Issue 23: April 7, 2020
Hello Dears,
Thank you for tuning into this week’s issue of The Wrap. We’re more grateful than ever for your support, and want to remind you that we’re here for you during this difficult time.
We know that gifting is not a top priority right now. But connections are, and we want to stay connected with you in the coming weeks. We invite you to share our weekly newsletter with friends (just click the "forward" button to share this issue with a pal), and let us know what you’re doing to stay connected to your nearest and dearest.
Perhaps you’re writing more handwritten letters like Ashley...or coordinating family video chat sessions with far-away relatives like Candace...or maybe you’ve taken a page from “it girl” Hannah Bronfman’s book and joined an organization like Lenox Hill Neighborhood House, which pairs you with a home-bound senior citizen to provide weekly telephone support and encouragement. (What a sweet idea!)
Whatever you’re doing to spread the light, we want to hear about it! Drop us a line and tell us your story…we’ll share with our community of friends and followers to inspire gratitude and cheer -- we could all use some right now!
Need some ideas and inspiration for passing the time this week? Check out the list of at-home DIY activities we’re sharing in today's newsletter issue, below. Whether you need a solo activity to “recharge” your own batteries, or you’re looking for something fun to do the next time you grab a glass of wine and FaceTime your bestie, you’ll feel good about these DIY kits and activities because most are offered by small businesses that desperately need your dollars and support right now.
We’re also sharing Candace’s fabulous Carrot Ginger Sweet Potato Soup recipe to provide some nourishing kitchen inspo this week! Enjoy and make sure you’re following @SecretlyGifting for a daily dose of good vibes as a navigate these tricky times together.
xo
Ashley and Candace
Co-Founders, Secretly Gifting
17 DIY Activities to Beat the “Stay at Home” Blues
When the days feel long and you’re stuck in a funk, it can be challenging to tackle your daily routines and usual activities. Our solution? Mix things up and give yourself something to look forward to with one of the fun DIY activities below. The best part is, you'll be supporting small businesses at the same time!
1. Add to Your Arm Party
Fashion yourself a new piece of jewelry using hand-rolled Karatasi beads, colorful raffia tassels, and stretchy sisal cord from agave plants. The best part is, Akola’s “One Bead One Hope” Kit supports female artisans in Uganda and utilizes up-cycled materials! ($49 at akola.co)
Design your own set of one-of-a-kind friendship bracelets with Dannijo’s DIY Bead Kit. An array of candy colored resin beads, sparkly accents, and fun alphabet options mean the possibilities are endless. As a bonus, the cute slider bag holding your beads doubles as a make-up bag once your design is complete! ($65 at dannijo.com)
Alexa Leigh’s iconic gold ball bracelets are super chic, and now you can design your own “at home” version with her Build Your Own Ball Kit. The kit includes a mix of glass and plastic beads along with enough stretch cord for a few bracelets or anklets, and a portion of the proceeds benefit the No Kid Hungry charity. ($35 at alexaleigh.com)
Cheer up a colleague, friend, or sister with one of Roxanne Assoulin’s latest Tie One On Bracelet designs. Featuring messages like “this too shall pass”, “faith not fear”, and “ride the wave”, these iconic woven bracelets will brighten her day each time she glances at her wrist. ($45 each at roxanneassoulin.com)
2. Color, Craft, and Treat Your Hands
Repeated hand-washing doesn’t have to mean rough skin, cracked cuticles, and bone dry nailbeds thanks to Olive and June’s “The Studio” DIY Manicure Kit. We love this set because it includes everything you need for an at-home nail treatment (clippers, color, file, lotion etc.) plus a built-in “shelfie” for nail selfies of the finished product. Buy a kit a schedule a mani date with your BFF stat! ($50 at oliveandjune.com)
Lingua Franca, the female founded cashmere brand that made itself famous with cheeky embroidered messages is now offering online stitching workshops! Each “Learn to Stitch” Kit includes a cashmere sweater (in your choice of color and style), thread, needles, fabric markers, and free admission to a virtual embroidery workshop this month. If you need a new hobby, or want to organize a virtual "stitch and bitch" session with friends, this may be for you! ($320, linguafranca.nyc)
The Museum of Modern Art just teamed up with Brooklyn artist Louise Lawler, to offer a collection of free coloring sheets for adults. Inspired by imagery from her WHY PICTURES NOW exhibition, these sheets feature black and white sketches you can transform with your favorite set of markers or colored pencils. Print the free PDFs here, and use hashtag #DrawingWithMoMa when you share on IG!
Got an auto buff at home? Download Audi’s Coloring Book for Car Lovers and let them color their own grand prix racer or Quattro sports coupe…it may be the next best thing to going for a joy ride during quarantine! Download and print the free coloring book here.
3. Visit One of the World's Great Museums
You’ve likely finished Tiger King and are fresh out of binge-worthy TV and movies, so there’s no better time to stimulate your brain with a little history, art, and culture!
Thanks to Google’s new Arts & Culture platform, you can now participate in virtual tours, exhibition visits, lessons, and lectures thanks to a growing list of partnerships with a museums, galleries, performing arts centers and cultural institutions all over the world.
Click below to check out free virtual arts and culture programming at some of our favorite museums and galleries worldwide:
The Guggenheim (New York City)
The Tate Modern (London)
Frida Kahlo Museum (Mexico City)
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York City)
Georgia O'Keefe Museum (Santa Fe)
J. Paul Getty Museum (Los Angeles)
Uffizi Gallery (Florence)
Musee D'Orsay (Paris)
Museum of Modern Art (New York City)
A Soup for Cozy Days and Nights
Candace created this simple soup recipe using some pantry staples she had on hand, and the result was a spicy, sweet, and intensely satisfying bowl of comfort.
Recreate her healthy Carrot, Ginger, and Sweet Potato Soup when you need a quick and delicious lunch or dinner this week. (pro-tip: don't sleep on the spiced almond topping, it's out-of-this-world delish!).
