Aly's Newsletter: Back To Work Edition
But did we ever leave???
Happy Monday!
I started this email with “good morning!” and then got so distracted with Cyber Monday happenings that it’s now…afternoon. So good afternoon!
First of all, a very happy Hanukkah to all who are celebrating! It's always so weird when Hanukkah is so early in the season, but as a late December baby, I do kind of appreciate having one less holiday to compete with come my birthday.
Some lighthearted fun (remember that??!) for those celebrating Hanukkah: Search for "Hanukkah" in Google ("Chanukah" will work too), In the Search panel window, you will see a little menorah pulsing for attention. Click on it. The experience is interactive, so you can play with it! It will change every night around candle lighting time for your time zone.
Speaking of things I truly love and appreciate, I started off the holiday weekend by getting reunited with my BFF Bryce!
Bryce moved upstate at the beginning of the pandemic and so us getting to spend time together is an extremely rare treat these days (especially since both of us spent the greater part of a year and a half not leaving our homes). This is only the second time we've gotten to see each other in two years, so we absolutely cherish that time!
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and holiday weekend and now, like me, you are buried in leftovers and trying to be super creative with how to repurpose them. (So far leftovers have involved...turkey stir fry, turkey matzo ball soup, and leftover mashed potatoes became next-day potato knishes!) Want all those recipes? Well...you should be following me on Instagram!
In the news!
Just before the holidays, PR Daily published a story about how PR should adapt to the rise of Substack and the niche newsletters, and I was excited to see that they mentioned MY newsletter as an example, as well as Bryce's , and our friend Alice, and several others. While checking out new newsletters to subscribe to, absolutely add our friend Amber's to your list - I have been friends with Amber for well over a decade and I STILL laugh out loud every time I read her writing. She's just so funny and such a great writer (she's that fun in person, too, BTW.)
Also in the news last week, I was quoted on MarketWatch -- and while I'd like to pretend it was doing something very substantial in a business sense (I mean, MarketWatch!), it was actually just me completely agreeing with Vice President Kamala Harris's choice in French cookware.
Here's what I am working on today and this week (so far):
1 - For AllRecipes, looking for experts to share tips to make your bedroom more comfortable. Also interested in product pitches related to this. (This one is due by EOD tomorrow, 11/30.)
2 - For RetailMeNot, working on the two following VALENTINE'S related stories! (Yes, I know, believe it or not!)
Best Galetine's Day Gifts for 2021
Pets Need Love, Too! Purrfect Valentine's Day Gifts for Pets
For both of these, I would super appreciate any pitches by the end of this week.
3 - For SPY.com I'm working on of the following this week
Best gifts for writers
Best holiday gift baskets for men
Best cookware sets
Best Bluelight glasses
(The SPY stories I hope to have all pitches for by Thursday EOD, but earlier is always better, because if I get everything I need before then, I will wrap up sooner)
There will likely be a handful of new Forbes gift guides coming - all F&B related in some way. Please hold all pitches as I haven’t told you the topics yet (because…I don’t know them myself…) but will post in tomorrow’s newsletter with details!
*For ALL these stories, please start a new email thread and email alywalansky@gmail.com -- and NO DMS please!
And here's some stories that were published or updated over the long weekend.
Those who follow me on social media may have noticed I was VERY busily in Black Friday mode the whole time! (Writing updates about deals as they dropped in real time, not shopping -- I'll be doing the same today for Cyber Monday. All I actually shopped for and bought this weekend was a few pairs of microfiber tights. "Tis the season!)
AllRecipes
Why Does Turkey Make You Sleepy?
Clean Plates
6 New & Seasonal Healthy Products at Trader Joe’s (and How to Use Them)
Food Network
Mariah Carey and Milk Bar Join Forces to Launch a Dreamy Holiday Cake
Spy.com
Amazon Is Offering Major Cyber Monday Discounts — Shop the Best Ones Now (Updated)
Clean Up This Cyber Monday With Sweet SharkNinja Vacuum Deals
Amazon Is Offering Major Black Friday Discounts — Shop the Best Ones Now (Updated)
Win at Holiday Shopping In 2021 With the 40 Best Personalized Gifts
The Best Places To Buy Christmas Ornaments In 2021
The 20 Best Black Friday Mattress Deals in 2021
The Best Black Friday Appliance Deals: Save Thousands at Samsung, Home Depot, Target & More
The Best Kitchen Fire Extinguishers for Staying Safe Through the Holidays
The Best Hanukkah Gifts For Celebrating The Festival Of Lights
Don’t Show Up Empty-Handed! Check Out These 50 Hostess Gift
Have a great day! And tonight on Instagram, I'm going to be making buffalo wings (with a completely dairy-free Buffalo wing sauce) in my new air fryer! Is it dinner time yet???
<3
aly
I saw that pic on your IG and I LOVE it!! So glad you two got to see each other :) And as always, thanks for this Aly!