
Danielle Jennings is an Atlanta-based Style Writer/Editor, Tastemaker, Girl About Town, Fashion & Music Obsessed Long-Lost Huxtable Kid who is coming for everything they told her she couldn't have...one article at a time. Twitter: @daniellej416 IG: @prettyaries16
Every now and then, we all could benefit from a full body detox. Whether you want to lose a few pounds, boost your immune system, de-stress or simply just adopt an overall healthier lifestyle, detoxing is one of the best (and easiest) ways to get you back on track. When you're armed with a host of detox recipes to choose from, you'll be surprised to learn how easy it is to cure or subdue most ailments by taking your detox water of choice along with you during the day.
You've likely heard of some of them (hello, cucumber mint!), while others open a completely new world of flavors that work together to make you feel your best.
We've rounded up a collection of some of our favorite detox waters that are ideal for year-round consumption—and will guaranteed that you're always snatched with beautiful skin and feeling great!
1.Lemon w/ Turmeric Detox Water Recipe
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Aside from lemon water being an amazing aid to your digestive system by detoxifying the body, this recipe gets an additional kick by adding turmeric. Turmeric is a powerful nutritional supplement and aids your cardiovascular system among other benefits. Check the recipe here.
2.Cranberry Detox Water Recipe
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Seeing the main ingredient of cranberry may have you thinking of the holiday season, but this detox recipe is all about your health. If you didn't know, cranberries are extremely high in antioxidants, which make them ideal for your digestive health. Check the recipe here.
3.Blueberry Orange Detox Water Recipe
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On their own, blueberries and oranges are two of the healthiest fruits you can eat, so it should be no surprise that when you combine them together, the benefits are twofold. Check the recipe here.
4.Cucumber & Lavender Detox Water Recipe
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The calming, soothing nature of pure lavender, coupled with the refreshing and healthy cucumber, is the ultimate detox water recipe. The flavors also compliment each very well, keeping this water quite pleasing to the palate. Check the recipe here.
5.Aloe Vera Detox Water Recipe
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You see it in lotions, creams, and a host of other beauty products, but aloe vera is just as good for the inside of your body. Aloe vera supports a healthy immune system and digestion, relieves pain and inflammation, flushes out impurities, and much more. Check the recipe here.
6.Blueberry Lavender Detox Water Recipe
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First of all, this is arguably the prettiest detox water around. The combo of the varying tones of purple and blue are stunning to look at in a glass. Also, the blueberries are very high in antioxidants and the lavender is added for soothing properties. Check the recipe here.
7.Chia Fresca Detox Water Recipe
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From your breakfast power bowls to salads and more, chia seeds are one of the more recent healthy obsessions. They also feature prominently in this detox water that also contains the citrus flavors of lemon and the sweetness of strawberries, blackberries, pomegranate and honey. Check the recipe here.
8.Blackberry Mint Detox Water Recipe
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As much as we know the benefits of drinking water, honestly, it can get pretty boring. Which is why adding fruit and herbs together to your water recipe not only adds a welcoming new flavor, but it's even healthier than drinking traditional water—especially this one with blackberry and mint. Check the recipe here.
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After what seems like the longest winter ever, spring is officially here!
If you've already started your spring cleaning and crafted your spring wardrobe, the next thing on your list should be on the lookout for some fierce hair inspiration, especially if you are a part of #TeamNatural.
Whether you are newly a member of the natural hair community or a veteran naturalista, creative hair inspo is always welcomed. For spring, the temperatures are heating up and color palettes are brighter, so that means it's the perfect time to have a little fun and experiment with hairstyles that force you out of your comfort zone a bit. Try out a bold hair color, rock some intricate braids, or show off that gorgeous bone structure with a delicate updo. The options are endless!
Check out our round-up of some of the most drool-worthy, must-try natural hairstyles to experiment with for the spring season and beyond! If you have a favorite hairstyle you plan to rock this spring, let us know in the comments.
1.Locs Galore
Jazz up your locs with a warm honey blonde shade that is perfect for the sunny days of spring. To add an even more stylish twist, curl your locs into spirals to increase volume. The best part about this hairstyle is that it looks great styled multiple ways. Read this post for more blonde ambition inspiration.
2.Bold & Buzzed
For all you naturalistas that prefer a no-fuss regimen to your hairstyling, this is the look for you! Simply shave your hair as low as you are comfortable with, and then dye it a vibrant hue that perfectly mimics the soft shades of spring.
3.Two Buns
The color blonde is always going to attract attention, whether it's on the darker or lighter end of the spectrum. For these funky, intricate braids, platinum blonde hair is braided in to create a striking hybrid of braided buns and cornrows. The final touch is some colorful thread interwoven throughout.
4.Fauxhawk
When you want to wear your hair down, but also want to escape the added heat it brings to your neck during the warm spring temps—this is the ideal go-to hairstyle. While not exactly a full fauxhawk, this look still creates the same illusion. To make it pop for spring, feel free to experiment with a little hair color.
5.Bantu Babe
Fun, flirty, and head-turning are just a few ways to describe a head full of forever stylish Bantu knots. Not only does it keep your head cool during those super sunny days, but it's a nice cultural take on the basic bun that many of us go to when we want a quick look.
6.Cornrows With A Twist
Black women and cornrows are a match made in hairstyle heaven, but how can you add a fresh take on the look for the spring season? It's simple, just add in some colorful thread that is the perfect color palette for the pretty shades of the spring.
7.Afro Puffs
Most of us are pretty familiar with the Afro puff hairstyle, as it's almost a black girl rite of passage at some point. However, you can still rock this look as an adult…all you need is a free spirit attitude and lots of edge control.
8.Purple Reign
It takes a lot of guts to cut your hair AND try out a bold hair color, but for those of you who like to be daring, try this look out for spring. A short, expertly tapered Bob cut is highlighted by a bright purple shade that is regal enough for a true queen.
9.Low Pony
Take your big, beautiful natural curls and pull them away from your face just like this low maintenance look. Simply secure into a low ponytail that's loose enough to create the illusion that your hair isn't actually secured at all.
10. Cornrowed Crown
Spring is a great time to show off some bling—even if it's in your hair! These cornrows are punctuated with individual rings that are placed throughout for an absolutely fabulous look. It may not be for every day, but it's definitely vacation-worthy.
Which look is your favorite?
Featured image by Breanna/Instagram
The Fashion Influencer Behind The Plus Size Lingerie Line That Sold Out In 48 Hours
One of the best things about social media is that it has effectively given a voice to the voiceless, the underrepresented, and the underserved. This rings especially true for the plus-size community. Now, more than ever before, the inclusion of plus sizes bodies is finally being given the platform they deserve—and that has a lot to do with fashion influencers, such as the uber-popular GabiFresh (real name Gabi Gregg.)
In a relatively short time, GabiFresh has become one of the leading faces and influential voices of the plus-size and body-positive communities…and with good reason. She's released multiple swimwear collections for plus size women through a partnership with Swimsuits For All, is the co-founder of her own plus size line PREMME and she just launched her latest lingerie collection with Playful Promises, which is available in sizes US 12-24 and bra sizes US 36-38B-I 40-44C-I.
To say she's a busy woman is an understatement.
In celebration of her new lingerie collection, she recently revealed the inspiration behind the line, some of her favorite pieces, why listening to what her fans want is important, how she overcame her own struggles with confidence, and more.
Detailing how this lingerie collection differs from her first, Gabi explained:
"It's similar in that I tried to create statement pieces that are hard to find in my size range, but I tried to push things even further by including really unique details and fabrics, like velvet and embellishment. I was going for sultry yet fun, and I think we achieved that. I added new styles like bralettes and basques, and also made sure to inject more color into the collection."
Photo Credit: Michael Kelly
She continued by describing how and where she receives inspiration for her designs, stressing the importance of listening to the wants, needs, and concerns of her customers. She states:
"I try to find ways to translate those street style and celebrity fashion trends into lingerie. I previously didn't own many bralettes because I love structured support, but the comments from my followers about wanting bralettes were overwhelming."
This approach is essential for plus size figures because body types differ so greatly across the spectrum of women.
Photo Credit: Michael Kelly
Most importantly, Gabi opened up about her reason for being committed to supplying plus size women with lingerie that not only celebrate their curves, but also gives them the confidence to love themselves despite the often-harsh criticisms the world bestows upon them. She also discussed how she uses her platform to do the exact same thing:
"Things have definitely improved overall when it comes to representation, but it still feels like being my size and both designing and modeling lingerie is pioneering. I never imagined my career would bring me here, but I'm so grateful it has. Feeling liberated and empowered through clothing, swimwear, and lingerie has been such a huge part of my story and being on the other side and giving that opportunity to other women is really exciting and humbling.'
Despite her encouraging success and influence, Gabi didn't hesitate to open up regarding her own struggles with self-confidence throughout her life and how she was finally able to overcome them courtesy of the body positive movement that has also helped many other women:
"I think every woman has struggled with feeling body confident. I definitely went through a period through high school and college of wishing I was thinner and assuming if I lost weight my life would magically improve because that's the idea we're sold. I was never directly bullied, but it's the subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) messaging we get as girls growing up in a society with no positive representation… it's feeling left out of cliques or ignored by your crushes because of your size. I gained confidence by finding the body positive movement online in college and seeing other women who looked like me who rejected diet culture. That totally changed my life."
Her new lingerie collection sold out in a mere 48 hours and is currently being restocked, so if you missed your first chance to snag some new, sexy lingerie to highlight your curves, you're getting a second chance.
There are a ton of reasons why your sex life is on life support, however the best thing to remember is that most issues inside the bedroom can be fixed with a little practice and know-how. Whether it's your busy schedule, lack of sex drive, or missing self-confidence, having a weak sex game is cause for concern. To get things back on track, first make sure that there is nothing physically wrong by visiting a doctor. Once you're cleared, you can indulge in the fun process of bringing the spark back in between the sheets.
Sex should be enjoyable, so don't get to wrapped up in your head about things, and just relax and let nature take its course. To help you out, we've compiled a list of tips to take your sex life from weak to wow in no time. Get ready…to get it in!
Make A List Of Fantasies And Take Turns Acting Them Out
You'd be surprised how sharing your fantasies with someone else, in this case your sexual partner, can open the door for a whole new world of sexual freedom and enhanced pleasure. Simply start by writing down your sexual fantasies and then pick one fantasy per week, or per month, and act them out with your partner. Your bedroom will never be the same.
Featured image by Giphy
Sadly, we've reached the home-stretch of summer 2018. While we still have a few weeks to bask in the sunshine days, sultry nights and endless fun, before you know it, fall will be upon us.
To commemorate the end of summer, we've decided to give you a list of things to do with your boo, your friends, or yourself to give the summer season the proper send-off it deserves.
Check out our list of ways to turn up one last time for summer, and let us know how you plan to have some memorable fun as the summer days slowly come to a close!
Stargazing
In today's ever-evolving healthy living climate, one of the most popular and beneficial ways to change your life through healthy practices is by becoming vegan.
From celebrities and restaurants to grocery stores and social media, it appears that we are living in an era where being vegan is life. With over 20+ years in the industry, Grammy-winning R&B singer Mya has managed to still look as young and beautiful as she did back in the '90s when she burst on the R&B scene. The 38-year-old credits her youthful appearance and fit frame to being a proud vegan and she has just launched a new planted-based vegan wine that is literally the best of both worlds.
Planet 9 Fine Wine by Mya (who is also aging like a fine wine - hello?) is the moniker of Mya's new line of vino. And it's described as a Red Cabernet Sauvignon with plum infusions. The producers of Planet 9 do not use animal-based ingredients, a concept that directly aligns with Mya's mission to inform others about the benefits of veganism.
Her journey into the new dietary lifestyle started three years ago after becoming aware of the harsh and horrific realities of the meat industry. She said that after losing 30 pounds and feeling better than she ever had, she made a decision to never turn back. And it's lowkey the pathway to the fountain of youth. During a chat with xoNecole, Mya told us:
"When you invest in yourself, and I'm talking every aspect of yourself: financially, spiritually, emotionally, physically, you get younger."
Since making this vast lifestyle change, Mya has been very vocal about her love of veganism, touting some of its personal benefits as "clarity in the mental space, an even spiritual connection with the rest of the world, and environmentalism."
She said that although her dietary changes weren't easily initially, they paid off in a number of ways over time. A few months ago, Mya opened up to The Root about the pros and cons of going vegan, and says that although this lifestyle choice may not be ideal for everyone, it's benefitted her positively in a number of ways. To Mya, being a vegan is less about what you eat, and more about mindfulness. She said:
"It is a lifestyle for me and outside of just food, I'm practicing fashion and making sure I'm not wearing leather shoes and I have not worn furs since a long time ago. I have to be very conscious when I'm making decisions and saying I'm vegan because I have to be about it all the way and now that has given me some thought into creating certain things like home décor."
One of the best parts about Mya's new venture is that it allows her to share the vegan lifestyle with her fans who may not be well informed about the practice. She even offers a free online handbook


Like any other diet/lifestyle change, may seem daunting at first because you focus on what you're losing instead of how much you actually gain. However, Mya assures us that you don't have to give up as much as you think, stating:
"Everything that you already are used to and love, there is a vegan version. Or you can veganize your meals, it's a beautiful thing."
And now the young entertainer seeks to integrate her newfound passion into the wine industry. Hopefully, we'll witness Mya expand her brand with more vegan-friendly products in the future.
If we can look as fabulous as she does from drinking plant-based wine, then we simply say, "Cheers!"