From the Group Chat: Bougie Dorm Rooms, Eve Hewson, and "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives"

EDITOR’S NOTE

Happy Sunday. While I haven’t stepped in a classroom in many years, I have the urge for a fresh, back-to-school look. This season, I’ll dress like a female game show host (they’ve allegedly become “office-style role models”), and I’ll purchase fall’s “must-have staple”: a cropped trench. I’ll also get a new haircut, inspired by the Bob Brigade’s latest members: Victoria Beckham, who’s giving ‘90s Posh Spice vibes, and Kendall Jenner, who briefly sported a “nano-bob.” (Admittedly, I’m not brave enough for that.) Speaking of the Jenners, Kylie debuted a new-but-actually-old hair color — which is a dramatic departure from the supposed “it girl-approved” fall hair shade. Another surprisingly good autumnal trend? “Butterscotch-toffee nails,” as seen on mani influencers Hailey Bieber and Selena Gomez. Talk about good taste.

— Taylor Trudon / Writer, Culture & Lifestyle / Brooklyn, NY

🛩 Thanks to influencers trying to nail the “airport tray aesthetic,” flying is even more insufferable.

🍂 Just in time for cable-knit sweater season, the iconic J.Crew catalog is making its return. Finally, a comeback we can get on board with. 

🎁 In further proof that Weddings Are Not OK: Couples are apparently letting guests pick their wedding favors via gifting stations.

👢 Another week, another perplexing shoe collaboration. Are they clogs? Are they snow boots? We’ll let you decide.

🍓 Stickers and straw covers for your Stanley tumbler are one thing, but lunch box-like attachments and special slings? Stanley hive, you’ve gone too far.

Gone are the days when college dorm room shopping meant hitting up Bed Bath & Beyond (with a stack of expired 20%-off coupons) to stock up on twin XL sheets, plastic shower caddies, and over-the-door mirrors. Now, Gen Z-ers are giving new meaning to the term “dorm decor” by transforming the notoriously hideous cinderblock boxes into perfectly Instagrammable, boutique hotel-like rooms. The students — who often attend southern schools like the University of Mississippi and the University of Alabama — are bringing in fancy furniture, from upholstered headboards to custom cabinets designed to hide microwaves and mini fridges. They’re decorating drab walls with personalized neon signs, wallpaper, and, get this, framed artwork. They’re buying matching bedding, drapery, and monogrammed pillows. They’re even turning desks into makeup vanities (ideal for filming GRWM videos). All of which is often coordinated with their roommate before move-in day and documented in Extreme Makeover: Home Edition-style TikTok videos. 

Now, to be fair, this phenomenon isn’t totally new. For the past few years, DormTok — like RushTok — has invaded FYP pages everywhere. But this year, it seems “the stakes of dorm decor have never been higher.” And it’s not just the students who are deeply invested in the lavish dorm room lifestyle. So are their parents. While some have joined dorm-decorating Facebook groups (see: Dorm Room Mamas, which currently has over 246,000 members who share “tips, advice, and support”), others are enlisting the help of interior designers that charge $10,000 (yes, you read that right). And here we thought having a mini fridge was a flex.

After Heather Gay’s viral monologue, it seemed no one could oust The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City as the Queens of Utah Reality TV. Not so. Let us introduce you to The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. The Hulu series, which premiered Friday, follows a group of Mormon mom influencers — including, of all people, Ben Affleck’s cousin-in-law — whose #MomTok world was upended in 2022, when a “swinging sex scandal” thrust them into the spotlight (get caught up on that, here). In addition to the explosive revelations, the eight episodes cover the aftermath, in which the group of friends must navigate “faith, backstabbing, gaslighting, infidelity, and vacation.” We’ll be watching — with Lisa Barlow-approved snacks, of course.

A round of applause for this week’s Nepo Baby Hall of Fame candidate: Eve Hewson, daughter of Ali and Paul Hewson. Who, you ask? Perhaps you know the latter by his stage name, Bono. For over a decade, Eve has quietly built up her resume — so quietly, as she pointed out, that she wasn’t included in New York magazine’s nepo baby cover story. Among the Irish actress’s 20-plus film and TV roles: the lonely, mysterious wife in Netflix’s Behind Her Eyes; a single mom who takes guitar lessons to bond with her son in Sundance-favorite Flora and Son; and most notably, wild child Becka in the acclaimed Apple TV+ dramedy Bad Sisters. Now, Hewson is starring in her buzziest project yet — appearing opposite Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, and Dakota Fanning in the Netflix series, The Perfect Couple, based on Elin Hilderbrand’s blockbuster novel. And when she’s not sharing the screen with Kidman, she’s devouring “brat” cakes, taking silly mirror selfies, and wearing a perfectly bold red lip. Because who says stars can’t contain multitudes?

Thank you, Prince William, for giving the people exactly what they wanted: the return of the internet’s favorite stubble.

Skip the awkward office party and throw them a Surprise Cardy instead. Here’s how it works: Ask the giftee’s closest coworkers to write them a thoughtful message in a Hallmark card, arrange the cards in a cute box or gift basket, and leave it at your work bestie’s desk before they get to the office on their big day. The result? A low-stress, high-impact, and totally unforgettable birthday for your favorite yapper at the water cooler. No party hats required.*

We wish we didn’t have to be the one to tell you. But yes, co-hosts Amanda Duberman and Blake Lew-Merwin dig into Brady’s first three episodes in our latest episode of Well Played – and if he has a promising future as a YouTuber. They also recap the latest WNBA wins and losses and preview the matchups and rule changes defining the NFL’s opening weekend that will allow you to one-up any man in your life. Subscribe and watch here.

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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.