Friday Faves: January 12, 2024

TGIF everyone! I am finally getting back into the swing of blogging regularly again. Thank goodness. I am hopeful that means I’ll be back to posting content regularly. That said, I wanted to share my list of favorites this week:

1. Poppi Soda: I discovered Poppi soda for the first time, and I’m loving it. It’s healthier than regular soda, and as someone who doesn’t drink, it’s nice to have a fun drink every once in a while.

2. Once More With Feeling by Elissa Sussman: I finished the latter 2/3s of this book in one sitting. Yes. That’s how you can tell that this book was in fact a good one. This book, like her other, tells a story in a now/then format, and I love it. This one is about Kathleen Rosenberg, aka former pop star Kate Rosee, whose career was over after a scandal. Years later, she is the leading lady of a musical that her best friend wrote for her. I loved this book, and I highly recommend it.

3. Kirkland Caramel S’mores Clusters: I got these a few weeks ago, and these are so addicting, and delicious. They make the perfect midday treat.

4. Scout Wrap Bracelets: I have been incorporating these in my stack lately, and I’ve been obsessed with them. They stack great with my other bracelets, and they are so comfortable to wear. There is a few gemstone beads, and you can wear it as either a bracelet and a necklace, so the combinations are endless. They are also perfect for Valentine’s Day gifts.

Flipping Through My 2024 Reading Journal

2024 is pretty much going to be my journaling year. In late 2023, I got into memory/junk journaling, and I have been keeping a journal regularly for years. I have not been the best at keeping a bullet journal. I’ve started them, only to abandon them when life got crazy.

This year, I decided to start a reading journal. I am not the most artistically inclined or gifted, so the layouts are pretty simple. However, that being said, I wanted to share my pages for 2024, and my layout for January 2024.

The journal that I decided to use is the Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journal Bullet Journal. I love this one because the pages are super thick, and the fact that this journal is made for bullet journaling.

2024 Layout:

These are my layout pages for this year. These include my reading goals, and books that I want to read this year.

Series Tracker:

This one is pretty bare bones simple, but has a full list of all the series that I want to get to. Not sure if I’ll read all of the books this year, but I love that they are all in one place.

January 2024 Pages:

Some of my pages for the first month of the year include: a list of the books on my TBR, books that I read throughout the month, books that are coming out in January, and a page for each book that I read.

Friday Faves: January 5, 2024

It is the first week of the new year, and I am finally getting back into the swing of blogging. I have a few favorites that I am so excited to share with you. I am also so happy to be getting back into blogging regularly, because it has been a while.

That said, here are my favorites of the week:

1. Yours Truly by Abby Jiminez: I am flying through this one. I can’t put it down, and I know that when I’m done with this one, I am going to be going through major withdrawals. I also can say that this is probably going to be my first five-star read of the year, and I can’t recommend them enough.

2. Coach Soft Tabby: I am late to the Tabby train, and that’s perfectly okay because I am here now. I am loving this bag so much. It’s comfortable and easy to use. It also goes with everything, and has the quality that Coach is known for. I love this bag, and it is definitely worth the money.

3. N Initial Necklace: My husband purchased this necklace for me for Christmas, and I am obsessed with it. It is the perfect piece. I have and love the Anthropologie version one. However, this one is solid sterling silver, which means I can wear it just a little more carelessly. I’ve purchased from this brand in the past, and I am really pleased with every piece that I’ve bought from them.

What are your favorites in the new year?

Best Purchases of 2023

Happy New Year, all. This is a very belated post, but I wanted to take the time to share some of the best purchases that I’ve made in 2023. Some of these are electronics, others are jewelry pieces that have been worn on repeat. So without further adue, here are my favorite and best purchases of 2023:

1. Kindle Paperwhite: I give this little device all of the credit as to why I was able to read 143 books in 2023. Because of its size, I am able to fit it in my purse. I read on the train. I read in the pool since it is waterproof. I read on the treadmill. I read almost anywhere. Furthermore, I also have Kindle Unlimited, which allows me to try reading different types of books that I am obsessed with. By having that access, it is definitely easier than ever before to get access to more books, and get to actually reading them.

2. Kindle Scribe: Pegging off of the first one, the second best purchase is the Kindle Scribe. I loved this thing. I originally purchased it so I can journal and read. However, I just fell in love with the large screen. It is almost one year to the day that I purchased this one, and I can say that it was 100 percent worth the money.

3. Nuskin Lumi: I love, love, love my Lumi. Sure, she’s an investment. However, I am seeing so much more improvement in my skin that it isn’t even funny. My skin is practically glowing. Each treatment is about 2 minutes, and the lotions that go with it are excellent for my skin. I highly recommend it.

4. Summer Fridays Lip Balm: This lip balm went viral in 2023, and for good reason. Out of all of the lip glosses and balms that I own, this is one of my favorites. I love the taste and how they leave my lips feeling oh so moisturized. 10/10.

5. HP Sprocket: 2023 is the year that I really got into journaling, and this printer has been so helpful for doing so. It makes it easier than ever to print and stick your photos onto the page. I can’t wait to continue using it in 2024.

6. Baggu Medium Crescent Bag: Next, we’re going to talk about my favorite bag of the year. The medium crescent bag by Baggu. I love Baggu. This bag is so comfortable. It fits everything. The quality is amazing. I can’t say enough good things about it, and highly recommend it.

7. Jen and Co Riley Bag: Last but certainly not least, we’re going to talk about a bag that I not only loved for myself to add to my large bag collection, but a bag that I loved giving. The Riley bag from Jen and Co is by far one of my favorites of the year. What I love about the bag is that it can be used as both a crossbody and wristlet. This means maximum versatility. I have also given this guy as a gift to all four of my bridesmaids, as well as my mother in law. The price point on this is amazing, coming in at $34. The bag is made out of vegan leather, and I can’t say enough good things about it.

Downtown Milford Is Lit Up With Christmas Spirit

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:

Bonfire Grill Is the Cozy Brunch Place You Need to Check Out

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.

Is the Longchamp Le Pliage Pouch With Handle Worth It?

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.

That bag is the Longchamp Le Pliage Pouch with handle.

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 2023 Favorites

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.

Friday Faves: November 24, 2023

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?

Let’s Take A Trip To Chip City

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.