Welcome to my blog! I’m so happy that you’ve decided to stop by. This is going to be a great experience, so I hope you’re ready.
I’ve decided to kick-start this blog to have an outlet for my thoughts and interests. This will also serve as a way to make new connections and new experiences! I love to meet new people and chat, so feel free to contact me here or on any of my social media platforms.
Helping people is literally what I do. So, if there is a way to do what I love and help people simultaneously, why not? To throw a mix in my day-to-day activities I will be writing about things that hold interest to me and hopefully you as well.
So here we go! This will be a blog that I really hope will one day turn into a community. We will be talking about a whole array of interests and I would love to hear suggestions from you!
Fall is officially here and it’s time for a change of scenery. Whether you just want to liven up your workspace with this season’s colors or change up the room’s scenery, these houseplants are just what you’re looking for.
Unlike many outdoor plants, houseplants aren’t always affected by the seasons. Fortunately for us, there are many plants that have the Fall color schemes that we’re looking for.
If you are like me, your office is likely someplace you spend a daunting amount of time in. So why not spruce it up the best way we know how? Here are a few of my top picks for houseplants that will make your office feel like Fall.
Croton
When someone asks me what houseplant has the best Fall colors I automatically think of the Croton. This plant will amaze you with all of its combinations of sizes and colors. Its colors range from red to green and everything in between.
When placing this plant keep in mind that they vary in size and can easily become too much for a desk or small shelf. Crotons love warmer sunny spots, but be careful that it does not become too dry. Mist this plant regularly and it will thank you with its mesmerizing colors.
Prayer Plant
If you are wanting something up on a shelf or in a hanging basket then a Prayer plant is perfect! They have variegated leaves that fold up at night like hands praying and reveal a beautiful solid color underneath. The Prayer plant brings in many deep purples, pinks, and reds making it rich in color and catches one’s eye with its candy cane like leaves. I know I can’t help but feel calmer when I stare at this plant.
While they don’t require full sun, they are quick to dry up. Avoid overly sunny spots to make sure this plant does not get burnt by the sun as well.
Oxalis Triangularis
Oxalis are a beautiful little plant that, like its name suggests are shaped like triangles. The leaves come in deep colors and have dainty pastel flowers that bloom in the spring and summer months. Their darker red and purple colors are the perfect addition to an office and will help your concentration with its soothing scent.
Sunny spots are perfect for these little guys and they prefer to be kept cool and watered regularly in a well-draining soil. Though this plant is considered an unruly weed among gardeners, they can be contained and enjoyed indoors.
Polka dot plant
Hypoestes is commonly known as the polka dot plant. These beautiful plants are a great addition to a room that is lacking in color. They come in many sizes and have different kinds of polka dot patterns and variations. This plant will double as a winter accent to the room if you find the red leaf variation. To really bring out its amazing colors, place in a spot that gets bright light.
This plant is much more tolerable of warmer temperatures and loves a good misting due to its native tropical climates. This is an easier houseplant to care for and you will be rewarded with amazing colors and beautiful petite flowers in the Summer.
Alocasia
Alocasia are also known as Elephant ear plants and are easily spotted due to their huge leaves. These plants vary in color but most have purple under their leaves. The veins on the leaves also vary in color and accentuate them.
Keep in mind when placing this plant that the plant can grow over twelve feet. Alocasia love sunlight and water so place them by a bright window with frequent waterings to keep the soil moist. Keep this out of reach of children and pets due to this plant being toxic if ingested.
I hope you have enjoyed this Top 5 and look into these plants for your workspace! I personally have each of these colorful cuties and love having them around me.
I really enjoy thrifting for clothes and books. Many times you can really find one hell of an item for an amazing price. My younger sister and I recently went thrifting and found a bunch of goodies! So let’s jump into the photos! I’ve noted what stores we found them at and their amazing prices.
I’ve paired these items with other clothes, accessories and shoes in my closet to make simple looks for this post.
Enjoy!
Goodwill/ Savers
Goodwill- $5.00 Women’s Small striped long sleeve
Savers- $10.49 Women’s Large olive green utility jacket
Savers
$10.99 Men’s Large Red Ohio State crew neck sweatshirt
$10.99 Men’s Large Grey Purdue University crew neck sweatshirt
$6.49 Women’s Large navy button-down
$5.49 Men’s Small red button-down
Plato’s Closet
$14.00 Women’s Medium Champion color-block cropped sweatshirt
$8.00 Men’s Large Green Boston crew neck sweatshirt
$17.00 Men’s Small Levi denim jacket
$10.00 Women’s Medium cropped long sleeve blouse
I’ll put together a separate post for the work outfits I was able to put together.
