Mother's Day Gift Guide

For all the last minute shoppers out there, I am often in this bunch, here are some great ideas for Mom. If you are like me, it's always tough to buy something for someone, that you think might have everything, you can't buy clothes for, she lives far away, you feel like you always give her a scarf, etc.! These ideas work from anywhere and for anyone. Of course, always add a personal touch, that can come with an endearing card and beautiful gift wrap. Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms out there! Click images below to shop online and check inventory in stores near you. Now, hurry, you only have a few days! xo RCN

Books are great gifts, especially if you know what your Mom may be interested in. Does she like history? gossip? beach reads? tear jerkers? biographies? Barnes & Noble, and any book store, for that matter, has more than a enough options to pick from. That's the problem, there are so many!  So, I narrowed it down for you. Here are a few of my favorites that are great for all the kinds of Moms. 

If Mom likes to cook, but also may be a super busy lady, then a gift of food and recipe delivery is right up her alley. Every once in a while, everyone likes a break from something - like grocery shopping and food prepping. A gift card to Hello Fresh or Blue Apron is an easy way for Mom to pick out some tasty recipes, without having to shop the grocery aisles for all the ingredients. The recipe, instructions, and prepped ingredients are all delivered right to her front door. Mom can enjoy easy cooking and tasting a new menu on the family table. Each week, new dishes are offered for selection by the one and only, Mom. Bon appetite!

Sometimes it's not so easy shopping for clothes for your mom, but accessories- yes! How about shoes? Whether your Mom likes to dress up or down, Soludos come in soooo many styles, patterns, embroideries, and colors. They take only a couple wears to break in, which is pretty good for shoes. Search for a quirky pair with flamingos or lemons, something that fits your Mom's character, or go for a chic chambray, stripe, or natural linen. Soludos are sold online and carried in store at Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Saks, Dillards, Urban Outfitters, and other boutiques. Head to your nearest mall and you'll likely find a perfect fit.

A lot of florists are beginning to fill up for deliveries on Mother's Day, but they may still have some glorious blooms available for purchase in store. Give the florist, closest to Mom's house, a call and order...right now! If delivery isn't an option because the Florist is already too busy, then hopefully you have the opportunity to visit Mom on Mother's Day and hand deliver. You can even stop at a farmers market, Whole Foods, or artisan grocery store to select from the best of bunches for a better bargain. The flowers do not have to be formal, a nice bunch wrapped in brown paper and bakers twine, makes for a beautiful bouquet. A great place to get inspiration is Bouqs.com. Unfortunately, they are booked through Mother's Day this year, so you can't order direct for a timely delivery. However, the website has some great inspiration for "farm to table" floral bouquets that you can pull together yourself, if you can get your hands on paper and string. Keep Bouqs in mind for your next holiday or floral order.

Wrap up a nice bottle of Mom's favorite Chardonay and include a gift card to Painting With A Twist (if there is one near your location). I'm sure you have heard of these wine and paint nights, if you haven't already attended one yourself. Even if Mom isn't an "artist", this could be really fun. Does she like wine? It's a nice way to do something together with Mom. If there isn't a Painting With A Twist near you, there is likely another wine and paint group or studio nearby, just google!

Having nice manicured nails is a dream. Some women often have them done, but it's still a dream. Every time you look at your well manicured finger nails and pedicure, it gives you a sense of cleanliness and beauty that is desired by a lot of ladies, myself included. Mom may get them done every week, or hardly ever. Either way, she would enjoy going to the salon with you, or if you live across the globe, send her to her favorite place nearby. Maybe order her a few polishes in advance and she can bring them along to the nail salon when she goes. You can pick up a few Essie bottles at almost every drugstore. Shop one of the latest Spring collections, below.

Let them eat cake, but Mom first! Bake Mom a pretty cake, as pretty as you can make it. Grandkids can help decorate, or just do it yourself and then place it on the prettiest of cake stands that you know Mom will just heart. It is a wonderful leave behind that Mom can use for future gatherings. Cake stands are wonderful for not only cakes, but serving appetizers, other desserts, and setting a tablescape for a party. If Mom has the kitchen to store it or loves to entertain, then she will be happy to have a pretty piece like this. Homegoods, Target, Walmart, Crate and Barrel, Sur La Table - they all have cake stands! Oh, and if you don't have time to make the cake, pick it up at a bakery. If Mom likes Carrot, then that's what you bring to Mother's Day brunch.

The cool thing about an outdoor blanket, is it can be used for multiple things. Beach, camping, picnic, soccer game, just sitting on the deck or balcony at night. There are many stylish finds out there right now, my favorites are linked below. If you need to find one quick, try Target or your local department store! It's a great combo gift with some of the other mentions - espadrilles or a book!

Mini gardens are just divine. If you are going to be able to spend some time with Mom on Mother's Day, this is the perfect giftivity to do with Mom! Wrap up some glass jars, bowls, or whatever cool item you can stumble upon at Homegoods, Marshalls, Michaels, Target, (or Terrain if you are lucky enough to live nearby). Also, include some sand (good for cacti/succulents), potting soil, pebbles, maybe some moss or a few shells, and of course, the plants. Home Depot or a local nursery will have great options to select from. Depending upon the plants chosen to inhabit your jar, pot, or terrarium, the garden can thrive rather easily with the perfect mixture of water and sunlight. For succulents and cacti, they only need a couple TBSP of water a week and lots of sun. Small leafy plants need only an extra TBSP or 2 of water and a little less time in direct sunlight. Have fun planting and making your very own unique plant home with Mom. For advise on planting and directions, click HERE.

