Mums the WORD for Mother's Day Gifts!

It’s almost Mother’s Day and you haven’t gotten her a card–much less a gift. Skip the chocolates and the flowers –unless you are going high end  like Bodega or gorgeous arrangements from Calyx and Corolla.  By now, there isn’t a lot left and the "impress" factor has got to be part of the gift.

Here are some great ideas for Mom that might be able to be given on Mother’s Day or at least ordered and  give her that extended anticipation and thrill when the gift does arrive via UPS or USPS.

From Charlotte Tarantola— the ultimate California lifestyle designer– is this adorable Fiesta cardigan paired with her basic cami and skirt. These are all pieces that can be mixed out with other items in her wardrobe. Available at Nordstrom  and Nordstrom.com as well as local boutiques.

TailBait tops are ADORABLE!! From the tees to the camis, they are so perfect for spring and summer weather. The cami even has interchangeable jewelry straps that  take care of the "bra strap" problem.
Checkout Tailbait.com for the store near you or order online.

Dooney & Bourke has the  "perfect" summer tote. This canvas bag features awning stripes in a variety of colors (pink is featured here) with a rope handle and a single interior pocket. It’s a casual piece that can take her from errands to the beach and back! Dooney &Bourke stores. http://www.dooney.com,, Nordstrom

CellKeeper is the niftiest way of hanging onto your cell  (or Ipod)when you are traveling light. Presented in a variety of styles and fabrics (shown here is the metallic collection in a variey of sherbert hues), some styles even double as a wallet. It’s a great gift for someone who doesn’t want to tote that handbag all day and just sling the cell over their shoulder rather than sitting on it. http://www.cellkeeper.com

Physician Endorsed has a great collection of hats featuring true SPF protection against UVA and UVB rays. With great fabrics, colors and styles, you can buy mom a fab hat she could wear to the pool and pair it with a matching tote and no one would know that she’s got sun protection too. It’s fashion with a serious purpose– as well as a great gift. Find stores at http://www.physicianendorsed.com/

Purse Brite Organizer  is the perfect solution to lost keys, missing sunglasses, and sorting out the myriad of items that accumulate in a mom’s handbag. It’s hard to believe that the solution can be this easy but Purse Brite molds to fit any size handbag and has 10 pockets to store any and all items plus it illuminates to make finding keys  (or cell phones) a snap. Its the perfect organizer for any woman and would work in a briefcase too. Find stores near you at http://www.getpursebrite.com

Silver Spoon Vintage Jewelry is a  hot new line of jewelry isn’t really new but based on true vintage style because the designer finds those "one of a kind" vintage sterling pieces that she reconfigures into jewelry, watches, necklaces, rings and boxes. What’s great about this line is that it’s truly unique. Each piece is vintage and isn’t duplicated– so you are giving the special woman in your life something just like her– irreplaceable, a one-of-a-kind piece that’s absolutely gorgeous.  For orders or to find stores near you, http://www.silverspoonjewelry.com/home_public.html

If the special lady in your life likes her jewelry –and her life– with a bit more whimsy and sass, then Gehazi Collections Jewelry is perfect for her. This  line is about to "explode" in popularity courtsey of the MAH JONGG jewelry.The line features Mah Jongg tiles as key elements in earrings, necklaces, bracelets,  bookmarks and more for the sheer fun of it. Paired with crystals and silver stations, these pieces are sure to be noticed and are fun to wear. The Chocolate Mint Mah Jongg bracelet (shown top)  features tiles and crystals  that offer a more "laid back" feel. The  Red Dragon Bracelet done in white tiles and red crystals is a popular piece (shown above). Her Coral Wrap Bracelet (shown below ) is one of her other pieces that reflects more of the designer’s fashion style as she works with semi-precious, crystals, silver and gold to create unique jewelry pieces that are sure to please. Order online at  http://www.gehazi.com/

For "fashionista" type moms, there’s a great selection of clothing options out there.

Stella McCartney for Adidas (prices vary from $80-250)  is a collection fashionable athletic footwear, apparel and accessories specifically designed for that athletic yet chic woman by McCartney.


Jutta Neumann Leather Handbags (prices vary from $200-340)

ACME MADE laptop bag ($120-$250) small to medium sized totes in an array of fabrics and patterns. Available at FrontRunners which is a one-of-a-kind multi-brand performance and trend-athletic footwear, apparel and accessories retailer on LA’s Westside. www.frontrunners77.com for store hours (and yes they are open on Sunday!!) and telephone numbers.

Gina B International Bags do double duty as lap-top bags and uber chic totes that will simplify your life. Think of them as an option for a new mom too who has a lot of stuff to carry for baby. They are done in leather with classic styling featuring lovely details.

The Bellisima comes in lavendar & chocolate or chocolate & black done in genuine leather with lots of pockets and storage for a 15" laptop.

Gina B’s Capriccio is my "fave" bag in her collection. It’s way cool and transcends the typical look of business bags and shows off a style that’s as trendsetting as it is functional. It comes in white and black (live dangerously–get the white)  and show off sensational style from day to night. www.ginabinternational.com for online purchases or a store near you!

Remember bean bag chairs and how popular they were (and have been on and off for the last 20+years..)? Well they are back again but with a much better design and a lot more useable size and fabrication courtesy of  SUMO LOUNGE.   These cool new lounge pillows come in a rainbow of hues and are more rectangular shaped so that one person can sprawl across it or it can accommodate 2 people easily. It’s easily reshaped to make  it fit your space (and body) a bit better.  The  OMNI is the big lounge pillow. The  OTTO  is the ottoman that can be used as a chair or a foot stool. These are so fun and they are perfect when you want to lay about and watch movies or  have company and need more seating. Check them out online for stores near you at http://www.sumolounge.com .

Sometimes I believe in immediate indulgence and other times I go for the "delayed gratification". I am a huge champagne fan and to me, savoring a great bottle is a huge treat. I have some bottles stashed away right now waiting for the right moment. Soon to join that collection  is the  LAURENT PERRIER BRUT MILLESIME 1997   which features equal parts Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for a most unique taste. It’s a superb blend and has origins in the finest vineyards in France. This amazing champagne is a great gift for a woman who appreciates the finer things in life and buying a bottle (or two) as a gift would definitely be a worthy offering to commemorate the importance of a special woman in your life. Available at fine liquor stores and wine merchants nationwide, get a couple bottles (at the very least) and stash them for some important or spontaneously great occasion. Retail is about $60.00.

Want to add a little "spice" to that champagne? Add a splash of PAMA Pomegranite Liquer to that glass of bubbly for a blushing champagne drink with a zesty taste that includes a dash of anti-oxidants to the mix . ( I just had to add that "health" benefit into the mix.)

Wishing you moms out there a great day and happy shopping y’all

That’s the LA Story

Stevie

LA Story.

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