Function of Beauty Products I tried

• 16oz Shampoo
• 16oz Conditioner
• 8oz Leave-In Treatment
• Hair Mist (Currently unavailable)

Price Points

• 16oz Shampoo + Conditioner set, $49.99
• 8oz Leave-In Treatment, $19.99

*Note: You can save 20% on your first purchase using this link

Packaging

The packaging is just one of the areas where Function of Beauty does an amazing job. It comes in a nice, simple packaged box. Once you open it up, you’ll find your items personalized with your requested name.

It also comes with a pump for each bottle and stickers to decorate.

Customization Quiz & Options

The Function of Beauty quiz itself only takes a few minutes and allows you to customize your hair care to fit your unique needs. It first asks you to identify your hair type, structure, and moisture. Next, it asks you what your goals are, and you can select up to 5. Personally, I wanted to lengthen and strengthen my hair. Another goal was to reduce brassiness, which is why my shampoo is purple. If you’re interested in receiving silicone-free products, you’ll also have that option. 

The last part is arguably the most fun: selecting your color shampoo and conditioner, fragrance and scent strength, and the name you want printed on the bottle. I selected a strong peach scent, and I love it! It keeps my hair smelling fresh and fruity.

After all your choices are made, you’ll select the size bottles you want and can add any additional custom hair treatments such as leave-in treatments, hair masks, or serums. I opted for the leave-in treatment, and I love the soft feeling it gives my hair.

My honest Function of Beauty thoughts

After using the products for nearly 6 months, I can honestly say this hair care is a game changer. My hair has never looked, smelled, or felt so great. For my second purchase, I did slightly tweak my formula as my goals changed, but that’s the beauty of Function of Beauty; you are able to change your formula as you see fit.

Do you have any questions about Function of Beauty that I can answer? Let me know! 

Are you ready to see what all the hype is about? Shop through this link, and you’ll receive 20% off your first purchase!

The post Review: Function of Beauty appeared first on Sheer Peach.

1. She’s Birdie – This product is for women, by women and seeks to help women feel safe. When activated, these personal safety alarms emit a high-pitched sound to deter attackers. In addition, She’s Birdie gives a percentage of profits to partner organizations that support women’s safety, shelter, and health. This is a gift you can feel good about giving!
2. Tory Burch Women’s Travel Face Covering Set – This mask set became an Oprah favorite for a reason. With masks being a part of our daily life, many women in your life may find theirs in need of a refresh. This holiday gift is sure to get a smile from the recipient–even if you can’t see it behind the mask!
3. Audible Gift Memberships – This is the gift that keeps on giving and is perfect for anyone on your list. With an Audible membership, the recipient gets access to thousands of audiobooks, podcasts, and originals all in one app! Amazon will send your gift recipient an email on the day you choose along with redemption instructions or allow you to print and give it directly based on the option you select. Not sure that will be a hit with those on your list? You can get a free trial for yourself first…or an Amazon Prime membership is always a safe alternative.
4. Whiskey Stones and Whiskey Glass Gift Boxed Set – For the whiskey lover in your life or maybe to keep for yourself! This set will add some flair to your happy hour routine. And the whiskey stones will help keep your drink cold without watering it down.
5. Nespresso Essenza Mini – This is perfect for the espresso-addict in your life! While COVID-19 may have kept us from frequenting our favorite coffee spot, many still need their caffeine fix. Take my word for it, this is worth it! I’ve previously written about this little machine, and you can read the full review here.

Do you have any recommendations for me to add? Please let me know! I will continue to expand on this list as we get closer to the holidays.

The post Holiday Gifts for Your Whole List appeared first on Sheer Peach.

I have had a Poshmark account for over three years, but it wasn’t until the last year or so that I actually started making sales. For those of you who don’t know what Poshmark is, it’s a marketplace where people can sell both new and used items they no longer want.

About a year ago, I was moving out of my apartment, and I really needed to get rid things that I was no longer wearing. I was shocked when I found myself wanting to get rid of items that still had the tags on it. I mean, talk about a waste of money, right? That’s when I thought I would take my Poshmark account seriously, and try to make recoup some money.

As I mentioned before, I had Poshmark for a few years at this point and hadn’t made a single sale. There’s a reason for that: I put no effort into my online shop. My pictures were awful, I didn’t share my posts, and my prices were unreasonable. If I was going to sell anything, I needed to take it seriously…and that’s when the sales started flowing in.

Here are some tips I used to make sales on Poshmark.

Know what sells

Before you start listing items, you need to make sure you aren’t wasting your time. Do your research on Poshmark by looking at completed listings. If that brand or item hasn’t sold, chances are, you won’t find success selling it either. Brands that I have found success selling on Poshmark are Gymshark, Athleta, J. Crew, Nike, Lulus, Ralph Lauren, and American Eagle.

With that being said, there are some items I listed that I was shocked sold so quickly including, spandex shorts, lace halter bralettes, used sneakers, and even a FitBit. That is to say, research can only go so far. If you list something at a reasonable price and offer it to those who like your listing, you might just be surprised at what sells.

Take good pictures

This should go without saying, but I did not follow this advice to start, so I’m emphasizing it here. If your pictures don’t look great, no matter how awesome your item is, it’s not going to look great (and likely won’t sell). I have found this to be true especially with used items. Buyers don’t want to buy dirty or old items, so you need to be especially careful when you’re listing used items.

Take pictures in well-lit rooms and show all angles. If there are any defects, this is where you need to show it! Be honest in your listings and photos; buyers won’t hesitate to return things if you leave out flaws.

List new items frequently

I have found that listing 7 new items over the course of 7 days instead of all at once provides better results for my Poshmark closet. Disclaimer: I have no idea if there is an algorithm to back this up, it’s just what I have found in my own sales. It’s also less exhausting to do it that way, because let’s face, listing items takes time and by the 5th item, you might get a little lazy in your listing. Don’t do that; just spread it out.

Share your items daily

This is so important! It wasn’t until I started sharing my items every day that the sales started to roll in. If you don’t share, they just sit in your online closet unseen for the most part. If you want to get more eyes on your listings, which will eventually translate to sales, you need to share your listings.

Be strategic with your pricing

This is a skill that is going to take some time to develop. When I list items, I always list slightly above what the average listing price is. The reason for that is because then you have room to negotiate. Most people won’t buy things outright from your closet; they will send you offers. If your item is already priced very low, you lose that opportunity to negotiate and risk selling at a lower price than you should.

Another thing I’ve noticed that sometimes works is raising the price much higher than you think it will actually sell. This has worked a handful of times that I raise a listing’s price by 25-40%, and within a day it has sold. Sometimes when your listings are priced very low, buyers think there’s something wrong with the item, and it becomes less desirable, whereas if it’s priced high, intrigue is generated, and it becomes more desirable. Again, this doesn’t always work, but if you have a great item that isn’t selling, it’s worth a try.

Share other sellers’ listings

If you want to get more eyes on your closet, “befriend” other sellers. When you share someone else’s listing, often they’ll return the favor and share yours. It’s a quick way to get new people to see your listings.

Be responsive

If someone leaves a comment on your item, respond as soon as you can. Even if they don’t purchase the item, chances are someone else scrolling through might have the same question and appreciate the additional information.

Be patient

Finally, you need to be patient. This is often overlooked in a side hustle, but it’s arguably the most important. You need to give yourself time to build up a following on Poshmark before the sales start rolling in. Especially in the world of Poshmark, post sale you still need to ship the item, and then the buyer needs to accept the item after they receive it. Depending on how quickly you ship the item, you might not see the profit from that sale for over a week.

Create a good foundation (aka closet), take good photos, share your listings, and WAIT. Be smart with your listings, and be a good seller. At the end of the day, if you’ve put in the work upfront, the sales will come in, and you can absolutely make money on Poshmark.

Are you selling on Poshmark and have found success other ways? Let me know in the comments!

The post My Poshmark Side Hustle appeared first on Sheer Peach.

It wasn’t until I moved into my new apartment building that I really started getting into the idea of attending a spin class. Enter: Peloton. My building has two pelotons in the apartment gym, and I quickly became addicted. It was nice for me, because it wasn’t intimidating attending an on-demand class where no one can see me, as opposed to the 30 person classes in a studio. Basically, I didn’t risk embarrassing myself, and that’s always a plus in my book.

After a month of using the apartment Peloton daily (and sometimes twice a day), quarantine began, and the gym was shut down. Suddenly, I had no way to get my cycle fix. Months go by, and I still haven’t gotten on a bike. I even contemplated buying my own, but the price tag was hard to swallow knowing the gym will eventually open.

It wasn’t until last week–after 4 months–that I caved and attended an in-person class. I figured it was worth the risk of doing something silly with witnesses around in order to get some exercise in. Keep reading for how I most certainly embarrassed myself.

I had a week vacation from work, so I went home to Pennsylvania to spend the 4th of July and my birthday with my family. Backstory: for the last year, my older sister has asked me to take a spin class at her studio, and I have always declined. But I really wanted to spin, it was my birthday, and my sisters just bought me a new pair of spin shoes. How could I not break these in? And so I went.

Arriving at the Studio

We arrived at the studio for spin class about 15 minutes early, and thank goodness for that, because it was my first time “clipping in” spin shoes to a bike–I previously used toe cages. For those of you who have before, I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. For newbies like me, don’t be intimidated, because you will get the feel for it after some practice–and also you might want to check out this article.

Long story short, I struggled, and I had no idea what I was doing. Luckily, I had my sister and a helpful instructor who ended up putting my shoes on and clipping in for me, and I put my shoes on while they were already attached to the pedal. If you are new, I recommend going early to get yourself situated.

During Spin Class

Finally, it was time for class to start. I was clipped in, I had my water, towel, and weights, and I was ready!…for about 5 minutes, and then my weights fell off the handle bars, and I was too afraid to unclip because I didn’t know if I could get back in. This is when having my sister helped–she jumped right off her bike and grabbed them, and I was ready once more.

If you’re ever intimated about going to a group fitness class, go with a friend! I promise it helps take the pressure off.

During the spin class, the lights were off, and the music was blaring. The instructor gave cues throughout the ride, which I tried to follow, but admittedly, I don’t have the best rhythm. I was just trying to stay on beat, so I focused less on arm movements throughout the ride, though I’m sure once you take more spin classes you eventually get the hang of it.

A piece of advice: you’re going to get a good workout regardless, so have fun with it! Don’t stress about being on beat or getting all the movements right. With the lights off, no one is going to see you mess up anyway. And if they are worried about you being off beat, they aren’t working hard enough themselves.

In total, the ride was 45 minutes. Towards the end, we stopped spinning and did a few minutes of arms with 2-3 pounds dumbbells. It doesn’t sound heavy, but your arms will get tired much quicker than you think. After arms, we spun for 2 more songs, did a quick stretch, and class was over!

After Class & Reflections

As far as “clipping out” goes, I promise it’s a lot easier (at least for me), than clipping in. What it came down to was that I was nervous I was going to break the cleat attached to the bottom of the shoe. However, both my sister and instructor assured me that wasn’t likely to happen. And if it does, they are easy (and cheap) to replace.

I spent a few minutes after class practicing clipping in and out with my sister’s guidance, so that I would be able to successfully do so when the gym in my apartment opens.

All in all, I would say my first spin class was a success! I’ll say it again in case you missed it the first time: if you are nervous or scared to take a workout class, I always think it’s easier to go the first time with someone else. I’m so glad I had my sister there to walk me through my first in-person spin class. I probably would have full-on panicked with my shoes if I didn’t have her.

Compared to Peloton, I think they are pretty equal. You’re going to get a great workout from both. I also don’t think you lose out on any “class energy” from a Peloton, since they do a great job of making you feel connected throughout the ride. And at the end of the day, both options are a FUN way to get moving.

What was your first spin class experience like? Any mishaps like me or tips for clipping in and out?

The post My First Spin Class appeared first on Sheer Peach.

An apartment checklist is a must have when you are moving. Not only will it help relieve the stress of thinking you forgot something important, but it will also help you get an idea for what you absolutely need to buy before you move in and what can wait for a week or two while you are unpacking and settling in.

Below you’ll find an exhaustive list of everything my boyfriend and I purchased prior to moving in and everything we purchased shortly after move-in. I should mentioned that we did not have much between the two of us prior to moving in together, so we were essentially starting from scratch.

What we bought prior to moving:

1. Keurig K-Duo Plus Coffee Maker
2. Toaster
3. Tupperware – The Rubbermaid tupperware are by far the best.
4. Mixing bowls
5. Pots & Pans
6. Bed frame
7. Mattress – If you haven’t decided on a mattress yet, I highly recommend Purple. I was skeptical because of the price, but it’s honestly worth it.
8. Couch
9. TV stand
10. Storage shelving – This was essential in organizing our closet.
11. Over-the-door shoe rack – I purchased this in college, and then purchased another for my apartment since my mom decided she couldn’t part with the original. I highly recommend this one.
12. Flatware
13. Serving utensils
14. Pillows x 4
15. Sheets x 2
16. Duvet cover
17. Comforter
18. Hand towels, bath towels, and dish towels
19. Knife set
20. Cutting boards
21. Pyrex baking dishes
22. Shower curtain – Hookless is by far the way to go here.
23. Dinner plates and bowls
24. Tea kettle
25. Hand mixer
26. Blender

What we bought after moving:

1. Throw pillows
2. Throw blanket
3. Decorative baskets
4. Nespresso Essenza Mini (if you haven’t read my review, check it out here!)
5. Milk frother – There are a lot out there, but I purchased this one and love it so far!
6. Baking pans
7. Springform pan
8. Cake pans
9. Cupcake pan
10. Bread loaf pan
11. Kitchen table – this was mainly because we didn’t know what would fit in our apartment)
12. Paper towel holder
13. Decorative bins
14. Jars for flour and sugar – these took me forever to find, so I’m linking them here.
15. Dry measuring cups and spoons
16. Liquid measuring cups
17. Hangers – The non-slip ones from Amazon work great, and they are a lot cheaper than alternatives.
18. Welcome Mat
19. Stand Mixer
20. Wine Rack
21. Spoon rest
22. Salt and pepper shakers
23. Full-length mirrors
24. Pie dish
25. Cleaning supplies
26. Vacuum
27. Trash can
28. Flatware drawer organizer
29. Bottle opener
30. Area rug

If I could give any advice, I’d say you probably don’t need as much as you think you do your first week or so there. So whatever you can hold off on buying, do. That will give you less to move initially, and it will also free up some space in your apartment to organize what you do have. Keeping it clutter free was essential to keeping my sanity during the moving process.

Be prepared to roll with the punches too. I remember being so stressed because the couch delivery wasn’t happening on the first day and thinking it was the end of the world. It wasn’t. I promise whatever issue you are having on move in day, it’s not as bad as you think it is; you’re just stressed.

Finally, have fun! In my case, I was moving in with my boyfriend, and that’s a really exciting thing! Whether you’re moving in with your significant other, your friends, or into your own place, take a second to enjoy the day! It’s a big step.

I hope this apartment checklist takes a bit of stress off of you as you prepare for your move. Some of this stuff you may find you do not need (for example, cake pans if you never plan on baking a cake), but it should give you a good idea of where to start!

What were your “must-haves” on your apartment checklist when you moved?

The post New Apartment Checklist appeared first on Sheer Peach.

As a bit of a background, about a year ago, my boyfriend was offered a job in Massachusetts–we were currently living separately in Pennsylvania. Having dated for 2 years at that point, we gave it a lot of thought and discussion and decided that we wanted to take the next step and move to Massachusetts together. That was the easy part.

Next, we had to have the hard conversations to make sure we were on the same page and that we were setting ourselves up for a happy, successful living situation. Now that we are almost a year in (with a majority being 24/7 together time in quarantine), I believe a lot of the happiness and ease we’ve experienced was taking the time to talk and plan prior to our move. Here’s what I recommend discussing before moving in with your boyfriend:

1. Money

I’m putting this first because it’s one of the most common sources of arguments in relationships. I cannot stress enough the importance of talking about money. Whether it’s who is going to pay for groceries, if you’re dividing rent down the middle or a percentage based on income, and even what existing debt you may already have like student loans, it’s important to have these conversations. It’s often uncomfortable for people to talk about money, and I get it, but you want to have all the information and be aligned prior to move-in so you aren’t met with unexpected information too late.

2. Cleaning

Do you have similar cleanliness expectations? Personally, I’m a neat-freak, but my boyfriend knew that about me beforehand. And while he is on the cleaner side, I’m on a whole different level. For those reasons, I’m completely fine doing more of the cleaning, especially because it’s something I enjoy, and I recognize that I often have unrealistic expectations. It all comes down to finding a balance in your relationship and deciding what works for you.

3. Alone time

Have you ever sat back and thought about how much “alone time” you may actually need? It’s likely that you and your boyfriend have different needs here, and it’s something you need to consider to make sure your expectations are aligned. For me, I need to have at least 30 minutes a day to myself to dedicate to my summer reading list and decompress for the day, but everyone is different! So talk about it, and find a balance that works for you both.

4. Chores

How will you divide chores? This piggy-backs off of cleaning above, but more broadly, who is going to handle what? Are you going to take turns cooking? Who is going to grocery shop? Will you do laundry together or separately? Side note: I highly recommend getting a laundry sorter. Regardless of if you separate it by yours vs. his or colors vs. lights, this is going to save you time and energy (and possibly a few arguments).

5. The Future

When you look 5 years in the future, what do you see? What about 10 years? What does your partner see? These overall goals should be aligned. For example, if you want to get married and have children, but your partner is not looking for either of these things, that’s something to seriously consider before signing the lease. You want to make sure not only that you are compatible living partners, but that you are compatible long-term as well.

This list is by no means exhaustive. There are absolutely other things you’ll want to consider before moving in with your boyfriend. However, I hope it gives you a place to start in having these conversations.

Once you’ve decided to move in, the fun begins! Check out this apartment checklist to make sure you have everything you need.

The post What to Discuss Before Moving in with your Boyfriend appeared first on Sheer Peach.

For the last 5 years of so, it’s been a tradition to head down to the Jersey shore for a few days and relax on the beach before celebrating with my family in Pennsylvania. The hardest part for me has always been packing. How do I know what I’ll want to wear for the next week? And am I going to forget something? And what happens when I most certainly forget something super important? Luckily, I’ve created a packing list to help you (and me) make sure you have all your holiday weekend/beach essentials!

First and foremost: sunscreen. Sunscreen. More sunscreen. If you remember nothing else, please remember sunscreen. I’m sure no one wants to be in pain all weekend because they insist they “don’t burn” on day one and end up fried. Don’t be that person–put on the sunscreen. I’m partial to the spray-on sunscreen, just make sure you don’t miss any spots. I use this for my face. After a day in the sun, I love this lotion for a cool-down.

Next up: a bathing suit. I write this more for myself than anyone else: you do NOT need to bring 5 bathing suits if you are going somewhere for 4 days. And if you didn’t wear something in your day-to-day, you aren’t going to wear it on vacation. Save yourself the time and energy packing all that “just in case” stuff, and leave it at home.

I sincerely hope you are able to decompress the entire weekend, but if you’re anything like my boyfriend, you’re going to need to do something work related. Or maybe you have to work the first day you are there, and then you can relax. Either way, your work computer and charger may be needed. Don’t forget the charger!

Something new I’m adding to my packing list this year is my BrüMate, and I am really excited about it. The idea is simple: it keeps your drink cold. They have a ton of options depending on what you’re looking for i.e. do you want to keep your can cold, your drink cold, or even an entire bottle of wine. The color selection is also great–I ended up getting the glitter mermaid color.

In that same vein, you need a cooler! The best parts of the beach (in my opinion) are the snacks and drinks! A BrüMate will handle your drink, but you still need to keep your sandwiches, fruit, and whatever else you decide to bring cool. Do not forget the cooler this 4th of July.

If you’re anything like me, you love reading a good book on the beach. I usually bring 1-2 with me for a beach trip, just in case. If you need inspiration, check out my list of 5 summer must-reads. Same note with the bathing suits applies here; you do not need to pack your entire library for a few days. Be realistic with what you will read, and stick with that. You don’t need to go overboard, or your bag will get very heavy, very fast.

Finally, don’t forget about your footwear. I’d recommend bringing a pair of sneakers and a pair of flip flops or sandals. I love to wake up before it gets too hot and go for a walk along the boardwalk, and wear my flip flops for the beach. I’ve found that if I don’t list both of these here, I’ll pack one and not the other.

A few last things I want to call out by name, just in case: towel, chairs, umbrella, headphones, keys, wallet, hat, and a mask! With that, you should be all set for your 4th of July. Are there any must-haves that I’ve forgotten? Anything you swear by using for sunburns? Let me know in the comments! Have a safe and happy holiday weekend.

The post 4th of July Packing List appeared first on Sheer Peach.

To cope with the fact that I can’t go out to eat and to also prepare you for the soon-to-be bustling Philly restaurant scene, I give you my list of 10 favorite places to eat in Philadelphia.

1. Gustos

Hands down the best pizza I have gotten in the city, and since my boyfriend’s apartment was right around the corner from this pizzeria, we ate here quite a bit. My favorite pizza is the margherita, and I also love their mozzarella sticks. Finally, they are also a BYOB, so if you’d rather eat there than takeout, bring a bottle of wine with you.

2. Sotto

This is one of those Italian restaurants where you feel at home. It’s very tiny, so make sure you make a reservation. This was mine and my boyfriend’s go-to when we wanted a filling, reasonably priced, DELICIOUS meal. Try the calamari!

3. Giorgio on Pine

I couldn’t leave Giorgio’s off the list, even though I have another Italian restaurant right above it. This is one of my family’s favorite places because of their gluten free options. Both of my sister’s are gluten free, and it’s always been difficult to go out to dinner, but Giorgio’s made it easy with all the options they offer. I also have to say the entire staff is SO FRIENDLY.

4. Village Whiskey

The have the absolute best burgers. And I cannot say enough good things about their drink, The Commodore. The bourbon and mescal make for the perfect cocktail. If you even remotely like bourbon, you need to try it.

5. The Foodery

Talk about a bang for your buck. If you aren’t familiar with The Foodery, they have a few locations, but I always went to their Rittenhouse location. They have an entire wall of beer and cider you can pick from, and they serve huge portions if you decide to order food. It’s a bar feel for a fraction of what you would pay at your typical Philly bar.

6. Barclay Prime

This is one of those “special occasion” restaurants. My boyfriend and I would go here on our anniversaries, and oh my gosh is it the best meal you will ever have. I cannot say enough good things about the filet and the truffle mac and cheese (and everything else). It’s pricey, but it’s more than worth it.

7. Amada

Talk about a great Spanish restaurant. I went here for restaurant week, which was great because I could try a bunch of different things and not break the bank. If you haven’t taken advantage of Philly Restaurant Week, you need to. They do it twice a year, and it’s the best. The ambiance is also worth noting.

8. Spread Bagelry

This is more “grab and go,” but you better believe this will be my first stop the next time I’m in Philly. Hands down the best breakfast sandwiches ever. I always get “The Standard,” which is just a bacon, egg, and cheese, but it’s the best bacon, egg, and cheese you’ll ever have. You can thank me later. P.S. There is always a line out the door, so the earlier you go, the better.

9. Tinto

Like Amada, Tinto is is a tapas place–and it is amazing. I also have to note the atmosphere here. It’s the perfect date night restaurant!

10. Talula’s Garden

Talula’s Garden is one of those places that you need to go to at least once. The restaurant is beautiful. As the name suggests, there’s a garden atmosphere, so if the weather is nice, try to sit outside. I went for brunch, and the pancakes were awesome. You should also order the donuts–they are so light and fluffy.

And there you have it–my list of top 10 Philly restaurants you need to try! Do you have any suggestions? Where are your favorite places?

If you’re not ready to venture out just yet, I’ve got you covered with some recipes that you can make tonight!

The post 10 Best Philly Restaurants appeared first on Sheer Peach.

Since it’s now officially summer (and also since many of us are still social distancing), I felt it was time to pull together a list of must-reads. These are some of my FAVORITES of all-time–not just new releases. The hidden benefit, besides being absolute gems? Many are way cheaper than they would have been 5 years ago.

1. In a Dark, Dark Wood – I can’t say enough good things about Ruth Ware as an author. In fact, I read this in one night, and that’s saying a lot because I am the world’s slowest reader. If you love a good thriller novel, this is hands-down my favorite. If you’re already a Ruth Ware fan, she has a new book coming out this September!
2. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone – I’m currently reading the Harry Potter series (and yes, I also have no idea how I made it 25 years without reading it yet–currently on book 3!). After finishing the first book, it made me relive the magic all over again. Whether you’ve seen the movies 20x already like me or not, it always feels good to revisit a familiar storyline.
3. The Girls – This is my all-time favorite summer read. Written by the incredibly gifted Emma Cline, it’s a coming-of-age story based on the Manson murders.
4. Sometimes I Lie – There were so many twists and turns in this novel, I couldn’t figure out the questions I should be asking, let alone the answers. If you want to be kept on the edge of your seat and asking “WHAT?” at the end of the book, this one is for you. You will not see the ending coming.
5. Are You Sleeping? – We’re wrapping up the must-reads with another thriller! Likened to a cross between Serial and In a Dark, Dark Wood, Are you Sleeping? centers around a podcast that reopens a murder case and goes viral. This book is for fans of whodunnit podcasts or psychological thrillers. Added bonus: it was recently turned into a series on Apple TV+ entitled Truth be Told.

Honorable mention: The Hunger Games. Seriously, if you haven’t read The Hunger Games yet, you need to! And there you have it, 5 must-reads to check out! Whip up a cocktail, grab your book, and you’re set for the summer.

Do you have any suggestions that should be added to this list? Let me know! I’d love to add to my summer reading list. 

The post 5 Must-Reads This Summer appeared first on Sheer Peach.

Anyway, I needed an alternative because I wasn’t about to wait in the line of 20 cars at the Starbucks drive thru, nor could I wait months on end until shops started to open up again. Enter: the Nespresso Essenza Mini.

The great thing about this machine is that you have delicious espresso at the touch of a button–it’s foolproof. Last summer, I was very optimistic in thinking that I would use a french press instead of my Keurig. Long story short, I was wrong. I’m not a morning person, and because of that, I need a quick fix to get my morning caffeine. This machine also offers 2 programmable cup sizes (Espresso & Lungo).

So what do I love about this machine? Well, it’s TINY. Look at the side by side below. With the amount of kitchen appliances I have, they can’t take up too much space, so this is a huge plus in my book.

Next, the espresso is delicious. Nespresso has two different types of pods: the original line and the vertuo line. This particular machine uses the original line. In all honesty, I don’t think there’s much difference besides the pod shape, but the original line is a little cheaper per pod! They have a ton of flavors you can pick from; my favorites are the chiaro and vanilla. If you purchase from Amazon, it comes with a sample of flavors, which is perfect to help you decide which you want to purchase.

Finally, it’s AFFORDABLE. There are a lot of espresso machines on the market, and while I’m sure everyone would love to have the crazy machine with the built in milk frother, I’m here to tell you that you don’t need it. This tastes just as good and requires a fraction of the work. And if you want frothed milk, this frother from Miroco has you covered.

One thing you’ll likely come across are the two different makers of this model: Breville and De’Longhi. There is no difference when it comes to performance or features that I can find. The only difference is the look, so it comes down to a preference.

As far as cons go, the water reservoir is small at only 20.3 oz. The cup clearance is also only 5 inches, so it will fit most mugs, but not all. Neither of these things bother me personally, but if they are deal breakers for you, I’d suggest looking at a larger machine.

That’s my take on the Nespresso Essenza Mini! What questions do you have? Let me know in the comments.

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