TODAY IS WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20
WHAT TO EXPECT
• stories: women won’t give up these expenses, can LED masks make melasma worse, American labor force is shrinking
• listen to this: summer supper club playlist
• in collaboration with: Coyuchi
• job seekers: performance marketing creative director, influencer growth marketing manager, travel & expense coordinator
• extra stories
• recent article: 50 morning affirmations to start your day right
• quote: on understanding
• bon voyage: Singapore
LIFESTYLE: WOMEN DON’T WANT TO GIVE UP THEIR ONE STAPLE EXPENSE
When 17 women were asked about the one expense they could cut but refuse to, the answers were pretty skewed. From regular mani-pedis to a trustworthy housekeeper, organic groceries, + even high-quality olive oil. Turns out, these purchases aren’t extra, but more-so acts of comfort, joy, and self-care that help them feel grounded in the midst of busy (and often stressful) lives. Romanticizing life the right away, perhaps?
BEAUTY: CAN LED MASKS MAKE MELASMA WORSE?
LED masks are great for acne and glow—but derms say they can worsen melasma in some people, mainly because the devices generate heat (and sometimes blue/IR light), which can trigger pigment. If you’ve had melasma, react to heat, or have a medium-to-deeper skin tone, go slow or skip them; instead try pigment-safe topicals (think tranexamic acid, niacinamide, azelaic acid) plus daily tinted mineral SPF. Noticing new dark patches? Press pause on the mask and check in with your dermatologist.
WORK LIFE: THE HUGE RED FLAG FOR THE AMERICAN LABOR FORCE
The key snag in today’s job market isn’t the unemployment rate—it’s the shrinking labor force. The number of Americans working or looking for work has dropped for three consecutive months—the first streak like this since 2011—which is alarming given how rare and deep that decline tends to be. This isn’t just a number—it’s a signal that the economy could slow down in some sneaky ways: lower overall growth, lighter tax revenue, and slipping productivity.
The soundtrack to clinking glasses and al fresco everything. Nearly 4 hours of feel-good tracks that glide from aperitivo to nightcap—perfect for backyard dinners, golden-hour hangs, or Sunday meal prep. Press play, let the vibes do the hosting, and keep the conversation flowing.
IN COLLABORATION WITH
Since 1991, Coyuchi (koy-oo-chee) has been setting the standard for organic bedding & bath, with the belief that luxury should have nothing to hide. Each Coyuchi piece is designed with care, consideration, and only 100% organic cotton.
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OPEN ROLES AT BUZZ-WORTHY COMPANIES
Creative Director, Performance Marketing @ PINTEREST (remote): Apply if you have 8+ years of experience in design with an emphasis in performance marketing creative preferred. $118,543—$244,059 USD — annual compensation
Senior Manager, Influencer Growth Marketing @ NUTRAFOL (remote): Apply if you have 5–7+ years experience in influencer performance marketing with a focus on ROI. $125,000 - $145,000 USD — annual compensation
Travel & Expense Coordinator @ STITCH FIX (remote): Apply if you have 3–5 years of hands-on experience in Accounts Payable and T&E operations. $25.17 - $37.02 USD per USD
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🤩 if you’re into sheer fashion, you’ll love these
🪄 the Harry Potter HBO series has revealed who the Weasley clan will be
🐣 Michelle Williams quietly welcomed baby #4 & shouted out her surrogate
Self-care isn’t just physical or social—it’s mental, too. Daily affirmations—short, tailored phrases—can help nudge your thinking in a more positive direction and support healthier thought patterns; common themes include self-love, success, gratitude, clarity, creativity, healing, protection, financial abundance, and spirituality. Try repeating a few each morning to set your mindset for the day.
ON UNDERSTANDING: Seek first to understand, then to be understood. — Stephen R. Covey
A lot of folks focus on expressing their own views, but real communication starts with empathy — putting yourself in the other person’s shoes. By understanding someone’s perspective first, you build trust and create space for meaningful dialogue. Once people feel heard, they’re far more open to hearing your thoughts in return, so in order to be understood, you must truly work towards understanding.
SINGAPORE
EAT: Les Amis is a three-Michelin-starred restaurant known for their French cuisine & offers an elegant dining experience with creatively crafted dishes. Burnt Ends is a modern Australian barbecue restaurant in the Chinatown area which is known for its open kitchen and wood-fired oven. It is critically acclaimed, ranked among Asia's best restaurants, and offers a unique dining experience with creative grilled and smoked dishes.
STAY: The Raffles Hotel Singapore is a luxury hotel with a historic colonial-style property. You can expect luxurious rooms, multiple dining options, and classic Singaporean hospitality. Plus, it was recently restored to its original grandeur! The Marina Bay Sands on the other end is an integrated resort with a world-famous rooftop infinity pool. It has got luxurious rooms, multiple restaurants, casino, a shopping mall, and is located directly in the Marina Bay area.
DO: Gardens by the Bay is a nature park with futuristic Supertree Grove. It features two massive conservatories: Flower Dome and Cloud Forest, and aims to portray a beautiful mix of nature and modern architecture. The Singapore Flyer is a giant observation wheel in which you can see panoramic views of the city.
