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I first started The Avid Pen, a Charlotte based art and lifestyle blog, as a place to celebrate the artistic world. As someone who has always had a love of color, I enjoy seeing the art in everything from beauty and skincare to fashion, food or in the places I travel to. I longed to tell a story both through words and through photographs. I’ve always enjoyed making every moment special, even the most ordinary of moments, and believe that there is beauty in the everyday. Learn More…

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Everything I Read This Month | June 2025

Everything I Read This Month | June 2025

Despite the fact that I’m nearing the end of my second term (of my first year of nursing school) I had quite a few opportunities to stay up late and get some reading in after I’d finished my studies for the day. Keeping to my reading commitments as best I can has been a priority, and after all, sometimes you just need a break!

This month I stuck mostly to my favorite genres (crime/murder mystery), and there are so many amazing books that have been released recently, including the first book, Such Good People, that releases on July 8th. Stay tuned for the Q&A with author Amy Blumenfeld that will be going live on the official publication date. Such Good People, along with Welcome to Murder Week, were my favorite books of the month, so keep scrolling to read my reviews and get my official ratings.

On the List

On the List

It’s been a busy week around here, but I’m so excited to have a chance to put together some of my favorite finds, recipes, and articles that I’ve come across this week. The weather has been absolutely sweltering here in the Carolina’s so I’m definitely going to spend this weekend indoors studying, catching up on The Buccaneers, and getting some ‘just for fun’ reading in wherever I can. I like to think that during June, I found a balance between working, school, and finding time for more reading than I did in May. There were so many good books that I had the chance to read, and I look forward to sharing about everything I’ve read this month in a post coming next week to the blog and my Substack.

I first started The Avid Pen as a place to celebrate both the artistic world whether it be through art, beauty/skincare, fashion, food or travel. Since beginning the blog, I have had the opportunity to meet so many of the artists, creatives and female entrepreneurs who inspire me which is something I would have never imagined being able to do.

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“Owning your story is the bravest thing you’ll ever do.” – Brené Brown