SOCIAL MEDIA

Monday, August 30, 2021

10 Fall Jackets

*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.

Do you have real Fall weather where you live? We do. We go from the 90s/100s in the Summer to the 50s to 70s in the Fall. It is truly beautiful here in the Fall. But it means that I want to wear jackets at work and when I am outside. I don't have enough Fall like/lightweight jackets, so I am always searching for new ones. I found ten that are definitely on my list. Help me decide which to buy.

10 Fall Jackets

So many cute options this Fall. Are you looking for anything specific this Fall?

Friday, August 27, 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! This week has been very weird. Monday we had Sutton's surgery and it was going to be her first absence, but then we had hazardous air quality due to the two fires in our area that school was cancelled. Then it was cancelled again on Tuesday. This means that the kids have to make the time up at the end of the school year. And this is why they should postpone school starting until after Labor Day like I had when I was growing up. Get rid of Fall break and the extra week during Spring break. Ugh. 

This has been happening for a few years now and it is time that the school district takes notice and changes things. 

Anyways, onto Friday favorites and happenings. 

ONE. While searching for Fall decor this week, I found the cutest Dash mini waffle maker. I have the regular mini one and we love it. But to have the pumpkin one would be so cute too. I thought I would share it with you guys. 

Plus we make cinnamon rolls and fried/baked eggs in it as well. It is just one by one, but so good. For the eggs, I put some cheese down first, then crack an egg on top, sprinkle salt and pepper and a bit more cheese. I haven't had to use any cooking spray, but you may need to as you use the maker more and more. I have also done the same thing with the cinnamon rolls. Just add them when the maker is warmed up and wait for the light to turn green. It takes about two and a half minutes.

Pumpkin Mini Waffle Maker

TWO. Remember the dresses I shared a couple weeks ago that the girls were going to wear in my cousins (in-laws) wedding? Well we first got a size 8 because that is what the reviews stated (to size up). Those were huge on my girls but great in length. So I returned those and ordered a size 6. They were still too big. I am talking at least an inch and a half to two inches around the chest. Ugh. They were so cute though. Here is what I had purchased and returned (twice).

Popatu Girls Glitter Dress


So I went searching again for another dress. It is so tough finding a dress for girls that is fancy in one of these colors that isn't crazy expensive.

Here is what I came up with. They look so cute on the girls. I can't wait to get photos. Now to find shoes. Ugh. If you know of a place to get shoes to match these dresses that aren't crazy expensive, please let me know.
2Bunnies Party/Flower Girl Dress

THREE. Last weekend we went to a casual wedding for Rory's co-worker, Jake. It was held at his husband's uncles house and it was so pretty. We had the best time. We danced all night and it felt good to go to a wedding again. Plus it was all outdoors (and the smoke managed to leave us be for awhile) and very safe. 

Here are some snaps from the day.


They changed after the ceremony.


I got this dress last minute from American Eagle (it is maxi length). I got so many compliments on it.

I didn't get my Tory Burch sunglasses until Wednesday this week.

FOUR. If you follow me on Instagram, then you probably have seen some of these. But my little Sutton had surgery on Monday morning. Rory and I were to go with her both, but school was cancelled for our county due to the raging forest fires in our area and the massive amounts of smoke in the area. So I took Sutton myself. She was scheduled for surgery at 10:30, but she didn't go back until 12:15. She was grumpy as she was hungry.

We did have a scare while waiting for surgery (which was why her surgery was pushed back). They had announced a code over the intercom and came rushing to close all curtains and doors to patients waiting for surgery. I later found out that a boy had gone into cardiac arrest after surgery. I only know this from the code and the room which I saw when I went back to see Sutton after recovery. Very scary for that parent.

But once she went back and had her cry (so did I), she was off to have surgery. She had a dermoid cyst removed from her scalp. It was a pretty easy (or so they say) procedure which took 30 minutes from start (administering anesthesia) to finish. 

She came out of surgery very well and wasn't nauseous at all. Thank goodness because I don't often do that well from surgery.

She had a popsicle and some apple juice and was ready to leave. After getting her moved to the second stage of recovery, they got more vitals, dressed her and took our her IV (which she didn't even flinch) and we were good to go. A nurse took her out in a wheelchair to my car and we headed home. 

She did great at home and rested and watched tv most of the afternoon.

Thank you for all the prayers and well wishes. We felt them!

Before surgery

After surgery with her popsicle.

They French braided her hair on both sides around her wound so they wouldn't have to cut her hair. They did a great job on the wound. I will spare you from those photos.

FIVE. Weekly funnies.






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

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Fall Decor

*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.

Can you believe we are almost to Fall? I know I am ready for some cooler temperatures and hopefully these fires will be put out soon. I am longing for the evenings of being outside and breathing clean air again. But since we are approaching Fall, it is time to change our Summery decor for some Fall decor.

I thought I would share some of my recent finds and items in my shopping carts.

