Happy May, Louisville! This really is the time of year when our city is in full bloom. It’s also gift-giving season – from Mother’s Day to graduations to weddings and more. We’ve filled this month’s FINDS with great gift ideas from some of our favorite Louisville shops, and feel free to use this as a wish list for yourself, too! We would LOVE to receive anything on this list … (hint, hint).
FASHION & ACCESSORIES
Leather clutch bags
So simple and trés chic, these small clutch bags from Lancaster of Paris make the perfect luxe gift for a sophisticated mother or grad. Or pick one up for yourself and make it your new go-to bag for all those May events. Each one includes a coordinating strap and quickly converts into a versatile cross-body bag. Find at Liv Boutique in a variety of colors starting at $158 each.
Lancaster of Paris clutch bags, starting at $158 each at Liv Boutique
Vintage crystal pendants and Italian paper card
Pick up these one-of-a-kind pendant necklaces by Lucy’s Inspired, handcrafted from vintage crystal chandeliers, keys and other found pieces. Make the gift complete with a beautiful Italian paper card. Find these necklaces, starting at $22 each, and Italian paper cards, $4.50 each, at Vintage Style & Designs.
Lucy’s Inspired pendant necklaces made from architectural salvaged materials, starting at $22 each, and Italian paper card for $4.50 at Vintage Style & Designs | Image: Vintage Style & Designs
Cork sandals and blush handbag
Step out in summery style in these sophisticated Jimmy Choo white strappy platforms with gold accents. And carry just the right amount of sparkle with this blush Michael Kors handbag with rhinestones. Find both the shoes, $126, and handbag, $98, at Stella’s Resale Boutique while they last. And while you’re there, pick up a gift card for your favorite style-conscious grad or your mom on the lookout for the best fashionable deal.
White leather and cork platform sandals, $126, and blush with rhinestones bag, $98, at Stella’s Resale Boutique
Lacquer-dipped floral necklaces
Pretty, bright, and oh-so-summery, these floral pendants come in a garden full of colors. We think these look like the perfect Mother’s Day gift to instantly bring smiles. And the folks at Clater added a box of chocolates to create a gift package with a dash of extra sweetness! Find one at Clater Jewelers for $39.
Lacquer-dipped flower pendants with a box of chocolates, $39 each at Clater Jewelers | Image: Clater Jewelers
Star and heart pendant necklaces
Heartfelt messages are the best messages, especially for your favorite grad. Keep gift giving sweet and simple with these keepsake star and heart necklaces. Find at Something Blue for $29 each.
Star and heart keepsake necklaces, $29 each at Something Blue
Inspiring message cuff bracelets
Pick up an inspiring message bracelet for the grad on her way to success or pick some positive words for a motivational Mother’s Day gift. These slender cuff bracelets work alone or stacked and are available with a variety of messages. Find at Apricot Lane Boutique for $15 each.
Stackable inspiring message cuff bracelets, $15 each at Apricot Lane Boutique
Textured gray horn necklace
This lightweight, sanded horn necklace by Moo Moo packs a subtle, sophisticated punch. Highly textured and available in this natural-toned neutral, this gray horn piece will make a great Mother’s Day gift for the woman used to making a statement. Find this necklace and other pieces from the line at Scout for $135 to $150 each.
Textured gray horn necklace, $135 at Scout
Tie-belt shirt dress with pink quartz necklace
Mother’s Day brunch? Check. Graduation party? Check. Tailored, vintage prep style? Absolutely. This button-front shirt dress will keep you cool, comfortable and crisply stylish through all your May events. We love pairing it with a pink quartz and gold-tone bead necklace for an unexpected bohemian twist. Find the Betty Jeffries shirt dress for $69.50 and pink quartz necklace for $32 at Block Party Handmade.
Betty Jeffries shirt dress, $69.50, and pink quartz necklace, $32, at Block Party Handmade
HOME & DECÓR
Mixed floral bouquet with brass container
This painterly arrangement, held in an etched brass container, is one gorgeous, out-of-the-ordinary Mother’s Day bouquet. Who wouldn’t sigh at the sight of these flowers? Find beautifully designed floral arrangements like this one, created just for you, starting at $75 at Mahonia. Arrangement featured below is $125.
Mother’s Day floral arrangement in an etched brass container, $125 at Mahonia
Vacation frame and green zip bag
Keep the vacation going year-round with a painted rustic wooden frame and fun sequined zip bag. We love putting both together for a beach-y Mother’s Day gift. Find the frame for $34 and bag for $12 at Work the Metal.
Rustic wooden vacation frame, $32, and green sequined zip bag, $12, at Work the Metal
Embroidered multi-colored throw pillow
Spruce up any room with this summer bright “High-Jinks” throw pillow by Company C. We love its cheerful mix of blue, yellow, pink and orange and think it would make the perfect gift for a new grad’s first apartment. Find this pillow and similar styles at Clay & Cotton for $185 each.
“High-Jinks” throw pillow by Company C, $185 at Clay & Cotton
Botanical embroidery hoop art
These hand-stitched embroidery pieces evoke an artistic, homespun charm. Created here in Louisville in their Frankfort Avenue studio by husband and wife team Jordan and Paul Kavuma, each hoop art piece carries the uniquely personal touch of something handmade. Find online at Thistle and Thread for $27 each.
Handmade botanical embroidered hoop art, $27 each at Thistle and Thread | Image: Tabitha Booth
Glass on copper art tiles
Each one of these handmade art tiles, created by artist Houston Ilew, combines glass with copper and compelling imagery with inspirational quotes. We’re convinced that there is at least one strikingly unique “Spiritile” for everyone on your May gift-giving list. Find at Craft(s) Gallery for $115 each.
“Spiritiles” by Houston Ilew, $115 each at Craft(s) Gallery
Scented candles and diffusers
The lush, sweet scents of Voluspa candles and diffusers enhance any room, and this line makes gift giving easy, no matter the occasion. Find Voluspa candles and diffusers in a variety of scents at Etcetera. Prices range from $9 to $35 each .
Voluspa candles and diffusers, $9 to $35 each at Etcetera
Lucky horseshoe
Every Kentucky doorway could use a little more luck, and these horseshoes bring luck and charm together in one package. Find at the Urban Farmhouse Market for $10 each.
Good luck horseshoe, $10 each at Urban Farmhouse Market
Kentucky throw pillow
We love our Bluegrass state, and this throw pillow by Southern Roots proclaims it loud and proud. What a perfect Mother’s Day gift or something special for a new grad preparing for an out-of-state move. Find at Hallmark USA Oxmoor for $49.95 each.
Kentucky throw pillow, $49.95 at Hallmark USA Oxmoor
BEAUTY
Handmade perfume oil
Handcrafted and beautifully packaged, apply these Ayurveda Apothecary perfume oils by Yoke for a subtle, botanical scent that lasts all day. The perfect gift for the naturally lovely earth mothers in your life. Find at Mabel & Moss for $46 each.
Vata and Flow Ayurveda Apothecary perfume oils by Yoke, $46 each at Mabel & Moss
Summer beauty gift set
Pull together a summer-splurge beauty gift set – with high-quality hair and body care products by Eufora, BABOR and Jane Iredale – that any grad will love to receive. Find this gift set at J. Michael’s Salon and Spa for $175 when purchased as a set.
Summer beauty gift set, $175 at J. Michael’s Salon and Spa
Natural bath and beauty treats
Keep it natural and light with these deliciously scented body products by Zum. Create your own gift package with an assortment of treats any mom or grad will love. Find the Zum body products below at Blooms by Essential Details for $6.99 to $21 each.
Zum body mist, $13.75; body lotion, $21; bar, $6.99; body wash, $13.99, at Blooms by Essential Details
FOR THE LITTLE ONES
Children’s Derby-themed book
Silo and Plyler’s Derby Horse Adventure arrives just in time for May, and all the Derby fun that comes with it. We loved this sweet story about penguins who want to find a horse for the Derby, written and illustrated by local art teacher Paul Harshaw, and published by local publishing house, Holland Brown Books. Pick up a copy for the kindergarten graduate on your list online or at Carmichael’s Kids bookstore for $15!
Silo and Plyler’s Derby Horse Adventure, $15 online at Holland Brown Books or Carmichael’s Kids | Image: Holland Brown Books
Have a great time gift giving this May! Happy shopping!
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