FRIDAY ROUNDUP: Topanga hair, fleeing to Canada & Alexander Skarsgård's boots

PLUS a book giveaway

This week, everyone I know has been debating over Democratic strategy. And I’m not just talking about Jake Tapper and David Hogg. There have been a lot of big thinkpieces (eg: The New York Times, Washington Post, Catalist) about efforts to diagnose not only what’s going wrong, but how we get somewhere right. Everyone is trying to figure out why young voters are drifting, why men are so hard to connect with, why people say they despise Trump but voted for him anyway.

And all I could think as I read all of this was: YES. But also, DUH.

I’ve had so many conversations lately with people, especially women, about how they’re feeling about the Democratic Party. That’s the operative word here: feeling. Not policy. Not polling. Not “what’s your number one issue.” Just how people feel in their guts. And the feelings are pretty rough. Not totally hopeless (though some are). But bruised. Tired. Like you’re showing up out of duty, not belief. Like the Democratic party forgot it’s supposed to care about us, not just manage us.

So this week’s roundup is a mix of the heavy and the human. A few reads that helped me make sense of the political mood, plus some small, grounding things, like cooking something weird or remembering you still have a body at the grocery store.

Because even when the strategy is unclear, you still have power. And taste. And really good hair, probably.

Thank you to everyone who read my article on my cancer this week. We also talked about Trump’s efforts to defund PBS and 10 things to know about the tax and spending bill.

→ 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! (There’s a search button in the upper right hand corner)

• Stop Looking at Your Phone in Lines. Those little pockets of time we usually fill with mindless scrolling are actually opportunities for allowing our minds to wander and be bored (something good for our brains). Standing in line at the grocery store, you could notice how your body feels, take a few deep breaths, or even just look around and see the real world.

• Clean Out Your Photo Album. Print Out Three Pics You Love. There's something really satisfying about going through hundreds of random screenshots and blurry duplicates to rediscover gems that deserve to be seen every day.

  Plus, having actual printed photos in frames feels more intentional than digital pictures that just live buried in your camera roll. (You can send digital photos to Frambridge and they will send you back the framed photo, I love them. Perfect gift for father’s day too)

• Cook something new and unexpected. It doesn't have to be complicated either. Maybe it's finally trying that spice blend you bought months ago, or cooking an egg a completely different way, or throwing together whatever random ingredients you have in a way you've never done before. Even just adding one unexpected ingredient to something familiar can make it feel like an adventure. Yesterday I added blistered tomatoes and asparagus to my pesto pasta!

Save PBS! Call your reps and tell them “I am a constituent and I urge you to reject the rescissions package and stop the dismantling of public media”

How to Hide a Constitutional Crisis (The Atlantic)
The Trump administration uses dubious legal arguments to defy court orders while appearing to comply. This tactic undermines judicial authority and could erode democratic norms. A great primer.

Black Women Reflect on Racial Reckoning (The 19th News)

Five years after the 2020 racial reckoning, Black women discuss the backlash against diversity efforts and the emotional toll of continued activism. Their reflections highlight the ongoing struggle for racial and gender equity.

A Disillusioned Musk, Distanced From Trump, Says He’s Exiting Washington (NYT)

The billionaire has made clear he is frustrated with the obstacles he encountered as he tried to upend the federal bureaucracy and he wants out. Good riddance. (But what data has he taken with him?)

After its third failed mission – what next for SpaceX? (BBC)

And in more Musk news, SpaceX’s Starship completed its most successful test yet—before spinning out of control, breaking apart, and failing to deploy its payload. That’s three fiery crashes in a row. Maybe it’s time to rethink the “fail fast” mantra.

American Doctors Look to Relocate to Canada to Avoid the Trump Administration (NPR)

In the months following President Trump's return to the White House, Canada has experienced a significant increase in American doctors seeking to move north.

Bustle

The “Topanga Hair” Trend Is Bringing Back the Best of the ’90s Blowout
Big, bouncy volume is back and this time, it’s nostalgic, low-effort, and totally wearable. Read it here.

Niksen Is the Dutch Wellness Concept That Will Save Your Weekend
This blissfully low-stakes tradition is all about doing absolutely nothing and feeling good about it. Read it here.

This $40 Amazon Step Ladder Is So Chic, You’ll Want to Leave It Out
Functional, foldable, and surprisingly stylish, it’s a ladder you’ll actually be proud to display. Read it here.

This 120-Year-Old NYC Home’s Design Was Inspired by Gertrude Stein’s Paris Apartment
Take a peek inside this cozy, personality-packed Brooklyn home. Read it here.

An Actual College Class on the Politics and Beliefs and Joy of Dolly Parton,
Washington University is offering a course that dives deep into Dolly Parton’s cultural and political legacy. Read more here.

This Whipped Lemonade Is the Summer Drink You Didn’t Know You Needed Light, frothy, and easy to make, this is your new go-to. Read more here.

Alexander Skarsgård Wore Thigh-High Leather Boots at Cannes and I’ll Never be the Same
This is everything a masculine man should be. Read more here.

Doug the Pug Receives Honorary Degree in 'Furensic Science' from Conn. School

The internet-famous pup with over 15 million followers was awarded an honorary degree in "Furensic Science" by the University of New Haven, celebrating his positive influence and connection with students. Read more here.

BOOK GIVEAWAY
Each week, I give away a book to my paid subscribers (U.S. only), and this one is a total delight. I’m so excited to offer a copy of Storybook Ending—a charming tale of mistaken identity, oblivious men, and the unexpected magic of bookstores.

April, a lonely tech worker, slips an anonymous note into a book meant for her neighborhood bookstore crush. But fate has other plans. Single mom Laura buys the book, finds the note, and thinks it’s meant for her. As both women continue a mysterious exchange, neither realizes the handsome Westley is completely oblivious… and too distracted by a movie shoot in the store to notice he’s suddenly the leading man in a rom-com he didn’t sign up for.

This is a heartwarming story of community, serendipity, and the way love (and friendship) can sneak up on us—especially when we’re not looking.

→ Comment BOOKSTORE below for a chance to win.