Category: News

In an event sponsored by the Center for Politics and the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, Martin Luther King III, professor of practice and civil rights leader, spoke about honoring his parents’ legacy. King shared several stories about his parents throughout the evening and also addressed the ways that he still adds to their legacy with his own civil rights work. 

King has been a professor of practice with the Center for Politics since March of last year. He does not teach any courses at the University but visits twice each year to guest lecture and engage with students in discussions on civil rights issues and participation in politics.  

The event started with moderator and Batten Dean Ian Solomon asking King about his experiences growing up as the son of Martin Luther King Jr. King described his father as a man who traveled or had audiences with endless influential figures nearly every day. King recounts that his father’s energy shone through when with his children. 

“Coming up the stairs, it oftentimes appeared that he was just exhausted,” King said. “Once the door opened and he greeted us, there was a total expression change, a total energy shift.” 

King also spoke about his mother, Coretta Scott King, noting the influence she had on both himself and his father. Because King was just 10 years old when his father was assassinated in 1968, he states that he was closer to his mother, spending decades with her as she fought for labor rights and to create a national holiday commemorating her late husband. According to King, his mother’s work to make MLK Day a national holiday was as much about teaching his father’s non-violent methods as it was about honoring his legacy. But, he said, society has still not fully adopted MLK Jr.’s non-violent ways. 

“We still gravitate towards violence, and I don’t personally believe that’s going to be sustainable,” King said. There… are times when we have to learn something and we obviously have not learned it yet.” 

King touched on the current political climate throughout the event. He compared his father’s mission of non-violence to the extreme toxicity of modern politics, harshly rebuking efforts to minimize slavery in school curricula and a decline in civility, among other developments. 

King elaborated that the fact that enslaved people played such a large role in enabling the United States to become the wealthiest country on Earth makes its suppression in some classrooms all the more painful.

“[This country] had 250 years of free labor,” King said. “And [we] don’t even acknowledge it?” 

King said teaching the horrors of slavery and the centuries-long fight for civil rights in schools is not about assigning guilt to white students, pointing to South Africa and Rwanda as examples of countries that openly confront the evils of their pasts. 

“Suppress[ing] and arranging history out of books, or saying that we don’t need to learn [about the past] is not the right way to go,” King said. “A people that do not know their history are doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past.” 

As a civil rights activist, King has done much to honor his parents’ legacy. King is the chairman of the Drum Major Institute, an organization that derives its name from MLK Jr.’s “Drum Major Instinct” sermon. King is also the founder of the Realize the Dream initiative, which has a goal for their volunteers and partners to achieve 100 million hours of service by 2029, or the year that MLK Jr. would have turned 100. 

The Realize the Dream initiative is what spurred King and his co-authors to write their new book, “What Is My Legacy?: Realizing a New Dream of Connection, Love and Fulfillment.” King co-wrote the book with his wife, Arndrea Waters King, and activists Marc and Craig Kielburger. He says that he wants his initiative to encourage connection, something he fears has been corroded by modern technology. 

“We decided to write a book about legacy and fulfillment because of the disconnect going on,” King said. “Technology, as great as it is … is currently not bringing us together.”  

To wrap up, King returned to the theme of legacy by turning to the role young people have in making change. 

King recalled when, at the 2018 March for Our Lives in Washington, his daughter Yolanda invoked her grandfather’s dream by pronouncing her own dream that “enough is enough, and we must create a gun-free world.” 

King referenced the gun-control advocacy of his 16-year-old daughter, Yolanda, and said he is hopeful for the future precisely because of the legacies being built by Yolanda’s generation. 

“We as parents couldn’t be prouder,” King said. “There are millions of young people just like her [Yolanda] who are working every day to create a much better world.” 

Crime. Man and woman. Crime. Fast cars. Crime. Guns and robberies. More crime. Am I talking about GTA 6 or Baby Driver? Well, both, I hope.

Here’s the thing: it’s very easy to have that be the only takeaway – but there’s more to it. I promise. Keep reading. I want GTA 6 to replicate the kind of storytelling that comes from something like Baby Driver, and Rockstar has kind of already done that with Red Dead Redemption 2. Not that Red Dead Redemption 2 is anything like Baby Driver, but… I promise I’m going somewhere with this.

I Hope GTA 6 Harlem Shuffles Its Way Into My Heart

Okay, lock in. GTA 5 had a story, sure. Bank robberies, a flashy world, and the trio of the new kid, ‘back in the game’ older man, and haha funny guy who screams a lot. I played it, I liked it, but it didn’t break any sort of ground outside of financial achievement. As a result of this middling feeling, I almost didn’t pick up RDR2 when it arrived in 2018 because I didn’t want just a ‘big bad cowboy goes bang bang’ game. I mean, even the trailers didn’t really do much to sell it as more than this.

But it turns out, RDR2 actually has the best video game story ever written, and the best video game characters ever written. Hell, maybe even just the best characters, period. It was something that explored much more than a glorified life of crime, by showing us the wildly varying humans behind it, their fears, how they changed, and the effects they had on each other.

So where does Baby Driver come into this conversation? Not naturally. I love the film and am purely forcing it into this article, but you better believe I’ll do it with heart. Baby Driver tells the story of a young man who has been trapped in a life of crime from an even younger age than Arthur Morgan. He’s good at it, one of the best, but he doesn’t want to be a part of it anymore.

He meets a young woman and they fall in love. Are you still with me? After this, he settles his debt and should therefore be free to leave and set his life straight. But uh oh, big bad man says no. It’s really not the most complex of tales, and I love the simplicity in it, but my biggest takeaway is: crime sucks.

Surely We Can All Agree Crime Is Just… Mostly Not Great, Right?

To this end, a GTA game played as a good guy would be no fun, right? The most riveting bit of gameplay would be filing an insurance claim after it was your own car that got stolen, and while I love tedious games, I wouldn’t take it that far. What I want, somewhere in between, is to see crime as the big, terrifying beast it is. I’m not 13, I don’t think it’s cool anymore.

It’s all too real that so many young people are pulled into this world, whether from indoctrination, blackmail, or whether they feel there are no other options for them. It’s a horrible thing, and something I feel Baby Driver represented incredibly well amidst its layers of style and showmanship.

After Rockstar broke not only its own mold but the industry standard of storytelling with RDR2, I know that it could tell a meaningful story around these themes, using a medium as big as GTA. I mean, is there any game as big or as significant as this, regardless of where on the gamer scale you fall?

There’s even a small clip in GTA 6’s reveal trailer that reminds me of Baby Driver in other ways. Maybe it’s just because it’s the two characters in a car with music blasting. Shut up.

The first and only GTA 6 trailer we’ve received so far was from over a year ago, and this doesn’t do much to give away any story elements. I’m glad it doesn’t, but it leaves no room for us to imagine what the game could be about. The only bits of the main characters we see present them in a nonchalant-about-crime way, which worries me. But then Red Dead 2’s trailers did the same thing, and I was happily proven wrong about that. Maybe I will be here. I hope I am.

I just want GTA to mean something. I want the writers to do what they do best. I don’t want gold-plated cars and high-octane violence. I want the anxiety of escaping alive, the reluctance to be involved in the first place, and characters I can honestly, truly root for. RDR2 gave me this close-knit family of humans, while GTA 5 gave me a trio of stereotypes. I’m crossing my fingers for GTA 6, but I won’t know how to feel until it’s in my hands.

Yellowstone star Cole Hauser spoke about his relationship with late father Wings Hauser in a past interview.

“I didn’t really grow up with him but when I moved out to L.A. he let me live with him for a year and we got to know each other a little then,” Cole, 49, shared in an October 2021 interview with Cowboys & Indians magazine.

Cole’s parents divorced when he was young and at “about 9 or 10 years old,” the actor saw his father on TV.

“I didn’t know he was my dad. I waited for the finish of the film, and I saw Wings Hauser [in the credits],” he recalled. “So, I went into my mom’s room, and I said, ‘Hey mom. I just saw a guy on TV, his name’s Wings Hauser.’ And she looked at me and went: ‘Wow!’ And I said, ‘Yeah, I saw this guy.’ And she goes, ‘Yeah, well, let’s talk about that.’ She explained to me who he was, and that’s how I found out about my dad.”

Cole said his dad was a “huge fan” of Yellowstone. (Cole has played Rip Wheeler on the Paramount Network series from its debut in 2018.)

“[He’s] obviously very proud of what I’ve done in it,” Cole continued. “He’s an old cowboy, after all. Our family, the Hauser side of the family, are all Montanans. So, it’s very close to him. We have family in Helena and Livingstone and all over the state.”

Cole’s quotes are being shared on social media following the news that Wings died on Saturday, March 15, at age 78. His wife, Cali Lili Hauser, announced the news in a social media statement five days later.

“Movie icon Wings Hauser took flight in the arms of his film & music partner, Cali Lili Hauser, at their studio this weekend,” she wrote at the time. “Wings Hauser’s one of a kind, legendary career spanned 58 years in movies, tv & music working alongside many of the greatest artists in the industry and earning their respect.”

He died from natural causes, Cali confirmed to Variety. (Cole has yet to publicly react to the news of his father’s death.)

Wings was known for his various television roles, including playing Greg Foster on The Young and the Restless in 1977 before returning in 2010. He had several film credits, including Ramrod in 1982’s Vice Squad, Tough Guys Don’t Dance and The Insider.

Leicester, UK-based punk band Jools have announced that they will be releasing their debut album. It is called Violent Delights and will be out on June 6 via Hassle Records. The album features 10 songs in total including their previously released singles “Guts” and “97%”. The band has released a new song along with the announcement called “Mother Monica”. Jools have been releasing singles since they formed in 2019. Check out the song and tracklist below.

Violent Delights Tracklist

The Pleasures

Limerence

Cardinal

Knee Injury

97%

Guts

Live Deliciously

Dunoon

Violent Delights

If my parents wear MAGA hats and I don Bernie pins, you can guess we’ve had some fiery dinner table debates.

Navigating the political minefield within a family isn’t child’s play; it’s complex, emotional, and at times, downright exhausting.

Yet, here we are: Our relationship is stronger than ever—so, how did we manage such a feat?

Here’s the story of how my MAGA-loving parents and I mended our political rifts and rebuilt our relationship from scratch:

1) Establishing common ground

Believe it or not, we all have more in common than we think.

Sure, my MAGA parents and I might not see eye to eye on healthcare reform or climate change policies.

But, at the end of the day, we all want what’s best for our country.

We just have different perspectives on what that looks like.

Finding this common ground was tough—it required a lot of patience, open conversations, and swallowing of pride—but it was worth it.

Once we acknowledged that our intentions were the same, the wall between us started to crumble.

We began to see each other not as political rivals, but as family members with differing views.

2) Adopting empathy

One heated evening, while we were neck-deep in another political debate, something shifted.

I remember my mom, eyes welled up with tears, saying, “I just wish you could see it from our perspective.”

That hit me hard.

I realized I’d been so focused on getting them to understand my views that I’d completely neglected to genuinely attempt to understand theirs.

So, I decided to change my approach.

I started asking more questions, not with the intention of countering their points but to truly comprehend their beliefs and fears.

This empathy didn’t magically bridge our ideological differences overnight, but it did pave the way for more respectful and constructive conversations.

Slowly but surely, it began healing the cracks in our relationship.

3) Leaving politics at the door

Did you know that in ancient Rome, all weapons had to be left outside the Senate house as a precaution against violent outbreaks during heated debates?

We adopted a similar, albeit metaphorical, rule in our household; we agreed to leave our political ‘weapons’ at the door during family time.

This meant no political discussions during dinner, no political news in the background while we’re together in the living room, and absolutely no political debates during holiday gatherings.

Without any political tension hovering over us, this helped create a safe zone where we could enjoy each other’s company.

It reminded us that our bond as a family is deeper and more important than any political disagreement.

4) Agreeing to disagree

There’s an old saying that no two people are alike, and this couldn’t be truer for my parents and me.

We realized that it was unrealistic to expect total agreement on all political matters.

So, we made a pact—we agreed to disagree.

This didn’t mean we stopped discussing politics altogether.

Instead, we learned to respect each other’s views, even when we fundamentally disagreed with them.

This simple agreement helped ease the tension considerably, allowing us to discuss our beliefs without the pressure of convincing the other side—fostering an environment of mutual respect and understanding.

5) Focusing on personal growth

After many heated debates, I realized that my parents’ political views were not a reflection of me, and vice versa.

Their beliefs are theirs and mine are mine.

I decided to use our differences as a learning opportunity.

Instead of viewing their perspectives as an attack, I started to see them as a chance to broaden my own understanding and challenge my beliefs.

By shifting my mindset this way, I found myself growing personally and intellectually.

It also made me more tolerant and patient, not just with my parents but in other aspects of life too.

6) Encouraging the debate

While it may seem counterproductive, we decided to encourage more political debates, not less—but with a twist.

Instead of trying to ‘win,’ we made it about learning from each other.

We set rules for our debates to ensure they remained respectful and constructive.

No personal attacks, no raised voices, and most importantly, an open mind.

By reframing these debates as a platform for understanding rather than a battlefield, they became less about differences and more about gaining perspective.

This ironically led to fewer fights and more productive discussions.

7) Prioritizing our relationship

At the end of the day, we realized that our relationship as a family was far more important than any political disagreement.

We made a conscious effort to prioritize our bond over our differing political views; we introduced more non-political activities into our routine, like movie nights and Sunday brunches, to remind ourselves of the love and respect we have for each other.

By putting our relationship first, we were able to navigate through our political differences without letting them define or damage our bond.

Having this shift in priority was instrumental in repairing and strengthening our relationship.

8) Understanding that it’s a journey

Repairing a relationship strained by political differences is not a one-time fix.

It’s a continuous journey of patience, understanding, and mutual respect.

Understanding this requires constant effort and commitment from all parties involved—but, trust me, it’s worth every bit of the struggle.

Embracing the journey

If you’ve come this far, you hopefully grasp the essence of this journey.

Mending a relationship strained by political differences isn’t about winning or losing an argument.

It’s about understanding, empathy, and respect.

Mark Twain once said, “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”

In the context of repairing relationships, this rings particularly true.

The first step towards healing is acknowledging the rift and making a conscious effort to bridge it.

Remember, we don’t have to agree with each other’s beliefs to respect them.

We don’t have to share the same political views to love each other as family.

It all comes down to our willingness to put our relationship above our differences.

Here’s hoping that you too can navigate through your political differences with your loved ones, just like my MAGA parents and I did!

Baby name trends for girls have truly ebbed and flowed since the dawn of time. From super traditional choices to a million girls being named Brittany or Ashley in the ‘80s and ‘90s to more masculine names taking center stage, it’s hard to really even guess where the trends will go. But choosing names that are less popular is one trend that definitely seems to be sticking, which is why so many “dad-core” baby names are hitting the search results of soon-to-be girl parents.

Babylist Editorial Director Karen Reardanz shares that gender-neutral names for girls don’t just include your standard choices like Taylor or Alex, or even “boyish” nicknames.

“Names like Charlotte (Charlie), Amelia (Mills), and Josephine (Joey) allow parents to blend tradition with a more modern, playful edge. These names offer a timeless feel with a fresh, gender-neutral edge,” she tells Scary Mommy. “But now, many parents are skipping the formal full name altogether and are picking dad-core nicknames as first names. Bennie, Scottie, and Stevie are on the rise for girls, as seen in Babylist Babes — our list of recently born Babylist babies — reflecting a shift toward short, playful, and effortlessly cool names that stand on their own. While classic names with boyish nicknames remain popular, dad-core nicknames have become a trend in their own right.”

Reardanz notes that celebrities may be influencing this trend. “Celebrity influence on baby names is undeniable — but parents still crave originality. While stars may not start trends, they certainly help fuel them. We’re seeing dad-core nicknames for girls pop up in celebrity families, like Benny (Kylie and Jason Kelce’s youngest) and Scottie (Allison Kuch’s daughter),” she says.

Reardanz says parents are after “that sweet spot — names that feel familiar yet unique enough to avoid sharing a classroom with three others by kindergarten.” After all, Babylist data reports that 31% of parents shared that they reject names outright for “being too popular.”

Along with the dad-core names, which are often shortened versions of more masculine names, Babylist has found another increasingly popular trend for girls is surnames as first names. Boys have often held this moniker style, but more names like Parker and Miller are popping up now on girls’ popularity lists.

Other gender-neutral trends on the rise? Soft consonant boy names (think Everett and Murphy), along with more “boyish” nature-inspired names for girls, such as Atlas or Denver.

We all know baby name trends can disappear as quickly as they arrive, but I love the idea of a world full of little girls named Mattie or Scottie. If you’re into the dad-core baby name trend, too, read on for more ideas.

No matter what kind of name you choose, from a boyish nickname to a surname-as-last-name, your baby girl is bound to feel so completely loved and cool.

Buying for mum is hard. So right now you’re probably frantically wondering what to get her, as Mother’s Day 2025 fast approaches. It’s on Sunday 30th, in case you needed a reminder!

So, whilst breakfast in bed and a reminder you’re the best thing that ever happened to her is nice, gifts are better. So whether she’s just in need of a break, or deserves the whole world – we’ve got you covered for the best presents.

Not the regular mum, the cool mum

Braid&Bow gift set – from £19

Braid&Bow offers loads of gorgeous gift sets, with hair accessory essentials your mum will love. From pampering to practical, its Mother’s Day offerings include silk scrunchies, personalised monogrammed hair bows, practical everyday hair claws and crystal hair clips.

Botivo – £27.50

Botivo is *the* brand for non-alcoholic drinks. It’s giving chic mum. Botivo is a big-sipping botanical aperitivo – refreshing and bittersweet, with herbal and citrus notes. It’s ridiculously delicious. The brand just launched matching glasses, too!

Battle Green Zero Waste Beauty Hamper – £36.95

Battle Green is a small business based in Snowdonia, North Wales, creating award-winning, handmade cosmetics. The Zero Waste Beauty Hamper is a curated collection of best-selling natural beauty products, including natural deodorant, lip balm, natural dry shampoo, clay face mask and more, in plastic free and refillable packaging.

Asics GEL-KINETIC FLUENT – £179.99

Dad trainers are having another moment and these Asics are a big throwback. The colourway is super flirty and fun, and these trainers are packed with cushioning if she’s a mum who spends all day on her feet. You can get them exclusively on Foot Locker here.

NEXT Red Forever Comfort® Leather Multi Buckle Slingback Heels – £59

If she’s a mum who loves a cocktail or two on a Friday night, she needs a good sturdy going-out shoe. These animal print kittens from NEXT really are a serve. And feature Forever Comfort® padded footbeds for day-to-dancefloor cushioning. Buy them here.

Wonderskin lip stain – £18

Wonderskin’s lip stains are the only lip product your mum needs in her makeup bag. With up to eight hours of wear, these stains give an effortlessly glam look and don’t budge all day long. Now for the struggle of choosing just one shade.

SilkFred Strappy Cowl Neck Jumpsuit – £45

When will a mother ever moan about getting a fancy new outfit? SilkFred have so many trendy items, and this jumpsuit is a top pick for a mum who hasn’t treated herself in a while. 

Glow Hub Silicoln Eye Masks – £8

Mums have and always will be tired until the end of time. These silicoln eye masks from Glow Hub are reusable and can be used with her favourite serums and eye creams to combat late nights, puffy eyes and enhance self care moments.

Gloriah AM and PM Pulse Oils – £25

Treat mum with these luxury scents from Gloriah. This duo comes with a morning pulse oil designed to boost energy, combat hormonal brain fog, and uplift mood with its fresh, salty wood sage scent and patented fragrance technology. So of course, the evening pulse has been crafted to soothe anxiety, improve sleep quality, and help unwind after a long day, with rich notes of Myrrh and Tonka.

The crunchy granola mum

Earl of East croissant candle – £40

Earl of East just launched a limited edition croissant candle. Yes, really. I need this so hard. Scented with the buttery, flaky aroma of a freshly baked croissant, it’s a great gift idea for fragrance lovers and foodie fans. Plus, the vessel can be reused for your favourite brew once the candle is finished. Ideal!

Lost Sheep Coffee Caramel Latte packs – £12

I know your mum won’t be seen dead without an iced coffee in hand. And you know what, why should she? The sun is coming back – it’s iced coffee szn! Lost Sheep has just launched a ready-to-drink Iced Caramel Latte that’s made by experts with specialty coffee beans traceable from origin to can. I’ll take 10 packs, please.

lululemon Define Jacket Nulu – £108

For the pilates and outdoorsy mums, sportswear that doubles as loungewear will always be a hit. She’ll be obsessed with this blue jacket from lululemon cause she can wear it proudly everywhere – the gym, at yoga, down the supermarket – and still look great.

Stanley limited edition Mother’s Day Quencher – £45

Flowers may die, but the gift of the new Mother’s Day Stanley Quencher will mean mum can carry beautiful blooming flowers with her everywhere she goes. There are always 101 things for her to do, so this limited-edition floral Quencher is exactly what she needs to keep her hydrated. It keeps drinks ice cold for hours and fits into any cup holder, so it will never get left at home.

Cake or Death Mother’s Day Hamper – £50 

It’s the one day of the year she can be totally greedy, so this luxury brownie hamper from Cake or Death is something delicious she can enjoy all to herself. Complete with a mug, she can now enjoy a proper afternoon tea fit for a queen.

Ingenious Collagen+  – £48

Mums go mad for collegen and I get it. Even if you don’t know what it does, mum does and she’s definitely hinted about in the past. So these premium capsules from Ingenious Collagen+ will definitely make her smile this Mother’s Day.

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Skin Protectant – £20

Everyone goes mad for this Eight Hour cream and that’s because it does what it says on the tin and more. It’s an all purpose beauty balm, long known for its incredible restorative abilities. Get it from Very here.

BirdBuddy – £249.99

Is there anything more peaceful than bird watching? Maybe your mum is a seasoned pro, or perhaps she needs a new mindfulness activity. This Smart Bird Feeder is the perfect gift for a nature loving mum this Mother’s Day. 

Bird and Blend Moment of Calm Tea Selection Gift box – £25

Every mum loves tea, whether it’s peppermint, jasmine or plain old breakfast tea. But Bird and Blend have put together specially curated selection boxes, like this Moment of Calm Selection Tea Box so mum can truly switch off with her favourite company – a cuppa.   

Zodiac Cross Stitch Kit – £18

If she just can’t sit still, this Zodiac Cross Stitch Kit from Innocent Bones is a great thoughtful and mindful gift.

Woodwick Candle – £34.99

With notes of sandalwood, tonka bean, and quince, the Cashmere candle from Woodwick won’t only smell amazing, but will look amazing too. A gift mum can enjoy way past Mother’s Day.

Moodeys Wake-Up Call capsules – £38.49

Wake-Up Call by Moodeys is the perfect supplement to have first thing in the morning. With a blend of functional mushrooms and adaptogens like Lion’s Mane, the unique formula delivers essential vitamins and minerals to support mental health, digestion, and overall well being.

The girl-boss mum

Sacred Negroni – £32.45

Sacred has taken each ingredient from the classic negroni cocktail and developed the very best all-natural English equivalents to make a completely English negroni. Equal parts classic Sacred Gin, Sacred Rosehip Cup and Sacred English Spiced Vermouth combine to create a smooth, luscious cocktail. Perfect straight from the fridge over ice with a slice of orange.

Sacred Old Tom Gin – £36.85

If she’s not into a negroni, try a gin for mum. Bold notes of juniper and a flourish of sweet Spanish orange peels, accentuate this classic sweeter gin which scooped the gong for World’s Best Old Tom Gin at the World Gin Awards.

Kind Bag Carryall – £54.95

If you’re not familiar with Kind Bag – the bags aren’t just beaut, they’re good for the planet too. The brand has just released its first Carryall collection. Bright, bold, and breezy, the Kind Bag Carryall is designed for both style and practicality and will carry pretty much everything. Not only that, the roomy bags are each made from 24 repurposed plastic bottles too. They come in loads of colours!

Lounge buttermilk suit – £220

It doesn’t get more SHE-EO than a three-piece suit, and you might recognise this one from all over your Instagram feed. Lounge’s buttermilk set is ideal for the trendy mums (um, hello buttermilk?!) who like to dress like a boss but also have a playful side. Buy it here.

Maison Louis Marie Luxury Gift Set No.04 Bois de Balincourt – £117

For the chic, minimal, elegant mums out there, an earthy or floral fragrance from Maison Louis Marie won’t disappoint. This set includes eu de parfum, perfume oil, and a mini candle so she can be head-to-toe sandalwood, vetiver, and amber wood at all times. This is proper quiet luxury, that doesn’t cost a bomb. Buy it here.

Faith Eyelet Detail Kitten Heel Slingback Court Shoes – £55

Every boss mum needs a pair of comfy, throw-on kittens for the office that scream be afraid of me, but also look how fashionable I am. These from Faith at Debenhams say exactly that. 

A bouncy blowdry at Duck & Dry – £45

There’s no better feeling than a fresh bouncy blow to make mum feel like the icon she is. Duck & Dry are the London blowdry experts, and if you want to make a real morning of it, you can even book matching treatments. Yes, you get prosecco included, and you’ll get a free gift if you book together this Mother’s Day too. Book here.

Peak Design packing cubes – £28.99 

Mums love to be organised and these sturdy packing cubes from Peak Design make life so much easier. Designed with a smart compression system and water-resistant fabric, they make packing and unpacking a literal breeze. Whether mum’s packing for herself or the whole family, these cubes are a practical must have for any trip.

Burga Laptop Sleeve – £95

If she doesn’t have a laptop sleeve yet, she needs one. And if she’s already got one, she’s in desperate need of an upgrade to this sleek leather laptop sleeve from Burga. Not only is it actually gorgeous, but it survived 26 military-grade drops with CloudShield tech. So even if your mum literally cannot be trusted with anything, you can rest assured you’ve saved her a lot of stress with this piece.

Pact Coffee – £10.95

She practically runs on coffee and moisturiser – so let’s make sure she’s getting the good stuff at least. This blend from Pact Coffee is delicious – so delicious in fact that you may have to regulate how much she’s drinking. Seriously, it is that good.

The mum who just deserves the world

Blooming Artificial floral arrangement – £40

With elegant pink and peach dahlias and a variety of wild foliage hand-tied by an expert in-house florist, this limited edition ‘made for mum’ bunch really is… made for mum! It’s an excellent gift that mum can display all year round – far outlasting supermarket flowers. Included in a box is a gift message flyer with a standard Mother’s Day gift message.

Blooming Artificial plants – prices vary

Flowers not her thing? Why not try a house plant for mum. This selection of artificial plants are perfect because they look completely real, but won’t stress mum out if she struggles to keep house plants alive. Honestly, don’t we all.

MYKI Beauty LED Face Mask – £199

Using four proven wavelengths of light to help support your skin, the MYKI LED Face Mask is clinically proven to work on signs of ageing like fine lines and wrinkles, collagen production, acne and breakouts, inflammation, skin texture, hyperpigmentation and dull skin, all in one light. It works to help stimulate collagen and elastin production cells and it’s a great investment piece for a lovely mum who loves a pamper. 

GESKE Microneedle Face and Body Roller – £59.95

Want to give her a full-on spa experience at home in under a minute? This teeny but impressive micro-needling device is going to give her firmer and smoother skin. It can be used weekly as part of her routine and will save her a hell of a lot on microneedling sessions at the spa. A huge win. Buy it here.

The mum who needs a break

Wick Guru candle – from £16

Is there a more perfect gift to help mum relax than a candle? Wick Guru specialises in the comforting scents of beloved foods, adding warmth and character to any home. I recommend the coffee candle, hard. 

Roberts Revival Petite 2 – £99.99

For mums who hate the faff of technology, but love the comfort of the good old radio, it has to be Roberts. It’s rechargeable and portable so can soundtrack her bath, and oozes nostalgia with its super cute design. It currently comes with a free travel pouch too.

The Lab Co Relax Candle – £25

If she’s stressed, a lavender candle and a bath is always the answer. This relaxing cotton, lavender, jasmine one from The Lab Co has an intensely calming scent, and she’ll forget that bad day at work in no time at all.

Another Version Fleece Fit Coffee Brown Sweatshirt and Sweatpants – £80

A tracksuit is always a good option for a cosy mum. This set from Another Version is fleece-lined for the ultimate cosy vibes. And the coffee bean colour is very on trend so she’ll definitely be the envy of the whole street even while she’s pottering at home. Buy it here.

Lush Comfy Cosy gift box – £16.50

You know your mum doesn’t take enough time for herself, so this Comfy Cosy gift box from Lush is the excuse she needs for some well deserved me time.

Thorntons Personalised Lace Heart – £15

You literally can’t go wrong with this Thornton’s chocolate lace heart. Say how much you love her with up to 20 personalised characters on this delicious gift.

Seola Black and Gold Beads Anklet – £28

Mums can never have enough jewellery, it’s a fact. And she won’t have anything like this adorable anklet from Seoula in her collection. Let’s change that.

Things to do with mum

Lush Validation Facial – £120

If anyone knows what they’re doing with skincare, it’s Lush. And your mum will be delighted to hear they do spa treatments. This one’s a tailored 60-minute indulgent experience. But they also do a 30-minute facial, or a 25-minute scalp and facial massage. Of course, they use Lush’s signature fresh and delicious products, so she’ll come out glowing and smelling like heaven. All of this, plus Lush’s famously sweet and friendly staff, make for the perfect wholesome gift this Mother’s Day. Book here.

The Crown Afternoon tea at Mercer Roof Terrace – £64.50 (with champagne)

Picture this: a glass of fizz in hand, the sandwiches have been served, and the sun’s heat is glaring down while you gaze at St Paul’s. She is going to love Mercer Roof Terrace; it’s a full-blown gastronomic experience. Expect things like classic buttercream scones with Earl Grey jelly, strawberry jam, vanilla shortbreads with salted caramel, and dark chocolate. She’s going to feel like an actual queen. Book here.

50-min massage and fizz at Beauty & Melody Courthouse Spa – £66

Mums love spa days, so get one to make her wow. This offer on Virgin Experience Days has it all – one hour of spa use, a 50-minute treatment (either a Swedish or Deep Tissue Massage), and a glass of fizz to top it all off. This peaceful spa is set in the heart of Shoreditch within the renowned Courthouse Hotel, which also features a lush rooftop if she fancies post-spa drinks. 

A girly weekend in Marrakech

Everyone seems to be in Marrakech this spring, and we don’t blame them – with incredible food, decor, and markets, it’s ideal for a long weekend of exploring. It will all be very Sex and the City 2, so naturally mum will love it. An ideal 48-hour goes like this: exploring the markets renowned for gorgeous rugs and leathers, a lively street food lunch at Mazel, and a sunset dinner on a rooftop (we recommend Dardar). If she needs a luxurious room (and/or pool) to unwind after a long day of shopping and yapping, La Naoura Hôtel will hit the spot.

And on day two, when she’s all shopped out, a trip to the serene Agafay desert is in order. For an extremely boujee stay at Inara Camp, a secluded retreat complete with luxury tents and suites, a pool, and a restaurant. And most importantly a camel ride, because that snap of her on a camel’s back is will be iconic and give her lots of bragging rights to the girlies when she gets home. The Best Child Ever award will absolutely go to you for a magical trip like this.

Brunch at Boxcar Bread & Wine

It’s only right she starts her Mother’s Day celebration with a pastry or three. Boxcar Bread and Wine is renowned for its pastries – think rhubarb, mascarpone, and pistachio danish. Or brunch, like smoked salmon, soft-boiled eggs, lemon ricotta, and beets, if you fancy something bigger to natter over. The new neighbourhood spot recently opened in picturesque Connaught Village, just a short walk from Marble Arch, perfect for any important post-brunch shopping plans. 

A long Italian lunch at Agrodolce 

Handmade pasta and Aperol Spritz? A big tick for mum and you. Newly opened Agrodolce in Fitzrovia offers authentic food straight from Rome. A good carbonara is always the way to mum’s heart, but the bruschetta with stracciatella and anchovy, and the bucatini all’amatrician are also standouts on the menu here. And don’t even get us started on the tiramisu. You can book here.

A getaway with Unplugged

She’ll never admit it, but even mum needs a break from her phone. With Unplugged, you can get her the gift of ultimate calm, with the choice of stays in luxury remote cabins across the UK. You can reconnect in nature together, and the rest of the family can fend for themselves whilst you can both enjoy the UK’s original digital detox escape. Lock your phone away in one of these eco-friendly cabins – all located 1-2 hours from major cities. Buy a gift voucher or book here.

Enjoy!