10 Instagrammable Homes Inspiring Our WFH Aesthetic
If there's one thing this pandemic has taught me, it's the importance of intentionally cultivating a space of my own. They say your home should be your sanctuary and while I ascribed to that notion in the idealistic sense--it took a forcible stay indoors for me to really lean into it. And when I say lean into it, I mean I REALLY leaned into it. From pillows to canvases to throw blankets and succulents, any and all things related to elevating and enhancing a space, I'm now totally here for.
And if you're anything like me, you realize that curating your space--during a time where we're not quite sure if we're still working from home or living at work--is a necessary key to maintaining a sense of peace in the midst of all this chaos. And that's exactly why we've rounded up a few of our fave WFH aesthetics to hopefully inspire you to add a bit more flavor to your futon or little color to your loveseat.
So if you're ready to spice up your space, read on to feel all the home decor feels and get to it!
Monroe Steele
It's the mostly neutral palette with the pops of color and plants for me. Monroe has always been beauty and style goals, but her Harlem home is giving major Work and Chill vibes. From the living room to her bedroom, I see why they say there's no place like New York.
Karen Blanchard
This space screams "vintage, but make it chic". And the muted colors in contrast with the gold accents instantly elevates this room from a boring home office to an ornate addition to your overall home decor. But with a mirror like that, it'll definitely be tempting to just stand there and take selfies all day. Just make sure to get that work done first, sis!
Jasmyn Lawson
There's a reason why Jasmyn's space was recently featured on Apartment Therapy. And that's because the wide-range of jewel tones and Black art fully encompasses modern millennial space that's conducive to working, writing, painting, and everything else in between. (Can we talk about that green sofa, we'll take two!)
Melissa's Wardrobe
I don't know about you, but every time we see a monochromatic look--whether it be in clothes or interior design, something inside us applauds. From the sofas to the rugs to the art on the wall, this space is sure to be the topic of conversation in all of your Zoom calls. And keeping the palette calm with black and white accents is never a bad idea either.
Apron Saint
I can't tell if it's the beehive-esque layout of the shelves or the sprawling plants that make us fall more and more in love with this space. It's cozy yet, spacious enough to promote creation of your best and brightest ideas. Coffee and a notebook not included though.
Dominique Gebru
While we may not have enough books to fill up these beautiful shelves like our good sis Dominique, we can still take cues from her decor. The marigold curtains. The hunter green pillows? We're ready to curl up for an after-work glass of wine, like yesterday.
Bethany
If this pandemic has turned your thumb green, then this space is right up your alley. Get one with nature and one with your coworkers (socially distanced, of course) with this calm, earthy aesthetic. Plants sold separately, so head to your nearest florist shop if you want to incorporate these lively additions.
McKenzie Renae
MJ may be the King of Pop, but we just might dub McKenzie Renae the queen of home decor. The exposed brick, velvet couch, the leopard pillows? Get into it! And the gold accents definitely pull the space together to give it a sleek, stylish vibe.
Cynthia Andrew
For all the girls who love color-blocking and pattern-mixing, this space is definitely for you! Whether you choose to go hard with the pillows or accent rugs, the key here is to let your true colors shine through. No pun intended. This space is sure to brighten up even the bleakest of virtual meetings.
Ezinma
We've got one word and one word only for you: WALLPAPER. This bold choice is guaranteed to be the showstopper and conversation-starter no matter what. And by keeping the rest of the decor muted and neutral, let's just say we'll be taking all our meetings in bed for the rest of the day.
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Writer. Empath. Escapist. Young, gifted, and Black. Shanelle Genai is a proud Southern girl in a serious relationship with celebrity interviews, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and long walks down Sephora aisles. Keep up with her on IG @shanellegenai.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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If you’re like many other people who are prioritizing wellness these days, then attending a wellness retreat might be something to consider. Wellness retreats are a cool way to get the relaxation you’ve been missing in a space with like-minded people who share a common goal. I descended upon my first wellness retreat, the Mind, Body, + Sol Retreat, a couple of weeks ago at the Zoëtry Agua Punta Cana Resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
Zoëtry Agua is part of the Inclusive Collection for the World of Hyatt. It is nestled on a secluded part of Uvero Alto beach, which has crystal blue waters. The resort itself is picturesque, with its thatched roofs and lazy rivers that make you feel like you’re in a cute little village.
Mindy, Body, + Sol Retreat was hosted by Koya Webb, holistic health and wellness coach and yoga instructor, and it also featured other wellness practitioners who combined provided the ultimate gift of relaxation and getting back to oneself.
The first night was a Welcome Dinner that featured a five-course meal and an opportunity to meet our companions for the next three days. The food was impeccable and the only downside was that I wasn’t able to finish it all. The next day, however, was the official start of the classes, and I was ready to dive in.
Aura and Chakra Reading
Aura and chakra reading
Photo courtesy
My first class was an aura and chakra reading led by Laura McCann and James Levinson, an Asheville, NC couple. I’ve had chakra readings before, but never like this. There was a computer, a camera, and a scanner, which I placed my hand on for the reading. After two minutes, I received a 15-page report explaining my aura and chakra reading.
It breaks down what the colors of your aura are and what your chakras say. My main colors were green and yellow, which were defined by a variety of things. The top of my aura was green, meaning I have a social mental state and I’m a natural healer. My aura on my left side was yellow meaning my energy flowing is optimistic and light and so on.
After James discussed the findings with me, I then met with Laura, who gave me aromatherapy oils from their ADORAtherapy line that represented each chakra. She further explained the results of my chakra reading and shared how each oil can assist. Chakras are the energy centers in our body, and there is a total of seven: root, sacral, solar plexus, heart, throat, third eye, and crown. All of my chakras were high except for my heart chakra, which I have since been working on. I may follow up about that in another article.
Sound Bath
Sound bath class
Photo courtesy
Next was the sound bath class. It was located in the spa, which was indoor/ outdoor and the perfect setting for this kind of experience. Andrew Francis and Carrie Bailey of Zenden Meditation were the co-pilots in transporting attendees into a place of tranquility. I laid down, closed my eyes, and allowed the sounds around me to bring me into a relaxing state. From the singing bowls to the wind chimes, I was in heaven. I even fell asleep and got some of the best rest I’ve had in a while. It was a beautiful experience. However, remember when I noted it was an indoor/ outdoor venue? I forgot to put on bug spray and woke up pretty itchy. But it didn’t stop me from enjoying the moment.
Tea Party
Art of Tea Ritual Tea Party
Photo courtesy
The last event of the day was the Art of Tea Ritual located in the resort’s tea garden. It was everything you could want in a tea party. Delectable treats such as cookies, cakes, and white chocolate-covered strawberries, which are my fave. And, of course, tea. While I got to sip tea, I also got to make my own tea blend. There were many different teas to choose from, like hibiscus to your regular black tea. I decided to mix rose and mint and I called it RoseMint. I didn’t get to try my tea blend until I got home, and I’ll be honest, it’s probably the best tea I ever had. The tea herbs taste so fresh, and I love how fragrant it smells.
Breathwork
Breathwork Class
Photo Courtesy
The next morning was all about breathwork. If you exercise regularly, then you probably know the importance of breathing. But there’s more to it besides remembering to breathe during your workout. Margaret Townsend is a breathwork facilitator who helps people achieve wellness by consciously changing their breathing patterns. In her class, I learned to change my breathing pattern for energy as well as for relaxation. While I know that breathing is a relaxation tool, I was blown away to learn that it can also energize you. Because it was a different breathing pattern, I was also able to stay present and keep a steady pace.
Yoga
Koya Webb's yoga class
Photo courtesy
The final class of the retreat was evening yoga with Koya Webb, who, as I mentioned earlier, was the host. Her class was held beside the beautiful Uvero Alto beach, which made for a stunning backdrop and the perfect way to end the retreat. It was important for me to get back into my body after not doing yoga for a few weeks, so I was really focused on nailing the moves. However, Koya kept the energy light and fun, evening cracking a few jokes throughout, which made it easy for me to relax and enjoy the moment. She ended the class with a dance break and hugs from our classmates.
The Mind, Body, + Sol Retreat reminded me how important it is to take time to love on myself. Each class was an opportunity to be present and get reacquainted with oneself in the most loving way. Being surrounded by individuals who encouraged my journey was what I needed, and I am so honored to have had this experience.
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