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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.

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.