THE GIFT GUIDE: 4 ELUSIVE (INTERNATIONAL) HOT MOMS
STARTER PACK SZN hehe
Hi!!!!! LOLing that we’ve hit the friday post on Saturday 3 weeks in a row, I promise we are still on for Friday’s — my weeks have just never been more chaotic???? LMK if this is disorienting for you LOL. ANYWAY, today is very special because we’re BACK to gift guides (as starter packs) for mother’s day!!!!! let’s dig in hehe —
Elusive international hot GIRL culture feels like a root system within me. However, elusive international hot MOM (EIHM) culture feels like a chic French film that i’m attempting to watch without subtitles. That’s to say, as someone who used to be fluent in French but is barely literate now, it’s deeply familiar yet largely inaccessible. However, as you’ll see below, EIHM culture is of FOUNDATIONAL importance:
As previously discussed, the elusive (international) hot girl is everywhere yet nowhere… like unless you’re inner circle, getting a slice of her is like trying to take a bite out of a cloud. Looks delicious, but the proximity/tangibility was ALL IN UR HEAD….. So how fascinating when this girl becomes a MOM. (To be clear, girl = woman, etc, I just think elusive international hot woman sounds kinda creepy LOL.)
For a demo of women known to be so deeply rooted within themselves, there’s nothing more spectacular than witnessing this cohort take on motherhood. I find that EIHMs tend to be high on the sovereignty scale, and instill a sense of selfhood and purpose within their children at a young age. Whether she’s a mom to young kids or you’re reading this letter & it sounds like i’m describing YOUR mom, I think there’s an invisible string connecting the E(I)H—x community anyway.
So I obviously couldn’t do this guide ALONE. I’ve tapped substack’s very own EIHM
(SK) to give us an authentic edit of what her fellow chic mommys actually desire on May 11. I love all of SK’s selects because even while being entirely CHIC they are also PRACTICAL and tbh really spoke to the ethos of what modern motherhood appears (!) to be….. Annnnd because being an EIHM is my fantasy, I’ve also added some picks that feel ALIGNED to the aura. We’ll do Sogole’s first and then a couple of mine below <3 ILY <3
’s EIHM EDIT
1. Eres swimsuits. Summer is around the bend (or if you live in SoCal, already here). I hate to say it bc I know they're a pretty penny but there's truly nothing like the magic of an Eres swimsuit. The fabric is excellent and never pills or snags. The fit is elite — even for those of us with larger chests—and yes—they work wonders for freshly postpartum EIHM bodies, too! My secret ITK tip: check The Outnet or Cettire as they always host sales. (Also, size up!!) You can't go wrong with the classic Aquarelle one-piece, or the Gredin briefs and Chrome top. My runner-up in swimwear goes to fellow California girl Heidi Merrick, whose Bianca suit is literally my ride-or-die, esp on slightly chillier beach days.
2. Jergens Natural Glow In Shower Self Tanner. On the other end of the summer spectrum, this Jergens Natural Glow self tanner is my summer GOAT. EIHMs don't have time to go to tanning salons - our glow comes either from spending too much time at kids' swim lessons with a private instructor that makes more than most Olympians do (or if you live where I do, are actual former Olympians...) or accidental tans from your extra-long girls' "catch up" boozy brunch at Malibu Farm (I can't remember the last time I actively sunbathed...give me all the Anthelios SPF!) In any case, this cream is as easy as it is effective, and gives a subtle full body glow to match your Westman Atelier Bronzing Drops. [TM note — the olympians note made me LOL, chic and iconic tbh]
3. Pouches from Casa Ayllón [TM note — omg so chic, this one is now in my cart hehe]. I cannot tell you the amount of pouches I own, bc quite frankly I've lost count. Every EIHM knows that a good pouch is paramount to staying organized and keeping wayward kids' snack packets safely away from my Touchland hand sani and Chanel Rouge Coco (shade 430 Marie is better than anything else I've ever tried.) I currently have 3 pouches in my everyday bag (which btw is an Hermès Victoria...IYKYK!!). The more designed the pouch--the better; also handy to pull out and use on its own. This one in particular from uber-chic EIHG brand Casa Ayllón is stunning and the perfect size!
