What I Wore This Week

We are finally back with one of my favorite posts to write. This time, we are finally getting into the cozy winter outfits. You know the ones with thick cozy sweaters and boots. My favorite. Here are the outfits that I wore Monday through Friday:

Monday:

On Monday, I wore these Loft Plaid Ponte Leggings with an Aerie Sweater from last year. It had snowed overnight, so I just wanted to be cozy. Furthermore, I paired it with an older pair of brown boots, a coat from Old Navy, and my Pandora two-toned necklace. Here is a similar version of the boots and the coat, as they were purchased a number of years ago.

Tuesday:

I decided to keep it neutral on Tuesday with a pair of plaid pants, a nude colored sweater, and boots. I wore the same coat, and my Madewell Transport Shoulder Bag has also made an appearance. I also wore these Dr. Scholl’s shoes, which were so comfortable. Please note that the sweater was purchased a number of years ago, but here’s a similar version. I also want to take a moment to talk about Dr. Scholl’s shoes. If you can find them at Kohl’s and stack coupons, they are amazing. They are so comfortable, and they go with everything.

Wednesday:

I purchased a few new pairs of pants from Loft on the weekend, and I couldn’t be more excited to wear these. I had on a black sweater from Aerie, a pair of black and gray Houndstooth leggings, and a pair of black boots from Dr. Scholl’s. I also switched my bag to a larger Madewell Transport Crossbody because I needed to carry more things. The Aerie sweater is no longer available, but please check out this similar style here.

Thursday:

On Thursday, I kept it simple with a pair of Spanx pants and a gray sweater. I also wore the same pair of black boots I wore on Wednesday as well.

Friday:

TGIF! On Friday, I actually had plans to go out after work, so I wore an Aerie sweater with a pair of black pants. After work, I changed into jeans for a fun night out.

Friday Faves: December 16, 2022

TGIF everyone! It is the week before Christmas, and if you’re like me, you’re scrambling just a little bit. However, with the holidays coming up, I did still want to take the time to share some of my favorites, many of them purchased during Black Friday sales.

Madewell Transport Crossbody: I got the black/brown version of this bag, and I am obsessed with it. It is a crossbody that is in the same style of the brand’s signature Transport tote. I love this color, despite the fact that I am obsessed with Madewell’s brown bags, because it goes with pretty much everything. I also snagged the Transport Crossbody bag in Carmel for a steal on Poshmark, so I am sure I’ll be rotating between the two.

Harry and Meghan: I binge watched the first three episodes over the weekend, and I am sure that this weekend I will be doing the same. As someone who is obsessed with the Royals, I love watching it to get the tea on events that happened, but also to learn about Meghan and Harry as well. I highly recommend watching this in between Christmas movies.

Florence and the Machine: I have always loved her, but lately, I’ve been getting really into this band. I’ve listened to classics such as Dog Days Are Over, but also new songs such as Free. I definitely plan to continue listening to more and more of the band’s discography soon.

Pandora Two Toned Circle Pendant with Necklace: I am obsessed with this latest purchase from Pandora. I got it when the free bangle promo was going on, and I am so glad that I picked it up. I’ve been wearing this a ton with higher necked sweaters, however, I can see this piece being layered with some of my other necklaces as well. I also really love that it’s two toned, because I am obsessed with Pandora Rose.

Is Rocksbox Worth It?

As many of you know, I am a huge fan of jewelry. So, when I heard about a jewelry rental subscription service, I knew I had to check it out.

That subscription box is known as Rocksbox. For the price of $21, you get to choose three pieces of jewelry to rent. And, if you decide to purchase any and all of them, you can use that $21 as credit. Furthermore, if you buy all three pieces, you can get a discount as well.

I’ve had Rocksbox since May of this year, and I absolutely love it. How it works is that you select a bunch of items on a wishlist. Then, it curates three pieces of jewelry based on the pieces that you’ve selected in that wishlist. And, the beauty of this is that if there is something you are not interested in, you can swap them out. Some of the brands that Rocksbox has includes Kendra Scott, Kate Spade, and Luv AJ.

It takes a few days from selection for the pieces to arrive at your door. Each of the pieces are wrapped up nicely, and then you can wear them to your heart’s content. Once you’re ready to purchase them or ship them back, all you do is go back online, select what you want to purchase, and then go from there. If there are pieces that you don’t want to get, then all of you do is send it back to them in the mailer that it came in.

