Weekly Roundup #40: Afropunk and Aaron Rodgers

Happy post-Labor Day, everyone! Just kidding, I know that's the last thing most people want to hear. However, as much as I love summer, I'm also looking forward to wine festivals, leggings and leather jackets, FOOTBALL SUNDAYS and a chance for my bank accounts to bounce back from this hectic season. What are y'all's favorite things about fall? What are you going to miss about summer (besides the long days 😭)? Let me know in the comments! And, as always, if you have any book, music, show, podcast or product recommendations, I'd love to hear them!

Reading

The Gender Game, Bella Forrest. This randomly came up on Facebook and I saw the Kindle edition was $0.99. so I said, fuck it. 🤷🏼‍♀️ The premise was intruiguing, but the actual result? Left a lot to be desired.

10 Things You’re Doing That Make Dermatologists Cringe, PureWow. I can honestly say I don't do any of this, so, cheers!

The Loudest, Proudest Looks From Afropunk, Nylon. I've been living for these looks on their Instagram account. Other accounts I follow have even been reposting. I also was supposed to be there so it's been a great peek into what I missed, fashion-wise. Plus, I realized no matter how crazy I thought I dressed, I'd still be super lame next to all these beauties.

Reclaiming The Pumpkin Spice Latte: My Journey To Seasonal Self-Acceptance, Refinery29. I too have learned to accept my basicness. You basically wouldn't be able to survive (or have an Instagram) without doing so. Also, I love rosé, I recently started making avocado toast with hardboiled eggs on an English muffin for breakfast, I generally love all things pumpkin (but pumpkin spice lattes are actually not my thing) and I love my UGGs. Those things are comfy AF, y'all, and I don't care who knows it. It's time to stop being so hard on ourselves and each other. Things are basic because they're popular because they're good. Take pride in your basic bitch loves.

Rodgers Signs Historic Deal, Bleacher Report. My boy got PAID, y'all! 🤑

Venmo Stories of 2017, Public by Default. This was a really interesting and creative project. Also, a great reminder to put yo shit on private, y'all! If it's something you don't want your old teacher seeing, just switch the little lower righthand setting over to "Private" when paying your weed dealer. Or your Nutella supplier. Whichever is more embarrassing or detrimental to you. 🤷🏼‍♀️ Side note: peep "The Lovers" story and read the comments (yes, you can do this too, crazy)...

You Can Now Stream All Your Favorite ’90s Cartoons On One Platform, Nylon. But's "Doug" is on Hulu and that's really all that matters.

Anything But ‘So Yesterday’: Hilary Duff’s ‘Metamorphosis’ Turns 15, Nylon. I loved this album. I remember making up dance routines with my friends in my basement. It was this or ABBA, LOL.

'Our request was not f***ing out of the ordinary': Bridezilla who asked guests to pay $1,200 to attend her wedding calls it off and breaks up with her fiancé when they refuse to cough up, Daily Mail. I'm so blown away by the balls and utter insanity of this bride. Of course her name is Susan. 😂😂

Goats Like It When You Smile at Them, Extremely Heartwarming Study Says, The Cut. They also like peppermint Tic Tacs...

10 must-see tweets you need in your life to celebrate National Dog Day, Mashable. Dogs are the best thing to ever happen to us and we don't deserve them.

Why Poison Is a Growing Threat to Africa’s Wildlife, National Geographic. Ugghhh, this hurts my heart. I understand locals are trying to protect themselves and their herds or crops, but there has to be a better way than slowly and painfully killing these magnificent creatures.

Child killer Marybeth Tinning granted parole, The Daily Gazette. Munchausen by proxy at its finest...those poor sweet baby angels.

Job satisfaction hits 51 percent, highest level since 2005, The Hill. Job security? Solid. Pay? ...umm, I'm gonna have to lean toward dissatisfaction on that one. Overall, this is nice to read, but 51 percent doesn't seem that high...I suppose when you think about all the jobs across the nation though, it makes sense.

Louis C.K., Aziz Ansari & Matt Lauer Are All Poking Their Heads Back Out, Refinery29. It'll be interesting to see where their careers go after this. I would like to see Ansari, don't care about C.K. and Lauer can go dig himself a hole and stay there, IMO.

Americans Are Getting STDs at Record, Time. Diiidja know Planned Parenthood offered free STD testing? 🙃

TSA Agents Forced A Muslim Woman To Show Them Her Bloody Pad, Nylon. This is 👏🏼 not 👏🏼 okay!! I would demand to know what list I'm on and why the fuck my name is included on it.

Kids are hiring pricey personal stylists for their back-to-school shopping, New York Post. The excess discussed in this story is disgusting...what 3-year-old needs a fucking stylist??

Ben Savage, Danielle Fishel, Ryder Strong & Will Friedle Have an Epic Boy Meets World Reunion, People. I didn't even recognize Eric, at first 😳

White House probes Google after Trump accuses it of bias, Reuters. Oh, please. Google uses the user's own history and keywords to figure out what results would be best for them. It's not Google's fault you're a shitty person and president and thus have mostly negative stories written about you.

California eliminates cash bail in sweeping reform, CNN. I absolutely agree the cash bail is problematic between classes, however, I'm wary of the courts having the power to release people. As mentioned in this article, racial bias can definitely come into play here.

White Texas police officer found guilty of murder for fatally shooting black teen in car, NBC. "Since 2005, only 33 law enforcement officers have been convicted of a crime resulting from an on-duty shooting where someone was killed — and Oliver is only the second to be convicted of murder." Even his partner didn't agree with the accused's version of events. Enough is enough.

John McCain, War Hero, Senator, Presidential Contender, Dies at 81, The New York Times. A true maverick in politics.

John McCain issues subtle rebuke of Trump in farewell letter before his death, The Washington Post. Former presidents will deliver eulogies at the funeral and Trump will not be attending. McCain left us with these words: " 'But we have always had so much more in common with each other than in disagreement,' he wrote. 'If only we remember that and give each other the benefit of the presumption that we all love our country, we will get through these challenging times. We will come through them stronger than before. We always do.' " Essential words in divisive times like these.

As a POW in Vietnam, John McCain refused release until his fellow prisoners were freed, making him a hero in the eyes of many, Business Insider. I knew he was a POW, but I didn't know the details of his time in Vietnam.

Gunman kills 2, then himself at video game tourney, AP. Still no motive known. Either way, yet another senseless act.

Student Loan Watchdog Quits, Says Trump Administration 'Turned Its Back' On Borrowers, NPR. Yuuup. Although, it's scary that that's one less person on the students' side.

Donald Trump can't get his Don McGahn story straight, CNN. Or his Stormy McDaniels story...

The August 28th primaries, Politico.

Why North Carolina Might Have to Redraw Its Gerrymandered Map Before the Midterms, Daily Intelligencer. Federal judges ruled the state's districts were unconstitutionally gerrymandered in favor of Republicans. Because Republicans can't win without cheating 😉

Hurricane’s death toll in Puerto Rico put at nearly 3,000, AP. Uggh, this whole thing is excruciating to watch. The numbers just keep rising and the officials just keep blustering.

Trump hails 'really good' trade deal with Mexico, BBC. I just can't take him seriously. He speaks like a children's book. Anyway, it's possible Mexico will pull out if Canada doesn't agree to the deal and Canada is up in the air, so who knows what will happen.

Former Vatican official claims Pope Francis knew of abusive ex-cardinal, calls for his resignation, CBS. It just keeps coming, to no one's surprise.

Serena Williams' Nike Catsuit Has Been Banned From the French Open, Glamour. Such a joke. You talk about respect and then blatantly disrespect a globally-loved player who wore the outfit for her health and to champion women. All because the president of the French Tennis Federation didn't like it.

Eight-year NFL veteran Eric Decker announces his retirement from NFL, CBS. And no one will notice he's gone.

Warriors' Stephen Curry speaks up for women's equality in Players' Tribune article, CBS. I love this. I knew there was a reason I liked him (other than his incredible skill).

Odell Beckham Jr. agrees to extension to be highest-paid WR, ESPN. Max $95 million, guaranteed $65 million...I mean, congrats? But, ugh, he just seems like a douche, why'd it have to be him haha.

Ortega’s Nicaraguan govt behind widespread repression, AP. "The report by the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights calls on the government of President Daniel Ortega to immediately halt the persecution of protesters and disarm the masked civilians who have been responsible for many of the killings and arbitrary detentions." Y'all. People have to live in this. Normal humans trying to go about their day and they have to be frightened of being shot down as they go to the grocery store. It's terrible.

UN team: Myanmar military chiefs should face ‘genocide’ case, AP. Yes, agreed. 10 times over. Their respect for human life when it comes to  Rohingya Muslims is non-existent.

She wanted to be president, but ended up jailed instead, CNN. So much hope dashed so violently.

Listening

Cute Whore. This is by no means a super new band with their first song released in 2016, but I came across it while Insta stalking Degrassi actors. Cute Whore is a duo made up of Maya Matlin (Olivia Scriven) and Tristan Milligan (Lyle O'Donohoe or Lettau) from Degrassi: Next Class. Like what?? My reaction exactly. Their Instagram is super weird so I was intrigued and then pleasantly surprised when I actually was into their music. I'm partial to their latest song "Splitz." The melody is already pretty psychedelic and the addition of Scriven and Lettau's sultry vocals only amp up the sexual undertones.

EZoo. My boyfriend and I went to Electric Zoo for the 10th anniversary this past weekend and had sooo much fun. Gramatik, Parker, Hippie Sabotage, Zeds Dead, Rezz, ugh, they were all so good.

Watching

Giants locker room celebrates news of Odell Beckham's deal, Giants Wire. I may not love OBJ, but I thought it was super sweet how excited his fellow players were for him. 💙❤️ Plus, I like the Giants, in general, hi, Eli!

I Can’t Stop Watching Trump’s Tragic Struggle to Figure Out Speakerphone, The Cut. Ahhhhhahahahaha I'm dying.

Loving

Trader Joe's dips. Guys, I have a problem. I'm obsessed with nearly every frozen meal I've tried, the cookie butter, the mochi, it's ridiculous. But, most of all, the bf and I have a dip problem...we are now at three must-haves. Every time we go to TJ's, we buy the avocado and jalapeño dip, the bleu cheese and roasted pecan dip and the olive tapenade. It's seriously embarrassing because it's every. time. But, god, it's all so so good.