Mother’s Day is May 11, 2008.

Mothers work hard to make sure their children have everything they need to be successful, well-adjusted, respectful human beings.

I have never seen pregnant pics of my mother, but I can picture her swollen feet, her feelings of nausea. I am grateful to my mum for being who she is and raising a well-adjusted, respectful, intelligent, (and many more positives) woman.

Here are some mother’s day gift ideas for mothers and I things that I would want when I become a mother.

I love Barrie Pace. Over the years, I have gotten suits and dresses for my mother from this e-tailer. I love, love, love this French pink suit. The black beading work is so delicate and visually appealing.

I love this Chloe peep-toe shoe. The shoe is not very exciting to the eye, but I know it would look good on my feet. Mama Maven does not wear heels anymore, so I know she would not even look at these shoes. Mama Radiance and Mama Sensual Element would definitely be pleased with this gift.

We love Coach and I am in love with this purse. (I love it so much that I would name it!) I think our moms would love to include this lovely patent leather satchel to their collections.

I am in love with my MacBook and I think all the mothers of the world should own Apple computers.

If your mom enjoys inspirational gospel music, she will love this CD. One of the favorites on this CD is “Never Would Have Made It.” Mama Maven loves this song and she hums this song often.

We wish all the moms of the world a very happy Mother’s Day. Message to children and fathers: Spoil and pamper mothers on this day (better yet once a month!)

Special Shout Out:

To our favorite mom blogger, Yummy411.

Hello Glossy Ones!

Happy New Year and all that good stuff!  I hope you all enjoyed the holiday season as much as I did.  While I didn’t have a whole two weeks off like some people, I enjoyed my holiday time off all the same.

Since we at P&G are getting back into the groove, no formatting from me today.  Just straight blogging!

Let’s talk about my great Christmas gifts!  Yippee – I must have been a really good girl because I was blessed with such awesome gifts!  First off, I have FINALLY joined the iPod revolution!

My hubby really spoiled me and got me the green (my fave color) iPod nano.  I love, love, love it!!!!  I started loading songs Christmas day and as it stands, I have over 400 songs on it already.  I found a very cool and slender speaker for it at Target for $15.00 and the sound quality is excellent.  So I put the iPod, the cool leather case hubby got for it, the ear buds and the speaker inside a make up bag (got it from BBW and it says “SPF-Stay Pretty Forever” – so cute) and carry it in my bag to work.

Hubby surprised me with this Palm Centro too!  Yummy and I chatted about about this phone when I initially posted it last month.  The phone is a small size and if you wear fake nails, this is not the phone for you!  The buttons are on the small side, but still very functional.  SO MANY great features on this phone, I don’t even know where to begin!  Great access to e-mail, four instant messenger programs, including Yahoo and AOL, awesome On Demand features that let you check the news, weather, entertainment, and even TV Guide, and a Call Tone feature where you buy a song clip to be played when people call you.  So if you are special enough to have my number, you will hear “Overjoyed” by Stevie Wonder playing while the phone rings on my end.  I haven’t bought a case for it, so it gets carried in one of my Coach wristlets – it’s a perfect fit.

My girl Dani got me the greatest gifts ever, including this Coach signature frame keyfob.  Dani got me black on black with the white stitch, which matches my Coach hobo and shoes perfectly!

I got a number of gift cards – Bath and Body Works, Macy’s and Nordstrom to name a few.  I used the Nordstrom gift card to get the Amazing Grace perfume, which I absolutely love!

No pics of what my folks got me – a fly suit for work, gift cards plus money, and shoes.  They even bought a stocking full of toys for my pup, which have all been chewed to shreds!

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Switching gears, the only song that I am really jamming right now is “Falsetto” by The Dream.  “Ooo, Ooo, Baby, I, I, I!”  Love it!

My first must have shoe for 2008 is the Nanette Lepore Snake-Embossed T-Strap.  Four inches high and I love shimmer of the snakeskin against the neutral color.

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Gotta leave my Glossy Ones with a Word to carry you all through the week.  Short, but powerfl clip – Martha Munizzi singing “I Know The Plans I Have For You.”

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

~ Jeremiah 29:11

Have a Wonderful Week!

~Joy

Happy Holidays Glossy Ones!

We certainly hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving.  My family spent the day with my husband’s family and we all had a blast eating my mother-in-law’s delicious food – turkey, pot roast, dressing, mac and cheese, green beans, potato salad, yams, rolls, sweet potato pie, lemon pound cake and carrot cake.  Whew!  We all played Scene It – The Television Version on DVD and it was so much fun.  I am still full!!!!

