Top 10 Picks for Mothers' Day

Mark May 7th on your calendar for the annual Mothers' Day. So what's the big fuss about it? Well, the fuss is that this is a special day where we honor the special woman in our lives - the one who did the breakfast, lunches and dinners, the one who taught us how to wear shoes in a right way and the woman who is also our friend and someone whom we are closer too after friends.

With many of us working, building our ladder climbing positions and tending after our own families, sometimes we failed to secure some time to be with her and therefore, Mothers' Days seems to be the only option, a part from birthdays and festivities. At the same time, businesses thrives during this day and promotions after promotions take place to lure consumers into spending their moolahs on their loved ones.

Did I say how to spend your MOOLAHS? Oh I did anyway. Lets not waste our time as I could no longer wait to unveil my top 10 picks for your Mothers' Day gift ideas. Let's get it started anyway!

Louis Vuitton Louisette Necklace

Louis Vuitton is one of the world's biggest fashion house, leather good maker and now, a fine jeweler. This yellow gold necklace is the living proof that Louis Vuitton's fine jewels are sought after by fashionistas and jewelry connoisseurs.

In Asia, LV jewels are much loved and the company's move to include its jewelry and timepieces line at its stores in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Korea and Japan as well as the new markets China and India is seen as a good move.

Back to the necklace, the Louisette represents a harmony of energy and colors with three flowers sets in 28 pink sapphires, 17 rubies and 25 diamonds all rested on 18 kt yellow gold stem and petals. The Louisette necklace, which is a part of the Louisette collection is available at selected Louis Vuitton stores.

Dior Cannage Shoulder Flap Bag

When was the last time mommy stocked her favorite Dior bag? If it was 10 years ago then it is your turn to restock her Dior collection with this stunning Dior Cannage shoulder flap bag.

Metallic is the theme of the trend and the gold-metallic hue of this bag definitely match mom's current Spring/Summer wardrobe that is an eclectic mix of floral prints, vintage dresses that she rummaged from her old closet at grandma's crib, as well as the must-have metallic dresses and coats.

The bag features Dior's trademark Cannage patterned quilt, quilted on lambskin that's so supple and buttery soft. Accented with gold-toned hardware and a flap top with 'D' charm, the bag suits all occasion.

Be it a glamorous party where the creme de la cremes sips Krug rose and chatting on what they saw at Milan Fashion Week runway, or just a day out with her fellow girls, shopping and lunching at the hip malls of KL, the Cannage bag spells both luxury and functionalism.

L.A.M.B Bandana Printed Scarf

Gwen Stefani is not just a singer turned fashion designer. Her abundance of creativity, mixed with spirituality and whimsical, resulting a fashion line that appeals women of all ages. If your mother shares the same passion in everything spiritual just like Gwen but without forsaking fashion, then this scarf should be a perfect present for her.

The Bandana printed scarf is done on a 100% cotton material and features a L.A.M.B's interpretation of Mexico's most revered, sacred yet motherly icon, Our Lady of Guadalupe. Available in white and black, the scarf is considered as a work of art and it has been a part of Gwen's design trademark that is to apply artsy sketches in her designs.

You can either wear it as a headscarf to cover your head, or you can also turn it into an eye-catching tops of cowl neck, halter neck or just a tube. The Bandana printed scarf is retailed at $95.00 and available at L.A.M.B's official online store or at selected department stores and multi-label boutiques in United States. If you live in France, you can get this magnificent scarf at Collette in Paris.

Trésor Eau de Printempts by Lancôme

An ubiquitous yet classy perfume that has been on every woman's dressing table, Trésor remains to be one of the most sought after scent in the world. This new remake of Trésor, called Eau de Printempts or translated as The Spring Water, is a concoction of floral-fruity shiver of delicious sensuality that inspires it.

Trésor's reinterpretation of love for the top note is made by combining the scent of Lychee rose, a fresh rose that intrigues and seduces with a recognizable velvety softness. Then Blackcurrant bud, Clementine and Red Currant sorbet is added and blended with the Lychee rose to create an amorous yet seductive top note.

For the heart or middle note, peach blossom, Lily of the Valley and camellia, each known for their distinctive qualities and freshness of scents are mixed together to let out a diffusion of surprise breath of freshness, white elegance and Spring revival. Last but not least, Sandalwood, musk and an extreme of Vanilla absolute made Trésor's base note.

Available as limited edition, collectors will be surprised to see that the new Trésor Eau de Printempts comes with a detachable ring on the bottle's cap. The Trésor Eau de Printempts is available at all Lancôme concessionaires worldwide.

Fendi Knotted Sandals

I know just how a woman loves her shoes as much as she loved her children and it is not a surprise for her to own more shoes than children. Extend your mother's shoes collection with this superb and unique knotted sandals from Italian fashion powerhouse and furrier, Fendi.

Founded in 1925 as a family-run leather goods maker and furrier, Fendi attributes its success to three main factors - creativity, technology and craftsmanship, all in the highest sense.

Known for its fur coats and accessories, the house got its big break in fashion after it signed German fashion maestro Karl Lagerfeld, who at the time designing for Chanel, to design a ready-to-wear line for the house. In late 90's, it was the Baguette that put Fendi on the fashion map with thousands sold in a variety of reinterpretations.

The sandal has a knotted vamp in three leather straps of black, dark brown and tan with black lining and a buckled ankle strap. It has a platform sole with four-inch heels made from Plexiglass, making the shoes unique. You can put it on at anytime of the day and night, no restrictions.

The Fendi knotted sandals are available at all Fendi boutiques and select multi-brand boutiques and department stores around the world.

Garden Dinnerware and Tea Set

Does your mother enjoys the art of cooking and entertaining? And is she a natural-born botanist who owns a garden filled with beautiful blooms and delectable fruits that your family would happily harvest at the end of the seasons?

Well, if the answer is yes, then whip up a big lunch or maybe an afternoon tea in her favorite garden with this beautiful Garden Dinnerware and Tea Set from Neiman Marcus. Whimsical as it seems, the dinner and tea set comprises of stonewares designed in floral shapes of leaves and delicate pink lily flowers with green accents.

What's more, this dinnerware and tea set are dishwasher safe and you don't have to worry if the colors tarnished while cleaning it and every set comes in four pieces. A perfect piece of dining table art for the blooming season of Spring.

This set is available at all Neiman Marcus stores as well as online at NeimanMarcus.com and the price starts from $18.90 to $75.90.

A Box of Godiva Chocolates

Chocolates, to some is an indulgence, a sweetest sin that no one could escape. And indeed, Godiva chocolates is the name that anyone could not tempt to resists.

Founded 75 years ago by master chocolatier Joseph Draps, the name Godiva was chosen by him to honor Lady Godiva, the wife of a Coventry Lord by the name of Leofric the Dane, who rode naked on a horse and covered in nothing but her long hair just to plead her husband to reduce the taxes for his serfs.

Today, the brand stands for luxury and distinction as its premium chocolates are a favorite among the rich and famous. Even mere mortals too can enjoy the delectable delicacies from Godiva as well nowadays.

Using two methods in the chocolate making - enrobing ( coating the formed center with smooth chocolate) and shell-molding (mold composed of intricately designed impressions filled with melt tempered chocolate), only ingredients from the finest and highest in quality are used to produce the delicate and yummy chocolates.

In fact, Godiva does take its chocolates seriously. Either truffles or balottins, the taste will never be the same and incomparable to other brands. For Mothers' Day, I suggest you this authentic and delicious Ballotin set in a special Mothers' Day box with satin ribbon and a ribbon flower that can be worn as pin. There are 36 pieces altogether, made of pralines, caramels, and the classic truffles.

Godiva Chocolates are available at all Godiva boutiques and corners around the world. In Malaysia, Godiva Chocolates is available at Kuala Lumpur International Airport or you can also place your orders at 1-800-9GODIVA since the online store only accept orders within the USA.

The Art of Being a Woman

Reading is an exciting yet enjoyable form of hobby. If mommy likes to kill her time by reading books, especially on women empowerment, this book should be the right gift for her. Written by Veronique Vienne, The Art of Being a Woman: A Simple Guide to Everyday Love and Laughter, teaches women on how to be happy in their own skin.

Veronique, in her book, advises women to abandon flirtatiousness and instead cultivate mental acuity to celebrate other women as teacher soul-mates and to adopt her paradoxical interpretation of the sex wars.

She also advises women to be cautious among high achievers, obsessive focus on performance, extols the benefits of drifting afternoons spent with window shoppings and recommends housecleaning in a nice dress and heels (think of Bree van der Kamp from Desperate Housewives) while regarding your home as an intimate partner.

Other unique gifts of wisdom in this book are an alert mind is the most eye-catching feature of a face; smart compliments can improve the way you look as much as beauty products; paying more to eat less is counterintuitive, yet it is the best diet around; fashion is a nonsurgical nip-and-tuck technique; and men should be given the benefit of the doubt (because they truly need it). Ouch!!!!

With lots of spirited proses and witty illustrations by Ward Schumaker, this book is best enjoyed with either a glass of age-old red wine or a box of Godiva chocolates! Available at good bookstores as well as Amazon.com and Barnes&Noble.com.

Jane Fonda Complete Workout/Stress Reduction DVD

A good present for working mommies and those who are obsessed in climbing the career ladder without thinking of their own health.

In this DVD series, Hollywood actress Jane Fonda, who made her silver screen comeback last year in Monster In-Law, starring alongside Jennifer Lopez, teaches how to work your body out and release your stress in a right way.

As well all know, millions of people are not only killed by cancer, HIV or other deadly diseases, but they are also killed by the overwhelming stress. That is right, stress kills and without the right way of reducing it, there is no way one could escape. Now, why don't you just relax, put this DVD into the player and let the Hollywood diva show you the way.

Other DVD from Jane Fonda workout series is Jane Fonda's personal trainer collection, a totally cool DVD that features Jane teaching you how to sculpt abs bun and thighs, doing low impact stretching and aerobics as well as how you could give your body a new look with a total body sculpting. In other words, you don't need a professional sculptor to sculp you into a Greek goddess statue when you can do it yourself.

The DVD is available at selected major bookstores and fitness equipment stores around the world or you can also buy it from Barnes & Noble's online store.

An Unforgettable Evening at the Avillion Port Dickson

Last but not least, give your mom a well-deserved treat by whisking her away to a secluded resort island or maybe a night at The Avillion Resort, Port Dickson. Located in Port Dickson, the seaside resort town of Negeri Sembilan, it only takes an hour and half for you to reach this scenic resort comprises of water chalets, garden chalets and suites.

Choose the premium water chalet as it offers you a full view of the sea and there are only 34 units that could accommodate 3 adults at a time in each chalet. The bathroom is something to die for. Incorporating the open bathroom concept, it has a bathtub with a standing shower, towels and a generous supplies of toiletries.

Dining is not a problem here as there are three restaurants, a bar and a karaoke bar. The three restaurants, namely The Village Court, Red Onion and Crow's Nest are available for your own disposal. Be it from local dishes to the international fares, they have just anything to suit your mood.

If you are in a merrier mood and want to extend your drinking session, then head to the Avillion's watering hole, The Galley complete with a live band to entertain you till the wee morning hours. There's also an African Safari-themed Karaoke bar Jungle Fringe for you to serenade your loved ones. Published rates for rooms starts from RM290.00 for a beach room to RM1480.00 for Riau suite.

To secure a reservation, please call The Avillion Resort at 606-647 6688 or email at res@avillion.com.my.

There you go, my top 10 picks for a perfect Mothers' Day. Very well then, I wish all of you a very Happy Mothers' Day and cherish the moments while it lasts.

*Photos courtesy of L.A.M.B, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Louis Vuitton, Barnes and Nobel, Avillion and Godiva Chocolates.

Louis Vuitton - Indulge Floor, Starhill Gallery, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur.
Dior - Indulge Floor, Starhill Gallery, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur; Isetan KLCC, Ground Floor, Suria KLCC, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur; International Departure, Passenger Level, Satellite A, Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
Fendi - Indulge Floor, Starhill Gallery, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur.
Godiva Chocolates - Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Kuala Lumpur.
Avillion - 3rd Mile, Jalan Pantai, 7100 Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia.