The Ultimate Father's Day Gift Guide

Father's Day is June 20! There's still time to step up your gift giving game for your dad this year. Ties and socks are presents of the past! Choose something he will appreciate and love.

For the Dad Who Loves to Grill 

The Wildwood Grilling Grill Master Collection ($25) is a unique gift for The Grill Master. The Master in your home knows selecting the wood the food is grilled on is just as important as choosing spices. This collection features five different wood planks including Northwest Adler and Western Red Cedar and two varieties of smoking chips - Cherry and Hickory.

For the Metro Man

We all know a man who prefers to keep his nails well manicured and loves the services of a modern day barber. Treat your dad to a close, smooth shave in between barber visits with the Gentleman Jon Complete Wet Shave Kit ($55). This gift includes a safety razor with 5 Astra SP razor blades, Badger Hair Shave Brush, The Famous Gentleman John Alum Block (great for razor burn!), sandalwood shave soap, and a stainless steal shave bowl.

Have a dad who rocks a beard like mine? Consider the Men's Manicure Set (8-pieces, $22) or the Beard Care Comb & Scissor Set ($12) from Pete and Pedro. 

For Dads Who Brunch

You can all brunch at home this Father's Day after you gift him with the Personalized Bloody Mary Crate from Man Crates ($89). The kit includes two 10.5 oz. personalized Collins glasses (pick from 6 designs and his initials or name to be etched right on the glasses!), Bacon Rimshot, pepperoni straws, and Demiti's Classic Seasoning, Chilies and Peppers Seasoning, and Extra Horseradish Seasoning, and six 5.5 oz. cans of Clamato tomato juice. No need for gift wrap! Items arrive in a sealed wooden crate with a laser-etched crow bar. Just add vodka and veggies! 

For the Outdoorsman 

This StagPack Personalized Camping Pack ($95) comes with a sleeping bag with travel sleeve, a compact multi-compartment utility bag, orange carabiner knife, a portable camping stool, a 12-bulb LED lantern, a waterproof poncho with drawstring closure, a mini knife, a safety whistle, and a paracord survival bracelet that features a fire starter and compass. All items come in a gift sturdy gift box decorated with an accent strap (choose a box and strap color) and include a message card with item descriptions. Add a custom message which will be printed inside the bottom flap of the message card and submit a custom image to for the box lid and message card cover (all including the in price)! The company also offers free shipping and all gift pack items are securely fastening to the gift box to ensure the best presentation.

For the Introverted, Intellectual Father

A jigsaw puzzle is a great gift for a dad who enjoys his alone and quiet time. Bring on the calm while exercising the mind with the 500-piece Clearly Impossible Jigsaw Puzzle ($59.99). This 'extreme' puzzle is made more challenging than regular puzzles with clear acrylic pieces, pieces with multiple false edges and corners, and no backing to help determine the top and bottom. It makes the perfect project for your dad during his quiet time! 

For Gearhead Guy

The Omega Creeper Toolbox ($82) was made specifically for our favorite gearheads! It's steel frame construction, extra thick seat cushion, oil resistant casters, three drawer toolbox, and front and back tool trays is a perfect for a day of dad tinkering in the garage. 

10 Questions to Mark 1 Year of the Pandemic

 

// ONE // What was life like in early 2020?

Twenty twenty was really like any other year except we had a trip to Greece planned for March.

// TWO // What was the biggest change?

I mostly stayed home from work for 2.5 months despite working in healthcare. It was very strange having that much free time as an adult, but I loved it! I didn't love making dinner every night.

// THREE // What were your coping mechanisms?

I'm an introvert by nature so staying home with my husband and dog wasn't terrible for me. Binging TV shows and reading kept me busy. However, now a year on, I'm really ready to travel and my patience is wearing thin.

// FOUR // What did connection in your relationships look like?

My connections look about the same as they did pre-COVID/pre-quarantine. I live in a different state from my family so not much changed on that front, and I was used to not being able to spend time with them. Text remained our main form of communication, but we did hook up using the Houseparty app and exchanged letters and books. And I've actually been to Pennsylvania twice in the last year!

// FIVE // What will you remember most?

Feeling like I was living in a disaster movie, actually having COVID in October 2020 (and giving it to my husband), spending days home with my dog, and SLEEPING IN!

// SIX // What was the biggest challenge?

Working in healthcare has been the biggest challenge and continues to be the biggest challenge. Having to educate patients on why they need to wear masks (over mouth and nose!) and getting push back has been one of my least favorite things I've ever had to do in my job (luckily this has gotten better since the election ended). We've always had to manage not only physical, but also the mental health of patients, and the mental component has really heightened in these times. I think I'm finally starting to feel the burn out. I am so, so thankful to my coworkers for keeping me going.

// SEVEN // What was a beautiful memory?

Spending extra time with my aging pet. Visiting Pennsylvania twice to see my family. I had a lot of fun there over the summer and we were able to spend so much quality with my family and friends!

// EIGHT // What do you believe now that you didn't one year ago?

I don't think my outlook and beliefs have really changed at all in the last year. Here's what I continue to know: (1) Travel and exploration is a very, very large part of who I am. (2) If people are given an opportunity to act a fool they will. (3) Surround yourself with people who make you laugh and make you happy. (4) Nature doesn't do it for me. I like to visit museums and cities and the like.

// NINE // What would you do differently?

I wish I wouldn't have gotten COVID. We had a patient with COVID come in and then I took my mask off around my coworkers. That was a bad decision.

// TEN // What will you carry forward?

Take it one day at time. Things are constantly changing. Life is not going to go back to 'normal' any time soon. If you need a break, take a break. Mental health is important. Oh, and don't be a douche. 

CHRISTMAS TWENTY TWENTY

 wear·y

/ˈwirē/

Learn to pronounce

adjective

adjective: weary; comparative adjective: wearier; superlative adjective: weariest

1. feeling or showing tiredness, especially as a result of excessive exertion or lack of sleep.

Similar:

tired, drained, worn out, exhausted

fatigued, overtired, low, debilitated

shattered, sapped, tired out

I thought this was an amazing message for this Christmas. What a weary world we are living in right now! Many of us have seen or experienced more stress, tension, and suffering in the last year than ever before. When Jesus was born under less than ideal circumstances two thousand years ago He was born into a weary world, a weary world where many were experiencing similar tribulations to what we are experiencing today. The trials and suffering the world is experiencing now are real, just the way the trials and suffering faced back then were real. Two thousands years ago there was a thrill of hope in the midst of weariness. That hopefulness was in the birth of Jesus Christ. We can still hold on to that hopefulness in our world today. Every new day with Christ brings the hope to keep going. Rejoice in the love and promises of Jesus this Christmas! 

From O Holy Night:

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees; O hear the Angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born

Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His Gospel is Peace

And in His name, all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us Praise His Holy name

Christ is the Lord; O praise His name forever!

 

Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

Ashley

Pooch Presents for Under $10

As you all may know by reading this blog, I have a very loved spoiled little guy in our house. 

Scout is our11-year-old ten pound bichon/poodle mix only child. Of course he would be included in our Christmas celebration! We actually wrap his presents and place them under the tree. He usually can sniff them out and then he'll tear into the wrapping with his feet and teeth to get it open. It's so much fun to watch!

Here are some gifts hand picked by me with love for your furry friends and family members.

//1// Collapsible food and water dishes. These are amazing! We take them wherever we take Scout. They are easy to set up and put away, and super convenient for travel! ($7.99)

//2// Balls. Balls are Scout's all time favorite toy. He goes nuts for them! Pick a ball that is right for your dog based on the material it's made of and the size. ($2.29)

//3// Bow Tie. Make sure you pooch looks festive this Christmas! ($4.49 for the two pack)

//4// Toys. Get your fur baby his or her favorite toy. Scout's a big chewer so Kong chew toys are perfect for him!

