Chocolate Bar Party Ideas for a Dessert Table

Spring 2016 Fashion and appearance on Access Hollywood!

If you’ve been following my Facebook page, then you know that I’ve been sharing updates of my recent trip to L.A./Hollywood.

About a month ago, Stitch Fix, contacted me and asked if I’d be interested in appearing on Access Hollywood to help announce their new shoe line that released on March 16th, 2016. I’m not even sure if I ran it by my husband, to see if he minded if I went. I hit reply immediately and practically yelled, “YES,” through email. 🙂

Access Hollywood: Stitch Fix Segment

What an AMAZING experience it was! I can’t thank Stitch Fix enough for allowing me to participate in this super fun tv appearance. I’m such a fan of theirs, and I’m not quite sure where my fashion sense would be, if it wasn’t for them. As a mom of two little guys, I rarely have time to do clothes shopping for myself. So Stitch Fix comes to my rescue, every two weeks! (Yes, I selected to receive it as often as possible. But you can set it to fewer “fix,” shipments, if you like!

To give Stitch Fix a try, you can head over to the Stitch Fix site, quickly fill out your profile and get your first fix SOON! And remember… you only pay for what you want to keep! Yay!

Thank you so much to all of you for always encouraging me to follow my dreams, and for being a 24 hour best friend!

6 Ways to Make Your Desk Work More Productive

There are times, no matter where I’m at in my home working, that I consider it “desk work.”

This time is set aside for those moments when I have to meet a deadline online or even to just catch up on emails.

If I don’t prepare myself, my “desk work time” can slip away quickly, and leave me distracted, and still ending up with a full to-do list.

I want to share my favorite tips and tricks for making your desk work more productive if you’ve found that sitting down to work… tends to overwhelm you, or becomes a waste of time. Give these 6 items a try the next time to you sit down to get busy.

1. Turn your email notifications off

I’m so addicted to my email. Ok, I’m addicted to my laptop and phone too. (But I’m working on that with my therapist, I promise.)  

But when it comes to email, there’s a rush of “Ooooh, what is it!?” When I see a new email come through.

So when sitting down to knock important things off of my to-do list, I have to shut it off. On my Mac, I literally have to right-select the email app in my dock and close it.

If you access your email from a browser, simply close the tab. Taking the distraction of email out of the equation, you may not feel like you have to respond immediately to that email that comes through.

I’ll admit…

Is it just me, or do you get this “rushed,” feeling, feeling like you have to respond ASAP to someone’s email because you’re afraid that they’ll think you don’t care, or are too busy to respond?
(We will save those crazy thoughts for another day, and tackle those together. #peoplepleaser)

2. Make a “to-do” list in the morning

Even if you’re not a pen-to-paper kind of person, making a to-do list in your phone, on your computer, or wherever it feels comfortable, can be a HUGE factor in being more productive in your desk work.

The minute that you feel like you’ve completed all of your tasks for the day, take a look at your list from that morning. You may have forgotten something very important!

Offset brain damage… 

Our minds can have a lot of brain damage throughout the day. So relying on a list to refer to, may just save you from forgetting that important task that needs completed asap.

Plus, if you’re like me, getting the satisfaction of checking things off, can leave you feeling like you’ve completed more tasks during “desk time,” than you thought.

3. Close your social media tabs

FOMO. Not going to lie. I have FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) at times when it comes to social media. You too?

Do you feel like you’re going to miss out on something if you don’t check your Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and then rotate back through, wasting precious minutes (even hours) scrolling through social media, and getting lost in the mindless activity?

Say “no” to FOMO…

I’ve had to train myself to say, “Goodbye,” to social media, during desk work times. Removing the hundreds of distractions & push notifications that social media can push out in a days time, can suddenly give you back minutes (even hours) of your desk time. Soon, you’ll find that you can knock out some serious tasks, and have the satisfaction of completing those tasks.

When, if you had spent that time browsing Facebook, and Instagram… all you’d walk away with, is seeing that one of your friends has tried a new coffee flavor, isn’t feeling well, or has shared another selfie that looks just like the millions of other selfies they’ve shared in the last week. (I’ve totally taken selfies. Not discounting the fun of Facebook and Instagram… but save it for “down-time.”)

4. Turn on some music

Some days it’s the “Laid Back Beach Music,” station, or maybe even the “80’s Cardio,” playing in the background of my desk work, but I always have music on.

Total silence makes my mind go CRAZY, thinking about all of the things that I need to accomplish that day, and at times drifts off to topics that I shouldn’t waste time thinking about.

Search for the beat…

If you’re struggling to find a station that motivates you to put the pedal to the metal, there are apps and certain stations out there, that are specifically “focus,” and “work” music.

With some trial and error, see if there’s a station or certain type of music that helps you focus.

5. Get settled from the start

As a full-time blogger and mom, I work inside my home 90% of the time.

Which means, I have two little guys running around the house all day, that LOVE to have “Mom” sit down and check out the newest coloring page that they created, each time I walk through the room.

Trust me, I LOVE that I’m able to be at home with them. But when I have a deadline to meet, sometimes it’s hard to get that met when they tug at my heartstrings to show me their new favorite find.

and do less laundry…

So when it comes to trying to stay motivated at my desk, getting settled from the start will help keep me focused.

