The Plate Is Your New Favorite Brunch Spot

Sometimes, you want to get dressed up for brunch. Others you just want to throw on some cozy clothes and have delicious food— and a great cup of coffee. The Plate in Milford offers both of those options.

The Plate is a great spot because it offers both breakfast and lunch options. Both menus are extensive with sweet and savory options, so there’s something for every type of pallet.

I’ve been to the Plate twice, and I’ve been impressed with it both times that I’ve been there. The Plate is a true breakfast and lunch spot, as the hours are from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Breakfast is served all day, while you can get lunch starting at 11 a.m.

Their menu is separated by the type of meal. Breakfast options are divided by griddle specialities (pancakes, waffle, and French toast options such as Oreo French Toast, Wild Berry Bruschetta, and different options of pancakes — just to name a few). In addition, they also have breakfast sandwiches, and a huge variety of eggs to choose from. In addition, they have a few delicious specialities to choose from, including lobster quesadillas, and Shane’s chicken fried steak and eggs. Oh, and we can’t forget their coffee. I had a cup of their hazelnut blend, and it was absolutely delicious.

For lunch, they have an extensive menu as well. This includes wraps, sandwiches, and salads. Something that really stood out to me was the fact that there is a separate vegan section on the menu, which is great for those who choose to eat vegan.

As mentioned earlier, I’ve been to the Plate twice now — once for breakfast and the other for lunch. For breakfast, I had the Belgian Waffle with fruit and it was like biting into a fluffy cloud. Everything from the waffle to the fruit and whipped cream on top tasted so fresh. For lunch, I had the club with grilled chicken, and it was the same thing — fresh and delicious. The club is also a really fun option, because you can customize the meat to be whatever it is you want.

One thing that I really want to point out about the Plate is their service. We visited during peak breakfast time on a Sunday, and everything came out so quick. We were able to be in and out in under a half of an hour. This is something that I really appreciated, because I was hangry at the time.

Overall, I was impressed by the Plate and I will definitely be back there for breakfast or lunch soon!

July Empties

It seems to me that I’ve gone through so many different products during the month of July. I have pretty much a full bag of empty products that are on their way to Sephora for the recycling program. I blame this partially with how much I travelled this past month. That being said, it is still very satisfying to actually finish a product.

So, here are my empties for this month:

  1. Bath and Body Works Shower Gel: I went through two of these this month — the smaller one, which is the gingham, and the larger one, which is the pure wonder. The smaller size came in handy when I was traveling this month, and it was a great way to use up one of my products that have been in my stash for a little while.
  2. Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray: This is a holy grail product for me that I found out last year. She’s pricey, but I’ve never used something that lasts as long as this one. I will also add that this product does last for a long time, so it’s not like it’s something that I have to constantly replace.
  3. Summer Fridays Lip Oil in Soft Mauve: I love Summer Fridays. I love these lip oils, and I have been using it nonstop. That is until I finish it up. I have a backup that I need to put on my bag, but I wanted to finish some of the other products that are on their last leg before putting it back in. However, I highly recommend using Summer Fridays anything, because their stuff is just so good.
  4. Buxom Plumper Lip Gloss in Dolly: Another lip product that I absolutely love and can’t get enough of. I have a backup of this one as well, but I absolutely love the color of this one. The only downside to this is that it is fairly sticky.
  5. Batiste Sweat Proof Dry Shampoo: I go through so much of this product it is not even funny. I love this brand, and I love how affordable it is. It also helps allow me to spread out my wash days so I don’t have to worry about washing my hair even after I hit the gym. I highly recommend this formula if you are like me and workout daily.
  6. Nu Skin Facial Wash: Last but not least is the Nu Skin facial wash. I love this stuff, and I go through it very quickly. In fact, that is my only complaint when it comes to Nu Skin. I go through this in a matter of 2 months. I do however love it, and enjoy using it. It gets my skin so clean, and it allows me to avoid having to use makeup wipes/removers. And while she is pricey, I will say that my skin has not been better since I started using a Lumi.

July Favorites

So today is the first day of August, and July passed me by in a blur. I had my birthday, my anniversary. My husband and I went away for our anniversary. I went away on a bachelorette trip. It was a busy but wonderful month full of celebrating.

As we enter into the long, hot days of August, I wanted to reflect on some of my favorites that I am so happy to share from the previous month.

1. Coach Hampton Bag: This bag became my go-to during my vacation. This was a vintage find, and I absolutely love it. It fits everything that I need — Kindle, wallet, lip gloss, etc without being too heavy or bulky. And it’s a great grab and go bag. You just throw it over your shoulder and you’re good to go.

2. Annabel Monaghan Books: As I am writing this, I am on the last one, Nora Goes Off Script. These books are the perfect, binge able summer read. I discovered them on my weekend away, and I absolutely am so happy that I did. I highly recommend them all, especially if you need something to binge during a beach day.

3. Kenneth Jay Lane Earrings: These are another thrift find, and I absolutely love them. I have been regularly been wearing them. What I love about them is how interchangeable they are, so they truly go with every outfit. These are extremely hard to find, so I do recommend stalking them on eBay or Poshmark to find a complete set. They are 100 percent worth it.

4. Free People Quilted Carryall: This has been my ride or die this month. It was my work bag. It was also my travel bag. I have two different ones, and this was in heavy rotation this past month. It fits so much stuff, but still is extremely lightweight. I honestly am obsessed with it, and highly recommend it. It’s something that I can see being used for travel, work, or even for the gym.

5. Flo App: I have been dealing with some period issues the last few years. This app, while it costs a bit to subscribe to, has helped ease some of my concerns and helped me try to combat some of my period issues. I highly recommend this to anyone who has to deal with period issues, because the insight is worth every penny.

6. Air and Anchor Necklace: I purchased my first Air and Anchor piece while I was away on vacation. I love the charm jumble, and I pretty much have not taken it off since I got it. I loved this so much that when I got some birthday money, I splurged on a second. I have been wearing them layered since it came in. I absolutely love this brand, and the quality is simply unmatched.

7. Jellycat Coffee Keychain: Last but not least is this little guy. I found him on vacation, and since then, he has been on every bag that I have been using. He brings me so much joy, and I just love having it.

8. Bumble and Bumble Don’t Blow It Styling Cream: This cream has gotten me through the last month. In the summer, my hair gets so dry, so it is nice to give it as much of a break as possible from the heat. Furthermore, it’s perfect for my fine hair and leaves it feeling thick and full.

What’s In My Bag Wednesday: Baggu Medium Crescent Bag

The Baggu Medium Crescent bag is definitely one that is both popular and functional. It went viral and for good reason. I’ve had mine for over a year now (you can see my first what’s in my bag post on this here from March of 2023), and it is still going strong. It’s lightweight, and it fits so much, as you can see here.

What makes me constantly reach for this bag is how it hangs on the body. It is so comfortable, and easy to just wear crossbody. It makes it so easy to wear on a number of occasions— to work, day trips, and more.

So, here’s an updated version of What’s In My Bag for the Baggu Medium Crescent Bag. As you can see, I definitely have grown to stuffing this bag to the brim.

As you can see, this bag fits a ton, and it’s something that I really love about it, and will continually recommend it to everyone and anyone.

Friday Faves: July 26, 2024

TGIF! I am just realizing that this is the first Friday Faves that I’ve done this month, thanks to the 4th of July holiday and traveling. I am so happy to share some of my favorites, as I feel like the list is growing daily.

So, without further adue, here are my favorites for this week:

1. Same Time Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan: I have fallen down a rabbit hole where I am absolutely obsessed with Annabel Monaghan. I read her latest book, Summer Romance, when I was on a weekend getaway with my husband. I devoured it in the span of 24 hours, which is good when your girl is behind on her reading goal.

2. Just Last Night by Mhairi McFarlane: Another book that I’ve been really enjoying this week is Just Last Night. This is my audiobook that I am currently reading, and so far, I am really enjoying it. A few other books by the author are currently on my TBR, and I have yet to actually get to them. However, I am obsessed with this one. This is not just a romance, this is more on the line of women’s fiction. That said, I really have enjoyed listening to this one, and now have the desire to get to some of the author’s other books.

3. Air and Anchor Necklaces: I got this necklace also while I was on vacation, and I have been obsessed with it. I love the concept, the durability, and the fact that each one is completely customizable. I currently have two that I have been wearing layered, and I absolutely love them both.

4.Jellycat Coffee Charm: I found this while I was on vacation, and I snatched it up so quickly. He currently lives on my handbag, and he brings me so much joy when I look at him.

5. Amazon Makeup bag: This is just a gamechanger, guys. It’s super compact, but when it folds out, it expands a ton. What I love about this is that it helps you stay super organized, so that you can find whatever it is you’re looking for quickly. This has saved me so much time in the morning.

How to Have a Mystical Bachelorette Party In Mystic, Connecticut

When it comes to a Connecticut bride, it can be tricky to have a bachelorette party in state. However, depending on what the bride may envision, the beautiful and historic Mystic is always a great option with several activities, delicious food, and of course, a wide assortment of bars.

I celebrated my friend’s bachelorette party this weekend in Mystic, and it was such a fun experience, so I wanted to pop on here to share some ideas on how to create your own mystical bachelorette party without having to leave the state of Connecticut — whether you’re the nutmeg bride or you’re trying to come up with ideas for one.

Brunch:

Activities:

  • Watchill Beach in Westerly, Rhode Island: (Note if you end up going here, make sure to bring cash. Many of the lots often end up being cash only).
  • Ghost Tour
  • Mystic Boat Adventures
  • Museums
  • Mystic Aquarium

Places to Visit:

Restaurants:

Bars:

Ms. Dallas Shop in Milford Is the Perfect Spot for Treasures Past and Present

Milford’s Ms. Dallas Shop can be compared to a box of chocolates simply because you truly never know what you’re going to find. However, I can pin point it to three different categories — vintage/consignment, local artisans, and home/garden. There are treasures everywhere you look, which is something that I truly appreciated of it.

This little shop is located in the industrial section in Milford, however, when walking through the store it feels like walking into your grandmother’s home — warm and comforting. The owner, Linda, was incredibly welcoming and informative. She even polished the bracelet I had purchased for me, and provided some tips on how to clean up vintage pieces as well as the history of the piece. Furthermore, she had some coffee and candy to offer to her customers as well. I absolutely loved my experience at the store simply for our conversation alone. This is a store that truly you can spent hours exploring, so don’t let the size fool you.

As I mentioned earlier, Ms. Dallas Shop has a combination of items that are available. When I was walking through the shop, I found gorgeous china pieces, beautiful jewelry, accessories, and so much more.

I loved the consignment pieces that this store has. There was so much vintage jewelry — sterling silver and costume. As I mentioned earlier, there is a ton of vintage pieces. In addition, they had a huge selection of my kryptonite — vintage purses. And their prices are very fair. Thrifting can be tricky, and sometimes pricey, but pieces started as low as $5 a bracelet. Their sterling silver pieces were on the pricey side, but not out of the range of affordable. What I liked about these pieces is how unique they were, and it was something that I enjoyed just looking at.

However, it is their latest promotion that has had me curious about the store — the dumpster diving. I sadly did not participate in it, however, I am itching to make a trip this week. Basically, you can purchase an empty shopping bag for $20, $30, and $40, and then you’re taking to three large containers to fill it to the brim. Needless to say, you can get much more than whatever you paid for it, and it honestly looks so much fun. I definitely will be doing a trip just for the dumpster diving alone.

Overall, if you’re looking for a gift, something vintage, or just want to spend some time browsing, Ms. Dallas Shop is definitely the place to check out. Honestly, the dumpster diving promotion alone is reason enough to make the trip, and I definitely will be back.

A Tale of Three Kindles: An Honest Comparison of the Three

Prime Day is tomorrow, and one of the devices that will be seeing a reduction in price is of course the Kindle. Currently, Amazon has three Kindles available — the basic, the Paperwhite/Paperwhite Signature Edition, and the Scribe. There is also the Oasis, but at this time, I am unsure if it is being discontinued or not.

I currently have all three. One of them, the Kindle Basic, was actually my husband’s that has been sitting for about three years in the box before I decided to use it for beach days, and days when I don’t want to take my Paperwhite. I often rotate between the Scribe and the Paperwhite if I am being honest. I used to have the Oasis, which I loved, but after three and a half years of heavy use, I managed to drain the battery to the point where it no longer holds a charge for more than a day.

I’m going to do a brief rundown of the three from the perspective of a reader, not someone who is technically inclined.

The Basic, which is the 2019 model and not the latest one, is just an ereader with a backlight. I like it simply because of its size; however, you don’t get much with this one. It’s not waterproof. There is no adjustment to warm light at night, which is something that I utilize on the daily. I am not sure about the newer 2022 model, but the battery on the 2019 one that I have does seem to drain a little quicker compared to the other two I have.

The Paperwhite, which can come in the signature or the regular is by far my ride or die. It’s waterproof. It’s a little bigger than the Basic but not so much bigger that I have trouble putting it in my purse. It has different settings for the Glowlight. I have the signature, and one of the things that I love about it is the wireless charging. It makes it easier than ever to squeeze in a quick charge whenever. But, I rarely need to charge it — even with the Wi-Fi on. Further, it is so nice to read on.

Finally, let’s talk about the Scribe. I got this mainly for the fact that you can use it for journaling, but then I fell in love with reading on the bigger screen so it became my reader that I use at home. The screen is larger than the others, but not to the point where it’s awful to carry around. Further, it is so nice because you can make notes in books, which is so nice for book clubs. Of course, it has the same backlight features as the Paperwhite, but it’s honestly such a fun device. Like the Paperwhite, the battery for this one lasts for at least for a few weeks at a time, if not more. Unfortunately, this one is not waterproof, so that’s the drawback for me. This one, however, is extremely pricey, and for that reason alone, I’d proceed with caution if this is your first Kindle.

If I had to pick one of these devices, it would honestly be the Paperwhite. It’s portable, waterproof, the battery lasts for days, and has all of the features a heavy reader would need to get through their day. It’s a splurge, but not so much that you’re breaking the bank.

If you do pick one up during Prime Day, be sure to add a case and Popsocket to your cart as well — those two honestly changed the game for me to the point where my reading experience is elevated.

2024 Midyear Book Freakout: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of My Reading Year

Reading is one of my favorite hobbies, and 2024 has been no different. To date, I’ve read 71 books. Some of them are audiobooks, and I was able to cross quite a few books off of my TBR that have remained there for years. I am behind on my reading goal of 150 books, but I am still proud of the amount of reading I have done thus far.

1. Best Book You’ve Read So Far In 2024?

This is a tie between Funny Story by Emily Henry and Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez. Both of these books were absolutely amazing, and I cannot pick between the two.

2. Best Sequel You’ve Read So Far in 2024?

Without a doubt, The Next Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine. This one definitely left my jaw on the floor, and I asked myself, did I really just read that?

3. New Release You Haven’t Read Yet, But Want To?

The Summer Pact by Emily Giffin, simply because it hasn’t come out yet, and Emily Giffin is one of my favorite authors.

4. Most Anticipated Release of the Second Half of 2024?

See above.

5. Biggest Disappointment of 2024?

I’d definitely say the 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton. I was so so excited about getting to this one. However, I just couldn’t get into it no matter how hard I tried. I did not DNF this, because I have heard so many great things about it, and I thought it would get better for me.

6. Biggest Surprise of 2024?

I’d say the Throne of Glass books. I started them back in the day when they had first come out, and could not get into them. I decided to give them another try back in December, and finished the series in March. I was amazed with how engaged I got with the story, as well as how much depth the series had as it went on. And yes, I did the TANDEM read.

7. Favorite New (to you) Author of 2024?

I guess Lauren Layne or Jennifer Weiner, since I binged a ton of their books for the first half of the year.

8. Newest Fictional Crush of 2024?

Definitely Miles from Funny Story or Anders from Novel Love Story. Both of these were the most amazing book boyfriends.

9. Newest Favorite Fictional Character of 2024?

I would definitely have to say Celeana/Aelin from the Throne of Glass series, because she is such a badass. Yeah, she is a smart ass, but I love her sassiness, and how mature she gets over the course of the series. I also loved reading about her journey.

10. Book That Made You Cry in 2024?

The book that made me shed the most tears this year was definitely the Godparent Trap by Rachel Van Dyken. The book was an amazing read, but it was so sad and full of trauma. It tugged at my heart strings. For once, there are actually a few runners up. The first is the last book of the Throne of Glass series, because I was sad that it was over and happy for the characters. The second is anything Ashley Poston writes — I read a Novel Love Story and Dead Romantics and was on the verge of tears.

11. Books That Made You Happy in 2024?

Quite a few books made me happy this year, but the ones that stood out is Abby Jiminez’s Yours Truly and Just for the Summer. I love her writing and how the characters from different books interact with each other.

12. What is the most beautiful book that you bought this year?

I honestly don’t have an answer for this one, as many of the books I buy are either ebooks or Book of the Month.

13. What Books You Really Need to Read by the End of the Year?

Where to begin? I’ve been actually trying to get to the books that have been on my Goodreads TBR for over 10 years to try to clear that up. I also want to finish the Brutal Birthright series as well as the Bridgerton series. Furthermore, I also want to get to a few more of the Outlander books as well.

My Bedside Crystals

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.