Great gift ideas for working moms - Part I

Yes, it's the most gift-full time of the year! So in this four-part series, we'll take a look at gift ideas for working mothers in four categories: Apparel, Electronics, Pampering, and Books.

For that special  working mothers in your life, first up: Apparel.

1. kigo footwear, a woman-owned company, makes portable shoes in two styles - a unisex slip on and a Mary Jane for women. Both are made from Eco-friendly materials. The shoes are lightweight and have a flexible midsole that helps the shoes fold for easy portability. This is especially important for moms on the run - whether commuting to and from work or shuttling the kids from activity to activity. The company says the shoes provide a feeling similar to wearing slippers or socks - a treat for moms on the go. The shoes currently sell online and at several retailers in Atlanta, including ECO Emporium (404-875-5224) and Abbaddabas (404-588-9577). ($49.99) 
2. Luxe Reusable Travel Bags has introduced GlamBags, a new genre of travel and beauty accessories. The bags are useful, functional and budget-friendly! Because plastic "sandwich bags" do not quite meet the fashion standards of some frequent travelers, GlamBags is the fashion alternative for women-on-the-go. GlamBags comes in a variety of designs and sizes to stylishly stow cosmetics, toiletries, and apparel to make travel, and life, much more manageable. GlamBags also double as gift bags, home organizers, hostess gifts and more. A box of 18 reusable GlamBags contains $9.95 per box.
3. Jewelry is always the perfect gift. And the Peas in the Pod Necklace by American artisan Michael Michaud could be just the right gift to put around her neck while highlighting every member of her family at the same time. The necklace has a pea pod made of bronze with one to five pearls nested inside and showing as the "peas". A new mom would love the one pea in a pod necklace. While moms with three kids would proudly wear the three peas in a pod. Peas in the Pod are also sold as earrings and both can be purchased on their website.
4. Working out can be stylish with oGorgeous Yoga & Pilates Fashion Gear, which provides stylish yoga and pilates mat bags. They're a good way of not only getting mom a super cute handbag but it also let's you introduce her to yoga or pilates - helping to push her closer to those fitness resolutions in the new year. These bags are yoga the ultimate in fashion fitness gear. Two popular styles of yoga glam are the: Beverly Bow-Tie (very chic) or Pleated Pocket bag in Sparkles (super flashy). The company currently has an online sale on the bags.
5. UbU Clothing Company makes multi-functional and cost-effective travel/outwear that is perfect for working mothers! The company has clothes that are reversible (two coats in one), water repellent, washable (no more worries about being spilled on), and wrinkle proof (great for travel). A jacket, for instance, can roll up into a pillow for the flight or be tossed into a suitcase and it will come back to its shape the second mom puts it on. The clothing can be purchased through the company's website or at several retailers in Atlanta metro including: Mori Luggage (770-451-6674), Leather & Luggage Depot (404-351-7410) and Atlanta Country Club in Marietta (770-953-1211).
6. Mom can buy an Eco-friendly shopping bag at her favorite grocery store or retailer, but Saxsy Stuff offers a new twist in Eco-friendly shopping with a re-usable cloth shopping bag that's both practical and also fashionably couture. Saxsy Stuff bags are pretty enough to transition from the store, to the beach, and from carrying kids toys to family trips, or to the gym and everywhere in between. The bags offer a wide bottom, collapsible design allowing the bags to expand bigger and hold more, when filled, than a traditional paper grocery bag or other reusable bags. The lightweight bags can also be rolled up or stuffed into a pocket, purse, diaper bag, glove compartment, suitcase or backpack when not being used, so they're easier to pull out when needed. They also carry up to 30 pounds. These bags are so affordable at $16, you can buy mom a few in different styles and colors!
7. What mom might need the most is a bag that even dad won't mind toting! The Sling bag from WaterField Designs is a utility-style bag that looks great on her and on him. The bag has a great mix of chic and practicality that can function as a day bag, gym bag, diaper bag or, a gadget and book bag. It comes in three sizes and several different colors and it's super slick! Costs start at $99.

Visit the Atlanta Examiner Working Mothers column next week for part II of the gift-guide. Up next: Electronics/CDs.