Dear Subscriber First Name,

Hot (AsianBoss)Girl Summer hath commenced. And maybe not the kind you’re thinking of!

At some point, the term seems to have become equated with sexual freedom, the kind more commonly associated with being single. But I’m here to say, you can have a hot girl summer regardless of your dating life or relationship status.

According to Megan thee Stallion, aka the woman who coined the term, having a hot girl summer means “just being you, just having fun. It’s turning up, driving the boat and not giving a damn about what nobody’s saying” (Urban Dictionary).

To me, HGS is a mood. It’s a lifestyle. It’s me saying to myself, yeah you gained some weight and don’t feel super confident right now, but you can still appreciate your body. You can speak kindly to and feel good about yourself. I’m focusing on what makes me feel good—eating well, keeping my finances on lock, soaking in the sun and smelling that musky summer air, and hanging with my (vaccinated) friends.

Summer is a golden season brimming with the possibility of magic. This last summer of my 20’s—and everyday, really—I’m celebrating me, and I’m celebrating my girls. Because at the end of the day, you have to be your own cheerleader, your own champion, and show up for each other. That’s when the real magic happens.

Here’s to “just being you, just having fun”,
Haemee

P.S. - If you’d like to suggest a theme for an upcoming issue, message us at: newsletter@asianbossgirl.com.

Whatever your weight or shape, if you could use a confidence booster, here’s a reminder that you are fine, just as you are. I appreciated this one because it’s also a reminder to focus on the present, and to live your life with intention and a sense of adventure.

Naomi Osaka is stunning on the cover of Vogue Japan. She’s taking a much-deserved social media break after the French Open debacle, and we’re glad she took a second to share these images with us. Can someone teach me how to pose for photos like that???

We love celebrating the beauty in aging. Korean Mexican photographer SeoJu Park’s tribute to her mother and feature in Vogue México are absolutely stunning.

Photographer Andy Jackson’s gorgeous series on Pride & Community provides a metaphor for “blossoming into your own”.

Viral images show people of color as culprits of anti-Asian hate crimes and incidents. However, this misses the big picture and “can have "long-term consequences for racial solidarity” (NBC Asian America).

Skater Girl is out on Netflix. A teen girl in rural India is introduced to skateboarding, which becomes both an outlet and means for independence.

Photographer and our good friend Andrew Kung’s latest project, ‘Perpetual Foreigner’, creative directed by his girlfriend, Kathleen Namgung, challenges the idea that Asians do not belong in America by humanizing them in intimate, everyday contexts.

A petition of more than 40,000 signatures calling for changes to the “Spill Your Guts or Fill Your Guts” segment on The Late Late Show with James Corden, which has included “horrific” foods like balut, chicken feet, and century eggs. Created by influencer, artist, and activist Kim Saira, she argues, “not only is this segment incredibly culturally offensive and insensitive, but it also encourages anti-Asian racism, when they’re regularly eaten by Asian people”. As of June 23, the show has yet to publicly comment.

Reading: Eyes that Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho. I recently purchased this book for my friend’s daughters. While reading it in the bookstore, my eyes welled up with tears. Asian eyes are often mocked in racist gestures that I have a feeling many of us are all too familiar with. To see a kids’ book weave a gorgeous story around family and celebrating individual, Asian beauty is so incredible, it’s a little hard to put into words. This book is one I want to gift every little person in my life.

Watching: Soft Sounds of Peeling Fruit by Shelly Yo. This short film tells the coming of age story of Hayoung, and her learning to understand the complexities of her mother’s love. Cut fruit is a love language I believe many can understand and remember fondly. Created in collaboration with Lena Waithe’s production company, The Hillman House, this film and several others by next generation BIPOC filmmakers premiered at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival—no small feat!

Eating: Nectarines & Peaches. My favorite stone fruits!!! I am obsessed. Absolute joy is digging into a chilled, ripened nectarine, the sweet juice dribbling down your chin with each bite. Nectarines and peaches taste great in salads too! Oh, and don’t forget about peach pie. Summer really is the best season.

Once upon a time, I spent too much time and money trying different razors. Enter Billie—the razor designed for womankind. Ergonomically designed for ease of use, with five blades for a close shave, and a cute magnetic holder so it always has a home, Billie is the one razor I’m committed to. For just $9, you can get your starter kit today.

With Butcher Box, you can get premium, perfectly packed and portioned meat delivered right to your door—just in time for some summer grilling! Get started today with a free essentials bundle in your first box.

Thrive Causemetics makes it easy to look good and do good. Their makeup and skincare products are vegan and cruelty-free. With each purchase, the company also donates to a woman in need. Upgrade your beauty regimen today and get 15% off your first purchase.

*Some of the above links are affiliate links - this means that if you purchase through them, we earn a small % and it does not cost you any extra.

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