What to get mom this year: Mother's Day gifts she’ll actually use

a free letter today—including more about my recent feature in The Business of Fashion (!!!!)

Hihi, Sunday Squad.

Tonight, I’m set to board Singapore Airlines for the longest flight in the world! Perhaps a hot take, but I love a long-haul flight. So, I’m looking forward to the 18-hour and 50-minute journey that’ll bring us to…you guessed it, Singapore! It’ll be my first time, and we have some epic guides set up to show us around. And that’s just the first stop on a two-week trip primarily dedicated to exploring Western Australia. Lots more to come over at SmartFlyer on this largely overlooked part of the Land Down Under.

The week leading up to tonight’s departure has been a bit nutty. A West Village Book Club meeting hosted flawlessly by OTB. Lila Raicek’s debut book, The Plunge, launch at McNally Jackson, moderated by Griffin Dunne with a special appearance by artist Karyn Lyons whose striking work graces the cover. Provisioning allllll the things (my fave sport!!!!) at the Union Square Farmer’s Market to curate a pretty little spread for Emily Brillanti’s baby shower. A very special birthday dinner for our dear Jenna in the wine cellar at Roscioli. Dancing to The Muses’ set at Jean’s with the girls. Goodbye drinks amid last night’s pouring rain (emblematic of my tears?) for friends before they head off to San Fran. And now, right where all roads lead for me on Sundays—curled up in my bed editing this edition of TSS.

Naturally, I have yet to finish packing for tonight’s departure. I was actually giggling yesterday at the hair salon when my girl was like, “you’re always going somewhere! you must be so good at packing.” Because yes—and also, no? I have my method and it works. But like anything (working out, eating healthy, etc.) you actually have to DO IT for the method to work. And in classic fashion, I can’t seem to get myself to commit to putting the piles of clothes I’ve set aside into my packing cubes.

The packing method that changed my life (written while packing a carry-on for 12 days in Australia)

One thing that will definitely make it into my bag is this fun travel set from my friend Matt, the genius behind creative efforts at Maude. If you haven’t heard of it, this modern intimacy company makes for a fun follow on Instagram. And in the case of this latest travel-themed launch, they’re making sure everyone is ready for takeoff…in every sense of the word.

What a delightful surprise it was earlier this week to see myself on The Business of Fashion homepage. A reminder, I think, that the things we chip away at quietly over time—in my case, writing a weekly letter for so many years and in the process, honing my taste—do in fact compound. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about longevity in creative work, and how much of it comes down to just…staying committed to showing up.

The article, “Not All Creators Convert. Here’s How to Find Those That Do” was reported on by Diana Pearl and was partially a commentary on how more niche audiences like mine convert best! Translation: you all actually shop the links I share (!!!) on my ShopMy. Specifically, it was fun to share how you’ve all bought over $10,000 worth of my favorite rag & bone sweatpant jeans. The article is paywalled, but here’s a snippet in case you want to read.

Anyway, a small moment, but one I wanted to share with you here because my Substack community has been such a big part of me finding my stride with affiliate links. THANK YOU, FRIENDS!!

Stateside, two weeks from today is Mother’s Day—a holiday that snuck up on me in the way it always does. Whether you’re shopping for your mom, a grandmother, a friend who just became a mom, or someone who’s simply played a mother-like role in your life, I pulled together a list of gifts that feel elevated but still personal—things she’ll actually use.

• Sabre Bistrot Spreaders for the mom who somehow makes even a Tuesday night cheese plate feel dinner party-worthy.

• Evermill Spice Rack: counter version or in-drawer version for equal parts practical and aesthetic—a true kitchen upgrade.

• Melanie Masarin’s new cookbook, Riviera, paired with a bottle of Ghia is the chic hostess gift that feels super fresh given that this book comes out in just a couple of days!

• Normann Copenhagen craft salt & pepper mill set for a super chic upgrade to your current S&P set.

• Loewe Tomato Leaves Handsoap makes for such a fabulous gift because while it feels indulgent, I promise you there’s no more intoxicating scent to wash your hands with.

• Flamingo Estate Garden Tour Candle, Olive Oil, and Soap Gift Set for a trio that smells like you have a garden in Ojai.

• LED Face Mask for the bio-hacking mom who’s committed to the bit and will incorporate LED into her regular routine.

• TheraBody TheraFace Depuffing Wand for a ride or die item at my bedside when I’m home and in my dopp kit when I’m traveling.

• A shakeplate for lympatic drainage because I swear it has changed how I feel on a daily basis. I use mine for fifteen minutes every morning after working out.

• MZ Wallace Pickleball Tote is perfect for the momma who loves to keep active and look good doing it.

• Infrared Sauna Blanket for the wellness-loving mom who has everything except this, a tool many of my friends swear by.

• Crown Affair Microfiber Towel for something she’ll use every day.

• La Bonne Brosse Mother and Baby Brush Set comes as no surprise from me since I have both a big and small LBB brush but this is the first time I’m seeing them bundled!

• Sophie Bille Brahe tassel velvet jewelry box in burgundy to help her enhance the way she’s keeping her jewels organized.

• Natural Manicure Set for something small, useful, that she wouldn’t necessarily buy herself but will keep in her everyday bag!

• Ember Heated Mug because her coffee deserves better and the idea of never having to microwave a cup gone cold is luxury.

• “Go Ask Your Dad” hat for the mom with a sense of humor.

• Weezie Robe with Embroidery for something personal, plush, and again, something she’ll be able to enjoy everyday.

• Foldable Gardening Seat with Tools and Detachable Tote for the mom who’s in her gardening era going into summer.

• Portable Sonos Speaker makes for an ideal way to have her armed with tunes while she’s pruning her perennials.

• Gardening Organizing Bucket Caddy because every element of gardening can be cute if you want it to be!

💸 Aaaaaand as a disclaimer, today’s post—as my shopping sections always do!—includes affiliate links. These little babes help me continually reinvest in making The Sunday Series better. I make a small commission when readers click and shop through my links at no additional cost to you—so if you found something through a link I sourced, please do consider purchasing through that link so I’m credited! Speaking of, I’ve been using the ShopMy platform for over a year now, and I love it. Want to start making commission on the links YOU share? Sign up with my referral link for a 10% bonus on your first six months of linking.

Thank you for reading, friends! Given my intensive travel schedule, I don’t plan on being in your inbox next week unless an abundance of time falls into my lap (ha!). But promise to see you in a couple Sundays. xxKD