Page 44

Product Review: Is Ana Luisa Jewelry Worth It?

I want to preface this post by saying that I am not compensated by Ana Luisa whatsoever for this post. All of their products that I own have been purchased with my own money.

Hi We have seen the ads for Ana Luisa jewelry on influencers everywhere. They are on YouTube, and on Instagram. Their jewelry is on trend, and their brand is to accomplish complete carbon neutrality. If you browse their website, you can see that the pieces are cute and on trend. They have layerable chains, and of course my personal favorite, their bold rope ring that gives me all of the croissant vibes. Everything is hypoallergenic, which means if you have sensitive skin like yours truly, than you don’t have to worry about it turning your fingers green. Because you know that’s the worst.

That said, the price tag is pretty good for jewelry. Most pieces range from $39 – $115. Many of the pieces are gold plated over brass/sterling silver, but they are slowly expanding to more silver styles (which is good because your girl loves her silver pieces).

So, enough talk. Is Ana Luisa jewelry actually worth it?

I would say so.

Currently, my Ana Luisa collection consists of a few rings, two pairs of earrings, and a few necklaces. And, my collection is growing. I currently have a package from them on the way in which I took advantage of their buy one get one forty percent off sale.

As I mentioned earlier, I am mostly a silver gal. But, I can’t help but be drawn to their pieces to the point where I can not resist them. Currently, my favorite pieces are the joy necklace, the rope bold ring, the Everly band ring, and the zeta ring. I have them in my jewelry rotation, and I am so happy that I pulled the trigger on them. So far, the plating has been pretty good and the pieces mesh really well. One of the things I am highly allergic to is rings that are not sterling silver or real gold. However, these rings don’t turn my finger green, which is a blessing.

I also have a few pairs of their earrings, including the Paris twisted hoop earrings and the silver huggies. I love both pairs, and like the rings, they don’t bother my ears. I will admit that while the Paris earrings are beautiful, they are a little on the heavy side. All of the earrings do not bother my ears as well.

Overall, I am blown away with both the quality and the mission of Ana Luisa as a brand and as a product. It is hard these days to find quality jewelry pieces that not only will last but also will not break the bank. Ana Luisa’s pieces are pretty affordable as it is, but they do have sales throughout the year to make it even more affordable. And, by signing up for their Club Ana Luisa program, you can build up points for future purchases. I used my points to get a ring for only $6.

So, to answer the question, are they worth the hype? Absolutely one hundred percent.

My Engagement Story

Hey everyone! I am kicking off a new series on this blog — a wedding series that will go through the whole wedding planning process. Now, I don’t actually plan on getting married until fall 2023. But, I wanted to kick it off with telling you how the wedding planning journey began.

How it Happened:

My fiancé and I went to a tree lighting on Black Friday evening. Going to a tree lighting was something that we’ve always wanted to do during our relationship, so since we both didn’t have to work that night, we decided to go. As a side note, I love walking through Christmas lights. Christmas is my favorite time of year, and there is something that is so magical about walking through Christmas lights. At least for me.

It was freezing, so we were walking in and out of various stores to keep warm until the lights went on at 6:30. Finally, the countdown for the lights to go on was near, and warmth was on its way.

So I thought.

We took a few photos and began walking back to the car. He led me a different direction — a bridge right on the water. My fiancé said “now’s as good time as any,” and pulled out a pink box. Now, I wish someone had the foresight to videotape what he said, because I honestly can’t remember much other than he had tears in his eyes and the question “will you marry me?” Was asked. He did try to get down on one knee, but due to the cold temperature that was not an option.

At that moment, he took off my promise ring that I wore for the last year, and replaced it with my engagement ring, which is a morganite ring from SamNSue. By now, we both were crying, and even though I had a feeling it was going to happen, I was still shocked that I was someone’s fiancé.

We spent the weekend celebrating our engagement, and were so grateful for the support that we received from our family and friends. Because our engagement was so close to Christmas, we decided to hold off on even discussing the idea of any wedding planning to just soak in the high of being newly engaged. I am so happy we chose to do that and take our time with it, because it took us a long time to reach this point. And, now that we’re here, I want to enjoy it.

So, now what? Stay tuned for more wedding content over the next year or so!

Friday Faves: January 21, 2022

TGIF everyone! I am so happy that it’s the weekend. I don’t really have plans this weekend other than to read and work on my crochet project, but that’s okay. I also have a lot of decluttering planned.

