Go ahead, slip this in your tween’s backpack or under your partner’s pillow, you won’t mind having to drop hints if you score these great gifts!
For the Beachin’ Mama
Flawless Coconut Tanning Serum
No need to fry that skin, get a glow on the go by visiting one of the spray salons near you (locator at fakebake.com) or pick up some DIY serum to make the most of baby’s naptime.
$31, www.fakebake.com
Maui Jim Kupuna
These bronze beauties not only make you look great, they’ll help you see great. The gloss copper frames are classy and bend to avoid accidents, but the real superstar are the double polarized Maui Brilliant HCL Bronze lenses that will open your eyes to just how gorgeous OC really is.
$295, www.mauijim.com
Fantasie Swimwear
Who better than a lingerie company to create a perfect fitting bikini? Bust out those banging curves, these support-supreme sets will even make new parents feel like hot mamas.
$56, $70 top. www.fantasie.com
Sandusa Sand and Waterproof Towel
Love to lounge, but not the damp or sandy side effects left in your bag or car? This towel’s fibers release sand and the soft terry’like feel disguises a waterproof inner layer that keeps the rising tide from ruining your beach day.
$49, www.sandusa.net
BoomBottle+
Crank up the fun with these waterproof, sandproof, outdoor-loving wireless speakers. They not only can handle the saltspray without missing a beat, they’ll float if you tumble into the waves while busting a move.
$179, www.scosche.com
CoolBag
This colorful tote not only saves your snacks from melting in the heat with a hidden ice pack, it saves your chairs and your valuables, with a locking handle to keep strangers from “accidentally” pushing your things aside to claim your lounger for themselves and keeps things nice and secure while you hit the waves.
$123, www.coolbag.com
W Thalia Dress
This Helly Hansen getup lets you go from beach to brunch, with a nice nautical flair. Superlight quick dry material means you can throw it right over your bikini and you’ll be dry by the time the first mimosa arrives.
$75, www.hellyhansen.com
Great Island Backpack Chair
So we might have stolen it from the East, but a little personalization will make it all yours. Bonus are the backpack straps and handsfree-style which let you tote surfboards (or toddlers) with ease.
$169, www.capecodbeachchair.com
Beach Reads
You don’t always have the kids with you, so indulge in a page-turner the next time you his the sand sans responsibilities.
Summer Days and Summer Nights: Twelve Love Stories
Sometimes you want to ditch the challenges of adulthood. This collection by some of the top Young Adult voices today will have you wistfully sighing, and probably cringing, as you relive your old high school days. Great pick if you want to share a book with your older daughter, or just have insight into life as a teen of today.
$19.99, us.macmillan.com
The Nest by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney
Adored by critics, and just about everyone else who picks it up (including Amy Poehler who blurb’d the cover), this addictive debut about a dysfunctional family and an expected inheritance is already being courted into moviehood.
Rich and Pretty by Rumaan Alam
This guilty pleasure contemporary book about girlfriends and how they change as they move through the stages of life is compelling, and perhaps telling when you compare the conflicts and challenges to your own friendships through the years.
For the Hip Homebody
All-Clad Nonstick Round and Double Burner Grill Pans
If you can’t stand the heat, get into the kitchen! This easy-to-use high-performance grill is designed with a heavy gauge, hard-coat anodized aluminum exterior and ridges for grill marks and excess fat drainage. Round for the family, double burner for when the soccer team is over.
$78, www.macys.com or www.williams-sonoma.com
Lagostina Martellata Hammered Copper 5 Qt. Covered Casserole
Don’t make extra dishes, cook that big pasta meal for your outdoor dinner party and bring the lovely Martellata Hammered platter right to the table. Those handles stay as cool as you, hostess with the mostess.
$179, www.bedbathandbeyond.com
Fitz and Floyd Lincoln Pyramid 5-Piece Wine Set
Serve up your wine without worries in this elegant looking hand-polished and mouth-blown glass set. The look is contemporary and tasteful, but the price is surprisingly nice.
KRUPS EA84 Espresso Machine
Nothing keeps a mama going quite like her java. But strapping the kids into carseats and avoiding the tempting baked goods in the coffee shop makes coffee runs a hassle. Become your own barista with this fully automatic machine that brews impressive cups with artistry and precision. The digital touchscreen caters to your personal coffee preferences, brewing with one-touch half-asleep ease (so you don’t need to have a coffee before being able to make a coffee)—from authentic espressos and ristrettos to frothy cappuccinos and lattes. It might seem like a splurge, until you start adding up all of those Starbucks’ stars…
$999.99, www.Williams-Sonoma.com
Washable Rugs with Eco-Friendly Rug Pads
It’s time to shoo the kids outside…but that only means those same shoes come back inside full of dirt and grime. Never fear, throw down a Ruggable for a pop of color to brighten up the summer look of a sunroom or patio and simply toss in the washer when needed.
$99, www.Ruggable.com
For the Glam Girl
Acquarella Nail Polish
From bold neons to nudes, Acquarella nail polish has the perfect color available. Non-toxic and water-based, this polish is completely safe for anyone to use and “3 free” of any toxins. Great for moms-to-be, morning sickness sufferers or currently diagnosed.
$20, curediva.com
L’ANZA Healing Colors
We can be rough on our hair, OC! L’ANZA is not only a celeb-fave hair brand, but uses organic and wild-crafted botanicals with no animal testing in their line. Products are gluten-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, and it is the only brand to include Triple UV Protection to guard against all three damaging rays of the OC sun (UVA, UVB and UVC) to truly heal damage and renew hair during the color process, resulting in longer-lasting results.
Check www.lanza.com/salon-locator/ for nearest salon
Mirai Clinical Body Care Gift Set
Release your inner Geisha with persimmon-scented body wash, body serum and spritzer, all neatly wrapped in furoshiki reusable fabric from Kyoto, Japan. The delicate scent and unique wrapping make a perfectly primped present (even for yourself).
$77, miraiclinical.com
Repêchage Sea Spa Body Wash
If we could spend every day in the sea, we just might. But we can score the benefits of seaweed on the daily with this aromatic, soap-free foaming gel infused with seven essential oils including Orange, Lime, Coriander and Mint and natural sea plants.
$27, www.repechage.com
Clinique Cheek Pop and Sweet Pots Sugar Scrub
Better than roses, we love the pressed-flower look of the new cheeky compacts, it just puts a spring in our step. But what really has us smiling are the sugar scrubs that help release sun-parched lips from flakes and damage before soothing balm with a touch of color glides on.
$22, www.clinique.com
For the Feet of Those About to Hear the Pitter Patter of Little Feet
Birdies
Fuzzy slippers might be tempting, but it’s much better to feel like you’re wearing a fuzzy slipper and look cute, if you ask us. These indoor shoes are perfect for those times naps catch you off guard right before the doorbell rings, or to survive flights and long car trips when traveling. Bonus points for being created by two moms!
$120, birdies.com
Superfeet Outside Sandals
Safety is important, both when you are carrying a baby, and, well, carrying a baby. Many moms discover their inner klutz when changing body structure throws our balance out of whack, so it’s great to know a company has not only built a sturdy sandal (for when the idea of a shoe on your swollen feet makes you panic), but it just so happens to be a company known for their inserts to make your normal shoes more comfortable!
$59, www.superfeet.com
Therafit Lace Ballet Slippers
Therafit shoes have a solution for foot, knee, leg and back pain, are endorsed by the National Posture Institute and have received a seal of approval by the American Podiatric Medical Association…and they’re also pretty cute for a pair of comfy flats to throw on with jeans or capris. We love these breezy ballet flats that feature a sturdy foundation against slips or trips.
$109, therafitshoe.com
Tourney Active Sneaker
From a company started by a pioneer in the field of lower limb biomechanics and an Innovation Lab that continues to tap the minds of med-tech pros, these trainers come with a removable microfiber-covered EVA orthotic insert and Advanced Motion System (AMS) technology, with a lightweight and breathable upper.
$129, www.vionicshoes.com
Rejuva Compression
So things are moving along with the pregnancy, and suddenly your feet are swelling as much as your belly. The doctor mentions compression wear might help, and you are quite possibly horrified at the thought. That’s where Rejuva comes in with their cute styles that you’ll wear even when you don’t need to. (Hold onto them for travel later!)
$29, www.rejuvahealth.com
For the Fit Mama
Polar: A360
This waterproof, 24/7 fitness tracker features optical heart rate and color touchscreen display to encourage activity, even the splashy sort. Smart notifications keeps mom connected for emergencies. Apparently there is a vibration that alerts users when they’ve been inactive for too long, although to date no mom has remained motionless long enough to trigger it.
$199, www.polar.com
2XU Prenatal Active Maternity Tights
Want to stay fit which pregnant, and fit in your workout gear? With the added weight of a growing belly, complications such as edema, varicose and spider veins, dizziness, exhaustion, cramping, muscle fatigue, and a myriad of other problems can often occur leading to a sedentary lifestlyle. Maternity compression tights can increase blood circulation from the feet to the growing baby, allowing moms to maintain many of their normal day-to-day activities.
$154, www.2xu.com
Platypus W’s Siouxon Pack
Take a hike, Mom! And stay hydrated; thanks to this sturdy pack that holds three liters of water…and all your gear and pacifiers and such. Straps work for mountain biking or hiking, so go head for that monster hill, your pack will have your back.
$139, www.platy.com
Hellas
Aspire to perspire! Hellas feature sweat-proof mesh and reflective details to ensure users are visible during night runs. Even if those are runs for glue sticks and forgotten project supplies that HAVE to be in the next morning. Sweat friendly and cord-free, these wireless bluetooth headphones have removable machine washable headband and ear covers.
$120, www.urbanears.com
Funktional Wearables
For something that is supposed to be worn all the time, activity trackers and bands don’t often take into account that sometimes a mom just wants to look great. (But not lose out on the credit for all those hard-earned steps or stairs.) These wearables come in endless styles, some with a window to monitor your progress, some completely incognito. Just slip in your fitness tracker on the inner side of the bracelet and you are good to go. (Fits all major trackers).
From $26, www.funktionalwearables.com
