From the first fingerprint paintings you made for her in preschool, mom has loved everything you ever gifted her. This year, whether she loves food, wine, reading or art, find something special to really wow her.
“An Appetite for Violets” by Martine Bailey
Equal parts delicious, romantic and treacherous, this eighteenth-century journal of a smart but naïve under-cook details her journey with her new young mistress through England, France and Italy. I found myself living vicariously through Biddy, sharing her passion for food and travel and rooting for her survival and happiness amidst deceit and murder beyond her wildest dreams. A tantalizing summer read for mom.
Facial mask from Nerd Skincare
Take care of mom’s skin with masks from Nerd. This new, independent skincare brand just launched in March and their masks will give mom the same glow as the most luxurious facial for a fraction of the price. There are three types of masks: brightening; hydration; and the skin repair master mask, which restores and regenerates damaged skin cells. The bio-cellulose masks are produced in Taiwan using naturally grown, biodegradable and hypoallergenic fibers, so even those with sensitive skin can indulge. These are truly the best at-home masks I’ve ever tried—and mom will agree.
Hand and Foot Cream from BeeSpa
Gently heal mom’s dry skin with this sumptuously soft hand and foot cream. The 100-percent natural combo of beeswax, shea butter, sunflower seed oil and lavender oil stems from an old beekeeper’s recipe. Beeswax and marigold flower extract give this balm its sunny yellow hue while Vitamin E helps protect skin from UV damage and Vitamin A helps treat eczema, dermatitis and wrinkles.
Family Photo from InstantlyFramed
We share so much on social media, but rarely do we bother printing photos anymore. Install this free framing app on your phone and select your favorite photos with mom from Instagram, Twitter and Facebook and have them framed in handcrafted 12-inch square walnut frames and delivered right to your doorstep for a flat $65 rate. But just for our readers, use code MIB10 at checkout for $10 off. Good thru June 14, 2015.
Shaker Box from Brent Rourke
Package your Mother’s Day gift in a elegant, traditional Shaker box, made with the same copper tacks and wooden dowels that the Shakers have been using for more than 150 years. They’re made in New Brunswick, Canada, but you might recognize these oval boxes from Sepia, where they are used for the Pinto box express lunch. Choose from cherry or birds-eye maple wood, and mom will have the same stylish storage box that Michelle Obama and Queen Elizabeth have also received as gifts.
Bubbles from Domaine Carneros or Cuvée Rosé Laurent-Perrier
The newly released 2011 Domaine Carneros brut cuvée is superb, representing the signature blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that the winery is known for. If mom likes pink, Carneros’ non-vintage Brut Rosé Cuvée de la Pompadour is a fruitier showcase for Pinot Noir, named for Madame de la Pompadour, who introduced sparkling wine to the court at Versailles. You also can’t go wrong with Cuvée Rosé Laurent-Perrier, one of the most recognized rosés in the world, made in the traditional saignée method with black currant and cherry notes.
Essential Oils from Aromappeal
Instead of a bouquet of flowers, give mom the gift of tranquility, energy or purity with floral essential oils. Whether it’s lavender, geranium, rose, lemongrass or bergamot that mom loves, there are beauty and therapeutic uses for her favorite flower—from uplifting the spirit to reducing aches and pains to making skin glow. You can even throw in an IOU for an aromatherapy massage.
Vegan Chocolate from Nicobella Organics
Chocolate is a guilt-free pleasure when you give mom dairy-free 70 percent dark chocolate truffles, made with coconut milk and coconut oil instead of heavy cream. The smooth-as-silk ganache is spiked with superfoods like pumpkin seeds, blueberries, green tea and sunflower butter. Instead of sugar, just a dash of agave or organic brown rice syrup is used to hit the perfect cacao balance of savory and sweet. If mom prefers a crunch to her chocolate, she’ll be addicted to the Munches, a healthier and tastier version of popular chocolate barks. Flavors include toasted coconut and almonds and maple-roasted pecan.
Chocolate Bonbons from Stick With Me Sweets
At New York’s Per Se, you’re presented with a selection of two dozen different house-made chocolate bonbons as one of several dessert courses in a five-hour tasting menu. Per Se’s former master chocolatier Susanna Yoon just opened her own chocolate bonbon shop with flavors like black sesame-passion fruit shelled in marbleized white chocolate or caramelized banana in a dark chocolate shell. Brand new for Mother’s Day 2015 are her tea party biscuit bonbons—delicate milk, white and dark chocolate orbs painted with roses and filled with English breakfast tea-infused caramel atop a crisp shortbread cookie.
Hugging Hearts from Jordan Mozer
Local artist, architect and interior designer Jordan Mozer has created an exclusive collection of hugging hearts jewelry and artwork symbolizing the bond between mother and child for Mother’s Day. From sterling silver sculptures finished with rose gold and rhodium to watercolor, oil and acrylic paintings, mom will be touched by this expression of love. Visit Mozer’s Mother’s Day exhibition at Hilton Amsus Gallery for the full selection of artwork.
JOY Forever by Jean Patou
Transport mom to Paris with a spritz of the newest Jean Patou fragrance, which is both elegant and chic. Sensual oriental base notes of cedarwood, sandalwood and amber are modernized with light floral top notes of jasmine, marigold, rose, orange flower and peach.
