It's the best day of the year! (I have a lot of best days so let's just go with it). Black Friday and Cyber Week are here again! If you want to get technical, Black Friday deals have been happening all week long but now the main event is happening.

I'm first to admit that the deals on Black Friday for your normal, everyday items aren't that great. Most places nowadays have deals all year round so it's not that special. However, that doesn't stop me from shopping!

Black Friday is also a really great time to buy electronics or household items like vacuums (I've seen so many deals on vacuums which is why it randomly is at the top of mind).

However, what I like Black Friday and Cyber Week for the most is to stock up on items (like my Zella Leggings which are on sale for 33% off) or to buy gifts. I'm planning on getting most of my Christmas shopping done on this one day so it's an exciting time.

For my BF posts, I never go into the deep webs of the internet to look for sales I'm not going to shop. I tell you straight up what my favorite deals are

Stoney Clover: 25% off + discount applied at checkout

Kate Spade: 40% off with code TGIBF

Kendra Scott: 25% off + 30% off orders $300+ (discount applied at checkout)

Evil Queen Candles: 20% off with code SHOPSMALL

Jack Rogers: 30% off the entire website with code BF2019



Besame Cosmetics: Sleeping Beauty BUNDLE (Sleeping Beauty book, mirror, base, tote bag, crown $126)

Anthropologie: 30% off entire website + discount applied at checkout

Nordstrom: Cyber Sale, 50% off select items

Ulta: Steals & Deals all weekend long

Evelyn Henson: 25% off with code SHOPSMALL25

May Designs: 40% off everything + applied at checkout

J.Crew: 50% off everything + 60% off sale styles

J.Crew Factory: 60% off everything

Tory Burch: 30% off $250 + 60% off sale items. Discount applied in checkout

Happy shopping!

PS: Don't forget to enter my giveaway!

xoxo
B

Happy Thanksgiving | 2019

in , , , by RoyallyPink, 8:00 AM
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you! Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because it's lowkey; it's about food, family, and hanging out. There's not really any capitalism around Thanksgiving; no shopping, movies, crazy decor... it's simple and beautiful.

I also really love Thanksgiving because it's the end of the Fall season, the beginning of Christmas, and usually falls around my birthday. This time of year is so special to me for so many reasons.

As always, I am very thankful for all of you! It's been almost 8 years of the blog and I continue to love it, day in and day out. It has grown so much in the past few years and I appreciate everyone who reads and follows me. It means the world!

Photo by @amyshamblen


I'm also very thankful for my job. I got fired from my new job in April and spend 6 months unemployed. It taught me a lot, made me stronger, and made me realize I'm not ready to give up a 9-5 anytime soon. I am so thankful for the lessons I learned but even more thankful that I found a job and company that I adore and love going to every day. It's a blessing in so many ways.

In honor of the season of giving, I wanted to give something to all of you! I'm going to be giving away a few bundles of beauty & lifestyle items that I've been collecting over the past few months. Enter below and I'll choose two random winners! Here is a preview of a few things that will be included.





Come back later for a lot of Black Friday coverage!

Have a wonderful day with your loved ones!
xoxo
B
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This post is coming a little (much) later in the day than I intended but wow, was I busy today. I was non-stop doing stuff from 2 PM until just now, at 9 PM. It's the day before Thanksgiving and we're hosting so it was a busy day.

The office closed early so I was home with enough time to make mashed potatoes, an apple pie, pumpkin bread, clean, and organize. Then I went on a bit of a cleaning/organizing/decluttering spree in my room and got rid of so much stuff! It is the best feeling ever to have a clean, de-cluttered room.

Now, however, I am exhausted and ready to get this blog up and head to bed!

Today, I wanted to discuss my next gift guide which is for the tech lover in your life. This is someone who is attached to their phone, is never anywhere without an extra charger, or is always watching the Apple launch in real-time.

Since I was a little girl, I have been very into technology. I was always able to fix the computer or television without thinking too much about it. I remember my first AOL screen name and was always on the computer when I had free time. Then, I was always hounding my parents for the latest phone and when I got the Sidekick II for my birthday, I cried hysterically.

