Franken-jeep build-From smashed up, stock jeep to Off road body armor & 4 x 4 mods by Stanley "Dirt Monkey" Genadek

Franken-jeep build-From smashed up, stock jeep to Off road body armor & 4 x 4 mods
We take a smashed up, stock Jeep wrangler JKU and transform it with body armor and off road modifications. This is the FrankenJeep build. Heres the best prices on Some of my favorite Amazon tools: Dewalt concrete saw: https://amzn.to/2FsxsNE Fiskars axe: https://amzn.to/2DIsieP Gear wrench Speaker: https://amzn.to/2Lbhl6l Makita Power shaft Multitool: https://amzn.to/2DroIowShock strap: https://amzn.to/2KoEAth Milwaukee heated coat: https://amzn.to/2r164fr Buy 12 blades get a free concrete saw here: https://bladesdirect.net/dirtmonkey/ 10% off Kujo shoes here: http://www.kujoyardwear.com/?promo=10dirtmonkey Diablo Metal cutting blade: https://amzn.to/2Kan8bE ISO tunes http://ISOtunesAudio.com?rfsn=1826204.613aa5 Milwaukee tools Air Compressor https://amzn.to/2EfYCoP Winter equipment-Best cutting edge ever: http://winterequipment.com/shop/contractor/v-plow-system?referral=dm Igloo trailmate: https://amzn.to/2UBVYPW Ego snow blower: https://amzn.to/2C62ya4 Crescent wrench pass through socket set: https://amzn.to/2EjfLh8 Milwaukee packout: https://amzn.to/2EfXhy8 Striker trilight: https://amzn.to/2Pxehln Bosch impact set: https://amzn.to/2LdNb28 3m work tunes: https://amzn.to/2Ee9t2w Makita Chainsaw: https://amzn.to/2PyDEmU Dewalt mitre saw: https://amzn.to/2QMndrU DirtMonkey thermals https://shopdirtmonkeyu.secure-decoration.com/shop/view_product/WAFFLE-THERMAL?n=10620117 DirtMonkey hats https://www.dirtmonkeyu.com/p/Gear

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Get Ready With Me by Rachel Talbott

Get Ready With Me
Hey guys!! Thanks for being patient with uploads.. Things get extra crazy around this time of the year, so I usually take some time off to focus on spending time with family and fun activities revolving around the holidays!! I will be back on a more consistent schedule with uploads in the new year.. today I'm getting ready and wanted to do an ode to some of my old school videos. Hope you enjoy! Items Mentioned: Jade Roller: https://bit.ly/2Sv5p1Y Pacifica Multi-Mineral BB Cream: https://amzn.to/2CIvd5q Lorac Eyeshadow Palette: http://bit.ly/2BQiU5s Thrive Brilliant Eye Brightener: https://bit.ly/2CHbqmJ Brow Stylist Kabuki Blender: https://amzn.to/2R5bBBd Kevin Auction Concealer: https://amzn.to/2GLqOCD IT Superhero Mascara: https://amzn.to/2VlAVS7 Lorac Contour Palette: https://amzn.to/2AnEb6H Nars Blush Orgasm: https://amzn.to/2R37rtM Trestique Lip Stick: https://amzn.to/2AnHeeQ Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray: https://amzn.to/2RovNxh ♥MY WEBSITE: http://www.racheltalbott.com ♥MY SHOP: http://www.PacificThyme.com/ ♥TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/racheltalbott ♥INSTAGRAM: http://followgram.me/racheltalbott ♥MY PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/racheltalbott/ ♥MUSIC CHANNEL: http://www.youtube.com/user/SingingProudAndLoud ♥VLOG CHANNEL: http://www.youtube.com/user/RachelTalbott ♥HUBBYS COOKING CHANNEL: http://www.youtube.com/ByronTalbott ♥FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/rachel.talbott ♥MAILING ADDRESS: 18653 Ventura Blvd., #655, Tarzana, CA 91356 * DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed are true &my own. I link affiliate links to make it easier for you to find the exact products I mention.....and... I LOVE YOU!!!! =) Thank you for supporting what I do!! ♥♥♥ THIS IS NOT A SPONSORED VIDEO

