Author Archives: lifewithlilred

Unknown's avatar

About lifewithlilred

Just your average gal blogging an average blog!

Creative Storage Ideas For Tiny Homes

Standard
Creative Storage Ideas For Tiny Homes

If you have a pretty small home or apartment, then the struggle to find enough space to store things around the home, really is real. But if you’re not quite ready to throw the majority of your things away (Who is?!), then you need to know some awesome hacks for maximizing the storage space. Here are some ways to make the most of the space in a small home:

Floor To Ceiling Storage:

When there isn’t much storage, you want to make sure that you’re using the most of the space you’ve got. So for things like bookshelves or kitchen units, make sure that they go from floor to ceiling. You don’t want any wasted space left at the top of the kitchen cabinets, for instance.

2413276538_13b2aa0dac_o

Floor to ceiling storage is a must.

Create Outdoor Space:

If you have the ability to add space outdoors but don’t have the budget for an extension, then something like a wraparound porch could be a good idea. It is pretty simple to construct, it adds floor space, it won’t cost too much to arrange, and is a great hang out spot for friends and family.

Use Garage Space:

If you’re lucky enough to have a garage, then you need to make sure that you’re using it wisely. If you use it for your car, do you really need to be? Could you make better use of it by using it as an additional room in the home or for storage? It might need some changes to it, through the help of garage door services, for example. But once it is secure and has everything that you need in it, it can be a really invaluable space. Man cave or she shed, anyone?

Embrace Open Plan Living:

To help a home feel larger and more spacious than it is, then some walls are going to need to come down. When rooms are small and walls are thick, it can make the home look darker and much smaller. So it could be time to opt for a kitchen diner or kitchen and living space. Just check what walls can be knocked down before you take the sledgehammer and angsty feels to it!

Use Under the Stairs Space:

The space left under the stairs can be pretty huge (Except for Harry Potter!). But because it is a little awkward, it can often just get left to hang some coats and that’s about it. But if you plan carefully, you can get some shelving and storage under there, for sure. Using every space you have is so important – even the little nooks and crannies!

8483620469_f2d664acff_o

LOVE THIS!!

Get Creative With Mirrors:

Mirrors are a great way to help a room look brighter and larger, so make sure that you get creative with the use of them around your home. Aim for at least one per room and the space will feel and look much brighter, lighter, and airy.

Use Room Dividers:

If you’re not quite ready to go open plan, then you could at least think about getting room dividers instead of walls. They could be glass partitions, curtains, or even large sliding doors so that you can open up the whole space if you want to (But you don’t have to have it that way all the time.).

Sweet and small homes are amazing – but your storage might not be! Use the tips above to open up your space and make the most of it!

Featured Image By: Flickr

October Bath & Body Works Freebie

Standard
October Bath & Body Works Freebie

Hi everyone and TGIF! Another month brings another Bath & Body Works freebie to add to my body care hoard. I’ve grown pretty fond of using my coupon for a free travel sized product to get a shower gel mini as of late. They are perfect (obviously) for overnight trips and vacations but they are also nice for when you feel like switching things up from your normal full sized body washes. Take a look at my mini shower gel steal and let’s discuss:

septt

Lol. Yeah. I did get Japanese Cherry Blossom. Despite this scent reminding me of my grade school’s locker room at gym class, I just couldn’t help myself from grabbing it. This soft and pretty but not too sweet floral fragrance spoke to me for some reason and I just couldn’t resist the bright red coloring of the shower gel!

I normally select my freebies with gift giving in mind, because they make for perfect present add ons. However, this shower gel is all for me. It would be sinful for anyone but Lil Red to use it, after all. 😉

So there you have it, my October Bath & Body Works Freebie. What is a scent that you love to hate? Which B&BW fragrances are your faves? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Hi-Tech Your House Out

Standard
Hi-Tech Your House Out

 

Technology is every where and is used for almost every thing. A trip to the shops? You take the car or other transport. In the stores themselves you can see aisles full of the latest gizmos and gadgets. So why let your home fall behind in the times? There’s so much cool technology out there that it would be silly to not deck your home out with it. There’s not just the tech for showing off, but there’s also the ones that will actually aid you and save you a lot of money in the long run. Let’s have a look at what you can put in each room to help you get the most bang for your buck in your home:

Kitchen:

Let’s start with something that’s going to aid you in the long run. A dehumidifier. You may not realise it, but whenever you cook and the room gets a little steamy, opening the windows doesn’t stop it from sticking to the walls to begin with. If you’re one of those people that chooses not to open the windows, then chances are that over time you’re going to get a build up of mold somewhere. A dehumidifier is perfect for preventing this. They don’t cost that much, and it could save you a lot of money from preventing an unneeded mold issue.

Living Room:

This is the center of the house, so why not have the best tech in it? Whether you’re having a cozy night in or family and friends round, use it as the room to wow them with the biggest most beautiful television that you can find. The way that TV tech has advanced in the last two years is incredible. Look into getting yourself a large, preferably 50-60 inch curved 3D TV. As big of a mouthful as it may be, the picture quality it’ll give you is insane. Try and get a 4K one and you’ll be blown away. Your kids will absolutely love the 3D element, and it’ll definitely amaze any guests that you have over. Yes, it may be pricey, but a TV lasts a long while, so it is definitely a worth while investment. Couple it with a surround sound system and it will really give that cinema quality to any film you’re watching.

Another essential piece of tech, for both the summer and the winter months, is a dual heating and cooling system, also known as an HVAC. During the colder months that are approaching, you can use it to keep your home nice and toasty. Come the summer months, reverse it and it’ll be an excellent cooling system. They are more efficient and easier to control than normal heating, and the fact that it can heat and cool is so handy. Look for HVAC contractors that can install it for you. You’ll be loving your lounge before you know it!

Bedroom:

The bedroom is the place where you retreat to escape the madness of the day. So put some tech in there that’s going to make life that little bit easier. Take the Amazon Echo for example. Yes, it can be used anywhere in the house, but it has some neat features to help you out. Simply say “Alexa, set an alarm for eight AM”. Pretty lazy right? But we live in a lazy generation, so finding a few shortcuts along the way can only help! You can also ask it about traffic on your route to work whilst you’re getting ready, this gadget finds out everything for you. So utilise it!

The Dyson Eye can be used anywhere in the house, but it is wonderful for your bedroom quarters. It’s basically a little robotic hoover that’ll go around on its own vacuuming areas. This is perfect for the bedroom, as it’s usually the room with the smallest amount of walking space. This little robot buddy will prevent constant bashes into the wall with your clunky old vacuum!

Technology is changing daily and can only make your home even more amazing. Do your research and find out which gizmos will work best for you!!

Featured Image By: Flickr 

New Black & Champagne Glitter Nails

Standard
New Black & Champagne Glitter Nails

Hi everyone and happy Thursday! After ten looooong months of having the same set of acrylics on, I finally got new nails this week. I haven’t had a chance to add my gemstone crosses to the middle fingers because I have absolutely no clue where the super glue stash is in my home. But, I do LOVE the champagne pink accent nails against the harsh black on my new set so take a look and let’s discuss:

nails6

Instead of going to my normal salon hang out of Empress Nails to get this set done, I was sort of a traitor and went to LT Nails, instead, which is also close by to my living quarters. Don’t get me wrong, I freaking LOVE my nail tech, Steve. However, he has never put on a set of my acrylics before and I needed to go to someone that I could trust (Not saying that I don’t trust him, but filling nails and applying them is very different.).

I went to Anne at LT Nails all the way back in January to get my last set on and I was long overdue for new nails. I noticed during the last fill that I got that my nails were insanely yellow and because they were so brittle, they were cracking and breaking nonstop. It was miserable. Although it took ten months to finally get new nails, I remembered what a great job was done over at LT and scheduled an appointment at the salon with Anne.

In one hour and fifteen minutes, Anne was able to soak off my old set and apply, shape, and polish my new nails. She worked quickly and efficiently and it was definitely a job well done. One thing that Anne did differently than my Empress Nails techies was that she shaped the nail before the acrylic even went on. This made the shape more sharp and precise and definitely saved a lot of time, as well. The nails are not as long as I would like, but they never are when I get a new set so I am looking forward to them growing out!

