The Girl's Guide
Issue 109: The Ultimate Mother's Day Gift Guide (feat. Isabella Redjai)
Hello and welcome back to The Girl’s Guide! If you missed the most recent issue, find it here.
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Mother’s Day Gift Guide
Your mom spent 365 days a year taking care of you — the least you can do is get her a little something to make her smile on Mother’s Day! (And hey, since I know I have male readers, this applies to the mothers of your children, too.)
If there’s one thing about moms that we all need to realize, it’s that they go through phases just like the rest of us. Eras, if you will (although this phenomenon certainly predates Taylor Swift popularizing the term). For example, I am currently in my sourdough era and have nearly as many bread photos in my camera roll as photos of my toddler. Please don’t ask me how many jars of sourdough starter discard I have in my fridge. How long will my sourdough era last? Nobody knows.
So here are a few gift ideas for mom to inspire you. She changed your diapers, after all!
If she’s in her homemaker era…
Homemaker, homesteader, whatever you want to call it… if your mom is all about growing her own food and/or making it from scratch, then she’s gonna need an apron so she can dramatically wipe the flour off her hands when she’s done in the kitchen. I love this blue floral baker apron, but if neutrals are more her thing, then this linen apron from Etsy is a great choice.
And you can’t forget the apron’s outdoorsy cousin, overalls. I know several mamas who love their gardening bib overalls, and Duluth Trading Co. has a ton of colors and patterns available (and not one but TWO of those patterns feature mushrooms!).
If she’s in her wellness era…
Does your mom constantly send you Instagram reels to tell you that your favorite beauty products contain ingredients that are LITERALLY killing you? Then there’s no question — she’s definitely in her wellness girly era. If she likes cutting out toxins, then she will love the brand Clara & Fritz and their line of tallow-based products! Clara & Fritz founder Nicole tells me that the Unscented Whipped Tallow Balm, Clear Complexion Whipped Tallow Facial Moisturizer, and Summer Balm with Zinc Oxide are especially popular right now. Keep an eye out for an interview with Nicole in a future newsletter!
If she’s in her maximalist era…
If there’s one thing moms love to do, it’s rearrange the furniture and then decide they hate all their decor on a random Tuesday night. I feel like maximalism is really gaining steam as a design choice as people decide to lean into what they love, whether that’s bold colors, kitschy details, or giant gallery walls. I wouldn’t exactly describe my design style as maximalist, but I do love a whimsical detail like this bathtub-shaped soap dish. Along with some fancy-schmancy hand soap, it would make such a cute gift for the mom who loves unique decor!
If your mom’s style is more rustic, check out this option.
If she’s in her crafty era…
There are so many moms with amazing skills — but they don’t always have time to make use of them! If your mom is in her arts and crafts era (knitting you hats even though it’s almost May, doing adult coloring books, or even digging her Cricut machine out of the closet), then getting her a Mother’s Day present is almost too easy. Just go with the hyperfixation flow, folks. For example, my mom has loved to cross-stitch since she was a girl, and now that her kids are grown, she finally has time to stitch again! She has been loving designs by Stitching Book Club and just finished the Anne of Green Gables book cover to frame for Margot’s room. SBC’s Etsy shop offers a rotating selection of kits including Sense & Sensibility and The Three Musketeers.
Last but not least — write her a letter!
Mother’s Day isn’t about material things, folks. A present can show your mom that you’re thinking of her, but there are so many other ways to do that too (there’s more than one love language, right?). An almost-free way to shower your mom with love is to write her a heartfelt letter. Tell her about lessons you’ve learned from her, memories you love to look back on, and, most of all, why you’re thankful for her. I wish I could point you to some inspiring letters from great writers to help you along, but all I have is this list of awkward and somewhat rude letters to mom by great authors (hey — they didn’t know these words would one day be published!).
So there you have it: the ultimate Girl’s Guide Mother’s Day Gift Guide! You’ve got less than three weeks left, people!
Interview with Isabella Redjai
Today’s interview is with Isabella Redjai, senior multimedia producer at the Manhattan Institute! If you like iconic vintage fashion and photos, be sure to follow Isabella on Twitter, and you’ll never be lacking in that department again.
What does your life look like right now?
After two and a half years in the cable news realm, I recently moved over to the podcasting space as a producer last year. I'm learning new skills, different from my previous role, but finding that this is the job tailored for me. I believe podcasts and multimedia are the future. People are longing for authentic conversations that help them process what they personally think and believe, about all that's happening in the world. As someone who loves storytelling, I love that this form of media is growing and people have the opportunity to curate the voices they hear on a regular basis. Apart from my professional life, I've loved connecting with girls on Tuesday nights in the Upper West Side at Bible study and attending pilates classes on the weekend.
Where do you live and what do you love about it?
I live in New York City — still one of the most exciting places on earth. Something I love about New York is that there is always something new happening every day. Whether it's a new restaurant, pop-up shop, show, event, or visitors passing through, daily life feels dynamic and unexpected. I also always find myself inspired in this city. Inspired by others' work ethic, style, or even ability to make the most of the city, I constantly am motivated by the people around me here.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in your career?
The biggest lesson I've learned in my career is that you can't open a door that God has closed, nor close a door that He has opened. There's a lot we can do in our careers to grow and gain opportunities, but ultimately, we can't force a lot of the "success" to happen. You have to be faithful and patient. When the time is right, we often find the opportunities we've been waiting for, or something even more tailor-made for us along the way (with gratitude the first option didn't work out). The most anxious individuals I know are those who are trying to make shortcuts or force certain outcomes, rather than enjoy the process along the way.
Who are your style icons?
If I had to choose only three, they would have to be Jane Birkin, Brigitte Bardot, and Matilda Djerf. I've always valued classic silhouettes with a retro accent, and some coastal flair, and these icons embody those elements I look for — while also embracing twists that leave looks fresh, modern, and fun. The 1960s and 1970s were the golden age for such an outfit cocktail.
Jane Birkin's classic white tee shirt, jeans, and wicker basket proved that a simple outfit recipe can effortlessly serve an iconic cool girl uniform. Brigitte Bardot combined natural materials like linen and cotton, funky patterns, and big sunglasses with her naturally messy wind-tossed hair. Matilda Djerf translates timelessness within the modern fashion realm with her classic base of trousers, a button-up, and oversized blazer then spicing it up with quirky accessories, shoes, handbags that reflect her personal style and modern trends — like Bottega, which goes back to Italian fisherman-inspired pieces and Prada floral heels that are reminiscent of Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City. And you can’t overlook Matilda’s Farrah Fawcett curls!
Having outfits that are cool, effortless, and classic with your own special touches tell people exactly what they need to know about you.
What has been your favorite beauty purchase in the last year?
My favorite beauty purchase in the last year is the Charlotte Tilbury Iconic Nude lip pencil. It's amazing how such a small product enhance the natural shape of my lips and give them a more plump look. The 90s are back!
The Haps
What I’ve Been Working on Lately
It’s not very often that I’m able to figure out the logistics of joining a podcast (what with toddler background noise and all), but I had so much fun on the Healthy Discourse podcast talking to host Emily about home birth, motherhood, and my journalism journey! You can listen on Spotify (and be sure to follow Healthy Discourse on Instagram as well!).
I also wrote a book review of Until I Find You: Disappeared Children and Coercive Adoptions in Guatemala by Rachel Nolan for The American Conservative. It’s a sobering tale of what can go wrong even when people try to do right. Read my review here.
Bad Week for Little Treats in DC
It was a bad week for gals who love a little treat in DC. All eight Foxtrot Market locations in the area suddenly shut down on Tuesday. Then, Capitol Hill favorite Radici announced they were abruptly closing down, citing “three years of disruptive construction across the street, a global pandemic, endless maintenance issues, and increasing crime.” The news leaves many DC residents wondering — which little treat one-stop shop will be the next to go?
Here are more links to what I’m reading and listening to lately:
The Real Pink Tax: Kayla Bartsch writes about the unspoken reason it’s more expensive to be a woman in National Review.
Mariology and the Medieval Mindset: I really enjoyed this fascinating discussion of history and religion featuring Dr. Rachel Fulton Brown and
on Girlboss, Interrupted.Dark Chocolate Date Bark: Okay, this isn’t exactly something to read or listen to, but I still had to include it. I’m trying to up my date intake this pregnancy, and adding dark chocolate seems like a good way to do that! I added a layer of rice krispy cereal on top of the almond butter, but I’ve also seen people do pretzel pieces. Yum!
Ask Evie
In this week’s Ask Evie section, I’m asking YOU for help answering this reader question! I am an aspiring makeup/skincare girly… but I’m not quite there. Can definitely relate to the adult acne, though.
An anonymous reader asks… “Would love to hear readers' tips/suggested products to combat dark circles under the eyes! I'm 27 and it seems like once hormonal acne related skin problems are finally completely gone... you start aging. I suppose life is unfair.”
Got a product recommendation for this reader? Simply reply to this email.
Got Merch?
The Girl’s Guide now has MERCH thanks to my collaboration with 917 Strategies, the conservative PR firm founded by Sarah Selip. Sarah has an entire merch shop you’ll want to check out, and I’m very excited for our "Girl’s Girl ≠ Feminist” collection available now. It’s a cheeky way to acknowledge that just because you don’t feel like you can get behind modern feminism, that doesn’t mean you love or support your fellow women any less.
Use promo code GIRLSGUIDE15 to get 15% off your mug, tote bag, or sticker! And be sure to tag me in any photos of your merch you post online.
