All Caught Up: Pet rocks, Gucci’s flop era, the kids are alright

ZYN is for alphas

Honestly? Bizarre week for free speech. Between the looming TikTok ban and the actions of college administrations, it feels like ideology, values and actions are at odds. Again.

There’s so much I can say, but there’s not much to say besides this is one of those weeks where it feels so acutely like we’re deciding what we stand for. 

Anastasia, as always, captures the moment.

This week's picks include a history of college campuses and protests, abysmal salaries and Kim Kardashian’s return to the White House.

Christina’s weekly scroll – 

1. Saie Beauty has always championed sustainability; from their vintage drops in place of fast-fashion merch to their partnership with Pact Collective. On Earth Day, they released The Saie Way: A Climate Docuseries to demonstrate how “in an unregulated industry, we can find new ways to regulate ourselves to be as Earth-minded as possible.”

2. The latest 2024 average salaries by age data is revealing:

   

   The largest pay gap between genders is in the 45–54 age group. The smallest pay gap between genders is in the 16–19 age group. As we advance through our careers, the pay gap between genders increases. Lots to unpack here.

3. Last week I talked about Laufey x maman, this week it’s Sabrina Carpenter x Alfred Coffee joining forces on a (now sold out) Vanilla Rose Cold Foam Latte (see: not an espresso). Also: peep the Julie sleeves… $$$ 

4. The loneliness epidemic continues... Pet rocks are helping South Koreans cope.

5. Express filed for bankruptcy and is closing 95 stores 🙁

6. Hasan Piker demolished a British DJ on Piers Morgan Uncensored.

7. Christie’s is auctioning Vivienne Westwood's personal collection. Proceeds from the sale will support causes Vivienne championed: The Vivienne Foundation, Amnesty International, Médecins Sans Frontières and Greenpeace.

8. Kim Kardashian is returning to the White House to highlight the individuals President Biden granted clemency for non-violent drug offenses.

9. Weinstein got Cosby'd. F*ck this and f*ck the system. 

Nikita’s weekly scroll – 

1. The Right Wing thinks that nicotine pouches are masculine and therefore good. Leaving this here:

   Sales of ZYN, the viral cigarette alternative, soared to new heights in the latest quarter. Philip Morris International said it shipped 131.6 million cans of its ZYN nicotine pouches in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2024, an increase of nearly 80% compared to the same period last year. 

2. 19 ways that TikTok has changed American life. As a marketer, I find creating content for the platform exhausting. As a consumer, I love it. TikTok has changed how we spend money, save money, cook our meals and so much more.

3. A history of college campuses and protests.

4. Venture fund M13 dropped a set of guides to build a pitch deck, provide investor updates, etc. Really helpful.

5. Ganni hired a new CEO from Balenciaga.

6. Chipotle’s earnings are out and they’re up. I feel like I am personally partially responsible for this. It is cheap enough and easy/fast/filling!

7. A deep dive on status. (h/t

   Rex Woodbury
   )

8. Kering’s overall sales are down, Gucci is floundering. Wondering what’s going on here – is it (1) greed or (2) they want to court a ~quiet luxury~ customer and the old aesthetic wasn’t doing that for them…

9. Anyone else on bootleg veneer tech and braces tech TikTok…

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˚₊‧꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚Little Treat Corner ˚₊‧꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚

Christina’s weekly report:

READING: The 13 Going On 30 exclusive (!!) from Cosmopolitan for the film’s 20th (!?) anniversary.

EATING: Saltine crackers as I battle this stomach bug.

PLAYING: Good Luck, Babe!

OBSESSING: Tulipiere vases… Need expeditiously.

RECOMMENDING: THE JINX PART TWO! Watch the first part if you’re new to the Robert Durst lore (obvi) but wow wow wow. ALSO BABY REINDEER!

TREATING: Seeing Challengers this weekend with one of my besties.

Nikita’s weekly report:

READING: Finally picked up Glossy.

EATING: Tinkering with this spicy tomato paste + gochujang chicken thigh recipe I am working on.

PLAYING: Unfortunately, this song is stuck in my head and I am not happy about it.

OBSESSING: I’m currently in my spring shopping stage and therefore evaluating maybe 30 poplin dresses.

RECOMMENDING: Passionfruit Health-Ade Kombucha. (s/o

Jade Beguelin

for putting me on)

TREATING: Going offline for a bit this weekend.

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