Author Archives: lifewithlilred

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About lifewithlilred

Just your average gal blogging an average blog!

BTW: I’M AN AUNT!!!!!

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BTW: I’M AN AUNT!!!!!

Hello!!!! As you might have inferred from the vague title of this post… I’M AN AUNT!!! My precious niece, Valerie Jane, was born on March 7th weighing five pounds and five ounces. My sister, Kristen, and her boyfriend, Ramon, are so happy to welcome their little girl whose namesake is derived from both of their beautiful mothers. I am the proudest TT on the planet and I am so obsessed with Valerie I just can’t stand it. Did I mention she’s cute? Cause she’s so freaking cute. The proof is in the pictures:

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Le sigh… she’s so perfect. The cutest button nose, her full head of black hair (Just like her mom had when she was born!), and the most darling little baby sneezes you’ve ever heard, I just can’t get enough of my niece. Every time I see her, I fall more in love and whenever I’m not with her, I am thinking about when I can hold her again. I am so honored to be an aunt to the tiniest princess and can’t wait to watch her continue to blossom every day. TT Sarah loves you, sweet Valerie!

Who else is a member of the cool aunt or uncle club? How about a member of the new parent club? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Hosting A Book Club

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Hosting A Book Club

Hosting a book club can be an exciting new venture. It provides you with an opportunity to discuss books that you have genuinely enjoyed reading with others. You can put across your own understanding and analysis of the book and also open your mind to new ideas by listening to others’ comprehension, thoughts, and feelings. It’s also a great way to meet people with similar interests to you. You can form bonds with a whole new friendship group! But hosting a book club is by no means a simple feat. It entails a whole lot more than simply sitting around a table with a copy of a book and talking. You will need to prepare and put a fair amount of thought into ensuring that your book club really stands out from the rest.

Setting Up:

Setting up is, perhaps, the most time consuming process of hosting a book club. You will need to draw up some sort of guest list, set a date and time, and set a place where everyone will meet. Generally speaking, it’s best to communicate with participants throughout this process. What best suits you may not best suit the majority. You may have to be a little flexible and lenient to get the ball rolling.

Nominating Books:

Choosing the book that you are all going to read can be relatively difficult. Attendees are likely to have different tastes and preferences, but emphasize the fact that a book club is a great opportunity for people to introduce themselves to new authors, genres, and forms of literature. Engaging with something unfamiliar could help people become exposed to something that they actually love but would have never tried themselves.

Creating a Comfortable Setting:

If you are meeting in a public space, try to make sure that it is comfortable and appropriate. If you are hosting at home, make sure that there are sufficient seats for all attendees and that the room doesn’t feel cramped with a bunch of bodies. Consider lighting – you don’t want it to be too bright or too dark.

Background Music:

You don’t want music blaring while you’re trying to hold a conversation about Edgar Allan Poe’s assonance. But, it is a good idea to have some sort of quiet background noise. Quiet music can make people feel a little more comfortable in any social setting. This tends to be why bars, restaurants, and cafes all have a quiet soundtrack playing at all times. You can find plenty of royalty free music to use at https://stockmusic.net/royalty-free-music/. Make up some sort of playlist that can be looped so you’re not having to play DJ throughout the event.

Provide Snacks and Refreshments:

You may want to consider providing snacks and refreshments or requesting that people bring their own. Rumbling stomachs and thirst can detract from people’s experience, so keep everyone full, quenched, and content. Make sure you’re aware of allergies or special diets ahead of time.

There is a lot more than one might think when it comes to running a book club! The above areas are just a few to consider. Hopefully, they will help to make your book club memorable and enjoyable for all involved.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Making Your Life That Little Bit Better

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Making Your Life That Little Bit Better

There’s always room for improvement in life. So, if you’ve decided that you want to be that little bit happier each time you wake up in the morning, now is a better time to start than ever! Leading a better quality life is more fulfilling and will leave you feeling more content. You will be able to enjoy your life to the utmost and minor problems won’t seem all that bad. So, what can you do to improve your quality of life? Here are a few ideas to get the ball rolling:

Wave Goodbye to Unhealthy Habits:

We tend to get entangled with unhealthy habits, as we find engaging with them enjoyable or pleasurable in the first place. We get some sort of immediate benefit from unhealthy substances and continue to engage with them as a result. But over time, they can prove significantly detrimental to our overall health and well being. The good news, is that there are ways to kick unhealthy habits. You can:

  • Quit smoking with nicotine replacement products.
  • Combat excessive alcohol consumption with men’s sober living.
  • Tackle obesity with a balanced diet and exercise regime.

These are just a few examples derived from common bad habits that people have. But, whatever your unhealthy habit may be, it’s time to wave goodbye to it!

Assume the Best in Others:

Many of us spend time ruminating on others’ wrongdoings and negative experiences that we have had with other people in the past. Betrayal, deception, and other harsh acts can make us skeptical of others and their intentions. This, in a way, can help us. We are less likely to be caught off guard or hurt. But, at the same time, we can find ourselves cutting off potentially positive relationships because we assume the worst in someone who has given us no reason to doubt them. So, start assuming the best of others. It will open you up to better and more rewarding relationships and provide you with a more positive mindset.

Pick Up a New Hobby:

So many of us waste hours on end scrolling through social media feeds and yearning for the fun filled lifestyles that others seem to be leading. But, this is counterproductive. Instead, why not get out there and actively engage with something that you genuinely enjoy? You could put your spare time to much better use. Pick up a hobby. Choose something that appeals to you. Common hobbies include:

Not only can having a hobby provide you with something stimulating and rewarding to do, but it can expand your social circles, putting you in touch with others who have similar interests to you.

These steps may seem relatively basic. But, it’s definitely worth putting a reminder out there. Following the above advice could help you to live your life to the utmost and wake up with a smile on your face!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Bathroom Brainwaves

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Bathroom Brainwaves

What’s your favorite room in your home? Is it your kitchen where family and friends gather round to eat, drink, and chat? How about your bedroom, a haven away from the hustle and bustle of a busy day? Maybe it’s your bathroom, where soaking the dust and smells of a day at work is your favorite way to unwind. Unless, of course, your bathroom is not in the best shape and has you racing through your bedtime routine to avoid the moldy tiling and leaking shower.

If that’s the case, then you need to think about creating a bathroom that provides more than just running water and gives you the tranquil haven you deserve. How to go about this transformation? We’re about to talk you through your bathroom overhaul:

Plan to succeed:

Do your research, read the posts from lifestyle bloggers and decorating gurus, and start creating a reasonable and budget friendly plan. You certainly don’t have to spend thousands on your makeover, but you do have to have a realistic budget in mind before you start. There’s nothing more frustrating than starting a job and then abandoning it halfway through as the money runs out and you have to begin saving again.

Start the work in a logical sequence. This means the messy stuff has to happen first, such as removing unwanted bathroom furniture, tiles, and so on. Once you’re done there, you’ll probably want to start repainting the walls. Think creatively, not all bathrooms have to be a brilliant white and you might opt instead to wallpaper one wall or paint it another neutral color. Try choosing contrasting colors from your bathroom essentials to create a striking juxtaposition.

Pick a priority:

Are you more of a long soaker or a shower kind of person? Whichever you prefer, why not treat yourself to a luxury bathroom suite that’s going to last and give you pleasure for years to come? You don’t have to spend a crazy amount on a new suite. You might find plenty of options online and in second hand stores or salvage yards.

Start getting excited today about transforming this room in your house. Keep an open mind on how and where you source your bathroom furniture from and keep costs down by doing as much of the work that you can yourself. If you’ve got friends and family that can help, tempt them in with the reward of food and beer!

Plan the refurb properly and have everything that you might need in place before you start. If you’re unsure about your DIY skills, then find a YouTube video that will provide you with some top tips to get you started. Then, once you’re done, you can sink into a bubble-filled bath, shutting out the outside world, proud in the knowledge that you’ve created your new favorite room in the house. Just be sure to get in ahead of the rest of your household who’ll also want to make the most of your decorating skills!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Lil Red’s Book Club: An Innocent Client Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: An Innocent Client Edition

Hii everyone! This past week I finished up a riveting courtroom drama called An Innocent Client. I love me a good courtroom film or book just as much as the next guy and this one was one hundred percent decent. It wasn’t the best or most shocking grand reveal, by far, but it was still a pleasant read and it was very easy for me to continue to turn the pages. I finished the three hundred and sixty pager in two days! Let’s discuss:

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Scott Pratt’s debut novel revolved around criminal defense lawyer, Joe Dilliard, who wished for one thing and one thing only on his birthday: an innocent client. Sick of defending the low lifes who everyone knew darn well that they committed horrific crimes, he wanted someone who he truly felt was innocent. And, he felt that way about his latest client, a waitress at a men’s club named Angel Christian.

Angel is beautiful and mild mannered and Joe couldn’t imagine her hurting a fly let alone committing a murder. He is making the big bucks off of her case and begins doing everything in his power to clear her name. All the while, he deals with a drug addicted sister, a stalker, and his clients who he continues to visit in jail. Each one being more colorful than the next.

I enjoyed all of the subplots in this book, because it felt like a different story with every chapter and that made me want to continue reading as soon as I finished one. However, this book definitely contains a lot of trigger warnings in terms of violence and sex crimes and I wouldn’t recommend it to those who are sensitive to that.

Like I mentioned earlier, the grand reveal was good but it didn’t blow me away. But, it was crafted really well and it was a smart trick that the writer had up his sleeve and I appreciated that. I’m going to give this book a six out of ten. I did like reading it, for the most part, but some of it was very hard to get through. An Innocent Client had a great pace and Joe Dilliard was a likeable leading character. Sometimes courtroom dramas read like an instruction manual and this one was approachable enough that I finished it in two days!

What is your favorite courtroom drama? What is your favorite genre to read? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Bubble Bar Blitz: Lush’s Yog Nog Yule Log Pt. 2 Edition

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Bubble Bar Blitz: Lush’s Yog Nog Yule Log Pt. 2 Edition

Hello! A few days ago, we discussed the Yog Nog Yule Log bubble bar from Lush. Sadly, I didn’t use it correctly the first time around and did not experience the bubble bath of my dreams. But, since the bar is reusable, I was able to try again! And, sadly, I still did not experience the bubble bath of my dreams, even though I used the bar properly this time. All I got was a few measly bubbles and pee yellow bath water. Lol, take a look and let’s discuss:

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After my unsuccessful first bubble bar bath, I consulted the Lush website and learned that you have to crumble the bar up and hold it under the running water – which I did the second time around. I don’t know what I was expecting, albeit it wasn’t much, but I definitely didn’t anticipate sinking into a bath filled with the water seen above!

Maybe the bubble bars don’t bubble as well the second time around or something but it was very much lacking in that department, to say the least. So, I just took the crumbled up bar pieces that didn’t dissolve and used it on my body to shave with like I did the last time.

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I don’t know if I’ll try a bubble bar again after the two unsuccessful experiences with Yog Nog Yule Log. But, that’s okay, because I’m so partial to the bath bombs that I’d rather use those, anyways. Despite the bar not bubbling the best, it still gave me a really close and smooth shave, which I can definitely appreciate! 😀

What are your thoughts on the Lush bubble bars? Do you have a favorite one? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Super Cute Stuff

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Super Cute Stuff

Howdy! As you all can tell, I have been reading a lot lately. There is nothing better than diving into a good book and I am currently hunkering down with The Innocent Client every chance I can get! With all of this reading, a super cute book mark is a must and the one that I’m using never ceases to make me smile, because there’s an adorable story behind it. Take a look and I’ll tell you all about it:

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On the second day out from my surgery gone wrong in December, I wanted nothing more than some ice cream from the parlor down the street, Handel’s. Their ice cream is delicious with a variety of flavors to pick from and I knew that it would feel so good on my aching mouth. I decided that I wanted the Peppermint Stick ice cream and my dad left to get it for me. But, I almost instantly changed my mind as soon as he departed and realized I wanted chocolate, instead, because I was really miserable.

The catch, is that my dad doesn’t have a cell phone so there was no way he would know that the Peppermint Stick was a no go. So, in my pain pill induced stupor, I called Handel’s and let them know the dire situation at hand. I described my dad’s appearance and my desperate need for chocolate and they said that they would pass the memo along. They probably thought that I was crazy, but I was proud to have handled my needs because I was super out of it.

I eagerly awaited my ice cream and when my dad returned home, he said that the container was already waiting there for him and he just had to pay. When I opened the bag up, I saw the darling handwritten note seen above and I was tickled. It was so sweet and I needed that, because I was hurting so badly.

I kept the note on my bedside table and it has become the perfect book mark during my reading extravaganzas. It doesn’t take much to make someone smile and, little does the employee who helped me know, she makes me smile every day!

How have you made someone smile today? What is your favorite ice cream flavor? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Suggestions For Home Improvements

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Suggestions For Home Improvements

There are many reasons you might find to make changes to your home. It could be something simple like there is a draft coming in or it might be purely emotional, you just want to update your surroundings. There isn’t a wrong reason for improving your property, but there are bad ways to go about it. Keep in mind that if you rent your home out, you may want to utilize the services of a property management company in Reno, NV (or wherever you are based) to handle these improvements so you can be kept free for other essential needs. Here, we are going to take a look at some of the ways you can make changes with meaning and purpose, with as little stress as possible:

Interior Decor:

There is plenty to discuss when it comes to updating your home, but the most common types of changes are through interior design. By breaking this section into different stages, we will explore some of the unique ways you can improve your home and use complementing features.

  • Painting & Wallpapering

We are going to start by looking at the decorating of your walls. You might prefer a painted wall and there will be readers who like a papered over effect. However, the most important thing to consider when it comes to this area of decorating is the color. The tones that you use in each room will set the mood and create the vibe that you want for them. This is why you should make sure you are exploring color psychology before getting started. Color psychology is the understanding of how different colors affect our mood and thought process.

For example, blues are said to have a calming influence on the user of a room which makes it ideal for living rooms and other areas of the home that are designed for relaxation. Whereas red is a stimulant which means it is better suited to a creative space like a home office or the kitchen. The idea is to find the colors that suit each room and your tastes effectively.

  • Flooring

If you’re starting off by addressing the walls, then the next logical step is to move on to the floor. Once you have sorted the color scheme that you are going to be working with you will quickly find out if the flooring that you currently have in place suits the new look of your room or if it needs an update, as well.

Color is going to play a role but, more importantly in this case, is the style of flooring that you want to utilize. There are many different options when it comes to choosing a floor these days from carpet to hardwood and everything in between. But the way you decide should have more to do with the room you are using rather than anything else. In the same way that color psychology is designed to give you an idea of how to make the room meets its requirements, so too does the choice of floor. A carpet promotes comfort and warmth which makes it ideal for bedrooms and living rooms. However, if you spill something on it, then a clean can be expensive and problematic, which means carpet in the kitchen is far from ideal!

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Photo by midascode from Pixabay

Renovation:

There are, of course, bigger projects that you can take on when it comes to updating your home and ways to go about making sure they are done right. The aim with renovation should be to ensure you are enhancing your property and that the decisions you are making fit exactly what you want. Renovating a property can be an expensive and inconvenient thing to do so getting it right the first time is essential:

  • Extension

One of the biggest changes you can make to your property is to get an extension, but this can mean any number of things. The most popular type of building renovation to a property tends to be either a loft or garden extension. The idea is to get more space for your home and achieving that might require planning permission. This is where hiring someone who knows what they’re doing when it comes to extensions is important. Not all changes to the design of your property requires planning permission, but you do not want to be on the wrong side of the law when it comes to these changes – it can get expensive quickly.

An alternative to the traditional type of extension is to use the space underneath your property by developing a basement. Once upon a time these rooms were famous for lacking light and being targets for damp, but thanks to progress in engineering and changes to the way they are designed basements are very much the future of extensions. They are ideal for a playroom for the kids or an entertainment area with cinema decor.

  • Assess The Roof

Assessing your home’s roof is one of the key things that you can do that will help you when it comes to making the right choices for home improvements. Many people take the roof for granted, and in many ways it is the most important and essential area of the home. It’s the shelter that protects you from the elements and from potential intruders, and you need to make sure you have the best possible roof you can for the future of the home. There are several steps that will help you to achieve this and it is a vital part of improving the aesthetics and the safety of your property.

The best place to start with is to make sure that you hire a roofing repair company to help you assess the damage that comes with the home, and this is something that you need to keep in mind right now. There are so many different elements that are involved in helping you improve your home and your roof and knowing what you are dealing with is one of the best places to start. Experts in Roof Repair and Replacement Services can give you the peace of mind that your home is ready to withstand the weather and keep your family safe.

  • Doors & Windows

One of the things we have mentioned at the top is the need to address a draft or something similar. This isn’t the most fun project, but it’s a change you need to make. That doesn’t mean that you should settle for whatever you can get. Instead, you should use this as an opportunity to think about the windows and doors that you have and how you would like to see them improved. Companies like Renewal by Andersen windows will be able to provide you with a service that combines style with necessity, like preventing drafts. As you are planning a home face lift with new windows, it is important to keep in mind codes and regulations to ensure optimum success. If you are unsure of any of these guidelines, simply enter a search for “Florida building code for windows” (or your local area) so your renovation can go right the first time.

Outside:

Finally we are going to take a brief look at how you can improve the outside area of your home, specifically the garden. If you are fortunate enough to have a nice open space at the back of your property, then you should make sure you are using it to its full potential with some of the following:

  • Furniture

A good garden table and chairs is the starting point for making the most of your garden. Along with a large shade umbrella on the sunny days and a fire pit for the chilly fall nights. Whatever you’re planning on, make sure you are cultivating a space that is usable, encourages you to get outside, and is comfortable for guests.

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Photo by Engin_Akyurt from Pixabay

  • Gardening

For some people, playing with plants and crops is a hobby but for others is just isn’t their idea of fun. However, you will want to be looking at something that pleases your eye so invest some time in finding easy to grow plants and bushes for your garden. Things like pansies and sunflowers will grow without much attention and will give you something to look at as you sit on your furniture in the summer months.

Improvements on your home help raise its market value and provides a more comfortable space for your family. Use some of the ideas above to help get you started!

Featured Image By: qimono from Pixabay

Before Putting Your House On The Market…

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Before Putting Your House On The Market…

Are you planning on putting your property on the market this year? If so, this blog post is here for you. Read on to discover everything you need to know, including useful tips on preparation, as well as some critical information about property prices:

It’s not as dramatic as it seems!

There is nothing like the news to make you think the world is ending, we are all going to lose our jobs, and our house will never sell. But is it really that dramatic? Take these reports and stories about the housing market with a pinch of salt! Data can be manipulated in so many different ways in order to create a desired story. So, ‘house prices are falling and show no signs of improving’ they say, but on what basis have they come to this conclusion?

You don’t know what data they have analyzed and what they have taken into account. These conflicting news reports can be enough to make anyone worried, but don’t let them concern you and certainly don’t allow them to force you into a knee-jerk reaction, such as altering your asking price. If you have done your research – assessed comparable properties in the nationwide and especially the local market – whilst having your property valued by several estate agents or a property consulting group, you have nothing to be worried about. Confidence is key!

Why you need a Rightmove Comparison Report:

What is a Rightmove Comparison Report? Essentially, this tool helps you to come to a decision regarding what your house is worth. It gathers relevant data regarding the prices achieved for recent sales, as well as the asking prices of properties currently on the market. Rightmove is undoubtedly one of the most trusted companies in the UK. All you need to do is enter your postcode, the radius of which you would like them to search (i.e. within ½ a mile), your property type, and how many bedrooms you have. Once you have done all of this Rightmove will do the hard work for you and provide you with the figures you need.

This comparison report can be a very effective tool. You can use it to make sure your property is not priced too high in relation to similar ones in your area, or on the other hand to make sure it is not priced too cheaply. You can also see whether the sold prices are much different from the current asking prices. Is there a trend for the sort of price that is attracting offers? Not only should you use this report, but you should also make sure you get your property inspected before it goes on the market. A free roof inspection and other services like this will ensure everything is fine so that viewers can’t drum down your asking price.

The value of a good school:

To get your pricing right you need to have a good idea of what drives home values. Let’s take a look at what direct factors influence the price of your home:

  • Community/Neighborhood – Your local area plays a huge role in determining the value of your property. What are services like in the area? Is there a thriving business district? Does the neighborhood have a friendly and safe feel? If you are situated in an area that is well known for crime your property’s value will suffer massively!
  • Transportation – Easy access in and out of the area can affect the value of your property. If you are situated near access to the motorway and there is a good selection of public transport in the area you can be sure this will positively impact the value of your home.
  • Schools – When it comes to family homes, there is a strong relationship between solid property values and good schools.
  • Amenities – Finally, is everything the buyer needs nearby? From schools and parks, to libraries and bike paths – these are all factors that enhance property value, because they enhance what the buyer has by their doorstep should they decide to purchase your home.

How to convince the buyer that your asking price is right:

If your property has been on the market for a while and you are getting the sense that buyers feel it is a bit pricey, you need to prove to them that it is worth the money you are asking for. You are happy with your asking price. Your estate agent is happy with it too. You took advice from several agents and choose your asking price based on what they had to say. So, what’s the problem?

The trouble is, the buyer can prove to be more knowledgeable than you and even the estate agent when it comes to home prices! After all, they are in the business for finding a house, so they are comparing prices and properties all of the time. The solution? You could utilize resources to Sell My House Fast if you are getting impatient with no offers. Or, improvements will have to be made to convince the buyer that your property is certainly worth what you are asking for. This is where your photographs, online listing, and brochure really come into account. Marketing is everything to ensure you sell the house and the lifestyle to the buyer. Also, make sure your home is presented impeccably – presentation and features are so important!

Get your house sold and move onto the new chapter in your life with the tips above!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

New Cherry & Cream Nails

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New Cherry & Cream Nails

Hello!! This past Thursday, I enjoyed a much needed fill at my wonderful salon, Elysian Nails. Seriously, I can’t rave enough about that place. It is so posh, the nail techs are brilliant, and the prices are amazing. I always leave there feeling like a million bucks while only spending a fraction of what I used to pay to get my nails did. This time around, I chose a cherry vanilla motif and ended up with these beauties. Take a look:

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For the first time ever, I have red nails and I am so in love! It took long enough to go with nails the color of my namesake, but it was worth the wait because these are fabulous. My talons are nice and sharp and the deep cherry color along with the nude accent nail feels so lux and elegant. This color combination is edgy in a different way. I still feel like the queen of the underworld as I did with my black nails but now I feel like the queen of everything else, too!

Thanks, Elysian Nails! ❤

What color of polish do you have on right now? Which colors should I get next? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah