Author Archives: lifewithlilred

About lifewithlilred

Just your average gal blogging an average blog!

May14

Amazon Skin Care Haul

Posted on May 14, 2020 by lifewithlilred

Hello! If I knew the last time that I went to TJMaxx was the last time, I would have bought out their entire skin care selection. But, hindsight is 20/20 as the saying goes. A few weeks ago, I ran completely out of my selection of moisturizers and serums and was running dangerously low on everything else. As the other saying goes… There’s a first time for everything.

Normally, I would go to TJMaxx’s website to order some more skin care but they are not shipping out currently. So, I turned to Amazon and bought all of my necessities in bulk so that running out never happens again. Check out my haul:

The Haul:

2 Garnier micellar waters with a free travel size bottle
3 SkinLab Lift & Firm moisturizers
2 Azure Lux Rose Gold serums
1 Azure Lux 24K Gold serum
2 SkinLab Lift & Firm eye gels
1 SkinLab Hydrate & Replenish hydra eye cream

I know, I know… It’s a lot. But, now I won’t have to worry about replenishing my hoard for a good long while and I feel great about that. What I don’t feel so great about? How much more expensive these products were on Amazon than they normally are at TJs! For example, I paid about eleven dollars for each moisturizer on Amazon when I normally pay six at TJMaxx. That hurt.

You know what else hurts, though? Your skin literally aching to be moisturized after a few days of going without! That was really rough, especially since I’ve been following a strict skin care regimen since I was at least fifteen. I am so thankful that Amazon had brands that I was familiar with so that I didn’t have to spend money on products I potentially might not like. It might have cost a bit more but it was worth every penny.

I would never be a toilet paper hoarder but I have been a proud beauty care hoarder for years now and it is nice to finally have my stockpile sitting pretty again. 😀

What are some beauty products that you stockpile? Which products have you been having a hard time finding in stores? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May13

Watch Out! The Five Causes Behind Many Accidents

Posted on May 13, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Watch Out! The Five Causes Behind Many Accidents

Accidents are part of life and you can’t always prevent them. Luck has a strange way of playing a role, and it might just be something you skipped, or someone else did. There are, however, certain aspects of an accident that we can help mitigate. To help you look out for some of the accidents that can do you a mischief, here are some of the most common causes:

Not tidying up:

Are you the kind of person that cleans up after yourself? Or maybe you leave the odd bowl, mug, or cardboard box out of something you got in the mail office. If items end up lying around, they start piling up until you have a messy and cluttered home or workplace. And, while they may not seem particularly threatening, they can be when you are hurrying about and rushing, or you are not paying full attention to where you are going. Seemingly simple things can end up being lethal if you just leave them around for you or anyone else to take a trip, slip and fall over. Pick up after yourself, and immediately, you reduce the risk of injury.

If your fall happened at work due to a spill that wasn’t properly cleaned, out of place machinery, or slippery bathroom tiles you might be entitled to compensation. Fall accident Lawyers specialize in these accidents as well as the damage that they can cause. It is definitely worth researching further for a well reviewed lawyer in your local area to take on the case if a work related fall happens to you. Be sure to take excellent notes about what happened and take photos of your injuries/where the fall happened immediately so you have clear, documented evidence to present.

Not paying attention:

Following on from the previous point, not paying attention to where you are going or what you are doing is a massive factor in many avoidable accidents. Wherever you are, you need to be aware of your surroundings. This is of particular importance in busy areas or on or near a road. Put down your cell phone, take out the earphones, and concentrate on where you are going.

Rushing about:

We all lead incredibly busy lives, rushing about from work to home to grocery shopping, making sure the kids are at school, play dates, extra-curricular classes and everything else in between. Because of this, we may take shortcuts and not take as much care over what we are doing, which is a common factor in accidents. For example, if you are cooking, you might be trying to speed things up so you can get the kids into the bath or help with homework, but this is much more likely to end up in a burn or scald injury – and this will cost you a lot of time in the long term. Slow down and focus on the job that you are doing.

Using unfamiliar equipment or machinery:

We all have done it – used a new piece of DIY equipment or a tool at home or work and not been familiar with it or how it works. Before you use something new, take the time to read the instructions, watch some online tutorials and, if necessary, complete an appropriate training course for the skill like electrical safety training. If it is in the workplace, insist on thorough training before using anything that you are not sure about. Should your injury occur at work and you did not receive proper training, you could have a workman’s comp claim. It’s a good idea to learn how to make a personal injury claim and have a lawyer in mind so you know exactly what to do if this ever happens to you.

Not using safety equipment:

It is so important to use the proper safety equipment at your place of work at all times. This could include steel toed boots, masks, ear protection, or ce certified laser safety goggles. These items ensure your protection and they can only work if you are diligent in their use. If for whatever reason you need to remove one of your safety items, do so in a safe space at work like the lobby, locker room, or bathroom to avoid any injuries.

Not all accidents can be avoided, and they can happen to anyone, at any time, anywhere. However, by knowing the common factors involved in accidents, you are able to take steps to avoid them.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

May13

Why Rats Are In Your House – And What To Do About It!

Posted on May 13, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Why Rats Are In Your House – And What To Do About It!

No one wants to have rats in their home. Unless you’ve chosen to have them in a cage, they’re not a desirable creature to have in the walls of your house. The problem is that when there’s a rat infestation, it’s hard to be able to work out why you have one in the first place. Security is a must – but how do you secure your home against a rat?

Rats are one of many different pests that can cause an issue in your home. While you research and schedule with Rat Removal professionals, you can begin investigating on your own. If you notice that any of the following applies to your house, it makes you that much more susceptible to infestations:

Your Home Is Warm:

Why does an animal go inside the house? Well, for comfort, warmth and food, of course. Your home is warm, and animals in the cold will make their way into warmer places, especially in the cooler months. Rats come into the house to nest and breed, and that’s not what you want to happen! They can, and will, gnaw their way through your wires and your insulation, which is why calling 000 Pest Control if you notice any bitten wires is a smart decision. You need the experts to help when wiring is involved!

Food:

It doesn’t matter what it is, rats will eat it. They will eat through bread and meat as much as they will leather and fur, which means that you need to make sure that you are not leaving tempting tidbits around the house. The bins on the exterior of your property need to be secure to prevent them from coming into the house, and bags of food in the home need to be secure, too. They’ll sniff it out if not!

Compost:

Compost is another thing that attracts rats to your home. It’s like a buffet to rats and they will make a beeline to your home just to come in and eat anything that they can find. So, it’s up to you to ensure that your compost pile is one that is safely tucked away and out of sight.

Broken Pipes:

If your attic or basement has leaky pipes, you can expect rats to be near. It’s not that they’ve broken the pipes, but that they are attracted by the drip, drip, dripping of the pipes. Rats get thirsty and if you have an open source of water, they’re going to drink from it. You should get the pipes fixed because you need to, but remember that rats are an unfortunate side effect of broken pipes, too.

Ease Of Access:

Your house is a playground for rats. They can climb the trees and get into the attic as much as they can head down the drainpipe and into the basement. Secure your home against the onslaught of pests, and you can ensure that your home remains a rat-free zone.

Rats are not the only pests that should concern you, but now that you know all of the ways that they can come into your house, you can do something about it. It’s important that you protect your home: No one wants unwanted house guests!

Featured Image By: Pexels

May13

Sunshine Blogger Award #8

Posted on May 13, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Hi! During this lock down, I have seen all of the fun little blogging awards that were so popular when I began writing make a major comeback. These awards are a great way to get to know your fellow bloggers better and I am so proud for lifewithlilred to have been nominated for its eighth Sunshine Blogger Award by my friend, Alexandra, at You and Me and Cup of Coffee.

Miss Alex runs a fantastic blog filled with the best content and it is always such a delight when we can chit chat a little. So, do be sure to check out her page and give it some love! Now, let’s get on to the rules for this award:

The Rules:

Thank the blogger who nominated you in the post and link to their blog
Answer the 11 questions asked of you
List the rules and include the Sunshine Blogger Award logo in your post
Write a new list of 11 questions for your nominees
Nominate 11 bloggers for the Sunshine Blogger Award

Q & A:

What is your most favorite character in movies/TV shows/video games? My Animal Crossing villager. Lol, no… But, yes. I don’t know, I always loved the more eccentric characters Johnny Depp played in his older movies. I also adore the character, V, from V For Vendetta and the Faun from Pan’s Labyrinth.
What are the 3 things you like about blogging the most? All of the friends I’ve made for answers one, two, and three. ❤
Did your blog grow more or less as you’ve planned when you started blogging, or did it take a different route? I wasn’t really expecting anything out of lifewithlilred when I first started it. But, now my page is read in over one hundred and eighty countries and I can’t quite come up with a word to describe how that makes me feel. Very proud.
What historical period do you find the most fascinating and why? My boyfriend and I watch a lot of WWI and WWII documentaries together. WWII was always my favorite thing to learn about in school and watching all of these programs as an adult is so eye opening.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received? That there’s nothing wrong with living your life at your own pace.
Imagine you’re about to launch a small business and have no limitations in funding, location, etc. What kind of business would you start? Oooh! An animal shelter in the community. And a super fashion forward boutique, of course.
Would you rather go to a music concert or stand up comedy show and which performer would you choose? That’s a hard one and I would like to go to both so that’s how I’m answering it. Haha, for a comedian I’d love to see Jason Mulaney and I am still dying to see Arcade Fire in concert.
Do you have unpopular opinions? If so, what are they? I think everyone’s opinion can be unpopular depending on who they tell it to. But, I tend not to post in depth about my religious or political views on my blog or social media.
What’s your opinion about the luxury industry? Are luxury brands worth the price? So, I have no problem paying a bit more for a quality product. However, I could never justify spending thousands of dollars on one piece of clothing when I have a difficult time spending over fifty! I don’t think any piece of fashion is worth more than your first starter car. That’s why I live in TJMaxx, lol.
Where do you get inspiration when writing for your blog? When I’m with my boyfriend, in TJMaxx, or when I’m literally just about to fall asleep in bed.
If you could instantly remove one thing from the world to make it a better place, what would it be? It can be anything – something tangible, process, idea, emotion, a character trait. CORONAVIRUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My Nominees (I’m only doing three):

My Questions For You:

What is your lock down uniform? Mine is no makeup and all of the hoodies!
What are you most looking forward to doing post coronavirus?
Favorite restaurant local to your area?
Do you prefer in store or online shopping?
What was the last book you read?
What are a few of your favorite hobbies besides writing?
Do you plan on blogging throughout your life?
What would be your perfect date night?
Last series you binge watched?
Do you have any strange talents?
Biggest guilty pleasure?

Thank you so much again to Alex for the Sunshine Blogger Award nomination – your questions were amazing!

How would you answer some of Alex’s questions for her nominees? What about some of my questions for mine? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May12

5 Tips For Preparing For Your Next Dinner Party (While Quarantined!)

Posted on May 12, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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5 Tips For Preparing For Your Next Dinner Party (While Quarantined!)

As we move into warmer months ahead, you may be nostalgic for the days of sunshiny afternoons and barbecues with friends. While many of us are still in quarantine, we’re all hopeful that life can go back to resembling some form of normalcy in the coming months.

What are some of the things you could do now to prepare your home for friend get-togethers later when the world starts reopening? Let’s go over five easy tips to help you prepare for your next dinner party… all while you are quarantined:

Get your yard under control:

There’s no time like the present when it comes to doing yard work. Trim hedges and bushes. Power washing any exposed concrete, deck boards, or sidewalks is a great way to make your home really seem well taken care of. If weeds are starting to crowd out plants now, get on top of them since they will only get worse as the weather gets better.

Get those windows washed:

Better yet, consider hiring a monthly window cleaner to make sure your house windows shine like the top of the Chrysler building. Smudges from dirty fingers, dog and cat noses, and bugs make a home look messier than it is.

Speaking of bugs…

Call a local pest control to make sure you don’t have any potential critters coming. Yellow jackets, hornets, and wasps are best taken care of in late spring or early summer months, and nobody wants those bugging them at our friendly get-togethers. Mosquitoes, ticks, and other yard bugs can be controlled with a semi-annual pest control visit.

Do that deep cleaning you’ve been putting off:

You can check out an older blog that mentions the cleaning musts that many of us forget when doing deep or spring cleaning. If you’re not a fan of scrubbing floors and the weird crevices in your bathroom, do all the basic cleaning, then hire a company to do the deep cleaning for you. If the weather has turned beautiful in your neck of the woods, open up those doors after you’ve cleaned to get any of the cleaning product scents out of the home while bringing in some fresh air.

Planning makes perfect:

Plan the perfect dinner party ahead of time. When you throw a get-together, it always seems to take more time to organize than what you expect. Run down a list of things that you need to do before you would want people eating and chatting over a delicious dinner at your house. If you need extra utensils, cloth napkins, citronella candles, or tablescape items like tablecloths and vases, research affordable ones and order them online or place a curbside order for them.

Lovely!

Quarantine life has been difficult, but making the most of it doesn’t have to be. As we transition into some form of new normal, many of us are craving social interaction that we took for granted before. Now is the time to get your home in a great place to host the get-together we’ve all been dreaming of for the past several months once it’s safe to do so!

Featured Image By: Pexels

May12

Totally Tights

Posted on May 12, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Hello! During my recent little treat yoself online shopping session, I got some super fun accessories from Urban Outfitters. All of my purchases didn’t ship together, though, and I ended up getting the last of it a few days ago. There is nothing like a bit of online shopping to perk you up and the gift just keeps on giving once it shows up on your door!

The tights you’re about to see from UO may be a small new addition to my accessories collection but they are cuter than I could have ever imagined. So, yes, good things definitely come in small packages! Check it out:

Yes, these most certainly are colorful rhinestoned fishnets and I am completely obsessed! A while back ago, I saw an advertisement for similar tights on Facebook and I remember thinking how cute they were but I didn’t order them. So, when these little beauties showed up during my Urban Outfitters spree, I just had to buy a pair… And a back up one in case the first pair snags. 😉

These tights are absolutely perfect for layering under short shorts and will add an amazing touch of fun to the most simple outfits. And, with bedazzled fishnets you definitely don’t have to go all out. Pair under shorts, throw on a graphic tee and combat boots and hit up your favorite stomping grounds with your friends when it’s safe to do so. These tights will be sure to make a statement during your first outing in a month of Sundays!

What is your favorite funky accessory? Do you have any crazy tights? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May11

Have Some Writing Prompts!

Posted on May 11, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Hello! Coming up with daily content during a global pandemic has been proving to be pretty difficult on my end. And, although I know all of my blogging friends around the world are rock stars, you all might be struggling too. There is no shame in that! I swear, writing articles some days feels like pulling teeth. So, I decided to provide some prompts for all of you to help keep up with blog maintenance. Here we go:

How has the coronavirus impacted your life?
Favorite quarantine activities?
What are you most looking forward to once things go back to normal?
Most binge worthy shows or movies on different streaming services?
Your quarantine play list.
A lock down OOTD or MOTD for all of my fashionistas and makeup divas.
If you could be an animal, what would you like to be and why?
Favorite recipes to cook at home?
DIY crafting guide.
A virtual tour of the favorite room of your house or your garden.

This is arguably the most boring yet unnerving time of everyone’s life. And, if not everyone… Then at least mine, lol. I have found writing to be an even bigger stress reliever than usual and I hope these prompts will help do the same for all of you! ❤

What should I write about next? How has the coronavirus impacted your blogging habits? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May10

What Have I Been Watching?

Posted on May 10, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Hi! Although there are plenty of ideas to help keep you occupied during this quarantine, sometimes there is nothing better than turning on the ol’ BOOB TUBE. Lol, we’re talking TV! My boyfriend, Johnny, and I have been finishing shows left and right and are always ready to start something new. This past month or so, we have been watching the following:

Community:

Hilarious six season comedy based around a study group formed at a community college. All star cast, witty dialogue, and so freaking funny that it wasn’t hard to finish a half a season in a day! Definitely recommend if you’re looking for a laugh.

Game Of Thrones:

Before dating Johnny, I had never seen one episode of Game Of Thrones until he suggested it and, believe you me, I was perfectly fine with this. But, that was until I saw one episode and realized what I had been missing! Johnny and I took a nice long break from the show after the intense Red Wedding, promising we’d come back to it in a little while.

A little while ended up being months on end but, thanks to the quarantine, we finally finished it and it was amazing! Intricate story line, twists and turns every episode, amazing action, and oh yeah… Dragons! Not a show for the faint of heart but definitely worth the watch if you can turn a blind eye to the more disturbing scenes.

Stand Up Comedy:

Before I go to bed, sometimes Johnny and I will watch a stand up comedy special. We have watched a lot of Peter Holmes and Jason Mulaney and it has been so much fun! I was never too “in” to stand up before and I’m still not but it’s a nice change of pace every once in a while. I have laughed till I cried so I guess you could say those comedians are pretty good!

Parks & Recreation:

After finishing Community, we needed a new comedy show to watch so we decided to both rewatch Parks & Rec. This show revolves around a Parks & Recreation department in the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana and it is a delight. Fabulous cast of Amy Poehler, Rashida Jones, Nick Offerman, Rob Lowe, and more! No matter how many times I’ve seen each episode, I laugh. It is the perfect show to put on as background noise or a binge worthy way to spend an afternoon.

Saturday Night Live:

Johnny and I have been enjoying watching Saturday Night Live From Home. Granted, the first episode was a huge disappointment. However, the second one knocked it out of the park once the cast got the hang of it. It’s so fun to see how these comedians can get creative in their own homes to make these new skits.

Johnny and I believe that the producers are literally approving anything suggested from the cast solely based on if “it sounds funny”. And, I promise you, it’s all funny. Especially the music video from the past episode with a cameo from Adam Sandler! Love it.

Coming Up Next: Ozark

The next show that Johnny and I plan on watching is Ozark, starring Jason Bateman. Netflix recently released the new third season, which I have yet to see. I have seen season one and two and loved it. So, I’m looking forward to watching it again with my BOO and seeing all of the craziness that I see being discussed about season three. No spoilers, please!

What have you been watching in quarantine? What is your favorite TV series? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May9

May 2020 Funky Time Jams

Posted on May 9, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Hi! We’re just truckin’ along through May and, I’ve gotta tell you, I’m so not feeling it. Lol, I am so physically and mentally exhausted and I could definitely use a day off. But, alas, here I am writing extra early before work so I still get there on time! I guess it’s okay, though. So much of my day is spent being unproductive that sometimes (But not all the times!) it feels good to immerse myself in a day’s work.

An early morning, followed by a long day of work, followed by a long day of quarantine certainly requires the perfect soundtrack and this is what I have been bumping:

^^^ And, as always, I have no rights to these songs or videos.

Nine times out of ten, I leave the house for work feeling blah so I depend on my car ride jams to give me the pick me up I need to be at one hundred percent by the time I get to my client’s front door. Sometimes this will be me playing my favorites on my iPod or I’ll scroll through the radio until I land on something good.

My most recent fave, though? Probably The Weeknd! My boyfriend and I just recently watched the Saturday Night Live that he performed on and I had no idea “Blinding Lights” was one of his songs until he played it. That has been my friggen JAM on the radio and it put me down a Weeknd worm hole that I am so okay with.

Somewhat random, but I have also been playing “My Sweet Lord” by George Harrison constantly. My client and I heard it when we were listening to the radio and I totally forgot how much I love that song until I heard it again. And, of course, you can’t go wrong with The Rolling Stones so if you haven’t checked out their latest “Living In A Ghost Town”, do be sure to check it out!

What are some of your quarantine jams? What do you like to listen to to hype you up for work? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May8

Urban Outfitters Treat Yoself Jewelry

Posted on May 8, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Hello! We all know that Lil Red loves to shop and this stay at home order has really put a cramp on my style. Lol, especially because the TJMaxx website isn’t shipping any orders out, either! But, that’s okay, and eventually I’ll make my way back to all of my favorite stomping grounds when it’s safe to do so.

In the meantime, though, I definitely needed a treat. So, I turned to the wonderful world of online shopping and made a few purchases from Urban Outfitters and Forever 21. Nothing major, just something to put a smile on my face. How can this darling, delicate jewelry not?! Check it out:

Despite having a deep fondness for online shopping, I rarely branch out from my favorite sites and don’t end up on Urban or F21 very often. But, I figured that going with safe bets like jewelry and shoes couldn’t hurt and it sure paid off. I absolutely love my gold lock bracelet, which I plan on wearing as an anklet, and it matches my beloved Michael Kors lock necklace perfectly. And, can we please talk about those adorable safety pin earrings? Maybe these will inspire me to finally get some additional ear piercings!

Nothing perks me up more than a little fashion treat and, with all of the stress of the current times, I needed it. It felt so nice to take an evening browsing through different stores on my laptop with a glass of wine. But, it felt even better when all of my goodies showed up at the door! Stay tuned for more this week. 🙂

How have you been treating yourself during the coronavirus panic? What is your favorite pick me up purchase? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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