SOCIAL MEDIA

Friday, June 28, 2019

Friday Favorites and Happenings

* This post contains affiliate links. When you click a link, it is no cost to you and I make a small commission (pennies) from it. Thank you for supporting Sparkles and Lattes.

I can't believe that Monday is the first of July. It feels like June just flew by in an instant. Between our vacation, Father's Day and the girls recital (and prep), I feel like we were constantly busy. But being busy is a good thing. Definitely for children. I hope July brings a lot of beach days, sunshine and more fun.

Onto Friday Favorites and Happenings.

ONE. This week J Crew and J Crew factory were having a sale and I scooped up a few things. You can't beat up to 70% off.

I have been loving skirts lately and I grabbed another one. This one is out of my normal comfort zone as I don't really wear red, but I just think it is perfect for the summer.
J Crew Pull On Bow Poppy Skirt

Then I grabbed this wear to work t-shirt to go with it and other skirts that I have.
J Crew Wear to Work Tee

Then I grabbed another pair of sleep shorts. These shorts are the best. They are comfy, light weight and cute.
J Crew Sleep Short

And finally I grabbed these work pants. I have a pair of them already and I love them. They pull up, are a heavier weight fabric, have pockets (in the front and back) and are really comfy. I wear these on cooler days and during the Fall and Winter. But when you see them on sale, you grab them.
J Crew Gigi Pant

TWO. In a couple of weeks, I will be attending the celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe. It is one of my favorite Tahoe events. You get to walk a beautiful golf course, watch celebrities play golf, take pictures with celebrities and be on the lake all day long. 

I didn't get to go last year, but I have been almost every year in year's past. This year, I am going with Rory and my dad. And since I needed some new golf gear (I already bought a new pair of shorts and polo), I decided to try out the golf skorts.

I looked around online and found that Kohl's had the best prices on what I wanted. I got a Nike golf skort and it fits perfectly. I had a gift card from there and some Kohl's cash, so I got this baby for free (basically). I got it in a size small, but could have sized down to a extra small. A small still fits well and the shorts underneath are a perfect fit.
Nike Golf Skort

THREE. I know I have mentioned this thing a lot, but I just want to share how amazing it is. My milk frother. I have been using it at work and it makes my day so much better. Yes, a less than $15 product brightens my day that much more. 

When I was home while the girls were in the NICU and while I was on maternity leave, I made myself a latte every morning. It was soooo nice. Well, I don't have an espresso machine at work, so I convince my husband to get lattes out pretty often. But ever since I got my milk frother, I love drinking coffee at work. I use coffee (duh), half and half or milk, one pump of my vanilla syrup and then froth my milk or cream. It is a game changer and soooo much better than just coffee and cream.
 Zulay Milk Frother (and it has a coupon for $2 off, so it is $12.99)

FOUR. Did you know that traditional loofa's carry bacteria? That they are pretty unsanitary and need to be replaced every two months? I know about the second part, but not how unsanitary they are. I have been using them for about 20 years or more and my girls use them too. Until last week when I came across an article about them. Then I did some research and found an alternative that both the girls and I love. No this isn't sponsored. We just love this product and want to make sure you are not using the traditional loofa's. Enter the silicone body scrubber. The soap still suds up big time, it exfoliates, cleans out really well and can be additionally cleaned in the dishwasher. Plus it is soft too.
Avilana Exfoliating Body Scrubber (2 Pack)

FIVE. Funnies for the week.
My girls still do this. So gross.

This is awful, but this one is funny to me just because of the word shart. My girls recently learned what a shart is and now I can't stop laughing when I hear the word.

Need I say anymore?

I am linking up with AprilA Little Bit of EverythingMeet @ the Barre and Becky.

Have a great weekend!
Wednesday, June 26, 2019

What's Up Wednesday

*This post contains affiliate links. When you click a link, it is no cost to you and I make a small commission (pennies) from it. Thank you for supporting Sparkles and Lattes.

I can't believe June is almost over. This month just blew by. We have started enjoying the sunshine, going to the beach and I blink and it is almost July. I can't believe how fast the Summer months fly by. But at least it is the Summer!!! 
The sunshine is just good for the soul!
What's Up Wednesday

WHAT WE ARE EATING THIS WEEK...

Sunday: Barbecoa beef tacos with mexican rice.

Monday: Take out. Rory had his first round of softball play-offs.

Tuesday: Pork tenderloin with yukon gold potatoes, roasted asparagus and chimichuri sauce.

Wednesday: Homemade pizzas and salads.

Thursday: Not sure. Rory has another softball play-off.

Friday: If Rory wins Monday and Thursdays games, then he will have the championship game and the girls want to go to it since it is early enough. So I am sure we will be getting take out or going out.

Saturday: Going out with friends!

WHAT I'M REMINISCING ABOUT...

Our past 4th of July celebrations! I can't believe Independence Day is almost here. The last couple of years, Rory and I have gone out with friends and this year is no different. We are really lucky to have family watch the girls on this fun day of celebration!!!

2018

4th of July festive wear
2017

4th of July fun
2017

WHAT I'M LOVING...

As I mentioned yesterday, we are loving the new Stomp Rocket that I got for the girls.
Stomp Rocket Dueling Rockets

This skirt.
J Crew Stripped Cotton-Linen Midi Skirt

and this one.
BP. Tie Belt Stripe Midi Skirt

This necklace which goes with everything and I wear pretty much daily now.

and a few other items that I have been saving for my Amazon haul post and some Friday favorites. But know they include a new loofa and mattress pad.

WHAT WE'VE BEEN UP TO...

June brought our our Graeagle trip, my FIL's birthday, Father's Day weekend, swim classes, our first 
Sand Harbor Lake Tahoe
First beach day of the year.

Father's Day brunch

A brewery we visited in Graeagle.

The girls recital.

WHAT I'M DREADING...

Nothing really. Maybe the 100 degree weather. I love Summers here, but it can get VERY hot here.

WHAT I'M WORKING ON...

Summer blog posts, a few collaborations and just making the most out of Summer 2019.

WHAT I'M EXCITED ABOUT...

I am almost done with the journey on my nose. I have one more procedure left and hopefully it isn't another surgery. I go in to see the ear nose and throat doctor in a few weeks to find out. 

WHAT I'M WATCHING/READING...

I recently read Pieces of Her and A Stranger in the House. I have downloaded a few books, but haven't got to them yet. I need to get back into reading again. I currently have Marriage Vacation on loan. 

As for TV, I have been watching my usuals like Jane the Virgin, Good Girls. Big Little Lies, Master Chef, Younger and a few others. I now have HBO and need to get to watching more. I did watch Sharp Objects on it and it is really good. It was a book made into a tv series. Watch it. It is only one season and it is gribbing and distributing.

WHAT I'M LISTENING TO...

It is pretty quiet around here.

WHAT I'M WEARING...

I put a bunch of what I am wearing in what I am loving. I am wearing a lot of dresses, skirts, shorts, tees and tanks. It has been pretty warm around here.

WHAT I'M DOING THIS WEEKEND...

Friends are coming into town and we are going to see them. Plus the usuals like swim lessons and beach time.

WHAT I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT MONTH...

The 4th of July, Rory's family reunion and getting away with my family!

WHAT ELSE IS NEW...

Not much. 

BONUS:
Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Weekending

* This post contains affiliate links. When you click a link, it is no cost to you and I make a small commission (pennies) from it. Thank you for supporting Sparkles and Lattes.

How is the weekend already over? And I couldn't get my butt in gear to write a post on Sunday night. I blame how busy we were. But I did get it out for you all today :)

Our weekend started off with a work softball game. I didn't play since I had surgery about a month and a half ago and I can't afford anything hitting my face. But I did watch and it was quite comical. After the game, we picked up the girls and went to swim class. The girls did pretty good.

After swim, we headed home, dropped off the car and then walked down to Food Truck Friday. We walked around and decided what we would all get. The girls opted for slices of pizza. Rory got a bahn mi sandwich and I got some biryani (Indian rice dish). And then Rory and I shared a lemonade and then got mint chip gelato for the girls.
 A momma and her ducklings.

It was sooo crowded there.

biryani

After hanging out, we walked back home and got the girls ready for bed. Then we watched some tv and went to bed ourselves.

Saturday morning we got up, got ready, headed to breakfast and then out to the Animal Ark. At the Animal Ark, they rescue animals and rehabilitate them. It is a great program. We got to see the bear feeding and then a special bird show/lesson.
bear feeding



 Desert Tortoise




 A hawk


 We did this with the girls last year in October and wanted to see how much they grew.


 It is hard to see, but there is a tiger right by the fence.

They even have a playground there which the girls played on for a good 30 minutes.

After the Animal Ark, we headed home and the girls took a nap. While they napped, my in-laws came over to watch them, so we could take Walter over to someone's house for boarding. We wanted to see if he got along with the other dog and what their place looked liked. After we got home, we headed to dinner with my in-laws and the girls.

After dinner, they watched some Toy Story 3 with my in-laws while I cleaned and Rory did some yard work.

Sunday morning we had some zucchini bread and coffee for breakfast and then did some more cleaning around the house. Then it was a bunch of errands including Costco, the grocery store, Home Depot and Bed Bath and Beyond. Totally frustrating trying to find a new garbage can for our kitchen. Our motion one broke in less than a year.

The girls went down for a short nap and then off to a birthday party for their classmate. It was at a trampoline park and the girls LOVED it. 

After the party, we headed home where I cooked and the girls and Rory played with their new stomp rocket. I posted about it on Friday, but it is a total winner. The girls loved competing against each other and so did Rory and I. Totally worth it!
Stomp Rocket Dueling Rockets


We had dinner, did the dishes, bathed the girls and then got ready for the week.

How was your weekend?
Friday, June 21, 2019

Friday Favorites

* This post contains affiliate links. When you click a link, it is no cost to you and I make a small commission (pennies) from it. Thank you for supporting Sparkles and Lattes.

We survived another work week!! And today is the first official day of Summer!!! Happy Summer all! Also, just a little PSA, but you can get a free ice cream cone (plain or dipped) at Dairy Queen today!!!

Let's get right onto Friday favorites and happenings.

ONE. What did we get Rory for Father's Day? We got him a golf polo. And we also got him golf stuff for his birthday. He has been telling me how much he wants some Travis Mathews gear. He says it is like the Lululemon of golf apparel. So I did some research and got him the Zinna Polo. He LOVES it.
Travis Mathews Zinna Polo

TWO. After seeing a stomp rocket on Lindsay's blog several times, I finally bit the bullet and bought the girls one. Plus Rory and I can use this too. We got the duel one, so that we can compete with each other and so the girls can do it at the same time. This one gets amazing reviews and is only $19.99 right now. 
Stomp Rocket Dueling Rockets

THREE. So our beach days are ramping up. And that means that I needed a new hat. I have wanted one of those wide brimmed "do not disturb" or a fun saying hat, but I just never bought one. Then I saw another blogger post about this hat. It has spf 50+, is a wider brimmed fedora and the hat adjusts to your head. So I scooped it up and I am wearing it to the beach this weekend!
Lanzom Wide Brim Fedora Beach Hat

FOUR. When we were in Graeagle a few weeks ago, my SIL made Paleo Whole 30 Barbacoa tacos and they were sooooo good. I got the recipe from her and I can't wait to try it out next week on my own. The great part....you can make it in your Instant Pot or Crock Pot. I am going to use my Instant Pot, but she did the crock pot way and it turned out really good.
Paleo Whole 30 Barbacoa

FIVE. Funnies for the week.
 If only.

This had me laughing so much since I have twins and know those looks. Ha.


I am linking up with AprilA Little Bit of EverythingMeet @ the Barre and Becky.

Have a great weekend!
Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Father's Day Weekend

I haven't done a weekend update in awhile, so I figured Father's Day weekend was a good one to document.

Friday after work, I ran a few errands, had lunch and then picked up the girls from school. Then I took them to swim lessons where they totally rocked it. They are starting to swim on their own (with the help of a floating bar bell). After swim lessons, I took them to pizza since it is right around the corner. And it is the make your own pizza. The girls shared one and I had one and we had enough to bring home to Rory for after golf.

Then since Rory wasn't able to do the Popsicles with Dads event at the girls school, I took them to ice cream after. Sutton got the Oatmeal Chocolate Chip and Avery got the Cookie Explosion.


Then I took the girls home and got them ready for bed and the lake the next day. Rory got home, ate our leftover pizza and then the girls went to bed. We watched the first episode of Big Little Lies (season 2) and then went to bed.

Saturday morning we got up and started getting ready for the beach. We stopped at coffee along the way and got to the beach pretty early. We had tons of space and got a great spot up front. From there, we enjoyed our beach time with food, sunshine, floating and building sand castles. We spent from 9 am to 2:30 pm in Lake Tahoe.
Sand Harbor Lake Tahoe



 Sutton was pretending to sleep in her chair.





On the way home, the girls took a nap. Once we got home, we all got showered and ready. Rory and the girls dropped me off in Midtown. They went to dinner at Sup and I went to meet my friends at a wine bar across the street. One of the girls I met up with, I only get to see twice a year, so that was sooo nice. And the other, I have recently reconnected with, so it was nice to hang out again. And bonus...Rory and the girls stopped by after they ate so they could see my friends as well.

Two of us got this dish and it was heavenly. And we also had calamari which was soooo good.

We pretty much closed the restaurant down and headed back to the wine bar for more chatting. I ubered home around 10:30 pm.

Sunday morning I got up early to take care of the girls and let Rory rest for Father's Day. Then we all got ready and went to brunch.

After brunch, we dropped Rory off at home and I took the girls out to Target and Whole Foods. Rory stayed home and watched the US Open (golf) and was able to relax.

When we got back, I fed the girls lunch and then had to run out to another grocery store for a few items that were not at Whole Foods. Rory put the girls down for a nap and I also picked up some chocolates for the grandfathers.

After the girls naps, we headed over to my sisters house for a Father's Day dinner. Her and her husband smoked ribs and beer can chicken in their Traeger and now I want a Traeger even more!!! The food was amazing. She paired those with asparagus wrapped in bacon with a yummy sauce and garlic smashed potatoes. Then we had some of their anniversary cake and vanilla bean ice cream for dessert. It was an amazing time. The girls cried when we were leaving since they were having too much fun and had missed my side of the family.
Traeger Grill

Once we were home, we got the girls ready for bed and put them down and then spent the rest of the evening getting ready for the week ahead.

How was your Father's Day weekend?