SOCIAL MEDIA

Monday, April 22, 2019

Still Weekending

I just wanted to drop in and say I hope you had a great Easter. We had a great one. I am trying to get together a weekend post and edit all of my photos from our Mexico trip. Stay tuned for those. And see you back here tomorrow with a weekend recap!


Friday, April 19, 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.

Happy Good Friday all! We are just rolling through April so quickly. We have a lot coming up in the next few weeks, and I really hope to document more of it on my Instagram Stories. Still trying to work on being more comfortable in front of the camera. But the weather is finally becoming warmer on a day to day basis and we are looking forward to more sunny days! 

Onto Friday Favorites and Happenings.

ONE. Remember last Friday how I shared the Free People cut out bootie dupes? Well now I really want to find a good dupe for the cut out sandal that Free People sells. I tried the ones at Target and just walking around the store, cut my heels up. The actual bootie is amazing, but the sandal ones are not. So please send me your dupes that are actually worth it. I really don't want to pay $168 for sandals. Ugh.
Free People Mont Blanc Sandal

TWO. Easter is just two days away and I know some people are last minute shoppers. Last year, I shared 50 Non-Candy Easter Basket Ideas and it was a huge hit. So I am sharing it again in case you need any last minute Easter basket ideas.

50 Non-Candy Easter Baskets Ideas

THREE. In about a week and a half, I am having my revision septorhinoplasty. To say that I am nervous is an understatment. And I think that is because I know what is to come this time. Last time, I had no idea how hard the recovery would be, how awful the pain would be or what to expect. If you have been following me for even a short amount of time, you know that I have had a lot of surgeries in my life and this was one of the worst ones. And now I have to go through it again. Ugh. 

And this one is going to be a bit worse in that they have to cut the back of my ear and take out cartilage from there since they used the left over cartilage last time. Let's all just cross our fingers that this one takes care of my breathing problems and I don't have to go through this again.

FOUR. I have been adding in jump roping into my daily workout and it has been awesome. I remember jump roping as a kid and it was always fun. Well now, it is a lot harder than it was when I was a kid. I found out I have no rhythm or stamina (that could be due to the fact that I can't breathe that well through the right side of my nose), but I am getting better. 

The jump ropes at the gym are awful. I found one that is ok, but it is bulky. I made due with it for a few weeks until I knew that I would stick to it. Then I bought one on Amazon. I love this one because it is light, you can easily change the length (I cut mine down just a bit), it comes with a bag so I can take it on trips with me and it is less than $10.
Sportbit Jump Rope

I am linking up with April, A Little Bit of Everything, Meet @ the Barre and Becky.

Have a great weekend!
Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Recipe: Lentils and Spicy Sausages

I am always on the hunt for new recipes and occasionally my husband sends me a recipe he wants me to make. Now sometimes I flat out say no because the labor required to make it or the lack of ingredients available for it. But other times, like this one, he picks a good one.

I followed the directions to a T on this recipe and I found that it takes a bit longer than stated, so I have made those changes to it.

Warning...this doesn't photograph well, but it tastes amazing.

LENTILS AND SPICY SAUSAGES

Serves: 4
Recipe from: Jenna from the Fresh Tastes Blog

Ingredients:

1 yellow onion, diced
2 medium carrots, diced small
1 stalk of celery, diced small
2 tsp minced garlic
1 1/2 cups dry green lentils
1 quart chicken stock (I use low sodium)
1 1/2 tsp fresh chopped rosemary
1 tsp dried thyme
1 bay leaf
1 tsp dijon mustard
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
4 large hot Italian sausages (you can see mild if you don't like spice)
salt
splash of red wine vinegar
olive oil
cooking spray
Recipe: Lentils and Spicy Sausages

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees.

2. Heat olive oil in a dutch oven. When the oil is hot, add in your onions, carrots and celery. Saute for about 5 minutes, stirring often. Then add the minced garlic and saute for another 2 minutes. Make sure not to burn your garlic.
Lentils and Spicy Sausages

3. Add in the rosemary, dried thyme, bay leaf smoked paprika and lentils. Make sure you rinse your lentils if the package tells you to. Mix everything and then add in the chicken stock. Bring everything to a boil and then reduce heat to a bit higher than a simmer (around medium low to low).
Lentils and Spicy Sausages

4. Right after you start simmering, place your sausages on a cookie sheet and spray with cooking spray. Roast your sausages for 15 to 20 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cook time. You want to make sure your sausages are crispy and golden before removing them from the oven.

5. Check everything at 25 minutes, but mine took about 35 minutes to cook through and absorb most of the liquid. Add in our dijon mustard and the red wine vinegar. My red wine vinegar has a slit in the top and I just shook it three times for my splash of red wine vinegar. Stir and continue simmering until all of the liquid is absorbed.

6. Once your sausages are done and the liquid is gone from the lentils, combine everything and season with additional salt as needed. I didn't need any extra. Enjoy!
Lentils and Spicy Sausages

Monday, April 15, 2019

My Favorite Hair Products and Styling Tools

* 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 almost a year since I have shown you all my current hair products. I basically change my products based on what my hairstylist says. She knows my hair best and doesn't try to just sell me things. Her salon has recently phased out Bumble and Bumble products, so I don't use those as much anymore except for my favorites which I just order on their website.

I have fine and straight hair and it seems like it is tough to maintain or get it looking just right. Add the blonde and now some brown through it and it seems even harder. But I feel like I have gotten a routine down and change it up often to go with the change of seasons and the change in my hair.

Shampoo and Conditioner
I have been using Kerastase since December. I am not stranger to this product as I used to use it at my hairstylists old salon. I loved it before and I love it now. Since I have fine and color treated hair, this stuff helps keep it healthy.
Kerastase Resistance Shampoo
Kerastase Resistance Shampoo

As for conditioner, I use the matching one to the shampoo. I use about a dime size amount and massage it into my hair. I usually wash my face and let the conditioner set in a bit and then rinse out.
Kerastase Resistance Conditioner

Hair Prep

After washing my hair, I love to put two things into my hair. I know it sounds ridiculous. The first is Bumble and Bumble Thickening Full Form Mousse and then part of the Kerastase treatment from above (detailed below). The mousse is to add volume to my rather limp hair. I put it on my roots, rub it in and then add the Kerastase Blow Dry Primer. Then I brush my hair before blow drying it. Also, if you blow dry your hair upside down for the last part of it, it gives it a lot more volume.
Bumble and Bumble Thickening Full Form Mousse

Dry Shampoo

I have tried a bunch of dry shampoo lines. I used to use Not Your Mother's Clean Freak (I still do after the gym), but then I went to the grand opening of my hair salon and they used the new Bumble and Bumble Pret-a-powder and I fell in love. Not only does it smell good, but I can use it for several days and not shampoo my hair. I have never found a dry shampoo that does that. I usually can only go a day in between, but not with Bumble's. This stuff works soooooo good. It isn't exactly cheap, but so worth it. Plus it smells like heaven.
Bumble and Bumble Pret-a-powder Dry Shampoo

Hair Repair

If you are like me and blow dry, straighten and/or curl your hair all the time, I am sure it is a bit damaged. With fine hair, it gets damaged easily. I have been using it daily and my hair has never felt better. I bought this as part of a "kit" with the shampoo and conditioner, but I am still loving it. And I have been using it for 4 months and I still have a ton left. I put about a nickel size amount in my palm and then rub it into the ends of my hair.
Kerastase Resistance Blow Dry Primer

Hair Spray

I have used so many different hair sprays. I have used expensive ones like Bumble and Bumble Does It All, Pureology Hair Spray, Kerastase Hair Spray and then cheaper ones like Tresemme, but the one that seems to do the job and is only $3 to $5, Dove Flexible Hair Spray.
Dove Flexible Hair Spray

Texturizing Spray

I bought some Bumble and Bumble Dryspun Spray a long time ago and never really used it. Then my hairstylist showed me how to properly use it and now I love it. After I curl my hair, I let it cool and then run my fingers through the curls. Then I spray the texturizing spray all over it and then add a little hair spray to hold everything. It is the perfect combo and it gives texture and the lift that my fine hair needs.

Flat Iron

I have been using the same flat iron for about 15 or more years. When my last one broke on my trip to Australia for work, I came back and bought a new one. The same exact one. That trip was in 2012 and this one is still working. It is simple, easy to use and works for my hair.
Chi Original 1 inch Flat Iron

Curling Iron

Another product that I have had for quite awhile is my Target Remington Pro Curling Wand. It comes with a glove which I need because I tend to burn my fingers when I don't use it. I have the smaller barrel, but now that my hair is grown out, I might upgrade to the bigger barrel for looser curls. You can adjust the heat on this and it is super easy to use.
Remington Pro Curling Wand

