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December 1, 2023 · Leave a Comment

Friday Favorites: Volume 38

Favorite Things

Happy Friday! It’s been over a month since we had a proper Friday Favorites post, so we have a few things to cover! We’ve got everything from the usual what I am reading; a new hair tool I’m loving; and a new-ish Mexican restaurant in Charlotte (Puerta) that I loved!

CHI Volumizer 4-in-1 Blowout Brush

My Revlon brush finally bit the dust during our recent trip to Italy. I think the outlets overseas killed it because on one of our last days in Rome, when I was drying my hair, it smelled like my hair was on fire lol

I stumbled across this CHI one that is a little bit more expensive than the Revlon, but you can switch out the round brush for a hair dryer attachment, or a paddle brush, or a diffuser! I figured that would make it more convenient while traveling because I often still need to blow dry my hair a bit before I use the round brush. I’ve really been liking it so far, especially for travel because now I don’t have to bring a hair dryer and the round brush blow out dryer!

I also don’t think it’s as loud as the Revlon and the shape of the round brush gives my hair a different look that I really like.

1989 (Taylor’s Version)

Been listening to this on repeat since it came out! I think this is my favorite rerecord that Taylor has done so far. I may be a little biased because 1989 was already a top tier album in my books, but the vault tracks are the best ones!

1989 Taylors Version Target Vinyl

Now That We Don’t Talk is my fave:

Cranberry and Orange Anything

Maybe it’s because I’m getting into the Christmas spirit, but I have been really obsessed with anything cranberry and orange flavored right now! I have some ideas for recipes involving that flavor combo that I really want to try out too.

I am going to a neighborhood cookie exchange in a couple of weeks, and I am thinking about trying these out! I don’t have a go-to Christmas cookie recipe, so I may just be trying some new recipes out to bring.

Puerta in Charlotte, NC

Puerta opened in Charlotte in August, so I somehow managed to try out a cool new restaurant within a few months of it opening? Who am I? A friend and I had a kids-free mom’s night out here a few weeks ago and really loved it!

Puerta Charlotte NC

Highly recommend the lamb birria empanadas! That was my favorite thing that I had, and I haven’t stopped thinking about them. We split the salsa trio and then I got two tacos for my entree: a carne asada and the crispy fish (the latter was my fave). I also got a spicy margarita that hit the spot!

If you are in Charlotte and looking for a new Mexican restaurant to try, check out Puerta in the Elizabeth neighborhood.

Currently Reading

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J Maas

This is the fourth book in the Throne of Glass series. I’ve been enjoying the series pretty well so far and felt like I was waiting for Queen of Shadows for months before it finally became available at the library.

I literally started it last night, so I don’t have any opinions to share yet, but you can follow me on Goodreads if you want to know my final verdict once I do finish it!

Audiobook: Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

This one has randomly been on my to read list for a while. I’m about 30% through it, and I’m honestly not loving it, but I’m going to stick it out! I feel like I read a lot of time travel books, so I’m not sure if this one has a twist that makes it really special.

If you are like me and enjoy listening to audio books, you can get 2 free audio books with Audible Premium Plus here!

2023 Reading Challenge

2023 Reading Challenge
Sara Ann has completed her goal of reading 50 books in 2023!
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55 of 50 (100%)
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Hey there!

I’m Sara Ann and am a big fan of fresh flowers, traveling, and eating a pint of Ben & Jerry’s in one sitting. I share my life, loves, ideas, and everything in between with the hope to inspire and help make the lives of regular folks (maybe like you!) simpler, happier, and healthier.

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saraannsutton

creating a suburban fairytale with a toddler + pregnant 📚🧚🌷
lifestyle, motherhood, DIY, & a dash of whimsy ✨
💌 saraann@theregularfolks.com

What I ate in a day at 20 weeks pregnant with a hi What I ate in a day at 20 weeks pregnant with a history of gestational diabetes! I am trying my best to follow the diet I followed with my 1st pregnancy. Fingers crossed I don’t have GD this time around though (being tested at 24 weeks 🫩) 

Breakfast: viral spring roll “bagel” filled with sausage, egg, and cheese + matcha latte with @fairlife milk and sugar-free vanilla syrup from @torani 

Supplements: prenatal and probiotic from @gardenoflife choline from @naturemadevitamins, and vitamin D

Lunch: chicken&pork gyoza, soy sauce + apple

Snack: PB protein cereal from @ghostlifestyle and @fairlife milk

Dinner: viral sheet pan beef “kebabs” with low-carb wrap from Ole, roasted zucchini, tomato, feta, tzatziki, and hummus

Bedtime snack: low-carb vanilla Greek yogurt and @sevensundayscereal granola

#gestationaldiabetes #pregnancy #2ndtrimester
Sometimes, boys have childhoods that are centered Sometimes, boys have childhoods that are centered around traditionally boy-ish things like trucks and sports, and while my son LOVES those things, I think boys don’t always get all the whimsy that girls get. Whimsy is for girls AND boys!! Every childhood deserves to be whimsical 🥰 #toddlermom #toddleractivities #whimsy #whimsicalhome
Every month, my toddler and I shop for our local c Every month, my toddler and I shop for our local community blessing box ❤️ I use this as an opportunity to teach him about taking care of others in our community in big and little ways. This is everything we got for August! #blessingbox #foodpantry #toddlermom
What I ate in a day at 19 weeks pregnant with a hi What I ate in a day at 19 weeks pregnant with a history of gestational diabetes! I am trying my best to follow the diet I followed with my 1st pregnancy. Fingers crossed I don’t have GD this time around though 😅

Breakfast: refried beans, fried egg, guac, salsa, chicken sausage from @jonesdairyfarm , and obviously @cholulahotsauce + matcha latte feat sugar-free syrup from @torani 

Supplements: prenatal and probiotic from @gardenoflife, choline from @naturemadevitamins, and vitamin D

Lunch: low-carb wrap from Ole, lightly breaded chicken nuggets from @justbarechicken tzatziki, avocado, lettuce + and apple

Snack: everything @thesolacompany bagel with jalapeño cream cheese

Dinner: turkey burger bowls with roasted sweet sweet potato, lettuce, avocado, salsa, and spicy ranch

Bedtime snack: @fairlife chocolate milk (THE BEST!!!)

#gestationaldiabetes #pregnancy #2ndtrimester
18 weeks pregnant (still sick!) but have much more 18 weeks pregnant (still sick!) but have much more of an appetite than last week! Because I had gestational diabetes in my first pregnancy, I am mostly following the GD diet while I wait to take my glucose test 🫩 I have what my carb goals were highlighted in my stories!
Feta, egg, sweet potato bake was modified from @jenneatsgoood 
Lunch was leftover yogurt marinated chicken + a whole what couscous pasta salad I made loaded with tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, feta, asparagus, bell pepper, olive oil, and lemon juice.
Snack was PB protein cereal from @ghostlifestyle 
Dinner was crockpot pesto ranch chicken with asparagus and @barillaus protein pasta!
Bedtime snack was @toogoodandco vanilla yogurt and @sevensundayscereal granola. 
#gestationaldiabetes #carbconscious #pregnancy #whatieatinadayrealistic
My philosophy is that if I’m not in my house, it c My philosophy is that if I’m not in my house, it can’t get dirty 🥰🥰 #sahm #stayathomemomlife #toddlermom
DIY No-Sew Fabric Birthday Banner!! 🥳🎉🎈 This is a DIY No-Sew Fabric Birthday Banner!! 🥳🎉🎈
This is a great project to use up fabric scraps and an old bed sheet with no sewing machine required.
You will need an iron, fabric, fabric scissors, a printer, Heat N Bond, and hem adhesive. Hopefully this tutorial is helpful to anyone trying to make a similar birthday banner without sewing experience. It’s fun to make and I love knowing that we can use this banner for all the birthdays to come! 🥹❤️ #whimsy #birthdaycrafts #toddlermom #whimsicalchildhood
🗣️ stop sleeping on Costco clothes!! 🗣️ went in m 🗣️ stop sleeping on Costco clothes!! 🗣️ 
went in mainly searching for the Costco gap sweater, drawstring pants, and a couple of quilted jackets, so this was my Costco clothes haul! #costco #pregnancy #costcohaul
Fighting some kind of respiratory virus while preg Fighting some kind of respiratory virus while pregnant, parenting a toddler, and trying to maintain a carb-conscious diet is not for the weak! Here’s what I ate in a day pregnant: SICK EDITION 🤧 my dietician had told me back with my first pregnancy that your blood sugars are going to be naturally higher when you are sick, so if you are checking blood sugars while sick and with gestational diabetes, it may be harder to keep them in range. Take care of yourself and try your best ❤️ #pregnant #gestationaldiabetes #whatieatinadayrealistic
The concept of pregnancy is magical and I am so th The concept of pregnancy is magical and I am so thankful, but also I cannot LOOK at raw meat, I’m googling everything, and this baby might be 90% French fries from the 1st trimester 🤪 but my 1st trimester was soooooo much easier this time than with my first! #pregnancy #pregnancyhumor #pregnant
Been teaching my son some classic 90s-2000s activi Been teaching my son some classic 90s-2000s activities for the summer 😎 my friend Ashley at @letsmingleblog organized a virtual summer camp this year and so many of the activities have been nostalgia filled and I’ve loved getting to share them with my son 🥹 #millenialmom #toddlermom #toddleractivities
Because I had gestational diabetes in my pregnancy Because I had gestational diabetes in my pregnancy with my son, I’m being carb-conscious while I wait to take my glucose test at about 24 weeks pregnant. I’m roughly following the guidelines I was given back in 2022, but obviously not monitoring blood sugars at this time since I don’t officially have a diagnosis at this time. Hopefully this gives you some meal and snack ideas if you are being carb-conscious or have gestational diabetes! #gestationaldiabetes #pregnancy #whatiatetoday
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