Author Archives: lifewithlilred

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About lifewithlilred

Just your average gal blogging an average blog!
Sep13

Cardi Party: Dream On, Kid

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Cardi Party: Dream On, Kid

Hey everyone and happy Hump Day! One brand that I’ve always really liked but never explored to an extent is American Eagle Outfitters. I like their classic style, muted colors, and the fact that their clothes can definitely be viewed as appropriate for a twenty something. Despite an appreciation for the brand, their clothes are just way too expensive for my taste.

Don’t get me wrong, my frugality doesn’t exclude the knowledge that you get what you pay for. But my frugality DOES include the fact that, often times, you can find amazing brands elsewhere for a fraction of the cost. This is why I am a tried and true Maxxinista. TJMaxx is a store that I shopped at from a very young age. I can remember browsing the aisles hand in hand with my mom or grandma when I was little and thinking that it was the most fantastic place on earth – and I still do!

TJMaxx allows me to live out my rich girl fantasy by providing me with brands for purchase that I would never buy in my wildest dreams for full price. TJs dwindles down the cost of clothing, shoes, and accessories to a price that I’m fully comfortable paying. When people ask me where I get my clothes, it makes me proud to say that I get a majority of it from TJMaxx, which proves that I look sharp at a budget price. Check out my latest purchase, which happens to be an American Eagle Outfitters cardi at a TJ’s discount, and let’s discuss:

dreamon2dreamon3dreamon4dreamon5

It has been a long, long time since I stepped foot in a mall. And when I do, it’s rarely for myself, but for gift shopping during the holiday season. But, even then, I still prefer to do my shopping elsewhere. However, when I do find myself in the mall, I like to take my time, look around, guffaw at costly price tags, and take note of the things I like for when I do my bargain shopping later.

This adorable, prep school style AEO cardi cost me THIRTEEN DOLLARS, and I know for a fact that it would have been at least fifty had I bought it at the mall. Somehow, this made my new cardigan appear even cuter to me! It has been a good, long while since I bought myself a new cardi – probably back in 2014, actually, when I was still working at PacSun and got a nice employee discount.

I love the cardigans that I do have because they’re older, but I can’t help feeling like everyone and their brother will have the cardigans that are in store right now. And if there’s one thing that I hate, it’s feeling like a million other people have what I’m buying. This is why I usually shy away from purchasing a cardigan, but go for something like a cool jacket or comfy chic sweaters, instead.

However, this AEO cardigan was too cute to pass up. It features my three favorite colors – black, red, and white and it’s SO comfy. I normally don’t dress for comfort, but there’s nothing better than wrapping yourself up in a nice, cozy cardigan to combat the autumn chill. And, of course, the “Keep On Dreamin'” embroidered back made me smile.

If you must know, I was totally “sadness shopping” after a rough day full of questioning myself and just not feeling good in my skin. The sweet, inspirational surprise on the back of this cardi made me happy and it felt like a message from the shopping gods telling me that I’m going to be okay. You can’t beat finding something totally adorable, affordable, and confidence boosting on a really blah day. Needless to say, it was a total TJMaxx cardi party!

So there you have it, my recent Cardi Party: Dream On, Kid! What is a purchase that you made recently that made you smile? How do you ball on a budget? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Taqplayer

Sep12

Falling For Food! Season & Serve Style Dinner Party

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Falling For Food! Season & Serve Style Dinner Party

Hello everyone and happy Tuesday! I have a really special treat for all of you today, compliments of the absolutely amazing Melissa of Season & Serve. Melissa reached out to me in mid August with the idea of creating an incredible fall themed dinner party menu just for my readers. Food is something that I am extremely passionate about. I am a vegetarian who loves cooking, baking, and of course – EATING!! Obviously, Melissa offered me a pitch that I couldn’t pass up and a menu, recipes, and pics that are going to make you drool buckets.

