Get Into These Style Influencers' Post-Quarantine OOTDs
With every day being uncertain during this COVID-19 crisis, our minds are beginning to fantasize about once again enjoying the daily aspects of what was once normal life. From restaurants to shopping malls, we can only reminisce on the good times we had outdoors. For the last two months, we've been cooking our own meals and FaceTime-ing our loved ones which was fun for a while but getting back to in-person interactions sounds like heaven on earth. While we've been stuck inside daydreaming of what life will soon be, we've also had the opportunity to learn more about ourselves and how we'd like to conquer the world moving forward.
We asked seven of our favorite stylish ladies what they plan to wear on their first day out of lockdown and what they've learned about themselves during their downtime. Finally getting dressed with somewhere to go, get into these looks for major post-quarantine inspiration.
Aniya Morinia, @aniyahmorinia
Photo courtesy of Aniya Morinia
Where are you spending your time during quarantine?
I spent quarantine in the off-campus apartment in my college town, Gainesville, FL. My lease is up in August so I've been living here until I move back to my hometown, Kissimmee, FL with my family.
What's the first place you're getting dressed for and why?
The first place I'm getting dressed for is brunch! I love the ambiance of a restaurant that serves brunch and can't wait to wear an outfit to match the vibes. At this point, I have cooked everything that I know how to cook a million times and I'm getting tired of eating my own meals every single day. I'm looking forward to someone setting a delicious meal in front of me at a restaurant.
What's one thing you've discovered about yourself during this downtime?
I discovered that I am much more creative than I give myself credit for. I've been working with what I have at home to create content for Instagram and it's been so fun! I've also been trying to personalize and curate my living space now that I am spending more time here. Instagram and magazines have been my main source of inspiration during this time and I can't wait to keep creating and see the transformations I make.
What do you look forward to the most, post-quarantine?
I am looking forward to starting a new lifestyle post-quarantine. Staying inside has opened my eyes to how unexpected life can be and I want to start saying "yes" to more life experiences! My college experience ended prematurely so I am looking forward to reuniting with my friends and potentially traveling with them.
Kandace Banks, @_kandace
Photo courtesy of Kandace Banks
Where are you spending your time during quarantine?
I quarantined back home in Indiana because New York's population is just too dense for me. There's tons of space here and it's very peaceful.
What's the first place you're getting dressed for and why?
The first place I'm getting dressed for is a meet up with friends. I know we're going to plan something; a brunch, dinner, drinks, going to someone's party, literally anything. I just want to show some skin and wear an actual dress. Something I haven't had a reason to wear in months.
What's one thing you've discovered about yourself during this downtime?
Being back home, I've had some time to read my old journals from college. It made me realize I'm on the path I've wanted to be on all along, I've just lost some of the hunger. So I definitely plan on being more focused when things open back up. If my younger self could give myself any advice now, it would be to have no fear.
What do you look forward to the most, post-quarantine?
I really look forward to moving freely once things open back up. My soul is craving travel, being in water, eating exotic food in the sun, drinking something delicious, listening to a live band. I really can't wait to travel whenever I want. I've been listening to music in foreign languages to give me that vibe until then.
Chinyere Adogu, @the_real_chi
Photo courtesy of Chinyere Adogu
Where are you spending your time during quarantine?
I spent most of my time during quarantine at home. I took walks around the neighborhood ever so often for fresh air and went to the grocery store weekly. I did spend a significant amount of time on Amazon as well.
What's the first place you're getting dressed for and why?
The first place I'm getting dressed for is for brunch on a rooftop. I need a massive amount of food in front of me with the sun shining down on me. Brunching has always been a happy place for me, it involves two of my favorite things, which are dressing up and eating food. I definitely miss it!
What's one thing you've discovered about yourself during this downtime?
I've discovered that I have to plan out daily activities, big or small, that will bring me some sort of joy. This is a great way for me to maintain a positive and happy energy around myself during this downtime.
What do you look forward to the most, post-quarantine?
Honestly, traveling! I've canceled so many planned trips within these last few months. I'm someone who loves to constantly move around, so I cannot wait to be able to freely do that again.
Avry Joiner, @thenxcvintage
Photo courtesy of Avry
Where are you spending your time during quarantine?
My quarantine time was spent at my home in Charlotte, NC. I spent so much time here, I did a little redecorating to brighten it up. I'm really pleased with how it all came out.
What's the first place you're getting dressed for and why?
Oh, man! I'll probably just get cute to go to the thrift store because I miss it so much and I have an online vintage shop that needs new vintage pieces. My Saturday routine was brunch then thrift, and I miss it so much!
What's one thing you've discovered about yourself during this downtime?
I'm not sure I discovered anything new about myself but I will say I've enjoyed this downtime SO much! I am constantly on the go. It felt good to spend all day watching Netflix or playing dress up for hours and not rushing from one place to another. My life is always hectic and I'm always on the go. This period of downtime was just what I needed for my creative juices to flow.
What do you look forward to the most, post-quarantine?
I think I've mentioned this already but THRIFTING! Also, seeing my entire family. We've missed birthdays and holidays so we have so much to make up for.
Raven Smith, @ravey_baby
Photo courtesy of Raven
Where are you spending your time during quarantine?
I've been in New Orleans staying at my mom's.
What's the first place you're getting dressed for and why?
Brunch! Bottomless mimosas and hookah with the girls!
What's one thing you've discovered about yourself during this downtime?
That I'm the only person holding myself back. Having this extra time to focus on things that I put off was me only being in my own head. Go for it!
What do you look forward to the most, post-quarantine?
Celebrating my 30th birthday, the proper way!
Lauren Nicole Campbell, @laurennicolefk
Photo courtesy of Lauren Nicole Campbell
Where are you spending your time during quarantine?
I'm spending my time at home with my mother. It's just the two of us.
What's the first place you're getting dressed for and why?
I've found getting dressed puts me in the mindset to get on with whatever I've got planned for the day. So, I'm either getting dressed to go into my office or to work from the dining table.
What's one thing you've discovered about yourself during this downtime?
I loved the hustle and bustle of London life more than I thought. Albeit, I'm sure when everything resumes, I'll miss the quietness of being home, there's a thrill that comes with rush hour, running from one meeting on one side of London to the next meeting on the other side of it. Who knew I could miss that as much as I am?! But most of all, I've learnt I'm rather content with my own company.
What do you look forward to the most, post-quarantine?
Laughing with friends, going to bottomless brunches, being able to hug my family and fly back home to Barbados, whenever I want. I will never take those things for granted again.
Tyla-Lauren Gilmore, @tylauren
Photo courtesy of Tyla-Lauren
Where are you spending your time during quarantine?
My new apartment in NJ!
What's the first place you're getting dressed for and why?
A potluck get-together to see all my best friends at my new place!
What's one thing you've discovered about yourself during this downtime?
I'm super self-motivating; it was so hard to stay positive and productive but I managed to do a lot more than I thought during quarantine.
What do you look forward to the most, post-quarantine?
Enjoying the weather, going to the gym, seeing my friends and family whenever I want and going out to eat!
Featured image courtesy of Lauren Nicole Campbell
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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Why We'll Probably Never Hear Lupita Nyong'o Share Her Relationship With The World
Lupita Nyong'o is sharing a transparent look into her life after a recent breakup.
In a cover story for NET-A-PORTER, the A Quiet Place: Day One star shed light on the significant heartbreak she experienced following the end of her relationship with ex-boyfriend and TV host, Selema Masekela.
As a public figure, Nyong'o, 39, sought to divulge the news of the breakup in hopes of presenting a more authentic perspective on the pain that follows a separation.
"I was living in a lot of pain and heartbreak," she told the publication. "I looked at the environment of my social media and thought I don’t want to be a part of this illusion that everything is always coming up roses. Surely there is a lesson for me to learn in this, and I just want to be real about it."
The Black Panther star went on to explain that her choice to be transparent with her fans about her breakup came from the certainty she felt after ending the relationship. “In my mind, when I shared my relationship status with the world, it was because I felt sure about it,” she said.
While she didn’t know how the news would land with her fans, she found relief in knowing she wasn’t alone in her experience.
“I knew how it could be interpreted; I knew it would have a life of its own,” she reflects. “But then I started to see the comments and people were being so loving and supportive. The ones that moved me the most were other people sharing their pain and their heartbreak.”
Nyong'o and Masekela went Instagram official in December 2022, publicly announcing their relationship in a couple's video. In October 2023, Nyong'o took to her personal Instagram account to share the news of her breakup in her caption, writing, "At this moment, it is necessary for me to share a personal truth and publicly dissociate myself from someone I can no longer trust.”
She continued the vulnerable note, "I find myself in a season of heartbreak because of a love suddenly and devastatingly extinguished by deception. I am tempted to run into the shadows and hide, only to return to the light when I have regained my strength enough for me to say, 'Whatever, my life is better this way.' But I am reminded that the magnitude of the pain I am feeling is equal to the measure of my capacity for love."
These days, Nyong'o tells NET-A-PORTER that she is prioritizing profound self-discovery that extends beyond her career. She notes having a deliberate and unhurried approach to understanding herself.
She also alludes to keeping her relationships private moving forward after noting it was "very, very sage" of her not to talk about her private life professionally in the days before her last relationship. "I'm going back to those days by the way," Nyong'o shares of her reinstated boundaries around her personal life.
Earlier this month, Nyong'o made headlines alongside her new boyfriend actor Joshua Jackson. Nyong'o and Jackson went through public splits from their respective SOs in October 2023, with the latter splitting from his long-time partner Jodie Turner-Smith following her divorce filing from the Dawson's Creek alum.
The pair have been spotted together as early as December 2023, but nothing screamed "couple" quite as loudly as their recent getaway to Mexico for Nyong'o's 41st birthday featuring passionate displays of affection.
"Our purpose in life is to love. And so you have to get back in it," she tells the outlet, seemingly alluding to her budding new romance.
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Featured image by Taylor Hill/Getty Images