//5// Grooming tools. Whether big, small, hypoallergenic, or shedders all dogs can use a little pampering and grooming. 

//6// Reflective Collar. It's the perfect gift for this time of year - it gets darker earlier. Have your pooch sport this for your after work walks. Help him stay safe! ($6.49)

Dogs, dogs, dogs!

I love being a dog mom and I've loved sharing the tips and tricks I've come across and that have been helpful in raising Scout over the past eleven years!

Enjoy these posts from the past! 

Half Bath Mini Makeover

A while back I posted about a Bathroom Upgrade on a Budget and since then have been thinking about updating my half bath. I'd never really given our half bath much thought even though it though it's on the first floor and used by guests. 

I never really thought of a concept and it was time to pay it some attention. I really had no idea how I wanted to decorate so I started scrolling through Photowall. At first I thought I wanted to continue the travel theme and blue/gray palette from the other rooms on the main floor, but I eventually came across a vibrant lemon poster that ended up as the jumping off point. I knew it would work with some decor I already had, and as we keep the dog's food in that room and it's off the kitchen, I felt it would give the bathroom a fresh, clean vibe. 

It's really amazing how I was able to either repurpose items I already had or pull out items that I wasn't currently using. I found two white shelves in the basement that I had purchased years ago (only needed one for this project), a crystal-like Eiffel Tower that Nick brought me back from Paris, faux grass I bought at a garage sale earlier this year (again, had two, only needed one), and purple flowers from my 35th birthday party. I kept the yellow bathmat and wooden sign that were already in the room. New additions included a soap dispenser and hand towel from Bed, Bath, and Beyond and a new candle (scent: lemon grass) from this Etsy shop.

I could not find a 28"x20" white poster frame anywhere, so I ended up purchasing a black one from Joann's because it was deeply discounted and shipping was free. I picked up some white, matte spray paint. Gotta love spray paint - it bonds to plastic!

Before we get to the Before & After photos, let me just fan girl about Photowall for a sec. I was so excited when Emily contacted me to work with the company. I had just seriously started looking for new stuff for the half bath; it was almost as if she read my mind! All of Photowall's products are manufactured and Sweden and shipped worldwide. I got my product via DHL in a matter of just days (I think 2-3) after placing my order and it was perfectly packaged, arrived safe, and in perfect condition (and shipping is FREE!). Also, I have never seen a home décor company with so many choices. Whatever your aesthetic, you'll find something. I was blown away by the quality of the poster I received. I thought I was going to get your average, thick poster paper poster, but the poster feels more like a canvas or fabric. It's super high quality! Photowall offers canvases, wallpaper, and posters of all sizes! 

When I showed my husband the finished product he said, "lemony fresh!" without any prompting. #nailedit

Now on to the photos...

BEFORE

AFTER

All my lovely readers and followers are getting 25% off! Follow this link, shop, and use code: acuteangleblog25 at checkout!

Thanks, Photowall!

In related news... we upgraded our dishwasher!

Fall Family Fun

Nick and I visited Ed Dunneback & Girls Farm this weekend for some Fall fun and to support a fundraiser for West Michigan Human Society.

This weekend the farm was allowing dogs for a $5 fee which goes directly to our local Human Society. I really love when we're able to take Scout with us so I was very excited!

The farm features U-Pick apples and pumpkins, a sunflower patch, and a corn maze this time of year.

It was cold (in the 40s) and rainy - so typical October weather in Michigan. We picked out two pumpkins, enjoyed some lunch, wandered around the market, and helped Scout make some new friends!

The real draw of this place is the 'farm market.' They offer an extensive lunch menu, donuts, cider, shakes, pizza, and locally crafted beers and wines. Pre-picked fruit, local honey, jams, and other gift items are also available for purchase in the market barn. There is also a small, outdoor play area for the kiddos.

What do you like to do in the Fall with your family?