Author Archives: lifewithlilred

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About lifewithlilred

Just your average gal blogging an average blog!
Sep10

Groovy Movies: Aladdin Edition

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Groovy Movies: Aladdin Edition

Helloooo everyone! I can’t say that I am a HUGE Disney fan but it’s not like I don’t enjoy the movies, either. It has been an exciting time in the movie world because live action remakes of Disney classics are the new trend. Unfortunately, I wasn’t overly impressed with Beauty And The Beast or The Lion King’s remake. However, I absolutely LOVED the live action Aladdin, despite its poor reviews. So, take a look at the toe tapping trailer and let’s discuss:

^^^ And, as always, I have no rights to this video!

Normally, a Disney film isn’t my first choice to play after a day at work but, I’m not going to lie, I was looking forward to watching Aladdin. Last Christmas, I had the absolute pleasure of being able to see the Broadway rendition of Aladdin at Playhouse Square with my family and I felt like the 2019 film was a wonderful blend of the Broadway show and the original cartoon. Spending the evening watching the movie gave me a new appreciation for the music and artistry that went into the iconic original and it was such a beautiful, modern nod to its predecessor.

The costumes, scenery, and *most* of the characters were divine but Will Smith as the genie completely made the film for me. He was utterly brilliant and I think Robin Williams would be proud of the performance that was so inspired by his own but with a fresh, new spin on it.”You Ain’t Never Had A Friend Like Me” reminded me so much of the Broadway performance that I really enjoyed and Will Smith’s fabulous flamboyance kept me in stitches the whole time.

I thought Jafar and Jasmine were also exceptionally strong characters and were cast well. But, I wasn’t too crazy about the choice for Aladdin. Had he not been acting alongside such powerful cast mates he would have totally sizzled out and he was outshined the entire movie. He was just too meek and mild and, although he was the title character, he didn’t stand out in anyway shape or form. But, because the rest of the film was so spot on, a poor casting choice for the lead was just a blip on my radar.

What I loved the most about Aladdin was the big picture that was created in every scene. The glorious palaces, the bustling market of Agrahbah, and the vast deserts all seemed so real that I felt like I was right there, too. The magnificent choices in color, costumes, and oh yeah – the fantastic musical numbers just seemed like the cherry on top of what was already splendid. Saying that Aladdin was visually stimulating is a severe understatement and the beauty of the rapidly changing scenery in “A Whole New World” moved me to tears.

If you’re a die hard Disney fan, I think you’ll love this movie. And, if you’re like me, who isn’t the most avid Disney fan – you are still going to love this movie. Aladdin was a fast moving tale of being true to yourself, unexpected girl power, and that everything is a little bit better with your friends by your side… magic powers or no! I rate this movie with a nine out of ten and I highly recommend it!

What were your thoughts on the new Aladdin? What has been your favorite Disney movie remake? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: IMDb

Sep9

Lil Red’s Book Club: The Lying Game Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: The Lying Game Edition

Howdy! I recently finished another Ruth Ware novel called The Lying Game and have read The Woman In Cabin 10 and In A Dark, Dark Wood by her this summer, too. I have to say, I wasn’t overly impressed with either of those books but The Lying Game was a great read and I am happy that I chose to give Ware one more try before calling it quits and finding another author to read. So, without giving any spoilers away, let’s discuss:

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The Lying Game revolves around new mother, Isa, and her three best girlfriends from high school, Kate, Thea (Whose name I’m still not sure how to pronounce!), and Fatima. At their boarding school, the girls reveled in what they called “The Lying Game” and would keep a scoreboard to record the points from the tall tales that they would spin based on the quality and if people actually believed them. The game was supposed to be all in good fun and the rules were simple, including “never lie to your friends” and “know when to stop the lie”.

The girls spent one year at the boarding school together, which came to an abrupt halt when they were asked to leave quietly in the wakes of a possible scandal that directly involved them. And, although it’s a rarity that they talk now as they are all in their thirties, when a friend texts the three words of “I need you” the now women drop their responsibilities immediately and flock to the one in distress.

So, when Kate sends Isa the call to action, she packs up her belongings with her six month old daughter in tow and makes the journey to her, near the old boarding school. The text was indeed an urgent one because once the ladies arrive to Kate’s, it is revealed that a human bone was found in the sea – a result of their “game” being taken too far. With a police investigation nipping at their heals, the once best friends have to come up with a plan and unravel the truth behind their lies before an arrest is made. Were they murderers? Covering something up? Or just plain stupid? Read the book and find out!

