The 14th of March is Mothering Sunday in the UK. The time when it is encouraged to give mum the day off; pamper her, shower her with gifts, and make her feel extra special. If you're looking for an alternative from the traditional bunch of flowers and a box of chocs, here some gorgeous ways to say 'Thanks Mum'.


Afternoon Tea With A Twist

The Trafalgar Hotel is launching Afternoon Tea with a difference just in time for Mother's day. Offering a modern take on a classic tradition, the chefs have worked up a winning menu to include iced tea cocktails, salmon and caviar sandwiches and rich chocolate opera band. At an introductory price of £15.50 per person, this is one sweet treat mum will absolutely love.

When you book in advance there is also the chance to have a beautiful mother-daughter sketch portrait on the day by artist Kirk Kirtchev, priced at £90.00 - it's the perfect keepsake for mum to have pride of place on the mantelpiece. To book call +44 20 7870 2900

The Trafalgar
2 Spring Gardens,
Trafalgar Square,
London, SW1A 2TS
Web: www.thetrafalgar.com

Pampering Superskin Face Treats

Liz Earle, my new skincare crush is offering the ideal beauty gift for mum; the offer includes iconic products such as Superskin Concentrate 10ml, Superskin Moisturiser 15ml, a sample of Superskin Eye and Lip, all smartly presented in the White Superskin bag for £29.25.

Liz Earle products are rich in antioxidants, calming and nurturing ingredients to help boost the skins elasticity and perk up the complexion. Tell mum that she doesn't need a dresser full of anti-aging products, it's all here naturally in one pampering pack. Place your orders at uk.lizearle.com


A Creative Mother's Day At Bead Aura

If mum is big on accessories, then book her into Bead Aura's jewellery making class where she can learn the basics of making jewellery in a one hour beading master-class, and leave with her very own personal bracelet or necklace. An hour long class is priced at £22 per person so you can double up to share the experience.

Bead Aura
3 Neal's Yard
WC2H 9DP
Web: www.sevendials.co.uk

Smythson of Bond Street is in my book, the ultimate retailer for luxury stationary and smart accessories. Synonymous with timeless luxury and discerning design, their accessories make a fantastic gift for lovers of classic style.

I've been browsing Smythson purses for an inspired gift for Mother's Day and I've added this gorgeous Mara brown photograph purse to my wish list. The photo display is great for adding Mum's favourite image of you as a child or present day. And I love the luxuriously rich dark chocolate print and the gold finish.


Whilst browsing for gifts, I couldn't help but look at possibilities for myself! I saw this delicious raspberry crocodile print travel vanity case and swiftly added it to my wish list. It would be just perfect for my trip to New York next month.



Naturally such luxuries inevitably come with an equally luxe price tag. However, like so many other Londoners, I'm strictly watching the pennies. So it's good to see that Smythson also feature a selection of products for under £100. Click here to view.


Smythson
40 New Bond Street
London, W1S 2DE
Tel: 020 7629 8558
Web: http://www.smythson.com

Image Credits
Continental Photograph Purse
From £335.00
Mara Brown
Travel Vanity Case
From £1,370.00
Crocodile-print Raspberry leather.

For a chilled and sumptuously relaxed afternoon with mum, take her out for some quintessentially English afternoon tea. The Covent Garden Hotel is my favourite place to enjoy scones, clotted cream and essential Earl Grey whilst taking in the glamorous surroundings of hotel's Drawing room. Tea can also be served in the Brasserie Max or the Library - each featuring a unique classic interior and charm. Let her eat cake!


Available daily between 3pm and 5:30pm

For reservations and further information call 020 7806 1000
or email max@firmdale.com

Covent Garden Hotel
10 Monmouth Street
London WC2H 9HB

Web: http://www.firmdale.com

For the latest Mother's Day events and offers in Covent Garden, visit: www.sevendials.co.uk

Date: 26th -29th March

Finally Spring has arrived!.. Summer is just around the corner and soon it'll be time to have toes out, bare legs and glowing skin on show. To get the latest beauty goodies visit the Vitality show at Earls Court. It promises to be the perfect place to find your Spring/Summer beauty buys including cult collections like Jo Wood Organics.

