Picky Husband’s Valentine Gift Guide Ideas

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and the age-old conundrum of what to get your loved one is upon you. Don’t worry, we have a picky husband’s Valentine gift guide for you. Celebrate your man with confidence and style.

 

A Picky Husband’s Valentine Gift Guide

Let’s call it like it is – men are hard to shop for. They might say the same about women, but that would be completely untrue. Now, add a picky man to the equation and you’ve got Valentine’s day shopping nightmare on your hands.

Sometimes the pickiness revolves around the fact that he’s too fashion-savvy and there is nothing anyone can pick out that would be ‘to his taste’. Other times it’s the guy who has no interest in fashion, which in some ways is an even worse scenario.

Then, there are the types of husbands who have literally everything, which leaves you with zero options for innovation. Whatever kind of picky husband you have on your hands, worry not, there is still something that can be done, so stay tuned and let’s crack this perfect present mystery together.

Why buy it when you can make it?

The best gifts come from the heart, and that’s not a cheesy line. For some people, store-bought goods aren’t nearly as exciting and meaningful as the ones that were made with the loved one’s own two hands.

You don’t even have to be the craftiest person in the world to make a gift; there are amazingly simple presents that even a total DIY dummy can make quite perfectly. One such gift can be the 365 jar. All you need is a nice vintage label, a beautiful jar, and papers in different colors. On them, you can write whatever you want – reasons you love him, silly things that bug you, inside jokes, things you’ve accomplished together this year, memories you’ve shared – whatever you can think of. Tell him to read one each day and aside from being original, it will also serve as a constant reminder of the love you share and all the great, even mundane moments that make you a perfect couple.

The Connoisseur:

There is a specific breed of men who have a deep knowledge and passion for great wines. If your hubby is always dragging you to wine tastings and talking about which wines go with which types of foods, the solution is simple. Go online, browse for deals on biodynamic wine.

Take the time to remember the kinds he appreciates the most, compare quality and prices, and without almost no stress at all (or endless store browsing), you’ll have your perfect gift. Besides, it can be a great ‘addition’ to a romantic night you’ll spend at home during this festive time.

Men and Their Gadgets:

There are very few men in the world who don’t have a thing for gadgets, and this is definitely the first route you should take. Pay close attention to the things he’s been talking about, as it’s far less intrusive than snooping into their browser history.

Perhaps he’s mentioned that his favorite company is releasing a new phone. In that case, do your research and find what the phone in question is. If you have to, ask his best friend what it is – men talk about this sort of stuff.

If he’s a gamer, the Xbox One X is a gift that will make him jump for joy, even if he’s not the ‘jumping’ kind of guy. Bluetooth speakers are always a great gift if you want to make a tech-obsessed hubby happy but still remain within your budget limits. In the world of toys, you can never go wrong, you just have to know where to look.

Groom Away:

Most men don’t like to buy grooming and cosmetics products, but at the end of the day, they all want to look good. So, meet them halfway, and instead of making them shop for these kinds of supplies, pick a kit yourself and just present it to him. It can be any kind of kit really – if he has a beard, a beard oil, comb and little scissors will be highly appreciated. If you’ve noticed he hasn’t been taking care of his skin, buy him a minimalistic skincare set, and make him use it. After a bit of a struggle, soon enough he’ll be hooked.

Picky Husband’s Valentine Gift Guide

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and the age-old conundrum of what to get your loved one is upon you. Don't worry, we have a picky husband's Valentine gift guide for you. Celebrate your man with confidence and style.… Click To Tweet

 

 

Looking for other fun ideas for your hubby or boyfriend?

Great BBQ & Outdoor ideas

Yummy Breakfast – Delicious for Two

Romantic Date Night Dinner

 

A picky husband’s Valentine Gift Guide

 

 

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Date Night – A Romantic Holiday Dinner – Recipes

This post, Date Night – A Romantic Holiday Dinner, has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #TheTalkOfTheTable #CollectiveBias The following content is intended for readers who are 21 or older.

Do you love the holidays? If you are anything like me, you do. And I so enjoy hosting fabulous celebrations with family and friends. But, this busy time of year can be a little stressful. One way to slow down the hectic go, go, go, is with a relaxing date night for you and your honey. So, I am going to show you how to have a romantic dinner for two with Barilla pasta and Clos du Bois wines.

Date Night – A Romantic Holiday Dinner

Starts with Barilla & Clos du Bois

The holidays take us in all sorts of directions. Between cleaning, decorating, shopping. planning and scheduling festivities, and everyday life, there is no busier time of year. But, dinner must happen and making time to share the joys of the season with your special someone is something that should happen.

Luke and I have been crazily trying to finish a few home projects before our big Thanksgiving feast with family. So, when we had the opportunity to have a special evening together, we took advantage, and pasta and wine were definitely on the menu.

Pasta and wine find its way to our table year round. It is so versatile and so easy to prepare. It is a perfect way to make any occasion special, and date night is just one. When pasta is on my menu, I reach for the authentic Italian brand I trust, Barilla. It’s high-quality and great taste is simple, wholesome, and the #1 choice of Italy.

Barilla Angel Hair Pasta was on our holiday date night menu along with filet mignon with a mushroom cabernet sauvignon sauce, herbed carrots, and sautéed kale with cranberries and walnuts. Paired with Cos du Bois Cabernet Sauvignon, this was a delectable and romantic dinner for two.

Today, I am sharing my recipes for Heirloom Tomato Angel Hair Pasta and Mushroom Cabernet Sauvignon Sauce. Be sure to watch the blog for the other recipes to come soon. I love cooking with fresh herbs, so you will find plenty in these dishes.

Let’s get to the recipes!

Heirloom Tomato Angel Hair Pasta

Ingredients:

  • Barilla Angel Hair Pasta (amount according to package directions for two)
  • 1 to 1-1/2 Cups – Heirloom Tomatoes (I used mini heirloom tomatoes)
  • 1/4 Cup – Shallot
  • 1 to 2 Cloves – Garlic
  • 2 Tablespoons – Fresh Flat-Leaf Italian Parsley
  • 2 Tablespoons – Fresh Chives
  • 1  Tablespoon – Butter
  • 1/2 Tablespoon – Olive Oil
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Directions:

Bring water to a boil. Chop Heirloom Tomatoes into bite-sized chunks. Finely dice Shallots. Mince Garlic. Tear or chop Flat-Leaf Italian Parsley. Chop Chives. Cook Angel Hair Pasta according to package directions. In a saucepan, sauté Butter, Olive Oil, shallots, and garlic until translucent, add tomatoes. Let tomatoes cook down a bit. Add cooked pasta. Salt and Pepper to taste. Toss pasta with the tomato sauce. Sprinkle with fresh herbs (parsley and chives). Toss to mix well. Serve immediately.

 

Mushroom Cabernet Sauvignon Sauce

Ingredients:

  • 2-3 Tablespoons – Butter
  • 2 Tablespoons – Shallot
  • 2 Cloves – Garlic
  • Mushrooms (I used Crimini Mushrooms)
  • 1/4 Cup – Clos du Bois Cabernet Sauvignon (red wine)
  • 1/4 Cup – Chicken Stock
  • 2 Tablespoons – Fresh Flat-Leaf Italian Parsley
  • 2 Tablespoons – Fresh Chives
  • 1-1/2 Teaspoons – Fresh Tarragon
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Directions:

Dice Shallots. Slice and chop Mushrooms into bite-sized pieces. Mince Garlic. Chop Parsley, Chives, and Tarragon. In a saucepan, sauté Butter, Shallot, and Garlic until translucent. (I used the same pan I cooked my filet mignon in for extra flavor). Add mushrooms (do not over crowd). When the mushrooms are nicely sautéed, pour in the Cabernet Sauvignon and Chicken Stock. Salt and Pepper to taste. Reduce sauce a bit. Add fresh herbs (parsley, chives, tarragon). Spoon over filet mignon or your choice of  meat or pasta.

 

 

The Perfect Pairing

Clos du Bois Cabernet Sauvignon was the perfect pairing for our date night dinner. The elegant, romantic, and fruity wine brings together the best of two worlds — the French way of making wine under the California sun. Clos du Bois wines are well-balanced, intense, and true to varietal character, a premium vintage at an unbelievable value.

For you wine connoisseurs, the medium bodied cabernet sauvignon has a fruit forward with balanced oak character. Flavors of ripe, moderately fleshy blackberry, plum, black cherry, licorice, with rich round tannins, moderate oak spice, balanced acidity, hint of oak, and coffee with supple tannins. The smooth varietal offers up-front fruit that continues through to finish.

In short, this wine pairs beautifully with pasta and meat and is perfect for holiday entertaining of any kind. Clos du Bois Cabernet Sauvignon is a fantastic selection with these recipes.

 

Printable Recipes just for you!

5 from 1 reviews
Heirloom Tomato Angel Hair Pasta
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Heirloom tomatoes, fresh herbs, and Angel Hair pasta make a perfect bed for flavorful and tender filet mignon. A fabulous and romantic dinner for two.
from:
Type: main
Ingredients:
  • Angel Hair Pasta (amount according to package directions for two)
  • 1 to 1-1/2 Cups - Heirloom Tomatoes (I used mini heirloom tomatoes)
  • 1/4 Cup - Shallot
  • 1 to 2 Cloves - Garlic
  • 2 Tablespoons - Fresh Flat-Leaf Italian Parsley
  • 2 Tablespoons - Fresh Chives
  • 1 Tablespoon - Butter
  • 1/2 Tablespoon - Olive Oil
  • Salt
  • Pepper
Directions:
  1. Bring water to a boil.
  2. Chop Heirloom Tomatoes into bite-sized chunks.
  3. Finely dice Shallots.
  4. Mince Garlic.
  5. Tear or chop Flat-Leaf Italian Parsley.
  6. Chop Chives.
  7. Cook Angel Hair Pasta according to package directions.
  8. In a saucepan, sauté Butter, Olive Oil, shallots, and garlic until translucent.
  9. Add tomatoes.
  10. Let tomatoes cook down a bit. Add cooked pasta.
  11. Salt and Pepper to taste.
  12. Toss pasta with the tomato sauce.
  13. Sprinkle with fresh herbs (parsley and chives).
  14. Toss to mix well.
  15. Serve immediately.
3.5.3226

 
5 from 1 reviews
Mushroom Cabernet Sauvignon Sauce
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
A flavorful sauce with mushrooms, cabernet sauvignon, and fresh herbs, fantastic with filet mignon, other meats, and pasta. A perfect sauce for holiday entertaining or date night.
from:
Type: Syrups / Sauces /Marinades
Ingredients:
  • 2-3 Tablespoons - Butter
  • 2 Tablespoons - Shallot
  • 2 Cloves - Garlic
  • Mushrooms (I used Crimini Mushrooms)
  • 1/4 Cup - Clos du Bois Cabernet Sauvignon (red wine)
  • 1/4 Cup - Chicken Stock
  • 2 Tablespoons - Fresh Flat-Leaf Italian Parsley
  • 2 Tablespoons - Fresh Chives
  • 1-1/2 Teaspoons - Fresh Tarragon
  • Salt
  • Pepper
Directions:
  1. Dice Shallots. Slice and chop Mushrooms into bite-sized pieces. Mince Garlic. Chop Parsley, Chives, and Tarragon. In a saucepan, sauté Butter, Shallot, and Garlic until translucent. (I used the same pan I cooked my filet mignon in for extra flavor). Add mushrooms (do not over crowd). When the mushrooms are nicely sautéed, pour in the Cabernet Sauvignon and Chicken Stock. Salt and Pepper to taste. Reduce sauce a bit. Add fresh herbs (parsley, chives, tarragon). Spoon over filet mignon or your choice of meat or pasta.
3.5.3226

 

Holiday Entertaining

Barilla pasta and Clos du Bois wines are easily found in the pasta and wine aisles. Be sure to pick some up for your holiday entertaining, or date night romance.

If you are looking for more recipes and ideas, you can Make Dinner the Talk of the Table. Or, find additional recipe inspiration here. You can also follow @BarillaUS on Twitter and Instagram, as well as on Pinterest and Facebook. Clos du Bois would love to see you on Facebook and Pinterest and @ClosduBois on Twitter.

Bon Appétite!

 

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Wine & Chocolate Gift Jar

Regular contributor, Michelle James, is sharing a quick and easy DIY gift jar that’s perfect for any occasion. You are going to love this project.

 

Two of my very best friends’ parents are having some major health issues right now, and it is so hard to watch them struggle through this difficult time. I wanted to give them something so they could relax and de-stress a bit. So, I came up with a wine and chocolate gift jar!

Wine and Chocolate Gift Jar

They both like wine and who doesn’t like chocolate? Well, I guess I know a few people who don’t like chocolate but it is not these two. You should definitely substitute the chocolate for something else if your recipient doesn’t like it.

Supplies needed:

  • Large jar
  • Sticker Paper
  • Free Printable (download link at the end of this post)
  • Printer
  • Kraft Card Stock paper
  • Small piece of fabric – I used a piece of drop cloth
  • Scissors/paper trimmer
  • 4 Small bottles of wine
  • Twine
  • Hole Punch
  • Chocolate/Candy of your choice

First you will want to download the free printable. This includes the tag and the wine bottle labels. Cute right? I love how they turned out.

Here’s what to do:

  • Print out the labels and tag onto sticker paper.
  • Trim each label and the tag with scissors or a paper trimmer
  • Peel off the sticker backing and place directly over the current label. (if you don’t want to cover the label you can place it directly opposite on the other side of the bottle.

  • Peel off the sticker backing of the tag and place it onto the kraft card stock. Trim around the edges to create a border around the sticker. You can see this in the photo below. Punch a hole at the top left. I punched it about an inch and a half in from the corner. I also wrote a little bit on the back of the tag before attaching it to the jar.

  • Wrap the neck of the jar several times around with the twine leaving a bit of length at the beginning and the end. Tie a knot. Then thread the tag onto the twine and tie another knot.
  • Place the piece of fabric at the bottom of the jar. This looks nice but also keeps them from banging and clanking too much. We don’t want to break good bottles of wine.
  • Place the 4 wine bottles into the jar so the label faces out.
  • Fill in with chocolate or candy all around the wine bottles.

You are done. Now…surprise your friend!

Download your free labels and tag here

I can’t wait to deliver these.

Have a great couple of weeks!

~Michelle

 

Visit Michelle at her blog, Michelle James Designs!

Do you  have any quick and easy Gift Ideas?

 


 

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Fall Wine Labels & Free Printables

Regular Contributor, Michelle James, brings us some great ideas for Fall entertaining and gift giving. And, there’s even beautiful printables for you to download! I know you will LOVE them…

Fall Wine Labels & Free Printable

Hello Life With Lorelai friends. I am excited to be back today with a fun, free printable for you.

I have been having a good time making some seasonal labels these days, and these Fall Wine Labels are my latest creation. You can find my Halloween Bottle Labels and Anniversary and Birthday Labels on my blog as well.

I don’t want to brag but… my Anniversary and Birthday wine labels were featured on the Home Matters Link Party when they came out. I was so excited about that.

Fall Wine Labels

I love to give my readers a lot of fun, free printables, and this is no exception. I have designed four labels for the Fall season.   They are perfect for personalizing a bottle of wine for gift giving, taking to a family get together, or giving to someone who has graciously let you stay in their home.

Now, I know that wine bottle labels come in all shapes and sizes so that is why there are two ways to cut these out. I have made an example of both ways as shown in the photo above.

If the label you want to cover is larger, then use the example of the label on the left, and cut a rectangle around the printed label big enough to cover.

If the label is smaller, then cut around the edges with a scissor, and use the fun label shape. Either one looks great.

I like to use sticker paper to print the design but you can print it on a light weight card stock and glue it onto the bottle as well.

I do a lot of card making, and I teach classes in my small town. The kit we are using for our October Card Class is called Fall Friends from Doodlebug Designs. The colors are browns, oranges, yellows and this pop of teal. I just loved it, and it inspired me for this color scheme.

It is not a typical fall color, but I love the surprise. What do you think?

You can download the labels by clicking the on the link below.

Download Fall Wine Labels —>> Here

I hope you like the labels and will download and use them. If you like them, please share this post with your friends.

Feel free to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. I love to meet new friends.

 

Visit Michelle at her blog, Michelle James Designs!

 


 

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