I truly can’t believe how fast time flies, and that I’m sharing some of my favorites for the month of May! That being said, I’m excited to be able to get some summer projects done! Summer crochet is simply gorgeous, and I can’t wait to dive in!
That being said, here’s what I loved in the month of May!
Saybin Beanie: I picked the wrong season to become addicted to the soothing nature of knitting. This pattern is one of those that I can just do mindlessly and works up so quickly. Granted, I’m not wearing a beanie at the moment, but I can always prepare?
Caron Cloud Cakes: I love this yarn! I worked it to make a cardigan and it was so soft and comfy. I loved the phasing and the texture of the yarn. I already have another one planned.
Hexagon Cardigan: I have been addicted to this pattern! It’s so easy to work up and comes out so amazingly well! I’ve been using yarn that is verigated but you can use almost any yarn. I’m hoping to make more of these in the next month! There are so many patterns that are out there for this, but I used Annie’s from Hooks and Heelers.
Wearables: I have been enjoying making wearables this month! I’m hoping that also continues into June, because wouldn’t it be cool to have a mini crochet wardrobe?
Cozy Goblin: This pattern is so adorable and easy to make! I’d like to thank Killian from Viney Maple for this idea — I have yet to make clothes for mine, but I’m already making her a friend.
Today, we’re going to throw it back to the MySpace days — you know, the days when you would sit down at your computer and fill out those surveys. Those were truly so much fun! Sorry mom by the way for being on MySpace when you told me I shouldn’t… oops.
I can’t take all of the credit here. I’d like to thank my girl Killian at Viney Maple for inspiring me to do a blog post on this. It was so much fun!
So if you feel inclined, definitely go for filling out this survey!
How did you learn to crochet?
I honestly taught myself. My grandma tried to teach me when I was little, but wasn’t successful. When my dog, Maggie, passed away, I learned to knit to try to cope with it. My mom crocheted and when she passed away, she left behind a lot of half completed projects, including a half finished blanket for me. So I taught myself how to crochet in the efforts to finish them.
What’s your favorite thing to crochet?
It changes. Sometimes, it’s plushies. Others it’s wearables.
If you could only use one yarn for the rest of your life what would it be?
Hear me out, but acrylic! That way I can make literally anything.
What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever made?
I’m not sure if it’s considered to be weird, but Wally the Red Sox Mascot was the most unique.
What is something you’ll never crochet?
I’d say bikinis. Nothing against them, but I feel like too much can go wrong there.
Where do you get your inspiration?
Honestly, YouTube and Instagram. I consume a lot of crochet content, which inspires me to make things and even just to grow as a crochet artist.
Favorite thing you’ve made so far this year?
That’s a hard one! I’d say the crochet plants I’ve made with a pattern book from the Knot Monster. One was a gift and I made a hanging one for myself. I do plan to make another one soon as a house warming gift for a friend. They are so beyond adorable!
Crochet plans you’re excited about for the future?
I’d say making more clothing items! I’m very much looking forward to wearing stuff and going, yeah, I made that.
Worst thing about crochet?
Finishing stuff. I sometimes lose interest in a project when it gets hard, takes too long, repetitive, etc., and just want to make something so I put it aside and do something else. It’s a problem.
Favorite thing about crochet?
I’d say finishing stuff — like actually finishing something! I’ve given so many crochet projects as gifts, and there’s nothing better than the feeling of pure joy of seeing someone enjoy something you made.
I have 13 ear piercings — 9 of them were gotten within the last 2 years. After my wedding, I finally got my thirds done and it all spiraled from there. I now have four lobe piercings. On my right ear, I have a helix and a mid helix. In my left, I have a flat, a helix, and a conch.
I love my piercings. They allow me to be creative and play around with self expression. That said, I have finally found piercing peace now that I can sleep on both sides of my head again.
However, there are so many things that I did that I wish that I had done differently. So here are some tips that I hope that you bring with you to your next piercing appointment:
Splurge: Sometimes, it is worth it to spend a little more money on certain things. I believe piercings are one of those areas. This means going to a highly recommended place that is a little pricier than others. This also means getting the aftercare solution.
