10 Simple Ways To Add More Luxury To Your Daily Life
As we know, being a Black girl in luxury is more than just putting our disposable income toward material goods. It’s about spoiling ourselves with the simple luxuries that make our lives more easeful and convenient. While the movement has since evolved from being a posterboard for expensive trips and Birkin bags, the need to reclaim the space in a more intentional way has led it back to what truly matters: practical comfort.
With all the challenges that Black women face on a day-to-day basis, sometimes we need a little care to absolve any angst. As the meaning behind Black Girls in Luxury (BGL) continues to evolve, one thing that will always remain true is that when we take care of ourselves, we’re not only better off for ourselves but all the spaces and people that require our attention and presence are better off for it too.
Simple Luxuries: 10 Ways To Add Luxury To Your Everyday Life
That is why when we’re talking about BGL today, we're not just referring to expensive possessions but also to a lifestyle that prioritizes comfort, ease, and personal development. And if you’ve been looking for ways to give your daily life an upgrade in the latter mentions, we’ve provided a list of luxury items and lifestyle additions that you won’t want to live without.
1.Try Monthly Housekeeping
Despite what the world tried to convince you of, you’re only one person. And sometimes, cleaning, laundry, and decluttering can slip through the cracks. That’s why investing in housekeeping can be the simple luxury your life deserves.
2.Upgrade To Luxury Sheets
Sleep is by far the most important part of our day, so why not turn your bedroom into a sanctuary? These silky-soft sateen weave duvet covers by ettitude are made to do just that.
3.Post-Shower Towel Warmer
Imagine stepping out of the shower and being embraced by the soothing warmth of your drying towels. The world is cold enough; your shower time shouldn’t be.
4.Splurge on Hand Cream
We know it’s just lotion, but there’s something about knowing that your dry skin moments won’t last too long after smearing a lavish cream on your hands. This Nourishing and Protective Shea Butter Hand Cream from L'Occitane has been all the rage online, and we’re sure your skin will thank you.
5.Shop In-Season at The Famer’s Market
When the seasons change, so does our access to fresh in-season veggies and fruits. But taking your Sunday morning trips to the farmer’s market will give you a first-hand look at what produce to add to your basket for the freshest options available.
6.Lock in On A Personal Trainer
Sometimes self-motivation to get to the gym just isn’t enough, but a personal trainer can be the extra push you need to meet your fitness goals. Not only can you rely on your trainer to create a workout plan that’s just for you, they can support you with your nutrition and root for you along the way.
7.Find Your Signature Scent
Don’t be fooled by #purfumtok. Not every fragrance is one-skin-fits-all. That’s why finding the scent that works best for you is not only an exciting moment of self-discovery but will be why you stand out in a crowd. Phlur has tons of scents to choose from and give their Discovery Set a try to see which fits you best.
8.Make a Ritual Out of Your Skincare Routine
Sometimes, removing our makeup at night can feel like a chore, but why not turn it into a moment of slow, soothing me-time? Spend a full minute washing the day away with your favorite cleanser, douse your face in the best toner and moisturizer, do a facial steamer, and even add a red light therapy session for an extra touch.
9.Get Mood Lighting
Nothing adds more warmth to your place than mood lighting. If you’re looking to give your harsh overhead lights a break, adding a lamp to a corner or nightstand can take your space’s ambiance to the next level.
10.Simply Ask for Help
If there’s one thing that many of us hyper-independent ladies can do better at, it’s asking for the help we need when we need it.
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Featured image by FreshSplash/Getty Images
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Aley Arion is a writer and digital storyteller from the South, currently living in sunny Los Angeles. Her site, yagirlaley.com, serves as a digital diary to document personal essays, cultural commentary, and her insights into the Black Millennial experience. Follow her at @yagirlaley on all platforms!
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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You've Never Seen Luke James In A Role Quite Like This
Over the years, we've watched Luke James play countless characters we'd deem sex symbols, movie stars, and even his complicated character in Lena Waithe's The Chi. For the first time in his career, the New Orleans-born actor has taken on a role where his signature good looks take a backseat as he transforms into Edmund in Them: The Scare—a mentally deranged character in the second installment of the horror anthology series that you won't be able to take your eyes off.
Trust us, Edmund will literally make you do a double take.
xoNecole sat down with Luke James to talk about his latest series and all the complexity surrounding it—from the challenges taking on this out-of-the-box role to the show's depiction of the perplexing history of the relationship between Black Americans and police. When describing the opportunity to bring Edmund's character to life, Luke was overjoyed to show the audience yet another level of his masterful acting talents.
"It was like bathing in the sun," he said. "I was like, thank you! Another opportunity for me to be great—for me to expand my territory. I'm just elated to be a part of it and to see myself in a different light, something I didn't think I could do." He continued, "There are parts of you that says, 'Go for it because this is what you do.' But then also that's why it's a challenge because you're like, 'um, I don't know if I'm as free as I need to be to be able to do this.' Little Marvin just created such a safe space for me to be able to do this, and I'm grateful for everything I've been able to do to lead to this."
Courtesy
Them: The Scare, like the first season, shines a light on the plight of Black Americans in the United States. This time, the story is taking place in the 1990s, at the height of the Rodney King riots in Los Angeles. While the series presents many underlying themes, one that stands out is Black people and the complicated relationship with the police. "For the audience, I think it sets the tone for the era that we're in and the amount of chaos that's in the air in Los Angeles and around the country from this heinous incident. And I say it just sets the tone of the anxiety and anxiousness that everybody is feeling in their own households."
James has been a longtime advocate against police brutality himself. He has even featured Elijah McClain, the 23-year-old Colorado man who died after being forcibly detained by officers, as his Instagram avatar for the past five years. So, as you can imagine, this script was close to his heart. "Elijah was a soft-loving oddball. Different than anyone but loving and a musical genius. He was just open and wanted to be loved and seen."
Getty Images
Luke continued, "His life was taken from him. I resonate with his spirit and his words...through all the struggle and the pain he still found it in him to say, 'I love you and I forgive you.' And that's who we are as people—to our own detriment sometimes. He's someone I don't want people to forget. I have yet to remove his face from my world because I have yet to let go of his voice, let go of that being [because] there's so many people we have lost in our history that so often get forgotten."
He concluded, "I think that's the importance of such artwork that moves us to think and talk about it. Yes, it's entertaining. We get to come together and be spooked together. But then we come together and we think, 'Damn, Edmund needed someone to talk to. Edmund needed help... a lot [of] things could have been different. Edmund could have been saved.'
Check out the full interview below.
Luke James Talks Ditching Sex Symbol Status For "Them: The Scare", Elijah McClain, & Morewww.youtube.com
Featured image by Getty Images