Whatever Happened to Pudding Pops?

I saw this book in a recent issue of Real Simple and thought it would make a fun Father's Day gift idea.

Here is the product description (from Amazon):

If you owe a couple cavities to Marathon candy bars, learned your adverbs from Schoolhouse Rock!, and can still imitate the slo-mo bionic running sound of The Six Million Dollar Man, this book is for you.

Whatever Happened to Pudding Pops? takes you back in time to the tastes, smells, and sounds of childhood in the '70s and '80s, when the Mystery Date board game didn't seem sexist, and exploding Pop Rocks was the epitome of candy science.

But what happened to the toys, tastes, and trends of our youth? Some vanished totally, like Freakies cereal. Some stayed around, but faded from the spotlight, like Sea-Monkeys and Shrinky Dinks. Some were yanked from the market, revised, and reintroduced...but you'll have to read the book to find out which ones.

So flip up the collar of that polo shirt and revisit with us the glory and the shame of those goofy decades only a native could love.

{love it!!}

Find Whatever Happened to Pudding Pops at Amazon for under $8.

Screen Printed Bicycle Pint Glasses

Two of my husband's favorite things are beer and bikes.  These Screen Printed Bicycle Pint Glasses (set of four, $31) from Vital Industries would make a perfect Father's Day gift for him and other guys that have the same passion for beer + bikes (not at the same time of course!).

Find more amazing screen printed products in Vital Industries Etsy shop, including these Turquoise Rocks Glasses ($20).

The Vintage Pearl for Father's Day {15% off}

The Vintage Pearl has some amazing gift ideas for Father's Day - check out the Ready-To-Ship selection here and the entire collection for Men here. 

Use the discount code welovedad for 15% off your order now through Thursday at midnight.

My favorite is the Riveted Keychain! 

Enter to win one of these great Dad gifts on their blog here.

I'll be back with more Father's Day gift ideas later this week.

Beach Sea Salt Scrub

Its time to treat someone to a blissful shower/bath with this lovely Beach Sea Salt Scrub.  For a few moments they will believe they are at the beach!  Ahhh. 

This unique salt scrub is creamy and moisturizing from the coconut oil, yet lightly exfoliating thanks to the sea salt. Raw Olive uses only pure, natural, food-grade ingredients.  And remember, exfoliation is the key to keeping our skin refreshed and renewed!

Beach Sea Salt Scrub ($15 plus $3.95 shipping) and many more body products can be found at Raw Olive's Etsy shop.

Fleur de Sel Caramels from The Caramel Jar

I'll take a box of caramels over chocolates any day!!  Mmm. 

These Fleur de Sel Caramels from The Caramel Jar on Etsy look so yummy that I want to order them for myself.  Well, I want to order a couple bags for friends and throw an extra bag in for myself ;) !

They would make a great Valentine gift for just about anyone you want to feel special on February 14th - friend, coworker, teachers, babysitter, carpool mom.  Oh, and caramels would make a fun thinking-of-you surprise for someone in your world. 

Priced at $9.50 for a half-pound bag (plus $5.65 shipping).  The Caramel Jar also offers larger amounts for Party Favors and a fabulous Caramel Clubs (yes, please!).

Books For Valentine's Day

Here are some fun books for Valentine's Day for everyone, young to old!

Snuggle Puppy by Sandra Boynton - $6.95

Day It Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond - $6.99

Valentine's Day Disaster by Geronimo Stilton - $6.99

What I Love About You by Kate Marshall and David Marshall - $11.19

I Hate Valentine's Day by Bennett Madison

MEpad from LobotoME

Ah, the start of a new year!  Turning the calendar means there is a chance to make things better and brighter in your life.  Lots of people, me included, use the new year to motivate ourselves to become more organized.  In the first two weeks of 2011 I've been busy organizing little areas of our house - the craft bins, the hat/scarf/glove basket, my computer area, etc.  But before I start these little organizing projects I find myself making lists of what I want to do.

I love to write things down.  Even in this age of electronic gadgets that can remind us in an instant of a task I find myself still writing down my to-do list.  And I love having my to-do list on fun, funky, and sometimes inspiring paper.  That is how I discovered MEpad.