A full/warm coffee, pen/paper, laptop, and headphones, are my go-to items to have on hand when I’m ready to hammer down. I’ve found if I’m missing one of those items, within minutes I’ll want to get up from my desk. Then, the chances of getting distracted by one of the kiddos, or remembering that the laundry needs to be changed out will be slim.

6. LastPass

Get LastPass for Free: I found out about this password manager from a mastermind Facebook group that I’m a part of.

Someone posted a question about how everyone keeps track of all of their passwords that they need often, and not so often. MULTIPLE members replied with “LastPass,” and went on about how it’s the best way to manage passwords.

So when I found out that something like this existed, I realized how much time it would save me when I’m at my desk working. No more searching for my passwords for each site that I visit in my desk work routine.

Keep it together…

• You only need one master password to all of your accounts, that you can access wherever you are.
• I don’t have to think of new passwords anymore, because it will generate one for me, and remember it when I need it.
• I can safely share any info that I want, including credit card info, passwords, and other sensitive items that I wouldn’t feel safe sharing with someone in a text.
• It can be started on any device: I started it with an app on my phone…

• Everything put in the “vault,” is synced automatically and is secure, with bank-level security standards.
• I can keep digital records by using their secure notes to store insurance cards, membership info, prescription details, WiFi logins, social security numbers, and passports!
• Then, of course, my favorite part… it’s FREE!

Here are a couple of screenshots from my phone, so you’ll know what to look for, and what it looks like before you get started!

Let’s Get Productive

I so hope you’re ready to get down to business at your desk, and get productive!

Now, if you’ve done everything that you can think of to make your desk work more productive, but are still not keeping up with all of the work, check out my post on “5 Ways you can Outsource to Grow your Business.” Outsourcing has played a major role in my business growth, and so glad that I have learned how to delegate certain tasks.

DIY Patio Curtain Tie Backs: How to make patio curtain ties for your patio, affordably and easily!

If you’ve been following along on my Facebook page or Instagram, you’ve probably noticed the talk about my new DIY Patio Curtain Tie-Backs that I’ve hinted around about. You know me, and when I find a good thing, I can’t keep it to myself. So this time it was no different, and I have been keeping you updated on the whereabouts of this project. Some of you have asked for me to share a tutorial, so you can do it too! So here we are:

DIY Patio Curtain Tie Backs

Like with anything else, I headed to Etsy, the minute I needed something. I found EXACTLY the look that I was going for. A natural rope, (with a modern touch). Friends, I almost paid $50 for a pair of curtain tie-backs. I was trying to prepare myself to spend that much, when I realized that I may be able to make them myself.

I started “Pinteresting” and found that someone had already tackled the DIY brainstorming part, for me! (Call that COMPLETE luck.)  Crazy Wonderful had created a tutorial on curtain tie-backs that looked very similar to what I wanted, so I was able to play around with it, and make a trip to Home Depot to score the exact goods that I wanted. You all, I was able to make these for $5.00 a piece! That’s a HUGE savings, compared to what I was preparing to pay!

DIY Tutorial Curtain Patio Curtain Tie-Backs

I called my momma when I had the supplies, and told her what my plan was. Thankfully, she invited us down for dinner and to have a little “craft session,” so she could help me assemble them. I thought it was going to be so much harder than it looked. Turns out, it was super easy… but the helping hand was nice, to get them finished sooner than I would have by myself!

Type of String: The tutorial that I found, used twine to create the hooks. However I found this Twisted Mason Line, and thought that it may work better for my white curtains. Plus… I was hoping that this would hold up better outside in the rain, than twine would.

Type of Rope: I almost used manilla rope like she had used in her tutorial as well, but decided to go with a coated rope. I was a little nervous using regular rope, afraid that it could stain my white curtains. Plus, I’m hoping the coated rope and line will hold up better outside in the rain. She used a ¾ rope, but the coated type that I used was a bit different (close) in size, but not much. It still worked! I also had the super nice man from Home Depot, cut the rope in to 2 ft. sections. He then “burned,” the edges for me, to keep them from shredding.

P.S. My friend told me about a product called “Neverwet,” that I should use on my patio furniture and curtains. It keeps it from getting wet, and literally shoves the water right off of it. So I sprayed this on my patio curtains, hoping it would keep them from getting soaked and staining. Not sure if it will work with the “staining,” aspect, but it’s worth a chance!

Metal Couplings: I needed 9 curtain tie-backs, so I grabbed 18 ½″ Rigid Threaded Couplings, to use for the ends of the ties. (2 on each one.)

Start with cutting 3 strands of Twisted Mason Line, about 6 inches long. (The size can depend on how big you want your “hook,” to be.)

Using electrical tape, tape one end of the strings to one side, & one end of the rope.

Braid the three strands together, and tape the other end, (making a loop) to the other side of the rope with electrical tape.

Slide a coupling over the end of the rope, covering the tape and the extra stings, if any. Note: Since the couplings are rigid, it secures it on the rope a bit more! If you have trouble slipping the coupling on the rope, try “twisting,” it on. That seemed to work best for us.

The DIY patio curtain tie backs are done!

Then they were all ready to tie my new curtains back! Plus… I saved a TON of money doing it! It cost me $48 to make all 9, when I was going to have to pay $50 to receive two. That’s around $5 a piece! Woot! Success!!!

Pin this DIY Patio Curtain Tie Backs tutorial on Pinterest so you don’t forget!

What to Pack for Mexico – Free Checklist that you can print and check off items while you pack, that’s perfect for an all inclusive resort vacation.

Whether it’s your first time going to Mexico or you’re not sure what to pack for, you’ll find this list of things and essential items really helpful!

Post and printable checklist originally published in 2016.

What should I pack for Mexico?

If you’re traveling to Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Cabo San Lucas or any of the beach towns soon, this is the ultimate Mexico packing list of items that I always pack, and recommend that you do too.

Then, make sure to also get my tips for a Mexico Vacation, where I go in to more detail about what to expect when vacationing there.

Over there, you’ll find the answers to questions like:

• Why an ink pen is important to take?
• Why you should pack a bathing suit in your carry-on.

…and so much more. I can’t WAIT to jot all of my thoughts and advice on the subject. It may just take me back to vacation.

Packing Checklist For Mexico Vacation

When you’ve been dreaming of this beach destination, the last thing you want to do is get there, realizing you’ve forgotten something really important! So make sure to consider some or all of these things when packing:

Travel Documents:

• Passport
• Drivers License
• Travel Documents (boarding passes, transportation confirmation, phone numbers, addresses, travel insurance papers, etc.)

Travel Accessories:

• Cash, Credit Cards, Debit Card (Dollar bills for tips! We like to take about $100 with us for tipping,$50 in ones and the rest in $5, $10, and $ ’20s.)
• Books/Magazines
• Wifi downloaded movies, etc. for the long flight
• Laptop/ipad/cell phone
• Headphones
• Chargers
• Ink Pen (to fill out forms on the plane)

Personal Items:

• Makeup
• Toothbrush/Toothpaste
• Mouthwash
• Floss
• Body Wash
• Contacts/Glasses
• Contact Solution
• Face Wash
• Lotion
• Anti-Bacterial Cream (Never know when you may get a scrape and want to doctor it!)
• Blow Dryer (Check to see if your hotel room has one, to save room in your luggage!)
• Straightener
• Curling Wand/Iron
• Brush/Comb
• Hair Oil/Protectant
• Hair Clips/Ties
• Hair Spray
• Mousse
• Shampoo/Conditioner
• Pain Reliever

Clothes:

• Pajamas
• Workout Clothes
• Tennis Shoes
• Socks
• Dress Shoes (High Heels)
• Tops and Shorts for Day Outings (Casual Clothing)
• Dresses/Dress Clothes
• Jewelry
• Purses
• Light Jacket

Outdoor Essentials

• Swimming Suits
• Flip Flops
• Sun Hat
• Sunglasses
• Bug Spray
• Sunblock
• Aloe Vera

Other Items for Your Travel Bag

I included the most important things above and usually don’t pack the following items, and they’re not on the packing list but I wanted to provide them in case you see something you don’t want to forget, that may be a good idea :

• beach bag
• rain jacket (depending on the time of year, especially if you’re visiting during a rainy season)
• dry bag (if you plan to explore the area and hike
• water bottle
• first aid kit
• lip balm
• travel umbrella
• comfortable shoes (if you plan on doing outdoor activities and walking a lot)

Feel free to print off this free packing list to check things off as you go!

I’m assuming you’re here because you’re going on vacation to Mexico soon. I so hope you have a great time. But before you go, check out my posts, to give you a better idea of what the All-Inclusive Resorts look like:

• See our El Dorado Casitas Royale Resort Vacation
• Take a look at how I surprised my husband for his 30th birthday at Excellence Resort

If you’re heading to the beach, here’s a list of beach picnic snack ideas that may be helpful too!

With a vest in almost every color from J.Crew, I always try to find a place for one in my daily outfit selections during the Winter! Plus, the new style of Hunter Boots!

Hunter Boot Train + Boot Socks

I’m going to admit. I didn’t really want to jump on the Hunter Boot train last year. Why? Because every rubber boot that I’ve ever tried on seemed clunky and uncomfortable. But late one night, I found myself on Nordstrom’s website, and I found the NEW Original Refind Hunter Boots. They are a sleek, thinner, more flexible rubber with a slimmer silhouette. I absolutely fell in LOVE, and had to have them.

As I threw the Hunter Boots in to my virtual shopping cart, the pretty little Original Tall Fleece Welly Boot Socks enticed me. I thought the cream fleece color would look gorge with the dark slate boots, and I am NOT disappointed! They’re not only cute, and add an extra look to an outfit, but you talk about COZY-COZY! I’m kind of looking forward to snow this year, just so I can wear the cozy little things and appreciate the warmth.

Buy the Hunter Boots HERE in Dark Slate // Buy the Hunter Tall Fleece Welly Boot Socks HERE in Cream Fleece

The first ever????

