Category: Family

  • 4 things I’ve learned from settling my parents estate after loss

    4 things I’ve learned from settling my parents estate after loss

    Life is always throwing curve balls. Summer of 2021 threw the biggest one I have yet to experience. When dad passed away, my siblings and I didn’t have the slightest idea of what we would have to deal with. We thought that we would bring my dad’s will to a lawyer and everything would magically work itself out. Nobody prepares you for the list of legalities that have to get done while you are trying to grieve. I felt like I had to put myself on auto pilot so that we could get everything settled. Only then, could I allow myself to grieve and unpack the trauma associated with his passing.

    The one thing that I did find is that information is not easily available on how to deal on how to handle certain things. Below are 4 things that I wish I would have known from the beginning. I know every situation is different, but it doesn’t hurt to ask or inquire on behalf of your family.

    1. Bring your loved one’s Social Security card to the funeral home when you go to make arrangements. Take it from me, double check all info! We didn’t realize that my dad went back in after mom passed and made changes on his information. He mixed up a number on his SSN and we didn’t catch the mistake until the death certificate was in. We had to send it back to be ammended and it took almost 5 months to get it back. And you need that death certificate in hand for so many things!
    2. Inquire what is needed in your state in regards to opening an “Estate” account. In short, you cannot cash a deceased person’s checks into a regular checking account. Once they pass, every check must be deposited into an estate account. This is one thing that we thought that we did not need to do, but we underestimated how many account cancellations would have some type of reimbursement (home owners insurance, car insurance, credit card credits). You can ask your bank what they require. Either the bank or your lawyer can direct you to the paperwork and documents that are needed to open one.
    3. As the bills roll in, call each provider and ask for the probate department. Let them know that your loved one has passed and that you need to close the account and find out what the estate will be responsible for. Sometimes, the debt can be reduced or written off. Some may tell you to disregard the bill, others may need to audit the account and send you a statement with the findings. This was probably the most valuable information that we recieved. However, plan to be on the phone for a while. I think at one point during this process, I spent 10-15 hours on phonecalls one week.
    4. Just because your parents have a will, doesn’t mean that settling things will be easy. My parents worked for years to make sure that their affairs were in order and that my siblings and I would be able to settle things easily. Let me tell you, it was the furthest thing from easy! AND that was with my siblings and I being amicable and just trying to settle things according to my parents wishes. Be prepared to hurry up and wait.

    Every persons journey is different and this post in no way replaces legal or professional guidance. These are just some basic things that we learned going through settling my parents estate and found helpful. This journey is hard, really dang hard, no matter which way you go about it. A friend of mine said it best, “I feel so bad for how I treated my friends after they lost their parents. I didn’t know how hard this process was, I should have been there for them, more.”

    This “after” is something that isn’t openly talked about. A huge part of this process is just dealing, and for however long that may be. It’s not easy, it’s the side of loss that’s not largely talked about, and it should. It’s hard. Every layer of loss is hard.

  • Cajun Favorites

    Cajun Favorites

    ** This blog post contains Affiliate links. By clicking and shopping, you are helping me to keep my blog running and allowing me to continue doing what I love!

    If I’m being honest, this post is way past due! One of my most asked questions is “Mitzi, where did you get your big pots… what does Josh use to cook his gumbo in?” For the longest, I didnt have an answer. I inherited my grandmother’s aluminum Magnalite pots and we recieved a few for our wedding, but the company is no longer. You could go to many places in South Louisiana and purchase Cajun Ware, but they weren’t online for my out of town friends to purchase.

    That is until I found these options that I have linked in my Amazon Storefront! I love my aluminum cookware. Its sturdy and can be passed from generation to generation, I have my grandmothers and it’s still going strong. Now, I do have to say, they are not dishwasher friendly. They will turn and become dull if you run through the dishwasher and they will turn black if you boil straight water in them. I was always taught from an early age that those two things were big no-no’s with my “magnalites/cajun wares.”

