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ICYMI
Hello! Hi HSR!!
There’s nothing like an aperol spritz on your layover in Rome teasing Euro Summer to realize that we are already in Q2 for 2026. Shockingly, that means we only have 8 months left to achieve our goals before everyone starts recapping their year. I spent some time reflecting on Q1 of 2026 while we were in Africa and it’s wild how much you can do in 90 days especially with Ai. I am fully on the Claude train and completely stopped using ChatGPT, despite them really bolstering their entertainment roster with their latest landmark acquisition of TBPN right after coming off the heels of poaching Instagram’s Celebrity Whisperer, Charles Porch in newly created role as OpenAI’s VP of global creative partnerships, it’s clear OpenAI is going after culture. I actually loved this thread from Gary Vee about culture and the importance of it moving forward in an ever-changing world.

It’s a good thing I was promoted 5x levels forward in Claude this month and I don’t believe in jet lag because I’m stepping into 2 really busy weeks and a bunch to catch up on. I’ve been asked to recap Africa and I absolutely will on TikTok but truthfully, it felt nice to not focus on content and just live. I spent most days off my phone, reading, writing, being in in nature, playing games with my husband, thinking, even taking french lessons and drinking a ton of Aperol Spritz’. I was reminded of all the things that make me MSR, not only HSR. I actually changed my entire IG bio to reflect it and the new era that I’m in personally.
One of my favorite parts of the last few weeks was how much reading I got done. CJR and I started a couples book club on our honeymoon, which feels very us. Truthfully, I think everyone should read these 3 or at least add to your list.
Open by Andre Agassi really surprised me. I had no ideal how misunderstood he was, and how much criticism he faced, while on his way to becoming #1. It emphasizes the importance of a good team (and how to pick it), managing public perception and starting over. A lot of solo pioneers and misunderstood people need to read that book.
My Life in Full: Work, Family, and Our Future by Indra Nooyi is one of the most remarkable biographies I’ve ever read. Every woman needs to read it, and frankly every man who wants to support one should too. It gets into the reality of being a woman executive, balancing family expectations, the differences between men and women in the workplace, and the challenge of delivering short-term shareholder results while trying to shift long-term consumer perception at one of the biggest companies in America. The fact that Indra came from a small town in India and became CEO of Pepsi is just wild. I read it in two days.
And 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene honestly feels like table stakes if you want to be in business or successful. It was a very good reminder read for both of us because we had read versions of it before, but not in full like this and I’m ready to take on Q2.
I promised some angels in the YouTube comments that I’d shared the links to the bomber jackets I’ve been wearing on recording days! This Vista Bomber Jacket and ASTR the Label x Revolve Sorine Jacket have been on heavy rotation, they’re both from REVOLVE, and both are under $175.
This Week’s Mood Board


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Try This Trick To Speak More Clearly
What if “Lucky Girl Syndrome” isn’t luck at all, but a mindset you can actually master? That’s why I ask for a discount in almost every store I go into. Not because I think I’m going to get one, but because if you never ask, you’ll never get one.
Last week on Hot Smart Rich, we featured confidence coach and behavioral researcher Dr. Shadé Zahrai, who breaks down why some women are instantly taken seriously while others struggle with self-doubt, overthinking, and shrinking themselves, unpacking the hidden habits that hold ambitious women back, the psychology behind confidence and self-worth, and how to shift your mindset, communicate with authority, and stop second-guessing so you can be seen, heard, and respected in any room… ready to become that woman? Watch the episode now.
Consumer Gossip
all the brands, people, places, things we’re gossiping about this week

Women’s Health & Beauty
Heranova validated a non-invasive blood test for endometriosis, signaling a breakthrough in faster, less invasive diagnosis. — Femtech Insider
BYOMA expands to 140 Sephora Canada stores, doubling down on barrier repair as the next skincare frontier. — Retail Boss
Amazon and Walmart dominate beauty conversion while TikTok and YouTube still own discovery, as AI reshapes how we shop. — Beauty Independent
Almay taps Miranda Kerr as the face of its relaunch, betting on clean, legacy beauty credibility. — PR Newswire
MAC launches its first UK affiliate program ahead of TikTok Shop, signaling the next phase of social commerce. — The Industry Beauty
Beauty brands are accelerating launches and innovation cycles, reflecting a hyper-competitive, trend-driven market. — BeautyMatter
Media, Entertainment & Creator
Pinterest launches its first shoppable TV series on Roku, turning saved boards into bingeable, buyable content. — Retail Boss
Into The Gloss goes IRL with fragrance-first events, signaling the return of community-led beauty media. — People Brands and Things
Reality TV may be losing relevance as audience behavior shifts toward new formats and platforms. — New York Times
Netflix hikes prices again, betting consumers will keep paying for premium streaming. — Variety
The influencer marketing platform market is exploding to ~$37B in 2026, as brands double down on creator-led growth. — Yahoo Finance
SXSW 2026 confirms the creator economy is shifting from content to ownership, community, and IP. — Fast Company
Fenty Beauty launches an AI beauty advisor on WhatsApp, bringing personalized shopping directly into DMs. — Afro Tech
Consumer, E-Commerce & Retail
Emma Chamberlain drops a 78-piece furniture collection with West Elm, starting at $20. — Bricks Magazine
Kelly Wearstler x H&M Home teases a design-forward collab, pushing high-design into mass retail. — H&M Home
Dossier secures new investment to fuel retail expansion, doubling down on accessible fragrance. — WWD
Tech, Business & Investing
Figr raises $2.24M to build a “personal layer” for fashion, turning fit and sizing into infrastructure. — TradedVC
OpenAI acquires TBPN, signaling deeper moves into AI infrastructure and ecosystem control. — OpenAI
LVMH posts its worst start to a year, raising concerns about a slowdown in global luxury demand. — Bloomberg
How Two Best Friends Turned Giggling Into a Multi-Million Dollar Business

You’re making a mistake if you look at Giggly Squad and think this is just a girl chat podcast. It is allegedly $10 million business and is taking over Hollywood.
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