A Few of Our Favorite Things: 2016 Christmas Edition

© Tom Wang | Dreamstime.com - Santa Claus sitting on beach chairs. Christmas holiday concept.

It's the most wonderful time of the year! But for many, it can be super stressful. Christmas is not all about presents (for our girls we are sticking to the "something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read" gift giving plan to keep it simple and not make it all about "stuff"), but it is about the spirit of giving and, let's face it, getting and giving presents is so much fun! Some folks, however, are tricky to buy for and others (like me!) get stumped and need some inspiration for ideas. For those of you who can identify with one or both of those scenarios, this post is for you. I have compiled this list of tried and true products that we LOVE and use regularly if not daily.  Another bonus? Many of these items are under $50 and won't break the bank.

If you'd like to check out last year's list, here are some more ideas for the saltiest sailors in your circle.

Micro Scooter - These Swiss-designed scooters are THE BEST. Period. Our girls rip around the marina like little pros and to see their skill and confidence develop and soar has been amazing. Micro scooters are very well constructed and super durable, but the best part is how intuitive they are. You don't "steer" by using your arms, but rather leaning your body right and left, honing large motor coordination skills. We use ours every day and they are a huge hit with the other kids around the marina - in fact I think several are getting them for Christmas as a direct result of seeing ours!

The Wagon Store Folding Sport Wagon - We. LOVE. THIS. WAGON. The twins are getting quite independent these days and no longer like to sit in their stroller to stay contained, but when we hit the beach here I don't want to lug all our gear and I still like to have a way to contain the kids. Enter: this wagon. I did a ton of research on all things "wagon" and this brand consistently had the best reviews. It is collapsible and can easily be stowed on deck or in the back of a car, and it also doubles for fun when all the marina kids pull each other around in it!

Magna-Tiles Set - We have loved these for years. When it comes to toys for our girls, we look for things that are a) quality b) educational and c) easy to store. Magna tiles fit all criteria beautifully. Our girls have spent hours upon hours creating palaces, homes, cars and creations with our set. A toy that is super engaging and brain developing? YES.

Books - One thing we do not limit on our boat is books for the kids. All three of our girls LOVE books and "reading ". Some of our favorite are the Berenstain Bears, Usborne lift the flap books, Julia Donaldson books, Tod Parr books and any book that helps drive home important lessons. I will be doing an additional post on our favorite children's books soon because reading is something that is very important to our family.

Bronwen Jewelry - I have sang this jeweler praise for years now. I absolutely LOVE her stuff and if I could afford to buy it all, I would. Her handcrafted pieces are made for active women. I wear my waterweave bracelets every single day and they still look like new despite daily swimming.  I seriously cannot stress how much I love her simple, stylish work.

Wallaroo Tahiti Fedora - I love hats and have an obscene number of them. Gotta protect the skin! I have been on the hunt for a good fedora-type sun hat for over a year and I finally found them in the Wallaroo Tahiti fedora. Super well made, doesn't loose shape, and fits like a dream. I have two, one with the turquoise band and one with a taupe band and they go with just about any outfit I own. Also great for bad hair days (of which I have many!)

SCOUT Daytripper Tote - I discovered this company last year and I am not looking back. We have SO many of the SCOUT products on our boat it was hard to narrow down what to highlight, but this tote takes the cake. I have two (blue striped and the black and white pictured) and I use them every single day. They are big enough to carry all the gear I tote around for three tots, but not so big it feels like a burden. Plus, they are waterproof and do not stain! Any spills or nastiness that gets on the bag wipes right off. There are so many different colors and styles to chose from that it will be hard to select just one!

LSpace Women's Bikini Separates - Bikinis are my weakness and I have WAY too many. But, hey, I live on a boat in an island and pretty much live in swimwear. I found this brand a few months ago and holy moly, I LOVE them. They look so good on, are very well made, and all the pieces can be mixed and matched. Super cute.

Timbuk2 Classic Messenger Bag - I have never known Scott without this messenger bag, he has had his that long. Now that he is a bonafide businessman (albeit one that wears board shorts all day) he needed to dig this bag out as his briefcase. It goes with him everywhere and the bags are super strong, water proof and last FOREVER.

