written by Louise Akrofi (owner of thegoodlook.co.uk & radio host/creator of The Good Vibes Show (Slack City Radio).
“Lofi hip-hop is here to stay. The instrumental blend of traditional hip-hop and jazz has notably made its mark on Spotify, where the “Lofi Fruits” playlist by indie record label Strange Fruits Music alone attracts almost four million followers seeking mellow beats to help them focus, study, relax and sleep”.
– Andrea Zarczynski, Forbes Magazine (online) December 2020
Lo-Fi has been my sleepy saviour. Check out my trusty Lo-Fi playlist below. Perfect with candles, crystal and a sleepy aid. Would recommend playing in order and not shuffle. Enjoy (…zzzz)
The Good Look is excited to announce that we will be the content writing partner for Queens Matter: a new brand bringing cultural representation to apparel and homeware.
by Louise Akrofi.
Queens Matter is a collaboration between Art by Amulinde and Culture Asylum, which are respectively run by sisters Carolyn Baguma and Corazon (Coco) Baguma. See our previous article (under the Fashion tab on thegoodlook.co.uk) for more information about the Queens Matter brand, and check out the explainer slide below.
This year has been a tough one for so many reasons. Thousands of people this year are facing something that – let’s face it – is dreaded by most of us; a solo Christmas. The new Government Covid guidelines in the UK have forced a lot of us to abandon our Christmas plans last minute, and several people are now spending the festive period alone in a bid to protect their families.
It doesn’t help that every Christmas advert on telly shows the perfect family, huddled around a large table laughing, joking and eating Turkey. The truth is that prior to the pandemic, Christmas alone has been a reality for some due to family/relationship breakdowns, work commitments, religious differences and mental health problems.
Christmas alone does not have to be as daunting as it sounds. It can be a day of liberation, pampering, laughter and fun. I’ve spoken to a few people this year who are spending Christmas alone for the first time ever, and I’ve compiled a list based on our conversations and the plans I did have for myself (when I contemplated Christmas alone earlier this year). Give it a read and enjoy your solo Christmas.
1. Stick your headphones in and go for a super long walk, the kind that tires you out
Photo courtesy of agreekadventure.com
Put on your best trainers/comfy shoes and go for a long walk, for at least an hour. We all know that exercise releases endorphins into your body; endorphins are ‘opiate-like’ chemicals that produce feelings of euphoria, happiness and calmness in response to external stimuli including excitement and physical activity. Gentle exercises including walking will give you that boost. Why not try a route that you have never taken before, you may discover a new bakery or shop to check out in the New Year once the Covid restrictions are relaxed.
2. Watch a bunch of Comedies on Netflix
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Photo courtesy of eonline.com
Sounds awfully cliché, but a good laugh really does make you feel better. In fact laughter is scientifically proven to prevent heart disease, boost your immune system and release those endorphins that we love and cannot get enough of. Some of my favourites on Netflix include Dolemite is my Name starring Eddie Murphy, Pineapple Express starring my faves Seth Rogan and James Franco and the comedy series Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. If comedy isn’t your thing, I would still suggest watching something for some escapism.
3. Order some delicious food or buy some low maintenance tasty dishes
If you’re in the UK, Marks & Spencer sell the tastiest food – just saying. Go all out and get a nice 3 course meal for yourself and a bottle of something sparkling while you’re at it.
4. FaceTime some family or friends (if you have that option and have the mental capacity to do so)
Keep it short and sweet if you need to, but seeing familiar faces on the day can be a life saver. If this is not an option for you, try my next suggestion.
5. Download the Bumble BFF Appand meet new friends online
Photo courtesy of aintilatina.com
When I relocated from London to Brighton 4 years ago I barely knew anyone. Bumble BFF was an absolute game changer – it’s a great way of connecting with new people online. I met some amazing friends who I call family today. Another great way of connecting with new friends online is by joining local groups of people who have common interests eg walking groups, dog owner groups, women only groups, LGBTQ+ groups, POC/WOC groups. There is something out there for everyone. http://Bumble BFF App
6. Try baking something new
Photo courtesy of delicious.com.au
Try following a recipe and making your favourite baked goods. I still struggle with baking (I swear it’s a science), but there is nothing like trying a recipe and it working. It can feel very rewarding.
7. Do an at home spa treatment
Photo courtesy of Everyday Health
Your local Supermarket/large Grocery store will sell really lovely cosmetics, face masks and bubble bath. It doesn’t have to cost the earth, but a good face mask and bubble bath combo really does wonders for the soul. Not to mention for your skin as well. You can even make your own face mask, this link from Everyday health has some awesome homemade natural face mask suggestions.
So many people are in need this year, some unable to provide for their families this Christmas (or this year in fact). Action for Children have a fantastic scheme called “Be A Secret Santa”, where you could make sure more children and young people have a hot meal, a present or a safe place to sleep this year by donating.
9. Online retail therapy: treat yourself to one really nice thing
If you have the budget and there is something you’ve had your eye on for ages, order it online. If it makes you feel better, make sure it is something you will get a lot of use out of or that will enhance your life.
The Good Look is excited to announce that we will be the content writing partner for Queens Matter: a new brand bringing cultural representation to apparel and homeware.
Queens Matter is a collaboration between Art by Amulinde and Culture Asylum, which are respectively run by sisters Carolyn Baguma and Corazon (Coco) Baguma.
Corazon “Coco” Baguma – Co-Founder of Culture Asylum
Inspired by her own experiences of racism and colourism, mixed media artist and freelance professional consultant Carolyn Amulinde Baguma is turning negative experiences into positive pieces of representative art and clothing.
In her 10-year career as a freelance professional consultant in development, Carolyn has worked with several reputable businesses and charities including Harvard Business Publishing, D&A [Diversity and Ability], Victim Support and many others. Carolyn was able to take her skills and dynamic experience to East Africa in 2019, where she worked in Tanzania with YAAPHA to deliver a Business workshop for local businesswomen.
The first UK Lockdown saw a slowdown and ultimate halt to most Carolyn’s consultancy work. During this time, she was reminded that the only constant thing in this world is change. As a freelance professional Carolyn was used to the fluctuating nature of self-employed work, but this time she decided to prioritise her first love; art. Art became her solace, it was always there during the hard times and she fell in love with creating again this year. Her mission became to merge her leadership and development skills with the creation of art. While the pandemic raged on around her Carolyn began to adapt in her offering, while bringing art to the forefront of her endeavours.
Carolyn Baguma – Mixed Media Artist and Consultant, Original creator of Queens Matter
As an artist, Carolyn has been majorly inspired by bold artists such as Frida Kahlo, Georgia O’Keefe, Gustav Klimt and Sonia Boyce. While admittedly being able to draw inspiration from anything around her, Carolyn’s main influences are from nature and the human form.
Queen Afua – Biodegradable iPhone case £18.99 via Culture Asylum (click image to shop)
The original piece for Queens Matter was created using pieces of fabric which were given to Carolyn as a gift to make her own face masks. Carolyn fell in love with this vibrant, mish-mashed collection of material while simultaneously being inspired by silhouettes. What started off as one portrait of a beautiful Queen, soon became 5; Afua, Yara, Izabella, Jemima and Lauryn. Once her Queens were complete, Carolyn felt inspired to merchandise – something she had never done before. The Queens Matter collection was then born; a range of organic t-shirts, biodegradable phone cases, minimalist backpacks and more. The process was very organic, and Carolyn has fulfilled her dream of being able to share these beautiful women.
Queen Izabella Organic Crop Top £21.99 via Culture Asylum (click image to shop)
As a Black woman, representation is everything to Carolyn; it “confronts the voices and messages that are constantly telling you that you are not enough”. In her facilitation work at schools and workplaces, Carolyn understood that her presence could potentially have an impact on at least one person who may not be able to see a future for themselves. This really shed light on how important representation is. The emergence of contemporary black female portrait artists like Tyra Powers, Reyna Noriega, Donice Bloodworth Jr has also been empowering for Carolyn and her artwork.
The Queens Matter Collection touches on four areas which are key to representation for women of colour:
Identity
Diversity
Hair
Skin
Interestingly, everyone could tell that Carolyn’s portraits were all women of colour before she put the Queens Matter title on it, a clear indication that the vibrancy of “Queen Magic” is prevalent even in the absence of skin colour or tone.
Queen Yara Minimalist Backpack £41.99 via Culture Asylum (click image to shop)
With this project, Carolyn aims to connect with organisations and collectives that are run by and serve women, to run workshops and offer skills for the communities. Carolyn also wishes to engage with fellow Queens to share their experiences and vulnerability.
For Queens Matter, Carolyn has teamed up with her sister and close friend Corazon Baguma (aka Coco) who is the Co-founder of Culture Asylum. Culture Asylum is the perfect collaboration partner for this project as a lifestyle and Humanitarian brand which is pro civil rights, pro equal rights, pro human rights, pro Black rights, pro LGBTQ rights and pro animal rights.
The beauty of the project is the fact that Queens Matter began as a recycled piece of art & crafts and has become a stunning representation of women of colour.
To celebrate the post-lockdown re-opening of nail salons across England from Monday (13.07.20), we have compiled a list of talented Black British nail technicians, brand owners and bloggers below to inspire your first post-lockdown manicure.
6. @_arjenesisnails (London) Aliyah Rianna Johnson is a freelance nail artist and session manicurist. She has also recently become a Brand Ambassador for The Gel Bottle Inc.
It’s time to have some fun with colour. A common theme among the home decor trends forecast for Spring 2019, is the reintroduction of pastels.
Photo courtesy of @twitter
Playfully referred to as “Ice-Cream” or “Gelato” colours, pastels are expected to replace neutral tones around the house this year.
Think soft blues, light pinks, creamy yellows and washed lilacs.
Photo courtesy of The Rug Seller
Spotted at the Cologne Design Fair & Stockholm Design Week late last year, pastels are set to replace our safe taupes and greys. While most of us shy away from strong colours for vast spaces at home, pastels are the perfect compromise as they can still be paired up with prints and bold accents.
The international furniture and interiors fair | imm cologne // photo courtesy of Mipsbe (https://mipsbe.com/post/)
What is even more exciting is that this trend is not just limited to home decor; be prepared to see pastels in your favourite high street stores, as this style is due to hit the fashion world this Spring. Major haute couture brands such as Bahrain-based womenswear label Noon and Noor and US brands Tom Ford and Kate Spade showcased heavy pastels and muted colours at their Spring Summer 2019 shows for New York Fashion Week.
Photo courtesy of Vogue Magazine Online (www.vogue.com)
Check out the images below for some pastel inspiration and give it a go this Spring.
Photo courtesy of Pinterest//Pastel Interior Goals
Photo courtesy of Coastal Living
Photo courtesy of Pinterest
Photo courtesy of TSS India
Photo courtesy of Soul Coffee
Oscar De La Renta // Photo courtesy of Velvet Magazine Dubai
It has never been easier to find that perfect style for your home. With images available at the click of a button, Instagram is fast becoming a handy interiors resource and home to a large number of budding and accomplished Interior Designers and Stylists. In light of the New Year, check out our favourite Interior Design Instagram pages and feel inspired to give your home the makeover you have been dreaming of.
If you are a fan of bold beautiful colours, look no further than furniture designer Yinka Ilori. London based Yinka has shaken the Interior Design scene with his fearless designs and striking upcycling projects. Incorporating Nigerian storytelling from his heritage and European design, Yinka’s works resemble certified works of contemporary art.
It is safe to say that Canadian Antiques expert Charles Benjamin is a lover of decadence. His love for antiques, country houses and interiors began at a young age and inspired him to study Architecture at Newcastle University. His page is a travelling diary which features gorgeous images of inspirational palatial properties across the world.
AB Småland – Lifestyle Store in Malmö, Sweden (@absmaland)
I had the pleasure of visiting Malmö in Sweden last year, while I was there I fell in love with the Scandi lifestyle stores scattered across Malmö’s city centre. AB Smaland was by far the most impressive lifestyle store I came across on that trip; the store offers so much from fabrics, to candles, cosmetics and upcycled furniture. You can even have a coffee and cake, or as the locals call it ‘Fika’, in the store’s beautiful café. Their Instagram page is just as impressive and offers inspiration for those aspiring to experience Hygge at home.
South-London based Interior Designer Lacey Baker has long been an inspiration of mine. When I transitioned from the Art world into Interior Design, I could not help but notice the lack of diversity within the industry. I stumbled upon Lacey’s personal page (@lacey.be.decor) and was thrilled to see a fellow woman of colour up-cycling and posting all things Interiors. Lacey’s own Interiors page Dust & Decor is certainly one to watch.
With a whopping 3.6 Million followers on Instagram, it is safe to say that Architectural Digest is one of the champions of the online Interior Design world. Featuring an ever interesting mixture of style ranging from classic, luxe, decadent right through to contemporary and minimalist, we can see why this page appeals to so many people the world over.
Sussex based photographer Julia Smith is the brains behind Humphrey & Grace. This beautiful page features Julia’s own original striking photography, which plays on nature and light, and incorporates snippets of her lifestyle. Julia also offers photography eCourses and workshops through her website http://www.humphreyandgrace.co.uk.
Quebecois designer Xavier Cain-Garnier founded Artsytecture in 2015 with the aim of launching a pioneering social media page within the design and architectural industry. Four years and 845,000 followers later, Xavier has done just that. Featuring a beautiful mélange of design, travel, photography and art, Artsytecture is definitely a page for the savvy interior design lover.
Husband and wife duo Justin & Charlie’s chain of beautiful boutique hotels started with Justin’s family run B&B on the Brighton seafront. Justin injected his passion for art into his family’s business when he took over, by offering free board to artists who would help decorate and style the rooms in the B&B. The result? A total of four boutique hotels in Brighton, London, Penzance and Oxfordshire, plus another on the way in Bristol. Check out their stunning rooms on their instagram page and book a room through their website http://www.artistresidence.co.uk
‘Minimal Colour//Maximum Style”, Vosges Paris is where minimalism and Scandinavian simplicity meets industrial dark tones. The Vosges blog was founded by Dutch designer and blogger Desiree Groenendal and is particularly known for its monochrome and minimalist, yet stylish view on design.
Soane Britain was founded by designers Lulu Lytle and Christopher Hodsoll in 1997. As well as a delicious Instagram page, Soane has a stunning showroom on the Pimlico Road in Chelsea’s design district. The Soane brand exudes British elegance and exuberance, and features outstanding furniture, lighting, colourful fabrics and wallpaper, which have all been designed in-house.
The Good Look 