Author Archives: lifewithlilred

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About lifewithlilred

Just your average gal blogging an average blog!
Nov9

Poshmark, Please

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Poshmark, Please

Hi! Have you ever thought about a piece of clothing or accessory that you didn’t buy, but really really wish that you did days, months, or years later down the line? No? Maybe it is just me. Anyways, that’s what this blog post is about today and how my memory of an elephant, some help from a blogging friend, and an obsession with getting some cheetah print reunited me with this beautiful Kensie moto jacket:

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^^^ Thank you, @sundaygirlpicks !!

Once upon a time, I found this jacket at TJMaxx and I have no idea why I didn’t buy it. I guess at the time (Say, two years ago) I just wasn’t interested in cheetah print. And, then, a few days ago, I became obsessed with all cheetah print everything. It’s funny how people’s tastes and opinions can do a complete one eighty in time! I began scouring TJMaxx’s website and all I could find was faux fur cheetah print which, sadly, would make me look like a (Very high class) hooker. You may laugh, but it is oh so true.

After inspecting the site further, I realized that, for once, I was out of luck on TJ’s website. And, like magic, a memory of me trying the above coat on in the TJMaxx fitting room went through my head. All I could think about was how I wish that I just bought the damn thing and began a new quest for a moto or denim style cheetah print jacket. It was so on. I looked through Asos, Nasty Gal, Shein, Romwe, Nordstrom Rack, and Zara but I couldn’t find NOTHIN. I was crushed. And I was desperate.

In this state of frenzy, another little ditty popped into my head, because a similar situation has happened to me before. This took place in the form of a faux fur vest that I had bought years ago, but didn’t have the self confidence to wear. And, once I gained an improved self esteem, I wanted that vest back REAL bad. A fellow blogger left a comment on the post that I linked to and recommended that I try Ebay or Poshmark, because they might have it. And that is exactly what I did with my Kensie jacket…

But, at the time, I didn’t know that the brand was Kensie. So how the HECK did I find it, you might ask? Well, my friends, the revelation came to me in a place where I do my best thinking. On the toilet.

toilet

The toilet. The john. The loo. The porcelain throne. Whatever you may call it, is where a vision came to me. Before doing my business, I was typing brands into Poshmark willy nilly hoping that I would strike gold, but it just wasn’t working. I tried Carolina Belle and Sanctuary and a handful of other brands that TJ’s carries and was having absolutely no luck. I thought that my search was nearing its end when, all of a sudden, I had to WHIZ like crazy.

A combination of coffee and Diet Coke that day left my bladder on the fritz, and I ran up the stairs to my bathroom so that I could have some peace and quiet. It was midstream that my final vision of the night came to me. It was crazy because, in my head, I could see the brand tag on the jacket at TJMaxx so clearly and it said KENSIE. I hurriedly finished the task at hand, ran back to the computer, typed my desire into Poshmark’s search bar, and there it was.

I couldn’t believe it. My size. The right price. The right brand. MY jacket. Without a moment’s hesitation, I shot up, grabbed my wallet, created a Poshmark account, and made my purchase. I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my new Kensie moto jacket and I’m not sure why I felt so inclined to share this story but it was so crazy that I just had to. Yes, this was a rambling post but, goddamnit, I’m so excited that I don’t even care. I DID IT! Long live fashion! Long live TJMaxx! AND MANY THANKS TO POSHMARK!!

Has anyone ever experienced a similar ordeal to mine? Who else uses Poshmark or Ebay to update their wardrobe? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Edena Fashion

Nov8

A Little Touch Up Here And There

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A Little Touch Up Here And There

Sometimes our bodies just aren’t the way we want them to be. We think to ourselves, I’d love to change this or I wish I looked like that. But can we always have what we want? No, we can’t. What we can do, however, is figure out ways that we can have a couple of touch ups here and there. Something to give us a little confidence boost when we need it! So, what little touch ups are we talking about you ask? We’ll list them below just for you. Even if some of them don’t suit you, it should actively get you thinking about the things that you actually can change!

I Can See Clearly Now!

Let’s face it, you can’t, can you? If there’s one thing that affects a majority of you reading this, it is going to be your eyesight. Some people are born with poor eyesight, some start to lose it during their teenage years, or even due to injury. When your vision becomes bad and you do have to rely on glasses, it can be one of the most annoying things! One option would be to consider looking at the types of lasik treatment to see if your sight can be corrected. Most of the time, there’s nothing that a good laser can’t fix, you just need to make sure that you’ve got the funds to be able to do something like this. The correction is usually permanent, however, so you could finally see clearly and live a life without glasses! You might also find that you only need one eye corrected, so it might not cost you as much as you think.