This week, the Ladies of Pumps and Gloss will be sharing their Christmas Wish Lists.  Let the fun begin!

Outside of peace, love and unlimited credit, I want the 8GB Apple iPod Nano in Red.  I love that half of the proceeds go to help women and children in Africa.  Go Red!

I have always wanted a Coach Picture Frame Keyfob.  Wouldn’t pics of my hubby and puppy be cute?

Gift cards in any amount from Starbucks (A great stocking stuffer or gift for a coffee drinking co-worker), Target (isn’t that little dog cute!) or iTunes (for my new iPod!) would be sweet.

Now that I am back to work – yes, yours truly is back in full effect in the busy field of HR - I need to step up my wardrobe game.  Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any pics of suits that I like.  Nuts!  Tahara is my all time fave, so suit and work looks will have to come in another post.  However, I do love these Coach Jilly Travel Ballet Flats.   Perfect for my commute to and from work.  Scuffing my pumps just won’t do.  I love all the colors, so any pair would be perfect.

I certainly cannot be seen walking into the building with a plastic bag containing my lunch and shoes.  So not fly.  I must get a fabulous tote bag, perferably one that will coordinate with my purse.  I love the size of this Coach Signature Studded Gallery Tote.  I would likely get the black on black one.

In order to keep in touch with Mix and Sen during the day, I have to upgrade my cell phone.  This Palm Centro from Sprint is just what I need – access to Messenger!

The Simpsons Movie comes out on DVD December 18th.   Mmmmmmmmmm……movie!

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I need some new music a.s.a.p.!  I would love Jill Scott’s new CD, “The Real Thing: Words and Sounds Volume 3” featuring “My Love” (above) and Kanye West’s “Graduation” featuring “Flashing Lights” with Dwele (below).  Get hip to Dwele yall – he is true neo soul at its best.

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You can never have too much Bath and Body Works.  This Luxury Bath gift basket is the perfect gift for the bath lover in your life.  Love it!

Next week, I will show you glossy ones what I plan on getting for my parents.  Mom is easy, but Dad is so difficult!  Ugh!

It is more blessed to give than to receive. ~ Acts 20:35

Have a great week!

~Joy

P.S.  I will also take anything from my luxury posting! LOL!

And I just adore this Mutts comic that ran in Sunday’s paper.

 It says, “If the only prayer you say in your life is thank you, that would suffice.”  Meister Eckhart

Hey Pumps and Gloss-ers,

Thank you for your warm birthday wishes!! I appreciate it!!!!

As fall is drawing nigh (my fave time of the year), I have been thinking about the music I discovered over the summer. I do not listen to music stations, except for Spirit (on XM) on Saturday mornings riding to church, so I depend on the Internet to find me new music.

Colbie Caillat, a 22 year old from Malibu, sings sweetly about falling in love, breaking up, the birth of a niece as well as growing up. Music is in her DNA as her dad, Ken, is a record producer, who has worked with such acts as Fleetwood Mac. (Her song, Bubbly, was the free song of the week on iTunes.)

Her voice made me of a White version India.Arie (sans inspiration). Her first single, Bubbly, from the CoCo album, reminded me of the innocence of love, even though this same love can be hot and sexy. Bubbly is an easy breezy tune that explores the quiet times shared with one’s lover.

I enjoy this album from track 1 to the bonus track Older (iTunes version). The sound is definitely a folky pop with slight ska rhythms. Now, I find it does not work well as a road trip album because the record is very relaxing. Definitely not like Norah Jones’ music, which I refer to as “sleepy time music.” Norah should be listened to, only, at home.

(Bubbly)
Sara Bareilles, another artist who had a free single of the week on iTunes, is one of my new favorites. Her sound is definitely poppy soul with jazz influences. I am kinda bummed because I could have her seen her open for Maroon 5, but I decided that I did not want to go. It is rare to have an opening and main performer that you want to see performing at the same time. (Sidebar: I showed up for an opening act, Jill Scott. Definitely worth the price.)

All the tracks on, Little Voice, are very solid and substantive. The song, Love Song, really pulls you in. Made me think, “Girrrrl, don’t write him anything!!” I like all the songs, but my fave right now is “Morningside.”

She belts:

I try to forget what you do to me but then you do it over again
I could rage like a fire and you’d bring rain
Til you get to me on my morningside

This is definitely a road trip CD. Keeps you pumped up and awake.

You can tell that she has been honing her craft for a long time. I love her voice because she is one of those singers that can sing anything: from gospel to rock. She knows how to command a room with her voice. I want to see her doing Broadway, maybe even a jazz cover album. The possibilities for Sara are endless.

I think she will be around for awhile, but I need to see her promoted better i.e. The Tonight Show with Jay Leno or Late Night with Conan O’Brien.

Vegas

Love Song

Remember there is quality music of every genre, so no more complaining. If you have found any up-and-coming artists that I should check out, please send me an e-mail to pumpsandgloss@yahoo.com.

Enjoy the Hump Day,

Mix Maven

Hey yall, I am Sexual Carob (long story) and I will be filling in for Sensual Element while she is away at a stiletto and whip convention. Of course, the convention is in an undisclosed location.

I subscribe to the DailyCandy weekly e-mails. Daily Candy is a lifestyle website that sends readers information regarding travel destinations, new products gadgets, sales, etc. Most of the time, I read the article and delete, but Wednesday’s edition was different.

The product featured was the OhMiBod, a massager / vibrator to be used with an Apple iPod. (I see why Joyful Radiance and Sensual Element have the iPod on their wish lists.) The rod pulsates according to the rhythm of each song. The unit measures 5 1/2″ long (insertable) and 1 1/8″ in diameter. The DC suggests ” a slow rise from Sade to Shaggy” or whatever kind of music you like. OhMiBod retails for $69. (hmmm interesting price). The reviews have been glowing, but I think further research needs to done on this product.

The same company offers a mobile phone version call the Boditalk. The Boditalk functions the same as the OhMiBod. The vibrations occur when calls are made to or from your phone. The cell signal triggers a unique 3 pattern vibrating sequence that lasts for the entire call. Boditalk gives a new meaning to the term “phone sex” Fortunately, if you do not want to use up your minutes, the Boditalk sex wand can be used alone. This product also retails for $69.

FYI, if you try to order the OhMiBod from the manufacturer’s website, the item is on backorder (ok well, I am curious about it!!) But there is a coupon code for $10 off. See the OhMiBod site for details.

Check out the promotion for OhMiBod.

Have a Delicious Weekend,

Sexual Carob

As you already know, Mix Maven and I share the same birthday in September.  To keep with the birthday season wishes…here are some of my picks:

Like Joyful Radiance, I also love Coach.  I saw some totes, wristlets and purses I would love to have.  Decisions, decisions, which one to get?

I love to read books,  so a gift card from Borders or Barnes and Noble works just as well.

I am feeling J.R. AKA Hot Stuff on joining the iPod revolution.  I am even feeling the iPhone. 

You undeniably need to have music with an iPod!

If I cannot get that, I will upgrade my XM plug and play.

I know it’s Friday, so I have to throw in a little sexiness.  I must have a sexy lingerie piece to wear to celebrate my big day!

Sensual Element

Good day Pumps and Gloss readers:

My birthday is fast approaching. (I will be 24!!) (Did I just hear someone say “Again!”)

Well, I do not usually have a list …but this year is different.

First on my list is Mac OS X (Leopard).

I was miffed when I read that iPhone delayed Leopard’s entry into the market. I was very much looking forward to the application coming out in August, but the new release date is in late October. (well after my b-day, but I am always accepting gifts ) There will be many new cool features.. Can’t wait!!

In my recent order from Sephora.com, I received a sample of Narcisco Rodriguez’s For Her. This perfume has a woodsy talcum scent, which I, surprisingly, enjoy. (I love fruity scents like Tribu and Origins’ Frolic.)

The Kenneth Cole Reaction “My Boo” Flat is a great everyday shoe. I love the shiny and shimmery. This shoe would jazz up most casual outfits.

I also like Steve Madden’s Plus. This shoe was very comfortable on my feet. Also a great travel/grocery shopping shoe.

I have and will always be a fan of the swing coat. Michael Kors and Luii have offerings that are just delish. I love the classic print of houndstooth. You cannot go wrong with this gift (to me). While I am not a huge fan of red or matching, the Luii swing jacket would go great with my Richh (from Steve Madden) pump.

I have always appreciated the writings of Robin Williams. I have one of her books, The Non-Designer’s Design Book, which has been very beneficial. I have had the Design Workshop on my wish list.

Maybe this will be the year that I receive as a gift.

And you know a gift card does not hurt (MAC Cosmetics, Nordstrom, Bath and Body Works, for a store [online or brick and mortar] that sells Ben Nye, HomeGoods.)

I hope that everyone has a great week.

Live Triumphantly,

Mix Maven

P.S.

A very loud shout out to my daughter, Renita. Thanks for the wonderful gift (2 shiny black cards). You know mummy loves you.