My Mother Drives Me Crazy!

Let’s face it, not all moms are created equal. Whether your mom reminds you more of Mrs. Bates, Madea or Mother Theresa, they all all come in different shapes, creeds and characters. From Tan Mom or Microwave Mom to Octomom, they all share the same unique ability to drive us crazy. Yet even if your mother was Joan Crawford you’d still love your matriarch (ok, perhaps not the best example).

In anticipation of celebrating our special moms this weekend, we’ve compiled some of our favorite mom archetypes.

Happy Mother’s Day – you are all indeed loved very much by all.

The Saint

Spiritual Candle by Apothia, Anima Dulcis by Arquiste, Santa Maria Novella Rose Water, Kenneth Jay Lane Gold and Crystal Cross Necklace, The Boudoir Bible by Benony Vernon

The Perfect Mother

Kenneth Jay Lane Enameled Floral Collection, Lamy Fountain Pens, I love New York for Her by Bond No. 9, Yosi Samra Ballet Flats, Happy Times by Lee Radziwill

The Mrs. Focker Mom

Hindu Grass by Nasomatto, Missoni Headbands, Serpui Marie Woven Clutch, Susan Hannover Bracelets, Lisa Battaglia Hat

Mommie Dearest 

Cruel Intentions by Kilian, Clara Kasavina Mink Clutch, Assholes: A Theory by aaron James, Marvis Licorice Toothpaste

The Cougar Mom

Monies Fossil Bone Bracelet, Cosabella Lingerie, Geste by Humiecki & Graef, Sex Games Book, RMS Beauty Raw Coconut Oil Makeup Remover.

Carlos Huber, Perfume Wizard in Oz

Carlos Huber, creator behind one of our favorite perfume brands Arquiste and available at Babalu Miami, shares his experiences with us during a recent trip to Australia for launch of this growing brand that’s clearly going places.

Carlos – “I am delighted to share my wonderful experience in Australia. I recently visited Sydney for the launch of Arquiste, hosted by Becker Minty in Potts Point, one of Sydney’s very elegant neighborhoods. Arquiste has received amazing response in Australia and New Zealand that continues to grow, and this is a region we envision to become one of our strongest markets.“

The natural beauty of the Sydney Harbour is absolutely captivating!

Sydney Opera House and Sydney Bridge seen from Potts Point

Sydney is an outdoor-lovers city with beautiful warm weather as the backdrop.

Grey, but nonetheless beautiful Bondi Beach

Photoshoot for Belle Magazine at Becker Minty in Potts Point

at Fashion Week Sydney with friend Jason Minty

Voluptuous frangipani and magnolia trees in voluminous bloom line the streets. Hmmm… Perhaps inspiration for a new fragrance!

Taken where I stayed in Potts Point, Sydney.

Incredible historic architecture – everything from Victorian terrace houses, elegant mansions from the late 1800’s, art deco apartment buildings that boast British Moderne detail.

Potts Point, Sydney

Sydney enjoys some of world’s best produce, which translates to Australian cuisine, with every meal exceptional. The restaurant scene is modern, and full of outdoor cafes and tasteful shops everywhere. And the people are stunning too – thank you for the eye candy, Sydney!

At the Flower market

Little did I know the withdrawal symptoms I’d be experiencing upon return to New York.

Taken on Bondi Beach, Sydney.

Paola Gutierrez meets Angelina at Babalu Miami

Paola Gutierrez, the reporter, producer, television personality and anchorwoman of Despierta America on Univision, carved some time in her busy schedule for a little shopping at Babalu Miami. On her visit Paola chose a pair of magnificent Kenneth Jay Lane Angelina earrings. We can now add fashionista to her long list of achievements.

Paola Gutierrez (left) the Kenneth Jay Lane Angelina earrings are an exact copy of the ones worn by Angelina Jolie at the 2009 Oscars

Staff Picks by Paola

Our In-house Experts Describe what Makes them Gush Most

Babalu Miami Superstar Paola

Kenneth Jay Lane. Fashion fanatic! Do you love being different? So do I! Check these out… one of my personal favorites at Babalu Miami, Kenneth Jay Lane offers all types of necklaces, chains, rings, and earrings. I love these designs because they can transform your outfit from just-nice to amazing! Be proud of looking fabulous everywhere you go! Stop by and take a look and fall in love with our Kenneth Jay Lane jewelry collection. Especially the crystals with gold trim and the floral enamel pieces. Now that’s fashion!

Comme des Garcons Play. Become part of our “Comme des Garçons Lovers Team”. For adults and children, boys or girls. everyone is welcome. Shirts, shoes and fragrances too, this enduring cult brand has it all. But, one of my all time favorites would be the “Jack Purcell” Converse sneakers. They’re the perfect match with a red, white, or black polos for that uber-cool look.

Flower of Immortality By Killian. Receiving “Flower of Immortality” was one of the best days for me here at Babalu Miami. Fresh, sweet and floral. All in a bouquet! Who doesn’t love peaches? Vanilla? White musk? Mmm! I can’t stay away from this delightfully sweet smell. With Summer just a few weeks away, you will love to walk around with this jaw dropping fragrance on your body. This is the type of fragrance that will make everyone turn back and ask, “What perfume are you wearing?” Yup! We have it here, now, for whenever you’re ready to experience astonishing aromas.

From the top clockwise: Peach flowers, Jack Purcel Converse sneakers for Comme des Garcons Play, Enamel bracelet and rings by Kenneth Jay Lane, Flower of Immortality by Kilian.

Well-oiled Olie Biologique

Summer is coming; it’s time to take extra care of your skin. After having fun under the hot Miami sun, it’s a must to hydrate and maintain skin looking healthy and glowing. What better way than an all organic safe way?

Olie Biologique is a 100% USDA Certified, pure and potent oil brand that promises nothing but the best ingredients. After 3 to 4 months of cold pressing, balance and testing, the oils are then bottled up in an organic certified wind-power lab. The oils are multi-tasking, which means, instead of buying 5 products, you just buy one healthy product.

*Creator, Linda * says, “The market is flooded with ‘natural’ oils, but most of them are diluted with silicones, synthetics, other generic “carrier” or filler oils, sometimes with little efficacy or derived from the stages of the distillation process which are less potent (think cold pressed extra virgin olive oil – why do we prefer that on our salads versus basic olive oil).”

Good point.

So, which of the oils to choose from? Let’s start with the 100% Organic Argan oil for hair and body, nicknamed, the “White T-Shirt” of oils, whose simplicity, quality and versatility are a staple in any skincare wardrobe.

Or, the 005 Rejuvenating Oil? With some added sugar for quick morning exfoliation, you can also apply on the plane to prevent dehydration. Some even blend with a luminizer for a silky evening glow, and then use overnight to repair sun damage.

Lastly, the 004 Hydrating Oil that’s great for hyper-pigmentation, acne and keeping the skin hydrated after being in the sun. Also perfect in the morning and evenings after a shower to keep moisture locked into the skin.

For Linda, Olie Biologique is a personal passion and she loves seeing and hearing from her customers who have found simple solutions with the oils, from dry, brittle hair; dull, flaky skin; irritated sensitive skin; peeling nails or even acne. Yes, oil essentials can help with acne too! And at Babalu, we also love to hear our customers who have tried the oils and rave about them.

When are you starting to treat yourself with better oils?

Greg of Babalu Miami (left) with Linda Alixe Thompson Creator and Founder of Olie Biologique (centre) and Paolo of Babalu Miami Left)

Hello Duckie!

We love rubber duckies and this duck has a positive attitude and message. Sail on Mr. duckie, we accept you too!

The World’s Largest Inflatable Rubber Duck Sails Into Hong Kong.

Created by artist  Florentijin Hofman, the Rubber Duck aims to be a happiness-inducing sculpture that “gives people a break from their daily routines”.

Read the full article:  The World’s Largest Inflatable Rubber Duck Sails Into Hong Kong | Inhabitat – Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building

Only if you’re Man Enough…

Unisex, Move Over!  Some of today’s most popular men’s fragrances are unabashedly in-your-face floral. Bold, bright and blooming, and popping up all over. Just in time for your Spring fling, we hand-picked some of the best specimens available and yes, girls love them too.

HIGH LINE by BOND No.9

Wildflowers & green grasses set the sparkling overture for this perfume’s floral heart of red-leaf rose, Lady Jane tulips, and grape hyacinth. Fresh and modern, High Line by Bond No. 9 is a great everyday choice for walking your side of the tracks.

Notes: Bergamot, Purple Love Grass, Indian Rhubarb, Red Leaf Rose, Tulips, Grape Hyacinth and Bur Oak.

GS01 by GEZA SCHOEN for BIEHL

Minimalist and captivating this fragrance opens with a bouquet of aromatic and fresh elements with unusual clarity. A gentle heart of magnolia, freesia and water-lily paves the way for a subtle woody base. Avant-garde and discrete, this is a perfect every day all-year-round choice.

Notes: Orange flower, magnolia blossoms, basil, pink pepper,  freesia, water-lily, rose, jasmine, cedar wood, vetiver, sandalwood, musk, ambergris, moss.

FLEUR de LOUIS by ARQUISTE

Inspired by a King! This woody-floral bursts into life with all the magnificent glory of jasmine and orange blossom. Magnanimously it reveals a sultry heart wrapped in noble Florentine iris and rose that sits on a throne of Cedar wood, pine and resins. Majestic and powerful, Fleur de Louis is not for the faint of heart! Wear like royalty day or night.

Notes: Rose and Jasmine, Orange blossom, Florentine Iris, Cedar wood.

LIGHTSCAPE by ULRICH LANG NEW YORK

Modern and sophisticated Lightscape explores the interplay between the bold freshness of Sicilian lemon against the delicate refinement of violet. With floral notes of iris, rose, cyclamen, it rests graciously on a bed of cashmere wood and musk. A smart, bright and elegant choice for day to night all seasons fragrance.

Notes: Sicilian lemon, violet, iris, rose, cyclamen, cedarwood, ambergis, cashmere wood, musk.

ODIN 04 PETRANA by ODIN NEW YORK

A dark and mysterious heart of Jordanian Black Iris and Violet Leaf Absolute floating above a luscious base of White Musk.  Notes of Purple Cassis, Rare Wild Orris Root and Heliotrope envelop and shroud for those who understand subtle nuances. An ideal evening fragrance that will captivate throughout the year.

Notes: Deep Purple Cassis, Pink Pepper,  Black Iris, Violet Leaf Absolute, Heliotrope, Vetiver, White Musk.

Staff Picks by Janet

Our in-house experts describe what makes them gush most.

Babalu Miami Superstar Janet

Carner Barcelona‘s Tardes: Summer is around the corner and what better way to bring it in than with Barcelona’s Tardes fragrance.  A wonderful almond/floral scent that is great for those hot summer days. it’s an invigorating scent that awakens my senses, which is why I love it so much. It gives me a warm inviting feeling every time I have it on, you just cant go wrong with this scent. It’s not only a day scent, but you could also wear it at night because of the sensual scent it has once it settles. If you’re looking for that summer scent that you can wear whenever, Tardes is for you.

Desigual shoes: We just started carrying these beauties and I’m excited! Because of its wonderful patterns and vivid colors, the Desigual shoes will turn any dull outfit into a fashion statement.  If you just want to have on a simple outfit , but still want to turn heads when heading out, with these shoes you can be sure that’s exactly what you’ll do;  which is why I love them so much. We carry various styles my favorites are the sneakers and the ballerinas. Super comfortable and super me!

CZ Tai braided bracelets: I love the Tai bracelets! They are simple but very hip and stylish, they add that extra umff  to any outfit.  They also come in a number of styles and because of how simple they are, you’re able to wear a couple pieces at once. They make great gifts for teens and adults alike. You just can’t go wrong with these hip and cute bracelets.

From left: Tardes by Carner Barcelona, Desigual Shoes (available in-store), CZ Tai braided bracelets (available in-store)

Milliner Extraordinaire: Lisa Battaglia

Want that new or special look this summer? How about a hat that will turn heads anywhere you go! Lisa Battaglia’s hats are your best bet.

Lisa’s one-of-a-kind freeform design adds sculptural twist to traditional the wood-blocking technique of hat making. Whimsy it up! Lisa’s style has a unique touch that fits the personality of most who don’t want to follow the typical mainstream. Lisa says, “I really don’t follow any trends. I may look at colors for the season but I have an innate sense of fashion and I get a ‘vibe’, if you will.” Well Lisa, you are the trend!

So, which hat to wear? Lisa’s advises, “The overall shape of the face is important but I also take into consideration the features of one’s face. For example, if you have big blue eyes and the coloring of your skin, what colors look good on you, if you are a tall person, etc. The customer should also take into consideration these things as well. A long narrow face is good for a fedora and a wide-brimmed hat typically suits a taller person with round, square or oval shaped faces.”

Consider sun protection when buying a hat, particularly in the heat of Babalu land! Panama straws often provide the perfect treatment. Luckily, Lisa regularly features panama straw in her Spring and Summer collections. The material is shapeable, durable and reliable for those of us who want those day strolls up and down Lincoln Road, brunch on Ocean Drive or lounging poolside to enjoy the Miami sun and summer breeze.

So, why not do all these in a unique, sun-shading, trendy and whimsical looking hat?

Lisa Battaglia hats are available in-store at Babalu Miami.

Join the Miles High Club!

Jet-setting Miles Platinum Kelly loves to fly in style! Sharing his time between New York and Miami Beach, this blue French bulldog has a very hectic schedule trying to keep up with his human companion The Points Guy, Brian Kelly. ” He understands the importance of a comfortable seat and a solid nap in between destinations” says Brian.

“I NEED MY FIRST CLASS!” – Miles
Travel blanket courtesy of American Airlines.

Always the center of attention.

Front and Center: whether it’s about Manhattan obeying Miles’ every command, or a much deserved series of Miami Beach soirees, Miles balances his demanding social schedule remarkably well.

“I prefer my catered treats to any airplane meal, no matter which class of travel I’m flying.” – Miles