💌 perfumes, non-toxic clothing, meatball recipe

TODAY IS MONDAY, JANUARY 20

WHAT TO EXPECT

• stories: shoulder pads are cool again, stressing about cortisol, new perfumes
• this week’s read: the hard thing about hard things
• recent articles: affordable non-toxic clothing
• quote: on resilience
• add to cart
• recipes to try: meatballs

FASHION: THE GIRLIES ARE MAKING SHOULDER PADS COOL AGAIN
Up until 2 years ago, shoulder pads screamed 80’s, now they scream 2025! With luxury fashion houses like Saint Laurent, Courrèges, and Givenchy featuring strong-shouldered designs in their collections, the trends making a huge comeback. Celebrity influence has also played a huge role in popularizing the look, with trendsetters like Hailey Bieber sporting dramatic shoulder-padded pieces. Styling experts recommend balancing shoulder pads with fitted bottoms like straight-leg jeans or body-hugging miniskirts, suggesting that those new to the trend start with subtler padded pieces before experimenting with more dramatic silhouettes.

WELLNESS: HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU WORRY ABOUT YOUR CORTISOL LEVELS?
Lately, there’s been a huge surge on TikTok where conversations regarding cortisol levels with creators, not medical professionals, are going viral. They’re making alarming claims about this stress hormone's effects on appearance and weight, AKA “cortisol face”. While cortisol plays a crucial role in our body's stress response system and naturally fluctuates throughout the day, medical experts emphasize that temporary spikes in cortisol from normal stress are different from pathological conditions like Cushing Syndrome, which requires medical attention. According to multiple endocrinologists, including Dr. Scott Isaacs and Dr. Khadeen Cheesman, people should focus more on managing their overall stress levels through healthy lifestyle habits like proper sleep, nutrition, and exercise, rather than obsessing over cortisol levels specifically. They warn that fixating on cortisol levels could ironically increase stress and become counterproductive to overall wellbeing.

LIFESTYLE: BEST NEW FRAGRANCES & PERFUMES 
Consumers are moving from signature scents to fragrance wardrobing and layering. According to perfumer Gwen Gonzalez, modern consumers prefer choosing scents that match their mood or occasion. There are numerous award-winning fragrances, ranging from Balmain's debut scent inspired by Olivier Rousteing's healing journey to Bottega Veneta's artichoke-infused blend, Byredo's Desert Dawn with its woody-fresh combination, Courrèges C's luxury hotel linen-inspired scent, and several others from brands like Jo Malone, Kylie Cosmetics, and Maison Francis Kurkdjian. Each fragrance is evaluated based on its composition of notes and the feeling it evokes.

Drawing from his experience as a Silicon Valley leader and Andreessen Horowitz cofounder, Ben Horowitz tackles the gritty realities of running a startup that you won't find in any business school curriculum. In "The Hard Thing About Hard Things," he cuts through the typical startup glorification to examine the real challenges leaders face every day. What makes this book engaging is how Horowitz weaves in his love of rap music, using lyrics to illuminate tough business lessons – whether it's the delicate balance of firing friends, the strategic chess game of competing with rivals, or knowing when to make your exit.

ON RESILIENCE: "I don't need anyone" is a statement often made by those who at some point needed someone, but no one showed up. — Sara Kuburic

While self-reliance can grow from experiencing letdowns, true strength comes from finding balance - being independent while nurturing a few meaningful relationships with trusted friends or family who can be there for us when we need support. Like having emotional anchors, these select relationships complement our self-sufficiency rather than replace it.

👢 you need at least one pair of flat equestrian-style boots in your wardrobe

👄 a buttery soft lip oil is the dream

🧥 a knit, cropped cardigan made of organic cotton? Run!