May 10th is Mother’s Day. You can opt out of creative gifting with flowers or a special lunch or dinner. But this year why not show the special women in your life that they are worthy of something more unique? What follows are gifts that are special and appeal to different interests. But they don’t cost a fortune. Win-win for everybody!
She Takes Her Phone Everywhere:
Does she take her phone everywhere? Smartphone bags and lipstick cases are good gifts. However, the ones by Susan Faris have more elegance than most. For example, the Jackie Crossbody with Tassel ($64) makes a statement in Python, black, cream, or tan. Moreover, a lot of crossbody bags are cheap flimsy plastic. This one is in vegan leather that feels substantial and durable. It is a roomy 7″ x 4.75″. The strap is really long enhanced by a length of gold chain. It’s adjustable to fit everybody short or tall.
Instead of just a plain flap the Jackie Crossbody has a small shiny gold button to secure the flap over your phone in the front. There are three slots on the back for your credit cards, diver’s license, etc. There is also a pocket for a passport or whatever else you need to put in there (keys maybe). That pocket is also secured with the flap over the top. While you can’t fit a huge amount of other things in the bag, if you’re just going out to the store, for a walk, to a festival, or somewhere else where you don’t want to take a full purse, this is a special way to carry your “stuff.”
For Makeup Lovers:
I also received a lovely hard-sided Lip and Beauty makeup case from Susan Faris in the same python print ($28). This is not a small case, it’s big enough to fit most if not all of your take-along essentials. It opens with a magnetic flap and has an interior mirror. If you are carrying a medium to large bag or a tote, this is a great addition. However, I found it rather large for my usual crossbody purses. I will use it when I travel, however, to keep my essential makeup and brushes with me in style. I am hooked on Susan Faris’s items! Now I want more products from this lovely brand. https://susanfaris.com/
A One-Handed Lipstick
This fabulous one-handed application lipstick called High Rise Matte Lipstick by Meloway ($25) is a beautiful little gift. There are 16 matte colors and the lipstick won’t dry your lips out. Instead, it’s got natural peptides to pamper your lips. There are no parabens or mineral oil, The highly pigmented formula is vegan and feels incredibly light on your lips. But it’s the lipstick case that also gets my love. The white case with subtle gold lettering swivels up from the bottom and you can do it with one hand even on the go. There is no cap to lose. I love this! The sample I received is a deep, rich red called “Pomegranate Punch.” I’m wearing in the photo above. For more information visit Meloway New York. https://melowaymakeup.com/
She is Spirited and Loves Music:
As I write this, it’s Mardi Gras season. For the spirited woman, there’s a great new music CD called Uptown on Mardi Gras Day (CD $15 digital download $10) celebrating Mardi Gras with classics and also new music. The CD by the Uptown Jazz Orchestra and Delfeayo Marsalis on the Trombone is a joyful romp through the street of New Orleans. Join the party! the Uptown Jazz Orchestra has been reviewed a couple of times previously on advicesisters.com. Marsalis helped musicians during the pandemic founding a nonprofit called Keep the music of New Orleans Alive, which provided emergency relief to native New Orleans people.
What’s on the CD?
The songs are uplifting, lively, toe-tapping, and just plain fun to listen to. My favorite however is the mardi gras mambo. The CD has celebrated guest artists but rather than list them all, I’m showing you the back of the CD with all the songs and who plays what on them.
and no matter what track you like best, the songs will have your toes tapping and your “joint a jumping.” it’s a must-have for your next mardi gras party. It also makes an uplifting gift. Uptown on Mardi Gras Day on Troubador Jazz Records February release date February 3, 2023. https://www.dmarsalis.com/
She is Spiritual and Loves Art:
The crafter and the spiritual woman will love Color Your Own Tarot by Lisa Butterworth(Hachette Book Group January 2023), It arrives in a nice hard-sized presentation box. Learn how to read tarot and personalize your unique deck (greenfinch Non-Fiction). Inside the box is a colorful guidebook that explains the symbolism of the major and minor arcana. The guide will show you to to use the Tarot to make positive changes.
Color it Your Way
The deck is uncolored and you can use pencils, markers, or whatever medium you want to fill in the colors as they feel right to you. Coloring is a great way to relieve stress, too. There are 78 cards to color, which will keep you busy for a while. The guidebook shows you how the classic Rider Waite artwork looks, but you can make it anything you want. What a fun gift!
She Likes the Fruit of the Vine
All the glitters isn’t necessarily gold. However, this new version of the super easy-to-use original and premium Cork Pops wine opener is gold-toned for a classy look. The original cork pops wine opener is nicely boxed in a hard-sided clear plastic case. It comes with one cartridge that can open approximately 60 bottles of wine. *Note, the wine opener is designed for a traditionally-shaped bottle of wine, not a novelty bottle.
All you have to do is remove the protective cover from the cork pops wine opener. Remove the foil from your wine bottle. Then, insert the needle down through the center of the cork. Press the top of the cartridge and as you feel the cork moving out of the bottle, hold onto the bottle with one hand. Carefully remove the needle from the cork and replace the needle guard over the wine opener. It is so easy even someone with arthritis can do it.
The gold wine opener is on the Cork Pops Website for $28. We also saw this gold version with two refills on amazon for $32
If you order makeup online, you know how frustrating it is to find the right color foundation for your skin tone. It’s especially difficult when there are no models to show you what the color would look like based on your own coloring. That’s why I am loving the Natural Loose Mineral Foundation set ($15) by Youngblood. Each set features 4 small pots of loose powder foundation and one loose mineral rice setting powder. It’s great because you can try all of them before you buy the full size. They’re great for travel or your purse, too.
As a bonus, you get a $15 coupon toward a full-sized loose powder mineral foundation in your chosen color. Since the set is only $15 it’s like a free trial you can use for travel. Choose from Fair, Light, Medium, Tan, or Dark.
Which One to Choose?
I tried the Light Set that included Neutral, Soft Beige, Barely Beige, and Honey shades, I am really amazed at how different these colors are. Neutral: Fair to light shade with a cool undertone. Soft Beige: Lightest shade with a warm undertone, Barely Beige: Light shade with a warm undertone, and Honey: Light to medium shade with a neutral undertone. Choosing the right shade and tone really makes a difference. One thing I do like about loose powder mineral makeup is that the colors are natural, and “forgiving.” if you do get that is a bit too dark or too light you can still use it, especially if you dust it on with a soft kabuki brush. My choice was the neutral one that looked like my own skin tone but better! Which one will be yours? For more information visit the Youngblood Website
She Likes To Be Pampered at Home
Times are challenging and budgets are tight, but Mom (or your favorite women) deserve a little “thank you” on their special day. Earth Therapeutics has the softest, coziest Dream Silk Cozy Socks ($13). They are available in 8 different solids and prints, But the nicest part (besides they feel like kittens on your feet) is that they are infused with moisturizing, emollient shea butter. A botanical infusion of lavender helps her relax, Little clear beads on the bottom keep the slipper sock from…slipping! What a cute gift, especially if you send it with a relaxing music download and/or a tube of Earth Therapeutics Tea tree Oil Foot Repair Balm ($10).
For an add-on (or next year’s stocking stuffers) I really like the Earth Therapeutics Thermal Moisturizing Foot Mask ($9). It’s a one-time treat for your feet, with a little heat! This foot mask works with your own body heat to maximize the botanical blend of conditioning Argan Oil, Shea Butter, and soothing Aloe Vera. Wear the disposable “booties” for 15-10 minutes and massage the rest of the mask into your skin. This mask works quickly to relieve dry skin and soften hard calluses while Tea Tree Oil refreshes tired feet. Try this after a hard day as part of “me” time. for more information visit Earth Therapeutics.
