Friday Faves: July 23, 2021

Happy Friday everyone! I don’t know about you, but it has been a week. I am so happy that it is the weekend, because I am looking forward to getting some relaxation time in, as well as the fact that I have really fun plans scheduled this weekend.

That said, here are this week’s favorites:

Target Glass Mug: I tried to find a link to this, but I was not successful. I found this mug randomly in the Target dollar section. I have been using it everyday ever since. I really love the clear glass look when making my Nespresso lattes. It is so aesthically pleasing. I’ve been to a few other Targets since then, and have found a few there. And, for $3, you can’t go wrong.

Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade: Continuing my romance reading binge from last week, I picked up this book. And, I am loving it so far. It tells the story of our main characters April and Marcus. April is a fangirl of the fantasy show (similar to Game of Thrones) that Marcus is the leading heartthrob of. April tweets a photo of her costume, and it soon goes viral. Marcus asks her out on a date, and the rest is history. I am only 80 pages in, but I am already enjoying it. The book is more than a romance. It discusses fat-shaming, and celebrity issues. I am excited for the weekend, since I will have a chance to read more of this book.

Ring Fit Adventure: As many of you know, I have a Nitendo Switch. I have been wanting this game since I got my Switch. I got this with my birthday Amazon giftcard, and I am really excited that I did. The game is really fun, even though it is a workout. I love it because it doesn’t feel like I am working out. It basically is a quest-based game, that requires you to run, do presses, squats and more. What I love about this game is that it really helps me reach my 10,000 step goal without feeling as if it was a chore.

Madewell Necklace Set: It’s been a while since I’ve talked about the brand Madewell. I’ve purchased these a while ago, and they sat ever since. This is a set of three: a chain necklace and two disc ones of different lengths. I have been wearing the longer one, and have been loving it. They are so great for layering, and I love the vintage gold look to it.

Mid-Year Reading Check-In

Hey everyone! I saw this post on Books with Anjali, and decided that I wanted to participate in the mid-year reading check-in. So far, I have read 52 books this year (at the time of writing this post). My Goodreads reading goal is 100 books, so I am definitely well on my way to complete it. I still have a few books that I want to get to, but I hope to read a lot during the summer since I will have a lot of time off.

Best Book I Read So Far in 2021:

It is definitely hard to choose just one, so I’ll give you three: Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson, Know Yourself Know Your Money by Rachel Cruze, and Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah.

Best Sequel you’ve read so far in 2021:

Either Fly Away by Kristin Hannah or Undercover Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams

A New Release you want to read but haven’t yet:

The Stranger in the Mirror by Liv Constatine, The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Harris, and Pumpkin by Julie Murphy.

Biggest Disappointment so far this year:

Definitely Crave by Tracey Wolff. I thought it would be this addicting novel that I couldn’t put down, but I definitely had to force myself to read this one.

Biggest Surprise So Far This Year:

Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah and Love Your Life Not Theirs by Rachel Cruze. With these, I wasn’t sure how they would be, since Firefly Lane has mixed reviews, and Love Your Life Not Theirs is just different than all of the other books that I have read.

Favorite Debut Author or new to you author:

Definitely Lyssa Kay Adams. I am hoping to finish the Bromance series this year.

Newest Fictional Crush:

Gavin from the Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams. I love how he is working to improve himself and his marriage.

Newest Favorite Character:

Tanner from Autoboyography by Christina Lauren. I loved reading about his struggles living in a conservative town as a gay teen, and the struggles that he faced with his relationship with Sebastian.

A Book That Made You Happy:

Can books be used for this one? I really enjoyed the Modern Love romance series by Alisha Rai.

The Most Beautiful Book that you’ve bought so far this year:

Honestly, it was books that my boyfriend gave me, which was a copy of Beauty and the Beast and the complete Sherlock Holmes series.

What books do you need to read by the end of the year?

I definitely want to read more romances, including Brigterton, Pumpkin’, and the Stranger in the Mirror. I also want to try to attack more of my backlog of books, which is way too long to name.

Favorite book to screen adaption you’ve seen so far this year:

I didn’t read the book (yet), but I really loved Moxie the movie.

Eating My Way Around CT: Sugar Rush

Nitrogen ice cream shops have been popping up more and more in recent years. As a person who is dairy free though, it is safe to say that I have been missing out of the trend. Shelton’s Sugar Rush changed that for me with the dairy free options.

Located in Shelton, Sugar Rush has an extensive menu of desserts. Their dairy free menu has three flavors — dark chocolate, vanilla, and red raspberry sorbet. Oh yeah, and they also have dairy options as well. Their menu has a huge variety of flavors from cookies dough, cotton candy, strawberry, and more. The website says the nitrogen ice cream is made “using a premium cream base which is then flash frozen with food-grade liquid nitrogen to instantly create a perfect scoop, every single time.” They make the ice cream in front of you, as well. All of their ice cream is served in a warm, delicious bubble cone. But, we’ll talk more about that later.

Their options don’t end just there. According to the site, they have 33 topping options, including ice cream regulars such as sprinkles, hot fudge, and M&Ms. But, they are more options that that, including marshmallows, cereal flavors, brownie bits, and cookie dough pieces. And you know that bubble cone that I mentioned earlier? Well, you can also get toppings infused into your cone for an added burst of flavor.

However, if the thought of making decisions give you anxiety, they do have ready made concoctions, such as s’mores, Cookie Monster, and the sugar rush sundae.

Their menu does offer more than ice cream. They also offer cookies, infused donuts and milkshakes as well.

I have been to Sugar Rush twice in the last few weeks, and I am obsessed. I was skeptical at first, but I was blown away. The vibe is so fun, and in the attempt to keep the line moving, they offer a QR code before you go inside to access their menu and make decisions.

What I love about this place is that the vibe is so fun. There is a bright wall with a fun design — perfect for snapping a photo for the ‘gram (do people still say that anymore?). There is fun music playing from their speakers as well. Furthermore, the menu prices are relatively inexpensive, so you’re able to get a sweet treat without breaking the bank.

Sugar Rush has definitely become one of my new favorite spots this summer. Be sure to check out Sugar Rush on their website, Instagram, and Facebook if you’re interested in checking them out.

Friday Faves: July 16, 2021

Happy Friday everyone! I have had a great birthday week, and have been using it as an excuse to treat myself. I know that in the coming weeks, I will need to reel it in, but until then, I have been enjoying spending birthday money, and gift cards. I am sure that many of these will be on my favorites lists for the next few weeks.

That being said, here are my favorites for this week: 

Amazon Water Bottle: I love this bottle because it has a lot of built-in reminders of what I need to drink by what time. I have a hard time staying motivated to drink water, so this definitely helps. What is great about this water bottle versus others, is that since it’s only 32 ounces, I can fit it in my cupholder and purse with ease.

Madewell Pouch Clutch: I am a Madewell Insider, and I used my birthday coupon to get this pouch. This pouch is perfect for whenever I need to grab and go somewhere. It holds my keys, my wallet, and even my phone. So far, I’ve used it a few times as a little pouch to carry whenever I go to nighttime meetings and when I take my laptop to work. I can see myself using this whenever I am grabbing brunch with a friend, going to get coffee, or just as a pouch in a larger bag. I am debating on purchasing a wristlet strap to go with it as well. 

2006-2010s Emo Playlist: This playlist is essentially a mix of all of the punk/alternative songs that made my middle and high school years. I am talking about music from My Chemical Romance, Boys Like Girls, and Fall Out Boy. It is a great thing to listen to when you’re feeling nostalgic, and just want to jam. 

Girl Gone Viral and Love at First Like by Alisha Rai: I have been on such a romance kick lately, and have been enjoying these books from the Modern Love series. They have such a modern take on love, and I have been enjoying it. The first, Girl Gone Viral, tells the story of a meet-cute that has gone viral. However, it is not a meet cute. The second is a story about catfishing. I haven’t gotten too far in that one, but I am so excited to dive in.

Today’s My 27th Birthday! Here’s what I Learned in 27 Years

Today is my 27th birthday, and I am realizing that I only have three years left of my twenties. A part of me is having those mid-twenties crisis, where I realize that I am not young, and time truly flies by.

That said, I wanted to take the time to reflect on some of the things that I have learned over the last 27 years of my life. I know that I am still relatively young, but I feel like I have learned so much, especially over the last few years of my life. I still have a lot to learn, but this is still something that I want to share.

It’s Important to Feel Respected in Relationship: 

This is something that I want to begin with, since this is something that I learned this earlier in my twenties. In my early 20s, I dated someone who was very one-sided and always had to do things their way. I was always the one that had to give, without give back. Looking back, I was blinded by this person. However, that made me realize that I wanted to share my life with a person who respected me and my choices and boundaries. I think back then I was more focused on being able to say that I was in a relationship versus the quality of said relationship, which is something that I think is more important.

