Thinking of that Special Mom in Your Life

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Mom. Mother. Mama. Ma. Mum. Mommy. She is not only a parent or someone who gave birth. She is also a daughter, a friend, perhaps a wife, a sister, an aunt, a grandma, maybe a widow. She created a life, your life. And to most of us, you don’t realize the sacrifices a mother makes until you have a child of your own (whether you birthed them or raised them as your own). Yes, you squeeze a watermelon out of a hole the size of a golf ball (you can all say “ouch” right now), but that beautiful creation you gave birth to, you are now responsible for in more ways than you could possibly fathom. Every decision you make could possibly alter their entire life. From their name (you need to make sure their initials, shortened version of their name or possible nickname won’t get them teased at school), getting them in the “right” preschool (can you believe some schools make you sign up for when you are pregnant… seriously?), the “terrible twos” (does it really end at two?), deciding what sport or activity is best for them (some of those soccer moms have their own sub-culture), the teenage years (I seriously laugh when kids completely freak out when their phones are not by their sides 24/7… I didn’t have my first cell phone till I was 28!), till the day you send them off to college and do the happy dance of freedom, and then walk in their room to sob on their bed as you’re missing them. As a parent, our main purpose as a parent is to give birth to a human, spend 18 years prepping them to be an adult, and push them off into the world hoping we did a good job. As a mom (I have two girls, ages 15 & 20), I can relate… we have sacrificed, worried, cried, been overjoyed, shared in their sorrow, worked tirelessly behind the scenes, worked every type of job possible as a “mom” (chef, housekeeper, chauffeur, doctor, therapist, teacher, event planner, referee… the list is endless), and on top of this, we try to balance being a wife or girlfriend, daughter, friend, possibly work a part or full-time job and maybe, just maybe, get to squeeze in a little time for ourselves.

So let’s use this time at home to truly honor our moms. If you don’t have one in your life, how about someone special that has cared about you or someone you love. And a special shout out to my girls, Alyssa and Ava. The three of us have been through so much together and I love you with every ounce of my soul. You are my world and I’m proud to be your mommy.❤️

Mother’s Day is just around the corner… Sunday, May 10th. So to assist you in your planning, here are some virtual ideas to enjoy from the comfort of your home (as if you can go anywhere else), as well as some top gift ideas, and more:

VIRTUAL IDEAS

  1. Watch the sunset over the Pacific Ocean in Santa Monica every evening: Virtual sunset.

  2. Regardless if you like our President, you can take a virtual tour of the White House: 1600 Pennsylvania Ave..

  3. Be awestruck by the Northern Lights: Light show.

  4. Feel like a royal in your own home while you tour these international castles: Spectacular castles.

  5. Find your inner zen by gazing at these beautiful gardens: Botanical gardens.

  6. Travel back in time with these recipes from vintage L.A. restaurants: Silver Screen era recipes.

KIMBERLY’S HIDDEN GEMS

Here a few little tidbits that I’d like to pass on to all of you.

  1. Here is an amazing site for unique and adorable face masks (I’m ordering mine today): Fashionable masks.

  2. Puzzles are HUGE right now. Here are some super cool ones: Awesome puzzles.

  3. Maybe to some of you flowers are old-fashioned, but they always brighten someone’s day. The Bouqs Co. is my favorite floral delivery company: Flowers to remember.

GIFT IDEAS

Start shopping early for Mother’s Day as shipping times are slower than usual. Here are a few amazing gift ideas for that special someone in your life:

  1. Stay in “touch” with a loved one: Touch bracelets

  2. Think outside of the box and gift that special someone with a monthly box subscription service (our favorite is Boxy Charm as my girls are obsessed with makeup): Best subscription box sets

  3. Heat up your tootsies in these adorable plush slippers: Heated slippers

  4. Bring the art of making s’mores inside your home: Indoor s'mores kit

  5. Journaling is very “in” right now: Personal journal

  6. Wake up to a rainbow in your bedroom: Light-up rainbow

  7. An easy way to make bread: Silicone bread maker

  8. Did you know that Alexa can read “Harry Potter” to you?: Alexa device

  9. Let someone know you are thinking of them by lighting up their world: Long distance friendship lamps

  10. Weighted blankets are all the rage: Cozy blanket

  11. UGG fuzzy socks. Enough said!: Fluffy socks

  12. Super cute way to store your AirPods: Floral AirPod case

  13. This is an amazing and lightweight moisturizer (and smells divine): Watermelon lotion

  14. Make sushi at home with this awesome all-in-one kit: Sushi kit

  15. This creative kitchen tool will save you so much time: Veggie chopper

  16. Add a little elegance in your kitchen when cooking: Vintage cookbook holder

  17. This is the the cutest tea pot and cup set EVER: Tea pot and cup combo set

For more virtual and gift ideas, please reference my past blogs.

A FEW PEOPLE FOR YOU TO KNOW

  1. You need to tune in to DEBORAH KOBYLT. As a former CNN and Fox11 journalist, Deborah has an amazing podcast that features an array of fascinating people: activists, authors, change makers, philanthropists, power moms, journalists, and more. She does have a special emphasis on women be she highlights fabulous men as well. People that are impactful and who are extraordinary. Please follow her on #DeborahKobyltLIVE on YouTube Facebook, Instagram, ApplePodcasts, iHeartradio, and other podcast channels. NOTE: I had the honor of being on her show a few months ago (you can check out the interview on my website HOME page), and she will be highlighting my blogs this weekend (thank you, Deborah). Deborah Kobylt YouTube Deborahkobylt.com.

  2. LUNETTA Restaurant in Santa Monica is an incredible restaurant that is split in two: they have an all-day casual café called Lunetta All Day and their fine dining dinner venue next door, Lunetta. Master chef, Rafael Lunetta, has combined his restaurants to offer the best of both worlds for contactless pickup, takeout and delivery. But starting this weekend, they are offering an amazing brunch (a great idea for Mother’s Day!). Don’t forget about their delicious desserts and curated cocktails available to take home. You won’t be disappointed. Lunetta Restaurant.

  3. Erina Sookiasian works with GOTPRINT.COM, which is an online printing company. During this time, they are offering businesses a discount of 10% off marketing materials when you mention LAANDAY10. Please visit GotPrint.com for more information.

  4. TIATO is an Asian-inspired cafe located in a beautiful garden patio in Santa Monica. They feature outstanding cuisine which is overseen by Helene An (of Crustacean fame) and run by her lovely daughter, Catherine.  They have expanded their menu offerings to accommodate the neighborhood needs during this difficult time. In addition to breakfast and lunch, Tiato is now offering dinner. Additionally, they have a mini grocery store stocked with such items as milk butter, eggs, dairy items, and more. Besides a fabulous dining menu, wine and spirits are offered to-go, as well as their famous coffee and lattes, and specialties such as smoothies, immunity shots, cold-pressed juices and boba drinks. A brand new feature from Tiato is their Prepared Meal Menu. It is truly the way to go with protein, vegetable, side dishes, desert options, and so much more. For 2 or more people. Delivery service, take-out or contactless pickup is available. A few last notes: don’t forget to purchase restaurant gift cards which help fund their restaurant staff salaries (makes a great gift). And use the code word TIATOFAM and you can either receive 10% off your order or choose Tiato to donate the saved proceeds towards the LA Regional Food Bank. Tiato Restaurant.

A FAVORITE RECIPE

I was raised by a professional chef and I rarely measure my ingredients. There is one HUGE difference between someone who cooks and one who bakes: you HAVE to measure everything when you bake, but when you cook, you can “eye” your measurements (if you are a well-seasoned cook or know what you are doing). Therefore, I will write down what the recipe says and next to it, what I actually do.

I am normally not a BRISKET lover, but my kids flip for this recipe made in a slow cooker. It is truly phenomenal:

BRAISED SWEET-AND-WOUR BRISKET (I am normally not a BRISKET lover, but my kids flip for this recipe made in a slow cooker; keep in mind you need a SLOW COOKER or INSTAPOT for this recipe)

  • 3 lbs. beef brisket (a piece big enough to feed all of you but make sure it will fit in your cooker)

  • Kosher salt (enough to generally season both sides of the brisket)

  • Course ground black pepper (enough to generally season both sides of the brisket)

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (see my notes below)

  • 2 large onions, chopped (I prefer white, sweet)

  • 6 carrots, peeled and cut into 1” pieces (or use the already peeled baby ones in a bag to save time)

  • 4 celery ribs, cut into 1” pieces (wash these well to get off all the dirt)

  • 4 garlic cloves, minced (or one heaping tablespoon from a jar of minced garlic)

  • 6 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar (this one you have to measure)

  • 1/4 cup of brown sugar (you can eye it if you have used brown sugar enough in recipes)

  • 1/2 cup of ketchup (again, you can eye it if you know)

  • 1-1/2 cups of beef broth

Season the brisket on both sides with S&P. Preheat your pan with (a thin layer) of the oil. Brown it really well on both sides, starting fatty side down (approx 7 minutes each side but “eye” it), and when done, put it in the cooker. Return the pan to the stove, reduce the heat to medium-high, add a tablespoon of the oil, and add the onion, carrots and celery. Stir the veggies for approx. 7-8 minutes and then add the garlic. Stir for another 2 minutes, and then add the remaining ingredients, one at a time. Once everything starts to boil, pour it all over the brisket. Move the brisket around a bit so the liquid gets underneath. Cover and close the cooker and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours. You can cook it on HIGH for 4-6 hours but it will not be as tender and falling off the fork as much as if you cook it on LOW. Trust me. Enjoy!

A PARTING NOTE

Whether you are cleaning every last crevice of your home, mastering your inner Julia Child, binge-watching every series on Hulu, or you on your third 1000-piece puzzle, we are all in this together. We will laugh one day at how we treasured toilet paper, how long we went without shaving (let alone showering or washing our hair), and kick ourselves for not investing in Amazon or Purell. Practicing social distancing from the refrigerator is a battle every day. We have come to appreciate our teachers more than ever, realize the risk doctors and nurses go through every day on the job, and how precious life is.

Thank you for reading my blog. You will be notified by my newsletter (please remember to sign up if you have not done so and spread the word… THANK YOU!) when my next blog is ready for you to read and digest. If you have anything you’d like me to add, comments, or suggestions, please contact me directly at kimberly@laanyday.com.

PLEASER REMEMBER… when we are free to roam around town, L.A. ANY DAY will be here for all your Los Angeles vacation and staycation needs:

  • Staycations and vacations

  • Friends and family coming in town (for fun, weddings, business trips, Airbnb, and more)

  • Long and short trips

  • Large tour groups

  • Hotels (exclusive concierge or luxury packages)

  • Corporate gatherings

  • Just to see the best of L.A. or to be a tourist in your own town

Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram (Instagram.com/laanyday) and/or Facebook (Facebook.com/laanyday).

Thank you for your support. Take care, be safe, and stay well.

~ Kimberly 🌞🌴💕

All images courtesy of L.A. Any Day, LLC 2019-2020.

Kimberly Jaffe