Gifts for Dudes

The Dude Gift Guide by gesshoo on polyvore.com

I have never, ever done a gift guide on here before, mainly because so many other bloggers do them and do them much better than I would.

But.

Every gift guide I see for men makes me want to pull my hair out.  Because every gift guide for men seems to assume that you have an ultra-dapper/stylish/hipster/quirky husband/brother/father/significant other.  And I do not.  I have no men in my life {at least not the men I buy gifts for} who fall into this category.  If I bought my husband a pair of horn-rimmed glasses or a faux bois iPhone cover or a tweed blazer + plaid bow tie combo, he would look at me like I had lost my ever-loving mind.

And yet every single gift guide I see for men has these things and these things only.  Where are the gift guides for guys who like to drink Budweiser and watch football and don't really know what faux bois is? 

I give you the Dude Gift Guide.  You're welcome.

1. Orvis Golf Sweatshirt
This is what we got my father-in-law for Father's Day.  He is an avid golfer and plays year-round, so we thought this would be nice and cozy for him during his fall/winter/early spring rounds.
2. Set of Personalized Golf Balls
We got these for my father-in-law for his birthday this year; we had them made with his monogram and the year "2012" on the second line.
3. Orvis Battenkill Hanging Travel Kit
My dad and my husband both travel a lot for work.  My dad has had a Battenkill travel kit since I was in the 6th grade and it's still going strong.  I've been building M's collection of Battenkill luggage since our first Christmas together and I think this may be the next addition.
4. Suntory Yamazaki 12 yr single malt whisky
My daddy loves scotch, bourbon, and whiskey and he enjoys trying different varieties.  This Japanese scotch was recommended by Martha Stewart Living.
5. Collegiate Tervis Tumbler
We are big Tervis Tumbler fans at our house. You absolutely cannot go wrong with these.  I put one with the Maryland state flag in M's stocking this year and he loves it.
6. "A Rich Spot of Earth: Thomas Jefferson's Revolutionary Garden at Monticello"
My daddy is also a big-time gardener.  When I was at UVA, he used to love to visit Monticello and look at the gardens.  This new book from the head gardener at Monticello is right up his ally. 
7. Rare Bird Alert: Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers
One of M's favorite bands.  We've seen them live a few times and actually had this album, but he left it in a rental car.  If your man likes bluegrass and/or the incredibly multi-talented Steve Martin, you'll want to pick this up for him.  
8. Barbour Beaufort Jacket
I love mine.  Dad loves his.  I want to get one for M this year.  They really are the best.
9. Ted's Butcher Block Bacon of the Month Club
This gift is a HUGE hit in our family.  I've purchased it for my dad twice and my parents bought it for M for his birthday last year.  The product is incredible and it's such a fun novelty gift.
10. Weber 22.5-Inch One-Touch Gold Charcoal Grill
What man doesn't love to grill?  My husband is a charcoal snob and this grill is high on his list of wants.  Plus, it's the same one that my girl Ina uses; how bad can that be?
11. Tickets to see his favorite baseball team
Pretty self-explanatory. All the men in my life love sporting events of any kind.

What do you think?  Are the men in your life Dapper Dans or are they more The Dude?  What else would you add to this gift guide?

Menu Monday

Lots of goodies for you this week.  Enjoy!

Skillet Cajun Spiced Flounder with Tomatoes {Skinnytaste}

We both really enjoyed this meal.  I made it with haddock, since our grocery store doesn't sell sustainable flounder.  I used yellow bell pepper, because I don't really like green bell pepper.  Otherwise, no adjustments.  It was tasty and it met our weeknight repeat requirements: super easy to make and super easy to clean up.

Orange and Balsamic Chicken {Everyday Food November 2010}

 

 So I liked this. A lot.  But M LOVED it.  As in, could not stop raving about it and declared that it would be on the list of his last meal choices.  I think I've served the guy too many boneless, skinless chicken breasts.  A chicken thigh with bone-in, skin-on apparently sends him over the top these days.

Farfalle with Mushrooms and Spinach {BHG.com}

Meh.  This was average, at best.  I added a splash of white wine and some roasted grape tomatoes so there would be some sort of a sauce, and even that didn't add much flavor.  M enjoyed the leftovers heated up with some marinara sauce, but I just was not into this at all.  

Grilled Garden Wrap {Iowa Girl Eats}

I absolutely loved this.  Super fresh and easy and tasty.  I didn't miss the meat at all.  M, on the other hand...well, he doesn't really like cream cheese in the first place, so that didn't help.  He did say that with the addition of some grilled chicken and the subtraction of the cream cheese he thought he would like it.  But I'm not big on fixing two basically separate meals for two people, so this recipe will go in my "Single Nights" file. Yum.

