Normally for these Gift Guides I’ll spend a little time shopping around, but for this guide I decided to check with the experts. I interviewed some of Maui’s busiest (and most successful!) moms to see what THEY were eyeing for Mother’s Day.
We’re also announcing a Mommy Makeover Giveaway! MeiLi Autumn, of MeiLi Autumn Beauty, is giving away a Makeover session to one lucky Maui mommy! The winner will be picked on Mother’s Day!
“Since becoming a mom 14 months ago, I’ve noticed my beauty regime has pretty much gone out the window,” MeiLi shared. “Most days I’m lucky to have my teeth brushed let alone a full face of makeup, perfectly blow dried hair, and a (clean) matching ensemble. For Mother’s Day, I’d love to extend a gift to one lucky Maui mama to help her feel as beautiful as she really is. You give so much to your child, your spouse, your job and obligations. It is easy to neglect yourself and go weeks, months even without doing something 100% for you! This is your chance. I’m offering a full-on beauty makeover to help one special mama look and feel her very best. Whether it’s a date night with the hubby, family pictures, or just a fun night out with the girls, this makeover will put a little sparkle and glamour in her life.
“To enter, ‘Like’ the Facebook page “MeiLi Autumn Beauty” and leave a post saying one physical attribute you like about yourself. Me? I think I have been blessed with pretty good skin. I have my own Mom to thank for that. Looking forward to spending my 2nd ever Mother’s Day eating delicious food (that I didn’t have to cook), and spending quality time with my favorite people on earth.”
Featured Mommy – Taryn of Bitty Bambu
Starting off our Mother’s Day Gift Guide is Taryn Muschietti-Gillespie, owner and designer of the children’s clothing line, Bitty Bambu. Taryn enjoys beach days, hiking and biking in Polipoli with her two kids, Teya, age 6 and Kailen, age 9. “Usually we go to the (2) Seabury Hall Craft Fair and I get to pick a local goodie as a Mother’s Day gift. This year I’m heading over to (3) BoxEleven‘s booth to treat myself to one of her pleat tanks or another unique creation. I love (1)Queen Bee Productions too, particularly their rose facial cleanser.” (Taryn’s family portrait, and of Teya below, by Kristy Copperfield Photography)
Maui Made Gift Suggestion: Don’t kid yourself, getting darling outfits for your kids is just as much fun for you – check out Taryn’s entire line on her Etsy page, we picked out this beauty, since the model is Taryn’s daughter Teya!
Featured Mommy – Malika of Surfer Girl Jewelry
Malika Dudley is a freelance meteorologist, journalist, reporter, TV host, writer, producer, field producer and stunt double. “I pretty much do anything that has to do with the media industry. I also make jewelry part-time and attend classes at Hui Noeau, when I’m not busy chasing around my 18-month-old son, Jackson. Jackson has a full schedule – gymnastics, swimming, playgroups- he’s busier than I am! (Set your DVRS – Malika will also be a contestant on an upcoming episode of “Hollywood Game Night” on NBC, with Jane Lynch- the show airs May 22nd!)
“For Mother’s Day I want to go for a day sail adventure on Kainani Sails! We are ocean lovers and my son is a total water baby. I’d love to do something that we will all enjoy and more importantly create memories.”
Maui Made Gift Suggestion: The newest items in Malika’s Surfer Girl Jewelry’s collection are these 18kt gold-dipped sunrise shell necklaces. The double rope chain shines in the sun and the pendants are made with high quality, hearty sunrise shells electroplated in layers of metals – ending with the 18kt gold. Coupon Code: Use MOTHERSDAY for 50% off of all Sunrise Shell Jewelry! Click here for the link to her Etsy Shop. (expires 5/11/14)
Featured Mommy – Melissa of Opihi Love Event Rentals
Melissa Padilla, mother of two sweet little girls and one darling baby boy, is also the owner of Opihi Love Event Rentals, and the Wedding Coordinator for the Alii Kula Lavender Farm. “My ideal mother’s day would be to start the day at (1)Wailuku Coffee Company, getting a massage at (2)Green Ti– and finishing up at (3)Kojima’s sushi in Pukalani… Oh, and an apple pie from (4)Leoda‘s..I’d also take anything from HUE.” (Melissa’s family portrait also by Kristy Copperfield Photography)
Maui Made Gift Suggestion: Any mom would love a trip to the Alii Kula Lavender Farm, enjoying a lavender scone and lemonade, or some luscious body products to take home!
Featured Mommies – Kether and Tiare of Queen Bee Productions
Kether Quinlan and Tiare Rietow are busy-bee mommies, as the owners of Queen Bee Productions. Kether, (pictured on the left) who is also an esthetician, loves snorkeling with her 14 year old daughter Kiana, while 12 year old Jacob rides the waves. “They are my best friends and greatest joy. We plan to use our surfboards more this summer! For Mother’s Day I would like a necklace I’ve been eyeing by (1)Jasmine Honey Designs. It’s a silver or gold bar with my children’s names pounded into it. I’d also love a gift certificate to HUE…I hear they have new inventory!”
Tiare loves going out to breakfast with her 19 year old son, Kai. “He recently graduated from Seabury Hall and will attend UH Manoa in the fall, so before he leaves I’d love a beach day with him. We enjoy breakfasts at Market Fresh Bistro, Makawao or (2)Cafe des Amis in Paia. I’d love some new beachwear, like this new suit by (3)indie attire, I can just see myself wearing it, sipping coconut juice under a large brim hat. I can’t wait for lots of water time this summer!
Maui Made Gift Suggestion: Any Queen Bee products would be cherished, but you can’t go wrong with Body Washes or Lip Balms! COUPON CODE: Use code 4MYMOM for 15% off everything, plus creams are all on sale! (expires 5/12/14)
Featured Mommies – Jessica and Wendy of HUE
Yes, this is the bed from HUE, presumably this is not the bed she’s referring to…
Jessica McLellan (standing) and Wendy Takemoto are co-owners (and interior designers!) at HUE, the furniture and design store in Kahului. Jessica’s dream Mother’s Day involves a day of relaxation “at the spa or in my own (1)bed, I’d happily take either! My son Trenton, 13, is going to be a freshman at Seabury next year! He’s active in sports, and plays the piano. I’m really enjoying my time with him these last couple of years. He’s becoming an amazing young man and I really adore him. My daughter Dillon is the spitfire of the family at 4 years old. She loves playing with dirt and princesses equally. She keeps us laughing with her witty sense of humor.”
Wendy’s wish for Mother’s Day is for her husband to remember about the holiday! “He’s from South Africa, so its very possible for it to go right over his head. But, if he does remember, I want him to take me to a restaurant where he actually had to call ahead and make a reservation, like (2)Mama’s Fish House. From my son, I would like a Mother’s Day edition of the Montessori of Maui (3)macaroni necklace.” When she’s not busy at HUE, Wendy likes to spend time with her family at the beach or camping. Four year old Luke is a budding artist as well. “I LOVE watching him draw pictures. He draws and narrates stories of shooter-fire-wheels-with-fuzzybees-and-sharks!
Maui Made Gift Suggestion: HUE has lots of great new frames in stock… you can never go wrong with a great family photo in a cute frame! DISCOUNT OFFER: Mention this blog post for 15% off of your purchase from now through May 10th.
Featured Mommy – Sara of Wrappily
Sara Smith is the founder of Wrappily, a new eco-friendly line of wrapping paper, the managing editor of Edible Hawaiian Islands Magazine, and mom to Esta and Odin. “My daughter Esta, 5, and I have started snorkeling together, which thrills me beyond belief. And since my son Odin, 3, and I are often the first ones up, we often collaborate on a Lego project or coloring a masterpiece. I cherish those moments. For Mother’s Day, though, if I am being completely honest, I’d love to sit uninterrupted on a quiet beach, perhaps thumb through a magazine or just take the time to listen to my thoughts. Going surfing with the family would be a close second, ideally in a cute new bikini from Letarte or (1)Otaheite (in photo, an Acacia design- carried at Otaheite). If there was a pair of Jasmine Honey earrings to match, well that’d be swell. Squeezing in time for a raw pie from (2)Maui Kombucha or a tamarind/ calamansi shave ice from (3)Ululani’s would top off the day perfectly.
Maui Made Suggestion: Wrappily is just released the new Lucky We Live Hawaii paper collection—cute stuff! They are also offering a “Wrap it up for Mom” promo, with a free gift topper with purchase of wrapping paper at participating Maui retailers, including Hue, Holiday & Co. in Makawao and Pearl in Paia, while supplies last.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the mommies out there – I hope you all get EXACTLY what you wish for this year, and a HUGE MAHALO to everyone who let me interview them for this piece!
Melissa continued that “right now it’s all about the wedding customization, pulling from Pinterest or Refinery 29– but putting a spin on it to make it your own. Everything from the invitations to the table numbers to the dessert bars have to be one of a kind- and we are not seeing the DIY as much now. Brides are back to hiring the professionals to create events of a lifetime. Another great option for entertainment is a photo booth, and the new generation photo booth is a slo-mo video booth!” Click here to view a sample video.
Amy of Baked by Amy, which specializes in vegan desserts, states that “Minis are IN! Miniature cupcakes and tarts are rapidly growing in popularity at weddings and other celebrations because they are hand held and bite size giving each guest a few options rather than just a slice of cake. Also, it seems there is a lot of interest in desserts besides just cake and cupcakes. I get requests for lemon bars, brownies, cookies, small pies and tarts.”
Maui Made 