TheClick

Domestic Goddess Mom

Type in “cookware” and a myriad of great cooking sets come up, going into the thousands of dollars. Dad might have to chip in here, BUT there is a very affordable 12 piece set is from TARGET, a grey anodized cookware set by KitchenAid – think of how much better your breakfast will be!

Another genius, but rather expensive gift, is an espresso set – what mom doesn’t love great java? The best is the Saeco Odea GO automatic espresso maker, which is $599.99 on WHOLE LATTE LOVE (worth the price just to check out a site with that name!). But the DeLonghi combo coffee and espresso maker is just $239.00 from HOMEVISIONS.COM.

FLOWERS
This is your easiest option and a good last minute lifesaver: got to TheFind.com, type in “flowers,” and FTD.COM has two great options: the Heart of Hearts arrangement for $197.99, or the Fabled FTD Mothers’ Day flower bouquet in shades of pink for $45.99.

VASES
There’s a wealth of pretty vases on TheFind, but my two faves are the Murano Orange Scarf Vase (THE color of the season) for $99.99 at SMART BARGAINS.

The Lenox ecru carved posey vases are $29.95 for a set of 3 at BOSCOV’S – these are small and would look great on a kitchen shelf.

Warm and Fuzzy Mom

NIGHTGOWNS: Some moms want slip styles (Diesel, white slip nightgown, YOOX, $30.00), some want soft and comfy (LAND’S END short sleeve regular knee length t shirt style, $25-$30), some want super comfy (SERENE COMFORT, Calida Long sleeve dream cotton knit, $68.50).  Or get all three.

PAJAMAS:  Type in “Women’s Pajamas” on TheFind.com and a wonder assortment comes up. I love Bed Head’s PJ set in sage flowers – (it’s subtle and pretty, and can work for Mother’s Day or Christmas Day, and is even fedex man proof - $199 on ZAPPOS.COM). A cuter hipper pair is the scanty white vintage set on BLUEFLY that has fun colors, short sleeves and cropped pants – this is for a younger mom - $49. And groove-ster mom will like the mismatched purple and brown 3 piece set on Overstock.com called “Little Mis Matched” for only $11.99!

SLIPPERS: Type in “Women’s Slippers” and there are chic ones and fuzzy ones, perfect for summer or winter or both. I like my tootsies rather overheated, so my  vote goes to the Old Friend Scruff fur lined suede slips on Piperlime.com ($36) in chestnut. The shaggy tex moc slippers in plum on EASTERN MOUNTAIN SPORTS ($36) are also warm and plush. But a more bare style is the acorn caftan thong slipper in pink ($50 at  OnlineShoes.com) – these are perfect for running out to Starbuck’s or driving little Mindy to school. Daniel Green has a chic blue slipper that’s very Cinderella in the Sky Pattern and a nice terrycloth out-of-the-shower style in many colors on B A MASON for $29.88.

What becomes your Mother most?

There are all kinds of moms, to be sure – but shopping for mom can often be harder than shopping for your friends, siblings, lovers and spouses. A generic shower gift or anything at a registry is a snap compared to actually having to THINK about what to buy Mom. Books and music won’t cut it. So I’ve divided my "mom" shopping advice into several categories, that show how you think about your mom, and how you categorize her. And trust me, she’s sure to notice. Is there anything mom misses? Only when you don’t get her a gift on Mother’s Day!!!!!!

Smoke Grey Frothy Gowns

Scarlett Johanssen's Dolce & Gabbana strapless gown was very reminiscent of Carrie's opening dress in "Sex and the City" - made of soft crinkled chiffon, and the skirt full of tulle and looking like a ballerina - but it was the soft smoke color that really caught the eye (and her new engagement ring, courtesy of fiance Ryan Reynolds). Julia Roberts also donned the smokey hue, in a silver Armani off the shoulder column with a sprinkle of beads. When our eyes are so used to black, it's striking and usual to come upon soft grey. Think of it as summer black.

Type in "GREY GOWNS" on TheFind.com, and let smoke get in your eyes:

-Aspesi women has a long lace dress for $444 on Yoox
- There is a long grey Grecian style gown with a deep V neck, a knot at the waist, and silky pleats in a hundred percent viscose for $471 at Anastasia.
- And a long patterned strapless grey gown is $277 on Sequin Queen.

Hit the "Dept. Store" box, and here's some lovely modern options:
A Laundry gown for $244.99 at Bloomingdale's, and a long grey skirt which can be worn with any style camisole or lace top, for $159 at Bloomingdales.

Who said everyone can't be a Superhero - or Superheroine?

Pale Blue Gowns

Color - particularly pastels - is the big statement for summer black tie. Jennifer Lopez's seafoam one shoulder Alberta Ferretti chiffon gown looked like cascading water, like she could have been standing in a waterfall. Eva Mendes wore a pale turquoise Calvin Klein satin gown with an assymetrical hem that dipped onto the floor on one side, and hit the top of her shoes on the other.

Type in "PALE BLUE GOWNS" on TheFind.com and all those water-y sky-blue dresses will have you wanting to wear the shade of a robin's egg right away. Here's what we like:

- Informal Bridal Gowns has a close-to-the-body style for $298 at Ella Park Bridal
- It's called "Wedding Dress Style Number DM064," but it's a lovely bustier pale blue gown from Elegant Gowns for $159.
- But if you want to go Big Time Designer, there is an Emanuel Ungaro floral print blue silk gown for $1996 (a great price for an Ungaro gown) at Designer Expo

Now, hit the "ebay" box - a formal prom gown in pale blue comes up for $24.99, and a pale blue vintage lace gown with long sleeves is $30. You can't do better than those prices!!!!!!

Peachy Pink Gowns

Supermodel Gisele Bundchen wore a peachy pink satin cut out Versace gown that clung to her curves. Beyonce wore a similar color -so girly and feminine - by Armani, with a ruffle down the front. And Christina Ricci donned a Givenchy gown that gradiated from red to the palest pink, built over a strapless bustier, in pleated delicate chiffon.

Type in PALE PINK GOWNS on TheFind.com and find these beauties:

    - A frothy vintage strapless gown with tulle skirt, $135 on Babylon Mall
    -  A bridesmaid style strapless pale pink perfect gown for $149 at Elegant Gown
    -  An informal bridal gown, which is perfect for black tie and does not scream "bridal" at all - fitted, and the perfect shade of pale pink, $283 from Ella Park Bridal
    -  The headline reads "Colorful Day Dress Series," but this pink rose slinky dress looks dressy enough for evening, $167.99 from Good Orient

If you refine your search to "Department Stores," Neiman Marcus offers a lace bolero with a pale peach strapless gown for $585 - the detail in the fabric is amazing, and so is the cut. Then, for a deeper rose like the shade in Christina Ricci's Givenchy, David Meister's Ombre Silk dress is $688 at Nordstrom -and it's stunning!!!

Gowns worthy of a Superheroine

Last weekend, "Iron Man" opened to huge accolades and huge box office - another summer kicked off by a giant superhero blockbuster. It isn't the first time and it won't be the last. Superheroes are embedded in the American culture.

Well, art imitated life -or at least, movies  - on Monday night in New York. The Metropolitan Museum in Manhattan staged its once a year blockbuster, "The Met Ball"- a celebration of the Met's Costume Institute, begun by Diana Vreeland years ago, which stages a major exhibition of historical clothes every year. The exhibition this year is "Superheroes" - very Hollywood -and indeed, the ball was hosted by Vogue's Anna Wintour (in a wild twisted and coiled Chanel couture white gown), along with Giorgio Armani - infusing it with taste, George Clooney and Julia Roberts.

With those hosts, there was no doubt the big guns were showing up: Jennifer Lopez, The Beckhams, Scarlett Johanssen, Tom and Katie, Beyonce, and every supermodel and actress you could shake a power stick at. It is quite simply the Oscars of the fashion business -with some serious fashion afoot.

Sure, there were over-the-top gowns (that ballgown look with miles of fabric just looks WRONG), but there were some sleek beauties, too, and some new blacktie trends just in time for wedding and prom season. Coming next is a list of our favorites, and a way to find similar looks on TheFind.com for a fraction of the cost.