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What I Love Wednesday: February 12th

Happy Hump Day every one! Today is especially awesome, because I have the day off for Lincoln’s birthday. That said, let’s continue these positive notes by telling you what I’m loving this week:

YA Fantasy Books:

I go through phases on what I want to read. Some days, I want to read romances. Others, I want to read non-fictions. Nowadays, I have been reading a lot of YA Fantasy. I went overboard at the bookstore and purchased quite a bit of them for me to read. I am currently listening to A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Bridget Kemmerer, and I am reading The Cruel Prince by Holly Black. I am loving them, and I have so many series that I have yet to read.

The Descendants series:

I watched the first one last week, and I became instantly obsessed with it. I’ve been watching a lot of Disney movies this past week, and this one was my favorite because it has a twist to the movies that I love. Maybe this is what sparked my love for fantasy novels?

Air Fryer:

I purchased an air fryer from Kohl’s a few weeks ago. And, I love it. I’ve used it to reheat some frozen foods, and just started to venture out to try things like fries and French Toast. I’m just learning how to cook, so I am hoping to expand my horizons soon.

Passion Iced Tea:

I am addicted to Starbucks Passion Iced Tea. However, the price is a bit too much for me to enjoy every day. While at Target, I discovered six packets of tea for $3.29. And, these can make pitchers. Yeah, you heard me. Pitchers. So, for less then the price of one tea from Starbucks, I am going to make 12.

Not a bad deal.

Nook Glowlight Plus Review

I constantly go back and forth between using an e-reader and reading actual, physical copies of novels. What I love about e-readers is the fact that I can take it everywhere. I love that I can store thousands and thousands of books in one tiny little device. This makes it easier for travel, easier to take it Starbucks, and easier to read with Lucy on top of me. I also like using ebooks because I can get books that I want to read within seconds.

I’ve had a few Nooks — I’ve had the Nook Simple Touch, the Nook Tablet 7, and the Nook Glowlight 3. And, I’ve had the Kindle Paperwhite as well. However, there is something about the Nook ecosystem that I just love and keep on returning to again and again. I love the way that the Nook is, and for me, the Nook is a lot easier to navigate than the Kindle.

The one thing that my Nook Glowlight 3 did not have that made me switch over to Kindle? The fact that the Kindle is Waterproof. And, that’s something that I need in an e-reader, because I carry my e-reader everywhere and I tend to spill my water bottle in my bag. Furthermore, I also read a lot near the pool, and I want to make sure that whatever I use for reading can use that.

That said, I found the Nook Glowlight Plus while walking around the bookstore one day. I liked the huge size of the e-reader, and I liked the fact that it was waterproof. When I saw this, I did wonder if this will keep it from fitting it into my tinier purses.

However, I did like the fact that the screen resolution was awesome, and it had a headphone jack. And, I loved the larger screen. Compared to the original Glowlight, this screen is 7.8 inches versus the standard 6 inch of the one that the original one had. I love that.

So, I used my Christmas money and splurged.

And, I love it so far.

Many of the reviews on Barnes and Noble say that this is the best Nook ever. And, I agree. My doubts of it being too big vanished the second that I took it out of the box. While it was definitely bigger than my original one, it’s not too much to manage. It also is something that feels so comfortable holding it and how it felt in the hand. It’s so comfortable, and I knew that I found a device that I loved.

After using it for a couple of weeks, I can say agree with those reviews. The bigger screen allows me to read quickly, and have less page turns. Now, the software is similar to my other one, which I am okay with because it’s so easy to navigate. Furthermore, I also love the fact that this device has page turn buttons. Honestly, that was one of my biggest complaints about the Kindle, so I am so relieved to have them back again in my life.

The only compliant that I have is the battery life, but it’s a lot better than my original Glowlight. I also wish that the storage was a little larger or that it had a little slot for an SD card like the previous Nooks.

Overall, I am in love with this device and if you love reading, I highly recommend that you pick it up. Trust me, you will not regret it.

What I Love Wednesday: February 5th

Happy hump day! I still can’t believe that we are already in February. This month is going to be a hard one for me, as it’s approaching the year mark on my mom. However, I am focusing on some of the things that I am loving this week.

Miss Americana:

I watched the documentary on Friday night, and I loved it. I am a fan of Taylor Swift, and she is one of my favorite artists. I am not a crazy obsessed fan, but I appreciate her music. That said, I loved the documentary, and gained so much respect for her after watching it. She is truly an inspiration, and a role model — something that this movie showcased. After watching the movie, I may have been listening to her music for a few days afterwards.

Brita Water Filter:

I purchased a Brita Water filter for a couple of reasons: the first, to eliminate the need to purchase water every week, and secondly, to have less of a carbon footprint. As of now, I still have some of the water that was bottled. However, I hope this will help me save some money on my grocery bill.

Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

I finally got around to watching the new season, and let me tell you, it’s amazing. I love watching Midge travel across the country and do her comedy. I love all of the other things that are going on with the other characters as well. I’m currently only on episode four, so I can’t wait to see how the rest of the season plays out.

Amazon Stair Stepper:

I purchased a stair stepper, because I truly miss running. I miss it because for thirty minutes, I could close myself off to the world. I could listen to music, a podcast and an audiobook. But, since getting Lucy, I haven’t been running. And, since I sprained both of my knees, I am afraid to. Therefore, this machine has helped me run again, which is something that makes me happy. It also gives me a good workout, as after I finished doing it, I was sore.

Have Some Respect For Your Ex

With the rise of social media, I feel as though we lost one element to basic human life and functioning — respect. It is so easy to express emotions and thoughts, that it is forgotten the impact that it can have. And, once it’s out there, chances are, there is no going back.

It really bothers me when exes go back and forth in battle with each other, whether it may be talking behind their back, spreading rumors, or just basic immaturity. After all, you did like this person for a period of time. However, things change. That person cheated, they turned out to be not a great person after all, or maybe it just didn’t work out. Whatever the case may be, you still gotta treat them with respect and kindness. Even though it’s going to be hard and you may want to say that they are the world’s worst person.

What does this mean?

That means no tweeting. That means no spreading rumors. And yes, that also means no calling them up to yell at them.

I get it. Breakups are upsetting and devastating. I’ve been through a couple to know this personally. And, maybe that person is using the breakup as a way to destroy you. Some people sadly are like that.

That said, no matter how hurt you are, use it as an opportunity to grow. I believe that when you use public means to destroy a person, it shows your character. It shows that you’re petty and willing to do anything to destroy them.

I also believe that using social media as a method to voice any sort of ill feelings can result in nothing good simply because people use social media in general as judgements of character — including job recruiters. Therefore, the less negative, the better.

Most importantly, it’s important to do the same offline as well. Whether it’s showing respect by not randomly talking ill of the person, or just allowing there be mutual friends, I think it shows so much class when you say that while things didn’t work out, you still respect them as a person.

This doesn’t mean you can’t vent about your feelings and not talk about them. When I’m upset about someone, I take it to my journal. I talk to my best friend and my dog. And, usually those are safe and private ways to vent.

Taking the high road isn’t easy. However, nothing in life worth having is easy. Just show some respect for your ex, plain and simple:

January Reading Wrap Up

Everyone seems to say that this month lasted forever. However, for me, this month went by very quickly.

This month was a very successful month for reading. I sadly didn’t read any of the books on my Mashed Potato Reading list. However, I did get a chance to read nine books. And, many of them were five star reads, which is great.

Which, if you ask me, is not a bad thing. Here are the books that I read this month:

The Wives by Taryn Fisher: Five stars
After by Anna Todd: Five Stars
After We Collided by Anna Todd: Five Stars
After We Fell by Anna Todd: Five Stars
After Ever Happy by Anna Todd: Five Stars
Bloom by Kevin Panetta: Five Stars
Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano: Five Stars
Heartstopper vol. 1 by Alice Osman: Five Stars
Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern: Four Stars

Romantic Reads TBR

I love reading romance books. They are my favorite genre of books, and they always put me in a good mood.

