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February 2021 Reading Wrap Up

February has been an incredible reading month for me. This month, I managed to read 10 books. Two of these were audiobooks, and the other eight were either physical or e books. One of the reasons why I read so many books this month was because I read a ton of YA novels and found myself lost in them. This month, I am also pleased to report that I read 2 of my Mashed Potato Books, and am currently reading a third. That said, here are the books that I read this month.

Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman, Five out of Five Stars: This book has been on my TBR since 2014, so I decided to listen to this one. And I am so happy that I did. I really loved this book, and it was an honest look of women’s prison. Once I finish the Sopranos, I’ll be watching the Netflix series.

Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness, Four out of Five Stars: This book continues where the first book, Discovery of Witches, left off.

Girl With No Job: the Crazy and Beautiful Life of an Instagram Thirst Monster by Claudia Oshry, Five out of Five Stars: This is such a quick and easy read and is so entertaining. It tells the story of one of the hosts of the Morning Toasts, Claudia Oshry and gives an insight of influencer marketing. It also discusses issues with self confidence, and cancel culture as well. It’s a book i highly recommend.

The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai, Five out of Five Stars: This was such a cute and enjoyable read. It tells the story of Rhiannon Hunter who is a girl boss. She owns the dating app Crush. She runs into her one night stand, Samson, at a conference. The two met previously and he stood her up. The book follows their romance, as well as Rhiannon’s journey to justice.

Know Yourself, Know Your Money by Rachel Cruze, Five out of Five Stars: Rachel Cruze is Dave Ramsey’s daughter. Yes. That Dave Ramsey. I love reading this book because it gave me the motivation that I needed to start saving, and helped give me more insight on how I spend and make the money choices that I do. I highly recommend this book because of that reason, and know that this will give you a complete makeover about spending.

Lucky Caller by Emma Mills, Five out of Five Stars: This book was such a cute read for Valentine’s Day, It is about Nina, a wallflower that decides to take a radio broadcasting course her senior year. At first, it is a complete disaster. However, the show eventually gets going, and reaches moderate success with two bumps in the road.

Hot Dog Girl by Jennifer Dugan, Four out of Five Stars: Another cute YA romance for Valentine’s Day. This one follows our main character, Lou, who is in love with Nick who is her co-worker at the summer amusement park at their town. Only Nick has a girlfriend. So, she gets her best friend, Seeley to fake-date her. Nothing can go wrong, right? Well, not exactly.

The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord, Five out of Five Stars: I think this is the point where I realized that I was becoming obsessed with YA contemporaries. This one follows our main character Paige, whose boyfriend died in a swimming accident her freshman year, and after some time, decides that it’s her time to reenter the world. So, she creates a list. However, what she doesn’t realize that some things just can’t be planned.

The Map From Here to There by Emery Lord, Four out of Five Stars: This one follows the cast of the first novel, the Start of Me and You during their senior year.

Love and Olives by Jenna Evans Welch, Five out of Five Stars: This book follows Liv, who has not seen or heard from her dad since she was eight years old. Her father is obsessed with finding the secrets of Atlantis. So, when he asks Liv to come to see him in Greece, Liv arrives kicking and screaming. However, through participating through his documentary, Liv slowly learns about her father’s past, and rediscovers herself — along with the company of Theo. If you are looking to travel to anywhere, I highly recommend this book and this series because it will give you a taste of travel.

Women Who Work — Stephanie from Point of View Photography

A few weeks ago, my boyfriend and I won a photoshoot from Point of View Photography, a photography business that is owned by Stephanie Jarrin-Morales. Stephanie was really great to work with, as she very helpful with my dog Lucy. As she taking our photos, I knew I wanted to interview her for a post on the blog.

That said, keep reading to learn more about Stephanie’s life, and how her business got started! Also be sure to check her out on Facebook and Instagram.

How did you get started with Point of View Photography?

When the pandemic first started, I felt like most people, frustrated to be home and bored with nothing to do. So I decided to take some photography classes since I already had my camera! It’s been one whole year of classes and following a mentorship program!

