Page 74

5 Crochet Tips for Beginners

I have been doing a lot of crocheting since this quarantine has started. Since March, I have completed two Nook covers, a pillow, finished a blanket, and am currently working on three blankets that are close to done.

I am still relatively new at crocheting, although it is something that comes pretty easily to me for whatever reason. I actually taught myself, with the help of a few tools that I will mention below. That said, I wanted to share some tips for those who are just starting to learn — especially since it looks like this quarantine will be going on for a while:

Use YouTube: I personally prefer using YouTube tutorials over anything. I am a very visual learner, so it helps to see someone doing it rather than follow instructions. If you are new to this, I highly recommend Googling the stitch that you are trying to learn. And, what’s great about it is that it’s completely free.

Start Flat: Many people recommend starting with a hat. I highly recommend that you don’t do that, because it took me a while to be able to crochet in the round. For a first project, create something flat — and square. This could be a bookmark, a scarf, or even a blanket. I honestly think blankets are a great first project because they are flat and they grow rather quickly.

2. Get Some Books: There are so many great beginner books out there — many of which come with free patterns as well which is super awesome. I actually purchased Learn to Crochet from Barnes and Noble, and that book has everything that you need to get started.

3. Download Apps: Many of the craft stores in my area have coupons weekly. I highly recommend anyone who is interested in crocheting to go ahead and download it. I sometimes can get 50 percent off of my entire yarn purchase.

Going off of that, make sure that you also check the clearance bin at the craft store/website. You can find some pretty cool colors for a fraction of the cost.

4. Don’t Buy on Amazon: Yarn is one of those things that you need to actually go into the store in purchase. Since the pandemic has begun, I had no choice but I really hate buying yarn online. The reason why is it never comes as you expect it to be. For example, I was looking for chunky yarn, so I ordered it based on the description. It turned out to be really thin, which did not end up working for my project.

Since the pandemic hit, I have been working with yarn that I’ve used before so that I have an idea of what I’m getting. Therefore, if you’re trying to figure out which yarn to purchase, I highly recommend using Red Heart Super Saver Yarn, because it’s very good to make anything you want from blankets to hats to scarves. What is also great about that yarn is that it’s a pretty decent quality and comes in a ton of colors.

5. Look at the Back of the Skien: Okay, so this one is a little hard to do if you’re purchasing online (another reason to avoid it if you can). But, when you buy in the store, pay attention to the lot numbers on the back of the skien that you wish to purchase. I learned this from my mom, and it basically helps ensure that all of the colors are the same shade.

5 Things I Do To Practice Self-Love

5 Things I Do To Practice Self Love

Self-love is something that I think that we all need to work on. With all that’s going on, it is more important to practice self-care and self-love than ever before. That said, it’s important to practice self-love all of the time, not just during a pandemic. I hope that during this time, that we take time to work on ourselves and grow towards self acceptance.

That said, these are some ways I myself practice self-love. It is different for everyone, so I am curious to see how you show yourself some love. So, here’s some ways I practice self-love:

Make Time For Things That You Love:

I love reading. I love crafting. Whenever I do those things, I honestly feel so relaxed. I don’t get to craft as much as I used to, but whenever I do, I feel super proud of myself for making this incredible thing. The same thing goes for whenever I’m reading a good book.

For me, those are things that I enjoy and I make time to do them because they are worth it for me to do so. For others, it’s different. Some people like to draw. Others like to bake. Whatever it is, make time to do it. I personally think that it’s important for any form of self care, because it makes you happy to do these activities.

2. Take Care of Yourself:

Drink water. Workout. Do yoga. Eat veggies. It is so important to take care of your body. I workout almost everyday thanks to Lucy. It is so important to do these things for yourself, because it is a complete and total game changer.

For instance, I feel awesome about myself after I workout for many reasons, and since I work out in the morning, it sets me up for a great day. I also love working out on days that are hard for me. During the entire holiday season, I made sure that I made time to workout so I can have that good feeling. It honestly helped me get through it.

That said, I think it’s important for everyone to do a workout that is right for them. For me, I like to have a workout that is different every other day. For others, it’s yoga, or spinning or whatever. Just do something that is both healthy and makes you happy.

