
The Mother's Day Gift Guide That Will Make You The Certified Favorite

The power of a mother's love builds the foundation of our lives so they deserve all the praise on their special day. They actually deserve more than 24 hours with all of the contractions and stretch marks and breastfeeding and puberty and IVF and adoption and all the things. We also have to factor in that this year's holiday will look different so we need to be extra intentional about our gifts. Million-dollar idea: add a Zoom link to your gift message so you can see her open your gifts.
Normally, you could take mom out for a fabulous brunch or spoil her by preparing breakfast in bed but social distancing or safer-at-home rules may prevent that from happening. We thought it would be thoughtful and unique if you sent her something from these gifts we rounded up.
If we were you, we would add one or all of these items to your cart NOW and add expedited shipping just to be safe.
For the baker: In Crust We Trust Apron
Imagine your mom whipping up her famous peach cobbler in a witty apron like this one from Country Living. The canvas smock will survive all the flour fireworks and buttery fingers mom will stand to give it. She can even post up on the 'gram in this super cute apron.
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Joce Blake is a womanist who loves fashion, Beyonce and Hot Cheetos. The sophistiratchet enthusiast is based in Brooklyn, NY but has southern belle roots as she was born and raised in Memphis, TN. Keep up with her on Instagram @joce_blake and on Twitter @SaraJessicaBee.
Eva Marcille On Starring In 'Jason’s Lyric Live' & Being An Audacious Black Woman
Eva Marcille has taken her talents to the stage. The model-turned-actress is starring in her first play, Jason’s Lyric Live alongside Allen Payne, K. Michelle, Treach, and others.
The play, produced by Je’Caryous Johnson, is an adaptation of the film, which starred Allen Payne as Jason and Jada Pinkett Smith as Lyric. Allen reprised his role as Jason for the play and Eva plays Lyric.
While speaking to xoNecole, Eva shares that she’s a lot like the beloved 1994 character in many ways. “Lyric is so me. She's the odd flower. A flower nonetheless, but definitely not a peony,” she tells us.
“She's not the average flower you see presented, and so she reminds me of myself. I'm a sunflower, beautiful, but different. And what I loved about her character then, and even more so now, is that she was very sure of herself.
"Sure of what she wanted in life and okay to sacrifice her moments right now, to get what she knew she deserved later. And that is me. I'm not an instant gratification kind of a person. I am a long game. I'm not a sprinter, I'm a marathon.
America first fell in love with Eva when she graced our screens on cycle 3 of America’s Next Top Model in 2004, which she emerged as the winner. Since then, she's ventured into different avenues, from acting on various TV series like House of Payne to starring on Real Housewives of Atlanta.
Je-Caryous Johnson Entertainment
Eva praises her castmates and the play’s producer, Je’Caryous for her positive experience. “You know what? Je’Caryous fuels my audacity car daily, ‘cause I consider myself an extremely audacious woman, and I believe in what I know, even if no one else knows it, because God gave it to me. So I know what I know. That is who Je’Caryous is.”
But the mom of three isn’t the only one in the family who enjoys acting. Eva reveals her daughter Marley has also caught the acting bug.
“It is the most adorable thing you can ever see. She’s got a part in her school play. She's in her chorus, and she loves it,” she says. “I don't know if she loves it, because it's like, mommy does it, so maybe I should do it, but there is something about her.”
Overall, Eva hopes that her contribution to the role and the play as a whole serves as motivation for others to reach for the stars.
“I want them to walk out with hope. I want them to re-vision their dreams. Whatever they were. Whatever they are. To re-see them and then have that thing inside of them say, ‘You know what? I'm going to do that. Whatever dream you put on the back burner, go pick it up.
"Whatever dream you've accomplished, make a new dream, but continue to reach for the stars. Continue to reach for what is beyond what people say we can do, especially as [a] Black collective but especially as Black women. When it comes to us and who we are and what we accept and what we're worth, it's not about having seen it before. It's about knowing that I deserve it.”
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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Legendary TLC band member Rozanda "Chilli" Thomas is known for her decades-long hits and smooth moves. Now, at 54 years old, the "Girl Talk" singer has become known for her ageless beauty. So for those wondering what's behind her youthful appearance, Chilli spills it all.
While prepping for her upcoming tour with T-Boz, the mom of one revealed her secret to good health. “I eat right. I eat clean,” she said in an interview with 11 Alive, a Atlanta local news station. Chilli doesn't do "cheat days" but rather focuses on lifestyle changes.
She also doesn't believe in diets and says it can have negative effects on the mind. “I don’t think people should say a diet because it gets in your head, and if you mess up, you’re upset with yourself,” she said. “It’s about changing slowly but surely.”
As a performer, movement plays a major part in Chilli's life and career. Her dance moves are as tight as they were when she and her bandmates came out in the '90s. But she also includes movement on her off days. “You have to work out,” she said. “I don’t care what kind of workout it is — whether it’s weights, cardio, bike, dancing — you just have to keep moving.”
Chilli also mentioned getting chiropractic adjustments, red light therapy, and acupuncture. If you're looking to include some of these practices into your routine, here's what to know about them.
Chiropractic Adjustments
Seeing a chiropractor regularly can improve mobility, ease back pain, and boost athletic performance. Healthline wrote a list of of the top 10 benefits of chiropractic care.
Red Light Therapy
Brown University's research shows that red light therapy is very beneficial for the skin. It can increase blood flow, promote skin elasticity, reduce wrinkles and acne, plus more.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture can aid in a lot of things, including weight loss, chronic pain, stress, and balancing qi (pronounced chi.) Johns Hopkins breaks down everything to know about this traditional Chinese practice.
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