    Now, after sharing my favorite Cajun cookware, it’s time to share Josh’s. He loves to cook in cast iron. We tracked down a big 18qt Dutch Oven from Don’s Specialty Meats in Scott, LA a few years ago and he uses that pot to cook everything! He also enjoys using it to cook on our outside burners during the fall/winter. I wish that I could have found an 18qt to link, but I could only find a 12qt and Cast Iron looks to be in limited supply right now. I will be on the lookout and update my storefront with inventory as it becomes available.

    Also linked are our FAVORITE cooking spoons! We use them daily. We love to have both the short cooking spoon and the longer spoons in our arsenal and these really are the best! Now, I know what you are going to tell me, “Jar roux, Mitzi, REALLY?!” Mais, yeah!! I can cook my own roux with the best of them, but there are times when you end up accidentially burning it, discover your flour is bad, or are in a rush and don’t have the extra time to devote to making a roux. Kary’s is our favorite to have on hand in a pinch. Honestly, some of our best Gumbo feedback has been from making it from a jarred roux! I’ve also linked my favorite cookbooks, Cajun power items, and a few other staples that are a must in our Cajun household!

    Click here to shop!

  • 4 Ways to Help a Loved One Through Grief and Loss

    4 Ways to Help a Loved One Through Grief and Loss

    Yesterday, I was supposed to meet one of my good friends for brunch. We ended up agreeing to take a raincheck on brunch because life happened. Only, I ended up having a conversation with a random lady who purchased some home décor from me via our neighborhood garage sale page.

    This sweet lady kept apologizing profusely about how she had been comforting her best friend who had just lost her husband from Covid. By the end of our conversation we were both in tears. It’s amazing how sometimes you get messages when you least expect. I knew when I went to bed last night, I was waking up today and writing this blog post.

    On behalf of someone who is currently 3 years into the roller coaster of grief, I thought I would share some tips for those wanting to be there for their spouse, partner or friend with grief. From the outside looking in, it may be hard to determine what you can do to help. However, the things listed below helped me get through some of my darkest days after losing mom to a long battle with cancer.

    1. Listen. Listen, for some reason, talking through my moms last days helped me to process it. I know that talking about the end of life can be a little awkward, but it was something that I needed to talk myself through and Josh and my friends being there to listen to me was what I needed. Hospice was an experience that I could not put into words as we were going through it but in order for me to fully process it I had to put it in words later. Plus, having a laugh about me looking my worst and mom waking up after we thought that she wouldn’t, telling me that I needed to “put on some makeup and lipstick” because I was looking hella rough still makes me laugh till this day.
    2. Food. After a week of going through the motions of mom passing and having to plan her service. Knowing I was the detail oriented child who she trusted to execute her fully planned funeral all the way down to her suit coordinating with the ribbon on her floral arrangement, I was exhausted. Josh had to get back to work and my kids were home for the summer. My friends all pooled together and gave me gift cards for meals even after I refused a meal train. They fed my family when I mentally could not. I could get through breakfast and lunch but supper was hard and I was exhausted on so many levels. We lived on food delivery for weeks.
    3. Show up. Just show up. I had friends who drove over 5 hours to be at my moms funeral. I cannot tell you how many times I would attempt to crawl into my house and my friends would bust through my door and tell me to get dressed because we were going to lunch or that they were staying and we were having a happy hour. We were going to laugh, or cry… but if I cried they were making me laugh right after.
    4. Losing a parent is a tough club to be in, but I can attest that we have comraderies. Its a club that nobody wants to be in but we always show up. We write cards, drop off small gifts on anniversaries to let you know that we remember and are thinking of you.

