We’re bringing back our favorite unhinged texts of the week, including this gem that shows the power of a post-holiday hair journey.

Last week we asked how you planned to ring in the New Year, with some follow-up questions on insta. Most of you opted for low key or cozy vibes, but a handful of girlies were up for chaos.

On insta we asked the girlies the main theme on their minds that night, and 41% said “who I’m becoming next year,” 37% said “what I’m hoping to achieve next year,” 16% said “what I’m proud of accomplishing” and 6% said “who was I this year?”

While deep in debrief mode with some girlies (and our partners… and some champagne of course) on NYE, we found ourselves reflecting on how strange age can feel. When we asked each other how old we actually felt, not a single person said their real age.

So we are bringing it to the poll this week:
Do you feel younger, older, or exactly your age?

🪨 We are all hoping for “fortune and glory” for the Disney park worker at the Indiana Jones Spectacular who was injured while shielding guests from a runaway 400-pound rubber boulder prop.

🔦 ICYMI, the internet was abuzz with the photos of Tom Brady and Alix Earle together in St. Barts, and lots of people loved that his cell phone flashlight was on while they held hands.

⌨️ Jordon Hudson (24) started the new year by making sure to remind us that it’s her + (her 74 year old boyfriend) Bill 4eVeR and haters be damned. Actually, her caption is too good not to share. It reads “Keep swinging, Keyboard Warriors. Your illusion of righteousness only fuels my authenticity.”

🥔 Kat Stickler and John Mayer were spotted together in Montana…. do we think this is PR? Either way, the best comment on the photo - was this taken on a potato?

🎤 K-pop fans are tuned in as NewJeans reportedly face tensions with their label, reopening conversations about creative control.

💇‍♀️ Red carpet season officially begins tonight with the Critics Choice Awards. WWD reports that celeb hair and makeup artists are predicting a shift toward sleek, polished updos this year—less “effortless and undone” more “precision and creativity.”

👠 Paige Desorbo is definitely not teasing a Devil Wears Prada cameo. She was spotted on set in NYC and didn’t confirm or deny when asked about her appearance. I’m personally seeking the color of the nail polish she has on in the video.

❤️‍🔥 Kelsea Ballerini is rolling back out the welcome mat for Chase Stokes. The two confirmed they are officially back together in a PDA forward Instagram post.

Carol: Am I an influencer now? (Spoiler: I am not).

This weekend I went to NYC for NYE with my boyfriend of 2.5 years, and I know what you’re thinking…did I get engaged the viral $25 Chinatown blowout? Yes.

The viral $25 Chinatown blowout is everything promised and more. The full story—complete with Amy (now family), the assembly line of TikTok blondes, the man with two hair dryers in one hand, and my response to the very concerned IG comments is up on Substack.

As promised also on IG (WHO IS SHE?!), I present to you: The MFK Baccarat Rouge 540 Dupe Deets. ⚠️ Please proceed with caution ⚠️. Normally, I would wait to give you the details until I was sure of a recommendation but I made a pinky promise to the girlies that I would spill the deets today.

While I was in NYC, I stumbled into Dossier in Nolita. They specialize in designer fragrance dupes. Usually, I’m leery of fragrance dupes but I was immediately impressed by their Ambery Saffron. It was the most spot-on Baccarat Rouge 540 dupe I’ve ever smelled. I tested it in-store on my body, walked around for a bit, made my boyfriend smell it a bunch and validate that it smelled good, and then purchased along with Woody Sandalwood (their Le Labo Santal 33 dupe).

I wore it around NYC like a luxe girlie and texted everyone I know to buy it (literally everyone, I’ve had to send a lot of follow up texts). There happened to be an online end-of-year sale, so naturally I panic-purchased multiple bottles because I was convinced 2026 was my year to smell like a luxury candy marshmallow.

But… around hour 72, the scent fully changed. I don’t know if it was air exposure, a batch issue, or the universe telling me I’m not built for 540 life, but it smells different on me now…and not in a good way. The only silver lining is that the bad smell doesn’t last…like at all. When my backup bottles (a shocking number) of Ambery Saffron arrive from my panic order, I’ll test and report back for the girlies like the journalist I am. 🫡

Good news: the Santal 33 dupe is holding strong, so I can recommend that one for $49.

Skylar: Let’s get rejected.

The day after Christmas, while I was still fully in my holiday cozy era, pretending my fourth pre breakfast peppermint bark still “didn’t count”, I saw a post that felt like a gentle nudge toward how I want to set my intentions for the new year. A girlie spent her year actively trying to get rejected. Along the way? Magic happened.

While I have seen so many versions of this psychological theory, this somehow felt like a more actionable way to let go of fear-based thinking? Of leaning into the things that induce cringe avoidance. Of talking myself out of actively pursing the very things I want. If I boldly told the world I wanted to get rejected, I suddenly had permission to just go for it. And something really did shift in my brain.

I caught myself in the shower thinking about all the ways I could boost those numbers by doing the things I already think about (but usually convince myself not to do). Submitting to the writing contests and labs. Applying to the comedy festival. Sending my headshot and resume to directors and filmmakers I admire. Every rejection I’m seeking is a little whisper of telling the universe (and myself) exactly what I actually want.

Framing my goal as “collecting a very large number of no’s” somehow makes it feel lighter, and paradoxically, more aligned with my dreams for myself. There’s less pressure and more curiosity. It’s genuinely exciting to imagine all the ways I might be told no! I don’t even know yet what I might learn, discover, or stumble into along the way.

Since seeing that post, I’ve noticed this theme popping up everywhere, and I’ve brought it up in conversation more times than I can count. Yes, including to my therapist who loved it.

So it looks like the 1,000 Rejections Challenge might officially be a thing? And if you want it to be your thing this year too, I’m right there with you. Anyone want to hold each other accountable with a quarterly check in on numbers? Reply back and say you’re in, and I’ll set something up!

This week the algorithm revealed the power of yet another French girl styling trick.

Plus, we love a girlie who doesn’t gatekeep. She shared the Amazon link to the scarf and it’s only $10?!

Our stand up comedy night is hitting the (comedy) club on Sunday 1/25, at the very reasonable, very approachable hour of 6pm. Think dinner and drinks with your girlies where you can laugh with us to start this season of girl(ie)hood.

🎟 Tickets here.

Martini Mission has been activated, and we want to know where you think we should go. Know a spot with the best blue cheese stuffing you’ll ever see? Tell us please.

We asked the girlies on NYE what word they are taking into 2026. We’re celebrating and sharing: Consistency, Faith, Momentum, Gratitude, Balance, Curate, Capable, Growth, Motivation, Kindness, Collaboration, Exposure, Change, and …Whimsy.

If you have any you want to send in to us, reply back and let us know. Also, check out our Girlie Guest Series, a space for girlies to submit creative work to be featured on our Substack.

And lastly, if you have not yet, check out the Substack for all the things we can’t fit in the newsletter.