HEALTH & BEAUTY: The Beauty of Moms

Rebecca / www.Bexbuckles.Etsy.com

Did you watch the YouTube video titled the "World's Toughest Job"? If not, prepare for a spoiler alert.

The video is about Moms. It's about all the wonderful things Mom's do for us. Things they do day after day. Unconditionally and selflessly. It's about the beauty of Moms. And, it went viral. 

With all the things that our Moms do for us and with Mother's Day just around the corner, we wanted to know how to recognize and reward them for their hard work. So, we reached out to some experts...Moms! And, this is what they said...

Yana / www.YanaRodin.Etsy.com

Overall, gift cards topped the list. This surprised us since gift cards may seem a bit impersonal. Yet, it means that Moms can use the gift cards to purchase whatever they would like or need. So, the Moms we surveyed say gift cards rule! 

Assorted gift packages or a day at the spa are greatly appreciated. And, kitchen appliances ranked high on the list. Who knew?! We certainly didn't, but we agree. Who wouldn't love a blender, food processor, mixer, or any gadget that makes life easier!

While the majority of Moms said that they enjoy both handmade and store-bought gifts, their favorite and most memorable gifts were those that were handmade. They cherish the handcrafted cards, flowers, and accessories that their kids make especially for them.

We hope that you have the chance to thank your Mom in as many ways as you can and as often as you can. We wish you a wonderful time celebrating the beauty of your Mom!

Jill hiking with her family

How will you celebrate Mom this coming Mother's Day? 

YouTube Video: "World's Toughest Job" 

~ Susan

Naturally Susan's 

* Photos courtesy of Rebecca Hudek, Yana Rodin, and Jill Morris. 
** Our survey does not represent the opinions of all the awesome Moms out there :).

Wardrobe Refashion: Thanks Mom!

We learn a lot of things at our mother's knee. And I learned pretty quickly from my friends that they didn't learn the same things from their mom. I was secretly happy about this. But maybe that's another story.

This story is supposed to be about handmade things. First and foremost, my mom made a lot clothes for me growing up. She knits, she sews, she even macrames. I loved going to the fabric store. I could touch everything and somehow from just an idea my mom could make an entire outfit. It was magic.

Although there came an age when I thought I was too cool to wear clothes that my mom made, luckily I grew out of that.

Going to a Father-Daughter Dance, my mom made both the shirt and skirt. That was one of my favorite outfits for as long as it fit. My mom reminds me that there was a vest that matched the skirt too. I was really into vests.

My first knitted hat. We can't remember if my mom made it when I was 4 or 5, but it was ... ahem... a little big. It and the matching scarf served much better when I left California for Upstate NY. I'd grown out of the mittens by then though.

Still one of my favorite skirts that I wear almost all summer.

This was my wedding dress (we're not so traditional). I was so honored when my mom offered to make this for me. And then I was amazed that it fit perfectly despite the lack of fittings since she lives across the country from me.

So thanks Mom! Besides a love of handmade you encouraged every project and creative endeavor. I'm so happy to follow at least a little in your footsteps.

And thanks to all the rest of the moms out there who are giving their children things they make with their own hands. There's no substitute for it.


- Karen
Karen's Monsters