Birthday and #ValentineGift 🎁 Ideas Plus a Giveaway

I am so glad that January is over, it was a rough month for us health-wise.  We all got sick except for my son which I am grateful and  still praying and hopeful that he won't get sick.  I think his basketball activities helped his body in combating sickness.

My husband 's birthday is three days after Valentine's day so getting gifts for him is quite tricky sometimes.  A lot of times, I just combine both gifts in one, it is easier that way.  I am so glad that his birthday this year falls on a holiday which is the President's day so he is off, yay!  

Anyway, when it comes to  gift giving, I am more on the practical side.  I always think what is more useful for the recipient.  Below are some  birthday and Valentine gift ideas.  Don't forget to enter the giveaway at the end of this post.

Winter Necessities -  Since it is winter season, giving winter items such as gloves, scarves, coat, thick clothing, and skin care are my best choices.  I got this Knocker Terry Bomber Jacket from 247frenzy.com and he loves it.  According to him, it is light but also very warm.  

Photo Session  - My husband never likes being photographed but I always encouraged him to play with me since it is his birthday pictures.  I said, he would only turn 51 once so might as well enjoy it.  I got him laughing while taking these photos.  He was actually in tears as I chase him with the camera lol.  The good thing about having your own camera is that it is less tense when the photos are being taken.

Outdoor Walking - Although it is not an ideal material gift but offering your love ones to go with you on a walk even on a freezing day can really help in relieving stress.  My husband was stressed out this week for an audit  at his department.  He  just started a new position as a an Occupational Healthy and Safety Specialist so was quite anxious of how it will go.  Today is the last day of audit since Monday and he said that it is going well so far.  There's no topic that he didn't know how to respond to so I am quite relieved as well. I know that he would do well on this job especially that he is doing  something that he knows and love.  So yeah, an outdoor activity is also a good kind of gift.

 

Wallet - I also got him a personalized wallet which I can't reveal yet  along with a couple more birthday surprises so hopefully, he would like it when he opens it up comes Monday.  I think he would love the wallet because his  current one is getting so worn out so he definitely need a new one and it also has a personalized message engraved inside it.

Brassiere - while I was shopping at 247Frenzy website, I saw this set of multi-colored Et Tu push up bra and thought of gifting myself this one lol.  Yeah I know what you are thinking, you might be rolling your eyes right now lol.  But honestly, there is nothing wrong with buying yourself a gift.  Not that my husband would not buy it for me but it was a perfect opportunity for me so I seize it.  I have been wanting  different colors of bra  but buying them individually is more expensive but glad I have  found this set.

Mini Roses - My husband got me these early Valentines gifts.  A pot of mini roses which I totally love since I  plant them in our garden when Spring comes.  I prefer these over a bouquet of flowers since this continue to grow.  

Jewelry - Aside from perfume, I also love jewelry especially earrings.  I like hoops and dangling earring the most.  Hubby got me this sterlingsilver Mia Fiore earring that is made in Italy, I love it.  It's an elegant piece to wear to complement even a simple dress.

For the fun and exciting part of this post is the giveaway that 247Frenzy is offering.  Five lucky winners will receive each a $25 e-gift card which can be used towards anything on their site.  All you have to do is FOLLOW their Facebook Page HERE and follow me on Instagram.  The giveaway runs from February 13th to February 29th.  Please send me your contact info via direct message on Instagram or Facebook.  Good luck!

Have a heart-filled Valentine's day everyone!

#BirthdayPresents #THankfulThursday #MonthlyFamilyPhoto #BeautyBox5 #FamilyPictureJune

I love the message that SparkPeople  sent me during my birthday, it's inspiring.  Sometimes, we forget  what matters the most and get distracted  with so many little petty things that we neglect what is important.  

I also love  this quote from Buddha.

To enjoy good health, to bring true happiness to one's family, to bring peace to all, one must first discipline and control one's own mind. If a man can control his mind he can find the way to Enlightenment, and all wisdom and virtue will naturally come to him. Buddha

Now that I am older, I do appreciate every moment that I get to spend with my family and friends especially my husband and children.  My world  revolves with them 24/7 .  My goal  is to spend as much time with them while I am still given the chance.  I know that  they will have their own lives  soon and while they still at home, I would love to spend mine with them .  I wish  that my husband  could retire now so we can  enjoy spending time with each other  as much as I'd like to but since he is the only one providing for our family, it is not feasible at this time.  

I love homemade personalized cards from my kids, they are the best.  I compiled them in  scrapbooks or albums.  The sweet little notes  makes my heart  melt, it's rewarding.

Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now. Don't wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy in the future. Think how really precious is the time you have to spend, whether it's at work or with your family. Every minute should be enjoyed and savored. Earl Nightingale

The kids got me  this  dehydrator for my birthday.  They are so sweet.  I haven't tried it yet since we are still so busy with our fence  projects but I will get to it once I have the time.

They always  make fun of me when I open gifts because I don't tear the wrapper .  I always  op\en them carefully lol.

I didn't even know that they are going to get me this.  I mentioned this before to my daughter that it would be nice to have a dehydrator.

We had a little  shopping trip at Robinson mall on my birthday.

My husband gave me this set of matching  bag and wallet.

It matches perfectly with my shoes, it's awesome!

Thanks Hon, I love them!

I took a short video of the  card that my daughter made for me.  It's a progression of a  rose flower.  I thought it was really neat.  My son's message was great too, very tpouching.

A good friend of mine from Japan  sent me a  box full of Japanese goodies, they are all yummy and kawaii!  Thanks a lot Clang and Sasaki family!  Clang is one of the  many bloggers I have met online but few of the ones that really became  great friends with me.  We haven't met in person yet but  our friendship grow stronger even though she no longer blogs.  I get updates on their family's lives on her Instagram and Facebook pages.

