3 Tips For Creating A Clean & Safe Haven During A Pandemic
This article is in partnership with The Home Depot.
It was July 2020. We were four months into our diligent, safer-at-home practices when it happened. Our air conditioner broke. In Florida. In summer! It was almost comical. We'd been very careful—not eating out, not going out, soaking produce, letting delivered packages sit for days on end downstairs (it became more of a superstition than anything) and disinfecting all the delivered groceries, twice--but now, we'd have to break the barrier. We'd have to let someone, from out there, in here! It would be a first, as we hadn't ventured out since March! But I was ready.
I wasn't fearful, I was just being careful, I told myself as I placed the call to request a repair man. But when he showed up later that day, peering at me through the glass window on the door, without a mask, I almost freaked out. But I did ask him if he had one. He pulled a crumpled paper mask from out of his shirt pocket and reluctantly put it on before entering our home. Thankfully, he had paper booties for his shoes, but pretty much touched everything with his bare hands on his way to and from the faulty unit which was located on the third floor, and at one point, even asked to use our bathroom!
When everything was back in working order and I walked him out, I closed the door behind me and immediately jumped on the internet and began researching smarter, safer, pet- and kid-friendly solutions for keeping my house clean during a pandemic. With the help of The Home Depot, a trusted source to alleviate home safety concerns, here's what I came up with:
1. Passive cleaning.
Have you invested in robot vacuum cleaners?! The clouds parted. The sun shone through. It was a miracle. They're quiet, they're effective, they disinfect the floor so I don't have to. It's my lazy way to obsess. And for that, I'm thankful.
Option(s): Roomba iRobot vacuum
2. Clean hands.
You know how you can't wash your hands without touching the sink? THAT! I was fully aware of this when I went into that bathroom after the repair man left. Also, I have two kiddos, 10 and 3, and the handles on our sink are definitely grimier than they should be. I've been heavily researching touchless, motion-sensing faucets, and you should, too!
They're classier and chicer than the ones you find at the airport (I miss the airport), and will match any décor. You'll still have to wipe it down regularly (especially if your kids, like mine, go H.A.M. with the toothpaste), but the fewer touch points, the better! Of course, we use our favorite soap and a 20-second scrub to get those germs. And we're all packin' hand sanitizer for anytime we're on the go.
Options: U by Moen Essie Smart Faucet, H&B 22oz Antibac Lav Sage Hand Soap, Zep Liquid Spray Hand Sanitizer 32oz
3. Safe cleaning.
My daughter is an environmental advocate. Nothing comes in the house without her scrutiny, and because of it, I'm even more careful to make sure that everything we use is eco-friendly or preferably sustainable, and/or reusable. During the pandemic, I've come across and used cleansers that were potentially bad for my family's health and the environment. After much research, I found info on concentrated vinegar. It's an effective solution for cleaning and a safer alternative to traditional cleaning products and one of many conscious (albeit smelly) ways to keep my home clean.
Options:Harris Vinegar Concentrated-30 128oz, Frost King Sanitizing Wipe 25 Count
Courtesy of The Home Depot
At The Home Depot, we make sure your shopping experience is safer and more convenient!
1. BUY ONLINE OR PICK-UP IN STORE:
Free in-store pick-up in hours, ready and waiting for you at your local Home Depot store.
2. DELIVERY:
Let the store run to you with free delivery to your doorstep. With over one million eligible online items delivered, get the store at your door.
3. THE HOME DEPOT APP:
The Home Depot App has Image and Voice Search, Product Locator, Augmented Reality, and Project Calculators. And you can browse and buy over one million products from wherever you are. This is how to do more on the go!
How are you keeping your home safer and clean during the pandemic?
Featured image courtesy of The Home Depot
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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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6 Spring Events To Boost Your Professional And Social Networks
When spring arrives, we all want to be outside, looking fabulous, and back to socializing. And now is the perfect time to add a few great events to your calendar to get you through the quarter in order to make new friends, build new partnerships, and talk new opportunities to level up.
Spring is a high season for networking and social events for Black women, with many organizations and event entrepreneurs booking prime locations and offering dynamic experiences that you can maximize in whatever way possible. Write down your goals, and get out there. Start with a few of these events between now and the start of summer:
New Orleans Jazz And Heritage Festival, April 23 - May 3
The New Orleans Jazz And Heritage Festival is a 10-day event held over two weekends, bringing together thousands of musicians, craftspeople, and food lovers to share in common threads of culture in the heart of New Orleans. You'll get to enjoy works by artisans local to Louisiana as well as from across the U.S. and around the world.
Black Food Truck Festival, April 26-28
Hosted in Charleston, S.C., the Black Food Truck Festival includes an opening party, access to more than two dozen food truck vendors, and a time to workout with other attendees. Charleston has long been known as a Southern foodie destination, with global recognition due to James Beard-awarded chefs heading popular restaurants there and a renewed focus on Gullah and Geechee culture and food in the region. And what better conversation ice-breaker than to talk about food with a new acquaintance?
Black Women's Mental Health Conference, May 4
Hosted by New York University, this is a one-day event to tackle issues of mental wellness and health that uniquely affect Black women and girls. The keynote speaker for this year is Kim Young, MSW, LCSW, founder of Dope Black Social Worker® and host of the podcast Revolutionary Hoodrat, and leading licensed professionals in the field will offer their insights and share their experiences. And, of course, no college-led event is without time blocked specifically for networking.
Strength of a Woman Festival, May 11-12
Anything with Mary J. Blige headlining or leading is a win, especially if we're talking about women's empowerment and enjoyment. This event will be held in New York City, and beyond the performances from some of our favorites like Muni Long, Jill Scott, and The Clark Sisters, there will be a Gospel Brunch. And even if you're not able to attend or concerts aren't your thing, just being in the city during that time will mean you're bound to run into plenty of other women to network with at local bars and restaurants nearby.
Carefree Black Girl Cookout, May 4
Held in the Queen City, Charlotte, N.C., this is a day festival amplifying the voices and brands of Black women entrepreneurs, artists, and creatives. There will be vendors, glam and beauty bars, and complimentary meals for the first hour (according to the platform's website). They're hosting another cookout in Philadelphia on May 25.
Black Women Leading Live, May 13-16
Touted as an “intimate retreat + conference,” this Virginia Beach, VA event will be held on a resort and is offering a professional development experience led by Laura Knights, founder of the Black Woman Leading® program and podcast. It’s an ideal fit if you’re a mid-level or senior professional, as the topics and approach are set to cater to those levels of career experience, with coaches and speakers pouring into attendees with a holistic approach.
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Featured image by PIKSEL/Getty Images