Weekly R.E.P.O.R.T 6/10
Like everyone else in the country right now, I’m listening to Please, please, please by Sabrina Carpenter and watching Chappell Roan take over the world. Happy brat summer!
READING
Gen-Z broke the marketing funnel: First off, this article is so interactive. The animations are sick, and they did a great job of keeping it engaging since it’s a longer article. Very similar themes to the article I mentioned in last week’s report about Tiktok and consumerism. Lots of interesting stats on how Gen-Z feels about algorithms, where we find new content etc. “As a result, retailers are behaving more like media companies and media companies are behaving more like retailers”. True. They said Gen-Z prioritizes in-person shopping, researches heavily online before making purchases, and doesn't care about the metaverse- true, true and double true. The article talks about how we care about seamless universe building from brands, both on and offline, how we are reinventing the notion of brand loyalty and have a real awareness of value because of our desire for information. I eat articles like this up, so so good.
A case in favor of age-gap relationships: This was a little tough to get through, not gonna lie. Didn’t like the author’s writing style- I found it a little too lofty. Essentially, she tries to make the argument that age-gap relationships, in this case an older man with a younger woman, help reconcile the maturity differences that usually happen with men and women of the same age. I think she said she was in her early 20s when she met her now husband. I definitely think she’s partially jaded against younger men because she’s in love with her much older husband, but I also think she overestimates how much this dynamic would work for others. There were some comments in there that I didn’t appreciate about beauty and how it’s this precious, finite resource that we have to utilize while we can- we as women need to stop demonizing getting older! I despise the narrative that as we age our beauty fizzles, especially because men as they get older become “silver foxes” but women allegedly turn into old hags at 50. A conversation for another time. However, there was one quote that really resonated, and I think many women find truth in. “A million boys who know how to touch a woman, who go to therapy because they were pushed, who learned fidelity, boundaries, decency, manners, to use a top sheet and act humanely beneath it, to call their mothers, match colors, bring flowers to a funeral and inhale, exhale in the face of rage, because some girl, some girl we know, some girl they probably don’t speak to and will never, ever credit, took the time to teach him. All while she was working, raising herself, clawing up the cliff-face of adulthood. Hauling him at her own expense.”
EATING
Shrimp: Because I’m not eating red meat this month, I have been eating a lot more seafood. I made the most delish lemony, spicy shrimp pasta last week and a shrimp salad with sunflower seeds, parmesan, and some other yummy ingredients I’m forgetting.
Nancy’s Hustle: My sweet friend Jenna’s 21st birthday was yesterday and on Saturday, we went to this restaurant in downtown Houston called Nancy’s Hustle. Omg. Absolutely fantastic. Had dumplings with sauerkraut, my sauerkraut awakening if you will, parmesan croquettes, this half chicken that I will DREAM about, shrimp tagliatelle (hi shrimp) and fries with mystery aioli. Ugh, it was too good, and I can’t wait to go back.
PLAYING
Lewis Hamilton’s Hot Ones: Love Hot Ones and love Lewis. I’ve heard his voice before, but this was the first time I’ve listened to a full conversation from him. His voice is so soft, and I love his laugh. Very pleasant listen. Sainz girl but will always make time for Mr. Hamilton.
Raye’s Chicken Shop Date: I would take a bullet for Raye honestly. My 21st Century Blues rocked my world, and she deserves all the flowers and accolades. Amelia always does a great job with her interviews. I know part of the Chicken Shop magic is in the short-form length, but I would love if it they were 10-15 minutes.
The Cutting Room Floor: I watched the episode with Karla Welch. She’s a celebrity stylist who does red carpets for Hailey Bieber, Olivia Wilde, Sarah Paulson, and Greta Gerwig amongst many others. In all honesty, I’ve seen many red carpet looks from Hailey and Olivia that I’ve strongly disliked, but that doesn't mean that Karla didn’t have a wealth of knowledge to share. I didn’t know that Super Bowl artists don’t get paid??? That’s so crazy to me but I guess the exposure, streams etc. outweigh whatever they would get paid. As always, learned a lot.
OBSESSING
Less of You by Omar Apollo: This song is addictive. I’m so excited for his new album and his tour comes to Houston in September! I should still be home so that will be fun. I missed his show in St. Louis for Ivory because of a volleyball tournament. Heartbroken but I’m holding out hope that he might still play Tamagotchi or No Good Reason, which was my top listened song on my 2023 Spotify wrapped.
Orange and blue color combo: Very summery. Imagine a peachy, lighter orange and aqua blue. I own almost nothing in either of these colors though, so some shopping will need to be done.
Asics sneakers: I’m on the hunt for a new everyday neutral sneaker, either black or white majority. My friend Sophia, who is also on the sneaker search, mentioned Asics and I’ve been liking a lot of their options. Unsure which sneaker I’ll end up buying (Adidas & New Balance have some good stuff), but Asics is looking to be a top contender.
RECOMMENDING
Invincible: I started watching Invincible on Prime last week and I’m really liking it! I rarely watch animated shows nowadays, especially superhero centered ones, but I’m enjoying the storyline and the animation style is cool. Perhaps an animated tv era is loading for me, we shall see.
TREATING
New workout tops: I went to Nordstrom Rack last week on the hunt for a couple new workout tops and surprisingly, I was successful. I was getting embarrassed of wearing my WashU VB t-shirts to the gym but I’m picky about the way my shirts fit. It has to be a t-shirt, even though I inevitably roll up the sleeves mid-workout, it can’t be too form fitting but I also don’t want to be swimming in them. I think the tops I got are all by the brand Z by Zella and one of them is peachy orange. Let the orange takeover begin.
