Crystals have been something that has been a huge part of my life for the last few years. One of the places I feel like I need the most healing is the bedroom to assist with anxiety, and insomnia. Needless to say, I’ve started to collect crystals that have resided by my bedside.
I wanted to take the time to share those crystals with you. Again, I am not an expert in any way, shape, or form. These are crystals that work for me personally for what I need them to do.
That said, here are the crystals by my bedside:
1. Unakite Tower: This was the first crystal that I added to my collection. Unakite is used for healing pain and for hormone balance. I have had my ups and downs with my hormones and cycles over the last year, so this has been an essential for me.
2. Amethyst Heart: I deal with anxiety — a lot (ever have those nights where you just lay there and think about all you did wrong in life?) Since amethyst is a calming stone, it is definitely needed at my bedside.
3. Black Obsidian Point:Since Black Obsidian helps bring negative energy to the surface, this has been helpful when dealing with some of the nightmares that I’ve been having lately, and bring positive energy into my space.
4. Selenite Heart: Selenite is a great stone for bringing purification and positive energy. That is why many people use it to help cleanse their crystals. I personally think it’s a great stone to have in your bedroom to bring peace into your life.
5. Dalmatian Jasper Elephant: This is a new addition to my collection. Dalmatian Jasper is helpful when it comes to dealing with nightmares, which is something that I deal with on a daily basis thanks to my medication. I love elephants, so this is something that brings me so much joy whenever I look at it.
My crystal and gemstone jewelry collection has grown over the last few years. I am a jewelry lover through and through, but there is something that is so powerful about having crystal gemstones in my arsenal to aid me in a specific type of situation.
That said, I have found that crystals have helped me deal with anxiety and stress for the last few years. The crystals that I am about to share with you are ones that have honestly helped calm me, whether it may be from a panic attack or just an overall stressful day at work.
Before I begin, I just want to say that these are the crystals that work well for myself. I am in no ways an expert on crystals, but I have found that these are the ones that have worked well for me and my experiences.
So, here are the crystals that I use that help me with anxiety:
Amethyst: Amethyst has been my go to since I’ve begun my journey. I have so many different types of amethyst pieces that I have accumulated over the years. Amethyst has many different healing properties, but in this instance, amethyst relieves stress, and helps with mediation and balance.
Sodalite: Sodalite is another great gemstone as well for those who are stressed and those with anxiety. Of its many healing properties, sodalite helps with emotional well-being and enhances self-esteem. This is crucial for those who suffer with anxiety if you ask me.
Howlite: Howlite is loving known as calm the f**k down stone. I deal with a lot of anxiety when it comes to driving, so I keep one clipped to the air vent of my car. The Howlite is a great calming stone for stress relief, eliminating pain and stress, and of course, just creating balance.
Rose Quartz: Last but certainly not least, rose quartz is my go-to in times of anxiety and stress. Rose quartz is such a powerful gemstone, but during times of anxiety, I find it hard to show myself some love. Therefore, rose quartz — the gemstone of love — helps increase the elements of love within for myself.
Tarot, Reiki, and energy work are three things that Jessica Sefick, owner of Sacred Ground Healing, offers in her new business. From 30-second social media tarot readings to her new healing experience, they all will help balance you and bring you spiritual peace and growth.
As someone who is diving into tarot, and is fascinated by the concept of energy healing, I knew I wanted to chat with Jessica and her new business. So please, read on to learn more about all of the amazing work that she does.
Can you tell me what kinds of services you offer?
I am a Reiki and energy practitioner offering 30, 45, and 60-minute Reiki sessions that are intuitively guided to help you rest, relax, and reconnect with yourself. I also incorporate crystals and mini tarot readings into my sessions when I feel intuitively guided to do so.
Where do you have them?
I offer my services on Wednesdays and Sundays at the Salt Sanctuary located at 374 New Haven Ave in Milford, CT.
What inspired you to get start Sacred Ground Healing?
My healing journey started in 2018 when I began noticing that I was able to see, sense and feel the spirit world around me. I began deep diving and researching about my experiences which led me to opening up to my intuitive abilities. It hasn’t always been an easy road but learning to trust myself and allow spirit to guide me, has inspired me to build Sacred Ground Healing. I hope to help others awaken their own gifts, reconnect with their inner power, and discover their own ability to heal from within.
How long have you been doing tarot?
I have been working with tarot over the past few years and I am always learning and expanding my knowledge. It is a path of never ending growth!
What inspired you to do tarot?
I first became interested in tarot in 2012, when I had my first card reading done and was amazed by the accuracy and guidance it offered. Today, I use tarot as a tool for self-reflection and guidance as I make decisions moving forward.
You offer Reiki services as well. Can you tell me a little about Reiki?
Reiki is a Japanese energy healing practice that works with the universal life force energy which is thought to be the energy flowing through all living things. In a Reiki session, the practitioner gently places their hands on or just above the body to support the flow of energy through the hands, which many people find relaxing. Sessions are usually quiet and calming with soft background music playing. You don’t have to believe in Reiki to receive a session or potentially benefit from the experience!
What is chakra work? Can you tell me more about it?
The body is surrounded by a field of energy also known as the aura. The Chakras are energy centers within the body often connected to a color and have qualities like emotions and intuition. Working with these points can support a sense of emotional or energetic balance. I believe it to be a personal map to help you navigate your feelings and emotions.
What advice do you have for those who want to start tarot?
First, I recommend finding a tarot deck that feels right to you. Look for imagery that catches your eye and resonates with you. I also find it helpful to choose a deck that feels comfortable in your hands and is easy to shuffle. Spend time going through the cards and intuitively exploring what each one personally symbolizes to you. Alongside your intuition, use the guidebook to help you better understand and interpret the meanings of each card. Start working with your cards by giving yourself a reading. Then if you are comfortable, extend your practice out to friends and family!
Finally, what’s something that you would encourage those to know when doing a service?
When booking a service with me, I want you to know that you are in a safe, supportive space where there’s no right way to show up. You’re invited to relax, let go, and allow the energy to flow. Come as you are, speak up if something doesn’t feel comfortable, and know that whatever comes up is welcome. This time is yours.
I have been obsessed with the Coach Chelsea bag but have been doing my best to resist the bag. As of the date of this post, it comes in the 26, 30, and 36. I have the 30 in Maple. Last month, I finally purchased the bag and let me tell you I am so glad that I decided to pull the trigger on this guy.
What drew me to this bag is that it was a shoulder bag that is simple. Other than the gold lettering on the front flap, this bag has no branding and just looks like a basic leather bag. It is the perfect grab and go bag that you can just throw onto your shoulder for the day. And the flap adds a level of security that keeps your items safe and sound no matter where the day leads you.
Something that I really love about this bag is the size of the shoulder strap. I have a larger arm, and this bag just glides over my shoulder and fits perfectly. No thoughts, no fuss, just the ease of throwing it onto your shoulder and going about the day. I can see myself carrying this into the winter months when it comes time to wear a coat.
Now, the real reason why we carry bags — the capacity. Like I mentioned earlier, I have the 30. It fits a ton. It fits my wallet, a Louis Vuitton Mini Pochette, my car keys, work ID, Kindle, a mini hairspray, hand lotion, and my large collection of lip glosses floating around. I will say this — depending on how much you fill this bag, it can have the perfect slouch. That slouch does go away the more that you fill the bag.
I have had this bag for about a month or so, and I will say that I am so happy with this bag. Yes, this is trendy, but I can see that this — like the Coach Brooklyn — is a bag that will continue to be a classic in any bag collection. The bag is something that is a basic bag, whether brown or black, it’s something that goes with the rest of the wardrobe. I’ve worn it with dresses. I’ve worn it with some light sweaters, and I’ve worn it with some chunky knits. It looked amazing.
Finally, what I really love about the bag is the leather. Like the Brooklyn, it’s a natural grain leather. This means that it just gets better and better over time. I have a few different bags that have done this, and I can attest to this. However, this bag is not just available in leather — she is available in suede and with a chain as well, which is so perfect for fall.
Overall, I am so glad that I bit the bullet on this piece, and am looking forward to using this on repeat for the foreseeable future.
Note: There’s affilate links scattered throughout this post via Shopify. If you use them, they are no cost to you but I gain a small commission.
The Charlie Drawstring Bag by Tory Burch is one of those bags that is so hard to get your hands on. In fact, it took me at least three or four attempts to snag the bag before I finally was able to get my hands on it. And when I did, I was instantly smitten with it.
The bag looks like a dupe for a much more prestigious and expensive brand. But I would argue that the quality is so much better than that bag. The leather feels so luxurious and expensive and the hardware feels so good. I currently have it in the small; however, they recently came out with the mini, and they also have a medium size as well.
Yes. This bag has gone TikTok viral. However, I think that this is one of my best bag purchases to date. I love that the small comes with two straps — the shoulder bag that is already on the bag and the crossbody strap as well. Some people only use it as a shoulder bag. For me personally, I like to have both for the options. I absolutely love how it feels crossbody.
This fits everything that I need on a daily basis with ease. Yes, it is a “small” bag. But it’s not so small that you can’t fit anything in it. I can fit my wallet, my keys, my mini pochette, my kindle (perhaps the most important thing), hand sanitizer, hairbrush, and a bunch of other lip-glosses with ease.
Despite being a drawstring bag, I must say that it’s very secure. The drawstring can go as up as you need it to go, or down as you do. I do like the drawstring because it makes it so much easier to get into my bag.
That being said, the only downside of this bag is that it does become a little bit of a black hole. I have found myself (mainly because I do carry a lot of little things that roll around in my bag) digging in search of the item that I’m looking for. Since this is not a large tote bag, I do think that this is an okay downside of the bag.
Overall, I am so happy with this purchase. Yes, it is viral and is one of Tory Burch’s more popular releases. And I can see why. I can also see that this bag is something that is not going to be just a trend. Tory Burch’s quality has always been out of this world, but this bag is an everyday bag that can be worn everywhere — dressed up, down, traveling, etc. For me, that’s a bag that reaches a lot of longevity, and turns it into a classic piece.
I give this bag a 10/10, Tory Burch.
Where to find the Tory Burch Small Charlie Bag: At the date of this post, it is currently available on Amazon and Tory Burch in black and on Bloomingdale’s for the white.
All links are affiliate links that are free to you to use and shop with but I gain a small commission should you use those links.
Wow, I have been slacking off on Blogtober. I have been unable to get the posts done, but I am still so proud of the posts and progress that I have made in making the Nutmeg Millennial more of a priority and to be able to add blogging more and more into my regular routine.
That being said, I am really excited to get back to sharing some of my Friday Faves. We’re bringing it back to an oldie but a goodie around the Nutmeg Millennial, and I am so excited to do so.
Here’s my favorites for the week:
Tory Burch Small Charlie Bag: The Charlie Bag was a bag that I had been wanting but everytime I’ve thought of getting it it was sold out or my order was cancelled. This bag is amazing. I finally snagged this off of the Nordstrom website, and let me tell you I am so glad that I did. It is the perfect everyday size. The leather is so scrumptious, if you could imagine leather as being so. I love wearing it both as a shoulder carry and a crossbody and it works so well. If you can get your hands on this guy, I recommend.
Brook and York Large Monogram Necklace: I am aware that it is no longer 2013. I still love this piece. I have been wearing it nonstop, and I absolutely love it. The monogram is so well made, and it was so quick to ship. As the holidays come close, I highly recommend checking this necklace out as a gift because I am obsessed with it.
Maple and J Bracelets: TikTok got me on this one, and I am so glad that I did. I recently bought a few of these bracelets, and I can’t stop wearing the Women’s Silver MJ and the Pelota Cuff. I love these bracelets because the quality of them is so great and you do get a lot of silver for your buck, which is something that I definitely appreciate.
Count My Lies by Sophie Stava: I am enjoying this twisty read. It is about Sloane, a pathological liar who gets involved in a New York City wealthy family. I have been obsessed with this book, and I can’t wait to finish it this weekend.
What are your favorites this week? Let me know in the comments below!
Note: There are affiliate links from both Shopmy and Amazon in this post. Please note that if you use these links, they come at no cost to you, but I do get a small commission from you using them.
I have seen Elm Street Diner all over my timeline and for you page and have heard nothing but good things from the people that I know that have been there. It’s been on my bucket list, and my husband and I finally decided to go.
So what’s Elm Street Diner? It’s a diner that is in both Stamford and Norwalk and is known for its “social media” menu. This special and indulgent section of the menu includes mouth watering options such as crunch wraps (not going to lie the chicken ceaser one was a high contender for me), the famous waffle tower, and so many different milkshakes.
But if you’re like me and just want something delicious and not so indulgent, they have quite the “regular” menu as well including salads, breakfast, pasta, sandwiches, burgers, and so much more.
My husband and I went today, and I am so happy that I was finally able to check this spot off my list of places to try. He had the appetizer sampler (chicken tenders, onion rings, fried mozzarella, wings, and cheesesteak eggrolls), while I had the California chicken panini without cheese and waffle fries.
I was impressed. I absolutely loved the quality of the food. What often detracts me from trying social media places such as this is that they are overhyped. This place was not it at all. What shocked me more than anything is that we were able to get in pretty easily. Sure, we went on a weekday, but we were seated moments after entering the place. The service was also incredible as well. Our waitress was able to answer any questions that I had, and one of the waitresses even offered to take a picture for another table enjoying their milkshakes.
For me, that customer service speaks volumes.
Despite the social media popularity, at the end of the day, Elm City Diner is just that — a diner. Diners are always the hub of comfort food, and this diner brings that. I devoured my panini and played happy fork with my husband’s food. Everything that we had was delicious, so I am sure that I will be back at some point to try the chicken ceaser crunch wrap — and a few other things, because they have so many delicious things that I’m interested in trying.
Be sure to follow Elm City Diner on Instagram to check out their other social media specialities.
I am going to be so honest with you here — I am super behind on my reading goal on Goodreads. I went from reading 12 books a month to reading about 4. And that’s generous.
Despite the fact that I am struggling to get through books, I did want to share some of the books that I am dying to get to before the end of 2026. I hope that I can come back on here and share that at the end of the year, I actually completed them.
So here’s my list:
Carl’s Doomsday Scenario by Matt Dinniman
The Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson
The Shippers by Katherine Center
Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke
Wild Love by Elisie Silver
Have you read any of these? What books to do you hope to get to before the end of 2026?
About a year ago, I finally felt inspired by the many crochet YouTubers that I watch and decided that it would be time for me to open my very own Etsy business, KnitandPearlCo. A year later, I’ve only made two sales.
I wanted to take some time to chat about this, because as you can imagine this has been such a huge blow to my ego.
On YouTube, we see so many creators being able to use Etsy as an incredible source of income. We see people who are easily able to sell the things that they make rather quickly. That’s why I entered into this venture with such optimism. Instead, I was left with a bagful of bracelets and other crochet goodies.
Part of this is on me. I have not had the time to properly devote to creating the stock that I need, as well as devoting time to promote it on social media. Honestly, the last time I posted was about two months ago. I’m sure that has played a major role in my success on Etsy. Instead, it goes in spurts. I’ll do a few weeks where I upload one of two items a week and then crickets for months. I feel like Etsy is such a learning experience, between managing the socials, promotions, and more, that requires more time that I can possibly give it.
That being said, I’m using this time to respark my creativity and get back on Etsy. Devote time to promote. Learn better SEO. Make more products.
By doing that, I will continue to grow. But by the same token, I promise you that I will give myself grace in doing so.
Feel inspired to support? Here’s a shameless plug to my shop’s Instagram.
It’s no secret that I’ve been slowing down with some creative endeavors from blogging to even my beloved crochet and knitting adventures. To be honest, as I sit here and type this blog post out today, I cannot remember the last time that I actually finished a crochet project. Wild, I know. I know that I have a bad habit of starting projects but never finishing them. Let’s see how bad my WIP pile is… and maybe it will inspire me to pick up a crochet hook and finish some things, maybe.
Saybin Beanie: I have been knitting up this mindless beanie for a week now and I absolutely how easy it is to create. Knitting typically takes longer than crochet, so hence why the project is still a WIP.
Scrap Blanket: I have been working on this guy since the summer, and I have been obsessed with it. I have gotten through three skeins of yarn from my stash and hope to go through at least one more before the project is through. Furthermore, I am excited to finish this just in time for the colder months.
Two cardigans: Yeah… not one but two. I have had these in my WIP pile for about a year now (yes a year), and I work on them every once in a while. One of my goals is to get these completed by the end of the year. The cardigans are the Everyday Cotton Cardigan by Sewerella and the Wisteria Pattern from Hooks and Heelers
Six-day Star Blanket: Oh, look. Another large project of mine that needs to be completed. I started this with the intentions of creating a post of the pattern. I loved the pattern, but I have never made it to finishing the six days of crocheting. Therefore, I do think I just need to pick it up and finish this project because it is oh, so colorful.
The Natalie Poncho: It was the name that drew me in for this one. I love this piece and I think it would be a wonderful piece to style in my wardrobe — that is, once it’s done.
Granny Square Bag: I decided to make yet another bag, but only have a third of the project done. I think with this one, I got bored with the squares quickly, so I didn’t pick it up as often as I should.
Double Stranded Beanie: This one is so so close to being done. I love the double stranded beanie pattern from Passionate Kelsie and this is the first one of the season. This one is actually the only project that I’m making that is not for me, but for my husband who is a Cleveland Browns fan. I hope to have this one off of my WIP list very soon.
How many WIPs do you have in your WIP pile? Let me know in the comments below.
I already managed to miss day three of Blogtober, but that’s okay. We’re back today. Today, I’m sharing my favorite finds from Amazon — just time for Prime Day on Tuesday! These are all items that I have been obsessed with this month, and recommend.
That being said, all of these links are affiliate links. I am an Amazon Influencer, so that means that I do make a small commission off of each product that you use the link for, which I very much appreciate you using!
Charger: This is honestly a game changer for me. It charged my Kindle while in the ortho walk in. It also is so slim that it fit in my Louis Vuitton Felicie — which is not a large bag by any means. I 10/10 recommend this charger for that reason alone.
Epilator: I am now on team epilator. Yes, she’s painful. But she’s also very easy to use and keeps my skin smooth for weeks at a time. Further, I would like to point out that this is so much more cost effective compared to waxing my legs and I can do it without the in between growing in time.
Sandals: I love the Crocs thong sandals. They are so comfortable. I bought these for an emo night, but I’m wearing these for more than just that. They are just the best little basic shoe — and a great shoe for a beach vacation. Pro tip? Size small.
Mask: TikTok got me. But this is the best mask that I have purchased for my skin. It has been feeling so nice and glowing. Definitely worth the purchase.
Calculator: I only purchased this because I needed a calculator on my desk at work, but I will tell you that this does make me smile every time I use it.
Weighted Vest: I got this in the six pound weight and I’ve been loving this. I’ve used this for a few of my walks and it’s made my walks feel so amazing! I feel so strong after using this, and it has improved my posture so much.
Ever have a book that just gets you — that moment, that feeling you had in that moment, and that feeling of sweet, sweet nostalgia?
For me, that was Call It What You Want by Alissa DeRogatis. It tells the story of Sloane, an aspiring writer that meets the emotionally unavailable Ethan in the fall of her senior year back in 2016. The two have an undeniable connection and “date” but soon get into the messy waters that is a relationship.
The book was such a relatable read. I discovered this book when going down a rabbit hole about self publishing books, and knew I had to read it. If you were in college in the late 2010s this had everything from the Chainsmokers to Migos. I could both smell and hear the book the whole time that I was reading it.
As someone that was in a situationship in that timeframe, I found myself relating to Sloane so much. I know a lot of people criticized her as being insufferable, but as someone who has been through a situation like that, she was painted out in a realistic light. As someone who is in a situation ship, you do retract back to that person over and over again, despite the healthy relationship you’re in, despite your friends telling you not to, despite knowing that you deserve better. Sloane embodies all of that, and she’s someone that could easily be any girl who wants a guy to love her.
Further, I found Ethan to be very realistic as well. Yes, he’s a jerk, let’s just get that out of the way. But, he is like the guys that are in these situationships — emotionally unavailable, emotionally uncertain, and broken. It’s hard not to feel empathy for Ethan. His upbringing? Super rough. However, the way he treated Sloane was inexcusable. And unfortunately, that’s the case with many guys that are out there.
And as someone who has read this book in 2026 and as a married woman, I couldn’t help but love the book. It was a quick read and I was able to finish it in a few days.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It is a very different type of romance and I enjoyed reading it and recommend it for the nostalgia and relatability— and of course, the Taylor Swift references if that’s your jam.