Aside from stocking up your makeup bag, there will also be relaxation and spa zones, with leading massage therapists and beauticians to preen and pamper. Experts will be providing nutritional and well-being advice as well as the latest industry secrets to looking fabulous. And if you're still feeling the winter blues, shake it off with an energetic workout or dance class at the Zest fitness Park.



Vitality dares you to go bare!
Celebrate National No Makeup Day 26th March 09

This well-being event is impressively in its 10th year and kicks off on the 26th of March, which is also National No Makeup Day. So to mark the occasion, the Vitality show is challenging women to spend a day without makeup. The first 50 women brave enough to visit the opening show au naturel will be rewarded with gorgeous benefit goodies to treat themselves the day after! Are you up for the challenge?

Tickets cost £14.50 in advance or £17.50 on the door, so grab your girlies, or take mum along for a post mother's day treat and make a day of it.


Earls Court 2
Earls Court
Warwick Road
London
SW5 9TA

Opening Times:
Thursday 26th March, 1pm - 9pm
Friday 27th March, 10am - 6pm
Saturday 28th March, 10am - 6pm
Sunday 29th March, 10am - 6pm

Booking Hotline: 0871 230 5569
Web: www.vitalityshow.co.uk

For a truly unique gift this Mother's Day, head to Floris, London's Purveyors of Perfumes & Toiletries and enlist the help of one of their perfumers to create a bespoke fragrance just for Mum. Floris, originally a family run business was set up in the late 1800s and is one of London's most celebrated perfumeries offering made to measure fragrances.

Floris Fine Fragrance Customisation

Choose from their wide range of starting fragrances and add additional new ingredients to your selected scent. You'll receive a 100ml custom blended eau de parfum of divine smelling essential oils and floral essences. This bespoke perfumery service has a luxury price of £100 but well worth the spend if you intend on giving a gift that is spectacularly special.

Floris
89 Jermyn Street,
London SW1Y 6JH

Web: http://www.florislondon.com

Here's a fresh take on confectionery this Mother's Day: If your mum is a chocolate lover, then a gift subscription to Hotel Chocolat's Tasting Club will treat her to new and authentic chocolate boxes every month.

I absolutely love this idea - unique chocolates are created every month, delivered for Mum to sample. The new recipes are made in separate, fresh batches and delivered exclusively to tasting club members.


Inside each tasting box is a selection of rich chocolates and textures including ganaches, pralines, truffles, white, milk and dark. Memberships are available from 1 month to a year and smartly presented as an embossed scroll, tied with elegant ribbon.

Prices from £16.95
Delivery available to UK addresses only.

Web: http://www.hotelchocolat.co.uk

As it's Mother's Day on the 22nd of March, I'll be dedicating much of this week's blog entries to highlighting activities and alternative gift experiences perfect for spoiling mum!


Seven Dials Flower Arranging Workshop
Flowers are the standard gift for Mother's Day, this we all know. But for a more creative floral gift, the Seven Dials Mother's Day Flower Arranging Workshop is just the thing to give mum an inspiring, hands-on experience.

The workshops, hosted in association with Sweet Pea floral Design promises to be an intimate lesson for mum to get a comprehensive guide to creating floral masterpieces. From essential tips on colour palettes to advice on how to keep flowers in excellent condition, Mum will be given insider knowledge over the course of two hours. She'll be given the opportunity to create a beautiful bouquet or an eye catching centre piece with the assistance of Sweet Pea's team of industry experts.

Priced at £50 per person, the sessions also include tea, cakes and a goody bag to take away. Book online at www.sweetpeaflowers.co.uk

Workshop dates:
Saturday 21st March
Sunday 22nd March

Times available:
10:30-12:30 pm
14:00 -16:00 pm

Seven Dials
Covent Garden,
London WC2
Web: http://www.sevendials.co.uk