1. Catch of the day: protein bar brand David sells fish now.

David, the viral protein bar brand that's been dominating fitness TikTok with their impossible 28-gram protein bombs, just made one of the most unexpected pivots in food marketing: selling raw Pacific cod fillets alongside their bars. At first glance, it seems completely unhinged. Why would a company known for convenient grab-and-go snacks suddenly ask customers to, you know, actually cook something? But the more you think about it, the more it starts to make sense in our protein-obsessed culture where everything from cereal to ice cream now brags about added protein content.

Here's the thing: David might be onto something deeper than a marketing stunt. While the rest of the food industry slaps protein powder into increasingly processed products, David is essentially saying "look, if you want the best protein-to-calorie ratio, it's going to be whole foods like fish. BUT we know you're busy, so here are bars that get pretty close." It's an approach that repositions them from "bar company" to "protein company," which could be genius positioning as consumers get savvier about the difference between high-protein and actually healthy.

2. Draw four, drink two.

UNO, the card game that's been ruining friendships since 1971, just launched its first "Social Club" in Las Vegas: a pop-up bar complete with UNO-themed cocktails, bowling, and enough nostalgic memorabilia to make you forget you're essentially paying premium prices to play a game you probably have stuffed in a drawer at home. The concept is rolling out to LA, NYC, and other major cities this August, because in 2025, you can't just sell a product anymore. You have to create an entire branded universe around it.

What's fascinating is how UNO is leaning into the game's chaotic energy rather than trying to sanitize it. The Vegas location features drinks with names like "Draw Two Las Vegas Buck" and "Show 'em No Mercy" variations of the classic game, acknowledging that UNO's real appeal isn't strategy - it's the delicious drama of screwing over your friends. Honestly, if you're going to turn a simple card game into a destination, you might as well embrace the fact that UNO brings out everyone's inner villain. Just don't be surprised when someone throws a real reverse card at your face after a few themed cocktails.

3. Write like a character in a Wes Anderson movie.

Montblanc hired Wes Anderson to make a simple promotional film for their centennial celebration, but the director apparently couldn't resist turning it into a full-blown design project. While working on the commissioned short, Anderson secretly developed "The Schreiberling" (German for "the scribbler"): a limited-edition fountain pen that looks exactly like what you'd expect from someone obsessed with symmetrical compositions and vintage aesthetics. The chunky, colorful pen comes in a pristine green tin with matching notebook, ruler, and ink cartridges, all limited to 1,969 pieces to match Anderson's birth year.

At $2,500, it's the kind of beautifully impractical object that only makes sense in Anderson's meticulously curated universe, where even mundane items get transformed into precious artifacts. Which feels perfectly on-brand for a filmmaker who treats every prop like a museum piece. It's either the most expensive way to take notes ever created, or the cheapest way to own a piece of Wes Anderson's aesthetic obsessions. Either way, you know it'll look absolutely perfect sitting unused on someone's very carefully arranged desk.

Bonus curious thing: yes, we’re still talking about AI.

Everyone’s got an opinion. Fewer have a plan. I’m joining a panel with some sharp minds to dig into how AI is reshaping creative work, and how we might actually use it without losing the plot. Bring your questions, skepticism, or existential dread. Check out my LI post for more event details.