Change Up Your Morning Routine with These 5 Teas

Whether you’re trying to limit your coffee intake, looking to add wellness to your daily routine, or just have a love for tea, we’re sharing 5 unique blends to add to your shopping cart. Might we even suggest pairing your morning cup with a daily gratitude practice — whether it’s 10 minutes writing in a gratitude journal, practicing a guided meditation, or sitting in bed enjoying the calm before the storm.

1. Numi – Mate Lemon
   • Description: A legendary South American elixir, this infusion of organic Brazilian Yerba Mate, Australian Lemon Myrtle and green tea unfolds into a lemon taste with sweet, earthy undertones. Its stimulating effect evokes a cheerful mental lucidity. 
   • Ingredients include: Organic yerba mate, organic lemon myrtle, Fair Trade Certified™ organic green tea
2. NOW Foods – Energy Tea
   • Description: Forget those corn syrup-laden, wannabe “energy” drinks. Our Energy Tea delivers a fruity and snappy burst of uplifting flavor that not only tastes great but also keeps you high powered with naturally occurring caffeine, botanical energizers, and tannins. 
   • Ingredients include: Green Tea Fannings, Cinnamon Bark, Ginger Root, Yerba Mate Leaves, Ashwagandha Root, Eleuthero Root, Natural Flavors, BetterStevia® Organic Stevia Leaf Extract.
3. Bala Chai – Chai Powder
   • Description: Flow naturally with the seasons and enjoy hot or iced. We use fresh spices and adaptogens in our mix to promote steady, long-term energy without the crash. Our blend has revitalizing Ayurvedic spices, traditionally used to support circulation and aid the digestive system. This sweet, spicy, and robust drink is an integral staple in Indian culture and we’re proud to share it with you.
   • Ingredients include: Assam Tea, Ashwagandha, ginger, cardamom, monk fruit, pepper, cinnamon, raw cane sugar
4. Smith Teamaker – Barrel Aged Portland Breakfast
   • Description: Our most sought after breakfast tea aged 18 months in a wet Westward Whiskey barrel. With intoxicating hints of dry Irish stout, lingonberry jam, and dulce de leche, let’s raise a cup of good cheer.
   • Ingredients include: Barrel aged Pu-erh, Assam, and Keemun black teas.
5. NOW Foods – Pao D’Arco
   • Description: The jungles of the Amazon may be dark and dangerous, but they’re also brimming with life-giving natural compounds that have been used for centuries. While we’re not sure how one goes about discovering that the bark of a tree not only tastes good but also promotes well-being, we’re happy someone did. The bark of this tree, and its unique benefits, are the basis for our Pau D’Arco herbal wellness tea, a tasty treasure any explorer of exotic teas would be happy to bring home.
   • Ingredients Included: Pau D’Arco Bark, Chai Spices (Ginger Root, Cinnamon Bark, Cardamon Seeds, Clove Buds, Black Pepper Seeds), Natural Chocolate Flavor.  

What are some teas that help get you moving in the morning? Let us know in the comments!

SPPR’s Silver Linings of 2020

Around this time of year, we’re setting goals and looking to reset for the new year ahead, but 2020 has taken the meaning of a “fresh start” to an entirely new level. After making it through (yes, we MADE it!) a tumultuous year, we are reflecting on the challenges that we encountered and grew from – these are team SPPR’s silver linings of 2020.

Dyan

What I know for sure after the last 9 months of physical separation from my team, friends and a majority of my family – the strength of my relationships has little to do with how many trips, fancy dinners, night-outs, etc. we experience together but more about how we make each other feel, the trust built over the years and how vulnerable we can be when things are turned upside down. The bond with those I love is stronger and that’s the glittery silver lining of 2020. P.S. All that said, CAN’T WAIT for all the fancy dinners and an EPIC 10 year retreat for Team SPPR!

Kelly

Sometimes you need to pause. When the shutdown first happened we were all in panic mode. Trying to run as fast as we could to figure out what to do next and how to navigate and stay afloat during this time.

As a team we came together and realized we can’t solve all the problems right now, and we don’t know what tomorrow holds, so what we might all really need is to pause and just cope. Giving ourselves permission to acknowledge the challenge, fear and sadness is what allowed us to get back up and move forward.

Camy

The most impactful lessons I learned from 2020 include: find joy in slowing down, be intentional about being present and never take my health – or the health of my loved ones – for granted. This year and its challenges allowed me to slow down long enough to recalibrate my health and wellness and I am so thankful. It’s not always easy, but I’ve developed routines that help me stay grounded and appreciative of the time I give to myself, and it’s made all the difference in my energy and intrinsic optimism. In 2020 I’ve learned to focus on doing what makes me feel good, and this helps me make decisions that lead to desired results.

Ashley

This year brought a drastic change of pace and lifestyle for all of us, which took some getting used to at first. I’m grateful for this reorientation because it allowed me to shift my focus from the proverbial to-do list and hustle our society demands of us, to concentrating on how I could care better for those around me. 2020 gave me the opportunity to invest deeper into the wellbeing of my community, friends and family, nurturing relationships with more of myself to give.

Sam

Pre-COVID, I lived by my calendar and had social & family plans most days of the week. This time staying at home has made me reflect on where I choose to give my energy, which I plan to continue after the pandemic.  

Sami

This was a year where everything we thought mattered, shattered. What I discovered through the rolling waves of fear and the unknown is that acts of love, no matter how big or small, are impactful and limitless. When you are truly in the trenches, strong relationships, how you make each other feel, and vulnerability keeps you going. I’ve never been more grateful for the silver lining of being lifted up by those around me to get me through this year.

We’ve never been more excited for a new year, but we have also never been more grateful for the challenging one we just faced. As we gear up for what 2021 will bring, we’re excited to continue growing and focusing on the joyful moments we find. Happy New Year, friends! g

SPPR’s Favorite Holiday Baking Recipes

Did someone say holiday baking?! Count us in! We’ve officially broken out all of our baking sheets and cookie cutters to whip up festive recipes from our influencer friends. Keep reading to see what we’ve got on our baking list this week!

Constellation Inspiration’s Matcha Neapolitan Cookies – We made these last week and WOW! The flavors are out of this world. They’re super easy to make and downright delicious – your friends & fam will be impressed.

Beautiful Eats and Things Hot Chocolate Bombs – These look SO decadent and fancy. We can’t wait to pop one in a mug and watch them work their hot chocolate magic.

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The Daley Plate’s Apple & Candied Ginger Loaf – This looks like the perfect loaf to enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea on Christmas morning.

Muy Bueno Cooking’s Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies – Nothing screams cozy like a steaming cup of Mexican hot chocolate! In cookie form? Ever better!

Displaced Housewife’s Chewy Chocolate Cookie with Peppermint Cream – Rebecca is the queen of cookies (she has an entire book dedicated to them) and we love making one of her recipes every year. This time we’re trying out these chewy cookies and can’t wait to taste that peppermint frosting!

Liz Moody’s Healthy Cranberry Bliss Bars – These look absolutely scrumptious! Odds are no one will know they’re gluten-free and Liz also shares a vegan option.

Olive & Artisan’s Cinnamon Roll Cookies – We’re practically drooling over these thinking about the buttery cinnamon cookies filled with cream cheese frosting.

Cosette Kitchen’s Anise Citrus Cutout Cookies – If you’re looking to take your normal sugar cookies up a notch, try Cosette’s recipe for these gorgeous Anise Citrus cookies!

The Boy Who Bakes’ Vietnamese Coffee Cake – Because we all need a dose of caffeine to get us through the holidays. What better way than in cake form?

Vintage Confections’ Cowboy Cookies – Lauren had us at soft and chewy. These cookies are filled to the brim with oats, chocolate, pecans, and shredded coconut – major yum!

Southern Fatty’s Bourbon Caramel Cream Puffs – Philip always knows how to add the right amount of decadence and these cream puffs filled with bourbon whipped cream are no exception.

Do you have a holiday baking recipe that you can’t live without? Let us know in the comments below or come hang with us and leave a comment on our latest @sodapoppr post on IG. Happy baking!

10 Ways to Celebrate the Holidays: Social Distance Edition

Here at Soda Pop PR, we’re not going to let a global pandemic rain on our holiday parade. Earlier this week we shared about how to stay connected remotely, and today we’re sharing some of our favorite ideas to keep the holiday spirit alive (and safe) as ever, for you and your loved ones.

1. Send friends and family gingerbread kits to do together over Zoom
   1. Trader Joe’s and Target have sets, or if you’re really motivated, here are directions to make one from scratch!
2. Virtual Holiday Cookie Swap
   1. Baketivity’s baking boxes make it easy to bake with little ones at home, or if you’re up for a challenge, check out The Displaced Housewife’s Cookie Box with loads of recipes.
3. Bundle (and mask) up and take a nighttime walk around your neighborhood to see the holiday lights
4. Check out Covid-safe holiday drive-through experiences in your city
   1. For those in LA,  look into The Holiday Road!
5. Have little ones? Check out JingleRing to book a virtual visit from Santa
6. Get crafty and host a Virtual DIY Ugly Sweater Contest
7. Stage a silly & creative photoshoot for your annual holiday cards
8. Pay it forward with a fun (and safe) twist on “ding-dong-ditch,” where you surprise drop off a gift or decorate their door with the holiday spirit
   1. Here’s some inspiration to get you started!   
9. Leave a handmade ornament and note for your delivery workers
10. Drop off doughnuts to your local Fire Station & first responders

How will you be celebrating the holidays safely this year? Let us know in the comments below!

5 Easy Ways to Stay Connected Remotely During the Holidays

The holidays are looking quite different for many people this year, but “different” doesn’t have to mean devoid of joy, love or connection! Much like life, the holidays are what you make it, and today we’re sharing five easy ways to make this season merry and bright from a distance. 

image via @eyeswoon

1. Socially Distant Secret Gift Exchange
   Before you cancel your annual holiday gift exchange, try some shifts to pandemic-proof the tradition! For example, you can use sites like Elfster or DrawNames.com to anonymously assign gift exchanges, and agree on a delivery deadline for gifts to arrive. Then set up a Zoom conference room or FaceTime connect to watch everyone open their gifts!
   
2. Streaming Together but Separately
   Thanks to screen sharing and broadcasting platforms like Teleparty (formerly Netflix Party), Hulu Watch Party, Group Watch (for Disney+) and Scener we can still huddle around the television – in our respective homes – and watch shows and movies together! A lot of these multi-stream platforms also offer chat abilities to communicate with the other people you’re viewing with. 
   
3. Virtual Happy Hour
   If you and your friends are like us and miss any reason to dress up (aka not wear athleisure) but still have nowhere to go, give Hey Bartender a try. Hey Bartender is the first virtual bar, offering a virtual and interactive cocktail party experience with a real, live bartender! They’ll help you define and customize your event, create the menu and ship spirits and ingredients ahead of time, and connect you with the best bartender to lead your cocktail creating event.
   
4. Virtual Meal Sharing
   One of the oldest ceremonies to celebrate and honor human connection is the act of breaking bread together. To share a meal with someone is such a simple act of love and something we can still do via smart phones and web cams! Whether you and your loved ones are all ordering from the same restaurant, re-creating a special recipe in your own kitchens, or making meal packages to deliver to each other – you don’t have to eat alone! 
   
5. Standing FaceTime Dates
   Relationships may be defined by the big moments, but they’re built from the small ones. Set up standing video call sessions with your friends and family, and stick to them! Even when it feels like you don’t have any news or updates to share, having a regular check-in time will be a moment of connection to look forward to and a good reminder of the love you have in your life.

Whether you’re an extrovert giving all these connection-building tactics a try, an introvert pushing yourself to do at least one, or somewhere in between – we hope this holiday season is exactly what you need it to be!

DIY Polymer Clay Keychain Gifts

December weekends are for breaking out our craft supplies and getting creative with DIY gifts! ⁠Clay crafts have been trending for a minute and we’re here for it, which is why we whipped up these highly giftable polymer clay keychains. They’re easy, fun and odds are your friends won’t believe you made them 😉⁠ Keep reading for the full tutorial and links to supplies!

What You Need:

• Polymer Clay (we used Sculpey!)
• Rolling Pin (any will do, but we used this one)
• Keychain Rings
• 7MM Jump Rings
• Circular cookie cutter (we used a biscuit cutter or you can use any caps lying around)
• Toothpick
• Jewelry Pliers
• Parchment Paper
• Knife

​Before you get started, lay down parchment paper to protect your surface​ and then tape it down. This also makes it easy to transfer your clay designs directly to a pan and pop it in the oven.

For the Rainbow Keychain:

Choose three colors you’d like for your rainbow​ and use your hand to roll the clay between your palms to start creating long rolls of clay. Use one hand and continue to roll on your parchment paper to help create an even diameter until you achieve a long roll that’s about 1/4″ thick.

Start by creating an upside-down U-shape with one of your colors, then add the second and third color on top of that. It should look like a mini rainbow! Gently press the rolls together to secure the three colors together, then use a knife to cut off the excess clay to even out your sides.
Use your toothpick to create a hole on top of the rainbow for your jump ring.

​For the Cheetah Print Keychain​

​Start by choosing a foundation color – we chose white – and roll out until it’s your desired thickness, then pick two colors to ​serve as your print! The darker of the two colors will go down first – we used gold. Pinch off small bits of the clay in organic shapes and place them on the white clay. Do the same for the lighter color – we used pink — on top of your darker color.

Once all of your bits are on your base color, take your roller and roll over the entire piece of clay until smooth. Now you have a super fun cheetah print!

Next, take a clay or cookie cutter of your choice and stamp as many shapes as you can into your piece of clay. Separate your new shapes and discard the extra clay, then use your trusty toothpick to poke a hole for your jump ring. 

Next, preheat your oven to 275 degrees. Pop your clay shapes in the oven for about 15 minutes and then left them cool completely for about 20 minutes.

Using your needle nose pliers, push a jump ring through the hole you created with your toothpick and attach your keychain rings. Close the jump ring and that’s it!

3 Ways to Practice Gratitude in the Workplace Amidst a Year Full of Challenges

As we near the end of a tumultuous year, most of us are likely still processing through the formative moments that took place in each one of our lives. At SPPR, we are taking an introspective look at the last 12 months, and are doing our best to see this determinative time with eyes of gratitude for each moment and how it has shaped us as a team.

Today, we are sharing a few ways to practice gratitude and appreciation as we round out the year at work, hopefully encouraging you to do the same to help foster your work relationships and create a positive and supportive company culture.

• A simple thank you goes a long way. The first step to expressing gratitude in the workplace is by saying a simple thank you. Take time to fully appreciate how your coworkers have shown up for you this year. Did they cover work for you while you were out of the office? Did they step in at the last minute to support you on a project you were working on? Did they show up every day with positivity and a can-do attitude despite the circumstances? Letting them know you see them and appreciate the interdependence between you is so impactful and helps deepen the relationship between you and your colleagues.
• Practice gratitude as a team in times of crisis. A natural first response to a crisis is not to sit back and see the good in it, let alone be grateful for it, but if this year has taught us anything crisis after crisis, it’s how deeply they shape us. With each challenge, taking time as a team to see how it has caused you to grow collectively and how it has made your team better at approaching future work, it turns a negative experience into a fruitful one. 
• Take time to appreciate the opportunity to be in the job you’re in. Having a job is not guaranteed and at times we may get caught up in the stress that comes with the day-to-day. Taking time to get present and write down what you love about your job and why you are grateful for it will help renew your appreciation for the opportunity and ability you have to work. This brings that gratitude to your role and gives you the ability to share it with others on your team perhaps on days they may need it most. 

We’d love to hear what you are grateful for in your job or just life in general as we end this crazy year. Feel free to drop us a line at: sayhi@sodapop-pr.com or connect with us on Instagram: @sodapoppr

3 Things You Can Do to Create Local Awareness for Your Brand

Tapping into your local market is a huge opportunity to build your community, encourage trial and drum up brand awareness! If you’re a small brand looking to stand apart from the rest, we’ve put together a few tips to help you shine bright now and well into the rest of the year.

image via @mediterracafe

• Connect with Local TV on Social: Do some social media digging and find your local TV anchors and/or producers on Twitter or Instagram. They are always looking for compelling local stories and businesses to feature! You can stay top of mind by using their hashtags in your social posts, DMing them or even posting on the station’s Facebook if you have news to share. If you have assets available like video, images, or a spokesperson with on camera experience, make sure to let them know as it could help you secure coverage. 

• Foster Relationships with Local Influencers on Instagram: Reach out via social media or email to offer product samples and share any sales, discount codes or giveaway opportunities with local influencers who you admire. Make sure to engage on their content and start conversations online. While you won’t be guaranteed content for non-sponsored posts, it’s a great way to build relationships and your social network locally, as well as discover brand advocates. 

• Partner with Other Local Brands: Social media can also be a great way to get to know and collaborate with other like-minded, local brands. Partnerships on giveaways in particular are a great way to tap into each other’s audience, expand reach, and facilitate product trial. We also recommend setting up a virtual coffee connect with potential partners to hear about plans and opportunities for even more cross-promotion.

If you’re a small business, we’d love to learn more about you, where you are based and how your hometown influences your brand! Say hi in the comments below or join the conversation on our Instagram.

SPPR’s 2020 Holiday Gift Guide

We’re not going to lie, we’ve been playing Mariah Carey’s Christmas album since October…. #sorrynotsorry. That means we’ve been waiting since then to share our annual gift guide with you! Keep reading to browse all the goodies from some small brands we love. Happy gifting!

1. Seek & Swoon Throws ($90+) – SPPR Owner + Founder Dyan has gifted these throws every year and our team is equally obsessed! They really are the best! Seek & Swoon is female owned + operated in Portland, OR.
2. The Holly Gift Box by Teak and Twine ($48) – We love this adorable and under $50 gift box from Teak and Twine. Major bonus: They are female owned and operated!
3. UNWRP Paper ($18+) – Add some major vibes to your holiday gifts with this gift wrap! UNWRP is female + BIPOC owned by the talented, multidisciplinary designer Ashley L. Fouyolle!
4. Kelly’s Jelly Signature Starter Pack ($27) – It’s no secret that we are huge fans of Kelly’s Jelly! Their starter pack includes a trio of their best-selling jellies and makes an amazing gift for the cook or food-obsessed folks in your life. They are a female founded + family owned business that is so fun to follow along with.
5. Shaker & Spoon Subscription ($50) – This monthly subscription box curates 3 cocktail recipes and everything you need for 12 drinks, besides the alcohol. Each month has a fun theme like Fall for Mezcal, Tequilin’ It, or Puttin’ on the Spritz. It’s the perfect gift for those who love to experiment with their drinks!
6. America the Beautiful National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Pass ($80) – If anyone you know has flocked to the outdoors this year, this is an awesome gift for them that will keep giving the entire year! This pass gives recipients access to any National Park, national wildlife refugees and other recreation areas for an entire 12 months.
7. Alaya Tea Kombucha Kit ($45) – We have major girl crushes on BIPOC + female founders Esha and Smita! We love their Alaya Tea Kombucha Kit as a gift for someone who loves their ‘booch.
8. Earth Sense Co. Candles ($8+). – This mother + daughter ran business focuses on small batches and uses only the highest quality materials. All of their fragrance products are made in-house and their candles and melts are hand poured!
9. Sugar House Ceramic Co Match Bowl ($48) – Any product from this small husband + wife duo based in Vermont is gorgeous, but we are smitten with these matcha bowls (that we also might use as a candy dish for the holidays).
10. Coava Coffee Subscription ($54+) – Perfect for long-distance loved ones! They have four locations in PDX and San Diego, but their customizable subscriptions ship anywhere in the US for free.
11. Chloe and Chad Coconut Bath Soak ($25) – This BIPOC-owned brand has some amazing skincare products for mom, baby and everyone in between! We’re just imagining the ultimate #selfcare Sunday relaxing in a bath with this Coconut Bath Soak.
12. Kayla Rae Resin Cheeseboard – Kayla’s resin artwork is both gorgeous and functional! We have her eyes on her upcoming platter launch on 12/5 so we can snag one for our kitchen to level-up our charcuterie game.
13. Sea Salt + Sage Paddywax Candle ($32) – We love Paddywax! This concrete vessel includes a fragrance filled with notes of ocean air, lime, lemon, sea spray, sea moss, lily and driftwood.
14. Big Heart Tea Cup of Love ($10) – Women-owned and women-run! They have an incredible quality and variety of teas – The Cup of Love is a favorite.
15. Hozen Zipper Pouch Clutch ($110) – We are obsessed with this pouch clutch. It’s sustainable, vegan and made in California!
16. Generous Coffee ($17.99) – Generous Coffee is based in Denver and 100% of profits go to multiple organizations that create jobs, feed children, and improve education. Their blends are delish!

Are there any small business you’re excited to purchase from + support this year? Drop them down in the comments below!

4 Merry Backgrounds to Brighten Up Your Tech

It’s the first of December, which means it’s time to deck your tech for the season! These festive desktop + phone backgrounds are the perfect way to brighten up your spirits and celebrate the holidays. Keep scrolling for felt garland fun, holiday trees, gingerbread cookies and more.

To download, click the links below each photo and then save to either your desktop or phone! We hope you love them as much as we do!

click to download: desktop | mobile

click to download: desktop | mobile

click to download: desktop | mobile

click to download: desktop | mobile