Jimmy Choo cup holders, $165

Totally appropriate gift for the office-going coffee-lover. Also, depends how much you love said coffee-lover. The cup sleeves are available at jimmychoo.com for $165 in fucshia and orange (or £95 for the black and croc ones at Net-a-Porter).

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Shy

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Until then..

A virgin mint mojito on Ocean Drive from my Miami Trip Part 1

Robert Verdi telling us about his favorite Mother's Day gifts

Mother’s Day is creeping up out of nowhere! Good thing I had the pleasure of attending TV personality and celeb stylist, Robert Verdi’s Mother’s Day event a couple days ago at his Luxe Laboratory (translation: A DREAM entertaining pad he created complete with a 130″ TV…for reals). If there’s anyone who’s an authority on the best gifts, it’s the personable Verdi himself. Here are his trendy suggestions for every type of mom:

FOR THE TASTEFUL MOM: A Blooming Daisies Edible Arrangement, $58, ediblearrangements.com.

Edible Arrangements Blooming Daises, $58

“Moms loves flowers, but what’s cooler than an Edible Arrangement??” says Verdi. Not gonna lie, I’m completely obsessed with these chocolate covered bouquets! I’ve been going almost daily to get a treat from the Edible Arrangements store that just opened up right by me recently (on 56th and Broadway). Not only do they taste fantastic, but they’re sure to light up anyone’s face who gets them as a gift. They don’t use any sweeteners or preservatives, and always made fresh when you order. If you’re in midtown, call (646) 490-4000 to order an arrangement (they have tons of customizable bouquets for mommy), or visit their website for more info. (PSSST, if you mention code MOTH1187 when you call or visit the 56th street & Broadway location in NYC, you get $5 off your order!).

FOR THE MOD MOM: Jonathan Adler Charade flower frame, $58, jonathanadler.com.

Jonathan Adler's Charade flower frame, $58

Jonathan Adler joined us to talk about the gorgeous Charade flower frame he designed. They even take it a step further to customize this if you send them a picture you want in the frame. They’ll print it out in high quality, size it to the frame, gift wrap it and send it right out to her direct!

FOR THE DO-IT-ALL-MOM: Keurig Platinum Brewing System, $179.95, keurig.com.

Keurig Platinum Brewing System, $179.95

(Really, which mom doesn’t do it all??). She needs the fuel people, give her the means right in her kitchen. I was slightly embarrassed as I was leaving the event hauling this baby out when Verdi grabbed my hand to ask me if I’m giving it to mom…I couldn’t look him in the eye and lie: “I swear I’ll give her everything else, but this one I MAY just keep for myself.” He laughed, “You guys are SO greedy.” Guilty. I tried to justify that my mom loves her pot-brewed chai, and before you all say I’m a horrible person I will have plenty of gifts for her still. [Mom, I hope you're not reading this, it's going to ruin the surprise!].

FOR THE CHIC MOM: A limited edition Brenda Novak Silk Scarf, $120, brendanovackforthecure.org.

Brenda Novak For the Cure of Diabetes with Hayden-Harnett, $120

Now this is what I’m talking about: a unique gift that benefits a great cause. This limited edition silk scarf measuring (designed by luxury accessory designer Hayden-Harnett, who have also done work for Disney for their TRON movie and the new PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN movie) for New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author Brenda Novak with all the proceeds benefiting diabetes research. It’s a cause close to her heart — her son suffers from the disease. The gorgeous scarf features a passage from her latest book (due out on June 28th) Inside. Brenda Novack was also in attendance to answer questions (interesting note: she doesn’t believe in writer’s bloc…”That’s just your subconscious telling you you’re going a wrong way.”).

FOR THE STYLISH MOM: A membership to ShoeDazzle.com.

A membership to ShoeDazzle.com, $39.95 for one month

“With a membership to ShoeDazzle.com, the fashionista you love can quench her footwear fantasy every month!” Verdi exclaimed. Have a stylist pick a pair from their curated selection every month to send out to you. I don’t know about you, but I definitely inherited a shoe fetish from my mama. I grew up constantly poking around through her stacks and stacks of shoe boxes with the cuyyyy-utest heels. I distinctly remember a pair of patent leather multi-colored red, green, and yellow heels that I drooled over; her white mid-calf length boots which I would steal and pretend I was a rock star (the vacuum was my microphone); and a pair of peach satin heels with lace overlay. She can give some of the stylists here a run for their money! They were works of art and were always kept in the most pristine condition. It’s only right to reward her with this since that’s where it all began for me. (Man, this post is really ruining the surprise).

FOR THE BOMBSHELL MOM: Conair InfinitiPro Spin Air Brush, $69.99, conair.com.

Conair InfinitiPro Spin Air Brush, $69.99

If your mom loves her blowout, she can now get salon results at home with this lightweight spin brush that volumizes and shines as you dry (while promoting healthier hair). What else do you need??

FOR THE ULTIMATE HOSTESS: Perrier-Jouët Fleur de Champagne Rose 2002, $300. perrier-jouet.com.

Perrier Jouet Fleur de Champagne Rose 2002, $300

“This gift for mom that hosts a party like no other!” says Verdi who was wearing a jacket that perfectly matched the box that housed the rose champagne. The packaging itself is beautiful (consider it a gift within a gift!).

FOR THE MOM ON-THE-GO: Skechers Shape-Ups SRT or S2 Lite, $100. skechers.com.

Skechers Shape-Ups SRT or S2 Lite, $100

“Multi-tasking is essential for moms on the go. With Skechers Shape-Ups, your mom will be able to get through her to do list and tone up as she goes,” says Verdi.

FOR THE HIP MOM: Baby Phat Scoop Neck Belted Tunic, $49, babyphat.com.

Baby Phat Scoop Neck Belted Tunic, $49

This fits so many different body shapes with it tailored draping. In a gorgeous chocolate color and sequins that any stylin mom would appreciate!

FOR THE ARTSY MOM: A gift certificate to the online gallery Zatista.com.

Online art gallery, Zatista.com

This isn’t just any online boutique — Zatista.com sells one-of-a-kind works of art! Verdi says he collects photography so is keen on the framed photos, but you can get all sorts of original artwork in a range of prices that fits any budget. Especially valuable if your mom doesn’t have a lot of art galleries in town with original pieces!

That pretty much wraps up his Best of the Best picks. What are you planning to get your mom? Anything from this list??

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Shy

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Kaffe 1668

Kaffe 1668 coffeebeans

Kaffe 1668

Kaffe 1668

I took a fellow writer friend, Sarah, with me. She told me she was hungry and I had seen that they had sandwiches and a few other munchies on their menu. Problem is when we got there, they totally ran out of all their sandwiches. Even their desserts were scarce. We settled on carrot cake, a latte (for me), a mocha (for her).

Carrot cake

Latte

Mocha

The waiter might have had a crush on Sarah…she got the heart design while I just got a measly leaf one. Whatever.

When you order, they give you the password for their WiFi on the receipt, so it’s not just a walk-in-hey-everyone-gets-free-wireless deal. The upstairs is cozy and dimly lit and maybe a bit loud — at least it was on that Sunday. But the next problem you then face is trying to find an outlet for your laptop plug, etc. The place was pretty full so we decided to shift downstairs when we REALLY needed to since there were a lot more outlets.

Couches downstairs

Downstairs -- wooden sheep everywhere

It’s also quieter downstairs and there’s a lot of room on the couches. The other quirky thing about this cafe is they have black and white posters plastered all over the walls of characters discussing coffee. I thought those liven up the place a bit. They’re also big on sheep, weird I know. I figure it probably relates to the fact that Kaffe 1668 is all about working with local farmers to get the freshest milk and coffee. I thought our cake and drinks were pretty good, not the best latte I’ve had (and trust, I drink a lot of lattes). But it was a cozy enough place and a bit removed from where I live in case I really need to get work done!

Anyone else have a favorite coffee shop in the city? I’m always down to try something new…

Cafe info:
Kaffe 1668
275 Greenwich St.
New York, NY 10007
212-693-3750
Tribeca

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Shy

Twitter: The_Real_IMAN

A Bloody Mocktail

In line with a Mafia-themed party on Feb. 14th, we were served a Bloody Mocktail — check out the black gun-shaped ice! Perfectly appropriate drink/game for Valentine’s Day I say…thanks, Nadia!

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Shy