The Gems and Secrets newsletter is here! Robokid, Pancakes, Coffee, and your weekly update!

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WELCOME:

If this weeks newsletter had a theme, it would be something along the lines of, "Oh crap, it's getting so freaky cold outside I'd rather stay inside" and to be real, we don't blame you at all. 

I mean, who doesn't love staying in all weekend anyway? Go ahead and turn your phone off, that email you've been putting off can wait, you deserve this time. The holidays are stressful enough, right?

Down below you'll find a delicious blueberry pancake recipe and some new movie/tv shows to check out. This week we even included a positive message/challenge from our good friends out in Nashville.

Have no fear, the G&S team is here! Enjoy. 

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❄️ Winter Solstice is in 8 days
🎉 New Year's Eve is in 17 days
🦔 Groundhog day is in 50

FEATURE OF THE WEEK:

The feature of the week can be anyone whom we feel deserves some extra recognition in their field. With this extremely prestigious award, we shine a light on the creative people who make the world just a little more interesting.

Whether it’s creating art, designing clothes, or making music… Robokid pours his heart and soul into everything he does. Read more about him on Gems & Secrets.

"Survive is loosely based off my own relationship, but it's about two people who are trying to make things work in the midst of hopelessness and tragedy, as well as the listlessness that comes with growing up and contemplating your existence and actions." — Robokid

Know an artist we should shine some light on?
Send us your pitch here

SPACE HIGHLIGHT:

Yep, it's getting cold out there baby so if you're looking for something sweet to do with your partner (or friends), check out the Little Choc Apothecary. Not only is their hot chocolate the tastiest little treat you could ever ask for, but we’re pretty sure they have a secret recipe for the worlds best chocolate chip cookies.

And the best part, everything on the menu is gluten and vegan free (yeah, seriously). Next time you’re strolling through Williamsburg, venture down Havemeyer to this super cozy spot, you won't regret it.

WHAT WE'RE LISTENING TO:

There's been a lot of great releases this week, here are some of our favorites:

• Curtis Lowe shares euphoric deep-house track 'Breaking Me'
• You're going to love this collaboration between DESIIRE, TiKA, and Casey MQ. Listen to 'Goodbyes' here.
• Check out instupendo's downtempo remix of sakehands 'GOODBYE FOREVER'
• Have you seen Kaien Cruz's music video for 'Dangerous' yet? 

Can't make up your mind? You can always follow our Spotify playlist, we update this bad boy almost every day. Pop, Indie, Dance music, etc... just the best of the best, we promise. 

FOLLOW US ON SPOTIFY

PLACES TO BE:

What’s Happening in New York City
Opening - SARDINE Gallery: Karen Tepaz - Soft Bloom, Saturday 8 December, 6-9pm
The Jewish Museum: The Russian Avant-Garde in Vitebsk, ongoing thru January 6
The Japan Society: Yasumasa Morimura - Ego Obscura, ongoing thru January 13

What’s Happening in Los Angeles
Closing - The Main: Paul Pescador - Founding of Los Angeles, Sunday 9 December, 1-7 pm
Hammer Museum: Adrian Piper - Concepts and Institutions, ongoing thru January 6
Refinery29: 29Rooms - Expand your Reality, this weekend 8 - 9 December

THINGS TO WATCH:

Movies:

• Widows - This is a contender for being one of the best movies of 2018 (in my own opinion). I don’t want to reveal the entire plotline but the story kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. It has a kickass female-driven diverse cast that I need to see more of and it'll have you walking around like a total badass the next day (don't you love movies that make you feel like that?).

• Searching - Searching recently went to digital and it's great. Much like Widows, Searching had my heart pounding throughout the entire story. If you've ever watched the film, “Unfriended,” the movie is presented via screen records of computers. Unlike “Unfriended,” it’s actually done very well...

• Home Alone 2: Lost in New York - Home Alone 2 might be better than the first one, just saying.

TV Shows:

• Mystery Science Theatre 3000: The Gauntlet - If you’re not familiar with Mystery Science Theatre 3000, it has a massive cult following. Netflix revived it last year and fans all over the world rejoiced (including myself). Sure, it’s cheesy but it's also really fun. If you're into commentary tracks and bad movies, this is right up your alley.

• Superstore - I'm just about halfway through season 4 of Superstore and it's already filled the gaping hole in my heart after the departure of The Office. It's another solid workplace comedy with a romance that tugs at my emotions just as much as Jim’s and Pam’s. All episodes are available on Hulu so don't wait any longer to check it out!

• 11.22.63 - James Franco’s mini-series on Hulu came out in 2016, so I’m a bit late. However, I do wish I watched this years ago (get it?). The show follows a teacher who has to travel back in time to stop JFK from getting assassinated. One of the best things Hulu has put out in recent memory.

*Follow Fred (he's our movie critic and we like him a lot)

RECIPE OF THE WEEK:

Blueberry Pancake Recipe:

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 1/4 teaspoons white sugar

1 egg

1 cup milk

1/2 tablespoon butter, melted

1/2 cup frozen blueberries, thawed

1. In a large bowl, sift together flour, salt, baking powder, and sugar. In a small bowl, beat together egg and milk. Stir milk and egg into flour mixture. Mix in the butter and fold in the blueberries. Set aside for 1 hour.A

2. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium-high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot.

*Thank you Austin for sharing your pancake recipe with us this week, go ahead and follow his Instagram for other tasty snacks and we'll see you next week with something new.

CALLING ALL COFFEE LOVERS [AD]:

Our latest obsession: Odd Fox Coffee +  their Lego Coffee Shop 

Not only is this place cute and warm, Odd Fox Coffee knows exactly what you need to feel comfortable and welcome. The decor is beautiful, the baristas are friendly (they won't spell your name wrong), and their wifi connection is incredibly fast. Pick and choose from a variety of teas, healthy snacks, or your choice of locally farmed coffee beans. 

They even have an adorable backyard for those relaxing mornings/evenings (we can't really vouch for its popularity when it’s 29 freakin' degrees out though...but from the window... it looks pretty cool!)

But what makes Odd Fox a little more unique than your average cafe is their dedication to the miniature, Lego-scale model of the cafe. Just as alive as the people it depicts, Lego Coffee Shop can be found on Instagram and provides a daily dose of humor to brighten up your day.

Check out Odd Fox if you’re in North Brooklyn and don’t forget to grab a punch card so you can snag a free drink every so often. 

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK:

Self-care is essential. In my routine, I call it “Nourishing the Foundation.” I break this responsibility into four sub-sections: physical, mental, spiritual, & socio/emotional.

But, I’ve got a problem, & I probably shouldn’t wait to address it. I’m habitually reaching for my phone, scrolling through notifications, emails, or texts, all the time. I mean like, all the time. My technology addiction is starting to interfere with my responsibility to nourish the foundation.

I spoke with Pete Dunlap, author of Digital Detangler, A Guide to Mindful Technology Use. He said that these social platforms are designed to hook us, to keep us scrolling, so it’s important that we structure our usage consciously. Even as I write this, my fiancé Rosie is on Instagram watching some sort of video. We’re all watching –– maybe this isn’t the best thing for me to say, but I know that I’m distracted, & I’m ready to restructure my relationship to technology.  

As the weeks end approaches, I challenge you to reconnect – to make time for self-care. Self-care looks different for everyone. For some it might be a bubble bath, for others, it might be reflecting, stretching, meditating, or even going on an adventure with the one you love…

This weekend, I’m committing to 24 hours of unplugged adventure.

When was the last time that you unplugged?

What does self-care look like for you?

*Connect with Matthew Baratz and his fiance (congrats by the way!!!!) via Instagram and if you're ever in Nashville, don't be afraid to reach out. These two love to paint and would be more than happy to show you around town. 

Whether it's creating art, designing clothes, or making music... Robokid does it all—stream their new single 'Survive' (feat. Hotel Garuda) here

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WHAT WE HAVE TO SAY:

Whether it’s creating art, designing clothes, or making music… Robokid pours his heart and soul into everything he does. The artist has shown an abundance of love for the music and art community, and for those closest to him, also know his dedication to building one of Los Angeles’s most beloved record labels and artist collective, ‘Moving Castle’.

Robokid isn’t afraid to wear his heart upon his sleeve. Over the last couple of years, we’ve seen a more creative and personal side of the artist as he’s rolled out a handful of singles leading up to his debut EP in early 2018.

‘Survive’ is without a doubt some of his best work yet. Whether it’s his unique and original sounding vocal style or the polished design behind some of his production, Robokid infuses a level of creativity and forward-thinking design into his music that truly demands your attention.

Featuring Hotel Garuda, the new single mixes dance music with an indie-electronic flair. Check it out for yourself and be sure to add it to your Spotify playlist, you won’t regret it. Don’t forget to connect with the artist online to stay up to date on what’s happening next and enjoy!

WHAT THE ARTIST HAS TO SAY:

"Survive is loosely based off my own relationship, but its about two people who are trying to make things work in the midst of hopelessness and tragedy, as well as the listlessness that comes with growing up and contemplating your existence and actions." — Robokid

CONNECT WITH THE ARTIST:

Instagram / Twitter / Facebook / Soundcloud / Spotify

The chronicles of the Humble Savage pt. 1

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I AM HUMBLE SAVAGE:

“Sharing my passion for paint with the community is a part of my purpose.”

If I had it my way, I’d throw paint for a living. I mean literally, throw paint, on people, places, & things.

I have always believed in the power of purpose. But it wasn't until recently that I woke up to the importance of maintaining meaningful relationships – connecting with other individuals who are doing what they love to do too. My name is Matthew Baratz; I’m a creative living in Nashville… 

Community is something I’ve craved for my entire life – it’s a basic human need. But for some reason, I feel like an outcast. I’ve been on this quest for what feels like ages: a quest to create my very own community. In so doing, I’ve isolated myself from the already existing communities that surround me. I’m beginning to realize, hundreds of thousands, maybe millions of creatives around the world interested in the same things as me. Why do I still feel so empty & alone?

Today, I challenge myself to participate, to play an active role in life. Today I challenge myself to engage with my community in whatever way feels right to me: to go to a yoga class, to reach out to a fellow musician, to share my purpose with someone I respect, to go for a walk & hi-five the first 3 people I cross paths with, to email an article to that blog I’ve been wanting to write for… 

Today, I challenge myself to do what I love, and today I challenge you to do what you love, too. Look, my point is, no matter who you are or where you come from, you have a purpose. Today, I dare you to ask yourself, “What sets my soul on fire?”

Answer that question and pass it on. See you next week.

CONNECT WITH HUMBLE SAVAGE:

Instagram