Just because you’re stuck in the house during the Coronavirus Pandemic doesn’t mean you can’t practice working your look, mask or no mask. Since we’re all required to wear them now, I’ve found the easiest way to bear it is to turn it into a fashion statement and coordinate accordingly.

One of the most stylish group of face coverings I’ve found lately are made by artist/designer/hairstylist Allesa Willis (DJAllesaThaGoddess@gmail.com). Sister of Malik Willis of Malik Books in Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza (http://malikbooks.com), the great thing about her masks is the array of prints she uses.

Perfect for either a graphically gorgeous boho top from Thredup.com, an orange, black and white print tunic from H & M, or a gold wraparound short-sleeved blouse from Ross Dress For Less and a pair of Levi’s or black Dickies they’re the perfect counterpoint for one of her African style masks.

Okay, say you’re going stir crazy at home, and wondering what you can do to remain stylish, inspired, and up-to-date may I offer a list of suggestions:

1. Read a book, or two, or more…Right now I’m reading VOGUE: The Gown for my Fashion Book Lovers Group on goodreads.com, The Other End of The Line by Andrea Camilleri, for my Mystery Book Club at Mar Vista Library, A Death In Belmont by Sebastian Hunger and Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand.
2. Update your resume and portfolio.
3. Read the newspaper. Now is a good time to get a Sunday subscription to great papers like the Los Angeles Times and The New York Times to make your week-ends more illuminating.
4. Move around. Whether you dance, exercise, clean the house or play with your cat, movement will keep you rejuvenated.
5. Do an art project, such as adult coloring or paint-by-numbers.

Finally, with 1,208 deaths of COVID-19 in California as of April 20 it pays to shelter in place, take care by wearing a mask when traveling outside the home and put your health first and foremost.