The last 12 months have been difficult for many reasons, but the big elephant in the room is the global pandemic and the many lockdowns we have endured. We’re now close to completing a 360 cycle and one of my favourite days of the year – Mother’s Day – is approaching. It’s a day I get to celebrate my one-in-a-million mother, as I do every day, but with an extra special twist. I get to shower her with an extra layer of love and a handful of gifts to say a heartfelt ‘thank you’ – this could be through a personalised necklace or a silver locket. This unusual period has been difficult in its own way, but also because my parents made the move to London to be closer to my sister and I just over a year ago. The move has been far from easy for her for numerous reasons: uphauling her entire life, where she lived for over 30 years; moving two hours north to a new city; living in a new house; enduring lockdown; and waiting on me hand and foot, just to relieve me of the pressures of working remotely. Despite the struggle, I’m filled with an unbelieve amount of gratitude because of what she’s done for me. She’s a true example of a wonder woman in my eyes.
This year, I wanted to do a little extra something for her. We’ve all neglected ourselves in some shape or form – we haven’t been able to go for regular hair appointments, or trips to the spa. So, above all, we deserve some time to pamper ourselves regardless. With that in mind, I’ve curated a day of activities for her and chosen a handful of gifts that I know will make my mum smile from cheek to cheek. (I hope she isn’t reading this!)
She’s going to start her precious day with a lie in, while I make her a stack of blueberry pancakes accompanied with a bouquet of flowers and a piping hot cup of strong tea. Following breakfast fit for a queen, her pamper day will begin, starting with a steamy bubble bath with Epsom bath salts to help relax her achy muscles and a charcoal face mask. My mum rarely gets time to spend time in the slow lane, so it’s going to be a real treat for her.
Post-bath, I’ll give her an array of gifts that I selected from Boots – one of my favourite retailers for women’s perfume, beauty, and everyday skincare. These gifts were chosen to glam her up ready for the evening affair – a Mother’s Day candle-lit dining experience. Since we can’t go out and enjoy the luxury of a restaurant, we’re bring it into our home.
Starting with nails, I selected a series of nail polishes to allow her to have an at-home manicure conducted by my sister. Once her nails have been shaped, buffed and polished, the nail hardener will allow her to build strength and recover from the lack of treatments, complete with the finishing touches of a striking gel nail polish, giving her a nail salon finish. I chose two of her favourite colours – a rich plum and a dark scarlet.
Moving onto make-up, I selected a couple of bold lipsticks for her. For as long as I can remember, my mum wouldn’t leave the house without a quick application of lipstick and after the past 12 months, I don’t think she needs an excuse to wear an eye-catching lipstick to dinner within the vicinity of her home. I chose a NYX lipstick in the colour ‘chic’ and a Huda Beauty matte liquid lipstick in the colour ‘Spice Girl’.
For the finishing touches, perfume. I chose a perfume from my one of my favourite brands, Tom Ford. I feel like the opulent floral and strong spicy notes within Black Orchid perfectly meets my mum’s taste in perfume. Also, this perfume was developed to be different. As Tom Ford mentions “it’s not based on an ordinary orchid, it’s about something more strong and rare” – and if that doesn’t sum my mother up, I don’t know what does.
What are you doing and giving your mum this Mother’s Day?
Until next time…