MEpad is a cute note pad from LobotoME designed to look just like the screen of an iPad.  I laughed when I read the description: Who needs an iPad when you can have a MEpad. It's always connected, battery never runs out, and all you need is a lead stylus to use it.

The MEpad is a generous 5.5 x 8.5 note pad including 50 sheets and printed on white recycled paper.  Priced at $9.95.  Quantity discounts available when you purchase 3 ($26.95), 5 ($39.95), or 10 ($69.95) MEpads.

This note pad would make a great gift idea for someone who is wishing for an iPad.  Also a great gift for anyone who loves to jot down their lists to keep organized.

Check out LobotoME for the MEpad and lots of other fun note pads!

Everyday Mugs {from Crate and Barrel}

I want new crisp white mugs.  There I said it, and I feel a little better now. ;)

I realized during Christmas brunch that we have a hodge-podge of mugs and I'm ready to enter the grown-up world of having nice matching mugs for my guests.  I'm eying these Everyday Mugs by Crate and Barrel ($2.95 each).  They are not so big my kids can't enjoy a reasonably sized cup of hot chocolate on cold, snowy days.  And not too small like the mugs that came with our dishes (Pfaltzgraff dishes I bought in college, I can't believe we haven't needed to upgrade yet!).

I am not the only one wanting new, matching mugs!  Pair 2 (or 4 or 6 or 8) of these mugs with a yummy hot chocolate mix, or an assortment of teas, or their favorite coffee and you have a wonderful winter gift.

ETA:  My wonderful sister gave me a set of eight of these Everyday Mugs as a thank-you gift.  I love them!  We've used them for hot chocolate and coffee.  Big, big thanks again!!

2011 Modern Design Calendar

When a friend of mine (Sara) received this calendar from Lisa Samartino Atelier on Etsy I fell in love.  A beautiful calendar is sure to make 2011 a fabulous year! 

If you have someone with a January birthday or need to send a belated December gift then this would be perfect!

The Modern Design Calendar can be found here for $18 ($3 shipping) or you can purchase the pdf file for easy printing at home for $10.

Golf Ball Marker from The Rusted Chain

Over the summer while I was updating the labels on this gift blog I noticed how few ideas I have for men.  Men are just so difficult to buy for!!  And its reflected in my personal gift-giving as well so I've taken the challenge to find fun gift ideas for the guys.

The Rusted Chain has a great gift idea for the golfing men in your life - Get In The Hole golf ball marker! 

Priced at $19 (plus shipping) but use the Penguin's Gift exclusive discount code penguin20 for 20% off through November 30!

***Keep in mind everything from The Rusted Chain is created/stamped by hand. 

Order soon to ensure Christmas delivery!***

Location Signs and more {from Barn Owl Primitives}

In September I was doing some Etsy research on Halloween items and discovered Barn Owl Primitives.  There are lots of great Etsy stores but sometimes you just find yourself swooning over a certain store and their products.  That is how I felt about Barn Owl Primitives!  I went gaga for their Autumn sign that was featured on my Halloween Gifts post.  I hope to have one displayed on the mantle of my freshly painted family room next year!



Location Signs

Barn Owl Primitives School Location Signs ($30 plus shipping) caught my eye as well.  My BIL grew up in the town of his alma mater, most of his family still lives there, and he has a strong connection to the school.  He, like most of the men on my gift list, is very difficult when it comes to gift ideas.  So when I saw the Location Signs I knew it would be a perfect gift for him!  I let my SIL in on the gift idea and she already has a spot in his home office for it!!

This would also make a great graduation gift for all the December grads!

Location Sign

I also love the Location Signs that are customized by town and state ($30 plus shipping).  Again, this would be perfect for someone that is no longer living in their hometown or has a strong connection to a certain city.

Family Name Sign

These Family Name Signs ($45 plus shipping) would make a great family gift!  I love group, family gifts.  I can see one hanging in the foyer or the living room.  And of course over the mantle!

Family Rules Version III

Want to know which Barn Owl Primitives sign is on my Christmas list?  Its one of the Family Rules signs!  I'd love to hang it in my kitchen!!

Pop over to Barn Owl Primitives' Etsy shop and do some swooning of your own!  Be sure to 'like' them on Facebook so you won't miss out on any fun news!  

