Mother’s Day gift guide -- beauty and style edition.

I don’t know about you, but I really expect my husband to pony up for Mother’s Day. Maybe it’s because I had both of my girls shortly before Mother’s Day, so after a grueling 24 hour labor the first time, and a botched epidural the second time, just by bringing them both into the world I especially felt I was entitled to an awesome Mother’s Day present. The other reason is that my birthday is in December, so I get screwed out of birthday presents at times because it’s so close to Christmas. You know how people always combine gifts? Boooooooooo. Big boo to that. So, the chance to get a gift at another time of the year just for being a Mom? Bring it on! I feel I deserve to be showered with presents on Mother’s Day. And I am sure you do too, especially if you have small children. When you have small children, and I say before your children turn 18, it’s your husband’s responsibility to come up with something fabulous to show his appreciation for raising them. So, if you are like me and adore gifts with a little beauty and style, you will want to print out my “You Better Get Me Something Good For Mother’s Day Gift Guide”.

Everyone knows that raising children is expensive, so sometimes the gifts we want are not the gifts that are realistic for our budgets. I see items in the fashion magazines all the time that I would love to have, but are insanely outside of a one-income type family. Specifically, HELLO lovely $1200 Marc Jacobs Spring Metallic Stam Handbag, I love you! But I can’t bring you home, so how about a nice selection from Marc by Marc Jacobs of bauble pendent watches ($125-150)? You can find the collection at Nordstrom.com, and they come in all sorts of whimsical shapes, like red hearts, stars, pears, a cherry and even an edgy black guitar shape. So cute!

The new spring “Glitter Daisy” Juicy Couture Track suit at $250 might seem a little ridiculous when we have to pay for all those summer camps, tennis and swimming lessons—so instead, a 1.7 oz bottle of Juicy’s new Fragrance at $65 is a bargain in comparison. It has sweet notes of watermelon, pink passion fruit, and tuberose making it the perfect scent for spring. Check out Sephora.com for that fragrance and many, many more!

Now, whose heart doesn’t beat a little bit faster when they receive the signature little blue box from Tiffany’s? I know I would probably have a coronary if I ever received the Tiffany Swing Diamond Necklace, but at $14,000, unless we spontaneously win the lottery that we never play, it is completely out of reach. Have you ever checked out Tiffany’s silver collection? Their necklaces start as low as $125, and still come in the little blue box and turquoise blue suede pouch, so you can feel the Tiffany’s excitement at a fraction of the cost of their diamonds. Check out the new silver collection by famed Architect Frank Gehry. His Orchid Drop Pendent ($150) is modern and beautiful. Visit the Tiffanys.com website to check out the entire collection. They even have a section where you can create a wish list for your favorite items and email them to your clueless husband.

The skincare fanatic mom would appreciate a luxurious body cream from La Mer. It’s priced at $195 which is a little over the top, but for only $40, he can treat you to perfectly kissable lips with La Mer’s Lip Balm ($45). You can toss this amazing lip balm right into your handbag. It’s packed with Crème de La Mer’s miracle broth and marine extracts to get your luxury lip fix.

Oh, and how about a little Gucci? What I wouldn’t give, possibly my second born child—who can be a real trouble maker at 2-years-old—for a pair of Gucci Ebony High Heel Lace-Up Platform Sandals with Horsebit Detail, bamboo tassels, and studs ($895). It’s a mouthful, but they are strikingly hot!  But for that price, the same amount really should go into my child’s college 521 fund. And I guess they wouldn’t be too practical running around the playground, but did I mention how hot they are?! So instead, try something Gucci that you can wear daily to protect your eyes while out in the sun with your kids, like a pair of Gucci Square Frame Sunglasses with Gold Horsebit Detail ($275). They offer the all important 100% UVA/UVB protection, and they are soooo hot! Did I mention that already? Gucci.com offers a wide variety of sunglasses to indulge your inner glamour goddess.

So you see, with a little creative looking around, you can indulge your desire for prestige items at a fraction of the price! Now, if I could just get my husband to read this column… hint, hint, hint honey!