Author Archives: lifewithlilred

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About lifewithlilred

Just your average gal blogging an average blog!
Dec5

Super Fun Cold Weather Activities

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Super Fun Cold Weather Activities

Hi everyone! Despite the chilly temperatures outside, I always enjoy outdoor winter activities… and then warming up inside with hot chocolate! Depending on your area, there could be a ton of exciting options for you and, lucky for me, there are a lot to pick from in my neck of the woods. Some of my favorites include:

Winter Lights At The Zoo:

On Thanksgiving weekend, my parents, boyfriend, sister, niece, and I went to the Akron Zoo during the after hours to check out their amazing holiday lights display. The whole property was lit up with gorgeous color. Some of the lights blinked, others flashed, and the bigger ones were timed to light up to the beat of Christmas carols.

Of course, it’s always fun to see the animals at the zoo but the light displays were just spectacular. I loved all of the lights shaped like different animals, especially the elephant whose trunk moved! Definitely check out if any of the zoos in your area do any special winter displays because it’s a wonderful option for all ages.

Outdoor Skating Rinks:

During the winter, I try to hit up an outdoor rink at least once. As a skater girl, it is such a good time to hit the great outdoors and show off a bit for the general public! šŸ˜€ I love the rink at Lock 3 that we have in downtown Akron, which now includes bumper tubes and ice bikes, if skating isn’t your thing.

A lot of the outdoor rinks will feature other fun activities like sledding, Christmas crafts, and holiday markets. And, did I mention the always delicious hot chocolate stands? Skating at an outdoor rink makes for a great date or hang out with your friends but try and go during a less popular time (morning or early afternoon), if you aren’t the most confident skater.

Toboggan/Sled Rides:

There is a toboggan chute in my area that I have been dying to try out and I would love to give it a go this year. It can reach speeds of up to 50 MPH, which is awesome if you are a thrill seeker, like myself. If this sounds a bit too intense for you, sled riding is another fun option and is a good one to take your children or nieces and nephews to. I am definitely hoping we can take my little niece, Valerie, down a baby hill or two this year!

Hikes Are Nice:

I always enjoy taking at least one hike during the winter time at one of the many amazing Metro Parks in my area. I think that it is so much fun to bundle up, pull on my boots, and trudge around in the snow. Not only is it an excellent work out, but I especially love to see all of the gorgeous snow coating the trees and feeling myself warm up just a little bit more with every step.

Playing In The Snow:

Playing in the snow is not just for children anymore, especially because boozy hot chocolate is definitely a thing! Gather up your friends during a fresh snowfall and relive your childhood with snowmen, snowball fights, and snow angels. Finish out your snow session with a bonfire to warm you up!

When there’s so many fun options for outdoor winter activities, you can create a memorable and inexpensive afternoon with your favorite people. Keep the spirit of the day going with Christmas movies and warm drinks after!

What is your favorite winter activity? What is your favorite way to warm up after a cold day? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec4

Life Update

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Life Update

Howdy! It’s been a while since I’ve gave you an update on all of the new and exciting things in Lil Red’s world so I thought that I would take the time to fill you in. Let’s see, the first big news I can share with you is that I have a new nephew! My brother and his wife had their little boy, Patrick, at the beginning of November and we are all so in love with his darling tiny face and wispy blonde hair. Mom, dad, and baby are happy and healthy and I cannot wait to see them when I go to Georgia hopefully in January.

What else? Well, things with my boyfriend, Johnny, are going swimmingly and we loved spending Thanksgiving together with both of our families. We are both looking forward to the rest of the holiday season and I only have a few more weeks of pestering him to let me tell him what I got as his Christmas gift. I can do this, I can do this, I can do this.

Work is also going just swell and it was so nice to have three work days and the weekend off for the Thanksgiving holiday. I have been working my little tail off since the car accident so it was a much needed break and I feel so refreshed. But, is it bad that I’m already jonesing for my days off for Christmas? šŸ˜€

My niece, Valerie, and her mom and dad are also doing amazing. She is seriously the light of my life and it’s so fun watching her crawl around and hear her say “dada”. She loves to laugh and play with her toys and her two doggie big brothers and cat big sister. I can’t wait for her first Christmas and Christmas in general… did I mention Christmas?!

Despite the medical issues that I filled you in on yesterday, everything else in Lil Red’s world is, thankfully, awesome. I so appreciate all of your well wishes and I hope that all of you have the happiest holiday season!

What are some of your life updates? How do you celebrate for the holidays? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec3

Accident Update

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Accident Update

Hellooo everyone! If you recall, in late September, my boyfriend and I were hit head on by a reckless driver and I was hospitalized. I was pretty banged up and went home with a catheter and a lot of pain. Since then, my shoulder area has never stopped hurting. There’s times when I wake up in the morning and I can’t even apply my makeup because I can’t lift my arm.

I assumed that this pain would go away on its own but, then, things began taking a scary turn when I was at work in mid October. My right arm went completely numb and my hand essentially stopped working. I couldn’t grip anything and was dropping stuff left and right. I immediately scheduled an appointment with an orthopedist and was given a cortisone shot with the hopes that that would help.

Unfortunately, a week later, the symptoms moved into my left arm as well as the right and my arms began feeling fuzzy and so heavy that lifting them was impossible. It just didn’t feel like my arms. I called the orthopedist back with the update and an MRI was scheduled and in the time of waiting for that to happen, the pain moved into my neck and collarbones.

The MRI results showed a lot of swelling in my right shoulder as well as an injury to the cervical spine and my doctor ordered physical therapy. I have to begin trying to strengthen these areas of my body for three weeks and if that doesn’t work, then I’m not really sure what happens next.

This whole situation has been extremely frustrating and inconvenient, to say the least, and I am just completely over it. Especially considering that it has been over two months now since the accident and I’m still experiencing symptoms that are quite scary. But, here’s to hoping that the physical therapy will help!

I have had so many people reaching out to check up on me and I appreciate it so much. Thank you all for the well wishes and I will update everyone once the physical therapy finishes up and I find out what happens next.

What have been your experiences with physical therapy? How do you stay positive during a difficult situation? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec2

Making The Most Of The Space In Your Home

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Making The Most Of The Space In Your Home

One thing that most people tend to think when they look at their homes is that they wish they could have more space. Unless you happen to live in some kind of palatial mansion, pretty much all of us have thought about what we’d do if we could just make a little extra space here and there in our homes. Of course, for many of us, that’s simply not possible.Ā  However, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t things that you can do to make the most of the space that you already have in your home. Check out these ideas:

Keep things tidy:

One of the most common reasons that a lot of people feel as though they don’t have enough space in their home is that they simply have too much junk cluttering up the place. By keeping things tidy and getting rid of stuff that you really don’t need, even a small room can feel far more open and comfortable. If you’re constantly tripping over stuff and every surface is covered in clutter, it won’t matter how big a room is, it’s always going to feel cramped and tiny.

Use light carefully:

Light is one of the most powerful, and most underrated, tools in your arsenal when it comes to not only making your home feel bigger but also making it feel like a brighter, more vibrant place. The best place to start is with natural light. Try to see if there are any places in your home where natural light is being blocked and work to fix that problem. It’s a small thing but it can make all of the difference in the world to how a room feels.

Find storage solutions:

If you’re not in a position to get rid of a lot of the stuff in your home, then the best thing to do is to make sure that you have the right storage solutions. Being able to store things in a more convenient way can make a huge difference and free up a whole lot of space. Closet & Cabinet Experts can help you turn these areas in your home into a space that houses all of those odds and ends in an organized fashion. This can help fully rid your home of clutter and not being able to find the things you need most will be a problem of the past.

Your storage solutions can also be a great way to furnishing your home. A custom closet allows you to not only create the perfect storage solution but also create one that really improves your home’s style. Check out this post: How Much Does a Custom Closet System Cost? That way you can get an idea of if it’s something that’s right for you.

There are always things that you can do to bring your home more closely in line with what you want it to be. You’ve just got to be willing to put the work in. Sure, this can be a little difficult and stressful at times, though there are always things you can do to make it at least a little easier. However, the benefits that come from making your home a more enjoyable place to be in far outweigh the time and effort it takes to make that happen.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Dec2

Trail Blazers: Jones New York Blazer Dress

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Trail Blazers: Jones New York Blazer Dress

Hello everyone! It’s no secret that Lil Red loves the Goodwill – a spark which has burned brightly since doing a majority of my apartment shopping there when I moved in. Similar to TJMaxx, shopping secondhand feels like a treasure hunt. You literally never know what you’re going to find. Sometimes the shopping trip is fruitless and other times you walk out with a bagful of things you didn’t know you needed until you laid eyes on it.

For example, the last time I was at Goodwill, this amazing Jones New York dusty pink blazer dress was just hanging out on one of the end caps and it was instant love. With vintage vibes and a color I rarely wear, this purchase felt exciting and I am so looking forward to sporting it this holiday season. Take a look:

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The very cool thing about this little number, aside from the fact that it looks fresh out of the 1950s, is the options that it comes with. Yes, it could be worn as a dress, which I plan on doing for at least one holiday get together. But, it also can be thrown on as a trench style coat, which will look particularly becoming in the spring. Buying pieces that can be worn a multitude of ways helps the garment continue to feel exciting with every use and it always makes me feel like I’m getting a lot of bang for my buck.

I spent a whopping five dollars on this dress and I’m sure that the original price tag was at least twenty times that. And, that’s the beauty of secondhand shopping. For five dollars I got to treat myself with an old piece of clothing that feels brand new to me and there is really nothing better than that!

What has been one of your favorite secondhand finds? How do you shop secondhand? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec1

Holiday Gifts That Always Go Over Well

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Holiday Gifts That Always Go Over Well

Hi everyone! The countdown to Christmas has officially begun, which means it is definitely time to start finishing up your holiday shopping. I, for one, have been done since mid November. Just the mere thought of last minute shopping gives me anxiety! I also love Christmas shopping (And any kind of shopping!) so I was eager to get going.

As much fun as gift giving is, however, it can still be stressful. Maybe you have someone really hard to shop for in the family. Or you have a giftee on your list who has it all already. Regardless of the case, there are certain gifts that always go over well, including some of the following:

Candles/Bath & Body Care:

I used to think that candles and bath and body care was a total cop out gift. Then, I realized that I love being gifted with those goodies so that means other people do, too… At least, I think so! Treat your giftee to some pampering. How about a gift card to their favorite nail or hair salon? Or maybe all of the fixings for a perfect bubble bath with supplies from Lush.

The candle and bath and body care route it always a good one to go with because they are something that your giftee might not necessarily buy for themselves. So, I feel incredibly spoiled whenever those gifts are under my tree.

Concert Tickets/An Experience:

You can literally never go wrong with an experience related gift. My sister and I often gift each other with concert tickets and I love that because you get to share in a memory with them. Is your giftee’s favorite band coming to town? Boom. You’re done. Did a new ride open up at their favorite amusement park? Nailed it. What about a sporting event with your brother or dad? Easy as pie.

Experience gifts are an exciting option to go with and this is one of my favorite types of presents to receive. So, in case you were wondering, I wear a size Marilyn Manson concert tickets, please!

Date Night Supplies:

If you are shopping for a couple, you could provide them with all of the necessities for a night on the town. I usually opt for a gift card to a restaurant and then a movie theater for your classic dinner and a movie date night. And, if you really want to go the full nine yards, you could gift a bottle of wine or champagne for their nightcap.

A fully funded night out will always be much appreciated by any couple and I really like this idea for the favorite love birds in my life.

Food, Glorious Food:

You can never go wrong with a food related gift because everyone eats! I love the idea of the adorable mason jars filled with the ingredients to make a pot of soup or a tray of holiday cookies. Delicious and simple, these gifts are thoughtful and won’t break your bank if you’re ballin on a budget.

If you want to get a bit fancier, you could supply a basket filled with the necessities for a full on dinner. Maybe a homemade pizza night with a lovely bottle of vino? Or an Indian food extravaganza filled with all of the necessary spices for the meal. Regardless of what you choose, everyone (Me, especially!) loves food. šŸ˜€

Holiday shopping doesn’t have to be so stressful with the pro tips above. Customize them to suit your giftee and you’re all set. Happy shopping!

What is something that you love to gift for people? What is your status on completing your holiday shopping? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov30

November 2019 Finishes

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November 2019 Finishes

Hello everyone and welcome to the last day of November here on lifewithlilred! This month felt like it went by SO quickly with all of the holiday shopping, Thanksgiving, and working my little tail off to make up for the days I took to myself for the holiday. Despite November passing by in the blink of an eye, I managed to use up a lot of products that I am here to discuss today with all of you. Check it out:

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Would I Use Again?

  • Jergens Ultra Healing lotion: YES
  • Solimo Shea Butter & Oatmeal body wash: YES
  • Bath & Body Works Blueberry Crumble hand soap: YES
  • Rusk thermal heat serum: YES
  • SkinLab Moisturizing Gel Cream: YES
  • Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment: NO

Why/Why Not?

Jergens Lotion: I have been buying Jergens as my lotion of choice since moving into my apartment. It’s fairly inexpensive for a big bottle, it smells great, and it leaves my skin feeling so well loved. I do a weekly all over use after my Wednesday night bubble bath and my skin definitely thanks me for it – especially during the cold winter months. It takes me close to two months to finish a bottle and I always have to restock whenever I do my grocery shopping!

Solimo Body Wash: I don’t love this body wash and I also don’t hate it. It smells fine, it’s moisturizing, and it lathers well but it’s kind of boring. During my morning shower, I like something really invigorating and this just doesn’t do it for me. My mom purchased a ton of these body washes off of Amazon and gave me a few so I’m not mad about that but it also isn’t my go to choice. It took me over one month to finish one bottle.

B&BW Hand Soap: I love, love, love my Bath & Body Works foaming hand soaps! The Blueberry Crumble scent smells exactly like, well… blueberry crumble and it is amazing. The B&BW foaming soaps are so nice because they make my hands feel seriously clean without drying them out. It takes me over three months to finish one bottle because a little goes such a long way and I always look forward to using one up so I can start a fresh one with another delicious scent.

Rusk Serum: The Rusk thermal heat serum is a must in my hair care arsenal and I use it whenever I straighten my hair. It is definitely a salon worthy product and my hair never feels dry or damaged despite my 450 degree straightener. Combined with my favorite IGK Mistress leave in conditioner, my hair has never looked shinier or healthier and I highly recommend both products. It took me over four months to finish one serum bottle.

SkinLab Cream: I always enjoy a good gel moisturizer and this one by SkinLab is my favorite. It feels so light but it is so crazy hydrating, which is awesome, because sometimes the really light gels don’t leave your skin feeling completely moisturized. This product absorbs quickly, sits amazingly under makeup, and keeps my skin dewy and glowing. It takes me one month to finish one jar.

Sunday Riley Treatment: I received this sample as a freebie from Sephora and was only able to use it four times. Granted, that isn’t a lot of time to see if you like a product or not but I was unimpressed. However, the reviews for it on Sephora’s website are for the most part very positive so, maybe if I had a little more, I would have liked it better. So, do with that information what you will!

Overall, November was a very successful month for empties. I love when I can finish up products that I’ve been using for a while and am ready to start fresh in December with some new skin care and bath and body goodies!

Which products did you use up this month? What are your thoughts on any of the products above? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov29

Ringing In The New Year: Lil Red’s Pro Tips

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Ringing In The New Year: Lil Red’s Pro Tips

Hello everyone! It is almost 2020 on good old planet earth and that means it’s time to start thinking New Year’s Resolutions and how to improve the way you go about your life with another year’s worth of knowledge behind you. I, for one, never participate in New Year’s Resolutions but that doesn’t mean that I don’t have some good tips and tricks to help you ring the new year in right. Let’s get to it:

Get A Calendar:

The first thing I always do when a new year is upon us is get a new desk sized calendar. With my crazy schedule, organization is key and it’s always nice to see my days planned out before my eyes. I’m sure all of you can relate to a busy lifestyle and the stresses that come with it and, sometimes, all you need is a visual of what you have going on to help you get through your day in a timely and effective manner.

Have A Think:

What goals do you want to accomplish in 2020? What bad habits would you like to break? How are you going to better yourself? Working out? Therapy? Budgeting more wisely? The possibilities for your New Year’s Resolution are endless, which is why it’s important to think long and hard about what you would like to achieve.

It is also crucial to think of goals that are possible to reach. Is it really plausible that you can lose fifty pounds in one month by going to the gym once a week? No, it’s not. If you create unobtainable goals, you’re just going to end up feeling down and out about it and giving up. Create small goals and challenge yourself more and more each time you achieve them for maximum results.

Leave Negativity In 2019:

Feeling bad about yourself or being surrounded by toxic people is so 2019. So, maybe your New Year’s Resolution can focus on bringing more positivity into your life. It is okay to let go of certain people who cause you undue pain and stress. Your well-being should be your top priority so don’t be afraid to let it be. Focus on you and watch yourself flourish in the new year.

Self Care Is Cool:

Sometimes it’s impossible to cut back on the hustle and bustle that goes on in our daily lives. Believe you me, I get it. But, it’s also important to set aside at least a little time for you during the week. For example, I always look forward to my Wednesday night bubble bath. It’s a small Hump Day treat that makes me feel happy and pampered. Think of a way that you can treat yoself throughout the work week and I can guarantee an improved state of mind.

And, Remember:

Not having a New Year’s Resolution is fine, too! Maybe your 2019 was a banger so if it’s not broken, don’t fix it. If you feel comfortable and content with where you’re at in your life, why rock the boat? New Year’s Resolutions are not meant to stress you out but to help you make positive changes. If you find yourself freaking out about it, then maybe the hype of “new year, new me” just isn’t for you – and that’s okay!

2020 is coming in hot so follow the tips above and let it be your best year yet!

How do you feel about New Year’s Resolutions? What are your goals for 2020? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov28

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Hello everyone and a very Happy Thanksgiving to all of you! Thanksgiving is my absolute favorite holiday. Actually… any holiday that revolves around eating is my favorite holiday. But, seriously. There is nothing better than spending the morning helping my mom cook Thanksgiving dinner, chilling in the afternoon, and then sitting down to a beautiful meal with my loved ones.

The food is the bomb, the cozy atmosphere of my home is perfect, and the time spent with my family is second to none. And, I sincerely hope that the same goes for all of you. I always try to remember what I’m thankful for on the daily and all of my sweet readers in one hundred and eighty-eight different countries are on my list every time – especially today!

Thank you to everyone who has supported lifewithlilred throughout the years and, no matter how you spend today, I hope that it is an amazing one. Much love. -Sarah

Nov27

Gifting Doā€™s & Donā€™ts, Backed By Research

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Gifting Doā€™s & Donā€™ts, Backed By Research

Did you know that gift-giving can strengthen relationships? I know it sounds like a silly question and most of us probably have that in mind already when we buy gifts. But there wasĀ a studyĀ that measured which kinds of gifts are better at strengthening relationships between the giver and recipient.

The findings are so cool and timely so Iā€™m going to share some do’s and donā€™ts of gift-giving based on the surprising insights I got from that paper. The paper was published by the Journal of Consumer Research and here are the do’s:

Gift something experiential:

The paper has one major discovery and itā€™s clearly stated as its title: Experiential Gifts Foster Stronger Social Relationships Than Material Gifts. By ā€œstronger social relationships,ā€ the paper was referring to a combination of things like feelings of closeness and satisfaction with the relationship.

Experiential gifts, as you may have guessed, can come in the form of a concert ticket, a trip to the beach, a spa treat, or passes to Disneyland. Or if youā€™re like someone I know, it can be a stress-free home makeover. Hey friend, you know who you are!

Anyhow, according to the study, because the emotions evoked by an experiential gift is stronger than emotions evoked when a material thing is received, it tends to bring people closer to their relationship goals. Are you starting to wonder now what experiential gift you can give to the special people in your life?

Give an explicit request:

Yes, it may take the surprise out of gifting, which is kind of sad. But based on a related study, gift recipients do like to get what they had wished or asked for. For example, cash gifts (or GCā€™s) are always cool! I know thereā€™s nothing romantic about cash gifts unless itā€™s a million dollars but I guess, in some instances, this can be great for kids or for adults who receive them from their parents. You may not want to give something like this to someone youā€™re romantically involved with, though!

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And now for the donā€™ts…

DON’T rely on expensive gifts:

Beware of being lured into buying expensive gifts that the recipient may not appreciate at all. Research tells us that people can appreciate both costly and budget-friendly gifts. The monetary value they assign to a gift is usually lower than how much it costs. Ouch.

That said, unless youā€™re sure that a particularly expensive item will make your loved one jump for joy, donā€™t be afraid to look for a more affordable alternative.

DON’T make it a surprise:

As I mentioned before, people love receiving what they asked for. So, unless your friend asked you for a surprise, donā€™t be afraid to give them something thatā€™s on their wish list.

DON’T overthink it:

Hereā€™s the one that hit me the most: The study revealed that sometimes, thoughtfulness can lead to a gift that the recipient likes less. I think this is especially true when in our attempt to make a gift special, we end up with something we like rather than what the person likes.

This is not to say that being thoughtful is overrated. If thoughtful results in something meaningful like having an old, sentimental photo restored and framed, then itā€™s okay. Otherwise, itā€™s better to get a little sneaky in finding what a person likes.

Thereā€™s another article that says,Ā the worldā€™s best gifts are time, experiences, meaningful and sentimental gifts, and gifts that the person likes. That sure makes a lot of sense! Use the tips above and make your holiday gifting a success.