ONO’s Top Seller Yeti Ramblers Series: Yeti Lowball-$24.95, 20-oz Rambler-$29.95, Yeti Coldster- $29.95 & 30-oz Rambler-$39.95
The biggies are Mother’s Day, graduations and Father’s Day. Add in any May and June birthdays, anniversaries and weddings and it is one big Hallmark moment after another.
While gift cards and greenbacks are popular, with just a tad more thought and effort, why not give a more personable, purposeful gift that was selected especially with the recipient’s likes and lifestyle in mind. After all as the adage goes, “It IS the thought that counts.”
Short on time and drawing a blank? My “Fab Five Gift Picks,” all available from Seaside’s award-winning merchants, will surely delight the moms, dads, grads, and other cherished people in your life on their special day.
A S’well Gift for Any Occasion
Who said you can’t bottle up Seaside and take it with you? I love everything about S’well for Seaside’s sleek bottle that is non-toxic, non-leaching and BPA free. The double-walled stainless steel design keeps your fave bevs chilled for 24 hours, or hot for 12. Plus, the wide mouth design allows for ice cubes and drip-free sipping. And my favorite feature, the 25-ounce capacity holds an entire bottle of wine, like Seaside Wine Project’s new crisp Rose’ or Sauvingnon Blanc. S’well for Seaside bottles are available at Seaside Classic in these cool hues: Blue Suede and Smokey Gray. Seaside Classic
(850) 231-2497, theseasidestyle.com
One-of-a-Kind Designer Creations
Who doesn’t want a beautiful life, especially if it arrives in a gift box from La Vie Est Belle. Local designers, Wendy Mignot and her husband, Jean-Noel, have earned international acclaim among A-Listers for their Bohemian Chic collections, handcrafted of supple leather and freshwater, Tahitian and South Seas pearls. Wendy’s “Signature Necklace,” is a versatile, must-have accessory for her that goes with every mood, every look and every age. Plus, it layers perfectly with other pieces. And, pearls aren’t just for girls. Just ask Steven Tyler, Alice Cooper and Luke Bryan, to name drop a few.
La Vie Est Belle (850) 231- 4692; Visit us on Facebook.
Designer Wendy Mignot’s best seller, “The Signature Necklace” in Freshwater White (shown) or Rose can be worn three different ways and is a steal at $250.
Awesome Splurge for Sound Aficionados
For a seriously cool gift that will blow the socks off any sound aficionado, head upstairs to Central Square Records and check out one of “Dr. Music’s” sonic suitcases. The audio geek from Fairhope, Ala., has a gift for creating extraordinary sound, which he repurposes by hand vintage luggage into truly unique sound speakers. Each is equipped with Bluetooth as well as an auxiliary cable, AC/DC adaptor and battery pack for taking your tunes outside or on the road. Fans of the sonic suitcase include Nashville’s finest: Zac Brown and band members from Sugarland and FloridaGeorgia Line.
Central Square Records (850) 231-5669; centralsquarerecords.com.
“Dr. Music’s” vintage, one-a-kind sonic suitcase. Size, style & color varies. Models also available for electric guitars. Priced: $349-$449.
Exotic Treat for Adventurous Foodies
Spoil the foodie on your list with a scrumptious meal at Bud & Alley’s Waterfront Restaurant. Adventurous eaters can literally take a bite out of the lionfish invasion that is wreaking havoc along our fragile coastlines. Thanks to grassroots efforts by restaurants like Bud & Alley’s, the tables are turning on these devastating carnivorous predators and seafood’s latest delicacy is appearing on menus. Likened to grouper, the delicious lionfish is mild-flavored and 100 percent safe to eat. Prior to cooking, its razor-sharp, poisonous fins are carefully removed. Bud & Alley’s sources its lionfish locally by Josh Livingston of Dreadknot Charters in Destin.
Bud & Alley’s Waterfront Restaurant & Rooftop Bar; (850) 231-5900; budandalleys.com
Chef David Bishop’s fried lionfish entrée’ served over wilted Savoy spinach and warm cherry wood bacon vinaigrette with jalapeño cornbread and homemade tartar sauce ($29). Photo by Chase Yakaboski/Chase Alexander Photo & Film
YETI - Coolest Gift Ever
Yeti rules as the Rolls Royce of ice chests — staggering price included. For a fraction of the cost but with all the top-notch engineering of which Yeti is renowned, their Rambler Series drinkware from ONO Surf Shop is just the ticket! Last summer I received a 30-oz Rambler for my birthday and have barely put it down since. The Rambler’s insulated lid and 18/8 stainless steel design kept drink ice-cold, despite sitting 3 hours in the sweltering sun. The Yeti Colster keeps cans and bottles frigid too. All Yeti drinkware features a 5-year limited warranty.
ONO Surf Shop; (850) 231- 1573; onosurfshop.com
Happy Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Graduation Day to all of the parents, soon-to-be-parents and graduating students, who will be celebrated during this festive time of year. If you have a favorite gift you received, please write me at kduke-layden@seasidefl.com so I can add to my greatest gift list suggestions.