Asparagus, Goat Cheese, and Lemon Pasta {Smitten Kitchen}

taken on Instagram.  Come follow me! @belleonheels

Speaking of "Single Nights" recipes.  M was at his brother's bachelor party this weekend, which gave me a chance to bust out the goat cheese, my secret lover.  M HATES goat cheese and I could eat it with a spoon 3 meals a day.  I heart it, big time.  This meal was just all sorts of happiness-inducing por moi.  

Bon appetit!

Happy Birthday, Mommy!

Today is my mama's birthday. I wish I could be home to celebrate with her {with hot dogs and olive cheese bread, right?}. She is the bestest.

Love you, Mom!

Friday Favorites

 

I saw this photo somewhere on the interwebs yesterday, and it makes me so flippin' happy I can't even stand it.  My brain cannot even process the awesomeness of it all.  Downside: I cannot find the original credit ANYWHERE.  If you know it, please do let me know.

 

1 // 2 

My inner hippie/trailer trash really wants a pair of cut-off denim shorts for weekend wear this summer.   There is just one problem...

 

I saw some post-reunion weekend pics of me from behind and we've got a case of the Betty Drapers going on with my junk.  I did that thing that I said I wouldn't do, which is gain the Newlywed 15.  In my case it's technically the Newlywed 7, but there were still a few pounds from the I Have a Boyfriend; Now I Eat A Lot phase hanging on that I never got rid of for the wedding.  

I am on a strict No Buying New Clothes rule until I am back to the frosty cold Betty Draper of yore that I much prefer.

{Speaking of Mad Men, can we talk about how freaking depressing this show has gotten?  I mean, it is still my faves, but srsly? I need to take a Xanax before each episode.}

 

credit

Let's end on an extra pretty note, shall we?  There is nothing, I repeat, NOTHING, about this picture that I am not totally in love with.   It is basically identical to the look I am going for in our own home.  

Ginormous ginger jars? Check.  Federal bullseye mirror?  Checkitty-check.  

We've already got the big, comfy white sofa, those EXACT SAME LAMPS {only mine are brass and came from the Goodwill}, and the sisal/jute/seagrass rug {although ours is busted and needs an upgrade}.  Now to find the morbidly obese ginger gars.  Fortunately, my bloggy friend Jennifer has already done similar research.  Niiiiiice.

What are you lovelies up to this weekend?  I'll be leading the glamorous life of domestic help, as our condo needs a thoroughly deep cleaning.  I hope you're doing something way more fun!

Oy Vey

Y'all.

 

This is the kind of week I am having.  Srsly.  Hence the lack of posting.  

Meanwhile, this is the kind of week my imaginary sister wife is having.

 

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Some gals have all the luck.

Be back tomorrow with some fluffy Friday fun.

Menu Monday

Only 3 meals to write about from last week.  Enjoy!

Farmer's Market Skillet {Iowa Girl Eats}

  We both loved this fresh, summery dish, and it took hardly any time to make.  Next time, I think I would double the recipe so that we have leftovers for lunch.

Ravioli, Salad, and Garlic Bread

 No recipes here.  I cooked frozen, grocery-store ravioli and tossed with warmed marinara sauce {our favorite jarred is Bertolli Tomato & Basil}.  The salad was bagged 50/50 mix with cherry tomatoes and a balsamic vinaigrette.  And I just sliced what was left of an Italian bread loaf, spread with a little butter, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning, and baked in a 400 degree oven for 5-7 minutes.

Turkey Burgers with Dijon Mayo {Family.com}

M made these for dinner on a night I had to work late.  He made them into full-sized burgers instead of sliders and topped them with tomato.  They weren't the most attractive burgers, but they were delicious.  The oregano in the burgers and the dijon mayo really made the dish.

Bon appetit!

Five Years

 Sorry, team, I did not mean to disappear this week.  There's just so much going on!

I am SO excited because this weekend is my 5th {yikes!} college reunion.  I can't wait to see my favorite people and eat my favorite foods, all in my favorite place!  

getting ready to walk the Lawn with the bestie.  check out our huge Rachel Zoe-esque shades.

 Wahoowa!

 

Christian's Pizza.  I plan on inhaling multiple slices of avocado, tomato, feta as quickly as possible.  And maybe bringing some home with me, too.

 

Bodo's Bagels.  BLT EZ Mayo on Everything, please.

Take It Away.  A sandwich would be nice, but I'm really only after a bag of bread ends and a vat of house dressing to split with my bestie.

In addition to gorging myself and reliving my glory days, I get to see my husband play lacrosse, which is a rare treat for me.  I get all swoony when he's in college-athlete mode :)

What are your plans this weekend?

credits: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6