2024's hottest tips from my hot and interesting friends
+ a lil bit of news and politics
Welcome back to Hot Tip! Reminder that paid subscriptions are discounted right now in honor of the holidays/Kevin McCallister’s parents never once being contacted by child protective services.
What’s next in Syria. Just one week ago, dictator Bashar al-Assad was deposed by rebel forces in Syria and has since fled to Russia with the help of his good pal Vlad (yeah, that one.) The Assad family had ruled the country for more than fifty years, torturing and killing hundreds of thousands of their own citizens, all while living in a literal palace. The transition has been relatively smooth thus far, but TBD what is to come in the power vacuum. The newest news is that the US has been in touch with the rebel groups directly. Also: The photos from the fall are stunning and worth looking at.
Trumpdates. The President-elect (shudders in PTSD) finally admitted the truth we knew all along: he’s not sure he can actually lower grocery prices. Of course, he is sure he can lower taxes for corporations, as he promised long-suffering CEOs this week on Wall Street after being named Time’s Person of the Year. Hot tip: Hitler was TIME’s “Man of the Year” in 1938, so take from that piece of information whatever you will.
Mark Zuckerberg still suckerbergs. Several billionaires are donating to Trump’s inauguration fund, and while some are donating their own money (gross, but waste your own money how you want, I guess), Amazon and Meta (aka Facebook, Instagram + Whatsapp) are donating company money. Which reminds me…
I always love to support small businesses, but I especially love to do it when the alternative is apparently paying for Billy Ray Cyrus to sing the national anthem (and it’ll be live-streamed on Prime Video, too.)
FBI Director Christopher Wray is resigning before Trump can fire him — and people are terrified by what that may portend. Mystery drones are flying over New Jersey and locals want to know who’s behind it (my fingers are crossed for aliens with a sense of humor.) You’re not alone in hating the Photos app update, and here’s how to fix it. And the 2025 Golden Globe nominations were revealed last week, but remember:
On food + drink:
After watching vegan propaganda You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment on Netflix at the beginning of the year, I tried to work more plant-based meals into my rotation. Miyoko's Creamery Liquid Vegan Pizza Mozzarella, Gotham Greens Vegan Goddess dressing, and this vegan Kung Pao tofu recipe— which fully converted my husband to tofu— have become new staples in my cooking. — Emily, Producer
If you are not already in the cult of Chobani Creamer (and we really are a cult), you may be asking what on earth this is. Well it turns out the (immigrant-friendly, great-values-having) yogurt makers excel at other forms of dairy. The coffee creamers come in different flavors that are fun to try but can be hit or miss — what you want is the sweet cream kind in the lavender bottle. Because it’s sweetened and I like more than a splash, I dilute it with some regular milk in my mug and then use a frother before pouring the coffee in. This stuff makes such rich, luxurious froth I never want to buy coffee out anymore because it’s just not as good as my cappuccino at home. Through the mental jiu jitsu of girl math, I have just saved you money — , Today Show Writer + Producer (Hot tip: Subscribe to her Substack, Treat Motivated!)
I’m totally obsessed with this Herby Pork Larb with Chile recipe from the New York Times. I make it several times a week because it’s so delicious and easy — and I recommend it all the time. I also like to mix it up and do it with different kinds of meat. Turkey and chicken totally work, too! — Alexis, Writer + Consultant
On performances and podcasts:
Sing Sing was my favorite movie of the year and if there’s any sense in our world (I won’t hold my breath), it should be a major awards contender. If you like art, and want to believe in the power of the human spirit, be on the look out for it’s rerelease in theaters, January 17th. — Chase, Writer + Photographer
Wicked lives up to the hype and more. The score is absolutely unreal. I’ve seen it three times and it’s incredible every single time. — Dylan, Comedian
Oh, Mary! on Broadway. I laughed, I cried, I watched Abe Lincoln get a blowjob. Go for the pre-show playlist, stay for the farcical, fantastical, and not at all factual retelling of the life of our nation’s most fabulous First Lady. — Brenna, Coordinator
Watch the short film Rap World on YouTube. It’s a very funny period piece on a group of suburban dudes’ struggle to record a home rap album in 2008. It nails the late high school period in my life when friends and I would smoke and marvel at our own terrible freestyle raps. And if you want to go deeper, their podcast Joy Tactics is excellent. It’s weird and funny enough to stand out among a million podcasts trying to do the same thing. A recent episode on “Futuristic Baddies” is a good place to start. — Korey, Environmental Lawyer
The Traitors! Literally everyone I know who has seen it loves it. There’s the familiarity of the game we played as kids + reality stars from all different franchises who are experts in being hams. Perfection! — Julia, Consultant
Maybe the best podcast I've ever listened to is Wind of Change. It's about the CIA allegedly writing a pop song to end the Cold War! Also, Stath Lets Flats — a British show, and one of the funniest I have ever seen. It's currently on Peacock, and watch it while it is, because it was on Max for a while and then impossible to find for like a year! — Lizzie, Comedy Writer (Hot tip: Subscribe to her Substack, Lizzie Logan is a Genius.)
On books:
Hot Tip: Don’t just eat your leftovers, reinvent them. An Everlasting Meal: Cooking with Economy and Grace by Tamar Adler, along with a couple other honorable mentions, is a lovely collection of essays that completely changed the way I think about food shopping, cooking, and eating leftovers. It encouraged me to be more creative in the kitchen while also minimizing food waste. Honorable mentions: Cooking as Though You Might Cook Again by Daniel Licht, and Home Cooking by Laurie Colwin. — Sarah, Interior Designer
Greta & Valdin by Rebecca K. Reilly. Mainly vibes, little plot — but oh boy did I love this book. Hilarious, and was obsessed with the characters even if I wouldn’t necessarily want to know them in real life. An irresistible and bighearted bestseller that follows a brother and sister as they navigate queerness, multiracial identity, and the dramas big and small of their entangled, unconventional family, all while flailing their way to love. — Megan, Novelist
North Woods by Daniel Mason was my favorite novel of the past few years. I can't tell you how many times I had to put this down because a chapter ending was such a gut punch, or so moving, that I had to just sit with it for a while before picking it up again. There's a chapter about a guy with an apple obsession (pomomania!) that made me laugh out loud more than most comedies. There's an interlude about a beetle with a giant dong. It's a cliche to say "the setting is a character" but in this instance it's literally true because the book follows the same house in western Massachusetts over the course of several centuries. But it's all interwoven beautifully and keeps paying things off in unexpected ways. Your mileage may vary depending on your appetite for lengthy descriptions of fallen trees, but I’m a little nature boi and so this was very special to me. — Justin, TV Writer
On your bod:
Dieux Baptism! The fragranced version of this gel facial cleanser is my new favorite skin care item. I know some people are all, “Why spend your money on cleanser when you’re just gonna WASH IT OFF?” And to that I say, “Quit YELLING at me.” And then: “Something you use twice a day, every day, to start and end your day, should be both efficacious AND luxurious. You’re supposed to wash your face for at least 60 seconds, which is — carry the one — an eternity. So I love using something that makes that minute into a self-care moment.” End quote. — Grace, TV Writer + Producer
The key to happiness is good loungewear and this set from Eberjay did actually enhance my life. Pricey, but worth it — machine washable and feels like you’re dressed in clouds, with the added bonus of being put together enough to wear outside. This was my go-to airport outfit this year. — Michelle, TV Writer + Producer
I started using the period tracking app Stardust this summer. It’s truly the only push notification I allow on my phone. I learned more about my body in two months than I did in years of health class, bio, and frenetic WebMD searches. — Leah, Writer (Hot tip: Subscribe to her Substack, Change Notice.)
Custom embroidery and designs from NYC with love, by Klein Designs. Creating personal gifts to yourself or loved ones always make the best pieces! You can customize a variety of items and choose from a plethora of designs and even get to design it yourself. — Alexa, Designer + Founder
Hottest tip: Watch legend Dick Van Dyke in a new Coldplay video. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll briefly forget your seasonal affective disorder.
Thanks, as always, for reading, dear pals! And extra thanks to my hot and interesting friends for their hot and interesting tips! Share your 2024 hot tips in le comments below.
The Chobani creamers are liquid gold
You had me at Kevin McCallister