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WELCOME:

Ah, good morning sisters and brothers, we survived another week. At last, the weekend has arrived and... oh crap.. does anyone else need to do any last minute shopping? What shoe size was Carol and does anyone have any allergies or diet restrictions we don't know about? It's like yesterday was October and tomorrow's already January. Where does the time even go?
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Sure, while the holidays can bring a lot of stress, our newsletter is the cure. You'll laugh, you'll find a new song you like, you might even check out an event where you end up meeting your soulmate, which turns into you falling in love, and in which we (hopefully) will be invited to the wedding, and then before you know it, you're giving birth to twins (Gem and Secret are great names by the way).

All of that thanks to our newsletter, incredible right? The possibilities are truly endless and while we deserve all of the credit, it was actually all thanks to you for subscribing in the first place. You're welcome.
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**We trust upon you to share our newsletter with your peers but starting in 2019, we'll start handing out some free stuff to thank you for all of your efforts and support. Regardless, give the gift that keeps on giving and share the newsletter with your friends and family.

Winter Solstice is today! (Don't go outside for the next few months)
Black Mirror returns to Netflix in 6 days (Zach is excited)
New Year's Eve is in 10 days (Who's giving us a kiss at midnight?)
🦔 Groundhog day is in 43 days (Are we taking bets?)

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.

Sara Hellstrom aka SHY Martin is the creative mastermind behind some of your favorite dance tracks. Tracks like Kygo’s ‘First Time’ feat. Ellie Goulding, Bebe Rexha’s ‘(Not) The One’, The Chainsmoker’s ‘All We Know’, and NOTD’s ‘I Wanna Know’ feat. Bea Miller.

As a songwriter who’s work has already garnered herself over a billion streams, the talented young artist has proven over and over again how gifted one can be when wielded with pen and paper.

Read the rest of the article here.

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:

• Midas.Gold released a really cool music video, watch it here.
• French producer Kulkid releases new dance track (feat. Kaleena Zanders), listen to 'Skyline' here.
• TS Graye is like a cooler Lana Del Rey, stream her new song right here.
• Kinder is an electronic duo with a really badass sound, check out their new song right here.
• Cassette Tapes, the indie-pop duo from San Fran dropped a new song and literally all of their music is great, stream their latest here.
• Sol is thinking about the kids, are you? Listen to their new song here.

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.

PLACES TO BE:

What’s Happening in New York City:
James Cohan - Federico Herrero: Open Alphabet, on view through December 21
Heller Gallery - Amber Cowan, on view through January 5

What’s Happening in Los Angeles:

LAST Projects - Katya Grokhovsky: NOTHING PERSONAL, 2pm December 22
Upstairs at the Ace Hotel - Percussive House & Techno: Mor Elian, 6pm December 23
The Dynasty Typewriter - Was it Really That Bad? 8pm December 27

THINGS TO WATCH:

Movies:

- Shaun of The Dead: Listen, this zombie comedy has been on my list to watch forever. And let me tell you, I’m upset it took me this long to watch it. The good news is that it was recently put on Netflix. Merry Christmas, Edgar Wright is a genius.

- Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse: One of my most anticipated films of 2018 and it blew my expectations out of the water. With its solid characters, story, and creative art style, it may be the best adaptation of Spider-Man yet.

- A Charlie Brown Christmas Special: - I was unsure if we should consider this a movie, because of the cinematic experience given, or a TV show because of the length. Regardless of my indecisiveness, check this out again. It has only gotten better with age.

TV Shows:

It’s time to cram all of your favorite Christmas episodes in the next few days. Here is a list of my favorite TV Christmas Specials (in no particular order):

The Simpsons:
- Season 1, Episode 1 “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire”
- Season 7, Episode 11 “Marge Be Not Proud”

The Office:
- Season 2, Episode 10 “Christmas Party”
- Season 3, Episode 10/11 “A Benihana Christmas”
- Season 5, Episode 11 “Moroccan Christmas”
- Season 7, Episode 11/12 “Classy Christmas“

Seinfeld:
Season 9, Episode 10 “The Strike”

Community:
Season 2, Episode 11 “Abed’s Uncontrollable Christmas”
Season 3, Episode 10 “Regional Holiday Music”

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia:
Season 6, Episode 14 “A Very Sunny Christmas”

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

CALLING ALL COFFEE LOVERS:

Stumptown Coffee at the Ace Hotel is an absolute must if you're in Manhattan.

Not only is this the best cup of coffee we’ve had east of the Mississippi it’s also a great place to get all of your work done. The mood lighting and comfortable armchairs make it easy to stay a while, and there’s something fun about the anonymity of hanging out at a hotel you aren’t even staying at.

Come for the coffee, stay for the people watching. Cheers.

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Subscribe here: gemsandsecrets.com

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.

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.