In Honor of Mother's Day, Forget MOTB-- My Mom Looks Hot!

I've been having issues lately with the fact that I'm about to turn forty, but seeing my mother the other day in the gown she bought for my sister's wedding swept all my worries away! Shopping for a mother-of-the-bride dress is hard. The styles tend to veer towards two extremes-- short and skimpy for women who hope to be mistaken for their daughter's teenaged sister, or long, heavy and voluminous (I would call it grandmother of the bride but my grandmother had way more style than that!).

My mom found a gown by Junnie Leigh that is a true knockout while still being classic and elegant. It's a navy-blue hourglass shape with a halter bodice and discreet silver sun blast detailing on the front. It comes with a bolero jacket for upper-arm coverage, but I'm still trying to convince her she doesn't need the jacket; the gown is amazing with or without. She's a modest person so when she asked me what I thought I told her she was beautiful in it, but my honest gut response was, "Wow, Mom, you look hot!" Her gown isn't pictured on the site, but I promise to post pictures of the real thing after the wedding. In the meantime, check out this similar look in silk shantung with beaded v-neck bodice.

The Chocolate Path: Treats For the Discriminating Chocolate Palate

I'm lucky enough to live a short drive from this store, but good news for the rest of the world: The Chocolate Path now has a website where you can order the world's best dark chocolate in every format imaginable. Their mission statement is "to provide dark chocolate lovers with a wide selection of pure products from the best small manufacturers," and fulfill that mission they do! Chocolate Path's wares include premium exotic dark chocolate bars, artisan hot chocolate, and a variety of unbelievable truffles. I can't wait to try the Chocolate Moderne Caramel Caresse bistro bar, filled with soft pear and caramel, but you may want to start with one of their gift assortments that allows you to sample their fine chocolate fare. Oh, I hope someone gets me one for Mother's Day!

Charlie K's Ideas For Mother's Day Gift Certificates

My cousin Gina is doing the impossible this week-- meeting her future mother-in-law for the very first time and volunteering to entertain her while her son is at work. This wouldn't be a problem except for the fact that the mother-in-law doesn't speak a word of English, and Gina doesn't speak a word of German!

Her dilemma makes my mom dilemma-- what to get my mother, my MIL and my SIL for Mother's Day-- look like cake. Especially now that I've seen one of my favorite writers on Associated Content, Charlie K, has published a guide to the top ten gift certificate ideas for Mother's Day. Here are her thoughtful and creative suggestions:

Fewer names conjure up the feelings of warmth, love, and humility than that of "Mother." She is often inspirational, always educational, and for many years the center of her child's life. She has the power to mold a strong, independent, and courageous human being simply by being a role model herself.

While many believe that Mother's Day is nothing more than something dreamed up by the greeting card companies and florists to make money, nothing could be further from the truth. The day remains as strong now as it was in the beginning for one reason and one reason only. It is a day well deserved!

Because that is true, most of us want to make certain that the gift we choose to give mother on her special day is every bit as unique, loving, and selfless as the many gifts she has bestowed over the years. Sometimes that can be a difficult task to complete. However, here are my top ten certificate ideas that most mothers are sure to enjoy:

Top Ten Gift Certificate Ideas for Mother's Day by Charlie K