I spent a lot of this week feeling anxious, upset, overwhelmed and sad. I wasn’t my most productive self but I also was answering a calling to inform and educate on our current climate. I consumed a lot of content about it and it is where I prioritized my time this week. Nothing else seemed to matter as much as doing that. And when I started doing other tasks, the non-stop soundtrack of helicopters in New York City brought me back to doing this important work of informing.

I chose to put a pause on all my owned content here on wit & whimsy and on my Instagram with the hopes that it allowed for more time and attention to more important voices during this time. While I lost revenue from not posting and I lost followers for sharing information regarding racial injustice – it was worth it.

I was, however, remiss last Friday to not have any resources or information related to the civil unrest and outrage around the recent murders of Black people. In today’s weekly roundup you will find a special section with a variety of links that I have found helpful, impactful and informative. I hope you’ll click on each and I hope you’ll join me in being more vocal about these important issues. I am committed to continuing to prioritize this.

My next monthly newsletter goes out tomorrow – sign up here to get on the list. I hope you enjoy this week’s roundup and have a good + safe weekend.

WHAT I DID THIS WEEK:

• Raised over $400 with my Instagram followers for The Bail Project and The ACLU. I plan to continue to use my voice + platform to raise money for causes in need.
• Used this week to continue absorbing important content. I read. I watched. And I listened. I shared posts I personally found helpful. I continued my commitment to doing the work to better inform myself about racial injustice.
• Finished Jessica Simpson’s memoir Open Book on audiobook via Libro.fm and was so entertained by it. I love that she reads the book and truly – what a life she has had!  If you’re curious to try Libro.fm, use this link to sign up and you’ll get 3 audiobooks for the price of 1 when you sign up for a membership that you can cancel at any time. I also read and finished A Year in Provence.
• Did a virtual skincare consultation with Caudalie and learned so much. I know a lot about skincare already and as you all know I use a lot of their products already but Mélissa taught me some great techniques and recommended products for me as the seasons change. After I posted about the consultations a few weeks back one of my best friends did it and had the best experience so I figured what did I have to lose!? The brand is offering them free of charge so it is definitely worth the 30 minutes especially as we all have a bit more time to hone our skincare routines at this time. If you end up doing one let me know!

LEARN + INFORM + UNDERSTAND:

• On becoming anti-racist. This is a powerful and important read full of good takeaways. “Anti-racism is the commitment to fight racism wherever you find it, including in yourself. And it’s the only way forward.” And check out the comments on this post, too.
• Black parents explain to their children how to deal with police. This video broke my heart and left tears streaming down my face. I hope you’ll watch it.
• This is a great roundup of Black-owned businesses to support right now.
• Don’t fully understand white privilege? Watch this short + impactful video.
• I had several takeaways from Trevor Noah’s video on speaking about what’s happening in our country – about societal contracts, about protests and more.
• 75 things white people can do help end racial injustice.
• Campaign Zero is a great cause you can donate to to help end police violence. Here are other causes you can donate to, too. This week I personally donated to Black Lives Matter, Minnesota Freedom Fund, The Bail Project and The ACLU.
• The riots and protests in context. This part really resonated with me “We as a nation still fail to reckon with the wisdom [Martin Luther] King [Jr] prophetically offered toward the end of his life: that only “social justice and progress are the absolute guarantors of riot prevention. There is no other answer. Constructive social change will bring certain tranquility; evasions will merely encourage turmoil.”
• This document is an incredible resource full of educational materials and links to better practice being anti-racist. I’m keeping it open on a tab in my browser so I can work my way through it.
• If you are not already, the time is NOW to register to vote.

READ + LOOK + LOVE:

• How to make stress your friend.
• Paris in photographs 100 years apart. So cool to see.
• This story brought tears to my eyes. May we all remember to show up for our neighbors always.
• 54 ways coronavirus has changed our world.
• My favorite cooking school in Paris – La Cuisine Paris – has launched a handful of their most popular classes virtually! So exciting. Let me know if you take one. I definitely want to.

SHOP AND LOOK LONGINGLY:

• Here is a great list of black-owned businesses to support right now. From clothing to beauty to bookstores and much more- I am so enjoying browsing these businesses and am looking forward to placing orders in the coming weeks.
• Additionally, a few black-owned brands I discovered this week that I’m excited to place orders at include Klur skincare, Epara skincare, Mented Cosmetics and Shop Amber Richele (I’m not a big tie dye fan usually but really like her soft designs!)
• I get asked a lot for links of things I’ve worn so wanted to share a reminder that the best place to look is the My Closet section of The Shop.
• Shopbop has added a bunch of cute games + puzzles to their At Home shop!
• Comfy bras and bralettes from Nordstrom. I have this one and it is great.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

• My most used beauty products of quarantine.
• Answering your BBG workout questions.
• The best WFH clothing for summer.
• Visiting Paris virtually.
• Ways to upgrade your every day.
• How I manage my anxiety.

[Image and words via Cleo Wade]