Author Archives: lifewithlilred

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About lifewithlilred

Just your average gal blogging an average blog!
Jun23

How To Give Your Dog The Healthiest Life

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How To Give Your Dog The Healthiest Life

Our dogs are our family members. They are just as important as anyone else and they need to be taken care of accordingly. There are so many different opinions when it comes to taking care of your pooch, but there are a few universal bits of advice that every dog lover and owner needs to take to heart. Here are four doggy care must-do’s for your pup:

What Are You Feeding Your Dog?

Many commercials will tell us that what we feed our dogs is important. Many foods on the market are made of not-so-healthy materials with “spray on flavoring.” You wouldn’t want to eat that yourself, so why would you give it to your dog? Go to your local pet store or pet supply store and find organic dog foods that list healthy ingredients in their recipes. You can get several great and affordable products that will keep your dog’s immune and digestive system on track and healthy, which will give them a good and long life.

Is Your Dog Anxious?

Many dogs suffer from anxiety. Dog anxiety is very common and there are symptoms to look out for when interacting with your dog. Dog anxiety can be treated by doing something as simple as making sure there is always a quiet place for your dog. You can do something more out of the ordinary like doggy spas or meditations. Whatever works for you and your dog is best, but having an effective solution will help you get your dog feeling better.

Is Your Dog Getting Enough Playtime?

Everyone is busy. That goes without saying, but taking a few moments out of the day to walk and play with your dog is a huge benefit to their life. Interactions allow your dog to feel comfortable around people and will help them socially. Playtime is also the most optimal time for you and your pooch to bond and create friendship and loyalty that will last your dog’s entire life. This is also a great opportunity to train your dog to do tricks, behave, and be calm and affectionate around other people. Your dog will be so happy that you do this for them.

Some of our sweet dog friends might suffer from mobility issues or arthritis that can really limit their ability to play. Thankfully, there are so many ways to help your dog keep moving. A trip to the vet will be in order and, from there, they can recommend different options for treatment and accommodations they can use to continue to play all day. For example, a back legs dog wheelchair can give them the support they need while allowing maximum comfort in mobility. With this tool, your dog will be back to running circles around you or around themselves when they chase their tail!

Are You Going to the Dog Park?

A lot of people are weary of the dog park and for good reasons. Your dog could get into a fight or get injured playing. But the benefits of the dog park far outweigh the negatives. This is a great opportunity for your dog to get all the exercise they need to remain strong and within a healthy weight range. The biggest thing the dog park does is allow your dogs to be around other dogs. That’s great for helping them adjust socially and for teaching them how to be respectful of other dogs. When your dog has this experience, they are less likely to go after other dogs when you are on your walks, and they will be more gentle with their furry friends.

Give your four leggeds the best life with the tips above!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Jun23

4 Things That Are Ruining Your Smile (And What To Do About Them)

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4 Things That Are Ruining Your Smile (And What To Do About Them)

Although we get two sets during our lifetime, it is still important that we take good care of our teeth. Indeed, without the proper care, we can expect to encounter all sorts of problems from bad breath to infection and tooth loss. The good news is that by identifying the things that can harm our teeth, we can make sure we take steps to avoid or counter them. Keep reading to find out what the most common smile ruining things are below:

Too much sugar:

It tastes great but too much sugar is very bad news for your teeth. This is because it encourages tartar to form which can lead to painful and unsightly gum disease, otherwise known as gingivitis. That’s not the half of it, either, because sugar also combines with the bacteria we all have in our mouths to cause plaque, this is the stuff that erodes tooth enamel and leaves your teeth vulnerable to decay!

Fortunately, there are some tactics you can use to combat the effects of too much sugar on your smile. The first is to try and reduce the amount of sugar that you eat, limiting items like candy, cakes, and sodas. Next, if you do eat something sugary, brushing your teeth right after can help remove excess sugar from the mouth and minimize the effect.

Smoking:

Another thing that can wreak havoc with your smile is smoking. Of course, it’s also disastrous for your health, so there are many reasons to quit as soon as possible. In particular, smoking is known to yellow the teeth and can turn an already unsightly plaque to a nasty brown color. Once again quitting is the best course of action here and there are a lot of options out there that can ease this transition. This includes gums, patches, or มาโบ vape products to help slow down your smoking and get to the point of quitting. Although, as a short-term measure, regular teeth cleaning at the dentist, as well as specialized toothpaste designed for smokers can help.

If you have quit smoking and still notice yellow teeth that you would like to fix, teeth whitening can be an excellent solution. It will get your smile and confidence back and this can make a huge impact on your daily life. If you’re considering teeth whitening, use resources like this “Busting Teeth Whitening Myths: Separating Fact from Fiction” article to learn more about the process, products, and practitioners that can help.

Putting off going to the dentist:

While we are on the subject of dentists, putting off your appointment can severely impact your smile too. Unfortunately, there are many reasons why people may not go to the dentist as often as they should such as anxiety and embarrassment that they haven’t taken care of their oral health in the right way.

Of course, the longer that you leave between appointments the more damage you are likely to do to your smile. You can make regular dental appointments a great deal easier for yourself by finding a good dentist, one that is friendly and non-judgmental. Many dental practices even specialize in helping particularly anxious patients now, which can make the whole experience much easier.

If you struggle with anxiety when it comes to going to the dentist, you will want to prioritize finding one that is understanding and works in a setting you are comfortable in. Look for reviews of dentists and practices online by searching for a “Dentist in Madison MS” (or your local area). Then, once you have narrowed down your options, call the practices to see what they can do to make the appointment easier for you.

Grinding your teeth:

Last of all, you may be ruining your smile by grinding your teeth. Teeth grinding is when a person unconsciously forces their jaw together in a slight chewing motion and can be linked to stress. The problem with teeth grinding is that it can put far too much pressure on each tooth and make them much more likely to crack and wear away, something that can be both painful and unsightly.

To counter teeth grinding and improve your smile it may be useful to wear a mouth guard at night. Also, finding some ways that are effective for reducing stress may help you minimize this habit and save your smile.

Improve your smile with the tips above and flash those pearly whites!

Jun23

How to Easily Brighten Up Your Home On a Budget

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How to Easily Brighten Up Your Home On a Budget

If your home is looking a little dull, what are some of the things you can do to brighten it up without spending much? If you want to get creative with your living space but don’t have a huge budget, there are plenty of ways that you can change the look and feel of your house without breaking the bank. Here are a few suggestions for easy ways to brighten up your home on a budget:

Paint the Walls:

A fresh coat of paint can significantly brighten up space and, when on a budget, you don’t have to work on the entire house but can paint one or two walls in each room. Make sure to choose bright colors that coordinate well with your decor. For a more professional outcome, consult interior painting companies. You’ll make fewer mistakes and end up with satisfactory results. For affordable color schemes, try pastels or choose a single color for the whole space.

Add Plants or Flowers:

Plants add life to any setting and are an affordable option when livening up space. You can also use plants and flowers to hide out-of-place furniture in your living room, hallway, or kitchen. Choose vibrant flowers that will make the space feel fresh, new, and elegant. Flowers and plants also make a room look expensive without spending a fortune. If you have some extra time, try planting some vegetables in containers for decoration inside the house. For the best results, place the plants at strategic locations near the windows and the front door to give your home a more natural look.

Buy New Curtains or Rugs:

One of the easiest ways to change a room is by replacing the curtains with new lighter or brighter ones. For some inspiration, you could start by browsing the selection with a company like Regency Knights (or a similar business in your local area). From sheer and gauzy curtains to thick panels in a variety of shades, you will be sure to find options that match your home’s aesthetic. You will be amazed at the difference it makes! Switching your rugs up is another good option too. If you can’t replace all of the curtains or rugs in your house, start with the ones in the living room, then move on to other rooms such as bedrooms and the kitchen. The most used rooms should come first.

White and Off-White Décor:

Just about any color scheme looks good with white or off-white décor, so it’s a great way to create a new look without spending much money. To get the most out of your investment, buy furniture, wallpaper, and artwork in coordinating but bright colors. This will make your home feel more spacious and radiant.

Lighting:

Think about the colors of light bulbs you use. Warm-colored light will create a cozy atmosphere that can make any room feel more inviting. This type of lighting is better in rooms for relaxation like the living room and bedroom. Brighter white lighting is good for rooms with high activity like the kitchen. You may also want to consider adding decorative lighting like table lamps or wall sconces for an even softer glow.

Refresh Carpets:

Vacuum and shampoo carpets, then add a deodorizer to keep smells at bay and refresh the color so they don’t look dull. If you’ve had the carpets for a while, replacing them eventually would be a worthwhile investment.

As you will realize, these suggestions don’t require much money and most of them are easy DIY projects – no local professional required!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jun23

What To Look For In The Dog Food You Choose

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What To Look For In The Dog Food You Choose

It’s no secret that the food that you give to your dog is incredibly important to their health. Your pet needs a balanced diet, just like you do, to make sure that they are able to maintain a healthy body. There are countless dog food brands on the market, and they all offer something different for your pooch. To help you to make sense of this chaotic market, this article will be exploring some of the most important aspects of dog food to give you an idea of what to choose when you’re looking at the shelves in your local store:

Natural Ingredients:

Many people ignore the ingredients that are on the packs of food they buy for their dogs. While aiming for natural ingredients doesn’t ensure that food is healthy, it is a good way to limit the additives and other harmful ingredients that could be in your dog’s diet. Many companies are moving away from processed foods for their dog food options, giving you the chance to get food for your dog that will be entirely from naturally sourced ingredients.

Grain-Free Recipes:

Grain is often used as a filler ingredient in products like dog food, enabling companies to save money without compromising on tastes that dogs will like. However, grain doesn’t have much in terms of nutrition for your dog, and will only serve to fill them up as they eat. Many dog food companies produce foods that are specifically made without any fillers whatsoever. This can give you a great chance to get your hands on foods that won’t artificially fill your dog.

Get Advice Online:

There are a lot of dog owners around the web who love nothing more than the chance to help other canine lovers. This makes it nice and easy to get advice when you need it, and there are loads of resources that are dedicated to helping owners with their dog’s diet. Websites like dogfoodcare.com have tons of articles and advice pages to consult for your questions.

What The Doctor Ordered:

Many dogs have health issues that directly relate to the food they eat. This can make it extra challenging to find the right diet for your animal, especially when they have a lot of health issues to contend with. You should listen to your vet in this case, ensuring that you are feeding your dog foods that will be good for the health as well as the condition that they are living with. Many vets sell food specifically for this purpose.

With all of this in mind, you should be feeling ready to take on the challenge of choosing dog food that works for your dog’s health. This can be hard at first, but you will quickly learn what to look for when you’re scouring the shelves for the next meal your dog will enjoy.

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Jun23

Lil Red’s Book Club: Before She Disappeared By Lisa Gardner Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: Before She Disappeared By Lisa Gardner Edition

Hi! This past month has been so busy, I feel like I barely had any time to read. However, after an afternoon reading marathon over the weekend, I finally finished the book I had been working on called Before She Disappeared by Lisa Gardner. I can’t say that I was overly impressed with the way the book ended but I really liked it as a whole due to the strong female lead, Frankie Elken. So, without giving any spoilers away, let’s discuss:

Frankie Elken is a middle aged former alcoholic who drifts from place to place trying to solve missing person cases that have gone cold. She is not a professional and does her investigating without getting paid, so she picks up odd jobs in whatever city she ends up in. Due to Frankie’s own demons, she is highly passionate about what she does. But, unfortunately, she has never brought anyone home alive in the fourteen missing person cases she has worked on. This time, she desperately wants to get it right and heads to Mattapan in Boston to search for teen aged Angelique Badeau.

Angelique and her family are Haitian immigrants who came to America during the earthquakes. She is described as an incredibly gifted student with dreams of being a doctor and has a deep love for her family and Haiti. According to everyone who knows her, the last thing Angelique could be described as is a troublemaker and has never acted rashly before.

Eleven months ago, quiet and determined Angelique disappeared after school without a trace. After months of tracking evidence and following leads, the Boston Police Department came up with nothing and the case eventually goes cold. Cue Frankie Elken.

In a handful of days, Frankie uncovers secrets that the police weren’t even close to discovering on their own. As you can imagine, this leads to much tension between her and the professionals. In a missing person case, every minute is crucial and newly found intel leads Frankie to believe that Angelique is running out of time and fast. Can Frankie bring Angelique home? And just what in the heck happened to her? Read Before She Disappeared to find out!

Although I wasn’t particularly blown away with the way Before She Disappeared ended, I had a good time reading it. The entire book had such a sense of urgency to it and as I read, I felt like I was a detective right alongside Frankie. She is an unlikely heroine and her tenacity and street smarts blew the case wide open when she arrived in Boston. I found myself liking and rooting for her even more with every page.

The entire book felt like waiting for a bomb to blow because time was of the essence and, although the finale was a bit of a dud, I still recommend reading this book. I am going to rate it with a six out of ten star rating and it actually would have been a seven if there weren’t So. Many. Typos. in the book. It’s me being nit-picky, but it drove me nuts! Lisa Gardner has written a plethora of other books and I wouldn’t mind reading more of her work in the future.

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

 

 

 

Jun22

Tips For Taking Care Of Your Dog’s Diet At Home

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Tips For Taking Care Of Your Dog’s Diet At Home

Your dog is a member of your family and their welfare is a priority. Did you know that just like humans, dogs need a varied and balanced diet? This way, they can avoid problems such as diabetes and disease. It probably hasn’t occurred to us to take care of our dog’s diet in the same way we do our own, but it is important. So here are some things to consider that are red flags in your dog’s health:

Your dog is gaining weight or is overweight:

The fault lies in the fact that the animal absorbs more energy than it consumes. This can also be dependent on the phase of life: young dogs in growth require more energy than older dogs. Other reasons for being overweight in dogs can be low-quality food, too much sugar in the feed, or the feeding of food residues. Even an excess of treats or feeding from the table makes them gain weight. You should also consider good Dog Food Containers to make their eating regimes easier.

Your dog is underweight:

Lactating dogs, dogs in growth, and performance dogs also need more energy through food. In general, the energy and nutrient requirements differ depending on size, weight, and phase of life. If your dog has low appetite and is quite underweight, then talk to a vet and also consider some new changes to their diet. Protein is best.

Your dog is having potty problems:

If your dog goes to the toilet often and seems to have diarrhea, it is best to have them checked. This could be due to undigested food or problems with the digestive system. Be sure to have them checked for irregularities or blood disorders. If the diarrhea seems to be related to feeding, this may be due to food with too high a carbohydrate content. An excess of connective tissue protein or soy protein in the feed is fermented in the large intestine and also leads to diarrhea. A quick change of feed, such as from dry to moist food, can trigger sudden diarrhea in some cases.

The dog suffers with constipation:

A low hydration and a high dose of dry food at the same time can be the reason for constipation. In some cases, there is then a risk of dehydration in cases of constipation that are not dealt with. It is also possible that this is due to low-quality food. In case of constipation, you should not feed your dog bones, pure meat, or offal. This way they will get all the nutrients that they need that will complement their digestive system. You should consider encouraging your dog to drink more water also. Always provide your dog with fresh water, especially if he eats mainly dry food.

Looking after a dog is certainly not easy; especially when you consider their dietary needs. Therefore, be smart and thoughtful about what and when you feed them.

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Jun22

Face Mask Festivities Follow Up: The Body Shop’s Japanese Matcha Tea Pollution Clearing Mask Edition

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Face Mask Festivities Follow Up: The Body Shop’s Japanese Matcha Tea Pollution Clearing Mask Edition

Howdy! When it comes to bath and body care as well as skin care too, I always find myself partial to products from The Body Shop. In my youth, we always had goodies from TBS handy like their bath beads, bar soap, and shower gel. Then, in my teenage years, my mom took me there for one of my very first skin care and makeup hauls.

The Body Shop always hits right in the nostalgia for me and for good reason! So you could imagine how disappointing it was when all of their storefronts in my area closed several years ago. TJMaxx definitely saved the day when they started carrying TBS products in their beauty department and my mom and I were ecstatic to get our favorite lotions and skin care for a fraction of the cost.

A few months ago, my mom surprised me with The Body Shop’s Japanese Matcha Tea Pollution Clearing mask which she found at TJMaxx. It had been a long while since I tested out a new face mask and if you read my original review, you will remember that I felt the mask left a lot to be desired.

While I always enjoy using a new face mask, good or bad, I did find myself a bit disappointed with the Pollution Clearing mask. Yes, my skin felt slightly softer and looked a tad brighter but that was about it and I was very surprised to see so many five star reviews for it on Google. The reviews made me feel like I was missing something and I also refused to believe that The Body Shop could have made such a dud (For a lack of a better word!) of a mask. So, I began using it bi-weekly for about a month and, I have to say, I still don’t get it lol.

There is no denying that using this mask is a pleasurable experience, however, I still don’t see or feel any groundbreaking results after regular usage. Then again, what’s my one negative review among a sea of five star ones?! I still stand by my lackluster opinions but learned from reading user reviews that this mask proves to be highly effective for acne prone skin. My skin type has always been normal so it makes sense that I might not have seen such obvious improvements but it still would have been nice!

Acne prone skin or not, I still wouldn’t recommend paying the full twenty-eight dollar price tag for this mask. But, it is worth a try if you find it at a discount store like TJMaxx. I’m happy that I continued to try this face mask despite little to no results and plan on finishing my jar of it. But I think I will stick to my Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow mask from The Body Shop from now on.

Which products have you been unimpressed with recently? What is your favorite product from The Body Shop? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun21

What I’m Looking Forward To This Summer

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What I’m Looking Forward To This Summer

Hello! June has been a GREAT SUCCESS of a month so far due to my recent nuptials, double birthday with my husband, and bestie’s birthday and I have a feeling that this summer is only going to get better. Last summer was a wash for everyone because of the pandemic and now that Johnny and I are fully vaccinated, we plan on making the most of the season. While I can’t wait for weekend trips with Johnny and soaking up the sun for about ten minutes before I start to burn, I am especially looking forward to the following:

Swimming:

Even though I refuse to get my hair wet, that doesn’t mean that I don’t enjoy time in the pool! One of my clients has a pool and we try to utilize it at least once a week. The pool in my apartment community is also open for the summer and I’m really excited to go swimming with my niece and sister. I haven’t been able to use the community pool since the summer of 2019 when I moved in as it was closed last summer, which makes me even more eager for a swimming outing ASAP!

Shopping:

As you all know, Lil Red loves to shop and in late May I had my first non grocery related shopping trip since before the pandemic at Summit Mall. I had a huge haul at Altar’d State and American Eagle and the shopping bug has been biting ever since. I am very much looking forward to spending my birthday gift cards at TJMaxx, outings to the mall, and maybe even a day trip to my favorite outdoor mall, Crocker Park.

Shopping has always been very therapeutic to me and even if I walk away with nothing, I still have a blast. There is nothing better to me than spending an afternoon browsing and seeing what’s new in fashion. During the pandemic, I only did online shopping so being able to visit all of my favorite haunts in person this summer will be tons of fun and I definitely feel a mother/daughter trip to TJMaxx in my near future. 😀

Concerts:

My Johnny is a musician and his band, The Outside Voices, hasn’t played since early March of 2020. This is the longest he has gone without playing live music in over a decade and I know he is just dying to perform again. And I am just dying to watch! We are both counting down the days till their first show this summer and are equally excited to see other bands too. In fact, we just went to our first concert together in Marietta this past weekend and had an awesome time seeing our friends in Jake Dunn & The Blackbirds perform. Long live local music!

Happy summer to all!

What are you looking forward to this summer? 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

Jun20

Married Life

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Married Life

Hello! Ever since tying the knot on June 4th, Johnny and I have been asked time and time again if we feel any different and we always answer with no. Being married to Johnny is the best thing in the whole world but we both agree that it feels exactly the same as it did before when we were dating and recently engaged. We have had a wild bag of replies back of people concurring or feeling the polar opposite but we can all agree that married life rocks!

Since our nuptials, Johnny and I have enjoyed double birthday celebrations, a road trip to Marietta, trivia night, and the endless support of our loved ones and it has been awesome. In fact, all of these outings after being in the apartment for over a year due to the pandemic feels more like when we first started dating! It has been so exciting to finally be fully vaccinated and have the opportunity to go out and about with our friends and the novelty has yet to wear off.

While our now weekly date days and hang outs with friends have been great, our favorite thing to do is veg out together after work. Whether we are playing video games, watching documentaries, or endless hours of Family Matters we both love our time to relax and enjoy each other’s company after a long day. As soon as I exit my car and walk to the apartment when I return home, I always feel butterflies knowing that my Johnny will be there to greet me and it never gets old.

We have both come to realize that married life doesn’t feel much different because we have never left the honeymoon stages of our first dates and there is no better feeling than that. Here’s to our never ending honeymoon! ❤

Did married life feel different to you? How so? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun19

Summer Check List For Your Home

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Summer Check List For Your Home

Whether for yourself or your home a makeover is always a good idea! There is no need to overspend to refresh your home as the weather changes. All you need are a few simple but effective solutions to suffice so let’s discuss further with a summer check list for your house:

First Things First:

There is literally nothing worse than returning home from work on a hot day to an equally hot house. If you haven’t already, it is so crucial to get your air conditioning checked by a professional for the continued comfort of yourself, family, and pets. Don’t forget to get your refrigerator repaired if it is on the fritz by a local professional or appliance repair Winnipeg to keep your ice cream and popsicles from melting! Summer party foul.

In the same breath, it is always a good idea to tend to any maintenance needs especially when summer is on the horizon! Who wants to be stuck dealing with those problems when you could be having fun in the sun? If you are noticing a minor water leak, for example, it is only going to get worse as it progresses. A team like those at Endpoint Plumbing (Or a similar company in your local area) can make repairs to get everything back in working order. Be sure to read reviews carefully and seek recommendations from friends and family if you need any additional work done on your home.

Refresh Your Fabrics:

During the warm weather, it is all about breezy flowy fabrics both in fashion and in your home. Ditch the heavy drapes on your windows with gauzy curtains and pack up your throw blankets and plush rugs for the fall. Less is more when it comes to summer home decor and just the sight of heavy fabrics on a hot day can feel suffocating! Opt for bright throw pillows, thin and colorful traditional rugs, and billowy curtains for a cool and comfy atmosphere.

Change Up The Color Palette:

Nothing looks more chic in the summertime than neutral colors like white or beige paired with bold pops of color. Of course, the same goes for fashion too! Don’t bother making over your entire home, just focus on improving the room you will spend the most time in. The living room is an excellent option. Could you imagine relaxing on a beautiful beige canvas recliner with pleasing pops of orange or turquoise scattered throughout the room? That sounds heavenly to me!

Plants & Landscaping:

If you have a green thumb, a potted plant display in your house could make a unique statement as well as improve your air quality. No worries if you can’t even keep a cactus alive – that’s what wildflower bouquets from the farmers market on your kitchen and coffee tables are for! Flowers go a long way on both the interior and exterior of your house and the beautiful blooms are sure to make your family and neighbors smile. Start a gardening club with your friends and have fun getting your hands dirty.

Check, check, and double check. Your home is now perfectly summer ready!