Author Archives: lifewithlilred

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About lifewithlilred

Just your average gal blogging an average blog!
Mar12

Happy Day!

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Happy Day!

Hello! This past Sunday was a wonderful, happy day with my family because we celebrated my niece’s third birthday. It seems like just yesterday that my sister brought her home from the hospital and I was in all of the feels. I didn’t think I would be so emotional but then I found myself crying not once or twice but THREE times when we took Val to her first movie at the theaters to see Sing 2.

Prior to seeing the movie, Val enjoyed a huge present haul from her TT and Uncle “Ohnny”. She loved all of her new Mini Mouse gear, pop up books, and a ukulele from Johnny. He got her a purple one and a black one for himself so they can have lessons together. How sweet is that?!

After lunch and lots of playing, we headed to the movie theater for Sing 2. None of us have seen the first one but that didn’t matter much because what is there to know about animals singing? I must admit that Johnny and I weren’t chomping at the bit to see this movie. We were definitely more excited about Val’s first movie theater experience. However, by the end of the flick we were eating our words because it was pretty much the cutest movie ever.

Long story short, a musical theater group are putting on an intergalactic themed show for a not so nice entertainment bigwig. The songs in the movie are mostly current popular hits including songs by Billie Eilish, The Weeknd, and Shawn Mendes. Not to mention that Bono of U2 (our family favorite band) does a voice in the movie which we were all stoked about.

Sing 2 opened with “Let’s Go Crazy” by Prince and we were all hooked from there. I was getting super invested in this movie and when Bono’s reclusive character had some struggles, I couldn’t help but shed a few tears. THEN, Johnny and I were surprised to hear one of the characters singing “Could Have Been Me” by The Struts. We absolutely love them and I started crying again not because it was sad but I was just so happy lol.

Finally, I cried three times a lady at the end when the space themed musical wrapped up with “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” by U2. We were all singing along, including my little niece and it just melted my heart. My dad even shed a tear or two! Meanwhile, Johnny just laughed at me because I literally cry during ninety percent of the movies we watch. It truly doesn’t take much!

We all had the best day celebrating my best girl and I have been looking back on it fondly all week because it was such a Beautiful Day… See what I did there, U2 fans? By the way, if you are looking for a fun family movie, I can’t recommend Sing 2 enough. Just have some tissues at the ready because you may or may not cry too!

What is the first movie you saw in theaters? What is your favorite animated movie? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar11

Dinner Time!

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Dinner Time!

Hello! Ever since discovering the joys of Pinterest super late in the game, I have spent many an enjoyable evening cooking up new recipes for myself and Johnny. It has been great fun because I love to cook and I was so bored with all of the dinners that I have been making time and time again. This past Friday, I cooked a feast for dinner and while it was a lot of food, it also meant leftovers for days and that’s always good! Check it out:

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The Menu:

My sweet Johnny spent most of the week being bummed out that he had to go to work on Saturday. I planned on cooking a big dinner on Friday anyways but when I got a surprise day off, I decided to go even bigger to help cheer him up. Johnny’s love language is definitely sharing his favorite music for me and since I have not one ounce of musical talent, cooking our favorite meals is my love language for him.

I started with homemade mac n’ cheese with the tried and true recipe that my mom has been making since I was little. It was and is still one of my favorite dishes and my niece is especially partial to it too. However, I still think it turns out better when my mom makes it! Although it’s not quite up to JANE level standards when I make it, it is still really yummy and I like to make mac n’ cheese grilled cheeses with the leftovers.

Then, it was on to the jalapeño popper rolls, which were delicious! This recipe was another one that required pizza dough to make but I figured Pillsbury croissants would work too. At least, I hoped so because the last time I substituted croissants for pizza dough for a recipe, it didn’t turn out the best. This time around, Pillsbury did me right and the rolls were a highlight of the meal and something I would happily make again.

I didn’t have pickled jalapenos as the recipe called for so I cut mine up and broiled them in the oven for about five minutes. The end result tasted exactly like the jalapeño popper quesadillas that are mine and Johnny’s favorite. In fact, it was almost an identical recipe minus the crushed up tortilla chips to give the quesadillas some extra crunch. 

Originally, I just planned on cooking the mac n’ cheese and the rolls but I figured I might as well try and clear some food from my pantry, fridge, and freezer since I had extra time on my hands. For example, I love the idea of baby carrots. However, whenever I buy a bag, they always just end up sitting in my crisper drawer.

I figured it was now or never to use the carrots so I just threw them in a pot of water and cooked them up. It took about thirty minutes for the baby carrots to be completely tender. Then, I drained the water and put them back in the pot with butter, rosemary, salt, and pepper and let that simmer for five minutes. This is something that I made when I first moved into my apartment and it was just as tasty as I remembered it being. They are also still really good leftover!

Similarly to baby carrots, I always find myself buying onions and garlic during grocery shopping even though I rarely use them! I guess it’s just a habit because those were ingredients that were never not available at my parent’s home. I had a box of perogies that have been sitting in my freezer for a while so I knew just what to do: Saute the veggies and the perogies along with honey mustard. 😀

This was not a complex meal to make at all and, even though I might have went a bit overboard, we ate like royalty on Friday night… and also every night that we had the leftovers lol! I enjoyed my cooking session so much and it was the best to see how surprised Johnny was when he got home from work. ❤

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

 

Mar10

Making The Most Of Your Garden This Spring

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Making The Most Of Your Garden This Spring

There is nothing better than lovely, spring weather after a long and cold winter. Those with green thumbs or just eager to get outside will, surely, be spending lots of time in their own yards once the sun is out. Here’s how to make the most of your garden once spring is fully upon us:

Protection from the Weather:

Roofing comes in all shapes, sizes, and styles. Your roof helps with drainage and keeps you safe from the weather. It must be maintained (see this roof replacement guide) for adequate protection. Yet, while patios and decking are popular these days, they don’t come with a roof. So, sitting outside depends on the weather. Fortunately, you can get a variety of extendable canopies to keep the rain off while you relax outdoors. You will no longer require a clear sky and sunny day to get the most from your backyard sitting area.

Make it a Pet-Friendly Area:

One way to improve your garden for the better is to make it a pet-friendly environment. This can involve things like researching an invisible fence buying guide, so your four legged friend can run freely and safely. You could also add a kiddie pool or two so the pup and kids can cool off during a hot day. Lawn sprinklers are also tons of fun for splashing about in for pets and humans alike!

Clean Up:

Not only does a tidy garden look good, but it’s also more inviting. Plus, keeping plants healthy is easier when you have fewer weeds and debris to fight off pests and diseases. You can also help protect the soil from erosion and runoff by keeping your yard clean and free of build-up.

As you’re cleaning up, remove any dead or dying plants from the ground. And include some pressure washing to really spruce up the outside area. Another thing that you can do is rake or mow your lawn so that any leaves left behind will decompose into the soil. When this happens, it will break down organic matter that helps hold nutrients in the ground, making them more available to growing plants. And you’ll have a beautiful garden for longer this spring.

Cozy Heating Solutions:

There’s a noticeable increase in temperature during early spring; however, it is still cold. But that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying the outdoors in comfort. Near the end of spring, it’s warm enough to sit outside in shorts and a shirt as summer approaches. But at the start of the season, you may need a heater. Outdoor heating is easy to install and will make your outdoor space more usable. From simple fire pits to gas and electric patio heaters, there are excellent outdoor heaters in almost every home improvement store.

Cover Your Furniture:

Spring weather can be unpredictable. One minute there’s a glowing sun and a gentle breeze, the next, there’s a thunderstorm. Fluctuating temperatures and rain can cause permanent damage to your lawn furniture. So, when you’re not using your outdoor rattan or wicker loungers, you should protect them. A tarp or a heavy duty plastic sheet will keep your valuables safe, but be aware that a strong wind will blow them away so make sure you adequately tie them down.

Grow Spring Vegetables:

Spring is an excellent time for seasonal growth. If you are a foodie type, there is nothing better than growing your own food. This is because you can grow what you know you will eat, reduce waste, and understand what is in your food when grown organically. Other benefits include:

  • Making it a new family activity.
  • Reduced food bills.
  • An abundance of healthy fruit and vegetables.
  • The freshest foods of the season.
  • Greatly reduced household carbon footprint.

Growing vegetables is season dependent and you should learn as much as you can about growing seasonal food before you begin your gardening.

Set Some Ambiance:

Watching the sunset from your garden is one of life’s greatest moments. And when it’s dark, it’s time to create some magical ambiance outside. Lights designed for your garden can be installed via your main electricity and timers can be set to match the sunset. You can easily do this with smart lighting via apps. For a more sustainable option, you can install solar auto lights that store energy in the day and self illuminate when it’s darker.

Get Ready for the Easter Holiday:

You can decorate your home and garden for Easter as you would for autumn and Christmas. Being close to nature, your garden is the perfect setting for an Easter egg hunt and outdoor dining. Easter egg hunts are such a fun activity if you have little ones. You can also dye eggs, paint pictures, and watch for bunnies in the yard for holiday fun with the kiddos.

Your garden comes alive in the spring and the tips above can help you enjoy it even more after hibernating all winter!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Mar10

Small Things That Are Unsafe In Your Home

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Small Things That Are Unsafe In Your Home

Most of us like to think of our homes as being our safe space. But, the reality is that many of our homes are not quite as safe as we believe them to be. Every day, millions of us are putting ourselves and our families at risk by doing lots of little things that make our homes more dangerous. Check out these small ways that you could be making your home more unsafe:

Not cleaning the lint trap regularly:

If you have a dryer at home, then you need to clean the lint traps after every use. If you fail to do this, not only will your dryer not work as efficiently, but you could be putting your home at risk of fire, bacteria, and even carbon monoxide poisoning, all of which can happen when the dryer vent is blocked by lint. If you haven’t been regularly cleaning your lint traps, then calling a dryer vent cleaning service might be in order. After the experts have tended to the vents, it will put you in a better position to make cleaning them a part of your routine.

If you think your appliance is in need of dryer vent cleaning, don’t hesitate to call an expert near you. This is something that can be fixed easily and will prevent any major misfortunes from happening.

Not repairing your roof:

If your roof is old or damaged, then it could pose a very real safety risk. It will be more likely to let in water which causes mold and dampness. Tiles could also fall off and hit you on the head! If your roof is damaged, you really do need to call in a company like Bison Roofing to repair it as soon as possible. Leaving it in a poor state is not worth the risk.

Not getting your A/C serviced regularly:

If you don’t get your A/C serviced regularly and it develops a fault, it could be a serious fire risk. Thousands of fires are caused by faulty A/C units every year so this is a very real threat.

Hiding your extension cords with a rug:

If you have a lot of extension cords, it is fair to say that they can be unsightly. It can be tempting to cover them over with a pretty rug to keep them out of sight but that is a really bad idea. Not only is your family more likely to trip over the cords when they are hidden, but there is a chance that they could set fire to the rug and that would not be good news!

unsafe1^^^ Pixabay Image

Plugging extension cords together:

While we’re on the subject of extension cords, it is also worth saying that you should never plug two extensions cords together. It can be tempting to plug one into another when you have an appliance that doesn’t quite reach a wall socket, but this is a major fire risk so it’s a definite no no.

Never washing your pillows:

If you don’t wash your pillows very often or if you do not wash them at all, then you could be exposing yourself and your family to a whole host of bacteria, fungus, and allergens. If you’re sick a lot and you don’t wash your pillows very often, there could well be a link.

Not covering your pool:

If you have kids and you leave your pool uncovered, even if just for a short amount of time, there is a risk that they could fall in and get into trouble. If you can’t keep it covered, then installing a fence is a good way to keep the kids out and prevent any potential disasters from happening. The safety of your family is what really matters.

As you can see, there are lots of little things that we do every day without thinking, which could potentially harm us or our family. The good thing is, now that you know what you could be doing wrong, you can stop doing it!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Mar10

Health Checks To Add To Your Schedule

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Health Checks To Add To Your Schedule

We all want to take good care of our health and well being. Our bodies and our mind are what we experience the world through and we want to keep them in the best condition possible. But this is often easier said than done. Scheduling conflicts, work, and the like can all make scheduling regular health appointments an inconvenience.

What’s more inconvenient, however, are health issues going unchecked so do be sure to pencil in the following:

Dental Checks:

Booking a dentist appointment is essential once every six months. Use a reliable dental practice with plenty of qualified and professional dentists working for them. During your check up, your Dentist will be able to take a look around your mouth and notice any issues such as cavities, decay, or other dental problems. They can then book you in to resolve these problems if they do exist. If not, they can just pass you on to your hygienist, who will be able to clean your teeth thoroughly for you.

Eye Checks:

You should visit an optometrist once every two years. An eye check can help your optometrist to ensure that your vision is up to scratch and to identify any changes in your vision. They’ll be able to recommend prescriptions to you if you do require help with your vision and educate you in best practices and tell tale signs like cataract symptoms to watch out for. You might realize that you are exhibiting symptoms as soon as you hear your optometrist say it out loud. They can also take some time to look out for common eye health complaints such as glaucoma, cataracts, or even issues like diabetes. Take the time to ask your optometrist any questions concerning you, such as what does laser eye surgery do or how glaucoma may affect your vision. Keep in mind, the earlier problems arise, the easier it is to treat them.

Hearing Checks:

Hearing checks are one of those medical things that often go forgotten about and if you’ve not had it checked recently, then it’s important to do so now. A hearing check might be able to give you clarity on any ear pain or lack of hearing you’ve noticed in recent years. There are plenty of new technologies and engineering within the world of hearing aids now too, including a range of hearing aid styles. Don’t skip on your hearing appointments!

Cervical Screening:

If you have a cervix and are over the age of 25, you will need to attend cervical screening appointments. This process can also be called a “smear test” or a “pap smear”. If you are aged between 25 and 44, you will be asked to attend screening once every three years. If you are aged between 45 and 60, you will be asked to attend once every five years. The process is simple and, while some would describe it as uncomfortable, generally pain free. It helps to identify any abnormal cells in your cervix and could help to identify signs of cervical cancer in their early stages. This could be a life saving check so it really is important to schedule it in.

These are just three appointments to book but, hopefully, they’ll get the ball rolling when it comes to encouraging you to maintain good health practices!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Mar10

Lil Red’s Book Club: Anatomy Of A Scandal By Sarah Vaughan Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: Anatomy Of A Scandal By Sarah Vaughan Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! Today, we are going to be discussing Anatomy Of A Scandal by Sarah Vaughan and it was very good. As always, no spoilers will be given away but I will be placing a trigger warning on this book as it deals with rape. Now, let’s get to it:

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Kate is a successful barrister in London and deals primarily with prosecuting for sex crimes. She is married to her job and doesn’t have much to show for her world outside of work in terms of friendships or significant others. But, she’s okay with this because winning a case is the ultimate high for her and immersing herself in work helps her forget her own trauma.

Sophie is a stay at home mom with two lovely children and a handsome, successful husband named James. Her husband works in the government and is close friends with the prime minister. She has a picture perfect world until it is turned upside down when the news of James having an affair with his younger colleague makes headlines.

Playing much the part of the husband who had a moment of weakness and is so sorry, charming James is able to get back in the public’s good graces. His wife? Not so much. And things get even worse in that regard when he is arrested for the rape of the colleague he had an affair with. Can you guess who’s prosecuting?

Kate is overjoyed when she learns that she will be prosecuting James. Not just for the victim who is testifying but for herself, too. Kate is connected to James and his family even though they might not remember her and she is ready to pull out all of the stops for the “guilty” verdict. Will Kate win her case? Will James finally receive his punishment that is, frankly, long overdue? Read Anatomy Of A Scandal to find out!

I must admit that for the first thirtyish pages of this book, I toyed with the idea of not reading it. Anatomy Of A Scandal started out pretty slow and it is a very wordy book, which made the not so exciting parts quite dull. However, we all know that I have never started reading a book that I don’t finish and I’m glad that I stuck it out because it was a great read.

Once the pieces were all put into place, I went from not really wanting to read it to not being able to put it down. I finished it in one week and still find myself thinking about it after its completion. Of course, I enjoyed how this book went back and forth between Sophie, James, and Kate in both past and present day. I also loved Kate as a main character because of her intelligence, tenacity, and desire for justice in the courtroom.

I am going to rate Anatomy Of A Scandal with a seven out of ten stars. The story line, while upsetting, is incredibly important and I like a read revolving around a court case. There were some parts of it that were insanely boring, though, and I was ready for it to be over when I got to the last fifty or so pages. I don’t recommend this book for people who find the subject matter too difficult because it absolutely is. But, I did like it overall and it is worth a read if you’re up for it.

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

Mar9

GOOD FOR ME!!

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GOOD FOR ME!!

Hello! In 2019, I had a major mishap with an oral surgery gone wrong which resulted in me not being able to eat for over a month. I still can’t see a bottle of Ensure without shuddering! Prior to this incident, I always hated going to the dentist but afterwards, I was even more fearful and flat out refused to go. After a lot of feet dragging, I ended up in the care of a wonderful periodontist who told me that we had a lot of work to do because my gums were in such bad shape.

Every visit to my new doctor was a little bit better than the last and I ended up buying the recommended tools to help me achieve better oral health. My first purchase was an electric toothbrush and while things had improved, we still weren’t there yet. Next, I bought my Waterpik (Which I love!) and have been using it diligently for the past half a year morning and night.

This past week, I had another appointment with my periodontist and I’d be a liar if I said I wasn’t nervous. I thought that my mouth was doing better but, then again, I’ve thought that before and had less than impressive results to show for it. Which is why I could have burst into song when the hygienist took her first look at my teeth and gums and said that they were looking good!

Her confirmation of my hard work was the first time I had heard a compliment from someone in the dental health field in literal years and it felt great. My periodontist even said that I had come a very long way and if I keep up the good work, there is probably nothing more that they can do for me after my next few visits. Trust and believe that the hallelujah chorus was singing at full blast in my mind.

This may seem like a small accomplishment but it was huge for me and I felt so proud of myself. After such a traumatizing experience that resulted in trips to the ER and drinking water from a huge syringe, I vowed to never step foot in a dentist’s office again. My periodontist helped me get over my fear and I am so appreciative to him because I knew that my teeth and gums were in bad shape but he and his team never made me feel judged about it.

After leaving my appointment, I was walking on cloud nine because I got over a massive phobia and I had excellent results to show for it. I still have a ways to go but my gum health is no longer in the danger zone and it feels good to be taking much better care of myself. GOOD FOR ME!

Do you have any phobias? How did you overcome your fear? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar8

Beauty Preparations For Your Wedding Day

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Beauty Preparations For Your Wedding Day

Until you’ve been there yourself, you may not know all of the things there are to think about when it comes to wedding planning. As well as taking care of the basics like finding a venue and choosing the food, there is, of course, yourself to think about.

On your wedding day, all eyes are on the bride. It can be a daunting prospect, so it’s no surprise that many brides aspire to be their most beautiful, confident selves. To help you glow a little more, here are some wedding beauty preparations to help you feel your best in time for the big day:

Take care of your teeth:

The happiness of the day is guaranteed to put a smile on your face but if you’re not overly happy with your smile, you might want to take steps to improve it. The lead up to your wedding is the perfect time to pay closer attention to your teeth and make any changes you’d like ahead of your nuptials.

Teeth whitening is a top treatment for people getting married, as is teeth straightening. A treatment like Invisalign can help you get your teeth straightened without braces, with results possible in under six months in some cases. Visit your dentist to see which treatments are available to transform your smile ahead of your wedding.

Step up your skincare routine:

Your approaching wedding can suddenly wake you up to the need to take better care of your skin. Improving your complexion for your wedding can make makeup easier to apply and leave you feeling more confident too. Treat yourself to some new products and create a wedding beauty regimen that will help give your skin a boost. You’ll develop new habits that will leave you with luminous skin for the day itself and long after your wedding too. Of course, there is no true way to prevent blemishes on your big day. The stress of it all is not helpful, either. However, if you work with a skilled wedding photographer like Naba Zabih Photography (or a similar photographer in your local area) they will be well versed in editing so a problem area won’t show up in your wedding photos.

Indeed, when it comes to wedding skin care, radiance is the name of the game. You will want your skin to shine brightly so it matches those countless engagement rings and wedding bands you tried. Whether you’re going for traditional round diamonds or unique Oval Engagement Rings, you’ll want your skin to look its best for those close up photos. Products with Vitamin C will provide a luminous glow and you can add in some skin care with hyaluronic acid as well to keep your skin soft as can be. Be sure to test out products with lots of time to spare so you don’t have an adverse reaction close to your big day!

Consider hairstyles:

Wedding hair can be a big source of stress. It’s something you’ll want to plan in advance to help you feel happy with how it’s going to look on the day. Finding someone you can trust to do your wedding hair is important and you’ll feel much more comfortable during such an important part of your wedding day prep. Book trials and ask for hair care advice to make sure your wedding hair is exactly how you want it to be.

One great way to find inspiration for wedding hair is to look at websites for affordable wedding dresses. The models will be rocking a variety of different hairstyles and it can make it easier to narrow down which options are your favorite. Try finding wedding dresses similar to what you have and see how the model’s hair was styled for it to get the full picture.

Try different makeup styles to help you feel the most ‘you’:

Choosing wedding makeup can be another difficult decision. While you’ll want to look flawless, it’s a completely different thing to be unrecognizable. Look at wedding makeup inspiration for styles you might like. You can try to recreate them yourself or book wedding makeup trials to see how they look on you. Pick a style you feel comfortable with that helps you feel special and beautiful when you walk down the aisle.

When considering your makeup, it’s important to remember the overall aesthetic of your wedding. Should you go for a rustic vibe after exploring barn wedding venues in hertfordshire (or your local area), a full on glam approach might look out of place. A “not really wearing makeup but I have makeup on” look won’t be cohesive if you are having an ultra lux wedding with all of the stops. Talk to your makeup artist and be sure to share pictures of your dress, venue, and what your partner will be wearing so that they can create a look to match the wedding as a whole.

In the lead up to your wedding, take time to take better care of your skin and hair and start making decisions about your wedding look. By the time the day is here, you’ll feel beautiful, confident, and in control, ready to enjoy the best day of your life.

Featured Image By: Unsplash under Creative Commons

Mar8

3 Tips For Developing New Professional Skills

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3 Tips For Developing New Professional Skills

Largely as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the way that it has deeply disrupted many industries across the professional landscape, a phenomenon that some are calling “The Great Resignation” is currently underway.

Instead of going through the motions in their current jobs or “going with the flow” and sticking to the current trajectories of their careers, many people are now looking for options for developing new professional skills, retraining, and changing jobs or career types outright. Whether you’re interested in getting into mobile applications technology or want to start working in ecological management, here are a few tips for developing new professional skills:

See if your current job is open to offering additional training and certification opportunities:

Many employers will have a budget for training and skill development on their teams and will offer a range of optional courses and qualifications to their employees. Even if your current employer isn’t explicitly advertising these courses, you could go to them and ask whether they would be willing to fund and sponsor you for training that would potentially make you more effective in your role.

The training options that will be on offer within your current job will naturally tend to be things that are related to your current career that your employer deems will make you a better asset for the company. And there will often be some contractual stipulation that you need to stay with the company for a certain number of years after completing the course or else pay the cost back.

Either way, this kind of training can be helpful in enabling you to adjust course in your career, particularly if you’re not in a big rush.

Take online courses and work on them at a consistent time each day:

Today, there are many great online courses to be found, ranging from full-on certificates and online degrees offered by Universities, to more basic certificates and courses in things like the fundamentals of coding or graphic design. Signing up to online courses and spending some time working on them each day at as consistent a time as you can manage can be a great way of quickly acquiring new skills and insights.

Whether you are looking to extend your knowledge or learn something completely new, there is a program online that can fit into the schedule you set. If you are a software testing professional who is looking to progress in their career, for example, the ISTQB test management course could be an excellent thing to have on your resume. Advanced learning shows that you are committed to your job and are always up for learning more, which is what employers love to see.

Work on projects that you’re inexperienced with during your day job or as a side venture:

Some of the best skill development happens or, at least begins, “on the job,” whether at your actual day job or while working on a side business or other project in your own time. Working on project types that you’re relatively inexperienced with but see potential in can be one of the most fruitful and rapid ways of developing your professional skills. It will give you a clearer and more accurate sense of the kinds of topics where further training might be necessary or beneficial.

If you’re unsatisfied with your current job, there is no better time than the present to make changes to a career path that better suits you.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Mar8

Bath & Body Works Hand Soap Haul

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Bath & Body Works Hand Soap Haul

Hello! During my first in store shopping trip to Bath & Body Works in forever, I got an amazing deal on the foaming hand soaps that Johnny and I love so very much. They were $3.50 each AND I got twenty-five percent off of my purchase to thanks to my coupon. It doesn’t get much better than that and now I am well stocked for months to come in the hand soap department of my stock pile. Check it out:

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Would I Buy Again?

  • Pink Pineapple Sunrise: YES
  • Cozy Vanilla Almond: YES
  • Turquoise Waters: MAYBE
  • Mango Papaya Paradise: YES
  • Blueberry Bellini: MAYBE
  • Peach Bellini: YES!! (My favorite!)

Shopping in store at Bath & Body Works was such a treat because it had been so long since I could actually smell the products that I was going to buy as opposed to just crossing my fingers with online orders. However, after a while of smelling literally everything the store has to offer, everything starts to smell the same! Most of these soaps were ones that I took a whiff of before adding them to my basket but some of their names sounded good enough that I didn’t bother.

Johnny is very partial to tropical scents, which B&BW had a lot of in their new spring line. The Pink Pineapple Sunrise and Mango Papaya Paradise are both delightful and definite safe bets if you are ordering online. The Turquoise Waters was just okay, though, and I wish I would have went with another fruity soap rather than beachy. If you are a fan of the sandy beach scents, you will love it!

The Cozy Vanilla Almond was also a really nice one that I picked out more for me because I love anything vanilla. It has a light scent but still smells so lush and, dare I say, COZY. This one and the Peach Bellini would make great gifts because it’s hard to picture someone not liking it. The Peach Bellini is my all time favorite scent so maybe I’m a little biased but I always have to purchase one during my soap shopping. 😀

The Blueberry Bellini soap was one that I didn’t test out in store because it had the word Bellini in it lol so I figured how bad could it be. It didn’t blow me away but I also didn’t hate it. It just smelled blue if that makes any sense! This is one that I probably wouldn’t buy again but am fine with using it or being gifted with it.

Overall, I am really pleased with my haul because I consider it a GREAT SUCCESS when all of the soap scents are tolerable. The awesome deal for them also made this purchase even better!

What is your favorite Bath & Body Works scent? What kind of scents do you like? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah