Author Archives: lifewithlilred

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About lifewithlilred

Just your average gal blogging an average blog!

How To Take Better Care Of Your Hair

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How To Take Better Care Of Your Hair

Taking care of your hair is crucial if you want it to look good and feel healthy. However, it might surprise you to learn just what really goes into looking after your hair, and it might be a little more work than you think. Once you start a new routine and get into the habit of taking better care of your hair, it won’t seem so hard. Read on to find out what you should be doing to take care of your hair in the best way:

Wash Your Hair:

It might seem obvious, but the first thing you need to know about when it comes to taking care of your hair is that you need to wash it. You don’t need to wash it quite as often as you might think, and too much washing is just as bad as not enough. When you wash your hair more than you need to, you’ll strip away all of the natural oils that protect it, leaving it dry and brittle. If you don’t wash your hair enough, you’ll have a build-up of these oils, which makes it greasy. Because all hair types are different, you’ll need to experiment to determine how long your hair can go between washes, but once you know, you’ll be able to keep it a lot healthier.

Just as important as determining a washing schedule for your hair is choosing the right products to wash it with. You will want to find a shampoo and conditioner set that is appropriate for your hair type as well as something that is made with organic, natural ingredients. Handmade Naturals is a great example of a brand that takes this to heart to give your hair its best care. You can browse their products here to learn more about them and the company.

If you are not sure what products are right for your hair, ask your stylist! They will be able to formulate a hair care regimen for you with products and tools to wash and style with. This is not just limited to the ladies, but guys too! If your man doesn’t have a go to person for haircuts, simply enter a search for “Chelsea Barbers” (or your local area). They will be able to pamper and recommend the best product options for their hair type.

While washing your hair with the right products is usually all you need to keep your locks healthy, you might still notice problems persisting. This can include itching, flaking, or thinning. If this is the case for you, research the best scalp treatment available at local salons and spas. A scalp treatment can rejuvenate and nourish to improve the health of your hair and the issues you are targeting.

Condition Your Hair:

Do you always condition your hair? Although shampoo and conditioner go hand in hand, not everyone uses both for every wash. If you want to keep your hair soft, shiny, and manageable, conditioner is going to be one of the best products you can use on a regular basis. Make sure you choose a conditioner that works for your hair type for the best results, and never condition your roots, as these are already the oiliest part of your hair. Instead, use the conditioner part way down the hair and down to the tip.

Brush Your Hair:

It’s likely that you brush your hair every day, perhaps multiple times a day. That’s a good thing, as it will keep it looking nice and shiny and remove any tangles, ensuring it has a sleek look. Make sure you choose the right brush to make your hair look great. For example, if you need a luxury brush for waves, that’s exactly what you should be using – compromising in any way will ruin your look and could cause damage to your hair. You should also be careful not to brush your hair when it’s wet because this is when it’s at its most fragile, and brushing could damage it and cause it to fall out.

Protect Your Hair From Heat:

Many of the tools we use on our hair use heat to give you the style or result you want. Of course, heat is highly damaging to hair, so these tools should only be used when absolutely necessary. If you have to use heat tools like straighteners or a hairdryer more often, and especially if you use them every day, you’ll need to add serum or a heat protection spray to your hair first. Although it’s still better to let your hair dry and style naturally, these products will be helpful and are certainly better than not using any product at all.

Seek Professional Help:

Perhaps your problem with your hair isn’t in regards to greasy or dullness but an issue with hair loss. This is something that can really effect your self confidence and it is absolutely worth seeking professional help. Recommendations could include scalp restoration, trying different supplements or medications, or maybe even injections like the services offered through PRP Hair Restoration Professionals in Lubbock (or a similar practice in your local area). Hair loss is an incredibly common issue but it doesn’t mean you can’t be proactive in improving it.

Keep your locks looking luscious with the tips above!!

Featured Image By: Andrea Piacquadio

Summer Elder Emo OOTD

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Summer Elder Emo OOTD

Hello!! Although Johnny and I have countless clothes between the two of us in a rainbow of colors, we both definitely feel at our most comfortable in all black everything. My husband and I are what the kids would call “elder emos” and, honestly, that sounds about right considering that at almost 29 and 34 we haven’t outgrown it yet. Told you it wasn’t just a phase, mom and dad! 😀 While black might not be the coolest color to wear during warm spring days and summer, I still felt cool AF in this OOTD:

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Who? What? Wear?

I am actually not sure what to call the top I have on lol, but it is from Forever 21!

Shorts: American Eagle Outfitters

Snakeskin Heeled Mules: Dolce Vita, TJMaxx

Cross Earrings: Target

Necklace: I bought this from a craft fair in Atlanta and it was made by John Deveer

All of the bracelets are from American Eagle Outfitters except for the turquoise one, which is from New Mexico

For the past week and change, it has been rainy and cold in Akron and I was SO over it. I felt like I was asleep all week with the constantly grey skies! There were a few days when the nonstop rain halted for a bit with moderate temps and seeing that sliver of sun felt like a heat wave. Is 28 too young to be having hot flashes? Haha, with a break in the BS weather, I wanted to feel like summer so I put together a look that I like to break out when it heats up. I’m surprised I haven’t shot this OOTD before but, hey, better late than never!

To begin my Summer Elder Emo OOTD, I went with my black top/dress thing from Forever 21. This top is almost eight years old and it remains one of my favorites to this day. I have never seen a top even remotely similar to this in close to a decade of being a shopaholic. It is so unique and a great top for summer because of how light and breezy it is. I love the solid crop top that begins going gauzy at just the right spot. When I bought this top, I wrote that I felt like a supermodel in it and I felt that way when I was taking pictures. This is why I try to take really good care of my clothes because I want to hold onto that runway ready feel for forever!

While this top is very cute with skinny jeans, I think it shines the most when paired with shorts. I chose my pair from American Eagle Outfitters and, as always, shout out to them for having the absolute BEST shorts and jeans selection. I am very partial to a midrise short and those are so hard to find in this day and age so it pleases me greatly that AEO still offers this option. Does anyone remember that award show when Angelina Jolie had that really high slit in her dress and she kept popping her leg out? Lol, that’s how I felt in this top and shorts combo and it was awesome! It was also a bonus to see a majority of my tattoos and letting all of the colors pop against the neutral palette.

When I think of an all black everything look, the first words that come to mind are sleek and sexy. Coincidentally, those words also come to mind when I think of snakeskin patterns so my Dolce Vita heeled mules were the obvious choice for shoes. I have a lot of snakeskin patterned shoes in a variety of palettes, but these will always be my A1s. I love the pointed toe, the heel length is just right, and grey snakeskin is my favorite. These heels created gorgeous length and I felt it from the top of my head to the tip of my pointed toes. 😀

With the base of the outfit settled, all that was left to do was accessorize. I didn’t want to go overboard with jewelry even though I could have with the palette that I had created. I wanted sleek and a hodgepodge of accessories would overcrowd the vibe I was going for. I added a pair of dangly gold cross earrings from Target for some movement and went very simple with the necklace. I adore the hand carved necklace I got at a craft fair and it enhanced the outfit without taking away from it. To wrap things up, I put on a few statement bracelets, including a beautiful turquoise one for a color pop and my OOTD was ready to go!

My Summer Elder Emo OOTD is a staple in my warm weather look book and I felt amazing in it. This is angsty girl summer to the T and I am so there for it!

Who is your favorite emo band? What is your go to summer color? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

 

Content Creating 101

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Content Creating 101

Hello!! This past week, I shared my pro tips for working from home and self employment that were very well received. So, I decided to do one more 101 post with a focus on content creating. For almost four years, I have been creating daily content for lifewithlilred and I am very determined to continue this streak for as long as humanly possible! These are some of the tips that help me stay motivated and creative and maybe they’ll be helpful for you too:

Patience is a virtue:

Over the past several years, influencers and content creators have made a big splash online and I’m sure we all have a favorite personality with millions of viewers. It might be easy to think that you can immediately start publishing content and hit it big but that is far from the case more often than not. Every popular influencer started off with minimal views and they worked hard to increase them. As a content creator, it is important to be patient and continue posting even if you think no one is seeing it. At the end of the day, this is what you have to do to boost your visibility so stick with it and don’t compare yourselves to other people – nothing good ever comes out of that!

Content is everywhere:

Chances are, you are not going to stumble upon instantly viral content and if you have, then you are SO lucky! Although you might not come across million view worthy things when you are out and about, there is still content everywhere. Sometimes, it helps to think small instead of big in terms of content, especially when you are feeling uninspired. Then, you can appreciate all of the little things that are just as post worthy too. This always helps me! Take a walk and post about how you felt in nature, write about your favorite knick knack at home; if you think that it is worth writing about, then it is. Simple as that. 🙂

Never stop learning:

There is, truly, a lot more to content creating than meets the eye and the online world is changing constantly. There are always going to be new social media platforms, trends, and techniques to learn and it’s important to stay up to date with them. Myself, for example, didn’t get an Instagram until the end of 2021 and I regret that because it’s literally the easiest platform ever and I just said “hard no” lol. Educate yourself by learning about SEO, analytics, trending topics, and ways to increase your visibility and incorporate it into your content. There are so many tools out there to help you, but they’re only going to help if you familiarize yourself with it first.

Have fun:

At the end of the day, I genuinely think that content creating is fun. I love to write, take pictures, explore, and I enjoy being on social media. If you are not feeling the joy of creating something, then it might be a good time to reevaluate what you are currently doing and see where you can improve. It’s okay to take breaks and give your mind a chance to refresh so you can get back to creating and having a blast while doing so.

Stay organized:

I cannot recommend a publishing schedule enough, especially when you are first starting out. This helps your viewers know when to expect your posts, look forward to them, and keep checking in. When I first began lifewithlilred, I was posting willy nilly with no set schedule and I quickly learned the benefits of establishing one. I went from twice a week content to every other day to every day in the near decade of my page’s existence. Having this set in stone schedule definitely assisted my page’s visibility. Create a schedule that works well for you and commit to it. Content is being created every second of every day all over the world. Random postings are very easy to get lost among the crowd!

When it comes to content creating, be patient with the process of it, stay motivated, and have fun. Whether you are getting one view or a million, you created something you were proud of and that’s the best thing of all!

What is your favorite social media platform? What are some of your content creating pro tips? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Ways To Help Someone During A Tough Time

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Ways To Help Someone During A Tough Time

Hello!! As you know, it has not been sunshine and rainbows in Lil Red’s world as of late. I have basically been a dual citizen between Akron and Cleveland while a loved one is a long term patient at the Cleveland Clinic. During this difficult time, I have been so thankful to everyone who has reached out to me in case I need anything. In this post, I thought I’d put together a few helpful and not so helpful things that you can do if you would like to offer assistance to someone you know who is going through a hardship too. I know firsthand the merits and annoyances of a few of the following so let’s discuss:

DO – Let the person know you are here:

Sometimes, the most comforting thing that you can do is to just let someone know you are here. You are available to chat on the phone. You can be there in a flash if needed. Help is available if you ask. This puts the ball into the recipients court and gives them the opportunity to take you up on your offer if they choose. Which leads me to my next point:

DON’T – Bombard the person:

One of the absolute best things that you can do is to not bombard your loved one during the hardship they are experiencing. Constantly asking for updates, if they need help, and checking in is coming from a good place, of course, but it can also be a lot. I would highly recommend keeping check ins to a minimum unless asked for it because lots of calls and messages can be extremely overwhelming.

DO – Be empowering:

As much as it is appreciated to receive offers of assistance, there are some approaches that work better than others. I, personally, don’t like when it is implied that I can’t do things like maintain my household, grocery shop, or cook. Be mindful of your phrasing and try to empower the person instead. Something like “you have been doing so much, would it be helpful if I did XYZ?” goes a much longer way than “have you even been able to do XYZ?”.

DON’T – Pressure the person:

I have talked with SO many people during my “residency” at the Cleveland Clinic and one thing that we have all agreed on is how sick we are of hearing “take time for you”. The running joke is that we all reply with “how?” lol. It almost just feels like one more thing that we have to do on top of everything else. It sounds weird, but it is somewhat pressuring when you are hearing it from everyone and their brother! Once again, phrasing is important. “Can I do XYZ for you so you can take a break?” gives you the chance to say yes or no instead of a question mark.

DO – Be understanding:

I have become the queen of sending texts a week after receiving one, ignoring phone calls, and simply not replying back period. This is not coming from a place of being mean – just tired! Of course, I don’t love doing this but what was helpful for me was letting people know that if anything important was happening, they would know too. Your texts and calls might go unanswered and that’s okay! Be understanding of it and try your best to not blow up anyone’s phone in the process. ❤

At the end of July, it will be a year since my hardships began and these are all just things I noticed for myself personally. What is in this post might not be the case for you, but I thought I would pass it along anyway in case anything is remotely helpful!

Are you good or bad at accepting help? What was something that was beneficial or annoying during a difficult time? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Affordable Upgrades To Create A Relaxing Home Environment

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Affordable Upgrades To Create A Relaxing Home Environment

With the fast-paced nature of our world today, creating a calm and relaxing home environment is more critical than ever. Your living space should be a sanctuary where you can unwind, recharge, and be at peace. Let’s explore some affordable upgrades that can help you transform your home into a calming oasis:

Lighting:

The right lighting can have a significant impact on your mood and create a calming atmosphere in your home. Try swapping out harsh, fluorescent bulbs for soft, warm-toned ones, like yellow or orange. You can also incorporate string lights or candles to enhance the ambiance and provide a warm, cozy feel. Lighting dimmers are also an affordable and easy upgrade that can help set the mood. Simply adjust the light to your desired level for a gentle, inviting atmosphere.

Declutter:

Clutter can cause stress and anxiety, so take a few moments to declutter your home. Donate or sell things you no longer need and create storage systems to organize what’s left. If you have a lot of unwanted, broken, or unusable items you might want to consider a residential junk removal service to make the process easier. Tidying up can help promote a sense of calm as you remove excess items and create an organized, relaxing space. You can also use baskets or decorative boxes to store things away without sacrificing your home’s aesthetic.

Color:

Color can have a significant impact on your mood, so think about which hues create the most calming environment for you. Light blues and greens can be soothing, while oranges and yellows evoke feelings of warmth and happiness. Choose colors that make you feel relaxed and at peace, then incorporate them into your living space. This can be as simple as adding a few colorful pillows or painting an accent wall for an easy refresh.

Aromatherapy:

Scents like lavender, vanilla, and eucalyptus have soothing properties that can help you relax and reduce stress. Consider incorporating aromatherapy into your home by using essential oils, candles, or diffusers. You’ll be amazed at how much a simple scent can transform your living space! You can also combine aromatherapy with soft lighting to create an even more calming effect.

Art:

Art can have a significant impact on the atmosphere in your home, whether it’s a painting, photograph, or sculpture. Choose pieces that bring you joy or have a calming energy to them. You can also add texture to your walls with tapestries or decorative fabrics – the possibilities are endless!

Biophilic Design Elements:

Biophilic design is an interior design concept that emphasizes the connection between humans and nature. This will help to create a calming atmosphere by bringing the outdoors inside. You can create a biophilic home by following these tips:

Invest in a living wall:

A living wall is an easy and affordable way to bring nature indoors. It can be as simple or complex as you want, with a variety of plants that suit your needs. You can also opt for moss walls that are easy to maintain and look beautiful.

Add natural materials:

Natural materials like wood, stone, and clay can provide a tactile element to your home and enhance its calming aesthetic. Try adding baskets woven from seagrass or wooden furniture for a rustic feel.

Bring in natural light:

Nothing says relaxation like natural sunlight pouring into your home! Open up curtains and blinds to let the sun shine through and create a pleasant and inviting atmosphere.

Add water elements:

Adding a water feature like a fountain or waterfall can help create a sense of tranquility and relaxation. The sound of running water will lull you into a calm state, perfect for unwinding after a long day.

Creating a calm and relaxing home environment doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. Take the time to invest in yourself by creating a sanctuary that is uniquely yours – one where you can relax and recharge!

Amazing Hacks For A More Convenient Home

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Amazing Hacks For A More Convenient Home

Home life can be chaotic and expensive. It seems like every season brings with it a new set of challenges, tools, and products. If you want to cut down on your expenses and make home life simpler, try some of these amazing hacks. Who knew something like PVC pipes could do all of this:

Curling Iron Holsters:

A curling iron or styling wand is what you need to make the bouncy curls and stylish waves that sets you apart from the crowd. Curling irons and styling wands come in different shapes and sizes, but they have some things in common; they all become hot and need to be stored safely. When you are using your curling iron in the bathroom, it can be inconvenient and dangerous to leave it sitting on the porcelain counter; it’s better if you can store it in a handy PVC holster. These are simple to make, just cut lengths of PVC pipe and attach them to the inside of the door!

Trendy Overhead Storage:

PVC piping might be expressly designed for plumbing and drainage, but it can be repurposed to make your home life more convenient. If you have a basement, garage, or attachment, you probably have some extra space overhead, so why not make it work for you with PVC storage? Source some PVC piping from your local hardware store and attach it to the wooden beams overhead. Create U-shaped sections to place copper piping on for cross beams. Once the copper beams are in place, you can use the space above for storing lightweight garden tools.

Gutter Cleaning Hack:

Home gutters need to be cleaned regularly, especially in the fall when leaves gather as it increases the risks of flooding and water damage. Water damage in the home is not only difficult to repair, but it is also a health risk for a family due to mold growth. Here is an easy gutter-cleaning hack. Again, PVC piping is your friend, so make sure you buy plenty of it at the hardware store. PVC piping is durable and hollow; it is also versatile, with plenty of attachments. Place an elbow joint on one end with a rinsing cap and attach a hose to the other end to clean gutters with ease.

Bike Storage:

Do you walk into your garage and bemoan the sight of the family bikes stacked precariously in the corner? What you need is a bike rack, but they can be expensive to buy and install. If you have some DIY skills, you can use this PVC piping hack to create your own at a far lower cost. PVC piping is an easy material to work with; you can put it together like Lego, so even low-skilled DIYers can create helpful home hacks with ease. What you need is a row of rectangles with gaps at either end and a stand at the back as per these helpful instructions.

Carpet Cleaning:

In recent years there has been a trend towards wooden floors in the home, but many homes still choose carpet and for good reasons. In colder climates, carpets retain more heat and create a warmer atmosphere in the room. But they need to be cleaned regularly to protect family health. Dust mites, allergens, and bacteria build up in the carpet and can cause health conditions like asthma for family members. There are a ton of carpet cleaning hacks that you can use, such as lint rollers, squeegees for pet hair, and stain removal using an iron or a professional service.

If you don’t have the time or desire to do the carpet cleaning yourself, the best hack of all is going with the pros! Your carpets will never look better. To find an expert near you, simply enter a search for “minnesota carpet cleaning” or your local area.

Fiber Specialties

Lighted Screwdriver:

Whether you are working in the garage, the basement, or the attic, you could benefit from a lighted screwdriver. A lighted screwdriver is a conventional screwdriver with an LED light on the end that illuminates the space you are working on. Lighted screwdrivers can also be created. Buying one of these devices in the store or online is likely to cost significantly more than one might expect, especially if it’s a brand-name device. A better option is to go to the counter and pick up a small LED keychain for a fraction of the price, then simply tape it onto your screwdriver end.

Draft Excluders:

Draft excluders come in different varieties and depend on the type of gaps you have in your home. Some homes have ceiling registers that can be fixed with a plant pot base glued over the gap in winter. Gaps in the bottom of the door can be sealed with a strip of materials or a soft toy.

Screen Cleaning:

Computer, laptop, smartphone, and TV screens all collect dust and need to be cleaned regularly. If you don’t have any screen cleaning products around, you can use household items like window cleaner, kitchen cleaner, rubbing alcohol, or wipe with vinegar for a sparkling surface.

All of these hacks are easy to complete and will make your life easier too! Happy DIYing!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Cleveland (Clinic) Rocks!

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Cleveland (Clinic) Rocks!

Hello! In the greater Akron area, there is honestly not too much to do lol. For the people who think Ohio is basically just corn; you’re spot on! In fact, the most exciting thing that has happened was a literal dumpster fire outside of my apartment this past winter SMH. Having said that, there are tons of perks to living in my neck of the woods and that includes being about forty-five minutes away from Cleveland. Of course, I love my outings at Playhouse Square, but the most important thing is being close to some of the best medical care on planet Earth: the Cleveland Clinic.

For the past two months and change, I have essentially been living at the Cleveland Clinic as a loved one has been a long term patient. I now consider my family to be a CC staple and jokingly call ourselves the mayors of the Clinic every day. It never gets old! Although this current situation in my life isn’t great, we take immense comfort in knowing our loved one has access to treatment from the absolute best doctors, nurses, and staff.

99.99% of the people we have interacted with that are employed by the Clinic have been nothing short of amazing. This doesn’t just go for the doctors and nurses, but everyone from maintenance to housekeeping, the art and music therapists and anyone in between. My family is always greeted with smiles, chit chat, and the pleasantries that make us feel a bit more at ease in a difficult time. One of the things that I adored was this sweet surprise in my loved one’s room compliments of the housekeeping staff and I got to take it home in honor of Mel and Pen:

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^^^ Seriously, how cute is that?!

Saying that we are eternally grateful to the Cleveland Clinic is the most severe understatement of the century. They have done more for my family than words can say and have been with us through each hardship as if they were our family too. My life has been turned upside down and on its head this past year, but being around the CC staff who I now interact with as old friends makes things a little easier. We are in awe of everyone’s expertise and will never forget everything that they have done around the clock to help our loved one. They are all angels on Earth and as much as I enjoy their company, I’ll be happy when I never have to see them again lol. 🙂

Life has been rough for Lil Red for a while now, but I can’t think of a better place for my loved one to be than the Cleveland Clinic. Like the Olive Garden, when you’re at the CC, you’re family too!

What is a great thing about where you live? What is something that you can only find in your neck of the woods? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Self Employment 101

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Self Employment 101

Hello! In a recent post, I shared my pro tips for Working From Home 101 and I thought I would share my thoughts on self employment as well. For close to a decade, I have been working under the best boss in the world – myself! At times, it is stressful and difficult, but it is also so rewarding and I truly couldn’t imagine working under someone else ever again. I love what I do as an Independent Provider for people with special needs and as a Content Creator and I have had years to perfect my method. All of the following works for me and maybe it will be helpful for you too:

Organization is ESSENTIAL:

When you are self employed, it is up to you to handle everything and if you struggle with organization, it can be a struggle. Thankfully, I live to organize and thrive with a fairly strict schedule, making this aspect of self employment one of my favorite things. Sticking to a schedule and staying on top of things eliminates any surprises from interfering with your work flow. To keep myself in check, I follow these steps:

Paperwork: Getting behind on your paperwork is one of the absolute worst things that you can do. This is why I refuse to end a day without completing all of my forms both tangible and online. I also set aside time at the end of every month to complete my mileage log for my taxes. I am very meticulous about my paperwork and keep everything organized in a filing cabinet in my office. It just makes things easier to have everything I might ever need at the ready and even if it is annoying sometimes, my businesses wouldn’t thrive otherwise.

Scheduling: One of the benefits of self employment is making your own schedule. This freedom can be utterly intoxicating if you are used to waiting around for a schedule from a previous job. However, don’t enjoy it too much! Falling into the trap of “I’ll do it tomorrow” or “I have plenty of time to get it done” sets you up for failure. Creating a schedule that works for you and that you know you can commit to is only going to help you!

Taxes: Filing your taxes is going to be different than usual when you’re self employed and I cannot recommend getting familiar with this process enough. All year, my “tax” file in my cabinet gets a lot of use and by the time tax season rolls around, I have nothing left to do but schedule an appointment. When you learn what things can be “written off”, you can not only save money but step up your record keeping game. It’s a win/win and, of course, if you have any questions along the way, call the person who does your taxes!

Stay Cool:

When you are self employed, you are making the plunge from “employee” to “business owner”. It is very easy to get overwhelmed by this and the best thing that you can do is to keep a level head. Staying cool, calm, and collected allows you to make rational decisions for your business and it’s never good to make these calls when you’re stressed. As the owner of two businesses, I know firsthand that juggling so many different things can be intense. Whenever I notice that I’m feeling the pressure of this, I allow myself to take a break, clear my head, and start fresh.

Keep Learning:

Even if you are your own boss, you should never stop trying to learn new things to improve your business. Find a mentor, take classes, do your own research, and ask questions. You don’t want your business to plateau, but grow! My mentor has helped me SO much in skill development, educating myself, and mastering new things. Finding someone to take you under their wing or at least brainstorm with can boost your business in ways that you might not have even considered. Be curious, ambitious, and willing to learn – it will take you far!

Enjoy Yourself:

Being self employed is something that not everyone has the luxury of doing and it’s something that I feel very lucky for. I remember this often and even on crazy busy days, I am still happy that I am doing it all by myself. Shifting your mindset from “this is too much” to “this is pretty awesome” will make your days so much more enjoyable, even under stress. On rollercoaster days, just put your hands up and enjoy the ride because you never know where your business will take you!

My businesses have thrived from being highly organized and highly motivated and I feel so proud of that. These tips help me out every day and gives me the drive to keep going forward in my own self employment!

What are some of your self employment pro tips? What is your dream job? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Simply Sassy OOTD Bloopers

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Simply Sassy OOTD Bloopers

Hello everyone and welcome to the blooper reel from my Simply Sassy OOTD! This week has brought us double the outfits and double the laughs and I had such a great time shooting both of these looks. No matter how sad, exhausted, or burnt out I am feeling, nothing puts a pep back in my step quite like getting the creative juices flowing by styling an OOTD and taking pics. It is my instant dose of confidence to do something that I think I’m good at and feeling good while doing so. I am so glad that I have been holding true as best as I can to my 2023 blogging goal of more outfit posts and can’t wait to see what I come up with next! Now, let’s take a peek at these bloopers:

Lol, I have NO idea what this stank face was directed towards, but yikes!

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Just out here working what my mama gave me

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Giving my best “hey, neighbor” featuring a blank stare and nonchalant wave

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Serving lead singer of a hair metal band

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Struggled severely with balancing on one foot, if you haven’t already guessed, I was definitely thinking “oh shit” in this moment!

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I LOOK GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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A still from the imaginary horror film: Timber Top Terror

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Look out, cause Lil Red is coming in hot!

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Every morning when I work from home, I open the floor to Melvin and Penelope to get their exercise. They are the most adorable, distracting creatures on planet Earth and sometimes I feel like I’m the one getting the work out instead. While they are normally pretty good about managing their mischief, some days like today, they are especially on one which turns my whole morning into blooper filled chaos. In the past half hour since I have sat down, I have gotten up SIX times to tear them away from their beloved windowsill which they love to chew on. In this process, I only tripped once which is actually not too bad for me lol SMH.

Mel and P recently got a taste of adventure when they were out with Johnny as they evaded him and ended up in a completely non bunny proofed area: The game room. They had a blast thwarting all of Johnny’s attempts to bring them back to safety and thoroughly enjoyed hiding underneath our record player. I can tell after their exploration mission that they are ready to be on the move and Johnny and I have grand plans to perfect our bunny proofing game and allow them to free roam when we aren’t home.

This process is going to be one of trial and error and I just know it is going to be bloopers aplenty in the Miller household while we figure it out. Our little gremlins are SO clever and are very good at finding new and exciting ways to escape our cardboard bunny blockers and playpen fence. Mel and P are also very fast, turning these instances into utter fiascos. I’ll never forget the time I had to mute a conference call while I tried to find Mel when he made a jailbreak! But, hey, they still manage to make fiascos adorable and Johnny and I are just as obsessed with them as the day we brought them home. ❤

Stay tuned on lifewithlilred for more as Johnny and I attempt to transform our downstairs into a safe bunny haven and lot’s more OOTDs and bloopers coming soon… Bunny bloopers included!

Do you have any pet proofing advice? What is something silly that your pet does? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

 

 

4 Strategies To Transform Your Body & Achieve Fitness Goals

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4 Strategies To Transform Your Body & Achieve Fitness Goals

Are you struggling with reaching fitness goals or transforming your body for good? Don’t panic. Success with physical fitness can be achieved using effective strategies, diet, and exercise plans. This article outlines four tried-and-tested tactics which have been shown to work overtime to help achieve the body of your dreams. From building good habits to improving nutrition, these steps are sure to put you on a successful journey towards physical fitness:

Set Realistic Goals:

Setting achievable and manageable fitness goals is the first and most crucial step toward reaching them. Setting ambitious yet manageable targets can prevent disappointment and frustration from overshadowing any progress you’ve made, while unrealistic or overly ambitious ones could thwart any effort you put in. To stay motivated, set reasonable expectations; even though it might take more time than you initially anticipate, it will definitely pay off in the end!

Focus on incremental rather than radical transformations; for example, set small daily goals like eating a nutritious breakfast every morning or doing 30 minutes of exercise instead of trying to run 10 miles every day! Don’t beat yourself up when you slip up. Simply readjust and move forward with your plan, remembering that gradual change over time is the key to reaching physical fitness goals.

Discover an Exercise Program That Suits Your Needs:

Step two in your body transformation journey should be to find an exercise program that’s personalized to you. When starting out, make sure your exercise focuses on targeting all major muscle groups to provide a comprehensive workout without over training or injury risk. Also don’t be afraid to switch up your routine periodically by adding new exercises or equipment into the mix – doing this will keep things interesting while propelling you toward better results. Be consistent in your workouts, rest properly between exercise sessions, and don’t forget to have fun while working out! By making fitness an enjoyable part of life, it will become much easier to stick with it and achieve results faster.

Focus on Building Self-Confidence:

An inner sense of confidence is essential for reaching fitness goals and changing the shape of your body. One way to build self-confidence is through positive affirmations. Instead of dwelling on negative comments or thoughts, give yourself credit for all of the progress you’ve already made and remind yourself of how capable you are of succeeding. Celebrate small victories along the way – even if it means doing one extra rep or running one more mile than last time; doing so will foster long-term motivation and drive.

Consider Cosmetic Procedures:

Plastic surgery and other cosmetic procedures may provide an effective means of attaining a desired look; however, there may be risks involved and results may not always meet expectations. Before making the leap into cosmetic surgery or other similar processes, always consult a qualified physician like drvitenas.com who can explain all possible outcomes of each approach. It’s wise to think carefully about why you want a procedure; if it stems from insecurity or pressure from others it might be more beneficial to focus on increasing self-confidence instead. However, if something like a Breast Lift in Beverly Hills (or your local area) or any other kind of procedure is something you truly want – go for it. There is nothing wrong with plastic surgery and improving yourself in any way you see fit.

Remind yourself that plastic surgery isn’t a miracle cure. While it might help you reach some of your aesthetic goals, it cannot replace hard work and dedication needed for true body transformation.

By following these steps and setting realistic goals, you can make significant strides towards changing your body and realizing your fitness dreams!

Featured Image By: Pexels