I read 7 books this month and my goal is to read 50 this year so I’m feeling really good about that goal! I listen to books sometimes while I walk, run, & cook so I do count those as “read” even though I listened to them. In the reviews, I’ll add it it was an audiobook! I know some people don’t count them but I personally do!

What I Read This Month:

I had two five star books: The Vanishing Half & Reminders of Him. Completely different vibes but both great in their own way! I try to only give 5 stars to books I’d read again. I’m going to give just a little summary/review of each book!

Reminders of Him:

I love almost every Colleen Hoover book & have read them all! Reminders of Him is definitely in my top 3 of her books. I think everyone on TikTok right now is also obsessed with Colleen Hoover haha. If you’re looking for a heartfelt book that might make you tear up (not speaking from experience or anything….) this is the book! It has a lot of interesting family dynamics and you root for & against the main character which I really like.

5/5 stars!

The Vanishing Half:

This book is heavy. It’s so well written & the story is captivating but it’s heavy. It’s spans decades starting in the 50s. I thought the development of the two main characters was so interesting. The book follows the lives of two twin sisters & shows how heavily racism & sexism impact the course of their lives. It will definitely make you think, feel, & want more at the end.

5/5 Stars

The Hating Game:

If you want a fun, light hearted, funny, & easy read, read this! It was a cute story & I want to see the movie! Although sometimes I really did not like the main character, I felt like she was so oblivious at times. Overall though I enjoyed it & read it quickly! A very typical romcom type book.

4/5 Stars

The Escape Room (audiobook):

This is a thriller & I really liked it. Some parts were predictable but it still was a good story. The more I read thrillers, the better I am at predicting the endings haha. Does anyone else have that problem? The book is about a group of coworkers who go to an escape room for a team building event & end up trapped in an elevator. The book flashes back & forth between present time & past. You slowly start to learn more about each person stuck in the elevator & slowly figure out who isn’t telling 100% of the truth.

4/5 stars

The Wives (audiobook):

This is another thriller but this kept me guessing until the end! I love recapping the books I’m reading to Eli & I kept him updated the whole time with all my theories haha. I don’t want to say too much because now knowing how it ends, it’s harder to recap. But it’s from the perspective of a woman who is her husband’s #2 of 3 wives. Her husband keeps the other wives names/information secrete from each other but wife #2 slowly starts figuring out who the other wives are. But the more information she learns, the more she wants to know.

4/5 Stars

We Were Liars:

I didn’t love this book but I didn’t hate it. I thought it was kind of slow & repetitive at some points. I did love the setting though. The book centers around Cadence, the eldest granddaughter of an extremely wealthy, old money man. The own a private island that the entire family vacations to every summer. During Cadence’s 15th summer there, something happens & she gets a brain injury. She can’t remember any of the details surrounding the event & no one will tell her what happened. She returns a few summers later to try & put the pieces together.

3/5 stars

The Sixth Wedding (audiobook):

The sequel to 28 Summers, this is short & easy book. If you’ve read 28 summers, definitely give it a chance. It was some closure from the previous book but also I just didn’t love some of the storylines in this book.

3/5 stars

Okay, that’s it for my January 2022 Book Review! I’ll do another review for February. So far I’m planning to read City of Girls & Local Woman Missing. Very excited for both!

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okay, let’s get these questions started! Side note, this isn’t sponsored at all. Just my general opinions and experience on the bike! I did a lot of research before buying this bike because it is a bike investment. I wanted to make sure we’d get our money out of it! I recommend doing your own research before buying too!

*This post contains affiliate links in which I may earn a small commission off of*

What Bike Did You Get?

I got this Sunny Bike from Amazon! We went with a 49 lb flywheel. It’s an expensive model compared to a lighter flywheel. Here’s an article that can explain what flywheel weight is way better than I can haha. Basically though, the heavier the flywheel, the smoother the ride is. That’s what I understood after researching it! So we decided we’d rather spend a little extra to help make the ride less jerky.

How Much Did It Cost?

