FRIDAY ROUNDUP: Sleep Trends, Letter Writing and "It's the Economy, Stupid"

Plus Mother's Day gifts you WILL LOVE!

This week my feed was full of recession prep content, people debating which grains to stockpile, how to mill your own wheat, and whether we’re all going to be living off sourdough starters and vibes. And while that might sound extreme, the fear behind it isn’t. Trump has instituted 145% tariffs on Chinese goods, and shut down the de minimis exception (which lets items under $800 enter the U.S. without extra duties), and he’s already mocked concerns about rising prices by saying kids can just have “two dolls instead of 30.”

Meanwhile, reports leaked that Amazon was considering showing customers how much of a product’s price was due to Trump’s tariffs. The White House flipped out. Trump personally called Bezos to shut it down. The message is clear: they don’t want you to understand how their policies are affecting your wallet. They want you confused. Disconnected.

For me, I don’t think the solution is becoming a frontier survivalist. I don’t have anywhere to store bags of unmilled wheat in my kitchen. But, staying aware of what is happening and adjusting accordingly is key. I’ve been having lots of conversations with friends about how we are changing our lives to prepare for upcoming shortages and a possible recession.

→ Please sound off in the comments on what you are doing or thinking about, and share any expertise you have on the issue!

This week I wrote a piece on the mommy wars that’s hitting people a lot. It was a post about feminism but it was really about ‘the economy’ too. I was at a meeting yesterday listening to Democratic leaders talk about what our strategy is for the future and one thing I heard over and over again was “dems don’t talk about the economy right” and “it’s the economy stupid.” (a) Carville has been saying that for 30 years, if saying that it democratic circles would have worked, it would have happened. (b) when they think about the economy they are still talking about “growth” and “jobs” (for men) and “kitchen table issues.” It’s an emotionally unintelligent way to talk about the economy and one of the biggest problems on the D side.

With Poppy (my dog) getting injured and some work stress, I’ve been a little down this week! I needed some of these pick-me-up stories and I hope they bring a smile to your face too.

→ And if you’re looking to connect with people in your area, don’t forget to use the comments. You never know, you might find new friends here.

You’ll find the weekly giveaway at the end of this email!

• Set a 10-minute timer and unsubscribe from emails you never open and set up auto-filters for emails that you want to read but not with urgency.

• There are lot of local elections in May - check out Ballotpedia’s lists to see if you have any to put on your calendar.

• Call your reps and tell them not to cut Medicaid. Republican leadership wants more than $500 billion in cuts to Medicaid, but there isn’t unified support.

This Is What a Digital Coup Looks Like (TED, video)

Journalist Carole Cadwalladr exposes how technology has been weaponized to undermine democracies—and warns it's still happening, right under our noses.

The Army's New Fitness Test Has a Woman Problem (The New York Times)

After a major overhaul, the U.S. Army’s fitness test is under fire for penalizing women and potentially stalling careers—despite efforts to make it more equitable.

The Grandparent Trap (The Atlantic)

With child care costs soaring and retirement expectations shifting, grandparents are becoming America’s unspoken safety net—and it's changing family dynamics in ways we haven’t fully reckoned with.

The Group Chats That Changed America (Semafor)

Private group chats aren't just for memes anymore—they've become political war rooms, organizing hubs, and cultural flashpoints shaping real-world action across the U.S.

Trump Dominates the News Cycle. Some Democrats Are Fighting Back—in Republican Districts (Slate)

With the media spotlight still fixated on Trump, Some Democrats are bypassing national narratives and hosting grassroots town halls in red districts—an old-school strategy that might just work.

This Chicken Pad Thai Is Better Than Takeout. Packed with flavor and surprisingly easy, this is the weeknight dinner you’ll actually look forward to. Get the recipe.

This Sleep Trends Actually Works (Even If You’re Addicted to Your Phone). The latest social media sleep hacks that real people swear by—and what science says. Read more here.

How To Send a Handwritten Letter—Yes, in 2025. A gentle reminder that old-school communication still has a powerful place in our digital lives. Here’s how.

20 Short Rules for Better Days. @BreeGroff Small, digestible bits of wisdom to make everyday life suck less. Read the list.

This Is the Email You Send When You’re Late and Not Sorry. For anyone who’s done pretending to feel bad about a delayed reply—this one's for you. Read it.

Decluttering, But Make It French. Meet L’art de ranger, the elegant French approach to tidying up your life—without shame or stress. Start here.

A Tradwife murder mystery exclusive excerpt. Read a snippet of Jo Piazza’s upcoming tradwife murder mystery Everyone is Lying to You. (Please pre-order to support Jo!) Read it here.

The Tina Fey renaissance we’ve been manifesting. She’s got a new Netflix series, a Four Seasons obsession, and some thoughts on what it really takes to be funny. Read more here.

The Martha Stewart thirst post we’re printing and framing. She saw Glen Powell’s abs and said what we were all thinking. Read it here.

The baby animal news we need. Four tortoise hatchlings just got the most iconic names ever—Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, and Sophia. Read it here.

Mother’s Day is just around the corner and though I’m not a mother to anything with less than four legs, I love to buy presents for the wonderful moms in my life! Here are some of the things I will be gifting my mom pals this year (because nobody wants a damn medal).*

The sweatpant-jeans hybrid I’ve been living in. Rag & Bone’s Miramar Terry Wide-Leg Pant looks like denim but feels like loungewear, perfect for travel, errands, or pretending you got dressed. Seen on me, all the time. (also available in shorts, TIBAL said she loves them!)

The mascara that’s basically lash extensions in a tube. Thrive Causemetics’ Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara uses tubing technology to create dramatic length, curl, and definition—without clumping, flaking, or smudging. It’s my no-smudge go-to.

The bra that feels like a second skin. EBY’s Cosmic Mesh Bralette combines wireless comfort with breathable mesh and slip-proof support—ideal for everyday wear. (This is MY FAVORITE THING that I will never stop talking about. Free your boobs from wires!) I love their no-wedgie no-line underwear too.

The PJ/Robe set that makes staying in feel like a spa day. PACT’s Staycation Sleep Set is crafted from 100% organic cotton, offering breathable comfort and effortless style. It’s the perfect pick-me-up for Sunday scaries.

The mixing bowl that’s giving my dream kitchen. Mason Cash’s In the Meadow Earthenware Mixing Bowl features embossed florals and my fave has an aubergine glaze. Very English countryside charm but not chickens. I’m buying this for myself.

The under-$40 sweater that’s oversized in the RIGHT way. I’m a big fan of Quince’s 100% Organic Cotton Boyfriend Crew it’s the slouchy, soft, transitional layer you’ll wear on repeat. Perfect for coolish summer nights. Also available in v-neck and a very cute cropped cardigan.

The overnight mask that fixes dry, tired skin. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Face Mask locks in moisture and strengthens your skin barrier while you sleep. I’ve used it once or twice a week for years and it keeps my skin looking fresh!

For the person who has everything. Influencers love to love this (ultra-expensive) travel lotions and potions set from Cadence. Magnetic pods click together and sit in a clear pouch.

*all links are affiliate!

BOOK GIVEAWAY: Every week, I give away a book to my paid subscribers (U.S. only). This week, I’m thrilled to offer a copy of Everyday Intuition: What Psychology, Science, and Psychics Can Teach Us About Finding and Trusting Our Inner Voice by Elizabeth Greenwood. In this smart, funny, and deeply researched book, Greenwood explores how intuition works—drawing from neuroscience, psychology, feminist theory, and even psychics—to help us distinguish genuine gut feelings from anxiety or wishful thinking. She challenges the dismissal of “women’s intuition” and shows how embracing our inner voice can lead to more mindful, aligned living.

This book is your permission slip to stop second-guessing and start trusting yourself.​

→ Comment ‘TRUST’ below for a chance to win.