***Oops! The graphic has been corrected below: When building a custom mat, the outside dimensions of that mat should match the frame size. The inner dimensions are the window that your art peeks through. I definitely made it more complicated than it should have been.

For mats, I default to FrameItEasy because you can get 10% off but there are tons of options all over the internet and locally too. For frames, the possibilities are endless - you can buy bad art that's been well framed, you can shop IKEA or HomeGoods, or you can grab something basic from Amazon and let the mat do the talking.

Since it's Hump Day, here's a little music to get you through the rest of the week: "CD Curated: Power Bottom Autumn" has evolved into a fittingly chaotic playlist. Otherwise, "3 by 7" is a great newsletter that introduces you to three new songs each week.***

*As expected, The Collective fell victim to my new job last week and I can't promise it won't happen again. It's getting really hard to balance everything every week and I've given up on heavily monetizing this newsletter. Why am I telling you this? Because, if you enjoy The Collective, please take the time to share it a friend - referrals and minimal commissions help me cover hosting costs and let me know there's interest in this little passion project of mine.*

I love finding artists via Instagram and supporting them directly by ordering prints. However, although the art might be affordable, framing costs add up quick.

Although not a groundbreaking tip, I thought it was worth breaking down how I afford to frame so much of my art - including some large pieces! (I wish I was cool enough for a sponsorship but here's 10% off your FrameItEasy order!)

- You Only Live Once: Epidemiologists analyze health risks in all the James Bond films. (Biggest risk might be to Bond's sexual partners: 27.1% of them died shortly after sex.)
- The Unbeatable Fall Style of Meet the Parents: Chunky sweaters and killer blazers put it right up there with When Harry Met Sally on your fall style moodboard.
- An Oral History of Queen of the Damned: How an Anne Rice novel became a Hollywood saga involving Aaliyah and a dude from Korn.
- How To Make Friends In Your Thirties: One in five men says they don't have a single close friend.
- 15 of the Most Life-Changing Home Items Under $100: Redditor u/kickbackthisthat recently asked others to chime in with the most life-changing affordable objects they’ve ever bought.
- The 37-Year-Olds Are Afraid of the 23-Year-Olds Who Work for Them: Twenty-somethings rolling their eyes at the habits of their elders is a longstanding trend, but many employers said there’s a new boldness in the way Gen Z dictates taste.
- Do You Have “Smartphone Pinkie”? Here’s How to Fix It.

- Neuroscience says listening to this song reduces anxiety by up to 65 percent.
- Going through a break-up? Here's two playlists: if you ended it OR if they ended it.

- A canned tequila seltzer with real ingredients? Yes, please.
- CBD cold brew? Yes, please.
- A heeled Croc from Balenciaga? No, absolutely not.
- A lasagna sweatshirt? Yes, please.
- Dune was a snooze but these shoes are a dream.
- The last I need is ANOTHER bag but this one is tempting and she's on deep sale, dudes.
- Walmart is killing the game and this hat is a casualty.
- Grabbed a pair of these shelves (a killer CB2 dupe!) and they look even better in person.

I've started traveling for work again so here are my must-packs:
- A foldable backpack from Paravel.
- A packable duffel from Paravel.
- An ear-splitting security door stop.
- A hotel room door lock.
- A Popl e-business card.
- A Zigi band - trust me.