VARSITY READER: issue #19
five great reads, the best career advice I've ever heard, and five stellar summer buys
Happy Thursday! I’m back in NYC from my cross-country road trip, and happily sleeping in my own bed.
I shared our entire itinerary on Instagram if you’re looking to take a road trip soon—and overall, highly recommend! As long as you’re fueled by good snacks, good jokes, and good company, you can go anywhere.
I’m headed to the Jersey Shore this weekend for my dad and sister’s joint 61st and 22nd birthday party. My aunt and uncle hosted their 60th / 21st last year, and we had such a great time that we’re doing it again.
I put together these goody bags last year and they were a hit...maybe I have something up my sleeve for this year too. 🎉
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:
Have We Reached Peak Baby Name? (NYTimes): The wacky and wild baby names that will soon dominate a kindergarten near you.
Want to go back in time? Visit a school where all cell phones are banned (Washington Post): A super interesting experiment—especially in the wake of the Surgeon General’s social media warning.
Passed Out on Gummies (NYMag): The rise of melatonin gummies among kids. An investigation into how they became so popular.
Home Economics No. 5: Living in the New Jersey Suburbs on a $800K Joint Income (
): is the founding editor of Refinery29’s Money Diaries—the anonymous, voyeuristic money confessionals we all love. She’s since replicated the format on Substack…and it’s just as juicy. Highly recommend subscribing and digging through the archives!10 random things that have made my life easier (
): The Substack equivalent of a “what’s in my purse” video. I always love learning about the random items that bring people joy.
Career tip of the week
You probably wouldn’t guess my favorite social media platform. It’s not TikTok, Substack, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, or X…it’s Reddit.
Why? The platform is a treasure trove for unfiltered recommendations and life advice. A few ways I use Reddit in my day-to-day:
Find real reviews of products that have suspiciously high reviews (especially products frequently mentioned by influencers)
Get restaurant and travel recommendations from locals
Stay up to date on what’s going on in my neighborhood (if there’s a new candy store opening, I need to know about it)
Reddit is also an incredible platform for advice. Their AITA (“am I the a**hole?”) forums are always fun to browse through when you have some downtime. But the platform is equally good for career advice. A few gems I uncovered this week:
Time is the most undervalued resource in the world. Don’t undervalue yours.
When someone offers you a great opportunity you don’t know how to do, always take it and figure it out as you do it.
It’s not about how well you mean something. It’s about how someone else receives it.
No one’s going to look out for what’s best for you more than yourself.
A few damn good buys
This week’s column is a random grab bag of good stuff. Summer fashion, genius kitchen upgrades, good snacks…all things I’ve personally purchased.
The perfect summer romper. I’m all about an easy summer romper…and especially in an olive shade. This one is $80 and an excellent buy. This one is on its way to me (thank you @lovesbydaniporter on IG for sharing this find!)
The comfiest raffia heels. I wore these heels to my sister’s college graduation, and they were the right pick. Adorable (love the scalloped detail), high-but-not-too-high (3.5 inch heel), and super comfy amidst a 8.5k step day. Currently on sale for $68 ($85 is the list price, but you get 20% off if you’re new to this retailer).
3. The genius plastic bag variety pack. A very random but excellent find. My “junk drawer” is full of random plastic bags. I never seem to have the ones I need on hand. BUT this organizer reigns supreme. It has every bag you might need (sandwich, snack, freezer, gallon). Can’t believe other companies haven’t thought of this! $13 and so worth it.
4. The chicest black & gold sandals. These $25 sandals hit shelves earlier this summer and quickly sold out. I snagged a pair and *love* them. I was lusting after a similar, much pricier pair, but happily settled for this pair. Ultra-comfy, and I love the gold toe detail. All sizes are now back in stock!
5. The best gluten-free pretzels. My sister and fiancé are both gluten-free, which makes me a GF expert by default. I’ve spent hundreds on GF snacks that promise a lot…but simply taste like dust. These honey mustard & onion pretzels are THE BEST. I’m not even gluten-free, but a bag will instantly disappear if it’s left by my side. I wish they came in snack-size form so that I could have a little more self-control.
In case you missed it
Liked what you read?
…here’s what you can do to support!
📱Screenshot your favorite part of this newsletter and share it on Instagram. Be sure to tag @smarterinasec
📧 Forward this email to a friend
➡️ For more of this, follow me on Instagram and TikTok!
***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.
Thanks so much for sharing, Julia!!