What is Canva? Check out this detailed Canva review to learn everything you need to know about designing online! Please note: this post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you click a link and make a purchase, I may earn a commission at no additional …
Child sex trafficking is not a consipiracy. Period. No matter where you stand politically, no matter what your beliefs are, child sex trafficking is very real and very scary. It’s happening in your city, in your neighborhood and at your local mall. I first learned …
Impress your dad with a thoughtful Father’s Day gift, even at the last minute! All of these items can be purchased on Amazon, so Prime shipping can save the day even at the last minute.
I hope you like the products I recommend! This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you click a link and make a purchase, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. The prices are accurate and items are in stock as of the time of publication.
Positive review: “This turntable is very affordable and I would highly recommend it for collectors who are new to the hobby and don’t want to spend a lot. IMPORTANT note to anyone who isn’t super tech-oriented or new to the vinyl community: you CANNOT buy the record player by itself to listen to records. You *must* buy a pair of speakers. If the speakers are passive (not active) you will also need to buy an amplifier and speaker wire. Thankfully I had a friend who also collects vinyl help me figure everything out and purchase the needed parts. I hope this helps anybody interested in buying their first turntable system.” –Sarah E Smith
Get it on Amazon for $79
Positive review: “I’m sold. I bought this to keep me alert and focused at work. By my second cup, I no longer needed a keyboard or mouse, as I was able to control my computer directly by thought. By the third cup, I could hear colors and smell sounds. After my fourth cup, I decided to burn off some of the excess energy with a quick jog, and ended up finishing the Kessel Run in 11 parsecs flat! Seriously… Buy this stuff!” –Erick W.
Get it on Amazon for $19.96
Positive review: “Wow, what a great product. I’ve transitioned from a regular coffee cup to this. I was always reheating my coffee but no longer. This mug keeps my coffee hot for a minimum of 2 hours. Allowing me to get a few things done around the house, while i enjoy my coffee here and there.” –Kendra Hubick
Get it on Amazon for $24.98+ (available in 17 colors)
Positive review: “I’ve used my wide-mouthed Nalgene for EIGHT years, every day at every job I’ve had. We were inseparable. All the lunches we had together, the late nights, early mornings, fears of bosses, laughing at co-workers…ah the joys we had together. I didn’t even treat it that well, dropping it on concrete, downstairs, throwing it in my car, and not a single leak. Until one work meeting, I left it in the conference room. I’m guessing someone grew quite jealous of our affection and swiped it! NOO! Truly an end of an era. There really was a connection here. Well, 8 years of daily use later is a good enough review for me to come back and buy the same water bottle.” –amznbuyer
Get it on Amazon for $10.99 (available in 35 colors)
Positive review: “Wow. These are absolutely phenomenal headphones. I bought them about a year and a half ago and I use them all the time. These sit very comfortably on my head while I do chores around the house or yard work etc. I run a mobile auto detailing business in my spare time and use them for that as well. If I find myself looking down for too long they will start to slip off my head. I wouldn’t even attempt to do any kind of cardio with these. Weightlifting, sure but running – no. They are too loose and when using the noise-canceling feature, any excess movement makes it crackle.” –Lucas Jon
Get them on Amazon for $49.99 (available in 6 colors)
Positive Review: “We bought these as a thank you gift. They came in a really nice box that made them seem pricier and fancier than what we paid. The glasses themselves also seem heavy and good quality.” –Joanna Owen
Get them on Amazon for $31.99
Positive review: “I have wanted a Squatty Potty for years. After reading about how it works, I’ve used a stool under one food and the bathtub under the other which helps but it is an awkward position. A couple days ago I finally decided to give up and just spend the money on one of these stools. It’s well worth the money. Pooping is significantly faster, easier, and more comfortable. We’re thinking about buying one of these stools for every bathroom in the house.” –Celecia
Get it on Amazon for $29.99
Positive review: “My husband hates gifts and I love giving them. So I decided to try a different approach and get something that I could make be from my kids. I filled out the answers as to how my toddlers would answer it. He loved it. It’s the first time he actually seemed genuinely moved by a gift I’ve given him. Great Father’s Day present! Small in size (About the size of my hand) but had a lot of pages.” –Nicole H Gonzalez
Get it on Amazon for $12.93
Positive review: “These grill lights are exactly what I needed! They light up the area so well. The magnets are strong and the ability to direct the light where needed is great. The package they came in is perfect to store them in when not using! I have recommended these to several people who also think they are great. I was worried they would be cheap and maybe not have a lot of magnetic hold to them but they do!!” –LC
Get them on Amazon for $22.97
Positive review: “This is what I have been looking for. Very elegant and easy on the pocket. Carried all my cards and a great bonus for someone who spends over 280 days in hotels is the ability to put my hotel key at the money clip for easy access. No more digging into wallets. So far, I already dropped it on rough concrete and it survived without a scratch. If you are on the fence, I say get it and you won’t regret it. I approve this wallet.” –SMAZA
Get it on Amazon for $20.99
Positive review: “I love this toilet light! I have one in every bathroom now. It is such a conversation piece. Everyone that comes to my house loves it! We love that we don’t have to turn on the lights at night to go to the bathroom.” –K Carbo
Get it on Amazon for $11.99
Positive review: “It is so quiet that I can hear it clipping whiskers, and so I know when a patch of skin has been clipped clean. It still does a pretty good job even when I haven’t shaved for several days—and without irritation. Wet shaving with it yields a flawless shave—no stubble anywhere on my face and neck. I like that it is lithium-ion powered so I don’t have to worry about abusing the batteries through too frequent recharging, and it seems to operate far longer on a single charge than any other razor I’ve known.” –Peter Gates
Get it on Amazon for $39.99
Positive review: “I’m just a guy with a simple review. Scent – Natural not chemical, earthy, refreshing, elevating, good. Lather – Abundant, staying power, luxurious (yeah I know I said luxurious, but I’m being honest here). Rinse – clean, refreshing, satisfaction. Daily grind – Skin felt calm, smooth, and soft, not dry or itchy nor sticky. Matter of fact my infernal itchy back was noticeably less itchy. I can say with honesty that I believe this is the way soap is supposed to be and I enjoy using it. As long as doc continues to keep his credo I will continue on as a loyal customer.” –Walter Anderson
Get it on Amazon for $9.95 (available in 3 scents)
Positive review: “We chose this item due to poor reviews on similar products and positive feedback for this one. The item certainly lives up to the reviews! Even though the press appeared easy to clean, I saved myself a lot of effort by lining the cup with plastic wrap before adding the burger. I used 5 1/4 ounces of ground beef and placed a second layer of plastic wrap over the top. The press made a perfect indentation in the patty which I filled with crumbled bacon and Gorgonzola cheese. I used a second patty of about 2 1/4 ounces which I pre-formed and placed on top, then covered with plastic wrap and pressed to seal. Burgers popped out easily and clean up was minimal since I used the plastic wrap. The most important part–the burgers were great!! I’ve already purchased a second one as a gift. Can’t wait to experiment with different fillings….maybe jalapeños and cream cheese next…” –SkeetaP
Get it on Amazon for $12.99
Positive review: “Best shoes I’ve ever bought. The mesh material makes it really comfortable and light. The padding on the inside makes it feel great and supports your foot so you don’t experience pain while walking or running. Overall great buy.” –Jorge
Get them on Amazon for $43-$180.99 (available in 24 colors)
Positive review: “This shirt, and the two others I bought, were a super pleasant surprise. The quality is very good. They are warm and fit as expected. Look very nice with whatever pants (sweats or jeans). Will look for more Charles River Apparel in the future.” –Miss Judy
Get it on Amazon for $24.49-$33 (available in 11 colors)
Positive review: “This is a great present for a guy who may be hard to buy for. Pair this with a few bottles of beer from different states as a “starter set” and bam – an instant, quirky, fun gift. I bought this for my boyfriend and he loves the concept of having to track down a different bottled beer from each of the 50 states. It’s like an adult scavenger hunt.” –Annie
Get it on Amazon for $35.95
Positive review: “I bought mine in 2017, I “seasoned” it (heated at 500 for the first time to get any residue off) outside on the grill. Yes, it smelled a bit the first time. After that, I put it on the lower rack of my Kitchenaid oven, and it fits fine. It just lives in there, I never try to take it out except occasionally pull it forward to scrape if something got dripped on it. It helps even out the temperature with the unpredictable thermostat in my oven, even if I bake things on the top rack. Yes if you get oil on it it will burn and smell just like any pizza stone. No you should not take it out of the box and put food on it right away without following the instructions.” –Debrrose
Get it on Amazon for $39.99
Positive review: “This device, which had been recommended by a dental hygienist works as advertised and my mouth never felt so clean – even washes out those pesky little bits of popcorn which were such a pain to get out after movie night. Love it!” –Mark T Couch
Get it on Amazon for $151.99
Positive review: “The packaging was awesome! I bought these at the Father’s Day gift for my dad who is an avid griller and smoker. All of the spices had a unique flavor that was very robust and distinct. The fact that there is no sodium makes them even better! I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves working with herbs and spices wit spices had a unique flavor that was very robust and distinct. The fact that there is no sodium makes them even better! I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves working with herbs and spices And is an avid griller.” –Stephanie Brosch
Get it on Amazon for $29.99
Positive review: “This charcoal face wash was the third Brickell product I’ve tried after good success with the face scrub and moisturizer I am at risk of becoming a brand ambassador for Brickell. After using this product in conjunction with the scrub and moisturizer as part of my daily routine, I am actually getting comments about my skin from my wife and family. I’m not really the type of guy who ever cared about this stuff, but I understand now that a little work goes a long way, with the right product. Brickell makes the right product.” –MJLogan42
Get it on Amazon for $25
Positive review: “Received my box so fast! Love that the brand has minimal packaging – everything was nicely put together and it felt like a present. The design and packaging of each individual item was high quality. I like switching up my basics and like to add cool pieces to my wardrobe, but can’t always spend time shopping. Sprezza box solved this problem for me by basically do the shopping and styling for me! I would definitely recommend this for any guy who needs a little help and values convenience. Makes the perfect gift too!” –SG
Get it from Amazon for $21
Did this list help you prep for Father’s Day? Leave a comment and let me know!
Today I have a guest post by Leah Pardee from Candid Confidence. She is sharing her top tips on increasing your confidence. Enjoy! We all know her. She is the voice that greets you when you look in the mirror. She pipes up as soon as you …
What a strange time. We keep hearing that what we are living through right now will be in our kid’s future history books. Somehow, that doesn’t make any of this easier. I have been self-quarantined since March 12, 2020. As of today, I have been …
Right now, many of us are being forced to workout at home. Even before the pandemic, maybe you dreamed of having a home gym. Here are my top recommendations for the home gym essentials.
It doesn’t take a ton of equipment to get a great workout in at home! All of these items are also available on Amazon, so you can build your home gym without leaving your house!
Note: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you click a link and make a purchase, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
As you start building your home gym, keep in mind the types of workouts that you usually do. Most people do not need all of these items, it depends what your goals are and what workouts you do!
Dumbbells can be used in so many ways! Typically dumbbells cost $1 per pound.
There are many dumbbell exercises that can be adjusted for every level and style of working out. Dumbbells are also small and easy to store if you do not have a dedicated workout space at home.
Adjustable dumbbells are cost-effective and an easy way to add or decrease the amount you are lifting.
According to CAP Barbell, “adjustable dumbells are available in sizes for the beginner, intermediate and advanced athlete. Each set features diamond knurled dumbbells to ensure maximum gripping power, threaded ends with o-ring rubber collars to secure weights, and durable cast iron weight plates. The combination of various sized weights allow you to customize your workouts.”
Resistance bands are ideal for strength and resistance training. This set of resistance bands comes with handles, door anchors and ankle straps.
These resistance bands come in 5 resistance levels in 5 colors.
You can choose to use the bands independently or in different combinations, with a maximum resistance level of 150 pounds.
Sliders make any workout more of a challenge and allow you to add balance, stability and coordination to your workout. These sliders are double-sided and work on both hard surfaces and carpet. Consider adding sliders to your lunges, planks and bridges for an extra challenge!
These sliders have over 4,000 highly recommended reviews on Amazon!
An adjustable bench can be used for so many workouts at home! From traditional weighted workouts, to step-ups, to bench jumps… The options are endless.
Jumping rope is incredible cardio! You can also jump rope in small spaces and still work up a great sweat.
This jumprope comes with a lifetime warranty, so you never have to worry about getting it replaced!
Trampolines are great for cardio and rebounding! Rebounding is just another name for jumping on a small trampoline! Rebounding is a fun an effective way to improve cardiovascular health, tone your lower body, burn cals and improve your coordination.
Mini bands are great for many types of workouts such as glue and hip activation and strength techniques! Resistance bands increase the effectiveness of your workouts and can also be used to increase mobility.
This bench comes with a rack. This rack allows you to add an olympic barbell and features a 7 adjustable positions on the bench.
An olympic barbell is great for various forms of powerlifting, weight lifting, bench press and cross-training exercises. This barbell weighs 44 pounds and has a 600 weight capacity. If you want to lift heavy at home, an Olympic barbell is a must!
An adjustable barbell set allows you to adjust your workouts and lifts as needed!
You can use a medicine ball for a variety of workouts! I always like having one on hand to switch things up.
Ankle weights can be added to any workout! Over time, ankle weights can increase the strength of your legs, increase your fat burn and increase the effectiveness of your workouts.
Treadmills are a great way to get your steps or LISS in at home! If the weather is yucky or you feel like staying in, having a treadmill can allow you many workout variations! You can walk, walk on an incline, run, jog, skip or even add ankle weights for added intensity.
Foam rollers are key to recovery! Before and after a workout, it is important to take care of your hard-working muscles.
Rubber mats can be used to create comfortable flooring while you workout! While rubber mats are definitely not something that you need, but if you are looking to make your home gym have more of a “gym” feel, rubber mats are the way to go.
What are your home gym essentials? Leave a comment below and let me know!
During this critical time with COVID-19, flattening the curve and social distancing are the most important things we can do. This means that many of our gyms and studios may be closed. To stay sane and stay in shape, here are my top recommendations for …
What is autophagy? Autophagy is the body’s way of cleaning out damaged cells, in order to regenerate newer, healthier cells, according to Priya Khorana, PhD, in nutrition education from Columbia University. The basic idea behind autophagy is that in the absence of external sources of …
I have been dreaming of perfect brows for years. In middle school, I overplucked my eyebrows and was left with patchy, sparse brows.
I tried a lot of things to fix my brows. I tried growth serums, I tried vaseline, I tried castor oil, I tried hair growth pills… Anything that I could find, I tried.
Some of these things worked, but only for a short time. The growth serums worked on some areas of my brows, but as soon as I stopped using it, I would start losing eyebrow hair again. Castor oil made my acne flare up like crazy, so I didn’t stick with that for very long.
I wanted to experiment with different solutions like these before shelling out the money for microblading. I was also nervous to trust someone with putting semi-permanent brows on my face.
After trial and error for four years, I bit the bullet and decided to proceed with getting my eyebrows microbladed.
Microblading is a type of eyebrow enhancement. It is all about creating the best eyebrow shape for each face.
The process is very precise thanks to the tool that is used which is effectively like a pen with the nib being a sloped blade with 10-12 little needles at the end – needles that don’t penetrate the skin but just delicately scratch the surface, much like a paper cut, according to Elle.
The needle very finely draws on natural-looking hair strokes with a medical grade pigment on the epidermis layer for the skin.
Microblading is perfect for anyone who wants to enhance the look of their eyebrows. The results are natural-looking, hair-like strokes.
The results can last anywhere from one to three years, however, a touch up once a year is recommended.
Before selecting a microblading artist, I did a LOT of research. I wanted to be able to trust someone with putting semi-permanent ink on my face.
After talking to a few artists, I set up an appointment with Sabiha at The Brow Studio in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
I had been watching Sabiha fine-tune her craft for years! I loved seeing her before and after photos and after chatting with her, I knew she was someone I could trust.
For my first appointment, I was instructed to not work out the day of the procedure, not have a tan or sunburned face, not to take Aspirin, Niacin or Ibuprofen 24 hours before the procedure, no alcohol or caffeine on the day of the procedure and no waxing or tinting 3 days before the procedure.
Sabiha started out by threading my brows to get a good idea of what she was working with. She then asked me to show her pictures and what I had in mind for my brows. I wanted natural-looking brows that complimented my face.
Based on what I had said and her expertise, she drew the shape that she suggested for my face.
She then gave me a mirror and we reviewed the shape of the brows that she penciled on my face. Then we discussed color. Sabiha warned me that my brows would look dark for the first few days, but that the color would fade. She helped select a color based on my skin tone and hair color.
Then it was time to go to work! The process was mildly painful, but the strangest part was hearing the scratching noise of the blade!
Sabiha went over my whole brow one time before applying a numbing solution. She explained that this allows the color pigment to better enter my skin. After going over each brow once, she applied a numbing solution and then went back over each brow.
Immediately after the procedure, my brows looked very dark. They were darker than these pictures! That evening they were sore and stiff.
The next few days they began to scab. The most difficult part of the healing process was not getting them wet. It is so hard to wash your face and wash your hair and keep your eyebrows dry!
6 weeks later I went in for my touch up appointment. My brows had faded a lot by this point. This is normal though, as everyone’s skin holds pigment differently.
For me, the touch up was more painful than the initial process. My brows actually bled quite a bit. Sabiha says this happens frequently in the winter when our skin is dry.
The touch up was much quicker than the initial process as she just went over the parts that faded and were very sparse again. My brows were a lot less sore this time following the procedure, but it was still a challenge to keep them dry for the first few weeks!
Sabiha recommends that I come in for yearly touch-ups, so we will see how they are looking in a year!
I am so happy that I made the decision to get my eyebrows microbladed! This is truly one of the best investments I have made for myself!
If you decide to get your brows microbladed, be sure to do your research. Find someone with good reviews and experience. Make sure to check out examples of their work as well.
Have you ever considered getting your eyebrows enhanced by microblading?
Celebrating often means rewarding ourselves with food. While treating ourselves with food is okay once in a while, food rewards are not always beneficial if you are trying to lose weight. When I first started to eat better and take care of my body, I …