Hair Brush

When it comes to brushing my hair or the girls hair, we use Wet Brushes. They brush through the tangles easily and don't seem to damage our hair. I haven't found a brush that is better. When I lost my luggage on the way to Israel, I had to buy a temporary brush and I hated it because it wasn't my Wet Brush. 
Wet Brush

Hair Dryer

I bought this hair dryer on the recommendation of my hairstylist about three years ago. Mine was too hot and was causing my roots to break around my face and bangs. She told me that BaByliss was the best "over the counter" hair dryer that wasn't crazy expensive. I have been using it ever since. I even bought the travel version for vacations. I just make sure to use extra blow dry primer when I travel for work and use the hotel hair dryers (which I hate but I need more space in my luggage).
BaByliss Pro Porecelain Hair Dryer
What are your favorite hair products?
Friday, April 12, 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.

And just like that, we are pretty much half way through April. Time is flying y'all. Seriously, flying. The girls have swim lessons again tonight and a lot of fun things coming up. We are prepping for Easter, prepping for my upcoming surgery and getting ready for the summer.

Onto Friday Favorites and Happenings.

ONE. A couple weeks ago, Nadine mentioned a recipe that she has been making pretty often and it really sounded good. I made it the next week and we loved it. I gave it to the girls minus the sauce and it was a huge hit. I made it again this week and it was just as good. I would definitely recommend making this. If you don't like too much spice, then you should probably cut the siracha in half or read the comments for the people who made suggestions for less spice. This is a real winner. I paired it with brown rice and a veggie.
Honey Siracha Glazed Meatballs
Honey Siracha Glazed Meatballs (made with turkey)

TWO. On Monday night, I was cooking dinner, listening to Pandora and watching my dog play outside. The girls were watching a movie and Rory was folding his laundry. All of a sudden, the girls called out for me saying Walter was bleeding. I came running in and asked where. They said he was bleeding on his leg. I checked his leg and nothing. Then I saw a big gash on his shoulder. It wasn't bleeding much, but he definitely injured it.

We scooped him up, took him to the bath tub, washed our hands and cleaned his wound. We used warm water and Hibiclens. My friend who is a surgical vet recommended Hibiclens to us when Walter tore his dewclaw. She said it is great for cleaning pets wounds along with people's wounds. We did this twice on Monday night and continued to use it several times a day for many days. He had to wear the cone of shame, but it protected it.

We think he ran into a branch from our grapevine or from one of our fruit plants. He was probably chasing something like a squirrel and it impaled him.


THREE. I have been looking for a pair of those flat cut out booties that I see everywhere. I wanted the Free People version, but paying over $100 for them was out of the question right now. I love investing in a good pair of shoes, but I have trips, a surgery and other things that I need to save for. I was in Target this week and I saw a dupe for the Free People ones and I tried them on and they were amazing. I walked around the shoe department a bit and they didn't pinch my feet and were super cute. So I bought them. They are perfect for Spring and Summer time and more importantly, perfect for work. Plus they are only $35. Now I am thinking of getting a black pair.
Wenda Cut Out Booties

FOUR. On Monday, I shared Preschool Aged Easter Basket Ideas. I know Easter is still over a week away, but I have been shopping for their stuff for about 2 months now. I got the girls a fair amount of gardening tools and I saw the cutest seed poppers on Jen's blog yesterday. I just might have to get my girls some.
Preschool kids Easter Basket Ideas

FIVE. Next week I am sharing a new recipe with you all. Rory sent it to me and asked me to make it. It has French influences (he is part French) and it turned out really well. I decided to take pictures and share it with you all since I had differences that I did with timing, seasoning, etc. Don't worry, I give credit to the original creator and you can go to her site to see the original.


I am linking up with April, A Little Bit of Everything, Meet @ the Barre and Becky.

Have a great weekend!
Wednesday, April 10, 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.

Last week, both the girls and I had dentist appointments. The difference was, I cringed through every second of mine and they were rockstars. Luckily, no one had any cavities, so I call that a win.


Friday, I worked half a day and then went to Sephora. I needed some new foundation before our trip and since it is on the other side of town (on my way home from work), I decided to run in. But I ran into the problem of newer foundation with the Dior line. So I had to get the IQ color match done and for some reason either she did it where my bronzer was or she just did it wrong because it came out as a peach color. She tested it out on my jaw line and it looked ok, but I couldn't really tell. So I just bought it and left. 

Well I stopped in another store after and I could definitely see the color in the changing room and I was mortified. It was completely orange. I have no idea how she thought that matched my skin or that it looked good. I went back to Sephora and that girl was nowhere to be found. I talked to someone else and they said it was just bad. So she took off the make-up, pulled up my history and pulled two other colors that should match my former color. One was an exact match to my current skin color (my neck) and one was a bit darker (but matched my collarbone perfectly). I went with the second one since Summer is coming and I usually like a bit darker for the summer. She nailed it. I exchanged the peach/orange one for Dior Forever Matte Foundation 2.5N.
Dior Forever Matte Foundation 2.5N


After Sephora, I went home to get the girls things ready for swim lessons and then picked them up. We quickly ran home and got them changed. Then we headed over to their first swim lesson. The girls had a blast and did so well. They didn't cry, were not scared and totally were at ease in the water. They are so excited to go again this week.




After swim lessons, we got them dressed and they went with Rory to dinner and I went out with some co-workers to celebrate birthdays. We stayed out late, but I wanted to make sure the birthday girl was ok. 

Saturday morning, I went out and grabbed some coffee and pumpkin bread before heading home. We spent the morning hanging out at the house and then ran errands. We went to Target for some items for our trip plus some essentials and then grabbed some dog food at the specialty store and then went to Whole Foods for some lunch and groceries. We stopped at the butcher on the way home and then put the girls down for a nap.

We watched basketball while the girls napped. Not long after they got up, my parents came over and then my sister and brother-in-law came over. My moms birthday was on Thursday, so we made my family dinner. We had tri-tip, twice baked potatoes and magic broccoli (roasted broccoli with lemon and parm). Then we had mini cookies and vanilla ice cream. It was a great time and the food was delicious. 

Sunday morning we got up and did some cleaning before heading out to brunch with Rory's family who was in town. We went to a new-to-us place and it was sooooo good. After brunch, we hung out for another hour and the girls played with their older cousins. Then we headed home for naps and more basketball.

After naps, we took Walter for a walk and then took the girls to the park to play and burn off more energy.
We saw this little guy along the way.

I walked back home while the girls played some more and Rory watched them. I started dinner which was stuffed shells and salad. Then we ate dinner, gave the girls a bath and then Walter a bath (seasonal allergies are wrecking havoc on our house) and then I cleaned the bath tub. We watched a bit more basketball and then put the girls down. We watched an episode of Sneaky Pete and then called it a night.

How was your weekend?
Monday, April 8, 2019

Preschool Aged Easter Baskets

*  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 are getting closer to Easter which means Easter baskets. I have been buying things since early February to fill the girls baskets. I wanted to spread the cost and I had to make sure I had everything before we head out on our Mexico trip.

Whenever I go by the Target dollar spot, I always pick up a few things. This year I have gotten them each a strawberry plant starter kit and a DIY paint a shape there. I was going to get them princess bandaids, but let's be real, I always buy them bandaids for each holiday. Ha. I decided to skip it this time, but it does make a good gift in an Easter basket or Christmas stocking.

The girls are really into doing everything outdoors which includes helping Rory garden. They love shoveling snow and I plan on getting them shovels later this year to help us shovel the snow. But for now, we have the upcoming gardening season and I wanted to get the girls quality gardening tools. I saw some in the Target dollar section, but they seemed really cheap and I know the girls will actually use these to help. So I turned to Amazon and bought them each a tool set and a pair of gloves.
Kids Gardening Tool Set

Kids Gardening Gloves

I also got them each a Nevada Wolf Pack t-shirt to replace the ones they have that are stained and getting too small. They still wear their Wolf Pack jersey's a lot, but I wanted another shirt for their closet.

My girls LOVE nightgown pjs. Like really love them. They chose nightgowns over most types of pjs. So on a trip to Target, I found the cutest nightgowns. I got them matching ones so they wouldn't fight over them. But for $7.99 each, they were a steal and I might grab another set.
Cat & Jack Flower Nightgown

Another thing my girls love? The movie Sing, Toy Story and Ratatouille. We don't own either of them (they watched them at my parents house)

Toy Story Series
Ratatouille DVD

Sing DVD
Sing DVD

I also got them an Easter book each as I do with every holiday. I chose It's Not Easy Being a Bunny by Dr. Suess since you can't go wrong with those books and Pinkalicious: Eggstraordinary Easter.
It's Not Easy Being a Bunny book

Pinkalicious: Eggstraordinary Easter

I plan on getting them a special Easter treat and hiding money (mostly coins) in the plastic eggs around the house.

What are you putting in your kids Easter baskets?
Preschool aged Easter Baskets