This Woodworker Makes Home Accessories You’ll Swoon Over

Kathryn Wahl
Jan 05, 2015

DIY goes waaay back to the days of old-fashioned craftsmanship, when a person practiced a specific skill, like carpentry, glass blowing and welding, usually by hand. Today’s artisans, like Melanie Abrantes of Melanie Abrantes Designs, are keeping those crafts alive and well. As a talented woodworker, Melanie makes high-quality, locally sourced products to accessorize your home. We’re talking gorgeous cake stands, bowls, vases and planters. We chatted with Melanie about her design education and she filled us in on her inspiration, her love for Instagram and more!

First things first: Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I am a wood turner and designer living in the San Francisco Bay area. I grew up in Houston, Texas and came out to California to attend Otis College of Art and Design for Product Design. Otis is where I was introduced to what amazing design is and the joy of being a maker. I became addicted to woodworking and wanted to know as much as possible!

What’s your favorite material to work with?

At the moment, I love cork. Cork is such an interesting material with so many natural qualities. It also has a cultural connection with me because I grew up visiting my grandfather in Portugal, where cork oak tree in abundant. I always saw all of the cool designs that Portuguese designers would make using cork, and I knew it would one day be a material I would want to work with.

Where do you get your inspiration?

I find a lot of my inspiration through the people around me. Also amazing designers such as Jaime Hayon or Scholten & Baijings. They are both whimsical and modern. All of their objects and products seem to have their own character, which is what I strive for.

In one sentence, tell us why you love to make.

Because I love saying, “Yes, I made this.”

Why is a low-carbon footprint important to you?

I think that it is important to use domestic woods or materials that are considered sustainable because it helps with our environment. I already feel like I shouldn’t be adding anything more in the world at times, but at least if I have guidelines to a better-sustainable life, it helps in the end.

What does the making process look like for you?

I start with a sketch of the product I have in mind and from there, I mock up the dimensions in full scale. I choose the material and start wood turning. The best part about the lathe is that I am able to carve, sand and finish the product all on the lathe (the machine in the photo below)!

What’s one piece of advice you’d share with other makers?

Owning my own business might be one of the hardest things I have done. It takes discipline, organization and a non-stop drive. That being said, I couldn’t be happier with my choice because I can make the choices. Remember to always hustle and to be true to your work!

What other creative hobbies do you have?

I really, really enjoy arranging flowers. If you know me, you know I will always have fresh flowers in my home. Either picked up at a flower shop, grocery market or just from outside my house. I love being able to rearrange them to make adorable bouquets. Also, can Instagram be a hobby? If so, then I am terribly addicted.

Tell us how technology has changed and supported what you do.

Technology has been a very exciting thing in my life. I just moved in with my studio mate, Gabriel Schama, who owns a laser cutter and makes beautiful designs with wood. I am hoping I will be able to use this amazing device to take my products to the next level. Especially having one so near to me, it will be a lot easier to do different kinds of experimenting that I wouldn’t normally be able to have access to!

What’s up next for you?

I love what I have been doing and the feedback that I receive from my work. I am hoping to branch out a little bit more into lighting and furniture… big things are happening in 2015!

Do you love Melanie’s designs as much we we do? Visit the Brit + Co Shop and get decorating!

A Day in the Life of a Female Winemaker

Cambria Estate Winery
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Hi there! It’s Sarah Sherman Samuel, interior designer and blogger. I recently moved from LA to Michigan, but a couple weeks ago I had to travel back to LA for work, and I got the chance to zip up north to partner with Cambria Estate Winery! I sat down with their winemaker, Jill Russell, to chat about the art of winemaking and the importance of female leadership at Cambria. I often get asked where I find inspiration and one of my main sources is by learning about a different artistry or craft. Nothing can dig me out of a creative slump quicker than delving into a new type of skill, and I did just that with an afternoon at Cambria.

I drove up from Los Angeles for the day, meandering through roads of open fields and vineyards, stopping for lunch in Los Olivos on the way while very excited for the day ahead. I haven’t been alone in the car sans one or two kids for a very long time, or have been able to do anything alone for that matter, so I really took it all in. Arriving at Cambria, Jill had a wine tasting all set up for me, complete with a beautiful cheese plate from Fromagerie Sophie with wine pairing notes, and we dove right in.

After the tasting, Jill took me on a full tour of the estate, and we dove deeper into the history of Cambria and what it is actually like to be a winemaker (and we tasted grapes, played in the dirt, and took a few Boomerangs…as one does).

Cambria was founded by wine icon Jess Jackson and his wife Barbara Banke in 1986. Their daughters, Katie Jackson and Julia Jackson, grew up among the vines and continue the family business alongside Barbara. Jill was hired as winemaker in June 2017 to continue Cambria’s legacy of talented women winemakers. Cambria has strong women in leadership roles and out in the vineyards, and I thought it was interesting to hear that the female vineyard workers were sometimes preferred, as they were considered to have a more discerning eye and attention to detail when harvesting grapes.

So, what does a typical day look like for a winemaker? According to Jill… it is “Busy!”

From Jill: “During harvest, I arrive at the winery around 5:30am, check in with the teams and get to work calling picks, writing work orders for various fermentation activities including punchdown schedules, yeast additions, and so forth. I’m constantly walking the vineyards, checking the crushpad and making sure things are running smoothly for when grapes come in. Post-harvest, it’s all about the tanks and barrels – here I’m tasting wines, seeing how they’re progressing and running blending trials to determine the final blends for our wines.”

I was curious how one can get creative in the wine business since Jill mentioned that it is part farming, part artistry and part science. She explained how her favorite way to get creative is running new blending trials and the freedom of considering, “What happens if I try this? or this?” There are so many variables to get creative with. Her mind is always thinking of new methods or blends to test out.

As Jill talks about what she strives for in her winemaking, I can’t help but see the parallel in the work I do as a designer, as well as the work of other artists and makers across the board. For example, the search for that harmony or balance. I talk a lot about how I strive for balance in interior spaces —just replace flavors and tannins with visual weight, pattern, and colors, and she could have taken the words right out of my mouth. Then when it comes to “energy,” it is even more apparent. I always want whoever experiences my work to feel something, and feel the love and the story behind it. The same goes for the wine of Cambria. Jill wants the wine to make you feel the energy, and know that the wines you drink from them are lovingly made by a team of passionate wine lovers.

As a fan of Pinot Noir,Julia’s Vineyard has this amazing “Santa Maria Spice” as Jill explains, that isn’t the traditional sweet spice you may find in other red wines, but something a bit more savory like Chinese Five Spice. It really achieves that harmony in texture that Jill is so passionate about it! On the other hand,Katherine’s Chardonnay has this beautiful bright acidity and pretty citrusy floral notes. This isn’t your mother’s oaky, buttery Chardonnay (not that there’s anything wrong with those), but it truly tastes like the place. The tour of the estate and vineyards with Jill really illustrated how these single-vineyard wines are able to showcase the terroir they come from in the glass. This isn’t a blending of flavors from different areas, this is Cambria’s rocks, earth, fog, and wind all neatly captured in a bottle.

Interested in getting into the wine business? I asked Jill if she had any advice for someone who thinks he or she might want to work with wine. Her answer was the same that I often give to people interested in getting into design — and that is to just get working! She advises, “The best thing you can do is get a job at a winery, whether it’s a part-time gig at a tasting room or a full-on harvest internship. No matter where you start, you’ll learn so much about the industry and can start to forge your own path in where you want to work whether it’s in the vineyard, in the cellar, in operations, marketing or working with customers.”

FEATURED PRODUCTS

2016 Katherine's Vineyard Chardonnay
$22
2015 Julia's Vineyard Pinot Noir
$25

Thank you for following along, I loved getting to learn more of the origins of some of my favorite wines and I hope you did too! I will definitely be back.

Would you consider being a winemaker? Share your thoughts on Instagram using #britstagram.

Author: Sarah Sherman Samuel

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Shailene Woodley Made Rare Comments About Aaron Rodgers Breakup: “It Always Makes Me Cry”

Shailene Woodley is notoriously pretty private — so it was truly shocking when she opened up about her split from Aaron Rodgers during an interview with Outside magazine. The former celebrity couple broke up in February 2022, ending their nearly two year relationship and calling off an engagement. Now, she's sharing what the decline of that relationship meant to her — and how it still impacts her to this day. Here's what she had to say.

Scroll on to find out what Shailene Woodley finally said about her split from Aaron Rodgers.

Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for STARZ

Though much of the interview surrounded Shailene's passion for environmental protection and preservation, but she made it clear that she approaches the people in her life the same way she approaches her passions — with great tenderness and care. It's part of why she actually hasn't talked about Aaron much since their breakup. She said, “I haven’t shared much about my relationship with Aaron because it always makes me cry. It was not right. But it was beautiful.”

That was her only direct mention of the NFL star, but it wasn't the only time she addressed the relationship. Shailene explained that she "had a really awful, traumatic thing happen in early 2022" — AKA around when she and Aaron ended their engagement. When talking about that time, she said, “I felt like I lost my soul, my self, my happiness, my joy. I really understood depression and anxiety and, like, complete soul detachment.”

She apparently remained in what she referred to as a "toxic situation" while she held space and empathized with "someone else." She said, “Empathy kind of kept me in this loop of feeling everything for everyone.”

According to Shailene, she relied heavily on her best friend Kris Zero to get out of her depression by blaring music, taking her surfing, cleaning up hike trails, etc. She said, “I knew I was depressed when I looked at a tree and felt nothing. That was the lowest low of my life.”

And though it's been almost three years since the split, it's clear the repercussions still reverberate throughout her life. The author of the article noted that Shailene teared up when bringing Aaron up by name — but one moment really stood out throughout the entire article. As the Outside crew prepped for the forthcoming photoshoot, Shailene chatted with everyone around her. After previously "coo’ing" over a photo of the writer’s daughter during their conversation, the Big Little Liesactress quietly said, “One of my biggest dreams is to be a mom.”

Sending big hugs to this scorpio sun, pisces moon, and cancer rising!

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14 Surprisingly Fun Things You Can Buy With Your HSA And FSA Dollars

HSA isn’t just for prescriptions and doctor’s visits – there’s actually a ton of things you can buy with your savings. Blue light glasses and sunscreen are commonly HSA eligible, but a lot of people don’t know you can also finesse fancy spa visits and life-changing massage guns (I’m looking at you, Theragun) with their HSA dollars. Some of these items are also FSA eligible, so if you’ve got some funds to use before they expire at the end of the year, you’ve come to the right place!

Your HSA funds can do way more than you think. Check out these 14 unexpectedly fun health-related finds to help you step up your self-care!

What is HSA?

Polina Tankilevitch / PEXELS

HSA stands for Health Savings Account, a type of savings account that lets you set aside funds to pay for qualified medical expenses. HSAs are often available as a part of health insurance plans, though banks and credit unions offer them, too.

What can I buy with an HSA?

Kaboompics / PEXELS

You can buy a lot more with your HSA funds than you think: menstrual products, over-the-counter medicines, sunscreen, and travel to and from medical appointments are just some of the things you can buy with an HSA.

Is HSA worth it?

Kaboompics / PEXELS

Whether an HSA is worth it is really dependent on your needs. There are some nice advantages associated with it, though. You may be able to lower your out of pocket costs for medical needs. Plus, the funds are not taxed, so you may be able to save more. Unlike an FSA (Flexible Spending Account), HSA funds roll over year-over-year, so you don't have to worry about it expiring.

Should I max my HSA?

Pixabay / PEXELS

Maxing out your HSA to your account's annual maximum amount via monthly contributions can be beneficial if your goals are to save money and limit out of pocket costs for medical care. You can also opt to invest some of your HSA funds, which can be a smart decision for saving for things like family planning or retirement.

Amazon

Sunscreen

Per Cigna, sunscreen counts as a reimbursable HSA purchase. SPF is super important for skin cancer prevention, plus wearing it regularly can reduce signs of aging – a win-win!

Amazon

Hatch Alarm Clock

The famed Hatch Restore alarm clock is both HSA and FSA eligible. It's a superb tool for going to bed soundly and waking up feeling refreshed as ever!

TomboyX

Period Underwear

Menstrual care and feminine hygiene products are also HSA eligible. Cigna says this category may include tampons, pads, liners, cups, sponges, and similar items, like period underwear!

Amazon

Theragun

This luxurious massage gun is both FSA and HSA eligible! It's truly life-changing for relieving muscle soreness and tightness. Therabody's other devices like the Theragun PRO Plus, Theragun Sense, and Theragun Relief are also eligible.

Amazon

Oura Ring

This fitness tracker ring is FSA and HSA eligible – it can help you keep tabs on your sleep, activity, stress, heart rate and more.

Amazon

Breathing Strips

According to Cigna, breathing strips are HSA eligible, plus you don't need a doctor's prescription for reimbursement.

Amazon

Electric Toothbrush

Electric toothbrushes are HSA eligible and reimbursable with a medical diagnosis. This model in particular cleans way better than a regular toothbrush, expertly supporting your oral health.

Amazon

Essential Oils

Essential oils are HSA-covered with a medical diagnosis. Certain oils can help relieve stress, anxiety, physical pain, and nausea, and aid in better sleep.

Amazon

Hand Sanitizer

Hand sanitizers of any kind are also surprisingly HSA eligible. We love these sprays from Touchland because they're cute, easily portable, and smell delicious.

Amazon

Humidifiers

Humidifiers are indeed HSA eligible – the moisture they put out into the surrounding air can relieve respiratory issues, common colds, and even reduce snoring.

Amazon

Air Purifiers

Similarly, air purifiers are eligible because they can help remove airborne contaminants and viruses that cause allergies and disease.

Anna Tarazevich / PEXELS

Spa Trips

In the case you're prescribed a lovely visit to a spa or resort by a physician for medical treatment, the only part that's covered by HSA are the services you receive while you're there. The cost of transportation is not eligible for reimbursement.

Amazon

Blue Light Glasses

Blue light glasses are covered by HSA; lenses like these block out blue light from screens which helps prevent eye strain and fatigue.

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AHH Nicole Kidman Just Suggested You Watch ‘Babygirl’ Alone & Wow I Am Unprepared

Nicole Kidman is, as the kids say, mothering. She's giving fans plenty of movies and TV shows to pick from while we wait for the next seasons of Big Little Lies and Nine Perfect Strangers — A Family Affair, Expats, The Perfect Couple (and the AMC intro, of course). Her newest movie Babygirl comes from A24, and the steamy drama is mixing work and pleasure. Pour yourself a glass of wine for this one, folks.

Scroll down to learn more about Babygirl — and to watch the HOT new trailer!

What is the plot of Babygirl?

A24

Babygirl Plot

In Babygirl, Nicole Kidman plays Romy, a powerful CEO struggling to hold her perfect persona together. Her marriage to Jacob has never provided with much pleasure, despite the fact he's caring and artistic. But when Romy meets a young intern named Samuel, and feels immediately drawn to him, the two begin a torrid affair.

And filming scenes with Harry Dickinson got so intense, Kidman said she literally had to take breaks. “There were times when we were shooting where I was like, ‘I don’t want to orgasm any more,'” she told the Sun. “Don’t come near me. I hate doing this. I don’t care if I am never touched again in my life!”

But the fact the movie was made by women empowered Kidman — and gave her a sense of freedom. "Doing this subject matter in the hands of the woman that wrote the script, that's directing it and is a really great actress herself — we became one in a weird way, which I'd never had with a director before," Kidman says in a statement. "When you're working with a woman on this subject matter, you can share everything with each other.”

"I really decided in the beginning, I want to make a sexual film, just as sexual as all these films that I've always admired so much," adds writer-director-producer Halina Reijn, "but now I'm going to do it completely through female eyes. What does that mean and what does that look like?”

When is the Babygirl release date?

A24

Babygirl Release Date

Babygirl made its premiere at the Venice Film Festival, but you can watch the movie in theaters December 25, 2024.

Who's in the Babygirl cast?

A24

Babygirl Cast

The cast of Babygirl includes Nicole Kidman, Harris Dickinson, Sophie Wilde, and Antonio Banderas.

What has Nicole Kidman said about making Babygirl?

Amy Sussman/Getty Images

In an interview with Vanity Fair, Nicole Kidman revealed Babygirl is the most "exposing" film she's done because she's “made some films that are pretty exposing, but not like this.”

“It left me raggedm" Kidman says. "At some point I was like, I don’t want to be touched. I don’t want to do this anymore, but at the same time I was compelled to do it...This is something you do and hide in your home videos. It is not a thing that normally is going to be seen by the world.”

“I felt very exposed as an actor, as a woman, as a human being,” she continues. “I had to go in and go out like, I need to put my protection back on. What have I just done? Where did I go? What did I do?”

What does babygirl energy mean?

A24

"Babygirl" is a term of endearment that's usually applied to a man (you've probably heard it describe Pedro Pascal or Paul Mescal). When someone is giving babygirl energy, they're kind, cute, and disarming. And considering Babygirl plays with power dynamics, we could be guessing who the "babygirl" in question is up until the very end.

Watch The 'Babygirl' Trailer Here!

www.youtube.com

- YouTube

There were SO many moments that made our jaws drop here:

  • The thumb in the mouth
  • The pink skirt moment
  • NICOLE CRAWLING ON ALL FOURS?!
Yeah, this is one you won't wanna watch with your parents, friends. 🥵 And even Nicole agrees! At the December 2 Gotham Awards, when People asked who moviegoers should bring to the theater with them, "Whoever you want to, but you can also watch it alone." Tea.

Are you looking forward to seeing Nicole Kidman onscreen again? We might have to wait until December to see Babygirl, but there are plenty of incredible Fall Movies coming our way.

This post has been updated.

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