Issue #178: a very special week at GNI ✨

invite a friend

view email in browser

issue 178 ~ week of July 17th, 2020

Note from the Editor

Hi ,

I am BURSTING with joy. This week, we finally shared what the GNI team and I have been working on for the past year and a half, from an idea I had 3 years ago when I first started the company.

I’m so excited to announce the launch of The Lounge (follow us at @jointhelounge), our very special membership community and platform. The core feature and purpose of The Lounge is connection. I came up with this idea because I never really felt like I found “the solution” to meeting new people and making new friends in my area as an adult. I’m not saying this is the solution, but it’s the one that I’d been searching for.

The Lounge allows you to bring people together for gatherings like book clubs, cookbook club dinners, DIY nights, movie nights, and more. While The Lounge was originally built for in-person gatherings, with COVID-19, our (amazing) team had to immediately pivot hard into virtual-only gatherings, for now at least. There are tons of other membership perks, but gatherings are at the heart of The Lounge.

Prior to COVID-19, The Lounge launched in our hometown of Washington, D.C. in a stealth beta. It was pretty wonderful to see our founding members going over to each others’ homes to discuss books, share a meal together, and more. All those months (and years, tbh) wondering, “Is this a crazy idea? Will anyone actually use this? Will they like it?” were so worth it after seeing the magic come to life in person. I even got to host some Lounge gatherings myself!

The Lounge has been a true labor of love. It has been built by and for this community. Thank you to all our founding members (Founding Loungers) who’ve helped us create this special community that's only just getting started. And thanks to our small but mighty team of 8 people who worked hard, day and night, to bring this to life.

Want to join us on The Lounge? You can join our waitlist, starting THIS WEEK! (More info on that here.) I hope you’ll #loungewithus soon. In honor of the Lounge launch, this week's issue of GNI is extra Loungey — we hope you enjoy. And don't worry — GNI's not going anywhere. We'll still be in your inbox every Friday morning.

Until next time,
Alisha Ramos, CEO & Founder at GNI | @alisharamos

weekly picks

everything you need to Lounge

puzzles & ice cream (via @alisharamos)

Two words: house. dresses... 🤩 "This week we've got loungewear on the brain. I'm personally a fan of this long flowy dress for a lie-around-the-house Saturday or this bright one for working from home. We rounded up the GNI team's favorites here." - Katrina, GNI Team
A new food show to dive into... 🥘 "I've been loving Padma Lakshmi's new show, Taste the Nation on Hulu. I think she does a great job of balancing lighthearted and delicious chats with necessary conversations about how immigrant and Indigenous experiences have played such a pivotal role in American food culture." - Alisha, GNI Team
If you've been looking for a way to shop more sustainably from home... 👚 thredUP is on a mission to end throwaway culture for good. While 1 in 2 people are throwing their unwanted clothes in the trash, thredUP is helping to create thrifting and re-use solutions. Join the #thriftmoretossless movement with us today for DIY ideas, curated secondhand shopping, and more. #SPONSORSTHING
To make weekend chores a million times better... 🎧 listen to RomComPods as you do them. "I saw this rec on Alisha's Instagram Story, and I can’t believe I haven’t listened to this before now?!?!?! I LOVE romcoms and these are in podcast format! Sign. Me. Up. Also generally excited to add a new fiction pod to my rotation." - Eunice B., Founding Lounger
If you're in the market for some new spices... 🔥 "I've been wanting to support some smaller spice businesses for a while now, but really got a move on it in the past week when I replaced my adobo and sazón with Eat Loisa's versions. On my radar to buy next: turmeric from Diaspora Co. and Spicewalla for some other favorites. (Pro-tip: These also make great gifts.)" - Tyler, GNI Team
For a musical moment... 💃 "This thread started by Ashley Ford on all the best TV shows that occasionally break into song is sparking GREAT joy for me this week. Might have to dive into some of these this weekend." 😂 - Jenna, GNI Team

sponsor spotlight: Vejo

We've got a new morning routine suggestion for ya.

Vejo is helping us start (and actually stick with!) new healthy habits with their delicious and always organic blends. They're making it easier than ever to have a whole-food snack on hand whether you're at home or out getting some socially distanced fresh air. Here's how it works:

💦 1. Add water, (nut)milk, or your fav beverage to their portable, pod-based blender.
💚 2. Pick the doctor-formulated, nutrient-packed pod to fit your tastes and needs at that moment. May we suggest the creamy, non-dairy Matcha Latte?
🙌 3. And blend! In 30 seconds, you'll have a vitamin- and adaptogen-packed smoothie.

GNI readers can get 8 free blends with a purchase of their Starter Kit — to redeem, add an 8-pack of your choice and any Starter Kit to your cart and use code GIRLSNIGHT8 at checkout.

GET YOUR 8 FREE BLENDS NOW

read/watch/listen

what the GNI team is sitting down with this weekend

cheeseboard for one (via Lounger @capitol_hal)

What we're reading this morning: 🤓
• Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman on their interracial friendship. | The Cut
• Anti-Semitism in sports & Hollywood must be addressed. | Hollywood Reporter
• Why we need to get over our fear of taking sick days. | Forge
• We can't be the only ones embracing slob chic. | The New Yorker
• This mobile bodega is also a mutual aid network. | Vogue
• Obsessed with rattan? Here's what's next. | Domino

What we're writing: 📚
"This week, I wrote about finding a Korean-American therapist in this piece for Katie Couric's Wakeup Call newsletter (you can sign up here). As the founder of a community that talks a lot about mental health, it was important for me to share my experience of the months-long process to find the right therapist. Shoutout to my friend (and Founding Lounger!) Sahaj Kohli of @browngirltherapy, who is doing great work advocating for culturally competent therapy for immigrants, children of immigrants, and the BIPOC community at large. It really is important!" - Alisha, GNI Team

What we're bingewatching right now: 🍿
"Last weekend I watched I May Destroy You (on HBO Max), and it felt like a necessary watch from an incredible emerging talent (CW: sexual assault). I would recommend reading this piece about its writer, creator, and star, Michaela Coel, before jumping in. I'm also currently watching Ramy, Season 2 (on Hulu), about a first-generation American Muslim exploring his relationship with spirituality as a millennial in a politically divided New Jersey town." - Tyler, GNI Team

How we're gathering from a distance: 👀
"If you're currently wracking your brain on how to make an occasion special from a distance, I can't recommend enough sending everyone a bottle of Haus (it's one of our partner perks on The Lounge right now!). In a time where it's really hard to make anything feel special, I love the idea of having a 'shared' beverage experience to made us feel a little more connected. My personal favorite is the Citrus Flower — it's the perfect apértif!" - Olivia, GNI Team

How we're getting out of a reading rut: 📚
"This question came up on The Lounge this week, and I feel like a lot of us can relate right now. Below are some of the suggestions Loungers had for getting out of a reading rut." - Mary Anne, GNI Team

• Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
• The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory
• Wow, No Thank You by Samantha Irby
• Obviously: Stories from my Timeline by Akilah Hughes
• Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

One ask for you: 💫
"It's the last weekend to respond to our GNI 2020 survey, and we'd love to hear from you! Next week, we'll pick three winners (the prize is a $250 gift card to one of three Black-owned bookstores we love). To enter, just fill out the survey and attach your email address at the end." - Jenny, GNI Team

Bonus read: This pickle is a cake. Everything's a cake. | The New York Times 🍰

join the lounge

join the waitlist here. we can't wait to Lounge with you.

GNI may receive a small commission from items you purchase from this newsletter.

Unsubscribe here | Edit your profile here
Our mailing address is:

Girls' Night In LLC

1921 Florida Ave NW

Washington, D.C. 20009, USA 20009

Add us to your address book

Issue #177: how Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman stay in ✨

Friday, July 10, 2020

they're taking over this week's issue invite a friend view email in browser GNI logo issue 177 ~ week of July 10th, 2020 Note from the Guest Editors Hi , We're Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman

Issue #176: whoops... we forgot something last time 👀

Friday, July 3, 2020

good news: it's in this one! invite a friend view email in browser GNI logo issue 176 ~ week of July 3rd, 2020 👋 Morning readers, Thanks to everyone who emailed us letting us know your 20% off

Issue #176: love, basketball, and Sunday night rituals 🏀❤️

Friday, July 3, 2020

what're you up to this Sunday? invite a friend view email in browser GNI logo issue 176 ~ week of July 3rd, 2020 Note from the Editor Hi , When The Last Dance aired a couple months ago, I was glued

Issue #175: community care is self-care 🏡

Friday, June 26, 2020

how to keep things close to home invite a friend view email in browser GNI logo issue 175 ~ week of June 26, 2020 Note from the Editor Hi , Lately I've been thinking a lot about communities: their

Issue #174: this one's written by you 💫

Friday, June 19, 2020

time to #sharethemicnow invite a friend view email in browser GNI logo issue 174 ~ week of June 19, 2020 Note from the Guest Editor Hi , The past few weeks have been filled with both incredibly

New from Tim — "The 4-Hour Workweek Revisited – How to Get Uncommon Results by Doing the Opposite, Aiming with Precision, and Aiming for the Unrealistic"

Wednesday, December 25, 2024

The latest from author and investor Tim Ferriss ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

Issue #178: a very special week at GNI ✨

weekly picks

read/watch/listen

join the lounge

Older messages

Issue #177: how Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman stay in ✨

Issue #176: whoops... we forgot something last time 👀

Issue #176: love, basketball, and Sunday night rituals 🏀❤️

Issue #175: community care is self-care 🏡

Issue #174: this one's written by you 💫

You Might Also Like

New from Tim — "The 4-Hour Workweek Revisited – How to Get Uncommon Results by Doing the Opposite, Aiming with Precision, and Aiming for the Unrealistic"

Spin the Wheel for a Chance to Win!

Christmas Buildings

"My Dead Relatives" by Myrna Nieves

This Best-Selling Skirt On Amazon Is $35 & Looks So Expensive On

Happy Holidays!

The Best Thing: December 24, 2024

Kim Kardashian's Holiday Blowout Looks Like Pamela Anderson's '90s Hair

Get a 'CLUE' Report If Your Insurance Rates Seem Too High

An Egg And A Shell