le massage, scene de hammam (dalbera on Flickr)
I read a list this week I’ve been loving on Apartment Therapy: 5 Affordable Basics to Invest in for the New Year. I must be really simpatico with the author, Laure Joliet, because I feel like I could have written it myself. The basics that spoke to me, too?
Good linens.
A cast iron skillet.
Something that smells good.
The second one I’ve got (and I love.) The first I need more of. And the last I can never get enough of.
So, with that in mind…. Here are a few things on my Christmas wish list. You can bet that if I want them, other moms do, too.
Note photo above: Le Massage, Scene de Hammam, from the Musee des Augustins in Toulouse.
A massage — Almost more than anything else, stressed moms want to relax. And of course get more sleep. You may not be able to help with the sleep, but the gift of a massage will most definitely be appreciated. Bonus: it takes up zero space and doesn’t need to be put away after enjoying it. In Brooklyn, d’mai urban spa is a good bet for a pampering massage or facial.
kai perfume oil, $45
kai perfume oil — I discovered this addictive white-flower scent at By George in Austin years ago and have been wearing it ever since. Buy it locally at Diana Kane or Kiwi in Park Slope. P.S. — I get compliments on it all the time.
Sunbird sheet set, Anthropologie, $148 for a queen set
Pretty cotton sheets — I toyed with the idea of combing Overstock, Target, or Macy’s for the perfect new sheets, as the Apartment Therapy article suggests (they also link to some super luxe options). But in the end, all roads lead back to Anthropologie. This Sunbird sheet set is cheery and would look nice with the dusky lavender on the bedroom walls.
4-pocket carryall tote from Viva Zapata! bags, $128
A bright, stylish bag — As previously noted, the search for the perfect urban mommy bag is never-ending. One of the styles from Viva Zapata! could be this year’s serious contender (and there’s a local Brooklyn connection, too, which I like.)
velour lounge pants, Gap Body, $30
Lounge pants — At the end of the day, I like to lose what I’ve been wearing and slip into something more comfortable. (Don’t we all?) My current lounge pants are, well, falling apart. Time for an update!
Free babysitting — This one won’t cost you a dime, but it’ll be priceless to the mom recipient. Seems like a minor thing — just an offer to come stay with the kids for a couple of hours so parents can have a date night or a hardworking mom can run out for a haircut — and really, it’s huge. Here’s the news, people: almost no one volunteers to do it. If you do, the gratitude will be big-time. And most sincere.
diptyque mini-candle trio, $84 (yes, I said $84)
diptyque candles — Splurge-y, but worth it. The famed French candle-maker seems to be into colored versions this year, and I prefer the plain clear glass — so I’m opting for this trio of mini-candles in different scents.
Larina Crochet Dress, velvet, $120
A dress I could spend all summer in — When I first moved to New York, about a bazillion years ago, I loved having distinct seasons. That is long over. I hate winter. Haaaate it! I’m already fantasizing about next summer, which means I’m thinking about what I might be wearing. I like being able to reach for something I know I’ll like without even having to think about it — I could see this velvet brand dress paired with long earrings and red sandals, and me appreciating it as a cool, loose, no-brainer option on warm days.
For more great gift ideas for NYC mamas, read Chrissy’s Christmas list.
What’s on your list? Maybe I’d like to add it to mine….
(top photo by dalbera on flickr)
Melisa
Shiny Brite 