Chic at 60ish!

The best Mother’s Day gift I ever received came from my mother. 18 years ago, my mother was in the last stages of her battle with breast cancer, when my dad read an article in The New York Times Style Section about the Hermes “Birkin” bag, explaining how customers often stay on a list for years, waiting for the coveted handbag.

ETERNALLY ICONIC: The coveted & classic Hermes Birkin bag in iconic orange

“Have you ever heard of this Birkin bag?” my father asked. “Of course,” I laughed. “Mom always promised she’d buy me one for my 50^th birthday.” Sadly, he knew my mom would never see my 50^th birthday and set out to buy one for Mother’s Day, a few weeks away. Calling Hermes in both Manhattan and King of Prussia, despite empathy for his story, my dad was told he’d have to get on the waiting list.

BEST MOTHER’S DAY GIFT I EVER GOT: My cognac-colored “Ricky” bag at ralphlauren.com

The next Sunday a huge ad appeared in the Style Section for the then-new Ralph Lauren “Ricky” bag. Knowing I am major “Ralph girl,” my dad (now on a quest) called my darling friend Richard Schinto, then the Collection director in the Madison Avenue flagship store. You really must hear Richard tell the story, but my father, who was color blind, called asking, “Do you have one of these “Ricky” bags?” Richard answered, “We certainly do.” Dad replied, “Well pick out whatever color you think Ellyn will like and send it right out to her from my wife.” Richard knew the situation with my mom and was literally smiling and crying at once.

“WEATHERED CHIC:” The “Ricky” bag from last week’s Ralph Lauren Fall/Holiday fashion show, Ralph’s newest version is–intentionally–even more beat-up than mine, guess what I’m carrying again & again? At ralphlauren.com

The next day a box arrived at my front door. Surprised and thrilled, I opened it to find the most magnificent cognac “Ricky” bag with a card that simply read, “Happy Mother’s Day! Love, Mom.” Besides the obvious sentimental value, my handbag has truly gotten more beautiful with age. Softer and worn in, it has traveled the world me—as my mother sits on my shoulder, smiling down no doubt.

THE BEST GIFT IS A GREAT MOM! My mother & me at Jonathan’s Bar Mitzvah–cherished memories are the best present of all 🙂

Though that is an over-the-top Mother’s Day present—and story—I knew my readers would like it, as well as want a few gift ideas. Keeping the theme in mind, I asked several friends to complete the following sentence, “The best Mother’s Day gift I ever got was…” Some good answers:

“Fun, contemporary jewelry. Something turquoise or crystal. Something to layer with pieces you already own.” Pendants from Barbara Ellick in Narberth; (bottom) from MonicaRichKosann.com

“Breakfast in bed–and maybe a pretty robe to go with it; a gourmet food package or gift certificates to great restaurants.” New York Brunch at russanddaughters.com; silk Toulouse robe at natori.com; make your own sundae at graeters.com

“Beautiful candlesticks and tableware.” My Passover table last month, candlesticks from Home Grown in Haverford

“Tickets to a show or concert, or a gift card towards a weekend away.” Two of my personal favorites, theater tickets at ticketmaster.com, a night at The Regency Hotel in NYC at loews.com

“A fabulous handbag from The Row, that I’ve been dreaming about. A great handbag is always a perfect gift.” The Row “Hero” bag at bergdorfgoodman.com; an array of handbags at Boyds in Philadelphia & Wayne

“Gift certificates for beauty or spa treatments. Blow-outs, massages, or mani/pedis.” A gift card for a massage at Lifetime fitness, lifetime.com (this is actually what I bought for my daughter!); a variety of Nest candles at saksfifthavenue.com or amazon.com

“Gorgeous flowers. Cards with beautiful notes and sentiments.” Words to treasure forever.” Peonies from longstems.com

“My children coming home, celebrating, and cooking for me—so I have a night off!” Nothing better. My kids–my son-in-law Steve, son Jonathan, daughter Lauren & my late husband Steve, the best gift is being together & making wonderful memories!

Like all holidays, the best part of Mother’s Day is being surrounded by cherished family—even if the celebration is on zoom or facetime. Every warm wish to my readers for a Wonderful, Happy Mother’s Day—enjoy every beautiful moment~ Ellyn Golder Saft

ps. Another great gift is anything homemade–here’s a great new chocolate chip cookie recipe from the New York Times–what could be more delicious?

PILONCILLO CHOCOLATE CHIP RECIPE/NY TIMES

Piloncillo, unrefined whole-cane sugar, is the key ingredient of these richly nuanced cookies. It adds notes of caramel, butterscotch and molasses to everything from cakes to barbecue sauce. It is a bit of a chore to grate, but the flavor it adds is well worth it!

Yield: About 16 cookies

• 6ounces/170 grams piloncillo
• ⅓cup/67 grams granulated sugar
• ½cup/113 grams unsalted butter (1 stick), melted
• ½teaspoon kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal) or ¼ teaspoon coarse kosher salt
• 1large egg
• 2teaspoons pure vanilla extract or vanilla paste
• 1⅔cups/211 grams all-purpose flour
• ½teaspoon baking soda
• 1heaping cup/170 grams bittersweet chocolate chips or chunks (preferably 72 percent cacao or higher)
• Flaky sea salt or kosher salt

PREPARATION

• Step 1

Grate piloncillo using the large holes of a box grater. The grated piloncillo won’t look or feel like dark brown sugar; it will more closely resemble grated hard cheese and will have crumbly, irregular shapes with some larger split pea-size pieces. (The larger pieces will taste like and have the texture of broken bits of toffee inside the baked cookie.)

• Step 2

Whisk grated piloncillo, granulated sugar, butter and kosher salt in a large bowl until evenly mixed. Vigorously whisk in egg and vanilla until mixture lightens in color and becomes almost ribbony but with undissolved pieces of piloncillo, about 1 minute. This step is very important and will give your cookie a shiny top, like a brownie, that will crisp as it bakes.

• Step 3

Add flour and baking soda and, using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, mix until dough comes together and no floury bits remain, about 30 seconds. Stir in chocolate until evenly distributed. Dough will be soft and may be warmer than room temperature. Refrigerate for 30 minutes (or up to 5 days; see Tip) to enhance flavor and allow the dough to firm up. Meanwhile, if baking right away, with racks in the upper and lower thirds, heat oven to 350 degrees.

Enjoy every scrumptious bite–calories don’t count on Mother’s Day! 🙂