If you are experiencing an issue with your vision, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor ASAP. Even if you think the problem is minor, your doctor will be able to give you a solution whether it be a  treatment for myopia or simply eye drops for dry, scratchy eyes. You will leave your appointment feeling and seeing much better!

I Want A Washboard Stomach!

Ugh, don’t we all. When you see those girls with the completely flat and toned stomach, the nice rounded bum, and legs for days, you just can’t help but be jealous of them. But they’re not born with it, so don’t think it’s in the genes. It’s all about the hard effort they put into it, both inside and out of the gym. And you could easily do the same, if you put your mind to it. If you want that washboard look and you want it quickly, you should try and get yourself a personal trainer. They’ll whip you into shape, give you something to commit to, and give you all of the diet tips that you could ever need for a rockin’ bod.

Basic Beauty Hacks

Sometimes we just have to go back to basics if we want to be a better version of ourselves, and that starts with basic beauty tips. From making sure that you have a great skincare routine, to ensuring that you don’t eat a fatty diet that could bring out impurities. As for makeup, you should definitely start watching a few YouTube tips to know what makeup looks good, and where to put it. You can completely change your look with the power of make up!

Get Some Work Done:

There are so many options for getting cosmetic work done in order to enhance the way you look and feel. From little touch ups to more drastic changes, the medical world has come a long way in recent times. More and more women are coming around to the idea of getting a bit of work done, and there is nowhere near the stigma there once was surrounding this sort of procedure.

This is why it is such a great idea to visit a med spa, where you can combine some touch ups with a relaxing and tranquil spa experience. Being able to relax and destress is a big part of feeling good about yourself, and having strong body confidence can positively affect this. For this reason, getting some work done to boost the way you look can be a good option if it’s something you’re considering. This work can encompass several different services, including botox, special facial treatments and ultherapy. If you’re interested in this or are thinking of learning more, you can browse the websites of different med spas like Original Skin to see which treatments you might be interested in.

There’s bound to be a med spa near you but please be sure to do your research. The services you receive there are meant to enhance your appearance and you will want the best results. Simply enter a search for “Med Spa Colorado Springs” (or your local area) and pay close attention to the credentials of the practitioners as well as customer testimonials and reviews. If you are feeling uncertain, continue shopping around until you find a location you are fully comfortable with. If you want to get a little touch up here and there to make sure you look and feel your best, then more power to you!

Everyone has something that they wish they could change about themselves. And, with many great options out there, swapping out your desired change for a confidence boost is easier than you think!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Nov8

Early Holiday Shopping Tips & Tricks

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Early Holiday Shopping Tips & Tricks

Hiiii everyone! If you’re like me, then you like to get your holiday shopping done nice and early. I’ll tell you what, there is nothing better than clearing off your Christmas shopping list in November so that you can relax and be merry all December long. I recently began my shopping for my friends and family and even buying for just a few people has let me breathe a huge sigh of relief.

But, sometimes, holiday shopping can seem like a bit much – especially if you have a large family or group of friends to buy for. And, believe me, I get it. I have a pretty substantial list of people to shop for and that’s why I ball on a budget more than ever during the holiday season with the following tips:

Make A List/Budget:

The very first thing that I do when I prep for holiday shopping is the obvious starter of making a list. I go through everyone in my head that I need to buy for from family to significant others of the family to my boyfriend, BFFs, and colleagues and then write them down accordingly. Then, I include some basic ideas of what to get for each person by their names.

Once I have a good idea of who I need to shop for and what I would like to purchase for them, I set a budget. Normally, I have a pretty set in stone price range that I would like to stay in that applies for everyone. But, there could be certain people that you might want to shell out more or less from depending on the situation. Are you surprising your parents with a holiday gift basket? Awesome, ball out. Do you have a white elephant gift to buy for the office party? Spend a little less. That way your budget will still end up balancing out in the end.

Shopping lists and budgets provide a great guideline for completing your present purchasing in a (Somewhat!) stress-free manner. But, don’t let the price points that you set make you go too crazy! Going over budget is fine if the item is worth splurging on and you know that the giftee will love it. Like I said, there are always deals and hacks to utilize to bring yourself back within your spending limit. Like the following:

Steals, Deals, & Freebies:

My number one rule of shopping is to always get something extra out of your purchases. Whether that be points on a credit card, a free gift, or a BOGO style deal in store, always always shop smart. Do your research on the promotions that your favorite stores are running in store or online. Is a huge Black Friday sale happening? Maybe wait on that big screen TV, then. Is the deal that you can get online even better than what you could get in store? Then you better grab it before it goes out of stock.

Being aware of what promotions that the stores are running is just half of the trick. A good way to go about whether to wait for Black Friday deals or to purchase now is to think about what sales the store ran last year. I worked four Black Fridays in a row and the stores that I worked at ran the same promotions every year and they still do now. So, if those deals are worth waiting for, hold off until Black Friday or Cyber Monday. If not, and a good sale is running already, buying it now is just fine.

The next thing that you should be concerned with, are the deals that you can get with your credit or store rewards cards. Sometimes, it’s worth applying for a credit card just to do your holiday shopping on it. For example, if you apply for an Amazon credit card and get approved, you get a free fifty dollar gift card to spend on the site. Other credit cards will reward you with points or store credit when you use them. Can your cash do that?

And, finally, always compare in store and online prices before you purchase! Some stores will price match if it is cheaper online. And, other stores, like Sephora offer deals that you could never get in store. I spent fifty dollars on their website and got free shipping, two free samples, and two free really nice gifts for spending a certain amount of money. You should try to get the most bang for your buck whenever you’re shopping and free gifts for yourself never hurts!

Ready, Set, Gift Sets:

Gift sets are the bread and butter of my holiday shopping. They are a crowd and wallet pleaser and they are so fun to assemble. Some stores offer stellar pre-made sets that have a lot of product for not as big of a price tag, and those are great, too. If a family member or friend has a more eclectic taste, gift sets are an excellent way to go, because you can give them an assortment of odds and ends that will speak more to their uniqueness than a gift card. Or, if you’re shopping for nieces or nephews, hit up a Five Below and create a goody bag on a dime. And, always remember, that a nice basket or container is part of the gift so pick something nice that can be used again. 🙂

What are your tips and tricks for holiday shopping? Who has their holiday shopping finished already? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov7

Azure Lux Rose Gold Sparkling Oil Serum

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Azure Lux Rose Gold Sparkling Oil Serum

Hiiii everyone! For all of my skin care needs, I frequent the beauty aisles at TJMaxx, which shouldn’t be that surprising! I enjoy trying out new products and will always add a new serum, moisturizer, or face mask to my stock pile if it looks good and the price is right. I use a serum every day before applying my eye cream and moisturizer, and I really feel that no skin care routine is complete without it. So, when I’m scouring the beauty section at TJ’s, my eyes are always peeled for a new serum to try.

During one of my last shopping trips to Heaven On Earth, AKA TJMaxx, I ended up purchasing the serum seen below. How do you say no to rose gold?! Check it out:

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Delightfully reminiscent of the Too Faced Better Than Birthday Sex’s glitter pink packaging and advertising all of the right things for skin care, it was impossible to say no to this Azure Lux serum. Rose gold is perfectly on trend along with all of the necessities that this serum offers: toning, hydrating, and wrinkle reducing. Along with the oh so snazzy flecks of twenty-four karat gold and rose hip (Which is so hot in skin care right now!), six dollars for an entire bottle of serum felt like I was getting away with robbery.

Because I refuse to start a new product while I’m finishing up an old one, I haven’t tried this serum out yet. But, I was so curious about it, that I sampled the serum on my hands and it was AWESOME. It was fun to see the gold flecks on my skin, but it was even better to feel like my hands were one hundred and fifty percent hydrated. This serum absorbed quickly and my skin instantly got a burst of moisture that I feel like I couldn’t get from an actual hand lotion. So, just imagine using it on your face! I can’t wait! 😀

What kind of serum do you use? Which products are essential to your skin care routine? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov6

How To Turn Your Home Into A Winter Paradise

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How To Turn Your Home Into A Winter Paradise

We all love spending time at home when the nights draw closer and darker and enjoying a good book or TV series. If you are ready for the winter, it might be time to prepare your home for it, as well. You need to create that warm atmosphere that makes a difference in your life and creates a good mood for a chat with your friends and family members on long winter nights. Below, you will find a few tips on how you can transform your home for the winter:

New Sofa Cover and Throws:

One of the ways that you can make your home more comfortable is by soft furnishing. If your old sofa needs attention but you can’t afford to buy a new one, you can change the cushions and add new patterns through creative designs. Get some personalized sofa throws and cushions to make your seat and your TV watching position even more comfortable and to transform your home to feel warmer and more inviting.

winterrr

So comfy cozy!

Drought Excluders:

If you feel the cold already, chances are that you will need new windows or secondary glazing. After all, you don’t want to spend all of your holiday money on heating your house. If you currently can’t change your doors and windows, get some drought excluders and secondary glazing units, so you can keep the warmth inside and stay nice and toasty even on the coldest nights.

A Fluffy Rug:

If you have hard flooring in your living room, you can make it feel warmer if you get some fluffy area rugs that feel comfortable to walk on. You only have to spend a bit of money and your home will feel much more cozy as a result. Make sure that you match the color of your interior design and get an easy to care for rug instead of one that is hard to wash and vacuum.

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Make sure the rug is nice and plush!

Getting Your Heating Checked:

If you are planning on spending more time at home this winter, you need to make sure that your heating and air conditioning system is up for the task. Get it checked before the winter, or make sure that you get in touch with a professional as soon as you notice a problem. If need be, you can always get a hold of an after hours ac repair service in your area to quickly diagnose the problem and fix it before it escalates into a breakdown.

Energy Efficient Fireplace:

There is nothing nicer than curling up in front of the fireplace on cold nights. The good news, is that you can get energy efficient models these days that imitate the look of real flames, without the danger that comes with them. You can get it installed by a professional in just one day, and you will enjoy your nights in the living room for many years to come.

If you are looking forward to the nights in during this winter, prepare your home for the challenges and create the look of a winter paradise.

Nov6

Lil Red Loves: Libraries

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Lil Red Loves: Libraries

Hi! Something that I’ve been fond of for as long as I can remember but, even more so this year, is the good ol’ local library. In my neck of the woods, there are plenty of different libraries to go to that have instilled in me a love for reading from story time as a youngin up until now as a twenty something. And, what I have learned this past year, is that libraries aren’t just for checking out books and movies.

Frequenting the libraries in the greater Akron area has become a staple in my day job, as they offer wonderful, educational, and fun programs that are all completely free. My clients and I love visiting different libraries and always end up reaping the benefits that the programs and events have to offer. From gaining knowledge and new hobbies to receiving totally free books like the ones below, the library is definitely the place to be.

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The libraries in my area offer everything from reading with therapy dogs to GED classes and murder mystery dinners. I have been to excellent music concerts with clients and showings of recently released movies in a huge auditorium. I’ve also attended yoga classes, escape rooms, and lessons in meditation all for the cost of absolutely FREE.

Just last week at North Hill Library’s meditation class, there were cardboard boxes full of free books for the taking. Mysteries, romances, fiction, and nonfiction alike were all there to be sorted through and there was no limit to what we could select. My client and I had a blast looking at all of the choices and I ended up picking out all of the above horror style murder mysteries (My favorite!) to take home with me. Will I like all of them? Maybe not, but that’s no harm done, because I can always donate it so that someone else can have what might be their new favorite page turner.

Lil Red will always support establishments that better the community and I am thankful that mine has so many excellent libraries to choose from, because they do just that. Libraries are inclusive to every single person in this world and there is much to be learned and a lot of fun to be had during your next visit to the neighborhood library!

Who else makes good use out of their local library? What type of programs does your library offer to the public? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov5

November 2018 Funky Time Jams

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November 2018 Funky Time Jams

Hellooooo! Can you believe that it’s November already? The spooky month of October is officially out and we are fully into Thanksgiving and Christmas territory. This means that holiday music will be coming in hot and Lil Red just won’t stand for that. After hearing Christmas songs day in and day out for three months of the year for four years of working in the mall, I’ve heard enough to last me a lifetime. So, I’ll be listening to the following, instead:

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

First of all, let’s get one thing straight: I do not like Post Malone. Lol, frankly, I don’t even know who he is. BUT, my sister plays the song “I Fall Apart” when we’re together and the lyrics of “whippin in the foreign, but the tears keep blowin” put us in hysterics every time. So, yes, this song needed to be included.

Now that that disclaimer is out of the way, this month is all about Fleetwood Mac and Stevie, Stevie, Stevie. My parents saw FM when they came to Cleveland at the end of October and we are still riding the high of their concert by playing all Fleetwood Mac everything. The Edge Of Seventeen is our go to jam, because it always gives us a laugh thinking about our favorite scene from School Of Rock:

Yeah…. Stevie. 😉

Watch and enjoy the above hilarity and then keep on rocking all month long with my November Funky Time Jams!

What is your favorite music themed movie? What are your thoughts on holiday music? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov4

Event Planners Can Help You Make Your Corporate Event A Hit

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Event Planners Can Help You Make Your Corporate Event A Hit

If you’ve been placed in charge of organizing an upcoming event for your company, you want to make a good impression. That’s a tall order, considering everything that goes into planning a big event and ensuring it comes off without a hitch. In addition to paying attention to every detail, you also have to stay within the event’s operating budget. This can be difficult, but the right help can smooth out the process.

Most people try to do everything piecemeal when planning an event. They rent a venue, rent equipment, arrange entertainment, schedule speakers, hire staff, and on and on. Fortunately, an event planning company can take care of many of these details, while helping to keep spending low. Additionally, when you work with an event planner Westport CT, you can customize services, so you won’t be paying for services that you don’t need.

When you hire event planners, they will visit your venue personally to determine your specific needs. This is essential so that they can supply you with the right multimedia equipment to perform well in the environment. It is also a very important role if you can’t physically be in the space should it be a destination event like these corporate retreats protugal. Otherwise, you may find that your equipment isn’t broadcasting sound loud enough to reach the farthest parts of the venue. You’ll also want to make sure that video monitors can be seen by all of your guests. Your event planning specialists will know how to give you a quality system without compelling you to overspend on more expensive machines that you may not need.

Should you be planning a corporate event that requires travel, you will want to enlist the help of destination management services like those offered by uniquedmc.com. It can be very hard to plan an event in a space that you can’t see for yourself and a destination management team will ensure the success of your event. From production planning to activities and reservations, all aspects of the event will be handled despite your difference in location.

Your event planners will also pay close attention to lighting, seating, and other arrangements to help create an ideal setting. Since they will remain on-site for the event, you can rest assured that backup equipment will be available if anything happens to fail. This can be a major concern, especially if your event relies heavily on audio/visual equipment. Your event planner will be able to utilize the best audio visual company Hawaii (or your local area) to ensure that every aspect of this portion of the event goes without a hitch.

An excellent event planner is certainly more important than you might have thought and could make the difference between a great event or a lackluster one. Event planners are used to solving problems that may arise in an efficient manner. They also know how to communicate efficiently and event booking software makes that even easier. Event booking software can assist with ticket sales, engagement, and venue layouts from your own phone so your planner can keep everyone up to date in real time. These tools paired with experience will make an event planner a huge asset to your team.

Hiring event planners can take a great burden off of your back, allowing you to concentrate on other aspects of planning the event. Leaving the set-up and management of the venue to the professionals lets you devote your efforts to arranging guest speakers, sending out invitations, and taking care of other details. Together with your event planners, you’ll be able to stay within your budget and pull off an exciting and memorable event for your company.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Nov4

Dollar Tree Deals

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Dollar Tree Deals

Hi! We all know that Lil Red loves to shop but, the trick is, is that I am all about the discount stores to save copious amounts of cash while I partake in my favorite hobby. In today’s post, it’s all about the Washingtons, because I began my Christmas shopping early at the Dollar Tree and got six fairly decent sized candles for a dollar apiece. Check it out:

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The beauty of discount stores, aside from the immense amount of savings from shopping there, is that no one is the wiser when they receive their presents. I plan on attaching sets of three of the above candles with a festive bow as part of gifts for friends and family and, for all they know, I could have gotten them at Target. Not only is the size of the candles relatively big for a dollar deal but, they smell amazing, too! The Pineapple Upside Down Cake is my favorite and I know that it will be a hit for my giftees. 🙂

What is your favorite discount store? Who has started their holiday shopping already? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Gephardt Daily

Nov3

Hats Off: Adora Edition

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Hats Off: Adora Edition

Howdy! Is there such a thing as having too much black in my wardrobe? I often ask myself this question and always answer with a big fat NO! Despite my colorful hair, lipstick, and personality, I normally adhere to a fairly bleak color palette of primarily black clothing along with grey, white, and navy. But, I appreciate color just as much as the next person and have plenty of vibrant odds and ends to add a fun pop to the darkest of outfits. So, with that in mind, I had no problem adding on another black hat to my collection. Check it out:

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I purchased this hat along with the Peter Grimm number from yesterday’s post at TJMaxx. I’m not going to lie, the camel safari inspired bowler hat is a bit out of my comfort zone so it felt good to hop right back in it with this fab find by Adora. Was it the jet black Panama style that sold me? Or how about the adorable puff ball and beaded detail around the rim? All good guesses, and they are correct. BUT, I actually got this hat mainly because it reminded me of Stevie Nicks. I had her heavy on the mind ever since my parents saw Fleetwood Mac in concert a few days prior. So jealous!

So, you could totally go full Stevie with this hat and pair it with all of the billowy, flowy things that you can find. Or, you can go ahead and wear it with literally anything becauuuse BLACK IS A NEUTRAL! And, of course, nothing goes better with all black clothing than black on black on black. My new Adora hat reminds me a lot of American Horror Story: Coven and my plan is to pair it with a Wednesday Adams style dress, smart heels, and a clutch purse for all of the witchy vibes. Edgy and cool, but still oh so chic.

What is your favorite color to wear? What is your favorite cold weather accessory? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah