This may seem like a bit of a strange gift suggestion idea but for my family it actually works really well. First off Righteous Felon Craft Jerky is really good quality Jerky. If you go to their about pages you can not only read about how they source clean ingredients with no added hormones. In addition you can also check out the 44 Roseda Farms where their beef is sourced. I am a big fan of knowing where things originate, especially with food.
In addition to being well sourced, it is absolutely delicious.
Beef Jerky has always been one of my favorite snack items. I know, it is kind of amusing since as a rule I don’t actually eat a lot of beef. I like it, but it is a once in a while treat not an everyday or even every week sort of meal for me. It never really has been.
But I love my beef jerky.
During the week I will have a bag and portion out a few pieces here and there as an afternoon snack. It has great protein and it really takes so little to make me feel like I had a really big snack.
At this time of year though, i stock up for road snacks. While the gas station stop is inevitable because no matter what people snacks I take with me, the car still needs to fuel up too. But having good snacks in the car means that i am not stocking up on some not so great for me snacks when we pause to feed the car.
And as my family is scattered, I am not the only one with a road trip both before and after a holiday. These make the perfect stocking stuffers as I can order a large pack and split it out depending on who likes what. There are flavors to suit pretty much every taste. I am partial to the Darth Garlic and the Habanero Escobar. My babydoll loves the Voodoo Chile (that one is slightly too spicy for me which means he gets the bag to himself which makes him happy).
If you are going on a road trip or have family that is traveling for the holidays this is a great addition to the holiday gift giving, or personal stash. It is also great for those who just enjoy good quality Beef Jerky. While the image here is from the large variety pack that lets you sample all of their varieties, they have many different packs this year, some single variety for those who know exactly what they like. And for those who don’t want the beef jerky party to end, they offer subscriptions as well. That’s right jerky that arrives like magic upon your doorstep for all of your snacking needs.
Well, maybe the subscription isn’t magic. but it kind of feels like it.
For me, it is a great high protein weekday snack and a fabulous road trip supply to stock up on. At this time of year, Righteous Felon also becomes an amazing stocking stuffer.
I have this tendency to remember Bold Loft only around Valentines day. Don’t get me wrong, they make fantastic Valentine’s day gifts. But they also make great gifts for those you love year round.
Their designs are clean looking and most of them are done in black and white with just a hint of red in the hearts. There are actually solid colors available this year. i saw some blue pillows that would actually suit my bedroom really well and might be in an upcoming purchase as we do a little New Year’s Bedroom Refresh.
Bold Loft has large body pillows like the one featured in this photo (left). The case is 54 x 20 inches (135 x 50 cm) and fits most standard sized body pillows. I think that new pillow cases are a fantastic way to just refresh the bedroom and make it look bright and new. (plus the case doesn’t take up a lot of space which nit a lot of décor items can claim. For me it is nice to have items like this that I can trade in and out. I also don’t have a lot of storage space, so something simple like a change of decorative pillow cases really works for me. Personally, I am partial to the I love you to the Stars and back line. There are however many different ones to choose from, all featuring the general theme of love.
If you are looking for regular sized pillow cases instead of body pillows, Bold Loft has you covered as well. They do have the classic white as well, but I thought I would put the solid colors up so you could see the difference in the designs.
My bedroom has three light blue walls and one dark blue feature wall. The headboard on our bed is a soft gray. I am still in negotiations with my babydoll on the duvet cover. We have very different tastes. So finding something we both like has been an interesting (and ongoing) challenge. We both have items that we each had in our own places before we moved in together so we trade them out periodically. For reference as to how on going this is, we combined households in 2010.
Admittedly we have moved about five times since then. Slowly the things we each had are starting to wear out and when they do we come together and buy something we both like. We actually find it easier to wait until things wear out and then begin the debate. With bedding we are actually reaching the breaking point as we have slowly been wearing things out. However with the bedding it is only the sheets and coverlet my babydoll cares about. He has no interest in pillows or pillow cases, which is why I tend to lean into these form Bold Loft.
Which is probably way more about the inner workings of my home then you probably wanted to know. But these pillow cases take up very little space in my linen closet. And they ae an easy decorative item that can be changed out when needed and are easy to just throw into the wash with the rest of the lanudry.
If however bedding isn’t on your todo list, I recommend the mug sets. While many of them are specific for couples and celebrate things like valentines day and weddings, many of them are just little reminders that someone is loved. As I have always lived at a far distance from large swaths of my family, I am partial to the themes of love over a distance, like the Love has no Distance on the right or the I love you to the moon and back featured on the left. These twelve ounce stoneware ceramic mugs are dishwasher and microwave safe.
Again I personally like all of the simple, clean line drawings that are used for illustrations. There are many other gifts and gift sets available on Bold Loft. From superhero themed t-shirts, glasses, and other sets. I find them fun and a nice celebration of love. While you can go onto the site and search by type of item, there is also a menu that lists the items by event: wedding, anniversary, valentines day and long distance gifts.
Honestly, I think they make great anytime gifts. After all why should telling someone you love be seasonal? While I tend to lean more towards Bold Loft for Valentines day, their sets make great Christmas gifts and lovely items to simply refresh your home for the new year. it is well worth taking a look.
This year Sol de Janeiro has several gift sets that I think are well worth looking into. I will admit i am partial yo the original Brazilian Bum Bum cream over the others. They all work well, it is just a scent thing. The original Bum bum cream smells a bit like buttered popcorn and I personally think it is just fantastic.
The scent does fade but it is prominent. I will say that while my babydoll likes the scent well enough, he is partial to the scent of Beija Flor scent when i use that one. He always tells me he likes my perfume when I have just finished applying the Beija Flor Body lotion. It is a delicate scent that is lovely, but fades pretty quickly when you are using the body lotion. I have not tried the body spray so I can’t speak to that, but if it smells like the cream, I wouldn’t mind having the scent around longer. I find both to be fabulous scents.
In this year’s gift sets, both of these scents feature prominently. The Bum Bum Beats Gift set (Pictured above) is , as the name suggests, focused on the Bum Bum Cream scented products. The Bum Bum Cream is a really good hydrating formula and I have to say even though it is meant to make sure your Bum looks smooth and tight, I have found it works really well to help do a little tightening of the skin on my belly. As I am starting to lose weight there are some stretchmarks. Those I will happily except as the weight goes down. However there is some loose skin that i really don’t care for. When I use this cream on a routine basis, that skin tightens up and there is less loose skin, which I really like. It isn’t magic of course, it is skin care and it does require routine applications (but it doesn’t require a lot so one large size of this cream lasts a really long time.
I know, it is designed for lovely ladies looking fab in bikinis. It also works well for middle aged ladies trying to whittle down their body mass. I know, it makes for a less exciting advertising campaign, but it is a fantastic cream. In addition to the Bum Bum Cream, this set also comes with the body scrub. I tried a small travel size of the body scrub and really enjoyed it. It was an excellent exfoliator and had the same buttered popcorn scent in the shower. The scent faded, but the smooth skin remained. I haven’t tried the other items in the set, but those two are very worth picking up.
If you don’t want the full set there is the Boldly Rio Duo Set to try. It has the super Fab Bum Bum cream and is paired with the perfume Sol Cheirosa ’62 from the brand. I am actually tempted by this set. I haven’t tried the scent but the description sounds like it is right up my alley…
Mouthwatering notes of salted caramel, vanilla bean, and rich almond make for an absolutely unforgettable first impression, while deeper golden sandalwood and pistachio notes round out and intensify the scent for a long-lasting fragrance experience.
Seriously, even if I don’t go for this set, I am pretty sure that scent is going to be in my test out list for the new year. Its the caramel and almond that gets me. And I will never say no to anything with pistachio.
But that is beside the point. The sets look nice.
If the Beija Flor is more in your scent zone, there is a Beija Flor Duo Set for that as well this year. It has the Elasti-cream which uses a vegan collagen and feels fantastic on the skin. It also comes with a matching body spray.
The final gift set Sol de Janeiro has featured this year is the Radiant Rhythm Gift Set. This set features the warm floral Cheirosa 40 fragrance in the products. I have not tried this scent yet. While a part of me wants to pick it us so that I could try it, I will probably gravitate back to the original Bum Bum cream and the Sol perfume to try this year. I just really like that scent and the feel(and use) of the original cream. I do like that the brand has branched out of the original scent though. It means there is more for everyone to try and as much as I do love the original, I will be looking to try out some of the scents i haven’t gotten to use in the upcoming year. It is just a good brand, with a great line of products. I just need to remind myself that they sell more than just the Bum Bum Cream.
I have tried a lot of Wander Beauty products and there are quite a few I really like. Pictured above are some of the favorites in my collection. The Staycation mask is really good for hydration (no surprise there) and is something I turn to routinely in the wintertime. If you are interested in a more fulsome review, it featured on a Face mask Friday post a while back and you can read about it here. The Do Not Disturb Overnight Repair Concentrate was a part of my Skincare routine from July 2nd – September 3rd, 2021And I liked it enough to pick up a second one. In fact I pulled it out of my skin care drawer because I need to rotate a night mask into my current routine and I will be adding this in. The baggage claim Eye masks are long term faves and this, my last set, will be slipped into my travel bag before i leave for Thanksgiving and reordered once I return.
Wander Beauty also offers a 24 piece variety pack ($75) this set includes not only the Limited Edition Festive Fuchsia Baggage Claim Masks but the original gold and the rose gold sets as well.
Whatever color you use they all are fabulous. they are light weight and stay in place well so if you want to put them on while getting things done around the house they are easy to wear and you don’t have to worry about them slipping. Last year my mother and each wore a set while wrapping Christmas gifts. And then after got dressed for the holiday gathering. (where we handed out the presents we just wrapped, timing slipped a little last year).
They are great for a pre makeup ritual and they really help to depuff the eyes which is why they are onw of the products I keep around for allergy season. Actually during allergy season i like to put them on and then while they sit I will lightly roll over them with a jade roller. It pushes more of the serum in and the coolness of the stone is also beneficial to allergic eyes. So for me the larger pack is always a good idea. I like the way they feel and I love that they don’t leave any sticky residue on the skin when you peel them off.
The eye masks also feature this year in the Wander X Tenoverten Mask and Mani Set ($46). With this set you get six of the original gold Baggage Claim under eye masks and three nail polishes from TenoverTen. The colors are R&R (Soft Pink), First Class (Metallic Gold) and Soirée (Berry). I have tried the Ten over Ten top coat called Outlast. It is designed to make the polish chip resistant and I found it to be a really good quality top coat. i have never actually tried any of their nail polishes before. If they work as good as the top coat then I would consider this a very good deal. Each of their nail polishes retails for $12 on their own and the masks are a $26 value so you you get over $60 worth of product for the price.
I think that is one of the things that I really like about Holiday Bundles in general. You can get long time favorite products, try new things and get a great deal into the bargain.
Of course not all of the Holiday Bundles from Wander Beauty are about the under eye masks. (I just go through so many of them that I gravitate there first). One of the sets that really interests me this year is the Skincare essentials set. it is a Duo of the Drift Away Cleanser and the Dive in Moisturizer. I have never tried either product actually. I know I love the Do Not Disturb Overnight treatment so I am pretty sure the Dive In moisturizer would work well for me too, but if I am honest I am most interested in trying out the Drift Away Cleanser. It is a gel to foam cleanser that is supposed to provide the effect of a double cleanse without stripping the skin.
You know I love a double cleanse. And the few cleansers I have tried that have been gel to foam or cream to foam have been transitions I really like because the initial form (gel or cream) really lets me see where i put the cleanser so i can make sure i have in fact covered my whole face and am washing everything. I know that sounds a little strange, but I am not at my best first thing in the morning and the visual cue is helpful. I’m better after coffee, but still I like the transformative cleansers. I’m actually using a cream to foam cleanser at the moment.
Which I suppose it just long way round to say that I like this bundle.
They also have non skin care bundles this holiday season. Two of them caught my eye. The first is the Double Date Mini Lip and Cheek Set ($25). There are six mini lip and cheek products which is all of their lip and cheek shades plus the new release Spring Fling. I love this set for several reasons. One I would get to try every shade Wander Beauty has of the Lip and Cheek Creams. That right there is a bonus. i mean how often do you get to try out an entire lines worth of shades in one set?
Also I have really been liking cream blushes lately. the ones I like give me a great deal of control with blending and pigmentation level. (Of course the ones i don’t like provide a degree of angst, but that is the way with every product). I have been eying the Wander Beauty Double Date Creams for a while trying to decide which color suits me. And the ones that don’t work as Blushes on me look like they would be fab as lip products. And I will never say no to lip products. there is also something aesthetically appealing about the clear plastic rounds. Youi can see the product at a glance so you can quickly pick the shade you want and honestly they just look attractive. Plus, you know I already wanted to try them. Sort of a no brainer that I’d like it.
Of course you can’t forget the mascara. I have to say I am amused by this next bundle. It is the Eye-tinerary mascara Duo ($35). I have tried both mascaras and liked them both. They are just both good products. Personally I like the Unlashed a little bit more. I like the curved wand and if I had to pick i will generally go for volume over lengthening in a mascara. If I can get both great, but if not I will lean towards volume. So of course I go for the Unlashed which is a volumizing mascara. My cousin on the other hand loves length and absolutely adores the Mile High Club Mascara. Unsurprisingly, it has great lengthening properties.
So we predictably disagree on which mascara is the best. I know as far as serious debates go it doesn’t hold a candle to anything but when others get into more heated arguments about far more important (and family damaging) disagreements the debate between length and volume has served to break up the tension.(And when it doesn’t works there always the Smurfs Vs. Snorks debate to fall back on for diffusing tempers, admittedly that debate might show my age a bit). Regardless, I find it amusing to see both mascaras in the same bundle. I also think it is a great deal as both are in fact really good mascaras.
If you just want to try the Wander Beauty Mascaras without committing to a full sized tube they also have a trio of mini mascaras ($35) It has both the Unlashed and the Mile High Club as well as the Upgraded Lashes thickening Mascara. I have not tried that one so I can’t speak to it, but the other two are fantastic.
There are other Holiday sets available this year from Wander Beauty and honesty they all look well worth the price. these are just the ones that caught my eye. If you are looking to try items from the brand, stock up on favorites or seek out gifts for the skin care or makeup loving family member, there are several items on the Wander Beauty Holiday Sets page well worth looking into.
Tis the season of snacking. It is also the season of guests, both expected and unexpected. Most of my family is scattered around the world at this point. Travel is always interesting. Some sections of my family will skip a year of traveling, staying home and communicating through the electronic ether instead of in person and then plan a huge trip with multiple stops along the way to grandma’s house.
It means that starting, well, about now, we will get phone calls about people passing through our area. A lot of my family seems to book flights to major airports and then rent cars to just meander and catch whoever they can on the way. My house is located along the way to a lot of places it seems so we will have people staying a night in the guest room or just stopping by for an hour. Sometimes we get family dropping by for coffee and maybe a snack, other times lunch, dinner and those strange in between times that are neither.
Which means we always have snacks and the makings of a quick cheese board, veg plate and possible charcuterie on hand. With the veg plate I always have two dips on hand for those who don’t do meat or dairy – it is my excuse to make fresh hummus as much as possible. And if they give some advance notice, my favorite battered and fried mushrooms, but that is a different post.
One of my favorite places to stock up is igourmet. During much of the year i will order cheeses from them simply because I like cheese and they have a really good selection of things I can’t find near me (They have a truffle cheese that is fantastic. They sell out a lot, so I sort of stalk the website lying in wait). My babydoll loves their sausages so we often pick a few of those up as well. And while we shop one cheese or sausage at a time when it is just us, we also make lists of our favorites as well as lists of who might be stopping by (No surprise that my family leans heavily towards the cheese board while his leans more towards the sausage).
Sometimes we will order a long list, but often times it is actually easier to order a couple of their gift baskets. The one pictured at the top of the post is their International Snacking Extravaganza box in case you are wondering. Out of this box I have tried the Sweet Sangria olives and absolutely love them. They can really add a great dimension to a simple bowl of snacks. I adore olives, as do many of my relatives and there is usually a bowl of marinated ones out. I make one that has lemon and rosemary in it. These Sangria ones are just easier to buy. They have sweet slightly fruity notes that blend really well with the briny olive and always disappear fast. The brine is a fantastic twist on a dirty martini as well.
Also included in this box is Righteous Felon Jerky. While the Victorious B.I.G. is good, I have to confess my favorite is the Darth Garlic That one and Voodoo Chile are the two we order a lot. The Voodoo is a little too spicy for me but my babydoll loves it. And if we order both then we each get our own bag and i don’t have to share the Darth Garlic.
But beef jerky is another post.
Gift Boxes from iGourmet are a great way to stock up on a variety of items for incoming guests. They also make great gifts. They have boxes that focus on locales like France or Germany. They have cheese centric boxes, charcuterie centric boxes, even a box completely focused on nuts, appropriately named The Nut Case. There are bundles of olive oils or even Barbeque Sauces available. In essence you can find pretty much anything for the food, wine or beer lover on your list.
And to be honest something like the Ultimate Party Collection not only makes a great gift, but can really help you out when you know you have multiple people stopping by and don’t have a lot of time to source a lot of different things. At this time of year, it can be a life saver just to know you have something on hand for whoever ends up stopping by.
Wheter gifting or stocking up for company, iGourmet is well worth checking out this holiday season.
I’m sure if you have read my posts for any length of time you will have realized that I love to garden. And while I simply do love to garden, I also find that it helps me with my weight loss. I know the activity part is helpful, but once the summer fades and the garden is munched over for the winter, the physical activity is minimal.
Where gardening mostly helps me, is in the kitchen. If you have ever watched a lot of cooking shows then you have probably heard the phrase fat is flavor. Sadly this is true, however you know what else has flavor? Herbs and spices.
For me fresh herbs especially make something potentially very bland feel somewhat decadent, especially in the cold winter months. Think about rice, Plain old boiled white rice. On it’s own not so flavor packed. It is a blank canvas, usually to spoon something dripping with sauce on to. However, a little bit of chopped cilantro and a squeeze of lemon mixed in and it becomes a little less boring.
When you are trying to loose weight food can feel dull and flavorless. Everything it seems is taken out in the name of calorie reduction. Fat is removed, salt is removed, sugar is banned and sauces are kept to a minimum. For me fresh herbs are just a fantastic way to bring back some of that flavor. And in the winter I rely on indoor gardening. The herb bundles of fresh herbs you can get in our grocery over the winter are usually very pricy for what you get and the herbs are not always the best quality. They look like they sat in their little plastic boxes for far too long. which they probably have.
So I like to keep a few potted plants around to not only cut costs but because having plants around makes me happy. In addition if they are there I feel obligated to use them which in turn makes my dishes taste better without adding a lot of calories. The calories you add from fresh herbs is minimal. It is surprising how much fresh basil you can get on the plate for only three calories.
If you are looking to start an indoor garden this winter, or have a gardener on your gift buying list, Botanical Interest is a place you might want to check out. You can order their seed catalogs for free from the site, or just order directly from the site. They have all sorts of articles and tips if you are starting your own indoor garden. I found this one particularly interesting.
And for easy shopping they now have gift bundles available. They have the chef’s herb garden for a general array of the more classics cooking herbs. There is a bundle for those who want to grow vegetables in containers. There is even a bundle for those simply obsessed with chilie peppers.
these bundles are well thought out collections and a great way to start your own indoor garden, help someone else on their way to gardening or surprise your gardener in the family with something unexpected in their Christmas stocking. I really like these bundles and actually ordered the Butterfly Banquet Bundle for my mother this year. She has this one space in her yard that the plants included in the bundle will fill out nicely and with luck attract butterflies in the spring. which I know will make her happy to see well after the holiday decorations are put away and hopefully for several years to come. And that Makes Botanical Interests a great place to visit when filling out your holiday gift list.
We have reached the end of the pre Mother’s day gift guide posts. While there are many more things available than what I have listed, I have listed a few that caught my eye as I was doing my own shopping. And for my final one I am listing Herbal Dynamic Beauty and their gift sets.
Oh before I forget they have a 25% off code: MOTHER25. You can use that on the gift sets or on regular purchases.
I know this is about gift sets, but really I would be remiss if I did not suggest that mask as a possible gift idea. It is just such a fantastic mask to have in your skincare arsenal. It feels good on the skin and when you use it, you skin feels fantastic. However the real magic comes later. the mask works to draw out deeply clogged pores and bring them to the surface so you can clear them out. This means the day following the mask use you end up with more break outs that need to be cleared away. I like to use this a week before I need my skin to look it’s best for an event. I’ll take a weekend home, use it on a Friday afternoon and spend the weekend clearing away what gets drawn to the surface and then hit the following week with extra fabulous skin.
While it is an amazing gift, there are skin care gift sets for mothers day as well. One of my favorites is the set of Hydrating Recovery essentials. Usually $74 it is currently on sale for $54, It includes: YOUTH REFRESH® HYDRATING STRAWBERRY ANTIOXIDANT CLEANSER, CLEAN & CALM® COOLING CUCUMBER EYE CREAM, and YOUTH REFRESH® HYALURONIC ACID & OAT OVERNIGHT RECOVERY MASK.
I would purchase this solely for the Hyaluronic Acid and Oat Overnight mask. No shade to the other products (as I haven’t tried them) but that overnight mask is fantastic. I applied it over night and the next morning my skin was hydrated and many of my fine lines flitted away in the night. Admittedly you have to keep using it or the wicked little lines return, but it was a nice way to wake up.
The second set I would look into is the Anti Aging Heroes set. I know, getting someone something called anti-aging as a gift might send the wrong message but these are really nice products. Maybe you could just term it The fabulous skin set instead if you choose to pick this one up. Usually it retails for $66 but is now on sale for $55. It includes the YOUTH REFRESH® HYDRATING HYALURONIC ACID SERUM, YOUTH REFRESH® PRICKLY PEAR ANTIOXIDANT DAILY FACE MOISTURIZER, and the VIVID REVIVAL® VITAMIN K CONTOURING EYE CREAM. Of these three the only one I have tried is the Hyaluronic Acid serum. It is something I have purchased at least twice since I first tried it. It is a fabulous addition to any skincare line.
Whether you are looking for sets or singular items, Herbal Dynamics beauty is a great place to check out for Mother’s day gifts. And don’t forget, you can get 25% off with the code MOTHER25. Happy shopping.
As this is the season where gardening sort of takes over my life for a while, I know you have heard me mentioning my planting. Gardening is a family passion shared by generations of my family. Growing up we moved around a lot. Some of the places we lived were houses and had spaces for gardens and others were apartments. All of the apartments had window boxes and hanging plants in any window that could catch the sun. My grandparents sacrificed part of their back porch to build on a green house. So in my family plants and gardening supplies are always good gift ideas and this year Botanical Interests has several that are well worth taking a look at.
The first that caught my eye is the Microgreens collection. Priced at only $18.50 this collection includes: Microgreens Ciao Bella Basil Blend Organic, Microgreens Jazzy Mix, Microgreens Mellow Blend Organic, Microgreens Sunflower Organic, Microgreens Upland Cress. Whether you grow plants just to have something green and growing in your space or if you use them for cooking, this is a very good collection to have on hand and a great gift. As I often find it difficult to find cress at my local grocery store, this is one that I would defiantly look at picking up. At the moment the Ciao Bella Basil is actually planted out in my garden. It is a good grower in both the garden and in containers.
Speaking of containers…
Botanical interests has a gift set specifically for container gardening. It is unsurprisingly called the Container Vegetable collection (retail $21). It includes: Bean Bush Contender Organic, Carrot Tonda di Parigi, Cucumber Spacemaster 80, Kale Dwarf Blue Curled, Lettuce Romaine Little Gem Organic, Onion Bunching/Scallion Tokyo Long White, Pepper Sweet California Wonder, Spinach Lavewa, Squash Summer Emerald Delight, Tomato Cherry Falls. Last year we grew the little Gem Romain and I have to say I felt very fancy when making my salads. It is small enough that each head is a single serving so you can make some restaurant-y looking plated really easily. Which I know sounds a little bit extra but I sometimes find that when trying to stick to my diet, if i make the plates look a little prettier then i feel like I am getting something extra special which keeps me from adding on calories later to ‘make up’ for the salad heavy dinner. the bunching scallions we grew the summer before last (I forgot to re order last year) and they were very drought tolerant as well as delicious. Both are in the garden this year again.
And for those who have mothers who just aren’t interested in herbs or vegetables, they have several gift sets for you as well. One of my favorites is the Florist Cutting Flowers collection. (retail $22). After all why simply buy one bouquet when you can make up your own all summer long (and often for years to come). This collection includes: (A) Amaranth Love-Lies-Bleeding Coral Fountain, (A) Ammi Dara, (A) Aster, China Aster Blend, (P) Celosia Pampas Plume Blend, (P) Craspedia Drumstick Flower, (P) Dahlia Decorative Double Blend, (A) Orlaya White Lace, (A) Sunflower Goldy Honey Bear, and (A) Zinnia Cut and Come Again (A=Annual P=Perennial Pt=Tender Perennial). where I live the Love-lies-bleeding in various shades seems to be really popular. Once it gets going you can walk through the neighborhood and see it decorating a number of back fences and garden gates. It is absolutely gorgeous in the garden and would look spectacular in a vase, especially in a mix with other cut flowers.
Botanical interests is a seed/garden company I have always had really good luck with. Their seeds have always reliably sprouted and I usually like what becomes of the plants. Many of the seeds I repurchase annually. While these are three of my favorites, they have many more collections for mothers day including container and garden plants, herb and vegetable collections and a host of butterfly and bee encouraging collections. If like my mother, yours enjoys gardening, this is definitely a list to check into. The link below will take you to their full mother’s day collection. Happy shopping.
I’ll admit, I have a weakness for Molton Brown Bath Products. I absolutely adore their shower gels and the wide array of fragrances available. I love that there is a scent for everyone too. Want something fresh and Fruity? Try Rhubarb and Rose. It’s floral that is well balanced with a bit of a tart note that keeps it fresh and not to heavily floral. Looking for something costal? Try out the Costal Cypress and Sea fennel. It has the fresh scent I always think of when I think of the sea side. Looking for something a little bit spicy? Then Pink Pepper may just be for you.
And those are just a few of the scents. Every time I am on the site I find new scents that i just want to try. The descriptions draw me in just as much as perfume descriptions do and I often find myself wanting to try them all. (which tends to be why I order the sampler set for myself during Black Friday. It’s my reward for having gotten all of my gift shopping completed).
And as my Mother introduced me to the brand, you know I couldn’t let a mother’s day pass without including something from Molton Brown on the list.
This year there are two items I think are well worth picking up. The first is the Floral and Fruity shower Gel Gift Set. It includes: 3 x 10fl oz in -Delicious Rhubarb & Rose Bath & Shower Gel, Jasmine & Sun Rose Bath & Shower Gel and Orange & Bergamot Bath & Shower Gel.
I love the formula of the Molton Brown Shower Gel. It has a really rich lather that rinses off cleanly without leaving any filmy residue on the skin. In addition,. while the scent in the shower is intense and sort of fills your shower with utterly delicious scents, once you towel off the sent fades back to barely a whisper against your skin. It was one of the things I was concerned about when i first used it. The scent in the shower was kind of strong so I assumed it would mix and mingle with every other scent I attempted to put on. It doesn’t. It is a soft scent of clean skin and is very light. I have to say, I chose this because these scants are exactly the ones my mother likes. I know she loves the Rose and Rhubarb, but I suspect that is only because she has never tried the Orange and Bergamot.
You know me, I am not a bergamot fan, in fact i think I might be slightly allergic to it. My mother on the other hand loves it. I am pretty sure that if she could submerge herself in essence of Bergamot while sipping Earl gray tea she would. So I know this set would be a big hit for her.
The second item that tops my charts is the Worldly Traveler Drawstring Travel Pouch. I think what draws me to it is that it is a sampler kit, which you know i love. And the scent’s draw me to it. It includes: Vetiver & Grapefruit Bath & Shower Gel 3.3fl oz, Coastal Cypress & Sea Fennel Bath & Shower Gel 3.3fl oz, Re-charge Black Pepper Bath & Shower Gel 3.3fl oz, Geranium Nefertum Bath & Shower Gel 3.3fl oz, Tobacco Absolute Bath & Shower Gel 3.3fl oz, Purifying Shampoo With Indian Cress 3.3fl oz, Molton Brown Drawstring Travel Pouch
I know this is much more of a me gift than it is for my mom, because these are scents I tend to gravitate towards. But I thought I would mention it in case like me, your mother isn’t always drawn to florals.
I really like the wide array of products and gift sets that are on the Mother’s Day list for Molton Brown. There are the shower gel options or hand care options. There are even perfume options. And of course sets that include all three (Hand lotion, shower gel and perfume). And while there are a lot of floral options the scents are varied so you can indulge in just the right one for your mother.
Given some of the things I’ve mentioned about my mother this shouldn’t be much of a surprise. She is a huge fan of tea and long ago gave up most sweeteners. Except for honey.
Honey is put into her tea, drizzled on the oatmeal and added in all sorts of other places. In her pantry she has an entire shelf of honeys. I think that part of that is because of potential stick factor. she lined that shelf with easily wipeable waterproof liner and only puts honey on the shelf even if she only has one jar. Usually she has about three going at a time but there are always the additional ones she just can’t rest. In this gift basket there are several that look simply fantastic.
This tea gift contains two wonderful honeys and three distinctive teas to warm and soothe the body and soul.
Raw Italian Honey by Mitica: Award-winning beekeepers, Fabrizio and Pierpaolo Cazzola of Apicoltura Cazzola have been producing honey at Altedo in the province of Bolognia in Emilia-Romagna for over 20 years. (4.23 oz)
Beekeeper’s Daughter Honey: Beekeeper’s Daughter travels up and down the east coast, following the blossoms as the seasons change. Her honey is amber in color and has a sweet, floral flavor. (2 oz)
Honey Spoon: This 18/10 stainless steel honey spoon balances on the edge of a honey jar, tea cup, or mug.
Japanese Green Tea: Made from deeply steamed tea leaves that are grown in Japan’s premier tea region, located in the foothills of Mt. Fuji. (16 bags)
Pickwick’s Flavored Black Tea: A staple of Holland’s cafes and breakfast shops, Pickwick’s Flavored Black Tea turns a traditional taste into something truly fresh. (20 bags)
Highland Blend Black British Tea: This brisk black tea is a great way to begin your day, or as an accompaniment to a full British breakfast. (25 bags)
Bewley’s Pure White Tea with Cranberry: Since Charles Bewley first imported tea in 1835, Bewley’s of Dublin, Ireland, have been carefully selecting leaves from the world’s finest tea gardens to achieve impeccable quality and flavor. (25 bags)
Effie’s Tea Biscuits: These biscuit are the perfect complement to a cup of tea at any time of day. (7.2 oz)
Gift Presentation: Hand assembled in a black gift crate, this basket is finished with an elegant ribbon.
The second gift basket that caught my eye did so not only because I know my mother would adore every item in it, but because on Mother’s day there are always loads of people in and out of the house. While it would make a nice gift to give, it will also make a nice assortment to have on hand for when others drift in and out. This is the Mother’s day Grazing board.
Show all the moms in your life just how much they mean to you with this elegant selection of meats, cheeses, and accompaniments. There’s something for everyone, with nibbles that range from savory and spicy to downright sweet. It arrives ready to display and serve, complete with a slate cheese board. Just add Mom.
Brooklyn Slate Cheese Board – This all-natural slate is sourced from Brooklyn Slate Co.’s family quarry in upstate New York. It’s dishwasher safe, comes with anti-slip padded feet, and features a rustic natural edge.
Greek Fig Salami with Pistachio & Cinnamon by Hellenic Farms – Hellenic Farms is a woman-owned business that specializes in classic Greek flavors and inventive new products. This salami is made with all-natural Greek figs, cinnamon, and pistachio for a taste that’s sweet, nutty,and perfect with salty or creamy cheeses.
Snowdonia Cheese Company Truckle – This North Wales cheese company creates beautiful, award-winning cheeses that add both flavor and fashion to your cheese board. Fun fact: The cylindrical shape of the cheese is called a truckle!
Mt. Vikos Taverna Meze – These Greek appetizers are loaded with the briny, salty, and savory flavors of the Mediterranean. They are perfect spread on small crunchy toasts or eaten by the spoonful. Close your eyes and you might hear the gentle waves of the Aegean as you bite into this little piece of Greece.
Les Folies Fromage Fruit Spread for Cheese – This quartet of French fruit spreads is made by Guillaume et Lesgards in the heart of the French Pyrenees mountains. Each spread is infused with specific fruits and spices that are specially designed to go with a different cheeses for a cheese plate that’s bound to impress.
Castelvetrano Olives by Bono – Established in 1934 as an olive oil company, Bono brings these fruity green olives straight from Sicily to you. They are firm, juicy, and the ideal olive to round out your cocktail hour.
Tour de Paris Brie Wedge by Henri Hutin – The main man when it comes to cheese, Henri Hutin, founded his cheese-making (and now exporting) company in 1922. This brie is creamy and soft, with sweet and nutty hints that are complemented by fruity jam and jelly.
Citterio Prosciutto & Mozzarella Cheese Rollino– Citterio is an Italian, family-owned company founded in 1878. These days, the prosciutto is dry-air aged in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains before it’s wrapped around fresh, creamy mozzarella cheese. The perfect bite.
Spanish Cocktail Snack Mix by Mitica – Transport your appetizer hour to the streets of Barcelona with this traditional Spanish snack mix filled with nuts and crunchy legumes.
Taralli Crackers by Mitica – This classic Puglian snack mix takes your standard cracker game to the next level. These crunchy crisps are made with extra virgin olive oil and white wine. They’re perfect with dips, cheeses, or just as is.
Organic Pitted Medjool Date Snack Pack by Joolies – Joolies runs an organic date farm in California and delivers the softest, sweetest dates that nature can offer. Dates are naturally packed with nutrients like potassium and are delicious with creamy or sharp cheeses.
Mini Toasts by Les Petits Cochons – You say cheese, we hear crackers. These crackers are extra crispy and thick enough so they won’t break when you swirl them into creamy brie or sticky fruit spreads.
This sort of gift basket is not only great for a gift as itself, but as a gift that means any drifting company can be taken care of without Mom having to worry about a think. Personally these are the two I would purchases for my mother, but thee is a long list of items availale, from the large gift boxes to a single bottle of Orange Blossom Honey or an elephant tea canister of English breakfast tea.
Sometimes it is nice to simply pick up something that can be shared and enjoyed. It lets you celebrate the day together and not worry about having items to offer those who will drop by. Plus in my family the Mother’s day meal is almost always picnic like. The weather has turned warm and the local park near my mother’s house had picnic tables placed by the lakeside. \
Providing there is no rain, foods will be loaded into picnic baskets and taken over. Especially since it is an out door space that allows for plenty of social distancing while gathering. I’ve got my fingers crossed for good weather.
Ms. Mimsy Reviews 