How did you get interested in photography?

In 2015 I won “Miss Ecuador in CT” and since then I’ve always been in front of the camera, never behind it. In 2016 i bought my camera when i had my little girl but i never really took it further than just a few pictures of her. Instead, I went to JcPenny every month to have her pictures taken. But like I said earlier, when COVID hit, I needed to out all this energy into something! I love making people smile, so I thought to myself, how beautiful would it be to capture these smiles & moments! and with the pandemic & all my extra time- That’s what made me take the leap

What kind of shoots do you do? On your Facebook it says newborn and maternity, but I wanted to know if you did other areas?

I can do mostly any session. Family, couple, etc. but since I’m new to this I want to master a single shoot before I continue to expand. I chose to start with Maternity & Newborn because I feel as though that is the beginning of a life, this the beginning of a new relationship between client & photographer. Once I do your maternity session, you’ll think of me when the baby is born & I will have the chance to do your newborn session. After that you’ll think of me for all the major milestones! 6 month sessions, cake smash sessions all of that. I figured if I start at the beginning of a life I can grow with the family.

What are the magical sessions?

Newborns! For sure newborns!

What are the prices for your shoots?

Right now I’m toggling a lot with pricing! I need more exposure to clients & I need to get my hands on babies to practice all those cute Pinterest wraps! But I am generally $125 for a family session. $175 for a maternity session (includes hair and make up) & $200 for newborns (those sessions often last up to 4 hours)

What is your favorite part about your business?

Meeting all new people! I love it!

How has the pandemic affected photography?

Honestly I can’t really speak on this since I wasn’t a photographer before the pandemic. But I will say that I have had some trouble booking newborns, especially since people are so afraid of this virus.

What are some tips that you have for someone who wants to start their own photography business or get into photography in general?

YOUTUBE! But a camera & watch a lot of YouTube! Once you know your camera inside and out & you have taken practice pictures of everything under the sun, get a mentor. They are phenomenal!

What I Love Wednesday: February 24, 2021

Happy Wednesday everyone! This post is going to be the last one of the month of February as I will be taking a break from blogging for the remainder of the week. That said, I can’t wait to share this week’s favorites with you all!

2008 Hits List: I recently found this playlist on Spotify and this brings me back. These songs were my favorites back when I was a freshman in high school. I have been jamming to this playlist for a few weeks now, and I have been obsessed. If you need a little trip down memory lane, check this out. And yes, the JoBros are on there too.

Pandora Elevated Heart Necklace: This was a gift from my boyfriend for Valentine’s Day, and I have been wearing this ever since. It is a necklace that goes with everything, and matches my promise ring. Win, win.

Ana Luisa Giulia Silver Hoop Earrings: I am an Ana Luisa Brand Ambassador (this post is not sponsored by them in anyway, but if you use the code NATALIEBARLETTA12, you get 12 percent off of your purchase), and picked these up. Well, I am obsessed. These are good for my first and second holes, and they are a brand that has a zero carbon footprint. These were my first purchase since then, and I’m obsessed with the pieces I picked up since then.

Love and Olives by Jenna Evans Welch: I am a huge fan of this series. Basically each book follows a young girl exploring a different country. The first one, Love and Gelato, takes place in Italy. The second one, Love and Luck, takes place in Ireland. This one takes place in Greece, and it’s a great way to travel in these pandemic times.

Making Beanies: This is probably the first time that I have shared something that is not a physical item for this feature, so this is exciting. Many of you know how much I love crocheting and crafting. Most of my crochet projects have been really large projects, so making these have been an exciting change. The patterns that I’ve been using are all from an Etsy shop called Cozy Moon Designs and all of her patterns are so easy to make. Definitely a win.

Tech Tuesday: Is the Ember Mug Worth It?

Coffee drinkers everywhere can rejoice. There is a mug out there that keeps your beverage warm for the entire duration of the beverage — right up to the last sip.

