10 Awesome Father's Day Gifts for Handy Dads

I think the mistake we make with handy Dads is that we assume, because they're handy, they already have the tools they need for any job around the house.  But if your Dad is anything like my Dad, many of his tools and gadgets are probably old, maybe a little worn out, maybe a little stolen by his daughter but he can't quite remember which ones, but he probably won't treat himself to something new because his tools "do the job just fine".

For Father's Day, I've seen a lot of hipster Dad gift guides that probably won't appeal to Dads of a certain... "vintage".  So I chatted with Hubby and I made a list of great tools we have and love (that my Dad covets) and ones that look really enticing and perfect for a handy Dad.

WORX SWITCH DRILL AND DRIVER

Poll any handy person around and I bet you, dollars to donuts, that they have an old drill - I know we did!  It's probably a corded model, a little bulky, but it works fine so why spend the money on a new one?  If you're shopping for a Father's Day gift, spend the money for him and get a drill that's cordless and light, perfect for any jobs around the house.  This WORX 2-in-1 switch drill and driver is compact, plus it switches easily between driving and drilling modes.  We have added this to our "stuff for the boat" tool arsenal and I love how lightweight it is!

WORK LIGHTS

Work lights like these are awesome enough to cause major fights in my family, as whoever borrows them (me) tends to resist returning them to their rightful owner (my Dad).  They have been used so many times - they make late night DIY projects so easy and are perfect when you've cut power to an area of the house but need some light.  An extension cord and one of these makes midnight wiring possible - perfect for busy Dads!   

MAGNETIC BRACELET

Magnelex, this clever magnetic bracelet, helps keep track of nails and screws - such a genius idea, and way better than trying to hold a bunch of screws in one's mouth (we're all guilty of that).  I classify this as the type of thing Dad would never buy himself, only to use it all the time once he has it. 

MASTERCRAFT ARTICULATING LADDER

When we were shopping for a sailboat, every boat was on land and had to be accessed by a ladder.  Every older dude who showed us boats rolled up with a sketchy, rickety ladder.  I'm convinced that ladder sales must be slow.  Now that I think about it, I've never actually seen someone purchase a ladder.  And no one I know has a shiny new one, they're all the dicey kind that make my palms sweat.

This articulating ladder is worth every penny - we splurged and bought ourselves the exact model because Hubby and I are both afraid of heights (although one of us has been sky diving and so that someone has to clean the gutters because you can't pretend to be scared of ladders and then jump from a plane).  It's been handy for accessing the roof, reaching the smoke detector on our 13 foot ceiling, and so many others tasks that make my heart skip a beat.  It's so sturdy and really versatile, transforming into eight different positions, like a stairway scaffold - genius!

FIBER FIX

Looking for something funny to gift with a larger present?  Coax Dad to trade in the duct tape for Fiber Fix, a handy little product that can mend anything from shovels to hockey sticks and eek out a little more life out of whatever 100 year old shovel or fishing rod he won't let go of.

I was sent a sample of this stuff and it's so handy to keep around for making emergency repairs - with a more permanent hold than duct tape.  It's a one time use product, so go ahead and toss a few packages in your cart.  

DIGITAL MULTIMETER

Is Dad doing some electrical work?  My Dad is super thrilled that he was able to successfully repair my parents' washing machine after watching a ton of YouTube videos.  This digital multimeter is one we own and it's something we use a lot so I highly recommend it if your handy Dad doesn't have one!

BOSSE TOOLS ERGONOMIC SHOVELS

I actually have the Bosse Tools round point shovel.  We've been doing some "landscaping" - I use the word generously - around the property and Hubs and I sprint to the garage to get our hands on this first.  It was awesome for shoveling 1400 pounds of dolomite out of the back of the truck.  Oy.

It's really easy on the back when you're digging a lot - it improves your posture and the center handle rotates and locks in place for comfort.  Dads with aching old joints and backs will surely appreciate this!

RATCHET STRAPS

This is more a public service announcement than gift idea.  Because I log a lot of hours at Home Improvement stores, I have seen some seriously sketchy practices for getting lumber, plywood and other building supplies home.  The other day we saw a pick up truck with some kind of rolled up rug hanging four feet out the back of a truck, tail gate down, with no straps or anything, and it was bouncing around, threatening to impale the cars behind.  The driver was a left lane bandit, doing 30km/hr in a 60 zone, trying not to lose the carpet.  It was so irresponsible! 