Buff Adult UV Headwear - No red necks around here! Working day in and day out in the sun means we need to protect ourselves before it gets the best of us and sometimes, sunscreen doesn't cut it. These versatile head scarves are great to keep the sun off your neck and can also be worn a bunch of different ways. They have these for both men and women and they are also great for anyone who runs, skis or does just about anything active.

Klein Canvas Zipper Tool Bags - I got Scott this set of tool bags on a whim way back in 2010 when we left on our first boat. He LOVES them. They take a real beating and have stood the test of time. Scott loves that his tools are organized and if he needs something, he just brings out one small bag instead of a huge bulky tool case. One bag holds "every day" tools (the ones we use most), another holds all his wrenches, another all the screw drivers, and so on.

O'Neill Santa Cruz Boardshort - Scott has several pairs of these and they are super comfortable, look great on, and fit well. He's very picky when it comes to how clothes fit so if the board shorts pass the Scott test, they are legit!

USB Essential Oil Ultrasonic LED Diffuser - I love diffusing essential oils in our boat for both scent and health. This little diffuser is the perfect size for our boat and runs off a USB power chord. It has a nice light option and various time settings. Add a little water, a few drops of essential oil, and your home will smell lovely!

SCOUT Hang-10 Storage Bin - I mentioned this company above and we have no fewer than five of these bins on our boat. They are foldable, super sturdy and look so much nicer than any other collapsible bin I have found. They are great for organizing toys, clothes and just about anything. Also, they are 'wipe clean' so will almost never get stained or dirty.

Cacala 100% Cotton Pestemal Turkish Towel - Yes, these are here again. We love these towels so much that it's hard to make a list of things we use and not include Turkish towels. They are thin, absorbent, quick to dry, easy to wash, take up a fraction of the space of a traditional towel and are so versatile. We use ours as bath towels, beach towels, sarongs, picnic blankets and fort-makers. They are awesome.

Sound Monkey Rugged Bluetooth Speaker - We love music and now we bring it wherever we go! This bluetooth speaker is super durable and the perfect size for on the go. It's waterproof and dustproof and has great sound - at full volume it can really get the party started!

MIRA 1 Liter Stainless Steel Coffee Pot & French Press - Many of you recall how much I love my Aeropress, and I still do love that. But these days, I drink a LOT of coffee and making one cup at a time is not efficient. I got this stainless steel model and I absolutely LOVE it. It makes one liter of delicious coffee and looks pretty on the counter to boot!

5 Piece Mini Utensil Set - Regular sized spatula sets take up a ton of room on a boat - this little set is the perfect size and I love the versatility of all the pieces. Another product that is used every single day on our boat.

Magic Bullet Express Mixing Set - I am on  a major smoothie kick these days and every day I have a vitamin and protein packed smoothie for lunch. This little mixer is what I use! We've had ours for over four years and it's still going strong! Super efficient and just the right size for one serving, the Magic Bullet is one powerful little gadget. I also use mine to make dressings, dips and salsas. Bonus is that it's super small and takes up very little space.

Copco 16-Ounce Reusable To Go Mug - Now that I am driving the girls to school three days a week, and since I rarely get to take a sip of my coffee until well after it is poured, I use this cup daily to not only keep my bev nice and warm, but also to be able to take it to go.

***

So there you have it! A few of our favorite things that I hope make the Holiday Season shine just a little bit brighter for you and your loved ones. Merry Christmas!

Gift Ideas for Sailors, Live-Aboards and the Beachy-Chic

The holidays are upon us and already I have had a few readers with questions of what to get their loved ones. I have come up with a little list for the whole family here. Please note, these are ALL products we actively own, use, and love. I hope you find something for your special someone, or at least they might spark an idea for a special gift!

>>>>>>>For the Sailor Man<<<<<<<

Havaianas Men's Flip Flops -Scott and I both love these flip flops. These are all rubber, so they don't absorb odors or water. We've been loyal to this brand for years and while I will occasionally try another, we always come back to Havianas.

