In such uncertain times, with the war in Ukraine raging on and Covid surpassing year two, it was a relief and an honor to get to chat with Ben Moore, founder of sustainable snack business The Ugly Company. His get-to-work, positive attitude wore off on us as we chatted. It was impossible to leave without a smile.

The Ugly Company preaches to never judge a fruit by its cover, stating “we prevent food waste by upcycling ugly fruit and transforming it into healthy dried fruit snacks.” Their snacks are all-natural, non-GMO, and have absolutely nothing added.

Get a load of this art-forward jigsaw puzzle company: WerkShoppe is an Art & Design community that collaborates with artists—both emerging and established—to bring beautiful art to your living spaces. And who doesn’t love a puzzle? It’s art you can touch!

Of themselves, Ann Marie and Wayne say, “We help people connect with art and with each other. We’re definitely picky about the art we love but we’re not snobby about where to find it. Art brings us so much happiness and we want you to feel that way too.”

So even if a mom says she doesn’t want anything, every mom loves to be appreciated for the sacrifice she gave in raising us… the majority of which time we were either totally incompetent creatures, raging brats, insolent teenagers, or money-sapping young adults. For this reason, when Mother’s Day comes around (it’s on May 9th this year) and we ask her, “what can we get you?,” it’s undoubtedly important not to listen to her advice when she responds, “I don’t want anything—save your money.”