People laugh at us because it normally takes us about 20 minutes (sometimes half an hour) and eight ratchet straps before we're ready to drive off with our precious cargo, but properly securing larger items is SO important - things flying out of a pick up truck or an SUV with the tail gate open can seriously injure or even kill other drivers.  But if your Dad is like my Dad, he might rely on a handful of aging bungee cords and hope for securing larger purchases because ratchet straps are too expensive.  Buy these ratchet straps for him.  Please.  

THERMAL CAMERA

Some of my gift ideas for handy Dads veer toward the practical - and affordable! - but if you're looking to splash out on an expensive and deliciously FUN tool, this FLIR TG165 Spot Thermal Camera (with image storage) could definitely fit the bill!  Just over $300, yes, but it could save Dad tons of money because you can use this handy gadget to find heat loss in a home, track roof conditions, spot electrical issues, etc - home inspectors love these.

Hubby is positively drooling for one of these.

LINCOLN ELECTRIC ARC WELDER

I'm kind of proud of the fact that the welder we own is actually mine.  We joke that my "Hope Chest" came fully stocked with dishware, a car, a welder.  All I'm missing is a goat and some chickens.  We were recently doing some welding - building an awesome new fire pit - and we chatting about some bigger welding projects we'd love to do.  Hubby has his eye on this Lincoln Electric Arc Welder for some heavy duty projects my welder can't handle.
 
These are just come suggestions based on tools/handy gadgets we have - and love - or things we think a Handy Dad would appreciate.  My best advice?  Poke around Dad's garage and check out his tool situation.  Treat him to a better, fancier version of what he's been using for years - or the thing you borrowed and never returned.  He might fight you on it ("oh I don't need it"), but he'll thank you for it later.

Feel free to chime in with your own suggestions in the comments!  Please note that for some, not all, of the products I recommended I was able to use affiliate links so I might make a small commission.  I never allow affiliate linking to drive the products I promote in any way.

The Kitchen Needed More Turquoise (+ Win $1000 from Fab.com)

The other day I was thinking that my turquoise kitchen could really use a little more turquoise...

These Kate Spade non-stick pots and pans should do the trick!

Since adopting a healthier lifestyle last fall, I've been relying heavily on the one non-stick pan in my arsenal - stolen from Mom's kitchen (shhhh)!  My own pots and pans are a hodgepodge of hand-me-downs, so when Fab.com offered me anything - anything! - from their incredible inventory, my heart was immediately set on some new pots and pans.  Kate Spade? Non-stick? Turquoise? SOLD!

Fab.com generously sent me the 2 and 4 Quart Sauce Pans, the 6 Quart Casserole, plus the 8 and 10" Fry Pan Set from the Kate Spade All in Good Taste collection (they come I other, equally cheery colours).  I actually waited a few days to open everything because the packaging was too cute!

Aaaand they're amazing!  Not only do they look cute, but cooking in them is a dream.  They heat up quickly and I have been able to whip up some delicious, healthy dinners with only a teeny splash of grape seed oil.  I used to batch cook a few times a week and coast on leftovers, but for the last six months or so I've been cooking a fresh dinner almost every night and have even upped my lunchtime game, eschewing my sandwiches for healthier fare with fewer carbs.  But I'd be lying if I said I loved cooking.  I love eating and I especially love eating foods that make me feel healthy, so that means logging some hours in the kitchen.

Luckily, I've got a kitchen I love to spend time in.  The cheery turquoise cabinets, the beautiful view of Lake Superior, and my open shelving with every piece of turquoise kitchenware under the sun still make me smile.  Pulling out my new turquoise pots and pans makes whipping up a meal even more enjoyable - they are seriously fun!

That's what I appreciate about the vibrant, curated collection of finds from Fab.com: so many pieces are about upgrading and elevating the everyday.  They stock a carefully chosen selection of home décor pieces, men's and women's accessories, and also some really cool tech pieces, that are colourful and inspired.

Everything Fab.com stocks is sure to put a smile on your face and so many of the items they sell are pretty versions of practical things you'll use everyday - which I love.  In a small home, I don't have room for too many strictly pretty things - most things need to have a function, too.  I actually found so many items to covet on Fab.com, including a turquoise Dansk pan (drool) and a whole bevy of gorgeous statement necklaces - that choosing was difficult.  But having a favorite color makes things a little easier... 

As a bonus, Fab.com let me choose another, random item and I picked this LED "lantern" by Time Concept, which is so perfect for our sailboat!  It runs on four batteries and is so bright, it can light up the whole cabin of our boat, which is nice because the lighting situation in there leaves a lot to be desired. 

Want to get your hands on some free goodies from Fab.com???  Does $1000 sound good?

You're in luck!  Fab.com is currently hosting a giveaway for $1000 gift card!  It's a simple entry form (name and email address) and the winner will be revealed July 15th.   Good luck!! 

This post was sponsored by Fab.com but all thoughts, opinions, and product selections are my own. 

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Finding a Stylish, Modern Spring Rain Jacket for Curvy Bums and Thighs

Lolë "Memory"

Since losing more than 50 pounds, I now know what it actually means to "have nothing to wear".  Because we're a bit boat broke right now, I've been rationing clothing purchases and trying to limit myself to one item of clothing a month - but I'm finding that really difficult!  I was swimming in my old spring coat and last week I finally broke down and bought myself a new rain jacket for spring.  I searched high and low in my small city for a rain coat that would be practical and stylish, because I'll probably live in this jacket for the foreseeable future. 

I was really happy with the fit and quality of my old coat, the Lolë "Glowing" Jacket (in "Black Embossed"), which is a three season belted style that I wore non-stop until it was time to don my parka:

Lolë "Glowing" Jacket

The only thing I didn't love was the design which, although subtle, made it more difficult to accessorize than a simple black coat.  The fit, however, was outstanding and very forgiving as my weight fluctuated - the fabric has a nice stretch to it which makes it incredibly comfortable and it fit over my wider hips with room to spare.  You can tell from the photos with models how much extra wiggle room there is in the hip region. 

I tried on the newer "Glowing" design, this time in a pretty grey design ("Dark Charcoal Corn Field") and although I loved it even more than my last jacket because the pattern is more "me" and the belt now has a chicer design, I couldn't commit because it's pretty warm thanks to a cozy liner.  Because we're headed into what I hope will be summer weather, I decided something lighter might serve me better.  But I'm watching for a good sale and I might pick this up for fall because I just love it so much!  That pattern really has a mid-century modern look:

In the end, I kept coming back to this stylish rain jacket:

Lolë "Memory"

Lolë "Memory"

The Lolë "Memory" is lighter weight, but still water-repellent.  I love the ruched waist (which also stops drafts) and the double zipper.  I still have a bigger bum and thighs - which I love! - compared to my waist and small chest, so a double zipper makes sitting for long stretches comfier because I can create a little more wiggle room.  It's also great for hauling my ass into our giant truck without ripping a side seam!

I've been wearing this coat non-stop since purchasing it and I feel so great in it!  I bought "Dark Charcoal," which is a pretty tame colour but it lets my sky blue Hunter boots shine (they're cute in the matte finish too)...

Another contender was the Marmot Essential Jacket (I liked it in black, but it's chic in grey too).  I almost bought it because it fit so well, looked really sleek and modern, and was made of Gore-Tex, but in the end I vetoed it because the Velcro closure on the pocket kept catching on the sleeves of my sweater.  The Marmot Highland Jacket looks really sophisticated as well - and has zippered pockets! - but no one carried it locally.

Marmot Essential Jacket

For a really relaxed shape, the Lolë Stratus was a great fit with tons of room for ample derrieres and thighs.  I just personally love a coat that's belted or ruched in the waist, but for anyone who prefers a more relaxed cut, I highly recommend this jacket:

Lolë Stratus

My post about narrowing down some winter coat options for women with a similar figure as me (wider hips and thighs, narrower waist, small chest - a pear, if you will) was a real hit, so now that I found a great spring jacket, I wanted to share!  I think it might turn out that I'm a  Lolë devotee because their coats are designed to be really flattering and fitted, but tend to offer some room for curvy bodies.  I love that! 

Have you splurged on a new jacket this season?  Do you have any go-to brands for clothes that are flattering and forgiving? 

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DIY Fabric Clothespin Bag

Wayfair recently posed a challenge: tackle a DIY project that makes life easier!  One of those, "why, oh why, didn't I do this sooner?" type of projects.  I had just the project: a DIY clothespin bag!

Truth be told, last spring I had one:

But it was a disgusting one that came with the house.  It smelled bad and was filled with spiders, but it was better than the torn plastic bag my Mummu was using to hold her clothespins.

