Author Archives: lifewithlilred

About lifewithlilred

Just your average gal blogging an average blog!

Mar6

Lil Red’s Art Gallery: Accent Wall Edition

Posted on March 6, 2020 by lifewithlilred

Hi! Ever since moving into my apartment this past year, I have wanted to do something with the wall alongside my staircase. I pictured a wonderful accent wall with artwork of all different shapes and sizes and decided to go for it… Several months later! Haha, when I first moved in, I bought tons of framed art pieces from Goodwill and a few other locations and they have since been laying in a pile underneath my staircase.

Whomp whomp.

But, thanks to a new record player in my apartment from my boyfriend (which all of you will see later), the under the stairs space needed cleared and it was about damn time to get some of those pictures hung. So, Johnny and I went to Walmart, purchased some Command strips, and I spent some of an afternoon off creating the following:

I am so pleased with how my art wall is starting to take form and there is still much work to be done because those aren’t all of the pictures that I have. However, I am not so pleased with the holding power of the Command strips because the embroidered peacock beneath my “Welcome” sign fell within one hour of hanging it.

And, to make matters worse, simply tapping my Welcome sign when trying to rehang the embroidery made that one fall, too! I was able to get that picture rehung but, sadly, the Command strips were already so worn out on the embroidery that I had to put it back in its nook under the stairs with a broken frame, no less.

Despite how happy I am with the outcome so far, I don’t think I would use the Command strips again to hang the rest of my pictures. I am also pretty nervous for the ones on the wall to fall and cause even more damage! We’ll see how the remaining pieces fair and if they can hold on for longer than a day but, I think I’ll be using the old fashioned way of a hammer and nails in the future. BOOOO.

Do you have an accent wall in your home? What is it like? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar5

Is Your Desk Job Damaging Your Health?

Posted on March 5, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Desk work hardly seems like the most dangerous occupation in the world, but it can pose many long-term health dangers. The combination of sitting down for long periods, being indoors, and doing repetitive actions can lead to a number of illnesses and injuries. Here are a few problems to look out for and how to relieve/prevent them:

Circulatory problems:

Sitting down for extended periods of time increases your risk of developing circulatory problems. Your blood may not flow as freely around certain parts of the body such as the hands and feet, causing it to pool up. This can lead to blood clots, varicose veins, a stroke, or even a heart attack.

If you regularly experience numbness, tingling, or cramps in the hands and feet, it could be a sign that you’re experiencing circulatory problems. Red dark blotches are also a key sign. Compression socks and clot-dissolving drugs may be able to ease discomfort and return circulation to normal, but the best solution and prevention method is to be more physically active. You could opt for a standing desk or you could simply make it a routine to get up every hour for five minutes. Deskercises may also help.

Weight gain:

Lack of physical activity can also lead to weight gain – if you’re not being active, you’re not burning calories. Being overweight can increase your risk of everything from diabetes to heart disease.

The obvious solution to this, as with circulatory problems, is to be more active during the day. You could also plan exercise for before or after work, as well as trying to be more active at the weekend. Changing your diet could also be necessary (you may be able to keep up a sedentary lifestyle and not gain weight simply by eating healthily).

Back pain:

A lot of people working desk jobs experience lower back pain. This is usually from craning over a desk for long periods, which causes stress on the spine. When it comes to relieving discomfort, there are many new lower back relief products and herbal remedies that you can try. Procedures like massages and acupuncture may also help. Improving your sitting posture could meanwhile stop your back pain from getting worse. Try to ensure that your back is straight – lowering your chair or raising your monitor could prevent you from leaning forward.

Another way to provide relief for pain that is far less invasive than an acupuncture procedure is doing a small dose of CBD gummies. These are especially good for the constantly aching back or tender wrists after typing all day. There are plenty of “best of” lists online, which will help you narrow down the best kind for you. Observer, for example, has a list that also links to products and additional information to browse through.

Sick building syndrome:

Being indoors all day isn’t good for us. As well as the lack of sunlight, being surrounded by dusty air and other people’s bacteria can result in nausea and respiratory issues. This is sometimes known as sick building syndrome.

Good ventilation and regular cleaning could make for a healthier indoor environment. Meanwhile, going outside on your lunch break could get you some fresh air during the day, which could help to clear out your lungs.

Repetitive strain injury:

Typing on a keyboard for long periods of time can sometimes lead to an RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury). The wrists and knuckles may start to cramp up and in severe cases this could lead to permanent pain.

Having your keyboard in the right position may prevent an RSI from occurring. Ideally, the keyboard should be directly in front of you and your elbows should be at the same height so that your forearms are horizontal when typing.

Use the tips above if your desk job is giving you grief and, as always, visit your doctor about your concerns, too!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Mar5

Combining Your Indoor And Outdoor Space Cohesively

Posted on March 5, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Combining Your Indoor And Outdoor Space Cohesively

Indoor-outdoor spaces have become much more popular in recent years. Homeowners have stopped seeing their interiors and exteriors as separate realms and now want to meld them together in a way that creates a sense of harmony.

Achieving this, however, is a little more complicated than you might think. It’s not just a matter of getting some sliding doors and removing the ledge (although that helps). You also have to consider a host of additional factors, many of which aren’t immediately apparent.

So what are the tricks for successfully linking your indoor and outdoor spaces in a way that makes sense? Read on to find out!

Keep The Same Flooring Inside And Out:

If you look at photographs of the homes that most successfully link their indoor and outdoor spaces, you immediately notice something – the flooring is the same. Choosing to use the same floors inside and out creates a sense of continuity that you don’t get if you have different options inside and outside the house. Ideally, you want the wall separating the two spaces to feel more like an optional screen than a barrier.

Add A Canopy:

When people think of outdoor spaces, they don’t necessarily mean areas where they go to expose themselves to wind and rain. Most of the time, they want somewhere that they can enjoy the outdoors but without any of the downsides.

Here is where a patio cover company can help. You can get a roof that keeps the sun and rain off of your head but, at the same time, allows you to feel more like a part of your outdoor space. After all, there’s no point letting your garden go to waste.

Get Rid Of The Wall:

Walls are barriers that separate your indoor and outdoor spaces irrevocably. When there’s a load of masonry in the way, no amount of matching flooring or canopies will bridge the gulf. Fortunately, while getting rid of the wall might sound like an extreme measure, it is actually quite achievable with modern approaches available today.

A lot of homeowners opt for bi-folding doors. These are doors that have several hinges and fold up against themselves as they fold away. When completely drawn, there is an ample space which connects the interior to the exterior, making the transition more seamless.

Of course, custom bi-folding doors connected to a steel surround are expensive, so you could choose French doors too. This latter style, installed with the help of a company specializing in Aluminium Door Installations, offers you an option that is more energy efficient but doesn’t sacrifice the style that you want to achieve.The trick here, though, is to raise your patio so that it is the same height as your interior floor AND get rid of any lip or threshold at the bottom of the door. When everything is the same height, it makes more visual sense and helps to bring the interior and exterior of your home together.

Love this!

Design The Spaces As One:

When it comes to indoor-outdoor spaces, you want to banish the idea that they are separate right from the design phase. Creating a complex that spans both the interior and exterior of your home creates a mindset that allows you to generate greater integration automatically. When you use this method, the outcome is far more harmonious. Like in this Pixabay picture:

Creating a cohesive transition from your indoor to outdoor space has never been easier with the tips above!

Mar5

Lil Red’s Book Club: The Stranger Diaries Edition

Posted on March 5, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Lil Red’s Book Club: The Stranger Diaries Edition

Hi! I have been on a huge graphic novel kick lately so it has been a while since my last Lil Red’s Book Club meeting. But, since I finished the Lucifer series of comics, I am back on my mystery/thriller novel obsession and devoured The Stranger Diaries by Elly Griffiths within a week. Unfortunately, the grand reveal of this book just didn’t do it for me, which is too bad because everything that led up to it was filled with nail biting suspense. So, without giving any spoilers away, let’s discuss:

Talgarth High was the former home to Gothic writer, R.M. Holland, who specialized in the dark and obscure. He is also the favorite of Clare Cassidy, an English teacher who reads his short story, The Stranger, every year to her classes. Clare is a posh, divorced, middle aged woman whose daughter, Georgia, attends Talgarth High, as well. And, as most thrillers go, everything is seemingly perfect until a murder takes place.

Two murders, actually. Two murders that are obviously inspired by The Stranger in the ways that they are committed and in the fact that the killer leaves a quote from the novella behind at each crime scene. “Hell is empty”. The Stranger Diaries is an intertwining whodoneit between Clare, Georgia, and Detective Sargent Harbinder Kaur – all of whom could be in danger if the killer strikes again.

From witchcraft and long dead writers to notes from the killer appearing in Clare’s diaries, red herrings are everywhere in The Stranger Diaries. Will you be able to figure out whodoneit in time? Read the book and find out!

My mom and I normally read the same books as each other and we both came to the conclusion that this was an excellent book with a really shitty ending. The Stranger Diaries was unputdownable for me and I took every opportunity of free time I had to continue turning the pages.

I loved reading snippets from The Stranger, I adored how the book went back and forth between characters, and a lot of the book was downright creepy. How would you feel if someone was writing to you in your private diaries?! But, the big BUT, is that the grand reveal of the killer was the most random, lackluster unveiling I’ve read in a long time and that was so disappointing to me.

Obviously, I’m not saying NOTHIN about whodoneit. But I will say that if you read the book, try not to look too far into the subplots because they are definitely going to cloud your judgement. Take things for what they are and you might just be able to solve the case on your own!

I am going to give The Stranger Diaries by Elly Griffiths a star rating of: five out of ten. Had the ending been better, it might have received the prestigious ten out of ten stars from me but, unfortunately, I am having trouble looking past a huge build up for a let down of a grand reveal. Whomp whomp.

What are you reading right now? Which book should I read next? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar4

TJMaxx Skin Care Haul

Posted on March 4, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Hi! Post Christmas, I had a huge skin care haul at TJMaxx, thanks to the numerous gift cards I received from my family and friends. I bought myself a three month supply of all of the skin care that I need in my daily routine and, now that March is officially upon us, my stock pile has run dry. So, I had to snag a few moisturizers and serums to maintain my regimen:

The Haul:

2 SkinLab Lift & Firm Moisturizers
Valjean Labs Revive Day Serum
Provence Beauty Ferulic Acid Day Serum

While shopping skin care this time around, I wasn’t so worried about finding moisturizers as I was with finding serums. I am obsessed with the SkinLab products and TJMaxx always has a healthy supply of their moisturizers, so I was able to grab two more of the Lift & Firm formula, which is what I have been hooked on.

Unfortunately, SkinLab’s Lift & Firm Serum was a bust because the one fluid ounce size had nowhere near the longevity that I look for in a product. I was using up one bottle in three weeks and, for seven dollars a pop, I am not okay with that. So, I went for a few new serums, instead.

Whenever I see a Vitamin C formula for a serum, I tend to gravitate towards it because radiant skin is important to me. I have used a different Provence Beauty serum before and was really pleased with it so I decided to give one of their other formulas a shot. Valjean Labs isn’t a brand I’m familiar with but, it reminded me of my niece’s name which is Valerie Jane so it can’t be all that bad, right?! 😉

Once again, TJMaxx answered all of my skin care needs and I can’t wait to work old and potentially new favorites into my routine!

What is your favorite skin care brand? What is important for you when it comes to skin care? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar3

7 Alternative Wedding Entertainment Ideas

Posted on March 3, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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7 Alternative Wedding Entertainment Ideas

Keeping your guests entertained on your wedding day can help to make it an enjoyable and memorable day for them too. While many couples stick to classic entertainment options such as a DJ or a live band, there are many alternative options that you can try if you want to make your wedding day truly unique.

In fact, you could include these entertainment options alongside traditional entertainment choices, resulting in a wedding party that is certain to appeal to everyone. It is important to remember to always check with your chosen wedding venue first, however, to see if they are okay with your chosen entertainment. If you are having your wedding somewhere such as The Orchard Event Venue & Retreat, you should get in touch with a wedding venue azle tx company to see what their terms and conditions are first, and whether they provide anything that you can work with instead. Regardless of how you do it, here are just a few different wedding entertainment options:

Singing waiters:

Singing waiters could be a fun and comical touch to throw in during the wedding meal. As the food is being served up, you could surprise all your guests by having the waiting staff break out into song. There are catering companies that specialize in this novel form of entertainment. Such a fun spectacle will need to be captured on camera so be sure to look into personalized wedding photography options to catch all of those special moments and let you focus on having the best time ever.

Caricature artist:

At the beginning of the reception party, you could arrange for a caricature artist to be present alongside the photographer. You could then pay them to draw caricatures of any guests that want a personal cartoon. It could result in some unique memories for guests to take away.

A corn hole board:

You could also encourage guests to get competitive by supplying a corn hole board. This is a fun and classic sport that your guests can still play while dressed up. Sites such as https://www.cornholeworldwide.com/ can even supply custom-made corn hole boards. This could a fun way of personalizing this entertainment. Games like corn hole, croquet, and giant chess will provide a great time and it’s perfect if you are hosting an outdoor wedding. Have the games set up in stations around your sailcloth marquee reception space. Then, the guests can make their way through all of them without getting clustered.

A roulette table:

For a taste of Vegas, you could turn your reception hall into a casino! This could be operated by a professional croupier who will be able to take people’s bets and ensure that all gambling is done fairly and sensibly. You can read up on the rules of Roulette at https://www.mastersofgames.com.

Fire performers:

Fire performers could bring some thrills to your wedding. Obviously, this is an entertainment option best suited for an outdoor wedding – and even then you’ll probably need to double-check that the venue is happy to host these entertainers. You could even hire performers to perform alongside a firework display if you want your wedding to be truly explosive.

Something as dynamic as fire performers or fireworks requires a skilled photographer so be sure to consider all options seriously for the perfect lasting memories. Photographers like Jules Bower, for example, are well versed in editorial shots that revolve around emotion, story telling, and excellent lighting. An editorial photographer knows how to pull out all of the stops which is just what you need for a wedding with unique entertainment.

Petting zoo:

If you’re having an outdoor wedding, a petting zoo could be a cute option for kids and adults alike. There are many mobile petting zoos that are available for hire which may include animals such as goats, donkeys, or sheep. Make sure to hire a reputable company so that you know the animals are well looked after.

A carousel:

You could also add some fairground magic to your wedding day by hiring out a carousel. Kids will love this and adults are likely to also give it a go. It could also make for some unique wedding photographs. You can read some tips on hiring a carousel ride for your wedding here https://www.candyflosscrazy.com/Tips-For-Hiring-Funfair-Rides.html.

Use the ideas above to create the ultimate experience for your wedding guests!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Mar3

Hot Topic Hair Accessory Haul

Posted on March 3, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Hi! It is no secret that I love hair accessories. From cute clips and scrunchies to barrettes and headbands, there is nothing better to add a healthy dose of adorable to your OOTDs. I, personally, am at a crossroads with my hair as I am torn between growing it out or just chopping it off, yet again. So, while I make this decision, I have been addicted to buying hair accessories to keep me in love with my hair even though I am not thrilled with it.

While shopping a sale at a Hot Topic near me that is closing, I couldn’t say no to some darling Disney inspired hair bling to spice up my do. And, hopefully, they will keep me feeling confident until I can *finally* make it to the hair salon on Friday. Check it out:

I have loved the idea of hair chopsticks for forever but never saw any in a store until my shopping trip over the weekend. There is something so elegant but insanely trendy about hair sticks and, although I’ll be sporting bedazzled feathers, my mind always goes to a boss babe in the office throwing her hair into a bun and sticking pencils into it. Too. Cute. I have been wearing my hair up more often now that it’s getting longer and I can definitely see myself popping these babies in next time I’m too lazy to do my hair… Which is often. -___-

I have ALSO always loved the idea of hair cuffs like the Maleficent inspired raven one seen above. Once upon a time, I used to have two cuffs in blue and brown with a lovely, earthy pattern on them. Of course, I have no idea where they are now but, I have been on the hunt for something similar since delving into the hair accessory worm hole. I am so obsessed with the one I found because it is the edgy update that I’ve been waiting for since the cuffs I had in grade school. And, what’s wrong with wanting to channel your inner Angelina Jolie as Maleficent? Case in point.

The amethyst hair fork was kind of an impulse purchase. I can honestly say that I have no clue how to style my hair with it but the directions say to tuck a ponytail into it or something and that could be cute?! I’m sure I’ll figure it out but, if not, that’s what YouTube tutorials are for, amiright? 😀

There is nothing like some fun new hair accessories to shake the countdown to your hair cut blues and I think these pretty goodies from Hot Topic definitely did the trick!

