Nov9

Spaghetti Squash Deliciousness

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Spaghetti Squash Deliciousness

Hello! I really enjoy cooking and, unfortunately, my favorite after work activity fell by the wayside this past summer. We had an unbearably hot summer which made my apartment even more unbearably hot and even the thought of turning on the stove top or oven was too much to bear. Needless to say, I have been loving the cooler weather of fall and was eager to get back to making real meals. This past week, I decided to make spaghetti squash for the first time. I have always wanted to try it and I had the perfect occasion to: I knew Johnny was going to have a big lunch because a food truck was coming to his work and he wouldn’t want dinner on top of it. He also wouldn’t like spaghetti squash anyways so it was the ideal time to give it a shot! I’m so glad I did because it was phenomenal and I can’t wait to make it again:

Prior to starting prep for my spaghetti squash, I looked up several recipes online and they confirmed what I already planned on doing: Half the squash, remove seeds and pulp, and dress with olive oil, salt, and pepper. The hardest part was cutting the squash in half but the rest was easy peasy even though taking out the guts kind of grossed me out! After the squash was ready, I put it in the oven at four hundred degrees and baked for forty minutes and let it sit for another ten. When I was ready to dig in, I truly understood why it’s called spaghetti squash because it really does look just like spaghetti!

My first bite was a crisp blast of buttery, salty, peppery heaven and I had an entire half for dinner! I was genuinely surprised by how filling the spaghetti squash was, although I will say I was a little bit snacky a few hours later. To diminish the sensation of needing a bag of chips or a sweet treat shortly after dinner, I plan on adding on a few ingredients to my next batch. Spaghetti with pesto, cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and pine nuts is one of my favorite dishes and I’m sure it will taste just as great with spaghetti squash. I’m super excited to try it! 😀

When it comes to cooking, simple but delicious meals are the name of my game and spaghetti squash is that to the T. I know for a fact Johnny would have hated it but I enjoyed it enough for the both of us! ❤

What toppings do you like on spaghetti squash? What are your favorite fall foods to make? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov8

Bath & Body Works Haul

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Bath & Body Works Haul

Hi! I truly understand why people say they need a vacation after taking a vacation because there was just so much to do when we got back from Italy. Going back to work, unpacking, shopping for groceries and bunny supplies, cleaning the apartment, and trying to get a jump on Christmas shopping too! We were running dangerously low on a lot of our must haves when our vacation ended and hand soap was included on that list. Although I was jet lagged for like a week, I never say no to a trip to Bath & Body Works. I just wish I could have enjoyed it a bit more because I was SO stuffed up and could barely smell anything lol. This is the first time I’ll be for real smelling these scents so let’s see what happens:

Would I Use Again?

Marshmallow Meringue: NO

Vanilla Bean Noel: YES! You already know this is one of my faves!

Snowflakes & Cashmere: NO

Frosted Cranberry: OF COURSE! My other fave holiday scent!

Vanilla Cocoa Flurries: YES

Touch of Gold Body Cream: NO

Why/Why Not?

Marshmallow Meringue: This scent offers notes of “fluffy marshmallow, vanilla, and sweet sugar” and it actually does smell quite nice. I can definitely get a whiff of the marshmallow and vanilla but this scent is just really really light. I like a fragrance that packs a bit more of a punch and this one doesn’t do it for me. I will say, however, that this would be a perfect option to gift with if you are unsure of your giftee’s preferences because it is such a soft and classic scent.

Snowflakes & Cashmere: I have a bone to pick with Snowflakes & Cashmere lol. The scent story goes like this: “vanilla cashmere cream, caramel woods, and frosted clementine”. So tell me why it smells exactly like baby powder?! When I smelled this scent in stores, I really liked it so I guess I was more congested than I thought because I would have never bought this if I was truly smelling it. So, I guess if you want to smell like baby powder then you are going to love Snowflakes & Cashmere!

Vanilla Cocoa Flurries: Finally, a winner in the new to me scents! I am a big fan of Vanilla Cocoa Flurries with its notes of “white cocoa, chilled coconut milk, and vanilla woods”. In other words, do you know what hot chocolate smells like? Can you imagine it with a hint of vanilla? BOOM. Then you know what this scent is all about! This is a very nice holiday scent and I will definitely be purchasing more when the Semi Annual Sale rolls around.

Touch of Gold Body Cream: I had a reward for a free full sized item and decided on a body cream in Touch of Gold. All I can say is, blame it on my stuffy nose because UGH this one is so not it. Touch of Gold features notes of “bright blackberries, golden orange blossom, and decadent tonka”. I very much enjoy a berry citrus scent and I imagine that I thought that that’s what I was smelling when I gave a whiff test. That was NOT what I was actually smelling in the slightest! Touch of Gold is really musky which I despise and I genuinely can’t smell any fruity notes whatsoever. Whomp whomppppp.

This was a super lackluster Bath & Body Works Haul and I can’t say I’m particularly thrilled. My nose led me astray, for sure, and *note to self* shop for smell goods when I can actually smell!

What is your favorite holiday scent? Do you have a favorite B&BW scent? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov7

October 2026 Finishes

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October 2026 Finishes

Howdy everyone and welcome to a belated chit chat about my October Finishes! October was a whirlwind month between vacationing in Italy and Halloween prep and I can’t believe it is already November. I genuinely feel like I’m going to blink and it’s going to be Christmas! Although there isn’t too much to discuss about my empties for October, there is one travel size item that I implemented on both my trips to New Orleans and Italy this year that I wanted to share. It is forever going to be a staple whenever I hop a plane to anywhere but Ohio! Let’s get to it:

Would I Use Again?

Evoluderm Micellar Water: YES

Bath & Body Works Poppy Body Cream: YES

Bath & Body Works Gingham Fresh Body Lotion: YES

Degree Advanced Travel Size Deodorant: YES!!!!

Why/Why Not?

I’m not going to get into talking about the first three products themselves because we all know them by now! What I will say, however, is that it was SO incredibly nice to use all of my go to bath and body and skin care again once I returned from Italy. Not that I was thrilled to be home but I loved being reunited with my must haves that weren’t going to make it onto the plane. Hotel toiletries are okay for a couple of days but after a long trip like the one I took, I was itching to get back to my go to B&BW goodies! Using my most loved products again was great but there was nothing better than taking a shower in my own bathroom. I was constantly Naked & Afraid in the hotel showers in Italy because I could never figure out how to work them lol smh. 😀

Degree Deodorant: I am a Ban fan when it comes to deodorant but, unfortunately, they don’t make them in travel size. During my trips this year, I opted for the three dollar Degree Advanced mini deodorant and was most impressed with it. This travel size stick lasted me three weeks of daily use and worked like a charm. I did a lot of walking in New Orleans and Italy and not once did I experience any crazy sweating or funk. I felt fully protected during 15,000+ step days and you can’t beat that peace of mind when you are traveling. Highly recommend if you are going on a trip soon. You can thank me later! ❤

As much as I enjoy traveling, I really am happy to be home. There is nothing like sleeping in your own bed or getting to use your favorite products again!

Which products did you use up last month? What are your thoughts on any of the above products if you have used them before? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov6

Mrs. Lovett COTD

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Mrs. Lovett COTD

Oh hey! Johnny and I had so much fun on Halloween dressing up in our Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett couple’s costumes and passing out Trick Or Treat candy. This was truly a great success of a night because all of the neighborhood kiddos had a blast, so did we, and this is the first year in literal years that we didn’t run out of candy. We did, however, go through eight bags – my neighborhood was popping off! There is nothing better to me than reveling in spooky season with my main squeeze and I am very proud of how both of our costumes turned out. Here is a closer look at mine:

Who? What? Wear?

Costume Dress: AMIClubwear

Platform Heels: Miss Left, Amazon

The brooch style earrings are from PacSun

The thigh highs, fake lashes, wig, and cleaver hair clips were purchased at Spirit Halloween

My first order of business in creating this costume was finding the perfect dress. I originally had one in mind from Unique Vintage that is very similar to the one I bought from AMIClubwear. That idea was a bust as the dress was no longer available and everything on that website was crazy expensive anyways. I then turned to Google to continue my search and ended up finding my AMIClubwear dress for thirty dollars. It was such a steal! While this dress was ideal for Mrs. Lovett and the price was nice, I’m not going to lie: It was very itchy and was honestly driving me crazy all night. I will do anything in the name of Halloween fashion, though, and powered through because this dress is SO sexy Mrs. Lovett!

Next on the agenda was shoes and I was blessed by finding the amazing black and white striped platforms by Miss Left. This blessing turned out to be a major hassle as it took three tries to get the sizing right because I was unfamiliar with Chinese sizes. While this was a pain in the budinski, the employees that assisted me were so helpful and made sure that I would have my platforms in time to complete my costume. Thank goodness because I couldn’t imagine this COTD without them and the darling bat appliques. As you all know, I love a big chunky platform and will definitely be wearing these bad boys in every day life and not just on Halloween!

Finally, it was onto accessories which were all bought from Spirit Halloween for the most part. It was pretty chilly despite our bonfire during Trick Or Treat so I was thankful to have the thigh highs keeping my legs warm. And can we talk about those adorable cleaver clips? I found them in the cash wrap at Spirit Halloween and they were exactly what I needed to add some flare to my hair! Well, my wig but you get the point. With that, I was ready to rock Halloween with my Sweeney Todd honey!

I genuinely wish that we could fast forward to next Halloween because I legit cannot wait to be Team Rocket with Johnny! Jesse and James FTW!!!!

Does your neighborhood do Trick Or Treat? Did you have a good turnout this year? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov5

Sweeney Todd & Mrs. Lovett Costume

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Sweeney Todd & Mrs. Lovett Costume

Hi! Johnny and I take our Halloween costumes very seriously and have had so much fun throughout the years curating the perfect couples ensembles. For this year’s Halloween, I made the executive decision to be Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett and Johnny was all for it. Perhaps we were both feeling inspired by seeing Josh Groban perform some Sweeney songs this summer! Sweeney Todd has been one of my all time favorite musicals for forever and Mrs. Lovett has always been a dream costume of mine. It was so exciting to finally make that happen with my main squeeze right beside me! Take a look:

Johnny and I basically have the same plans every Halloween: Go to a haunted house and pass out Trick Or Treat candy the following day in my parents’ neighborhood. This year, we got to do one of those things lol. The day before Trick Or Treat, we drove to the Factory Of Terror and got there right when they opened only to find that tickets had been sold out. Little did we know, apparently no one purchases tickets at the haunted house itself and online sales are the way to go so we were left in the dust. This was a bit disappointing but at least now we know for next year, I guess. -_-

Although our haunted house plans were a major bust, Trick Or Treat was an absolute joy! Johnny and I arrived at chez parents with an hour to spare before Trick Or Treat started to take pictures, get a fire going, and queue up our playlist of Ghost, Twin Temples, and classic Halloween hits. That hour of prep flew by so quickly and before we knew it, our first Trick Or Treaters were walking up the driveway! Seeing all of the costumes and interacting with everyone is just the best for me and Johnny and there were countless costumes that took the cake. We loved the family of inflatable dinosaurs, a little boy riding on a remote control car, a bitty baby in an axolotl onesie, and Gandalf The White. The little Gandalf was so happy when we knew who he was because no one else had gotten it right! ❤

While haunted houses are fun, it truly doesn’t get better than our Trick Or Treat time and this Halloween was still such a huge win. I am obsessed with how our costumes turned out and Johnny actually won second place at his work costume contest! Also, this is the first year that we haven’t ran out of candy during Trick Or Treat which is another feather in the cap because that hasn’t happened in several years. Most importantly, the kids in our neighborhood had a blast and that really is what Halloween is all about!

Sweeney Todd & Mrs. Lovett at your service! And we already know what we’re going to be next year *Drum roll, please*… Team Rocket!!! I can’t wait!

What did you do for Halloween? What did you dress up as? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov4

Last Day In Lake Como

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Last Day In Lake Como

Hi!! Our Italy adventure through AAA and Collette came to a close in glorious Lake Como and it was the most spectacular day. As you read, we spent some lackluster time in Venice and we were all ready to go home during our full day there. Then, we arrived at the lake the following morning and ate our words – we never wanted to leave! Our single day in Lake Como consisted of a ferry ride, a walking tour, and a delicious farewell dinner to celebrate the end of an amazing trip. It went from magical to literally painful when we had to depart from the Milan airport the next day – especially when we had a view like this from our room at the Hotel Barchetta Excelsior:

After a quick break in the hotel, we boarded a ferry that took us on a one hour ride around Lake Como. It was so relaxing to look at the water, feel the breeze, and take in the beautiful scenery. This was, easily, the most leisurely activity we did on this entire trip and I think we all really needed it. We had to rally for the bon voyage bash in the evening! During our ferry ride, I was delighted to be sitting by a couple from Paris and got to put my French to the test. We had an excellent conversation and they told me I spoke French very well which was such an awesome compliment! I didn’t think it was possible for our time on the lake to get any better but that chit chat really thrilled me and I am still on cloud nine about it. 😀

Once we returned from the ferry ride, a walking tour commenced and Johnny and I decided to fly solo. We wanted some time with just the two of us before it was back to Akron, Ohio! Johnny and I strolled through the streets, popped in different shops, and enjoyed a drink on the patio of a cafe. It was the most charming afternoon and it felt so good to be feeling so good after I hit my wall in Venice. I genuinely can’t believe I ever wanted to go home lol! While our little date was a joy, it was also bittersweet because all good things must come to an end. I’m just so thankful I got to share in all of this with my main squeeze! ❤

Our day concluded at the restaurant of the hotel for the farewell dinner and it was DIVINE. In fact, this was one of my favorite meals of our whole trip. My vegetarian option was a cheesy risotto, fried eggplant, and a berry crumble for dessert. And, of course, ALL the wine! The risotto was seriously the best and I ate two helpings – I just couldn’t help myself lol and by the time my eggplant arrived, I was regretfully stuffed. What I did have of it was impeccable with crisp, fried breading and juicy eggplant in the middle. And, although I was full to the brim, I had to make room for dessert! The berry crumble was buttery, airy, and packed with juicy berries with a scoop of gelato on top for good measure. They definitely don’t make food like this in the A-K-Rowdy:

When the meal ended, we said goodbye to all of our new friends that were on the tour group with us. Then, Johnny and I returned to our hotel room with the wine we didn’t finish and had a nightcap on our balcony. It was the perfect way to end a remarkable trip and this view will forever be in my heart:

This whirlwind tour of Italy was everything I could have hoped for and so much more. Some day, I will be back. Until then, Italy will never be far from my mind!

Where is your dream vacation destination? How often do you go on vacation? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov3

Lil Red’s Book Club: Pearl By Josh Malerman Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: Pearl By Josh Malerman Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! We will conclude my Italy travels with our last stop in Lake Como tomorrow. 🙂 Now, in a spoiler free setting, as always, we will be discussing a horror novel by Josh Malerman called Pearl. I am an avid fan of Josh Malerman’s work and love his eerie and unsettling books and Pearl definitely takes the cake for the weirdest one of his I have read. It was like a horror version of Animal Farm and while it was most disturbing to read, I did end up really liking it. Before we begin our chat, I will be placing a trigger warning on Pearl for animal cruelty and extreme graphic violence. You ready? Let’s do it:

There is something wrong with Grandpa’s farm. Is it the location well off the beaten path? No. Is it something that goes bump in the night? Wrong again. The problem on Grandpa’s farm is a pig named Pearl. Grandpa’s daughter felt it her whole life and as she visits the farm with her children, Jeff and Aaron, they feel it too. Pearl has called to the youngest, Jeff. Not with his voice but with his mind. And Jeff answered. During a perfectly normal day on the farm, seventh grade Jeff went to the pigpen with an ax that he used to kill a pig for Pearl. Pearl didn’t make Jeff do it but he made Jeff want to do it.

Since the incident, Jeff can still hear Pearl’s call. He can even see Pearl changing shape throughout the day. And, on top of it all, he and his brother are now the “weird” kids at school as the gossip of the slaughter traveled fast. The rumors are flying about a talking pig, a killer pig, a pig that makes people go crazy and three students are just crazy enough to visit the farm to see for themselves. Little do they know, they are stepping right into Pearl’s master plan.

Grandpa rescued Pearl when he was just a piglet. He didn’t make Grandpa teach Pearl the ways of the world, language, and philosophy. He made Grandpa want to teach him. Through Grandpa’s lessons, Pearl learned and became very smart and very calculating. Pearl learned how to trap people in his web and they have all just been playing a part to lead up to the grand finale. The day of man is over and the day of the pig is nigh. There can only be one master on the farm. Who will it be? Read Pearl to find out!

If you think Pearl sounds weird based on this summary, then you are spot on. This book was weird AF but completely unputdownable and I finished it in a day. Yes, the story line was bizarre but it was so strange that it was genuinely hard to pull away from it. Just like those trapped in Pearl’s web, I was hooked because it was like nothing I have ever read before. Josh Malerman has the gift of creating a shape to the most obscure plots with his no nonsense and blunt writing. It makes his books seem concrete no matter how twisted the story is and it made Pearl even more harrowing to read. Malerman created this world and in it, Pearl is king. And, as I read, I was immersed in this odd new place where the pigs were the smartest of all and because of his writing style, it felt so real.

There were several parts of Pearl that were difficult to read from the sheer brutality of the violence. However, Pearl is a cat and mouse horror through and through. The characters are being pulled by Pearl and it is up to them to have the mental fortitude to overpower it. To push back and hide their thoughts so Pearl can’t see. And, when that happens, they can move forward. Each party has a plan in this book and it can only be solved through mind games. All the while, Pearl’s strength grows and there is just no telling how far the humans can be pushed before they break. Pearl was one of the most unique horror books I have ever read and I wouldn’t mind reading it again just to try and wrap my mind around it a bit more!

Overall, I am going to rate Pearl with an eight out of ten stars. This wasn’t my favorite Josh Malerman book but I enjoyed it a lot and if you’re looking for a totally different take on horror, then I highly recommend it!

What is your favorite horror book? What is your favorite Josh Malerman book? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov2

Visiting Venice

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Visiting Venice

Hi! We didn’t get off to a strong start in Venice and the full day that we spent there was just okay. The entire tour by AAA and Collette had been so fast paced and jam packed that I think we all hit the wall that day. In fact, I felt perfectly ready to go home at that point and changed my tune completely when we were in Lake Como the following day. That was much more like it! Our time in Venice was spent seeing a glass blowing demonstration, doing a walking tour, having some lunch, shopping, and returning to the hotel for an early night. As you can see, the scenery was gorgeous and I am happy to have seen Venice. This is a location that I wouldn’t visit again, though. Let’s discuss:

Our first stop for the day in Venice was at the Vetri Artistici where we enjoyed a glass blowing demonstration and browsing through the store. I could have done without being in the store altogether because holy expensive!! Everything was seriously one thousand dollars and up but were, indeed, very beautiful. The glass blowing demonstration was the best part but, unfortunately, only lasted for less than ten minutes. In that short period of time, however, one of the glass masters created a pitcher and a horse which were both stunning. He made the process look so easy and effortless and it was mesmerizing to watch him as he worked. I honestly could have stayed in the warmth of the workshop seeing the masterpieces made around me all day!

After we finished experiencing the Vetri Artistici, we visited a gold and leather store for a demonstration too. This was all nice and interesting but well out of the price range of every single person on the trip! By the time the drool was wiped from my chin over the remarkable gold jewelry, it was off to go on the walking tour to take in sights along the Castello district and end in St. Mark’s Square:

When the walking tour was complete, the remainder of the day was ours to explore the city on our own. As I mentioned before, this was the day where we hit our wall and Venice was incredibly overwhelming. The city was insanely crowded and it felt like a fight to take a few steps forward let alone get good pictures because everyone was there with the same idea. Crowds usually don’t bother me that much but in this case I was so worn out and the last place I wanted to be was in the thick of it. It was a welcome reprieve to have some lunch at Birreria Pedavena and just get away from it all!

Our meal at the restaurant was unremarkable. My quattro formaggi pizza was good but not great and was probably the least noteworthy dining experience outside of our dinner in Venice the previous day. I was thankful to have some leftover, though, because none of us felt like venturing back out in Venice in the evening so cold pizza was the move for dinner. It actually hit the spot more than it did in the restaurant when I had it later because I was so hungry!

Our time in Venice was our least favorite of the trip and that’s not to say it wasn’t nice. It was! I think we were all just too deep in our exhaustion and desire to go home to fully enjoy it!

Do you feel homesick when you travel? What has been your least favorite vacation destination during your travels? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov1

Finishing Up In Florence & Arriving In Venice

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Finishing Up In Florence & Arriving In Venice

Hello!! Florence was one of my favorite cities when we went on our Italy adventure through AAA and Collette and the remainder of our time there was so wonderful. We visited a winery in the Chianti region that was directly behind a scenic twelfth century castle. We explored the winery, enjoyed an excellent cooking class, and got to try our dishes during a lunch with a wine tasting. It was the most lovely day that, unfortunately, came to a bit of a screeching halt when we arrived in Venice. More on that later but let’s discuss the cooking class!

Our cooking class was led by Stefano and he taught us how to make pasta and two different sauces. One option was vegetarian with delicious crisp veggies and the other was a bolognese. We started the class with pasta prep and we got the most fabulous tutorial as Stefano stretched, kneaded, and folded the dough with expert ease. After we watched him for a while, it was our turn to try and we each had a go at either stretching or cutting the dough. Stefano carefully watched our efforts, shared tips, and before we knew it we had a ton of fresh made pasta ready for our lunch.

The main prep for the sauces was already done by Stefano but he talked us through the process, the ingredients used, and his tried and true methods. By the time the class concluded we were all famished and ready to sip on wine and do a taste test. We were led to a gorgeous dining hall in the winery and ate like kings which was a blessing as we would learn later. Our dinner at the hotel in Venice was terrible so we were thankful for a good and filling lunch:

With our bellies full, it was time to get back on the bus and make our way to Venice. I was very excited to get there because it’s such a famous location but the getting there was the problem lol. After our bus dropped us off, we had to get on a water taxi to make it to our hotel. In theory, this was no problem. In practice, it was a panic attack worthy affair. My family was in the back of the line to board our water taxi and the dock was not stable whatsoever. It rocked and swayed as people boarded and departed their boats and it was terrifying. I wasn’t scared for me, but my mom doesn’t have the best balance and it was a recipe for disaster.

When it was our turn to get on the water taxi, that was nerve wracking too because the steps to get on them are small and very steep. Once we were safely into the taxi, I was treated to a full blown panic attack. I couldn’t stop shaking and crying because it was just scary and unexpected and I was genuinely worried something terrible would happen. That moving dock was really no joke! It was such a relief to be on solid ground once we were at the hotel and it took me a while to calm down. I had to rally, though, because we were having a group dinner. The company was delightful but the food at the Hotel Carlton on the Grand Canal? Not so much:

The vegetarian meal at the hotel consisted of a sad salad, cold potato things, some type of falafel I think, and a veggie medley. I poked around at the salad for a bit, tasted the potatoes and said hard no, didn’t bother with the falafel, and had a few bites of the veggies. All of the food was lukewarm or downright cold, flavorless, and barely looked appetizing. Every single person on our tour had something bad to say about this meal and we all agreed that it was the worst of the trip, for sure. The food was so unappetizing that I didn’t even feel like trying the tiramisu and my one bite was lackluster AF. This was not a strong start in Venice, indeed, but the following day was much better!

We are nearing the end of my vacation blog recap with one more day in Venice and our final stop in Lake Como. Stay tuned and read all about it!

Do you have any holiday travel plans? Have you ever had a scary travel experience? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct31

Italy OOTDs

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Italy OOTDs

Yoohoo! Literally everything about our tour in Italy through AAA and Collette was fun and, yes, that includes packing for the trip too! As I’m sure you imagined, I was most excited to sport Lil Red looks in Italy and that took a fair bit of planning and self control lol. My suitcase isn’t huge and as much as I would have liked to over pack, I restrained myself to the outfits I dreamed up so I would still have room for souvenirs. I just barely did and I think I will definitely be purchasing a bigger suitcase for my next trip! Take a look at some of my Italy OOTDs and let’s discuss my packing process:

I would never say I am last minute about anything because it keeps my anxiety at bay. However, I did pack the day before leaving for Italy and it was in the name of practicality. I was going to create my outfits based on the activities and weather forecast for each day and wanted the results to be as accurate as possible, which meant leaving it till the last minute. I have to say, this method worked like a charm and it also eliminated the stress of figuring out what to wear every day in Italy! Thanks to my planning, I had a guide of exactly what to wear every day as well as alternate options should the weather call for it.

Prior to our trip, we received a booklet from the travel agency with a plethora of housekeeping information and a description of what we would be doing every day. For each day, I looked up the weather of the city we were in and wrote it down. This served as my North Star as I shopped through my wardrobe for outfits. When you’re traveling, the name of the OOTD game is classic pieces and sets that you can mix and match to create multiple different looks. This is exactly what I did by packing a few pairs of smart slacks, a couple of basic essential tops with a twist, two dresses, and some cool weather options like a jacket and cardigan in case I needed it. Although all of the pieces I packed weren’t a perfect match to each other, I could still use a majority of them together and I honestly think I packed light!

As important as it was to dress for the weather in Italy, it was also just as important to dress for the occasion. This is why I really appreciated the booklet we were mailed because it gave insights into how to dress for visiting a church, for example. At most churches in Italy, you must have a top with sleeves and a skirt down to your knees to enter. We visited several churches during our trip and I was not going to be the one waiting outside due to not knowing the dress code! Our booklet also gave excellent descriptions of the scenery in each city we visited so it was also fun to try and match outfits to that. IE: The orange/red flower patterned maxi dress looked stunning against the blue waters of Lake Como!

With some careful, albeit last minute, planning I created a travel wardrobe that kept me stress free and serving looks for my entire vacation!

Are you an early or last minute packer? What are some must haves in your suitcase? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct30

Lil Red’s Book Club: One By One By Freida McFadden Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: One By One By Freida McFadden Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we will be discussing a super short and sweet thriller by Freida McFadden called One By One. This book was just under two hundred and sixty pages and I finished it in one day! It was definitely hard to put down as One By One was a full fledged whodoneit and I loves me a twisty murder mystery. Before we begin our chat, I will be placing a trigger warning on One By One for child abuse, suicide, and graphic violence. You ready? Let’s get to it:

Claire and Noah have been married since they graduated college and were once the textbook definition of a happy couple. They each have jobs they love, two beautiful children, and a wonderful home. Then, somewhere along the way, their relationship began to falter and Claire is convinced that both of them hate each other. Between their growing animosity and Noah’s constant hurtful comments, it made it very easy for Claire to begin an affair with Noah’s best friend, Jack. In fact, it was a welcome reprieve and Claire plans to tell Noah all about it… After their friend group vacation, that is.

For one full week, Claire and Noah, Jack and his wife Michelle, and Claire’s best friend Lindsay and her new boyfriend will be enjoying a stay at a cozy inn in the woods. There will be hiking, hunting, fishing, and lots of relaxing in the hot tub and Claire can’t wait. She needs a getaway, wants some steamy alone time with her fling, and is eager to end things with Noah. It’s only a four hour drive to the inn and the group piles into Claire’s mini van to hit the road. After a few stops and a crazy awkward car ride, they are close to their destination when the battery to Claire’s car dies.

According to the map, they are close to the inn and have no signal to call for help with the car. So, the friends decide to ditch the van and hoof it to the inn. Lindsay’s boyfriend handles reading the map, Jack navigates with his compass, and soon they are all happily chatting about hitting the Jacuzzi as soon as they arrive. Although the walk in the woods is strenuous, the group has been at it for hours and know that they should have made it to the inn in a shorter period of time. And it’s also starting to get dark.

Rather than wander around in the pitch black, everyone agrees to set up camp for the night and start fresh in the morning. Sleep doesn’t come easy and Claire cannot shake the feeling of being hunted by something or someone. She can hear wolves or coyotes howling and has seen multiple deep gashes from claws on trees. If they don’t make it to civilization soon, she fears that some of them won’t make it home alive. There is danger close by but who or what is it? And will the vacationers survive to tell the tale? Read One By One to find out!

One By One was a lighting fast read and was quite enjoyable! It wasn’t the best Freida McFadden I have read but I liked the plot well enough and appreciated a few of the twists that I didn’t see coming. This was your classic “lost in the woods” trope and McFadden was able to put her own twist on it to make it feel somewhat fresh but overall very exciting. When the setting is in the woods, there is danger lurking at every turn. It could be from the elements, animals, or the very people you are with and McFadden locked into that paranoia to leave the reader questioning every little thing that went bump in the night.

While some members in our cast of characters left a lot to be desired *Cough* Warner (Lindsay’s boyfriend) sucks *Cough*, I did like Claire as the leading lady. Despite her transgressions, no one can say that she didn’t try to make it work with her husband and even the characters in the book couldn’t fault her for cheating. Her moments of weakness were made up for by terrific feats of strength that she didn’t even know she possessed and it was hard not to root for her. As their days in the woods continued, her primary thoughts were always on her children and I just had to finish it to see if her ending would be a happy one!

Overall, I am going to rate One By One with a six out of ten stars. If you are looking for a pretty good read that you can easily finish in one sitting, then go for it! If you aren’t interested in a stuck in the woods scenario, then don’t go for it lol!

What is your favorite Freida McFadden book? Do you like murder mysteries? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct29

Fabulous Florence

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Fabulous Florence

Hello!! We spent about a day and a half in Florence during our Italy adventure through AAA and Collette and our full day there was a busy but amazing one!! We spent the entire day immersed in activities from a guided walking tour of the city to an after hours stop at a fourteenth century Certosa monastery and an excellent Tuscan feast to wrap up the night. Our meal was complete with opera singing and dancing and cutting a rug on the dance floor with my family was one of my favorite memories of the trip! Let’s discuss:

Our walking tour was a fascinating trip through Florence exploring all of the marvels that the city holds. We enjoyed sights of the Duomo, the Baptistery, the Palazzo Vecchio, and the Piazza della Signoria. The Piazza della Signoria was, easily, the best part of this tour for me and I could have stood there for hours taking the magnificent church in and it still wouldn’t have felt like enough. It was breathtaking! An ultra cool part of the tour was seeing “wine windows” which were used WAY back in the day and were brought back during the Covid pandemic. There was nothing better than getting a cool glass of wine directly through a window and sipping as we stepped through the city!

Once our tour was complete, we spent an hour or so shopping around and then went to the hotel to freshen up before an after hours tour of a monastery. Our guide for the tour was named Andrea and he took us through the monastery with such care and a delightful enthusiasm. We even got to go into one of the apartments that served as a home for the monks who lived there. It was awesome and I was overjoyed with the handful of picturesque shots I got:

Little did we know after our tour, that Andrea would be joining us at a restaurant a short drive away for the Tuscan feast. In fact, he was the star of the show! Throughout our multi course meal, Andrea treated all of us to the most beautiful opera music as he is a celebrated singer. And, in between courses, we got to join him on the dance floor to boogie to old and new favorites. Andrea was a hit with all of the ladies on the tour but especially my mom lol she totally had a crush and it was so funny! Heck, if we’re all being honest, I definitely had a crush too!! I’m not sure what the best part of this night was – the company or the food:

My vegetarian meal began with a spread of mushrooms and olives on Tuscan bread and a Caprese salad. I freaking loved the bread spread and actually had this several times during the trip. The mushroom spread was rich and creamy and the olive spread was bold, flavorful, and salty. So, so good! The next course was a dish of pasta and eggplant which was like heaven with every bite. The sauce was bursting with sweet tomato and the smokey eggplant pairing was sheer perfection. I wasn’t crazy about the following dish was an egg souffle thing but I was all about that dessert which tasted like Neapolitan ice cream in cake form. I think I could have had several more pieces of that!

After our Tuscan feast was complete, we took it to the dance floor for the rest of the evening before it was time to head back. A winery tour and arriving in Venice was next on our agenda and we all needed our beauty sleep!

What is your favorite Italian dish? What is your favorite travel activity? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct28

If The Shoe Fits: Miss Left Platforms Edition

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If The Shoe Fits: Miss Left Platforms Edition

Hi!! Our Italy content has been postponed today because: HURRAY! The platforms I ordered for my Mrs. Lovett Halloween costume finally arrived! AND they fit! This was the third pair I had to exchange to get the sizing right and I couldn’t have been happier when they fit like a glove. These platforms are absolutely perfect for my costume and honestly every day wear too. You all know I love my huge platforms with spooky vibes! Take a look and then we’ll discuss the sizing fiasco that had me genuinely concerned that I would be going shoeless for Halloween:

Shoes are one of my favorite things to purchase because no matter what, I know my size. I am a true size six and if the shoes I am trying on are too, then there is no reason why they shouldn’t fit. Until these Miss Left platforms. Little did I know when I ordered these shoes that they were actually Chinese sizes. When they were delivered and I eagerly tried them on, I was so disappointed because they were HUGE. They fit more like a size eight than a six and it was a hazard even attempting to walk in them. Based on the measurements listed on the size chart, I exchanged the size six for a size five and couldn’t wait for them to get here because surely they would work, right?

WRONG! The smaller size was still way too big and I was at a loss, so I contacted the company and they were wonderful. They let me keep the too big shoes and requested that I send my foot measurements for a new pair. From my measurements, they informed me that they were sending a size four and all that was left to do was cross my fingers and toes and wait. The original shipping information said that my package would arrive on October 26th. However, they were shipping from China and I was concerned that delays might happen. Blessedly, that was not the case and they were delivered on the 22nd, well ahead of time.

I have to admit that I was nervous about these shoes not fitting because I would have had to throw my hands in the air and pivot. That would have been a huge bummer because I couldn’t imagine my costume without these platforms! I am pleased to report that the size four did the trick and now I know what size I am if I ever order shoes from China again. I am so appreciative to the employees at Miss Left for helping me solve the problem of the not fitting shoes because they were incredibly helpful and kind. And, thanks to them, my costume will be exactly what I pictured. I can’t wait for you all to see it!

Costume? Check. Platforms? Check. Accessories? Double check! I am SO amped for mine and Johnny’s Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett costumes!

What are you being for Halloween? What was your favorite Halloween costume you have used recently? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct27

Italy Adventure: Cortona & Florence

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Italy Adventure: Cortona & Florence

Hello! After an afternoon in Assisi and an evening in Perugia, it was off to Cortona and Florence on our Italy Adventure. We enjoyed a scenic drive through Tuscany to reach Cortona and after our time there, we had the evening in Florence all to ourselves. It was one of my favorite nights of the entire trip because Johnny took me on a fabulous date night. We may not have been able to find the restaurant we originally had in mind but stumbled into a perfect Plan B and it was just the best. Compared to most of the days on our tour through AAA and Collette, this was one of the most leisurely ones and it was so lovely to amble and explore at a less extreme pace with no set plans but sightseeing. Here are some of the highlights of Cortona:

After our tour bus dropped us off in Cortona we had about two hours to take in the sights, pop into quaint little stores, and have a snack or coffee. We spent some time browsing with the rest of my family and then Johnny and I took it to the streets to take in the rest of the city. This was an especially pleasant jaunt as a musician was playing accordion music on the street and it felt like being in a movie! We went through Cortona with nothing in mind and it was so liberating to simply walk and do our own thing. Not to say that it wasn’t a joy being with our group, but it was nice to separate ourselves for a bit and fly solo. By the time it was time to get back on the bus, Johnny and I were able to see a lot of the city and then it was on to Florence.

Of course, before arriving at our hotel in Florence, we just had to stop and see the replica of David by Michelangelo. We didn’t have the opportunity to see the real thing as a group and that was okay! The replica is glorious too:

Post pit stop for the replica of David, it was off to our hotel and then the evening was all ours! I was beyond excited because Johnny proposed a date night and the rare free evening allowed us to do so. Johnny and I stepped into our night on the town with a restaurant in mind. However, it is really hard to get around a city you don’t know without cellular data! Johnny and I tried to follow a map and we couldn’t find this place to save our own lives. It was honestly really frustrating because I just wanted to eat and not walk for a while lol. Eventually, we realized our Plan A was a lost cause and went into the first restaurant that had plenty of vegetarian options listed on their outdoor menu.

As far as we were concerned, Plan A was for the birds and Plan B at Ristorante Pizzeria Trattoria was where it’s at! Johnny and I both ordered the Cacio e Pepe and we got a bottle of bubbly for the table. Our servers were wonderful, the food arrived quickly, and it was absolutely delicious! I am one of those people that has a hard time pivoting from plans and Johnny is super go with the flow. My original frustration of being lost melted away as we laughed and chatted at our table and it was a firm reminder that sometimes I need to lighten up to keep making the best of inconvenient situations. This was a prime example and I tried to employ Johnny’s laid back attitude for the rest of the trip. Especially when memories like these were made:

This chill time in Cortona and Florence was exactly what we needed before a jam packed day. Our full day in Florence that followed was incredibly busy but one of the best, as all of my family agreed. Stay tuned to read all about it!

Do you like to try a lot of new foods on vacation? What kind of restaurants do you like to visit when you are traveling? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct26

Lil Red’s Book Club: The Coworker By Freida McFadden Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: The Coworker By Freida McFadden Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! We will return to Italy tomorrow. 🙂 In a spoiler free setting, as always, we are going to be discussing a pretty good thriller by Freida McFadden called The Coworker. Was this the best McFadden book I read? Not by a long shot. However, The Coworker certainly kept me turning the pages and I finished it in one day! Unputdownable? Yes. Perfectly average? Also yes! Before we begin our chat, I will be placing a trigger warning on The Coworker for bullying, self harm, and suicide. You ready? Let’s get to it:

Natalie is thirty years old and has everything going for her. She’s young, drop dead gorgeous, and is the top salesperson at her job as a sales rep for a supplement company. She’s the kind of woman that other girls want to be and who guys want to be with. That’s not to say that she doesn’t have her flaws, of course. Behind her sweet smile lurks a mean streak that has been present since she was a child. Now, Natalie just knows how to cover it up better but will always find joy in targeting the weak link.

Dawn is new to the company and works as an accountant in the cubicle beside Natalie. Dawn falls somewhere on the spectrum, is homely in appearance, and finds conversation difficult if the topic isn’t turtles. She’s desperate for friends as she only has one and she lives across the country. Dawn thinks Natalie would be the perfect person to have the occasional lunch or coffee with and does her best to get her glamorous coworker to like her. All of her efforts make her the butt of the joke but Dawn has something that will definitely get Natalie’s attention.

Dawn has a matter that she must discuss with Natalie and their boss urgently but fails to show up to work the following day. Natalie finds this strange as you can tell time based on Dawn’s schedule: She arrives early, uses the bathroom at a certain time, eats lunch at the same time every day, and so on, and so forth. Natalie might not like her coworker but she is worried and decides to stop by Dawn’s home to check in on her. There is no answer at the door so Natalie lets herself in and is greeted by a pool of blood on the carpet.

Natalie’s coworker is nowhere to be found but the blood points to murder or at the very least foul play. And who is at the center of the investigation? Natalie. Her concern over her coworker could be a cover up and the cops aren’t buying her good girl persona. Natalie knows she did nothing to Dawn but all of the evidence points otherwise and jail seems inevitable. Little does Natalie know, there is something tying her and Dawn together but the question is what? And will Natalie figure it out before she lands herself in jail for life? Read The Coworker to find out!

I can’t say too much in my personal thoughts as I don’t want to ruin the grand reveal. What I will say, is that I figured it out quickly and I think you will too if you read it. And, when you do, I’m sure your thoughts will be something along the lines of “good for her” lol. The Coworker was a classic case of a chronic mean girl getting a taste of her own medicine and it was delicious but all very sad. Dawn had her quirks, as we all do, but Natalie and the other coworkers alike made her into a laughing stock and it was hard to read the particularly cruel parts of their torment. This could be very triggering for anyone who has experienced a similar situation so read with caution.

What I did like about this book is that it left you questioning who the real villain was and gave a lot of thought to chew on. Natalie was forthright about being a generally awful person but for other characters, it wasn’t as transparent. This made the reveals still shocking even if they were somewhat predictable. One of Freida McFadden’s gifts as a writer is to lure her readers into a false sense of security by thinking they know it all already. Then, she expertly turns everything you thought you knew on its head. If you don’t enjoy playing amateur detective, I think you will be shook. If you figured out the twist, you will still enjoy the read but find it slightly above average like I did!

Overall, I am going to rate The Coworker with a six out of ten stars. This was a classic McFadden thriller through and through and, although predictable, it was still a fun and fast read!

What are you currently reading? What should I read next? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct25

Perugia Purchases

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Perugia Purchases

Hi! As exciting as the premise of shopping in Italy was, it was quite difficult to find stores with prices that I was comfortable paying. You all know that I am a TJMaxx girl through and through so paying full price for anything is always a shock to the system! It was definitely fun to see the high end stores but it was even more fun to be in stores where I could afford something, like the ones in Perugia. Although there were stores there that sold clothing for the price of a used car, there were also several places that didn’t make me feel like I wanted to die when I swiped my credit card! Two of which were Studded and TipTap (The cutest name for a shoe store!) where I made my purchases from. Check it out:

Studded was a fabulous find in Perugia with Zara prices and a lot of one size fits all clothing in classic shapes, colors, and patterns. As soon as I looked at one of the price tags, I knew I could hang out there for a while and tried on a handful of different clothes. Some of them were pretty but not my style in the slightest. The only thing that really moved me was the button up that you see above. This one size fits all masterpiece was the first item I grabbed off the racks and was the one that came home with me. I just love that rich green and pale pink and it almost looks like watercolor flowers. The material is so soft but it’s thin and lightweight which will make it an ideal layering item under a cozy cardigan this fall.

After Studded, I found a glorious shoe store called TipTap that was right around the corner and, blessedly, their shoes featured what I would consider to be TJMaxx prices. Both of these boots were only thirty euros apiece! My shoe situation coming into Italy had dwindled because I literally had to throw some out after the wear and tear of all of the walking for the day. Little did I know that tossing those items made room for more shoes lol! My two new pairs of heeled boots were both on the markdown shelf and in my exact size. It was a positive sign to buy them both!

I absolutely love a “cuffed” boot like the first pair and actually saw something similar in a shop window that was WAY more expensive. These boots were the perfect substitute for a style I covet but have never had for myself. And, don’t even get me started on that zip up pair with the metal toes because holy WOW! Those pointed toes are everything and the metal embellishment adds such a unique and edgy pop. I have never seen a pair of boots like those before and would have deeply regretted not buying them. You already know that I am a self proclaimed “shoe whore” and I am beyond thrilled to have two new pairs fresh from Perugia!

I cannot wait to style fall OOTDs with these amazing new finds and also I am never going to be over the store name TipTap!

What do you like to buy for yourself on vacation? Which vacation location had the best shopping? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct24

Passing Time In Perugia

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Passing Time In Perugia

Hi there! After parting from Rome on our Italian vacation through AAA and Collette, the next cities we visited were Assisi and Perugia. It was a jam packed day of sightseeing and after we made our rounds in Assisi, we took a forty or so minute bus ride right to our hotel in Perugia. Our evening was ours to spend however we pleased and I think we were all looking forward to an individual night on the town. We spent our time in Perugia riding escalators in a medieval castle, shopping till we dropped (Peep my purchases tomorrow), and having a terrible meal at our hotel lol. Let’s discuss:

Our hotel was located on the outskirts of Perugia and there is only one way to get to the city center: The escalator castle! When our beloved tour guide, Savio, was describing the medieval castle with three or four escalators inside, it was genuinely hard to imagine. All of that technology in a location that has been around for centuries! In fact, it was still hard to believe even when we were climbing the escalators to be deposited in the city center. I must admit that the process to get to the heart of Perugia was a bit treacherous. The floors sloped at insane angles, the brick and cobblestone was uneven, and it kind of felt like a recipe for disaster. The name of the game was to tread carefully and while I enjoyed the experience, I was ready to get out into the open air!

Despite the semi scary mode of transport to get into the city center, I look back on my evening in Perugia most fondly. Any guesses why? The shopping, of course! As to be expected, high end stores in Italy are a dime a dozen. And, while Perugia did have some fancy stores, there were also plenty of reasonable ones to browse. I found a fabulous store called Studded that had Zara prices as well as a shoe store called TipTap where I walked away with two gorgeous new pairs of heeled boots. I was in heaven and can’t wait to show you my wearable souvenirs tomorrow! 😀

By the time we were through with our shopping, we were famished. We had plans for dinner at a restaurant in mind but couldn’t find it and opted for a meal at our hotel, instead. We returned the way we came, through escalator castle, and got back to the Sangallo Palace Hotel with bags in tow and ready to eat! All I can say is, I really wish we would have found the restaurant we originally planned on lol. This hotel meal was one of the worst I had on vacation. There was hair in the bread, my meal was freezing cold, and the waitstaff were all really rude. I was SO hungry that I finished my cold meal but felt like I needed a cup of coffee after to warm up. The glass of Prosecco only helped slightly smh.

Stop by tomorrow for my Perugia purchases! And just an FYI, I will be doing hotel reviews too so keep your eyes peeled!

Is it hard for you to find your way around in a new city? Have you had a restaurant meal recently that left a lot to be desired? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct23

Afternoon In Assisi

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Afternoon In Assisi

Ciao everyone and welcome to the next installment of my Italian adventure through AAA and Collette! After two amazing days in Rome, it was off to our next stops which was Assisi by day and Perugia by night. This was a bit of a hectic day to make the most of the two cities with the limited time that we had but it was actually one of my favorite parts of the entire trip. Assisi was absolutely gorgeous and I spent the night shopping till I dropped in Perugia. More on that later! For now, let’s chat about how we spent our Afternoon In Assisi:

As soon as we stepped foot in Assisi we were whisked off with a local tour guide to explore the Basilica of St. Francis. Although I am not religious, I was very excited for this tour as St. Francis is incredibly special to my family – my parents especially. I knew that this was an important stop for them and I was so happy to have been a part of it. The tour of the Basilica was just as beautiful as it was informative and the piece de resistance was visiting the tomb of St. Francis. Religious or no, I think everyone felt something when they entered the tomb. Your resident atheist and agnostic, me and Johnny, most certainly did and it was a remarkable experience. Photos aren’t allowed in many of the churches in Italy so you will just have to travel to Assisi to see the inside of the Basilica for yourself!

After our tour of the Basilica of St. Francis, we were famished for lunch and had a delightful meal at a quaint little restaurant called Wine Assisi. I, of course, had my mid afternoon libation – a glass of Prosecco and enjoyed a delicious “pizza sandwich” made with cheese and black truffles. It was DIVINE and the perfect option for lunch as it made me full without feeling stuffed. The cheese was so soft and melty and was unbelievable paired with the truffles. Take a look:

When our yummy lunch was done, we had an hour and a half or so to explore Assisi before we hopped back on the bus to head to Perugia. Johnny and I had such a lovely time ambling the streets with nowhere to go and popping in and out of shops as we pleased. Assisi was such a scenic little city and it felt like walking through history with each step. Even more so thanks to the knowledge we were armed with compliments of our local tour guide and tour manager. As we walked through Assisi, I also walked away with a few treats for myself. The stunning scarf from yesterday’s post as well as these charming salt and pepper shakers. I saw them in a shop window and they had to come home with me:

After our shopping and lots of walking, Johnny and I rewarded ourselves with a mid afternoon libation before it was time to head to Perugia. I also just had to snap this pic because hot dogs are Johnny’s fave lol – he has one tattooed which tells you all you need to know!

^^^ Lolololol I can’t!

I am so excited to talk about Perugia tomorrow so be sure to tune in. It was a MAJOR highlight of this tour!

What kind of souvenirs do you have from your travels? Will you be going on a vacation in the future? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct22

Golf Cart Tour Of Rome

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Golf Cart Tour Of Rome

Hi! As you saw in yesterday’s post, our day in Rome continued after the tour of the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica with a golf cart tour of Rome. In our tour’s itinerary, the evening was ours to do whatever our heart’s desired. You could fly solo or go out to dinner with the tour group. As we were prepping for the trip, my dad thought a golf cart tour would be fun and allow us to see all of the different landmarks in person as opposed to on the bus. We are all so glad he came up with this idea because it was SO much fun and the perfect way to see Rome! Check it out:

Our golf cart tour guide, Alessio, picked us up from our hotel promptly at five in the evening for a three hour tour of Rome. Johnny and I opted to sit in the backseat of the golf cart so we could face traffic and wave at everyone! As soon as we were buckled in, we hit the road and it was so crazy! I feel like there are no traffic rules when you drive in Rome and everyone just kind of does what they feel like lol. Our driver took us around with expert care but when we would go fast it was almost like being on a rollarcoaster! All we could do was put our hands up and enjoy the ride and we sure did. It was just really nice to do something on our own away from the group and it was so wonderful to take in the sights firsthand with the wind in our hair.

The first stop on the tour was the Colosseum and that was simply spectacular. We had seen it from the bus already but that is nothing like being outside and seeing it right before your very eyes. We spent some time taking pictures and marveling at such an incredible piece of history and then we stopped in a cute cafe for some gelato before we zipped over to the Trevi Fountain. This was my first taste of Italian gelato and the vanilla did not disappoint. It was so rich and vanilla-y and I couldn’t eat another bite by the time I was halfway done. How fabulous to see the Colosseum and have a little treat afterwards! 😀

The Trevi Fountain was our next stop and my favorite landmark of the night. I was expecting its location to be more pronounced like the Colosseum but the fountain actually emerged in the middle of a block filled with shopping. It was so random to see it in all of its glory in what felt like the middle of nothing! I don’t know if this is bad or not so you tell me but I had no idea what the Trevi Fountain looked like until that moment. I’m glad I didn’t, though, because it was even better than I could have imagined and I just wanted to dive right into the cool blue water!

After the fountain we made a few more stops at scenic areas for photo ops and ended at the Pantheon. By the time we got there, it was getting dark and it was beautiful to see the Pantheon all lit up. It wasn’t all beauty because someone in the square definitely got pick-pocketed – we could hear them yell “STOP! THIEF!” but when in Rome, I guess lol? Once we walked the space and took some pics, it was time to start heading back to the hotel and our tour guide recommended an excellent spot nearby to stop for dinner. We all could have used some real food after the gelato!

Alessio got us reservations at Terme Di Diocleziano and his recommendation was spot on. In fact, we all agreed that this was the best pizza we had in Italy, period. We got a veggie pizza, a spicy salami one for the non vegetarians, and a buffalo mozzarella and tomato which was my favorite. The crust was thin and crisp but the inside was soft, the tomato sauce was sweet, and the buffalo mozzarella was ooey gooey heaven. We barely had room for biscotti for dessert and basically had to roll ourselves back to the hotel. So worth it. 😀

Our whirlwind day in Rome concluded with a quick drink at the rooftop bar of our hotel before heading to Assisi the following morning. I was asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow!

Tune in tomorrow for the next stops on our tour of Italy: Assisi by day and Perugia by night. See you then!

What is your dream vacation location? Have you been to Italy before? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct21

Guided Tour Of The Vatican Museums

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Guided Tour Of The Vatican Museums

Hello! My family enjoyed the trip of a lifetime to Italy compliments of the most excellent tour through AAA and Collette. Each day of the tour was jam packed with sight seeing, amazing food, fabulous company, and so much fun! While it was exhausting to be going nonstop for days on end, it was so worth it because there was so much to do and see. Our first full day in Rome started out with a bang as we went on a guided tour of the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica. As you all know, I am not religious in the slightest. However, I am very fond of religious art and this tour was one of my favorite highlights of the whole trip. Part of it was the sheer beauty of everything we saw but the other part was due to our wonderful tour guide, Julietta. Take a look at some pics and let’s discuss:

Going through the Vatican Museums was a whirlwind and, honestly, kind of overwhelming. As to be expected, it was incredibly crowded and we had to maneuver being in a large group, following Julietta, looking at everything as we quickly passed by, and still manage to listen to our guide as she gave us historical knowledge and hilarious stories. The Vatican Museums weren’t so much as a walk but a sprint as we navigated to the most well known artifacts while trying to avoid bottlenecks so we could stay within the time frame of the tour.

Because of how quickly we went through the impossibly huge Vatican Museums, the day was a bit of a blur. Everything from floor to ceiling was covered in art and I think you could spend an entire day there and still not manage to see and appreciate every single thing. Of course, one of the major highlights was seeing the Sistine Chapel and that was absolutely glorious. The Sistine Chapel is one of those landmarks that everyone knows and to be able to step inside it and see it with my own eyes is something I won’t soon forget. I also really loved staring up at all of the ceilings of the Vatican Museums which were completely adorned with paintings. They were all so detailed and elaborate and here I am proud that I can draw a stick figure!

After we visited the Vatican Museums, it was time for a well earned break for lunch and Johnny and I spent it tucked in a cozy little restaurant called Borgo Nuovo. He opted for the prosciutto pizza while I devoured a delicious pesto pasta. There is nothing like eating pasta in Italy and I savored every bite. I’m pleased to report that we were both members of the Clean Plate Club and this was one of my favorite meals because Johnny and I were together and it was like a little date. And, as delicious as the food was, it was just as delicious to sit down before a tour of St. Peter’s Basilica!

After our meal at Borgo Nuovo, it was back to the grind for St. Peter’s Basilica. Fun Fact: Our tour guide, Julietta, actually helped restore some of the marble columns in the Basilica as she is one of the leading experts in painted marble. How cool is that?! Here are some pics from the remainder of our tour:

Like the Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica featured a huge crowd but this time it felt way more manageable. Rather than a million rooms at the Vatican Museums to explore, there were only a handful in the Basilica which gave the opportunity to take it all in without feeling rushed. Despite lacking religion, it was very special to be in these famous and beautiful churches. Although it was cool to see the bodies of former popes in the Basilica, my favorite thing was a no brainer… I so loved seeing the Pieta by Michelangelo. My grandparents owned a funeral home and my grandma had the most glorious tabletop replica of the Pieta where calling hours were held. It was one of my favorite items from the funeral home and to see the real life statue was breathtaking. In fact, that was one of the best parts of the entire tour for me! ❤

Our sightseeing adventure didn’t end with our guided tour of the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica. It was just getting started because my family took a golf cart tour of Rome later that evening! Read all about it tomorrow!

What is your favorite work of art? Do you live near any cool museums? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct20

It’s In The Bag: Made In Italy Edition

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It’s In The Bag: Made In Italy Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of It’s In The Bag! It should come as no surprise that my primary mission in Italy was to shop till I drop and I was chomping at the bit to pop some tags. So much so, that Johnny and I went on a shopping excursion immediately after arriving in Rome. Of course, I was eager to buy clothing but I also wanted to treat myself to a nice purse as a keepsake that I could use every day so I could always have a piece of Italy with me. Not only was this goal necessary for fashion and sentimental reasons but it was also a necessity as the bag that I brought with me had seen better days!

I toted my mustard yellow vegan leather purse by Chillx because it had a sturdy lock and zippered compartments to ward off pickpockets. However, the vegan leather was peeling and the traveling to Rome only intensified it. The bag I purchased couldn’t have come a moment too soon and I threw my old purse out as soon as all of my items were swapped. Check it out:

^^^ You can learn more about the items in my OOTD in this post!

I am a well seasoned shopper and I tend to know within a second’s glance if a fashion item is a yes or no. And, as Johnny and I strolled through Rome and I took a quick look from the sidewalk into a local leather store, I just knew that the purse for me was in there. I walked in, the gorgeous oxblood mini messenger bag caught my eye, and the haggling for a better price proceeded. Outside of shopping, I was most looking forward to putting my Italian skills to the test and had been practicing diligently before my trip. This paid off quite literally because the store owner knocked the price of my purse down by thirty euros and I happily left the store with a great deal and timeless accessory. I was also glowing at the compliment from the salesperson that my Italian was very good!!! 😀

My new purse was joined at my hip for my entire vacation and I could not be more pleased with my purchase that was made within a half hour of being in Rome. Hey, I’m a gal who knows what she wants! Although I typically shy away from leather goods, all of my previous vegan leather purses had been tossed due to the peeling. I wanted something that was high in quality and would last forever and that was why my Made In Italy leather bag came home with me. It delighted me that all of the members of our tour group went gaga over it and their sentiments matched mine exactly. This truly was the ideal purse for me and I didn’t even bother looking at any more during the entirety of the trip. Why would I when I already had perfection?!

By the by, the scarf that you see in the purse pictures was purchased in Assisi and can we please talk about what a stunning combination it is? When the scarf wasn’t jauntily tied around my neck, I had it wrapped around the purse’s strap for an added pop. That oxblood paired with the navy blue and bright orange is simply divine!! ❤

With this purse by my side, Italy isn’t far away at all. It’s right there with me and will serve as a tangible daily reminder of my trip of a lifetime!

What kind of souvenirs do you like to purchase on vacation? What are some of your favorite Italian brands? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct19

Welcome To Rome!

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Welcome To Rome!

Hello!! My family and I enjoyed the most wonderful vacation in Italy and spent ten days traveling and city hopping. This tour was compliments of AAA and Collette and it really was a whirlwind adventure. Johnny, myself, my parents, and older brother went here, there, and everywhere with thirty-five other people and our amazing tour guide, Savio. We made forever friends, unforgettable memories, and fostered a love and knowledge for every location we visited and its surrounding areas. This was our first time out of the country and it truly couldn’t have gone better thanks to the meticulous planning and guidance of our beloved Savio. We may be back in the A-K-Rowdy, but Italy will never be far from our hearts.

Our travels began with margaritas at the airport at ten in the morning (obviously), a quick flight to Chicago where more margs were consumed (obviously), and an overnight flight that brought us to Rome for the start of our tour. Due to the other members of our group all arriving at different times, we were able to get ourselves checked into the hotel to rest, spend some time in the city, and have a big welcome dinner that evening. As soon as we made it to the Mediterraneo Hotel (I will be reviewing every hotel we stayed at), Johnny and I freshened up and made our way into Rome for some shopping as his sunglasses broke on the flight. That is when our adventure really began…

Johnny and I emerged onto the streets of Rome with no other plan then to find him some sunnies. We decided to ask the first people we saw who looked close to our age and learned that they were not from Rome but Austria. We chatted, laughed, and made up in the air plans to meet up for drinks after our welcome dinner. Rather than keep asking for help, we took it to the streets and hit up a bunch of different stores. Johnny and I found sunglasses and I also purchased a GORGEOUS purse which you will see later! After our shopping we returned to the hotel to have some drinks and wait for our dinner featuring regional specialties.

Our welcome dinner was absolutely delicious and I was so appreciative to the attentiveness of our tour guide to ensure that my mom and I always had vegetarian options. The meal started with a yummy flatbread and a rich pasta with veggies. Next was a divine pastry filled with cheese (I was in heaven) and the most tasty pistachio ice cream for dessert. It was actually one of my favorite sweets we had on the entire trip! And, of course, the wine flowed freely as we dined and got to know all of the other guests who felt like family within days.

After our meal, the fun didn’t stop because Johnny and I hit up the rooftop bar at the hotel to meet with our new friends from Austria. Guys… We got absolutely wasted and spent hours drinking Prosecco, sharing stories of our respective countries, and laughing hysterically. One of our new pals wants to visit us in Ohio for a “hillybilly time” of drinking moonshine and shooting guns and we’d love to make it happen lolol. We are still in contact with them! As much as we would have loved to keep the night going, Johnny and I were beat and had an early following day filled with sightseeing. This day set the vibe for the whole trip and it promised to be fabulous. I can’t wait to tell you all more about it so stay tuned because lifewithlilred is having an Italian takeover!

In under two weeks, Italy felt like home. We are thankful beyond measure for this beautiful time with friends and family and I am so excited to relive it all here with my dear readers. Keep it posted!

Have you been on vacation this year? Where did you go? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct18

Lil Red’s Book Club: Ours Is A Tale Of Murder By Nora Murphy Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: Ours Is A Tale Of Murder By Nora Murphy Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we are going to be discussing a highly disturbing and difficult to read thriller by Nora Murphy called Ours Is A Tale Of Murder. I read this book in one sitting on my return flight home from Italy and we will dive right into my vacation adventures tomorrow. I didn’t want to forget anything about this book to write the review which is why we’re chatting about it now! Before we begin, I will be placing a massive trigger warning on Ours Is A Tale Of Murder for child abuse, domestic violence, miscarriages, stalking, sexual violence, and cruelty to animals. This is NOT a book for the faint of heart and I advise you to read at your own discretion. You ready? Let’s do this:

Klara is a woman in her mid thirties who is more than happy to be married to her job as a personal injury lawyer. She has her heart set on making partner at her firm this year and that is what she will be focusing all of her time and effort on. Klara recently got out of a long term relationship and the last thing she has on her mind is dating – especially because she is firm on not wanting children. That all changes when she meets Troy at a networking event for other lawyers in the area. Troy has had his sights set on Klara for a long time, she just doesn’t know it and their meeting was anything but a chance encounter. Initially, Klara shrugs Troy’s advances off but, hey, she is single and very lonely and why not date the charming, wealthy man who is trying to woo her?

After their first date, Klara and Troy are inseparable and a whirlwind romance ensues. To Troy, this is exactly what he planned. To Klara, she is feeling smothered but also realizes this might be as good as it gets. Little by little, Troy takes away her life. First it’s her home when he moves in almost immediately. Next goes her friends as he isolates her to the point where she only can depend on him. Finally, comes marriage, the house in the suburbs, and a baby? Yes, Klara is pregnant and she has no idea how it could have possibly happened as she is religious about her birth control routine.

In the suburbs, Klara is pregnant and alone. She no longer works because Troy insisted she doesn’t and spends her days cooped up inside. Sometimes she’ll run an occasional errand or garden in her yard. More often that not, however, she is completely by herself in an empty house. She’s not alone, though, not really. Henry, her odd neighbor is always watching. He knows her routine, he knows when she comes and goes, and most importantly: He knows that Klara is not happy. He could make her happy, though. He’s sure of it. All it will take is removing Troy from the equation and Klara will be all his. She just doesn’t know it yet. There are two men who have made it their mission to have Klara all to themselves. How will she possibly break free from this impossible situation? Read Ours Is A Tale Of Murder to find out!

Okay, let me first start by saying that Ours Is A Tale Of Murder was jacked TF up. It was one of the most difficult and upsetting books I have read in recent memory and there were several parts where I truly didn’t think I could take anymore. Of course, I never start a book without finishing it and here I am now talking to all of you about it. While this book shook me to my absolute core, I genuinely couldn’t have abandoned Klara even though she is an entirely made up character. What she was going through, however, felt so incredibly real – especially as we are living in the increasing times of incel culture and violence against women. And what’s the main rule when you are with a friend? Never, ever leave them.

Ours Is A Tale Of Murder featured a twist that I would have never saw coming from a mile away and I did like that. It also ended on a note that I was more than satisfied with and that was great too. The question is – Was it worth the read? Was it worth the mental anguish with every page? Yes and no. I say “yes” because the plot points felt all too relevant and sometimes you just have to look evil in the eye. I also say “no” because I can wholeheartedly understand why this book causes pain on a cellular level because I experienced it firsthand. This is not me pushing this book one way or the other, I just can’t advise enough to proceed with caution. If anything said in this review would cause you pain to read it then please, please don’t. If you do read it – we will have a lot to discuss together!

Overall, I am going to rate Ours Is A Tale Of Murder with a four out of ten stars. The four stars go to the excellent writing of Nora Murphy, a holy shit twist, and the creation of a character that you want to protect. It was all A LOT, though, even for me and I can’t in good conscience rate it any higher.

Who is your favorite author? What did you think if you read this book? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct17

Lil Red’s Book Club: Want To Know A Secret? By Freida McFadden Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: Want To Know A Secret? By Freida McFadden Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we will be discussing yet another Freida McFadden thriller called Want To Know A Secret? In case you haven’t noticed, I have been on a big McFadden kick lately. Her books are just so easy to read and finish quickly and they are pretty fun more often than not. Want To Know A Secret? was perfectly average but I enjoyed it well enough and finished it in three sittings. Before we begin our chat, I will be placing a trigger warning for general violence and disturbing content in a nursing home setting. You ready? Let’s do it:

April lives an exceptionally charmed life. Her husband is a lawyer, they live in a gorgeous home with their little boy, and April even has a successful YouTube channel called Sweet Secrets. In her show, April shares her baking secrets with the world and each episode is packed with tips on how to make the best brownies or ooey gooey chocolate chip cookies. The rest of April’s secrets? She won’t be advertising them on YouTube, that’s for sure. 

On the outside, April is a perfect neighbor and charms everyone with her sweet smile and baked goods. She has even made a new friend, her name is Maria and her family just purchased the house next door. The two ladies and their sons strike up a fast friendship and everything is of the status quo… Until the text messages begin. 

Since Maria has moved in, April has been receiving texts asking if she’d like to know a secret. Each text reveals major issues that she has been long determined to keep buried. If they were to go public, her show and husband’s career would be gone in an instant. But who would want to hurt April like that? Could it be her newfound friend and neighbor? Read Want To Know A Secret? to find out!

I have read A LOT of Freida McFadden books. So much so that Want To Know A Secret? honestly felt like I had read it before. You know the same old thing – stalker vibe texts, a new love interest or neighbor, and life as our primary character knows it going swiftly downhill. I must admit that I liked the premise of April having a YouTube show because I always enjoy a social media twist. The rest of Want To Know A Secret? was just a case of been there, read that. 

This is not to say that this book wasn’t entertaining because it was. It wasn’t a leave my jaw on the floor level thriller, though, and that is what I have come to expect from Freida McFadden books. When she misses the mark, she really misses it and this one didn’t do it for me. If you are a fan of McFadden books, this is one that you aren’t missing out on by skipping. 

Overall, I am going to rate Want To Know A Secret? with a four out of ten stars. Read it or don’t but if you do I’m sure you will find it to be average at best!

Who is your favorite author? Have you read anything by Freida McFadden recently? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct16

New Black & Silver Glitter Nails

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New Black & Silver Glitter Nails

Hello! Prior to going to Italy I had to get my nails right and enjoyed an excellent fill after my last shift on Friday before my big vacation. I had a few color combos in mind for my nails but that all fell by the wayside because this fill will also serve as my claws for Halloween. And, I just know that Mrs. Lovett would never be rocking taupe and powder blue talons! These new glittery stiletto nails will be absolutely perfect for my costume and will provide a radiant pop of bling to all of my Italy OOTDs. Check these bad boys out:

I ditched glittery polishes in the summer and opted for bright sunny shades to made a statement with. My previous fills certainly matched the fun in the sun vibes of summer but it is fall, baby, and that means bringing back dark, rich shades of polish and glitter too! My Mrs. Lovett costume is a sexy white and black striped little number so I just selected which colors make sense: A starry night black with twinkling silver stars and a silver glitter polish worthy of being a disco ball. What can I say, I wanted that bling bling and ended up getting ALL of the bling bling! 😀

As my nail tech shaped and sharpened away at my acrylics, we had the most delightful chat and it was so nice to unwind in her chair after a long several weeks. I was working ten plus hours per day to get prepped for my trip and while it was one thousand percent worth it, it was so exhausting! I could literally feel myself melting as I was pampered because all of that stress simply vanished. That’s no surprise because we were so busy talking about our two favorite topics: Books and movies. We are both on pins and needles to see Other Mommy and my tech has to read the book it’s based on too. I cannot wait to discuss during my next appointment and relive all things Halloween!

Vaca hair? Check. Vaca nails? Check and double check!! Stay tuned for the first of many posts about my trip coming soon!

Are there any movies coming out that you want to see? Have you gotten fall colors for your nails? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct15

Vintage Fruit Basket

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Vintage Fruit Basket

Hello!! My style of home decor is basically if Halloween and a thrift store threw up lol. I, of course, love my spooky decorations and am very partial to quirky statement pieces that probably belonged to someone’s grandma. I treat my home decor like my clothing – I want the items that no one else has and the latest decorations I was gifted definitely take the cake. I would be hard pressed to find anyone in my general vicinity with this funky Vintage Fruit Basket! Check it out:

My client’s mom has been on a decluttering binge and always asks me if I would like anything before she takes it to Goodwill. The most recent being this “fruit” basket that her mom gifted her with for Christmas decades ago. My answer to taking it home was a resounding YES because seriously how could I not?! Just look at those little faces! This fruit basket simply delights me and it reminds me so much of the refrigerator food in Pee Wee’s Playhouse. Every time I see it puts a smile on my face and the old saying really is true: One woman’s trash is another woman’s treasure.

I mentioned that I love quirky statement pieces and I think the statement doesn’t get any quirkier than this. And the best part? I don’t ever have to worry about this fruit going bad! If I saw this at a thrift store, it would have been in my cart without hesitation and I couldn’t wait to get home and show Johnny our “new” centerpiece. I can recall being enamored with this fruit basket when I worked with my client over a decade ago and completely forgot about it until I saw it again. We are reunited and it feels so good and I feel so spoiled to have been treated to this vintage masterpiece. The orange and banana are my fave!

So fruity and oh so fun – I am going to treasure this for forever!

Have you had any good thrift store finds recently? Do you go vintage shopping or antiquing often? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct14

I’m Back!!!!!

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I’m Back!!!!!

Yoohoo!!! I have been mentioning a trip to Italy and today is the day that I return home. Prior to the big trip, I was working my nads off to schedule content out on lifewithlilred and the social media page that I manage. It was a lot of work and for the past three weeks I was clocking in ten plus hour days between working from home and with my clients. It was well worth all of the effort to ensure that my blog baby and social media was tended to because you already know I have to keep that daily content streak going!! Yes, the extra work was exhausting but it felt SO good to steadily check each post off of my to do list so I could fully relax on my first vacation in five years. And all the way to Italy, no less!

This is my first time traveling internationally and I cannot wait to share my voyage with my dear readers. Starting next week it’s going to be All Italy Everything. We’re talking food (And wine!!!), killer OOTDs, sightseeing, and so much more. The so much more is TBD because I am writing this the morning that we depart from Cleveland, Ohio! This was my future self writing in this post and we will be back to present day soon. All I have to say is, shout out to future and past me for keeping lifewithlilred going strong even when I’m thousands of miles away from the A-K-Rowdy. And, shout out to all of you for joining me! ❤

I am leaving this morning but writing about being back home and it kind of feels like a Twilight Zone episode lol. Stick around for my adventures and we’ll all be back on the same time frame before you know it! ❤

Did you go on vacation this year? Where to? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct13

Lil Red’s Book Club: You First By Caroline Kepnes Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: You First By Caroline Kepnes Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we are going to be discussing the prequel to the You series by Caroline Kepnes called You First. I have read two of the books in the series and have seen the entire show on Netflix so I was looking forward to finding out about the early years of Joe Goldberg. And, honestly, I wish I hadn’t lol. If you thought that Joe couldn’t possibly be more messed up, then this prequel will be as shocking for you as it was for me. I truly felt nauseous after the first few pages and I am SO glad to be done with it. Before we begin our chat, I will be placing a big fat trigger warning on You First for violent and obsessive behavior, highly disturbing content, and statutory rape. You ready? Let’s get to it:

Seventeen year old Joe Goldberg wandered into a bookstore called Mooney’s Books in New York City when he was twelve years old and hasn’t left since. His parents didn’t care for him or want him to begin with so he simply vanished and never looked back. Mr. Mooney took him under his wing and taught him all of the wrong lessons: That women are only good for one thing and that being punished means being locked in a box in the bookstore basement. Everyone has rejected Joe and he has no one outside of Mr. Mooney and all of the books that he considers to be his friends. Then, the world began to shift to the internet.

Compliments of Craigslist, Joe has begun writing Missed Connections posts to any and every woman he has encountered, even if it was for a moment. He checks his email religiously for replies and not a single post he made has ever been answered. There is a lot that is missing from Joe’s character but he is convinced that someone loving him will set him straight. And, wouldn’t you know, a beautiful young woman enters Mooney’s Books. She is not a customer but she sure needs to use the bathroom and Joe covers for her so she can relieve herself without facing the wrath of Mr. Mooney. Joe is instantly enamored by her but doesn’t have the guts to ask her out himself.

His prayers are answered as he scours Craigslist because there is a new Missed Connections post from the bookstore woman herself. Her name is Vail and she felt something for Joe in the bookstore too. They end up going on a date and then a few more and before you know it, Joe is in full on Goldberg mode and will do any and everything to make her stay. Vail might be older than Joe but her decisions in their relationship are anything but wise. Joe can feel her pulling away for another man and all the while he was thinking that he was her only man. As we all know, Joe holds onto his relationships tightly and this is not going to end well for those in this love triangle. Who will make it out alive? Read You First to find out!

Reading the thoughts of a teenage Joe Goldberg in You First was honestly like reading the diary of an incel and it was just plain gross. Joe has an insatiable appetite for sex although he is a virgin and loathes himself for not being the object of a woman’s affection. You First felt like a constant loop of think about sex, obsess over Vail, hate himself, and skewing his own twisted thoughts to turn him into the victim. Prequel Joe is a pressure cooker ready to explode and is tamped down as long as his relationship with Vail is going okay. When it’s not? There is no telling what he was going to do and there came a point when I simply didn’t care to find out even though I finished the book.

I applaud Caroline Kepnes as her writing was excellent and she perfectly portrays Joe as he begins to succumb to his sickness for the first time. However, the subject matter just wasn’t for me and this is not a Netflix show. It’s not watered down with fluff and celebrities. It is words on pages and they were often incredibly hard to read. If you are familiar with the show You or the books, then I’m sure you already have an idea of what direction You First is going to take. Hell, I knew it from the jump. That little bit of hope for things to turn out differently was the only reason I kept reading. And, when I was done, I just felt disappointed and empty. You First was a harrowing read that I would not recommend unless you know what you are getting yourself into. If I did, I probably wouldn’t have bothered reading it!

Overall, I am going to rate You First with a two out of ten stars. These stars were given strictly because I enjoyed the writing style of Caroline Kepnes and negative infinity stars go to Joe Goldberg for being a vile piece of trash!

How do you feel about the You series? Have you read the books, watched the show, or both? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct12

Going Green At Home: Everyday Changes That Can Make A Difference

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Going Green At Home: Everyday Changes That Can Make A Difference

Making your home more eco-friendly doesn’t mean spending thousands on upgrades or changing how you live overnight. Sometimes, it’s as simple as using less electricity, wasting less food, or thinking twice before buying something new. These everyday changes can help you save money and reduce waste. If you’re not sure where to start, a few practical energy-saving tips can be a good first step:

Start with your everyday energy use:

Check where electricity may be going to waste before buying new equipment. Lights left on in empty rooms, half-full dishwasher cycles, and electronics sitting on standby all add to household consumption. A plug-in energy monitor can show how much power individual appliances use, while many utility accounts provide hourly or daily usage data.

The US Environmental Protection Agency’s at-home climate guidance recommends practical measures such as choosing efficient appliances and managing heating and cooling carefully. Try adjusting your thermostat by one or two degrees, washing clothes in cold water, and letting dishes air-dry when possible.

Consider cleaner household energy:

Once you understand your normal energy use, decide which home improvements could have the greatest effect. Sealing gaps around doors and windows may be the logical first move in a drafty property. An older home with high electricity bills could benefit from upgraded insulation, an efficient hot water system, or renewable energy.

You can also explore solar installations and battery storage alongside other energy-efficient upgrades. A professional energy assessment can help identify which improvements make the most sense for your property. Review several months of electricity bills before requesting an assessment, and ask how much electricity a proposed system is expected to produce, how it was sized, and what monitoring or maintenance it will require. These details can help you decide whether solar is a practical investment for your home.

Cut waste before it reaches the bin:

A household waste audit can reveal patterns that are easy to miss. For a week, take a quick look at what goes into your trash. You might find spoiled produce, disposable packaging, and paper towels account for most of it.

Plan meals around ingredients already in the refrigerator and freeze extra portions before they’re forgotten. Keep reusable shopping bags near your keys, choose refillable containers where practical, and use washable cloths for routine cleaning. The Center for Biological Diversity offers more sustainable living ideas, including ways to reduce consumption. Check local recycling rules too, since incorrect items can contaminate an otherwise recyclable load.

Buy less and keep things longer:

Before buying something new, consider whether you can repair it, borrow it, or buy it secondhand. A loose chair leg may only need wood glue and a clamp, while a worn shirt could become a cleaning cloth. Local lending groups and tool libraries are especially useful for equipment you’ll use once or twice a year.

When replacement really is necessary, look beyond the lowest price. Check the expected lifespan, warranty, energy rating, and availability of replacement parts. A durable appliance you can repair may deliver better value over time than a cheaper model that fails quickly. Waiting a day before nonessential purchases can also prevent impulse buys from becoming clutter.

Build changes into your routine:

Sustainable habits tend to stick when they’re tied to things you already do. Place a food-scrap container beside your chopping board, keep reusable bottles near the front door, and add leak checks to your seasonal cleaning list. These small prompts remove the need to remember every task from scratch.

Making your home more sustainable starts with the choices you make every day. Over time, these changes can make your home more efficient and help you reduce your environmental impact!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Oct12

Fall Hiking Spree

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Fall Hiking Spree

Hello! My brother, Andrew, and I are avid hikers and we just love exploring all of the beautiful Metro Parks that we are so lucky to live close to. Every year the Metro Parks host a fall and spring hiking spree and it is our time to shine! We are right in the midst of our fall hiking spree and have completed six out of the eight hikes needed to earn another shield for our walking sticks. The hiking spree offers a list of tons of hiking trails within a thirty or so mile radius and we always try to hit up the ones we have never been to before. It’s so exciting and we have found countless new favorite trails through the hiking spree process. The weather has been wonderful, the company is even better, and I can’t wait to hit the trails again!

A majority of people who live in Northeast Ohio would describe it as “boring” and most times, I have to concur lol. There is never much of anything going on! The hiking sprees, however, make me eat my words because how could all of that gorgeous scenery ever be boring?! Every time we begin a hike, I am in awe of the nature surrounding us. The tall trees, falling leaves, and wildlife are straight out of story books and we like to keep track of all of the animals we see on our adventures. During a recent walk along the water we saw twenty-two turtles! That might seem like a lot but it doesn’t come close to our world record hike of spotting fifty-five turtles, a beaver, a river otter, blue herons, and a million baby ducks all in one afternoon!

The fall hiking spree is, truly, our most beloved adventure of the year and it’s so cool to visit places in Ohio that we have never been to before. It really opens up a whole new world! For example, we did some shopping at a store in Medina called Sweets & Geeks and I had a brain blast to find a Metro Park nearby to serve as our “pick your own” hike. We settled on Buckeye Woods and were astounded by its sheer enormity. There were soccer fields, baseball diamonds, playgrounds, and a seemingly endless amount of trails to trek on. The trail we selected brought us deep into the woods and there were already lots of crunchy leaves on the ground to stomp on. My favorite! If it weren’t for the hiking spree, we never would have known about the park and that is what it’s all about. Yeah, Northeast Ohio isn’t so boring after all. 🙂

Take a hike! Seriously, it will do you a world of good and you will feel fabulous afterwards. There is nothing better than finding brand new paths in your own backyard!

Do you hike often? What is your favorite trail? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct11

Bath & Body Works October 2026 Freebie

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Bath & Body Works October 2026 Freebie

Howdy! Bath & Body Works is my go to store for bath and body care and their products have been staples in my home for close to a decade. I would never say I spend a crazy amount there because I follow a simple formula: Go hog wild during the Semi-Annual Sales, stock up on foaming hand soap as needed, cash in freebie coupons, rinse, and repeat. Thanks to this process that I perfected, my beauty hoard runneth over all year long with plenty of extra products to add onto prezzies for gift giving occasions too. It is always exciting to get a free travel size coupon in the mail because it is just the best little treat. To walk in and walk out with something totally free of charge is so rare and I live for it! I can’t get enough of this ultra nostalgic goodie that I picked out for my October Freebie:

I used to work at The Body Shop back in the day and it was one of my favorite jobs. It was such a joy to be surrounded by all of my must have makeup, skin care, and bath and body care every day and the employee perks were excellent. The body butter from The Body Shop will forever be one of my favorite things and I was especially partial to their Cocoa and Shea butter. Although I was most fond of their Vineyard Peach and Satsuma line, I just loved the classic and softer scents of Cocoa and Shea butter the best. I will always have a scent memory of those body butters that live rent free in my head and just had to go for the Coco Shea Hand Cream as my freebie.

One whiff of this hand cream was all it took to be transported back to my mall rat days in the best way possible. The Coco Shea cream is the perfect combination of the scents that I have loved for so long and it really does make me smile. I can recall working at TBS in the dead of winter when my hands would get super dry. Every morning I would open the store and snag a quick swipe of the Cocoa or Shea Butter from the tester jars to relieve my dry, red hands. I haven’t thought about that in ages and it came back as clear as day thanks to this little freebie tube of hand cream. Scent memories are crazy and I’m sure I will have lots of retail flashbacks with every use!

I miss The Body Shop more than words can say but shout out to B&BW for being a real one and sticking around!

What is your favorite scent? Do you have any scent memories? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct10

Sephora Shopping

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Sephora Shopping

Hi! When I shop Sephora, I tend to do so online because there are usually really good deals and the promise of free mini product and samples. However, I was running low on a few of my staples before my Italy vaca and hit the store, instead, as I didn’t have the time to wait for an online order. Johnny joined me for this quick errand because we were going on a date night afterwards and it was the first time he ever stepped foot in a Sephora. Needless to say, he was a bit overwhelmed and had the funniest reaction to my purchases lol let’s discuss:

I am not one to buy new makeup often and when I do, I stick to what I know. I am not good enough at doing my makeup to warrant a bunch of on the fly purchases that I probably will never use and my MOTD has been the same since high school lol smh. A makeup girl, I am not but I do have my tried and true essentials that I absolutely must have. The first of which is the Better Than Sex mascara by Too Faced. Although it is pricey at almost thirty bucks a tube, it really is the best mascara I have ever used. In just a few small swipes, my lashes are extended and covered in jet black exactly how I like it. I was a bit disappointed to have to buy the waterproof version as the OG one wasn’t available but beggars can’t be choosers on a time crunch! I have never used the waterproof formula so we’ll see what happens!

The next order of business was snagging another bottle of my beloved Urban Decay Face Bond Luminizer in Swan Lake. Back in the day, my go to option for a boost of brightness was the radiance beads by The Body Shop. Sadly, that product is no longer and I had to pivot this year to something different. A kind Sephora employee introduced me to the Face Bond Luminizer and the rest was history. I love it and it provides the exact same radiance and glow as my back in the day beads. One bottle costs thirty-four dollars but I actually think that’s not bad at all. I have been using the same bottle since January and still have a few applications left! … Johnny thought otherwise…

When I was ringing up my two products, the total came to just under seventy dollars and Johnny literally couldn’t believe it. When we exited the store his jaw was on the floor over two makeup items costing that much. In the makeup’s defense, both of my purchases are very long lasting and, although the shock of the price is painful, I consider it to be well worth it. This was Johnny’s first Sephora experience and I think it’s safe to say he will always have the same reaction whenever I need a reup on my beauty supplies!

What’s that old saying again? Beauty is pain? Or is it beauty is pricey?!

Where do you buy your makeup from? Do you get new makeup often? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct9

Fall Flowers OOTD Bloopers

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Fall Flowers OOTD Bloopers

Hello everyone and welcome to the Blooper Reel from my Fall Flowers OOTD! I don’t know how it’s going in your neck of the woods, but it is feeling SO fall in Ohio and I am living for it. Johnny and I spent this past summer sweating our nads off in our stifling apartment and it is a joy to feel comfortable both inside and out of our home. In fact, it has felt downright chilly some days at chez nous and it has been absolutely delicious to finally snuggle up in a cozy blanket and warm pajamas. It’s the simple things in life, right? Let’s get a peek at these bloopers and then stick around because I have the most insane story to tell you:

Yoohoo, boys!

How it looks when you shake someone’s hand with a fake buzzer

I’M SEXY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lmaoooo in my drunk aunt era

My hair looks like Kate’s in John & Kate Plus 8 in this shot lol smh

In my drunk aunt era or just simply drunk?

After seeing Resident Evil with a friend, I went to see it on a date night with Johnny over the weekend. I really enjoyed the movie and I was so excited for Johnny to see it because he is an avid fan of the games. We loaded up on snacks and drinks at the theater and made our way to our smack dab in the middle seats for a perfect view of the big screen. When the movie started, a handful of people walked in and seated themselves in the rows directly in front of the screen. They were kind of loud and obnoxious and had their phones out but it wasn’t anything distracting enough to take away from the movie. Until it was about halfway through…

When the movie started getting to the really good parts, I couldn’t quite believe my eyes and it was not due to the horror on the screen. One of the people had their bright phone high in the air and was literally FaceTiming the movie to a friend. Everyone in the back seats could see exactly what she was doing and it was pure insanity. I am one of those people who if I see you stealing something then I sure didn’t. However, this person was taking away from the experience of everyone in the theater and I wasn’t going to stand for it. Yes, in that moment I was that girl.

I got up from my seat to go “use the bathroom” AKA tell an employee what’s going on and the offender was promptly removed from the theater. She pitched a huge fit but babygirl what did you expect?! Lol I wouldn’t have cared if she was shooting off a text or two because I have definitely done that in a theater. But FaceTiming a movie to a friend for all to see was such a bold move and I was genuinely flabbergasted. I hate to be a person that complains but I definitely think it was complain worthy because what in the literal F!

Although this experience left me shaking my damn head, we still had a great date night and a crazy story to tell afterwards!

Have you ever experienced a similar situation at the movies? What happened? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct8

The Comfort Of A Well-Maintained Home

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The Comfort Of A Well-Maintained Home

A comfortable home supports your daily routines without demanding constant attention. Rooms feel settled, doors close properly and small repairs don’t linger in the back of your mind. That sense of ease comes from a mix of personal touches and regular maintenance, both indoors and outside. When you care for the details that affect comfort, security and shelter, your home becomes a place where you can truly relax:

Finding Comfort in Small Spaces:

Small rooms often feel cozier when every item has a purpose. Start by clearing surfaces, improving walkways and moving bulky furniture away from windows. Natural light, warm lamps and a few cheerful colors can make a compact room feel more open. The principles behind a home that feels good include sensory details such as light, texture and color.

Personal objects matter too. Display a favorite photograph, add a soft throw, or bring in a low-maintenance plant. These small touches can add character without creating clutter. Leave some open space so the room still feels easy to use and clean.

What Makes a Home Feel Safe:

Safety begins with predictable surroundings. Check that exterior doors latch correctly, stairways have good lighting, and smoke alarms work on every level. You should also address dripping pipes, loose railings, and damp patches before they become disruptive repairs. Guidance on creating a safe and comforting home also highlights the value of calm spaces and dependable routines.

Visible exterior damage deserves prompt attention. Homeowners and property managers in North Georgia can consult Sentinel Exteriors when planning exterior renovation work involving roofing, siding, windows, gutters, painting, or decks. Before hiring any contractor, request a written scope, ask who handles permits, and confirm how weather delays or hidden damage will affect the schedule.

Your Exterior – The Ultimate Protector:

Your home’s exterior takes the daily impact of sun, rain, wind, and changing temperatures. Inspect it at least twice a year and after severe weather. From the ground, look for lifted roofing materials, sagging gutters, peeling paint, cracked siding, and gaps around windows. Binoculars can help you check higher areas without climbing.

Keep gutters clear so water moves away from the foundation, then confirm that downspouts discharge several feet from the house. Trim branches that scrape the roof or siding and watch for deck boards that feel soft underfoot. Inside, yellow ceiling marks, musty smells, and peeling paint near windows may signal exterior moisture problems. Record what you find with dated photos, since these make it easier to track changes and explain the issue to a qualified professional.

Restoring Your Home’s Peace:

A long repair list can make home care feel overwhelming, so sort problems by urgency. Active leaks, electrical concerns, and unstable steps need quick professional attention. Drafty windows, faded paint, and worn finishes can usually wait while you gather estimates and set a realistic budget.

Once repairs are complete, return the room to normal promptly. Clean the area, replace moved furniture and store warranties, receipts, and before-and-after photos in one folder. A simple maintenance calendar can prevent the same problems from sneaking up again. Note seasonal tasks such as testing alarms, cleaning gutters, and checking seals around doors and windows.

The most satisfying moment often comes after you put the tools away and the house feels quiet again. Make a cup of tea, settle into your favorite spot, and enjoy the comfort created by details that now work as they should!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Oct8

Groovy Movies: Heart of the Beast Edition

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Groovy Movies: Heart of the Beast Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Groovy Movies! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we are going to be discussing the new Brad Pitt flick called Heart of the Beast. I could honestly give a hoot less about Brad Pitt but my friend wanted to see Heart of the Beast and I am never one to turn down an outing to the movie theater. Going to movies is my absolute favorite regardless of what I am seeing because I just love the experience of it! I went into Heart of the Beast not expecting anything from it and left pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. It was very good! Before we begin our chat, I will be placing a trigger warning for scenes of combat and animal attacks. You ready? Let’s go:

^^^ As always, I have no rights to this video!

James is a retired Special Forces Command Sergeant Major and is flying his plane to camp in the remote Alaskan wilderness with his combat dog, Odin (AKA Odie). James and Odie have been through a lot together and find what joy they can in nature. But, really, the only thing that brings James joy is his dog. They spend their day fishing and playing fetch before making camp for the night to get some rest for their departure the following day as the weather is going to turn. They awake to an overcast morning, pack up the plane, and begin their trip home as the rain starts to fall.

As James pilots the aircraft, he begins massaging his shoulder and eventually collapses on the wheel from a heart attack. The plane crashes and James lands in water but Odie is nowhere to be found. After emerging from the wreckage, James finds Odie lying on the ground in the woods, breathing but injured. James starts a fire, gets Odie comfortable, and consults his map to learn that they are fifty-eight miles away from the nearest road. They have no form of communication, no one is even aware of James being gone, and they are going to have to travel on foot to get back to civilization.

The following morning, James wakes up and Odie is upright, alert, and watching over him. Their journey home through the Alaskan wilderness is about to begin. The terrain is tough and there are dangerous animals like wolves and bears roaming. All James and Odie can do is put one foot in front of the other, keep up their strength, and avoid the animals stalking them at all costs. The trek is perilous and one wrong step could be their last. Will Odie and James be able to make it back safe and sound? Watch Heart of the Beast to find out!

Now, I’m sure all of you are wondering if Odie made it through the movie and I’m pleased to report that the answer is YES or else I wouldn’t have seen it. I also don’t consider this to be a spoiler because the movie opens revealing that Odie is okay. If you were on the fence about seeing this movie because of that, then you are free and clear to proceed! I am so glad that the movie started that way because I don’t think I would have liked it nearly as much if I was worried about Odie the whole time. Because of that, Heart of the Beast went from a probable tearjerker to an intense tale of survival and it had me on the edge of my seat.

Make no mistake, Brad Pitt was the star of the movie but Odie was the star and their relationship was so beautiful. I could literally feel the love in every scene and it made every slip, trip, and injury that much more harrowing because all I wanted was for them to make it through as a team. Odie was, indeed, fabulous and Brad Pitt was quite good and really showed his range as a physical actor. Not only were our two key players impossible to look away from, but the cinematography in Heart of the Beast was glorious. The scenery was gorgeous but it was fickle as danger lurked at every turn. Heart of the Beast was a fast paced thrill and, although I can’t say for certain if I would watch it again, I am definitely glad that I saw it in theaters!

Overall, I am going to rate Heart of the Beast with a seven out of ten stars. It wasn’t my favorite but I did like it a lot and I also think this is the first Brad Pitt movie I have ever seen lol.

Who is your favorite actor? What did you think about Heart of the Beast? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct7

Covid Shot Chronicles

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Covid Shot Chronicles

Oh hey! The Covid-19 shots are a necessary evil and I mean that wholeheartedly because I never react well to them. I have gotten every vaccine and booster in the book and every single time it’s the same: Step 1) Get the shot on a Friday. 2) Go about my day and then my arm starts feeling sore about three hours later. 3) Begin fading fast throughout the evening. 4) Feel like ass the following day. 5) Rinse and repeat. And surprise, surprise that is exactly what happened this past weekend lol. I suppose there is comfort in knowing exactly what is going to happen but it is always disappointing when my hope for a low key vaccine experience is crushed!

When I woke up the following day from my vaccine, I felt like this and remained that way until Sunday afternoon:

Upon awakening, I felt like I got hit by a truck. My entire body was sore and achy, I had a fever and chills that ping ponged throughout the day, and felt so fatigued that it was hard to even get up and make the fifteen step walk to my bathroom. It freaking sucked lol! Blessedly, my Johnny is well versed in my Covid vaccine reactions and knew exactly what to do. Shortly after I woke up, he went to the gas station and returned with several bottles of blue Gatorade. A bottle of the blue is my must have when I’m feeling sick and it was so sweet that he stocked up for me. ❤

I spent my morning and mid afternoon sipping on the blue and watching Dance Moms. Don’t judge, my client got me absolutely hooked on it and I can’t stop watching to save my own life! Then, Johnny came upstairs to check in on me and ask if I wanted “comfort food” AKA Taco Bell, which is also a must have when I feel like butt. The answer was a resounding YES and my angel boy hunted and gathered by DoorDashing us T-Bell. I am the luckiest gal in the world!

As we ate our lunch, Johnny suggested we watch something funny to make me laugh and take my mind off of my misery. We Watched The Breadwinner and Little Brother and it really did work. Both movies were hilarious and I was busting a gut from laughter and not in a sick way! Unsurprisingly, Johnny fell asleep halfway through Little Brother so once that was done it was back to Dance Moms and that’s how it stayed until I went to bed too. What can I say? You know your girl loves cringy reality TV oftentimes more than I love myself. 😀

When I woke up on Sunday, I felt okay but not great. I was more tired than anything and still a little achy but was back on my BS by the afternoon. I have a sinking suspicion that my recovery was on account of the blue, T-Bell, and all of Johnny’s TLC. He is just the best!

How do you react to the Covid shots? When was the last time you were sick? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct6

Check This Out!

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Check This Out!

Hello! lifewithlilred has brought me so many amazing opportunities since its birth over twelve years ago and I am so proud of my little corner of the internet. From working with way cool companies to meeting way cool people and having a space that it all my own to create in, I truly never know what is going to happen next when it comes to my blog. I certainly wasn’t expecting this latest development in the slightest!! I am so pleased to report that my thoughts have been featured in an article in The Strategist that discusses the best heated blankets! Take a look:

https://nymag.com/strategist/article/best-electric-blankets-heated-blankets.html

When I was contacted by one of the journalists from The Strategist, I sent in my reply and didn’t think much of it. Then, I looked at my blog stats and saw that I was getting traffic from the website and genuinely couldn’t believe it when I read the article. It was even better than I imagined and it was so crazy to see my blog and my name in a setting other than here and social media. After reading and rereading the article several times over, I jumped out of bed to shout the good news from the mountain tops to Johnny and he was elated. I then texted everyone I know (so like five to seven people) and put the word out on Facebook too! It was joyous for everyone to share in my excitement with me and I am still on cloud nine. ❤

Although lifewithlilred is my happy fun space, there is no question about it: It is a lot of work to maintain. I have posted daily content for so long that it is second nature but the process of creating and writing does take time and an insane amount of dedication. Seeing that article from The Strategist was confirmation that my hard work has been paying off and it just felt good. It was the assurance that there are people out there who are enjoying my page as much as I enjoy authoring it and that is, honestly, all I want from lifewithlilred. The rest is all just a beautiful added bonus!

What’s going to happen next in Lil Red’s world? Who knows! But I’m sure glad you’re all along for the ride with me!

What is something that made you proud recently? How long have you been reading lifewithlilred? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct5

Trick ‘r Treat Snap & Switch Set: Mr. Kreeg’s Bedroom

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Trick ‘r Treat Snap & Switch Set: Mr. Kreeg’s Bedroom

Hi! I always look forward to when 5 Below drops their Halloween collection and have been waiting patiently for an item I saw in their sneak peek ads to hit the stores: A new Trick ‘r Treat Snap & Switch set of Mr. Kreeg’s bedroom. Trick ‘r Treat is one of mine and Johnny’s most beloved Halloween flicks and Sam is our favorite little buddy. He’s just SO damn cute we can hardly stand it and watch the movie multiple times a year. Last year, we so enjoyed putting together two Trick ‘r Treat Snap & Switch sets from 5 Below and Mr. Kreeg’s bedroom set did not disappoint! Although Johnny’s actions most definitely disappointed lol… Let’s discuss:

^^^ His little bum flaps!!!!

I tore into this set like a rabid animal because I love any and all things Sam and could not wait to display the build on our knick knack shelf. Johnny sat back while I worked and tapped in on the tiny pieces that were difficult for me to place. The build progressed quickly and easily and within fifteen minutes or so, the set was almost done. All that was left to do was rig the lighting for the jack-o-lantern. The wires to the lighting were wrapped up alongside the fuse box and I asked Johnny to untie it for me. We are both genuinely not sure what he was thinking because he ended up cutting the wire thinking it was some string or something? Yeah, I’m still scratching my head on that considering he works with wires constantly at his job!

I was SO sad about this ridiculous development because I was really looking forward to having this set and now the focal point was completely ruined. For a few days, anyways. Blessedly, Johnny was able to resauter the wires at work and when I returned home from my shift, I was delighted to see the glowing jack-o-lantern greeting me. It looked even better than I imagined! Johnny’s silly slip up ended up being no harm no foul and I have to razz him a little because it was such a wtf situation lol. Now, my Mr. Kreeg’s Bedroom set is complete and it is absolutely perfect. A definite must have for any Trick ‘r Treat fan!!

Big ups to Johnny for breaking my toy and then fixing it and big ups to 5B for always supplying the best Trick ‘r Treat goodies! I am keeping my fingers crossed for more Sam merch to drop ASAFP. He’s my lil bestie angel boy and I need it all!

Is Sam the cutest movie character in the world? And why is the answer a resounding YES? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct4

Lil Red’s Book Club: Do Not Disturb By Freida McFadden Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: Do Not Disturb By Freida McFadden Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we are going to be discussing a Freida McFadden thriller called Do Not Disturb. In case you couldn’t tell, I have been on a HUGE McFadden kick as of late. Some were good, some not so much but I really enjoyed Do Not Disturb! I finished it in two sittings flat and the grand reveal left my jaw on the floor. I totally did not see it coming and it made for an excellent finale. Before we begin, I will be placing a trigger warning on Do Not Disturb for domestic violence and miscarriages. You ready? Let’s get to it:

Quinn Alexander just killed her husband, Derek. She stabbed him to death and she is not mad about it in the slightest. Derek abused her physically and mentally and after a brutal fight, she was the one left standing. She could call the cops and turn herself in or she could run. Option B is her choice and she quickly packs a bag and flees as a snowstorm hits. There is only one person Quinn will miss when she crosses the border into Canada – her big sister, Claudia. She’s all Quinn can think about as she begins her life as a fugitive from the law. Then, her getaway comes to an abrupt halt barely two hours in: The snowstorm has turned into a full on blizzard.

Quinn’s small car is no match for the heavy snow and she knows she must pull over for the night and start fresh in the morning. She needs a place that’s well off the beaten path and finds Baxter’s Motel, a ramshackle establishment with a sign you can barely make out from the road. It’s perfect. Although the lodging leaves a lot to be desired, the handsome owner of Baxter’s, Nick, is kind and even fixes Quinn some dinner. She eats her fill, falls into a restless sleep, and will surely be back on the road by daybreak.

Rosalie is Nick’s wife and suffers from a rare and progressive form of multiple sclerosis. She loves her husband but he is a murderer and a cheater too. As Nick goes about his day at the motel, she sits in the window and watches. Rosalie can see it all through the lenses of her binoculars and was treated to a private viewing of Nick’s infidelity. And just one day later, his other woman is stabbed to death. The police could never prove Nick’s involvement and their relationship has been more of a caregiver and patient ever since. Old feelings of jealousy constantly pester Rosalie and she grows even more resentful when she sees Nick being so nice to pretty and young Quinn.

As Quinn hunkers down in the motel, she learns from the news that she is a wanted person and is a sitting duck. She needs to make a move and fast. All the while, Claudia is searching for her as she is convinced that Quinn is innocent and the police won’t do their job correctly. She, too, ends up at Baxter’s based on Quinn’s last known whereabouts and is taken aback by Nick’s harsh demeanor and the silhouette of Rosalie in the window. Quinn is nowhere to be found and she is certain the couple knows more than they are letting on and she intends to find out. Quinn is Claudia’s baby sister after all and they love each other, right? … Right? What will become of Quinn? Will she end up in jail for the rest of her life or be able to make a great escape? Read Do Not Disturb to find out!

Do Not Disturb was giving ALL of the Psycho vibes and I was so there for it! This book absolutely drew inspiration from the cinematic masterpiece complete with the seedy motel, a skeletal women in a window, and references to the infamous shower scene. It was a tale that felt deeply familiar but was refreshed with an intriguing story line that made Do Not Disturb uniquely its own. What’s that old saying again? Steal from the best and make it your own and Freida McFadden did exactly that with this unputdownable thriller.

So as not to reveal spoilers, I have to be vague here but I will say that the plot twists left me one thousand percent shook. I think I was focusing and enjoying the Psycho angle so much that hints and clues simply slipped by without any thought to them. This was a book that I just wanted to read and delight in as the saga of Quinn progressed. Our three key players in Do Not Disturb were Quinn, Nick, and Rosalie and as their stories intertwined, a clear picture of what was going to happen next began to form. That is, until Freida McFadden incorporated a genius twist that took the book in an entirely different direction. Do Not Disturb kept me guessing and turning the pages till the very end and I loved it!

I am going to award Do Not Disturb with the coveted ten out of ten stars. This was one of the strongest McFadden books I have read and I highly recommend it if you are a thriller fan too!

How often do you read? What is your favorite book? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct3

Fall Flowers OOTD

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Fall Flowers OOTD

Howdy y’all and welcome to a brand new OOTD here on lifewithlilred! These past few weeks have been simply exhausting as I have been trying to work ALL the hours before my vacation to Italy. By the time the weekend rolls around, I can barely move lol. In fact, we had tickets to see Billy Idol a few weekends ago and we didn’t even bother going smh. The OOTD you are about to see is truly a case of “all dressed up with nowhere to go” because as soon as pictures were taken, I went straight back into my pajamas! Comfort is, indeed, king! Check it out:

Who? What? Wear?

Blazer: Scotch & Soda, TJMaxx

Cami Top: mittoshop, French Rooster

Bedazzled Jeans: Banjara, TJMaxx

Heeled Combat Boots: BCBG, TJMaxx

Hoop Earrings: Argentino Vivo, TJMaxx

When I think of fall clothing, floral patterns do not come to mind. However, my Scotch & Soda pajama style blazer makes me think otherwise and I started building my outfit from there! What does come to mind when I think of fall clothing is burnt and jewel toned hues and this blazer definitely checks the burnt box as a gorgeous burnt orange is the primary flower color. I absolutely love this blazer and one of my biggest regrets is not purchasing the matching pants that came with it for a fashion forward take on pajamas! All I can do is work with what I’ve got and not think *too* much of what I don’t have lol. With the main focal point selected for my OOTD, the rest of the look built itself from there.

I paired my Scotch & Soda blazer with a pretty oyster shell hued cami top by mittoshop. I just adore that delicate color paired with the sexy lace and it makes for a top that can either be sweet as can be or ultra sassy. This was the perfect option to wear under the blazer and it blended well with the cream flowers scattered throughout the pattern. In the pants department, I kept with the slouchy vibes of the blazer by wearing a cool pair of bedazzled boyfriend jeans by Banjara. Try saying that five times fast! Pajama pants, they are not, but the gems added a fun pop of bling and the distressed rips provided some much needed edge to the girly pieces on top. With that, it was onto shoes and accessories.

I went with my pair of army green heeled combat boots by BCBG for shoes because, let’s be real, you can never go wrong with army green for a fall OOTD! I also definitely needed the extra height because the boyfriend jeans are a bit long on me. Although green wasn’t featured in the blazer, that was okay because they were far enough apart in the outfit that it didn’t matter. Besides, I had a trick to tie the look together from head to toe: A beautiful pair of emerald green hoop earrings by Argentino Vivo! I am an avid fan of his jewelry and these earrings were just what I needed to complete this fit. With that, I was ready to snap some pics and change back into real pajamas!

Keep it posted for the Blooper Reel from this look as well as a sneak peek of my Italy OOTDs. You already know I have grand plans!!

Have you updated your wardrobe for fall? What is your favorite fall color? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct2

Belated Twelve Year Blogiversary!

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Belated Twelve Year Blogiversary!

Oh hey and oh my goodness! I cannot believe that I didn’t make a post earlier to celebrate my twelve year blogiversary!! The special occasion has came and passed but that doesn’t mean we can’t be excited about it now because I sure am. It is so crazy to think that I started lifewithlilred when I was twenty years old and it is still going strong over a decade later. If you told me I would still be doing the blogging thing after all of this time, I don’t think I would have believed you. Alas, here we are and I could not be more proud of this huge accomplishment!

lifewithlilred is truly a labor of love and there is nothing better to me than sitting down at my laptop every morning and sharing anything and everything with my dear readers. It is a place for me to celebrate the joy of writing and, hopefully, a place for you to have some fun! My blog is a mixture of all of my favorite things – fashion, beauty, books, horror and everything in between. For twelve years, I have carved out a little nook on the World Wide Web that is completely my own and even if no one read my blog, I would still be writing it. My page makes me so happy and my life wouldn’t feel the same without it.

My blog has changed my life in so many positive ways. I made a best friend and I have fostered connections with countless cool people all around the globe. I was an incredibly lonely and sad person when lifewithlilred started and it opened up a whole new world to me. As my blog progressed, those feelings subsided significantly because it was doing exactly what I was hoping it would: To help me make friends. It was such an amazing gift to have people to communicate with no matter where they were located and I could do so in a medium I was fully comfortable with: Writing.

I have always loved to write and filled dozens of journals with my thoughts as a teen and twenty something. My journals were my friends and I turned to them when I felt like I had no one. Now, my journal is my blog and my friends are everyone that reads it! It makes my life feel so full and I genuinely can’t believe the good fortune I had when I threw caution to the wind and started my page. Within a month, I made a best friend who I have talked to all day every day since and that is the best possible outcome of all. I can’t wait to see who lifewithlilred is going to bring into my life every day and I am so glad you are all here with me!

To my beloved readers: Thank you for coming along on this ride. I love you all and here’s to another twelve years of blogging! ❤

How long have you been blogging for? How did you meet your best friend? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct1

Lil Red’s Book Club: Never Lie By Freida McFadden Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: Never Lie By Freida McFadden Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we are going to be discussing an ultra twisty thriller by Freida McFadden called Never Lie. As you all know, I fancy myself an amateur detective when I read and this book really through me for a loop. I saw the one twist coming from a mile away but the major reveal left me absolutely SHOOKETH. This is one of the best Freida McFadden books I’ve read in recent memory and I finished it on one day. Once I started I literally couldn’t stop to save my own life! Before we begin our chat, I will be placing a trigger warning on Never Lie for graphic violence, mentions of sexual violence, and disturbing content. You ready? Let’s get to it:

Tricia and Ethan are newly married after a brief whirlwind romance and have only known each other for less than a year. Despite not knowing everything about each other, they are moving full steam ahead and plan on purchasing a new home. In fact, they are heading to a showing of a remote estate when the snow starts to fall. They barely make it to the sprawling mansion as the conditions turn dangerous and their car peters out in the lengthy driveway. Their real estate agent is nowhere to be found, surely ditching their viewing due to the blizzard, and Tricia and Ethan are stuck. The only option is to find shelter in their potential dream home and wait out the storm.

As they explore their lodging for hopefully just the night, they learn that this is no ordinary home at all. It once belonged to the famous psychologist and author, Dr. Adrienne Hale. She was well known for her critically acclaimed book The Anatomy of Fear but even better known for her disappearance roughly three years ago. Her body has never been located and the world thinks her boyfriend, Luke, was to blame for her demise. Tricia is thoroughly creeped out to spend the night in a dead woman’s home but Ethan is in love with the house and wants to put an offer in. This is going to be a long night.

Throughout the evening, strange noises throughout the home startle the young couple and they search the premises for who or whatever is making the ruckus. Their mission proves to be futile and Tricia decides to take her mind off of her fear by tucking into a book from Dr. Hale’s library. She opts for her favorite, The Shining by Stephen King, and when she attempts to pluck the book from the shelf, a secret room is revealed. A room that houses all of the recordings Dr. Hale has made as she sees patients.

Tricia is a curious one and believes that she can solve the doctor’s murder based on the tapes that are hidden away. As the snow continues to fall, she dives into the saga of the sessions leading up to Dr. Hale’s disappearance. Upon her discovery, she learns about a problematic patient named EJ. A man who threatened and stalked the doctor in the weeks before she fell off the face of the earth. The man’s voice on the tape sounds familiar to Tricia but she just can’t place it. The one thing that she knows for sure, though, is that the doctor’s killer is still out there. And he might just be in this very house. Will Tricia solve the case of the missing doctor before it’s too late? Or will she, too, become a victim while stranded in the snow? Read Never Lie to find out!

Holy WOW was this book good and it is, easily, one of my favorite Frieda McFadden books yet. I rarely finish a book in just one day and that honestly tells you everything you need to know. Never Lie was fast paced, eerily claustrophobic, and featured a major twist that left my jaw on the floor. Funnily enough, I was bragging about having everything all figured out about halfway through and I was dead wrong. Never Lie was Red Herring central and it lured me into a false sense of complacency thinking I knew it all. The rug was pulled right under my feet and I landed flat on my fanny when I learned how wrong I was!

Whenever I read a Frieda McFadden book, I never feel a real connection to any of the characters because they all lightweight suck lol. That was very much the case with Never Lie and I could not be bothered to give a hoot about any of the key players. That’s okay, though, because McFadden’s writing style is all plot based. Every character in this book played their part to keep the story going at a rapid pace and it didn’t even matter how unlikable they were. All that mattered was getting to that end reveal and I think you will all agree if you read Never Lie that it was a doozy and then some. Highly recommend!

Overall, I am going to award Never Lie with the coveted ten out of ten stars. If you are a McFadden fan, this is a must read. You are going to love it!

What are you currently reading? What is your favorite Freida McFadden book? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep30

ValJean Labs Morning Glow Facial Oil Review

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ValJean Labs Morning Glow Facial Oil Review

Howdy! I am a huge fan of ValJean Labs products and they have become a staple in my beauty routine. I am always on the lookout for more of their goodies when I am at TJMaxx and found a new to me serum by my go to brand… Or so I thought lol. It turns out that I didn’t purchase a ValJean Labs serum at all but a facial oil and that came as quite the surprise when I tried it for the first time. I absolutely detest the sensation and texture of facial oils so I felt like a major dunce when I realized what it actually was. Word to the wise: Always read the label! Despite my facial oil qualms, I refused to waste it and decided that it couldn’t hurt to put it on at night so I don’t have to be awake to feel it on. And you know what? It didn’t hurt at all and helped a lot! Let’s discuss:

This facial oil has a muted earthy scent that is very pleasant upon application during my nighttime beauty routine. I use it along with my normal moisturizer and eye cream and then hit the hay so as not to feel the greasiness that I despise. Whenever I use a product for the first time, I never expect immediate results. Rather, a gradual change. That was so not the case when I woke up the morning after my trial run! I looked in the mirror and it seriously looked like I slept for ten hours. My skin was glowing to the point of being dewy and that was such a drastic change to the dullness that I usually wake up to. It literally made me do a double take!

I have always shied away from facial oils and I now realize that I have done myself a disservice by not applying them to my pre-bed routine. Maybe it’s just the one I’m using from my favorite skin care brand but I have been using it nightly for two weeks and have noticed such positive results. The radiance it provides is, of course, a blessing but I have also noticed one more amazing difference: My under eye bags have been nonexistent. It has been years since I have woken up without a purplish tinge in the under eye region and it enhances the well rested vibes even further. Especially because I often feel anything but!

If you are on the market for a new facial oil then I truly can’t recommend the Morning Glow by ValJean Labs enough. It has turned the biggest anti facial oil gal into a number one fan and I will gladly use it again if I can find it!

What is a texture that you hate? What is your favorite facial oil? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep29

Groovy Movies: Resident Evil Edition

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Groovy Movies: Resident Evil Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Groovy Movies! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we are going to be discussing the new Resident Evil movie. Johnny and one of my clients absolutely love the Resident Evil games and it is so fun to watch them play. I have tried my hand at them myself but am crap lousy at it so I just admire from afar and tap in to assist with puzzles when I can. My favorite part! Although I don’t technically play the Resident Evil games, I was sure glad to be familiar with them when I saw the movie as there were so many cool tips of the cap to staples seen throughout the Resident Evil gaming saga. If you are a fan of the franchise, you will get such a kick out of them! Before we begin our chat, I will be placing a trigger warning on Resident Evil for gruesome violence (one of which takes place in a maternity ward) and an animal death. You ready? Let’s get to it!

^^^ As always, I have no rights to this video!

Bryan works as a hospital courier and transports organs to and from different facilities. He is just getting off of his shift and is eager to return to his potentially pregnant girlfriend to discuss their options. As Bryan is about to take off, he gets an offer for one last delivery of the day and the pay is double. The weather is turning nasty with snow falling rapidly but Bryan isn’t in a position to refuse extra cash if there’s a baby on the way. He accepts the gig to drive to Raccoon City General Hospital and white knuckles his way through slick roads and heavy snowfall. Then, things take a drastic turn for the worse when he hits a woman wandering the streets in a summer dress.

The woman is gravely injured and since Bryan is heading to the hospital anyways, he puts her in the car and continues his drive. Unfortunately, this is his last moment of solace until all hell breaks loose when the woman takes a violent turn. Bryan’s car peters out and he has to make a run for it to a nearby farm to call for help with his courier bag in tow. He makes it to the property but there is no one to be found. No one human, anyways. Grotesque creatures have taken over and with no car and no weapons, there is no way he will make it to Raccoon City for his big payday.

Bryan can run but he can’t hide and every attempt to escape is thwarted until he finds temporary relief with members of the Umbrella Corporation who are hunting the mutants that devastate the streets. He learns that what he is carrying isn’t an organ at all but an ingredient. An ingredient that can create the cure to contain the outbreak that will soon spread across America. The hospital is still a long way to go but if he does make it, he can save the world as we know it. Will the mutants be eradicated in time? Or will the world dissolve into chaos? Watch Resident Evil to find out!

Resident Evil was a short and sweet hour and a half movie that packed a major punch. As soon as the opening scene was complete, I was in hook, line, and sinker and the movie simply didn’t let up. It was jam packed with classic Resident Evil gore and the craziest creatures I have ever seen. It matched the claustrophobic vibes of the games perfectly and it almost felt like watching someone play Resident Evil rather than watching a movie. Regardless of if you have played the games or not, there is no way you won’t enjoy this flick if you are a true horror fan. It was a wild ride with an ending scene that left me shooketh and as soon as it was over I wanted to see it again!

There was a lot to like about Resident Evil and my qualms with it are merely a matter of opinion because I didn’t care for the portrayal of Bryan. When I think about Resident Evil, I’m thinking a hot guy in a leather jacket and that was so not him lol. Bryan was a nerd and his constant attempt at humor throughout the movie eventually turned into more annoying than funny. I understand that in one of the games you play as just a regular dude which I’m sure is what the production team was emulating. However, his banter just didn’t mesh with the world he was thrown into and it was a juxtaposition that didn’t work for me. This is not to say that the movie wasn’t great because I really did love it. That choice just wasn’t for me!

Overall, I am going to rate Resident Evil with an eight out of ten stars. This is an excellent intro to spooky season flick and I highly recommend it!

Are you a fan of the Resident Evil games? What did you think about the new movie? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep28

September 2026 Finishes

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September 2026 Finishes

Hello! September is drawing to a close and all I have to say is: Bring on October! Of course, I am eager for Halloween but I am also going to Italy and holy WOW am I excited. I didn’t think it was possible for my favorite time of the year to get any better but here we are and my mind is officially blown. Haunted houses, spooky decor, sexy costumes, and a whole lot of pasta are in my future and I am chomping at the bit to get the party started! I still have a couple of weeks to go but, until then, let’s say arrivederci to these beauty finishes. They were all winners in this batch and I would highly recommend them all. Check it out:

Would I Use Again?

ValJean Labs Deep Cleansing Foaming Cleanser: YES

Precision Beauty Pore Perfect Serum: YES

Vital Beauty Cooling Eye Gel: YES

Goodness Every Morning Moisturizer: YES!!!!!!!!!!!

Why/Why Not?

ValJean Labs Cleanser: I loves me a ValJean Labs product and have been using the Deep Cleansing Foaming Cleanser every day for the past four months. This cleanser was especially nice during the stifling months of summer when my apartment turns into my own personal sauna. It is nonstop sweating and every morning this cleanser would take away the grime and leave my skin feeling so fresh and clean. Despite the constant sweat, my skin has looked radiant this summer thanks to my ValJean Labs cleanser with no random pimples and minimal blackheads. I was very impressed! As an extra bonus, this cleanser also comes with a scrub brush to really target problem areas and it was fun to use as I completed my cleansing routine. I would definitely buy this again if I saw it at TJMaxx!

Precision Beauty Serum: I am very partial to the Precision Beauty serums and, surprisingly, had not tried their Pore Perfect one until now. I suppose it’s better late than never because I really enjoyed it! The Pore Perfect serum was thicker in texture but absorbed quickly and sat perfectly under makeup. While some serums leave a shiny finish, the Pore Perfect was matte and I really appreciated that. I so did not need any additional shine as I sweat my way through summer. It took me one month of twice daily use to finish this bottle and will, without a doubt, be added to my skin care arsenal if I find it again.

Goodness Moisturizer: Oh my goodness did I freaking LOVE this moisturizer! The Every Morning Moisturizer was the first product I have used by the Goodness brand and I am so on board. In fact, I am currently using their eye cream and another jar of this moisturizer and hold them in the highest regards. The Every Morning Moisturizer was super long lasting and took one and a half months of twice daily use to finish the jar. This is a moisturizer with no bells and whistles and does exactly what it is meant to: Hydrate the skin. With every use, my skin was soft as can be and looked so bright and supple. The texture of this moisturizer was also incredibly light which was a blessing in the heat. I can’t wait to use more of their products because each one I have tried has been a winner!

This was a very successful month for finishes, indeed, and I think I might have found my new favorite skin care brand. Give me ALL the Goodness!

Which products did you use up this month? What are your thoughts on any of the above products if you have used them before? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep27

No Concert Cutie OOTD Bloopers

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No Concert Cutie OOTD Bloopers

Oh hey and welcome to the Blooper Reel from my No Concert Cutie OOTD. After the massive bust of not seeing Billy Idol for a Sunday concert, Johnny and I have definitely learned our lesson: That we can no longer hang and work night concerts are a thousand percent getting bypassed lol. Is this what adulting is? Making smart decisions to be on point for work the next day? If so, then I think Johnny and I are officially all grown up! Although it was very disappointing to not go to the show, it still ended up being a funny story anyways and I don’t think anyone was surprised that we just stayed home! Based on these yikes shots, it was a solid choice:

I’m a ghost!!! Boooooooooo!

Lol looking like I did just see a ghost!! Also why are these all so blurry smh

Holding on to this pose for dear life

Karate chopping with the swiftness

Looking so pleased with myself like I was a kid who just cleaned their room really well

The evil spirits were about to take me!!!!

I consider myself to be very outgoing and Johnny is too. The thing about us, though, is that we are outgoing while still maintaining a strict schedule and Billy Idol simply couldn’t be penciled in! Johnny is, without a doubt, the more spontaneous one because he can make on the fly adjustments. Myself, on the other hand, needs everything set in stone at least two weeks in advance! What can I say, my schedule is god and I refuse to stray from it. I hate surprises and knowing what’s planned ahead eliminates that uncertainty. In hindsight, that’s probably why I always ask Johnny to give me birthday and Christmas presents a month before the actual date!

I can feel my anxiety creeping up simply by writing about schedule changes but there is a method to my madness. I have been self employed for my entire adult life and there is no one but me to make sure that my days always go accordingly to plan. When I first began my work as an Independent Provider, I dived right in and by the time my first year was completed I had seven clients. Meaning I had seven people to divide twice weekly visits with, account for travel time between each location, and keep my days running like a fine tuned machine. It was a lot but very rewarding and instilled the importance of a well maintained schedule. Maybe too much lol! Although my caseload is way lighter now, my diligence remains the same and even if Johnny and I can’t hang like we used to, it’s all good. We’ll just stick to Friday and Saturday concerts from now on!

I am pleased to report that I am right on schedule after writing this post. 😀 Have a fabulous day one and all!!

How do you feel about last minute changes? What makes you anxious? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep26

No Concert Cutie OOTD

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No Concert Cutie OOTD

Howdy y’all and welcome to a brand new OOTD here on lifewithlilred! As you saw in a recent post, Johnny and I were *supposed* to see Billy Idol in concert a few Sundays ago and my blogging bestie said it best: We were completely delulu for even buying tickets lol. Johnny and I both get up at three in the morning for work and I have no idea what we were thinking when we assumed we could swing going to a concert on a work night! Prior to the show, we went out to dinner and after we ate we were so full and tired that we just went home SMH! Although we didn’t attend the show, I did put together a snazzy little look that I wanted to share anyways. It’s totally giving Billy Idol concert vibes! Check it out:

Who? What? Wear?

Kerchief Top: Japna, TJMaxx

Tennis Skort: Kyodan, TJMaxx

Bat Platforms: Sugar Thrillz, Dolls Kill

Snake Wrap Bracelet: Earthbound

Lace Choker: A Signature Antiques

I have no idea where the cross earrings are from!

An All Black Everything OOTD was a must for a Billy Idol concert and I knew exactly where to begin: With a darling kerchief top by Japna. This little number is so cool and sexy (Just like Billy Idol!) with its muted snakeskin pattern, silky material, and tie back that you can make into a giant bow. I am a huge fan of kerchief style tops and they are so perfect for summer and different. In the summertime, I feel like I am constantly confined to crop tops and tanks and the kerchief top is a welcome reprieve from the norm. These tops can serve sass or sweetness and was definitely giving sass in this OOTD!

Although kerchief tops look adorable with a pair of short shorts, I opted for a skirt because I wanted some movement! I love to dance the night away at concerts and skirts are ideal to swish and shimmy in. I chose one of my go to tennis skorts by Kyodan and adored how it paired with the top. The gauzy pleated mesh over the shorts provided a mix and match of texture with the silk top but it still looked cohesive as I was working with a minimal color palette. I have worn Kyodan skorts to many a concert and they are seriously the best to move and grove in! If only I got to actually bust out my moves at the show *whomp whomp*. -_-

With the base of the outfit settled, it was onto shoes and accessories. To maintain the elder emo aesthetic, I went with a gorgeous pair of platforms by Sugar Thrillz that feature translucent purple bat wings on the straps. How fun are those?! The shiny faux leather also added in a new texture that allowed the eyes to dance across the entire outfit. For accessories I selected a stunning vintage necklace from A Signature Antiques that looks like it came right out of a gothic romance novel. The lace, chains, and statement center stone fell right in place with the neckline of the top and I felt so fierce as soon as it was on! I popped on a pair of dangly black cross earrings as well as a snake wrap bracelet that my sister got me in New Orleans for good measure. With that, I was ready to not see Billy Idol lol!

Even though I didn’t see Billy hot AF Idol IRL, the outfit still slaps. Stay tuned for the Blooper Reel!

Do you go out on work nights? When do you have to be up for work? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep17

Curating A Personal Wardrobe And Collection

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Curating A Personal Wardrobe And Collection

The clothes and accessories we own can be more than just things; they can be a thoughtful reflection of who we are. Moving beyond a closet full of fleeting trends to a curated collection of meaningful pieces is a rewarding journey. It’s about building a personal archive that not only looks good but feels authentic to you. This shift in thinking turns shopping from a passive habit into an active practice of building a wardrobe that tells your story and lasts for years:

The Art of Thoughtful Selection:

Building a wardrobe with intention means starting with a clear purpose. Instead of asking “What’s in style right now?”, try asking “What truly feels like me?” Thoughtful selection means understanding your own lifestyle, what you like, and what makes you feel confident. It involves pausing before you buy something and considering if it really fits into the collection you want to create.

A great first step is to figure out your core style. Are you drawn to classic shapes, bohemian textures, or minimalist designs? Knowing this helps you ignore the noise of fast fashion. Look at the pieces you already own and love. What do they have in common? Use these clues to create a mental blueprint for future additions. This approach makes sure that every new item, whether it’s a simple t-shirt or a statement swing coat, has a purpose and a place in your wardrobe.

Building a Collection That Lasts:

A truly curated collection is built on quality and timelessness. These are the pieces that outlast fleeting trends and serve you well for years, becoming the reliable cornerstones of your style. Think of a perfectly tailored blazer, a durable leather bag, or a classic trench coat. These items are versatile and can be styled in countless ways, proving their worth season after season. Focusing on timeless wardrobe curation encourages you to invest in craftsmanship and materials that endure.

This idea also applies beautifully to accessories and jewelry. Instead of collecting trendy costume pieces that quickly tarnish or break, consider investing in items with lasting value. Simple, elegant pieces can instantly elevate any outfit. For example, a pair of classic gold hoops or a well-made watch can be worn daily. Investing in classic pieces like fine diamond necklaces ensures they remain relevant and cherished for decades, passed down as heirlooms rather than discarded. These foundational items provide a solid base upon which you can layer more personal or trend-driven accents.

Reflecting Your Unique Story:

Your wardrobe is like a living diary, with each piece holding a memory or representing a chapter of your life. The most interesting collections are those that mix high-quality staples with unique, personal finds. This is where you can truly build a personal style that feels like no one else’s. Maybe it’s a scarf you bought on a memorable trip, a vintage blouse inherited from your grandmother, or a handmade bracelet from a local artisan.

Don’t be afraid to mix the old with the new, the expensive with the affordable. That designer handbag might look fantastic paired with a dress you found at a thrift store. These combinations are what give a wardrobe personality and depth. Your collection should be a visual representation of your experiences, tastes, and history. It’s not about perfection; it’s about authenticity.

Maintaining Valued Possessions:

Once you’ve invested time and effort into building a collection you love, proper care is essential to make sure it lasts. Thoughtful maintenance protects your favorite items from damage and keeps them looking their best. Simple habits can make a huge difference in how well your clothing and accessories age.

For your wardrobe, this includes using quality hangers that support the shape of your garments, storing knitwear folded rather than hung to prevent stretching, learning basic cleaning techniques for different fabrics, and knowing when to seek a professional cleaner. It also means mending small issues like loose buttons or tiny holes immediately before they become bigger problems.

For jewelry and accessories, store items separately to prevent scratching and tangling. Keep delicate pieces away from direct sunlight and humidity. Regularly wiping them with a soft cloth can remove oils and residue that can cause tarnish. Taking care of your possessions is the final step in honoring the effort it took to collect them.

Your personal collection is an ongoing project, evolving as you do. The most important part is that each piece brings you joy and feels genuinely like an extension of yourself!

Featured Image By: Unsplash