Clava Bags Archives - shopping's my cardio

Mom, you’re officially banned from reading this! Move along…

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Anyway. Friends, I’m feeling so behind this year – I can’t believe it’s already nearly Mother’s Day! More importantly, I haven’t nabbed my mom a gift for Mother’s Day yet. So, as I wander the world wide web searching for ideas, I thought I’d share a few of my favorite finds, just in case you’re in the same boat. A note, though: I’m skipping jewelry this year. I feel I’ve tapped that well too many times. Plus, it’s just not hard to find a mom-friendly necklace…you don’t need my help with that.

These gorgeous candles are a collaboration between Jo Malone and the work of legendary interior designer David Hicks. I’m in love with each of the scents, as I always am with Jo Malone fragrances, but it’s really the packaging that shines here. Best of all, they come in a box so beautifully pulled together, gift-wrapping would just be gilding the lily.

{Jo Malone limited edition David Hicks candles, $65 each}

And, as long as we’re talking gorgeous patterns, I’ve fallen pretty hard for Jonathan Adler’s new Carnaby collection. The collection includes mugs and serving trays that are all pretty wonderful, but I’m especially fond of these vases. They’d be particularly lovely presented with a big bunch of peonies or tulips inside.

{Jonathan Adler Carnaby collection vase, $68}

What mom can’t use another tote? These are a couple I’m loving at the moment. The cotton twill is a perfect weekend/market/go-anywhere bag, but that leather travel tote? It’s destined to be your mom’s new favorite…I’m sure of it.

{Jesse Kamm classic tote, $135}

{Clava Bags leather travel tote, $220}

In the category of the sentimental, I love the idea of finding an art print that reminds you of a special memory you and your mom share. For me, a lot of my best memories with my mom are of traveling together. So, I’m thinking of a print that would help us both remember a city we explored on a girls’ trip.

{London or Paris print by Blanca Gomez, $30; Portland, Oregon print by JHill Design, starting at $25}

One of my most treasured possessions is my grandmother’s recipe box. Every sauce-stained card is a dear memory, and the box holds a prize spot in my kitchen. If your mom’s cooking is second to none, I love the idea of surprising her with this gorgeous recipe box, complete with letterpress recipe cards and dividers. It’s a splurge, but it’s not something you replace.

{Charles Fradin letterpress recipe card set & box, $100 ($80 this weekend, with code FRIEND3)}

And of course, if all else fails, beauty products are always a sure hit with moms – they’re often something she’d never treat herself to. The new Citrina fragrance sets from Space NK are a favorite of mine – the clean, light citrus scent is the perfect thing for spring. You can pick up pieces from the line starting at $12 for the beautifully-wrapped glycerin soap (I love the idea of wrapping a trio of them in twine for giving).