Gift Guide: Father's Day

Unless your dad is Barney Stinson, he neither needs nor wants another tie.  If your dad is Barney Stinson, he doesn't need one but probably wants one and you likely can't afford his expensive tastes.

What am I trying to say, folks?

Regardless of who invested in your gene pool, be sure to follow the gift guide below to make your pappy happy.

Shaving cream from a tube for a smooth face done the old-school way, $10

A masculine toiletry bag to store essentials when travelling, $30

Rad, casual sneakers so he looks stylish on summer dates with your mom, $42

A pictorial dictionary to enhance his already enviable vocabulary, $21

A collapsible bike to wow his friends and take up less room in the garage, $140

Two tickets for Super 8 so he can feel like a kid again, if just for a few hours, $18

The quittin' time clock because it's funny and gives him something to look forward to, $80

For an alternative gift, do what I did last year and invite him along for a morning hike.  All he really wants is quality time with his family. 

What are you getting your dad, grandpa or favorite guy for father's day?  

I'd love to hear!

Gift Guide 4: Your newlywed sister who laughs with all of her might and loves playing (and usually wins) all types of games

A leather belt to go with her cognac boots, $40

A soft-hued tiffin box to store her lunch, $37

A 1946 Monopoly game, so she can beat her honey in vintage style, $22 

Polka dot tights for a wintry feminine touch, $22

Red hot suede pumps to match her fire engine hair as a kid, $49

A glamorous ornament to grace their first Christmas tree, $28

A funny book on being domestic and still having fun, $13

Gift Guide 3: Your techy brother who makes the tiniest sailboats out of paper and talks your head off at lunch

A case for his ipod touch that epitomizes class and reminds you of his blog, $18

An eco-friendly travel mug for his newest obsession, $8

Christmas tree in a can, because it's funny and cheerful, $11

A flexible tripod so he can take his amazing pictures anywhere, $40

An origami bank that reminds you of his paper folding skills, $13

An Apple keyboard turned clock to keep time in style, $39

A cookbook to satisfy any bacon cravings, $20

Gift Guide 2: Your sister with a killer voice who can bust a dance move like no other and bakes cookies on a whim

A hidden tote for a last minute grocery run, $22

Fingerless gloves so she can play her guitar outside with friends, $32

A pretty apron to inspire more baking, $32

A Holga 35 mm camera for taking old school pictures, $48

A Grace Potter & The Nocturnals CD, because this girl wails and looks good while doing it, $10

A slouchy beanie to go with her long wavy hair, $20

Slang flash cards to crack her up and because you know she will use them, $13

Gift Guide 1: Your book-loving sister who mixes patterns and coaxed her cat into chilling in a swaddled blanket

An invisible book shelf for clean lines and an easy reading selection, $12

Striped socks to pair with her colorful flats and skinny legs, $8

A hungry feline friend to hold her iPod, $18

A spicy citrus foam bath to relax while she reads, $13

Cool blue retro frames to help her see how pretty she is, $29

Inspirations, excerpts and narratives on classic literature to round out her knowledge, $16

A floral tapestry suitcase, to channel Nancy Drew in her travels, $18 (image here)

I'm excited to start this new series, inspired by A Cup of Jo.  Hope you Enjoy! 

Gift Guide for Living Simply

Next week I'll start a gift guide (a la A Cup of Jo) for the upcoming Christmas season .

In the meantime, check out this gifting motto from Remodeling This Life. When buying for friends, family or loved ones, consider items that fit the following:

Isn't that wonderful?

In a recent effort to live simply, I've put a great deal of thought into a recipients personality when giving birthday presents.  By focusing on finding something special, I often end up spending less!

Have a simple day!