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Frenchies Coffee Bar is Both Cozy and Cute

Imagine a French bulldog themed cafe. That cafe exists, and is none other than Stratford’s Frenchie’s Coffee Bar. With a Google Review rating of 4.8 stars and a Yelp rating of 5 stars, I knew that Frenchies was something worth checking out.

The coffeeshop is located in the center of Stratford, with offstreet parking. A pro tip is to make sure that you read the signs, as there are other businesses that will tow your car.

Now, this coffee shop was so adorable, and perfect for dog lovers. The decor was everything you could want in your local coffee shop — artwork displayed on the walls, and a few flyers scattered around. Scattered around the coffee shop is also various pieces of dog decor — true to its theme. What I love about this little shop is that the WiFi information was readily available on the counter, which makes Frenchie’s Coffee Bar a great place to grab a coffee and do some work.

Frenchie’s food menu is extremely small. They have a few different sandwiches, French toast, quiche, and of course, baked goods such as chocolate chip cookies and croissants. Yum. There is even a croissant wheel, which is a donut made out of croissant dough, which sounds absolutely delicious.

However, don’t get discouraged by the fact that there is not a lot to choose from. Every single thing on the menu is extremely delicious. When I went to grab lunch, I had the chicken pesto sandwich, and a chocolate chip cookie. Well, let me tell you that both of them were extremely delicious. The cookie was one of those large chocolate chip cookies, and was extremely fresh. This was the kind of cookie that literally melts in your mouth and the kind that you take a moment and savor.

Frenchie’s Coffee Bar also has a great drink menu. True to its name, Frenchie’s offers coffee (both hot and iced) and lattes. In addition, there is every kind of beverage that you can imagine — tea, lemonade, chai, and matcha. Some drinks that have caught my eye are the strawberry matcha latte and the red velvet latte.

Since I was eating lunch, coffee was out of the question. So, I paired my sandwich with their lemonade. And let me tell you, it was the perfect addition to my meal. It was not too sweet, but not too sour. The flavor was not overpowering, but it still had the lemon flavoring that I know and love with lemonade.

Overall, I really enjoyed my trip to this adorable coffee shop, and will definitely be back for more. This coffee shop is the perfect cozy place to gather with friends, grab lunch during your lunch break, or even just to hunker down and get work done. With the vibe being just right and with prices being fairly reasonable, I definitely recommend that you check out this adorable little place.

April 2024 Faves

We are a few days late, but here we are sharing my favorites for the month of April. During the last month, I’ve been working on becoming more consistent with blog posting, and I hope to continue that throughout the month of May. I have some ideas floating around, so I hope that they will be live posts soon.

But before we do that, let’s take a pause to reflect on some of my favorites for the month of April:

Kate Spade Knott Bag: I switched into this bag because I needed a larger bag to bring onto the train. I loved it. It’s so spacious, and it fit so comfortably on the shoulder. Furthermore, I love this bag because there are so many different compartments to keep organized. I have mine in black, but I highly recommend this bag. I also have my eye on the crossbody version, so I’m hoping to add that to the rotation soon.

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez: This was a highly anticipated new release for me, and I devoured this one. Abby Jimenez can do no wrong, and I highly recommend this one for the beach.

Baggu Lemongrass Medium Crescent: At first, I was not into this color. However, TikTok made me do it, and I finally grabbed this, and I am so happy that I did. It’s a pale yellow/greenish shade, and it added the perfect pop of color to anything I was wearing. As many of you know, I am a huge fan of Baggu, especially the Medium crescent, and this one is no exception.

Jai Boxchain bracelet: I recently added this to my jewelry collection, and I have been obsessed with it. It’s simple, dainty, but still has some weight to it. I definitely love wearing this, and it’s a great basic.

Kingdom of the Wicked series: I binge read this entire series this month, and I have been obsessed. This series, as it progressed, seemed to get better and better. I absolutely loved it, and can’t recommend it enough.

Funny Story by Emily Henry: Emily Henry can do no wrong. I was absorbed in this one, which is her latest release. I couldn’t put it down. I enjoyed the characters, the little details, the side plot, everything. I highly recommend this one.

Tortured Poets Department by Taylor Swift: Yes, I’m like everyone else who has been binging this album, but hey, it’s really good.

Why It’s Okay To Have Lazy Days

One of the things that I am working on before I hit 30 is to allow myself to be lazy and do nothing.

When I was younger, my mom was the type of person who was always on the go. Weekends were reserved for yard work, chores, and cooking for the next week. And then when I was in college, lazy days were a tricky option as I was balancing classes and a few jobs.

As an adult with only one job, I have been struggling with the concept of slowing down, especially on the weekends. I have the habit of being a yes woman, and scheduling so many different social and family engagements during those coveted 48 hours, in addition to just trying to do all of the things you struggle to make time for during the week.

Whenever I do have a lazy day for myself, I feel so guilty. I feel as though I should be doing something — seeing a friend, working on organizing something, or just going. Sleeping late often comes with the side of guilt, to the point where my husband has to tell me that it’s okay to rest. Even on our honeymoon.

As a millennial, I grew up with so much propaganda of romanticizing being busy. Girl bosses reminding us to wash our face, and the blogger culture in general during the 2010s is just one example of this. Furthermore, as Americans, we really romanticize being busy in general.

According to an article on the Huffington Post entitled Love A Lazy Day? You Should Be Having Them More Often Than You Think, the act of having one of these lazy days is in fact “productive and important to wellbeing” mentally and physically. Furthermore, the article says that these benefits are “because research shows that relaxation keeps your heart healthier, reduces stress, reduces muscle tension and can help you to avoid depression, anxiety, and obesity.”

For me, those statistics are enough to get me to slow down. That, and the fact that my Garmin keeps track of my body battery.

Relaxation means something different for each and every one of us. It’s self care, and making that time to just unwind. I had a lazy day this past Sunday, and let me tell you, it was so much needed. I had Emily Henry’s Funny Story in hand, and just hung out in bed for the entire morning. Yesterday, I arrived to work with a little more alertness and feeling so refreshed.

As I enter my 30s, that is something that I want to work on. I am so tired of wearing my overwhelm as if it’s some sort of badge of honor. Furthermore, I think I deserve to allow myself to not be run down to the ground. I think that’s something that everyone deserves to do for themselves.

The moral of the story? Let’s not romanticize the fact being busy anymore, okay?

Friday Faves: April 19, 2024

The fact that this will be the third blog post that I’ve written this week alone is something that is most definitely worth celebrating. Writing posts have been a struggle for me as of late, so I’m really happy to be getting back into the swing of sitting down and blogging.

That being said, I am so happy to be sharing some of my favorites this week. They are a little random, but you know, that’s okay. I think that’s what makes these posts so fun for me to write. So, here are this week’s favorites:

1. Brutal Birthright series by Sophie Lark: This series has been sitting on my Kindle since probably this time last year. I borrowed it from Kindle Unlimited, and I am so happy that I finally got around to it. I managed to read the first two, and I already have the next few downloaded onto my Kindle. They are all Mafia romances, and they are so addicting and spicy to read. However, I will say that they are dark reads, and come with their own set of trigger warnings. That being said, I still enjoyed reading them, and would recommend.

2. Jai Box Chain Bracelet, 2.7 mm: I have the David Yurman version of this, but it’s definitely a little too thick for my everyday stacks. However, this guy is the perfect thickness. It’s good for layering with other bracelets, goes great with my Cape Cod bracelets that I never take off, and goes great on its own. I could see this definitely becoming a staple in my jewelry box.

3. Just for the Summer by Abby Jiminez: I probably should mention that a lot of my favorites for the week are actually books. Oops. I devoured Abby Jiminez’s latest release. Her writing, the characters, the dialogue, everything was amazing.

4. This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan: I have been trying to read more Kennedy Ryan books, and I devoured her latest release. I loved this next installment of the Skyland series, and I love Kennedy Ryan. I thought she did an amazing job with this one, and I really need to get into her backlog.

5. Baggu Lemongrass Bag: I recently got the Baggu lemongrass medium crescent bag, and I am obsessed with the color way. This is one that I hated at first. However, I changed my tune. I love the color. I love how it adds a little touch of spring to any outfit, but is still neutral. I also love the medium crescent bag, and would recommend it to anyone.

6. Baggu Pouches: I’ve had the pouches since my honeymoon, but they have been just sitting until recently. Things changed though when I needed an easy way to transport my knitting. I ended up using the largest size, which fit my yarn, my needles, and the pattern. I then used the smallest one for my lip glosses, and I will say that I am impressed with the capacity. I do want to add another colorway at some point into my collection, but I will be obsessed with the two sets I have in the meantime.

Wooster Square Is In Bloom With Cherry Blossoms

The ultimate sign that springtime arrived in New Have is the blooms of the famous cherry blossom trees in Wooster Square Park. The park is home to a whooping 72 trees, and these trees have become a focal point in the Italian section of the Elm City for over 50 years.

These trees have also become a huge center of that part of New Haven. They are the focal point of the annual Cherry Blossom Festival that occurs every year, and attracts crowds from all of the state. This festival has live music, food trucks, and has become something that celebrates Italian culture, and tradition.

I had the opportunity to visit and view them for myself this year. For the past few years, I’ve been trying to get a chance to view them in full bloom, but have failed. This year was my year, though. The blossoms were in full bloom, and they were absolutely gorgeous. To me, they were almost saying that springtime was at last here.

Here are some gorgeous, unedited photos that I took of them. If you can, I highly recommend taking a little stroll to view them yourself in person. Just be sure that you have your camera ready to snap a picture.

Madewell Essential Bucket Tote Bag Is An Essential

Madewell bags are honestly my favorite. Yes, they are an investment. However, the quality is unmatched. I love their transport totes, the Sydney collection, and they have become basics in my wardrobe.

One of my new favorites is the Essential Bucket Tote. This bag is a slouchy, more secure version of the Transport Tote. This is the perfect bag to use on days where you just need to take everything but the kitchen sink. I’m talking about your computer, books, files — just to name a few.

What I love about this bag is how sleek it is. I have the warm cinnamon and I love how it goes with just about everything in my closet. The bag also comes in a few other gorgeous basic colors, including the cinnamon raisin as well as the black. Honestly, no matter what you choose, this bag will be one that you reach for constantly.

This bag has one adjustable strap that can be worn on the shoulder, so it is honestly perfect for being thrown over the shoulder. That is one of the things that I love about it. It’s a bag that I don’t have to think about, and if I throw it in, it will fit.

What I love about this bag over the transport tote (which is a favorite of mine), is the fact that it does have a magnetic closure. This definitely makes it much more secure than just having an open faced purse. This magnet is pretty secure, but it also is easy to fasten.

While I absolutely love this bag,there are a few cons. The first is that it basically becomes a big black hole. I carry a lot in this bag, which we will get into in a moment. That being said, sometimes I have a hard time finding my items, such as my wallet when I’m paying for coffee in the morning. The second goes hand in hand with the first, and that is that this bag can get so heavy, but that’s something that comes with the territory of what you put inside the bag. The bag itself is light.

Now, what can I fit in this bag? Honestly, the question is what can’t I fit. Here is what I carry in this bag on a day to day basis:

Louis Vuitton Recto Verso
Louis Vuitton 6 ring key holder
Vintage Coach Wristlet
Vintage Coach Cosmetic Bag
iPad Pro
Hardcover Book
Stoney Clover Lane Flat Pouch
Birdie
AirPods
Loose lip gloss

Now, do I recommend this bag? Yes, absolutely. I love how it’s a sleek and comfortable tote bag, the fact that it holds everything that I need it to hold, and that it just goes with everything I wear. It’s a bag that I can see in my rotation for years to come, and I love to wear it.

March 2024 Favorites

It’s the second day of April, but I couldn’t let the month end without sharing some of my favorites. This month has favorites that are all over the place. Some books, some bags, and some cosmetics — all of which are my current obsessions. So without further adue, here are my favorites for the month of March:

1. Benefit Brow Gel: I have been obsessed with this brow gel and it’s my new favorite makeup product. It fills my brows in a way that is natural looking, but still put together if that makes sense. It’s a little pricy, but I definitely find that I tweeze my eyebrows so much less since I started using this.

2. Bride by Ali Hazelwood: This book has topped my TBR for the last few months, and March was the month that I got to it. I can’t stop talking about how good this book is. It’s like a grownup version of Twilight, and has an enemies to lovers storyline. Needless to say, I gave this one five stars.

3. Baggu Candy Apple Red Medium Crescent Bag: I am a huge fan of the Baggu Medium Crescent bag. I recently got the red version, and I am so obsessed. I didn’t think that I would be, but I find myself using this so much. It gives a fun pop of color to everything that I’ve been wearing as of late. I definitely want to add the lemongrass from this launch, but I’m loving the candy apple red.

4. Bye, Baby by Carola Loverig: I got to go to a signing for this, and I am so glad that I did. I loved this book so much that I couldn’t put it down. Carola Loverig is an autobuy author for me, and this book was no exception.

5. Jen and Co Chloe Bag: This bag is $62, and honestly one of my new favorites. It is made out of vegan leather, and is so comfortable to wear. In addition, it also fits everything and the kitchen sink. I highly recommend this bag, because it has pockets and compartments, as well as its practicality.

What are your favorites this month?

Scorp Zone’s New Location Puts the Super in Superstore

Milford’s Scorp Zone has officially moved from the industrial Eastern Steel Drive to the Boston Post Road commercial strip. The crystal shop, which has been in the Milford community for the last few years, had the ribbon cutting for its gorgeous new location last Tuesday, March 19, 2024, and this new location is definitely exceeding the expectations in both size and inventory.

Right when you walk through the front door, you are greeted with two gorgeous displays that are begging for you to take a picture with — butterfly wings made out of amethyst crystals and a little bench with gorgeous flowers on each side. As you venture deep into the store, there’s a mixture of the familiar things that Scorp Zone has been known for as well as several new items (more on that in a minute).

The something old? Crystals alphabetized, and lined up against the first two walls in the store, gorgeous jewelry in cases, the approachable and helpful staff, and healing sprays and candles for every single intention that you can possibly think of. Oh, and let’s not forget their famous zodiac and angel number jewelry.

And the something new? New crystal additions, merchandise, an informational wall that has a list of crystals for everything you may need in your journey in life, angel cards, a gorgeous screen that tells you what various crystals mean, and a beautiful mirror that is perfect for selfies.

With that mixture, I firmly believe that Scorp Zone has definitely evolved from solely a crystal store to an overall healing store. Case in point, the fact that the store will soon offer classes and salt healing as well.

That being said, visiting this store is any crystal lover’s paradise. When I visited this new location this past weekend, my jaw dropped when I was exploring the store. While they had many of the things that they are known for, their inventory has truly grown. For instance, they now have an entire wall that is dedicated to healing sprays and candles. And, while browsing, I also noticed that there was a ton of new stones that I have never seen in their inventory at their prior location, as well as silver rings and many other unique crystal items. As someone who shops this store quite regularly, I am so happy for them, and I’m officially obsessed with this new location.

To quote their signs, they are in fact a crystal superstore, and this location proves exactly that.

Why You Should Consider Getting a Bookstagram

Bookstagram is something that truly is one of my favorite places on the Internet. I’ve had one for five years, and it was truly one of the best decisions that I ever made.

However, it can be scary and intimidating to start one, just like it’s scary and intimidating to start anything new. That being said, I do think taking that leap of faith is 100 percent worth it for many reasons that make it worth that small bit of anxiety.

And to be honest, looking at the aesthetically pleasing pictures and feeds, can be intimidating. However, your own page doesn’t have to be. Bookstagram is honestly so accepting of you, and there are so many benefits to having one. Here are some of them, in my humble opinion.

Make Friends:

Bookstagram has been a way for me to foster my real life friends and make virtual friends. For me, Bookstagram is more about making friends, and less about follower count. Back in February, my friend and I went to an event that was hosted by our friends at Bookish Babe and Brews, and it was so amazing to meet the people that we’ve connected with online. That being said, Bookstagram has also helped my real life connections. One of my friends from college and I constantly talk over Instagram, and it’s definitely helped us stay connected much easier.

Furthermore, the discussion on Bookstagram is something that I love, because sometimes we can have full blown conversations in the comments.

Find Book Recommendations:

Bookstagram is without a doubt so helpful for me to find new books that I otherwise never would have heard of. Thanks to my friend Paige (aka @page_by_paige), I found so many fantasy picks that I otherwise would have never picked up. Another Bookstagram account that I get a lot of recommendations from is Amy from @wheresshereading, because she picks up a lot of amazing romance reads. What’s good about this is that you can find unique books, and you can definitely trust the person who is recommending them to you. It’s almost as if you’re just chatting with friends about books, just on the Internet.

Get Honest Reviews:

As just mentioned, the reviews on Bookstagram are 100 percent honest. I like that because then I’ll know if something is worth my time or money to get and read. Yes, sometimes books do not live up to the hype, and sometimes, you just don’t like the book that everyone else does. But, generally, if someone likes a book and you guys like similar books, the chances are greater that you would.

Overall, Bookstagram is definitely my favorite place on the Internet, and if you were thinking of starting one, I 10/10 recommend. And if you do, be sure to give me a follow @natsbookishnook #shamelessplug.

Friday Faves: Friday, March 15, 2024

TGIF! Springtime is here, and the temperatures are rising here in Connecticut. This weekend is going to be a busy one, and I am just ready to enjoy the nice weather. That being said, I do want to take a moment to share some of this week’s favorites:

1. TJazelle Necklaces: I have been loving these necklaces as of late. I have the evil eye, the you are beautiful, and the stepping stones one. I love these necklaces, because they are adjustable up to 24 inches, so that they could be literally any length for your neck stack.

2. TJazelle Evil Eye Help Bracelet: I love the evil eye, can’t you tell? I love this bracelet because it definitely elevates any stack and the blue color is perfect for spring.

3. One in a Millennial by Kate Kennedy: This book is nostalgia central. I have been listening to this one, and it’s been so entertaining. It’s a commentary on the 90s, 2000s, and 2010s culture, and I’ve been enjoying it every minute. Listening to this has been just like stepping into a Time Machine. I definitely recommend this one if you’re looking for something fun to read.

4. Jen and Co Chloe Bag: I finally broke out this crossbody bag, and I am so, so happy that I did. This bag is a classic and comfortable style. It has a guitar strap so it elevates it. It also fits everything that I can possibly need, and more. Finally, it also is just so comfortable to wear. I’ve been wearing it crossbody, and I can already see that it’s going to be a staple in my wardrobe.