AP has been reading the zeitgeist better than most luxury brands dare to. Unthinkable five years ago, but now they are launching a collab with Swatch; the royal pop collection, May 16th, based on the iconic Royal Oak. And from the little they have published, some new innovative alternative to wearing the watch, like a necklace or a bag charm, maybe? If it is, it feels very directed towards GenZ. Let`s see the 16th.

While the benefits for Swatch are obvious, why would one of the most exclusive watchmakers in the world go there? (Patek would neverrrr)

AP seems to know what direction the wind is blowing. The influencers they collaborate with, like Gstaad Guy, Tamara, Xenia, sit in a very specific sweet spot, bridging old money and luxury goods to the “new cool” without alienating either. The Marvel collection, the parties they throw, the public pop-ups, combined with the still old-school private visits to their offices for seeing their watches. AP know it`s all family, and they are now putting in the efforts to onboard the younger generations. I think it is brilliant.

The Royal Oak sits at a price point that is inaccessible to most, especially the youngest generation. Introducing the icon at an accessible price, with a playful twist, is a way of creating collectors of people who feel something for the brand before they can afford investing in a watch. Brand loyalty built at the entry level is some of the most durable loyalty they can create, and AP is knowingly tapping into that. They will launch in-store only, and Gen Z is not known for shying away from a line.

The world is heavy right now, and people want something to smile at. AP x Swatch is comparable to a Labubu moment, a little silly, completely irresistible, and right on time. Some old-guard enthusiasts won't love it, but AP know that's a price worth paying for the next generation of collectors.

In my POV, a clever move towards young collectors. Applause for the boldness AP.

Am I the only one that feel a little emotional that Powell had his last meeting as Chair? Kevin Warsh is expected to be confirmed by the full Senate this week, ahead of Powell's term ending on May 15. Markets expect him to cut faster, but we'll see.

Powell held rates steady as expected. But four policymakers dissented, one wanted cuts, while three thought the statement was too soft. The committee is pulling in three different directions at once. What can we read from this messy meeting? A leadership transition + a divided committee + an oil shock = nobody really knows what the next months might look like. I think the US will be in for a ride.

Corporate earnings are genuinely strong right now, record profit margins, solid growth, tech doing the heavy lifting. The catch is that the market already knows this, and has priced in more of the same. There's very little room for disappointment. It's like getting a 10/10 performance review, and then your bonus depends on getting 11/10 next quarter.

The AI angle is where it gets interesting. U.S. GDP barely moved last quarter, and almost all of what did move came from AI infrastructure spending. Everything else combined? Basically a rounding error. Investors have stopped applauding just anything "AI" and started asking what the returns actually look like.

Brent crude hit $118 last week. Oil is interesting, basically because it is an intel of what will happen to inflation in the near future. March CPI already jumped to 3.3% year-over-year, up from 2.4% in February, driven by a 21% gasoline spike in one month. The Fed can't cut into that. And they know it. The VIX is currently at around 18, which can be considered low for the time period and the circumstances.

All the baddies are currently drinking carrot juice, and Aisha Potter is the plug. I love anything eat/drink your skincare, and my last 3 Joe orders are the carrot juice, so you can say I was influenced.

One cup delivers more than 250% of your daily vitamin A, the nutrient your skin, eyes, and immune system are running on. The beta-carotene that gives it its orange colour gets converted directly into vitamin A by your body. Research suggests it may also protect your skin from UV damage.

Vitamin C supports collagen production, which we know is key to feeling and looking fresh. Potassium helps keep blood pressure in check.

Unlike most juices, it has a low glycemic index, meaning it won't spike your blood sugar the way you'd expect. The one honest caveat: juicing strips the fibre. So generally don't ditch the whole carrot, but if I’m having a juice anyway, this one earns its place.

May is the month where I always say, sh*t is it May already? It marks the final sprint before summer, and I am personally locked in on health in these final months to feel my best. My current routine is 5 workouts a week, and I like to think of it as a little bootcamp. I must say, it would be so much harder without group classes. Group classes are amazing for 2 main reasons;

The accountability I feel to show up for the class when I know there is a waitlist, and I am taking up a spot. That plus the no-show fee makes me show up no matter what. I also like the accountability in the workout itself, the other women in the class make me feel like we are all in it together? love that for us.

and it`s simply more fun. I feel energised by new unexpected encounters and experiences, Tte other day my instructor brought little fun wellness drinks to everyone that attended the class, and I randomly learned a lot about breath-work.

Community creates space for unexpected surprises and experiences that would not be offered otherwise. So if you feel motivated to take a class that feels aligned, it is a great investment of time.