The Midnight Library follows the lives of Nora Seed, a young woman who takes her own life and then finds herself in the enormous Midnight Library – a mystical place between life and death, each book detailing a possible life she could have lived. Her decisions put herself and the library in danger, forcing her to ask the all-important question: “What makes life worth living?” This effortless read is one of the most profound, thought-provoking, and human books out there and changed my perspective on life itself.

Muji is a sustainable brand specializing in home decor, stationery, clothing, travel, and health & beauty, located at 475 5th Avenue in New York City, right by Bryant Park and the New York Public Library. I went to Muji for the first time and let me just say, I was absolutely blown away by the aesthetic of the store – beautiful and minimalistic – as well as its fantastic products.

Summit, NJ has a wide variety of pizza places, from the iconic Village Trattoria to the always tasty Zappia’s. The newest addition to the pizza lineup is SQR Artisan Pizza, located at 35 Union Place. SQR is an artisan pizza place, so you’re guaranteed a fresh, delicious pizza made with care and quality. They also offer a wide variety of pasta, salad, grilled sandwiches, and homemade gelato!

Going to the thrift store for the first time can be an intimidating experience. It can be hard to figure out where to start after staring at what feels like miles and miles of clothing. After about six months of thrifting, I’ve picked up a few tips and tricks on how to make sure that your thrifting experience is top-notch! So, without further ado, here is What to Look for When Thrifting.

Believe me, we all find ourselves fatigued and in desperate need of a break – this, my friends, is what we would call burnout. Cue the Me Day: a full day you take entirely for yourself to help your body and mind recuperate from the stress of life in our busy modern age. So, I’m going to give you a few suggestions on how to spend your “Me Day” so that you can quickly bounce back from weariness.

Weekends can be… disappointing. You know when you plan to do a number of things, but then you find yourself cramming on Sunday night? Don't worry, I've got a few tips to make sure your weekend is productive!

Holly Jackson’s A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder follows high schooler Pippa Fitz-Amobi and her reopening of a missing-persons case one – that has plagued her town for 5 years. With the help of the younger brother of the boy pinned to the crime, Pippa attempts to find the real perpetrator. Fast-paced, entertaining, and refreshing, you’ll devour this book in one sitting.

We may not talk about Bruno, but we will DEFINITELY talk about Walt Disney Animation Studios newest feature film, Encanto. This movie gets just about everything right: the characters, the story, the songs, the culture, the animation, and so much more.

The grilled cheese is the most beloved sandwich known to humankind. However, I fear that it still doesn’t get enough love. Sure, one can just put a slice of cheese between two slices of bread but with the right amount of attention, you can elevate these staple sandwiches to their full potential. Since we need to cozy up in these cold winter days, I’m going to let you in on my sandwich secrets.

As always, the Summit High School Theatre Program delivers on an incredible production in this year’s show, Romeo and Juliet. Anne Poyner, director of the SHS theatre program, comments that the play reveals what happens when “we let hate divide us”, as well as “the strength of the power of love.”

Driving up Apple Tree Lane, don’t be frightened if you hear a chorus of chilling laughter from a lawn of animatronics. Eric Couper, founder of MC Home Improvements & Construction, LLC, is the mind behind his freaky, creative lawn. Beautifully-implemented, the Halloween decor on his home took careful planning and work – Learn how he takes that same approach to all of his clients here!

The Tokyo Olympics has been arguably one of the most anticipated competitions within the history of the Olympics. Yet, these Olympians that supposedly represent us and that we’re supposed to connect with and find inspiration from can feel distant. It’s hard to remember that they are normal people just like us. In reality, they all came from humble beginnings. And if you look a bit closer, it’ll become apparent that our icons grew up just like us quite literally! The best of the best come straight from the many suburbs of New Jersey, and here are the top ones!

If you were to ask someone what their favorite season is, either they would not be able to choose one at all or they would answer without hesitation. Some might pick fall because they love Halloween. Or perhaps some would say summer, simply because they have no school. I, on the other hand, couldn't tell you what my favorite season is. Each season is perfect to me - long walks on the beach in summer, the crisp air of fall, the holiday spirit that fills winter, and spring's blooming flowers.

This July, I had the pleasure of spending a week in the amazing city of Brigantine, New Jersey. Known for its beautiful beaches and picture-perfect downtown area, there are loads of things to see and do in Brigantine that are sure to give anyone the perfect vacation experience. So, I decided to highlight some of my favorite parts of Brigantine so that you know what to look out for if you ever decide to make the trip yourself!

It's summer, which means the warm weather lets us get outside and take in some fresh air. Although sometimes we might get too absorbed in our favorite Netflix show, we lose track of time and waste our whole day. Before you know it, summer will be over – so take advantage of the warm weather while it lasts – and visit Governors Island in NY and Loantaka Brook Reservation in Morristown NJ.

My cousin and I have found a newfound love for thrifting. It's an eco-friendly way to find pre-loved statement pieces. Naturally, last time we met up, we had to visit a local thrift store - ever since that escapade, I've been searching for ones nearby me. However, I was rather delighted to rediscover one right under my nose. It's one of those places you know about, but once you walk in, you just CAN'T believe you haven't visited.  Say hello to the Junior League Summit Thrift Shop, quaintly housed in Summit at 37 Deforest Avenue.

Ah, bubble tea. Just thinking about that seamless combination of tea and sweet tapioca pearls makes me happy. Whether you prefer milk tea or fruit tea, it’s undeniable that boba is the perfect treat for the summertime. And whether you’re a boba connoisseur or just starting out on your bubble tea journey, here’s a list of 3 Places to Cure Your Boba Craving.

The days of cardigans and coats seem ancient. As August rears its head, we’re still appreciating the gorgeous summer NJ weather while we can. Before summer’s end, you have to explore the South Mountain Reservation in Essex County – it offers hiking trails and even a fairy trail!

Choosing between buying sustainable clothing and fast fashion is no easy task – we’ve all been there. The prices of most pieces from sustainable stores are absurd ($40 for a plain white t-shirt?!), meanwhile places like Shein use cheap fabrics and contribute to the ever-climbing rates of carbon emissions. It’s hard to know when to invest in expensive items, but more environmentally-conscious items, and when to buy affordable clothes (albeit maybe lesser quality). So, to make your life even just a tad bit easier, here is A Guide to Shopping Sustainably.

I know what you’re thinking. You’re getting flashbacks to middle school English class where they made you take banal “post-its” or “notes” every other page, ruining the book completely. Trust me, if you told me three years ago that I would enjoy annotating the books I read, I would have been more surprised than if you told me English class class would be held over tiny pixelated squares on my computer. Yet when given more freedom, I’ve discovered that annotating doesn’t have to be an irritating chore – but rather something you can immensely benefit from. Read on for tips from me on how to benefit from and enjoy annotation!