A daughter is God’s way of saying, “I thought you could use a lifelong friend.”
No matter what your age, or whether you’re a mother or a daughter (or both!), it can be difficult to schedule one-on-one time within our busy lives. But everyone knows that nothing forges a strong relationship quite like quality time – especially quality time that involves a spa, shopping and wine.
Relax
You know all those times when you were being a pain and your mom said, “Wait until you have children of your own!”? If you now have said children, you’re probably feeling her. Start the day by easing the stress of attempting to leave your children for a day with mother/daughter massages (or an all-day spa experience!) at Chateau Elan. (You can also pop into Chateau Elan’s winery for a little tasting and tour of the newly renovated setting.) For relaxation at a lower price point (or if you just prefer to stay fully clothed), go for a therapeutic foot massage at Foot Palace.
Nosh
It has been said that brunch is a sport in Atlanta – be a true MVP and pop into Cotton Calf Kitchen for weekend brunch on their lovely patio overlooking Braselton Town Green. (Fun tip: check out Downtown Braselton’s concert, movie and event schedule and have a front-row seat on the patio!) We love the strawberry-stuffed French toast and the Charleston shrimp and grits. Also, important information: wine-by-the-glass is half price. Reservations are recommended.
For flavors that are a little more unique, we love The Galloping Galette. The French owners and chef brought their tres bien galettes (savory crepes) and crepes (sweet crepes) all the way to Gwinnett County, and we are so joyeux! Servings are large enough to share, so plan to divide and conquer the menu. Plus on a, plus on veut avoir!
“Oh, my love, my darling…”
If you and Mom are cut from the same creative cloth, consider spending an afternoon at House of Clay. Try your hand at all-things clay, from painting bisque to throwing a bowl on the pottery wheel. Bonus points for posting a photo of you and Mom channeling Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze (“And time can do so much…”).
Retail Therapy
Downtown Braselton is a mecca for antiquing – find the perfect piece for your shelves that used to live on someone else’s shelf! Downtown Braselton is the Bluebell, Alabama of antique festivals and junk markets (shout out to Hart of Dixie fans!). We like Countryside Antiques and H H Homestead. It’s new to you!
If your and mom’s tastes run more toward tastes, check out Joy Company Market, a delightful country store and gourmet market focused on Georgia-grown foods and Georgia-made products. We love the pimento cheese popcorn and ice cream sammies (salted caramel ice cream between two dark chocolate chip cookies; it’s worth every bit of the 400 calories). For your fancy oil fix, plus gourmet foods and accessories (remember this place for hostess gifts!), stop by Olive Basket. They also carry nearly-too-beautiful-to-eat cookies (notice we said “nearly”) by Sweet Angel Confections.
Did someone say cocktails?
What better way to wrap up your mother/daughter date than with a glass of wine and tapas at Blake’s of Braselton? The seasonal menu (if you see the mushroom flatbread, DO IT!) and the wine selection are outstanding. If you’re loving the 1930s-style speakeasy vibe, consider a Blake’s VIP Membership: you’ll receive two complimentary glasses of wine, beer, or prohibition-style cocktails EVERY WEEK, among other perks.“You don’t have to go home, but you…” Oh wait, yes, you do have to go home.
Ease your return to reality by bringing dinner home. Grab soup, salad and fresh baked bread and dessert from Braselton Fine Bakery to feed the masses. The bakery is currently in a transitional state and only open for walk-in orders on the weekend, but you can still pre-order home baked bread or sweets to go. Also, they’re operating out of an old school kitchen, which we find refreshingly charming (no square pizza on the menu, however).