That same night, I branched out and bought my first scarf. YES, I said “first,” scarf. I never really had a desire for a scarf, because I thought they were all big and bulky which is something that I DON’T want on my top half. But when I saw that this BP. “Heritage Plaid” Infinity scarf was pretty thin, rather than bulky, and then found myself swooning over the colors, I had to have it. Now I find myself hoping it will go with every outfit, every day.
PLUS, I’m a huge fan of BP. brand at Nordstrom, because it’s more affordable than most Nordstrom items…so it just made sense.

Buy the scarf here!

Vests are Best

My husband and I adore vests. If we are getting dressed to go out somewhere, you can almost bet we will both be wearing a vest. I’m not sure what it is for him, but I feel all warm and cozy in them, and they make layering easy.
Not to mention that I can throw one on, zip it up, and hide any extra fluff around the waist line from too much white Peppermint Mocha Crunch Cake.

I love snagging a new colors of quilted puffer vests each season, and this bleached sand vest from J.Crew Factory was a steal! I’m crushing over it this season because it goes with a ton of outfits.

Buy the vest HERE!

Sweater Weather

Although they no longer have the red sweater that I’m wearing here, they do have a similar one that’s even cashmere!! I know, I know… the word cashmere is scary because that usually means a price tag that’s over $100. But this sweater is under $100, and comes in a ton of different colors! Woot!

Shop the sweaters HERE!

This photo makes me giggle. I remember exactly what I was doing when she snapped this shot. I said, “This is so awkward Megan. Why can’t I just pose like those other fashion girls that are naturals? They just turn and pose and twirl so nice. I’m just a hot mess… look.” (And she snapped it.)

Shop the look here:

(Remember, the red sweater is similar, not the one I have on in the photos.)

[show_shopthepost_widget id=”2148640″]

What to do when your husband doesn’t come home: Ways to wrap your mind around what’s going on, and the action steps that can help during a tough situation!

What to do When Your Husband Doesn’t Come Home

After writing How to Make Your Husband Want to Come Home, I’ve found so many readers stumbling upon it, looking for ways to encourage their husbands to come back home when they’ve left… after an argument.

Now, since that post is really geared towards ways to show your husband “love,” to make them excited to come back home at the end of the day, I’ve wanted to create this post for those looking for help that may be going through a tough situation with their husband at this very moment.

You May Also Love This Marriage Talk:

• 29 Tips on How to Be a Good Wife
• How to Respect Your Husband

DISCLAIMER: Although I’m no expert, and not a therapist or marriage counselor, I do love to share what I’ve learned through experience within my own marriage, and through individual AND marriage counseling. As I always recommend, seeking counsel with a professional can be one of the most beneficial things you can do in your life. Especially when you’re going through a tough time. It can not only help YOU with YOUR feelings and emotions, it can help you gain a new perspective on what may be going on with those around you who you love.

What to do When Your Husband Doesn’t Come Home

Now when I say “What to do when your husband doesn’t come home,” I’m not talking about if he said he was on his way home from work, and it’s been an hour and still hasn’t arrived.

I’m talking about the times that he is temporarily staying somewhere else, expressing that he just needs some time away, and/or you’ve noticed that he’s been avoiding coming/staying at home with you and perhaps your family.

Also read: If Your Husband Cheats and How to Make it Through

Confront the Issue

In times of struggle, or in states of confusion, confronting the actual issue can be a hard task. Letting the emotions and feelings that we are currently experiencing, can quickly overrule any logical thinking that SHOULD be taking place. But I really, really, encourage you to tell your emotions to shut the heck up, so you can think for a minute.

• What could be the actual issue at hand?
• Was there an argument that took place?
• Was there a traumatic circumstance in his life lately?
• Have you noticed he hasn’t been affectionate as much?

Start with confronting the issue, so action steps and discussion can start with the right foundation.

Sometimes we can let our emotions get to us, and we just start spit firing what we think at each other, rather than dealing with the real issue at hand. The real issue then may never come up, or other damage will be done before even getting to the current issue.

Give Him Time. Don’t Force Him.

Could he not want to come home because he just needs some time? Maybe he has no intention of leaving for good. Is it possible that he’s the type of guy that never makes time for himself, rarely hangs out with buddies, and always puts his needs on the back burner?

I know good and well the kind of mental state that I’m in if I don’t make time for myself, or have been ignoring needs that I have.

So it could be possible that he just needs some time, and if that’s the case, forcing him to give up that time can just make the problem snowball for an even bigger disaster. Giving him much needed time may be something that he’s longing for.

Ego Can be a Nasty Thing

Whew. This one has been a tough one on me. Perhaps it’s because I struggled with this one so much. I don’t know about you, but I always had to “Be right.” I had to “be right” in every argument we ever had in our marriage, and I had to do/say what I could to make him realize that I was right.

It even went so deep that I wasn’t even aware of the fact that I always had to be right. It was as if he was automatically wrong with everything he said/did, and it was a challenge to make him apologize for it.

The thought of “Well maybe we’re both in the wrong” never came up. It was always, “He’s wrong. I’m right. And even if he IS right, I won’t admit it, because that would be weak. It would mean losing the argument, and losing my upper hand at any future argument.” (I told you ego could be nasty. I lived it.)

When it comes to your husband being gone, and not wanting to come home, don’t let the ego win. Confront the issue at hand (Step #1), and tell your ego to shut up.

If that ego blocks anything that he has to tell you, it will take THAT much longer to get where you really want to be. (Where your preferred outcome rests.)

Pick up the Phone. Don’t Text

Look, I totally get it. I’m a texter, and it’s how my husband and I communicate by phone 95% of the time. But when we’ve been in the middle of an argument, or have been through a rough patch, and have tried to have conversation… texting has caused more damage than good.

The emotion and tone are completely gone from the text. Words can be turned around in ways that you or he, never intended. (i.e. Making the existing problem an even bigger one.)

Pick up the phone and talk. If he refuses to talk, and you have time-sensitive questions that need answers, keep your text short, clear as can be, and to the point. But the “blame game,” explanation and detailed conversations are best heard instead of seen.

Tip: Before you talk on the phone, make notes of what you’d like to talk about. Usually, when the conversation gets going, the emotion can be so strong that you forget important details you may want to discuss.

Don’t Assume it’s You That Did Something or it’s You That Needs to be the Only Thing to Change

After reading those first few tips, I can hear some of you saying, “Crap. It was my fault. It was all me. I shouldn’t have jumped past the issue at hand. The ego stood in front of my rational thinking. I shouldn’t have texted him.” Please, please don’t take it this way.

Did you know that whatever may be keeping him away from home may be something HE’s going through?

Don’t assume that it is your fault. Don’t assume that you are the only one who should “fix it”.

There may be something going on in him that he doesn’t even know how to communicate or explain to you.

Ready for this, and to think even deeper??? HE may not even be aware of what’s going on with himself, and what’s keeping him away from home. We all know the saying of what “assume” means. So assuming that it’s you can cause unnecessary wear and tear on yourself.

So what can you do if you’re not sure what’s going on?

After moving past assuming that it’s you being the problem, take a look through his eyes.

• Is there something that’s not right at home?
• Has work been stressful for him?
• Is there something that he’s briefly mentioned that could be the cause of him not wanting to come home?

Sit down, and grab a clear picture of what’s not right. Make notes of behaviors and actions that you’ve noticed lately.

• Is he complacent/displaced?
• Is he in a crisis?
• Could these items have been a result of a certain activity that took place?

Look at the big picture and make note of anything that sparks a question, so you can be aware of what’s actually happening.

Question Everything

I don’t mean question him with everything. Question everything that you’ve noticed and made note of.

Look, if you’ve found your way to this article because you Googled “What to do When Your Husband Doesn’t Come Home,” I can almost bet that you love him, dearly. Right? Because if you didn’t… you probably wouldn’t mind that he’s not coming home right now.

Questioning everything can that’s going on can help you have a better understanding of what may be going on.

Questioning everything may even help protect him/you/your marriage early before it gets too carried away. It may help make you aware of what’s really going on, and how to move forward in the right direction.

Should YOU Fix This?

I don’t think there have been truer words spoken to me that have given me a “Woah” moment like this one…

You can’t make anyone do anything, and you can’t keep them from themselves. But you can fix YOU.

Read that a couple of times to really let that sink in. I’ll admit, the first 20 times I heard my husband and therapist say this, I let it roll right off of my shoulder. It just wouldn’t “click,” for me. Then one day, it did. For YEARS, I’ve wanted to “fix” him. I wanted to prove that I was right. So I spent so much energy and emotion thinking, “If he would just ‘X,’ this would be so much better.” If ‘X’ would just happen for us, life would be so much easier.”

But the moment that I realized working on myself would produce WAY better results (and faster results), I started down that path. Why is it better and faster? Because again, you can’t make anyone do anything, and you can’t keep them from themselves.

But you can fix YOU. You can seek counsel. You can train your brain to focus on the reality of a situation, instead of letting the emotions and feelings overrule.

Wrap-Up

Were you looking for a list of physical action items that would miraculously make your husband come home? Things like: Dress sexy, make his favorite cookies or plan a romantic weekend away with him?

Well I’m not saying you shouldn’t do those things. But I did want to touch on an even deeper level that may last a lot longer than cookies and a sexy outfit.

Again, I’m no therapist, but rather someone that’s learning through life as I go. After marrying my high school sweetheart, we’ve had the privilege of “growing up together,” and experiencing life’s ups and downs. With the blessing of someone telling us early on that seeking counsel can make a major impact on our lives, we’ve been able to take tough times by the reins (with guidance) and take one step at a time. We’re still learning, and will continue to learn. But I hope from our experiences, you can find a bit of encouragement in whatever it may be that you’re going through right now.

30th Birthday Ideas for Him: A list of birthday gift ideas from men who were asked what they would like to receive for their 30th birthday!

30th Birthday Ideas for Him

Just a couple of years ago, I was right where you are…

What do I get my husband for his birthday!?

Before marriage it was,

What do I get my boyfriend for his birthday?

I totally get it. They can be SO hard to shop for, no matter what your relationship with them is.

Well, I wanted to put an end to all of the guessing games when it comes to 30th birthday ideas for a husband, good friend or even a brother or family member!

I polled a TON of men around the age of 30, to get to the bottom of it, and find out exactly what men really wanted for their 30th birthday. (Give/Take a few years if need be.)

