There are items included in this post that I received for free. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and receipt of these items did not sway my opinions or inclusion in this post. Further, there are affiliate and referral links included in this post. If you use my links to make a purchase, I may receive benefits, monetary or otherwise, that I will receive at no expense to you.

I love baths. I have for as long as I can remember. But as an adult and fat woman, baths can often be challenging. I’ve often had a difficult time even trying to get comfortable in a shower/bath combo. The tubs are just too narrow and too shallow for me to do anything other than just sit there. If I wanted to lay down, it became an almost laughable situation.

So when we were house hunting, I really wanted a house with a garden tub. A tub in and of itself was a nonnegotiable, but I was willing to budge on the garden tub aspect of the house was wonderful in every other sense. Luckily we ended up purchasing a home with a garden bathtub in a bathroom with some wiggle room, so I know I had to make it a dreamy, happy place to be. While it’s all far from being my dream bathroom (which would probably be the size of a bedroom, lol), I found out how to make it what I wanted and turn my everyday bathroom experience into a miniature spa day.

Below are some tips and tricks to turn your bathroom into its own mini spa, regardless of size! 

PopSugar 2021 Reading Challenge Prompt: A book from your TBR list chosen at random

Other PS 2021 reading prompts this would satisfy: A book that has a heart, diamond, club, or spade on the cover, A book featuring three generations

TW: Literally all of the content warnings, but this book is intensely graphic and involves graphic torture and mutilation.



I grew up with my mom reading Karin Slaughter. But somehow just started reading her books myself a few years ago when I jumped into the Will Trent series at book 7 or 8 (which worked fine as a stand-alone, but *omg the horror of picking up a book in the middle of a series*). One of the things that hooked me right away with Slaughter’s books is the settings. (And can we also just talk about the fact her real name is Slaughter). Almost all (if not all) of her books are set in the Atlanta-area. Since I live in the area, the books are so much more real, so much more vivid. She uses many actual landmarks and locations which makes it so easy to truly visualize the story, which can certainly be a bit graphic because Karin does not play.


Back cover synopsis: More than twenty years ago, Claire and Lydia’s teenaged sister Julia vanished without a trace. The two women have not spoken since, and now their lives could not be more different. Claire is the glamorous trophy wife of an Atlanta millionaire. Lydia, a single mother, dates an ex-con and struggles to make ends meet. But neither has recovered from the horror and heartbreak of their shared loss—a devastating wound that's cruelly ripped open when Claire's husband is killed.

The disappearance of a teenage girl and the murder of a middle-aged man, almost a quarter-century apart: what could connect them? Forming a wary truce, the surviving sisters look to the past to find the truth, unearthing the secrets that destroyed their family all those years ago . . . and uncovering the possibility of redemption, and revenge, where they least expect it.


One of the first things you’ve probably ever heard about the book Pretty Girls is that it is intensely gory and graphic. Karin Slaughter novels are notorious for their violence against women, so reading graphic scenes about women being tortured and killed is particularly challenging and not for the faint of heart. I will say that Pretty Girls in particular also has strong leading ladies, which I realize doesn’t quite balance out the horror of those graphic scenes and situations but it also makes the books more appealing. So if you choose to read Karin Slaughter’s books, go in with the mindset that they’re horribly graphic and more often than not portray violence against women.

But that’s not to say they’re not horribly entertaining. If you enjoy true crime, you’ll enjoy Karin Slaughter. Her books are written in a way that seems so real, and maybe it’s because of my home-ties with Atlanta, but her books honestly don’t feel like just novels. And it feels better to enjoy fictional crime over true crime because the fictional books, while likely based on real things, aren’t actually connected to real people the way that true crime is.

Now Pretty Girls is a lengthy book. There are a few different main characters, as well as letters that are interweaved throughout the story. Plus there are many, many twists and turns that are mostly unexpected. Every time I thought the book was ending due to a loose end being tied (because I often listened on audio), there would be a great twist that would get back into the story. But quite honestly, the book is so good. The storytelling is so effective, as always, but the way the story is structured and the plot line is just so damn phenomenal. Slaughter really knocks it out of the park with this book.






I know this book isn’t for everyone. There’s just about every trigger warning you could think of, so steer clear of this book if you’re worried about the triggers because there are a lot, they are graphic, and they are often on-page. But if you like crime thrillers that focus on the victims and their families (not law enforcement), and if you like true crime, chances are you’ll really enjoy this book. It’s definitely one hell of a ride.




Goodreads rating: ★★★★☆

PopSugar 2020 Reading Challenge Prompt: A book with a made-up language

Well, Mother's Day has come and passed. And with the world being flipped on top of its head this last year, maybe a gift was the last thing to cross your mind. I'm a big fan of experiences over material gifts, but I really love to get very thoughtful gifts individualized for each person. I would never go in on buying a gift that didn't feel like the perfect gift for the person I was getting it for. So maybe it feels like it's too late to buy a gift for your mother-figure, but it's never too late. We can and should celebrate those we love year-round, regardless of the day. 

Below find some general recommendations for the mother-figures and lovely ladies in your life. 

Personalized photos or wall art

I am always a fan of photos. They're such a wonderfully tangible result of memories. I've gifted photos printed from Mpix in thrifted frames, custom framed canvases, photobooks, calendars, and digital frames. I've been looking into Mixtiles and they're so cute. They're great for renters, because the frames are already peel-and-stick so there's no damage to the wall, and you can pull the photos straight from social media. Digital frames, like this one from Aura, are great for folks who don't have a ton of wall space or other physical space for photos that are framed or need lots of space to fill. Photo gifts are always a smash hit in my family. We're a very lovey-feely family, and so having memories with each other all along our walls are so important. 

Custom accessories

I love a monogram - I think they're so cute. But I was never into them before I got married. Since then, give me anything with my initials on it, and I will take it. I've gotten some favorites from Madewell - customization usually costs $10 but it's free if you sign up as an "Insider" for free. One of my favorite watch shops, Jord, also carries other beautiful accessories like sunglasses, wallets, and bags. Their bags are made from Suberhide™ vegan cork leather which is stain and water resistant, and come with a dust bag and gift box, so you know they're fancy. Keep reading to find out how to get 40% off with free monogramming, and for the chance to win your own personalized Jord bag. 

Non-custom items that are the perfect fit

If monograms and personalized gifts aren't your thing, you can still find perfect gifts for those you love that are perfect for them. A travel keychain is perfect for those who love to travel. They can purchase new tokens after each trip to keep adding to the gift for years to come. A DNA testing kit can help them find out more about themselves and where they're from. It's an easy gift on your end, but can be absolutely life-changing. Or a birthdate candle can be a great gift - it's a scent customized to a particular day, but it's not something you have to figure out... just pick one and be on your way. 

There are so many ways to find gifts that your loved ones will treasure. You've just got to know a little bit about them and where to look. Looking for something, but not quite sure what it is? Let me know below and I'll be happy to help you find the perfect gift.

Still not sure what to get them? Check out these gift guides based on interests:

For the friend who needs some self-care

For the fashionista

For the adventurer

For the sustainability warrior

For the bookworm

For the friend with a new home

For the gamer

For the plant parent

For the parental figures

Want to win a monogrammed luxury vegan cork bag from Jord?

Click here to enter the giveaway - all you need to do is enter your first name and email, and select the bag you like the most. It's that easy! And everyone who submits an entry to win a Jord handbag will receive 40% off their bag purchase and free monogramming - plus standard shipping's always free. 

What are your favorite types of gifts to purchase?

There are items mentioned in this post that I was gifted, however any and all opinions are 100% my own.