Where do you like to shop for hair accessories? Does anyone know how to use a hair fork?! I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar2

New Lisa & Lucy Zip Up Top

Posted on March 2, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Howdy! My last item from my haul at EmLeigh’s and Mama B’s during my Valentine’s Day weekend in Marietta is a fairly simple black top by Lisa & Lucy. Now, normally, simple isn’t really my thing. I love pieces that pop and make an immediate statement and my new top does do that but in a more elegant, high fashion way, which is what sold me. Take a look and let’s discuss:

I’m not really sure what word to use to describe this top other than a top but it definitely fits like a more structured poncho. Underneath the sleek black line of velvet down the middle is a zipper that allows you to wear it as an actual top or you could wear it open with a cute crop or long sleeved sweater on underneath.

I love the severity of this Lisa & Lucy number because I can totally imagine it on the headmistress of a posh school but I can also see it being worn on the runway. While trying my new top on in the store, I wore it open with a silky cami on underneath. Although I thought this piece looked stunning zipped up, I liked how you could see my figure with it unzipped because the thicker material somewhat camouflages that.

I am a huge fan of layering pieces that you can throw on to immediately spice up an outfit and that’s why my new top came home with me. This Lisa & Lucy pseudo poncho takes a basic skinny jeans and T-shirt OOTD and turns it into a look you could sport for evening drinks with your friends. It also adds an air of high fashion when paired over a dress or skirt, which I am really looking forward to rocking!

How would you style this shirt? How would you describe your personal style? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar1

New Umgee USA Poncho

Posted on March 1, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Hi! A very cool part of shopping at EmLeigh’s and Mama B’s in Marietta, Ohio was that it also had a few racks of consignment clothing along with their selection of brand new items. It was in the consignment rack that my eyes locked on a stunning denim blue and cream colored poncho by Umgee USA. Normally, something like that wouldn’t be my immediate choice to try on, but I was so enamored by the macrame style detailing that I just had to give it a shot. And, I’m glad I did because it obviously ended up coming home with me! Check it out:

Everything about my new poncho is so unique and that’s why I am itching to wear it once the spring weather hits. From the paisley pattern and fringe at the bottom to the macrame detailing on the collar and sleeves, this poncho screams all things 1970s. And, as an avid fan of That 70’s Show and all of the amazing fashion in it, I was beyond excited to welcome it into my wardrobe.

I cannot wait to pair this poncho with sweet denim shorts as soon as the warm weather strikes. I also think that it would look absolutely charming with an A-line mini skirt and some platform heels. No matter how I style my Umgee USA poncho, I know that it will make a statement… A bold statement that only costed me FIVE BUCKS! You just can’t beat that!

Do you have a favorite consignment shop in your area? Which decade of fashion most inspires you? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb29

New Hayden Los Angeles Maxi Dress

Posted on February 29, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Hello! These past two days you got to see the gorgeous jewelry that I got from EmLeigh’s and Mama B’s in Marietta, Ohio. Now, it’s time to introduce all of you to the lovely new pieces that I added to my wardrobe for surprisingly cheap (I think I paid forty dollars for three things). It was honestly one of the best shopping experiences I’ve had in a while. Exploring a new store in a new city with the love of my life was such a treat and I cannot wait to wear all of my purchases, like the one below:

I have recently been trying to add more dresses to my collection because all of the ones in my closet are old as dirt. There are some that I still have kept around from my PacSun days over five years ago and they definitely look it. So, I was very happy to find this pretty little floral number for a whole fifteen dollars, because my dress hunt has been quite unsuccessful until now.

I absolutely love the white piping on this dress, the buttons going all the way down the front, and the way the colorful flowers pop against the navy base. The one hundred percent polyester material keeps the dress lightweight and breathable despite its length and, depending on how it’s styled, it could easily be worn for at least three seasons.

Of course, I’ll be wearing my new dress in its true form of, well, a dress. But, in the fitting room at EmLeigh’s and Mama B’s, I undid the buttons and had it on as a duster over my jeans and cami, which also looked very cute. I can picture myself wearing this dress belted with a killer pair of heels but I also predict that I’ll be throwing it on as a duster to spice up a more basic outfit very often!

How do you style maxi dresses? Is there anything that you’re trying to add more of to your wardrobe? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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