I always used to think of candles of a Fall and Winter item. I never burned candles in the Spring and Summer because I didn't like the scents as much and obviously they gave off more heat than I needed.

Beauty and books are the two things I religiously review here so it was easy to put them in their own category for 'best of 2017'.

This post is all about my ultimate favorites of the year... the items I couldn't live without and just loved to the moon and back.



These are the items that made 2017 a standout year, the items that I used the most, the items I talked about the most and the ones I just couldn't get enough of!



1. Kate Spade Olive Drive Bridgette: When I saw this item in late summer, I knew it was a bag that had to be mine. I can say that this was my favorite purchase of the year, my favorite handbag of the year for sure. I bought it off Ebay because $400 was just a little too much for me and the leather on the 'older' version is pebbled but I love it all the same. It's a bag that can be an everyday bag or a work bag; it's chic, roomy, and very comfortable. It's the ultimate bag for any gal!



2. Evil Queen Candles: These candles (and essential oils) took over my life in 2017. I loved them at the end of 2016 but this was the year I had them for every season. These are the candles that I burned in the Spring & Summer and really made me a 'candle' person all year round. I love that they're a small company, that they're handmade candles, and how sassy the brand is. Also, Ida Sofia (the owner) is the sweetest person ever. She really cares about her customers and even sent me my favorite essential oil (free of charge) after my bag got stolen.



3. Louis Vuitton Cosmetics Pouch: This was the year of the pre-loved items and my favorite was by far my Louis Vuitton Cosmetics Pouch in the multi-color noir. The exact color is no longer available from LV but you can find it on the pre-loved market. However, I really loved this pouch. It's high quality (obvi) and held everything I could ever need. It made me so happy to use it and have it displayed in my room, it was just such a good purchase!

4. Weight Watchers: This isn't a tangible object but this was the highlight of the 2nd half of the year for me. I've lost 23 pounds (the holidays are kicking my butt) on Weight Watchers and I truly never thought that was possible. It has changed my life and really made me happier than I ever have been. I am so proud of myself that 2017 was the year I finally decided to take control of my body and Weight Watchers helped me do that.

What were your favorite products of 2017?
xoxo
B

With the entire blogosphere in the blogmas/vlogmas spirit, I figured I'd try to join in as much as I can. Most of my content this month will be Christmas & winter related so I figured I could name it blogmas and just do as much as possible.

This post is a little past due because of my personal stuff that happened last week. A little update on the robbery... the police are going to be looking further into it because it's something that's been going on in my otherwise safe neighborhood.

Unfortunately, my insurance company doesn't cover stolen goods so I'm out of luck on getting any money from it. I've begun to repurchase most of the stuff that was in the bag that I actually need, like planners and wallets but other things like the makeup bag, Henri Bendel and Louis Vuitton notebooks won't be repurchased as of now.

All of that aside, I'm happy November is finally here. Aside from October, November is my favorite month because of my birthday, Thanksgiving, and the start of the Christmas season.

I was happy with the October that did just pass, though, because so much good stuff happened. I was very busy every weekend with fun things with family and friends, hence why I took a break this past weekend and just relaxed. I had a lot of blogging, writing, and catch up to play; plus I had to get my butt to the gym because I didn't go once in October.

I did some shopping this month and would've been including some of the items in this post but most of the stuff was in my stolen bag. (LOL). This notebook and this (similar) makeup bag were my two favorites,
but for now here are the things that I currently have and have been loving.




Evil Queen Fall Candles: I was ready for Halloween on October 1st and one of my favorites was definitely Hocus Pocus. My favorite thing to do was to light one of my Evil Queen fall/Halloween candles and watch Hocus Pocus every.single.day. I went through three of them this month: Bitches Brew, Resting Witch Face, and Squad Ghouls. They smelled so good, weren't overpowering and the fun colors added to my Halloween decor. They're AWESOME.


Free Spirit Fringe Notebook: I got this in a past POPSUGAR Must Have Box and when I got it, I was equally excited and disappointed because  I did not need another notebook. It wasn't getting much use until I realized how I could utilize it. This is now my every day, everything notebook. I've been making list after list, doodling, and just writing everything I could in this notebook and it's been keeping me super organized. My Henri Bendel notebook that was stolen was supposed to replace this but I figured that I'd just use this in place of that for now. It's so nice to have a normal size notebook (and not a mini Louis Vuitton) to really write things down and flip through pages.

Below are a few other notebooks that could make great 'everything' notebooks:




Kate Spade Noveau York Travel Mug: I didn't need a new travel mug but I couldn't pass up this new print from Kate Spade. I bought it late September and have been nonstop using it ever since. It keeps my coffee really warm and doesn't spill (as long as you put the top on correctly), so I've really been enjoying it.



Kate Spade Cameron Street Perforated Lane: I have been wanting this bag since it was released and when it went on sale, I finally got it. This bag is probably the most beautiful one I have in my collection and the light pink 'dolce' color is perfect and so different. The bag is rather large but feels small and fits everything! It's very lightweight so even when it does have a lot of stuff inside, it doesn't weigh down my shoulder. I did a reveal and mini-review in one of my videos this month so take a look. I'll be sure to do a full handbag review soon!

*If you want the perforated version, I recommend going ASAP because there is only Black and Deep Plum left!

What did you love this month?
xoxo
B

I did my first Little Loves post a while back and never continued the series. I figured I'd do another one since it's been so long since my last.

There are things that I discover every day, whether they're new or something I've rediscovered in my collection, and I don't always get to share them with you. They may be included in monthly favorites or in a beauty post but sometimes things just don't fall into that category.

That's why I wanted to do a small roundup here.

Here are a few little loves that I've had lately!

Kate Spade Charm Bracelet: A few months ago I got a hankering for a charm bracelet. I don't know where it came from but I haven't had one in forever. I saw that Kate Spade had one and I quickly bought it along with a few adorable charms. I have a hashtag, a pair of glasses, and a champagne bottle. I've been wearing it nonstop the past few months and it's so nice. It doesn't make a lot of noise and doesn't feel annoying on your wrist, which is essential for me in a bracelet. It's definitely something I'd consider as a gift for someone else (or for yourself!). Below are some other charms that are super fun and cute.




Watches: Another piece of jewelry that I was never really on board with, watches. I have had a few in my lifetime but I never got much use out of them. Lately, though, I've been loving them, especially my new Rose Gold Metal Kate Spade watch. I bought mine off of Tradesy but here is a similar one. I always felt that metal watches were a little too manly for me but a smaller size, and in rose gold, is the perfect touch of feminity.





Babe Magnet Essential Oil: I recently got this essential oil from Evil Queen, my favorite candle company ever, and I'm obsessed. She had been teasing us for a while on Instagram that she was going to release rollerball oils so when she posted them online for pre-order, I got my hands on one immediately. Babe Magnet Potion (she calls them potions, how cute!) is made with Frankincense, Bergamot, Mandarin, and Apricot Oil. They all have their own little uses in the oil but basically, this potion is supposed to enhance your mood and I definitely feel like it works.

Barnes and Noble Nook E-Reader: I have been a lover of the e-reader ever since the first Nook was released in 2009. I had the first ever Nook and fell in love. I have to admit that I was against it at first but once I realized how much money I was spending and how much room my books took up, I warmed up to the idea. My first Nook broke and I got the Simple Touch shortly after because I couldn't be without it. After I got my iPad, my Nook took a backseat but I recently found it in my room and became obsessed. I love supporting Barnes and Noble, and I love that the Nook screen is not colored. It's black and white so I don't feel like I'm reading on a computer. I also love that there is no Internet so I don't get distracted by Twitter or any other app. My Nook is solely for reading and I love it. The Simple Touch doesn't exist anymore but the GlowLight is very similar.


What have you been loving lately?
xoxo
B

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I am a huge candle person. I don't know when it started; I've always liked candles but was never as passionate as I am about them right now. I probably had a few in college but it wasn't until post college that I truly fell in love.

I loved how they make my feel; calming, ethereal, and soothing. They make the entire house smell good and I'm immediately happy whenever I light one.

They are definitely more of a fall/winter thing for me. Is there anything better than Bath & Body Works from September-December?

I usually strictly buy Bath and Body Works candles because I personally feel that they smell the best, last pretty long, and I love the kitchy names and scents. Also, you never have to buy them full price. There is always a sale and always a coupon.

I was die hard BBW fan... until I somehow discovered Evil Queen. I'm pretty sure I've talked about it here before but I feel the need to dedicate an entire Brand Buzz post to ShopEvilQueen & their candles.

I discovered the company this past Fall and loved their fall/winter collection, and lusted after a few staples in their collection.

All the candles are very sassy, sweet, and cute. I love anything with funny meanings and sayings and that is exactly what Evil Queen is. I mean, with a name like Evil Queen what else do you expect?

What sparked this post was that I recently ordered two more candles from the company last week and the packaged arrived yesterday. I always get confused during the pre-spring/spring season as to what kind of candles I want. I don't really like spring or summer scents so it's very difficult to find scents I do like; I usually go with something musky but not too wintery.


Now, that problem is something I no longer have to deal with because Evil Queen has candles that don't really fall within a seasonal category so it's nice to have options.

The candles that I recently ordered are Bitches Who Brunch, which have scenes of mandarin, champagne, and hangover (LOL) & Magic Meditation, which is filled with frankincense, rain, and crystals.

Another one I purchased a few weeks ago but have not burned yet is one of their most famous and well known candles called Boss Babe, that has bergamot, cardamom, and goals!

She's started selling cute little bundles that come with a candle and a soap, scented to match. I think that's so adorable!

Evil Queen uses soy wax and is totally vegan so the candles are better for you than something else on the market!

I love small businesses and this is the type of company that speaks to me on a really good level. It's not just the product but the lady behind the product. All the packages come with sweet little messages like "This is the sign you've been waiting for" and "Kick ass today!" The candles also come with a little care sheet, but if you need more information you can head to the Candle Care Section of the website.

After this most recent round of candle shopping, I think they've officially made my list for favorite companies (and candles!)

Have you ever purchased from ShopEvilQueen?