INCognito:
’Tis the (other gift-giving) season….
by The IN Mystery Shopper
Can you believe how fast this year has flown? Is it me or is life just one big B movie set on fast forward? While picking Easter Peeps out of the fillings in my teeth, I’m still nursing the black eye I got from an overzealous bead thrower at Mardi Gras. Now, suddenly life is begging to be filled with fabulous gifts. Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and graduations are racing toward us with outstretched hands. Don’t get me wrong. As a mother, I understand that at least one day a year should be set aside to appreciate your parents’ efforts. After all, my identical twins, Taylor and Taylor, have always been a handful. Even my husband, Poppa Bear, has never been able to tell them apart, and Taylor’s a boy, while Taylor is a girl! (Don’t ask.) Their uncle, who gave up years ago trying to identify which was which, just calls them the Cubs because they look so much like their daddy. Anyway, the Cubs are old enough to pick out something nice for Poppa Bear and me, and I do need to shop for the Grans, as we lovingly call the grandmothers.
But before I shop for the Grans, I have the twins’ high school graduation to contend with. Poppa Bear and I are just grateful that they graduated at all, because they were nearly expelled from their on-line GED program for loitering in the halls. (I’m still not clear on that one.) I’ve decided that something really classy is called for to celebrate this auspicious occasion, so I went to De Luca’s Expressions in Gold in Covington. Silver, pewter or gold items can be engraved, and anything of glass can be etched. Along with a dazzling display of diamonds and gold, De Luca carries a beautiful selection of sterling silver jewelry. You can also shop their home décor line, which includes lovely pewter serving pieces and crystal that can be engraved or etched. Belinda Miley’s fragrance diffusers and framed Swarovski crystal crosses, or candles by Lux make thoughtful gifts. With spring having sprung, De Luca’s line of patio lanterns would light up any outdoor celebration. For the new mother on your list, there is an extensive array of baby gifts, including cups, rattles and banks just waiting to be custom engraved. If the twins could only learn to tell time, I would buy them the watches by Fossil and Tommy Bahama. (The twins have been late for everything—even their own births.)
Now it’s on to Southern Cotton Co. in Covington. I just might find a thing or two for myself while I shop for the Grans. I can’t resist the comfort and ease of pure cotton and linen, so this is the place. Did you know that Southern Cotton has opened another store right across the street from their existing one? After twenty years in the business, they needed even more space to showcase all of their lines in sizes extra small to extra large and everything in between. The Grans will look lovely in Flax or Whitewash, while I’ll pick out a little sundress by Zen Knits of Cut Loose. Of course, who wouldn’t look good with one of their Spanks undergarments holding it all in place! I may just buy one of their famous three button wraps to cover my arms. I’m not saying that my arms are sagging, but if they flapped any harder, my feet would leave the ground! (Hmmmm, Spanks for your upper arms. I may be on to something.) Speaking of feet, Southern Cotton can shod them in those very comfortable Crocs that now come in all colors and styles, even flip flops and thongs with little heels.
On my way back down Highway 190, I stopped at a new store called TPG Home and Garden. Wow! It blew my mind. There was so much to look at, I didn’t know where to start. Gorgeous goods filled every surface, and the quality is only the finest. Elegant furniture by Hickory and other fine makers creates beautiful vignettes with sofas, settees, chairs, tables, rugs, lamps and accessories. Lavish beds, some finished in pearlized metallics, were festooned with silk or satin bedding by Mario Marielena.
Mirrored- and faux-finished occasional tables spilled over with unusual gifts and home décor. Artistic dinnerware, designed by Annie Glass, was featured on elegant dining tables, and above my head hung an array of chandeliers in all shapes and styles. Distinctive outdoor furniture, pots and fountains completed their fabulous offering. I wonder how Poppa Bear would like sleeping on silk or satin. I think that the vibrations created by his snoring would have us sliding off onto the floor, but the trip would be fun, wouldn’t it!
My poor hardworking Poppa Bear does deserve something nice for Father’s Day. (At least I think he goes to work. He does leave the house on occasion with a tool belt.) Nothing pleases my man better than just relaxing, and he has that skill honed down to a science. The Spa Shop in Mandeville is the perfect answer to his prayers. Really the ultimate in outdoor spa shops, it includes almost anything but the kitchen sink—and you won’t need that with all of those bubbly water jets. One of the big ones can seat eight and has a stereo and TV! The Spa Shop will install it and even build your deck or gazebo. Need a little exercise? Maybe a swim spa would do the trick. You can even buy your pool chemicals and supplies there. What outdoor living space would be complete without a super-dooper gas grill and kitchen? Cal Flame makes a space-age grill and will design and build your kitchen to turnkey conditions. Gosh, Poppa Bear and the Cubs could practically live outside. No more dirty socks in the fridge or beer cans in the bedcovers. I’ll bet I could toss out the old duct-taped Naugahyde recliner. So what if they get a little pruney in all that water. Wrinkles are attractive, or so says my mirror. That’s settled! I know what Poppa Bear and the Cubs are getting for Father’s Day and Graduation, and I know what I’m getting for Mother’s Day—Sweet Freedom!
Happy Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and graduation. Celebrate. You deserve it!