    I can tell you that I don’t remember much about the year I lost my mom. That was the one thing that I remember my father in law telling me after he lost his mom. I didn’t believe it until I lived it. I know I was in survival mode and as much as I tried to be present for my family, I was also on auto pilot. I was grieving, and helping my kids grieve. But I can tell you one thing, the 4 things mentioned above are the things that I remember about that year. I remember those who showed up when I didn’t want them to. I remember my husband getting home from work and helping me cook and clean because I was too exhausted to do it. I remember the check ins, the surprises on my door step, the barge ins because I needed the tough love, and laughs. I know nobody wants to talk about death and grief, but the fact is, its a part of life and life doesn’t get back to “normal” after loss. We have a new normal, we have to mourn and go through holidays and milestones with empty seats. We have to get used to not being able to pick up the phone to talk to our loved one. And most importantly, we have to learn to look for our heavenly signs. My mom said she would send me butterflies and let me tell you, she does. I always tell her “hi” and so do my kids. I embrace the collective “hey mama” and “hey mee mee” when we see our butterflies. I could talk forever on our “signs from heaven” but that is a blog post for another day.

    xoxo-

    Mitzi

  • 5 Effortless looks for the Busy Mom

    5 Effortless looks for the Busy Mom

    Listen sis! Just because you have littles running around at your feet, kids to get to practice and supper to get on the table, doesn’t mean that you have to wear frumpy clothing. I’ve been there, and it made me feel like crud. Do I put on makeup everyday or get dressed to the nines? Nah! But I have weeded out all of my frumpy clothes and added them to a tote that is labeled paint clothes, because that is all they should be worn for! Below I have linked 5 of my favorite go-to looks for every day! Throw on some mascara, or some big sunnies and you are ready for anything the day throws your way!

    1. Pair a sleek pair of joggers with a modal bamboo top for a chic athletic look. I have linked my favorite pair that just so happened to be the perfect inspired pair that is the same quality, if not better than that name brand with a “fruit” in its name!
    2. A fun baby doll dress is a great everyday staple. This ombre one is my personal fav and I have been wearing it at least twice a week! It’s currently on clearance, so grab it while you can!
    3. As we approach warmer weather, distressed denim shorts and fun tops will be my go-to! Add fun accessories such as a hat or fun headbands to personalize your look even further!
    4. Loungewear sets. Now this one is a catch 22. I love a good comfy loungewear set, however I save my printed sets for days when I have no plans to leave. If I have errands to run, I will throw on a solid set and accessorize with some gold necklaces and my favorite stack of bracelets!
    5. Tshirt Dresses!!! I probably have this dress in every color and its under $10! I adore these! They are perfect for warm days. If I have to run out the door, I pair with a denim jacket and a hat to cover my dirty hair!
    6. Accessories! I have linked my favorite hair accessories, bracelets, inspired bags and shoes for ya.

    As moms, we are busy and sometimes we forget about ourselves sometimes. Believe me, I’ve been there! Heck, I’m still there most days! But taking the time out to put quick staples in your wardrobe that you can grab and throw on amidst the chaos. I know it makes me feel so much better to be a little put together and I hope that you feel the same!

  • Mama Burnout and Rona

    Mama Burnout and Rona

    Hey, Mama! How are you doing over there? If you’re like me, you are trying to juggle kids being homebound for 4.5 months and counting. We got through distance learning, and we all hoped that we would resume some sort of normalcy by now. Boy, are we surprised that it seems like we are in the long haul for this rona crap.  Yes, I know COVID-19 is real and very serious, but I still refer to Rona as a b*tch. She is, I’m still bitter that she’s here, and I’m sorry. 

    My kids are tired of me entertaining them, they are tired of not seeing their friends, outings have a 10 minute mask limit before someone loses their sh*t, and well we are a house full of crabby pantry-raiding boys over here.  Well, all except Hayes.  He is young enough to where he will play with his BFFs Buzz and Woody and watch Bluey, Blues Clues and Thomas the Train on repeat while snuggling with me on the couch all day long.  

