Page 40

7 Woman Owned Brands/Businesses to Support During International Women’s Day

Happy International Women’s Day! To celebrate, I wanted to take the time to shoutout some woman owned brands, businesses, and women who are working in the world to make a difference and deserve a shoutout. Many of which are CT/New England based. Gotta love a local shoutout!

T Jazelle: Founded by a young entrepreneur named Tiffany, T Jazelle is one of my favorite gem stone bracelets. The bracelet, which has become my obsession for the last year, is a genuine gemstone with a sterling silver/18k plated charm on it. Every charm has a special meaning to the wearer. They make great gifts, and they are just great to wear. T Jazelle is located in the Cape in Massachusetts.

Tickled Pink: I love this store. I actually wrote a post alll about them last year. It is an instant surge of happiness the second you walk into the door. They are the best place in the state to go for if you need a gift and they have the cutest items. Every piece in their store is hand picked by the Pink Girls, mother and daughter duo, Jess and Hillary, along with Kim. They are so knowledgable about the brands that they carry, and are amazing to just talk to. They are located in Seymour, Connecticut.

Gals on the Go Podcast: This podcast is by far one of my favorite that I’ve been listening to, and one of the longest podcasts that I follow. It is hosted by influencers Brooke Miccio and Danielle Carolan. I love this podcast because it is entertaining and information. You can listen to them on Spotify and Apple Music.

Marissa D’Angelo: Marissa is a Connecticut-based author, and her book Presence is based on Milford’s Charles Island. She is also the other of Chasing Time, which was also an amazing read. She is currently working to release her next novel soon. She is located in Maryland, but originally from Connecticut.

SV Decker Jewelry: I have been such a huge fan of SV Decker jewelry, and have mentioned her several times over the last few years. It is owned by Steffi Decker and while the store is located in Milford, Stef is slaying on her Instagram, if I do say so myself.

Sydney Cummings-Houdyshell: I am a proud member of the Sydney Squad, which is Fitness Youtuber Sydney Cummings’ training group. I am such a huge fan of Sydney. You do not need to pay the subscription price to access her workouts, as she strives to make workouts accessible for everyone. Her workouts are intense, but she pushes you in a way that motivates not discourages you. As a Sydney Squad member, you are paying for a ton of content to help get further information about health and fitness. I find it incredible how she is so passionate about her workouts and her community.

Little Words Project: Last, but certainly not least, Little Words Project was started by Adriana Carrig as a way to use words as a positive impact versus negative. The brand is definitely one of the most inspiring brands, and has expanded so much over the last year or so. That said, Little Words Project’s message is all about making a positive impact in the world, which is so important.

US Chowder Pot Offers an Authentic and Delicious Nautical Experience

Summertime is just around the corner (we can dream right), and I am already craving inhaling the salty sea air and the delicious delicacy that come with summer, such as fried fish, burgers and more.

One of the best places in Connecticut to visit during the summer (or really anytime of year if I am being honest), is the US Chowder Pot. They have two locations in Branford and Hartford, and offer indoor/outdoor dining and takeout. While I have yet to visit the Hartford location, the Branford one has nautical decor all throughout the restaurant.

Now, let’s discuss the food. They have a dinner and lunch menu with a huge variety of items to choose from. They offer standard seafood delacies such as fried fishes, lobsters, and of course, New England Clam Chowder. An interesting menu that caught my eye (but I can’t have it because I am highly allergic to dairy) was the lobster Mac and Cheese. And, if someone in your party doesn’t like seafood, they have burger, steak and chicken options as well. And, all of their menu items come with their delicious honey bread. Trust me, you’re going to devour that while you are waiting for your meal.

I’ve been there a few times over the years, but just went to the Chowder Pot this past weekend with my fiancé for lunch. Now, their lunch menu is really affordable and you get a lot with it. I had a grilled chicken, which came with two sides. He had the Chicken Parmesan, which also came with pasta and a side. The portions were extremely generous and we were extremely full after the meal.

While the food is delicious, the Chowder Pot also offers entertainment as well. You can check out more details about their schedule here. Just looking at the schedule, there is live music at least once a week.

Between the ambiance and the food, the Chowder Pot is definitely something to check out.

Run Don’t Walk to the Kate Spade Outlet for this Bag

I have been on the hunt for the perfect everyday black hobo purse. I already have two other variations of the bag in my collection — the Madewell bucket bag and a Coach bag that I purchased a few years back at the outlet. So, on a recent trip to the Tanger Outlets at Foxwoods, I had my sights set on grabbing one.

I went to Kate Spade, Coach and Micheal Kore. It was at Kate Spade where I saw this bag lying in the front section. It caught my eye the first time I went in, and then I went back a few more times before grabbing the bag in two colors.

It is called the Staci Shoulde bag. At my outlet, they had three colors — black, white and a light blue. I picked up the white and the black. Since going home, I learned that there are two other colors — a floral, and a pink red. I am considering grabbing one of them in the efforts to use a coupon they gave me at the store.

There are so many unique things about this bag that made me love it enough to grab it in two different colors. The first is that it is probably the perfect size for me. I am a huge fan of my Louis Vuitton pochette Métis, which is one of the most flattering crossbody bags that I have ever owned. This one is a little smaller than that (and a fraction of the price) and holds about the same amount. Next, I love that it can be both a hobo bag and a crossbody. It allows me to have two looks in the price of one so if I get tired of the hobo look or need to go hands free, I have that option without having to switch bags.

Now what do I hold in it?

As many of you know, my small leather goods are all vintage Louis Vuitton. I have my mini Pochette, 6 ring key holder, Recto Verso, Zippy Coin Wallet, and my sunglasses. I also have my AirPods and my work keys as well. They all fit perfectly without bulging, and I think that I even can fit my Kindle. I haven’t tried yet, seeing as I have only had the bag for a few days.

While I went with classic black, I did grab the white version as well. I have never had a white bag before so I am a little nervous. The black is something that I will wear year round, but I can see the white working its way into my purse rotation in the spring and summer. As I mentioned before, I did get a coupon, so I might grab the Robin’s Egg blue one for a pop of color during the spring time.

I won’t get into pricing of the bag, because outlet sales vary every time you walk into the store. At the time of when I scored these bags, I got 60 percent off with an extra 20. But, the outlet has at least that going on every time you shop, so I would call your local Kate Spade for a deal. That said, I did say that for a bag that is amazing quality (especially as lux brands are going up in price as time goes on), paying a little over a $100 for a bag you will use a lot is honestly worth the purchase.

That said, I highly recommend this bag because it’s the perfect every day bag. As of right now, it is not available at the Kate Spade outlet online, so I recommend calling your local outlet. They do however offer the smaller version, which I also can see myself getting as well to use for smaller days. I probably will to see if they have it when it comes time to redeem the coupon, because this is the perfect spring bag.

Leather/Crackle Leggings: Trendy and Versatile

When buying clothes nowadays, I have been looking for pieces that I can wear many different ways — for casual and for work. For me, one of these pieces is leather or crackle leggings.

At first, I was sooo against them. You hear influencers talk at length about how they are amazing. But then, I tried them and they were a game changer. They fit so well, and they are a great alternative to wearing dresses in the wintertime.

To date, I have two pairs — the Aerie crackle one and the Spanx ones. And I love both of them. I’ve worn them on a girl’s night out. I’ve worn them to work. I’ve also worn them on more casual days.

If you do end up getting them, here’s one word of advice. To make sure that they last, be sure to wash them correctly. Turn them inside out and then wash on delicate. Then, make sure that you don’t put them into the dryer and let them air dry. If you take care of them, you will have these pieces for years to come.

So, how do I wear them?

Work/More Dressy:

How to Get This Look: Aerie Crackle Leggings, Marc Jacobs the Tote Bag, Sweater and Boots No Longer Available

For work or more dressier occasions, I pair the leggings with a sweater and a high boot.

Casual Days:

How to Get This Look: Aerie Waffle Henley (No longer available), Spanx Leather Leggings, Louis Vuitton Pochette Métis, Adidas Sneakers (no longer available)

These leggings are great and comfy for running errands and just for hanging out. I pair them with a cozy crew neck sweatshirt, and a pair of white Adidas sneakers.

How do you feel about the leather legging trend? Let me know in the comments below.

Friday Faves: February 25, 2022

Happy Friday everyone! This Friday is a unique one. Today marks the three year anniversary of my mother’s death so I am taking the day off for some much needed self care.

That said, I wanted to share some of my favorites of the week. I have been doing some shopping lately, so I am sure that some new pieces will be entering these in the coming weeks.

Bubly Soda Stream Drops: I purchased a Soda Stream for my fiancé. However, I have been using it more than him. I purchased the cherry flavor, and I fell in love. It’s zero calories and has natural sweeteners. I recently repurchased more, along with the strawberry flavors. If you are debating on getting a Sodastream, I recommend it. It’s definitely helped with my water intake.

Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon: I wrote a review in my last post, so I won’t talk about it much here. However, I really enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend it.

James Avery Initial Petite Signet Ring: James Avery is one of my favorite jewelry brands. I have a few of their rings, and am working on a charm bracelet. I have been wanting a signet pinky ring for a while now. I looked at the David Yurman ring, but I honestly couldn’t justify the price for something that I was not sure I was going to wear. So, I finally bit the bullet and got it. I have been wearing it every day since it came in. It is the perfect pinky ring, and goes with everything.

Aerie Crossover Crackle Leggings: We love Aerie leggings around here. They make a great and affordable alternative to Lululemon. I got mine on sale, and I loved them so much that I ordered another color in them. And, I might go back for a third because these will take me into the summer months. Aerie is amazing, and I highly recommend the brand especially when they have so many great sales and a great rewards program.

Book Review: Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon

I’ve read and loved everything that Nicola Yoon has written. So, I decided to finally pick up her latest novel, Instructions for Dancing.

And, it did not disappoint.

This novel tells the story of Evi, whose dealing with the heartbreak of her parent’s divorce. She gains the ability to see couples’ fate once they kiss. She then stumbles upon a dance studio, where she meets X. Together, they enter a dancing competition, and take the steps they need for Evie to learn to heal. And, of course, Evie may fall for X somewhere in the process.

Okay, so I really loved this novel and everything about it. I closed the cover with teardrops in my eyes. Nicola Yoon did not disappoint with the novel, which is refreshing to hear when you’re talking about an author with two back to back bestsellers, which are Everything, Everything and the Sun is Also a Star.

What I loved about this book is that I loved reading about the different relationships between Evie and her friends, Evie and her parents and of course, Evie with X. Watching Evie learn to open herself up to the possibility of falling in love even if it runs the risk of getting hurt was amazing. At the beginning, Evie is scarred from her parents divorce and by learning that her father had an affair. Over time, Evie begins to heal thanks to her taking the chance to learn to dance, and that evolves in her relationships. She even learns to forgive her father. That said, this novel explores the meaning of what it means to love and learn to forgive those we love when they make mistakes.

That said, I also loved how Evie had the ability to see the path of a relationship. Those chapters were so fun to read, even though at some points, it became awkward when she learned the fate of her friends’ relationship. Of course, her gift gives her the foresight to see her own heartbreak as well. I thought that was really interesting, and it made me think of what it would be like to possess that gift.

Overall, I can not say enough good things about this book. I loved the writing, the message and the characters. It’s a book that I enjoyed reading — like Yoon’s other books — and could not put down. It tugs at your heart strings, and I will leave you with a tissue warning. You will need it as you get to the end of the book.

Can Fitness Be Toxic?

No excuses.

Your goals need to come first.

If it’s important, you’ll make the time for it. If you can’t, then you’re not making the time for it and you’re not meeting the goals you have been prioritizing.

These are a few of the toxic fitness culture phrases that I have heard over the last few months. You can hear this type of toxicity came from influencers, trainers and programs. It affected me to the point where my mental health reached an all time low, where I was experiencing anxiety and depression.

Now, how can fitness be toxic? After all, it’s supposed to make you healthy.

There are multiple ways. According to an article on Decolonizing Fitness entitled Some Examples of Toxic Fitness Culture, examples include: the belief of beating your body up is a good workout, the sole purpose of fitness is to lose weight, personal trainers that aren’t personal trainers giving advice, and believing that the working out is more important than listening to what your body needs. And, these are only a few of the many examples. And, when someone is exposed to that level of toxicity it can do damage to someone’s mental health, and lead them down the path of an eating disorder/body dysmorphia.

I am not a trainer nor am I a mental health professional. But, I wanted to take the time to write this post, because I feel like there is so much toxic fitness culture floating around the Internet and social media, and I want to raise the issue.

That said, as a human who has been on this journey for a while, I do believe that fitness is something that is not one size fits all. It is about getting healthy, and has benefits for physical and mental health. People start this journey as athletes. They start them as people who want to just get in shape and get healthy.

Going from the examples I mentioned earlier, the first thing I wanted to discuss is the belief that you need to beat up your body in order to get a good workout. Based on the changes I have made, that is not true. I do believe that you should challenge your body in a way that it gains strength. If you’re starting out, you are not going to be lifting large weights. That strength comes in time. Furthermore, there is a point where if you’re so sore, sick or injured, that I think you should either take a day off completely or do lighter workouts. It’s not because you’re weak or you lack motivation. It’s in order to prevent you from being hurt or feeling even worse. Admittedly, I myself had to learn this lesson the hard way.

I also want to touch upon having this mentality that you need to see results. No, you don’t. If you’re at the point where you’re lifting more weights or even having an easier time doing the workouts, then that is a non scale victory. And, that is only a few. In my experience, by saying that things are results driven based on the amount of pounds that you lose, than it becomes easy to fail because it feels like it’s not enough. Fitness is about losing fat and weight. However, there is more to a health journey than just a scale. It’s about being healthy and trying to be able to see other numbers lower — i.e. blood pressure and cholesterol.

Furthermore, as a perfectionist, I believe that this toxic fitness culture leads to one other thing — no messing up. No cheat days. I believe in the 80/20 rule, and that balance is pretty much everything. In my eyes, that is unachievable because of holidays, PMS, and even just wanting a side of fries with your food. I feel as though suggesting this to someone leads to only failure because habits — healthy or unhealthy — take a while to undo. By suggesting balance versus complete perfection, you have a higher chance of actually sustaining the lifestyle. And, at the end of the day, we are human and as humans, we are not perfect. To expect that, is completely and utterly wrong.

That said, I want to touch upon one final point. If you’re watching an influencer, or someone who isn’t saying that they are a registered dietician, then you are following the wrong person. The only people whose advice you should be following are your doctor or a certified person with the qualifications to give good quality advice, or advice worth following. If you are working with a trainer, than they are qualified to give you advice on what to eat or how to work out. They got this way through education and by taking the exams to get the certification to give you the advice you need.

Fitness at the end of the day is something that is all about bettering yourself and reaching a point where you be healthy. It shouldn’t be toxic. It should be about improving your mental and physical well-being.

Friday Faves: February 18, 2022

TGIF everyone! I have President’s Day off, so it’s already going to be a long weekend for me. I plan to do some decluttering to help prepare for my move, as well as just try to slow down for a bit. It’s been a rough and busy few weeks, so I could use some time to take care of myself.

Hooked: How Crafting Saved My Life by Sutton Foster: I have never seen Younger, and really don’t know much about Sutton Foster. I will be the first to admit it. However, I really was drawn in on this book, because I love crafting. And, I really enjoy reading this book. It discusses her life and her traumas. Or, listening since I am listening to the audiobook. I recommend this book if you love crafting or if you love Sutton as well.

Old Navy Light Support PowerSoft Longline Sports Bra: As a busty gal, I love this bra so much that I bought six colors (thank you Old Navy Clearance Rack). I’ve been wearing this nearly every day this week, and I am loving it. It offers a lot of support during workouts, but they cover more than a typical sports bra, so it’s perfect for wearing as a shirt as well.

Full Moon Healing Spray: I have been dealing with a lot of anxiety lately, and this has been helping (shoutout to my future mother in law for introducing me to this). It smells like lavender, and I have been using this to wind down before bed. I recommend this to anyone who is dealing with anxiety, or needs some healing in their life.

innBeauty Glaze Lip Oil in Sheer Red: I am obsessed with this lip oil. Yes I have three in my collection but this lip oil is so easy and it has moisturized my lips so much! What I love about this one is that it has such a great color and it smells so great. This is a great alternative to the Dior one at a fraction of the cost.

Bag Talk: Is the Marc Jacobs Tote Bag Worth It?

Marc Jacob’s The Tote Bag was one of the it bags of 2021, and is spilling into 2022. With a few different sizes and colors to choose from, the bag is perfect for anyone.

I drank the Kool Aid and purchased the black one. And, I am obsessed. As many of you know, I am a huge fan of the Longchamp Le Pliage and the Neverfull MM. I also just love totes.

However, this tote is amazing.

What I love about this is that the mini is a crossbody bag, which are my jam. I could see myself using it whenever my fiancé and I take a day trip and I want to carry a bag that is crossbody, but fits a ton of stuff. I also have already used it as an every day work bag, and it fits wonderfully with a coat. That said, the small does come with a crossbody strap, but the traveler/ regular styles do not.

What is really unique about this bag is that there are so many options to choose from, and I’m not talking about size. There are so many different colors to choose from — including neutrals such as black and nude to a fun blue. You can also choose what type of material that you want to have as well, as the bag comes with canvas, leather and furry.

Now, let’s talk about the bag that I purchased. As I mentioned, I got the mini tote bag in black canvas. The dimensions are 10in L x 5in D x 8in H, according to its page on the website. And, it fits a lot. For me, it fits my everyday essentials, which include my Louis Vuitton Recto Verso, Louis Vuitton 6 Key Ring Holder, my Stoney Clover small Cinderella pouch, my sunglasses, my Louis Vuitton Zippy Coin Purse, and work keys. I can also fit my Kindle Oasis, as well. As a crossbody lover, it is not too heavy but fits the essentials.

With the canvas, it is very all weather, but I’ve noticed that things do stick to it such as lint. However, it’s not noticeable unless you really take a look at it.

Now, let’s talk price. The bag comes in at $175. Now, it’s cheaper then let’s say the Neverfull MM, but about $30 more for the Longchamp Le Pliage. So, is it worth it?

I would say so.

I think it’s worth it because it’s a bag that is durable, and something that you can truly use everyday. My black bag goes with so many outfits, which I really like. I can also see this bag being used as a carry on as well, because with that crossbody strap, you can go hands free but still hold everything you may need. I may down the line consider getting the larger size for that purpose in the slate green, but we shall have to see.

That said, the mini size is great because you can take it from work to the weekend with ease. It’s large enough to fit your every day essentials, but small enough wear you can be on the go without being tied down by your stuff.

While I mainly use mine for work, I can see this bag being used for travel, for college students, and for teachers. It’s casual, yet it has a classic vibe. Therefore, since I can see this as an investment piece, I do recommend this tote if you’ve been considering it.

Eating My Way Around CT: Frosty Twist in Milford Offers a Sweet Treat for Your Valentine

While ice cream season is still a few months away, for some the love for iced sweet treats is year round. If your Valentine prefers sweet treats, I would highly recommend checking out downtown Milford’s Frosty Twist.

Frosty Twist offers hard ice cream, and frozen yogurt. But, their menu options go much further than that. They offer smoothies, crepes, sandwiches, milk shakes, smoothies and so much more. You can view their selection here. As for dairy free options, there are quite a few. They offer dairy free frozen yogurt, and what’s good about them is that they rotate the flavors. That’s right — no same flavors here every single time that you do.

They have a serve yourself fro yo style for those who want to create their own treat of choice. They offer about ten different flavors of fro yo, and a ton of toppings from sweet to savory. They also have a wide selection of hard ice cream, so it’s perfect for anyone in your group. Or, if you just want to go to treat yourself, no one’s judging here.

However, if you’re looking for something for a meal, they have you covered as well. They serve breakfast and lunch options as well. As mentioned earlier, they offer sandwiches, crepes (the Nutella one is out of this world), bagels, and waffles.

For me, Frosty Twist is one of the best places my fiancé has taken me. I like it that we can get treats tailored to our specific needs or to get whatever we are craving. It is also a great spot since I am dairy free, and they do have quite a few options so I can get a sweet treat. I also like it that it has something for everyone. Therefore, this is a great place to take your valentine — on any day not just Valentine’s Day.

For more information, be sure to check them out on Facebook and Instagram.