News: A fluffy monster leopard ❤️ heart purse beloved by a BuzzFeed Editor

Wednesday, October 13, 2021

A fluffy monster leopard ❤️ heart purse beloved by a BuzzFeed Editor

Hi, I'm Kayla!

I'm an editor here on the BuzzFeed shopping team and even after 2.5 years, I'm still amazed I have a job that combines my two biggest loves: shopping and writing. I'm a big sneakerhead and my small bedroom in Queens has slowly been taken over by shoes (but for some reason I keep buying them and figuring out where to put them). I'm originally from the Detroit area and if anyone tells you that Detroit is not worth visiting then they don't know what they're talking about.

Photos: Kayla Boyd, unless otherwise noted

I'm a Capricorn/Aquarius cusp (mostly Aquarius), so do what you will with that info. I'm super bubbly, talkative, and often described as "extra" — but I embrace it so it's okay. Most of my non-working hours are spent traveling, taking outfit photos for Instagram, working on my blog Kayla's Chaos, and watching feel-good movies and shows — I just finished World's Most Amazing Vacation Rentals on Netflix.

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WHAT I'M LOVING NOW

ShineOn Lip Jelly, $14

I love a clear gloss and this is one of my absolute favorites! Unlike other brands I've tried, this one isn't sticky at all and it lasts for hours! It swipes on so effortlessly and never feels uncomfortable on my lips. It's actually super moisturizing and incredibly shiny. I love to wear it alone when I'm going for a more natural "mascara and lipgloss" look, but it's also great for layering over matte lipsticks. Tower 28 is a woman-owned beauty brand that was founded by Amy Liu with a goal of creating makeup specifically designed for sensitive skin.

Verelle 3-Step Curly Set, $50

I recently tried the Verelle curly hair set for the first time and I was super impressed. I've tested tons and tons of curly hair brands that I never wanted to use again, so I was pleasantly surprised at how much I loved this set. The sulfate-free hair wash and silicone-free conditioner are super hydrating and smell amazing. A little goes a long way and they made it extremely easy to detangle my hair. After washing, I used the all-in-one cream to style. Although it is more of a softer hold, it did a great job of minimizing frizz and giving my curls some definition. Even after sleeping on my curls, they still look good! Verelle is a woman-owned small biz and all of their products are vegan and cruelty-free.

Drink Mor Water! Plastic Milk Carton Bottle, $25+

How cute is this water bottle?! StylishSista, a Black woman-owned small biz, is one of my favorite Etsy shops. I've written about her awesome sticker selection before, so I was not surprised to find more cute goodies on her page. I love the shape of the water bottle because it's unique and IG-worthy, but it's also super practical. You can screw off the top to fit ice cubes inside, and then it has a smaller spout to drink out of. I haven't had any issues with it leaking either. I like to keep it on my desk because it reminds me to "drink mor water" throughout the day, without being an eyesore in my small work area.

Fluffy Monster Leopard Heart Purse, $70

I'm a sucker for anything '90s or Y2k-inspired so when I saw this fluffy animal print bag, I had to have it. It's such a fun statement piece that can take any outfit from simple to eye-catching. It's on the smaller side, but it does fit my iPhone 11, keys, and money. I love that you can customize it with your choice of chain as well. It's really soft so it def gives off cozy vibes. It's also pretty flexible and the chain is removable, so you could always stick it inside of a larger tote and use it as a pouch. BonBonWhims is a woman- and AAPI-owned small biz. They also sell the most adorable statement rings and other accessories.