I hope you all like this layout. If you have any questions or tips please let me know!
Until next time, stay safe and thrift responsibly!
Hello everyone, I hope you are all staying safe and healthy. Since it is highly encouraged, if not mandatory to stay inside I have a book haul from Barns&Noble online to share!
This isn’t too big of a list since I was just wanting to get rid of a gift card I had laying around. So, without further ado, here’s this mini book haul!
Let me know if you have read or picked up any of these books! I can not wait to get back into the world and visit my local bookstores. Until then, we still have out online platforms to buy from.
I’m so happy that I was able to get back into buying and reading books. While my TBR list is still huge, I just can’t help getting new books that are recommended by friends and family. Especially since I had such a quiet January!
Let’s jump right into it. Here are the books that I managed to pick up this month!
I recently did a pretty big haul from Ebay, Barnes & Noble, and my Book of the month subscription. I definitely had to start 2020 off correctly so here is the huge list of books that have bombarded my mailbox this first week of the new year.
We went all out and the only downside to this is that my TBR list has gotten that much longer… All well! This year I am setting my goal at 50 books read and so far I’m two down.
As always, let me know if any of there are on your TBR or if you have already read them.
Today I thought it would be fun to review a pretty popular boot among fashion influencers, Goodnight Macaroon’s Over the Knee Suede Leather Boot. It’s a beautiful boot with a two inch chunky heel that is a staple for your fall and winter wardrobes.
Purchase & Delivery
These boots come in ‘Ellis’ Black, ‘Carina’ Taupe, and ‘Marlo’ Tan. Last year I bought a pair of these boots in black and in taupe from the Goodnight Macaroon website. It’s on the pricey side in my opinion and I only shop there to get statement pieces for my closet maybe once a year. The boots have a size conversion chart from EU sizes to UK and US sizes. I had a coupon code from an Influencer that gave me 40% off my purchase, but they currently have their Cyber Monday sale at 30% off site-wide.
Products ship from India and took four days to arrive with expedited shipping of $10. I had to make sure I was home to sign for the packages since I didn’t have the ability to opt-out and have them leave it at the door. But once I received the product I was really impressed. These boots are soft! The quality is really nice and there weren’t any signs of glue on the outside or under the heel.
Try On
I know that over the knee boots can be a hassle to put on and take off, trust me. But dang these were so easy to put on! There was just the slightest pull on my jeans when I was putting them on, but it was easily fixed thanks to the zipper along the back of the boot. The zipper starts mid-calf and ends at the bottom of the heel. I also had room to wear a chunkier crew sock which is usually my remedy for the jean issue with taller boots.
The top of the boot reaches about mid-thigh on me. Usually I run into boots that are not tight enough on the thigh and fall down the longer I wear them. It is such a pain to keep tugging at the top of your boots to keep them in place. Luckily these guys stay in place and the only tugging I had to do was when I was taking them off.
I had worn them to my family’s Thanksgiving party last year and received so many compliments on them. The only things I can’t stand about this boot is that for the price they are seriously uncomfortable after two hours and there is little support from it’s thin sole.
I ended up buying inserts to fix the discomfort, but it’s annoying that a great boot like this was seriously lacking in something as simple as comfort.
Rating
Overall, I am going to give these boots 4 out of 5 stars. I love the boots despite the discomfort. It was an easy fix putting in the gel inserts, but it was still enough of a pain to dock a star. I would recommend this boot to someone who is wanting a beautiful boot that will catch eyes and turn heads regardless of the discomfort.
I know I missed my November Good Reads, but I had such a busy holiday season and wasn’t able to read as much as I wanted. But I still wanted to go over the book I did manage to read in November and the books I read in December.
The Rules of Magic
In the beginning of this book I found it hard to really commit to it. I didn’t see a clear direction for the story and admittedly put it down in favor of another book. But, I tried again and pushed through. Once the story started getting more in-depth with the characters I could not put it down.
This is a story about love, sacrifice, and the bond between siblings who are each very different. I don’t think I have ever read a book this morose though. There’s death and heartache throughout the book, but there was something about the writing that kept me reading. I would totally recommend this book to a friend.
