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Are E Newton Bracelets Worth It?

To get waterproof, good quality gold jewelry often comes with the assumption of a hefty price tag as the price of solid gold continues to rise. That said, the popularity of other inexpensive options have continued to grow, from gold plated, gold vermeil, and gold filled — which can loose their luster and gold color over time so you have to baby it.

Enewton promises to change that expectation. According to their website, the brand only sells what their founder, Elizabeth Newton, would wear herself. All of the pieces offer a “commitment to quality materials,” so its wearers can “shower, sweat, sleep, and swim” in their eNewton pieces.

eNewton offers a wide variety of bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and rings, all of which that are gold filled. I have a huge collection of their necklace and bracelets, and they are the perfect everyday pieces.

Let’s take a moment to talk about my favorite pieces of theirs, which are the bracelets. The bracelets come in silver, gold, pearl, and two-toned. They can be worn stacked,or on their own. The price of the bracelets range from $42 to $172, depending on the materials of the bracelet and the size of the beads themselves. The size of the beads range from 2 mm and up.

What I love about eNewton is that it is life proof, but they make a great everyday piece to wear. I love that I can mix metals, or go with a stack that is silver or gold. Furthermore, they also go with my other repeat bracelet offenders, such as my Cape Cod bracelet that I have not taken off since the day I purchased it.

In addition, they also offer gemstone stacking bracelets, which I love because they add a little pop of color to your stack.

That said, I wanted to note one thing about the brand. Many of their bracelets do in fact run on the smaller side, measuring a 6.25 inch circumference. The brand does offer eNewton extends, which is 7.25 inches, and is a much looser fit. I have a 7 inch wrist, and tend to gravitate towards those, because they fit so much more comfortably for stacking purposes. However, I have found that the regular ones do fit as well.

Furthermore, I also have a few of their necklaces, all of which are pieces that I absolutely love. All of the pieces that I have are just great everyday staples that I can wear with anything — dressed up or down, no matter what the color. I love layering them, or layering them with other pieces. The only thing that I do not like about the necklaces is the fact that most of them come in 15 or 16 inches. I bought the extend to go with it, and sometimes don’t mind a necklace fitting closer to my neck. However, I wanted one so I can stack multiple pieces together or make it longer if I so choose. This is one thing that I don’t like about them, because this size may not fit everyone, or fit someone the way that they want it to.

That being said, I will say that the quality of each and every one of my eNewton pieces is 100 percent worth the hype. I don’t like to use the term “investment piece,” but these pieces are ones that you will have for a long time. I do take mine off at night, but I will say that I’ve worn mine to the gym, and yoga and they have not changed colors whatsoever.

Furthermore, the price of $50 is a little higher than some of the other beaded bracelets out there. But, comparing it to other beaded bracelets with the same quality, such as the famous Tiffany and Co. bracelet, or even the Beads and Pave bracelet, this price is a little less hefty, especially since I think they have the same quality as those brands.

With that, I bring up the point that any of these bracelets will become go-tos in your collection. They are worry-free, they go with everything, and they are easy to get on your wrist. Therefore, the cost per wear will lower, but it will also make it a piece that you will have for years to come.

Therefore, this makes it 100 percent worth it.

What’s In My Bag: Dagne Dover Landon Carryall XS

One of the newest bags in my collection is the Dagne Dover Landon in the XS in the black. So far, I love this bag. I love that everything has a compartment and a place, as well as it’s so lightweight. The bag fits a lot, and is so cute.

Here’s what fits in mine:

Basically, it’s the perfect everyday bag, and I am so happy to have it back in my collection.

Are Hoo Hoops Worth It?

My name is Natalie and I have the world’s most sensitive ears. Not when it comes to the metals, but rather the weight of the earring. If an earring is too heavy, chances are, I will not wear it. My biggest fear is to have my piercing holes stretch, so I avoid heavy earrings like the plague.

This is a terrible problem to have if you love hoop earrings just as much as I do. But, Hoo Hoops came to my rescue.

Hoo Hoops is a small women owned business that promises to be your go-to lightweight hoop earrings. The hoops come in two sizes: the minis (one inch), and the regular (two inches). They are made out of a lightweight material, and come in so many different colors from trendy to neutral. Like, any color that you can think of, they have. They even have some earrings with pearls and sparkle in them, which are so gorgeous. All of which add a perfect pop of color to any outfit.

Oh, and the best part? They are hypoallergenic.

When I, the queen of sensitive ears, say that these earrings are the most comfortable and fun earrings that I’ve ever worn, I truly mean it.

I am a huge fan of the minis, because while I like a good hoop, I’m not a huge fan of the larger size. What I love about these earrings is that they are so comfortable to wear, but they still add a touch of fun to my outfits. I wear them to work, but I can also wear them to events I attend as well. Furthermore, as someone who has multiple piercings, I can say that I can wear these earrings without any issue whatsoever.

With a price tag between $30 to $40 per pair, these earrings are perfect for holiday gifting, the perfect pair to wear to holiday parties and gatherings, or even just a fun little addition to your jewelry box.

I can not say enough good things about these earrings. Therefore, I’d say that these are 100 percent worth it.

Brewport In Bridgeport Brews More Than Just Pizza

There is no better combination than pizza and beer; however there is no better combination than delicious wood-fired pizza and a beer.

Located ideally right next to the Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater, Brewport offers its exact combination. Their menu keeps it simple — just pizza, salad, beer, cocktails, and wine. However, due to their simplicity, it allows for excellence, and a relaxing ambiance.

What is really nice about Brewport, is that you can easily stop by for a pizza during your lunch break. The service was extremely quick, which is nice if you need to get back to the office, or even if you want to grab a pie before a show. Their menu promises nothing but great food in front of every category, and I can safely say that they delivered.

Now, let’s talk food and drinks.

Their pizza menu offers a little bit of everything. All pizzas have a thin crust and are wood fired, a charcoal that rarely exists outside of New Haven. As someone who grew up on New Haven style pizza, I was delighted to see this pizza done right. The crust was crispy and crunchy — a mouthwatering combination with fresh dough.

Their pizza menu has a few different options, including: a daily special, meat master (pepperoni, sausage, bacon, ham), the white clam (white clam pizza), and a tree hugger (vegetable pizza). However, what I really like about their pizza menu is the ability to customize your pizza with whatever topping that you can choose. With the build your own option, you choose either red or white base, and then load it with toppings. And the toppings are limitless — from the expected pepperoni, broccoli, to mashed potato, buffalo chicken, and pulled pork. Needless to say, the options are endless, so there is a pizza for everyone.

In addition to pizza, they also offer salads as well for both individual and family size, which is nice to add to a pizza pie. After all, pizza and salad go hand in hand. Some of the options include antipasto, Ceaser salad, and garden salad. Furthermore, you can add grilled chicken and more for an additional cost to make your salad a little heartier.

Now, let’s talk about the real reason that one goes to a brewery — the drinks. Brewport has got your back on that front. Their beer menu is extensive, along with a few different options for both cocktails and wine.

I highly recommend taking the trip to visit Brewport. What I like about Brewport is that it offers a great place to go to, whether you’re visiting the downtown Bridgeport area for business or pleasure. I highly recommend it as a good lunch or dinner option as well, although they are only open for lunch Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

I mean come on — what better combo is there than pizza and beer?

4 Tips to Survive Blogtober From A Seasoned Blogger

This is probably my fourth year doing Blogtober, and I still can’t believe that it is already October. If you’re new to blogging or not familiar, Blogtober is basically when bloggers post a new post everyday. Yup. That’s 31 posts, folks.

I am exhausted just typing that, folks.

However, for me, there is nothing more satisfying than completing the challenge on October 31st.

Needless to say, I’ve developed some tips and tricks to help get through this month with some of your sanity. But before I reveal them to you, good luck to all of the bloggers out there who are participating.

1. Schedule and Write As Many Posts As You Can:

This is a great idea in theory, but can be hard to execute. Back when I was working at a more stressful job, it was hard to get the energy to write a post for the week ahead, much less a few months. However, the key to surviving Blogtober is simply to write as many posts as you can ahead of time, so you have less to do during the month of October, because you know, writer’s block happens.

2. Give Yourself Grace:

Miss a day? Well, it happens. I am the queen of beating myself up, however, if you miss a day or even two, it’s not the end of the world. Just get a post in the next day. Trust me, the blog will still be there.

3. Use It As A Time to Experiment:

Many of my most successful posts are ones that I came up with to fill the Blogtober void. I’m a lifestyle blogger, so my topics are a bit all over the place. However, I have had some of my best posts (best meaning most read) from random Blogtober posts I came up with.

4. Pinterest/Google:

Pinterest and Google are your friends when you’re encountering writer’s block here, everyone. I’ve found so many great ideas from those sources, and they are usually ones that take not a lot of time/research to create.

Good luck to all of the bloggers who are participating in Blogtober this year!

September Favorites

Okay, so running the risk of sounding like a broken record, I can not believe that September is over. Tomorrow begins the first day of Blogtober, and for once, I am actually prepared for it. I have about eight posts scheduled, and I am so happy to be ahead of the curve this time.

September was a super busy month for me. My friend from Italy came over for a visit, and we had my wedding reception, where we celebrated our marriage with our marriage with our friends and family.

That said, I have a lot of favorites that I am looking forward to sharing with you. So, without further a due, here are my September favorites:

1. JoJo Loves You Earrings and Necklace: Up until now, I never used to be a matchy-matchy kind of gal. However, I have dived headfirst into wearing matching JoJo Loves You earrings with a marina necklace. For earrings, I will either grab the mini or the ultra mini, and my necklace doesn’t matter. I love this brand, because it adds just the right amount of sparkle to an outfit, which we are all here for.

2. Madewell Transport Tote: This simple tote has been on repeat this month. I’ve had the brown for years, and I just recently invested in the black with my new initials. I love this because it fits everything but the kitchen sink, but looks so sleek. It is the perfect work tote, and I love it.

3. King of Sin Series: Ana Hoang does it again, and this time, the romances are oh so steamy. I devoured the first two in the series and I absolutely loved them. I can’t wait to read the other books in the series as they release.

4. Fake as Hell by All Time Low and Avril Lavigne: This song has been on repeat since it came out.

5. Lumispa: I love this little device! It has only been a few weeks since I started using it, but I already am seeing a huge difference in my skin.

6. Little Words Project Bracelets: Last but not least, I’m sharing my favorite brand of bracelet — the Little Words Project bracelets. As you may know, I am a brand ambassador for them (so use my code BAnutmeg to score 15% off of your order), and that is because I love the brand so much. My favorite word this month is, breathe.

Friday Faves: September 22, 2023

Happy Friday everyone! I can’t believe that we are nearing the end of the month of September. This week, I have so many favorites to share with you. Before we head into the weekend, I want to share them with you.

1. Bridgerton Series: Last year, I started reading the Bridgerton books, but I have never gotten around to finishing them. I finally picked up the fourth book, and I am hooked. This one is between Colin and Penelope, and I am enjoying every minute of it. I have a few different series that I have started this year, and would like to finish, so I would be really happy if I was able to finish this one.

2. Madewell Transport Tote: I have had the brown version of this bag for years, and decided to get the black one with my initials. I love that it fits everything I need on a daily basis to get to work, and is really sleek. I also love that it is a classic style that I can wear for years to come and goes with everything.

3. Kings of Sin series by Ana Hoang: I love reading the Kings of Sin series. I finished King of Wrath and have King of Pride in my TBR. I devoured the Twisted series earlier this year, so I am happy to finally get to more of Ana Hoang’s books.

4. JoJo Loves You Marina Necklaces: I have a huge collection of these necklaces, and lately, I have been enjoying wearing them with different outfits. They are simple, but they are beautiful. I have also given these to my bridesmaids as gifts as well, and they were so loved.

5. Lumispa: Last but not least is the Nuskin Lumi Spa. I have had this for only a week, but I already can see a huge difference in my skin. It’s a splurge, but I highly recommend you waiting until there’s a sale. But, it is a 100 percent worth it.

Eat, Drink, and Be Married: All About My Wedding Reception

Photo Credit: Noella and Scott Photography

If you’re new around here, I got married in July of this year. My husband and I decided to have a micro wedding by the water in Milford, and then have our larger reception this year.

Well, last week, we just had our reception. And, let me tell you, it was everything that I dreamed of. We had family and friends come from all over. There was good food, and there was a ton of dancing. And, we got to celebrate with our closest people, and it was worth every single penny and ounce of stress. Well, almost.

My husband and I would like to thank our vendors: Good Morning Cupcake, Powerstation Events, Scott Kruitbosch Photography, and our venue Amarante’s Sea Cliff for all of their hard work to make this event so beautiful. More details on where we got our decor and favors are definitely coming soon, but I will tell you that my Instax Mini Camera was a hit.

Cupcakes from Good Morning Cupcake; Photo Credit: Noella and Scott Photography

Outfit details: Dress is from David’s Bridal, Earrings in First piercing SV Decker Jewelry, Earrings in Second piercing, right hand ring, and necklace family heirlooms, Pavoi croissant bangle, Nordstrom CZ diamond bangle, SamnSue morganite engagement ring, Target sandals, and Amazon Headband.

Learning to Give Grace

This week, I’m returning to work after my wedding reception, after a week’s vacation, and trying to adjust to a new schedule. With this, it has been a struggle for me to make sure that I have everything that I need to done before I enter my car for my morning commute.

With this struggle, it has been challenging to make sure that I remember everything I need for my day of work: order my iced coffee, make sure my lunch is packed, and I do everything that I need to do prior to a day of work. Needless to say, sometimes things are in fact forgotten, or I’m running later than I used to. As students enter the classroom in December, I can not be the only one out there.

As I struggle with trying to get everything done, I can not help to be hard on myself as I try to check things off of the list or if I am running the slightest bit behind to getting on the road. This varies by getting mad at myself as I forget to grab one thing for my lunch or even being too hard on myself if I am the slightest bit late out the door. However, as a human being who does not enjoy change, I lack the ability to just give myself some grace as I acclimate to new routines.

Growing up, I have learned to pick at myself with a fine tooth comb for the slightest imperfection, something that has stayed with me as I grew up. This is also something that I am trying to unlearn in therapy — a challenge if you will, as unlearning something is ten times harder than learning.

Allowing someone grace is crucial to supplementing positive self-talk. In every season of life, there are growing pains for adjustment, whether it may be adjusting to a new job/home, adjusting to the school year, or a new baby. When I brought Lucy home for the first time, there were some tough periods of adjustment. However, I got through it.

Instead of being hard on myself for struggling, I am instead working on owning it. Owning the fact that I may forget something. Owning the fact that I may not be out the door before a time that I would like to, but instead accepting that I still will be on time with work.

But an adjustment period is not the only example of when you should allow yourself some grace. There are some periods of life that are harder than others and just waking up to go to work and basic existence is a flat-out struggle. These are the times when we’re just focusing on getting through the day — nothing extra. Therefore, it’s okay to own the struggle and not be hard on yourself.

Whether you’re settling into a new routine or just trying to get through the week, just give yourself some grace.

Looks for Less: The Best Bottega Veneta Dupes You Have to Add To Your Jewelry Box

The Bottega Veneta Drop earrings are $1350… and are made out of brass plate versus solid gold for the larger size, while the smaller size comes with a price tag of $820. While I am all for investment pieces of jewelry, I do not believe that price tag is worth it for costume pieces.

However, there are so many different dupes on there, so I’ve rounded up a few of my favorites — all of which less than $50.

1. Amazon:

Amazon has so many different versions of these earrings that are less than $20. However, these are my favorites, because they are so lightweight and easy to wear. These earrings are like the Bottega Veneta ones’ twin, and I highly recommend these. I’ve had these for a few months, and they still look as good as new.

2. Chansutt Pearls Earrings:

For those of you who want a good quality version, I highly recommend these guys. I love this brand because it offers waterproof jewelry at an accessible price. These earrings are no exception, although they are much heavier than the Amazon.

3. Anthropologie Petra Earrings:

Anthropologie has a few different versions, and Anthropologie has great costume jewelry. The Petra earrings come in so many different options, including the threaders, the baby, the mini, and the regular. I have the threaders, and they are so lightweight and comfortable to wear. However, I did try the regular ones, and they were so heavy I had to return them. But, there are so many options to choose from, and I highly recommend them.