Bri Books
Bri Books is the podcast that encourages, entertains and enlightens by engaging with the ideas on and off the pages. We serve a community of ambitious, curious people hungry for conversations and books that transform, challenge and inspire us. What are you reading? Shout it out using #bribooks and listen to Bri Books on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and Google Play.
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Cozymaxxing: How to Create a Restorative Hibernation Season for Your Nervous System
01/16/2026
Cozymaxxing: How to Create a Restorative Hibernation Season for Your Nervous System
Welcome back to Bri Books! Today’s episode is all about “Cozymaxxing,” and how to create a hibernation season for yourself that feels restorative. I share with you a few practical ways to inject more cozy into your everyday. If you’re new to the show, leave a of Bri Books on and listen to Bri Books on Please tell me where you’re traveling to by using on Instagram and subscribe to the Bri Books What is Cozymaxxing? Cozymaxxing, to me, is about intentional softness and what happens after the peak. We’re currently in the waning moon (January 15, 2026). As the moonlight gets less and less, right now, it’s almost like life is taking a big exhale. Use this time of the year to “cozymaxx” for yourself. Online, cozymaxxing often looks like candles, blankets, staying in, and yummy soups. It’s also a great time to ask ourselves, what can be softened? What can be released? What do we not need to hold so tightly to? Winter is the perfect time to nest within yourself. Nature shows us the way—bears hibernate and turn their heat inward, focusing their growing force inward to germinate the seeds. During January, take time to slow down, ado some nervous system repair, and work on your emotional and physical digestion. Cozy as a form of release Being comfortable and cozy doesn’t mean just dealing with what’s there—it means releasing what doesn’t add to comfortability. Cozymaxxing becomes powerful when I compare it with release, so it doesn’t feel like an accumulation of sensory experiences. I want my cozymaxxing to also have a release, so it’s about output. Remember, input without output leads to stagnation. So, think about what needs to go. Cozymaxxing as nervous system care You’re probably a little overstimulated—I know I am. When it comes to regulating my nervous system, to me, cozymaxxing involves trusting my body to know what it needs, so I don’t have to do a ‘system override’ of what I’m feeling, where, in my body. Practical cozymaxxing practices Choose one small space in your home to soften (in your home or workplace). That means making the place very soft and comfy, somewhere you find yourself coming back to and wanting to come back to. I often soften my nightstand, display my teas proudly with a little tea making station, etc. soften your environment. To soften mine, I’ll often rearrange the crystal dish, cleaning the nightstand, and refreshing the artifacts in my home. Take specific blankets and throw pillows and designate a corner of your couch for them. Remember: the power of cozymaxxing is preparation. f you’re thinking of cozymaxxing through the ens of the moon cycles the waning moon isn’t the end—it’s preparation for the new/ rest supports growth, it doesn’t delay it. We are all seeds! Hibernation and cozymaxxing is about turning inward. Seeds don’t sprout in chaos! They sprout in stillness, warmth and darkness. And that’s what the winter offers—time for the seeds of your life to sprout. Cozymaxxing is how we tend to the soil of our routines. If you’re new to the show, leave a of Bri Books on and listen to Bri Books on Please tell me where you’re traveling to by using on Instagram and subscribe to the Bri Books
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5 Winter Recipe-Ready Cookbooks for 2026
01/12/2026
5 Winter Recipe-Ready Cookbooks for 2026
Welcome to Bri Books! We’re returning to our bookish roots today with a deep dive of the 5 best cookbooks to help you cook around the world in winter 2026. I don’t know about you, but the deep winter temperatures make me want to run to my Instant Pot and my oven instead of the local restaurant or watering hole. In this episode, I walk through my top 5 cookbooks for winter-ready, no-fuss meals. If you’re new to the show, leave a of Bri Books on and listen to Bri Books on Please tell me where you’re traveling to by using on Instagram and subscribe to the Bri Books Bri Books Top 5 Winter Recipe-Ready Cookbooks for 2026 Alison Roman’s latest cookbook invites us into the magic of pantry cooking, and turning store-cupboard staples like beans, olives, and pasta into deceptively simple but deeply satisfying meals. I love this book as both reading and as a reference for my home cooked winter meals. “Made Here” is a remarkable cookbook that goes beyond the typical what-to-make-recipes format to serve as a cultural document. Drawn from more than 40 restaurants representing 18+ Asian cuisines across New York City, "Made Here" celebrates community, heritage, and resilience. Proceeds support work with small businesses and community programs, underlining how food can nourish both body and community. As a member of the New York Junior League, I can tell you that gracious hosting is an art form. Part community artifact, part kitchen companion, this anniversary cookbook showcases the breadth of home cooking traditions within the New York Junior League community. While "One Pot Feeds All" spans a tradition of practical cooking rather than a single cuisine or era, its ethos resonates with cooks seeking simplicity without sacrificing flavor. Designed around meals that require minimal cleanup and maximum comfort, its recipes appeal to home cooks who want hearty meals from a single vessel. 5. Essentials of Italian Cooking by Marcella Hazan No culinary library is complete without Marcella Hazan’s Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking. A unification of her earlier classic Italian texts, this book has long been revered as an indispensable guide to authentic Italian home cooking. Covering nearly every technique and staple from risotto to ragù to perfect pasta sauces, Hazan’s work remains influential decades after its publication, teaching timeless fundamentals with clarity and passion. If you’re new to the show, leave a of Bri Books on and listen to Bri Books on Please tell me where you’re traveling to by using on Instagram and subscribe to the Bri Books
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How to Do a Self-Care Post-Holiday Boundary Reset for 2026
01/09/2026
How to Do a Self-Care Post-Holiday Boundary Reset for 2026
If you’re new to the show, leave a of Bri Books on and listen to Bri Books on Please tell me where you’re traveling to by using on Instagram and subscribe to the Bri Books After the holidays, it’s common to feel drained, overstimulated, or out of rhythm. In this episode of Bri Books, we focus on how to do a simple, grounded post-holiday reset that emphasizes self care, reflection, and intention (but without the pressure.) Episodes mentioned: In this episode, we talk through my practical approach to a self-care post-holiday reset. Rather than pushing productivity or strict routines, this episode centers hydration, cleaning your physical space, noticing patterns, reducing digital noise, and setting intentions. Topics covered include: Hydrating consistently and having whole, simple meals in January Cleaning your kitchen, especially cabinets and cupboards Tracking what drained you versus what filled you up Doing a digital detox and taking silent walks Planning intentions without pressure If you’re new to the show, leave a of Bri Books on and listen to Bri Books on Please tell me where you’re traveling to by using on Instagram and subscribe to the Bri Books
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7 Best Books of 2025: Stories of Resilience, History, Home & Becoming
01/03/2026
7 Best Books of 2025: Stories of Resilience, History, Home & Becoming
Welcome to Bri Books podcast! In this episode, we explore six captivating books from 2025 that span memoir, history, culture, and personal growth. From surviving illness abroad to uncovering hidden royal power plays, from the quiet history of our homes to the question of who we’re meant to become, these books invite us to see the world, and ourselves, more clearly. If you’re new to the show, leave a of Bri Books on and listen to Bri Books on Please tell me where you’re traveling to by using on Instagram and subscribe to the Bri Books Books Discussed in This Episode A practical and reflective guide to discovering your true values and aligning them with your career and life choices. Welch offers tools and frameworks to help listeners clarify who they are, what they want, and how to build a life that fits. . Bernstein traces the sweeping history of media, from the invention of writing in ancient Mesopotamia to the rise of the mobile internet. From the spread of alphabets and vernacular Bibles to the printing press, mass media, and digital networks, the book shows how shifts in information access have fueled empires, revolutions, democracy, and dissent. A fascinating room-by-room exploration of how everyday domestic life evolved. Bryson uses his own home as a jumping-off point to uncover surprising histories behind bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms, and the objects we take for granted. A global tour of wine told through people, place, and philosophy. Ray Isle highlights independent, sustainability-minded winemakers and shows how wine reflects culture, geography, and values — not just tasting notes. Gary Tyler — who was wrongfully incarcerated for nearly 42 years — tells a powerful story of survival, justice, and creative resistance. While imprisoned, Tyler turned to quilting as a means of expression, healing, and political testimony, transforming fabric into visual records of racism, resilience, and hope. The book explores how art can become a lifeline under extreme conditions and how storytelling, even when stitched rather than spoken, can reclaim dignity and freedom in the face of systemic injustice. A deeply personal memoir about moving to Paris in search of reinvention — and instead confronting breast cancer far from home. Allison Davis reflects on illness, identity, friendship, and resilience while navigating a foreign healthcare system and rebuilding her sense of self in the City of Light. Royal historian Tracy Borman challenges long-held assumptions about the English succession after Queen Elizabeth I’s death. Using new archival evidence, she reveals a far more fragile and politically charged transfer of power than history has traditionally acknowledged. If you’re new to the show, leave a of Bri Books on and listen to Bri Books on Please tell me where you’re traveling to by using on Instagram and subscribe to the Bri Books
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Manifestation Journaling 101: A Complete Guide to Starting a Manifestation Journal in 2026
01/01/2026
Manifestation Journaling 101: A Complete Guide to Starting a Manifestation Journal in 2026
Welcome to Bri Books! In this episode, I'm covering how to start a manifestation journal, and sharing my favorite manifestation journaling tips. Consider this your guide to manifestation journaling and morning pages. This episode will be a crash course on what exactly manifestation journaling is, where to start with manifestation journaling, scripting, and how to make manifestation journaling less overwhelming. If you’re new to the show, leave a of Bri Books on and listen to Bri Books on Please tell me where you’re traveling to by using on Instagram and subscribe to the Bri Books 2:00 - What Exactly Is a Manifestation Journal: How to Start Manifestation Journaling A manifestation journal is an excellent way to describe your life story the way you want to manifest your dream life. The process of manifestation journaling not only forces you to organize your thoughts and establish paths to your dreams, but also sparks motivation to go after them. 3:00: What’s the Goal of Manifestation Journaling? The goal of manifestation journaling is to create new neural networks and belief systems. By writing each goal and each experience in the present tense to convince your mind into thinking it’s already a reality. This primes your subconscious mind to be able to make the changes to achieve your goal while helping you shift self-identity. Remember, the goal here is to bring something into reality by establishing expectations. 4:00: Where to Start with Manifestation Journaling Use a Pen and Paper: Avoid digital versions of manifestation journals at the beginning of your journey, because you want to give the time and energy with pen and paper to unlock your desires. You want your manifestation journal to feel almost ritualistic: something you look forward to. Define Your Vision: Take a look at your current reality and identify what areas you’d like to improve. I’d say stick to 2 clear visions for 90 days, to avoid completely overhauling your life. Examples of vision areas include professional life, personal/ spiritual growth, physical health, relationships, financial health, creativity, fun/ adventure. Align Your Emotional State With Your Vision: Cultivate the emotions associated with the reality you’re working to manifest. How does it feel to achieve this goal? Match how you feel to what you want. Don’t wait until you’ve achieved everything on the list to feel happiness. When you act as if you already have achieved your goals, your reality will shift to match your emotional state. Set a Purpose for Your Vision: This will be your North Star on days when you feel unmotivated. A clear purpose will fuel you to move forward. Having a strong ‘why’ will drive you to make the changes you need to materialize your goals. 7:00: Manifestation Journal Prompts What does my highest version of reality look like? What would make me fulfilled and satisfied from the inside out in this area? What do I want this area to look like in 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years? What value will this manifestation bring to my life? What am I working towards and why? What’s the value behind this goal? What are my motivations behind this vision 9:00: How to Make Manifestation Journaling Less Overwhelming Combine manifestation journaling with something you love like morning coffee or tea. Morning pages help to make it a daily ritual you look forward to. Be as consistent as possible. Journal at the same time every day (after showering, before bed, upon waking). Be present as you write: feel the emotions of achieving your goals, feel the formation of your new intentions, feel your visions come to life. Put away distractions and give writing your full attention. Remember, the greatest emotion you can cultivate to manifest your goals is gratitude. Gratitude is the state of receiving. When you feel gratitude for what you want before you have it, you naturally attract it into your life. 13:00: How to Use Scripting in Your Manifestation Journaling Scripting involves going into detail on the thing you’re working to manifest and what it feels like to receive it. Live in the end.. The 3D just needs a little time to catch up--give it a push. Write affirmations at the end of the script, and write as if you’re currently recapping your present moment. LINKS: My favorite journal for manifestation journaling is from stationary brand (Target, $13). Thank you for listening to this episode of Bri Books! What are you manifesting? Let me know on ! ! If you’re new to the show, leave a of Bri Books on and listen to Bri Books on Please tell me where you’re traveling to by using on Instagram and subscribe to the Bri Books
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How to Lock-In on Your Goals: A Gentle Framework For Goal-Setting in 2026
01/01/2026
How to Lock-In on Your Goals: A Gentle Framework For Goal-Setting in 2026
Welcome back to Bri Books!This episode of Bri Books is about locking in. Not chasing. Not manifesting yet. Not reinventing your entire life. We talk a lot about goals, but rarely about how to choose direction before movement. Lock-in means deciding where you’re headed before you start rowing. If you listened to the , this is the natural next step. Softness created space. Now we decide what fills it. If you’re new to the show, leave a of Bri Books on and listen to Bri Books on and .Please tell me where you’re traveling to by using on Instagram and subscribe to the Bri Books This framework is designed to help you set goals that can be assessed and revised, not failed. If you’re listening along, pause here if you need to. This episode works best with a notebook. Step 1: Choose Your Goal Areas Start by writing down three to five areas of your life that matter most right now. Not ten, not everything, just. few. These are containers, not goals. Examples might include career, creative work, health, money, relationships, home, or learning. Write your own list. These areas simply hold your attention--they don't demand outcomes (yet). Step 2: Understand Rudders and Oars This entire framework rests on two ideas: Rudders determine direction. Oars create movement. A rudder is not a task or a dream. A rudder answers: What direction am I steering this part of my life in? An oar answers: What am I actually doing, regularly, to move? You need both. Without a rudder, you row in circles.Without oars, you drift. Step 3: Set Your Rudders (Directional Language) For each life area, write one sentence that defines direction. Rudders are written in the present tense. They're directional, not outcome-based, and free from numbers, pressure, or deadlines. They describe orientation, not achievement. Examples of structure: “I am steering my career toward work that values ___.” “I am orienting my health around consistency, not intensity.” “I am prioritizing creative output over perfection.” Now write yours. Leave space—you’ll revisit them. Step 4: Define Your Oars (Action Language) For each rudder, choose one to three oars only. Good oars are repeatable, realistic, and observable They sound like "I write for 60 minutes, three times a week”, or “I review finances every Sunday”, or “I submit one pitch per month.” They do not sound like “Be disciplined," “Try harder”, or “finally get it together." Your oars should be specific enough that you can tell whether you did them—without judgment. Step 5: Lock-In Means Review, Not Perfection Lock-in doesn’t mean committing forever. It means: you write it down, you work it, you assess it, and you revise it quarterly. If something isn’t working, that’s not failure—it’s information. We’ll go deeper into the review process in the Year-in-Review episode. What Comes Next Once direction and movement are defined, the next step is learning how to work with desire and intention without forcing outcomes.That’s where we’re headed next: manifestation journaling—slow, grounded, and pressure-free. If you’re new to the show, leave a of Bri Books on and listen to Bri Books on and .Please tell me where you’re traveling to by using on Instagram and subscribe to the Bri Books
