Gifts For The Mothers In Your Life

Photograph of Natalia Vodianova and her daughter, Vogue.  

I remember celebrating Mother's Day as a child - my sister, brother and I would usually go to our local mall with my dad the day before. As we left we always told my mom "we have something we have to do, but YOU can't come with us." We wanted my mom to know that we were trying to plan and do something for her for once - the woman who made sure all 3 of us had individually labeled lunches every morning, went to school with the latest Esprit bag and Guess jeans, got to dance classes and baseball games on time, who made 10:00 p.m. runs to the pharmacy for Robitussin and paint for last minute science projects, and who volunteered to lead our Girl Scout troop and pick-up half the cheerleading team for early morning practices.  
 Cut to 2013 - here I am, now a mother myself, and my mom is still taking care of me. She still answers my phone calls with "How's my baby girl?", brings me Robitussin when she hears my nasaly cough over the phone, makes sure I have the perfect dress to wear to a friend's wedding, and goes to the grocery store when she discovers my refrigerator is bare. In my new role as a mother, living a crazy, busy life, I sometimes feel like I'm responsible for it all and the term "no rest for the weary" has become my new mantra (Mothers? Am I right?) What I truly appreciate is my mom still treating me like her child and her daughter.  It's wonderful to know that she's still there to take care of me and on Sunday I'll be celebrating her. 

Telling your mother how much you love and appreciate her is always the best gift you can give, but here are a few small things to say thank you and hopefully, make her smile. 

Eva Bracelet, $67, cleobella.com.

I love this bracelet for its simplicity and pops of beautiful color. My mom wears a lot of ethnic-inspired jewelry and this piece is unique, but still incredibly chic. 

Galvanized Window Planters, $19.95-$29.95, williams-sonoma.com. 

A window box full of herbs not only adds life and color to the kitchen, it's a constant inspiration to get cooking. 

Double-Tassel Necklace, $68, jcrew.com. 

This versatile necklace will go with just about everything in my mom's closet and the tassel detail reminds me of one she had when I was a kid. 

Tavira Ceramic Platter, $31.96, crateandbarrel.com. 

For the mothers who love to entertain, this platter is perfect for serving appetizers at spring and summer parties. 

Martha Stewart's Living The Good Life, $17, amazon.com. 

Martha's latest book was just released on April 23rd and is full of tips, plans, recipes and insight into living a good, LONG, life. 

James Placemat, Set of 6, $48, pacificandrose.com. 

My mom is constantly changing her place mats and this set caught my eye when I visited Pacific and Rose's boutique at the Long Beach Flea Market last month. 

Best Mom Card, $4.50, 1canoe2 on etsy.com. 

This year, I ordered these fab cards from 1 Canoe 2 on Etsy. Aren't they perfect?! 

Have a great week and Happy Mother's Day everyone! 

Tis The Season....

Is it Christmas already? Today marks the beginning of a week vacation from work - the first I've taken this year. Typically, I'm already trying to plan how I can squeeze every ounce of productivity/fun/rest out of it. For now, I'm working on finalizing my Christmas Eve menu and getting started on wrapping gifts from Santa. Christmas with an almost 3 year-old is such a magical time and I'm enjoying every second of it.  With that I'll say adieu, and that I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas filled with love, laughter and joy. Xxo

Gift Guide 2012

Happy Holidays everyone!! Wow, it's been awhile. Work, family and the rushing current of life this fall has kept me busy. I can't tell you how much I've missed blogging and chatting with all of you, but I'm hopeful the new year will bring with it a few more hours in the day and that I'll be back here more often. I couldn't let 2012 come to a close without sharing a few of my favorite holiday gifts - husbands, wives, friends, parents and kids - here are 10 ideas for everyone on your list, all less than $100.

Ikat Tea For One Set, $38, cwonder.com.

In an effort to spruce up my office, I found this gorgeous tea pot/coffee cup set over at C.Wonder and had to have it. When I'm working late, it's the little comforts that keep me going. This ikat pattern will add a pop of color and design to any room or office. Add a tin of sweet herbal tea or gourmet coffee and she'll think of you every time she brews a cup.

One Year Subscription to Lucky Peach (4 issues), $28, mcsweenys.com.

For the foodie in your life - Lucky Peach is a quarterly journal celebrating food and is published by McSweeny's.  Full of essays, art, photography and of course recipes, its the perfect gift for anyone who loves food or the chefs who create it (past issues include interviews with Mario Batali & Anthony Bourdain).

Cashmere Hat, $58, jcrew.com.

Simple luxuries are often my favorite gift - things you've always wanted, but would never buy for yourself.  Specimen #1 - a cashmere beanie.  Luckily, j.crew just put them on sale. 

Sunset Throw, $48, westelm.com.

When I walked into West Elm last week, these beautifully dyed ombre blankets immediately caught my eye. A closer inspection reveled they were as soft and cozy as they looked, so I scooped up a couple as gifts and may have thrown in one for myself. 

Colossal Golden Wishbone (13 x 6.5 inches), $58, anthropologie.com. 

In this crazy world, what girl doesn't need a little luck now and then? This wishbone object from Anthropologie is a great gift for the design-obsessed on your list and hits the perfect notes of glamour and humor.

Eames House of Cards, $25, canoeonline.com.