That sounds heavenly. But is it too good to be true?

No. Because it does exist. That magical item is the Ember Mug.

Now, this piece of heaven comes at a bit of a heavy price tag. The 10 ounce size of the mug costs $99, while the 14 ounce costs $129. They also have a travel mug option that is $179.95. I purchased this mug about a month ago, when I traded in my Apple Watch for a Best Buy gift card, so that gift card covered most of the purchase. If you do have old tech lying around, I do recommend that you use it to help purchase something new.

Since getting this mug, I have used it at least once a day if not more. The mug works with the Ember app, which has a bunch of different temperature settings based on what you’re drinking and is really easy to use. I’ve used it for tea and for lattes mainly, but there are options for many different types of drinks. Furthermore, the app also offers a tea steeping timer which is really cool.

Now does it work?

Yes.

It takes me about an hour to drink a cup of coffee or a cup of tea. It is warm from the moment the coffee is brewed until the very last sip. What I also like about this is that it keeps beverages warm for up to three hours. I’ve used this for my night Zoom meetings, where in normal circumstances, my tea would be cold. That is not the case with this mug. I can have my tea during my meetings, and it’s warm the entire time. Another way that I use this is when I sip my morning latte so I can sip on it more leisurely versus trying to get it down as fast as I can.

The only compliant that I have is that these mugs aren’t big enough. I make large lattes with my Nespresso machine, and sometimes the drink can overflow. I have the 14 ounce one, which is the larger size (thanks to the gift card), but I still experience this problem.

Now, is it worth it?

Yes. If you drink a lot of coffee and tea, then this is something that would be perfect for you. The battery lasts a while, and it does keep your coffee warm.

February Amazon Favorites

Happy Friday everyone! I’m going to start the weekend off right — by sharing my Amazon favorites. Many of these have been shared in previous Amazon favorites, but they are still my favorites for this month. All of these have been my favorites throughout the month, and I can’t wait to share it with you!

Here are my Amazon favorites for the month:

iPad Keyboard: I talked about this in last week’s What I Love Wednesday, and I am really obsessed with this. I use this with the phone stand that I talk about below, and I really love it. I used to have the folio keyboard case, and I really didn’t like it as much anymore because it was so bulky. Now, I use it with a sleek case and whenever I feel like typing, I use this keyboard. I find that the keys are really responsive, which makes typing fast easier. What is also great about this is that it’s less than $20, which makes it really affordable.

Phone Stand: I think I’ve talked about this every month since I got it, but I really have been using this every day. Since my last post, I’ve found another use for this phone/tablet stand — writing blog posts. With the keyboard that I mentioned earlier, I can type blog posts so easily, and it’s so sleek. If you are looking for this phone stand, I highly recommend you getting it. You can use it for both your tablet and your phone. You can use it to hold your iPad while you’re streaming/working out, to keep your phone on your desk, to hold your iPad while you’re cooking, and to hold your phone while taking pictures. There are so many other uses for this, so I highly recommend it for anyone.

Kindle Oasis: I have been getting into Kindle reading again, and I am loving it. I have talked about my Kindle obsessively in the past, but I gave it a break. However, I keep on forgetting how much I enjoy reading on it. I recently read Shadow of Night, which is a thick novel. It makes it so easy to carry around, and I really love that I can stick it in my smaller bags and just carry it around. I love the Oasis simply because I am an avid reader, and the screen is really great for someone who reads a lot.

Nail Lamp: Because of COVID, I am not a fan of getting my nails done. However, my nails take forever to dry. This lamp has been the answer to my prayers. It dries my nails in less than ten minutes, and the polish has lasted for almost two weeks. And, it’s less than $20. Win.

Designer on a Dime: Tips on How to Score Great Deals on Luxury Items

Whether you’re shopping for Kate Spade or Gucci, everyone knows that designer items come with the large price tags. Some may argue that it’s because of the quality, while others argue that you are just paying for the name. However, we know that they are expensive, and these items never go on sale.

But, there is a way to get these items discounted — the preloved market.

