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35F: Christmas Wishlist

Here are some gift ideas for the 35 year old on your shopping list. These items help make life easier.

Give a gift to the men in need at the Ottawa Mission.

Here is a wish list of their Most Needed items - should you with to purchase anything from this list, it will be sent to my radio station (CHEZ 106, Rogers Sports and Media, located at 2001 Thurston Drive). CLICK HERE to buy something today & I will deliver it for you. You are also able to direct shipping to your house.

Air Purifiers. So hot right now.

These could be considered modern day ‘snake oil’ but when something very smelly sprayed my cottage and I couldn’t get the stink out… I gave this Hamilton Beach model a whirl and have since used it to rid the sour milk stink from our car (which was extreme) and refresh common areas in our house with great success! I am convinced that these things are the real deal but buyer beware: there are many brands and models out there to choose from. Lucky for me, I seem to have chosen wisely out the gate.

The Best Underwear: Period.

I had always been interested in ditching tampons and pads but they just seem to be a necessary evil. Until someone recommended Knix and flipped the script on free bleeding. You heard me. Comfiest underwear (and bras) ever. I would like one of each of this Canadian owned businesses’ offerings. They often have good sales, too. Not sure which size or style to purchase? Gift cards work.

Smart Devices make Life Easier.

Some people love ‘em, others hate ‘em and almost every tech company you can think of has something voice-activated on the market. Here are some of my favourite brands and suggested items that really elevate my quality of life. I’m physically disabled so every step matters in terms of pain management, energy conservation and accessibility.

  • Google: hub, mini, chromecast and display.

  • Globe: light bulbs and LED strip

  • Wyze: camera and plugs

  • Geeni: outdoor plug, smart strip (power bar) and wall tap

I tried getting into IKEA’s smart home line (Tradfri) but my experience with their hub, dimmers and bulbs was excruciating. Would not recommend.

Everyday Things.

Lip chap, toothpaste, gas & grocery cards, hair elastics, a good travel mug, socks, winter weather accessories or heated items for maximum comfort. Little things that get used every day always make a great gift because… they get used frequently and are likely to need replacing or replenishing.

There’s nothing terribly flashy about My Wishlist this year. If you are hoping to purchase a gift for someone like me (35F, mom, FT career, commuter), I would suggest grabbing something that helps to make their life easier. I think this advice could apply to anyone on your shopping list at any time of year. Pandemic life has been tiring. If you can’t think of anything your giftee needs, consider donating to a favorite charity in their name.

Here are some of my favourite charities: the Ottawa Mission, CHEO, Minwaashin Lodge, the Food Bank, the Ottawa Hospital and the Canadian Cancer Society. Leave yours in the comments below!

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Holiday Gift Ideas for That Weird 30something in Your Life

I am a *weird, working parent in my mid-30s living in downtown Ottawa. Currently working on my annual Top 10 Wish List blog for personal gifting this holiday season. 🎄 Here’s what I’ve got so far…

Every year around this time I throw out into the blogiverse items from my personal Wish List.
If you know someone like me (33, mom, weird) & are a little starved for good/great gift ideas, here’s a start:

  1. A gift card to Victoire; high-quality, eye catching, ethical, Canadian made clothing in the heart of Wellington West (bonus points for being close to my house)!

  2. A unique, hand printed piece from Thief & Bandit. They have a new print out (Stardust) and I am obsessed.

  3. Andrew King’s ‘Ottawa Rewind” (see tweet/link below)! Also available at Maker House on Wellington St.

4. The only Lip Balm EVER = Carmex.
5. Google Home accessories; this one is subjective as there are loads of ‘assistants’ out there. I have successfully integrated Geenie and IKEA brand ‘smart bulbs’ on different levels of our home and I just love not having to walk up and down the stairs when a light needs to be turned on or off. We’ve got a smart display (Lenovo), a Hub and several Minis to connect every area and level of the house. This is a super helpful when my arthritis is flaring up!! If the person you’re buying for has mobility challenges, consider ‘smart home’ gifts… they rock!

6. Does the person you’re buying for lose things ALL. THE. TIME? Check out tiles. The device that helps you find your stuff. I love these for personal items (keys) and I also use them to keep tabs on the kids when we visit crowded places in the unlikely event we become separated. Tiles bring me peace of mind and would make an excellent gift.
7. Ozzy Osbourne’s new album ‘Ordinary Man’ should drop sometime in January so a pre-order from any rock music loving fan would probably be appreciated! This album is going to be all over the map, featuring Duff McKagan, Chad Smith, Post Malone and more. Keep an eye out for the official release date.
8. Beer; local suggestions include Whitewater, Ashton Brewing Co., Beau’s and Beyond the Pale. Looking for something a little fancier? Prosecco’s my fave and this one is sure to please, IMO: Blu Giovello, $15-ish.

