- This polish will reinvigorate tired leather and protect it from future scrapes and water. Shoes will look better and last longer (sorry ladies, no more shoe shopping for a while;-)
- The high-quality brush has soft bristles that are gentle on fine leather
- It’s easy to use
WEEKLY SPECIAL: Clip Calculator NOW $25 (was $34.95)
Handmade Father’s Day Gift: Mess-Free Baby Painting
This handmade Father’s Day gift idea is great for families with little ones who are a bit too young to draw or colour in an artwork for Father’s Day…
Why we love it:
- It’s simple and inexpensive – you just need a tray, a couple of golf balls and some paint
- This is a great (mess-free) activity for babies and young children, who will love seeing the colours and patterns they create. The activity helps promote co-ordination, especially using two hands.
- You could cut this artwork out into any shape, write on it and frame it, or turn it into a personalised Father’s Day card.
- This is a great way for kids to create art for birthdays, anniversaries, or Mother’s Day.
Father’s Day Recipe: Chocolate Ice Cream Mud Pie
You want to melt your Dad’s heart this Father’s Day? Here is the perfect surprise dessert to touch his soul. Lots of chocolate, plenty of ice cream, and rich nutty taste, what’s not to like? Also, the recipe is a simplified chocolate mud pie, which has only a few ingredients, and is quick and easy to make. It is quite “kid-friendly” for preparation too. So children of all ages can take part in Dad’s surprise.
Ingredients:
• Chocolate crumb crust (you may use a store-bought one, or make it from scratch following a standard recipe)
• 3 table spoons soft brown sugar
• 150 ml heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup nuts of your choice, chopped (walnuts, hazelnuts and almonds work well)
• 2 litre container of coffee-flavoured ice cream
Method:
1. Heat half of the whipping cream in a saucepan on medium heat. Wait until the cream is just before its boiling point (or until bubbles appear at the edges). Turn the heat off. Add the chocolate chips and stir gently until they melt and the mixture is chocolaty-smooth. Put the saucepan aside and let it cool completely.
2. In a mixing bowl, add the rest of the whipping cream and whip it until it thickens, add the sugar and continue beating the mixture.
3. Spread the softened ice cream on the crumb crust, and smooth the top. Sprinkle half of the nuts on top. Drizzle the cooled chocolate mixture over the ice cream.
4. Spread the whipped cream in the centre of the pie. Top it all with a sprinkle of the remaining nuts.
5. Freeze the pie for a couple of hours, or if it suits your time frame – overnight (just keep it hidden from Dad).
TIP: The pie is best enjoyed with a cup of hot strong coffee. To slice it, use a knife with a heated blade (just dip it in hot water for a few seconds).
This recipe was kindly shared with us by Margaret Swanton, a marketing specialist at Fantastic Cleaners Melbourne housekeeping agency, and a chocoholic, who explores her passion for desserts.
Check out our other recipes here…
FREE printable Father’s Day Card: 5 Things I Love About My Dad
Ten gifts to help him look his best: Father’s Day grooming and accessory gifts
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The best advice my dad gave me: Jo Sweeney, Wheeliedesigns.com
Jo Sweeney shares her dad’s wise words in our latest installment of The best advice me dad gave me.
The best thing my dad taught me was “If you can’t be good – be good at it”. My dad was a fun loving hard worker and ironically a garbo!
Jo Sweeney is the co-founder of Wheeliedesigns.com, an online retailer of street art, specialising in quirky wheelie bin stickers for the Dad that has everything. Whether he tells lame dad jokes, takes the environment seriously or is a bogan, Wheeliedesigns.com has a sticker to suit every Dad this Father’s Day. From $24.95 – sold in gift tubes and delivered Australia Wide. Buy online from www.wheeliedesigns.com
PRODUCT OF THE WEEK: Vintage Record Coasters
Every home needs a set of coasters, and in my opinion, the brighter they are the better! Coasters are the one souvenir I’ll grab if I’m travelling as they’re generally a pretty compact item to travel with (excluding the ones made from stone). Seeing them on your coffee table at home is a nice reminder of a fun holiday.
Coasters make great gifts because:
- They’re really useful. You can’t really have too many and if you do, you can rotate different sets to suit your mood/decor. It’s also handy having a few extra if you’re having a party.
- They are a fun and easy way to add ‘personality’ to your interior decoration.
- They made a great conversation starter (especially these record label coasters) as people reminisce about their favourite albums.
- They protect your furniture – after all, that’s what they’re made for! Not only do they protect wooden surfaces from heat rings from hot drinks, they also cut down on the cleaning of glass surfaces that seem to attract drink rings too.
- They’re child-friendly/proof. Both of my children have loved playing with our bamboo coasters. Whilst glass or ceramic coasters are slightly less family-friendly, wooden or plastic coasters will stand the family challenge. They’re large enough not to be swallowed, and survive being thrown across the room.
- They are a great gift for a man or woman or any age, as well as a wonderful housewarming/engagement or wedding gift.
- Each set of 4 is completely unique and you won’t find another set the same.
- Whilst each coaster is different, they work really well as a set on a table together.
- They are bright, colourful and will liven up any table
- Each coaster is backed with cork, to ensure your furniture is protected from heat and scratches.
What sort of coasters do you have at home?
Competition time! Your chance to win a set of Vintage Coasters…
Handmade Father’s Day gift: Beer Bottle Snacks
A six pack of empty beer bottles, as well as the six pack holder can be put to good use for dad this Father’s Day with these fun handmade snack bottles…
Why we love them:
- These bottles are a great size to fill up with a variety of snacks and treats for dad – nuts, Smarties, seeds, rice crackers – basically anything small enough to fit through the neck of the bottles!
- Don’t worry if you throw out the bottle top – you can easily seal the bottle with a piece of fabric placed over the opening and secure it with an elastic band and ribbon. Alternatively, you could even use a piece of wide, clear tape.
- You can have fun with the labels on these bottles. Use the dimensions of the original label for size and create your own personalised labels on the computer or get the kids to draw a picture. You could feature a picture, a quote, write something you love about dad on each one, or even just used colourful wrapping paper to cover up the old label.
- You could also use swing tags, ribbon or twine to further embellish your bottles.
- This is an inexpensive gift you and the kids can have fun creating together.
- If dad doesn’t drink beer you could use any glass jar or container in the same way – keep an eye out for any interesting jars or containers to use before you recycle them.