I know that everyone is doing a Mother’s Day list of things to get – perfumes, slippers, etc. – and while I do try to resist doing holiday pieces, it’s the crowd that always sways me.People tell me that they are looking for something a little bit out of the ordinary, so while I do offer some finds of usual suspects - great perfumes, lotions, etc. - I do try and offer things that aren’t typically Mom as the department stores would have us think.
So I hope that you find something either for your Mom or for yourself in this list. And let me know what you’re getting your Mom this year. That way, I can improve on next year’s list.
Enjoy!
Stephanie Dickison
Publisher & Editor of the knack
Perfumes and Scented Lotions
A lot of people like to shower their Mothers with perfume. And I can see why – it is a luxury item that she might not get for herself and it’ll make her feel good. But nothing says that you have to rush out to the drugstore on Sunday morning to pick up a bottle of whatever is on sale.
Try these on for fun:
Agraria San Francisco Lemon Verbena Cologne Spray is so fresh and light and lemony-fresh that you will smile as soon as you smell it!
It smells like freshly polished floors, clothes soaked in sunshine on a line and a vase filled with fresh flowers!
Technically, it is made up of lemon-scented verbena leaves, Caribbean lime & hints of rose & jasmine, but I like my description better!
It comes in a big 3.4 fl. oz bottle that is beautifully encased in woven cane, giving it an exotic Caribbean feel.
And as an extra bonus, you can use it as an air freshener to liven up the house for those days that you don’t wear it!
Pretty fantastic, right?
Fruits & Passion’s Green Tea Eau de Toilette is also a fresh scent that is comprised of crushed green tea leaves, sweet mimosa and glorious rosewood. It is incredibly light with a slightly smoky green tea finish that I find delightful and a refreshing change from most perfumes.
The beautifully sculpted bottle is light jade and looks like a genie could pop out at any moment! Now that’s fun!
Also great is the Green Tea Body Soufflé, which has shea butter, cocoa butter, standardized polyphenols green tea extract, rosa mosqueta oil, grape seed oil, and vitamin E that immediately leaves your skin smooth and silky with that wonderful lingering green tea scent. And don’t forget the matching Green Tea Shower Gel to get you going in the morning!
I wrote about Space. NK. a little while ago and just love their line!
I recently discovered Space. NK. Woman Eau de Toilette, which comes in a wonderfully modern bottle and has such an exotic and sensual scent! It is both florally and musky thanks to Italian bergamot with French narcissus, iris and jasmine over vetyver, oakmoss and amber. I couldn’t stop smelling myself when I had it on. So if you saw a blonde on the subway constantly sniffing at her forearm, well, that was me. And my Mom is going to love it too. It’s one of those scents that builds and evolves throughout the day, which I think says of what good quality it is. Mmm.
And don’t forget Space. NK. Soulful Body Wash and Body Balm!
Start with the Body Wash in the shower to clean your skin and finish with the Body Balm before you dress. You will feel fantastic and the light scent of cedar, sandalwood, rose and lily of the valley with comfort and soothe you throughout the day.
Now doesn’t that sound like a great way to pamper your Mom – or yourself?
And if you want to get your Mom some perfume, but are at a complete loss as to what to get, try the Ineke Deluxe Sample Collection V2 from Ineke Perfumer San Francisco, which includes 5 2.5 oz samples of their 5 eau de parfume sprays.
There’s After My Own Heart, Balmy Days & Sundays, Chemical Bonding, Derring-Do and Evening Edged in Gold, all individually wrapped and boxed within a lovely cardboard box. Not only are they more special than the usual behind-the-cosmetics-counter samples, but they have a spray nozzle, so you apply it like you would from a real bottle of perfume. What a nice touch!
Music
I know music is a really personal thing, but I think I’ve found a few CDs that will make the cut:
Damhnait Doyle’s latest release, Lights Down Low, brings Damhnait’s gorgeous vocals together with songs that we know and love, like Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart,” The Tragically Hip’s “Bobcaygeon,” and Bob Marley’s “Is This Love.” Her voice drips like honey and envelops you. If you haven’t heard her yet, you should. She has one of those voices that will forever pull you in, no matter how many times you listen to a track.
I have long loved Damhnait’s voice. Even when she did the background vocals on J. Englishman’s “More,” she totally stole the show with her rich and sexy vocals. And I met her in person once - she is incredibly sexy and stunningly gorgeous. In fact, though she looks amazing in print, you wouldn’t believe how knuckle-biting hot she is in person.
