Dad Archives - Strength and Sunshine

Aren’t guys the hardest to shop for!? Girls are so easy, get them anything cute, pretty, clothes, make-up, scarves, etc. But when it comes to the brothers, dads, boyfriends, grandfathers, it gets hard. Guys are boring, girls are way more fun to shop and get gifts for! But don’t fret! I’ve put together a quick gift guide to give you some ideas for the men in your life! And if you still are stuck, just make them food. Really, everyone likes to get food as a present. So whip up some spiced nuts or granola and be done!

These gift ideas are not only for the holiday season! They can be used all year and for any occasion. I tried to find affordable and more pricey items, as well as something for everyone.

1. iPad Foosball Table

2. Double Wall Gel Freezer Mugs

3. Table Top Mini Basketball Game

4. Herschel Supply Co. Men’s Roy Wallet

5. Neff Men’s Fold Beanie

6. Timberland Men’s Knit Touchscreen Gloves

7. Man Crates

8. Jawbone JAMBOX Wireless Bluetooth Speaker

9. Merino Wool V-Neck Sweater

10. The Mug With A Hoop

11. Golfers BBQ Set

12. Sony Headphones

However, the men in my life are going to be the lucky recipients of homemade gifts (as usual), made by the thrifty DIY-er I turn into during Christmas time 😉 They love because they never know what to expect 😉 My brother and I have this weird running joke about “rip-off” calendars (the daily kind). I think he got me one two years in a row, way back, and for some reason whenever we put our presents under the tree for each other, we always joke that what’s inside is a “rip-off” calendar. I have no idea why…it just stuck in our memories. My brother and I have some really weird things we remember and laugh about! (P.S. I love “rip-off” calendars and always get one every year! It’s the only type of calendar I use. I am religious about it!)

So tell me:

+ Do you find it hard to shop for guys?

+ Do you use “rip-off” calendars? Haha, the one year my brother got one, he made it to February and then never moved past that date 😛

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This post is going up in the morning obviously, but please cross you fingers and pray to the nature gods that it will not rain today! I go in to school normal time today for a “pre-grad” breakfast, getting our gowns, and then the long grueling graduation practice. We will practice outside once and then practice once inside in case there is rain tonight. But if it rains during the day, we won’t even be able to practice outside to begin with. I am pretty sure this bad luck is stemming from the fact that it’s Friday the 13th. O the ironies. But we have to stay positive right? The only plus o having it inside is that I won’t trip and fall walking down the huge hill to my seat. And everything goes a bit quicker. But if it is inside, there are limited seats and only my Mom, Dad, and Jimmy can come. My grandparents won’t, which they were planning on doing.

After grad practice, we go home and then have to come back I around 5:30 I think since the ceremony starts at 7. I just hope I don’t fall asleep before I get my diploma! I have been going to bed at 8:30 the last few nights, and it has been glorious! 😉 I just can’t wait for tonight though! I will officially be a grad by 9 o’clock tonight! This day is going to be so surreal. I really do not feel like I should be graduating? Wasn’t I just a freshman?!

Now moving on to my 20th FTSF! FTSF(Finish The Sentence Friday) is that you are given a sentence each week and you finish it however you want, long or short. This week’s sentence was, “Dear Dad…”

Dear Dad, I don’t get to see you much anymore, we don’t talk much either. Even though our relationship isn’t as great as it could be, that will never change the fact that you are my dad and will always be my dad. I will always love you and always be there for you. You are my big teddy bear when I need a hug. You are my protection with you strength. You always make me laugh even when you annoy me 😉 You carry me when I break my toe on the beach. You go on a cray 19 mile bike ride in the heat of June with me. You go on random car rides with me to take photos for school. You drive 16 hours to a dance competition and then back the next day all by yourself. You’ve held me in your arms and cried. You will one day walk me down the aisle, our arms linked, a symbol that we will always be there for each other. I love you daddy. I hope you are proud of me and that I can always be your little girl.

SS Posts from the week:

Monday: Power Monday #48 The Do’s And Don’t To Having A Great Birthday

Tuesday: Kushyfoot And Skoop Superfood {Giveaway}

Wednesday: Vegan Pepperoni White Bean Pizza

Thursday: The Tumultuous Journey

Blog Posts and Links I loved this week:

Life, Mind, Body, Spirit:

+ Worry Less Live More

Worrying all the time is simple just not worth it.

+ Why “I Am Beautiful” Is A Problematic Statement For My 3-Year-Old

A great lesson learned from the perspective of the young innocent mind.

+ What Is A “Real Woman?”

Really great post! What defines a “real woman”?

+ A Thank You To Our Bodies

Embrace what you do have!

+ Lessons To Learn From Children

They have the right idea 😉 Why can’t we all keep this care-free attitude? We had it one time, so let’s channel it again.

+ 32 (Or The Long Overdue Life Update)

Where Gina is right now and her post-bacc years.

+ When Your Hobby Becomes Your Career

I think this was my favorite post all week. It was really thought-provoking for me and got me thinking about that yoga training…

+ Why The Dying Patients Are My Favorite

Wow. Would you be able to do this?