I really love this because I’ve been able to add so many fun pieces that I otherwise would never have done if I didn’t get my Rocksbox subscription. These pieces include fun fashion jewelry that is trendy or something that is just different than pieces that I would purchase for myself.

However, I also love it for fancy events as well. For example, I had to go to a wedding back in September and didn’t want to purchase a pair of earrings for me to only wear once. So, I took advantage of my Rocksbox subscription and got a pair of earrings perfect for the event. I can see myself getting some fun pieces for the holiday season, or seasonal pieces that I will only wear a few times and don’t want it to take up space in my jewelry box. That is the beauty of Rocksbox. You can literally just get pieces for that one event and send it back once it’s done. This not only saves space but also saves money so you can use that money to get pieces that you would wear on a daily basis.

That same mindset also applies to the trendy pieces that you want to try first before you invest. By renting them instead of buying you can try them out. If they don’t work out, then you can just send it back without having to either try to resell whatever online or by going through the hassle of a return. Rocksbox is a no risk way to try pieces that you were afraid to invest your hard earned money in.

Furthermore, what I also love about Rocksbox is the fact that whenever you do buy the pieces, you can get them at a discounted rate. Many times when I do buy pieces, I get credits, codes, so I get the pieces I want at a fraction of the price.

I personally think Rocksbox is a fun way to shake up your jewelry wardrobe, and recommend it to everyone who loves a piece of jewelry. Personally, I think it’s a good way to get the trendy pieces without paying the trendy prices. Here’s a referral link that you can use to get your first month free.

5 Last Minute Gift Ideas That Can Be Purchased At Your Next Target Run

Can you believe that we have less than two weeks until we finally reach Christmas? I know. I can’t either. I have a few names on my list that I have yet to cross off, and I know that there are so many procrastinators out there like myself. So, here are some last minute gift ideas that definitely don’t show that you waited until the last minute to get them. The beauty of this list is that many of these items can be purchased at Target. And, I’ll keep your secret as well.

1. Gift cards: Gift cards are the best to give people, because they are not only the easiest gift to get everyone on your list, but also a gift that shows you listen to, whether it may mean that you listen to where that person shops, where they get their coffee, or nails done. And, if you do a gift card on something like Target, you can definitely help out with the every increasing grocery bill as well. It is a win win.

2. Candy/coffee: If you know the person’s favorite candy or coffee, why not get them some and put it in a cute mug? It’s easy, and if you wrap it up well, it looks so thought out.

3. A good pair of slippers: Many people opt to give PJs for Christmas, however, I think slippers are something that everyone should have, especially in the winter time. Slippers run all over the range of prices too, and there is no better gift than the gift of comfort.

4. Candles: This applies to someone who actually burns candles. If they are like me and have a dog that will knock that over, please skip to item number five. There are so many fun seasonal candles out there, and candles can be so expensive. However, if they love candles, this will be a gift they are jumping up and down in excitement for.

5. Ornaments: If they just bought a new home, got engaged, pregnant, or even just like cats, why not buy an ornament for their tree? So many of my favorite ornaments were simply just gives from various friends and family members.

Lululemon Fleece Belt Bag

Lululemon has been killing it with their latest drops as of late. My wallet has been suffering the consequences of that to be honest. That said, I wanted to share something that I’ve picked up as of late — the fleece belt bag.

The fleece bag is perfect for carrying your daily essentials, just like the everywhere belt bag. And, the capacity is the same of its less cuddly older sister. However, the fleece is just perfect for all of the winter adventures you have planned for the holiday season. Personally, I like carrying it while holiday shopping because it’s a festive way to allow me to be hands free.

I styled it casually with a hoodie and a pair of leggings, and it looked amazing. It is priced at $58, which isn’t bad considering if you are familiar with other brands that have cozy options just as Stoney Clover. I can definitely see myself using this even with jeans, and even until the winter season ends. There are three colors that this belt bag comes in — black, brown and white. Naturally, I’ve gotten all three and I am so happy that I did.

If you can grab this one while it’s in stock — it sells out very quickly — then I highly recommend!

