Goodness, what a week it has been! I'm writing this at 9:30 PM on Friday night after a very long day off from work. I was with some family accompanying them to a medical procedure and it took longer than expected (not because of anything bad, just normal doctor's office stuff)... and then it was over an hour to get home followed by Burger King for dinner & a binging Monsters: The Lyle & Erik Menendez Story on Netflix.

This week was pretty hellish -- I was very busy at work, and very stressed and just feel like I didn't have a firm grip on reality. I'm going on my first work trip for Estée Lauder next week and I'm very nervous; I'm nervous about flying, about being in a new setting and the normal anxieties around doing something new for the first time. I haven't been on a work trip in over 5 years so it'll take some getting used to again and I'm apprehensive. 

My mom, sister & I were supposed to go to the Bravo Diamonds & Rosé Experience in Manhattan tomorrow but due to a ton of road closures & subway disruptions, we won't even be able to get into the city, so I'm both disappointed and relieved. I was really excited for it but I have such a busy 6 weeks ahead and I need to prep for my trip next week, so the extra day is much needed.

This was another week where I felt disconnected from reality, where nothing felt calm or easy, and I was just overwhelmed and pushed to the brink. I'm hoping next week is better but knowing me, it won't be because the week leading up to a trip is always very stressful. That's why I'm kind of glad I'll be home this weekend to do what I have to do.

Ok, enough blabbering, let's get into the roundup.

Some women love shoes, some jewelry, but me, I opt for handbags. 

If you've been a reader of this blog for a while you know that there are few things I love more in life than handbags. I've always been a bag lady. Ever since I could remember, bags have been my vice. I always ask for handbags as my big occasion gifts; from birthdays to graduations to a regular Tuesday afternoon. 

Bags make an outfit, they're a statement piece, they're essential. Sometimes I look around on my work commute and feel very bad for all the men who don't carry bags, who don't experience the beautiful works of arts some handbags are.

When it comes to handbag trends, I don't pay them any mind. Sure, trends come into play when you're shopping and see what's available, or when you notice similarities between brands, but I always just opt for what I love.

 One of the best days of the year is when Olive & June releases their new seasonal collections. I always love seeing the theme they chose as well as the shades. This year the theme was museums, which is very interesting, but I love the idea of a sophisticated, cozy fall city day roaming a museum exhibit.  

The shades released in this collection are gorgeous. they range from very light to deep, dark and glittery. I'll be honest; the first shade I used was "Sculpture Wing" which is a beautiful warm toned lavender but it wasn't the best (review coming soon). 

My next manicure is what we're talking about today and that's Patron of the Arts. It's the perfect transitional fall shade; a deep, dusty rose brown that screams pumpkin and apple picking. 

Happy Friday! This is my last free weekend until November 1st, and I'm preparing my mind, body and soul for it. This week was a little hectic; work was busy, I was out all day on Tuesday for Stassi Schroeder's book tour, and then 9/11 always makes me feel a weird way, so I didn't accomplish nearly as much as I wanted to. I'm trying to stay positive & calm about it...but we'll see.

I didn't blog at all this week because I also had a really bad weekend. I was in a dark place and felt like everything was just wasted away. If you're interested, you can read about it here on my more personal substack. 

All of this being said, it's going to be a very busy and interesting month & a half so buckle up and follow me on social media for the ride! 

Let's get into the round up!

Hello Friday! Hello September! Hello Fashion Week! Hello Football Season! Boy, it feels good to be back and New York weather was on board with that. It's been beautiful all week long and it just felt good to be on the streets of Manhattan.

I'm still not fully in fall mode yet; my house is not decorated and I haven't shopped for pumpkin food. I don't know why, I need to check myself really. Am I sick? What is happening to me? However, I had a hot Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte this week, on a crisp NYC morning and it felt so good. I'll get there...

What I am excited about? Football! I never thought I'd say that but I'm a Swiftie through and through so as I write this, I am fully seated and watching Father (Travis Kelce) and the Chiefs. Mother (Taylor) looks so good in her Canadian Tuxedo. I am ready for all the WAG fits this season.

This weekend is going to be low key; it's going to be one of cleaning, organizing, resting, exercising and reading. I want to recharge, I want to clean my house, I want to decorate for fall... I need to do all of this because the next few weekends are going to be insane and I'm not ready for it. 

I don't have much else to say so let's get into the roundup!

Back in 2019 when it was announced that we were getting a series called American Royals that had the United States still having a monarchy, I was immediately enthralled. I love anything royals, obviously, so the fact that we were getting a book where America had a monarchy, descending from George Washington, the first king of America was right up my alley.

Originally, American Royals was only supposed to be a standalone book, and then it was extended to have a sequel, then a third book and finally the publisher's caught on that readers were obsessed and continued to allow Katharine McGee to write.

I've reviewed a few of the American Royals books on the blog over the years (linked below) so it feels only right that I would conclude the journey with a review of the final book in the series, 'Reign'. 

Taylor Swift is usually right but she was in her bag when she said 'august slipped away like a bottle of wine..." I cannot believe we're already in September! I'm feeling indifferent about it because I enjoyed this summer and I don't feel like I'm ready to embrace fall just yet. 

That is very unusual for me, which is giving me massive pause. Not being excited for fall is just another way I've realized that I haven't been myself lately. However, the chill in the air, pumpkin spice lattes at Starbucks, and the onslaught of fall content I'm getting served on TikTok might just be the ticket to getting me back on board the fall train.

August was interesting; I found my way back to myself a bit, got organized and started falling back into a routine. I think that'll just get better with the change of seasons. This month, I implemented new habits, returned to some old ones and rediscovered some old favorite items.