the scoop
just love and fly sh!t
ThE bar soap RenaissANCE: WHY ITS TIME TO RECONSIDER THIS SKINCARE STAPLE
In the age of liquid body washes exfoliating gels and luxurious foaming cleansers the humble bar soap has been unfairly overlooked, I mean the bar soap was a staple in every household, so Im super excited that they're making a comeback and a very stylish one at that. The "New' soaps are decorative and come in the cutest shapes and colors while being infused with olive oil, shea butter, glycerin, charcoal, bamboo and botanical oils that make them oh so luxurious hydrating and/or detoxifying! nothing like the white block of Ivory soap or green Zest I grew up on. Bar sops also make great traveling companions, and are cost effective.
I've listed a few of my favorites below but honestly if it smells yummy or comes in cute packaging
I will try it at least once
just remember to invest in a good soap dish that allows airflow to keep your soap dry between uses:-)
Jeweled nails are More than a trend.. its Culture
We have always blended the traditional with the trending while showcasing unique styles and creativity using practically anything from gems and rhinestones to fabric and intricate hand painting, transforming a simple manicure into a work of art and the "around the way" nail tech into basquiat.
Let's be real
There's something about right now that feels off...
The headlines are heavy. The energy is scattered.
Time moves funny. people feel distant.
And still - we get dressed. We still show up.
We still find a way to express ourselves because when the world feels weird, fashion becomes more than clothes and looking good.
It becomes protection. language. feeling. A spiritual act of resistance, nostalgia and a mood board all at once.
The Vibe
We are expressing, not impressing
Style as soul care
We are not dressing for trends
or the algorithm
we are dressing for the moment
the moment of softness and edge
the moment that says don't rush me I'm blooming.
the moment that feels like Us
even when nothing else makes sense.
Thats the energy
That's the vibe.
The Fit
Oversized shirts that feel like safety
A reconstructed snapback with pearls or rhinestones -
streetwear is both sacred and luxury.
Graphic tees as protest signs.
Hoop earrings and lipgloss - a classic is a classic.
Vintage sneakers that look like they've seen things (because they have)
Head wraps and bandanas
Therapy, Reflection, Ritual
thats what we are wearing
with Grit, glam and Black girl Joy
sewn into every seam.
So yeah - the world might feel weird.
But WE still show up in style.
still get dressed with intention
and still pound the sidewalks like it matters
because it does.
xo Li.
What we're wearing
when the world feels
weird
_edited.png)
_edited.png)
back to the foundation:
why beauty is returning to the staples that never failed us
Before the 12 - step routines,
Before the trending ingredients we can't pronounce,
Before beauty became expensive, excessive and overwhelming.
There was A foundation.
Vaseline.
Aquaphor.
Vitamin E.
Castor oil.
COCO BUTTER.
PASSED DOWN FROM BATHROOM CABINETS
AND KITCHEN DRAWERS, FROM MOMS GRANDMOTHERS AND AUNTIES WHO UNDERSTOOD SKIN LONG BEFORE ALGORITHMS
THIS WAS A RITUAL ROOTED IN OUR CULTURE AND NOW BEAUTY IS CIRCLING BACK TO THE FOUNDATION.
FUNCTION. CARE. LONGEVITY.
PROTECT THE SKIN, LOCK IN MOISTURE, AND HEAL BEFORE ENHANCING.
VASELINE IS THE ORIGINAL SKIN BARRIER THE HOLY GRAIL IN MY HOUSEHOLD BEST USED ON DAMP SKIN.
AQUAPHOR THE PERFECT BALANCE OF MEDICINE AND BEAUTY, CREATED TO HEAL SKIN ITS THE SECRET WEAPON BACKSTAGE FROM CUTICLES TO EDITORIAL SHINE TO SOOTHING OVERWORKED SKIN mua keep a tube in their kit.
vitamin e doesn't scream for attention and is often overlooked but its the cure for scars, stretch marks, dry patches and post-procedure healing think long term skin health.(my mother would get the softgels pop them open and squeeze the oil out on her face)
castor oil is not here to play, use pure cold pressed organic (quality matters here) the benefits are endless from scalp and hair care to digestive and hormonal balance castor oil is the real mvp.
coco butter.... Thats it, thats the description.
Beauty is shifting, people are tired of overconsumption, and honestly while i love trying new things i know that healthy skin doesn't need 20 products, glow comes from self-care not excess and what worked then, still works now.
as always do your research before using a product you're not familiar with.
2026 WE ARE OUTSIDE, LITERALLY AND FIGURATIVELY AND WHEN ITS TIME TO GET DRESSED WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO, WITHOUT THE THOUGHT OF "I HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR" I'VE BEEN THERE WHEN THE HANGERS ARE FULL, BUT NOTHING FEELS RIGHT, YOUR BODY HAS CHANGED, YOUR LIFESTYLE HAS CHANGED, YOUR PRIORITIES HAVE CHANGED, SO WHILE THE WEATHER IS A BIT CRISP.. THE TIMING IS PERFECT FOR A SATURDAY CLOSET RESEt.
staples thats the goal, to go through your closet and make sure that your staples are updated.
HERE IS MY SHORT LIST
CLASSIC WHITE TEES
LBD
WHITE BUTTON DOWN SHIRT
A CAMI
A GO TO TOP (EXTRA EXTRA)
A GO TO DRESS(EXTRA EXTRA)
CONCERT TEE
A BLAZER
A DENIM JACKET
TRENCH COAT
LEATHER JACKET
BOMBER JACKET
GREAT FITTING JEANS
BLACK PANTS,TROUSERS,JEANS,LEATHER
JUMPSUIT
GOOD SWEATPANTS
GOOD ATHLETIC WEAR
CHINOS
CARGO PANTS
BOYFRIEND JEANS
CASUAL SNEAKERS / DESIGNER SNEAKERS
NUDE HEELS / SANDALS
BLACK BOOTS
BELTS
JEWELRY
LUXE BAG / EVERYDAY BAG
SHAPEWEAR
This is just a starting point because you would be surprised at how much we buy yet we still don't have good quality staples that represent us where we are now. A STRONG WARDROBE FOUNDATION MAKES STYLE EFFORTLESS, WHEN YOUR STAPLES ARE CURRENT, EVERYTHING ELSE FALLS INTO PLACE.
LI.
DOECHII: THE DOSE OF FRESHNESS, THE CULTURE NEEDED
In an industry that often tries to box in Black female artists, Doechii stands out. She's loud, unpredictable, and effortlessly genre-defying a true embodiment of what black culture has always been LIMITLESS.. her sound blends hip-hop, alternative, R&B and punk, just what the culture needed someone to break the cookie cutter mold. Beyond the music Doechii's visuals are top tier! and her team always gets it right from styling to hair and Makeup, this is how teams come together to enhance an artists self expression in the most visually captivating way. Doechii is really for the girls who get it.. in an industry thats not always kind to dark skinned, living out loud, don't give a fuk girls Doechii is disrupting the odds.
recently on her substack not verified
she pinned such a beautiful love letter to the girls about what happens to creativity when you have to play it safe and edit the out loud version of yourself. READ IT HERE
