If you’ve missed our Mother Essentials column, it’s baaaack! And we can’t think of a better person to kick off our 2019 series with than Ylleya Fields, the Cleveland-based mother of 6 (!) behind the spunky Princess Cupcake Jones series. The PCJ character was birthed when Ylleya’s eldest daughter was just a toddler and she was struck by the limited number of books featuring black lead characters. The idea has since blossomed to include five Princess Cupcake Jones children’s books, along with accessories, apparel, and toys featuring Ylleya’s lovable creation. Below, the inspiring entrepreneur and devoted mother to DJ (20), Donna (14), Dakota (11), Grey (4), and twins Phoenix and Prime (2), shares her current Mother Essentials (including the ultimate vehicle to transport her crew!).

Gluten-Free Oatmeal. “Having a child with a gluten allergy is tough. But this item has been a lifesaver at breakfast time. My son loves the Maple Brown Sugar!”
Nature’s Path Gluten Free Oatmeal, $9.24, Amazon.

Lip Smackers. “My kids tease me for loving these as much as I do. I have them everywhere! In the car, my purse, my coat. Chapped lips are clearly a pet peeve for me.”
Lip Smacker Original Flavors Lip Gloss Party Pack, 8 Count, $7.68, Amazon.

iPhone XS Max. “I am definitely addicted to it. It keeps me connected to the people I love most and to the world in general. Plus, the camera is amazing.”
iPhone XS Max, $1,099, Apple.

Battery Life. “This allows you to charge two electronic devices at once, and it’s one of the best chargers in the business.”
Mophie Powerstation External Battery for Universal Smartphones and Tablets, $39.99, Amazon.

Uggs. “I live in Cleveland—enough said, lol. With the snow and unpredictable weather that we get, you have to have dependable boots to get you through the winter.”
UGG Women’s Classic Short II Boot, $159.99, Amazon.

Nissan NV 3500. “As a mom of six, with constant cousins and friends riding with us, this is the only thing I feel comfortable driving.”
Nissan NV 3500, $35,170, Nissan.

Becoming. “This is my current adult reading obsession. I love how real and candid she is about her experience, in both the White House and regular life.”
Becoming by Michelle Obama, $19.96, Amazon.

Princess Cupcake Jones Books. “Each of my Princess Cupcake Jones books gives you a lesson, moral, or value that can be applied to everyday life for everyday children.”
Princess Cupcake Jones Won’t Go to School, $15.36, Amazon.

NARS Concealer. “I won’t wear any other makeup besides this 90% of the time. It doesn’t dry out and goes on super smooth.”
NARS Radiant Cream Concealer, $30, Ulta.

Aveeno Moisturizer. “Love love love this product! I have used it on my skin for about 10 years and now my oldest daughter also uses it. It has SPF 30 in it, which is a necessity.”
Aveeno Positively Radiant Moisturizer, $13.40, Amazon.

YouTube. “Is there anything this social media app doesn’t have? From documentaries to videos of people opening toys (yes, we watch that, too), it’s a one-stop shop for my family. My kids watch their favorite programs and even have their own channels (parent monitored, of course).”
Watch Ylleya’s daughter Grey’s adorable channel here.

Sweat X Sport Laundry Detergent. “Made with natural and non-toxic ingredients, this is great for kids with allergies and eczema.”
Sweat X Sport Laundry Detergent, $19.99, Amazon.

Princess Cupcake Jones Bookbag. “This is great for carrying Princess Cupcake Jones books, electronics, and snacks for the little ones!”
Princess Cupcake Jones Bookbag, $35.99, Princess Cupcake Jones.

Daily Prayer & Meditation. “In our hustle and bustle days, we have to take time to stop and center ourselves spiritually, otherwise you can literally go crazy. The Lord’s prayer is my go-to.”

For more on Ylleya, check out her website and Instagram feed! And for more Mother Essentials, peep our past columns with artist Kindah Khalidy, jewelry designers Lauren Godfrey and Maggie Gavigan Smith, Oakland retail queen Sherri McMullen, PR pro Priscilla Vega, Courtney Klein of Storq, Joanne Encarnacion, LaTonya Yvette, Morgan Walker of Make.do, Jeanne Chan of Harlow & Grey, and more.