Gift Ideas Archives – Strength Of The Small

Gift Ideas Simple Pleasures Health and Wellness Family

Refreshing Floral Scents

By JM PerezMarch 30, 20192 min read1.5K views

Today we took a trip to Bed Bath and Body Works, where we stock up on our favorite body cream. With their buy 3 get 2 free, we couldn’t resist.

I have been using Juniper Breeze body cream for the last 15 years after trying a sample from a Hotel in San Jose, CA where we stayed for a business trip. The scent from this Juniper Breeze is slightly different from the original, but still a classic. Amber and Argan body cream now discontinued, is another one of my favorite (the scent doesn’t disappoint).
From the moment he tried on Bourbon body cream last year, my son loved it and so does my husband. It’s not too overpowering and smells amazing. My daughter loves the pleasant floral scent of Japanese Cherry Blossom Body Cream. Everyone is happy.

My daughter fell in love with the Angel Food Cupcake Refill scent and Cherry Blossom Wallflower Fragrance Plug. I am glad she is figuring out things for herself and making her own choices. She still asks for advice.

*Cherry Blossom Wallflower Fragrance Plug and Angel Food Cupcake Refill.*

My all time favorite scent is the Yankee Candle® simply home™ Bamboo Electric Home Fragrancer Refill. It’s unfortunate that it has been discontinued. I still have a few left from my last purchase. I really hope these products will be back in stock soon. Midsummer’s Night by Yankee Candle® simply home™ is another scent I have come to like.

*Yankee Candle Simply Home Bamboo Scent.*

I love the scent of the new Lysol Disinfectant Spray – Cherry Blossom & Pomegranate. I liked it so much that I ordered a dozen and given that it’s the season for allergies, it’s always good to have these available. It does the job and smells wonderful too.

*Lysol Disinfectant Spray, Cherry Blossom & Pomegranate Scent.*

It’s a beautiful day, so I might as well get out and smell the roses in my garden.

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By JM Perez

Gift Ideas Christmas Holidays

Found Under the Tree …

By JM PerezJanuary 2, 20191 min read1.3K views

Happy New Year 2019!

I hope you had a wonderful time celebrating and you are now ready to win battles this year. Best wishes. I enjoyed the holiday break and rested well. It rained a few times and we loved it.

Months before Christmas (including birthdays), I ask my kids to make a list of three things they really wanted, with the understanding that only one will be bought. We decided to get them everything on their list because it was the last time they would receive gifts as they are getting too old for that. They will now receive a Christmas allowance, for things they really need.

My avid readers got lots and lots of books.
My daughter LEGO sets, but went gaga for the ultra-rare L.O.L. Surprise! Punk Boi and Lil Punk Boi dolls. She also got L.O.L. Surprise! Under Wraps Scribbles and Lil Scribbles. Her brother got her the L.O.L. Surprise! Rocker doll.

*L.O.L. Surprise! Under Wraps Scribbles and Lil Scribbles.*

My son received the Harry Potter Paperback Box Set, a few diecast model cars which he collects and this LEGO® Volkswagen T1 Camper Van. Together with his father, it took them a few hours to put the pieces together.

Wishing you all a safe, healthy and blissful days ahead, to you and your families.

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By JM Perez

New Year Gift Ideas Home Decor

Happy New Year 2016

By JM PerezJanuary 3, 20161 min read726 views

Hello and Happy New Year 2016!

I hope you ended 2015 in a positive note. For those of you who didn’t achieve your goals and/or suffered a loss; I hope 2016 will be the year for new beginnings and clarity in your lives.

All I wanted for Christmas was a cozy home filled with healthy, happy people and I got just that.
I got so many beautiful things for Christmas; but the ones I love most are a set of quilted throw faux-suede pillows. They are super cute, soft and add charm to any room. I am going coastal in my home, starting with my living room.

Quilted Faux-Suede Pillow. — *Quilted Faux-Suede Pillow (Sandstone and Mineral Blue from Kohl’s).*

*Sonoma Life + Style® Boat Frame & Small Coral Cluster Décor.*

On December 31st, I celebrated my 15th Anniversary.

