My Isolation Diary 
New Year, Who Dis?

By Emily Vogel

Dear Diary, 

On the season premiere of 2021, producers shocked audiences with new romances (hello Olivia Wilde and Harry Styles), shocking break-ups (sayonara Kim and Kanye) and even a political showdown (yes Georgia, I’m looking at you). Some other jaw-dropping moments include Dr. Dre's aneurism and armed protestors storming the halls of Capitol Hill. We’re still waiting on an official comment from Chris Harrison, but sources close to him say that he’s calling this the “most dramatic season yet."

Meanwhile I've decided to go full Hilaria and pick-up a new accent, except mine's British, due to the fact that I'm re-watching "Bridgerton" for the fifth time. I've started uncontrollably shouting things like, "Mother, I can't find anything to wear for today's Zoom calls, I must be fitted for a new wardrobe at the modiste" or "what's taking the coronavirus vaccine so long?! We must make haste!" In my humble opinion, "Bridgerton" was probably the best thing to come out of 2020... I guess the birth of my new niece Charlotte was pretty cool too. 

21 Shows and Movies to Watch
After You Finish 'Bridgerton'

(Source: Liam Daniel/Netflix)

So you're looking for more TV shows like "Bridgerton" on Netflix, eh? A more generic guide might point you to the best Jane Austen–adapted films and call it a day. But Glamour has put together a watchlist that even Eloise would approve of including, but not limited to, sweeping period dramas about women bucking society's rules and hot rich people being messy. 

Read full Glamour article here. 

The Squad Just Got Bigger

(Source: Twitter @CoriBush)

The Squad is back — with two new members. 

On Sunday, the 117th Congress was sworn in, making progressive Democratic representatives Cori Bush and Jamaal Bowman a more official part of the congressional Squad made up of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley, Ilhan Omar, and Rashida Tlaib.

Bush, who defeated a longtime incumbent in her district last year, was elected as the first Black congresswoman in Missouri. The 44-year-old St. Louis native is a registered nurse, an ordained pastor and an activist. 

Rep. Jamaal Bowman, a former middle-school principal, defeated a 16-term incumbent to represent New York's 16th district. "Our squad is the unseen and the unheard and the ignored and the marginalized and the neglected. We fight for them and as much as we can, we fight and speak on their behalf," said Bowman.

Read full InStyle article here. 

How To Be “Good With Money” According To 4 Female Financial Experts ​

(Source: Vogue UK)

More money, more problems. It doesn’t really stack up, does it? British Vogue asked four female financial experts for tips to help you start saving, stop stressing, and develop a healthy relationship with money. 

1. Why We Should Save More: “A great way to think about saving is that it offers three things: security, reward and choices,” Iona Bain, the founder of Young Money Blog. 

2. Establish Good Habits​: With online shopping you could have a rule... leave [your items in the basket] for 24 hours [before making a final decision],” Simonne Gnessen, the founder of Wise Monkey Financial Coaching.

3. Stop Beating Yourself Up: "Tell yourself that you are a capable, intelligent person who can easily get better with money," Sarah Porretta, director of strategy and insight at the Money and Pensions Service.

4. Say Yes to Tech: “Apps like Tandem link to your bank account and analyze your spending... they then calculate how much you can afford to save each week" Helen Saxon, banking and insurance editor at Moneysavingexpert.com.

Read full Vogue UK here. 

How This Olympian's Battle With Depression Changed Her Relationship With Mental Health​

(Source: Joanna Forsythe)

While Alexi Pappas may be best known as an Olympic runner who competed for Greece in the 2016 Rio Games, she is so much more than an athlete. The 30-year-old is also a writer, actress and now author, with her memoir, Bravey: Chasing Dreams, Befriending Pain, and Other Big Ideas, coming out January 21. 

Pappas was diagnosed with severe clinical depression after running in the Rio Olympics and experiencing episodes of insomnia, pain in her hamstring and lower back, and suicidal thoughts. 

"I think many people, especially athletes, make the same mistake of not taking a mental 'injury' as seriously as they would a physical injury," she says. "I found a doctor who explained that depression is like when you fall and have a scrape on your knee—except instead of the cut being on your knee, it is on your brain."

"The shift from feeling helpless to feeling in control was the greatest feeling ever," Pappas added.

Read full Hello Giggles article here. 

5 Things Moms Can Do To
Avoid Pandemic Burnout

(Source: Betches)

Listen, I don’t care what any of the upbeat bloggers say, having kids during a pandemic is hard. But, how do we get through it? In a recent article for Betches, "I'm Not Sorry" podcast host Deborah DeFrancesco shares five things moms (and frankly anyone for that matter) can do to avoid pandemic burn out. 

1. Make Time For The Things That Are Important To You: Do anything else that has the potential to put a smile on your face for at least 10 to 15 minutes.

2. Have Sex: Remember that you have a partner and that even though your kids need you (all the effing time), getting some QT with your partner is just as important as taking time for yourself.

3. Work Out: Not for a damn six-pack or a beach bod, but because it’s another one of those things that just feels good.  There are a ridiculous number of workout apps that range in level and time.

4. Two Words: Play Date: Schedule weekly play dates (virtually, of course)—for you, not for your kids! I know that we’re all pretty Zoomed out, but it’s different when you have a cocktail in your hand and the kids are asleep.

5. Boundaries Are Important AF:  Now that we’re home 24/7, we feel as though we don’t have a reason to be “off” because people know we have nowhere to be. Well, you do have a reason. It’s called self-care. And, it’s okay to be home and unavailable. It’s okay to not be accessible all the time. Permission granted. 

Read full Betches article here. 

Who Run the World?! Girls. 

WrapWomen is a power base of influential women of entertainment, media, technology and brands committed to changing the face of their industries. 

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In the meantime, stay safe and stay fabulous.

Xoxo,
Emily Vogel on behalf of WrapWomen
Content Manager, WrapWomen