I cannot think of a better combination other than coffee and ice cream. Plasko’s Cafe and Creamery, located in Trumbull, Conn., has that combination; as well as delicious baked treats and an extensive cafe menu.
Plasko’s is located just off of Daniel’s Farm Road, and has one of the most coziest and inviting atmospheres which made me want to curl up and just unwind. Plasko’s is connected to a full blown farm as well; which adds to the coziness of the place. The farm origins are noticeable in the decor and throughout the entire shop.
That coziness is what I loved most about my time there. I grabbed a tea and a cake pop, and plopped myself right next to the fireplace. And that vibe was exactly what I needed after a long week.
The history of the cafe and farm is extensive. According to their website, Plasko’s began in 1925 when Martin and Mary Plasko moved to the United States from Czechoslovakia. Martin worked for 10 years on an Osyter boat in Norwalk to be able to purchase the land in Trumbull for him and his family to live and work in. It was continued for generations to come with the next generation opening up in 1952 at the Daniels Farm Road location. In 1997, John Plasko, Jr., renovated the farm to revert back to its original purpose. The creamery and cafe, which are new additions, opened in 2017 and 2020.
As I mentioned, Plasko’s has a cafe menu, consisting of the usual suspects; coffee, tea, lattes, hot chocolate, and specials. But what blew me away is the options. They have a huge selection of syrup flavors and milks to allow you to create a drink completely tailored to your tastes. I ordered a citrus hibiscus tea, and the barista had asked me if I wanted any honey or sugar in my tea.
And the treats. Oh, the treats. That menu, too, is extensive and mouthwatering. I had ordered both a cake pop and a cupcake to try. One bite into that cake pop and I was in complete heaven that Starbucks can never reach. The cupcake was also delicious. It was one of those cupcakes that tasted so rich that you need a glass of milk to wash it down with. In addition to cupcakes, they also offer scones, muffins, cookies, breakfast sandwiches, and more.
In addition to those treats, Plasko’s also offers pies and ice cream cakes made to order as well.
Finally, I need to place further emphasis on the ice cream. The list of flavors is so expansive it’s not even funny. I simply can’t get into that long list. They offer sundaes, cones, and so many toppings. In addition, there is the ability to have ice cream put in your coffee, something that sounds absolutely delicious.
This was my first time visiting Plasko’s, but it certainly won’t be my last. I’m so happy I stumbled upon this little piece of Trumbull history and encourage you to do the same.
Love is in the air in Downtown Milford. The Downtown Milford Business Association is taking the quote “a small city with a big heart,” quite literally with the Hearts for Milford event.
The hearts were available for purchase last month on the association’s website, but made their grand debut yesterday, and survived the snowy weather of last night’s storm. The hearts give off the conversation hearts vibes — very whimsical, nostalgic, and festive.
According to Natalie Scherbaum, PR and Social Media for the Downtown Milford Business Association, the idea came from seeing them in “another city.” She added that any message could be written on these hearts.
What is really unique about the hearts is its promotion for small business. The website said that you can “take your special someone for a stroll downtown to search for your heart,” and to “grab a drink or dinner at one of their member restaurants.” After all, there’s nothing more romantic than a stroll.
“The response has been positive from the community,” says Scherbaum.
And that can be noted from the hearts. They vary from both personal to business, and are scattered throughout downtown. Some of the messages include: I love us; the Canvas Patch Loves Milford; spread love, spread kindness, spread butter from Scratch Baking, and so much more. It takes about 20 minutes to walk around the green, and it is 100 percent worth it.
All you need is love, and this is noted in this very event. These hearts will be spreading love until February 17th.
Happy Monday, and happy first Monday of February. Was it me, or did it seem like January go on forever?!
Well, folks. We’ve finally made it to February. Before we leave the month of January behind us, I want to take a moment to reflect on some of my favorites of the month.
Clare V. Moyen Messenger Bag: This bag was featured in a recent What’s in My Bag post, and it’s safe to say that I absolutely loved this bag this month. I loved having the versatility of the 2 straps. I loved the capacity. I loved that it was a leather version of my beloved Baggu bags, which is something that I really loved. Yes, she’s pricey, but she is worth it.
P.S. I Hate You by Lauren Connolly: This book made me cry. It was the ultimate enemies to lovers story, and I ate it up. It is about Maddie and Dom, who after a rejection, hated each other. They are brought together by Maddie’s brother and Dom’s best friend, Josh, who passed away. Josh’s final wishes are for them to embark on a road trip on the states he has not visited, and have them spread his ashes. The road trip, the overcoming of their fears, and the love story were enough to make me obsessed with this book.
God of the Woods by Liz Moore: This was on my TBR for so long, and I am so happy I got this one. This is about a family whose older son and younger daughter have gone missing, and follow the search for the daughter. I loved this book, and I highly recommend it.
Coach New York Pouch: This wristlet has been my ride or die for the last few months. It’s simple, but it holds everything that I need in the moments that I do not wish to carry a purse. Wallet, keys, random stuff. Yes, this bag can do that. This bag is similar to the Louis Vuitton Neverfull pouch, but a little more subtle, and a little more wallet friendly. I am heavily considering adding the Maple to my collection soon as well.
ENewton Bracelets:This month, I have fallen back in love with these bracelets. I have been creating so many simply and easy stacks with them, and have been enjoying them. They are pricey, yes, but the quality of them is unmatched.
The Favorites by Layne Fargo: We’re ending this with my favorite book that I read this year. I was obsessed with this book. I couldn’t put it down. This is about Health and Kat, famous ice skaters, and follows their careers over the decades. This book engulfed me. I couldn’t get enough of them, and I am so happy that I picked it up.
Clare V. Is a new brand for me. Their bags offer the ability to completely customize them depending on what kind of look that you’re going for.
I recently got the Moyen Messenger Bag in black, and let me tell you, I am so obsessed with this bag. The bag is an investment piece, but what I truly love about it is the fact that comes with two completely removable straps, and I can even go ahead and add more to completely change up the look.
What I have been loving about the bag so far is that not only is it completely customizable, but the fact that it’s a slouchy and comfortable bag to wear. It kind of reminds me of the Baggu Medium Crescent where it becomes a bottomless pit that is deceivingly spacious. Mary Poppins bag who?
TGIF! I am so happy that it is Friday. This morning was one of those mornings where I just wanted to stay in bed and scroll. I blame the cold.
However, we have one more day on the grind before it is officially the weekend. Before we reach the time for us to clock out, I’m going to share my Friday Favorites.
The Favorites by Layne Fargo: I could not put this one down. It is a retelling of Wuthering Heights, a book that I have not read, but now, I may want to pick that one up. That being said, this book is about childhood friends to lovers Kat and Heath. This book tore me up inside and out with the emotional rollercoaster it took me on. So far, it is my favorite book that I read this year.
Clare V Moyen Messenger Bag: I love how simple this bag is, but the possibilities are endless. You can even swap out the straps to be whatever you need the bag to be. I love that because it makes it oh so versatile, which in turn, gets the cost per wear down. It also fits a lot of stuff, so I can really have everything I need fitting with ease. Yes, this is a little pricey, but I do think that it’s worth every penny.
Monica Vinader Bangle: This bracelet has been on my wrist pretty much since the day that I got it. I love that it’s something that is simple yet substantial. Yes, this is something that is an investment piece, but I can honestly say that it was worth the money for me.
Catbird Signet Ring: I put myself on the waitlist for this piece, and it just came in last week. It’s safe to say that I absolutely love it. I have it engraved with my initial. It’s dainty, but she isn’t flimsy. This was my first piece from Catbird, but it will not be my last.
Knitting: I have been a knitting girly as of late. We all know that I love crocheting, but many people do not know that I actually started to knit before crocheting. I wonder if it’s because of all the fiber content that I have been consuming these days, but I’m proud to say that I’ve been improving on my knitting these days.
