Welcome to our Black-Owned Business Favs of October!
As always, we’re on a mission to spread some serious love for these awesome brands — all Black-owned. You may recognize some from our Black-owned Business Directory and others are new gems that we discover along the way.
Either way, these pieces are SO much fun to browse through, like Em’s evil eye crystal necklace or this DIY Biggie embroidery kit. And don’t worry, we have useful ones, too…like this Kamala tee or RBG face mask.
Black-Owned Business Style Picks: Jewelry, Face Masks & Home Goods
So get cozy and get inspired by all of the beautiful pieces below. Not to jump the gun here (I am totally jumping the gun here) but I think some of these would make perfect holiday gifts (hi, cute little cork planters).
Click On A Contributor’s Name To Be Taken To Their Black-Owned Business Favs!
Em | Laura | Linzi | Scotti | Cam
*Note — We have a call to action this weekend. Black Lives Matter invites “Black women (cis, trans and non binary) to reclaim our Divinity in the name of #BreonnaTaylor” and “on people who are not Black women to express their appreciation and adulation…”. You can read more here. We totally support their note for non-Black allies: Allyship to the Black women in your life is important — that’s why we want you to participate in the weekend of empowering Black women to reclaim their Divinity. Although we do this roundup monthly, we’re super-excited it happens to fall at the same time as the #BlackWomenAreDivine campaign. Find BLM here: Twitter. Facebook. Instagram.
Em’s Black-Owned Business Style Picks
1 | Dabira Aroma Hella Good Candle: This candle made my list once before, but since then I’ve actually had the chance to burn it in my home, and it’s just as the name suggests. Tropical, citrusy and sweet — if you love Anthro’s signature Volcano scent, this is a near dead ringer. (Errrr…sniffer?) Hand-poured in Oakland. Hella good is right.
2 | African Print Zip Pouch: Love mid-size pouches like this for stashing small items within a larger tote, or for carrying minimal essentials (phone, credit card, chapstick, hand sanitizer, Invisalign case) around, clutch-style. The print would pair well with other prints, graphic tees, etc.
3 | nena 10+ Outfits In One: Ok, this is gorgeous. Admittedly some of the 10 ways are more wearable for everyday than others, but the design on this 10-in-1 piece is pretty ingenious — and unlike some convertible garments, the nena doesn’t seem like it would be inviting wardrobe malfunctions left and right. Plus, nena gives back 5% of their profits to Zero Hunger causes. Handy How-To-Wear videos here.
4 | Evil Eye Crystal Necklace: We still have one quarter to go in 2020, and it’s a big one, so just give me all the protection and good vibes. (Also love how this would look layered with my everyday gold pendant.)
5 | Wow, No Thank You (also on Amazon): This was recommended in a comment by a TME reader, and later the same week it came up in conversation with a friend. (She praised its hilarity — could NOT put it down.) Just the dose of humor I need after this week’s debate.
6 | Squiggle Painting: I’m always keeping an eye out for art the resonates with me, and this piece is so pretty and calming in its fluidity.
7 | Skin Tone Masks: I’m finding myself reaching for neutral masks more and more, and these are available in 11 different nude tones. Made from 100% cotton, lined, fitted with a nose wire — and they come with 2 disposable filters, too.
8 | Kamala Shirt: Cute, clever — and a handy pronunciation reminder for those around you.
Laura’s Black-Owned Business Style Picks
01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08
01 | Sika designs zebra jacket: This gorgeous UK-based company was highlighted by Cosmopolitan online. I could not resist including this rad jacket, for obvious reasons.
02 | Evil eye ring & additional designs: This links to the evil eye ring (my fav) but they’re all so cute. I want that one, the triangle, and the leaf.
03 | Birthstone stacking rings: I mean, I want them all please, but three would be a good start!
04 | Mixed metal stack: Love these hammered metal rings.
05 | Biggie embroidery kit: Amazing gift to make and give or for a rap-loving crafter (hi, like me.)
06 | Cork planter**Sustainable Pick**: Your resident Obsessed Plant Lady over here…all things plants, please. I love the texture of cork mixed with other pottery, etc. The gold detail doesn’t hurt, either!
07 | Veggie illustration: Love this for the kitchen. It’s playful and colorful, but still tasteful.
08 | ABC Nursery print: Cute for kiddo bedrooms or playrooms! Perhaps a cute mom-to-be gift, if you know the mom’s style.
Linzi’s Black-Owned Business Style Picks
01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07
1 | Designer Cotton & Silk: Lex rocks Taylor Jay’s masks, and there are some new absolutely stunning cotton and silk options, in addition to great sales on mask bundles.
2 | RBG Love: Tracey’s Faceys has a huge variety of playful and unique masks including this fabulous one featuring the Honorable Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the scales of justice. Double layered with pocket for filter and made with adjustable nose wire.
3 | Metallic Gorgeousness: For special occasions or everyday gorgeousness. 100% cotton with adjustable ear loops.
4 | Tie-Dye Denim: Adult, toddler and kid sizes. You can also specify elastic ear loops or cotton ties. I love their mask options, but CanDidArtAccessories also has really cool jewelry, quilts and greeting cards too.
5 | Beautiful Fabrics: SUCH pretty and special fabrics…you can read the description here for the meaning behind certain colors.
6 | Variety Of Skin Tones: LolaLovesIt mother-daughter team has quite a variety of pretty face masks (besides the skin tone ones), and they even have a mask subscription service where you’re delivered 3 new masks each month.
7 | Baby Wordplay: Local Philly shout-out to Baby Wordplay. Miss Pam, as all the littles lovingly call her, has taken her neighborhood business online. Miss Pam is a former children’s librarian and offers Black Books Matter Book Bundles, as well as Book Bundles centered around other topics. Additionally, she offers packages that include access to her beloved StoryPlays. Give her some love if you’re looking for some new books or a unique video storytime option.
Scotti’s Black-Owned Business Style Picks
1 | Hands Jewelry Holder: I love these little hands — they come in a bunch of different colors, and I only just now noticed these cool resin gold leaf-filled ones. SO gorgeous!
2 | Echo Cork Planter: I need more plants…and I love the neutral cork finish on these planters. They also have ones with color (love the gold and blue here) and planters that hang. The cork looks great with the greenery of the plants!
3 | Brown Butter Beauty Sugar Scrub: I mean…aren’t we all in serious need of some self-care? Because…THIS.
4 | Birthstone Stacking Ring: Apparently great minds think alike because these are exactly the ones that Laura picked too! I love the thin band and the fact that you can wear them stacked or just one at a time. I think the opal would look great on my index finger!
5 | Lavender Vanilla Spa Gift Basket: Speaking of self-care, who wouldn’t love an entire spa gift basket? This one comes with a candle, salt scrub, body butter, massage oil and scent sachet all wrapped in a reusable burlap box and bow. The reviews are SO good, too.
6 | Love Live Love Print: More love, please. Always a good reminder.
Cam’s Black-Owned Business Style Picks
1 | Golde Cacao Tumeric Latte Blend: I keep telling myself I need to stop drinking coffee, so I have been looking around for an alternative…this could be it? Honestly, I’ll probably keep drinking coffee, BUT this could be a nice “break” every few days.
2 | Lizzie Fortunate Life Saver Hoops: These are fantastic. I’d wear this all of the time.
3 | N’Gor Convertible Dress/Skirt: Straps that cover a real bra (I know, amazing) and they are also adjustable. I mean…all you need! I love the layer-upon-layer of ruffles! I’d wear in warmer weather with a simple sandal and now with a slouchy cardigan and booties. Love it!
4 | Ivy’s Tea Co. ‘Blow’ loose tea: This one is very cool — turns a beautiful blue color. Also, it’s supposed to heighten mood and sexual desire, sooo…yes.
5 | Bao Bei Slip-on Sneaker: That electric blue! HELLOO. Also, 100% leather with suede and elastic detail. These are the fun shoes.
6 | Ola Necklace: Simple, elegant and beautiful. I do not wear a lot of jewelry, but I really appreciate an understated piece like this.
7 | Delma Tote: A straw handbag that can be carried through every season (in my opinion). It is big enough to carry a laptop, too.
Want the latest for all-things TME? Make sure you’re signed up for our newsletter!
Xo,
Team TME
ps….this one’s for the pinners…
I. Love. Samantha Irby. Kim France (Sassy magazine) has a podcast called Everything is Fine. She has an interview with Irby that made me an instant fan. She is the narrator for her audio book version- her voice is so good. Total recommend.
I second the Samantha Irby recommendation. I can’t remember if it was me or not who dropped it onto FB since I was literally recommending it to every group/person I’ve ever met. Funniest book I’ve ever read and can’t wait to get her others.
It might have been you! And if so, thanks! 😀