Friday Favorites

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Greetings from London! I am heading into the weekend and I soooo miss my family. I love having the opportunity to travel for work, but the evenings and weekends are tough. You really miss your family and wonder what they are doing, seeing their bright faces in the morning and just missing out.

BUT I am taking the opportunity to have this time and enjoy it.

Onto Friday Favorites and happenings.

ONE. A long time ago, I mentioned that I was going to buy the Brazilian Bum Bum Cream that everyone was talking about. I wanted to see if it lived up to its hype. Well I just finished my first tub of it and I loved it. It smells heavenly, goes on smoothly and it really did make my thighs and bum smoother. I was VERY skeptical, but after using it for the last many months, I feel like it really has firmed up my thighs and bum. So I ordered a new tub of it last week and even bought the mini version to take with me to London. Do yourself a favor and treat yourself! You won't regret it.

Bum Bum Cream

TWO. Last week during the surprise Sephora sale, I also picked up the Becca Hydra-Mist Set and Refresh Powder. I have been using It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Powder for about a year now and while I like it, I feel like I need a little more lasting powder. It is a good option, but everyone says Becca is even better. So I bought it with my 15% off coupon and I am using it on this trip. I will report back, but if it is like everyone raves, you should scoop one up.

Becca Hydra-Mist Set and Refresh Powder

THREE. A few weeks back Kait listed her favorite travel items and she mentioned Tide Travel Sink Packs and I was very interested in it. Since I travel for work, I think it would be easier to wash some of my items in the sink instead of sending them out in the laundry or waiting until I get home. Especially when you are on a two week work trip. You can easily wash a t-shirt that smells like cigarettes from a bar that you were in or wash your undergarments and not have to bring as many. So I bought said Tide Travel Packs and they are amazing. They are small, concentrated and really work.

Tide Travel Sink Packs

FOUR. Girl Chat reminder. Next Thursday is our monthly Girl Chat link up and the topic is Fall Bucket List. I can't wait to hear what is on everyone's list. Grab the images below and be sure to come back next Thursday to link up.

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

Have a great weekend!

Fall Fashion

I am linking up with Emily again for Fall Favorites and this week's prompt is Fall fashion. I love Fall and everything it brings. When it comes to Fall fashion, I am pretty simple and basic. I love jeans, boots or booties, a tee/tank and a comfy cardigan over it. Or jeans, boots/booties and a sweater. The cozier the better.

So I went to Pinterest and found my inspirations of what I wear the most during Fall. Most of this is during the weekend. During the week, it is pretty much slacks or leggings with sweaters and flats or boots.

via

I love the sweater and vest combo. I have puffy vests and utility vests. I love the combo above.

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Another classic combo you will see me wearing is jeans, tank, flannel and boots. I have worn this combo countless times and I am always searching for a cute flannel. I buy a lot of mine from local stores and J Crew.

via

I have a hat almost exactly like the one above. I have slouchy sweaters similar to the one above, but now that I see this color combo, I need to find a wine colored soft sweater. That bag is cute too!

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I love the dress, cardigan and boots combo. I definitely need to find a few more flowy dresses like the one above to complete this look. Isn't it the cutest?

What are your Fall fashion go-tos?

9/11

I wanted to pop in since today is the anniversary of 9/11. This day had such a huge impact on everyone. I remember the day so vividly.

I was in college as a freshman and I had an early Macro Economics class. I went to class as usual, but as soon as I walked in, the tv was on, my professor was watching with his mouth hanging open and I learned what happened that morning. We didn't have a real class that morning. We all just sat there in silence watching the towers explode. We were all crying and in complete shock. Several of my new friends were from NYC and were scrambling to make sure their families were ok. Most of them couldn't get ahold of their families. I can't even imagine how that felt. I didn't know anyone personally, but it still impacted me. That was the day that America changed FOREVER.

I sit back and think about this day each year and how it changed me, society and the world. And today I sit in an office in London and it has even more of a different meaning to me. I can't even explain it, but even here in London, people know what today is, how it affected everyone and the fear that it brings.

So remember to hug your family, say I love you and think of all those men and women fighting for our country to keep it safe. To keep you safe.

Recipe: Stuffed Bell Peppers

One of our favorite meals to make is stuffed bell peppers. You can stuff them with Italian ingredients, Mexican or pretty much anything. I have seen so many variations on Pinterest. But this is the version I have been making for a long time. I used to use a recipe, but I tweaked it so much to make it my own and this is the one I have been using for years. The girls even like these. Enjoy!

What You Need (Ingredients)

4 red large or 6 medium or green bell peppers (red are sweeter)
1 tbl EVOO
1 medium yellow onion, diced
1 lb ground beef or turkey
1/2 tbl minced garlic
1 1/2 cups cooked white rice
1 jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce
Garlic powder
Onion salt/powder
Black pepper
Pinch of red pepper flakes (to taste, 1/4 tsp for little heat, 1/2 tsp for more heat)
Parmesan cheese
Handful of freshly chopped parsley

 I usually use red bell peppers, but we grew these in our garden, so I used green.

What You Do (Directions)

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees (F).
2. Cut the tops off your bell peppers (at the very top to keep as much bell pepper as possible) and clean the inside of them out.
3. In a large pot of boiling water, place your bell peppers in the water to parboil them. Leave them in there for 2 to 3 minutes. You want them to be just tender, but not overly soft. Remove the bell peppers to some paper towels.
4. In a large skillet, heat your oil at medium heat. Add the onions and cook until soft. Around 3 to 4 minutes. Add in your garlic one minute before your onions are done. Do not burn your garlic. Remove the onions and garlic to a side bowl.
5. In the same skillet, brown your meat and cook until it is no longer pink. Make sure you break up the meat into smaller pieces. Drain your grease and add in your seasonings (pepper, garlic powder, onion salt/powder, red pepper flakes, parsley).
6. Add back in your onions, 8 oz of your spaghetti sauce and the rice. Stir until combined and remove from heat. Taste the mixture to make sure it doesn't need anymore seasonings. If it does, add more to your taste.
7. Pour more spaghetti sauce onto the bottom of your pan to just cover the bottom to about 1/8 inch keep.
8. Take your bell peppers and scoop in the meat/rice mixture. Arrange your bell peppers in the pan to give them a little room between each. Spoon on the remaining spaghetti sauce onto the tops of your bell peppers.

9. Bake for 25 minutes or until your meat and rice mixture is heated through. Put parmesan cheese on the top (as much as you like) and bake for another 5 minutes.
10. Remove from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.

Friday Favorites

*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 week just flew by. Maybe it was the short work week or the fact that I am leaving on a jet plane, but I feel like it was just the weekend.

Onto Friday favorites and happenings.

ONE. I have scheduled a ton of posts for the next two weeks. I have a guest post coming at you with a topic that I definitely needed some help on....picky eaters. Sutton is a pretty good eater. She will try almost everything and usually likes it. Even spicy foods. Avery on the other hand isn't as adventurous when it comes to eating. She usually has Sutton try it first and even if Sutton likes it, she won't try it. She always wants mac n cheese, chicken strips/nuggets, spaghetti or anything with bread. The girl loves her bread. But this guest post gives you so many ideas and ways to help get your picky eater to actually eat more foods.

TWO. Let's talk coffee. I love coffee. I am more of a latte girl, but I do enjoy coffee most mornings. Recently, I was introduced to Stumptown Coffee. It is a coffee from Portland and it is really good. I first tried it at one of my favorite local coffee shops. I grabbed one of their cold brews to take to the beach with me and it was really good. So then I went to Whole Foods and they were selling four different flavors, so we bought their house coffee (a fan favorite) and have been brewing it at work ever since. It is soooo good. It has flavors of candied and milk chocolate and it is just easy to drink. I am really wanting to try their Holler Mtn. flavor which is Creamy and Caramel. Have you tried Stumptown Coffee? You can buy it online or look for it at Whole Foods. This isn't sponsored. I just love the coffee.

Coffee

THREE. While Nevada doesn't have a home game this weekend, they do play Vanderbilt on the road. I will be in England when they start and I am hoping that I can either stream it on ESPN or do something. And I am going to miss next week's home game against Oregon State. At least my dad gets to take my ticket and go with Rory. I hate traveling for work during football season.

FOUR. I bought the cutest dress from Pink Blush last week and it arrived this week. Just in time for my trip. I can't wait to wear it in London with some black booties and my charcoal hat.

PinkBlush Button Down Dress

FIVE. Did you check out my post on Wednesday? I participated in a link up with Emily (from my Girl Chat link up) and it is all about your favorite crock pot meals. I pinned and saved a bunch of crock pot recipes because I need to shake things up for dinner and need more meal ideas. And if they come in the form of a crock pot meal, it is even better!

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

Have a great weekend!

Favorite Crock Pot Meals

My blogging friend, Emily, from A Little Bit of Emily (you may recognize her as a co-host to our monthly Girl Chat link up) is hosting some Fall Favorites link ups and I knew I had to participate in some of them. The first one is Crockpot Meals. While I don't make a ton of crockpot meals, I definitely want to read other posts to add more to my food board on Pinterest. But I am here to share my favorite crock pot meals and one of them is pretty new.

Crock Pot Honey Maple Ribs

Crock Pot Honey Maple Ribs

I have made these ribs countless times and they always come out sooo tender. They almost fall right off the bone. One note I will make is to not add too much bbq sauce after you pull the ribs out of the crock pot. You only need a little extra.

Crock Pot Sausages with Pepper and Onions

Crock Pot Sausage with Peppers and Onions

Nadine posted this recipe on her blog a few weeks ago (again) and I made it that next week and we loved it. We love the heat and adding a soft piece of french bread with it. This one is a hit. I have a smaller crock pot, so next time I will add half the amount of the sauce ingredients and double the sausages. That way we will have leftovers for work. You will want them. They are amazing the next day! And use the hot sausages if you like heat.

Spicy Crock Pot Meaballs

Spicy Crock Pot Meatballs

I have made these meatballs for potlucks, tailgates and the girls first birthday party. They are simple and so good. I buy my frozen meatballs at Costco in bulk or you can get them at Walmart. I love the heat to these and could eat them as a dinner with a little rice. Yum.

What are your favorite crock pot meals? Send them to me please!

TBB Asks - How Do You Cozy?

And just like that, we are in September. I am sooo ready for the Fall. So much about this month makes me feel cozy. So when I saw TBB Asks theme was How Do You Cozy? I knew it was going to be easy and a good one.

1. Slippers: yes or no? I am all about the slippers. I wear them basically as soon as I get home until I leave the house again. My favorites are my Ugg slippers with the real sole on the bottom. But I do have about 3 pairs that I regularly rotate.

2. What is your favorite blanket? My Saranoni Blanket. I got the gray stripe home throw and I snuggle in it every night while watching tv on the couch. It is soooo soft and cozy.

3. Thin or thick pillow? I love a thick pillow. I hate flat pillows and will use two at a hotel if they are not thick or plump enough.

4. Favorite warm beverage? Caramel macchiato or mulled spiced apple cider.

5. Robe: yes or no? Yes. I am guilty of wearing a robe pretty much year round. I have one for the winter months and one for the summer months.

6. Favorite comfort snack foods? I really love beef jerky. Especially teriyaki or hot and sweet.

7. Movies or tv series binge? I love a good tv series binge.

8. Actual pj's or leggings? I wear actual pj's. Way more comfy. Especially lounge pants.

9. Do you cozy up on the couch or chair? I go back and forth between these. Now that I have a beautiful Nevada table next to my lazy boy chair, I choose that a lot. But there is nothing like snuggling on the couch.

10. Hoodie, t-shirt or sweater? I wear sweaters all the time since I get hold and love to cozy up in them.