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FOR THE LAPTOP-TOTING DAD: A Laptop Bag to fit his personality

June 3, 2009 By 264 Comments

Both my husband and I go a little bezurk when the Internet connection goes down. We just don’t know what to do with ourselves. Well, how about we make dinner? Oops! My favorite recipes are online. Well, let’s see then. Why don’t we order pizza? Oh, wait, we do that online too. Well, let’s just go to dinner, then. Is it open on Saturdays? Check online…oh, wait a minute. Okay, I’ll just do that project for work. Hmmm…that won’t work. I need an image off Flickr. See where I’m headed here…our laptops are our lifeline.

If your husband/dad/grandpa owns a laptop, then he is mostly likely a tech-savvy kinda guy. He probably wants to protect that piece of property as if his life depended on it. What better gift than a laptop bag to suit his personality?

picture 17 146x150 FOR THE LAPTOP TOTING DAD: A Laptop Bag to fit his personalitythe Switch MB (base price: $129.95) by Brenthaven

A messenger bag with a reversible flap, this is an excellent choice for the younger dad (20′s and 30′s). It has that cool, intellectual “university” vibe. With 17 different flaps to choose from, you’ll be sure to find something just perfect for the recipient of your choice.

picture 24 150x117 FOR THE LAPTOP TOTING DAD: A Laptop Bag to fit his personalitythe Cargo (~$100) by STM Bags

Trend-setting, sturdy, and full of character, the cargo goes beyond basic black. The oatmeal-colored canvas bag with chocolate detailing is an outstanding selection for the modern businessman. It looks like the kind of bag that you would see in NYC. Who would be carrying it? A successful stockbroker wearing a Brooks Brothers suit – and very expensive shoes. ***Enter to win a bag of your choice from STM bags – see below.

picture 33 150x114 FOR THE LAPTOP TOTING DAD: A Laptop Bag to fit his personalitythe FIGURA ($159.99-$169.99) by Tucano

You can’t go wrong with this classic briefcase-style laptop carrying case. It’s simply professional with loads of functionality. Pockets provide the ability to organize and you can choose to carry it by the handle or to sling it over your shoulder with the accompanying strap. Available in black or dark green, the FIGURA is an optimal choice for the organized and efficient businessman. ***Enter to win this bag – see below.

eb bbp expand it messenger black 150x106 FOR THE LAPTOP TOTING DAD: A Laptop Bag to fit his personalitythe Expand-It Messenger bag ($84.95) by BBP

Sleek, stylish, and ultra-cool, this is the bag for the city slicker dad. BBP thought of everything with this bag. It even includes a matching snug laptop sleeve for those times when you want to tote your laptop and don’t want to carry anything else. There’s also a luggage handle pass through for use when he’s cruising through the airport to get on his next flight. To top it all off, this bag is the epitome of modernity. I actually think I might have to steal this one from my husband. It’s THAT chic. ***Want to buy one of your own? Use coupon code 10metmama to receive 10% off your order (non-clearance items only, no expiration date).

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WIN IT! There will be two winners. The first winner will receive a laptop bag of his/her choice from STM bags. A second winner will receive the FIGURA bag from Tucano.

  • To enter to win a bag of your choice from STM bags, check out the options at STM Bags and leave a comment telling me what bag you would choose.
  • To enter to win the FIGURA bag from Tucano, leave a comment telling me what size and color you would choose.

You may enter for both bags, but be sure to leave a separate comment for each bag.

The deadline for both contests is Monday, June 8 at midnight (Don’t forget to follow the rules…all generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified.).

*UPDATE* The winner of the STM bag is #100 Erin Hill. The winner of the Tucano bag is #65 Dolly. Congratulations to you both!

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FOR THE CONNECTED DAD: Voyager Pro by Plantronics

May 31, 2009 By 239 Comments

My husband talks on the phone A LOT.

His phone is *always* ringing. Partly because he’s a popular, likable kind of guy. And partly because he makes an effort to stay in touch with other people so people are often returning HIS phone calls.

He also makes tons of calls for business purposes – in the office, at home, and on the road.

I, on the other hand, tend to shy away from the phone. I’d much rather text or e-mail or meet up with you for coffee.

The truth is that it’s hard to concentrate on the phone, while I’m holding a baby, making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and checking my e-mail…not to mention, I’m a tad bit distracted by the squeals and screeches of delight and/or devastation that manage to escape my two-year-old’s mouth.

Because my husband uses the phone a lot, a bluetooth headset is a handy gadget for him to have around.

He has tried several bluetooth headsets and has been rather unimpressed with all of them. They all have that echo-y quality that makes the person on the other end say, “Am I on speaker phone?”

voyagerpro FOR THE CONNECTED DAD: Voyager Pro by PlantronicsBut not the new Voyager PRO ($99.99) by Plantronics.

It has exceptional sound quality – for crisp, clear, undistracted conversations. The batteries also last quite a long time. It’s comfortable and professional – an excellent choice for any dad who is constantly making “connections” with the world around him.

My husband uses his PRO every single day and has an overall positive impression of it. In fact, he’s wearing it right now.

YOUR TURN: Just out of curiosity, who talks more on the phone…you or your husband? Do you prefer talking on the phone, texting, e-mailing, or in-person meetings?

logo1 FOR THE CONNECTED DAD: Voyager Pro by PlantronicsWIN IT! One winner will receive a Voyager PRO by Plantronics ($99.95). To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Monday, June 8 at midnight (Don’t forget to follow the rules…all generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified.).

*UPDATE* The winner is #60 Liz. Congratulations!

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FOR THE ONE-TRACK-MIND DAD: Petzl

May 30, 2009 By 171 Comments

logo petzl FOR THE ONE TRACK MIND DAD: PetzlWhen you think of headlamps, you probably think Petzl.

Unless you’re me.

Then, you never think about headlamps. Ever. So the brand Petzl would mean nothing to you.

But to my husband…Petzl stands for something. Petzl is a trusted brand when it comes to technical equipment and gear for caving, rock climbing, mountaineering, trail running, fishing, and more. Since he enjoys all of those pasttimes, Petzl is a brand he knows well.

Sometimes, we’ll be driving around in the car and he’ll get this serious, thoughtful look in his eyes.

I’ll have been thinking about a million different things – “How should we discipline our 2-year-old? What is the most effective method? She was kind of whiny earlier. I wonder if she’s hungry. What should we have for dinner? I need to make a grocery list…and I should probably pick up a birthday present for our niece and a gift for so-and-so who just had a baby. Speaking of babies, did she poop today? We should probably give her a bath tonight. And I still have 200 e-mails in my inbox. I need to call Disney and touch base with that PR company. And, there’s that project for work. Oh, and I still want to get my PhD. When would be the most logical time to start that? Look, there’s Michael’s. I should probably stop and get a frame…and maybe a gift for an elderly relative. I really need to think about other people more. Oh yeah, I have to call World Vision and I haven’t sent a letter to “our little boy” in months…”

And then I’ll ask him: “What are you thinking about?”

“Caving.” He’ll reply. (Or “dirt biking.” Or “4-wheeling.” Or “backpacking.” Depending on the day). He’ll say it nonchalantly.

“And…what else?”

“That’s it. Just caving.”

And here I was contemplating world peace and family matters and our future.

And that, my friends, is the difference between men and women.

All that to say, if your husband is an outdoorsy kinda guy, he likely knows about Petzl.

7865 1 FOR THE ONE TRACK MIND DAD: PetzlThere are a lot of excellent gift options there to consider, but today I’d like to bring the TIKKA XP to your attention. Why? Because it’s the perfect gift for ANY GUY. He doesn’t have to be a world-class athlete to appreciate this handy headlamp. It’s equally well-suited for outdoor expeditions or tinkering around in the garage..and, at under $50, it’s a real “steal.”

WIN IT! One winner will receive a TIKKA XP by Petzl. To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Monday, June 8 at midnight (Don’t forget to follow the rules…all generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified.).

*UPDATE* The winner is #61 barbara wright. Congratulations!

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FOR THE TASK-MASTER: Home Depot

May 30, 2009 By 630 Comments

I have noticed over the years that most men are task-oriented.

They like someone to hand them a task and say, “here, do this.”

Then, they do it and are happy when they can see a finished product, a result.

I have come to realize that the same concept applies to parenting: My husband does much better if he has a “task” to accomplish with our 2-year-old: grocery shopping or running an errand or setting up a blow-up pool in the backyard. If he is just playing with her (making block towers, reading story books, going on walks without a destination in the neighborhood, etc.), he becomes restless. He can’t see a “finished product.” He wonders where the time went. He’ll look at the clock and say with frustration, “I haven’t accompished ANYTHING today!”

Of course, I know that he’s accomplished a TON just by playing with our daughter. I know that it’s been meaningful, important, well-spent time. He knows that too, of course…but it’s harder for him to see that.

Is your husband/dad “task-oriented” too?

Then, he probably LOVES home improvement stores.

Think of all the potential “tasks” and “projects” that those stores inspire:

  • painting
  • installing a sprinkler system
  • putting in new cabinetry
  • tiling the floor
  • building a coffee table
  • barbecuing steaks on the grill

This Father’s Day, why not consider a gift card to Home Depot?

That way, he can choose a project for himself.

There are 3 Father’s Day-specific gift cards to choose from, but my two favorite are the duct-tape card and the drill-bit card (it actually comes with a drill bit…is that fun or what?). Those two are only available in-store, but there’s also a ruler-inspired card that says, “Dad, you rule!” (perfect for dads who love corny puns!) that you can purchase online and have shipped directly to your dad’s door.

duct tape gift card wcarrier 186x300 FOR THE TASK MASTER: Home Depot drill bit gift card wcarrier 186x300 FOR THE TASK MASTER: Home Depot fathers day gift card wcarrier 186x300 FOR THE TASK MASTER: Home Depot

WIN IT! One winner will receive a $100 gift card to Home Depot. To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Monday, June 8 at midnight (Don’t forget to follow the rules…all generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified.).

*UPDATE* The winner is #341 Dawn. Congratulations!

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