Author: Love, Cotton & Curls

ATL Southern Belle. ♐️ LIVE. LIFE. LOUDLY.!!!

what’s not to like

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Growing up I didn’t care for my side profile.

I had a flat face or a pie face as I was teased lol. At 27, I remember saying “I am sick and tired of picking myself apart.” Went back natural and haven’t looked back.

I intentionally picked those parts I had a problem with and chose to accentuate it, accept it and love it.

More side pics of that flat face.

Bright red lipsticks for my full lips.

And smile as often as I can with my gap.

It was all in my head, literally, vanity.

No one was even concerned about my flaws like I was or I was too unbothered to notice by then. That same thinking has carried me through motherhood and this new body.

Its really easy to pick apart all the things that are wrong with you, lose a little weight here, nip and tuck there but even easier to just embrace it.

Make it yours.

There only one you.

At 40 I see some shit just ain’t gone change.

Genetics. But in this millennial world I have relating cliches…live tour best life!

You’ve got people depending on it Mama!

God don’t make no mistakes. Your flaws are your purpose whether it be to change them or flaunt them in all their beauty.

You are the ONLY thing that will is consistent throughout your entire journey in life. So you better like yourself.

I say all that to say side profiles make my shit look fly-er!!

I make jewelry to and this was a customer request.

The 2nd pic is motherhood while working… I see you boy! Get down!

What parts of you have you grown to love?

xo,

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so you haven’t tried elderberries yet?

Published on by Love, Cotton & Curls2 Comments

With all this running around the stress is taking its toll on me and I am not trying to get sick but I have a secret. Well not a secret but a great benefit that should be a staple in your immune boosting routines.

Elderberry Syrup.

Last November I was in and out of urgent care for colds and viruses with my two boys. My pediatrician recommended Elderberry Syrup when I had my first son two years ago but now that the kids are in school, sickness is inevitable.

I took the advice of my pediatrician and began giving them Elderberry Syrup. Y’all not one sniffle since Christmas. I admit I began to slack up with the daily doses but I kept up with the routine. It even helped with my son’s allergies. Some allergies cause mucous and mucous is caused by inflammation in the respiratory lining. Elderberry syrup reduces inflammation as well.

So I swear by this. I’ve made three batches for Moms at our school and they are amazed at the benefits too. Read about Elderberry benefits here.

So to my recipe.

*****Please consult a physician before taking this syrup or giving to your kids. If you have an autoimmune disease you should not take elderberry as it can cause an active immune system.

The recipe is super simple just five ingredients:

The fifth ingredient is, Spring Water.

– Add all the ingredients to a pot with 8 cups of spring water.

– Bring ingredients to a boil for 5 minutes then let simmer for an hour until it is a thick consistency. I usually make it in a crock pot so I let it cook for about 8 hours but if you’re boiling you will have to add water as it reduces with cooking.

– Once finished mash the mixture with a potato masher and strain.

– Add 1 cup of raw honey if you are using to the syrup mixture. I substitute with pure maple syrup for my toddlers.

*****Do not give babies/infants/toddlers raw honey. Consult with your physician/pediatrician.

– Store in a mason jar and refrigerate for up to two months. You can take 1-2 tbsp daily and for kids 5ml (1tsp) daily. If you have the flu or cold already up to three times daily.

You can buy this syrup at your local health food stores.  I’ve seen it at Whole Foods as well but it runs anywhere between $15-$19 for a bottle that will last a about two weeks depending on how often and how many people will be taking it. I preferred to buy the Elderberry flowers in bulk and make it.  Sevananda Natural Foods Market here in Atlanta is where I purchased mine. I can make a bigger batch and it last for months.

Even if you have the cold or flu Elderberry can shorten the lifespan of the virus within 48-72 hours which can last up to six days.

What are some of your remedies to boost you or your kids immune system?

*****the opinions expressed on LCC are just that, MY two cents!*****

xo,

Published on by Love, Cotton & Curls2 Comments

The last three years have been great, I have connected with other moms, made new friends, live and socially.

BUT.

There is always a but, how effective is my platform. I am always at a cross roads as to what content to post that will create a discussion. When you look at all the social media influencer pages everything is prim, proper, beautiful, even mystifying with bold pictures.

BUT.

At first, I truly blogged in hopes of gaining followers and being labeled as an “influencer.” Securing the bag and gaining popularity was high on the list.

But now that my kids are growing, I cannot help but notice the world and the times we live in. To be a great parent is to make your mark, set paths and examples and legacy for your kids. The ultimate goal: for them to have and be better than what you are.

We are living in horrible times with that demon and his inept wife as president, yes I said it, I have no sympathy for her either. Women have often been just as treacherous as their racist and bigoted counterparts.

Being a racist is becoming popular. Hatred is becoming popular. Violence is popular. And it could happen to anyone at anytime.

No racism has always been there. We’ve just never seen it’s ugly face displayed as often as we see on TV.

I loathe him and all that his administration and followers stand for.

There is no safety, no peace, no kindness, no compassion, no tolerance and lastly there is no GOD in this administration.

Haven’t you noticed?

I have worked very hard to get to the point where I have a true voice and at this point in my life and my career I have a responsibility to do what’s best for the world and not what is most popular.’ – Beyonce

At this point in my life, at 40, popularity isn’t even a goal for me. Change is. Doing what is mandatory for my kids to thrive in America. I want to use this platform to shed light on the good in the world but also the worst of it.

But first, VOTE them out of office. I’m with Maxine Waters, if you see them in public, let them know how you feel. After all they work for us, our voices.

The youth of today began this millennial movement for change with the March for Our Lives movement to change gun laws.

I am delighted young people are aware and involved. Watch out!

I hope you’re registered because voting, not just in the presidential election, but primary elections will change this presidency. Vote out the senators, state representatives and lawmakers that do not have our best interests at heart. You can register and check to see if your registration is still valid here it only takes 30 seconds.

Do you know her?

Her name is Nia Wilson.

Say it with me.

Say her name.

Nia Wilson.

If you haven’t heard of her please click here to be informed. She was the victim of a horrible white supremaciat stabbing attack that took her life and left her sister critically injured.

I mean what in the fuck is going on.

Being racist is becoming popular. Hatred is popular. Violence is popular. And it could happen to anyone at anytime.

Yes, even you.

We have loads of work to do. It’s cool to post your beauty hacks, dopest outfits and places and people you have seen. Enjoy life, really enjoy it. But can you really be at peace when another’s life doesn’t matter, isn’t fully capable or allowed to enjoy the liberties and freedoms of the world.

But don’t forget life outside those squares is real. I hope you are using your voice for change as well. We can’t be distracted by what only makes us feel good. We have to always be affected by that lump I our throats, the drops of our stomach and tearing eyes to stay connected to each other I this world .

It’s really simple, the solution that is.

LOVE.

I know it cliche but it’s the truth. Because within love you find, peace, hope, faith and ACTION. Love is all of those things but most of all, it’s a verb.

Love is action.

So I will be at rallies this year, protest, signing petitions, making donations and whatever it takes to make change happen.

But until then I will enjoy babies and my family in my lifetime and pray this world will be different for #dembabies

Blessings!!

xo,

ready, start 40-ish mom

Published on by Love, Cotton & Curls2 Comments

***the opinions expressed on LCC are just that, MY two cents. ***

Fawty is approaching fast, like in 4 months. But I welcome it.

I’ve been blogging for about three years and I always felt I had a bit of a late start. I’m 39 with a 2 and 1 year old. Yeah… I started late. I began journaling my transition into motherhood to vent and record the process of pregnancy but eventually it turned into a blog to reach out and connect with other moms.

I’m finding this blogger world is filled with beautiful, vivacious twenty and thirty something millennial moms and I’m just not relating at times.

Sure, motherhood is a connection in itself but I need to hear from women who made or didn’t have a choice at making babies this late in the game. Is it a good decision or should we have done it way sooner?

No regrets here…. yeah right. The energy alone it takes to keep up with kids is a pro for babies early. But the time for me to have my babies was the time for me to have them.

Photo by Kita Bryant

First I have to decide what is or thought was a successful blog to me.

Paid.

I see that’s not as easy either. Of course the main goal would be to gain tons of followers and paid advertisements, but at 40 is that really the point.

40, I welcome you with open arms. Grudges are lost, memories matter + kindness is power.

It feels like patience, serenity, flow and grace. .

Is that you GOD?

Now my definition of success has transitioned and for the better. Being successful is connecting with a community of women of color over 40 who want to make positive changes in their lives as well as in their families and communities. I mean it’s our duty and rites of passage as we age in society, to make it better for the new group of moms.

Trill mothers.

I want to inspire women in midlife! And from what I see there aren’t many 40-ish fabulous women of color blogs out there besides fashion and beauty and that is sparse too. Some of us are glamorous and some not fancy, all the time I should say. I clean up well. It’s just beauty and fashion are low on my list with #dembabies. Plus I need help in styling a 40 year old body, yes LAWD somebody help me.

I remember being in my 20s and I looked up to older women mostly not my peers. The beauty, the class, the grace, the confidence…..YES!!!

I’ll put up a post or two on anti-aging or age defying tricks lol…that’s the beauty medium I’m categorized in at 40. Post some outfits besides the mom uniforms. I don’t want to go backwards, sure my 20s were fun but it was a confusing time for me trying to work through life.

So I’ll just remain me.

J a d a.

The plain Jane, the girl next door and hope you find something that ignites a flame, inspires or creates a space where you are able to find what makes you truly happy with your life and yourself.

Whether it is family, love, lifestyle, beauty or fashion I hope you will join me on my journey through 40-ish.

I started a Facebook group called Ready, Start 40-ish

for black moms beginning families 40ish.. just to connect personally with followers… I really hate that word.. working on another term. Please join our 2 member group for now lol.

So good day for now Mamas!

What inspires you right now in the moment? What are some of your over 40 blogs, I’d love to follow?

Blessings!!

xo,

Jada

self-care sunday|| diy face scrub

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I posted this a couple months after having my second son over a year ago and I still stick to this routine every Sunday.

With all the skincare products out now it’s pretty hard to choose just one and stick with it.

I aim to use all natural organic products on my skin and the boys.  If I can’t eat it then I will not use it on my body. My skin regimen now includes dry brushing (a beneficial technique not just for skin), exfoliating and moisturizing with natural body scrubs and butters.

Changing how I wash my face helped mostly. I now wash with an activated charcoal cleanser, I’ll share that recipe soon, or vegetable soap at night with just a few splashes of water in the morning, spritz of rose water for toner and a cotton ball with grapeseed coconut oil to moisturize.

The compliments are rolling in and it’s nothing short of a confidence booster to say the least.

I love the occasional visits to spas for facials. Iwi Fresh Garden Spa in Atlanta is my fav although I haven’t been in awhile.  They use fresh veggies and fruits in their spa services. In between visits, however long it may be, I like to keep up the daily care.

I’ve been using all natural body scrubs for over 7+ years now and it has done wonders from a sun kissed glow to a moisturizing and refreshing feel.  My coworkers even wanted me to make them some.  My favorite body scrub is the Citrus Sea Salt Scrub.

Using a citrus scrub helps to prevent skin acne, blemishes or a dull complexion. The acidic properties of lemon juice removes dead skin cells and leads to smoother skin. It works wonders as a hand and foot scrub to remove too. The results, pure magic. My skin is soft and not greasy like and it lasts for hours.

The best part, there are only four natural ingredients

1 c coarse sea salt

5-7 drops lemongrass oil

2-3 drops sweet orange oil

2/3c grapeseed oil

I exfoliate once a week although I do use scrubs on my feet daily.  Too much exfoliation can cause extreme dryness, inflammation and even broken blood vessels if done too harshly.

What’s your skincare routine?

****the opinions expressed on LCC are just that, MY two cents!****