Pretty Black Hands. My growing empire.

As promised, yesterday I said I’d speak about my new nail salon. Yes. I opened a nail salon last year August, it’s always been a dream of mine and I finally did it. The backstory is that one of my side hustles outside of mommy and wife mode is that I am the founder & owner of my brand Pretty Black Hands. The concept started by me realizing there was not enough Nude Nail Polish for women of color, so I created a line. Over the years, I expanded & got more products & more colors, it’s been a real fun journey. I’m super blessed to have a great clientele base especially as wholesalers. Moving forward, during the pandemic when I almost gave up, it hit me that I should expand in a different way, so I found a shop in Accra, Ghana & transformed it into something special.

I am extremely proud of this shop because everything started off as an idea and every time I’m able to step in to my shop it’s like my idea literally came to life. Since moving away, it has been a bit difficult to run. The thing about the motherland is that when you open a business and you’re not there to run it, it’s very difficult because the staff just don’t understand how to do things, and guide them along the way. My nail technicians have been doing a great job at least sometimes, but there are times where I’m still so frustrated, and I wish I could run the business myself. I’ll be back eventually to run things the way I like and hopefully in the near future meaning this year, I’ll actually be able to expand my shop, is now to something bigger and greater.

For those of you that you have Instagram, if you’re interested in checking out my shop and the type of work that we do, the handle is @pbhpolish

Pretty Black Hands is really my baby! I’m really happy with this business, it might not make me a millionaire just yet lol, but my clients really do love my products and I’m just very blessed to be able to share something I created from scratch till now.

hopefully in the future, I am able to carry my products around the world but right now I’m primarily in west Africa and I’ve had a few clients in the United States and even in Jamaica. I definitely know how to sell my products, so it’s just a matter of time & I might be at your front door or in your shop lol

If you would like to know, more, just write me a comment, and I’ll be happy to answer any questions for you.

PS. I forgot to mention above, my products are vegan, toxic free and some are child friendly. I love when mommies do (mommy and me days) This is one of my best selling points having non toxic products.

& if any of you ever happen to take a trip to West Africa Accra,Ghana please stop by my shop which you can easily find on google maps 🙂

“Life update”

I don’t even know where to begin but saying Happy 2023 is a good place to start. A ton of changes have happened, I left my beautiful motherland Ghana 🇬🇭 and relocated back to the U.S.A (for now) I’m basically a full time mommy again, and I’ve had to find a new way to adjust my life!

The last blog was about my children and I going to Lagos, Nigeria, next thing you know, I was quiet. In all that time, my son graduated from the first grade, I opened my very first Nail Salon and as I mentioned above, we relocated. I won’t get into too much detail of my nail shop on this post, I’ll save it for the next one to introduce my beauty to the “internet world” – however, THE MOVE. . . That’s right, back in California like I never left (Cali out of all places 🥲) Amazing as it can be on some days, it’s still over priced & I have some nightmares memories of this place from the past, nevertheless, we push forward and I never let the past define who I am, so I’ll leave it at that.

The move really happened because of my husband. He works here back and forth and he really wanted to peruse a new chapter of his career here, I absolutely agreed he should, I just was on the fence with going with him 😩 but, here we are and we’re making it work. This is a whole new world of change for me, not because I can’t do it, but because I don’t have any more help like I did in Ghana… My mother is not around… My Nanny is not around… You know how it is finding help for your family in America, it’s very hard to trust people. I’ve been lucky enough to find someone great for my children while I have been here, but at the end of the day, nothing is going to the top getting help from your own family. I feel like my children and I are still adjusting. We came here in the beginning of the year practically and I was lucky enough to get my son in a new school, what a change that was for him, but luckily, he’s such a great and smart boy, he made new friends fast… I still feel very guilty, for taking him away from the school that he did know for a few years, that was a very hard goodbye, but I don’t like to say goodbye because I believe we will be going back to Ghana eventually again, and I do believe he will see his friends again so that’s the good news!! My daughter was much easier adjusting because at the end of the day wherever Mommy is, she’s happy lol

Having lived in Los Angeles myself a long time ago that adjustment was very easy for me, not much has changed – as I said at the top, it’s still over priced but I got lucky enough to still have some of my great friends from the past here so that’s made it so much easier for me, I don’t necessarily feel trapped or alone with just my family… I have great friends here, so I can still have a good time when I do get time off for myself, so that is wonderful.

