Inspired Southerner

We tell real stories about the South.

Motherhood in Bloom: Self-care course helps moms parent intentionally

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Inspired Southerner Motherhood in Bloom
Dr. Leesha Cox offers a Motherhood in Bloom self-care course for moms


Dr. Leesha Ellis-Cox is helping moms relieve stress and extend themselves more grace during the month of May by offering them a free trial of one of the modules in her new online self-care course, Motherhood in Bloom. The course is designed to help moms parent intentionally and is comprised of six modules. This course celebrates the woman who existed before the children, dares moms to replace the traditional notion of sacrificial motherhood with one that reflects modern-day parenting where self-care is no longer a dirty word and teaches moms to pursue health and wholeness. No more pouring from an empty cup.

Motherhood in Bloom Self-Care Course

Inspired Southerner Mother in Bloom
Dr. Leesha’s children’s book is a wonderful story about spiritual truths.

Dr. Leesha is passionate about transforming the lives of moms who wish to parent effectively but without losing themselves or their sanity in the process.

“I have taken the bull by the horns by showing mothers that they never really lost their identity after having children,” said Leesha Ellis-Cox, creator of Motherhood in Bloom. “We focus on both the mom and the amazing woman who existed before children because our identity does not solely revolve around our role as mommy. The truth is it never did.”

Inspired Southerner Motherhood in Bloom
Dr. Leesha helps moms let go of “mommy guilt”

Mastering Your Mommy Mindset Self-Care Course

The trial module, Mastering Your Mommy Mindset, is divided into three components: 1) Defining a healthy mommy mindset; 2) Cultivating mindfulness; and 3) Understanding the relationship between your mindset and parenting. The entire course covers six modules: 1) Remembering who you are; 2) Parenting 101; 3) Mastering Your Mommy Mindset; 4) Maintaining Your Mental Health; 5) Practicing Self-Care For Real, For Real; and 6) the Supermom Course Wrap Up. The entire course is available for $197.

Inspired Southerner Motherhood in Bloom
Dr. Leesha helps moms let go of the “mommy guilt”

During the month of May, Dr. Leesha is supporting and advocating for mothers through her:

  • Five-day super self-care challenge
  • Nightly Facebook Live sessions for the entire month of May which is Mental Health Awareness Month
  • Her Amazon best-selling books, Ditch the Mommy Guilt: A Blueprint for the Modern Mommy and The Love Garden
Inspired Southerner Motherhood in Bloom
Motherhood the Remix is a fun, fresh conference for moms

Motherhood the Remix Conference

Her signature event, Motherhood the Remix, is a fun, fresh conference for moms designed to honor their strength and vulnerability, grow their mommy tribe, and learn how to be a better parent while also investing in themselves. She created this event because she knows, first-hand, how tough parenting can be as the mother of three energetic children, wife, entrepreneur, and physician. She adds, “I know mothers struggle to fulfill the needs of their children and families and while at the same time, fail to meet society’s unrealistic parenting expectations.”

Inspired Southerner Motherhood in Bloom
Cox helps moms avoid the mommy burnout.

She boldly and loudly calls “foul” on these unrealistic expectations and is raising the bar so that moms no longer feel guilty, weighed down by a never-ending to-do list that puts them at risk for mommy burnout. Dr. Leesha pours into moms not only as a mental health expert and parents but also as a friend who helps women grow and blossom into their best selves. “Happy, healthy moms raise happy, healthy kids! Here’s to helping momma become happy, healthy, and whole!”

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Alabama entrepreneur uses illustrations to overcome mental illness

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Inspired Southerner Kristin Farmer Depression
Kristin Farmer decided to celebrate her life through her artwork

Kristin Farmer loves to celebrate life. She has overcome so much in hers because she has been battling Bipolar Disorder, a mental illness, for the last 13 years. The disease could have affected her negatively, but instead, she decided to channel her feelings by creating the whimsical Curly Contessa, a brand through which she celebrates living.

Inspired Southerner Curly Contessa artwork
Curly Contessa represents the matriarch of curly tresses.

The Matriarch Curly Contessa

The idea for the brand came to her when she was sitting on the side of her bed thinking about how she could treat herself. Curly Contessa is a series of hand-drawn illustrations that represent the matriarch of curly tresses. She’s a boss babe, go-getter and trendsetter.

She couldn’t find anything that represented her, an accomplished, young African-American woman, so through a series of illustrations and drawings, she create Curly Contessa. For her, the image celebrates women of color everywhere and is an image that helps them celebrate the little things in life and offers comfort, no matter what they were going through. 

Inspired Southerner Curly Contessa wine glasses
Kristin has created wine glasses that showcase her illustrations.

“Battling a mental illness is tough,” said Kristin Farmer the founder and creator of Curly Contessa. “I’ve had to re-train myself just to get through each day of the week. So I find myself celebrating the little things like being able to brush my teeth. Because there have been times where the thought of getting out of bed made was hard for me. Now at the end of the day, I get to pour a toast to myself in my own my tribe wine glass or black girl wine glass.”

Inspired Southerner Curly Contessa wrapping paper
Curly Contessa wrapping paper.

Self-care Routine

The wine glass evolved into a lovely painted scarf, wrapping paper and sweatshirts adorned with Curly Contessa’s face. Curly Contessa is a labor of love that also helps Kristin overcome what she may be going through at any given moment. Curley Contessa has become part of her self-care routine. And now, she considers herself blessed because she has learned to deal with her mental illness by celebrating others. 

Inspired Southerner Curly Contessa
Kristin Farmer decided to celebrate women of color by creating the Curly Contessa

Expressing Love for Women

As a result, her business has grown over the last couple of years. She encourages anyone who wants to start a business to express themselves through a creative outlet or idea that they just start, fail fast and often. Without those pitfalls she says, there is no success. So consequently, she believes entrepreneurs should find a mentor or business coach. She has grown her business through the trials and tribulations that she recommends. Kristin’s Curly Contessa is a way for her to give back to those who have helped her overcome her illness. The illustrations are the way she expresses love for women of all skin tones.

Inspired Southerner Curly Contessa Scarf
Kristin created the Curly Contessa silk scarf

“I love celebrating my tribe. I send friends and love gifts for holding me down when I’ve been through a bad spell and it’s important for those gifts to represent them. To represent us. Our diverse hair textures and varying skin tones,” she added. 

Alabama artist uses artwork to bring beauty and healing to the world

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Deb Paradise artist
Deb Paradise’s goal is to bring beauty and healing to the world through her artwork

Deb Paradise’s artwork has always been about bringing “Beauty” into the world. In fact, her philosophy has been to use art as a way to help enlighten others so that they can express their beauty inwardly and outwardly. She also believes art is a powerful tool for impacting the viewer intends that her artwork be uplifting and healing for everyone.

Deb Paradise Alabama artist
A piece of Deb’s artwork commissioned by the Hilton at Duke University

Bringing Beauty and Healing to the World

When she first began working with clay, Deb went the traditional route by showing her work in festivals and shows, but soon found that the traditional way of doing things was not something she wanted to continue to pursue. “I had a moment where it became very clear to me that I wanted to create art and sculptural pieces that would hang on the wall for everyone to enjoy. So I began seeking and finding clients who wanted to hire or commission me to create a specific art piece for their home or workspace,” said Deb Paradise, owner and founder of Paradise Creative Expressions. 

Deb’s artwork hanging in a Fountain View Hotel in Dubai

Commissioned Artwork

Since discovering this about herself, she has never looked back and has continued forging her path in the world of commercial art.  Deb now is a well-sought after artist commissioned to produce works of art for corporations, individuals and hotels and resorts worldwide. Deb’s work can be found all over the world, from Dubai to Cairo. And in the United States from North Carolina’s Duke University, JB Duke Hotel to Alabama’s new Gulf State Lodge in Orange Beach. One such commission for The Fountain View Hotel in Dubai was commissioned for the Majlis. The piece, entitled “Whisper” was large and had to be made in 3 panels but appear seamless upon installation. This type of problem-solving is a common challenge when working with designers.

Heirloom Pieces of Deb Paradises artist
These pieces were designed for a husband for his wife as house warming gift.

Commissioned Heirloom Pieces

One of her most satisfying commissioned pieces was for a man who wanted to do something special for his wife as they moved into a home that the two designed together. Deb met and spoke to him about his wife and what he wanted to do with the artwork. After their conversation, they agreed on the creation of three serving pieces because his wife loves to entertain. He also wanted the artwork to be unique and special to the family so they decided to incorporate the name of the street within the pieces. Deb created functional pieces, two bowls and a platter, each of which could be handed down generation after generation. 

Alabama Gulf State Lodge
Deb’s commissioned work in Alabama’s Gulf State Lodge

“I had fun going back to my roots on these pieces and he was so excited, enthusiastic and grateful. My heart was so full when I delivered them to him, and they were a big hit with his wife,” Deb added.

Whisper

Gulf State Lodge

Another extraordinary opportunity for Deb was being chosen to commission pieces of art for Alabama’s newly renovated Gulf State Lodge, a Hilton property in Orange Beach, Alabama. “The opportunity arose because of a client I had been working with for a long time. She had the contract to provide the artwork for the Lodge. They contacted me and I created two pieces that are hanging in the pre-function area of the Lodge. I also was asked to recommend other Alabama artists to create work for them, and I happily recommended several,” said Deb. She went on to say that it was the best feeling to have her art hanging in a property in her home state.  

Deb's artwork at Alabama Gulf State Lodge
Deb’s commissioned work in Alabama’s Gulf State Lodge

Artists on the Plaza

Most days Deb can be found working in her studio at Shades Mountain Plaza West in Bluff Park, Hoover. She is involved with several artists, in a group called Artists On the Plaza. They came together and formed a collective after Hoover’s Board of Education took over their spaces at the former Bluff Park Elementary School (Artists On The Bluff). Many artists landed in spaces at Shades Mountain Plaza and now they have come together collectively for events throughout the year. One such event is the Holiday Open House on Dec. 14 and 15 from 1-5pm. 

Deb hosts craft nights throughout the year where artists come together for fellowship. They bring their own craft and learn techniques from each other. One of her goals for 2020 is to partner with a gallery or work with local designers in the Birmingham, Alabama area, however, for now, her work can be viewed on her website, www.paradisecreativeexpressions.com.

Photographer finds solace in shooting the rural South

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Pearson Creek Farm in the rural South.
Sean enjoys shooting the rural South.

Photographer Sean Essex was born in Lapeer, Michigan, but grew up in the Phoenix, Arizona area. Essex loves to hike and camp which led him to begin to take photos of what he found interesting on his adventures. He also loves shooting the rural South, and one of his favorite places is Pearson Creek Farms.

Shooting nature in the rural South
Sean doesn’t use any digital editing programs.

Photographing Nature

He began to share them with friends and family, and the compliments he received inspired him to pursue photography further.

Sean is unique in the photography world, as he does not use any form of digital image editing. He believes that it is a sign of a truly talented photographer to be able to take an amazing photograph that does not need editing. That’s what he wants to achieve every time he picks up his camera.

Corn field in the rural South
Sean likes to show the rural South in its raw form.

Rural Living

Sean’s work can best be described as simple, warm and nostalgic. With a focus on rural-living and the surrounding landscapes, he strives to capture moments that reconnect us with our modest beginnings and evoke a sense of belonging.

“I resonate with the people and places and want to share their character and lifestyle through my photography,” Sean says.

Sean Essex Inspired Southerner
Sean strives to connect us with our modest beginnings.

Capturing the Image

Like any great photographer, he is always looking for a great photo. He looks for something intriguing, inspirational, or beautiful, then photographs it from various angles. He also likes to envision what the shot might look like at different times of day, and if he believes he can get that better shot, he returns.   

Photographing the rural South
Sean believes the rural South exudes character which makes it easier to take great photos.

Pearson Creek Farms

Although he is not from the South, he has family here and makes the trip to the South a few times a year. On these trips, he not only visits family but also comes to shoot. As he believes, the rural South exudes character, which makes it easier to take great photographs.

Photographing the rural South
Pearson Creek Farms is a working farm in Bells, Tennessee

One location he loves to shoot is Pearson Creek Farms, a working farm in Bells, Tennessee. The farm has been in the Pearson family for hundreds of years and Essex is humbled to be a part of their family. “I try to portray the hospitality, comfort and warmth that comes over me when on the farm.”

Dream Photoshoot

When asked what his dream shoot would be he answered rural Alaska. “I hear Kodiak Island is gorgeous and I imagine the landscapes and structures on the island would make fantastic photos.”

Cheaha State Park is a fun day trip for the whole family

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Planning a day trip that the whole family will enjoy can be difficult. Especially now that school is back in session, but just 25 minutes off I-20’s exit 188 is Cheaha State Park.

Inspired Southerner Cheaha
Mt. Cheaha is Alabama’s highest peak. Photo by Cheaha State Park

Alabama’s highest peak

In the heart of the Talladega National Forest, stands Alabama’s highest peak, Mt. Cheaha. The mountain is 2,413 feet above sea level making it the highest point in Alabama. Anyone who visits or hikes to Mt. Cheaha will experience breathtaking views. Cheaha gets its name from the Creek Indian work chaha which means high place.

The boardwalk at Cheaha State Park is wheelchair accessible. Photo by Cheaha State Park.

Our state parks are one of Alabama’s greatest assets and they offer fun for everyone in the family. Cheaha State Park’s best feature is a boardwalk to one of the most beautiful overlooks in the state of Alabama. The boardwalk is handicap accessible. There are also stairs throughout the park that lead to the trails and which run alongside the boardwalk. The stairs are for the trailblazer of the family or those who want a challenge.

The boardwalk

At the end of the boardwalk is wheelchair accessible and there you will find a breathtaking view.  

Inspired Southerner Cheaha State Park
Mt. Cheaha State Park has breathtaking views

The adjacent hiking trails lead to Bald Rock, which is in front of the boardwalk. 

Inspired Southerner Cheaha State Park
The boardwalk leads to this scenic view. It is elevated and wheelchair accessible.

Another popular and recognizable feature of the park is the tower. 

Inspired Southerner Tower at Cheaha
Tower at Cheaha State Park

The tower

In front of the tower is a plaque which designates it as the tallest point in Alabama!

Be sure to take a few quarters for the viewfinder, and climb the stairs to the top of the tower for yet another incredible view! If you remembered to bring a few quarters up be sure to use that viewfinder to your advantage! 

Bigfoot

Across from the tower, you will find Bigfoot. Bigfoot’s purpose at Cheaha is to be the mascot of the 7 Leave No Trace principles. You will find Bigfoot along the trail as a reminder to be just like Bigfoot and ‘leave no trace’. 

Cheaha State Park has made plenty of improvements to the park, including renovations to the restaurant and the addition of the pool. Just across from the Welcome Center and Gift Shop is the Walt Farr Native American Relic Museum. There you will find an amazing collection of arrowheads, spearheads, and other Native American Treasures. 

In addition, Cheaha offers excellent sites for camping and has a hotel for overnight stays. For more information on these amenities, and for the park itself, be sure to check out their website here. 

We tell real stories about the south. ~Kara Kennedy, Publisher