The Bromance Book Club
Oh wow! I loved reading this book. It was witty, and charming, and goofy, and sweet all throughout the pages of this story. It was a charming spin on a busy husband changing and trying winning back the affection of his wife. This book easily made me laugh and was a story that seemed real. The character development was great and it had a flow that made following the story simple. The friend and family dynamic was also very believable and I often read parts that made me think of certain people in my life saying the exact same thing.
When there is a refreshing story that actually evokes laughter as I read it I always recommend it to a friend or family member. I have already done so for this book and I’m waiting on their opinion of the story! Definitely a must read.
The Bookish Life of Nina Hill
I love a good bookstore romance and I ready enjoyed this story. It was cute and full of banter that kept me giggling throughout the book. When I was reading I actually found myself inspired to alphabetize my own library (which by the way, took all night)! There were adorable friendships and relatable rivalries that kept adding to this stories charm.
I would absolutely recommend this book to a friend! It definitely makes you thankful for that you have and eager to go out and accomplish more with yourself. I’m currently looking into new activities and groups to join to broaden my interests.
There we have it!
These were the books that I did manage to squeeze in last November and December. They were on my TBR and I’m so happy I was able to check them off of the list! As always, let me know if you have any recommendations or if you just have something to say about the books listed.
Winter is a littler late here in Arizona, but we’re feeling it now! Coats and scarfs are out and I’m loving it. While not all plants love the cold, I wanted to make another list of my top ten favorite winter-loving plants for your garden this season.
1. Snowdrop
True to their name, the Snowdrop is an adorable little bulb that is a perfect ornamental flower. These flowers can grow in all light exposure and will keep growing throughout winter and spring. While these sweet smelling flowers look dainty, they are actually poisonous and should be kept away from pets and always handled with gloves.
2. Witch Hazel
While there are many different kinds of Witch Hazel my favorite is the Chinese Witch Hazel which can reach up to twenty feet! I love its name and spidery petals that give it an eerie look. It is a popular spicy smelling flower that grows from small trees in the fall and winter months. Witch Hazel is not picky with its sunlight but does need well draining soil.
3. English Primrose
Most Primrose can be found in full bloom during spring months, but the English Primrose is a must have for your winter garden. There is a multitude of colors to choose from and they grow well in all light. They have a wonderful smell that will attract birds to your garden. Containers are great for this flower and it doesn’t require much maintenance.
4. Winter Jasmine
Growing up, my mom always had vines of Jasmine crawling up the side of our home. Because of this I’m always nostalgic when I smell it’s sweet aroma. While a vine is very common, Jasmine also comes in the form of bushes, small trees, and large shrubs. The Winter Jasmine is a shrub that can grow up to seven feet tall with yellow flowers.
5. Crocus
Crocus are an adorable flower that blooms primarily in the spring, but there are types that bloom in the winter months. I love the Firefly Crocus which is a purple flower with a golden center that is normally just under four inches. These little guys love the light and will add a beautiful pop of color to your winter garden.
6. Winter Honeysuckle
Honeysuckle are an amazing vine that is loved by hummingbirds! Sun is best for this quick climbing vine and will give off an amazingly sweet smell. Sitting out by the garden during it’s blooming months make for a serene experience.
7. Hellebore
Hellebore are white flowers with speckles of purples, reds, and blues towards the center. It reminds me of taking a lightly coated paintbrush and using it to create a splatter effect on a white canvas. Among the Hellebore is the Christmas Rose which is crisp white in color and adds a light touch to your garden. These flowers prefer shaded areas with moist soil.
8. Calendula
The particular type of Calendula we are looking at is a Daisy Mix. This flower comes in gorgeous yellows and oranges that will remind you of a sunset. If you are in a warmer climate, plant in partial shade to keep the flowers from getting too hot. You can also add the petals of this flower to recipes since it is edible!
8. VIBURNUM
The Viburnum will bloom on a shrub that can grow up to twenty feet tall! This shrub also produces deep colored berries in blacks, blues, reds, and pinks. Full sun and a drier location is best for this plant.
9. Winter-Flowering Cherry
Cherry Blossom trees are my favorite tree and I’m so happy they made it on this list. These beautiful trees need full sun and are known to create beautiful shaded areas beneath them. The flowers vary in shades of pink and white and have a sweet refreshing smell when in bloom.
10. Cineraria
The Cineraria comes in many colors and is a beautiful addition to a garden. This plant likes bright light, but a cool environment and moist soil are a necessity if you want to see yours flourish. Keep in mind that this plant is poisonous so be sure to keep it out of reach of children and pets.
There you have it! I hope you enjoyed this list and try some of these wonderful flowers in your garden. Let me know if you have a favorite winter flower that I didn’t mention.
I love Amazon and Barns & Noble, but getting all of my books there can be so expensive! Rotating between Ebay, Goodwill, and Antique stores is a great buffer for when I don’t have a bunch of money to blow on new books.
I really like getting books from Ebay and I’ve never gotten a book in bad shape. Plus, even though it is the peak of the holiday season I received them all a week early!
Just so we can see how much there is to save I will also provide the price per item (including tax). Without further ado, here are the books I bought in this haul.
All The Missing Girls
Megan Miranda $3.84
Practical Magic
Alice Hoffman $3.84
I Believe in a Thing Called Love
Maurene Goo $4.30 (Hardcover)
The Upside of Unrequited
Becky Albertalli $3.99 (Hardcover)
The Night Circus
Erin Morgenstern $8.00
The Bookish Life of Nina Hill
Abbi Waxman $8.33
The Husband’s Secret
Liane Moriarty $3.68
Emergency Contact
Mary H.R. Choi $6.50
Everything I Never Told You
Celeste Ng $3.99
Every book on this list was a steal and they came in great condition. I really saved big on using Ebay instead of Amazon this purchase. In total I spent $46.47 with Ebay when this would have been a $87.37 purchase on Amazon. And to me, saving $40.90 is totally worth a bent corner or creased spine!
I hope you enjoyed this post and it inspires you to look into Ebay for your next buy! Let me know if you have read any of there or if they’re on your TBR.
Here’s another Book tag! I found this beauty of a scavenger hunt on the Secret Library Book Blog and just had to do it! I have a bunch of books and I think it’ll be a fun challenge for me to actually find books matching the challenge!
Here we go!
Find an author name or title with a Z in it
Boris Pasternak’s Doctor Zhivago
Find a classic
A great classic we have in our library is Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe.
Find a book with a key on it
Yikes! I searched high and low for a book with a key on it and I can’t believe that we don’t have one.
Find something on your bookshelf that is not a book
Aside from nicknacks that represent books or themes on the shelves, we also have my boyfriend’s records. Patsy Cline Reminds me of cool breezy days like the ones we have been having lately, so I decided to go with this record of hers.
Find the oldest book on your shelf
This is the oldest book in our library and it actually is a textbook that belonged to one of my boyfriend’s grandparents.
Find a book with a woman on it
I love this soft and elegant cover.
Find a book that has an animal in it
Marley and Me is such a bittersweet read that I enjoyed, but would not read again.
Find a book with a male protagonist
James Hook’s point of view and a look into his past with Peter Pan.
Find a book with only words on the cover
Fun fact about Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes, it is the only novel my boyfriend has willingly finished.
Find a book with illustrations in it
Charles Tritten’s Jack and Jill we found in an antique store in Prescott Arizona.
Find a book with gold lettering
I have a few gold lettering books, but I wanted a book from my favorite series to make an appearance on this list. So the final book of The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini.
Find a diary, true or fictional
The only book that I would consider being close to a diary in my library is The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. This is a great book that makes me laugh and cry everytime I read it.
Find a book written by an author with a common surname (like Smith)
Arthur Miller has a pretty common last name in my opinion.
Find a favorite childhood book
Here is a two for one! Little Raccoon and the Outside World is my boyfriend’s favorite childhood book, and Scamp The Adventures of a Little Puppy is mine. Another fun fact, my dog is named Scamp after this little guy.
Find a book on your shelf that takes place in the earliest time period
Our winner for the earliest time period is Shakespeare’s Macbeth taking place in the 11th century.
Find a hardback book without a jacket
I have a bunch of books without jackets and we randomly pulled John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath out of the fray.
Find a teal/turquoise coloured book
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli is just one of those books I could reread every year. It is just such a feel good story!
Find a book with stars on it
Though it’s hard to see in the picture there are stars on this cover.
Find a non YA book
I’m a sucker for Margaret Moore’s stories and love the way the characters feel so real.
Find a book with a beautiful cover
This cover is one of my favorites because of its design and style it is drawn in.
This was great and I had so much fun looking for the books! I even roped my boyfriend into helping, so that was a plus. I think this really gives everyone a chance to show whats on their shelves.
Have you done this challenge? If you have let me know! I’d love to read your answers.
Mindy Erxleben 