Mother's DAY Gift Guide with Treasures that Give Back

YAY for Mother's Day! Great Gifts for Mom plus some that give back.

Mother's Day 2017 means more than just hearts and flowers for Mom. Gift giving with a secondary purpose of helping others takes it to a whole new level. So this year in addition to elegant gifts Mom will love, please consider some exotic gifts that are also sure to please.

Mother's YAY! Gifts that show you care.

Spring Break Travel Must Haves

Spring Break means heading someplace warm. Here's what you'll need!

Oh Spring Break. I can remember everyone piling into my college roommate's car and heading for Daytona Beach. Once you got there (about a 2-3 days drive from Rutgers in New Jersey), you'd find that you maybe didn't have what you really needed to make for the beach. Well, don't let this happen to you! Here are some of my favorite travel must haves for Spring Break:

Beach-Me Essentials

Beach Time
There are things that you really want to have if you are going to be anywhere near the water. Everything you see in the photo above arrived in my classic navy striped monogrammed beach tote by Personalize Your Life. Very roomy with a zippered, waterproof pocket inside, I carry a Klean Kanteen of ice water and a packet of Grass Fed Beef Jerky by Think Jerky.

Personalize Your Life Navy Beach Tote, Klean Kanteen and Ray-Ban Wayfarers

Lacoste Luxury Beach Towels SS2016 Collection
Now you know you can't take the towels from the hotel to the beach! They're just too skimpy anyway so bring your own. I like these new bold designs from the Lacoste SS2016 Collection (remember the little green crocodile?)  Shown here in Fizzy Turquoise and Sunset Pink, they are 100% cotton and made in India. Very plush from Lacoste, available at Nordstrom, Macys and online HERE.

Lacoste Beach Towel in Sunset Pink

Your Dream Swimsuit
This is the time to bring it...literally. This beautiful leopard print bikini is by Anabel Arto and has beautiful gold embellishments on the straps and bottom. What I especially like about this collection is that the top (and bottom for that matter) can also double as intimate wear. So it's like having an extra bra and panty along which can help save space when packing. See all her swimsuit styles at Anabel Arto online.

Anabel Arto Swimsuit

Beach to Lunch Footwear - NEW Melissa Charlotte Sandals by Jason Wu
These new SS2016 Melissa Charlotte Sandals by Jason Wu are so NOT flip flops. Bright red perfume infused PVC and completely waterproof with a little heel. These run true to size or even a little small so you may want to go a size up. All the same they are beautiful and a must-pack travel essential. Available at Nordstrom, Bergdoff Goodman, Net-A-Porter or purchase online HERE at Shop Melissa.

Melissa Sandals by Jason Wu

Health & Beauty to Go - Zen Box Essential Oils
The Zen Box is a genius subscription which introduces you to beneficial essential oils for health, beauty and yes, relaxation. Each month you receive two high quality essential oils plus a bonus product to explore. Pop them in your bag and you're ready for anything. What's so great is that each little natural essential oil bottle has a gazillion uses and can even replace many products taking up space in your travel bag: 

Subscribe at ZenOilBox.com

• A few drops of Lavender helps you relax, get to sleep and even repels insects
• A few drops of Frankincense in a 8 oz glass of water makes an amazing mouthwash
• Use the premixed Oil Blends for specific needs and health concerns

Zen Box Essential Oils are travel ready

Beach Beauty Essentials
Wet hair is practically a given for pool parties and trips to the beach. I like to bring along a multi-tasking brush like this one shown above from Monroe Brushes. It's oval core and 100% boar bristle brushes, The Grand Gala can be used for styling with a blow dryer and finishing fine to medium-processed hair. This means it's gentle enough to use on chlorinated tresses or hair that's seen a bit of sea and sun. See The Grand Gala at Monroe Brushes online.

Speaking of sun, I especially like Dr. Obagi's Mineral Sun Shield, Broad Spectrum SPF 50. It's really the best type of non-chemical sunblock. Hawaiian Tropic just launched their new Silk Hydration Lotion Sunscreen SPF 30 and Sheer Touch After Sun Moisturizer - Ultra Radiance which leaves a subtle glow on the skin. Also Urban Skin Rx Hydrating Lip Treatment contains rich avocado oil and offers long lasting moisture. The Milky Cow hand cream in Sweet Berry is from Korea. 

NEW Summer releases from Hawaiian Tropic

Of course always remember your shades! Shown here are my classic shades, Wayfarers by Ray-Ban and below The Super Model by Jack Eyes, NYC

The Super Model Eyewear in Red Tortoise by Jack Eyes
Lady Angry Dragon Watch by Rapp Black

Detail on Lady Angry Dragon

Air Brushed Makeup to Go - Mineral Air
I've been using Kett Cosmetics Hydro Foundation makeup via compressor & airbrush gun for several years now. High Definition (HD) print work, television and public appearances require a flawless, nearly invisible finish. While I find the coverage and ease of airbrushing to be unparalleled, I've not been able to find a portable unit small enough for travel...until now. Mineral Air is a self contained, cordless mini-compressor, not an aerosol spray like Dior's Airflash Foundation. Mix your airbrush foundation in the unit and close the top. Simple. Small enough to pop in your handbag, I can't wait to take it on vacation!  I will be giving the airbrush unit and the foundation a full review this spring so check back or visit MineralAir.com. Here is the ingredient list for this mineral based foundation:
Sea Salt, Algae Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Olive Squalanne, Pomegranate, Argan Oils, Ceramides 2, 3 and 6 II, Hyaluronic Acid, and Vitamins C and E.

Mineral Air compact, cordless airbrush compressor and foundation

Accessories & products c/o the designers/companies included herewith.