Author Archives: lifewithlilred

Unknown's avatar

About lifewithlilred

Just your average gal blogging an average blog!
May12

Tiny Target Haul

Posted on by
Standard
Tiny Target Haul

Heyyyy! This past week, Target was having a wonderful promotion where you got a five dollar gift card if you bought twenty dollars in self care products including makeup, shaving, skin, hair, and oral care. My mom and I decided to split the lot since she needed to restock on tooth paste and mouth wash and I wound up with these new skin care products:

target!

Although makeup shopping is fun, I live for skin care and trying out new products. I love the St. Ives scrubs more than life itself, and when I saw their newest Coconut & Coffee scrub, I was eager to give it a try. It smells amazing and, according to the container, it offers a deep clean which is exactly what I want when I use a facial scrub. I cannot wait to use this once I finish up the cleansing products that I’m currently using – but, I’m so excited that I might have to try it now!

I also ended up with a bottle of Garnier’s Micellar Cleansing Water, which came with a mini foaming gel cleanser for free. I am finishing up a bottle of Simple’s cleansing water at the moment and I’m not too impressed by it, but my sister loves the Garnier Micellar Water so I decided to go for it. It definitely didn’t hurt that they offered a freebie along with it, either! Regardless of not being blown away by micellar water in general, it’s a lot cheaper than eye makeup remover, so I’m a fan in that regard, for sure.

Has anyone used either of the products above that I purchased? What are your thoughts on them? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May11

Spring Style Q & A

Posted on by
Standard
Spring Style Q & A

Hey everyone and TGIF! Spring is a wonderful time for all fashion everything, because the winter layers finally get to be shed and an entire new aspect of ones wardrobe gets to be explored. In some ways, styling for spring and summer can be more difficult than fall and winter, because layering is definitely not a thing when the sun is in full blast. That means that you only have one opportunity to create a flattering look without the option of just throwing a jacket on or accessorizing it with a scarf and hat.

I, myself, find that I am floundering with creating warm weather looks, because it sure has been a long time. But, regardless of the above, and the fact that you have to shave more frequently – spring style can be fun! So, I came up with this Q & A to remind myself just why that is:

Q & A:

What is your favorite pattern for spring? Obviously, everyone loves florals for spring. But, that’s so overdone! I find myself really liking polka dots and cherry patterns lately for a touch of flirty vintage fun. Finding a piece of clothing that I like in those patterns has proven to be pretty difficult, though.

What is your ideal spring outfit? I am a huge fan of the maxi dress, so I would have to say one of those paired with a huge pair of platform heels, a hobo bag, and big sunglasses.

What is your perfect spring shoe? I think that mules are perfect for spring, because they’re adorable and functional. But, since I rarely wear flat shoes, I am all about the platform heel during warm weather. They add a touch of funky fun to every outfit and they are super easy to walk in.

How do you accessorize in the spring? I feel like big bags in hobo or tote style are a must for the spring so that you can carry all of your essentials in a cute vessel. Statement jewelry like bangle bracelets, bold necklaces, and dangly earrings always go over well. And, if it’s a bit blustery out, a fashion scarf worn Parisian style looks so chic!

How do you create a pretty spring MOTD? I definitely like a more natural look for spring. Pink eyeshadows and soft blushes always add a sweet touch to any look. And a nude lip is perfect to finish it off. But, a bright colored lippie is always fun, too!

Where do you find the best spring clothes? I will always be a TJMaxx girl at heart, but Express has some gorgeous pieces in their spring collection that I have been eyeing! I wish that it wouldn’t cost me an arm and a leg to get it, though. 😥

How would you describe your spring style? I think that my spring style is way more girly than any other time of the year. But, I will always try to toughen it up a little bit with a moto jacket or oversized flannel if it’s chilly or add in some black among all of the soft colors and fabrics. So, I guess I’d call it a floral rocker type of look. 😀

Do feel free to copy and paste the above questions and answer them on your page to help get your fashion sense inspired for spring!

What is your favorite season to dress for? What about your least favorite? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May10

Flowers & Frogs

Posted on by
Standard
Flowers & Frogs

Howdy! The weather in Ohio has been absolutely perfect for hiking and just hanging out in the great outdoors. It is the type of weather where you have the windows open, eat food from the grill, and have bouquets of spring flowers on the table, like these lovely pink and yellow tulips:

floraly1

So, the above is the flowers part of this post, because who doesn’t love to see a lovely bouquet sitting on the kitchen table? But, what about the frogs?! Well, since the weather has been awesome, I’ve been able to go on a fair share of hikes this week. They were all great, but my favorite was the one I went on on Sunday at the Nature Realm in good ol’ Fairlawn, Ohio.

The Nature Realm rules. They have paved walking trails and actual hiking trails, along with the most lovely flower and herb garden, ponds full of fish and turtles, and an indoor center where you can watch Ohio wildlife from a window and see cool reptiles in their enclosures. While exploring the flower and herb garden, I was lucky enough to spot two little froggies hanging out among the lily pads in a pond. It was a fun game trying to spot the frogs camouflaged in all of the green, and here they are:

floraly2floraly3

Ahhhh! They are so cute I can’t even stand it! 😀

Spring time always teaches me about appreciating the little things – freshly cut flowers from the store, playing I Spy with frogs in a pond, and going for a walk with a light jacket on. It almost makes the drawn out winter worth it! 😉

Who else has been enjoying hikes now that the sun is out? What type of wildlife do you have in your area? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May9

April Showers Brought May Flowers

Posted on by
Standard
April Showers Brought May Flowers

Helloooo! May is probably one of my favorite months of the year, because I love spring weather and seeing all of the flowers in bloom. The crummy cold of April with the occasional snowfall and a lot of rain definitely brought us a glorious May in Ohio. The weather has been warm, the sun has been out, and the flowers peppering the neighborhood yards are beautiful and vibrant. Like the following floral delights at chez moi:

flowersflowers1flowers4flowers2flowers3

Both the front and back yard of my home are always overflowing with small wonders once the weather gets warm. Lovely tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils seem to be everywhere you look on ground. Meanwhile, if you tilt your head to the sky, you can see the tenants in one of our many birdhouses flying to and fro.

My favorite part of the yard, though, is our weeping cherry tree that seems to get more magnificent every year. I love being able to see the paper thin, pale pink blooms every day when I make my way to work as they sway in a gentle breeze. It is definitely the crown jewel of our front yard and it makes me happy every time I see the tree standing tall in its glory or even just a tiny petal floating in the air as the flowers begin to shed.

Which kinds of flowers are growing in your yard? What is spring weather like where you are located? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May8

What’s A Career That Pays?

Posted on by
Standard
What’s A Career That Pays?

Once you leave school, it’s fair to say that you’ll be spending the majority of your adult life working. As a result, you’ll build a career that, hopefully, will give you great satisfaction. However, the thing about your career is that it needs to do more than just keep you happy. As everyone works to earn money and make a living, you can expect your career to fulfill this objective, too. Ultimately, the question you need to ask yourself is whether it’s possible to find a job that pays the bills, that makes you happy, and that pays towards the greater good.

pay

You can earn a lot in a high-risk medical career

The invisible hand that helps:

There are professions that can change or save someone else’s life. But when these get too stressful to handle, you can pick the jobs that run in the shadow but still play a significant role. For instance, if you want to enter the healthcare system but don’t feel confident enough to deal with patients, you’ll appreciate the opportunities this Medical Billing and Coding Training gives you. With it, you can ensure that patients’ electronic health records are kept safely and accessed efficiently so that doctors can refer to it for further information.

The helper who builds the next generation:

If you want to see the difference you make, you can choose to prepare the next generation to tackle the challenges of modern life. Tomorrow’s doctors, engineers, and presidents are today’s pupils, and that’s why they need a good teacher. Everything starts with proper training on your topic but also on how to improve your classroom skills. It’s your duty to help students reach their full potential so that they can grow in confidence and knowledge with your help. In other words, a good teacher needs to help kids to learn and push them to discover further.

pay1

Flickr Image

The one who makes the future:

How about you try to make the world a better place today? To do this, you need to choose a career that can target some of the biggest challenges of our generation, namely managing our impact on the environment. Architects, energy engineers, interior designers, and urban strategists have combined forces to create a house model that produces more energy than it consumes. You could help to distribute the model nationally or internationally, using your skills whether these are business-related or in engineering. It’s only when experts work together that they can achieve great results. Contrary to the common belief, it takes more than an environmentalist student to build a greener planet.

The actual money-making career:

Finally, you can also decide to focus on the monetary aspect of your career by picking high risk positions from doctors to CEOs. Careers that juggle a lot of risks and stress tend to be generously rewarded. Admittedly, it’s fair to say that to earn a lot you need to learn a lot and be confident in your skills to navigate through the dangers of your profession. In other words, a career that grows your income significantly is also a career that requires you to keep a cool head at all times.

Ultimately, there are many ways in which your career can pay towards the greater good, whether you’re thinking about your personal income or of saving lives. A career that pays could be any of these!

May8

Beauty Tag Questions

Posted on by
Standard
Beauty Tag Questions

Hi everyone! A few months ago I filled out a really fun Beauty Tag that I shared with all of you. Recently, my friend Anushka over at Vogue & Vibes tagged me in the same questionnaire to complete. The post was such a blast to do and it had some really good questions in it, so I am going to repost my original Q & A to reintroduce you guys to it and maybe you’ll want to fill it out for yourself! Here it is, and thanks again to Anushka for tagging me!

Q & A:

1. Do you remember your first makeup item?

It’s not exactly a makeup but I had hella LipSmackers chapstick in my youth.

2. Describe your perfect mascara. Have you found one that fits your specifications?

I am obsessed with Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara. It’s the jam.

3. What kind of coverage do you prefer from a foundation?

I don’t wear foundation. I never have.

4. Favorite high end brand?

I wouldn’t necessarily say I have a favorite, because I don’t wear a lot of high end products.

5. What cosmetics brands have you always wanted to try but still haven’t?

None that I can think of.

6. Favorite drugstore brand?

NYX!!

7. Do you wear false lashes?

No, I’ve actually never tried them, either. They seem like such a pain to get on!!

8. Is there any kind of makeup you can’t leave the house without?

Nope, I feel pretty okay about leaving the house with a fresh face.

9. What is your most cherished beauty product?

My favorite NYX red lipstick.

10. How often do you shop for makeup? Do you like to pick up an item here and there, or get lots of goodies at once?

I pick up things as I need them, so maybe once every few months.

11. Do you have a “beauty budget” or do you spend freely?

I spend freely. I don’t spend money unless I’m comfortable paying for whatever it is, though.

12. Do you utilize coupons, reward cards, and sales when you shop for cosmetics?

HELL YEAH! I’m all about saving money, so I love utilizing anything that can help me do that.

13. What type of product do you buy the most of?

I feel like I purchase skin care more regularly than makeup, so I’m going to say moisturizer.

14. Is there a brand you absolutely can’t stand?

Not that I can think of.

15. Do you avoid certain ingredients in cosmetics, like parabens or sulfates?

As long as the product is cruelty free, then I’m good.

16. Do you have a favorite place to shop for makeup?

Target, lol.

17. Do you like trying new skin care products or do you keep a certain routine?

I do have my staple skin care products that I will use for all eternity, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t like experimenting if I find a good deal or something new that I’d like to try.

18. Favorite bath and body brand?

The Body Shop.

19. If you could only buy from one brand, which brand would you choose?

The Body Shop, for sure. They’re a one stop shop and I use a lot of their products, anyway.

20. What brand do you think has the best packaging?

Hmm… I really don’t know.

21. Which celebrity always has great makeup?

It’s hard to say, because I don’t really pay attention.

22. Do you belong to any online makeup communities?

No.

23. Favorite beauty gurus:

I deeply admire the makeup skills behind the local drag queens in my neck of the woods.

24. Do you like multi-functional products like lip and cheek stains?

No. I’d prefer separate items.

25. Are you clumsy in putting on makeup?

I used to be, but not too much any more. Only if I’m really tired am I clumsy. Today, for example, I accidentally spilled one of my facial oils in a sleepy stupor. I was so pissed!

26. Do you use makeup base/primer for the eyes?

Nope. The less products that I use, the better.

27. How many hair products do you use on a typical day?

I only wash my hair once a month, when I’m redyeing it. I wouldn’t even call it washing, because I just condition it with the product that comes in the box kit. So I don’t own any shampoo or conditioner. However, when I’m straightening my hair I do use heat protecting spray and styling oil.

28. What do you apply first, concealer or foundation?

Neither, because I don’t use them.

29. Would you ever consider taking makeup classes?

Nah.

30. What do you love about makeup?

I love that it showcases the personality behind the person wearing it.

If you think that this questionnaire looks like fun, please feel free to fill it out and let me know so that I can see your answers! Much love. -Sarah

May7

Monday Update: Therapy Edition

Posted on by
Standard
Monday Update: Therapy Edition

Hi everyone and welcome to another week here on lifewithlilred! As many of you have shown an interest in my therapy journey, here is an update. Meh, it’s going so so. I feel like I have hit the metaphorical wall where nothing seems helpful and I’m running out of things to talk about. And, I’m getting frustrated with rehashing the same shit just worded differently all of the time.

I’ve actually been playing around with the idea of not going after the few appointments left that I have scheduled. But, I feel like that’s a bad idea. Maybe once every two weeks would be a bit better. I don’t know, it’s just becoming more of an annoyance than anything, and I feel like I’m getting even more pissed off by my weekly visits.

Obviously, there’s still a bunch of stuff in the ol’ mental health department that I need to work on, but I just feel kind of burnt out. Like I’m so micro-focused on it that it’s making me even more depressed, anxious, and just all around angry. I feel like I need a break. I guess that will just be something to chat about during this week’s session, amIright?!

Who else has felt similarly to the above during their time in therapy? How did you deal with it? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May6

Science Backed Ways To Give The Best Gifts

Posted on by
Standard
Science Backed Ways To Give The Best Gifts

Choosing a gift that the recipient will truly love and appreciate can be no easy feat. Even if you know someone very well, it’s so easy to get it wrong and give them a gift that, sure, they’ll pretend to love, but which you just know they’re disappointed in. The good news is, is that it doesn’t have to be that way – science has come to the rescue.

Yes, scientists have looked into the art of gift giving and they have come up with some solid rules for giving gifts that will be really appreciated by anyone on any occasion. Read on to find out more:

Know the Person Well:

Okay, so this probably isn’t going to help you if you’re buying for a mere acquaintance but a psychologist at San Fransisco State University by the name of Ryan Howell says that really knowing the person you’re gifting to is the key to getting it right. This makes sense, because if you know that your friend is a fan of the kind of quirky gifts you find at Davson Sales or you know that your aunt loves the dresses at Macy’s, then you’ll be giving a great gift. Even better, it enables you to go with a meaningful gift that is highly personalized to them and is unique – how could they not love that?

Make a Donation:

Although this often seems like a way of wimping out or something that people will pretend to like, but are secretly disappointed about, science says differently. In research conducted by Harvard Business School, it was found that giving to charity makes people happier than buying stuff and giving more makes people happier still, so by making a charity donation in the giftee’s name, you both win.

Handmade:

Buying something brand new from the store can be a good move if you know for sure that the giftee wants whatever it is you’re buying, but if you don’t it can be a minefield. Will they like it? Do they already have it? Should I give them the receipt just in case? Luckily, you can easily avoid all of that, because a study conducted by the Journal of Marketing in 2015 found that people like to gift homemade items because they are more unique, thoughtful, and they are often more appreciated. The same is true of family heirlooms which are more valued and, thus, more appreciated even if they are not actually more expensive.

present1

A craft that you enjoy making is always a good idea!

Give Them an Experience:

Giving people an experience that they will remember forever as gifts, like the ones at If Only, typically, according to science, makes them happier than giving them objects that they may well be bored of in a month or two. So, if you’re stuck, think about whether they’d like tickets to the big football game, a skydiving experience, a spa break, or something similarly exciting that fits their personality. They’ll undoubtedly like it more than chocolates, beer, or flowers.

Even if you weren’t great at science in school, let the experts help you make the best of your gifting with the ideas above!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

May6

The Busy Girl’s Organization Guide

Posted on by
Standard
The Busy Girl’s Organization Guide

Heyyy! We live in a world where everyone is super busy and on the go constantly. With phones ringing in your ear, emails to answer, and appointments to get to, it can sure seem hard to balance it all. Believe me, I get it. As a woman on the go myself, I would be nowhere without the organization techniques that I have used throughout the years to keep me on track. And, now, I’m here to share them with you! Check it out:

Invest In A Desk Calendar:

With my work appointments growing by the month, a normal wall calendar just wasn’t cutting it anymore. I needed something that was nice and big so that I could fit my daily tasks into each day comfortably on paper. Now, not only do I have plenty of room for work scheduling, but I am able to really see how much time I have left in the day to work with for the side hustle or drinks with friends. Whereas, with a wall calendar, your space is so cramped that you can’t see any free time at all. I paid seven bucks for a large desk calendar at Target, and I scoff at the fact that I used to use anything smaller.

Free-Printable-January-2018-Desk-Calendar.jpg

This would do nicely!

Color Coordinate:

The best part about a big desk calendar, though? THAT YOU CAN COLOR COORDINATE!! I have had a blast assigning a highlighter color to the person that I’m meeting with and using colored pencils to add in anything extra that I need reminders of. It makes planning your week or month a little more bright and fun, and sometimes you really need that extra boost to make your work schedule less stressful.

highlight.JPG

That’s what I’m talking about!

Take Notes:

I am constantly taking notes throughout the day. Whether I come up with a new blog post idea in my head or hear about a new restaurant that I want to try, god knows that I will forget it minutes later. You can definitely carry around a notepad for such findings, but I prefer to just send texts to myself so that I always have my little reminders handy in text message form for when I need it again.

Have Backup Plans:

One of the worst things is having a meeting or an outing with friends cancelled and feeling like your time for the day is just going to be wasted. So, it’s always nice to have a Plan B. This could range from just having some you time and going for a walk or trying out the new restaurant that you text reminded yourself about. It’s good to have something to fall back on if you have something scheduled with a flaky friend or you have a work appointment that isn’t mandatory.

Take A Break:

It might seem like the best thing ever to spread yourself too thin during the work week and on the weekends. Extra moolah, potential for raises or promotions – I totally get it. But, don’t forget to schedule in some time to take a break, too. Going nonstop is a great way to fatten your wallet, but you also get very burned out in the process. Schedule a pedicure during your lunch break or dedicate your Sunday to finishing the book on your bedside table. Just make sure that you’re working in some R&R somewhere!

sleepppp

On the go lifestyles are the norm, now. But with some top notch organization skills, you can make the most of your time whether it’s for work or play!

May5

Feeling Blahhhhhhhh

Posted on by
Standard
Feeling Blahhhhhhhh

Hiii everyone and happy weekend! Ugh, I don’t know about any of you guys, but I have been feeling so blah lately. I am in the process of getting over a flu/cold thingie that lingered on with me for a week and am now just trying to get myself back up to snuff. I had hot and cold flashes, a sore throat, a cold from hell, body aches, and – to top it off – I was on my period for part of it! Could it get any worse?!

During this agonizing week, I had a really hard time keeping up with my 10,000 steps per day walking regimen because I was so weak. And, now, after a week of feeling sluggish with some movement here and there when I was up to it, I am left feeling so blah about everything. The way my body looks, how I’m still feeling the effects of the sniffles from this blasted cold, and my severe lack of energy. Could it get any worse?!

I know that these feelings will pass, and I have been trying really hard to get myself back on track with my walking. But, I am having a hard time shaking away the post sickness blues, even with the lovely weather that Ohio is finally having. It’s been a lot of going through the motions for the past week, and feeling self conscious the entire time, so I am definitely looking forward to feeling back to normal soon so that I can start enjoying my days again.

Has anyone else been dealing with the blahs lately? How do you combat the post sickness blues? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah