TODAY IS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
WHAT TO EXPECT
• stories: hot take on gel manis, asymmetry in your face, daily caffeine intake
• this week’s read: bunny by mona awad
• recent articles: 10 books to cozy up with this fall
• quote: on integrity
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• recipes to try: baked salmon with honey mustard
• ICYMI
BEAUTY: GEL MANIS…WHAT’S YOUR TAKE? THE EU HAS ONE
The EU recently enacted regulation banning gel nail polishes that contain the ingredient TPO (trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide because it’s identified as potentially carcinogenic, mutagenic, + toxic for reproduction. Dermatologists here in the states say that although gel manicures carry some risks, UV exposure & nail damage for example, you can reduce these by using protection (like SPF and protective gloves), ensuring proper application/removal, and getting them done in moderation. Perhaps one day it may be banned in the U.S as well?
LIFESTYLE: CAN SIDE SLEEPING MAKE YOUR FACE ASYMMETRICAL
TikTok says side-sleeping ruins your face; reality check: perfect symmetry doesn’t exist, and your bones aren’t shifting in your sleep. Long-term pressure on one side can nudge soft tissue (think deeper lines or slight sagging), so back-sleeping may help prevent new creases—but it won’t “fix” structure. If unevenness bothers you, pros can finesse it with subtle, non-surgical tweaks.
WELLNESS: HERES YOUR CAFFEINE TAKE OF THE DAY
The FDA recommends that you limit caffeine intake to 400 milligrams per day—which comes to about 3-4 cups of regular coffee (not cold brew, espresso, frappes, etc). This also isn’t taking your personal sensitivity or health conditions into factor. You also should be mindful of hidden sources like chocolate, that caninfluence how much caffeine you can safely handle. We all know the caffeine jitters, but insomnia, a rapid heartbeat, and a messed-with digestion are all signs that you may be overdoing it.
Bunny is a dark, funny campus story about Sam, a grad student who gets pulled into a fancy, mean-girl clique that calls each other “Bunny.” They invite her to their secret “Smut Salons,” and things spiral from weird to downright creepy as Sam tries to fit in.
It’s part satire, part horror—about belonging, ambition, and how far you’ll go to be accepted. If you want more after, Mona Awad’s new book We Love You, Bunny revisits the same world and fills in the backstory.
ON INTEGRITY: “Our character is what we do when we think no one is looking.” — H. Jackson Brown Jr.
Integrity shows up in the choices you make when there’s no audience, no credit, and no consequences—just you and your values. In other words, who you are offstage is the real you.
This is a weeknight meal that comes together in under 25 minutes. You can prep the salmon and glaze up to 3 hours prior and then pop it in the oven once you’re ready to cook — ideal for a WFH day.
(IN CASE YOU MISSED IT)
