The Plan is Simple: Do Nothing!

Freakin hives! It's the second time in my life that I've gotten these bad boys, and apparently, they're a result of high stress manifesting itself as welts and bruises across my arms, then spreading on to decorate my stomach, back and then my face, rendering my eyes swollen near-shut. I know, just too cute, right? Well, they're back, and I wouldn't dare post pics, well...because they're gross! In fact, the only reason I'm sharing is because my "high stress" status serves as an ideal segue to my latest venture; a short vacation. Apparently, the consensus is that the mind needs a break from time to time to relax or some junk, or else it freaks out and tells your body to do weird stuff like panic at everyday regular stuff, or get fatigued at 1 in the afternoon, or break out in hives.

WHO KNEW??

Well, I read ya loud and clear body and mind, and with that...

Guess who's heading to the beach (rain or shine, dammit!) for a whole week?? Moi and mi familia!!!


I'm looking forward to the road trip with Kris and the girls, and beach bummin' it something fierce with my family and friends in the Sunshine State. I'm very much looking forward to this mini-vacay, but I wouldn't be me if I didn't add an element of challenge :)

I've decided to use this as an opportunity to unplug and (hopefully) reboot a week later, refreshed and full of new ideas and mind-blowing strategies for businesses and self enhancement. So I'm doing a 5 day No Computer Challenge, and the rules are simple:

1. The computer can only be used for recreational activities such as viewing online flyers for local clubs, menus of local restaurants, or playing Minesweeper.

2. No blog post drafting, new blog hunting, or market research for Execumama Enterprises or Voz Visual Designs.

3. No studying Dreamweaver, not even a little bit.

4. No more than one tweet per day.

5. (An amendment to rule #1) No posting, but it's perfectly okay to draft posts, because that's the responsible and most efficient thing to do.

Send me some non work-related energy to remind me to do my best to do NOTHING AT ALL, okay? I'll need you to do that, because apparently, I'm on overload? WHO KNEW??

Design Stars: The Execugirls' Jewelry Line

I know we all think we have the most interesting, talented, amazing, and beautiful children, and truth be told, we are all 100% correct! I had to take a moment to share this with you because I remain amazed at how creative our little bunnies can be! Check out the new jewelry line, coming to a store near you (LOL), courtesy of Execugirls Marley & Sage-Niambi:






Imagine Kris' and my surprise when we were called into the family room for the unveiling? Marley drew the design, then used the strap from a pair of tanning goggles, dental floss, beads from their art bin, and clips from their hair barretts bag to put it together. Sage worked on the more technical side of the actual production of their first pieces, and I personally think the results are fabulous! Mairedodd, I think you might have been a source of inspiration since Marley now thinks you're her best blog friend!

To some, they might look like regular 5 and 3 year old contraptions, but to me, these are works of art. Thought I'd share :)

Mom Central's Summer Hook-up!!

This week will be short and super-hectic for me, because I'm cramming a full week's worth of work into 3 days, then I'm off with the family to claim our Beach Bums status in South Florida. But I had to take a moment to share this particular goody with you!


Have you heard about Mom Centrals Summer Giveaway Bonanza?

You know my favorite word is DISCOUNT, but "giveaway" ranks high on the smile-inducer list for me, especially when the products are ones that I can actually use! Every week, Mom Central will post fun new giveaways for Mom Central moms and their families, so go have a look-see and sign up if you're not a member.

Check out this week's prizes, and keep your fingers crossed for me and the PBS Family DVD Set!!

Week 4: July 27-31

Win a Play-Doh Spaghetti Factory (Open to US) Enter by August 7

Win Wisk High Efficiency Detergent (Open to US and Canada) Enter by August 7

Win a Laugh and Learn DVD Set (Open to US) Enter by August 7

Win a PBS Family DVD Set (Open to US and Canada) Enter by August 7

Win a Snack Caddy (Open to US and Canada) Enter by August 7

GOOD LUCK!!

The Rewarding "YES" Campaign: Affirming your life through value

"Affirm your life, your goals and your dreams. When the world tries to tell you no, say yes." http://www.blackwomenshealth.org

If ever there was a word that would serve as an automatic attention-grabber for me, it's DISCOUNT! I love knowing that I'm getting value for my dollar (and time), and that I'm getting special treatment by way of a monetary deduction. When I do my calculations and confirm that I'm on the winning end of a deal, I say an emphatic YES!
YES, to the deal; YES, to myself; YES, to the fact that I deserve a discount!
To that end, I use coupons, I rummage sale racks, and in my own business ventures, I look for ways to give the same courtesy to existing and potential clients. Well, here's the newest strategy for doling out the discount magic dust:

The Rewarding Your Entrepreneurial Spirit Campaign!




Voz Visual Designs, the graphic design and copywriting company owned by the hubs and me, is saying YES to you and to ourselves by offering discounts to the Execumama family on two major elements of your own business; your logo and your Web banner!!

Here's how you can get involved in the Rewarding YES Campaign:

Click on either of the Rewarding YES buttons that will be permanently affixed to this blog, and get whisked away to ways to say YES to the discounts you deserve!

Join our Facebook Group and get exclusive Facebook Fam deals and tips on all things Graphic Design!

Follow (and get followed by) Voz Visual on Twitter HERE

With Voz Visual Designs, a discount does not equal compromised work, so get involved, take full advantage in a wonderful way, and most importantly, SAY YES to yourself!

CNN's "Black In America 2"

I'm definitely looking forward to this! Are you?

Soledad O'Brien did a great job with the first part last year, and since the topics of marriage and parenting are at the forefront of my life, I'm curious to see and hear the various perspectives, and hopeful about perhaps learning something new. Here are a few clips:

CNN: Black In America 2: Steve Harvey Exclusive
Uploaded by thatsfunny. - News videos from around the world.

CNN: Black In America 2: Colin Powell Exclusive
Uploaded by thatsfunny. - Up-to-the minute news videos.

Black In America 2 airs Wednesday, July 22nd and 23rd at 8PM (EST), and my family and I will be watching. Here's to hoping this production provides a forum for much-needed open conversations and (dare I dream?) workable solutions to the issues our community continues to face.

UPrinting Sticker Design Giveaway Winner!

Finally, I got the word from UPrinting.com, and I'm happy to announce that the winner of 250 opportunities to make sure their message sticks is MaireDodd! Her beautiful and unique jewelry designs will be displayed 250 times, thanks to UPrinting.com's custom stickers. Thanks so much to all participants, and be on the lookout for other great opportunities to stand out in the crowd!

Thanks, UPrinting.com for the unique giveaway!

Congratulations, MaireDodd!!

Shepreneur celebrates your inner Execumama!

Magazine reading is a part of my occasional escape into a world of fashion, beauty, inspiration, and laughter. Publications such as Essence, O, Real Simple, Odyssey Couleur, and Poets & Writers help me unwind after a hectic day, and serve as facets of my pipeline to what's going on outside my head. My latest find is an urban entrepreneur magazine for women, and according to Editor-in-Chief Kristy Johnson, it's the only one of its kind! If you haven't heard about it, check it out HERE and HERE. With a focus on the development of African American female entrepreneurial growth through leadership and balance, I'm happy to have stumbled upon this relatively new, and much-needed publication.

Um, so this a bit more than good-to-know info about a publication that celebrates the existence of the Execumama, it's also more shameless promotion about me! I've been absolutely blessed to have written for other inspiring magazines, but Shepreneur definitely makes my "most proud of" list. Check out this month's issue for my interview with Access Hollywood's well-spoken and beautiful co-host, Shaun Robinson. Who knew there was so much more to the Red Carpet regular than great interviews and amazing arms?? This Emmy Award-winning journalist's first book, Exactly As I Am, was written to serve as a source of self-empowerment and support for young girls -- I LOVE THAT!


You can subscribe to the print and Web-based issues of Shepreneur by visiting their ning site. I for one am looking forward to seeing Shepreneur soar as its staff highlights and celebrates the Execumama in all of us!

Um, I hope this isn't impolite...

That's how her statement began. I should've known I was in for a "treat".

As parents, Kris and I find ourselves constantly devising new techniques for getting into our daughters' minds in efforts to gain insight on how they think, and ultimately to get an edge on their fledgling personalities. Do you find yourself doing that too? One of our methods is to ask outside-the-box questions that don't relate directly to the topic being discussed, but moreso to their method of information processing.

Case in point, earlier today Marley and Sage used their TV time to watch a DVD I rented from the library. The DVD, entitled Follow the Drinking Gourd is a Reading Rainbow production that tells of some elements of African American History. Lately, Marley's been asking a lot of questions about Harriet Tubman and Dr. King, and in our home, we don't shy away from the topics of racism and injustice, so I thought it okay to rent the age-appropriate DVD to give them both some information and perhaps, perspective.

Later, while doing the girls' hair before bed, I asked them what the DVD was about. Marley volunteered to do the debriefing, and commenced to explain that a "White-skinned man helped some slaves to get freedom from the slave owners who treated them worse than Cinderella's step-sisters treated her." While she was explaining, I asked her a couple of questions, such as "What's the correct word for White-skinned?", "Do you think the slaves were happy?" and "Was the story saying that all Caucasian people are mean?" just to see where her head was. After she finished explaining (at least I thought she was finished) I asked my follow-up question:"Hmmm, why do you think the man helped the slaves?" She cleared her throat, and responded in a soft, almost inaudible tone, "Um, I hope this isn't impolite or anything, but it's really frustrating when you keep interrupting to ask all those hundred questions, so can you please stop?"

Man, I laughed so hard...!!! Priceless!

That's all. Just thought I'd share :)

The Blessing in Being of Service

According to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, women experience roughly 4.8 million intimate partner- related physical assaults and rapes every year.

According to the Family Violence Prevention Fund, children who experience violence in the home suffer symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder such as bed-wetting or nightmares, and are at greater risk than their peers of having allergies, asthma, gastrointestinal problems, headaches, and flu.

Studies show that access to shelter services leads to a 60-70% reduction in incidence and severity of re-assault during the 3-12 months’ follow up period compared to women who did not access shelter. Shelter services led to greater reduction in severe re-assault than did seeking court or law enforcement protection, or moving to a new location.
(Campbell, JC, PhD, RN, FAAN. Anna D. Wolf, Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Protective Action and Re-assault: Findings from the RAVE study.)

Nothing like a good stiff drink of REALITY to nudge us back into how blessed we are to have what we have, and how imperative it is to do SOMETHING for someone else!

The subject of domestic violence has always been one to which I've been pulled. When I became pregnant, (though I realize how odd this might sound) I knew it was important to expose my children to the reality of battered women and children, and more importantly, involve them in the assistance of women and children with this particular need in any way we can. Kris agreed, and we vowed that when the girls got old enough, we would increase our volunteer efforts to include service to battered women and children. Our resource, SERVE.GOV, an element of President Obama's United We Serve initiative, offers an easy and super-convenient way for us to create and utilize volunteer opportunities in our local communities. A few weeks ago, I began my search for opportunities to serve women and children not too far from our home, and I found a place called The Padgett House, in Norcross, Georgia.

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS about their programs and intentions.

Program Director, Mrs. Sharon Lewis, is putting an incredible amount of time, resources, and energy into the opening of this home. A family affair, the renovation of the large duplex is being handled by Mrs. Lewis, along with her mother, aunt, husband, and other family members and friends.

When I found The Padgett House listing on Serve.gov, I sent an email to some friends with whom I've done other volunteer projects, as well as my family. The response was as expected; everyone was ready to help. We got together this past Saturday and headed out to Norcross to see how we could help. We were greeted by a gracious staff already engrossed in the large scale landscaping project that included the removal of several small trees and trimming of several bushes, the raking and bagging of what seemed like a zillion piles of leaves. Inside, bathrooms needed cleaning and walls needed painting. There was much to be done.


Our group, which included my always-down-to-help-out crew of United for Jamaica and Prizm Int'l, as well as 8 of my ride-or-die family members, spent the Saturday afternoon following directions and doing as much as we could. The Padgett House staff was courteous, grateful and an absolute joy to work with!! Each time Kris and I volunteer, we are reminded of how necessary it is to do something with our time besides stomp around in my own little world of must-do's. It's a nudge in the direction of walking a path that involves more than our circle of friends. It's all about perspective and service, and this past Saturday provided that for our crew, and I'm sure we also took one small step toward showing our children just how fortunate they are.

I hope you'll make time to visit Serve.gov and get involved with or start something in your local community today!

Sticky Promotions: A UPrinting.com Giveaway!

Of course I want to take advantage of an opportunity to promote my blog! How else will I get one step closer to my ultimate goal of using this li'l e-space of mine to take over the world...Mu-ha-ha-ha-haa!


When Uprinting.com offered me a chance to design an Execumama promotional sticker, I hopped to it, because I think it's a not-so-run-of-the-mill way to promote my blog, and ultimately, my brand. This giveaway uses sticker printing to get YOU thinking about the answer to this question: What's the big deal about my brand?

Could you or your brand use 250 opportunities to turn heads? All a decent brand needs is a way to get potential clients' attention, and from there, it's up to us to turn the attention into a transaction. How would you use 250 free custom stickers?

UPRINTING.COM WANTS TO GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO DESIGN YOUR OWN PROMOTIONAL STICKER! INTERESTED?

To enter the giveaway, simply leave me a comment here answering the question: How would you use 250 free custom stickers? Easy, right?

That's it! Good luck and have fun! Winner will be awarded by coupon code by Friday, July 17, 2009.

Details, people:

Giveaway is open to US/CAN residents. Shipping of prizes is not included and must be paid by winner. UPrinting.com reserves the right not to print obscene or offensive materials.

All designs submitted in the form of a giveaway may be used by UPrinting.com for online marketing and promotional uses. The designs will be used solely as examples and not be printed or commercially distributed.

Boutique Shout out: Girlfriendz of Atlanta

Once a year, one of my cousins-in-law travels all the way from home (Jamaica) to Atlanta to chill out, catch up, and shop. She is like shopping kryptonite for me, as she saves up all year to come here and challenge me not to shop while I take her to grab as many must-see deals as I can find within a 15 mile radius. On this particular day, we ventured downtown to one of my most favorite shopping spots, Little 5 Points. (un)Fortunately, I happened upon a little shop inside the Bazaar Market, owned by an angel named Stacey Parker. WHY, Lord why, did Stacey have the flyest earrings I've seen in a hot minute? I mean, all kinda hyperventilation-inducing danglers, for which a far-from-recovering earrings and shoe junkie like me was no match...aaaaw, daaamn, Ginnnaa!

After feeling up all of Stacey's wares (her jewelry, that is;), I fell in love with, and promptly purchased, two beautiful pairs of ear jewelry. They were so FINE too, with their intricate designs and bold flavor, just begging me to take them home. I obliged. Stacey put my earrings in the cute hot pink satchel, along with her business card, and I put those bad boys in my purse, feeling great about my new toys.

Fast forward about 3 hours later. We're at home, sorting clothes and helping cuzo pack her fabulous finds into her luggage to prepare for her morning departure. I grab my purse to pet (okay, I wanted to model them too) my earrings one more time. I begin to dig around in my catchall bag, and didn't feel the unfamiliar material of the satchel. Hmm, that's peculiar?!? I emptied the contents of said purse onto the family room floor, and still didn't notice the HOT PINK satchel in which my babies were placed. Say whaaaat?! Okay, Akilah, don't panic.

- I began harassing my cousin, asking her to check all her bags to find my earrings. Unsuccessful.
- I go out to the driveway and damn near strip-searched our truck to find the satchel. Unsuccessful.
- I ask Kris to search the truck too, just in case I just can't see the HOT PINK satchel in my near-enraged state. Unsuccessful.

Now I know I didn't exactly lose my car keys, or a signed check or whatever, but I was confused and saddened! Yes, I said saddened. I got really quiet, and started the process of releasing my beautiful earrings back to the Universe for safe-keeping, or some esoteric crap like that to keep myself from having a totally-inappropriate-for-someone-above-4-years-old tantrum. It didn't work.

The next day, I called Stacey to ask her if I left the earrings in her store. She said I hadn't. I sighed, and thanked her for checking, but before I could say goodbye, do you know this woman said she would re-order the same earrings, and that I could come back to the store and get them, at no cost? Yes, FREE! She believed me! Now, I have my babies back! Thanks to prayers from my cousin, and Stacey's generosity, I've added these beauts to my collection. I know, I know, "prayer" may seem a bit much for earrings, but last time I checked, we're allowed to pray for whatever we want! So, if you're ever in Atlanta, and are looking for unique, well-priced clothing and accessories, check out Girlfriendz of Atlanta, will ya! Stacey is, in inventory and spirit, the HOTNESS!



.........................Hello, babies! Mommy loves you!........................

Where are my manners?

HOW RUDE! While browsing through my list of regular reads, I realized that I didn't do a proper introduction of my most important fellow blogger: My Mama!!!


Her blog, Fifties and Loving It, is a celebration of her best decade yet, her 50's! She's survived a tremendous amount, that woman, and I remain encouraged and inspired by her embrace of life and her overall firecracker mentality! Yep, she has officially entered the blogosphere, and I love that she's doing such a great job with regular posting! Look at my mama all 2009in' it an thangs!

I'm a Libra, and a writer, so it should be no surprise to find out that I LOVE LISTS! With that said, here are FIVE GREAT REASONS my mama is the bomb @ blogspot.com :) I noticed that there's a theme of sorts to this list, let's see if you notice it too *insert unapologetic eyebrow raise and neck slant here*

1. She likes to take her granddaughters to her house and allow them to spend the night.
2. She likes to take her granddaughters and take them to places not our home. Without me. For more than an hour.
3. She likes to cook things and bring them to our house.
4. She likes to plan stuff, which means I don't have to plan stuff.
5. She reminds me of how much potential I have, because if I can harness a small percentage of her fearlessness and zest for life, I'm definitely going to be alright!

Hop on over to Execumama's Mama's e-space, and drop a line, if you're so inclined. If you really want to make her smile, (which I hope you do!), mention her granddaughters...she's a sucker for all three of 'em!

Marley on a Monday

Yes, yes, y'all -- my little big girl is on Project Wreck-a-Nerve again. The other day, we were on our way back from a morning at the pool, when she decided that I probably hadn't heard her the last 15 freakin' times she stated that she was hungry. Here's how it went down:

Marley: Moooomyyy, I said I'm hungry. Really hungry.

Me: Okay, Marley, then have the rest of your snack. I told you already, when we get home shortly, you'll have your lunch.

Marley: I don't want a little snacky snack, I want something with lots of chewing. Something that makes me full.

Me: Well, you can fill your mouth with your snack until we reach the house.

Marley: My mouth is already full, with my vocabulary, as in, I. Am. Hungry.


Let. Us. Pray

Oprah-inspired: A Quick n' Dirty Rant Party about Motherhood

I'm sitting here watching Oprah, and nodding like a bobble-head at the comments of these mothers. Today's show is about the Secret Lives of Moms, and I'm so proud to see them drop the "Suzie Home-maker" routine, and get down to the real deal of motherhood and all it entails.

One mom, Karen, from Houston, TX, damn near made me jump through the TV and ask her if we could get matching tattoos to commemorate our kinship. The thing she said that stuck with me most was that you "have to make your child think you're just a tad bit crazy." Pur-reaach it! I blogged about that, and I truly live by it. I've had to resort to making my children think I literally became an animal. Laugh if you want to, but it works! My daughters are fierce and professional with their envelope-pushing, but they know--because it is true--that Mama can go freakin' berserk if they try to get too rowdy on a sistah! With the right mixture of cheekiness and attitude, my vision can transform them from the miraculous, perfect, amazing, and pride-inducing chocolate loves of my life to just two chicks on the street trying their best to get me arrested. (NO "LOL" - real talk!)

I had to stop and take a moment to write this, because I recently read a post from my fellow young mommy Tara, and she poured her heart out in that July 2nd post. I left a comment that (thankfully) was received in a positive way, but I also feel her 100%, because any truthful mom, at some point in her journey, has echoed the same sentiments; this grown up/motherhood crap sucks! and it's hella hard! I'm not saying that's our general feeling, but it does pop up from time to time and smack us in the face. Say I'm lying?!

In honor of Oprah's brilliant idea, I'm starting a teensy-tinsy rant party. Not a big, sloppy one, just a hint of one because pity parties aren't my thang. With that said, I want to know your straight-no-chaser-unapologetic list of things that irritate/annoy/frustrate you with regard to motherhood.

Here are mine. Be warned, they aren't for the faint of heart!

7 "Yo, Whaddup With Dats?!" about Motherhood

1. Why does it get harder to get my body back after each child. Pilates was a miracle worker after Marley, but after Sage, um...not so much.

2. How about I DON'T freakin' CARE if your sister called you a name that hurt your feelings? Work it out, dammit! I'll be dead 70 years from now, and you'll still have her to deal with! Who are you going to call on then? Just leave me out of it, I don't care if I'm your mom!

3. Why can't I get 4 minutes in a store without two little people whining about their turns to do something fun? Even if we're on the way to the park, I can't stop off at DSW real quick to make sure there are no 70% off shoes waiting for me to take them to their rightful home; my closet! Aaaarrgg!

4. How come my children think my room is their room? Why do they set up shop in my bedroom and office no matter how much I threaten (and sometimes go through with) throwing out whatever they leave in my rooms?!

5. This "last word" syndrome that my oldest has, is about to put her in grave danger. When will she stop mumbling crap all extra low as she walks away? I admit that she's been doing it less and less since our last "interaction" a few moths ago, but still, I'm just sayin'...dang!

6. When will they learn how to bathe themselves? I could be using that time to write!

7. I fully understand that it would be illegal, and more importantly, traumatizing and immoral to tie them to nice, soft chairs with duct tape over their mouths and IV's to provide them with sustenance, but that doesn't stop me from thinking about it, so there!

Whew! That was almost better than a tall glass of red wine...almost.

PHOTO CREDIT

Boon Frog Pod Deluxe Review

When All Modern Baby shipped us the coveted Frog Pod Deluxe, I was surprised at the size of the box. "How many of those bad boys did they send?" I wondered, as I was sure the humungous box sitting in my family room could not contain just one little froggy and some bath toys. I called the girls in and told them "my blog" sent them a surprise (their twisted facial expressions at that comment were worth a million bucks...lol), and I let them have at the box, doing one of their favorite activities -- imposing destruction upon stuff.

Moments (and several handfuls of cardboard and tape) later, we were staring at the huge bath toy. Froggy measures 19.0 x 16.5 x 7, and packs a pretty sweet squeal factor with its brilliant green and its promise of bath time bliss. We received the package at around 4 in the afternoon, and suddenly, the girls were "feeling sticky" and "reaaaally needed to take a bath"... go figure? We obliged, and Kris wiped down froggy with the included alcohol wipe and set up shop in our bath tub.

See how Froggy even matches our color scheme? :)

So...what's the verdict?

Our girls, ages 5 and 3, loved the Frog Pod Deluxe! My 5 year old commented on the pretty green color, and felt that the coolest feature of the whole set was the "magnetic toys". All 15 accompanying bath appliques stick to the bath tub surface, and they used them to create "their very own puzzles", as well as "bath toy parades". Our 3 year old's favorite feature was the fact that Froggy liked to jump into the water with them, which was my only drawback with this product. It just won't stick. Our tub doesn't have much texture to it, but somehow, neither the included suction cups, nor the adhesive strips could hold Froggy back from making a clean break into the tub with the girls. The product also comes with screws, but we decided against that route. The girls didn't mind it one bit though, so my drawback was their Giggle Fest. They also liked that Froggy brought them each their very own mini loofas.

The cleanup was super-simple, as all it took was running water straight through the pod with all the toys still in it. Miraculously, the girls enjoyed putting away the toys (say what?!), and showered me with repeated hugs and kisses for letting my blog send them a froggy friend with whom to play at bath time. Thanks to All Modern Baby, we'll be getting rid of our old bath toys, and keeping the ones that come with their very own storage pod, making mommy's life a tad bit easier, since she's not quite partial to tripping over bath toys all the time when all she asks for is...okay, sorry, I'm ranting :)

Visit AllModernBaby.com and conduct your very own Giggle Fest too.