TGIF, folks. It has been a long week and I’m so happy that the weekend is at long last here. I am so excited to begin the weekend with a list of my favorites over the last few weeks.
One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune: This book was absolutely amazing and was the perfect book to kick off the summer reading season. It’s about photographer Alice who decides to spend the summer with her grandmother at the same lake that Alice would visit with her grandparents when she was a child. At the age of 17, Alice took a photo of a few teenagers. One of those teenagers was Charlie and his brother, Sam. Yes, that is the same that was the male main character of the novel, Every Summer After. It was amazing and I enjoyed every single moment of this book. I highly recommend that you check this out if you’re looking for an amazing read for the summer.
Dooney and Bourke Hobo Bag: I thrifted this bag and I’m so happy I got this! It’s one of those bags that you don’t have to think about. You just throw it on your shoulder and go. The materials are amazing too — their all weather leather is perfect for any season. 10/10 recommend.
Budha Girl Bangles: I’ve been wearing mine all week this week and I’ve been loving them. I’ve mentioned them on the blog before, and they still ring true. I love that they are silent and comfortable bangles and how they add a touch of fun to my outfit.
Teleties: I have been loving these hairties. I have been using them while working out and I keep a few in my purse. They don’t leave creases and they hold your hair so well.
I took one step into Milford’s Mermaid Books, and I was greeted by the delicious and wonderful scent of books. Milford’s new adorable independent bookstore will be officially opening its doors on Saturday, June 14, 2025, just in time for the summer reading season.
The grand opening will be Saturday, June 14, 2025, and will be the kickoff of a great season of reading. The grand opening will have a special guest — Lynne Constantine, who is one half of the author duo that wrote the book The Last Mrs. Parrish.
This bookstore is a book lover’s dream from its merch to the books themselves. Sure, there were the standard sections, i.e. new, fiction, nonfiction, thriller, and romance, but it expands so much more than that. The #booktok and the Staff Picks section were my favorite parts of the store hands down, because they had several of my bingeable favorites, and books I never thought to pick up.
However, this store isn’t just for older readers — it is a heaven for younger ones as well. The children’s section was stocked with books, games, and stuffed toys. This would be heaven for a bookish child who needs to pick up a summer read before a beach day.
The overall vibe of this bookstore is a perfect fit for the downtown Milford community with a subtle nautical theme that is present throughout. An independent bookstore has been missing in the Milford community, and this now fills that void. That community aspect is something that is present in this store. I had an opportunity to chat with Kristen, the owner of the store, and she was a delight to talk to. We discussed books and the upcoming summer reads.
For me, a bookstore is not only the books that are sold but the bookseller, and I can see that present in Mermaid Books. Welcome to Milford, Mermaid Books. I can’t wait to see the stories that you will tell.
Hair wash day for me is honestly my least favorite day of the week. Taking aside the time it takes to lather and condition my tresses, it is when I’m often trying to fight back tears of distraught in the shower when I have a handful of hair that fell right out into my hand.
I first experienced this hair loss last August, when my doctor switched my antidepressants from Zoloft to Prozac. A few weeks later, I noticed every wash day would lead to hair shedding in the amount of a Tree Hut scrub top and an emotional breakdown.
Once I realized that this was caused by Prozac, I was immediately switched to a different medication, and started to use Nioxin to have my hair grow back.
It soon felt as though nothing happened, that is until my doctor took me off of hormonal birth control pills. That was when what I like to call hair loss part two happened, thanks to my body mimicking postpartum symptoms.
When this happened, I asked my hairdresser to chop it. My hair, up until that point, was long still from my wedding. I couldn’t take the heartbreaking effects of watching my hair fall out. I also couldn’t handle watching it happen again, and looking at the mirror realizing that my hair was not as thick as it was on my wedding day.
She chopped it to my collarbone, and now, I have a bob. Getting it cut short was the best thing that I could have done, as it gave my hair the volume to cover the parts that were growing back thanks to my Nioxin complete treatment. Furthermore, since short hair does require more frequent cuts, it has caused my self esteem to soar in a time that it once plummeted.
Hair loss is something that is more common than I could have ever imagined. According to the Cleveland Clinic, studies show that 50 percent of females experience hair loss at some point in their lives. The causes vary, from hormones (whether it’s postpartum or changes), to stress, to genetics, underlying medical issues, medications — just to name a few.
However, thanks to Hollywood and social media, I feel that hair loss is something that is not as common as it truly is. In fact, I feel that the content that I’m consuming crams down thick, luscious locks down my throat, making me feel less beautiful and plummeting my self esteem.
To me, that’s similar to how skinny culture was in the early 2000s, where Hollywood had caused me to have the expectation that I need to be a size 0 in order to be accepted.
That being said, I’m writing this post to not only share my story, but to normalize the struggles for those who are going through hair loss. I recognize that my hair loss was milder than most, however it is still a horrible thing, no matter what the cause. There is no worst feeling than trying to not cry too loudly in the shower as you hold a clump of your hair in your hand. I can confirm that.
So, instead of pushing down extensions down our throats, let’s take a step back. If you’re going through hair loss for any reason, trust me, you’re not alone. Instead of trying to hide it, I urge you to try different ways to prioritize your hair health and growth— biotin, Nixon, talking to your doctor, serums, and so forth. For me, Nioxin system has been the game changer for getting my hair back to life.
As someone who is going through it, I can say this. That’s a healthier approach than feeling the absolute worst about something that you cannot control.
Summer is almost here. Yes, the New England weather right now is stating otherwise, but I can tell you with absolute certainty that we are almost to the warm weather…well, I hope anyways. I’m hopeful.
But before we dive into summer fun, I want to take a moment to discuss some of the last of my springtime favorites that I’ve loved through the month of May. So, here are my May favorites.
Powerless by Lauren Roberts: I devoured the first two books and the short novella this month and I get the hype. The passion between Kai and Paedyn is truly unmatched, and I love how much angst there is. I’m obsessed and can’t wait to pick up the final installment in June!
The Secret Life of Mormon Wives: I binged this one, guys. I loved season one and season two did not disappoint. I can’t wait until season three because I just need to know what happens next!
Desperate Housewives: My mother in law and I have been watching this series, which is available on Amazon Prime. It’s become our nightly routine to crochet and watch an episode or two. I now get the hype of this show 20 years ago, because it’s packed with drama. We still have 6 more seasons to go so I’m sure we’ll be finishing this in June.
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry: Emily Henry is one of my favorite authors, and I loved this book so much. I loved her new direction, and my jaw dropped at the twist at the end.
David Yurman Evil Eye Bracelet: I have had this bracelet for a few years now, but now it seems like it’s been making an appearance in all of my stacks as if it was my comfort bracelet. It does fit loosely (obviously because it’s a men’s bracelet) but I like the way it looks. It has onyx beads, which makes it perfect for protection.
Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone: I got to another one of my autobuy authors, and this book did not disappoint. I love Cara Bastone and her books. This one has a trigger warning of grief, but I loved how real and beautiful this was.
I truly can’t believe how fast time flies, and that I’m sharing some of my favorites for the month of May! That being said, I’m excited to be able to get some summer projects done! Summer crochet is simply gorgeous, and I can’t wait to dive in!
That being said, here’s what I loved in the month of May!
Saybin Beanie: I picked the wrong season to become addicted to the soothing nature of knitting. This pattern is one of those that I can just do mindlessly and works up so quickly. Granted, I’m not wearing a beanie at the moment, but I can always prepare?
Caron Cloud Cakes: I love this yarn! I worked it to make a cardigan and it was so soft and comfy. I loved the phasing and the texture of the yarn. I already have another one planned.
Hexagon Cardigan: I have been addicted to this pattern! It’s so easy to work up and comes out so amazingly well! I’ve been using yarn that is verigated but you can use almost any yarn. I’m hoping to make more of these in the next month! There are so many patterns that are out there for this, but I used Annie’s from Hooks and Heelers.
Wearables: I have been enjoying making wearables this month! I’m hoping that also continues into June, because wouldn’t it be cool to have a mini crochet wardrobe?
Cozy Goblin: This pattern is so adorable and easy to make! I’d like to thank Killian from Viney Maple for this idea — I have yet to make clothes for mine, but I’m already making her a friend.
Today, we’re going to throw it back to the MySpace days — you know, the days when you would sit down at your computer and fill out those surveys. Those were truly so much fun! Sorry mom by the way for being on MySpace when you told me I shouldn’t… oops.
I can’t take all of the credit here. I’d like to thank my girl Killian at Viney Maple for inspiring me to do a blog post on this. It was so much fun!
So if you feel inclined, definitely go for filling out this survey!
How did you learn to crochet?
I honestly taught myself. My grandma tried to teach me when I was little, but wasn’t successful. When my dog, Maggie, passed away, I learned to knit to try to cope with it. My mom crocheted and when she passed away, she left behind a lot of half completed projects, including a half finished blanket for me. So I taught myself how to crochet in the efforts to finish them.
What’s your favorite thing to crochet?
It changes. Sometimes, it’s plushies. Others it’s wearables.
If you could only use one yarn for the rest of your life what would it be?
Hear me out, but acrylic! That way I can make literally anything.
What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever made?
I’m not sure if it’s considered to be weird, but Wally the Red Sox Mascot was the most unique.
What is something you’ll never crochet?
I’d say bikinis. Nothing against them, but I feel like too much can go wrong there.
Where do you get your inspiration?
Honestly, YouTube and Instagram. I consume a lot of crochet content, which inspires me to make things and even just to grow as a crochet artist.
Favorite thing you’ve made so far this year?
That’s a hard one! I’d say the crochet plants I’ve made with a pattern book from the Knot Monster. One was a gift and I made a hanging one for myself. I do plan to make another one soon as a house warming gift for a friend. They are so beyond adorable!
Crochet plans you’re excited about for the future?
I’d say making more clothing items! I’m very much looking forward to wearing stuff and going, yeah, I made that.
Worst thing about crochet?
Finishing stuff. I sometimes lose interest in a project when it gets hard, takes too long, repetitive, etc., and just want to make something so I put it aside and do something else. It’s a problem.
Favorite thing about crochet?
I’d say finishing stuff — like actually finishing something! I’ve given so many crochet projects as gifts, and there’s nothing better than the feeling of pure joy of seeing someone enjoy something you made.
I have 13 ear piercings — 9 of them were gotten within the last 2 years. After my wedding, I finally got my thirds done and it all spiraled from there. I now have four lobe piercings. On my right ear, I have a helix and a mid helix. In my left, I have a flat, a helix, and a conch.
I love my piercings. They allow me to be creative and play around with self expression. That said, I have finally found piercing peace now that I can sleep on both sides of my head again.
However, there are so many things that I did that I wish that I had done differently. So here are some tips that I hope that you bring with you to your next piercing appointment:
Splurge: Sometimes, it is worth it to spend a little more money on certain things. I believe piercings are one of those areas. This means going to a highly recommended place that is a little pricier than others. This also means getting the aftercare solution.
This also means that it might a good idea to spend the extra money on earrings as well — especially when you’re going to be wearing them 24/7. I highly recommend that you get higher quality earrings to not only avoid reactions — which then equal better healing times.
Get Inspo: This one is a tip that I have before you even set foot in the piercing studio and even before you make the appointment. Before you commit to the piercing, which could have up to a year of healing time, take the time to make sure that it will work for you and your style. Go on Pinterest. Follow people who have ear stacks, such as the queen of ear stacking herself, Reese Wonge. By doing this, you get ideas of what you want your final product of your piercings to look like.
Get Pierced With an Earring That You’d Wear Even After Its Healed: Once you get pierced, you’re stuck with that earring for at least 8 weeks — at the low end. Many of my piercings didn’t heal enough to switch for a few months after getting pierced. So when you’re selecting an earring to get pierced with, definitely spend the extra money to get something that you absolutely love. That way, you won’t be tempted to take it out the first second that you feel relatively okay.
Listen to Your Piercer: The person that’s piercing you knows their stuff. After all, if they didn’t, they wouldn’t be able to be piercing you in the first place. Listen to them about any and all aftercare, ask them questions, and yes, leave that earring in for the time that they tell you to do so. One thing that I highly suggest is making sure before you leave your appointment is that you make sure you can contact the person who is piercing you in the event you have any questions.
It’s Okay to Be Nervous and For Your Body to Be in Pain: You’re putting a hole in your body. This is something that is foreign to your body, and therefore, it’s normal to be nervous about it. It’s also normal for your body to react to it — from a slight fever to some redness to some tenderness as the piercing heals. It is also normal to feel tired the first week post piercing. Therefore, just give your body some grace as it heals.
Are you getting a piercing for National Piercing Day? How many do you currently have? Let me know in the comments below.
We’ve heard of Record Store Day and Indie Bookstore Day. Now, there’s another day to that list — Vintage Store Day.
The day was announced shortly after Record Store Day, and looks like so much fun. There’s even a little passport that you can mail to Shop Rare Farm. You can view more information about it here.
Shopping vintage and thrifting has been something that has been more and more common than ever before due to cost, increased interest in getting more quality and unique pieces, and of course, the efforts to reduce the carbon input. For me, I personally try to shop vintage in the effort to find high quality pieces at accessible prices. Some of my favorite things to thrift include: vintage Coach bags from the 80s-2000s; quality clothes from brands such as Anthropologie, Loft, Athleta, and Good American; vintage Dooney and Bourke bags; and vintage jewelry.
For Jessica Pellegrino, owner of Oldest Daughter Thrift on Poshmark, she agrees, finding that “thrifting is a great way to get quality products, without having to break the bank.”
“With tariffs, and quality of goods plummeting, I think people are more likely to spend $20 on a second-hand wool, L.L. Bean sweater, than a polyester micro-trendy sweater from Amazon or SHEIN,” she said.
To get items for her online shop, Pellegrino treasure hunts at Goodwill and Savers as a side hustle in addition to being a barista. Pellegrino not only sources items for Oldest Daughter Thrift, but steams, washes if needed, and takes pictures for her shop as well.
That being said, she also notes that thrifting has several environmental benefits as well.
“Roughly 91 million tons of textiles end up in landfills every year. The main culprit is micro trends in fashion. Items like jeans, sweaters and jackets, which should last years, only last one season because they’re made of weaker, synthetic fibers,” she said. “The fibers also don’t break down in the same way as fabrics like cotton and linen. One person, deciding to shop second-hand for one year, would save 59lbs of textile waste from entering landfills.”
And we’ve seen so many different people getting out and thrifting, with TikTokers such as Monica Paulino who thrifts several high quality gems that always leave my jaw on the floor; Yoonie, who manages to take vintage Coach bags and make them new; and Madison Steffano, who shows how she thrifts for basic and fun pieces in her wardrobe. With all of these gems, one may wonder how can I get my hands on these?
Pellegrino says that it’s all about “trusting yourself.”
“If you touch an item and it feels luxurious in your hand, trust that instinct. If something looks so interesting you give it a second glance, pick it up,” she said.
Here are the CT Thrift Stores That Are Participating In Thrift Store Day In 2025:
I am excited to sit down and share my favorites this week! I honestly can’t remember the last time I wrote a Friday Faves post, so I’m happy to share what I’ve been loving this week — or the last few weeks if I’m being completely honest. After all, we love a good favorite that lasts longer than just the week.
That being said, let’s get right into this week’s Friday Faves:
Pavoi Multiple Layer Ring: This is an amazing and cheaper alternative to the Spinelli Kilcollin ring. I do have a few of the rings, but they are on the daintier side. I ended up picking the CZ ring and then the gold one. I love these rings. They are the best fidget rings, and they just look amazing with my other rings. If you love the Spinelli ring but can’t afford the price, seriously check this dupe out.
Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone: I read Ready or Not early this year and I really enjoyed it so I decided to pick up her latest read in a recent Book of the Month box. I’ve been hooked on this one. It’s about Lenny who is grappling with grief after the loss of her best friend after illness. She meets Miles who helps her move on with the list her best friend leaves her. This is an amazing read — heavy but still comical at times, and I can’t wait to finish it over the weekend.
Dove Baggu Medium Crescent Bag: It has been rainy here in Connecticut, and I decided to dig out my latest Baggu purchase. I’ve had my eye on the dove Baggu bag, and I’m so glad that I got it. It’s the perfect neutral, and this one has so many different updates than my original Baggu bag, including an extended strap and a little key leash. I am obsessed with this Baggu bag, and I’m sure this will be an instant favorite.
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry: Emily Henry is one of my autobuy authors. I just finished this book earlier this week, and I am so happy that I read this book. It’s definitely different than Emily Henry’s other books, but I’m not mad about it.
For me, there is no better and more luxurious material than the leather of a vintage Coach bag (sorry Louis Vuitton, although your canvas makes a close second). Since early 2024, I have been searching for these bags in the wild at consignment or thrift stores and of course, online. That is how I acquired my collection, and honestly, I am not mad at it. Thanks to TikTok, I am not the only one who hunts for these bags.
I, on the other hand, have been lucky. I found bags at great prices thanks to sales and coupons via consignment, and of course, making sure I wait until the right time to strike. This method comes with the need to have some good old fashioned luck. It is safe to say that this method of procuring items for my collection is not for the patient.
However, over the last few months, I have noticed a huge increase in the price of these bags no matter where you’re looking. I’ve noticed this through my scroll of items on Poshmark and when browsing online at my local consignment store’s new item posts on Instagram — the same items that I used to procure bags for $25 are now $50-$70 on the low end.
What is the cause of this?
I believe that this was caused by one thing — the popularity that these bags have now gained. These bags have grown in demand. We’ve seen the TikToks of those who find these bags at the thrift store and go to work to restore them back to their former glory. The fact that these pieces were made so well that with a little pixie dust (aka leather cleaner and moisturizer), they are restored to as good as new. These bags are worth way more than their former thrift store prices — and they have caught on. Plus, if you can sell it for that price and you can actually sell them to make that profit, why wouldn’t you?
The same thing goes for Chanel and Louis Vuitton.
I also believe that another culprit is the very fact that Coach is reissuing some of the classic bags. They’ve released the Ergo, the Soho, the Patricia, and the Hamptons — just to name a few. Therefore, with those new bags on the shelves, some people flock to the preloved market to get some of the original ones. After all, sometimes the original is better. That definitely drives up the prices on the preloved market, as people are getting the older versions of the bag, and people are realizing that they can sell these pieces at those prices.
Unfortunately, with the economy going the way that it is, everything has been so expensive including the items at the thrift. Coach bags are no exception to this rule.
Will this stop me from continuing to search a vintage Ergo?
Absolutely not.
Gems will continue to pop up. After all, thrifting is like treasure hunting. Sometimes you never know when you’re going to find an incredible find at an incredible price.
thenutmegmillennial.com 