Happy Friday, everyone! This Friday is a T Jazelle themed one, as I found two great collections I’m obsessed with. I am also dealing with falling behind on blogtober, and trying to finish my read so I can start the new Colleen Hoover book.
But, before we head into the weekend, let’s talk about today’s Friday faves:
T Jazelle Define Bracelets: I love these, because they are just non charm versions of my favorite T Jazelle pieces. As many of you know (especially if you’re a regular around here), I am obsessed with T Jazelle Bracelets. I can’t wear them as much as I would like, simply because I am no longer allowed to wear dangle bracelets at work. I then realized that the define bracelets, which are just stones, are the best way to allow me to continue stacking without the sound. Therefore, these are a favorite of the week.
T Jazelle Cape Cod Bracelets: Like the others I mentioned, I have been obsessed with these all week because they do not cling and allow me to create stacks. These are a little different than the others I mentioned. Basically, they are stainless steel beads with opals or shell stones in the middle. Like I said, I love them because they don’t cling. These have been in my collection for a while and I’m so happy they have gotten some wear as of late.
Crocheting: Last, but certainly not least, I’ve been getting back into crocheting this week and I’ve really been enjoying it. I hope to get some done over the weekend as well.
Taking a step into Shelton’s Urban Greek is like a trip to the Greek islands — only without the need for a passport. Located just off of route 8, it is east to fulfill a craving for solvaki without leaving the state of CT.
Urban Greek is definitely one of the more unique places I’ve eaten at when it comes to eating Greek food in the best possible way. You can choose whatever you wish and make something completely your own. Think Subway or Chipotle, but make it Greek.
You can choose either a bowl or pita, and then add whichever protein you wish. Some of the options include: chicken, chicken skewers, falafel, and shrimp just to name a few. Then, you can choose up to five different toppings as well. And, there is no limit to what can be chosen. While there are way too many to be named, a few options are: lettuce, tomato, chickpea, onion, yogurt dill, beets, crumbled feta, and Mediterranean salsa. And, that’s only to name a few.
Yum!
In addition to their build your options, Urban Greek has a menu full of “favorites” aka options that you can order. These include: Santorini Bowl (chicken, mixed greens, lentils, tomato onion salsa, olive medley, pickled onions, roasted peppers, cucumbers, hummus), Chicken pita sandwich (tomato online salsa, crispy romaine, feta, tzatzki), and shrimp pita sandwich (tzatziki, tomatoes, Romain, pickled onlines, herbs and olive oil).
Of course, sides can not be forgotten. They have many things to choose from including: fries and Greek fries (which are so good), pita and dips, lemon potato wedges, spinach pie, and soups.
What I love about Urban Greek is that you can customize pretty much everything. As someone who is lactose intolerant, this is great because I can eat foods without the worry of getting sick. Furthermore, their food is always fresh and delicious. I always get a side of their fries, and they are freshly made. (Pro tip, get an extra side of Tzatzki and dip your fries in. They are amazing).
Now, let’s talk about the price. Their build your own options can be either $11.95 or $12.95, with their menu options ranging from $8.95 t0 $14.95. While this is the same price as a burrito at Chipotle, I say that these are worth the price due to the fresh ingredients and generous portions.
That said, I wanted to touch upon that in addition to tasty sandwiches, bowls, and pitas, they do also offer Greek items for purchase as well. These include crackers to desserts. Personally, I think that this is very cool.
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Overall, Urban Greek is definitely worth the trip for lunch or any meal. It is delicious and authentic and every way, and has quickly become my go-to. Be sure to check them out by going to their website, as well as follow them on Instagram and Facebook as well.
When a coffee shop has drinks inspired by the Sanderson sisters, you know that it is the perfect place to head to during this time of year to grab yourself a cup of brew — or coffee. All throughout the month of October, Perkatory coffee will let you sip on your favorite Sanderson sister. But, trust me, you’re going to want to see what else is on the menu as well.
Perkatory has four locations throughout the state — Branford, West Hartford, Southington, and their original in Middletown. Each of the four locations seem to have Spooky down pat. I went to the Branford location yesterday, and it was decorated to get you in the spooky season. In addition to their delicious coffees, their events have many spooky happenings throughout the year. For example, they had a Halloween market at their Middletown location on Sunday, October 16.
What I really loved about Perkatory is the vibe. Of course, it had the spooky vibes thanks to the amazing decor. But, it also had the local coffee shop that honestly feels like home.
Now, let’s talk about the most important thing — the coffee. Being the basic white girl that I am, I had gotten a pumpkin spice latte with oat milk along with a pumpkin scone. Groundbreaking. And, let me tell you, it was one of the best lattes that I have had in a while.
If pumpkin spice lattes (or even coffee) is not your thing, have no fear. Perkatory has a ton of different options — apple cider, tea, coffee in any ay that you can possibly imagine, cold brew, and more. And, of course, the have the Hocus Pocus inspired drinks: Sarah (sparkling green apple lemonade with pop rocks and gummy eyeballs (hot or iced), Winifred (blackberry dark chocolate and charcoal latte with blackberry whipped cream and sprinkles served hot or iced), and the Mary (sparkling out barre cider with glitter and cinnamon stick that is iced only). And of course, they have scones and bagels as well.
In addition to their extensive menu, Perkatory offers coffee beans and a ton of merch as well. You can also purchase their coffee beans online as well so you can brew it at home.
Overall, Perkatory is a place where you can go to for good vibes and good coffee. And, what more would you need?
One of my biggest regrets of 2022 was joining a brides to be 2023 group.
Why?
Well, it is one of the most toxic places on the internet to my knowledge. I personally liked it because it gave me an opportunity to collaborate with other brides and people doing the same things I was. What I was not expecting was the outflow of toxicity and the obsession of detail.
Aka, you know, something that we would like to call bridezillas.
I am choosing to elope versus doing a traditional wedding for many reasons. For me, it has always been about the fact that I am committing to someone versus having the fairytale themed day.
However, I know that I in the minority here.
Some of the posts that I’ve been seeing basically discusses frustrations with bridal party/members, asking others what did they do/not do in a way that’s competing, drama with in laws, and issues with significant others. All of these issues stem around one big thing — their wedding day.
As someone who spent a good portion of her career into customer service, I can say that I get it that people can be frustrating. However, now that’s out of the way, I want to say this: bridesmaids have more obligations than to simply be your bridesmaids at your beck and call. I mean, I get that the word “maid” is in there, but that doesn’t meant that they are yours. They have families, jobs, and obligations that may cause them to miss out of things. Their world doesn’t change just because you are getting married (although they are so excited for you).
And, things happen. To me, these are your friends that you choose to stand by you. Just because they were given/accepted the role, doesn’t change the fact that your role — even as a bride — is to be a friend. Support them like they are choosing to support you. Listen to them vent about anything. Trust me, by doing so, this will insure that they will be your friend at the end of the day and even after the big day is long forgotten about in social media land.
Furthermore, I believe that weddings have become larger than life events that can take away from the meaning. With shows like 4 Weddings and Say Yes to the Dress, it’s easy to fantasize about our own Cinderella moment when we get to plan the day when we ourselves get to be a princess. Many women dream about this day, and this time of our lives. There are so many small — and large — details that makes perhaps the biggest one lost. You’re getting married and you found the love of your life.
At the end of the day, weddings are only one day of our lives. An important one at that, but still.
Now, this doesn’t apply to every bride. I’ve seen quite a few people who are slightly stressed, but excited to be married to their future spouse. Which is what it is meant to be. And, as someone who doesn’t operate well under extreme stress, I can honestly say that I can relate to the fact that sometimes judgements are clouded. But, at the end of the day, it is important to remember what truly matters. No, it is not centerpieces.
However, I feel like by having this drama around you doesn’t set you up well for the marriage. And, that is something that I believe can be forgotten by some. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter if you tripped down the aisle, if your centerpieces are off, if your BFF is having a baby, or who attended your bachelorette party. It matters who is by your side. It matters who you’re marrying. And, if you’re like me, it matters that your dog will be with you.
That said, I want to conclude by saying that this isn’t all of the brides out there. It is normal to be stressed out. So, if you are a bride next year, please take a moment and breathe. Trust me, everyone who is about to get married could use a little breathe.
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.
thenutmegmillennial.com 