Author Archives: lifewithlilred

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About lifewithlilred

Just your average gal blogging an average blog!
May4

Simply Sassy OOTD

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Simply Sassy OOTD

Hello everyone and welcome to the second look of my double OOTD week! My weekends have been less than relaxing for a while now and I knew I wouldn’t have had the time to do an OOTD shoot this past Saturday. So, I decided to change things up when I had a light workload last Thursday morning by doing my hair and makeup and taking pictures once I got home. This worked out really well for me and I am going to try to stick to that schedule to give me one less thing to worry about once the weekend rolls around.

The second outfit I shot didn’t come out as accordingly to plan as the first one did, but that’s okay because I ended up loving it! This look was put together on the fly and sometimes that’s the best way to go. Check it out:

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Who? What? Wear?

Snakeskin Tie Back Top: Japna, TJMaxx

Retro Straight Leg Pants: Sincerely Jules, TJMaxx

Speech Bubble Heels: LFL, TJMaxx

Gold Hoop Earrings: Argentino Vivo, TJMaxx

Additional accessories are from Claire’s, American Eagle Outfitters, and Target

My original plan for this outfit was to style something to wear to the Cleveland botanical gardens, which I would love to go to this summer. My bestie, Cliff, let me borrow one of my favorite button down tops of his that featured jewel tone dried flowers for the pattern and I was excited to wear it. However, it just wasn’t happening once it was on. My husband is tall, but Cliff is even taller and I was swimming in his shirt no matter what I did to try and make it better. Since the look I had in mind crumbled to pieces, I ended up winging it!

I still wanted to wear my slacks by Sincerely Jules since they are brand new and began building my outfit from there. These pants are very different than anything I own and I think that’s why I like them so much, despite their simplicity. They fit perfectly and hug my body in all of the right places without being too tight. After surveying myself in the mirror with them on, I decided that they could work for a date night rather than a date day and the rest of the look came easily once I had an occasion in mind.

The Sincerely Jules pants were an ideal neutral and it gave me free reign to pair them with pretty much whatever. To invoke some date night sex appeal, I chose my snakeskin patterned tie back top by Japna. When I tried my pants on in the fitting room, I definitely pictured them more for work and daytime wear. It wasn’t until I put the top on that I realized they could be used for a night out too because I thought I looked slammin! I loved how my tattoos popped against the palette I created and the peek a boo cutouts at the waist and back added that date night flare that I was looking for.

For shoes, I chose an adorable pair of speech bubble heels by LFL for an extra dose of sass. These shoes are just pure fun and further enhanced the night on the town vibe. The pants also covered up the low-ish ankle strap on the heels to give me a seamless leg line and add some length. As much as I love these shoes, I rarely get to wear them because the ankle strap can be problematic so this was a nice bonus for me! They also introduced a new texture among the sheen of the top and cloth pants and we all know that mixing textures appropriately is a great way to make the eyes dance!

After the base of my OOTD was settled, it was time to accessorize. I didn’t want to go overboard with jewelry since a fair amount of my tattoos were visible so I kept things simple. I went with my favorite pair of Argentino Vivo hoops to add some movement as the clothing was more form fitting. Then, I put on a few statement rings and bracelets for a blingy pop without being distracting and called it a day. 😀

Although this is not what I had in mind at all for my second outfit, I am beyond happy with how my Simply Sassy OOTD turned out! I felt so good and confident in this look and I can definitely picture myself wearing it for a night out with Johnny!

Do you plan outfits or wing them? What was something that you thought would look really good and didn’t end up working? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May3

Jumpsuit Jams OOTD Bloopers

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Jumpsuit Jams OOTD Bloopers

Hello everyone and welcome to the blooper reel from my Jumpsuit Jams OOTD! I fell off the horse last week and did not have the time to squeeze an OOTD shoot in so, to make up for it, I styled two brand new looks for all of you – as a treat. 🙂 Two new outfits means two new sets of bloopers and, I must say, I don’t think I have ever looked better lol! Check it out and then we’re going to have a chat on a minor thing featured in each of these pictures that can be majorly annoying. Can you guess what it is? Let’s get started:

Just gracing my neighbors with my presence as pretend mayor of Timber Top

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My “aw, shucks” face

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Look out! Sassy lady on the prowl!

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I feel like I thought I was working it SO hard in this picture, but I just look stoned lol

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Please tell me I’m not the only one who thinks of the Princess Diaries whenever your foot pops up

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

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Hustling to get my phone to shoot the next look – check it out tomorrow! 😀

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Did you guess what annoying thing I was talking about is? No, it wasn’t my face lol but a little something known as “axillary fat”. You know, that pouch type thing that just kind of hangs out in the armpit region? Although it is not a big deal for most people, it can be a huge issue for some and I despised these pockets when I was in the throws of an eating disorder. So much so that I simply refused to wear any type of top or dress that would make them visible. Any tank or spaghetti strap top had to be high cut in the armpit so it would cover them up and I guess I didn’t notice until this shoot that I was still dressing with that frame of mind.

I have been eating disorder free for over half a decade now and my self confidence is in a really good place. In fact, I didn’t even notice that this “boob fat” or whatever you want to call it was visible when trying my jumpsuit on at TJMaxx. It wasn’t until looking at the pictures afterwards that I saw it in almost every shot. Back in the day, I would probably have never worn this jumpsuit let alone take pictures in it! However, rather than deleting every picture from this shoot, I decided that I looked awesome anyways and that felt great!

Insecurities are annoying. They just are and they have the potential to fester into something that prevents you from doing what you want to do or wearing what you want to wear. It took a long time for me to realize that I was shopping and styling with my insecurities still in mind – I just realized it as I started writing this! But, what if we all just said “who cares” and dressed the way we wanted without nagging thoughts? Pardon my French, but my literal thought when I saw something that made me insecure on full display was “fuck it” haha. I had an eating disorder, I work out every day and my axillary fat still exists. I can’t do anything about it so… fuck it!

I know better than anyone how scary it is to face the things that make you feel bad and I feel proud that I finally felt the nonchalance that I have been trying for forever to achieve. It might seem hard and it will be hard, but sometimes the best thing to do is confront your insecurities head on. Whether it be leaving the house with a fresh face, wearing that crop top that you feel shy about, or whatever it is – I know that you can do it because I just learned how to do it too. Yes, it might take some time, but it’s always a good thing to face your fears late than never. And, I promise – you look AMAZING! ❤

What makes you feel insecure? What helped you get over those insecurities? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May2

10 Steps To More Youthful Skin

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10 Steps To More Youthful Skin

Are you tired of feeling like your skin looks tired? Or would you like to achieve that radiant, youthful glow? Well, fear no longer as we have the perfect guide to helping you attain youthful skin! In this post we will offer ten valuable tips for taking care of your skin that will bring your best face forward:

Cleanse Your Skin Thoroughly:

Cleansing should never be taken for granted when it comes to maintaining clean and healthy skin. Proper cleansing isn’t just simply using water from a faucet; hot water could actually strip your natural oils. Also be mindful that when selecting a cleanser you should choose one that fits your skin type; for oily complexions a foaming cleanser with salicylic acid would work wonders while those with dry complexions might be better off with something cream-based.

Exfoliate Regularly:

Exfoliating is another essential step in any skincare regime, helping remove dead skin cells and unclog pores which contribute to acne or other skin issues. But be wary not to over exfoliate as this could damage your skin in the process – use gentle exfoliators once or twice a week instead of harsh scrubs that could be too abrasive.

Hydrate Your Skin from Within:

Staying well hydrated is vital for maintaining youthful-looking skin. Being dehydrated causes fine lines and wrinkles to become more apparent than they otherwise would, so make sure that at least eight glasses of water a day are consumed.  However, don’t rely solely on drinking liquids; eating water-rich fruits like cucumber, watermelons, and oranges is another excellent way of providing essential hydration from within.

Slathering on Sunscreen Every Day:

Sun damage is one of the leading causes of premature aging, contributing to wrinkles, dark spots, and other telltale signs of skin aging as well as increasing your risk for skin cancer. Therefore it’s vital that every day (even on cloudy days!) at least SPF 30 sunscreen is worn – and to reapply it every two hours when spending time outside!

Moisturize Regularly:

Moisturizing regularly is crucial to maintaining healthy and supple skin. Dryness causes itchy, flaky patches as well as fine lines and wrinkles. Select an adapted moisturizer tailored for your specific skin type and use it daily, both during the daytime hours as well as overnight for extra hydration benefits.

Include Antioxidants in Your Skincare Routine:

Some common antioxidants include vitamin C, E, and green tea extract. Antioxidants are an essential element in any skincare regime, as they protect skin cells against free radical damage that causes premature aging and cell loss. You can incorporate these components either via products that contain them like a vitamin C serum or through a diet rich in them.

Use Retinoids to Reduce Wrinkles and Fine Lines:

Retinoids, or vitamin A derivatives, are an excellent way to fight wrinkles by increasing collagen production and cell turnover – two processes which contribute to anti-aging efforts. While retinoids may initially cause discomfort for some users, gradually increasing your use will provide long-term success and can help alleviate signs of aging. It is wise to start slowly when first beginning use; your tolerance level may require adjustments over time. You can also achieve more youthful skin by following these anti aging skincare tips to turn back the clock on more mature skin. Be strict with your beauty regimen to help get your glow back!

Seek Professional Help:

If your skin still appears aged despite following an effective skincare regime, professional help might be in order. Consulting a dermatologist could identify any underlying skin conditions and recommend treatments designed to restore health and appearance to it. They might also suggest products and ingredients most suited for your skin type and concerns. This advice could range from simple steps to more advanced procedures that would need to be completed by a plastic surgeon. Whatever you decide, make sure you do your research. If you plan on the surgical route, for example, enter a search for “best deep plane facelift Newport Beach” (or your local area) to find a suitable fit for you. And, as always, don’t be afraid to shop around until you find a practitioner you are fully comfortable with.

Consider Plastic Surgery or Microneedling for a More Dramatic Change:

While adopting an effective skincare regime can do wonders for your complexion, some individuals may desire something more dramatic. Plastic surgery or microneedling might offer relief. Plastic surgery addresses issues like sagging skin, deep wrinkles, and other signs of aging which cannot be effectively managed with topical products alone. Meanwhile, microneedling employs tiny needles puncturing the skin to stimulate collagen production and enhance texture. There have also been advancements in this technology in order to treat skin irregularities safely and effectively. However, both should only be explored after consulting with qualified professionals first. It is so important to choose a trusted practitioner if you are considering plastic surgery. Utilize reviews from friends and family as well as online when you enter a search for “top plastic surgery clinic near me”. It can be helpful to schedule appointments with a few different professionals so you can find who you are most comfortable with.

Exercise for healthy, youthful skin:

The impact of physical exercise on skin health and youthfulness is often overlooked but is actually extremely powerful for the skin. Exercise helps increase oxygenation of blood throughout the body including its surface (i.e. skin); improved blood circulation helps nourish skin cells, enhances skin elasticity, and decreases inflammation, as well as relieve stress – all which have positive ramifications for overall skin health and beauty.

Attaining youthful-looking skin requires more than simply following one regime; it takes a combination of healthy lifestyle habits and tailor-made skincare programs designed for each person’s specific skin type and concerns. By following these ten tips, you can start improving the health and appearance of your skin to attain that elusive youthful radiance!

Featured Image By: Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

May1

Working From Home 101

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Working From Home 101

Hello! One of my goals for 2023 was to gain more opportunities to work from home. On January 3rd, this was answered through a partnership with a tech entrepreneur and I have been his in house writer ever since! It is the absolute best and now I spend my mornings working from home doing what I do best: Content creating and social media. At first, this new job was a bit stressful on top of my work schedule as an Independent Provider for people with special needs. However, I have gotten my work from home flow down pat and these simple adjustments keep my days running like a fine tuned machine:

Sticking to a schedule:

This seems like a no brainer, but a solid schedule is how I achieved optimum success. Once I learned that my mornings were going to be different, I immediately formed a schedule and a new wake up time based on how long it takes me to complete everything else I need to do. Unfortunately, this meant starting to get up at five AM every morning and that was really hard at first! However, after about a week, my body adjusted to the “early bird” BS and I am so thankful for that lol. I was able to work out to the minute how long it would take me to take care of Mel and Pen, shower, write for lifewithlilred, eat breakfast, and start WFH while still making it to all of my afternoon clients on time. In writing, it seems like a lot but this schedule sets my day up to run smoothly and I would be lost without it!

Break time:

I am an on the go type of gal and one mistake that I made when I began WFH was not allowing myself a break or two. This is why I now eat breakfast almost every day and when I have spare time, I watch an episode of Assassination Classroom on CrunchyRoll. It might not seem like it, but sitting in an uncomfortable chair in front of the computer for hours on end can be really draining – especially when you have another job to go to after! Whenever I am feeling stiff or my brain needs a breather, I know it’s time to get up and stretch or tool around on Facebook for five or so minutes to get myself back in check. All work and no breaks leads to burnout and I now know that taking a ten doesn’t hurt my work flow but help it drastically.

Communication is key:

When you work from home, obviously, your boss isn’t in the next room over so you can ask questions. Therefore, communication is key to WFH success. My boss and I are essentially on the same schedule in the morning, which means that we can hop on a conference call, game plan, and I know he’s just a call away if something doesn’t make sense. Working from home does give you some free reign, but that means nothing if you didn’t do what needs to be done correctly. I used to not be the fondest person of asking questions and now I know that this is a no no and I highly encourage check ins so everyone is on the same page.

Don’t forget to end your day:

When your home is your office, it is SO easy to forget to stop working lol. The saying goes to not bring your work home but what if your work is already at home?! Believe you me, whenever I get a new email or message from clients after hours, I want nothing more to respond immediately and that’s not good! Like any other job, clocking out at the end of the day means that you are done and it is important for your own well being to respect that. Unless it is an absolutely urgent matter, I consider my work day done at five o’clock and I am so glad for it. If you struggle with not being able to turn your work mode off, I cannot recommend setting up an out of office email enough and setting limits for yourself because you are only going to end up exhausted.

I have been working from home for five months now and it took some time for me to get the hang of it. All of the above helped me out so much and I hope some of these tips work for you too!

What are some of your own WFH tips? Do you prefer going to work in person or virtually? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr30

Best Girls Girl Time

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Best Girls Girl Time

Hello!! My nieces, Valerie and Raya, are two of the best things that have ever happened to me. They have been my little besties since day one and I love watching them grow, even though I’d prefer for them to stay little forever! Last Tuesday, I finally got to spend some quality time at my sister’s house for the ultimate girl’s night in. We play, play, played, danced, and ran around the house like crazy people! The best part, though, was playing dress up with my Val Gal:

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Valerie is so much like me and it never fails to warm my cold, bitter heart. She is so funny, sassy, and kind and I love her creativity. Val has taken to her dance classes like a fish to water and is eager for her TT to teach her how to ice skate. Like her ol’ T, she also has a passion for fashion. Val selects her own outfits every day and I am always excited to see what she comes up with. Future OOTD blogger in the making? I think YES!

On Tuesday, Val wanted to get fancy and I was so there for it. She proudly showed me her jewelry box filled with her Disney Princess nail polish, necklaces, bracelets, hair accessories, and random artifacts and TT got to work. First, we played nail salon and Val selected her favorite colors of polish and the pattern she wanted for her nails and toes. Like me, she insisted on nail touch ups if they smudged while drying. I was so proud. ❤

Once her nails were to her liking, she let me do her hair and I was thrilled about that because she never lets me put her hair up. I have wanted to do space buns for her for forever and they turned out as adorable as I pictured them! After her nails and hair were on fleek, it was time to accessorize and, in this case, more was more. Val put on every single bracelet she owns and I helped her clasp all of her necklaces. The look was completed with a butterfly clip and a bow in her hair and my girl was ready to work it!

I like to think of this day as when Val learned the power of the confidence boost you can get when you are wearing something that makes you happy. By the time her OOTD was done, she was not merely walking but strutting! We worked on our runway walks and poses and my heart melted when she summoned her parents to check out our handiwork by saying “Mommy, daddy! Look at me! I’m so fancy!” Haha, that’s my girl. 😀

While Val and I played dress up, my mind went into a montage of us shopping, getting our nails done, and having girl time. It made me so happy and proud and these are seriously the moments that I live for. Val is most excited for our next slumber party because we plan on playing dress up again in TT and Uncle Johnny’s closet. I think she is going to lose her mind seeing all of our scarves, hats, and jewelry at her disposal! I can’t wait. ❤

What was your favorite thing to play when you were little? What makes you feel “so fancy”? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr29

Better Design Your Family Home With These Tips

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Better Design Your Family Home With These Tips

When it comes to designing a family home, you want to get it just right! There will be many different things that you need to take into consideration, one of them being the safety of your kids. You might have a plan in mind or you might need some inspiration. As you think about designing your home, it can help to look at others! You can check out Prince Edward Island family Homes or listings in your local area to get the designing wheels turning. For more on designing the perfect home for your family, this post will help get you started:

Add Plenty Of Textiles:

A family home won’t feel like home unless you add in some textiles. You should think about including curtains, cushions, and throws in most rooms in a range of materials so you can create a warm and inviting space. Steer clear of natural materials as these can soak up stains and that’s not what you want with children in the house. Try not to add expensive rugs or sentimental soft furnishing in the main rooms where the kids are because no matter how hard you try, something will always get spilled!

Think About The Maintenance:

One of the best ways you can look after your family home is to think about the maintenance that will be needed when you are designing it. For example, if you are adding an AC system, you need to remember that you will need to add AC maintenance to your yearly list of tasks to get done in order to look after your home. The same applies to things such as your outdoor space. Always think about what it will take to look after the features you are adding to your home before you commit to them.

The Ideal Furniture:

Finding furniture for your family home can be difficult. You want it to look great, however, you don’t really want to spend too much on it. As your family gets older, you will be able to upgrade and buy more expensive pieces, but there is no point while the kids are young. The same applies if you also have pets. Try to avoid any jagged edges and lighter colors. Young children are prone to walking into sharp edges and making a mess on light-colored furniture.

Using Non-Slip Mats:

If you have hard floors around your home, then you should really think about adding some non-slip mats. They will help to prevent slipping from your children. They run around a lot so you need to make sure you add some protection for them. If not, hard floors can spell disaster and they could seriously injure themselves. Make sure to try to cover as much of the floor as possible, non-slip mats aren’t overly expensive and they will make sure your kids are kept safe.

Bring In The Sunlight:

You really want to bring in as much sunlight as possible to your home. If you blackout your windows or dress them wrong you could be creating a dark home. Ideally, you want to create a bright and airy space to enjoy. It will not only create a more positive environment but will boost everyone’s moods. With energy prices continuously going up at the moment, letting in natural sunlight will also help to heat up your home. If you struggle to get more light into your home, think about adding blinds where you can control both the privacy and the light coming in. You could also think about changing the type of bulbs you are using so you can get the vitamin D that you need.

Creating More Privacy:

Your home is supposed to be the most private place that you can be. This means that you definitely don’t want anyone to be able to walk past and see inside. Think about adding some trees to your front garden, or even a fence or trellis. You are only going to feel comfortable in your home if it is private so make sure you put the steps in place to ensure that you get the privacy that you and your family need. If you are thinking about planting trees, make sure you use semi-mature trees so you don’t have to wait years for them to give you the privacy that you are looking for. Consider the point above, about letting in more sunlight to your home. You need to ensure that the trees or fences that you are putting in aren’t preventing the natural light from entering your home. It’s about the right balance.

When designing a family home, it is all about the steps you can take to keep your kids safe, cut costs, and keep upkeep and maintenance low key. These tips will all help steer you in the right direction!

Featured Image By: Paige Cody on Unsplash

Apr29

Summertime Activity Goals

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Summertime Activity Goals

Hello! The weather in the good ol’ AK-Rowdy has been friggen abysmal and my life is in shambles lol and, for once, I find myself wishing for an extra dose of Vitamin D. Shocking, I know, since we all know that Johnny and I all but melt in the sun! Although the days are gloomy, it helps perk me up to think of activities that I would love to do this summer. I might not get to do everything I have in mind, but I know I can easily do at least a few of the following:

Hit the pool:

One of the best things about living in Timber Top, despite numerous fiascos this past year, is the outdoor pool! We actually have a really nice pool with a deep area, a children’s area, waterfall, and upper deck mini pool that I genuinely don’t understand why it’s not a hot tub! I always say that once the pool opens, I will go spend an hour or two swimming or lounging after work and I’m usually too tired by the time I get home to commit. This is not going to slide this summer, however, because this is one of the easiest things on my list; the pool is only a two minute drive away! If you don’t have a local swimming pool, then consider adding one to your property. They’re easier to maintain than you might think, especially if you use a pool cleaning service. There’s nothing like taking a summertime dip in your own yard.

Botanical gardens:

I would absolutely love to go to the botanical gardens in Cleveland or Mansfield with Johnny as a date day. I have never been to the one in Cleveland, but I adored a family trip to the Kingwood Center Gardens in Mansfield with my family a few years ago. It was so much fun to explore the grounds and bask in the glory of the flowers and landscaping. And, we all know that botanical gardens make a perfect backdrop for OOTDs! This summer, I think the one in Cleveland will be the move and maybe Johnny and I could have dinner at Pepper’s, my favorite restaurant afterwards. 🙂

Play, play, play:

My sweet niece, Val Gal, is a constantly on the move four year old and she keeps me young! I cannot wait for warm days spent in my parents’ beautiful backyard running around with Val, blowing bubbles, drawing with chalk, and searching for bunnies. Speaking of bunnies, I very much would like to get a playpen with a cover on top so Melvin and Penelope can experience being on the grass. I know Val would get a huge kick out of that and it would be a great learning experience for her. This past week, she proudly showed me a book about caring for bunnies that she got from the library because she desperately wants one of her own. My angel! ❤

Outdoor events:

There are always so many awesome events happening in my general vicinity that I always say that I want to go to, check “interested in” on Facebook, and never attend. This summer, I would like to go to at least one or two, whether it be a farmer’s market, food truck festival, or outdoor concerts and classes. Johnny and I have already been talking about going to a few baseball games for Akron’s minor league team, the RubberDucks (dumb name, I know!), and I can practically taste the Dippin’ Dots as I type this! 😀

Watercolor painting:

It has been a while since I painted watercolor due to lack of time and I miss it terribly! Like going to the pool, this is also a no excuse activity that I know I can accomplish. I would like to set up my supplies in my parents’ backyard and paint the many gorgeous flowers my dad tends to. I can picture sitting on the deck right now, painting, and sipping iced tea with my mom and it would, truly, be the best afternoon ever. ❤

Weekend trip:

A weekend trip might be a bit difficult due to the current craziness in my life, but it needs to be added to this list anyway because it’s something Johnny and I want to do so badly! I would really like to get a cabin in Hocking Hills for a long weekend to hike, relax, and soak in a hot tub. It would be so nice to have a little getaway together, as we haven’t even been on our honeymoon! Although Hocking Hills isn’t Europe, it’s still as good a place as any to start our travels together.

I have grand plans for this summer, and I hope to accomplish at least a few of the activities on this list. It will take a bit of motivation on my part to shake off my general exhaustion, but I know that having fun is sometimes the best medicine of all!

What are your summertime activity goals? What is your favorite warm weather activity? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr28

April 2023 Finishes

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April 2023 Finishes

Hello!! Another month of 2023 is about to draw to a close and that means it’s time to discuss my beauty finishes! I was able to use up four new to me products in April and I liked them all a lot. It also depleted my reserves in my beauty stockpile considerably so thank goodness for this past TJMaxx skin care haul! I would definitely recommend all of the following so let’s find out why:

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Would I Buy Again?

Sea-el Miracle Kelp Eye Cream: YES!!

Bellyssima Vitamin C Moisturizer: YES

Kopari Coconut Water Moisturizer: YES

Spa Cosmetics Vitamin C Serum: YES

Why/Why Not?

Sea-el Eye Cream: The Miracle Kelp Eye Cream by Sea-el is easily one of the best that I have ever used. I noticed a huge improvement in my under eye circles and the delicate skin around the eyes felt so much stronger and hydrated. I started using this eye cream at the beginning of January and just finished the small jar yesterday, which is an amazing value! A little bit of this eye cream went such a long way and I was so disappointed that I didn’t find another one during my last TJs shopping excursion.

Bellyssima Moisturizer: I was a huge fan of the Vitamin C moisturizer by Bellyssima and so was my mom because I got her one too. I loved the whipped texture of this moisturizer and it absorbed so quickly, but left my skin feeling insanely nourished. It also sat so well under makeup and made my skin look simply radiant. This moisturizer smelled really good too! It had the lightest scent of oranges and I enjoyed using it very much. It took me one month to finish the jar.

Kopari Moisturizer: I couldn’t wait to try the Kopari Coconut Water Moisturizer because it just sounded nice lol. And it was! This moisturizer was delightful with the faintest hint of coconuts and cream. It featured a whipped gel texture and I was astounded by how little I needed to cover my entire face and neck. My skin felt so hydrated after each use and it felt SO soft too even when using the tiniest dollop. It took me about three and a half weeks to finish the jar, which isn’t the best value, but I would happily treat myself to another if I found it again. I feel like it would be the perfect summer moisturizer!

Spa Cosmetics Serum: The Vitamin C Serum by Spa Cosmetics was great! It took me close to two months to finish the big bottle and I loved that for value’s sake. Like all of these products, you only needed a little bit to cover the face and neck and I saw a noticeable difference in my skin with only the serum on. It looked a lot brighter and it always helped perk me up in the morning with its moderate orange scent. After using a product for a few months, I usually feel ready to try something new, but I was wishing I had another bottle of this serum as soon as I used it up. 😦

If you come across any of these products, you have the Lil Red Guarantee that you will like them too! All of these skin care staples were so lightweight and absorbed quickly, making them ideal for the hot days of summer. I promise they won’t melt off of your face as soon as you step outside! 😀

Which products did you use up this month? What are your thoughts on any of the above empties 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

Apr27

Top Tips For A Great Night’s Sleep

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Top Tips For A Great Night’s Sleep

There are so many things that get in the way of a good night’s sleep. From work stress and the responsibilities of your family, to illness and everyday life, it’s very difficult to get that quality sleep that you need. You may not be able to control factors that can interfere with your sleep, but there are habits that you can take on to encourage your sleep to be better.

You deserve to sleep through the night, and that means looking at the ways that you can upgrade your space. Whether you change your bedding from cotton to linen bedding, or you choose to get thinner bedding so that you can feel more comfortable, you need to look at what you could be doing right now to change your sleep situation. Let’s take a look at some tips to help you sleep better at nighttime:

Put yourself on a schedule:

Yes, children are the ones that often are on a schedule, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t too! Set aside no more than eight hours for sleep and try to get at least seven. A healthy adult needs to have at least seven hours of sleep per night, but most people don’t need more than that to be very well rested. If you go to bed at the same time and you set an alarm for the same time every day, you will be consistent in your body’s sleep and wake cycle. If you’re not falling asleep quickly when you go to bed, leave the room and do something relaxing. You could read or you could listen to music, and then you can go back to bed when you feel fully tired. Eventually you’re going to get your body into the right cycle.

If you have been trying to adhere to a sleep schedule and still find yourself tossing and turning or struggling to fall asleep, it is a good idea to consult with your doctor. They might recommend medication or a sleep aid that you can get sans prescription like Dreamwater Sleep. Be sure to keep track of any positive or negative experiences with a medication or sleep aid so you can report back to your doctor and make adjustments as needed.

Pay attention to your diet:

If you go to bed hungry, you’re not going to be able to rest. If you go to bed too full, you’re going to feel like you’re trying to digest while you are laying down which is not good for you or your stomach. Make sure that you are leaving at least an hour or so after you eat before you go to bed and try to avoid too much in the way of caffeine or alcohol right before bed. Nicotine and caffeine can stimulate, where alcohol can make you feel sleepy but it can disrupt your sleep later on.

Be in the right environment:

Your room should be kept cool and quiet but it should also be quite dark. Too much light can make it more of a challenge to fall asleep and you should avoid prolonged use of your phone or your tablet when you should be going to sleep. Calming activities like yoga or taking a warm bath can help you to promote better sleep and feel more comfortable. Should the light coming in from your windows be the issue, you might want to look into special shape shutters to fit any space and blackout curtains. Fitted shutters are especially great if you have a nontraditional shaped window like a circle, triangle, or quarter round and can really improve your quality of sleep.

No matter what you do, pay attention to the way your body feels after trying these new things and you will be able to ensure that you are getting the best possible night’s sleep!

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Apr27

5 Ways To Treat Your Dad This Father’s Day

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5 Ways To Treat Your Dad This Father’s Day

Switch up Father’s Day this year by creating an unforgettable day geared specifically toward your dad’s preferences, likes, and wants. From exclusive experiences and thoughtful gifts to delicious meals and heartwarming moments – here are five ideas to ensure it stands the test of time:

Take Him On An Adventure:

How about organizing a day trip to one of your nearest national parks for a leisurely hike and picnic lunch? Alternatively, you could book him an adrenaline-inducing activity such as skydiving or bungee jumping for him to experience! Indulging in activities that excite him, and treating him to a day all about his favorite hobbies, will help create a memorable experience he’ll never forget.

Not only is an experience gift a great way to go, but you can also incorporate additional gifts based around your adventure. If you’re hiking, customize a canteen or backpack. Or, if you are going golfing, treat your dad to some ball markers with your logo or anything you see fit to commemorate the day. These gifts can be used time and time again and will be a lovely reminder of your outing together.

Get Him Something Unique:

Father’s Day is an opportunity to show your father just how much you value him, and one way is by getting him something unique. From jewelry and watches to tech gadgets and lifestyle accessories like a drone, there’s sure to be an item or two out there that would bring a smile and add excitement to his everyday life! Giving something you think your dad wouldn’t buy for himself will always be an awesome Father’s Day surprise. You could even try to find a Rolex for sale that he has been ogling since forever!

Plan A Special Meal:

Enjoying a wonderful meal together is one of the easiest yet most meaningful ways you can show your dad just how much he means to you. Try planning breakfast-in-bed, dinner at his favorite spot, or even something truly original, like making him something yourself that honors his heritage or favorite cuisine. Spending time enjoying meals together will bring great pleasure on all sides!

Spend Quality Time Together:

Sometimes the greatest gifts don’t come wrapped up neatly – show your father just how much he means to you by setting aside quality time just between the two of you. Plan an afternoon of golf together or invite him over for homemade treats and old classic family movies at your place; whatever it may be, both of you can relax while reconnecting.

Write Him A Letter:

Father’s Day provides the ideal opportunity to show your dad how much he means to you by writing him an emotional, heartfelt letter. Express how proud of him you are; recall fond memories together and express how important he is to you; even include photos as an extra special gesture! Your letter can become something lasting which will always remind him how special the love you share is! A thoughtful letter makes an everlasting keepsake that can be looked back upon with fondness for years afterward.

No matter how you spend Father’s Day, enjoy yourselves! Whether you’re out for an adventure or a low key day, the time spent together is the most important thing!

Featured Image By: Pexels