Friday Favorites and Happenings

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Happy Friday all! This weekend is my mother-in-laws birthday and next week is my husband's birthday. So we have a lot of celebrating to do.

ONE. I recently found the NYX Shine Loud Lip Shine. Say that 5 times fast. Anyways, I saw it all over Instagram how you can wear this all day and it won't get on your mask. I went to three different Ulta stores to find it in a non obscene color. And the closest I found was hot pink. I did buy it since I had a huge credit on Ulta and I tried it out a couple weeks ago on a Friday night when I had dinner with my friends. 

I didn't take a photo as the hot pink was bright. But I did pair it with clothes that worked with the hot pink. I wore my mask into the restaurant and when we left. I drank some wine, water, ate my food and wiped my mouth many times. And guess what...the lip shine never came off. It wasn't on my mask or on the napkin. Total winner.

It is pricey at $11.50 each, but that isn't bad when comparing it to Tarte or Dior which I love to wear both in their lip glosses.

I am on the hunt for another color like Trophy Life or Movin' Up. I will keep you posted. 

Have you tried the NYX Shine Loud Lip Shine?

NYX Shine Loud Lip Shine

TWO. I was going to make a whole post on Easter decor and some of the new items we got, but then decided to add them here since I don't have a ton of Easter decorations. I am slowly adding to our collection, but when some of my favorite home decor stores closed, I missed out on some amazing decorations.

Also, I haven't gotten out the metal baskets and empty eggs that I usually put around the house.

I got this garland last year and I think it was from Pottery Barn.

The light up Easter eggs and bunnies are from Target (from a few years ago).

Easter egg and sign (Target from a few years ago), Easter egg candle (and it smells good!)

Bunny Garland (gift from my MIL)

Flower Garland (Target dollar spot)

Spring Wreath

Easter Bunny Tray (This is my husbands from when he was a child)

Easter Stuffed Carrots (I put these randomly around the house)

THREE. At my sister's baby shower, one of her friends got her this trail mix below as a snack for her at the hospital. She said they have snacked on this at work and told me it was sooo good. So I bought some at Costco and she was right. It has pretty much everything that I love in a trail mix...almonds, dried coconut, macadamia nuts, coconut macaroon almonds and dark chocolate drops. So good and pretty healthy for you.

Hoody's Keto Trail Mix (You can get it on Amazon, but it is way cheaper at Costco)

FOUR. I am always on the lookout for good t-shirts and tank tops. And that doesn't mean that they have to be expensive. I loved the American Eagle ribbed tanks last year and even some from Target. I saw that Wild Fable (at Target) had some new racerback tanks and the snaps actually open whereas my American Eagle buttons were just for show. I grabbed a black one and a beige one and they are amazing. They run small. I found this with the racerback tank I bought last year from Target (without the snaps) as well. I usually wear an extra small, but sized up to a medium in these. Plus I got them on sale for 20% off, so that makes them $6.40 each. Such a steal.

Wild Fable Raceback Tank

FIVE. Weekly funnies.

Kids these days. I LOVED the Sandlot!

This will be very real for everyone when things open back up.

This is my kind of meal planning. Minus all the fast food. I would just put money aside for my favorite lunch places.

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

Easter Outfits for Women

*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 St. Patrick's day all!!! I hope you are wearing your green today. I know I am.

And for my final Easter post, women's outfits. Do you dress up for Easter? Sometimes I dress up and sometimes I wear Spring colors. I think it depends on the weather here. Last year it was warm.

2020

2018

This year I am going to dress up. I recently got myself a cute skirt from Loft (on mega sale) and I plan on pairing it with a shirt from my closet. I wore it to my sister's baby shower and it was a hit. I got a lot of compliments on it. Unless I buy one of these outfits below. Here is the skirt I bought.

Loft Floral Tiered Ruffle Skirt

And now some Easter outfit ideas:

One  |  Two  |  Three  |  Four  |  Five  |  Six  |  Seven

Some notes on these dresses. I wanted the first dress and asked a blogger/influencer how tall she was to see if it would be long enough on me. It will not as I am 5'9" and will be too short for Easter Sunday. Now date night, I can get away with it because it would be more like a mini dress/mid thigh dress on me.  The same probably goes for dress number 7. 

What are you wearing Easter Sunday?

Easter Outfits for Kids

*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.

Another fun Easter post. This time Easter clothes for kids. Will you be celebrating Easter with family? Going to church? Dressing up?

For the Boys - Shirt  |  Shorts

For the Girls - Floral Dress  |  Bunny Dress  |  Bunny Shirt  |  Pink Skirt

For the Baby Boys - Shorts Outfit  |  Denim Pants Outfit

For the Baby Girls - Ruffle Skirt Outfit  |  Jumpsuit Outfit

I love all three outfits for my girls, but I can't decide which one to get them. What is your pick?

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!

ONE. Our taxes are finally filed. I seriously hate doing it and was nervous about doing our own this year with Rory starting a new job last year. But it turns out, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. It was just a little more work. Though I wanted to share a tip...I was asked if we sold, acquired, transferred or bought products/services with some form of cryptocurrency. I said yes, but then it never took me to that area. I googled if you had to include it this year (as we haven't in years past) and it was a resounding yes. That you must. So I searched where it should be (in your income section, schedule 1) included and added ours in. 

Anyways, I am just thankful that it is done for the year and I don't have to worry about it in a month when it is tax crunch time. Do you do your own taxes? I think this may be our last year doing our own.

TWO. This last weekend my mom, my sister's mother-in-law and myself threw my sister a baby shower. My little nephew is due in less than a month and I couldn't be more excited. I thought I would share my gift with her (other than what I bought on Amazon as you saw that on my Amazon Prime - February post) and link any items just in case you have a baby shower to shop for or are shopping for your little one.

Basket (Hobby Lobby)

Baby Converse Shoes (I bought these in September when she told me she was pregnant)

Cloud Island 3 Pack Onesies

Dr. Seuss Green Eggs and Ham

THREE. And now I thought I would share some photos and decorations from the baby shower.

I didn't have enough room on the board to add the crackers, jam and nuts.

We set up a mimosa bar with champagne and sparking cider which wasn't pictured as we wanted to let them chill until guests arrived.

Baby Shower Boxes

This is only a small portion of the gifts. We had them lined down the hallway.

My sister and the little photo area I set up. Isn't she glowing?!

Sisters

The little girl on the right was in my wedding when she was 3. I can't believe how much little B has grown.

FOUR. On IG I got some request on the skirt I was wearing at my sister's shower. It is from Loft and it is on sale. I am wearing a small and the waist is very forgiving.

Loft Floral Tiered Ruffle Skirt

FIVE. Weekly funnies.

This was my life 100%

I was just telling Rory how I need a net in the trunk area for this.

It's been a year since this started. Ugh.

For the record, I am #2.

Right?

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

Easter Basket Ideas for Kids 5 - 9 Years Old

*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.

Another fun Easter post. This time Easter basket ideas for kids 5 to 9 years old. Some of these items the girls are getting, some I bought for them recently (ie for Mexico), and some are just ideas I have for the girls/kids birthday parties.

Big Truck Hats - This is a local company to me and we have several of their hats. I have some, Rory has some and the girls have some. They are amazing and perfect for beach and Summer days.

Imagine Ink Books - My girls love these and will be getting this set and another princess one. Since this one comes in a pack of three, I need one extra to split them up. They have them in pretty much any character you want.

VTech Kids Karaoke - My girls would love this thing, and I would get it for them if we didn't get them handheld microphones last year for Easter.

Frozen Dive Toys - I got the girls these dive toys and some Trolls ones. They love diving for toys in the kiddie pool in Graeagle.

Glow in the Dark Slime Kit- What kid is not obsessed with slime? I know my girls are and this is a fun glow in the dark kit for it.

Disney Waterproof Stickers for Water Bottles, Skateboards, Luggage - My girls are getting these for their luggage and their water bottles that they bring to school daily. This will set their water bottles apart from others.

Apples to Apples Disney Edition - I think my girls might still be a bit too young for this, but I am hoping to get it for them next year. Unless any of you have it and it would be ok for 6 year olds. I love the game Apples to Apples and this is a fun family version.

Stomp Rocket - I have purchased this stomp rocket 3 times already. My girls have it, my nephew has it and one of the girls friends has it now. It is a huge hit.

Dock and Bay Quick Dry Towel - This towel is pretty awesome. It is perfect for the beach, gym, sitting in the grass or for travel. I got the girls one for Mexico and they dry soooo fast, pack small and dry people off quickly.

Punching Bag for Kids - My nephew has this and loves it. 

Other items for the Easter baskets:

Candy

Coins/Money inside of hidden eggs

Chapstick

Bandaids

Books

Sandals

Bathing Suits

Goggles

Show Me Your Books - February

*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 was another bad month of reading. I read one full book which I really enjoyed and then the other book, I have been reading for the last month and I am only 20% in. It is not that it isn't a good book, it is just that with surgery and my lack of wanting to read, I haven't finished it. Luckily, no one else is wanting to read this book right now, so I can keep renewing it. But I have had to push out the holds on several other books.

Anyways, here is what I read this month and also the current book that I am reading.

The Wife Stalker - Liv Constantine

The Wife Stalker - Liv Constantine

I enjoyed this book more than the reviewers on Amazon did. It gets 4 starts on Amazon and I would give it 4 1/2 stars. And this is because I did not see the end coming. 

The book is about Joanna and and Leo and their life together. Leo fell into a depression and Joanna suggests that Leo, a lawyer, goes back to the retreat he is checking out for a case he is working on. She suggests that he take some classes there to help him get back to his normal self. Leo does take her advice, but he meets Piper there. Piper owns the retreat and starts a romance with her.

Joanna is devastated, and pushed out of Leo's life. But he assures her that she will still be a part of the children's lives. And then there is a big twist at the end that I did not guess. And that is what makes a really good book for me. 

I definitely recommend this book.

Here is Amazon's synopsis:

Breezing into the upscale seaside paradise of Westport, Connecticut, gorgeous thirtysomething Piper Reynard sets down roots, opening a rehab and wellness space and joining a local yacht club. When she meets Leo Drakos, a handsome, successful lawyer, the wedding ring on his finger is the only thing she doesn’t like about him. Yet as Piper well knows, no marriage is permanent.

Meanwhile, Joanna has been waiting patiently for Leo, the charismatic man she fell in love with all those years ago, to re-emerge from the severe depression that has engulfed him. Though she’s thankful when Leo returns to his charming, energetic self, paying attention again to Evie and Stelli, the children they both love beyond measure, Joanna is shocked to discover that it’s not her loving support that’s sparked his renewed happiness—it’s something else.

Piper. Leo has fallen head over heels for the flaky, New Age-y newcomer, and unrepentant and resolute, he’s more than willing to leave Joanna behind, along with everything they’ve built. Of course, he assures her, she can still see the children.

Joanna is devastated—and determined to find something, anything, to use against this woman who has stolen her life and her true love. As she digs deeper into Piper’s past, Joanna begins to unearth disturbing secrets . . . but when she confides to her therapist that she fears for the lives of her ex-husband and children, her concerns are dismissed as paranoia. Can she find the proof she needs in time to save them?

And the book I am reading right now is: One Little Secret by Cate Holahan.

One Little Secret by Cate Holahan