Treat Mom to a green gift

The all vegan Reverie Bakeshop in Richardson has a selection of plant-based treats for Mom. Courtesy of Reverie Bakeshop.

May 5, 2021

Mother’s Day is this weekend and this year, it’s a time for joy but also reflection. My own mother passed away this January but she inspired me in so many ways. She was an early tree-hugger in her own right, growing up on a farm that was organic even before the word came into fashion. Like many of her generation, my mother reused everything from string to paper bags. No luddite through, she was the first person whom I knew to buy a Prius and she fervently composted and recycled until just a few weeks before she died. 

Obviously my mother passed her love of our amazing planet on to me, as I’m sure your own mom has done to you. So it’s a great day to let that special lady in your life know how much you care for her and Mother Earth.

Note: Prices shown are estimates and may vary from actual dealer cost.

EVERYDAY ART

Lori Cusick handpainted purseHand painted purses by Lori Cusick. Courtesy of North Haven Gardens.

In October 2019, Dallas’ premier nursery, North Haven Gardens, was struck by a devastating tornado that swept down Interstate 75. The company was closed for several weeks and then reopened just in time for the pandemic to hit. So needless to say, the last two years have been challenging for one of my favorite venues. 

But not ones to keep their heads in the sand, NHG has come back strong by doing what they’ve always done over their 70-year history – providing the community with amazing plants and accoutrements plus supporting local artists and product makers. 

Lori Cusick has been a long-time friend of NHG and has shown her art in their gallery many times. Her Mother’s Day gift selection includes delightful prints of her colorful plein air paintings on purses, framed prints and cards. Her tea towels feature original paintings! 

Cusick is quite the environmentalist, using chemical-free paints, linen and other simple materials for her work. 

Choose from purses ranging from $50-$60, hand-painted tea towels at $32, and even signed and framed prints of her art for $30. North Haven Gardens, 7700 Northaven Rd, Dallas 75230.

TASTY TREATS

Central Market Breakfast in BedA special breakfast for Mom. Courtesy of Central Market.

Central Market is making it easy to treat Mom to a delicious Sunday brunch. She’ll love it and you’ll look like the chef du jour. All that you have to do is pick it up. 

This complete yummy meal is generous enough for one or two people and is ready to heat and eat. 

The Breakfast in Bed Meal includes: a small cheese quiche, assorted small mixed berries, four mini scones, 16 oz of orange juice and even some strawberry jam. Just $17.99. Larger version also available. 

Another fun find at Central Market is Dallas-made, Kate Weiser hand-cast, glossy rock chocolates in a sweet gift box tied with a diaphanous ribbon. 

Mom You Rock Chocolate by Kate WeiserBuy Mom a luxury box of chocolates. Courtesy of Kate Weiser.

Each 10 piece of  the “Mom, You Rock" collection has everything your mom will love including four luxury bon bons (caramel, lime basil ganache, strawberry and yuzu, and coffee ganache), three pebble bon bons: pistachio, hazelnut and almond cookie) plus three fruit bon bons: (red wine and berries, raspberry, and lavender apricot). They look like rocks but they taste like pure magic! 

Drop by your local Central Market in Fort Worth, Dallas or surrounding cities or visit them online to pre-order.

RETRO FIT

Macrame pot holder from Marshall GrainMacrame pot holders are back. Courtesy of Marshall Grain.

The talented staff at Marshall Grain in Grapevine has spent the last few months getting ready for a busy spring season and replenishing their store with just the sorts of goodies that their shoppers have come to expect. 

Owner Joyce Connelly says that customers are just loving these retro, hanging macrame plant holders made from natural jute fibers. 

Woven by hand in Tijuana, Mexico, each one gives Mom a beautiful way to show off her potted plants. Back in style after a wave of popularity in the 1970s, macrame employs nautical artistic knots used by sailors in the 18th century.

Add a cascading ivy or colorful flowering plant from the Marshall Grain nursery for a gift that Mom will treasure. You'll want one for yourself as well! 

Prices from around $10-$37. Marshall Grain, 3525 William D. Tate Ave., Grapevine, 76051. 817-416-6600.

VEGAN SWEETS 

Reverie Bakeshop cakeFind a variety of delicious plant-based treats at Reverie Bakeshop in Richardson. Courtesy of Reverie Bakeshop.

Reverie Bakeshop is a fabulous and funky vegan  sometimes gluten-free bakery in Richardson. Mom will be thrilled with just about anything from their repertoire whether she is vegan or not. 

Chef owners Nancy Castillo and Racene Mendoza push the plant-based envelope with their luscious chocolate covered strawberries ($12 per 4-pack), Mini Mother’s Day Cake ($25), and Strawberry Tres Leches Cake, which is available in multiple sizes (Slice $6, 1/8 sheet $35, 1/4 sheet $65). 

Mom won’t believe there’s no milk, eggs or butter in any of Reverie’s creations and the taste will knock her socks off. All products are vegan and many are also gluten-free. 

Order online for pickup at Reverie Bakeshop at 1930 N. Coit Rd #140, Richardson, 75080. Bakery Number: 972-238-7511.

ETHICAL ACCESSORIES

White Rhino backpackVegan backpack. Courtesy of White Rhino.

Mashup Market in Denton offers a plethora of awesome gifts for Mom, many of which are made locally and all of which are vegan. 

Their main specialty is food for people and pets but I was particularly impressed by some of the accessories that owner Cherie Reed has curated, such as White Rhino vegan leather handbags and backpacks. 

Reed carries one of the bags herself and notes that it is practically indestructible. Designed in Canada by a vegan who just couldn’t find a decent, hardworking backpack to hold all of her stuff, Canada and Austin-based White Rhino offers several designs including clutches, shoulder bags and their signature backpacks ranging from around $60 to just under $100. 

Mashup Market, 316 E Oak St, Denton, 76201. (940) 222-9553.

FOR THE BIRDS

Rooster Home and Hardware birdhouseBoots Anderson, owner of Rooster Home and Hardware in Lake Highlands, has a knack for finding unique gifts to fill every corner of her store. 

On a recent visit, we flipped for these delightful seed-encrusted bird houses and sugar skulls, just perfect for Mom’s backyard avian friends. 

Rooster Home and Hardware birdseed sugar skullGifts for bird lovers. Courtesy of Rooster Home and Hardware.

The bird houses are hand decorated with millet, black oil sunflower, flax, canola, apricot, strawberry, kiwi, and blueberries. Under the seeds and other edible decoration is a small wooden bird house that wild birds can really use for nesting. The sugar skulls are made of solid safflower seed and sunflower hearts then hand decorated with delectable fruit and other edibles. The birds eat them through and through! 

These are made in the USA by Texas-based Mr. Bird from quality wholesome seed. Grab a few for Mom and create a birdy basket gift that she’ll adore. 

Around $15 each at Rooster Home and Hardware, 10233 East Northwest Hwy. Suite 409, Dallas 75238. 214-343-1971. RoosterHomeandHardware.com

FRESH IDEAS

Trinity Haymarket candleSoy candle. Courtesy of Trinity Haymarket.

Since Trinity Haymarket opened in 2012 in Dallas’s Design District, coowners Bill Dougherty and Fred Owen’s focus has been on educating and promoting organic gardening, beekeeping and raising healthy backyard chickens. 

The eco-friendly feed/farm store offers only organic and non-GMO grains, seeds and feed. Being small business owners themselves, Dougherty and Owen have proudly supported products from many local artisans and entrepreneurs who do not have their own brick-and-mortar location. 

For Mother’s Day, they are promoting Pura Life Co products by having a sale this week on the company’s luscious Goat Milk Soaps, Soy Candles and Linen Fresheners. Sale pricing is good thru May 8. Trinity Haymarket, 1715 Market Center Blvd, Dallas, 75207. 214-202-2163.

TERRIFIC TULIPS

Tulips from Whole FoodsEthically sourced tulips. Courtesy of Whole Foods.

To celebrate your mom this Mother’s Day, Whole Foods is offering their Sourced for Good Tulips  – a Mother’s Day gift that really gives back. 

Sourced for Good represents an initiative from Whole foods that sources sustainable products, many from domestic companies, with fair wages and low environmental impact. 

Prime members can get 20-Stem USA-grown Tulips with the Sourced for Good seal for just $9.99, with a regular price of $14.99, thru 5/11/21. 

Tulips with the Sourced for Good seal are part of the Whole Foods Market exclusive third-party-certification program to support responsible sourcing. The tulips provide tangible improvements in farmworkers’ lives, strengthen worker communities and promote environmental stewardship. 

While you’re at Whole Foods check out their sale on Pacha Soap Co. Bath and Body Care – 20 percent off thru 5/18/21. Pick up at your local Whole Foods or order online for delivery at WholeFoodsMarket.com.

GROW TIME

Gardening KitEco-friendly Garden Kit. Courtesy of Pretty Things and Cool Stuff.

Kim Young, proprietor of Dallas-based Pretty Things & Cool Stuff, says that one of her best-sellers for the last year has been her Grow Your Own Indoor/Outdoor Bee & Bird Friendly Gardening Kit. 

Gardener's Guide to Growing Organic FoodEach kit includes a tray and seeds to grow baby greens and microgreens indoors, plus another tray for her to sprout seeds for an outdoor pollinator garden. Young also includes 12 biodegradable pots for the outdoor plants.

Perfect for any age group, this is our pick especially for seniors as it will encourage your mother outdoors every day to enjoy her new garden. $30 for all at PrettyThingsandCoolStuff.com

While you’re on Young’s site, pick up a gardening book or two for Mom as well. Lots from which to choose.

GO NATIVE

A popular feature from last year was Fort Worth-based Eco Blossom Nursery

EcoBlossom NurseryDwarf spiderwort. Courtesy of Eco Blossom.

This unique plant paradise can help turn Mom’s yard into a native Texas-scape, filled with flowers that originally grew here in our blackland prairie. 

Simply order the plants online and EcoBlossom will deliver anywhere in DFW and they’ll even install them for Mom if you want. 

Choose from a huge variety of native and adapted plants such as Texas Primrose, Purple Coneflower, Red Yucca and Gregg’s Mistflower. 

The company also offers seeds from Native American Seed, another Texas-based company, in specialty mixes to attract bees and hummingbirds. They also feature hard-to-find native milkweed for creating a haven for monarch butterflies. Visit EcoBlossom.com for details.

BAMBOO BOUTIQUE

Free Fly HoodyBamboo hoody. Courtesy of Free Fly.

Not all bamboo is created equal but Whole Earth Provision vets each product that they carry to ensure that their bamboo is as eco-friendly as possible. 

Free Fly clothing is made without harsh chemicals that some types of bamboo employ. Their low-impact process means better clothing for Mom and less pollution for Mother Earth – plus naturally tough bamboo can’t be beat for sun protection, softness and durability. 

Mom will be so comfy in Free Fly’s Slub Hoody ($64.95) in your choice of Sea Salt, True Navy or Stone Blue. Perfect as a beach cover-up or for cool summer evenings. 

Several other Mother’s Day gift items available on WholeEarthProvision.com or at Whole Earth Provision, 5400 E. Mockingbird Ln, Dallas, 75206. 214-824-7444.

RUGS TO LAST

From simple problems sometimes come brilliant ideas and one of the coolest that I’ve seen in a long time is called Ruggable

How many of us have had to throw out an otherwise good rug just because it became soiled or stained and couldn’t be properly cleaned? 

Ruggable solves that problem by having a washable rug top that overlays a base pad. When the rug gets dirty, simply remove the topper and throw it into the washer. 

Don't Stress Over Spills With Washable Rugs

According to Ruggable’s website, over four billion pounds of carpet and rug waste is added to U.S. landfills each year. 

If the rug can be washed over and over again, it’s going to far outlast its conventional counterparts and eliminate landfill waste. Plus Ruggable rug pads are made with between 50-70 percent recycled materials. 

The company has also partnered with OneTreePlanted to plant 100,000 trees this year to offset their carbon footprint. Choose from a huge variety of Ruggables for Mom starting at just over $100 or simple buy her a Ruggable Gift Card, starting at $25. Ruggable.com. Click here to watch a video.

Lowe's succulent basketsSWEET SUCCULENTS

Succulent baskets. Courtesy of Lowe's. 

Last but not least, looking for a last-minute gift that any mom will love? Check out the selection of succulents at Lowes.

The local Lowes stores have really stepped up their game with charming plantings that are ready-made for Mom’s garden, kitchen windowsill or even her desk.

Check out these cone-shaped hanging baskets filled with a succulent assortment for $23. Other sizes start at under $10. Drop by your nearest Lowes for the full selection or visit Lowes.com for other Mom’s Day ideas.

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Treat Dad with a green gift


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