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Let Them Eat Cake Pops

Queen Darlene - May 26, 2016 - Anniversary, Baby Shower, Birthday, Business, Christmas, Congratulations, Father's Day, Graduation, Housewarming, Kids, Mother's Day, Retirement, Teacher Gifts

In our family, cake has always been the go-to dessert for celebrations, either homemade or bakery bought. But now I’ve discovered a new fun dessert – Cake Pops!

Cake Pops are a one-bite-size cake balls on a stick. They are soooo creatively cute and perfect for birthdays, graduations, holidays, baby and bridal showers, Mother’s Day, retirements and more.

I brought Cake Pops to a birthday and retirement party and they were a big hit with everyone! Lays’ best-known slogan “Betcha Can’t Eat Just One” is certainly true for cake balls!

You can order Cake Pops in different flavors and have them decorated in pretty much any colors, shapes and themes to make beautiful edible gifts!

Cake Pops Gift Ideas:

Flowers – Mom
Favorite Sports Team Colors – Gift for Him
Apples – Teachers
Rattles, Babies – Baby Showers
Graduation Hat – Graduate
Super Heroes, Elmo, Ninja Turtle, Mickey Mouse – Kids
Snowman, Reindeer – Christmas Party, Business Gifts
Bunnies – Easter
Mummies – Halloween

“Swing Into Retirement” Gift Ideas

Queen Darlene - May 19, 2016 - Congratulations, Retirement

I have had two co-workers retire within weeks of each other. One is a huge fan of the New York Yankees, and the other enjoys playing golf.

Because these men like the swing of a baseball bat or a golf club, I’ve named this gift idea “Swing into Retirement.”

John loves his Yankees and for his gift his co-workers ordered an original New York Yankees Louisville Slugger bat with his name engraved on it. They also got him a wooden baseball bat holder so he can display the bat on his wall.

Each employee signed the bat with a black Sharpie. Afterwards, the bat was sprayed with a thin layer of clear lacquer paint to preserve the signatures.

He also received a pair of tickets to see the New York Yankees play the Texas Rangers.

Bluapple Keeps Produce Fresher 3X Longer

Queen Darlene - May 13, 2016 - $20 or Less, Birthday, Christmas, Gifts for Me, Housewarming

Wish I could have saved all the money wasted on throwing out my fruits and vegetables that went bad before I could eat them. I’m sure you know exactly what I’m talking about.

Bluapple is here to “save the day” or should I say “weeks” of extending the life of your produce.

This amazing product absorbs ethylene gas that causes produce to over ripen.

I remember hearing something about ethylene gas in my high school science class. I probably thought it was something I would never need to know. Was I wrong!

The Bluapple is easy peasy to use. Just place the golf ball size Blueapple in your Crisper to keep your fruits and vegetables fresher three times longer!

Graduation Gift for Your Parents

Queen Darlene - May 5, 2016 - $20 or Less, Graduation, Teacher Gifts, Thank You

Graduation is all about the graduate. The celebrations, gifts and parties. Yet, we all know the graduate didn’t arrive at graduation without lots of support.

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Click to enlarge

Graduates, this post is for you.

You will receive accolades, compliments, praise, and many gifts. But have you thought about gifts for the people who helped you along the way?

This is the time to “pay back” those who have seen you through to your graduation such as your parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings and teachers.

Want to know what is the best graduation gift that is so simple and will forever be a keepsake? A heartfelt letter of appreciation.

To present your handwritten letter of appreciation as a gift, place it in a picture frame where it can easily be seen. Continue Reading

Customizable Room Wall Decals

Queen Darlene - April 28, 2016 - $20 or Less, Anniversary, Birthday, Christmas, Kids

I love seeing beautiful quotes written on walls that inspire fun, laughter, warmth or a simple Ahhh feeling.

At first, I thought they were professionally painted but learned they are removable wall decals.

Wall decals (also called wall stickers) are a quick way to enhance a room whether it’s in someone’s home or office.

Peel and stick wall decals will adhere to any clean, smooth surface including mirrors, doors and cabinetry. They’re easy peasy to apply, look hand-painted, and leave no mess.

Even more amazing is the wall lettering will not damage walls or leave residue and can be easily removed.

I selected several wall decals at a craft store and gave them as gifts. There are so many designs and varieties you can find one to match every personality, interest or occasion.

If you can’t find what you want, you can always order custom wall decals through websites like Etsy.com. There may be a quote or saying that is unique to your friendship or family. Continue Reading

Glamour Shots Fairy Tale Portraits

Queen Darlene - April 21, 2016 - Birthday, Christmas, Experiences, Kids

Growing up my brothers and I played dressed up. Don’t tell the world but many times they would allow me to dress them up as the sisters I never had!

We loved playing dress up and make believe.

One of my favorite memories was when I played a princess and my brothers were warriors defending my kingdom, protecting me with their swords and riding through the pretend forest on their stick horses.

Sadly, I do not have a single photo of that memory.

What to my surprise, Glamour Shots offers Fairy Tale Portraits! Kids from ages one to 12 dress up in flowing fairy dresses and woodland warrior costumes. Continue Reading

Wet brush-pro Detangle Hair Brush

Queen Darlene - April 14, 2016 - $20 or Less, Birthday, Christmas, Kids, Mother's Day, Teacher Gifts

Sometimes we come across a beauty product that works miracles so we want to share it with everyone! The Wet brush-pro Detangle Hair Brush is such a gift!

I have collected lots of hair brushes over the years. Round ones, big square ones, small ones, brushes with bristles and others with rubber tips.

A brush is a brush is a brush you say. Well… not always.

I only use my Wet brush-pro Detangle Hair Brush to untangle my wet hair. I love how it feels going through my hair so much that I’ve purchased several to give to family and friends.

It works fabulously for my friend who no longer struggles with her daughter’s thick, long curly hair.

Finally, there’s no more fighting and her daughter loves for her hair to be brushed. It’s a miracle brush! Continue Reading

Unique & Awesome Museum Gifts

Queen Darlene - April 7, 2016 - Anniversary, Birthday, Business, Christmas, Father's Day, Mother's Day, Teacher Gifts, Valentine's Day

Ever wonder where you can go to find unique and awesome gifts? Try a museum gift shop.

Don’t have a local museum? No worries! Shop online from many of the world’s most famous museums like The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York or The Louvre in Paris.

Discover hundreds of unique gifts and art reproductions, including jewelry, sculpture, apparel, wall art, stationery, toys and more.

You’ll find plenty of gifts to choose from available in any price range.

One of my favorite gift shops is The National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. The gifts are unlike anything else I’ve ever seen and more affordable than you might think.

I recently purchased a beautiful $25 velvet bag for my sister-in-law to use as a small purse or make-up bag. The embroidered design motif of a peacock feather is based on a color stencil print by Maurice Pillard Verneuil (French, 1869 to 1942). I was certain she didn’t have anything like it. Continue Reading

“Press Here” Book | New York Times Bestseller for Kids

Queen Darlene - March 31, 2016 - $20 or Less, Birthday, Christmas, Kids

Looking for a children’s book that is interactive as well as entertaining? We all know reading to kids is a good thing and will boost children’s learning potential, especially between the ages of two and five.

“Press Here” by Hervé Tullet is a picture book like no other. Talk about a fun experience!

With a touch of a finger, you press the yellow dot on the cover of the book and the make believe begins!

The reader follows the simple instructions to press various dots and perform varied tasks (blow on the dot, shake the pages, clap 1-2-3 times) on each shiny white page.

The tasks set in motion the “action” of the dot by changing colors, multiplying, scattering across a two-page spread and so much more!

Customized Word Art Canvas | Retirement Gift

Queen Darlene - March 24, 2016 - Business, Retirement

Congratulations! Enjoy Retirement! Happy Retiree! Words of celebration but it’s the same old words and cliche. It’s so much more meaningful to say words that personalize the retiree’s working life!

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Custom Word Art Canvas

My co-worker and friend, John, retired this year. He’s a wonderful leader, well respected, and possesses an incredibly funny deadpan and dry sense of humor that we all love!

For his retirement gift, I searched Pinterest for ideas and put together some words and phrases that describe his years and accomplishments with our agency. I also included a few of his personal sayings that he is known for around the office.

The words were placed on a wrapped canvas and presented to John at an all-agency meeting.

This style of canvas art is sometimes referred to as personalized or customized word art, subway sign, or typography art.