Before the Apple Watch: A Brief History

Vintage Acrylic Rings ($14): Funky acrylic rings are everywhere right now, and there's no harm trying out the bold trend when they're so affordable.

Colorful Resin Rings ($10): For a slightly more subtle approach to the acrylic ring trend, these pretty colors are easier to style for everyday wear.

JW Pei Pouch Bag ($68): Combine a pastel palette with ruched shoulder style and you've found yourself the perfect summer bag.

Cloud Chain Bag ($30): Chunky chains are another big trend for summer, and the bold strap makes the popular cloud clutch so much easier to carry around.

Acrylic Beaded Bag ($27): Vintage beaded bags can be hard to find, but this adorable style still looks one-of-a-kind. Add to any outfit for a whimsical, summer look.

Vintage Aviator Sunglasses ($14): Vintage-style aviator sunglasses are everywhere right now, and this affordable version makes it easy to join in on the trend.

Driving Rectangle Sunglasses ($12): Tinted lenses are a lot easier to pair with face masks than all-black shades, so it's no surprise fun colors are the must-have style this summer.

Chain Belt ($16): Chain belts are a surprisingly cool way to dress up your athleisure pieces, like biker shorts and unitards.

Shower Slides ($17): Forget dad shoes — puffy slides are the new ugly-cute footwear trend to slip on for errands and workout classes.

Ruched Slides ($25): If you're looking for a less casual, yet still comfortable sandal for summer, ruched slides will check both boxes off for you.

WAYF Terry Bucket Hat ($45): Terry cloth is another emerging trend for spring and summer. Scoop up this cute terry hat version now so you wear it all season long.

Dad Baseball Cap ($10): You can never go wrong with a classic baseball cap. Add a new color to your rotation that goes with the rest of your seasonal hues.

Flower Pearl Necklace ($11): You'll be surprised how quickly you can transform an outfit for the warmer months by simply adding on this playful, throwback necklace.

Bohemian Bead Pearl Necklace ($15): You may have seen mixed metal necklaces everywhere for fall and winter, but this half-pearl, half-beaded necklace has reimagined the trend for summer.

Smiley Toggle Necklace ($24): After a long year, the cheer-y, smiley jewelry trend is a more than welcome addition to our wardrobes. When paired with a pearl chain and toggle clasp, you have the ultimate statement necklace for summer.

Cotton Crew Socks ($17): If you're embracing the socks with sandals trend, these colorful crew socks are the perfect choice. Of course, you can always wear them with your favorite sneakers, but it never hurts to have a fresh batch.

Crystal Bracelet Watch ($45): This retro-style watch will immediately elevate your outfit (without the investment required by most watches). Pair it with chunky gold bracelets for an even bolder look.

Tortoise Claw Clip ($12): Of all the Y2K trends returning for this season, claw clips may be the most sophisticated and functional of them all. Keep one handy to clip back your hair whenever you need.

Mini Acetate Clips ($10): Alternatively, use these colorful mini clips for a fun way to pull back shorter hair (or your outgrown curtain bangs) or experiment with more Y2K hair styles.

Know Your Peak Performance Hours: The genius 30/30 app operates on the idea that highest productivity happens when you focus on a single task, completely uninterrupted, for half an hour.

Keep It Simple: Don't over-commit to long work hours, because you'll just lose inspiration and stress yourself out. Makers stay creative on the daily by scheduling time for hobbies and creative projects.

Creative Space: We're not going to brag, but we're kind of pros on the whole workspace front. From organizational hacks to these workplace essentials we've got everything you need for the most productive office ever.

Sleep Habits: For obvious reasons, we're totally behind the nap idea. And according to this infographic on the sleep habits of creative people, naps are definitely part of the creative process.

Morning Routines: You probably don't want to hear this, but getting up early will give you extra time to get everything done in a more leisurely manner. Don't worry, we've got a few tips and tricks on how to become a morning person.

Make That List: Whether you prefer an app or a good old-fashioned paper to-do list, the mere act of writing things down will inspire you to start checking them off.

Plan Ahead: Take some time on Sunday to plan out your entire week. Write down things that must be accomplished this week and then figure out how to divide it up into manageable pieces.

Make It a Habit: Instead of putting “be creative" on your to-do list every day, just make it a habit by scheduling it in at the same time every day (see Morning Routines!).

Eat Breakfast: How many times do you have to be told not to skip breakfast? It is good for your health and for your productivity, and we've got some amazing breakfast ideas that can be made in no time. There is literally no excuse left.

Feeling inspired yet? Let us know how you use these productivity tips @BritandCo!

(h/t Ethos3)

This article was published in March 2015 and has been updated.

Christmas Appetizer Ideas

Bacon Pastry Twists with Beer Cheese

While cradling a cocktail in one hand, an easy-to-grab appetizer is essential. These flaky, cheesy bacon twists are both easy and delicious to dunk in a three-cheese beer dip. (via Brit + Co)

Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Bites

A red and green holiday treat without sugary sprinkles? Count us in. These phyllo shells are filled with whipped pesto cream cheese and topped with basil and sun-dried tomatoes for some yummy Christmas food. (via Well Plated by Erin)

Cranberry Goat Cheese Balls

These cranberry goat cheese balls are the perfect balance of salty and sweet — a definite crowd-pleaser for any Christmas dinner! (via Chef Genevieve)

Holiday Crostini Trio

Spread avocado, mascarpone, and provolone onto toasted baguette slices for a tasty appetizer, and top away for three versatile holiday food ideas that will please any palate at your holiday party. (via The Baking Fairy)

Honey Almond Baked Brie

Add this this gooey, sweet, and salty baked brie to your Christmas dinner menu and guests will gather around it like it's a fireplace on a cold day. (via The Seasoned Mom)

Christmas Food Ideas For Side Dishes

Sesame Shrimp Pastry Puffs

The seafood lover in your home will be elated to munch on these sweet and umami-rich (thanks to the oyster sauce) sesame shrimps blanketed in buttery puff pastry. You'll definitely want to add this dish to your best Christmas recipes list! (via Brit + Co)

Cheesy Sweet Potato Gratin

This savory combination of sage, gruyère cheese, and heavy cream is here to make sweet potato casserole even more indulgent. This is definitely one of our favorite Christmas dinner ideas. (via Brit + Co)

Healthy Butternut Squash Salad

Fill your guests' bellies with the seasonal flavors of butternut squash, apple cider, and pecans. The bacon is just the icing on the cake, so to speak. (via Sarah Anderson for Brit + Co)

Romanesco Christmas Trees with Parmesan "Snow"

Turn Romanesco broccolis into snow-capped trees with just six ingredients in this healthy yet cheesy dish for your next party. (via Brit + Co)

Slow Cooker French Onion Soup

Nothing will warm you to your toes quite like a good soup, and whipping one up in the slow cooker can save you time, mess, and energy. This French onion creation is a perennial favorite. (via Brit + Co)

Waffle Iron Latkes

These latkes make the perfect addition to any celebration, and the best part is how easy they are! From an apple butter topping to pomegranate and Greek yogurt, there's something for everyone. (via Brit + Co)

Cornmeal Biscuits with Cheddar, Chives, and Jalapeños

These slightly spicy biscuits are ideal for soaking up all that gravy goodness. (via Brit + Co)

Taco Salad

Okay, you might be thinking, "why in the world would someone serve taco salad at Christmas?" But hear us out – this recipe is full of delicious veggies, and it's just brimming with color. Keep things red and green to stay festive, or go all-out with every color of the rainbow. (via The Girl on Bloor for Brit + Co)

Crispy Leaf Potatoes with Rosemary Butter

If ever there were a bulletproof case for buying a mandoline, it's these potatoes, which are sliced chip-thin, layered upright in a baking dish, and gloriously bathed in salty rosemary butter. (via Rasa Malaysia)

Cozy Pumpkin Curry

If you're looking for vegan Christmas recipes, look no further than this warming, insanely delicious, and seasonal pumpkin curry. Just leave out the fish sauce to make it fully plant-based! (via Sarah Anderson for Brit + Co)

5-Ingredient Christmas Salad

A complicated salad is the last thing you need to worry about when picking out Christmas dinner recipes. This palate-cleansing dish is simply butter lettuce, pomegranate seeds, and a white wine vinaigrette. (via My Kitchen Love)

Main Dish Ideas For A Christmas Feast

If you're tasked with cooking the bird this holiday season, look no further than this foolproof roast turkey recipe. (via Brit + Co)

Beef Short Ribs with Vegetables

Make a statement with a delicious short rib recipe that's cozy, filling, and features an unbelievable wine sauce. Everyone will be talking about it until next Christmas. (via Baldacci Family Vineyards for Brit + Co)

Cranberry Glazed Turkey

Make your turkey extra-special with a delicious cranberry-pomegranate glaze everyone is sure to adore. (via Sarah Anderson for Brit + Co)

Roasted Chicken with Carrots

For a Christmas dinner or otherwise, every home cook needs a roast chicken recipe in their back pocket. Start with this step-by-step recipe, which shows you how to stuff, truss, roast, and baste the bird until juicy and golden brown. (via Simply Recipes)

Prosciutto-Wrapped Pork Loin with Apple and Rice Stuffing

This dish combines a classic holiday side with a crowd-pleasing main, and it's wrapped in prosciutto for a show-stopping finish. (via Host The Toast)

Creamy Tortellini Vegetable Soup

Pasta doesn't get enough credit when it comes to holiday recipes, but nothing's cozier than a delicious bowl of warm tortellini. Except tortellini soup, that is! (via Half Baked Harvest for Brit + Co)

Roast Beef Tenderloin with Mushrooms and White Wine Cream Sauce

This melt-in-your-mouth holiday meal is cooked in one pan in under an hour. Sauté mushrooms in an oven-safe skillet, put the beef on top, roast, rest, and make a cheesy, herby cream sauce with the pan drippings. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Turkey Roulade with Apple Cranberry Stuffing

This dish is all about texture, from the crispy bacon coat to the tender turkey in the middle and soft stuffing interior. This is one Christmas dinner recipe you won't want to miss out on. (via Boulder Locavore)

Delicious Christmas Dessert Ideas

Keto Eggnog

Got guests who are committed to the low-carb lifestyle? This keto eggnog is the perfect dessert to serve the carb-conscious. (via Annelies Zijderveld for Brit + Co)

Peppermint Bark

This easy peppermint bark recipe is so simple to make, you'll have plenty of time on your hands for more ambitious endeavors — like cooking the turkey. (via Jessica Smith Wall for Brit + Co)

Holiday Puppy Chow

Your go-to sweet treat gets a festive upgrade when you add in red and green candy! Bonus points if you have a red or green bowl to put it in. (via Brit + Co)

Jacques Torres' Chocolate Chip Cookies

No surprise here: the secret to Torres' high-quality chocolate chip cookies is high quality ingredients, like butter, flour, and chocolate. Letting the dough age for 24 hours and sprinkling it with sea salt at the end doesn't hurt, either. (via Jacques Torres for Brit + Co)

3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

When it's your first year hostessing, the simpler you can keep your Christmas dinner recipes, the better. That's why we're huge fans of these 3-ingredient vegan Christmas cookies. (via From Eat Your Feelings by Lindsey Smith for Brit + Co)

Baked Hot Chocolate Donuts

Donuts are an all-purpose treat that can serve as Christmas breakfast, brunch, or dessert. This baked hot chocolate-inspired version doesn't require any special tools to make and is uber delicious. (via Half Baked Harvest for Brit + Co)

Dulce de Leche Cream-Filled Churro Donuts

These six-ingredient donuts, made with biscuit dough, have a cinnamon-y exterior and a rich dulce de leche filling that pairs wonderfully with Mexican hot chocolate. (via Brit + Co)

Eggnog French Toast

Another recipe you can serve as a Christmas dinner or brunch is this sweet French toast. The secret to nailing that 'nog flavor is the nutmeg and vanilla combo. Yum. (via St Pierre Bakery for Brit + Co)

Easy Vegan Slow Cooker Hot Cocoa

Give your oven and your plates a break and add this dairy-free hot chocolate to your easy Christmas dinner menu, or enjoy with Christmas waffles! Add all ingredients to the slow cooker, and let the gadget do the rest for you. (via Justina Huddleston for Brit + Co)

Champagne Ice Cream

This egg-free, celebration-worthy holiday dinner idea gets its creaminess from cream cheese and, better yet, its booziness from sparkling wine. (via Brit + Co)

Cinnamon Roll Pecan Pie

We call this pie holiday crack for a reason (or two): the pie crust is made of mini cinnamon rolls and the pecan filling is buttery on the verge of illegal, which definitely makes it one of our favorite holiday dishes. (via Brit + Co)

Easy Spiced Hot Fruit Bake

Hear that? That's a scoop of ice cream begging to top this sweet tray of apple, pear, cranberry, pineapple, and gluten-free dessert. (via Cotter Crunch)