Author Archives: lifewithlilred

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About lifewithlilred

Just your average gal blogging an average blog!

French Rooster Mini Haul

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French Rooster Mini Haul

Hello! One of my clients absolutely loves going to the Harville Flea Market, which is a treasured gem in the somewhat rural area of my neck of the woods. When it’s warm out, the gigantic parking lot is jam packed full of people peddling their goods from antiques and knick knacks to fresh produce and homemade bath and body care. Then, there is an indoor part of the flea market with actual stores set up, including French Rooster, which was added last year.

French Rooster is a cute Francesca’s style boutique with darling clothes, accessories, and trinkets. Despite it being a little too Jesus based for my liking, I ended up with two cami style tops that I am really happy with! Check it out:

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Out of all of my wonderful clothes in my wardrobe, I don’t own any cami tops. I find this unfortunate, because they are such a classic staple, but I just could never find any that weren’t plain boring. These camis by Mittoshop both caught my eye because they were sexy with the lace detailing but still oh so sweet thanks to the flowy fabric. I thought that both of these tops would be perfect for Valentine’s Day weekend with my beau and many date nights to come.

Of course, the lace is gorgeous and purchasing the black cami was a no brainer. But, I am particularly fond of the oyster hued top. I love the lace detail down the front and this cami is designed with an extra piece of fabric on the inside middle so that it isn’t too revealing. As a bustier gal, I was worried that these tops would look more raunchy on me than classic but, because they are not skin tight, I can get away with it while still feeling sexy and confident with my body.

I can picture myself tucking the black cami into my Valentine’s Day themed skirt with a sharp blazer over it for date night on Friday. However, I am more looking forward to pairing one of the tops with short shorts, combat boots, my tattoos out in full glory, and frilly socks come summer time for a girly punk OOTD that emulates my style perfectly!

How do you dress for your body type? Where do you cross the line between sexy and sleazy? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Why It’s Important To Live In The Moment

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Why It’s Important To Live In The Moment

Sometimes people spend all of their time thinking and working toward their future that they miss having a life. Life is short, and you never know how long you have left – not to be grim, but this is true. You also only get one chance at life, and before you know it, you could find yourself looking at assisted living facilities and wondering where all the time went.

Planning and goal setting is important, and you should never forget that. However, the present moment is the only moment you have control over right now, so it is the only one that matters. It doesn’t matter how much you plan; things don’t always turn out how you thought they would, things happen – some good and some bad and they can really put a spanner in those carefully thought out plans you’ve made. You can decide whether you enjoy this moment right now or you don’t, you can choose what you do with the now, how you act, and this and only this can shape what happens next.

Here are some more reasons why it’s important to live in the moment:

It Can Reduce Stress:

Thinking too much about the future, planning too much, and also dwelling on the past can cause you stress, which can be detrimental to your mental, physical, and emotional health.

You Won’t Be Disappointed:

Plans often don’t always work out the way you want or expect them to. When this happens, you can end up feeling upset and disappointed. Failing is a part of life and attempting to plan for everything is not only impossible but also not healthy for you. If you love planning, then that’s okay, but just don’t lose sight of the present moment and be prepared for things not to go the way you expected.

Living in the moment will make you happier:

While only you can know if this is true or not, all you need to do is to practice living in the moment and see how it makes you feel. Again, if you need to plan, then plan but just don’t lose sight of what is currently happening.

You’ll Worry Less:

When you’re not focused on what needs to get done and how it’ll get done, you’ll find you have a lot less to worry about. Trust that you can take care of anything you need to and don’t worry about the little things.

You’ll Have More Energy:

Once you let go of regrets and worries, your mind will be free to think about other things – or nothing at all. You’ll have more mental energy to focus on what’s important now.

You’ll Be More Focused:

Along with that newfound energy will come focus. The past and the future won’t be distracting you, and you’ll be able to focus on what’s right in front of you.

Practice the tips above and watch your mental and spiritual well being improve before your eyes!

