"In China, instead of "How are you?" people often ask, "Have you eaten?" During the pandemic, sending my mom a picture of my dinner was a reassurance that I was safe."

Listen, this is the only "article" this week and it's definitely worth your time - regardless of your feelings on lions, kings, or Broadway.

This interactive checklist is so simple yet so powerful. I'm not going to set myself up for failure by promising to do it each day BUT it's a great way to check in and on yourself. 

Added to my cart for the title alone obviously. #BigBottomAutumn #ThickGirlWinter

Normally, I suggest three books but I found a loophole for the sake of this super solid list.

Listen, I know this is a random dump of things but think of it as a well-curated and well-managed HomeGoods/TJ Maxx combo. You know, one of the good locations.

P.S. For some reason, the lowest price isn't listed at first glance - almost everything included is on sale so click through if you see something you like because the price is almost always lower.

Filhoses, or Filhó, are a traditional Portuguese sweet fried dough fritter containing pumpkin and whiskey and rolled in cinnamon and sugar. #BigBottomAutumn #ThickGirlWinter

I am the actual worst at saying no. The actual worst. I love these five steps so much that I am going to save you a click.

1. Remind yourself that time is valuable and once it’s spent you absolutely can’t get it back.

2. Ask yourself: “Would I be willing to do this thing tomorrow?” It’s easy to sign yourself up for something in April when it’s only September. Do your future self a favor and try this little exercise.

3. Respond quickly. Don’t leave people hanging once you know you’re saying no.

4. Own your “no” if it’s not a priority (because something else actively is): “Thanks so much for thinking of me. I’m not going to be able to take this on, but I wish you the best with X.”

5. Reframe your “no” to assuage your guilt (if it’s something you genuinely wish you had time for). Acknowledge that this commitment is significant to you, even if you’re not taking it on. A good sample script: “This is so important that it deserves someone’s full energy, and since I can’t do that because I have XYZ other thing, I would be dishonoring the importance of this event/role/weekend getaway by saying yes.”

It me. I'm Collin. Shockingly, I hate talking about myself but here are the CliffsNotes. 31, Texan turned cruise ship character turned Texan turned Chicagoan turned Texan. Event designer and planner. Interior designer and stylist. Corporate badass. Partner and double dog dad. Cursed with an aggressive gluten intolerance but also a passion for bread and no f*cks to give. Why a newsletter? It gives me a creative outlet with a deadline and my therapist says these things are important. Plus, I love to read, shop, share, and most importantly spend time on the internet. I don't sleep.