Quarantined Mothers’s Day...

Hey y’all. It’s May 4, 2020. Mother’s Day is almost here. And believe me when I tell you — I swear to God, if y’all forget about us this Mother’s Day after us dealing with this whole quarantine situation we will be spending the next one in jail because we will be absolutely homicidal.

Don’t mess this up.

Have I scared you? Good. Ready for some ideas? Even better:

“More and better SLEEP is what every mother actually wants for Mother’s Day.”

MORE QUANTITY OF AND BETTER QUALITY SLEEP

Far be it for me to tell you what to do, although we both know you did click on this blog and therefore you have sort of signed yourself up for knowing my opinion.

My advice to you is that you let mom sleep in a bit on Mother’s Day AND THEN bring her breakfast in bed. And if there are toddlers in the mix who insist on making the breakfast you better also make a breakfast for Mom so that at least some of it is edible. And if your kids are like mine and they are going to sit next to Mom and eat her edible breakfast, you had better make some kid breakfast in bed and bring that in too, with their own tray(s) because seriously Mom shares ENOUGH of her food and this is her Special God-damned Day and you need to anticipate that nonsense before it starts. Like she does for Father’s Day.

More and better SLEEP is what every mother actually wants for Mother’s Day. And if she cannot get more and/or better sleep, a mother often appreciates being able to look as if she had more sleep than she actually did. Although you can’t give her more sleep all the time, there are some tangible things you CAN get her that might help her get better quality sleep or at least look like she did:

GIVE HER THE GIFT OF A NIGHTTIME RITUAL TO GET READY FOR SLEEP

Jade Face Roller + Face Oils

A lot of moms I know do NOT already have this already, so that already sets you ahead in the gift-giving world. A lot of parents also grind their teeth at night (especially in the last few months… so weird, right?). Massaging your face with a jade roller not only feels wonderful, but it also helps drain fluid out of your lymphatic system, which results in less puffiness and is actually good for your immune system. It also helps your skin absorb the moisture from the oils you’re using, because they get absorbed by your face and not your hands. Jade also stays naturally cool to the touch, which further enhances its soothing feeling on the skin, and its ability to help with puffiness. It’s a lovely thing to incorporate into a nightly ritual to help destress and prepare oneself for a more restful sleep.

Right now Beautycounter* has a set of three facial oils (Brightening, Plumping, and Balancing) available as a gift set for just $34 USD. Beautycounter Glow-and-Go Mini Oils They smell amazing, and they feel even better on the skin. It’s something that I look forward to at the end of the day! (paid link - I’m a Beautycounter consultant!)

A Subscription to a Mediation App

I have tried several meditation apps. For a long time my husband tried to get me to enjoy Headspace. I never could. Having a man’s voice telling me to relax always sort of just had the opposite effect, honestly. The only app I've found that consistently helps me turn the volume of my anxiety down is the Calm app. Use this link to sign her up for a FREE 30 day trial. Give the Gift of Calm Better yet, let her know that YOU will keep track of when the 30 days will be up and you will cancel for her if she doesn’t love it, or buy it for her if she DOES love it.

IMPROVE HER BED AND HER BEDROOM ENVIRONMENT

Silk Pillowcases:

These really do make a huge improvement in the health of your hair and your skin. I have only ever slept on a silk pillowcase since 2013. I will never sleep on cotton or linen pillowcases again! I definitely use them for more decorative or supportive pillows - but the pillow under my head is encased in silk.

Give the gift of an easy-to-wash zip-off fitted sheet:

Would you believe me if I told you this fitted sheet changed my life? It’s true. It’s so easy to use, I can change the sheets even when my back is thrown out. It is one of those things where I saw it and immediately recognized the brilliance, and lamented the fact that I had not thought of it first. Quick Zip Sheets

Give her a white noise machine fit for a queen:

I have found that I fall asleep much quicker and that I sleep much deeper when I use a white noise machine.

Give her an alarm clock that works with her natural circadian rhythms for improved sleep and better mood at wake-up: Waking up to the sound of a blaring alarm clock (or a wailing child) is not the best way to start the day. I’ve been enjoying my daylight alarm clock immensely. It starts off very red and dim, and slowly gets brighter and closer to daylight as your wakeup time approaches. A great gift for anyone, but especially anyone who struggles to awake in the morning.

“And if she cannot get more and/or better sleep, a mother often appreciates being able to look as if she had more sleep than she actually did.”

FAKE SOME GREAT SHUT-EYE

Give her some under-eye masks:

Right now Beautycounter* has a set of under-eye masks that are just $49 for a set of six pairs. These masks reduce the appearance of puffiness and instantly awaken the eye area. Formulated with cucumber extract and aloe leaf, they work to leave the skin around eyes feeling soothed and refreshed. Ophthalmologist tested. Safe for contact lens wearers. Counter+ Eye Revive Cooling Masks

Give her some safe beauty serums:

All Bright C Serum

Brighten up with this game-changing serum. This ultra-potent 10% blend of two forms of vitamin C instantly brightens skin and helps reduce the appearance of existing dark spots, while antioxidant-rich turmeric and camu camu extracts help protect against new ones. The formula also helps defend skin from the damaging effects of environmental stressors—revealing a more youthful-looking complexion.

Overnight Resurfacing Peel

Goodnight, dullness. Good morning, glow. Featuring a proprietary multi-acid complex, this leave-on AHA/BHA peel improves skin texture and boosts clarity without irritation or over-drying. With glycolic, malic, and botanically derived lactic acid, the formula clears away dull surface cells, while arginine and essential fatty acids help soothe to reveal a brighter, healthier looking, renewed complexion.

Give her some safe makeup:

So many makeup brands are straight-up toxic. Mom deserves better. Beautycounter* has a makeup set that can give her an effortless, flawless look in just 5 minutes. You can customize the colors of each item to work best for Mom. The set comes with the following: Tint Skin Hydrating Foundation or Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer, Touchup Skin Concealer Pen, Color Define Brow Pencil or Brilliant Brow Gel, Lengthening or Volumizing Mascara, Satin Powder Blush, Lip Gloss. I’m happy to help you select the colors - I just need a photo of your mom and I can direct you to what will work best! Beautycounter Flawless in Five Set

“Show Mom that you take healthy living just as seriously as she does, and that the safety and health of every family member does not sit solely on only her shoulders. ”

For Someone Else to Show an Interest in Keeping the Family Healthy

For real, y’all. Show Mom that you take healthy living just as seriously as she does, and that the safety and health of every family member does not sit solely on only her shoulders.

Farm Fresh to You delivers farm fresh produce, meat, dairy, eggs, and more each week, straight to your door!

Fresh, Customizable, Farm-Fresh Produce Delivered Straight to Her Door

With the anxiety that can come from donning a mask and trekking to the grocery store, I’ve personally been really enjoying my Farm Fresh to You subscription box each week. I often add eggs, dairy products, and pantry items to my box as they have more options now than ever before. The produce I receive has always been stellar, and my kids look forward to seeing the yummy fruits and veggies we get each week. Get $15 off your first order here: $15 off 1st box at Farm Fresh to You

“As well as being an amazing Interior Designer, I am now also an amazing Beautycounter Consultant. ”

* As well as being an amazing Interior Designer, I am now also an amazing Beautycounter Consultant. Beautycounter is a company that never uses over 1,800 questionable and known harmful chemicals in any of their products (even though only 30 are banned in the United States of America) so I know when I buy literally anything from them that it is safe for me and my family. It is the only brand I use for myself, my husband, and my two kids for personal care like sunscreen, shampoo, conditioner, bodywash, soap, moisturizers, serums, oils, makeup… the list goes on and on! I love that they advocate for more regulation in the personal care industry, which will result in getting safer products into the hands of everyone, regardless of whether they are buying Beautycounter brand or not… and that means something to me. Beauty should be good for you, and I am proud to represent a brand that is doing good on so many fronts. All of the personal care products I have recommended here today are Beautycounter brand, and I would appreciate it if you would let me be your consultant if you’re interested in learning more about #betterbeauty. You can see all of the products on offer at this site: www.beautycounter.com/shanacunningham

Disclosure about the Amazon links in this article: I used to have an Amazon Associate’s account where I earned a tiny percentage as commission from each qualifying purchases, but I no longer have that set up. So, you can rest assured that I have no skin in the game whether you want to purchase these particular items or not. =)

“Great design should be for everyone, and beauty should be good for you.
You should look great in your great looking home. ”

— Shana Cunningham

Shana CunninghamMay 4, 2020