Aly's Newsletter: Monday story leads, TV chat, and more!

Happy Monday!

I hope everyone stayed cozy and warm if they were in the path of that ridiculous snowstorm this weekend. We got just under a foot in my part of NYC, but being I live on a residential side street in Brooklyn, any sort of street cleaning is slow to come by. Right now, my block looks something like a snow-capped mountain, without the any of the glamour or ambiance. Or, well, anything appealing whatsoever.

Have I mentioned lately I hate snow? Because, I truly do. As much as I can’t stand rain either, at least when that’s done, it’s done. Snow feels like a never-ending fever dream.

I for the most part spent the weekend cuddled with Lily and Scarlette, staying as far from the outside as possible. In TV news, I finished Kristen Bell's The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window this weekend, and it was everything I love about anything Kristen Bell does. Even when she's playing a part that is traumatized or horrified, it somehow still comes off as dark comedy at its best. (Points, too, for casseroles having a starring role in this series!)

Now, I'm finally beginning to watch Euphoria, and I'm finding it concerning how this series about sex and drug-addled teenagers is somehow more relatable and engaging a series than And Just Like That is...

Also, I’m only one episode in, but The Gilded Age is positively delightful (but then again, I can always be counted on to enjoy a good historical drama!). Here’s hoping this helps me bridge the gap until we finally get Outlander back in March…

This weekend's paid newsletter post was a deep dive into sending an effective and engaging media mailer. If you missed it, you can still catch it and all the other paid newsletter posts on my Substack page. If you aren't a paid subscriber, you can update your subscription below!

Job lead

Sabrina Levine Communications is looking for a PR Rockstar with 3+ years of experience to join their team. They are an energetic, boutique public relations agency with a multi-channel approach and over 20 years of combined brand strategy, PR, social media, influencer and experiential marketing expertise. Their clients range from talent, wellness, lifestyle, hospitality and food, and beauty and fashion brands. They are looking for a strong candidate with a proven track record of driving meaningful results for a wide range of clients. This is a hybrid position with 3 days in the New York City office and 2 days at home. Email info@sabrinalevinepr.com with resumes (and tell them you read about the lead in Aly's newsletter!)

If you have any job leads, always feel free to send them to alywalansky@gmail.com and I’ll drop them in the next newsletter.

Here's what I'm working on right now:

1 - For SPY.com, I'm looking for gender neutral Valentine's Day gift ideas.  Prefer those sold on major retailers like Amazon, Uncommon Goods, Nordstrom, Walmart, etc, but open to really good finds from all. Must be items currently in stock and available to ship and arrive by Valentine's Day.

2. For SPY.com, I'm rounding up the best farmhouse sinks. Interested in items sold on The Home Depot, Lowes, Amazon, also would love if an expert can weigh in re: what they are and what's needed for installation, i.e. do you need to hire a pro? 

3. For TODAY.com, I'm rounding up Valentine's Day food/drink deals at chain restaurants. For clarification's sake, based on responses I got when I shared this lead Friday, I am NOT looking for information on the prix fixe surf & turf at your local bistro. What I AM looking at is if restaurants with multiple locations, ideally regionally or nationally, are doing some sort of special V-Day specific deal, discount or freebie. For example, are you giving free chocolate cheesecake to all guests on Valentine's Day? Are you having a BOGO heart shaped pizza? Are you discounting all garlic-related items as a way to ward off emotional vampires? That's what I'm looking for!

4. For Clean Plates, I'm working on a story and I could use nutritionists to weigh in - if you reach out via email at alywalansky@gmail.com, I can give you more specifics about what I am and am not looking for. 

Here's what published or was updated in the last few days:

Retailmenot

The 15 Best Galentine’s Day Gifts for Your BFFs

SPY.com

JCPenney Diamond Jewelry Is 80% Off For Valentine’s Day, Which Seems Like a Typo But Isn’t

The Best Garage Floor Mats Protect Your Floors from Spills, Gunk & Grime

The 65 Best Valentine’s Day Gifts for Your Boo: Romantic, Sexy & Platonic Gift Ideas

Today.com

Low-carb and keto lunch picks at your favorite fast-food restaurants

Krispy Kreme reveals four new doughnuts for Valentine's Day

Have a great day! 

<3

aly