The Reinvented "Of-The-Month" Box

Well, Hello! Its been quite a summer. Gone too quickly as usual. I'll be catching you up on all the goings-on over the next week or so, but today I wanted to share a great idea for long distance gift giving or especially for the college back to school-er. Its not a new concept to sign a loved one up for a monthly delivery of fruit, meat, etc but there are several companies that have refreshed the concept with some really interesting, socially conscious and healthy incarnations.

Umba Box - Umba provides the recipient with their specially selected handmade gift or gift(s) each month. They concentrate on jewelry, stationary, accessories and bath items with several options for length of subscription. "We are passionate about handmade products and the connections that can be forged between consumers and artists. We shine a light on handmade products by including a story about the artist in each Umba Box. Ultimately, Umba Box is special because of the insight each subscriber gains into the lives of artisans." 

ManPacks - The name speaks for itself. This is a great option for college fellas, a guy just starting out or the too busy to think about it type. You can send ManPacks every 3 months. The packs come in several options including, "Gym Rat" and "The Natural" or "CEO" to suit every guys style. They include socks, undies, shaving items and if you so choose, for the progressive parent/gift-giver...cover your ears children...condoms (said with a whisper). Another convenience is you do not need to know the recipients sizes or address. They will contact them directly to collect the info. 

Hammock Pack - A super idea for someone who really needs a little me time but just won't take the time. Hammock Pack offers a solution that arrives on their doorstep and they never have to leave home. "Whether it’s as simple as a movie night or mementos from that exotic vacation you can’t find the time to take. So relax and let a little “me time” come to you." They offer three affordable subscription options and unique themes each month. What a great mid-term treat or for Mom after a busy summer with the kiddos.

Birch Box - If you have someone who is really into the latest and greatest in beauty products and accessories this is the box for them. They have boxes for men and women. Birch Box sources high-end beauty products from established to up and coming companies. "The women’s subscription includes everything from skincare to makeup, as well as fun non-beauty extras. The men’s subscription delivers top-tier grooming products in addition to lifestyle accessories ranging from hip socks to tech accessories."

Blissmo Box - These boxes are filled with eco-friendly and non-toxic products and offered with a 3 month gift subscription of either their beauty or snack packs. They search out new brands as well as established product names. "We want to use products that are better & safer for our bodies, our families, our communities and our planet, but realized it difficult to know where to find these products or if they were truly safer...We figured others had the same frustration so set out to help health-minded and earth-minded shoppers discover what's better."

The Honest Company - Made famous by its founder, actress Jessica Alba, The Honest Company specializes in safe, earth friendly cleaning and baby self branded products. Their gift packs come in 1, 3 and 6 month options of either the family home essentials or the diaper and wipes option. This is a fabulous idea for a new mom, but the cleaning products would be a creative and useful gift for a new grad with a new apartment and a college loan to pay off. Either option is practical and thoughtful.

There are lots of companies that are hoping on the gift box wagon. Whichever you choose, its a convenient and useful gift that is still personal and creative. The joy in these gifts is the anticipation of knowing you have surprise to look forward to each month. Who doesn't want to stretch out a birthday, holiday or special occasion as long as possible. I'll be checking the stoop for some goodies...Happy Giving! Ta.

Gifts for Dad Made in the U.S.A.

Well, May was all about Mom and next up is Dear Ole Dad. This year get him something unexpected and forego another necktie. It's kinda like giving a kid school supplies for their birthday...bummer.  We searched out to find some really cool stuff that Dad's would love to get. I decide to see what items I could find that were all Made in the U.S. A. Here are just a few, but there are hundreds of ideas out there!

Cycling Dads will love this specialty cleaning and care kit.  "Keep wheels (and legs) thriving with this portable set of travel-sized stainless Steel, chrome and tin polish, wash and wax, sprocket and gear oil and natural insect and bug repellent made to help you blaze your own trail. A thoughtful gift for the roadie and off-roader alike, this handy kit keeps your ride in top condition without slowing you down--now that's the perfect road partner. Set of four 2 oz. bottles. Made in Atlanta."

Cycle Care Kit - uncommongoods.com

For the Thinker Dad, this beautiful hand crafted leather sketchbook/iPhone case: "theGOODbook™ 5 is a leather wallet, iPhone 5 case and sketchbook all in one. Designed to consolidate the many items we carry in our pockets everyday. Comes with one replacement sketchbooks. Handcrafted in Portland, Oregon USA."

Wallet/Sketchbook/iPhone Case - redcloudscollective.com

For the Backyard Dad, this tournament horseshoe set:  "Approved for professional and tournament play by the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association, this American Presidential edition includes everything needed for 2-4 person play: two 24" solid steel stakes; a rulebook with court layout, a handsome mahogany-finished pine carrying case with built-in handle, and 4 forged-steel American horseshoes with longer, weighted tips, tapered leading edges, ringer breakers and finger holds—all designed to enhance success. This Tournament Horseshoes Set ensures backyard fun for generations to come. Made in the U.S.A."

Tournament Horseshoe Set: - smithsonianstore.com 

For the Fishing Dad, The Lure Locker: "Use this innovative product to safely secure your lure to your fishing pole and leaving no exposed sharp hooks! Simply fold it over your rod and lure. Easily conceals your lure from getting snagged!"

Lure Locker - duluthpack.com

For the Biker Dad: Gatorz Kegger Sunglasses: "The wrap around will define your sunglass and how you will be holding the toilet after the ladies continue to refill your red cup all night. Keep em’ close, so you can shield the blinding sun as you stumble into the morning light. Specially designed to provide the sharpest, clearest vision possible, Gatorz Eyewear are a must for riders, racers, or extreme sports enthusiasts who demand the best."

Gatorz Kegger Sunglasses - bikersden.com

For the Fix-it Dad, Personalized Hammer: "Short hammer (or other tool) with a custom designed, hand engraved personalization of your choice."

Personalized Hammer - etsy.com

For the Outdoor Dad: The American Classic Coleman Cooler: "The Coleman Steel Belted® cooler has the same great performance as the original from 1954. Large 54 qt. capacity holds up to 85 cans; thick insulation keeps items cool for hours. Solid steel latch secures the lid; stainless-steel hinges and screws resist rusting and breakage. Large, sturdy stainless-steel handles with rubber grips are easy on the hands and make transporting simple. Rustproof, leak-resistant channel drain lets you empty water without having to tilt the cooler.  Base, lid and liner of the Coleman Steel Belted cooler are easy to clean"

Coleman Cooler - REI.com

For the Nautical Dad: Repourposed Sail Cloth Duffel Bag: 'This duffel has the weekend get-a-way in mind. It's perfect for that weekend regatta or a weekend in the city. It's also airline carry-on regulation size. Easy to spot on the turnstile. Ocean durable.'

Sailcloth Duffel - ellavickers.com 

For the BBQ Dad: Knox Rub Gift Basket: "All 4 Knox's Spice Co's regional seasonings and our Knox Bro's. Middle Eastern Market Style Kabob seasoning and South American Fruit Spice. The 4 original dry rubs; Chipotle BBQ, Jamaican Jark, Cracked Pepper and Yummy Chicken. Great for a BBQ or grilling enthusiast. A unique gift for the foodie who thinks they have everything. Carefully arranged in a towel lined basket and filled with hickory chips, shrink wrapped and tied with a red cord. Personalized card and recipes supplied."

Knox Bro's Rubs - knoxspice.com

For the Rocker Dad: El Dorado Guitar Strap: 'Our “Vintage Plain” model guitar straps are designed for the guitarist looking for all the quality, durability, and comfort of our hand-tooled straps, but in a “dressed down” version. These straps are fashioned from sturdy top-grade stitched saddle leather. The shoulderpads are backed in plush sheepskin shearling, providing unsurpassed comfort even with the heaviest instrument. The bucklework is chromed solid cast zinc."

Original Guitar Strap - eldoradostraps.com

Happy Father's Day!

Etchings From the Man Cave: John Varvatos

johnvarvatos.com

This guy is just plain COOL. Maybe I'm partial to John Varvatos because he is a Detroit native (ok, I am), but lets face it the fella defines "swagga." As an award winning fashion designer. His influence is definitely old school motor city rock and roll, not in a glitzy glam way. Varvatos designs with an aesthetic that is true to his Midwest roots. Its a mans-man style that is functional and comfortable but tough and has a beat all its own. Clothes a guy would actually wear. His pieces are on trend but not trend-y.  He made the lace-less Converse popular and continues to design cutting edge looks for the classic brand. His latest campaign features musicians Gary Clark, Jr. and the legendary Jimmy Page. Pretty solid endorsement, don't ya think? 

Now, John Varvatos has taken on the ultimate homage to Detroit through his collaboration with Chrysler on the Limited Edition John Varvatos Chrysler 300C and he is legit. This isn't just a "here's my name now go market it" venture. Varvatos is a car enthusiast who even spent time working for the automaker during his youth. The signature details in the vehicle include all the elements that his fashion line is known for. "The seats match the rich leather of jackets.  The dashboard mirrors the face of timepieces. The metal trims are inspired by the titanium bottle accents of fragrances." -johnvarvatos.com

If a Varvatos 300C isn't in the budget, you can still impress the ladies Varvatos style. This week curl up on the couch with your gal and turn on "Fashion Star." You can impress her with your knowledge of the wickedly talented John Varvatos, one of the shows celeb judges. You'll probably earn some points for watching it with her of your own free will too. The bonus, you can absorb more of J.V.'s signature style pointers and impress your lady at the same time! (Just a little insider tip from yours truly. Glad to help.) Rock on!

Etchings from the Man Cave: You Don't Have To Live In A Brown House

When I met my wonderful hubs, he was living as so many single men do, in a house decorated in 50 shades of brown and beige. (We currently have a moratorium on any brown items coming into our home...unless they are shoes or chocolate.) There seems to be a gravitation for men to use browns in their space because it is a safe neutral and has masculine vibe. (bor-ing). Or maybe they really just don't care..or both. There is a solution fellas! Don't worry I won't adorn your space in lace and flowers, but I will pull a couple stripes from the rainbow to liven up your dude-ish digs. I've chosen a few popular retailers that are easy to find and selected their best picks.  The formula is easy to follow, pick one of the colors below and add a couple items like a throw pillow, shower curtain, towels or dinnerware in that color. Next, all of these colors coordinate very well with brown, black, gray or white neutrals so you can keep what you have and build on it. Here are some ideas to get you started.

jcp.com Shower Curtain $32

jcp.com Flatware $13/5

Green:  I don't mean olive or camouflage. Nothing wrong with those shades but for this project we are going bold. The color of the year for 2013 is Emerald Green and its not hard to find. JcPenney has an entire line dedicated to each of these colors called PANTONE Universe. The pillow below is an example, but they also have bedding, accessories and towels in the same color.

jcp.com Throw Pillow  $37

cb2.com Chair $499

Macys.com Lacoste Bath Towel $17.99

Blue: When you think of a blue manly room it usually means a nautical themed (Raise your hand if you have a Nautica comforter!) shade of navy with a splash of plaid. This time we are getting off the ship and diving right into the vibrant tropical seas. Again, JcPenney has this blue bedding set featured in their PANTONE Universe collection along with other home items ready to go together. IKEA is also a great place to shop for a specific color. You can find a variety of items all matching from furniture to lamps and bedding.

jcp.com Bedding Set $120  

westelm.com Dinnerware $20 - $40

cb2.com  Dresser $499.00

Ikea.com Coffee Table $49.99

Orange: A break from the typical red and black color combo, orange is still modern but with some punch and a bit mid-century modern to satisfy your retro side. JcPenney and IKEA offer a lot of orange options, but some not as well known retailers like cb2 (which is Crate & Barrel's more modern store) and West Elm (from the Pottery Barn family) have great options for colorful but masculine bedding and accessories.

jcp.com Lamp $50 

cb2.com  Bedding $60 - $169

Target.com Throw Pillow $24.99

cb2.com Sofa Sleeper $999

So, whether you are upgrading your home or apartment, you are a sister helping your bro decorate, or a mom with a growing son, think outside the usual manly decor trends. There are creative and colorful ways to incorporate personal style into a guy friendly space on any budget. Make it fun and comfortable and any fella will feel right at home. Where's the remote?...Ta!

Etchings From The Man Cave Monday: Tying a Proper Tie

www.details.com

I attended a parochial school and boys were required to wear ties. Back in the day, the wide ties were in, but by high school it was all about the skinny tie. (and the mullet).  I remember guys running around school with these oddly tied strips of leather and fabric hanging awkwardly around their necks. Not a good look. So imagine my shock, when the hubs and I were shopping recently and he picked up a knit reincarnation of the skinny tie and said with excitement how much he wanted one! He missed them. Really? Well they are back fellas. (but the mullet is NOT). In an effort to prevent the tie faux pas' of the past, I'm here to help. (Insert girl flying with cape here). There are different ways to tie a tie. Depending on the width, fabric and look you are going for, there is an art to the knot.  So, I compiled some of the best tutorials I could find to share with you.

First, for my wonderful husband the skinny:



Next, you can never go wrong with a properly tied classic full Windsor: (Sorry, on some browsers this link is acting a little wonky and shows the "skinny" link again.  If you watch the first one, it should roll to the full Windsor..or so I hope:) Working on a fix!

Just to be different, you should try the Eldredge knot just once. You will be sure to dazzle:



Finally, for the dapperest of dude, the bow tie. It's not just for weddings and proms anymore. Pair it with jeans for a look that is funky and edgy. It should never be printed on a t-shirt and worn as a tuxedo:



Even an inexpensive tie can look crisp and finished if it is tied properly. Time to kick up your style fellas. No clip on ties aloud! Ever.Ta!

Etchings From The Man Cave: All Shined Up

I married a car guy. One of his favorite unwinders is polishing up the cars and keeping them running efficiently. He finds it relaxing and I don't mind my cruising in a well detailed ride. If you have a guy like this at home, then you also have a shelf full of creams, sprays and liquid potions for every inch of the car. Some of these products, especially waxes and "finishers" don't come cheap. When I found this box o'goodies, I knew it was too good to pass by. Remember though, as I always say, this is only a bargain because we use the stuff. Don't buy it if your idea of Saturday work on the car is getting a Venti to sip on while in line at the car wash. Here is what we got in our Armor All gift pack: 

1. Armor All Ultra Shine Butter Smooth Wax 16.9 fl oz
2. Armor All Cleaning Wipes 25pk
3. Armor All Ultra Shine Wash & Wax 1 pt
4. Armor All Ultra Shine Tire Foam Protectant 18oz 
5. 1 Glass Cleaning Towel 
6. 1 Microfiber Towel
7. 1 Plush Microfiber Sponge
8. 1 Wheel Cleaning Brush
9. 1 Armor All Air Freshener

From what I can find this is only available in Target stores. We did a rough estimate on the value of the items individually. The Butter Smooth Wax (which according to my fella is the "good stuff") alone in the store was $8.94. We came up with a value of about $40.00. The gift pack retailed over the Holidays for $35.00. We paid $10.50 for the whole box! Not to mention I got a free car wash and a relaxed and happy hubs! Cha-ching for me!