To put it lightly, I love technology so these are things that I think any tech lover would really love to open on Christmas.

Kate Spade Phone Charging Tray | Pinch Provisions Tech Kit | Laptop Stand Bluelight Glasses |
Volition Beauty Screen Time Hydrating Mist Spray | Kate Spade Smartwatch | Kate Spade Laptop Sleeve 


Have a great night preparing for Thanksgiving tomorrow!
xoxo
B
My 2nd favorite month is ending this week and we're going out with a bang; Thanksgiving on Thursday and my birthday on Saturday! I'm turning 27 years old and then the decade ends in just a month after. It's so weird that I'll be in my late twenties in just a few days and it's a little sickening. I don't know how to handle getting older when I still feel a little bit like a teenager.

November was a good month, it always is. It marked two months at my new job so I'm adjusted and getting the hang of everything. The holiday season officially began which always puts a smile on my face. My Christmas tree has already been up for over a week and I love it!

Disney + launched, bringing me to a nostalgic time and place and there was a new Weight Watchers plan introduced. I saw the Jonas Brothers for the 8th time in my life and Frozen 2 was released in theaters. It was a busy and exciting month for my pop culture-loving self and now we're headed into Christmas. It's going to be a great last month of this decade.

I also tried a lot of new items that I simply couldn't get enough of this month!


Stoney Clover Lane Pouches


I've known about Stoney Clover Lane forever but it wasn't until a few months ago that I actually purchased my first one. Since then, it has been downhill. I am addicted to these pouches and the company in general. My sister went to their NYC sample sale earlier this month to buy me birthday presents, I purchased one of their Lele Sadoughi headbands, and I'm planning on splurging on Black Friday AND making my way to their NYC Pop Up Shop. I love the story of the brand (listen to Kendall on the 'Be There in 5 Podcast' and I'm obsessed with their social media. I cannot get enough of Stoney Clover Lane! 

Oversized Luxe Hampton Throw

This blanket has been everything to me lately. I saw it as a Today's Special Value on QVC earlier in the month and simply couldn't resist it! I was in the market for a new throw and this one is super soft, very warm, and just beautiful on your bed or couch. The red plaid (which is what I have) is the ideal Christmas blanket but if it's not your vibe, there are plenty of other colors and patterns!

CeraVe PM Moisturizer

I've been having a lot of trouble with my skin this month. I had an allergic reaction to something I ate and my skin broke out in a rash, was very hot, leathery and bumpy. My eczema has also been flaring up with the cold weather coming through so my dermatologist recommended CeraVe. I picked up the CeraVe PM Moisturizer this month and have been loving it. It's a simple, no-nonsense moisturizer that is perfect for dry skin. It's a little on the lighter side but it gets the job done; I even wear it during the day!

What were your favorites this month??
xoxo
B

I just got home from seeing the Jonas Brothers 'Happiness Begins' tour at the Barclays Center and wow... I have a lot of feelings.

When I woke up this morning my Facebook memories told me that 12 years ago, I saw the Jonas Brothers for the first time ever. My friends & I woke up at 3 AM on Black Friday 2007 to be driven into Manhattan, to stand outside the Good Morning America studios and watch the Jonas Brothers, big hair and all, through glass windows. It was cold, dark, and crowded but wow, that first time seeing them was life-changing.

12 years later, with my best friend who I saw them with the first time, went to see their reunion tour. It was a real full-circle moment and really mind-blowing.

The Jonas Brothers have been a huge part of my life and it's something that I never really thought about until now.

happiness begins tour-the jonas brothers


As a 14-year-old girl, I discovered them right after the self-titled album came out. Something about them sparked joy in me and it didn't take long for me to become really obsessed. It was like something awoke inside me and I felt like I belonged somewhere... with the Jonas Brothers fandom. It sounds so weird but it's the truth.

Over the course of the next few years, life was tough. I was a teenager whose parents just got divorced, I was moving houses, I was in high school and trying to find my way in the world. It was really overwhelming, messy, and stressful. I had anxiety then but didn't realize it... but I think the way I coped with everything was by putting myself into this Jonas Brothers world. I needed an escape and their music, their personalities was it for me.

I had a Myspace fansite dedicated to them, was part of a community and really just loved everything they stood for. They wrote their own music, played instruments, came from a good family, had good values and just were themselves. The Jonas Brothers were the first artists to use social media to connect with their fans. They had a Myspace page and communicated with fans through there; they used Youtube to make funny videos to entertain us, and hosted Live Chats to connect with us on a deeper level. It was so cool and it helped me get through the bad times.

happiness begins tour-the jonas brothers


When I was feeling down, I just listened to their album, watched a funny video and it seemed like everything went away.

The Jonas Brothers also made me realize how much I love writing. That sounds super strange but it's true. I've never really told anyone this but I used to write fanfics about the Jonas Brothers, and they were pretty good.

I used to stay up all night in my teenage, Tiffany Blue bedroom (literally all night, I used to watch the sun come up) and would write stories about them. Sometimes they were famous, sometimes they were normal guys but I had the ability to create stories from scratch and it was really awesome. When I realized my imagination could go that far, and that people loved to read my writing, I knew that was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

The Jonas Brothers have helped me through the hardest years of my life and to have them back now, to have seen them in concert tonight brought me back. I felt like I was 15 again... and next week I turn 27 years old. It's pretty crazy to think that the last time I saw a Jonas Brothers tour I didn't have an iPhone, Instagram didn't exist, and I wasn't legally allowed to drink. The world was a different place 10 years ago and to have been in that arena tonight felt like coming home.

I remember reading in Rolling Stone, the first time they were on the cover, that a Jonas Brothers concert is louder than standing in front of a running jet plane. A doctor was featured in that article saying that something snaps inside a teenage girl's brain when she's surrounded by other girls, screaming for their teenage idols. It's a hormonal reaction to being so in love with someone you don't know... that part of the article has always stuck with me for some reason. It explained the way I felt when they came on stage and I couldn't control my emotions; I would cry, scream, shake, and just stand there in awe of the fact that I was breathing the same air as the band that has made me who I am.

Tonight, I let myself feel all of those emotions as I watched them perform my favorite songs. So much has happened since I became a fan but so much has happened in the past few years since they've been 'gone'. I'm a different person and so are they.

Tonight, the screams of thousands of girls were deafening but they always are. It felt amazing to be back in that place that has brought me so much happiness over the years.

I never feel more at home than I do with the Jonas Brothers on stage.

xoxo
B


Was this the longest week ever for anyone else? Just me? I always feel like the week before a holiday is very long. I'm so excited for Thanksgiving next week and my birthday! It's going to be a really wonderful week and then we get into Christmas mode, so it's all coming up roses.

I'm in a bit of a funk right now so I lit my Evil Queen "Blessed" candle and catching up on The Real Housewives of New Jersey. One thing that is definitely going to get me out of a funk? I'm going to see the Jonas Brothers on Saturday! I've been a fan since 2007 so I'm so excited to see their reunion tour. It's going to be an insane night so make sure you follow along on Instagram (@bribrilukes)

Now, time for everything from the week!



Links I Loved


What You Missed on Royally Pink

I didn't buy anything this week, thank goodness!

Have a great weekend :)
xoxo
B
I had never heard anyone talk about this book until my favorite blogger, Emily Gemma of The Sweetest Thing, mentioned she was listening to it on Audible. She made it sound super enticing and truthfully after I read the publisher's summary I was hooked!

I started reading "Missing Molly" on my Kindle a few months ago but just finished it, mostly because I was losing interest and the writing is the best but once the story really picked up, my attention was peaked. Continue reading for the summary and my thoughts!



Publisher's Summary

Everyone has secrets, and Rachel Holloway is no exception. She’s worked hard to keep the past where it belongs: dead and buried. And so far, she’s been very successful.

But now the small newspaper where she works wants to produce a podcast on a cold case: the disappearance twelve years ago of young Molly Forster.
 
