Volv Concierge #62

🎁 Volv’s holiday gift guide... and it’s not basic

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Volv Inc.
December 11, 2024

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Hey, fam. Shannon here, and wow, it’s been a wild week. Before we get into the news, I’ve got some pro tips for the holiday gifting procrastinators among us, so stay tuned!

🌎 Around the world

The French government collapsed, but you wouldn’t know it amidst all the fanfare with the Notre Dame reopening. Trump was back on the world stage as global leaders convened for the iconic moment. The restoration of the 860-year-old cathedral after a devastating fire 5 years ago has been mind-blowing—thousands of artisans revived construction methods not used for centuries to make it happen. Truly amazing to watch!

In more world news, Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad was overthrown. Viral videos show the public looting his residence filled with luxury cars, expensive art, and Louis Vuitton. The unrest goes back to 2011 and involves a civil war in which millions of lives were lost. People razed his statues and set his dad’s tomb on fire as he fled to Moscow.

🏠 Home front

The ‘main character’ this week? Luigi Mangione, the guy who allegedly murdered UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. He shot a man in broad daylight, but has the internet’s heart and is being hailed a “hero” by many frustrated with the US healthcare system for supposedly delivering long overdue vigilante justice. Everyone’s picking apart his leaked manifesto and views online. Even Luigi from Mario Kart is getting second-hand attention because there’s SO much merch dedicated to this guy.

It’s been insane, but his backstory—as a 26-year-old former Ivy League student spiraling after a “traumatic” back surgery—is slowly coming out… and, of course, users on Polymarket is betting on it. I’m sure there will be more to this new kind of “fandom” emerging around him, so watch this space.

🎙️ So much happening in pop culture

Jay-Z has been accused of raping a teenager alongside Diddy while an unnamed female celebrity watched the whole thing. The details are unbelievable, and Beyonce is being dragged into it. Jay-Z has alleged blackmail, a “saga” to extort millions from him—and called for the victim’s identity to be made public.

Taylor Swift has made a whopping $2 BILLION from the Eras Tour. She also became the world’s best boss after handing out “life-changing” bonuses going up to $100,000 each to those who worked for her, totaling around $197 million.

With so much going on, the Golden Globes nominations’ snubs and surprises have become an afterthought. The pop stars dominated: Ariana Grande got her first nod, while Selena Gomez-starrer, ‘Emilia Perez,’ broke all kinds of records with 10 nominations. ‘The Bear’ leads in TV with 5, no surprises there.

🎁 The Volv Holiday Gift Guide

Need some inspo for the holiday season? We’ve got you covered.

Skincare and beauty:

  1. For a red light therapy treat, I highly recommend the HigherDOSE Face Mask - it’s the perfect rejuvenating tool.

  2. Rhodes’ Blush and Peptide Lip Treatment are TikTok favorites this year, and for good reason. They are perfect stocking stuffers.

  3. For girlfriends, GHD’s Straightener is amazing.

  4. The Kitsch Satin Curling Set is a great heatless alternative.

  5. If you want to gift perfume, the Terre d’Hermès Parfum is timeless.

Home:

  1. An Aesop hand wash is the perfect gift for couples or for a friend who’s just moved into a new apartment.

  2. Byredo’s Woods candle is one of my favorites and will definitely bring a hygge vibe to a room.

  3. For a friend who loves fashion and loves coffee table books, I would gift Peter Lindbergh: Azzedine AlaĂŻa. 

  4. A great Secret Santa gift: We’re Not Really Strangers card game —a holiday must-have.

  5. For the sci-fi reader friend in your life, this complete Dune series would make a perfect gift: Frank Herbert’s Dune 6-Book Boxed Set. 

Tech

  1. For your coffee fiend friend, a Cometeer Electric Kettle ensures the perfect temperature for every cup of coffee. I recently visited Bacha Coffee in Marrakesh and had no idea you could buy their coffee online, so I would definitely pair it with Bacha’s Marrakech Morning Coffee.

  2. I bought a Crosley Record Player myself; it’s a great starter record player. 

  3. I’ve been looking for the perfect pair of noise-canceling headphones, and this Bose pair is apparently amazing.

Aaaand, that’s it for this week! Hope the Concierge gift guide serves you well.

Talk to y’all soon.

This newsletter was edited by Ishita Sen. 

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