DADS & GRADS!

Hey there, I know I have been on hiatus with blogging!  We have been busy designing new cards and I was away in Marrakech and Barcelona for a while.  Tough life I lead!

Here's Dave and I at an event in Barcelona:

And riding camels in Morocco.  I have always wanted to ride a camel in the African dessert (definite bucket-list item), but the dessert was a 10 hour drive from where we were staying.  So I figured, until next time at least I am on a camel in Africa.  It doesn't matter that it was a road side tourist trap, does it?

Now, enough about me, let's talk DADS!

FOR THE CAR-LOVING DAD:  I found these the other day and if I get off my arse and get organized, this would be an amazing present for Dave.  I always think that I should be doing something to preserve my kids artwork at the various ages.  This is a stellar way to do so:

You can submit your  Your Child's Artwork and Metalmorphis will shrink it down and transfer it to a Fine Silver Keychain.....Made to Order.  Sweet!

FOR THE OFFICE DAD:  Here is a great usable, recyclable, inexpensive and personal idea from the master, Martha Stewart.  Personalize a cube of sticky notes and tie it with a pen and ribbon.  MS says to rubber band the cube while the kids draw on it so that the papers don't lift up.  Any office supply store would have these cubes on hand.

FOR THE GRILLIN' DAD:  Perfect for your "man of steel" and kind of hilarious!  Available online at Paper Source.

FOR THE ATHLETIC DAD:  Also available from Paper Source is this super awesome dining table ping pong set.  I already ordered one up for Dave (only really because I want it myself!).  I love that it comes with 70's wrist bands!

FOR THE SWEET-TOOTHED DAD:  Celebrate Father's Day with these edible treats!  Amazing!  Recipe and directions here.

FOR EVERY DAD:  I'll admit that handmade cards from the kiddies are the best, but for the grown-ups, send a Flaunt card to your Daddio.  We have lots, here are my faves.

Dad, You're King!  $5.95

Happy Father's Day Fishing Buddies  $5.95

Now, lets talk GRADS!

It's time to celebrate those dedicated nerds in our lives.  I was once one, but sadly didn't attend my commencement.  Instead I opted for a 7 month backpacking trip.  Oops, don't think my parents have ever forgiven me for that one:)

Other than cashola, grads can be very easy to find gifts for.  Just treat it like a birthday or opt for something more momentous like these dandy ideas!

A Little Dr. Suess is always a good call.  Regardless of age, this one is a keeper and should be in every household library.  Available everywhere or a Chapters.

For that graduation party - these are simple and awesome.  Lil' Luna provides all the how to's right here.

For the Lady Grad, I love this bracelet from Etsy.

This would be a cheeky gift for a close friend or family member.  Very clever are those Shirt Dudes!

And voila, the perfect grad card:

Happy Graduation Smarty Pants!  $5.95

Enjoy!

Shannon

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