There is something so magical about the holiday season. Christmas decorations, for me, have always made the world around me much more happier and magical than any other time of year.
Downtown Milford is one of the places that always has the holiday spirit. When I walk through the green, I can feel the joyous ambiance of the Christmas spirit, and it truly feels like you are walking in a snow globe.
However, the green is not the only festive part of the Downtown Area. Behind Scoopy Doos is the infamous buoy tree, and of course, the Duck Pond is also decorated, allowing the lights to fully shine in the water’s reflection.
That being said, words seriously do not do it justice. Keep scrolling to see pictures that I’ve taken while exploring:
The words cozy and casual come to mind when describing Bonfire Grill in Milford, Connecticut. This little pub has an atmosphere that is just as cozy as curling up by the fire on a cold night — homey and inviting.
The restaurant, which is located in the Woodmont part of Milford, has an eclectic menu for both food and drinks. While it is classified as a pub, it goes so much further than that.
Sure, the menu has typically pub fair such as apps, drinks, and sandwiches, but they also serve entrees and desserts. The menu has a wide range of variety, from healthy choices such as salads, and hummus plates, to entrees such as the Thai noodle bowl and the mamma Mia eggplant.
And, that’s just the everyday menu. On Saturday and Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., that’s brunch time. Their brunch menu has both sweet and savory options, from avocado toast, to apple pie French toast, to chicken and waffles.
However, what drew me to Bonfire Grill was the dessert menu. They have amazing options, including carnival style Oreos (aka fries Oreos), cotton candy swirled cheesecake, and a cast-iron s’mores. I tried the cast iron s’mores (warm crumbled chocolate brownies topped with chocolate fudge, graham cracker crumble and marshmallows, baked in a cast-iron skillet topped with graham crackers and whipped cream), and it was ooey, gooey, and delicious. It was just like eating a s’more sandwich — without the mess.
What really impressed me about Bonfire Grill was the vibes that it gave off. This restaurant is tiny, but oh, so cozy. When my husband and I visited there, it was fully and beautifully decorated for the season. They had twinkling lights and sparkling trees everywhere, bringing in Christmas tree. Furthermore, there is a fireplace that is right near the bar, which makes it the perfect place to get a drink during the winter months where it is so chilly outside.
Between the vibes and the food, Bonfire Grill is truly a place where you can just unwind from the moment you step in to the last delicious bite. Therefore, it is also going to be place that I’m going to be visiting again soon as well.
Mini bags have been having a moment lately, usually with bags that are so small and useless that you can barely carry a TicTac on the go. However, there is one mini bag that has gone viral on TikTok, and is tiny but mighty. And yes, it holds enough for running errands or a night out.
The Longchamp Le Pliage Pouch with Handle is actually marketed as being a makeup pouch, however, there are countless videos online that show people who have turned the bag into a crossbody, to the point Amazon even sells kits that allow you turn the bag into a crossbody with ease (I like this one, because it allows me to change it from a crossbody to a regular bag without the commitment or ruining my bag, and it’s really easy to switch between the two).
This bag is priced at $85, and comes in a variety of colors, including the classic black, paper, sage, and pink. Therefore, you have the option of either going with the classic ones that will be the perfect in any bag that you use, or a fun pop of color.
What I like about this bag is the versatility that it offers. I can think of three ways to use this bag. The first is a little wallet in your larger bag, that holds your card case, keys, etc. The second is using it as a little wristlet/top handle mini bag (this is demonstrated on the website). The third is by purchasing the little strap and turning it into a crossbody. With all of these different ways to wear this bag, it’s safe to say that it’s one that will get a lot of cost per wear.
Now, what fits in this little bag?
I’ve used this bag mainly as my wallet, but I have just grabbed it to take to the gym or to run a few errands. I can fit my Louis Vuitton Recto Verso and 6-ring key holder. There is still room for a chapstick and a hand sanitizer as well.
Is this bag worth the price?
I’d say that it is for not only the different ways that you can wear this bag, but also the quality of it. Longchamp bags truly have the best quality of bags that I’ve ever seen as of late. I’ve had their totes for years, and they hold up beautifully. Furthermore, I also love the fact that if the nylon does get stained, then it is so easy to wipe off.
Personally, I’ve had this little guy for about a year, and I can say that it has worn well. I currently have the black one (which is the one that I’ve used the most), the pink one, and the steel one. I personally like these over my Coach wristlets because I can convert to a small bag, and it fits so much more. This is something that I honestly have used so regularly, and I can 100 percent get behind the hype. It also makes an excellent gift for the holiday see as on as well.
November was one of the quickest months, but also one of the most exciting. As many of you know, I’ve been struggling to come up with ideas for blog posts. However, I am hopeful that my writer’s block will be cured and I will be coming to you soon with some holiday content to close out the year.
That said, before we reach those goals, let’s take a moment to reflect on my favorites from the month of November:
1. Step Class: I have been taking step classes once a week since the beginning of the month. It is way harder than it looks to be honest. However, I just try to do my best for when it comes to classes, and hope that I get better as time goes on.
2. Madewell Essential Bucket Tote: Guys, don’t sleep on Madewell bags. They are amazing and have amazing quality. I have been using this one on repeat, and I’ve really enjoyed it. What I love about the bag is that is not only comfortable to wear, but it also holds everything but the kitchen sink. That said, the only thing that I will say is that the bag does get heavy as you load it up.
3. Moleskine Notebooks: I have been obsessed with my notebooks, and have gotten really into journaling. However, I have been really enjoying the quality of the notebooks, and the fact that they come in so many different sizes/colors. I have added a large one and a pocket one to keep in my bag, and I am sure that I will use more up as time goes on. Yes, they are expensive, but they truly are worth it.
4. Chai Tea: I have been trying to drink less caffeine, so I branched out and tried chai. I have been loving it, and have been getting chai lattes from time to time as a treat.
5. Christmas Romances: I have been loving reading some holiday romances, now that the holiday season is here. I currently have read two, and hope to get to more before the end of the year.
6. Bridgerton/Queen Charlotte: I have finally caught up on season two of Bridgerton and have watched the first two episodes of Queen Charlotte. I love them both. I also am trying to catch up the books, and am about halfway through the series. I can’t wait until season three premiers, hopefully in 2024.
What are your favorites this month? Let me know in the comments below.
Happy Black Friday and the day after Thanksgiving, everyone! I am working today, but I hope to have some relaxing time to decompress this weekend.
I have quite a few favorites to share with you, and I am so excited to get right into them. So, without further a due, here are my favorites of the week:
1. Kiss Her Once For Me by Alison Cochrum: I had this book since last Christmas and I am just now getting to it to kick off of my holiday reading. I started it yesterday, and I am halfway through it. It tells the story of Ellie, who feels like a failure after losing her job and about to lose her apartment. She has a one night stand with an unforgettable person, that she reflects back to wistfully. She then gets an offer for a fake marriage in exchange for a life changing amount of money. However, when Ellie goes to his family home, who is his sister? Yup, the unforgettable one night stand. I love this story, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.
2. Bridgerton: I am finally getting back into the TV show, and I am loving it. I love the books, so I’m hoping to get further into the show.
3. Madewell Essential Bucket Tote: I love this bag as it fits everything but the kitchen sink in there. It is the perfect work bag, and it just goes over the shoulder, so it fits comfortably. It is not in the Madewell sale sadly, but I highly recommend it.
4. The Giving Keys Dainty Key Necklace: I found another brand of necklace that I am just obsessed with. I got this one in the silver combo with the word breathe. I have worn it two days in a row, and I love pairing it with a chunky sweater.
5. NYX Butter Lipgloss: Last but not least, I wanted to share the lipgloss that I’ve been obsessed with. It doesn’t stick, dry out the lips, and looks so great. And, it’s only $6. What could be better than that?
When walking into Chip City, you are greeted with the mouth watering scent of freshly baked cookies. Chip City currently has 26 locations in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Maryland, and offers those with a sweet tooth the opportunity to sink their teeth into both classic and eccentric flavors. The Connecticut location is in Fairfield, but a Darien one is expected to be opening up soon.
Chip City takes the concept of cookies and milk to a new level. Their menu changes weekly, but they have the classic chocolate chip appearing on the menu weekly. In taking a look at the menu, their lineup is insane. They have every flavor under the son, including Teddy Fetti, Cookies and Cream, Brookie, and Peanut Butter Blackout — just to name a few. Furthermore, they also have a few seasonal flavors to choose from. Some of the November flavors include: pecan pie, pumpkin spice latte, and sweet potato s’mores.
Yum.
I took one bite of the Teddy Fetti cookie, and I knew I was hooked. The cookie was melt in your mouth fresh, and had a bit of a ooey-gooey middle that made me go weak in the knees. These cookies are soft, thick, and chewy, but not unapproachable to the point where one bite makes you full. However, I will say that these cookies are definitely filling.
In addition to cookies, Chip City also offers ice cream to accompany their cookies. I mean, what’s better than a cookies and ice cream sandwich? I can’t think of anything.
What I also like about Chip City is the simple fact that it identifies whether or not there is milk in the product. As someone with a dairy allergy, I appreciate it as a way to eliminate the question of whether or not something has dairy or the allergen as an ingredient.
For all of those who have a sweet tooth, Chip City is an instant boost of serotonin that will have you grinning from ear to ear as you walk out with the coveted blue box.
TGIF everyone! It has been a week for me, everyone. I am so happy to say that I have the day off today, so I’m excited to have a little bit of a break.
That being said, I wanted to share some of my favorite things of the week. I am so excited to be back to blogging semi-regularly, and Friday Faves is one of my favorite posts to write. So, here are my favorites of the week:
1. You Again by Katie Goldbeck: I loved this book. It was You Got Mail meets Gilmore Girls. It also was every bit the coziest fall read, and I am so happy that I picked this one up. And yes, I did cry in the end.
2. Tiffany Bracelet: This bracelet has been in my collection for a few years now. The story behind this piece is that it was purchased at a steal at Poshmark, and I was able to polish it up to look brand spankin’ new. I love this piece because I can layer it with some other pieces. I also love that this piece is a staple, and perfect for wearing at the office, because there is no dangle.
3. Crystal Rollerballs: My mother in law and I picked these up at a local market, and I am obsessed. I’ve been using the sage and the lavender ones daily since she purchased them on Sunday, and I really love having them when I need some good energy.
4. Lululemon Pants: These pants are definitely a splurge. However, this is one of the most comfortable pairs of pants that I’ve bought for work, like ever. I can just wear these with a nice sweater, and I feel like I’m wearing my align leggings to work. #sneaky
5. Made by Mary Live In Hoop Earrings: I have bought these a while ago, and they are honestly so comfortable! I have left them in my ears for almost the entire week, and I love that they are so comfortable to wear. I have them in almost all of the sizes, and they are good for first and second piercings. 10/10 perfect gift.
6. The Way I Am Now by Amber Smith: This is the sequel to the novel The Way I Used To Be, which tells the story of the protagonist, Eden who was sexually assaulted by a friend’s brother. This story talks about the aftermath of her revealing it, such as her trying to move on from the trauma. I really enjoyed this beautiful, emotional, and triggering story.
Coach is one of those brands that recently had one of the biggest comebacks in recent years — from vintage styles to newer ones. One of the bags that have sold out is them Coach Viral Swing Back.
The Swing Zip bag is a medium sized bag, with dimensions of 10 inches in length, a height of 6 1/2 inches, and a depth of 3 and 1/4 inches. The bag comes in four different colors: black, chalk (white), pistachio, and forest green. At the time of writing this, the black and forest green are sold out on the Coach website.
Now, let’s talk about the history of the bag. It’s a Coach Original bag, that was a bag from 1998 reimagined and revamped. If you’ve been following Coach, you know that they have been reimagining many of their older styles, including the Demi, the Ergo, and the Soho bag.
As mentioned, the black and the forest green are sold out on the website. However, I was able to snag a black one from Amazon. I paired it with the cherry charm (the one from the Outlet that I purchased this past February when the cherry collection arrived), and I will say that I can now see the hype for this bag.
This bag is a classic style, and makes a good basic. However, the bag is just comfortable to wear. The straps are adjustable, making it easier than ever to make sure that it goes with the wearer. This is perfect for those who are going to be pairing it with fall and winter coats.
Now, let’s talk about what fits in the bag. This bag is a little smaller than the regular bags I carry on the regular, however, it does fit a good amount. I was able to fit my Corner Zip Wristlet, my Louis Vuitton 6-ring key holder, my Louis Vuitton Mini Pochette, my Kindle Paperwhite, Bath and Body Works room spray, hand sanitzer, a flash drive, and a floating lip balm. I definitely think that it’s roomy, but for me, it is a little on the small side. I still love it.
With that being said, is the bag worth it?
Worth is it a weird term to say, because something that will be worth is for me, is not for others. However, the quality of this back is unmatched. The fact that the bag is in neutral colors makes it easy to pair with any and all fall outfits. Therefore, this is definitely a good bag to add to your closet.
Happy Halloween, everyone! Also happy last day of Blogtober to all that have stuck by me during this month, and for reading all 31 posts. Furthermore, I think this is time to announce that after this post, I will be taking a small blogging break to rejuvenate. I mean, after 32 straight days of blogging, your girl needs a break.
Before we get there though, let’s talk about my favorites of the month:
Dunkin’ Pumpkin Spice Goldfish: This have been my favorite snack as of late. They taste like a cracker format of the donuts, which taste so delicious.
Pens: I am a stationary snob. I had this pen at work, and I decided to grab it for home. This is quickly becoming my favorite pen. I love using it for my journaling spreads, because it makes my handwriting look so nice, and it’s easy to write with.
Dunkin Avocado Toast: This is quickly becoming my favorite post-spin snack on the weekend. It’s just the perfect snack if you want to have a little bite of something, but not a full meal. It even comes with the option to add bacon. Yum.
Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag: This bag has been in constant rotation since I got it last year. However, I’ve noticed that I’ve been using this almost everyday — whether I’m going to the gym, TJ Maxx, or just walking around. I absolutely love this bag, and it will be a constant favorite for me.
Grogu Weighted plush: I have been having issues with sleeping, and I heard that weighted plushies help with that along with anxiety. Say no more. I ended up purchasing this one, since I am a Grogu Stan, and I am so happy I did. He is the perfect friend to hold when I’m feeling anxious and I have been sleeping so much better with this.
One of the most popular storylines on the hit television show Everybody Loves Raymond is a husband, usually Frank or Ray, ignore their wife or think that the spouse is either loud, annoying, and nagging. Of course, Everybody Loves Raymond is a show that goes back to the era when the housewife was a far more common profession for women, while the man would go to his work and provide. Nowadays, gender roles are more equal, but this does raise a question.
Is that what marriage leads to?
I am a newlywed, and am still apart of bridal groups on Facebook. One of the posts I saw was about someone who was asking about married life, and when they responded that it was great, they were greeted with the response “just wait.”
I get it. The shiny and new aspect of being married for the first six months is like a novelty. However, some of the best advice that I received pertaining to marriage was to treat everyday like the honeymoon phase. Now, I’m not saying spending some time together during a hotel trip, but it’s about the romance aspect of that.
Furthermore, now that a couple is married, oftentimes what happens is that couples forget — myself included — the importance of dating and date night. Sure, it’s not going to be as practical to do all of the things that you did when you were dating, but for the health of a relationship, it’s important to nurture it.
That being said, I want to pose the question of whether or not marriage becomes a chore. Approximately half of marriages sadly end in divorce, and this is something that is caused by a number of issues, including lack of appreciation and communication. Now, no one is perfect, but how do we go from being totally in love to hating each other to the point where we want to make the other suffer? I don’t know the answer to that question, but I look back to marriages that were successful— my grandparents, and my in-laws, and notice that love is the creation of these unions, but communication is the knot that keeps them together.
Will the newlywed phase last forever? Probably not, and the future is yet to be uncertain. However, I hope to learn some of the tips of the previous generations, all while leaving the unhealthy habits of the previous behind. I may not be perfect, but I aspire to work as a team with my spouse.
Furthermore, I think the other thing to examine is this: many couples at least in my millennial generation now live together prior to getting married. This is something that I think definitely helps people stay together long after the vows are said.
Which is something that I think that matters the most.
thenutmegmillennial.com 