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:

Page by Paige

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:

@ page_by_paige

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:

@ bookishbabes__and__brews

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.

Crochet Pattern: Legwarmers

This pattern has come to me by a complete accident. My coworker had asked me to crochet her a pair of wristbands, but then I got the idea to also add leg warmers. These came out so well, and I decided to write the pattern.

The pattern is something that I love, because it’s something that is quick and easy. A beginner can make this as well, and while it’s great for an 80’s costume, it’s going to be something that I can see myself using whenever I go for a walk on a chilly day.

For this, you’ll need worsted weight yarn and a 5 mm crochet hook.

Here’s how you make these:

  • Chain 46.
  • Row 1: In the third chain and the remainder of the chains, double crochet.
  • Rows 2-12: Double Crochet in back loop only.

That said, this pattern is 100 percent adjustable. You can make them thicker or wider, so it could fit you perfectly. It does work up quickly, and takes about 2 hours to make — making the perfect pattern for beginners.

Is the TANDEM Read Worth It?

Two books. Over 1,300 pages. One very large, intimidating read.

One of the most controversial parts about the Throne of Glass series is not the content, but the reading order. There are a ton of different ways that you can read the series, such as the romance and the publishing order.

However, when it comes to reading the fifth and sixth ones, there’s a new way that everyone suggests reading — the TANDEM read. Basically, it’s when you read both Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn at the same time by flipping back and forth between the two. There is a little guide online that I used, which was so helpful. I am not going to give a summary of the two, because I don’t want to spoil the Throne of Glass series for those who haven’t read it.

Now, what is the logic of this insanity?

The logic is to be able to jump right into Kingdom of Ash without having to go back to Tower of Dawn, because the way that Empire of Storms ends on such a cliff hanger that you’re not going to want to go back and read Tower of Dawn. You’re going to want to dive right into Kingdom of Ash. However, you’d have to go back to the events in Tower of Dawn, and all you’re going to want to do is read Kingdom of Ash.

As someone who just finished the TADEM read, I am so happy that I did it that way. At the time, I questioned my sanity, but it was worth every second.

Many people question whether or not flipping between the two books is confusing. It is not. Basically, Empire of Storms follows the majority of the Throne of Glass cast while Tower of Dawn just follows one character and his journey. What a lot of people do not realize is that both books take place at the same time. Therefore, one doesn’t spoil the other in any way. And, by following a reading guide like I did, it paces it just right.

Doing the TANDEM read was definitely a challenge. For one thing, it was challenging just carrying the two books. To read both books, it took a grand total of two weeks. That being said, the books were slow for a while. However, in true Sarah J. Maas fashion, the last 200 pages dropped major bombs, and left me drained of all emotion.

That being said, there were times that I wish that I could have stayed in one longer and dreaded flipping, especially when the plot started to get more and more intense. However, that being said, the books were amazing.

Now, if you’re considering the TANDEM read for yourself, there are a few things that you can do to get through it.

The first thing that I thought was the most helpful was tabbing the books so I knew the exact moment when I would need to switch novels. I found that so helpful, because I didn’t have to worry about carrying the checklist around.

The second I would say is to just read as much as or as little as you feel like during one reading session. It’s going to be a long commitment, so you shouldn’t have to force yourself to read.

Overall, I’m happy that I decided to do the TANDEM read versus reading them individually, and highly recommend doing the same if you’re reading the series. By doing so, you become so attached to the characters and dread when the end is coming.

Now to Kingdom of Ash. . .

Friday Faves: March 8, 2024

Wow, it’s been a while since I’ve sat down and written a Friday Faves post. I’m so happy to be writing this, as Friday Faves is definitely one of my favorite posts to write.

As we head into the spring season, I’m excited to be sharing new things are a part of this for the blog. So, without further adue, here are this week’s Friday Faves:

Kate Spade AB Crystal Earrings: These earrings have been on repeat since I purchased them. I love these earrings, because they go with pretty much everything, and they are classic.

Love Is Blind: Everyone is on season six of this show. Meanwhile, I’m still behind on season three. I decided that now is the perfect time to catch up on it, and have been binging the show.

Dr. Teal’s Sleep Spray: I’ve been having a lot of trouble sleeping in terms of getting good quality sleep. I tried this, and so far, it has been working really well. There are many different options in terms of spraying this, but the two that I used were on myself and on my pillow. I also really like that this spray has melatonin, but doesn’t allow you to ingest it. I definitely recommend it.

What are your favorites as of late?

Free Crochet Pattern: Wristbands

I love walking in all four seasons. Unfortunately the downside of doing so, especially when you have all four seasons like in Connecticut, is that the weather can be a little chilly when walking in the winter months. Enter in the need for wristbands. They will keep you warm. They will also be a great thing to make if you’re going to be a workout girl for Halloween or if you’re going the 80s route…

What’s nice about crochet wristbands is that you can easily whip these up with some spare yarn you have in your collection with leftover yarn from other projects. These take about a half of an hour to make per wristband, and are so beginner friendly.

Here’s what you need:

  • Worst weight/4 yarn
  • Size H/5.00 MM needle
  • Needle

The pattern itself:

Row 1: Chain 11

Row 2: Double crochet in third chain, and the remainder of the row.

Rows 3-15: Chain two, and double crochet in back loop only.

This pattern is adjustable in sizing, so feel free to adjust this to make as big or little as you need.

Once the wristband is at the length that you wish, slip stitch the two ends together. Weave in ends, and then you’re done!

February 2024 Favorites:

Today is a special edition of my monthly favorites, as it’s a Leap Day! I think that’s an awesome way to wrap up the month if you ask me.

That being said, my goal as we head into the spring and summer months is to continue to blog more frequently. I’m working on coming up with more ideas for content, both on the blog and on my Instagram (be sure to follow me there at @thenutmegmillennial).

However, let’s get into the favorites during the month of February:

Throne of Glass Series: I started this series back in 2015 when I was in college and the first novel in this series was actually an assignment. I loved the book, so I started reading the others. Back then, I wasn’t as into fantasy as I am now, so needless to say, I stopped reading it after the fourth. I meant to get back into it, but didn’t . However, I started rereading the series late last year, and became obsessed after Crown of Midnight. I’m currently doing the TANDEM read and I’m hoping that I wrap this series up in March.

Thrifting: One of my favorite things to do as of late is to go thrifting. I blame the many TikToks that I’m obsessively watching. My favorite thing by far is to thrift is vintage Coach handbags. It is truly like a treasure hunt, and I hope to do more thrifting throughout the month of March.

Free People Quilted Carryall: Free People is one of those brands I love, but I will never pay full price for. I get a majority of my Free People on sale at TJ Maxx. However, I purchased this carryall bag for work earlier in the month, and I’m obsessed with it. It’s a great bag to fit everything you may need. The only thing that I do not like is the fact that it can get super heavy really easily and stuff sometimes gets lost in the bag. However, I still love it, because I can see so many uses for it in the spring and summer months.