Author Archives: lifewithlilred

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About lifewithlilred

Just your average gal blogging an average blog!
Sep16

LEGO Sailboat Adventure Set

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LEGO Sailboat Adventure Set

Hi! A few weeks ago, Johnny and I had a huge LEGO haul which included our Seinfeld set, a Harry Potter one, and a Sailboat Adventure set that we got FO FREE. After spending a certain amount, we got free shipping and the free set and it was a great deal. We definitely have enough LEGO to keep us occupied for a while but, of course, we are always thinking about the sets that we want next!

This past weekend, we built the Sailboat Adventure set together and it was a blast! It also turned out really good if I do say so myself:

Building LEGO sets with my husband is one of my favorite things in the world and we are so happy to add the little sailboat to our collection. There is nothing better than completing a set together and admiring our handiwork and on top of being tons of fun, it is so nice to work as a team to make something cool to have on display. If only we had a bigger place so we could make our completed sets the crown jewel that they deserve to be!

On deck, we have two Harry Potter LEGO sets to build: The Attack On The Burrow which Johnny got me for our two year anniversary and the Hogwarts Chamber Of Secrets. Once those are done, I have my eye on the Hogwarts Astronomy Tower and Johnny would like a pirate ship set. While we are always looking to expand our Hogwarts castle, our Sailboat Adventure set inspired us to begin adding adventure themed sets to our collection. We are thinking pirate ships, islands, and castles. 😀

Although the Sailboat Adventure is the smallest set we own, we have big things in store for it with our plans for an adventure island. I can’t wait!

What do you like to build with LEGO? Who watched LEGO Masters this season? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep15

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things

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These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things

Hi! Guess what?! We are officially THREE DAYS AWAY from my 1,000 post streak and I am so beyond excited! Make sure you keep it posted for a giveaway to celebrate this monumental accomplishment. 🙂 We all know that Lil Red loves to write, but what about my other favorite things? Read on to find out more:

Favorite Drink?

Every day I try to drink a lot of water and bring my travel mug from the Department Of Developmental Disabilities with me everywhere to stay hydrated. This makes me feel less bad about drinking two cans of Diet Coke every morning for a caffeine jolt before work lol! Diet Coke is, hands down, my favorite drink and I could drink it all day. When it comes to adult beverages, I love champagne and my life changed for the better when I learned that you don’t need a special occasion to drink it. 😀

Favorite Non-Writing Hobby:

I have always loved to read and I try to finish at least two books per month. Getting lost in a good book is one of my favorite forms of self care and it’s even better if it is raining outside! I also really enjoy learning different languages and am on a three hundred twenty-five day streak on Duolingo. French is my best language, by far, but it is such fun to try and improve my Spanish, Italian, German, and Czech too!

Favorite Season?

Fall, of course! Every year I look forward to fall time… Mainly for the fashion! I love layering, boots, and breaking out all of my favorite jackets. Fall time activities like apple picking, hiking, and corn mazes are also a blast and I live for haunted houses. I haven’t been in two years due to the pandemic and, sadly, probably won’t get to go this year due to the rises in COVID cases. But I cannot wait to get reacquainted with my favorite haunts when it’s safer.

My first job was actually as an actor at the Carnival Of Horrors and, even though I know a ton of haunted house tricks, I am still terrified at every one I visit!

Favorite Thing About Myself?

Well, I like to think that I’m frickin hilarious. But, my favorite thing about myself is probably my determination. Once I have a goal in mind, I try to stick with it and I wouldn’t be reaching a 1,000 post writing streak without that. Nothing pleases me more than crossing things off of my mental daily “to do” list and that’s what keeps me motivated to continue writing, practicing my languages, and working out every day.

Favorite Sport:

Ice skating! I skated competitively for about ten years and stopped when I was sixteen or so. Prior to the pandemic, I got back into it and lived for my weekly skate sessions. I actually just had my first lesson since the winter of 2020 a few weekends ago and it was amazing… Even though my legs felt like Jello all day afterwards!

When it comes to my favorite sport that I like to watch other than skating, I would definitely say gymnastics. My mind is blown every time I see it so, trust and believe that my brain was exploding during these past Olympic Games.

Favorite Memory:

My wedding!! Getting married this June was so amazing and I love being a wifey. Any time spent with my Johnny is my favorite. I also loved becoming an aunt when my niece was born, graduating from Cuyahoga Community College, and vacationing in Orlando, Florida with my family.

Favorite Game:

My husband and I are avid gamers and I love our weekend game nights together. Word games are my favorite so my preferred game is Scrabble, for sure. Johnny and I also love the game Horrified where you have to save a village from classic movie monsters. In terms of video games, I am still addicted to Animal Crossing and Pokemon Snap – I actually just played both last night! 😀

And, of course, another one of my favorite things is creating content every day for my dear friends and readers. I love you all so much! ❤

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

Sep14

Toy Tips For Your Dog   

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Toy Tips For Your Dog   

A new toy for your dog can be exciting because of all the fun ways they interact with it. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for getting your dog what he needs out of life, but there are some general guidelines you can follow if you’re unsure where to start with choosing the right toys for him. Some examples might include rubber balls or rope tug-of-war games like Runball, which are heavy-duty enough to withstand serious chewing without tearing. Here are some tips on what types of toys you should get for your furry friend:

Don’t Buy Cheap:

Don’t buy any cheap non-breathable rubber toys when buying something for your canine pal. These products often contain chemicals such as lead which could cause serious harm if ingested by our pets. It isn’t worth risking everything, so save yourself some money and buy a nice toy that will last.

Measure Up:

If you are buying a new toy for your dog to play with, then consider their size. A small breed of dogs should not be given large toys because they could potentially choke on them. While the larger breeds may need medium-sized toys that will still provide fun but won’t swallow entirely, so it is important to take this into consideration before making any purchases.

Compatibility:

Dogs are naturally inclined to want to chew. They love it, so toys that encourage this behavior can be a great way of giving your dog an appropriate outlet for his chewing instincts. But not all dogs have the same interests when it comes to playtime. Some will tear through another toy in seconds, while others prefer more interactive activities with their owners or other pets.

Plush Toys:

Another option would be a durable plush toy. Ones that can stand up to your dog’s chewing for a few weeks, at least. Plush toys make excellent toys for younger dogs that have been separated from their mothers. In the early days, your pup might also need toilet training, so in the short term, definitely consider a scooping service from scooptroop.com. 

Balls:

For any game involving fetching or throwing, balls provide lots of entertainment value. Dogs love chasing after them too! There are many different kinds available. Like tennis balls, squeaky balls, and even glow-in-the-dark balls if you want something extra special for nighttime playtime.

Give A Variety:

Give at least three different specific toy choices for the dog to play with. This helps them get used to new things and it also makes the experience more fun because they won’t know what’s coming up next. Ensure you know which size toys are appropriate and how much supervision is needed when your dog is playing with them.

^^^ Image by Mat Coulton from Pixabay

Dogs will love any treat you give them, even if it isn’t edible. They just want something they can enjoy playing around with. But, of course, every pup is unique, so don’t expect them all to go crazy over the same toys. As long as you provide them with a good, durable toy that fits their personality or play style, then they’ll have hours of fun playing around and being rewarded for it.

Featured Image By: Katrin B. from Pixabay

Sep14

What Have We Been Watching?

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What Have We Been Watching?

Hi!! After a long day at work, there is nothing better than sitting down in front of the TV with Johnny and watching all of our favorite shows. We haven’t been watching a huge variety of programs lately because we have been completely addicted to the following:

Criminal Minds:

There was a point in time when Johnny and I couldn’t get enough of Law & Order: SVU. However, we got burnt out from it very quickly and haven’t watched any type of crime related drama since. Fast forward to this past month and change and we are all about Criminal Minds! This show follows the Behavioral Analysis Unit of the FBI and their profiling of the worst of the worst. Each member of the team has their own unique skill set and when put together, they are an unstoppable force.

While this might not be the most uplifting show in the world, there is enough comedic relief to help lighten things up. Not to mention that all of the characters are just so darn likeable! Johnny is partial to David Rossi while I am all about Doctor Spencer Reid. We are about to be four seasons into the show with a whole lot more to go and we have yet to grow tired of it. Every episode is completely different than the last and it keeps us tuning in every evening. There is also nothing more satisfying than figuring out the grand reveal while the BAU solves crimes! 😀

LEGO Masters:

Season two of LEGO Masters has been a hoot and Johnny and I love watching it on Hulu every week. This week’s episode is the series finale and to say we are excited is a severe understatement. The final three consists of all insanely talented teams of brothers and I can’t wait to see who comes out on top. I am really rooting for Caleb and Jacob – they are the absolute sweetest!

My favorite challenge of this season has to be when the teams had to create wearable LEGO fashion in the form of hats. It combined two of my favorite things so what could be better?! The challenges this season have been even bigger and better than the last with suspended builds, withstanding wind, withstanding earthquakes, and a LEGO puppet show. Everyone on the show from competitors to hosts are so likeable and totally hilarious. Will Arnet keeps Johnny and I in stitches! We also love to see such friendly competition among all of the newfound friends. ❤

Impractical Jokers:

To have a laugh before going to bed, Johnny and I always watch Impractical Jokers. Although we have seen every episode multiple times, it seriously never gets old! We are constantly quoting the show and love sporting our Impractical Jokers T-shirts whenever we get the chance. Although each of the four Jokers are really funny, Johnny and I like Joe the best – that man is fearless! My favorite challenge is when they are receptionists at a focus group and have to call out ridiculous names to the waiting room. Is there a Crangis McBasketball here?!

Black Clover:

My current anime of choice, as per my brother’s recommendation, is Black Clover. I am almost done with season one and every time I finish an episode, I am itching to see what happens next. Black Clover reminds both me and my bro of an anime version of Harry Potter. The different squads use magic to help defend the Clover Kingdom from enemies and each character has their own special form of magic. This anime is intense, hilarious, and oh so cool… In fact, I am going to watch an episode as soon as I finish this post. 😀

All of the above shows have kept Johnny and I highly entertained and we can’t wait for more of all of them. We are also very much looking forward to new seasons of What We Do In The Shadows, The Last Kingdom, and You. Okay – I am looking forward to You and best believe I am going to make Johnny watch it! 🙂

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

Sep13

The Revival Of The Billiard & Leisure Room   

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The Revival Of The Billiard & Leisure Room   

From the Great Gatsby to Agatha Christie’s crime novels, the most famous novels that defined the 1920s painted a world of entertainment. The U.S. experienced a long period of prohibition between 1920 and 1933. However, the Volstead Act was tricky to enforce, so it’s fair to say that the prohibition didn’t put an end to social hobbies and leisure activities. Homes from the 1920s often contain a stylish hobby space, where party-goers met to play cards, have a pool game, read books, or talk about everyday life around a glass of booze and some tobacco. The original gaming cave existed already one hundred years ago!

Why is it so appealing?

The 1920s were a period dedicated to free-spirited individuals. After the first trauma of the First World War, the 1920s marked a turning point in the world’s mindset. Worldviews changed and, as a result, new lifestyles appeared. For a start, the war enabled women to play a more active role in society. When women started to earn an income, they also discovered the joy of spending their money freely. The inimitable Flappers were born. They loved amusement. They loved games. They celebrated their freedom with songs, dances, and cultural exchanges, along with young men. It’s hard to think of the 1920s without thinking of the independent women of the time, who were not afraid to participate in every aspect of society, including games. Billiard and leisure rooms welcomed both genders in a great get-together party.

Stage the room:

What would a modern, 1920s-inspired leisure room look like? It would be a lovely idea to refer back to the original leisure room by adding subtle Art Deco touches. Art Deco brings back to life all of the glamour of the Roaring 20s, combining bold geometric shapes and luxurious colors. Exuberance with a deep sense of streamlined symmetry rules this unique style that can elevate any room.

You don’t need to build a historic decor from scratch. But you can inject a soft Art Deco feel through simple decorative accents and focal points, from huge geometric frames to glam lighting. You can bring the room together through modern features that can seamlessly blend with the freedom-loving 1920s, such as statement window frames using the Renewal by Andersen custom windows services or gold and animal patterns for your rugs and textiles.

^^^ Unsplash Image

Make it your hobby room:

Now it’s time to give your leisure room a purpose. Granted, a beautiful wooden pool table would be the ideal addition to the space. But not everyone has got a room big enough to host a billiard table comfortably. The good news, though, is that 1920s parties included a lot of self-exploring hobbies that could be done freely from home. Artistic hobbies, such as canvas painting and sculpting, grew in popularity during the Roaring 1920s. The truth is, that these hobbies are just as relevant today. Most of us rediscovered the soothing benefits of painting during the pandemic. When it comes to sculpting, you might prefer a modern and stackable approach, such as using LEGO bricks which let you build anything you can think of without causing a huge mess!

Make it convivial:

If you are not familiar with 1920s party food, you are in for a treat. Appetizers were highly popular during this period, so you can find plenty of inspiration to create a style platter of snacks. Deviled eggs, olive platters, cheese platters, and mixed nuts are also a winning combo. They’re ideal for sharing with friends, and at the same time, they don’t interrupt your hobbies. You can enjoy a cubed cheese skewer with one hand and still carry on with your LEGO construction with the other. Finger food is instantly friendlier and more enjoyable.

Embrace modern gadgets and textures:

Can a 1920s inspired room introduce modern tech without missing the point? The answer is yes. The 1920s were all about embracing modern shapes and technology. The epitome of the period is skyscraper architecture, which was so popular that interior designers also used to refer to the stylized shape of skyscrapers. Therefore, it makes sense to bring some of the most popular technology and trends of the 2020s into your leisure room. From a smart hub to energy-efficient solutions, modern gadgets belong in your stylish get-together room.

The free-spirited 20s are back, and they are here to stay! After a traumatic pandemic experience, it’s time to tap into the mental strength and free-thinking joy of the 1920s. We deserve to have fun again, and nobody managed it better than the Flappers. So get your imaginary Charleston outfit on and create a room that marries style, modernism, freedom, and feel-good hobbies. May the best Flapper win!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

 

 

 

Sep13

Delivering A Sincere Message To Someone In Your Life   

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Delivering A Sincere Message To Someone In Your Life   

From time to time, we need to talk from the heart. This is because life can be tough, emotional, and the standard pleasantries won’t cut it. For whatever reason, sometimes we may not be so forthcoming with the people we really trust or we might feel that accepting and discussing a truth we have to be out of the question due to our own insecurity.

Perhaps we might have wronged another person without realizing it, only to mature and realize the issue with what took place. Every now and then, we should take stock and see how important certain people are in our lives, avoiding the tendency to take them for granted. Maybe you feel that taking the next step in a relationship is the best way forward, and you want to communicate that as carefully as possible.

Or, most likely, you have your own reasons that we need not guess at, because that’s your private inner purpose that you wish to express in a confidential sense. How do you deliver a message like this with care? In this post, we’ll discuss that and more:

Write A Letter By Hand:

There’s something intimate about writing every word yourself, which is an art that many of us have lost over the last twenty years. Digital communication is immediate and oh so convenient, but we also lose something in that exchange. When someone sees that you’ve written a letter in your handwriting, they know it was important to you and that you took your time to properly format and think of exactly what you were hoping to communicate. Automatically, you add gravitas and sincerity without even considering the context of your message.

Small, Direct, Careful Gifts:

A gift that has been thought about but isn’t too assumptive in its messaging can be very helpful, giving your message that added impact while also showcasing just how much thought you put into it. For instance, Today Flowers provides you access to amazing creations gathered by award-winning florists. A beautiful bouquet of selected flowers can show the amount of thought you’ve put in, while also allowing your recipient to enjoy the beauty and fairly digestible implication. It’s hard not to receive flowers and to feel anything other than goodwill.

Give A Little:

The way that people often connect with one another, especially if relationships might have been strained in the past, is to give a little. Admit fault if you feel you’ve been faulty. Be humble. Don’t try to win or seem like you’re trying to achieve victory over someone else. That’s no way to connect to them. If you give a little, someone else is likely to give a little. There are so many relationships out there right now that are fractured and could be soothed if only one person decided to approach the other with care. It might be that you could be this person.

With this advice, we know you’ll deliver that sincere message with care and clarity.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Sep13

Better Early Than Never!

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Better Early Than Never!

Hello!!! Question: How early is too early to be thinking about Christmas?! If the answer is the first week of September, then WHOOPS because I have already started my Christmas shopping lol. With over fifteen people that I need to buy prezzies for, I always like to get a jump on my shopping so I am not stuck with one huge bill come December. It is also so nice to be done with holiday shopping early because then I can just sit back and enjoy the season. 🙂

Are you looking to get a head start on your holiday shopping too? Then follow these tips:

Make A List:

I always suggest this but it is so true! I would be nowhere without my “to buy” list and have a Word document that I consult while I online shop. On my list, I name off everyone to shop for with multiple gift ideas per person. Once I have bought the presents for someone on my list, I simply delete their space and there is nothing more satisfying than that! Not only does my list keep me organized but it also assists me with budgeting to help me stay in my comfort zone.

Better Early Than Never:

This is probably the earliest I have ever began my shopping and I’m glad for it. Due to the pandemic, there is no telling how long certain items will take to ship and I like knowing that I will have everything ready to go come Christmas day. There is nothing worse than the anxiety of if something will show up before the holiday and early shopping helps nip that fear in the bud.

If you are planning a customized or commissioned present for someone, I can’t recommend consulting with the business now enough. Local artists and Etsy shops are going to be slammed during the holiday season and they might not have the time to create your gift if you wait too long.

Get Inspired:

When I lack inspiration for gift ideas, I like to think back to what hobbies the person has and what they might need to enjoy it even more. For example, one of my giftees is a grill master so I purchased a wood smoking kit for him to experiment with. Do you know someone with a green thumb? A raised planter box is a great idea so they have even more space to garden with. Is there a coffee enthusiast in your life? How about a customized mug?

I love giving hobby specific gifts because I know that my giftee is going to be able to use it. Once you start thinking in terms of what they like to do in their free time, the present possibilities are endless!

Plan Accordingly:

Getting your holiday shopping done early is great. However, it is smart to look into the return and exchange policies of where you are buying from. If your giftee happens to not like their present, you might not be able to do anything about it once the holiday is over. If the website you’re purchasing from has a return policy that won’t work a couple of months away, try finding the item in store instead. Create a back up plan too in case you can’t find it in store and it gets sold out online.

Also, don’t forget to keep your receipts and gift receipts in a safe space and especially don’t forget where you put them! 😀

It’s not even close to Halloween yet but that doesn’t mean that you can’t think a couple of holidays ahead! Follow the tips above to get an awesome head start on your holiday shopping. 🙂

Are you an early or last minute holiday shopper? What is your favorite holiday? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep12

Pikin’ & Grinnin’

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Pikin’ & Grinnin’

Hello! First of all, major props to whomever got the Hee Haw reference of this post title! Second of all, I have been absolutely loving the waterpik that I purchased after my visit to the periodontist last week. During my appointment, I was so pleased to learn that my dental problems had remained stable during my long stint of no check ups thanks to the pandemic. To continue improving the issues, I bought a waterpik as soon as I got home as per the recommendations of the professionals:

I am still getting used to using my new waterpik and literally every review I have read on them was right – it is very messy at first! I have had to resort to laying a bath towel around the sink because the water just gets everywhere. I know that these mini flash floods in my bathroom will come to a halt once I get better at using the waterpik, though, so that is not a deterrent in the slightest.

I also read on the reviews for the waterpik that I bought that it was incredibly noisy but I haven’t found that to be true at all. It has the noise you would expect from a product like this – nothing more, nothing less. Even if it were obnoxiously loud, you can’t beat the price of this waterpik (about seventy dollars) for how well it works and all of the different accessories that comes with it.

This waterpik included five different tips which will help in different ways:

  • Plaque seeker tip: This one needs no further explanation
  • Toothbrush tip: Neither does this one
  • Tongue cleaner tip: Or this one
  • Orthodontic tip: This one is good for people with braces
  • Pik pocket tip: This is the one that I use as it gets deep into the periodontal pockets for an intense clean

I have been using my waterpik with the pik pocket tip every morning and night and my gums have already started to feel better. They are not as tender and I feel them getting healthier with every use. Dare I say it, I am almost looking forward to my next appointments with my dentist and periodontist because this is going to improve my oral hygiene tenfold and I think that they are going to be proud! 😀

Do you use a waterpik? How do you feel about going to the dentist? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep11

Fun & Games: Legend Of Zelda Monopoly Edition

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Fun & Games: Legend Of Zelda Monopoly Edition

Hi! My husband and I celebrated two years of being together on the first of the month and it was definitely the “fun and games” anniversary. I was gifted with a new Harry Potter LEGO set and I gave Johnny the Legend Of Zelda Monopoly and two new Link Amiibos. Johnny and I are avid gamers and we love to play board, video, and card games together. While we have a massive board game collection, Monopoly was one we didn’t have and it made for the perfect gift:

At least one night per weekend, Johnny and I turn it into our gaming time and will stay up late playing, talking, and listening to music. This past weekend, we broke out the Legend Of Zelda Monopoly and it was an absolute hoot. If you couldn’t tell by now, that is my Johnny’s favorite series of games so he was over the moon over this gift. I was so happy that he loved it and I loved beating his butt at it! 😀

During our game night, we also played the Seinfeld Party Game About Nothing and it was such a fun take on classic trivia. The first player to get to seventy-five points by answering a variety of different questions wins… And, yes, I beat Johnny at that too!! Whether we are having an at home game night or one with friends, both of these games are sure to be a hit and I can’t wait to play them again. 🙂

What is your favorite board game? How about your favorite video game? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep10

Jean Queen

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Jean Queen

Hi! This past weekend, Johnny and I had a super cute day date to the mall because I needed new jeans in a bad way. While I am partial to clothes shopping at TJMaxx, the jeans and shorts from American Eagle are simply the best so heading to Summit Mall was the move.

I love AEO for their pants selection because they tend to always have a regular rise option, which is ideal for me because I am not a fan of high waisted anything. Naturally, this time they didn’t have one regular rise pair of jeans so I had to step out of my comfort zone with a “super high rise” skinny:

Now, you might find yourselves asking why I went with a super high rise pair if I hate high waisted so much and, honestly, I didn’t even plan on trying these on. I’m glad I gave them a shot, though, because they weren’t that bad. The rise on AEO’s super high rise hit about an inch below my belly button and I can live with that. Anything higher would have been a definite no go because it is not the most flattering style on me.

Mine and Johnny’s motto is that you can never have enough black skinny jeans and that is literally all we wear! I went with a nondistressed pair, which will be great for work. But, I am most excited for the distressed pair I purchased with rips all the way up to the mid thigh. Shockingly enough, I can’t say that I have ever owned a distressed pair of jeans before because I have never found an option that I liked enough. I have a feeling that I will be wearing them all of the time… In fact, I have them on right now! 😀

Super high or regular rise, American Eagle is the most when it comes to jeans. They also had some fabulous fall clothes for all of you back to school shoppers out there!

What is your preferred jean rise? Which store has the best jean selection? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah