Happy Saturday! Back in NYC after a quick trip to Atlanta, and spring is *almost* here. At the point in the season where I’m shunning all sweaters—and will happily shiver to sport a good spring outfit.
The hotel breakfast of my dreams in Atlanta.
I’ve loved hearing from all of you throughout the week on my engagement post / in DMs about your late bloomer love stories. It only takes one!!! And thank you to all of you who are on the lookout for cute white dresses. 🥹
P.S. If you’re new around here, welcome! I’m Julia, a brand strategist and content creator based in NYC. I partner with clients to tell standout stories—whether they’re an executive changing careers or a CPG brand looking to reach a new audience across platforms. You can find me on Instagram and TikTok @smarterinasec, learn more about me / my services on my website, and of course, right here on Substack.
Let’s dive in!
My favorite articles of the week (not shared anywhere else!)
As a varsity reader, I run through articles like athletes run marathons. There’s no way I’d be able to share every article I read (and adore!) on social media each day. Here’s five more, just for you:
You’re Not Allowed to Have the Best Sunscreens in the World (The Atlantic): The saga of U.S. sunscreens—and why sunscreens in Europe and Asia are far superior. On IG, @mrs.derm has taught me so much on this topic—highly recommend following her!
How an Art Advisor to the Elite Allegedly Conned Her Client Friends (Town & Country): A G-rated but juicy true crime read. It’s unbelievable how many people give friends massive amounts of $ without checking their references!!!
Tour a Goop Executive’s Dreamy Pacific Palisades Abode With a Touch of “Paris Grandma” (Architectural Digest): These AD home tours are my brain candy.
A Day in the Life of a Walmart Manager Who Makes $240,000 a Year (WSJ): Originally found this piece in
(a Substack that brilliantly breaks down the latest in retail & fashion trends). It’s been interesting to see the societal perception shift around these roles and uncover how much retail managers truly make. Aldi managers start at $150K and are gifted an Audi!30-year-old supercommutes over 500 miles to work in New York: ‘I’m the happiest I’ve ever been’ (CNBC Make It): Always fascinated by these stories! This is one of the best supercommute work-life balances I’ve seen.
Career tip of the week
Mother’s Day is upon us, and there are so many mediocre gifts being purchased. Save your boss and co-workers from the embarrassment by offering yourself up as the gift recommendation fairy. Really.
At the first consulting firm I worked for, my co-workers came to me all the time for gift ideas—birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, etc. They gave me a budget and I promptly e-mailed them a list of ideas. If I only knew to use affiliate links then 😉. But this activity quickly allowed me to grow closer to senior leadership. I got to know them on a personal level—opening the door for stronger bonds at work.
This reality extends beyond gifting. My fiancé was the go-to March Madness guy at his old investment bank. And my brother is a lawyer who runs his firm’s softball league. I don’t know sh*t about sports, so I stuck to gifting. But in all cases, it’s fun, relationship-centered work that pays dividends in the long run.
Four damn good buys (for yourself)
Scroll down below for the best Mother’s Day gift guide out there. But first…let’s talk about you. Spring fashion is overwhelming, but here are three well-priced pieces I recently purchased (that I know you’ll also love).
I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect jean jacket for months ever since mine was lost to the ether of my mom and sister’s closets. This $45 jacket is adorable (on major sale from $90), and I can’t wait to layer it over dresses.
For a bit more of a traditional look, I also snagged this $35 jacket (down from $70).
This olive shirtdress has my heart. And at $74, the price is right.
And finally, the ultimate pair of high-rise, wide-leg jeans. I searched for months to find a pair that wasn’t $250. So imagine my delight when I found this $28 pair!!! The quality and the fit are both perfect.
Four damn good buys (for the moms in your life)
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been running the Mom Olympics. What is that, you may ask? It’s an unfortunate (yet joyous!!!) time every year when my mom’s birthday (May 8) overlaps with Mother’s Day.
Whether her birthday and Mother’s Day are on the same day or my reign over my siblings lasts five days, it’s a stressful series of events. I make dinner from scratch, plan activities, *and* find multiple gifts that impress. So if there’s anyone to trust when it comes to a Mother’s Day gift guide, it’s me.
My brother thinks I’m evil on holidays…I say efficient.
Frame with meaningful picture ($22+): In a world that gets more and more digital every year, printed photos are falling by the wayside. Every time I’ve gifted my mom a nicely framed photo, it’s been met with delight. Framing photos is something that’s perpetually on people’s to-do lists…but somehow, never gets done. Head to Walgreens/CVS/Staples/FedEx for cheap & fast photo printing. As for the frames themselves—I’ve gifted these $22 gold bamboo frames before, and they look *way* more expensive than they actually are. (And yes—it’s $22 for the two-pack!)
Silky pajamas ($24.99): The best pajamas. I’ve purchased these countless times for gifts and bachelorettes. They’re soft, silky, and make you feel pulled together (even when you're not). I will 10000% be wearing these (and gifting these) to my mom for a matching photo moment. They’re classically designed and a true crowd pleaser. Even a Larry David-esque family member of mine complimented me on these.
Eucalyptus shower spray ($30). I simply cannot shut up about this eucalyptus shower spray…and for good reason. Spray it at the base of your shower, and your oh-sh**-I’m-late rinse-off is transformed into a spa. Take it from an Instagram follower who purchased earlier in the week! The ultimate self-care gift for moms.
Blowout subscription (price varies): The perfect gift for a new mom or the elegant women in your life. You can subtly ask what salon she loves in her area—and buy a blowout pack / subscription based on her recommendation. So she has something to open beyond a gift card, consider pairing it with the best dry shampoo ($36)! Her blowout will be fresh and bouncy all week long.
Substack is cutting off this e-mail—so I’ll be sharing more gift picks tomorrow!
In case you missed it
A personal plug
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***The fine print: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I only recommend products that I use, love, and can’t live without.
The whole supercommuter thing is wild to me! I used to take a train 2.5 hours each way to attend college for a couple years and I absolutely hated it. There was so much lost time in transit - 5 hours of my day! I’m happy for the folks who made it work for them (I work with 2 people who travel to NY from Connecticut and Boston some days) but I simply could never 😅