Father's Day Gift Ideas 2014

When it comes to gifts, women are so much easier to buy for as there's always something cute or quirky that they'll like. With men, it gets a little bit more tricky... As Father's Day is approaching, I thought I'd gather together a few ideas and hopefully you'll find something here suitable for the 15th of June.

Personalised Drinking Flask* 

I received this from Treat Republic, a fantastic site to visit if you're looking for anything unique or personalised. You can even get your dad's name put onto the front but I opted to just have "DAD" on there. It's sturdy and great for use outdoors. If your dad loves gardening, get him one of these so he can keep his tea/coffee warm.

Veggie Sharpener & Peeler*

Some men love being creative in the kitchen so if your dad is one of those men then get him something that others don't have. This is also from Treat Republic and it's such a unique item. Looks like a pencil sharpener but much bigger! There is a peeler on the back (pretty much the same as a standard potato peeler) and then a sharpener at the front where you can create interesting slices of carrots to garnish over salads or simply sharpen your vegetables.

Image from gettingpersonal.co.uk

Sharpener Desk Tidy

Continuing with the giant sharpener theme, this would make a great gift if he works in an office. Who wants a boring pencil pot when they can have something a bit more impressive like this? It would certainly make his desk more interesting to work at and it makes a great talking point too.

Image from biscuiteers.com

Personalised Classic Car Show Biscuit Tin

Got a dad who loves cars? If you can't afford to get him a brand new car then this is the next best thing. It's delicious and looks amazing. Biscuiteers are known for making the most beautifully designed biscuits and these will be sure to impress on Father's Day. I often find myself scrolling through their website just to get some inspiration when icing my own biscuits. They look too good to eat sometimes!

Image from Red5.com

101 Things To Do Before You Die

A lot of people are compiling bucket lists these days so if your dad is someone who is itching to try something new and get out there then this is the perfect book to kickstart a few ideas. It's never too late to find that adventurous streak.

Image from Prezzybox.com

Chocolate Golf Balls

If in doubt then go for chocolate, that's unless he absolutely hates chocolate in which case don't go for chocolate... No shame in opting for a box of Quality Street but I always prefer something a bit different. These golf ball chocolates would be especially wonderful for any sporty dads.

What do you think of these gift ideas?

Are you all sorted for Father's Day?

Sleepover For One

Who says you can't have a fun night on your own? I decided that some "me-time" was long overdue so, the other night, I had a little DVD night all by myself just before bed!

I don't like staying still and I usually struggle to watch films unless I'm at the cinema, where it's not socially acceptable to just casually stroll around in the middle of a movie. At home though, there is no one to stop me. I remember I watched the first two Harry Potter movies at the cinema and that was fine, but I watched the third one on DVD..... and I left the room after 15 minutes and never went back in. That may seem strange to some of you but I just really can't sit still unless I'm consciously doing something such as eating, typing, or something that involves conscious movement. Yep, it's all a little bit odd....

Anyway, armed with an uplifting DVD, mixed nuts, and yoghurt coated fruit, I tucked myself into bed and watched Hairspray. I love this movie and I'd love to see it in the West End. I'm a massive fan of musicals and they're usually really good at cheering me up.  

It was strangely relaxing watching a movie in the comfort of my own bed alone. I also managed to get through the entire movie without leaving my bed! Hurrah!!! I reckon the snacks probably helped. Healthy eating flies straight out of the window when movies are involved. Totally worth it though.

Do you prefer watching movies at home or at the cinema?

Review: MyChelle Dermaceuticals Pure Harmony

I love discovering skincare brands that are good for sensitive skin. You'd be surprised at how difficult it can be to find products that don't irritate my skin. I've even had so-called "sensitive skin products" cause me grief. 

A couple of months ago, I was sent two products from MyChelle, a skincare brand originating all the way from Colorado. They aim to use the best natural products to create the most effective products out there. The MyChelle products are split into several ranges designed for different types of skin. The Pure Harmony range is specifically designed for sensitive skin so I had high hopes when the products arrived in the post. I believe that this is also one of their newer ranges.

The first product I tested out was the Pure Harmony Cleanser*, a gentle cleanser which hydrates the skin. One of the first things that I noticed was how small the bottle was, you get 61ml of product for £10.50 which is a little bit on the pricey side. 

This cleanser has a press top which ensures that no product spills out of it. The bottle is very sturdy, perhaps a little too sturdy...... I found it quite difficult to squeeze the product out, which isn't ideal when my hands are already really slippery in the shower. 

Luckily, it kind of redeemed itself because the formula is so gentle on my skin and it didn't cause any irritation. My skin was left feeling very clean and soft. I really love this product but unless the bottle is changed, I'm not sure whether I'd make a purchase or not. Getting stressed in the shower first thing in the morning because I can't get my cleanser out of the bottle isn't an ideal start to the day.... 

The second product I used was the Pure Harmony Serum*, an antioxidant-rich serum which claims to reduce the signs of aging. I was expecting a clear solution but it was actually an orange colour so I was a little worried that my face might look a bit orange from it but it dries completely clear. The texture is too sticky for my liking and it made my skin feel a bit sticky too. It didn't cause any irritation but I felt like it took away from the softness and plumpness that I usually have in my face. So at £33 for a 30ml bottle, I'll have to give this one a miss. 

Do you use any MyChelle products?

Hello, June!

Let's start off by throwing out the cliché of "the last month went by so fast!" because, honestly, it really does feel like it flew by. We're in the 6th month of 2014 already! I won't start going on about how fast the year is going....

I don't normally write these start-of-the-month posts but when I took this photo earlier, I decided to do an impromptu post! 

The weather is gorgeous where I am today and I'd be outside chilling in the garden right this minute if it wasn't for all the pollen that was flying around. I looked out of the window earlier and it was practically snowing pollen! It's everywhere. It's like they're coming after me because they know how bad my hayfever can get. 

I'm not the biggest fan of summer because of hayfever, humidity, hotness, and anything else beginning with the letter 'h'. I guess it's nice not to be plunged into darkness so early on in the evening though, and I love just staring up at the blue sky. Oh the simple things... June is also the month where it's nice and sunny but not overly hot compared to July/August.

This month I plan to be more productive, spend more time with family & friends, and really step to the exercising. Hot weather means less clothes so I need to look at least half-good in public. Not really into this whole getting a bikini body business but I'm really into health & fitness at the moment so the sunshine is always a good motivator. I'm also hoping to be more spontaneous and spend less time on technology. 

What are your plans for June and beyond?