The Importance of Saving Money Versus Instant Gratification: 

I never really learned about money and how to save it. However, this year, I really began to dig deep into personal finance. I began listening to the Dave Ramsey show, and working towards selling items that I am no longer using. Currently, I am working on paying off debt, and building savings. One of the things that I also want to focus on is the fact that saving is no fun. We live in an instant gratification society. However, as I want to prepare for some of the bigger purchases in life – i.e. a wedding if my boyfriend and I choose to do so, a down-payment on a newer house, I want to increase my savings so I can have the funds to back me up. So that means buckling down on saving it, contributing to retirement, and just learning to have a better money balance. 

Balance Is Everything: 

This past year has really taught me the importance of a healthy work life balance. I recently fell into this pattern of doing nothing but work, dog care, and going home. Sure, my boyfriend and I go out on weekends. However, I realized that there is no balance in any of that. No one should be doing nothing but just work. It’s unhealthy. Therefore, it’s important to make sure you make the Happy Hour or plans on Saturday.

You Don’t Need to Feel Guilty About Being Happy: 

This is something that I am learning and doing my best to remind myself. I have a habit of feeling guilty about feeling happy or doing something for myself. This can be as simple as sleeping in later on a day off, or having a good time on a Sunday afternoon in the pool. Something that I am working on lately is trying to remind myself that it’s okay to have fun and I don’t need to feel guilty about it.

2021 Nordstrom Sale Wishlist

Ahh, it’s that time of year. The Nordstrom sale. The sale that all bloggers, YouTubes and influencers can not stop talking about. It’s here. Cardholders can shop on the following dates: Icons on July 12, Ambassadors on July 14, and Influencers/All Card Holders on July 16. If you are not a Nordy Card member, you can start shopping the sale on July 28th.

Last year, it is safe to say that I went into the sale without a plan and spent way more than I needed too. Oops. It happens. I do use most of these things, and use the sale as a way to get some of my Christmas shopping done as well, so I am not too upset about it. 

This year, I didn’t find too much that I wanted, but I still plan to pick up a few things. So, here’s what I put on my Nordstrom sale wishlist for 2021 that will not be gifts. I will not share any gifts those, as these are all meant for myself. 

Longchamp Le Pliage Large Backpack in Black: I have been wanting a Longchamp backpack for a long time. I love the Le Pliage line because they are so durable and great for storing. I am opting for the larger one, because I already have a smaller one, and this one will be great for traveling with my camera, Kindle or hiking with a water bottle.

True and Co. V Neck Bralette:  I am such a huge fan of the True and Co. Brand, so I am naturally going to pick out some bras because they are so comfortable.

Nike Indy Mesh Inset Sports Bra: I have been using a lot of sports bras as of late, and this one looks like it will stand the hard HIIT workouts that I do on a regular basis. Having a few more in this collection will definitely help with keeping a solid rotation in my collection.

Bracha Initial Pendent Necklace: I have been wanting this for a while now, but couldn’t justify the price. That said, for the price of $29, I can handle that. I definitely am thinking about getting this as a gift for a few people as well.

So, those are my Nordstrom sale picks for this year’s sale. I have a few others on my wishlist, but as I mentioned earlier, those are Christmas gifts for this year.

While the sale is something that everyone is talking about, I want to advise those reading this – myself included – to not get carried away. Make sure you keep your financial goals in mind when shopping, and just because these items are on sale, doesn’t mean you need to spend your money on it. Just saying. Make sure the items that you pick out are ones that you know you’ll love and use, not what others want or use.

Friday Faves: July 9, 2021

TGIF everyone! I am really excited for this weekend, because it’s my birthday weekend. I have plans to go out tonight and on my actual birthday, I plan to go to a Happy Hour with a friend. I will be planning to blog about what I did on my birthday, so stay tuned for that.

So, without further adue, here are this week’s favorites: 

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream 8 and 1: I have been using this BB cream for years, and I recently stopped to use a few other, more expensive, brands. As my foundation ran out, I decided to give this one a try. Boy, I am so glad that I did. I love that this makeup is more lightweight, and has more benefits, such as SPF. I have shade 110, and I find that it goes with my coloring oh so well. I am definitely going to stick to this product from now on.

Demi Lovato’s 4-D Podcast: I love Demi Lovato. She has been a favorite of mine for years. I just learned that she has a podcast. I love her podcast, because she has featured a wide variety of people. And the conversations are so authentic. I have only listened to the one she had with JoJo, but I can already tell that this one is going to be a new favorite.

All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr: If you’ve read my Mashed Potato reading list posts, you know that this is something that has been on my TBR for many years. I finally picked this book up and I can tell that it is really living up to the hype. I am about halfway through, but hope to finish it over the weekend.

Why I Vow To Be “That Girl” This Summer

The terms “hot girl summer” and “that girl” have been flying around like crazy in the influencer world lately. One of my favorite podcasts, Gals on the Go, devoted an entire episode of the podcast just to discuss the terms and their meaning.

When you hear the phrase “hot girl summer,” I automatically assume the song by Megan The Stallion and Nicki Minaj. However, it means more than just going out and partying every night. According to Dictionary.com, it simply means to be confident and living your best life.

The podcast episode, however, expands that term to be so much more than that. Podcast hosts Brooke Miccio and Danielle Carolan defined it as being the girl who is put together, and takes care of herself. This person is someone who takes care of herself and puts herself first, whether it may making sure that she has time for self care, working out, and things that she enjoys.

While listening to that episode, I decided thatI wanted to work on being that person. Or, girl rather.

In the past few months, I have been down the path of the same routine. Part of that routine is neglecting to take care of myself, whether it’s because of lack of time, energy or the guilt of doing so. Furthermore, I often forget the importance of breaking out of that routine and the importance of just being social with friends.

This summer, that is going to change. So far, I’ve been taking the steps to take care of myself both mentally and physically. I have been doing yoga at night, journaling, making sure that I do a workout that I love regular, scheduling time for binge watching television shows and reading books, and even going out on week nights. It’s about saying no, just because I am unable to do something and not feel guilty about it. It’s about getting enough sleep, and drinking water.

I know that by filling my own cup, I will be able to show up for those around me. I am not neglecting my own responsibilities, instead I am giving myself the chance to hit pause and refresh. By doing this, I am not selfish. I am someone who is trying to take care of herself to become the best version of herself. Not everyone is going to like me saying no to helping them. And, that’s ok.

So, this summer I will become that girl. And, I am proud of it.

June 2021 Reading Wrap Up

This past month, I finally was able to get out of a reading slump and managed to read 9 books. One of them was downright horrible, while the others were pretty good across the board. As I head into the summer months, I hope to get through a lot more books, especially as I have more time off this year than in years past.

That said, here are all of the books that I read in June 2021. Since there are so many books, I will not summarize them in the interest of length:

  1. The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren, Five out of Five Stars

2. Fly Away by Kristin Hannah, Five out of Five Stars

3. Get Out of Your Head by Jennie Allen, Three out of Five Stars

4. Better Together by Christine Riccio, Four out of Five Stars

5. The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey, Five out of Five Stars

6. Crave by Tracey Wolff, One out of Five Stars

7. Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid, Five out of Five Stars

8. Autoboygraphy by Christina Lauren, Five out of Five Stars

9. The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta, Five out of Five Stars

My 2021 Summer Essentials

Summer is my favorite time of year. I love the warmer weather, the more relaxed lifestyle, and the longer days. Summer always motivates me to move more, and do more activities, whether they be socially or just reading more books. However, every summer, I always have a list of go-to items. Here are my 2021 Summer Essentials:

Kindle/Nook: I love my ereader. What I love about using a Kindle over a regular book is that it makes traveling so much easier. I took it with me on a day trip recently and I am so glad I took it. It fit perfectly in my crossbody purse, and I was able to read on the car ride up and back, as well as on the train that we took. What I also love about taking a Kindle versus a standard book is that it has the glowlight so you can read it in any light. The Kindle is also great to take when going to the beach as well because all you can do is stick it in your bag. Finally, what I also love about Kindles is that you can load a ton of books onto that one device. Therefore, you can finish a book and start another which is the best as well.

Tote Bags: Tote bags are essential for many different reasons: you can store your items when you’re going shopping, and take it to the beach. And, those are only a few ways that tote bags can be used. I make mine using my Cricut, but you can get them everywhere.

Sunglasses: Protect your eyes people. Sunglasses are essential for beach days, walking around in sunny weather, pool days, and more. Therefore, protect your eyes from the sun’s rays.

Sunscreen: Of course, sunscreen is essential during summer days. When I was younger, I would never get sunburned, but things changed as I got older. I try to put on sunscreen whenever I am going to the beach and whenever I am outside for long periods of time. I think it’s important to always have sunscreen on hand, because it’s important to protect your skin.

Slider Sandals: I love the Adidas ones, but I think it’s important to have a pair of go-to slider sandals for beach trips and pool days so that way you can get them sandy and wet without worry. You also can get flip-flops for the same purpose, but I prefer sliders.

What are your summer essentials? Let me know in the comments below.