I’m happy to be here for my husband because I feel like everybody deserves to experience things, but I also believe flexibility is important so I wish his own journey well and of course I support him 100% per always and I know that the future is bright, wherever we do end up.

Now we’re in the middle of summer, and I feel like summer is coming to a close, I don’t know if this was the ideal summer that I had planned in my head. I really wanted to be in Mexico, sipping on pina coladas, but at the end of the day, there’s always time for enjoyment.… I just hope that my two children are ready for the new school year and I pray that they do well and make more new friends. I’m looking forward to my daughter starting to read, she was making such great progress in Ghana, but the switch in location set her back a little bit. The education system is so different in Ghana. Children start school early and learn faster and over here, they don’t even allow them to really be great as they can be until they get five years old in America, I find this completely ridiculous but again this is just part of the adjusting process.

Anyways, the reason for the picture at the top is because on Instagram I had/have a live show that I used to record about different topics and different situations, as I am blogging this today… I will pre-record that show tomorrow about this kind of update that I’m writing to you guys about right now. It’s time for me to get back into all these things I was doing when I was in West Africa. I don’t really know why I stopped but then of course, I do know why I stopped, because life just comes at you fast. One minute you’re doing something and then the next minute you’re not doing something, but I really want to try to stay consistent with everything that I know I am good at. That is my top priority and goal no matter what it is, whether it be my blogging or my live videos or even my music – whatever the case I just need to be more consistent with myself. That’s where I am now.

I want to thank all the people who have taken the time to read my different blogs . I have seen the notifications and I do appreciate all the love, you are all appreciated & thank you for sticking around.

Talk soon 🙂

The trip we absolutely needed 💚🤍💚

The children and I just came back from a quick trip to Lagos, Nigeria and it was everything it was meant to be.

Family means a lot to me and for months I’ve been planning to see my cousin and her daughters and other family members. . . Something had to give because every time we tried to plan, it was always something blocking it (ticket prices/ Covid test travel fees, school schedules) as I said, it was always something.

I decided to make a move. Yes, there was a few days missed of school, but we booked and left. Seeing my family was the most wonderful experience ever, it was such a bonding and reminiscing moment. I just found myself looking around the room and just seeing so many beautiful things. … It was so priceless.

I am very close to one of my cousin’s and I couldn’t wait for the moment that my children, finally met her children. She hadn’t even met my daughter yet! & the last time she saw my son, he was just a baby! Now look how big everyone is.

The theme was definitely hearts everywhere! That’s all it was, my heart was full, and it is very much full.

Sometimes we can get so caught up in our own lives, we forget about what’s important. Family is important. Keeping God first is important. These are special and matter to me. What I took from this trip is i don’t want to be away from my family long.

My children had a blast, papa bear even surprised us there, which I did not expect, like I said – it was just everything it needed to be.

Traveling is so expensive these days which is another blog post on it’s own soon to come lol but, there are certain trips that are priceless.

Dear Mommy, these are for you.

I want to take a moment out to thank everybody who takes their own personal time to read or engage in my blog whether it’s new to you or old. You are appreciated.

I did want to remind you that my first affirmation book (Dear Mommy, these are for you) is available on Amazon paperback and kindle and if you don’t have access you can also visit OkadaBooks.com

Please support my book. It is a collection of affirmations that can uplift any mother at any given time, if you are a mom, know a mom, or simply want to share words of encouragement with anyone you know. Please buy or download this book.

It’s available Internationally as well via the Amazon of your choice.

Check it out & enjoy.

Links for the U.S.A, U.K and Okadabooks below

https://www.amazon.com/Dear-Mommy-These-are-you/dp/B09ZCVYQNQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=1M9AJKPHFJAG&keywords=dear+mommy+these+are+for+you&qid=1654453222&sprefix=dear+monmy+these+a%2Caps%2C638&sr=8-1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dear-Mommy-These-are-you-ebook/dp/B09ZH2BSFQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=meredine+akerele&qid=1654453281&sr=8-1

https://okadabooks.com/search?query=Dear%2520mommy%2520

Princess Party Planning 💗

My baby girl is about to be four years old, glory to God and she wants a princess party. I have the vision ready but will it all get pulled off on time!? I hope so.

This is my year of “make up” because I wasn’t present last year! My son had a wonderful Super Mario birthday party, all the kids had a blast and the cake 🎂 see below, it exceeded my expectations… delicious too. We had splish splash fun, & the venue rocked.

Amazing as this cakes looks, honestly, look at the details…. I just found out my cake maker is not available 😒 out of all the months, now she wants a break sigh* just praying I find someone else that can understand the assignment because I want the Disney castle so I’ll try my very best.

Till then, I’ll keep this blog as a two part thing… will I be able to pull it off??? Stay tuned.

Dear Mommy, These are for you – Pre order available now! 📚

It’s official everyone 🥹🙏🏽, my affirmation book: Dear Mommy, These are for you is FINALLY ready & available for pre order on Amazon kindle & will release May 8th 2022 (A wonderful date – 🌸Mother’s Day 🌸

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZH2BSFQ also available in other parts of the world!

Every mommy needs encouragement at times, please support me by purchasing this book, not just to lift yourself up, but for other mommies that you might know that might need it (this includes you dad’s) share this with your lovely woman.

I appreciate all of you who have continued to support my blog over the years. I do hope you enjoy this book.

Ps. On May 8th 2022, the book will also be available to purchase paperback copy 📕 on Amazon.

Thank you 🙂

Airline Wahala ☀️

(Wahala means trouble)

I’ve started planning for summer already. It’s literally around the corner. I’m so looking forward to spending a wonderful time building more amazing memories with my family.

Summer since I’ve been a child, has always been memorable and I wouldn’t want it less for my own children BUT, nobody prepared me for those flight fees 😫 completely disastrous. Of course, when you’re small it’s my parents that would be dealing with it, I’d just get on the airplane… my oh my how the tables have turned! Now it’s my children who will get on the airplane stress free, while I’m trying to figure out what the best route to take going and coming.

First of all, airlines are actually a set up for any parent! The only time they make sense with children is when they are lap infants or babies. There’s practically no cost at all. The moment they are old enough to sit on their own $$$$$$ I mean! Calm down DELTA or whoever else. I understand they use the entertainment but children are restless and they never eat the airplane food, not even kid meals are good enough.

You really have to plan well when you want to travel as a family, the up and go life can’t work unless you’re equipped for it.

The only area I have some luck thanks to my wonderful father, is that he invested in Timeshare! I didn’t understand it then, but NOW – a life saver when looking into booking a room & the deals are fantastic. The best part is you can use it in so many places around the world! What a gem. Thankfully, we can save some money in one area and not be tight in both.

Regardless, I’m absolutely going on vacation! I need it, my children need, my family needs it. I’m looking forward to our summer adventures & I know it will be worth every memory.

What are you plans for the summer readers and if you’re a parent, how do you cope with family trips?!

And here we are yet again.

I’m back on the road !!! I left early March and now we are in April. Sigh* I miss my kids so much I don’t even want to think about it. Thank God for FaceTime, I don’t know how I would cope otherwise. Do you remember my blog about being a traveling + working mommy, this time has come again.

First of all, NO MISSING OF THE BIRTHDAY’S MOM GUILT 😮‍💨 you know how that ate me alive last time for almost a year. Before leaving for work this time, I threw my son an amazing birthday party which he loved. He was happy, his sister was happy, I was happy! Wins all around.

Being a contractor has so many advantages, it’s really the freedom I have to control my life which is why I love it, but… it still really sucks to be away from my children. I’m so sad 😞 but, I’m trying to put it to the side to keep pushing. Due to Covid a lot of work was pushed back last year so this this year, it’s a zig zag of work, back to back! It’s NEVER been like this and I couldn’t pass up this opportunity. The days are going by but I’m still not sure if they are fast or not… I just can’t wait till I’m on my last contract in this last stretch of Q2, so I can be with my babies and continue to work on the other things I was doing.

I tell myself “hang in there.” I go this. I know I do but it’s also tough. Maybe it’s time for me to look for remote work so I can stay home more and take less contracts! I’m really going to look into this, sigh* I need to. I pray God shows me the way to go.

Anyways, my daughters birthday is coming up next and I WILL NOT MISS THAT EITHER! So I’m happy about that and I know the sweet little girl will be too. She keeps asking her nana “is mommy going to make my birthday.” Ugh! I won’t miss it for anything….

Wish me good luck y’all! I’m trying not to crack. I’m almost there and then I can take a nice long break.

I always wonder how my father did this, 🧐 but, I guess when it’s for your family, there’s bo choice but to go above and beyond.

The White Wall

My children have both learned to have a new found love of coloring and they both do it so well for their ages. They stay in the lines and play with colors, I love to see it.

When I was away for one my work assignments, because of my anxieties I decided to buy an adult coloring book (they are fun but lost importantly relaxing) they really do calm me down at times I feel away and alone from my family and it’s also an accomplishment seeing your fully finished work. I have the most intricate book.

Anyways, when I got back home, my children saw it and of course they wanted it all to themselves. First I was hesitant, because I just wanted the book for myself and my other assignments in the future but then I figured “nah” let them have it and enjoy the ocean patterns and animals, I can always get a new one later.

They really do love that book, as detailed as it is, they figured a way to color it in their own way without getting caught up in the small spaces. They’ll run to me when they have done one page each “mommy, look” I’m amazed. I love it & thinking to myself 💭 these children of mine are smart because I could spend hours on one section and look at them! Done in twenty minutes lol

Their masterpiece.
Mr. Puffin

The White Wall. . . What exactly am I talking about – well, we all have a white painted wall somewhere in the house/apt right! Did you ever think of how children look at a white wall? It’s a big piece of white paper! & what do children do on paper, they draw and color on it.

My daughter has marked her territory on these walls. I have cleaned it up time and time again, but her mind goes back to the drawing board. I tell her “please don’t write or draw on anything,” she’ll agree until I see the next mark where it’s big suppose to be 😩 my son doesn’t get a pass either! I’ve seen his work too.

I’ve decided to leave this matter alone not because I’m giving in but because of the creative perspective! My only rule is that ONLY in their room. What if he/she is going to be the next biggest painter, or a architect the world has ever seen.

Now c’mon I’m not silly… I will NOT tell them, only in their room is where they can get creative (never, lol that’s a set up) but, it means for me, I won’t get as upset as I used to because I’m looking at it all in a different perspective. . .

Am I wrong?

What are your thoughts about this, do you let your own children be creatively free or is there a limit?

After all, walls can always be painted again. I’m not bothered right now and I’ve cleaned up worse mess than you can imagine.

I’m not say it a free for all draw on the walls either, but I need to save my voice box parents, it’s already raspy enough 😅

The social media break! (The most necessary)

At the moment I am currently on a social media break and let me tell you, I never knew how much I needed this!

We don’t realize how consumed we get by online and the bs it comes with. At times, we see the good & at times without a choice we see the bad but both are still embedded reads in our subconscious.

I know how many hours I can shamelessly be on an app scrolling none stop. One day, I woke up and simply had ENOUGH! I deleted them all. The break I needed.

I have been happily in my own motherhood/wife life/self love and getting closer to God world for almost two weeks.

I have more time to pay attention and stay focused on many things. It’s amazing how much focus you can put towards something when you are simply not distracted.

Remember that book of mine that was suppose to be released last year “Dear mommy, these are for you.” Well, I FINALLY made time to correct and finish it (Amazon approved finished) I took the time to make sure it was right, whereas before I would see one “error” close the tab and never looked back till I felt like it, just wow! (Clap for me)

Social media is dangerous, dangerous in the fact that it can drive us away from so much. Scrolling so much, you forget to eat or (I’m the queen of this lol) take pictures and boomerang’s of our meals before we eat them.

Even time with my children. I am Mrs. Do the most with my kids especially when we travel but sometimes at home, I can be in myself not engaging fully to what my children are doing because… (I’m sure you know the answer,) MY PHONE. I’ve had time. Whether their stories are gibberish or not lol, whether it’s their interactive play, or anything they want to do, I just have time for it.

Books! I will be the first to admit, I’m not the fastest reader in the world, but I do enjoy a good book. Since this social media break, I’ve read four books! I mean… me! Before, never. I’m on the quest to find out what kind of book reader I am. Fiction/non-fiction and it’s just a fun bit of discovery for me.

Without me going on and on about this, the bottom line is, FOR EVERYONE… take the social media breaks. Delete the apps! They are not going anywhere and for ourselves, it is necessary for our mind/soul/conscious!

I am not saying I won’t go back, I absolutely will and continue to be myself on there as I always do, but I have now trained my mind to not be addicted to things that have nothing to do with me online (blogs/stories/images) I’ve just tuned it all off and I pray for myself that I can really keep this up. (I will try, but it’s not easy)

If I can pull these breaks off monthly or every two months, I think I can find a better balance than be a “phone zombie.”

Try it for yourself, even if for two days. You’ll love it for yourself and your family or with whatever it is that you need to focus on.

I take it seriously because above everything else, I always put God first. I say it all the time, but sometimes, I might not put it into practice. This social break has got me closer to God once again and I am in love with myself for that because God can do many amazing things and most importantly bring blessings and much needed peace and rest. These are the things I seek in life (not religiously) spiritually.

Remember, online is truly a blur of “fake.” I’m not saying people don’t post their real lives & these stories whether positive or negative are not true, but most of it doesn’t help us. Sadly, many people strive to be what they see and hear online whether they want to believe it or not. Let us try and be aware of these things so online and offline can be a safer place for us.

Troublesome Four… 😒

Towards the end of last year and the beginning of this year, I have noticed a huge shift with both of my children. They are both maturing, their mouths are moving more than ever. Their learning is improving, it’s a wonderful thing to see.

What I’ve noticed the most is their attitudes. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but they both seem to be more moody and more opinionated than ever before. I feel like this is a very vital time in parenthood. I really don’t like whiners, and my son always seems to whine rather than just ask for something directly. As this is his behavior, it trickles down to his younger sister and then she also starts whining for things. I just can’t stand it!

My disciplined radar is higher than ever, and I’m not trying to be the grinch in the house, but if I don’t take it away from them now it’s just going to get worse.

My daughter is so demanding and in my head I’m thinking, what exactly do you know about “this and that.” It can be from a simple task to picking up toys or to picking out her clothes. I’m happy to have her pick out what she wants to wear, but sometimes clothing that she chooses is not appropriate because I know it’s for a certain event or I know it will get dirty, so when I say she cannot wear it, rather than her just saying ”Ok mommy” and moving on to choosing the next thing, she decides she wants to have a huge toddler tantrum about it. That’s where I draw the line. I always have to remind her that “I am the mother” and she has to listen to me and she can’t always get her way.

Things never used to be like this, and it’s making me think if all parents go through this phase 🤔 I don’t remember hearing about it.… PLEASE, SHARE YOUR STORIES WITH ME!!!!

At this stage of my children’s ages, they listen and hear every single thing anybody says. It’s so important for me to say the right things and do the right things while also teaching them valuable lessons.

The truth is, I am kind of struggling. This is a new change I was NOT prepared for just yet, but I will certainly figure it out.

“It takes a village” is making more sense to me as my children get older and as I observe them.

Stay tuned.

Keeping it real with Coco 💕

As some of you may know and not know, when i’m not “mommy-ing…” I am sometimes focus on my singing career. yes! I am also an artist who goes by the name Coco Benson (music available on all streaming platforms and Youtube) & yes my children know ALL my songs (even the unreleased) lol 😂 Anyways, to follow that part of my life, you would need to follow me on Instagram. My account name is @CocoBenson_

Not too long ago, I started an Instagram series called “keeping it real with Coco.” Every week once or twice I try and go live and talk about everything real. There’s no shortage of topics. I wanted to introduce everyone on here to that because it’s a way for you to know who had been behind this blog for all these years and again, I thank everyone that has liked my stuff and shared their thoughts, we don’t know each other but I appreciate you just as much that you take the time to read what I think and read my personal opinions about this motherhood journey.

Keeping it real with Coco is an in-depth conversation as I said about real matters. If you’re ever interested, you can always join me live to watch and chime into and episode or you can follow me or not follow me lol and still watch my show on IGTV.

See you there, don’t be shy, it’s a free and open space.