One Dessert — Three (Easy) Father's Day Treats...

Courtesy of Allie Holcomb King

Happy Father's Day Friends,

Show Dad you care with a treat that’s his perfect pair. Pick your favorite, and follow our quick, kid-friendly instructions.

Pick a Treat


Surprise Dad this Father's Day with an adorable treat that’s all about him. First things first, decide which treat best suits your special guy.

Gather Ingredients + Materials


The base for each dessert is a crispy rice treat. I bought mine premade to save time, but you can make them from scratch. For the golf treat, you'll need: green decorating icing, a grass decorating tip, a flag cupcake topper and a white (sphere or oblong-shaped) breath mint. For the necktie treat, you'll need: scissors and a flat, pliable candy or fruit snack in two different colors. For the lawn mower treat, you'll need: a flexible, plastic drinking straw (black or brown) and two mini chocolate sandwich cookies.

Treat #1: For the Fairway Mainstay


Is Dad always on the links — or wishing he were? This peewee putting green will put a smile on his face, no doubt.

Make the Putting Green


Attach the grass decorating tip to the green decorating icing. Squeeze the icing out onto the surface of the crispy rice treat in rows, gently dabbing it up and down as you go. Your hand should move as if you're making tiny rainbows on each row. Stop when the surface of the treat is covered and resembles grass.

Add the Golf Ball + Flag


Put an extra dab of icing where you want the breath mint (golf ball) to go, and place the mint on top. If using a sphere mint, gently tap it to secure it in place. If using an oblong-shaped mint like mine, press it further into the icing to hide part of it. This will give it the illusion of a sphere. Insert the flag cupcake topper into the treat next to the mint.

Treat #2: For the Dapper Dresser


Is Dad a remarkably well-groomed guy? He’ll definitely appreciate a treat that’s almost as cute as his snazziest suit.

Cut Out the Tie


Choose a candy color for the tie and one for the collar. Then, lay the piece of candy for the tie atop the crispy rice treat to gauge its size. Use kitchen scissors to cut out a skinny rectangle that doesn't quite span the length of the treat.

Add a Knot


Using leftover candy scraps from the tie, cut a small square shape to act as the tie's knot. Shape it with your fingers, rounding the corners and ensuring it feels bulky enough. Attach it to the top of the tie by simply pressing it into place.

Cut Out a Collar


Cut out a collar using the other color of candy. The collar should be slimmer and a bit longer than the tie.

Shape + Attach Collar


Center and lay the collar at the top of the crispy rice treat above the tie. Gently press the middle of the collar into the crispy rice treat to secure it into place. Then, take the ends of the collar and flip them over, attaching them to the knot. Use your fingers to shape it so it mimics the look of a real shirt collar.

Treat #3: For the Master of the Mower


Is Dad’s grass the meanest and the greenest? He totally needs this munchable mini mower.

Cut a Handle


First, stretch out the flexible part of the drinking straw until it spans the width of your crispy rice treat. Then, bend each end down, forming two corners. Cut the longer side of the straw to match the shorter side's length, creating a handle.

Prepare the Wheels
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Firmly press the ends of the straw into two corners of your crispy rice treat until the handle feels stable.

Prepare the Wheels


Gently twist open each mini chocolate sandwich cookie so the icing remains on both cookies. The icing acts as glue for the wheels.

Attach Wheels


Attach all four cookies onto the sides of the crispy rice treat where wheels would exist on a mower.

Gift It


Make several treats, and set up a display — or just make one, and seal it with pretty packaging. Either way, Dad is sure to love this Father's Day surprise.

Bon Appétit...

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Live well,
Yvonne

Make a Cool Father's Day Card...

Courtesy of Melissa Phillips

Happy Father's Day Friends,

Tell Dad you think he's the coolest with a hip, handmade card.

Materials and Tools:

• gray cardstock
• orange patterned paper
• blue patterned paper
• palm tree, star, road sign and flourish die cuts
• chipboard motorcycle
• blue button
• green button
• 2 sugar-coated brads
• rub-on "cool guy" phrase (or permanent pen)
• hemp or twine
• pinking shears
• glue stick, glue dots or adhesive of choice
• sandpaper
• sewing machine or needle and thread (optional)

Steps:

1. Cut gray cardstock to 8-1/2" x 4-3/4" and fold in half. Cut orange patterned paper slightly smaller than card front, ink edges and glue to center of card.
   
   
2. Cut blue paper slightly smaller than orange paper and trim edges with pinking shears. Attach blue paper to card with glue and lightly distress the paper's surface with sandpaper.
   
   
3. Cut a 1-1/4" strip of patterned paper to fit diagonally across the card front, ink edges and glue just below center. To give the card more texture, machine or hand-stitch around edges if desired.
4. Adhere palm-tree die cut by using adhesive and then attach blue flourish and road sign to upper area of palm-tree die cut. Write "cool guy" or apply rub-on phrase.
   
   
5. Make a small hole in the card's spine and feed hemp or twine through, wrapping it around the card front twice. Thread buttons through hemp and tie in a knot to secure. Thread hemp through chipboard motorcycle and tie to secure. Finally, attach star die cuts to card front with sugared brads.

Dad will not only love the card but the love you shared making it...

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Yvonne

A Do-Good Father's Day Gift Guide

Courtesy of Erica Reitman

Happy Father's Day Friends,

Celebrate dad while doing some good and helping others. We've put together 10 Father's Day gift ideas for the dad who's committed to making the world a better place.

Elephants Are Dads, Too


For the animal-loving dad, consider fostering an elephant or rhino with the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya. This is an incredible organization that's dedicated to nurturing and caring for these ever-shrinking populations of wild animals. Read through the stories of their available fosters, and choose the animal that your dad will most love. Each month he'll receive an update on his elephant or rhino, including photos, so he can track their progress all year long. BUY IT: David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, starting at $50

Sound Off


Lstn is a company with one main goal: to change people's lives through the power of music. They've developed a fantastic collection of stylish, high-quality headphones, speakers, and accessories, with proceeds from all sales going toward providing hearing aids to needy populations wordwide. The Fillmore Headphones (wireless or wired) are light, travel ready, and crafted with some sexy zebra wood. BUY IT: Lstnsound.com, $99

Chip In


If your dad is all about the #snacklife, this three flavor chip tin from Detroit Friends Potato Chip Co. is right up his alley. Hope District is an area of Detroit with abandoned homes and incredible economic instability. But the folks behind this up-and-coming potato chip company decided to make use of some empty lots to, well, grow potatoes. But more importantly, to create new opportunities for work, dignity and community in this forgotten part of the city. This gift includes three of their most popular chip flavors: barbecue, lemon pepper, and sea salt. BUY IT: DetroitChips.com, $40

Things Might Get Ruff
Here's the perfect present for all those doggo dads out there: a snazzy rope collar for their best friend. Proceeds from all Found My Animal leashes, collars and accessories go toward bringing awareness to the critical importance of pet adoption. Each collar comes with an individual hand-stamped numbered tag, which helps you see how many pups the company has helped so far. BUY IT: FoundMyAnimal.com, $56

Dad's Future Is So Bright...


...he's gotta wear shades. Warby Parker is another amazing company that has been committed to doing good right from the start. They donate one pair of glasses to someone in need around the world for every pair sold. They do sell regular prescription lenses but we really love their sunglasses too. These Hunt Sunglasses have a retro/classic vibe that Pops is sure to love. BUY IT: WarbyParker.com, $95 and up

Insta Cookies? Yep


Baking for Good is a company committed to bringing about social change through delicious cookies and other baked items. For every $20 you spend, $1 goes toward a charity organization of your choice. One of our fave items on their menu for Father's Day are these Personalized Dad Cookies. With this gift set, you upload six of your own images (grab them from Instagram!) which are then printed onto yummy iced sugar cookies. BUY IT: BakingForGood.com, $46

Pawsitive Change


Pawsitive Change is a program started by Marley's Mutts Animal Rescue. The group pairs incarcerated men with homeless animals for mutual rehabilitation. The men in the program learn how to train and care for dogs — skills they can take with them when they leave prison. The dogs, most from high-kill shelters, are adopted to loving families when their training is complete. We dare you to follow them on Instagram and not tear up every time you see one of their posts pop up in your feed. There are a number of ways to help this wonderful cause but we thought a vet bill donation (which covers medical and grooming fees for one of their rescued dogs) would be an amazing gift for an animal-loving papa. BUY IT: MarleysMutts.com, $75

Sock It To Him


Most of us don't give our socks much thought ... but that might change if you're lucky enough to get your hands on a pair from Bombas. The Bombas founders learned that socks are the #1 requested item at homeless shelters in the U.S. so they decided to build their company around the idea of giving back. For each pair of socks purchased, a pair is donated to a homeless organization in need. Best of all, their socks are truly awesome — they fit well, stay in place and wash up beautifully. This ankle sock gift set would make a fantastico Father's Day giftie for dad. BUY IT: Bombas.com, $56

The Key to Dad's Heart


The Giving Keys is committed to helping Americans transition out of homelessness. They bill themselves as a "pay it forward" company, and have created a social-impact business model that employs people who are hard at work bettering their own lives. Each item is stamped with an inspirational word like "dream," "create," or "inspire," and it is their hope that you will join them on this mission to "pay it forward" by gifting the item you purchase to someone who needs that message of encouragement. We think daddio would love their Inspired keychain for Father's Day. You could even get one for each member of your family, to teach your kids the importance of doing good out in the world. BUY IT: TheGivingKeys.com, $39

Down to a Tee


Do good AND say adios to all of dad's ratty t-shirts?! Win/win! Project Repat's founders realized that most of the T-shirts Americans own are produced in other countries ... which also means that most of the textile jobs that used to be available in the U.S. have gone overseas as well. This company is working hard to create American jobs with their fab T-shirt quilts. Gather up all of dad's fave old tees — from his fraternity, concerts, sports teams — and send them off to be turned into a rad memory quilt. Clean out his closet and give him a truly special Father's Day gift. BUY IT: ProjectRepat.com, $74.99

Paw Perfect!

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Live well,
Yvonne

How to Make a Custom T-Shirt for Father's Day...

Courtesy of Abigail Barnes

Happy Father's Day Friends,

This year, give Dad a custom T-shirt by printing our free pattern and following our easy instructions.

Materials Needed:

• iron-on T-shirt transfer sheet (for a light-colored shirt)
• inkjet printer
• iron and ironing board
• scissors
• light-colored T-shirt
• Download: Father's Day T-Shirt Pattern

Print T-Shirt Pattern


Download our free Father's Day pattern and print it on regular paper first to check the size and placement. Load the transfer paper into the printer, making sure the pattern will print on the correct side. Allow to dry completely once printed.

Cut Pattern


Trim closely around the outside edge of the pattern.

Iron On Pattern


Set iron to the cotton setting (no steam). Place transfer paper in the desired area of the shirt, image side down. Press iron onto the transfer paper for 20-25 seconds, covering the entire area (image 1). Let the T-shirt cool completely, then peel off the paper backing. Have Dad wear his special shirt on Father's Day (image 2)!

Dad will wear with such pride...

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Live well,
Yvonne

More Easy Father's Day Recipes & Cocktails...

Courtesy of Farima Alavi and Maria Conti
Photo By: Debbie Wolfe

Happy Father's Day Friends,

Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs for Father's Day. You’d be hard-pressed to find a recipe more mouthwatering and/or appropriate for Father’s Day than our fall-off-the-bone, baby back ribs. Did we mention this recipe is made in a slow cooker, with root beer? You’re welcome.

Toast to Dad


Hosting a sophisticated celebration? Start the evening with an appetizer of build-your-own bruschetta bar. Provide guests with a basket of perfectly-crisp bread to use as their base, and offer a variety of toppings like garlic-roasted tomatoes, fresh berries, goat cheese, avocado, chocolate hazelnut spread, honey and prosciutto.

Pizza Hand Pies


Make his favorite food easy to eat. These pizza hand pies are great as an appetizer or as a meal. Fill them with his favorite toppings and serve with marinara dipping sauce.

MAKE THIS: Pepperoni and Cheese Pizza Hand Pies

Stout Pancakes


Start his day off right with a sweet and salty breakfast. The secret ingredient in these pancakes — stout!

MAKE THIS: Irish Stout Pancake Recipe

White Negroni Cocktail

From: Kristin Guy

This cocktail is the perfect drink for the trendy, sophisticated dad. Unexpected bitters give it a punch of flavor.

MAKE THIS: White Negroni Cocktail Recipe

Beer Cheese Dip

From: Sam Henderson

This year, give Dad the perfect snack to accompany his favorite beer. This beer cheese dip gets its spicy flavor from horseradish sauce. Serve it with pretzel sticks or on top of toasted crostinis as an appetizer.

MAKE THIS: Beer Cheese Recipe

Bloody Mary With a Twist

Photo By: Stephen Murello

Carrot juice gives this classic Bloody Mary recipe a fun twist. Add cherry tomatoes and yellow pepper slices as garnishes for a delicious treat Dad will love to drink while relaxing.

MAKE THIS: Wed Wabbit Cocktail Recipe

Bon Appétit...

Cheers!

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Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Easy Father's Day Recipes & Cocktails...

Courtesy of Farima Alavi and Maria Conti

Happy Father's Day Friends,

Cajun-Bacon-Ranch Mini Burgers sure to delight. Consider these miniature burgers a Father’s Day menu mainstay. This drool-worthy cheeseburger recipe pulls out all the stops for Dad with crisp-cooked bacon, homemade Cajun seasoning and a creamy, ranch dressing drizzle. Pair the baby burgers with an ice-cold brew for maximum enjoyment.

MAKE THIS: Bacon and Ranch Cajun Baby Cheeseburgers

Chicken & Waffle Sliders

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Our crispy fried chicken and golden-baked waffle sliders will start Dad's day off with a satisfying mix of sweet-and-savory flavors that will keep him stuffed and happy well into the afternoon.

MAKE THIS: Chicken and Waffle Sliders Recipe

Pop's Popcorn Bar

From: Brian Patrick Flynn
Photo By: Flynnside Out Productions

Give Pops the popcorn bar of his dreams. Recreate our setup and serve popcorn as an appetizer for your outdoor Father’s Day dinner. Serve with specialized toppings like garlic salt, Cajun or lemon pepper seasoning. Encourage guests to indulge in a sweet-and-salty mix with a curated candy topping section, too. Color-coated chocolate candies are guaranteed to please.

Southern Shrimp & Grits Bites

Photo By: Savour Imagery LLC

Invite Dad to sit back and enjoy the summer heat with a stout cocktail and healthy helping of our bite-sized Southern shrimp and grits. The party-ready recipe calls for a muffin tin to create perfect, pre-portioned bites ideal for small family gatherings and crowded cookouts, alike. Trust us, Dad will rave about the killer combination of creamy cheddar grits, grilled jumbo shrimp and crispy bacon tomato salsa for days.

MAKE THIS: Make Shrimp and Grits in a Muffin Tin for Bite-Sized Southern Goodness

A Shot of French Fries

Photo By: Sam Henderson

Shots that won’t lead to a debilitating hangover? Yes, please. Serve our salty, French fry shots as an easy-to-tote appetizer at your Father’s Day cookout. Fill shot glasses with hot sauce-spiked ketchup or grated garlic horseradish, and serve crispy fries on top.

Refreshing Ginger & Grapefruit Bourbon Sour


Bring a tart summer twist to Dad’s drink of choice with our ginger grapefruit bourbon sour. Whip up a big batch of this spiked citrus drink to wow the crowd at your outdoor Father’s Day event. Serve over ice, and garnish with fresh grapefruit and lime wedges.

MAKE THIS: Big-Batch Cocktails: Ginger Grapefruit Bourbon Sour

Keep in mind: Price and stock could change after publish date, and theymay make money from these links.

From healthy options to sweet treats, try our easy recipes and cocktails that any dad will love.

Bon Appétit...

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Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

3 Gifts to Show Pop He's Tops...

Courtesy of H. Camille Smith
Sarah Busby; Styling by H. Camille Smith

Happy Father's Day Friends,

Sertodo Copper Moscow Mule Mugs are great for that special Father's brew. Combining skilled craftsmanship with timeless beauty, Sertodo Copper’s Moscow mule mugs are hand-hammered from heavy-gauge 100% recycled copper by independent artisans in Texas and Mexico. The mug’s generous 18-ounce size ensures plenty of room for icing down your favorite cocktail or cold beverage while the all-copper construction (no tin or steel lining or copper-colored lacquers) ensures that this is one mug that Dad will enjoy using for many decades to come. Shop Sertodo Copper Now >>

TJ Maxx Leather Messenger Bag


Yep, you read that right: You can now shop like a maxxinista from the comfort of your couch. Technology, people, it’s a wondrous thing! This year, put your web-surfing to good use to score dad a laptop bag that’s both a stylish accessory and a storage-rich bag for stashing a laptop, tablet, cell phone, airline tickets, documents or any other necessities. Shop TJ Maxx Now >>

Brooklyn Brew Shop Beer-Making Kit
Sarah Busby, Styling by Jill Tennant Anderson

Satisfy your beer lover’s hankering for a frosty pint with everything they need to whip up a gallon of their favorite brew. Best of all, when they reach the bottom of the barrel (pun intended), the kit’s tools can be reused (just add fresh mash, hops and yeast) to create another gallon of home-brewed awesomeness. Shop Brooklyn Brew Shop Now >>

Whether your dad is a brewmeister or captain of industry, show him some love this Father's Day with a gift that suits him to a T.

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Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne