BrittanyMakes

Welcome to The Refresh! Every Wednesday I share the things that are getting me over the hump and through the week. And hey, Memorial Week was Monday, so today is basically Wednesday, right? RIGHT. 

1 // The kitchen tool that’s making dinner fun again

Anyone else feeling really bored with their go-to recipes? I’ve been looking for easy ways to spice up family dinner, but I’m scrapping the bottom of the barrel these days. 

Enter this Pizza Stone. Whenever I’m feeling uninspired, I declare it to be Pizza Night, and we get some handmade pizzas going on the grill. The pizza stone gives the crust that perfect fired taste. My husband loves an excuse to fire up the BBQ and my kids love playing with weird topping combinations. And I’m off the hook! 

2// How Katie Couric, a CEO, and a therapist are dealing right now 

Newsletters are the new blog, amiright? Girls Night In started as a newsletter and has now grown into a full-on media empire of articles centered on self-care, mental wellbeing, and interviews with badass women. I’m loving their May series, “How Do I Deal?” which goes “a few layers deeper as we learn how to manage all the grief hope, whiplash, fear, anxiety, and sadness we may be feeling in this moment and beyond.” Check out this article to see how 6 women are answering that burning question. I also loved this one, which outlines some much-needed rabbit holes to fall into if you’re in need of a good fluffy distraction.

3 // Fashion trend alert: smocked detailing

Adding things to my virtual shopping cart is my version of Shelter-In-Place window shopping. And I’m loving all of the smocked detailing out there!  

Right now I’m really feeling this jumpsuit and this shirt. Long live the modern renaissance vibe! 

4// Is it time for a challenge?

In that same vein, I’m contemplating doing a fashion challenge to get off that yoga pants/stretchy jeans train. (Although it certainly is a very comfy train!) My friend Shira Gill is doing a 10×10 challenge, creating 10 different looks in 10 days using 10 items. Maybe it’s time for me to do the same.

Skirt (similar) // Shirt // Shoes (similar)

5 // On taking the time you need to notice, think and grow

Jenny Odell is an Oakland-based artist and writer of the NYT bestselling book, How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy. Full disclosure: a friend gave her book to me last year, but I haven’t had time to dive into it. I know, the irony is not lost on me. 

But I loved this interview with her on how her creative process has shifted, the joys of birdwatching, and what being productive in a pandemic actually means. 

6 // All that glitters

I’ve been rocking this paperclip chain necklace lately, and I keep getting questions about it! #flattering

I got mine from my friend over at House of Talula, but I’m seeing similar styles at Nordstrom and Etsy. ALLSAINTS has some really funky chunky necklaces that I’m thinking about layering in.

7 // A peek at our bestselling items

We just wrapped up our Memorial Day Sale over on the Vintage Rug Shop, and here are the top 3 bestsellers by a landslide:

`1 Migration  // 2 Berkeley Table Lamp // 3 Brass Pepper Mill and Brass Salt Mill

8// The sweetest thing

I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: Bakesale Betty is my all-time comfort food. And the Vintage Rug Shop storefront just happens to be right next door to their bakery. While you can still pick up pies on weekends (check their Instagram for details), I’ve been craving a slice of their banana bread all week.

Well today THEY ARE FEATURED IN THE NEW YORK TIMES!! No big deal. NYT doing a roundup of at-home recipes from beloved restaurants all around the country and Bakesale Betty’s Cinnamon Crunch Banana Bread is front and center. I think I know what I’m making this weekend.