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The Big E is Back! — Ringing In Fall at the Big E

The Big E is back. As many of you know, in 2020 the Big E didn’t happen because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, it was back, but face masks were required when entering buildings. Personally, I wore it outside.

Last weekend, my boyfriend Eric and I boarded the Hartford Line and headed to Springfield. The Hartford line takes you directly into Springfield, and there is a free shuttle taking you directly to the fair. Even though we nearly missed our train in my frantic search for Starbucks (your girl needs coffee, and didn’t know that they are actually busy on a Saturday morning. Who knew?), we were ready to eat everything fried, and just enjoy the fair.

We arrived at the fair late morning, and immediately headed to some of the state buildings. For those of you who are not familiar with the Big E, it’s basically the Big East, and celebrates New England. There are state buildings for Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maine, Massachuettes, New Hampshire, and Vermont, fair foods (oh we’ll get to that in a minute), and a ton of exhibits and vendors.

After heading out of Vermont, we (okay fine me) were hungry. So, we got our first fried delicacy of the day — fried pickles from the vegetable stand. We enjoyed them, and then walked around some more, making note of the foods that we wanted to enjoy and when and potential souvenirs. This isn’t the first time that we have been to the Big E. Eric and I went back in 2019 pre-Lucy, and I went the year prior with a friend. So, we had a little bit of a game plan.

After eating, we continued to explore. We headed to the other state buildings, and did some light shopping.

What I Ate:

Okay, what everyone talks about the Big E is the food. Needless to say, if you choose to go next year, I’d call it a cheat day. Eric and I had fried pickles, fried Kool-Aid, buttered corn, and cookie dough on a stick. This is a fraction of the food that is available. There was delicious donuts, apple cider donuts, fried Tacos ( and countless other things), and so much more. What is unique is that in addition to the fair delacies, the state buildings offer some of their finest delacies, such as Maine Potatoes, New Hampshire Mac n’ Cheese, and of course, Ben and Jerry’s in Vermont.

Overall Experience:

It was honestly so nice to be back at the Big E. Everything felt back to normal for the most part, other than a few vendors here and there that did not return. We basically walked around, enjoyed the food, and the exhibits. We also had a chance to hear some of the live music, despite not being in the arena. There were a lot of vendors as well, so it was fun to explore that.

We spent a good part of the day there, eating and just walking around before heading back home at 5:30. And, honestly, it felt so good to have this tradition back in my life again.

Do I recommend?

The answer is, yes. I love the food, the history and the vendors. It has become a tradition for both my boyfriend and I, and is honestly just a really fun date day, or a day to do with friends.

Have you been to the Big E before? Let me know in the comments below.

To Hell With the Side Hustle: Why I Challenge The Idea of a Side Job

Many people – including millennials – have side hustles, whether it’s waiting tables, behind the counter at Starbucks, owning an Etsy store, YouTube/blogging or tutoring. For some, it is out of financial necessity, especially with rising rent prices, student loans, and the fact that life is just plain ol’ expensive. However, I currently not one of those people.

According to an article on Lending Tree entitled Have of Millennials Have a Side Hustle During the Coronvirus Pandemic, 53 percent of the Americans surveyed have a side hustle, and half of millennials have a side hustle. What is even more surprising is that in October 2020, nearly 45 percent of Americans have considered a side hustle, or a side job, on top of their regular full-time role.

As I mentioned earlier, I currently do not work a side hustle for many reasons, such as trying to maintain a balance, self-care time, and the fact that I am in a situation that does not require a side hustle. I also recognize that I am extremely fortunate that I am in this situation. However, due to the hustle culture in society today, I feel like I should try to (although I do consider my blog and other writing endeavors a small side hustle, even though they are more hobbies).

That pressure comes from hustle culture, something that is becoming more and more prevalent in social media concepts. Hustle culture, according to an article on Medium entitled Hustle Culture: Why is Everyone Working Too Hard?, is “all about constantly working.” The article goes onto say that “those who hustle attempt to devote as many hours as possible to work.” Furthermore, the article states that hustle culture has become a lifestyle. The articles says that after the author read a ton of quotes, it questioned their own work ethic, asking the questions of “do I work hard enough?” or “should I be working more?”

These same questions are those that I have been asking myself about the side hustle thing. I personally feel as though we, as a society, glorify productivity, and don’t give enough credit to the whole work life balance thing.

Now, I am not talking about those who need to work extra hours to help make ends meet, or those who have to work to try to pay off debt. I am talking about the overall pressure that is out there to be busy and productive 24/7, just skating on the verge of burnout. I am talking about the glorification and the acceptance of feeling burnt out and still expected to keep going. Having a side hustle is something that for some, equals that burnout.

Being busy 24/7 is not something that is glamorous. Sometimes, it needs to be done. But, eventually, it becomes a choice.

As I mentioned, I do not have a side hustle even though I feel guilty for not doing so. And, I know that I am not the only one who is out there. I want to preface this by saying that I am not talking about those who need a side job to stay financially stable. That said, I have many reasons why I do not work a side hustle – the main one is so I can have balance. I do have plans to try to monetize my skills in the future – which would be simply because I enjoy it. But in that case, it’s for me to use the skills that I enjoy doing. The same thing goes for whenever I monetize my blog or finally self-publish a book. That said, after I work full time throughout the day, when I get home, I want to try to focus on my hobbies, spending time with my dog, cleaning my house, or just relaxing.

It’s called balance, people.

I think balance is something that is not discussed as frequently as it should be. Balance is a daily struggle for myself. However, I know that too much of anything could equal a bad thing, so I think that while a side hustle may be necessary, it is also something that shouldn’t be normalized. No one should be expected to do it all. In fact, no one can.

I am working on trying to feel less guilty by not having a side hustle. I recognize that I am so lucky, but we need to work on taking breaks rather than contribute to the overall hustle culture that has become the norm.

Friday Faves: October 8, 2021

Natalie Barbu Videos: I don’t know how I discovered these videos, but I have been binge watching her videos lately. I find that she’s really relatable — especially when it comes with financial items. Many of us see these influencers who talk about their spending and their hauls. She talks about money, and I find her approach refreshing in comparison to the others. It’s super relatable and less strict than the others out there, so I highly recommend checking her out.

Dooney and Bourke Satchel: I was so fortunate that my stepmom gave me this purse as she was cleaning out her closet. However, I am obsessed with the bag. I love that it’s a shoulder bag but also a top handle. I also love the color. The only thing that I don’t like about this purse is that it’s really heavy. However, it is still worth it to me.

JoJo Loves You Hazelnut Earrings: I am obsessed with the fall JoJo Loves You studs. I mentioned them a few weeks back, and I just bought the hazelnut super minis. The color is a perfect neutral, so you can wear it year around and with everything.

Dance Classes: I have always wanted to take dancing classes for years. I recently starting taking Peloton dance classes and it’s already helped me with my mental health so much. There is not a huge variety of classes to choose from, so I am sure that I will venture out to YouTube at some point.

Sweater Weather Body Spray by Bath and Body Works: The last thing I need is honestly more body spray. But, I tested this out and became obsessed with it so I had to grab it. The best way to describe it is that it smells like fall. It is very crisp and has a hint of apple. I am obsessed with this and am likely going to get more of the collection.

In My Dreams I Hold a Knife by Ashley Winstead: This was my bookclub pick and it was so good. I am not very far in it at the time of writing, so I can’t give a in depth summary on it, but I am looking forward to diving in further whenever I get a chance.

My Favorite Trader Joe’s Fall Items

Trader Joe’s has many unique items, and the fall menu is no exception. I was watching a video from YouTuber and Influencer Brooke Miccio in which she taste tested all of their fall menu items, and I got the idea of sharing my favorite picks from their fall menu. And, let me tell you, they are delicious. So here are some of my favorites from Trader Joe’s fall menu:

Pumpkin Flavored Joe-Joe’s: Joe-Joe’s are Trader Joe’s version of an Oreo. I really enjoyed these, and they are vanilla cookie flavored with an Oreo filling. They are delicious and very sweet.

Pumpkin Flavored Tortilla Chips: These are delicious, and are on the sweet side. I think Trader Joe’s has pumpkin spiced hummus, and I think that it would be a great combination.

Pumpkin Spice Granola Bark: This has become my favorite snack. It has dark chocolate on the bottom, and is a great mix of sweet and savory.

Pumpkin Spiced Teeny Tiny Pretzels: These are so addicting and it’s so easy to eat more than you need to. They are yogurt-covered and they taste amazing.

Pumpkin Hummus: Okay, they should really rename this pumpkin pie filling because it tastes exactly like it. Sooo good!

Maple Sea Salt Kettlecorn: This popcorn is so sweet and so delicious. If you love kettlecorn, you definitely have to try this. It’s tastes like regular kettlecorn but has maple undertones to it. Definitely delicious.

Pumpkin Spiced Biscotti: This is by far my favorite out of all of these. It is really crunchy, but you can definitely taste the pumpkin in it. Think a crunchy version of pumpkin bread. Yum.

Why I Think It’s Important To Resell Items When Decluttering

Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

As a frequent Ramsey Network listener, one of the things that is highly recommended is increasing their income to get out of debt quickly. For some, this means getting a side job. For others, that means selling stuff.

I have been dipping my toes on what it means to be a minimalist. As a blogger, I often feel the pressure to buy things just simply for the sake of having something to talk about. However, sometimes, things end up staying unused. That’s when I take items to Poshmark or consignment shops.

I recently read a post from Plain and Simple Living about Why You Shouldn’t Sell Your Stuff After Decluttering. She raises good points, such as it leads to more clutter and it can become addictive. She also raises a very valid point of since certain things can take a while to sell, which leads to more clutter. And, I agree with her points to a certain extent, but I do disagree.

One of the ways that I am able to fund some of my items is through reselling one item in the efforts to fund another. For example, I sold some Kendra Scott jewelry to purchase my Pandora necklace. Or, I will sell some purses that I am no longer using in the efforts to have some extra money in the bank for my shopping addiction. This came into fruition a few weeks ago when I sold some of my Tiffany pieces to raise money for ones that I wear all of the time.

I also think that reselling items is a good way to make extra money for savings and for debt. I don’t sell mine to make all of my money back. I recognize that it is practically impossible to do so. I sell mine to get some of it back in the effort to become closer to being debt-free.

Another point I would like to add is reselling items have caused me to be more conscious of what I am actually bringing into my home. If I am looking at something, I do ask myself if I have had this item before. If I do and am not using it, then why would this other item be any different? Furthermore, if it was an item that I have previously decluttered, I know that repurchasing it again will not be the best of ideas.

That said, I do think it’s important to give away money and items as well. When it came time for me to clean out my mother’s closet, I gave them all to charity. For me, it didn’t feel right, and it warms my heart that many people are wearing my mother’s clothes that wouldn’t otherwise have clothing. I do try to donate as well, but if it’s in decent condition, I do want to try to sell the items. For me, that made it easier to give them away versus selling them.

To avoid having seller’s remorse, I try to look at the items I wish to sell in a pragmatic manner, and ask myself the important questions: when was the last time that I wore this? Do I still see myself using this? Will I regret getting rid of this? If I have questions, I am not going to list the item or bring it to the consignment store. But, I will monitor how much I use it.

Furthermore, if it’s something that I haven’t used or worn in half a year or more, then I will move it to another part of my home. If I don’t reach for it, it goes. That’s important, because if I am not using it, I likely never will.

Women Who Work: Natalie from Moonlit Stones

Crystal jewelry is one of my favorite types of jewelry. Natalie, the owner and founder of Moonlit Stones, has not only slayed the wire wrapped game, but also the social media game. She has over 13,000 followers on TikTok, and her Instagram is amazing as well.

In between posting amazing content and making jewelry, Natalie was so kind to answer some questions for me about her business. So read on to learn more!

1. How did you get started making jewelry?

I entered this world with an incurable addiction to arts and crafts and have dabbled in just about every artistic hobby. When I picked up wire wrapping though, I knew I had found my niche! A few years ago I hit a rough patch and unwired wrapping became a creative distraction or release. So wire wrapping stones and crystals in a way started as a self care hobby of mine, that grew into a business!

2. How did Moonlit Stones get started?

I originally started sharing my little creations on my personal Instagram story, and then I started getting into art festivals and pop up shows. September 2019 is when I officially launched the Moonlit Stones website for online shopping! Through the website, I have now been able to ship thousands of pieces to people all over the world.

3. You just celebrated two years of your shop. Do you still enjoy the
creative process of making pieces as much as you did when you first started?

YES! I love creating new wire wrap styles and working with new stones. There are definitely moments when I might not be feeling super creative, but that’s just part of being an artist. Sometimes it takes a little inspiration to get the creative juices flowing. I’m still just as excited to make an order today as I was 2 years ago though!

4. You are slaying the TikTok game. How has social media helped your business grow?

Social media has been an absolute game changer when it comes to growing my business. For instance, a single tiktok video I posted was viewed 100k times and brought in 200 orders alone! The thing I really love about tiktok and Instagram reels is that they can reach so many accounts that aren’t currently following you, and those accounts can all turn into potential customers. You don’t have to pay for sponsored ads or pay to boost a post for that to happen either! Paid ads are an awesome way to grow your business too, don’t get me wrong, but getting free organic exposure through tiktoks and reels is the BOMB!

5. Do you have a favorite platform that you like to use?

I love them all but if I were to pick a favorite, I would probably say Instagram. I have definitely had more success on tik tok with 14k followers now, but making the videos can be super time consuming. Instagram is typically easier with a quick photo post to the fern or on the story. Making a single tiktok video requires a great deal of planning and editing before posting.

6. How do you get ideas for social media content?

Sometimes I’ll hear a new song or a unique audio and get an idea for a video, or I might see a cool background and snap a few photos. I have found that inspiration can come from just about anywhere, so I always have my eyes open for new ideas!

7. You mentioned that you did art festivals as well. What is that like
for you as a creator? Where can people find out what festivals you
will be at?

I LOVE art festivals, and have 3 shows coming up in the next month! It definitely keeps me on my toes to make sure I have a fully stocked inventory for each show. For instance, I typically have around 300 rings created for each event because those are the biggest seller. I absolutely love sharing my pieces in person and meeting so many cool people at art shows. Plus I think it’s so fun to set up my displays and decorate my booth!
I post news on all upcoming art shows on Moonlit Stones Instagram page @moonlit.stones

8. Do you have advice for those who are looking to start a small
business online?

I love this question! I definitely have a few tidbits of advice, first and foremost: don’t be afraid to share your ideas! If you’re passionate about a craft or business idea, tell people about it, talk about it, and/or post photos of it. Put your ideas out there and see how they’re received. Odds are, someone will love it and that feedback will fire you up and give you the confidence you need to share it on a bigger scale.
Next, be willing to put in some SERIOUS hours. Being a business owner is basically a 24/7 time commitment. Growing and maintaining a successful business will require a whole lot of energy, dedication, patience, and persistence. That’s why being passionate about what your doing or selling is so essential.
Also, network and connect with other small business owners. There are so many great groups for entrepreneurs out there and those individuals are always down to help aspiring business owners! Being able to talk to someone who has experience building a website, growing a clientele, selling products, etc. is such a huge help. Plus, just having like minded people to hang out with it super refreshing!
Lastly, owning a business can be an emotional roller coaster at times, so always remember why you started and keep making magic.
You got this!

Be sure to check Natalie’s Instagram, TikTok and Facebook as well!

The 5 Steps I’ve Been Taking To Practice Better Self Care

Creating more time for self care has become a priority for me as of late. For me, self care is something that may not be the most glamorous (or even something that I don’t always want to do), however, it something that is necessary. That said, all of these have an overall positive impact on my days and my holistic health.

Working Out: I have gotten into the habit of working out daily to the point where I have to do something every day. Working out has become something that is just a part of my everyday routine, but I do sometimes have a hard time getting the motivation to actually do so.

Going for a Walk at Least 3x to 4x A Week: For the past few nights after dinner, I have been taking Lucy for a mile or so walk. This is great because it really has helped me get my steps in, getting some time in with Lucy and have time away from my phone. I also have been trying to get more walks in overall, whether that may be taking a walk on the beach on a Friday night or walking around with my boyfriend’s mom. Walking has been so helpful for me to unwind.

Meditation: I am a big fan of the Peloton app not only because of the spin classes, but also because of the meditation classes. I am a huge fan of meditation, especially before bedtime. It helps me unwind and avoid monkey mind so I can actually have a restful sleep.

Drinking Water: How many of us can say that they are drinking enough water? Yeah, I am not one of them. I have a few water bottles that have the times on it so I can remind myself that I need to drink water not only for my physical health, but for my mental health as well. And, when I do actually complete the challenges, I feel amazing.

Taking My Lunch Break: Taking breaks is something that I am working on more and more. It’s hard, but I found when I do take my lunch break or a break in general, I approach things much more refreshed.

Thriller Novels I want to Read This Fall

Welcome to the third day of Blogtober! I love this time of year, because it feels natural to curl up with a fantasy/thriller read. Thriller novels are one of my favorite genres of books, so I am definitely excited for this month’s potential TBR (I say potential because I always change my mind on what I am in the mood to read).

That said, here are some of the books I hope to get to this fall:

The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
The Last House Guest by Megan Miranda
The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware
When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole
Carrie by Stephen King
Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson

Do you have any books you want to get to this month? Let me know in the comments below.

Fall 2021 Bucket List

It’s the second day of Blogtober, and today, we’re talking all about all things fall. I live in Connecticut, and in New England, fall is taken so seriously. This year, I want to try to do a lot more fun fall trips, and adventures. I also want to do some less exciting things, as well, such as watch certain fall movies.

So, keep reading to hear more about what I want to do during the fall 2021 season:

Go to Clyde’s Cider Mill: Apple Cider Donuts are my love language. I will likely have them almost every day between September until Thanksgiving. That said, I really want to go there to just try out the donuts and embrace all things fall.

Go Apple Picking: I go to Lyman Orchards every year to pick some apples and of course, apple cider donuts. This year, I want to do Apple Picking, but I also want to try a few different places in the area. I want to try to hit up Bishop’s Orchards as well. It is such a great experience apple picking, so I want to try to do so as much as I can.

Do a fall foliage hike: Fall foliage is gorgeous. This year, I want to spend at least one-two days hiking when it’s peak fall foliage season, whether it’s exploring new parks in different parts of the state or even my go-to Sleeping Giant in Hamden. I love taking photos, so this is especially exciting to me. Furthermore, it’s also a free activity to do, and since the temperatures are cooler, I can definitely take Lucy with me as well.

Have at least one Pumpkin Spice Latte: Yes, I am basic. But, it’s delicious in my humble opinion, so I wanted to spurge on at least one since I don’t always buy coffee.

Movies: Hocus Pocus. It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. Beetlejuice. Halloween has so many great choices for movies. I want to enjoy the vibe of a good fall movie with being super cozy.

What is on your fall bucket list? Let me know in the comments below.

Why Do I Blog? (2021 Edition)

Happy first day of October everyone! I figured I would kick off Blogtober by sharing why I started blogging in the first place, as well as my journey.

I officially became a blogger in 2010. I started a blog and started writing blog posts full of my insights of my daily high school life. I had always loved writing, and I knew that I wanted to have a career in writing. I figured by writing about my day to day life, I would have a space to grow as a writer. My best friend at the time started a blog as well, and we constantly used it to talk about our lives.

What I learned during that time is that you never know who is actually reading your posts. I remember my friend (who I had a crush on at the time), knew that I liked him based on the posts that I wrote. I was heavily inspired by Carrie Bradshaw at the time, and referred to him as “Mr. Big.” Yeah, I was obsessed with Sex and the City. He found out, and I basically had to learn the hard way about sharing too much on the internet.

Fast-forward a few years later, my blog began to evolve into the lifestyle blogger category. I was in college at that point, and remember sharing so many blogging insights with my friend. I also followed many lifestyle bloggers who were in college, and savored their experiences. I would blog about things that I would do in my day to day life, my thoughts about college, and probably my lack of relationship, since I was single during the majority of college. That blog was called Finding My Voice, which I stopped regularly blogging around April 2016.

This blog began around August 2016. At that time, I was going through a lot of changes. My ex-boyfriend broke up with me over FaceTime (classy, I know). I was about to graduate college that December, and had to find a job because I was a part-time student worker at that point. I was also working on myself a lot and dealing with anxiety. It was called Natalie’s Little Corner of the World, and I wrote non-fiction essays, some poetry, and even some musings about the 2016 election.

My blog remained small until 2019. In 2019, I began to watch a lot of lifestyle vloggers, which have helped me get a new sense of passion in my blog that I didn’t have since 2010. I started writing reviews, lifestyle posts like I did back in 2013, and of course, started What I Love Wednesdays (which is now Friday Faves). I began joining blogger groups, and even started a separate Instagram for my blog (follow me here, BTW).

Around COVID, my blog began to truly grow since I did it so frequently. During that time, I decided that I also wanted to start featuring small businesses in my day to day life as a Connecticut resident. I figured it was a great way to help them generate business in a way that wasn’t draining to my bank account. By interviewing businesses and featuring various restaurants and shops, my blog had become more and more of Connecticut features. Which I think is amazing.

That was when I decided to rename this blog to the new name that it is today — the Nutmeg Millennial.

So, after over 11 years of blogging, you may be asking, why do you do it?

For me, blogging has always been something I did for fun. I love everything about it — from taking photos to writing the posts, even though it’s sometimes really stressful (especially during Blogtober and Blogmas). I have made so many different connections during my time as a blogger, and I just love being able to write. I have a Bachelor’s in Journalism, which probably explains why I enjoy writing as well. Blogging for me has become a fun hobby — something that I will continue to do just because I love it.

With the rise of Instagram fashion and lifestyle bloggers, I have heard the phrase that “blogging is dead.” I disagree. I think that blogging is blogging, whether it’s writing a long post like this, or by sharing an Instagram post. I do think blogging evolved from the days of writing about my daily life, but I still think that there is value in blogging in things such as recipes, crafts, and work outs. I think that there are so many bloggers out there, and I am proud to call myself a blogger. Therefore, I will continue to blog for a long, long time.

Are you a blogger? Why do you blog?