As someone who works remotely, I’ve found a rhythm that permits me to be efficient and productive at home. But let’s be honest: Washing dishes, doing laundry, and getting comfortable in bed can sometimes be too tempting. So I switch it up at the very least once every week. My favorite trick? Heading to my local coffee shop or coworking space (Meeting placefor comparison) for a change of scenery and a few much-needed human interaction. But the thing is, for these outings to achieve success, I actually have to have all of the crucial things packed in my “work from somewhere else” bag.

First up: the bag itself. I prefer it to be sleek and easy, with my favorite bag that holds every little thing I want without feeling bulky. For me, it’s my YSL ICare Shopping BagInside you will find essentials that not only help me stay productive, but also make me feel fresh, comfortable, and prepared for regardless of the day brings.

The very first thing I am unable to live without? My ICONIC London Lustre Lip Oil. This is my favorite lip product immediately. Whether I’m sipping green tea or collaborating in a mid-afternoon Zoom call, it keeps my lips moisturized and glossy without feeling sticky. Then I all the time carry a mini size with me Phlur’s Strawberry Letter Spray — or whatever my signature scent is on the time. This scent is soft and subtle, but has enough personality to provide me confidence all day long.

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01 ICONIC London Lustre Lip Oil

This moisturizing, non-sticky lip oil delivers intense shine while nourishing and softening lips.

Available in ICONIC London

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02 Phlura Strawberry Letter

Phlur Strawberry Letter Spray is a fresh, fruity scent with notes of juicy strawberries and warm amber, perfect for a refreshing, all-day scent.

Available in Sephora

Of course, I never leave home without my YSL card case. It holds all my essentials: my ID, bank cards, and barely enough room for a coffee shop loyalty card or two. Phone and laptop chargers are all the time included, because there’s nothing worse than having your devices run out of juice just before a gathering or a vital deadline.

Since I normally work in a shared space, hygiene is vital. My Touchland hand sanitizer is a lifesaver, keeping my hands clean and moisturized. I also carry Hypochlorous acid SOS spray from tower 28which works great to clean up my face and fight any bacteria that may accumulate on my skin. L’Occitane Hand Balm that is one other necessity – because dry hands aren’t nice, especially in spite of everything that disinfection.

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01 SOS Rescue Spray from Tower 28

This skin-soothing mist soothes irritations, reduces redness and fights bacteria, making it perfect for keeping your complexion fresh and clear all day long.

Available in Tower 28 Beauty

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02 L’occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream

L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream is a wealthy, deeply moisturising formula that nourishes and softens dry hands, leaving them smooth and moisturised.

Available in L’occitane

To stay focused, my Jabra Elite 8 Active 2nd Generation earbuds are a game changer. They block out ambient noise, whether it’s a crowded coffee shop or someone talking loudly nearby. My laptop, after all, is non-negotiable. It’s my portable office, and I all the time be sure that it’s able to go.

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01 Jabra Elite 8 Active 2nd Generation

The Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 in-ear headphones offer excellent sound quality, lively noise cancellation and a secure and cozy fit, perfect for listening to music on the go and exercising.

Available in Jabra

And then there are the little extras that make my day easier. I all the time throw in a notebook and pen—call me old-fashioned, but sometimes writing things down helps me think more clearly. A pack of gum for a day energy boost, and a protein bar or two in case I don’t have time for a full lunch.

These items not only keep me productive, but also keep me feeling good all day long. My “work elsewhere” bag is my secret weapon for taking advantage of my time away from home, and having these essentials readily available means I’m ready for anything.

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The heart of Washington beats to its own rhythm – go-go music. Now, for the first time, that sound has a everlasting home in the recent Go-Go Museum and Cafe in Anacostia, ensuring that DC’s most iconic cultural product is revered for generations to come back.

Go-go, a novel combination of funk, rhythm and drums, born in the streets and clubs Washington in the Seventieshas been a driving force in the city for a long time. Now it has a everlasting home where its legacy will proceed to encourage generations to come back.

The team behind the highly anticipated Go-Go Museum & Cafe is about to carry a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Washington’s historic Anacostia District on November 18, marking the opening of the first institution dedicated to celebrating and preserving go-go—the syncopated, drum-driven funk that has change into the heart of D.C.’s cultural identity.

Go-go music is greater than only a genre—it’s a culture, a movement, and an undeniable source of pride for DC, especially the black community. Rooted in its syncopated rhythms and live performances, go-go has been the soundtrack to countless DC street parties, political protests, and neighborhood gatherings. It’s change into official city music in 2019cementing its cultural significance not just for Washingtonians but for the world. And now, with the opening of the Go-Go Museum, the genre’s influence will be preserved and celebrated.

The Go-Go Museum and Café is the brainchild of community organizer and go-go promoter Ron Moten, who helped lead #DontMuteDC Movement—a watershed moment in 2019 that defended the city’s musical identity from erasure. What began as a protest against the continued performance of go-go music in public spaces has blossomed right into a broader effort to guard and preserve DC’s unique cultural heritage. Moten, together with co-founder and museum curator Dr. Natalie Hopkinson, has made that vision a reality, giving go-go music the attention it has long deserved.

Located at 1920 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd SE in the heart of historic Anacostia, the museum will feature interactive exhibits, live performances and artifacts that tell the story of go-go’s rise from an area sound to global recognition. Visitors can look forward to finding memorabilia like DJ Kool’s concert jacket, a Chuck Brown promotional cutout and a rare bomber jacket from iconic band Rare Essence. The space may also be equipped with cutting-edge technology, including holograms of go-go legends like Anwan Glover of the Backyard Band.

For the D.C. community, the museum is greater than just an area—it’s a testament to the enduring power of go-go music and its role in shaping the city’s identity. “We wanted to create a space where the community could come together to celebrate and experience go-go in all its glory,” Moten explained. With a recording studio, outdoor stage, and coffee shop, the Go-Go Museum is about to change into a vibrant cultural hub, ensuring that the infectious rhythm of go-go continues to thrive.

As the museum prepares for its official opening in January and special events are planned in November to have a good time Go-Go Heritage Preservation Week, one thing is obvious: the rhythms of DC’s go-go won’t ever again be silent.

Halle Berry takes her passion for women’s health and wellness to the subsequent level.

The star actress, producer and director has been refreshingly honest about her harrowing personal experience with severe perimenopause symptoms and her desire to break down the stigma and taboo surrounding the midlife experience for women. Now, she’s reshaping her wellness platform, ANSWERto give attention to making a community of support and resources, including products, for women going through “the transition” and people who want to be prepared for what lies ahead.

“I know it’s my responsibility to use my voice and my platform to talk about these issues,” Berry tells ESSENCE exclusively. “It’s important that I create a safe community space for women to share, learn, and empower themselves.”

“That, along with cutting-edge products for women, is exactly the kind of support I want,” she continues. “Products that are backed by science and created by experts—that’s what makes all the difference.”

Berry’s first foray into support products comes as a part of her platform’s recently announced partnership with Joy, a worldwide leader in intimate wellness. RESPIN and Joylux have entered right into a multi-faceted partnership to serve menopausal and perimenopausal/postmenopausal women affected by common intimate health issues. Their first collaboration comes via two revolutionary products – a brand new intimate gel and a special, award-winning edition of the vFit+ device.

“What excites me most is the opportunity to really change the conversation around menopause and midlife health. It’s been a topic that’s been overlooked for too long,” she says. “The opportunity to work with a company like Joylux to create products that really work and help women regain their confidence.”

RESPIN Partnership with Joylux was built organically because Berry turned to the brand at a time of need. Struck by vaginal dryness that resulted in painful intercourse as a side effect of perimenopause—initially misdiagnosed as herpes—the Oscar winner sought answers and shortly found solutions designed by Joylux obstetricians and gynecologists. Her experience was so positive that she decided to spend money on and ultimately partner with Joylux through its RESPIN platform to collaborate on products that enhance intimacy during this incredibly vital time in a lady’s life.

This LET’S SPIN intimate gel offers unparalleled hydration, comfort and pleasure. Packaged in an elegantly designed, recyclable glass bottle with a deep red, luxurious matte finish, the product looks more like an expensive face cream that belongs on the nightstand than the everyday gels that you simply often discreetly grab from the pharmacy and conceal in the medication cabinet.

RESPIN worked closely with Joylux Ob-Gyn Sarah de la Torre, MD, to develop and test the product for over a yr. Ultimately, they created a formula enriched with hyaluronic acid and aloe, pH-balanced for delicate skin, and formulated with pure ingredients freed from parabens, PEGs, and glycerin that Berry says “changed her life.” Although it was developed with the needs of ladies in various stages of menopause in mind, LET’S SPIN elevates intimacy for everyone, no matter age, gender, or stage of life.

“After years of dedication to creating products that improve women’s lives, it was so empowering to receive the call from Halle and RESPIN,” said Colette Courtion, founder and CEO of Joylux, in a press release. “Through Halle’s powerful voice, her advocacy, and the RESPIN platform, we are able to amplify our message and reach millions of women who want to improve their health and well-being. LET’S SPIN is a product for everyone.”

In addition to the gel, Berry also provided personal input that helped develop Intimate wellness device RESPIN x Joylux vFit+ Red Lighta special menopause kit with a chrome finish and a particular silver storage bag. Using advanced red light and thermal energy technology, the device allows users to promote hydration, improved sensations and higher pelvic floor health within the comfort of their very own home. Previously available only through doctors, this luxury home-use device provides noticeable improvements after just a number of weeks of standard use, boosting confidence and enhancing intimacy.

RESPIN X JOYLUX LET’S SPIN Intimate Gel ($45) and vFit+ Red Light Intimate Wellness Device ($495) will probably be available on September 24, 2024 at joylux.com and at more online retailers this fall, including RESPIN, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Ulta, Neiman Marcus, Goop, Amazon and choose physician practices. It may even be available globally in Canada and the UK through select partners.

Of course, the launch of this product is just the primary of many exciting developments for Berry and RESPIN. With the goal of empowering women to embrace this natural change and take away the shame associated with aging into femininity at the guts of her mission, the actress hopes that girls will probably be inspired by the everlasting beauty that comes with this stage of life.

“As the RESPIN community grows, I would like to connect with more women, help them feel more confident to talk about their experiences, and give them the tools they need to feel confident, healthy, and celebrated,” she says.