I saw somewhere that the best deal on Black Friday is 100 percent off on Black Friday by not buying items that you don’t need. I am going to be honest. To me, that’s not realistic. Black Friday, in my opinion, is the best time of year to pick up gifts and items that you have been wanting.
However, you do need to do your shopping wisely. Last year, I went so overboard with Black Friday shopping, it’s not even funny. This year, I want to approach it differently. So, here are some tips on how to actually save money on Black Friday:
Have a Plan Before You Go Online or Step Foot in a Shop: It honestly depends on how you’re shopping. That said, before you log onto your computer or go to the mall, come up with a plan or make a list. What are some items that you want/need that you’ve had your eye on? What gifts are you looking to buy? For example, what I’ve been doing is developing a game plan. For myself, my game plan is to purchase Aerie leggings, which have become my favorite, as well as a few Pandora goodies. The same goes for gifts — those I won’t share with you.
Have a No Spend In The Weeks Before: Other than the Stoney Clover launch and the Stoney Clover Sale, I am trying to avoid shopping all unnecessary items prior to Black Friday. That way, I’ll have as much money as humanly possible to spend guilt and debt free.
Sell Items: Before the holidays, I go through my closet to purge all items that no longer fit or I don’t reach for. This not only creates room for the new, but creates extra cash.
Research: Many of the stores out there are having Black Friday sales now. Do your research now, so you can avoid paying more for an item later. However, don’t be afraid to pull the trigger if you think you’re getting a good deal now.
Set Aside Some Impulse Buy Money: You’re going to see something that is a great deal. Therefore, then set aside a certain amount of money for that purpose. Then, you won’t be broke and guilty for it.
Madewell has created the perfect Goldilocks bag — not too big and not too small. Just right. That is the Transport Camera Bag.
The Transport camera bag has two different price points. The regular is priced at $128 and comes in black and their English saddle color. The large Transport Camera Bag is $148, and comes in three colors: black, English Saddle and Dark Cabernet.
I have the larger versions in both black and English Saddle, and this bag has become my go-to. Both of them are made out of leather, and the quality is there, folks. I first purchased the English Saddle, and it goes with everything. I mean, everything. I wore it when I went shopping, meeting friends for dinner, going apple picking, and so much more.
What I love about the bag is that it fits everything that I would need — my Louis Vuitton Recto Verso, my Louis Vuitton Six Ring Key Holder, Louis Vuitton Mini Pochette, my sunglasses, my phone, and even my Kindle. I also have put my Stoney Clover mini pouch and had plenty of room to spare.
I recently got the second one at ThredUP for an incredible deal. Originally marked at $148, I ended up paying $30. I got the black because I just loved this bag so much, and you can’t go wrong with a black bag. And, I am so so happy that I did. It goes with a lot of my leggings, because I have a ton of black pairs of leggings. I have zero regrets with this purchase.
I highly recommend this bag for many reasons. One is for the price, you are getting a classic and sturdy bag. The quality of the bag is there. You can tell that the bag was made very well (haha, get it). I got my first one brand new over a year ago, and it looks like it did the day I got it. Secondly, you can bring this bag with you when you travel, and it will go with everything without you having to worry that it clashes. And, it fits a lot of stuff, including a water bottle, so you can truly be on the go.
And, finally, it’s one of those bags that is just a classic in my opinion. The style is something that you can wear for years, and not have to worry that it’s going out of style. It kind of gives me the Gucci Soho Disco bag vibes, but without the price.
I can’t say enough good things about this bag. However, here are some tips for you to avoid that hefty price tag. The first is to try sites like Poshmark or ThredUP. Secondly, is to become a Madewell Insider. When it’s your birthday, Madewell offers you a discount, and they have sales throughout the year. And, if you accumulate enough points, you’ll be able to get this at a lesser discount.
While this is not my only Madewell bag, this is perhaps my favorite. Therefore, it is one thousand percent worth it.
Happy Halloween and the last day of Blogtober! In honor of spooky season and Halloween, I decided to share my Halloween favorites:
Candy: My favorite candy during the Halloween season is by far candy corn. However, my favorite candy by far is Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (and yes I love the pumpkin shaped ones), and KitKats.
Movies: I love watching Halloween movies, however, the cute kind of Halloween movies versus the scary ones. I’m talking Hocus Pocus, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and of course, It’s The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown.
Books: I love reading spooky reads during this time of year! You can catch me reading all of the thrillers, but I also love reading some cute witchy romances, such as the Ex Hex, which is my current read.
Outfits: Last but not least, I wanted to talk about this shirt that I wear every Halloween. I bought it in 2015 and wear it every year on Halloween. It is super comfy as well. If I do wear a costume, I end up trying to make costumes super simple and easy with items that I already have.
What are your Halloween favorites? Let me know in the comments below.
After tomorrow, the holiday season is among us. I’m not sure how the shortages will affect Black Friday sales this year, but there are still a few brands that I always shop their Black Friday sales every year. To prepare, I often do a no-spend throughout the month just to make sure I have more than enough money to splurge. Thankfully, I have completed about half of my holiday shopping, so I don’t have to worry too much about it.
Pandora: I am not sure what the sales are going to be this year, but I am really excited about whatever promotions that Pandora offers. Last year, it was 35% and I was able to get so many new fun pieces. This year, I have my eye on the Beauty and the Beast ring as well as the celestial bracelet. I also really like a few of the pieces from the holiday collection, so I will be keeping an eye out for the promotions.
Kohls: I get so many of my gifts through Kohl’s, because they not only have great deals, but they also have great promotions for Kohl’s Cash (which if you’re smart, you use them to buy more gifts).
Barnes and Noble: We all know that I love books. Barnes and Noble has a great selection of autographed books during the holiday season, but they also have great coupons during Black Friday. I have a few books that I am considering, so maybe I’ll add them to my collection.
Amazon Kindle Books: Here’s where the real deals are. I get so many of my e-books that I want to read during Black Friday. E-books are sooo much cheaper than regular, so if Amazon has a promotion on some recent releases, I will be downloading them to my Kindle.
Old Navy: I am done shopping for my boyfriend, but I am always open to grabbing an extra here or there. Old Navy has so many great basics at a great price, so I may be shopping there to get him a little something.
Bath and Body Works: When my mom was alive, I would always get her gifts during Bath and Body Works’ sale. I don’t think that I need anything, but I always like to browse.
TGIF! I am so happy that it’s the last Friday of October, because I am feeling burnout from Blogtober. I am so proud of myself for reaching these goals, but I honestly just need a blogging break.
That said, I do want to share some favorites with you of the week. These are random, and fitness related, but I am so happy to share them with you. Therefore, here are this week’s favorites:
Ruf Fitness: As I mentioned in a previous post, I have been doing Ruf Fitness. I really have been enjoying the app because it allows me to combine my own workouts with some strength. Furthermore, I also love having the ability to have a trainer to talk to and ask questions about anything I may not know. I am so impressed with this company thus far, because they want you to succeed. I am sure that I will be updating you on the progress I make in the coming weeks, but for now, I will say that they are my favorite this week.
Blessed James Avery Ring: I bought this as a celebration for a blogging accomplishment, and I am so happy with it. When I look down at it, it reminds me that I am truly blessed.
Sex and the City: I have been binge watching this show, which is an old favorite of mine. It has been comforting for me during a long week, and even though I have soo many shows I need to catch up on, this has become a sense of comfort.
The Ya Boy Roy Show: The Ruf CEO has a podcast, and I have been listening to it soo much this week for inspiration. I honestly recommend anyone listen to it when it comes to reaching a goal, as it’s real and honest. It also makes me feel so inspired as I’m reaching this fitness goal as well.
I was listening to a podcast episode of Michelle Reed’s podcast called But What’s Next? and she had her husband on, answering questions. Having run out of ideas (thanks Blogtober), I decided to ask my boyfriend a few questions about his take on our personal relationship and general questions to get a guy’s perspective. That said, I might continue this series, so definitely follow me (and him) on Instagram, for a chance to get your dating questions answered!
1. What qualities made you first interested in me?
Probably kindness, ability to adapt and your ability to communicate. When we first met, you didn’t really know me and we were going on a trip to Stamford for a work event. That trip we got stuck in traffic, and you had a cool calm demeanor, we were able to start to get to know each other. From what I remember, that was one of the few events you worked in your time there.
Those three were keys that really opened me up to getting to know you. Everything that’s been built upon that cornerstone is all thanks to it. Safe to say, the foundation is pretty good.
