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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 📚🧚🌷
making life a little more whimsical and healthier ✨
💌 saraann@theregularfolks.com

I had diet-controlled gestational diabetes with my I had diet-controlled gestational diabetes with my first pregnancy, so once I found I was pregnant with my second child, my doctor asked me to go ahead and be “carb-conscious” and try to roughly follow the diet while I wait to do my glucose test at ~24 weeks. 
Since I’m not checking my blood sugars rn, I’m trying my best to count carbs, adjust my portions, and make low-carb swaps where I can, with the knowledge that IF I get a diagnosis this pregnancy, I may have to adjust this diet further to reach my blood sugar goals. I’m also  trying to make my diet as nutritious as possible for myself and baby but in a realistic way! #gestationaldiabetes #whatieatinadayrealistic #pregnancy
Whimsy isn’t supposed to be complicated!!! It’s ju Whimsy isn’t supposed to be complicated!!! It’s just changing up or adding simple things into your everyday to make it a little more magical 💫✨ here’s some ideas to try this week! I love doing cute whimsical projects and trying to my days healthier, happier, and more whimsical, so if you’re into that, come follow along! #whimsy #whimsicalchildhood #romanticizinglife #toddlermom
My toddler is regularly bullying me and saying “MO My toddler is regularly bullying me and saying “MOM!! YOUR BELLY IS HUGE!” (It’s not lol) so he’s in for an awakening at just how huge I can get 🤰 #pregnancy #toddlermom
And if you want that for yourself and your kids, H And if you want that for yourself and your kids, HI 👋 let’s be friends 🥰 #whimsicalchildhood #motherhood #whimsy #romanticizeyourlife
I had diet-controlled gestational diabetes with my I had diet-controlled gestational diabetes with my first pregnancy, so once I found I was pregnant with my second child, my doctor asked me to go ahead and be “carb-conscious” and try to roughly follow the diet while I wait to do my glucose tolerance test.
I do think this is a good way to ease myself back into the diet in case I do test positive again. I’m still letting myself enjoy what I want rn but I’m adjusting my portions and making low-carb swaps where I can! Also trying to make this diet more nutritious, but clearly my food aversions are still hitting, so I’m just trying my best 🤪 #gestationaldiabetes #whatieatinadayrealistic #pregnancy
baby #2 loading… ❤️ After having a difficult firs baby #2 loading… ❤️

After having a difficult first pregnancy and difficult postpartum, getting to a place mentally to feel ready for another pregnancy/postpartum took more time than I ever expected, and consumed me with a lot of anxiety. And then I faced conflicting feelings of sadness of not having the smaller age gap we originally hoped/wanted for our kids. Thankful for a supportive husband, 📣 THERAPY 🗣️, prayer, and friends who listen, to work through the hard stuff, get to a better mental space, and to feel peace to do this again.

This baby is truly so loved already and we cannot wait!! 

#toddlermom #fosterfamily #pregnancy
#SecretDeoPartner I cannot get through the summer #SecretDeoPartner I cannot get through the summer heat without @secretdeodorant ☀️ @secretdeodorant has the BEST scents (have you tried Cocoa Butter???) and provides all day freshness against heat in the South and all the activity that goes along with parenting 😅 #ToddlerMom #DayInTheLife
Every month, my toddler and I shop for our local c Every month, my toddler and I shop for our local community blessing box (although I think I might have missed last month! It’s been busy over here 🫪) 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 this month! #blessingbox #foodpantry #toddlermom
Let’s cook some raspberries up and make some raspb Let’s cook some raspberries up and make some raspberry-fudge pudding popsicles with a secret healthy ingredient 🤫🥑

RASPBERRY FUDGE POPSICLES 🥑🍫
Raspberry Part:
-~6 oz of fresh/frozen raspberries
-2 tbsp of sugar (I used coconut sugar)
•add raspberries and sugar to a saucepan over medium heat. Cook and let boil for about 5-7 minutes, stirring often to get a jammy consistency

Chocolate Part
1 avocado
1/2 cup milk
2-3 tbsp cocoa powder (depending on how chocolatey you want it!)
Splash of vanilla
Pinch of salt
Maple syrup to taste
•add all to a blender and blend until smooth

•layer chocolate and raspberry portions in a popsicle mold. You can use a toothpick or wooden skewer to swirl the layer a bit before adding sticks and freezing for at least 6 hours
•you may need to run warm water outside of your molds to help remove the popsicles when you’re ready to enjoy ❤️

This makes 6 popsicles with the molds I have but it may vary depending on the size you are using. You also may have leftover raspberry sauce!! It’s really good on Greek yogurt for a parfait or on ice cream 😉 #healthydessert #kidrecipes #toddlermom #easyrecipe
I scored this free water feature on Facebook marke I scored this free water feature on Facebook marketplace with hopes to make a mini wildlife pond in my garden to attract frogs, toads, and any other creatures in our yard! 🐸🐦‍⬛🦌
After I dug a big hole (no easy feat in this heat and with all this NC red clay), I buried the water feature so that it was level with the ground. I added some water plants native to my area: blue eyed grass and pickerel weed and also added some rocks so that animals could get in and out if needed. Once I filled it with water, I also added a solar fountain and mosquito dunks to keep those suckers away 🙃

To my toddler’s excitement, within a day, we already had frog visitors! Now I just need to decide what to plant around it 🤔🌼🪻 #garden #toddlermom #backyardwildlife
As a Love Island fan, PLEASE GOD NO 😩🙏 #toddlermom As a Love Island fan, PLEASE GOD NO 😩🙏 #toddlermom #momhumor #momsofig #loveislandusa
Mr. Toad called in for repairs to his damaged roof Mr. Toad called in for repairs to his damaged roof, so we are on the case 🫡 #whimsy #whimsical #fairygarden
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