issue #6 - the issue on money, love, and Chipotle

Happy Saturday!

Anyone else have one of those weeks? I did.

And as badly as I wanted to hide from all the hard conversations, frustrating e-mails, and brain draining work (and I really, really wanted to), I tackled one small task at a time.

I also let myself enjoy far more sweets and buy more books, but they were the perfect rewards for staying on task and doing the hard work.

We’re taking our last family vacation of 3 next Monday to Disney World, so I’ll be running around this weekend packing, grooming, and getting the last little bit of work done.

And while I won’t be cooking on IG Live on Sunday, I will be packing! Join me at 3 pm ET to see what and how I’m packing for Rho and myself for Orlando.

#ThingsILove

• My new laptop case from Chic Geeks

• These vitamin C serum pads (I love and use the serum already, but the pads are perfect for travel)

• My friend Chris’ memoir - The Master Plan: My Journey from Life in Prison to a Life of Purpose - is one of the best books I’ve read. Period.

• Bad On Paper’s Galentine’s Day episode (thanks for the shoutout ladies!). Their Facebook group also hooked me up with some brain candy book recommendations for our trip next week!

• I bought this bath pillow after being bombarded on Instagram by its ad. Will let you know if it’s a winner!

The Top 5

• The Love Story I Never Thought to Tell (A Cup Of Jo)

• Inside Chipotle's Plan to Make You Love It Again (Time)

• Why Does It Feel Like Everyone Has More Money Than You? (Harper’s Bazaar)

• How a heart-shaped candy box came to stand for love (Vox)

• Research-Based Advice for Women Working in Male-Dominated Fields (HBR)

The Catch Up

Monday

• If Your Idea of Hyper Effective Is Waking Up at 4 a.m., You Might Not Have the Flexibility You Need (LinkedIn)*

• 10 women. 10 life or death tales. (The Lily)

• A Career in Cannabis: Alex Capano Explains the Science of CBD and Her Path to Becoming an Expert (The M Dash)*

• Her Title: Cryptologic Technician. Her Occupation: Warrior. (NYT)

Tuesday

• In the ‘Year of the Woman,’ Many Were Missing From International Reporting (The Atlantic)

• Why Tibi Founder Amy Smilovic Could Be America’s Most Fascinating Designer (Refinery 29)

• Health insurance is as big as Big Tech (Axios)Things to consider - profit margins are slimmer in health insurance than tech and each of these insurers have their own PBMs (which means they’re negotiating drug prices directly with manufacturers). But the jump in revenues for all 5 companies from 2018-2019 is significant. Have you received better service or coverage in the past year from your health insurance company?

• How I Get It Done: Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (The Cut)

Wednesday

• The hidden environmental cost of Valentine’s Day roses (Vox)

• Thousands of Texans were shocked by surprise medical bills. Their requests for help overwhelmed the state. (Texas Tribune)

• Gobble Launches Sunday Meal Prep After Having Success With Walmart (Forbes)

• My Morning Routine: Getting 2 Kids To School May Sound Easy. But, It’s An Art (Jenn Falik)

Thursday

• The Secret History of Women in Coding (NYT)

• Inside The Largest And Most Controversial Shelter For Migrant Children In The U.S. (NPR)

• For these angel investors, diversity means more than just white women (Fast Company)

• Brie Larson on superheroes, success and her Hollywood sisterhood (Marie Claire UK)

Friday

• Ashley C. Ford on Human Storytelling, Financial Wellness, and Learning to Ask for Help (Girls’ Night In)

• How Amazon's New York playbook backfired (Axios)

• Bipartisanship: Two history-making women already showing how it's done (CNN)

• Hospitals are making a lot of money on outpatient drugs (Axios)

If you like what I’m sending, please forward it with someone you love (or someone you don’t). Or both.

Everyone could use some smart reads in their life.

xo,HPN