It's a big day.

Today is my 13th wedding anniversary. It’s also my twins’ first day of fourth grade. And I have Covid.

Yes, for the first time in 3.5 years, my husband and I finally caught the virus after transiting back through various European airports. (No one: Were you wearing a mask in the airports? Me: As a matter of fact, we were, and literally no one else was.)

Covid laid me out for three full days, and then Paxlovid fixed me up, but I still have zero sense of taste or smell. (Plus, my nails look appalling at this stage, but that’s related to quarantining, not related to Covid itself).

Overall, I’d give Covid 0/5 stars. Would not recommend. That said, it’s very much going around again, so buckle up, my friends.

Alas, even our anniversary takeout dinner notion seems a bit doomed due to the lack-of-taste thing. But I’m deeply grateful my kids have remained symptom-free and have continued to test negative so they could start school as normal today. Small miracles!

How to Help Maui

I asked my friend on the PR team at Four Seasons Maui how people can best direct resources to help after the fires. She said they are directing people to Maui Strong if that guidance helps you funnel your generous support.

Ongoing layoffs

Related reading:

• One thing publicists need to do TODAY in response to the editorial layoffs

• 6 Takeaways for Publicists Amid Heavy Media Layoffs

Tools of the trade

• My professional guru Jennifer Goforth Gregory has launched a course that I consider essential continuing ed right now: “Improve Your Productivity With AI Tools.” The course is geared toward not only understanding the fundamentals of AI for business writing but also knowing how to use it to actually make your job easier. You also get access to a live monthly Q&A so I consider this a great bargain at $125 (and it’s a write-off, to boot). I learned so much from it. It’s really not daunting — just a straightforward tool, broken up into easily digestible short sessions, with learnings you can implement right away. And it’s even kinda fun, too (if you’re a digital media nerd, like me). Sign up for the course here. And if you take it, do tell me what you think!

• Is anyone using Press Hook yet? If you haven’t heard of it, it’s designed as a platform to connect journalists looking for story sources with brands who want to showcase their products and experts. It also offers a suite of helpful workflow tools. Journalists can search by product and category, and participating brands get exposure and affiliate opportunities — so it’s designed as a win-win for everyone (in the same vein as this Substack). Give it a try — right now there’s a 14-day free trial available — and let me know what you think.

• Freshbooks is the bookkeeping tool I use exclusively for my invoicing, expenses, and reporting. It’s the best, IMHO, so I evangelize. Get FreshBooks here.

• Are you a publicist who needs help understanding the affiliate game? This course, Affiliate Marketing for Publicists, can help.

• I’m obsessed with the game-changing platform Otter.ai. I use it to both record interviews and also to transcribe them in real time. You can also use it to record/transcribe any type of meeting — so anyone who missed it can easily access the Cliff’s Notes version. There’s a pro plan for agencies/companies with a ton of neat features. Check out Otter.ai here.

• My TV reporter and PR agency owner friend Christina Nicholson (who hosted me on her podcast ) hosts a 3-day program for pitching media. Once a seasonal event, she’s now made it available on-demand. You get the masterclass, a personal branding workbook, and a fill-in-the-blanks pitch template — all for $37. It’s a steal, so don’t let it pass you by.

Open press opportunities

• For AFAR, I’m working on a roundup of the most scenic train rides around the world (similar to this story I did on California train rides) and I’m open to pitches for truly the most superlative routes on the planet.

• For Elle Decor, I’m working on a roundup of the best Florida resorts. Please include photos with your pitches (photos and the resorts themselves should all be visually appealing in keeping with the Elle Decor brand/reader).

Recently published or updated

• The Best Apple Watch Bands for Styling Your Right-Hand Tech Tool (The Hollywood Reporter)

• 42 of the Best Restaurants for Birthday Dinners in NYC (Town & Country)

• 32 of the Best Glamping Destinations Across the United States That Are Seriously Gorgeous (Country Living)

• The 12 Best Waterproof Mascaras of 2023 (Travel + Leisure)

• Ten Hollywood-Famous Airbnbs for Experiencing Your Favorite Movies and TV Shows in Real Life (The Hollywood Reporter)

• 8 Best Sunglasses Cases of 2023 (Travel + Leisure)

• 30 of the Best Places in London for Afternoon Tea (Town & Country)

• 25 Best Crossbody Bags You Can Wear Every Day and With Any Outfit (Woman’s Day)

