Jess Kirby

Sterling

Reporter at Loudoun Times-Mirror

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Articles

Click. Read. Love. 2.7.25

2 months ago | jessannkirby.substack.com | Jess Kirby

**Special Announcement: I’m doing a 48 hour subscription sale for readers. Click here to save 15% on an annual subscription. Thanks for supporting this newsletter.**It’s hard to believe that 5 years ago, I had just come home with a newborn. Ironically (or not) Trump was president at the time, and little did we know the world was about to experience a global pandemic. I remember looking down at my 1 month old baby and thinking, what have I done?
What Happened When I Deleted Email From My Phone

2 months ago | jessannkirby.substack.com | Jess Kirby

The year was 2008. Fresh out of college I got my first job, in New York City. Soon after I was hired, I was given something that would change the trajectory of my career (and my life). I got a company phone, the BlackBerry (RIP). Back in 2008, having a smartphone was a pretty big deal, especially a company phone. I took my newfound smartphone ownership very seriously. I was connected.
Click. Read. Love. 1.31.25

2 months ago | jessannkirby.substack.com | Jess Kirby

I can’t believe it’s finally the end of January, no doubt the absolute longest month of the year. It was a month mixed with highs and lows. The weekend I spent with my two oldest friends was wonderful. As a family we’ve been spending afternoons and weekends at the mountain skiing and being with friends. It’s so special and fun.
Click. Read. Love. 12.6.24

2 months ago | jessannkirby.substack.com | Jess Kirby

I am currently in Boston and (yay me) scheduled this newsletter ahead of time because I am celebrating my 40th birthday (with Craig who is also about to turn 40). And (yay me again) I no longer feel the need to work while I am taking time off. So, all of that to say I’ve been thinking a lot lately about turning 40, but most of the thinking is about how I haven’t really been thinking about what it means to turn 40, lol. Maybe I will have more to say on it at some point, maybe I won’t.
The Inescapable Allure of Influencing

2 months ago | jessannkirby.substack.com | Jess Kirby

Before we get into the nitty gritty, welcome to all the new subscribers (I assume many found their way here through my interview with Sara Petersen or from Motherhood Untitled’s sharing of it). I must admit I get a little tightness in my chest with an influx of new people. Most of the time, I convince myself that no one actually reads this newsletter. I try not to look at subscriber counts too often.
It's Time To Break Up With Billionaires

2 months ago | jessannkirby.substack.com | Jess Kirby

Over the weekend I stopped at a mall on my drive from Boston to Vermont. The parking lot has chargers, so I plugged in my car and went inside to fill up my water bottle. No, I absolutely do not have a Tesla. As I made my way across the mall, I searched for someone to make eye contact with and say a “good morning” or “hello.” I never used to be that person but moving to Vermont has turned me into a “friendly stranger.” Lol. People were in the mall, but no one was there.
One Last Thing

2 months ago | jessannkirby.substack.com | Jess Kirby |Jessica Defino

I wasn’t planning on coming back to write anything for this newsletter until 2025, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned from a year of doing this, it’s that I’m allowed to change my mind.
How To Do A Year Of Buying Nothing New

2 months ago | jessannkirby.substack.com | Jess Kirby

My first year of buying nothing new has almost come to a close. It’s changed my perspective on so many things in my life. It’s changed my career, and how I feel about consumerism and capitalism. It’s changed how I think about my place in the world, and how I can be a positive example for meaningful change. And, maybe most importantly, it’s changed how I spend my time. I used to to think self-care was “treating myself” to things. Splurging on clothes, make-up products, and a 12-step beauty routine.
A Crowd-Sourced Gift Guide

2 months ago | jessannkirby.substack.com | Jess Kirby

It’s currently stick season in Vermont, but this (above) is all I really want for Christmas. Seriously though. If only that pesky old climate change wasn’t warming the planet and making it snow less often and later in the season. Anyhoo, that’s not what this is about (or is it)? I know there’s plenty of gift guides out there. And also, more than $8.3 billion is estimated to be wasted on unwanted gifts according to a 2022 report.
How Does Where You Live Shape Beauty Standards?

2 months ago | jessannkirby.substack.com | Jess Kirby

I started this thread a few days ago and wanted to chat more about how where you live shapes beauty standards. Share your thoughts in the comments. The first time I realized how much where I lived impacted how I felt about beauty was right after I left Los Angeles (the first time). I lived in LA twice, once during a brief stint in acting school (college years) and then again in my late 20s.