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04 29 03

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Mom's the Word

Gifts to make her heart happy

By Kandace Power Graves
Photos by David Richmond

Garden of Delight -- A lime green straw handbag has lovely light green and lavender blooming flowers around the top and a bamboo handle and comes in a hat-type box by Baton Rouge-based Portaflora, $176. Make her waist more graceful with a floral patterned metallic ribbon adjustable belt with a six-square silver-chip acrylic stone buckle in a silver setting by Sareh Cavender, $138. Both from Bagatelle (200 Broadway St., Uptown Square, 861-3341).

Wear It Well -- Give mom great toppers for her wardrobe starting with a rust knit sleeveless, V-neck pullover with tiny maroon and green ribbon flowers and leaves around the neckline by Equestrian, $90; made more sparkling with an impressive sterling silver neck ring, $74; and meticulously detailed sterling and gold-plate flower pendant that also can be worn as a brooch, $120, both by New Orleans-born artist Courtney Peterson; all from La Doux (207 W. Harrison Ave., 482-1535).

Uncommon Scents -- Unconventional and exotic is Casma, a perfume developed in the Roaring '20s by Caswell & Massey, an American perfumer that opened its doors in 1752. Choose a luxurious black retro bottle with an atomizer and tassel, $35 for 1.7 ounces; or a jeweled "Steppin' Out" bottle with a dabbing wand, $40 for one-third ounce; both from Perfume Etc. (4530 Magazine St., 269-1880).

Lots of Her Favorite Things -- It's hard to go wrong with jewelry, especially when it includes some of mom's favorite components, such as silver, amethyst, pearl and iolite in a bracelet, $225, and matching earrings, $75; pink and blue topaz and rainbow moonstone in a bar brooch, $80; or a silver chain necklace with a rainbow pearl and purple iolite pendant; all from Sabai (924 Royal St., 525-6211; 3115 Magazine St., 899-9555).

Memory Keepers -- Invoke nostalgia with gifts for mom such as a lovely one-of-a-kind picture frame embellished with vintage jewels and antique buttons by artist Mary Liz Keevers, $45; or make her think of home every day with a one-of-a-kind hand-painted serving tray that serves as a canvas for a painting of her present or childhood home, recreated by artist Ellen McComber, $75. (The image also can be painted on a recipe file, $75; or a throw pillow, $88). All from The Craftivist (8227 Oak St., 314-0002; www.craftivist.com).

Fruits of a Good Life -- White patent faux alligator overnighter has a sexy black trip and a top handle and snap closure. It's a perfect size for cosmetics or whatever else you need to tote, and is available in three sizes and a range of colors by Joy and Jake, $110 for the largest size. To keep your cosmetics organized, Joy and Jake presents a zipper-top shiny red bag that can hold all the body products and cosmetics you need, $25. To help smooth the rough edges for mom, Caudalie of Paris presents an array of "vinotherapie" products made from grape seed extracts, including an anti-oxidant nourishing treatment, $41; an exfoliating scrub that cleanses and softens, $35; and a gift box that includes a bottle of spray cologne and a candle, $56; all from Tracy Ewell Cosmetics & Skin Care (5500 Magazine St., 269-8490; www.tracyewell.com).

Treasure from Tibet -- Hailing from the high Himalayas -- the Tibetan home of the Dalai Lama to be exact -- comes the turquoise and silver that artist Janet Bruno-Small used to make this stunning choker. She started with a silver bracelet with three centered stones set in geometric designs, then added square blue onyx, 1940s glass beads from Bavaria and sterling silver beads from Bali to form this versatile one-of-a-kind piece, $210, from Mon Coeur (1537 Metairie Road, Metairie, 831-2043).