I will be getting my nails painted black until the day that I die, but I am so obsessed with the bubbly champagne pink accent nails. Lil Red loves nothing more than sweet colors against punk rock black so this accent nail choice is no exception. The color is as pretty as a New Year’s Eve party dress and I love the bronze and silver glitter against the muted blush pink. I would definitely get another color combination like this again for the holiday season and it is easily one of my favorites that I’ve had in a long time.

So there you have it, my New Black & Champagne Glitter Nails! What accent nail color should I get next? What color of nail polish are you wearing right now? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

It’s In The Bag: Cry Sanctuary Edition

Standard
It’s In The Bag: Cry Sanctuary Edition

Hi everyone and happy Hump Day! As you all know, I’m a dedicated shopaholic, so it might be strange for you guys to hear that I’m not really a purse kind of girl. Don’t get me wrong, I have a lovely collection of totes and handbags in my collection, but I never actively seek out a new purse when I’m shopping. That’s what my shoe addiction is for!

Yearly, I can confidently say that I buy a maximum of two purses, which might seem staggeringly low for those who read my blog. I much prefer to switch out the bag that I’m using with another loved one in my clothing hoard with the change of the seasons or when I’m feeling frisky. Because I don’t swap out my bag very often, it leaves my purse collection feeling fresh and new and it’s fun to feel like I’m going shopping in my own closet!

Am I the number one fan of the purse? Not by a long shot. But do I know an amazing deal on a gorgeous piece when I see one? Absolutely. Take a look at my new Sanctuary brand bag and let’s discuss:

sanctuarysanctuary1sanctuary2

  • Original Price: $220
  • TJMaxx Price: $60

What instantly drew me to this beautiful purse was the piercing like gold hoops threaded into the crocheted design. Lil Red is a pierced up, punk rock princess so finding a bag that reflects that was really exciting. The craftsmanship that went into creating this Sanctuary sweetheart is so evident just by taking one glance at it. When this bag babe arrived in the mail, it also took me one glance whence it was outside of the box to decide that I loved it.

This purse was an unintentional buy. Seriously. The only reason I put it in my “shopping cart” online was to get myself to free shipping status. Then, I planned on taking it to the store to return it once it arrived. That plan was an obvious bust. *Eye roll* I should know myself better by now to realize that if an item is in the shopping cart, then there’s a 99.9999999% chance that I’m going to buy it. TBH, saying that this was an unintentional purchase makes me feel a lot better because I didn’t mean to like it as much as I did!!!

Regardless of the intentions of this purchase (Let’s be honest, it was intentional.), this bag is totally and completely perfect. It is edgy and chic with a heaping helping of glam and I am so happy to be able to add it to my purse collection. I suppose that I would buy this Sanctuary beauty again in a heartbeat. 😉

So there you have it, the latest issue of It’s In The Bag: Cry Sanctuary Edition! What is your favorite accessory? Are you a purse or shoes girl? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Building Up Your Health From The Inside Out

Standard
Building Up Your Health From The Inside Out

We all know that being the right weight, eating well, and exercising is good for our bodies. But did you know that your body might still be suffering on the inside, even though you’ve managed to get the outside of your body looking at it’s best? Unfortunately, a part of life includes suffering with ailments. This all depends on your family history, what you’ve done in the past (like smoking), and also what you’re exposed to during current life that could affect your health. Here’s how you can build up your inner health to get yourself back at peak condition from the inside out:

Stomach:

Our stomach puts up with a lot of unfortunate issues, regardless of what you have put in it. We’ve all had stomach bugs where it has caused us to have major yuck sessions, so over time there is bound to be some damage done to our tummy that might even make us suffer as we get older. It’s also likely that you’ve enjoyed some alcohol in the past, alongside rich and spicy foods – all of which will damage your insides.

Making sure that you’re eating food that’s not going to do your stomach any harm a majority of the time will help you out in the long run. Many people experience ailments like heartburn or acid reflux. If this is you, consider changing your diet to something less acidic and also head to your pharmacy for some OTC medication to relieve your symptoms. You can also achieve heartburn relief through methods like chewing gum, eating bananas, and introducing probiotics into your healthcare routine.

Bones:

Your bones are literally what holds you together. However, many of us forget to look after them and end up with conditions like osteoporosis, which is weakened bones that are more likely to fracture and crumble. There are supplements available like AlgaeCal which relieves the symptoms of osteoporosis because of the AlgaeCal plant calcium, which is what our bones need to stay strong and healthy.

If you are worried about the wellness of your bones, be sure to visit your doctor who can arrange necessary tests and scans to check if you have any underlying conditions and to discuss the treatment of your discomfort.

Lungs:

Our lungs are vital in how we breathe, and they send oxygen to the heart so that it can pump blood around our bodies and keep us alive. Make sure that you’re not exposed to things that could be damaging to your lungs like asbestos or anything where you’re frequently exposed to small particles in the air. If you’re worried about asbestos in your home, you should call a professional in Asbestos Removal immediately to get their opinion. Having a specialist remove this, with the right equipment is important as doing this yourself could cause a significant amount of harm. Of course, you should also avoid smoking as this will also help you to protect your lungs and their health.

Give your inner self a fighting chance to get stronger quickly and try these bits of advice today. Remember to speak to your GP before self medicating, even if it’s a supplement. Stay healthy and happy!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Technology – The Secret Ingredient Of Success

Standard
Technology – The Secret Ingredient Of Success

More and more businesses are relying on technology to make their operations more, well, awesome, efficient, productive, secure, and profitable. The big problem is keeping up with the Lewis Hamilton paced world of advancing tech, which is complicated further by the fact that business leaders, like you, already have their hands full with the other tasks that keep their company in the here and now.

Luckily for you, we have taken the time to cast a rather glorious spotlight on exactly which areas of your business can be greatly improved by the introduction of the right technology. What’s more, we’re not going to waste any more of your time getting to the point:

Mobile Is The Number One Must-Have: For all of the different technology that there is out there, none has crashed into our lives like a New Year’s Eve fireworks display more than the mobile. Last year alone, more than six billion people tuned into a mobile device. Of course, this is quite a big entity in its own right, so to narrow it down a bit more, the areas you need to concentrate on are having a responsive website, a well-tested app, interactive social media, and mobile payment capabilities to keep your company in check with the tech savvy. Don’t forget that your business needs to be easy to communicate with and countless calls can be daunting. To ensure that every customer is tended to, you might want to enlist the help of a voice broadcasting service for the most efficient way to communicate. This service can include ringless voicemail and sms that will be fully automated so you can focus on your to do list.

Never down play the importance of a great website and social media. Every second of the day, millions of people are scrolling through their newsfeeds and preferred sites. Why shouldn’t it be yours?! When utilizing the most effective industrial content marketing strategies, you will surely find an increase in traffic and sales which means you are on the right track to even more success.

techhh1

 Off the subject, but I like that bag!

It’s Time To Automate Your Marketing: In a world where time is the most valuable commodity and marketing is the number one way to grow your business, being able to combine the two is becoming increasingly important. Not only this, but they will also dent your need to hire another costly marketing agency-slash-executive. The major benefits on the efficiency front come in the form of lead generation, segmented messages, tailored responses based on actions, and their seamless integration with CRM platforms. AI Helpdesk Software is also especially beneficial as it can keep track of customer conversations, improve your ticketing system, and ensure that every customer can solve their issues in real time. With these tasks fully automated, it can allow you to focus completely on all of the other items on your to do list for the day.

Nothing Is More Important Than Security: Making sure that your business is safe and secure falls into the category of “Pretty Darn Important” for a plethora of reasons. There is the trust you give to your customers, the peace of mind you give to your clients, the reputation you need to protect and, of course, your profit margin. In terms of technology, we recommend you look for a home surveillance camera for sale, something that will let you monitor your physical space and employees from your mobile and not just online threats. That said, the advancements in tech have also made it easier to protect your email accounts, bolster your firewall, and secure both your wireless network and your browsers.

techhh2

 Hands up for security!!

