It’s here- my first Guest of Tens! As promised, a massage-induced idea to leverage my network of incredible women to share their version of Oprah’s fave things. To quote my big sis below, “you’re welcome!”

I’m honored to contribute my tens of things list, which I’ve approached from a few different angles: a) things I truly love; b) things that make life easier; and c) things looping in my brain these days. Enjoy and, oh yeah, you’re welcome! 

#1 | RAMICSTA (Restaurants and Meals I Can’t Stop Thinking About) → You’ll soon discover that my list is travel-heavy, given I’ve averaged 2-3 trips per month this year, including two European jaunts this summer. My travel formula is pretty much eat, eat drink, shop, live local, chase art. The eating contingent of that equation has me in a chokehold thanks to a few special spots that I truly can’t get over: Basic Kitchen (Charleston); Dishoom (London – Covent Garden); Ecco (Memphis); The Grocery (Charleston); Gypsy Kitchen (DC); Honor Bar (Dallas); Soho House (Nashville); Thames Street Oyster House (Baltimore); Town Yard (Malahide/Dublin). Fun fact: I’ve hit up almost all of these with my sister! 

#2 | Londontown Kur Perfecting Nail Veil → In between my gel mani/nail art appointments, I’ve begun to rely on Kur’s polish-like veil that’s meant to protect, enhance and heal. Shade 6 is my true-blue nude, and this 6-step kit is a real gem.

#3 | My haircut aka Meet Bob → She gone! I shed my long, long post-partum locks and went back to my annual chop. Come thru pumpkin spice breeze on the back of my neck… 

#4 | Artsy fartsy → I’ve taken a shine to Studio Theatre here in DC, using my Georgetown University faculty privilege to score amazing discounted seats for each show each season. We’re heading to James Ijames’ smash Pulitzer winner ‘Fat Ham’ in a few weeks, and I simply cannot wait. I’ve seen lots of fantastic fine art this year, too, including Kara Walker’s breathtaking steam engine calliope sculpture “Katastwóf Karavan” at the outstanding Glenstone Museum in suburban Maryland. Plus, there are two walkaround art books — a travel guide and a compendium — on my Christmas list, so Santa, I hope you’re reading! 

#5 | Golden Goose is great → Unpopular opinion: they are the most comfortable shoes in my closet and I love them so much. Sorry not sorry, but they carried me end-to-end in London and survived a bullshit downpour in Charleston, so yah, I’m a big GG (sale-price-only) girlie.  

#6 | Bienvenue en DC Clare V! → I carry/wear something from my favorite brand literally every day, so when I was driving through Georgetown the other week on one of my “city errands,” I was shocked (and thrilled) to see a “coming soon” store wrap for a Clare V brick-and-mortar spot! This is gonna be divine + dangerous. 

# 7 | PANTSSSS → The resurgence of cargos pants and baggy jeans has done my 90s girl heart good, but even before dELIa*s-core made a comeback, I was thinking quite a lot about pants. Pant shapes, textures, lengths, functions and how I just need a few non-denim pairs to step in as true staples. A few weeks ago, I discovered a new local boutique, Alas Eius, and inside, a new Korean designer, Mijeong Park, whose Cropped Workwear Trousers are actual perfection. If you only check out one thing from my list, make it these beauties. 

#8 | Travel must-haves → As I’ve mentioned a few times, I’m always on a plane or train, and there’s some very specific stuff that keeps me sane: Luggage (AWAY + July); Waffle robe (Amazon); Lighted makeup mirror (Amazon); Bobbi Brown travel brush set (BB); Travel steamer (Amazon); Compression packing bags (Amazon); Travel hangers (Amazon); Weleda Skin Food minis (Amazon); Apple MagSafe Duo charger (Target); Refillable capsule system (Cadence)

#9 | DIY diffusers → Soooooo, I had a Fire Marshal Bill moment last month, and let’s just say, my powder room got a little, um, singed. Since then, I’ve really cut back on candle life and have gone back to embracing diffusers. But instead of spending a ton, I found VINEVIDA, a fabulous fragrance company that makes high-quality oils and bought some reeds and beautiful diffuser bottles for cheap from Amazon. Pro tip: check out their hotel lobby dupes. Top-notch, hunny.

#10 | Big BOBO Energy → I used to run the Insta account @betonblackowned aka BOBO, which was such a fun way to discover and share Black-owned brands to incorporate into everyday living. Even though I’ve since given up the social (media) life, I am still fully committed to wearing/using/patronizing BOBO brands daily and my current rotation of faves helps me do just that: Harwell Godfrey jewelry, Telfar totes, GOLDE lattes, Buttah skincare, Elisa Johnson sunnies, Kimberly Goldson going-out tops, and streetwear by Diet Starts Monday, Off-White, Carrots, Billionaire Boys Club/ICECREAM, Essentials by Fear of God, Mami Wata and more. 

BONUS | On the hunt → Yes, I know this technically means I’ve shared “elevens of things” … but I thought you should know I’m still restlessly in search of a few key items at the moment: the silver shoes (what I have vs. what I want🫠); perfect gold hoops (these or those?); a *real* shearling-leather jacket; and an enriching 2024 extracurricular (i.e., private tennis instruction, guitar lessons, painting, etc.)

How fun is this?! Thank you to my sissy, my favorite girl! More to come Xx