“Irritatingly inedible” is the way Lanée Slaughter describes her food-inspired creations for MAMA & OG, the resin art business she created in 2020 after struggling to find Black representation in the resin toy space. Named after herself and her 6-year-old daughter, Olivia G (OG), Lanée shifted from initially offering movable resin alphabet sets and sensory pieces into the most realistic- and delicious-looking resin food (think: Oreos, ice cream, tangerines, chocolate chip cookies, sugar cookies, etc.).

Alongside cooking up new creations for MAMA & OG, the Chicago-based mama is a recent re-entrant into the corporate workforce, as a part-time talent acquisition consultant. Below, the busy mother (whom we met at our first-ever Chicago event last month!) shares her current Mother Essentials must-haves.

Black Girl Sunscreen. “I swear by this sunscreen! It actually rubs in and doesn’t leave that terrible white residue. I use it on my daughter, as well, and it is super easy to apply, which is critical.” Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30, $15.99, Ulta.

Elisa Johnson Gold Metal Glasses. “These non-prescription glasses from the woman and Black-owned brand are my go-to for work and play. I also have a pair of the Jane sunglasses in Brown Tortoise and they are just as chic.” Jane in Gold Medal, $145, Elisa Johnson.

Stila Beso Lipstick. “I wear a minimal amount of makeup, so when going out this red lipstick provides the perfect pop of color. I have been wearing it for a decade, including on my wedding day, and it is still my favorite lip color of all time, plus it is all-day wear and does not smear.” Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Beso, $24, Nordstrom, Ulta, Amazon.

Pattern Beauty. “I’m on a curly hair journey and have been loving Tracee Ellis Ross’s haircare line, especially the styling cream when I wear my hair curly, which is nearly every day thanks to frequent trips to the pool in summer. I always air dry and this styling cream holds my curls beautifully.” Pattern Styling Cream, $28, Pattern and Sephora.

Ruta Reifen Studs. “Dainty earrings are my go-to and I truly love the beauty of Ruta Reifen’s designs. My absolute favorites are the Shay Studs. I lost one of them while jumping into the Hoyo Azul in Punta Cana and almost cried. I was lucky to find another set, but they’re now sold out.” Carmel Studs, $210, Ruta Reifen.

Wide Leg Linen Pants. “I live in wide leg pants in the summer and fall and this pair from my neighborhood boutique Petals and Jackets are my most worn. They give a linen vibe without all the wrinkles (because I do not have time to iron) and pair well with tanks or crop tops.” Shiloh Wide-Leg Pant, $68, Petals & Jackets.

Addict Lip Glow Lip Balm. “I have this in the berry color and it is the perfect way to revive my natural lip with a bit of a glow.” Dior Addict Lip Glow in Berry, $40, Dior Beauty.

Osmo Play. “This is the perfect alternative to passive screen time. My daughter’s friend was using it during a playdate once and I immediately ordered one for Olivia. It essentially gamified learning and brought it to life in this really fun, digital interface.” PlayOsmo.com.

Capptivating Play Dough. “I have been raving about this play dough since I came across it on Instagram 4 years ago. Fast forward and I’ve collaborated with owner and now friend, Destiny Capps, several times and I include her dough in some of my resin food kits. It is seriously the softest dough I’ve ever felt and does not dry out. It is so good and Olivia loves to pair the dough with all of my MAMA & OG samples that become her toys, especially the ice cream scoops and Oreo cookies.” Custom Dough Set, $30, Capptivating Play.

Pop-Tart Art. “This was the first piece of wall art I created. Even though I’ve never actually eaten a poptart, this is my favorite #irritatinglyinedible food to make. Olivia has a rainbow themed version hanging in her room, but I am partial to the OG.” Pop-Tart Commission, $200, MAMA & OG.

Beach Hair. “Since Olivia was born, I’ve ensured that she has a very diverse library: one that is representative of her heritage as a Black biracial girl while also providing perspective on other folks of the global majority and groups who have been historically persecuted. I love that the family in Beach Hair is also interracial like ours and the story just captures a joyful day at the beach, which is the essence of our summer.” Beach Hair, $17.66, Bookshop.

Normal Gossip Podcast. “I use this podcast to give myself a brain break, plus I love hearing random gossip about people I will never ever know or meet. It’s great for listening to multiple episodes on long roadtrips, but the episodes are also good for the drive to pick up or when I’m walking our dog around the block. This podcast always leaves me examining my relationship with gossip.” Normal Gossip via Apple Podcasts.

Coffee. “I need my morning before I can get going and on most days it’s from Standing Passengers, the neighborhood coffeeshop. The owner knows my order better than I do and they have the best empanadas and tacos from Cafe Tola. They also have a great little back patio for kids to play and on Saturday afternoons they have a DJ for a little midday pick-me-up.” Standing Passengers, 1458 W Chicago Avenue, Chicago.

For more MOTHER ESSENTIALS, peep our recent features on the mamas behind MAJO IDEAS, APRIL SHOWERS of Afro Unicorn, crafty mamas ERIN BOYLE AND ROSE PEARLMAN, writers CLEO WADE and ALEX ELLE, comedian JENNY SLATE, poet MAGGIE SMITH, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream co-founder LAURA O’NEILL, author and doula BRANDI SELLERZ-JACKSON, designer CLARE VIVIER, Miles & Milan founder SHENNEL FULLER, GRACE NA of Pistola, the designers behind MILK TEETH, photographer NICKI SEBASTIAN, Duster co-founder MELISSA MAGSAYSAY, Herman Miller creative director KELSEY KEITH, chef VALERIE GORDON, artist ERIN JANG, and Chicago party mom KRISTEN KAZA.