Mother’s Day – Ananda Leeke

My Februllage 2026 Collage for Day 9: Bottle

Posted by Ananda Leekeon February 9, 2026in UncategorizedLeave a comment

Bottle is the prompt for #Februllage Day 9. My collage is entitled Mother + Daughter + Granddaughter Memory from 1986.

I thought about memories I wish I could have bottled. I decided to create a collage about my memory of standing next to my mother Theresa and grandmother Dorothy (known as Nanan) in a family photo that was taken during my parents’ 25th wedding anniversary celebration in 1986.

I remember my mom being so happy to renew her vows with my dad in the presence of her children, family, and friends. I was very happy to serve as her maid of honor and celebrate my parents. I think Nanan was happy to see her daughter so happy.

This photo is one of the only photos I have with all of us together. It’s hard to believe that it was taken 40 years ago. When I look at it now, I can truly appreciate the layers of mother-daughter love that existed between us as imperfect human beings.

I started the collage with a photo that my niece Jordan took of me during our 2021 visit to the KUSAMA: Cosmic Nature exhibition at the New York Botanical Garden that featured the work of Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. She encouraged me to pose by the floral exhibit.

Side Note: We both love flowers.

I was so happy that day because I got to spend it with my niece who is the daughter I never had and one of my favorite people in the world.

I remember telling my mom how happy I was that Jordan and I got to share the joy of seeing one of our favorite artists together. I also texted this photo to my mom. She loved art and flowers just like Jordan and me.

Both photos are filled with moments I wish I could have bottled so I could open them on days when I need a quick reminder of how I blessed I am to be Theresa’s daughter, Dorothy’s granddaughter, and Jordan’s aunt.

YOUR INVITATION

Click on the video below and listen to my song, “Ancestral Medicine” that is featured on my debut album, Thriving Mindfully As Theresa’s Daughter as you reflect on the question below.

If you could bottle moments spent with your loving + wise + well ancestors, what would they be?

Happy Creativity Thursday: Maiden Nations’ Creative Gifts That Promote Social Good for Mother’s Day

Posted by Ananda Leekeon May 9, 2013May 9, 2013in Creativity ThursdayLeave a comment

Happy Creativity Thursday!

Today, my blog is featuring Maiden Nation’s collection of creative gifts that you can purchase to honor the women in your life on Mother’s Day and to promote social good.

Maiden Nation was founded by my digital sisters Willa Shalit, Elizabeth Schaeffer Brown, and Juliana Um to empower women through ethical fashion and to create a marketplace where items are designed with both beauty and social consciousness in mind. Maiden Nation’s designers are of the moment, their products are ethically sourced, and profits are reinvested into women’s entrepreneurship projects. Famed designers such as Yoko Ono and Chan Luu have contributed designs. See photos below.

Photo Credit: Yoko Ono's Imagine Peace bracelet — Photo Credit: Yoko Ono’s Imagine Peace bracelet

Photo Credit: Chan Luu's Kiss Kiss bracelet — Photo Credit: Chan Luu’s Kiss Kiss bracelet

Chan Luu’s “Kiss Kiss Bracelets” – named for the signature Haitian greeting of a peck on each cheek – are part of a line of Chan Luu jewelry created especially for Maiden Nation members of Hands Together Cooperative in Haiti, in partnership with the Glamour Women of the Year Fund Initiative and the United Nations Ethical Fashion Initiative. Each purchase will help the survivors of the 2010 earthquake build a new life by supporting this new business. Additionally, for every bracelet sold, $6 will be donated to Sean Penn’s J/P Haitian Relief Organization to support community development in Haiti. Additionally, to support victims in the U.S. and Haiti coping with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, Maiden Nation will also donate $2 to the American Red Cross.

Click here to visit the Maiden Nation online marketplace.

Happy Mother’s Day Shopping!

Disclaimer: I am a member of the Everywhere Society and Everywhere provided me with product from Maiden Nation to review. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed herein are my own.

Unique Mother’s Day Gifts That Promote Social Good

Posted by Ananda Leekeon May 2, 2013May 2, 2013in Heart of HaitiLeave a comment

Photo Credit: https://authoranandaleeke.wordpress.com/tag/heart-of-haiti/

Hi All!

Mother’s Day is almost here. Are you ready? Have you found a unique gift for your mother and/or the women in your life who are mother figures?

This year, I am giving my mother a gift that promotes social good: a handmade picture frame made by a Haitian artisan who creates beautiful work for the Heart of Haiti collection at Macy’s (see photo below).

The Heart of Haiti collection features more than 40 home decor items including qulits, metalwork, ceramics, and paintings made my Haitian artisans. The Heart of Haiti is a “Trade, Not Aid”initiative that was launched by artist and social entrepreneur Willa Shalit, The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, and Macy’s after the 2010 earthquake. The initiative provides Haitian artisans with an opportunity to make a living, feed their families, and pay their children’s school fees. To date, the initiative has employed 750 artisans resulting in financial benefits for an estimated 8,000 in Haiti. What a powerful way to give back and do social good!

In 2011, I traveled as a Heart of Haiti blogger ambassador to Haiti and met the artisans who make the metal frames and other home decor items. Seeing them create and talk about their artwork helped me truly understand how powerful “Trade, Not Aid” programs are. Since then, I have continued my work as a Heart of Haiti blogger ambassador by using my blog and social media presence to raise awareness and celebrate the artistry and regrowth of my Haitian brother and sister artisans.

I encourage you to give back to the Haitian artisans by purchasing a Heart of Haiti gift for your mother and/or the mothering women in your life. Click here to explore the collection on Macy’s web site. Happy Social Good Shopping!

DISCLAIMER: I am a member of the Everywhere Society and Everywhere provided me with compensation for this post. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed herein are my own.