FATHERLY LOVE

Hey Daddio, it's nearly your day!

I am certainly one of the lucky ones.  My Dad is the best.  Everyone loves him - he's easy to be around, funny, a bit of a MacGuyver (click here for a refresher), and always puts family first.  I am the only daughter to my parents and fell perfectly into the role as "daddy's little girl."  Now that I am (almost) grown-up with my own family, I am tickled to have Dave be the rockstar Dad that he is to our two little girls.  To them, I am the appliance and he's the toy - adventurous and fun-loving.  Father's day is a great day for me to celebrate the awesome dads in my life including an amazing father-in-law and grandfather... lucky me, lucky me.

I came across this awesome ad from canadian club released for father's day a few years ago with fabulous vintage pics:

What to do for dad on father's day?  How about starting the day off with some Beer and Bacon Mancakes! I found this on pinterest, and although it gave me the dry heaves, there are a few men in my life that would think this is the cat's ass! 

Get the recipe here!
INGREDIENTS:

What to buy for Dad? Please no ties... that's so 1950's!  How about upping his cool factor with a new pair of shades? These Carrera's are awesome:

Buy at Holt Renfrew

If he's the outdoorsy, sporty type and doesn't own a GoPro, I suggest you grab one.  They are everywhere and so very easy to get last minute. Perfect for biking, surfing, snowboarding, skiing etc. Check out www.gopro.com.

If he's into vino, the Marquis on Davie Street has a regular updated list of 12 great wines under $20.00. Decisions made easy! And cheap enough that you can buy a few and not worry if you don't like one:)

I just read about the ManCakes (not the pancake kind) Bakery in the Vancouver Sun this morning. Really? That's some serious out of the box thinking! They have 10 unique flavoured cupcakes including Buffalo Wing, Rum and Coke and of course Bacon Chili Chocolate.  Order the Dad's with evolved cupcake taste buds a day or night 6 pack online.

  Here are a few greeting card selections from www.flauntshop.com to finish your gift off:

Here is Dave with our little monsters:

Leanne Liakos Photography

Happy Father's Day to all you guys that make a difference in the lives of children.

Shannon

MAMMA MIA - IT'S ALMOST MOTHER'S DAY!

Mother’s day is nearing... get ready for brunch and flowers.  At least that's what mother's day has always been in my family.  As long as mimosas are on the menu, most mom's (including myself) will take this lacklustre celebratory meal in style:).  But when it comes to gift giving, I suggest you opt for something a little less traditional than flowers.  Like:

Some Sid Dickens wall art from GiGi B on Granville Island:

or

Some Ethical Shoes. My mommy friends and I have fully jumped onto this comfort bandwagon. These are the only shoes (other than runners)that I haven't had to break in! With every pair you purchase TOMS gives a pair of new shoes to a child in need.  Pretty Cool!  Check out TOMS for their latest!

TOMS Corbet Wedge Sandal

or

Some macarons. Ces't bon non? In Vancouver Thomas Haas has the best ones! They are a perfect little treat.

or

A fabulous book like The Paris Wife from Chapters. The Paris Wife is a sweet love story about the relationship between Earnest Hemingway and Hadley Richardson - the first of Hemingway's four wives.  This book made me want to go back in time and experience Paris in the 1920's.

or

If you are opting for the "homemade" presents and are over the acceptable "make-a-present" age of 10, here's an easy and kinda hilarious idea that I found on pinterest.  

To make: you can either, print your picture on to sticker paper: Avery, or you can have a picture copied onto a transparency at a store like Kinkos slide it in to the soap and use the tip of the pump to place it against the side.

And of course, please please please don't forget the card! Mother's love them, really they do! All available at www.flauntshop.com

Here is a picture of my Mamma (Nana Joy) with my two little girls, Sydney and Brianna:

"The future destiny of a child is always the work of the mother."
Napoleon Bonaparte

Lots of Love to all you mothers out there, enjoy!

Shannon