BREAKING: President Biden's State of the Union Address LEAKED
That's a lie, but lying is officially in
As we enter into the first full week of 2023, we’ve all undoubtedly seen at least one in and out list as everyone has been taking stock of the energy they’re bringing into this new year.1
While the trend is tried and true, I personally will never tire of it. As someone who, at one point in her life, owned every installment of The Clique book series, the Massie Block-style States of the Union have always been far more impactful in my life than the ones delivered by the president every year. Massie always knew what the girlies want and need to know and now I’m ready to take up the torch.
This week, I’m joined by my friend and fellow icon Danny Rodriguez to discuss our personal ins and outs for the year, what’s hot and not in today’s culture, and what we think is on trend for those living, laughing, and loving in New York City.
Hello my name is Danny Rodriguez and I'm not just fun, I’m fun and flirty. A few things you should know about me:
I’m writing this intro in bullet points because I can’t take myself too seriously to write in paragraphs. Plus, bullets are a fun and interesting way to keep readers like you engaged.
I moved to NYC from Chicago so I can pursue my dream of working at a top advertising agency. I’m a girlboss at heart and have been very blessed to have achieved beyond my wildest career dreams. To date, I’ve done two Super Bowl campaigns and most recently one for the World Cup. I can truly say I love my job.
If I didn’t work in advertising, my alternate dream job is to be a late-night talk show host (à lá Chelsea Lately).
I’m very superstitious. My biggest fear is to spill salt.
I love Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift (you can make your own assumptions as to what that means).
New Year, Same Us New Us ❤️
New years are always ripe for gaslighting your reflection into believing you will suddenly change everything and become your most ideal and optimized self. This year, instead of focusing on resolutions, I asked Danny to share some ins and outs from his personal life:
Danny
IN
Early nights
Listen: I’m 28. I’m tired! My knees hurt and if I stand for too long, my lower back will give out like when Bella gave birth. The days of 23-year-old Danny who used to go out every Thursday through Sunday dancing the night away and fighting with local twinks are long gone (well, I still fight with twinks…some habits are hard to kill).
But 2023 is here, and while I do still feel in the prime of life (gay 30 is the new 20), I just don't want to be out until 5 am all weekend long anymore. Being out until 5 means I'm waking up at 1 pm, 2 pm at the earliest??! There goes the morning and any change of being productive. In this economy?? I need to be investing time in myself and things that will make me feel better and happier.
So this year, catch me in bed warm and cozy by 1 am :)
Going to the office (in moderation)
You’ll sense a theme of moderation here. Yes, can you believe I said I want to go to the office when I have the precious luxury of WFH?! I love to work from home! I get to bother my roommate all day long (shout out to Lucy Escamilla <3) and get to watch TikToks between sending my silly little emails. But the experience can get a little lonely at times so this year, I’m forcing myself to at least go into the office once a week. Plus, my office has a bunch of perks that I simply can’t keep missing out on.
Reducing my screen time
This one will be tough. But in 2023, my goal is to spend less time on my phone. As an early adapter to TikTok (joined in September 2019 before all the viral dances and hacks), it is part of my daily routine to sit down, enjoy a tall glass of water, and scroll endlessly until my thumbs are sore.
I work in advertising so I have to stay in the know of “what the kids are doing.” But this year, as mom said, we are putting the phone down and going outside to play.
Emily
IN
Apologizing less
To know me is to hear me say “I’m sorry” twenty times per hour just for existing. In 2023, I’m done with this habit!!! I’m normalizing being myself which means being a little annoying, incredibly loud, and kind of a bitch—with no malice but also no remorse.
Peer pressuring me to go on dates
As it turns out, my current dating strategy of assuming men would fall in love with me every time I go on the subway is not working out as planned. In 2023, I am giving my friends permission to resort to the tactic that will always work on me: middle school-style peer pressure.
2023 is my year of embracing cringe. It’s the year of bits, of being a little silly goofy, of inside jokes and just laughing in general. I don’t know if all of you read the news every day, but the world is scary!!! If my generation isn’t making it to our 50s, we might as well have some fun right now!! Be ridiculous, buy the niche accessory, dance down 10th Ave singing “You’re the One That I Want” with your friends.
Danny
OUT
DoorDash/Delivery
If DoorDash had an end-of-year wrapped, I would be in the top 0.1% of users who ordered Taco Bell at 2 am. I need to stop for financial and health reasons.
Working past 7 pm
So much for a 9-5. I love my job but babe, it's time we stop the late nights and call it a day at 7 pm. I cannot miss another post-work gym class—plus the night instructors are way cutter than the AM ones. Let’s promise it to each other <3
Overthinking
In the powerful words of Lady Gaga: “my biggest enemy is me.” I overthink everything. I wrote 3 different intros to this paragraph because I was worried the others were not as funny or relevant or unique. Wrapping it up before I go into a spiral….. :(
Emily
OUT
Tolerating men’s bullshit
This one complicates my earlier in of trying to date more but listen: The Cut recently declared that men are in their flop era and I simply couldn’t agree more. Men have gotten too comfortable saying the first thought that pops into their heads and not comfortable enough when they’re held accountable for those thoughts. It’s no longer my vibe to sit and smile when men act like fools. Instead, they will receive a Liz Lemon eye roll and that’s a promise.
Being mean to myself about my body
Hating the fact that I have a FUPA (a Beyoncé-loved term, mind you) is very outdated. I’m doing the things that I need to be doing to keep my body healthy—working out, eating well, and very seriously trying to drink more water—so it does nothing for anyone to beat myself up for not having a flat tummy. As the Queen herself said:
Sorry, Lizzie!!!
This Section Was Sponsored by Las Culturistas
In and out lists are absolutely a moment of culture right so I would be remiss not to have a section dedicated to the ins and outs of the state of our social union:
Danny
IN
Social media hiatus
A bit odd coming from someone who works in advertising! My point with this is that we just need to all be a little more present every day vs posting every damn moment of our lives online. If your story has more than 3 lines… girl….
Dupes
I love the world dupe because it's Gen Z’s way to make “knockoffs” culturally ok. And I'm here for it!! Get yourself that dupe!!!2
Emily
IN
Is it a hot take to say I love watching the different ways nepotism babies have been responding to their moment in the hot seat? From Jamie Lee Curtis to Allison Williams to Hailey Bieber (and Charli XCX’s response to Hailey Bieber), I’m gobbling this moment in culture up!! Of course, It will immediately become out the second I get annoyed so stay tuned for that inevitability
next week.Asking people if they have seen the most niche show after you watch one episode
Have you guys seen I Hate Suzie. on HBOMax???
Turning everything into an era
I don’t care if you think this is cringe because as I said before, cringe is in. Did you cut your hair? Bangs era. Did you complete your Goodreads reading challenge? Book girl era. Did you buy the viral Old Navy workout jumpsuit on sale? Jazzercise superstar era.
Danny
OUT
Ticket Bots
(TW: not getting tickets to the Eras tour)
This is a difficult topic for me to talk about. If there is one thing I hate in the world and I mean capital H A T E is ticket bots and resellers. Like babe. Concerts are for the girls. It is my God-given constitutional right to sing my heart out to “All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version)(From the Vault)” and because of little shady money hungry no life scalpers, I have been denied this right.
And what now?!! Am I supposed to cash up 2K just to watch Blondie sing? Ticket bots have caused more emotional damage than my last situationship (and that was capital R O U G H).
Spoilers/Leaks
I'm tired of everything leaking online. It takes away the excitement. We are all excited about the next big album or movie or big TV finale episode, so let’s just all be patient and wait till it actually drops! And if you see a leak and tweet about it… F U!
Tipping for everything
Ok, we are all thinking this but it's time we stand up against tipping for absolutely everything. Like why do I have to tip at Chipotle? Or for a BOTTLED WATER at Brooklyn Mirage!???
I don’t know…perhaps we should pay employees a proper living wage?
Emily
OUT
The return of chain mail on TikTok
Gone are the days of FWD:FWD:FWD: OPEN THIS OR EVERYONE YOU KNOW WILL DIE emails but alas, this trend has respawned on TikTok. My FYP is filled with videos telling me if I don’t use a sound/like a video/follow a creator, I will have the worst day of my life, or that I will be alone forever and never find love, or that I will fail all of my classes (a trigger even though I’m nearly three years out of college).
Let me watch my Ronald Reagan slander and ASMR videos in peace!!!
Acting like you’re the first person to have a revolutionary thought
Babes, every Gen Z is at least a little into socialism at this point. You don’t need to act better than anyone else because you’ve read theory or saw a rare film at your local Angelika theater. Superiority complexes in general are out in my book—they’re tacky and, ironically, not very unique at all.
Use your interests or passions as a way to make friends, not enemies (which I will become if you act like this around me).
Cynicism for cynicism’s sake
I know this newsletter largely gives you the worst of the worst happening in the world but that doesn’t mean I think we need to constantly be leaning too far into pessimism. Complaining to complain is boring. Plus, wouldn’t you rather go down dancing on this flaming rock than complaining it’s getting, like, really hot outside lately and you just don’t do well at all when it’s hot like this?
We Love You For Watching This Evening But This Is For New York!!!!!
During our conversation, Danny and I couldn’t help but riff off one another about our major hots and nots as two people living in New York City.
Danny: Full disclaimer—these are all from someone who is not originally from here. These are meant to speak to the general culture of living in a city with 8.5 million people.
Danny
IN
Looking out for each other
Truth is this city can be sketchy AF! If you see someone being harassed, or even if they are lost and need directions (yes, even tourists), help them!!! New York has this narrative of being “too busy,” “time is money,” etc. I think it's time we are also known for being “nice.”
As the ads on the 6 train say, “If you see something, say something”
Pay for VIP
I don’t mean this in a pretentious way at all. If VIP means I don’t have to wait in line, get access to better (cleaner) bathrooms, and ideally a smaller crowd, then sign me up!!! Especially if the experience is a big happy event like a concert or show! You deserve it. This is a perk of getting older and having more money!! See you in VIP <3
Staying informed and involved
I’m one to live in my own little world, but in 2023 we need to stay informed about the things that go on in our city. Get involved with your community, and find ways to ensure your voice is being heard. If you need motivation, just remember how much city tax is being taken out of your paycheck!!!
Romanticizing the city
We live in New York City!!!! That’s huge. I’ve been saying I wanted to move to NYC since I was a freshman in high school. Look at me now, owning it!
Let’s remember that we worked hard to get here and we are living our dream.
Emily
IN
Hot girl walks stay in
I am unashamed to admit I will continue to go on hot girl walks forever, even if everyone else deems them out. New York is actually the best place to do so (I pick an area and just roam), and now that I have my fashion girlie over-ear headphones, it is officially over for you bitches. I’ll see you on the streets!
Buses over subways
Anyone who knows me knows I’m a breath away from getting an M15 tramp stamp. If there is an option for me to take a bus to my destination that adds less than 25 minutes to my journey, I’m on it. You want me getting on a musty dusty train where I won’t have WiFi, won’t get a free tour of the city, and won’t always be climate controlled for the season? No thanks, I choose my own destiny.
Becoming a regular at your local stores and restaurants
Your neighborhood in NYC is its own ecosystem with places and people who make their livelihoods off of the places and people within the surrounding streets. This is not knocking exploring different places in the city by any means, but I think a lot of people neglect to realize the best places to shop and eat are quite literally around the corner. (Plus, it is actually such an ego boost when the girlies at my sushi place see me coming in and already have my order ready to go.)
Danny
OUT
Over-romanticizing the city
This one is also on my outs list. I think sometimes we can overhype this city and make it to be this picture-perfect place, but it's not. NYC is a tough (and dirty) place. I think it's important that we remember that and embrace it. Learn from the things that are not always so pretty
Alcohol
A lot of my friends and I have been recently reevaluating our relationship with alcohol. We all still love a strong cocktail or glass of wine but excessive binge drinking (basically being a feral rat) is exhausting. As a city, we need more options that are not just going out to drink!
Also, it's time that we stand against the $17 cocktails. Alcohol does not only make me feel like shit but drains my wallet, too.
Not going into the other boroughs
This one is specifically for the Manhattan girls! But do yourself a favor and venture out! Trust me when I say the food is way better outside of Manhattan.
Overpriced Restaurants
I hate going out to super expensive restaurants only to be hungry when I’m home!!!! If you are going to charge us a lot, you better feed me a lot.
Trains/MTA
I don’t think I need to say much here. During the peak pandemic, trains were being deep cleaned daily. Let’s bring that back, please. I don’t know—this just makes sense in a city of 8.5 million people.
Rats
Enough said.
Emily
OUT
Making me travel to you
This is more of a private out for my friends who decided to live far away from me but you can all listen in, too. Who approved this? I certainly did not, and I am not happy with how frequently I need to take the E train to get to all of you!!3
New York City Mayors
It’s just one flop after another…the only mayor we really need going forward is the Night Mayor.
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Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browserMy upstairs neighbor
I am begging you. To leave. New York. I will buy your ticket halfway around the world if it means I could get one full day of peace and goddamn quiet.
Some people are not meant to live in prewar buildings where there is no insulation between the floors and you are one of them. No shame in it!!! But you are already my year’s biggest out and it is January 9th. Bye boo!!!
So many thank yous to Danny for being game for the first Emily Fun President of the year!!! This was so much fun to make and I hope you all share some of your ins and outs with me!!!
I would just like to add that I have been obsessed with the Gucci Jackie bag for years and recently bought myself a very good dupe now lovingly called my Fucci.
For those who don’t know, I have been on the E train when it hit people three separate times.