sun has two types of ultraviolet rays that can cause damage to the skin. These rays are UVA and UVB and both can be damaging and cancer causing.

A sunscreen's SPF (sun protection factor) is a measurement of how well it protects against sunburn. If you slather on an SPF 30 product, you should be able to stay in the sun for 30 times longer without burning than if your skin were bare. However, SPF only measures how well a sunscreen blocks UVB. There are no numbers that measure protection against UVA.

Apply sunscreen to your child everyday so that it becomes part of their morning routine. Don’t forget places like their hands, feet, ears, scalp, and the back of their neck. Get your children used to putting on lip balm with SPF as well.

Because sunscreen is only one aspect of sun protection and does not protect against UVA rays, parents need to take other precautions.

Staying out of the sun when it's at its strongest is crucial. This is usually between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. While outdoors, seek shaded areas with your children if possible. Consider bringing a sun shade if you are going someplace where shade is minimal.

Protective clothing is another important part of sun protection. Putting on a wide brimmed hat can help protect your child’s scalp, ears, eyes, face and neck. Consider looking for clothing that has an ultraviolet-protection factor or UPF. Be sure that sunglasses also say that they filter out the sun’s harmful rays.

Protected Kids = Happy Kids

 

Most importantly, be a good role model. Put on sunscreen with your children and make it fun to play in the shade. Want the little ones to keep their hats on? Wear yours as well. Make sun protection a priority for the whole family!

The Perfect Father’s Day or Birthday Gifts: Hot Tech Accessories for Men

Let’s face it. Some men are difficult to shop for, and birthdays and Father’s Day occur every year. Much of the time, you may resort to personalized birthday cards or Father’s Day cards and a gift card – admittedly not the most exciting gift. However, if you paired that card with something else, you’d have the idea present. Technology accessories provide a creative option if you’re looking for the perfect gift for the guy in your life. Check out the following men’s accessory trends for some ideas to get you started:

·         Wireless headphones: Who wants to be tied to a desk or a device to listen to great tunes? With wireless headphones, which have Bluetooth connectivity, guys can have the freedom they need and the music they love delivered in one package.

·         Timekeepers: Yes, watches are hot again. Even though a guy can easily glance at his phone for the time, watches are both functional and a fashion statement – and they come in all styles and colors. From gold to brightly colored to sporty, there’s a style for every guy.

 

·         iPad and iPhone cases: No matter what a man’s preference, you can find iPad and iPhone cases in a variety of colors, styles and fabrics. Some men prefer to wear their iPhone on a hip holster, while others prefer hard cases. For something extra special, create personalized iPhone cases for the man in your life, featuring something he loves or a picture of your family.

·         Stash waterproof pocket shorts: Beach vacations are fun, but when men head out to boogie board or swim, they have nowhere to leave their wallet, keys and phone. These shorts feature a waterproof pocket that can hold these items and be sealed for safekeeping while in the water.

·         Flash drive keychain: Is your guy always losing his flash drive? The answer may be a flash drive keychain. Fitted with a metal key ring and a holder, these keychains conveniently hold various sizes of flash drive sticks.

·         Smart phone and tablet accessories: If the man in your life has a smart phone or tablet, chances are he might love the various smart phone and tablet accessories available on the market today. Specifically, an external iPhone and iPad keyboard and mini mouse grants users the same convenience when he’s on the go as he’d get typing and navigating on a desktop or laptop computer.

·         Cord wrap: Technology today requires a variety of power cords and other types of cords, and it can be extremely frustrating when cords become tangled in a bag. This cord wrap binds individual cords so they cannot tangle. Users then roll the wrap into a simple, convenient package that’s easy to carry.

These ideas should be enough to get your creative juices flowing. Think about the guy in your life. What does he enjoy? What gadgets does he think are “cool”? What technology does he use on a regular basis? The answers should give you enough information to consider recent tech accessory trends and purchase a birthday or Father’s Day gift he will love.

Author Bio: Heather Hewitt is a seasoned writer and guest author who enjoys connecting people with thoughtful products, services and ideas as they relate to crafting, photography, gift giving and personal expression.