GrafoMap Custom Map Prints Make a Great Gift for Dads and Grads-Giveaway

June 16, 2016 by Kathryn 37 Comments

June is the month of shopping for dads and grads, and if you’re looking for the perfect gift, you can’t go wrong with a GrafoMap! These unique maps can be created using any longitude and latitude to showcase a specific town or city, a great memento to let Dad reminisce about his childhood or help your grad remember his hometown as he heads off to college! Recently I had the chance to create and review my own GrafoMap and I couldn’t wait to see what they were like.

I considered making a map of my own hometown of Lumsden, but instead I decided to create a print of my fiance’s hometown area instead. He was raised on an acreage in the Penetanguishine/Midland area and at first, I wasn’t sure which one to choose for the map. Eventually, I realized that I could use his exact address to create a map that centred right on the house where he was raised. The resulting map print, with glimpses of Georgian Bay around it, was graphically stunning!

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Surprise Dad with the Perfect Father’s Day Gift from Mark’s-Giveaway

June 10, 2016 by Kathryn 202 Comments

Finding the perfect present for a man always seems to be a bit of a challenge for me. Whether I’m shopping for my fiance or for my own dad, their interests are so unique that I’m never quite sure where to start. Luckily, Mark’s has plenty of great gift ideas for dads of all sorts, just in time for Father’s Day. And recently I got the chance to check out some of the store’s gift ideas for myself! Looking for the perfect gift for that special man in your life? Check out these fun ideas to help you get started!

For the Golfer

The Windriver HD1 Packable Jacket is the perfect multitasking jacket for the golf course and beyond. With Hyper-Dri technology, it provides waterproof protection from sudden showers while still being breathable. And the adjustable hood and machine washable design means that looking good on the course has never been easier! A lightweight fit lets this jacket go from sunshine to rain and it’s perfect for packing in a suitcase without being bulky.

For the Beach Lover

Whether the man in your life prefers diving into the waves or just lounging in the sand, the Ripzone Swim Shorts will have him looking great as he enjoys the best that summer has to offer. The elastic waist with drawstring makes it easy to get the perfect fit, and the bright stripes will have Dad strutting his stuff in style. Best of all, the fabric is soft and dries quickly for maximum comfort in and out of the water!

For the Workman

If Dad is always on the job, show him you care with sturdy new safety gear! The Workhorse CSA #1 Hard Hat offers reliable impact protection and a bright orange colour that will help a man be seen more easily on night shifts or in dim areas. The absorbent cotton brow pad makes it a great choice for a hot summer’s day and the ratchet adjustment ensures a perfect fit for maximum protection.

For the Fashion Fan

For that man that always wants to look his best, the Denver Hayes Classic Fit Never Iron Long-Sleeved Shirt is the ideal gift. The crisp lines and grid design make it universally flattering for most body types, while also providing maximum comfort. And the Perfectly Pressed fabric available exclusively at Mark’s means that the shirt comes out of the dryer ready to wear and looking its best…no ironing required!

For the Outdoorsman

There’s no better gift for a man that loves the great outdoors than gear to help him stay out even longer. The Klean Kanteen 27 oz. Pop Top Water Bottle does just that by ensuring your favourite adventurer can stay hydrated longer. The large opening ensures easy filling and pouring, and the durable materials used for the bottle don’t retain or impart flavours. Choose from a variety of colours to get Dad the perfect bottle that suits his style!

For the Sporty Dad

If the man on your list coaches a youth sports team or participates in a sport himself, great shoes are sure to be a much appreciated gift. The Skechers Skech-Air Infinity Lace-Up Sneakers feature gel-infused memory foam for better cushioning and a stabilizing mid sole design for ideal support. The bright colour adds fun flash to the shoes so that Dad will want to show everyone his new gift!

Mark’s knows how important it is to celebrate fathers, and that’s why the company created this fantastic video that let Canadians share what makes their dads so special. It’s a great homage to the men that helped to give us the core values that make us good people, and it’s sure to remind you of a few of the things that make your dad so special!

Want to surprise a special man in your life with the perfect gift this Father’s Day? Mark’s is here to help with an incredible giveaway! One lucky Mommy Kat and Kids reader is going to win a $50 Mark’s gift card to do their own shopping spree for Dad! To enter to win, just leave a blog comment about what makes your dad special.

Shopping for Jeremy means that in some ways I’m shopping in a few different categories. He’s sporty, loves golf and has a great sense of style, so I have plenty of options. I eventually decided that the Denver Hayes Leather Travel Organizer would be a great Father’s Day gift since we have a vacation coming up and Jeremy loves being as organized as possible. The multiple slots keep paperwork and cards organized, while the full zip closure also keeps items safe! No matter what hobbies your dad or husband has, Mark’s has a great assortment of gifts that will let him know you care. Find the perfect one today and surprise Dad with a gift just for him this Father’s Day!

Mark's giveaway

Help the Men in Your Life Stay Healthy with These 4 Easy Tips #ONatural

June 18, 2015 by Kathryn 40 Comments

My parents separated when I was quite young, and after my dad remarried I didn’t see him very often throughout the year. But one day that my siblings and I always spent with our dad was Father’s Day, and it was always a day we enjoyed. Thinking about how much I’ve grown since those early celebrations on my dad’s acreage often make me think about how much older my dad is too. While he’s pretty healthy overall, he does have some issues that make me worry at times.

Luckily, there are a few things that men of any age can do to ensure optimal health, and lots of them are pretty easy! These four easy tips are ones that will help men on the road to good health for decades to come:

1) Drinking Green Tea

I must admit that I’m not really a fan of the taste of green tea, but its many health benefits make it worth drinking anyways! Regular consumption of green tea is said to boost immunity, act as an anti-inflammatory and increase metabolism. It’s even been shown to help improve memory!
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Treat Dad to a Perfect Shave on Father’s Day with a Crabtree & Evelyn Gift Set-Giveaway

June 18, 2015 by Kathryn 176 Comments

If there’s one thing that almost any man can use, it’s good shaving products. And with Father’s Day coming up this weekend, Crabtree & Evelyn has some fabulous products to help you give Dad a gift he’ll love. The company sent me the Crabtree & Evelyn Duo Gift Set to check out and I knew at a glance that it would be the perfect gift for any guy that loves a clean shave.

I received the Indian Sandalwood Duo set to review and as with all Crabtree & Evelyn products, the gorgeous presentation was immediately appealing to me. The gift box contains Shave Cream, After Shave Balm and a vintage inspired tube key, perfect for getting a perfect shave every time. Even better, the set is available in either Indian Sandalwood, Moroccan Myrrh or the award-winning West Indian Lime scent! Since my man tends to favour classic, woodsy scents, Indian Sandalwood was my favourite choice!

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Take Dad On A Trip Down Memory Lane this Father’s Day with OxiClean

June 17, 2015 by Kathryn 23 Comments

I’ve always had a hard time shopping for my dad. He never requests a specific gift and being over eighty, he seems to have everything he wants already. To top it off, his reaction to any gift is pretty mellow so even when I’m sure I’ve found something that he’ll love, it’s hard to know whether he really liked my choice or not! That’s why this year, instead of buying something new, I’ll be taking a tip from Church & Dwight and sticking to something I know my dad will love. By sprucing up his most prized possessions to make them as good as new, I can be sure he’ll have a happy Father’s Day!

Wondering how to make that happen? Try refreshing dad’s favourite things from the good ol’ days. This means restoring his lucky baseball cap or the colours on his old sports team jersey to bring him back to that championship game. Or try cleaning up his favourite childhood toy and let the memories pour in.

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Surprise a Special Guy with Saddleback Leather this Father’s Day

May 27, 2015 by Kathryn 22 Comments

Father’s Day is just a few short weeks away now and if you’re searching for the perfect surprise for a husband, father or any other important man in your life, a gift from Saddleback Leather is sure to be a hit. I discovered this small company with a cult following about a year ago and I’ve been in love with the high-quality leather goods ever since. So recently I decided to splurge on the Saddleback Leather Simple Backpack in Dark Coffee Brown.

This backpack comes in two different sizes and three different leather colours. Personally, I can’t resist the rich look of the Dark Coffee Brown; it’s classic yet still has personality. The backpack itself features two small pockets on either side in addition to the large main compartment for added organization. And the large bag is perfectly sized so that it can be carried as a personal item when flying!

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Father’s Day Books for Dads and their Kids from Scholastic Canada

June 13, 2014 by Kathryn 22 Comments

Father’s Day is this weekend and Scholastic Canada is celebrating with some great books that illustrate that special bond between a dad and his kids. I received a few of Scholastic Canada’s newest books featuring dear old dad to review and they are a great choice for little ones this Father’s Day!

Mighty Dads by Joan Holub is a great choice for boys since it features loveable construction vehicle characters. Illustrated by James Dean, the creator of Pete the Cat, this book’s inspirational story about the ways fathers share life lessons with their children is sure to make Dad smile. And kids will love the message that no matter where their talents lie, their dads are proud of them! [Read more…]

Father’s Day Memories of Learning to Drive with Dad and Ford Canada-Giveaway

June 12, 2014 by Kathryn 183 Comments

Growing up in small-town Saskatchewan, one of my earliest memories was driving down gravel roads in my dad’s old Ford truck. He had an acreage on the edge of the Qu’Appelle valley and there were times we’d go driving on roads that were little more than tracks in the grass. On the top of the valley, Dad used to occasionally let me, the oldest child, sit and steer the truck across his property. I started out sitting in his lap and then, as I got older, was eventually allowed to drive on the acreage roads myself, with Dad beside me keeping a watchful eye on me!

boy driving — Just like me, Zackary has always loved being behind the wheel!

For many children in Saskatchewan, those times spent out with our fathers were our first driving lessons, often started a decade before we would be eligible to actually take driving lessons and get that coveted Learner’s License. Any child whose parents owned a farm or acreage had so much open private property that it just made sense to take advantage of it. And those bonding moments with my dad driving around in that old Ford truck remain some of my favourite memories of time spent with him to this day. [Read more…]