She’s not a regular mom. She’s a cool mom. You know the type: impeccable style, a beautifully layered home and an uncanny ability to discover things before everyone else does. She’s also, naturally, impossible to shop for. If you have a cool mom in your life, consider this your cheat sheet: a lineup of local shops stocked with unexpected finds, from sculptural ring holders and covetable coffee-table books to chic hats, stackable rings and signature scents.
The Shop by Calla Cane, Rowayton
Our Picks: Green Goddess Candle by Flamingo Estate, $64; Marble Candles by Calla Cane, $88
Interior designer Calla Cane is known for airy spaces, a restrained palette and the artful layering of natural materials. Her Rowayton showroom and shop offers that same sensibility in retail form, with a tightly curated mix of artisan-made goods, thoughtful gifts and quietly chic objects for the home. The Green Goddess candle by Flamingo Estate—an herb-forward, garden-fresh scent—is a great gift for any mom who loves the brand’s heirloom tomato offerings. And don’t skip the card selection—some of the best in town.
Wee Mondine, Darien
Our Pick: Janessa Leone Felix hat, $258
Though known as a children’s boutique, owner Elizabeth Crosby also stocks stylish finds for grown-ups, including Natalie Martin dresses, woven handbags and Janessa Leone hats. The result is a thoughtfully layered edit where effortless resortwear, elevated accessories and playful, design-forward pieces sit comfortably alongside the store’s signature kids’ collections—making it just as much a destination for a well-dressed mother as it is for her children.
Eleish Van Breems Home, Westport
Our Picks: Dior Enchanting Gardens book, $45; Trudon Figuerie Room Spray, $260
Known for its refined mix of Scandinavian antiques, European furnishings and beautifully crafted home pieces, Eleish Van Breems Home is a destination for design lovers with impeccable taste. Downstairs, the Fika bar offers a chic surprise: a fabulous book selection spanning interiors, gardens, art and entertaining.
The Glass House Design Store, New Canaan
Our Pick: Carl Aubock Crown Catchall, $425
One of New Canaan’s best-kept secrets, The Glass House Design Store offers a smart edit of contemporary finds inspired by the town’s rich Modernist legacy. Think collectible design objects, thoughtful gifts and pieces that feel equal parts functional and conversation-starting.
Every queen deserves a crown, and this one happens to hold her rings. Originally designed by Carl Aubock as a small personal ashtray, the brass piece makes an ideal jewelry catchall: each point neatly holds a favorite stack of rings, while the center bowl is perfect for earrings or necklaces. Like all Aubock designs, it only gets better with age, developing a patina over time.
Manfredi Jewels, Greenwich & New Canaan
Our Pick: Monica Rich Kosann “Love You to the Moon and Back” Necklace with Red Enamel and Diamonds, $3,250
Monica Rich Kosann is beloved for her modern heirloom lockets—always a thoughtful gift—but this pendant offers a fresh spin on sentimental jewelry. The 18K yellow gold design features raised arrows circling between a red enamel heart and diamond moon, subtly interpreting the timeless phrase “love you to the moon and back.”
Kerri Rosenthal, Westport
Our Pick: Ludlow ring by Freight, starting at $375
With her joyful use of color, artful spirit and effortlessly cool point of view, Kerri Rosenthal is a natural stop for gifts with personality. The Freight Ludlow rings are a standout: stackable, sculptural and bold enough to make a statement while still feeling easy enough for every day. Mix silver and gold, play with different sizes, or build a collection over time.
Monc XIII, Greenwich
Our Pick: Anything from the scent bar
A favorite for globally sourced furnishings, distinctive décor and one-of-a-kind home finds, Monc XIII is always worth a visit—but the real insider move is their scent bar. Because fragrance is deeply personal, their knowledgeable staff helps guide you through a thoughtfully vetted selection of perfumes to find the right fit. Beautifully packaged and as chic as they are fragrant, these are gifts that look as good as they smell.