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How the Pro's sharpen a chainsaw by Stanley "Dirt Monkey" Genadek

How the Pro's sharpen a chainsaw
How to sharpen a chainsaw with a hand file. And also with an electric bench grinder. The we cover what is a raker, gullet, depth guide and tooth. Heres the best prices on Some of my favorite Amazon tools: Dewalt concrete saw: https://amzn.to/2FsxsNE Fiskars axe: https://amzn.to/2DIsieP Gear wrench Speaker: https://amzn.to/2Lbhl6l Makita Power shaft Multitool: https://amzn.to/2DroIowShock strap: https://amzn.to/2KoEAth Milwaukee heated coat: https://amzn.to/2r164fr Buy 12 blades get a free concrete saw here: https://bladesdirect.net/dirtmonkey/ 10% off Kujo shoes here: http://www.kujoyardwear.com/?promo=10dirtmonkey Diablo Metal cutting blade: https://amzn.to/2Kan8bE ISO tunes http://ISOtunesAudio.com?rfsn=1826204.613aa5 Milwaukee tools Air Compressor https://amzn.to/2EfYCoP Winter equipment-Best cutting edge ever: http://winterequipment.com/shop/contractor/v-plow-system?referral=dm Igloo trailmate: https://amzn.to/2UBVYPW Ego snow blower: https://amzn.to/2C62ya4 Crescent wrench pass through socket set: https://amzn.to/2EjfLh8 Milwaukee packout: https://amzn.to/2EfXhy8 Striker trilight: https://amzn.to/2Pxehln Bosch impact set: https://amzn.to/2LdNb28 3m work tunes: https://amzn.to/2Ee9t2w Makita Chainsaw: https://amzn.to/2PyDEmU Dewalt mitre saw: https://amzn.to/2QMndrU DirtMonkey thermals https://shopdirtmonkeyu.secure-decoration.com/shop/view_product/WAFFLE-THERMAL?n=10620117 DirtMonkey hats https://www.dirtmonkeyu.com/p/Gear

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The Top 10 Houses of 2018

Hello, Friends! Hard to believe another year is coming to a close, and that I’m wrapping up my 11th year of blogging here at Hoed on Houses (what? how?!). This whole thing began when I made a New Year’s Resolution in 2008 to start a blog and write about something “just for fun.” I was […]

The post The Top 10 Houses of 2018 appeared first on Hooked on Houses.

by hookedonhouses via Home And Garden

Your Guide to 2019 at Disneyland

If you’re thinking of planning a trip to Disneyland next year, you probably have a lot of questions.
Will it be busy? Will it be expensive? When will Star Wars Land open?
Lucky for you, we have the answers to all of these questions and more.

2019 at Disneyland is going to be a year unlike any other. Because of this, there are quite a few things to know before planning your trip. Knowing these things (including tips and tricks) will help you decide when and how to book your 2019 Disneyland vacation.
First things first, whenever we talk about Disneyland, we recommend booking with Get Away Today.
They are THE Disneyland experts. We honestly use them for OUR OWN family’s trips! (I’ve booked Disney World/Land trips and Mexico as well with them!)
Not only have they been partnered with Disneyland for 29 years, but they always guarantee the very best prices. Plus, they also have award winning customer service! We wouldn’t trust anyone else with our Disneyland vacation. When you’re ready to book, use our link HERE and
remember to use promo code: HowDoesShe to save the most on your vacation. (PLUS: some fun bonuses!)

Now, to answer your questions…

Will Disneyland be busy next year?

Yes. Disneyland will likely be busier the second half of the year. However, Disneyland is popular year round and there are fewer down times than in previous years. With that said, there are now more ways to save time than ever before.

You can always use the Fastpass system for free, or you can upgrade to the MaxPass system which is $10 per person per day. MaxPass allows you to make Fastpass reservations from your phone. You can also use Mobile Ordering for free, which lets you order food directly from your phone through the free Disneyland app. You can use this free service at more than 20 fan favorite quick service restaurants throughout the Disneyland Resort. Both of these features can save you tons of time waiting in lines. Additionally, all 3-day and longer Disneyland tickets come with one Magic Morning that allows you get into Disneyland an hour early on select days. Or, as a perk of staying at one of the Disneyland hotels, you can get into Disneyland or Disney California Adventure Park an hour early every day. Even without a Magic Morning early entry, getting to the parks early will always give you a head start on your day.

Will Disneyland be expensive in 2019?

While Disneyland is never a cheap experience, there are some crazy good deals for 2019. In fact, if you travel January 7 – May 23, 2019 (excluding blockout dates of April 14 – 22, 2019), you’ll save around $80 per person over annual park pricing HERE! Depending on your ticket type, when you book with Get Away Today, you’ll save up to $86 per person. It is the LOWEST we’ve seen Disneyland ticket prices in years. In addition to saving the most on your Disneyland tickets, you can also save on your hotel when you book with Get Away Today. You can save up to 25% at the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort on select dates during that same travel period. Get Away Today also has exclusive deals at many of the area hotels, like Extra Night Free Specials, free breakfast, waived or reduced parking, and more. You’ll want to check out all of their Disneyland specials online, or you can call their agents at 855-GET-AWAY. Just be sure to let them know How Does She sent you either way.

If you’re not able to visit in the Spring, there are still some good deals to be found. If we look at past years, Disneyland raises their prices in January or February. It’s highly likely that Disneyland will raise prices early in 2019. But, if you book your 2019 Disneyland vacation now, you’re essentially buying next year’s vacation at 2018 prices. And if you don’t have the cash to pay for it all up front, you can hold your entire vacation from $125 down with Get Away Today’s flexible Layaway Plan.

When will Star Wars Land open at Disneyland?

This is probably the #1 question that EVERYONE has been asking about 2019 at Disneyland. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will officially open in Disneyland in summer 2019. An exact date hasn’t been announced, but rumors have been swirling. Will it be early summer? Mid-summer? Late summer? If you want to be super safe, shoot towards August. Although it’s highly likely that it will be open before then. If you want to know exactly when Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will be opening, follow our partner Get Away Today on their Facebook page. They will announce the opening date as soon as it is released.

Is there anything else I should know about 2019 at Disneyland?

Yes! 2019 at Disneyland will bring more seasonal celebrations and festivals than ever before. That’s great news because it means there will likely be something going on no matter when you visit. Here is a quick breakdown of the festivals and when they’ll be happening:

Get Your Ears On: A Mickey and Minnie Celebration:
This celebration begins in January 2019 with new and returning entertainment, merchandise and food items. Mickey’s Mix Magic is an all-new nighttime show beginning on January 18, 2019. Mickey’s Soundsational Parade will return and will be kicking off on January 25, 2019 with new floats. There is currently no end date for Get Your Ears On.

 

Valentine’s Month:
This is another all new event that celebrates the love of Mickey and Minnie from January 22 – February 18, 2019. You can expect specialty food and beverage items, photo opportunities and can take part in a special interactive scavenger hunt.

Lunar New Year:
From January 25 – February 17, 2019 you can celebrate the Year of the Pig in Disney California Adventure Park. Mulan and Mushu will make special appearances during the day and night in
limited time entertainment options. You’ll also be able to try Asian inspired cuisine from the Lunar New Year Marketplaces and seasonal menu items from Paradise Garden Grill.

Disney California Adventure Park Food and Wine Festival:
2019 will be the festival’s biggest year yet with eight full weeks of taste testing fun from March 1 – April 23, 2019. You’;ll find California inspired foods and beverages at the Marketplace, celebrity chef demonstrations and even interactive cooking.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge:
Summer in 2019 is going to be “out of this world.” Although we can’t confirm more than “summer” for an opening date, we do know that there will be two major attractions, a
completely immersive atmosphere and Oga’s Cantina. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and “Star Wars”: Rise of the Resistance will be two of the most immersive attractions in one of the most
innovative lands ever created.

Halloween Time:
Official dates for this celebration will likely be released in June, but you can count on Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort returning mid-September. The festivities will continue through
Halloween night. You’ll find Halloween décor, attractions, treats and more, all included with your regular ticket admission. Mickey’s Halloween Party is a private ticketed event that is held on select nights during Halloween Time. Party nights normally begin late September and continue through Halloween. These parties are incredibly popular and will sell out. If you’re thinking about attending, you’ll want to get your tickets as soon as they’re released.

Holidays at the Disneyland Resort:
The Happiest Place on Earth transforms into the Merriest Place on Earth around the second week in November. The holidays continue through the first week in January. Haunted Mansion Holiday, It’s a small world Holiday and other popular attractions can be found during the holidays. In 2019, you can also expect the return of seasonal entertainment like the
“Believe… in Holiday Magic” fireworks and A Christmas Fantasy Parade at Disneyland. 2019 will also likely bring back the increasingly popular Festival of the Holidays at Disney California Adventure Park.

So there you have it! 2019 at Disneyland is going to be an incredible year at the Disneyland Resort.
Whether you want to visit in the Spring and save hundreds, or hold out until Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is open, it’s going to be a truly magical year to be at Disneyland. You can book your 2019 Disneyland vacation at getawaytoday.com. Or you can call any of their reservation agents at 855-GET-AWAY. Their travel experts have toured all of the area hotels and love giving their first-hand experience to help you book your vacation. Be sure to use promo code: HowDoesShe when booking to save more money that you can use for Disneyland churros.

The post Your Guide to 2019 at Disneyland appeared first on How Does She.

by Andrea via Home And Garden

Testing a Cat 299D2 skid loader in Deep snow by Stanley "Dirt Monkey" Genadek

Testing a Cat 299D2 skid loader in Deep snow
Caterpillar 299D2 is one of Cats biggest, heaviest skid loaders. so How will it handle deep, heavy snow? We are going to test that today... Heres the best prices on Some of my favorite Amazon tools: Dewalt concrete saw: https://amzn.to/2FsxsNE Fiskars axe: https://amzn.to/2DIsieP Gear wrench Speaker: https://amzn.to/2Lbhl6l Makita Power shaft Multitool: https://amzn.to/2DroIowShock strap: https://amzn.to/2KoEAth Milwaukee heated coat: https://amzn.to/2r164fr Buy 12 blades get a free concrete saw here: https://bladesdirect.net/dirtmonkey/ 10% off Kujo shoes here: http://www.kujoyardwear.com/?promo=10dirtmonkey Diablo Metal cutting blade: https://amzn.to/2Kan8bE ISO tunes http://ISOtunesAudio.com?rfsn=1826204.613aa5 Milwaukee tools Air Compressor https://amzn.to/2EfYCoP Winter equipment-Best cutting edge ever: http://winterequipment.com/shop/contractor/v-plow-system?referral=dm Igloo trailmate: https://amzn.to/2UBVYPW Ego snow blower: https://amzn.to/2C62ya4 Crescent wrench pass through socket set: https://amzn.to/2EjfLh8 Milwaukee packout: https://amzn.to/2EfXhy8 Striker trilight: https://amzn.to/2Pxehln Bosch impact set: https://amzn.to/2LdNb28 3m work tunes: https://amzn.to/2Ee9t2w Makita Chainsaw: https://amzn.to/2PyDEmU Dewalt mitre saw: https://amzn.to/2QMndrU DirtMonkey thermals https://shopdirtmonkeyu.secure-decoration.com/shop/view_product/WAFFLE-THERMAL?n=10620117 DirtMonkey hats https://www.dirtmonkeyu.com/p/Gear.

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*Thank you to Minted for sponsoring this post. Sometimes a simple thank you is all a person needs.

A lot of work and sentiment goes into the holidays and so many times, we tear into those gifts and then forget that the very best gift in return is gratitude.

Teaching children to say thank you is tantamount. It teaches them that gratitude is important and that nothing comes without a personal sacrifice, large or small. So whether it was Grandma spending hours to crochet a new sweater or a sweet little cousin spending her own money on a gift, sometimes the greatest gift in return is actually two words: Thank you.

