Happy hump day everyone! It looks like better days are coming – we are reaching the end of the quarantine and things are beginning to open up once again.
This week, I have quite a few favorites that I am so excited to share with you. So, without further a due, here are some of the things that I am loving this week:
Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid: I am absolutely loving this book. I started this book Monday morning, and I have been reading it every chance that I had. The book is about Emira Thomas who gets racial profiled at an upper crest grocery store. But, the story expands to so much more than that. The book also is told in the point of view of her boss, Alix who is a lifestyle blogger and is working on her first book. I am loving this book so far, and I am probably doing a terrible job describing it, but I highly recommend it.
Parks and Recreation Special: Okay, I could not mention this. I am a huge Parks and Recreation fan. Therefore, I was so excited that they made a special recorded in their homes. The episode was really funny, and it really talked about the Pandemic in a way that’s relatable and entertaining. If you haven’t watched this, I highly recommend that you do.
S.V. Decker Star Bangles: It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of S.V. Decker jewelry. I actually purchased the first silver star bangle during her summer sale back in the summer. Since then, it’s been one of my most worn bracelets. Recently, I decided to purchase a second one with a multiple of stars. And, I’ve been really loving layering these whenever I do go into the office. They look great, and better yet, they don’t clang on the computer. Since I had the first one, I can honestly say that they do last a while too. There are minor scratches, naturally, but overall they are really great bangles.
Impress Nails: Brooke Miccio talked about these a lot in her videos. That said, I decided to give them a try. The verdict? Overall, they are pretty easy to put on. And, they stayed on. The only reason why I did end up taking them off after a day was because I think that I put them on wrong, and it began to hurt. I do want to try them on, and make sure I put them on correctly.
S.V. Decker Rose Gold Chillers:Okay, I have another piece of S.V. Decker jewelry to talk about. Many of you know that I recently got into wearing hoop earrings more and more. I saw these on her site, and got them as a Mother’s Day gift for my grandmother. When they came in, I really liked them. So, I decided to get them for myself. Since getting them, I absolutely loved them. They are really lightweight – to the point where I even forget that they are even in my ears. I also love them because they are perfect for letting my ears breathe for a little while, which is great. They are currently sold out, but you can check out her website for other earrings like these.
Good to Know by JoJo: Of course, I had to mention that JoJo has a new album that has been on repeat since it came out on Friday. The album is art, plain and simple. It showcases JoJo’s vocal talent, and growth since 2016’s Mad Love. Some of my favorite songs include: So Bad, Pedialyte, and Comeback.
Mother’s Day is next week, and like Easter, it’s going to look a bit different. One of the best gifts that you can give Mom is a book for two reasons: one: it provides entertainment to your mom, and it helps support the book industry, which is one of the many that is suffering right now.
That said, of course, this list would only apply if the mom in your life likes to read. If she doesn’t, then maybe this list isn’t for you. Of course, this list can be used as gifts for anyone — or even if you’re looking for a read for yourself.
Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin: This was my favorite book that I read in 2012. The book is about best friends Darcy and Rachel, who have been best friends for over 20 years. Darcy is the center of attention, while Rachel is someone who is smart and quiet. On the night of Darcy’s 30th birthday, Rachel and Darcy’s fiancé, Dex sleep together. Now, you would think that the this would be the end. Nope. This leads Rachel to question if she should put love or friendship first.
Funny story — I actually found this book in the clearance bin for $3 at TJ Maxx. And, I absolutely fell in love with Emily Giffin after reading that book. Since then, I have read every one of her books. If mom likes this — or if you like that — I highly recommend the sequel Something Blue, which tells us the story of Darcy after the events unfolded in the first book.
2. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens: Okay, everyone and their mother seems to be talking about this book. When I first began reading this book, I was questioning why. It started out really slow.
The novel is about Kya, aka the Swamp Girl. She was uneducated and she basically lived isolated near the swamp. The novel tells her life story — as both of her parents abandoned her at some point. At the same time, Chase Andrews, a popular and beloved towns person is found dead. As the story unfolds, you learn about the mystery of who killed Chase, as well as learn Kya’s life story.
3. Talking as Fast As I Can by Lauren Graham: Gilmore Girls was a show that my mother and I absolutely loved to watch together. In fact, we can quote all of the episodes together. This is her memoir, and talks about her life during Gilmore Girls, Parenthood and other projects. It is a really quick read, and I really enjoyed it — especially since I am a huge Gilmore Girls fan.
4. Such A Fun Age by Kiley Reid: I am actually currently reading this book now, and I really am enjoying it. The book talks about an incident at a grocery store where 25-year old Emira is questioned while babysitting. I am only on page 60 of the novel, and I already am enjoying it.
6. Separation Anxiety by Laura Zigman: I read this book last month and absolutely loved it. It is about Judy who is kind of stuck in her life. Judy’s marriage is falling apart, she’s obsessed with a lifestyle influencer, and her 13-year old son is beginning to separate away from her. The book is comical and relatable and something that I think anyone can relate to.
7. Girl, Wash Your Face and Girl, Stop Apologizing by Rachel Hollis: I loved this books. This is perfect for the moms who just need motivation for whatever reason. When I read these books, I was honestly was so inspired that I was constantly reaching for my journal to reflect. This book made me think ‘yes I can,’ and helped me to see my self-worth and motivate me towards anything.
8. You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero: I loved this book. I actually read this book when I was going through a breakup in 2016. I’ve read a lot of self help books since, but this one is favorite because she talks in a way that is motivating and entertaining.
Wow. It’s May already. I can’t believe that it’s already the springtime. I am hoping that May brings out a brighter month.
That said, this month I read 11 books: three audiobooks, and eight physical ones. I blame a lot of this due to social distancing, and I discovered that I really loved Jane Green’s book. I am just finishing up her third book in a row.
This month, I have a few different reading goals. The first is to read my first book club book, My Dark Vanessa. I also want to finish The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black to finish the Folk of the Air series. Finally, I want to try to read a few nonfiction self help novels.
Anyways, here are the books I read this month:
1. In Pieces by Sally Field — Five out of Five Stars
2. Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare — Five out of Five Stars
3. American Royals by Katharine McGee — Five out of Five Stars
4. Separation Anxiety by Laura Zigman — Five out of Five Stars
5. Most Likely by Sarah Watson — Five out of Five Stars
6. Sadie by Courtney Summers — Five out of Five Stars
7. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens — Five out of Five Stars
8. Yes No Maybe So by Becky Albertali and Aisha Saeed — Five out of Five Stars
9. Falling by Jane Green — Five out of Five Stars
10. Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen M. McManus — Five out of Five Stars
11. Mr. Maybe by Jane Green — Three out of Five Stars
I am 25 years old and I have been blogging about relationships for ten years. So if you do the math, I have been blogging about relationships since I was in the high school hallways. Now, many of those who were in those hallways with me are either engaged, married, or have kids. Or, some combo of the three.
For me, that is mind blowing. I don’t know why, but it’s still bizarre to me that people my age are getting married. But then again, I am in my mid-twenties.
I have begun to think about the pressure that sometimes exists about getting married. That pressure can come from anyone — from family, from friends, and of course, social media. But, what those who give us that pressure are blind to see what is right for us.
For example, I just read Mr. Maybe by Jane Green. Libby, the main character, feels pressured to get married from her mother — which ended up causing her to almost marry the wrong man. Throughout the novel, Libby often refers to her age as being a source to try to land a man.
But, when we feel that pressure, sometimes we end up making choices that are not right for us.
Now, I am turning 26 in a few months. My boyfriend is 27. We’ve been dating for almost three years. Some may say that we are on the path to getting married. Others may ask why we aren’t there yet.
The true answer?
It’s no one’s damn business.
Truthfully though, we both know that we are not ready to make that commitment. And, that’s okay. It doesn’t mean that we don’t love each other. It doesn’t mean that we don’t want to now. Or even next month. It means that we are on our own path.
Which I believe is perfectly okay.
Now, there are so many aspects of how pressure can be applied in life. For instance, Sex and the City broadcasts that societal pressure of women needing to find a man. This in turn causes women to feel like rejects just because they don’t have a husband or a boyfriend.
And, these are successful woman.
At the end of the day, I have seen many girls put their relationship on a timeline — something that creates pressure. I have seen so many others put so much energy into finding a relationship — myself included — when the energy should have been centered into getting to know the person.
I believe that everyone has their own story, their own path, and their own timeline. To me, everything happens for a reason. This is why there is not a need to put any pressure on it. I know that this is a laid back approach to life, but at the end of the day, that’s all we can truly do.
Can you believe that it is the end of April? I am so ready for May it’s not even funny. I am hoping that this month marks the end of the quarantine, but we shall see.
Anyways, here are my favorites for this week:
Nespresso Vertuo:
I have been wanting a Nespresso for a while now. I love lattes. However, I got the milk brother from Keurig instead, seeing as I already had a Keurig coffee maker. After a month, it was no longer working. I mean, it wouldn’t froth, and it really didn’t taste that great. Since Starbucks is pretty much closed, and I really can’t get into the ones that have drive throughs, I decided that it was time for me to invest in this. I purchased a package from QVC, so I got a package with 62 pods, the frother and the machine for $180.
And let me tell you that was the best thing I have ever purchased. The coffee tasted amazing. It was as good, or even better than the Starbucks that I craved — and probably cheaper. And, here’s the crazy thing — it is a lot simpler than it looks. I thought that this was going to be a crazy complicated machine, and it’s not. And, that makes me so happy.
Definitely the best investment ever — especially if it breaks my Starbucks habit.
Jane Green Books:
I bought a few Jane Green books a while back at my local bookstore. I had heard about her on Instagram, and wanted to give them a try. They have been sitting on my shelf for six months. However, I was determined to finally read them during the quarantine, since I am a fan of Emily Giffin and Sophie Kinsella.
I picked up one of her later books, Falling, and well, I fell for it. I flew through that one, and fell in love with the characters, the plot and the writing. It is about our main character Emma, who is a retired banker who rents a cottage in Westport Connecticut to figure out what’s next for her. She meets her landlord Dominic, and she fights an attraction to him, only to lose. The two fall head first in love — that is until tragedy strikes.
Jane Green is deemed one of the queens of chic lit and I can see it now. I am currently reading Mr. Maybe, and I am flying through that novel as well. Once, I finish that, I downloaded The Friends We Keep and am going to read Tempting Fate or Straight Talking (it was on sale a while back) after that. Seriously, though. It’s been a while since I’ve loved an author this much, so I am enjoying that I get to add a new favorite. If you’re looking for a light read, definitely check out these amazing books.
Lonely Hearts by JoJo: New JoJo music is always worth mentioning — I cant wait until Good to Know comes out in two days! That said, this is a great song and I highly recommend you listen to it.
I have been crocheting for a little over a year now. Crocheting is something that has been relaxing for me. I love it, because it is extremely therapeutic.
Since I began to crochet, I’ve completed quite a few projects and have made a lot of gifts.
Here’s what I’ve made for myself since I started crocheting:
Purple and Blue Afghan:
This blanket took me forever to make. In fact, it took me a little over a year. This is technically the first item that I started, but not the first that I’ve finished (I made a friend a baby blanket while doing this). This was a single crochet, and consists of five different colors.
Scarves:
I love infinity scarves. These scarves were so quick and easy to make, and they are so warm. Making scarves are such a quick and easy gift for anyone, and make great Christmas gifts.
Hat:
This is the first hat I made while crocheting in the round. It also amazed me how easy that this was to make — in fact, it took me less than an hour to do. I have yet to wear this, but I am so excited to wear it in the winter. I’m also sure that this will be a go to Christmas gift for me this year as well.
Thick Throw Blanket:
This blanket took me a little over a week to make. It is made out of Bernalt Blanket Yarn, which is so soft. Because it’s a chunky (size 6) yarn, it accumulated quickly. Once I got halfway through this, I decided to order a wine color to make a throw for my recliner downstairs. This is definitely a great beginner project, because it’s simple and quick.
Pillow:
I decided to take the pattern from the hat and crochet this throw pillow for my bed. It was pretty easy to do, and looks great on my bed. I do plan on making another one for my recliner as well.
Nook Cover:
I found this pattern on YouTube for a Kindle cover, so I decided to make one for my Nook. This was very simple to make, and took no time. I like this one because it adds some extra padding to the Nook, which gets dropped quite a bit.
In addition to the stuff listed here, I’ve made a few scarves, and coffee cozies as gifts. Currently, I am working on a pink and gray blanket (see above), and a little yellow throw blanket.
Last weekend, I participated in the Stay At Home Readathon. This is actually my second one that I’ve participated in ever, and this one didn’t go as well as the first.
You can check out my TBR, but it’s oblivious that I was too ambitious. I knew right off of the bat that I wouldn’t be able to read four books in four days. But, I ended up reading one full book during this time, and finished up the current book and audiobook that I was reading. And, since the book that I read was something that has been on my TBR for years, I am still pretty proud of myself.
Thursday:
I started off my morning as if I do every morning — with a cup of coffee and a book. I was still finishing up Most Likely by Sarah Watson, and I had to get Sadie done before my audiobook was due back. I was able to get some of the physical book done, and listened to my audiobook throughout the day. That night, I was able to finish my book, and all was well.
Friday:
I then picked up Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. I was actually disappointed at first with the book. For me, I thought that the beginning was so slow and I honestly was questioning why this was so popular.
I didn’t read that much that day, and I ended up spending most of my night crocheting while watching the Wedding Year. Reading is something that I don’t want to ever force on myself, so I don’t want to ever feel as though I am forcing myself to do it.
Saturday:
Saturday was a pretty productive reading day. I ended up finishing Where the Crawdads Sing, and I am so glad that I stuck with it. From page 100 on, I wanted to know what was happening more than anything else. I felt pretty accomplished with this, and hoped to get some reading done on my next book.
Sunday:
I didn’t get much reading done again on Sunday. I did read about 40 pages of Yes No Maybe So, and loved it. However, since Sunday is my errand/laundry day, I wasn’t expecting to get a lot done.
Overall, I think that I did make some progress on my reading goals. I loved my progress and I was happy that I did get a mashed potato book read.
On April 24, 2017, I wrote a blog post called A Letter To My Future Boyfriend that I discovered a few days ago. At the time, I was single and was actually going to be meeting my current boyfriend in about a month. Funny to think about isn’t it?
After reading this, I thought about writing a letter to my current boyfriend. I don’t like to talk about my boyfriend that much on the blog, but I will give you a little story about him. I met him in June 2017 while doing an event for the company that I was working with at the time. We “talked” for three months, went on a few dates, and became “officially” boyfriend and girlfriend in October. One of the things that I will always be grateful for is that we did not rush into a relationship right away. Instead, we opted to get to know each other, which helped us develop a friendship before a relationship.
Without further a due, here is my letter to my current boyfriend. I did show this to him prior to publication, so that way there are no surprises on his end. That said, here’s a letter to my current boyfriend.
Dear Eric,
Thank you. I think that the best way to start off is to say thank you. Thank you for all of the support that you’ve given me — professionally and personally. Thank you for coming with me to pick out Lucy. Thank you for being there for me when my mother died. Thank you for carrying her casket. Thank you for showing your support whenever I am upset, and just showing up for me in general. I am going to be honest — the fact that you stayed by my side when my mother died means all of the world with you.
I can’t believe that we really have known each other for almost three years. I can honestly say that we’ve grown into stronger and better versions of ourselves. We inspire each other to grow, and at the end of the day, we continue to choose each other. When we fight and when things get hard, we still choose each other. We choose to forgive, to work through things, and we choose to love.
All of which are important things for growth.
During our relationship, we have gone through the ringer to say the least. We both suffered the loss of my mother — although in different ways. Thank you for sticking by me that day, the day of her funeral, and all of the times after that. Thank you for being the man that she would have wanted me to find. Grief is isolating, and you may not understand it or comprehend it. Yet, you still try to.
Looking back, it’s weird to think of every moment — both good and bad — that leads us to the people and the couple that we are today. And while I look back, I continue to look ahead to whatever future we may have. Hopefully, it’s full of years of more awesome memories.
Anyways, that’s pretty much it. Maybe I’ll do another one of these in three years?
Happy Wednesday, everyone (that’s what day it is right?) I can’t believe it. It’s already the end of April. We’ve been in quarantine for over a month. I don’t know about you, but I am beginning to feel depressed about being at home day in and day out, as well as lonely since I live by myself. And, that’s okay. I am allowed to feel as I need to feel.
That said, there are a lot of things that have been bringing me joy this week. This could be transferred to things that have been keeping me sane, and these are what is getting me through right now:
I’m Ready by Demi Lovato and Sam Smith:
Okay, you all know that I am a huge fan of Demi Lovato’s music. In fact, I actually saw her in concert and she was awesome. That said, anytime that she comes out with new music, I am there for that. Last week, she recently released a single with Sam Smith. And, it’s amazing. It talks about being ready and open for love. If you haven’t already, definitely listen to it.
Big Little Lies (The TV Show):
I read the book Big Little Lies three years ago, and could not put the book down. I also fell in love with the author, and since then, have read her other books. On Apple TV and with my cable company, HBO is free. So, I decided to watch the show. And, I love it. There are only 14 episodes, so I know I can get through them pretty quickly while watching the Office.
The show is about the murder of a character. At the beginning of the series, you don’t know who was murdered, so you are hooked in instantly. Throughout the episodes, you see the drama between the characters — between mothers and fathers at school. It’s intense, but once you watch the first episode, you are hooked.
What’s Next With Michelle Reed:
YouTuber Michelle Reed has a podcast. I love Michelle Reed’s videos, because she seems like someone who is authentic and has a good head on her shoulders. I have been following her tips about money, and I like that she focuses on the future, versus spending money in the now.
The podcast is new, and it talks about being in your 20s. Her first episode was a quick introduction, and in those 20 minutes of listening, I felt inspired to take on the world. It comes out on Mondays, which is perfect, because who doesn’t need inspiration and motivation on a Monday?
Sex and the City:
I was obsessed with the show Sex and the City in high school. I loved watching the show, because it’s entertaining and relatable. That said, I recently discovered that Amazon Prime had the series for free. Needless to say, I began binging the show, sometimes watching up to 6 episodes per day, and watching it before bed. For me, it’s the perfect comfort show simply because it’s one of my favorites. So, don’t mind me when I watch Mr. Big take Carrie in his arms and tell her that she’s the one (and don’t tell me you didn’t just melt when that happened).
Nine by Blink-182:
I am going to be honest here: I honestly didn’t know Blink-182 was still together. I am a fan of their older songs, such as I Miss You, First Date and What’s My Age Again? So imagine my surprise when I saw a newer Blink-182 CD in Target.
I have been listening to the album since then, and it has been on repeat. It does have the nostalgic factor of the old Blink-182, which is something that I really love.
Bernalt Blanket Yarn:
I am a huge crocheter. Lately, crocheting is pretty much becoming my therapy. I saw a blanket online made out of soft, chunky yarn and I knew instantly that I had to make something with it.
That yarn was the Bernalt Blanket Yarn in dark gray.
I started the project over a week ago, and I am almost done with it already. Normally, it takes months or even a year for me to make a blanket, so let that sink in. What I also love about the yarn is the quality. It is so soft and comfortable. I love the gray color as it matches my bedspread, but I already purchased a burgundy color to work on to use as a throw on a chair. I honestly can see myself using this yarn for so many different projects for holidays, babies and so much more. If you are new to crocheting, I highly recommend checking this yarn out too, just because it’s so quick and easy to make something that looks amazing.
Rise Podcast:
I loved Rachel Hollis’ two books, Girl Stop Apologizing and Girl, Wash Your Face. When I read those books, I was instantly inspired to grow. I have listened to a few episodes and listening to them really motivates me and puts things in perspective. It is inspiring me to show up, even when things are hard, to try to get to my goals. It inspires me to learn, set goals every morning for myself, and practice gratitude. This podcast pushes me to grow, which is something that I want to try to do more of this year.
What I love about Rachel Hollis is the way that she speaks. Her tone is fun but it’s also firm. This is precisely the kick in the butt that I need to help set more goals and actually reach them. For example, I want to work on growing my blog. How do I do that? By blogging, by taking quality pictures, connecting with other bloggers, and increasing my social media presence for my blog (by the way, follow this blog on Instagram if you haven’t already). This podcast also motivates me to get stuff done, which is something that I really need right about now.
Hoop Earrings:
From Left to Right: Top Earrings Both From Madewell, Top Left Earrings S.V. Decker XS Statement Hoop, Huggie Hoops S.V. Decker (no longer available online).
My last item on this list is hoop earrings. Ever since I was ten, I have been a huge stud person. I am not a big dangle earring girl, simply because they hurt my ears.
Recently, I began watching a lot of Youtubers display their jewelry collection, and I saw them display huggie hoop earrings. I thought those would be perfect for me, because I don’t like things that dangle.
Since then, I was introduced to a rabbit hole of hoop earrings. I started wearing extra tiny hoops from Madewell that I found online for $10 AND have sterling silver posts (I can’t wear stuff with nickel). I also found a few tiny ones from S.V. Decker (my jewelry go-to) that are light weight as well.
What I love about them is how fun that they feel. They are different than what I normally wear for earrings, and many of these earrings are classic. That said, I don’t think that I will ever be the person who wears super big earrings, but I am enjoying the tiny ones right now.
I am a huge fan of Sex and the City. This past weekend, I discovered that all six seasons are available on Prime, and I binge watched my favorites.
As I was watching this show, I couldn’t help but wonder how much of an influence the show has had on my life. I first watched the show when the episode reruns were airing on E! in 2010. I related a lot to the main protagonist, Carrie Bradshaw. We were both emotional people, and we both loved to write. Of course, Carrie was a popular writer, while I wrote a blog that I basically forced my friends to read.
Years later, Carrie has been seen as one of the worst characters in television history for her relationships, and how she was as a friend. However, I will always love her, because she is human. And, of course, I learned a lot from her. Here’s what I learned from Carrie Bradshaw:
Life is Short — buy the shoes: Carrie Bradshaw is the shoe queen without a doubt. Watching Carrie treat herself to anything reminds me that I do deserve something special every once in a while if I love the item/thing that I am envisioning. Carrie is someone who reminds us that women need to treat themselves because they are special.
. . . But Not All of the Shoes: Remember the episode where Carrie had to buy Aiden out from her apartment and she didn’t have any money? But, she bought a ton of Manolo Blahnik shoes, which in modern day retails for $995. That said, while she liked her money where she could see them — in her closet, take this into account. Emergencies happen. Life happens. It’s important to have money in your bank account. Therefore, while it’s great to treat yourself like she does every once in a while, it’s also important to have a bank account with the money you need for those things you can’t envision so you don’t have to stress out about it.
Back Up All Of Your Work: Okay, I learned this the hard way as well. But, Carrie never backed up her work onto an external hard drive, and lost everything when the computer crashed. That said, I think that in the modern area, we have the cloud which has everything available. I spend $1 a month for extra iCloud storage so that all of my memories, documents, etc. It’s worth it because if something happens to my computer, I have all of my items backed up.
Always Put Your Friends First: The three main people in Carrie’s life were Charlotte, Miranda and Samantha. And they were her ride or dies. They are there for each other — from good times and in bad. What I like about their friendship is that they do anything that they can to maintain it. Many people often lose touch with their friends. Not them. They make it a point to see each other, to call, text, etc. And, that’s important. They are also there for each other when things go wrong. They come together when someone is going through a breakup, and they listen to them.
Hold Out For the One: Carrie knew that Mr. Big was the right one for her. Throughout the show, she had a hard time committing to the guy she was dating. I think that is okay. She knew not to settle and followed her heart. This is something that I think we should do when it comes to dating, because I see so many people settle in relationships that are not working for them, just because they didn’t want to be alone. I’m not saying pining for someone for several years, but I am saying that if something doesn’t feel right for you, then it’s okay to do something about it.
Don’t Uproot Everything for a Significant Other: In the series finale, Carrie uprooted her life to be with the Russian in Paris, even though we all know that Carrie was a New Yorker. When they got there, he ignored her. And, she was unhappy. My thing is this — if you need to uproot everything just to be with someone, than it may not work out. If you want to move somewhere to be with someone, make sure that before you do, you have a job, and ensure that you find ways to make friends. Otherwise, the only things that you have, well is that person. Never ends well. There were so many other things that were wrong in that relationship, but we’ll leave it at that.
thenutmegmillennial.com 