If you aren’t familiar with SSENSE, it’s the online epicenter for buying luxury brands and high-end streetwear. Founded by the three Atallah brothers, the goal was to take away the obstacles and headaches that could arise from purchasing high-end fashion and democratize the latest, coolest brands.
More than any other platform right now, SSENSE does curation right. They’re painfully aware of which pieces from new collections are a fit for their audience. They show you what’s relevant and hot right now — prioritizing pieces you’ll genuinely like rather than what’s just being pushed by the brand. Now, SSENSE carries brands of all price points from Adidas to Versace.
Another highlight: SSENSE is known for its brand diversity. They often highlight Black-owned brands and showcase collections from people of color and lesser-known designers. To close out Black History Month 2024, SSENSE is teaming up with none other than ESSENCE: a pairing that makes perfect sense.
ESSENCE, the lifestyle publication geared towards Black women, is helping feature three designers and artists: Bianca Saunders, Mowalola, and Stanley Raffington. The series will showcase their designs and tell their story.
According to SSENSE’s site,
“The two brands are turning ESSENCE’s “In The Studio” print franchise into a video series hosted by Lynette Nylander. The series will spotlight the achievements and creativity of Black designers who have significantly impacted the menswear realm. With three episodes, each featuring a distinguished designer, the series offers exclusive insights into their creative processes and journey,”
Meet The SSENSE X ESSENCE Feature Designers
Bianca Saunders
Bianca Saunders
British GQ
Bianca Saunders’ clothing embraces masculinity in womenswear. Her jackets will always be a bit oversized, or the style will mimic a classic streetwear bomber that could have been borrowed from boys like Jeremy Allen-White and Jacob Elordi — a girl can dream.
“The essence of Saunders' clothing lives in the details, which point to how she subverts ideals often associated with menswear.”
Finding the intersectionality between workwear and streetwear, Saunders clothing is genderless and trendy. Some of her signatures include layered shirts, tucked waists, and somewhat minimalist designs.
@babyboyflame Buying Black: @Bianca Saunders #streetwear #menswear #blackownedbusiness #fashion #fashiontok #fashiontiktok ♬ Oldschool - Cookin Soul
Mowalola
Mowalola
Joyce NG
Mowalola, a highly sought after designer whose pieces have been worn by the likes of Rihanna and Naomi Campbell, is a bit of an icon in the fashion world. Her mantra for fashion is “do what you want to do” and that’s exactly the kind of energy Mowalola’s clothes give off.
Much like Bianca Saunders, Mowalola is known for her gender bending designs. Inspired by cinema, many of her collections revolve around movies. And this is on full display at her cinematic runway shows.
She brings an edge to her designs through textures like leather and intentionally placed cutouts. She’s not afraid to make public commentary on race and gender, making her runway shows incredibly popular.
“The British designer has shifted the cultural zeitgeist with her boundary-pushing collections inspired by the world around her.”
@i_d Replying to @JAC So are we! #ferragamo #maximiliandavis #tiktokfashion #mfw #mowalola ♬ original sound - i-D
Stanley Raffington
Stanley Raffington
ESSENCE
In a world where the Chanel black-and-white aesthetic hails ever-popular, especially amongst those emulating Old Money Style and Sofia Richie’s closet, it’s hard to find designers who aren’t afraid of a bit of color…enter Stanley Raffington.
Often incorporating Rastafarian colors of red, yellow, and black as an ode to his Jamaican roots, Raffington isn’t going to shy away from any hue. He quickly rose into fashion prominency when Madonna and FKA Twigs attended his show, which included 3D printed accessories.
Constantly inspired by his Jamaican roots and the nostalgia of past trends, you will see lots of Y2K nods in Stanley Raffington’s clothing. He’s embraced tech in the fashion world by utilizing 3D printing in many of his designs and runway shows, and he’s not slowing down now.
@yungstanz Process behind my 3d printed curve bag. Taking inspiration from the architecture of Zaha Hadid, mixing new technology with natural materials and craft. Available now exclusively at @SSENSE ♬ Never Lose Me - Flo Milli
For The Freedom Of People - Bayard Rustin's American Dream
Emmy Award winner Colman Domingo’s Oscar-nominated performance as Civil Rights activist and LGBTQ+ forefather Bayard Rustin highlights Hollywood’s spotty history of recognizing, portraying, and marketing Black life and culture.
Rustin, written by Julian Breece and Dustin Lance Black brought renewed attention to the co-organizer (with A. Philip Randolph) of Martin Luther King, Jr’s 1963 March on Washington. The rally drew approximately a quarter-of-a-million people to the nation’s capital and featured Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. The march is recognized as a seminal event in our country’s history and remembered as a milestone in Black America’s quest for freedom and civil rights.
RUSTIN | Official Teaser Trailer | Netflixwww.youtube.com
Despite a lifetime of activism, Rustin was relegated to the historical sidelines. Some of the neglect is understandable – organizing is a thankless task and takes place behind the scenes. Rustin’s negligible public profile also stems from the fact that he was gay. As Seneca Vaught, Ph.D. has posted on the America's Black Holocaust Museum site: “During the civil rights era, his homosexuality was seen as a political risk, so he was not able to take the public role many other leaders did. Even today, some who see homosexuality as a sin may not wish to acknowledge him as a civil rights hero.”
Those prejudices are being altered – albeit slowly – and the film is a welcome step in the right direction. It drew mixed notices but Domingo’s turn as Rustin has been widely acclaimed. New York Times critic Manohla Dargis began her review with: “Every so often an actor so dominates a movie that its success largely hinges on his every word and gesture. That’s the case with Colman Domingo’s galvanic title performance...”
“There are three ways in which one can deal with an injustice.
(a) One can accept it without protest
(b) One can seek to avoid it
(c) One can resist the injustice non-violently"
– Bayard Dustin
The film is also noteworthy because it has prompted a fervent discussion about how films are rated. MSNBC’s Derrick L. Middleton believes that “the descriptors for the film’s Motion Picture Association rating make no mention of the specific type of violence present in the movie – which is frequently vivid in films about that period in American history.”
Middleton is speaking of racial violence. Not mentioning it or disguising it provides a distorted view of what audiences will see onscreen. “Given what we know about the psychological impact of depictions of racial violence,” Middleton posits, “there is an urgent need for comprehensive change in how we rate and understand media content.”
In a world where Black citizens are routinely the victims of violence, such misrepresentation “reflects the broader societal challenges in confronting and acknowledging racial issues openly and responsibly.”
“We need, in every community, a group of angelic troublemakers."
– Bayard Dustin
Rustin – Executive Producers: Barack and Michelle Obama's Higher Ground Productions – is directed by DGA Award winner George C. Wolfe (Ma Rainey's Black Bottom) and shines a long overdue spotlight on the extraordinary man who, alongside giants like the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., Adam Clayton Powell Jr., and Ella Baker, dared to re-envision our entire world, and ignited a movement with a mighty march toward freedom.
A Sound Investment — My Experience With Audien Hearing Aids
Editor’s Note: I recently celebrated my 60th birthday. Although I still feel like a 30 year old on the inside — my hearing ability was starting to decline. I discovered Audien and couldn’t be happier with the results.
Here’s What My Life Sounded Like Before Audien:
“Can you repeat that?”
“What? I can’t hear you!”
“Huh???”
These are only some of the phrases plaguing my life these days. My husband will tell you that my hearing ability is not what it once was.
I knew my hearing loss was a real issue when we went to eat at our favorite Italian restaurant and everything sounded muffled. The waiter had to practically yell in my ear to tell me about the specials. As much as I hated to admit it, I definitely needed a hearing aid.
After some internet research and talking with friends, I was completely overwhelmed by conventional hearing aid options. Without knowing how well they’d work for me, shelling out upwards of $5,000 was not something I was ready to do…
Hearing loss has already taken a toll on my day-to-day activities, so the last thing I wanted to do was deal with stressful doctor appointments and an involved fitting process uncertain of what the results would be. Plus, as a self-proclaimed fashionista, I didn’t want a clunky, attention-drawing hearing aid to detract from my fabulous outfits.
I needed something affordable, simple to set up, and discreet — Enter Audien.
Here’s What My Life Sounds Like After Audien:
For only $289, I got the Audien Atom Pro 2 hearing aids delivered right to my door. I was immediately blown away by the super compact size and modern design. With 4 versatile listening modes — Conversation, Noisy Environment, Road Vehicle, and Outdoor — simply hold down the button to switch between them.
After a quick charge, I chose the conversation mode and popped my hearing aids in. They even come with 3 different ear tip sizes (Medium works best for me) to ensure a comfortable fit. I put them to the test by talking with my husband and everything sounded crystal clear. I honestly couldn’t believe the sound quality for such a terrific price.
Audien’s 45 day money back guarantee gave me total peace of mind when ordering. Although it’s safe to say that I won’t be returning these!
