Let’s be honest. It should be Mother’s Day—every day—for the rest of our lives.

There is nothing , and I mean nothing, like the love of a good mother.

To that end, I offer a few gift choices for 2021 that are both beautiful (for the mind and the body) but also, practical. 


BEAUTY

Pat McGrath

Mothership VIII: Divine Rose II Eye Palette

Perfect pigmentation. This quartet of rose-inspired shades features mattes and shimmers that create a blooming bouquet of elegant eyes. Seductively soft, blendable shadow formulations inspired by the spirit of the global smash Mothership VIII: Divine Rose II Eye Palette. https://www.patmcgrath.com/ — https://www.instagram.com/patmcgrathreal


Fenty Beauty

Face Shaping Brush 125

A perfect plush, angled face brush for flawless blending and sculpting, designed to effortlessly blend cream and powder blushes, bronzers, and highlighters picking up the pigment you need in an easy sweep. 

Bloomeffects

Royal Tulip Nectar

Indeed, Black don’t crack (Amen) but it’s always nice to introduce new products to help bring out more of our inner beauty. I offer Bloomeffects which is the first skincare brand to harness the previously unknown regenerative and hydrating properties of the tulip to create a truly unique, field-to-face skincare experience. Tapping into one of the world’s most glorious natural resources ––Holland’s world-renowned tulips. Bloomeffects also uses 100% recyclable packaging as well as 100% recycled FSA-certified paper and soy ink for all packaging materials, making the Bloomeffects experience beautiful from the inside out

Royal Tulip Nectar

A unique healing ointment-to-serum, quench-it-all hydrator that soothes, nourishes, and repairs the skin’s barrier. Powered by the Bloomeffects Proprietary Dutch Tulip Complex and a bouquet of earth-sourced ingredients like White Horehound Plant, TYROSTAT Rumex Plant Extract, Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, and Biomimetic Peptide, this natural moisturizer works to boost skin’s natural enzymes to protect against environmental stressors, prevent discoloration and uneven tone, while brightening, moisturizing and illuminating the skin. Use the tulip spatula to apply a thin layer directly onto your skin, wherever it needs a little extra love, or try it as a moisturizing sleep mask to wake up with skin fit for a queen.

BOOKS

Philly Jawns: For Women Revisited

Philly Jawns: For Women Revisited, a new poetry anthology in tribute to Nina Simone, is the latest project from co-editors and poets Debra Powell-Wright and Pat McLean-Smith. Lauded as “…both playlist and prayer for Ms. Simone, our mold-breaker and future fashioner” by former Philadelphia Poet Laureate Yolanda Wisher,.

ORGANIZATION

FluidStance’s Lift 

This is on my holiday 2021 gift guide list because it’s perfect. This desktop whiteboard is a game-changer for those of us that need a little extra help keeping organized. The Lift recognizes the need for a hybrid solution that combines improved ergonomics and comfort with a more usable and productivity-promoting workspace. Staying true to FluidStance’s dedication to sustainability and eco-friendly materials, the product features 16 gauge cold rolled steel–Earth’s most recycled material with the ability to be reused infinitely–and eco-felt made entirely from recycled plastic bottles. 

ErgoFoam

Another perfect gift is the ErgoFoam which goes under the desk and is a footrest that provides firm support for your feet and helps ensure your sitting position is upright. Improving your posture has been proven to reduce soreness and fatigue to your back, feet, legs, and knees, and will also improve circulation. https://ergofoam.co/

FRAGRANCE, CANDLES & MORE

Malicious Women Candle Co.

This innovative candle company comes with a warning — don’t try to stop us. Don’ttell us our ideas won’t work. They straight out reject all expectations of what a woman or a candle should be. And the result? Perfection. My favorite is “I Am Stronger Than The Bullshit” which is infused with overload and fatigue. Smells like heaven, is hand-poured, cotton wick, 100% organic and has a 48 hour burn time. (www.maliciouswomenco.com) 

ENTERTAINMENT


The Ailey Organization

The Ailey organization is furthering the pioneering vision of its founder by “bringing dance back to the people” and lifting spirits through Ailey All Access, a series of online offerings including streaming of free performance broadcasts, Ailey Extension dance, and fitness classes, and more. Performance Broadcasts – Cry 50th Anniversary. In a joyful nod to the 50th anniversary of Alvin Ailey’s beloved work, “Cry,” viewers will be treated to a new film adaptation of Jacqueline Green interpreting the extraordinary solo premiering on a Mother’s Day Matinee, on Sunday, May 9 at 3 p.m. EDT.