This also means that it might a good idea to spend the extra money on earrings as well — especially when you’re going to be wearing them 24/7. I highly recommend that you get higher quality earrings to not only avoid reactions — which then equal better healing times.
Get Inspo: This one is a tip that I have before you even set foot in the piercing studio and even before you make the appointment. Before you commit to the piercing, which could have up to a year of healing time, take the time to make sure that it will work for you and your style. Go on Pinterest. Follow people who have ear stacks, such as the queen of ear stacking herself, Reese Wonge. By doing this, you get ideas of what you want your final product of your piercings to look like.
Get Pierced With an Earring That You’d Wear Even After Its Healed: Once you get pierced, you’re stuck with that earring for at least 8 weeks — at the low end. Many of my piercings didn’t heal enough to switch for a few months after getting pierced. So when you’re selecting an earring to get pierced with, definitely spend the extra money to get something that you absolutely love. That way, you won’t be tempted to take it out the first second that you feel relatively okay.
Listen to Your Piercer: The person that’s piercing you knows their stuff. After all, if they didn’t, they wouldn’t be able to be piercing you in the first place. Listen to them about any and all aftercare, ask them questions, and yes, leave that earring in for the time that they tell you to do so. One thing that I highly suggest is making sure before you leave your appointment is that you make sure you can contact the person who is piercing you in the event you have any questions.
It’s Okay to Be Nervous and For Your Body to Be in Pain: You’re putting a hole in your body. This is something that is foreign to your body, and therefore, it’s normal to be nervous about it. It’s also normal for your body to react to it — from a slight fever to some redness to some tenderness as the piercing heals. It is also normal to feel tired the first week post piercing. Therefore, just give your body some grace as it heals.
Are you getting a piercing for National Piercing Day? How many do you currently have? Let me know in the comments below.
We’ve heard of Record Store Day and Indie Bookstore Day. Now, there’s another day to that list — Vintage Store Day.
The day was announced shortly after Record Store Day, and looks like so much fun. There’s even a little passport that you can mail to Shop Rare Farm. You can view more information about it here.
Shopping vintage and thrifting has been something that has been more and more common than ever before due to cost, increased interest in getting more quality and unique pieces, and of course, the efforts to reduce the carbon input. For me, I personally try to shop vintage in the effort to find high quality pieces at accessible prices. Some of my favorite things to thrift include: vintage Coach bags from the 80s-2000s; quality clothes from brands such as Anthropologie, Loft, Athleta, and Good American; vintage Dooney and Bourke bags; and vintage jewelry.
For Jessica Pellegrino, owner of Oldest Daughter Thrift on Poshmark, she agrees, finding that “thrifting is a great way to get quality products, without having to break the bank.”
“With tariffs, and quality of goods plummeting, I think people are more likely to spend $20 on a second-hand wool, L.L. Bean sweater, than a polyester micro-trendy sweater from Amazon or SHEIN,” she said.
To get items for her online shop, Pellegrino treasure hunts at Goodwill and Savers as a side hustle in addition to being a barista. Pellegrino not only sources items for Oldest Daughter Thrift, but steams, washes if needed, and takes pictures for her shop as well.
That being said, she also notes that thrifting has several environmental benefits as well.
“Roughly 91 million tons of textiles end up in landfills every year. The main culprit is micro trends in fashion. Items like jeans, sweaters and jackets, which should last years, only last one season because they’re made of weaker, synthetic fibers,” she said. “The fibers also don’t break down in the same way as fabrics like cotton and linen. One person, deciding to shop second-hand for one year, would save 59lbs of textile waste from entering landfills.”
And we’ve seen so many different people getting out and thrifting, with TikTokers such as Monica Paulino who thrifts several high quality gems that always leave my jaw on the floor; Yoonie, who manages to take vintage Coach bags and make them new; and Madison Steffano, who shows how she thrifts for basic and fun pieces in her wardrobe. With all of these gems, one may wonder how can I get my hands on these?
Pellegrino says that it’s all about “trusting yourself.”
“If you touch an item and it feels luxurious in your hand, trust that instinct. If something looks so interesting you give it a second glance, pick it up,” she said.
Here are the CT Thrift Stores That Are Participating In Thrift Store Day In 2025:
I am excited to sit down and share my favorites this week! I honestly can’t remember the last time I wrote a Friday Faves post, so I’m happy to share what I’ve been loving this week — or the last few weeks if I’m being completely honest. After all, we love a good favorite that lasts longer than just the week.
That being said, let’s get right into this week’s Friday Faves:
Pavoi Multiple Layer Ring: This is an amazing and cheaper alternative to the Spinelli Kilcollin ring. I do have a few of the rings, but they are on the daintier side. I ended up picking the CZ ring and then the gold one. I love these rings. They are the best fidget rings, and they just look amazing with my other rings. If you love the Spinelli ring but can’t afford the price, seriously check this dupe out.
Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone: I read Ready or Not early this year and I really enjoyed it so I decided to pick up her latest read in a recent Book of the Month box. I’ve been hooked on this one. It’s about Lenny who is grappling with grief after the loss of her best friend after illness. She meets Miles who helps her move on with the list her best friend leaves her. This is an amazing read — heavy but still comical at times, and I can’t wait to finish it over the weekend.
Dove Baggu Medium Crescent Bag: It has been rainy here in Connecticut, and I decided to dig out my latest Baggu purchase. I’ve had my eye on the dove Baggu bag, and I’m so glad that I got it. It’s the perfect neutral, and this one has so many different updates than my original Baggu bag, including an extended strap and a little key leash. I am obsessed with this Baggu bag, and I’m sure this will be an instant favorite.
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry: Emily Henry is one of my autobuy authors. I just finished this book earlier this week, and I am so happy that I read this book. It’s definitely different than Emily Henry’s other books, but I’m not mad about it.
For me, there is no better and more luxurious material than the leather of a vintage Coach bag (sorry Louis Vuitton, although your canvas makes a close second). Since early 2024, I have been searching for these bags in the wild at consignment or thrift stores and of course, online. That is how I acquired my collection, and honestly, I am not mad at it. Thanks to TikTok, I am not the only one who hunts for these bags.
I, on the other hand, have been lucky. I found bags at great prices thanks to sales and coupons via consignment, and of course, making sure I wait until the right time to strike. This method comes with the need to have some good old fashioned luck. It is safe to say that this method of procuring items for my collection is not for the patient.
However, over the last few months, I have noticed a huge increase in the price of these bags no matter where you’re looking. I’ve noticed this through my scroll of items on Poshmark and when browsing online at my local consignment store’s new item posts on Instagram — the same items that I used to procure bags for $25 are now $50-$70 on the low end.
What is the cause of this?
I believe that this was caused by one thing — the popularity that these bags have now gained. These bags have grown in demand. We’ve seen the TikToks of those who find these bags at the thrift store and go to work to restore them back to their former glory. The fact that these pieces were made so well that with a little pixie dust (aka leather cleaner and moisturizer), they are restored to as good as new. These bags are worth way more than their former thrift store prices — and they have caught on. Plus, if you can sell it for that price and you can actually sell them to make that profit, why wouldn’t you?
The same thing goes for Chanel and Louis Vuitton.
I also believe that another culprit is the very fact that Coach is reissuing some of the classic bags. They’ve released the Ergo, the Soho, the Patricia, and the Hamptons — just to name a few. Therefore, with those new bags on the shelves, some people flock to the preloved market to get some of the original ones. After all, sometimes the original is better. That definitely drives up the prices on the preloved market, as people are getting the older versions of the bag, and people are realizing that they can sell these pieces at those prices.
Unfortunately, with the economy going the way that it is, everything has been so expensive including the items at the thrift. Coach bags are no exception to this rule.
Will this stop me from continuing to search a vintage Ergo?
Absolutely not.
Gems will continue to pop up. After all, thrifting is like treasure hunting. Sometimes you never know when you’re going to find an incredible find at an incredible price.
It seems like it’s been forever since I’ve sat down and wrote down a collective list of my favorites. Well, I’m officially taking the time to so now. This month had a lot of different favorites that I have been gravitating toward, so it was hard to narrow down this list.
That being said, I wanted to share with you my list of April favorites before we get further into May.
Electric Picks Icon Bracelet: We know what this reminds you of. I’ve been wearing this bracelet since it came into the mail, and I’ve been obsessed with this bracelet. I’ve worn it with so many different bracelets, and it makes a great addition to any stack that I have been wearing. Furthermore, it has been wearing so well, which is a major plus to anything that I buy and wear regularly.
Electric Picks Icon Necklace:Are we surprised that I also have the matching necklace? Nope. I’ve been wearing this one way more than the bracelet, and I’ve been loving it. It has been great to layer or even wear on its own. I have the gold one of these, but I’m seriously considering adding the silver to my rotation as well because I’ve been wearing it so much. If you’re looking for a dupe on a certain necklace, please check out Electric Picks.
Mosaic Sun Red String Bracelet: Mosiac Sun is one of my favorite places to visit whenever I’m in the West Hartford area, and I’ve been really enjoying adding this bracelet to my stack. It pairs well with the Icon Bracelet that I’ve just mentioned, but I love the meaning behind it. I’ve been watching And Just Like That lately, and Seema talks about the red string bracelet being a reminder of your strength. And that has resonated with me. I definitely love this one, and it is an amazing thing to add to any stack. It also makes a great gift.
And Just Like That: I love Sex and the City. Recently, I began rewatching this show with my mother in law, and I’ve been enjoying the rewatch.
Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jiminez: Abby Jiminez never disappoints. This story was definitely worth the wait as I devoured it. This is the story of Sam and Xavier. Sam is leaving town to go back to take care of her sick mother, while Xavier is working to prove his family wrong as a local vet. I loved this romance. It was wrong place/wrong time, but in the best way. Abby Jiminez is one of those authors that I will just buy without hesitation, and this tear jerking story was one of the reasons why.
Summer in the City by Alex Aster: I found this good book thanks to a Kindle Ad that got me. And I enjoyed it. I loved the stories and growth of the characters. Elle and Parker were an amazing couple, and of course, this book was steamy in the best way. 10/10 reading this during the summer. I can see this being an amazing beach/vacation read.
April has come to a close and I can’t believe that it’s almost May. I can’t believe how quickly this year has been flying by and how much I’ve been crocheting and knitting this year.
That being said, I wanted to share some of my favorite things that I’ve been working on and loving relating to my crochet.
LTK Cuties Crossbody: I’ve used several of this artist’s patterns before to make the Meadow Kindle Case; however, I recently discovered this pattern and have already made two of them. They whipped up so easily, and I can already see them being something that I make frequently as gifts.
Crochet Plants: I have been obsessed with making crochet plants. I’ve been loving this pattern book by KnotMonster, which is available on Kindle Unlimited. I’ve made a few of these adorable plants, and I already have a few more that I hope to make in May. I 10/10 recommend following the patterns in this book, because they are so easy to follow and they work up pretty quickly.
Kenzie’s Knot Designs: I found another YouTuber that I’m obsessed with. I love watching Kenzie’s videos, because she’s inspired me to crochet new things, which is something that I always love to do. She’s also super fun to watch as well.
Bucket Hats: In addition to crocheting plants and bags, I have also been obsessed with making crochet bucket hats. I have been loving this pattern from VivCrochets. It’s very quick to work up, and I have loved how this looks with cotton yarn. I recommend making the smaller sizes, as the large is way too large for me.
As a 90’s baby, it seems like I’ve seen a complete evaluation of technology and how media (i.e. music, books, shows, and movies) is consumed. When I was a kid, movies were watched on VHS and music on cassette tape. As I got older, those were ditched for CDs and DVDs. Finally, we’ve come to streaming, which is how we consume media now. And as for books, we’ve evolved from getting our content physically to on an iPad/ereader.
While scrolling through TikTok I came across people who have been ditching streaming to revert back to content consumption that I grew up with. For some, it’s ditching the Kindle to go back to physical copies of books so they actually own the copies. Some people have downloaded music from CDs to an iPod to simplify their devices. For others, it’s to cut back on their streaming services to save money — all too important during this crazy period of financial uncertainty.
For TikTok content creator Brittany Hotte, it was to just use less internet data. Hotte is a local Connecticut content creator, who discusses several different subjects — including searching for DVDs. Over the course of the last six months or so, she began scouring her local thrift stores looking for seasons of her comfort shows such as Friends and Gilmore Girls, as well as movies to stream in the efforts to reduce her Internet bill.
“I don’t subscribe to as many streaming services and I pay for the cheapest plans with ads,” Hotte said. “I honestly think it’s more freeing because I don’t have unlimited choices on what to watch. I don’t get decision fatigue as much!”
Hotte managed to not only thrift her DVDs, but also portable and regular DVD players as well. One of the things that had drawn me to her page was following along with her physical media journey. To score at the thrift store, she recommends going at least once per week.
“They are putting new stuff on the shelves everyday so there is always a chance you can find something great,” she said.
She also advises to thrift carefully when it comes to buying DVDs or any physical media. For example, she said she always checks DVDs for scratches before deciding whether or not to buy them.
“I don’t want to risk losing the money on a DVD that skips,” Hotte said.
However, there are many more reasons to revert back to physical media. Back when I was younger, music was consumed either by riding in the car or when I said down with my Walkman. Now, I can pop in an AirPod and listen to music whenever — at the gym, at work, or whenever I’m crocheting or writing. That consumption of media made it less about being background noise — whether it’s music, a television show, or a movie, and more about the actual experience of consuming it.
That being said, streaming and digital media comes with one major downfall that does not sit right with me even to this day. I’m talking about ownership. Earlier this year, Amazon announced that Kindle users would not be able to side load their books, meaning that they can only access their content on a Kindle device or a Kindle App versus anywhere else. For someone like me who has thousands of books on their Kindle device, this is something that I’ve really had to think about, as I realized that these books are not truly mine.
Of course, I believe that there is one huge reason why digital media has come to be so popular in the first place — convenience. I myself am one of those people who would rather have many books loaded onto my Kindle then pop into Barnes and Noble to get a paperback. I stream the albums that once spun around in my Walkman. I can stream thousands of shows and movies with a little tap of my finger.
I cannot deny that I am a contributor to this digital modern world that we live in. I am one thousand percent part of the problem, and I am not someone who thinks that they are holier than thou.
That being said, I can be a part of the solution. When my Kindle goes, I’ll look into getting a Nook again is one way to take back my power — or even utilize my local library. I can also consume media mindfully. And of course, I’ll take the time to savor some of my favorite albums with the static of vinyl in the background.
For me, it’s important to have a piece in my wardrobe that can be used in multiple different ways and situations. That piece has been the Beauty Bag by Marc Jacobs.
The Beauty Bag is made in a similar design as the brand’s famous tote bag; however, instead of it saying the Tote Bag, it says the Beauty Bag. For $95, it comes in all leather with a cloth lining, and has an all leather exterior. Furthermore, it has a little wristlet strap that you can slip on your arm.
What I really love about this is that they have a huge variety of colors. Of course, they have the classic brown and black colors. But they also have the gorgeous pink, lilac, and red.
I recently added three of these to my collection, and I’m so happy that I did. I’ve been using it almost everyday since I got it. I’ve used it as a wristlet and as a catch all pouch in my bag. I got mine in black, Aragon oil (which is such a gorgeous brown), and the lilac for a pop of color.
I am obsessed.
And in both situations that I’ve mentioned, it holds a lot.
When I use it as a wristlet, I’m able to hold a card case, car keys, my phone, sanitizer, and lip balm. When I use it as a daily pouch, I’m able to put lip balms, hand lotion, AirPods, and all of the little bits and bobs that would normally be floating around my purse. That being said, it fits in quite a bit of my purses, as I was able to slip it in my Longchamp and my Marc Jacobs tote bag without any issues. I can see this fitting in a majority of my purses, however it may be a little too large to fit in my smaller bags. With that being said, it makes it so easy to switch my bags because all I do is take this out and plop it into the new bag.
And those are two of the ways that I’ve used it. I can see it also becoming my go-to when I travel, a place to hold crochet needles, and a clutch — just to name a few.
I have been enjoying this bag and I highly recommend adding this piece, because of all of the ways that you can use it. That is what makes it worth it for me, if I’m being honest, because the cost per wear goes down so low that it’s pennies.
This bag is both useful and fun — and something I will continue to reach for for years to come.
thenutmegmillennial.com 