Mother Dearest

Pleasures to please the most important woman in the world. —Noa Nichol

makes scents. French-Can fashion retailer Simons, along with Montreal fragrance designer Ruby Brown, has launched an aromatic trio ta mère will adore. Each of three scents (from $50) in the Eau Contemporaine collection is inspired by an essential fabric so, whether she’s a silk, cotton or linen lady, one of these perfumes is sure to hit the right note.

chain reaction. What’s better than presenting mom with a piece of jewelry? Making it a complete set, of course. In previous pastel-y hues, the pieces—pendants with earrings to match, starting at $370—in this springtime collection from Stittgen are perfect for daily wear (or opt for their diamond-embellished counterparts for a more striking evening look). Amethyst, citrine or aquamarine, you really can’t go wrong.

purse proud. A Canadian mom of three, Noel Asmar’s handbags are meticulously crafted by artisan leather workers in Florence, Italy, and specially designed for women on the go. We love the Mila bag ($378) for its stylish tassel overlay closure and suede interior—and feel mamma will, too.

counter couture. Who but Dolce&Gabbana could make our cluttered kitchen surfaces look good? The very brand that graces our cover this month has teamed up with Italy’s Smeg on a line of beautiful, bright juicers, toasters, teapots, blenders, mixers and more adorned in floral, leaf, lemon, pear and cherry motifs.

push present. Nothing gets new mommas buzzing like a good stroller. And, arguably, the best baby rides are by Bugaboo. New from the Dutch company is the Bee5, featuring next-level parental control (i.e., customization). Fashionistas can opt for red mélange, urbanites can pick an aluminum chassis with a black seat and dreamers have gorgeous floral and geometric fabrics to choose from. For edgier ’rents and rug rats, the kid-mobility brand’s latest limited-ed launch brings French underground artist Niark1’s signature playful monsters to life on tailored fabric sets and breezy sun canopies for all Bugaboo strollers.

face forward. To us, mom’s face is perfect as is; she, however, may feel differently. Designed for women 40-plus, La Colline’s NativAge La Cure ($1,380), which comes in a luxe keepsake coffret, is a 28-day treatment offering the highest caliber of anti-aging efficacy achievable without undergoing invasive procedures (needles and surgery). Boasting beauty tech that encourages skin to produce its own “youth substances,” this is something we’re sure she’ll get excited about.

one to watch. This blushing writwatch screams (with diplomacy, of course) Lady of the House. The Oyster Perpetual Lady-Datejust ($22,400 at GWC), in a thoughtfully feminine size, shimmers in 18-carat yellow, white or Rolex Everose gold and sparkling diamonds.

louis love. What mum in her right mind wouldn’t want her very own Louis Vuitton? The brand’s new summer spirit collection includes the iconic Speedy bag, a sweet mini version of the Noé bag and the cult Neverfull tote, each of which has been given a fresh, feminine feel with a pink monogram print adapted from the LV archives.

mother nature. Vancouver-based Quake Furniture creative director Lisa Turner observed the ocean shore at Qualicum Beach over many summers before creating her Qualicum Series—a console, called High Tide, and bench table, nicknamed Low Tide, whose sculptural forms echo the rhythm of (you guessed it) the tides. Surely any stylish and locally proud mum will like that.

dry goods. We told you about Dyson’s Supersonic hair dryer last month—lighter, quieter and more intuitive, the lovely, golden-locked Kelsey Klassen called it “the iPhone of beauty appliances” and attested that her drying time was reduced by half. Now, just in time for May’s premiere event, the famed-for-its-vacuums company’s come out with a Mother’s Day edition ($499), including a presentation box finished in pale rose, cushioned with soft fabric and secured by a magnetic clasp. Available as a gift with purchase until May 14, after which the dryer with pink case will retail for $550.

nailed it. Pampering is practically synonymous with a good mani-pedi. Chanel global creative makeup and colour designer Lucia Pica’s premiere cruise collection includes four Le Vernis nail polish shades ($32 each) that take this tried-and-true Mother’s Day gift to new heights. Pica’s tip: play with opposing colours on hands and feet. Try sea whip (coral) on toes and sargasso (dark green) on fingers … or vice versa.

pied à petals. What’s MOM upside-down? WOW—just like these Mariska embellished T-strap pumps by Gucci. We bet these flower-encrusted beauties will put a spring in her step.

blooming bag. From the Coach 1941 ready-to-wear collection, this whimsical Dinky purse ($800 at select stores) features leather wild tea rose appliqués that are sure to make mom pink with pleasure.

mix it up. Kitchen gadgets get a bad rap when it comes to Mother’s Day; they may be useful, but are they what she really wants? In this case, yes. Cuisinart’s Precision Stand Mixer includes a chef’s whisk, dough hook and flat mixing paddle, with other accouterments (pasta and ice cream makers, meat grinders) available for purchase. Not only will mom be well-equipped for versatile use from the start, the potential for further gift-giving comes built right in to this beauty, which looks good, to boot.

sweet somethings. A fresh bouquet of flowers and a box of bon-bons—it doesn’t get more Mother’s Day than that. Now, chocolatier Beta5 has coupled the two concepts in the loveliest way, with this beautiful collection of sweets (in six or 12 pieces, $15 or $30) featuring flavours of strawberry-basil, rhubarb-oatmeal and sparkling mimosa praline (the sparkling role played by pop rocks!) and finished in pretty pastel florals.

lip service. Nothing makes a boo-boo feel better than a smooch from mom—her lips deserve some TLC in return. Clarins’ Lip Comfort Oils ($25 from June 1) offer seven delicious options (we’re partial to tangerine, reminiscent of sticky-sweet orange soda in the best way) to nourish (with jojoba, hazel, shea and other natural ingredients), soften and hit her kisser with a subtle hint of colour.

go veg. A second bag by a second Canadian mom provides a lovely non-leather option. Natalie Dusome, who’s stinted as a handbag designer for Fossil, Banana Republic and Aldo, includes in her all-vegan Poppy & Peonies collection a Jetsetter tote ($105) so momma-multifunctional, it’s actually reversible.

all smiles. If mom’s been flossing daily long before Lululemon told her to, she’ll appreciate the gift of a Philips Sonicare DiamondClean, which removes 10 times more plaque than a manual, whitens teeth in just a week, improves gum health in only two and comes in a range of beautiful finishes, including rose gold.