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August 2024 Favorites

As the sun sets on the last night of August and the last night of summer (well, kinda), I am sitting here in disbelief that we are in fall of 2024. Is it me, or this year flew by quickly?

Before looking ahead at the wonderful fall season, I want to take a moment to reflect on my favorites for the month of August.

Elin Hilderbrand Books: I picked the perfect time of year to begin getting through Elin Hilderbrand books. She is the queen of the summer beach read. This month, I managed to get through two of her books — one of them being my favorite read of the summer and a top for the year, Golden Girl. In fact, that’s one of the books that has stayed with me, even though it’s been a few weeks since I’ve read the book. I still have a few to get through of hers, but I definitely will be reading more as time goes on.

Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe: Other than Golden Girl, this was one of my favorite books that I read this month. It is about Margo, who decides to have a baby at 20. She drops out of her college, and then loses her job. This book was really entertaining, but also managed to leave me with something to think about. I highly recommend reading this one, if you haven’t already.

Coach Brooklyn 28: This bag is viral, but it is for good reason. I sold a few bags to get this one, and this one is one that I have not changed out of since the day it got home. I got it in the maple color, and I absolutely love it. I also have it in black, but I am still obsessing over the gorgeous Maple color, which is absolutely perfect for the fall season.

Coach City Tote: I have had to take a step back from going to the gym this month, and I’ve been using this bag as my daily work tote. It reminds me of the Louis Vuitton Neverfull tote, but a more carefree version. I can fit everything from my crocheting, to my lunch, to a few other things without a problem.

Baggu Tablet Case: This guy is a little bit too big for my Kindle Paperwhite, but I still really love it. I love that it’s padded so it gives it an extra layer of protection, which for my emotional support Kindle is absolutely needed. You can also fit legitimate tablets in here, but this also works for Kindles as well.

Avril Lavigne: I went to see Avril Lavigne this past month, and it sent me down a rabbit hole of nostalgia. I have been listening to her albums almost daily at this point. She is the second-best concert that I have seen this year, and I was really happy that I got a chance to see her.

Collective Soul: Now this is the best concert that I’ve seen this year. Collective Soul is a band that has meant so much to me. When I was dealing with my anxiety to the point where driving was not feasible, listening to them helped so much. In fact, when I would feel anxiety coming on, I would listen to Shine to help me get through those intense moments.

Air and Anchor Necklaces: For the second month in a row, Air and Anchor necklaces have been my go-tos. I wear the two I have together — or I just wear one at a time. I have an amethyst charm on one of them, and it brings me so much peace whenever I wear it. I highly recommend them if you’re looking for durable and completely customizable jewelry.

Emerson and Oliver Bracelets: Another jewelry favorite this month is these bracelets. I absolutely love them. And what’s really cool about them is that they offer a free five bracelet starter set, where all you have to do is pay for shipping. These, like the Air and Anchor necklaces are built to be worn 24/7. They are perfect for the office, because while they are stackable, they are not loud and they do not make noise. Therefore, they are perfect if you want to wear these to the office.

Too Faced Pumpkin Spice Second Slice Eye Shadow Palette: To quote Richard Gilmore, I am an autumn. I got this palette a few years ago for my wedding, and in the effort to use it up before it goes bad, I have been experimenting with it. I absolutely love the colors. I love the variety, and the colors look amazing on me. Unfortunately, this one is no longer available on Ulta, but you can find it here.

What’s in my Bag Wednesday: Coach Brooklyn 28

Hey, British Vogue. My name is Natalie and here is what’s in my bag. The bag in question is the Coach Brooklyn Shoulder 28 shoulder bag in the gorgeous and sold out maple color.

Before we continue, can I just swoon over the color?! It is the most gorgeous chocolate brown that I’ve seen, and is sold out for a reason. However, I would check out Dillards and Macy’s. They also have this bag in black, the new ruby, dark stone, suede, and a neutral color, as well as a like green that looks like is seasonal. I also somehow got the black one, and am so happy that I did now that I know how much I love, love, love this bag.

When I got this bag, I was so excited and changed it immediately. The leather on it so soft and supple, it is super comfortable to wear, and fits everything I need on a daily basis. It is truly the perfect medium sized bag.

I’ve only had it for a few weeks, but I absolutely love this bag to the point where I am considering getting the larger size, the Brooklyn 39, at some point. I recently sold some bags, so I was able to add the Brooklyn size 23 in my collection, which will be a perfect neutral errand bag.

So far, I can see that this will be an amazing everyday bag, especially as we enter the cooler months.

So, here’s what’s in my bag;

Vintage Coach wristlet (I believe it is called the Ashley?)
Louis Vuitton Mini Pochette
Kindle Paperwhite in a Baggu Tablet pouch
My work badge (not pictured)
My phone (also not pictured)
Loose lip gloss, such as Summer Fridays in Vanilla Beige; ELF lipstick and Lip oil.
AirPod Pros.
Touch land Hand Sanitizer
Blotting sheets
Mirror

Olivia Berry’s Falling for Fairfield Is a Novel That is a Love Letter to Fairfield Itself

There is a special place in my heart for stories that have a Connecticut setting. Jane Green, Marissa D’Angelo’s Charles Island, and more have been books that I know and loved. So when I found the book, Falling for Fairfield by Olivia Berry, I knew that this would be something that I wanted to pick up.

Falling for Fairfield is a short little novel that tells the story of Emma, who at the start of the novel has fallen out of love with her big NYC ad exec lifestyle. Fed up, she quits her job and has her sights set on small town Fairfield. Emma opens her own business, in which she begins to accumulate local small businesses to promote.

This book is the type that you can devour in one setting. It is also the type of book that if you’re from Fairfield or know Fairfield, you can actually picture the locations in the book. Berry is a Fairfield native, and mentions several real life places such as the Fairfield Theater Company, Merritt Parkway, Fairfield University, and Sakura Garden. There were many places throughout the course of the book that were unnamed, but were one of those if you know, you know type of places.

I thought that this was a fun read, and honestly enjoyed reading this one. I loved the transformation of Emma, and the journey that our protagonist goes through from start to finish. While there is a romance in the novel, I believe that it takes a back seat to the love letter that novel is to the Town of Fairfield.

That said, if I’m going to be honest, this book is reminiscent of a Hallmark Channel movie. There were a ton of cliche, cheesy moments, and had the same formula as those movies — girl moves from the big city to a small town; falls in love with a local guy; and becomes a huge fixture in the small town that she recently moved to. That said, while it was cheesy and wholesome, it doesn’t mean that I didn’t enjoy this book. I had so much fun reading it, and it’s something that I am happy to get to.

While I enjoyed this book for the most part, I will say that there was not a lot of conflict with this one. The tiny amount of conflict was there was an issue throughout the story when Emma tried to get a roommate, but it didn’t work out. That potential roommate kept on appearing throughout the book, which I liked, because it’s something that does happen in a small town. That said, I felt that this was forced conflict that was sprinkled in, and didn’t really enjoy that.

And like all Hallmark movies, everything was super happy and tied with a neat bow. Some people are not fans of that, but for me, that is something that you just need in either a book or movie format. I feel like when you’re picking up a book like this, it’s part of the expectation of it to be that way.

Overall, I give this one 3 stars. Falling for Fairfield is a self-published book, but is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

7 Seas: Milford’s Very Own Bull and Finch Pub

When I walked into 7 Seas in Downtown Milford, Conn., I felt like I was walking into something that resembled a cross of both Luke’s Diner and the bar in Cheers where everyone knows your name. 7 Seas has been a part of the Milford community since 1965. Between the old-fashioned wood paneled walls to the various knickknacks collected throughout the years, 7 Seas has and continues to be a casual and cozy place to enjoy.

7 Seas is definitely a small little place, but comes with a ton of history. According to the about section on the website, the building was originally an old garage that was converted to a restaurant. That being said, 7 Seas is not the first restaurant to occupy the Daniel Street space. According to the website, there were a few other restaurants that came before 7 Seas called the location home.

The website also says that the name 7 Seas comes from owner, Richard Smith’s navy days, and since its inception, it has been named Best Neighborhood Restaurant by Connecticut Magazine in 2011, 2012, and 2013.

However, something that I thought was really interesting was the fact that several famous people had visited this restaurant — including Dan Patrick and Paul Newman.

Now, enough about the history, and let’s talk about the menu. When I visited, my husband and I were enjoying a simple lunch date. The menu consisted of bar staples such as wings, burgers, appetizers, and chicken tenders. But that is not what they are truly known for — the most famous thing on their menu is their lobster roll, which the menu names it as “famous.”

However, they have dinner options (served after 5 p.m.), several different types of chicken, seafood that the menu claims that it was “so fresh that it slept in the ocean last night,” and so much more. Many of their items are very classic, very New England, and I am here for it.

One thing that really impressed me about this place was the portion sizes. They were massive. I got the charbroiled chicken sandwich, and not only was the sandwich huge, but they loaded the plate with fries. For me, having a good sized portion is something that is important as your girl would like to get some bang for her buck.

In addition to the sandwich, I had the opportunity to try some of their chili. It was delicious and hearty, but boy oh boy, was she spicy.

The only downside of 7 Seas in my opinion is the parking; however, there are many free options to choose from as long as you’re willing to do a little bit of walking. Personally, the Downtown Milford area is a great place to walk around in so it’s worth taking a stroll around to check out the small businesses in the area.

Overall, 7 Seas in Milford is a beloved establish in the Milford community and for good reason, due to delicious food and comforting ambiance. I am already looking forward to my next visit.

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.

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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

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 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:

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.