So really, I can’t recommend her enough. And hey, you might just fall in love with her too.
And check out Putumayo World Music as they celebrate their 15th Anniversary! I love their selections! There’s African Party, Rupa and the April Fishes, and Euro Groove, which always makes me dance. You won't believe how many selections they carry, including ones for kids.
Putumayo has fun CDs that are a little different than the usual top 40 selections.
And if your Mom is a jazz standards fan, then Standards: Volume One by the Jim Clayton Trio is a great choice. It is fun and light and perfect for brunch, after dinner drinks or simply dancing around the kitchen. That’s what I do anyway…
Skincare
Skincare is another kind of Mom luxury, but you don’t have to spend a lot to pamper her. Here are a few great items I’ve found that I think are a great gift:
Marie Chantal Handmade Natural Skin Care’s Rose Signature Line will pamper her with real rose skin care and according to Marie, “are kind to sensitive skin.”
Each product is made in small batches and contain only natural preservatives and are free from parabens, Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, mineral oils and synthetic perfumes.
I love this line because it smells good and gives you a rosy glow that lasts all day. And of course that the ingredients are all natural – like rose, rose geranium, rosewood, lavender, rose hip seed and jojoba oil – and are listed on each bottle or jar.
First I used the Rose Cleanser to remove any residue and makeup from the day. Next, I applied the Rose Skin Freshener, which is not only gentle, but completely refreshing. And then you can apply either the Rose Lotion or Rose Cream as your moisturizer in the morning and evening. I liked the both so I used the lotion in the morning and the cream at night.
Going to bed smelling all rosy is one of the nicest ways to fall asleep.
And for the ultimate in skincare, Eve Lom’s TLC Cream is this wonderfully thick and rich – and sticky! - cream that you dab (or “daub” as your grandmother might say) along your cheekbones and forehead and let it work at calming and soothing your skin and REDUCE THE APPEARANCE OF WRINKLES!
Look at that! You could give your Mom the gift of time and her youth!
And it works!
I know because I’ve been using it and well – the wrinkles I was getting have faded and I look like a slighter younger version of myself. No joke.
I loooooooooooooooooove this cream and I have a feeling that your Mom will too!
Laptop Bags
Bags are always handy because we all need umpteen of them – one to carry our stuff in everyday, a clutch for evenings, a tote for during the day… you can’t go wrong with a bag. But how about really cool laptop bags for your Mom? Here are some great ones:
J’tote Designer Laptop Bags are THE most luxurious laptop bag I’ve ever come across! They are so much more than a laptop bag that they deserve a new name – only problem is, I haven’t been able to come up with anything that’s worthy!
I got the Dubhease, which is simply stunning. It honestly is. There is so much that is so luxe - a combination of black hair-on-hide, soft black leather, and a unique black and red Chinese rose-patterned fabric.
And it is insanely accessorized! it has the thickest, most padded, incredibly comfortable black leather strap that is also studded for a little extra glam. And you can also carry it by the thick red cord or soft black handles. It has a lipstick red interior (to match the roses on the exterior) and has a whole whack of pockets and place to put everything that you could possibly need for your laptop, along with a ton of other stuff! There’s a pocket for file folders, a Velcro closure to keep your laptop in place and well, they’ve thought of everything at J’tote.
Including, if you are one of the first 500 to purchase this, you get a complimentary matching wallet!
How cool is that?!
I have never seen a laptop bag like this before. It is the ultimate in luxury and a fantastic gift to show someone that you care. They’ll use it for the rest of their days.
And if you’re looking for something fun, but not quite as fancy for your Mom’s laptop, then get the EdotSquare OldBrick Red Laptop Bag!
What’s nice about this bag is it’s completely summery and so lightweight – it only weighs 1.25 lbs – that you can carry it without feeling weighed down!
It’s got a wraparound cushy grip so that you can carry it by the handles and not hurt your hands and the adjustable strap is also padded for your comfort.
There’s a place for all of your pens, pads, files, phone, iPod, etc. and whatever else you carry with you. It’s a great bag that is colourful and fun. Can you say that about your current laptop bag? How ‘bout your Mom’s?
There are lots of colours to choose from and are completely affordable. I just love that someone’s come up with a fun design for something is usually black and drab.
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