Happy Friday everyone! It comes to no surprise to anyone that I am struggling with Blogtober content. (Shocker, I know) So I am doing my best to just get through it the best way humanly possible, and hopefully going to have some great content coming at you guys for the following few weeks.
That said, I have a few new favorites for me to share with you. This past weekend, I wen tot New York City, and picked up a few fun new fall items that I am so excited to share. I also have been ordering a few things online (oops). So, without further a due, here are the favorites of the week:
1. Lululemon Fleece Everywhere Belt Bag: I am a huge fan of the Everywhere Belt Bag (please check out my review on it here). So, now that there is a fleece version, I snatched that up so quick it wasn’t even funny. And, yes, it’s about $20 more than the original version. But, I honestly love it and think it’s worth it. I am a huge fan of the Stoney Clover cozy collection, and I think that these are the same quality. I bought the black and the white, so you bet these will be on rotation for the coming months.
2. Athleta Revive Zip Pouch: Okay, this wallet is beyond amazing. I snagged it a few weeks back when Athleta was having their sale, and trust me, I love it just as much as the one from Lululemon. I use it as a wristlet to go to the gym, and it fits my wallet, phone, and AirPods with ease. It is the perfect bag to take with you to the gyms, errands and so much more.
3. Pants: Okay, so I am absolutely obsessed with this one find that I got from Amazon. They are dress pants but they feel like yoga pants. I wore them to work and it felt like they were like wearing leggings all day. So if you are looking for new pants, I recommend checking these out.
4. The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen: This author duo has been an auto-buy for me since I read An Anonymous Girl. I started this book on Wednesday and well, I’m 70 percent of the way through. I loved this book and I can’t put it down. It tells the story of a couple who goes to a therapist for counseling. And, well things aren’t what they seem. So far, I am obsessed and will probably finish this before the weekend starts.
Is it me, or I just can’t figure out what to wear these days? Some days are warmer while others are causing me to crave my chunky knit sweaters.
If you are struggling to come up with something to wear to the office, I got your back with five looks from the past week.
Before we get into that, let’s talk about my bag, because I love this bag for fall. It is the Dooney and Bourke Florentine Satchel in Natural. And, I got it for such a steal at my local outlet last year, where I only paid $150 when the bag is over $500. Around this time of year, Dooney does run a tent sale that may or may not happen, so I suggest checking out your local Dooney and Bourke Outlet.
Okay, now back to the outfits!
Monday:
I am a huge fan of neutrals, and this Monday was no exception. I had on the Rivera Slim Pants from Loft, along with a sweater from Madewell, and of course, my Barefoot Dreams cardigan. For shoes, I used my Amazon flats, which were such a great find since they are so comfortable. Just as a head’s up, the Madewell sweater is a few years old, so I am linking a similar style here.
Tuesday:
It was raining on Tuesday, so my outfit pictures had to be done inside. Today was a simple day — a striped Banana Republic Sweater from a few years back, followed by a pair of Pintucked Taper Pants from Loft. I also had on the same shoes as I did the day before. Since the sweater from the Banana Republic outlet is on the older side, here is a link to a similar one.
Wednesday:
Due to some tech issues, I do not have a picture for Wednesday. . .
Thursday:
This picture is making me smile because I have Chaider in hand and I’m ready to start the day. I had on a cardigan from Amazon, a blouse from LC Lauren Conrad purchased back when I was in college, and a pair of five pocket skinny pants from Loft that I am now obsessed with. I also had on my Amazon flats (this time in black), which as you can tell, are a staple. Here is a similar blouse from LC Lauren Conrad here.
Friday:
TGIF! I had a little fun with my outfit, with pink pull on taper pants in brushed flannel from Loft, a neutral sweater from LC Lauren Conrad, and a pair of my signature Amazon flats. I also had the same sweater as the day prior, just in a different color. Since this sweater is quite a few years old, I am linking something similar here.
Let me repeat that again: self care is not selfish.
Okay, now that we got that out of the way, let’s talk all about self care and the ways that I do it, because as we all know, how everyone practices self care is one hundred percent different. And, guess what? That is completely fine.
But, if you happen to be looking for ways — small or large on the scale of self care — to practice it, look no further. Here are some things that I do on the daily to make sure that I care for myself.
1. Go to therapy. In the past year, I’ve been going through a lot of changes. I got engaged. Sold my childhood home. Moved in with my in-laws to be while looking for a new home (still looking btw). Decided to get a new job. So, with all of these changes — all of which positive ones — I need someone to talk to. So, I see a therapist. Having a therapist has also been helpful with dealing with grief and how I navigate my family relationships. This allows me to talk about anything in a judgement free zone as well, which is very important.
2. Go to the doctor. This is not as glamorous as a bubble bath, but going to the doctor annually — and whenever you feel you need to — is perhaps the most important way to take care of yourself.
3. Listen to my body. I work out six days a week, with one full rest day. However, if my body hurts or is sore, I try to listen to my body. This is especially true with the running that I do, because there are some days where I need to move slower than others. And that’s okay. Sometimes, it’s more important to make sure that you take an active rest day versus push and injury yourself. This is something that I’m still learning. Furthermore, this also applies for me when I’m feeling under the weather or just need to slow down.
4. Say no. For me, this is saying no to a family member asking for help, saying no to plans because I’m too tired from the week, or just saying no because it’s not good for me. And, that’s okay. I am working on not feeling guilty for saying no (a tall order, I know), but at least starting the practice of doing so is definitely a good thing.
5. Do something fun. I feel like we as a society have fallen away from the idea of having fun. I get it, there are bills to pay and there is work to be done. However, I don’t think that it should be all work and no play either. That said, I try to plan something fun for myself — whether it’s a night out with friends, reading or just something for enjoyment. That way, I get to have a healthy balance from 9-5 and time for myself.
6. Taking breaks. I always make sure that I take my lunch break. I also make sure that I take breaks whenever I can when I’m at work, home, or just doing anything in general. I find that it’s really important because it gives my brain a little refresh.
Today’s Blogtober prompt goal is a post I’ve been thinking about for a while — goals. And, as you can imagine, I have a few of them that I would like to share with you all (mostly as motivation, but still). So, here are my October goals:
1. Run at least 10 miles per week: I have been training for 5ks and just ran my third, with a fourth one scheduled towards the end of the month. I have been taking my running seriously, and I want to get 10 miles in per week. With the days getting shorter, my fiancé and I have been going to the gym at night where I use the treadmill. I hope to successfully clock in 10 miles, if not more.
2. Get at least 10k steps daily: When I run, this isn’t an issue. However, I haven’t been getting my 10,000 steps consistently. So, I have been trying to get more walks in at lunch, especially on days when I don’t run.
3. Finish Blogtober: So far, I’ve surprised myself with the fact that I’ve been able to put out blog post every day of Blogtober. I hope to continue this streak, but who knows?
4. Read at least 6 books: I’ve been slaying my TBR, but I’m really trying to make sure that I finish more than one book per week. I have so many spooky books that I want to get to, so I’m hoping to cross out a few thrillers before the end of the month.
5. Get ready for NanoWriMo: Oh boy, another writing challenge. Since this is the first November where I no longer have to work at night, I want to work on a novel, and hopefully make the 50,000 word goal.
6. Declutter: Now that I have some more time for myself, I really want to focus on getting rid of the things I use and don’t wear as much so that way I don’t feel as overwhelmed when it comes to my wardrobe. Furthermore, I also have a lot of things that I’ve worn once or twice for various reasons, so I want to get rid of the excess to focus on what I do have.
What are your goals for the fall season? Let me know in the comments below.
When my fiancé was getting ready to propose, I asked to be involved in the engagement ring process. One: I hate surprises. Two: It is a piece of jewelry that I will be wearing for the rest of my life, so I wanted to make sure that it was a piece that I really loved. And, out of all of the engagement rings that we looked at, not only did I love it, but it was actually really inexpensive. For those of you who don’t know, I have a morganite ring from SamnSue.
Let me just say this — while this ring is most important ring, it is not about the ring, but rather what it symbolizes. To this day, every time that I look down at my ring, I still think about the night I got engaged to my fiancé. No matter what my fiancé got, I’m sure the same would have happened. However, many people disagree with this and even think that it is inappropriate — and against tradition— for women to pick out their own rings.
I say, the woman is the one wearing it, therefore she should have a say.
As I am writing this, an episode from Sex and the City comes to mind. Carrie accidentally finds a ring in Aiden’s clothes, and automatically hates it. The ring was picked out with help from Carrie’s friend, Miranda. Carrie didn’t say anything to him, however, by the time he got ready to propose, he swapped it out for a different ring (thanks to some nudging from Samantha).
Now, there is a ton of different elements at play when it comes to purchasing an engagement ring. Budget. Quality. And, of course, everyone is different and has a different style.
According to an article on Goldenet, men want to pick it out on their own because they want to make the proposal a huge surprise. The article then goes onto say that usually that ring is chosen based on five different reasons, including: they think it looks good, they think their girlfriend will like it, they think it will fit the personality of their girlfriend, the design and the stone have some significance to them as individuals and of course, it falls within their budget. This practice, the article says, is meant “to show the strength of a man’s feelings and the firmness of his resolve in committing his life to this one woman.”
On the flip side, the article goes onto say that women want to have a say because of aesthetics, style, and because it makes them feel respected.
We all know what side I am on this. But, I think that all women should have a say in their ring — whether it’s showing their partner to be rings on Pinterest to sending links to even going to the store with them. As I mentioned earlier, I picked out my engagement ring. I have zero regrets about it, because not only did I get a ring that I love, but it took a lot of the stress on my fiancé. Instead, of worrying that I wouldn’t like the ring, he instead worried about planning a memorable night (spoiler alert, he did).
However, there are a few other reasons why women’s opinions should at least be considered in this process. The most obvious one to me at least was the size. My fiancé did not know what my ring size was at all. If he had surprised me, chances are he would have gotten the wrong size. I’m sure that there are other ways for someone to find out a ring size (for example, taking a ring you already have), but at least it solves that mystery.
Secondly, it’s 2022. Women have a larger say in the relationship now and demand to be treated like partners. I think by asking someone at least their preferences shows that you care about them and are choosing to listen to them. For me, that is a great foundation to start the marriage. And, honestly, it could prevent you from picking out something that may or may not fit their overall style.
Like my wedding, I am very against tradition. However, I do think that even if someone asks the partner for their opinion, it doesn’t take the element of surprise away from the moment. (Although if you ask “what engagement ring would you like,” it would send off the vibes that you will be proposing soon just saying).
Finally, I want to also bring up the point that everyone’s stance on this is different. Some people I know are more traditional and want the whole thing where the ring is picked out for them. Others want to have a say. Just like every ring is different, so is every couple in which the ring represents. And, that is perfectly okay.
That said, I do want to empathize one thing. At the end of the day, it is not about the ring. It is not how much that the person spent on said ring. It is the love behind it. If my fiancé had proposed to me with a family heirloom that means the world to him, I would love it just as much because it’s showing that he loves me and cherishes me enough to wear something that means the world to him.
TGIF! It is the Friday before a three day weekend, and I am so ready to get some extra relaxation in. I also am just happy to get some time to focus more on Blogtober and get some work done in the efforts to get ahead.
This week’s list of favorites are kind of all over the place, and that’s okay. So, without further a due, here is a list of this week’s favorites.
Pilates: I’ve been doing a lot of Pilates lately, especially since I now have to run at night. It has been a gentle way to wake up my body, and allow it to stretch, especially as I run more. I also love it because it has a toning element to it as well, which is something that makes it a step up from yoga. I do videos from Move With Nicole on YouTube.
Loft’s Five Packet Skinny Pants in GrayRivera Slim Pants in Camel
Loft Pants: Now that I work in a more formal business casual setting, this means that I can no longer wear leggings for work. I have been having success buying pants from Loft, and I have really loved them. My personal favorite (to the point where I want to get another pair of them) is the five pocket skinny pants, but I also love their Rivera Slim Pants as well. If you’re looking for affordable business casual wear, I highly recommend checking Loft out.
Athleta Coffee Run Wallet: I got this wallet because I wanted something simple to take my license and keys in it whenever I go for a run that wouldn’t ruin my Louis Vuitton one. I have used it for all of my runs as of late and I am so happy I grabbed this little wallet. I don’t think that I would use it for any other purpose other than working out and hiking, but it’s slim and basically holds the bare minimum.
Outrageous Pumpkins: I began watching this after Hocus Pocus 2 and I have been obsessed with them ever since. It’s basically a pumpkin carving competition, and it’s so cool to watch.
In honor of Mental Health week, today’s Blogtober prompt is about mental health. In light of that, I am talking about burnout in the office and the viral phenomenon quiet quitting.
The definition of quiet quitting, according to Wikipedia, is “ in which employees work within defined work hours and engage solely in activities within those hours.” Those who quiet quit often do what is in their job description only, and “act their wage.”
This is best demonstrated on the TikTok, Saraisthreads. Her videos demonstrate a toxic office culture, where the boss, Susan tries to get the character Veronica, to do a series of tasks such as stay later, skip lunch, and call her on her vacation. Veronica continually calls HR whenever Susan does something, and thankfully they side with Veronica.
However, this skit is the reality for many in cooperate America.
Office burnout has become more prominent since the early days in the pandemic. According to an article on Apollo Technical entitled Startling Remote Work Burnout Statistics, 77 percent of Americans report that they have felt burnt out at their current position. But, what is even more startling is that 91 percent of them feel unmanageable stress that affects their quality of life and work.
This has gotten way worse in recent years. Thanks to the pandemic, it’s now easier than ever before to log in after hours and on weekends to get work done. Some of this work is simply piled on, while some of this is simply due to the pressure employees feel to qualify for a promotion.
When burnt out to this degree, I think that quiet quitting can be the only option to gain some sort of traction and to essentially allow employees to take their power back. The reality is that we need better work life balance, because when we are constantly put under stress, we are constantly facing the other issues that stress causes, such as issues with mental health, high blood pressure, and the constant exhaustion.
Personally, I think that when a job causes you to feel those symptoms on a consistent basis (not season), than quiet quitting because a way to get the power back. Instead of staying late, quiet quitting allows you to have the ability to leave at their end time. Instead of skipping breaks, quiet quitting allows them to actually get the meals and a breath of fresh air. This is creating boundaries. And, by creating them, we allow us to come to work less stressed and more focused. Essentially, quiet quitting is the way that employees take back the benefits that are rightfully theirs. They are not doing more — they are doing just enough.
With that being said, I don’t think that quiet quitting means not doing a job or being an excuse to just sit at a role all day without being productive. And, I don’t think that means that people should not do their very best at their jobs, because I think if you have a job you should give it one hundred percent because I believe that at the very least if you are paid to do a job, you should do it well.
I also think that it’s not people don’t want to work. I think people are tired and people just are burnt out. Therefore, quiet quitting is the option they choose as they either take the time they need for themselves or look for other employment.
I believe that quiet quitting simply is allowing those to finally get some balance in their lives. When someone is so stressed out, they need to do something. I think when employers notice this in their employers, they should ask what’s wrong and try to make things better for the employee or at least listen to them. Quiet quitting has become a phenomenon, and I hope it’s something that is eye opening to employers.
Furthermore, I believe that quiet quitting allows employees balance. Balance in term allows employees to finally get a breathe of fresh air, which is something that I believe will in turn improve the mental health of cooperate America.
Balance is crucial in today’s world. With the rise of social media, I believe that there is pressure to be perfect at everything and give 100 percent to every category in life from parenting to work. The reality is that is impossible. With the rise of quiet quitting, it gives employers in my opinion a chance to realize that there is more to an employee’s life than their job title. They have families, hobbies and more. They have to take care of themselves. And, with that, I feel as though quiet quitting serves as that reminder.
So, whether you think it’s good or bad, I invite those who are reading this to look deeper into the issue to develop a workplace that will benefit workers overall well being.
When you think of Vincent Van Gogh, you think of painted sunflowers and starry night. Now, imagine if you can be immersed into his work.
Hartford’s Beyond Van Gogh does exactly that. Beyond Van Gogh is an immerse exhibit that travels around the world that allow spectators and art lovers a chance to appreciate Van Gogh’s work by simply going inside of his world.
And, it was announced that the exhibit in Hartford has been extended until October 23. According to the website, there are 300 of Van Gogh’s artworks displayed in a gorgeous 4K display. Tickets can be purchased online by going here. But with ticket prices starting at $40 per person, you want to ask yourself if it’s worth the price tag.
The short answer is yes. One hundred percent. Watching this display truly was breathtaking and it felt as though I was actually in one of Van Gogh’s pieces.
The exhibit is in two parts— the first is a history of Van Gogh’s life which tells so many interesting facts. The second is a presentation of his pieces, which bring them right to life. In the presentation, a beautiful orchestra plays in the background which makes this even more amazing.
Pretty cool right?
However, I don’t want to do all of the talking here. Here are some of my pictures that I’ve taken when I went a few weeks back.
Writer’s block always seems to come right as when Blogtober is in full swing. Blogtober, for those of you who don’t know or haven’t been following along, is basically writing a post everyday during the month of October. 31 posts in 31 days. So, it’s easy to get a case of writer’s block, especially when you’re used to writing posts 2 to 3 posts a week.
Have no fear. Here are 31 ideas to help you get through the month:
Fall Themed:
Fall Bucket List
Best books to read in the fall
Halloween costume ideas
Best pet/couples costumes
Fall recipe
Fall Playlist
Fall movie/tv shows
Halloween/fall craft
Fall decorating ideas
Halloween Costumes under x amount
Post about a local fall activity/festival
X things you must do in the fall
Fashion:
Fall outfit ideas
Review on accessory
How to style a piece
Fall Fashion Wishlist
A post compiling your outfits of the week.
Fall Fashion Essentials
Lifestyle/General:
Book Review
Album Review
List of your favorite podcasts/influencers/bloggers
Tips on How to Save Money
Opinion Post
Movie review
Wedding:
Tips for planning a fall wedding.
Things I Wish I Did or Did Not Do on My Wedding Day
The Elisa necklace from Kendra Scott is by far the most popular product the brand has. According to their TikTok, one necklace sells every minute. And, celebrities such as Lucy Hale are spotted wearing this piece. This necklace is a Kendra Scott staple.
But, is it worth it? Let’s discuss.
The Elisa necklace starts at $55 (but can go up depending on if you use the Color Bar or if you opt for Demi-fine pieces) and comes in silver, rose gold and gold. You can get it with a stone or without a stone. If you do get a stone, I’m sure that they will have your favorite color.
Citrine
As I mentioned earlier, the necklace comes in either demi-fine or regular. What that means is that there is a sterling silver version that is $140, with the gold vermeil being $170. There is a version without the stone as well.
I have the sterling silver plain one, as well as the abalone shell, pink, black, platinum druzy, iridescent druzy, citrine, turquoise and mint blue. And, I love them.
What I really love about these pieces is how simple they are, but they really pack a punch and add a little bit of fun to the outfit. That’s the thing about Kendra Scott pieces. They have fun jewelry pieces that are unique in any way.
Turquoise
Many of my pieces — with the exception of the blues — are neutral so they go with pretty much everything. What I love about the druzy ones is that they can add a little bit of sparkle to a plain outfit. And, while I do tend to wear them on their own, they can be layered with other pieces. They are adjustable, so you can fit it at just the right size for you.
While there are now options for sterling silver or gold plate, this piece started out as being a costume jewelry piece only. For me, that was a hard pill to swallow. I didn’t like that I was paying $55 for a piece of costume jewelry. However, after my first purchase, I realized that the quality of the piece was pretty decent. My tip here is to wait for a Kendra Scott sale, which happen often, and grab it then.
Of course, with costume jewelry, comes the tarnishing. So many reviews of this piece discuss this at length. This almost made me want to pass on the item. To date, I have not had that happen. I also do not shower with them on, and take them off prior to sleeping. When I’m not wearing them, I put them in their jewelry pouch for safe keeping.
That said, what I have heard is that Kendra Scott does in fact replace pieces that have tarnished from wear. You can review their policy here.
So, do I recommend this necklace?
Yes.
This is a great piece for anyone because it’s so easy to wear. You can get it in any metal or color that you want. In fact, you can get different stone colors so you can match it to any outfit. You can adjust it to any length too. It’s great to layer or wear on its own. You can wear it casually or dressed up.
The limit does not exist with this one.
But, I would suggest two things. One: wait for a sale or sign up for Kendra Scott’s birthday emails. Two: wear with caution. Take care of your piece and you’ll be good to go.
thenutmegmillennial.com 