Valentine’s Day is this month, and I am so ready to spend this month diving into romantic novels. Here are a few that I want to get to this month. And, yes quite a few of them are from my mashed potato list.

Field Notes on Love by Jennifer E. Smith
The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman
Don’t You Forget About Me by Mhairi McFarlene
Hot Dog Girl by Jennifer Dugan
Falling by Jane Green

The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai
The Wedding Date series by Jasmine Guillory

Love at First Like by Hannah Orenstien
Start Here by Trish Dollar
Opposite of Always by Justin Reynolds

Yes, this is a bit of an ambitious list. But, I’m hoping to get through some of them. Will I? Stay tuned.

Clinton Outlet Mini Haul

As I mentioned quite a few times in previous posts, I am obsessed with going to the outlets. This past weekend, I decided to take a trip to the Clinton Crossing outlets with a few of my girlfriends.

I came into shopping with a single purpose — I wanted a new crossbody bag in a color that wasn’t black (I was thinking brown), a new pair of jeans and a laptop sleeve for my Mac. I also knew that I wanted to get my Valentine’s Day gift for my boyfriend, as well as something for Lucy. I also wanted a chance to spend time with my friends, which is a treat in itself.

My friends and I got there around 10:30, and we were there around four hours. And, I stuck to the list. Other than a couple of extra sweaters, that is.

So, let me tell you what I picked up. Since I did get gifts, I will leave those out.

First and foremost, I picked up a new laptop sleeve from Vera Bradley. The sleeve was originally $50. I got it for $20. I love it that it has enough room for my cables and my laptop, and that it’s padded so my computer will be safe.

Next, I picked up a toy and some treats for Lucy. I paid a little more for this, but since I have been having a hard time finding interactive toys, I was willing to pay for it. And, Lucy loved it.

I then picked up some clothes from Banana Republic. First, I got two pairs of pants. I actually have a pair of their jeggings and I find myself constantly wearing them because they are so comfy. Then, I got a few sweaters for $15 and $10. Those were impulse purchases, but I’m ok.

Lastly, I purchased another crossbody purse. Yes, I have a lot of bags. But, I found a purse that I feel I’m love with and I wanted to get one in a similar style. I found this one at Kate Spade for 70 percent off, with an extra 20. I still am looking at a brown one, but I love the color, so I couldn’t resist.

Overall, it was a successful day of shopping and well needed girl time. If you have an outlet in your area, I highly recommend making a day of it and going with friends. Trust me, it’s a fun way to treat yourself and get some girl time.

What I Love Wednesday: January 29th

Happy Hump Day everyone! It is the last Wednesday of the month, and I am so amazed that we are already at the end of January. It already feels like 2020 is flying by. That said, here are my favorites this week:

Graphic Novels:

I started my journey by watching Ariel Bissett’s YouTube channel. In one of her book haul videos, she mentioned that she picked up Bloom by Kevin Panetta. When she talked about the story, I loved it and knew that I had to get that.

I picked it up after finishing the After series. And, I read it within one day. I heard from a few Booktubers about Heartstopper and Laura Dean keeps on Breaking Up With Me. So, I bought both of them on Amazon and am so excited read a few more. And, even if you don’t like graphic novels, I highly recommend that you check out Bloom, as the story is so amazing.

Essential Oil Rollers:

My local Pier One is closing, and so I went there to find a few things for my house. They really didn’t have anything for my price range or style. However, they did have these awesome rollers. I picked up a sleep one, and one for energy. I’ve used it a few times, and I already am in love with using them. I go back and forth with using essential oils — I have a diffuser that I sometimes use. However, I love having a roller and I love how it affects my mood ever so slightly.

Target Room Spray:

Having a dog can sometimes be smelly. One day while wandering around the aisles at Target looking for a salt lamp, I found this lavender and eucalyptus room spray for ten dollars. So far, I’ve been using it for a lot of different reasons. And, I love it. I love how my rooms in my house smell as well, and I highly recommend that you pick it up.

Little Words Project Badass Bracelet:

I saw these bracelets while wandering around Nordstrom. I had a Nordy note, and so I decided to purchase this bracelet to remind myself I am a badass. I’ve worn it a few times, and it’s definitely has empowered me. I love this bracelet so much because it’s perfect for layering with my SV Decker Beaded Bracelets, and I can wear it alone.

Do Relationships Change Us?

I have been in a relationship for over two years. I can honestly say that I am not the same person who I was when I first entered my relationship. I definitely grew to be more responsible and mature. Same with my boyfriend.

That said, I have began to think about relationships and how they change the person. I don’t know about you all reading this, but I’ve had a few friends who turned into a totally different person since they began dating their significant others.

But is that change a good thing?

In some ways, it is. For instance, if you have some dangerous habits that are unhealthy, and your partner inspires you to not do them anymore, then that’s a good thing. However, I also think that changing is inevitable, as humans tend to not stay the same. We grow. In the case of my boyfriend and I, we were fortunate to grow together instead of apart. Growing together is such a great feeling, because you can turn around and say look how far we’ve come.

Furthermore, another positive change is when someone saying that they don’t like a certain band or a movie, and then when they begin dating that person, they do like it. I think this is a positive change because maybe that person never really listened to that band, because it’s overplayed, or whatever. This then opens your mind to new things, which is never a bad thing.

However, change can also be a bad thing. Throughout the years, I’ve had so many friends do a 180 from who they once were and began to change their values to please that other person. To me, that’s a scary thing to watch. For example, if someone has said that they don’t want to have sex before they get married, and it changes once they meet their partner, that is a change that is not okay in my opinion. To me, it’s a sign of insecurity. Which is not okay, because it shows that you are more focused on keeping the person happy — not you.

Furthermore, I think the biggest not-okay change is changing who you are to please that other person. I’ve seen that happen so many times, and that’s not okay to do either, because it causes you to feel like you as a person are unlovable. If you like something, your partner should support it. For example, my boyfriend always supports me when I want to crochet or read a book. If someone doesn’t like it that you spend time doing xyz, which is something that makes you happy, then you shouldn’t have to give it up or change it. Just saying.

Overall, change is something that we can not avoid due to circumstances and life in general. We mature. We go through stuff. That changes us. And, people change us and inspire us to grow. However, changing the hard core of our personality just to please someone is something that will never be okay.

Eating My Way Around CT: Bangkok Boulevard

Thai food is one of my go-tos when it comes to takeout on a Friday night. I know it’s cliche, but I love it. In the winter months, it’s definitely something that I get on a regular basis. And, it’s definitely one the healthier side.

One of my favorite places in Hamden is by far Bangkok Boulevard. It is located just past the Route 40 connector. And, they easily have the best Thai food in the New Haven area.

Bangkok Boulevard has the best of both worlds. You can easily order takeout. However, if you want to eat in, you have a great atmosphere to do so. The service is excellent, if you do choose to do that.

If you do choose to get takeout, it is super easy to do so. You can call and they will have it ready for you within a half of an hour. Or, you can download the app and order it from your phone. Easy. (Tip: If you download the app, you get emails with coupon codes from time to time.)

I’ve only had a few things on the menu — Pad Thai (in both veggie and Chicken), Spring Rolls and Satay (Grilled Chicken). And, they are delicious. It’s hands down the best Pad Thai that I’ve ever had. And, I’ve explored a lot of places in the New Haven area.

When looking for a great restaurant, I look for two things: value, and taste. This place ticks off all of those boxes for me. It costs about $10 for a Pad Thai meal. However, most of the time, I can get two meals out of it. Furthermore, the taste of the food is great. As I mentioned earlier, the taste is always fresh and it’s always delicious.

Overall, I definitely recommend if you are in the New Haven area and love Thai food, that you check out Bangkok Boulevard in Hamden. Trust me, it’s definitely worth it.