yea. I know. #MCM is supposed to mean “Man CrushMonday” BUT today, i NEED to crush on ME.

mommy & Mekhi. 4 months postpartum. Hungry. Happy. Sleepy. #momlife

Today I want to feel appreciated. Not that being appreciated isn’t something we all yearn for, maybe even daily, im strategically using it today. I’m literally going to (speaking with intent) crush so hard on myself today I will laugh at my to-do list by the end of this blog post (goals af right??).

SN: Just in case you haven’t caught on, I believe words have power and that I can change my attitude ONLY if I change my focus. So today I’ll celebrate me. 🤷🏽‍♀️

A few hours ago I saw a Facebook memory of a photo shoot I did for a friends boutique (I have to s/o LaShonta bc she’s a momprenuer as well and she’s mf POPPIN (she styled this photo)

had to give y’all a close up on the face #makeupbyAjiaZ ooowwww 😍🙏🏾🤷🏾‍♀️😂 photography: @Ziare251 — had to give y’all a close up on the face #makeupbyAjiaZ ooowwww 😍🙏🏾🤷🏾‍♀️😂
photography: @Ziare251

so anyway it popped up in my memories on Facebook...I shared it with the caption ‘such a cauuuutie’. I remember that day like it was yesterday even though it was 4 years ago. It was hot af, in the hood, under the highway with my bro tryna get a good shot. It was my first time being wearing my natural hair for a professional shoot and the humidity fluffed my hair up! It turned out great though. 😅It was a good day.

Anyway, after a minute Jade (BFF from college) comments on my post ‘still a cutie’ and Brittany (BFF from high school) shares the pic with the caption ‘I love EVERYTHING about her’. I don’t see or talk to either one of them often (both mommy’s to a brand/kids) but they’ve always showed love *drops happy tear*). This shifted my focus to celebrating me instead of beating me up for not organizing my closet instead 😩🙏🏾

Now, words (comments) are interesting because they have more power when said at the right/wrong time. While on an average day I would just smile 😊 say thanks and move on when given a compliment; today, at that moment, I needed to be reminded that I am still EVERYTHING to love even when I haven’t done EVERYTHING I decide needs to be done. follow me?? So now we are here with this blog post full of gratitude and acknowledgement of myself and a few good reasons why I’m fuckn awesome.

happy bday Sakoyia 😍🎉 *mama had a little work to do today #makeupbyAjiaZ

First things first. As of now, I am a stay at home mom. I still do hair and makeup daily. just one or two gigs, not too much because I also breastfeed 🤱🏾 why is that important that I add that part you may ask?? Well for starters that means every 1-3 hours I am physically at the service of another human being (that’s 8-12 times a day 🤔). Which means I have to pause where ever I am at the moment to feed my baby so he can continue to grow and be healthy and happy 😃 (even if I’m hungry, sleepy, or tired). Yes. I birthed a beautiful boy 5 months ago today, who’s growing right in front of my eyes 👀 with my nurturing (And daddy & big sisters & granny’s spoiling him).

look at this face. How could you not just hug him and squeeze him and kiss him and allat?

Right now at this moment he’s a little stuffy so he wants to cry and eat and cuddle all day. So that 30 minute meal turns into a 2 and half hour attempt to sooth him (ok I like cuddling too his gorgeous are you kidding me?) I also have his beautiful, smart, funny 8, 12, & 15 year old sisters and 18 year old brother. We have daddy (hubby) and we all live comfortably under one roof 🎊😩🙏🏾 (Glory to God). Mom is my full time job. Running a business is a full time job. Staying sane is a full time job. It’s not easy but I wouldn’t want it any other way.

*exhale 🧘🏾‍♀️😅🤪

How could I forget my other babies though?? Zubada Natural Beauty. She’ll be two years old this year. Orders are being placed almost every day even with minimal promotion. I have to say it is true quality sells itself (via word of mouth (thanks God). BUT in business you only get out what you put in (such as life). She’s taught me so much and I am very excited about where’s we are going. I am currently looking to hire brand ambassadors, sales reps & writers. (Email shopzubada@gmail.com if you’re looking for a beauty brand to build with).

And my sisters. Sister Code. The beautiful brainchild of me and my best friend Arielle. (your @favcousinelle) . Ten years ago (yep. 10; 5 then 5 more), we discussed speaking on camera to share messages with other women about things that we go through and lessons that we’ve learned. We would meet up once a week and just vent and it always seemed to be a lesson for us both by the end of our conversations. Last year (9 years later) we discussed filming at my house and uploading to YouTube. Arielle mentions it to her ppl, we get together, BOOM 💥 Sister Code becomes a podcast via iHeartRadio. Fast forward a year and we get to today. Our podcast can be downloaded on iHeart or iTunes AND WE ARE NOW the #1 podcast on the GULFCOAST!!!! Yeah. I’m tooting my own horn. One because I need that. From me first. And if you’ve read this far ya gotta love me too 🤷🏽‍♀️😂😎🤟🏾So you don’t mind if I share what’s good do you!? Nah? You’re happy for me!? 😃🙏🏾😩 cool 😎

ok so back to my day to day. My house isn’t as clean as I’d like it to be at this moment (don’t judge the background in my pic it’s been cleaned, unorganized, and moved around since the pic was taken. Judge ya mama). I have clean things to put away. Clothes to organize and give away (lots of growing ppl over here) AND while we are on that subject might I add 5 months postpartum and I’m back baybeeeeeee! Lmao fine as ever 🤷🏽‍♀️ Flat tummy, fat ass, hair justa growing! 😂smh 🤦🏾‍♀️ (thanks to Zubada Natural Beauty products).

Looks like it worked. Praising myself on this post has changed my attitude. (Yes I am venting. Yes writing is totally therapeutic.)

I have so much to be thankful for! Did I mention that I’m deciding on a publisher? For my other baby?? My first children’s book. Illustrated by the one and only Melissa Deon Acevedo aka Medusa. Yea she’s the #1 artist on the gulfcoast. She happens to really really love me 😎🤪 so she’s found time to make that happen (yea, I’m bragging. She’s the shit I’m crushing on her too.)

I’m pretty sure that’s enough for today. I’m good. Now I’m laughing at my to-do list (nah, Ian laughing but I’m feeling a bit more powerful now that I’ve reminded myself exactly who I am). Let’s get this day started (I know it’s late ijs #MOMLIFE the day starts after every nap. If we are lucky to get one. 😅 MF.)

Im grateful. I dare you to count some of your blessings. We all pray and ask for GREAT things. Let’s not forget it takes WORK to be great. So we deserve the rest, actually it’s essential to success. Go easy on yourself MAMAS. Especially the ones taking good care of babies 👶🏾 (human and businesses). Whatever is good let’s focus on these things. Crush on you. Even if you can only put an hour or two toward your goals remember slow motion is better than no motion (and you can get nowhere fast). So take time out to look at where you are and how far you’ve come. It’s ok to say no to protect your peace. It’s ok to feel bad sometimes just remember just because you feel it doesn’t mean you should feed it. Feel it honestly even when it hurts. But be intentional in your healing DAILY. Even if it looks like taking a nap instead of washing a load of clothes bc you haven’t had rest. It can wait (Just get it done sooner than later lol).

we all have responsibilities. Most of them are blessings though. We complain about mortgage/rent while others are praying for it. We complain about going to work when others are praying for minimum wage. Ijs if being thankful is the cure to the blues and the key to happiness why not start there. Count ya blessings. Like really what’s good??? For me just finishing this blog post is praiseworthy. I’m feeding Mekhi as I finish up edits and tags.

Love yours. I know I prayed for this life I’m living. I am so blessed. I just didn’t know the magnitude of the phrase ‘to whom much is given much is required’. Now that I know though I’m gonna give it all I got! Lol after this nap though. Woooow 🎊🎉go moms. Who’s your #MCM MomCrushMonday ? Start with YOU! 😉

Yea! I said it! lol And I mean every word. Solange Knowles (one of my favorite natural beauties) is and has always been an inspiring, original, multi-talented artist, both singing and dancing (and vogueing) to the beat of her own drum. If you're oblivious to her accomplishments both in the fashion and music world, just listen, you'll want to do research and dig up any picture she's ever taken, song she's written and/or been featured on. Her voice is crisp and soft, sultry and certain. Every song is so deep and soooooo what I (as a black woman) FEEL (see track 9: Don't Touch My Hair).

“Dont test my mouth, they say the truth is my sound.”

— Solange Knowles "Don't Touch My Hair"

I feel exactly what she's describing. I can feel her joy and pain through the music. I feel her strength. Thats like super rare for music these days. The majority of mainstream artists don't really feed their audience valuable substance anymore. It Solange gave us A Seat at the Table and a served us 21 nourishing dishes. So for me to attempt to make this a quick 'Ajia thinks Solange is the shit' rant, or post...I literally had to blog about it. Im Almost seven years into blogging. Ive lately become extremely crucial on myself about what I share with my audience. Words stir up emotions...this album is raw. She tells it like it is but with strength. Kinda like when you can laugh about something that used to make you cry...even if the laugh is just to keep from crying. Ok ok lemme break it down to a few key points bc yeah, shits just got that real:

My favorites (just bc saying the entire album doesn't explain why shits so real)

A Seat at the Table

1. Rise "Fall in your ways so you can crumble" "Walk in your ways so you won't crumble." These phrases along with six other phrases say to me...Be purposeful in your walk to stand strong. If we fall in our ways we crumble. This says to me bad habits will leave you in crumbles. Go listen and let me know what you take from it.

2. Ok first off, I tried to take moments to really soak everything, write a short review of each song.......hahahahaha and I got lost lmao. If you haven't listened by now WAKE UP!!!! LMAO Everything above this paragraph was written around 2 am monday. Its 11:45pm tuesday afternoon and I'm still listening, I just can't put in words the magnitude of the blessing of her words and energy bring.

3. Ok so by the time you get through the album you'll wonder if Solo put one in the air to channel the late great Aaliyah. Thats literally the only artist that can compare to the mellow, sexy, and nonchalant vibe of this album. I hate to bring anyone up to describe how nice Solange is on the mic but come on just close your eyes and listen.

4. Aight so for any non-black people who've wanted to gain an understanding bad enough that you've actually reached this point: Listen to track 8 (Tina Taught Me) followed by track 13. If you still have questions like why we always 'so mad' lol listen to track 5 (Dad Was Mad) followed by track 6. Solange is her mama and daddys daughter. Bottom line. And she just so happens to have the gift and courage to speak up for those of us who don't. Thanks Solange!!!

5. Like I'm so inspired I'm arranging 'A Seat At The Table' Luncheon for black business women. This album is a reminder thats it's ok for us black women to be emotional. To be vulnerable and to be a bitch if need be without being labeled 'the angry black woman' we are all just human. Well we do have that black girl magic no one else possess but that can mean a range of things (like the ability our hair has to defy gravity and take and hold any shape we feel necessary).

6. This is my favorite album of all time. Because for me as a 27 year old black woman in 2016, I've gone through a lot with myself, family, friends, and associates. Just the world around me in general. I've often felt misunderstood. Been called crazy all my life lol only to hear an album like this remind that I may be crazy but nah not stupid. This is a tough body to live in in todays world. I own that shit. Solo just reminded us in 21 tracks that we better be fuckn proud bc we have every right to be. I AM. <3

7. Can I just say s/o to Solo for featuring the great Master P. The man who broke records and paved the way for other rap artists from the streets. S/o to Wayne for spilling his heart. Lord knows so many of us needed the reminder to let go. S/o to Tweet for blessing us wit a moment her voice is angelic. Ok I can't continue to go on bc I won't stop!!! Play F.U.B.U. and know I'm vibing wit you right now!!! <3 <3 <3 <3

with love,

AjiaZ

Wait! I forgot to mention the powerful imagery!!! How could I forget!!

Solo's visuals feature beautiful natural black girls of every shade. This shows little black girls everywhere their own beauty in the media. Growing up we only saw black women with relaxed hair so we relaxed our hair in the name of beauty. &nbs… — Solo's visuals feature beautiful natural black girls of every shade. This shows little black girls everywhere their own beauty in the media. Growing up we only saw black women with relaxed hair so we relaxed our hair in the name of beauty. Its that important. The album means so much to my black girls.

I think the point she's making is when you're confident and beautiful it sensate matter what you wear, bc YOU wear the clothes, they shouldn't ever wear you.

"A Seat at the Table" Digital Album Available Now!