Fuller House: I have been wanting to watch this show ever since Bob Saget died. I have watched the first season back when it first aired, but never finished. I started watching it a few days ago, and I am enjoying it. Yes, some of the jokes are a little reminiscent of the original. But, it’s the blast of nostalgia that I need.

Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover: Colleen Hoover has a new book everyone. I downloaded it to my Kindle yesterday and I am obsessed. It tells the story of our main character Kenna who is getting out of prison after serving five years for involuntary manslaughter. She is looking to rebuild her life and runs into her ex’s best friend. In true Colleen Hoover fashion, I can not put this book down. It is amazing.

And Just Like That Writer’s Room Podcast: I love And Just Like That and my co-worker recommended this podcast for me. And, I love this podcast because it gives a behind the scenes look at the series, which I really love about it.

Reckless Girls by Rachel Hawkins: Yes, there is another book on this week’s favorites. This one is a thriller that was this month’s Book of the Month pick. Once I started the book, I could not put it down. It tells the story of our main character Lux, who has a rough past. Lux encounters some strange girls and then ended up going on a boat trip to a mysterious island. Definitely worth the read.

Review on the Landon Gibson Series: Is It Worth the Read?

In light of the premier of After We Fell on Netflix, I decided to revisit the After world by finally picking up the Landon Gibson duology.

The duology, for those of you who are not familiar with the series, consists of Nothing More and Nothing Less written by Anna Todd. They tell the story of Landon Gibson, who is Tessa’s best friend in the novels. It takes place while the final book, After Ever Happy, takes place, when Tessa and Landon lived in the New York City (sorry major spoiler if you already haven’t read the series).

Landon is interested in dating Tessa’s friend Nora, who is extremely closed off to him. Nora is also his ex’s roommate. The attraction between the two is undeniable. Like After, there is a ton of steamy scenes and drama. The series explores the progression between the two’s relationship, all while Landon deals with his past as well.

I loved After, and have been dying to pick up the books since reading them two years ago. And, I am going to say that while I enjoyed them, they did leave me disappointed. I gave Nothing More a solid three stars on Goodreads, and Nothing Less four. After was the kind of book for that I could not put down no matter how hard I tried. And, I am not sorry to say that. These books, however, did not hold the same amount of excitement that the originals did. There were even times I questioned whether or not these books were even needed. Part of me wonders if that’s because I came into the books with the expectation that they were the same as the original.

That said, I wanted to discuss the love triangle that is the center plot of the story. Landon is forced to choose between his past and his present. Landon has been someone who had a lot going on, and unlike Hardin, has a lot of insecurities. And, in the book, it shows. This love triangle didn’t seem as defined as some of the previous ones I’ve read, such as in Twilight. Landon clearly cared for both characters, but as the series went on, readers could tell who he wanted to be with more. However, since Landon is a good guy, his ex-girlfriend Dakota always came back needing his help. And since he is always the fixer, he is drawn to the character of Nora. As a reader, I preferred him with Nora because he was good for the character’s healing process.

Furthermore, I did enjoy reading Nothing Less a lot more than Nothing More. Nothing Less has so much about Nora’s backstory that I felt like the readers really needed. At least I did. Once I reached that point of the story, I got the satisfaction that I needed since it was a mystery for much of the duration of the two books.

That said, do I think that these books were needed? No. They were extras. Did I enjoy reading them? Absolutely. I did enjoy the nostalgia of revisiting a world and characters even though I did not get my fix of Hessa. I want to make that clear that I did enjoy them and I did find these books entertaining. But, if you asked me, they are still just extra pieces of the story and if you’re questioning on if they are worth it, I am going to have to say no.

Did you like the After series? Let me know in the comments below.

5 Earrings for Sensitive Ears Under $50

L to R: JoJo Loves You Studs, Adina’s Jewels Hollow Hoops, SV Decker Tusks, Pandora Heart Hoops

Valentine’s Day is around the corner, and jewelry is one of the best gifts to give your Valentine. However, I wanted to talk to talk about a special kind of jewelry that I really love –earrings. For me, it’s sooo hard to find a pair of earrings that fits the bill for me. I need them to be lightweight, and hypo allergenic. And, that can be pricey. That said, I wanted to talk about five pairs of earrings that are less than $50 and don’t hurt your ears as well. It’s the best of both worlds, people.

SV Decker Tusk Earrings: These are my favorite hoops because they are so unique. I have the silver pair, but you can get them in gold vermeil as well. They are comfortable to wear, and they are a funky take on a classic earring. What I love about these earrings in particular is that they are lightweight and don’t bother my ears.

JoJo Loves You Stud Earrings: These are by far my favorite stud earrings. What is cool is that these earrings can come in three different sizes — ultra mini, mini, and cushion cut. And, they range from $20 to $36. I wear the ultra minis that I get from Tickled Pink, and I love them. They can be used for my first and my second hole, but you can get them in a few different sizes and colors. And, if you use this referral link, you can get a few dollars off as well.

Adina’s Jewels Mini Thick Hollow Hoop Earring: I have the thick version of these, and I love them so much. Yes, they are on the pricier end of the spectrum, but they are lightweight and oh so comfortable. They also come in three different colors — rose gold, silver, and regular gold. These are a jewelry staple, but for me, they always seemed too heavy. These do just the trick.

Primrose Star Stud Earrings: These earrings are regularly priced at $25, but honestly Kohl’s has so many sales so you can get them even cheaper. They are made of sterling silver, and they are great for first and second piercings. If you’re looking for great earrings for less, than definitely check out Kohl’s. They are amazing quality.

Pandora Asymmetric Heart Hoops: These are by far my favorite pair of hoops. They are fun, lightweight, and so comfortable to wear. They sit right at the $50 mark, but they are so worth it. And, perfect for Valentine’s Day.

Friday Faves: January 14, 2021

TGIF! It’s going to be an emotional weekend, but I wanted to take the time to share this week’s favorites. There are quite a few favorites, so let’s just get right into them!

Golden Palace: This is the spin off series for the Golden Girls, which was released on Hulu this week. The episodes are only 20 minutes long, so it is really easy to get through the show. It is really funny, and I recommend watching this, especially if you are a fan of the original show.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Aging Perfector with Retinal and Broad Spectrum SPF 20 Sunscreen: I love this product. I have actually been using this for a while in the fair color. It’s a light foundation/tinted moisturizer so it’s good for a day when I want to wear a lot of makeup but not a whole lot, and it just blends in so well. And, it’s pretty reasonably priced, which I love about it as well. I actually am ready to repurchase this item, so that says a lot.

Ojo Bracelet by April Soderstorm: I found this bracelet when using a gift card to the Paper Store, and I already want to go back to get the black one. I love this bracelet because I am a huge fan of the evil eye bracelet, and it stacks so well with my other pieces. Furthermore, I also like the concept of the bracelet. It has five hematite beads, which symbolize truth, compassion, contentment, humility, and love. All good things!

Heartstopper Volume Four by Alice Oseman: I love this series. The fourth volume finally came out, and I read it all in one single sitting. It was heartwarming, but it brought tears to my eyes. You can read my review on the book here, but I just had to mention it.

Why It’s Important to Listen to Your Body and Have Rest Days When You’re Working Out

Rest days are important.

Let me repeat that for the people in the back. Rest days are important. Just as important of listening to our bodies when you need to take a rest day.

In working out, sometimes it’s easy to forget the importance of those things because it’s easy to get wrapped up in progress and not wanting to take a rest day. I am not a trainer, but I am someone who loves working out and maintaining an active lifestyle. In the few apps I’ve used — Ruf, Jillian Micheals, and Sydney Cummings, all them allow the user a rest day or days.

And, there is some scientific evidence that backs this up. According to an article in the Conversation entitled Rest Days are Important for Fitness, the reason for rest days are to ” allow the body’s muscles to recover from any damage they’ve sustained during workouts, and to allow them to grow.” By taking a break, the article states that it will replace carbohydrates stored in the body as well as replace lost fluids.

Furthermore, by not taking a rest day, you open yourself to a higher chance of injury. If your muscles are really sore, then it’s easier to be injured than if you’re not. And, when you’re injured, chances are you’ll be out for a lot longer than a day.

So, if your body is sore, it’s a sign that maybe you should go easier that day. For example, when I have my rest days, I basically go on a stair stepper so I can still remain active but it’s like going for a walk. I also try to make sure that I do some yoga as well, because those really help with resting my muscles.

I propose something for everyone reading this, myself included. I propose that one fitness goal to have is to listen to your body when it’s telling you something, and instead of pushing it to the ultimate edge, let’s just be kind to it.

After all, it’s the only body that you’ll ever get. So, it’s best to treat it right.

Book Review: Heartstopper Volume Four

The Heartstopper graphic novel series by Alice Osman has taken bookstagram and booktube by storm in the last few years. The series, with its fifth book and a future Netflix series on the way, is about Charlie and Nick’s relationship. While it is a cute and heartwarming read, the series has talked about series issues such as mental health and eating disorders, coming out, and bullying.

This volume is no different. In this installment, we have our two main characters Nick and Charlie. Charlie is getting ready to say I love you to Nick. Nick is worried about Charlie, and is looking for him to get help, in addition to trying to come out to his dad. The novel takes us on their journey.

You can read this novel in one sitting, however, I must warn you. You will end up with tears in your eyes like I did.

I believe that this series truly lives up to the hype. I feel like Osman protracted Charlie’s mental illness in a way that not only brought awareness to the issue, but also demonstrated what a healthy relationship should look like in that situation.

I also love the illustrations, the storytelling, and the overall series itself. I devoured this book in one sitting because once you open the book, you are sucked into it.

Overall, I give Heartstopper Volume 4 five out of five stars, and HIGHLY recommend. I also recommend the other books if you haven’t already checked them out.

Friday Faves: January 7, 2022

TGIF everyone! Here in CT we have a snowy start to the weekend, which is always nice. This is the first Friday Faves in a couple of weeks, so this one has quite a few different things of all varieties. So, without further a due, here are this week’s favorites.

Losers With a Dream Podcast: This has quickly becoming one of my favorite podcasts that I’ve added to my regular listens. The hosts are Lisa Lampanelli, Beau McDowell, and Nick Scopoletti. I love this podcast because it just makes you laugh.

Electric Tea Kettle: I am a huge tea drinker, and up until now, I would make my hot water for tea by using my Keurig. However, the water would always be cold really quickly. Since purchasing the electric kettle, I have not had any issues with the water turning colder.

Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor: Regan from Peruse Project did a vlog on a reread of Strange the Dreamer, and it inspired me to pick the book up. And, I became obsessed with the book. It is about our main character Lazlo, who sees the city of Weep at a young age. He is convinced that it’s a dream, when it wasn’t. He then meets Sarai, someone who visits dreams at night. I don’t want to give too much away, but I will say that it was a great book to kick off my reading year.

T Jazelle Bracelets: I have been getting into the T Jazelle brand more and more lately. I have a huge collection that was obtained throughout the last year during sales and QVC specials. I have been wearing them as a method of encouragement, and to bring serenity. My personal favorites are the self love ones, the cape bracelets, and the limited edition snow globe one.

Superstore: Ahh, now it’s time to talk about the TV shows of the week. My fiancé and I found this show while looking for something to watch. It is a comedy that takes place in a Walmart-like store. The writing is similar to shows like the Office and Parks and Recreation. And, we’re already on season two. Guys, we started last week.

One Tree Hill: I finally started a show that was on my TV bucket list for years, and I am obsessed. One Tree Hill is about the Scott brothers, who have the same father and the same passion for basketball. I am four episodes in, and I already can see the hype.

2022/January 2022 Bullet Journal Designs

Welcome to the newest feature on my blog, which is about my bullet journaling journey! As I mentioned in my last post, I want to try to bullet journal more and actually stick to it. So, what better way to do that than to blog about it?

That said, I am not that artistic, but I wanted to give some credit to a few different items. The bullet journal set is from Amazon, and contained the journal, stencils, pens, and stickers. I also got some Clickart markers from Joann. I also printed out this calendar from Lovely Calendar, and got some ideas from AmandaRachLee on YouTube.

2022 Pages:

My 2022 pages are pretty simple. I did the index, my goals for the year, manifestations, a 2022 calendar, and a watch list to keep track of things I want to listen to, read and watch.

January 2022 Pages:

My January pages are pretty simple as well. I did a fun January title page with a calendar of the month with a list of important dates, a page for goals, a page of wishlist, reading tracker, blog stats tracker,and savings tracker. I also did a TBR to keep track of the books that I wanted to read, which is not pictured.

So, those are my pages for this month. I am not artistic when it comes to drawing whatsoever, but I must say that I am proud with how these came out.