Author Archives: lifewithlilred

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About lifewithlilred

Just your average gal blogging an average blog!

T-Shirt Time Pt. 2

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T-Shirt Time Pt. 2

Hi! Johnny and I are a very fashion forward couple and it is a rarity to see us step out in jeans and a T-shirt. However, when we are chilling out at home T-shirts are all we wear and we have quite a collection that we share with each other. Other than T-shirts of our fave local bands, my favorite Ts are, easily, our Impractical Jokers ones! I am also incredibly partial to these new ones that I added into the mix when shopping with my mom and brother:

As you all know, I am a huge fan of literally anything that Jack White does and I never see band Ts that feature any of his work on them. It was an obvious must have as soon as I saw this White Blood Cells album cover T-shirt at Hot Topic and I am tickled pink to finally have a band T of his. Not to mention that White Blood Cells is one of my favorite White Stripes albums other than all of them lolol.

Johnny and I played hella Animal Crossing throughout the pandemic and, despite not playing it nearly as much anymore, I still try to check in on our island once per week. We both live for the K.K. Slider concerts which are so hilarious to us so this K.K. band T from Box Lunch was another one that I just needed to have. Also, Box Lunch is basically the coolest store ever so do check it out if you have one in your area! 😀

My Mall Haul was a huge success and I am so happy to have some band Ts of two of my favorite artists! Haha! 🙂

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

Fun & Games: Seinfeld Edition

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Fun & Games: Seinfeld Edition

Hi! During a shopping outing with my mom and brother, I returned home with many a treat for Johnny and myself including a new game for us and a puzzle for me. FYE was running a buy one get one fifty percent off deal on their board games and puzzles and when I saw their options for Seinfeld related entertainment, I couldn’t pass it up! We already have two Seinfeld board games that include Clue and Festivus and I thought that one more couldn’t hurt. 😀 Check it out:

I love working on puzzles with my mom and brother and when I saw The Kramer portrait in puzzle form, I was sold instantly. I never work on puzzles at our apartment because we really don’t have a lot of free tabletop space. However, I can definitely make room for this one! Johnny doesn’t like doing puzzles too much so this will be nice for me to do to keep my hands busy while we’re watching our favorite programs. We plan on gluing and framing it once it’s complete. 🙂

The Seinfeld party game looked like a hoot and I laughed out loud about having to fish for the Marble Rye to win! Our favorite thing is having game nights with our friends and family and I knew that it would be a hit the next time the occasion calls for some board games. While we already have Seinfeld Scene It Trivia, this tabletop game is nice because you don’t need to bother with the TV to play it. I think that all of the Seinfeld fans in our circle will get a huge kick out of this!

It has been a while since Johnny and I purchased some new board games and activities so I was really happy with these purchases and I can’t wait to get started on my puzzle! 😀

What is your favorite board game? What is the biggest puzzle you have ever completed? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Shimmy Shimmy Funko Pop

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Shimmy Shimmy Funko Pop

Hello! This past weekend, I had a super nice outing to one of the bigger malls in Strongsville with my mom and brother. I really don’t go to the mall often because we all know I love TJMaxx the most so when I do venture to one, I never feel bad about making purchases for items I really like. During my shopping, I picked out lots of treats that I knew Johnny would love too, including the following Funko Pops:

My brother has a huge Funko collection, which makes mine absolutely pale in comparison. However, I gave a nice little boost to my Funko shelf at home with the above purchases. I had no idea that they even made Seinfeld ones or I would have bought them a long time ago since it’s one of mine and Johnny’s favorite shows. I still need several more to complete the set but the Puffy Shirt Jerry, Yev Kassem, and Sombrero Elaine were a great place to start!

The Bret Michaels Funko definitely seems out of place with the rest of my haul but I promise that there was a method to the madness. When Johnny and I first started dating, our go to show was Rock Of Love which was a dating competition show with Mister Michaels as the prize. It was such a guilty pleasure and we still quote it constantly to this day. In fact, Johnny even got me a mini cardboard cutout of Bret for our first Christmas together and it is still proudly displayed in our living room.

With all of that nostalgia, I couldn’t say no when I saw the Bret Michaels Funko at Hot Topic and I knew that Johnny would get a kick out of it too. Rather, I knew he would get a kick (Or in Elaine’s case, a little kick!) out of all of them and we can’t wait to complete our Seinfeld Funko Pop collection! 😀

Which Funko Pops do you have? What do you like to collect? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jenks Building Haul

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Jenks Building Haul

Hi! This past Saturday, Johnny explored a new to us local business in our neck of the woods called the Jenks Building. Our good friends in the Buffalo Ryders were playing at this consignment shop/art gallery/music venue and it was basically the coolest place ever! While our band boys were playing, Johnny and I browsed through the Jenks Building and walked away with some awesome finds. Check it out:

The Jenks Building had everything you could ever imagine in their consignment shop – including an amazing beer and wine selection to sip while shopping. After purchasing a beverage, you got a free coozy to take home which was a very nice touch! From books and records to furniture, jewelry, and home decor this place had it all and we could have spent hours on end in there, as it was a huge property.

Johnny and I had a blast looking through the extensive record selection and are both particularly excited about the Smokey’s Family Robinson because you’re not going to not buy that. We actually listened to it that night and it was a banger, as anything by Smokey Robinson is. We have yet to listen to The Scooters and Kick Axe but I can’t wait to hear what they’re all about. Johnny also got U2’s The Joshua Tree special for me since I freaking love them. 🙂

The Jenks Building had a huge collection of quirky jewelry and I instantly fell in love with a tape measurer bracelet by Big Blue Moma. I have always wanted something like it and just had to purchase one for myself. While I am partial to the grey bracelet I selected, I wanted one in every color available like white and a buttery camel hue. So SO cute.

Prior to the pandemic, Johnny and I would always go secondhand shopping together and this was our first time doing that in well over a year. We both can’t wait to go back to the Jenks Building and see what other treasures we can find!

What is one of your favorite local businesses? Where do you like to secondhand shop? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Cleaning Check List

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Cleaning Check List

When people think of cleaning their homes, they often think about the usuals of dusting, vacuuming, and clearing clutter. However, there are surely some things that most people forget when it comes to cleaning up their property so let’s discuss a few key areas to tend to during your next cleaning day:

Your Car:

Cleaning up your car isn’t an obvious choice when you are tidying up your home. But, if you’re like me and are constantly throwing Diet Coke cans into the backseat, then it might be time to give your car some love! Purchase some car cleaning products and get to work so your vehicle looks just as nice as the day you took it home. After having a massive clear away in my car, I realized that the incessant rattling of pop cans was something that I could do without!

The Lawn:

Paying extra attention to your back and front yards is another thing that people might breeze past on cleaning day but I promise it is worth the effort. The exterior of your home gives people an instant first impression so why not let it be a great one? Pull weeds, mow and fertilize, and try cleaning the windows you can reach while you are out. A well maintained lawn is some people’s pride and joy. If nothing else, it will be nice to spend some time outdoors. 🙂

Nooks & Crannies:

If all you do when you clean is tend to things on the surface level, then it might be time to engage in a deep clean because there could be a lot of yuck that you are missing. Crumbs and fallen food under appliances or furniture is a welcome smorgasbord for pests. Even forgotten remnants of dinner on the inside of your garbage bin can attract bugs, which would be a horrible surprise when you open the trash can. Pay attention to nooks and crannies as well as hard to reach places. Hard to clean? Somewhat. However, it is imperative to keeping a safe and sparkling clean home.

Frequently Touched Surfaces:

If you have been somewhat lax about cleaning frequently touched surfaces, then there is no better time than the present to start that up again – especially with the rise of the Delta variant. Wipe down doorknobs, telephones, and light switches and don’t forget the TV remotes, computer keyboards, and buttons on appliances. This is a chore that can be completed quickly and is paramount for keeping yourself and family safe.

Of course, cleaning can be a hassle but you will feel so good once all of the tasks are complete, especially the ideas above!

Looking To Move? Here’s Some Advice

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Looking To Move? Here’s Some Advice

Moving house is an exciting, albeit stressful, event in your life. There are so many odds and ends to take care of and it is easy to get overwhelmed. Today, we are going to explore a few areas to help get your moving process started and, hopefully, make it a lot easier on you! Let’s get to it:

Work On Your Credit:

If you are thinking of moving house in the future, then it is important to start working on your credit now. Poor credit can make or break you when applying for a house or a loan. This doesn’t mean you have to go hog wild on making purchases on a credit card. However, it will help if you begin using one for specific things like groceries or filling up your car. And, this should go without saying, but never spend more than you can afford to pay back when your bill arrives.

If you have poor credit, Loan Ridge provides quick loans for Missouri residents even with bad credit and can be an invaluable tool if you use it wisely. Do some research and see if there are similar programs in your area.

Buff Up Your Application:

It is important that your application for a home makes you stand out so what can you truthfully add to yours that will achieve that? Perhaps you just got married and are looking for a starter home. Or, maybe, you have small children and want them to go to school in an excellent district. You could even be running a business and need the additional space. Whatever it is, it should make you seem like you are going to add value to the neighborhood and that is crucial.

Research Moving Companies:

Spending time researching moving companies prior to your move will save you time and a whole lot of hassle. Make sure you select a company with excellent reviews so that you don’t have to deal with damaged property when you are settling in. The movers should be well equipped to handle everything from large pieces of furniture to delicate and breakable items. Be sure to schedule well in advance so you are completely covered on your moving day.

Tour The Property:

Virtual tours of a property really don’t do it justice so do be sure that you are scheduling in person property tours. This gives you a chance to get a good look at your potential home and any repairs or work that might need done on it. A poorly maintained home could end up costing you a lot of money in the long run and you don’t want any unexpected surprises once you are already settled. Talk about a nightmare!

Ease some of the stress of moving with the tips above and best of luck!

Date Day!

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Date Day!

Hello! This past Saturday was so fun because Johnny and I had a date day. We were joined by fabulous friends along the way, got to explore a brand new to us consignment shop/art gallery, and heard some great live music. It was one of the best outings that we have had since being fully vaccinated and I can’t wait for many more to come! Let’s get to it:

On Saturday afternoon our dear friends in the band, the Buffalo Ryders, were playing at the Jenks Building in Cuyahoga Falls. I have been dying to see them play again because they give me all of the Jack White vibes and the venue was a whole five minutes away from our apartment so we just had to go.

Our friends were playing at the Jenks Building and, despite living in CFalls, both Johnny and I had never heard of it. We plan on going there often now that we know it exists because it is literally the coolest place ever. It is a consignment shop/art gallery/music venue and as soon as we stepped inside, I felt like I wasn’t in Ohio but rather a big city. There just aren’t places like it or even remotely close to it in my neck of the woods.

Browsing through the Jenks Building was an adventure and I have never seen anything like it before. The basement was an art gallery with the most unique pieces I have ever laid eyes on and Johnny and I wanted all of them for our apartment. The ground floor is a consignment shop completely filled with treasures and a garage style area for bands to perform. There is a second floor, as well, with an in house painter and a photographer too and even more items you didn’t know you needed to look through.

Shopping around while hearing the Buffalo Ryders play was awesome and the Jenks Building had a huge beer selection so you could have a drink while you look around. Johnny and I both tried a fruity sour beer and it was delicious! We left with lots of amazing finds that you can see tomorrow and I can’t wait to go back so I can take pictures, interview the owner, and buy all of the things!

After the Buffalo Ryders set was over, we headed down the street together to mine and Johnny’s favorite cocktail bar, the Cashmere Cricket. Johnny and I went there for our first date and we celebrated at the Cricket after getting engaged too. Saturdays at the Cricket are the best because they make all of their drinks with dry ice! Our minds were blown when the beverages came out bubbling and smoking like a potion after our engagement and it was a hit with our boys in the band too.

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It was so nice to hang out on the patio of the Cashmere Cricket with my husband and such wonderful company. The weather was great too. There was a much welcomed breeze which was so refreshing after the past week of stifling hot and rainy days. We already have plans to go back and, afterwards, I am making all of the guys watch Jesus Christ Superstar with me and I am beyond excited lol. 😀

When Johnny and I returned to the apartment, we Doordashed Taco Bell and played Pokemon Snap until one of our other band boys came by for a spell. As always, it was a hoot and it was so sweet of him to come by since he was in the area. ❤

Once our hang outs with friends were over, Johnny and I had our usual weekend festivities of listening to music, playing video games, and talking the night away. We got a couple of records at the Jenks Building so we listened to some of them and then turned to YouTube because we love introducing each other to our favorite songs and bands.

Our Date Day was a huge success and I am so excited to go back to the Jenks Building and many more Dry Ice Saturdays with our darling friends!

What is a perfect date like for you? Do you have any exciting upcoming plans? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Planning The Most Amazing Road Trip

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Planning The Most Amazing Road Trip

Gaining the chance to plan an amazing road trip is an opportunity that should not be missed. Road trips offer an experience like no other kind of travel or vacation. Figuring out how to organize a memorable road trip doesn’t have to be as difficult as you might expect, as there are several simple tips and tricks that you can make the most of to ensure you and your passengers can enjoy the adventure of a lifetime. So, if you’re interested in finding out more, then read on to uncover some of the most important planning recommendations that you can utilize today to plan the best road trip ever:

Choose The Right Vehicle:

Choosing the right vehicle should be your first priority when heading out on a road trip. If you want to experience ultimate comfort throughout your trip, then you’ll likely prefer a camper of some kind, since these are well equipped with living quarters, hygiene facilities, and more. For those who are aiming to camp outdoors and need space for equipment, a 4×4 SUV truck is going to be the best bet – you’ll have enough storage space to pack up everything you need, whilst having the off road capabilities to travel to hard-to-reach spots.

If you want to live life on the wild side and experience your road trip in a totally different manner, finding a local KTM dealers garage will give you the chance to ride on the back of a top quality motorcycle. Obviously you’ll be exposed to the elements on a motorbike and this could be a blessing or a curse depending on the weather! Traveling the open road on a motorcycle is a dream for many and if it’s one of yours, why not go for it? Start by taking lessons, getting your permit from Permit Bike (or a similar company in your local area), and plan your trip. As soon as you feel the breeze rushing by, you will know you made the right choice!

If you’re opting for using your own car, make sure you get any major repairs taken care of with time to spare. Don’t forget to get your oil changed and tires rotated too! You can get your car looking brand new again with Car Detailing Brisbane so you can ride in style during your trip. Whatever vehicle you are using, you will want the proper accessories as well for comfort and convenience. Neck pillows, device chargers, speakers, and a backup form of GPS are an absolute must. You might also want to use a phone holder for car so you can chat away with loved ones hands free during your long drive.

Pick Your Destination:

Going on a road trip allows you and your friends to make a ton of memories and create an unforgettable experience. It doesn’t necessarily matter where you go, it’s what you make of the entire adventure. However, if you really want to turn your road trip into a success, you may want to choose Europe as your destination. Not only are there so many beautiful sights to see, but you will also discover so many incredible group tours to Europe. From visiting Big Ben in London, to The Eiffel Tower in Paris, you can plan your ultimate road trip around your planned sightseeing tours.

No matter where you go on your trip, you will surely end up at countless of cool locations and maybe some fancy ones too. How great would it be to get out of the car for the day and go to a gorgeous restaurant or a Broadway show? You will certainly want to look the part and the same goes for your car. A mobile car detailing in San Diego (or wherever your road trip takes you) can refresh your ride so you can pull up to your event in style.

Pack Your Bags Properly:

Throwing in a couple of pairs of underwear and some trail mix to see you through until the end of your road trip is one of the worst mistakes that you can make. Start off by packing your clothing, considering all situations such as exploration, swimming, sleeping, and even dramatic weather changes – you don’t want to find yourself stuck in a surprise heatwave with nothing but jumpers and sweatpants to wear.

Next, think about what food you can pack inside your vehicle because you need to have enough food to last your entire trip with a couple of days backed up for safety. Find foods with a long shelf life that don’t need to be stored in a fridge or freezer and be sure to bring some cooking equipment with you even if it’s just a saucepan to hold over an open fire! Don’t forget to bring some form of first aid kit to tend to any wounds or illnesses that you might encounter during your road trip. Something as simple as a migraine could halt your journey if you don’t have immediate access to pain relief.

Summer is not over yet and now is the perfect time to head out on an adventure with your family or friends!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Keep It Posted!

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Keep It Posted!

Hello!!! Things have been super exciting here on lifewithlilred as we quickly approach my 1,000 day writing streak and the fun doesn’t stop there. I am so excited to begin a collaboration with Elite Sports and Born Tough to try out and review their products! Once the testing phase is complete, be on the lookout for an off ice photo shoot in the coolest work out shorts imaginable. In the meantime, be sure to check out their website here: https://www.borntough.com/collections/mens-workout-shirts and here: https://www.elitesports.com/collections/boxing-gloves for more from Elite Sports and Born Tough!

And, as always, keep it locked on lifewithlilred for all of the latest and greatest! ❤

Keep Yourself Busy With These Ideas

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Keep Yourself Busy With These Ideas

Hi there! Idle hands are the devil’s play thing or however that saying goes and, if you’re like me, then you might like to keep your hands busy too. There are so many amazing things that can be created with our own two hands from building with LEGO to constructing a house! Today, we are going to look at a few ideas that will definitely keep your hands busy when you are feeling fidgety or need to destress. Let’s get to it:

Build Something New:

People who are gifted in the art of construction, wood working, and welding simply blow me away and it is an awesome skill to continue to practice if you are so inclined. Being able to make something out of nothing must be so satisfying and is a great way to get creative as well as decompress. Before starting your next project, make sure you have all of the proper building supplies and tools and see what magic you can work to make it happen!

LEGO:

So maybe actual construction isn’t your thing and that’s okay! But have you ever tried building with LEGO bricks, instead? My husband and I absolutely love to build with LEGO and are very much looking forward to receiving our Seinfeld set in the mail any day now. Building with LEGO takes time, focus, and a lot of imagination if you are not building an actual set. It is a great way to break up the monotony of your regularly scheduled programming as you spend some time building something brick by brick. Be sure to check out the competition show, LEGO Masters, too because it is a hoot. 😀

Puzzles:

I really enjoy putting puzzles together and there is nothing better than when you get into a good flow and the pieces just seem to come together themselves. While I couldn’t imagine doing anything beyond a five hundred piece puzzle, some people are gifted enough to put together one thousand plus puzzle pieces! Put on your favorite tunes and see how much puzzle progress you can make in one sitting.

Arts & Crafts:

Knitting, crochet, needlepoint, and sewing are all fabulous skills to have and it can be done anywhere! You can dream up something knew while you’re killing time on a long car, train, or plane ride or just hanging out at home and watching a movie. I live for the scarf that my mom knitted for me and can’t wait for the weather to cool down so I can wear it once again!

Creating something new is exciting, fulfilling, and can be done with your own two hands! What will you make today?