I had the BEST mother’s day gift a short time ago; my child was actually born half an hour before Mother’s Day in a rather quick episode (the car was still parked on yellow lines outside the hospital with the baby bag inside as we didn’t get time to park it) and ever since has been my Mother’s Day present.
But you don’t have to go to as much effort as I did to have a special Mother’s Day!
If you’re looking for Mother’s Day gift ideas in all price ranges I’ve shot some beautiful treats – for any budget – grouped into colour themes of peach, pink, green, gold, and lavender, around the theme of ‘Breakfast in bed.’ And, appropriately, I shot it all at – you guessed it – my mother’s house. The chinaware was all her own mother’s.
The Aromatherapy Company’s Sarah Townsend has created this special limited edition Therapy Range for Mother’s Day with a percentage of proceeds going to Mental Health Foundation to support women’s health and wellbeing. Diffusion set $39.99, Hand Cream $17.99, Candle $29.99 available from selected pharmacies, gift stores and department stores and online at www.thearomatherapycompany.co.nz
Below: Mary Doll, childhood heirloom of three generations wearing handknit clothes, sits on Loobie’s Story pink scarf. Loobie’s Story, designed by New Zealand designer Laurinda Sutcliffe, is a range of womenswear inspired by exotic and ethnic locations with beautiful textures and prints. This Berber Neck Warmer is a scarf in softest blush pink to throw around your neck on colder days. See more and where to buy at www.loobiesstory.co.nz
Savar has released this Nourishing Body Lotion, with 99% natural ingredients in time for Mother’s Day. Not only is it nourishing to dry skin with active anti-aging ingredients, it comes in this dressing-table-worthy pretty glass pump bottle. $49 at www.savaronline.com
Gorgeous pinky-nude shades for lips and nails come complete with breakfast in bed-apt titles: Maybelline New York Color Sensational lipstick in Coffee Craze, and essie nail polish in Tea & Crumpets, from Farmers for $22.99. Savar and Loobie’s Story scarf as above.
If your mother is the type to fancy bubbles in bed for breakfast (and I have to admit I empathise with her if she does) then how about these softly-pink treats? Maybelline New York Color Sensation High Shine Lip Gloss in 50 Luminous Latte and Maybelline New York Color Sensational Lipstick in 310 Mochachino, with Deutz Marlborough Cuvee Rose 2008 Methode Traditionelle, around $26.
These cherry blossom print pjs are from Postie so you can conveniently shop instore or from the comfort of your own bed. Eve’s Secret pyjamas also come in a grey leopard print but I like this sweet Japanese-inspired design. Available for around $45 the set, from www.postie.co.nz
Linden Leaves Aromatherapy Synergy rose body oil has a myriad of uses.Of course, you can massage it onto your body to nourish skin, but did you know you can also use it as a bath oil, a cure for cradle cap for babies, as a hair de-frizzing oil, as a perfume oil, and as a shaving oil? Talk about a multi-tasker. Linden Leaves rose body oil is available at nz.lindenleaves.com
Dilmah rose with vanilla tea is sitting pretty on a hand-embroidered fabric breakfast tray made by my Grandmother. Lavender-filled pink rose heart made by me.
Skinfood is a low-priced yet natural alternative to ‘supermarket brands’ – that you can actually buy at the supermarket. They are priced around $3 to $17 for a wide range of botanical-based skincare products, including the Body Butter, Mud & Honey Body Bar, Mud Masque, and Lip Balm pictured here. www.skinfood.co.nz
You can make Mum a cup of tea and let her relax with this hair mask on to treat her locks to an intensive repairing treatment. Schwarzkopf Essence Ultime Omega Repair Intensive Mask $14.99 available from supermarkets and pharmacies.
For sweet dreams, this is the perfect cuppa. Red Seal Sweet Dreams tea with 100% pure herbs to encourage a great night’s sleep, served with the fabulous Auckland-based healthy take-out company Wilder and Hunt’s almond butter on Wilder and Hunt Paleo Soda Bread. www.wilderandhunt.co.nz
This is a cool update on a classic – an Audrey Hepburn photo in a graphic print on a teatowel $15 by Plum Jam Design available from The Market gift website, which stocks gifts from small creative New Zealand businesses. See themarketnz.com
What mother wouldn’t want to unwrap THIS and then reveal beautiful skin? Elizabeth Arden has just released this Ceramide Boosting 5-Minute Facial pack with two steps: step one is a self-foaming mask, and step two is a replenishing serum, to create a spa effect at home. I think this would make a really fun mother-daughter ‘home spa treat day’ where you could put on the mask, paint each others nails, drink bubbly and then replenish your skin with the serum. The mask’s key ingredients are lactic acid and protease enzyme, botanical extracts of bilberry, sugar cane, sugar maple, orange and lemon, targeted peptide, and glycerin. The serum uses Elizabeth Arden’s famous Ceramide Triple Complex enriched with Retinyl Linoleate along with soothing aloe vera and rice kefiran leaves. Ahh, bliss. Hopefully she’ll look so young after this, that strangers will ask if you’re her sister. Ceramide Boosting 5-Minute Facial $165 on Elizabeth Arden counters. www.elizabetharden.co.nz
Elegant pale shades for the dressing table. ORLY nail lacquer in Naked Canvas $24, Schwarzkopf Professional BC Bonacure hairtherapy Q10 Time Restore Treatment available from selected salons nationwide, and L’Oreal Paris Color Riche Le Crayon de Coleur Eye Color Pencil in Charming White, $23.
The UNTOLD beautiful perfume bottle is so elegant I’ve decided it’s the Grace Kelly of the perfume bottle world. Now, UNTOLD eau de parfum has a sister perfume, with the release of UNTOLD Eau Legere, sure to be a new classic for women. It’s a more light-hearted version of UNTOLD, with a new sparkling citrus and floral side with the inclusion of green apple, grapefruit and purple freesia. The edt spray 50ml retails for $101 and 100ml for $119 from Farmers www.farmers.co.nz and all Elizabeth Arden counters from 21st April.
Speaking of new classics…How about these divine Kagi pearls? Designer Kat Gee’s gemstone, crystal, and pearl jewellery is now available at seven MYER counters in Australia, as well as stockists throughout New Zealand, and online at www.kagi.net
Rose and Thorne lingerie is an ideal gift for any woman because it’s got the best fit, and is priced amazingly reasonably at $15 for briefs and $25 for bras, so you can buy her a few pieces at once. Pictured: Rose and Thorne Zig Zag black and white range. Available at The Warehouse and online at www.roseandthorne.co.nz
Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Moisturizer Night $39.99 is formulated with Neutrogena’s fastest ever form of Retinol. And speaking of super Moms, the brand welcomes back that fabulous Mom herself, Modern Family actress Julie Bowen, as their face.
Oxygen Skincare from Nelson has this creamy and yum-smelling hand and body creme with apricot, vanilla and not-so-secret wonder ingredient, organic hops. Available at selected pharmacies and at www.oxygenskincare.co.nz
Nothing beats the biggest selling fragrance in NZ from Ecoya, French Pear, in this mini metro jar candle $25 from www.ecoya.com
Lavender’s blue, dilly dilly…
Aveeno Stress Relief body wash and Moisturising Lotion with lavender, chamomile and ylang-ylang essences to calm and relax. Available at selected pharmacies, supermarkets and department stores.
Lavender blossoms from my mother’s garden. Second-hand chair painted in Karen Walker Resene periwinkle blue.
ORLY nail lacquer in Flawless Flush is the perfect soft lavender shade that’s fresh and modern but not too over-the-top, and it goes with everything with its neutral base.
Karen Murrell is a favourite lipstick brand of mine, which has released a floral bouquet of shades recently including this divine lavender.laughter lipstick. $30 at Farmers, selected pharmacies, and www.karenmurrell.com
Benefit They’re Real Mascara is a now-legendary mascara for lengthening and volumising lashes. Just perfect for those Mother’s Day family photos as it won’t smudge with her tears of joy at your good choice of gifts. Available for $43 at JR/Dutyfree at Auckland Airport, and Smith & Caugheys at Queen Street and Newmarket and online at www.smithandcaugheys.co.nz
Make Mum a delicious brunch. This absolutely gorgeous shiny red kettle is $199 from Russell Hobbs. Bread from OTT bakery Birkenhead, proscuitto from Ghiotti L’Autentico available from delis and supermarkets, and coffee by Roasted Addiqtion.
I love the cool handle on this Russell Hobbs kettle. It’s so chic in its stylish chili red it will brighten up any morning. Why we like it: the kettle has a whisper quiet boil element that allows you to continue to talk at a normal level while it boils instead of having to raise your voice, and it also has a rapid boil concealed element for a fast heat up and easy clean. The push button flip lid and soft grip open handle makes using it easy. For stockists phone 0800 736 776.
This post has made me hungry… I’m off to put the kettle on. Who’s for a cuppa? Happy mother’s day, everyone.
Words and photos Megan Robinson
20th April 2014
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