From the Group Chat: Gwyneth Paltrow's "Bombshell" Book, Olivia Culpo's Viral Hospital Bag, and "The Summer I Turned Pretty"

EDITOR’S NOTE

Happy Sunday. I’m pleased to report the internet is So Back. Nothing like a potential jumbotron affair at a Coldplay concert to bring us all together during emotionally fraught times. (As one X post put it, “This is Scandoval for people who can't attach a PDF to an email.”) While I scroll through takes on this real-life episode of The Office, I also stumbled on a few other unhinged things: The Row is laughing all the way to the bank selling $620 shower sandals (personally, I’ll stick with the more affordable pair Kylie Jenner swears by); “Summer Long Balls” are now a thing (sorry in advance); and Wrong Shoe Queen Jennifer Lawrence is trying to make Mary Jane sneakers happen. Sorry J.Law, but those look like the shoes I used to wear on the first day of middle school.

— Alex Carr / Editorial Director / Brooklyn, NY

👀 Just when we thought Gen Z couldn’t find a weirder coping mechanism, it decided to go “bathroom camping.”

👖 Chafing season is here. May we interest you in pants…with a built-in breeze? 

🏖️ Finally, a summer trend that doesn’t require a wax. “Mom beach style” is back — kids not included. 

🚪 The “must-have” item of the moment? It’s hanging out in your dad’s closet. 

⛺ Welcome to Visiting Day at bougie sleepaway camps: where parents greet their kids with Nobu sushi and matching Alo sets.

Goop, there it is. Gwyneth Paltrow — the woman who brought us “rectal ozone therapy” and willingly gets stung by bees — is getting the (presumably) unauthorized biography treatment. And early previews are juicer than her viral-for-the-wrong-reasons bone-broth diet. Written by the same author who peeled back the Prada on Anna Wintour, the “bombshell” book — aptly titled Gwyneth — pulls from 220-plus interview sources and covers everything from the nepo baby’s blue-blooded beginnings (her nightmare, per her high school yearbook’s editors? “Obesity”) to the rise of her multi-million dollar wellness empire. It hits shelves next week, but thanks to an exclusive People excerpt, we’ve already gotten a taste — and it’s as buzzy as that (since settled) jade egg lawsuit. Highlights from the House of Paltrow: She supposedly had a steamy crush on a certain British actor while dating Brad Pitt (who, allegedly, felt “threatened” by her success). Someone unexpected reportedly had a hand in her calling off their engagement (apparently, their different tastes in caviar were the least of it). Oh, and there was “amazing sex” with Mr. Dunkin’ (he’s “technically excellent,” after all), that Shallow Hal controversy, and an alleged full-on friendship implosion with Madonna after a dramatic “breaking point.”

For someone who stands on business micromanaging her image — cough, “conscious uncoupling,” cough — this might be the first time we see behind Hollywood’s most aspirational curtain. But will this book finally give us an unfiltered look at the pioneer of Courtcore who lost half a day of skiing? The one who casually makes breakfast topless, while pushing goat milk cleanses, vaginal steaming, “magic” healing stickers, and $15,000 24-carat gold sex toys? The person who’s built a detox dynasty on convincing people they need to put jade where jade shouldn’t go? Who knows — but while Ms. I Wish You Well may be busy dry-brushing the drama away, consider our chakras aligned and our organic popcorn hot and ready.

Two massive suitcases. Cashmere loungewear. A framed photo of the dog. Nope, Olivia Culpo wasn’t checking into a five-star hotel — she was packing for the hospital. The pregnant influencer — who announced the birth of her daughter last week — broke down her very curated haul in a now-viral TikTok. Her must-haves included: two “extra fluffy” comforters (one for her, one for NFL star husband Christian McCaffrey), flameless flickering candles (for the vibes, obviously), a ginormous plush robe (we cosign that hospital gowns are ugly), Louis Vuitton toiletry cases, and — of course — a gold-framed photo of “firstborn” Oliver Sprinkles, her toy goldendoodle. Naturally, Culpo’s desire to turn her delivery room into a Four Seasons suite sent the internet spiraling. As one TikToker put it: “OLIVIA, ARE YOU MOVING TO THE HOSPITAL?” Still, she’s hardly the first celeb rumored to treat childbirth like a luxury vacation. Beyoncé and Jay-Z reportedly shelled out $1.3 million to rent an entire maternity floor (a claim refuted by the hospital) for Blue Ivy’s arrival. Kim Kardashian was rumored to have dropped up to $4,000 a night for her setup — complete with a personal doula, vegan meals, and Instagrammable recessed lighting. Because if you’re not giving birth in a makeshift spa, are you even trying?

Slow clap for Elsie Hewitt's pitch-perfect pregnancy announcement. And you thought Pete Davidson was the funny one.

Brace yourself for more yearning than a Taylor Swift bridge: The Summer I Turned Pretty has returned for its third — and final — season on Prime Video. Nearly three (fictional) years have passed since the season 2 finale, and Belly (Lola Tung) just wrapped up her junior year of college. She’s headed back to Cousins Beach with her long-term boyfriend, Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno)…and a beach bag full of feelings she’s been trying — and failing — to unpack about his older brother, Conrad (Christopher Briney). Meanwhile, Conrad’s moved on — or so he claims. Expect a soundtrack built to emotionally wreck you, more love-triangle chaos, and maybe — just maybe — some closure.

Mane It’s Giving Body Large Hot Thermal Round Brush

Margo, commerce editor, here. If you find yourself in desperate need of Hairstyling for Dummies, this thermal brush from Mane is a game-changer. It has one button, one 335-degree setting, and only requires a slight bend of the wrist for blowout-like styling in seconds. I was floored the first time I used this. Its ceramic-coated barrel leaves your hair feeling soft and shiny, and it takes minimal time and effort to use. I like to section my hair for precision, but you can forgo that altogether and still get amazing results. It’s important to note though, this is not a blow-dryer. Use it on clean, dry hair, just like you would a curling iron or a straightener. And if you have bangs, this will be your best friend between washes.

Trending products and brands our shopping team has been loving recently.

This cult-favorite Merit tinted moisturizer is dependable, easy to wear, and looks good no matter what. They don't call it The Uniform for nothing.

Packed with hyaluronic acid and red algae extract, this body mist is just as hydrating as lotion but much less of a pain to put on. Our shower routine isn't complete without it.

Our newest obsession: swim skirts. This one has built-in underwear and a ruffle hem. Wear it with a cute top for post-pool dinner.

Unleash your competitive side with today’s games and puzzles. Choose from an anagram word search, digital jigsaw puzzle, or crossword (with a twist). Better yet: Try them all.