How is it Halloweekend already? I simply can't believe the time is moving so fast! I'm so sad to say goodbye to my favorite month but excited for the really cold weather and for Thanksgiving, my birthday, and Christmas! 

I do not like to rush the fall but this year I'm really craving the coziness that winter provides. I just want that crisp chill in the air and the mindset of being super cozy. The past few days have been really chilly in NYC and I even wore UGGs for the first time yesterday. 

For now, though, I will be soaking up the last moments of October, watching Hocus Pocus, baking pumpkin bread, and just enjoying the little moments.

I am taking a little staycation next week and I can't wait; I took Monday-Wednesday off from work and am just going to take some time to myself. I want to read, write, get a haircut and a pedicure, and just treat myself. November is going to be all about self-care for me, in so many ways. I just need to be kinder to myself, really pay attention to what triggers my anxiety and depression, and stay very present. 

We'll see how that goes!

For now, let's get into the roundup! 


Pink Positivity of the Week

I had a really good mental health week; I was calm, present, and didn't let things get the best of me. The weather also made me so happy; I actually had to turn my ceiling fan off a few times this week and almost put the heat on in my house! It's my season!! 

Links I Loved

What You Missed on Royally Pink


Have a great weekend everyone!
xoxo 
B

I do not like to be negative on the blog (contrary to me always complaining about my mental health) when it comes to product reviews... especially book reviews. Unlike beauty and fashion products, books are extremely subjective. There might be a book that I love and you hate compared to a lipstick that is dry and difficult to apply. 

On a monthly basis, I read a ton of books (I'm up to 71 this year and my goal was originally 60) and I don't always love them all. However, I never want to do a review where I just rip apart one singular book because like I said, reading is very personal and what you like might not be the same as mine. 

I figured that I would start doing these round-up posts of the books that just didn't do it for me, while still remaining kind and making sure I call out the fact that tastes vary. I wrote my first roundup in July and since then, have read some books that just didn't move the needle. 

Let's get into it!


 I simply cannot believe that October is almost over. Halloween is in a few days and once again, my favorite month is coming to an end. I will admit, this month was hard for me. I didn't feel mentally well and was just overwhelmed, confused, and a little off. It didn't feel like October, as much as I tried to put myself in the spirit... I'm sure it had a lot to do with the weather because it was like 80 degrees for half the month.

This past weekend it really felt like fall, though, and I couldn't be happier about that! I hosted a little Halloween party for my friends and it was so cute and so much fun. Then, I went to my 10-year high school reunion, and being back in the school, with my friends, in the cool weather truly felt like fall. I'll be soaking up the last few weeks of the season before Black Friday when I get fully in Christmas mode.

I've been seeing so many Christmas products online and it's making me so excited for the really cold and cozy weather. I simply can't wait, though I want time to pass very slowly.

We're also almost a month away from my 29th birthday and that is a whole other debacle in itself. I'm so nervous to say goodbye to my twenties without being where I thought I would. That's an entirely different post so let's try to stay positive right now!

 I did a lot of shopping this month and found so many new products that I am simply in love with! Let's get into it.





J.Crew Cashmere Slippers

I haven't done any J. Crew shopping lately but something made me check the website and I fell in love with a few cashmere pieces. These cashmere ballet slippers in the camel color were calling my name and I couldn't pass them up. I have a few different pairs of slippers but none that I'm currently obsessed with or feel totally comfortable in so I figured a ballet slipper might be good. 

They are very comfortable and light on your feet, so you don't drag them around the house. They aren't slippery on the floor (or inside on your feet) and stay on very securely. They also don't make my feet sweat which is important for the ever-changing New York weather. I'm very tempted to buy these slippers in more colors, that is how much I love them.

iPad Mini 6

I had been wanting a new (or additional) iPad for a while now. I loved my iPad mini 5 and raved about it for months but I wanted something a little more updated and powerful. I was considered an iPad Pro but then when I saw Apple release the iPad Mini 6 in their September event, I knew I had to have it. It's super sleek, a little bigger than the 5, and has all the updated software so it's more hi-tech and powerful. I received it at the end of September and honestly have been using it more than my iPhone. 

I'm going to do a full review post soon but I had to include it here. I cannot get enough of this little device! 

Kate Spade Nylon Shoulder Bag


It's no secret that I am fully back into Kate Spade and when I saw this nylon shoulder bag, I couldn't *not* get it. Shoulder bags are back in and thanks to Prada, so is nylon. I thought it was the perfect solution to a more expensive one. I ordered it from Nordstrom this month and haven't used anything since. Shoulder bags are wonderful! They're easy to carry, hold a ton, and are very comfortable on your shoulder. I'm going to do an entire review post and video about this soon but if you need a new everyday bag that is sleek, chic, and holds a ton without looking too big and overstuffed, this nylon bag is a MUST.

Love Wellness Gut Feelings Probiotics

Because I've been so confused and foggy lately, I decided that maybe I needed to start thinking of my health as a whole versus just mental and I know how much the gut is linked to your brain so I figured I should try these Love Wellness probiotics that I've had in my drawer for a few months. I started taking them as directed, on an empty stomach in the morning, and I'm not sure if it's a placebo effect but I do feel a little more regulated, in more ways than one, and it's just a good feeling to take care of your mental and physical health, even if it's only you trying! I love Love Wellness so much so it's no surprise that I really enjoy these probiotics; they don't have a bad after taste and have started working immediately. I literally trust Lo Bosworth with my life.

What did you love this month?
xoxo
B

 Happy Friday! I started off the week really strong and with a positive mindset. My mental health has been struggling for a bit and I've just felt lost. On Monday and Tuesday, I really was mindful of what I did, how I did it, and how it made me feel. I was really positive, and then Wednesday it all went to shit. I was nervous, anxious, overwhelmed, and just down in the dumps. 

Thursday was a bit better and I'm feeling great right now because I'm having a little Halloween party for my friends tonight and I can't wait to show you all on social and next week on the blog!

Once I get things together in terms of mental health, I'd like to do an entire post about why I think I'm feeling like this and what has been helping me, aside from the things I've talked about before.

For now, I'll dive right into the post!



Pink Positivity of the Week

Stoney Clover Lane is releasing their American Girl collab today and I can hardly wait! It's going to sell out very quickly so make sure you get online quickly. I'm going to stock up because I was the biggest American girl fan when I was little; Molly was my favorite, she was really my best friend! I've been looking forward to this launch all week long.

Links I Loved

What You Missed on Royally Pink

What I Bought This Week



Have a great weekend everyone!
xoxo
B

 When I knew we were getting another installment in the Practical Magic series, I was thrilled. Over the past few fall seasons, I've taken to reading the series and have completely fallen in love with the Owens women and Hoffman's writing.

*As I'm writing this, I realize I NEVER did a review of "Magic Lessons" which was released last year. I'm appalled at myself and can't believe what a miss this was on my part. It's also a miss because I included it as an honorable mention in my favorite books of 2020 post. 

"The Book of Magic" is pure magic, for lack of a better word and there is so much history woven throughout the books that it's impossible to not really enjoy.

As happy as I was to revisit the Owens women, I was sad because I knew it was the last in the series... but isn't that the beauty of books? You can revisit them whenever you want! 

I just finished the book on Monday night so I wanted to write this review while it was still seasonally relevant and fresh in my mind.

It shouldn't come as a surprise that I thoroughly enjoyed this book, not my favorite in the series, but it made me cry and feel joyful & really, what more can you ask for?

Publisher's Summary

The Owens family has been cursed in matters of love for over three hundred years but all of that is about to change. The novel begins in a library, the best place for a story to be conjured when beloved aunt Jet Owens hears the deathwatch beetle and knows she has only seven days to live. Jet is not the only one in danger—the curse is already at work.

A frantic attempt to save a young man’s life spurs three generations of the Owens women, and one long-lost brother, to use their unusual gifts to break the curse as they travel from Paris to London to the English countryside where their ancestor Maria Owens first practiced the Unnamed Art. The younger generation discovers secrets that have been hidden from them in matters of both magic and love by Sally, their fiercely protective mother. As Kylie Owens uncovers the truth about who she is and what her own dark powers are, her aunt Franny comes to understand that she is ready to sacrifice everything for her family, and Sally Owens realizes that she is willing to give up everything for love.

The Book of Magic is a breathtaking conclusion that celebrates mothers and daughters, sisters and brothers, and anyone who has ever been in love.

My Thoughts

This book involves a lot more death than the others and in turn, it was a little depressing at times but the way Hoffman framed death was as something beautiful and full of love. It was really interesting and had a nice perspective. 

I loved that the book centered on finding the cure to the curse; the curse that whoever loves an Owens woman will see an untimely death has been the subject of the entire series, (movie included!) and to have that be the entire plot of the last book was a perfect ending. It answered all our questions and gave everyone a lot of closure which is all you want from a series. 

This book, as all of the books, was very wordy. Hoffman has a way with words where she makes you feel an ordinary feeling so deeply that you think it's something else. It moves you differently than any other sentence you've ever read. 

As much as I love the wordiness and as deeply as it affects my soul, it got a little confusing at times. It also got confusing because I haven't been in this world in a year, and I forgot who a lot of the people are and what their stories were. It took some Wikipedia reading to get my bearings and remind myself who is who but I did and it was fine.

I really enjoyed how this book connected all the others; "Practical Magic" was obviously the first in the series and that focused on the aunts, Gillian and Sally, and then Sally's children, but then the other two books were prequels so you learned more about the Owens history versus the present day. 

Since "The Book of Magic" is the SEQUEL to "Practical Magic", we jump right back into that world but it doesn't let go of all that we learned in "Magic Lessons" and "The Rules of Magic". There is so much in this book that ties back to the other three, it's really wonderful. 

You get a little bit of everyone: Jet, Franny, Sally, Gillian, Kylie, Antonia, Maria, Faith, Hannah... and a few others who pop up along the way.

If you loved the other Practical Magic books you definitely need to read "The Book of Magic"; it wraps up the entire series in a beautiful bow where everyone gets exactly what they wanted out of their life. The last few pages had me in a fit of tears and I can't express the immense gratitude that we get to read books like this!

Did you read the Practical Magic series? If so, what did you think of this final installment?

xoxo
B

I don't travel much and it's something that I've always wanted to do. I want to see different cities and countries, visit historical places, and really immerse myself in the world around me. I have gone on a lot of vacations, especially when I was younger, but haven't done true traveling. Now that I'm older, have the time and money, I want to start traveling more.

I also get really nervous before having to travel because I'm a creature of habit and like to stay home so I feel like the more I do it, the more I will like it.

All of this being said, I recently went to Charleston, SC for a Bachelorette party, a city I've never been to but had always wanted to go. I knew it was a very historic city, very quaint and beautiful, but also a lot of fun. 

We were there for three nights and four days did a ton of walking, eating, and drinking and it was pretty great.


I have been through so many planners over the last few years. I can't ever seem to find planner peace. I've had Lilly Pulitizer, Day Designers, Erin Condren, digital planners... I've used them all! I've loved most of them too; I always go back to Lilly and Day Designer but nothing ever seems to stick. I just like to change things up too much and I get bored easily! 

Ever since I was a little girl, I always changed my stationery products; I never kept a planner longer for six months and was always switching notebooks and backpacks. I just like options and I guess I never grew out of that habit. 

Last year, I thought I found heaven with The Everygirl x Day Designer collab from Target. It was compact, pretty, and seemed to be just what I needed since I also had a Louis Vuitton MM Agenda that I was using. 

TGIF. I can't believe we have 10 weeks left of 2021. Where did the year go?! I am so confused at how fast time seems to be moving. This week went by pretty fast too and I'm happy about it. 

Mercury Retrograde has been kicking my butt -- I just feel like everything is going wrong, I don't feel focused and motivated, it's just like my mind is clouded. It's a weird feeling and the only time I feel at peace is on the weekends. There could be so many reasons I feel this way and I'm trying my best to take care of my mind and spirit. 

Do you ever feel like that? Like just so disconnected from life that you feel like you're floating, don't know where you're going or what you're doing or what the purpose is? It's such a strange feeling. 

That being said, I'm excited to chill out this weekend, do some reading and writing, and just veg out. Then, next weekend I'm super busy: I'm having a Halloween/fall girl's night at my house and then Saturday is my 10 year high school reunion so that'll be fun! 

Right now, I'm just relaxing, getting ready to watch Grey's Anatomy and freaking out over the newly announced Stoney Clover Lane x American Girl collaboration. 

Before I babble any more, let's get into the wrap up.



Pink Positivity of the Week 

I felt like this was a really good pop culture week for me and it made me happy! Kim Kardashian on SNL (and getting a great review) was amazing, and then the RHOBH reunion was a true bright spot! I also finished a great book, The Ex Hex, and just am excited for all the Bravo happenings! 

Also, another HUGE positive point? I published my first reading guide! It's focused on all my favorite fall reads to put you in the spirit. I've been wanting to do something like this for a while and it really felt like an accomplishment. I wrote it and put it all together in one sitting and it made me feel so productive and proud. Please read it, it's free, and look out for more in the future! 

Links I Loved

What You Missed on Royally Pink

What I Bought This Week

Will I ever learn my lesson? No, I won't. 


Have a great weekend!
xoxo
B

When October rolls around, I like to read something spooky to put me in the mood. It doesn't have to be scary, but just something witchy and autumnal to make me feel festive. The past few years it's been The Practical Magic series by Alice Hoffman* and I love them so much! However, this year, there was a new book I had been hearing rumblings about and lucky me, it was one of the Book of the Month  choices. *The last installment of Practical Magic came out yesterday, that review will come as soon as I finish reading.

The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling (also known sometimes as Rachel Hawkins) was published on September 28th and has already made a splash as a wonderful, witchy romance novel perfect for October. 

I received my BOTM box in the first week of October and since it's only October 12th as a I write this, I read the book pretty quickly...and loved every second of it!


Publisher's Summary

Nine years ago, Vivienne Jones nursed her broken heart like any young witch would: vodka, weepy music, bubble baths…and a curse on the horrible boyfriend. Sure, Vivi knows she shouldn’t use her magic this way, but with only an “orchard hayride” scented candle on hand, she isn’t worried it will cause him anything more than a bad hair day or two.

That is until Rhys Penhallow, descendent of the town’s ancestors, breaker of hearts, and annoyingly just as gorgeous as he always was, returns to Graves Glen, Georgia. What should be a quick trip to recharge the town’s ley lines and make an appearance at the annual fall festival turns disastrously wrong. With one calamity after another striking Rhys, Vivi realizes her silly little Ex Hex may not have been so harmless after all.

Suddenly, Graves Glen is under attack from murderous wind-up toys, a pissed off ghost, and a talking cat with some interesting things to say. Vivi and Rhys have to ignore their off the charts chemistry to work together to save the town and find a way to break the break-up curse before it’s too late.

My Thoughts

This book gets five stars from me, no questions asked. I loved the writing, the characters, the story, the magic and the romance. It was epic in so many ways and it was ultra steamy. Aside from Fifty Shades of Grey and the After series, I don't read a ton of steamy, x-rated romance so it was a nice change of pace.

Vivi is a witch who doesn't really give into her powers even though she works at a witch college. She accidentally cursed her ex-lover Rhys, who just so happens to be part of the founding family of her town. When he comes back, the curse takes hold of the town and the two have to team up together, while keeping their lingering feelings at bay, to bring peace and magic back to Penhallow.

The chemistry Vivi and Rhys has is unmatched. I was rooting for them the entire time and it was making my heart warm when they bickered and threw insults. I loved seeing their relationship develop as the pages went on, and see Vivi's relationship with magic come to a better place.

"The Ex Hex" wasn't a spooky book but it takes place during the Halloween season, deals with curses, ghosts, magic and spells so what better time to dive into it? 

As much as I loved this book, I did almost feel like I was missing something at times. I felt like I was reading the 2nd installment in a series because there seemed to be so much missing; why did Vivi live with her aunt and cousin? What was the deal with her not wanting to be a witch? There were hints of these answers but it left a lot to the imagination.

It also could be that my mind was playing tricks on me because there is a series I read when I was a teenager called Hex Hall. That author is also named Rachel Hawkins but I'm unsure if it's the same woman. I digress...

The ending of the book made me a little nervous because it wasn't ending the way I wanted, but in the end, things were wrapped up nicely.

This is a very easy book to read; the writing is great but not overly complicated, the story is simple, romance is fire, family dynamics are fun and if you love witches, you'll love "The Ex Hex".

xoxo
B

PS: I created a Fall Reading Guide with all the books you should read during the fall season to put you in the spooky/cozy mood. Read it here! 


I am someone who craves routine. I live and breathe by my structured days and when I am thrown off my usual routine, I feel very anxious and confused. 

I also am someone who wants to, and likes to, do a lot of things. I want to be the best version of myself and have really healthy habits but because my mind is always a chaotic place, it's hard to stay on track. I will start incorporating products or routines into my daily life but after a while, I get distracted and lose track.

A few months ago, I found that I was really craving more structure when it comes to my wellness routine. I wanted to make sure I was doing things I wanted on a daily/weekly basis. I wanted something to tell me what to do every single day of the week. These habits are meant to enrich my life and not seem too much like a checklist... but how should I stay on top of things without being overwhelmed?


My Fall 2021 Moodboard

in , , by BLuca, 5:00 AM

 Fall is everything to me and more. I come alive in the fall and it makes me feel completely like myself. I've waxed poetic about the fall so many times over the years but this past week I really got into the spirit. 

I put my Halloween decorations out, watched Hocus Pocus too many times, lit my candles and just felt fall-y. I was struggling a bit at first, putting myself into the spirit but I think that's because I was in Charleston for the first few days of October and it confused me. Truthfully, I've felt confused/displaced for the past week or so, adjusting to the cooler temperatures and getting back into the swing of things but that's a different post for a different day. 





I figured that since I've been having a little trouble getting into the fall spirit, I'd put together a little fall mood board to keep me on track, put me in a good mood, and envision all the things I love about fall or want to do this season. 


PS: I did a HUGE thing over the weekend and it made me so happy. I've been wanting to put together something like this for a while and I finally did it, and I'm obsessed.


I put together a Fall Reading Guide, filled with all my favorite books that either take place in the fall, involving witches and magic, or make me feel cozy the way fall does. It's free to download, or just skim, on Issu so please read, save and go out and get some of my recommendations!  I will be doing these for every season so look out for the holiday/winter one coming soon!

xoxo
B


 Oh boy, what a week! I got home from Charleston on Sunday and truly felt like a truck hit me. I felt so sick when I got home that I couldn't make it to a Jonas Brothers concert on Tuesday night. I had to take Wednesday off and I finally felt semi back together as I type this on Thursday night. That's why the blog and emails were very quiet, I just needed a break.

Charleston was a ton of fun. It was my first Bachelorette party and it was just so nice to be with friends, meet new people and be in a new city. I shared a lot on my Instagram but will probably do a roundup post next week of everything we did and create a little travel guide! 

I'm excited to chill out this weekend, get things back on track and try to practice some self-care. I've felt very confused and all over the place recently, almost a weird brain fog, and I need to do something about it.

Also, can you believe it's October?! I'm so happy that it's my favorite month and that it's Hocus Pocus season. I definitely don't feel like it's Halloween time, not sure why, but I need to be in the spookiest mood ASAP! 

For now, let's get into the round-up!


Pink Positivity of the Week

Charleston was definitely the positive thing! I was out of my comfort zone but still had a great time, plus I ate delicious food, made some new friends, and just had a blast. 

Links I Loved

What I Bought This Week

My shopping needs to shop but I did get some great things! I did buy a LoveShackFancy sweater but am returning it because it looked very silly on me. 



Have a great weekend!
xoxo
B

 Week 40?! How is the year almost over already? January literally feels like it was yesterday, I cannot believe it. I'm not complaining about it. You know how I feel about the fall!

As you are reading this, I'm in Charleston at my friend's Bachelorette party! Make sure you're following along on Instagram and I'll be sure to do a wrap-up at some point over the next week or so.

I'm very excited that it's October and that my favorite month is kicking off! I can't wait to watch Hocus Pocus and Halloweentown and be fully immersed in the season.

What are you looking forward to most in the fall? 

I don't have much else to say as my mind is on Charleston so let's get right into the post! 



Pink Positivity of the Week

Aside from traveling to a new city, I had a solid week at work and there are some other exciting things happening on the professional/personal side that is just a real personal win for me and very exciting! 

Links I Loved

What You Missed on Royally Pink


I bought this Mercury Retrograde candle and this Hocus Pocus shirt from Letters & Lucy... can you tell I'm in a cozy mood? 


xoxo
B
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