Hanging laundry outside is something the women in my family are fanatic about.  My Mummu, like a good Finn, hangs her laundry outside all year round.  My Mom and I, while still deeply committed to outdoor line drying in the warmer months, stick to indoor clothes racks and lines as soon as the snow flies.  Thoroughly disgusted with both of our clothespin holders, last spring my Mom volunteered to help us each sew a pretty cloth clothespin bag.  Before we had completed the first bag, my Mummu gleefully threw out my skunky old bags and pins.  (I don't think she appreciated that I had set them on her dining table).  She scooped the first clothespin holder bag we sewed and we made plans to get together and sew a second clothespin holder later that week.  Well, life imploded and we never made that sewing date!

So I resorted to using an old plastic bag.  Cue the sad trombone.

On the bright side, we learned that the clothespin bag we sewed weathered living outside really well.  Sheltered under the eaves, it looks brand new a year later!  Confident in the design, my Mom and I finally whipped up a clothespin bag for me!  Below is the how-to, but I will warn you that my Mom is an ambitious DIYer and she's upped the ante by making this clothespin holder self lined - with a pattern that lines up perfectly!  The end result looks beautiful, but it has a few extra steps which I've tried to explain thoroughly.  Just let me know in the comments, though, if any of the directions don't make sense and I will happily clarify.

Supplies:

• Child-sized hanger (this is nearly identical to what we used, but you can also use plastic)
• Outdoor fabric (leftover from my back tab curtains - see the post for info on the fabric)
• Thread
• Sewing machine
• Sewing gauge (optional)
• Marking pencil
• Small bowl (for tracing)
• Cute clothespins! (like these retro looking ones or these pretty floral ones)

How to Sew a Self-Lined Fabric Clothespin Bag:

To determine the shape, place the hanger on the fabric, near a corner so as not to waste fabric, and measure the center of the hanger.  Approximately two inches below the bottom of the hanger, use a bowl to trace a circle for the opening - choose a size that fits your hand comfortably.  We used a bowl with a 5" diameter (the overall diameter of the finished opening is 5"):

Using a gauge, mark 1" all the way around the hanger and then draw a straight line down from the outside edge of the hanger.



The idea is to create a snug fit around the hanger, and then allow for 5 to 6 inches below the opening.  My finished clothespin holder is 17" tall and 12.5" wide. 

With the shape cut out, trace and cut out three more identical clothespin bag shapes so you have four in total.

Place the piece with the circle and one of the other cut outs together, right sides facing in:

Pin around the circle and sew around the circumference:

Tie off the thread, cut out the middle, and then snip in toward the sewn line, careful not to cut the thread:

Reach through the circle and pull one layer of the fabric inward, to turn the hole inside out:

Ta da!  Next we'll pull a rabbit out of a hat...

Iron the fabric to smooth out the circle opening and then pin down and sew the circumference once again - this will help it lie flat:

And that's the front, which has two layers: 

To attach it to the back, grab one of the remaining two cut outs and place it right side up, underneath the front half you sewed earlier:

Pin the top layer of the fabric out of the way, and sew together the bottom layer and the additional piece, leaving a small opening at the very top for the hanger to poke out:

Then place the fourth cutout on top of the front of the clothespin holder, right side facing down.  Pin it together with the side you pinned out of the way earlier, and sew it together.  This is my Mom sneaking it into place to demonstrate:

Now then turn everything right side out:

See how the hole now has the right side of the fabric showing behind it, as opposed to the wrong side of the back showing?  Self-lining it took a few extra steps and twice the fabric, but the end result looks so good!

For the top, you can hand sew the opening, try adding a grommet, wrestle with it under the machine to do a button hole, throw in the towel and just apply some fray check, or ram in under the machine and sew around the opening - much like you would around the slit of a wrap dress - which is what my Mom did.

With the bottom still open, slide the hanger into the clothespin bag up through the body of the clothespin holder through the hole left in the top.  Then simply pull the bottom edge back up through the hole, stitch it closed, and push in back in.

Whew!  You're done!  Now stuff it with pins:




By using indoor/outdoor fabric, this clothespin bag can definitely be kept outside, but it's pretty enough to hang on a hook in a laundry room to keep it bug-free until laundry day.



I'm pretty thrilled!  Living lakeside, it can be pretty windy some days, which totally messes with my hair but, combined with a gloriously sunny day, dries my laundry in a snap so I can't complain. 
 

 
This post was sponsored by Wayfair.  Any thoughts or opinions expressed are my own.  P.S. if sewing your own clothespin holder looks like piddly work, you can always just buy this cutie from Wayfair.  Just sayin'.   

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