A new study conducted by WalletHub found that D.C. was the third-best place for working mothers and ranked the highest for child care.
With Mother’s Day just one week away, WTOP’s Sandra Jones spoke to WalletHub experts about their ranking of best states for working moms.
If you’re a working mom looking for a good place to land a job, look no further than the District of Columbia.
A new study conducted by Wallet Hub, found that D.C. was the third-best place for working mothers in the nation, only falling behind Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The District ranked the highest for child care.
WalletHub Analyst Cassandra Happe said the study is especially important for working moms as they continue to navigate lower hourly wages and less representation in the executive suites of S&P 500 companies.
“Working moms have to carefully balance career opportunities with factors that provide a good environment for their children when deciding where to live,” Happe said in a statement.
“The best states provide equitable pay for women and the potential for career advancement, along with robust parental leave policies and high-quality child care, health care and schools. This gives working moms both the financial ability and the peace of mind to not have to choose between a career and family.”
The study noted that D.C. was among the places with, “some of the lowest gender-representation gaps in the country” in manufacturing and health care.
“In addition, D.C. has a very high ratio of female to male executives and senior-level managers and it has the fifth-highest median annual earnings for women,” the report said.
D.C. also gained high marks for health care and child care — WalletHub gave it the No. 1 spot, citing access to pediatricians and nationally accredited child care centers.
Also working in The District’s favor: highly rated policies for mothers and families.
“D.C. has very good parental-leave policies and is among the best places in the country for working from home,” the report concluded.
But what about Maryland and Virginia?
Maryland took the No. 19 spot overall and is ranked fourth for access to professional opportunities. The state had the fifth worst work-life balance.
Virginia was ranked 23rd overall and ranked 11th for access to child care and had the 10th worst work-life balance.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, StyleCaster may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
If there’s one holiday that always sends me into a tailspin, it’s Mother’s Day. A whole day dedicated to my incredible, iconic and inspiring mom should be perfect and include the perfect gifts. This is why it’s so stressful coming up with something each year that’ll do her justice. Heck, I’m a shopping editor who lives online and spends hours a day scouting out the best skincare and fashion essentials around. I think my biggest issue is narrowing down what to get her. There are so many things out there! But my indecisive mind can be a good thing sometimes. Right now, for example, I rounded up every single one of my stellar gift ideas for you and everyone else online to take or use as inspo. Being flustered isn’t all bad.
I’ve learned over the years that the best Mother’s Day gifts are things that she can use and be reminded of daily. They don’t have to be lavish—though that certainly doesn’t hurt—they just have to be something that she actually likes and can appreciate. While bathrobes are always a kind thought, take your brainstorm up a notch and really think about who she is and what her daily routine looks like. If she has been in a baking mood lately like my mom has, consider gifting her with a new pan or bread mold that’ll take her creations to the next level. If she’s always keen on listening to classics, why not get her a record player and records of her favorite artists? Did she just get a well-deserved promotion after spending way too many hours a day in the office? How about giving her an adorable new work tote that she can show off to her colleagues?
See, it’s really not that hard when it comes down to it. But don’t worry. I’ll guide you through even more picks below. Whether you want a last-minute Mother’s Day present from Amazon that’ll ship to your house in 2.5 seconds, or finally have the revenue stream to gift her a luxury fragrance she’s been (not so subtly) hinting about, you’ll find the most on-brand gift for your mom below. In fact, you might even find things for your step-mom, mother-in-law and grandmother to enjoy. The more, the merrier!
Check out the best Mother’s Day gift ideas below before you’re left scrambling for something at the drugstore like last year. Yes, she could tell. No, she wasn’t mad. But it certainly should be made up for this year.
Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Kipling and 1-800-Flowers are STYLECASTER sponsor, however, all products in this article were independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.
Courtesy of Kipling.
Kipling City Pack Mini
Any mom in your life is likely always on the go. Make sure she’s equipped with the cutest accessories possible…like with this City Pack Mini backpack from Kipling. It’s available in seven different colors so you can customize it to her favorite color palette. It even comes with the cutest monkey keychain that matches the bag’s color. And of course, there are endless zippers, pouches, and compartments so all of her must-haves are always accessible.
1-800 Flowers Mother’s Embrace Bouquet
You can’t go wrong with sending flowers on Mother’s Day, and you definitely can’t go wrong when there’s a coupon that makes the cost a little easier on you. Just enter code SAVETWENTY at checkout to save 20% off of your purchase. You can choose this bouquet in multiple sizes to fit your budget, including everything from small to extra large.
A Bath & Body Works Gift Card
A Bath & Body Works gift card is a no-brainer, especially if you know she loves aromatherapy. And you can send it as a physical card in the mail, or, better yet (especially at this point in time), a digital card via email. That way, she can shop her favorite scented lotion, three-wick candle, shower gel, and more—and she gets exactly what she wants.
BioLite, Charge 80 PD, 20,000 mAh Multiple Device Portable Power Bank
Is Mom’s iPad always running on empty? Give her this charging bank
that can tackle all of her devices at once. Plus, it’s airline safe, and rugged enough to bring camping. It’s the only charging bank she’ll ever need.
Apple AirPods (2nd Generation)
Parents aren’t known for splurging on tech devices for themselves, so Mother’s Day is the perfect opportunity to do it for them. Mom will be thrilled to open a pair of new AirPods
, especially since the second-generation version is on sale for under $100 on Amazon.
Apple iPad 10.9-inch Wi-Fi (2022, 10th generation)
Take it from me, moms love iPads. Every time I call my mom she’s scrolling on hers and I’m sure she goes right back to it as soon as we hang up. Surprise her with a new model or her first iPad ever, and she’ll definitely remember it as the best Mother’s Day gift of all time.
Beautiful 5.3 Qt Stand Mixer with Tilt-Head, Lavender by Drew Barrymore
Does Mom love to bake? Show her you’re paying attention (and maybe even get some cookies in the process!) by gifting this gorgeous stand mixer. The lavender color will make her kitchen look instantly updated.
Courtesy of Dickies.
Dickies Women’s ProTect Utility Legging
Everyone and every mom needs a great pair of leggings, but it can be hard to know where to shop for a pair that’ll actually hold up over the years and look good, no matter where you’re wearing them. This pair from Dickies is built to last and truly made for anything—hiking, DIY projects around the house, running errands, meeting a friend for coffee or just lounging on the couch. The brand is best known for its overalls and coveralls, but they really nailed the details on these leggings. They feature a secure zip pocket for essentials and ergonomic seams with contoured knee patches for extra comfort.
Courtesy of Sugarfina.
Shake Your Martini 3 Piece Candy Bento Box®
Does your mom love cocktails and candy? Combine both with this adorable gift box from Sugarfina that features lemon drop, cosmopolitan, and espresso martini candy flavors. Each is infused with real Chopin vodka. Although they are infused with the vodka, the final product comes out to be totally non-alcoholic.
These slide sandals look like a very popular style at a fraction of the cost. In fact, they’re on sale now for 30 percent off, so scoop them in Mom’s size for a fun surprise this Mother’s Day.
$26.99(originally $39.90)
Versace VE 4361 Plastic Unisex Geometric Sunglasses
It turns out Walmart is a secret hub for designer sunglasses sales? I just spotted these Versace shades, and some colors are discounted even further than these (if your mom is into fun, bright shades!). These tortoise shell shades are $44 off.
$120.99(originally $164.99)
Courtesy of Magnolia.
Threshold Mama Bear Mug
Cheesy? A bit. Adorable? A whole lot. You can’t go wrong with this $7 mug. Especially when you give it to her filled with her favorite blend of coffee or tea.
Photo: Dagne Dover.
Dagne Dover Mila Toiletry Organizer
Speaking from personal experience, this Dagne Dover toiletry bag is the perfect gift for any mom who loves to jet off to new destinations. Nobody likes a jumbled toiletry bag anyways. I love how its practical design allows your toiletry bottles to sit upright.
Photo: Apple.
Apple AirPods (2nd Generation)
Parents aren’t known for splurging on tech devices for themselves, so Mother’s Day is the perfect opportunity to do it for them. Mom will be thrilled to open a pair of new AirPods
, especially since the second-generation version is on sale for under $100 on Amazon.
Photo: Barefoot Dreams.
Moms are all about staying cozy, and this Oprah-approved brand has the comfiest clothing. This Barefoot Dreams cardigan
is made from a super soft polyester microfiber material, and it comes in five neutral colorways and sizes XS through XL. It’s so comfy, you might find yourself stealing it from Mom’s closet or buying one for yourself, too.
AI Cook Professional Countertop Blender
Has Mom been wanting to get into smoothies lately? They’re the perfect complement to any fitness routine. This one is on sale now for under $90.
$89.99 (originally $199.99)
Courtesy of Ipsy
Ipsy Glam Bag
If your mom is stuck in her old beauty ways and is constantly asking you or the internet for advice on what’s hot, she’d be the perfect recipient of an Ipsy bag. It’s a beauty and skincare subscription where you can get five products a month starting at just $13. I can’t even find one beauty product at that price. These aren’t tacky or outdated items, either. Jennifer Aniston’s go-to Tatcha and Drew Barrymore’s fav Sunday Riley are just a few of the options you can include.
Courtesy of Lake & Skye.
Lake & Skye Iris & White Orchid Candle
If your mom isn’t super into flowers or plants, how about gifting her this Lake & Skye candle that smells like white ambers and musk? The aroma makes for the perfect spa-like environment. The 50-hour burn time and 100 percent soy base ensure it’s great quality.
Courtesy of NEST.
NEST Fragrances Ocean Mist & Sea Salt Candle
As a candle obsessive, I know that some of the best aren’t those luxury ones you can buy for more than $75. NEST’s line of fragrances are top-tier. They smell incredible and look ultra-chic on bedside tables, dressers and kitchen islands alike. Plus, the huge candles last a lifetime.
Courtesy of Murad.
Dr. Zion x Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Masks
I’ve never seen an eye mask this large or tried one this effective. Murad’s retinol eye masks transform dull and droopy in one use, and after consistent use, can seriously get rid of hard-to-combat fine lines, wrinkles and dark circles. Trust me, I’m a fan.
Courtesy of Skin Gym.
Skin Gym Blue Liquid Cryocicles
These weird-looking skincare tools are actually incredible at de-puffing under eyes and treating everything from headaches to zits. Expert hack: tell your mom to place these in the fridge or freezer before use for a cooling, soothing effect.
Courtesy of Mejrui.
Dôme Cuff Bracelet
If you’re looking for quality jewelry that will last—but won’t cost you thousands, Mejuri is the place you need to go. To make its luxury staples accessible across budgets, Mejuri works directly with jewelers so there aren’t any additional costs from outside parties. This way, you can buy a stunning bracelet like the Dôme, for under $150. The show-stopping piece is coated with 18k solid gold on sterling silver so that it glimmers and shimmers in any light. This accessory has a vintage look to it that’s hard to find, and it’ll undoubtedly be a staple for your mom.
Courtesy of Paint Your Life.
Paint Your Life Portrait
If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind Mother’s Day gift for your sentimental mom, a portrait from Paint Your Life will be a home run. They take real photos and turn them into art that can proudly be displayed for years to come. You might think that something like this would cost a fortune, but prices start at $199 and come with payment plans, so you would really only have to spend $40 if you ordered one today. What’s more, you can use code STYLE70 for $70 off your purchase to make it even more affordable.
Courtesy of Dr. Jart.
Dr. Jart+ Premium BB Tinted Moisturizer with Niacinamide and SPF 40
I simply won’t even look at a foundation or tinted moisturizer unless it has SPF packed in. This one from Dr. Jart+is my absolute favorite. It makes my skin look dewy, moisturized, and it stays put all day. Plus, it’s not drying like some other foundations can be. I’d recommend this to anyone who has a beauty-loving mama out there.
Courtesy of Caraway.
Caraway Bakeware Set
This is truly one of the most stunning bakeware sets I’ve seen. It comes with everything any home could need—from baking sheets to muffin pans—and is on sale for more than $100 off. Make mom’s year, week, month and day with this set.
Courtesy of Apple.
Apple Watch SE
I don’t know what it is, but moms love Apple Watches
. They just do. If you get your mom one, you’ll become her favorite and stay that way, as long as you continue to help her with updates and new settings. I’m speaking from experience in case you couldn’t tell. It’s currently on sale for $20 off, so don’t dilly-dally!
Courtesy of Tory Burch.
Tory Burch Fleming Convertable Shoulder Bag
Nothing says “I love you” quite like a designer handbag. This Tory Burch style is functional and fabulous (and on sale!).
Courtesy of Tula.
Nourishing & Exfoliating Body Skincare Kit
Tula’s top-rated moisturizer and body exfoliator are included in the brand’s Body Skincare Kit which reviewers say is a “holy grail” for dry, patchy skin. It scrubs away flakes to unveil glistening, vibrant skin. It’s the closest thing your mom will get to a spa treatment at home—and for under $60.
Courtesy of Ray-Ban.
Ray-Ban Rb4259 Round Sunglasses
Whoever started putting moms in the unfashionable gift corner needs to be prosecuted. Stop going for the fluffy, outdated-looking gifts and get her something as cool as she is. These Ray-Bans are sleek as hell, and match everything there is. She’ll look like the badass she is wearing these Reese Witherspoon-approved sunnies.
Courtesy of Lafco.
Lafco Blush Rose Diffuser
Flowers are nice, but this rose diffuser will give her space a beautiful scent that will last a lot longer. The Rose Diffuser from Lafco is made with damask rose, bergamot and may rose to create an authentically unique aroma. It lasts for up to four months and would look lovely in any room.
Bauble Bar.
BaubleBar 18K Gold Asymmetrical Heart Necklace
This isn’t your ordinary necklace. The gorgeous chain lies just a little to the side so Mom can create the ultimate cool-girl necklace stack that’s personalized to her taste. It’s subtle and chic, and most certainly can be worn any day on any occasion.
Courtesy of Dermaflash.
Dermaflash Ultimate Sonic Skincare Set
Save $119 on Dermaflash’s two most beloved products—the pore extractor and dermaplaning device. Together, they typically cost around $300, but you can get the duo special for Mother’s Day at just $179 right now. These are the kind of devices celeb stylists reach for before red carpets since they perfect the skin and make it look as poreless as possible in just a few minutes. Trust me, your spa-loving mom will go crazy over this gift.
Courtesy of LilyAna Naturals.
LilyAna Naturals Skincare Gift Set
Not only does this skincare set include a quintessential SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic dupe, but also a top-rated retinol, eye cream and face moisturizer. This is everything anyone could need in a skincare regimen (minus sunscreen, don’t forget that!) and would help your mama give herself some love each day. Nothing says downtime quite like a wellness routine.
Courtesy of Chanel.
Coco Mademoiselle Body Oil
If she loves fine fragrances, she’ll undoubtedly enjoy this luxe body oil. Chanel’s Coco Mademoiselle is a classic among perfume aficionados and newbies alike. The orange, floral jasmine and rose notes are great to wear for the summer. No wonder it’s a Keira Knightly favorite. Save money while still smelling like the rich scent by opting for the body oil that’ll still give a lasting aroma.
Smeg Drip Filter Coffee Machine
Gift your coffee-loving momma something she’ll use and love to see with this Smeg machine
. It looks like a piece of artwork and is equally an appliance and a piece of decor.
Give her the gift of better sleep with this weighted blanket from Casper. It’ll help Mom take a nice breather and get some well-deserved relaxation.
Courtesy of Cariuma.Courtesy of Cariuma.
Cariuma OCA Low Sneakers
Mom deserves only the best when it comes to staying comfy, and these sustainable sneakers will do just the trick. Their lightweight cushion technology and classic cap-toe design might turn these shoes into the only pair she walks out of the house in. We tried them ourselves and our feet can’t get enough of them, either.
Courtesy of Aura.Aura.
Aura Carver Frame
We know moms love pictures of their family and friends, but printing and framing a bunch of images isn’t always that easy. Instead, level up with Aura’s Carver digital picture frame . You can upload images to the frame from anywhere and at any time. She won’t be able to take her eyes off of the precious memories you’ve carefully curated for her.
Courtesy of Artifact Uprising.Courtesy of Artifact Uprising.
Artifact Uprising Photo Desk Calendar
If you’ve already given your mom several photo albums and want to try something new this year, give her a personalized photo calendar. She can display it on her desk to check the date, but she’ll also be reminded of her favorite memories with you.
Courtesy of Amazon.Amazon.
Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Gooseneck Kettle
Your tea-loving mom might already have a kettle she uses every day, but does she have one that also happens to be Kourtney Kardashian-approved? This electric kettle will help make Mom’s life so much easier in the morning, since all she has to do is turn it on, choose a temperature for her water, and wait for the built-in timer to let her know when she can start enjoying her tea.
As a participant in multiple affiliate marketing programs, Localish will earn a commission for certain purchases. See full disclaimer below*
This week on ‘It’s a Big Deal,’ ABC anchors Sam Champion and Dani Beckstrom are exploring the best last-minute Mother’s Day gifts that will arrive in time for the holiday. Each of these options offer two-day delivery or even overnight delivery – for an additional cost. For more Mother’s Day coverage, check out our full coverage on Mother’s Day gifts and unique gift ideas.
Note: Prices are subject to change after publication.
Our first product is an ABC favorite, the Renpho Eyeris Massager. It uses heat and compression to relieve tension and stress in your eyes and temples. The massage lasts a full 20 minutes and you can also personalize it to play your favorite music for the full relaxation experience.
Indulge your senses with a variety of aromas and watch as these bath bombs fizz and release their nourishing goodness into your bathwater. Each pack comes with 12 bath bombs with scents like vanilla, mango, rose and lemongrass.
The brand says these gorgeous flowers can last over three years and need no water to stay alive. Each rose is handpicked and you can shop them in multiple colors, depending on mom’s favorite. You can currently get 20% off the entire Mother’s Day collection, shop now before this deal expires.
Help mom de-stress and carry ‘home’ with her wherever she goes with Homesick Candles. Each candle is carefully crafted to capture the essence of your favorite memories and places. Their average burn time is between 60 to 80 hours, and you can curently shop them from just $22, up to 40% off.
$126.75
+ Free Gift Worth $24
$169
Unfortunately, Amazon’s 40% deal is currently expired, but you can get the Solawave Renewal Wand for a neat 25% off with a free gift on any purchase over $100. This revolutionary beauty device utilizes the power of microcurrent technology to stimulate collagen production and improve skin elasticity. It should help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, according to the brand.
* By clicking on the featured links, visitors will leave Localish.com and be directed to third-party e-commerce sites that operate under different terms and privacy policies. Although we are sharing our personal opinions of these products with you, Localish is not endorsing these products. It has not performed product safety testing on any of these products, did not manufacture them, and is not selling, or distributing them and is not making any representations about the safety or caliber of these products. Prices and availability are subject to change from the date of publication.
Every editorial product is independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn commission.
With Mother’s Day fast approaching, it can be overwhelming to scour countless retailers to find the perfect gift. Nordstrom is our go-to shopping source for unearthing quality products that run the gamut of fashion, beauty, home, and even tech, so it’s easier to hone in on options that match her interests. If she’s due for a wardrobe refresh, Nordstrom’s spring fashion guide is filled with standouts, from the perfect spring shoe to gorgeous handbags.
For beauty-lovers, we’ve curated cult-favorite products like a versatile hair styling tool that makes getting ready on busy mornings even easier and a silk pillowcase that improves skin and hair. There are also plenty of lifestyle gifts, including a journal that focuses on gratitude and only takes five minutes a day. If she loves to cook and entertain, she’ll appreciate a versatile, non-stick pan that comes in a range of pastel colors or a set of hand-blown wine glasses she might never buy for herself.
Depending on your budget, there are gift options for $30 or less, as well as splurge-worthy gifts she’ll use and appreciate for years. We’ve combed through Nordstrom’s inventory to hand-pick products our editors have vetted and genuinely love, as well as Nordstrom bestsellers to ensure every gift is worth giving. Browse our top picks to find the perfect Mother’s Day gift to give this year.
As a participant in multiple affiliate marketing programs, Localish will earn a commission for certain purchases. See full disclaimer below*
Mothers are our superheroes. They love us like no other and what better way to show your appreciation than by giving them a Mother’s Day gift? Mother’s Day is on May 12 and you may want to start thinking about ways to celebrate the mom in your life. We found appliances, accessories, electronics and more for every type of mom.
Electronics
Give your mom the gift of music with this Echo Pop smart speaker with full sound. She can easily connect and control any smart devices in the home with just her voice or the Alexa app.
This is the latest model of the Amazon Fire HD Tablet. This tablet has faster performance, is lightweight, and has an upgraded camera for better pictures and calling. With this tablet, mom can read her favorite books, listen to podcasts and stream TV shows. The smart home feature is also a great addition to keep mom safe allowing you to check the front door and lock entries.
Shoes & Accessories
Anne Klein Women’s Premium Crystal Accented Bangle Watch and Bracelet Set
This bangle watch and bracelet set is sure to be your mom’s favorite. This set looks great layered on the wrist and can elevate any outfit. The gold-tone bangle watch has a mother-of-pearl dial and crystal accents. This set comes with two matching bracelets and a 24mm watch.
If your mom runs errands day to day it may be hard to keep track of things like wallets, keys and other essentials. She can keep them close in this belt bag while on the go. It comes in 12 different colors and there are also bigger sizes available.
The Restful Women’s Slide is designed to provide both relief and comfort. The strap has a foam lining for a cozy fit and feel. There is also rubber traction on the bottom for grip. Shop them in seven different colors.
Daily Multi-Pocket Tote Bag 20L
This daily multi-pocket tote bag is stylish and big enough for all your mom’s essentials. It comes in multiple different colors and is made of water-repellent fabric. A plus is that this bag stands up on its own to make finding items easier.
Appliances
Ninja SS101 Foodi Smoothie Maker
Help your mom prioritize her health with this Ninja Smoothie Maker. This is a great addition to the kitchen because it has six functions including making smoothie bowls and spreads. The 14 oz smoothie bowl maker can also create nut butter and blend ice cream.
Keurig K-Express Coffee Maker
If your mom stays up late or wakes up really early in the morning, this express coffee maker would be a great addition to her kitchen. It brews three cup sizes 8, 10 and 12 ounces. You can brew up to four cups before refilling and modify how strong you want your coffee to be.
More Mother’s Day gifts
Benchmark Bouquets Charming Roses & Alstroemeria
These gorgeous bouquets would be a warm sentiment and a way to say I love you to mom. You can add a personal message to your bouquet showing your appreciation. One reviewer says, “I ordered these for my mom in her birthday. She is overly pleased with her flowers. She said they smell amazing.”
Lavender Spa Gift Basket Set
This lavender spa gift basket set comes with six items. It was specifically made to provide relaxation and tranquility. Let your mom pamper herself with scented candles, bath salt, soaps, a bath bomb and a heartfelt card made with dry flowers.
* By clicking on the featured links, visitors will leave Localish.com and be directed to third-party e-commerce sites that operate under different terms and privacy policies. Although we are sharing our personal opinions of these products with you, Localish is not endorsing these products. It has not performed product safety testing on any of these products, did not manufacture them, and is not selling, or distributing them and is not making any representations about the safety or caliber of these products. Prices and availability are subject to change from the date of publication.
As POPSUGAR editors, we independently select and write about stuff we love and think you’ll like too. POPSUGAR has affiliate and advertising partnerships so we get revenue from sharing this content and from your purchase.
Is your mum a bougie queen? Has she done you a few big favours in the last 12 months? Whatever the reason, if you’re looking to splurge on your mum, we’re making life easy by rounding up the best luxury beauty treats you can make Mum’s day with this Mother’s Day. So, mark your calendar for Sunday, May 12th 2024, and start hunting for her perfect gift.
Turn your mum’s morning shower into an indulgent experience — just in time for winter. The L’Occitane, Almond Shower Oil ($75) has a warm, nutty scent and transforms from an oil into a silky, luxuriant lather. Mum can consider it her in-shower body lotion.
With a sorbet texture, the Alpha-H, Melting Moment Cleansing Balm ($69.95) lives up to its name, dissolving impurities and makeup in one sweet sweep. This product can be used as an in-shower mask, with a gua-sha tool in front of her favourite “Midsomer Murders” ep or, as it was intended — to melt away the day. The limited edition Australian Davidson plum enriched formula has a soft berry scent making this treatment extra special.
Sophisticated, glamorous, opulent and feminine — if this describes your mum then “Portrait of a Lady” ($563) could be her new signature scent. Not your grandmother’s rose perfume, Perfumer Dominique Ropion blended Turkish rose with patchouli, raspberry, blackcurrant, cinnamon, clove, sandalwood, incense, benzoin and musk. It makes for a fragrance that is as complex, compelling and powerful as the mother who wears it.
Cardamon, cedarwood, leather and musk make SŚAINT, Modus Vivendi ($169) smoky, sexy fragrance, perfect for the Mum who’d prefer a glass of whisky and a good book to a bunch of flowers. You can shop SŚAINT fragrances at The Iconic or have a custom Mother’s Day label via the SŚAINT website.
Dyson Corrale in Limited Edition Vinca Blue and Rose
Yes, it’s expensive but the Dyson Corral ($699) is one of the best hair straighteners money can buy, delivering truly transformative results. What makes it so special? The Corrale uses flexing copper plates that gently shape and gather hair while smoothing the cuticle. The copper plates move with the hair, not against it. This translates to less hair breakage and the easiest curls-with-a-straightener you’ve ever experienced (this writer thought curling with a straightener was impossible until she tried it with the Corrale).
When only the best will do for your mum’s hair, reach for Iles Formula. Founded by celebrity hairstylist Wendy Iles, Iles Formula was originally a private blend, offered to celebrity clientele experiencing hair disasters. Fortunately, the formula was taken to the general public and has won multiple awards. For hair that feels like spun silk, whether natural or colour-treated to within an inch of its life, Iles Formula leaves locks beautifully smooth and soft. We recommend picking up the Signature Collection ($225) collection which includes the original Shampoo, Conditioner and Finishing Serum.
Advanced Night Repair is one of Estee Lauder’s most beloved products for a reason — it works for pretty much every skin tone. Oil-free and deeply hydrating Estee Lauder, Advanced Night Repair ($190) uses a peptide complex to increase collagen production and skin renewal. You can read more about it in our best night serums round up.
For a mum whose skin needs some TLC, Lancôme, Absolue Oleo Serum ($440) is an oil-in-serum hybrid potion packed with Lancome’s proprietary grand rose extracts. It nourishes the complexion while strengthening the skin barrier and soothing irritation. A perfect, cocooning winter treat for your mum.
What’s a luxury product roundup without one of these gorgeous golden bullets from YSL? The Rouge Volupte Shine ($68) lipstick range makes lips look good. That’s because each formula is comprised of 65% nourishing oils and anti-aging antioxidants like pomegranate extract. Supremely comforting and a delight to pull out of your handbag. It’s impossible to be disappointed by this gift.
Easy breezy bronze the By Terry, Ombre Blackstar, Cream Eyeshadow in “Bronze Moon” ($73) is an exceptional option for the mum with zero time, who likes some no fuss, high impact beauty. It’s also great for someone who finds doing eye makeup without her spectacles tricky, Either way, she’ll get a buttery smooth metallic sheen in a waterproof, transfer resistant formula that lasts all day.
As skin ages, focusing on increasing luminosity and texture, rather than covering up should be your goal. Giorgio Armani, Crema Nuda Tinted Cream ($195) makes achieving this goal easy. The formula blends Giorgio Armani’s unparalleled foundation expertise (they brought us the category-defining Luminous Silk Foundation, after all) with a range of skincare benefits. This product creates a veil of coverage rather than a mask, blurring and softening blemishes and lines while improving overall skin condition.
MONROE, Wash., April 16, 2024 (Newswire.com)
– Prime Party, creator lab of themed party decorations, including The Golden Girls television show decorations, is excited to announce Mother’s Day offerings.
Put a smile on Mom’s face with Prime Party’s unique Dozen Red Roses Bouquet. This special gift is the perfect way to express your love and gratitude for Mom. This bouquet features 12 stunning red roses, Betty White, from the hit show “The Golden Girls”.
This beautiful bouquet will bring joy and delight to Mom on her day. The bouquet of roses comes beautifully printed on sturdy cardboard and stands 18″ tall and 12″ wide in all its glory, making it a truly spectacular gift.
The bouquet also includes a tag that can be personalized with Mom’s name and a special message, making it even more thoughtful.
For those looking for something larger, Prime Party offers a Dozen Roses 13-piece front yard takeover. Printed on weatherproof plastic corrugate, this is a perfect surprise to wake up to on Mother’s Day.
Prime Party’s Golden Girl’s Apron is the perfect gift for Mom and will make Mother’s Day special this year. With Prime Party’s Golden Girl’s Apron, you and Mom can spend quality time baking family-favorite recipes and make Mom feel even more special when you team up in the kitchen and bake your treats together.
You and Mom can wear the apron, go down memory lane, and bake a family recipe you remember fondly from childhood. All it takes is one bite of your favorite treats to bring back your happiest memories of days gone by and reminisce with Mom about your favorite Golden Girl episodes.
Prime Party designed this fun apron to make moms smile every time they put it on because of the beautiful, colorful design and nostalgia. To make it even more functional, the apron includes two spacious yellow pockets, each trimmed with a pink and white polka dot pattern. One pocket features a picture of Sophia and Dorothy and the other showcases Blanche and Rose.
Prime Party offers other fun gifts for Mother’s Day. Click Gift Ideas to see all of Prime Party’s Mother’s Day gift ideas.
SPEAKING AS A mom myself, I know that the best gift you can give your mother is you. Whether you plug in your hybrid or hop on a cheap electric bike, you should see her if you can (we get it if you think air travel is scary, though). If you think you’d like to bring her a gift, now is the time to start thinking about it, because Mother’s Day is approaching on May 12. Scrambling for ideas? We’ve got a bunch of gift recommendations below.
Your mom may be the person who loves you the most in the world, but she’s probably got a lot of other things going on, like traveling for work, working out, or hanging out with friends. I consulted other WIRED parents for their favorite picks. These are our top gift ideas to help moms work from home, annotate their books, or dip into the world of gaming in their downtime. While you’re at it, check out our many other buying guides, like the Best Gift Ideas for New Parents, Best Kid Podcasts, or the Best Kid Tablets.
Updated April 2024: We significantly revamped this guide by deleting old picks and replacing with newer ones, including the Creative Aurvana 2, the Tom Bihn Nomad Tote, and many others.
Special offer for Gear readers: Get a1-year subscription toWIREDfor $5 ($25 off). This includes unlimited access to WIRED.com and our print magazine (if you’d like). Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.
Between the classic and elegant treatment rooms to the expansive outdoor facilities, a spa day at The Lodge at Sonoma is exactly what your mom needs this Mother’s Day. After all, what could be better than a restorative massage after a long day of wine tasting? The outdoor facilities are a true highlight of this spa, featuring a barrel sauna, soaking pools, jacuzzis and a tranquil garden. The Renew and Restore body treatment is far more than a standard massage; it features a salt scrub, mud therapy, a hydrating wrap and a full-body aromatherapy massage to finish. Spending all day here is easy, and the facilities should be taken advantage of both before and after the treatment.
Mother’s Day is nearly upon us, and with it, searches for the best flower delivery services are burgeoning. Luckily, the flower delivery shop scene is blooming beautifully ahead of Mothering Sunday, and hand-delivered floral arrangements remain an endlessly special way to show your loved one you care.
Outside of Mother’s Day, a bouquet of pink roses and a greetings card will almost always do the job. Outstayed your welcome at your parents’ house? Congratulating a friend’s new job? Order a beautiful bouquet. Feeling a bit down and eager to treat yourself? Order flowers. Miley said to.
You might not be able to get to your local florists on time, but a quick Google search for the best online flower delivery services will throw up thousands flower shops, each with countless delivery options promising the freshest, most beautiful blooms, letterbox flowers and gift hampers. But how to choose which suppliers of tulips, carnations, freesias and orchids will actually deliver on their speed and freshness guarantees? We’ve got you.
Ahead, the crème de la crème of British next-day flower delivery services – from independent florists to high street heroes – for a last-minute gift, whatever the special occasion.
This article was updated in February 2024 to ensure all bouquets are in stock.
How we chose the best flower delivery services:
GLAMOUR always strives to provide our readers with independent, honest and trustworthy reviews. We have been testing flower delivery services for the past four years to curate this edit of ethical florists – scoring entries based on value for money, variety of options, delivery, arrangements and how long they lasted for before they started wilting.
We’ve considered factors like whether sustainability credentials are upheld, whether deliveries came with flower food, how easy our fresh-cut flowers were to arrange and whether flower subscription services are available at the same time. We’ve also considered whether you can add cards and luxe gifts to your orders. We’re confident that our guide provides you with everything you need to know.
How can I make my flowers last longer?
There’s little point in spending upwards of £25 on a beautiful bouquet of the freshest spring flowers if they’re not going to last.
“First and foremost, changing the water and trimming the stems every three days will help keep your flowers hydrated and full of life,” Freddie Garland, expert florist and founder of Freddie’s Flowers told us.
In addition, you should always fill your vase up with cold water. Not warm water. Also, store them out of direct sunlight. Warm water and bright sunshine encourage flowers to bloom earlier, meaning they’ll have a shorter life span and last for less time. Oh, and put your flowers in a glass vase. Glass helps keep flowers looking better for longer than plastic and metal do, because plastic and metal encourage faster multiplication of bacteria.
Searches for Mother’s Day hampers have begun burgeoning. No surprise, really: reigning supreme as one of the most indulgent Mother’s Day gift ideas available, the case is the same most years. In 2024, Mothering Sunday falls on Sunday 10th March, and while you may have already found countless luxury gifts for her in our guides to gifts for mums, mother-in-laws and grandmas, you can’t really beat a Mother’s Day gift basket when it comes to gifting with WOW-factor.
Orchestrating the gifting of one of the best Mother’s Day hampers requires very little time and effort, though their indulgence suggests the upmost thought and care. Mother’s Day gift boxes come ready-prepared and packed with everything from fudge and pinkgin to Charlotte Tilburymakeup, antipasti and wildflower seeds. So, whether she has got a sweet tooth, loves to cook or simply wants to be left alone in her garden, there’s Mother’s Day hamper idea to make her day (read: year).
A gift experience is a wonderful Mother’s Day gift, particularly if she’s in need of a reset. And a stay at Unplugged doesn’t get more special. Hector Hughes, co-founder at Unplugged, told us: “With more than 50% of our guests stating burnout as a motivation to escape, it’s clear that work stresses and the need to be ‘always on’ is pushing people to look for solutions such as a digital detox.
“Of course people can implement better habits at home, but intentionally going off-grid removes the temptations to check work emails, or scroll on social media. 83% of our guests plan on implementing better digital habits after their detox, such as setting screen time limits or having a phone free evening once a week.”
If an 8 year old can make Nutella Stuffed Strawberry Chocolate Cupcakes, you certainly can do it! Moist chocolate cupcakes are a must for Valentine’s Day!
Are you familiar with how cooking happens in our house? It’s not just a mom thing, and it’s certainly not just an adult thing, the whole family is involved. I’ll tell you all about how our family created the tradition of kids cooking, plus a few tips for making it work in your home, but first, let’s chat about these Nutella Stuffed Strawberry Chocolate Cupcakes, very similar to our Milk Chocolate Cupcakes.
Nutella Stuffed Strawberry Chocolate Cupcakes
I love the look of chocolate and fluffy, pink anything, yes, even pink pancakes. I’m not really a pink girl, I think I have one or two pink shirts in my closet and that’s probably it. Now don’t panic, I have nothing against pink, I’m just not drawn to it like I am blue or white for example. I should move to Santorini, Greece. That seems like a good choice.
Ahhh but chocolate and pink, there’s something about that just makes me want to take a big ol’ bite. And these Nutella Stuffed Strawberry Chocolate Cupcakes are the perfect example.
A moist chocolate cupcake, stuffed with totally lickable Nutella and topped off with strawberry buttercream that is silky like those old school 90’s silk pajamas. Nothing short of a dream.
Why Coffee in Chocolate Cake
You all know us well enough by now to know that we don’t drink alcohol, coffee or tea and while yes, alcohol usually cooks out of things, we don’t keep it in the house so it just doesn’t happen.
When it comes to chocolate cake I’ve had to embrace that it does in fact make a difference. I bought this, Espresso Powder used for baking and I merely add a little to any liquid in chocolate baking and it enhances the chocolate flavor without adding any coffee flavor. I honestly still skip it all the time, but really, it does make a difference and you’re probably eating it most of the time you buy a chocolate anything out and about.
Boiling Water in Chocolate Cake
Have you noticed how many chocolate recipes include boiling water? Especially a chocolate cake or cupcake. So what’s the deal with boiling water in chocolate cake?
It seems like it would be something with the hot water making the cake more moist or tender, but it’s actually about the cocoa. When making anything chocolate you should mix cocoa with hot water then let it sit for a few minutes. What you’re actually doing is blooming the chocolate, or in other words, the cocoa dissolves and the flavor particles are released leading to a more powerful chocolate flavor.
Chocolate brownies are a little different, you’ll want to bloom the chocolate in hot oil. Not like, fry you up some fried chicken oil, just warmed up so that it will activate those particles.
When is National Chocolate Cupcake Day?
I was meaning to write this post but I got distracted and wondered if there was a National Chocolate Cupcake Day because there seems to be a national everything you could imagine day and sure enough, October 18th! That’s my little sister’s birthday, so I’m going to have to send her a chocolate cupcake come October. “Hey here’s a cupcake in the mail, happy blasted birthday, xoxo! 😉 ”
Why Chocolate Cake is Dry
It seems to me that chocolate cake has the most issues when it comes to being perfectly moist and tender. If you’ve made cake before you you might notice that while your white cake comes out perfect your chocolate cake ends up dry and crumbly and you KNOW you’ve followed the exact directions.
Here’s a few reasons your chocolate cake is dry.
You’ve used a hot liquid which cooled and evaporated some of the liquid. You know that boiling coffee or water that you cooled back down to room temperature? While cooling the liquid begins to evaporate and you can end up losing up to 2 ounces purely from evaporation!
You didn’t properly measure your flour. Remember, there’s an actual science to baking and this one tip on measuring flour is LIFE CHANGING.
Too many holes leading to a dry cake. This happens most often because you over-mixed or mixed improperly. Cookies can handle more mixing, cakes and quick breads need to be gently handled.
Over baking is a huge culprit. We tend to worry about a gooey middle and therefore push the cake until it’s been over baked. A cake should be pulling away from the edges, have a bright spring when you tap the middle and when you insert a cake tester or toothpick into the very center it should come out clean.
What Makes Chocolate Cake Moist
We now understand what can ruin a chocolate cake, leading to something as dry as stale bread, but what makes chocolate cake moist?
Butter not Margarine: Margarine has extra water in it which will dry out your cake.
Has the butter been brought to room temperature? Butter that is too cold or too warm will absolutely change how the ingredients combine and bake up.
Try adding part or all oil instead of butter. Water evaporates from butter in the baking process while oil maintains moisture.
Place plastic wrap over a hot liquid as it cools before adding it to the cake. This will keep moisture from evaporating.
Which Frosting for Chocolate Cake?
Chocolate cake is such a classic. It’s a perfect cake to really play around with the frosting as so many go well with chocolate. If you’re like me and love the brightness and fresh taste of berries you’ll love a buttercream flavored with your favorite fruit or jam. That’s why these chocolate cupcakes have a strawberry buttercream on top!
Strawberry Buttercream
A strawberry buttercream is one of the best frosting recipes to keep on hand no matter what time of year it is. It’s simple, fresh and has great color to brighten up any day or holiday.
How to make strawberry buttercream with jam
Ahhhh now that’s the question isn’t it. I mean, who has time to bust out their own strawberry preserves just to make frosting? It’s much easier to use jam. But are all strawberry jam buttercream recipes equal?
When making a fruit buttercream it’s important to look for a high quality seedless jam. The seeds not only get obnoxious in a frosting, but they also can separate the frosting as it mixes.
Unfortunately the best answer is to buy a few preserves in the store and sample them at home as it all depends on your tastes.
How Long Will Chocolate Cake Last?
Chocolate cake (have you tried ours that is legit the Matilda Chocolate Cake?!) can be stored a few ways to keep it fresh and tasty.
Store chocolate cake or cupcakes at room temperature for a day or in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Cupcakes can be wrapped in plastic wrap, placed in freezer bags and stored for up to 3 months in the freezer.
Oh, but what about frosting and buttercream? Can you freeze frosting? You can store it in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days or in th freezer for up to 3 months. Make sure when you defrost the frosting you do so in the refrigerator versus just sticking it on the counter.
How to Stuff Cupcakes with Nutella or Other Fillings
I’ve watched so many people use a piping tip to squirt a filling into a sealed cupcake but I’m here to beg you to stop. Forcing a filling into a space that has no hole demands that space be forced into creation. This breaks the cupcake and generally under-fills it.
The best way to stuff a cupcake with nutella is to use an apple corer or serrated steak knife to cut a core out of the cupcake and fill it using a spoon or piping bag.
I prefer to keep the cake that has been removed, carefully slice off the top lid of the removed piece of cake and gently place it back on top of the cupcake. This helps to keep the filling moist and and you get more cake. The cake is actually my favorite part?
Frosting or Cake?
In fact, I’m curious, if given a cupcake do you savor the cake or the frosting? And how do you eat the cupcake? Take a big ol’ bite or create a cupcake sandwich? Ahhhh or are you a fork person?
Looking for more Valentine’s recipes to share with the ones you love?
REMEMBER TO SUBSCRIBE TO our FREE Oh Sweet Basil NEWSLETTER AND RECEIVE EASY RECIPES DELIVERED INTO YOUR INBOX EVERY DAY!
When you try a recipe, please use the hashtag #ohsweetbasil on INSTAGRAM for a chance to be featured in our stories! FOLLOW OH, SWEET BASIL ON FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | TWITTER FOR ALL OF OUR LATEST CONTENT, RECIPES AND STORIES.
Servings: 17
Prep Time: 10 minutesmins
Cook Time: 20 minutesmins
Additional Time: 20 minutesmins
Total Time: 50 minutesmins
Description
If an 8 year old can make Nutella Stuffed Strawberry Chocolate Cupcakes, you certainly can do it! Moist chocolate cupcakes are a must for Valentine’s Day!
For the Strawberry Buttercream
Prevent your screen from going dark
Place the chocolate and cocoa powder in a medium glass bowl.
In a measuring cup, add the hot water and espresso powder, stirring to combine and bloom.
Pour the hot coffee over the chocolate mixture, whisking gently until smooth then cover in plastic wrap and set aside to cool completely.
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°F.
Line 2 standard 12-cup muffin tins with foil or paper liners.
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, and baking soda.
Whisk the oil, eggs, vinegar, and vanilla into the cooled chocolate mixture until smooth.
Pour the chocolate into the flour mixture, stirring until smooth. Using a spring-loaded scoop, divide the batter evenly among prepared muffin cups, filling 3/4 full.
Bake until cupcakes are set and firm when you press on the tops, about 17 to 19 minutes.
Remove from the oven to cool. Using an apple corer or pairing knife, slice a small section out of the center of the cupcake. Make sure you do not pierce to the bottom. Fill each hole with 1 heaping tablespoon of Nutella.
We like to pop the very top of the cupcake core we removed back onto the top of the cupcake before frosting.
For the Strawberry Buttercream
In the bowl of an electric mixer beat the butter until light and fluffy. Add in the vanilla, strawberry jam and powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well on medium speed.
Transfer the buttercream to a piping bag fit with a decorative piping tip (I used this one). Frost and serve!
cupcakes will stay fresh for 2-3 days. Substitute for cake flour- 1 cup flour minus 2 tablespoons and then add back 2 tablespoons corn starch and whisk to combine.
The best gifts for her are never an afterthought; rather, a considered purchase – one that took some mulling over. She’ll no doubt appreciate whatever you lovingly wrap up for her, but if you’re shopping for your wife, girlfriend, mum, best friend, sister, auntie, mother-in-law, or grandma this Christmas, you’ll likely want to go all out with a present you know she’ll absolutely love.
We hate to break it to you but it’s November, which means December 25th is practically tomorrow. If you’re prone to leaving things to the last minute and tell yourself every year to be more organised, take this as your official sign to start adding things to cart.
That’s where our gift to you comes in: GLAMOUR’s ultimate guide to the best gifts for women. We’ve spoken to our favourite brands and scoured every bestseller category to curate the ultimate list of gifts ideas for her. Even if you think she already has everything.
From the pamper fanatic friend who loves nothing more than a boujee skincare gift set, to the wellness-obsessed sister-in-law who’d swoon for a pair of mulberry silk pyjamas and a scented candle, there’s something in this edit for everyone. Find everything from reed diffusers and Prosecco to hoop earrings, letterbox gifts, experiences and jumpers. Many with next-day delivery.
It’s tough work honing in on the best gifts for mom (and mother figures of all kinds). They’re perennial overachievers, which can make it tough to nail down the one gift that will suit her varied, yet highly specific, needs. But most moms can be defined by one thing: their impeccable taste. So when shopping for the moms in your life for Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, the holidays, or beyond, consider elevated versions of all their favorite essentials—from bottomless bags to cookware to skincare.
For all your streamlined (and not totally flustered, last-minute) shopping purposes, this handcrafted, artisanal gift guide focuses on delights big and small, as well as some more practical, perhaps even useful gifts for mom—like gift sets that nod to her cravings and craft preferences, quality of life enhancements in the form of tech gadgets, plus comfy layers that can ease her into the colder weather to come. Now go forth and claim your position as her favorite child with one (or many) of these, the best gifts for mom.
All products featured on GQ are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Buying gifts for mum is a high-pressure game. Mums are always there for us, after all, giving their unconditional love and support and helping us through everything that life throws our way. So we can hardly blame ourselves for piling on the pressure when it comes to scouring every gift guide in order to find something that screams “you’re the best, I love you.”
Whether you’re searching for the best (early) Christmas presents for mum, Mother’s Day gifts, birthday gifts for mums, new mum gifts or something to mark her new job or retirement, GLAMOUR’s carefully-curated edit of the best gifts for mum will leave you positively spoilt for choice.
Jewellery brandAbbott Lyon recently reported a massive 400% increase in searches for ‘mama necklaces’, so it’s well and truly time to start spoiling her. Think everything from personalised gifts/accessories and luxurious pyjama sets to skincare gift set that will elevate her next pamper night.
What should I gift my mother? Top 10 picks at a glance:
Personalised Silver Little Letters Necklace
CurrentBody Skin LED Eye Perfector
Rosie Fleece Hooded Long Dressing Gown
Jo Malone London English Pear & Freesia Cologne (100ml)
The CSA Kit Retinal Edition
Fiction Book Subscription
Personalised Wall Calendar
Carrière Frères Lycopersicon Esculentum Tomato Reed Fiffuser (200ml)
For those who thought Shakira was all embitterment and revenge with her song subjects of late (hear: “Te Felicito” and “Shakira: BZRP Music Sessions #53”), Gerard Piqué isn’t the only topic occupying her mind (therefore, songwriting tendencies) lately. With “Acróstico,” the newest single that will likely appear on her twelfth album, Shakira focuses her mind instead on maternal sentiment—which was just in time for Mother’s Day weekend, as the song was released on May 11th. Accordingly, Shakira has no shame in getting Oedipal (just as John Lennon didn’t have any), talking about a mother’s transcendent, inimitable love for her children; in this case, two sons named Sasha and Milan (yes, they sound as though they were plucked right out of a season of RuPaul’s Drag Race).
It is these two names that are spelled out via the first letters of the verses in the song (though Shakira cheats more than a little bit by not having them spelled in a direct row—perhaps proving that acrostic poems are not exactly “elementary school child’s play”). A slow piano ballad, the beat drops around the one-minute, twenty-second mark as Shakira sings, “Se nos rompió solo un plato no toda la vajilla/Y aunque no sé poner la otra mejilla/Aprender a perdonar es de sabios/Que solo te salga amor de esos labios.” This meaning, “We only broke one plate, not all the dishes/And although I don’t know how to turn the other cheek/Learning to forgive is wise/May only love come out of those lips” (instead of the bullshit that came out of Piqué’s). As usual, everything sounds better and more poetic in Spanish than it does in English. But these are hardly the most standout or “maternal” expressions conveyed in the song. Elsewhere, Shakira gets even mushier with lines like, “The only thing I want is your happiness and to be with you/A smile from you is my weakness/Loving you serves as an anesthesia for pain/It makes me feel better/For whatever you need, I am here/You came to complete what I am.” How Jerry Maguire.
Of course, with Shakira’s sons only being ten and eight, it’s easy to feel such warm fuzziness toward them. But hopefully, they never take the route of Britney Spears’ spawns and veer more toward the path of Pamela Anderson’s. Depending on Piqué’s (and Clara Chía’s…if she lasts) influence, that feeling could change as they grow older (plus, if we’re drawing a comparative line, Piqué is technically Shakira’s K-Fed). Indeed, Britney is no stranger to the “write a song for my sons” genre only to have it backfire, having released both “Someday (I Will Understand)” and “My Baby” in years before the sting of Jayden and Sean’s betrayal. Years when they weren’t sentient enough to backstab (hence, lyrics such as, “Tiny hands/Yes, that’s you/And all you show/It’s simply true/I smell your breath/It makes me cry”—that last sentiment sounding more like an insult than a compliment).
But, for now, and despite Britney as a cautionary tale about writing songs for your sons, Shakira is hedging all her emotional bets on them by claiming ownership (almost as though marking her territory more strongly than Piqué can because he ain’t a singer). So it is that she declares, “You taught me that love is not a scam and that when it’s real it doesn’t end.” No pressure or anything for these sons to be her love “catch-all,” even as they grow up and inevitably try to distance themselves from their madre. Or worse, if they decide not to…meaning whoever they end up with will be marrying Shakira as much as her sons (though that might be motivation enough for some people).
This is when it becomes worth noting that “Acróstico” is just as overbearing as it is “sweet.” And while there have been plenty of other pop stars who have used their children as lyrical inspiration (e.g., David Bowie’s “Kooks,” John Lennon’s “Beautiful Boy,” Lauryn Hill’s “To Zion” and Madonna’s “Little Star”), this particular slow jam feels more like additional leverage against Piqué somehow. Forgive the jadedness, but it’s hard not to picture Shakira diabolically laying down this track as further proof of her beneficent superiority over her shady, two-timing ex.
The album artwork, fittingly enough, features a teddy bear popping out of an unpacked box…seeing as how Shakira has relocated from Barcelona to Miami with Sasha and Milan after the fallout with their father. The box above it also has a sticker stamped on with a broken heart icon and the words, “Fragile Handle With Care.” Shakira believes her sons will do just that, the antidote to every other ill and heartbreak that might come along. Seemingly not realizing that a mother’s son can be just as much of a bane as a boon to her emotional well-being. Perhaps fellow celebrity mom Madonna put it best when she wrote in part of her own Mother’s Day message, “I have experienced my highest highs and my lowest lows as a Mother. No one could have prepared me.” Maybe Shakira herself has yet to be prepared for the potential disappointment that can come with putting so much weight on a child’s love if it isn’t reciprocated in the “right” way somewhere down the line. To add to the “aggressive, sticky maternal love!” (as Marcello in La Dolce Vita would say) vibe, Shakira also offers an accompanying lyric video featuring animated scenes of a mama bird protecting and tending to her nest of two eggs. Heavy-handed, to be sure. But not as much as when she defends her nest through a violent storm before the eggs hatch.
Upon “safely” bringing her two babies into the world (as though anyone is ever safe once they’re here), she proceeds to “activate” as a mother by foraging for food to bring back to them—the maternal instinct innate (or so the video would like to suggest). Jumping up and down in excitement as she watches them learn to fly, the trio soon soars off together into the sunset. And, in an alternate universe, one could even imagine a Spanish version of Princess Diana having her time with William and Harry soundtracked to this. However, for those who are maudlin-averse or perhaps have a more Mommie Dearest experience with their own mother, this song—brief though it may be—might not be easy to stomach.
Despite “Mother” being one of John Lennon’s most deeply personal songs, there was a point when he told a concert audience in 1972, “A lot of people thought [‘Mother’] was just about my parents, but it was about 99% of the parents, alive or half-dead.” That “half-dead” jibe referring to the kind of parents Lennon had, who were never quite fully there—mostly because of their own emotional stuntedness that wouldn’t allow them to be. Although “Mother,” from the 1970 album John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band, explored the shortcomings of both of Lennon’s progenitors, Alfred a.k.a. “Freddie” and Julia, it was his matriarch who served as the primary focus for the rage-sadness that punctuated lyrics like, “Mother, you had me/But I never had you.”
That the song commences with a bevy of elegiac carillons additionally speaks to Lennon “laying to rest” his proverbial “Mommy issues.” Not least of which included his Oedipal admission of wanting to touch his mother in ways inappropriate for a son. Recalling how his hand grazed her tit one afternoon as they were napping, John would later muse, “I was wondering if I should do anything else… I always think I should have done it. Presumably she would have allowed it.” What with Julia’s reputation for being so “bohemian.”
Oedipal inclinations aside, from the get-go of “Mother,” Lennon gut-punches his listeners by holding up his abandonment like an open wound he’s begging someone—anyone—to heal. As if, by showing it, maybe somebody can mend the damage. But, by that point, it was far too deep-seated to ever be repaired. Although the lyrics are sparse and often repetitive, the rich tapestry of Lennon’s varying vocal intonations is what makes the visceral song so arresting. This being in addition to the fact that so many can relate to the sentiments and themes presented. Both of which cut to the core of the type of abandonment that seemed so much more normalized when baby boomers were growing up (ergo the classic trope about Dad going out to buy a pack of cigarettes and never returning).
Not to say, of course, that parents don’t still abandon their children (in more abstract ways now) every day, but it’s certainly less “tolerated.” And the only thing people hate more than having to be responsible is being made to feel guilty or shamed about, that’s right, not being responsible. “Back then,” as the phrase goes, it appeared so much more “accepted” to abandon children. After all, there were numerous cataclysmic factors that allowed one a “get out of jail [because, yeah, parenting is a prison] free” card. World War II, the Great Depression, a lack of surveillance technology in the form of smartphones—just to name a few of those “extenuating circumstances.”
To enhance the notion that to be a baby boomer child (and particularly a male one) was to run a higher risk of emotional damage incurred from one’s parents, Phil Spector co-produced the song. And he, too, got something of what can be called a “raw deal” in his upbringing. For his father, Benjamin, offered perhaps the worst kind of abandonment: committing suicide. Spurred by his increasing debt in 1949, Benjamin chose carbon monoxide poisoning as the most effective out. At the time, Spector was ten years old. Lennon would be far younger when he dealt with his own sting of abandonment, as his father was constantly absent due to his job as a sea merchant. But “at least” when he was doing that, he could send the checks home to help Julia support their son. Those checks mysteriously ceased circa 1944 (in the months when John would have been three) after Freddie went AWOL. A desertion that would soon extend to his nuclear family.
Six months after his disappearance, perhaps something like a guilty conscience struck as Freddie decided to return and try to get Julia to take him back. But she had already “canoodled” with a Welsh soldier, and ended up pregnant with his child (her family implored her to put up that baby for adoption, which she did—as even she couldn’t seem to talk herself into the idea that she was a “fit mother”). After that, she got together with John “Bobby” Dykins and had two children with him, although she never officially divorced from Freddie.
Though Julia eventually “got it together” for her second family, her “care” of John proved worrisome to her older sister, Mimi, who reported her to social services and gained custody of Julia’s firstborn that way. Regardless, Julia remained in daily contact with John and, in 1946, followed her son and Freddie to Blackpool where the latter was intending to run away to New Zealand with John. Forced into one of the most uncomfortable positions any child can be, John was asked to choose between his parents as they proceeded to get in an argument about custody. Stating that he chose his father, John then ran after an affronted Julia. But he was damned by whatever decision he made, for neither parent was equipped to raise him. Just as so many parents aren’t, yet still decide to go ahead and spawn anyway.
Later, in a 1980 interview, John would come to understand of his mother, “[She] just couldn’t deal with life. She was the youngest and she had a husband who ran away to sea and the war was on and she couldn’t cope with me, and I ended up living with her elder sister. Now those women were fantastic… And that was my first feminist education… I would infiltrate the other boys’ minds. I could say, ‘Parents are not gods because I don’t live with mine and, therefore, I know.’” This revelation—the one that children aren’t supposed to find out about until much later—came to John earlier than it should have. Ironically, while parents are supposed to be seen as some kind of all-knowing, all-powerful gods by their children, they themselves often know so little. It was no wonder David Bowie therefore clapped back in 1972’s “Changes,” “And these children that you spit on/As they try to change their worlds/Are immune to your consultations/They’re quite aware of what they’re going through.”
John certainly was. And it was something he could never not be aware of—no matter how many drugs or how many women (or men) he turned to as a means to numb that awareness. That’s why he was still writing about the parental slight in 1970, at the age of thirty. Perhaps finally having the clarity that’s so often associated with “age” and being able to look back on things with a greater sense of perspective and wisdom. In the end, for his own self-preservation, he has to admit to both parents in “Mother,” “I, I wanted you/You didn’t want me/So, I/I just got to tell you/Goodbye.” Unfortunately, his wisdom arrived after he had already made the same mistake of rushing into having a family of his own too early—as though to “generate” the one he never had. Thus, in “Mother” he also sings, “Children, don’t do what I have done/I couldn’t walk and I tried to run.” In effect, John urges childless people not to hurry into having kids just because they want to fill some void left by their parents’ method of “raising.”
Shouting, “Mama don’t go! Daddy come home!” as the song draws to a close, the residual pain left by his parents is forever immortalized. And for so many children (no matter what age) who listen to it, that pain is all too resonant.
Before having children of my own, I have to admit I thought that being a mom meant dressing like one—and in the stereotypical sense. Now, nearly three years and two boys later, I can confidently say that “mom style” is, at most, different from non-mom style in that it tends to be a pinch more practical for every day, and that’s about it. There’s nothing moms can’t wear, no trends off limits, and, in fact, I think things seem to be only getting sartorially better postpartum.
If you don’t want to take my word for it, I can easily point you in the direction of dozens of influencers whose style is universally loved and who also just so happen to be moms, too. I don’t know when it happened, but it feels like I blinked and all my favorite It-girls had kids, and I love seeing how their style has evolved over the years. Today, in honor of Mother’s Day being just around the corner, I’m highlighting eleven such ladies. To see and shop some of their best looks, simply keep scrolling.
A mother of one, and the oldest of five siblings, Carol Kemper is described by her younger sister, Beth Hussar, as the “mother of all mothers.”
“She will drop anything she’s doing to help anyone,” Hussar told CBS News. “She’s the most selfless person you would ever meet.”
That selflessness turned her passion for fitness into a successful personal training career focused on senior citizens, and now Parkinson’s disease, a cause that became close to her heart after Kemper’s brother-in-law was diagnosed with the disease in 2019.
Kemper offers classes that specialize in workouts and therapies for people with Parkinson’s disease.
“We learned by example through our upbringing,” Kemper said. “We watched our parents be devout Catholics and dedicated to their families. It’s just a natural response that we care for each other and are very close and loving with each other.”
So close, in fact, that Kemper is also the primary caretaker for her 91-year-old mom, Liz Thurin.
“I realize the amount of work it is, physically and mentally,” Hussar said. “My sister does that, as well as everything else going on in her life.”
Hussar described to CBS News how Kemper has been able to take care of their mother while also continuing to run her studio. Thurin and her late husband were married for more than 60 years, and raised their five children together.
A close-knit family, Kemper’s siblings also lend a helping hand whenever possible.
“Our mother’s been through so much the last two years with her health, and since our father passed four years ago,” Kemper said. “And she carried through all of that with such grit and toughness, and just handles everything with such grace. And I think that’s carried down to us.”
:quality(85):upscale()/2024/04/22/180/n/1922564/e053c58d662729043635a3.53124429_.jpg)
