

So you're moving into your first place -- first of all, congrats! There's nothing like the mix of pride and independence you feel when you seal the deal on your first apartment and can say goodbye to your childhood bedroom at your parent's house, or the couch your bestie let you sleep on for the past however many months.
Having your own place for the first time is a big deal. But since this is your first go at adulting apartment-style, you may not know all of the essentials you need to check off of your list after moving day. Most of us know the big ticket items that are considered necessities -- bed, couch, TV -- but there are a lot of other things you should have in your first home to make it the peaceful oasis you need after a long day of work. Here are our recs.
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Bella 2-Quart Electric Air Fryer
Macys
Bella 2-Quart Electric Air Fryer
Don't listen to anyone who tells you cooking with an air fryer isn't real cooking. As a matter of fact, who says you have to really cook? Air fryers are by far the easiest and quickest way to make a home-cooked meal. You can plop a piece of poultry in the air fryer and keep working as it cooks. Clean up is simple with this small device which doesn't fit more food than what's needed for one or two people. And with versatile colors to choose from, you can pick a fryer that matches your kitchen decor.
Cuisinart ® Anodized Dishwasher-Safe 11-Piece Cookware Set
Bed Bath & Beyond
Cuisinart ® Anodized Dishwasher-Safe 11-Piece Cookware Set
If you're the type who likes to cook cook, then you need a set of pots and pans to see you through meal prep Sundays and dinner party Saturdays. In college, one or two pans might've been enough, but if you're truly preparing a feast -- say your first Thanksgiving dinner -- the last thing you need is to be slowed down by not having pots to cook in. This 11-piece set has all of the essentials needed to boil a pot of pasta, pan sear meat, and sauté vegetables at the same time.
Oxo Good Grips 10-piece Kitchen Starter Set
Macys
Oxo Good Grips 10-piece Kitchen Starter Set
Trust us when we say a large fork will only get you so far when it comes to flipping and stirring whatever's in those new pots of yours. This set comes with all of the basic cooking tools, like tongs, spatulas, and spoons, you need when just starting out and the bonus is they're nylon so they won't scratch cookware. The ice cream scoop and pizza wheel are also musts for those nights you need a little comfort food.
Bose SoundLink Micro Bluetooth® Speaker
Bose
Bose SoundLink Micro Bluetooth® Speaker
Trust us, you're going to want something to vibe to when cleaning the house Saturday mornings. Blast your tunes (at a respectable level) with this SoundLink Micro Bluetooth® speaker from Bose. You can connect by Bluetooth, give voice commands via Siri and Google Assistant, and even take the waterproof speaker with you on your next socially distanced bike ride or beach day.
Dyson V7 Absolute
Dyson
Dyson V7 Absolute
We don't need to tell you how quickly dirt can pile up on carpet and hardwood floors, especially if you have a pet tracking in dirt and shedding hair. Stay on top of the mess with this lightweight vacuum cleaner you can easily run each day to prevent the need for deep cleans on the weekend.
Hamilton Beach Stainless Steel Can Opener
Walmart
Hamilton Beach Stainless Steel Can Opener
Items like this are easy to overlook until you're ready to cook a big pot of spaghetti and can't get a can of tomato sauce open. Think ahead and grab an affordable electrical can opener like this within the first week in your new place. No matter what you decide to cook on a random night, you'll always have it on deck, and it even opens bottles and hard plastic packages making it the perfect multi-tasker.
Sterilite Wide 3-Drawer Chest with Wheels
The Container Store
Sterilite Wide 3-Drawer Chest with Wheels
This one's for the product junkies, i.e. all of us. Rarely does a bathroom come with enough storage for all of our hair butters, styling tools, and leave-ins. That's when a storage chest like this one comes in super handy. You can keep it hidden in a closet if it doesn't fit your decor and roll it out - because it has wheels - when you need it. The clear plastic will keep you from searching through unnecessary drawers prior to finding what you need.
simplehuman® Adjustable Shower Caddy
Bed Bath & Beyond
simplehuman® Adjustable Shower Caddy
Speaking of product junkie organization, chances are your shower isn't going to have enough space for your favorite shampoo, conditioner, hair mask, body wash, face wash, and loofah. And since nobody wants to have to remember to grab those items before stepping under their rainwater showerhead, keep them where you need them with this rust-free adjustable shower caddy.
Oster Metallic Black Electric Wine Opener
Like with a can opener, you don't want to get caught at home alone with a tasty bottle of wine gifted to you at your housewarming and no way to indulge in it. With the way 2020 has gone, you know you're going to need a sip (or seven) of vino sooner rather than later. Make sure this item is at the top of your To Buy list.
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'He Said, She Said': Love Stories Put To The Test At A Weekend For Love
At the A Weekend For Love retreat, we sat down with four couples to explore their love stories in a playful but revealing way with #HeSaidSheSaid. From first encounters to life-changing moments, we tested their memories to see if their versions of events aligned—because, as they say, every story has three sides: his, hers, and the truth.
