Author Archives: lifewithlilred

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About lifewithlilred

Just your average gal blogging an average blog!
Aug3

New Air Hockey Table!!

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New Air Hockey Table!!

Greetings! Quite a few of my clients love shopping at second hand stores like the Goodwill and Abbey Ann’s. So, within the past year and a half, I have ended up in these treasure troves countless times during our outings. I have to admit, I used to not be very keen on second hand shopping because I am quite the germophobe. But, I would say that I have kicked the fear of thrift shopping in the bud, considering ninety percent of my apartment was furnished from second hand shops.

We’ll call it ninety-two percent, because I just purchased an air hockey table at the Goodwill a week or so ago! 😀 Check it out:

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When I saw this beaut at the Goodwill for a staggeringly cheap thirty bucks, I just had to purchase it. Honestly, there’s not much to do at my place other than drink when I have friends over and I don’t like that that has become such a frequent thing. I am hoping to get my gaming systems set up as well as purchase board games for good, clean fun when I have company. But, for now, my favorite table top game stationed in my back room will do.

The only issue I’m having, is that there is no lighting in that room, as you can tell from the grainy photos above! So, if anyone has any suggestions to fixing that issue, do let me know, because I don’t think tiki torches are going to fly in there, lolol. 😅

Other than that minor problem, I am seriously SO excited about this Goodwill purchase. And, I am very appreciative to my client’s mom and dad for helping me transfer the table to my apartment because my dumbass honestly thought that it was going to fit in my tiny hatchback, smh. They are like my second family, though, and were happy to help so now they have the honor of having the air hockey table be named after them. It’s truly a win/win for everyone! Any challengers?

What are your favorite board, video, or table top games? Which ones do you think I should invest in? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug2

Eco-Friendly Beauty: Saving The Environment By Upgrading Your Routine

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Eco-Friendly Beauty: Saving The Environment By Upgrading Your Routine

Beauty comes in different forms and can be seen in various places, and appreciating it means that you should be aware of these shapes and sources. One of these is the environment that we all live in and live with. This is not just something that we can take a look at and admire, but this is also where we get important materials we need to make the products that we use to improve our appearances. Sometimes, we abuse nature in our pursuit of beauty, but that doesn’t have to be the case.

Pick Eco-Friendly Products:

A beauty regimen is not without your trusted products, but this is often where the problem lies, environment-wise. Many commercial brands use chemicals that may be okay for your skin or hair, but can be harmful when they reach the soil and water and the rest of nature. You can do your part in helping the environment by being selective with your beauty products. Find brands that use mostly natural and eco-friendly ingredients and don’t harm animals during production. For example, if your scalp is less than healthy, there is the herbal shampoo for hair loss available in the Philippines. There are also soaps and cosmetics that use natural essences to beautify your body.

Live Healthily:

Looks don’t just depend on the products that you use. The various rituals and procedures that you do are also important, and this is not just limited to how you put on your makeup. When you adopt a healthy lifestyle and habits, you improve your appearance as well. Instead of just putting moisturizer on your skin, keep yourself hydrated, and drink enough water. Make sure that you eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables and exercise, which will definitely help you achieve a better body overall, both physically and emotionally.

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Support From the Kitchen:

You might be thinking that eco-friendly products are going to cost you a lot more than the conventional ones. They might, but the extra you pay for is small compared to the good that it will do for your body and the environment. In case you’re in a financial pinch, you can go the DIY route and whip up some treatments from the natural ingredients that you have in your own kitchen and pantry. There are plenty of recipes that you can find online. In fact, even if you do buy some products, you can use some of these in conjunction with them.

These are but a few of the simple upgrades that you can apply to your everyday beauty regimen. And even if they’re small changes, they can make a bigger positive impact on the environment than you think!

Aug2

Different Types Of Sunscreen: What’s The Best One For You?

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Different Types Of Sunscreen: What’s The Best One For You?

If you go out every day, you’re probably aware that you need to apply sunscreen whenever your skin is exposed to the sun. Using any kind of sunscreen is definitely better than not using any sunscreen at all. But if you can find the best sunscreen for you, make sure that it has broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection and an SPF or sun protection factor of at least 30.

There is a high number of sunscreen options available in the market today. And it can be challenging to figure out which one will be compatible with your skin type and preferences. That being said, below are the different kinds of sunscreen you might come across to help you find the most suitable formula for your particular skin type.

Chemical Sunscreen vs Physical Sunscreen:

Sunscreens generally come in two main types, chemical and physical formulations. These contain different ingredients, so they behave and provide sun protection in different ways. Physical sunscreens primarily safeguard you from damaging ultraviolet rays by serving as a physical shield over the skin.

On the other hand, chemical sunscreens react with UV rays and sunlight. They then deteriorate over time so you will need to reapply them every two to three hours. This depends on how much sun exposure you’re getting. But physical sunscreens require reapplications as well.

If you can’t choose between physical and chemical sunscreens, consider hybrid sunscreens. This kind of sunscreen contains both chemical and physical ingredients and offers the same benefits. Try the Aloe Soothing Sun Cream from COSRX, one of the best-selling sunscreens in the Philippines. It’s enriched with Aloe Vera extract and has SPF 50 as well as UVA and UVB protection. It’s also lightweight and doesn’t leave a white cast and greasy residue.

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Sunscreen Recommendations for Different Skin Types:

If your skin is susceptible to rosacea, acne, and dermatitis, avoid sunscreens that contain fragrances, preservatives, and those that have the ingredients oxybenzone or PABA. Opt for physical sunscreens, which have titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. These are ingredients that individuals with sensitive and reactive skin can tolerate better. If rosacea or dermatitis is your primary concerns, avoid alcohol-based sunscreens as well. If your primary concern is acne, you can consider trying gel formulations. These can help regulate oil on your face and are less likely to irritate your skin.

You should also avoid heavy cream preparations since these can aggravate breakouts. On the other hand, if you’re using prescription acne topicals, these are notorious for drying out the skin. You can opt for lightweight creams or lotions instead of gels that might be too drying.

A Note on Natural Sunscreens:

“Natural” sunscreens usually have mineral bases. If you want to try one, look for a product with a coconut oil or olive oil base. These already contain natural SPF protection and can offer the most optimal protection.

Using sunscreen regularly is a vital way to counteract the adverse effects of sun exposure. For best results, choose the best formula that won’t irritate your skin so you can wear it whenever you need it.

Aug2

Four Steps To Landing A Job Abroad

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Four Steps To Landing A Job Abroad

Applying for a job in another country is much more difficult than looking for a job in your own. You have to understand that other countries would prioritize hiring their own citizens before giving the same opportunities to other people. But, despite these hurdles, landing a job in another country is still a huge possibility as long as you get in contact with a legitimate employment agency that offers job opportunities abroad, like any POEA-accredited manning agency.

If you go through these channels, you’re likely to land a good job in another country. In order to increase your chances of getting hired, here are other tips you might want to follow.

Find a city looking for your skills:

Go online and check the cities you would want to work in and see if they are looking for particular professionals. If your background is in construction, then perhaps you might want to consider looking for a job either in the Middle East, where they’re always looking for construction workers, or New Zealand since they’re ramping up their hiring process to get more people to work on construction projects.

Do some research and look for countries that are actively searching for a particular profession that you’re good at, and you’ll be able to improve your chances of landing a job abroad.

Make adjustments to your resume:

Update your resume and make sure that the language you use will match the language of the country you want to move into. For example, you will learn that New Zealand is hiring lots of engineers to help rebuild Christchurch, which is perfect for you if you recently graduated with a degree in civil engineering.

Before you send out resumes to every headhunting company in Christchurch, make sure that your language matches theirs, which means that you should use British English as your reference and not American English if you’re used to the latter.

Know international headhunting companies:

Once your resume is fixed, the next step would be to get acquainted with most of the international headhunting companies and send them your resume. Websites such as Jobstreet, Monster, and Kununu provide thousands of job opportunities abroad that you can check. Make sure that you’re registered on all of these websites.

Also, visit your local manning agencies and get acquainted with them. Some companies abroad prefer to go through these agencies when they’re looking to hire people from another country, so these agencies might know a company or two that’s hiring people like you that you won’t find in Jobstreet or any of the other headhunting sites mentioned earlier.

Learn the language:

Another useful tip to landing a job abroad is to learn the language of the country you want to work in. If English is your second language, it wouldn’t be a problem for you to look for a job in the U.S., the UK, Australia, or New Zealand. But, if you want to work in Japan, you should brush up on your Nihongo and even take an exam to ensure Japanese employers that you know how to communicate properly with them.

Also, learning a language other than English will give you an advantage because there are many non-English speaking countries that are actively hiring people from other countries. If these countries find out that you’re well versed in their native tongue, then you just became a lot more appealing to them.

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These are just some of the tips you can use to improve your chances of landing a job abroad. Make use of them, and hopefully, you’ll find your dream job in another country in no time.

Aug2

Personal Loans: Why Choose A Moneylender Over A Bank

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Personal Loans: Why Choose A Moneylender Over A Bank

A loan can be a godsend, especially when you are consolidating debts. It can be unsecured, so you do not have to borrow against any valuable assets you own. This makes it less risky for you in case you run into some trouble in the middle of your personal loan’s tenure. As you can use the money for mortgages, revolving lines of credit, or wherever you see fit, you will be less pressured to explain where you will use it. In fact, you may not even be asked about it at all.

If you are planning to apply for one soon, going to a moneylender in Singapore may be more advantageous than dealing with a bank. Why? You can find out more about it below:

Decreasing Interest:

Unlike bank-issued loans, those offered by moneylenders do not come with fixed interest. This is good news, as the extra money you pay to borrow the cash decreases every time you make payments. In a way, you are incentivized not to miss your repayments. For instance, if you borrowed $20,000 and you have already paid $8,000, only the remaining $12,000 would be considered for interest computation.

Quick Approval:

Moneylenders do not process loan applications when there is insufficient documentation, but you can expect less paperwork. Banks are notorious for tons of paper requirements, rendering the entire process a bit more cumbersome. If you are in a hurry, walking into a moneylender’s office should be your priority. If you bring everything you need to get your creditworthiness assessed properly, you may receive the money as fast as 24 to 48 hours. Online applications for loan approval are also available with companies like FatCat Loans Canada (or a similar business in your local area). However you choose to go about the application process, be sure to ask any questions you might have before you accept the funds. If you are feeling hesitant or unsure, it’s best to wait until you are fully confident in your decision.

Flexible Repayment:

Compared to banks, moneylenders are more lenient when it comes to repayment plans. They are more open to unconventional terms because they make every effort to help their customers avoid non-payment. On the contrary, banks have strict rules in place. Individual branches do not come up with their own regulations, and they only follow orders from their higher-ups. In many cases, the hands of bank representatives are tied and cannot accommodate special repayment requests. Negotiate all you want, but that could go futile.

No Discrimination:

Singapore banks only cater to citizens and permanent residents. They mostly do not entertain loan applications from foreigners living in Singapore. In addition, traditional financial institutions are not usually interested in borrowers whose annual income is less than $20,000.

Moneylenders have minimum income requirements, too, but not as much as banks. They serve customers who earn less than $10,000 per year. Their doors are also open for foreigners residing in the country. The maximum amount a borrower may qualify is based largely on their annual income and residency status, but everyone (except tourists) is welcome to apply.

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Admirable Lending Behavior:

The moneylending industry is highly regulated in Singapore to protect the best interests of its borrowers. The government provides a Registry of Moneylenders, making it easy to identify whether a business can be trusted or not. If a licensed moneylender misbehaves, the authorities encourage you to report any unacceptable behavior.

Banks and moneylenders have unique selling points, but the latter is more appealing to most borrowers. Shop around as hard as you can and use the competition to get the most favorable personal loan available.

Aug2

That’s So Fetch

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That’s So Fetch

Hello!! Just a quick show of hands: How many people like Lil Red’s looks enough to shop them?!

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If the answer is yes, then do let me know. Becauuuuuse, I have the opportunity to begin working with an affiliate company that will give me a percentage of the cut if I have readers that purchase clothing and beauty products similar to what yours truly is rocking. But, the trick is that I would need to update my blog to a business plan, which would cost me way more per year. So, I only want to do it if I’m one hundred percent sure that my darlings will participate. Let your girl know!

Are you a member of any affiliate programs? What are your experiences with them? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Rebloggy

Aug1

What’s The Purpose Of A Routine Physical?

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What’s The Purpose Of A Routine Physical?

Every year, millions of people show up to the doctor’s office, even though they’re not suffering from any symptoms. They’re not in any pain, don’t have any unsightly rashes, or bulges emanating from parts of their body where they shouldn’t. In short, they appear to be in good health. Instead of turning them away and telling them to come back when they are sick, the physician embraces them with open arms and begins taking a bunch of measurements. What the heck is going on?

Routine physicals have been a part of medical treatment for at least the last one hundred years, ever since doctors have been able to probe the body’s chemistry. The purpose of these physicals is to find out whether the body is healthy according to those markers, not just the patient’s report about how they feel. A routine exam, therefore, is all about finding unseen problems and getting on top of them early, before they start causing real damage.

Routine physicals by a family medicine doctor include the following:

Visual Exam:

Doctors like to perform a visual examination of the body. The purpose of this isn’t to make you feel awkward, but to find problems you may overlook. Doctors will peer into your eyes, ears, chest, joints, and abdomen, looking for potential problems.

Vital Signs:

A healthy pulse is essential. But, it’s precisely the sort of thing that is difficult for the patient to detect. Can you honestly say that you know the precise rhythm of your heart? The likely answer is no. During a routine physical, your physician will hook you up to specialized medical equipment that shows whether your pulse is as it should be. Problems with your pulse readings could indicate heart issues – something that needs urgent attention.

Lab Tests:

The third big pillar of the routine physical is lab tests. You go along to your checkup, your doctor removes some of your blood with a syringe and then sends it off to the lab for analysis. Your blood contains important markers indicative of your overall state of health. Doctors look out for things that might indicate that you’re at a higher risk of heart disease or diabetes. For instance, your cholesterol might be above 220 mg/dL putting you at an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

Again, you can’t tell whether you have high cholesterol. There’s no pain associated with the condition. So it’s sensible to go to the doctor every few months to get it checked. Regular checkups also mean that you can track your cholesterol over time. You can see if diet and lifestyle measures are improving your metabolic status or not.

Screening:

The fourth pillar is screening. The type of testing you receive at a routine checkup very much depends on your gender. For women, screening mostly involves pap smears, mammograms, and pelvic exams for risk of STI transmission. For men, the focus is on the colon and lungs because of cancer.

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If you haven’t had a physical in a while, schedule with your GP ASAP to make sure that all is well with your health.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Aug1

Lil Red’s Book Club: Necessary People Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: Necessary People Edition

Greetings! There are times in my life when I am without a book or graphic novel to read, but those are certainly rare. I have been enjoying quite a few suspenseful thrillers as of late revolving around seemingly “good” girls with dark secrets and motives. The most recent one I finished was called Necessary People by Anna Pitoniak. Although this book wasn’t my favorite by any means, I read it in a matter of days and found myself itching to get back to it when it wasn’t in my hands. So, without any spoilers to those who plan on giving this book a try, let’s discuss:

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Necessary People spins a tale around a toxic friendship between Violet and Stella. And, when I say that these girls are polar opposites, I mean that in absolutely every sense. Violet suffered from a traumatic upbringing, is a Plain Jane, and prefers to be behind the scenes instead of in the spotlight. All the while, Stella is filthy rich, flashy, and performs best for an audience.

The girls met in college and quickly became inseparable, although a lot of their friendship revolved around Violet getting Stella out of sticky drunken situations, thus making Violet feel like she was important and needed. Because of Violet’s abusive parents, she ended up with Stella’s family for the holidays and was rewarded to the ultimate prize upon graduation: To be able to live with Stella in a lavish apartment in New York City for rent that was dirt cheap, compliments of Stella’s parents.

Post graduation, Stella traveled the world and Violet buckled down as an intern at a news company called KCN. Violet pulled herself up by her bootstraps and quickly began to climb the ladder of success at the network, ultimately landing the gig of an associate producer. And, upon Stella’s return home she was left to her own devices because her BFF turned into a workaholic.

Then, things changed rather abruptly when Violet informed Stella that her head boss was at the party they were attending for the wedding anniversary of Stella’s parents. And, just like that, Stella was on and began as an intern at the news network the following week. She began to move up in her own right – by being in front of the camera and reporting the news that Violet worked hard to investigate.

Despite Violet’s lack of desire to be an anchorwoman, seeing her somewhat lazy other half get the glory for her labor began to take its toll. And, once again, Violet was left in Stella’s shadow. What happens when jealousy begins to eat away between two “best friends”? Read the book and find out!

Although I wasn’t a huge fan of either of the main characters in this book, it proved for a good, fast paced read. I wouldn’t want to be friends with Stella or Violet but I loved their dynamic between each other that was filled with back handed compliments and snide remarks.

It was interesting, because they were both “mean girls” in their own way but Stella was just more forthright about it. So, seeing things from the perspective of Violet, the girl who shied away from all eyes being on her was a nice spin on things. She definitely had the brains of the operation between her and Stella and used her wits to her advantage throughout the book to try and ensure that she would land on top. Ambitious or just a bitch? Lol, you decide!

Like I said, this book wasn’t my favorite but I do think that it was worth a read and I’ll rate it with a 6.5 out of ten stars.

Has anyone else read Necessary People? 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

Jul31

July 2019 Finishes

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July 2019 Finishes

Hellooo everyone! July wraps up today and that means it’s time to go over the products I finished up this month. Aside from a body wash that I’m not too crazy about, I enjoyed two new moisturizers that I would definitely recommend to all of you, so take a look at some pics and let’s get started:

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Would I Use Again?

Why/Why Not?

Solimo body wash: Solimo is Amazon’s brand of bath and body care and it works well enough, it’s just not my favorite because it’s kind of boring. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good Shea Butter & Oatmeal scent as much as the next gal, but I’ve been using the same body wash for three or so months now, so I’m pretty over it. However, this product lathers well, smells good, and lasted me over a month for one bottle so it’s not like I hated it – just ready for something new!

Drunk Elephant cream: I chose a Drunk Elephant cream and cleanser as my Sephora birthday gift this year and I absolutely loved this cream. A small amount of it really went a long way and the small tester size lasted me about a week and a half. The cream was rich without being too thick and left my skin feeling so hydrated and protected. It also sat well under makeup, which is a big plus in the summer time.

SkinLab cream: When it comes to moisturizers, the gel kind is my favorite. Using this SkinLab cream was a treat and one jar lasted me well over one month. The aqua bomb like burst of moisture felt invigorating after my morning shower and it was so light, which I love in the summer, because sometimes the cream based moisturizers make my face sweat. Although I loved the Drunk Elephant cream, the SkinLab one is definitely my favorite and I highly recommend it.

July was a really good month for empties for me, because I used up a product that I was eager to finish and got to enjoy two moisturizers that were so lush and effective. Looking forward to seeing what finishes August will bring me!

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

Jul30

Groovy Movies: The Lion King Edition

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Groovy Movies: The Lion King Edition

Hey hey! This has truly been the summer of Disney movies with Aladdin, Toy Story 4, and The Lion King being released in theaters. One of my clients has a particular fondness for Disney movies, so taking her to see the new Lion King was an absolute must. Now, you all know that I am a scary movie girl through and through with some suspense, thriller, and comedy peppered in for good measure. So, of course, I didn’t enjoy this film as much as your average bear. But, it still had its moments so take a look at the trailer and let’s discuss:

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

I can’t exactly say that I had a strong Disney childhood, because I honestly barely remember any of the movies. As the baby of the family, my older siblings weren’t interested in watching the classic Disney flicks by the time I was old enough to enjoy and comprehend them. So, although I know the basics about The Lion King, it is definitely not one that I can recall in detail.

I feel like this was an advantage for me to go into this movie not really knowing much about it, because I didn’t have any expectations based on the cartoon. Overall, I can’t say that I loved The Lion King, by any means. But, it was a pleasant enough flick to sit through.

The Lion King really did boast an all star cast including James Earl Jones, Donald Glover, and BEYONCE for crying out loud. And, they were alright. But Seth Rogan as Pumbaa and Billy Eichner as Timon took the cake. Rogan and Eichner were freaking hilarious and I found myself laughing out loud in all of their scenes. They had great chemistry with each other, the singing wasn’t bad, and they were the only characters in the live action movie that I could actually envision saying their lines.

And, that, brings me to my main qualms about The Lion King. Rogan and Eichner embodied their characters perfectly and somehow managed to sound like how a warthog and meercat might if they had human voices. But, all of the other characters felt so disjointed from their voices and the songs that they were singing. It almost made it feel like a documentary with Beyonce just happening to do the music for it.

I also was a bit disappointed with how the scenes with Scar and the hyenas played out. From what I do remember of the cartoon Lion King, Scar was a major A-HOLE. Like, he was this sneering, rotten villain who killed his own brother. In the live action version, Scar just appeared bored and the hyenas were really annoying. I didn’t get this sense of looming darkness that I remember Scar having and that made Mufasa’s death be kind of like an “oh” moment, instead of bringing me to tears – which I totally thought it would.

Was this movie worth seeing in theaters? For die hard Disney fans, yes. For anyone else, use your discretion. As your average person going in to this movie expecting nothing, I’ll give it an average rating of six out of ten stars. I think that it was a difficult task to create a live action version of singing animals and this one missed the mark for me.

How did you feel about the new Lion King? Which Disney movie are you hoping they remake next? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Heroic Hollywood