For many bags, this is a great way to score some deals if you play it right. There are many sites such as the RealReal and Poshmark that offer so many luxury listings. But, the real confusion is trying to find a great deal on the item that you’re interested in, and if it’s authentic.

Over the past few months, I’ve become an expert consignment shopper and seller. Well, I would like to think that I am anyways. I have been able to score bags at such a huge discounted rate and my collection has definitely grown. So, I decided to come up with some tips to help those who want to have high fashion but want the low price tag score the same deals that I have.

Do your research on the bag: When shopping online for a bag or anything on the preloved market, make sure you research it. If it’s still a bag that’s being made new, what is the price of the new version? How much of a discount are you getting? Will the quality last? And, if you don’t like the purchase, how much can you sell it for? That way, when you find a bag at the price and condition that you want, you know you are getting a good deal.

Be patient: I purchased my Louis Vuitton Neverfull when my mom’s estate finally wrapped up. The bag new is $1,500. I paid about $670 for it on a local consignment site. It took me about six months to find a bag in the condition that I like and at a price that I wanted to pay for the bag. I don’t regret waiting whatsoever. I am a huge believer of the gut feeling, so if it doesn’t feel right or if you’re not willing to get a bag in that condition, then don’t. Trust me, there are more of whatever item that you wish to get.

If something is too good to be true, then it probably is: If a Louis Vuitton bag is $200, then it’s probably fake. When browsing on Poshmark, I’ve seen bags that are too low if that makes sense. Avoid those.

Check out local consignment stores: Local consignment stores are the hidden gems of finding great deals and great finds. I typically browse Uptown Consignment, and over the year that I’ve been selling there, I have found some great deals. For example, I found a Dooney and Bourke purse new with tags. The price tag read $198, but I paid $25. And I love it! Another route to do is check Instagram for smaller consigners that deal with designer goods, because many of them ship! One of those is Closet Connection Resale, where almost all of my purses have been purchased. No matter what route you decide to go with, you can find great deals.

Recognize that it’s Not Going to be In Perfect Condition: 9 out of 10, these bags have been used before. Some items will have wear, tarnish, scratches, etc. And, that’s ok. With Louis Vuitton, that can get fixed down the line. Tarnish can be cleaned. That said, many of the items may be new with tags and just sat in the closet for many years. Whatever the reason is, do expect some items to have wear, because they have been worn.

Message the Seller, if you Can: I have never used Fashionphile or the RealReal, so I don’t think that you can do it this way. However, the best way to get a good deal is to just ask questions about the bag. One of the things I love about using Poshmark or Closet Connection Resale is that I can ask questions about the condition of the item, and what it can fit. That has been helpful for making better choices on whether or not I want to pull the trigger. And, one thing that is helpful about this trick too, is if the seller is not responding, then the listing is a scam. So, it’s a win-win.

So, those are my tips on how to score a great deal on the pre-loved market. Have you shopped consignment for designer items? Let me know in the comments below.

What I Love Wednesday: February 17, 2021

Happy Wednesday everyone! It is another short week for me, and I am really excited to share my favorites with you today. This week, I am dealing with the after effects of a car accident, so it has been stressful. I am thankfully okay, which is the most important thing, but it has been extremely emotional this past week.

That said, here are some items that I have been loving this past week:

Sex and the City TV shows/movies: I have been getting really bored with the TV that I have been watching, so I decided to turn on an old favorite (for me at least), Sex and the City. The show for me is kind of like my comfort food for TV, so that’s been fun to watch.

Young Adult Novels: I have been obsessing over young adult novels lately. I have read a few romances this past week, including Lucky Caller by Emma Mills, and Hot Dog Girl by Jennifer Dugan. I am now reading The Start of Me and You by Emory Lord and am loving it so far. I love these books because they are light and fluffy, which have been uplifting for me.

Pandora O Pendant: I love Pandora jewelry. I recently bought the O pendant from Pandora and have been obsessed. What I like about it is that it’s interchangeable with many different charms. Mine has a long chain, so I can layer necklaces together, which I also really love. I currently have three charms on there — two infinity charms and one heart one.

Pandora 2021 Angel Charm: I love this charm. This is the Pandora Club 2021 Special Edition Angel Charm. This charm means a lot to me, because it reminded me of my mom, who I like to think is my guardian angel. The charm has sterling silver and rose gold, as well as a single diamond. I wear it on a chain, and sometimes layer it with other necklaces. Wearing this charm has been a source of comfort for me, especially with the accident.

Kendra Scott Ari Heart Stud Earrings: Last year, I really got into the hoop earring trend. However, I will always be a stud girl at heart. I picked these up at a recent mall trip and I really love them. They are large enough to make a statement, but they still work for me. My first and second holes are fairly close together, but these don’t overcrowd the earrings. I got them in amethyst, which is a calming gemstone.

7 New Releases that I Pre-Ordered and Am So Excited About

Happy Tuesday everyone! I am so excited for the first half of 2021 because so many of my favorite authors have upcoming releases. Many of the books I decided to preorder are either the next book in a series, a book I’ve heard nothing but good things about, or my favorite author. These all are different genres, which makes it great to diversify and expand my reading tastes.

If any of these sound interesting to you, I highly recommend that you preorder them as well. Preorders help authors grow their audience and help them with the book promotion process, although I am not sure of the exact details.

That said, here are all of the preorders that will be coming my way!

First Comes Like by Alisha Rai, released today: I have been obsessed with the Modern Love series, because it not only is diverse, but also talks about influencers and many things are relatable. I read the Right Swipe a week ago, and could not put it down so I had to naturally get this one as well.

A Court of Silver Flame by Sarah J. Maas, released today: This is the fourth book in the Court of Thorns and Roses series. I bought this one because I am hoping to marathon read them all at once.

Chain of Iron by Cassandra Clare, releasing March 2, 2021: This is the second installment of the Last Hours series in the Shadowhunters world. I don’t want to give too much away, but I will say that it continues where the first book left off.

Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert, releasing March 16, 2021: This is the third installment of the Brown sisters series. The first book, which I read in 2019, follows Chloe Brown, who is disabled and has a romance with Red. I am going to read the second one very soon, which follows Dani Brown, and I have heard nothing but good things about. This one follows Eve Brown, who is a hot mess to say the least. She needs to prove herself to her parents and grow up. She then meets Jacob, and then everything seems to go to chaos. I can’t wait.

The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren, releasing May 18, 2021: I am a huge fan of Christina Lauren. This book is about single mom Jess, who is having trouble getting back to the dating world. Jess has a young daughter, and is more of a data focused person versus a romance focused one. She then takes a DNA test and learns that she is a perfect match for the DNA company’s founder. Ooh, interesting. I can’t read this one, because as I mentioned, I am a huge fan of this author.

Better Together by Christina Riccio, releasing June 1, 2021: Chrisine Riccio’s Again but Better was one of my favorite books that I read last year. I am so excited for her latest release, which is basically a parent trap style story. The book tells the story of two sisters, Jamie and Sia who were separated when they were younger. The two meet years later, realize that they are sisters, and switch places. There are budding romances, and the sisters learn what it is like to be the other. I can not wait to read this one and it sounds so much fun!

Mailbu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid, releasing June 1, 2021: Last but certainly not least, is Taylor Jenkins Reid’s latest novel. She is the author of Daisy Jones and the Six, as well as The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, which I highly recommend if you haven’t read yet. This one is set in 1980s California, and tells the story of a party that goes completely out of control. I don’t want to give too much away, all I know is that I am really excited to read this one.

5 Great Places to Get Dessert for Your Valentine

Baked goods are an essential part of Valentine’s Day, even when I was single. And, Valentine’s Day is a great way to get treats — even though it might look different than in years pasts.

So, if you’re looking to treat your Valentine — or even yourself, here are some great places to get some delicious baked goods.

Donut Crazy:

Donut Crazy is hands down my favorite place to grab donuts. If you are not familiar with them, they have regular donuts (glazed, sprinkled, etc.), but then they have these insane donuts. For example, they have donuts with Nutella, cookies, and more. And, I am pretty sure that they will have something special for Valentine’s Day. They have locations in New Haven, Shelton, Branford, West Hartford, Westport, and Stratford. Be sure to check their website for more information on how to get your hands on donuts during the pandemic.

Good Morning Cupcake:

You might remember my interview with the owner Adriana about her shop. However, her cupcakes are perfect for a date night in. Good Morning Cupcake has mini cupcakes. Which means instead of committing to one single cupcake, you can sample a bunch of little ones. I love this idea, especially since you can try different flavors, and not commit. This is perfect for your Valentine so that everyone gets what they want.

Sugar Bakery:

Home of the famous cupcake truck, Sugar Bakery is the best oasis for your sweet tooth. They have a whole page on their website dedicated to Valentine’s Day with treats and interactive date ideas. They also have their cupcake and dessert menu, which you can order online as well. I highly recommend them, because their cupcakes always make a great treat.

Moon Rocks Gourmet Cookies:

These cookies are some of my favorite cookies. They always taste fresh and they are so delicious. And, they ship all over the country! You can also order cookies online or go to their store in Hamden.

Mozzicato Bakery and Pastry Shop:

This bakery has a little something for everyone. Pastries, cookies, cupcakes, and so much more. No matter what you choose, it is delicious. There are many locations across the state, including Wallingford, Hartford, Plainville, Rocky Hill, and Middletown.

Romantic Book Recommendations Perfect to Cozy Up This Weekend

Valentine’s Day this year is going to be different thanks to social distancing requirements. However, no matter what your relationship status is or what your plans are, there is always room for a great love story.

Over my reading career, I’ve read tens of thousands of great romances. That said, I have picked out some of my favorites to share for everyone to consume this weekend.

Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin: This is one of my favorite books of all time, and sparked my love for reading chic-lit. This book is about two best friends named Darcy and Rachel. Rachel is in love with Dex, who is Darcy’s fiancé. However, after one party, Dex and Rachel share a kiss and began an affair.

After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid: Taylor Jenkins Reid is one of my favorite authors of all time. To the point where I preordered her book. This book is about Lauren and Ryan, a married couple who had hit a rut. So, they decide to take a year off. This novel documents Lauren’s journey of self-discovery and reflection.

Love and Gelato (and other books) by Jenna Evans Welch: What a perfect book to read when you can’t travel. I’ve read the first two books, and hope to read the third this month. Lina is in Italy to meet her estranged father. Her mother passed away, and she got her mother’s journal that she kept when she was in Italy. She also meets Ren, who stays with Lina along with the entire ride. After reading this, I highly recommend that you read the sequel, Love and Luck.

To All the Boys I Loved Before series by Jenny Han: If you haven’t heard of this series or watched the movies on Netflix, I highly recommend that you do. The third one, Always and Forever, Lara Jean, is a Netflix movie that will be released tomorrow! The series follows our main character, Lara Jean. She writes a letter to a boy every time she has a crush on a boy. One day, those letters get released. The series follows her fake dating someone, and then a real relationship that navigates the trials of high school.

Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren: Christina Lauren is one of my favorite authors, and it was so hard to narrow my choices t just one. This book is about Macey, who is ambitious and is extremely guarded. She runs into her childhood best friend/first love, Elliot. Someone who she hasn’t spoken to in a decade. And, things changed. The book was told in then and now perspectives, and is one of the sweetest books I read.

The Wedding Date series by Jasmine Guillory: I have read four out of five of these books, and I am obsessed with this series. The series starts with one set of characters, and as the series goes on, follows a supporting character’s romance. The first one follows the relationship between Alexa and Drew. They meet the night before his ex’s wedding, and Alexa becomes his wedding date. The two soon turn to their ambitious life, but can’t get the other out of their head.