Friday Q&A: Curling Irons, Lenses We Use For Photo Taking, Updates On My Recovery And More

Welcome Friends! I am so excited to share a new segment on CCG called “Friday Q&A”. Often, I receive numerous messages and emails asking me various questions (which I LOVE btw). Questions range from what my favorite eye cream currently is to even questions on the status of my recovery. What better way to answer these things but on my blog, right?! Every week, I will ask for questions on my Instagram Stories and who knows, maybe one of your questions will get answered here! Don’t follow me on Instagram? You can click the link here to add me. So read on to see what questions I answer today on Friday Q&A!

What brand and size curling iron do you use on your hair regularly?

I LOVE my T3 Twirl convertible curling irons! I regularly use my 1 inch curling iron with clip but also from time to time use the 1.25 curling iron as well. Their products are awesome and so easy to use! You can check my set out, here. You can also check out the attachment, here.

I need sunglasses recommendations please!

When it comes to sunglasses, I am a huge fan of an adorable cat eye. I found these for $16 bucks and scooped them up in both blue and yellow! Check them out, here. Also…..my Elizabeth & James sunglasses from last year are now on SUPER sale. You can get those here in 4 different colors for $39 down from $185, but hurry up!

What is your favorite activewear brand right now?

I live in activewear most of the time believe it or not. As a busy mom of four, I usually throw on leggings, a sweatshirt and some sneakers. If you are a Target shopper in the area, you will see me there after school drop off, make-up-less with my hair in a bun. Lately, I am wearing the brand, Sweaty Betty. They have SO MANY cute pieces! From yoga pants, to fun graphic tees with slogans like, ” Ready, Sweat, Champagne” and even ski base layers, they have it all! As I type, I am wearing this sweatshirt. I also wore this ski base layer set, here,  in Lake Tahoe. You can check out my Instagram to see them!

What camera and lens did you use with your Lake Tahoe pictures? They are gorgeous!

My husband has become quite the lens collector, however, we actually use the sigma 35mm 1.4 lens on our Pentax K1 more than the others. We love it and have absolutely nothing bad to say about it! One of our best camera purchases thus far! Normally when taking landscape style shots, we use our Pentax wide angle, however, since we had a long hike up the side of the mountain, we packed the Sigma and used that for all those purdy snowy shots!

What is the one skincare product you can’t live without?

Aaaahhh there are a few I feel like I can’t live without, but one item I used religiously is my clarisonic! My face always feels so clean after using it and I do it almost every night before bed. I also notice when I use it, my skin is soft and smooth AND my make up looks amazing the next day. I have had mine for years and it still works perfectly. You can get one, here. Hands down my favorite skincare product!

I’m curious to hear any updates on your recovery?

Welp…..it just so happens I had to go in for an x-ray last week. Insert the “why me” emoji. I have been having quite a bit of back and leg pain which really worried me over the last few months plus I did have a slight fall at the snow last month. Obviously the leg pain is due to nerve damage, however, some days it’s truly unbearable to deal with. Like I’ve said before, chronic pain really eats at you physically and emotionally. I am pretty good at hiding it most of the time, although some days I just can’t. Luckily, the x-ray showed all screws and rods are still in place along my spine. The doctor said told me I need to calm down in the physical labor department, ie. pick Nicky up like a baby, vacuum or dance too much. He also thinks the pain I’ve been having is due to my warped ribs dislocating in and out. Super awesome right? Other than that, I continue to push forward because I have four kids who need me (two of which have this same deformity).

With 4 kids, do you even celebrate Valentine’s Day?

Hahahahaha…..what’s Valentine’s Day? I’m only kidding! Well, if Valentine’s Day lands on a weekday, both my husband and I work. If that happens, I will order food via delivery and we exchange cards and a small gift like candy. My husband and I have a long standing joke about getting me Russel Stover candy (which I’m not a fan of). After 12 years together, he now knows I like my dark chocolate truffles from See’s. If we can get a couple hours away from the kids on the weekend, we usually go to our favorite restaurant for dinner followed by champagne and TV movies at home. Nothing extravagant or fancy. Although if Neil wanted to surprise me with something, I will gladly accept! Hi Neil!!!!!!!

Can you post that chili recipe I see you making on your Instastories?

I will put this on the agenda for one of my next recipe posts. I have a fun tart recipe coming up next week for Valentine’s Day, but after that, I will definitely get my easy InstaPot Chili Recipe up on CCG!

Alrighty, that’s it for the first series of Friday Q&A. Please reach out to me with any questions you may have. Who knows……I may answer them next! Plus, it helps give me something to write about! HA HA. Have a fabulous weekend.