Call In The Collaboration Tools: There are a thousand reasons why you need to adapt to the remote world in which we live; reasons that range from attracting top talent and acquiring B2B manufacturing leads to keeping business overheads down. However, in order to make remote working a viable option, you need to invest in the best collaboration tools. Sure, this may not be much of an issue now, but it is projected that over 60% of workers will work remotely by 2022. The platform we are loving at the moment is Google Team. It offers real-time collaboration on a virtual chat-based work space that is designed to make collaboration more accessible and efficient. Music to your ears, huh?

The world of technology is fast paced and constantly changing, and it is up to you as a business leader to keep on top of the ball so that you can keep your company at the top of the ranks.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Walgreens Freebie Bag

Standard
Walgreens Freebie Bag

Hi everyone and happy Tuesday! I’ve been frequenting Walgreens a few times within the past few months because they are the only store in my area that still carries my beloved Vidal Sassoon hair dye. Normally, when I stop in the store, I just take the lot of how ever many boxes of the Runway Red color that they have so that I’ll have a healthy amount on back stock if, god forbid, anything happens to the Vidal Sassoon London Luxe collection.

When I went into the store over the weekend, I was treated to a beauty goodie bag full of amazing coupons and samples just for buying what I was going to purchase, anyway. Not only that, but because I have their reward card, I got five dollars added on to it for my next hair dye purchase. Clearly, I picked the right day to restock my hair dye! Take a look at the spoils of my goodie bag:

freeeee

When the cashier handed me the bag, it was literally filled to the brim with freebies. I was so curious as to what was in it that I couldn’t wait till I was home to open it, so I sat in my car and was blown away at the contents of the bag, which included:

  • Crest Whitening Therapy tooth paste
  • Olay retinal eye cream
  • CeraVe complexion bar
  • Aveeno lotion
  • Jergens lotion
  • Pocket mirror
  • FAT stack of coupons
  • Lotion samples
  • Whitening strips
  • 3 packets of various shampoos and conditioners
  • Moisturizer samples
  • Hair, skin, and nails gummie samples
  • And more!

I had a blast showing off the contents of my bag at home and dividing up the booty to my family, since there were quite a few things that I don’t use. I’ve never been “anti Walgreens” but this amazing freebie surprise definitely makes me feel more inclined to shop there more often. Now, if only Target and TJMaxx would start giving away goodie bags like this! #wishfulthinking

So there you have it, my Walgreens Freebie Bag! What would you like to try from the goodie bag that I received? Which store gives away the best freebies and coupons? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Walgreens

If The Shoe Fits: Betsey Johnson Mules Edition

Standard
If The Shoe Fits: Betsey Johnson Mules Edition

Hi everyone and happy Monday! I hope that all of you had a wonderful and relaxing weekend. So we all have those certain trends that we love to hate/hate to love/yada yada yada. For me, that trend is the mule. Don’t get me wrong, I love the first pair of Matisse mules that I bought and I think that some mules can be totally gorgeous. But, as a heel girl through and through, it’s a rarity that I can put my best feet forward in flats.

Obviously, a heeled mule would be ideal BUT THEY ALL LOOK LIKE CLOGS and I hate those. Lol, it’s not even a mule – it’s a straight up clog. I’ve thought a lot about this style of shoe and realized that what I need is the slipper shape of the top of the mule with a heel tacked onto the back for good measure. Preferably, a heel that’s not made of hard rubber, which makes the shoe look like a pair of clodhoppers if I’ve ever seen them.

I’ve clearly put a lot of energy into imagining the ideal shape for a heeled mule, but have had no luck in finding the pair that was “just right”. So, can you believe my surprise when I found the seemingly perfect pair of Betsey Johnson HEELED MULES while browsing on TJMaxx’s website?! Swoon. Take a look and let’s discuss:

mules1mules2

So, yeah. You can see that these babies above are exactly what I wanted. These shoes are literally a mule with a heel thrown on for funsies. These Betsey beauties are just darling. Mules definitely have the potential to look like shoes for the (very fashionable) elderly, but not these. The black and white striped heel in contrast with the vibrant yellow flowers screams whimsical tea party. These mules are youthful, sassy, and perfect for a twenty-something who considers a night on the town to consist of strutting down the aisles of Target and TJMaxx.

