Morning Brew - ☕ Fran

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The best thing on Netflix right now is Pretend It’s a City. The seven-episode series consists mostly of writer Fran Lebowitz complaining—and sometimes there’s an actual conversation with her BFF, the up-and-coming filmmaker Martin Scorsese. You know his movies, but wait until you hear his hearty laugh. Once you binge Pretend It’s a City, you’ll want more of Fran & Friends. And so, I give you: 

• Vulture’s favorite PIaC gems. Honestly, I could listen to Fran complain about Times Square all day.  
• A recent interview with, you guessed it, New York’s crankiest woman about town.
• The latest ep of The Watch, in which hosts Andy and Chris discuss shows that delight us all, and this docuseries is definitely one of them.  

Read: 

• The story behind TikTok’s Sea Shanty, whose folky bop “Soon May the Wellerman Come” launched a thousand covers by fellow “burly men.” 
• I still wish we had the Lizzie McGuire reboot, but Vice’s piece on the Disney hit series is “What Dreams Are Made Of.” 
• If your childhood involved writing secret spy messages in invisible ink markers, you’ll enjoy the CIA’s documentation of UFOs as an adult. 
• No Girl Scouts around? No problem. You can now get your Samoas and Thin Mints delivered to your front door via Grubhub. 

Listen: 

• ...To Zayn’s catchy new album, out tomorrow. Dial 323-991-ZAYN for a preview (yes, it really works). 
• The Thrillist Explorers podcast takes a look at what makes Austin weird.
• Enjoy all 21 artists in YouTube’s Black Voices grant program. My fave: Mariah the Scientist. 

Watch: 

• This cover of the song “Happy” from the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain. 
• I enjoy spuds in all forms, but these crispy spiced potatoes get you that ultimate crunch. 

The scale you actually want to step on. 

This year, we’re reaching our 2021 health goals—one step at a time (literally). Because when we step on the Withings Body+ smart scale, we’re a step closer to reaching our health and fitness targets.

It’s the scale that helps you understand your body by providing body fat and water percentages, plus muscle and bone mass trends over time with the free Health Mate app.

Get 20% off Body+ on Amazon until January 17 and crush your health and fitness goals with the smartest scale.

Try it: 

• Temperature check: Find out what the weather is like on the opposite side of the world. 
• Escape: Log off early, and explore new places and sounds with Escapista. Excuse me while I snuggle up to a riverside campfire and relax to the sounds of crackling logs. 
• Cut down: Choose from six apps that help manage your subscriptions and could save you major $$$.
• Build: I’m a jigsaw puzzle gal through and through, but LEGO’s new “Adults Welcome” collection is my latest quarantine activity. 

Buy it: 

• The scoop: I’ve tasted many vegan ice creams and am partial to Van Leeuwen, but there’s a new pint in town...California-based Brave Robot. The “A Lot of Chocolate” flavor is as close as you’ll get to traditional ice cream. 
• WFH chic: I’m trying out a two-times-a-week sweatpants rule, but Oluna’s flowy, super soft pants make me feel like I’m cheating. Founded by a Sidekick reader, the brand provides a year’s supply of period products to someone in need for every pair of pants sold. 

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Ahh, the simple pleasures of Italian life—like sipping on an Aperol Spritz overlooking Lake Como. Follow Italy Segreta for a little bit of dolce vita.