Another very good friend of mine who also sent me presents is Dhemz from Texas.  I also met this wonderful lady  in my early days of blogging and became friends with her and  her family for life.  We met personally in Disney World  five years ago  when we came back here from Korea and  we also visited  and traveled with them in Texas.  We can't wait to  meet with them again and visit their new home and see their new baby, we're excited!  It's great to met  people thru blogging and become friends with them for life.  

The strong bond of friendship is not always a balanced equation; friendship is not always about giving and taking in equal shares. Instead, friendship is grounded in a feeling that you know exactly who will be there for you when you need something, no matter what or when. Simon Sinek

Last but not the least is this month's goodies from Beauty Box 5.  It contains Jesse's Girl liquid eyeliner, Prestige Cosmetics my biggest lashes mascara, Did Hair's  jeweled hair tie set, Larizy's lip pencil, and Coastal Scents' reveled 3 palette sampler.  

I mentioned in my post that I am embracing  the color purple  now that I am in my mid 40s.  BeautyBox5 must have sensed that and I got this eye shadow sampler.   Check out BeautyBox5, it's a fun subscription since you get 5 different products every month.  Most of it are full sizes too.  

I think purple is actually a beautiful color.  I wasn't fond of it before  but I am starting to like it.  

And for the month of June, here is our family photo.  So far, we haven't failed to take   a family photo each month since January so hooray for that.

Disclosure: The owner of this blog was NOT financially compensated to write this review.  I was provided with the product/s mentioned  to help me  facilitate this review but  opinions are my own.

Holiday Gift Ideas for the Guys on Your List

Between friends, family, and coworkers, chances are good that there are a lot of guys on your holiday shopping list this year. Thinking up good holiday gift ideas for him can be difficult, especially if you need to shop for men with many different tastes and interests. Use this holiday gift guide to find the perfect present for all the men on your list this year. There are gifts that fit any budget and are great for any personality.

Apparel

High quality clothing and accessories always make great gifts. Even if the recipient isn’t particularly concerned with sporting all the latest styles, a simple leather belt or wallet is a useful addition to any wardrobe. For the guy more attuned to the latest trends, consider an online consultation with a professional stylist. For a flat fee, a stylist will choose some items to ship to your recipient. He only has to pay for the ones he decides to keep.

Kitchen Gadgets

There are lots of items to make cooking and grilling easier, or at least more stylish. Among the unique food and drink items available for guys are meat brands for leaving an indelible stamp on meat on the grill. If your guy’s more a fan of fine drinks, consider an automatic beer foamer for getting that perfect head on every glass.

Tech Items

Tech gadgets make great gifts because they’re fun in addition to being useful. The best part is that there are gadgets available in every price range. For example, if you can’t afford a new iPod for the music-loving recipient on your list, get a pair of noise-canceling headphones instead. 

Sporting Goods

Check the official store of your recipient’s favorite team to find a great selection of clothing, memorabilia, and other gifts. Even if your guy already has a good selection of shirts and hats from his favorite team, check the team store for unique, one-of-a-kind gift that is sure to be a conversation starter as well as a way of showing team spirit.

Collectibles

Toys and other collectibles aren’t just for kids anymore. If you know your recipient’s favorite tv show or movie, look around for merchandise or memorabilia related to it. There are sure to be some fun figures or other items for collectors or all ages, and you may even find a totally unique prop or other item that was used on the set for sale.

With so many unique gifts to choose from, you’re sure to be able to find something just right for every guy on your list.

Emotional Valentine's Day

I don't like surprises as I get really emotional.  Just like this morning when I woke, I have never expected that  my husband and daughter would pull a past one for me.  I was up all night last night because my son is sick again.  He was so congested so I had to stay  with him and gave him meds and massages as he said his body  and head was aching.  

Anyway, when I woke up this morning from  a short sleep, I felt like floating so I did not see the   pot miniature roses and the card  in the table.  My daughter  had to point it to me.   

I started tearing up when I read the card that says:

 To my Loving Wife, 

 You deserve to hear this more often, 

but I don't always take the time to say it... 

 I depend on you so many times for help and understanding. 

 I'm glad that you're my wife, 

 the love of my life, 

 and the heart of our home.... 

I will always love you! 

 Happy Valentine's day!

 Love, 

 Hubby and the Kids

To my husband:

I know that I am a lousy wife sometimes and that I should do more to make you happy. I want  you to know that I truly appreciates everything that you have done and continue doing  for us.  Thank you for being so understanding and loving all the time.

I love you with all my heart!

Yours truly,

Mrs. Wide Feet

 I am taking care of my son so I won't have enough time online.  I feel so bad that he got sick again, he really wanted to go to school because they have a party today.  He already missed the Mardi Gras party last Tuesday so he is so heartbroken.  My poor little guy!

I hope you guys have a wonderful  Valentine's day Celebration.

Medieval Castle

Mr. Burrito was very happy that he received not only one package in the mail but two.  Thank you so much to the Dias Family for remembering our little man's special day.  This medieval castle is fun to pout together.  Everyone of  us helped , we haven't finish coloring the  walls yet but that would be something that we can do  on weekends.  We put it at the basement as it is a bit bigger to keep upstairs.

Ms. Burrito  was more interested with the castle than Mr. Burrito but he love the racing car  that he also received  from our dear friend all the way from Texas.

Birthday Gifts

This was taken  on our way to  Raccoon Creek  last Friday.  We decided to have a family picnic to pre-celebrate my birthday.

When we came home, I received another package from my very good  friend Dhemz.  Few days before that, I received  the first package  but am not sure if it came from her too since she didn't confirm it to me hehehe.  But thank you very much sis!