Why a Simple Thank You Goes a Long Way

The past few weeks have been a flurry of classroom projects and parties, last-minute runs to the store for a forgotten gift or a container of frosting for gingerbread houses. One particular day I spent my entire waking hours doing “stuff” for my kids. I packed lunches, ran them to school, drove to the store to get my oldest daughter three “favorite things” gifts for a party, then drove back to the school to cheer my youngest daughter on at a classroom performance. By then it was noon and time to drive my little guy to preschool, after which I ran back home and baked up a batch of donuts, wiping the flour off my shirt just in time to go grab everyone from school and whisk them away to parties and practices.

During all of this, the thought crossed my mind, My kids have no idea what I’m actually doing for them.

That night as I flopped onto my bed, I felt something underneath my back. It was a card. A simple card with the words “Thank You” on it.

I felt all of my frustration dissipate as I read the sweet words of a six-year-old. Thank you for being my mom. You are a great mom. You are the best mom. Love, Piper.

Sometimes one tiny thank-you is all you need.

Help Your Kids Say Thank You

Help your kids say thanks to all the important people in their lives with Minted Kids’ Thank Y0u Cards. They are so adorable and great to always have on hand. I like to stock up on thank you cards so that my kids always have a chance to say thanks.

They’re great for showing gratitude after birthdays, holidays, dance recitals, or for any reason really.

All Minted Kids’ Thank You Cards are designed by real people like you and me. That’s what makes Minted so unique and it’s products so special.

Take a second to browse all the designs because they are gorgeous! I love this Emoji Thank You design and my kids do too. In fact, they ask to write thank you notes because the cards are so fun.

The best part is that you can customize all Minted Kids’ Thank You Cards by adding names and special messages from your child.

Minted will even add beautiful printed addresses on your envelopes for free (limited time).

There’s Always a Reason To Say Thanks

When you think about it, there’s always a reason to say thanks. And there are so many people to give thanks to. Parents, grandparents, teachers, friends—people in our children’s lives that give them time, patience, and love.

Teaching kids to say thank you early and often is just one way we can shape a better society. Because the very best gift of all is the gift of gratitude.

The post Why a Simple Thank You Goes a Long Way appeared first on How Does She.

by Nicolette via Home And Garden

Trying to film a Last minute guide on the best tools for gifts- we get kicked out of fleet farm by Stanley "Dirt Monkey" Genadek

Trying to film a Last minute guide on the best tools for gifts- we get kicked out of fleet farm
We were going to show you guys the best tools, gear & Equipment to pick up for last minute Christmas presents-but we got kicked out of Fleet farm. So we went to Tractor supply instead and found out they have tons of awesome stuff!! By the way- this is the most Franky has ever spoken in any video.... Heres the best prices on Some of my favorite Amazon tools: Dewalt concrete saw: https://amzn.to/2FsxsNE Fiskars axe: https://amzn.to/2DIsieP Gear wrench Speaker: https://amzn.to/2Lbhl6l Makita Power shaft Multitool: https://amzn.to/2DroIowShock strap: https://amzn.to/2KoEAth Milwaukee heated coat: https://amzn.to/2r164fr Buy 12 blades get a free concrete saw here: https://bladesdirect.net/dirtmonkey/ 10% off Kujo shoes here: http://www.kujoyardwear.com/?promo=10dirtmonkey Diablo Metal cutting blade: https://amzn.to/2Kan8bE ISO tunes http://ISOtunesAudio.com?rfsn=1826204.613aa5 Milwaukee tools Air Compressor https://amzn.to/2EfYCoP Winter equipment-Best cutting edge ever: http://winterequipment.com/shop/contractor/v-plow-system?referral=dm Igloo trailmate: https://amzn.to/2UBVYPW Ego snow blower: https://amzn.to/2C62ya4 Crescent wrench pass through socket set: https://amzn.to/2EjfLh8 Milwaukee packout: https://amzn.to/2EfXhy8 Striker trilight: https://amzn.to/2Pxehln Bosch impact set: https://amzn.to/2LdNb28 3m work tunes: https://amzn.to/2Ee9t2w Makita Chainsaw: https://amzn.to/2PyDEmU Dewalt mitre saw: https://amzn.to/2QMndrU DirtMonkey thermals https://shopdirtmonkeyu.secure-decoration.com/shop/view_product/WAFFLE-THERMAL?n=10620117 DirtMonkey hats https://www.dirtmonkeyu.com/p/Gear

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Bobcat mower -Testing it in Tall grass by Stanley "Dirt Monkey" Genadek

Bobcat mower -Testing it in Tall grass
Mowing tall grass, short grass and everything in between with a bobcat mower and seeing how the build quality stands up to the competition. In the coming 9 part series we break the major mower companies up into 3 categories. Heavy duty, Medium duty and light medium duty. This bobcat mower review was put into the light medium duty category for this test along with hustler and husqvarna. The cut quality was good but there are a few major red flags that need to be known before you buy one for yourself. You'll see that in todays video. Heres the best prices on some of my favorite Amazon tools: Dewalt concrete saw: https://amzn.to/2FsxsNE Fiskars axe: https://amzn.to/2DIsieP Makita Power shaft Multitool: https://amzn.to/2DroIowShock strap: https://amzn.to/2KoEAth Milwaukee heated coat: https://amzn.to/2r164fr Buy 12 blades get a free concrete saw here: https://bladesdirect.net/dirtmonkey/ 10% off Kujo shoes here: http://www.kujoyardwear.com/?promo=10dirtmonkey Diablo Metal cutting blade: https://amzn.to/2Kan8bE ISO tunes http://ISOtunesAudio.com?rfsn=1826204.613aa5 Winter equipment-Best cutting edge ever: http://winterequipment.com/shop/contractor/v-plow-system?referral=dm

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Sema 2018- Best cars, trucks and heavily modified vehicles at the show by Stanley "Dirt Monkey" Genadek

Sema 2018- Best cars, trucks and heavily modified vehicles at the show
This is the wild and crazy collection. The Best rat rods, best hot rods, heavily modified cars, off road trucks, street rods, tow trucks -even a golf cart! Go check out gearwrench.com Heres the best prices on Some of my favorite Amazon tools: Dewalt concrete saw: https://amzn.to/2FsxsNE Fiskars axe: https://amzn.to/2DIsieP Gear wrench Speaker: https://amzn.to/2Lbhl6l Makita Power shaft Multitool: https://amzn.to/2DroIowShock strap: https://amzn.to/2KoEAth Milwaukee heated coat: https://amzn.to/2r164fr Buy 12 blades get a free concrete saw here: https://bladesdirect.net/dirtmonkey/ 10% off Kujo shoes here: http://www.kujoyardwear.com/?promo=10dirtmonkey Diablo Metal cutting blade: https://amzn.to/2Kan8bE ISO tunes http://ISOtunesAudio.com?rfsn=1826204.613aa5 Milwaukee tools Air Compressor https://amzn.to/2EfYCoP Winter equipment-Best cutting edge ever: http://winterequipment.com/shop/contractor/v-plow-system?referral=dm Igloo trailmate: https://amzn.to/2UBVYPW Ego snow blower: https://amzn.to/2C62ya4 Crescent wrench pass through socket set: https://amzn.to/2EjfLh8 Milwaukee packout: https://amzn.to/2EfXhy8 Striker trilight: https://amzn.to/2Pxehln Bosch impact set: https://amzn.to/2LdNb28 3m work tunes: https://amzn.to/2Ee9t2w Makita Chainsaw: https://amzn.to/2PyDEmU Dewalt mitre saw: https://amzn.to/2QMndrU DirtMonkey thermals https://shopdirtmonkeyu.secure-decoration.com/shop/view_product/WAFFLE-THERMAL?n=10620117 DirtMonkey hats https://www.dirtmonkeyu.com/p/Gear

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6 Unique Gift Ideas That I’m Swooning Over

*A big thanks to Minted for sponsoring this post. Happy gifting everyone!

There’s something very special about the gifting process. It starts with a thought. As you think about the people you love and care about, you also think about what they like, what would make them happy, and how you can be a part of that happiness. What can I give them that will bring joy?

To inspire your thought process, here are some really great gifts that are sure to be a hit.

6 Unique Gift Ideas

Personalize a big milestone

Is someone in your life celebrating a big anniversary, birthday, or other important milestone? Commemorate it in a special way with a unique photo gift.

