SOCIAL MEDIA

Friday, October 29, 2021

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.

Happy Friday all! And happy Halloween weekend. We have a lot planned. Today is Nevada Day (observed), so I have today off. We have the Nevada vs. UNLV game this evening and then a Halloween party (adult and kids) tomorrow night. Sunday we have a groomers appointment for Walter and then trick or treating. It is a busy weekend to say the least. Anyways, onto Friday favorites and happenings.

ONE. This week we cut our pumpkins that we got in Apple Hill. Here is a couple pictures from the next evening as it was raining all day when we carved our pumpkins.

Pumpkin Carving

Mine

Avery's

Sutton's

Rory's

TWO. Halloween's past

Toy Story (2020)


Anna and Elsa (2019)

Rapunzel Kids Halloween Costume
Rapunzels (2018)

Toddler Minnie Mouse costumes
Minnie Mouse (2017)

toddler donut costume
Donuts (2016)

Thing 1 and Thing 2 (2015)


Juno (2014)

THREE. Last weekend I took the girls to see a fun house that goes all out for Halloween and Christmas each year. Rory was at a friend's house watching the Nevada vs. Fresno game, so it was just the girls and I. And we had a break in the rain, so we were able to get out and go see it up close. And the girls said they only got a bit scared at the three guys set up.









FOUR. I recently purchased this Free People shirt because I love a good basic. It has good reviews, so I thought why not. Now Free People sometimes fits weird, so I always proceed with caution. But this one is good. I did get a size extra small as I don't like to swim in my shirts. I also have long arms and don't have a problem at all with the length. I bought this to wear with my Lululemon leggings on weekends and work from home days. If you can get it on sale, I would do that, but it is worth it though.

Free People Arden Shirt

FIVE. Weekly funnies.







Have a great weekend. I am linking up with A Little Bit of Everything.

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

Thanksgiving Attire For The Family

*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.

Halloween hasn't even happened and I am already starting to think about Thanksgiving. With shipping delays and price surges, you have to start planning out now. So I started looking around for some Thanksgiving shirts that we can wear on Thanksgiving or the week of Thanksgiving.

And since I always share what I find, I am sharing now.

What do you have planned for Thanksgiving this year?

Thanksgiving Attire For The Family


Many of these items are unisex like the pj pants, the Friends shirt, the socks, the pjs and Football Gobble shirt. And many of these come in men's, women's and children. 

Now if you have been following me for a few years, you know that we usually dress up in a fun theme for each Thanksgiving. Sometimes it is the day after Thanksgiving and sometimes it is on Thanksgiving. This year it will be on Friday. And this year's theme is colors. So your family picks a color and you build a costume from that. Example: blue and you could all dress up like the blue man group. And I have no idea what my family is going to be nor a color. So if you have any ideas, please let me know.

As for these shirt/clothes ideas, those will be worn the week of Thanksgiving and possibly on Thanksgiving.

Can you believe we are already into the holiday season?

Monday, October 25, 2021

Current Makeup Favorites and Routine

*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.

It has been awhile since I posted about my current makeup routine and what products I use. Now I talk about product repurchases occasionally (mostly when they are on sale), but I haven't done a post that shows my favorites in over two years.

So here is my updated makeup routine and favorites:

Overall Face (what I use to clean my face)

Maelove bundle


Yep, I still use this daily cleanser. I love it so much. It has a mint scent and a minty tingle when you massage it into your skin. I use this every single morning in the shower. And yes, I know that it isn't that great of a place to wash your face because the water can be too hot. But I still do it that way. I also use it at night when I clean my face.
Garnier Micellar Water


I use this at different times. Sometimes in the morning before I head to the gym to give my face a refresh or in the evening when I am being lazy and don't want to wash my face with the cleanser. But this stuff works very well and doesn't irritate the face. Especially when you are taking off mascara. This stuff is amazing and cheap!

Eyes - now I know this is a personal preference, but do you put your eye makeup on before your face (foundation, blush, bronzer) or after? I put mine on before my face makeup.

Urban Decay eyeshadow primer


I put this on my eyes before I put on my eyeshadow. It helps to make the eyeshadow last and not crease. I have used this for years and have no reason to change it.

Tarte In Bloom Palette

This is my all time favorite eyeshadow palette. For my normal day look, I use a mix of Charmer and Flower Child all over the lid, then I put Rebel on my lower lid (the part that is closest to your eyelashes) and then I finish with Firecracker on my crease area. For my weekend or evening out look, I use Funny Girl all over the lid and then the other two the same way.

I use the other colors too, but usually when my favorite run out or I have a certain look I am trying to go for.

L'oreal's Voluminous Lash Primer

I put this on my lashes to prime them and make them stand out more. I let it set for 30 seconds and then I add my mascara.

Lights, Camera, Lashes


I love this mascara. It took many tries to find the best and right one, but I love this stuff. I have purchased it a bunch over the last few years.

Face/Makeup Prep


We all know how much I love this face primer. It makes my makeup go on smoothly, doesn't cost a fortune and does the job. Now I only wish it was bigger, so I didn't have to buy it as often.
Becca Anti-Fatigue Under Eye Primer


So I still have about half of a container left of the Becca Anti-Fatigue Under Eye Primer. This stuff is my favorite, but Becca Cosmetics has closed and discontinued their products. So I have been searching for a dupe and this was one recommended. Not sure how good it is, but if you have used it, let me know your thoughts. I know a lot of influencers rep Tula, but if it works and it is good, then I have no problem buying it.

You can still get it on Amazon, but it costs way more than before.

Face
Nars Creamy Concealer


I get this one in Madeline. Another blogger/influencer recommended this to me and I really like it. It doesn't give me as much coverage as the one below, but if I don't have any zits to cover up, this is my go to.

Shape Tape Ultra Creamy Concealer


So this is more of a recent purchase. I use it in 29N (Light-Medium). I like this one way more than the original. This one doesn't crease and lasts all day long. I feel like this one is meant for people in their 30s and older. I used to get away with the original, but not anymore. That one creases so much.

Dior Forever Foundation

I use the color 2.5N. This is a full coverage foundation. It covers up any flaws, gives me an airbrush look and lasts all day.

Stila Convertible Color


This is a creamy blush/lip color. I use it as a blush. I use my finger and then swipe it on my cheekbones. The peony color is really beautiful and stands out.

Too Faced Sun Bunny Bronzer


This is my go to bronzer, but if it is sold out, then I use the Tarte Bronzer in Park Avenue Princess. The Sun Bunny Bronzer is so pretty when you put it on. I put it near my creamy blush, on my forehead and on the bridge of my nose.

Anastasia Eye Brow Pencil


I have been using this for about the last year. It has been over two years since I had my brows microbladed. They are lightening up a bunch, so I use this to make them darker. But I do have a palette for where to put this on now. And I am getting my brows redone in November. I use the color Taupe.

Laura Mercier Translucent Finishing Powder


I use the color Translucent. This is the best finishing powder. I use it to set my concealer and then to set my whole face. I bought it with the puff, but have only replaced it once when my girls used it to put on lipstick meant to be worn with masks. Usually I just clean it every so often.

And that is it for my current makeup routine. What are your favorites?
Makeup Favorites



Friday, October 22, 2021

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.

Happy Friday all! We are a little over a week out from Halloween. My girls are beyond excited to dress up, go to a Halloween party and go trick or treating. Today they have Fall Festival at their school and they are wearing an old costume. 

It is supposed to rain and be dreary all weekend. So we don't have much planned. Watch some football, make a fire each day and rest from the last few weeks. What are you doing this weekend?

My father-in-law is having back surgery today, so if you could say a little extra prayer for him today and the family, that would be amazing.

Onto Friday favorites and happenings.

ONE. I saw another blogger/IGer post these boots and then went and grabbed them for my girls. I try to get my girls a new pair of booties or boots each Fall/Winter. The ones I got last year came from Nordstrom Rack and they have finally bit the dust. They have holes in the soles. 

We went to a kids birthday party about a month ago and the birthday girl got some boots similar to the ones I just got my girls, but hers came from Target. These new ones are from H&M. And the girls wore them for the first time this week and love them. And basically have asked to wear them daily.

They have a warm lining in them, lace up, but also zip up.

Kids Warm-Lined Boots

TWO. I went to Target to get batteries for my smoke detectors (reminder stock up on them because it sucks when it beeps in the middle of the night and you don't have a 9 volt to replace it with) and while I was there, I checked out their boots, heels and mega sales on sandals.

I found a pair of nude suede-like heels that were perfect for my family photos. These shoes are comfy (I walked around a field in them), cute and I got them on sale. I paid about $16 with the sale and red card discount including tax. I ended up returning the Amazon nude heels since I found these.

I plan on wearing the shoes and my dress that I posted in the Family Photos Inspiration post to Rory's holiday party in December.

Women's Nude Michaela Heels

THREE. If you love dry shampoo and have been using Living Proof or want to try it, then you should head over to Nordstrom and buy the Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo. Now I go back and forth between the original and the Advanced Clean Dry Shampoo. Basically if one is on sale or I can get a deal on one, then I buy that one. And this is a good deal. 

Normally the 4 oz is $26 and you get both of these for $35. So basically you get the second one for $9. So worth it. Living Proof dry shampoo is my absolute favorite dry shampoo.

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo

FOUR. I am starting to work on Christmas Gift Guides. Since I started doing some Christmas shopping, I thought I would share what I am looking at and some past gifts that have been a huge hit. So what do you want to see first?

Here are some ideas for gift guides:

Women's Gift Guide
Men's Gift Guide
Elementary Kids Gift Guide
Baby Gift Guide
Friend/Hostess Gift Guide

FIVE. Weekly funnies.







Have a great weekend. I am linking up with A Little Bit of Everything.

Wednesday, October 20, 2021

Halloween Party Food Ideas

We are going to a Halloween party the day before Halloween. Our friends throw one every year and it is a family party. They do prizes for the best costume, the best family costume, the scariest costume and so on. We all have so much fun going each year. 

And they always ask if everyone could bring something to share. Last year, I bought these Chocolate Covered Strawberries that looked like ghosts.

Strawberry Ghosts

And since I am looking for inspiration for this year's party, I thought I would share what I found. Hopefully this helps you out if you are throwing a party or have one to attend.

Halloween Snack Board

Pumpkin Cheese Ball

Mummy Brie
Mummy Brie (this is a top contender)

Spider Web Taco Dip

Spider Deviled Eggs

Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Mummy Dogs

Halloween Oreos

Pumpkin Fluff Dip
Pumpkin Fluff Dip (Another top contender)

Halloween Party Foods