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! It has been a week. It was mostly good, but I am just thankful to be into the weekend. 

Onto Friday Favorites and Happenings.

ONE. Last week I was influenced by Lindsay and I bought an artificial tree. We always go out and cut down our Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving and we still plan to do that this year. BUT we also bought an artificial pencil tree to put up in our dining room. This makes three trees in our house. One in the living room (real), one in the dining room and one mini tree (2 feet) in the girls room. 

After my grandma passed away last week, Rory told me that I should put something Christmas up each week. And to start it off, do something big. He said if decorating early brings me joy, then I should do it. We could all use a little more joy this year. And so I put up our new artificial tree. 

On Wednesday I headed to Hobby Lobby to buy some decorations for it as I leave all of our keepsake ornaments for our real tree. I still need a tree skirt and a tree topper, but I think it looks great so far!

And this tree is still on sale and an even better deal than I got it for. Right now you can get it for $39.99 and save $70. Totally worth it!

TWO. Last weekend we headed over to my SIL's house for an early Thanksgiving with Rory's moms side of the family. We finally got to see their new house and spend some time with family. And while we were there, Sutton lost her second top front tooth. She had lost her other one just the week before.

We took the kids to the park and on a walk before heading home.

THREE. A month or two ago, I told you all about a deal at Target on Living Proof Dry Shampoo. Well it is still going and I ordered another two bottles of my favorite dry shampoo. Even though I didn't need them yet, I wanted to stock up before the price goes up again. Normally you get the 4 oz. for $25, but you can get the 4 oz. at Target for $14.39 plus an additional 5% off if you are a Target Circle (or Red Card) member. So worth it. I now have 4 bottles stocked up at home.

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo

FOUR. Last week several of my blogging friends posted Schitt's Creek inspired gifts and purchases. Well some of those caught my eye and I bought myself an ugly Christmas sweater featuring Schitt's Creek. This is the one I chose.

Schitt's Creek Ugly Christmas Sweater

FIVE. Weekly funnies.

This is funny because I live in Nevada and I know what people can be like here.

This was me on Wednesday. But I did do stuff...only it involved shopping and not what else I really needed to get done.

I got one one up already!

This week has been a lot.

This is funny to me since I am not a mayo person at all.

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

Happy Veteran's Day!

Happy Veterans Day! Today (and every day), I wanted to thank all of our veterans. My dad is a veteran and this day just means so much to my family! Thank a veteran! They have served and protected you and our country! They deserve the biggest thank you!

My dad and I before his last deployment

Holiday Dresses

*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 don't know about you, but I am excited to dress up for the holidays. And for the first time in forever, I get to go to a real Christmas party. Rory and I worked (I still work there) at the same place. Their idea of a holiday party was an office pot luck. We did have one co-worker who would put together a holiday party for some of us, but it was always casual. I haven't been to a real Christmas party since previous to this job, and that was over 14 years ago. So needless to say, I am very excited. And yes, it is a small office, so we will be adhering to the rules on gathering numbers.

Anyways, I have been searching around for some holiday dresses. Some of these I wish I could wear to the party, but they are a little too dressed up for it. And they are all under $150. Most of them, but one are under $100.

Top: One | Two | Three | Four

Bottom: One | Two | Three | Four

Which is your favorite? 

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.

So thankful today is Friday. It has been a week. I am looking forward to seeing family this weekend, getting out of the house and maybe squeezing in some Christmas shopping. What are your plans this weekend?

Onto Friday Favorites and Happenings.

ONE. This is not a favorite (at all), but something I am going through right now. You may have noticed (or maybe not), but I didn't respond to anyone's blogs on Wednesday, nor did I return any comments. I did some on Thursday, but my heart just hurts right now. Even typing this post has me in tears. My grandma passed away on Wednesday. She was my only remaining grandparent and to say that I am devastated is an understatement. My heart hurts so much.

It was completely unexpected. Well it was unexpected until last Friday. Last Friday afternoon my grandma had a heart attack. She was admitted to the hospital and spent all weekend plus there. As the days went on, we found out more information. It turns out that she had a hematoma on her heart that gets worse with higher blood pressure and stress. This is something that suddenly happens and often is never caught before it is too late.

My grandma got out of the hospital on Wednesday because she wasn't getting the answers that she wanted and needed. She wanted second opinions and to not be in that hospital anymore. They sent her home with many machines and medicine and she was going to see another doctor very soon. But that evening she started feeling chest pains and went back to the hospital where she passed.

I never got to say goodbye. We talked on Sunday and had plans to facetime with my girls, but that never got to happen. And that is devastating. 

Please forgive me if I am not really with it right now. And if you could, please keep my family in your prayers.

TWO. I know this is something that I usually save for my Amazon Prime post, but this little device is pretty amazing. I used it to mash my potatoes this week and also to break up my ground beef. When I make ground anything, I like to get it basically chopped into small pieces. This thing does it. And it withstands the heat. This is so worth it.

Meat Chopper

THREE. As promised...Halloween photos!

FOUR. Sutton lost another tooth this week. And she was very brave. Her tooth was very loose, and Rory suggested pulling it out by a string. Sutton was all on board while I was a bit freaked out. BUT she did so good. I had posted the video over on my Instagram and it was a huge hit. Here is her with her newest missing tooth all snuggled in bed. And her other front top tooth is ready to come out as well!

FIVE. Weekly funnies.

This is me nightly.

Yep.

Especially with daylight savings time here.

This election is just UGH.

We were just talking about this. Things need to change. It can't be this difficult.

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

Sephora Holiday Sale

*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.

The Sephora sale started yesterday for me as I am a VIB member. I get 15% off. For the Rouge members (20% off) it started on October 30th. And if you are an Insider (10%), it starts November 5th (Thursday). I have been waiting to buy some makeup and hair care products for a few weeks now in anticipation of this sale. Hey, even 15% off is a good deal for me. This is what I purchased.

It is no secret that I use Kerastase for all my hair care needs. Since this is what my stylist recommends, it is what I use. I have tried so many different products from the line and I have loved them all. They are pricier, but if you get them during sales like this, they are so worth it. I have been using the Kerastase Blond Absolu Hydrating Illuminating Shampoo and the Kerastase Blond Strengthening Conditioner for well over a year now. Maybe even two. I used to use the mask as well, but with my extensions, I haven't been using it. Mostly because I don't want to turn those purple. I also love the Kerastase Mousse. This mousse gives my hair lots of volume, is light and not sticky.

If there is one thing that I use on my face daily (other than moisturizer), it is the Becca Anti-Fatigue Under Eye Primer. I will use this even if I don't put on make up. It brightens my eyes, takes away the bags and makes me look alive. This stuff is the holy grail. I swear by it.

I am a big fan of Tarte Cosmetics. I have heard nothing but amazing reviews on the Tarte Maracuja Lip Tints. This three pack is all holiday colors and names and perfect for all holiday parties. I am most excited to try the Buttered Rum color. Another Tarte product that I am repurchasing is the Tarte H2O Lip Gloss. I have this in Room Service and I got the Hang Ten color this time.

Lastly, I had to stock up on my Stila Blush/Lipstick Combo. Yes this can be used on your cheeks or your lips. I always get it in Peony and I have been out of it for months now.

Are you shopping the Sephora Holiday sale?

Amazon Prime Purchases - October

 * 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.

This month I bought a lot because I ordered all of our Halloween costumes on Amazon. Plus some other things that we needed around the house. So this month was another big order month and I know the next few months will be as well!

linking up with Tanya

Dog Probiotics

Essential Pet Probiotics with Direct-fed Microorganisms for Digestive Support in Dogs

Walter has been on daily probiotics since January. We couldn't find this brand the last time he needed a refill, so we went with another brand. It was in packets and way harder to portion out. I found his old one on Amazon and purchased it.

Callus Remover

Foot Callus Remover

This is sort of a gross purchase, but after the Summer and wearing sandals daily, my feet were just awful. I get pedicures, but between them, my feet just needed a little fix up. This one is amazing. You can use it on soaked or dry feet.

Halloween Costumes

Bo Peep Costume

Jessie Costume

Barbie Leotard

Rainbow Leg Warmers

Men's Leopard Print Button Up

We are going as characters from Toy Story and bought everything from Amazon. I had to return my leotard and get a new one since the one I received fit me everywhere but the length. The new one is a bit big, but I am going to make it work.

Security Camera and Doorbell Camera

Conico Wifi Video Doorbell

Conico Outdoor Security Camera

We have been wanting to get a doorbell camera for several years and never did. Plus we wanted a camera for in the backyard as well. I don't know why it took us this long to get them, but we finally have them up and installed.

L'Oreal Paris Mascara Primer

L'Oreal Paris Mascara Primer

I use this stuff before I put on my mascara every time I wear eye make-up. This stuff is amazing and cheap. Don't waste your money on expensive primers.

Lululemon Align Legging Dupes

Lululemon Align Legging Dupes

I heard these were Lululemon Align Legging Dupes and by first impressions, they feel like them. I have worn them once and they are currently in the laundry, so I am not sure how well they wash just yet. They are really soft, high waisted and long enough. I did the bend over test to make sure you couldn't see through them and you can't. They don't suck you in as much as the Lululemon ones do, but these are an amazing dupe. I will be ordering another pair of these.

Cotton Gloves

Cotton Gloves

I took Avery to the doctor two weeks ago since her hands were just getting sooo bad. She had cuts, raw knuckles and scabs all over her hands and it was getting worse. She has a case of eczema and the aftermath of washing her hands so much. She was giving an anti-inflammatory and an anti-bacterial creams plus a heavy lotion/cream for her hands. At night, she needed gloves and they recommended these, but they sent the wrong size. I sent them back and we just used clean small gloves.

Bike Inner Tubes

Bike Inner Tubes

One of the girls bikes had a flat and it wouldn't stay pumped up. We have changed one tire tube in the past, so I looked for those ones, but they didn't have them. I found a two pack and they worked perfectly for their 16 inch bikes.

Hot Pink Belt

Hot Pink Sports Belt

After shopping around in Hobby Lobby, Michaels and Target, I couldn't find any pink belts or material that I could make a belt out of for my Halloween costume. I found this one and bought it since it would arrive in time and looked similar to the one on the movie cover. Amazon had one that was even closer, bit it was way more expensive.

What did you buy this month?