What To Do When You Have Nothing To Wear

Sometimes, it feels like I am wearing the same thing nearly everyday. Part of this is due to the fact that my work wardrobe greatly changed over the last year, and I have to dress more “business” and less “casual.” When this happens, I begin to feel like I truly have nothing to wear. Therefore, here are some things I do when I have that feeling:

1. Pinterest: I love Pinterest because it brings ideas to the table. For instance, it has helped inspire me to pair together items and outfits that I otherwise would not. And, what’s nice about Pinterest is that you can just recreate the outfit without adding to your cart.

2. Neutrals: I have a ton of neutrals in my wardrobe and I love this because it makes creating outfits so much easier. I have a lot of white sweaters, which look great with navy, olive, and burgundy pants. Furthermore, I also have a lot of black. Basically, having a lot of neutrals make it easier to create new combinations of the same things.

3. Slowly add items: Over time, I’ve been adding a few pieces of workwear appropriate clothing into my wardrobe. I love doing it this way because it not only keeps things fresh, but also allow you to use the pieces that you already have in new ways.

4. Change up your accessories. Maybe try wearing a different pair of shows with those pants. Or, if it’s cold out, break out the boots instead of the flats you usually wear. Furthermore, another thing you can do is add a necklace or a fun pair of earrings for an added touch of sparkle.

What are some things you do when you feel like you have nothing to wear?

Bagelicious Offers Bagels and Sandwiches That Truly Are Delicious

On a weekend morning, there is nothing better than sinking your teeth into a fresh, delicious bagel with either cream cheese, or egg and cheese. And, if you’re lactose intolerant like me, neither of these options are a go, and finding a place that offers them is a true gem However, a place that offers these options is Bagelicious.

Bagelicious has two different locations — in North Haven and in Cheshire. Both locations are open daily from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., and have extensive breakfast and lunch options that, true to their name, are delicious.

Their menu consists of several choices of bagels – from everything to orange cranberry to just plain. And, all of their bagels are so fresh and fluffy.

Their bagel sandwich menu is exquisite and extensive. They have egg sandwiches, and an extensive avocado menu. My personal favorite is this avocado plus, which is a bagel with hummus, tomato and avocado with a side of their delicious home fries. But, if you just want cream cheese with your bagel, you can still choose from quite a few of their cream cheese flavors. And, of course, what bagel is complete without a cup of coffee. They have extensive menu of iced and hot coffee as well.

Furthermore, if you are just looking for quick sandwich for lunch, Bagelicious has got you covered. They have wraps and sandwiches for you to enjoy as well, and they are equally as fresh and delicious.

What I love about Bagelicious is that everything tastes so fresh that you can tell that the bagels were made that day. And, I will say that they are priced fairly reasonable as well. Bagel sandwiches are no more than $5, and a half of dozen bagels are $5.50. The sandwiches and wraps run no higher than $8, which for quality food is a good price.

Overall, Bagelicious is truly delicious, and definitely worth checking out if you’re in the North Haven or Cheshire area. You can check out their complete menu by going here.

What is On My James Avery Charm Bracelet

One of my favorite pieces of jewelry is my James Avery charm bracelet, because I just love having all of of my favorite things when looking down on my wrist. Some of the charms represent my love for certain things, while others were gifts. I wanted to share what was on my bracelet, as well as the meanings behind the charms.

Before I share with you the charms that I have, I wanted to go into how I get the charms on my bracelet, since I do not live near a store. I send my bracelet in, and they put the charm on for me for absolutely free. James Avery does have amazing customer service, and this takes about a week to do.

Clover: I bought this came when I was getting ready to start a new chapter in my life as a good luck charm.

Butterfly: This charm represents when I was going through some transitions and I was constantly running into butterflies. My mom always said that butterflies meant that those who have passed on are with you, so I assumed that the butterfly that I saw was my mother.

Sunflower: This charm represents my favorite flowers, which are sunflowers.

Ladybug: This charm represents ladybugs, which I believe bring you luck as well.

Angel Wings: This charm represents a reminder that all of the loved ones I have that passed on are not too far away from me.

Sneaker: This charm represents my running career, as I purchased this when I ran my first 5k race.

Engagement Ring: This charm was actually a Christmas present from my fiancé on the first Christmas that we were engaged.

She Believed: This charm represents my favorite saying, which is “she believed she could so she did.”

Coffee: This charm represents my love for coffee.

Happy Birthday: This charm was a birthday present from my fiancé.

Key: This charm was a gift from my fiancé, because I love key jewelry.

Pumpkin: This charm represents my love for all things fall.

Moon: This charm represents my love for all the celestial things.

Dog: This charm represents my dog Lucy.

Friday Faves: December 9, 2022

TGIF everyone! I am so happy that it is the weekend, because it has been a week. I hopefully will get some downtime this weekend, and hope to do some blogging and decluttering. That said, before we get into the weekend, let’s look back at this week’s favorites:

Lululemon All Night Festival Bag: This bag has been in my closet for a while, and I just recently decided to dig it out and start using it. Let me tell you, I am obsessed. What I love about this bag is that it looks like it’s the tiniest bag in the world, but it packs a huge punch. It fits all of my daily essentials — including my e reader — with no issues. I highly recommend this bag to anyone who is about to do some traveling, because it makes it oh so easy.

Window Shopping by Tessa Bailey: This is my second holiday read of the Christmas season, and I am so happy that I decided to pick this up. It tells the story of Stella, who just got out of prison and is spotted criticizing a huge Macy’s style department store window. Turns out, she was discussing this with the own of the store, and was offered a job. Of course, the owner is handsome and the two fall madly in love. However, I just loved reading this steamy romance that definitely has been keeping me warm on a winter night.

Madewell Sydney Crossbody Bag: This was a Black Friday purchase, as Madewell never marks down their handbags. I got this, along with a few other styles. I love this bag because it gives the appearance of a small bag, but it packs a punch. It can be worn crossbody, and it can be worn as a shoulder bag. Great everyday bag, as well.

12 Date Night Ideas For The Holiday Season

It’s the most wonderful time of year! And, if you’re looking for some unique date night ideas, this time of year has so many things that you can do together to create memories with your special someone. That being said, what is great about the holiday season is to have a special date night doesn’t always mean a fancy night on the town. There are so many simple, low-cost options as well that couples can do together. Here are some great date night ideas to make this holiday season memorable for both of you as a couple:

1. Holiday Shopping: Anyone else still not done with their holiday shopping yet? Well, by doing some shopping together, that not only gets the shopping done, but also allows you to spend some quality time! Two birds in one stone.

2. Going to Christmas Lights Displays: Whether you’re driving around to see homes brightly lit up with festive lights or driving to one of the many light displays around the state of CT (or elsewhere), there are so many different light displays for people to drive through. So, grab a hot cocoa and just sit back and enjoy the lights!

3. Going to Christmas Markets: I have yet to go to one of these, but there are so many different Christmas markets with unique vendors and decorations. This is the perfect thing to explore together.

4. A Date Night In Watching Christmas Movies: From A Christmas Story to Love Actually, there are so many holiday movies out there to cuddle up and watch. So, bake some cookies, and set the mood with a cozy fire to make a relaxing date night in.

5. Decorate a Gingerbread House: Break out your creativity with creating a gingerbread house. Simple, but super fun!

6. Bake Cookies: Holiday baking is a source of stress for many. Why not do it together?

7. Wrap Gifts: Another task that you can do together to not only be productive, but also get some quality time! Set the mood with some Christmas cookies and Christmas music playing in the background.

8. Decorating the House: There is nothing more special than decorating together, especially if it’s your first home together.

9. Go Ice Skating: Whether you’ve taken lessons your entire life, or never even touched the ice, ice skating is definitely a fun way to be a little more active together during the winter season.

10. Plan a Holiday Photo Shoot: Christmas card photo shoots are so, so fun! Every other year, we try to get creative with our Christmas cards, especially with our dog. What I also love about Christmas photos is that they are so much fun to look back on in the years to come.

11. Go to a Christmas Tree Farm: Of course, this is a great place to go when you’re looking to cut down a tree. However, it’s always fun to walk around in a farm, and it’s a great place to get some photos together as well.

12. Go to New York City for the day: If you’re near the New York City area, I highly recommend visiting NYC for the day because there is just so much to see. The Rockettes. The decorations all around the city. The broadway plays. And, so much more. It seems like New York City is always decorated for Christmas, and it’s definitely worth seeing once in a lifetime.