Disaster Prep, But Make it Fashion

Prep: Disaster prep isn’t exactly the vibe we want for summer but with wildfires, floods, hurricanes, and random blackouts on the rise, it’s the vibe we need. And no, this isn’t about doomsday bunkers or turning into your uncle with the go-bag. It’s about feeling just a little more grounded in a world that’s… kind of doing the most.

Your Real-Life Emergency Kit:

• Flashlight + extra batteries

• Portable phone charger

• First aid kit

• Refillable water bottles or a gallon jug

• Copies of IDs, prescriptions, and some emergency cash (old-school, we know)

• Snacks that don’t expire in two days (hi, granola bars)

• If you have pets or kids, pack extra for them too

Know Where to Go: Whether it’s a fire zone or flooding, know your evacuation routes and local shelters. Save them to your phone. Write them on a post-it. You don’t want to be Googling during a blackout.

Sign Up for Local Alerts: Check if your area offers emergency text alerts (like NotifyLA or NYC’s Notify). They’ll give you the info you need—before Twitter does.

News: Here’s a sentence we didn’t want to write today: the National Guard is being deployed to some U.S. cities under a new federal crime crackdown effort.

Places like D.C. and Chicago are seeing boots on the ground, and while officials are calling it “public safety,” critics are throwing around phrases like “overreach” and “this feels like a movie we don’t want to star in.”

We’re not saying freak out but we are saying stay aware. This isn’t just political theater—it has real implications for civil liberties, especially in communities that already experience disproportionate policing.

What to keep in mind:

• This is still developing—don’t let the internet spiral you.

• Talk to your local reps. Ask what’s happening in your city.

• Keep showing up for your people—especially when safety feels uneven.

You don’t need to memorize every legal nuance. Just stay curious, stay connected, and if you feel tense? Deep breaths, group chat check-ins, and maybe a night off doomscrolling.

Recipe: If you’re planning to toast the end of summer without the fuss, this Strawberry & Peach Rosé Sangria is your ticket. Think ripe strawberries, juicy peaches, a splash of rosé and Sauvignon Blanc, plus a whisper of basil—because yes, basil belongs in cocktails—and lemonade-light fizz if you want to keep it gentle. It’s so easy to assemble, chill for a few hours, and then sip straight out of the pitcher on your patio while the grill warms, fireworks flicker off in the distance, and Labor Day weekend finally feels like summer’s soft exhale.

Podcast Rec: Hosted by Halzak Founder Kellie Kwarteng, Elevate Women In Tech podcast is all about lifting up and inspiring women and girls in the tech industry, whether they are just starting out in the classroom or climbing the ranks in the boardroom. Remarkable women in tech share their personal journeys and offer valuable insights on navigating a career in the industry. It's a show that celebrates achievements, shares experiences, and provides tips to empower women pursuing success in tech. So, if you're looking for a dose of inspiration and practical advice from leading women, this podcast is definitely worth tuning into!

Finance: This week, the stock market had a moment. The S&P dropped 0.4%, the Dow slipped 0.8%, and the Nasdaq gave up 0.2%. Translation: not a crash, but enough to make your finance app ask, “Are you okay?”

And while headlines love to panic, smart investors (aka you) know this is part of the game. Dips happen. The key? Keep your cool, zoom out, and maybe rebalance your portfolio with something stable.

A chill stock tip to consider: SCHD – a dividend-focused ETF that tracks quality U.S. companies and pays you to be patient. It’s kind of like the grown-up version of a savings account... that invests in companies like Coca-Cola and Verizon.

So yeah, Wall Street is wiggling. But you? You’re sipping iced coffee, rebalancing, and not letting market drama steal your peace.