The best part of Betsey Johnson clothing and accessories are the adorable surprises that are in the details. The center of the flowers on my mules are actual metal, beaded, and jeweled brooches – not just some lame-o craft store find tacked smack dab in the middle. All of these hidden delights just show how much joy that Betsey has in creating her brand and why she will always be one of my favorite designers.

These shoes were made for everything from ambling through daily errands to a boozy bar crawl with the girls on a Saturday night. Somehow, Betsey Johnson knew that I was in desperate need of mules just like my new pair, so she snapped her fingers and put these on the market. Love, love, freaking LOVE.

So there you have it, the newest issue of If The Shoe Fits: Betsey Johnson Mules Edition! What is a trend that you love to hate? Do you prefer flats or heels? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Liebster Award #12

Standard
Liebster Award #12

Hello everyone and happy Sunday! This past week, lifewithlilred was nominated for its 12th Liebster Award by my sweet friend, Aishwarya, at Eclipsed Words. Aishwarya is an extremely talented blogger and her page is absolutely fantastic so do be sure to check it out and give it some love! Now let’s get on to the rules:

The Rules:

  • Answer the 11 questions given to you.
  • Share 11 facts about yourself.
  • Nominate between 5 to 11 other bloggers.
  • Ask your nominees 11 questions.

Fun Facts:

  1. I’m pretty much out of fun facts about myself at this point.
  2. I am freaking STARVING as I write this.
  3. I’m currently dog sitting and both pups look like little potatoes with legs. It’s a hoot!
  4. Taco Bell gives my life purpose.
  5. My family jokes that I have a tapeworm because I’m literally always hungry.
  6. My favorite TV shows are Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Naked & Afraid, Botched, and My 600 Lb. Life.
  7. If you ever saw me driving in my car, it would probably look like I’m talking to myself because I listen to French tapes while I’m driving.
  8. I’m already looking forward to eating Thanksgiving food, lolol.
  9. Obviously, food plays a very important roll in my life.
  10. I love to read and just finished a book called Ginny Moon. It was alright.
  11. I am a Diet Coke fiend!!! It’s my absolute favorite pop and I could legit drink it all day.

Q & A:

What are your favorite smells? I love vanilla, apple, and anything citrus-y.

What do you do when you’re stressed? Read, listen to music, watch a movie. Pretty much what everyone else does, lol.

What is your favorite season and why? I LOVE THE FALL. Autumn all day every day. I love the weather, the activities, the leaves changing, and the clothes!

Is there anything you regret from your childhood? I’m not comfortable answering that.

Early bird or night owl? Early bird, for sure. I kid you not, I go to bed at like nine o’clock every night, hahaha.

What is your biggest time-wasting habit? Mmm…This is an obvious one but I can definitely kill some time on Facebook!

What’s one thing you want to master? I want to perfect my French speaking skills. I also want to start learning American Sign Language.

What have you never tried but want to? I would love to be able to travel more. Aside from Canada, I’ve never been out of the United States.

What’s your biggest fear? Too many to list here!

Describe the most precious thing in your room. Lol, also not comfortable answering this one, either.

What do you want the old you to look back on and remember fondly? That I’m a decent person and am kind to whomever I meet. And that I have a wonderful sense of style. Ayyyy.

My Nominees (I’m only doing three):

My Questions For You:

  1. Really good makeup or really good skin care?
  2. Do you have a favorite vacation that you’ve been on?
  3. Is there a certain type of landscape that you prefer (Beach, mountains, etc.)?
  4. What is something that you admire about your best friend?
  5. What was your favorite childhood toy?
  6. Favorite junk food?
  7. Describe a perfect date night.
  8. What is your dream job?
  9. Who is your celebrity crush?
  10. Best concert you ever went to?
  11. Are you going to dress up for Halloween? If so, as what?

Thank you so much again to Aishwarya for lifewithlilred’s twelfth Liebster Award nomination! How would you answer some of the questions that Aishwarya asked her nominees? How about my questions for mine? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah