Spring flowers are blooming, the days are growing longer, and we are itching to get back outside. Following are a few of our favorite things as we welcome the new season!
When the weather becomes mild again, so many of us anticipate a return to our favorite outdoor activities and celebrating the holidays of the season. Gardening, Mother’s Day, beach and pool season…there’s much to look forward to!
Whatever you may be looking forward to, this list of favorites may be helpful along the way!
Personalized Flower Pots
Looking for a unique Mother’s Day gift? Flowers are always nice, but personalized flower pots add an extra special touch. Check out these beautiful designs on Etsy, retailing for $44.99, with birth month flowers and names of children or grandchildren in addition to your loved one’s name!
Kids Gardening Set
For kids aged 3+ this Stanley Jr. Wheelbarrow and 7-piece Garden Set from Costco could not be more perfect for the budding gardeners in your life. Encourage outdoor exploration and hands-on-learning with this kit, which includes all the mini tools (as well as an apron and gloves!) for $42.99.
This is great for the gardeners in your life (or a for yourself!). Groworganic.com offers tins with groupings of seeds that are well known to grow well together. This could be seasonal, such as the spring/fall “Frost Kissed” collection, or the “My First Garden” collection with easy-to-grow classics. For $24.99 bunch of different ones. All are certified USDA Organic.
Driver Safety
AstroAI Portable Tire Inflator Air Compressor ($22.94) is a perfect gift for those who are frequently on the road, or anyone who drives…ever! When tire pressure is low and you just need a little air, this small little device can pack a punch in a jam. It’s fast, accurate, and easy to use and works for bikes and balls as well. Ann got this brand for Jack after her Dad got one and raved about it. Our photographer Donovan has a similar product, which he thinks is best for bikes and balls but can be used for cars too. It is similarly priced on Amazon for $24.99.
Ballerina Farm Gift Sets
A dancer met the son of a New York City businessman. They married, moved to Utah, and now live on a cattle ranch with their growing family (they currently 8 kids!). We have mentioned Ballerina Farm is some of our previous favorite things, as they sell flowers, subscription meat boxes, and sourdough starters from their farm. They are now selling these adorable Wooden Spoons and Spreaders Set (for $24) and and Oven Mitt / Potholder Set (for $19).
Hair Ties
When Ann saw the Taylor Swift Eras movies in the theater with friends last year, one of her friends thought they should participate in the bracelet swapping that “Swifties” were doing at her in-person concerts. Lacking the traditional beaded bracelets, one friend brought a stack of her favorite hair bands, which look rather cute as a wrist accessory. Ann liked it so much as a pony tail holder (and a bracelet!) that she bought her own pack…and then a second after sharing some with here nieces.
The bands come in big packs and a variety of colors for $28.00, as well as smaller packs for $18.00.
Beach Chairs
Need a new beach chair? Many of our friends claim that Costco’s Tommy Bahama Beach Chair 2-pack, which retails for $79.99, is the best choice on a variety of levels. Ann and Emily have these chairs too, they hold up well, and they’ve made most “best beach chair” lists (there’s a list for everything!). The chairs are small and light enough to carry but sturdy enough for beach days year after year. Choose one of 5-position seating levels, including fully flat.
Beach Reads
Madeline Miller wrote two of Ann’s favorite books this year. Circe and The Song of Achilles are both retelling of Homer’s works. Circe reimagines the life of (you guessed it) Circe, a powerful sorceress from The Odyssey. Achilles is a reimagination of The Iliad told through the point of view of Patroclus.
Ann mentioned that she normally wouldn’t have gravitated towards books on Greek mythology, but her kids read them and said they were excellent. She appreciated being nudged out of her comfort zone and truly enjoyed the variety. Clearly, if you love the classics these books will have an immense appeal, but even if you haven’t read (or need a brush up!) you will still appreciate and enjoy these beautiful stories.
Ann is currently reading Yellowface and loving it!
Podcasts & Shows…for the thrill of it!
Ann just finished and loved Apples Never Fall (Peacock), a series based on on Liane Moriarty novel about family, secrets, and how not everything is as it seems. And, on recommendation, Ann just started Fool Me Once (Netflix), a thriller about a woman who sees her husband (who she thought was no longer alive) on her nanny cam playing with her daughter!
Lastly, the podcast Real Survival Stories are first-hand accounts from people who have survived unbelievable things. Ann loves it, as it’s absolutely riveting.
Outdoor Games
Looking for inspiration to get away from screen time this summer? Chronicle Books On-The-Go Amusements: 50 Games to Play Outside, retailing for $8.95 on Amazon, provides endless fun-on-the-go for the whole family this summer. It includes 50 family-friendly prompts for exploring and engaging with the world around us. We love that this can travel with us and fits easily into our backpacks!
Pool Toys
Everyone loves a good pool toy, and we love the summer fruity theme of this 3-pack inflatable inner tube set. For $14.99, you can brighten everyone’s pool day – and maybe even provide inspiration for getting fiber and fluids through a variety of fruit. (Just to clarify these are not edible!)
If your kids or grandkids love all things mermaids, they will have the best time with Mermaid Tails. Best for independent swimmers, kids can actually wear a tail and fin and swim like the mermaids do! There are different options through Amazon, but this one has the fin insert which feels that much more real. Priced reasonably at $39.96.
We hope you enjoy getting out and about this spring and summer. Tell us, what are YOUR favorite things this season?