I absolutely adored The Lying Game and devoured it in a matter of days. It was so refreshing to read a book with a tangible plot and told from the perspective of someone with a sound mind. Because, let’s be honest, the unstable narrator shtick has been hopelessly drawn out. The Lying Game was filled with twists and turns that actually seemed plausible and I really had no idea what the end result was going to be.

It was interesting to see how a mistake that happened in their teenage years has haunted each woman in the almost two decades since it happened. Each one dealt with the trauma in a different way and it made for fascinating characters with realistic flaws and personalities. The Lying Game was a wild ride and I am now ready to tuck into another Ruth Ware novel ASAFP!

And, now for the star rating…. I award The Lying Game with an eight out of ten. The plot was riveting, the characters were all likeable in their own ways, and I genuinely enjoyed myself while reading it. Highly recommend.

Has anyone read The Lying Game? What were your thoughts on it? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep8

NJOYing Myself

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NJOYing Myself

Helloooo everyone! So, it’s no secret that I love me a good cigarette. I have been a smoker for longer than I care to admit and I really had no intention of quitting any time soon. But, once I was introduced to the NJOY vape pen by one of my girlfriends, I decided to give it a try. Now, I’m well aware that vaping is not much better than good old fashioned cigarette smoking but, hey, it’s an improvement and I’ll take it! Check it out:

I have been using my NJOY for about three weeks now and haven’t had a cigarette since. I admit, the device in itself is pretty lame looking but it was only a dollar at the gas station and a pack of two liquid pods was ten bucks. I have enjoyed the watermelon and mint cartridges and, as opposed to smoking a whole cigarette, I can hit this once or twice and then go about my day.

It’s not like I was a pack a day smoker or anything, I had three maximum on a longer work day and none to one on a day off. But, my NJOY has saved me money and it’s nice to be able to do it anywhere without disturbing anyone or making the room or car smell smokey. I am also thankful that I’m not experiencing any of the withdrawal symptoms that I would get if I quit cold turkey right away. The last time I quit smoking, I gained weight, which is a really sensitive thing for me and it made me never want to quit again.

I don’t plan on using the NJOY for forever and I’m quite confident in being able to kick this habit, too. In fact, I’ve noticed that the longer I’ve had it, the less I’ve been using it throughout the day. It’s not perfect, but it’s a good start and I’m happy with it!

How did you quit smoking? What is your favorite vape flavor? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep7

“Haunted” Apartment Update

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“Haunted” Apartment Update

Hello!! Way back in May, I posted about some strange paranormal activity happening in my apartment and, since then, I’ve had quite a few people contacting me asking for updates on that spooky situation. And, I am pleased to tell all of you, that since the three occurrences that happened three days in a row, my apartment has been free of any supernatural activity. Thank goodness, because I don’t think I could handle stepping on anymore broken glass!

As an avid fan of all things horror related, I am well aware that pesky poltergeists and spirits like to kick you when you’re feeling down. This hardly seems fair, but I was definitely in a darker place during the first month or so living on my own. I felt lonely, overwhelmed, stressed out, and irritated that I was feeling all of those ways to begin with because moving out was something that I wanted to do.

So, it makes sense to me that I picked something up that wanted to stir up more feelings of unease while I was in such a delicate state of mind. And, strangely enough, the occurrences stopped once I sat down at my laptop and wrote out all of the weirdness that was happening. My mood also improved as I got more used to being in my own place, which lifted the negativity that was bringing me down.

I’m happy to report that things have been nice and normal at chez moi and here’s to hoping that it stays that way as I continue on through this thing called life!

Who else has experienced paranormal activity in their home? What made it stop? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep6

Choose Kindness

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Choose Kindness

Helloooo! It seems like all one needs to do is turn on the news for a scary story to tell in the dark. Shootings, political unrest, and unthinkable crimes play on a loop and it can make this world feel like a terrifying place to live in. It seems like there is just no kindness left and it is something that we all need reminded of from time to time to take it upon ourselves to improve. That is why I am so happy that my mom picked out this amazing shirt for me that she found at a recent trip to the farmers market. Check it out:

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My mom is the queen of sweet surprises and she picked out this shirt for me for a number of reasons like my love for learning languages, my work with people with special needs, and the fact that a friendly reminder never hurts. It is easy to get so wrapped up in your own problems that you don’t realize you might be coming off as rude to the people that you encounter throughout your day. And, with a kind word or gesture you have the option to completely turn a stranger’s day around as opposed to ruining it for them with a snarky comment or letting the door slam in their face.

Choosing kindness takes practice, as it seems to be second nature to always look out for yourself. But, once you get the hang of it, it becomes something that doesn’t need thinking about anymore. And, remember – you have no idea what a stranger is going through, so don’t make things any worse for them. Choose kindness today and watch the world around you change for the better. ❤

How do you choose kindness? What are simple ways to make someone’s day? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep5

Groovy Movies: Walmart Haul Edition

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Groovy Movies: Walmart Haul Edition

Hello! As soon as I get home from work and blogging needs and paperwork are complete, all I want to do is relax. Usually, my routine once I return home and complete the rest of my busy work is eat, practice my languages on Duolingo, pop in a movie, and read before bed. I am an avid movie fan and, because I don’t have any streaming services, I’ll purchase DVDs in store if I can find them on the cheap. The last time I was at Walmart with a client, they had a three dollar movie bin so I took home the following:

moviess

Lol, no surprises here that one from my selection is a scary movie! But, now I have both of The Conjuring films which I’m happy about. And, I just watched the second one this past week after a busy day. Despite my love of all things horror, I still need a laugh and my beloved Melissa McCarthy and Will Ferrell are just what the doctor ordered for that. Old School is one of my favorite comedies, other than Step Brothers, so it was exciting to have found it. And, although Tammy is the dumbest movie ever, it reminds me of when my sister and I saw it in theaters and we still quote it to this day – so I couldn’t not get it!

Discount movie buying is a nice little pick me up for when I need a treat and it provides me with entertainment for many evenings to come. For three bucks a pop, I’d say that these were all totally worth it. Movie night, anyone?

How do you treat yourself? What kind of entertainment do you enjoy after a day at work? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Pinterest

Sep4

TJMaxx Fall Hall: Royal Stafford Plates

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TJMaxx Fall Hall: Royal Stafford Plates

Salutations! Saying that I just “like” the dark and disturbing is a severe understatement because the creepy, spooky, scary, and weird is what I am most drawn to. I am a horror fan through and through from movies and literature to art and decor. My preferred activities for a night in would include a scary movie marathon or tucking in with a good Stephen King book. And, with Halloween on my mind, I couldn’t pass up these gorgeous skull embellished plates by Royal Stafford when I saw them at TJMaxx. Check it out:

skullskull1skull2

After giving a nod to British punk fashion in my latest OOTD, it should come as no surprise that I was eager to add my new plates into the cart after seeing the “Made In England” sticker. And also: skulls, lol! These plates are so beautiful to me and I love the sketch style skull on the more simple plates but the real piece de resistance is the ornate crowned skull. Sadly, there was only one of those bad boys, which was a disappointment because trust and believe I would have bought a few of them!

Do I plan on eating off of these plates? Absolutely not. They’re too pretty to me and I got them for more of a home decor purpose. Now, it’s only a matter of finding just where to put them, because my curio cabinets are already fully stocked with my trinkets and treasures. For the time being, my Royal Stafford dishes are resting safely on my air hockey table until I get a stroke of inspiration for where to put them.

Until then, I am just happy to have found such unique pieces that I find so much beauty in. These are the last items from my TJMaxx Fall Haul and I really think that I was saving the best until the end of this series. And, who knows, maybe I’ll find some more unique dishes by Royal Stafford during my seasonal shopping haul come winter. Fingers crossed!

How do you shop for fall and the changing of the seasons? What is a TJMaxx or secondhand store find that you are particularly proud of? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep3

Making Sure Your Business Has All The Right Signage

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Making Sure Your Business Has All The Right Signage

Having appropriate signage is an important step for your business. Effective signage can help your store’s marketing by lending to its visibility. It can also help you save money. Having proper signage will help inform customers and direct them, which you would otherwise need salespersons to do. There are various types of signage that your business will need to have. Missing some of them will create confusion and inefficiencies for your business. Here, we discuss some of the most important ones that every business should have:

Storefront or outdoor signs:

Your storefront sign is the first thing people notice about your store. It is the most important part of your business – it tells people what you are and what you sell. The exterior sign should have all of the information the customers need. It should have your brand name and your business’s logo displayed in an aesthetically pleasing way. You can work with companies that do banner printing in Edina, MN (or your local area) to create signage for your storefront that will pop to everyone passing by.

A storefront sign should be clear and not confuse shoppers about what you are selling. To do this, it needs to follow certain marketing and branding rules. The colors used should be consistent with your brand and product. Everything makes a difference, including the font you use. The quality of the storefront sign is also more important than all other types of signs. Make sure that your reliable signage supplier in Manila provides you with the highest-quality material and print. Your signs should last a long time and last through the tropical climate of the Philippines.

Compliance-related signs:

These are signs that your business must put up in order to comply with laws and regulations. These can include things such as warnings about allergens or signs that say that there are interpreters available. These can also include those about employees having to wash hands, as well as grades and ratings if you are a restaurant. Make sure that you have the appropriate signs on display; otherwise, you can face hefty fines. Some businesses take pride in their ratings, and they may choose to frame them and make them into a part of the overall display. Just because these signs are mandatory doesn’t mean that they have to be boringly designed.

sign1

Informational and directional signs:

These are the second most common types of signs that your business will need. These include banners, advertisements, and any information about ongoing sales or policies. These signs provide direction and clarity to shoppers. Informational signs can also include things that point out where the checkout is or where the bathrooms and fitting rooms are located. The best signs are large and clear and are placed in a prominent location. If you use symbols and imagery, they should be universally understood. Moreover, they ought to be disability friendly and available in colors accessible for everyone.

These are some of the most common types of signage that your business will need to have. If you want to, you can expand your range of signs to include various merchandising items such as carpets, mats, window stickers, and other decor items. Don’t be afraid to get creative!

Sep3

The 10 Most Beautiful Places To Travel To In The Fall

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The 10 Most Beautiful Places To Travel To In The Fall

Hello, hello everyone and welcome to a top ten travel countdown brought to you by one of my darling fall guest bloggers, Lexie. Miss Lexie is the author of Living Like Lexie, a blog focused on travel on a budget. And, as a baller on a budget myself, she is truly a woman after my own heart! Today, Lexie is going to talk about the most stunning places to travel to during the fall around the world. Read up, pack your bags, and head off on your next adventure!

The 10 Most Beautiful Places To Travel To In The Fall

Every season has its own unique type of beauty. The fall is when the air gets a little crisper, the trees start to shed their leaves, and all of the Pumpkin Spice Latte lovers come out. The fall can have a special look and feel to it based on where you are. There are so many beautiful locations around the world that bring a whole new reality to what the season of fall is.

Here are 10 of the most beautiful places to travel to that provide the ultimate “fall” experience:

1- Bavaria, Germany

The southern region of Germany is known for its rolling alps, the birthplace of Oktoberfest, and the castle that inspired Sleeping Beauty’s palace. It’s a beautiful place to go to during any time of the year, but it’s especially stunning in the fall.

Imagine being able to take a train ride through the mountains while the foliage of the leaves changes color. It’s like a painting coming to life before your eyes. With all of the surrounding beauty, it’s also a great time to party at Oktoberfest. What could be a more appealing fall experience to have?

2 – Alberta, Canada

The Canadian National Park of Banff is flocked to by tourists at all times of the year. With its towering mountains, ever flowing forest, and emerald lake – it’s definitely a sight worth seeing. In the fall, this view is flourishing with color as the trees start to prepare for the winter months ahead. And a bonus: you can get out of the chilly fall air by taking a dip in the hot springs.

3 – Napa Valley, California

Fall colors and wine anyone? Going to Napa Valley during its off-season means that the hotels prices go way down, making it a great affordable option. You might not think of California as a top destination to view the warm tones of fall, but what you will find is that the already stunning wine vineyards are where the season’s colors appear. They display rows upon rows of the unique orange and red autumn colors.

4 – Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo is known for its Cherry Blossoms in the spring, but it is also a sight to behold in the fall. The red pagodas around the city are highlighted by the changing leaves of the season.

5 – Shenandoah Valley, Virginia

The Shenandoah Valley is the perfect place to take a road trip through. You can watch all the fall’s foliage pass you by like a movie. The landscape allows you to take in the incredible show that mother nature is putting on. The valley and hills present a new perspective at every turn, which will keep you captivated for hours.

6 – Paris, France

Paris is already romantic from the mystic it has surrounding it. The beauty of fall’s warm tones contrasting with the cool blue and gray tones of the city’s landscape give it a vibrant breath of life. Take a trip to the city of love with your love this fall to take in the city’s beauty in a whole new way.

7 – Iceland

Iceland is full of color for a land named after ice! There are many incredible sights to see in Iceland like its waterfalls, black sand beaches, and the Blue Lagoon. These places become even more surreal with the accent of the fall tones. Make sure you bring a warm coat and your camera along to this breathtaking country!

8 – Scottish Highlands, UK

Calling all Outlander fans! The Scottish Highlands in the fall takes you on an incredible journey that will make you feel like you are living out the show yourself. The highlands are gorgeous at any time of year, but they have a certain vibrancy to them specifically during the fall.

9 – Duluth, Minnesota

The city of Duluth is located right on the tip of Lake Superior. Duluth is full of hilly roads, unique shops, and often the well-known Minnesotan accent, don’tcha know? If you’ve ever pictured what a chilly fall day would look like spent relaxing in a log cabin while overlooking the warm fall tones surrounding the largest lake in North America, look no further than Duluth, MN.

10 – New York City, New York

New York City is great for those that love the fast-paced life of the city, but still want to have the opportunity to walk through Central Park with your Pumpkin Spice Latte and chunky sweater on. The fashion capital of the world is the place to be if you want to rock the fall trends and take in the atmosphere; while admiring both the fall colors and NYC’s skyline.

Are you ready to take off to one of these ten stunning destinations this fall? To make sure you are prepared and have everything you need packed up, download this free Ultimate Packing Checklist!

About the Author:

lexie

Lexie DeVries is a full-time college student from Minneapolis, Minnesota who is seeing the world one trip at a time – and doing it on a budget! Her blog Living Like Lexie shares her travel journey, as well as the tips and tricks she has found to make travel affordable. She is passionate about inspiring others to make their travel dreams into a reality, as she knows what an incredible impact traveling can make on someone’s life.

I’d love to connect with you!

Thank you so much to Lexie for sharing her travel expertise with us and do be sure to check out her blog and give her social media a follow! Where is your top destination to travel to this fall? What are some other great travel locations this season? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep2

Fall Haul: Cynthia Rowley Sweater

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Fall Haul: Cynthia Rowley Sweater

Greetings! One of my favorite things about fall clothing is getting to break out knitwear again. From cozy cardigans to slouchy sweaters or a hand-knitted scarf, there is nothing better than being wrapped in something warm against the brisk autumn air. I am a huge lover of knitwear because, despite it being so damn comfortable, it always manages looking chic and appropriate for the season. And, the last thing that Lil Red does is dress for comfort, so being enveloped in something so soft and plush is an added bonus.

During my seasonal shopping haul at TJMaxx, I came across the tennis ball green Cynthia Rowley sweater seen below and thought that it was the ugliest thing that I’ve seen in my life. So, obviously, I had to try it on. And, surprising at it was, I fell in love with it as soon as I popped my head out of the turtleneck. Check it out:

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From the color green that looks like it belongs on the walls of a home back in the 60s to the crisp white squares adorning the sweater, this little number screams mod. Give me a Twiggy vibe and I am all in and this sweater definitely does that for me. What draws me to the clothes and accessories that I purchase is if I’ve never seen anything like it before and that is why I was so attracted to this sweater, even if it did look heinous on the rolling rack.

Before even trying my new Cynthia Rowley sweater on, I had a good feeling about it. Fifty shades of green is very flattering on me and I wasn’t expecting anything different from the chartreuse fabric. And, just one look in the fitting room mirror of the color against my red hair had me sold and infinite visions of styling possibilities washed over me.

I am so looking forward to creating a collegiate cool OOTD to shoot in the campus library of one of the nearby universities in my neck of the woods. School is back in session and I plan on schooling everyone in fall style by pairing this sweater with a smart pair of trousers or an A-line skirt with thick tights and a heeled oxford shoe. Mix in some tweed and a silk scarf around your neck and you’re bound to get an A in OOTD 101!

What is an “ugly” piece of clothing or color that you love? How do you style a back to school look? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah