8 Mother’s Day Gifts From Brands Owned By Black Women
Mother's Day is the perfect time to bring back the "for us by us" movement. Maybe I shouldn't say "bring back," because it never really left. Black women have been doing it for the culture for quite some time. So, what better way to salute the women who birthed us?
While we uplift the special women in our lives, why not support a female, black-owned company in the process? While you're out shopping for those last-minute Mother's Day gifts, check out unique gifts to purchase from businesses owned by other Black women.
Addie Rawr Stationery Line
Baby 2 Be Card
Addie Rawr
Addie Rawr recently released a brand new stationary line and IT. IS. EVERYTHING. It was just in time to clap it up for the women in our family from our moms to the expectant mothers who will be celebrating their very first Mother's Day. How thoughtful is that? The best part is that the stationary doesn't just look amazing, it looks super personalized. It can also be paired with other items like a Goal Getter Journal, a Be Your Own Boss planner or Growth Journal that will remind your mom that it's never too late to go after her goals. Get into it!
Domaine Curry Wine Set
After raising us, it's safe to say our moms deserve one, or two… or four bottles of wine on us. Ayesha Curry, celebrity chef and wife to Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry, paired up with his sister Sydel to launch the Domaine Curry wine line. The blend is described as, "blended wine that mirrors [Ayesha Curry's] joie de vivre and embodies the essence of balanced flavors and palatal pleasures." If you ask me, that sounds like quite an amazing Mother's Day for any hard-working mom.
#GirlCEO Gear
Girl CEO Apparel
If you haven't gotten into Girl CEO, Mother's Day is the right day to try it. It's no secret women of color are making their own money, launching their own brands and being their own boss. Why not celebrate your mom for the boss she is with gear from Girl CEO? It also features the cutest line for kids, so the Mommy & Me cuteness can be on fleek even more for Mother's Day. Of course, it also offers t-shirt dresses, Dad Hats and accessories. Go for it!
The Lip Bar Drip
The Lip Bar
If your mom is into makeup, beauty and likes a little pop, an item from The Lip Bar could be perfect for her. The founder, Melissa Butler, launched the line after being upset with all of the red tape in the beauty industry. She broke barriers and released a lipstick line with unique and fun colors, from purple to blue. But of course, there are classic colors in there too like nude, which is super necessary, and red, which is the ultimate classic.
Good Night Darling Co.
Body & Room Mini Fragrance Spray
Good Night Darling Co.
What mom doesn't need a good night's sleep? From sleepless nights when we were little to keeping up the grind into our adult years, offering products to help your mom sleep in Heavenly peace is a beautiful idea for Mother's Day. Good Night Darling Co., started by Aycee Brown, features nighttime products like pillow spray, deep detox bath soak and some sleepwear that can make Mom feel even more comfortable (not to mention an adorable "real women nap" mug. Ultimately, this gift can help any mom feel better about getting some much-needed sleep.
Posh Candle Company
Mama Needs A Break Kit
Posh Candle Co.
It's safe to say candles have been a go-to Mother's Day gift since we were little. Whether it smells like cinnamon or vanilla, mothers around the world have gasped in excitement after opening their candle year after year. Whatever scent you decide on this year, each of the candles via Posh Candle Company are 100% soy and hand-poured. Basically, they're literally handmade with care. Plus, the jars are reusable. So along with making Mom smile once again, you can help save the world. Let us dust off your cape.
Effortless Composition
India Agate Decor On Stand
Effortless Composition
Help Mom step up her home décor! Whether it's your mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, any woman in our lives can benefit from a little home retail therapy. And Effortless Composition is the move. Its founder, Brittiny Terry, started the adorable line thanks to the influence she received from her own childhood home's décor; from a Cleopatra statue to the iconic praying hands photo. As for what Effortless Composition has to offer, the Boho chic line and unique artwork helps it live up to its name.
Oye Shea Butter
Oye Shea Butter
Oye
Can you ever go wrong with skincare? Especially when it comes from a brand owned by another Black woman. In this case, it's one whose own mother influenced her to start Oye Shea Butter. Tolu Oye's mom often went to Nigeria to get nuts from shea trees. She'd use that to help treat Oye's eczema and burns. And it was a miracle worker in its own right. Now, Oye Shea Butter offers not just skincare products but also healing agents for skin, hair, and all things woman.
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Featured image by Getty Images
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Charmaine Patterson is a journalist, lifestyle blogger, and a lover of all things pop culture. While she has much experience in covering top entertainment news stories, she aims to share her everyday life experiences, old and new, with other women who can relate, laugh, and love along with her. Follow Char on Twitter @charjpatterson, Instagram @charpatterson, and keep up with her journey at CharJPatterson.com .
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Playa del Carmen is the perfect vacation getaway for anyone who loves beautiful beaches, delicious food, and fun activities. Located on the Caribbean Sea side of Mexico, PDC is nestled right between the spring break hub Cancun and the growing hotspot Tulum. Oftentimes overlooked for some of the other popular cities, I found Playa del Carmen to have just as much in terms of vacation necessities, with a more local and authentic Mexican feel.
The Ultimate Guide to Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is perfect for a solo traveler looking to spend a few days in paradise or the group chat that wants to hang on the beach all day and turn up at night. I found the area to have a little bit of everything for everyone, so here’s my guide on where to eat, stay, and play for the ultimate Playa del Carmen vacation.
Getting Around
The easiest way to get to Playa del Carmen is to fly into Cancun Airport and then make your way south. You can rent a car and drive the one hour down to PDC, take a taxi, or you can catch the ADO bus, which will cost you less than $40 roundtrip. Overall, Playa del Carmen is an easy and safe city to navigate. If you stay on or close to Quinta Avenida (5th Avenue), you’ll be within walking distance to a ton of stores, restaurants, and nightlife. Most taxi rides were between 100 and 150 pesos, which is less than $10 USD. Renting a car is also an option, but with things being very walkable and taxis being fairly inexpensive, it’s not a necessity. Another great way to get around is bikes, which you can rent to use throughout the city.
Stay
The Thompson Hotel is for the folks who know that where you stay on vacation absolutely does matter. This luxury property offers chic rooms and upscale suites, onsite restaurants, and a spa for those who are looking to pamper themselves. One of the standout features of this property is the rooftop infinity pool, which has 360-degree views of the city and is absolutely stunning. This is your type of hotel if you value immaculate views, delicious eats, prime location, and live DJs.
Grand Hyatt offers a prime beachfront location, while also being steps away from the mix on Quinta Avenida. I like that this property allows you to take in the calm beauty of the Caribbean, while also being in close proximity to the action within the city. You get both authentic Mexican food and some international fare at the resort restaurants, and this property also has an infinity pool that gives views of the ocean.
Airbnb
If you don’t have the funds to spend on a hotel stay, but still want clean and comfortable accommodations, do not overlook Airbnb. You can find super reasonably priced apartments close to the strip that will leave you in the heart of all the action. Many of these buildings feature 24-hour security, infinity pools, top-notch gyms, and rooftop bars. This is a great way to save some money, while not sacrificing the quality of the accommodations you like.
Eat
One of the best parts of being near the Caribbean Sea is having access to fresh seafood, and Ictio Fish House is the place to go for it. Located just a block off of the 5th Avenida strip, this small seafood restaurant is a quieter change compared to some of the busier and more touristy restaurants located directly on the strip. They have both indoor and outdoor seating available, but if you can snag a spot at the bar, the service is top notch and you can watch the bartender put together your craft cocktail.
Everything they serve is delicious and tastes authentic, so you really can't go wrong when ordering. But to start, the crispy jumbo shrimp and calamari are perfect for sharing. Other must-try dishes are the garlic butter catch of the day and the adobo-styled octopus.
El Fogon
Ask anyone for a recommendation for the best tacos in Playa del Carmen, and I promise you they will point you to El Fogon. You know a spot is good when it’s filled with just as many locals as tourists, and there’s a line outside at 1 p.m. This no-frills spot serves up authentic Mexican favorites like el pastor tacos, chicken quesadillas, guacamole, and margaritas. Every dish comes with the fixings and is not only super filling but extremely affordable. You can easily get a full meal and a drink for less than $20 USD. They have more than one location, so you can taste some of their delicious tacos no matter what part of PDC you stay in.
L&L by Lara&Luca
Before you hit the beach for day drinking, you need a hearty breakfast from L&L to start your day. This cute cafe is the smaller “sister” restaurant to Lara&Luca, another popular breakfast and lunch cafe in Playa. I liked that L&L is less busy and more laid back than the other location. They serve up typical breakfast and lunch items such as eggs, coffee, sandwiches, and French toast.
My favorite item was the ham and cheese croissant, which could be enjoyed on their outdoor seating or taken to enjoy on the go. They also have yummy pastries, but these sell out quickly, so be sure to go early.
El Pirata
If you’re a fried fish lover like me and appreciate sea-to-table service, El Pirata is the place to go. This restaurant is tucked away towards the end of the main 5th Avenida strip, so you might miss it if you aren’t looking for it. The restaurant serves up a plethora of tasty dishes like fresh ceviche, garlic shrimp, and shrimp empanadas, and has a full beverage menu for your libation needs. However, the fried fish is truly the star of the show.
When you order, they bring to your table a few of the fresh fish that were caught that day and allow you to choose which lucky one you want them to fry for you. And let me tell you, picking your own fried fish just hits different! It was one of my favorite meals in Playa del Carmen.
Play
Food Tour
There are so many delicious places to eat in Playa del Carmen so taking a local food tour is the best way to try a little bit of everything. I love taking food tours when I travel because not only is it a great way to try a range of different local dishes, but the tour guides usually give you a history lesson during the tour where you learn more about the history of certain dishes and the country as a whole. In Playa Del Carmen, I took a local food tour with GetYourGuide, where we stopped at several different locations for tacos, fresh fruit juice, tamales, and more.
I value it when there’s a local leading the tour because it’s a way to support the locals and also learn things that only people native to the location would know. While we walked, the guide shared a lot of insight about Mexico and Playa del Carmen, while giving recommendations for places to eat during our trip.
Cenotes
Cenotes are natural sinkholes or underground caverns that have pools of water in which you can explore, dive, and swim in. You will find cenotes all around Mexico, but there are several in the Playa del Carmen region. Cenotes vary in size and also the depth of water, so even if you don’t know how to swim, you can find a cenote to explore at your own comfort level. Two beautiful cenotes you can explore near PDC are Cenote Azul and Cenote Dos Ojos.
Cenote Azul is perfect for snorkeling because of the crystal clear waters that allow you to see the colorful fish and plant life underneath. Cenote Dos Ojos is perfect for explorers due to the mesmerizing underground caverns and rock formations throughout. You can take a trip to the cenotes on your own or book a tour that may take you to several different cenotes.
Beaches
Playa Del Carmen has some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, so beach hopping is a must while vacationing in the area. Whether you want a chill, relaxing beach day or you are thinking of jet skiing on the blue waters, there is a beach for you. There are several beaches along the coast of Playa del Carmen, some that are within walking distance of most hotels, and others that you may need to travel to get to but are totally worth it.
Playa Mamitas is one of the most popular beaches in PDC due to its location near the heart of the city, and also because of the crystal clear waters and white sand. Playa Mamitas is also a great spot for entertainment and the occasional beach party for the folks wanting to turn up. Playacar Beach is another great option that is located in the upscale Playacar neighborhood, south of downtown Playa del Carmen.
It is known for its pristine beauty and laid-back atmosphere, making it a popular destination for travelers seeking relaxation and seclusion. Other beaches to consider are Punta Esmeralda and Xpu-ha Beach, so you’ll have an option for every day of your trip, depending on your mood.
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Featured image by Peathegee Inc/Getty Images