Fall Decor

I already have the velvet pumpkins and love them so much that I had to share them again this year. Everything else is new and things that are in my cart or that I recently purchased. How ready are you for Fall?

Monday, August 23, 2021

Sutton's Surgery and a Bridal Shower

*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 wanted to keep today's post light. Today Sutton FINALLY has her surgery on her cyst on her head. If you remember, it was supposed to be in June, but it was cancelled/postponed since her surgeon had broke her femur and blew out her knee.

Well today is the day. She had her covid test on Thursday and we were given the clear for surgery. So if you could, please send Sutton all your prayers. It is a simple surgery, but this is my little girl.

And since I didn't have much else to share today, I thought I would share my cousin's bridal shower that I attended a couple weeks ago. This is the wedding that my girls will be flower girls in.

Her mom and sister put on such a cute shower.

But first, my nails that I got done for the shower to match my dress.


This was one of the games. You had to guess where each photo was taken.

Beautiful and delicious cookies.


Family (and one friend)


Cousins
I am wearing that Abercrombie and Fitch dress I shared a few weeks ago.

Have a wonderful start to your week!
Friday, August 20, 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! I can't believe we are already half way through August. The temperatures have cooled down a bit for this week and I couldn't be happier. It actually feels like Fall is approaching. We have had over 20 days of 100 degree heat and already broke the record from 2018. We have some warmer temps next week, but for now I am soaking in all these cooler temperatures. I am talking high 70s, low 80s!

Onto Friday favorites and happenings.

ONE. Remember a few weeks ago when I posted some Tory Burch items that I purchased, was gifted and wanted? Well Tory Burch is having a big "private" sale right now. That basically means you put your email address in and you can shop the sale.

I really wanted a pair of sunglasses from TB, but never bought them or received them for my birthday. But I did receive some money and I used some of that to get these sunglasses. They are normally $157, but on sale for $109 and the other color is on sale for $99.

Tory Burch Logo-Temple Sunglasses

TWO. So I finally got off my butt and purchased a few dresses for the wedding we have Labor Day weekend. Remember when I posted the Wedding Guest Dresses post? Well I slept on it way too long and most of the dresses are sold out in my size. But I did grab one from that post and then I added two others. 

I got the pink one and tried it on. It is cute, but not sure if it is the right one. Mostly because it is light pink and this is a Fall wedding. But that doesn't mean much. If it looks good, it looks good. So help me choose. I may do a try on and post it later again. But in the meantime, help me choose.

Burgundy Midi One Shoulder Dress

Blush Pink Lace Dress

Black Ruffle Dress

THREE. I made the best Caprese Salad this last weekend and I wanted to share it with you all. It was so good and enjoyed by everyone who had it (us, my girls and our friends who were over with their kids).

It is simple. I used heirloom tomatoes and basil from our garden. I bought burrata from our local grocery store (on sale). Burrata is like mozzarella but it has a creamy center. It is like buffalo mozzarella but ten times better. Then I drizzled a good olive oil (from California if you can get it) and a thicker balsamic vinegar (again get a good quality balsamic). Then I added fresh cracked pepper and a finishing salt.

caprese salad with burrata

FOUR. Tuesday was my wedding anniversary and Rory had these flowers made for me. I wish I would have gotten a photo of when the girls brought them into me. They were so beautifully put together. They even had just been sprayed with some water to make them even more gorgeous. But I took them out of the plastic and bow and put them in a vase. It doesn't give it the same effect, but they are still gorgeous nonetheless.


He told her some of my favorite flowers and she went to work. There are five different colored roses (orange-pink, light pink-white, red, orange-red and a pink-red. Then a few lilies (two that haven't opened) and a bunch of other flowers. So beautiful!!!

FIVE. Weekly funnies.

Not really. I do pay attention to it and cringe every single time. I just paid $4.09 for gas this week.


100%



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

Wednesday, August 18, 2021

Eighth Wedding Anniversary

Yesterday was my 8th wedding anniversary. And this last year has just been so crazy. Last August we were still in the thick of quarantine (at least for me working from home), but we did manage to get a night out together for dinner. This year, we had massages at home (previously gifted to us by my in-laws) and take out. And we both had to work all day. Boo. But that is life and this Saturday we have a kid free night and a wedding to attend, so maybe we can celebrate again that evening!

The last 8 years (12 years in December for dating) have been amazing. We have traveled to Costa Rica, Mexico and all over the United States. We adopted a pup. We had identical twin girls. You changed careers. And we have grown a lot. I wouldn't change a thing. And I can't wait to share the next hundred with you.

Happy Anniversary Rory!

Here are some snapshots over the last year!

Apple Hill

Weekend getaway to Lake Tahoe

Halloween

Thanksgiving

Christmas

New Year's

That time when we bought a new car

Easter

Date night

Mother's Day

Graeagle trip

Rodeo

Father's Day

Boating on Lake Tahoe

Cheers to many more amazing years!