+ Size 14 Women Are The Happiest

Very interesting on how culture and our own self-esteem can dictate this and what “happiness” means.

+ I Want To See Real

I want to see real too!

+ 5 Tips On Living A Happier And More Positive Life!

Katie always knows how to make herself glow!

+ In-Person Vs. Online Relationships

Wow, wow, wow! Must read!

+ The Mom I Want To Be

Are you the mom you want to be? Are you present in your child’s life?

+ Is Less Really More?

For somethings more is better than less!

+ Starting Out

On taking that leap of faith in the real adult world.

+ How To More Past Resistance + Make Things Happen

Ever find yourself resisting and delaying getting things done?

Fitness:

+ The Power Of Privates

Expanding your practice one on one with a teacher.

+ 11 Easy Ways To Break Into The Yoga World Once You’ve Been Certified

A little help for the newly certified.

+ Crossfit Transforms More Than The Physical

An amazing story!

+ How To Buy New Running Shoes

In the market for a new pair of kicks? This can help!

+ 4 Advantages Of Dumbbell Exercises And Why You Should Use Them (And 3 Disadvantages)

Are you a dumbbell junkie? Yes. But I also use my barbell and only really use my kettlebell for swings.

Food:

+ Stop Comparing Your Food Choices To Other People’s

You should only be focused on what works for you and what your body needs. You don’t truly know how anyone else eats all the time either.

+ 10 Food Rules For A Leaner Body & Glowing Skin

These are some great “rules” to implement! Don’t worry, no diets and restriction here!

+ How To Meal Plan Without Losing Your Mind

Gabby breaks it down so you won’t break down!

+ Eating For Freedom: Why I’m No Longer Vegan

Why the choice was just no longer working for Heather.

+ 7 Foods You’ve Likely Never Thought To Add To A Smoothie

Lentils? Hm, I’m game!

+ 17 Incredible Things You Didn’t Know About Whole Foods

My future palace! We will be together again, very very soon!

Health:

+ You Get Stronger

Ditching the shoulds and getting real about wellness.

Blogging & Social Media:

+ Dear New Blogger

A letter to a new blogger after 5 successful years of blogging.

+ I’m Not A “Perfect Blogger” And That’s Okay!

We don’t need to be perfect. We are normal people too, just like you. With real lives, feelings, and everyday struggles.

+ Blogger Confession: Why I Work For Free

Okay, so this might be my other top favorite post this week! Read it!

Fashion & Beauty:

+ What To Try: LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics

Some of these look really great! I’ve never tried LUSH, but I may just have to!

Favorite Pins:

(Follow me on Pinterest – RebeccaGF666)

Sprouted Saffron & Basil Hummus. Now this is some fancy bean spread 😉

Millet and Carrot Veggie Burger. Yummy! Full of goodness and perfect for Summer cook-outs!

Quinoa-Chia Freezer Bars. These look like so much fun! I loved puffed grains!

Chunky Classic Fig Newton’s. Michelle said she would be posting this recipe this week and I could not wait! These look so fabulous! I always had a weird things with Fig Newton’s. Sometimes I liked them as a kid, other times I hated them. But that was many many moons ago!

Vegan Caprese Sandwiches with Garlic Cashew Cheese. All you need now is some gluten-free bread and your good to go!

PB&J Medjool Date Smoothie. Really simple, but this is really calling me to make it!

Gluten Free & Vegan Spinach Tortillas. Now I can make my own! (But I will always have a thing for Rudi’s!)

Take It Anywhere Tabata Workout. And a fun workout to balance it all out 😉

A few things I loved about my week or am grateful for:

+ I can’t end this post with out a another tribute to my Daddy. Father’s Day is on Sunday and since I won’t be posting again until Monday, this only seems fitting. My mom found this picture last week on my birthday and I absolutely fell in love with it. I am only a few days old here. Already bonding with my daddy 18 years ago, forever his little girl. I love you Daddy <3 XOXO

+ Summer has officially begun. Really. Now it is time to make the most out of every single day until I leave for DC!

+ With Summer now in full swing, that means I don’t have to pre-write all my blog posts a week in advance! I can to same day blogging and actually talk about my life! Woohoo! I have so many ideas, recipes, things, and stories to share with you! Thanks to my handy multiple notebooks and Google Docs, I can remember all this stuff to share!

+ I think I may have found a yoga studio to do training at this fall down in DC! I am going to contact them this weekend and them maybe set up a meeting when I go down for my college orientation at the end of June! I will keep you updated!

So tell me:

+ Was your graduation inside or outside? Was it due to rain? My brother’s was outside and it was good (and so hot! I got sunburn of course!) But I was able to get a video with my camera of him receiving his diploma! Last year the kids had graduation inside due to rain. It looked really cramped in the main gym. A sea of people. They also set up the auditorium with a live-stream for the extra family member who can’t fit in the gym bleachers.

+ Doing anything special for Father’s Day?

+ What are you most looking forward to this Summer? Outdoor yoga practices, reading time, cooking time, savoring my last few weeks in NJ with my family! O and hopefully good warm weather…

See you Monday with a graduation recap…hopefully! XOXO Have a great weekend!