One of my favorite gift ideas for him is this “I think you’re Red Hot!” Valentine’s gift “basket.” See how I made it for my hubby here for Valentine’s Day, but could be for a birthday or a “just because” gift:

For the Sports & Outdoorsman:

• Golf equipment
• Overnight trip to play at his favorite golf course with buddies. (Plan a trip with Expedia.)
• Sporting event tickets (Baseball, Football, Hockey)
• Fishing gear
• Hunting equipment
• CCW Class
• Grill
• Man-cave - Get him out of town, buy a tv or two and fix up a space just for him. When he comes back, surprise him with his friends already hanging out inside.

For the Handyman:

• Tools (Air tools)
• Large tool chest
• Tool box for truck
• Paint Sprayer
• LED Flashlight

For the Musician:

• Guitar
• Drums
• Tickets to a concert
• Keyboard/Piano

For the Professional:

• Cigars
• Necktie
• Cologne
• New pair of shoes
• Bottle of bourbon with nice glasses (Shop decanters)

For the Adventurer:

• “Escape the Box” – Check your area to see if this is offered. He can take some friends, get locked in a room with a one hour timer, and have to find all the clues to get out before the hour’s up.
• “Drive a Tank” – A place where he can drive a tank, and plow over cars, houses, and operate machines.
• A Mexico vacation – See what I did for my husband’s 30th birthday, with all of the little surprises along the way!

For Any Man:

• Favorite Cake (Cheesecake, Ice Cream Cake, or favorite flavor)
• Money to spend on himself
• Full body massage (Extra special from wife or girlfriend, but spa is nice too!)  If it will be from you, make sure you read up on the post I wrote, Preparing for a Romantic Weekend away with your Husband. You may just find a few tips for yourself in there!

I so hope you found a few gift ideas for the man in your life! It was so nice hearing from men, what they’d actually want for a gift for their birthday. I was completely shocked at how many actually spilled the beans. But that’s good news for us! Woot!

Tips for an All-Inclusive Resort Vacation in Mexico: The things I wish I knew before going the first time and bonus tips just for fun!

Heading to Mexico for an all-inclusive vacation can be SUPER exciting. But it can also be super nerve-wracking if you've never been because you're unsure of what to expect.

Luckily, my first time in Mexico for a vacation at an all-inclusive resort, I traveled with a friend who had been multiple times, so she knew what to expect and knew the ins and outs.

But if you're heading there for the first time and you're not sure what to pack or what to expect upon arriving, consider me your virtual best friend that can help! (Plus, get my free printable, Mexico Packing List to help make the planning process even easier!)

I may not have all the answers for a perfect trip to Mexico but I do have tips that can make your trip more enjoyable and hopefully spare you some trouble.

NOTE: I’ll be referring to taking an adults only, all-inclusive vacation to a resort where you fly in to the Cancun aiport (CUN). So if you’re arriving elsewhere, some of the tips may differ but this should still be very helpful!

How do you get the most out of an all-inclusive resort?

I've broken the tips up in to "must-know" tips (or highly suggested tips) and "just for fun" tips to help you get the most out of your all-inclusive vacation. The first set will be those tips that I wish I would have known or so glad that I knew when traveling there for the first time.

The "just for fun" tips are… well… just that. Fun tips that I've learned along the way that make things even better or more enjoyable. Definitely not necessary but are nice perks and things to remember!

MUST-KNOW or Highly Suggested Tips:

• Travel minimally! (Unless you're a fashion blogger. Haha!) But even as a blogger knowing that I could get some crazy fun photos on the beach of any new outfits… I end up wearing a swimming suit and swimsuit cover-up most days. I feel like day clothes are overrated unless you're going on an excursion. So for someone like us, who never leaves the resort, I only take one day outfit (cute shorts/top) just in case we decide on a whim to do some exploring. The same goes for jewelry… I take one pair of earrings that can go with anything and just wear those every night.

• Call your phone carrier to check on the International phone plan before leaving. Some phone plans will charge roaming fees when traveling to Mexico. Or, you may be able to get a specific, temporary package to cover roaming charges.

• Print out your itinerary before leaving home so you can reference it in case your phone goes dead at all in the airport or on your way to the resort. It's also handy to have this when filling out the customs form and you need flight number information as well as the resort’s address.

• We love booking EARLY flights to Cancun. (Like, 6 or 7 am flights.) Knowing we have a few days to nap when we get there, we don't mind waking early, catching a flight and arriving at the resort around 11 am to still enjoy most of the day!

• Fly out mid-day if possible on the way home. (Sleep in…at least more than you did on the way there.) You don't want to be stressed on your way back home and it's recommended that you arrive to the airport 3 hours early anyway and your resort may be quite a distance from the airport as well. So a 9:00 am flight may sound doable, but just keep in mind how early you may just have to start your day for that kind of flight. Plus, having one more all-inclusive breakfast before you leave is always a nice way to start your day to travel back home. (For instance, on our last trip, we met a couple who had to leave the resort at 2:30 in the morning to catch an early 6 am flight. Yuck.

• Filling out forms. You will fill out a customs form while on the plan to Mexico. You will then give this form to the person in the "customs" area in the Cancun airport. The form will ask how you're arriving in to Cancun… flight/boat… what airline you used, what hotel/address you're staying at, etc.)

