If you’re anything like me, this week has made you reflect a lot about the voices you’re listening to on social media and specifically the voices you’re not hearing enough of. I was quickly embarrassed to realize I was guilty of following many more white women than women of color in the decorating/fashion/lifestyle/travel spaces to which I’m drawn, and I’ve set out on a (much overdue) mission to make my feed more representative of the world at large. Some of the people below are accounts I’ve followed and admired for years but many others I’ve had the joy of discovering this week, and I hope you’ll join me in checking them out and sharing additional favorites in the comments. This list is obviously a very small first step in combatting this blind spot of mine (by no means exhaustive and admittedly not inclusive enough — there is a definite lack of non-black POC on this list that I would love to rectify) but many of you asked me to share the most recommended accounts and I hope you’ll join me in showing them some much-deserved love!
Ailsa / @_happygocurly_
I met Ailsa at an event in Boston a couple years ago and she has been a ray of sunshine in my Instagram feed ever since. In addition to sharing her preppy personal style, she’s a certified nurse midwife who’s been an incredible resource for me both while pregnant and postpartum. I’m crossing my fingers she will start a blog one of these days!
Carli / @madebycarli / blog
I’ve been down a rabbit hole of renovation content on Instagram and was thrilled to be introduced to Carli, who’s in the process of renovating her family’s 1878 Victorian home in Rhode Island. You can see a home tour of everything she’s done so far on her blog here. Kind of in awe of what she manages to tackle as a mom of four and excited to follow along!
Chelsea / @chelseaolivia13 / blog
An Alabama-based style blogger who came highly recommended when I asked for your favorite women of color to follow on Instagram. Her Instagram stories have inspired and brought me to tears this week (and tbh I’ve been majorly envying her eyelashes too).
Chelsea / @makinghomebase / blog
An interior design blogger who shares my love of blue and white, Chelsea started her blog four years ago to showcase ways she was making her military family’s rental feel more like home. They’ve since moved to and bought a home in Florida, but her blog has great resources on how to find your decorating style, how to decorate on a budget, and ways to spruce up a rental.
Chloé / @chloedigital / website
Chloé’s company Chloé Digital has been a true lifeline for me as I’ve redesigned my website and grown my blog over the past several years. CD offers tech support and strategic planning memberships for influencers in all niches and I always leave their Instagram feed feeling inspired and empowered.
Chrissy / @chrissyford
A Harper’s Bazaar contributor and new-to-me follow with insanely chic style and a commitment to mental health advocacy.
Ciara / @hey_ciara / blog
A full-time travel blogger with gorgeous photos and blog content devoted to how to afford travel, tips for solo travel, and travel guides for destinations across the U.S., Europe, and Africa.
Cierra / @ambitiouslycierra / blog
I was giddy when I saw the words “monthly bucket lists” in Cierra’s Instagram bio. There are few things I love more than a good list! You can check out her monthly bucket lists on her blog here and I also appreciate the positivity she radiates in Instagram captions like this one.
Courtney / @courthousecouture / blog
I’m often asked for recommendations on what to wear to work and feel ill-equipped to answer as someone who’s worked from home essentially my entire career. Enter Courtney, who shares office-appropriate looks for her life as a Houston attorney. Her blog is also a smart resource for people in similar/more traditional fields — check out this post on navigating the job market in a challenging economy.
Deena / @candidlydeena
I’m positively swooning over the glimpses of Deena’s home on Martha’s Vineyard (and her previous kitchen when she lived in Charlotte — can you even?!). I’ve still never made the trip from Nantucket to Martha’s Vineyard so I’m planning on referring people who ask me for MV recs to Deena’s Instagram highlight here.
Destiny / @justdestinymag / blog
You guys are going to flip for Destiny’s home in Phoenix which has quite possibly the prettiest pool situation I’ve ever laid eyes on. Her blog is equally gorgeous and I can’t wait to dig into the archives on decorating, entertaining, gardening, and especially organizing.
Hitha / @hithapalepu / book / podcast
If you’re not following Hitha, you are missing out. I actively seek out her #5smartreads series on Instagram stories as well as her Q&As on her work in the pharmaceutical industry, her role as an investor in many women-owned businesses, and her life as a mom of two boys. She also wrote a book about how to pack for travel and recently launched a podcast called 1 Smart Thing — in short, there’s basically nothing she can’t do and she’s a constant source of inspiration in my Instagram timeline.
Kamie / @therealkamie / blog
I first met Kamie on a press trip two years ago and since then she’s become cohost of MTV’s Catfish in addition to managing her blog and modeling career. I’ve been tuning into her Instagram stories this week like they’re an actual TV show and have been really grateful for her approach in answering her followers’ questions. She is a must follow for sure!
Megan / @shadesofpinck / blog
A South Carolina-based lifestyle blogger with adorable style, 30+ countries in her passport, and blog content on everything from public markets investing to creating a dreamy outdoor space during quarantine.
Monica / @awedbymoni / blog
First of all, are Monica and her husband not the cutest couple you’ve ever seen? I’ve bookmarked her posts on everything from closet organization to how they’re dealing with cabin fever during COVID-19.
Paula / @hillhousevintage
Get ready for a major case of wanderlust — Paula’s home in the English countryside is a DREAM. Her feed features her inspiring floral arrangements, home vignettes, personal style, and lots of photos of her precious pup Coco.
Shavonda / @sgardnerstyle / blog
Shavonda is currently participating in the One Room Challenge to transform her and her partner Naomi’s outdoor space in Sacramento. I’ve become very invested in her Instagram stories documenting their progress (they make me want to string globe lights all over our backyard!) but my jaw actually dropped when I saw the English garden they’re growing in their backyard.
Tomi / @goodtomicha / blog
Tomi is a Charlotte-based lifestyle blogger and another popular recommendation among my Instagram followers. I really appreciated the resources she shared in this Instagram caption for people who want to help but aren’t sure where to start.
Venita / @venitaaspen / blog
I met Venita on a press trip just prior to COVID-19 and am so glad our paths crossed when they did! She’s not only a blogger, model, and founder of her own creative agency but also a trained chef whose recipes on Instagram stories make my mouth water.
Victoria / @prepfordwife / blog
So many of you recommended I check out Victoria’s blog and Instagram and once I did, I couldn’t believe I hadn’t found her sooner. She’s a preppy lifestyle blogger based in Raleigh, but her feed is full of gorgeous shots from trips to Nantucket and all over New England.
Would love to hear your recommendations for more women of color to follow on social media in the comments. ?