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How to Do a Year in Review: What to Keep, What to Release, What to Sow
12/31/2025
How to Do a Year in Review: What to Keep, What to Release, What to Sow
Welcome back to Bri Books! Today, we’re doing an in-depth personal year-in-review. Spoiler alert: a year in review does not need to be dramatic or emotional to be useful. It needs to be honest and practical. This approach is about looking at the year clearly, deciding what is actually working, and making intentional choices about what you are carrying forward. Not everything needs to be turned into a goal. Some things just need to be named so you can stop dragging them with you. If you’re new to the show, leave a of Bri Books on and listen to Bri Books on and .Please tell me where you’re traveling to by using on Instagram and subscribe to the Bri Books By the end of this process, you will have clear language you can use for goal-setting, journaling, and planning the next season of your life. Start With What Actually Exists Before you reflect, gather evidence. Do not rely on memory alone. Pull together your calendar, your journal or notes app, your camera roll, and anything that shows how you actually spent your time and energy. If something mattered this year, it left a trace somewhere. Sit down with one notebook, one pen, and a solid block of uninterrupted time. Forty-five to ninety minutes is enough. This is not about making it pretty. It is about seeing clearly. Review the Year Through Three Questions You are not reviewing everything at once. You are moving through the year using three simple lenses. First, write down what actually happened. List major events, shifts, projects, travel, relationship changes, work changes, and health moments. Do not interpret yet. Just get it on the page. Next, write what cost more than it gave. This is not about failure. It is about energy. What required constant effort to maintain. What drained you even when it looked good on paper. What felt heavy simply because it never let up. Then write what felt quietly right. These are the things that worked without forcing. The routines, relationships, or rhythms that felt sustainable and did not need explaining. These are often the most important signals and the easiest to overlook. Decide What to Grow, Sow, and Release This is where reflection turns into direction. Grow: What to grow means identifying what is already working and deserves more room. These are practices or dynamics that produced results and felt aligned. Write down a few sentences starting with, “In the coming year, I am growing…” and let yourself be specific. Write: In the coming year, I am bringing with me ____ Sow: What to sow is about new input. This is not about perfect goals. It is about experimentation. What needs to be introduced that did not exist before. What you want to test gently without pressure. Write, “In the coming year, I am sowing…” and leave space to explore.: Write: In the coming year, I am sowing ________. Release; What to release is essential. Ask yourself what cannot come with you. What only existed because you never questioned it. What you are allowed to stop doing. Write, “I am no longer carrying…” and be honest. Write: In the coming year, I am releasing ____ If you’re new to the show, leave a of Bri Books on and listen to Bri Books on and .Please tell me where you’re traveling to by using on Instagram and subscribe to the Bri Books
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Soft Hobbies & Cozy Rituals to Carry Into 2026: Winter Lifestyle Favorites
12/31/2025
Soft Hobbies & Cozy Rituals to Carry Into 2026: Winter Lifestyle Favorites
Welcome back to Bri Books — the podcast that educates, encourages, and inspires by exploring ideas both on and off the page. Today’s episode is about winter lixfestyle favorites: the soft hobbies, rituals, and everyday comforts that carried me through 2025 and that I’m intentionally bringing with me into 2026. You’ve heard a lot about the “soft life” and the “soft girl era.” I want to offer a reframing: your grandmother may be the softest woman you know. Softness isn’t new. It’s inherited. It’s practiced. It’s slow. If you’re new to the show, leave a of Bri Books on and listen to Bri Books on and .Please tell me where you’re traveling to by using on Instagram and subscribe to the Bri Books This episode isn’t about hustle or optimization. It’s about winter evenings, quiet joy, and choosing process over productivity. Last winter, I noticed myself reaching less for outcomes and more for ways of being — warmth, texture, ritual, and time that felt expansive rather than efficient. These are the lifestyle favorites that came out of that season and are staying with me. 1. Embroidery Embroidery is the ultimate soft hobby. It’s tactile, forgiving, and slow in the best way. You can pick it up for ten minutes or lose an entire evening to it. Best of all, you always have something to show for your time: a few stitches, a pattern emerging, a garment mended. It requires no screens, very little space, and pairs beautifully with audiobooks, podcasts, or quiet TV. On dark winter nights, embroidery feels deeply grounding. 2. Popcorn From the Cob This was a surprise favorite of 2025. Popping kernels directly off a dried corn cob feels old-fashioned and ceremonial. It turns a snack into an event. Pop it on the stove, finish with butter and flaky salt, and eat while reading or watching snow fall. It’s nostalgic, humbling, and cozy: and it happens fast enough that it asks for your full attention. 3. Candle Making & Light as Ritual I’ve been making candles for years, but winter 2025 made it a true ritual. Choosing the scent, wax, and vessel is an act of intention. I make candles in batches early in the season and burn them slowly throughout winter so my home smells familiar and grounding. In long, dark months, light matters. So start making your candles. 4. Gardening (Even in Winter) Gardening doesn’t stop in winter; it changes form. Winter gardening looks like planning, seed sorting, journaling, and tending indoor plants. It’s a reminder that growth doesn’t always look active. Winter is when I reflect on what I want to grow — literally and metaphorically — in the year ahead. One of my most meaningful upgrades of 2025 was investing in better sleep. A Cultiver linen duvet changed how winter nights felt. Linen regulates temperature beautifully, feels lived-in, and makes your bed feel like a destination. When nights are long, rest should feel intentional. 6. A Beautiful Cup from This may sound small, but it isn’t. A really good cup changes how you experience mornings. Texture matters. Weight matters. A ceramic or natural-finish cup slows you down and makes tea or coffee feel ceremonial. Winter mornings deserve softness. This cup from has become my absolute favorite porcelain cup for everyday use. 7. (and Instant Pot Culture) In 2025, I leaned into comfort cooking: soups, stews, beans, and broths. The Instant Pot makes nourishment accessible without urgency. Batch cooking on Sundays meant weekday dinners felt cared for instead of chaotic. Winter farmers markets are quieter, more intentional, and deeply communal. Root vegetables, bread, eggs, preserves. Shopping local in winter feels like an act of care — a reminder that provision exists in every season, just in different forms. 9. Painting Painting returned to my life without pressure to be good. Winter painting is about mood, texture, and emotion — not outcome. Paint in low light. Let it be messy. Let it exist just for you. 10. New Boots & a New Coat A good pair of winter boots grounds you — literally. Practical, wearable winter clothing makes cold weather feel intentional instead of inconvenient. Winter style should support your life, not complicate it. These favorites aren’t about consumption. They’re about attention. Soft hobbies teach us to stay. Winter rituals remind us we’re allowed to move slowly. As we head into 2026, I’m choosing warmth, intention, and creativity — and leaving urgency behind. If you’re new to the show, leave a of Bri Books on and listen to Bri Books on and .Please tell me where you’re traveling to by using on Instagram and subscribe to the Bri Books
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Winter Beauty Favorites 2026: The 2025 Products I’m Still Using All Season
12/31/2025
Winter Beauty Favorites 2026: The 2025 Products I’m Still Using All Season
Welcome back to Bri Books, the podcast (and corner of the internet) where we educate, entertain, and feel our way through ideas both on and off the page. As we head toward the end of 2025 and look ahead to 2026, I’m sharing my best-of beauty and skincare favorites — the products I’ve loved all year and continue to reach for during the colder months. These are my true winter staples: products that prioritize hydration, warmth, glow, and comfort when the weather (and life) feels a little harsher. If you’re new to the show, leave a of Bri Books on and listen to Bri Books on and .Please tell me where you’re traveling to by using on Instagram and subscribe to the Bri Books So cozy up with your tea, light a candle, swipe on your favorite lip gloss, and let’s begin. Bri Books’ Winter Beauty Philosophy I always think about winter beauty through memory. Last December, I was sipping hot cider by my Brooklyn window, watching snow fall, listening to my radiator hiss, and feeling my skin crack, peel, and protest. Late winter dryness hits me every year, so I’ve learned to curate intentionally. Here’s how I nurture my skin and my beauty in the winter and beyond. I’ve used the Dyson Corrale for over five years, and it remains unmatched. Its flexing plates reduce heat damage and tugging, which is especially important when winter hair is already dry and fragile. Yes, it’s an investment — but if you want salon-quality results at home, it’s worth it. For deep nourishment, the Kérastase Nutritive line is my winter hero. I use the shampoo weekly, followed by either the conditioner or the Riche mask. I always finish with the Nectar Thermique heat protectant and the split ends serum. When my scalp is dry, I add the hydrating scalp serum. If you’re heat-styling more, always pair it with a mask. Winter hair loves moisture. This cult favorite transforms from balm to oil to milk and melts away makeup and SPF without stripping the skin. It feels incredibly luxe — and in winter, hydration should feel indulgent. 2025 had me on more planes than ever — Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Shanghai, and Mexico. Sephora’s sheet masks became my travel and weekend staples. They’re affordable, effective, and easy to keep in rotation when your skin feels parched. This is my only true “health” pick of the year. Collagen production declines with age, and liquid collagen supplements can help support skin elasticity and hydration — especially when paired with vitamin C. I take mine in the morning with tea. It’s a small ritual with a big payoff. Long soaks are my ultimate self-care reset. I love LUSH bath bombs for the sensory experience, paired with classic Epsom salts for muscle relief. There’s nothing like a hot bath before diving into life admin — or after a long day. 7. Mandelic Acid + Vitamin C — $20–$100 depending on brand After years of experimenting, I’ve stabilized my routine with professional guidance. Mandelic acid gently exfoliates while vitamin C protects against dullness and boosts brightness — a winter glow essential. Still my gold-standard antioxidant serum. It protects against oxidative stress from dry air and gives the skin a true glow shield. Fragrance sets the mood for me year-round, and Byredo has completely captured my heart. Mixed Emotions is warm, woodsy, softly sweet, and deeply comforting — like a winter hug. SPF is non-negotiable, even in winter. This lightweight, broad-spectrum sunscreen works beautifully under makeup and doesn’t irritate my eyes or sensitive skin. Winter nails take a beating with constant handwashing and gloves. OPI Infinite Shine delivers gel-like durability without the commitment. I love deep reds, classics, and neutral shades all season long. These are my winter beauty favorites — the products that carried me through 2025 and will absolutely stay with me into 2026. Let me know what you’ve tried, what you’re curious about, and what you want to explore next. I’m always here for cozy beauty conversations. If you’re new to the show, leave a of Bri Books on and listen to Bri Books on and .Please tell me where you’re traveling to by using on Instagram and subscribe to the Bri Books
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How to Go Softly into 2026: Your Goal-Setting Guide
12/29/2025
How to Go Softly into 2026: Your Goal-Setting Guide
Ready to set your goals for 2026 and go softly into the new year? In this episode of Bri Books, we're breaking down how to. create foundational goals, mindset, and changes in your thinking, to help you start 2026 on a strong (yet soft) note. Here's how to enter your soft era and how to execute your winter arc. I’m talking about how to go softly into the end of the year. This is a Winter Reset episode focused on gentleness, language shifts, and reassessing your life without urgency or self-judgment. We’re talking about how to go softly into the end of the year. We explore what it means to: Reflect without spiraling Let go of pressure-based goal setting Choose your word and ‘North Star’ for the year ahead Language shifts that change how we set and accomplish our goals This episode is for anyone who feels tired of “year-end hustle” culture and wants a quieter, more honest way to close a chapter. If you’re new to the show, leave a of Bri Books on and listen to Bri Books on and .Please tell me where you’re traveling to by using on Instagram and subscribe to the Bri Books
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Grieving the Holidays After Loss: Reflections on Christmas, Memory, and Making New Traditions
12/25/2025
Grieving the Holidays After Loss: Reflections on Christmas, Memory, and Making New Traditions
Merry Christmas! Today's episode of Bri Books 'BriCember' is an honest and loving reflection on the holiday season, grief, and where we meet in the middle. In this episode, we reflect on the experiences of people who are sitting with parental loss (or any loss TBH) during the holiday season. I'll be sharing my own reflections on my holiday memories with my mother, the feeling of an invisible missing 'seat at the table' that we may notice during this time of year, the power of reliving and remaking traditions, grieving the holidays and fantasies that never were, and the glimmer of light that's visible in our shared memories. Subscribe to Bri Books on and .
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Madeira Wine: How It’s Made & Three Bottles Worth Knowing
12/24/2025
Madeira Wine: How It’s Made & Three Bottles Worth Knowing
Episode Summary: Madeira wine is fortified, heat-aged, and famously long-lived. In this episode of Bri Books, we break down how Madeira is made, why it tastes the way it does, and explore tasting notes from three standout producers: Justino’s, Henriques & Henriques, and D’Oliveiras. Subscribe to Bri Books on and . In This Episode: What Madeira wine is and how it’s made Why heat and oxidation are intentional Tasting notes from three Madeira producers How to drink and pair Madeira wine Producers Discussed: Subscribe to Bri Books on and .
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The Magical World of Swiss Wine: Best Swiss Wines to Try
12/23/2025
The Magical World of Swiss Wine: Best Swiss Wines to Try
Welcome back to Bri Books 'BriCember' as we explore Switzerland’s secretive yet spectacular wine scene. From the herbaceous Chasselas grape to elegant Pinot Noir blends, discover the best , top wine regions, and NYC hotspots like for tasting Swiss wine. In this episode: Why 98% of Swiss wine stays in the country The six major Swiss wine regions: Geneva, Three Lakes, German Switzerland, Ticino, Vaud, Valais Spotlight on the Chasselas grape and why it pairs perfectly with raclette and fondue Swiss wines worth tasting: My NYC favorite: L, home of Swiss wine flights and artisanal cheese Links & Resources: Subscribe to Bri Books on or , leave a review, and share what you’re drinking on using #bribooks.
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Orange Wine 101: What It Is, How It Tastes, and the Orange Wine Bottles to Know
12/23/2025
Orange Wine 101: What It Is, How It Tastes, and the Orange Wine Bottles to Know
Welcome back to ! In this episode, we’re diving deep into the world of orange wine, one of the oldest and most misunderstood wine styles in the world. Discover what orange wine really is, how it’s made, how it tastes, and why Austrian and Georgian producers excel at this method. I also share highlights from the , including some of my favorite importers and bottles: : : and Plus, we explore standout Austrian orange wines: Learn practical tips on how to taste, serve, and enjoy orange wine, and why it’s so food-friendly. Whether you’re new to orange wine or already a fan, this episode is your guide to tasting something different! Listen and Subscribe: Apple Podcasts: Spotify: Website: Connect on Instagram: Listen to Bri Books on and . Leave a review if you’re enjoying the show. Tell me what you’re drinking using and subscribe to the newsletter at bribookspod.com/newsletter.
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Austrian Wines 101: Blaufränkisch, Burgenland & the Hills of Steiermark
12/22/2025
Austrian Wines 101: Blaufränkisch, Burgenland & the Hills of Steiermark
Welcome back to Wine Week on Bri Books: BriCember! In this episode, we dive into Austrian wine — one of Europe’s most exciting and under-discussed wine regions. From Burgenland’s signature red grape Blaufränkisch to the steep hillside vineyards of Steiermark, this episode explores what makes Austrian wine so distinctive, sustainable, and food-friendly. I shares firsthand experiences from a Wein Burgenland seminar, break down key regions, and highlight my favorite Austrian red and orange wines to know right now. We cover: Why Austria is one of Europe’s best-kept wine secrets Austria’s commitment to organic and environmentally conscious viticulture The role of the Austrian Winegrowers’ Association and the DAC system What makes Blaufränkisch Austria’s most important red grape Why Burgenland is the heart of Austrian red wine Steiermark wines: hillside vineyards, limestone soils, and hand-harvested precision Austrian orange wines and why Austria excels at skin-contact whites Wines mentioned: Blaufränkisch & Red Wines , imported by Zev Rovine in NY, shop Regions Discussed My favorite Austrian wine links and resources Follow & Subscribe to Bri Books! Listen to Bri Books on and . Leave a review if you’re enjoying the show. Tell me what you’re drinking using and subscribe to the newsletter at bribookspod.com/newsletter.
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How to Build a Wine Menu + Do an At-Home Wine Tasting
12/21/2025
How to Build a Wine Menu + Do an At-Home Wine Tasting
Welcome back to Bri Books! When you’re hosting, choosing wine can feel daunting. Whether it’s a dinner party, work event, last-minute gathering, or impromptu holiday shenanigans, here’s the simple framework I rely on that never fails. In this episode, we’ll cover: The three-bottle wine buying formula (red, white, wildcard) How to taste wine at home: My 4 Pillars of Place: Temperature, Terrain, Soil, and Touch How to build a wine list for parties or dinner How to Build a Wine Menu: Bri’s 3-Bottle Formula To avoid overwhelm at the wine shop, use this formula: One white wine One red wine One wildcard. That’s it. Simple, flexible, and stress free. Let’s dig in: Crisp white as the Opener. This white wine is your opener—the bottle people drink while they arrive, settle in, chat, and snack. White wins are crisp, flexible, and food-friendly. I look for wines with high acidity and good minimality, the kind that leave you gently puckering and refreshed. A crisp white wine creates an immediate sense of ease and joy at the table. My go-to white wine categories: Chablis Gruner Vetliner Albrino Sauv blanc, from Loire Why this works: These wines pair well with almost anything: cheese, vegetables, oysters, seafood They don’t overpower food They make excellent aperitif wines They set the tone for the meal by brightening flavors and waking up the palette Red wine as the main event. Your red wine is your main event. You’re looking for a crowd-pleaser that’s food friendly, adaptable, and easy to drink. it can be tempting to bring a big, heavy, dramatic, oak-driven red-but gatherings call for something more communal. Look for reds with: Medium body moderate tannins high drinkability Red wines I recommend: Boujulais Tempranillo (especially rioja joven) Etna Rosso reds Cotes du Rhone These red wines shine with soups and stews, tomato based dishes, roasted vegetables, poultry, and cozy winter meals. The wildcard: the personality hire wine. Go for an orange wine, a sparkling red like Lambrusco, a pet-nat, or a liter bottle of something fabulous and weird like a Madiera dessert wine. Bubbles are always a win. A dessert wine course moves your guests through the final stages of the evening, and a liter bottle keeps things flowing. Use the wildcard to spark conversation about what there wine comes from, how it’s made, and why it tastes the way it does. How to Do an At-Home Wine Tasting Using the 4 Pillars of Place . Temperature: Look at the wine. Color intensity can give you climate clues. Terroir: Smell the wine. Aromas reflect whether grapes grew near the sea, mountains, forests, or plains ltitude = floral, lifted flavors Warm climate = ripe, deeply drinkable Coastal = salty, breezy, fresh finish Mountain = Sharp, linear, mineral Valley floor = lush, smooth Volcanic = smoky, stony, earthy flavors Soil: Taste the wine. Texture reveals the soil type. As a reminder: limestone = chalky, saline wine Volcanic = smoky, ashy flavors in the wine Granite = crunchy, bright, often ‘cool’ flavors in the wine Clay = smooth, plush, slightly pucker-y in flavor High a Touch: Notice winemaking styl. Is it bright? Clean? Raw? Heavy sediment? Is it sharp? Does it grip? Touch is the easiest pillar to learn and the quickest path to understanding what you like. You can always find and , and at .
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What Makes a Wine “Good”? Understanding the Four Pillars of Place
12/04/2025
What Makes a Wine “Good”? Understanding the Four Pillars of Place
Welcome back to Bri Books BriCember, and welcome to Wine Week! I'll be breaking down the age-old question: "What makes wine good?," and sharing my 'four pillars of place' to help you start to build your good wine vocabulary. 0:39: Breaking down 'good wine.' REmember, wine is an agricultural product. Let's set the stage for practical, place-based approach to wine. 1:12: Why 'terroir' matters + the 'pillars of place.' 1:51: Pillar 1: Soil type. Soil determines minerality, texture, and structural feel. 2:31: Pillar 2: Climate. Climate influences fruit ripeness, acidity, and aromatic profile. Cool climate = fresh, high acid; warm climate = ripe, fruity, plush. 3:23: Pillar 3: Elevation and aspect. Elevation affects temperature swings (diurnal shifts). Sunlight, rainfall, and altitude shape ripeness and freshness. 4:33: Pillar 4: Vine health and farming. Farming practices (organic, biodynamic, low-intervention) matter. Yield, canopy management, and vine age influence quality. Winemakers’ traditions are the key expression of terroir. 5:25: Deep dive: soil as the “starting palette” for winemaking. 6:10: Deep dive: climate and elevation's impact on wine aciditiy and aromatics. 7:52: Deep dive: farming practices and the importance of winemaking traditions 9:55: Wine as an agricultural product, and my appreciation for farmers 10:56: What's ahead on wine week! Upcoming episodes include how to do an at-home tasting exercise, Austrian wine, Swiss wine, orange wine, Madiera wine, and wine from Burgenland. You can always find and , and at .
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Welcome to BriCember: Where I've Been
11/30/2025
Welcome to BriCember: Where I've Been
Welcome back to Bri Books podcast! If this is your first time, WELCOME! And if you’re a return listener from the last 6 (!!!!!!) years, welcome back. Bri Books is now also on YouTube: watch here. Today is November 30th, marking not just the beginning of Advent season, but the beginning of BriCember! What is BriCember? BriCember is a personal project wherein I challenge myself to produce and publish a podcast episode a day in the month of December. Not only is December my birth month, it’s also the perfect time of the year to catch up on where you’ve been and where you’re going. What’s Coming Up This BriCember? In 2025, I’ll be approaching BriCember through the lens of literature, with lots of recommendations of what to read. But I’m also aligning it not just with the month, but with how we think of time. This BriCember will be aligned with the moon phases. But Wait, Where Have You Been, Bri?I’ve spent most of 2025 in flux, in the most beautiful way. Last year, in 2024, I began a new career at JPMorganChase. In 2025, I started to find my professional stride. I also moved house in 2025! I moved from one apartment in Brooklyn to another, and I’m nesting. We’ll be doing deep dives into winter food as well this BriCember. Also, I’m still reeling from the fallout of my mothers’ death. That’s a constant on my mind. Which brings me to….writing! I’m officially writing again, and I’m focused on writing and publishing in 2026. I’m giving myself the rest of the year to sharpen up my writing, so I can graduate to having an agent and finishing my book. I’ve been reorganizing my life in very tiny, quiet ways, and art has been a big part of 2025. I’ve been painting, and I’ve been traveling. I’m grateful that travel has been part of my working life in 2025. This year, I went to Sydney, Australia; Tokyo, Japan; Hong Kong; and Singapore, in addition to Western China and Mexico. Prayerfully there will be more travel in 2026. What’s Coming in BriCember 2025 I’ve broken each week of December according to the moon cycles. Week 1: All about wine! Holiday wine menu planning, how to spend $60 at your local wine shop, Austrian wine, Madeira, orange wine, and having fun learning about terroir in the wine world. Week 2: Winter reset! We’ll shift into how to prepare for a restful winter, my favorite health and beauty picks of 2025, gentle goal-setting, how to go gently into the new year; what to grow and sow in the new year! Lifestyle toolkit; manifestation journaling and how to get started; a winter mid-season check-in; Week 3: Cozy-maxxing! Winter recipes, soups, and spices; winter food rituals; what’s in season at the farmers market in winter; deep winter books/ the best books to hunker down with this winter Week 4: Prepping! What we want to bring into 2026 (and what we’re leaving in 2025); gratitude journaling; manifestation journaling; how to round out 2025 gently and with discernment. Listen to Bri Books and find . You can always find and , and at .
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Mother's Day, Year Two: A Reflection on Grief and Growth
05/12/2025
Mother's Day, Year Two: A Reflection on Grief and Growth
Welcome to Bri Books, and Happy Mother's Day to the matriarchs out there. I'm excited to share this episode because I want to honor my own mother, I have so much gratitude and humility for my mother, her story and her life. I spent Mother's Day Weekend, the second since my mother's death, at a retreat in Morristown, NJ hosted by . The retreat was centered on the hart of christ, and it came down to: God is made to endure your suffering. He specializes in broken hearts. that’s where He shines. One poignant point that struck me during the retreat, was then when I’m rebellious in my thoughts and not using my creative energy the way God has set aside for me to use it, it grieves Him. i think of all the times as a kid when I’d grieve my mother over silly things—but she never stopped loving me. Why would she? The same grievouos disappointment your own mother feels, mirrors what God feels. And as much as that disappointment is compounded, so is the generosity of spirit that comes with vulnerability before the Lord. With me experiencing so much gratitude for my own mother and her story, this point felt especially powerful to me. When I mention the way my mom passed way, it feels like a plot in a novel, or something I’m revealing for a sick shock value. As I reflect on this truth in the wake of Mother’s Day, what impacts me the most about the way my mother’s life ended, is that I’m neither angry nor sad. As we do our due diligence with lawyers to get answers, more than anything, I just feel deeply grievous for the people who struck her and didn't stop. yes, they created a pain by not stopping, but they also compounded their own pain. I can’t imagine how that feels. That pain doesn’t belong to me. I feel the shocks and aftereffects of it, but it's not mine. And my vulnerability is what is most valuable to both God and myself. I was so grateful to be surrounded by Arthouse2b members, artists, playwrights, founders, etc. I felt very much like my mother’s presence walked the retreat halls and gardens with me. In the next episode, I’ll share the poem I authored while on the retreat, and share more reflections on approaching spring in the wake of grief. Somethin’gs growing. :) With that, thank you for listening to Bri Books. I’d love to hear your favorite stories of your mothers. Leave them in the comments on @BrionnaJay on Instagram, and in the Spotify comment. You can always find and , and at . Thank you again A
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7 Best Sunscreens for Dark Skin
08/28/2024
7 Best Sunscreens for Dark Skin
Sun's out, sunscreen's on! Today I’m sharing the 7 best sunscreens for dark skin. It’s the dog days of summer: when temperatures start to soar around sunrise. It’s no secret that historically the beauty industry hasn’t made slathering up with SPF an enjoyable experience--far too many formulations aren’t made to blend in on dark skin. I’m sharing with you my holy grail picks that don’t leave a greasy residue or ashy tone behind.
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'The Garden in Every Sense and Season' Feat. Sandria of '@ABeautifulNestTV
05/03/2024
'The Garden in Every Sense and Season' Feat. Sandria of '@ABeautifulNestTV
The Garden in Every Sense and Season Today’s “Bri Books” is a conversation with creator Sandria Kendrick, inspired by the book “The Garden in Every Sense and Season” by Tovah Martin. Sandria is the creator behind the “” platform on , and on social media. In this episode, Sandria shares her story of homesteading with her family in Georgia, and how her love for the soil runs through her veins. In this episode, we’re discussing our garden struggles, how you can inject green into your life this year. Show Notes 3:30: Sandria's gardening story, and how she built a small homestead garden for her family + Brionna recommends by Jean-Martin Fortier. 5:00: Sandria's gardening challenges and how she overcame them. 9:00 – How book is divided: Each of the four seasons are represented, with each individual season’s different sensational gifts–sights, sounds, touches, tastes, scents– woven into a story that explores the ever-evolving garden 12:15: How city folks can inject some gardening into their lives: "Bring the green inside!" Overwintering plants (repotting and growing indoors), growing lettuce, succulents and aloe, indoors are great ways to keep the green inside, even after it all falls away outside. Using blooming branches—flowers that grow on a branch-- or cuttings from evergreen or fir trees can invite nature indoors. 16:00: The story behind Sandria's Heirloom Acres Seed Store 19:00 – Fruit and veggie varieites to grow, according to Sandria 22:15 - Sandria's Bri Books recommendations: , , by Julie Gabriel. You can find Sandria on , on , , , , . If you’re new to the show, leave a of Bri Books on and listen to Bri Books on , , and ! Please tell me what you're growing by using on Instagram, and subscribe to the Bri Books Follow on Instagram for garden tours, growing hacks, and gardening secrets.
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How to DIY Your Spring Garden Feat. Carla of @GardenPlot57
05/02/2024
How to DIY Your Spring Garden Feat. Carla of @GardenPlot57
Welcome to Bri Books! On today’s episode, we’re talking about falling in love with the garden this spring, first-time gardening secrets, and how to get kids excited about gardening. Almost everyday, Carla of treats us to vibrant photos of her cut flower garden, homemade skincare products, and dozens of veggies she’s growing in her backyard garden in Cornwall, England. In this episode, Carla gives tips on how to start (and maintain) a garden in a small space, and shares tips on DIY gardening projects we can do right now to get a jump on the season. Carla and I bonded over the amazing book “, an amazing resource that’ll inspire you to step up your flower arranging (and flower growing) game. Carla also shares the secret to getting kids interested in gardening and how to lure them away from the XBox and towards the garden box. Carla’s guide to gardening in a small space: 1. Utilize your patio by planting pots with salad greens, herbs, and dwarf tomatoes. 2. Go high! Make use of vertical space by creating vertical planters. Archways and trellises allow you to grow “up,” and make use of tiny amounts of space for things like beans, peas, cucumbers and tomatoes. More gardening resources recommended by Carla and Brionna: and book, “Grow Food for Free” If you’re new to the show, leave a of Bri Books on and listen to Bri Books on , , and ! Please tell me what you're growing by using on Instagram, and subscribe to the Bri Books Follow on Instagram for garden tours, growing hacks, and gardening secrets.
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How to Engage Kids in Gardening Feat. Misilla of 'Learn to Grow'
05/01/2024
How to Engage Kids in Gardening Feat. Misilla of 'Learn to Grow'
How to Get Started in the Garden Feat. Misilla + How to Engage Kids in Gardening Welcome back to Bri Books! If you’re new to the show, leave a of Bri Books on and listen to Bri Books on , , and ! Please tell me what you're growing by using on Instagram, and subscribe to the Bri Books Follow on Instagram for garden tours, growing hacks, and gardening secrets. In today's episode, we're talking about all things organic gardening, and how to grow your own food with Whether you're starting your own garden or you haven't given it much thought, after this episode you'll be yearning to get your hands on some seeds. Misilla is the host of 'Learn to Grow,' a channel on YouTube with over 114,000 subscribers. She's a crafty mom of 4 living and working in the Pacific Northwest. Her videos and social posts consist of garden how-to's, growing hacks, healthy living ideas, science experiments, DIY projects, and gardening inspo. Misilla's family has been growing food and farming for generations. She's passionate about inspiring others to grow their own food, and she's passionate about getting kids involved in the garden.
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"Garden-Fresh Cooking" Feat. Sandria Kendrick of @ABeautifulNestTV
04/30/2024
"Garden-Fresh Cooking" Feat. Sandria Kendrick of @ABeautifulNestTV
Garden-Fresh Cooking: How Infuse Healthy Harvest Foods Into Your Daily Diet Welcome back to Bri Books! Today, we’re talking all things garden-fresh cooking with one of my favorite gardening creators, ’ on and . Sandria’s content is all about growing confidence in the garden, building strong relationships, growing as a family, and teaching people to love the soil. In this episode, we dig into the cookbook ‘Rodale’s Gaden Fresh Cooking’ by Judith Benn Hurley and how to choose the best crops to grow in your garden. Sandria reveals what she’s learned about herself by getting ‘in the weeds,’ and she shares the recipes she finds herself returning to again and again. 1:40 - All about @ and how Sandria infuses love, authenticity and beauty into everything she does. 9:18 - Sandria’s soil story and her family's long lineage of farming and gardening, why Sandria decided to set down roots in the Georgia countryside, and Sandria and her husband planned their garden. 13:45 - Brionna’s grandmother story and how Brionna grew to love gardening, and how grandmothers inspire us to pass on traditions for generations. 16:10 - The crops Sandria didn’t expect to love, the easiest for you to grow, and how Sandria’s cooking style has changed since growing her own food. 26:40 - Sandria on Rodale’s 'Garden-Fresh Cooking' book by Judith Benn Hurley: I’ve been reading Rodale’s Organic Life for a long time, and I really enjoy it. I love that they have so many different topics for you to dig into--food, gardening, lifestyle. Everything's right there for you. It’s a great site. If you’re reading the recipe book, I know that’s amazing.” 27:25 - Sandria’s #BriBooks: “ Lemony Snicket” with her sons, “Better Homes and Gardens,” “Georgia Gardens.” Find Sandria on YouTube @, on Instagram @, Facebook @, and Twitter @. Follow listen to Bri Books on , and show me your garden by using on Instagram.
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6 Companion Planting Hacks for Beginner Gardeners
04/30/2024
6 Companion Planting Hacks for Beginner Gardeners
Welcome to Bri Books! Getting started in the garden can be tough, but there's one thing that'll make your gardening journey more productive: companion planting! In this episode, I'm sharing 6 companion planting hacks you need to know if you want to grow strong. Companion Planting for Beginners 1:11: What is companion planting? Companion planting is when two or more plants are grown near each other to benefit one or both of the plants. It's a tried-and-tested, ancient way to reduce pests, attract pollinators, and boost growth. I'm sharing a few common examples, although there are dozens. 2:00 - Basil and tomatoes: Basil plants deter moths which lay tomato hornworms, while simultaneously attracting bees (which help improve tomato polination.) 3:00 - Peppers: Peppers are excellent companions to carrots, tomatoes, and onions. 3:30 - Tomatoes: Tomatoes love peppers, bush beans, and basil 5:15 - Dill and flowers: Dill attracts ladybugs, which eat small garden pests like aphids and spider mites, while flowers attract pollinators to help with the job. 6:00 - Sunflowers and pole beans, cucumbers: Sunflowers provide support for climbing plants and shade for crops (like beans and cucumbers!), making it the perfect vertical companion planting garden. 7:00 - Lettuce: Lettuce helps tenderize radishes, and radishes deter cucumber bettles. Grow these two fast-growing crops together for delicious home-grown salads. Follow listen to Bri Books on , and show me your garden by using on Instagram.
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10 Beginner-Friendly Crops to Grow + 3 Garden-Starting Basics You Need to Know
04/24/2024
10 Beginner-Friendly Crops to Grow + 3 Garden-Starting Basics You Need to Know
Welcome to Bri Books! Embarking on the journey of creating your garden is thrilling, but can also be filled with challenges. In this episode, I'm revealing the 10 most beginner-friendly garden fruits and veggies to grow, along with 3 garden-starting basics you need to know. 3 Garden-Starting Basics 1:20 - Don’t try to grow the grocery store! It’s easy to overwhelm yourself when you're beginning your garden journey. Instead, focus on growing the herbs, veggies, and fruits that you enjoy. Grow your garden through the lens of the crops you look forward to eating and cooking with. 2:45 - Keep pollinators top of mind! Growing a mix of flowers, herbs, and veggies helps the overall pollinator ecosystem. When in doubt, throw some flower seeds out! 3:20 - Get to know your land! Monitor and notice the amount of light your garden gets throughout the day, and keep track of soil conditions--what happens to the area during heavy rains? Intense heat? Does it have any shade. cover? You want your garden to be built in a sunny, well-draining area with nutrient-rich soil. 10 Beginner-Friendly Crops 4:15 - Salad greens, kale, and spinach: Starting your garden journey with green leafys is rewarding because they grow relatively quickly (seed to salad in 21-30 days). 5:00 - Cucumbers: Cucumbers can go from seed to salad in about 40-45 days. Cucumbers love cool weather, making them perfect for late spring. Pro tip: Trellis your cucumbers up the stems/ stalks of your sunflower plants! 5:50 - Zuchinni: Zuchinni thrives in the garden. Zuchinni plants grow wide and large, and the leaves arebeautiful and luscious, providing excellent shade for smaller plants. Zuchinni are tastiest when younger, so picking zucchini after about a week of growth helps to encourage more growth. 6:50 - Tomatoes: I recommend growing at least two varieites of tomatoes in your garden: one snacking tomato (sun gold, cherry tomatoes, etc), and one recipe tomato (Moneymaker, Beefsteak, Black Krim, etc.) 7:30 - Beans or Peas: Peas and beans are great beginner-friendly and kid-friendly crops in the garden. Kids love to watch the pods form! They thrive during spring and summer, and well into fall. 8:40 - Peppers: For beginners, growing peppers is a great idea. Focus on compact peppers like thai chili peppers, shishito peppers, and gochu peppers. These grow in compact bushes and keep producing until the end of season. 9:30 - Potatoes: The more you ignore potatoes, the more they love you. Potatoes grow well in solitude--once you plant them, leave them alone until the potato plant dies back, signaling that it’s time to harvest the tubers underground. For first-time gardeners, growing potatoes in a milk crate or felt container is easiest. 10:35 - Herbs: Focus on growing the herbs you like to eat at home (like basil, rosemary, mint, lemon balm). Herbs are a great great starting point if you’re beginning your gardening journey and you're endeavoring to include more flavor in your daily meals. 11:15 - Flowers: Flowers are a necessary (and often overlooked) part of the garden. Flowers like marigonlds, zinnia, calendula, cosmos, and nastirtium are beginner-friendly, thanks to their low-maintenance nature and ability to attract pollinators. 12:00 - Strawberries: Strawberries grow very well in containers, making them perfect for any and all gardens. Whether it’s in a hanging pot, a raised bed, or a felt container, strawberries are low-maintenance and high-yield. 12:30 - Radishes: Radishes can be sown as soon as early spring breaks through. They go from seed to salad in about 21-30 days, a fastgrowing and nutrient-dense crop that helps kick off the season. Follow listen to Bri Books on , and show me your garden by using on Instagram.
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5 Gardening Tips Every First-Time Gardener Needs to Know
04/23/2024
5 Gardening Tips Every First-Time Gardener Needs to Know
Welcome to Bri Books, and Happy Earth Week! Today, I'm sharing the tips first-time gardeners need to know: how to start a vegetable garden, raised bed garden, herb garden, or kitchen garden without breaking the bank. These easy gardening tips and gardening hacks that'll make your life easier. Follow listen to Bri Books on , and show me your garden by using on Instagram. 1:30 - #1: Identify your USDA hardiness zone. The Hardiness Zone Map is the standard by which gardeners and growers can determine which plants are most likely to thrive at a location. It's divided into 10-degree zones based on the average annual minimum winter temperature. According to the stats for Bri Books and the top markets that listen to the podcast, here's a cheat sheet for hardiness zones: NYC is zone 7, Chicago is zones 5 and 6, OKC is zone 7a, Philadelphia is 7a and 7b, LA is zone 9 and zone 10, Detroit is zone 6, and Houston is zone 9. 3:10 - #2: Find your sunspots. Here’s how to identify North, South, East, and West: First, point your left arm towards the sun in the morning. Now, take your right hand and point it toward the west (stretch arms like you’re giving a hug.) You’re now facing south, and your back is facing north. 5:23 - #3: Find out your last frost date. It's important to know is how many weeks you have until your frost date is upon you. Find the frost dates at almanac.com, and then count backward how many weeks you have remaining until that day to calculate the number of weeks you have left in your traditional summer-autumn season. In NYC, our last spring frost was April 4 and our first fall frost is November 13, meaning NYC has 222 growing days in the year. 6:45 - #4: Select good soil, seeds, and supplies. I recommend beginning with a seedling mix like , or . My favorite seed company is , a company I’ve been celebrating for over 5 years now. The second resource I love for seeds is She has a great selection mix. A lof the mixes are good if you want to place one order and get a half dozen crops at your doorstep. Furthermore, is excellent for Asian heirlooms. I’d also ! They sell all the worms that are great for composting and adding overall health to your garden. 9:15 - #5: Pick the best short-term and long-term containers for your plants. Keep vertical growing in mind when it comes to space. Follow listen to Bri Books on , and show me your garden by using on Instagram.
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8 Garden-Starting Hacks to Get You Growing in 2024
04/22/2024
8 Garden-Starting Hacks to Get You Growing in 2024
Welcome back to Bri Books. In this episode, I’m sharing my garden starter hacks, including a gardening method I created myself! This method has taken my gardening and succession planting to the next level when it comes to growing my own food. I call this my "theBriGarden Breakfast Gardening Method." I created and coined it myself for . It revolves around repurposing food waste to create a food bounty. Who would've thought breakfast is so ripe for gardening!? Follow on Instagram for garden tours, growing hacks, and gardening secrets. If you’re new to the show, leave a of Bri Books on and listen to Bri Books on , and ! Please tell me what you're sipping by using on Instagram, and subscribe to the Bri Books Follow on Instagram for garden tours, growing hacks, and gardening secrets. 8 Garden-Starting Hacks to Get You Growing in 2024 1:45 - Hack #1: Reuse egg water! Hard-bouled eggs release a trace amount of calcium into the water, and calcium is a mineral all plants need. It’s a great idea to use hard-boiled egg water for your plants. Plants can benefit from calcium boost in hard-boiled egg water 2:45 - Hack #2: Eggshell planters! If you take your eggshells and break out the top, leaving ¾ of eggshell intact, that’s a great container for starting seeds. You can begin so many seeds in eggshells, which are rich in calcium. Using eggshells whole can help recycle your breakfast food scraps. 3:40 - Hack #3: Eggshell fertilizer! Crushed eggshells are a great way to inject calcium into your garden and help deter slugs and garden pests. I created a fun of how to use eggshells in your garden. 4:10 - Hack #4: Coffee! Put your used coffee grounds in the soil to boost nitrogen in the soil and provide an acidity boost. It's the next best thing to organic fertilizer. Make sure you grind it up very fine so that the plants can receive the nutrients. 4:55 - Hack #5: Sprinkle of cinnamon! Cinnamon helps to fight off bacteria and fungus that causes damping, a disease that waterlogs the stem of the plant and stalls out the seedlings before they can grow. Cinnamon helps to deter this disease, so add a tiny pinch to your potting soil to keep your seedlings growing strong. 5:30- Hack #6: Egg cartons! Use egg cartons as seed starters to start seeds indoors on a regular basis. If a dozen eggs run out in 2 weeks in your house, that’s enough time to get another succession planting round going in that empty carton without having to buy any supplies. Fill the empty eggshells with soil, plant a seed inside it, and place the seeded eggshell the egg carton on a window sill. 6:30 - Hack #7: Fruit boxes! Containers that your produce comes in is great to reuse as transplant containers. Before the seeds go into container gardens or into the ground, use these fruit boxes to help your plants mature is a great way to make your morning fruit snacking pay off. 7:15 - Hack #8: Coffee filters! Re-use coffee filters to line the bottoms of your pots and containers. Voila, leak-free gardening! Want to see the garden in action? Follow on Instagram for garden tours, growing hacks, and gardening secrets for first-time growers. Leave a of Bri Books on and listen to Bri Books on , and ! Please tell me what you're growing by using on Instagram, and subscribe to the Bri Books Follow on Instagram for garden tours, growing hacks, and gardening secrets.
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Unveiling the Top 5 Wedding Trends of 2024: Part Two
03/02/2024
Unveiling the Top 5 Wedding Trends of 2024: Part Two
Welcome to Bri Books! Today, we’re dissecting 5 ingenious wedding trends of 2024 that you’re bound to see everywhere. Listen to the most recent episode, This episode is about wedding industry-wide trends, and what you can expect in 2024. Whether you’re the guest, the host, or one of the intended, these wedding trends will get your juices flowing. We did all the things for the bride last time, so now let’s take it to everyone else. Here are a few quick trends that are taking over the wedding industry. Micro-weddings: This trend has been years in the making (predated the pandemic), and it’s only going stronger in 2024. Some folks pack out cathedrals, others love a chic, curated courthouse affair. Micro-weddings often look like elopement or private civil ceremonies, followed by modest dinners. Micro-weddings are growing not just as a result of rising prices of weddings, but as a throwback to more intimate nuptial affairs. Long cakes: Viva la long cake! In the early January , the wedding cake of was featured—a massive, multi-color, multi-foot long slab of deliciousness. Daytrip weddings: I personally love this concept. If you’re in a particularly scenic state or country, consider a daytrip wedding, especially if it’s a day-long or one night overnight affair. If you're getting married in a small ceremony or privately, consider doing a daytrip to a gorgeous farm, setting, etc. to exchange vows. Intimate dinner party weddings and afterparties: After the altar is the afterparty! More and more, couples are opting for a debaucherous, energy-fueled afterparty to keep the vibes going. Renting out a chic hotel bar or even a restaurant can deliver the after party vibes. Bonus points if there’s a kitschy element like takeout food, nostalgic small bites, etc. feel free to be lo-fi and grungy. I think an intimate dinner party can bring an air of casualness to wedding festivities. It’s also easier to get around and see all of your friends/ do the general socializing at a dinner party vs a more formal seated dinner. Off-season travel: Paging Portugal! You may see more off-season and left-of-center wedding destinations crop up in your invites. Portugal is well known, also consider Chile, parts of Mexico (San Miguel de Allende), Ecuador, Portugal, Costa Rica, Belize, and other less-traveled destinations.
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Valentine’s Day: 9 Beauty Ideas You’ll Love
02/14/2024
Valentine’s Day: 9 Beauty Ideas You’ll Love
Welcome to Bri Books and happy Valentine’s Day. In honor of the day of love (self love, familial love, etc), I want to bring a quick beauty-focused episode about my favorite skincare, makeup and beauty picks to help you practice the art of self-love 24/7. I’ll jump right in. Once again, as always, Lush has pulled out the stops when it comes to Valentine's Day. I think Lush is the perfect 'To me, from me' gift. Love can be friendship and laughter and wild nights and quiet mornings. Lush is all about celebrating all the loves in your life and finding ways to celebrate them. The brand has several V-Day specific gifts, but I want to talk about my favorites: , and the . If you want something luxe feeling and special, Lush is the way. The flower bombshell gives the most romantic rose scented soak ever. Flower petals float atop shimmering pink waters, and rose absolute and lemon oil create a cheerful, rose scent that'll sweep you off your feet. It's a truly dcadent bathing experience, and the best part is, you can save half of it for another day. Bakeup Makeup Beauty Palettes for Valentine’s Day inspired color. For the color fanatics, the gotta-catch-em-all types, this one's for you. Save $20 and get all four Palm Palettes (pastels, primaries, neons and neutrals)! Each features eight buttery, buildable shades that can be mixed and matched for endless looks. From Monday morning to Saturday night, any occasion and every emotion. This kit will truly unleash your creativity. Curated by Jo Baker from the most loved neutral palettes of the last 20 years, contains eight everyday, essential neutrals. primaries represent foundational colors, empowering you to express your primary emotions. . Super, concentrated yet gentle, 2 fast-acting retinols unite to firm & reduce wrinkles from head to toe. A revolutionary innovation in anti-aging! Encapsulated retinol targets fine lines + wrinkles over time while fast-acting retinoids, boosted with collagen peptides, instantly penetrate the skin for skin repair and immediate wrinkle-fighting action Counteracts skin aging + UV damage and improves cell renewal process Controlled, constant release delivery system allows for no redness, no irritations, no flakiness, no dry-feeling or down time between uses Multi-tasking: face + body, gentle enough for daily use. and . I love this serum and the luxurious, soothing facial oil. The serum phase delivers skin-quenching actives whilst the oil phase has rich soothing properties. Enriched with a unique Red Algae, clinically proven* to deliver 3x more hydration than Hyaluronic Acid, and antioxidant Rose Centifolia extract, to support and strengthen the skin’s barrier. Plumps, firms, and smooths fine lines and wrinkles. The exceptionally lightweight facial oil formula is infused with precious English Rose Oleo Extract and a blend of hydrating marine actives. This anti-aging oil helps to soften the look of lines and wrinkles and leaves the skin looking more youthful. Nourishing oils of Sweet Almond, Jojoba, and Coconut provide a lightweight base easily absorbed by the skin for a radiant and dewy fresh complexion. . This is an excellently romantic fragrance, inspired by the energy of the Lower East Side. Floral, fruity, lady apple and jasmine scents combine with cedar wood to create an unforgettably luxe fragrance. . The Real Techniques Pastel Pop Plumped Up Base Set features 3 dense face brushes and a makeup spatula to conceal, cover, and brighten for your dreamiest complexion yet. The makeup brush kit includes the 098 Small Conceal Brush, 099 Expert Edge Brush, 100 Soft Accent Brush, and a Makeup Spatula. These makeup brushes work best with liquid and cream foundation, concealer, highlighter, and blush for a bright, skin-like finish. The makeup spatula helps you spread foundation and color correctors into a thin layer for an even finish. A silky, non-sticky serum powered by snow mushroom and glycerin to effectively attract, retain & replenish moisture for instant and continuous plumping hydration. Unlike other serums that hydrate only temporarily, our high-performance formula floods skin in long-lasting hydration. A breakthrough blend of visibly plumping pentavitin, water-binding snow mushroom and glycerin, moisture-replenishing panthenol, seamlessly melts into skin to reveal plump and bouncy, dewy skin. Snow Mushroom & Glycerin provide instant moisture and long-term hydration. . These 60 citrus-flavored gummies provide you with the building blocks of your body. Perfect for strong bones, skin, muscles, ligaments and more. Can be supplemented with collagen moisturizer, collagen cleanser, and collagen teas for your inner and outer beauty and . For anytime moisture, wherever you need it most, Body & Intimacy Serum was formulated for all-purpose pleasure—anywhere. Made with sustainably sourced ingredients—like squalane, coconut oil, and green tea—this luxurious serum naturally rejuvenates your skin and body to enhance your everyday skincare routine and intimate moments alike. Featuring sleek glass packaging with eco-conscious, refillable packaging, this serum was made for the nightstand—not the back of the drawer.
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