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.
Happy Sunday Everyone! I can’t believe that this is the last Sunday of Blogtober. I am happy to announce that this series will be one that I’m going to be continuing on my blog even after the calendar turns into November. That said, I wanted to share some of those who have inspired me this week.
Simply Celia on Instagram: I have been following Celia since COVID, and since then, I’ve watched her plan her wedding, get married, and have her adorable daughter, Gia. She is a different kind of blogger/influencer. She keeps it real on stories, and she always showcases the hard work that she does, for herself and for her family. She taught me the importance of hustling, and working hard. This is something that I’m going to be taking in this phase of life.
Sierra on TikTok: I’ve been following her for a while, but lately, her pep talks are so damn inspiring. She talks a lot about work life balance, and she’s talks so much about making sure to take care of yourself — something that we all love.
The Rachel Cruze Show: I have my feelings about Dave Ramsey and the Ramsey network, but I will say that this show has inspired me to get on track with my goals, as well as work on my side hustle, and work on being a harder worker.
If you’re familiar with the luxury jewelry world, you’re familiar with the name Van Cleef and Arpels. And, if that’s the case, you will also know that the clover bracelets are pretty, but they also come with a pretty price tag.
There are so many dupes out there for this iconic bracelet. However, I believe that I found the best ones — at T.J. Maxx.
The price of the bracelet is $25, and comes in so many different colors so I recommend that you check out your local store. In addition to the bracelets, T.J. Maxx also sells an exact dupe of the necklace for about $20. All of them are sterling silver/gold plated.
And, if you are familiar with the jewelry at T.J. Maxx, you know that the jewelry quality there is amazing.
I recently bought one, and love how this looks with my other bracelets. It’s the perfect bracelet to stack, or wear alone. Van Cleef, who?
TGIF everyone! I am so happy that I am finally in the last few days of Blogtober. I love being able to say that, and this year was probably the most smooth than in years’ past (thank you past me for taking the time to preplan).
That said, here are some of my favorites of the week:
1. Go Hex Yourself by Jessica Clare: I’ve been getting into the spooky listens this year when it comes to audiobooks, and this one is definitely one that I am struggling to put down. It’s gotten to the point where I listen to the book when I run errands. I love the characters, and the hate to love arc of the story.
2. Aerie Sweater: This sweater is sold out, and I can see why. I love Aerie sweaters, and I bought two of these in the green and the cream. This is so warm and so comfortable, and I can already tell that this will be on heavy rotation during this fall and winter season.
3. Steve Madden Loafers: These shoes are the best. They are so comfortable, and are perfect for work. I have the black ones, and they go with so much. Now, I know once the winter weather is here, I can’t wear these, but I think these are the perfect fall shoe.
4. The Woman In Me by Britney Spears: I feel like everyone is talking about this book, but I honestly really have enjoyed this one. I devoured it in the span of one day, so if that tells you anything, it tells you that it is definitely worth the read.
5. The Band Camino: I discovered a new band, and I’m obsessed. My friend played this while we were going to the CT Science Center, and I played their discography. Now I’m officially fan.
Now that it is the end of October, it is almost officially time to begin the holiday shopping season. I have already gotten my holiday shopping underway, but I am so excited to get the ball rolling on my gift guides for 2023.
We’re starting off strong with sharing my list of gifts for her. I included some items that are both higher and lower end; all of which will be well loved and used for years to come. These are all great ideas for your mom, wife, partner, friend, mother in law, cousin and sister. So, here are my top picks for gifts for her:
1. Touchland Hand Sanitizer: This is probably the most useful item on the list, as everyone can use hand sanitizer during the fall and winter season. I love this brand of sanitizer, because you can spray it and there is very little residue. It also lasts for a while, which is something that I always love with sanitizer as well.
2. Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag: This is my favorite bag to use of all time, because it’s perfect for a gal on the go. It’s a great bag to use for the gym, for errands, and for travel. What I like about this bag is that it comes in three different sizes, and a huge range of colors, so you truly find something for everyone on your list.
3. JoJo Loves You Earrings: I’ve started giving these as gifts in the last year, and these were even the jewelry that I gave to all my bridesmaids when I got married. These earrings are by far the most loved things that I’ve given anyone, and they are so affordable. They are less than $30, are crystal with a sterling silver base, and there are a ton of colors to choose from.
4. Riley Convertible Crossbody: Another great gift, simply because it’s so versatile. It’s a bag that can convert into a crossbody, but also can serve as a wristlet. What I love about this bag is that it comes in so many different colors, and that it has card slots, so you can easily use this as a wallet as well.
5. Aerie Sweater: I love Aerie, and I especially love their cozy sweaters. I have been buying these for a few years now, and they truly last. What I love about them is that they are reasonably priced for the quality, which is something that I highly recommend.
6. Coach Swinger Bag: Coach has definitely made a comeback, and this bag is one of the best ones to give. I love this bag because you can wear it as a shoulder bag, and as a crossbody. What I also love about this bag is that you also can interchange it with other straps, and chains as well.
7. Ugg Slippers: Ugg slippers are the best. There are so many different versions, and they are comfy and great quality.
8. The Bar Sweatshirt: Going on with the loungewear theme, this sweatshirt is so incredibly comfortable. I love wearing this when I go to my workouts, and it’s something that I just grab and go with on the daily. Of course, this is viral, but it’s something that I think you can get, it’s something that will be well loved.
9. Coach Tabby Bag: Going on with the Coach bag trend, this bag is one of the most popular and one of the most classic and practical styles. This bag comes in a ton of different styles, and different colors, so truly there’s something for everyone.
10. Standard Baggu Reusable Bag: These bags are just so convient, because they fold up so small, and fit into your bag. No more worrying whether or not you remembered your bags at the grocery store, because it’s already in your purse. They are adorable, and they come in so many different patterns. They have a few different sizes, but the standard one is perfect for anyone as a starter piece.
11. Lululemon Dual Pouch Wristlet: This is another favorite of mine, because it fits my car remote and my cards. This is the perfect grab and go piece, and I highly recommend it for anyone on your list.
12. Tree Hut Scrubs: This is one of my favorite bath products, because it makes my skin smell so nice. Since it comes in so many different scents, there is truly something for everyone.
13. Teleties Clips/hair bands: These are by far my favorite hair clips for a number of reasons. The first is the comfortability, as they are curved so they fit your head. The second is the strength of the hair clip, as it keeps all of my hair in place during a workout. And, finally, these clips are so durable it’s not even funny. They make a great gift or a great stocking stuffer for anyone on your list.
14. T. Jazelle Bracelets: I love T. Jazelle bracelets, and I have been wearing them for years. What I love about the brand is that it truly has something for any style. There are so many gemstones and charms, so people can truly stack their story.
15. Massage Gun from Amazon: As I get older, I get more back pain. I love this guy, because it helps with all my aches and pains, and I can’t help but think that this will be an amazing gift.
thenutmegmillennial.com 