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What I Love Wednesday: March 10, 2021

Happy Wednesday, everyone! Today’s favorites are all over the place, because we have a little bit of everything. However, all of these favorites that I have been mentioning are items that I am loving — and have been for a few weeks now! So, without further adue, here are this week’s favorites.

Smart Sweets Fish Gummy Candy: I am a huge gummy girl, so needless to say when I discovered these, I knew that I had to try them. What is great about these sweets that they have low amounts of sugar and are plants based. I have been enjoying these so much more than the original Swedish Fish, and not having the extra calories is even better. There are so many different flavors to choose from, and you can get them at Amazon or Target.

Liquid IV: I have a really bad habit of not drinking enough water. This helps so much. This little packet is so easy to use — you just mix it in with your water and drink. It has a ton of electrolytes, and helps rehydrate you instantly. You can find these at your local grocery store or on Amazon.

Echelon Smart Connect EX3 Bike: I recently upgraded my spin bike, because the one that I originally had was not fit for spin classes. I got this one from QVC, because you can break up the price into monthly payments. I got this one and so far I am really loving it. I have reached the point where I am actually looking forward to my workouts! A rarity, yeah I know. That said, I don’t use the Echelon classes that are on demand at this moment, but I use it with my Apple Fitness Plus trial. I do see myself having a cycling subscription at some point, because I have been addicted to cycling.

Louis Vuitton Recto Verso: I have been buying a few luxury items in the past few months, and this one thus far has been my favorite item that I have picked up. This is kind of like the best of both worlds for me. It has the key pouch, which is my favorite small leather good, and the card holder. I loved this piece too because it gives me so much more organization, but still is compact.

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas: I mentioned the first book in last week’s What I Love Wednesday, and I am on the second one and I am obsessed with it. To put it bluntly, I started reading this book on Sunday and I am 33 percent of the way through, which is amazing. If you haven’t read this series, then I highly recommend checking this series out.

My Spring 2021 Must-Haves

When you live in Connecticut and have had a long winter, you crave March and springtime. If you’re like me, this means spring fashion. Every year, I always manage to discover new clothes to brighten my wardrobe.

Therefore, here are my must-haves for spring 2021:

Wrap Bracelets:

Row 1 L to R: Victoria Emerson, Tory Burch; Row 2 L to R: Tory Burch, Victoria Emerson

This year, I have been obsessed with wrap bracelets. I have two Tory Burch wrap bracelets and two Victoria Emerson Bracelets. I am loving these bracelets because they are so easy to wear and they are so comfortable. If you do opt for the Tory Burch version, I highly recommend that you check out Poshmark. I was able to get mine for $20. The outlets also have a good deal.

Layering Bracelets

Bracelets: Bangles are from QVC AND SV Decker, Little Words Project, Gemstone Bracelets are from Gorijana, Silver Beaded are from Various

In the spring/summer, I love stacking bracelets whether that is colorful bangles, beaded bracelets, or pairing smaller bracelets together. Some combinations that I’ve done is a bracelet paired with a beaded bracelet, beaded bracelets stacked, or a colorful bangle with a silver or gold metal one. I have so much fun pairing different items, and I can’t wait until summer to do so.

Espadrilles/Canvas Shoes

Canvas is a big thing for me in the summer time. Some of my favorites are the Keds Shoes or the Sketchers Bobs Shoes. Those shoes for me are the ones that I constantly use in the warmer months, and I typically have to buy one pair for every season. Both of these shoes that I mentioned are extremely comfortable and they go with a lot of different things from formal to casual.

Bright Colored Accessories

All are older pieces so they are not available, but from L to R: Kate Spade, Coach, and Longchamp.

In the Spring Time, I love having bright colored accessories, whether that’s a purse or wristlet. I have a yellow Coach wristlet that was a gift from my mom a number of years ago that I love breaking out in the springtime. Another purse that I love to use is a Vera Bradley purse that my mom gave me for Easter that I like to use occasionally. Both of these are older ones, so the ones linked are the more modern versions.

Floral Tops

Floral for me means spring, am I right? I love floral tops for spring time. I have a few that I’ve picked out from TJ Maxx years ago, and I wear them every season. These are great to wear casually, professionally or even if you’re dressing up. What I love about floral print tops is that they brighten up my mood and I feel brighter wearing them. I definitely recommend wearing floral — especially in these troubling times.

Pastel/Bright Colored Nails

Thanks to my GEL Lamp, I have been painting my nails more frequently. I love pastel or vibrant color nails for spring time. I love mint or lavender colors, and they add a fun pop of color to my daily life. My current favorite is Essie’s Gel Couture Nail Polish in Once Upon a Time.

Cardigans

When you live in New England, it is freezing in the morning and warmer in the afternoon. Therefore cardigans are an essential part of my wardrobe. I typically have a few from a while ago, but my most recent one is from Kohl’s.

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

Made by Aniela Announces Ring Drop/Other Major Deals on March 5, 2021

Note: This was a sponsored post, where I received free items in exchange for this post.

I don’t know about you all, but I am so excited for spring time. Living in Connecticut, winters can be brutal, and by the time March rolls around, I am craving spring fashion and accessories.

Made by Aniela is going to be one of my go-to shops for spring time accessories. I have purchased some of the shop’s boho earrings, amoungst other things, and they are perfect for spring.

That said, there is going to be a drop on her site tomorrow, March 5, at 3 p.m. The drop will be focusing on rings, which is exciting because it’s my favorite type of jewelry. There will be two types of rings, including: wire-wrapped rings, and adjustable fidget rings. The rings will be available in sizes 6-8. I was so lucky to be gifted a wire-wrapped ring, and it’s perfect because it layers perfect next to the two rings that I never take off (my promise ring and my Tiffany ring that was a gift to myself a few years ago).

Something that I also really like about these rings and want to note is that I am not allergic to them. I have sensitive fingers, so typically the only rings I can wear are sterling silver, gold plated/filled, and solid gold. These rings don’t cause a reaction, which is amazing.

These are the first rings to premier on the Made by Aniela Etsy shop, as she’s previously dropped bracelets, earrings, and necklaces — all of which are gold plated or filled.

One final point that I want to touch upon is that she is running a MAJOR promotion as well. In addition to having free shipping, she will be offering a deal where if you spend $20 on anything, you’ll get a free stretch ring. And, let me tell you, these rings are awesome, because you can stack them with rings you already have, or wear it on it’s own.

That said, if you want to splurge on a piece (or two), I have a code for you to get some pieces discounted. If you use the code NATALIE15 or follow this link, you get 15 percent off of anything you want. This is perfect for those who are looking to score one of these rings, or if you want to add a necklace or bracelet to your daily stack. Her shop has so many great options for spring and summer, so I recommend you check it out and stock up.

What I Love Wednesday 3/3

Happy Wednesday everyone! I still can’t believe that we are officially halfway done with the week. I have been stressed out and struggling these past couple of weeks, so being halfway to the weekend is always nice.

That said, I have a few favorites to share with you today. So without further adue, here are this week’s favorites:

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas: I’ve been wanting to read this since 2015 and honestly don’t know why it took me six years to pick up this book. It is so good and once I start reading it, I can’t put it down. Needless to say, I finally understand the hype.
Two Dots: I downloaded an addicting game on my iPad and I spent all of last night playing it while watching reality TV. Basically you have to connect the dots and meet challenges. It is addicting and I highly recommend playing it as a way to unwind.
Tory Burch Wrap Bracelet: I recently found this bracelet on Poshmark for $20 (originally $98). I held onto it for a while, but recently brought it out for spring and I am obsessed with it. Tory Burch as a whole is really expensive, and so finding this bracelet on Poshmark for the price I did was exciting. I have a feeling that this will become a new summer staple for me, since I tend to wear bolder bracelets in the summer time. I recently bought a black one from Nordstrom using my notes and I am so happy I did!
Clinique Happy Perfume: This perfume was my one of my mom’s favorites, so after the anniversary of her death, I decided to purchase this so I can smell like her. I love the perfume and have been using it almost everyday since getting it. My mom loved perfume, so this was something that I was happy to get in honor of her.

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.