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Great Gifts for Mother’s Day
Memorable and meaningful ways to honor mom on her day in May
Birds have ’em, bees have ’em, elephants in the trees have ’em. There’s a pretty good chance you have one. And whether your mom is right here in The OC, on some distant shore or in your heart as a cherished memory, chances are you’ll want to do something to honor her on her day in May. Gifts have been a traditional way to do this since savvy retailers first began to promote the idea of a special day devoted to mothers.
If your mother or grandmother likes perfume, head for Penhaligon’s, established in London in 1870 and opened in February 2005 in South Coast Plaza’s Robinson’s-May wing. At this source for fragrances, leather accessories, exquisite silver items and travel accessories, Manager Angela Connor can help you select a gift that will help Mom not only smell good, but also savor her fondest reminiscences.
“Our sense of smell is directly connected with our memory,” says the native Brit. If Mom grows roses or gardenias, Connor may suggest a gift set with the venerable shop’s new Ellenisia fragrance, heady with floral and jasmine overtones. If one of her favorite pastimes is baking, Penhaligon’s Lavandula or Cornubia, with subtle vanilla nuances, might appeal.
Most sprays run between $55 and $85, or you can make a special splash with a signature scent in a limited edition box for slightly more. If you can’t decide from amongst the array of bouquets, a Mixed Scent Library with samples of Penhaligon’s most popular scents can be had for $15.
Once you’ve chosen a favorite fragrance, pick up a candle or bath oil to accompany that classic Penhaligon’s bottle with its bow-tied neck. If Mom’s a frequent flyer, consider some butter-soft leather travel slippers in a drawstring bag ($100) from the 132-year-old perfumery. Or opt for an engraved sterling silver-cupped travel candle in its own zippered leather case, with a personal message that shows you care ($34). Whatever gift you select here, its recipient will appreciate signature packaging in a soft flannel drawstring bag, ensconced in a gold-edged box tied with ribbon in a “footman’s handle.”
Jewels for a precious person
Is jewelry more Mom’s style? Surprise her with a customized trinket from Charlotte (pronounced “Charlotta”), open since last fall, between NIKE goddess and Apple in Fashion Island. In the first West Coast store featuring the renowned German line of fine, interchangeable jewelry, choose from rings, pendants, earrings and bracelets that you can add to or change for years to come. Fourth generation master goldsmith Wolf Peter Schwartz, who’s been practicing his craft for more than 50 years, designed all of the pieces, calling on a legacy that harks back to 1876, when Ehinger-Schwarz was founded in Ulm, Germany.
“The great thing about this jewelry is that you can design your own pieces, and the combinations are endless,” says owner Sandy Johnson. If Mom loves flowers or the sea, create a unique accessory she can transform to suit her mood or outfit by attaching one or more disks with semiprecious stones, flowers cut from pearl, colorful enamel pieces or thousands of other options. Revamp a casual, daytime look into something more elegant for evening by adding diamonds or pearls. Or change the entire piece with a new center stone.
The jewelry systems are available in platinum, silver, stainless steel and 18- and 24-karat gold. With pieces priced from $30 to $3,000, there are baubles to accommodate every budget.
For something even more sentimental, visit the BRAG kiosks in Fashion Island or The Shops at Mission Viejo, where you can fashion a sterling silver keepsake treasure for Mom with photos of her kids, grandkids, hubby, or favorite pet or wedding day moment. Use any color snapshot with up to five people or animals. Opt to use it as-is or ask the friendly folks at Brag to enhance it with their “burnt cream” or “black licorice” treatment.
For as little as $55, walk away with a gift-wrapped, one-of-a-kind locket, or e-mail photography and order it online at www.bragalittle.com. If you can’t bear to leave out a single child or magic moment, pricier options include bracelet sets with up to five charms and an optional prayer box. New this year is a clasp locket that can be opened and closed to change out the photo at any time.
Fashionable and feminine
Is Mom a fashion plate with decidedly feminine taste? You can’t go wrong with something from Lola Rouge, a fixture on Costa Mesa’s 17th Street since 2002 that opened in Fashion Island, across from Bloomingdale’s, last fall. Known for funky yet sophisticated fashions with an edge, the stores also feature trendy handmade jewelry from Israel, handbags, shoes, undergarments, body items and gifts.
Find Gwen Stefani’s hot new clothing line on Lola Rouge racks, and designer fashions by Catherine Malandrino, La Rok, Ginger & Java, and Foley and Corina. Pick up an Old Man River belt studded with rivets and rhinestones for $225 an item that’s been flying off the shelves this season, according to owner Debbie Askew. Also hugely popular is French makeup artist Stephen Marais’ line of cosmetics, available in only six stores in the U.S.
For more eccentric wares from around the world, visit Anthropologie in Fashion Island, where you might pick up a rose garden bag with fluttery tonal flowers in chiffon and velour, hand-beaded to a slouchy hobo silhouette ($198). Or opt for an imported birdcage bag inspired by designer Lulu Guinness’ pet parakeet Budgie, who lives in an antique Parisian birdcage ($348).
Soaps and spas
If you’re feeling creative, purchase a basket at any retail outlet and fill it with playful, eco-friendly goodies from Primal Elements, available at beauty shops and supply stores throughout Orange County. At www.primalelements.com, locate a source near you for the Garden Grove-based manufacturer’s whimsical soaps and candles, made with pure vegetable glycerin and essential oils, and infused with fragrance. Help Mom make bath time sweet with Lollysoaps, candy-colored moisturizing cleansers that resemble all-day suckers ($8).
New for spring are such soaps as “Cosmopolitan,” a cool pink bar served in a martini glass; “Lipstick,” with floating lipstick tubes in flirty colors; and “Va-va-voom,” featuring provocative lingerie festooned with red, black and hot pink hearts. Most of the 6.8-ounce bars go for $6.50 to $9.00. Complete your gift basket with an arty candle that glows like stained glass ($6) and Primal Elements’ Lip Plumper, a tingly treatment designed to add moisture and fullness to lips with a pepper derivative ($12).
Queried about what she’d like for Mother’s Day, OC lifestyle writer Sheryll Alexander, a mom of two, replies, “I vote for any kind of spa treatment at Spa Gregories, Spa Gaucin or Pacific Waters Spa.” Recently added to OC options for blissful day trysts is Chiari Wellness Spa in Westminster, adjacent to the Seal Beach Naval Station.
Most day spas offer gift certificates, and no matter which venue you choose, you’re likely to find packages that include relaxing massages, hydrotherapy, anti-aging treatments, wraps, facials and personal care services. While she waits her turn, Mom can de-stress in the sauna, steam room or Jacuzzi.
If you’re lucky enough to have a mom like community activist Charlene Ashendorf, who considers motherhood her greatest gift, you may want to keep your wallet in your pocket when you’re considering a gift for her day in May.
“My sons don’t generally care if I smell great,” says the Costa Mesa poet and grant writer. “They certainly don’t want an image of Mom in sexy lingerie, and they know better than to buy me household goodies for Mother’s Day. They know what I treasure and value most is a little TLC.”
For this thoughtful mom, that means being honored with T & T (their time in a traditional way), R & R (to be remembered and respected, not just on one Sunday a year, but often) and C & C (a card and a call Hallmark or handmade will do just fine). OCM
Melissa Adams heads WordGeisha, Ink. She is a regular OC Metro contributor who welcomes your feedback and ideas for covering the OC retail beat at melissa@wordgeisha.com.
Mother’s Day Trivia
In 1914, Woodrow Wilson made the official announcement proclaiming Mother’s Day as a national holiday that was to be held each year on the second Sunday of May.
According to Hallmark cards, about 96% of American consumers take part in some way in Mother’s Day.
Mother’s Day is widely reported as the peak day of the year for long distance telephone calls.
Mother’s Day is the busiest day of the year for many restaurants.
About twice as many young women were childfree in the year 2000 as in the 1950s (source: Ralph Fevre, The Guardian, Manchester, March 26, 2001).
The second Sunday in May is Mother’s Day not only in the U.S. but also in Denmark, Finland, Italy, Turkey, Australia, Belgium and other countries. OCM
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If your mother or grandmother likes perfume, head for Penhaligon’s, established in London in 1870 and opened in February 2005 in South Coast Plaza’s Robinson’s-May wing. At this source for fragrances, leather accessories, exquisite silver items and travel accessories, Manager Angela Connor can help you select a gift that will help Mom not only smell good, but also savor her fondest reminiscences. “Our sense of smell is directly connected with our memory,” says the native Brit. If Mom grows roses or gardenias, Connor may suggest a gift set with the venerable shop’s new Ellenisia fragrance, heady with floral and jasmine overtones. If one of her favorite pastimes is baking, Penhaligon’s Lavandula or Cornubia, with subtle vanilla nuances, might appeal. Most sprays run between $55 and $85, or you can make a special splash with a signature scent in a limited edition box for slightly more. If you can’t decide from amongst the array of bouquets, a Mixed Scent Library with samples of Penhaligon’s most popular scents can be had for $15. Once you’ve chosen a favorite fragrance, pick up a candle or bath oil to accompany that classic Penhaligon’s bottle with its bow-tied neck. If Mom’s a frequent flyer, consider some butter-soft leather travel slippers in a drawstring bag ($100) from the 132-year-old perfumery. Or opt for an engraved sterling silver-cupped travel candle in its own zippered leather case, with a personal message that shows you care ($34). Whatever gift you select here, its recipient will appreciate signature packaging in a soft flannel drawstring bag, ensconced in a gold-edged box tied with ribbon in a “footman’s handle.” Jewels for a precious person Is jewelry more Mom’s style? Surprise her with a customized trinket from Charlotte (pronounced “Charlotta”), open since last fall, between NIKE goddess and Apple in Fashion Island. In the first West Coast store featuring the renowned German line of fine, interchangeable jewelry, choose from rings, pendants, earrings and bracelets that you can add to or change for years to come. Fourth generation master goldsmith Wolf Peter Schwartz, who’s been practicing his craft for more than 50 years, designed all of the pieces, calling on a legacy that harks back to 1876, when Ehinger-Schwarz was founded in Ulm, Germany. “The great thing about this jewelry is that you can design your own pieces, and the combinations are endless,” says owner Sandy Johnson. If Mom loves flowers or the sea, create a unique accessory she can transform to suit her mood or outfit by attaching one or more disks with semiprecious stones, flowers cut from pearl, colorful enamel pieces or thousands of other options. Revamp a casual, daytime look into something more elegant for evening by adding diamonds or pearls. Or change the entire piece with a new center stone. The jewelry systems are available in platinum, silver, stainless steel and 18- and 24-karat gold. With pieces priced from $30 to $3,000, there are baubles to accommodate every budget. For something even more sentimental, visit the BRAG kiosks in Fashion Island or The Shops at Mission Viejo, where you can fashion a sterling silver keepsake treasure for Mom with photos of her kids, grandkids, hubby, or favorite pet or wedding day moment. Use any color snapshot with up to five people or animals. Opt to use it as-is or ask the friendly folks at Brag to enhance it with their “burnt cream” or “black licorice” treatment. For as little as $55, walk away with a gift-wrapped, one-of-a-kind locket, or e-mail photography and order it online at www.bragalittle.com. If you can’t bear to leave out a single child or magic moment, pricier options include bracelet sets with up to five charms and an optional prayer box. New this year is a clasp locket that can be opened and closed to change out the photo at any time. Fashionable and feminine Is Mom a fashion plate with decidedly feminine taste? You can’t go wrong with something from Lola Rouge, a fixture on Costa Mesa’s 17th Street since 2002 that opened in Fashion Island, across from Bloomingdale’s, last fall. Known for funky yet sophisticated fashions with an edge, the stores also feature trendy handmade jewelry from Israel, handbags, shoes, undergarments, body items and gifts. Find Gwen Stefani’s hot new clothing line on Lola Rouge racks, and designer fashions by Catherine Malandrino, La Rok, Ginger & Java, and Foley and Corina. Pick up an Old Man River belt studded with rivets and rhinestones for $225 an item that’s been flying off the shelves this season, according to owner Debbie Askew. Also hugely popular is French makeup artist Stephen Marais’ line of cosmetics, available in only six stores in the U.S. For more eccentric wares from around the world, visit Anthropologie in Fashion Island, where you might pick up a rose garden bag with fluttery tonal flowers in chiffon and velour, hand-beaded to a slouchy hobo silhouette ($198). Or opt for an imported birdcage bag inspired by designer Lulu Guinness’ pet parakeet Budgie, who lives in an antique Parisian birdcage ($348). Soaps and spas If you’re feeling creative, purchase a basket at any retail outlet and fill it with playful, eco-friendly goodies from Primal Elements, available at beauty shops and supply stores throughout Orange County. At www.primalelements.com, locate a source near you for the Garden Grove-based manufacturer’s whimsical soaps and candles, made with pure vegetable glycerin and essential oils, and infused with fragrance. Help Mom make bath time sweet with Lollysoaps, candy-colored moisturizing cleansers that resemble all-day suckers ($8). New for spring are such soaps as “Cosmopolitan,” a cool pink bar served in a martini glass; “Lipstick,” with floating lipstick tubes in flirty colors; and “Va-va-voom,” featuring provocative lingerie festooned with red, black and hot pink hearts. Most of the 6.8-ounce bars go for $6.50 to $9.00. Complete your gift basket with an arty candle that glows like stained glass ($6) and Primal Elements’ Lip Plumper, a tingly treatment designed to add moisture and fullness to lips with a pepper derivative ($12). Queried about what she’d like for Mother’s Day, OC lifestyle writer Sheryll Alexander, a mom of two, replies, “I vote for any kind of spa treatment at Spa Gregories, Spa Gaucin or Pacific Waters Spa.” Recently added to OC options for blissful day trysts is Chiari Wellness Spa in Westminster, adjacent to the Seal Beach Naval Station. Most day spas offer gift certificates, and no matter which venue you choose, you’re likely to find packages that include relaxing massages, hydrotherapy, anti-aging treatments, wraps, facials and personal care services. While she waits her turn, Mom can de-stress in the sauna, steam room or Jacuzzi. If you’re lucky enough to have a mom like community activist Charlene Ashendorf, who considers motherhood her greatest gift, you may want to keep your wallet in your pocket when you’re considering a gift for her day in May. “My sons don’t generally care if I smell great,” says the Costa Mesa poet and grant writer. “They certainly don’t want an image of Mom in sexy lingerie, and they know better than to buy me household goodies for Mother’s Day. They know what I treasure and value most is a little TLC.” For this thoughtful mom, that means being honored with T & T (their time in a traditional way), R & R (to be remembered and respected, not just on one Sunday a year, but often) and C & C (a card and a call Hallmark or handmade will do just fine). OCM Melissa Adams heads WordGeisha, Ink. She is a regular OC Metro contributor who welcomes your feedback and ideas for covering the OC retail beat at melissa@wordgeisha.com. Mother’s Day Trivia In 1914, Woodrow Wilson made the official announcement proclaiming Mother’s Day as a national holiday that was to be held each year on the second Sunday of May. According to Hallmark cards, about 96% of American consumers take part in some way in Mother’s Day. Mother’s Day is widely reported as the peak day of the year for long distance telephone calls. Mother’s Day is the busiest day of the year for many restaurants. About twice as many young women were childfree in the year 2000 as in the 1950s (source: Ralph Fevre, The Guardian, Manchester, March 26, 2001). The second Sunday in May is Mother’s Day not only in the U.S. but also in Denmark, Finland, Italy, Turkey, Australia, Belgium and other countries. OCM |
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