Quiksilver Straw Hat - What completes the "island look" better than anything else? A great straw hat is what! I got this one for Scott for his birthday last year and he loves it. Not so big it's obnoxious, but it keeps the sun off his face and has a chin strap to keep it from flying away. It's well made and looks great, too!

Wind Resistent Butane Lighter - I've written about this little gem before, and I stand by it. Scott has one of these and it's used very regularly from burning the ends of line to lighting birthday candles!

Peppers Polarized Sunglasses - You'll find this great brand of eyewear in many of the surf shops in these parts, and there's good reason! Polarized eyewear is a must for anyone who spends a lot of time on the water, and this is our go-to brand. They not only have great styles, but they come with a lifetime guarantee as well.

SailorBags Back Pack - I've sang this bag a lot of praise in past posts, but it's for good reason. We use ours every single day and Scott has used his as a weekend pack. Perfect for that special sailor guy who likes to pack a quick bag for a relaxing weekend on the boat.

Leatherman Multi-Tool - Our boat is busting at the seams with tools! Too many to mention, really, but this simple little tool packs quite a punch and has many tools in one. We actually have a couple of these on board and they're never far from reach.

Men's G-Shock Watch - We've gone through many brands of watches and daily wear plus saltwater plus sun doesn't seem to be a great combo for many brands. I found this brand and got Scott one to replace his old one and he loves it. Waterproof and shock proof, these watches are made to last. They also come in a ton of great colors and styles, Scott loves the gray and blue one I got him.

Bosch Compact Tough Drill/Driver Kit - Scott loves this little set and uses it for almost every "big job" on our boat.  Compact and stores nicely, but a high quality product that is built to last. We love ours.

>>>>>For the Beachy-Chic Sailor Girl<<<<<

Double High 5 Jelly Bracelets - If I am wearing jewelry it needs to be able to be worn 24/7 without getting ruined. Jelly bracelets, which were big back when I was a little girl, are kind of perfect for the island lifestyle. Waterproof, durable and stylish. These are made in Mali from recycled flip flops and the colors go with everything! I am complimented on mine all the time. Cheap, cute and supporting a good cause as well.

Neoprene Bikini Swimsuit - Apparently, this style of suit is all the rage. This brand allows you to enjoy the trend without dropping the big bucks. I have two of these suits and they are super cute on, pay attention to the reviews, though, as sizing is tricky. Order up.

Simplicity® Harem Shorts- Comfortable clothes that can do double duty on the beach and at home are what I love. These shorts are cozy enough to sleep in, but cute enough to wear out and about. They're cheap and stylish and great for going back and forth between beach and boat because the material is light and dries quickly.

Elan Genie Jumper - I found one of these on sale in a shop down here and had to have it! Now, several my beachy friends have them! Super lightweight, comfortable and very stylish - I currently own three of these and love to slip them on for an evening out. Getting a "dressed up" look in total comfort and with zero effort? That's how I like to roll!

prAna Women's Trucker Cap - Keeping the sun off my face is a big priority as my skin is starting to show the signs of sun damage! I love the mesh trucker caps these days and have several. Cute and fun and get the job done, great for lounging beach or poolside.

SailorBags Tote Bag - This bag has been my 'go-to' day purse for years. I love it. Big enough to carry my essentials as well as a few diapers and snacks for the girls, but not so big to be cumbersome, I use this bag every single day. The best feature? The zipper, which keeps the curious and prying hands of our twins out of my stuff!

Casio Baby G-Shock Watch - This is the woman's version of the men's watch I listed above and it's great. Stylish, waterproof and durable. These also come in SO many colors so whether you prefer plain or funky, there's something in their line for you.

