December Amazon Favorites

Well, folks. Christmas is less than two weeks away and I am sure many of you are searching on Amazon to look for the perfect gift for your friends and family. Which is why today I am sharing some of my favorite Amazon purchases — some of them I’ve had for a while and others are new purchases. All of them are great for gifts and stocking stuffers though.

So, here are some of my Amazon Favorites:

Echo Show 5:

I’ve had the Echo Show for over a year now, but now that I am working from home, I’ve been using this more and more as a speaker. However, it can do so much more than that. I personally use it because it’s connected to my Ring Doorbell so I can see what’s going on upstairs when I’m upstairs or at the opposite end of my house. You also can use it to set timers, as a clock, watch videos and so much more. I really love having an Echo, and if you don’t love the Show, the dot is always a good option as well.

Kindle Oasis:

I’m pretty sure that I mentioned that I love my Kindle Oasis in the last Amazon Favorites post that I did. And, I still love it. I’ve had several e-readers before, but this one is completely different. I’ve used it for literally a month and a half straight without stopping, and I just enjoy reading on it. I like it that it has a bigger screen, but it is small enough that I can carry it in my small purses as well. Furthermore, the battery life is amazing on it. It’s not six weeks by any means, but the charge lasts about two weeks depending on your settings. While this is something that is a bit more expensive (I purchased it on Prime Day so I got a great deal), a Kindle is a great gift for anyone who enjoys reading or wants to get back into reading, and has a few different models to chose from at all price points.

JBL GO Waterproof Speaker:

I love this speaker for one reason and one reason only. I love listening to podcasts or music when I shower, and I wanted something that I can leave in my bathroom without worry about it being water damaged. And, this speaker is really great. It’s really small, but it packs a huge punch and sounds great. This is a great gift for anyone, because you can take it with you to the beach, when you travel (whenever that may be), or even for someone who wants a portable speaker for their showers.

Earthly Miracle Body Oil:

I love this oil, and I’ve used this for everything, especially in the wintertime when my skin is dry. This skin is great for cuts and dry skin, because of the tea tree oil. The bottle is a decent size and lasts forever. I bought mine in February, and I still have almost three fourths of the bottle left. This also makes a great stocking stuffer for anyone in your life.

A Gift Guide For the Reader In Your Life

If you’ve been around this blog for a while, you know that I am a huge reader. I do a ton of reading, and enjoy reading all kinds of books. Thanks to my love for Booktube and Bookstagram, I know that I am not the only one who shares this passion.

That said, if you have a booklover in your life that you’re trying to figure out what to get them, check this gift guide out for ideas. You’re welcome.

Giftcard: If you have a book lover, you know this for a fact: book lovers have a ton of books on their TBR pile. And, if you know anything about books, this can be expensive. So, a gift card to their favorite bookstore, or a local bookstore, will definitely help them score some of their more desired books and check off a few books from their TBR pile.

E-reader: If you want to spend a little bit more, consider getting them an e-reader. As many of you know, I have a Kindle Oasis, and I absolutely love it. Kindles vary in price from $89 for the basic model to my $279 model. If you do choose this, make sure that you hit a sale, because Amazon does offer a lot of promotions for this.

Booksleeves: I don’t read as many physical books as I used to, but when I do, I’ve become a huge fan of booksleeves. Booksleeves are basically pieces of fabric that are sewn together, and protect your books. I love this because it keeps books prestine when you’re in your bag. That means no rips, and no water damage. And, they come in sizes for e-readers too, so this is something that is perfect for all readers.

Bookmarks: These are the best gifts to get as a reader because I seem to misplace mine all of the time. And, they are really cheap gifts too, which is also great during this time of year.

Booklight: I have an e-reader, which has it’s own light. However, I still have one and use it from time to time when I read physical books. This is great for when I read physical books, and I am reading at night. This is great for travel. This is also great for those who share a bed with someone and they are trying to sleep and you can’t. This is definitely a gift that lasts forever, because I’ve had my reading light since I got my original Nook back in 2012.

I do want to end this blog by advising you one thing: if you know someone who is a reader, do not buy them books unless you know that they really want it and don’t have it. I know there are many Black Friday sales out there, and because of that, many readers are probably stocking up already. That said, it’s a much better idea for them to receive gift cards, simply because they may already have it, and this allows them to have the freedom to purchase what they want.

Women Who Work: Lydia, Owner of the Made by Aniela Etsy Shop

If you’ve been here for a while, you know that I love jewelry. I also love finding new shop owners on Etsy to follow and purchase from.

Today’s posts features Lydia, who had just opened her Etsy Shop, Made by Aniela. She opened a little over a month ago, and has a selection of gold-plated and gold-filled jewelry. Every item in her shop is handmade by her, and gives off the most positive of vibes. If you love celestial or hamsa jewelry, then this is a shop that you absolutely need to check out. Furthermore, the prices are pretty reasonable too, with the most expensive pieces being $25. I picked up a jade Buddha necklace and it is absolutely gorgeous.

So, be sure to learn more about the woman behind the shop, and to check out her gorgeous pieces.

Here is the woman behind the Etsy Shop, Lydia, who is wearing one of her gorgeous Evil Eye pieces!

How did you get started with the Made by Aniela shop?  

When Covid started I was let go, my job as a preschool teacher came to a halt. I had just wrapped up my degree in Early Childhood Education as well so you can imagine how unfortunate that felt. I looked into other jobs while painting on the side and selling pieces for cash here and there. Though that was fun and a lot of people loved my work, which motivated me, it didn’t feel right. For me painting and drawing is my escape. Trying to turn a hobby into a business was taking most of the pleasure out of it for me so I took a step back. I bought some beads because I remember making all kinds of bracelets as a kid and I always found it relaxing. Something clicked, I moved from string and beads to chain and pendants. I enjoyed the whole process from picking out charms and chain styles, categorizing drops, taking photos of everything and just really making it my own. Once I realized how happy it made me, how fun it was and that I could actually do something with it, I went for it.

How long has it been open? 

One month as of November 30th! 

Have you always made jewelry? 

I used to make all sorts of friendship bracelets and beaded bracelets when I was younger that’s about it, until now. 

How did you get inspirations for your designs? 

I get ideas from a lot. I’m really inspired by celestial pieces, simplicity, simple joys in life. I make pieces that reflect that. I like being able to layer and stack, because of this a lot of pieces are calm enough to not overpower one another when combined but stand out just fine when wearing alone. 

What materials do you use? 

Gold plated and gold filled. Though it’s a few extra bucks, gold filled is better quality, durable and any tarnish can be cleaned, making it look like new. Gold plated will eventually tarnish off showing the brass underneath. However, when taken care of properly gold plated can last a very long time and still hold its shine! I like offering both for price range and purpose.

What items in your shop would you recommend for a gift? 

All! Just kidding. (sort of) I would say the Turquoise minimal dangle earrings or Celestial pendant necklace. Both are simple enough for everyday wear, gold plated, super cute and affordable. 

Do you have any jewelry care tips?

Try your best not to wear it in water to help it last longer! Especially gold plated. Pieces can be cleaned with a proper cleaning solution. Store in a safe, cool environment. 

Will there be any restocks before Christmas? 

Yes! I post an update once a week. 

What is some advice for someone that wants to get started with their own Etsy shop? 

Have a game plan for your listings, target market things like that, have fun with it and be Y O U ! Etsy is pretty simple to learn, I was very nervous at first and honestly it was all for nothing. There are little things to work out along the way but you can always adjust things to your liking!

Be sure to also check out the Made by Aniela Instagram for updates for drops

Blogmas Day 10: Blogger Q and A

A few weeks ago on my Instagram, I asked for some questions for a Q and A. I did this last time during Blogtober, which was very successful. I wanted to do it again because it was such an interactive post that I enjoyed doing. Also, if you haven’t, you should totally follow me on Instagram. #insertshamelessplughere

That said, here are some questions that I got for this post!

Any holiday shopping tips?

Honestly, if you’re doing any online shopping, the sooner the better! It’s always better to have it early than to have to print a picture of it. Other than that, just trying to break it up in smaller pieces than do everything at one — it’s easier on your budget and less overwhelming.

What made you want to start a blog? When was the moment you knew you would pursue it?

I always wanted to be a writer or do something with writing. I don’t remember why I started my first blog (which was a diary and a bunch of reflections) over 10 years ago. What keeps me blogging is just having a chance to do something that I love and a space to write whatever is important to me.

I’ve seen you write about Milford, Connecticut a lot, what are your top five shops in there?

SV Decker Jewelry, Sweet Cupcasions, Inside Living Style, Penny’s Bookstore, and Scratch Baking.

What I Love Wednesday: December 9, 2020

Happy Wednesday everyone! The Christmas season is in full swing and I am less than two weeks from my vacation. I am really excited to further indulge in Christmas movies and music for the foreseeable future.

That said, I’ve been wanting to share some of my favorites from this past week. This week, I have a few diverse list of favorites, so let’s get right into it. 

Music: 

Lately, I’ve been listening to a ton of new music. After getting my Spotify annual wrap-up, I realized that I have not been listening to as music as I once did. So, I made a playlist of songs that I’ve been wanting to listen to and that everyone raves about. And, I discovered some new favorites, including the 1975, Ashley Tisdale’s new album, Megan THE Stallion, and Billie Elish’s new song. I hope to listen to more music in 2021, but I’m enjoying the songs that I’ve been listening to. 

Nitendo Switch: 

I recently purchased a Nitendo Switch. I’ve mentioned that I had the Lite version that I purchased prior to the pandemic. One thing that I was disappointed in was the fact that I couldn’t play any of the fitness games, including the Ring Fit Adventure and Fitness Boxing 2 that came out last week. Since getting it, I’ve been obsessed with the device. I love being able to play some of the fitness games, and the kickboxing game has done wonders for my stress levels. In addition to these games, I’ve been playing Animal Crossing as well, and really enjoying it. 

The Princess Switch and the Princess Switch 2: 

This movie has been on my list of things to watch for a while, and I finally sat down to watch them. I love these movies. It is about a duchess Magaret and a regular American baker Stacy. The two switch places, and fall in love with the other’s best friend/partner. I ended up enjoying the first one so much that I ended up watching the second one the next night, which premiered a few weeks ago. If you’re looking for a fun holiday movie, then this is the movie to watch. 

Organization: 

I’ve been on an organization kick lately, and have been decluttering to the point where I am really excited to continually do so. 

In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren:

I’ve been obsessed with Christmas Lauren’s latest book. It is giving me all of the Groundhog Day vibes, with our main character Mae who has been reliving the same holiday over and over again. Every year, her family would venture to this Christmas house and spend the holidays together. However, it was announced that it was her last Christmas there. On her parents’ way home from the airport, they get into a car accident. Mae then wakes up back on the plane going to the house, and relives that day over and over again. I am a huge fan of Christina Lauren, and so I’m really happy to finally get to their latest book.

Fireplace: 

I recently discovered the TV fireplace on YouTube, and have been loving it. It is perfect for when I need some noise for reading, and gives the ultimate cozy vibes. And, since I don’t have a fireplace, this is a great option.

Sugar Rush: 

I discovered this a few days ago, and have binge watched a few episodes. It is basically a baking competition where they compete for a prize of $10,000. And, the competitions have been putting me into a such a Christmas mood with all of their themes. You can catch this show on Netflix.

8 Jewelry Gift Ideas Perfect for the Holidays

I am a jewelry obsessed fanatic, and so I love receiving it as a gift, as I’m sure others are too. Jewelry is a gift that everyone would love, however sometimes it can get a little pricy.

All of these gifts are perfect for anyone on your list from mom, girlfriend, sister, niece, and cousin.

The pieces I feature today range in price, and metal. As an FYI, all of them are either plated with sterling silver or sterling silver, with the exception of one piece. All of these pieces are pieces that I own and love as well.

So without further adue, let’s get into talking about the pieces themselves!

Amazon Beaded Bracelets: I am obsessed with these, and I am very much obsessed with price. Despite the price, the quality is amazing. Beaded bracelets are very trendy this year, and this is a great way to get the look at a great price.

SV Decker Good Luck Necklace: I have two of these necklaces — one in silver and one in gold. I love this necklace, because it’s good on it’s own and it’s amazing layered. What I also love is the meaning. The necklace has all of the classic good luck symbols, such as elephants, the number 13, and a four leaf clover. I think that this is an amazing gift, because for many 2020 has been a rough year, and this is a great little good luck charm.

Diamonique Hoop Earrings: I am obsessed with these earrings to the point where I bought a second set. These are a set of three hoops that are individually wrapped. These are great because you get three pairs of earrings for less than $70. This can be three gifts, or a mixture of gifts and for you. I really love these because they are lightweight and they are so easy to wear.

Pandora Heart Ring: I don’t remember the last time that I did not wear this ring. I use it to stack, I use it on its own, and I wear it on many different fingers. I’ve had it for almost a year and it’s so easy and comfortable to wear. And, the price is pretty good for a ring of it’s quality. I highly recommend this for anyone who is looking for a great gift that is affordable.

Tiffany and Company Bean Necklace: This is the most expensive gift on here, but this is one of my favorite pieces of jewelry that I wear daily. This is a 16-inch necklace, but it’s a necklace that I wear all of the time with anything. This necklace is also one of the most meaningful pieces of jewelry, because it’s the orgin of all things. When I bought this necklace, I was going through the roughest year of my life, and wanted something to start new. While this is pricy, the quality of this is amazing since I wear it so often, and is a piece that you will have for a lifetime.

SV Decker Bubble Hoops: I love these earrings. They look like they are heavy, but they are actually really lightweight. They are gold-filled, but if you message the shop owner, Steffi, you may be able to get them in sterling silver. These go with anything, and since hoops are also trendy this year, this is an amazing gift.

Diamonique Stud Earring Set: I received this set from my mom a few years ago, and really love these. For that price, you get five pairs of earrings in all different sizes. This is an amazing gift to give as one, and to spilt. I love these because I use the smallest size for my second hole almost all of the time. I’ve had mine for at least two years, and they actually have held up quite well. This is a great gift for someone that has a lot of piercings, or if you don’t know what to get someone.

Little Words Project: These have become the ultimate form of encouragement for me in 2020. They are honestly one of my favorite bracelets, because each of them are little reminders. And, their message is so amazing. This is like a friendship-style bracelet, which is perfect for your best friends. And many of the bracelets are less than $30. My favorites are breathe, self-love, and grateful.

Jazzercise on Demand Review

Home workouts are all of the rage in 2020, although I have been always working out at home. I am sure that as the number of cases rise, so will the amount of people that probably will be working up from home.

I’ve been using the Jazzercise on Demand for about two months now. The app is basically a library of jazzercise workouts at all different types and times. There is a huge variety of workouts: strike (which is essentially kickboxing), HIIT, dance, band classes, and strength. The app costs $19.99 a month, and allows you to use it unlimited times. New workouts are added pretty regularly as well.

I’ve never done Jazzercise prior to getting this app, but I am going to be honest. I really love it. I use this app at least two to three times a week.

There are a variety of different classes of different levels. There are express classes, which are a little lighter and are great for those who are just starting with the classes. These classes are typically around 30 minutes, and offer a mixture of cardio and strength. There are also HIIT and Strike classes, which are intense and kick your butt in the best way possible. And, there are strength classes as well, which are great on their own, but also are amazing to pair with cardio since classes vary from ten to thirty minutes.

I am going to be honest here. I am obsessed with this app. I have used Jillian Micheals in the past, and I love this so much more. The amount of positivity and encouragement that these instructors give you is amazing, because when class is done, I always feel as though I am on top of the world. I am a clock watcher when it comes to workout videos, but I really find myself not doing this as much with this app. These classes are still hard, but paired with the music, it’s actually really fun.

I am not going to post pictures, but I love that these give your body a complete workout, especially the HIIT and the Strike. I’ve noticed a difference in my arms, my abs and my thighs as well. Typically, I do at least one class that is 40 minutes long, and then a few of the express ones. Sometimes, I’ll do the ten minute mini strength classes as well. There are a ton of challenges and collections as well, but I honestly just use them with whatever I feel up to that day.

That said, I highly recommend this app. It is actually really affordable, because classes are typically $15 per class, and this subscription is $20 a month. I also love it that you can do this anywhere and at any time. I often workout early in the morning, and this really helps me be able to work out.

This is by far my favorite home workout app, because other than weights and bands, you really don’t need expensive equipment. You just need yourself. This is perfect for someone on a budget, and this is great for someone who just wants to have fun with working out.

Overall, I love this app, and if you’re thinking about using it, I highly recommend that you at least try the free trial. For further information, check out their website here.

Note: I was not compensated for this post in any way and all opinions are my own.

Book Versus Movie — Dash and Lily

Yeah, Netflix did it again. They turned another YA novel into a movie. Well, it’s a mini series in this case, but you get the point. Netflix has become home to the adaptations of many Young Adult bestsellers, including the To All of the Boys I Loved Before series, The Kissing Booth novels, and now, Dash and Lily.

Dash and Lily premiered on Netflix last month. It is eight episodes long, and the book series as of the time that this is published, is a trilogy by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan. The novel starts out like this: “Imagine this: you’re in your favorite bookstore, scanning the shelves. You get to the section where a favorite author’s books reside, and there, nestled in comfortably between the incredibly familiar spines, sits a red notebook.”

The premise of the series is basically a Christmas scavenger hunt in New York City. New York City is the best place to be during the holiday season. We have Dash and Lily who are complete and total opposites. Dash is the anti-Christmas, while Lily is obsessed with the holiday. Dash is wandering the Strand bookstore, when he comes across a red notebook in the Sallinger section with the title do you dare? Intrigued, Dash picks up the notebook and begins a series of dares. Once completing them, he then leaves the book, with his own dares.

This then turned into a series of dares on both ends. Throughout these dares, they both become close to them and fall in love with the person at the end of the pen.

I am going to be honest here. For the most part, the book and the series are pretty similar, which is great. That said, the big difference is that in the show Dash is a little more upset about the breakup with Sofia then he was in the book. In the show, he also rejects her, where in the book, he does not and they end up hooking up.

That said, I loved both the books and the series. I thought that this was really adorable and it really got me into the Christmas spirit. Furthermore, I also enjoyed watching the series because it brought me to New York City in the fall, which due to the pandemic is somewhere where I can’t visit at the moment. I highly recommend both if you’re looking for a holiday read or show, because this show honestly is what Christmas is all about. And, both honestly put such a huge smile on my face.

Decorating For Christmas!

One of my favorite things about the holiday season is decorating. Since my mom passed away last year, this has become a bittersweet memory for me because she loved decorating so much. Last year, I used a similar tree that we had in years past, but this year, my boyfriend and I purchased a pencil tree that is more pet-friendly. Much of my decor was passed down from my mom, other than a few exceptions.

To help get into the holiday spirit, I started by playing some holiday music. I have a Christmas playlist on Spotify that I’ve been loving and I have been listening to for the past few years.

The first thing that I did was take down all of my fall decor, which isn’t much other than crochet pumpkins. I have some knickknacks that were collected over the years, as well as a ceramic tree that I made last year, so I put those in a little display in my family room. What I love about this display versus having the tree there (which I’ve had in years past), is that it’s low-risk in case Lucy decides to jump on there. I did add my salt lamps, which are deep enough to keep Lucy from licking for an additional glow. In addition, I put my Christmas throw pillow on my recliner.

In the kitchen, I replaced our usual centerpiece with a ceramic Christmas tree that my mom made many years ago. It used to light up with a base, but because it looked questionable, I didn’t want to risk it so I turned it into a centerpiece.

In addition, I also changed up my fall signs to my Christmas Snoopy pictures that I got from TJ Maxx last year. I love Snoopy and it’s not a holiday for me without watching the Charlie Brown Christmas specials, so Snoopy is a huge part of my holiday decorating.

Finally, I changed my message board to say something more festive as well, which is seasons eatings and good spirits.

The last place that I put up Christmas decorations was the living room. The biggest one being the Christmas tree. Like I said earlier, this Christmas tree is new, because I wanted a taller tree that was more dog friendly. I also wanted it in the living room, because there is less of a chance for her to jump on it, and break anything. The pencil tree is something that takes up very little space, but is very tall. I like it because my house is on the smaller side, but it’s still fits perfectly. Many of the ornaments were my mom’s, and putting up the tree made me emotional because it was something that I did with my mom.

The last thing that I did was put up my stockings. Like I did last year, I put my mom’s stocking up, along with my stocking that I’ve had since I was born, and Lucy’s.

My decor is very simple, but every piece of it has a meaning to it. That’s what I love about Christmas. Christmas is one of the hardest times of year since losing my mom, since she was very into Christmas and decorating for the holiday.

Did you decorate for Christmas yet? Let me know in the comments below.

November Reading Wrap Ups/December TBR

I love doing the reading wrap-ups every month, and I am so glad to be continuing them again since I was taking a blogging break last month.

This month was a weird reading month. I read three very long fantasy novels, and also read (well listened to) an entire novel in a day. I also have read some of the Dash and Lily series after binge watching the series in two days.

December’s reading wrap up will likely consist of holiday reads. You can check out my holiday TBR by going to yesterday’s post. I also hope to get to the second Discovery of Witches novel (or at least start it) before the end of the year.

That said, here are all of the books that I read in November:

  • Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness: I gave this book a rating of four out of five stars. I loved this book, because it was Twilight for grownups with a twist. I liked the romance and the angst in the novels and flew through the second half of the book. That said, I did not find it realistic that Diana fell in love so quickly with Matthew. Unlike Bella in Twilight, she was not a complete damsel in distress. However, I didn’t believe it, because of the fact that she was a professor and she was a witch. That said, I still enjoyed the novel, and hope to continue with the series in 2021.
  • Presence by Marissa D’Angelo: I was gifted this book from the author, and will not rate that for that reason. The novel is about Adam, who follows in his father’s footsteps in becoming a photographer for a local newspaper. However, he is engrossed with the mystery of the local island. I will be writing a further review of this later on in the month, but in the mean time, you can check the book out here.
  • From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout: I gave this book a rating of five out of five stars. This novel is about Poppy, who is the maiden. This means that she must remain pure and untouched. However, she is rebellious and learns how to fight despite this status. She is about to enter her Acension, which is something that she is terrified about. When she meets Hawke, her royal guard, she is challenged by a fallen kingdom, as well as the feelings of desire. I loved this book, and finished the second half of the book in a day. I loved that in the second half, there is a twist that I didn’t see coming, and I was left in awe.
  • Kingdom of Flesh and Fire by Jennifer L. Armentrout: I gave this book a rating of four out of five stars. This is the sequel to From Blood and Ash, and because of that, I will not give much away. I liked this book, and I didn’t. I wanted more answers about Poppy’s history, and was disappointed when there wasn’t. I did love the romance in the novel, and I still enjoyed reading it.
  • Didn’t See That Coming by Rachel Hollis: Remember that audiobook I was talking about earlier? Yeah, this is it. This is a great book to listen to if you’re going through something in life. I was so inspired and fired up after reading this and loved the audiobook. I gave this a solid five out of five stars.
  • Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn: I gave this book five out of five stars. “Imagine this: you’re in your favorite bookstore, scanning the shelves. You get to the section where a favorite author’s books reside, and there, nestled in comfortably between the incredibly familiar spines, sits a red notebook.” That begins Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares. I picked this book up after watching the movie and really enjoyed it. This was really cute, and I really enjoyed reading it. It was just what I needed to get into the holiday spirit.
  • 12 Days of Dash and Lily by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn: I heard mixed reviews about the sequel, but I wanted to try it. And, I am glad that I did. I won’t give away much about the book, however, I did give it four out of five stars.