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05 03 05

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Mama Mia!

Mother's Day gifts she'll love

Kandace Power Graves and Eileen Loh-Harrist

Photos by David Richmond

A precious jewel -- Mom will cherish this handmade, hand-carved 18-karat white gold palladium ring with a 2.05-carat deep green Chatham emerald and .91 carats of high-quality diamond accents, designed by Tom Mathis, $3,500, from Symmetry Jewelers and Designers (8138 Hampson St., 861-9925).

A feathered friend -- This reproduction of a Louis Comfort Tiffany peacock feather mirror, originally manufactured between 1895-1905, is made of bronze and is freestanding, $110, from Saint Joseph Abbey Gift Shop (75376 River Road, Covington, 985-867-2227).

Beach party -- Bright yellow butterflies against green fronds give this canvas beach bag with eight pockets on the outside an ultra-summery look -- and there's plenty of room to carry everything you need inside, by Tommy Bahama, $92. Add tan leather thongs with a circle of shell in the middle by Tommy Bahama, $159.95; and don't forget the fun: a 'Margarita 101' kit with mix, salt, a music CD, cocktail mixing instructions and decorative olive picks by El Paso Chile Company, $24.95; all from Ocean Eddie's Resort Wear (831 Royal St., 523-7722).

Lasting beauty -- Help your mother (wife, grandmother) look and feel her best always with pampering products from Ole Henriksen: Apricot Cleansing lotion cleans without drying and has natural emollients including avocado, sesame and apricot oils, $20 for 6 ounces; Pick Me Up -- Face Mist helps oxygenate and brighten the skin using rose hips, fruit and citrus extracts, $18 for 4 ounces; Pure Perfections -- Anti-aging Créme helps develop firmer, smoother skin using plants, herbs and vitamins, $48 for 2 ounces; all from Dr. Marilyn E. Pelias Medispa (324 Chartres Street, second floor, 566-1706; www.drpelias.com).

A full plate -- Use a dry-erase pen to write a message to your mama on this hot pink ceramic plate with a black-and-white polka dot grosgrain ribbon laced into the edge by Tassie S. Plates, $31. Add a couple of spunky tea towels with messages such as 'If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy' and 'Save the Drama Fo' Yo' Mama!' $12.95 each; all from The Basketry (50 Wade St., Luling, 800-385-9601; www.thebasketryinc.com).

Lap of luxury -- Help soften her world with products from Thymes, including a Olive Leaf candle, $21, and home fragrance mist, $14; lavender foaming bath, $18; ginger milk body lotion, $18; and Sleep Well Bath Salts, $20; all from Le Papillon MediSpa (Uptown Square, 200 Broadway St., Suite 135, 866-8446; www.marymedispa.com).

Love in bloom -- Instead of a bouquet of flowers, let your mother bask in the warmth of relaxation with the Essence of Magnolia Massage, which starts with a milky bath filled with the scent of Louisiana magnolias, followed by a Swedish massage using hot oils infused with magnolia essence, $125, from Ritz Carlton-New Orleans (921 Canal St., 670-2929; www.ritzcarlton.com/hotels/new_orleans/).

Girly stuff -- Start with 'Forgiving Feet' moisturizing socks and gloves, which are heated to revitalize your skin and spirit by Lavender Meadows, $46; add 'Piece of Cake' Supremely Rich Bath and Shower Froth and body mousse in a gift box by Cake, $38; a pair of small square satin sachet pillows by A Touch of Ivy, $20; I Gels discs of chilled gels to reduce puffiness by Du Wop, $20 for three pairs; and a compact of a half-dozen eye shadows in the season's top shades by Fresh, $48; all from Beauty 101 (2728 Magazine St., 895-2869).

Hip chic -- Fashion and comfort go together in a white T-shirt with a red paisley design and maroon animal on front by Kick It, $20, from Turncoats (1926 Magazine St., 299-9004; www.turncoats.net).

Control center -- Give mom control over her audio/visual environment with the touch of a button with a custom-programmed remote control system, starting at $300, from Audio Resource (3133 Edenborn Ave., Metairie, 885-6988; www.audioresource.com).