I’m not the gift shopper, it’s not my job, but Mother’s Day is coming so to make sure I get my points with the Mrs, I’m purchasing a gift that she’s sure to love. Ok, so she may have made the list but I still get points for getting it.

Our 7 blogger collaborative crew came up with this Mother’s Day gift guide to make your life easy. Actually the ladies picked everything out and I’m sharing it with you!

Click the square on the lower right hand side of the guide for a full view!

Visit the other participating bloggers in our gift guide at:

• • ChampagneLiving
  • SavingsWithDenise
  • ControlledConfusion
  • HomeFoodFun
  • Tools2tiaras
  • CarsBarsAndPars

When you say Ducati or Ferrari, you think of engines that have major power. These engines are an example of why Italy is regarded as leaders around the globe when it comes to designing these power houses.

Indeed, a bit like in all other areas, the Italian manufacturing presents as well as a high quality product also the passion and determination that distinguishes us in achieving excellence and objectives.

Even in Go-Kart production Italian companies are moving and promoting all over the world, thanks to a great go-kart production using the best engines, components and accessories.

But perhaps this fascinating world of competition with mini-cars, called Kart or Go-Kart, is not well known and less popular because of the two sports, motorcycle and Formula One.

Indeed, karting is the simplest form of motorsports run with small cars with essential shape: tubular steel frame without suspension, wheels and engine. The sport, just for fun transmitting in goal, was born as a hobby but now is a step “almost mandatory” for those who wish to embark on a career as a professional pilot. Not surprisingly, the latest F1 exited from its “breeding garden” of the go-kart (Schumacher, Senna, Prost, Alonso, just to name a few).

The kart was born in America, as often happens, for economic motivations in 1956 where cars race became increasingly expensive and the number of participants (and especially the audience) was so narrow to seek alternatives. In these terms, the Karting was the dowry of remedy, at least in some respects, this situation by proposing solutions extremely funny but also economic and accessible to all fans of engines.

In Italy the phenomenon develops and explodes in the early ’70s where simple manual constructions moved towards specialization of some companies in the production and sales of Go-Kart competition. The first racetracks were born and passion spreads quickly from young to older who do not disdain the emotions that only a sports car like the Go-Kart can feel.

Recently Kart manufacturers have always researched and developed new solutions, improving each component of competition mini-cars with high technology spare parts able to greatly improve the performance and consistency of the same in sports and competition areas.

Finally we have only to indulge in this passion with friends and colleagues in breathtaking races, perhaps without exaggerating for the weak of heart.

My favorite cigar is a Cuban! They used to be much harder to get when Cuba was off limits and they were also pricey costing at least $20 per cigar which probably sold for $5-$7. There’s a reason Cuban cigars are the most coveted cigars they’re renown worldwide for their smoothness and rich flavors. Indeed, Cuban cigars are so prized that many illegitimate dealers have been known to sell fake Cubans to unsuspecting cigar smokers.

How do you tell if what you have is a fake or the real thing?

First, make certain that you purchase your cigars from a legitimate dealer. Buying from your local tobacconist or a reputable mail order business can protect you from forking your money over for a box of fake cigars.

If you have an opportunity to purchase a box of purported Cuban cigars, but have your doubts, take the time to examine the box before purchasing it. Here are a few tips to help you spot the fakes from the real thing.

The most important thing to examine is the box. Authentic Cuban cigars will contain a green and white warranty seal on the left front side of the box. The seal will contain an insignia that has a picture of a shield and a hat. On the upper right hand corner of the box, you should find a white sticker that is placed diagonally with the word ‘Habanos’ printed on it. The overall appearance of the box should be neat and clean. If the box appears damaged, smudged, frayed, or marked, avoid it. If the color of the box is dull, don’t buy it. Even if the cigars are the real things, their quality may have suffered in transport. If you are in the market for Cohiba, Trinidad, or Q’dorsay brand cigars, know that all authentic Cohiba’s will contain the green and white warranty seal on the right hand side of the box.

On the bottom of the box of cigars, you should find a heat stamp with the words ‘Habanos.’ The heat stamp should be impressed onto the bottom of the box. Fake Cuban cigar boxes often find other ways to imprint this label, such as using rubber stamps or paper labels. You should also find a factory code stamp at the bottom that is stamped in green, blue or black ink. This stamp will tell you when and where the cigars were rolled.

If you can open the box, take the time to smell the tobacco. Cuban cigars will have a deep, rich aroma, unmistakable to dedicated cigar aficionados. If the smell is off, or very weak, chances are you do not have a box of authentic Cuban cigars in your hands. The cigars should be facing the same way, and the top row may appear slightly flattened. The caps on all the cigars should appear identical, and the foot of each cigar should be cut clean. The bands on all the cigars should also be identical, and should be arranged so that they face the same direction. If allowed, test the cigars out by pressing down on them. Feel along the entire length of each cigar, checking for soft or hard spots. The cigars should feel firm yet pliable.

Now that you know you have authentic Cuban cigars, make the perfect cut and light up!

Summer is right around the corner and boating is a great way to spend family time. Some of my best memories are with my dad and kids on our sailboat. Boating is a great adventure on any type of boat and is being enjoyed by many on a daily basis, but with that comes a great responsibility. It is not mandatory to do a boating course for all boats at this time but there are some very good reasons to get your self informed about the rules of the road.

1) You will learn about safety equipment and what you are required to have on your boat before you undertake any boating excursion. This is very important because what you don’t have with you could make the difference between being able to handle a situation or not. Don’t let your outing for the day cost you if the sheriff stops you to spot check your boat and fines you for not having all the safety equipment required for your specific boat.

2) You will learn that driving a boat is vastly different from driving a car. You are dealing with air and water currents. If you have never docked a boat you may think that it is easy, until that is, the current is pulling you in the opposite direction that you want to go. Understanding air and water currents will help you learn how to dock your boat.

3) Knowing how to work with lines and tying knots is part of boating. You have to be able to secure a boat properly. If your boat gets away, it is amazing how quickly the current will take it out of your reach and you will probably require the assistance of another boater to help you get to it. So practice and know your knots.

4) You will learn what the channel markers mean. You should know what the red and green markers mean on the poles. This you also learn on the course.

5) There are speed limits on certain water ways but unlike the roads, they may or may not be posted. Ignorance may not be enough to get you out of a ticket. You also want to understand the lingo on the posted signs. Example “No Wake”

6) Using charts for coastal navigation can be a life saver. It’s your road map that helps you stay away from the shallows and shows where all the markers and bridges are, and by using measurements you can calculate the distance and time it will take to get somewhere. It can be valuable tool for navigation.

7) Just like on the roads, there is the right of way. On a boating course you will learn who has the right of way and why.

8) Every boat should have a horn. You may hear one long toot or 2 short toot and so on, and you’ll learn what they mean.

9) There are boating regulations and laws that must be followed by all boaters, for example, (and I have seen this rule broken so many times) you are not allowed to sit on the bow of the boat with your feet hanging over board. There are many more regulations to learn and not knowing them can cost you.

10) Anchoring a boat is not just a matter of plopping it down to the sand. There is a mathematical technique applied to anchoring that has to do with the size and length of your boat. Knowing how to do this correctly will give you that extra insurance of knowing your boat is going nowhere until you want to move it.

There are different ways to enjoy pleasure boating such as the fast pace of ski boating or the slow pace of a trawler, kayaking or canoeing. In whatever way you want to do it, it is a good idea to know the rules of the road. Then you can avoid potential situations and get on with the fun of being out there with all that sky, sun, water, family and friends.