A muff for your mum
Elderly, frail mothers and grandmothers are often the hardest people to shop for on Mother's Day, so a smart suburban mom (and former BP executive) created Twiddle Muffs.
Naperville resident Margaret Light was struggling to come up with a gift idea for her grandmother, Lily, when she designed the Twiddle Muff -- a plush, animal-shaped muff with little attachments like marbles in a bag, a squeeze ball and beads on a string.
They've been using Twiddle Muffs at the Sunrise Assisted Living facility in Wheaton, where staff members say residents like them because they keeps their hands both warm and busy.
Twiddle Muffs are priced $39.95-$44.95 and come in animal versions or a "sports" version aimed at elderly men. They're available at www.beaulily.com or at Oswald's Pharmacy in Naperville.
Jewelry for mom
• Hidalgo's new Animal Instinct line features rings, bangles and bracelets with colorful animal prints. Prices range from $330 to $4,169. They can be purchased at Lustig Jewelers in Vernon Hills, State Street Jewelers in Geneva or at www.hidalgojewelry.com.
• If you buy Julia Roberts' (PRODUCT) RED bracelet for your mom ($175 at www.joinred.com), a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Global Fund, an organization that helps fight AIDS and other diseases around the world.
• Anahi, a new jewelry store in Woodfield Mall, features unique jewelry with natural gems -- like amethyst, citrine and anahite -- and they come direct from the Anahi mine in Bolivia. They also carry a unique stone called ametrine, which you can see at www.anahi.com. Prices start at $50.
Win a spa day
If you can write fast, you can win big!
KeyLime Cove in Gurnee is hosting a Mother's Day essay contest, but the deadline is today. In 150 words or less, kids should write the most memorable moment they have of their mothers and why this memory will have a lasting effect on them.
On Mother's Day, KeyLime Cove will select the winners. The grand prize includes a one-night stay in their deluxe stateroom, four water park passes and three spa treatments.
Participants should include their name, age, phone number and mother's name along with their essay. E-mail them to Deanna Dostalek at www.mkintern@keylimecove.com.
Start writing! As we say in the news business, "Deadline is the greatest inspiration."
Free spa treatment
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, the Mario Tricoci Hair Salon & Day Spa in Oak Brook Center will give free trials of its "Lunchtime Lift," a new 15-minute, anti-aging, nonsurgical eye treatment.
Go to www.tricoci.com or call (800) 874-2624 for more information.