Some secrets should never see the light of day, and as far as Rachel is concerned, whatever happened to little Molly is one of them. Rachel has a life now, a boyfriend she loves and a three-year-old daughter she adores, and she will do anything to protect them.

But to do that, no one can ever know that she is Molly Forster.

My Thoughts

I enjoyed "Missing Molly" a lot because I felt that the idea was super unique. It wasn't like every other domestic thriller in the book world right now. It took the real-life obsession with true crime and made that the center plot.

Molly who is now Rachel becomes the topic of her employer's podcast 'Missing Molly'. The paper wants to find little Molly Forster who ran away from home after her entire family was murdered. She ran from their murderer and has been looking over her shoulder since.

You spend the entire book wondering if/when and how Molly is going to be discovered. I wondered a lot about who the murderer was and why that person decided to kill the entire Forster family. What was the story and why exactly did Molly run away? 

All those questions were answered but it almost felt like they were answered a little too late in the book. There was a lot of build-ups and not enough actual meat to the novel. I wish we spent more time with Molly's story unraveling than Rachel being nervous about the paper releasing this podcast. 

Not to be rough, but the writing was the greatest. I felt like the book could've been better thought out and a little more developed.  I felt a little confused throughout most of the book because some plot points, like what happened with 'Molly' the last time she had a breakdown was referenced early on but not explained until the end of the book.

There were other times that I was super confused, and that might be because Molly was confused or playing a trick on those in her life. There was a point where I was just so lost, I had to re-read a few paragraphs because I wasn't sure if I missed something or if Molly was really acting up. It was weird but interesting. 

All in all, I really liked the plot of "Missing Molly"; it was really interesting, unique, and unlike anything I ever read. If you're a little bored of the usual domestic thriller/suspense/mystery novels out there, I think you'll enjoy "Missing Molly".

What are you currently reading?
xoxo
B

It's mid-November so you know what that means?!

GIFT GUIDE SEASON!

I'm not the type of blogger to usually overload their editorial calendar with gift guides but every year, I like to do a few. I usually do obscure categories, like people who love brunch, the girl who has everything, or the girl who likes nothing. This year, I'm sticking with that theme and first up is the introvert.

I did a homebody gift guide last year and this is very similar to that, but with a little twist. I'm an introvert by nature and it's something I've embraced in recent years. I've leaned into the fact that I love being alone and that when I'm around a lot of people, I need to spend some time alone to recharge. 

I'm also someone who is very intuned with their body and their anxiety. I try to do and find things that make my anxiety a little easier to deal with and that goes back to my introverted ways and presents itself in self-care habits.

Therefore, this gift guide is for the person who is introverted, deals with mental health issues, or just needs a little more self-care in their life.

gift guide- introvert-holiday shopping


What would you get the introvert in your life? Leave suggestions down below! Also, what gift guides would you like to see this year?

xoxo
B



Happy Monday! It's time to start the week and recap my outfits from last week! It was another week spent at work, but I did work from home on Friday, went to a Friendsgiving, and then went to dinner on Saturday night. I was able to wear some of my new Fall clothes and I was finally wearing some super dark lipstick so that was fun!

I have to note that Monday morning I woke up super late and was in a weird mood so I totally forgot to snap a pic. I was in pajamas all day on Friday until I got dressed for Friendsgiving while Saturday, I was in gym clothes and then wore the exact outfit I did on Friday (#outfitrepeater) expect in a different color.

Now that you know a little backstory, let's get into the outfits.

Tuesday


I finally wore my new J.Crew Scalloped Sweater and I am obsessed! I paired it with my Spanx jeggings and Michael Kors boots (similar).

Wednesday



I really wanted to wear my Zella leggings on Wednesday and just be really comfortable, so I opted for my oversized American Eagle 'grandpa' sweater from a few years ago (similar here) with my MK booties (similar).

Thursday


I was feeling a little off on Thursday and wanted another comfortable day so it was Zella leggings, leopard cardigan, and MK booties again (similar

Friday Night

I am newly obsessed with bodysuits and this one from B.P is a sweater henley material. I purchased this yellowy color after trying on the green one (I wore the green Saturday night) and was obsessed. They are super comfortable, flattering and just so easy to wear! I wore it with AE jeans and Tory Burch Minnie Travel flats.

Sunday was spent in Zella leggings and a Mickey pumpkin sweatshirt from Belle & Park.

What did you wear last week?
xoxo
B

Royal Round Up, Vol 2: Week 47

, by RoyallyPink, 5:22 PM
Happy Friday and happy halfway through November! I can't believe we are halfway through the month -- it is crazy! I also can't believe we are just a month and a half away from the end of the decade. It feels like a big deal and I feel like not enough people are talking about it. I definitely want to reflect on the end of a decade; the decade where I became an adult, went through a lot of life changes and finally feel like myself. It's pretty amazing!

Being that it's halfway through November, we're one step closer to Thanksgiving which is unusually late this year, which means we're closer to Christmas & a very short Christmas season. Because of that, I feel like everyone is in the holiday spirit. I'm torn between wanting to savor Fall and Thanksgiving for a little longer but then I get a very short Christmas season. My mom and I are going to put up the Christmas tree this weekend but not decorate.

I might start decorating for Christmas next week...I got a mini headstart by purchasing this blanket from QVC. It's the small things!

This was another iconic week because two fun things happened: Weight Watchers released a new program and Disney+ came out! I spent every night this week snuggled up under my blanket, candles lit and an old school Disney cartoon on my TV! So far I've watched: Peter Pan, Snow White, Alice in Wonderland, Beauty & The Beast Enchanted Christmas and Cinderella. Has anyone subscribed to Disney+? What are your thoughts?

I think I've talked enough now... let's get right into the good stuff!


Links I Loved



What You Missed on Royally Pink:


What I Bought This Week

The only things I bought this week were this evil queen candle, the mini Babyfacial from Drunk Elephant, two sweaters from Abercrombie (here and here)  



xoxo
B
It's been quite some time since I shared a Wishlist Wednesday but I figured with the holidays coming up, and my 27th birthday in a few short weeks now was a better time as any.

I've gotten so much better with wanting things, buying on impulse and shopping in general. Nowadays, I make a list of things I want and slowly check them out -- or sometimes I forget about them and realize I don't need or want them. I don't buy a ton of beauty products anymore, have cut back on accessories, and try to put my focus elsewhere.



I have a lot coming up in 2020 that I need to save for and I have to be better in terms of saving. Some days, I want to save more than I want to spend so I've made progress. However, I'm still me and I still want a lot of what I see, for my birthday and Christmas especially.

These are just a few things I have my eye on, whether I want it from someone else or as a little gift to myself!
Mercury in Retrograde has left the galaxy of being something only astrologically in tune people know about. It's become a sort of a societal phenomenon that everyone is constantly talking about; brands post memes about it, publishers write articles about it, and your co-workers are talking about it.

I think the first time I discovered what Mercury Retrograde was probably about 5 years ago after I graduated college. The more I paid attention to this time of year, the more I became in tune and the more cautious I became. It's also really nice to be able to blame something for all your communication, travel, and technology woes.

I thought it would be a fun little to do a 'mercury retrograde' survival kit. This is everything you need to ensure you have a lowkey retrograde and if any problems do arise, you're able to combat them with grace.



PS: This retrograde ends on November 20th so there's still time to prepare yourself!

Chargers, Protective Phone Cases, Hard Drives 

I need this adorable Kate Spade charging tray

Technology is notoriously bad during retrograde. Whether it's your computer, phone, iPad, e-reader or TV, you're bound to run into some sort of issues. To make sure everything runs smoothly, try not to fiddle with your Wifi, don't hook up anything new and try not to buy new electronics.  You should also stock up on all kinds of chargers and invest in some protective screen covers/phone cases just in case you drop your phone... no one wants a cracked screen.

Also, be sure to have a hard drive around to back up your computer (BEFORE RETROGRADE) in case anything should happen...

Amethyst

It's been said that if you place amethyst on top of your internet router, it'll clear up any issues it might face. The amethyst promotes clarity and cleanses energy so if it's near your router, your computer will surely find it's way back to the connection. It wouldn't be a terrible idea to keep a piece of amethyst with you during retrograde to give yourself that same cleansing energy.

Dogeared Mercury in Retrograde Bracelet




For $22 you can protect yourself against all retrograde troubles! Dogeared is an adorable jewelry company that has really cool pieces that represent different beliefs. It's no surprise that they have a Mercury in Retrograde bracelet. The rock crystal in the bracelet promotes balance and harmony, making sure to keep all bad vibes away from you during retrograde. I'm definitely going to have to invest in one next retrograde!

Sage Stick

Sage your space before Mercury Retrograde (or any time during it) to ward off any bad energy and to just cleanse yourself and your areas.

Sleeping Supplements

There is a lot of energy around you and in the air during retrograde so you may have a little trouble falling asleep. Be sure to have some sort of sleeping supplement around to help you go to dreamland peacefully! I love my Olly Sleep Gummies or the HUM Nutrition Beauty zZz.

Honorable mentions include a journal to write down your thoughts and worries, a book all about crystals, and the new Huda Beauty Mercury Retrograde Palette,

*Also, don't forget your Mercury Retrograde nail polish!

What is in YOUR Mercury Retrograde Survival Kit

xoxo
B
Another week has come to an end, another 'What I Wore' Post. It's coming to you a little later in the day but that's because I was nonstop busy all weekend long; a wedding, a birthday brunch, and then I came home last night and was totally exhausted. I actually felt sick to my stomach because I was so tired... therefore, I'm writing this post on a Monday night & posting it immediately.

Last week was a short week for me; I worked Monday-Thursday and Friday was spent at the doctor's office and running some errands. I forgot to take a picture of my outfit Friday but I changed from this Target shirt and leggings to my gym clothes.

Now, here's everything else I wore!

Monday



It was another all-black Monday! I wore my trusty J.Crew Cardigan, Zella Leggings and Tommy Hilfiger Boots. I paired it with a plaid scarf I got from Nordstrom a few years ago - you can find a similar one here. I kept my cardigan buttoned all day long and I was so much more comfortable and felt a little more put together which I was thankful for. 

Tuesday



American Eagle sweater (similar here), Zella leggings, and Tommy Hilfiger ankle booties -- simple and comfortable! 

Wednesday




Thursday


Zella Leggings, J.Crew Shirt, and an older J.Crew cardigan (similar). Once again, I wore my Tommy Hilfiger ankle booties.

Saturday - Wedding Guest



For my friend's wedding on Saturday, I wore this Eliza J dress that had gorgeous mesh sleeves and paired it with DSW heels. The dress was super comfortable and I cannot recommend it enough! 

Sunday Brunch




I didn't get a full-body picture but I wore Spanx Jeans, off the shoulder, pink Abercrombie sweater and my Jack Rogers Booties.

What did you wear this week?!

xoxo
B

Royal Round Up, Vol 2: Week 46

, by RoyallyPink, 7:12 PM
Well, it officially is COLD in New York! Today, it was around 38 degrees and it was really, really cold. It felt amazing to have that first cold day but have the sun shining and leaves still on the trees. I was off from work today to go to the doctors and it was my first day off since starting work in September. It was definitely weird but I was thankful for it because I have a busy weekend ahead!

Tomorrow is my friend's wedding; I've known her since high school and I knew her when she met her soon to be husband. It's really wild that they're getting married-- it feels like just yesterday we were at senior prom.

Sunday is my grandma's 60th birthday brunch so it'll be a nice girls' day! All good things happening, just super busy!

I don't have much else to say so let's get into the wrap-up.



Links I Loved


What You Missed on Royally Pink


What I Bought This Week


I am technically still on a no-buy but some things I just couldn't pass up.

xoxo B
Years ago, when e-readers were first coming up on the scene, I was very against them. I was very into the fact that I wanted real books and only real books; I didn't want to believe that digital was a way of life. This was before Instagram was even a thing so I didn't know where the world was headed. Now it's a very different story and even back then, I changed my tune. *One of my first posts was a comparison between real books & e-readers if you're interested! 

When I realized that e-books could be a positive force in the world, like being able to have hundreds of books at my fingertips, not having crowded shelves and rooms with books, and not contributing to waste. One of the most enticing parts of an e-reader was the fact that I could have a new book in a few seconds... this comes in handy when I'm reading a juicy series and I can't wait to start the next book.

I've been very loyal to both e-readers and print books for years; I've had a Barnes & Noble Nook for a long time -- it was my e-reader of choice. I've also used the iBooks and Kindle apps on my iPad for years as well.

However, I've always had a weird feeling at the back of my mind that I wanted an actual Kindle. Ever since using Netgalley to get arcs of books before they're released, I've wanted a Kindle. Netgalley only uses Kindle so I've been reading on my iPad. That could get old pretty fast so I started looking into purchasing a Kindle.

I didn't want a Fire, I wanted a good old fashion Kindle e-reader and decided about five months ago to get one. I purchased the 'All-New Kindle with backlight' which is great because I really wanted to be able to read in the dark LOL

So for the past few months, I've been using both my Nook and Kindle to read and I think I've got a pretty firm grip on both of them, which brings me to this comparison review.

barnes and noble nook; amazon kindle;e-reader

Barnes & Noble Nook

The Nook I have is the "Simple Touch" which was new in 2012... now, not so much. Therefore, I guess this review isn't that current but we'll see... 

My Nook doesn't have a backlight but the new Nooks do! The Nook Glowlight has a night mode and backlight for easy reading, no matter the setting. 

The reason I wanted a Nook all those years ago was that I wanted to support Barnes & Noble. Amazon wasn't as big as it is now and I just felt like I wanted my books from a bookstore and nowhere else. 

My Nook works perfectly fine -- I haven't had any issues (knock on wood), it works pretty fast and it's held up beautifully. The books are all priced competitively (just the same as Amazon) and are delivered electronically, just the same as a Kindle. 

My Nook has buttons on the edges to 'turn the page' but you can also touch the screen to turn the page which is different than the Kindle. I think that is a point of differentiation because of it sort of feels like a 'real book'. Sometimes it's nice to have a physical aspect to something instead of having it be all touch screen.

One of my gripes with the Nook (and I'm unsure if this is the same on the newer generation) is that I cannot buy books directly from it. I have to log onto the Barnes & Noble website to purchase a book. This is especially annoying if I'm not near my computer but I suppose I could do it on my phone but still, it would just be easier to purchase directly.

The Nook does hold a nice charge and I do notice it holds a charger a little longer than my Kindle, which is always a plus.

Right now, the Nook Glowlight retails for $119, is almost 7 inches long and 5 inches wide.

barnes and noble nook; amazon kindle;e-reader

Amazon Kindle

So, the Kindle. It's a little thinner and smaller in height than my Nook which makes it a little easier to hold and travel with. It's about the same speed as my Nook and I don't notice anything 'better' in terms of actually using it to read. 

However, the Kindle does have a nice backlight that you can adjust so reading in the 'dark' is a lot easier. As I mentioned before, that was one of my drivers in purchasing the Kindle but the newer editions of the Nook also have that feature. 

The Kindle retails for $89.99 and comes in two colors: black and white. While this isn't a 'feature' of the Kindle but more of an Amazon feature it's still worth mentioning; you can finance the purchase of your Kindle and pay it off over the course of a few months, with no interest. In the realm of honesty, this is what I did and it was a huge selling point in purchasing one. I probably still wouldn't have purchased it if I couldn't have paid it off months ago. 

Conclusions

I truly don't see any difference between my older edition Nook and Kindle, aside from being able to purchase books on the Kindle. I have to admit, I've been using my Kindle more only because that's where my NetGalley books are and I haven't really purchased any e-Books as of late. Once I get back into reading books I've purchased, I will probably split it evenly between my Nook and Kindle.

If you're in the market for a new e-reader, I recommend a true e-reader and not an iPad, Samsung, or Fire tablet. I think it makes it easier on the eyes to read without a blue light and its nice to keep things separate. 

If you're torn between both of these e-readers, look at the actual model; the Kindle is all touch screen while the Nook has actual buttons. Look into the height, weight, and width of the models, as well as the price. Either way, you're going to have an e-reader that is functional and easy to use. 

I love both of these pretty equally and there is no need to have both; if Netgalley was available on the Nook, I would've never bought the Kindle.

Do you have both e-readers? Do you like e-readers or are you a traditional book person through and through? 

xoxo
B
You guys really enjoyed the first installment of my fashion blogger-ness so I'm excited to continue the trend!

I had a weird week in terms of fashion. I was uncomfortable and hated everything I wore. I changed a thousand times and couldn't find my groove. I truly feel as if I need an entire new wardrobe and I need to figure that out.

This week's outfits were spent at work and on Saturday, dinner with my boyfriend. I didn't snap photos during the day on Saturday or Sunday because I was in gym clothes/leggings.

You'll be happy to know I didn't wear my Zella leggings at all during the week so we're making fashion progress!

For now, let's get into this week's outfits.

Monday




Tuesday



Wednesday


Kate Spade Bow Side Sweater (similar) | J.Crew Ponte Pants | Tommy Hilfiger Boots

Thursday



Friday



Saturday


*After seeing this photo, I ended up NOT wearing these shoes. They're the Steve Madden loafers.



Have a great week everyone!
xoxo
B
I think it's safe to say that whenever Mercury goes into retrograde, Essie releases a new collection. The third collection was released via Ulta's website a few weeks ago and I picked up only one of the shades.

The shade I chose is called "It's Not You..." (the other shade is called "It's Mercury" which is the name of the collection!". My shade is a deep, glistening gold that gives me cool weather vibes. It's the ideal shade for Christmas time and New Year's Eve. I haven't had a good gold shade in my collection in a while so I was excited about this.

However, I would be lying if I said I didn't buy it JUST because it's part of a Mercury Retrograde collection.



I painted my nails Thursday night and as I type this, it's now Sunday; I'm happy to report I have zero chips. Seriously... no CHIPS. How is that even possible? The formula on this polish is outstanding! Essie has come a long way since their first 'Retrograde' collection which was not opaque and very goopy.

"It's Not You" goes on very smoothly and two coats are as opaque as you'll never need. The color glistens in the sun but isn't too gold ... it's perfect yellow gold that is reminiscent of sunlight.

I didn't purchase the other Mercury shade called "It's Mercury" because it seemed a little weird to me; it was a green, iridescent shade and it wasn't calling to me... until I saw it on Instagram. It looks like a beautiful, green shade and not like anything else I have. It might just find its way to me...

If you've been looking for the perfect gold (I feel as if gold is a hard color to come by in nail polish), you need to pick up "It's Not You" before it goes away forever. I'm so happy to have this in my possession and I'll definitely be wearing it during the Christmas season!

What's on your nails this Monday?
xoxo
B


Royal Roundup, Vol 2: Week 45

, by RoyallyPink, 5:43 PM
Saturday is here again! It was a super long week so I was ecstatic to see Friday come. I spent last night laying in my bed and doing nothing else so I feel refreshed and ready for the rest of the weekend. It'll be a lowkey weekend spent at home which is what I need.

Next weekend is a little crazier with my friend's wedding and my grandma's birthday so this homebody will delight in staying in all weekend.

Halloween came and went, my favorite month of the year is over and now we're headed into my second favorite month: NOVEMBER. Thanksgiving is super late this year which gives us less Christmas shopping and less Christmas season (I'm upset about it). I'll be 27 years old on the 30th and officially in my late twenties. Three more years until I'm 30 years old and I just want to throw up all over my keyboard right now.

There are also two more months left in THIS DECADE and wow, I can't believe that. It got me thinking about all the things that happened to me in the last ten years and I'll definitely be doing some sort of recap/roundup to reflect.

Let's stop talking and get into the roundup.

Links to Love


What You Missed on Royally Pink


I am officially doing No Spend November but before it started, I ordered a few things! 


Have a great weekend!
xoxo
B
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