4. Magnesium supplements. If you take nothing else from this post, I hope you will take with you the absolute WITCHCRAFT of magnesium supplements [TM note — goop adjacent moms RISE]. I've been taking them for nearly 2 years now and it's been life-changing. I sleep better than I ever have, and it also helps regulate blood sugar (nature's Ozepmic?! hmmm) and reduces muscle tension. My favorite are these ones bc they're high absorption - but there are over 10 types, so find the one best for your needs!
5. Petra Palumbo Snowdrop Jug. I cannot stop thinking about this gorgeous and totally unnecessary jug. Everything about it embodies the type of EIHM I want to be this spring/summer. Fanning about the kitchen in this DÔEN number, arranging fresh flowers in my farmhouse sink, while pouring organic lemonade for my kids from this gorgeous vessel. After they're done with the lemonade, I'll pop my Zinnias and Dahlias (err, from Trader Joe's of course) into the jug and display it on my dining room table. In a dream world, I buy all four of her designs, and pepper them around a long table for a languid Sunday afternoon lunch with friends while our kids run amok outside. [TM note — ugh everything by Petra Palumbo is so EIHM core….. my jaw dropped when I saw that hand painted jug — it’s perfect. I need it, my mom needs it, my best friends need it. LFG SK x]
6. Manucurist Active Set. Twas the post heard round the EIHM world! Tariro's incredibly astute, whipsmart analysis of what your manicure says about you, is actually what prompted this little collab of ours [TM note —ILY SK <3 <3 <3]! My comment on the post about the former polish girlies forced into bare-nailed stardom thanks to becoming an EIHM and no longer having time to hit up the nail salon was by farrrrrr the most liked comment, which made us both realize that maybe you all want more EIHM content??!! So in honor of that post, I have to end with my favorite recent-ish discovery of the Manucurist Active Set Range. It's the anti-polish in that it focuses on HEALTHY nails, not just pretty ones. And in true EIHM form, you can quickly throw it on yourself, top it off with this incredible Ten Over Ten Accelerator and boom: 10 minutes later your nails look slightly less tragic.
<3 <3 <3 Thanks
<3 <3 <3RAPID FIRE — TM PICKS (starter pack continued)
This wooden ball (amber scented terracotta covered in carved wood) is SOOOO the ethos of EIHM x EIHG culture. I actually bought because EIHMoms in my life ALWAYS have one tucked in a corner of their study or somewhere in the living room. I keep mine by my window next to an intermezzo trudon candle and a stack of books. As for scent — it’s subtle in its potency?? It serves as the perfect regulated base scent for the home (my apt smells v luxurious at all times now), pairs well with all other fragrances (sprays/candles), and also looks more like an object than a… terracotta amber scented ball??? Chic and ideologically ALIGNED.
today! w/ my ball ! This is a flex, but imagine saucing ur mom up with a silver plated christofle (sippy) cup??? It’s a universal TRUTH that EIHMs love a long walk, and I just couldn’t imagine anything that’s more of an IM HERE and btw my kids love me more than URs than her pulling up w/ THIS for a long stroll with her bffs????
My mom came to visit last week and could not believe how incredible these sheet masks are??? TBH I’m typically meh on sheet masks…. largely, i feel like a thick biologique recherche mask stored in the fridge will never be topped??? However, these are incredible. Your skin is like plump and radiant and glassy afterwards. A perfect treat for moms on the go — much more efficient than the ordeal of washing a dried mask off!!! A quick win that she DESERVES!
Every EIHM in my life is always writing things down in a chic notebook. I love this one from this EIHM x EIHG approved brand because I think the brown croc is GORG (like how darling to get initialed!) and doesn’t break the bank (under $100!). In STRONG consideration for my mom this year!!!
And once again, a heartfelt thank you to
— the most radiant perfect kind generous soul <3 <3 HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to all of the yummy mummys who read TM <3 <3++to my E(I)HGs….. we have 2 weeks to secure a gift, mark your cal LOL. Wishing you ALL the most dreamy continuation of your weekend <3 im sending long naps and meditative walks alongside beds of blooming tulips <3 bliss!!!!!
Talk sooooon; I love you!!!!!!
TM x
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Omg I already have that Marie lipstick. I feel like I’ve been sprinkled with EIHG energy. (The Celeste one is also great too)
Ugh aspinal 💗💗💗 always good. This is a DREAM crossover