Author Archives: lifewithlilred

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About lifewithlilred

Just your average gal blogging an average blog!
Jul6

New Rachel Zoe Top

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New Rachel Zoe Top

Helloooo! This past Saturday, I spent a lovely afternoon shopping at TJMaxx with my mom. I had a birthday gift card as well as TJ’s cash to spend from their credit card so it was definitely burning a hole in both of our pockets! I had a great haul that included two new necklaces, a pair of sunglasses (all of which you will see later), and my new favorite top by Rachel Zoe. Take a look:

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I am absolutely in love with this slate grey button down top. It is so simple but the unique color really makes a statement. It has the slightest lavender undertones in it, which just pops against my complexion and tattoos. It’s funny, because before I became heavily tattooed, I would have dubbed a shirt like this as “boring”. But, with all of these inked on accessories, it takes even the most plain top to the next level.

In the fitting room, I tried this Rachel Zoe number tucked into my little blue denim shorts and it made a statement. Then, I tried on a white hi-lo dress with a bright colored pattern and it looked too much with all of the colors already happening on my skin. But, pre-tattooed Sarah would have been all over it and it probably would have looked quite nice! Talk about a total 180, lol.

As I get older, I have learned the power of styling simple but chic outfits. As well as the necessity for clothing that fits just right. This top with my shorts along with a cool pair of summer wedges and a rosary style necklace is all I really needed and it made me feel beautiful. It was also fun to let my tattoos do the talking against a more neutral color palette. So excited to wear this OOTD out and about ASAFP!

How would you style this top for summer? What are some of your styling tips for ultimate chicness? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul5

Keeping Safe When You Spot A Dangerous Dog

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Keeping Safe When You Spot A Dangerous Dog

For a dog lover, it can be difficult to imagine staying away from an animal. However, newspapers have reported fatalities linked to dog attacks frequently enough for people to keep their distance from potentially dangerous animals. Keeping safe when you notice that a dog is acting strangely and could become threatening is often a matter of staying out of reach. But, there is a variety of situations. It can be tricky, for instance, to stay away from a dog wandering in the street. Alternatively, could there be more to their menacing behavior than the desire to attack? Indeed, sometimes, the best reaction when you spot a potentially dangerous dog is not to walk away but to find help. How do you know what to do? Here’s a little guideline to highlight typical canine reactions and the kind of protection you need.

A dangerous dog can bite you or your dog:

Sometimes, there is nothing you can do to protect yourself. You could be walking casually in your local park when, suddenly, a dog comes out of nowhere and bites you. Unprovoked attacks are, unfortunately, widespread especially when you’re dealing with inexperienced dog owners. It doesn’t make the attack any less traumatic; however, you need to make a clear difference between a bad owner and a dangerous animal.

Indeed, negligent owners are often the cause of many troubles. In such a scenario, you might want to find a dog bite attorney in Denver or wherever you are based to file a claim for compensation for the dog bite. Not only can you recover money through the process; but this is where the differentiation between an actual dangerous dog and a careless owner plays a significant role. Additionally, if the dog has not attacked you, but your pet, you can also consider a legal representative to claim veterinary expenses as long as you can prove that the fault lies with the other dog owner. You will want to find a law firm that specializes in these sorts of cases if you are going to do this. For example, you might decide to hire The Millar Law Firm.

You can identify their nervous behavior:

In other situations, you might have enough time to observe the animal and make a decision based on its behaviors. It’s important to remember that dogs can struggle with difficult emotions, which can affect the way they engage with people without meaning that they are dangerous animals. If you happen to spot a trembling dog that is trying to hide away from sight, it typically means that the animal is anxious. Following the dog might also lead to an aggressive reaction, as the dog will perceive your behavior as an attack and act in self-defense.

Anxious pets need help to relax if you want to interact with them. However, if you don’t know the dog, it’s best to keep your distance and leave it to a professional. It can be tricky for dog lovers to stay away from anxious dogs, primarily if you are used to petting and playing with them. The most natural reaction, when you see a scared animal is to want to hug them. Unless it is your dog, it is never a good idea to start with a hug when the animal doesn’t know you. They could misinterpret your intentions.

What can you do if you notice signs of abuse?

Ultimately, aggressiveness is not a natural behavior. When a dog is aggressive, your safety depends on your ability to figure out the issue and seek protection. A dog owner whose pet treatment is cruel can be the cause of many behavioral problems. There are signs of animal cruelty that can completely change your reading on the situation. A dog that is left with no veterinary care despite showing wounds or that is beaten by the owner is likely to react either anxiously or aggressively to human interactions. Be prepared to take action and give the animal the help it needs by contacting the relevant authorities, such as the HSUS.

Safe gestures with a scared dog:

If your neighbors or a friend recently rescued a pet from a shelter, the animal could show signs of aggressiveness as a result of its past trauma. You could notice growling, snarling, showing teeth, or even staring. In reality, the dog might be scared. Typically, it’s best to leave it to a more experienced dog handler, however, in a situation where you’re the only person with previous dog experience, you need to know how to approach a nervous dog safely.

Train your dog to be friendly first:

You’d be surprised to know that a lot of anxious dogs find no other way out than to bite when they feel cornered. That’s why it’s especially important that you understand how to read their behavior and how to approach them safely. Additionally, you should also train your dog not to display aggressive signs towards other animals. A nervous dog might feel forced to act in self-defense if your pet growls as they walk past.

Is the dog injured?

There is another reason why an animal might be aggressive, and it is when they are in pain. For instance, if you accidentally touch a dog on a wound, it might bite you. However, it is not a sign of aggressive behavior but only their way of protecting themselves. Therefore, if you intend to approach a lonely dog, you need to keep your eyes open for health clues. An open wound is, of course, easy to spot. But you need to focus on other clues, such as a limp or slight swelling, for example.

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Be cautious with an injured dog

While dangerous dogs are everybody’s nightmare, it is crucial to understand that aggressiveness can be a response to many events. From negligent owners to anxiety, not all dogs that bite are a vicious animal. Some of them, you could even help and prevent unnecessary attacks.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Jul5

New Navy & Grey Nails

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New Navy & Grey Nails

Helloooo! On Sunday morning, I was able to spend some time being pampered at Elysian Nails for a fill. Some months, my nails grow out and still look alright but, this time around, they were looking SUPER janky so I was happy to get them looking right again. On my way to the salon, I had the idea of navy and grey in mind so I just went with it instead of changing my mind a million times at their polish station. And, I am glad I stuck to my guns because they look great! Check it out:

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I love the nautical vibe of the dove grey with the deep navy. It makes me think of huge, puffy clouds tumbling over a vast ocean and they are simple but really chic. After going back to my usual black nails last month, I was still hankering for a dark color and I figured that navy was my next best bet. My walk on the dark side will satisfy the urge for wanting black nails again in the meantime but I can’t promise that I won’t be selecting my black polish next month! 😀

What color of polish do you have on right now? How do you rock summer themed nails? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul4

July 2019 Funky Time Jams

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July 2019 Funky Time Jams

Helloooo everyone and welcome to a fabulous new month here on lifewithlilred! Besides from my birthday, June was a real pisser of a month thanks to cutting ties with my boyfriend. So, all girl power anthems and songs that are just pure fun to get myself back to singing in the car was the name of the game. And, here we are in July feeling oh so much better! Take a listen:

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

Whenever I’m feeling sad, it’s so important for me to not wallow in it because then all I want to do is get back into bad habits. And, that’s the last thing I want to do. So, if that means singing at the top of my lungs to Barbie Girl in my car needs to happen, then so be it. I drive so much for my job, which either gives myself time to think and be sad or have a singalong and start smiling again.

I’m proud of myself, because I chose the latter, and the songs above helped me to perk up big time. Truth Hurts by Lizzo has been my go to feel good song as of late. It just makes me feel happy – I love her confidence and her voice and as soon as it comes on the radio I can feel my mood improving. Definitely a song I can play on repeat and not grow tired of – which makes it a winner!

What are your go to songs to play when you’re feeling sad? How do you improve your mood during a rough day? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul3

Getting A Master’s: What You Need To Know

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Getting A Master’s: What You Need To Know

Are you considering getting your master’s or trying to work out whether you should? If this is the situation you’re in, then read on for three key areas to keep in mind:

Job Prospects:

First of all, one of the most important things for you to keep in mind is the job prospects that come with a master’s degree. Can you get your dream job without it? If so, do you need to get your master’s? If you do or you’ve got significant earnings potential with it, then go ahead.

Costs:

The next thing that you need to bear in mind here, is the cost. Because, as you’ll know, college can come with a hefty price tag. And so, you’ll want to make sure that one, you can afford it or have funding options, and that two, you’re happy to take on that much debt if you do. A cheaper college or shorter course could help you here.

Duration:

Finally, you’re then going to want to think about the duration of the course, too. Sure, you can get some year-long courses, but anything like law school is going to be a lot longer than that. And, of course, costs increase as a result. So, ask yourself, do you really want to go down that route? If you really want that career, then you may not have another choice. But if you take a look at the infographic below, you’ll find that a political management degree could be more beneficial. So weigh up your options!


Infographic Design By George Washington University

No matter your choice, consider it carefully and make sure that it is the right one for you.

 

Jul3

New Glass Letter Box

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New Glass Letter Box

Hi! I absolutely love receiving things in the mail, especially handwritten letters and birthday or holiday cards. I think that letter writing is a lost art and nothing makes me happier than seeing that someone took the time to sit down and write something just for me. I save all of my cards and letters from my loved ones but, sadly, have had nowhere to put them other than shoved in a drawer of my desk. But, that changed during my shopping session at the craft store, PatCatan’s! Check it out:

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When my client who I was shopping with pointed out how nice this would look in my apartment, I couldn’t agree more and instantly added it to my cart. Right away, it reminded me of the donation box that my grandparents had at the funeral home that they owned and operated. I remember spending many a times dropping made up “airplane tickets” into the box and then going to explore the magnificent property.

Although I won’t be dropping any travel tickets into my new treasure box any time soon, it sure will be perfect for putting my letters in it. I love that I will be able to still see everything in it. All of the signatures, colors, and handwriting will be on display which is just what I wanted but didn’t know how to achieve until finding this little beauty. It is definitely a nod to my funeral home chic aesthetic in my apartment and I can’t wait to fill it up with my card collection!

Do you save your mail from your loved ones? How do you store it? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul2

Basic Traffic Boosting Strategies For Startups

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Basic Traffic Boosting Strategies For Startups

In the past, we’ve talked about merging traditional marketing with digital technology to boost your business’ online presence. While SEO is one of the most effective ways to get people to your site, it’s not the only way. In fact, there are other ways of boosting organic traffic, you just have to know what to do! Here, we list some basic Traffic Boosting strategies that aren’t too difficult to pull off:

Long-Tail Keywords:

With almost 50% of search engine queries coming from voice search, Google is starting to shift its focus towards long-tail keywords. Simply put, long-tail keywords are more like key phrases: they contain more words than traditional keywords and are usually much more specific.

For example, instead of typing down “best BBQ Texas”, users will more likely use their voice search and ask, in plain English, “What’s the best BBQ restaurant in Texas”. Because of advances in voice-recognition software over the past couple of years, Google and other search engines will be prioritizing the use of full sentences rather than chunky keywords.

This is good news for everybody: online companies will have to write more organic sounding content (which is always better than contrived pieces), and search engines are able to provide more accurate, more localized results (and even improve their Machine Learning algorithms in the process!).

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Wokandapix on Pixabay

Internal Links:

Basically, internal links are when you create content that has links to a different webpage within your webpage. Why is this important? Well, it all boils down to two things: bounce rate and page rank.

Bounce rate refers to the percentage of website visitors who navigate away from the website they’re visiting. A high bounce rate is bad news; it means your website is boring, it doesn’t add value to your readers, or it’s confusing, among other things. A low bounce rate, on the other hand, is good news: it means your website is interesting, easy to use, adds value, and a lot of other things that people will want to stay for.

Page rank is pretty self-explanatory: it’s the rank your website occupies in the search results of Google. The higher the rank, the higher the chances of your website garnering traffic, the higher your chances of converting leads. There are dozens of data signals Google uses to determine page rank, and one of them is, you guessed it, bounce rate.

So what do they have to do with internal links? Well, internal links drastically reduces your bounce rate, especially if the links you provide go to a page in your site that offers even more information (or value) to your visitors. This creates a positive feedback loop that reduces your bounce rate and increases the time people spend on your website which, in turn, gets you higher up the page ranks which, in turn again, drives traffic to your website.

If you are feeling overwhelmed at this point in the post, it is okay! There are a lot of information and skills that come with traffic boosting strategy and you might feel like you have no idea where to begin or lack the time to do so on your own. If this is the case for you, enlisting the help of Cold Digital Agency (or a similar company) can get your websites started on the right foot. This can allow you to fully focus on other aspects of your startup while leaving something you might not be as skilled at to the pros.

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Edho Pratama on Unsplash

Involving the Community:

Now that you have your internal links and keywords sorted out, it’s time to start reaching out to your community. Social media management is an important aspect of traffic-driving and, if done right, can mean a drastic uptick in website visits.

Managing a social media community is all about engagement, transparency, and prompt addressing of issues. This means talking to your customers through social media, whether it’s by commenting on their posts, replying to tags, or through instant messenger. For the latter, bots exist to address the most common concerns, but it’s always good to be on hand for any questions that you might not have programmed your chatbots to answer. Should you not have anyone on your staff that is up for handling social media, fear not. Social media management is a service offered through almost any Digital Marketing Agency and will have the skills to take your pages to the next level.

But, don’t limit yourself to social media! Find out which online forums your community hangs out in and start cultivating a positive image of yourself by posting value-adding content that isn’t spammy or kitschy. Just stick to forum guidelines and you should be okay.

Don’t forget to include not just the online community, but your local community too. For example, if you run an online crafting business, set a booth up at a vendor fair. Do you specialize in music? Find a professional in poster printing london (or your local area) and put them up around the city. There is something to be said for good old fashioned word of mouth marketing!

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William Iven on Unsplash

Build Those Links:

Speaking of community, it’s a good idea to start link building. Basically, link building is getting an external website (usually blogs) to host your content on their site with a hyperlink that can direct visitors back to your website. Simple, right? Well, yes and no.

Link building is a very effective way of driving traffic, if you do it properly. What is proper link building? It’s creating great, organic content that other website owners will have no problem hosting. What’s important is that this happens naturally, with no exchange of any kind of resources, whether monetary, favors, or even the website owner’s links. This is because Google hates it when you try to manipulate your page ranks in a non-organic way.

But not to worry: there are plenty of legitimate link building service providers who can help you build your links in a natural way for maximum traffic driving.

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DiggityMarketing on Pixabay

Remember This:

If every strategy above has gone way over your head, that’s okay! Plenty of business owners have no experience or know how when it comes to boosting organic website traffic. If this is the case for you, it is really worth thinking about outsourcing this task. When you enter a search for “Castle Rock Web Developer” (or your local area), you will be able to look into a developer that has the skills you need to help your website thrive. This can include SEO, digital marketing, updated content, and website maintenance. Take the time to research your options for the best fit for yourself and business needs.

Boost your traffic with the tips above and watch your website begin to blossom!

Featured Image By: Carlos Muza at Unsplash

Jul2

PatCatan’s Haul

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PatCatan’s Haul

Hellooo everyone! When my siblings and I were younger, I can always remember my mom taking us to the local craft store called PatCatan’s once summer vacation began. We would pick out different crafts and art supplies to keep us occupied and it has been our go to destination for those needs for over two decades.

Sadly, the store is being bought out by the bigger chain, Michael’s, and will be closing on September 30th. This is a major disappointment, because PatCatan’s is so well loved by everyone in my community. But, a huge haul because of the massive sale that they were having helped soften the blow. Take a look:

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I love nothing more than a good sale and everything that I purchased above was at least sixty percent off, making for maximum savings. I was able to get some early birthday presents for my bestie for a fraction of what I would have paid at Target. I just know that she will love her new throw blanket and the metallic pink mason jar filled with a bouquet of fresh flowers!

And, of course, lots of treats for myself were purchased, too. I indulged in a few things that I have always wanted, like the mermaid tail blanket and the wooden body model, which I will be displaying on my desk. The yellow parasol was also a must, too, as I am obsessed with my black one and have been using it often this summer.

I wasn’t expecting to find such cute accessories at a craft store and couldn’t say no to the hair clips, which I got for a dollar each and the blanket scarf for a whole five bucks! I am madly in love with the lip barrettes, which are so perfect and unique. I have worn them a few times already and the compliments have been pouring in. Such a fun new staple bought with pocket change!

I am so happy with all of my purchases above and I’d be a liar if I said that I didn’t want to hit up PatCatan’s again soon for some more shopping. I am hoping to get a head start on holiday gifts if I make another trip there, so we’ll see what happens!

Who else has had a good shopping haul lately? Where is your favorite place to shop for craft supplies? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul1

Orange You Glad For An OOTD?

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Orange You Glad For An OOTD?

Hellloooo everyone and welcome to an OOTD post brought to you by my BFF birthday outing at Sarah’s Vineyard. When it comes to summer OOTDs, it is so important to dress appropriately for the heat. And, for some, that just means shorts and a t-shirt. Not that there’s anything wrong with that! But, why settle for shorts when you can bust out a skirt or dress without wearing tights underneath! So easy with a breezy above AND below the kneesies, skirts and dresses are perfect for staying cool and still looking oh so chic.

The outfit below features my favorite summer staple that really packs a punch for styling made simple. Take a look:

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^^^ I had to throw that last picture in there! 😉

Who? What? Wear?

The great thing about a staple skirt is that you just throw it on, pair it with a crop top and killer shoes, and go. I absolutely adore my body con skort by Zac & Rachel featuring oranges, flowers, and polka dots for a combination that’s totally sweet and summer approved. The stark white fabric against such a bright pattern creates a delightful contrast and it screams fun in the sun… or at the winery!

Because the Zac & Rachel number is a statement in itself, the rest of the outfit didn’t need much for it to work. My go to black crop from Target hit just the right spot above the higher rise of the skirt for an enhanced hourglass shape. And, to create some more body magic, a pair of wedges were a must to give legs for days. I love my Carlos Santana wedges for a more leggy look because of the slingback strap, which doesn’t make an awkward cut off line and provides all the length, even on us short girls.

With a pattern as bold as the one on my skort, I didn’t want to go overboard with accessories. However, I loved the color combo of the oranges with my turquoise purse by Urban Expressions for a sunset style pairing. Big hoops, huge sunnies, and BOOM – you’ve got yourself a slammin summer OOTD.

How do you style a simple but chic summer look? How do you stay cool in your outfits when the warm weather hits? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun30

June 2019 Finishes

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June 2019 Finishes

Helloooo and happy last day of June to all of my darling readers! This month flew by and, for the most part, I really enjoyed myself despite a shitty break up. But, what can ya do? You blog about it and move on, of course! June is an exciting time because of my birthday on the seventh and I loved being able to celebrate with my friends and family throughout the month. The month of June for finishes was pretty lackluster, though, as I only finished two measly products! Take a look and let’s discuss:

june

Would I Use Again?

  • Garnier Micellar Water: YES
  • Alba Botanica Hawaiian facial wash: MAYBE

Why/Why Not?

Micellar Water: As per ushe, I finished my monthly bottle of micellar water that I use as a toner and makeup remover. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it and I will continue to have this product in my arsenal until something better comes along.

Alba Botanica cleanser: This face wash that I got from TJMaxx was fairly average. It smelled awesome compliments of the coconut milk but it was a bit too creamy for my liking. It did make my skin feel nice and hydrated but it wasn’t that great at removing makeup, which is what I like for my cleansers to do. However, this bottle lasted me over two months so it was a good value and if it were available at TJ’s I would consider buying it again.

As you can see, I didn’t have much to show for the month of June as far as empties go so I’m sure that July will be overflowing with finishes to discuss at the end of the month!

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