things i love // mama loves you
I can’t really believe it’s mid April. I mean, the snow out my window surely doesn’t help set my seasonal context, but even so, this time of year just flies by. The settling in of true springtime means that my ‘baby’ is about to turn 9 [gasp, sob], that things will be bursting from the ground every day [hooray] AND that it’s almost Mother’s Day. I am SO lucky for so many reasons to have my own mom just across town and we’ve already made a brunch reservation for the big day. Like, at a restaurant. Okay, outside the restaurant, but still. The idea of sitting outside in the beautiful sunshine with my family while someone else brings me food is almost too much to think about. We haven’t been out for more than a year and I’m SO excited (thank you vaccines + science). I couldn’t dream of a better way to spend the day.
Growing up, our Mother’s Day tradition included going to the local nursery and picking out TONS of annuals to plant in the yard. It’s the gift my mom always chose, both the sunny flowers and the beautiful time spent planting them together, especially as we got older and more, um, *independent.* It was a super sweet way to spend the day, digging in the dirt as a family. There are as many ways to make a mama feel special as there are mamas in the world. Gifts of your time are always heartfelt and sweet, but if that’s not possible or you want to add another layer, I am sharing a few more ideas this week. I’ve already peppered you with some gems in weeks past, from pretty handmade notebooks to gorgeous olive oil to stunning glassware, so it might also be worth a trip down Things I Love memory lane for some other goodies. And if you still need some more tailored ideas, reach out, I’m totally here for you, lovelies. xo
Is there a better way to honor the beautiful variety of mamas in you life than by supporting a super innovative and gorgeous multi-generational family business based out of Tuscany? I’m thinking no. UASHMAMA makes stunning, refined and stylish bags and home goods from their own painstakingly developed washable paper. Yep, you heard me, WASHABLE PAPER. It’s so cool. It has the elevated look of well-loved leather, but with a relaxed Italian vibe and is completely sustainable. Their range of goods ensures that there’s something for everyone from classic totes and sweet little cross-bodies to placemats and wine bags. They also have a perfect collection of accessories that would make any gal (or guy!) swoon, plus their signature product, the Paper Bag. These genius little vessels come in a wide range of sizes and can be used to store or display anything from plants to toys to office supplies to cotton balls. I have given the littlest ones as a pretty wrapping for a gift card that can be reused for tiny treasures. Between the gorgeous metallics, the refined woven collection and the super classic designs, you’re sure to find a treasure for all of your favorite mamas.
// UASHMAMA PAPER BAGS from $10 //
One of my most prized possessions is a brass Canopy Mobile from Austin-based Circle & Line that was gifted to me a few Mother’s Days ago by my own sweet mom. I love it so much I designed my whole living room around it. For real. Circle & Line Design hand-fabricates stunning mobiles and wall hangings, combining ‘simple’ shapes into complex and elegant art pieces. They just launched two new colors, bronze and violet gray, both equally soft and graceful (I also LOVE the green). I gifted a Reflect Wall Hanging to my SIL for the holidays and she found the perfect nook for it in her house; it just instantly elevated the space, adding beautiful interest and movement. Circle & Line also recently launched a collaboration with Design Within Reach, introducing Treble and Bass, two mobiles that are suitable for hanging both indoors and out. Circle & Line’s collection is so classic and elegant it would look right at-home in lots of different spaces and would make a very special gift for a very special mama.
// CIRCLE & LINE from $150 //
Nopalera is a stunning artisan natural beauty brand designed to celebrate the richness of Latina culture and the beauty of Mexico. The child of immigrants, founder Sandra Lilia Velasquez, was inspired by the nopales that were abundant around her childhood home near the CA-MX border. The nopal cactus is a highly sustainable + resilient crop and super nourishing, making it the ideal foundation for each of Nopalera’s super natural products. The nopal they use is all wild-harvested and the company’s packaging is reusable or recyclable, though I don’t know why you’d want to throw away any of the AMAZING packaging. I want to wallpaper my dining room with it. Yes, I am a bit biased given my lifelong passion for Mexican Folk Art, but I’m pretty sure it’s objectively stunning.
The dreamy Cactus Flower Exfoliant is colored with achiote seeds and has a super subtle tangerine scent perfect for warmer days. I’m also super intrigued by the Moisturizing Botanical Bar that’s used in place of lotion. The unique ingredients are designed for maximum hydration and literally melt into your skin as you rub the bar across all of your dry bits. And then there are the Cactus Soaps, shaped like the beautiful nopal itself. Any of these gorgeous products would make a lovely gift on there own, but combine them all and you have yourself a REALLY special gift for any mama who could use a little self-care.
// NOPALERA from $14 //
Even if you can’t go to the nursery with your mom to pick out plants together, The Sill makes it super easy to send them to her instead. They have lovely brick + mortar shops now in NYC, LA and SF, but The Sill’s online plant delivery business is hopping and for good reason. They ship high-quality house plants in chic pots all around the country. Tending to plants brings people closer to nature, which can help them feel calm + happy, so in addition to giving them something beautiful to look at, you’ll also be nurturing their soul. It doesn’t get much better than that. You can choose your favorite for a one-time gift or order a subscription to have a plant a month sent to your favorite plant mom. Depending on how dirty you want your recipients hands to get, you can choose to include potting soil for a more DIY approach or have it totally display-ready. The Sill also has really pretty skincare, candles and wellness gifts to add on for a complete mind-body boost (Brooklyn-based Palermo Body’s products are really gorgeous + squeaky clean).
If the mamas you love like to get their hands MUCH dirtier than potting a sweet house plant, consider a subscription to Urban Organic Gardener’s Seed Club or Seed Bank Box, both of which will send your green thumb high-quality, non-GMO and in many cases organic or heirloom seeds each month. Some are even super rare, giving them bragging rights and exposing your seasoned gardener to something unexpected and new.
// THE SILL from $21 //
They say that necessity is the *mother* of invention, which makes SKiVY’s Femme founder, Kelly Degnan, mama to both lovely human children AND brilliant ideas. How many times have you been puttering around your house in your pjs, sans bra, and had the doorbell ring or your kiddo’s buddy pop by unannounced, leaving you scrambling to get “the girls” saddled up and ready for company? It’s def a thing and Kelly wanted to solve it with grace and style. So she invented SKiVYs, a loungewear line designed to take you seamlessly from bed to school drop-off to WFH without having to worry about your mom parts hanging out. Her soft and stylish dresses have a specially-designed built-in bra that’s made for both comfort and function, leaving you looking put together and ready for the day while still feeling insanely comfy. With four styles to choose from, there’s sure to be one that suits your favorite mama. The Godess Gown looks super flattering and has pockets for function, while the Slip Dress would be amazing for steaming hot days and nights. It’ll be so tough to decide, but I have faith in you. Use AFLUTTER15 at checkout for 15% off your purchase.
// SKIVVY’S FEMME GODDESS GOWN $78 //
Ok, yes, this is supposed to be all about mamas, but I couldn't resist this and besides, mom wouldn't be mom without her precious offspring, right? This mommy + me collab from Hedley & Bennett x Rifle Paper Co is so pretty and cute that I just had to share. Hedley & Bennet is THE gold standard in aprons for both industry and home chefs. Combine their quality and styling with Rifle’s always-lovely and feminine floral prints and you get such a sweet match. They made one for mama and one for your favorite little sous chef for just the perfect set. I love the springy Herb Garden and Rosa prints. If the mamas you love aren’t moved by florals, there are also some really pretty, classic solids that are equally lovely, or you can mix & match with your cutie little kitchen helper. How cute is that?
// HEDLEY & BENNETT APRONS from $45 //