Mother's Day Must-Haves

Hi Everyone!

April was a crazy, CRAZY month around here, so it's wonderful to finally be getting back to the blog. 

To recap quickly, I was so honored and blessed to compete for the title of Mrs. Pennsylvania International 2021 on April 10. I was going to do a TCC IG takeover (see last blog post), but ended up not doing that (not invading other contestants' space while they were prepping!) and instead posted a grand reveal of my evening gown (which was from TCC, of course!). I was incredibly, amazingly honored to place Third Runner Up to Mrs. Pennsylvania International 2021!

So, now that April is officially behind us and today marks the first glorious day of beautiful May (insert Justin Timberlake meme here), we can all officially turn our attention to...

Mother's Day!

Looking to spoil some amazing ladies in your life (or possibly yourself)? Look no further than these amazing gift ideas, assembled here by moi. 

*Side note--I recognize that Mother's Day can be extremely triggering for many. Please read to the end of this post for a special acknowledgement of that fact*

Mother's Day 2021 Gift Guide

• New Designer Clothes

Would this really be the TCC blog if I didn't shamelessly plug our gorgeous new arrivals and incredible Euroluxe line?! Don't forget--we also do gift cards, and you can shop for items in-person at The Mercantile in Doylestown!

This sweet lace-trimmed cami would be so easy to dress up or down, and can pair perfectly with your mom's favorite jeans or skirts (search "Swiss Dot & Lace Camisole" on thecuratecloset.net!)

And of course, you can never go wrong with selections from our Euroluxe line, which include these AMAZING Armani Exchange shoes for an under $100 (found under the Euroluxe shoes tabs on the website):

• Flowers
• 

Flowers are ALWAYS a great choice for the moms in your life--though, this year, consider switching it up and supporting a small business rather than having them sent via 1-800-Flowers or the like. There are many independently owned florists who create gorgeous bouquets and--if you want something really unique that will last forever--try choosing a sustainable bouquet featuring wood flowers (a trend I've been seeing lately in wedding shoots that I LOVE). Search "sustainable florals" on Etsy for some great options!

• Customized Sweets

Image credit: www.pinterest.com.mx

Chocolates for mom are always a delicious choice--but why not surprise your mom with custom-made cookies?! You can make them yourself, or purchase them from a local small business that makes them (thesweetrollingpin.net is a FANTASTIC choice--their custom made sugar cookies are absolutely heavenly). 

• Jewelry

Why not splurge a bit and show mom that you love her in style?

These awesome picks are all SOLID gold (no gold-plated for you, Mom!), and are designed to stand the test of time. Below, see some awesome choices that are all under $300 (many thanks to an article by Kat Collings on whowhatwear.com about affordable solid gold jewelry for leading me to these ideas)

Image credit: tacori.com/llb100/

The Tacori ID Bracelet, fully customizable for $290

Image credit: mejuri.com/shop/products/diamonds-line-ring-white

From Mejuri, this beautiful stacking band features SOLID 14K white gold and genuine diamonds...for only $245! Also available in 14K yellow gold, this is the kind of versatile piece of everyday fine jewelry that mom is sure to treasure forever

• Candles/Soaps/Scented Awesomeness

Image credit: Copperhead Hill Farms Facebook

If you haven't been able to tell by now--obviously I'm going to encourage you to shop small whenever you can! 

If your mamma loves wonderful smelling candles and soaps, you simply can't go wrong ordering from Copperhead Hill Farms, LLC. A small business operating out of Hastings, Michigan, CHF is a veteran-owned business run entirely by husband and wife team Michael and Carolyn Cronk. In addition to both being Marine Corps veterans, the Cronks are homesteaders who operate a farmstand that sells everything from fresh eggs to meats. They also are homeschooling parents, and the proud owners of an amazing menagerie of animals. The best part? Carrie and I are actually childhood friends--we go back literal decades--and it is so incredible to be able to share her business here. 

To order soaps and candles that are sure to put a smile on your mom's face (all while supporting a small business!), visit www.etsy.com/shop/copperheadhillMI, or email directly at copperheadhillmi@gmail.com 

• Relaxation

Image credit: www.istockphoto.com

It's a classic, but another great way to spoil mom--treat her to a spa day! Whether you get her a gift certificate for a relaxing massage or splurge and treat her to a day of beauty, rest assured that she will be super grateful...and super relaxed.

There you have it, Folks! My top picks for Mother's Day 2021...but before I go, I want to leave you all with this thought. 

I'd like to end this blog post with the gentle and loving encouragement to think outside of the box this Mother's Day. This is a day that, while celebrated by many, causes incomparable pain to many other women around the world. By all means, celebrate the mothers in your life (and yourself if you are a mom!). But, please, look around you in this next week leading up to Mother's Day and think of ways to bless those around you on what might be a very challenging day. Validate them. Love them. Do whatever you can to bless them and make them feel seen:

-The woman who struggles, often silently, with infertility; who grieves Mother's Days each year because it reminds her of what she doesn't have. 

-The woman who has lost a child, sometimes so early on that no one knew she was even expecting

-The person who has lost their mother...or maybe never really had one

-The single father struggling to be both mom and dad, every single day

-The mother suffering through PPD/PPA, who feels likes she doesn't deserve this day

-The single woman who wants nothing more than to find her Prince Charming and start a family with him...but for whatever reason, it just hasn't happened

-The single mom who is spending every cent to make ends meet, and has nothing left for herself

-To any woman who feels unworthy, exhausted, and forgotten--please, find a way to lift her up. 

From me to all of you with lots of love, have a beautiful week. 

-Em <3