August Favorites

As Taylor Swift would say, August truly slipped away in a moment in time. I still can’t believe that we are at the end of the summer. I feel as though summer has just begun. That said, as we reach the end of the summer, I am looking forward to the fall for its food, fairs, and activities.

Before we say goodbye to August, let’s take a moment to talk about all of my favorites for the month:

1. Unreal Unearth by Hozier: I am obsessed with Hozier’s new album, which came out earlier this month. It has been on repeat ever since it did come out to be honest.

2. Bad Idea, Right? By Olivia Rodrigo: Another music pick. This one is super catchy and has lived rent free in my head for a majority of the month.

3. JoJo Loves You Earrings: This summer I got a grand total of five ear piercings, so I’ve been working on curating the perfect ear scape. I’ve been obsessed with these guys, particularly in the mini and ultra mini size. I have been a huge fan of JoJo Loves You, and have gifted them to so many people. They are like Pokémon in that you gotta catch them all. What I love about them is that they are comfortable to wear, and made out of sterling silver. Oh yeah, and they are so gorgeous!

4.Garmin Vivomove Trend: I recently broke up with my Apple Watch, and I am so happy with the change thus far. I love this watch because it looks like a legit watch. But, the game changer is that it is in fact of a smart watch. I love Garmin simply for the Connect features, as it is so much more health centered than the Apple Watch was for me.

5. Mob Wives: I was obsessed with watching this when I was younger, and I recently discovered that this was on Paramount Plus. Needless to say, I’ve been binge watching this whenever I need a dosage of some mindless entertainment.

6. Baggu Medium Crescent Bag: Are you tired of me singing this bag’s praises? No. Well, let me tell you that I am obsessed with this bag since the beginning of the year. I’ve been using the fuschia and the sour apple ones, and both are the perfect pop of color for the late summer season.

August Amazon Finds

I can’t believe that we are in the final week of August. Yes, I sound like a broken record here, but this year has truly flown by. However, I have found some great things on Amazon that I can’t wait to share with you.

1. Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition: This is by far my favorite item that I am sharing. I carry this with me almost all of the time. I’ve had this for about six months, and this is one of my favorite Kindles that I’ve ever had due to the battery life alone. Furthermore, I love using this for Kindle Unlimited. This Kindle has made it easier than every before to read more and more of my TBR.

2. Earring Organizational Box: I am a huge fan of the JoJo Loves You stud earrings, and have a huge collection. However, I wanted to have a place to organize them and find them easily. This box makes it so easy to find the pair that I’ve been looking for and shaves off time spent looking for my pair of earrings for the day.

3. Coin Necklace: Michele Vidal shared this coin necklace, and I grabbed one for myself. I am so glad that I purchased this, and the quality is amazing.

4. Garmin Vivomove Trend: I recently replaced my Apple Watch with this, and I absolutely love it. I love how this looks like a typical watch, and not a smart watch. That said, I also love that the Garmin Connect app focuses on holistic health, with features such as hydration, steps, and activity.

5. Gooseneck Tablet Holder: Last but not least, I want to talk about this game changer. I bought this to use for my Kindle, and trust me, I am obsessed with this gadget. I use it with my Kindle Page Turner, and it makes reading so much more cozier. I highly recommend this for someone who is obsessed with their Kindle as much as I am.

Brooklyn Baking Company Is Definitely Worth The Trip to the Brass City

As soon as you take your first step into Waterbury’s Brooklyn Baking Co, you are greeted with the scent of freshly baked donuts. Brooklyn Baking Company, which is located right off of I-84, is hands down home to one of the best bakeries in Connecticut. It is a small shop in the Lombard Plaza, but trust me, it packs a big punch.

Brooklyn Baking Company has been a hidden gem in the Brass City for over 100 years. What Brooklyn Baking Co is most known for is their donuts. In fact, they were named one of the top 100 in the country. And, I can see why for two different reasons. The first is the price. I had purchased a baker’s dozen of donuts, and only paid $13, which is unheard of. Secondly, the quality of these donuts are unheard of. These were the type of donuts that you can sink your teeth into and be greeted with a mouthwatering cloud of delicious and freshly baked dough. Brooklyn Baking Company is mostly known for their square donuts, but they have so many of the classic flavors of donuts, including glazed, cinnamon sugar, and so much more. Honestly, you just can’t go wrong with picking any of their donuts.

But, Brooklyn Baking Company offers way more than donuts. They have a huge selection of baked goods, including: breads, cupcakes, and pastries. In addition, they have a huge selection of Italian pastries, such as cannolis, zeppolas, and so much more. In addition to baked goods, they also offer sandwiches.

Brooklyn Baking Company is one of those bakeries that is small but is 100 percent worth the hype. You can tell that they care about the quality of the products that they serve, but the staff members were so friendly. I visited on a Sunday morning, and they did not rush me whatsoever when it came to selecting donuts, and were friendly throughout the entire transaction.

With great quality and great service, I definitely will be making the trip again, and highly recommend you do the same.

Friday Faves: August 25, 2023

TGIF everyone! This weekend is going to be a busy one, from doing a charity walk with my husband and my mother in law to visiting my brother who lives in Nashville. I still can’t believe that it’s the end of summer, and that Labor Day weekend is next weekend. Time surely flies.

Before we head into the weekend, I wanted to take a moment to share some of this week’s favorites.

1. Unreal Unearth by Hozier: Hozier came out with a new album last Friday, and it has been on repeat for the last week.

2. None of this is True by Lisa Jewell: Lisa Jewell is an author that everyone has recommended to me, but yet I didn’t pick up. That is, until now. I devoured None of this is True in the span of one day, and I am already adding her other books into my TBR. This book tells the story of Josie and Alix, two strangers that have the same birthday and were born at the same hospital. However, the two could not be more different. Let’s just put it this way, this book has twists until the last page that you didn’t see coming. I was obsessed.

3. Two Toned Watch Bracelet: I am obsessed with this bracelet. It is the perfect piece to stack bracelets with, or wear on its own. What I love about this bracelet (and the brand), is that they are so affordable and they are waterproof.

4. JoJo Loves You stud earrings: I’ve worn these religiously for the last few years, but this week, I’ve really been obsessed with them. I have either the mini bling or the ultra mini bling, and they are less than $30 a piece. The crystal is a Swarovski crystal, and they are set in sterling silver. Furthermore, they come in every single color in the rainbow. I’ve given these as gifts, and everyone absolutely loved them. I honestly can not recommend them enough.

Bend Yoga Gives Students A Chance to Just Breathe

Located in the Devon section of Milford is Bend Yoga, a small yoga studio with a nirvana of peace and love. Bend, located on Naugatuck Avenue, across the street from Ambrosia Bakery, has been a part of the Milford Community for the last 9 years to provide members a chance to focus on their health and wellness.

While yoga is the primary focus of Bend, Bend offers its students so much more than downward facing dogs. Bend offers a weekly Pilates class, Barre, and an aerial flow — just to name a few. Bend offers Reiki certification, training to become a yoga teacher, and spiritual readings. In addition to those classes, Bend also offers some special classes and events — including monthly yoga at the beach classes in the summer, morning paddle, and more.

I have been a member of Bend since May of this year, and am so appreciative of it, as it offered me a space to just take care of myself. I started taking yoga regularly in January, and attend classes at least 2 to 3 times a week. Bend has offered me a place to take care of myself, both physically and emotionally. I am still considered to be a beginner at yoga, but I have never once felt intimidated and unwelcome during any class I have taken. In fact, these teachers have helped me grow in my practice — whether it may be that they correct my form, or offer me options.

Furthermore, one other thing that I love about Bend is the fact that they have virtual classes. I sometimes can’t make it to the studio, and having the option to do it virtually gives me flexibility to practice yoga anywhere.

Bend offers many different plans for its students. I would first recommend using their new student special, which is $25 for two weeks’ worth of unlimited classes. Going on from there, you can get purchase a class for $20, unlimited monthly for $129 (which have a lot of benefits), and 10 packs of classes. I personally have the unlimited one, because it gives me the chance to take as many classes as I want, as well as a 10 percent discount from the Bend store, and a free pass for a friend. You can view the complete list of offerings here.

For me, the money is 100 percent worth it. Yoga has helped me to get through a time when my anxiety was running high, and has helped me to learn to love my body. I give a huge thanks to Bend to help me progress of my yoga journey.

Furthermore, Bend is one of the most welcoming places that I’ve been to as of late. I love chatting with the staff before classes, as well as the teachers.

Namaste.

Are Budhagirl Bangles Worth It?

Budhagirl’s AWB (all weather bangles) promise to be TSA friendly, soundless, waterproof, and weightless, which make them the perfect accessory for beach and pool days. That’s a lot of promise for one single bracelet. However, the bangles do in fact deliver.

The AWB come in a ton of classic colors: rose gold, champagne, gold, and silver. Additionally, they also come in some fun colors, such as pink, amethyst, graphite, and marine — just to name a few. Furthermore, the AWB also come in a collection called the Three Kings, which look like enamel bangles. They have a lot of delicious colors, such as chocolate, pink, black, and jade, all of which are perfect for stacking.

I’ve had these bangles in a variety of colors since January, and I will say that I absolutely love them. I can’t wear anything that makes noise at work, so I came into them with skepticism. However, I was pleased to learn that they delivered on their promise. I’m not sure what the bracelets are made of — they don’t feel like rubber or silicon, but they have some metallic color to them that give them an expensive looking sheen. They are comfortable to wear, and easy to get on and off. Furthermore, they are easy. I can wear them when going to the beach, the office, or even working out without a single worry.

And, they go with everything. I’ve worn them to work with a sundress. I’ve worn them with a sweater. I’ve even worn them with shorts and a t shirt. These bracelets are like the little black dress of your jewelry box.

That said, these bangles come with a side of mindfulness. They promise a mindful ritual in which they need to stay present. The ritual? Slide each bangle one by one and list an intention for your day. Then, when it comes time to remove them for the day, you remove them one by one while recalling one thing you’re grateful for.

Budhagirl bangles do come with a hefty price tag. The price of a set of 9 bangles come in at $125, while the price for a pack of jewel tones are $100. And, there are a ton of Amazon dupes available for less. However, I do want to say that I personally think that they are worth the price tag. I can’t speak about the Amazon dupes, but I can say that the quality of the Budhagirl ones are amazing. While I do take care of my jewelry, I am not gentle with it. These are life proof, which makes them worth the investment.

However, if the price is too steep, Budhagirl does have some sales from time to time, so it’s easy to score these bangles at a good price.

Overall, I can say that these are 100 percent worth it, and dare I say, considered investment pieces of jewelry. Not only are they stylish and comfortable to wear, they also come with a side of mindfulness.

Definitely worth it if you ask me.

9 Instagram Posts You Posted If You Were A Blogger in the 2010s

I was a college blogger before I started the Nutmeg Millennial. And, back in the 2010s, blogging was a completely different scene than it is these days. The same goes for Instagram, but that’s a whole different story.

I credit my success on the Nutmeg Millennial to my college blogging days, and why it still remains to be a hobby of mine to this day. My content has surely changed since those days, but my passion for blogging has not. That said, let’s take a trip down memory lane to the Golden Age of blogging.

1. Monogram . . . Anything:

Monogram was the big thing back in the mid-2010s. You name it, it was monogrammed. I didn’t have that much monogram on my own personal Instagram, but I can assure you that it was on my wishlist. When I graduated college, my mom did give me a monogram ring, which I still treasure to this day, but long gone are the days of monogram stickers on your laptop.

2. Arm Candy:

I still post stack of the day photos to be completely honest. But, back in 2014, an arm candy post was the easiest way to score some likes. Bonus points if your arm candy picture included a chunky watch. Ahh, the days before smart watches.

3. Starbucks Cups. . . Seasonal and Coffee Flatlays:

Coffee is your BFF in college due to late nights studying, working, and of course, making memories. And, if you were basic like me, when PSL season rolled around, you were first in line. And when Starbucks introduced their decorated — and Instagramable — cups, definitely made it worth snapping a pic and posting.

4. Laptop Picture:

MacBook with coffee. . . MacBook showcasing a sticker. . . MacBook anything. I mean, what better way to show that you’re working on new posts then snap and post an edited photo of your laptop? Self promotion at it’s finest.

5. Outfit of the Day Photos Featuring Infinity Scarves and Tall Boots:

Ahh, my favorite two closet staples in my late teens/early 20s. Nothing says going to class fashion than these two items paired with strips and skinny jeans.

6. Food

#foodie #foodporn

7. Planner

We bloggers love planners. They keep us organized by helping us keep track of our posts, work schedule, and class assignments. They are aesthetically pleasing. This applies to me today, but a planner was essential in the 2010s blogger era. Bonus points if your picture included a Starbucks cup.

8. Anything With a Filter:

Just add a filter, and you’ve got a good photo. Case in point, these pictures of the streets of New York City and this book, edited with various apps.

9. Instax Mini 8/Polaroids:

The Instax came onto the scene back when I was in college. Thank you Taylor Swift during the 1989 era. Enter photos of artsy flatlays featuring the camera, and of course, photos of the Polaroids themselves.

As Close To Us as Breathing: Historical Fiction That Paints a Family Photograph That Feels Like an Old Family Tale

Elizabeth Poliner’s As Close To Us As Breathing begins with the line “The Summer of 1948 my brother Davey was killed in an accident with a man who would have given his own life rather than have it happen.” The pages that follow, we are introduced to three Jewish sisters — Ada, Beck, and Vivi — who inherit a summer cottage from their father in Woodmont, Connecticut, and travel there every summer with their children. On Fridays, their husbands leave the work at their department store in Middletown to join their families for the weekend, stopping for a hotdog at Jimmie’s along the way.

Told from the point of view of Molly, As Close to Us As Breathing tells the story of the summer of 1948 with the events that lead up to Molly’s brother’s accident, but then paints a picture of the family and the skeletons buries in the closet of each sister. Towards the end of the novel, we fast forward to the future, where Molly is grown up.

Furthermore, As Close To Us As Breathing also paints a picture of a post World War II New England, where Jews stick together and prejudice still remains. We see this in several instances throughout the story, especially as some members of the family are straddled with the pressures of staying with their family and doing what their father decides what’s best for them.

I was recommended this novel by my mother in law, and I devoured it. Honestly, I was sold on the fact that it simply took place in Connecticut. I listened to the audiobook on this one, and it felt like I was listening to an aunt or my grandmother tell me stories of long ago. Further, I am from the New Haven area, so I could picture the setting with perfect ease.

The central plot point and event of this book was the tragedy of Davie’s death and the divide of how each member of the family was before and after. However, it extends to much more than that. There are themes of tradition, themes of exploring, and of course, the desire of being accepted by your family. In several scenes in the book, Molly struggled to be accepted by her cousin Nina, whose consistent company was the pages of her book. There are also themes are growing up, as Molly leaves her beloved puppet, Linda Bagel, and her constant desire to wear Nina’s dress made by their aunt.

While the premise of this novel is tragedy, the stories of each member of the family are tightly woven together and told in such an engaging manner. There’s Ada, who stole Mort from her sister Vivi. We then go into how Vivi moves on from Mort. Then, we learn about Beck, the youngest, who never marries, but becomes a master seamstress. And, the latter half of the book, we learn about what happens to the kids — Molly, Howard, and Nina. Each character felt so real, and as I was listening to the book, I couldn’t help but feel like they were someone that I knew, or had a connection to.

That said, this book did come with its own set of problems. Towards the end, I did not care for how the father treated the women immediately following Davey’s accident. I also was frustrated with how the mother perceived Italians due to the fact the person causing the accident being Italian.

That said, As Close To Us As Breathing encompasses everything that I love about reading. It’s emotionally driven, leaves us with a glimpse of what life was like in the generations before it, and gives you something that you take with you long after you’ve read that final sentence. Therefore, this makes it the perfect summer read, as it takes you back to summers as a kid — no matter what generation you’re in.

Needless to say, I gave this one five out of five stars.

Friday Faves: August 11, 2023

I can’t believe that we’re already in the second week of August. I guess Taylor Swift was right when she said “August slipped away like a moment of time.”

However, I am happy that the week flew by, and if you’re reading this post, this means that you survived the work week. Cheers to the weekend!

But before we raise our glasses, here are this week’s favorites.

1. Target Cardigan: Every now and then, Target has some great style gems at attainable prices. I picked this cardigan up on Monday, and wore it to work almost every day this week. Furthermore, I also decided to grab another in the brown so I have some options as we head into the fall season. For only $30, and it being such a staple in my wardrobe, I can’t recommend this guy enough.

2. The Last to Let Go by Amber Smith: This is my second Amber Smith novel that I picked up, and I loved this one as well. The first one I picked up is a BookTok favorite, The Way I Used to Be (which I would like to note that I read way before the hype), and I could not put that one down. The same goes for this one. Now, this one is heavy. The main character is a high school rising junior who goes home from school to learn that her mother murdered her abusive father. This book was heavy on the trigger warnings, but this story was still emotional and amazing to read, if that makes sense.

3. Elin Hilderbrand Books: I found another author that I’m obsessed with, surprise surprise. I read a few books by this author in the past, but didn’t vibe with them. Then, I picked up The Five Star Weekend, and I couldn’t put it down. I have since downloaded a few books of hers, that I can’t wait to start reading ASAP.

4. Summer Fridays Lip Balm: Surprise, we have another TikTok influenced item. But, I love this lip balm. I love that it tastes like vanilla, which is by far my favorite scent. However, there are so many other scents to choose from, if vanilla is not your thing.

5. Garmin Vivomove Trend: I recently replaced my Apple Watch for the this, and I am so happy with the change. I love how this focuses more on my health, and helps me stay active. What I also love about this is that it looks like a regular watch versus a smart watch.

4 Wedding Little Words Project Bracelets To Add To Your I-Do Stack

Disclaimer: While this post is not sponsored in any way, shape, or form; however, I am a brand Ambassador for Little Words Project. However, if you are so inclined to make a purchase, use the code BANutmeg for 15% off of your purchase.

Little Words Project bracelets are a fun way to add positivity to your day. There are words for practically everything, and I love looking down on my wrist stacks to see a little bit of joy.

One of the things that made the wedding process more fun was using the customization option for my wedding. What I love about Little Words Project is that this option makes a great gift for a bride to be, or even yourself. So, here are some great wedding Little Words Project bracelets ideas for brides to be:

1. Bride/Bridesmaid/Maid of Honor: This is the only one that is available for purchase without being customized. Little Words Project has a huge collection of options for brides and their “I do” crew. I got myself the bride bracelet, and my girls the bridesmaid/maid of one ones. For my bachelorette, I asked that all of my girls wore theirs, so we can take a picture. I highly recommend getting this one, because it’s a fun little bracelet to share with your girls.

2. The Date: I got one made with my date, and I absolutely loved it. It served as a source of joy during the planning process. Now, it serves as a reminder of the best day.

3. Mrs. Insert New Last Name Here: I got this one as a fun way to commemorate my new last name.

4. Wedding Hashtag: Last but certainly not least, if you have a wedding hashtag, this is a great way to remember it as well. I have a gold filled version of mine, and every time I wear it, I am reminded of my special day.