A gentle start to Jan
January doesn’t need a label to be meaningful. It doesn’t have to be about restriction, resets, or doing things “right.” If anything, this time of year often comes with a strange sense of urgency—messages telling us to optimize, overhaul, commit, begin again immediately. For us, it feels more supportive to slow that tempo down and ask a quieter question: how do we actually want to feel as the year opens?
Over the next couple of weeks, we’re sharing a few opportunities to gather, sip thoughtfully, and move into the season with a little more intention and ease—without rushing ourselves there.
This Monday evening, we’ll be at Maeve by Anthropologie in the Village District for a store design social from 5–7pm. Maeve is hosting a conversation with their design team about the space itself—this is the first standalone Maeve store in the country, and the care and thought put into every detail really shows. We’ll be serving two custom non-alcoholic cocktails created just for the evening, featuring Figlia Sole and Three Spirit Social Love XXX. It’s free, open, and meant to be wandered into.
→ Follow along with Maeve
Later in the week, on Friday evening, we’ll be part of Visionary Vibes at Downtown Cary Park from 6:30–8:30pm. On a personal note, this is one of those serendipitous moments in my work where I got to be both a participant and a provider last year. Umbrella joined Visionary Vibes last year in a slightly different format, and I enjoyed creating an art journal by hand—cutting, pasting, writing, reflecting— which was fun, tactile, and lovely.
This year, we’re excited to expand the format to include a mixology element alongside the art-making and intention setting. We’ll be offering a mini NA mixology experience, walking guests through the basics, demonstrating a recipe step-by-step, and then sharing a full-sized cocktail together: The Last Glowing Ember, a frothy, gently spiced sour designed to feel grounding and celebratory all at once. It’s hands-on, analog, and meant to move at a human pace. There are still spots open, and we’d love to see you there.
→ Reserve your spot here: Visionary Vibes ticket link
(page from my creation last year)
Closer to home, we’re also looking forward to a January tasting at the Self Care Marketplace, where our bottle shop lives. It’s a chance to slow down, sample a few favorites, and explore what mindful drinking can look like without pressure or performance—just curiosity, conversation, and noticing what you enjoy.
→ RSVP coming soon. Save the date for 1/24
If January has you wanting to drink a little less, a little differently, or simply more intentionally, we’re here to support that in whatever form it takes. Minis, low-dose options, non-alcoholic classics, and functional blends are always available—no declarations required. Sometimes what we’re actually craving this time of year isn’t a reset at all, but permission to move more slowly and do something with our hands.
→ Browse the bottle shop
However you’re entering the year, we’re here for it.
Meg