• Going through customs. When you go through customs on arrival, they'll give you a little slip of paper from the customs form on the plane that you'll need to hang on to and bring back to the airport with you. So don't throw this away! The last time I ran in to a problem with this though (someone was traveling with me that lost theirs) we found out that an Immigration form replacement is $30, and it’s cash only.

• Ink pens - Sounds crazy right? But you'll be so glad that you brought one or two for filling out the customs form on the plane.
  Having a pen on you so you can fill this out is so much nicer than having to wait and ask a stranger to use theirs and share the same pen with 20 other people.

• Use a beach bag as a purse for the flight! I LOVE doing this because I love to pack minimalistic. If my beach bag is small enough to qualify and slide under the chair in front of me and big enough to hold my laptop, wallet, passport, small jacket, etc. then I don't have to pack a beach bag in my check-in and I don't need to take my big giant purse that I use every day.

• Smile, be cooperative and be kind to the airport workers. You'd be surprised how far this can get you if a problem arises. (Check-in bag too heavy, etc.)

• Room service. Don't feel like going to dinner every night? A lot of resorts have room service 24 hours a day. Order in and relax!

• Dress codes. Check with the resort for any dress code at the restaurants. Some restaurants have requirements that you'll want to know about before packing. (i.e. elegant dress codes, casual, etc. and what types of clothes fit the different codes.)

• Sunscreen - Pack that sunscreen! I know it sounds obvious but buying at the resort can be me a lot more expensive. Same for aloe vera gel. That's fantastic to have for a sunburn.

• How much should you tip at an all inclusive resort? Take $1's for tips - Some resorts will say "please don't tip" or "we don't accept tips" But I'll tell you that I've yet to find one where the employees don't accept them and I've also found that tipping a couple of dollars here and there to waiters/waitresses, bellhops, concierge, etc. can make their day and sometimes even get you superstar service!

• Take cash. If I were you, I’d still take a bit of cash with you, other than just dollar bills. Our debit card gave us problems while there, so we were thankful we took enough cash to cover emergency purchases or even purchases that we made at the resort.

• USD and Pesos. Remember that you’ll be dealing with pesos while you’re there, but using USD is just fine! If you visit the spa or purchase something while there, don’t panic when you see what looks like your total is thousands of dollars. That is in pesos and they’ll be able to convert it to USD for you.

• First aid. Pack items like Motrin, Tylenol, Advil, hangover relief, digestive, heartburn relief, etc. for those "Ooops, I drank too much" moments or if the food/water doesn't settle well with you.

• Bug spray - sometimes the mosquitos can be an issue, so I always like to bring that with me in case it's heavy mosquito season.

• Small crossover handbags are super handy for going out for dinner at the resorts if you want to carry your phone or other small belongings with you. This is an adorable, similar nude crossover handbag that I use!
  I recommend a crossover if you do want to take things with you, so it's easier to carry if you decide to stay out afterward for the entertainment, and it's less likely you'll sit the purse down and walk off from it. However… I get to where I don't even take my phone or any belongings with me to dinner and just leave everything in the room. So freeing! But grab that room key… and slip it in to your pocket if you have one!

• Jewelry. Leave your wedding rings at home or wear a fake ring! The last thing you want is to have a great time and then lose something so special and important!

• Credit Card. Be prepared to take a credit card with you for extra charges or let your bank know you're traveling if you bank with a small local bank and using a debit card.

• Phone safety. If you like to have your phone out in the pool/beach area, grab a waterproof case. But surprisingly (even as addicted as I am to my phone/computer) I leave my phone in the room almost all day. If you can, use this time to detox from your phone.

• Shoes. Take one pair of dress shoes that you can wear with multiple outfits for dinner. (Nude heels are a great color for me because they go with just about anything, and my husband usually takes black/brown dress shoes.)

• Do I need to bring a beach towel to an all inclusive resort? Beach towels usually aren't necessary to bring with you. You may check with your resort, but don't waste the space in your luggage if your resort provides them.

• Hairdryer - check with your resort to see if they provide one. Less you have to take, the better.

• Use the safe in your room. You just never know. When you get to the room, place your passports (and car keys if applicable) in the safe, as well as any other travel documents that you want to keep safe while you're on the trip.
  Don't forget to get your things out of the safe when you leave. If it helps, set a reminder on your phone the night before or morning of departure so you don't get to the airport and realize you've left it behind an hour away at the resort!

• Pack a swimming suit in your carry-on or purse (beach bag) when flying. This is smart in case your luggage gets lost, or if you arrive at the resort before you can check-in. If your room isn't ready, go to the bathroom, change in to your swimming suit and hit up the pool or beach while you wait for your room to be ready!

• Books/Magazines - not only are these handy for the airplane ride there when you can't play on the internet to pass the time, but they come in handy for when you need to get up and go somewhere and need something to show that your pool chair/cabana is taken. (I actually prefer to buy magazines in the airport when heading to the resort, so I can leave the magazines behind once I've read them and not have to drag them back home like I would a book.)

• Digital reads. Not interested in taking books/magazines? Save books/podcasts on to your device before going. It's lucky to fly with an airline that has Wi-Fi so don't assume they all do.

• Book a shuttle service ahead of time that can pick you up from the Cancun airport and take you to your resort. When you arrive at the airport, there will be a TON of employees for various shuttle services trying to talk you in to riding with them. It's much easier to bypass them and look for the shuttle company you booked. They're expecting you and know exactly where to take you!

• Arrival expectations. Arriving at the airport in Cancun, you'll have to go through something called "customs". This is where they check your passport, and may ask you a couple of questions of why you're coming in. (i.e. What is your name, where are you staying? How many days will you be visiting, etc.) Once through customs, you'll walk to the baggage claim and pick up any luggage you checked in.
  Most of the time, you then take your luggage through an area where they scan the luggage or even physically open it up and take a look through it to make sure you're not bringing anything illegal in.
  Then, you head outside and soak in that beautiful weather and sunshine to catch a ride to your resort.

• If you can swing it, book a private shuttle. Sometimes it's not that much bigger of a cost. Sharing a shuttle or transportation ride with strangers can result in stopping at multiple other resorts before getting to yours, taking a lot of time away from your day of vacation!

• Departure shuttle. While at the resort, confirm your shuttle service back to the airport to know what time to leave the resort on the day of.

• Departure airport trip. On the way back home (if you live in USA) you'll go through the flight check-in at Cancun airport like normal, go through security and then board your flight. When arriving at your layover (if you don't have a direct flight) you may have to get your luggage at baggage claim, go through security again and go through customs at that airport before boarding your next flight home.
  For instance, if you live in Montana and are flying home from Cancun, but you have a layover in Dallas… you may have to go to Dallas' baggage claim area when laying over to get your luggage and take it through customs so they can check to make sure you didn't bring anything illegal in to the USA. Then, once you're good to go, you can board your plane to your final destination.
  Have a direct flight? Customs will just check your baggage after you have picked it up from the baggage claim at your home airport. Direct flights are definitely a better option if you are able to get one, but isn't as crazy as it may sound unless a flight is delayed.

• Dry shampoo. Ladies, dry shampoo may be your new best friend if it isn't already! I love being able to use that instead of having to get completely ready for dinner if I've stayed at the pool bar/beach longer than planned.

• Beach chairs. Most people will tell you to get up early while there if you can or if it's worth it to you, to reserve a pool chair. Some people think it's rude to reserve chairs and some resorts don't even allow it.
  My opinion? I like to get up early some mornings, head down by the pool and pick a place. I put my things down (sometimes sit for a bit and soak up the sun) and then I go to breakfast, leaving my magazines and sunscreen on the chair. This way if something happens to them, it's not the end of the world, but most of the time someone will see that it is taken and they won't sit there. Then, after breakfast, I can come right back and enjoy the chair again. Just be kind. Don't reserve a chair in the morning just in case you want it hours later and leave for an excursion for the day.

• Don't try to bring back meats, fruits, etc. from your trip. Customs won't allow most of these items.

• Drink the water? Have you ever heard someone say "Don't drink the water in Mexico?!" We have too. But we always drink the water at the restaurants and in the bottles that are in the hotel minibar. But I've also heard stories of others struggling with drinking water that's not bottled or even brushing your teeth with the sink water. I'm sure it depends on where you go and what resort you stay at, but we have never had problems with this, at four different resorts.

• Use the "do not disturb" door tag if you have one, for when you're in the room. The housekeepers can make multiple trips to your room in one day to clean and even come in for turndown service. You don't want to get woken up from that precious nap you've been craving!

JUST FOR FUN:

• Can you bring your own cup to all inclusive resort? Some love to take yeti cups for drinking in the pool so their drinks stay colder longer. We prefer to just get a new drink at the bar rather than keep up with a cup and feel like we have to clean it every day.

• Leave a tip for the housekeeper - sometimes you can get little extras, or possibly your room cleaned sooner

• Have airline miles or want to go big or go home? Book first class for your flight if you can. There's nothing like going to Cancun and starting your vacation out early by hopping on the flight with ease and enjoying tons of legroom, comfy seats, and cocktails.

• Nightly entertainment. A lot of resorts have nightly entertainment. Anything from magic shows, dancing, live bands, etc. The pools usually close around 6 in the evening to allow guests to go back to their rooms and get ready for dinner.

• Spa prep. If going to the spa, a cocktail or two beforehand can help you get extra relaxed.

• Making a spa appointment on the resort? See if you can go to the spa early and take advantage of their steam room/sauna beforehand!

Where are you going? I’d love to hear!

I’ve been to a small handful of different resorts, but I’ve been to the same resorts multiple times! (When you find one that you like it’s hard to try a new one! At least for us!)

Or if you haven’t booked one yet, this is where I love to book all-inclusive trips as a package with the flight to save money!

I’ve been to:

• Excellence Riviera Maya – Our favorite! Also check out how I surprised my husband for his 30th birthday at this resort!
• El Dorado Casitas and Royale – Both casitas and the royale side
• Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya
• ….and another (not all-inclusive) in downtown Cancun that was a timeshare.

But I’d LOVE to hear where you’ve been and what your favorite is. Or, if you haven’t been yet… let me know where you’re going!