It’s officially Fall though temperatures are hardly Fall-like in Cali! This week we’re talking about mother’s milk produced in a lab, paid parental leave for federal employees, motherhood as a start up superpower, a new platform for women-owned brands and the current fashion trends flooding the streets of London. Read on for a recap of fun and thought-provoking pieces we think you’ll love. 

MOTHER’S MILK

Ok, this one gave me a pause. What do you think? Should mother’s milk be produced in the lab as a more sustainable (and healthier!) option to formula? 

PAID PARENTAL LEAVE FOR FED EMPLOYEES, EXCLUDE POSTAL WORKERS

Several changes in federal workplace policies will kick in as of the start of the new fiscal year next Thursday, most notably that employees of most agencies will be entitled to a new paid parental leave benefit. According to the news brief, “that benefit will allow employees to substitute paid leave for part or all of the 12 weeks of unpaid leave available under the Family and Medical Leave Act within 12 months of the birth, adoption or foster placement of a child, effective with such events occurring October 1 or after.” 12 weeks isn’t enough, in my opinion, but it’s definitely a right step in the right direction. 

MOTHERHOOD AS A START UP SUPER POWER

I’ve always believed that motherhood is a strength, not a weakness. In this lovely read inspired by the memory of the late national super-SHE-ro — RBG you will learn why and how becoming a mother gives birth to superpowers. And now your turn, mama — what’s your super power? 

In her “Advice for Living” in The New York Times in 2016, the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg attributes her success in law school—where she was one of nine women in a class of 500—to her baby, Jane:  “I attended classes and studied diligently until 4 in the afternoon; the next hours were Jane’s time, spent at the park, playing silly games or singing funny songs... After Jane’s bedtime, I returned to the law books with renewed will. Each part of my life provided respite from the other and gave me a sense of proportion that classmates trained only on law studies lacked.” 

NEW PLATFORM FOCUSED ON WOMEN-OWNED FASHION BRANDS

And it was founded in Chicago! As stated in the article, "Mavely is an e-commerce platform that is making product discovery and customer acquisition easy for women-owned fashion brands around the globe. Even though it may be done quite consciously, it puts people in the process of learning to master the process and set their fashion goals.” Mavely allows their users (85% women) to earn cash from home by shopping and selling female-founded and sustainable brands with their friends. 

6 BEAUTIFUL WARDROBE BASICS ON THE STREETS OF LONDON

Can you guess what they are? Head over to the article for visual inspo and shopping links, but here are the 6 wardrobe basics trending this season in London: plaid blazers, wide leg jeans, oversized button-down shirts, loafers, trench coats and retro sneakers. Can I just say I’m obsessed with all of them? 

IMAGE SOURCE: FORBES

Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Martin Ginsburg play with their three year old daughter Jane in her bedroom at Martin's parents' home in Rockville Center, N.Y. COLLECTION OF THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES, VIA NEWSWEEK.COM