Simply Vera Vera Wang Vorrie Women's Woven Stretch Pumps. — *Simply Vera Vera Wang Vorrie Women’s Woven Stretch Pumps.*

We attended church service this morning and it was great to fellowship with others and hearing God’s Word. The sermon really struck a chord with me — words of encouragement and hope for the new year. After many years of searching, we finally found a Church that we love and we will continue to attend regularly.

It’s back to school tomorrow. We all enjoyed our holiday break, now it’s time to work hard. Although 2015 ended with clear blue skies, it looks like we might get some rain tonight and all week-long.

Happy New Year 2016!

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By JM Perez

Reviews Entrepreneurs Gift Ideas Food and Drink High Desert

Stephanie’s Sweet Creations

By JM PerezJuly 26, 20141 min read1.7K views

I awoke joyful with infinite gratitude in my heart for all the blessings in my life; both seen and unseen, as I celebrated the seven birthday of my first born, the peaceful force who keeps me grounded.

All Summer long he has been into Minecraft, a game about breaking and placing blocks as well as WorldCraft, an alternative to Minecraft. For his seventh birthday we surprised him with a delicious Minecraft Cake, home delivered by the talented Stephanie herself. He loved everything about it and we love that it made his day.

Minecraft Cake by Stephanie's Sweet Creations. — *Minecraft Cake by Stephanie’s Sweet Creations.*

Stephanie is the owner at Stephanie’s Sweet Creations. She specializes in creative and delicious Cupcakes, Cake Pops as well as Cakes like the ones below. Checkout her Facebook page for more creations.

Stephanie’s Sweet Creations

Phone: 1 (760) 954-5065
Email: stephssweets4u@gmail.com
Website: Stephanie’s Sweet Creations
Find, Like and Follow on Facebook.

If you reside in the High Desert of California or surrounding area, I highly recommend her services. She’s very talented and as she cheerfully says it herself, “I would love to make your celebration even more special with my unique confections!”

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By JM Perez

Collectible Gift Ideas Vintage

Kenner Vintage Dolls

By JM PerezMarch 5, 20132 min read1.5K views

Here at Home we love to collect things; new or old, we love them all as long as they make our hearts sing. My husband collects Mechwarrior pieces. My Son collects Hot Wheels Muscle Cars. My Daughter and I love the Strawberry Shortcake Dolls. However, while I am old-fashioned, she is new age and we are both happy Collectors.

Growing up, I owned a few of these gorgeous dolls. I used to wonder how something so small could be so perfect? If you own one of these beauties, then you know that they are beautifully made. My Father traveled a lot and while serving his country abroad, he always returned home with lots of souvenirs for my siblings and I. I remember how people made fun of us back in 1990 because we were all sporting the Converse All-Stars with Multi-Colored Shoelaces. I guess we were cool back then without realizing how cool we were.

My parents didn’t believe in quantity, but they did in quality. I wasn’t a spoiled Child, but I had the best. I had a few dolls, which I really liked and some I am sure, are stored at my Parents’ house. As of today, I have managed to collect all of the original Strawberry Shortcake Dolls and pets by Kenner, except for one:

Strawberry Shortcake with Custard, Cat
Blueberry Muffin with Cheesecake, Mouse
Orange Blossom with Marmalade, Butterfly
Lemon Meringue with with Frappe, Frog
Raspberry Tart with Rhubarb, Monkey
Huckleberry Pie with Pupcake, Dog
Lime Chiffon with Parfait, Parrot
Angel Cake with Souffle, Skunk
Almond Tea with Marza, Panda
Crêpe Suzette with Éclair, Poodle
Mint Tulip with Marsh Mallard, Duck

Cafe Ole wit Burrito, Donkey
Apricot with Hopsalot, Bunny
Butter Cookie with Jelly, Bear
Apple Dumpling with Tea Time, Turtle
Cherry Cuddler with Gooseberry, Goose
Lem N Ada with Sugar, Woofer
Peach Blush with Melonie Belle, Lamb
Plum Puddin’ with Elderberry, Owl
Purple Pie Man with Captain, Cackle
Sour Grapes with Dregs, Snake
Banana Twirl with Berrykin, Banana

The babies are gorgeous. I just need Banana Twirl with Berrykin, Banana to complete my Collection (she’s rare, expensive and hard to find). My favorites are Café Olé, Huckleberry Pie, Peach Blush and Plum Puddin’.