Another amazing feature of the Atom Pro 2 is the self-cleaning UV technology within the case. The pandemic definitely turned me into a bit of a germaphobe, so I love the peace of mind that these stay clean automatically.
The real test was going out to dinner with my sweetie — he sounds just like he did on our first date. By amplifying speech and reducing background noise, the Atom Pro 2s totally transformed our dinner dates. No more repeating, no more shouting in my ear, and no more straining to understand. I chose the Noisy Environment mode for our local bistro, and it worked perfectly.
They’re really easy to charge and the battery lasts for 24 hours. This also means no pesky battery changing involved!
Final Thoughts:
The Atom Pro 2, makes the world sound crystal clear again. Talking on the phone’s a breeze and my husband’s vocal chords can finally relax. I truly wish I knew about Audien sooner, as my quality of life is so much better with them.
If you’re noticing signs of hearing loss, I’d totally recommend checking out Audien — with the 45 day money back guarantee, you’ve got nothing to lose!
Should You Boil Your Drinking Water? Microplastics Are A Hidden Menace
In the iconic film TheGraduate, Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman), a young man wondering what do to with his life, is approached by a well-meaning family friend who advises: “There’s a great future in plastics. Think about it.”
That’s the difference between then and now. In 1967 Braddock was urged to get into plastics; in 2024 we’re looking for ways to get the plastics out of us.
Such paranoid thoughts are prompted by a Washington Post piece about microplastics. But first, a quick science class.
Q: What are microplastics?
A: “Primary microplastics are tiny particles designed for commercial use, such as cosmetics, as well as microfibers, shed from clothing and other textiles, such as fishing nets. Secondary microplastics are particles that result from the breakdown of larger plastic items, such as water bottles. This breakdown is caused by exposure to environmental factors, mainly the sun’s radiation and ocean waves.” (National Geographic Society)
Microplastics have been found in human blood, breast milk, liquid and solid waste, and even placentas. It’s in our drinking water and myriad products such as toothpaste. The world’s precious oceans and the marine life that inhabit them are teeming with microplastics.
Plastic has transcended its already horrible reputation as an environmental problem and turned into a matter of health. ClientEarth puts it like this: “Due to their persistence and the chemicals they are made of, studies suggest they can be highly detrimental to the organisms they come in contact with, including by causing reduced feeding, poisoning, and increasing mortality. They also tend to facilitate the transfer of contaminants along the food chain, with potentially grave consequences for human health.”
So how should we deal with these insidious things?
As the Post reports, scientists “Zhanjun Li and Eddy Y. Zeng report that...
...boiling and filtering water helped remove up to nearly 90 percent of the tiny plastic particles, which they write, can be found in 129 of 159 tap water samples from 14 countries worldwide.”
Li and Yeng found that “At high enough temperatures, calcium carbonate (which is commonly found in tap water) will become solid, effectively encapsulating or ‘encrusting’ the plastic particles, and making them easy to remove through a simple filter, such as a coffee filter.”
Is it time to start boiling water before we filter it for use? Li and Yeng state that their research is more about stimulating deeper research into what microplastics do to the planet than household tips. But if you want to be safe, it’s not a bad idea. Boiling water also “kills potentially harmful microbes, parasites, and viruses.” Let the water cool down for 5 to 10 minutes after boiling so any solids present can settle. Then filter the water with the device of your choice.
Scientists are still investigating microplastics’ negative effects on our health. No doubt further means of reducing and, perhaps, eliminating microplastics from our lives will be discovered and codified in the future. Until then, it’s worth doing what we can to maintain our health. It certainly can’t hurt. Chris Reddy — a senior scientist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution — is quoted in the Post: “You will always want to limit non-natural things in your uptake.”
The Worst Thing We Can Do Is Stop Hoping — The Loss of Alexey Navalny
Written by Stanislav Kucher
With the brutal death of Alexey Navalny, there's a lot of pain, anger, and despair on the Internet. I’m talking about normal people, not moral monsters, scoundrels, and prostitutes — and people feel powerless. Many are crying not only over Alexey Navalny but also over the loss of hope: “Hope has died”, they write. But these words are a manifestation of self-pity — a quality that Alexey would least like to see in his compatriots.
And not for the sake of the words Navalny called upon people not to give up. Not for the cool pose he was showing everyone an example of true fearlessness and fortitude again and again while going in and out of the punishment cell.
He was encouraging his adherent — was laughing at his jailers, he joked and always smiled. He never slipped into cynicism, pathos, or vulgarity. He remained a human, a person, “my guy” proving “I could do it, and you can too.”
The worst thing we can do — all of us, who are shocked by Alexei’s death — is to stop hoping. We need to turn hope into a goal, and goals into reality. Yes, only a few are capable of self-sacrifice, as demonstrated by Navalny. From each according to his ability . . . But everyone, no matter where they are, can wipe away their tears, figure out what exactly they can do in their place, make a decision, and act to bring about change. Alexey has said more than once — in his videos recorded while free and in his posts from prison — that there are many ways, you can fight, the main thing is not to lose hope and faith in yourself, not to give up.
By dying, idealists become paragons for their contemporaries' children. Navalny and Nemtsov are heroes: the way they lived will frighten thieves and slaves, and inspire generations of free people around the world. Russia will also change, perhaps not as quickly as Boris and Alexey dreamed, but it will change. And the grandchildren of idiots who are posting abominations in Z-publics will stroll along avenues and squares named after the very heroes their ancestors spread rot about. It’s hard to believe now, but it will happen — just as Nemtsov and Navalny dreamed.
This will happen. Let’s not drown the pain in a cocktail of tears, vodka, despair, and apathy. Ask yourself the question . . .
“What can I do if I don’t want my grandchildren to live in a country of lies and death?”
Depending on your place of residence, occupation, age, talent, and personal qualities, the answers will be different for different people. This is fine. It's important that the question itself be asked first.
Stanislav Kucher, publicist and editor of SamizdatOnline
Real People, Real Results — Uqora Customers’ Honest Reviews
Did you know that "urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most frequent clinical bacterial infections in women, accounting for nearly 25% of all infections”?* Hard to believe, right?!
Our editors were shocked but not surprised. We wondered what it would be like not to suffer. Imagine enjoying life without the discomfort, frustration, the ineffective home remedies, and cranberry juice hacks. Not in our lifetime.
But we wanted to get to the bottom of this common issue and help our readers. After much research, we came across a brand dedicated to spreading awareness of UTIs and tackling urinary health with a fresh approach. Meet Uqora, they specialize in UTI Education and make UTI relief products. In collaboration with physicians and scientists, they also created best-selling urinary tract health supplements that are designed to support women through the life stages that can impact urinary tract health.
If looking to get proactive about your urinary health, Uqora’s most popular bundle the Complete Regimen has three products, designed to support your urinary health from multiple angles:Flush— an easy-to-drink beverage mix with a mild pink lemonade flavor. It offers a quick method to literally flush your urinary tract. It alkalizes your urine, reducing its acidity through a blend of unique ingredients. Flush aims to provide urinary support when you need it most, like after sex, exercise, or while traveling.
Defend— this daily supplement is designed to cleanse biofilm and support bladder wall integrity. Biofilm is a collection of microorganisms bound together that attach to surfaces, like the bladder wall. Defend is packed with active ingredients like turmeric root and green tea extract. It also contains Vitamin D, to help tighten junction proteins in the bladder, essentially connecting cells.
Promote — not your typical probiotic — Promote is a probiotic designed to support "good" bacteria that are specific to the vagina. It features three strains—Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, and Lactobacillus Reuter—which live naturally in a healthy vagina. It's great for individuals seeking additional support in maintaining vaginal health, which has been closely linked to urinary health.
From periods to menopause — and through all life’s changes — when one’s urinary health might need extra support, Uqora’s there for you.
Still need convincing? Uqora's site has a library of over 30,000 uncurated reviews** that can be filtered according to age ranges. But here are a few that caught our editors’ eyes.
If you’re still on the fence, Uqora’s happiness guarantee gives you time to try their products risk-free for 60 days. If you’re not satisfied, simply contact their customer success team for a refund. And you can opt out anytime you want — no commitment. A— a safety net you won’t be needing. But how nice to know it’s there!
While you can buy each product individually, we recommend a subscription for the best value. Uqora's best-selling Complete Regimen starts at only $52 (a $90 value), and automatically renews every 4 weeks. Plus, Uqora will email you 3 days before each shipment, just in case you want to adjust anything.
It’s time to say hello to better urinary tract health. Uqora’s got you covered.
*”https://uqora.info/blogs/learning-center/recurrent...
**These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.
Uqora's dietary supplement products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. Results may vary.
Equelle — Real Users Share Their Menopause Miracle Moments
One moment you're shivering in the freezer section of the grocery store, and the next, you're fanning yourself like you’re melting in a sauna. Menopause is a challenging journey that catches many off guard.
Symptoms can start as early as your 40s and before you know it, you’re suffering from sleep issues, mood swings, hot flashes, vaginal irritation, and muscle aches.
While hormone replacement treatment (HRT) can be effective for some, some. people avoid it due to potential side effects. So our editors hunted down a non-hormonal alternative that helps address the root cause of menopause symptoms.
Readers, meet Equelle, your companion on this transformative journey.
You’re probably wondering how Equelle can treat symptoms related to estrogen decline without hormones.
Equelle is backed by decades of efficacy and safety research by scientific experts. Its key ingredient, S-equol, is plant-based and has a similar structure to estrogen, so it can mimic some of its beneficial effects and help reduce menopause symptoms.
By taking two tablets, once a day, you may see results in as soon as 4 weeks, with optimal relief in 2-3 months. Plus, it ships directly to your door. So no need for a doctor’s visit or prescription!
Sounds almost too good to be true, right?! Well, here’s what real users are saying…
“I’m going on my 3rd month using Equelle and I can feel a big difference. I barely get one hot flash a day, Equelle works!”
-Barbara
“My hot flashes are barely noticeable now compared to how intense they used to be. I’m grateful that I found this. It does take time to work, but it works for me. Thank you, Equelle!”
-Ruth
“I just started my third month and WOW! My symptoms are almost completely gone! This is the first product that’s actually worked!”
-Shannon
“I was suffering from hot flashes and night sweats, but after taking Equelle, they stopped. It’s a miraculous product and I’m so grateful to have discovered it.”
-Hilary
“I’ve been taking the Equelle for about 3 months now, and I can see decreased incidents of hot flashes/sweats. The product has really improved my daily life”
-Dawn
Still unsure? Have a look at the results of Equelle’s clinical trials:
- Month 1 – Women with frequent hot flashes reported daily hot flash relief* and improvements in sleep quality in poor sleepers.**
- Month 2 – Women reported an average of 5 fewer hot flashes* per day and experienced significant relief from menopausal muscle and joint aches.**
- Month 3 – Women reported an average of 50 minutes more sleep per night**, improved vaginal symptoms like irritation, itching, and soreness.*** Plus, significant improvements in overall mood.**
- Months 3+ – After 12 weeks, 92% of women reported they were satisfied with Equelle.
S-equol has minimal side effects and is shown to have no association with breast cancer; no changes in sex or thyroid hormones; and no negative effects on endometrial health.
In general, botanicals or plant-based supplements may result in possible gastrointestinal upset – just something to be aware of when taking Equelle.
A one-month supply of Equelle costs $50, but if you subscribe you save 20% — that’s only $40 — and you never have to worry about running out. Plus, if you’re not happy with your results after 90 days, Equelle will refund you in full.
Some of our editors tried Equelle, and we can confirm it works. Our mood and sleep have improved dramatically. And the hot flushes have vanished — no more arguing over the temperature in the office!
Equelle is a safe, research-backed, non-hormonal solution to menopause. For anyone suffering from unpleasant symptoms or are worried about the risks of using HRT, we highly recommend Equelle’s Menopause Multi-Symptom Relief.
Our Friends At Equelle Are Offering 15% Off With Code NEW15
*In women with greater than 8 hot flashes at baseline
** Versus baseline
***In patients with >9 hot flashes at baseline.
Retail sales from Nov. 1 to Dec. 24 increased 3.1 percent from 2022, according to data from Mastercard SpendingPulse, which measures in-store and online retail sales across all forms of payment. Here's a snapshot of scenes around Miami just before and just after Christmas from big-name stores in malls to independent shops.
Written by Samantha Phillips
It's over. Strolling around December 26th we see the fortunate kids riding their new bikes, gleaming helmets featuring animal ears or dinosaur spikes, and oversized Messi t-shirts freshly unwrapped for Christmas, Hanukah, or Kwanzaa.
Retail sales from Nov. 1 to Dec. 24 increased 3.1 percent from 2022, according to data from Mastercard SpendingPulse, which measures in-store and online retail sales across all forms of payment.
Looking back at the holidaze, here's a snapshot of scenes around Miami just before and just after Christmas. I took the consumer temperature from the perspective of retail workers, security guards, and shoppers from big-name stores in malls to independent shops.
Friday 12/22:
The zeitgeist is anxious this year, what with conflict and wars abroad, mass shootings at home, and global warming everywhere, it's not surprising that I sensed stress in the air at Dolphin Mall in Sweetwater. Bankrate.com found that 54% of holiday shoppers expect to feel financially burdened this year. A retail sales associate at Levis witnessed a shopper crying, piles of clothes in disarray, customers "ripping through the piles and yelling at each other." The most common triggers for conflict? "Someone taking the last item of a particular size." This associate has also witnessed altercations in parking lots when one driver aces another for a coveted space.
Moving right along...
Four o’clock that afternoon. Tension is thick in Anthropologie in Shops at Merrick Park in Coral Gables. Only three registers are available for the line of 50 consumers waiting in line. By eight PM 20 customers are still waiting to make their purchases. A sales associate tells me that the most common customer complaints include no wrapping services, slow-moving lines, and no capacity to ring everyone up via phone. "Someone called us unprofessional because we use registers, not phones as ways to check out, and asked to speak to the manager. People also get mad that there aren't enough gift boxes, but we just run out this time of year."
How does she handle it? By being polite to customers and asking for the same courtesy in return.
Nine PM: Merrick Park’s L'Occitane en Provence is getting ready to close. The atmosphere seems calmer here; it might stem from the scent of verbena and lavender wafting through the small corner store. The sales associate at the counter reflects: "Everyone’s stressed, they come, they go, they come back, two, three times, before making a purchase."
This coming and going might not be such a bad idea. I ask a customer stuck in a line how she deals with stress. After thinking it over, this student from a college in Chicago says: "If you're feeling overwhelmed, take a break. You can leave your stuff and the store, or even the mall, and go back later when it's calmer."
Super Saturday 12/23
11:30 AM: I get an earlier start on what is heralded as the second busiest shopping day after Black Friday. Sephora at the packed Dadeland Mall is already heating up with a line of 30. I ask a frazzled-looking salesperson: What's flying off the shelves this holiday season?
His response: Charlotte Tilbury makeup | Junk Elephant - Bronzing Drops | Brazilian Crush - Cheirosa, $38
Have shoppers been stressed? He says he’s seen customers "In line arguing. Last night someone got mad because a mom was holding a place for her daughter but it looked like cutting. I tell them politely. When in line, remember everyone is there for the same reason.” More body cream is needed. With a parting wink, he tells me it's okay not to send more people to Sephora by promoting it in this article at this exact moment...
Suniland Shopping Center in Pinecrest, a two-block cluster of shops and a post office, the stores have a neighborhood vibe.
Runners High "Your Family Footwear Store." About 20 people are shopping in a small sporting goods store. Penny, the rescue pup and store mascot, trots among the stacks of sneakers and is frequently petted. “Some people come just to see Penny," says Bryon Kibort. "I've owned this store for 24 years and been in this shopping center for 39.” A customer from abroad who always visits the store when he’s in the States says: "The prices are the same as in a big chain but the service is better and it's a unique place."
According to the salespeople, the most popular sneakers are Hoka Clifton and Brooks Ghost.
Photo by Samantha Phillips
A few doors away is another independent store, one of several Books & Books booksellers.
Founded by Mitch Kaplan – also co-founder of the acclaimed Miami Book Fair – this store stands out as a beacon of reading in a state where books are regularly banned. The atmosphere feels serene compared to the mall.
Sarah Paredes, a teenager working behind the counter, tells me: "Bookstores are inherently calm. There are good vibes here all the time. Customers are patient online and banter about book recommendations." Sarah grew up coming to the store and currently attends a local high school. The store is like a family, she says, then adds: "It's funny. I answered the phone, and it was my mom, ordering a bunch of $25 gift certificates.”
A co-worker mentions the comfy seating area and the ability to shop with your eyes. This makes the atmosphere calm even though she's busy with a lot of holiday tasks, from gift wrapping to offering personalized reading guidance. As I wait to buy my gift certificates, a friendly woman explains to me that she has a list of all of Florida's banned books and is going to buy them in triplicate here to give as presents. She also just bought 24 mugs online that say "I Read Banned Books" for her friends. My new acquaintance and I admire a t-shirt on the wall together: "fREADom.”
"Reading stops stupidity,” Sarah tells me in parting. Find your local Indie Bookstore here:
Photo by Samantha Phillips
Next up, a chat with the security officer at a busy Apple store on Lincoln Road in South Beach. He’s noticed that some shoppers look overwhelmed and the stress intensifies the closer they get to Christmas. "People get up against it, but that's not what this season is about. They shouldn't lose the significance of the holidays." How does he stay calm? Some of it’s spiritual, he says, along with the fact there aren't Christmas discounts at Apple – customers know the prices. They have to remain cool. One thing's for sure: this security officer is so chill he might have been born at the North Pole.
December 25th
7:50 PM, ten minutes before this CVS closes an hour ahead of time. Looking for batteries, I watch a cluster of customers and two helpful salespeople. I'm surprised that the mood is so jovial. The salesperson immediately asks me if I need help to find the batteries. I ask what people have been buying, as CVS is one of the few stores (besides a liquor store and an IHOP) open at the Suniland in this area of Miami. “Shoppers are buying chocolate, gift cards, and wine." Everyone’s been really friendly. I know where I’ll be going for same-day gifts next year!
December 26th
Perhaps it was the luck of the draw, but many of the lines at the Dadeland Mall were surprisingly calm.
At Merrick Park's J. Crew, the cashier tells me the biggest stress is people returning gifts without a receipt — and also without the email of the person who bought the present. "They don't know what to do, and this holds up the line."
The cashier at Alo seconds this. "We just expect lines this week through New Year’s, since people have to retrieve receipts and then come in for exchanges, discounts, and to use gift cards."
Takeaways
Breathe deep and keep your receipts.
When shopping, bear in mind there might not be enough items in your size, gift boxes, open registers, or gift-wrapping services.
Keep your cool: If we can spend 20 minutes looking for one gift, it's not reasonable to get mad about time when we can't pay immediately. Half the battle of seasonal shopping is mastering our impatience.
Alternative Gifts
If you're still looking around, like the 50% of Americans including 51% of parents and 75% of people between 18 - 34 who postpone gift giving for themselves or others until after the holidays so they can take advantage of discounts (according to a survey from Best Buy). Here are some more personalized ideas: Experiences: Theater, music, dance, tickets, classes, trips…
• Help stop child hunger in the USA: NoKidHUNGRY
• Donate to Unicef (local or global options)
• Offer up baby or pet-sitting
• Write a poem, story, frame self-made art or a photo
• Enter someone in a raffle that goes towards a cause you care about. For example: Brandi Carlise where your donation goes to the Looking Out Foundation.
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When Life Gets Tough – Uqora Is There For You
Whenever my life gets hectic, I seem to lose sight of my goals and things fall by the wayside. So, I set aside time to get grounded. I sit by myself, slow down, and reflect on what's going on. Are there any issues I need to pay attention to? What habits do I want to break? What's working?
A few months ago, I went through another bout. I was taking an account of things and realized that I was dealing with a ton. I got a promotion and relocated to the other side of the country where I met my new partner. What with setting up my apartment and settling in at work, my diet and personal routines had taken a back seat.
Specifically, I struggled with several UTIs that wrecked my life for weeks at a time. Then I had a thought, could I get proactive about supporting my urinary health. So, I jumped on my phone and quickly searched for “urinary tract health” and up popped Uqora.
Uqora specializes in UTI education and UTI relief products. They also make best-selling urinary tract health supplements that are designed to support me through the changes that can affect urinary tract health. That’s from periods to menopause, and even through the aging process, when one’s urinary health might need more support. For me, a new partner and the stress of a new city was really taking its toll on my urinary health.
I love that Uqora’s site is so informative! They have a library of 25+K unfiltered, uncurated reviews** showcasing real stories of people finding success with their products.
Now, I was super intrigued. And when I saw that Uqora has a money-back guarantee, I was sold. I have 60 days to test their products risk-free and get a full refund if I’m unsatisfied.
When I got my package, I couldn’t wait to get started. I’d ordered Uqora’s best-selling Complete Regimen bundle which features three unique supplements designed to support urinary health from several angles. This bundle is designed for those looking for Uqora’s maximum urinary tract support, so of course I had to give it a try.
- Flush is a drink mix that flushes the urinary tract, keeping you clear when you need it most. It takes effect upon urination and has a delicious pink lemonade flavor. Uqora’s website recommends drinking a full glass once every 3 days or in those moments you need extra support like after sex, when traveling, or just being in a wet swimsuit too long.
- Defend supports urinary tract health in the face of everyday life. Defend cleanses biofilm, which helps to keep the urinary tract clear on a day-to-day basis. It also supports bladder wall integrity.
- Finally, Promote is a vaginal probiotic taken orally that helps maintain healthy vaginal bacteria. Vaginal health is tightly linked to urinary tract health, so addressing vaginal health is key. You can also take Promote alongside other probiotics you may be taking.
When I ask myself now about what's working in my life? What helps me stay grounded? I have to say it's Uqora’s Complete Regimen. With a subscription, it starts at only $52 (a $90 value!) and automatically renews every 4 weeks. And should I want to change anything or need assistance, I can reach out to their customer success team and hear from a real person!
If you’re ready to take a proactive approach to your urinary tract health, check out Uqora!
Our Friends At Uqora Are Offering 35% Off Your First Month Subscription
*https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3749018/
**These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.
Uqora's dietary supplement products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Results may vary.
Norman Lear – Comedy With A Social Conscience
Norman Lear’s work was an integral part of American life in the second half of the 20th Century. Television programs like Maude, Sanford and Son, and The Jeffersons dragged television out of the 1950s and into the real world. As Variety states: “Lear’s shows were the first to address the serious political, cultural and social flashpoints of the day – racism, abortion, feminism, homosexuality, the Vietnam war – by working pointed new wrinkles into the standard domestic comedy formula. No subject was taboo: Two 1977 episodes of All in the Family revolved around the attempted rape of lead character Archie Bunker’s wife Edith.”
All in the Family, which ran on CBS from 1971 to 1979, typified the clash of generations. Middle-aged bigot Archie Bunker – played by Carrol O’Connor – was a right-wing King Lear in Queens, raging at the radical changes in society. Archie didn’t let ignorance get in the way of his opinions; once he argued that people who lived in communes were communists. The thing is, the old dog was actually capable of learning new tricks. Archie never evolved into any kind of saint. But over the nine seasons "Family" aired, experience taught Archie the benefits of listening to (and respecting) viewpoints far different from his own.
All in the Family was the jewel in Lear’s crown, but don’t forget the highly popular shows One Day at a Time (which featured Bonnie Franklin as a divorcee raising two daughters in the Midwest) and Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman (with Louise Lasser as the titular figure in a parody of soap opera conventions). Good or bad, Lear’s work was never indifferent.
More recently, you may have heard about Lear’s lively activism. His TV shows were themselves arguments for free and unfettered speech, and Lear supported a slate of liberal causes. In 1981 he founded People for the American Way. The organization’s website describes the ways that PFAW has “engaged cultural and community leaders and individual activists in campaigns promoting freedom of expression, civic engagement, fair courts, and legal and lived equality for LGBTQ people.”
Lear’s life was a long and fulfilling one. In 1978 he was given the first of two Peabody Awards, the most prestigious award in television. “To Norman Lear,” it reads, “...for giving us comedy with a social conscience. He uses humor to give us a better understanding of social issues. He lets us laugh at our own shortcomings and prejudices, and while doing this, maintains the highest entertainment standards.”
A pioneer, a gadfly of the state, a mensch. To paraphrase a lyric from All in the Family’s theme song, “Mister, we could use a guy like Norman Lear again.”
Sandra Day O'Connor's Nuanced Legacy
The Supreme Court judge who refused to enshrine her personal morality as law
Appointed by President Reagan in 1981, O’Connor spent 24 years as a Supreme Court Justice, retiring in 2006. Her New YorkTimes obituary makes an interesting point: while O’Connor was considered a conservative, the current Supreme Court’s increasing right-wing bias makes many of her opinions and rulings appear (gasp!) downright liberal.
Her is a decidedly mixed judicial legacy.
As the Times notes, at her confirmation hearings, she was questioned about the issue of abortion. She “called the procedure ‘offensive’ and ‘repugnant,’ and said that ‘it is something in which I would not engage.’” Yet she defended Roe V. Wade on several occasions.
“One of her most influential roles,” according to Politico, “was in the 5-4 vote in Bush v. Gore, as she joined justices Anthony Kennedy, William Rehnquist, Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas in a decision that led to George W. Bush’s 2000 election win.” The consequences of this hotly-contested election are still being felt – most especially in what is and what is not being done to stave off global warming and ecological collapse. Had Al Gore, a passionate environmentalist, reached the White House it is safe to say the planet’s health would be in far better shape than it is.
She supported affirmative action in college admissions. Reuters tells us: “O'Connor wrote in the ruling that colleges must strive for diversity ‘if the dream of one nation, indivisible, is to be realized.’” Reuters also informs the reader that her initial lack of support for gay rights changed over time. “In 1986 she voted to uphold a Georgia law prohibiting sexual relations between homosexuals but voted in 2003 to strike down a similar law in Texas.”
Comparing her to the most recent – Trump-appointed – Justices makes O’Connor seem like a figure from a distant past: a moderate who took the opinions of others into account, a judge who refused to enshrine her own morality as law.
A groundbreaking figure, indeed.