Melissa has kindly linked to all of her recipes in this post, so if you are interested in learning more about her dishes or making it for yourself, then do check it out! Now, take a look at an absolutely delicious guest post:

Falling For Food! Season & Serve Style Dinner Party

Out of all the four seasons, fall is definitely my favorite. Not only do I enjoy wearing my cozy sweaters in the cooler temperatures, drinking Pumpkin Spice Lattes, and watching the leaves turn a rainbow of colors, I love it because of all the delicious, seasonal foods that come along with it. Fall harvests bring us countless varieties of apples, squash, brussel sprouts, carrots, and parsnips…the list goes on…all from which we can make hearty and comforting foods. And what better way to enjoy these delicious seasonal foods than with a celebratory fall dinner party?!

When you think about it, fall is the perfect season to entertain at home. It’s not too hot, meaning that you can have your stove and oven going all day and you won’t be dying of heat in the kitchen, and it’s not too cold, meaning that outdoor entertaining is still possible. Whenever weather permits, I like to serve fun fall-inspired cocktails outside early in the evening so that my guests can enjoy the crisp fall air before it gets too cold. Once the temperature drops or the sun sets, they really enjoy coming inside and warming up by the fireplace, and maybe with another cocktail before dinner.

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Speaking of cocktails, I chose to serve one of my favorite fall cocktails for this dinner party, Whiskey & Spice Apple Cider. This cocktail will warm you from the inside out and totally get you into that fall mood. I also like to have a little snack to go along with the cocktail, just so your guests don’t get too tipsy before dinner. One really great idea that I recycle over and over again for parties is a cheeseboard. Because, really, who doesn’t like cheese?! I serve a traditional soft goat cheese, an aged cheddar, hearty Gouda, and powerful blue cheese along with whole-grain or seed crackers, nuts, dates, and red grapes to give it a fall twist. Plus, cheese is extremely portable, allowing your guests to move outdoors to enjoy the fall colors and back indoors again as they mingle.

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When your guests decide to move back inside, I like to bring the outdoor feeling with them, and my main avenue for doing so is through my table setting. The table setting really sets the mood for the party, and for fall I like to keep it relatively rustic and casual. I used a tan linen table runner down the center of my table as my base (This one happened to have pumpkins embroidered on both ends – so fall!) and I continue to build from there. I used some tree branches that still had healthy, plump, green leaves down the middle and added in some bright red and lime green Honey Crisp apples to make it pop (these happened to look the best at the farmer’s market that day). I dotted a few tea lights throughout the leaves and apples to add some sparkle and then anchored the table with a short emerald green vase filled with coffee beans and a tea candle. Of course, you can fill the vase with flowers, grasses, or anything that looks pretty to you!

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As for serving ware, I always think that simple is best. Plain large white plates for the main course, with smaller appetizer white plates placed on top, and an elegant trade show table runner is all you need. I added in my every day cutlery, silver forks and knives, to keep it simple but I went for some statement wine glasses. These wine glasses have been one of my greatest purchases to date. I am in love with the gold rims and the fact that they are stemless makes it even better – it’s so in style right now! I also added a personal touch to each table setting by writing my guests names on some extra leaves using a gold marker. It’s the little touches that make your guests feel warm and fuzzy inside!

Now, let’s get to the star of the dinner party, the main dish(es)! While there is a meat component to this fall dinner party, I also designed the menu keeping vegetarians in mind. For the appetizer, I chose to serve a simple Arugula Salad topped with sliced grapes, Parmesan cheese shavings and Maple Spice Candied Pecans. The salad dressing is very simple and is made from olive oil, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper. With those tasty candied pecans, you definitely want to keep the dressing minimal. This recipe can be enjoyed by both your omnivore and herbivore friends. For vegans, simply omit the Parmesan cheese and add more grapes and pecans!

I also chose to serve a white wine with this salad, particularly a Gewurztraminer as it has a slightly sweeter flavor. This one is from one of my favorite wineries in Summerland, British Columbia – Dirty Laundry.

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For the main dish, I have two variations – both of which will make your appetite skyrocket. The first is for the meat-eaters, with my recipe for Red-Wine Braised Beef. While this dish looks complicated, it is actually extremely easy, relatively affordable, and looks incredibly elegant when plated (an entertaining trifecta for hosts!). For the Red Wine Braised Beef, simply brown the meat and vegetables, add the red wine, beef stock, and seasonings to the pot and bake in the oven for 4 hours. The slow baking process will tenderize this cheap, tough cut of meat (blade roast) so much that you can cut the meat with a butter knife. You can even do this the night before and simply reheat the meat before serving. How easy is that?!

