TikTok, You Might Stop

Plus, raising our glass to Gen Beta. Welcome aboard.

We are sending our love to our Los Angeles neighbors and friends who have experienced unbelievable loss and heartbreak this week. Thanks to everyone who has reached out to us. Personally, we are lucky to be currently safe and with our homes. We are ready to roll up our sleeves and help our amazing community find footing again.

Ten days into the New Year and our go bags are packed, our most important and prized documents and possessions all accounted for. Do we remember being afraid of drones just a couple weeks ago? Just barely! Are they still there? WHO KNOWS! Time is funny little bitch.

Generation Beta is here!

Sending a very warm welcome to all the new January babies who are kicking off the start of gen Beta — and to think, we only just learned gen Alpha existed! This generation will range from 2025-2039. And, they will be growing up presumably as AI natives. Shudder.

TikTok Ban? Or Nah!

The Supreme court is debating TikTok bans as we type in an spirited debate that covers both free speech and national security.

170 million Americans are on TikTok, owned by Chinese parent company ByteDance. Maybe the ship has already sailed?

The Biden administration is defending a law that demands TikTok cut ties with the Chinese government or be banned in the US by this January 19th. The great fear is that the Chinese government is using the app to gather personal information on US citizens or to manipulate public opinion in the states. However, users of the app feel that banning a major social media platform would be hindering our right to free speech. Tough call!

Also, worth noting that Trump was initially for banning TikTok but after his billionaire friend who is heavily invested in ByteDance told him about all the great things you can do on TikTok, he seems to think its filled with great people. And, great TikTok shops! Glad to know he’s looking out for our best interests.

Will SCOTUS uphold the ban? As of now, the court is undecided! Should be an exciting couple weeks.

Speaking of TikTok Shop…

Deanna here!

As you all know, last week I purchased the viral Hermès bucket bag dupe off TikTok shop and lost my ever loving mind. The quality was so good that I lost all sense of place and purpose. The bucket bag made it into my car as one of the things I secured as I fled the Los Angeles fires. Popped her right in between my desktop and a notebook of love letters from my mom. It made the cut. With that said, I have gotten a hold of myself. I had to think past the thrill of the product and reconnect with source energy. Buying off TikTok shop removes your brain from thinking about fashion accountability. You just watch a gal go crazy for a bag, click a button and it arrives at your doorstep.

During last week’s pod, Emily asked the hard hitting question - who makes that bag? That question had me checking in with my core values. Who does make this bag?! What sort of operation are they running? I don’t buy SKIMS products because they are way down at the bottom of re/make chart.