***Keep in mind all of these signs are handmade and take a few weeks to create.  Order soon to ensure Holiday delivery!***

Portland Beanie Company

Visor Beanie

I've told you about the Portland Beanie Company before.  Run, don't walk, to their Etsy shop and order one for each head in your house!  Yes, they make these great knit hats for adults too.  Then order a few more for baby gifts.

Flapper Beanie

And a few more for birthdays and the upcoming Holiday season.  All of their beanies are so stinkin' cute!

Newsgirl Beanie

You won't be disappointed! I was very impressed with my order last year.

Want to see beanies in action?  Check out my friend Ali's 365 blog where you can see her beautiful children wearing their Portland Beanie Company beanies!

Really Cute Stuff GIVEAWAY -- closed!

I was so happy to stumble upon Really Cute Stuff a few weeks ago.  Once I read their line 'Put the Fun Back into Hand Written Notes with Our Line of Custom Note Cards' I was hooked!  I've shared my love for note cards here before, especially personalized note cards, and I love an affordable gift idea.  These note cards can easily be customized with font and color of your choice.  For me, note cards are a no-fail gift idea.  From babies (so cute to see a new baby's name on stationary!) to small children to young adults to grownups, personalized note cards are perfect!

Really Cute Stuff has four different designs of note cards all sold in sets of 15, priced from $10-$15.

Signature $10 Note Cards

You can have lots of fun with the font and color choices on these cards!

The Color Collection
What a great selection of vivid complimenting colors to choose from.

Family Style Note Cards

Think outside the box with these. 

I love the suggestion of Teacher Cards with the name of the school in the background.  Also great for Summer Camp teachers as well as Swim Lesson teachers (name of pool in background).

Monogram Note Cards

(not yet pictured but available!)

A classic.  You can't go wrong with monograms!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today we kick off another great GIVEAWAY here at Penguin's Gift! Becky and Sally from Really Cute Stuff have generously offered my readers a chance to win one set of 15 super-cute note cards! If you are the lucky winner you can pick the personalized note cards set of your choice along with the color and font, all shipped directly to you from the lovely ladies at Really Cute Stuff.

You have 5 chances to WIN! Make sure to leave a SEPARATE comment for each entry, and leave your email address if it is not easily visible on your profile or blog.

1. Hop over to Really Cute Stuff and leave a comment on this post telling us which of the wonderful note cards are your favorite (remember, the monogram note cards are so new they haven't made it to the store yet!).

Bonus Entries:

2. 'Like' Really Cute Stuff on Facebook.
Already 'like' Really Cute Stuff on FB?  You are eligible too!

3. 'Like' Penguin's Gift on Facebook.
Already 'like' Penguin's Gift on FB?  You are eligible too!

4. Subscribe to Penguin's Gift via blog reader or email subscription.
Current subscribers are eligible also!

5. Post/Blog/Tweet about this giveaway on Facebook, your blog, or Twitter and post a link with your comment.

This giveaway will close on Tuesday, July 27th. Please leave all of your comments by 10:00 p.m. on that day.  Good luck!!

Mario Graphic T-Shirt

A birthday invitation arrived in the mail last week, yippee!  I'm not sure who was more excited - my children because they get to par-tay with one of their friends or me because I get to gift shop for the birthday boy!!  This little man *love* his Wii and I have had the pleasure of watching him play Super Mario Brothers (and he is really good)!  So off I went looking for gift ideas ...

I found this Mario Graphic T-Shirt on Eagle Eye Designs' Etsy shop.  You choose the color (white, blue, green, pink, or yellow) and the size of the t-shirt (toddler and youth sizes available).  Priced at just $15 (plus $3.95 shipping).  Perfect for the birthday boy!

I love the simple graphic outline, but if you wanted to jazz up this gift idea toss in a package of fabric markers.  The giftee can decorate his Mario and really personalize the t-shirt.

If I had discovered Eagle Eye Designs shop twelve years ago I would have ordered this Zelda t-shirt.  My dad, nephew, and I were HUGE Zelda fans!

Viva la Tour!!

The month of July is one of our favorite months, second only to December.  Not because of the scorching heat.  Not because of a fabulous family vacation.  Because its is the month of the Tour de France!  We watch the Tour coverage on Versus daily, multiple times on most days.  We wear lots of yellow during July and do lots of crafts that involve the color yellow.  And it all starts in two days - this Saturday!!

In honor of this epic race I thought I'd share some great cycling themed Etsy finds for any Tour fan on your gift list.

Bicycle Ride Print on Vintage Dictionary

from CrowBiz

$10 (plus $2 shipping)

Sterling Silver La Bicicletta Necklace

from Kenton Beadworks

$25 (free shipping)

Frank the Robot on a Bicycle Cards

from Naomi Cayne

$10 (plus $1.75 shipping)

Spokes mens/unisex t-shirt

from totalradness

$25 (plus 3.95 shipping)

Bicycle Zipper Pouch

from Cut Out and Collect

$10 (plus $2 shipping)

Yellow Bicycle

from adriantoddzilla

$3 (plus $2 shipping)

Eiffel Tower Crayons

from Blackbird Design House

$8.75 (plus $1.95 shipping)

Rent Mother Nature

The last month or so has been a frenzy of activity - preparing for my daughter's birthday party, two or three birthday parties each weekend, and end-of-school activities.  Now I find myself in an unpredictable summer schedule with two little girls that want to cram everything 'summer' into each afternoon.  I think we've had the pool or sprinkler out every day!

With all the craziness I overlooked Father's Day gift ideas.  Until I received an email from Rent Mother Nature (remember my other post about Rent Mother Nature here?).  The email featured their Pistachio Lease which like all of the leases is really fun and yummy.  Receive 3 or 1.5 pounds of pistachios from an Arizona farm this fall.  While you are waiting for your shipment you'll receive three progress reports and one picture (if you opt for it) of your tree and the harvest.  Also, your recipient will receive a personalized lease document and folder describing the gift.

Rent Mother Nature offers you a chance to support small, family farmers while you give a truly unique and tasty gift.  And enter code 35FD3110 in the 'discount' field when placing your order to receive 10% off.

Want more Father's Day gift ideas?  Let a comment or email me.  I'd love to gather more ideas if you are interested!

snackTAXI

Earlier this week I read Kimberly's Earth Day post at Tippy Toes and Tantrums. I've been meaning to buy reusable sandwich and snack bags but hadn't done the research myself. My husband has been using these sandwich keepers from Tupperware for almost two years and has been very happy with them. Yet I still used plastic for my kids occasional sandwiches during the week. And a little plastic snack baggie nearly every day.

Well, after going to Kimberly's link to snackTAXI I decided that now, Earth Week, is the best time to make the switch from using the little plastic bags daily. Two cute sandwich bags and two adorable snack bags are one their way to me very soon!

Use promotion code EDAY2010 to get 20% off your order (shipping rates are reasonable).

Give a gift to Mother Nature, go reusable!

Easter Fabric Basket - Green & Blue Zoo

End your search for the perfect boy Easter basket - here it is!

I love the colors and zoo theme of this fabric Easter basket from Baffin Bags Etsy shop. And the size is great too (6" x 8" and 6.5" tall, handle is 16" long), just enough room for some candy and a little Easter gift.

Find it at Baffin Bags Etsy shop for $18 (plus $3.50 shipping). While you are there check out the girly Easter basket as well - so cute! I have my eye on the Pink Crayon Roll N Go too.

Leather Credit Card Holder

In honor of MLB Spring Training and the games that begin this week I present to you the Lemon Ball's Legendary Brown Horween Chromexcel Leather Credit Card Holder. Find it here on etsy ($30 plus $5 shipping).

This credit card holder is designed for 5-7 cards and is the perfect match for a money clip. It has two finished edges that are hand stitched with a traditional baseball stitch. Then branded on the front with a very cool baseball image.

Great gift idea for the young guys as well as the old timers that dream of retiring in Florida or Arizona. Did you know my father played in the minor league for a short time? And you thought you knew everything about me ... :).

Find other great gift ideas at Lemon Ball's etsy shop, the LEATHER HEAD footballs are gorgeous!

Robot Friends Valentines

Just two weeks left to finalize your school Valentines!

Check out these super cute Robot Friends Valentines from PickledPumpkin's etsy shop. Set of 12 with envelopes for $5.50 (plus $1.50 shipping).