• How FHA Down Payment Assistance Works, Nationally and State By State (HomeLight)

• Tax Breaks for Buying a House: 13 Tax-Savings Opportunities You Might Be Able to Claim (HomeLight)

• 25 Best Girls' Trip Ideas for an Unforgettable Getaway With Your Friends (Woman’s Day)

• 15 Breezy Summer Clothes That Will Keep You Cool and Comfy on Your Next Trip — All Under $40 (Travel + Leisure)

• The 15 Best Breathable Shoes for Summer (Travel + Leisure)

• The Best Luggage on Amazon for All Your Travel Needs (Woman’s Day)

• The Best Conditioners for Kids for All Hair Types (Verywell Family)

• The Best Balance Bikes for Kids Ready to Zoom Off on Two Wheels (Parents)

• 40 of the Best Michelin-Starred Restaurants in NYC (Town & Country)

• 10 Best Cooling Pajamas for Women to Keep You Comfortable (Woman’s Day)

• Flying the Delta One Suite on the New Airbus A330neo from London to Los Angeles (Business Traveler)

• I visited London for King Charles III's coronation and scoured the city for all the fun, kitschy souvenirs I could find (Insider)

• 5 Lessons Event Profs Can Learn From Upper-Class Airline Service (BizBash)

• The Best Graduation Gifts to Celebrate Huge Milestones at Every Age (Parents)

• Want a Relaxing Alternative to a California Road Trip? Hop on a Train. (AFAR)

• 8 gorgeous luxury hotels that start under $150 a night, from a Bali jungle mansion with 5 pools for $86 to a castle-like villa in Italy for $137 (Insider)

• The Ultimate Packing List for Flying With Kids (Travel + Leisure — digital and digital issue)

• 9 eco-friendly things you can do on any vacation that sustainable-travel experts say add up to make a big difference (Insider)

• 11 One-and-done Travel Dresses Under $50 That Will Make Any Mom Feel Comfortable and Stylish (Travel + Leisure)

• The 13 Best Cashmere Sweaters of 2023 (Travel + Leisure)

• 5 Scooter Suitcases Loved by Parents and Kids — All Under $150 (Travel + Leisure)

• Saatva’s *affordable* foam mattress topper totally transformed my years-old mattress (Real Homes)

• 31 Best Dresses on Amazon to Wear This Spring and Summer (Woman’s Day)

• The 12 Best Keratosis Pilaris Treatments, According to Dermatologists (Prevention)

• The 20 Best Luxury Travel Accessories of 2023 (Travel + Leisure)

• 38 of the Best Luxury All-Inclusive Resorts in the World (Town & Country)

• 20 Appropriate Bar Mitzvah Gifts He's Sure to Cherish (Woman’s Day)

• 20 Best Bat Mitzvah Gifts to Honor Her Major Milestone (Woman’s Day)

• These Rent-to-Own Homes Programs to Help You Get Into That House (HomeLight)

• The Best Things to Do in Los Angeles (Esquire)

• The Best Things to Do in Las Vegas (Esquire)

• 23 of the best places to travel to around the world in 2023 (Insider)

Open jobs

Job posts in this newsletter are now free! Have an open opportunity you want me to promote? Share it with me at info@alicedubin.com.

• Quinn PR is hiring an account executive in a commutable distance to New York City. The ideal candidate will have two+ years of PR agency experience working on travel brands and must demonstrate they have current and relevant media relationships. Candidates can learn more and apply here.

• PKPR is looking for an account coordinator to join its NYC team for a hybrid role (three days in office, two remote). Applicants should be highly organized, creative, and have one year of PR experience. For more information on the position and to submit a resume, please contact helena@pkpr.com.

Work with me

• Here’s how to pitch: Simply respond to this email with a new subject line or pitch me at pitch@alicedubin.com.

• Are you a writer hoping to reach my engaged list of publicists? A publicist hoping to connect with brands? A digital media type with a product or service for the industry? Maybe you’d like to sponsor this newsletter with a featured ad. Let’s chat: info@alicedubin.com.

• Yes — thanks for asking! — I am also available for project-based consulting.

How to help

• Donate to the Hawaii Community Foundation’s Maui Strong fund and the Maui Humane Society.

• Donate to the Anti-Defamation League to support the fight against hate.

• Donate to Moms Demand Action and Everytown.

• Donate to Planned Parenthood.