Speaking of spending extra, how much did the bike cost? It costs normally between $360-$380. Amazon fluctuates the price based on a million things I’ll never understand haha. I’ll keep an eye out for sales and post on my Instagram stories when I see one!

Compared to the cost of a Peloton (around $2000), it is definitely a more affordable option!

Why Did You Get This Bike?

We decided to go with The Sunny bike based on reviews & cost. It was a mid range price point (we wanted something around $300-$400). You can definitely find something in the $200 price point range but the reviews aren’t always as good. Just do your research and keep an eye out for sales!

We got the 49 lb flywheel for the reasons I talked about above! We wanted something stable and getting a heavier flywheel seemed like the best option.

I don’t know a ton about bikes so I read articles about what you want in an at home cycling bike + read through the reviews on a bunch of bikes!

How Was Setting It Up?

Well, Eli honestly did most of that haha. But it took him maybe an hour and a half tops! It was pretty easy to set up. It came with all the tools you needed. The instructions were pretty clear and straightforward from what he said!

How Do You Do Cycling Classes?

I use the Peloton App on my phone! I had already been using it since March to do strength classes. I pay $12.99 a month for it. I know if you have a Peloton bike, the cost is somewhere around $35-$40 a month for the subscription. That was another factor in us deciding to get this bike!

I use an attachment to hook my phone (or Ipad) to the bike. I just hooked it onto the handle bars! It’s worked super well so far.

I haven’t tried any other cycling apps but you could find other options!

Can You Follow Along Easily On The Peloton App?

For the most part, yes. The biggest difference is that on my bike, I have to guess my resistance. It really isn’t as hard as I thought it would be! I have a little knob in front of me that I can turn. I read online one full turn is equal to 10 on the peloton. So when the instructor calls out resistance at 50, I can pretty easily guess where I need to be. It took maybe 3 classes to get the hang of it. Once you figure out what’s tough for you and what’s the highest resistance they call, you can use that as a gauge.

Do You Need The Cadence Monitor?

Continuing from the question above, I think a cadence monitor has really allowed me to keep up with the Peloton classes. I bought this one and it’s worked well! I clipped it onto the arm of the pedal. You can connect it to the Peloton app so it shows up on your screen during the class. So when the instructor tells me “resistance at 50, cadence at 65-75”, I don’t know my exact resistance but I do know my cadence!

I took one ride without it and thought I was going a lot faster than I was haha.

What Type Of Pedals Does It Have/What Shoes Do You Need?

These have cage pedals (I think that’s what they’re called) and I wear regular tennis shoes with them.

I eventually want to switch them out with clip in pedals which I’ll have to buy clip in shoes for! That’ll be an extra cost so right now I’m fine with just regular pedals and shoes. I’ve heard clip ins make the experience even better though!

Does It Feel Stable While Standing?

I think so! I have had no trouble standing on it but that is a negative review I saw a few times. Eli hasn’t been able to take a class yet so I’ll report back when he does/how standing on it goes for him. I only stand on it when my resistance is pretty high though. If I jerk too quickly, the front does tilt a little bit. This has only happened a few times when I’m tired and angry/frustrated and trying to go really fast haha. So for the most part, yes it is pretty stable but not 100%. Once I learned it was a little unstable when I did a certain movement, I just stopped doing that and haven’t had a problem.

How Is It Different From A Peloton?

Well, it doesn’t have the resistance reading a peloton does. It also doesn’t have a screen in front of you like a peloton does. It doesn’t tell your your output the way a peloton does either. You have to do some extra work to follow along in class. But I take the same classes someone with a peloton takes!

Is It Loud?

It definitely makes a little noise. It’s in our second bedroom which is right next to our bedroom. Eli was on nights last week so he was always asleep when I would ride in the mornings. I’d just shut the door and we have no problems! He never heard it. When I have my AirPods in, I never notice the noise!

How Is The Seat?

A little tough but I got used to it after about 5 rides! My booty was sore for the first few days though haha. Which luckily people had told me to expect! We didn’t replace the original seat and it’s totally fine now!

What Additional Accessories Do You Recommend?

So I already talked about the cadence monitor and the iphone mount.

I also recommend getting a mat to go under the bike so it doesn’t scratch the floors!

And a cart or something to put your weights/towel in. There isn’t a spot for weights on the bike. I got a cart with wheels so I could easily move it around!

Overall Thoughts?

I’ve had my bike for about a week and a half now. I’ve taken 8 rides! Which I’m pretty proud of haha. I am loving it so far!! I haven’t had any issues yet. Oh- we also got the warranty on the bike! That’s given me some peace of mind about it.

Compared to running, it’s totally different. It has been more challenging than running has been recently! My legs are a lot more sore after cycling. But it doesn’t give me that mental clarity running outside does. I feel great physically but part of me is still craving that mental alone time. So doing a 10 minute yoga video has helped with that!

I have been getting up earlier to ride which I’m really happy about! In the summer, I can wake up pretty early (for me at least) around 5:45-6 to get out and run. In the winter…. doesn’t happen as easily haha. But now I’ve been back to getting up at 5:45 to try and be on the bike by 6:15-6:30! I am loving that part of it!

I love not having to get dressed, not having to drive anywhere, not having to even think about it. I lay out my clothes and pick out my class the night before. Then I’m still in my warm and cozy home knowing as soon as I’m done, I can have food and coffee haha. For real- not traveling to a gym or a workout class saves so much time!!

Overall, I’m loving it! Our plan is to test out this bike for at least a year and then maybe get a peloton when Eli’s done with school! A Peloton as more features/works better. But it’s definitely pricey! So for now, very happy with our amazon bike! Hope you enjoyed the Amazon bike review!

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1: Shower Hooks

I use these to hang my jeans on! You just put a belt loop around each side. It minimizes space and helps prevent your jeans from getting wrinkled.

2. Drawer Dividers

These are great because you can customize the length to fit your own drawers! I use them to divide my leggings and shorts.

3. Glass Tupperware

I’m sure a lot of people have this already but it’s really helped motivate my to meal prep this year! It sounds weird but having more containers makes me feel better about making a lot of food at once! Plus Eli can reheat them easily at the hospital.

4. Stackable Drawers

I have these under the counter of my bathroom sink and they’re perfect! They stack well and aren’t bulky. Perfect to throw hair things in, skincare, random things like extra toothbrushes, etc!

5. Felt Hangers

Another thing a lot of people probably have but I am loving! They save so much space and it makes me feel relaxed seeing the hangers all matched up!

6. Makeup Organizer

I’m making a little vanity in our spare bedroom so I bought this to store my makeup! I’m obsessed with it!

7. Drawer Organizer

I have these in the drawers of our bathroom. They come in some other sizes so just measure your drawers to see which fit! Perfect way to turn a messy drawer into a drawer that every item has a place!

8. Utility Cart

If you have a little workout space at home, I am loving this cart! I keep wipes, towels, random instructions and tools, and extra hair ties in here! Also I keep small weights in there. It rolls and is so convenient!

Shop The Graphic:

1: Giant Desk Calendar

I’m a visual person and I need constant reminders. Having all of my big due dates for the month right in front of me daily has helped a lot!

2. A Basic Planner

Back to planners in 2021! I love writing down stuff so having a daily planner that I can take on the go (LOL but where am I going rn…) is important! Whenever I move my desk from the office to the living room, it’s a must have for my planner to be able to fit in my purse. Haha but for real, I love a basic, no frills planner!

3. Daily Planner Sheets

These are so great for outlining big tasks you want to get done that day, goals for the day, planning out meals, etc.

4. Colorful Pens

I’m not at the level yet that I’m color coordinating stuff in my planner BUT one day I will be. So I’m prepared with these pens. They’re great if you like to doodle!

Hope these Amazon Organization Finds help you get more organized this year!

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What is the Always Pan?

It’s a pan that does everything they say! Their website says it’s: a fry pan, saute pan, steamer, skillet, saucier, saucepan, non-stick pan, spatula, and spoon rest.

With the pan, you can braise, sear, steam, strain, saute, fry, boil, serve, and store.

It’s non-toxic, nonstick ceramic coating made without potentially toxic materials like PFOAs, PTFEs, other PFAs, lead, cadmium, toxic metals, and nanoparticles.

And it’s compatible with all stovetops!

The Cost

Okay so the pan costs $149. I know, a steep price. But if the pan does what they say it does, you really only need this pan. So over time, the cost would seemingly even out.

My Experience

I’ve been cooking everything in this pan for the past two weeks! Soups, fajitas, eggs, steaming veggies, etc. I wanted to make sure I used it for a lot of different meals to be able to give a well rounded review.

For every dish I made, it worked super well! The pan is large so it’s big enough to make a batch of soup in.

Positives

When they say nonstick, they mean it! Nothing sticks to this pan. I even made pancakes without oil to test it out! I mean I love using oil in recipes to get things crispy but in my cast iron, even with oil, things would stick. With the Always Pan– truly nothing stuck!

I like the material it’s made out of. We don’t use all nontoxic cookware but I would like to eventually switch over!

I love that it has a place on it to rest your spoon! Seriously such a small thing but I really enjoy it!

It’s so beautiful haha. Much like a KitchenAid mixer, it looks so nice sitting out on the counter and serving food in it!

It worked really well for a big variety of dishes! I would never make soup or steam veggies in my cast iron skillet, which is what I would normally use to cook a lot of meals on the stovetop.

I was worried about it getting food as crispy as my cast iron but that wasn’t an easy for me!

IT IS SO EASY TO CLEAN!! This is my favorite part, it is a dream to clean. Nothing sticks to it!

Negatives:

The pan isn’t oven safe. I knew that going in and out of the 10ish meals I’ve made in it, I only wanted to put a dish in the oven once. But instead I just put the lid on and turned the heat up. It ended up working out fine but for certain dishes that could be a pain!

The price… haha. I am slowly started to spend more money on things that will last for years. A vitamix, a good air fryer, etc. So the price upfront isn’t ideal. I’ve only been using it for a few weeks but it seems like it will hold up well over time. Who knows though.

It says it’s a saucepan but I still find myself reaching for a small saucepan for really small batches of things! Which is fine but just something I noticed.

It’s big so it’s kind of hard to find a storage place for it. I don’t want to put it with regular pots and pans because it feels precious haha.

Would I Recommend?

I honestly think it depends on how much you cook. If you aren’t a big cook, you’ll be fine with a regular pan that’s less expensive. If you cook a lot, I think it’s a good purchase! Cleaning it is a dream, it does so many things, and it’s so nice having a nonstick pan. Also if you’re looking to switch to non toxic cooking ware, this is a great buy because it does so many things!

Here’s the link for the pan! If you have any other questions, always feel free to DM me on Instagram! Do you all have the Our Place Always Pan?! If so, let me know your thoughts!

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So too long to read quick summary: I LOVE them!!! I was nervous to make the change because Brooks were fine but kept wearing out quickly. And spending $100+ on, you want them to be good! I heard from so many people that Hokas last a little longer. They’re basically the exact same price so price wise they match up! You just never know with making a change if you’ll end up loving or hating them. I can say- I love them!!

Which Hokas Did I Get?

I got the Hoka One One Clifton 7. I ordered mine from Zappos because they have a policy where you can run in them for 30 days and return. We don’t have a running shoe store in town so this was the best option for me!

I personally didn’t love the look of Hokas but the ones I got I actually really like! They aren’t as bulky in person as I would have thought!

How Do They Feel?

Everyone said it felt like running on clouds and I didn’t really get that at first. It took a little bit to get used to running in them. Now that I’ve broken them in, I am obsessed!! They are so cushiony but also firm. They are a little heavier than my Brooks were but you get used to it!

How Much Are They?

Mine were $129.99 which is around what I was paying for a pair of Brooks. You’re supposed to replace running shoes every 300-400 miles so I ONLY run in mine. I don’t do HIIT or walk the dogs in them. I use old tennis shoes for that!

Do You Like Them Better Than Brooks?

I think so. I’ve run in Brooks for years and kind of just got tired of them. It’s fun to have a new shoe! I don’t know if it’s a mental thing or not but my pace has consistently been 15 seconds better in the Hokas!! It could be just a mental thing, me feeling better in new shoes, etc. But who the heck cares, I’ll take the faster miles haha.

How’s Your Runner’s Knee?

Nonexistent at the moment! Mine flares up whenever my shoes start to get old. By the end of wearing my Brooks, it was so bad for a day I could barely put weight on that leg. Since I’ve been wearing my Hokas– no hip or knee pain!!

Hope this is helpful to any of you looking to make the switch!! I couldn’t recommend them more!

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Answering some of the top questions I got on stories!

Which nespresso did you get?

This is the machine I got! I got the Vertuo Next Coffee and Espresso machine! There are a bunch of different models at a lot of different price points. This is one of the more inexpensive models + it came with the frother included which I really wanted!

Is the frother worth it?

Speaking of the frother haha. YES! Everyone told me to get it and I wondered what all the hype was about. Well, if you’re getting the Nespresso to save money on getting coffee out- I highly recommend getting the frother too! It really does elevate the coffee and make it feel more like a drink you’d get at a coffee shop.

Does the frother get the milk hot?

Yes! The frother actually has the ability to heat the milk for a hot coffee or froth it for an iced drink. In the directions it explains exactly how to do this- your girl is still a newbie over here!

Where do you buy capsules?

I just stocked up on Nespresso’s app! Everyone has said that is the best to get them for deals and stuff. You can get them on Amazon, Target, Williams Sonoma, Macys- places like that too! I ordered a bunch from Nespresso’s app to use the coupon that came with my machine.

Can you buy off brand capsules?

For the Vertuo line, no unfortunately not. Off brand capsules aren’t compatible with it. I believe the more expensive models you are able to use off brand capsules!

How Much Are Capsules?

About $1-$1.10 each. So we’re limiting ourselves to one a day! Compared to getting coffee out for both of us, this definitely is a money saver in the long run- especially if you can find a Nespresso on sale! I’ll always post a good deal if I see one on my stories.

Can you recycle the capsules?

Yes! When you order capsules, you can ask for a recyclable pouch. The way my Nespresso is set up, it has a little compartment on the machine for discarded capsules. You empty that into your bag then send them back to Nespresso for them to recycle! And it’s free to do!

Which capsules are your favorite?

Will report back on this! I wasn’t paying attention the first few times so I can’t answer this yet. But I have a bunch of new flavors coming soon!

Is the coffee sweet?

There are a bunch of different flavors just like with regular coffee! So you can get just a regular coffee or a fancy flavored one!

Is the coffee hot?

Yes especially with frothed hot milk on top!

Is it coffee or espresso?

Both! Well, it makes both. The way it works (for my machine!) is there are different capsules that do different things/ are different sizes. They’re labeled on top so you know which is which. So you can order coffee pods, espresso pods, double espresso, large coffee ones, iced coffee ones, etc. I know different machines may not have this exact system though!

But even the coffee tastes 100x better than coffee I make in the coffee pot!

How does it compare to a keurig?

Although they are both single serving machines, I feel like they’re a lot different! We had a keurig and liked it but it was just a more convenient way to get the same type of coffee we brew in a pot. Just a smaller amount and less work. We didn’t have a fancy keurig machine though! I know they have good latte machines.

So if you compare the traditional Keurig to the Nespresso, a Nespresso coffee tastes much more like what you would get at a coffee shop. Even without adding milk on top, the coffee itself is frothy. I love starbucks ( I know real coffee lovers are rolling their eyes here haha) but I think a Nespresso coffee is almost better! I know we won’t be going to coffee shops as much now that we have this because it feels like we have a little coffee shop in our home!

It the machine loud?

Not really! It definitely makes a little noise but I would still use it even if people were asleep. NOTHING like my Vitamix… haha.

Hope you got some good info out of this Nespresso q&a! And if you’re trying to convince your SO to get one well just know my husband resisted and now he thinks it’s the best purchase we’ve ever made! Send that to your SO along with a good deal

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