It's the first weekend in April and depending on your county, the beginning (or end) of Spring Break!  I'm sure you're going to be out and about this weekend, so let me guide you.  Awesomeness awaits!

Chicago Joe’s Kids Jam – Tin Roof Cantina – Friday, April 3, 2015 6:00p – This open mic night is one you and your kids would love!  Watch as young amateur rock ‘n roll and blues artists rock out on the stage.  I’m going to bring my little drummer boy to the show this week.  Click here for more!

Artsvibe Open Studio – High Museum of Art – Friday, April 3, 2015 5:00p-8:00p - Swing on by the High to find inspiration in the galleries and experiment with materials like charcoal, paint, metal, fabric, and duct tape in their studio! Projects will be different each month, and you’re welcome to bring in sewing projects you need help with. Teen Team members and Shannon Mulkey, founder of the Indie Craft Experience, are always around to lend a hand.  Meet people. Make art. Chill out.  Open Studio is a free drop-in class! Click here for additional details!

Hippies in the Park – Grant Park – Sunday, April 5, 2015 3:00p-7:00p - Everyone is welcome to bring puppies, blankets, booze, hoops, drums, guitars, Frisbees, hula-hoops, disc golf, art, kites, chairs, coolers, grill, whatever!  Everyone will be meeting by the small pond by the restrooms (near the Zoo entrance), it's a large grassy area RIGHT in front of the Grant Park fountain......lots of sunshine!!!  While you’re there, find Toya from Sacred Lotus Henna for some awesome henna action.  Click here for more details!

Beltline Boil – Inman Park/Historic Fourth Ward – Saturday, April 4, 2015 – It’s the second annual Beltline Boil!  The Beltline Boil is a neighborhood festival focused on the local community, urban accessibility & low country cookin! Get out for a day in the Fourth Ward Skate Park alongside the Beltline’s Eastside Trail for live music, local eats and cold drinks!  Click here for more details!

Back to Your Roots Farm Fair – Chattahoochee Nature Center - Saturday, April 4, 2015 10:00a-3:00p – Get back to your roots with Chattahoochee Nature Center this spring as they celebrate an early Earth Day while getting down in the dirt! There'll be farm animals to meet, hands-on activities, live music and storytelling, trail hikes and more.  Click here for additional details!

-j

Hey y’all! There is some fun to be had this weekend!  Festival season is in full gear and so are the Easter egg hunts!  There’s some good stuff going on all over the city. Check it out!  And remember, if you know of some awesomeness happening in the city, be sure to holla@motherhustler.com!

Creative Loafing’s Do Good Pub Crawl – various locations - Saturday, March 28, 2015 5:00p-8:00p – Crawl through Kirkwood for a good cause and enjoy good grub, drinks, and raffles.  $1 of every ticket sold will go to Do Good projects.  Elmyriachi, The Pullman, Kirkyard Public House, and Taproom Coffee and Beer are the participating pubs.  Get more information about Do Good and the Pub Crawl here! 

Atlanta Science Festival – Centennial Olympic Park - through Saturday, March 28, 2015 11:00a-4:00p - This FREE event is open to adults, families, and children all ages and interests. It will promote science exploration, discovery and innovation with more than 100 interactive exhibits, hands-on experiments, mind blowing demos and a full line-up of science-themed performances! Click here for the schedule of events and a list of exhibitors.

AFF Easter Art Hunt – Springvale Park – Saturday, March 28, 2015 2:00pm – This is my kind of hunt!  The Atlanta Fringe Festival is bringing back the popular Easter Art Hunt, where pieces of art made by local Atlanta artisans will be hidden and free to whoever finds them, just like a traditional Easter Egg Hunt.  Click here for more details.

Eggstravaganza – Callanwolde Fine Arts Center – Saturday, March 28, 2015 10:00am-12:00pm - Eggstravaganza features thousands of candy-filled eggs to find (including three golden “prize” eggs), and a chance to meet the Easter Bunny. There will be baked goods for sale, a “cake walk”, face painting, carnival games, and spring-themed arts and crafts for kids. Bring your basket and your camera for a fun, family day amidst Callanwolde’s beautiful spring gardens and grounds.  For a list of hunt times and more information, click here.

Spring Egg-stravaganza – Fernbank Museum of Natural History – Saturday, March 28, 2015 10:00am-2:00pm - Instead of a traditional egg hunt, this year Fernbank is offering a new format, inviting guests to enjoy a twist on the popular springtime activity. Visitors are invited to bring baskets and search for special egg stations, complete activities and participate in games as they collect a variety of prize-filled eggs.  Click here for a list of scheduled activities and more information!

Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt & Movie by Moonlight – Tolleson Park – Saturday, March 28, 2015 7:00pm-9:30 - Join us for a new twist to a beloved holiday tradition.  Children up to age 10 years are encouraged to bring a flashlight and Easter basket to the hunt.  Children will be divided into age groups.  Youngest age group (children 5 years and younger) begins their hunt at 7:30 p.m.  Children age 6 to 10 years begin their hunt at approximately 8:00 p.m.  Immediately following the hunt everyone is invited to stay and watch the Disney animated feature film "Big Hero 6".  To get more information click here.

Songs for Kids Foundation Food + Music Festival 2015 – Monday Night Brewing – Sunday, March 29, 2015 1:00pm-5:00pm – Come out for a night of music by Yacht Rock Revue and performances from Songs for Kids artists along with some remarkable food and drink tastings.  Tickets are $75 for adults and $10 for kids and all proceeds benefit the Songs for Kids Foundation.  Click here for more information.

-j

Hey Mamas!  Today is the first official day of Spring!  Yay!  Major things happened/are happening today, like the Earth’s first – and only – total solar eclipse of the year along with a Supermoon (a full moon that’s pretty much bigger and brighter than usual).  Pretty super right?

So what are you doing to commemorate the beginning of Spring (which just so happens to be my favorite season of the year)?  Well, as usual, there's some awesomeness happening in the ATL.

DesignOrama - Charles Drew Charter School - Saturday, March 21, 2015 3:00p-6:00p - Come out to see the awesome  work of professional, college student, and K-10 student makers.  This year's theme is flight inspired.  While you're there, stop by my booth and get your face painted!  Check out the details here.

Friday Night Music Remix – High Museum of Art - tonight, March 20, 2015, 6:00p-10:00p – Friday Night Music Remix is every third Friday of the month at Atlanta’s High Museum of Art and tonight you can check out Willie Ziavino & C.O.T. Band after enjoying salsa lessons.  More details here.

SLAM:  The Art of Poetry – High Museum of Art – tonight, March 20, 2015, 5:30p-9:00p – And while you’re getting your salsa on, your teen can partake in the free event in the Teen Lounge.  Your young poet can hone their skills in the workshop prior to performing spoken work in the lounge amongst their peers.  Click here for more info.

Atlanta Film Festival – Plaza Theatre - Friday, March 20, 2015 through March 29, 2015 – The 39th annual Atlanta Film Festival kicks off today.  Head on down to the Plaza Theatre tonight to the premier film, “I am Michael” starring James Franco.  There are tons of films being shown over the next week.  I’ve got a list of my faves.  Be sure to follow me here on Instagram to see which films I check out.  Get more info here.

Ladyfest Atlanta - various locations – Friday, March 20, 2015 through March 22, 2015 – I’m super excited about Ladyfest this weekend.  Events like this is one of the reasons I absolutely love Atlanta.  Ladyfest Atlanta is “an intentional space for women and gender nonconforming Atlanta-based artists, innovators and activists to perform and share their work.” Check out the details of the festival here.

The Atlanta Improv Festival – The Village Theatre – through Saturday, March 21, 2015 – The Atlanta Improv Festival started yesterday and continues until tomorrow.  It’s going to be a weekend full of awesome improv performers from all over the country doing what they do best.  Not only will you be able to participate as a spectator, but there are also a host of workshops if you’re looking to sharpen your improve skills.  A portion of the proceeds from all ticket sales will go to Dad’s Garage as they move into their new space.  Read all about it here.

-j

It's the weekend Mamas!  Although the forecast is questionable, there is some awesomeness to be had this weekend in the ATL!

Atlanta’s St. Patrick’s Parade – Midtown – Saturday, March 14, 2015 – 12:00p – Everyone’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day!  The 133rd St. Patrick’s parade will take place this weekend in Midtown.  The Prime Minister of Ireland will serve as this year’s Grand Marshal!  Check out the parade route and more info here!

American Craft Council Show – Cobb Galleria Centre - Friday, March 13, 2015 – Sunday, March 15, 2015 – This is the mother of all craft shows!  There will be more than 225 crafters, makers, and artists all under one roof displaying their skills.  If you’re a craft lover, this is an event you don’t want to miss!  Click here for more info!

RAD Studio Cruise 2015 – Decatur – Saturday, March, 14, 2014 – 11:00a-7:00p – Pure artistic awesomeness!  Take a trolley along the Rail Arts District and peruse the plethora of inspiring paintings, drawings, photography, jewelry, pottery and so much more!  Galleries and boutiques will host additional artists and open their doors to the public.  There will also be performances, refreshments, and food vendors at various venues!  Check out more here!

Poetry Out Loud – Margaret Mitchell House – Sunday, March 15, 2015 – 1:00p-4:00p – I love a good poetry slam and this weekend is the state competition for high school students is this weekend!  If you’ve got tweens and teens, this would be a good outing for the entire family.  Cool points for you!  Snaps.  More details here.

Gordon Parks:  Segregation Story – Jackson Fine Art – through Saturday, March 14, 2015 – Gordon Parks is one of my faves.  While most may know him as the director for the 70s flick, Shaft, he holds a place in my heart as one of my favorite photographers, like ever.  He also co-founded Essence magazine, pioneered the Blaxploitation genre, was an activist, campaigned for civil rights, was a writer, and a musician.  Pretty badass, right?  “Segregation Story” is a recently recovered collection of his work currently on display at Jackson Fine Art and the High Museum of Art.  The exhibit at Jackson Fine Art ends Saturday, the High’s exhibit will be showcased until June 21, 2015.  I suggest checking out both.  Like a boss!

-j

I’m a hustler by nature and I’ve always had some sort of side-hustle.  However, the switch to full-fledge trep has entirely altered my world. I’ve been in this entrepreneurial game for about two years now and my priorities have repositioned themselves in a manner that I’m sure only other fellow Mother Hustlers can appreciate. 

1.       Hygiene

Since becoming an entrepreneur my days and nights are all a blur.  Every waking moment is consumed either by the kid, the 9-5, or my businesses.  Let’s just say I’ve had my fair share of “skip nights” and “hoe baths”.  Although I make sure to brush my teeth daily, I may not always give the rest of my body such consistent attention.  At this rate, I’ll probably be single for the rest of my life!

2.       Grooming

I probably shave once a season and most times on special occasions.  When it comes to body hair, I’m definitely stuck in the 70s.  Facial hair gets consistent attention to prevent me from becoming Cousin It’s stunt double.  My tresses get no love.  My go-to hairstyle is a high bun.  It’s the quickest, easiest and most effortless hairstyle that makes me look presentable when I step out into the real world.  I vowed this year to leave the bun in 2014.  It’s a work in progress.

3.       TV Shows

When your life is crazy hectic as a Mother Hustler there’s not much outside of your child or business that you can commit to.  The ratchet shows that used to consume me and days of binge watching Law & Order:  SVU reruns are sorely missed.  I’m always a season (or two) behind on my favorite shows.  I’m always playing catch-up with The Walking Dead.  I’m so far behind on Scandal, I just gave up.  And I can’t even think about starting to watch a new show to obsess over. 

4.       Sleep

Probably not a healthy habit, and I’m working on that, but I sleep about four hours a night.  And that’s a good night.  I tend to crash once every week and sleep for about 12 hours straight.  I’m still fully functional during my waking hours and am able to maintain a pleasant disposition.  Long gone are the days when I’d sleep til noon on the weekends.  I’m actually starting to wake up early without an alarm.

5.       Fashion

I used to be the girl who had to be “cleaner than the Board of Health”, as my grandfather would say, just to go to the mailbox.  Meaning that I had to be dressed to the nines just to venture out the house.   Clean or Febreezed.  Weather appropriate.  Matching colors.  Comfortable.  Are now only requirements for clothing. 

I’m sure you Mother Hustlers out there can relate.  What are you slacking on now that your priorities have changed?

-j