I’m struggling to top this Wish List off at an even ‘10’, so if you have any suggestions send them my way!

ADDED NOTE:
I’m, for the first time ever, hosting my family’s Christmas feast! Since I don’t know how to cook and the holidays are hectic enough, I decided to let Farm Boy do the work. I’ll let you know how that goes towards the end of the year. I’ve heard good things!

I’ve also decided to start including an Archival Index of my previous blog posts in case you’re bored.

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Wishlist for the 30 Something in Your Life

Every year around this time I post a blog about things I'd like for Christmas. It's a good baseline for you if you're shopping for a 30 something (mother of two?) and need some guidance. Some of these gifts are every day items while others are a touch more indulgent. 

Leading with Local:

goods in Wellington West or the Byward Market, Beaded Dreams on Bank St., Vertigo Records on Rideau St., JV Studios in Wellington West, Wunderkammer in the Byward Market, Top of the World on Rideau St., Birling on Somerset St. W.

Skin Care, Hair Care & General Beauty:

FIrst Aid Beauty - Ultra Repair Hydrating Serum, $45 @ Sephora, Carmex Lip Balm, $3 @ Walmart, M-A-C Brushstroke Liner (black), $24 @ M-A-C, M-A-C Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation, $34 @ M-A-C, M-A-C Studio Finish SPF 35 Concealer, $24 @ M-A-C, Ouai Hair Oil, $35 @ Sephora, M-A-C In Extreme Dimension 3D Black Lash Mascara, $29 @ M-A-C, 

Clothes:

2017 VanVan 200, $4,300 @ Suzuki

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My 2016 Christmas Wish List

This year has been overwhelming in many ways with the greatest gift being my Dad's return to health (to put it very simply). We all know that the best gifts are not material things but each year I make a blog post dedicated to things I want for Christmas. This year, that tradition continues...

This list could benefit that pregnant 30 something in your life and it's kinda fun (for me, anyway) to have digital evidence of things I'd asked for throughout the years.

Donating your time, money or any gently used items to the following causes is as much a gift to yourself as it is to the recipient. I strongly encourage supporting The Ottawa Mission and the Ottawa Humane Society.

Ok. On to the material list...

Now and forever - CARMEX! The best lip balm out there. Absolutely love this stuff. On average, I go through 8-10 jars per year.

Now and forever - CARMEX! The best lip balm out there. Absolutely love this stuff. On average, I go through 8-10 jars per year.

Kanada Black Moccasins from Beaded Dreams (size 5)

Kanada Black Moccasins from Beaded Dreams (size 5)

Dr. Brown's Deluxe Bottle Warmer

Dr. Brown's Deluxe Bottle Warmer

Dr. Brown's Deluxe Sterilizer

Dr. Brown's Deluxe Sterilizer

I'm also on the hunt for a bathing suit top/rash guard (XL) to help keep me covered at the pool while Everett attends swim lessons - something I think everyone would appreciate (haha)!

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I spent $40 on two bars of soap - you'll want to too when you read this story.

Full story via Imgur: http://imgur.com/gallery/YSgiu


"Soapmaking to raise money for my mom" by Imgur user Banjokanin.

“A little backstory:
My mom got diagnosed with leukemia half a year ago. It’s been rough on not only the family but specially her. Numerous admissions and infections, chemotherapy and pain is taking its toll. That’s why I started making soaps. Being creative and using my hands has always been something to make me relax. I decided to create an Etsy page, because I thought I could raise a little money to give her something to take her mind off her illness. ”
— Banjokanin, Imgur

This story hits close to home for me. FUCK CANCER. As children of people who're fighting this bullshit, you feel kind of helpless. What can we do? How can we make things better? Regardless of how big or small a gesture, we have to do something. This lady chooses to make soaps!

She sells them out of her Etsy shop: SoapGardenDK in Denmark and ships 'em pretty much anywhere in the world. While the actual handmade bars of soap aren't all that pricey, the shipping can be (depending on where you live, obviously). 

I found this young woman's attitude admirable and wish her and her family the absolute best. If you're looking for some feel good soaps - visit her shop. I ordered sandalwood and peppermint scented versions of what's pictured below!

Tea-tree and daisy soap - CA$10 via SoapGardenDK

Tea-tree and daisy soap - CA$10 via SoapGardenDK

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