Mother's Day Celebration + Gorgeous Gift Ideas

Beautiful Mother's Day gifts for that trend setting Mom...or yourself!

Mother's Day is the day to celebrate our Moms and enjoy being a mom (if that's the case). Today's moms are young, fresh and even athletic. We've learned that it's "O.K." to carve out time for ourselves each day and to sparkle when we go out. Here are some super gifting ideas for her and or to enjoy for yourself!

Cate and Chloe CZ Jewelry

Cate & Chloe Jewelry makes a wonderful gift as you can mix and match earrings, bracelets and necklaces to make a lovely presentation set. Here I am wearing the Diana "Divine" Necklace based on jewelry owned by one of the most glamorous Moms in the world, Princess Diana. The sterling silver necklace has an extender so you can adjust the length. I paired this elegant necklace with the Eleanor "Shining Bright" Hoop Earrings.  These are CZ studded hoops with a dangling CZ stone with silver plated accents. See more lovely jewelry selections at CateandChloe.com

Cate & Chloe Diamond Earrings and Necklaces

Helen Ficalora Sterling Silver Charm Jewelry

Helen Ficalora MOM Charm in Sterling Silver

Sterling Silver Charms that you can mix or match to make your own personalized gift for Mom. They all easily fit on the fine sterling silver chain and look beautiful with a clean, simple appeal. See more jewelry selections at HelenFicalora.com

Add  extra charms to your Helen Ficalora necklace.

Shari Dixon Handcrafted Jewelry
These unique, organic pieces are handmade in the USA by jewelry artist and designer Shari Dixon. The pendants contain actual plants and flowers preserved in resin while the lockets can hold a little photo of a child for Mom. A keepsake and jewelry all in one! Visit ShariDixonInc.com. Shown below are her: 
Bamboo Oval Locket Adjustable Ring
Yellow Achillea on Olive Locket Bracelet
Thyme Seed Pack Pendant Necklace

Love Shawls Scarves + Jewelry

Love Shawl Glam Blush with 24k Gold Accents

Love Shawls are a lovely combination of a scarf and jewelry. Embellished with fresh water pearls, gems and gold or silver accents, these add instant polish and elegance for every outfit.
Love Shawls are handmade and absolutely lovely to wear as you can see. See all their current styles online at LoveShawls.com

Love Shawl Goddess-Bordeaux with silver accents and beads.

American Tourister Overnight Bag & Coco-Mat and Luxe Me Now Slippers 
Travel-Mom will love these! New, lighter flight ready American Tourister Bags are the Official Luggage of Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland. The Atomosphera 2 Overnight Bag as a telescoping handle and two large wheels. It has multiple exterior pockets for easy last minute access. The interior is fully lined with cross straps and a large mesh zippered inner pocket. Weight? Only 6 lbs. and just the right size to fit in the smaller airline on flight boxes.

Coco-Mat & Luxe Me Now Slippers
Natural Fiber Slippers by Coco-Mat are made of organic cotton. Soft and lightweight, especially for summer travel. I've worn my Luxe Me Now slippers to Crystal Springs Spa and even to breakfast at the Hotel! They are the ultimate in glamour and Mom will feel like a movie star wearing them on vacation or at home.

Coco-Mat Natural Organic Cotton Slippers

Sublime Beauty Sampler - Travel Set
TSA Flight Friendly set of 9 of the most popular Sublime Beauty products for face and body:  Vitamin C Day Cream SPF 30, Retinol Serum, Collagen Serum and Mask, Hyaluronic Serum, Glycolic/Salicylic Serum, Luxurious Facial Oil, Cellulite Whisperer Body Gel and Lotion. Visit SublimeBeautyShops.com or order on Amazon.

Sublime Beauty Sampler

Posh Gardening Tools by Liberty of London
Does Mom like to garden? Here are some ideas for her flower bed and rose garden: Liberty of London Gardening Tools and Tote are lovely but you can find similar pieces at your local gardening section at most major stores. Add a canvas tote and a few seed packets for an extra special touch.

Pretty Gardening Tools from Liberty of London

Rose & Herb Wreath and Onion/Artichoke Dip Sets from Creekside Farms
Does Mom like to entertain? Send her this beautiful Rose and Herb Wreath to welcome her guests and this lovely Onion and Artichoke Dip Set to serve them! Dried flowers and herbs are hand arranged by artisans at Creekside Farms and ship anywhere in the US. The Dip Sets are a beautifully painted Red Onion and Artichoke and hold a LOT of dip. Visit Creekside Farms for more floral, herb wreaths and gift ideas. Best Picks Magazine readers receive 15% OFF with Coupon Code MOM15 on all Creekside Farms orders.

Floral-Herb Wreath and Dip Sets from Creekside Farms

Dixon Sun Hat from Pistil Designs
This is the perfect laid back beach to picnic hat sure to become one of Mom's favorites. The Dixon is a natural fiber woven hat made paper straw, so it's light and cool. Shown here in Sienna, it has a chin strap and the Pistil logo metal piece on the braided headband. The brim has thin wire in it to help keep its shape. See more from Pistil Designs online.

Dixon Sun Hat in Sienna by Pistil Designs

Honeysuckle Sport Tote by Fitmark
Mom will love taking this handy tote to the club, pool or spa as it is soft, light and full of soft lined pockets to hold everything. It even has a separate, removable antimicrobial wet bag plus a Fit-Hydrate pocket with insulated liner to hold your favorite sports bottle. Totally tricked out, Mom or you will have heads turning when you enter the club with this tote. See more from Fitmark Bags online.

Art & Sole is a spectacular selection of more than 150 fantasy art shoes from the Stuart Weitzman Collection. What Alexander McQueen is to fashion, Art & Sole is to dress shoes.  This book is a lovely presentation with its red cloth binding and gilded edged pages showcase approximately 150 breathtaking to whimsical shoes.  Author, Jane Gershon Weitzman is Executive V.P. of Stuart Weitzman and the first Vice President of retail. 208 pp/hardcover/Harper Collins.

Art & Sole Gift Book

Whatever gifts you choose, just be sure that's it's from the heart and beautiful. These select Mother's Day Gifts deliver on both points spectacularly!

Lead Photo: Winter Garden Dress by Cindy and Johnny, Tan Leather Ballet Flats by T & N (Sagar)
Eye Wear by Jack Eyes, NYC

What's in My Resort Bag? Spa Swag

Resort faves: BioElixia Body Shapers and Sulwhasoo Age Veil.

Crystal Springs Resort & Spa, Hardyston, NJ I just got back from visiting one of the most beautiful resorts in the NYC/Metro area. We stayed at the Grand Cascades Lodge at Crystal Springs Resort in a beautiful one bedroom suite replete with patio, living room, fireplace, kitchen and dining area. The bathrooms have both a shower and a full sized whirlpool tub. The best part was the gorgeous mountain view as seen here from the doorway of the Clubhouse.

View of the mountains that surround Crystal Springs Resort

Resort Amenities
While we always appreciate a beautiful room and a great view, the spa aspect of a resort is also key. Reflections Spa is among the top 30 retreats in the US and number ONE in New Jersey. We also enjoyed the Biosphere Pool and Hot Tub which allowed us to be outdoors in our swimsuits despite the cooler temps.

The Biosphere Pool & Hot Tub.  Relaxing in the shade.

So What's in My Resort Bag?
An upscale resort like Crystal Springs will provide you with towels by the pool and a cotton terry robe but I brought along my:

LMN (Luxe Me Now) Slippers in Bronze Lurex: I wore these downstairs to breakfast and to the pool. Non-slip soles means these posh slippers can be worn outside. Gorgeously feminine, these are the ULTIMATE in resort luxury and comfort. Sold at Saks 5th Ave.

A Swimsuit (or two)! You'll also need a swimsuit when using the spa's sauna and hot tub. I'm wearing my Voda Swim black string bikini here (as seen in Sports Illustrated) but I also brought my Carve Designs Lara Full Piece. It has a halter-tie top and pretty folds at the bust line.

Body Firming Creams: I use Bioelixia Body Shapers before my trip to the spa and while I'm there. Their Firming Toning Body Lotion gives skin an instant tightening boost due to high levels of green tea and caffeine. It's in a class all its own. I also use Bioelixia Cellulite Contour Creme after bathing with their Exfoliating Body Polish. The microdermabrasion beads in the scrub are just what the spas use and give amazing results of ultra smooth skin.

Carve Designs Lara Full Piece Swimsuit in Tulum & Luxe Me Now Slippers

Sunscreen: FACE: The sunblock for my face that I'm loving right now is from Korea. Sulwhasoo Age Veil 30+ UV Protection Creme is more like a skin treatment with added sunscreen. It goes on so smoothly with no white residue. Very moisturizing but light it is made with time honored Korean botanicals like ginseng.
BODY: I just started using this new Australian Gold SPF 50 Sunblock + Bronzer on my body. So rich, it gives you a little instant warmth of subtle color while protecting your skin . Made with Kona Coffee, it gives you a firming boost along with a bit of bronzing.

Spa Swag
Here are some goodies that most of the top resorts provide so you needn't bring them and can take them when you leave: Molton Brown London- Samphire Body Wash, Kumundu Volumising Conditioner, Kumundu Volumising Shampoo, Coco & Sandalwood Nourishing Body Lotion, Ultra Pure Milk Bath Soap.

More Resort Bag Must Haves:

Juicy Couture La La Malibu Eau de Toilette Spray has fresh summery top notes that remind you of the beach. The prefect resort fragrance for the spa and then out to dinner. Love the glass heart on the bottle! Available at Sephora.

G.M. Collin Instant Radiance Eye Patches & Embryolisse Artist Secret Radiant Eye Balm are spa quality treatments you can enjoy in your own hotel suite! The G.M. Collin Eye Patch packets are small enough to throw in your makeup bag and relax with in the whirlpool. The Embryolisse Artist Secret Radiant Eye is cool and refreshing, giving the skin an instant boost of moisture.

Elizabeth Arden Triple Protection Factor TPF50 was just released this spring but has already become one of my must-haves on the go. It's like having a tinted moisturizer and sunscreen (SPF 50+) in one. Wear it alone or over a primer like Miracle Blur and you're good. Read my full review of the TPF50 HERE.

Elizabeth Arden's New Triple Protection Factor

I'm booked for another stay at Crystal Springs Resort this summer. I will definitely be taking my favorites along again. You should too.

Swimsuits c/o Carve Designs & Voda Swim respectively.
Skincare c/o Bioelixia & Amorepacific respectively.
Slippers c/o Luxe Me Now
Fragrance c/o Juicy Couture