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      in beauty and fashion

      The Best Cozy Fall Clothes on the Internet

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      My most toxic trait in life is that year after year, I invest hundreds of dollars in fall fashion staples in September, only to be seen sporting my cozier fall essentials when the temps drop mid-October and beyond. When given a choice to put on jeans and a blazer or a set of fleece joggers and an oversized sherpa hoodie on a chilly morning, comfort wins 10 times out of 10.This year, I’m being slightly more responsible with where I put my money. For me, that means spending the same amount on fall essentials as I normally would while reallocating my funds to cover all of the cozy pieces that I already know I will be wearing on repeat. I’ve never met a comfy sweatshirt I didn’t like, so my plan has to be foolproof… right?
      While I’ll miss summer terribly (as much as I love all of the fall vibes, I am not a fan of the cold), I welcome all of my cozy fall essentials, old and new, with open arms. Keep reading for all of the comfy pieces we can’t wait to submerge ourselves in all season long: More

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      in health and weelbeing

      10 Books to Read That Remind You Everything Will Be Alright

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      Sometimes being an adult means realizing that you have no idea what you’re doing.  A lot of us have experienced moments where we are completely out of our depth and have no idea how or who to ask for advice and/or comfort.Taking care of our health—mentally and physically—should be a priority, but it’s sometimes hard to figure out and balance that with everything going on in our lives. How do we get through the day? 
      A lot of people have different ways of coping, such as praying, watching Netflix, working out, and exploring new hobbies. In addition to doing all of this, I’ve been asking friends to share some books that remind them that everything will be alright. This list is full of books that have inspired and helped people in my life and across the internet. Sometimes the wisdom of others is just what we need to get us through another week in quarantine. 

      Marie Kondo
      The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing

      Japanese cleaning guru Marie Kondo swept through American pop-culture with her show on Netflix. Our minds are often impacted by our environment, and with the coronavirus keeping us all inside, this is a perfect time to really declutter your home. Cleaning and clearing your environment will help inspire a calm, motivated, and peaceful mindset.

      Shonda Rhimes
      Year of Yes

      Even if you never watched any of her shows, Shonda Rhimes has become one of Hollywood’s most recognized producer-writers. Her first book is a poignant, passionate, and hilarious book about taking opportunities, looking past failure, and chasing dreams. She writes about how saying “Yes” changed her life and how it can change your life as well.

      Terry McMillan
      It’s Not All Downhill from Here

      “It’s Not All Downhill From Here” is a refreshing story of the strength and resilience of ‘’everyday’ Black women. Loretha Curry’s life is going well until a sudden loss turns her world upside down. Loretha will have to gather all of her strength to keep on thriving and to pursue joy, healing, and life in abundance.

      Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
      The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

      I stumbled upon the Netflix movie on a random weekend over a year ago and was surprised by how heartfelt and inspiring it was. Juliet finds a letter from a man she’s never met who found her name written inside a book. The more they exchange letters, the more she is drawn into the eccentric world of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie society, and learns about their hopes and dreams, their books, and the impact of the German occupation on their lives.

      Michelle Obama
      Becoming

      We often look at prominent women like Michelle Obama as always having everything together and that life must be as perfect as it can get.”Becoming” is a beautiful, inspiring memoir that reminds us that even a First Lady of a country like the United States can be just as human as us—unfinished.

      Cheryl Strayed
      Tiny Beautiful Things

      Hearing other people’s stories and being able to learn from them is one of the best ways to help ourselves get over a slump, or find wisdom and courage to change things in our lives. “Tiny Beautiful Things” is a collection of some of the best of Chery’s Dear Sugar advice columns from “The Rumpus.” Chery’s words are heartwarming, compassionate, and insightful and might be exactly what you need to hear.

      Toni Morrison
      The Source of Self-Regard: Selected Essays, Speeches, and Meditations

      As one of the most celebrated and respected American authors of all time, Toni Morrison was well-known for her striking imagery and genre-defying prose and unabiding wisdom. In this book, she gives us a collection of her essays, speeches, and meditations where she writes about social issues, such as woman empowerment.

      Leslie Jamison
      The Empathy Exams: Essays

      This book is an incredibly thought provoking essay collection about something we all need more of: empathy. Regardless of where you are in life or what you’re going through, or if the news has you feeling hopeless about the future, learning and actively practicing empathy will help you be able to understand how you should care for the people around you and yourself. More

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      in beauty and fashion

      Set Your Alarm: Studio McGee’s New Target Collection Launches This Weekend

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      Second to my bed after a long day of working from home, Target’s home decor section is my idea of heaven on Earth. I could spend (and have spent) hours perusing all of the affordable, “I-need-it-or-I-will-perish” pieces that the department store has to offer. Don’t even get me started on the Studio McGee x Target pieces released in March that have absolutely transformed my apartment during the quarantine season (Shea McGee, we love your work!).So, naturally, when I heard that Studio McGee teamed up with Target yet again to release a fall collection, I did two things. First, I performed an impromptu, sad, yet enthusiastic rendition of the Hammertime dance in my kitchen (no one got hurt with the exception of my ego when I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror). Next, I set a reminder on my phone for September 13 so that, when that glorious time comes, I can hop online to be one of the first to add pieces from the collection to make my home a cozy fall oasis. 
      We are absolutely loving these items from Studio McGee’s fall collection, and you will, too. Select your favorites now so that you can quickly add to your cart when they launch!

      available 9/13/20

      Although Target doesn’t state specifically what time products launch online, past releases have started around 3 a.m. ET. More

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      in beauty and fashion

      These Amazon Organizational Solutions Will Make Your Life Easier

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      Peanut butter and jelly. Wine and cheese. Gin and tonic. Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas. Me and… clutter.Some things in life just go together. Unfortunately for me, Joe Jonas just isn’t who most would associate me with. A fresh mess five minutes after cleaning, however? I think most of my friends and family would wholeheartedly agree that clutter and I get along quite nicely. No matter how hard I try to be a clean, organized person, disarray always finds me. So much so that I now consider being a tad bit messy as a personality trait. There are worse things, right?
      In my relentless pursuit to change who I am at my very core, I’ve been seeking some affordable organizational solutions that might make tidying up more intuitive. Because if there’s one thing I’m better at than accumulating clutter, it’s scrolling for hours on Amazon and clicking “add to cart” at an alarming rate. If you, too, are in the market to tidy up your home, check out these 50 Amazon organizational finds that just make sense:

        More

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      in health and weelbeing

      The 5 Daily Goals Keeping Me Sane in 2020

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      Five daily goals might seem like a heavy lift in 2020. This year, some big picture dreams, like saving for a home or climbing the corporate ladder, might feel further afield. (But the good news is that small, actionable steps are the only way we actually achieve our big goals anyway.)I start every day by jotting down these five things in my day planner. In aggregate, it may feel like a lot. But each of these can be broken down to their smallest selves and still have impact. Checking them off throughout the day gives a major sense of accomplishment during an otherwise really distracting year.
      And science shows that is not just for us list lovers. Dopamine is released every time we check something off of a list, reinforcing our mind’s willingness to do that task again, and helping cement the habit. I’m also loving planners from female-founded small businesses, The Daily Page and Silk and Sonder, both of which have habit tracking built right into your other scheduling needs. 

      1. Meditation
      Short, daily meditation is the cornerstone of my 2020 wellness. The optimal amount of meditation time is up for debate. But, some meditation studies show that consistent, smaller sessions produce better results than a larger block of time.
      This news is comforting, because most days all I can manage is a short 5-10 minute stretch of quiet and focus. Apps like Headspace are well known for their excellent variety of meditations. I’ve also been turning to the free app Insight Timer and it’s been fun to explore the more informal and wide varieties of global takes on music, messages, and meditation.

      2. Movement
      There is a reason this doesn’t say “work out.” Staring at a “to-do” that used to represent beloved classes, some much-needed gym time, or a long run just isn’t a motivator for me right now. It feels much more achievable to commit to move, every day, even for just a little bit.
      Some days this takes the form of stretching while I’m on a conference call. Others it means going on a walk while I listen to an industry webinar. And on my best days, I’m setting up shop with my home gym and exploring new favorite at-home workouts.

      3. Vitamins and supplements
      Vitamins and supplements are a super personal choice, and should be tailored to our particular health or wellness considerations. I have a little line up of collagen, a multi-vitamin, and a few other supplements that after a lot of trial and error, I’ve found work for my daily routine.
      Making this a daily goal feels like an easy win because it’s baked into a series of other things I’m always sure to do in the morning, like grabbing coffee and making my bed. It also reminds me that in small steps, I’m working toward larger wellness goals, and it encourages me to be sure I’m fueling up my body as effectively as possible the rest of the day.

      4. Money management
      Reviewing my checking account every day is a financial behavioral change that has yielded big results for me. I can easily lapse into being an “avoider” on my financial wellness, especially when things feel uncertain. Being home more means I’ve had fewer excuses around tending to personal admin. Truly understanding your holistic financial picture, even when you’re in the middle of tough times, is a key piece of money management.
      I have gotten this down to a five-minute review, either first thing in the morning before I start my work day or just as I’m wrapping up at night. It literally takes me just moments to kick open my banking app and scan for any unexpected charges, update a bill pay, or send a few dollars to savings. Some apps like YNAB even make a daily check in explicit as part of managing your budget, highlighting that it’s a key cornerstone to achieving bigger financial goals.

      5. Networking
      My fellow introverts are probably cringing hard now. Networking in the best of times can feel like a heavy lift, so doing it daily might feel impossible. But I’m finding that again, taking the very smallest molecule of this task and giving myself wide room for how to interpret it feels like a success. My goal here is that relationships don’t languish while we’re all socially distant and to stay in touch with key contacts, especially if the economy and job security feels less stable.
      I’m also taking advantage of our virtual-first world. It makes it easier to cold pitch an introduction on LinkedIn, or join webinars and follow up with notes to the host. On my most energized days, I try to think of two people in my network who might not know each other, and introduce them over an article or piece of content I found interesting that they may both enjoy.

      What are your daily cornerstones of wellness and productivity?  More

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      in health and weelbeing

      What Elaine Welteroth Taught Me About Identifying and Pursuing Your Purpose

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      I knew from a very young age that I wanted to be a writer. I can recall the day that I came home from elementary school, beaming with excitement over a story I wrote in my 2nd grade class. I remember racing to my parents’ room, eager to share my story with them, watching their eyes as they read over the tale of a young Black princess and her evil parents. I realize now that the story I wrote was nowhere near a New York Times bestseller, but in that moment, you couldn’t tell me otherwise.As an adolescent fantasy writer, I had very clearly used my personal experiences to shape my characters. Although, this story was a little too close to home, and even with my dad’s displeasure over the inspiration of the narrative, I was so pleased with my work. I had this intrigue with storytelling and continued to feed that hunger as I grew older. That passion for writing and storytelling never left and felt more and more like a calling than just a hobby. I knew I had to spend the rest of my life writing, telling stories and sharing my experiences with the world. 

      Thankfully, I discovered that there are others who share in this experience as well. Not too long ago, I found myself feasting on Elaine Welteroth’s new memoir, More Than Enough. There I witnessed the retelling of Elaine’s journey to success. This is important because most of us view the most notable of celebrities as people who just make a lot of money and are famous. But, as Elaine so eloquently puts it, “The truth is, job titles are temporary. But purpose is infinite.”

      As she reminisces on her journey from childhood aspirational magazine editing to real-life Editor-in-Chief of Teen Vogue, Elaine draws a distinction between her career and her purpose, placing all of her value on accomplishing goals and making career decisions that are linked to her passions and what she would define as her purpose rather than chasing after the stereotypical “American Dream.” She believed her presence in the publishing industry served a greater purpose and was more valuable than simply collecting a check or gaining celebrity; it was an opportunity to educate and to amplify the voices of people from historically marginalized communities on the greatest platforms in media. Here are three lessons I learned from Elaine about pursuing, as inspired by her wonderful book, More Than Enough.

      1. Your purpose will call you (not literally, but in a figure sense).
      Because we live in a society that is all about “securing the bag,” the idea of pursuing purpose seems outdated. I mean, after all, how do you even know what it is? Much like Elaine, I believe that I discovered my purpose at a young age. Or, rather, it found me. Not only was I saturating pages of my notebook with fairytale-like adaptations of my life, but I was also always found with a Junie B Jones or Romona Quimby novel on hand. My natural interests in literature and writing were evident. Sometimes, when we think about our purpose and what we were put on this Earth to do, we feel as though we have to go searching for it. We must experiment with different trades and different majors in order to land on the career that is exclusively ours. But, no one ever tells us to examine our history and to maybe even look within for the purpose that has always been there, written on our hearts, burning deep inside us from birth. Identifying your purpose takes introspection—to look back and remember the things that used to drive us as children, the dreams, aspirations and passions that we had when we were young. It requires us to use those moments as our launching pad for insight into our purpose. This is one way we can start to identify it: remember the passions that called you when you were young.

      2. Pursuing your purpose will challenge you. 
      The other side to pursuing your purpose is that it will challenge you. In my experience, finding a job was never difficult, but landing a job within the realm of what I believe I am meant to do was no easy feat. I think Elaine would concur. With the end of her college career drawing near, she found her future hanging in the balance as she contemplated her next steps post-graduation. She says, “Trying to figure out how to pursue your passion in ninety days sounds like one of those bestselling self-help books or a viral TED Talk, but ultimately, in practice it was more like being lost in a dark room and not knowing if I’d ever find my way out.” Let’s be real, opting for a quintessential lifestyle that ends with the white picket fence is easy. However, pursuing a path that is greater than yourself is risky and actually takes quite a bit of faith. Contrary to Elaine, I had to face the music long after college. I had already opted into the traditional 9-5 safe zone, but my purpose kept calling. It wasn’t until a few years after college graduation that I fell in headfirst in pursuing my writing and haven’t stopped yet. I’m just bold enough to believe that because this purpose is linked to my natural-born passions and my very existence, I will always find a way to operate in it. While you may encounter obstacles and challenges as you pursue it, persevere. After all, the greatest things in life never come easy. 

      3. Your purpose will change you (for the better, of course). 
      Though the journey of identifying and pursuing your purpose may be turbulent, it doesn’t compare to when you’re finally able to operate in it. Every moment that you spend fulfilling your purpose feels like confirmation that you’re doing what you were created to do. Not only do you begin to impact the lives of other people (because purpose is also about changing the lives of the people after you), but you are changing as well. Your perspective begins to shift, your priorities change, your values evolve and that’s what’s meant to happen. In Elaine’s story, shifting the paradigm in the publishing industry, especially in regards to beauty, was always her goal. But, as she continued to climb the corporate ladder, arriving at the front doors of Teen Vogue offices, her vision extended beyond Black representation in media to also stirring up and equipping the next generation. Her role at Teen Vogue radicalized the content of the magazine, taking it to new heights that no other teen magazine had reached, while simultaneously changing her. 

      For most of us, career success has been our life’s ultimate goal. We go to college to earn a degree or two—arriving at our final destination of a great job that makes us a lot of money and comes with a little bit of fame. For others, we may find ourselves in an endless pursuit of this form of success. But, at some point, we have to ask ourselves if that is really all there is to life—money, success, and fame. Or, is there more? Can we pursue careers that allow us to leave a real impact on the world? Can we pursue passions that are linked to a greater calling on our lives? Does that even exist for all of us? I think Elaine’s answer would be, yes. Those convictions, passions and intrinsic motivators are all linked to the very reason you have graced this earth. Don’t suppress them. Take that leap of faith and chase after them. They are calling you. They will challenge you. And, best of all, they will change the world while also changing you.  More

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      in beauty and fashion

      All the Cool, Inexpensive Products I’ve Found on Etsy Lately

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      One of my most toxic traits is that I’m a bit of a hipster. Not in that I enjoy alt music no one’s ever heard of or that I wear cuffed chinos every day, but rather in that I have a real thing for unique material items. Once everyone gets their hands on something, my interest dwindles. And of course, exceptions are to be made. I’ll shout from the rooftops that everyone in the world deserves a pair of Spanx Leather Leggings, and I stan Glossier, one of the biggest beauty companies in the world. But for the most part, I’m significantly more interested in something if it means I’m the first to know about it. Lately, I’ve been going to Etsy as much as possible to find unique items from decor to beauty products to sweatshirts and more. Not only does it mean I’m getting fun, new items, but I get to support a small business, which means everything to me! So, you should know making this list and giving up my secrets was a little difficult, but if it means all of these amazing shops get a little more support, I’m all for it! Here are all the fun things I’ve eyed (and purchased!) on Etsy lately—and don’t worry, they’re all extra-affordable.

      An example page of the coloring book from Maddie—as if we needed any other reason to fall in love with this 🙂 

      Pop Culture

      Coolgirlcandles
      This Smells Like A One Direction Reunion Candle

      This is about to be my home’s signature scent. I ordered this a few weeks ago, and the second it becomes mine will be a glorious moment. Trying to decide if I’ll welcome it into my home with “Four” or “Midnight Memories.”

      CustomTeeZone
      Schrute Farms T-Shirt

      Fans of “The Office” (so basically everyone), here’s the cutest tee to show everyone your favorite show.

      Masks
      One of the best places to pick up face masks is from small sellers on Etsy. They’re likely handmade and comfortable, and you’re supporting a small business—what’s not to love! Here are a few of our editors’ favorites that they’ve purchased.

      These earrings are great for a gift, or for yourself because who doesn’t deserve it right now?

      Fashion + Beauty

      CaitlynMinimalist
      Personalized Name Earrings

      Our lovely Abigail got these for me for Christmas for our TEG Secret Santa, and I am completely and utterly obsessed with them. Anytime I wear them, I show them off to basically everyone Im with. “See, look, they say my name!” comes out of my mouth at least three times. I used my full name (Elizabeth), and I love the way cover my entire earlobe, but I think they would be equally as cute with a shorter name too.

      PurpleSoulHeart
      Tiny Stud Star Earrings

      I actually got these for our editor Maddie’s birthday because she has teensy-tiny ears. They’re handmade and look gorgeous IRL, but they cost a fraction of what you’d expect.

      EshJewelryCollection
      Tortoise Hoop Earrings

      One of the best things to find on Etsy is jewelry. The items are often unique and one-of-a-kind while keeping a pretty low price point. These tortoise hoop earrings are a perfect example, costing just under what you’d spend on takeout for two for a super cute pair of earrings to wear on all your Zoom calls.

      MosaicPopArt
      Black Lives Matter T-Shirt

      This tee has both a cute decision and a great message, with tons of positive reviews about the quality, the fit, and the graphic. Show your support for Black Lives Matter with this T-Shirt. This Black-owned shop also offers puzzles, backpacks, yard signs, sweatshirts, and more with tons of really cool designs.

      SouvenirAndFar
      ’70s Inspired Zodiac T-Shirt

      Show off your love for your Zodiac sign with this tee. Most graphic tees can look cheesy, but this one looks like it should cost over double the price for how cute it is. Pop this under blazers and cardigans this fall, or wear with your favorite sweatpants.

      Colornoise
      Beachy Mood Perfume

      I got this at the beginning of summer, and it is tres magnifique! I figured if I was going to buy a perfume without smelling it, I might as well choose something inexpensive and unrecognizable, and I’m so glad I took the plunge. It has that summertime sunscreen scent I love, mixed with a little bit of ~waves and saltwater~. Likely, that means nothing to you, so just trust me that it smells like summertime. I wear this basically every day now, and I can’t wait to get a fall scent from this line. In my order, I got a sample of the Chill Mood Perfume, and it is SO GOOD also.

      I’m sorry to subject you to this body butter porn, but give me a break—it is the most glorious texture.

      Elysium Naturals Co.
      Whipped Shea Body Butter

      Will I ever stop talking about this? No, I will not. I’ve raved about this in articles previously as one of the best products I’ve tried in 2020. It’s the smoothest, softest, most nourishing body butter I’ve ever used, and the scents just make it even better. I think everyone should have a tub of the Lavender Vanilla in their possession at all times.

      lorenklein
      “Vote” Hat

      Inspire those around you to engage in their community politics and be an active member of their democracy! (Oh, and the hat is just really cute too.) Keep voter registration information handy when you wear this to make sure you can inform everyone you meet.

      NaturallyEu
      Refreshing Bath Soak Salts

      These bath salts are made with peppermint, wintergreen, and eucalyptus, so you know it’s about to be relaxing as all hell.

      HarlemRoots
      Sleep On It Tea

      Another really great thing to pick up on Etsy is tea. You can find really unique and interesting blends for a fraction of what you’d pay elsewhere. Tea lovers, don’t sleep on this one! 😉

      T-Shirt Hair Towel Wrap

      We all probably know that regular body towels aren’t the best thing to use on your hair, and it’s especially true for those with curly, coily, or kinky hair types. This towel wrap is made of a really soft T-shirt material that stays on your head to dry and smooth hair after your shower. Say goodbye to frizzy ends and hello to pillow-soft hair.

      Candle for scale—I love how small it is because it fits on my studio-apartment-sized coffee table!

      Home Decor + Art Prints

      MoonLineCo
      Modern Pillar Candle

      I’d seen gorgeous pillar candles all over Instagram that were way too expensive for a decor piece I likely won’t even light. I searched on Etsy one night, and I ordered this on a whim after looking at it briefly. It’s a great modern addition to a coffee table, a shelf, a side table—wherever! It’s a little smaller in real life than I was expecting, but this actually makes it easier to place and adds to the cutesy factor. Why are all small things just so darn cute?

      PinkSundaysStudio
      Pumpkin Spice Mug

      THE SZN IS HERE, PEOPLE. Just because you don’t have a Starbucks fall-themed cup in your hand doesn’t mean you can’t rep your favorite drink this year. I’m also a huge fan of this absolutely adorable ghost mug(I mean, come on), and who doesn’t need a Sanderson sisters mug from “Hocus Pocus” too? Fall mugs for all.

      DorothyBCo
      Interlock Soy Candle

      This gorgeous candle is basically a decor piece all in itself. Made by DorothyB herself, this Black-owned candle line has tons of scents to choose from that can all go inside this unqiue, gold candle. I’m eyeing “Peach Nectar”—sounds like the perfect all-seasons sweet scent.

      GodlyGorgeous
      Happy Illustration Notepad

      Keep your WFH-self organized with this notepad from this Black-owned Etsy shop. This would look super cute on a desk, but it also looks functional for list-making, to-do lists, appointments, and more.

      roughedgessupply
      Curvy Woman in a Bikini Line Art Print

      TBH, I bought this print because it looked like me! I had seen tons of pretty line art drawings of nude women, and I love them all, but I wanted to represent some body positivity in my home, and this beautiful gal did the job.

      GodlyGorgeous
      Be You Print

      Add this print to your space for a little extra motivation. I envision this placed beautifully on a desk or entryway or even in a gallery wall.

      WindsorRoseAtelier
      Italy Print

      Live vicariously through this gorgeous travel print of Italy while you’re stuck at home!

      LouLouArtStudio
      Printable Art

      For the minimalist, this gorgeous black-and-white print will absolutely turn heads.

      HomeThisWeekend
      South of France Summer Print

      Summer never has to end with this print in your home. Pretend you took this on your glorious vacation through the South of France last fall. More