The New Mom
The perks of being a new mom are all obvious: this adorable, giggling little marshmallow of a human is all yours to fawn over every moment of the day. Unfortunately, the downside of being a new mom is also obvious: this howling hellion that will not nap or eat Cheerios is also yours to placate every moment of the day. For my dear friend Jessie, the rollercoaster ride of motherhood is just beginning. But I figure I can show her some appreciation while her son is still in PullUps, and what new moms need—aside from a full-paid nanny—is some deep, deep pampering. Laura Mercier’s French Vanilla Bath Trio is a tantalizing triumvirate of bath milk, body soufflé, and scented candle. The ingredients will make you want to eat your own skin, and the sweet perfumed lotion will make any new mother feel sumptuous—even with spit up on her shirt.
The Manga-Manga Mom
Every family has one of these. In my family, it’s my aunt. The moment I cross her threshold, I’m swept along to the kitchen where it seems the entire contents of the fridge are turned out like pockets in airport security. “Are you hungry? Hmmm? You want some leftover spaghetti? Some butternut squash soup? Wait! I have layered macaroni and cheese you’ll love!” And Tupperware after Tupperware comes tumbling out and placed in front of me. As usual, I can forget about trying to leave without taking a slab of brownies and a wedge of pie. Not that I can complain, because if people say they love you with food, then my aunt is shouting it. For a woman who takes so much joy in cooking, she already has the basics, so I need to surprise her with something a little more sophisticated, like this filled pancake pan from Williams-Sonoma. The stuffed pancakes it makes are a level above the standard brunch fare, but still hearty enough that they’re classic mom food. And if she uses it to make pancakes filled with Nutella, then sign me up for seconds—and thirds.
