FRIDAY ROUNDUP: Princess Treatment, Tourism Crisis & Baby Cheetahs

Plus the bed book nooks we need & a giveaway!

There’s a clip of a woman going viral on TikTok right now for saying the ideal marriage is one where you never speak in public, because your husband speaks for you. She calls it the “princess treatment” which is an incredible rebrand of giving up your autonomy. Meanwhile, I’m over here, 40, single, and thriving.

This woman is not merely advertising her own life choices, she is selling it. She’s telling young women that being "feminine, soft and quiet” is how they should act. It’s patriarchy sold as empowerment.

I’ve been pleased to see the amount of pushback she’s gotten. And not just people calling it a kink, but people pointing out that this is the alt-right pipeline for women.

It’s not revolutionary to stop speaking just because you’ve decided to call it empowerment. This content isn’t about love or partnership, it’s about control. Who gets it. Who gives it up. And who’s taught to believe that submission is a service women should feel lucky to provide.

I got a DM recently where a woman said that seeing me be single and living my best life has made her feel like she could do that too. While I much prefer talking about politics, I know my story is important to tell because it goes against the dominant narrative we see online about women my age. We’re supposed to be panicking or settling, because we live in a culture that equates being chosen with being valuable.

But I don’t feel broken. Or behind. Or like I’ve failed some secret test. My life is mine. I like my house. I like my dog. I like not living with someone who makes me miserable. Health issues notwithstanding, I like being me.

I hope you are having a wonderful summer and have patriotic plans for July 4th! I can’t believe it’s almost here!! I’ll be heading to a parade, but let me know what you’ll be doing in the comments!

→ if you’re looking to connect with people in your area, we have location-specific threads now in the EYP chat! You can find that here! (if you use desktop you can search to see if your location has already been discussed!)

Republicans say they want to send the spending bill to Trump’s desk by July 4th, but it’s been messy. The Senate Parliamentarian has been busy pointing out that provisions need to be excluded from the bill if Republicans want to pass it with a 50-vote threshold. These included things like an exemption for a very small number of religious schools, including Hillsdale College, from an income tax on college endowments, and one that removed the regulations pertaining to gun silencers and easily concealable firearms.

The bill is moving and changing exceptionally quickly, but I would call and ask that they not allow any sales of federal lands. Utah Senator Mike Lee put a revised version of that provision back in the bill.

If you have a republican Senator,

Brian Derrick

posted some really good specific talking points for individual members.

Trump’s "Homemade Tourism Crisis" (Spiegel International)

Since President Trump’s second term began, border stops, stricter mobile phone checks, and emerging travel warnings are deterring tourists. Europeans say they "don’t feel welcome," and U.S. tourism revenues may drop by around $12 billion this year.

‘Everybody Knows Khamenei’s Days Are Numbered’ (The Atlantic)

A well-placed group of Iranian insiders, businesspeople, military figures, and clerics, has begun quietly planning for a post‑Khamenei future, exploring ways to sideline the 86‑year‑old supreme leader via a power-sharing committee if needed.

A New Meatpacking Plant’s Novel Pitch to Attract American Workers (WSJ)

A Nebraska slaughterhouse offers ergonomic work stations and no night shift to lure employees as the immigration crackdown threatens its labor force.

Inside the Scrappy Network of Volunteers Protecting Their Neighbors From ICE (Mother Jones)

On the ground with a rapid response team in Waltham, Massachusetts, where local volunteers are working around the clock to shield undocumented residents from a new wave of deportation raids.

Tesla Launches Robotaxi Rides in Austin With Big Promises and Questions (TechCrunch)

Tesla has dispatched a small fleet of about ten driverless Model Y SUVs in South Austin, offering invite-only robotaxi rides at a flat $4.20 fare—though each vehicle is geo-fenced, requires a technician behind the wheel, and comes with remote teleoperator backup, highlighting both promise and uncertainty around the rollout.

The 100 Best Movies of the 21st Century. Really fun picks on the NYT's interactive list of the top 100 films since 2000. Read it here.

The Best Disposable Cameras. A comprehensive guide to disposable cameras, from color to black & white to waterproof. Perfect for the Gen Z in your life. Read it here.

Sardine Girl Summer Fashion Trend. Perhaps a nice addition to “jam girl summer.” A vibe-driven blending TikTok’s tin-fish craze with coastal style. Read it here.

Can You Ever Get Over the Ick? A dive into the sudden onset of the “ick,” that visceral sense of disgust toward partners or dating experiences when they do something questionable and what it reveals about our emotional wiring and relationships. Read it here.

Exercise in Your Forties: How Walking Changed My Life. A personal reflection on how incorporating daily walks, even just errands or dog strolls, can transform your health, mindset, and sense of daily purpose. Read it here.

Baby cheetah named Taylor Swift cozies up with baby cheetah named Travis Kelce. Two orphaned cheetah cubs at a Somaliland rescue center have bonded as they recover together from captivity. Watch the meet up here.

Inside the most adorable country inn. This is a place I could live in. The Six Bells in New York State, channels nostalgic, handcrafted charm with vintage furniture, floral patterns, and a quaint aesthetic that offers an escapist feel in our uncertain times. Go inside it here.

After seeing that photo I’ve been dreaming of a tiny nook for a bed with all my books. This roundup includes gorgeous little nooks where I could spend hours reading my favorite Austen books. See it here.

Some purchases I’m liking recently:

1. This summer I didn’t want to do a swimsuit that sucks me in, I just wanted to be comfortable and happy. I’d seen a lot of influencers endorse the quality of Left on Friday and ordered the Sunday Suit. I’ve been impressed - the quality is there and the edges don’t dig in anywhere. I also own the day trip top and bottom, which wrinkles a lot so it’s overpriced IMO, but if you are looking for something that is very oversized and silky light but will last, I recommend it. The top is a great beach cover up.

2. I ride hard for sunscreen and after trying a bunch of options this summer, remain Supergoop loyal. I always have a stick with me and use the unseen sunscreen daily.

3. Boden is having a sale, they have lots of cute dresses for little girls, but women’s selection is running low. I love this tiered Jersey dress - only left in 2/8/10 as of publishing.

4. Margaux sells comfy/stylish shoes and I'm loving the woven orthopedic petra sandals & a stacked heel slide that is not just an hermes dupe.

5. I’ve been wearing the rag& bone fake jean shorts to the beach and it feels like the comfort update on the 90’s staple that we need. When I put on real jean shorts I’m shook.

6. It’s hot so to help Poppy stay cool I’ve been putting on her swamp cooler.

*links are affiliate

Each week I give away a book to my paid subscribers (U.S. only), and this one is for anyone who’s ever wondered what if about a past love.

This week’s pick is All the Men I’ve Loved Again, the solo debut from Christine Pride, coauthor of We Are Not Like Them.

It’s a dual-timeline love story full of Y2K nostalgia, emotional twists, and the heart-wrenching reality of falling for two unforgettable men twice and being given a second chance at love in your forties.

→ Comment LOVE below for a chance to win.