Mother's Day is coming up on Sunday and sadly I won't be in the same city as my mom to celebrate. But I always send her something special because she's amazing and the sole reason I exist. My mom and I don't always agree on everything but she's been very supportive of my life choices and has taken great care of me throughout my life. Sometimes it's even hard for her to let go and realize that I'm an adult now. She's that great of a mom!
As we enter into more of a loving friendship, I've gotten to know my mother in new ways. She works out with me, attends my events and has modeled for print ads (like the one above which actually never ran) and in magazines with me. I used to think of her as just my mom without fully worshipping everything she's accomplished. As I get older, it's easier to see the full story of her life. I ask more questions and I look at photographs from her past. She's not just my mom...she's so much more.
I recently submitted my mother to the Amazing Women Everywhere campaign, which I found out about while covering Team SCA (the only all-women sail team in the Volvo Ocean Race). Watch my adventure with Team SCA here. In my submission for my mother, which is live on the site, I wrote:
This is my mother, Maria Guadalupe Taxman. A few days ago she was honored by the Hispanic Community of St. Louis, Missouri, with a lifetime achievement award. Since making the United States her home at age 18, my mother has been giving back to her Latino-American people by helping them to find support, resources and a community in which to raise their families and grow their businesses. I have so much respect and admiration for all that she's done, and I'm so proud to see her win this award. My mother grew up in a small dirt road town in Honduras, but that never stopped her from seeing the world and helping other Hispanics spread their wings too.
My guess is that your mom is pretty is pretty amazing too. Adding her to the Amazing Women Everywhere mosaic might be a nice pre-Mother's Day gift. She'll get an email with a link to her picture and story you've shared. You can do it by clicking this link here. The video below explains the campaign more.
I've bragged to you about my mom, now here are my Mother's Day Gift recommendations:
1. Flowers are a must. Whether you send a store bought gift or not, you've gotta get your mom flowers. I'm not keen on flower delivery services like 1-800-Flowers because I feel like they never send what's pictured on their site. It's always underwhelming. Here's what I do: I find a florist in my hometown that has great reviews online and I call them up directly to explain the kind of arrangement I have in mind. In many cities, nice grocery stores have a flower department that's under-used where you can order beautiful arrangements at great prices.
2. All moms love perfume! And you can't go wrong with an all-natural light fragrance like the ones from Pour Le Monde. My favorite is Empower. The packaging is elegant and each scent is lively. Perfect for summer! Get it gift wrapped and sent to mom for $85. Done and done.
3. My latest Quarterly Box is another great gift. I design these fitness boxes to inspire women to get in shape in style. They're packed with unique items that capture a different side of fitness & health, making the journey fun and motivating. This box costs $50 and gets incredible reviews online from all of my subscribers. It's my main squeeze passion project. I have a feeling your mom will like it because my mom loves it! You can view and buy it RIGHT HERE without having to commit to a full subsciption.
4. Leggings you can do ANYTHING in. Lyssé is an amazing active lifestyle brand for mature women because they make basic, durable pieces that you can style to go out or wear to the gym. For instance, my mom is getting this side zip legging in black. Lyssé has so many great styles to choose from that range from basic to more funky. Check them all out here.
You can even give your mom a gift card to shop online herself. I lived in 2 different pairs of Lyssé leggings this past fall and winter so I can tell you firsthand they rock. I particuarly love the style with a high waistband because it sucks in your tummy for you. I recommend gifting your mom a crop style so she can wear them with stylish flats (or sneaks!) this summer.
Thanks for reading about my mom! You better get on ordering those flowers!