To say that Coco Chanel understood modern luxury is an understatement. She practically invented it. That’s why whenever I think "splurge”, I think Chanel.
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This Mother’s Day, splurge big and give your mother Hollywood’s bag du jour, the classic and timeless Chanel Miniflap. Or, if you know your Mom would just die for a tote, get her an iconic quilted bag.
Equally luxe, but more affordable is a bottle of Chanel No. 5 Essential Bath Oils.
The three pastel pink layers combine when shaken into a blend of pampering treatment that softens, hydrates, and soothes. The classic scent blends with all of my fragrances. For an evening at home, I often wear just thin veil of it after a long soak. So delicious!
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When you think about recycled fashion, chic is not the word that comes to mind. Many green companies and designers are well-intentioned, but not fashion forward. That is changing, but slowly.
Enter Kathleen Plate and her line of Smart Glass recycled glass jewelry. It is chic, even elegant, and the perfect gift for an earth-conscious, but chic, fashionista mom.
At a recent event, Kathleen told me that she dumpster-dives for many of her materials, and recognizes each piece even in her larger projects. She is a true artiste! Her work runs the gamut from colourful and extravagant to her signature Coca-Cola pieces from recycled bottles of the classic soft drink.
My Mother’s Daughter by Rona Maynard remains one of my favourite mother-daughter books. I think it makes a perfect Mother’s Day gift for any bookish mom. Rona, the former editor of Chatelaine, shares deeply personal memories of growing up. She came to terms with a dynamic and loving, but often challenging mother. While Rona’s own family is unique, the themes in her book are universal. My Mother’s Daughter is a special and memorable book.
If your mother loves to cook, you may want to give her a Starfrit Santoku Ceramic Knife for Mother’s Day. I have love mine. The Starfrit models are mid-priced, about $30 for the 5.5-inch ceramic knife. They are also very well-designed. I love the protective covers that keep the knives from breaking or chipping. They let you store the knives safely.
Ceramic knifes are razor sharp; according to the manufacturer, ceramic is 20 times sharper than steel. I found the ceramic slices through tomatoes and cumbers like butter. Ceramic is perfect for foods that react to metal such as lettuce. And you can eventually have the knife sharpened too, just like a metal blade.
What could be better than to start a romantic evening than with a sexy cocktail? Don’t Talk, Just Kiss or in Polish “Milcz i cauj” was created by mixologist Francesco LaFranconi for Sobieski Vodka. This sophisticated drink is perfect for an intimate dinner or a festive and fun Valentine’s Day party.
1.5 oz Sobieski Polish Vodka
0.5 oz Grand Marnier
1 oz Pomegranate Juice
Top with Brut-style Champagne, or Extra Dry-style for a sweeter taste
Method: Pour the Sobieski vodka, Grand Marnier and pomegranate juice into a shaker with a half-cup of ice, stir gently, and strain into a flute or cocktail-martini glass. Top up with 2-3 ounces of chilled champagne.
Garnish with powdered sugar and half a strawberry on the rim, placed horizontally or vertically.
Toast to love!
This Valentine’s Day you can delight your someone special with a cup of Sweet Love from Kusmi Tea. This special tea is a spicy and mysterious blend of black China tea, ginseng and liquorice roots, spices, guarana seed and pink pepper. In its pretty pink tin is a perfect for gift for any tea lovers you would like to spoil.
Or if you are a single lady start a new tradition and invite your unattached friends for festive Valentine’s tea party.
This Valentine’s Day give a romantic and healing gift from the heart. The French perfumer and candle maker Diptyque and RED have joined forces to help provide life-saving medication for those living with HIV in Africa.
RED supports The Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Since U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan and world leaders established the fund in 2002, it has raised US$18.7 billion for programs in 140 countries to battle these three horrific diseases.
The soothing, spicy scent in Diptyque’s candles are derived from certified fair trade vanilla. Diptyque features Indian and Madagascar vanilla along with South African radios in this romantic candle. This elegant, long-burning candle will be a symbol not only of passion and romance, but also of caring and healing. What could be perfect gift of love?
