Sparkles and Shoes

A Fashion, Travel, and Lifestyle Blog

  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
  • Fashion
    • My Style
      • Spring Style
      • Summer Style
      • Fall Style
      • Winter Style
    • Really Love My …
    • Shop My Instagram
    • Style Icons
    • Trending
  • Travel
    • Africa
      • Egypt
      • Kenya
      • Morocco
      • Southern Africa
      • Tanzania
    • Asia
      • Indonesia
      • Qatar
      • Russia
      • Singapore
      • Turkey
    • Europe
      • Austria
      • Belgium
      • Croatia
      • Cyprus
      • Czech Republic
      • Denmark
      • England
      • Finland
      • France
      • Germany
      • Greece
      • Hungary
      • Iceland
      • Ireland
      • Italy
      • Monaco
      • Netherlands
      • Norway
      • Poland
      • Portugal
      • Romania
      • Russia
      • Scotland
      • Spain
      • Sweden
      • Turkey
      • Vatican City
    • North America
      • Canada
      • Caribbean
      • Central America
      • US: East Coast
      • US: West Coast
    • South America
  • Lily Harper
  • Favorites
    • Beauty
    • Delicious Eats
    • London
    • My Wedding
    • Sparkle Sessions

Snapshots of Life Lately

11/04/15 | Aquaphor, life lately, Real Life

Life lately has been pretty darn good.  I have shared big updates like The King and I on Broadway, Halloween, and the New York City marathon but I have a few other recent updates I wanted to share, especially in response to the frequent request that in addition to fashion, beauty, and recipes I share more about my life.

As you may have seen on social media last week I went to Aquaphor’s 90th Birthday Party at a chic art gallery in Tribeca. In addition to celebrating the brand’s birthday the evening focused on the photographs representing just some of the brand’s many use which were illustrated from popular submissions of the #AquaphorIt contest submissions.  Many, including diaper rash and runners chaffing, do not apply to me but I do use it for beauty touch ups, scrapes, and most importantly, as lip balm. 

Aquaphor 90th Birthday Party

I know it was just Halloween but maybe it is because the temperatures are still in the 60’s that I am not feeling in the Christmas mood.  I saw these Diet Coke 2-liters at the store and was actually shocked – don’t rush me, we are nowhere near mistletoe yet! 

Diet Coke Under the Mistletoe

There is a wonderful new company called Olyve that sent me the most beautiful bouquet of cream roses to the office.  I was absolutely planning on telling people about the company but I let it go for a few hours that they were from a secret admirer before posting on Instagram and my friends and coworkers about Olyve.  My roses came in a beautiful oversized box and were displayed in a printed vase, plus the gourmet chocolates did not hurt, and I was really impressed that the roses lasted more than a week! 

Olivia Flowers - Elliot Bouquet

Speaking of the office, the sunsets from my desk really are quite spectacular.  In the summer I used to try and get out before the sun set but now, post day light savings, the sunset is around 4:30.  Monday night’s view was quite spectacular, it looked like it was on fire in the most beautiful shades of orange, pink, and red. #nofilter

Daylight Savings Sunset

I am a Sephora junkie and my credit card really doesn’t like me but that shiny red VIB Rouge card is a lovely addition to my wallet.  Despite frequent trips I very, very rarely cash in my Sephora points – I always wait for a great 500-point item.  Finally my waiting has paid off and the last time I was in I picked up the Bobbi Brown Golden Pink Long-Wear Eye Set. Between the mascara, eye cream, shadow stick, and makeup remover I am quite pleased about it.

Sephora VIB Rouge Bobbi Brown Golden Pink Long-Wear Eye Set

I am exciting to be partnering up with Gilt City again and sharing with you one of their new campaigns.  Jimmy the Bull is not only Brazilian artist Rafael Mantesso’s Bull Terrier and a Insta-celeb in his own right, but he is now all over Gilt as a Gilt City guest curator! Of the five deals my favorite is definitely the discount on truffles.  Take a look and I would love to know your favorite offer from the collection. 

Gilt City - Jimmy the Bull’s NYC - Gourmet Attitude Truffles & Truffle-Based Products

And lastly, my new favorite work treat, a double-bag tea.  One of my coworkers introduced me to this calorie-free afternoon treat, one bag of Starbucks Tazo Zen tea and one bag of Yogi Ginger tea. When brewed together they create a strong, caffeinated, and very potent pick me up and it will be perfect as the temperatures continue to dip!

Green Tea and Ginger Tea

Oh, and because everything can not always be wonderful, I was very, very sad to see the end of one of my favorite pairs of boots.  I am not quite sure how this happened but the quote I received from the cobbler means it is time to get a new pair instead of fixing them. 🙁  Stay tuned to see my new shoes!

How has your life been lately? 

Signature

Subscribe

« Cute iPhone 6s Cases
Reality Check: Ovarian Cancer »

Related Posts

  • IG Sparkles and Shoes - My Winter 2021 Reading List - What to Read NextMy List of What to Read Next
  • Kelly New Signature Lip ShadesMy Signature Lip Shades
  • Making Mistakes
  • Rollinson Baby Girl Announcement - Pink ShoesBaby Girl, Coming Soon

Comments

  1. Sarah says

    November 5, 2015 at 9:01 am

    I just discovered your blog and I am really enjoying all your posts and photos! I will definitely be back to keep reading!
    Thanks!

    Sarah
    http://www.sefoster8.blogspot.ca

  2. Rachel says

    November 5, 2015 at 7:59 am

    I love Aquaphor and Bobbi Brown!

  3. Mónica Sors - Mes Voyages à Paris says

    November 5, 2015 at 7:44 am

    Cool!!!
    XX

    Mónica Sors

    MES VOYAGES À PARIS

    NEUTRAL TONES AND BRAID!!

  4. Melissa says

    November 5, 2015 at 3:36 am

    I NEED THAT COKE “under the mistletoe”!!!!
    BTW: Love that post 😀

    XO,
    Melissa of http://roseoffashion.de/

  5. Trang Do says

    November 4, 2015 at 11:49 pm

    Amazing post! Nice pictures!!
    Hugs,
    Love from http://www.trangscorner.com {a lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and food blog}

  6. Mili says

    November 4, 2015 at 4:31 pm

    That’s such a great sephora reward! I’m always so impulsive with my rewards so I rarely have enough for the 500 point rewards lol. The view from your desk is gorgeous! What a stunning NYC sunset 🙂

    Mili

  7. LINSEY SIJMONS says

    November 4, 2015 at 3:19 pm

    Love it! You also have to check my latest post, it’s about iPhone 6 cases just like your last post!! 😉
    xxx Linsey from POSE-BLOG.com

    You can also check my BLOGLOVIN & FACEBOOK if you like! 🙂

  8. Amanda says

    November 4, 2015 at 12:06 pm

    That sunset is beautiful and I will have to check out Gilt City!

  9. Raashi says

    November 4, 2015 at 10:36 am

    Ahhh, marketing – as soon as the clock strikes midnight on Halloween, Christmas begins! Haha. Those flowers and THAT SUNSET are just so gorgeous! The sephora bobbi brown set looks SO incredibly, wish we had a sephora in australia 🙁 Haha.

    Raashi
    http://raashiagarwal.blogspot.com.au

  10. A Little Dose of Makeup says

    November 4, 2015 at 9:35 am

    Lovely post! That Sephora 500 set looks amazing! I don’t have a enough point but I definitely have to save up to get a set like that! xx

Hi, I am Kelly and welcome to Sparkles and Shoes, a fashion, travel, and lifestyle blog founded in 2012.  After six years of living in London I am back in New York with my husband and two littles! 

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Search

Newsletter

WHERE I SHOP

Amazon

Anthropologie

J. Crew

Minted 

Sephora

Target

Walmart

Zappos

Archives

  • 2025
  • 2024
  • 2023
  • 2022
  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014
  • 2013
  • 2012

Fine Print

Sparkles and Shoes is a part of several affiliate advertising programs. This means that if you click and/or make a purchase through certain links on this site or any related social media platforms (including Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest), I may make a commission from that click and/or purchase. All opinions are my own.

© Kelly Donlin and Sparkles and Shoes, 2012-2022 Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kelly Donlin and Sparkles and Shoes with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Get the latest

Receive Sparkles and Shoes right to your inbox!

Connect with me

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2025 · Designed by High Note Designs, LLC

Copyright © 2025 · Tasteful Theme on Genesis Framework