If you need Mothers' Day gift advice, Krista Kaur Meyers carries the credentials to give it.
Meyers has built two successful clothing and accessory boutiques—Krista K and Krista K Maternity + Baby, both on North Southport Avenue—on her knack for divining what stylish moms (and moms-to-be) want, and delivering it in a fun and friendly way.
She's also a mom, to son Mason, 4, and daughter Marley, 2, with another baby girl expected any day now.
So she gets it when women say they're busy. Still, Meyers took the time to spill insider secrets on Mother's Day gifts. Some of her suggestions come from her stores, some from customers. Some she has tested on her mom, some she covets for herself.
Golden opportunity: Rare is the woman who doesn't appreciate fine jewelry. The best-selling line at Krista K is Lana 14K gold fine jewelry, designed by Chicagoan Lana Fertelmeister and worn by celebrities such as Cameron Diaz. The Lana "Prelude" necklace has a small circle inside of a larger circle, subtly symbolizing mother and baby. A new collection features zodiac signs to represent baby or mom. "Lana jewelry is always a hit gift," Meyers says. "Her designs look equally fabulous paired casually with jeans or with dresses to special events."
Lana "Bond Girl" three-oval necklace (above right), $610; Lana "Prelude" layered-circle necklace (bottom), $600; Lana "Glow" necklace with three gold circles, $610, all at Krista K.
Shoes she can use: In the past year, Meyers has given shoes as birthday gifts to her mom, a good friend, and employees. The trick is to get the size right. "Shoes are somewhat unexpected and, like jewelry, they are something women love," Meyers says. She likes to give unusual pairs such as handmade Calleen Cordero shoes with studs and beading from Krista K.
Calleen Cordero leather "Monica" wood wedges, $354 at Krista K.
Gift bag: As with jewelry, handbags avoid the size swamp. "And bags are an item that women can always use," Meyers says. Krista K has picked up a new line called Treesje that's proving popular. Or, for the mom-to-be, sub in a chic diaper bag that she'll use even post-Pampers, e.g. the Chaiken leather "mom bag" (they don't even call it a diaper bag).
Treesje Luna Grande bag in glitter mocha, $600 at Krista K.
Memory keeper: Like other moms, Meyers wants to create beautiful photo albums and scrapbooks for her children. "I hear from a lot of moms that they have pictures of their kids and families in a box and some day will find the time to put them together," she says. "My favorite example is Heather, the manager of the maternity store, who said that she has a box of all photos and special mementos of her son (who will be 3 in July). The box is in the closet and labeled 'Aiden's Life.' " One intervention: Windy City Scrapbooking, 2265 N. Clybourn Ave., 773-935-0585, windy-
cityscrapbooking.com, provides scrapbook service starting at $15 a page.
Mother's helper: This idea came from a friend of Meyers' who recently had a baby. Instead of hiring a nanny or night nurse in the first month or two, she hired a personal assistant to run errands, to help organize at home "and, in general, to enable her to devote all the time she wanted in those first weeks with her baby," Meyers said. A friend's recommendation: Jamie S. Madsen, 312-479-4527,
rooski76@aol.com. Her fees start at $20 an hour, for a five-hour block minimum.
Another cook in the kitchen: "This idea is particularly appealing to me because I'd like to have fresh, home-cooked meals for myself and the family but don't have the time to shop, prep and cook them," Meyers says. She also figures she'd get some good cooking ideas. Two options: Dinner by Design with many locations in Chicagoland (dinnerbydesignkitchen.com; $250 for 12 meals); and Let's Eat Home (letseathome.com, $350 for four meals with side dishes for two people).
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Originally Posted by THL
I dont know who that lady has been talking to, but this mom does not want any of those things.
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