3. Incorporate Rose Quartz:

Rose quartz is one of my favorite gemstones for two reasons. One is because I really like the color. The other is because of the meaning. Rose quartz is the gemstone of love and healing. According to Crystal Vaults, it “speaks directly to the heart chakra,” and “carries a soft feminine energy of compassion and peace, tenderness and healing, nourishment and comfort.”

I wear rose quartz to not only for self love, but to remind myself I can take the time for healing. In addition to having rose quartz jewelry from Lucent Lemon and SV Decker, I also have a rose quartz roller that I use when I need some extra TLC — something that I highly recommend.

4. Listen To Yourself:

I think that this is the most important one. I am the type of person who tries to push whenever I am feeling tired or down to still get all of the things done. And, that’s not okay. I think that on those days when you feel sad — for me, it’s honestly because of grief — you need to acknowledge that those feelings are there and share them. Personally, I write in my journal about it and once I am done, it is so freeing.

The worst things that anyone can do is ignore those feelings, because it escalates. Don’t do that. Listen to yourself. Vent to your friends. Talk to a therapist. And, it’s okay to listen to yourself and do what’s best for you in the moment. After all, we are only human.

5. Wear Stuff That Makes You Feel Good:

This last one is probably one that applies to now. Many of us are working at home, and this changes the game. I have been living in leggings and sweatpants since this started and have enjoyed every minute of it.

That said, one thing that I found to be a game changer is wearing stuff that makes you feel good. For me, it’s leggings. But, it’s different for everyone.

I know that many of us are pretty much homebound at this point. However, when you wear stuff that makes you feel good, it helps you feel good about yourself. So if you’re able to, wear the sweatpants. Or, get dressed up. Do what’s right for you. Whatever the case may be, it’s something is meant to make you feel good.

So, how do you show yourself some love? Be sure to let me know in the comments below.

What I Love Wednesday: April 15

Happy Wednesday everyone! I don’t know about you all, but all of the days are honestly blending in. It looks like we’ll be in quarantine for a little while longer, which is crazy to think about.

That said, here are my social distancing favorites this week:

DoorDash: I used DoorDash last week to order Shake Shack, because I was dying for a burger, but didn’t want to drive for takeout. So, I tried using the app and was impressed. I really liked that the app kept you updated in real time where the food was. I have since used it to get a few different foods that I haven’t had since this whole thing started. If you’re starting to get bored of the same foods all of the time (especially if you’re limited in what you can cook), I highly recommend checking this app out.

Back to Me by Lindsay Lohan: I am a huge Lindsay Lohan fan. Rumors is one of my favorite songs. That said, I love her new comeback song. It’s catchy and fun, and I am here for it. This is actually her first single since Bossy, and I’m hoping this means more music for her.

The Office: Okay, so I am pretty late in this, but I am binging The Office for the first time. I am already halfway into season two and I’m pretty sure I’m going to fly by the entire series. I actually tried getting into the show when I was in college, but didn’t like it that much. However, I watched it with my boyfriend, and I thought it was funny so I decided to binge watch it. Best decision ever — especially during this quarantine.

What are your favorites this week? Let me know in the comments below.

Tech Tuesday: Magic Mouse 2

I’m pretty much working from home all of the time these days, and that means that I’m using my computer more than ever before. That said, I noticed that whenever I did complete the work I needed to do, my laptop mouse wasn’t working for me. I felt cramped, and it was really hard for me to maneuver.

I decided to get a wireless mouse from Walmart for $10. However, no matter what I did, the mouse did not work with my MacBook Air. I have the latest generation, so I have to use a special cord to connect my USB cables to the computer as well. Needless to say, I wasn’t about to break my cords just so I can connect a cheap mouse.

So, I decided to roam around the Apple Website looking for a mouse that will, in fact, work with my computer. I found the Apple made one, which is known as the Magic Mouse 2. I did my research and learned that while this would be expensive, it would also work with both my computer and my iPad. And, last me for years, which is something that I try to do when I purchase any kind of technology.

Luckily since Best Buy offers curbside pickup, I was able to get it the next day. And, I love it.

In the box, you get the mouse, a lightning cable, and the instructions. While I have yet to use it with my iPad, I love it with my computer. It was really easy to set up, and connects automatically.

What is also great about this mouse, is that the battery lasts forever. I’ve used it nonstop for two weeks straight, and it’s still charged. I heard that when you do charge it, it does charge pretty quickly.

Of course, I bought this to use to work on my computer during this time, but I do plan to use it a lot when this is over as well. I also do want to try to pair it with my iPad as well, which might be a great way to blog from there whenever I don’t have my computer handy.

I know that we are in a time when we need to save money. However, I do think that if you have a Mac and want to have a wireless mouse, than this is a great investment for you. It does pair so seamlessly, and it’s something that I’ve heard lasts for years. If you do decide to purchase it, be sure to get a mousepad. I found that using this on the kitchen table without one did not work as well. You can find so many for less than $10 on Amazon (and they look amazing).

I’m Participating In Another Readathon

Last month, I participated in the Peruse Readathon, where I was able to get two books — one of them on my TBR for a while — off of my TBR list. After finishing it, I was so excited to do another one, seeing as I completed two books.

A few weeks ago, YouTubers Ariel Bissett and Raeleen Lemay announced their Stay At Home Reading Rush. Usually, the duo hosts a week-long reading rush in the summer. The event, according to the website encourages participants to stay home and have bookish fun as a community.

Now, the event has some challenges. These challenges are:

Screen Shot 2020-04-13 at 9.39.48 AM — Source: Reading Rush Website

I am going to be honest here — I am not going to follow most of them, just because I have a ton of books on my TBR and I want to try to make a dent during this time.

And just like the last time I participated in a Readathon, I know that I am not going to be reading the entire time. Other than work Thursday and Friday, this weekend is my boyfriend’s mom and my boyfriend’s birthday, so I am sure we are doing something to celebrate. Furthermore, I also get a lot of headaches when I do read nonstop, so I’d like to give my eyes a bit of break.

I also plan during this readathon to use the power of audiobooks borrowed from Libby to use when I do other things I enjoy, such as crocheting, playing Animal Crossing, walking Lucy, and other adulting things.

That said, here are the books I hope to complete during this challenge. If they do complete the challenge, I will be sure to mark it below.

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Yes, No Maybe So by Becky Albertali and Aisha Saeed– Read a Book that Will Make You Smile
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Falling by Jane Green (if I have time)

I have no idea whether or not I’ll be able to get through all of these in the rush. However, I like that I have options to choose from, which is good.

Note: If you’re interested in participating in the Stay at Home Reading Rush, be sure to click here for further information.

What I Love Wednesday: April 8, 2020

The alternative title of this post should be called “things that have been keeping me sane during quarantine.” Needless to say, here are some things that I have been loving this week:

Libby: I have been using Libby as a way to download audiobooks for the past few weeks. What is really nice about the app is that you have access to a lot of audiobooks — for free. I had Audible in the past, and found that I wasn’t using it that much so I cancelled the subscription. However, since the pandemic began, I have been listening to audiobooks while doing other things such as cleaning out my closet, crocheting, playing Animal Crossing and walking my dog. What is nice is that since it’s connected to my library card already, there is no fee with it, and I don’t have to worry about not using it when this is all over as well.
Peloton App: I heard about this fitness app while watching iJustine’s channel. Since the first 90 days are free, I figured this is something that is worth trying out to shake up my fitness routine. And, I absolutely love it. You do not need any of their equipment, which is nice because they are expensive. I have a workout bike already, so I just grab some weights and take the classes. But, it is so much more than cycling. You have HIT workouts, ab challenges, yoga, stretching, and so much more. I like it because it gives me a larger variety, and they are constantly adding new classes to the mix. This is amazing, because I am not doing the same workout everyday, which gets boring for me. I know that the gyms are closed right now, so this is a great option.

Little Words Project: I absolutely love these bracelets. These have been my go-to bracelets for a couple of weeks now. I love them because of their positive message, and the fact that they don’t get in the way when I type with them on. Whenever I wear these bracelets, I feel empowered and it serves as a reminder that self care and love is important. And, what’s really cool about them is that you can actually make your own word/bracelets. In addition to their website, I also have purchased quite a few of mine through Nordstrom.