Bronwen Jewelry - I love, love, LOVE this brand of jewelry. It's almost an obsession. I've told Scott if he ever is stumped on what to get me for my birthday or Christmas, to look no further than this site. Bronwen is not only a skilled designer, but a beautiful person and her pieces reflect that. They are made for active women and can be worn day in and day out, no problem. Her pieces are water, sun and sweat proof and perfect for the low-maintenance, outdoorsy girl who likes a little flair. I love the Toltec stacking rings, the Beleza bangle and the glass wrap bracelets. I also wear my mixed-metal Bhakti necklace and my three petal tiny charm necklace every day. I'm complimented all the times on all my Bronwen bling.

>>>>>>>For the Live-Aboard<<<<<<<

Gripsticks Bag Clips - We learned about these awesome bag clips from our good friends over at Where the Coconuts Grow. They are awesome! They come in many sizes so are great for everything from a small bag of Goldfish to a big back of tortilla ships. They offer a much better seal than traditional bag clips and take up hardly any drawer space at all. Love these things!

USB 12V Charger - We have lots of techno gadgets aboard, from iPads to Macbooks and this little device makes charging them a little easier. We have several of these aboard and they are great for those of us who like to keep our devices charged up but don't want to run our generators or inverters to do it.

Wet-It Swedish Dishcloth Set - I have written about these before, but they are a great little gift for boaters. These reusable dishcloths act like paper towels, but last much longer and are better for the environment. They don't last forever, and will need a wash here and there, but these are what we use to wipe our counters and such.

MPOWERD Luci Lux Inflatable Solar Lantern - We love the Christmas lights in our cockpit, but we have a few of these little lights as well and they are hard to beat! They take up hardly any room because they are inflatable and require zero energy because they are solar powered! Win/win! Great for creating cockpit ambiance or bringing to the beach for that evening-into-night barbecue.

Cards Against Humanity Game - This game is definitely not for the politically correct or uptight, but if you like to laugh and be inappropriate, this is your game. Whenever I have played tears of laughter ensue. It also has a small footprint and is easy to store, making a great go-to icebreaker game between cruisers.

24 oz Tervis Tumblers  - I have also written about these before, but Tervis tumblers make great gifts for cruising sailors. They keep drinks hot or cold, and are perfect for that evening BYO gathering at the beach for sunset and are pretty much spill proof when the lid is on. The 24oz cup is our preferred size because...well, the bigger the drink, the better. Don't forget to get the handle and lid (preferably in different colors so you can know who's drink is who's) as well!

Turkish Towels - Big fan of these towels. They are light enough to pack a couple in a day pack without being too bulky, absorbent enough to dry off after a dip, and are SO easy to launder. We have a set of eight of this brand of towel and we have even turned a bunch of our friends onto them as well. Great for boats or anyone that's on the go and doesn't want to be bogged down with big, bulky towels.

Kindle Paperwhite - I was so hesitant to get an e-reader because I love to read and was what you might call a "paper book snob". Now? If it's not on my Kindle, I probably won't read it. I read at least 2-3 books a month but the only time I have for reading these days is in bed late at night, the kindle makes it so easy to do this without keeping a light on (which bothers Scott). Win/win. I also have about 200 books on my Kindle and there is no way we'd be able to have that kind of library on board without it. I love the paperwhite version, it's easy on the eyes and looks just like a real book.

Canon Wireless Mobile Printer - We love our printer on board and have used it more than we ever imagined. I wrote pretty extensively about ours before, but suffice it to say, a small, mobile printer will definitely be useful on a cruising boat. From printing out customs documents to passport copies, we love ours. After four years of use and abuse, it's as good as new.

Olympus TG-4 Waterproof Digital Camera - This little camera is the one we throw in the backpack for beach outings and hikes. It takes great pictures and is tough enough to stand up to the cruising life being both shock and water proof. I've taken a bunch of underwater video and pics with ours, just be sure to give it a fresh water rinse after!

>>>>>>>For the Little Pirates<<<<<<< 

Check out my posts on products for boat babies and our favorite toys for the space conscious parent for some ideas!


I hope this list has given you some good ideas or at least got your wheels spinning. We love all of the above and hope you and yours enjoy them too!

All of the links above go to Amazon.com to make it easier for you to learn more. If you chose to buy these products through our links, you put a little extra money in our cruising kitty at no extra cost to you! Thank you!