Friday Faves: May 26, 2023

TGIF, everyone, and this Friday is an especially exciting one, as we are heading into a long weekend, and I need the long weekend to recharge my batteries, and to be productive. If you have noticed, I have been radio silent on the blog lately due to being overwhelmed with the wedding and work at the same time. However, I did want to sit down and write a Friday Faves post, as it’s one of my favorites to write. So, without further a due, here are this week’s favorites:

The Senator’s Wife by Liv Constantine: I’ve been doing so much reading lately, and I devoured Liv Constatine’s latest release in a matter of a few days. You might recognize this author’s name — this dynamic duo wrote The Last Mrs. Parrish, which is another favorite of mine. This one is about Sloane Montgomery, who unexpectedly marries her husband’s cousin’s husband post-tragedy. Sloane, who was diagnosed with Lupus, has a hip replacement surgery, and her condition begins to deteriorate rapidly. This book was amazing, and I couldn’t stop reading to figure out was going to happen next.

Embroidery: Just what I need — another craft to occupy my time with. I recently ordered a few kits off of Amazon, and I am obsessed. I have been doing it while watching TV, and trust me, it is so relaxing.

The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave: Guys, do not sleep on a Reese Witherspoon pick. This one tells the story of Hannah, whose husband Owen disappears after his company gets exposed. He leaves her with a message, protect her, and she scrambles to figure out where is he. She soon learns that he is not the man that he claims to be, and goes on a mission to find out who the man truly is. I was obsessed with this book from start to finish, and I am pretty sure I’m going to be watching the show ASAP.

Briar U series by Elle Kennedy: Surprise, another book series to share. I thought for the longest time that I was not going to like Elle Kennedy. However, I devoured the first three books in the span of a week, and just finished the fourth earlier in the week. I also have already gotten several of her other books, and I am obsessed.

ENewton Bracelets: On this episode of Instagram made me do it, we have eNewton bracelets. They are my new favorite because they stack so well with other bracelets. And, you all know that I love a good bracelet stack. I currently have a few of the sterling silver pieces, and it looks amazing.

Riley Crossbody: I found my summer bag, guys. And, it’s super affordable too, coming in at one $34. And if you know me, you know that I am a designer bag fiend. I love this bag, because not only is it vegan leather, but you can convert it to a wristlet OR a crossbody. I love that, because then you can have a bag for different situations.

My 5 Most Used Bags of 2023 (So Far)

We are almost six months into 2023, and I will say that my style has changed so much since January 1. For example, I have been looking for more understated, functional bags that will get me through my daily life and activities. So, it is no surprise to me that none of these bags are considered to be a high end lux brand. However, I love them just as much — if not more — than my luxury pieces.

So, here are my top 5 most used bags of 2023 — thus far:

1. Lululemon Side Cinch Shopper Tote: This is my favorite bag. I own three colors of this, and I use this every single day. I have one for work, one for yoga class, and one that has multiple uses. I love it because it can fit everything that you would need, and is so lightweight and easy. I can also see this bag being used as a bag for the beach and for travel throughout the summer.

2. Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag: This is by far the most functional bag in the world. I have this in the regular size and the large. I love them both. I like it because it keeps everything secure when you’re going about your errands, the beach, and more. I’ve used this bag hiking, walking, and even on a quick trip to Target. Out of all these bags that I’m talking about, this is the one bag that I definitely recommend picking up.

3. Longchamp Le Pliage Bag: This is by far my favorite tote bag of all time. I have this in so many different colors, and the ones that I purchased four years ago is still amazing. I love this bag because it fits everything you may need, all without being too heavy. I also love this bag, because it’s so easy to store. You literally just fold it up and you’re good to go. Longchamp totes are slowly making their way back in style (not that they went out in my opinion), and I recommend this bag so much.

4. Baggu Medium Crescent Bag: I love this bag because it’s basically like a belt bag, but functional. I mean, it’s viral for a reason, folks. I love this purse because it is so comfortable to wear, and since it’s so secure, it’s perfect for day trips and every day use. Furthermore, this bag hold so much. I can fit my everyday essentials, and it’s still pretty light weight. Furthermore, I love how this bag looks. Therefore, you already know that I am reaching for this bag again and again.

5. Polene Number Un: This is probably the most expensive out of all of the bags, and today, I’m going to talk about the nano and the regular. I love this bag because it’s just a classic style, and the craftsmanship is just amazing on it. It is also one of the most unique bags that I have purchased, and it goes with so much. I currently have the brown, black, and light gray color, and I love them all.

What are your top five most used bags this year? Let me know in the comments below.

Run Don’t Walk for This Hermès Sandal Dupe

As the summer season approaches, I am so excited to break out my sandals. One pair that has been on my wishlist for years is the Hermès Oran Sandals, which are a classic staple for any wardrobe. Even though these sandals are a classic, and will never go out of style, they also are $660. And, as much as I know I would get use out of them, I just can’t justify that for footwear that will only be worn a few months out of the year, and may come in contact with sand.

This year, Steve Madden introduced the Hayden sandal, which looks like the Oran’s twin sister, with a much better price tag of $80. The Hayden comes in several colors, including denim, a classic cognac, and the ultra trendy green. I picked up three pairs — the green, cognac, and the black.

I’ve only worn these a few times, but I already can see these pairing wonderfully with my work clothes, jeans, and more. I love these because they are comfortable, and even though they are a dupe, they are good quality. I don’t have to baby them, which is a huge deal during the summer time.

This summer if the Hermès Oran is on your wishlist, be sure to check out this look for less before dropping hundreds on the real thing.

6 Things that I Got For My Wedding That I Absolutely Love

My wedding day is less than two months away (gasp, ensue panic and excitement), and I’ve been purchasing quite a few things for my special day. For those of you who are not new here, my fiance and I are doing a small ceremony by the water, followed by a larger reception after. That said, I wanted to share some of the things that I got for my wedding, because we do not gate keep around here.

1. Bouquet Memorial Charm: One of the hardest things about this time off my life is that my mother is not going to be here to see it. When I first got engaged, my mother in law to be suggested getting this charm. I finally got around to ordering it, and I’m so glad that I waited because I wanted to find the perfect picture to use. The one I ended up going with was a picture of my mother and my grandfather, who was more like a father figure for me. The charm will go in my bouquet, which makes me feel like both of them are walking me down the aisle.

2. Memorial Ribbon: The second mom memorial I purchased was this little sash. We’re going to do a memorial table at our reception, but I wanted something that separated my mother from the grandparents, so I got this sash to drape on her photo. I unfortunately can’t link this one, as it is no longer available and could not find one similar.

3. Dog of Honor Bandanna: One of the reasons why we’re choosing to do our wedding this way is so that Lucy can be a part of it. Needless to say, Lucy needed something special to wear, hence the dog of honor bandanna.

4. Barrette: I do not plan to wear a veil, but I wanted to have a special barrette to wear, so I got this to put in my hair from Amazon.

5. Sign: I made this at Words on Wood in Wallingford, but I feel like you can get these from almost anywhere. I love this sign because it has all of our important dates. Here is a similar version here.

6. Polaroid Camera: Instead of doing a traditional guestbook, I wanted to put my own flair to it. I want to have a table with Instax Minis so people can take their photos and then have fun with it. I already had one from college, but I wanted to grab a second one to add to the fun.

Friday Faves: May 5, 2023

Happy Cinco De Mayo everyone! It is hard to believe that I am sitting here writing my first list of favorites for the month of May. This week has been really taxing on my mental health, and while I am glad to be back with a post, I am looking forward to giving myself some TLC this weekend, something that is much needed.

This week’s of favorites is a little bit of everything, and I am really looking forward to sharing them with you. So, without further a due, here are this week’s favorites:

Lola Pendants: Lola, which stands for Love One Love All (love that by the way), is a brand that I’ve been loving for the last year or so. The necklaces are gorgeous and they have a huge variety of symbols to choose from. Lately, I’ve been loving layering a mini/small with a small/medium. They are great to wear every day, and the symbols are amazing. My collection has grown over the last year, but my favorite is the 16 inch ball chain, the hamsa pendant, the evil eye, and the zodiac one in my sign, which is cancer. They come in all sorts of colors, but I honestly tend to gravitate towards the neutral ones so I can wear it with most things.

Saint X by Alexis Schtaikin: I loved this book so much. This basically tells the story about a young girl named Allison, who is murdered during her family’s vacation on an island. To this day, no one knows what happened to her. A majority of the book is told through her sister’s point of view. I am going to be honest, here. I was not interested in this book for a long time, but wanted to read this before watching the show. And, it was totally worth the read.

The Deal by Elle Kennedy: Surprise, another book to share! This one is a book that I was not sure why everyone liked, because I read another book by another with a similar name that I hated. Therefore, I stayed away from Elle Kennedy. I then realized that that was a different author, and picked this guy up. So far, I am really loving this book, and I am already planning to read the other books in the Briar U series over the weekend.

Lily and Laura Bracelets: Everyone knows that I love stacking bracelets and have a massive collection of bracelets. My newest obsession is Lily and Laura. They are colorful, and they make such amazing additions to any stack. I’ve paired them with some TJazelle beaded bracelets, and was obsessed. I have a feeling that I will be creating more and more stacks with these bracelets in the summer months.

April 2023 Favorites

Guys, I can not believe that I am sitting here sharing my April favorites. This month feels like it has flown right by, and I am approaching less than two months before I say ‘I do,’ which is super exciting.

There are a lot of favorites this month that I have to share with you. Some of them are tangible items, while others are just content that I’ve been consuming. Nonetheless, I can’t wait to get into them with you:

1. Leslie Sandstone Walking App/Videos: I have been getting into walking and making sure that I hit 10,000 steps every single day. One of the ways that I do this is by watching Leslie Sandstone videos, or by using her app. On average, I get about 2,000 to 3,000 steps depending on what video I do. She also incorporates the entire body, which is something that I really enjoy.

2. Music: I’ve been listening to so much music lately. Some of the artists that I’ve had on repeat include: Suki Waterhouse, Collective Soul, Lana Del Rey, JoJo, and the Cab. There is something that is so amazing about listening to a song. Music truly changes your mood, and I’m really enjoying the time that I get to listen to my favorite songs.

3. Miranda Frye MF Cuff: This bracelet has become one of my go-tos for stacking and just wearing in general. I love this because it’s a great Cartier Love Bracelet dupe, and has amazing quality. I did get the gold one as well, but I’m really reaching for the silver one regularly.

4. Lululemon Dual Pouch Wristlet: For this to cause me to switch out of my beloved Louis Vuitton wallet, this little guy has to be good. I got this in a few colors, and I just love this wallet, because you can grab and go, or you can stick this in your bag if needed. As we all know, I am not gentle on my wallets, so I can honestly say that the quality of this is amazing.

5. Lululemon Side Cinch Tote: This bag has become my go-to work tote. I love it because there are pockets, so it doesn’t feel like everything goes into a giant black hole. I have three of them and I use them on the regular. I use one for work, one for yoga, and one for a change of clothes if I have a yoga class. At a price point of $58, this is an amazing alternative to the Louis Vuitton Neverfull, or dare I say it, the Longchamp Le Pliage bag.

6. Madewell Zip-Top Transport Crossbody bag: Madewell has become my go-to lately when it comes to purses. I love the leather bags, and this one is my favorite goldilocks bag — not too big, not too small. This fits everything I need on the regular, and I love it. You can see what I put in this bag by going to this post here.

7. Baggu Crescent Bag: My other favorite bag has been the Baggu Crescent bag, once again. I’ve been using this bag in rotation with the Madewell one, and I really love how comfortable this bag is. I also love how secure this bag, because it fits so close to the body, and it fits everything but the kitchen sink.

8. Miranda Frye Cancer Charm and Carina Chain: I love love love this combo! This necklace has been one of my go-tos lately, and it’s great for layering with other pieces or by itself.

9. Jellycat Stuffed Animals: I’ve fallen down the rabbit hole of hunting and collecting Jellycat stuffed animals. My collection is getting massive, so I won’t list all of them, but I love them all.

Friday Faves: April 28, 2023

How are we in the last Friday of April already? I don’t get it. This weekend is slated to be yet another busy weekend, but I am hoping to complete more books, as I’m working on a reading challenge. But, before we head into the weekend, here are this week’s Friday Faves:

Urban Outfitters Fleur De Blonde Perfume: I am obsessed with this new perfume. It is a clean scent, and it became my go-to for the last week or so.

A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willigham: I would like to thank booktube for picking this book up. I could not put it down. It was about a girl whose father was responsible for six murders 20 years ago. On the 20th anniversary, it looks like history was repeating itself. This book was something that I could not put down from the moment that I started reading it. It was a solid five star read for me.

My Saint My Hero Bracelets: I’ve had these in my jewelry collection for a long time, and trust me when I say this, I was thinking of decluttering for spring cleaning. However, one day, I decided to put them on, and I love them. I wear one on its own, or I stack it. My current favorites are the Divine Blessing Bracelet, the Miraculous Mary Bracelet, and the Benedictine Bracelet.

Yoga Classes: I signed up for a trial Yoga period at a local studio where I can take as many classes as I want for $25. I am enjoying it, and have taken so many classes over the last few days. I love yoga, because it is one of the few times that I feel truly relaxed, which is really important to me.

What’s In My Bag: Madewell Zip-Top Transport Crossbody

When it comes to quality leather handbags, Madewell will always be slaying the game. Their transport line is pretty much iconic, and I have accumulated quite a large collection of bags over the last few years. They are pretty basic, but these bags are investment pieces that you will reach for repeatedly. My latest purchase from the brand is their zip-top crossbody in the iconic English Saddle color.

A fun little story here: I purchased this bag on Poshmark in new with tags condition for $40. This bag normally retails for $158, so I’d say that this was a steal. I also have the black and brown one as well, but I did not get that one at that price.

This bag holds a ton, and I really love it, hence why I have it in both colors. Here’s what I fit in my Madewell bag daily:

  • Lululemon Dual Zip Wristlet
  • Louis Vuitton Zippy Coin Purse
  • Louis Vuitton Mini Pochette
  • Lavender Essential Oil Roller
  • Longchamp Le Pliage Coin Purse
  • Kindle Paperwhite/Nook Glowlight Four
  • Birdie Alarm
  • Crystals
  • AirPods Pro

Coffee and Community is Served at Walnut Beach Coffee House

When thinking of the Walnut Beach section of Milford, one word that always comes to mind is community. Walnut Beach is home to several different small businesses, including: Walnut Beach Creamery, Nautilus, and of course, Walnut Beach Coffee House.

Located just a short walking distance from Walnut Beach, Walnut Beach Coffee House is a combination of a cozy coffee house mixed with a beachy theme. This combination is welcoming, as you open the doors to the cafe.

Their menu is extensive, with drinks, breakfast, lunch, and starters. Their breakfast menu consists of toasts (avocado and veggie just to name a few), egg sandwiches, and wraps. You can add onto your meal, such as an additional egg, avocado, and more. For lunch, you can choose between salad and sandwiches. Of course, we can not forget about the starters, which include a bruschetta plate, cheese plate, and Mediterranean plate.

Finally, they also have a huge variety of baked goods to choose from as well — from scones to monkey bread to cookies that will make your mouth water. While visiting, I couldn’t help but noticed that they also had some gluten free options to choose from as well, which I thought was amazing.

When it comes to coffee, they’ve got it covered as well and something for everyone if coffee is not your thing. They have lattes, espresso, teas, and coffee — both iced and hot.

What is a coffee shop without the community aspect? Well, Walnut Beach Coffee House has a ton of events that everyone is welcome to. These include the sip and paint, and the weekly game night. I mean, come on, what is better than sipping on something delicious while hanging out with your friends? Absolutely nothing.

I visited the coffee house this past weekend for the first time, and I was impressed. The staff was extremely welcoming, and the food was delicious. It was the perfect place to curl up with a book on a chilly rainy day post yoga, and I will be back again.

Friday Faves: April 21, 2023

TGIF everyone! This weekend is a busy one, as we get ready to celebrate my fiancé’s 30th birthday. Before we head into the weekend, I want to share some of this week’s favorites:

Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag Large: I am a huge fan of the Lululemon regular sized belt bag, so over the Christmas season, I grabbed this. I just started using it this weekend, and I am obsessed. I love this size, because I can fit my ereader in it, which for an avid reader like myself, is amazing. I ordered this in a few more colors, including the gray and the white, so I can wear this all of the time.

Miranda Frye Cancer Zodiac Charm: I am obsessed with this pendant. I got it last week, and I love layering this with my other Miranda Frye pieces. This makes an amazing gift for anyone.

Miranda Frye Carina Chain: I love pairing this with the zodiac charm, and it makes a great layering piece as well. I definitely will be wearing this on repeat for the foreseeable future.

Lululemon Dual Pouch Wristlet: Lululemon has been slaying when it comes to their accessories and crossbody bags. I recently switched from my Louis Vuitton recto verso to this, and let me tell you that I am obsessed with this. It fits both my cards and my car keys perfectly. I love this because if I need to run a quick errand, I can just grab this, and be good to go. So easy, and it fits perfectly in all of my handbags. Definitely a win on Lululemon’s end.

Crosstic Crossword App: I’m addicted to this game. It’s a combo of both a crossword puzzle and Wordle. I’ve been playing every day, and enjoy every second of it.