Friday Faves: August 23, 2024

TGIF everyone! It’s been a while since I’ve had enough items to sit down and write a list of my favorites for the week. Some of it is because of the fact that I have had some of the same favorite and I didn’t want to become repetitive. However, I finally decided to sit down and write a list of my favorites for this week, with the warning that some of these are repeat offenders.

  1. Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe: I absolutely loved this book. This is something that is a little out of my comfort zone when it comes to my usual reading diet. It is about Margo, who got pregnant from her professor and decided to keep the child. This story goes on the journey where she tries to survive.
  2. Emerson and Oliver Bracelets: These bracelets have become one of my most-worn pieces this summer. They are comfortable. They are silent, so they are perfect for daily wear, and are even able to be worn working and swimming. I am obsessed with them. My favorites are the Dia, the moon, and the zodiac. I will be adding more to my collection, but I love, love, love these bracelets.
  3. Coach Brooklyn Shoulder Bag 28: The TikTok girlies were right about this one. I sold a few bags to grab this one, and to be honest, I am so glad that I did. I have already used this way more than the bags that I sold. Coach has been making a huge comeback, and I think this bag is going to be in the rotation. That being said, I did buy it in Maple, and I highly recommend it if you can get your hands on one.
  4. Golden Girl by Elin Hilderbrand: I love, love, loved this one. It was so emotional, but I could not put it down. Elin Hilderbrand is an author that I am trying to work through her backlog of books, and this one is by far my favorite.
  5. Baggu Tablet Case: I have been wanting to get one of these for a while and I finally decided to grab one. I love this for my Kindle, and I am so happy that I was able to get this.
  6. Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag 2L: I’ve had this bag for a few years now, and I am happy to report that it is still going strong. I love the fact that it’s a belt bag, but it is a large enough size where I can fit my Kindle.
  7. Charlotte Tilbury Eye Potion in Oyster Pearl: Last but not least, is the Charlotte Tillbury eye potion, which is basically just really well formulated creamy eye shadow. I really love the shade, and it goes on so well. I definitely see myself using this regularly.

Scorp Zone’s New Healing Therapy Rooms Offer a Therapeutic Experience That Is Accessible

The Salt/ Sauna Booth at Scorp Zone

Crystals were just the starting point of the healing journey at Scorp Zone in Milford, Conn. The metaphysical wellness store had recently introduced three new therapy rooms — red light therapy, infrared sauna, and halo (salt) therapy.

The benefits to these healing rooms are amazing and have a long list of ailments that they can help heal. There are three options to these healing rooms: infrared sauna with halo therapy; red light and halo therapy; or just plain ol’ salt therapy.

John, one of the owners of the shop, says that these rooms are like a “toothbrush for your lungs,” as they are a “good detox” for the body. These rooms are one of the latest ways Scorp Zone has grown to become an overall healing experience and promote self care.

“If you don’t take care of your body, what are you doing,” he said. “This is taking care of your body. You want to be able to do stuff.”

But what are the benefits to these? Let me break it down for you:

Red Light/Salt Therapy Room

Red light therapy, according on to their website, works by acting on the skin’s powerhouse. When these cells get more energy, the other cells in the body can do their work “more effectively.” The benefits of red light therapy include: reducing fine lines, age spots, and wrinkles; reduce stretch marks; reduces pain and inflammation; and more.

Infrared Sauna therapy uses heat therapy to further penetrate and heal the tissues in the body. In an infrared sauna, 20 percent of the air goes to heating the air while the rest goes to heating towards the body, and unlike traditional saunas, they penetrate the body more deeply. It is extremely recommended that prior to entering the sauna to ensure that you’re hydrated both before and after treatment. Please note that if you have cardiac diseases, such as high blood pressure, as well as other conditions to proceed with caution.

Salt (halo) therapy uses micro-sized salt particles in a small booth that mimic the healing properties of a salt cave. These particles create an antibacterial environment, which dry out excess moisture such as mucus and skin impurities. While relaxation, this is also works to assist to reduce inflammation and break up and clear mucus. With allergy, cold and flu season fast approaching, this is definitely one that I think will be essential.

I recently took a visit with my mother-in-law, and was able to relax in their salt room. Appointments can be made online; however, I was able to walk in and get in right away. The staff at Scorp Zone were really helpful to not only making the process easy, but also were there to answer any questions we may have had.

The experience was like none other. I have never been to a salt cave, but have heard about the benefits from them and have wanted to try visiting one. Once we paid, we were led to the back rooms, where we were able to set up and soak in the benefits. The salt only therapy lasted for 20 minutes, however the others can be up to 45 depending on which you go with.

All of the different color options for chromotherapy

What I thought was really cool was the fact that they had the option for Bluetooth speakers to allow for any kind of audio, such as music, podcasts, or even YouTube videos. To further set a relaxing tone before the experience, you are able to choose the color of the light in the booth based on what you need the most healing for, and can change it through the 20-minute experience as desired. We started off with the green, which helps relaxation, then continued to the blue one, which stimulated the circulation system, and ended with violet, which assists with relaxing the nerves and the lymphatic systems.

When I left the salt room, I could feel a wave of relaxation enter my body that continued for the rest of the day. That night, I was able to drift into a rejuvenating sleep, as well as feeling extremely calm, and at peace. I had a little bit of congestion, which was gone as well when leaving the salt room. As for my mother-in-law, she was also left feeling calm, and no longer congested.

These therapeutic rooms are only the beginning of the healing services that Scorp Zone will be offering. I am so excited to see what’s next for these amazing business, but do plan to make it back for another halotherapy session.

Lululemon’s Everywhere Crossbody Bag Is Your New Favorite Bag

Lululemon’s Everywhere Belt Bag is one of my go-tos, and it’s a popular bag that is one hundred percent worth the hype. It is my go-to whenever I am running errands, hiking, or even for travel.

However, they decided to take this popular bag and created the perfect everyday bag — the Lululemon Everywhere Crossbody Bag.

Coming in at $78, the Lululemon Everywhere Crossbody bag has a capacity of 2L and comes in five colors — a mauvy pink, gray, black, green, and white. It has two different compartments, a removable strap, and a back pocket.

I’ve had this bag for a while, and I am really enjoying using it. It is the perfect bag for everyday use, but I can also see this bag being perfect for travel, because you can truly bring it from day to night. And since the strap is removable, you can easily switch the look with other straps.

What I also love about this bag is how spacious it is. I have the Everywhere Belt Bag in all three sizes, and one of the downsides of the popular 1L for me is that it does not fit my Kindle Paperwhite. That is not the problem with this bag. I can fit it easily in the larger compartment with plenty of room to spare.

Thanks to the amazing organization of this bag, I am able to fit a ton. The front of the bag has two mesh compartments that are similar to the belt bags, which are perfect for holding keys, lip balms, etc.

In addition to being able to fit my Kindle without any issues, this bag also perfectly fits my regular sized Baggu bag, my Lululemon True Identity Card Holder, my phone, my Summer Fridays lip balm, AirPods (for the gym, of course), and hand sanitizer. On a weekend, this is the perfect amount of items I would take.

Out of all of the bags that Lululemon has to offer and the bags that I have in my collection, this is definitely one of my new favorites that I will be using over and over again. It’s compact, but not too compact. It’s comfortable to wear, and lightweight. Further, the bag is also just useful in many different situations, making this an amazing investment for someone on the go.

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.