Featured Image By: Pavel Jurča from Pixabay

February 2020 Funky Time Jams

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February 2020 Funky Time Jams

Howdy! We are flying through February and are already onto our second Funky Time Jams post of 2020. Crazy! January lasted forever and February has felt like a whirlwind of work, appointments, and all Super Bowl everything. I, myself, was a huge fan of the half time show and have been on a bigger Shakira kick than usual and have found myself revisiting all of JLo’s classics, too. Let’s get to it:

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

This month, blackbear’s “Hot Girl Bummer” has been my absolute number one Funky Time Jam. I heard it a few weeks ago on my way to work and it was stuck in my head all day but then I forgot about it. Then, as luck would have it, it showed up on my YouTube playlist and I must have listened to it at least one hundred times by now. It’s so different than the normal pop or rap hits that I’ve heard because of its electronic beat and I am one hundred and fifty percent there for it.

Now, as I mentioned before, I thought the Super Bowl half time show was an amazing success. Normally, not a day goes by where I don’t think about Shakira at least once (lol), so imagine that constant loop going on in my head all day every day post Super Bowl!

Of course, I was thrilled when she began performing Hips Don’t Lie because I’ve always loved that song. And it makes it even more fun to hear it now because when I’m ice dancing the Cha Cha I always skate to it. Hips Don’t Lie and the Cha Cha ice dance music happen to have the same beats per minute and nothing makes me feel more saucy than skating to Shakira. Everyone should try it some time. 😀

What did you think about the Super Bowl half time show? Which song have you been playing on repeat? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sweet Surprises: It Doesn’t Take Much Edition

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Sweet Surprises: It Doesn’t Take Much Edition

Hello everyone! With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, I thought I would take a minute to commemorate my darling boyfriend, Johnny, because he so deserves it! As we all know, Lil Red is a huge fan of sweet surprises and I like to show my gratitude for any type of gift that is treated to me with a blog post. So, here we are!

I, myself, am a huge fan of administering surprises even though I’m rotten at keeping my surprise a surprise! I feel like Johnny and I are always picking each other up a little something while we’re out and about whether it be a cool find at a thrift store or just grabbing dinner on the way home from work. Either way, it’s fun giving and receiving small treasures from the one you love best.

As the title of this post states, it really doesn’t take much to make me happy. In fact, just a six pack of tiny Diet Coke cans waiting for me in my fridge once I got home from a long day at work was enough to turn my day around. Let’s discuss:

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After my horrible oral surgery gone wrong last winter, I totally lost my taste for pop or coffee and became a fairly avid tea drinker. The harshness of the coffee’s caffeine and the pop’s carbonation was enough to put my stomach in knots, especially since I was used to only drinking the flat chocolatey chalk of Ensure for over a month and a half.

Once I was about four months out from my recovery and sunny days were a norm in Ohio again, the thought of an ice cold can of pop was enough to make my mouth water. And, as a bonus, I was able to drink it without an upset stomach. Back in the day, I was a Diet Coke fiend and could drink six cans a day, easily. Now, I might have one or two cans a week. But, when I do, it always hits the spot.

I haven’t been grocery shopping in a while and Johnny knows that I have been mooching on my mom and dad’s pop stash while I work from their home. So, he picked me up my own little cans when he went to the store after he got off from work. I came home and got a glass of wine from the fridge and he told me to look at the side compartment where my treat was cooling down for me.

I was so tickled because I always say that I could go for a pop when I never have it in the house and nine times out of ten he ends up hearing about it. He stifled my Diet Coke cravings for the time being because he thought of what I might need while he did his shopping. This was such a simple gesture but I felt so loved and taken care of and that’s what made it grand to me.

This Valentine’s Day, remember that it doesn’t matter what your gifts costed or if you can post a picture of the fancy meal you had on Instagram. What is really important is the thought that your partner put into it. I feel lucky that Johnny thinks of me when he’s going about his day to day life when we’re not together and I just know we are going to have the happiest Valentine’s Day together! ❤

What is a Sweet Surprise that you gave or received recently? How are you celebrating Valentine’s Day? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Kat Von D Studded Kiss Creme Lipstick Swatch In Vampira

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Kat Von D Studded Kiss Creme Lipstick Swatch In Vampira

Hello everyone! Today we’re going to check out the last swatch in my makeup hand me down haul from my sister. Recently, we swatched all kinds of good stuff from L’Oreal and Revlon to Kat Von D and we will be checking out the final shade in her sample pack called Vampira in this post. Similar to the other Kat Von D colors that we looked at, I would not wear the shade Vampira. But, it actually is my favorite one of the three so take a look and let’s discuss:

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Upon first inspection of the marketing and sample pod, I thought that Vampira was going to be a really dark purple. But, once swatched, I realized it was more of a mulberry with some deep red garnet thrown in for good measure. I absolutely loved the shade once I knew what it actually was and the color reminded me of the stain you get on your lips when you drink way too much red wine!

Despite appreciating the color, I would never wear Vampira. I have only tried lipstick in the purple family one time and ended up looking like a living dead girl and I am definitely not going through that again!

I consider myself an extremely edgy girl but I thought that, for the most part, each Kat Von D shade that I swatched was too bold for my liking. And I literally never say that. I felt like all of the colors were way over the top for my fairly simple makeup routine and I wouldn’t feel like myself if I was wearing one of the lippies.

I think the Kat Von D Studded Kiss collection is great for the makeup risk takers and I commend them for using such shocking shades. But, for gals like me with only a few signature lippie colors, I don’t think I would recommend the collection. The “wow” factor of each hue is just too much to feel comfortable in, no matter how fierce they are!

What is your favorite bold makeup to wear? What is the craziest color of lipstick you own? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Kat Von D Studded Kiss Creme Lipstick Swatch In Lolita

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Kat Von D Studded Kiss Creme Lipstick Swatch In Lolita

Hello! Today we are going to look at another one of Kat Von D’s Studded Kiss Creme Lipsticks in the shade “Lolita”. As I scrolled through the comments about this lippie on Sephora’s website, it seemed to be the most popular hue amungst the crowd. But, I don’t know, maybe it’s because I’m already not partial to the lipstick brand already after an unsuccessful swatch, but I didn’t think Lolita was that great. Lol, but I’ll let ya’ll be the judge of that! Take a look and let’s discuss:

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Now, I get why to some this bold take on a nude lip in a dazzling rosewood hue would be a “universally flattering” color. I SAY FALSE! Lolita applied EXTREMELY brown on my lips. I’m talking chocolate milk with the tiniest splash of strawberry mixed in for good measure brown. I thought I was going to get a sultry dusky pink and ended up looking like I stole every single cookie in the cookie jar.

The funny thing is, is that I think a dusky pink is an amazing universal color and I wish they would have stuck with that idea. Lolita was quite possibly the most misleading packaging and swatch I’ve had in my life. Normally, all I need do when I’m lipstick shopping is run a line on my hand to quickly judge the actual color. However, this swatch proved to be much different.

As I applied a lipstick heart to my hand, I was shocked at the results and just how dark it really did apply. So incredulous that I actually took the time to apply this lipstick with my makeup to see the full effect. I thought that maybe the chocolatey shades would soften against the natural pink of my lips but I thought wrong. And, even my boyfriend confirmed!

I was looking forward to trying Lolita out because many a blogger has posted about it before. But, unfortunately, it ended in one big fat “whomp whomp” lol, it was a hand me down free sample, though. So, no harm no foul!

What color do you think is universally flattering? What is a color that looks good or bad on you? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Facing Your Fears: A Memoir

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Facing Your Fears: A Memoir

Hi! For those of you who recall, around this time last year I was suffering through a recovery from an oral surgery gone severely wrong. For those of you who don’t recall, I had an oral surgery last year that went severely wrong, which you can read about on the provided link! I have always been wary about the dental arts and, after such a traumatic experience, the last thing I wanted was any more people poking around in my mouth with sharp objects.

Unfortunately, things didn’t pan out the way I hoped, which was never having to go to a dentist or oral surgeon again. Especially because the surgery I had last year left me with some lingering problems that needed corrected. And, especially because I turn twenty-six this year, these issues needed sorted out ASAP before I get off my mom and dad’s insurance.

So, with a heaping dose of anxiety, I made my way to the periodontist who my mom recommended as a patient herself. After an exam, the decisions were made that 1) the doctor was very nice and 2) I would need to undergo a deep cleaning of my gums to help with the recession that was happening as well as the recession that became worse post surgery.

This past week, I had the first deep cleaning on the right half of my mouth and I would be a liar if I said I wasn’t freaking out. Last year, one bad procedure on my mouth left me drinking Ensure and out of work for a month and a half. However, I knew that all of this work had to be done so I bucked up and sat myself in the chair after announcing how nervous I was, of course.

In fact, I started crying as soon as the first numbing injection took place. Yes, I was being a baby but I just couldn’t help myself. I was traumatized by a quack of an oral surgeon and being back in an office to get work done on my mouth made a whole flood of scared emotions come out. But, I gritted my teeth metaphorically speaking because my mouth was open and had the doctor continue.

By the time the numbing kicked in, I literally couldn’t feel a thing and the doctor spent at least an hour cleaning the first half of my mouth (I’ll get the second half done this week). At the end of the procedure, my periodontist thanked me for trusting him because he knew how much I had suffered and how hard it was for me to allow someone to do that type of work on me.

I was so moved by this because I was downright embarrassed. No one wants to hear that they take poor care of their mouth and also no one wants to burst into tears as soon as a needle gets pulled out. I didn’t feel one ounce of shame after the doctor thanked me because he understood where I was coming from and didn’t take it lightly that I was even there to begin with.

After the procedure, I was a bit sore and nauseous but, within a few days, everything was back to normal. My mouth already feels infinitely better and, shockingly, I’m looking forward to getting the other half taken care of this week. The doctor helped restore my faith in those working in the field of dentistry and it also motivated me to continue taking the best care of my teeth as all of the problems I have begin to resolve.

I faced my fear in a big way and the risk was definitely worth the reward. Despite not feeling well post procedure, I felt proud of myself and strangely confident. I confronted one of my biggest fears head on and I came out on top. This is a lesson that I am going to always come back to in my life because sometimes taking a leap of faith pays off in the best way!

What are you afraid of? How did you confront that fear? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Why A Balanced Diet Is The Best Method For Health And Happiness

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Why A Balanced Diet Is The Best Method For Health And Happiness

We live in an age where people are following so many different diets to try and get the perfect figure or feel happier. But the big problem with this is that they are all, to an extent, fad diets. We live in a world where there’s so much fantastic food that the old expression “everything in moderation” is a far better option for everyone. But why should we avoid going for fad diets? And what can we do to make sure that we follow the rules of a balanced diet? Read on to find out!

There’s So Much Great Food Out There:

From a tres leches cake to Neapolitan ice cream, Aberdeen Angus burgers, and everything in between, there’s so much great food out there it can feel like hell depriving ourselves of these treats. Sometimes you’ve got to take inspiration from European cultures like the French. They know there’s so much fantastic food out there that they allow a little indulgence. When people opt for such a strict diet they’re doing it to make themselves feel better, but they seldom do. But if you can just follow the rule of eating healthily 80% of the time and allowing the rest for the things you really fancy, you can still eat all of that delicious food without feeling guilty.

Sometimes a more balanced diet can be as simple as exploring new recipes with an emphasis on what you need to be including more of. For example, if your diet lacks protein you could try out these ground beef recipes or search for dishes with plenty of beans or lentils if you are a vegetarian. Need more veggies? There are so many fabulous ways to dress up a salad to your liking! Trying out new recipes is not only an exciting way to switch things up but will provide yourself with more of what your body needs.

A Diet Implies That It’s Temporary:

We’ve got to get rid of the word “diet” and think about it as a lifestyle change. When we go on a diet for a specific goal like losing weight, as soon as we end up hitting our goal it’s likely we will put it back on. You’ve got to think about the overall benefits of a lifestyle change. For example, eating the right foods can help your skin, make you feel healthier, and even sleep better. But when we go on a diet of such extremes we are pushing our psychological limits. We might even be calorie counting in our sleep! It’s far better to make a gradual swap to a new way of eating.

The Jury Is Still Out On Many Fad Diets:

Because there are many fad diets that purport to be the key to youth, a lot of these diets don’t have the evidence. The one true barometer when you change your eating patterns is to listen to how you feel. So many people go to such extremes to lose weight that they can feel the shock. A crash diet is something that people do before bikini season, but does going through all that psychological hardship make you feel happier? The one true test of eating well is a little bit of what you fancy combined with foods that you know make you feel good.

Everything in moderation is the key. And when you eat the things that your body wants it rewards you with extra energy and less need for sleep. If you can follow the 80/20 rule where you eat healthily 80% of the time and leave 20% for treats, you’re not depriving yourself mentally and will still reap the benefits.

Featured Image By: Pexels – CC0 Licence

5 Common Causes Of Hair Loss In Men

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5 Common Causes Of Hair Loss In Men

Male pattern baldness, the most common cause of hair loss in men, accounts for about 95 percent of hair loss. When men reach the age of 50, about 85 percent of men will experience hair thinning. Approximately 25 percent of men who will have male pattern baldness will begin to lose their hair by 21 years old. In the Philippines, hair loss shampoo is a recommended treatment, but it’s important to determine the causes to address them appropriately:

Male Pattern Baldness:

Male pattern baldness is the most common cause of hair loss in men. Usually, it starts in their late 30s and worsens as time passes by. But in some cases, hair loss occurs earlier, even in their 20s. Most men dread losing their hair so will start looking into hair loss treatments as soon as they notice a significant difference. Thankfully, there are many treatments available today. The most common one is buying hair loss shampoo products that contain essential vitamins and compounds to promote hair growth. If these products have not been helpful for you, then you might be a good candidate for a hair transplant. You can schedule a Free Consultation for Hair Transplant right this moment!

The hair needs ample circulation for nutrients and vitamins to reach the hair strands. Using hair loss shampoo enhances the supply to the hair strands, making them strong and preventing hair fall. If the treatments you are currently trying aren’t working, there are multiple other routes that you can take for a full head of hair and a confidence boost. Contact your general practitioner or, perhaps, research neograft cost for its benefits to come up with a solution that is right for you.

Old Age:

Growing old may mean losing more hair than usual. Age is an important driver of hair loss, but mostly, it’s just a natural phase. Usually, people lose about 100 strands of hair per day. When people age, including women, they lose more. Hair thinning is a sign of aging, and it happens in many parts of the body. In women, it’s usually caused by a decline in the hormone estrogen. Services at facilities like Cosmed HairSkin Solutions (or a similar practice in your local area) can really help with slowing down this process through rejuvenating treatments. These treatments can strengthen hair follicles and promote natural regrowth. This can be a huge boost in your self confidence and is worth researching if you are looking for a new lease on life for your locks.

Family History:

If your parents suffer from hair loss, you might have it in the future. Hair loss can be hereditary. Though it’s inevitable since it’s genetic, slowing it down through everyday hair thickening products can help. Shampoos, oils, and hair supplements can help boost the hair’s strength, slowing down hair loss. You can also turn to professional services like Eldorado Hair Replacement (or a similar company in your local area) to create a treatment regime that is right for you.

Stress:

One of the most common causes of hair loss in men is stress. Feeling distressed can affect the body in many ways. In some people who experience anxiety, they have bald patches on the scalp. The good thing is, it’s not permanent, and if the stress is controlled, the hair will grow back. Managing stress can be done through eating a healthy and balanced diet, getting enough sleep, engaging in regular exercise, and doing meditation.

Medical Condition:

Many health conditions may cause hair loss, including thyroid problems. Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism both cause alopecia and hair thinning. Controlling the thyroid hormones and maintaining healthy levels can improve overall health and prevent further hair loss. If the condition is treated, the hair will grow back.

Hair loss affects men more but can impact women, too. It’s essential to take care of the scalp and hair if you have any of these conditions. Using recommended and approved hair loss products can help reduce hair loss and promote a healthy scalp.

Kat Von D Studded Kiss Creme Lipstick Swatch In Outlaw

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Kat Von D Studded Kiss Creme Lipstick Swatch In Outlaw

Hello! Today, we are going to take a look at Kat Von D’s Studded Kiss Creme Lipstick in Outlaw. In my makeup hand me down haul from my sister, I received a sample pack of three Kat Von D lipsticks. I have never been too interested in trying her makeup out before and after giving her lipstick a try, I am definitely not interested in trying her makeup out further, lol. Take a look at some pics and let’s discuss:

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When looking at the sample pack marketing and the lipstick pod, Outlaw looks like a really true and classic red. However, it was a different story once it was on my skin. Maybe I see colors differently, but this shade looks so pinky to me. In fact, the first thing that came to my mind was that it looked like strawberry jam. This is fine, but I just don’t like when the marketing of the color and the actual outcome looks completely different.

Another qualm I had with this lipstick is its holding power. Don’t get me wrong, I know that a creme lipstick is a very different texture from your traditional glossy or matte lippie. BUT, I should not be able to remove a HUGE portion of the lipstick just with the pad of my finger, creme or not. I was also able to clean the entire swatch off with just one swipe of my hand towel with hardly any residue left over. In other words, good luck wearing this lipstick to lunch!

I was really disappointed with the quality of this lipstick because I have heard good things about the Kat Von D brand. I scoff at the twenty dollar price tag and am just fine with my drugstore brands, thank you very much.

How do you feel about Kat Von D’s makeup? How do you feel about Kat Von D in general? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah