Friday Things

Happy April!  More specifically, happy April Fool's Day!  I usually try to prank Craig...and it usually works...but I got nothing today.  What I do have, though, is a lot to share!

| one |

So the new Instagram.  Everyone was all "Turn on notifications" all day on Monday.  Meanwhile, I'm like heck no, I don't want a million and one push notifications popping up on my phone all day, every day.  I have them turned on for my husband so that I don't miss any of his instapics (especially those of our cute kids), but that's it!!!  There's no way I want a notification each and every time one of the 629 accounts I'm following posts a picture. #sorrynotsorry

Instead, I've been liking photos galore...or trying to anyway, so that I continue to see those accounts I want to see.  However, unless I'm just a big ole idiot, my feed seems unchanged??  It still appears to be in a chronological order.   Anyone else's or am I just missing something??

Anyway, a fellow KC blogger, Megan at Crazy Bananas, summarized the new algorithm and had some great Instagram tips (here).  Worth a read if you have a few minutes!

| two |

Speaking of Instagram, I follow an account called Who, Wait. Walmart?   It's one of my favorite accounts to follow because they post some amazing and inexpensive things found at....you guessed it, Walmart!!  Earlier this week, they posted about a Yeti knock off.  That's right.  A Yeti knockoff.  Craig and I have about five Yetis between the two of us (he has four, I have one), and they're amazing.  They keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold for hours.  Like I fill mine with ice water at 7am and at 7pm, the ice is still there!!  But they're also crazy expensive - $30 for a koozie, $30 for a 20-ounce tumbler, and $40 for a 30-ounce tumbler.  Anyway, Walmart now sells knock offs, and apparently, they're as good as the original but for less than 1/3 of the price!!  Though they're currently sold out online, you can find the links here:

Ozark Trail 20-Ounce Tumbler ($7.74)

Ozark Trail 30-Ounce Tumbler ($9.74)

Ozark Trail Koozie ($7.74)

Note: These are not affiliate links.  Just sharing for the good of the cause!

| three |

Did you see my post yesterday that included all of my favorite Target shoes??  Well, there was one pair that didn't really go with the rest...nor did they fit into my photo collage.  Nonetheless, I'm drooling over them.  I want these soooo badly!
(I wear a size 8.5, if you want early Mother's Day ideas, Craig Sides.  Also a Roomba.)

| four |

You are looking at one of the members of my neighborhood's new Social Committee!  The HOA was just turned over to the neighborhood (it's been owned by a developer) and on Monday, the positions for our committees were announced!  Although I still love our smaller, tight-knit group of eight neighborhood couples, I'm excited to help plan a few whole neighborhood social events throughout the year!  I'm thinking a summer block/pool party, a sleigh ride at Christmastime, and an Easter egg hunt next spring.

| five |

In 2009, a very well-known and respected high school football coach in Iowa was shot and killed.  It was a horribly tragic and earth-shattering event for all of those with ties to Iowa.  A few years later, a book written about the coach's life and story.  I purchased the book a few days after it was published and read it from cover to cover in about 24 hours.  Whether you're from Iowa, or a sports fan, or just looking for a good book, I highly, highly recommend this one.  

Anyway, earlier this week, an article (as told by the killer's mother) was published to goodhousekeeping.com.  The article, My Son Killed the Town Hero, explains our broken mental health system and her struggle to get her son (the killer) help for years and years before he tragically shot this legend of a man.  As a mother myself, it was absolutely heartbreaking to read her story.  And although lengthy, this article is definitely worth your time.

via

| six |
Did you see my post on Wednesday about my new glasses?  There was a code towards the end for a free pair of glasses, but it was only available to the first ten new customers.  I have no idea if even one person used the code, let alone ten, BUT I have an additional code available for five new customers.  Again, you pay shipping but the lenses and frames are completely FREE!  Email me (sarahbsides {at} gmail {dot} com) if you'd like it!


| seven |
And finally, don't forget these upcoming link-ups just a few days away!

On Monday...

And then on Tuesday...

Have a great weekend everyone and don't get fooled today!

Linking Up With:

Momfessionals and A Little Bit of Everything for Friday Favorites 

September F A R M for Oh, Hey Friday

A.Liz Adventures for Five on Friday

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