Meet the Maker: Offbeat + Inspired

A couple of weeks ago, we introduced a new way for you to discover projects and makers on Brit + Co. through Brit Picks. Each maker in the Brit Picks program has a unique sense of style and making that inspires our work (which is why we love them). This is the first installation of our Meet the Maker series—a chance for you to get to know our Brit Picks. Today, we’d like to introduce you to Tiffany and Sarah, the creators at Offbeat + Inspired.

And don’t forget, if you’d like to be part of the Brit Picks program, apply here. Now, onto Sarah and Tiffany.

First things first, tell us a little bit about yourself. Where did you grow up, what’s your background?

Tiffany: I grew up in northeastern New Jersey (the oldest of 4) and attended Hawthorne Christian Academy (K-12) where I met Sarah! A lot of our primary interests aligned, as we were both involved in ministry, sports and art. We were the ones doodling during class, ditching last period early for an away game, and chatting for hours about our plans to be missionaries someday.

When it was time to move on to college, I had NO idea what I wanted to do. I was torn between ministry, art and business. At that point in my life, I wanted to focus on everything I loved at the same time and there just didn’t seem to be one major for all of it! The solution? Get hitched. Just kidding, but I really did get married (to the most amazing man ever) about a year after I stopped going to school, and soon after that we moved to Kentucky which is where we are now! Throughout all of that, Sarah and I stayed in touch and eventually started up our blog!

Sarah: I grew up as the youngest of six kids in northern New Jersey. I lived in the same house my entire life and attended a small Christian school from first grade (when I met Tiffany) through high school graduation. I ended up in the Chicago suburbs to attend Wheaton College where I met my wonderful husband. We’ve been living in the Chicago-land area ever since.

When did you first realize you love to make? Was there a particular moment or project that inspired it?

Tiffany: I realized I loved to make pretty early in life. My Dad made video games and my mom was a graphics designer, so I was sort of destined to do something artsy. I was interested in fashion at a young age and spent ridiculous amounts of class time doodling comic strips with female characters decked out in all kinds of crazy outfits. In middle and high school I was upcycling old jeans into purses and knitting hats to sell to my classmates. I was even taking orders in my marble notebook! As I got older, I started collecting books and magazines on crafting, graphics design, fashion design and cooking. A love for photography sprouted up somewhere in there too. All that to say, it was definitely a lot of little moments that made me realize that “making” was something I truly loved.

Sarah: I think I’ve always loved to make. I remember in first grade, Tiffany and I had competitions to see who could draw Disney princesses better. (She definitely won.) While my drawing skills may have peaked by fourth grade or so, my desire to make has continued. My mom was always very creative and I grew up with her making dinner, having an incredible garden, sewing nearly all my clothes as a little girl, etc. “Making” was just part of normal life, and I think that has stuck with me.

Why did you decide to start Offbeat + Inspired? What do you hope people are able to find through your blog?

Tiffany: Offbeat + Inspired was born over a weekend cabin trip to Red River Gorge (KY), where I was trying to convince Sarah to get into soap making. I had been a soaper for about 2 years at that point, and when the topic arose and she seemed interested, I explained the process. It was so long that I ended up sending an e-mail with the full instructions and then she had the idea to start a blog and share it with the general public in case anyone else wanted to learn soap making too! The BIG soap tutorial (as it’s known to us now) was the post that sparked O+I. Once that idea was on the table, we were SO excited about the endless possibilities. We could share about food, beauty, fashion, life, photography, art — all of it! Finally there was one home for everything we loved. Sarah lives in Chicago and I live in Lexington, KY, so even if no one ever found us, the blog would at least give us a place to share our projects with each other. We loved that (and still do), but when people happen across O+I, we want them to find something that inspires them to create with purpose.

Sarah: Tiffany and I decided to start Offbeat + Inspired after spending Labor Day weekend on a mini-vacation with our husbands and another couple. Tiffany had been working on a number of crafts and projects, and I was especially intrigued by her soap-making. She passed down some of her soaping supplies to me and then told me she’d write me some instructions. I had spent some time researching soap-making instructions, but when Tiffany sent me hers, they were absolutely the best beginner’s instructions I had seen anywhere. I told her that she needed to start a blog…and I guess the rest is history. We started talking and video-chatting for hours every day (since we live in different states) and out of those conversations, Offbeat + Inspired was born.

Through our blog, I want people to find inspiration to live creatively, but not just for creativity’s sake. I want people to see the deeper story behind the recipes, crafts, etc. I hope that people don’t just read about food, but they read about the importance of a shared meal with family. I don’t want people to just see a patio furniture upcycle. I want people to see that project as a catalyst to spend time cultivating relationships with others. I hope that people find through our blog the deeper things that really inspire us – our faith, family and friends (sorry for the cheesy alliteration – that was not intentional).

How do you choose different projects or recipes that you try? Where do you get your inspiration?

Tiffany: Inspiration comes from everywhere. Pinterest (obviously!), our favorite blogs, magazines, adventuring in our local cities and beyond, getting to know small business owners and what makes them tick — it really does come from everywhere. When choosing specific projects, we have one rule: we have to love it. We won’t make stuff that doesn’t truly get us excited. Sometimes it’s tempting in blog world to gravitate towards projects or recipes that are getting a lot of buzz, but that takes all the fun out of it! We really don’t want O+I to turn into a chore, so we focus on anything that makes us want to happy dance on the spot.

Sarah: Much of my inspiration, especially for recipes, comes from my mom. I’ve blogged about a few recipes of hers that I’ve grown up with, and I’m excited to share more of my childhood favorites. Nearly every night growing up, my family sat down to dinner together. It wasn’t just any dinner, but it was usually an incredible homemade feast accompanied with hours of conversation. For me, food isn’t just food. It’s a means of bringing people together to do life with one another.

As far as inspiration for some of my other projects, much of my inspiration comes simply from pragmatism – boring, I know. The practical side of me thinks, “OK, I need some bedroom storage. How can I get an inexpensive dresser?” And out of that everyday issue, I now have an upcycled vintage-looking dresser that I bought at a garage sale and repainted.

I have so many incredibly creative friends and people in my family, and they definitely inspire me, too. I also love blogging with Tiffany, because I think we feed off each other a lot and definitely inspire new ideas in each other.

What types of projects are your favorite? Do you love baking, sewing, making jewelry?

Tiffany: My favorite projects change based on my mood. I love trying new things and I tend to go on random kicks — I even spent a few months making mini foods out of polymer clay — that random (and so fun)! But I do tend to gravitate towards the kitchen, upcycling projects and fashion illustration.

Sarah: Anything with food. Growing up, family dinners were an every day occurrence. Everyone in my family loves food, not just because of the food, but because of the relationships that are built around a meal. Hours of conversation around the dinner table have resulted in wonderful relationships with every one in my family, a continued appreciation for learning, a safe place to laugh and cry together, and of course, good food.

What is your favorite project you’ve ever done?

Tiffany: I think my favorite projects are fashion illustrations. They’re whimsical and pretty, and you can decorate with them!

Sarah: Wow, good question. I’d have to say one of my favorite projects was the first upcycling project I ever did. I remade a dresser for our guest bedroom. While I hope I’ve improved a bit on my crafting skills since remaking that dresser a year ago, it’s definitely my favorite project simply because that project marked the beginning of this “making” journey for me and it’s also the first piece that I worked on for my house.

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

Tiffany: Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. I spent years feeling like a misfit with a bunch of random interests no direction. When I started considering putting it all on a blog, I was intimidated by the thousands of projects, recipes and amazing photography that was already online. I didn’t think anyone would be interested in what I was throwing together in the kitchen and the craft room. But honestly, it has been so rewarding to learn how to treat “making” like a valuable part of who I am instead of a frustrating lack of direction. Even if no one ever found O+I, I’ve learned more about myself in sharing what I love than I ever would have by keeping it hidden. If you’ve been dreaming about starting a business, start it. If you’ve been wanting to make a blog, make it. Life is short, and it’s amazing how much joy and purpose can be found in sharing what you love with others.

Sarah: I’ve struggled with comparing myself to everyone else, wishing that my recipes, projects, photography, etc. were as good as the next person’s. My advice would be to continue to focus on growing and improving. Don’t sink into a dark cycle of comparison. Since we started this blog, I have been learning a LOT of new things. That learning process is one of the things I love about it. Yet sometimes I find myself getting way too frustrated because I expect to be an expert at everything I try right from the beginning. Tiffany and I said from the very beginning that we always wanted to be enjoying blogging, and part of the enjoyment involves trying new things and sometimes having to retry those things. Not every recipe or project may turn out or be as good as the next person’s – and that’s OK.

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

Tiffany: Technology has made it SO easy to spread the word about our blog. I love how supportive the blogging community has been, and it’s amazing to be able to interact with our readers, other bloggers and business owners that we look up to. As far as social media goes, Instagram is my favorite. Being able to post pictures of what I’m doing throughout the day is addictive, and I spend embarrassing amounts of time drooling over other people’s feeds. I’m @tifforelie in case anyone wants to join in on my habit! Without technology, sharing inspiration would be so limited. It’s been huge for us!

Sarah: Without technology, we could not do what we do. As I mentioned earlier, Offbeat + Inspired was born out of many phone calls and video chats – video chatting especially has been especially important for us since we live in different states. It makes it possible for us to work together despite the distance.

Technology allows us to share our story, our lives, our projects. Through social media outlets, photography, videos, etc. we’re able to get our ideas across to a broader audience. We’re also able to glean from the expertise of many other makers, bloggers, chefs, etc. through the use of technology.

What’s up next for Offbeat + Inspired? Is there anything new you’ve been wanting to try?

Tiffany: We’re just taking things day by day. We’ve been so humbled and blessed by the opportunities that have come our way, to work with some of our favorite publications and businesses, and we’re really excited about whatever’s around the corner. We would love to continue collaborating with and supporting companies and causes we care about. Overall though, our goal is to continue honing our skills and sharing our lives, our faith, our projects and our inspiration with people, and in turn, being inspired by them.

Sarah: We want to continue to grow in ever area of our blogging. We especially want to grow in our photography skills and continue to find our personal photography and blog style. We’ve been learning a great deal from other incredible makers, and we want to use that knowledge to improve upon our recipes and projects. More specifically, I would love to continue to develop original recipes and grow in my culinary knowledge and skill.

We also want to continue to share our story. We hope that through reading our blog, people will get to know us, and we’ll get to know others. I’m always a bit nervous when writing something more personal, because I think, “What if people don’t like this? Then they don’t like me.” I’m a people-pleaser that way. But we continually want to grow in our storytelling and sharing parts of our lives that we think may be an encouragement to others.

Lastly, I think in the future for Offbeat + Inspired, we’re hoping to incorporate the use of video a bit more. There’s so much more we can share through video that may be difficult to share through photography or text.

We’re so excited to have Sarah and Tiffany’s projects as part of Brit Picks! Know of anyone else who should get on board? Tell them to apply here!

Love Sarah and Tiffany as much as we do? Don’t forget to visit them over at Offbeat + Inspired. What other makers inspire you? Tell us in the comments below.

If you’ve ever searched the internet for lettering inspo, you’ve probably seen Lauren Hom’s work. Her California-based design studio, Hom Sweet Hom, has done work for clients such as Starbucks and Google, and has a new exclusive collection with Studio Ink. She is also well known for her beautifully lettered “Daily Dishonesty” sayings and making money off her ex-boyfriend’s tears. Still not convinced of how cool Lauren is? Get this: Her life motto is “Work hard, snack often.” If those aren’t true pearls of wisdom, I don’t know what are.

Lauren recently teamed up with Studio INK to create a line of beautiful, colorful, quirky greeting cards. In true Lauren Hom fashion, her cards are super relatable and speak the truth (i.e. “Birthday Calories Don’t Count”).

And now, for our chat with Lauren.

Where are you based?

Traveling around the world for a year right now. Previous home base was Brooklyn, New York.

What inspires you? Why do you love to design, create and make?

I’m inspired by life — from inside jokes with friends to exploring new cities and cultures, my work is mostly inspired by my experiences. Aesthetically, I’m inspired by the colors, patterns, textures and signage of all the places I travel to.

I’ve always loved to make things with my hands. Whether it’s baking a cake or painting a mural, I really enjoy making something out of nothing. Sometimes I’ll step back from something I’ve drawn or painted and think, “Whoa, did that really just come out of my hands?” It’s a great feeling, and I think this feeling is what keeps me moving forward.

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

Never stop making!

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

I love the speed, precision and efficiency that technology gives me. All of my work starts out on paper with pencil and ink, and then with the help of a scanner, Photoshop and a tablet, I can edit, color, rotate and paint my letters any way I want to. 50 years ago, I would’ve had to do all of it by hand. It’s really incredible.

How do you get into the creative flow? How does it feel?

A good workflow is my happy place. Everything falls into place and I go into a sort of happy trance. I find that I get into the creative flow by writing down ideas as soon as they come to me. There’s something magical about the birth of an idea — the thought that I could’ve just come up with something that has never crossed anyone else’s mind is so exhilarating. Writing things down (on paper, in my phone notepad, etc.) as soon as they come to mind is definitely a catalyst to my creative flow.

Oh, and having a few really good go-to playlists is key when I’m in a drawing groove. Having to stop and change songs is super disruptive.

What is the story of how you got to where you are today?

When I was 18, I moved to New York City to attend the advertising program at School of Visual Arts. After graduation, I landed my dream job at a big advertising agency but burnt out within a year. Luckily, I had been working on illustration passion projects on the side, so I had enough confidence to leave my full-time job and begin freelancing. Leaving the comfort of my nine-to-five job was scary, but when I put myself in a sink or swim situation, I worked harder because there was more to lose.

What other makers inspire you?

These amazing ladies making unique things:

What is the weirdest, most unusual or worst job you’ve ever had?

In college, I designed characters for a Facebook game that was like Farmville for stoners.

What other things do you love to make?

I hand-sewed this sexy cheeseburger + fries Halloween costume that I am super proud of: I’ve worn it seven years in a row.

Which Lauren Hom for Studio INK card is your fave?Share with us on Instagram by using the hashtag #britstagram!

Styling: Irene Lee and Lindsay Saito

Photography: Chris Andre

All the intensity of Yellowstone and 1923 season 2 can be hard to consume when you just want to turn on the TV and relax. And that's exactly where When Hope Calls comes in. The TV show has all the Western flair you love about shows like Yellowstone, with the romance, friendship, and well, hope, of your favorite Hallmark movies.

You can stream the first season on Hallmark+, and it looks like after three years, we're finally getting season 2! Keep reading for everything you need to know about the When The Heart Calls spin-off, inspired by the world of Janette Oke's books.

Here's everything we know about When Hope Calls season 2, premiering on PureFlix and Great American Family April 2025.

Where can I watch season 2 of When Hope Calls?

Hallmark Media

New episodes of When Hope Calls are premiering on PureFlix Thursday, April 3, 2025 and Great American Family Sunday April 6, 2025.

What is When Hope Calls about?

Hallmark Media

The TV show follows Lillian (Morgan Kohan) and Grace (Jocelyn Hudon), who were separated as children after the death of their parents. Reunited as adults in 1916, and still healing from past wounds, the sisters open an orphanage of their own in the Canadian town of Brookfield, and quickly fall in love with the children — and handsome strangers — they meet.

Who's in the When Hope Calls cast?

Hallmark Media

The When Hope Calls season 2 cast features some incredible names, including your favorite Sullivan's Crossing star! Here's the full breakdown:

  • Morgan Kohan as Lillian Walsh: Grace's older sister who was adopted after the death of their parents.
  • Ryan-James Hatanaka as Gabriel "Gabe" Kinslow: a local Mountie who catches Lillian's eye.
  • Wendy Crewson as Tess Steward: the owner of the big local ranch and Chuck's mother
  • Hanneke Talbot as Maggie Parsons: Brookfield's new nurse
  • Marshall Williams as Sam Tremblay: a newcomer who works as a handyman at Lillian's orphanage
  • Neil Crone as Ronnie Stewart: the hotel manager who's also Tess's brother-in-law
  • Christopher Russell as Michael Fletcher: a new Mountie in Brookfield.
  • Sarah Fisher as Hannah Lawrence: a woman in town who's recently inherited a ranch.
  • Nick Bateman as Wyatt: Hannah's foreman.
  • Cindy Busby as Nora: a lawyer.

How many episodes of When Hope Calls season 2 are there?

Hallmark Media

There will be eight episodes of When Hope Calls season 2 total, premiering on April 3, 2025. Stay tuned for the full schedule!

Why is Grace no longer on When Hope Calls?

Hallmark Media

Because of scheduling conflicts, actress Jocelyn Hudon was not able to appear in the When Hope Calls Christmas specials. To explain her absence, the show wrote that Grace moved to England to open an orphanage there. I have all my fingers crossed we'll see her make a season 2 guest appearance, though!

Will there be more season 2 of When Hope Calls?

Hallmark Media

Yes, season 2 is coming! The When Hope Calls: A Country Christmas holiday special premiered in 2021, but it's not necessarily part of season 2 of the show. You can rewatch the special anytime you want on PureFlix.

Stay tuned for the latest When Hope Calls season 2 news, and updates on Netflix's New Romance TV Show Ransom Canyon.

As our Re:Make conference-goers can attest, there’s really nothing like being in the company of fellow makers. Small-scale artisans make our world go round, and we’ll take every chance we can get to celebrate them! That’s why we teamed up with Blurb to put on our first-ever Maker B-School, a night filled with inspiring makers, tasty (and photogenic!) cocktails and a healthy helping of maker wisdom from some of the best in the industry.

Consider this your virtual tour :) First stop: Blurb’s station!

BLURB

We have MAJOR respect for this company. Using their tools, any maker (or regular Jane!) can publish a print book, magazine or ebook, and therefore make their brand that much stronger. Blurb has done wonders for the maker community, and we’re incredibly honored to partner with them.

CHRISTINE HERRIN + ADOBE

We’re all about hands-on project stations, and Adobe definitely delivered. They paired up with Christine Herrin, who makes seriously beautiful zines using Adobe InDesign, and provided inspirational booklets for all of the attendees.

Excuse us while we crush HARD on Christine’s designs — we can’t get enough of them.

LAMBERT FLORAL STUDIO

Next up is Sammy Go of Lambert Floral Studio (yay for maker dudes!) with a jaw-dropping, bountiful bouquet, some impressive knowledge of how to grow a business’s social community and possibly one of the most tasteful product catalogs we’ve ever seen. Can you bring your flowers to all of our events, please?

See what we mean by an impressive catalog? This thing is downright dreamy.

CRAFT + COCKTAILS

Ashley Rose Conway of Craft + Cocktails whipped up tasty piña coladas and spiked pink peppercorn lemonades all night, and also dished out some expert tips on cocktail photo styling. We’ve already been following her on Instagram for ages, so it was a real treat to get a behind-the-scenes look!

These babies were definitely Insta candy :)

ETTA + BILLIE

Alana Rivera, from the artisanal soap brand Etta + Billie, talked shop and shared best tips for building an authentic brand. We can’t decide what we like more: the marvelous fragrances or the tasteful, elegant packaging.

JOSHU + VELA

The team at JOSHU+VELA construct bags, wallets and accessories made entirely of natural materials, and they’re manufactured right here in SF — by them! It was a pleasure to have them showcase their brilliant products and share their perspective on brand identity. We’re itching to take a leather-working class with them, if they’ll have us ;)

PORTRAITS TO THE PEOPLE

How cool is this — Sarah Deragon of Portraits to the People used our DIY studio to provide headshots for the attendees!

After getting zhuzhed by a professional makeup and hair stylist, makers would get a chance to take a new headshot by Sarah, one of the top photographers in the Bay Area. Neat, huh?

THE FOOD!

Oh, did we mention the incredible food provided by SF favorite, Vive la Tarte? Tied for most delectable treat was this INSANE bacon-wrapped fig and an unbelievably satisfying creme brûlée tart — but we’re not playing favorites.

MAKER B-SCHOOL TOP TIPS

Didn’t make it to the stellar event this time? No worries! Lucky for you, our amazing designer Rosee Canfield compiled the makers’ top tips in a beautiful, printable card. Check it out!

Download it here and hang it in your work space!

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received about running your own business? Share with us on Twitter @BritandCo!

This post is a collaboration with Blurb.

Author: Maddie Bachelder
Photography: Brittany Griffin

The internet is already buzzing about Netflix's new romantic Western drama, Ransom Canyon, which drops on the streamer April 17. It's got everything: secrets, romance, horses. And plenty of standout stars. Here's a full rundown of the Ransom Canyon cast, because the lineup is almost too good to be true. Until the show drops, stock up on The 10 Best Cowboy Boots Right Now ;).

Keep reading to meet the full Ransom Canyon cast before the Netflix TV show premieres on April 17.

1. Josh Duhamel as Staten Kirkland

Netflix

Josh Duhamel stars as Staten Kirkland, the owner of Double K Ranch who's fighting to protect his ranch and his way of life.

2. Minka Kelly as Quinn O'Grady

Anna Kooris/Netflix

We'll also see Euphoria and Friday Night Lights star Minka Kelly as Quinn O’Grady. Quinn's back from a life in New York as a concert pianist and is looking for a new start.

3. Marianly Tejada as Ellie Estevez

Netflix

Marianly Tejada (who you'll recognize from One of Us is Lying) stars as Ellie Estevez, who yearns to leave an impact on Ransom Canyon. But while she's as tough as they come, she also checks in on Cap.

4. Jack Schumacher as Yancy Grey

Netflix

Jack Schumacher plays the charming, mysterious Yancy Grey, who has a secret past he's struggling to keep hidden from Ellie and the rest of Ransom Canyon.

5. Eoin Macken as Davis Collins

Ursula Coyote/NBC

Eoin Macken stars as Davis Collins, who owns Bar W Ranch and constantly buts heads with Staten over capitalizing on the land — and over Quinn.

6. James Brolin as Cap

Netflix

Sweet Tooth's James Brolin stars as ex-Army captain Cap, who owns Fuller Ranch.

7. Lizzy Greene as Lauren Brigman

Netflix

Lizzy Greene is a part of the Ransom Canyon cast as Lauren Brigman, head cheerleader, sheriff's daughter, and girlfriend to quarterback Reid. But she dreams of leaving for Austin, and isn't expecting Lucas to capture her heart.

8. Garrett Wareing as Lucas Russell

NBC

Garrett Wareing stars as Lucas Russell, who's working to provide for his family and dreaming of a life beyond the Canyon.

9. Andrew Liner as Reid Collins

Jose Haro/Peacock

Andrew Liner plays Reid Collins, who's dealing with secrets of his own and hides his desire to be loved behind a cocky exterior.

Read up on the latest Ransom Canyon news for more!

Though we're all about our reusable water bottles (and everything related to the Stanley tumbler), the love we have for fancy-shmancy bottled water is just undeniable. Despite the crisp, cold convenience associated with bottled drinking water, there's a *huge* rift in which brands actually taste good.

Some drinkers prefer Aquafina over Dasani (or even artesian water cuvée, like the cast of Vanderpump Rules), and that's okay – but sommelier Belinda Chang has an immeasurable wealth of knowledge to dictate which ones are worth sipping on based on their flavor (and yes, they differ).

Not every bottled water is created equal, and this expert-backed ranking is proof. Onward!

What type of bottled water is healthiest?

Pavel Danilyuk / PEXELS

Mineral water is considered the healthiest bottled drinking water since it contains additional minerals and vitamins.

What is the top-rated bottled water?

Towfiqu Barbhuiya / PEXELS

According to our ranking of the best and worst bottled waters, Roundy's bottled drinking water is #1.

Is bottled water safe to drink?

Mart Production / PEXELS

In terms of your health, all plastic bottled waters are the worst – they can contain hundreds of thousands of microplastics that harm the body. The safest bottled water you can drink is likely some filtered drinking water that you put into a reusable water bottle.

What are the top 5 worst bottled waters?

Karolina Grabowska / PEXELS

Propel, Dasani, Ice Mountain, Aquafina, and Naleczowianka are the top 5 worst bottled drinking waters, according to their taste.

What is the top 5 best drinking water?

Nerea Arance / PEXELS

According to expert water sommelier rankings, the top 5 best drinking waters are: Evian, Smeraldina, SmartWater, Fiji, and Roundy's.

Meet Sommelier Brenda Chang!

BelindaChang.com

Belinda Chang hails from Chicago, and was formerly the head of the wine and spirits program at upscale steakhouse Maple & Ash, so she knows her drinks. While she usually puts her skills towards perfect pairings of wine and sumptuous meals, Belinda welcomed Thrillist into her domain to put water to the ultimate test.

Belinda compared ten different bottled water brands by evaluating their flavor, aroma, texture and finish of each, giving them a score out of a possible 100 points. Her bottled water ratings shed light on which brands you should drink!

“A good bottled water shouldn’t have any off-putting aromas or flavors – that would be an automatic negative,” Belinda explained. “In wine, we always talk about terroir, and I think for water, it’s the same. You want it to speak of the place where it comes from. And, of course, you want it to be delicious.”

The Best Bottled Drinking Water, Ranked

10. Propel: 69/100

Propel

When it came to tasting Propel bottled water, Belinda was immediately put off by the odor, saying it smells "salty, metallic.” Ew. When it came to taste, it might not have been as bad, but it certainly wasn’t an A+.

“When it gets onto your tongue, the impact is bizarre. The texture and flavor is a lot like Gatorade, but not masked with orange or blue raspberry.”

9. Dasani: 70/100

Dasani

Dasani was another bottled drinking water that was... somewhat stinky. “See, this one does not smell good — it smells like a wine that’s been dosed with sulphates.” What’s with all the smelly water?

Belinda deemed that when it comes to Dasani, “The thirst-quenching quotient is really low on this guy.”

8. Ice Mountain: 81/100

Ice Mountain

Ice Mountain bottled drinking water got it right if you’re looking for nothing but water – tasteless water.

“It’s completely neutral in almost every way, which I think is a total positive.” In this case, definitely. Though Belinda did note a slight “mineral-y” aftertaste, a “pipe-like flavor.” No thanks.

7. Aquafina: 84/100

Aquafina

Instead of tasting pipe-like, Belinda felt Aquafina tasted “a little powdery, with some dissolved minerals and a little bit of salt.” Still, she felt that this was a decent thirst-quencher.

“For an inexpensive water that you’re just drinking because you’re in the airport and you want to hydrate before you go on a flight, I think this is a good option.”

6. Naleczowianka: 89/100

Naleczowianka

Naleczowianka bottled drinking water was another water with a “distinctive” smell — this time, a stony hint. Kinda strangely, it made Belinda think of “a salt character — I want it with a pierogi.” That’s… specific.

Overall, this one failed where it seems to matter the most, with the skilled sommelier noting, “It’s not that thirst-quenching. It dries out the palate.”

5. Evian: 90/100

Evian

Evian bottled drinking water is better when it comes to the smell, Belinda claiming it’s “really clean on the nose.” But interestingly, she also noted, “I do taste the Alps — I don’t smell them, but I taste them. And I can definitely imagine myself après-ski with a bottle of Evian.” That’s a plus for Evian!

4. Smeraldina: 92/100

Smeraldina

Smeraldina bottled drinking water scored slightly higher than Evian despite the fact that “after you have a sip of it, it feels like there’s this fine silt lying on your tongue.”

Besides that, however, “this would transport you back to the south of Italy.” Whoa. First the Alps, now Italy. We’re globetrotting with every sip.

3. Smartwater: 93/100

Smartwater

Smartwater is actually something that Belinda is familiar with herself, but admitted, “I’ve always chugged this the next morning when I’m hungover.” However, when she took some time to consider it, she claims, “it’s probably 1000% the marketing, but it does taste different,” i.e. a really interesting texture in the mid-palate, which Belinda assumes is the added electrolytes.

2. Fiji: 98/100

Fiji Water

Fiji took the runner-up spot of the best bottled water to drink, partly due to the fact that it’s “totally neutral on the nose, which [Belinda thinks] is important,” but it was also the fact that it’s a heavy water that got Belinda’s stamp of approval.

“[If] you want to drink a glass of water after a spectacular dish or, like, a great bite of a burger, you want something that cleanses, and this is it. I really love this water.”

1. Roundy's Purified Drinking Water: 99/100

Roundy's

And the bottled water winner is… Roundy’s!

First, the smell won Belinda over. “This is going to sound so weird, but it’s a little sweet-smelling — which I like!” But, of course, that wasn’t all. Taste is the major factor here, and the sommelier thought this option was delicious. “It has no pretension, it’s incredibly thirst-quenching."

"It doesn’t taste like anything, which is perfect. When you’re drinking water you just want to be drinking water, and this is the most watery of all the waters. This is the Moet Imperial of bottled water — it’s simple, it’s classic and it does exactly what it’s supposed to do. It delivers and that’s my professional opinion.”

Do you notice differences in the taste of water from different brands and your tap? Tweet us @BritandCo!

H/T Thrillist.

This post has been updated.