Bri Books

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. 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 thinkin

Welcome to Bri Books! Today I’m sharing my 8 tips and strategies for reading more books in 2024. Listen for reading hacks and tricks that'll help you make a daily habit of reading more books. 8 Ways to Read (A Lot) More Books in 2024 1:30: Reframe your take on reading: Reframing isn't about tricking yourself into doing tasks, but reframing the nature of the task to wake own the dread and avoidance around them. So when it comes to reading, instead of, “I have to finish these pages,” refreame it as, “I get to expand my consciousness and knowledge. I get to work my muscle of curiosity.” Just this simple act of reframing alone can make it easier for you to get started with reading consistently. 2:54: Set quarterly reading themes: Set quarterly reading themes, or "read with the seasons." Give each season a genre or theme, and focus on reading books within that realm. 4:10: Set clear monthly reading goals: This part is important. Is your goal to finish 1 book a month? 2 books? More? Have a clear monthly readi

Welcome to Bri Books! From sexy fiction to fascinating history, here's a look at what I'm reading in 2024. For a book lover, the new year is the definition of a blank slate. The books of 2024 offer escapes of all kinds. Below, I'vm nominating 8 books I can't wait to read in January and February. In this episode, I'm rounding up 8 titles I can't wait to read. 1:05: ‘From Slave Cabins to the White House: Homemade Citizenship in African American Culture’ by Koritha Mitchell. I'm a cottagecore princess, and I wanted to get to the roots of domesticity in the US. In high school I was obsessed with domestic/ Victorian values during the Industrial Revolution, and noticed the glaring absence of free Black American women from this history. But that doesn't mean we weren't there. In the book, Koritha Mitchell analyzes canonical texts by and about African American women to lay bare the hostility these women face as they invest in traditional domesticity. Tracing how African Americans define and redefine success in a na

Welcome to Bri Books! This week, as we'll be delving into all things literary, starting with a review of the 6 best books I read in 2023.  'The War Before: The True Life Story of Becoming A Black Panther, Keeping the Faith in Prison & Fighting for Those Left Behind’ by Safiya Bukhari. This book was probably my most valuable and important read of 2023. It's the true-life story of Safiya Bukhari, and it catalogues her lifelong commitment as an advocate for the rights of the oppressed. Following her journey from middle-class student to Black Panter to political prisoner, her wiritings provide an intimate view of a woman wrestling with the issues of her time, including the legacy of the Panthers, misogyny in the movement, her decision to convert to Islandm, the incarceration of outspoken radicals around the world, her passion for family, and how the struggles of social justice movements have paved the way for the progress of today.  ‘Mother Hunger: How Adult Daughters Can Understand and Heal from Lost Nur

Welcome to 2024 from Bri @ Bri Books podcast! In complete transparency: today is January 15, so consider this amongst the last of your New Year greetings. I'm so thrilled to welcome 2024—there’s something about the future of the written word and storytelling that’s igniting me at the moment. In the new year, I want to focus on building and maintaining a daily reading practice, and new ways to expand the Bri Books format beyond podcasting (hellloooo, YouTube?!) Furthermore, I’ll be incorporating guests into the podcast format this year—get ready to hear some vibrant new voices! In January, I’ll be dropping episodes of Bri Books every weekday. Starting in February, we’ll move to a 2x/ weekly cadence. New to Bri Books? Below, I’ve shared a list of essential episodes from the archives. Consider this your Bri Books Greatest Hits playlist. Welcome to 2024 with Bri Books! Xox -Bri Bri Books Greatest Hits "Heart and Hustle" featuring Patricia Bright "Garden Fresh Cooking" featuring Sandria of @ABeautifulNestTV Ho

Welcome to Bri Books! Ready to get into wine? These 8 books all about the magical world of vino can help. In this episode, I’m sharing the top 8 books for wine lovers (and beginners). Consider this the ultimate wine lover’s reading list. ‘Volcanoes and Wine: From Pompeii to Napa’ by Charles Frankel. This book was probably one of my favorite wine-related reads of 2023. In ‘Volcanoes and Wine,’ geologist Charles Frankel introduces us to the volcanoes that are among the most dramatic and ideal landscapes for wine making. From California to the Canary Islands and beyond, Frankel gives an in-depth account of famous volcanoes and the wines that spring from their soils. He details each volcano’s most famous eruptions, the grapes that grow in its soils, and the people who make their homes on its slopes. This illuminating guide will be indispensable for wine lovers looking to learn more about volcanic terroirs. ($18) University of Chicago Press, Amazon) ‘The Wine Savant: A Guide to the New Wine Culture’ by Mic

Welcome to Bri Books! Our Wine Week series on the podcast has made me tipsy. As I burrow deeper into the wine world, I feel like every day I find a new grape, region, or literally hectare that I didn’t know existed before. Wine is like traveling the world in a glass. Today’s episode is all about the magical world of Swiss wine. In this episode, I’m sharing the best Swiss wines worth your money (and where to buy/ taste them), and revealing a bit about the history and significance of Swiss wine. The Swiss like to keep secrets. Of the 1.07 million hectolitres of wine produced in Switzerland each year, 98% is consumed within the country. Nonetheless, Swiss wines have become an open secret in the wine world. With six wine-growing regions and over 250 grapes being cultivated, Switzerland boasts an enormous variety of different terroirs. Today, there are six winemaking regions across Switzerland — Geneva, Three Lakes, German Switzerland, Ticino, Vaud, and Valais. In 2024, I want to sample the variety of St. Gallen w

Welcome to Bri Books! With the holiday season in full swing and 2024 on our doorstep, I’m sharing the 9 best gifts for the wine-lover in your life (or for yourself—I won’t tell!) If you’re searching for a unique gift for wine-lovers, look no further. In this episode, I’m breaking down the best go-to gift ideas for oenophiles. Spoiler alert: none of these is a bottle of wine. Shocker! Here are the silly, practical, and downright delightful gifts that any Bourdeaux babe or Chardonnay-sipper on your list and in your life. Instead of buying another bottle of vino, consider these cool and unique wine gifts for wine-lovers. Consider this your go-to wine gift guide for the 2023 holidays and 2024: Argaux “Year of Firsts” Wine Gift Box: This brilliant collection of wine gift boxes are curated to celebrate the birth of a new baby ($85), wedding anniversary,($150-$400), or an engagement ($100-$200). This genius (and thoughtful) gift is a reminder that every milestone matters, and it’s the perfect gift to remind the wi

Get to Know Austrian Wine: Your Ultimate Guide to Austrian Red and Orange Wines Welcome to Bri Books! Today, I’m talking about one of my favorite parts of the world for wine: Austria. Austria is often considered to be one of Europe’s best-kept wine secrets, with a wealth of indigenous grapes and top-tier wineries, producers, and vineyards. It wasn’t until I fell in love with the wines of Burgenland that I got a better sense of the versatility of Austrian soil and grapes, courtesy the brilliant Christian Zechmeister, the Managing Director of Wein Burgenland.  In October, I was fortunate enough to be invited to a presentation of an in-depth seminar hosted by Wein Burgenland with the best examples of Austria’s premium indigenous red grape variety, Blaufränkisch, from Burgenland, which is Austria’s most easterly wine growing area. Thank you to Constance Chamberlain of Wine & Co, Wines of Austria, and Wein Burgenland for an unforgettable afternoon. Brionna’s Favorite Wines of Austria: Blaufränkisch Edition B

We’re continuing Wine Week on Bri Books! I started the week with episodes about how to select the perfect wine and my wine-shopping hacks, and now we’re delving deep into the specific wines and regions. My love for orange wine led me to an NYC wine shop called Orange Glou in 2019, shortly after the shop opened. It’s a store dedicated 100% to orange wine! This past November, Orange Glou hosted their second-ever orange wine fair, and it was a roaring success. Hosted at the Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg, Orange Glou’s founders Doreen Winkler and Jack Won really knocked it out of the park and managed to secure nearly 5 dozen winemakers and importers. It was a veritable who’s who of the orange wine world.  A few facts about orange wine: Orange wine is a type of skin contact wine, made from white grapes that macerate on the skin. It’s not wine made from citrus oranges!  Orange wine was invented in the Republic of Georgia thousands of years ago and was reintroduced to the rest of the world 40 years ago by 2 Ital

The holiday party season is in full-swing—don’t be shocked if you find yourself popping by wine shops frequently during this time of year! I designed this episode to teach you how to shop for wine very quickly, and how to make buying wine an enjoyable and effortless experience. 1:30: Check your local wine shops and follow them on Instagram + join their newsletters: If your local wine shop has TikTok, Pinterest, Facebook Groups, Instagram accounts, or newsletters, get plugged in there, so you’re the first to know about any new opportunities to buy or taste excellent wines. Getting to know your wine and spirits community on Instagram is the fastest way to know what’s new in-store, hours of operations, and find out when they’re holding tastings. Part of the magic of wine shopping is wandering the aisles and getting recommendations in real-time, so get chatty with the staff!   3:00: #2: Take a photo of your favorite bottle labels and file them away. I love to make Pinterest Pins or add them to Instagram Stori

Welcome to Wine Week on Bri Books! Today I'm sharing with you my 3 can't-fail secrets for selecting the perfect wine, everytime. Whether you're making a wine menu for holiday festivities or you're selecting wine for the table whilst out to dinner, these 3 tips will make you an instant Sommolier.  2:20: #1: Start and end with bubbles! In my humble opinion, bubbles are a must for any summer gathering. Served chilled, it’s a decadent way to greet your fête’s first arrivals and toast the end of the evening. I learned this trick from Sarita Cheaves, author of the VineMeUp Wine Activity Book and host behind the Swirl Suite podcast. For a wintertime bubble, I’d recommend  Vigneron Luciano Saetti Rosso Viola Lambrusco Salamino, 2018 ($21), or the Opera Lambrusco di Modena. Lambrusco paired with capapes or passed hor'dourves is a great way to set the tone for the evening. PS, if you’re based in New York, shop Simple Syrup Wine and Spirits for your holiday libations! I love the team there, and I’ve been a fan since

Today I’m sharing everything you need for the perfect Clean Girl Aesthetic autumn beauty look. It’s mid-November, and my beauty closet has done its semi-annual turnover. I’ve put away the summer/ early autumn products and I’ve pulled out my heavy-duty autumn-winter winners. This episode will be breaking down my ‘autumn face,’ including a few new picks and my heavy-hitters. We’ll start with skincare and move through to fragrance. 1:45 - #1: Marianella Royal Kalahari Face Serum with Baobab and Mongongo Oil ($68). This face oil is perfect to use after washing your face. It has 12 beneficial nutrients, and the Baobab oil helps to nourish and strengthen the skin while reducing inflammation. This is probably the most regal-feeling and regal-smelling face serum that I own. 2:50 - #2: Fenty Skin Hydravisor Mineral SPF 30 Moisturizer ($39). Hydravisor is my favorite sunscreen to put on under makeup in the autumn/winter. It gives shine without looking greasy, and it’s the perfect everyday autumn sunscreen--remembe

Today on Bri Books,  I’m sharing a, deep-dive on a beauty brand (and homeopathic powerhouse) I know and love: The Organic Pharmacy, and the 7 best products worth your money.  I’m excited to continue our National Skin Health Month storytelling as part of KnowVember, wherein I’m challenging myself to record and publish a podcast episode every day in November.  1:45 - The Organic Pharmacy was founded in 2002 in London. The founder, Margot Marrone, is a pharmacist and homeopath. She co-founded the company as a way to evangelize her holistic approach to health and beauty. To me, The Organic Pharmacy products bookend my at-home spa days. The brand is deeply rooted in Margot’s knowledge of organic ingredients, nature, and the link between the body and mind. I’m sharing the best toner, serums, masks and dietary supplements from the brand--consider this your 101 class on all things The Organic Pharmacy. You can find The Organic Pharmacy at theorganicpharmacy.com, Skinstore, Dermstore, Bloomingdales and more. 4:25

Yes, I try and test a lot of products. But there are some brands in particular that have been knocking it out of the park. I have seven brands, ranging from drugstores to luxury beauty, that I want to introduce you to.  1:25: #1: Neuma - Neuma focuses not just on your natural hair texture as it is, but the hair you want to have. It’s a sustainable, high-performance haircare range. They recently underwent a full brand refresh and re-introduction. I was lucky enough to attend a launch breakfast with Neuma, and ever since then, I’ve been adding these new products to my routine. My favorite products: Neuma NeuVolume Styling Spray ($32), which I’ve been using for months now as a styling product. If you have natural or curly hair and you want your hair to have volume on demand, this is a great product. It’s the perfect fix-all for volume. The Neuma NeuStyling Air-Dry Shaper ($32) adds body and shine for easy, everyday air-dry styles.  5:10: #2: Kerastase Paris - You’ve probably stumbled upon this brand in a hai

Happy Healthy Skin Month! The sun’s UV rays don’t slow down just because it’s winter. Wearing SPF should be part of our daily skincare routines, but it’s easy to let this practice lapse during the colder months. In the past, I’ve recorded an episode about the best SPFs for dark skin, and I wrote an article on Glamour.com about the best SPFs for dark skin according to gorgeous girls. In this episode, I’m reviewing and recapping the best SPFs of 2023 that are perfect for year-round use. 1:45: Black Girl Sunscreen Make it Glow SPF30 Spray ($15.99) and Black Girl Sunscreen Make it Pop Lip Gloss ($10.99) - BGSS launched the SPF 30 spray-on sunscreen, and it’s without a doubt their most wearable, lightweight sunscreen yet. Packed with jojoba oil, avocado oil, vitamin E, and glycerin, this lightweight spray protects all skin tones with a radiant glow for on-the-go. 3:30: Bondi Sands Sport SPFSunscreen Lotion 50 ($13.99) - This sunscreen stood out for me, because of its high protection, reef-friendly formulatio

Welcome back to Bri Books! Today I’m sharing with you everything you need in your autumn weekend getaway bag. November is National Skin Health Month, which makes this week perfect for me to bring to you the best picks for your autumn vacation toiletry bag. We’re a couple of weeks away from the autumn-winter holiday season kicking off in earnest. Whether you have family trips, baecations, or a 96 hour jaunt, this episode is breaking down what you need to take with you. Here are 9 products across skincare and lifestyle (spoiler alert: books!) that I recommend you have in your getaway bag.  2:00: #1: Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm ($68) and Elemis Pro-Collagen Glow Boost Exfoliator ($78) - I love this cleanser for any and all travel. It’s perfect for double-cleansing, and feels super luxe to use after traveling all day long. This cleansing product is the essential first step in my daily skincare ritual. 100% mineral oil-free, this cleanser is perfect for effortlessly removing long-wear makeup, daily grime

Welcome back! As you know, I’m endeavoring to produce a podcast episode daily for the month. For the first week, I’m focusing on skincare because November is National Healthy Skin Month. The goal is to use November to pay attention to your skin, learn about skin care, and adopt habits that can lead to a lifetime of healthier hair, skin and nails.  I want to discuss one of the best platforms/ publications/ outlets for all things beauty and skincare--that’s Allure! I used to work at Conde Nast where I lead social for Glamour magazine, and desk was a few rows away from the Allure editorial team. Shoutout to Jessica Cruel, the EIC of Allure! I’ve been obsessed with her since I used to bump into her in the halls. I’m so impressed at the volume of work that Jess and her team put out, in addition to the quality and caliber of work. The Allure Best of Beauty Award winners were recently revealed, and suffice it to say, Allure is responsible for a large number of the products on my shelves. I want to share 5 of my favo

Welcome to November with Bri Books! For this entire month, I’m focused on delivering a podcast a day--unedited. It’s been months since my last podcast recording. 2023 has been an absolute blur. As I kick off my goal of recording and releasing an episode everyday this month, I want to start off with softness. We’re talking about how to go softly into the end of the year. If you’re new to the show, leave a review of Bri Books on Apple Podcasts, and listen to Bri Books on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and SoundCloud! Please tell me where you’re traveling to by using #bribooks on Instagram and subscribe to the Bri Books newsletter at bribookspod.com/newsletter.  1:15 - It’s peak autumn. We’re staring down the barrel of the last 6-8 weeks of the year. When we reflect, it can be easy to remember the failures before the successes. This episode is about going softly into the end of the year.  1:50 - Time is soup. If you’re finding yourself approaching the holiday season with a sense of emptiness or loneliness, that’

Welcome back to Bri Books! This podcast episode is part 2 of our discussion all about transitioning from winter to spring (listen to part one here), and the products I recommend for jumpstarting your spring beauty routine. We're talking everything from serums to supplements and everything in between as I share my go-to's for the months ahead.  1:00 - Merit Great Skin Instant Glow Serum: If you know Bri Books, you know I love Merit Beauty. I just included Merit's gloss in a recent episode about my favorite winter beauty picks. The Merit Instant Glow Serum is excellent for creating a well-moisturized base for any makeup or skincare look. The serum has 2% niacinamide, which helps brighten the skin and smooth the texture, which is so important for spring. ($38) - Available at Meritbeauty.com, Sephora. 3:00 - The Face Shop: TFS is one of the brands I most clearly associate with in springtime. Whenever I reevaluate my routine, I look to include more clean, vegan, and eco-friendly products, which always leads me