Aly's Newsletter: Wacky Wednesday Edition

Good morning from beautiful Brooklyn - where the garbage hasn't been picked up in days due to snow removal, but no one around here is removing the snow, either. 

Please be sure to visit this winter and check out the awe-inspiring snow-capped mountains of trash bags. You won't be sorry.

Speaking of winter, a reminder to trust meteorologists, not rodents, when reading weather predictions.

What's cooking, good looking?

I've been in a soup/stew mood of late, and yesterday I made a classic -- spicy chili, in the slow cooker. This is a great batch meal to make and freeze in portions, and is surprisingly easy to make. The recipe is on my Instagram right now if you want to check it out!

alywalansky

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What are you watching this week?

Going to have to keep TV chat short today because I have a HEAVY day of deadlines and also am booked for a virtual consulting session this afternoon. (Check in with me if you are interested in me helping your team out, we can chat everything from virtual events to press trips to mailer do’s and don’ts!)

But I wanted to say: Last night's This Is Us was a great episode, and I'm going to go through withdrawal until it returns after the Olympics (where I will obviously be glued to figure skating and no other sport).

I've also JUST completed season 1 of Euphoria and am immediately steamrolling into season 2...and I can't believe I'm so into this type of show but I am. It's soapy and dramatic and ridiculous in all the best ways!

Back to school...

Well, sorta. Bryce and I are taking this month-long Substack workshop that is sort of built on the concept of community building and creating a space for writers to offer and give support, feedback, and collaborate. The hope in doing this is to make our newsletters a more helpful and useful spot for our own readers and community but maybe make some interesting and fun new creative friends in the process. But, what's fun is that we totally have seminars, and group projects, and even homework, just like in real school! My inner nerd is pleased.

Job Leads

Speaking of helping each other, here's some new job leads that have been sent to me in the last few days. If you have a job lead, please email at alywalansky@gmail.com and include all the information you will need me to include. Please don’t forget to include how people can contact you!

Seeking Freelance PR Pros (Remote): Seven Hills Communications, a micro-agency working with mission-driven and female-founded brands, is looking for a few freelancers for incoming clients with specific focus areas. They are looking for pros with experience in digital health as well as fashion/style (specifically pitching indie clothing brands). Hours vary from 10-15 a month for single client support up to 40+ depending on areas of expertise, with growth potential. Please reach out to kristen@sevenhillscommunications.com if you may be a fit!

Looking for an LA based rockstar for a 6-8 week freelance gig to support pitching the upcoming adaptive fashion show for Runway of Dreams at NeueHouse. Designers include: Kohl’s, JCPenney, Stride Rite, Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive, Zappos, Target and small businesses. It’s the first time all of these brands are on the runway together. 65+ models, all of whom have a disability or difference, will be rocking these adaptive mainstream clothes and footwear. For many, it will be the first time they can dress independently. Also looking for talent to attend front row and VIP red carpet. If interested in helping in any way, please email rates, experience, and opportunities to marnie@thesocialstatusco.com

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 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!

To pitch me for this, please email alywalansky@gmail.com. It’s very helpful if you do NOT just click reply on this newsletter when pitching me. And if you do email me regarding contributing to a story, it’s important you follow through. I had a bunch of expert sources email me about giving expert quotes for a story - and THREE of them went MIA and flaked on me. Not cool!

Stories of mine that have published in the last few days:

Celebrate Valentine’s Day With An At-Home Chocolate Tasting

Try Plant-Based Aphrodisiacs To Set The Mood This Valentine's Day

We’re in Love with These Sweethearts Candy-Covered Crocs

This Alfredo Bread Bowl Is Rich, Creamy Comfort Food at Its Finest

How To Clean Electronics Without Damaging Them (and All the Tools You’ll Need)

How to get Martha Stewart's most perfect pastries shipped to your door

Krispy Kreme reveals four new doughnuts for Valentine's Day

Have a good day! Think good thoughts and drink even better coffee!

<3

aly