Aly's Newsletter: Back-To-Work Edition
Real question: How many of us actually left work in the last two weeks? Nope, me either.
Happy new year!
Some of you may, like me, often struggle with exactly when we're supposed to stop saying Happy New Year each year.
Is it 3 days in? (That'd be today...I'm skirting the limit!)! A week in? Two weeks in? Would welcome anyone who wants to address this in the comments below!
As I'm trying to do the responsible thing and hunker down at home as much as possibleĀ until this whole Omicron wave is over, I spent NYE at home with my pups, eating air fryer chicken wings and watching Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper on CNN.
(To be honest, that's my ideal way of spending NYE even when there's not a global pandemic. Going out on NYE is always so needlessly stressful!).
And, for those of you not watching regularly, Anderson and Andy are HILARIOUS.
Some things for us to talk about...
In 2021, there were a few months there that things started to feel almost like the before-times. Many of us returned to press trips and press dinners and media events again, and Zoom became a supplemental thing rather than the only thing. On a personal note, I finally got to see beloved friends I had not been able to see in nearly two years.
Unfortunately, Omicron has sent many of us back inside, and back to a place where all in-person meetings and events are again (we hope very temporarily) a no-go for many people. Thankfully, we all know at this point that virtual events are still a viable option. In fact, I already RSVPād for some great cooking/cocktail ones in the next few weeks (and am even hosting one next week Iām pretty excited about).
As I mentioned over the holidays, starting this month I will begin to offer weekly supplemental additions of the newsletter for paid subscribers.Ā While all my daily newsletters where I share what I am working on and newly published links will always remain free and available to everyone, there'll also be an optional subscription upgrade available for additional features and assorted other added values that Iām still working on (feel free to comment below if thereās anything specific youād like to see.
The fee for the subscription upgrade will be very small (about the price of buying a friend a latte once a month!). Later this week, I'll send out my first supplemental newsletter and address the topic of events and trips in the age of Omicron (and how Zoom events may need to again take precedence and include some tips on planning and executing one that people will be excited to attend). If you want to get those and future paid newsletters, please upgrade your subscription now.
If you are not interested in being a paid subscriber, that's fine! The free newsletter will continue to be available to everyone always!
Here's what I'm working on right now:
AllRecipes: I'm doing a story on slow cooker liners.Ā Those who sometimes watch me cook on Instagram know I use these religiously in my own slow cooker cooking, and I'd love it if credible experts can weigh in on if they do as well (or why they don't), and why, as well as some pro tips/warnings, etc.
HerMoney: For HerMoney, I'm working on a roundup of the 5 best work perks incredible female founders offer at their companies. This story is tied to National Fun at Work Day.. Are you having fun at work? Hopefully, yes! These female founders have ensured that their employees have the best work environments possible. Hereās a look at what they offer (and why we totally want to work there now, too!). Would love if you can email me some founders/perks that may fit into this by EOW.
Also for HerMoney, I'm working on a story on a pantry refresh. Ā So, getting rid of expired foods, half eaten packages and re-organizing the chaos that is your food cupboard. Of course, we all WANT to do this, but it can be both expensive (money and time-wise) and overwhelming. I'm hoping to make this a rundown (with expert tips) on double-checking labels and throwing out those items youāll just never eat, to clean out your spice and cooking cabinet. Basically, this is a primer on how to refresh your pantry for the new year. Would love experts to weigh in. By EOW also for this one.
SPY.com: For SPY, I'm working on all of the following:Ā Best valentineās gifts to get on sale now
Best valentineās day gift baskets
Best self-help books
How-to-sell unused gift cardsĀ (would LOVE expert sources to weigh in over email for this one!)Ā
To pitch me for any of the SPY product-centric stories, please be sure to start a new email, email alywalansky@gmail.com and include the name of the product, a link where sold online, and a description. Long lists of nothing but URLs are lazy and often end up in my spam!
Forbes.com: I'm rounding up great mocktails available right now at bars and restaurants. Many are exploring Dry January and that doesn't' have to mean ordering water when they are at a restaurant! To pitch me for this, the drink must currently exist on a menu. Please include the following in your pitch to be considered (if ALL elements are not there, please wait to send):
Name of drink
where soldĀ (name of restaurant, city, state)
description (do not need a recipe)
quote from bartender/bar manager about drink
image of drink
(By Friday please!)
Here's what has published in the last few days:
AllRecipes
Diet Sodas Are Disappearing From Store Shelves ā Here's Why
The 7 Best Hot Food Containers to Carry on a Snow Day
The Best Water Filters for Cleaner, Better-Tasting Water
5 Ways to Create a Cozy Bedroom for a Good Night's Sleep
Clean Plates
Dietitians and Nutritionists Tell Us Their 12 Healthiest Weight Loss Strategies
Food Network
Salt & Straw Makes Ice Cream Collection That Tastes Just Like 2021
Goalcast
When Shaq Discovered A Teen Boyās Mom Couldnāt Afford Extra-Large Shoes, He Did This
Forbes
7 Delicious Black Eyed Pea Dishes To Enjoy As We Hope For A Better 2022
Feeling The Cream Cheese Shortage? Hereās How To Make Your Own At HomeĀ
SPY.com
Best Products for Single People Flying Solo This Valentineās Day 2022
The Best Smart Coffee Makers To Help Upgrade Your Morning Routine
Never Break the Cork Again Thanks to These Electric Wine Openers
The 10 Best Vaccine Card Holders for Staying Organized
As always, if you or your client are featured in any of my stories, it's VERY appreciated if you take the time to share the post on your social media and tag me and the outlet.
Ā You think you don't have time to do that?Ā Chrissy Teigen found the time just last week when I mentioned a robe from her Cravings collection in a gift guide. You can too!
On the cooking front, last night on my Instagram stories, I made cacio e pepe with spinach and shrimp. Tonight, Iām thinking healthyish air fryer eggplant parm! Please join me if you want to cook along.
Have the best day!
<3
aly
I'm confused why this newsletter is tagged as being about travel. I've read several and don't see anything travel related.
Happy New Year! I'm interested in the subscription newsletter but would like to see if you ever cover topics on fitness and nutrition that may appear in the paid version? Thanks! Amy