Happy Sunday! Welcome to The Skinny Mini, which will take you 2.5 minutes to breeze through. We designed these lighter editions to help enhance your Sunday with ideas and inspiration for the best day of the week. As one of our subscribers told us: “You’re like my favorite magazine, without all the annoying pop-up ads.” 

(And for anyone new here, this is The Skinny, a free newsletter designed to entertain and save you time, which is everyone’s most valuable resource.)

What we’re covering: 

• The allure of the vacation dupe (warm weather edition)

• Hot Dog Towers & the rise of “LOL foods”

• How to Jet, Set, Thrive (and Pack) this Spring Break

• Plus, RIP George Foreman and an ode to the Lean Mean Grilling Machine, Mary Janes, Oura x Costco, a crunchy Chickpea Cucumber Salad & Wilie Nelson’s new THC-infused tonic

💡Did you know: all The Skinny editions are online and searchable—so you can easily find topics/links/recipes/items to shop that we have written about in the past. Bookmark this link for easy reference.

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Dupe destinations

Spring break, full steam ahead

The Skinny: It’s Spring Break szn and ready or not, dive in. And because you’re not here for bougie tips, we present our Spring Break Dupes Guide. Settle in for some Sunday vacation daydreaming with these alt ideas to avoid high prices, crowds and annoying “content creators” clogging up the scenery.   

• Instead of Tulum, Mexico, hop to Isla Holbox for yoga on the beach, flamingos, cenote dipping, and fresh ceviche. Es OK! **Safety first: A simple Mexican street food guide, remember two things: Fried fish tacos, si. Fresh fruit, no. (Nicole has made the grave mistake of eating the latter.) 

• While Sedona, Arizona, is known for its windchimey vibe—and where you can hike your way to inner peace among the red rocks and vortexes—try Red Rock Canyon or Prescott, AZ instead. 

• Palm Springs, California never disappoints for its aesthetics, but you can find modern poolside lounging, mid-century style, and mineral spas in 29 Palms (stay as this boutique spot that comes with an epic motel past).

• Miami, Florida. Yes, it has paddleboarding, an art scene + art deco tours, and wellness cocktails. But grab your bodycon dress and get most of that by hitting up these alternatives, like Ft. Lauderdale (the “Venice of America,” that you can navigate by boat) or Clearwater. 

• Nashville, Tennessee has rooftop yoga, green juices, and a side of honky-tonk. For less line dancing and WAY fewer drunk bachelorettes—but as much southern soul and great food/music, check out Athens, GA (home of REM, the B-52s and Widespread Panic).

Hot Dog Tower > Seafood Tower

Your pricey multi-level appetizer got a delicious downgrade 

The Skinny: You know we love hot dogs (yes, yes, in moderation) and we are happy to report they are currently enjoying the recognition they deserve in the culinary spotlight: we present the mighty Hot Dog tower, born when Trina’s Starlight Lounge (outside of Boston), decided their bar menu needed a refresh. Enter the renewed joie de vivre of the humble dog. Taking it one step further is Portillo’s, who is bringing its Hot Dog High Tea on tour, which features delicacies like a Chicago Pup and a tiny Italian Beef sandwich. 

Eater takes on why this trend of “LOL Foods” (Skinny editor-approved) is appealing to diners who are tired of exhaustive artisanal menus. The article explains that while we have always loved “things like mozzarella sticks and chicken tenders,” there is a current revival and excitement for these types of menu items that “don’t make you think.”

Sip on this

This Stanley is for the sleek and chic

The Skinny: Join the happy hydration enthusiasts who swear by the Stanley All Day Slim Bottle (34 oz). From the office to gym, this sleek bottle keeps drinks cold (17h) or hot (8h), however you like it. Designed to fit your hand, your cup holder, and your lifestyle—and comes in 10 colors including Pomelo (shown), Lilac and Garnet. Ready to upgrade your hydration game?* Shop now to  sip in style.

Packing prep

Our Spring Break essentials list

The Skinny: As you’re Sunday shopping and browsing for travel essentials, here’s what we got! As always, we strive to save you time by curating this list of essentials (things you truly need for hydration, sleep, sun protection, beauty).

Beach- & Pool-Ready Must-Haves:

• Sunscreen and on-the-go beauty: SPF 30 or higher (Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen) , reef-safe if you’re hitting the ocean; dry shampoo (Batiste Dry Shampoo), tinted moisturizer (bareMinerals Complexion Rescue), lip balm with SPF (Sun Bum Lip Balm), and under-eye patches (Wander Beauty Baggage Claim Eye Masks).

• Cover-ups that double as outfits: Breezy kaftans and oversized button-ups: loads of affordable, cute Beach Cover-Up options here. Tip: don’t overspend on your beach cover-up, as they tend to quickly discolor and/or stain from suntan lotion, etc. 

• Stylish hats: Keep it cute and protected (Furtalk Wide Brim Hat).

• Comfy Loungewear: Because looking cute while staying comfy is an art form, try this Colorfulkoala High Waisted Leggings). To be ready for lounging or moving/going out, grab these Vuori Villa wide leg pants as the only pair of vacation pants you need.

Wellness Add-Ons:

• Portable Humidifier: For dry hotel rooms (MOVTIP Mini Humidifier).

• Hydrate, hydrate: Reusable water bottle (above), electrolyte packets, & hydrating face mist new product alert Evian Glow Facial Spritz. 

• Sleep like a baby: Noise-canceling headphones (our faves Sony WH-1000XM5), silk sleep mask (Alaska Bear Silk Sleep Mask), melatonin gummies (Olly Sleep Gummies).

• Travel Yoga Mat or Resistance Bands: Fit in a quick workout wherever you are (Manduka Travel Mat or Fit Simplify Resistance Bands).

• Have Tech, Will Travel: Phone tripod for selfies, power bank (RepowerEco charger), and travel adapter (EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter).

Last Licks

This week’s newsfeed

• Sneaker news: Mary Jane styles step into the spotlight this spring. 

• An ode to the late great heavyweight “Big George” and the “Rise, and Surprising Staying Power” of the George Foreman grill, via The Hustle. Jill purchased The Lean, Mean Grilling Machine  in 1997 and it is STILL the kitchen workhorse. Put this on your counter with a version under $50 and now fully submersible. A purchase you shall not regret. 

• Willie Nelson’s new THC-infused tonic has an origin story worth reading our primer on THC and other “buzzy” drinks is here).

• For sleep tracker ring enthusiasts, a Costco and Oura partnership. 

• Sunday Cooking with the Skinny: we know and love chef Hetty McKinnon and are whipping up her Tzatziki and Crunchy Chickpea Salad today.

*If you purchase something linked in The Skinny, we may get an affiliate commission—but at no additional cost to you.