The Essentials

Keep Calm and Stock Up?

Skimm’d by: Aryanna Prasad Bhullar and Maria Corpus

What’s going on: Doomscrolling has taken on a new meaning with emergency preparedness messages trending globally. Last month, the UK launched its “Be Ready” campaign, which urges the public to stock up on 72 hours’ worth of supplies — and surprise, it has led to panic buying. Sweden just updated guidance for its citizens in the event of a “crisis or war.” And as of this week, Japan’s National Disaster Management Agency began operations to help the public prepare for megaquakes or volcanic eruptions. The US, meanwhile, has taken a more military-focused approach amid cuts to disaster relief. Earlier this fall, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth rolled out his “FORTRESS America” plan, which aims to ensure that military bases can operate solo for at least 90 days. 

So is there an imminent threat looming?: The UK and US haven’t named any specific threat. But as Swedish guidance put it, “the state of the world has worsened drastically in recent years” due to extreme weather, terrorism, and disinformation campaigns. Then there are the cyberattacks. Both hackers and autonomous AI agents are disrupting everything from infrastructure to bank accounts, and the effects are far-reaching: 70% of websites are vulnerable, and so are online systems, as European grocery stores learned again on Monday. And though Americans haven’t gotten the same formal messaging as the UK or Sweden, the Department of Homeland Security offers Ready.gov, which acknowledges 25 types of disasters and encourages people to make a plan. No, this doesn’t mean you have permission to panic-buy toilet paper.

Related: How To Protect Your Information From AI Hacking (ABC News)

Woman's Work

(Female) Trades Help Wanted

Skimm’d by: Stephanie Gallman and Samantha Darby

What’s going on: If only Rosie the Riveter were around to see this — more women are showing up in male-dominated trade jobs. At the end of last year, women made up 4.4% of workers in fields like plumbing, construction, carpentry, and automotive repair, up from 2.9% a decade ago. High wages and a largely AI-proof career track are also driving a surge in trade school enrollment among women. And it couldn’t come at a better time. A new report found that through 2035, there will be 1.7 million open skilled trade jobs annually — and experts are worried about who will fill them. What’s that saying, “If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman”?

A woman’s touch: We’ve all seen what happens when women infiltrate so-called “boys' clubs.” (9 to 5, anyone?) But some companies are making strides, albeit slowly, to change workplace culture. Some offer benefits like paid maternity leave, heated bathrooms, and personal protective equipment that actually fits women. And some states, like Illinois and Washington, have passed laws requiring job sites to provide sanitary menstrual products, as well as safe spaces to pump breast milk. While some benefits might not affect men directly, there’s evidence that women leaders in workplaces are good for everyone. And who doesn’t love a warm bathroom? 

Related: More Dads Are Taking As Much Paternity Leave As Moms (NPR) 

À La Mode 

You Wear What You Eat  

Skimm’d by: Erika W. Smith and Maria Corpus

What's going on: The latest straight-from-the-runway trends include culottes, skinny scarves, and food. Whether it’s a $7,000 crystal-covered Judith Leiber bag in the shape of a hot dog or Celine serving actual hot dogs at a NYFW event (with the brand name written in mustard, of course), “food mania in fashion” has reached a new peak, writes Elle. Along with those obvious examples, there are more subtle signifiers like the names of trending colors for clothing (butter yellow, berry red), hair (dark chocolate, maple cinnamon), and nail polish (chai latte, pistachio). Is anyone else feeling hungry?

Dinner is served: Food influencing fashion is nothing new (remember the viral "strawberry dress" from 2020 or the “sardine girl summer” of 2025?). And it’s easy to understand why. “Food is totally universal,” the appropriately-named Sam Salad, founder of a food-themed apparel company, told Eater. But now, the trend expands beyond luxury tomato-shaped bags to actual food, too: videos taste-testing a $28 Erewhon smoothie or dropping hundreds at a luxury grocery store have become social media staples. Amid it all, grocery store prices rise and size inclusivity in fashion shrinks, with fewer curve models on the runway and brands reducing their size ranges. As CNN writes, food isn't just a prop to sell a luxury good; it's now "the luxury good itself."

Related: How GLP-1s Are Changing Restaurants, According to a Chef (Men’s Health)

Together with Vuori

0% Chance of Return

Shopping for someone who’s impossible to please? Vuori makes clothes so soft and wearable that they’ll be wearing them on repeat. We rounded up the best Vuori gifts for everyone on your list — and we won’t judge if a few end up in your own cart.

Halo Essential Wideleg Pant

$118

Restore Oversized Hoodie

$138

Sedona Midrise Wideleg Sweatpant

$128

Canyon Insulated Sporty Vest

$178

Quick Hits

🌲 Freeform’s 25 Days of Christmas lineup is officially out, with some new holiday faves on the schedule. Don’t worry, you will get many chances to see Tim Allen as Santa Claus. 

🥤 You may reach for the ginger ale when you feel queasy, but it can actually make things worse — here are other options to help settle your stomach. For the chronically bloated among us, stock up.

👀 Slippers feel great until they send you to the ER, which they apparently do more than any other type of footwear. Not so warm and fuzzy.

🍌 The truth can be tough to swallow… like the fact that fruit peels from bananas and mangoes are worth eating for their nutritional value. No judgment if you still toss them in the compost.

👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨 Ariana Grande gave fans a peek at her relationship with boyfriend Ricky Alvarez in a new Instagram post. Yes, that’s the Ricky from “Thank U, Next.” 

🎬 Taylor Swift revealed that she and her best friend Abigail still “talk in Napoleon Dynamite voices” when they’re together. More importantly, can they do the dance?

Things In My Cart

Ali here, Senior Commerce Director. It’s now November, which means I’m locking into holiday shopping even harder. I refuse to be caught in a last-minute panic, so here’s what’s sitting in my cart:

• The hydration packs I’m adding to my cousin’s stocking. She just finished her second marathon and is already training for her third.

• The crossbody I’m gifting to my mom (it’s 30% off right now).

• A custom hairbrush for my sister. She constantly steals mine and it irks me like no other (it’s also 25% off).