Author Archives: lifewithlilred

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Just your average gal blogging an average blog!
Aug24

August 2019 Funky Time Jams

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August 2019 Funky Time Jams

Hellooo! We are already halfway through August and that means I have to take advantage of being able to blast my music with the windows down before the cold weather strikes. And, all things Jack White have been a must because I had the pleasure of seeing The Raconteurs at Stage AE in Pittsburgh, which you will read about at some point soon! Seeing my main man twice in two years has been a #blessed moment and I love him so much that I have a tattoo of his face on my leg so obvi I’m his number one fan! Lol, and I’m sure all of you will be too after listening to him lay it down:

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

I have been a huge all Jack White everything fan since I was young and I can remember being in fifth grade and buying all of The White Stripe’s CDs to listen to on the way to a family vacation. I have always been enthralled with Mr. White from his talent, voice, minimalist style, and staggering good looks. Being able to see him in concert twice is something that I feel so lucky for and there’s really nothing better than being able to see your favorite musicians live and in the flesh.

Sadly, I will never have the opportunity to see the White Stripes in concert as they are broken up. But, seeing two out of the four of Jack’s musical endeavors live is good enough for me. Now, if only I could cross seeing the Dead Weather off my list!

Have you been able to see your favorite musician live? Who would you love to be able to see perform (living, dead, or the band has broken up)? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug23

If The Skate Fits

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If The Skate Fits

Greetings!! As a child and teenager I figure skated competitively, but hung up my skates when I was sixteen or so. After this decision was made, I would still go to the rink and skate for fun but wasn’t really interested in much else. However, this past year, I ran into one of my old coaches and decided that I wanted to get back on the ice.

I started learning how to ice dance simply because I thought that it would be fun and I always wanted to try it. I also felt better starting with this because it’s all footwork as opposed to jumping and spinning. But, during a session this summer, as I worked with one of the ladies who taught me how to skate, she encouraged me to give some freestyle a try. And, after landing a few of my old jumps and nailing some spins, I was hooked.

Now, I practice both ice dancing and freestyle during my sessions and it makes me feel so good. I enjoy my time on the ice more than anything else throughout the week but, I was facing a major problem: the need for a new pair of skates was so real.

The skates that I was using were probably the better part of two decades old. And, they weren’t even mine. Lol, they were a hand me down from another coach so that my family wouldn’t have to invest a ton of money in a new pair. Believe me, they served their purpose well and I am so thankful to them and the coach who gave them to me. And, frankly, if I was only ice dancing, they probably would have still cut it. But, once I began jumping and spinning again, there was just no way that I could continue skating safely with them.

My skates definitely felt unstable and lacked the support I needed for freestyle and I knew that something needed to be done if I wanted to continue practicing without an injury. So, my mom and I took a trip to the Skaters Edge to see what my options were.

The Skaters Edge just so happens to be the skate shop that I went to in all of the years that I’ve been skating. From my first pair of skates to my first competition dress, they were there for all of it. So, imagine my surprise when my mom and I walked into the shop to see that the same two gentlemen were working there ten years later. It felt like going back in time!

Chris was the guy who took care of me during my years as a skater and I remember him well because I had a massive crush on him. And, not much has changed and he has aged like a fine wine. He told me that nothing could be done to make my old skates better and the best option would be to buy a new pair. This is what I was fearing, because I knew that it would be expensive. But, we were able to cut the cost down by putting my old blade on a new boot and I ended up with these pretty new babies by Jackson:

skatesskates1

^^^ Peep that blinged out back!

My new skates fit like a glove and I am so in love with them. They are simply beautiful and they feel like they were made just for me. The tweaks and touches that Chris added to make sure that they fit me properly were done with the steady hand and eye of a surgeon and I am so thankful for his precision and workmanship.

I have yet to skate on my new babes because there is a break in summer ice before the fall begins. But, I can’t wait to get back on the ice and test them out! I know that they are just what I need to continue to skate safely and advance in my sport and I could not be happier with them. ❤

Do you play any sports? What kind of equipment did you need to invest in to play? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug22

Groovy Movies: Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark Edition

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Groovy Movies: Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark Edition

Hello hello! One movie that I was really looking forward to this summer was Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark and, let me tell you, it did not disappoint. Now, before we get started: No, I have not read the books, so I was going into it with no preconceived notions of what it should be like. Honestly, I was just excited that Guillermo Del Toro was working on it, because he is my favorite ANYTHING when it comes to movies. So, take a look at the trailer and let’s discuss without giving the flick away:

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

My understanding of the original books of Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark is that it’s just that – a collection of scary stories. And, I know there were a good amount of people who were disappointed that not as many of these ghost stories were included as they would have liked. But, be that as it may, the movie needed a story line and I thought a really innovative and interesting one was created.

On Halloween night, Stella and a group of friends sneak into a supposed “haunted house” in their town – the Bellows mansion. The story goes that the family owned a paper mill that put the town on the map but had a dark secret – a horribly disfigured daughter named Sarah that they would never let leave the house. According to the legend, children would visit Sarah by sitting outside of the walls of her room and she would tell them scary stories. Oh, and did I mention that children were disappearing constantly?

While Stella, Ramon, Augie, and Chuck are exploring the mansion, they stumble upon Sarah’s room, where Stella finds her book of stories and decides to borrow it. BIG MISTAKE, because the nightmare that was laying dormant starts all over again, as the book begins to write itself every night, featuring a story based around one of the characters. The story usually has something to do with a nightmare or something that has traumatized the character that it’s happening to. So, it is up to Stella to solve the mystery of how to stop the curse from continuing before there is no one left.

I absolutely LOVED Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark. I enjoyed the characters whose back and forth high school quips were hilarious, the plot was great, and the creatures that come to life in the stories were so creepy and visually interesting. Normally, scary movies don’t freak me out but this one definitely did. To have a source of evil that taps into what frightens you is terrifying and having a book that “reads you” to create it was such a brilliant idea.

And, in true Del Toro fashion, the visuals were spectacular which is the driving force behind my rave review. The monsters coming to life from the stories were scary as hell and they made me genuinely uncomfortable to look at. Don’t even get me started on the Pale Woman – YIKES!

I highly recommend this movie and am giving it a perfect ten, which rarely happens. I enjoyed every minute of it, was scared senseless, and want to see it again and read the books so badly. Don’t let your preconceived notions of what the movie “should” be cloud your vision if you’ve read the books, because you’ll be ruining a wonderful film for yourself.

Who has seen or read Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark? What are your thoughts on it? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: The Playlist

Aug21

How To Find The Cause Of Your Health Concerns

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How To Find The Cause Of Your Health Concerns

Dealing with any health issue can be easier when you know the reason for it, for example, if you know that your health problem has been caused by your genetic make-up, you know that your parent suffers from something and you know there’s a chance you will suffer from it too. Or it could be lifestyle behaviors, like smoking or exposure to toxic substances such as asbestos where you can see a clear cause and reason for your struggles.

If it’s not obvious, then while there might be a sticking plaster you can put on the problem for a while, you won’t know the cause of the issue. Just because you are treating your symptoms doesn’t mean you’re healthy as your doctor really needs to address the underlying imbalances that perpetuate illness. It’s important when you speak to your doctor to tell them about all of your symptoms because they are the clues to deeper imbalances and once you find and correct them, the symptoms go will away.

If you have multiple health problems, one illness or its treatment could have lead to another. The reason for a disease might become clear after a long period of uncertainty or after going through a large number of tests or being referred to many different health professionals.

Keep it in mind that nutrition is a very powerful thing that can have a huge impact on creating or curing illness. If you are feeling depressed or anxious, remember that it could be related to a number of different causes such as vitamin deficiencies, essential fat deficiencies, or too much sugar or stimulants in your diet. Try different things such as acupuncture, which takes a holistic approach to your health and takes into consideration your whole body. Practitioners will look to treat your whole self, not just symptoms, to find the cause of your health concerns.

You could try a detox diet that gets you on whole food and off of caffeine, sugar, alcohol, processed foods, gluten, and dairy — and see how many of your health issues go away. Start taking a good multivitamin, fish oil, calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D as the right amounts of these nutrients can take care of many problems. If this doesn’t work, then get help and remember that you might need someone who can look a little more closely into what’s going on. Look for a specialist in what it is that you’re going through.

Seeing different health professionals, especially an expert, could help find a more definite cause as they can often see what was going on where others had not. Sometimes people never know why they have one or more illnesses. If a medical reason cannot be found, then many people form their own ideas and might just put their illness down to “bad luck” – don’t let this be you, get to the bottom of it so that you can treat it better and prevent it from happening again.

Featured Image By: Myriam Zilles from Pixabay

Aug21

Clip Clip Hurray! Pt. 2

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Clip Clip Hurray! Pt. 2

Hello!! Something that I have grown increasingly fond of lately as my hair continues to grow out are hair accessories. From barrettes and headbands to banana clips and pins – I am obsessed with all of it. I recently had a super cute clip haul from Dolls Kill and, after showing the spoils to my mom, she must have kept my new found love in mind because she surprised me with these pretty little babes by Wild Fable, a Target brand. Check it out:

wfwf3wf1wf2

My mom is seriously such a sweetheart, because she’s constantly doing things like this for me and my family. Whether it’s a new book for baby Valerie or a potted plant for my green thumb dad, she’s always on the lookout for small surprises to show how much she cares. My new clips were in a bag for me in my “mail spot” at the family home where I can see what the good ol’ USPS has for me. And, let me tell you, this was so much better than seeing a credit card bill! 😀

Hair accessories are such a fun way to spruce up any style from just wearing it down to a high pony or messy bun. They add the perfect pop of sparkle and visual interest to create a more unique look and I just love them. I really don’t do much to my hair other than straighten it, so being able to stack a few barrettes on top of each other makes me feel like I’m actually doing something cool with minimal effort. I can’t wait to test out my new clips and special thanks to my beautiful mom for the sweet surprise! ❤

What is your favorite hair accessory? How do you normally style your hair? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug20

How To Further Enjoy Following Sports Culture

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How To Further Enjoy Following Sports Culture

Not everyone is a fan of sports. Some might shrug when the Superbowl is on or when a particular country wins the World Cup. Some might groan when a pool game is being shown on television or they might avoid sports bars like the plague. But sports are so varied, vast, and community-driven that, often, to dismiss them outright is akin to saying you ‘just don’t like music.’ There’s something out there for you, even if you have yet to find it.

This means that, sometimes, going out of your way to find the sporting interest you enjoy can help improve your life. You don’t need to force it of course, but what’s the issue with potentially finding one more thing that can add value to your life? To us, that sounds wise. Who knows, this might even go further, such as deciding to run a PPH 247 operation or perhaps even getting involved in the sporting interest yourself.

Further following sporting culture can be a worthwhile and important adventure for you, and who knows? It might help you make new friends, too:

Consider A Wider Prospectus:

You might hate watching American football. You don’t like how the game starts and stops continually, the statistics that are continually read out, and how the players smash into each other and cause real injury. That’s fine. It might not be for you. Then again, football can be a lucrative sport to watch when you bet along with Online Football Betting with UFABET. There’s nothing wrong with earning a little extra money even if you don’t love the sport! Perhaps you’d be into something with more finesse like soccer (football), or perhaps even racing, such as formula one or drift rally competitions.

Maybe you prefer following one athlete rather than a team, such as watching golf, or even getting involved in the life histories and techniques of martial artists, such as through boxing or MMA. There’s a sport out there you haven’t considered, and sometimes attending a few events, even if they’re just local ones, can help you start to become invested in the sport. Don’t force it, but we would be surprised if your natural inclinations didn’t become just a little excited at this prospect.

Make Money From Sports:

One of the most effective ways to improve your relationship with sports is to make it a financially productive activity. You can do this in several ways. While visiting an online bookies list is the fastest, there are additional options like content creation and affiliate marketing. You can also do your research to boost your earnings, and this will be particularly important if you have chosen to begin betting. After all, you can’t just use guesswork if you want to make money! So, start by entering a search for the latest premier league betting odds or for whatever league you like can help get the ball rolling. Either way, you’ll find that you naturally absorb more of the sport while the financial boost will create an emotional link between sports and positive emotions. Plus, having some extra change could allow you to visit more games or even purchase some merch for your favorite team. Several platforms including Cryptorush offers online sports betting so do your research to find the best fit for you. Be sure to check out if there are extra perks for opening a new account too so you can get the most bang for your buck.

Finding a platform that aligns with your specific betting style is crucial for long-term success and enjoyment. While many people stick to the most well-known names, exploring reputable alternatives like 토토마왕 can provide a fresh perspective and potentially better incentives. These sites often prioritize user security and offer a streamlined experience for those looking to capitalize on their sports knowledge. By integrating these specialized platforms into your routine, you can develop a more comprehensive approach to sports wagering. This strategic variety not only keeps the experience exciting but also helps you stay informed about different market trends.

It’s unlikely that you’ll be quitting your job anytime soon, but even a little extra cash will boost your enjoyment of the sport. Not least because you can do it on your terms.

Watch With Friends:

While there are some who enjoy watching sports any chance they can get, there are others who simply enjoy the social aspect of it all. Inviting a few friends over for game day, heading to a stadium and having your face painted, or even placing a friendly wager between friends can be a fun idea to help you enjoy and get invested in the sport. You may never watch a game outside of these large events such as derbies or even the Olympics, but what matters is the fun you have.

Enjoying sports with friends is fun from a social perspective and it could also be a lucrative side hustle. Fantasy leagues, New York Sports Betting, and friendly wagers can help earn you money to splurge for pizza for your crew during the next big game.

Watch A Few Sporting Films:

There are many incredible films about sports out there. For example, Moneyball is a great movie starring Brad Pitt about the wonderful history of baseball and a particularly well-known story within it. Warrior, starring Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton is a story about two brothers who, through familial breakdown and hardship, end up fighting in the same MMA events. And we needn’t mentioned the Mighty Ducks, or perhaps even hilarious movies such as Space Jam. Sometimes, all that matters is your entertainment to develop a love for the game.

With this advice, we hope you are better equipped to follow sporting culture and gain a new hobby and friends along the way.

Featured Image By: Pexels-CC0 License

Aug20

Apartment Must Haves: Kitchen & Cleaning Necessities Edition

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Apartment Must Haves: Kitchen & Cleaning Necessities Edition

Hi! So, the first time I went grocery shopping, I was so focused on stocking up on ALL of the food that I forgot the sage words of my client’s mom to remember about cleaning supplies and things like garbage bags, plastic wrap, etc. Of course, I remembered this advice as soon as I got back to my apartment and had to turn around and go back to pick up things like zip lock baggies, sponges, and the like. And, we can’t forget about laundry detergent and dish soap! Here are just a few of my necessities when it comes to cleaning:

cleanclean1clean2

It’s so easy to get wrapped up in all of the big must haves of moving that the little things like your cleaning supplies go unnoticed. Stocking up on these things is important and, unless you’re deep cleaning your place every day, they should last you for a good long while.

On that note, it’s a great idea to invest in a nice trash can. One with a flip up lid, preferably! You don’t want your garbage stinking up the place so do be sure to grab some high quality bags to line your bin with, too. I purchased a stainless steel one from Target and I have yet to have any issues with garbage odors. And, the steel makes it easy to clean in case of spills.

The next thing that I would like to purchase when it comes to cleaning is a Swiffer WetJet for my hardwood and tile floors in the apartment, because those are starting to look a little rough. And, I suppose a vacuum will come in handy, too. But, for now, the carpeted rooms aren’t frequented enough for that to be completely necessary just yet. Talk about adulthood, amiright?!

What are some cleaning necessities that you recommend? How do you keep your place fresh and clean? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug19

Apartment Must Haves: Entertainment Edition

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Apartment Must Haves: Entertainment Edition

Hi! Being in my own apartment is, for the most part, a lot of fun. But, there’s a lot more that goes in to running a mini household than people might think. From your necessities to keeping a sanitary environment like trash bags, detergent, and cleaning projects to things to keep you occupied like a gaming system, books, or movies – we are going to discuss it all in this Apartment Must Haves series.

Today, we are going to chat about one of the big ones, for me at least, when it comes to an apartment and that is entertainment. Whether that be when you’re with your friends or just hanging out alone, it’s important to have things on hand that you enjoy to fight the boredom blues. I, myself, have a few shelves dedicated to preventing idle hands during my free time. Check it out:

aptapt1apt2apt3

And, let’s not forget the new air hockey table! 😀

airair1

Having my own little setup of easily accessible books and movies is an absolute must for me because I am an avid fan of both. Cracking open a good book or putting a movie on during a rainy afternoon is one of my favorite things to do. It’s relaxing and there’s nothing like being transported to another world for a few hours.

I also have a GameCube and am hoping to get a Wii or a Switch so that there are more options for my friends and I to do when they come over – other than getting wine drunk, of course. 😉 And, I would really like to invest in some classic board and table top games, as well, so I can start hosting game nights once a month or so. Good, clean fun is important and being a hostess with the mostess when company is over will make your place the ultimate hangout when you want it to be!

This is why I had to snag my air hockey table when I found it at the Goodwill. Seriously, what’s more fun than that?! There is nothing wrong with having drinks with friends at your place, but I don’t want that to be just what my apartment is about. And, having good entertainment, whether that be hosting a movie night or a game night is a great way to add some variety into your apartment hangs.

What are your favorite board games? What type of games or gaming systems are worth investing in? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug18

Fall Is In The Air

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Fall Is In The Air

Okayyyy okay, so fall technically isn’t in the air yet but that doesn’t mean that my apartment can’t smell like it! Because my dumbass thought that burning cigarettes out into some of my candles was a good idea, I needed to restock because none of them will light now. But, lucky for me, Michael’s was having a three for ten dollar deal for their fall scented candles. And, at six dollars apiece originally, I just couldn’t pass that deal up! Check it out:

fall

I never quite understood people’s obsession with candles until moving into my apartment. And, now, I can definitely see why because the first thing I do when I get home from work in the evening or have a free afternoon is light one up. There is just something about the soft glow of the flame, the delicious scents, and the general atmosphere that is so relaxing when combined with your quiet time reading a book or watching a movie.

I always thought that giving a candle as a gift was kind of basic but OMG would I love to get all of the candles as prezzies now. But, until gift giving season is upon us, these fall scented delights from Michael’s will do just fine. I like all three fragrances that I picked out but the Butterscotch Spice is divine and I’m looking forward to having it lit on my coffee table as a scary movie plays and the crisp autumn wind howls outside.

What is your favorite fall scent? What is one of your favorite “basic” presents to receive? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug17

Accessory Story: Claire’s Haul Edition

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Accessory Story: Claire’s Haul Edition

Helloooo everyone! This past week, I took a client to the mall to do a little shopping and, unfortunately (but not really), I was the one who ended up buying something AS PER USHE. But, I just couldn’t help myself, because I got an amazing deal – six pretty accessories from Claire’s for a whole eighteen dollars thanks to clearance shopping and a buy three get three free deal. I am super happy with my new earrings and headbands and I know that without the promo and marked down prices I would have paid well over fifty bucks for everything I got. So, I guess it isn’t all bad! 😉 Check it out:

clairesclaires1claires2claires3claires4claires5claires6claires7

^^^ And, yes, the flower headband DOES light up!!

Buying accessories like earrings and headbands is usually pretty low on my fashion priority list. I have a few of each at home that I wear exclusively and that’s about it. I don’t know if it’s the price of them that bothers me or what, but I’d always rather buy shoes… obviously lol. So, when I found such a good deal for some new treats, I couldn’t pass it up.

I love, love, love my new earrings and am looking forward to wearing all of them, especially the gold circle ones – I think those are so cool! I’ve never owned a pair of feather earrings, either, and the black ones spoke to me, no surprises there. And, the cherries were too cute and the drop ones with the translucent pearls were too classic to not add those to the bag, too.

Although I adore the earrings, I am most excited about my headbands! I haven’t bought new headbands since high school I think, so that was definitely a purchase that had a long time coming! The light denim faux suede with the embroidered flowers is SO pretty and it will be a great way to accessorize a collegiate chic OOTD come fall time.

And, can we PLEASE talk about the light up floral one?! So. CUTE! I had no idea it lit up until the girl who was ringing me up told me and that just made the find even sweeter because it’s basically the coolest thing ever. I have never seen anything like that that I would actually want to wear and I cannot wait to style an OOTD and MOTD around it.

Was this little haul necessary? Not necessarily! But, I got a great deal and found some pretty little things that I wouldn’t have bought otherwise. Plus, there is nothing like refreshing your outfits with some new odds and ends that didn’t break the bank!

Where do you like to accessory shop at? How do you refresh old outfits? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah