Not to be hipster here, but my sister was in love with llamas and alpacas long before they were plastered on, oh, everything, so a few years back I bought her a llama walk, and for my birthday she returned the favour and gifted me an alpaca walk experience.

The alpacas live in the children's zoo at Walton Hall and Gardens in Warrington, Cheshire, and from the moment we arrived we were taken aback by how lovely a setting it is. The children's playground is immaculate, with varied and inclusive equipment, and the zoo is home to all kinds of animals, many of them rescues.

The animals we were there to see were Topaz, Jim, and Malbec, a trio of adorable alpacas. With temperatures in the 30s lately, I was worried that it would be too hot for them to walk, but we soon saw that they had been sheared and even given paddling pools to chill out. They're only taken out a maximum of 3 times a week, and always at quiet times to keep it as fun for them as it is for the visitors. We gave them leaves as a peace offering, slipped their harnesses on, and set out with keeper, Peter, alongside us.

Peter was really friendly and laidback, telling us all about the alpacas and their friends, the grounds, and the hall itself. It was given to the people of Warrington to enjoy and it totally fulfils its purpose. Not only is the hall a stunning wedding venue (and alpaca photo backdrop), there are formal gardens, crazy golf, and a huge pond filled with turtles and koi carp. It's a shame I don't live closer because it's such a relaxing, well kept place to visit.

The alpacas were so fun to walk, as they generally stayed calm and gentle but showed us their personalities as they grew used to us. Jim, the multicolour one, was the cheekiest of the trio and even had a quick bite of the flowers on my sleeves! They certainly enjoyed seeing the sights and nibbling at everything in reach, treating their walk as one big buffet. They loved throwing themselves into bushes to scratch their backs, and quite a few dog owners and visitors loved spotting us strolling down the paths.

Both of us loved the experience, and it's definitely one we won't forget in a hurry.

What would you name an alpaca?

Since starting my own small business, I've realised that you can feel like a needle in a haystack. There are so many marvellous makers out there that you can easily go unnoticed, and from a customer's perspective I've often found Etsy overflowing with choice too. 

To make things easier for both parties, I'll be shouting out small shops on the regular basis, and finding treasures so you don't have to! What better occasion to start with than Mothers Day?

Affiliate links used throughout. Photographs belong to respective sellers with the exception of the Pretty Gifted Paper. Prices correct at time of writing.

For a gorgeous gift, search Etsy for her favourite scents and build the ultimate pamper hamper.
Bath Tea Bags £4.99
Rejuvenating Bath Oil £10.50
Sea Buckthorn Berry Hand Cream £7.95
Multipurpose Calendula Balm £5.90
Think of this nourishing balm as an all-natural Vaseline!


Homeware
From heavenly home fragrances to personalised picture frames, I was spoilt for choice as I searched for these gems.
Pink Champagne + Pomelo Wax Brittle £4.25
Angel Pig Photo Holder £10.49
Floral Meadow Embroidered Hoop £22
Rainbow Hearts Glass Bunting £22


Jewellery
Etsy is the place if you want a personalised piece to treasure, whatever your mum's style. Personally I love this dandelion pieces because I'm a nature lover. They're that little bit different and both can be customised and made unique to your mum.
Personalised Family Dandelion Necklace £48
Wooden Triangle Jewellery Display £15
Mint + Gold Ring Dish £18
Engraved Dandelion Cuff £12.50


Stationery
I'm a firm believer that you can never have too many notebooks. If none on Etsy take your fancy I wrote a post on wrapping a custom one with Pretty Gifted paper.
Pink Mama Bear Notebook £8.50
Mother Bear Pencils £4
Floral Foxglove Notebook £4.50
Pretty Gifted Paper £7.95
If your mum owns her own business you could have it printed on this personalised paper and wrap a diary in it for her, or cover a box with 'Mum's Memories' and fill it with trinkets and photographs.

What's the best gift you've ever bought your mum?

I'll be perfectly honest, I think personalised presents can be perfect or well, tacky. It's a fine line to walk, but when I first saw Merci Maman I knew that their jewellery fell firmly on the right side for me.

I came to know them through the Easter Carnlival event, where I won a voucher that they had kindly donated. I hopped on to the site and loved looking through their gemstone necklaces, Liberty print bracelets, and dainty rings, but ultimately had my heart set on a simple personalised flat bangle that would look very understated and chic, but mean a lot to me. All of the items are hand engraved in a clear but decorative font, and range from fitting just a single initial to a favourite phrase.

After almost a year of choosing the perfect quote, I decided on 'Don't stop me now'. For me, it's a nod to my precious Freddie Mercury and a reminder to have some of his sass, and almost an amulet against anxiety, warning it not to stop me have fun. Who knew a bangle could be so deep, huh? I'll just tell someone it's my favourite song if they ask me in person!

The bangle is available in yellow gold or silver, but obviously I had to choose 18ct plated rose gold. At the checkout I was pleased to find free delivery (always a bonus) plus the option to choose a free gift box, which was a lovely touch because these items really are made for gifting, whether to yourself or someone else. They're beautiful, bespoke pieces that deserve all the bells and whistles. 

My bangle arrived really quickly but this is where my high opinion faltered slightly. Upon opening the box and trying the bangle on, I was pretty disappointed to find that it is very thin. I had hoped to wear this piece every day, but now I will save it for special occasions because I worry that any bumps will bend it out of shape. Since the metal is so delicate, the engraving is etched on the very top layer, and will fade out with frequent wear.

It definitely looks how I had hoped, dainty and chic, and I really love that is has a secure fastening, unlike other bangles which hang open. The fastening is also adjustable, making this a great gift choice for a young person to treasure and wear as they grow. 

My bangle isn't exactly what I expected, and I feel that the £39 price tag is covering more of the sentimental and unique value rather than the quality of the physical item. However, I feel like this is the exception to the other items Merci Maman stock. Their open bangle, for example, looks much thicker, as do the tags and charms on their other items, and I'm not put off shopping there again.

Merci Maman is definitely a boutique I will return to, as I've seen their lines expand to suit all tastes, and their feminine jewellery really does make for special gifts. There are clean cut classic shapes, modern geometric designs, and more rustic hammered metals, all hung on dainty chains, floral fabrics, braided ropes, or leather thongs. In addition to lettering and initials, many of their pieces are made to feel more personal with charms to represent children or partners, and even gemstones to symbolise certain moods.

What's on your Merci Maman wishlist?