Author Archives: lifewithlilred

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About lifewithlilred

Just your average gal blogging an average blog!
Sep23

5 Things That’ll Disrupt Your Property’s Homely Factor

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5 Things That’ll Disrupt Your Property’s Homely Factor

Our homes are so much more than simply places to lay our heads at night and store our stuff. They’re where we create memories, feel safe, and feel the love. Or, at least, that’s the idea – the aim is to have a property that feels homey. It should feel like ours, the place where we long to be. And it should feel that way from the moment we pull up to the driveway. Alas, this won’t happen all on its own. We have to work for it, because there are some things that’ll disrupt the homely vibe you’re trying to create. Below, we take a look at five things that’ll do just that:

No Curb Appeal:

You don’t want to pull up to your home after a long day at work and think, “oh, this is my house…” You want to think, “this is my house!” The difference could be in the property’s curb appeal. They say you should start as you mean to go on, and if your front yard is well kept and all-around lovely, then you’ll get those warm feelings as soon as you arrive. Beautiful landscaping is one of the best ways to boost your home’s curb appeal. However, it can be a lot of work or downright difficult if you lack a green thumb. You might want to hire a professional to enhance and maintain your landscape design so your outdoor property looks its best.

Unwelcome Guests:

You’d feel a little uncomfortable if a stranger was living in your home, wouldn’t you? Yet actually, many of us have unwelcome guests in our homes, and they seriously compromise the homely nature of our properties. It’s imperative that every living being at your property is invited to live there. Bugs? Wasps? Bees? You surely didn’t invite them, so get rid of them. And it’s not just the feeling of insects in your home that’s the issue – they can also cause damage: you can learn more at animalcontrolspecialists.com. While prevention is the best way to keep them out of your home, there are effective ways to get rid of them once they’ve made themselves comfortable.

Poor Lighting:

You could work on making your home’s interior beautiful and well decorated and all the rest of it, but if the lighting isn’t right, then it won’t be as homely as it could be. Homeliness is all about feeling comfortable and relaxed, and you’ll find that difficult if there are forever bright lights shining into your eyes. So switch them out for atmospheric side lighting – it’ll help you and your family feel much more relaxed.

Unkempt Corners:

It’s awesome to own a property, but let’s be realistic too – it can be hard work. But it has to be done. You’ll feel ill at ease in your property if there are damaged corners and the dirt is piling up. Make a habit of staying on top of your DIY tasks, and stick to a weekly cleaning schedule.

Lack of Comfort:

Finally, how are your comfort levels? It’s sometimes worth upgrading your couch, bedding, and towels just for the noticeable improvement in comfort that they bring. You’ll feel the difference, especially in the winter, when your home is a pleasant and warm retreat from the chill of the outdoors. Add some hot chocolate, and you’ll be good to go!

Fix up the five points above and turn your house into the homeliest home on the block!

Featured Image By: Pixabay – CC0 Licence

Sep23

Accessory Story: Cheetah Girl Headband Edition

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Accessory Story: Cheetah Girl Headband Edition

Howdy! In the past, I was never a huge animal print fan and I still wouldn’t say that it’s my favorite. However, I do love me a good snakeskin or cheetah print every now and again so I was so happy when my mom surprised me with another darling headband in cheetah print. I am especially pleased with this because my boyfriend has a fondness for the jungle style pattern and I know that he is going to love it! Check it out:

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I used to think that cheetah print was too gaudy for me and I will always prefer the more rocker snakeskin. However, when done in small doses with accessories, I can sport a cheetah print with the best of them. This cloth headband with a top twist is just right to add a little sass to an OOTD or spice up a more laid back look. The warmer toned palette also goes nicely with my hair and my usual makeup and I am excited to pair it with chunky knit sweaters, boots, and a good pair of skinnies come fall.

My mom is such a sweetheart and is always on the lookout for surprises for all of her children. There is nothing quite like getting a text or a call from that woman saying that she has something for you, because she knocks it out of the park 99% of the time. And, even if she doesn’t, the fact that she thinks about me and my style when she’s doing her own errands is enough for me. She is one of a kind and an absolute national treasure and I love JANE so much!

How do you rock an animal print? Who is the easiest or most difficult person in your family to shop for? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep22

Scary Good Vases

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Scary Good Vases

Helloooo everyone! I have tons of knick knacks in my apartment that I love to have on display. From my crystal collection and gifts from friends to items I treasure from my beloved grandparents and, of course, Wilson the volleyball from Cast Away – it makes me happy to see it all every day in my apartment. I have a little bit of everything but, shockingly, no vases which I needed to add to the arsenal to hold the gorgeous rose that my boyfriend got for me.

Luckily, Walmart had their Halloween collection already in store the last time I was there with a client and I was able to snag these beauties. Check it out:

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As a lover of all things creepy, these new vases were right up my alley and for five bucks a pop, I couldn’t pass them up. The shocking black butterfly, skull, and spider against the creamy white bottles are the ultimate spooky chic decor. And, pair it with a blood red rose? Perfection.

These vases were a great find and, although I won’t say I needed them, I did need something to put my flowers in. So, technically yes, I did need them. Having these vases that encase such a sweet gesture makes me smile whenever I look at them. It’s the little things that make me the happiest in a relationship and this definitely scored some extra brownie points for my MAN. And, double brownie points for him unknowingly giving his shopaholic girlfriend a reason to buy more stuff, lolol. 😀

How do you celebrate Halloween? What are your favorite knick knacks in your home? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep21

Lil Red’s Art Gallery: This Is Halloween Edition

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Lil Red’s Art Gallery: This Is Halloween Edition

Howdy! So, while shopping at Walmart with a client, I went a bit too hard in the Halloween department and picked out some new wall art and knick knacks for the apartment. What can I say, I just couldn’t help myself! It may be mid September but, in my humble opinion, spooky season is officially among us and I couldn’t be more excited if I tried! And, although I still have none of the paintings that I got compliments of Goodwill in my apartment, I couldn’t say no to these beauties. Check it out:

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It shouldn’t come as a surprise that as soon as I saw the skeleton pop out picture, it went right into my cart. And, it was a wonderful surprise to me to find the ghoulishly gorgeous butterflies behind the skeleton one. So, into the cart it went. These pictures combine creepy with pretty (My own personal aesthetic!) and I am deeply looking forward to eventually getting them hung up in my apartment.

Normally, I am not one to fill my living space with all Halloween everything and I liked that these pictures were a little dark and disturbing without a giant Frankenstein being plastered on it. However, I guess if it was done in the style of the pictures above, it could be kind of cool! 😉

What is your favorite holiday to decorate for? Which stores have the best Halloween decor? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep20

How A Long Haul Move Should Really Be Done

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How A Long Haul Move Should Really Be Done

After all of the searching and viewing, you have finally found your new home and settled on a price. You’ve signed the contract, you’ve sent the money, and you’re just days away from being handed the keys. The only slight concern is that your new home is many miles away. It’s going to take a few hours to get there and that means one hell of a busy day ahead of you.

Long haul moves are not that common so most people tend to treat them the same as a normal moving trip. However, this is definitely not the case. So, packing certain things has to be done in a specific way so they survive the trip. You, too, have to get enough rest so that you’re ready for whatever task you’re suddenly met with. Here’s how a long haul move should be done:

Be careful of scratches:

The longer your furniture and other decor pieces are trapped in a truck, the higher the chances that one of them will be scratched. When furniture rubs together you’re bound to damage it because the weights we’re talking about are quite large. So, when you’re finally ready to pack up the largest pieces such as cabinets, cupboards, wardrobes, tables, chairs, and the couch, you need to use shrink wrap. This will protect the wood from being scratched but it’s safe to use and easy to take off. You’ll save a lot of time working in twos wrapping each item and all you need is one person with box cutters to take the wrapping off when you’re in the new place.

Use expert help:

If you’re moving a lot of things, it’s best to use the services of professional long distance movers. These long distance movers are international movers and have expertise in moving fine art, pianos, and other delicate expensive things like crystal vases. They also do all of the heavy lifting, so if you would rather not have a hand in anything, they’ll prepare your things and lift them into the trucks, then lift them out when you arrive at your home.

They also have storage for valuable vehicles, which is a big concern for long haul movers. You’re obviously going to want to take your cars with you, but managing to do all this in one day is very tricky if you’re on your own. Use expert help and don’t try to juggle everything at once, you might end up leaving something behind or not properly packing your things so they get damaged on the way.

Early birds:

You will be ripping your hair out if you’re caught in rush hour traffic with your life literally stuck in the back of multiple trucks. So get up early and plan your journey to end by early afternoon or evening and no later. Don’t avoid the main highways, just use them when they’re not packed with commuters.

A long haul move can be stressful but, plan it right, and it will be smooth sailing to your new home!

Sep20

This Is How To Keep Your Feet Sweet!

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This Is How To Keep Your Feet Sweet!

Our poor old feet! They are so often overlooked when it comes to health and maintenance. In fact, many of us just forget all about them until summer comes around and we want to wear strappy shoes. Of course, our feet are actually a pretty important part of the body to look after! Fortunately doing this isn’t such a dirty job. In fact, by reading the post below, you can do plenty to keep your feet sweet!

Keep ’em clean!

First of all, if you are going to keep your feet sweet, you will need to make sure they are as clean as possible. Otherwise, you could be dealing with some rather unpleasant smells! For most of us, that means a quick wash while in the shower, followed by some clean socks.

However, sometimes, no matter how much effort we put into keeping them clean, there can still be an odor. Happily, this is not something that you or those that you live with need to put up with.

There are a lot of tactics you can use to eliminate the smell, including steering clear of plastic or manmade shoes. The reason being that these encourage sweat, which the odor-causing bacteria feed off. Also, using a deodorizing powder can help, and if all else fails isopropyl alcohol applied to the shoe can element any nasty bacteria, and will keep your feet smelling as sweet as possible.

Nail care!

Toenail care isn’t just about choosing the right shade of polish to compliment your outfit. (Although that is fun!). The trimming of our nails properly is important, as well. The reason for this is that if you don’t trim them correctly, they can turn into ingrown toenails which are very painful to walk on. If they are really bad, they can also become infected, and that can be a real risk to your overall health and well being.

If you do find that your nails are ingrown, you can get help to cure them. All you need to do is search for terms like: ‘Where is the top podiatrist in my area?‘ and you will be able to find a healthcare professional that will help you out. Something that will undoubtedly come as a major relief if you are suffering from feet that are less than sweet.

Choose the right shoes!

Picking the right type of footwear goes beyond just avoiding the smell. If you want to keep your feet healthy and free of pain, you must invest in good quality shoes. Now, for the most part, flats are the best option because they put a lot less pressure on the bones and muscles in the feet and will do less permanent damage. Flats also tend to be very easy to break in in comparison to a sturdy pair of boots. If you are investing in a new pair of boots, check out this guide on how to break in doc martens. Docs are so popular and for good reason – they are cool and durable. However, they can take a while to break in and that can cause discomfort.

Of course, that doesn’t mean that you can never wear heels (thank goodness). If you pick the ones that are supportive and have a platform like the ones you will find here, you should get a lot less trouble with your feet and be able to keep them sweet!

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Picture found at Pixabay – License CC0

Keep your feet perfectly sweet with the above tips and, if problems persist, be sure to seek help from your doctor!

Sep20

Sweet Surprises: I LOVE YOU, MOM! Edition

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Sweet Surprises: I LOVE YOU, MOM! Edition

Salutations! I’m sure that all of you know by now that my parents are kind of amazing. And, by kind of, I mean very. In their own way, they are constantly doing for their children, even though we are all grown ass adults now. For example, when I was in college, my dad would always have coffee ready for me before class in the morning. It’s always the simple things that mean the most to me and that particularly touched me and I’ve been graduated for three years now.

My mom is also an excellent surpriser and recently treated me to this gorgeous headband from TJMaxx. She ordered it online while doing some shopping of her own and I am in love. Check it out:

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My mom is my shopping partner in crime and it has been that way for as long as I can remember. I wouldn’t want it any other way and it is so much fun enabling each other with our TJMaxx shopping hauls both in store and online. Because my mom has been with me during literally every shopping trip ever, she knows my style like the back of her hand so she is always picking things out for me that she knows I would like it.

This headband is no exception and my mom was spot on because she knows that I have developed a slight obsession with hair accessories. Clips, hats, veils, and ribbons I love it all and this headband just might be my new favorite. The thick woven texture and the perfect for fall color palette with the gold, cream, and olive green not only compliments my style, complexion, and hair to the T but will also be a fantastic add on to my autumn OOTDs.

I am so appreciative to my parents for their continued love and support for all I do in my life and Sweet Surprises like this make me feel even closer to them. So, thanks mom and dad for being you! ❤

What do your loved ones surprise you with? Who is your shopping partner in crime? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep19

Essential Staples For Your Wardrobe

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Essential Staples For Your Wardrobe

Not everyone will want to have a wardrobe full of staples or even care. But, sometimes, the right scarf or belt can make your whole outfit. However, if you are looking for a quick and easy wardrobe with a range of basics that will go with anything, then here is the list for you:

Ankle Grazers:

If they worked for Audrey Hepburn, then chances are that they are going to work for you too. It is a smart option instead of jeans or leggings and can go from the office to the bar with ease. They work well with sneakers, brogues, or even a heel.

Blouse:

The power of the blouse is so underestimated. They go with skirts, jeans, or black dress pants and can be casual or smart. If you like adding color and patterns into your daily outfits, then go for a retro style. They don’t have to be pricey, and you can pick up some really nice silk ones in thrift stores.

Classic Leather Belt:

The right belt will last a lifetime. And, it gets really frustrating to be pulling up your jeans all the time! A will leather goods belt will upgrade your casual jeans and a t-shirt without any effort required, and you can match them with your bag or shoes. Simple and effective.

Flats:

Ballet flats are here to stay. They are light on your feet so are perfect for heavy use and will work with every outfit that you can think of. Having them in a couple of colors is going to give you more selection, but in general navy, black, and nude will be just right.

T-shirts:

Grabbing a range of t-shirts in whatever color you like best is a great idea. They work well under blazers, with jeans, or with black ankle grazers. And, of course, make for perfect loungewear, too!

Tube Skirt:

Or any type of midi with a bit of a stretch is perfect. They are easy to slip on and if you’ve gone all out on a big meal, they will stretch with you! H&M has some great ones in their basic range.

Shapewear:

Shapewear like bodysuits or shaped briefs and camis can make a huge difference to any outfit. They hug your body’s natural curves while camouflaging problem areas. Whether you are sporting basic staples or a ball gown, it’s good to have a few shapewear pieces in your wardrobe. The most important thing? The fit! You want your shapewear to fit snugly without being tight. To find a store that offers fittings, simply enter a search for “shapewear fitting Melbourne” (or your local area). Explore all of the options available as you won’t know what works until you try!

Sunglasses:

Not only do they protect the skin around the eyes, but they cover a multitude of sins. While you are getting yourself some sunnies, make sure you grab an excellent case for them and keep them in your bag at all times. Tired but have somewhere to be? Sunglasses. Bright outside and you need some extra protection? Sunglasses. Don’t feel like being social? Sunglasses. There is a pair to suit all face shapes, so don’t worry if you don’t usually wear them – invest and you’ll never look back.

Big Tote:

A big tote bag can carry pretty much your whole house in it. Great for everything from folders to tablets and everyday essentials like wallet, phone, and keys. Get one that matches some of your shoes and your belt to tie in any look that you want to create.

Having essential staples in your wardrobe will keep you from having the “nothing to wear” phenomenon and will keep you looking oh so chic!

Featured Image By: Jon Tyson on Unsplash

Sep19

My Mary Kay Experience

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My Mary Kay Experience

Hello, hello my darlings! The last time I was at Elysian Nails getting a fill, I entered a raffle for a free Mary Kay facial and ten dollar gift card and, surprisingly, my name was called! I legit never win anything, so I was pretty excited and had the woman who was running the contest and in the Mary Kay business come to my apartment for some pampering.

Now, this might sound rude but ninety-nine percent of the time, I find the whole self directed sales thing incredibly annoying, for lack of a better word. I can’t stand getting messages from girls I went to high school with and were probably mean to me pushing their It Works, Scentsy, or Arbonne products. So, silly me for being under the impression that this experience with Mary Kay was going to be any different.

Using the products was fine but they weren’t that great and they were way too expensive for my TJMaxx skin care taste. I just couldn’t get into the whole showmanship of it all. It turned into a forty-five minute session of why Mary Kay is the jam, why their products are the jam, and how life changing being in the company is. And, maybe that’s true for some people, but I was not interested in it let alone the pressure I was put on to purchase the products I was trying.

I worked retail for five years and there is definitely a right and a wrong way to push product and these self directed saleswomen are just plain pushy. Am I happy that this lady came to my apartment? I guess. Was it a waste of time on one of my evenings off? Most definitely. *massive eyeroll*

How do you feel about self directed sales? Are there any businesses like that that you purchase from? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep18

Groovy Movies: Walmart Haul Edition

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Groovy Movies: Walmart Haul Edition

Howdy! Le sigh, you guys all know I can’t resist the five dollar DVD section while out shopping. I seriously just can’t help myself and it’s an absolute curse. But, there are worse things that I could be addicted to so I guess I’m not complaining. While shopping with a client, I accidentally went a bit too hard at Wally World and ended up with this big ol’ haul. Check it out:

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I know, I know six movies is a bit excessive – but how can you say no to such an excellent selection for a whole five bucks?! The answer is, that you don’t… obviously. I am a HUGE Melissa McCarthy fan and haven’t seen Life Of The Party yet so I figured I’d snag that. And, of course, anything with Will Ferrell and fine ass Mark Wahlberg is fine by me! Daddy’s Home is hilarious, so that will make for a fun night in.

Now, a Lil Red Groovy Movie haul wouldn’t be the same without some scary ones so getting A Nightmare On Elm Street and It was a must. I am eagerly awaiting seeing It Chapter 2 in theaters so I plan on watching the first one and the original beforehand. Also, for those of you who haven’t seen There Will Be Blood, PLEASE DO, because it is a masterpiece. Alright, Party on, Wayne!

Which movies do you have in your collection? Which flicks are you looking forward to seeing in theaters? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah