Mother’s Day Florals That Last Longer Than A Week!

imageIf your mom is anything like mine, you know that she loves flowers. A bouquet of roses can say that you love her on Mother’s Day, but wouldn’t you rather give her something that won’t end up in the trash after a week? You also know she doesn’t have the time to keep her own garden. So what are you to do? Luckily for us, floral gifts for your mom can be found almost anywhere and can last longer than a bouquet of freshly cut flowers. Take a look at the gardenia bonsai plant. It comes with small buds ready to bloom into fragrant and gorgeous flowers and it’s easy to take care of. For something along the more whimsical side, the windflower necklace made of chiffon and ribbon is a great accessory for any mom’s wardrobe. Take a look at my slideshow for more floral gift ideas for your mom!

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Hot In The Hive: Your Own Baby Mobile Garden!

imageMake a green statement with these adorable and quirky baby plants in a capsule! Offered by Strapya-World, these baby plants are easy to grow and maintain and you can customize and personalize to really make it your own. Simply plant a tiny seedling in a capsule, screw the top on and water it once or twice a month. Soon you will see your own seedling growing and you can care for it and show it of at all times since it hangs from a pretty strap from your cell phone. You can also choose to have a “marimo,” a special fuzzy moss ball that is believed to have healing qualities, in a capsule along with your birthstone! Really be eco-chic and choose the “Vitro-Capsule,” a small plant grown in a Bio-fertilizer that comes in pretty pastel colors. Once your pet plant starts to get a little bigger, simply take it out and replant it into your garden or a flower pot. Share a special bond with your pet plant and give Mother Earth something to smile about too! At an affordable $5.00 and up, you can get a few for yourself, or give it as a unique and relevant gift.

Price: $5.00 USD and up
Who Found It: Idabone was first to add the Strapya-World Baby Mobile Garden to the Hive.

Take A Trip To Morocco Without Leaving The Room!

imageDo you go to a bookstore and always wander to the travel section? Or when people ask you where you got an article of clothing, your answer is always from a different country? But like most people, the heart is willing, but the wallet isn’t very giving. If you can only afford to go to Paris, Texas this summer, then it’s only right for us to bring the world to you. Today’s stop on the world tour is Morocco! Known for their tile print motifs and bright colors, Moroccan influences can be easily found in home decor pieces. Think of getting some gauzy linen curtains, lanterns in every corner, and bright pops of orange and red. The large Agadir Pouf from Anthropologie can be used as an ottoman or floor seating for extra guests. Another favorite pick is a bold medallion rug, appropriate for your entryway or dining room. Check out my slideshow for more Moroccan-style picks for your home!

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Mother’s Day Gifts For The Mom With A Green Thumb!

imageEver since I can remember, my mom has always had a green thumb (a trait that has unfortunately not been passed down considering I can’t even keep a cactus alive). Whenever the weather is nice out, you can find her in the garden, picking weeds out of the flower beds, pruning the rose bushes and tending to the herb garden. This year for Mother’s Day I’m going to get her something she can use in her beautiful little sanctuary, the garden. A new set of tools is perfect for any outdoor gardener; it’s especially useful when it can be attached to a folding chair! Burt’s Bees makes a great outdoor essential gift set that will let mom know you care about her out there in the wild. It comes with bug repellent, bite relief cream, a hand wash and a sun hat. Is Mom more of an inside gardener? Get her 12 months worth of seeds to grow herbs inside on the windowsill or a mini heirloom tomato growing kit. Need more ideas for Mother’s Day? Check out the slideshow for some great gifts for the gardening mom!

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Geek Squad For Moms: Tech Gifts She’ll Actually Use!

imageShe’s the serenader to your sleepless nights, the keeper of your home and the hungry people in it, and your first fashion and beauty icon. There are few things on this earth mom can’t do. But even knowing she’s proven her worth inside the kitchen, she still needs your assistance for some few, minor catastrophes — like the remote control she claims has a mind of its own. Moms are bound to appreciate any gift for your thoughtfulness, even electronics, but this Mother’s Day, let’s shoot for something she can actually use. Larger screens, fewer buttons, and contraptions that assure more than they daunt are definitely things to consider when finding the gift that will wash away her memories of your trouble-making days. Show mom just how tech-savvy she can be with a gift pick from this slideshow!

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Be Sweet To Mom This Mother’s Day With These Scrumptious Candy Gifts!

imageThey say that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, but how does one show their love to a special lady in their life? By means of chocolate, of course! This Mother’s Day, if you’re still debating on what to get your mama — flowers, jewelry, candy, something more “original” — this season’s selection of couture treats is bound to make you forget all about your more diet-friendly other gift options and instead focus all your energy on choosing which decadent box of goodies will be sure to remind Mom why you’re her favorite! From simple yet cute Godiva chocolate lollipops to ridiculously yummy white chocolate-covered Floral Petit Fours from Williams-Sonoma, these candies are so crave-worthy that your mom might be suspicious that you’re just trying to fatten her up… but at least she might be more likely to share! Check out the slideshow for some of the hottest chocolate gifts for Mother’s Day!

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Hot In The Hive: EcoSphere Collection

imageAs a child growing up in the 90s, my friends and I would read Teen Magazine with a passion. The back page was the best part, where you could order color changing lipsticks, personalized horoscope readings, and of course Sea Monkeys. I never did get to order the fun little critters, but now that we’ve all grown up, our tastes should grow up too. That’s where the EcoSphere Collection comes in. The EcoSphere comes with a glass container with everything you need for a harmonious eco-system. Just add fluorescent light or indirect sunlight and the microbes feed the algae which feeds the red shrimp! A gorgonia sprig, gravel, shells and glass add to the environment which should all last for an average of two years. Put this in your office or living room as a conversation piece and as alternative to those plants you keep killing.


Price: $65-$250
Who Found It: facadeindreams was first to add the EcoSphere Collection to the Hive.

Hot In The Hive: Get Cooking! Cookbook Box Set

imageDespite the fact that my father is a chef, my mother is a natural talent in the baking arena, and I come from a long line of major foodies, I have to admit that the kitchen-savvy gene definitely skipped a generation in my case. Don’t get me wrong — I certainly can read, I can follow simple instructions, and I can whip up a mean bowl of Easy Mac, but when it comes to making a full meal or even just baking cookies from scratch, I need a little help! That’s why I think this Cookbook Box Set from Fred Flare is the cutest thing ever — six colorful cookbooks with photo-accompanied recipes for all kinds of concoctions (Indian, Pasta, Fruit, Wok, Veg, & Treats, to be exact!) that all come in an oven-shaped box, great for gift-giving or even for displaying next to your neglected life-size oven! It’s the perfect little packaged gift for the friend or relative (or just for yourself!) who loves the idea of cooking but just needs a little inspiration and instruction! Plus, the whole set is way cheaper than just one cookbook from one of those bigwigs on the Food Network! Stand back Giada De Laurentiis!

Price: $30
Who Found It: xgalexy was the first to add the Get Cooking! Cookbook Box Set to the Hive.

Hot In The Hive: Ice Invaders

Take me to your leader… or just the nearest drink! With the hot weather seasons fast approaching, these Space Invader shaped ice-cubes add fun to any style drink for any age! Anybody that had a childhood obsession about the old school Atari game will get a kick out of seeing the little guys floating and cooling down their favorite summer drink. Kids who are too young to remember “the good ol’ days” will still love these cute and quirky aliens having a galactic battle in their lemonade! Really bring in the old school creativity and fill it with a favorite juice for a quick, homemade, bite-sized popsicle! Currently available at Urban Outfitters, these cool, throwback ice-cube trays are versatile and affordable. They’re made of silicone, making them durable and easy to clean, as well as oven-safe! For even more fun and uses, you could easily have a Space Invaders theme party and bake some cookies and sweet treats in this multi-use ice-cube tray!

Price: $12.00
Who Found It: idabone was first to add the Ice Invaders Tray to the Hive.

Hot In The Hive: Paulette Macarons

I recently discovered the joy of macarons a little over a year ago, but these delicate European deserts date back all the way to the 18th century. The origin is arguably either French or Italian, but the most famous location for macarons is definitely Paris, France at the world renowned LaDuree on the Champs-Elysees. Creamy ganaches, chewy caramels and sweet fruit compotes are sandwiched between two delicious almond-tinted meringue-like cookies. Macarons are crisp and light as well as chewy and delicious at the same time, leaving mouths craving more. They come in familiar favorites like chocolate, strawberry, and caramel, as well as more innovative flavors such as rose anise, pistachio and black currant. As famous as LaDuree is, ordering them to your doorstep in the United States may leave them a little stale by the time they arrive. Since discovering these pretty, pastel gems that are almost too pretty to eat (almost), I have been on an avid mission to find an equally superior macaron in America that is either in my area, or will deliver quickly. There seem to be quite a few places in California that can boast on selling a more than decent macaron. Paulette Macarons in southern California and the Bay Area is a favorite and their passion for making macarons is apparent since it is the ONLY thing they sell! You can sample flavors like Columbian coffee and Violet Cassis and they can even be delivered over-night directly to your doorstep and into your mouth! Macarons are quickly becoming the next big thing in desserts and if you haven’t had one yet, you’re definitely missing out!

Price: $1.60 each, $19 for a gift box of 12, and $36 for a gift box of 24
Who Found It: idabone was first to add Paulette Macarons to the Hive.