Last Minute Gifts for Mom under $50!

My beautiful mom and I

If you're like me, you probably spend weeks and weeks thinking about the perfect gift for Mom and don't come up with anything special enough until the last minute. It's not easy finding a gift that matches the amazingness of Mom and of course, Mother's Day should be every day of the year but it's nice to get her a little something special that one day too. Usually I do a mix of something I create with a little bought treat.

I always prefer gifts that my mom could really enjoy, things she can love accordingly to her taste. This year, I've got a few things rounded up for my Mother's day gift but I wont point them out here because my mom reads my blog so my lips are sealed!

Here are my picks for last minute gift ideas under $50.00 (for those who run a tight budget like me) and they're just a one stop trip to the store being as Mother's Day is this weekend. What's better? A few DIY ideas that will be even cheaper and easier to get because you made them yourself!

Estée Lauder Mad Men® Collection Limited Edition Crème Rouge in Evening Rose

$40.00

My mom is a huge Estée Lauder fan. She's been using it ever since I can remember. What I love about Estée Lauder's products is the quality and elegance. This blush is a lovely neutral rose toned pink that suits many skin tones. They slide on the skin so smoothly and a little goes a long way. I know my mom would use a color like this every day! The design is vintage inspired so every time she pulls out that compact, it's a beautiful thing. You can get this compact at your local Estée Lauder counter.

Clinique Color in Bloom Set

$43.50 (a $73.00 value)

I get really excited when I see Clinique sets like this. I've been using Clinique since I was fifteen and I know this is excellent quality for your buck. This set includes a Colour Surge Eye Shadow Compact, a High Impact Mascara, a Blushwear Cream Stick, Long Last Glosswear SPF 15, and a Take The Day Off Makeup Remover. All of these fantastic products con in a really cute flower print cosmetic bag. This set has all the essentials for a great every day makeup look. The shadow compact has a beautiful selection of colors. Also, I'm a die hard fan of the High Impact Mascara. After 4 years, I always go back to it. You can get this set at your local Sephora.

Korres Rose Collection

$19.50

My mom and I share the same love for rose scents. When I saw this Korres Rose collection for that price, I squealed. This set includes one of my all time favorite lip products, the Wold Rose Lip Butter. It also includes a Rose Body Butter and a Rose Shower Gel. I cant testify for the quality of the body butter and shower gel because I haven't tried those personally but I cant attest to the amazingness that are Korres products so I think it's a good bet getting this set. As for the Wild Rose Lip Butter? I have nothing but the best things to say about it. It gives a beautiful sheer, pink tint to the lips, it smells divine and it's incredibly nourishing and hydrating. A must pick up item from your local Sephora.

Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Fragrance Travel Duo

$30.00

Seriously, how more perfect can you get? This is one of my all time favorite fragrances and it just so happens to be Sephora's #2 top seller I believe. It consists of notes of Sambac Jasmine, Centifolia Rose, Cattleya Orchid, Ballerina Freesia and Patchouli. It's a delicate smelling fragrance, quite sweet and elegant. I promise it's a scent that will appeal to any nose. Everyone I've smelled it on has had fantastic results (due to everyone's corporal chemistry varying).

Swarovski Elements Harley Pierced Earrings

$45.00

This Swarovski solitaire set is just simple and very chic. It's an earring set that can go from everyday casual to special occasion. I actually got these for my Mom a few years back for Mother's day and she loved them. It's surprising the little treasures you can find at a Swarovski store that are within budget. You just have to really look to find them. They come with a certificate of authenticity. The plating is rhodium.

Erika Peña I Heart Rings

$28.00 (small)

$38.00 (medium)

$48.00 (large)

I think these rings are adorable. They'd be a really cute gesture to get one for your mom and one for yourself and keep them as mother/daughter rings. These are from the I Heart Collection. These gold and silver plated rings are adjustable and they pretty much just are the chicest accessory. You can order them online or visit the Erika Peña Boutique at Galería Suchville in Guaynabo, PR.

Deep Facial Cleansing, Thermal Gloves, Firming Neck Masque and a 20% Discount on L'Bel Products

$35.00 + tax (a $100.00 value!)

I'm always on the lookout for a good Gustazo. For Mother's day, they didn't disappoint. Mom needs some R&R every once in a while, so why not treat her to a relaxing session at L'Bel? The good thing about Gustazos is that you can purchase the Gustazo for yourself or you can gift it as well. They're redeemable up to a year but hurry, the opportunity to get your Gustazo is limited! It ends this Saturday. You can redeem it at L'Bel Boutique at Plaza las Américas, Hato Rey, PR.

Now, let's head on to the DIY ideas:

I Spy DIY: DIY Chain and Rhinestone Bracelet

I just recently discovered the magic that is I Spy DIY. *tsk tsk tsk!* I pretty much adore every DIY project Jenni Radosevich takes on. She's InStyle magazine's craft expert. Her DIY's are very simple to achieve and the best part is that her DIY's don't end up looking like DIY's (if you get my drift). They really look good. I thought this DIY was super fun and it's a simple gift that will be light on your pocket. You can make this with chains from old necklaces you have lying around!

Give Mom a Mani/Pedi!

Gilded Nails Skitch-I-Y

Animal Print Nails Skitch-I-Y

Tribal Nails (Skitch-I-Y coming soon!)

Striped Nails (Skitch-I-Y coming soon!)

Treat mom to a masterpiece of your creation by hitting your polish stash. You can give her a very easy mani/pedi with things you already have in your home. You can start off by soaking her feet in lavender oil infused water, exfoliating her hands and feet with homemade sugar scrubs, moisturize and work you mani/pedi magic! Let her pick out the colors she likes and let her sit back and relax.

Dinner, Dessert and a Movie!

Let mom sit back and you do the cooking. For desert, surprise mom with delicious macaroons or cake pops! Head on over to Bakerella.com (the creator of Cake Pops) to get inspired by her many ideas for recipes and decorations! You do all the cleaning and afterwards put on a movie of her choice. Stock up on her favorite movie treats for the show!

Well, those are just a few ideas off the top of my head. These are all definitely things I'd gravitate towards to show my mom how much she means to me. Give them a shot and surprise your mom on her special day! To all the mothers out there reading, I wish you a lovely Mother's Day filled with love and happiness! To my mom: Te amo, mami!

The Skitch: Givenchy Spring Couture 2012

If there's something I wait for all year long is couture season and Givenchy pretty much tops the couturier list for me. Of course, this season was no disappointment. Tisci woos me once again! I wanted to make emphasis on what could be the most stand out detail of the whole collection and something that's been catching on with the fashion industry for a bit now: body mods. The bull rings and exaggerated earrings on Givenchy's couture line for spring were the definitely the clincher between outfit and accessories. The earrings were so large, they had to be connected by hidden headbands on the models' heads. 

Givenchy picture via Style.com

Reserved rights D. Velázquez 2012

Skitch-I-Y: Emilio Pucci s/s 2012

Way overdue but as promised, here's the Emilio Pucci s/s 2012 Skitch-I-Y. Initially I wanted to do the star/wings/cross earrings from the show using some $1.50 Forever 21 earrings (shown in the pictures at the end of the post), but the other charm elements were imposible to find so I ended up creating a less expensive black cross necklace (or something similar at least). 

For this, you'll need:

• Gold Jewelry Findings
• A needle
• Black Thread
• Velvet ribbon
• A large gold cross
• Scissors
• Jewelry pliers (not shown here)
• Measuring tape

Step 1:  Take your measuring tape and wrap it around your neck and measure how long you would like your necklace to be. It should rest quite short on your neck. In my case, it was around 18". 

Step 2: Cut the velvet ribbon about the same length you just measured. Cut the ribbon into four equal parts. Then take two of those pieces and cut off one inch from each one. The order of the ribbon sizes should be from longest to shortest on the necklace. Play around with the gold jewelry findings and choose how you would like to place them on the necklace. 

Step 3: Prep your needle and thread and loop the ribbon ends around each finding. Sew a few stitches to secure the ribbon with the finding.

Step 4: Continue sewing the ribbon with the findings together until you get something like this. I used a heart shaped finding in the center because it worked best depending on what I had on hand but if you have a larger circular one, it would work better. Remember to construct the necklace by order of the ribbon size from largest to smallest towards the center.

Step 5: Using your jewelry pliers, insert on one of the last findings a jewelry clasp. Close the connecting loop.

Step 6: Take your jewelry pliers once more and insert the cross charm onto the center loop. You might need to use a connecting loop like the one shown in the picture. Hang the cross and you're done! 

The result should be similar to the Pucci necklace. Of course, the Pucci necklaces are made with the finest materials and beading but for us with shallow pockets, we've got more accessible (and still stylish) options like this. Enjoy!

Emilio Pucci s/s 2012 photo via Style.com

The Intern pt.1

I know, I know. I owe you guys a few posts from the Emilio Pucci Skitch process, but I'll get to that soon. I've just been so busy dangling my responsibilities all week! I mean, look at the picture of me above (LOL did this in a few minutes so it's kinda sloppy-ish). It's crazy! Anyways, I thought I'd take a few words to talk about my experience as a fashion intern at Erika Peña so far. 

Well, it's been everything I imagined and more. I got into this to build great foundations for my professional career in the fashion industry. My main goal is to learn what goes on behing the scenes, and learn the ropes of hard work and dedication that are needed to maintain afloat a business that is quickly growing. A lot of sacrifices, hard decisions, professionalism and focus are prime elements to nurture this career and I think I can most definitely take that on. I only started this internship a few weeks ago so I have yet to learn so much but I've already learned tons. I can't say it's been easy. It hasn't, but I do believe the secret to sticking it long enough is to maintain your professionalism, manage your time excellently, stay focused on your goal and just do what you're asked. Most importantly, do it well. I've been really happy during this internship so far because I've been able to use my creativity so much. I've already worked on a window display (the Halloween display posted here) and I'm working on another one as we speak. I've also gotten the opportunity to work with graphic art and photography, so everything has been right up my alley. 

Now, that's just been the artistic side to everything. I haven't mentioned that since I'm the intern and the other girls have major responsibilities, it's my task to run around doing errands and searching for materials, working with a budget and using all of my resources for these things. I've had to do the crazy endless list of client phone calls, get flowers, go here, there, everywhere... WOAH! It's what I signed up for so it's my job to do it. Running around like that has reminded me of a familiar big-eyed girl taking on the industry. Yes, I've felt like Andy Sachs in a frenzy! The good thing is, I don't have a Miranda Priestly raising an eyebrow at me and "That's all"-ing me. I'm very lucky to work with Yara, Saxon, Charleen and now my good friend Ivonne who will start interning this next week and they're all just lovely and Erika is just great! I love the creativity and spirit everyone brings to the table. I LOVE the professionalism with which the girls work and I think it's fantastic that everything must be done the best way possible. My kind of work ambience! It is definitely how things should be done. Heck, I don't mind if I have to work over hours or anything there.

It's really fun when Erika brings in new designs and packages with her latest creations arrive. These past few weeks we've been preparing for the Stella Nolasco "The Great Escape" fashion show for which Erika was doing accessories for. She designed the most beautiful belts I've seen in the longest time. They're called the "Saxon belts". Also, may we just talk about the beautiful earrings she created for each look? OH MY GOODNESS! I think our excited squeals were heard all the way outside whenever she pulled out a new pair of earrings. Also, I'm incredibly grateful she named some earrings after me! I couldn't believe it! Needless to say these are show stopping earrings because everything she does is incredible, but never would I imagine I'd get something named after me! Anyways, I was so sad that I couldn't work back stage at that show. Had I'd been informed sooner that the other intern that was gonna work the show had quit and I was the runner up, I'd make changes in my F21 work schedule with time. You guys don't know how sad it made me. I did try to get out of work earlier but either way, the designer didn't want anybody else going in after six and I'd leave at 8. Hopefully there'll be another show while I'm interning. I might be leaving for NY in a few months to start my fashion career in Parsons.

I just hope I can keep on working hard and learning as much as I can. If I plan to continue in the industry, I have to always step it up and do my best. Right now, this is the closest I can get to New York here in Puerto Rico. I just hope it all pays off in the end and I can take with me a great experience, strong foundations and great friends. 

And lastly, I finally treated myself to my first pair of Erika Peña earrings. I've been craving these ever since I first went into the store. They'd run out so they were no longer available and Erika had told me she wasn't going to make any more until probably her next visit to Bali a long time coming, but then... this past week when I was working with the office inventory, I found a pair of these Argentina earrings lying in the back corner of the product bins! THE LAST PAIR! There were supposed to go to Yara who had been wanting to buy them for a long time but she told me I could have them. So I scrunched up some money and got them for a great price! I've had countless compliments on them so far and I'm so in love with them. They're from a 2009 collection and they were actually quite different back then. They used to be gold vermeil earrings with dangling chains and feather charms but apparently they had a lot of the cow skulls lying around so they created these simpler versions which I think are timeless and quirky with edginess. You can check them out on the Classics tab in the Collections section at erikapena.com.

Here are some pictures I've taken with my own camera while interning. Marvel at these lovely baubles!

Here's the Skitch: Get Glamoured! New Erika Peña "I" Collection Launch Event

As you guys know, I've been interning for the fabulous jewelry designer Erika Peña. She creates some of the most rich and timeless pieces I've seen around. Well, this past October 27 we had the new "I" collection launch and we worked really hard to have great party to celebrate. I was really excited to get this party going because it was my first event at the boutique and of course, it was a Halloween event!

The party was inspired by the hit TV show True Blood, so we dressed up in our best sultry vampire and Merlotte's attire to get the mood going. We decorated with a few details, because the boutique is so lovely and edgy looking there's not much needed to make it look extra special. Everything is black and gold! I worked really hard on the window displays. I cut out some raven silhouettes and we hung them from some golden branches. Of course, our ravens were glitterati ravens and they were decked out in black glitter and pieces from some of Erika's past collections. Fabulous! Check them out at the Fashion Blackout blog.

The collection is inspired by the Eye of Horus, which is the eye that protects its user from all evil. The pieces are elaborated in rich silver and gold plate and ornamented with onyx and carnelian stones. Every piece is hand made. There's so many different pieces to chose from: necklaces, rings, earrings, hoops, wrap bracelets, etc.

I say, if you're around the area, it's a must you visit the boutique. I promise you'll be enchanted by everything you see!

Some pictures I took with my iPhone (left my camera at home, booo!), some I took with my friend Ivonne's camera and some were taken by the girls from the boutique. I'll post the links at the end of the post.

I want them all!

Show stopping Elsie earrings

Some pieces from the new "I" collection:

The girls: Yara, Saxon and Charleen

Yara, Saxon, Charleen and Erika as sultry vampires!

The Merlotte's girls and I!

Charleen, Yara's boyfriend, my hubby, me, Ivonne and Saxon

Vampy Erika!

Le hubby:

For more pictures, info and good stuff, check out Erika's webpage: www.erikapena.com and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/erikapenaboutique