Love Redesigned by Lauren Asher: I love this book. I actually just finished it this morning, and I already have the second book in the Lakefront Billionares on deck ready to go. I love watching the romance between Julian and Dahlia as well. It was beautiful and I absolutely will admit that there were tears shed at the end.
I’ve been crocheting now for almost six years, and it seems that lately crocheting has become an addiction/way to self soothe and relax whenever I can. As the holiday season is at last over and I can breathe (what happens when you make a good portion of your gifts), I wanted to take the time to share with you some of the things that I have really been enjoying using in my crocheting life.
Caron Cinnamon Roll Cakes: I love this yarn. I’m sure that this has been around for a while, but I just recently discovered how much I enjoy using this. I love the color changes on it. I used the oyster pearl to make both a scarf and a headband (which is a WIP at the time of writing this) in the Oyster Pearl color and I’m obsessed with it. I love how that color goes with everything. Furthermore, I love the quality of the yarn. It is so easy to work with and I’m definitely going to have to make more projects like this in the future.
Furls Crochet Hooks: Furls has been my favorite hook for the last year. Up until now, I’ve been using a set from Amazon, but these take it to the next level. They make crocheting so much easier and more comfortable with how they feel in the hand. Furthermore, they are gorgeous. I have had two break in the last year, but their customer service has been great in working with me to get a refund on it.
The Unofficial Taylor Swift Crochet Book: I love Taylor Swift but I’m not a Swiftie by any means. I always wanted to make the Folklore cardigan but didn’t want to pay the price of it. Enter this book. I’m working on another project on the book but I definitely want to try more.
Happy Friday, everyone. If you’re like me, you’re just getting back into the swing of things. I took a few days off last week to start the year off on a strong note, and I am so happy i did, because I returned to work so refreshed and relaxed.
As we close off on the first full week of the year, I wanted to take a moment to discuss some of my favorites over the last week or so.
Emma of 83rd Street by Audrey Bellaza and Emily Harding: I started this book on January 1st, and this was the first book that I finished in 2025. Talk about starting off on a high note with books! This is a re-telling of Emma by Jane Austen, and I read a good portion of this while waiting for my hair to process. It tells the story of Emma Woodhouse, who wants everything to be perfect. She lost her mother at a young age, and is blinded to see that her neighbor, George, is the one for her. This book was both entertaining and enjoyable to read, and I’m so happy I got to devour this romantic and modern comedy of the classic.
P.S. I Hate You by Lauren Connolly: This was my second read of the year, and let me tell you, this book had me gutted. This tells the story of Maddie and Dom. Maddie’s brother and Dom’s best friend, Josh, passed away from cancer, and leaves them with the task of scattering his ashes across the states he had yet to visit while he was alive. The problem is Maddie and Dom hate each other. However, in the interest of honoring Josh’s wishes, they do so. I loved this book. I cried. There were so many powerful lines delivered in this one that I was just amazed and left stunned. This book has its’ share of trigger warnings — child abuse and neglect, and of course, death of a loved one. But, I still loved every moment of this beautiful book.
Disney Dreamlight Valley: I am entering my cozy gaming era, and this game is in fact no exception. I love playing this game. Basically, it’s like Animal Crossing, Disney’s version. It is so fun, and easy to just lose yourself in a session of play whenever you need to just unwind.
Coach Small City Tote: I got this guy during Black Friday, and I am so glad that I did. This bag is so small, but don’t let the name or the size fool you. I was able to fit a book, water bottle, and my crochet WIP. I got the black one, and it easily fits over my shoulders. It’s easy and perfect for a day on the go. I have already used in five times in the past week, which says a lot when you have a lot of handbags like me.
Coach Empire 26: Another Coach bag that has made my list is the Coach Empire bag. I love this bag. It’s a classic style. The other styles of the bag is too large, but this one is the perfect size. This one can be worn top handle or crossbody, and I love it. It feels like it’s a classic style of bag, and it’s something that I can see myself using for years to come.
