MOTHER'S DAY INSPIRATION

Life doesn't come with a manual. It comes with a mother.

Hotel du Cap - Eden Roc 2008

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out there! May your day be filled with love and lots of hugs from those you love. I can’t believe our son Luca has finished his first year of college! Wow… not sure where that year went, but it went! We survived our first year of being “empty-nesters” Yahoo. He’s in Dallas at S.M.U. so he’s a short plane ride away and we had so much fun visiting him and meeting his new friends. When Mother’s Day rolls around I’m always so grateful to be a mom, especially Luca’s mom, and I feel so blessed every single day to have my mom and my husband Derek’s mom.

It’s a wonderful gift to be a mother because you have the chance to revisit all these wonderful experiences and see the world through the eyes of your young adults.

Luca, thank you for so many wonderful memories from the day you were born, you are a true gift to your dad and I… and you’re the best traveler ever!!!

Ok! On to a fun gift guide.Here are a few of my favorite things

My favorite artist is René Romero Schuler - her website is up and running and her art and fabrics are so lovely.

The Soma Ayurvedic Jasmine Body Oil is like none other, a gorgeous fragrance and active products.

Always the softest and elegant lounge wear.

Rebecca De Ravenal’s monogramed market straw bag is a winner!

Outfit your whole kitchen with these ten stunning hero pieces, all of them made with GreenPan’s clean, nontoxic, nonstick, dishwasher-safe Thermolon Minerals Pro™ technology.

My go-to travel tote is always Longchamp, it’s chic and always looks fresh and travels so well.

Are you familiar with For Restless sleepers? The ultimate in lounge wear and a true fashion statement. The assortment in this gift box features a selection of 8 soaps with different illustrations inspired in the labels of Claus Porto's archives: Mirror, Lettuce, Agua de Colonia, Double, Leão Verde, Chic, Chicken and Sunburst.

Spice up your summer vibe with this belt bag

All time favorite sneakers from Golden Goose

Arriving with half a dozen garden length High Camp Gardenias, the Muse Box features a medium size Signature High Camp Gardenia & Palo Santo scented candle.

Anne Sisteron Edition Flexpower Bath Salts with a brand new exclusive scent of sandalwood and lavender is unlike anything you’ve experienced before! No Parabens. Not tested on Animals. 

The SAINT Candles line features fifteen different candles that are each named after a patron saint associated with a specific aspect of human life.

This bistro set provided some of the happiest moments for me. My husband, son and Buster had wonderful tea and rosé while listening to jazz. Make the space and take the time to share those special moments with those you love!

Thank you husband, it’s been a wonderful life raising our young man, and thank you, Luca, it’s been a blessing to be your mom…I am truly Grateful.

xo,

Janet

Bus, it’s been a joy being your mom for 11 years, here’s to more walks and talks and bistro moments.

Ways to give back - Unicef-Helping the children of Ukraine. World Central Kitchen Chef Jose Andres

In case you or your mom needs readers, Look Optic’s got you covered!

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

Formulas I'm Turning To When Wearing My Tried-and-True Shirtdress

For this spring and summer, I found myself gravitating to dresses and Elaine Kim’s shirt dresses are one of my top picks for fashion and function.
The silhouette is a go-to because of the highly versatile nature. I love that I can easily dress the 5 styles featured here up or down. Here are a few formulas I'm turning to when wearing my tried-and-true shirtdress. We’re talking everything from a chic ensemble featuring sneakers and a denim jacket to a look with booties and stylish accessories
Almost as versatile as a loafer in our book, you’ll see both Elaine and I wearing our sneakers with everything from joggers to a midi dress.

I love mixing a classic shirtdress with a denim jacket and chunky sneakers for an unexpected vibe. It’s a comfortable look that’s easy and perfect for my morning coffee run.

This silhouette is a go-to because of the highly versatile nature. So with that in mind, I’m sharing some of the outfit formulas I turn to, I’m talking everything from a chic ensemble featuring sneakers and a denim jacket to a look with booties and stylish accessories.

Use Code GRATEFUL15

Keeping it simple with a neutral color, I just add a scarf and have an instantly chic look, even if I’m traveling no further than my local beach for a picnic lunch. ROAM WEAR Sandals are a must for my feet. True comfort and that edgy chic I love. Headed tropical this spring or summer? Try Roam Wear, Use Code GRATEFUL15. For beach tote, use code JANETG10

This look puts the shirt in shirtdress! A cross between the two, this style works great with a fresh pair of white pants or classic shorts of any length. Elaine Kim backpack and white sandals.

This navy shirtdress is one of my favorites! The fresh style is fashion-forward with cute accessories. And it will be perfect to pack for my next vacation. Elaine Kim’s chunky shoe is super comfortable and I’ve had this “bonjour” tote for four years and It’s great for fashion and for the beach. Her shoes fit true to size. Shop Dior bracelets here

I love a shirtdress for its ability to make getting dressed so effortless. This one in stretch linen is big on comfort and style. I keep the look on-trend by pairing it with unexpected neutral booties and a hat. These booties are from Elaine Kim and they’re so comfortable I don’t even need socks.

Elaine Kim Bootie / Staud Bag / Golden Goose

Jewelry From Sydney Evan / See Elaine Kim’s Styling Below

Have a great weekend and here’s to a successful Spring!

Thank you for reading,

Janet

See other options below.

Who What Wear - Purge These Keep Those

Janet Gunn is always quite the source of sartorial inspiration. We routinely turn to her if we're looking for fresh shopping tips or style advice. You may remember when she recently shared the loungewear looks she's loving at the moment. Well, given the fact that she adores fashion and works as an influencer, she's accumulated quite the smattering of clothing items over the years. As a result, she spent time recently reorganizing her closet and purging items she's not wearing as much anymore. Naturally, we were intrigued by her closet clean-out process. Who What Wear Article

Perry Pumps

Thanks to the help of stylist and closet organizer Sherry Farrahi, I have done a major purge, and “less is more” is a fact. By chance have you watched the documentary called The Minimalists on Netflix? This was eye-opening. Letting go is always a daily activity for me on all kinds of topics, and when it comes to clothes, clearing out feels GREAT! Scroll to the bottom to see where you can donate your clothing for a wonderful cause.

Purging: Worn Blouses and Those That Are Too Fitted
Keeping/Adding: Classic, Slightly Oversize Button-Downs

So many blouses, so little time. I like sticking with classics, slightly oversize button-down styles in my favorite fabrics, cotton or silk from Hark & Hammer, Use Code JANET25 / Grayson, and sweaters, cardigans, and pullovers I live in from Mer Sea.

Big Yacht Leather / Jeans

Purging: Heels That Are Too Worn
Keeping/Adding: Practical Shoes

I've officially traded in my sky-high heels for practical, classic styles. My feet are thrilled that I'm now sticking with lower heels and flats like sling-backs, loafers, oxfords, and street-wise sneakers. Boots / Jeans / Jacket

Angela Scott - Use Code: JANETGUNNGRATEFULGARDENIA20

Golden Goose / Elaine Kim

Purging: Oversize Bags That Haven't Gotten Use
Keeping/Adding: Structured Bags and Crossbody Styles

I admit I am a bit of a bag lady. Sure, I love a designer bag, but I am also a huge collector of other styles. I've also slowly been ditching my heavy, oversize bags for smaller, structured ones. Oh, and I love a hands-free belt bag any day. Note to self; Keep your classic bags! Bag - Peri A. / Chanel Slingbacks - Similar

Boy, I sure had a collection of T-shirts taking up space in my closet—way too many versions of the same style. But no more! I kept only the best fitting ones and added more graphic designs to keep my look updated and fun. I’m a tad obsessed with T’s from Ganni

Never hurts to have a little assistance… Thanks, Buster, xo mom / Raquel Allegra

Thank you, Sherry! Loved how you make getting dressed so easy and for fine-tuning my closet.

Follow Sherry Here / Closet Services Here / Cancer Cartel Clothing Donations Here /

Thank you for reading and hope your decluttering continues!

xx, Janet