In the midst of their day jobs creating some of the most beautiful and iconic furniture of the 20th century, Charles and Ray Eames designed this set of building cards in 1950 for kids and adults alike. Printed with photographs and design objects from the animal, mineral or vegetable kingdoms (all things they considered to be "good stuff") the interlocking cards can create anything from a princess castle to a 6 car garage. 

Set of 4 ombre gold tipped wooden spoons, $15, omeandomy on etsy.com.

Cooking is much more fun when you have the right tools and with spoons like these, even a recipe gone awry won't get you down.

Kate Spade New York Idiom Pendant Necklace, $58, nordstrom.com. 

  Sometimes less is more and despite my love of big and bright jewelry, these simple color-blocked reversible necklaces caught my eye. Each has a phrase engraved on the reverse that corresponds to the color. "Paint the town red," "Think Pink," "Hello Sunshine," and "Skirt the Rules" are some of the cheeky mantras that will make any gal smile.  

Rope bottle opener, $28, curiosityshoppeonline.com.

Men are inevitiably hard to shop for, but bar accoutrements are usually met with appreciation and excitment. Let them ditch their old metal bottle opener for this nautical inspired version. 

Big Thank You Set of 6 cards, $16 and To Do List, $13, sugarpaper.com.

What to get the girl who has everything? Paper, paper, paper! Sugar Paper has long been a favorite of mine and this year I'll be gifting my girlfriends sets of these chic Thank You Notes and To Do Lists.

Dispatch Card Case, $38, madewell.com.

Bulky wallets are so 2012, so why not encourage a New Year's purge with this gorgeous calf hair (faux of course) card case. 

Hammered & Hip

Set of 3 hammered bracelets, in silver or gold, $38, nordstrom.com. 

Happy Tuesday everyone! Hope you had a fabulous and restful Labor Day weekend. Work has been keeping me busy (as is evident from my lack of posts), and my list of "to-blog" is getting longer and longer. There are so many things I want to share so I've decided to just get going. First up, I discovered these gorgeous hammered sets of bracelets at Nordstrom last weekend. As a girl who loves to pile on the arm candy, these were calling my name (and reminded me of a slightly pricier version I had seen at Saks). For work, I'll wear just the 3, but on weekends they join at least 5-6 others on my wrist. At $38 for a set of three, its a no-brainer staple for fall (and every season after that)! 

Shop This Shop: Poketo

Reclaimed Branch Colored Pencils, $12, poketo.com. 

It's not often that a super cool brick and mortar shop also has a killer website, but Poketo might be the exception. If you are in L.A., you will want to stop by their flagship store on 3rd Street, but shopping their beautifully curated, colorful and reasonable online store is always a treat. It's become one of my go-to shops for unusual and functional gifts that always score big points in the creativity department. From great jewelry, to lovely stationary and playful home decor, I can't seem to walk away from my computer without finding something to make me smile. For a a girlfriend's birthday, a Christmas gift, or maybe just a little pick-me-up for yourself, bookmark Poketo. I guarantee you will keep coming back for more. 

Clockwise from top left: Different Stripes scarves, $24; Chloe satchel, $38; Brass Bunting Necklace, $33; Little Dove Vase, $19; all at poketo.com.

DIY (draw your own) Shower Curtain, $33, poketo.com. 

Two-tone leather Ipad case, $64; Cast Iron Tool Bottle Openers, $25, poketo.com.

Tomorrow Monthly Planner, $28, poketo.com. 

Splendid Summer Totes

Pom Burst Tote, $68, anthropologie.com. 

It's summer here in Southern California and the past couple weekends have been absoultely gorgeous. As I packed up my things to head to the beach, I realized that I'm about due for a new summer bag. Something casual, equally at home at the beach and at a local watering hole for a sunset cocktail. Plenty of room for my things as well as a few essentials for my toddler. Chic and classic, something that I'll love to throw over my shoulder all summer long. Here are a few that caught my eye. Have you found a personal "it" tote for the summer?

Leather Transport Tote, $168, madewell.com. 

Nothing says summer like brights and this yellow tote from Madewell has a contemporary, yet casual feel.

Kerrington Peacock Tote, $206, toryburch.com. 

Although I generally do not love bags that scream brands or logos (this one is camouflaged don't you think?), I've had my eye on this Tory Burch tote for a few months. The peacock design mixed with rafia materials says summer in exactly the right way. 

Ikat Boho Sak, $130, cleobella.com. 

Summer always puts me in a bohemian sort of mood, especially because I live at the beach, and this ikat tote makes you feel like you just returned from a Balinese getaway.  (if you missed my interview with Cleobella designer Angela O'Brien, you can check it out here.)

Feed cotton tote bag, $50, saks.com.

It's always easier to justify spending money when part of your dollars go to chairatable use. I use this Feed bag at the grocery store, pool, beach, and just about anywhere else I go.

Weekend Max Mara Navy and White Tote, on sale for $87.75!!, at saks.com. 

Give me a navy + white stripe any day of the week and I'm on board! 

Karl large printed canvas tote, $54, netaporter.com. 

If big sunglasses and lots of jewelry are part of your beach repertoire, Karl would want to join you, at least in spirit. 

Ombre canvas and leather tote bag by cocosheaven on etsy.com. 

Might be my favorite of the bunch. The blue ombre reminds me of our gorgeous Pacific and its the perfect size to log some long hours on the sand.