2. What do you think a relationship needs to have in order to have success?
I feel a relationship needs 3 things: Communication, Patience and Understanding.
Communication is vital because when you can’t express what’s wrong or what’s going on, then there’s less of a chance to find the right path to get back on. Everything in life has a path, and to take a wrong turn because one party can’t or won’t open up can doom a relationship because of a stunt of growth.
Patience is needed, especially when a partner may not be fully out of their shell. Whether it’s for the first time they say I love you, taking a next step in a relationship or deciding on a future, we’re all turtles that have our own habits and shells to hide from the world in. It’s okay to take a little time to decide what to do.
Understanding may be the biggest thing though: we all come with our own pasts that turned us into the people we are, with the habits that we’ve formed over time. Sometimes compromises are necessary and we can’t get what we want, when we want. It’s a two way street that realistically should try to benefit both sides, and sometimes, it results in something being better than expected. I mean it’s happened with us before.
3. What is your advice for couples that are in those initial talking phases? We spent a lot longer in this phase (4 months) than most couples that I know, so I wanted to get your perspective of it.
When in that talking phase be respectful, actually try building towards something. Getting to know a person may be one of the oldest and most cliched way of doing things, but it truly works.
Part of a significant other is the word, “friend,” and you can’t have a boyfriend or a girlfriend without that word. That’s not to say that you have to be but it makes the relationship a lot easier, it helps you understand them as people and what makes them tick, for both good and bad.
To add that depth early on before jumping into a relationship is something that’s truly valuable. Once it’s official, it makes the transition a little easier and allows you to build upon it.
4. Do you think a couple should live together prior to getting married?
Absolutely, one hundred percent.
You don’t truly know a person until you’ve really lived together in some capacity. You could love someone and not know their lifestyle, their habits or their tendencies.
It’s easy to say “but we stayed in a hotel for a week,” but that week is more a vacation, no matter what it is; it’s not everyday life. Having spent the last year and half here with you, I can now tell where your “safe places” are, how your prefer certain foods, and the level of cleanliness you try to maintain. I know they’re little things, but those little things can join up to create a big thing after a while.
5. Prior to our relationship, you were single for a while. What is your advice for someone who has been single a lot and is having trouble finding the perfect someone?
Just to be careful and don’t lose sight of everything you want. In this age of app based and internet dating, anybody can pretend to be anything, while saying anything in the hopes of a quick lay. Someone could use Tinder and act like this great person, when the reality is, he was saying it just to “have some fun.”
It’s not worth losing your own psyche over trying to find “that perfect person.” The loneliness may suck, and it could sting, but would you rather that than potentially eat the words of someone promising a future but really just wanting a hook up? The resentment that could come with that, is something that’s not worth it.
As an avid reader, reading for the most part comes easy to me because I enjoy it. However, I know that reading can be a struggle for some. That said, I have picked some of the books that I’ve read over the years that have completely engrossed me to help you get started. I tried to get a wide variety of books that will interest anyone who is looking for a good read.
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty: This is my favorite by this author and it’s amazing. It is about three mothers who all have children who in a ritzy school. During a PTA event, there is a murder. However, this story is not just a whodunnit type of book. It also exposes the stories of the three women, and their secrets. Definitely worth the read, especially if you loved the show.
The Woman in the Window by AJ Finn: Dr. Anna Fox is scared to leave her home, and her only source of interaction is to watch the Russell family through the window. One day, she witnesses a crime. The story unfolds, and has so many twists and turns. That said, I highly recommend reading this, especially during the spooky season.
Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah: This is sooo much better than the TV show. This novel tells the story of lifelong friends, Kate and Tully, and tells the story from their teenage years to adulthood. Head’s up, you’ll need tissues at the end.
Harry Potter series: Yes, this is a classic. I highly recommend ANYONE reading this at any age.
Anything by Taylor Jenkins Reid: Taylor Jenkins Reid is a must-buy for me. I have read all of her books, and all of her books are amazing. If this is the first book that you’re picking up in a while, I highly recommend getting either Daisy Jones and the Six or The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.
Anything by Colleen Hoover: Colleen Hoover’s books are oh so popular. They are 100 percent worth the hype. Many of her books are quick reads that literally sweep you away. If it’s your first book by her, I highly recommend It Ends With Us and Ugly Love.
I have been talking a lot about my family health history and my journey with health and fitness. My mom was on the heavier side, and had issues with high blood pressure. This played a heavy role in her death, so it soon became something that my doctor kept an eye on.
Over the past two years, my weight fluctuated. After my mom died, I lost about ten pounds because I wasn’t eating much other than soup and my stomach would constantly bother me. During lockdown, I gained that and an additional 10 pounds. Now, I want to preface this by saying that I am not doing this because I want to lose that 10 pounds.
A few months ago, I went to the doctor for my annual physical. My blood pressure was high (well on the higher side, as I do have white coat syndrome), and my doctor strongly recommended I lose ten pounds.
I started doing Jillian Michael’s app. In the month or so that I have been doing it, I began to see some results, but not what I wanted. My nutrition was okay, but I have a sweet tooth, and I have no idea on how to make sure that I am eating enough. So I would either eat the wrong things or not enough. I also have an “all or nothing” mindset, which is something that needs to change as well.
An old childhood friend was posting about her experience with Ruf, and after almost two months of going back and forth, I decided to do it. I decided to do it so that my children don’t have to go through losing a parent at 57. I decided to do it so I can be healthier. I decided to do it for me.
In fitness — or in anything that we do in general — the first thing that they ask is what is your why. Well, that’s my why.
This is my first week of doing this, so I have no reviews yet. But, I hope to keep you in the loop during this journey. I hope that you all can join me.
Between Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas, I know that I will be attending a lot of gatherings that may entail me to have to bring something. However, as a busy gal, I might not always have the time to devote to baking or cooking something.
That is how this s’mores trail mix has become my go-to party snack. It is easy and inexpensive to make. Plus, who doesn’t like s’mores?
Here’s what you need:
Package of Mini Marshmallows
One Package of Snack Size Hershey Bars
One box of Golden Graham Cereal
Here’s what you do:
Take the Hershey Mini Chocolates out of package and break apart.
Throw Hershey Kisses, package of Golden Graham cereal, and mini marshmallows into bowl.
Toss and serve!
This is so simple and easy! While it’s a great party dish, you can serve it as a snack throughout the week as well.
I was tagged by Michele of OurRedonkulous Life to answer some questions about fall. Thank you, Michele for tagging me. You can view her post here.
So, fall in New England is something that is unique. I love fall and the cozier days. So, here are my answers to her questions.
1. What Signifies Autumn to you?
For me, it is definitely when Starbucks has their fall menu, which is earlier and earlier it seems.
2. What Is the Best Way to Spend a Rainy Day?
Reading, for sure! I also just love watching TV.
3. What Is Your Most Fond Autumn Memory?
My anniversary is on October 10th, so I think the memory of asking my boyfriend out (yes I asked him because I wanted to know where we were on the spectrum of dating) is the fondest, as well as celebrating the anniversaries in the years since.
4. What is Your Favorite Autumn Scent?
Right now, it’s Bath and Body Works’ Pumpkin Apple scent. So good!
5. What Are You Most Excited About This Autumn?
I honestly have so many personal things that I am not ready to share at the moment. However, I am excited for hosting a Friendsgiving with some friends to celebrate having a home with my boyfriend.
6. What Is Your Favorite Autumn Song?
Anything on the Taylor Swift Folklore, Red, and Evermore albums, for sure!
7. What Is Your Favorite Autumn Movie?
You’ve Got Mail. Don’t you love New York in the fall?
8. What TV Show Are You Most Looking Forward to This Autumn?
I am actually not looking forward to any shows at the moment. Could change though.
9. What Is Your Favorite Autumn Color?
Orange and neutrals for sure!
10. What Is Your Most Loved Outdoor Autumn Activity?
I am a huge hiker, so I definitely love that!
11. What Is Your Favorite Autumn Fashion Trend?
I am not sure if this a trend, but I really love wearing boots. They really add something extra to every outfit.
12. If You Could Have a Familiar/Spirit Animal, What Would It Be?
Probably my dog.
13. Name One Place You Wish You Could Visit During Autumn?
I definitely wish I can visit Vermont and New Hampshire, because the foliage is so gorgeous. It is definitely on the bucket list though!
14. Favorite photo you took from last fall.
15. What Are You Being This Halloween?
Last night, I actually had a Halloween party so I was a witch! I also might be going out with a friend one night next Friday, which is exciting.
I tag the following bloggers to answer the same questions:
thenutmegmillennial.com 