Friday's Simply Smitten - Blush & Blooms

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“Be where you are; otherwise you will miss your life”

-anon

Happy Friday! I am hoping and praying that all of you, and your families, from Florida are safe! And those of you in the Carolina’s please stay safe- I will be praying for you all as well.

This coming Monday I am going to an event hosted by Essie. To prepare for the event they were gracious enough to send a nail technician through Glamsquad to our homes for a manicure. They sent us a few nail polish options and I chose the “Pencil Me In” color– a magenta pink. I haven’t had my nails done since before the pandemic so I was in desperate need of maintenance- and it was very much appreciated. I love that Glamsquad makes it so easy for us women (and men) to get at-home beauty services such as hair, makeup, and nails. I am excited to show off my nails at the Essie event in a few days!

This past week I was in Essex, CT for the New England Coastal Creative conference. It was held at the Griswold Inn. The longest running Inn in America, founded in 1776. The Inn is like a little campus where they have the main house where the pub, dinning area, reception and guest rooms are. Then they have about 3 houses across the street for more guest rooms. I was in one of the guest rooms above a women’s retail shop. It was a cute spacious room with antique furniture with the aesthetics of the Revolutionary times. There are a lot of historical souvenirs like muskets, old prints, and so forth around the Griswold. The history in itself is very interesting to learn about. The food at the Griswold was amazing as well.

I arrived in Essex mid-afternoon on Tuesday. I wanted to give myself some time to explore the town. I mostly walked up and down Main Street– see my REELS here. They have the cutest shops and houses. All colonial style of course. It felt like a movie set honestly. After shopping up and down Main I went to the end of the street to the Marina to enjoy the view of the river. After a quick shower I met Patricia – founder of Piqued PR– for a glass of wine and an appetizer at the Griswold before the evening’s event. The event was held at You, Me, & The Sea. A cute boutique shop that has adorable clothes for kids, as well as women and mens clothing. They also sell jewelry, party supplies, and home decor. They have these stunningly beautiful hand-painted oysters for decor. I am definitely going to get one soon! Anyway, the event was lovely; filled with champagne and a charcuterie board. Most everyone who was attending the conference the next day was at the event. Afterwards I went back to the Griswold to have dinner with a group of women I met that evening.

Wednesday was when the conference was held. It was located in the back dinning room of the Griswold. Everyone at the event were women in business; from established small businesses to start-ups to authors/magazines to bloggers. I was on a panel discussion along with Emily from Emily O and Bows with Patricia as the moderator. We spoke about how to work with influencers; different ways to collaborate. I am actually comfortable talking in front of a crowd. I do get nervous before hand, but overall my public speaking teacher in high school would be proud. I hope. Luckily Patricia, Emily and I at this point had spent enough time together that we had great chemistry up on stage. I think overall the panel was a success and people seemed to appreciate our insights into this world of content creation.

After the panel discussion I explored the town a little more and ended up in a coffee shop for a cup tea and to relax a little. It was nice to see the locals come in and chat with each other as if they are all best friends. There was a grandfather there telling his granddaughter to move on from her ex-boyfriend. That she deserves better. It was really sweet. I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop but we were the only ones in the very small cafe and they weren’t trying to lower their voices. After my tea I went back to Old Saybrook to catch the Amtrak into the NYC. Old Saybrook is the closest town from Essex that has a train station. The entire 2 days were wonderful and I am so appreciative and grateful that I was asked to speak. It was lovely to be surrounded by so many incredible entrepreneurial women. I wore my new nap dress from Hill House that I love, along with my new headband from Lele Sadoughi.

The rest of my week was playing catchup with work. Yesterday I felt as if someone beat me up. I have a bruise on my shoulder and my hip from carrying my weekender bag. I think it is time for me to purchase a small roller suitcase. My current suitcase is from AWAY and it’s looks like a tank, it is so big. Much easier to carry a weekender bag or a small suitcase on the Amtrak. Anyway, I allowed myself to sleep in just a little yesterday morning but it was right back to work from the moment I woke up. I took a 30 min yoga class from Obé that felt amazing to do after a few days of traveling. And I tried to catch up on a few shows that I missed while I was gone.

What I am watching: I didn’t start any new shows but I watched the first episode of Bachelor in Paradise. My first question is… who are half of these people? There where probably 4 or 5 of them I have never seen before. Also, Michael A. is too good for Bachelor in Paradise. He shouldn’t be on it, but since he is I really hope he finds love! I am rooting for him as well as Andrew/ Teddi and Serene/ Brandon. I do not care about the Jill/ Romeo/ Kiara situation at all. And although I like them both individually, I do not think Justin and Genevieve are going to make it. Overall I enjoyed the first episode– BIP is the only reason why I suffer through Bachelor/Bachelorette seasons.

Next I watched the premiere of Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. I thought it was a strong first episode back, especially with only 5 cast members. Meredith is definitely “engaged” this season and came back swinging. I do love Lisa Barlow but Meredith is in the right here. I don’t know if I could forgive the things Lisa said. They were pretty damaging. What I do not like is Meredith alluding to infidelities in Lisa marriage. It was petty and just as much of a low blow. Meredith should just stick to the high road.

What I bought: I always share on my IG stories my cute desk calendar that I get each year from Inslee Farris. Well she launched her 2023 desk calendar and I snatched the floral box one as quickly as possible. Each calendar is the same, but it comes in different boxes. It really doesn’t matter which one you get, but I just like the floral one for obvious reasons.

The next item I bought is this pink tweed jacket. I love a good tweed jacket for the fall season. I have a pink blazer but not a jacket and wanted one.

On The Blog:

Sweater Dresses

This weekend is it suppose to rain thanks to Hurricane Ian. I will mostly catch up on some more work, workout, read, and be lazy. I will of course be watching Hocus Pocus 2!!! I am hoping the weather isn’t too bad that I can go for a walk and/or run, but it looks like a cozy, chill weekend ahead.

Have a wonderful weekend and again, please stay safe xo

1. Excited to start this new Netflix series

2. The perfect dress for Thanksgiving

3. Eyeing this classic jacket

4. Such a pretty scarf

5. Met Gala theme for 2023 has been announced

6. Obsessing over Gray Malin’s Posh Pups Takes Paris

7. Ryan Gosling is the new face of Gucci

8. Enjoyed this tour of Emma Chamberlains LA home

9. 20 witchy mystery & thriller books to read this season

10. 25 Gluten-free Halloween treats

Sales happening this weekend