Hi friends,
Mother's Day is sneaking up on us, much like motherhood itself has been sneaking up on all my friends lately. Everyone around me is having babies, and the thing I once found completely terrifying ~being proverbially trapped in a sandbox~ is starting to seem... achievable? A not so distant, not so scary next chapter?
Perhaps this is what 34 looks like. I find myself reading Spread The Jelly the way I used to devour Into The Gloss. I am halfway through Matrescence, an incredible book 3 people I love have recently recommended, which explores the identity shift of becoming a mother. Mainly, I just had the best weekend in Miami playing on the beach with my friend's two year old. She held on to my legs to give me a hug-goodbye and my heart skipped a beat. Mainly, every day I witness my friends do it all in a way that I was didn't think was possible.
I attended a breakfast hosted by the Tory Burch Foundation this week where Martha Stewart was honored. I love Martha (Mother!), not just her career but also her unbothered attitude and ability to make the mundane extraordinaty. I dream of someday having lunch with her, and god if there was any way she could write a little quote on the back of my book... I digress! When asked about the one thing she'd do differently, she said she wishes she had more than one child. The audience gasped, we were all surprised. "I have a daughter and two grandchildren whom I adore. It is great but not enough."
So here's my dual Mother's Day guide—split between gifts I have given my own mom, who finally retired and is leaning into her favorite hobbies: gardening, antiquing, partying; and the friends who've recently joined the club. Most of these are secretly on my own wishlist (the Khaite sunnies!!…) but, just like moms everywhere, all I really want is three days of peace and silence. Is that too much to ask?
As always, love to read you, make my day and leave me fun comments.
xx
Melanie
Completed Works Earrings ($310) are my favorite high impact earrings for the price. I have these and always get compliments.
CO Clutch ($775) by Stephanie Danan, one of my favorite moms. Use the code MELANIE15 on all priced items for 15% off, valid until mid-May.
A large tote that doesn’t look like a diaper bag: on my current rotation are this Little Liefner Bag ($795) or Tory Burch Romy tote ($598) (and really, anything from Tory Burch lately).
I love this gorgeous suede bag ($158) that won’t break the bank. The butter yellow looks so chic with a Nancy Meyers style all white outfit.
There isn’t a single item I stole from my mom more than this bronzer in my teen years. ($60)
Another Tory mention, these are for your chic mom ($378) who needs to run around a lot.
Moms, and myself, are always late, and somehow I can never find the extra time to dry properly and add cream to my body. I love Hanni products because they do it all at once and are quite clean.
This Sézane clyde trench coat ($350) I bought twice: once because I saw it on Sienna Miller, and another time because my mother stole the first one.
The uniform of school drop off is Donni ($278), and I’m drooling over the whole taffeta collection.
Flamingo magic strawberries ($80) I love them so much I can have all of them in one sitting, so I would never buy them for myself, but they’re such a treat to gift someone.
There’s no gift my mom ever loved or used more than this hand cream ($62): gorgeous enough to keep on your nightstand, with the slightest amount of retinol in it to Benjamin Button your hands. I use it on my elbows and knees, too.
Any chic pjs from Olivia Von Halle ($530) screams “you’re precious to me” but I feel for the strawberry dress which I wear to go out.
I got this canvas tote ($70) for the farmers market but it’s great for a gardening mom, too.
I love to gift vases ($320) - a great vase will make $12 tulips look wonderful all year long and is annoying to buy for oneself.
This Doen barn jacket ($482) probably a gift for me :)
I love these nightgowns Harling designed ($189) by If Only If - I layer mine over pants with a belted belt, but I got one for my mom and she wears it as a gown.
Personalizable Ghia Le Fizz ($40) because somehow their doodles will make it taste even better, and I’m on a mission to abolish the “wine mom” stereotype. Yes, Ghia is safe to drink while pregnant and share with your little ones (but don’t call it baby champagne).
The color of this necklace ($295) somehow goes with everything from blue to brown to red and it’s a really nice gift at a friendly price
These are inspired by my mom’s clogs ($875) but are for today’s HOT MOM.
This incredible seafood cookbook ($32) by my friend Ari, owner of LA’s beloved Found Oyster restaurant.
The brand new Aesop eleos ($32) scent has notes of cedar and patchouli, I love.
For the fun mom who has everything, this Gemstone Lighter. ($85)
Literary Sport - there’s probably nothing higher on my wishlist than the blue set, ($355, $245) which I swear is what I need to finally become a runner.
UBeauty resurfacing peel ($228) I use this weekly and it’s like gently giving you the Paris filter. I also love their lip plasma compound. Use MELANIE for 20% off their site
Everything from Laoli ($500+), I have not taken their citrine necklace in a month. Made by my chic mom friend Oli (she also gave me MELANIE15 for my substack readers).
One thing all my mom friends seem to have in common is they love a shirt. I have a great collection of Comme Si ones but this blue ($275) one is my next.
I was gifted this set ($125) and while I’m usually all for affordable french pharmacy product, I have to say my skin has been looking *really* great (priceless). The discovery set feels luxurious at an okay price point!
These chic Oliver people x khaite ($525) are at the top of my wishlist right now (in red, s’il vous plait).
The new colorway of these Dries sneakers ($475) is so good.
A really great scarf ($245) from one of my favorite brands right now - they also make the cardigan ($225) I can’t stop wearing.
It seems like all moms do not like their stomach, so a great coverup they’ll feel beautiful in ahead of summer is always a lovely present. I have this one from Monday Swimwear ($162) and I love it.
I love everything Dorsey ($220) make and am anxiously waiting for their new Paracord necklace, but these earrings look like Jess McCormack and are so so classic.
Graphics by Paige Stewart Enslow (thank you angel!!)
melanie god BLESS you for putting the $ next to each item. the amount of “open in new tab” you’ve saved me! but also every rec is divine so still opened a lot of new tabs :) <33333 thank you!!
Well this has me wishing I was a mom!