TODAY I WILL:  

Stop apologizing for taking up space.

We’re talking love, loss, and life admin––just another Friday scroll. 

• Shared bookshelf energy over shared zodiac signs. 

• Should you actually feed a cold?

• 2025’s engagement rings are breaking all the rules.

• The Upside Down’s hitting the big screen. 

• Adulthood just loves a plot twist.

Anxious? Try this tangy trick. 

With Halloween around the corner, you’ve probably got candy on the brain—but hear us out: sour candy isn’t just for trick-or-treaters. It might actually help trick your brain out of that anxious spiral. According to a small study, participants who ate sour candy experienced a dip in anxiety symptoms. And while the research is still early, the findings show that taking part could give you some short-term calm. 

At the very least? It’s a low-stakes, high-flavor way to reset your mind—and enjoy a little treat while you’re at it.

Don’t Ghost Your 401(k).

Retirement may feel forever away, but your 401(k) glow-up starts now. One of the biggest money moves young professionals aren’t making is actually a major misstep: skipping out on their 401(k). Many younger workers delay contributing or cash out early when switching jobs, missing out on thousands in potential compound growth.

Even if retirement feels light-years away, time is your best financial ally. The earlier you start contributing (especially if your employer offers a match), the more your money can grow without you lifting a finger. And while that lump sum from an old 401(k) might look tempting to spend, rolling it over can help keep your long-term goals on track.

Bottom line: Future you will thank present you for not leaving free money or decades of growth on the table.

Photo Credit: Filipa Lisboa Photography

Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu isn’t just having a moment—she’s curating an era. Since winning Love Island UK in 2022, she’s evolved from breakout reality star to global creative force. Fresh off her first Vogue cover, a whirlwind NYFW, and a powerful appearance at the United Nations, Ekin-Su’s next act took her to Netflix’s Sidemen, or Inside: USA—a high-stakes social experiment that proves she’s not afraid of a challenge, on- or off-camera.

We sat down with the reality queen to talk about taking risks, wild moments, and her drive to evolve. 

You’ve gone from Love Island to Vogue covers, fashion weeks, and now Netflix’s Sidemen. What made you say “yes” to this next adventure?

I’ve always believed in saying yes to opportunities that scare me a little, because that’s where growth happens. When Netflix approached me about The Sidemen Show, it was such a different space than the classic reality TV I am used to. It wasn’t about glam, it was about survival, strategy, and pushing myself mentally and physically. I wanted to show people another side of me: one that’s strong and willing to dive headfirst into the unknown.

Sidemen sounds intense—strategy, survival, alliances. What was the wildest moment for you on set?

Without giving too much away… let’s just say there were moments where I thought, “Ekin, what on earth have you gotten yourself into?” Imagine being dropped into a situation where your instincts matter more than anything.

Did you ever imagine speaking at the United Nations? What’s been the most surreal full-circle moment so far?

Never in my wildest dreams. When I first stepped into the villa years ago, I couldn’t have pictured myself addressing global leaders at the UN. That was a “pinch-me” moment. For me, the surreal part was realizing that my platform, built on entertainment, could actually be used to start meaningful conversations about representation and women’s empowerment.

What drives you to keep evolving?

I refuse to be put in a box. People love to define you by your first big break, but I’ve always felt like my story is still being written. Curiosity drives me. I want to explore different industries, learn new skills, and keep proving to myself that I can do more than anyone expects of me.

You recently stunned at Venice Film Festival and NYFW—what’s been your favorite “pinch-me” fashion moment this year?

Venice was magical—I felt like I was stepping into a movie every time I walked out onto the red carpet. But New York Fashion Week was equally amazing. Walking into a show and feeling the energy of the city, the flashing cameras, the designers whispering about looks. It was one of those moments where you stop, take a breath, and think, “Wow, this is my life.”

Given your time on reality TV, if you could create your own social experiment show, what would the concept be—and would you compete or host?

Oh, I’d definitely host! I think the concept would be a mix between Love Island