If you are fortunate enough to still have your mom here on this earth with you, you are going to want to add this "I Love You Mom" book to your gift list for her.  Although it's perfect for Mother's Day coming up, it's also equally perfect for her birthday, Christmas or even just as a surprise for no reason at all...except with the intention to show her how much you love her.

This sweet question + answer book is filled with space and opportunity to for you truly express gratitude for the things she has done and continues to do, as well as gives you a place to write down the memories and the little things you love about her.

The sweet prompts on the left side of the pages, ("When people tell me I'm so much like you, it's usually because... OR "Even though I sometimes disagree with you, when I look back now, I'm so grateful that you... AND "Looking back, I don't know how you found the energy, but you always managed to...and so many more), make it easy to then share your feelings, thoughts or memories as it relates to the prompt. I just LOVE this whole concept and idea.

In addition to the blank pages provided for you to write your thoughts + answers, there are wonderful quotes within the pages as well.

My own mom will be receiveing a copy of this book along with a pretty kitchen dishtowel + a set of dish cloths from The Vintage Home Studio.  I'm certain we'll also be doing a combined Mother's Day Brunch or something along those lines.

The generous people at Compendium would like to send out a copy of "I Love You Mom" to three different readers. If you'd like to get your name in the pot simply stay tuned to my Instagram feed for a giveaway coming later this afternoon/evening!

If you'd rather skip the giveaway you can just order the I Love You Mom book by M.H. Clark.

LOVE all of the inspiring gifts + books from Compendium. They've gotten a lot of new products in recently and I'll be sharing some more with you soon!

Speaking of books...don't forget we started The Secret Language of Flowers on May 1st.

KEEPiNG iT REAL
My mom just recently had to say goodbye to her other Jack Russell, Skippy.  He's been with her (and as part of our family) for 17 years and she's been devastated. Skippy + Maggie were her children and having lost Maggie about 8 months ago, losing Skippy 2 weeks ago was even more difficult. I think she and I should skip the Mother's Day brunch and have a spa day together. We both could use a day of relaxation!

GIFT IDEA | Custom Pup Portraits + Mugs :: Kori Clark

Skippy + Maggie

Looking for a sweet + thoughtful gift idea for an upcoming birthday? Valentine's Day? Mother's Day?
I just LOVE the custom pup portraits and coffee mugs from Kori Clark Designs.
I've been friends with Kori for awhile - you may remember her as Paper and Pigtails.

She did some re-branding for her business a year or so ago and took a step in the direction of her REAL passion by focusing on her love of working with watercolor paints.

I've loved watching her business evolve and when my mom's birthday approached (back in December), I KNEW without a doubt a personalized gift from Kori would be the perfect gift for my mom this year.

You see, my mom had two Jack Russells, Skippy and Maggie. They were a match made in heaven - total opposites of each other. They had puppies together many years ago...one of which is my family's dog, Hamilton.

After Maggie became ill mid-2014, my mom eventually had to put Maggie down in the Fall. As you can imagine it was devastating for her.

I sent Kori some photos I had taken of Skippy and Maggie over the Summer...prior to my mom having to put Maggie down. Kori worked her magic and created a custom water color art print and a matching coffee mug for me to gift to my mom.

My mom became tearful when she opened her gifts...I knew she would...how could she not.
She certainly wasn't anticipating this gift and I know the art print and mug touched her heart.

I LOVE giving thoughtful gifts...and what could be more personal than creating a keepsake of someone's beloved pet? Or in this case...pets.

If you love this idea, check out Kori's website for information about ordering.
If you decide you want to stalk Kori, you can find her on social media too:
Kori Clark on Facebook
Kori Clark on Instagram

KEEPiNG iT REAL
Skippy is awfully lonely without Maggie around.
It breaks my heart. He's quite the spunky senior citizen though at the ripe ole age of 105 - in dog years, of course. We take Hamilton over to visit his "dad" whenever we visit with my mom and I know Skippy loves that.