I especially fell in love with this gorgeous 40 Wall Art Print from Minted. My parents-in-law are celebrating 40 years of marriage this year and this is just perfect.

You can find all kinds of unique photo prints, including big milestone years like 5, 18, and 80 in the Minted photo gift center.

Capture quotes (quote journal)

One of my very favorite possessions is my kids quote journal. (Read about how one works here.)

Basically it’s a simple journal that parents, grandparents, and teachers can keep to capture all of the memorable things kids say. Quote journals make the best teacher gifts!

The thing I love about all Minted products, personalized notebooks included, is that they are designed by unique artists from all over. Check out all the gorgeous notebook designs available.

I can only imagine the things an elementary school teacher hears in the course of a day. How cool would it be for a teacher to jot down a quote or two a day and then be able to look back on them over the years.

Accessories for the chef and sous chef

For the cooking and baking lovers on your list, you can never go wrong with kitchen accessories. My absolute favorite? These uniquely designed aprons and oven mitts for adults and kids from Minted.

I mean, come on. These cute, pint-sized bakers are ready to make cookies!

All designed by independent artists, these personalized aprons make the sweetest gift.

Check them out! You can even personalize them with a free custom embossed tag.

Children’s aprons and oven mitts

Adult aprons and oven mitts

Mom’s favorite gift

Every year, there’s only one thing my mom ask for for Christmas and that is a photo calendar. I love them too.

It’s so fun to look at each month and anticipate the next. This way our month is family-focused.

Get a FREE Calendar!

Minted has so many beautiful calendar styles and options to make your calendar a work of art. And right now, you can get a FREE Minted calendar when you save 10 personal occasions, like birthdays or anniversaries. It’s so easy!

Just start creating your calendar here, add in at least ten personal occasions, and you’ll get a code for a completely free calendar!

Adorbs Tees

For your cool casual pals (big and little), opt for a unique t-shirt. I had no idea that Minted had t-shirts! They are all created. by individual designers and are like no other tees you’ll find anywhere else.

Minted has t-shirts for:

• women
• men
• babies,
• girls
• and boys and each one is so fun and cool!

The kids’ tees are my favorite!

Gifts for those fancy parties

If someone on your list likes to entertain, Minted has a lot of fun options like dinner napkins and cocktail napkins.

These come in a set of 6 and are truly lovely and great quality.

They are perfect for parties and gatherings and wash well after each use.

A few other good ideas for the hostess/girlfriend/sister is personalized stationary, Catch-All Pouch Sets from Minted, and my personal favorite…these insanely cute personalized stockings. I’m dying over them!

***

Good gifting starts with a thought and ends with much more. No matter what you give, if it’s given with love and thought, that gift will be remembered long after the wrapping paper comes off.

The post 6 Unique Gift Ideas That I’m Swooning Over appeared first on How Does She.

by Nicolette via Home And Garden

Find Your Inner Minimalist

There is something incredibly peaceful about spending time in a minimalist space. You’re not distracted by mess or clutter or projects begging to be worked on. However, there’s something incredibly difficult about creating a minimalist space, especially when you live with a family. Today let’s discuss how you can find your inner minimalist… even with kids in your life.

What is Minimalism?

Minimalism is the conscious pursuit of a more meaningful life through owning fewer material possessions. It can also include simplifying all aspects of your life. I like to think of it as carving away everything unnecessary so all that remains is what you truly need to be happy. More than just decluttering or a simple shift in physical environment, true minimalism is a lifestyle change. And it looks different for every person.

Benefits of Minimalism

Although minimalism will be different for every person, some of the benefits are universal. When you adopt a more minimalist lifestyle, you will notice you have more time and energy.

You will be more free to pursue your highest goals and your mind will be more clear and less distracted. Removing clutter from your home, your mind, and your life will leave you room to strengthen your relationships.

Picture having one book on your bedside table that you could focus on and enjoy, rather than a stack of 20 half-read volumes.

As you pare down your belongings, you will be more content and grateful for what you have and you will find yourself comparing less. Your goal will be to live a fuller life with less and not expend so much energy working for, purchasing, cleaning, and caring for stuff. So, you won’t be jealous of a neighbor who is achieving different goals.

You will save money because the less you consciously have, the less you will want to purchase.

I’ll write about this in more depth another time but what got me started in this process was a budget shortfall. We didn’t have as much money in the bank as I’d thought and I had to remove a much-desired home improvement project from our schedule. I was bummed but decided to make the most of it by reading up on less expensive ways to improve our home.

Then I stumbled across a book by Peter Walsh about financial minimalism and that sent me down a rabbit hole of reading and discovery. I’ll give you a list of my favorite books at the bottom of this post.

My first AHA! items were water bottles. Our kids were using several water bottles each week, leaving them stashed all over the house and never able to find one when they needed it.

So, I gathered up all the water bottles, stuck them in an out-of-reach spot and left one for each person in the usual cupboard. (I wasn’t ready to get rid of the extras outright and that’s okay. I’ll get there.) Now when someone needs a water bottle, we check the cupboard. If it’s not there, they have to retrace their steps and figure out where they left it. I guess the next step is developing routines to help us all keep better track of our stuff.

This was a big shift for me, deciding to keep the number of water bottles we ACTUALLY needed, rather than the number we COULD and WERE CURRENTLY using. This has been a big stress reliever for me!

What to Minimize

You can apply minimalism to any area of your life, anywhere you want more clarity and focus. Start with your possessions but this will lead you to other things.

You can minimize your schedule, your home improvement projects (do you really need new molding?), your screen time, your multi-tasking, your DVR schedule, your holiday traditions.

One of the most freeing things I minimized was my list of hobbies. I have always been interested in everything. I want to be a great musician and writer and jewelry maker and artist and seamstress and yarn crafter and dancer and and… Every single hobby comes with stuff, boxes of stuff.

The main problem is, every time I see a box of supplies from a long-forgotten hobby, I feel a pull, a tug of guilt. “Why don’t you use me anymore? You should be making jewelry. What a waste!” It zaps energy and brings down my mood.

So, I asked myself, “Which hobbies do I actually want to pursue right now?” And I let go of the rest. If I ever decide to take up cross-stitching again, there’s a craft store down the road I can hit up anytime.

Customize Your Minimalism

Do you love reading books? Do you spend a ton of quality time with your family and friends playing board games? You don’t have to give away all of your books or games. I have several shelves full of books, enough to make a dedicated minimalist gasp in horror. But I love books and reading. They are a huge part of our family culture.

I minimized my collection by getting rid of duplicates and books that we no longer enjoy or plan to read again. Then I gathered all of our favorite books and placed them on a shelf in a central area so we will actually use them. And now I think longer and harder each time I consider purchasing a new book.

Keep the things that matter most to you, that bring you joy, and get rid of the rest.

Start Small

The easiest way to start your minimalist journey is to start. And start with something easy and visible. Choose a space you use often but that won’t be emotionally or mentally draining to declutter.

I started with my kitchen garden window. This space was filled with pitchers, dishes, keepsakes, crafts, and a random assortment of other junk. I spend a ton of time here, washing dishes and preparing food. And it stresses me out. There are always crumbs because it’s hard to clean under and around a bunch of clutter. Also, clutter attracts clutter. So, if my family didn’t know where to put something, the garden window of doom became a bit of a dumping ground.

I started by removing everything and I only put back items that I needed to keep there or that made the space beautiful. I love that space now and it inspires me every time I look at it.

This is a long process. It may take years for me to find the perfect balance. In the meantime, there’s something magical about having a couple of clear spaces I can look at when I’m feeling overwhelmed by this massive undertaking.

What could you minimize today to add a little more peace to your life?

The More of Less by Joshua Becker

Lighten Up by Peter Walsh

Stuffocation: Why We’ve Had Enough of Stuff and Need Experience More Than Ever by James Wallman

 

Need a little extra help getting organized for the new year? Check out these other great ideas:

5 Reasons Death Cleaning is the Latest and Greatest Way To Live Your Life

8 Pioneer Lifestyles You Can Adopt To Be Happier and Healthier

What a Highly Efficient Organized House Looks Like

The post Find Your Inner Minimalist appeared first on How Does She.

by Kathryn Thompson via Home And Garden