StyleCarrot

Mother’s Day Gift Guide, Part II

After a morning (ok, and an afternoon) cavorting along Newbury Street and enjoying a lovely lunch al fresco, I’ve gathered ten more pretty items perfect for Mother’s Day. Here’s the StyleCarrot Mother’s Day Gift Guide, Part Deux.

S H O P P I N G

1. Stella & Dot x May Designs Patterned Notebbooks

2. Mar Y Sol Crocheted Clutch

3. Lucite Tape Dispenser

4. Woven Striped Rope Bracelet

5. Half-Dipped Mugs

6. Pomegranate Bud Vase

7. Stephanie Sherman Grand Waves Photo Print

8. Hand Carved African Bowl

9. Jennifer Meyer Diamond & Gold Circle Ring

10. Baggu Boat Tote

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Shop Mother’s Day gifts at Biscuit Home >

Gift Guide: Mother’s Day

Nothing like waiting until (almost) the last minute to find a Mother’s Day gift, let alone put together a Mother’s Day Gift Guide. I usually order fresh flowers, which are easy, last minute proof, and a special treat (though kinda pricey.)

I was born on Mother’s Day, so I spent many years worrying that I was going to be cheated out of a holiday. Turns out we don’t make a big deal about Mother’s Day, though I do insist we honor it in some way, just in case my sons’ future wives expect a fuss. Last thing I want to do is raise boys that badmouth honoring moms. It’s actually nice that my birthday falls around that time, because it makes both occasions a lot more meaningful.

I especially didn’t want the boys to be at preschool and elementary school and spread the word that it’s a Hallmark holiday, and therefore not important, etc. I can just imagine the call I would get from the school. Believe me, there have been similar occurrences regarding the tooth fairy. I kid you not. And here I thought it was discussions of God that we told them to avoid. Who knew.

I always send my mother-in-law flowers for Mother’s Day. Winston Flowers in Boston does an amazing job finding florists in other areas that align with their aesthetic. I send my own mother flowers too, though sometimes it’s cookies or brownies from a local (very yummy) company Dancing Deer. If I were to buy them non-consumable presents, or get tokens of appreciation for friends, I’d opt for sweet, design-y things, like the ones arrayed here, and above in Mother’s Day Gift Guide Part Deux. Trinket boxes or trays, bubble bath, a breezy scarf, pretty notebooks, an art print, bud vase, canvas tote, or straw clutch. (Feel free to use this as a birthday present guide too.)

It might be too late to order some of these (though not all!), but hopefully it will at least give you ideas so you can get into a store and shop efficiently.

S H O P P I N G

1. Fresh Flowers Beautiful Mother’s Day Range

2. Sweet Pea Vanity Tray

3. Macaron Trinket Boxes

4. Mario Buatta: Fifty Years of American Interior Decoration

5. Honeycomb Earrings

6. Library of Flowers Arboretum Bubble Bath

7. Pink & Grey Ombre Scarf

8. Palm Cover Up

9. Garden Under Glass Terrarium

10. Gold Flecked Cork Monogram Jewelry Box

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Crafty: Rustic Pencil Holder

I was scrolling through my Crafty Pinterest board today when this rustic wood pencil holder caught my eye. It’s a project from arts & crafts blog Strawberry Chic. Blogger Andrea’s husband made it for her out of a piece of wood that his friend found by a river bank. Her husband just added a few holes and sanded down the edges. Think you can do it? In addition to a slice of wood, you’ll need a sandpaper, hand saw, drill, and a 7/16″ drill bit.

If I were so inclined (which I’m not), I have access to pretty much every small sized tool. In my condo! Although we live in the city, my husband insists on keeping fully stocked tool boxes in our storage closet. (Thank goodness we even have a storage closet.) He has explained his four basic kits to me. Ready?

The drill kit has electric drill (not cordless because we don’t actually ever use it; wouldn’t want the batteries to run out in between), a variety of drill bits—wood bits, concrete bits, metal bits, along with a separate tap and die set. The socket/wrench kit contains hundreds of pieces, which was a favorite plaything when the boys were younger. The third is the catchall tool box. It’s got hammers, saws, levels, screwdrivers, clamps, stud finder, razor knife, mallets, and any other tool one needs to fix something around the house. The fourth is the electrical tool box, which contains a volt meter, circuit testers, lineman’s pliers, wire strippers, wire nuts, wire, and a soldering iron. (Seriously. He actually used it to fix our dishwasher.)

I think when he retires he should become a landlord, right? Certainly this is waaay over and above any apartment dwellers’ tool stash. Obviously he could never complain that my shoe collection takes up too much space. You could probably get an all-in-one tool kit and have everything you need, and more.

For the full tutorial click over to Strawberry Chic.

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Shop desk accessories + decor at A+R >

ARTmonday: Arts District Printing Co.

Arts District Printing Co. is a collaboration between photographer Jonathan Ventura of Anon_Y_Mouse and Hammer And Spear, a design collective founded by HGTV’s Kristan Cunningham and husband, Scott Jarrell. Inspired by Ventura’s nostalgic landscapes, the couple invited him to create a series of prints showcasing DTLA’s Arts District. The line was a smashing success, so the trio formed a partnership in 2014 with the goal of bringing their travel-inspired art to a larger market.

Arts District Printing Co. prints are printed in three sizes on either handmade or cotton paper. Prices range from $15 to $40.Here is a sampling of the work.