Go French Yourself is committed to continue amplifying Black voices, Black culture, and Black business owners and creators.
We support the 15 Percent Pledge asking major retailers across the U.S to commit to buying 15% of their merchandise from Black owned businesses. (take a second to sign the petition) There has been a light shed on how Black content creators are treated as well (paid less, having to turn over triple the deliverables for a “free” press trip, etc.) and I am committed to standing up to that . You can see other things I am doing on my blog too by reading this post here. I shared 20 amazing black creatives that you should follow! Be sure to check out my story highlights as well. I have been sharing so many resources!
My main point is that I stand firmly against racism and police brutality.
Go French Yourself is committed to highlighting and working with more Black owned brands this year and indefinitely. Please send us an email if you’d like to partner!
Discover these Black owned businesses and creators
Have you ever met a person who didn’t love receiving a beautiful scented candle!? Especially when said candle has the most luxe packaging, is made of clean-burning coconut + apricot wax and lasts for 60 (or more) hours.
Insert Joe + Monroe! These glam scented candles have made their way straight to my heart and I am pretty sure I cannot live without them! They check all the boxes for me. Personally, I burn candles every single day — there’s no easier way to add a sense of luxury to day-to-day life, whether it’s an invigorating scent on my desk while I work or relaxing scent while I soak all my stress away in a hot bubble bath. I never think of beautifully-scented candles as extravagances… but more as essentials! But why not just embrace the fact that they can be both, then go ahead and scoop up a holiday gift or two for yourself! If you place your orders by December 15th (soon approaching) you will have it delivered by Christmas!
So very excited for you to meet Erica Ahmed today of The Green Laundress.
-Will you introduce yourself to the Go French Yourself audience and share some of your background?
Greetings! My name is Erica Ahmed and I am the founder of The Green Laundress and eco and people-friendly company manufacturing cleaning products. I have also worked in the public health space for 20 years in varying roles in Washington, DC, Atlanta, GA & New York City.
Go French Yourself is committed to highlighting and working with more Black owned brands this year and indefinitely. And I am so thrilled to share this one today!!! Ever since hearing about this one from Oprah I had to experience it for myself!
I absolutely love making laundry day easier , eco-friendlier, and just plain happier y’all! And today I am excited to share my experience with Loohoo.
Loohoo’s adorable chic dryer balls are laundry’s little miracle workers!!! They hop along with each load giving me fluffier towels, softer sheets, and less-wrinkly shirts while also cutting down on drying time!
So are you sitting here wondering….what are dryer balls, anyway?
Yes, I know, 2020 has changed traveling an awful lot!! But when the invitation arrives in my inbox to spend a weekend in Bentonville exploring public art and all of my fave museums and restaurants to see exactly how Bentonville is keeping people living safely-well…it is impossible to say no!!!!
I visited Bentonville 8 times in 2019 on assignment and was greatly missing it! The downtown square is so quaint streets plus Bentonville has such a great food and drink scene and its many museums and local shops just make my heart sing. A weekend in Bentonville even in a pandemic is a great idea and couldn’t be easier to do. Remember , it’s only two hours from Tulsa! And with all of the public art and trails…well even if you just want to stay outdoors to keep distance, you are going to have a heck of a good time, Bentonville is truly the perfect place to take a weekend getaway or even just a day trip! Truth be told-I felt safer in Bentonville than I do in Tulsa right now. Everyone is wearing masks and being so respectful of one another. They are really embracing the social distancing protocols and it’s beautiful to see.
Go French Yourself is committed to highlighting and working with more Black owned brands this year and indefinitely!
And today is such an exciting feature with Greenhouse Mercantile located in Newnan, Georgia! Greenhouse Mercantile is a collection of curated goods…a lifestyle store filled with all the things they love. They believe in products that last a lifetime. They support the makers. Greenhouse Mercantile is pro-America. It’s pro-local artists. It’s pro-Fair Trade. It’s products that make a difference and give back…Products that you can buy and be proud of. It is a sanctuary for people that seek out the un-ordinary. It is a reminder to people that past objects should never be forgotten. It is proof that prayer and faith work. It is a feeling…
Nick Cave: Until is the largest and most ambitious project yet from the renowned artist. This immersive exhibition is a visual feast for the eyes, spanning over 24,000 square feet of gallery space at The Momentary and bursting with colorful wind spinners, wallpapers, found objects, beads, and a crystal cloud beckoning visitors to climb its ladders and discover a private garden.
The BIGGER the BETTER
Obsessed with hair accessories for fall and I am just in love with Jane Dottie Vintage ‘s oversized scrunchies. This is the Gatsby" Satin Scrunchie” in Xtra Large ( had Melvin model it so you can really understand the meaning of EXTRA here) from The ‘Gilded Age’ Collection! It’s hand crafted from vintage satin fabric, deep in the heart of Texas.
Sooooo excited to introduce you to Ziva Naseer today!! They are the most beautiful handmade bags and I know you are going to just fall head over heels for them!!!
I am so excited to share this Black-Owned French brand with you that specializes in wax products founded by the wisest 15 year old girl!!!
WaxMalia chooses to employ Ivorian artisans and uses fabrics made in Côte d'Ivoire. It is a family business created by a daughter and her father. (so so special)
From Paris 🇫🇷 to Abidjan 🇨🇮
I just love my Sac Pliable en wax in the Feuilles DE Magnolia print so much! This foldable bag slips nicely into my handbag so I never have to be without a bag for a purchase or whatever else I may need it for.
Everyone needs one!
“There is no limit to what we, as women can accomplish. “- @michelleobama
Nobody can make you feel inferior without your permission! Let the sisterhood blossom ladies! Happy Women’s Equality Day!! 🌸
Inspired by two brands I want to share for #WomensEqualityDay should you want to do some online shopping this afternoon!!
Our sweet boys have been living a life of leisure and gluttony this year, just as I think we all have in all fairness to them!!! After a vet appointment, we knew it was time to make a few lifestyle changes for Melvin & Henry. We have had experience with fresh pet food previously but then got lazy and switched back to kibble! HUGE mistake. Our poor dog Henry has the worst digestive issues and can no longer even stomach kibble. Go French Yourself is committed to highlighting and working with more Black-Owned brands this year and indefinitely so after doing some research I was thrilled to learn about Pet Plate! They are black-owned and this was something that was and is VERY important to me. The owner-Renaldo Webb was a consultant in the pet food space and saw the inferior ingredients and substandard processes used to make mass-market pet food. He went to work to find a healthy solution for his adorable pooch Winston and Pet Plate, a fresh dog food delivery service was born!
Go French Yourself is committed to highlighting and working with more Black owned brands this year and indefinitely. And today’s feature is all about EINNEM out of Chicago!
From beautifully customized soy wax candles to one of a kind goat milk soap bars, lavender body mists and room fresheners that promote calm and relaxation, they are dedicated to providing our customers with a lasting experience that will keep them coming back for more.
EINNIM INTERVIEW
Tell us a little bit about yourself & what made you decide to start EINNIM?
Back in April of 2009 I was in the midst of wrapping up my finals when I suddenly started experiencing this wild pain in my wrists. Thinking it was “just” Carpal tunnel syndrome, I kept plugging away! Fast forward to 2010, I’ve now been diagnosed with Lupus which would accompany the Rheumatoid Arthritis that I already had.
Go French Yourself is committed to highlighting and working with more Black owned brands this year and indefinitely. And today’s feature is all about the lovely McMullen!
Founded 2007 by Sherri McMullen in Oakland, McMullen is an all inclusive concept shop for luxury womenswear featuring emerging and established designers from around the world.
In its twelve years, McMullen Oakland and Palo Alto have become well known for bringing global fashion and experiences to the Bay Area. Our brand is focused on supporting design and manufacturing that can impact communities and empower women. Aimed at filling the market gap, McMullen has a commitment to supporting African and African-American apparel and home décor designers.
This month, I am on a mission to cultivate as much gratitude as possible and one of the most effective ways I’ve found to do this is with one very small yet super powerful habit. Instead of thinking I “have” to do this today, I think I “get” to do this.
I get to go walk my pups and enjoy my neighborhood blooms! I get to cook dinner for the one I love. And so on…! See….try it!
Making my night time wind down routine something I “get” to do, rather than have to do too! The added benefit is that my quality of sleep is better as a result. And when Sam gets the sleep the world is just a better place! LOL!
“Bed time” is a term typically reserved for kids, but the truth is that the hour before you go to bed can be critical to how well you sleep.
It all came down to the nail polishes I was using. Turns out nail polishes are filled to the brim with chemicals that are harmful for both you and the environment. EEEK! I’m going to be real here and admit that I never thought to read the ingredients on the label of nail polishes, as I do with my other beauty products.
Spoiler alert: I recently did and half of the words I can’t even pronounce, let alone know what they mean.
So next time you’re shopping for nail polish like me let’s buy from black-owned People Of Color! The hues are just fantastic and Jacqueline is just the sweetest person! I am so fortunate that she took the time to answer some questions for us for this lovely GFY feature!!!
“IN THE SAME WAY
JAZZ IS FREEDOM
WITHIN SOUND,
STYLE IS FREEDOM
WITHIN FASHION.”
Dani Evans
MONROWE’S STORY
Monrowe tells the story of a free-spirited jazz musician from the American south: a man who played sax in speakeasies with no formal training, improvised his own unique style and unapologetically weaved a creative life centered on freedom and self-expression.
Go French Yourself is committed to highlighting and working with more Black owned brands this year and indefinitely.
And today we are so excited to introduce you to Black Kettle Soap Company! I purchased three things- 2 bar soaps and some laundry detergent! I have been using them for weeks and can honestly say I have found a new fantastic company to shop from. I am very happy with the products and look forward to trying more too!
pending the morning in an ecstasy of language and emotion. I highly recommend The Summer of Pink if you are looking for a new beautiful read by the pool! Teacher, writer, influencer, activist, and poet, Gabrielle Mbeki writes to heal. Summer of Pink is a wonderful collection of poems reflecting on the breakdown of relationships and intimacy, and how it influences a person. Created with three sections in mind to show the intuitiveness of looking at the past, present, and future, with the help of three Major Arcana tarot cards; the most impactful cards to the author in order to guide her, and the reader through her path of love, loss, and redemption.
Meet The Black Croc Catherine Box Bag From Mateo NY………
It’s stunning and will make you question what is essential in your day? Your wallet, phone, maybe a lipstick, keys, sunglasses and a tampon…
Beautifully made of luxe emboss croc calf leather with a suede interior, magnetic snap closure and shoulder strap. This is the perfect bag for any occasion!!
Sharing the loveliest brand I discovered born and shipped from my beloved BIG D !
Letting B. Anderson tell you the story today because it’s lovely....
"A Love Supreme", by John Coltrane. The legendary jazz album that transformed my life. The first time those notes from "Trane's" saxophone resonated through my ears, this heart of mine followed. I fell in love, DEEPLY IN LOVE. It wasn't a physical love, it was on a much deeper level. A SPIRITUAL LOVE. My heart clamored for MORE. More jazz, more trumpets, more drums, more bass, more trombones, and more piano.
So as promised, Go French Yourself is committed to highlighting and working with more Black owned brands this year and indefinitely. Please send us an email if you’d like to partner!
I purchased so many great things last week and orders are starting to trickling in so today I am thrilled to share Golde. I love discovering new brands in this niche and Golde is already a favorite!
Artist, Lindsay Adams, a DMV Native, uses her corporate career and world studies to communicate different interpretations of art forms through painting and drawing. She began drawing and painting at an early age. While attending a youth summer camp at Corcoran College of Art & Design, she began tightening her skills, and devoted more time to her art. In high school, she received diligent instruction and guidance, and took Drawing and Painting as a major course. Along with her artistic fervor, Lindsay is also passionate about diversity and inclusion awareness, foreign language, and fashion.
I have found so many wonderful new accounts to follow and engage with. I also am highlighting some accounts I already followed but am dying for you to start connecting with them too!
So this post is a celebration of the black female creatives producing AMAZING content…beautiful beautiful work! I am sharing feeds from everywhere in the world covering fashion, art, design, travel and lifestyle and I am already so inspired by these women! They deserve a seat at the dang table!!! For my brands who read my blogs…. hire these women!
Manifest Monday — Light It Into Existence 🔥
This immersive candle experience from Spoken Flames engages your senses to help you feel more grounded, inspired and connected to yourself and your goals. Activate your moment of self-care with these shimmering, soft-crackling and speaking—yes, speaking—candles.