Showing posts with label Product Recs. Show all posts


 

We've got a big week coming up and I like to have a plan so I don't miss out on anything or end up overspending. This is how I'm planning to spend money on Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Giving Tuesday.

Black Friday

I am keeping my eye on a few products hoping for price drops on Black Friday, some sales have already started (woo hoo!):

NOTE: I have used the Rakuten extension to get cash back on online purchases and to find additional discounts and coupons (at checkout it scans every possible discount code and applies for me) for years. I thought it seemed scammy but it has consistently worked for me. (this is a referral link but I would share with or without the referral because it is very, very legit and stacks on savings for an already good day for us). 

Beyond Yoga 30 - 75% Off [today] (+2% cash back with Rakuten): My favorite maternity jumpsuit is $45 off for Beyond Yoga's Black Friday sale, and the non-maternity version (affectionately known as the hot auntie version) is $42 off in some colors and even more heavily discounted in other colors. The Icon Midi dress that I wore all through pregnancy and will resume this summer is $50 off as well.

Good American 30% Off [today] (+2% cash back with Rakuten): I've been getting targeted with Good American Always Fits jeans that claim to fit four sizes...sounds like what I need as my body changes postpartum. I purchased the Straight Leg and Flare to try (*I won't let myself keep both* *I won't let myself keep both* -- I repeat to myself as I wait for them to arrive).

Tommy John 30% Off [today] (+2.5% cash back with Rakuten): I have the Women's Downtime Joggger set (jogger and henley) and am ordering an additional set because it is all I own that is light but warm enough to sleep in [hi winter night sweats] AND works for night time nursing. Super, super soft. I also really like their undies, and the waistband was soft enough to wear right after my c-section.

Magnetic Me Sale TBD (+ 2% cash back with Rakuten): These are my absolute favorite onesies, we are reusing all with baby #2 so they last. They're pricey but I'm hoping for a good Black Friday discount to stock up for gifts. If there's a decent enough discount I'm also adding the women's nursing PJs to my cart.


Small Business Saturday

The crowd sourced Black Owned Business Guide has been updated with y'alls additions, let's support some Black owned businesses! Please email or message me on social media if you have additional businesses to add!

Giving Tuesday

Similar to Black Friday, Giving Tuesday is the final fundraising push for non-profits to get into the black. I went on a rant on Instagram about the way we think about non-profit funding and the false narrative around "overhead" and you can find a very legit Ted Talk about it here. 

The TL;DR is that a lot of people divert funds away from nonprofits who use donations for overhead, but overhead is absolutely critical to carrying out missions (staffing, marketing, supplies, etc). Ironically, the only way for us to know how much money goes to overhead is via an accountant which is in fact, overhead. Here is a list of non-profits y'all shared with some of my favorites as well - remember even $5 makes a difference. 

This is also a good day to help clear teacher wishlists which have heartbreaking items like tissues and pencils. 

  • Camp Buggy Creek: a place where children can reach beyond their illnesses and enjoy the simple pleasures of childhood.
  • City Year: An education nonprofit dedicated to students' and schools' success.
  • Comfort Zone Camp: transforms the lives of children who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling, primary caregiver
  • DC Dream Center:  inspires youth and adults to dare to dream, equipping them to reach their God-given potential.
  • Equity Lab:  takes on the nation's biggest challenges of individual, institutional, and systemic inequity.
  • Food Banks: please look up your local food banks, they are really struggling right now due to an influx of need, and the community depends on them for food.
  • Foster the Family: exists to support and encourage foster and adoptive families, mobilize and equip the community and church for foster care and adoption.
  • Martha's Table: Community Kitchen is designed to promote upward economic mobility.DC Diaper Bank 
  • NPR: Nonprofit journalism with a mission. 
  • Ronald McDonald House (google your local chapters): Eases the hardship of children's illness on families.
  • Waste Not Want Not: provides a waste prevention service for the community and provides economically disadvantaged individuals with products and services they need for relief.
*this post contains some referral links meaning I earn a slight commission on some items if you purchase through the links. I do not recommend anything that I either have not tried or do not intend to try, and I am always upfront about what I have not tried but am recommending. No pressure to use my links, just ant to make sure y'all are aware.

a guide to the week: black friday, small business saturday, giving tuesday

Monday, November 20, 2023

What a relief that oversized tops are IN this year - just in time for Thanksgiving. These are the tops I have purchased during late night feedings (anyone else have an issue with late night online shopping with a newborn..?). 

I'm not ready for hard pants yet but when I am ready I'll be wearing these with my favorite jeans + sneaker or boot. I wear a nursing tank (linked is my preferred tank because it has padding) under my sweaters to give me tummy coverage when I lift my sweater to feed. This post is a good resource on how to tuck sweaters.


The Amazons

1. I was shocked by the quality of these Amazon sweaters! Crewneck Batwing sweater (I sized down to a small, color is Red Apricot) + Real Me leggings +  socks + shoes

2. Amazon sweater #2 FTW. Stuck with my regular size medium here. Oversize Crew Neck Sweater (wearing my regular size medium, could have sized down to small, if in between sizes go down) + Pocket Leggings (Lulu Align dupes - I'm in my regular size medium, 25" Sage Grey) + shoes

3. Top  (in my regular size medium) + pocket leggings (Lulu Align dupes - I'm in my regular size medium, 25" Sage Grey) + shoes

Other Favs


4. This one is more casual in person than it looks in pictures because it has some distressing. The Chill Crew Sweatshirt (40% off today. Fit is oversized, I sized down to small) + Real Me leggings + shoes.

5. I've seen this Lumber Jane Shirt (fit is oversized - I sized down to small) everywhere and can confirm it's worth the hype - super comfy. + Real Me leggings + shoes. 

6. This is the softest sweater I own and I have it in two colors. I recommend sizing down. Coaster Luxe Recover Sweatshirt +  Pocket Leggings + shoes + mini diaper bag (actually holds everything you need for leaving the house with one kid, woman-owned business, I love it). 

Thanksgiving outfits - the best oversized sweaters and tops

Thursday, November 16, 2023


The Sephora Sale always brings up conversations around skincare and how our routines evolve - y'all may remember a few years ago when I was hellbent on using all "clean" products, and then a few followers who are literal scientists and chemists (with PhDs, not just people who google a lot like me) gently suggested resources to understand the actual [minimal] dangers in our skincare products, and how big companies have taken these not-data-based-fears to convince us to spend lots and lots of money on "clean" skincare. 

So, while I am not a medical professional or a scientist who understands things, I have entered a new phase of skincare and makeup. Below are some things that have helped me out:

Skincare

After I had Hall my postpartum skin was out of control and my Sephora products weren't cutting it, so I consulted a dermatologist (if you're in the DMV I have had great experiences with Integrated Dermatology - they take insurance and do cosmetic services in office). My appointment was less than 10 minutes long and included a full skin cancer screen followed by an acne/aging skin consult. My dermatologist got me on this routine:

  • Morning: facewash with Cetaphil >> a tiny amount of Vitamin C Serum (she recommends this serum) >> by CeraVe moisturizer >> sunscreen.
  • Evening: facewash with Cetaphil >> prescription Retinol >> CeraVe moisturizer 
    • Once/week: exfoliate
A few notes: 
The Vitamin C serum is pricey but it lasts for awhile. I am waiting to reorder for Derm Store's Black Friday sale starting November 17th in hopes that it goes on sale.

I stock up on Cerave at Costco and share it with my kids (it great for my sensitive skinned babies).

My derm calls the Retinol into a mail in pharmacy that takes my insurance, making the Retinol cost $15.

Yes, I been punching the air about how much money I've sunk into "clean" facewashes and toners and serums. 


Makeup

I haven't updated how I do my makeup since the demo at the mall's Clinique counter (I just wanted my Clinique Happy perfume!!), and I have spent the last few years applying makeup with my fingers because life is busy and my toddler loves makeup brushes and it's just not worth the fight to get them back. 

HOWEVER I found Erica Taylor on Tik Tok (also on Instagram and Youtube) who shows accessible tutorials on how to update our routine for aging skin. Some of my favorites:

Easy Daily Makeup Tutorial (it's actually easy I can do it)

Dated Eyeshadow (I feel old)

Dos and Don'ts (makeup stuff we were taught to do that now makes us look old)

Here is the actual makeup I'm using (most recommended by Erica and/or actual friends):

my adult skincare and makeup routine

Tuesday, November 7, 2023


 If you follow along on IG you know I saw my dermatologist after Hall's birth to deal with my postpartum skin issues and my derm rocked my world when she got me off all my pricey skincare products and on sunscreen, Cetaphil, Cerave, Vitamin C serum, and prescription [$15!!!] Retinol. So while I'm not spending like I used to at the Sephora sale, there's still fun to be had. 

Here's what I ordered for the sale that ends on 11/6 (because I know we're all sitting here with full carts scared to pull the trigger):

My hair stylist turned me on to this shampoo and conditioner to treat my dry, flaky scalp and it has been a god send. 

Erica Taylor is a 90's makeup artist who is doing the Lord's work and teaching those of us who haven't updated their makeup routine since that Clinique showcase in 7th grade how to do makeup for our aging skin.  I ordered the Merit Bronze Balm she uses for her "Grilled Cheese" makeup tutorial. I'm terrified of contouring due to an incident years ago with a makeup artist that left me walking down the aisle for my friend's wedding looking like I'm on my way to my guest spot on a Jersey Shore club night out, but MANY people in my DMs reassured me that this is contour for people scare of contour. 

When I posted the balm on IG, everyone and their mom got in my DMs telling me how much you love it and that I need to try Merit's Concealer and Foundation stick as well so I threw that in my cart. 

Also straight from Erica's tutorial I ordered this minimal blush.

And added my favorite mascara that never runs,  no matter how many times per day pregnancy/post partum hormones have me crying. 

2023 Sephora Sale Items

Friday, November 3, 2023

I run very, very hot - especially at night, especially when pregnant, and ESPECIALLY postpartum. I have been around the block with products and remedies for this, and at this point these are the products that have helped me get some sleep:

Bedding



First is my bedding. I tried the bamboo, I wanted to try the linen but it was pricey for something I didn't get any firsthand recs for. Enter: tencel, the magical fiber that is somehow soft and breathable and allows me to sleep at night. My husband has an obsession with finding the softest of everything while my priority is not being hot, and these meet both of our needs. West Elm's Tencel Comforter and Tencel Sheet Set are it for us.

They are pricey but worth it for me to get some sleep. West Elm has a lot of sales throughout the year: most bank holidays, black friday, cyber monday, and Friends and Family sale that usually hits late March and early September.

I snagged a down-alternative cooling mattress topper on Prime Day. "Cooling" is a stretch, but it does add another level of comfort to our mattress and it doesn't make me hot. I appreciate the box quilting that keeps the filling in place and the corner straps that prevent it from moving around.

Pajamas



Soma's Cool Nights line is now my go-to, I can sleep in nothing else. When I was having postpartum night sweats (more like floods), these were sweat wicking and cooling at the same time. I kept an extra pair next to my bed so I could change when I woke up too soaked to go back to sleep. These are my favorites that I own (I usually pick up items on Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and other sales throughout the year). They always run out and restock periodically so it's worth keeping an eye on the site:

I'm a [temperature] hot person who just wants a good sleep

Tuesday, July 25, 2023



I posted about biker shorts on Monday and didn't expect so much feedback! So here is a post completely dedicated to people with @$$, hips, and thighs -- with many blessings comes many challenges and I am here to help navigate the challenge of finding shorts as a grown adult with blessed body parts. These are all shorts I own and wear regularly.

Quince 100% European Linen Shorts ($29.90): Available in size XS - XL and seven colors. I own the white pair and can't wear black undies but you can't see my dark orange bodysuit through them. So they are only somewhat see-through? I have worn these throughout pregnancy and they have good deep pockets. I wear size medium.

Blooming Jelly high waisted running shorts ($26.99): Available in size XS - 3XL and 30+ colors. These are incredibly comfortable, even the liner is fine with me, and they have a zipper pocket (not big enough for phone but still functional for keys and stuff). I ordered a size large but could have stuck with my regular medium. I have worn these throughout pregnancy as well.

Old Navy Maternity Full Panel Linen Blend Shorts ($32, on sale for $12): Available in size XS - XXL in three colors. These are maternity which just means sort of high waisted so I will wear these after pregnancy as well. The linen blend makes them breathable and cool. 

AE Curvy Denim Shorts ($42): Available in size 000 - 20, multiple options. I wear size 10. I haven't been able to wear these while pregnant because buttons and zipper are just no. These fit just right which is so hard to find in denim shorts so I have this and this style as well.

 Beyond Yoga Spacedye Biker Short ($72): Available in sizeXXS - 4X in 5 colors. Spacedye is comparable to Lululemon Align except it doesn't pill as badly in my experience which makes me a convert. My gateway to spacedye is this maternity jumpsuit that I have worn almost every day of pregnancy. When it comes to biker shorts I stick with 7 - 8" inseam because I like the longer look. 

Shorts for people with butts, thighs, and hips

Wednesday, July 5, 2023




Y'all recommended a lot of helpful products and considerations for our first family beach resort vacation with an 18-month old. These were the items we used the most with our toddler at the beach and pool (thank you everyone for your recs!).

Rashguard: HL wore this or the short sleeve version to protect his skin every day of vacation. He's on the bigger side of 18 month olds and the 2Ts fit perfectly.

Sunglasses: These rarely stayed on but aren't they so cute? He loved putting them on when he saw us put on our sunglasses and wearing them for 2-3 mins each. These fit his head and make great gifts.

Slip-on Sandals: He LIVED in these, they're so easy to slip on and off - he can almost do it himself. The back strap is adjustable.

Hat with neck cover: To my surprise, he had no issue wearing this in the pool. He usually refuses hats, but I think it being wet (cooling) and giving him shade helped.

Swim trunks: Target has a lot of size/pattern options for under $10, although I did struggle to find trunks in his size that are not blue (a safety tip from a lot of parents was to have them in bright colors so they're easy to find in the water).

Swim diapers: I was confused by the concept of swim diapers and learned a lot on this trip (the hard way). I brought a reusable swim diaper and boy was I glad to have the disposables (sorry, environment!) - I'm not sure where I could have washed a poopy swim diaper at the pool or beach, and putting it back on him while wet would have been a huge pain. We learned that these diapers really do the job while IN the water, they don't provide a lot of protection while walking around/hanging out, so whenever he got out of the water we switched him back to a regular diaper. We had 0 leaks in the pool which was what really mattered. 

Float: This might be the best thing we took with us. He could sit upright in it in the water and he was very relaxed in it. Of course, we were with him at all times while he was floating in it but it is nice to have hands free. It folds up compactly to fit in the bottom of the suitcase and requires minimal inflation/set up.

Swim Vest: He wore this at all times when he was around the water, unless he was in the float. It keeps them upright in the water which surprised him when he was playing around, but this was great to have with us. We practiced wearing it at home so he was used to it by the time he got to the pool and again to my surprise he got excited to put it on any time I pulled it out. 

The Beach Bag

We carried a tote bag (just a regular one because it packed easier than a full on beach bag) around with us that had extra swim diapers, a dry change of clothes, wipes, regular diapers, toys for meal times (a few magnetic tiles and the spinny suction things were the biggest hits), snacks,  a sunscreen stick (I found this the easiest way to apply sunscreen), and his EpiPen. 

Going to the Pool (and beach and resort) with a Toddler

Thursday, June 29, 2023



I've seen a lot of gift guides floating around the internets, and while there seems to be a gift guide for every type of boyfriend/husband/dad out there I haven't found the Gift Guide for Your Grumpy, Sober, Pregnant Friend/Partner/Sibling/Person You Are Obligated to Get a Gift For". In preparation for black Friday and holiday chaos I'm sharing the products I actually use regularly that have made this pregnancy doable, as well as recs y'all shared. I received feedback after posting this on IG that this should actually just be a gift guide for people who appreciate comfort, it's not exclusive to pregnancy. So if you are preg or prioritize comfort do send this list along to people buying you gifts for black Friday shopping. 

Listing the original prices but black Friday should give us some heavy discounts.

My Recs

Lululemon Align High Rise 28" Leggings ($98): These are pricey but they are MAGICAL which makes them a great gift. I'm in my regular pre-pregnancy Lululemon size (8) at 33 weeks pregnant, and everyone has said these are also great post-partum. A lot of y'all also recommended the Align Joggers. 

Origins Leg Lifts Lotion ($30): A friend gave me this lotion and I wish I had discovered it earlier. I've put my legs through some crazy sh*t (like running a marathon) but they have never ached/been as tired as they are in pregnancy.

Bombas Socks ($16+): I cannot express enough how sweaty pregnancy is and how uncomfortable my feet are. Nice socks that feel like sweaters hugging your feet help. 

I also recommend the grippy socks as hormones loosen pregnant people's joints which makes us clumsier. Lawd knows I was already falling all over myself. 

Supportive Fuzzy Slippers ($12-$24): On the topic of aching feet, I found these on a list of podiatrist recommended slippers and then read in the reviews that TIBAL recommended these at some point so we KNOW these are good. **Make sure to get the hard bottoms NOT the fuzzy bottom sandals - they are different!

Mermaid Noire Candle ($16): During first trimester every smell, including the smell of my home, made me feel sick to my stomach - EXCEPT this candle. I burned it 24/7. Now that I'm out of the throes of first tri I'm burning the Brown Sugar Milk Tea candle.

Meundies Hooded Robe ($72): Y'all know how I am about robes. Harrison got me this for Christmas a few years ago and it has carried me through 3rd trimester. It has a hood and pockets which I thought are mandatory features I have never used but I hear from the moms will come in extremely handy during nighttime feedings.

Baggage Claim Eye Masks ($25): These under eye gels feel glorious after a night of insomnia. Sidenote: I thought I was adjusting well to the insomnia but recently saw a picture of myself and realized I am in fact not coping as well as I thought. But these eye gels feel good and that counts for something. 

Cooling Pajamas ($45+): NIGHT SWEATS ARE VERY VERY REAL and I swear by these pajamas - sweat wicking, cooling, comfortable. Note: I got a few DMs about pajamas and I feel the need to clarify that these are NOT sexy pajamas - they are purely functional.

Kindle Paperwhite ($89) : The adjustable backlight means you can read poolside while everyone else is taking shots, or in bed when you are up with insomnia and don't want to turn on a light and wake up your partner from their precious, amazing, easy to come by sleep. 

Savage Fenty Jumpsuit ($90): Pockets, hood, extremely soft and warm. This was a Christmas gift last year and the medium is carrying me through the end of third trimester. The zipper front means it should work for breastfeeding, pumping, and anything else one needs to whip out a boob for. You can sign up for a membership, purchase the items, and then cancel the membership to get discounts.

Love Scrub Mesh Body Exfoliator ($18): I am one of the white people who washes every part of my body regularly. This is like a loofah except it stretches out to be FEET long so you can wrap it around yourself to scrub and exfoliate hard to reach spots and spots get harder to reach and bending over becomes impossible.

Nike Free Run 5.0 Shoes ($100): Harrison got these for me after I complained about my feet hurting. Super supportive, foamy soft, and they slip on which is mandatory as bending over to tie shoes is no longer an option. I had to go a size up in these.

Slides ($28): I've always been opposed to adults wearing slides because they feel like I'm going to high school soccer practice but these slip on and off so easily and are v. supportive. Third trimester has turned me into a person who leaves the house in socks and slides. They're that good.


Recs from y'all: 

Shipt membership ($99) 

Frida Mom Recovery Kit ($39)

Frida Mom Hospital Bag Essentials ($99)

Bidet ($50) *IYKYK*

Compression Socks ($20)

Gift cards for maternity clothes and essentials:

Gift Guides: Gifts for the Pregnant People in Your Life

Tuesday, November 23, 2021

It's been quite a couple of weeks. Here are the things I'm liking right now: 

🎧Listening: Frontline Dispatch's "Policing the Police in Minnesota" episode is informative. Scene on Radio's 2017 series on Seeing Whiteness brings in experts historians like Ibrahm X. Kendi to explore what it means to be white - the history I'm learning is mind blowing. I also really appreciated Kate Bowler's conversation with Netflix's Wedding Coach on Divorce - while divorce isn't something I personally am going through, it was helpful to hear actionable ways we can support our loved ones who are going through it, and the conversation around permission to grieve a life we thought we'd have.

📚 Reading: Continuing to read Black authors, just finished Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson which tells the story of generations of a Brooklyn family. I learned from Austin Channing Brown's I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness- mandatory reading especially for white Christians. 

📣Important: Last week was National Infertility Awareness Week, and as someone who has been dealing with complications over the last two years this article about what to say and what not to say is something I wish everyone would read. 

👙Swim suit szn: A few weeks ago on IG we talked about the struggle of finding a sensible, age-appropriate bathing suit cover-up. A few of you recommended this $10 Target dress (plus size here), and I ordered this $20 ribbed bodycon cover up (in XL based on reviews and because I'm a little old for an actual bodycon). Also with multiple recs: Summersalt (eyeing these pants) and Swimsuits for All 

$20 ribbed bodycon cover up 

$10 Target dress

👖Wearing: All y'all are out here arguing over if we're going to ditch skinny jeans with Gen Z while I'm focused on never ever returning to hard pants (jeans after a year in sweat pants?! are yall serious?). I ordered these Athleta joggers in Abalone Grey on sale and they are breathable, comfortable, come in petite (so are the actual length they're supposed to be on us 5'4 and belows!) and I can dress them up enough to pass. 

🍷Drinking: It's white wine season! Lol who am I kidding there are no rules rn so I've been white whining year round - McBride Sisters' Sauvignon Blanc is my favorite and is super affordable, and their brut is both Harrison and my favorite champagne right now. Shipping is really fast too which is great. Real into their mission to transform the industry as a Black woman owned wine maker.


stuff I like rn

Wednesday, April 28, 2021


 📖Reading: After wrapping up my February reads I'm on The Mothers by Brit Bennett (author of one of my favs The Vanishing Half) and finishing up Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria  via Audible. The Mothers has me all the way sucked in and I'm learning so much from my audiobook.

📺Watching: Required Black History viewing- Judas and the Black Messiah on HBO Max.

🎶 Inspired:  Kirk Franklin's Tiny Desk concert!!! You don't have to be down with the G-O-D (reference to Sister Act 2 ICYMI) to get down with this. I recommend browsing Tiny Desk's Black History Month playlist. Tiny Desk Concerts is a video series of live concerts hosted by NPR Music at the desk of All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen. 

🧴Skincaring: I've been reading about the shelf stability of a lot of skin care products, especially our vitamin C serums/moisturizers (thanks to Laura Scott), and so opted for the Drunk Elephant Littles from Sephora for my latest refills. Huge fan of their T.L.C. Framboos serum's ability to clear up my skin, and finally getting into the vitamin C craze (which are both included in the Littles set). I also like that the Drunk Elephant products range from 1 - 3 ratings on EWG*.

🎧Listening: The Higher Learning podcast has me LOLing and also really thinking in each episode. Rachel Lindsay and Van Lathan have great chemistry and it's really fun to listen to them dissect pop culture and current events.

💅🏻Manicuring: I finally tried the gel strips everyone's been raving about- I opted for the Dashing Diva brand ($8 for 32 gel strips aka 32 nails) at Ulta or Target. The application was super easy and took less than 10 mins (no tools or lights required, they're just stickers you put on your nails!) and now I'm one week in with a full set still in tact looking like day one (even after hair washes! my usual gel manicures don't usually hold up against my hair). I'm impressed and ordered another 5 sets. 

👖Wearing: Everyone and their mom is telling me about these Aerie and Amazon dupes for Lululemon Fast and Free leggings (my all time favs). I ordered mediums for both and while they aren't as "barely there" feeling as the Lulu version, at a price point that is literally *one hundred whole dollars* less they're great. I prefer the Aerie leggings because they are a little lighter and the thin waistband is un-noticeable in my Peloton rides and strength workouts. My only complaint is no pockets. The Amazon leggings come in more colors, have pockets, and are good but a tiny bit thicker and the waistband rolls when I'm squatting. These are both great options for workout leggings (and I am extremely picky), I'll be ordering more!

Aerie



Amazon 


*Using EWG Ratings: Environmental Working Group rates products based on the safety of the chemicals in the product. EWG Verified means there is no trace of any possible cancer-causing/dangerous/bad for you chemicals. 1 is the next safest, 10 is the least safe.

stuff i like rn

Wednesday, March 10, 2021

Raise your hand if watching videos of Kamala Harris getting sworn in and online shopping are the only things making you feel human rn!  Here's the stuff I've liked lately (related):



👚Wearing: Kamala Harris' niece Meena is having a moment and I pre-ordered this "Pro Science, Pro Dolly" sweatshirt from her Phenomenal Woman campaign. 

Last week I had to go to the DMV (I don't even want to talk about it) and rewarded myself with a trip to Athleta - I bought this Coaster Luxe sweater because is the softest thing that has ever touched my skin (PS I feel good about shopping at Athleta because of their actions around inclusivity, their efforts to elevate BIPOC voices, and their sustainability as recognized by their B Corp status)

🍪Eating: Ordered Girl Scout cookies from New York's Troop 6000, a troop that supports the thousands of girls in the NYC homeless shelter system - 100% of proceeds from the cookies go to support the girls' experience. Also, I'm #TeamPeanutButterPaddy NOT do-si-do.

Trying to cut down on red meat and am real into this easy coconut curry shrimp stir fry from Clean Foodie Cravings.

📚Reading: Currently reading Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams from Winter Book Club: Black Authors and loving it. TIME described it as Bridget Jones meets Americanah and I couldn't think of a more accurate description.

🎧Listening: The podcast I'm Not a Monster follows a BBC journalist over four years as he investigates an American woman who ended up at the center of ISIS caliphate - this is a wild ride.

My friend recommended the Natal podcast about having a baby while Black in the US, and it's an especially important listen for allies. Gateway episode: Two- Roots of the Black Birthing Crisis.

🎶On Repeat: Sometimes I think I was meant to be a Gen-Z and this Billie Eilish x Olivia Rodrigo mashup has me feeling a LOT of feelings.

🍷Drinking: I just finished a bottle of McBride Sisters Sauvignon Blanc and also really enjoyed their Black Girl Magic NV Sparkling Brut. A lot of yall recommended their canned wines which I'm going to add to my Valentine's day order. 

Stuff I like RN

Monday, January 25, 2021



🎵Listening: Spotify's Lo-fi Christmas playlist is great background music. 

⛓Accessorizing: I have this sweat-proof mask chain in "Flashy" and it is required in 2020. Especially convenient for outdoor dining and drinking so you don't have to set your mask down or put it in your dirty purse. I wear it with this insanely comfortable satin mask with a filter pocket.

🏋️‍♀️Exercising: I finally caved and got a Peloton bike. If you cave too you can use my referral code for $100 off accessories: WTQY7W. Besides the bike I love their strength workouts and bootcamps, especially with Jess Sims. AND finally found dumbbells at Target.

🎧Listening: In my attempt to get 10,000 steps a day I'm listening to a lot of podcasts (send recs please). Code Switch's "The White Elephant in the Room" digs into the racial voting trends we can't stop talking about (what's up with the Latinx voters and Trump? And the Christians??). Invisibilia's "White vs. White" shares the story of a city council member who claimed he was Black, and what does it even mean? Case Closed tell binge-worthy true crime stories that have actually been solved. Currently gearing up for season 3's Amish murder mystery.

📺Watching: On HBO Max: Based on the Apollo Theater's adaption of the book, Between the World and Me is powerful and educational. Michaela Coel's  I May Destroy You is the best show I've watched in 2020. Netflix: I would usually roll my eyes at these people but some reason the Andersons got me in Country Ever After. Everything Pharrell touches turns to gold and his attempt to start a gospel choir Voices of Fire is no exception. 

👖Wearing: I may be single-handedly keeping Old Navy open with my sweat suit obsession. Even though I look like a middle school boy headed to gym class, they're so soft I live in them. Joggers and sweatshirts. Plus I accidentally threw in this insanely soft sherpa sweater in forest shade that I love.

🍾Practical: I love a glass of champagne but I hate opening a bottle because I'm never going to finish it. These bottle stoppers work for wine AND champagne and keep my champs/rose bubbly for days.

Stuff I Like RN 11.2020

Monday, November 30, 2020

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