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2022 Reading Wrap Up

With two days left in the new year, it’s safe to say that I am likely going to hit my Goodreads goal of reading 100 books, since I only have one book to finish between now and Saturday. That said, I wanted to take the time to look over the past year of reading.

In 2022, I read 99 books. This equaled 32,053 pages read throughout the year. The ranges of books is from romance to fantasy to fiction.

Looking back, my reading year in 2022 was very hot and cold. Some days, I am tearing through my TBR pile, while others I am only reading a few pages a day.

Some of the best books I read this year were:

Every Summer by Carley Fortune: I remember being glued to this book while lying in the pool and just reading. I love these types of books where someone goes back to their childhood summer romance. This tells the story of Percy, whose family goes to the lake every summer where Sam’s family lives. Percy and Sam are drawn to each other, and date in their teens, but break up when Sam goes to college. Suddenly, Percy is back to pay her respects after the death of Sam’s mom. This book was the perfect romance, and I loved every minute of it.

Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score: Okay this one started out so slow, and I was so mad at TikTok, because this was a book that vent viral this year. Then, it picked up and I couldn’t put it down. This tells the story of Naomi, who is forced to take care of her niece that she did not tell anyone about after her sister leaves town. She’s a runaway bride, so she is not interested in any kind of romance. But, she cannot resist the charm of Knox. This romance was steamy, and addictive.

Tell Me Lies by Carola Lovering: I was addicted to this book. It tells the story of Lucy and Stephen, a relationship that was both on and off. It is told in both past and present tense, and I was addicted to their romance, and the fact that it had a bit of a thriller element.

Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid: Remember Carrie Soto in Malibu Rising? Well, she gets a book of her own, and I could not put this book down. This tells the story of Carrie Soto, a tennis star who is about to come out of retirement. I loved this character. Carrie was the character that everyone hated in Malibu Rising, but this book gave me a whole new perspective of her.

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig: I do not recommend that someone who is dealing with loss to read this book. This tells the story of Nora, who is somewhere between life and death, and is in the library of the books of what if. What if she stayed with that person? What if she followed that career? I loved reading this book, and it definitely was worth the read.

Meant to Be by Emily Giffin: Emily Giffin is one of my favorite authors, and it is not surprising that this is one my favorite books of the year. This tells the story of Cate and Joe. Joe is a Kingsley, which is a family that is similar to the Kennedys, and Cate is a model. The two meet and fall in love – against all odds. I could not put this book down, and I absolutely loved this book. Out of all of these books, this is the one that I highly recommend you reading.

Are Women Really the Ones To Blame?

While watching the Harry and Meghan documentary a few weeks ago, Meghan Markle brought up a point that was very thought provoking in my mind — that when a man starts seeing a woman — and nonetheless stops seeing the guy as much, the woman is seen as someone who took the guy away from them.

I 100 percent agree with this. In fact, the same can be said about women. I’ve been in a relationship since 2017 (and have friends that are either married/or in serious committed relationships), and have noticed that same thing with myself or friends so it’s not just something that it’s related to men alone.

I feel that when someone says something along the lines is one of a few things. The first is that they are jealous of that new person’s relationship. The second is that they could be threatened in the sense that they don’t know their place in that person’s life. The third, is that they just are afraid of change.

That said, I don’t agree with the thought that since he/she started dating so and so, they’ve essentially taken this person away. First and foremost, that person has the choice. I always have agreed with the saying that if they wanted to, they would. Meaning that if they want to make plans, they would make the efforts to do so. While friends have to share the the spotlight, they should still have their time to shine. Stemming off of that, I also think that if a partner is actually telling you not to see someone, but then again, that’s its own issue.

Additionally, I would like to bring up the point that things do change during the course of life. For example, when you’re single and in your high school/college years, chances are you have the most free time to spend with your friends. And, many of those friends happen to be right there. As we get older, responsibilities do change. I have lived with my fiancé since 2020, and of course, we’re saddled with the whole planning a wedding thing that is super time consuming. During high school and college, those things are far away from thought. And of course, as adults we all pretty much work full time that consumes a lot of our energy.

In Harry and Meghan’s case, it was because when all of the stuff that happened with them and the Royal Family, Harry stood up to them, which is something that they didn’t care for. However, this is an argument and statement that has existed for many years, and will continue to.

Honestly, that is something that is not on the couple, rather than the person who is making the statement. Therefore, to answer my question, women are not the ones to blame for taking a friend from the group away. It’s just a matter of a changing dynamic.

Merry Christmas! Here Is My Favorite Christmas Playlist

Merry Christmas to all! In honor of it being Christmas Day, I wanted to share my Christmas Spotify Playlist that is filled with all of my favorite songs. Some of them are classics, and I just honestly can’t get enough of the Celine Dion Christmas album. . .

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas Day!

Trader Joe’s Christmas Charcuterie Board Ideas

Merry Christmas all! Trader Joe’s is one of my favorite places to get snacks, and this year, I did not feel like baking Christmas cookies this year. So, I decided to create this board instead. I also would like to thank my future mother in law for the design assistance.

Yogurt Pretzels
Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Chocolatey Coated Chocolate Chip Cookie Dunkers
Peppermint Joe Joe Cookies
Gingerbread Sandwich Cookies

There are so many different options out there, but this is definitely something that is so easy to do but it still is pretty fun.

Designer Bags to Purchase Vintage and Save

It is no secret that the luxury market has become more and more inflated. Prices at Louis Vuitton and Chanel have skyrocketed, making them more and more not worth the price. However, one of my favorite ways to get the “look for less” is through designer consignment. Over the past year, I’ve purchased so many of the hot designer bags for a fraction of their new price. Some of these bags honestly may not be the exact same as their new counterparts, but they are definitely a close comparison. And, with the quality going down, I can honestly say that my vintage bags are definitely a lot better made than the ones I’ve purchased new. So, without further a due, here are some vintage bags to check out before adding the new ones to your cart.

1. Louis Vuitton Odeon:

I loved the Louis Vuitton Odeon and came this close to purchasing it at the Louis Vuitton store. I am so glad I didn’t because I ended up getting a Louis Vuitton Bloomsbury, which was a much better purchase compared to the Odeon because I paid less than half of the current retail price for it. I will note that it was so hard to find a bag in good condition for a price I was willing to pay, so I recommend checking everywhere for it.

2. Gucci Crossbody:

I fell in love with the Gucci Crossbody a while ago and almost bought it on Fashionphile. However, I waited too long and the bag was sold by the time I was ready to add it to my cart. I then searched for it on Poshmark and found one for about half of the Fashionphile price, but in good vintage condition. I will note that this one is not the crossbody bag, but the rather the shoulder one, however, it is still worth the price difference if you ask me.

3. Fendi Bageutte:

“It’s not a bag, it’s a baguette!” Thank you Carrie Bradshaw for making this bag oh so popular. This bag has made a huge comeback, including the Fendi Mama Zucca one. I have both a smaller and a larger one, both of which are vintage. The new ones are on the Fendi website, and let me tell you, those bags are over $3,200. I paid less than $1,000 for my two. For these, I would check out sites like Poshmark, the RealReal and Fashionphile, as well as local consignment stores. I love this bag because it does fit a lot, and I am so happy that I got these.

4. Gucci Jackie

This is probably the only bag that I do not actually own on this list, but it’s one that I think is definitely worth checking out. The new Jackie retails for $2,400 to $3,600 depending on what size you’re looking for. However, if you go looking on the vintage websites, you can find many under $500. Definitely worth looking into if you ask me.

5. Prada Nylon Bag:

The re-edition of this bag has been popular for the last few years. On Prada’s website, it’s $1250 for the shoulder bag. I’ve found mine for $200 at a local consignment shop. These bags are perfect for summer, and so easy to use. I highly recommend checking out sites like Fashionphile, and Poshmark for a vintage one, because you get the Prada quality for a lot less.

Friday Faves: December 23, 2022

Happy Friday before Christmas, everyone! As we frantically get ready for the holiday, I wanted to share some of my favorites of the week. So, be sure to keep reading to learn more.

All I Want For Christmas By Maggie Knox: This is one of my favorite reads of the holiday season to date. Basically, it’s a fake dating trope that takes place at a singing competition. I am about 38 percent of the way in at the time of writing this, and I am absolutely obsessed with the book. If you have the time, I highly recommend checking it out.

JoJo Loves You Plaid Stud Earrings: I love JoJo Loves You earrings. They are about $25, and they are so comfortable to wear. I’ve collected so many, but they honestly have a pair of earrings to go with every outfit. I am highly considering ordering a set to give to my bridesmaids when I get married next year. I highly recommend the ultra mini if you’re like me and have two piercings that are close together.

Madewell Demi Fine Hoops: These earrings are so comfortable. I got them on Black Friday and they are the perfect pair of hoops that you can wear every single day. And, I love it. I highly recommend snagging these during a sale, they will become a staple in your closet.

JoJo Loves You Emerald Earrings : Another pair of JoJo Loves You earrings, this time in emerald. These earrings are so comfortable and the emerald crystals are gorgeous. 10/10 recommend these as a gift or even as a fun pair to wear during Christmas.

Downtown Milford Is Lit Up For The Holidays

The Christmas spirit has arrived at the Milford Green with beautifully lit trees, sparkling icles, and snowmen lining Broad Street greeting cars as they drive on by. Seeing the Milford Green lit up this time of year has been a tradition of mine every year, and it holds even more special meaning to me, because that’s where my fiancé proposed to me last year. Many of the decorations have remained the same, but it is still fun to take a walk around.

If you head away from the downtown area, there is a tree on the duck pond as well as one right behind City Hall. Those I unfortunately was not able to grab photos of, but I highly recommend checking them out while doing last minute shopping in the downtown area.

Finally, what was the most breathtaking was the buoy tree, which is behind Scoopy Doo’s on Lisman’s Landing. This is one of the newer traditions, but it’s still amazing to look at nonetheless.

Be sure to keep reading to see all of my photos of the beautifully lit decorations, however, I highly recommend taking the drive to look at them yourself, because the photos do not do it justice:

Stamford Holiday Stroll Is A Festive Event For All

Ornaments, gingerbread houses, and sparkling lights are covering Mill River Park in Stamford this holiday season thanks to Stamford’s Holiday Stroll. The stroll is a interactive and a beautiful way to get into the Christmas spirit for all ages.

The Holiday Stroll goes from November 18 to December 24. Tickets can be purchased at the door, but it is encouraged to purchase them online by going here. Tickets are $20 per person.

I went to the Holiday Stroll with my fiancé this past weekend, and it was the perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit. As mentioned earlier, Mill River Park was lit up so beautifully, and had displays of reindeer, ornaments, and of course, Santa Claus himself makes an appearance. There were so many spots that made me stop and ask my fiancé to take photos, to which he happily obliged.

In addition to the beautiful lights, the Holiday Stroll also has a little fair at the end of the trail, which offers confections and rides. Nathan’s Hotdogs, and a tent from Blind Rhino which has an indoor bar definitely added to the fun. Between the lights and the rides, the Holiday Stroll is something that has something for everyone at every age. After all, there is nothing like a Christmas carnival to get you into the Christmas spirit.

Overall, the Holiday Stroll in Stamford was definitely worth the trip. That said, there are two things that I would like to advise you of. If you do choose to go is to make sure you get there early enough, because parking can be tricky. My fiancé and I spent about 15 minutes looking for a spot, and we had to park farther away. Thankfully, parking was not terribly expensive, which is always a good thing. In addition, be sure to dress warmly, because it did get chilly walking around.

That said, I definitely enjoyed it, and it made a memorable date night with my fiancé. However, if you’re a single pringle, that doesn’t mean that you can’t go. This event is a great event to go with your friends as well. And, if you have little ones, this is definitely something they would enjoy. But, no matter who you end up go with, this is a great place to create some memories.

Why I’m Taking a Trip to the Emerald City This Holiday Season

I am going to be honest, I was never much for the color green. However, this season, I found myself drawn to forest/emerald colors to the point where I added a new sweater and sweatshirt from Aerie to my collection.

What is great about this deep forest green is that it can be worn with so many things. I can wear it with black pants or brown, which makes styling it for work a complete breeze. And of course, I can dress it down with a pair of jeans as well. Versatility is key, guys.

This color is also amazing for all of the holiday looks as well. I mean green is perfect for Christmas, right?

If you’ve been looking for a little pop of color for all of your holiday looks this holiday season, emerald green is it. Emerald seems to be the big color this season — from bags to jewelry, because it’s a neutral mixed with a pop of color it will in fact go with what you already own.

Glow Hartford Illuminates Your Way Into the Christmas Season

The Connecticut Convention Center is illuminating the downtown Hartford area with Glow Hartford. Glow Hartford is an indoor holiday light festival and market where guests can walk around, enjoy holiday confections, and of course, take plenty of pictures.

Glow Hartford has been illuminating the Connecticut Convention Center since November 25, 2022 and will run daily through January 1, 2023. If you do end up deciding to go, I highly recommend going during the week, because you can save 30 percent off your tickets.

There are several different locations of Glow, however, the Hartford one seems to be the only one located in the U.S. Glow has different entry times that you can go in, there is no time limit whatsoever. They have a lengthy FAQ section, so I highly recommend checking that out if you’re considering going.

First and foremost, let’s talk about the lights. The Connecticut Convention Center is lit up with so many gorgeous lights — with Christmas trees, reindeer and of course, Santa himself. There are different sections of lights with various winter and Christmas themes. And, each of these sections are perfect for taking pictures. If anything, I’d say that the lights alone are worth the trip alone. And, there are a ton of great spots to snap a cute pic for the ‘gram. And to add onto the Christmas spirit, Santa himself makes an appearance in case anyone wants to share a Christmas list.

Secondly, there is a little section at the end of it that sells so many different types of food, including fried dough, Mac and cheese, candy, and pizza. I am lactose intolerant so there was not a ton of dairy free options, but there were definitely a few to choose from. In addition to the food, the drinks deserve their own little shoutout. For the price of $8, you can purchase a souvenir cup that is shaped like a Christmas bulb that actually lights up. They also have a few signature drinks as well.

Finally, Glow Hartford has a cute little market full of handmade goods for you to purchase, as well as merch.

I went to Glow Hartford a few days ago with my friends, and I am so blown away from the event. It was definitely the perfect event to go to to get into the Christmas spirit, and I believe that there is truly something for kids from 1 to 92. You can purchase your Glow Hartford tickets here.