There's no place like home, especially when you make it your own. And with the current state of the world, our habitat is helping us save humanity. I have purchased far too many decor pieces for my sanctuary now that it's my everything. Not that we need an excuse to throw some items in the bag but it definitely helps us cope with worldly woes when we can take shelter in a dope abode.
Just like you need classic staples in your wardrobe, you need timeless staples in your home. To offer an assist, we have gathered some ultra-modern items, from an elegant mirror to a vibrant bench that provide the best flair. Here are ten home decor staples you must have in order to elevate your crib.
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Woman Figural Wall Canvas White - Opalhouse
Target
Be it a standalone piece or a part of a gallery wall, this work of art will look fantastic in any room of your home.
Hub Modern and Contemporary Accent Mirror
Wayfair
Mirrors serve as a focal point and make rooms look larger instantly. Try adding this beauty to one of your smaller rooms to add more natural light as well. It would be a perfect fit for an entryway or a hallway.
Nebraska Velvet 71'' Square Arm Sofa
Wayfair
This couch is giving me major Insecure vibes. I definitely pictured Issa and Lawrence getting it in when I saw it. It's the color for me – it just evokes happiness. Offering luxurious comfort, this couch will be the gem in your living room.
Square-based Glass Vase
H&M
Flower vases are the epitome of a functional vessel constantly elevating your space. There isn't a room that won't be forever changed by a beautiful bouquet of flowers sitting pretty in this vase. Sit this piece next to a stack of magazines and you instantly have a Pinterest-inspired layout.
DENY DESIGNS Amy Sia Animal Spot Bench
Nordstrom
Now this is a bench I would love to approach! Black, white and gold are such classic colors and they offer a clean aesthetic to your home. You can opt to add this bench to your dining room table to dress it all the way up.
Stop & Smell The Rose Coir Doormat Brown - Sun Squad™
Target
Did someone say rosé? Personalize the message that your guests see when they enter your home. You are sure to get a bottle of wine the next time they visit.
Small Marble Candlestick
H&M
Candles are essential for all homes, so why not stylize your space with a chic holder? The warmth of a candle combined with the modern twist of a holder makes for calmative furnishing.
Solveig 4x6 Picture Frame
Crate & Barrel
If you're adding new picture frames to your cart, don't forget this Crate & Barrel exclusive. This is what a grown and sexy picture frame looks like. The multicolored resin resembles exotic hardwood and just makes me want to snuggle up on the couch.
CROSLEY RADIO 'Pay Phone' Wall Phone
Nordstrom
When you add retro staples throughout your abode, you add a unique touch that resonates like no other. The nostalgia of circling the dial round and round to make a phone call reminds us of simpler times. This vintage piece also keeps your coins in a bank if you decide to drop a few on a call.
Renee Bar Cart
Crate and Barrel
Meet your new bar cart full of sparkling glass and marble dedicated to being a glamorous focal point. Because of its versatility, you can add spirits, books, flowers and so much more to take advantage of this fixture.
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While speaking to xoNecole, Eva shares that she’s a lot like the beloved 1994 character in many ways. “Lyric is so me. She's the odd flower. A flower nonetheless, but definitely not a peony,” she tells us.
“She's not the average flower you see presented, and so she reminds me of myself. I'm a sunflower, beautiful, but different. And what I loved about her character then, and even more so now, is that she was very sure of herself.
"Sure of what she wanted in life and okay to sacrifice her moments right now, to get what she knew she deserved later. And that is me. I'm not an instant gratification kind of a person. I am a long game. I'm not a sprinter, I'm a marathon.
America first fell in love with Eva when she graced our screens on cycle 3 of America’s Next Top Model in 2004, which she emerged as the winner. Since then, she's ventured into different avenues, from acting on various TV series like House of Payne to starring on Real Housewives of Atlanta.
Je-Caryous Johnson Entertainment
Eva praises her castmates and the play’s producer, Je’Caryous for her positive experience. “You know what? Je’Caryous fuels my audacity car daily, ‘cause I consider myself an extremely audacious woman, and I believe in what I know, even if no one else knows it, because God gave it to me. So I know what I know. That is who Je’Caryous is.”
But the mom of three isn’t the only one in the family who enjoys acting. Eva reveals her daughter Marley has also caught the acting bug.
“It is the most adorable thing you can ever see. She’s got a part in her school play. She's in her chorus, and she loves it,” she says. “I don't know if she loves it, because it's like, mommy does it, so maybe I should do it, but there is something about her.”
Overall, Eva hopes that her contribution to the role and the play as a whole serves as motivation for others to reach for the stars.
“I want them to walk out with hope. I want them to re-vision their dreams. Whatever they were. Whatever they are. To re-see them and then have that thing inside of them say, ‘You know what? I'm going to do that. Whatever dream you put on the back burner, go pick it up.
"Whatever dream you've accomplished, make a new dream, but continue to reach for the stars. Continue to reach for what is beyond what people say we can do, especially as [a] Black collective but especially as Black women. When it comes to us and who we are and what we accept and what we're worth, it's not about having seen it before. It's about knowing that I deserve it.”
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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Feature image by Leon Bennett/WireImage
The first time I did it, I was among a group of ladies and we were encouraged to write down our feelings in our journals. Afterwards, we huddled around and one by one burned our pages with some ladies even revealing what they wrote. It was a beautiful moment and a great way to support each other.
The second time I did burn journaling, I was by myself. I was reading Calling In The One and one of the practices involved writing down the things I wanted to let go of and burning it. I had Cleo Sol’s “Know That You Are Loved” playing in the background on repeat while I burned the pages in my apartment bathroom.
What Does Burn Journaling Do?
Based on my experience and others' explanations, burn journaling is a cathartic practice. The act of burning serves as an emotional release of past traumas, old thoughts, and negative feelings. It’s also a way to say goodbye and/ or forgive.
Types of Burn Journaling
There are different examples of burn journaling: Burning journals after writing, burning letters and burning lists.
Burn Journals
As stated before, you can write in a journal and burn it afterwards. It’s up to you if you burn it page by page or wait until you fill the journal up and burn it altogether. There are journals you can buy for the sole purpose of burning them afterwards.
Maskot/ Getty Images
Burn Lists
This technique involves writing a list of things you want to let go of and then burning it. Burning the list symbolizes the release of those things.
Burn Letters
Another example are burn letters. For this technique, you write a letter to someone that you either want to forgive or let go of, but instead of sending it to them, you burn it.
Safety Precautions
If you do decide to try this practice, make sure to be safe. Use a fireproof bowl for burning and never leave it unattended. Alternatively, you can shred the pages.
If you’re in Atlanta and want to try burn journaling, meet me this Sunday for Burn Journaling & Walk.
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Feature image by Mikhal Dmitriev/ Getty Images