Here are gifts Mom wants like heartfelt presents that say I love you (most without costing a fortune) along with Costco products you need to check out, a great dress, cool stores in SoCal, and more!
It’s Five Faves time with Annie and Cindy!
1. A Versatile Shirt Dress
This shirtwaist dress by Tuckernuck is an easy “one and done” outfit. It comes in other patterns like the one that my friend, Mercedes has. I wore it with these block-heeled sandals.
Shop The Dress:
2. Costco Products Everyone Loves
Last weekend, I was in San Diego to celebrate my sister, Teresa’s birthday with some of her girlfriends.
The subject of well-priced things at Costco kept coming up and our friend, Tammy compiled the list for me on my phone:
- Suja turmeric ginger shots (cheaper than Trader Joe’s) “Packed with functional ingredients like ginger, turmeric, echinacea, and probiotics, the Immunity Defense Shot is sure to give you the boost you need!”
- Perfect bars (find them in the refrigerated section or freezer). Tammy eats these nutritious bars for breakfast or as a snack.
- Breakfast Brie cheese. Teresa had these on her charcuterie board and we all loved the cheeses.
- Yoga tights (Danskin). Tammy gave these well-made workout tights to Teresa as a gift. They are similar to much higher-priced tights.
- Milton’s Gluten-free baked crackers. Milton’s Deli is in San Diego so I am not sure if you can find them at all Costco’s.
- My daughter, Alexandra had an addition for us, Utz Pub Mix (really good).
And that’s your Costco recommendations from my girlfriends to YOU! Can you add your Costco favorites in the comments, please?
3. “New to Me” Cool SoCal Stores That Are Worth Visiting!
In San Diego (Coronado Island), my sister and I had fun exploring Francaise (and the unique goods). There is a great restaurant next door called, The Henry that Teresa’s friend, John treated us to. I want to go back!
Then, in Beverly Hills, my daughter and I went to Soho Home (a store where you can shop the design that furnished the Soho House clubs). They have a great online store, too.
You may also like The Best Home Shops In West Hollywood.
4. What To Watch: Akeela And The Bee
On the airplane ride coming back to Florida from Los Angeles, I watched Akeela And The Bee (available on Amazon Prime). Released in 2006, I’m not sure how I missed it. It was really touching and the whole family can watch it.
“Akeelah, an 11-year-old girl living in South Los Angeles, discovers she has a talent for spelling, which she hopes will take her to the National Spelling Bee.”
5. Gifts Mom Wants! Celebrate Motherhood With These Top Picks
Here are some gift ideas for the mama in your life without spending a ton of money.
The best Mother’s Day gift: A heartfelt written letter (or email at the least) • Target Earthenware Vase with grocery store flowers hand-delivered makes an excellent last-minute gift• Jewelry: J. Crew Beaded Earrings On Super Sale (I have these in white) • Macaroons From Ladurée (see below) • Olive Oil in Reusable Hand-painted Cruet from Puglia • Luxe Cashmere Throw blanket for $129 (similar to $300 throws) • fun colorful glasses
About these thoughtful gifts Mom wants:
- Your mom’s favorite gift will be a letter from you with three or four paragraphs about your memories of her and why you love her.
- Goldbelly provides the macaroons from Ladurée: “In celebration of its 160th anniversary, Maison Ladurée created an exclusive box of 18 macarons. Founded in France in 1862, it’s possibly the most well-known luxury pastry shop in the world. Queen Catherine de Medici originally brought the single macaron to France from Italy in the 16th century, but it was a Ladurée baker who had the original idea to stick two macaron shells together, with creamy ganache as filling.”
- Your mom can always use extra-virgin olive oil…how about some in a pretty cruet imported from Italy?
- I have two of these luxurious cashmere throws (different colors) …a nice layer for colder months or too strong A/C.
- Glasses break…so your mom might get a kick out of some pretty new ones!
- Also, if you know a spa she likes, a gift card for a little self-care like a massage or pedicure could be a perfect gift.
What’s the best gift for you this Mother’s Day?
If you are new here, each Sunday I share my top five favorite things along with my friends, Cindy and Annie. It’s like our weekly “catch-up” phone call. If you would like to receive this series every week, please sign up HERE.
Let’s see what Annie and Cindy’s Five Faves are this week:
What a fun Sunday list. My legs at 82 have bumped into the dishwasher door too many times and hiked into rocks too many times. plus they’re fish belly white. Not a good look. I guess I need makeup. So now I not only need makeup for my face but also my legs! Love the idea of a few loving paragraphs for Mother’s Day. Los of fun stuff.
How much fun did you have being with the adorable Louisa for a week? She is absolutely precious.
Thanks for all the Costco tips, always love to hear what good things others are finding. Such pretty shops, but I never get over to the west side anymore. Too much traffic!
Thanks for your dedication to Sunday’s 5 Favs, certainly a fav of mine!
The traffic in L.A. is hard, Gail. We need to meet in the middle some time.
Thanks for the Costco suggestions. Since I’ve been dieting and trying to stay away from bread, we tried and loved the Kirkland brand frozen cauliflower crust pizza. We really couldn’t tell it wasn’t a flour-based crust. I noticed there was a Milton’s brand cauliflower pizza right next to it (and I’m in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho) so I’d guess at least some Milton’s products are making it out of San Diego/California!
We need to try that cauliflower crust!! W have a pizza oven on the patio.
A wonderful post as always. I love your dress and also loved Teresa’s dress. Any idea where it is from? Great Mother’s Day ideas too! My kids always come up with wonderful gifts but of course having them all home is the best thing!
Debbie W.
Teresa bought it at a small boutique in SD but I can ask her for the label.
Costco’s Coastal white cheddar cheese—fabulous!!
Sounds amazing, Debbie. Thanks!
Thank you for the Costco shopping suggestions! I’m in and out of there often and love knowing what others buy. The Milton’s Gluten Free crackers are already one of my favorites. And their hummus for your hummus platter recipe I enjoy serving. Something we often have on hand are the Phillips Crab Cake Minis in the frozen section. The bite size makes them perfect with cocktails. Serve with parsley or arugula as garnish and aioli or cucumber dill sauce for dipping.
I just told Howard about the mini crab cake suggestion! Thanks. He makes that great remoulade sauce!
Hi Mary Ann,
Wonderful posts thank you ! I love that dress on you ! It’s so perfect! I am 5”2 and bought the English Garden pattern and just wished it was an inch longer and there was no fabric to length it so l sent it back. Now l am wondering if l should try it again ! I am 59. You did not have that concern? Love Tuckernuck. Happy week !
I feel ok in it and I’m 66…its still modest. Mine is an XS so I think a Small would be a little longer.
Costco meatloaf (as good or better than mine).
So good to know, Marilyn!
Hi Mary Ann,
What a fun post. I would love to visit all of the shops you shared. The dress is adorable on you. I’m afraid I’m past the stage of being able to wear dresses due to my legs and the age spots and make them anything but smooth and a little tan. I am wearing a midi dress to Mother’s Day and I’m going to try a leg makeup from the list Cindy provided.
Enjoy your Sunday.
Karen B.
My legs are showing their age too…but not as bad as it could be. It’s a warm day in Jacksonville today and I’m wearing a knee length linen dress with flip flops.
Thank you for sharing the shop and restaurant on Coronado. I will look forward to finding them on my next trip to San Diego. By the way, you are looking great.
You are so nice, Karen. Those women are all younger than I am.
Great favorites today Mary Ann. BTW, I am going to make your Mexican Chicken Lasagna for Cinqo de mayo this week!!! Always so yummy!!!
Oh thanks for reminding me…we will too!
Hi Mary Ann
Regarding the dress, can you give us an idea of how tall you are and what size dress you are wearing?
Thank you,
Cindy, it is an XS and I am 5’1″.
Mary Ann! Well, now I wish I still had a Costco membership! That dress looks so great on you, Mary Ann! Looks like you had fun celebrating Teresa’s birthday! And I love your Mother’s Day gift guide! Something for everyone!
xx
That black shirt dress looks darling on you and I love Teresa’s dress! Do you have a link for that one. Great Costco suggestions. Steve does the Costco shopping so I must give him your list. Ginger shots yum! Great mother’s day ideas! I am hoping for wicker casserole covers and linen pj’s!!