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For vegetarians, I have a great substitute: Braised Mushrooms with White Wine and Garlic. I clearly have a braising theme going on here, but braised mushrooms are delicious and very satisfying! In this recipe, I use fresh oyster, trumpet, and cremini mushrooms and saute them in a mixture of olive oil and garlic until browned. I then add the white wine and butter, and cook them on the stove top for 5 minutes, or until the wine has reduced down a bit and then serve immediately. I mean, I eat meat and I know that Red Wine Braised Beef is delicious, but I would totally go for this, and vegans would too (minus the butter)!

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I chose to serve a red wine along with both of these recipes since I was looking for a more robust and bold flavor – it is fall, after all! I chose a Cabernet-Merlot mix for its spice and currant notes and for a slightly dry finish. I really enjoy this Cabernet Merlot from Sandhill Estate Vineyard in Oliver, British Columbia. This is definitely going to be my go-to wine for the season. ❤

Finally, for the grand finale, I present my Apple Coffee Cake with Maple Glaze. This is actually my mom’s recipe, but it is so good and so perfect for fall that I had to make it myself. The batter is very simple to make and the cake always comes out incredibly moist due to the sliced apples inside and on top of the cake. Again, you can make this a day in advance BUT if you make it the morning or afternoon of the dinner party, your home will smell absolutely amazing. I like to serve this with coffee (hence why it’s a coffee cake) or tea. No dessert wine here!

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After this big, comforting, delicious meal, your guests will be completely satisfied and will be in a cheerful fall mood. And, of course, while these are just my tips for throwing a fall dinner party, just know that when you mix good people and good food together, you are guaranteed to have a successful dinner party – no matter what the season.

Have a happy fall, everyone! And thank you to Sarah for letting me guest blog for you!

Yum, yum, FREAKING YUM. Thank you infinitely to the author of Season & Serve, Melissa, for creating such a beautiful bounty for my readers. I want in on her next dinner party, and you guys can be, too! Melissa will be back on lifewithlilred in October with a how to guide for a spooky fun Halloween themed party. What would you like to see Melissa cook next? Would you consider yourself a picky eater? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep11

Are You Ready To Start Expressing Yourself?

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Are You Ready To Start Expressing Yourself?

One thing that a lot of people struggle with is that they don’t feel as though they’re able to project much about who they are to the world as a whole. You might be the most interesting, creative, and exciting person on the planet and yet you still feel as though you blend into the background when you’re around other people. Sure, not everyone wants to be the center of attention, but it can be tough when it feels like people aren’t getting to see the real you.

However, that doesn’t mean that you’re stuck with that kind of situation for the rest of your life! Being able to express yourself isn’t all that difficult, you just need to know how to go about it, and feel comfortable enough to let the real you shine through no matter what. Here are a few simple things that you can do to get started on really showing the world what you’re made of:

Change Up Your Look: Not everyone is going to be obsessed with fashion, and that’s okay! But the way that you present yourself can have a huge impact on the way the world sees you and can be a wonderful opportunity for you to express yourself. Different styles say different things, and it’s cool to be able to share something about yourself with everyone that you walk past. And of course, no one feels the same every day so why not change up your look constantly?!

Many people will look completely different on a day to day basis, whether that’s through clothes, makeup, or even wigs. That might sound a bit drastic but it can be a lot of fun, and it’s worth trying at least a couple of times. When it comes to wigs, try CelebWigs for a bunch of different styles to see how you can express yourself. Of course, if you’re not looking to make that much of an entrance wherever you go, sticking to a style that you love and reflects who you are is just as good!

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Who doesn’t love a good makeover?!

Be Proud Of The Things You Love: We all have things that we’re passionate about, but a lot of the time we don’t want to express those things to other people because we’re worried about how they will judge them. This is where the idea of a “guilty pleasure” comes from. The truth, is that you should never have a guilty pleasure. If you love something, then that doesn’t impact anyone else’s life, so why shouldn’t you be proud of it? Whether it’s a type of music, TV, book, or anything else, wearing your passions on your sleeve can be a great way to express yourself to the world. And hey, you might even find that someone else feels the same way and you can strike up a new friendship.

Be Confident In Who You Are: One of the hardest things in the world is being confident in who you are. The media and the world around us work very hard to tell us that we’re not good enough. That we’re too fat, thin, short, tall, old, or young. All of these things mean that many of us are walking around on a day to day basis feeling as though we can’t be confident in who we are. But the world’s not going to change unless we change. So, no matter who you are, it’s important to be proud of it and never let the world tell you that there’s something wrong with that.

Change Your Environment: Of course, sometimes those kinds of feelings don’t come from inside yourself but from a toxic environment. Having friends who don’t appreciate who you are or people around you who try to make you feel bad for the way that you express yourself can make life very difficult and lonely for a lot of people. If that’s the case, then there’s nothing wrong with ending those friendships and changing your environment to something more loving and supportive. You would be amazed what a change of scenery can do for your self love and confidence.

Now, none of this is trying to tell you that you should try and be some kind of bold, brash person if that’s not who you are deep down. You should never try to be anyone else. The point is simply to be able to embrace what makes you a unique individual and to avoid hiding that from the world, because everyone deserves to see the real you shine.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Sep11

Bath & Body Works September Freebie

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Bath & Body Works September Freebie

Hi everyone and happy Monday! I hope that all of you had a fabulous and relaxing weekend. While running errands this past week, I had to stop into Bath & Body Works to grab my freebie for the month of September. I knew that I wanted to get a mini shower gel because I had sent my not so baby anymore baby cousin off to college last month with a few from my hoard among other gifts. A restock was definitely needed, so I ended up with a shower gel from B&BW’s scent, Endless Weekend. Take a look:

weekend

I have so many travel sized goodies from B&BW in my freebie hoard that it’s hard to keep track of all of the scents. Now, I just pick whatever I think looks the prettiest in the bottle or the label and go with that. I loved the pale blue color of this gel and who doesn’t want an Endless Weekend?!

I actually am just now taking a whiff of this body wash, because I didn’t bother in the store and it smells like total fun in the sun. It seriously smells like an ocean breeze passing through a giant fruit salad made of pineapples and raspberries with an edible flower garnish. I always prefer fruity scents, so I’m definitely happy that I randomly grabbed one that I like instead of something super musky or flowery. But hey, the unloved scents are great gifts for other people! Mwahaha. :*)

So there you have it, my Bath & Body Works September Freebie! What is your favorite scent from B&BW? Who is excited for all of the fall fragrances in stores now? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep10

New Black, Glittered, And Bejeweled Nails

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New Black, Glittered, And Bejeweled Nails

Hi everyone and happy Sunday! This Thursday I was able to squeeze in getting a much needed fill for my talons. I used to get my nails filled every three weeks, but I’ve pushed it up to four in the name of saving money. I don’t really mind, but by the time the month mark hits, my nails are in desperate need of some TLC.

As always, my beloved nail tech, STEVE, did an amazing job of sharpening the claws and getting them back to their normal fierce selves. Then, once I got home, I rhinestoned my middle finger crosses myself and it turned out great! Take a look:

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I am super happy with how my rhinestones turned out, especially because this is only the second time that I’ve tried my hand at it. AND I freaking LOVE my accent nail color. The glitzy, glam, not quite pink and not quite purple color is so fun. Combined with the harsh black on my eight other acrylics and the edgy crosses, my accent nails add the perfect touch of sassy sweetness and I think that they look stunning.

I must pat myself on the back during this post, because none of my nails broke in an entire month and that rarely happens. It’s not like I mean for it to happen because I try to be careful with my claws, but accidents are bound to occur when my acrylics are over an inch and a half long in length. It’s really no matter, because instead of rushing to the salon to fix a break, I super glue them myself and once I’m in for a fill, Steve can repair it without even putting a new nail on. BUT, it was a nice feeling to not sit at Steve’s station with my tail between my legs about another boo boo on my acrylics! GREAT SUCCESS.

So there you have it, my New Black, Glittered, And Bejeweled Nails! What color of nail polish do you have on right now? Are you an acrylic or natural nails kind of gal? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep9

Liebster Award #10

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Liebster Award #10

Hi everyone and happy weekend! I am so pleased to be nominated for my tenth Liebster Award by one of my all time favorite bloggers, friends, and human beings – Kate from Ankhor You. This beautiful blogger brings so much joy into my life and I genuinely hope that everyone has a friend like her for themselves. My days literally don’t feel normal without nonstop texting with her and I live for our two hour long FaceTime dates!

Needless to say, I really do consider her one of my best friends and I am SO excited to get to hang out with her in real life next month at our “Bloggers Conference”. Lifewithlilred and Ankhor You will be taking the big city and the blogging world by storm with our shenanigans so be on the look out for lots of fun, fashion, and festivities on our pages!

I LOVE YOU, KATE!!! ❤

Ahem…Now, let’s get to the rules:

The Rules:

  • Thank the blogger that nominated you!
  • Answer 11 questions from the blogger that nominated you
  • Nominate 11 blogs
  • Ask the bloggers 11 questions

Q & A:

Coffee or tea? Coffee! I’m drinking it as we speak! Err…As I type this?

What is the last movie you saw? In theaters? IT! But I made my sister watch my favorite bad movie, The Room, with me on our way home from vaca!

Favorite Fall accessory? Fingerless gloves. I have way too many pairs!

How often do you blog? I try to blog once a day.

Do you dye your hair? …No.

*Whispers quietly* …yes.

My favorite thing is when people ask me if my red is my natural hair color lol bless their hearts!

Favorite thing to do in the Fall? Shop, shop, shop because I live for fall clothing. And I absolutely love going to haunted houses and taking hikes in the Metro Parks in Ohio.

Where is your next vacation? To Manhattan for the BLOGGERS CONFERENCE!!!

What was your favorite thing that you did this Summer? I loved going on vacation with my entire family earlier this month. It’s rare when all of my siblings can get together so that vacation was really special.

Lipstick or lip gloss? Matte lipstick!

A physical book or an electronic reader? Physical book all day every day.

Facebook or Instagram? Facebook, because it’s the only social media that I have!

My Nominees (I’m only doing three):

My Questions For You:

  1. What is your favorite restaurant to eat at?
  2. What is your favorite thing to do when you’re hanging out with your friends?
  3. Least favorite flavor?
  4. Something that drives you crazy?
  5. Something that you’re proud of?
  6. New shoes or a new purse?
  7. What color of nail polish do you have on?
  8. What’s your favorite snack food?
  9. How do you treat yourself?
  10. What’s your favorite genre for books and movies?
  11. What qualities do you look for in a friend?

Thank you so much again to the beautiful and talented mermaid disguised as a human, Kate, from Ankhor You for lifewithlilred’s tenth Liebster Award! How would you answer some of Kate’s questions for her nominees? How about some of mine? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep8

Assembling A Grooming Kit For The Man In Your Life

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Assembling A Grooming Kit For The Man In Your Life

There’s no denying that women get the best stuff when it comes to beauty. We get the clothes, shoes, and accessories. And, to top it all, we get the beauty products. While more men are admitting to using moisturizer, it’s still not the norm. And, male makeup is even less so. While we get to luxuriate in lipsticks and explore with eyeliner, men get funny looks if they put so much as a splash of foundation on. It’s a shame.

A more intense grooming routine might not be on your guy’s radar. But there’s no better time than the present to introduce them to one! If you feel bad your man doesn’t have a beauty kit to match yours, it might be time to treat him to one of his own. Of course, you need to specify to his needs, so why not focus on shaving? If he’s seen this as a purely practical part of life thus far, he’s sure to appreciate a little added luxury to his routine. Here are a few ways that you can provide it:

A New Razor: Start by stocking up on new razors. He may already have one that is functional – but, functional won’t cut it. Instead, get him the best choice possible by looking at reviews like the ones on iwantashaver.com. During your research, look out for options that have something special. Perhaps they’re tailored for comfort or have a few extra clip ons. Either way, you want something that stands apart from what he’s already got to add that extra sense of luxury.

Beard Oil: Recent years have seen a significant boost to beard oil sales. These wonderful smelling oils give any beard a much-needed shimmer. Encourage your man to add on to his morning routine by buying him a kit with a few different oils. This is an added touch of pampering, which he’ll surely grow to love!

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Fancy stuff!

Shaving Cream: As with the razor, your man probably has shaving cream already. But, any old option isn’t going to help him enjoy shaving sessions. Instead, look into some more upmarket options. Something scented with a smell he adores is sure to go down well. Find a scent that’s invigorating for his morning routine to dissipate any grumpiness before that first cup of coffee!

Brushes: Of course, that cream won’t do any good if he has no way to apply it. He could always us his fingers, but it’s hardly the best way to a winning beauty routine. Instead, it’s worth buying him a set of shaving brushes. If you don’t fancy a whole set, you could choose a top-quality standalone which will provide the same experience.

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I want one of those for me! 😀

Somewhere To Keep It All: Us women keep our makeup in bags or vanity cases. But, men more often than not shove their shaving stuff wherever it fits. Stop that habit by buying him a bag of his own, like this one at www.sleepypandapieces.com. Not only is this more practical, but it ensures that his beauty routine will feel like more of an event. Just like you, he’ll have to get his kit out before he can get ready each morning!

Everyone needs a little pampering in their lives and it’s easy to forget that guys do, too. Surprise him with a shaving kit just in time for the end of No Shave November for extra brownie points for days!

Featured Image By: Maxpixel

Sep8

If The Shoe Fits: Candies Edition

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If The Shoe Fits: Candies Edition

Helloooo everyone and TGIF! As you all know from yesterday’s post, the arrival of autumn spells out big trouble for my bank account. A recent trip to Kohl’s and Target with my beloved mother left my wallet a little less fat but my wardrobe all of the better for it. Take a look at my new boots from the brand Candies, which Kohl’s offers, and let’s discuss:

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First of all, in my defense – I haven’t bought myself a non ankle or combat style boot in literal years. The last time I bought actual knee high boots was on Valentine’s Day in 2015, so this purchase was a long time coming. Why, you might ask? The answer for a long hiatus between boot purchases, is that I actually have a really difficult time finding “actual” boots that I like. Why, you might ask? It’s not like I have a problem buying anything else! Lol, sigh. Let me explain. Ahem:

  1. I have expensive taste. Sue me for it. The boots that I do happen to like are usually close to or above one hundred dollars. As much as I love shoes, I’m not comfortable spending that much.
  2. This is a really personal preference when it comes to footwear, but I absolutely despise rubber soles on shoes. I’m well aware that many of the shoes featured on my If The Shoe Fits series has them and, believe me, I’m not thrilled about it. But rubber soles on boots are a bit of an eyesore for me, and I refuse to purchase ones with them.

In my perfect world, literally every heel or sole on a shoe would be covered with cloth or made with funky material like wood, cork, or see through plastic. However, I know that this is just not feasible, because rubber soles on boots during inclement weather is a nonnegotiable staple for obvious reasons. I realize that, but it doesn’t mean that I have to like it! Therefore, I’ve always avoided buying, and even looking at boots to purchase because it’s just too damn hard to find what I like for a price that I’m comfortable paying.

(This is the part where the world pauses for a second, because the boot world as I know it is about to change forever.)

Pre Mind Blown Monologue: I love the shoe department at Kohl’s. I would say that about forty percent of my shoes are from there, forty percent are from TJMaxx, and the remaining twenty percent is from other various locations. I think that Kohl’s has a fantastic selection of brands and styles and the prices are, for the most part, extremely reasonable thanks to sales and coupons. While browsing through the shoe selection, I wasn’t really anticipating buying anything until…

MIND BLOWN.

My leisurely amble through the shoe department led me to my new boots from Candies. Guys…It really was love at first sight. These boots had EVERYTHING that’s important to me in my “Buying Boots Guidelines”:

  • Must be black
  • Must be at least knee high (These go up to the lower part of my thigh.)
  • Must be made from non-animal materials (These are pseudo-suede and man made.)
  • Must be heeled
  • Must not have a rubber sole

These Candies boots checked off literally every single thing on my Buying Boots Guidelines. Not only that, but I got these babies that were originally about one hundred dollars for sixty bucks. Fifty to sixty dollars is my cut off point when it comes to buying anything, but I prefer to stay well under that. However, because I own a whole two other pairs of boots, one pair that is two and a half years old and another that is four years old, I was okay with spending up to my price limit. This doesn’t happen very often, but it really has been a while since I found a pair of boots worth buying and I realize that around sixty dollars is very decent for a new pair of such high quality.

What I love about these boots, aside from the jet black color, CLOTH COVERED HEEL, and cruelty free material, is the length. I’ve never owned an above the knee pair of boots before and, I say this very rarely, but these boots made me feel sexy. These babies hit solidly at my lower thigh but are shorter than mid-thigh. I’ve always wanted a high, heeled pair of boots but never found one that I liked so much until now.

These boots made me feel good. Sexy is a look that is never a priority when it comes to how I dress but, man, I felt it in these shoes and it was definitely a new feeling – but I liked it. I was wearing a mustard yellow maxi dress and a moto jacket when I tried these on and I loved how I looked. These boots were edgy and cool but they gave off a glam and sultry vibe because of their length and, I don’t know…I felt good in them.

Another plus to these boots is their shape. They’re form fitting without being skin tight, but they have just enough slouch to give them edge as opposed to more sex appeal. Had they not had that extra give, I don’t know how comfortable I would have been in them.

Of course I’m looking forward to pairing these with one of my many black skinny jeans from my black skinny jeans collection for a sleek silhouette, but I never thought to pair boots like these with a maxi dress. I absolutely loved it and I genuinely can’t wait to style these with maxi and knee length dresses in the fall. And a cool moto or distressed jean jacket is a definite must with these bad boys, too!

I realize that I just wrote a freaking novella on these boots but I just couldn’t help it. I’m really happy with this purchase and they are going to look absolutely stunning with my new coat from yesterday’s post, to boot! (AYYY, see what I did there?!) 😉

So there you have it, the newest issue of If The Shoe Fits: Candies Edition! How would you style these boots? What are your own guidelines for boot shopping? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep7

4 Reasons Why Blue Is The Most Soothing Color For Interior Decor

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4 Reasons Why Blue Is The Most Soothing Color For Interior Decor

Some colors are naturally overwhelming to your senses, but blue somehow promotes calm because most people associate blue with something good in their life. There are varying shades of blue and none of them have been noted to give you a headache from exposure. Whereas, too-bright colors, like lemon yellow or neon green, have been known to cause migraines if viewed in large doses.

Blue is a color that is widely associated as soothing and these are the top four reasons why. Incorporate various shades of blue into your decor and get your calm on!

Blue Goes with Nearly Everything in Your Home Decor:

Like your favorite pair of denim jeans that goes with everything in your wardrobe, other shades of blue go with nearly everything in your home decor. You can pick a single shade of blue, then plan an entire room around it. For example, if you deck the walls in cobalt blue, you can add touches of silver in vases, pillows, and frames, to represent the night sky directly after a sunset. Fairy lights optional!

If you are struggling to picture your home in a sea of blue but love the idea, then tools like this 3d interior visualizations software can be invaluable. You will work with a team to create a 3D mockup of your design as well as a game plan for making it happen. This is a fantastic way to experiment with colors.

There are Dozens of Shades of Blue:

You could count off two handfuls of blue shades and still not be done naming all of the different kinds of blue. There are dozens to choose from; ergo, you get more to work with when designing your interiors. And who doesn’t love options?! You could wind up with four or five different shades of a similar color just because it makes you feel calm and positive, and your room will look positively fabulous.

Blue is Associated with Good Things in Nature:

From the beautiful blues of the oceans, to the blues of summer skies or velvety nights, the color is often associated with the beauties of nature. And you can design your home with these shades of blue, using nature as your inspiration. When designing a room around your favorite nature scene, use a blue hue as the backdrop, then add onto your palette with other colors from the same scene. For instance, if you love the cerulean of a rainbow, throw in red, yellow, orange, and purple accents around the room to complete the prism look.

Often Times, Blue is Associated with Favorite Scents:

You would be surprised, but most people associate their favorite colors with their favorites scents. When someone closes their eyes and sees green, they might envision forests, fresh-cut grass, and raindrops on flowers. Whereas, when people think of blue, they imagine sea breezes, brisk summer rains, and cold winter nights. From the palest blues to the deepest indigos, the color blue inspires a scent that is as crisp and refreshing as a huge intake of clean, mountain air.

Blue is soothing because it simply is. There are different reasons for different people, but it’s no wonder why it’s such a popular color for home decor. Some people have a natural knack for interior design and choosing colors that “work”. But if that is so not you, you can always pay an hourly rate for the advice of a home renovation contractor. It will be well worth it, once you have your own little slice of zen in your home to unwind in after a stressful day!

Featured Image By: Pantone

Sep7

Great Ways To De-Stress

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Great Ways To De-Stress

There are plenty of ways to relax. You can read a book, have a long bath, or watch your favorite movie with a takeout dinner. But what about those days when you can’t relax? You need to let off some steam after a hard day, and these things all seem too passive? You’re much too agitated to sit still. You need to de-stress and unwind before you are ready to chill out.

Well, fortunately, you don’t need to be stuck thinking about your day, winding yourself up more and more until you can’t sleep. With the right techniques, you can get yourself perfectly zen before hitting the sack. Here are some of the best ways to de-stress after a hard day:

Do Something Creative: Using your energy for something creative is a great way to burn it off, and you may even create something amazing. Draw, paint, or play an instrument. Even if you’re not creatively talented, you can always try something new and find that you really enjoy it – even if you’re not the best. You don’t need to be good at an instrument to have fun trying, check out kindsound.com for some ideas. You also don’t need to be a great artist to make a picture. Adult coloring means that anyone can spend time using creative energies. Have a look at justcolor.net for some great printables.

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So fun!

Go For A Run: Running is a brilliant way to de-stress. You don’t need to go anywhere special or invest in expensive equipment. You just need some cheap trainers to get started. Run straight out of your front door, focusing on the rhythm of your feet hitting the ground and feel your stress leaving your body. Run until you feel better or you can’t run anymore. Then, turn around and go home. You’ll feel more relaxed and confident, and you’ll get a fantastic night’s sleep.

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Pixabay Image

Do A Fitness Video: If you don’t fancy running, try an online fitness video, instead. There are plenty available on YouTube, but try something new like combat aerobics or boxercise to burn away some of that stress efficiently. Literally, punch it out of your body.

Have A Massage: Getting a massage is probably the most passive way to release your stress. You don’t have to do anything but lie there while someone else pounds the stress from your muscles, getting rid of your knots and helping to remove the tension from your body. Often after a good massage, people feel like a weight has been lifted from their shoulders. Swedish massages tend to be a very popular option and might be just what you need to unwind. If you are interested in learning more before you book an appointment, simply enter a search for “swedish massage in Missouri City, TX” (or your local area) to find the best massage therapists near you.

Massages are great for providing short term relief for stress. However, they are not going to be a cure for consistent pain, tension, or nerve issues. If this is something you are struggling with, it’s important to speak with your doctor. They might recommend physical therapy or perhaps Rolfing Structural Integration which is a combination of manual and movement therapy. Once your pain has improved, you will surely find that your stress levels will lower too.

Shout: If all else fails, scream and shout and let it all out! #britneyspears #will.i.am Sometimes there’s no better way to release everything than to scream. Go down to the bottom of your garden and scream your heart out. You might find that you feel much better afterward and who cares if you freak out the neighbors!

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Ahhhhh!

Finding a way to let your feelings out can calm you down enough that you can enjoy the rest of your evening and get a great night’s sleep. If you can let these negative energies out productively and safely, then treat yourself, you deserve it.

Featured Image By: Her Campus