Domino is one of my most favorite editorials. It covers mainly home and interiors, but also highlights fabulous products for the home, fashion, and lifestyle. Not only is the magazine a quarterly subscription I look forward to, but the website also has an online retail store to purchase some great goods that have been featured and selected by the editors. Product ranges from handbags to pillows. Mom would love to get the mag in the mail and/or receive a GC, where she can shop some Domino style! 

 

Stocking Stuffers

Chances are, you will not be handing out a list for what you would love in your stocking. However, this stocking stuffer list also acts as ideas for Secret Santa gifts. Or, these "all $30 and under (mostly)", are perfect add on presents. I may or may not be sending this link to Zach, though. The boy's stocking list will be posted tomorrow.

What is your favorite stocking stuffer? xo RCN

 

J.Crew bandanna neck wrap, $12.50

Neckerchiefs are everywhere, and quite frankly they are adorable. It is a trend all girls should be trying this winter and up coming Spring. I love the bandanna style ones offered at J.Crew.

Zodiac matches, box of 60 matches (select zodiac sign of choice), Anthropologie, $11

Everyone has a sign, so pick out your girl's Zodiac and gift a cute set of matches. If you need something to go with it, well candles, of course.

Novelty socks, Living Royal, $8

Socks are a no brainer. Living Royal has a numerous amount of options for every type of personality, whether it be whimsical, political, colorful, anything!

Primitives by Kathy, set of 2 state dishtowels, Nordstrom, $30

The state hand towels from Primitves by Kathy are great. Visually appealing and also sentimental. You don't ever want to forget where you came from.

Mast Brothers, 2.5oz olive oil chocolate bar, $8

Mast Brothers has delicious chocolate. I originally became a customer because of the beautiful packaging. Last year, I put an anchor wrapped bar in Zach's stocking. This year, I will be buying based on flavor. This Olive Oil bar sounds very interesting.

NFL shop, Eagles or any NFL team beanie, this one $16.79

Most people are sports fans or at least have a team they are loyal to based on geography. Tis' the season for cold weather, so how about a cute NFL or NHL beanie?

Ban-do 2016-2017 17 month agenda, ranging from $10-$16

Soon to be 2017, everyone needs an agenda. Ban-do has adorable options. The books are cute on the inside and out. This one is by far, my fav.

Palm tree ornament, Pottery Barn, $8.50

Every year as a child my parents gave my sisters and I an ornament that represented something big or important to us in our lives over the year leading up to Christmas. Zach and I continued this tradition with one another when we began dating in High School. This year, we moved to Miami so I will probably use that as the ornament theme for 2016. I love that our Xmas tree has so many unique ornaments from every year of our lives. This is an excellent, every year, stocking idea.

World Market tropical fruit ceramic measuring spoons, $6.99

World Market has excellent little kitchen gadgets. I have a set of octopus ceramic measuring spoons from there. Don't let the shape fool you. They work just as well as regular old measuring spoons and these are way more interesting to look at.

Chakra stone set for "Balance" includes a Chrysoprase, Green Aventurine, Agate, and Moss Agate, from bestcrystals.com, $6.95

My friend, David, recently gifted me an Amethyst stone as a hostess gift. Not only was the gift extremely well thought out, my birthstone is an amethyst, but the meaning behind it was special. The stone represents good vibes and having a positive and balanced state in my home. I recommend something similar for friends, like these Chakra balance stones.

Herbivore Sea Mist hair spritzer, Urban Outfitters, $10

When I blow dry my hair and don't feel like doing much else to it, I always spritz Sea Mist in my hair. I feel beachy, natural, and smell amazing.

Holly Exley Illustration, set of four post cards, $3.75 + shipping

Holly Exley is one of my favorite insta found illustrators. She may be based out of London, but her Etsy shop ships anywhere. How insanely cute are these four pack of printed post cards? Stripes, cacti, gem stones, cocktails, I love it all.

2 piece salt & pepper shaker set, CB2, $14.95

I have this set of salt and pepper shakers. One, because I love alligators - I know, strange. Also, I love gold and interesting pieces for the apartment. Whether, your a gator fan or not, there are many unique salt and pepper shakers out there right now that would be fitting to a lot of different types of people. Just google.

Urban Decay brow box, $30

Currently, my beauty obsession is all about the brows. Sometimes pencils can actually do more damage than not, so I am really into the wax and powder color option. This box has it all and fits perfectly in small bags as well.

Lilly Pulitzer drink hugger set, 2 included, $12

Stockings can't fit too much, so some of the items need to be flexible and fitting. My sister Brittany and I just split a two pack of Lilly koozies recently, and I love them. Colorful patterns are perfect for the beach or your own living room.

Christian Louboutin "Rouge Louboutin" nail polish, Nordstrom, $50

Okay, this is the splurge stocking stuffer. Just like my obsession with designer lipstick, Louboutin nail polish is divine. It works phenomenally and the bottle is absolutely gorgeous. If you love fashion, make sure to read about where the inspiration for the bottle came from. You will then want this polish 2x as much.