What are you loving this week? Let me know in the comments below.

Productivity and Quarantine: Why You Shouldn’t Expect to Get Everything Done During This Crazy Time

When I first heard that I was going to be stationed at home due to quarantine, my first thoughts were how much I was able to get done during this time (in between working of course). This would be the time that I would get to finally read all of the books that I’ve been wanting to read for a while now. This would be the time I would crochet all of the projects, and organize every inch of my house.

Needless to say, a month later and not much of that has happened. Well, let’s be fair here. I have begun some of those tasks — just to not to the degree that I would have liked. I have gotten rid of a lot of stuff, and I have completed a lot of crocheting.

That said, I began to beat myself up for not getting everything that I need to completed. After a while though, it dawned on me. We are in the middle of a pandemic. The death toll is rising daily, grocery stores have empty shelves for thousands of items, and we don’t know when it will be all over.

And, for people who are suffering from anxiety such as myself, it’s causing a lot of it.

Of course, I am not saying that if you are one of the many people working from home as we speak to slack off on the work that you need to complete for your job. I am not saying that at all.

I am saying that I think it’s important to recognize that we might not want to use this time to be super productive in the time in between working your full time job.

That said, if you want to watch shows on Netflix instead of cleaning out your junk drawer, let that be okay. If you want to mediate instead of doing a HIT workout, that is okay too. I think it’s more important now than ever before to recognize that we don’t always need to be productive on the go machines. We can watch TV. We can cuddle with our pets.

So, if you’re beating yourself up for not getting too far into your projects, don’t. Use this time to remind yourself three things:

It’s okay to feel anxious and slow down to help care for it.
You don’t have to do all of the things. You can rest. You can play Animal Crossing. You can catch up and watch all of the shows. And, it will be just fine.
Don’t beat yourself for everything that you didn’t do. Celebrate what you did do, and feel accomplished, because it’s still progress.

Shopping My Way Around CT: 6 Ways To Support Small Businesses

It’s no doubt that this pandemic has had a major impact on our economy since many businesses had to close their doors last month. That said, it’s essential for us to support small businesses in a way we can — economically or by word of mouth. Here is how we can do so:

Get Takeout:

Just because restuarant doors are shut doesn’t mean that we have to cook every night. Give yourself a break every once in a while by getting takeout. Many places are open for carryout or delivery. You can also use apps such as Uber Eats, and Grubhub to get them delivered right to your door.

2. Buy Books at Local Bookstores:

A lot of us have a lot of time on our hands thanks to social distancing. That said, it might inspire many to read a lot more.

Many of the bookstores in my area offer a chance to purchase your books online for curbside pickup or to be delivered to your front door. And, they need your support more than ever before, as their sales are down. RJ Julia, a local bookstore in my area is offering online purchases as well as the ability to buy online. This will help them stay afloat during this crazy time. And, it will probably ship sooner than Amazon Prime will.

3. See if they offer online shopping:

Many of the local businesses I follow offer the ability to purchase via Instagram or through their website. I love this for many reasons — especially since birthdays and Easter is still happening during the pandemic — and I could still get my gifts, as well as other things I may want. Plus, as mentioned earlier, they will probably arrive a lot sooner than Prime.

4. Get Coffee Locally:

My local Starbucks is currently closed because it does not have a drive through. That said, try some of your local coffee shops for carryout coffee if you can’t go without your coffee or latte. Maybe you’ll find a new favorite as well.

5. Buy Giftcards:

Finally, you can also buy gift cards to use when the stories eventually reopen. I like this idea because it not only gives you something to look forward to, but it also gives them some sort of profit as well during this crazy time.

6. Use Local Grocery Stores:

There are so many local grocery stores around. If they are still open, try going there to get your essentials. One, they might have a higher chance of having it, and two, you’re helping them keep their doors open.

Before ending this blog, I do want to stress that if you’re not in the best financial place because of this crisis, I am not telling you that you need to spend extra money that you don’t have. I am suggesting these to those who want to give back in some small way to keep the economy moving,

March Reading Wrap Up/April TBR

I can’t believe that we are officially in April. March was a long month for all of us, so I am glad to see that springtime — and the warm weather that it brings — is here. I’m not sure what this month will bring, but I am so excited to announce during the month of March, I have successfully completed 13 books thanks to social distancing. And, one of those books was one from the Mashed Potato pile, which is really exciting for me. That said, here are all of the books I read this past month:

A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer: 5 out of 5 stars
A Heart So Fierce and Broken by Brigid Kemmerer: 3 out of 5 stars
Heartstopper vol. 3 by Alice Osman: 5 out of 5 stars
Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid: 5 out of 5 stars
Laura Dean Keeps on Breaking Up With Me by Mariko Tamaki: 5 out of 5 stars
In Five Years by Rebecca Serle: 5 out of 5 stars
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah: 5 out of 5 stars
Tweet Cute by Emma Lord: 5 out of 5 stars
Break Your Glass Slippers by Amanda Lovelace: 5 out of 5 stars
Listen to Your Heart by Kasie West: 5 out of 5 stars
The Wicked King by Holly Black: 3 out of 5 stars
Darling Rose Gold by Stephanie Wrobel: 5 out of 5 stars
Finding Perfect by Colleen Hoover: 5 out of 5 stars

Now that we’ve wrapped up March, let’s talk about April. One of my goals during this social distancing is to make a huge dent in my TBR pile. That being said, I still want to read books that have recently come out as well. So, my reading goal for the month is to read a book that has been sitting on my TBR for a while, and then follow it up with one of the newer releases that I got recently. I think that this way, I’ll get a lot of reading done, and still lessen my TBR altogether. Will I succeed? We shall see.

What I Love Wednesday: April 1

Happy April Fool’s Day! Like me, I have been in quarantine for a while now. Many of the days of the week have blurred into one day. That said, I still want to share my favorites of the week:

Miracle Oil: My hands have been so dry due to hand washing. I bought this little bottle of Miracle Oil from Amazon, and trust me, it performs miracles. I have a lot of cuts on my hands, and this heals them instantly. It also does wonders for dry skin as well. Some other uses for this also include: cuts from shaving, and acne. And for the $10 price, I am able to get a lot of it. I got this in January, and it’s still at the top mark.

Hershel Crossbody Backpack: Nordstrom had a huge sale when they announced that they were closing their doors for the COVID-19. I was able to score this for 25 percent off. I wanted this bag to take with me on hikes, because it’s small and I don’t have to worry about the leather getting damaged. I’ve used it a few times, and let me tell you this: it’s small. It fits my wallet, my phone, keys, hand sanitizer, and and chapstick. I also like that it has a backpack feel, but isn’t a backpack. That said, I do love this back and look forward to many hikes with it.
High School Musical — The Series: I am plowing through all of the TV shows I’ve been wanting to watch due to social distancing. I have been wanting to watch something simple and cute. Enter in this show. This show is about the high school where High School Musical was shot. The new drama teacher is obsessed with the musical, and so she creates a production for it. There is a lot of drama, a love triangle, and I am here for it. This show is very similar to Glee, which is probably why I like it. That said, it’s on Disney Plus, and it’s something that is definitely worth the binge.
Popsugar Lounge Pants: Like many of us, I am pretty much living in loungewear, sweatpants and leggings. I actually only have three pairs of sweatpants from college, so I wanted to get a few more since I’ve been social distancing. I loved the blush color pants, and when I got them, I instantly wanted to put them on. So, I wore them the next day, and am so comfortable. I then ordered the other color in my size, and I’m so excited to wear those as well.

Darling Rose Gold by Stephanie Wrobel: I have been so excited for this release that I actually preordered it on my Nook. I started it on Sunday and finished it yesterday, and I couldn’t put the book down. It is based on the Gypsy Rose case, which is about a mother who pretends that her daughter is sick to gain attention. In real life, Gypsy Rose did murder her mother. The book is much different. However, I loved the book. I could not put the book down, and every chapter made me want more. I highly recommend this if you’re looking for something awesome to read, because I know you will not be able to put it down at all.