🤔 Brainteaser of the day: While riding along in a river, you approach a boat. This boat has not sunk. But, when you look closely, you see that there is not a single person on the boat. How is this possible?

Click here to see the answer.

✅ Today's Checklist: 

• Kristel shares essentials you actually need as a new mom
• The Hulu drama to binge this weekend
• Pet of the week: Meet Loretta

💬 80 flirty truth or dare questions to ask over text for some playful fun.

🧠 Explore single-tasking and how it can improve focus and productivity.

✋ Learn about EFT tapping as a method for stress relief and emotional well-being.

🏠 Cash-out refinance vs. HELOC: which option is best for you?

 

So, you're about to be a mom, and every baby store (or IG ad) is shouting, "Buy ALL the things!"

As a mom of two, let me tell you—sanity-saving basics are what truly matter. Sure, those tiny leather loafers are adorable, but they won't save you at 2 a.m. or handle a backseat blowout.

Here are the Must-Have Baby Essentials for (Almost) Stress-Free Parenting:

• Miracle Swaddles: Regular blankets? Forget it. Velcro or zippered swaddles keep your little burrito secure and help everyone get more sleep. I love this Sleepea 100% Organic Cotton Baby Swaddle Blanket!
• Portable Changing Clutch: When disaster strikes in public, this compact lifesaver has you covered—mid-aisle or in the car. I've used Skip Hop Pronto Changing Pad when my kids were babies and was very happy with it.
• Baby-Wearing Carrier: Hands-free snuggles are the best. Whether you're grocery shopping or scrolling Instagram, a carrier keeps your baby close and leaves you mobile. I recommend the Embrace Cozy Newborn Essentials Baby Carrier and the Solly Baby Wrap Carrier; you'll be happy with either!
• White Noise Machine: Sleep is sacred. A white noise machine helps both the baby (and you) get some much-needed rest—no lullabies required. Check out Hatch!
• Odor-Locking Diaper Pail: A diaper pail that seals in the stink will save your nose (and everybody else's) and keep the room tolerable. The Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail works with compostable, cloth, or disposable diapers.
• Play Gym or Baby Bouncer: Safe space for baby means you can finally sip your coffee hot—or close to it. Skip Hop's Tummy Time Mat is easy to wipe or fold and is super comfortable, and their baby bouncer will surely keep your peanut entertained!
• Quick-Access Burp Cloths: Place them everywhere. You'll lose half and need double what you thought. Burt's Bees Baby Infant Burp Cloths are super soft and extremely absorbent.
• Digital Forehead Thermometer: Quick forehead scans are lifesavers, especially when a baby's feeling warm and fussy. I found Tommee Tippee's Digital Thermometer to be reliable and accurate.
• Bottle Warmer: When a tiny human is screaming for milk, speed matters. A bottle warmer heats milk in seconds, saving everyone's sanity. If you want a fast bottle warmer, try the Philips Avent Fast Baby Bottle Warmer.
• Stain-Resistant Nursing Pillow: Support for nursing or bottle-feeding, plus it's spill-proof for the early spit-up marathons. The NurSit Nursing Pillow is versatile, affordable and the entire pillow is machine washable.

Forget the nursery aisle guilt trips and focus on the essentials that make life smoother. Motherhood is one BEAUTIFUL mess, and you've got this, mama!



 Kristel (Writer for The Assist)

 

Managing work, life, and maybe even a small empire? We've rounded up go-to tools that'll help you crush goals, stay organized, and keep that "how does she do it" energy flowing.

1. Notion

The digital notebook: Perfect for organizing everything from projects to personal notes. Create a workspace that adapts to your needs with customizable templates.

Tip: Use color-coded tags to instantly see what's urgent and what can wait—perfect for staying on top of team priorities.

2. Smartsheet

The go-to: When Excel isn't enough and you need serious collaboration. Smartsheet's project tracking and Gantt charts turn data into actionable insights.

Tip: Use Smartsheet's reporting feature to pull data from multiple sheets for a bird's-eye view, making it easier to spot trends and make quick decisions.

3. Slack

Where it's at: The ultimate for real-time team chats, gifs, and keeping emails to a minimum.

Tip: Create channels for specific projects or departments to keep conversations focused, plus a #random channel for fun, morale-boosting moments.

4. monday.com

The vibe: Project management for people who have way too much going on. With custom boards, automation, and visual task tracking, monday.com takes to-do lists to the next level.

Tip: Try the toggle list feature to organize info-heavy pages without the clutter—perfect for quick navigation and avoiding scroll fatigue.

5. Square

Side-hustle secret weapon: Payments, inventory, and insights for small business success.

Tip: Use Square's analytics to track peak sales times—great for planning events or restocks around when your customers are most active.

6. ChatGPT

Your AI assistant: A lifesaver for brainstorming, drafting content, and solving tricky problems fast.

Tip: Use it to create outlines, write drafts, or even automate FAQs for customer support—ChatGPT can save you hours on routine tasks.

7. Canva

Creative genius: Easy design for non-designers—perfect for social posts, slides, and everything in between.

Tip: Upload your brand colors and logos to keep designs consistent across the team, and explore templates for quick, polished visuals.

8. Calendly

The "I don't have time for this" fix: Sends a link to schedule meetings without the back-and-forth.

Tip: Add buffer times before and after each meeting for breaks, so you're not rushing from call to call.

 

📚 Read: Think Again by Adam Grant

Adam Grant challenges readers to question their assumptions and embrace the power of rethinking in Think Again. Through compelling research and real-life examples, this book encourages an open mindset, showing how flexibility in thought can lead to innovation and growth. Perfect for anyone looking to expand their perspective and make better decisions.

📺 Watch: Tell Me Lies on Hulu

Tell Me Lies delves into a complex and tumultuous relationship, exploring the blurred lines between love and manipulation. This Hulu drama captures the emotional highs and lows of young romance, where secrets and lies threaten to unravel everything. An intense watch for fans of psychological romance and drama.

🎧 Listen: You Probably Think This Story's About You

This podcast dives into personal stories with humor and raw honesty, exploring how we interpret experiences and their impact on our lives. With engaging conversations, each episode offers listeners a chance to reflect on their own perspectives and the narratives we build around ourselves.

Need an easy way to bring your team together this holiday season? Outback's free Holiday Icebreakers Activity Pack has you covered with all the fun (minus the awkwardness).

From "Holiday Would You Rather" to "Guess the Holiday Movie," these free, ready-to-go games are packed with laughs and perfect for getting your team talking, connecting, and celebrating.

It's a simple way to add a dash of festive spirit to meetings or office parties and get everyone in on the holiday vibes. Ready to get started?

Download the free Holiday Icebreakers Activity Pack here.

Loretta Lynn, a Southern belle named after the country music icon, is a Treeing Walker Coonhound mix from Texas.

Known affectionately as Lottie Dottie or Patheta, she prefers people to other dogs, though she'll occasionally play. While she's not a fan of rain or children, she loves snuggling and sunbathing, even in extreme heat.

True to her breed, Loretta's nose always guides her, leading her off-leash adventures in unpredictable directions.

🐾 Got a cute fur baby? Submit them to be our pet of the week in an upcoming issue.

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