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Friday, January 18, 2019

Friday Favorites and Happenings

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I can't believe that we are already half way through this month. How did that happen? I have some fun things coming up and feel like I just might be past the after holiday blues. Anyone else?

Onto Friday Favorites and Happenings.

ONE. First off, if you are not following Cristin Cooper then you need to be. She is amazing. I LOVE her make-up tutorials and her fashion sense. I have definitely bought many things just by her recommendation. Many months ago, maybe even a year ago, she mentioned her love for NYX Butter Gloss. When I went to ULTA on one of my many trips, I decided to check it out. First, I bought the Creme Brulee and then the Vanilla Cream Pie and I love them. I wore the Creme Brulee out last Friday when I went out with my girlfriends. It is subtle, but adds enough color and is sooooo smooth....like butter. So if you haven't jumped on the NYX Butter Gloss train, then you should. Plus they are super cheap.

TWO. I don't know if you noticed, but last week I finally bit the bullet and bought my own domain name. Of course, someone had www(dot)sparklesandlattes(dot)com which sucks. And it sucks even more that it went to a wordpress site and not even the correct full url like I put above. And I didn't want to buy it for $300 plus dollars, so I settled on www.sparkleslattes.com

I feel like it was time and a blogging goal of mine for 2019. I didn't share any of my blogging goals, but getting my own domain name, putting more time and effort into my blog and IG, posting more often, dipping my toes into IG stories (like actually talking in them) and focusing on growth this year were goals that I had in mind.

THREE. Last Friday, I became an aunt again. My SIL was pregnant and she decided not to find out the gender until she gave birth. Just like she did with my nephew. Well Friday morning, she had a baby girl and now I have a niece. They named her Shelby and I can't wait to meet this little love joy this weekend.

I knew once the baby was born, I was going to order a personalized blanket. So after we had her full name, I went onto Etsy and ordered a personalized blanket. I chose the one below in the colors you see and I can't wait to see her snuggled in it.

FOUR. Do you travel internationally? Because we all know that I do. Well I usually use a travel adapter from work, but decided to finally get one of my own. And this came after my last trip and two of my co-workers having the coolest travel adapter. Yep, I went there with AWESOME travel things. So I bought one for myself for this trip. What do I love about it? It has US, UK, EU and AUS. It basically works almost anywhere. And I already have one for Mexico, so this covers me for almost anywhere I go. Even to Israel which I have to go to in March. So if you are traveling overseas, buy this for yourself. It is only $19.98 and is amazing. Plus you can plug in 4 usb cords. 

FIVE. About a year ago, we got new pillows. We bought into the hemp hype and bought some. They were great for awhile, but they quickly just flattened. I lay in the middle of my pillow and no matter how many times I opened the pillow, moved around the hemp pieces, it would go back to the same shape. My pillow went to crap quickly, but Rory's took longer.

Rory finally gave in and said we NEED new pillows asap. So I went online and started searching. He was interested in the My Pillow, but I wasn't sold. I found the Isotonic Indulgence Side Sleeper Pillow (they have back/stomach ones too) and this was more up my alley. We have been sleeping on it for a few weeks and I love it. I just hope it lasts awhile, but so far it is fully, great for sleeping on my side and my neck and back don't hurt anymore.


Have a great weekend!

31 comments :

  1. Congrats Auntie, she’s precious! Love the blanket! Have an amazing weekend!

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    1. That isn't her, but thank you. That is just the blanket that I got for her. I will have photos of her this weekend :) Have a great weekend too!

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  2. Awww, congrats on your new niece! How exciting! I am OBSESSED with butter gloss -- and that price, you can't beat it. Have a great weekend! xo

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    1. It is the best. I will be getting more this weekend because I need it for my trip. ha. Have a great weekend too!

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  3. Congrats!! yeah for owning your name!! It was amazing when I got mine too. Love Cristin. one of my favorite blogs.

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    1. She is amazing. She has the best style. And thank you. I needed to make that step. Plus it is easier to type in url bar. Ha.

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  4. Congrats on the domain name and on the new niece! I have some butter gloss but I don't love the color. I should get more. Have a great weekend!

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    1. You need to find the right color. I recommend Creme Brulee. It looks good on pretty much anyone. And thank you so much!

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  5. Congrats on the domain name! It stinks that the one you already wanted was taken. But, doesn't it feel good to have your "own" little piece of the internet?

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    1. It soooo does. I love that and it is the first step to making this space more of mine :)

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  6. Congrats on getting your own domain name! That is a huge step!! And double congrats on the precious baby girl! She is precious and I LOVE her name! My baby cousin's name is Shelby, too. :o)

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    1. Oh that is sooo sweet. I can't wait to hold her this weekend. Getting my own domain needed to happen. So thank you!

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  7. Aww what a sweet present for your new niece!!!

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  8. I just noticed your new domain name as I was typing it in to come over. That stinks that yours was taken!! But I think it was a wise idea to get your own. I have thought about doing that; maybe someday. Congrats on becoming an auntie to that sweet girlie!!!

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    1. It was soo cheap to get my own that I couldn't pass it up. And thank you so much. She is just sooo sweet.

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  9. I love NYX products! And I am totally bookmarking that travel adapter - I travel internationally once or twice a year and that would be so worth having!

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    1. I just got it and I am sooo happy that it came in time for my trip. My co-workers swear by that one.

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  10. Congratulations on the new niece! They are the best if I do say so myself. Congrats on the domain name! I need to add that to my list. Have a great weekend!

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  11. We need new pillows like...a year ago. Seriously, they are so bad! And every time we got to a hotel I make a mental reminder that we need new ones!

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  12. ISnt that aggravating when your name is already gone! LIke - I"M THE ORIGINAL EVERYONE :) haha
    Oh my word- that baby - she is GORGEOUS!!!... I give kudos to people who wait to find out what they are having. What an exciting delivery!

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  13. Your little niece is just the sweetest, congratulations to you and your family! I LOVE NYX prodcuts, I'm going to have to grab one of these glosses during my next trip to Target :) Have the best weekend!

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    1. Thank you so much. I love that lip butter. It is the best and I just picked up a new one this weekend!

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  14. I LOVE your blog goals this year and mine are so similar...especially the Instagram ones. It can be so hard to put yourself out there...at least that is my struggle. Also, I have heard such great things about the lip gloss.

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    1. It is sooo hard to put yourself out there. I need to do it more. Cheers to getting out there more! That lip gloss is worth it. Cheap and amazing!

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  15. That stinks the domain was taking but at least you still got a good one. Oddly enough when I talk in my insta stories they end up being my most viewed. It's probably because everyone wants to see how awkward I am lol. Congratulations, Auntie!! Hope you're having a great weekend. Sierra Beautifully Candid

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    1. Haha. Well that makes me feel better. I just don't think I can "review" them before I post otherwise I won't post it. Cheers to trying it out this week. And thank you so much!! I hope baby C is doing well.

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  16. What a great idea buying your domain name! I wouldn't even know where to start! The newborn photo was one of the loveliest I have ever seen - she looks so happy and peaceful! Got to say through, I was most excited to read about the pillow. Outs are AWFUL - lumpy, terrible. I had no idea you could get 'side sleeper' ones - so I am definitely going to look in to this!

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    1. I hadn't known that either until we went looking. I was just looking for a pillow and now they have back, side and stomach ones. Crazy. Thank you!!!

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  17. Yay for buying your own domain name!!! I really need to bite the bullet and do the same. Maybe eventually haha.

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    1. That is how I felt. I finally did it. It was like $1 for the first year and then about $15 after that for the second year. Cheap and easy!!

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