Wicked Soundtrack: I saw the movie last week, and the soundtrack has been on repeat since. I’m obsessed with the movie and the soundtrack, and I can’t wait until November for the second part.
ENewton Bracelets: I have had the ENewton Bracelets for a while now, and I recently added two new ones for my collection. I love these bracelets, because their quality is amazing and they can be stacked in so many different ways (I talk about this in my blog post about the brand here). The bracelets are also waterproof, which is something that I really think is worth the price.
Many of us are starting 2025 with a resolution to journal more. However, once we get the pen and paper, oftentimes some can be plagued with writer’s block.
Shawn, founder of HeartString Journals, has the perfect solution for those who want to embark on a healing journey, but once again, don’t know where to begin. It all started with searching for ways to cope with grief, and went from there.
Heartstring Journals is more than just journals — Shawn uses her website to also write amazing blog posts that deal with topics relating to grief, anxiety, and other mental health issues, which is amazing to read.
So read on for Shawn’s inspiring story.
Photo Credit Shawn Dinneen
Tell me about yourself. What is your background? Hi, I’m Shawn Dinneen, the creator of HeartStrings Journals. My journey into journaling began after the loss of my fiancé, John, in 2022 to an overdose. That loss completely upended my world. Journaling became my safe space—a way to process grief, reflect, and rediscover myself. It’s been a tool of healing through struggles like anxiety, toxic relationships, and overthinking, which I’ve faced throughout my life. HeartStrings Journals grew out of my personal story and my passion for helping others find solace and strength through shared connection, vulnerability, and resources for healing.
What inspired you to start HeartStrings Journals? HeartStrings Journals was born from my own healing process. Losing my late fiance John left me searching for ways to cope with grief and chaos, and journaling became a lifeline. It helped me make sense of my feelings and find peace in small moments. I wanted to share that with others who might also be navigating tough times, whether it’s grief, anxiety, or just the daily stresses of life. My goal is to make journaling approachable for everyone—no matter where they are in their journey. Journaling seems simple in theory. You open up a page and write, what is so hard about that, right? But when you open up to a blank page in the midst of heightened emotions it can cause a freeze response, frustration, and be very overwhelming. I find that using simple prompts can help you get the same benefits of journaling without it seeming like such a daunting task.
Is there a journal that you recommend to give as a holiday gift? For the holidays or any other occasion really, I recommend our gratitude journal. It’s a wonderful way to encourage someone to focus on the positive moments in life, even during tough seasons. It’s a thoughtful way of showing you care,providing a small token of positivity, and hope of better days ahead.
What do the journals look like on the inside? Our journals are designed to be user-friendly and versatile. Inside, you’ll find a mix of layouts—some are lined and others include thoughtful prompts to guide your writing. The daily reflection journal has space for listing the good and bad from each day along with a small space for other thoughts if you feel inclined to write more. This is my favorite and most simple journal. Writing a list is much more achievable than trying to document out your entire day, but the intention of releasing the negativity and finding the positivity is still very therapeutic. I also have gratitude journals with multiple prompts to focus on being grateful and again finding the positives in each day, there is even space in this one for creativity and doodles if you just need a kind of child’s play outlet. The idea behind each journal version I offer is to cater to different journaling styles, whether you’re someone who loves structure or prefers to let your thoughts flow freely. The intentional interior designs are then coupled with fun, funny, sometimes a bit unhinged, and/or inspirational cover designs to add to the personalized experience.
How do you create the artwork for it? I digitally design all of the interiors and covers. Some are silly phrases I’ve heard that I create into covers, some are words of inspiration, some are aimed at mental health topics with playful designs to make a difficult and serious topic just a little more relatable and hopefully provide a smile or laugh.
Photo Credit: Shawn Dinneen
How do you come up with the prompts for your social media? The prompts I use come from personal experiences, reflections, and the lessons I’ve learned along my journey. I often think about the kinds of questions or topics that helped me the most when I started journaling—things like gratitude, self-awareness, or exploring grief. I also draw inspiration from the stories people share with me about their own journaling experiences. A lot of the prompts I post will directly correlate with whatever I am currently experiencing at that time, or on the complete opposite hand they may be something that is just simply for fun and sparking imagination. There are no rules when it comes to journaling, it really is just a trial and error process or figuring out what works best for you and that can even vary based on the day and what is going on in your life.
Do you have a journaling routine? I don’t follow a rigid routine, but I do try to journal when I am feeling overwhelmed or consumed with difficult thoughts or emotions. For me, it’s about tuning into what I need in the moment—sometimes it’s a gratitude list, other times it’s pouring out my emotions or setting intentions for the day. The beauty of journaling is that it’s adaptable to how you’re feeling.
What advice do you have for those who are starting to get into journaling, but struggling? Start small and don’t overthink it. You don’t need to write pages and pages; even a few sentences are enough. Try setting a timer for five minutes and just jotting down whatever comes to mind. Give yourself permission to write imperfectly—it’s for you, not anyone else. If prompts help, start with something simple like, “What made me smile today?” or “What’s one thing I’m grateful for?” Over time, it gets easier, and you’ll find your flow.
Happy New Year readers! I am starting 2025 strong with reflecting on some of my favorites from the past month. I am so excited to share them with you, as well as continue with another year of blogging.
So here are my favorites of the month.
Matcha Kindle Basic:I bought this Kindle as a purse Kindle. I wasn’t sure how much I would actually use this guy. However, I was happy that I got this. It is so tiny, and the perfect size for everyday use for a gal on the go. It’s easy to bring to the gym. It’s easy to crochet with. It’s also just a gorgeous color, and I enjoy it. In comparison to my Kindle Paperwhite, it is pretty comparable. The only thing that I do not have that I actually use is the warm light, but my Paperwhite is still in strong rotation so we’re good.
Monsters: I binged this Netflix show and I absolutely loved it. It is the story of Lyle and Erik Menedez and it’s a retelling of the events, and the trial. I enjoyed it. Yes, this is dark. But, I really enjoyed watching this, and highly recommend watching it.
The Boyfriend by Frieda McFadden: I had a reading goal of 130 books for 2024, and I was 2 books away for completing that goal. I turned to Frieda McFadden, as she is my go-to. I love her books, because once I start this book, I am hooked. At the time of writing this, I am almost 60 percent in, but if you love a good thriller, this book is definitely worth looking into.
Coach City Bucket Bag: Coach is the MVP of 2024. I love my Coach bags. I love the quality of the bags. This is one of my newer Coach bags, but I absolutely love it. I have it in the bow print, and I love that it is a bucket bag as well as the options for it.
Coach Essential Mini ID Card Case: I love this little wallet. I love that it is compact, and organizes my most important cards and ID without having to search through my larger wallet to get them. Furthermore, I also love that it could fit in the smallest of bags, which is crucial for me.
One of the main goals that I had for 2024 is to finish a temperature blanket. A temperature blanket, for those who don’t know, is a blanket that has one row per day of the temperature of that day.
On January 1st, I had my hook, yarn, and chain ready to go. I started the first row of my moss stitches and my motivation was so strong. Then, continued for about 6 months, when the amount of the rows that I needed to complete were so overwhelming that I had to just stop.
Thankfully, I made it until June so it was the size of a small throw blanket.
Fast forward six months when the idea finally struck me. I thought of making it into a blanket for my dog. She loves comfy and cozy blankets that smell like her mommy.
Spoiler alert: she loved it.
Now that was done, I will honestly say that I will never try to make another one again. I do think that they are beautiful and really cool. However, the level of commitment that I needed to have for this was just too much to balance with my other projects I was working on, as well as the fact that I just forgot about it.
That being said, let this story be a warning for those of you who crochet and want to attempt a temperature blanket in 2025.
thenutmegmillennial.com 