Do these couples remember their love stories the same way? Press play to find out.
Episode 1: Indira & Desmond – Love Across the Miles
They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but for Indira & Desmond, love made it stronger. Every mile apart deepened their bond, reinforcing the unshakable foundation of their relationship. From their first "I love you" to the moment they knew they had found home in each other, their journey is a beautiful testament to the endurance of true love.
Episode 2: Jay & Tia – A Love Story Straight Out of a Rom-Com
If Hollywood is looking for its next Black love story, they need to take notes from Jay & Tia. Their journey—from an awkward first date to navigating careers, parenthood, and personal growth—proves that love is not just about romance but also resilience. Their story is full of laughter, challenges, and, most importantly, a love that stands the test of time.
Episode 3: Larencia & Mykel – Through the Highs and Lows
A date night with police helicopters overhead? Now that’s a story! Larencia & Mykel have faced unexpected surprises, major life changes, and 14 years of choosing each other every single day. But after all this time, do they actually remember things the same way? Their episode is sure to bring some eye-opening revelations and a lot of laughs.
Episode 4: Soy & Osei – A Love Aligned in Purpose
From a chance meeting at the front door to 15 years of unwavering love, faith, and growth, Soy & Osei prove that when two souls are aligned in love and purpose, nothing can shake their foundation. Their journey is a powerful reminder that true love is built on mutual support, shared values, and a deep connection that only strengthens with time.
Each of these couples has a unique and inspiring story to tell, but do their memories match up? Watch #HeSaidSheSaid to find out!
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Swipe Right For Sisterhood: Reginae Carter Talks Teaming Up With BLK To Make Friendships Front & Center
You know the vibes: dating apps aren’t just for finding romance anymore—at least not for Gen Z! As young people continue to redefine connection, BLK, the leading dating app for Black singles, is shaking things up with the launch of Social Mode. The new feature allows users to toggle between dating and platonic connections. Yep, you read that right—friendship is now just as easy to find as love.
To kick off this game-changing launch, BLK teamed up with TV personality and socialite Reginae Carter for the ultimate Girls’ Night In, proving that sisterhood is just as important as romance. The exclusive event was a celebration of the new feature and the power of Black women coming together to uplift one another.
“Your circle is everything,” Reginae shares with a smile, and she’s not wrong. She’s all about creating spaces where we can come together, let our hair down, and vibe with like-minded women. “We deserve spaces to meet, uplift, and vibe with each other. BLK is making that happen,” she adds.
A New Era for Friendships—Social Mode Is Here!
Gen Z is all about building meaningful connections, whether it’s with a date or a new brunch buddy. That’s why Social Mode is such a big deal. Research shows that 65% of Gen Z values friendships just as much as romantic relationships. With BLK’s new feature, users can easily toggle between “Dating” and “Social,” opening up a world of platonic connections—no swiping right required.
Bahja Rodriguez, Reginae Carter, Breaunna Womack, Lourdes Rodriguez and Zonnique Pullins attend OMG Girlz "Make A Scene" Single Release & Video Viewing Party at Trap City Cafe on March 27, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia
Photo by Prince Williams/WireImage
Reginae Carter Hosts the Ultimate Girls’ Night In—Powered by BLK Social Mode
What better way to show Social Mode in action than with an exclusive Girls’ Night In, hosted by Reginae? The event brought together top influencers, tastemakers, and press for a night of luxury, self-care, and real talk about love, sex, and relationships. From tarot readings to perfume-making and signature cocktails, the evening embodied the “soft life” vibe that many Black women are embracing in 2025—peaceful, intentional, and full of joy.
Guests mingled, laughed, and bonded over the importance of finding a tribe that supports you. It wasn’t just about fun (although there was plenty of that!)—it was about creating a circle of inspiring, strong women. “We need to stick together. We need to be each other’s village,” Reginae says, emphasizing the power of community over competition.
Sisterhood: The Real MVP
For Reginae, it’s all about friendship—and not just the surface-level kind. “We need friends who keep it real with us. The ones who can tell us when we’re right, when we’re wrong, and when we need to calm down,” she says. As someone who navigates the spotlight, she’s got the best of both worlds: friends who understand the grind and those who can give her an honest, grounded perspective.
Her advice for building strong, intentional friendships? “Be confident in yourself and know your worth,” she explains. “Also, hurt people hurt people, so make sure you’re coming from a good place when you’re building relationships. It’s not always about being nice—sometimes it’s about being real.”
Reginae couldn’t have summed it up better: “When you have the right circle, the right tribe, everything just feels easier. And that’s exactly what BLK is giving us—space to connect, laugh, and grow with each other.”
To learn more about BLK’s Social Mode, download or update the BLK app in the App Store or Google Play Store today. Who knows? You might just find your new bestie or your next brunch crew.
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Feature image by Prince Williams/WireImage