Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Mother's Day Gift Guide AND A GIVEAWAY!!!

Early yesterday morning, I had a moment. It was kinda like this:



Y'all, I don't want to cause panic and hysteria, but Mother's Day is this weekend. As in you only have five more days. But, have no fear because today I've got a View From Behind Home Plate Gift Guide AND . . . drum roll, please....

WE HAVE A GIVEAWAY, FRIENDS!! #WOOHOO #ITSGOINGTOBEFINE 


Two of my favorite people in all the land have donated a Massage Envy gift card to my Northern Virginia area readers!!! The card can be used for a massage or a facial! Go on. Take a moment to celebrate.



This gift card can be used at Massage Envy locations in Gainesville, Herndon, Fair Lakes, Reston or the brand new Dulles Landing location. To enter to win, please leave a comment below in the blog comments section with the best advice you got from mom, grandmom, an aunt or the favorite woman in your life. Comment by 10:00 am on Thursday, May 5th to be entered to win. Winner will be contacted Thursday and I will mail or deliver your gift card!

Just in case you don't win, though, you'll need some other ideas. And if you do win, your mom/wife deserves all the things on the list anyway. So here are some ideas for you.

(PS Mom, Pass over #1 if you want to be surprised. :/)

1. A Summer Day at the Baseball Field/Lacrosse Field/Soccer Field/Pool/Beach Tote

I love a giant tote bag. In fact, I had way too many when I cleaned out my closet to move. It was a little ridiculous. It's as if I thought I would be toting things for every mom on the block. The thing about most summer totes is that they must be able to withstand sand, water, baseball dirt, and soggy goldfish crackers so you might not want to spend too much on them. Target has some really cute totes right now and I thought one of these might be just perfect for my mama. And for yours. And for you.




I also love this Moda Luxe Suede Fold Over Satchel Bag from South Moon Under. But I just need to point out that anytime I hear or see the word "luxe", I automatically roll my eyes, because please, get over yourself.




2. Keurig Coffee Brewing System in the Cutest Colors


When I was on target.com looking for the tote bag photo, I saw this coffee maker (or "brewing system" if you're fancy) in turquoise. They have a zillion fun colors. Attention, Men: I'm going to give you a warning here. Sometimes a bright color is a better idea in theory than it is on the actual kitchen counter, so keep the receipt. The white one is pretty, too, just in case your mom and/or wife isn't up for the color.

3. Soap & Glory Products on Sale at Ulta


Ulta is one of my new favorite places. Someone commented on a blog I read recently that if Sephora and Target had a baby it would be Ulta. So, what more do you need to know? You can get anything from Neutrogena and Cover Girl to Philosophy and Benefit in one place. I've mentioned Soap & Glory products before. I about had a panic attack when Target stopped carrying them, so I was thrilled to see them on the shelf when Ulta opened in my 'hood. My favorite is the Clean on Me Body Wash and the Righteous Butter Body Lotion.  Go HERE to find lots of their products on sale.  I think there is free shipping on orders of at least $35. :-)



4. Adult Coloring book




Apparently, adult coloring books are all the rage now.

(And I'm pretty sure the phrase "all the rage" is not even remotely all the rage these days.)

Here is what Amazon says about adult coloring books:

  • Provides hours and hours of stress relief, mindful calm, and fun, creative expression.
  • Join millions of adults all around the world who are rediscovering the simple relaxation and joy of coloring!

Um. Yes, please. Sign me up.

THIS ONE has Bible verses. THIS ONE says it has stress relieving patterns. I'm not sure there is a mom out there who wouldn't benefit from a little Jesus and a little stress relief, right? I'm thinking this might be good for both moms of little ones who are tired of spending their days coloring photos of Elsa and Anna and also for moms who are staying up late gearing up to go berserk on that kid who broke curfew again.

5. Summer Reading


I am absolutely the last person to suggest books at this point in my life because in 2016, I've read exactly half of a book. I miss reading so much, but haven't been able to get myself still enough lately. Kelly Corrigan wrote one of my very favorite books ever called The Middle Place. At some point in the last couple of years, I read her memoir, Glitter and Glue devoted to exploring the relationship between mothers and daughters. It's a beautiful and funny and sweet. I'd say get both for mom.

6. Sunglasses
I just got fitted for progressive contact lenses and let me just say this: Game Changer. I am so excited to buy some new trendy sunglasses because I've been wearing the same prescription ones for years. Loft has a great collection of sunglasses this season and they are all on sale for just about nothin', so if you don't like to spend too much money on trends, your piggy bank is safe.


7. PJs for Mom



My very favorite gift to give and to receive is pajamas. In fact, my very favorite thing in all the world just might be pajamas. My mom is a big fan of Alfani pjs at Macy's. They are super comfortable and come in all kinds of cute patterns with options for pants and short sets. Plus, they are 20% off right now!

8.9.10. A Massage Envy Gift Card (or six)


AMEN, AMEN AND AMEN.

Lists seem to always need ten items. I don't know who came up with that, but I have decided that a Massage Envy Gift Card is such a foolproof crowd pleaser that it deserves three full places on the list. Listen to me: Your mom, your sister, your aunt, your grandmom, your cousin, your teacher, your Starbucks barista, and that lady walking down the street all need a massage. So, go ahead right now and comment at the end of this blog with the best advice your mama ever gave you to be entered to win a gift card from Massage Envy locations in Northern Virginia. If you are in a hurry because you need to get to shopping, "eat your vegetables" is good enough. That's some darn good advice. Please try to comment on the blog as opposed to on Facebook. I know some of you have trouble, so if you can't make it happen you can comment on Facebook here. After that go up to the top of this post and click on one of the Massage Envy locations I mentioned and buy a gift card, too. Because your mom, your sister, your aunt, your grandmom, your cousin, your teacher, your Starbucks barista, and that lady walking down the street all need two massages. 

Now, hop to it, people! Let's go! Were you raised in a barn? Pick up your shoes! Enter the contest! Comment right THIS MINUTE before I give you something to cry about!

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yes you have to eat your vegetables but I promise you that once you are a grown up you never have to eat peas or brussel sprouts again ~ (and for the record, I haven't since becoming a grown up) :)

Meg said...

My mom always said "go out with the creeps to look over the crops". Meaning if someone asks you out that you are not totally into, you should go because you never know who else you might meet (or you might end up having a really good time and end up liking that person). Funny that was her saying because I met my husband when I was dating a good friend of his. Disclaimer: his friend was not a creep.

Unknown said...

My Mama's advice: If you don't have something nice to say, say nothing at all!

Unknown said...

For Katie: "If God is saying yes don't say no". My mom taught me plenty with her words but taught me more with her actions and selflessness time and time again she made sure her kids needs we met and exceeded over her own.
-Dave Humphries

Unknown said...

My 99 yr old grandma said the key to staying healthy is walking every day and taking a calcium supplement. She will be 100 in July!

Anna Whiston-Donaldson said...

my mom told me not to be afraid to leave a man at the altar!

Heather Marohn said...

Nothing life changing but my mom was quite the fashionista and had very strict rules about wearing white before Memorial Day and after Labor Day :-)

valerie said...

Aw I love reading everyone else's mama's advice :)
My mom has given me LOTS of advice over the years (most unwanted hahahah :p) but one of my favorite things she always told me was to "always do my best". I know it doesn't sound cool, and looks even less cool after typing it out but those little words helped me so much. she would remind me of this constantly, to the point of it being annoying (yes, mom, i'm in college, i have a test, i know i need to *try my best* geez). but outside of school now that i'm married i really see it in my every day life. it's helped me succeed in my past jobs. it's helped me in motherhood. in my marriage. in everything.

Anonymous said...

"When in doubt, add butter." (You can also find this stitched to an adorable apron from Draper James if you need a gift idea too. I learned about Draper James a few months ago from this blog!!!)
Happy Mother's Day From The L and T Mrs. C.

Karen said...

Whenever I failed at something, had hurt feelings, got a bad grade, broke up with my boyfriend, etc she would always say 'It's not the end of the world. I'm always here for you.' At the time you really do think it is the end of the world. Those words were always so comforting because she was right! I use this with my kids all the time. My mother is a devout woman of God who has been struggling lately with family issues. Tomorrow I get to hug her and tell her 'It's not the end of the world. I'm always here for you.'

Anonymous said...

Be yourself. That's it. BE YOURSELF!

Liz Schuneman Saum said...

My Grandma always said "Pretty is as pretty does" and would explain.that if you're pretty on the inside then your outward appearance was also pretty. Which just reminded me of another of her sayings "Good thing elephants don't fly!" She would say this if you were pouting and your lip looked like a perch for a bird!

Anonymous said...

Treat people the way you would like to be treated.

Lisa K. said...

Wear clean underwear every day -- LOL! I think every mom says that, right? Definitely good advice. Ha!

Ali said...

My Mom always told me you can achieve whatever you put your mind too.