Issue 20: March 17, 2020

Hello Dears, 

The rapidly changing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is a source of uncertainty and concern for all of us, and we’d like you to know that we’re here to support our community in every way we can.   

In this week’s issue we’re sharing some important announcements regarding the precautionary measures we’re taking, and what you can expect from Secretly Gifting in the coming weeks and months.   

Please know that we’re committed to keeping our families, friends, and local communities healthy and resilient. And for now, that means working from home and social distancing to limit the spread of the virus.   

While we’re still shipping out orders from The Gift Vault, we’ve decided to postpone our Spring Pop-Up events indefinitely. We hope to reschedule all three events (DC, Newport Beach, and Los Angeles) once we have more clarity on the near-term scope and impact of the virus.   

Below you’ll find some helpful reminders and activity suggestions for keeping optimistic and entertained during this trying time (especially if you have little ones at home!). We intimately understand the stress of this situation on families and small businesses, and are committed to doing everything in our power to help support one another.   

We encourage you to take this time to “lean in” to kindness, reconnect with what’s truly important, and help those who need it most. You’ll find some of our favorite ways for doing just this below. 

In the meantime, stay positive and please feel free to reach out with any special requests: info@secretlygifting.com.

xo

Ashley and Candace

Co-Founders, Secretly Gifting

Spring Pop-Ups Cancelled Until Further Notice

In light of present circumstances, we’ve made the decision to cancel all three of our Spring Pop-Ups. We hope to reschedule these events for later dates in the spring or early summer, provided that health and safety concerns relating to coronavirus have subsided. 

We appreciate your flexibility and understanding regarding this decision. Pop-Ups are a significant source of business and partnership for Secretly Gifting, not to mention a cheerful way to kick-off the spring season…and we look forward to collaborating with all of our vendor partners (new and old) at future events.  

Many small businesses -- especially those with brick-and-mortar storefronts -- are struggling to make ends meet right now, amid closings and halted operations.

We encourage you to follow your favorite local boutiques, restaurants, and shops on social media to stay abreast of modifications they’re making to serve you…and please consider #shoppingsmall to continue supporting these businesses with online orders, delivery, curbside pickup, and donations.

Three Ways to Lift Your Spirit & Calm Your Nerves

Because distancing and quarantine protocols can quickly stir up feelings of anxiety and panic (and because and there’s a limit to how many Netflix shows you can binge-watch before turning into a stir-crazy monster!) we’ve rounded up our favorite “feel good” activities to inspire resilience and positivity this week.

Try these solo, or with your kids, best friends, or spouse for a well-deserved endorphin boost! 

1. Dust-off your favorite old-fashioned stationery set (we’re partial to designs from Dear Annabelle and Brake Ink) and pen hand-written letters to your nearest and dearest.

Use a fancy pen or pretty postage, and let your kids draw, color, or collage cards to include for special occasions. We guarantee your family members and friends will be tickled to receive these surprise notes in the mail!

2. Make a dent in a new book, join a book club, or pick-up that book you never finished reading. 

Indulging in a story of strength, courage, or positivity will feel extra uplifting and restorative right now…so consider it a form of “self love” and flip open a page-turner! 

Not sure what to read? Consider recommendations from our Co-Founder, Ashley Bronczek (@BronczekBookRecs). If audiobooks are more your speed, check out one of Candace’s favorites featuring Oprah and Eckhart Tolle.

3. Challenge yourself with a new recipe! 

Whether you’re a cook or baker, there’s no time like the present to sharpen your skills in the kitchen. 

Freezer meals are a great way to make use of canned foods and dry goods like pasta, while baked treats like cookies and brownies can be made in big batches to share (contact-less, of course), with neighbors.  

Feel good and do good by donating non-perishables or requested meals to groups like Capital Food Bank and Martha’s Table the next time you stock up. 

And if you’re looking for an easy crowd-pleaser, try Ashley’s favorite Peanut Butter Banana Bread recipe, below: 

Peanut Butter Banana Bread 

(via Two Peas & Their Pod)

·  1.5 cups all-purpose flour

·  1 teaspoon baking soda

·  1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

·  1 cup mashed brown bananas (3 large brown bananas)

·  1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (Ashley recommends Justin’s Honey Peanut Butter)

·  1/4 cup unsalted butter melted and slightly cooled

·  3/4 cup packed light brown sugar

·  1 large egg at room temperature

·  1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

3. In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork. Add the peanut butter and melted butter and stir until combined. Stir in the brown sugar, egg, and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth.

4. Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, don’t over mix.

5. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 50-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean. Check the bread at 50 minutes,just to be safe. Oven times vary.6. Remove the pan from the oven and set on a wire cooling rack. Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Run a knife around the edges of the bread and carefully remove from the pan. Let the bread cool on the wire cooling rack until slightly warm. Cut into slices and serve.

Note: This bread will keep on the counter, wrapped in plastic wrap, for up to 3 days. It also freezes well. To freeze, cool the bread completely and wrap in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 1 month. Defrost before slicing.