DIY Beach Kits for Guys: The Perfect Simple Little Gift for Him + a Great Way to Drop a Vacation Hint!

I know I say this often, but I love where I live... Florida is amazing. It's "winter" in the rest of the United States, but here in Florida we are basically living the islander lifestyle with our own separate climate! The sun is still shining and we're soaking up the UV rays all day long, with the temperature steadily sitting at a super comfortable 80+ degrees. I'm not going to lie, it's pretty much paradise here the last few weeks and I'm feeling super blessed.

I'm really trying not to rub it in though, I've lived through brutal winter weather (and even a few blizzards) before moving to paradise and I know how beautiful snow can be... But let's get real, I completely prefer a white sandy beach over a snow covered landscape any day! If you're anything like me and you don't already live here, you're likely plotting your next escape from the cold and I don't blame you one bit! Dreaming of warmer places and eventually getting to stick my toes in the sand are the only things that kept me sane while wearing snow boots and ear muffs back when I lived in the Midwest!

Whether you want a fun way to hint to your hubby that you're ready for a vacay or if you're planning a sunny stay over the holidays, I have a super fun gift idea to share! These little "dude friendly" beach kits are the perfect way to treat a man and his friends to everything guys love!

While I could have included a little bit of anything and most guys would have been happy, I think the items I decided to include are the perfect little gift items for any dude - everything a guy could want while chilling on the beach! You can gift this to your dad, your brother, or your lover and they'll all appreciate what's inside!

Speaking of what's inside, I suppose I should give you all the details on how you can make this super simple little beach kit for all the gentlemen in your life. You'll want to grab a few packs of Cubero Cigars from the convenience store, these are the most unqiue way to make sure the guys have a good time! Cubero's are natural leaf cigarillos with the perfect fusion of flavors (especially for those with sophisticated palettes) and quality satisfaction without breaking the bank!

With a variety of flavors to choose from, I decided to go with the Wine flavor, blend No. 7. Although 7 is a lucky number, what really enticed me about the Cubero Wine Cigar was the description! With naturally sweet tobacco, a distinct grape flavor, and an oak-like nuance - I'm pretty sure I chose the perfect cigar! While I won't be partaking in any cigar smoking, I love that I was able to stock up on these, so when hubby has friends in town & they need a boy's day at the beach they're all set. Do you want to sign up for free coupons and find a retailer near you that carries these special little treats? You'll want to visit Cubero Cigars website here!

After your cigar situation is taken care of, you'll want to shop for a handful of mini bar size nips at the liquor store... I think the reasoning behind this is obvious. I also suggest grabbing some soda to pair with the shots!

After your trip to the liquor store, you'll need to make a quick stop and grab a handful of koozies to keep the guys' drinks cool while lounging on the beach! You'll also want to grab little travel size deodorants and mints because we all know how stinky boys can get! Lastly, you'll want to supply him with protection - errr, not that kind of protection though... I'm talking sunglasses and a little travel size sunscreen, the two main things a dude really needs while at the beach and the two things they probably forget the most!

Now I've got a stack of these waiting for our guy friends that come visit us...

While these little beach kits are mostly intended for our house guests, I think they'll make awesome "stocking stuffer gifts" as well... I'm actually giving one to hubby instead of filling his stocking this year and I think he's most excited to get his hands on the Cubero cigars!

So, whether you and your man are both trying to quench your thirst for travel or actually booking your ticket, these little reminders of the beach will be an amazing gift for the surfer dude in your life!

Now that I've shared a fun, beachy gift idea for him. I'd love to hear where your next sunny vacation destination will be? Do you want to build a little beach kit for your man to enjoy while you are there? Don't forget to stock up on all the essentials!

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Scandinavian Tobacco Group, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #masteryourblend  http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV”

Make Things Easier with Staples Holiday Cards & Custom Photo Gifts!

Christmas is almost here and I'm going to share a little secret, I'm just now sending my holiday cards out to my family! I'm a total procrastinator with most things in life, so it comes as no surprise to the recipients of these cards to see them rolling in last minute, but what my family isn't expecting is the super cute and unique card I was able to design quickly and easily with Staples!

I'm totally in love with how our cards turned out! They are the most dreamy design we've sent out ever and I can't wait to share it, so I'm giving you guys a peek at it today!

Staples Copy & Print made it so easy for me to make these cards, I literally grabbed a picture from our holiday photo shoot and added it into their template... and here's the end result! My cards were printed off within a day or two and when I walked in to our local Staples to pick up my order, the guy behind the counter recognized us from our photo and had our order waiting for us when we approached him!

Our Christmas cards are on thick, high quality paper and they're bound to be a hit with our family. With a little bit of a love and a wish for peace - these cards are truly the sweetest! I'm excited to design our cards for next year, so maybe I won't procrastinate so much and they'll actually make it out on time... That's the goal anyways!

Are you looking for a last minute solution for Christmas cards as well? Maybe you want to send out a batch of New Years Eve cards or a holiday update to your nearest and dearest? I've got some awesome news - you can save 20% off your order of holiday cards, invitations, calendars and more by using the code HOLIDAY20 by 12/26!

While I'm obviously a huge fan of the cards I designed with Staples, I also ordered some personalized gifts... because well, I just can't help myself when I find out I can add pictures to everyday objects!

The first personalized gift I designed with Staples Copy & Print were these customized coffee mugs! I made these little cuties for some of our favorite coffee drinkers! I love the high quality, thick mugs that these are printed on and the quality of the images is superb. As my husband said when he saw these sitting on the counter after their arrival, "those could be sold in a boutique somewhere..." and I must say I totally agree with him! I'm so excited about these mugs and the adorable designs!

Plus I made an extra mug with my favorite holiday picture printed on it, because a girl has to reward herself with cute, picture covered items sometimes as well! I love the template I used to make this mug, the print is so colorful and using the Staples Copy & Print system to insert my picture was effortless... that's why Staples Copy & Print is so awesome, it's so easy to use!

I guess it's obvious, I'm super excited about the mugs I made... but have I mentioned I'm also really excited about the adorable personalized ornaments I crafted up to help add some "spice" to the mugs!

The Staples Copy & Print service did a great job with all of my custom photo gifts, but I really think the ornaments may be my favorite part of my entire order! They turned out so incredibly perfect, it's going to be hard to let them go... I think I may even order an additional set or two, actually!

I think these ornaments are going to be like gold coins in my family, with a precious picture of my niece in her ballet outfit on a set of them... and of course, a picture of me and the hubs on the other - I can think of a few family members that would smile to see these waiting for them under the tree!

Are you wanting to make some custom photo gifts for your family? Stock up now while they're on sale, use the code JOLLY20 by 12/26 and you'll save 20% off your custom photo gifts order!

So now that I've shared my little procrastination secret and how I decided to creatively make some adorable gifts with Staples Copy & Print this year, I'd love to hear what you would make with their services? Are you wanting to stock up on coffee mugs with your dogs face printed on the side or maybe you want to add a few new personalized t-shirts to your collection? Head on over to Staples and tell me all about it!

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Add a DIY Beach Wood Wall to ANY Room in Minutes!

Thanks WallPops for sending over the gorgeous samples of NuWallpaper, my wall has never looked better - regardless, all opinions expressed below are my own.

Although we moved into our "new place" all the way back in June, we are just now finally settling in completely. From hanging pictures to rearranging furniture, I've been giving the entire house an overhaul, simply because I want it to feel cozy and comfortable, all the time, in every room.

Once I realized that our living room wasn't giving off the vibe I wanted I started trying to find a way to complete the look/vibe I wanted for the room. We're actually renters so my dream idea of knocking down the wall between the living room and the kitchen isn't an option.

So when I heard about NuWallpaper from WallPops, I knew the Beach Wood wallpaper was the answer to making our living room finally have the vibe I wanted. While it's beautiful in my eyes and I'm so happy we can have the beautiful "wallpaper" on the walls while we are here, I'm also pretty excited about how easy it is to remove... the second we decide to move out, we simply pull off the paper and the house is ready for it's next owners!

I love how easy it would be to personalize your space in every single room with NuWallpaper! I'm dreaming of adding a beautiful little back splash detail to our kitchen next... and really, with so many gorgeous options, I can't wait to add my own touch in each room of our house! Each NuWallpaper roll measures 20.5 inches x 18 ft and retails for approximately $49.99, so adding an accent wall is totally an affordable upgrade for any room!

Applying this beachy wallpaper was fairly easy, with the help of my husband we had the project completed fairly quickly. It's just a matter of cutting, lining things up, and then sticking the gorgeous new addition to the wall.

Are you wanting to add a fun feature wall to a room in your house? Check out all the gorgeous options from WallPops & let me know which one is your favorite!

Proactiv Review First Impressions

This post was sponsored by Proactiv as part of a Influencer Activation for Influence Central. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review.

After a little battle with breakouts lately, I need to up my anti-acne game and start using something powerful (yet gentle) like Proactiv again. So when my box arrived in the mail a few weeks ago, I knew I had just invested in having beautiful skin again and luckily the process wouldn't take very long!

As I opened the box, I found a treasure chest of familiar goodies. I've been a fan of Proactiv for a while now, so it was no surprise that the kit included all the complexion perfecting items a gal (or guy) could need!

With exclusive microcrystal benzoyl peroxide, Proactiv gets down and dirty with acne and eliminates bacteria and other impurities like oil and dirt! I love that Proactiv gently cleanses my skin while completely clearing existing blemishes and even helping to prevent future blemishes from forming! The best part about Proactiv, other than how well it works, is the fact that the package makes the system completely user friendly! The entire package details how each item works and the bottles even perfectly outline each step so that even the most inexperienced skin care user can understand how to get clearer skin quickly.

While my skin is acne free now that I'm using Proactiv, I think I also should point out how healthy, hydrated, toned, and dare I even say how radiant it looks... without an ounce of makeup! I can now show off my freckles without having to worry about pimples and I have my new skin care routine to thank for that fact! It's nice to show my "real face" to the world and feel comfortable and confident doing so! I think anyone who has ever suffered from acne knows what an accomplishment it can be to go makeup-free, so kudos to Proactiv and I hope that my positive results will continue, I'll update you all on my Proactiv progress soon!

I had no idea about this little fact, but did you know Proactiv has actually been America's #1 solution for clear skin for the past 15 years? Don't miss your chance to clear your skin of blemishes and get the look you've been dreaming of - now is the time to find out how Proactiv can help improve your complexion today!

Check Your Christmas Shopping List Twice & Add These Items for The Little Ones!

Big thanks to Chicco for making today's post possible, while they sent over some items all opinions expressed below are my own.

I've heard of the brand Chicco before but I had no idea they carried so many awesome products; from amazing toys for a wide range of ages and abilities to bottle feeding kits that grow with a baby,

they literally made products for every stage of a child's life!

While Chicco offers all kinds of amazing toys, this year after some consideration I decided to give one little guy in my life the perfect toy for him! The little Chicco Mini Golf Club Set is a super fun way to get any little toddler in your life learning a game that's fun for any age! The little guy in my life is going to love his new set, especially because it's made to grow with him since it offers a training mode and a "hit the target" mode! Plus, while he's having fun he's developing hand-eye coordination skills, gaining motor development skills, and helps him learn accuracy! You know, I bet after a few rounds, we're going to have a professional golfer on our hands!

Even if he doesn't become a pro, I bet we'll have fun with the set! I bet he especially loves the fact that the set even plays little entertaining tunes and fun sound effects! Don't you think this simple little feature makes golf even more fun for a little friend of yours?

While golfing is always fun, we can't forget about feeding a baby! I'm so excited to share that there are a couple of babies on the way in my circle and that's why I wanted to give to one of my favorite people The Chicco Natural Fit Advanced Feeding and Soothing System that grows with her baby! I know choosing the right bottle is a tough process and I think these Chicco brand bottles offer all kinds of benefits and since the kit comes with all kinds of extras for baby, you really couldn't ask for a better way to start!

Engineered to be responsive to the changing feeding styles of all babies with three distinctive nipple shapes, made to adapt to the specific needs of every baby! It's easy to see you why Chicco is so amazing, offering 3 different stages of bottles, all in one kit! This is the perfect present for any expectant mom or new mom, so she can make sure her baby is healthy and happy!

I bet you know someone that that has a toddler or a baby? I think most of us do... Luckily, Chicco has made gift giving easier this year!

The Most Unique Gift for Everyone on Your List!

 This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #eholidays #CollectiveBias

With only a few weeks left until Christmas, most of us are in a rush to finishing shopping for everyone on our lists... some may even be close to finishing your Christmas shopping! While I wish I was among the latter, I tend to always be the former... every single year. With so many loving people to buy for on both sides of our family, we are still getting presents organized and making sure that each and every person in our life gets a gift they really love.

While the little kids in our family will love the items we've bought them this year... we're still squaring away almost all of the presents for the adults! While we love our family members dearly, most of them already have everything they need or want! I suppose we're blessed like that... and I'm not complaining, but it really does make gift giving/buying a difficult experience. I bet you have people in your life that tend to be a little troublesome to gift items to as well...

While we love these members of our family, it's no fun playing the guessing game while at the store trying to find presents... That's why we're going to be giving a few of the tough-to-buy-for adults in our family gift cards this year - more specifically personalized photo book gift cards from TheGiftCardShop.com! Everyone loves a gift that includes photos of their family and these easy to make photobooks are adorable and so very thoughtful!

The first person I surprised with a photobook and a gift card for the holiday season is someone I love very much, my own mother. She loves my niece, as much if not a million times more than she loves my sister and I, so it comes as no surprise that I made her photobook about my precious little niece!

The best part of this FREE photobook is that I was able to personalize each photo by pulling them all from my facebook and instagram pictures and then I added my own captions, making the story line of the book about how much we love and appreciate her! The book plays music and scrolls through pages, as if it were actually sitting in front of the recipient - such a cool experience! Plus, to show a little extra appreciation, I was able to surprise her with a $25 gift card to Olive Garden through TheGiftCardShop.com! The perfect little gift to remind her that I'm thinking about her!

It was so easy getting my mom one of her favorite gifts this year, seeing pictures of our family's precious memories flash on her screen and then rewarding her with a gift card to one of our favorite places to go together - it is literally the perfect gift! And... now that I know about TheGiftCardShop.com, gift giving just got even easier for all the adults on our list.

Are you wanting to surprise someone with a gift card but you've been told before that it isn't a thoughtful gift? Well, that is NOT an accurate statement - at least not for my generation! According to a new national study on gift giving from Millennials gift cards take 1st place in gift giving, expert Jason Dorsey and The Center for Generational Kinetics found that nearly 50% of consumers chose gift cards over physical gifts of the same value.

So tell me, who on your list will you surprise with a unique photobook and gift card from TheGiftCardShop.com first? Once you've gifted your photobook, don't miss your chance to win big - share your photobook using the hashtag #TGCS & tag TheGiftCardShop on Facebook to be entered to win a $200 gift card!

The Item on Every Little Girl's Christmas List: The Bratz Create It Yourself Fashion Doll Set!

Some girls just want to have fun and with the adorable Bratz Create-It-Yourself Fashion Doll Set, I'm certain every girl will be having fun this Christmas! This toy is the perfect mixture of everything little girl's love - fashion and self-expression!

I'm all for encouraging kids to get their imagination flowing and their creative juices going so when I saw this adorable doll set, I knew my niece would just love one of her own!

I love that this simple little doll encourages her to express herself and her individuality, while instilling confidence and allowing her to really get creative. This is the perfect toy for any young girl wanting to express herself in a fun and unique way!

Plus, after a little hiatus, the Bratz dolls have an updated look and feel that embodies the interests, passions, and personalities of the modern day girl. Just trendy enough to be cool, so your little gal will fall in love instantly!

Each and every one of the Bratz dolls are perfect for the holiday season though. With the #SnowKissed Dolls and the matching snow lounge and the Bratz Study Abroad Dolls, it's obvious that there's a doll made for every girl!

Which Bratz doll is your favorite? I know my niece will be overjoyed to find this one under the tree this year!

Big Thanks to Bratz for sending over the adorable doll so I could share it with my readers!
Find more awesome gift inspiration in my holiday gift guide - click here!

Deck the Halls with Mocktails: The Perfect Non-Alcoholic Cocktail Mixer

During the holiday season, it's normal to indulge in spirits - while I love spreading holiday cheer, today I'm talking more about the cocktail type of spirit... the awesome thing is, these aren't really cocktails at all... although they taste like it!

Mocktails line of all-natural, non-alcoholic cocktails are the perfect way to indulge in "spirits" during the holiday without ever actually drinking a drop of alcohol... or if you like to party, these Mocktails cocktails are actually great, healthy mixers as well! Whether you want to surprise the hostess with the mostest or your looking for a gift for a coworker, these little Mocktails are the perfect way to spread holiday cheer!

While the packaging is adorable and the flavors sound delicious, I feel like I should also share how easy these little Mocktails are to whip up! Just add in ice to the package, shake, pour, and enjoy! The flavor options for these non-alcoholic cocktail beverages include Cosmopolitan, Margarita, Red Sangria, and Lemonade Whiskey Sour! Plus, it all comes in at an affordable price of $39.95 for the 4 pack, which serves around 16 people! So what are you waiting for? Surprise someone on your list with the perfect non-alcoholic cocktail or a terrific mixer!

I decided to wrap my Mocktails up in a super inventive way - with just a thin string of hemp, I turn my mixers into the perfect strand of oversized, delicious Christmas lights!

So tell me, who on your list would love to find Mocktails under their tree? Which flavor do you think you would want to enjoy with them first? I can't wait to hear all about it in the comments below!

Thanks to Mocktails for sending over these awesome items so I could include them in my Holiday Gift Guide!
Want to find more gifting inspiration? Check out my gift guide by clicking here: