The Mother of Invention — A Stylish Mother’s Day Gift Guide

Legendary French poet, essayist, and playwright Victor Hugo once wrote, “A mother’s arms are made of tenderness, and children sleep soundly in them.”

This Mother’s Day try a little tenderness to celebrate the solace-providing women in your life — those who cradled you as a baby, bathed and fed you, chased away your childhood nightmares, kissed every boo-boo and nursed every cold, made sure you excelled in school, and instilled the values that transformed you into the strong, independent, beautiful entity you are today.

From fragrances and at-home spa kits to jewelry pieces, handbags, shoes, scented candles, tableware, home décor accents, and tech accessories, below you’ll find some gift suggestions to celebrate mothers’ undying love.

Marc Jacobs Python Khaki Tote, $3795. Available at Barneys.com

This roomy tote combines several of the season’s key trends — color blocking, reptile skins, and metallic details — while maintaining a timeless elegance that will transcend any passing aesthetic fads.

Votre Vu Sweep Her Off Her Feet Gift Set, $42. Available at VotreVu.com

It’s almost that time of year when we’ll all have our toes out, basking in the sunshine, far from the shelter of the boots and sneakers to which they were confined during the fall and winter months. Help your mom get her little piggies in prime condition with this indulgent foot care duo from Votre Vu, featuring the Très Magni-feet Exfoliant, a non-abrasive polish containing gentle bamboo particles that remove layers of dead skin cells, revealing smoother, more radiant skin; along with the citrus-scented, verbena oil-infused Très Magni-feet Crème, a moisturizer that features softening shea butter, antimicrobial menthol, and arnica oil, which soothes muscle pain and stimulates blood flow.

Bing Bang Abracadabra Cuff, $85. Available at BingBangNYC.com

Whether it involves sewing together a costume for a school play, packing lunchbox snacks while typing up a presentation for work, or making a plethora of Christmas gifts appear under the tree even when limited by a shoestring budget, mothers perform magic tricks on a daily basis. Celebrate her rabbit-in-a-hat ways with this adjustable brass Bing Bang cuff, which has a vintage-looking finish and features the word  “Abracadabra” embossed along its length.

Tse & Tse Vase D’Avril, $245. Available at ShopHorne.com

If only chemistry class had been this fun! The Tse & Tse Vase d’Avril features 21 lab-worthy glass tubes connected via a malleable, ring-based chain system that interlocks all the pieces together and allows you to remove any excessive tubes, stack tubes atop one another to adjust their length, and create a bevvy of shapes by moving the independent tubes to your desire. Measuring 29.15″ in length and 5.9″ in height, the Vase d’Avril is made of 21 blown glass tubes and a zinc-coated steel frame that has a slightly rusty finish, adding to its vintage-vase-meets-mad-scientist-station charm.

Lisa Hoffman Fragrance Earrings, $65 each. Available at LisaHoffmanBeauty.com

Forget roller balls, solid perfume rings, and travel-sized perfume oils. Lisa Hoffman has devised a novel way to wear your signature scent— through charming jewelry charms with cut-our designs, each enclosing solid fragrance beads which, in turn, release the aroma you desire throughout the day. The new Lisa Hoffman Fragrance Earrings feature dainty hoops and, dangling from their bottom tips, you’ll find  Moroccan-flavored, spherical charms with concentric circle shapes and floral and leaf designs etched atop their surface. The Madagascar Orchid Fragrance Earrings are particularly alluring since the tiny beads you load into each earring emit a symphony of sheer jasmine, ylang dew, mimosa, and pink peony notes.

Case-Mate Tortoiseshell iPhone 4S Case, $40. Available at Case-Mate.com

Tortoiseshell sunglasses, clutch purses, earrings, and hair combs have become inextricably linke to the 1960s, when they formed part of the era’s distinctive  fashion fiber. Since last year, the pattern (now recreated using synthetic materials, not  by employing the shells of the endangered hawks bill turtle) has experienced a resurgence, again appearing on the runway shows of the mot prestigious designers. This Case-Mate iPhone case, then, will literally place the look of the Swinging Sixties at your fingertips.

Laura Mercier Le Petit Patisserie Trio, $45. Available at Bloomingdales.com

You may have to stamp on “Do Not Eat” labels on the three items in this delectable Laura Mercier set, which includes: a 3 fl. oz. Almond Coconut Milk Body Wash, a 3 fl. oz. Almond Coconut Milk Soufflé Body Cream; and a o.5 fl. oz. Almond Coconut Milk spray fragrance. Featuring a mélange of coconut, almond, milk, vanilla, heliotrope, and musk notes, the products’ scent has the right degree of sweetness, brightening your spirits and making you feel a childlike sense of enthusiasm (like the kind you experienced before biting into an eclair or digging into a cup of coconut helado), while the milky and buttery undertones provide a warm, comforting, all-enveloping sensation.

Lia Sophia Looking Glass Cut Crystals Ring in Matte Silver or Matte Gold, $48 each; and “Beautiful” and “Je T’Aime” Necklaces, $38 each. Visit LiaSophia.com to find a Lia Sophia Advisor in your area.

Scoop up one of the Lia Sophia Looking Glass rings, which feature a clear, mirror-like rectangular stone at their center, framed by clusters of round colored stones on either side, and give it to your mom with a note that reads, “There’s no need to ask this mirror — you’re the most beautiful one of all.” Another way to say it with jewelry: snatch up one of these necklaces, which feature envelope-shaped pendants engraved with feel-good phrases and words like “Je Taime” or “Beautiful.”

Chloé L’Eau de Chloé, $65 for 1.7 oz and $85 for 3.4 oz. Available at Sephora.com, Nordstrom.com, and Macys.com

A younger, brighter take on the classic, rose-anchored Chloé scent, the Chloe L’Eau de Chloe is classified as a floral green chypre. Developed by Michel Almaira, L’Eau de Chloé features citrus top notes, a rose water heart, and patchouli base notes. Airy, fresh, summery, and green, the scent is the olfactory equivalent of a ray of sunshine on  a lush meadow.

Rablabs New York Lia Bottle Stoppers, $64 each. Available at RabLabs.com

Break open a bottle of Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay, then let your mom seal the bottle with one of these jewel-encrusted bottle stoppers. Assembled in the United States, each bottle stopper features a conical-shaped glass stem and a top surface made with clustered, unrefined, translucent amethyst and crystal stones unearthed in Brazil.

Kara Ross Sidra in Black Wash Mixed Berry Python with Gold Hardware and Black Onyx, $1495. Available at KaraRoss.com

This luxurious Kara Ross handbag features a trapezoid-like shape, with sides that slope outward as they move from the top to the bottom of the bag. Made of black wash mixed berry python, the Sidra bag features a rectangular, faceted black onyx stone clasp to seal the goldtone rectangular frame closure; a slim, frame-style top edge; and a goldtone twist rope chain.

Belle Etoile Daisy Pink Ring, $260. Available at MyBelleEtoile.com

This sculptural flower ring features undulating petals crafted using nickel-free, rhodium-plated sterling silver, their interiors coated with blush pink Italian enamel. Clusters of tiny round crystal stones lined into stacked rows adorn two of the petals, both shaped as if curling inward, for a touch of sparkle, while a single white pearl is positioned at the center of the ring, constituting the piece’s powerful core.

Martha Stewart Collection at Macy’s Domed Ceramic Cake Stands, $36-$58. Available at Macys.com

These quaint cake stands will transform any kitchen into a confectionery wonderland, with their combination of glossy white ceramic and clear glass, their vintage-flavored domed shapes, and their Snow White-worthy bird details.

Lulu Guinness Cameo Round Dual Mirror Compact, $95. Available at LuluGuinness.com

Solange Azagury-Partridge 18k yellow gold and multi-colored enamel Bee Ring, $1900. Available at Solange Azagury-Partridge Madison Avenue and Rodeo Drive.

There’s no fighting mom for Queen Bee status! Give her something to buzz about with this adorable Bee Ring from Solange Azagury Patridge, featuring an 18k yellow gold ban coated with light blue enamel along the upper half and topped with a yellow-and-black bumblebee.

Agraria Lavender & Rosemary Bath & Shower Gel, $24. Available at AgrariaHome.com

The term “busy mom” is practically redundant. Allow your mom to transform her bath or shower into a relaxing ritual, where she can escape all the stress and demands of her daily life. The magic carpet element that will transport her into a state of serenity: Agraria’s Lavender & Rosemary Bath Shower Gel, which features an aromatic blend of calming chamomile, lavender, aloe vera, sage, and rosemary, along with a hint of mint balm and lemon peel to sharpen her mental state and uplift her mood, and a touch of black walnut and burdock to spice up the fragrant composition. The cinnamon-like, earthy yet spicy notes in the fragrance make it stand out from the plethora of lavender- and rosemary-scented bath soaks and make it all the more enjoyable.

L’Objet Pagoda Spice Jewels, $195 for Set of 2. Available at LObjet.com

Forget salt and pepper shakers! Hearken back to the Han Dynasty with these pagoda-shaped spice containers, crafted out of 14k gold-plated brass and crystal and adorned with yellow and purple Swarovski crystals and fresh water pearls.

TOMS Shoes Mother’s Day Vegan Classics, $54. Available at TOMSShoes.com

Not only will these slip-ons remind your mom of the cards you made her with crayons and markers in your grade school years (thanks to the whimsical hearts and the playful cursive lettering on the print), but they’ll ease her conscience (and yours) since they were manufactured using no animal byproducts and since, of course, their purchase helps to further the “One for One” philosophy on which TOMS Shoes was founded whereby, for each pair of shoes purchased, another is donated to a child in need.

Kendra Scott Inca Hoop Earrings, $70. Available at KendraScott.com

These 14k gold-plated brass earrings are a refreshing twist on traditional hoop earrings, with three rings connected to a central ring, their  pointed tips fanning out in different directions. Whether you decide on these Inca Hoop Earrings or another Kendra Scott jewelry piece, if you place your order by 12pm CST today, May 8th, you’ll enjoy free 3-day select shipping, ensuring your purchase makes it on time for Mother’s Day.

American Eagle for Payless Miles Espadrille Wedges, $13.49 (regularly $26.99). Available at Payless.com

Flowers may wither and die, but floral prints last forever. These coquettish T-strap sandals feature a spring-appropriate, 4.5″ jute-wrapped wedge heel with a 1.5″ platform and a dainty floral print that feels whimsical and light-hearted.

Topshop Oversized Aztec Sack Bag, $50. Available at Topshop.com

Whether she’s hitting the beach or the market, any lady will look like a globe-trekking style maven in this roomy canvas tote bag featuring a festive, tribal-flavored print.

Pevonia Busy Mom De-Stress Gift Set, $38. Available at Pevonia.com

Who needs a genie in a bottle when you can find wish-granting skincare fairies inside a sleek, ribbon-adorned box? This Pevonia gift set will help moms transform their bathrooms into veritable spas, where they can unwind and clear their minds of all worries. The set includes a 1.7 oz. bottle of the Ligne Nymphea Anti-Stress Bath & Shower Gel, a 6.8 fl. oz of the Ligne Nymphea Dry Oil Body Moisturizer, and an exfoliating bath mitt. The shower gel calms the spirit thanks to a combination of lavender, chamomile, and hazel nut oil, while also gently removing any dirt and debris. But the true treat is the Dry Oil Body Moisturizer, which you can spray onto lightly damp skin and massage using circular motions. The dry oil’s formula contain: lavender oil, which boosts blood circulation, thereby contributing to healthier skin cells; aloe leaf extract, a natural anti-inflammatory that calms and soothes skin; sunflower seed oil, a natural emollient that protects skin from free radicals; and macadamia nut oil, which is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids that moisturize and soften the ski, along with vitamin E to protect the skin from free radical damage. Thanks to the macadamia oil in the formula, which contains the palmitoleic acid that’s also found in the skin’s sebum, the Dry Oil Body Moisturizer is quickly absorbed, leaving behind no greasy residue.

Melinda Maria Cluster Hoop Earrings, $155. Available at MelindaMaria.com

If your mom has a J.Lo-like obsession with hoops, upgrade her earring game with this gold-plated number from Melinda Maria. The 18 gold-plated hoops measure 2 1/4″ in length and 1 3/4″ in width and feature five cubic zirconia stones in varying shapes — teardrop, oval, leaf, round, and rectangle — clustered along the center of their curved surfaces.

H&M Neon Yellow Clutch, $24.99. Available at H&M stores.

Your mom will be a ray of sunshine when she wears this sassy minaudiere from H&M, which features glossy neon yellow patent leather, a goldtone top clasp, and a goldtone curb chain shoulder strap.