Gift Guide: For the BBQ Hosts

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What’s Canada Day without a BBQ? For many Canadians, wearing red and white and having a BBQ with friends and family is the best way to celebrate Canada’s birthday. If you’re heading out to a friend’s place, you may be interested in reviewing Daniela‘s gift guide today. She’s curated a great selection of gifts – at various price points as per usual – for this weekend’s BBQ or any other summer event you’re attending.

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With our first long weekend upon us and children out of school, invites for summer BBQs will be pouring in. For your next invite, I’ve put together a list of some fun gifts to bring to the host.

Dish towels! Or as Williams Sonoma calls them – flour sack towels. Sure, you can get these at a lot of retailers, but I especially love the Williams Sonoma towels as they are extremely large and can withstand the test of time and lots of washes.

flour sack towels, $19.16 USD (on sale), Williams Sonoma

If you are invited to a bbq where the host has children, add this super fun stencil set (or another craft) for their little ones. It will make for a great summer activity on a rainy day, and the parents will love them too!

tea towel stencil kit, $26 USD, Yellow Owl Workshop

Going to a pool party? For the past few summers, I have brought the host one of these pool toys. They are the perfect gift for all ages and make for a great prop in photos. I personally love using these so my hair doesn’t get wet. 🙂

swan floatie, $9.99 (on sale), The Bay

unicorn floatie, $9.99 (on sale), The Bay

Did you know you can use your BBQ for a lot more than grilling hamburgers and veggies? Why not make pizza (my food of choice) on your grill? I love this as a hostess gift especially for someone who uses their BBQ all summer long.

grill stone, $48.49 CAD, The Well

Summer BBQ invites are all about fun in a casual dining atmosphere, so this next hostess gift idea is more a gift for all in attendance. Fill this piñata up with candy and bring it as an addition to the “dessert table.” It will prove tons of fun for all ages.

mini unicorn piñata, $5.60 (on sale), Chapters Indigo

And on the subject of candy grab a bag of these delicious squish candies for the host to enjoy the day after the party.

thank you mix candies, $14 CAD, Squish Candies

Finally, who doesn’t love an ice cream in the summer? Spoil the host with this great set, so they can enjoy their summer ice cream in style.

Kate Spade ice cream set, $46 CAD, Chapters Indigo

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoy all your summer gatherings with friends and family!

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How lucky are we that Daniela is such a great gift giver? Each guide seems better than the last! I absolutely love the idea of a piñata…what a fun thing for adults and kids!

Design: Double Mirrors

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I’m starting continuing to gather inspiration images for my dream bathroom renovation (which is still years away, I’m sure!). Specifically, I’ve had my eye on double vanities and the lovely double mirrors that go with them.

Vanessa Alexander, via Dering Hall

via Becki Owens

via Adore Home Magazine

via Decorist

Katie Campbell Interiors

The Friday Five: Books I’ve Read

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Well, I shouldn’t quite say I’ve “read” these books. I’ve actually listened to most of them in the form of audiobook. With all the driving I’ve done lately, the audiobooks have been a wonderful way to pass the time. I’m pretty much hooked, and now I listen while I walk, too.

1. The Story of a New Name (Book 2) by Elena Ferrante

I read Book 1 of this series many months ago, but I could not find the time to pick up Book 2. When I set out on one of my road trips, I started listening to it, and I could barely stop. It was wonderful. The book is engaging, interesting, and well-developed. It’s easy to connect with the characters. I’m definitely eager to get started on Book 3.

2. When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanathi

I remember when I heard of this book via Joanna Goddard (Cup of Jo) a couple of years ago. I had wanted to read it since then, but I never did. It was one of the first audiobooks I downloaded. It’s a great read. True. Sad. Beautiful.

3. Wallflower at the Orgy by Nora Ephron

I’ve always liked reading Nora Ephron’s books. They’re a combination of funny, interesting, light, and serious. This book of short stories entertained.

4. Hungry for Love by Maya Sacher

This fits in the chick-lit category of books. It was easy to be engaged with the story line of a woman who has fallen in love with a man while her husband is in a coma. It’s a good summer beach read.

5. Landline by Rainbow Rowell

I opted for this chick-lit book because it came up in one of my library searches, and I was drawn to the cover. It’s an easy read about a couple going through a troubling time. The story isn’t highly original – individuals working too hard, trying to make their relationship work – but I liked how the dialogue evolved in the chapters, and it was overall a good read. I’d say it’s another easy summer read.

p.s. Did you know that June is audiobook month? A little something I learned at the Waterloo Public Library (where I’ve been getting my audiobooks).

Trivia Thursday: The Rainbow Flag

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One historical meaning of the rainbow flag is peace. Nowadays, the rainbow flag is a symbol for the LGBT social movement. The rainbow flag was created in 1978 by Gilbert Baker who was an American artist and gay rights activist. Each colour of the flag represents something: red – life, orange – healing, yellow – sunlight, green – nature, turquoise – magic, violet – spirit. In Baker’s original version, two additional colours appeared: pink – sexuality and indigo – serenity.

Tattly rainbow skateboard temporary tattoo

I’m happy to bring a little #loveislove to the blog today in support of Pride Month.

Sources: BBC, CBC, Wikipedia

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