Made in Iowa- Shop Local Gift Guide

If you are looking to support small businesses, look no further! I love giving and receiving unique gifts and what better thing to do is to gift something made for your state of Iowa! They usually come with a little story or history to them and people appreciate something that has meaning behind it. I think the white elephant and office gifts are the hardest things to find unique gifts for and I hope with this list below, you can cross off just about everyone from your list this season! Remember to shop small and support local businesses!

Below I have highlighted just a few of the gifts available on the Travel Iowa website! Even if you are not in the market for a gift at this time, definitely check out the website as it highlights Things to Do, Places to Stay, Trip Ideas, Travel Regions and of course Gift Ideas. Click HERE to take a look!

I love these shelves for your basement bar or man cave! They are made from the barrel ends of used Templeton Rye Whiskey barrels. They are 21" diameter and 1" thick and theshelf is 8" deep. Made in Bondurant. $125. Purchase HERE

Hello perfect housewarming gift, hostess gift or gift for that Grandma who has everything! These are made by Dirt Road Candle Co. in Atlantic, Iowa! $24 for a Holiday sampler of 3 candles. Select your gift HERE

The image below is another great hostess gift! For only $5.95, add a few of these to your cart to accompany a bottle of wine as a gift set. Zaza’s Artisan Pasta is made in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Shop HERE

The older I get the more I love receiving experiences as a gift. Seven Oaks is a great place to ski, snow tube and snowboard in the winter, and to kayak/canoe, river tube and paintball in the summer, all in central Iowa! It is located in Boone – a quick drive from the surrounding cities. Choose your gift certificate amount HERE

Everyone needs a shirt from Raygun, so start em young! This Iowa-adorable shirt is for the littles in your life. Raygun is located Downtown Des Moines and they are known for their T-shirts with style….and sayings! Purchase yours HERE for only $20.

Are you really from Iowa if you have not had a Dutch Letter from Jaarsma Bakery? Looking for that perfect gift to take to the office for the staff or bring into your ladies or mens groups? Grab 12 dutch letters for $27 so everyone can experience a little bit of Pella, Iowa. They ship well. Click HERE to browse their website for other tasty treats too.

I love these printed candle holders $12 each, made by Kara Lynn Schlabaugh out of Iowa City, Iowa. I also think they would be really cute to keep salt and pepper in on the table as decor! Browse all of the styles HERE.

One of a kind sculptures from Davenport, Iowa are made by Isabel Bloom. Choose from designs that are whimsical, children, animals, inspiring angels, and outdoor statues. Each sculpture comes with a card perfect for the occasion. Looking for something to get a teacher, a mentor, a retiree, or need a gift in a time of sympathy, Isabel Bloom is timeless and sure to make a lasting memory. You can search for the perfect occasion gift HERE.

I have only highlighted a fraction of the gifts available through their website! Start your own search by clicking HERE for a full tour of the website, Travel Iowa.

Amana Woolen Mill Throw-$85

Bannor Toys Iowa Rattle- $19.99

Iowa Outdoors Magazine Subscription- $15

Great River Maple Syrup- $20

The Ultimate Guy Gift Giving Guide

I took a little poll over on my Instagram stories about the type of gift guides you would like to see and majority of you chose gifts for the men in your life. Why are they so hard to buy for? I mean, walk down any Target isle and buy me anything in it and I would be happy as can be! Plus, guys and gift cards are hard too because either they forget them at home when they go shop, they don’t shop OR to they give it to their wives/ sig.others 😂 #guilty.

I hope you find something from my list below or at least an idea that maybe you didn’t think of! Let me know if you have any questions or if you grab something from the list and the Mr. is happy!! Click the image below and it will take you to the website to purchase! Happy gift giving!

**Some of my favorite gifts to give guys are experiences. Concert tickets, sporting events, etc.

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Father's Day Gift Guide

Every year I am always scrambling to do something for Father's Day because it is the day after we get home from our annual family vacation to the Northwoods. So, I either have to be pro-active and get it all done before we leave....or scramble the night before 😬 Honestly, I am usually ordering a pizza for dinner and throwing in some brownies for dinner because it is easy! 

I have tried to come up with ideas for every kind of Dad out there! There are so many things to choose from and I tried to stay away from the "typical" things and maybe help you think outside of the box. Yes, some of these are typical but maybe not for your guy. I am a big fan of hand made cards so my daughter has that covered.

Do you have any Father's Day traditions in your house? I want to hear them! 

**Shop by clicking the image below and it will take you to the site to purchase it! Happy Shopping!

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Mother's Day Gift Guide

Ahhh Mother's Day...the day where you are supposed to get a "day off" as if that even exists 😂 It may start with breakfast in bed, then someone needing help in the bathroom while you are enjoying your over jellied toast, followed by another child wanting a bite of what you have, then finishing it. Sound familiar? I know I wouldn't trade any of it for anything! My husband and I don't give gifts to each other anymore (unless they are random), but we do take our daughter to shop for the other, and it's whatever she picks out for us is what we get. She really does a great job and that's exactly what I love about it. But.....she knows me sooo well or maybe I drop hints every now and then ☺️

I have rounded up a few gift ideas for anyone struggling on where to start or what to even get. I have and love a few of these pieces below, but the other things I have chosen are definitely on my wish list. 

**below the image are individual images that you can click on and they take you directly to where you can purchase the item or items.

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Here is a Mother's Day picture from 2 years ago....where does the time go? Oh and that was the time when she actually let me dress her! Haha

Happy Mother's Day to all of you Mothers or Mother figures, because you definitely don't need to be biologically related to someone for you to be their Mom ❤️❤️ You are needed and loved.