    Let’s get real here.  We are all tired of being tired.  My husband is essential and has pretty much been business as usual, and well I maybe… kinda snapped at him last week.  I snapped because he had one of his socially distanced meetings on the golf course on his day off. I knew he had to have this meeting for work, but I also knew how I was feeling and I snapped. We had a long conversation about my feelings and agreed for him to set aside time to stay home with the boys.  Ya’ll, I realized I was becoming depressed. That is not me at all, I have never been depressed a day in my life! Even when I was going through some dark times, I never felt blues like this that I had a hard time shaking.  I love my kids dearly, I love my large chaotic circus of a family.  I don’t like being the mama who has a short fuse, who constantly wants to be alone tucked away from everyone.  That is not me! Normally, I am an introverted extrovert.  I love being home but I also love being around people, socializing and entertaining! We are doing our part by not going to parties and large social gatherings (man, I miss those). Yes, I’ve had driveway happy hours with my besties (cautiously of course) and date nights on the patio with my hubs and those have been wonderful, fleeting moments of human interaction, but I needed something more.

    Diff blue light glasses (Becky II) and mask by Brooke Wright designs

    That “more” was my husband working from home yesterday.  He worked all morning and got the important stuff out of the way and then I left once he was done. I left the house with my hair curled, a full face of makeup and dressed up in something more than an oversized shirt and cutoffs.  I had an appointment for a mani/pedi to fix my ratchet nails, they were terrible ya’ll! My nail salon was very clean and I felt totally safe. It was pretty much empty and had one lady who was devoted to wiping down and sanitizing every surface and taking every precaution. And I felt like a brand new woman after being pampered a little. I grabbed a diet coke and decided to turn my music up and sing at the top of my lungs and just drive.  I picked up all of my curbside errands without feeling monotonous and took a little walk around an outdoor shopping center, and you know what happened?  I came home refreshed, I didn’t feel burnt out or depressed. I came home and actually enjoyed fixing a homemade supper for my family.

    Why am I writing this post? Well I know that I’m not the only mama struggling with life right now. I have had 2 conversations with friends just yesterday and I know they were feeling the same way that I was.  I know there are many more mamas out there struggling and trying to keep it together. Who are trying to survive this “new normal.” (Man, I really hate calling it that!) If you are feeling burnt out, tell someone, figure something out. If your husband isn’t available to help you, phone a friend or a grandparent! We are the rocks of our family and it’s so important for us to be present both mentally and physically. Take the solo drive, whip into the drive thru for a peaceful treat, blare your music and sing at the top of your lungs, make yourself a mani/pedi appointment, and take a walk where you can peacefully take in some new scenery (or feel like you are doing some retail therapy)!

  • Always Eat after 7 (second update!)

    Always Eat after 7 (second update!)

    This post is brought to you by our sponsor, “Always Eat After 7 PM”. The opinions expressed below are my own.

    When it comes to dieting, I am always looking forward to the result but hate feeling constricted and restricted when it comes to food. I can go all week without being tempted by eating a candy bar or a cookie, but tell me that I absolutely cannot eat those foods and I will crave it all day everyday.  This usually results in me cheating on said plan and blowing my progress to smithereens! 

    I chose this book and this plan specifically because it already fits into our lifestyle and is so easy for both my husband and I to follow.  We can still sit down and have a larger dinner together, have date nights and eat dessert without feeling restricted and we are still burning fat and losing inches. 

    I was recently able to ask Joel a few questions and I absolutely loved what he had to say.

    Joel Marion

    How long did it take for you to develop the diet?

    It actually took several years of researching for me to discover the real science of eating late night. After a few years of tweaking and refining, I finally came up with a rapid fat loss solution that overcomes all the pitfalls of traditional diets.

     How difficult is the Always Eat After 7 PM plan to follow?

    It’s not. And that’s exactly why I wrote the book. While any diet is never truly easy, it can be more enjoyable and much easier to adhere to when you understand how Always Eat After 7pm works because it caters to our bodies natural instincts.

    What inspired you to write the book?

    After authoring 6 best selling books it was glaringly obvious there were 2 huge misconceptions about dieting that needed to be exposed. The first is that you can’t eat late at night or before bed, which science now shows is NOT true. And second, you can’t eat large portions that satisfy your natural instinct. This book solves both these problems by providing an evidence-based, enjoyable approach to dieting that can be used by any person to quickly achieve their weight loss goals.

    My husband and I are both hugely impressed with this diet.  Not only are we seeing results, I do not feel restricted when it comes to enjoying my sweets and he can still eat his big portions that he needs in order to feel full.  He has always been a big eater, I mean he is 6’2” and a former football player and competitive powerlifter. He needs a bigger portion that the conventional diets suggest.   We both allow ourselves to eat a big dinner and enjoy the carbs and fats and are eating the majority of our calories at night. This is why we both agree that Joel is on point when it comes to the science behind Always Eat After 7pm. If you are just starting to follow our journey, don’t forget to check out my previous post (link here).  Always Eat After 7 PM: The Revolutionary Rule-Breaking Diet That Lets You Enjoy Huge Dinners, Desserts, and Indulgent Snacks—While Burning Fat Overnight by Joel Marion is now available to purchase. Learn more about the book and how to purchase here.

  • Mardi Gras Mambo

    Mardi Gras Mambo

    Growing up in South Louisiana was amazing. I was lucky enough to be born into the Cajun culture and for that, I am forever thankful. We are born with a spice for life, family is everything, there is a festival every weekend and we love any excuse to make a huge meal and celebrate. A huge part of our culture is Mardi Gras, a huge celebration that runs from the Epiphany until Ash Wednesday. It wasn’t until I moved to the Houston area almost 9 years ago, did I realize that everywhere else, it really is just Tuesday.

    I also found myself explaining to strangers that I do bring my children to Mardi Gras and that the celebration is not at all what they were thinking. Yes, you do have some debaucheries associated with the celebration, but to South Louisianans, it is So. Much. More.

    It’s taking turns bringing King Cakes to dinners and the excitement of seeing who ends up with the baby (they get to bring the next cake). It’s getting to the parade route bright and early to grab a good spot and tailgating until the parade makes its way to you. It’s dancing to all of the music around you, cooking out, and eating more king cake. It’s watching your kids throw their hands up for more beads and getting so excited when they catch a football, or a fancy light up toy, or a huge bag of beads. It’s searching for the “good parades” and making the short drive to experience them. The goal for every parade being who can collect the most beads. Seriously, each kid brings a massive shopping bag or garbage bag and we almost always accomplish our goal and fill them to the brim.

    It’s getting invited to a ball, spending all day getting your hair and makeup done and getting to wear a beautiful ball gown. Enjoying the Krewe’s presentation, mingling with your friends and watching the performance/parade. It’s the suspense of getting to your table to see what sussies will be sprinkled around for you. Dancing until your feet hurt and then taking your shoes off and dancing some more.

    It’s waking up at the crack of dawn to load your beads on a float and make sure your daquiri is iced down. Its throwing beads out to the crowds, tossing footballs and stuffed animals to little boys and girls. Its hopping off of the float at the end and enjoying the after party and listening to a live band play. It’s the music, listening to songs such as La Danse de Mardi Gras and Mardi Gras mambo and feeling it in your soul. Mardi Gras music is an experience and we listen to it every evening throughout the season and have dance parties in our kitchen.

    My fondest memory as a little girl was watching the parade with my grandparents, aunts and uncles and my mom and grandmother teaching me how to throw both hands in the air, wave them and yell “throw me something mista” until I lost my voice. So, while everywhere else is just Tuesday, I will always choose to celebrate the season and always make sure that my babies know the joie de vivre of the season and their culture. And on Wednesday, we will go to mass to receive our ashes and make our Lenten promises in preparation for the Easter season.

    … and my sweet Mardi Gras baby will always have an authentic King Cake every year for his birthday, even if his MaMa has to overnight it from Louisiana.

    After parade fun celebrating G’s birthday and H taking his first bite of king cake. And my sweet mama in the background making sure that everyone had the perfect slice.

    Laissez les bon temps rouler! Let the good times roll!

  • Red Beans and Rice

    Red Beans and Rice

    Believe it or not, there are two southern staples that I have been trying to love for as long as I can remember. The first thing is sweet tea (or any tea for that matter). I have seriously been sipping on tea for years and while I have come to like some teas, I just can’t get my taste buds on board on liking sweet tea. The second thing is beans! Any sort of beans! My mom always had a rule and that was to taste a spoonful of everything on my plate before I could move on to something else. It is still a rule in my home, and I have to say that after almost 34 years, I finally eat beans! The recipe below is not your typical made from scratch recipe, and I typically wont eat any Cajun food that is made from a mix or a can, but this recipe works. We all love it and is the perfect fast and easy comfort food for cold and rainy nights. Now I’m handing my keyboard over to my husband so he can tell y’all exactly how to make it, because the Texan perfected it before the Cajun! Ha!

    The recipe is pretty simple and doesn’t take long to make (30 min or so). You will need the following ingredients:

    • 1/2 tsp Cajun Seasoning
    • 1/2 tsp Dried Basil
    • 1/4 tsp black pepper
    • tsp cooking oil
    • 1 bay leaf
    • 1 lb smoked sausage (your preference) sliced and halved
    • 4 slices thick cut bacon, chopped
    • 1 1/2 cups chopped creole seasoning (aka holy trinity). We buy the precut seasoning from HEB
    • 1 cup chicken broth
    • 3- 16 oz cans Trappey’s red kidney beans with chili gravy
    • 1- 27 oz can Blue Runner creole cream style red beans
    • Cooked rice (amount depends on how many people, but at least 3 cups)

    Heat the oil in medium size pot (preferably cast iron or Magnalite) and cook the chopped creole seasoning (vegetables) until soft and translucent. Once the vegetables are soft, add in the cut up sausage, bacon, Cajun seasoning, basil and black pepper, and cook until lightly browned and bacon is soft. This is the key to the flavor, you will want to make sure the sausage is cooked enough to release the juices and bacon is soft and not cooked too long. You don’t want crispy bacon for this recipe.

    You then add the cans of beans and how ever much stock you prefer to get the consistency you want. I prefer mine thicker and not too runny. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes stirring occasionally. You will want to taste at this point as I usually add more Cajun seasoning or salt to preference. Serve over cooked rice and garnish with fresh cut green onions if you like.

    *** please note that if you like creamier beans, use 2 cans of Blue Runner beans and 1 can of the Trappeys. We have made this recipe both ways but prefer a creamier style. It still yields the same amount. It is quick, easy and Ca c’est bon!!

  • Letter to My Younger Self

    Letter to My Younger Self

    Dear Mitzi,

    Girlfriend, embrace yourself. Your weight doesn’t matter! Muscle weighs more than fat, your body was never meant to be a size 2, and those diet pills are just destroying your metabolism. When you are going to need to lose a few pounds later in life, you are going to have to work three times as hard to get the weight off (and you do not have to weigh yourself twice a day). Live life according to the 80/20 rule. Eat clean and healthy 80% of the time but enjoy that damn cookie and ice cream with your babies.

    Don’t worry what others think. Wear what you want. You do not need your friends approval before you decide whether or not you will wear an outfit. Find your style and embrace it. Don’t go out searching for the latest on-trend top. Believe me, you will wear some things that will be absolutely hideous because it was “on trend.” You will waste so much money on hideous clothing. Please save and buy quality staples!!! Also, start shopping in boutiques ASAP! You will love shopping local and buying unique pieces and falling in love with brands that you will wear and continue to buy for years to come.

    Remember how quiet you are, please speak up. Defend yourself, defend others… don’t let anyone use you or walk all over you. I can guarantee you that those “friends” will not be in your life for long. Your future self is telling you to speak up for yourself! Don’t wait until you are 30 and 3 kids in to learn how to speak up and defend yourself. If you start to see red flags pop up when it comes to friendships, you are not obligated to remain friends with that person. THEY. WILL. DRAIN. YOU. Also, you will meet some amazing people, keep in touch with them. Some of those people will be your best friend for a season, life will happen, but you will carry those people in your heart forever.

    You will have 4 beautiful and amazing sons that will love you hard and drive you crazy. You will be an amazing boy mom and rock it.

    Lean on your girlfriends when you need them. Those girls will accept you for who you are. They will come and scoop up your kids without asking and love them like their own. They will tell you to book the damn trip that is very much needed with your husband. You will have the best and most random driveway drink parties with them. They will be there when you need to vent about your bad day and you will cry with them and for them while you support each other through hard times. You will take shots and scream #fuckcancer while you see your loved ones struggling.

    Yea, you know that part about crying and taking shots while screaming #fuckcancer? As soon as you move four hours away, your mama will be diagnosed with cancer. It will be seven years of feeling like you are on a roller coaster and it will effing suck watching her suffer from afar. You take those monthly trips back, you let her rock and love on those babies…. and you let her sugar those boys up and spoil them as much as she wants. They need all of the memories that they can pack into their little minds, because she will be gone before your oldest hits the double digits and you will all miss her terribly.

    You will sit back at 34 and realize that life is short. Hugs and memories with your kids are everything. Friendships will take on a whole new meaning. Positive people and thinking will be everything. You will learn to live and treasure life and moments for what they are. You will realize that what you and your husband have is special. That not everyone gets the privilege of marrying their best friend. Continue to feed and nurture that friendship because it will make your marriage that much stronger. Love hard, be humble, sprinkle kindness around like confetti and don’t forget the most important part, laugh. Laugh until tears trickle down your face (and legs) and never lose that joie de vivre that has always been in your soul.

    xoxo- Me

    circa 2002
  • Father’s Day Gift Ideas

    Father’s Day Gift Ideas

    My husband may be the pickiest man on earth to buy for. He is more into buffing kits for car detailing, car parts and specialty tools. I don’t even know where to start to look for any of that! So here are a few things that I have added to my shopping list for the manly man who says that he wants nothing for Father’s Day!

    1. Beer Savers

    On the rare occasion that he has to leave half of a beer to do something, these beer savers would come in handy and prevent spills. They are under $10 and the perfect gadget to add to the gift bag!

    2. Membership to a Whiskey Trail

    As much as he would love to visit the Kentucky bourbon trail, it’s just not in our travel plans right now. After some research, I discovered that Texas has their own trail. There are different levels of membership starting from free to $110 annually. This is perfect for us since the gulf coast trail is literally at our back door!

    3. Ball Wash

    I think that this entire concept is hilarious! We love to joke around in our house and I think that this Ballwash would be hysterical to unwrap! Plus it is at a good price point at $15-50. My only reservation is that 3/4 of my boys can both read and shower in our bathroom. This wash may not last long in our male dominated house…

    4. Cajun Crate

    I married a West Texan, but you would swear that he is a full blooded Cajun (minus the accent). Over the last few years, he has shadowed me and learned how to make almost everything and has mastered it! I’m not complaining because that means that I don’t have to cook. Ha! Cajun crate is the perfect subscription box ($39) for us to try all of the new products that we aren’t privy to buying all the way in Texas! (There is a serious lack of Cajun products out here!)

    5. Lowball Glasses

    This “The Good Shit” Lowball glass from Fleurty Girl is the perfect addition to our bar cabinet. Some nights, we love to put the boys to bed and enjoy a drink and a movie and enjoy a little date night at home. This glass is just begging for a whiskey on the rocks and my hubby likes to drink just that from time to time!

    I hope these ideas help you to shop for your guy as well! I had so much fun researching each of these products… now to figure out which ones to order for Father’s Day and which to order for his birthday in September!