Mother’s Day Gift Guide

Gifts For Moms, by Moms

Mother’s Day is just a few days away, and if you are like me, you still have some shopping to do for the kick-ass moms in your life.

So what are you thinking - Maybe some flowers? Chocolate? Wine? Let’s skip the things that moms usually just buy for themselves and find something she’ll absolutely LOVE.

This week we are shining a spotlight on some of my favorite mom-owned businesses. These aren’t just random business women, these are women that I’ve had the pleasure of knowing personally and professionally for many years. Each and every one of these items is made with passion and love by an incredibly badass mom.

For the Fit Mom

Sarah Marie Design Studio - Mother's Day Collection

Sarah Marie Design Studio (SMDS) is owned and operated by Sarah Clancy, who I had the pleasure of shredding some serious gnar with back at Syracuse University on the ski racing team.

Sarah is an incredible artist and lifelong athlete. Combining her love of art and design with her favorite hobby of running, SMDS was born! She runs this amazing small biz right out of her home on long island as she chases her three little rascals around. All of her apparel is produced in Worldwide Responsible Apparel Production certified factories and professionally printed in the USA.

Follow Sarah on Instagram: @sarahmariedesignstudio

For the Fashionable Mom

Shopping Girl XOXO - Customized Styling Session

Lora LaPratt is a personal stylist, shopping concierge and CEO of Shopping Girl XOXO. She prides her business on really getting to know her clients on a personal level and helping to bring out each individual’s style based on their interests, body shape, coloring, and overall way of life! She also loves to work with local designers and boutiques to keep her clients looking unique and feeling amazing.

I spent my summers growing up on Torch Lake in Michigan with Lora. Our roots are several generations deep on that lake, and now we get to chase our own babies together on the rock beaches all summer in the same place our grandmothers played when they were young. Lora has styled me for several events, occasions and shoots and I refer all of my clients to her. Working with Lora is always a treat. Through all of my different life phases, budgets, careers, body types, and styles - I always feel amazing when I rock the looks that she creates.

Follow Lora on Instagram: @ShoppingGirlXOXO

For the Bookworm

Do you ever wish you could just escape for 20 minutes (or 2 hours) in a really good book? It’s one of my favorite forms of self care. I’m a huge fan of young adult nonfiction, and Crown of Coral and Pearl is that perfect kind of escape. This gorgeously written tale follows a young woman from a village on the sea who must impersonate her twin on land to save everyone she loves from a tyrannical prince. What’s not to love about that!?

“A fabulous interweaving of fantasy, politics, and sisterhood—this unusual, tense tale will have you on the edge of your seat!”—#1 New York Times bestselling author Tamora Pierce

The AMAZING author, Mara Rutherford, is an old gal pal from a book club that we started about a million years ago when I was a bored yuppy living in Old Town Alexandria with no children and plenty of time on my hands for things like socializing, gossiping, and reading lots and lots of books. Mara began her writing career as a journalist, but quickly discovered she far preferred fantasy to reality. Witnessing Mara’s journey from an aspiring writer back in our early 20s to a successful author and mom of 2 amazing young boys has been an honor.

I think it’s about time I pick-up the sequel as a little mother’s day gift to myself this year.

Follow Mara on Instagram: @MaraRutherfordWrites

For the Super Mom

Neha Kotecha - I am me sweatshirt

Neha Kotecha is a superhero with the power to freeze time.

The truth is - I have never actually met Neha in person, but I know the universe wants us to be friends. I was lucky enough scroll my way to her account on Instagram and I was blown away!

Not only is she an amazing lifestyle photographer, entrepreneur, mom, and preacher of positivity, she also designs and sells some REALLY fun merch - like this I AM ME Sweatshirt. (PS: She has really cute Mom Life and Photographer Life designs too!)

Follow Neha on Instagram: @neha.kotecha.photography

For the Yogi Mom

Krista Mason Yoga Fitness - yoga Retreat

Krista is a yoga and fitness instructor based in Washington, DC and a Mom to 2 boys. I am 100% obsessed with her online studio, which she launched amidst the pandemic, and which ultimately saved my sanity. I attend her classes religiously two mornings every week from my home, or wherever I may be traveling. Honestly, I never thought I’d like Yoga on Zoom, but Krista is magical and makes you feel like she’s right there with you, gently guiding you through each breath.

Krista also offers some AMAZING in Harpers Ferry, WV and in Costa Rica and let me tell you - a retreat with Krista is absolutely a TREAT. Click here to learn more about her 2021-22 retreats.

Follow on Instagram: @kristamasonyogafitness

For the Organized Mom

Jewelry organizer from Firwood Forest

Firwood Forest is owned by my amazing Business Manager - Ms. Alecia Harris. As a mom to four(!) energetic boys, she’s no stranger to organized chaos. Alecia keeps Glimmer Images content strategy running like a well oiled machine, all while pumping out podcasts, running etsy stores, and cheering on her baseball loving brood. Every product is made with love and care in the USA - they even recruit little hands every once in a while to teach them the value of hard work.

For the Horse Mom

Erin Nes - QOYA with Horses

Erin offers coaching, community and equine therapy for wild-hearted women who have gotten stuck in routines that feel a little too tame. She has this magical way of bringing women together to connect and embrace our wisdom and our wildness. Erin’s Qoya class is one of my favorite ways to relax, de-stress and reconnect with my body and my soul.

Erin is another magical being in my life and the poster-woman for Glimmer Images branding photography. Erin draws together the powerful practices, habits, and tools and teaches women how to nurture their bodies and their souls - even as she runs her businesses and raises her young family in the DC area. She’s also my biz bestie, and one of the most amazing humans I’ve ever met. No matter what we’re up to, we always have a good time and laugh until we’re out of breath.

Qoya is system of sacred, feminine movement that is both spontaneous and structured. This two-hour class includes elements of yoga, meditation, and free movement while surrounded by horses, trees, sunshine and all of nature's healing elixirs.

Follow Erin on Instagram: @erinnescoaching

For the Mom who’s always behind the camera

Glimmer Images Photoshoot

When is the last time the Mom you love was photographed? If you look around, I bet you’ll find a lot of photos with her missing. This is because moms are usually behind the camera. In addition to all the other bonus jobs they take on when they have babies, moms often become the family photographer.

Mom deserves to be in the frame - and I promise, your kiddos will cherish each and every image of them with their mama growing up - I know I do. So go ahead and splurge on a family lifestyle session - capture this moment in time with Mom front and center.

Follow me on Instagram: @Glimmerimages

Book Now

If you’re a mom and you’re reading this, go ahead and click that share button and send this off to your loved ones. Tell your people what you really want - because you freaking deserve it (and they probably need some help!).

Elisse LassiterMay 6, 2021