Hello! My brother treated Johnny and me to a Target gift card for Christmas and we both knew what we would like to spend it on: A new Lego set! During our Target Run, we decided on the Malfoy Manor from the Harry Potter collection. I had no idea that this set even existed and we were really excited by it because it spoke to our spooky vibes. In fact, this is probably one of my favorite Harry Potter sets yet. We completed this build in two parts and here is the end result:
^^^ Why does the Dobby Minifig look so terrifying but this one looks so cute?!
Johnny and I have countless Harry Potter Lego sets and they are great. As we expanded on our Hogwarts Castle, however, all of the sets kind of blurred together. Yes, they formed a cohesive whole. BUT each set was so similar to the last. The color palette was the same, the building process was the same, and themes were repeated. That is exactly why the Malfoy Manor was one of my favorite and most memorable builds. It was so completely different than the Harry Potter sets we were used to and it was invigorating to try something that felt brand new.
The Malfoy Manor set was not only exciting to complete but a ton of fun and we were enamored as it began to come together. The dark colors, gothic style build, and snakes at every turn enhanced the creepy aesthetic of this set beautifully. I am especially partial to the gargoyles, moving stairs, and the NPU of the monster hands. They look so cool!! Our Malfoy Manor really does look old and haunted and it reminded us of an old and wildly expensive Lego haunted house set that we both want desperately. Although we may never get our hands on the throwback set we covet, this was definitely a suitable replacement! I highly, highly recommend it if you are looking to add to your Harry Potter Lego world.
I’m not sure which Lego set Johnny and I are going to purchase next. Whatever it is, I can’t wait because building Lego together is one of our favorite things to do! ❤
What is your favorite Lego set? Which old Lego set would you love to have? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah
Hello! Mine and Johnny’s typical MO for Valentine’s Day is seeing a show at Playhouse Square. However, we are incredibly partial to a low key celebration too! Yes, it’s nice to go on a date for V-Day but it’s also just as nice or even better to spend true quality time together from the comfort of your home or a cozy cafe. Whether you go all out for the occasion or keep things simple is your prerogative. As long as the intent to truly celebrate your relationship is there, it’s going to be a great time! Let’s explore some ways that you can make V-Day special on any budget:
Extra Cleaning:
A deep clean of the home or taking on a chore that your partner is in charge of is completely free and will be completely appreciated. How do I know? I would be ELATED if my V-Day gift from Johnny was that he would take care of the bunnies in the morning for a few weeks! A gift like this is twofold. Your home will be squeaky clean AND completing some extra chores will give your SO time for themselves. Maybe they will use it to get twenty more minutes of shut eye or read a few chapters of a good book. Don’t underplay the gift of taking some weight off of your partner’s shoulders!
Good Morning, Sunshine:
Breakfast in bed? Yes, please! Talk about a fantastic way to make someone feel spoiled. You could whip up a big breakfast or brunch from home. Or you could grab takeout from your favorite restaurant. If your partner is not big on breakfast, that’s okay. You can still work with the idea! Surprise them with their Starbucks order, go to energy drink, or in my case – a McDonald’s Diet Coke and present it with a pretty bouquet. This is a surefire way to start the day off right and keep your main squeeze smiling from such a sweet gesture.
Sentimental:
One of the most beautiful gifts you can give is by using your words. Tell your partner how much they mean to you with a love letter on their pillow. This is so sentimental and will always be treasured. It is also an especially effective gift if you have a hard time expressing yourself. In the same breath, you could go the photo album route too. Compile your favorite shots from date nights, vacations, and just hanging out and create an album. It will be a welcome trip down memory lane as you flip through it together and remember the hilarious, romantic, and adventurous moments that you shared.
Matchmaker:
Having matching items with your SO is a match made in heaven! Johnny and I have countless matching T-shirts and it just makes us happy lol. The possibilities for a gift like this are truly endless. Will it be his and hers bathrobes? Two of a kind coffee mugs? Matching jerseys to cheer on your favorite team? Are you going to custom make it or find something perfect at the store? This is an awesome opportunity to get creative so have fun with it! I know I will be because I’m getting myself and Johnny a matching T-shirt set from one of our comfort shows as a bonus gift. 😀
As you can see, there are countless ways to make this Valentine’s Day one to remember while adhering to your budget. Your partner will LOVE any of these gifts!
What would you like for V-Day? What is your least favorite chore? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah
Hello!! I love getting dressed up for any holiday, but Valentine’s Day just hits different. Why? Because it’s different! While I do have a lot of very feminine clothes, I wouldn’t call my personal style “girly”. So, it is always fun to play with that too sweet aesthetic for V-Day. This year, I treated myself to a brand new OOTD for mine and Johnny’s Valentine’s Day date and I can’t wait to wear it! Today, let’s explore some options for all different kinds of styles to elevate you to the V-Day Best Dressed List too:
Sweet:
Whenever I think about Valentine’s Day, the first word that comes to mind is always “sweet” because it really is. You and your main squeeze are celebrating your love and each other and it’s a special occasion. Luckily, there is no shortage of ways that you can invoke sweetness into your OOTD. We’re talking soft, pastel shades. Silky, flowy fabrics. And, of course, dazzling and well placed accessories. Sweet outfits can benefit from one item in the OOTD being more form fitting and pairing it with something voluminous to balance it out. Cute kitten heels, tumbling curls, and makeup that enhances your natural beauty will complete the look for the ultimate in girly girl style.
Sexy:
In stark contrast to sweet vibes, let’s talk sexy. For Valentine’s Day, this means some va va VOOM baby! This is the opportunity to tap into a bad romance so leather and lace, anyone? Can you imagine a skin tight, black leather bodycon skirt paired with a deep red lace top? You will be turning everyone’s heads so don’t be afraid to show off! Choose pieces that hug every curve or accentuates a part of your body that your partner loves and let their eyes dance with accessories. For example, if you are primarily featuring your legs, a delicate anklet can push that pure sex appeal even further. Opt for smokey eyes, berry lips, and mile high stilettos to fly you into the oh so sexy stratosphere.
No matter what your Valentine’s Day style is, you can always opt for sexy underneath the clothing! Your partner will go gaga when they see the surprise of Valentines Costume lingerie. Whether your lingerie style is classic and chic or playful and sassy, there is an option for you and no matter what you pick is going to be a good one! Lingerie is an amazing way to express a different side of yourself and what better day to show it off than on Valentine’s Day?!
Sassy:
Sassy Valentine’s Day outfits are quirky and gives you free reign to play with patterns. How about a button down top with embroidered hearts? A cami with lipstick kisses? Even polka dots can transform your OOTD into something unique while still feeling classic to the Valentine’s Day standards. Sassy looks are adventurous and might not adhere to the usual silhouettes so experiment with how your clothing can create different shapes. A perfect example of this is cinching a cascading maxi dress with a belt to give your waist dimension. Screw the stilettos and go for chunky platforms, a bright lip, or try some funky eye makeup art to make your outfit pop even more!
No matter what you do for Valentine’s Day, put your best OOTD forward with these tips!
How would you describe your personal style? What is your favorite holiday to dress for? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah
Howdy!! Last month, I was genuinely sad to have finished one of the cleansers that I was using long term. For almost half a year, it was part of my morning routine until it wasn’t lol. Of course, I am always excited to try a new product and introduced a Hyaluronic Acid and Micellar Water Foaming Cleanser by VALJEAN LABS into my skin care arsenal. This cleanser has been sitting in my stock pile for over a year now and it has finally had its day in the sun. A bright, sunshiny day because I freaking LOVE it!
WAY back in my retail days, I used to work at The Body Shop. It really was the job to have because being surrounded by makeup, skin and bath and body care all day was like a dream come true! The products from The Body Shop were beloved staples in my childhood and working there as a teenager turned me into one of their most faithful customers. Unfortunately, all of TBS’s United States locations closed and I genuinely couldn’t tell you the last time I used their signature body butters or my go to Vitamin C serum. I think about these items fondly and I would so love to have them again. Which is exactly why I am obsessed with this foaming cleanser by VALJEAN LABS!
The Body Shop used to have an Aloe skin care line that was absolutely perfect as a starter kit for teenagers or people with a normal skin type. I dabbled in products from several different collections but a tried and true standard was always the Aloe Foaming Cleanser. It smelled so crisp and clean, lathered gloriously, and left my skin feeling fresh and soft. The first time I used my new cleanser, it unlocked this product memory because the resemblance is simply uncanny. From the cucumber scent to the foaming bubbles and fresh faced glow after each use, it was like being reunited with an old favorite. I would happily buy a few bottles of this cleanser again!!
I cannot recommend the Foaming Cleanser by VALJEAN LABS enough. If you have used and liked the Aloe line from The Body Shop, you are going to fall head over heels for this fantastic replacement!
Did you used to shop at The Body Shop? What was your favorite product? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah
Hello!! One of my New Year’s Resolutions was to make more time for fun over the weekend. I am pleased to report that I have been doing great on this goal and the best thing of all has been having lots of hang outs with my three niece girl squad. With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, I thought it would be fun to get some craft supplies to make Valentines together. I went to Michael’s for the craft fest and was pleasantly surprised! All of their Valentine’s Day items were already marked down to forty percent off and the whole store was almost entirely Easter. It was a total score and I ended up with plenty of projects to keep my big girls occupied. I even got the fixings for the littlest baby to make a Valentine too with help from her big sisters!
This past Friday, my sister and girl squad joined me at Chez Mom and Dad for our crafting extravaganza. My big girls love to paint so I got them a pottery cake and cupcake to decorate, foam hearts to make cards with, and children’s paint and construction paper so baby sis could make a footprint heart. It was such a blast to get situated at the kitchen table and see what the girls dreamed up! After their pottery was to their liking, the girl squad began making Valentine’s Day cards for everyone and anything lol. Of course, they made Valentines for their parents and grandparents but they also made cards for their pets and our family dog! They also each made one for TT too:
My heart absolutely burst when the girls presented me with their creations and I have them proudly displayed in my apartment. We wrapped up our crafting jamboree with another fantastic surprise. My oldest niece decided she FINALLY wants me to teach her how to figure skate!! It was a joy to teach my big girls some jumps and spins off ice and they kind of got the hang of it lol. I can’t wait to hit the rink together!
Have you made any Valentine’s Day crafts? Do you decorate for V-Day? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah
Tabletop gaming is a lot of fun. It’s something we’ve done since time immemorial and it’s something we’ll continue to do for years to come. After all, all you need is an idea of something to play and a place to play it – you don’t even necessarily need anyone to play with you either! One player TTRPGs are super common nowadays, and just having some time to dedicate to the session is the one requirement. But when you’re new to playing tabletop games, the whole tabletop scene can be a bit daunting. If that’s the predicament you find yourself in, here are some things to keep in mind about getting started:
Try Out Various Genres:
The variety you can find in the tabletop genre is genuinely astounding. It’s not just Dungeons and Dragons or Warhammer – there are hundreds of genres you can dig into and try out. If you find a typically popular tabletop game isn’t for you, you don’t have to keep playing it just because loads of other people do. You’ll be more than able to find something else to try that is likely to be a lot more fun, and suit your tastes better.
Buy a Dice Set:
When you have your own dice, you’re set. It doesn’t matter where you are, who you’re with, or what game you’re playing. You’ve brought an essential bit of kit along with you, and if there’s not enough to go round, you can pull your D20 Dice bag out of your pocket and be the hero. Aside from that, dice sets can get pretty creative. Many of them are made to look extra special and fancy, and you could even learn to make your own from home. Buying dice in colors and designs you love will only stoke the fires of your tabletop passion.
Don’t Be Afraid to Play with Strangers:
Heading down to a board game bar or cafe for a gaming night might sound quite intimidating, but it’s genuinely a lot of fun, even when you’re a beginner. Game nights like these bring the local gaming community together, and if you never give it a go, you’re unlikely to find other tabletop lovers outside of your select friend group. They’re strangers for now, for sure, but they won’t be for long! If you truly don’t enjoy the session you can leave whenever you want, and you don’t have to come back, but giving it a try is usually worth the time and energy. Plus, you can head online to find gaming forums and strike up conversations there too.
If you want to try tabletop gaming, get started with these tips. Try as many games as you can, get involved with any local gaming communities, and make sure you’ve got the right kit on your side too!
Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of If The Shoe Fits! During my last Target Run, I purchased an All New Everything OOTD for mine and Johnny’s Valentine’s Day date. Did I have any intention of this? Shockingly, no. However, Target made it all too easy to build the perfect V-Day look. I found my new top and bubble skirt on the same rack and the shoes you are about to see were directly across the aisle! Before we begin, I’d like to give myself a pat on the back for not buying new shoes since August of last year. This further solidified my need for a little treat lol! Check out the completed look:
As a petite princess, I am most fond of chunky platform heels to elevate my height. I absolutely love the way they look and I rock them frequently. I do have a very special place in my heart for kitten heels, though! Kitten heels offer a totally different vibe than my standard platforms. They are so sweet and dainty and always remind me of doll shoes. When I saw the top and skirt, I began putting the outfit together as I made my way to the fitting rooms. I planned on pairing the ensemble with a pair of kitten heels I already own, then these little beauties caught my eye across the way and that plan went out the window.
After having great success with the clothes, I literally thought to myself “what the hell” and tried the shoes on too lol. Just by looking at them, I knew that they would work so why not! I was so right because these kitten heels were made to be worn with the rest of my outfit. In fact, I couldn’t believe I almost passed them by. These heels are the perfect adorable something to compliment my new ensemble. First and foremost, the pointed toes look like hearts and it’s just so darn cute! As an extra bonus, these heels feature see through sides, which I don’t own anything like but always wanted to. These might not be shoes that I would wear with everything in my closet, but my skirts and dresses can now rejoice from new kitten heels to be paired with!
I am already unbelievably excited for a V-Day date with my main squeeze but even more so now that I have a gorgeous new OOTD to wear for the occasion!
What is your favorite style of shoes? What are you wearing for Valentine’s Day? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah
Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! Today, in a spoiler free setting, we are going to discuss the third book in The Housemaid series by Freida McFadden called The Housemaid Is Watching. I have heard mixed reviews about the third installation of the series so I was expecting a lackluster read. I was so wrong because this ended up being my favorite one in the trilogy after devouring The Housemaid and The Housemaid’s Secret! Before we begin, I will be placing a trigger warning on The Housemaid Is Watching for violence and disturbing content. Now, let’s get to it:
We reunite with Millie over a decade later and she has officially made it. She has two children with Enzo named Ada and Nico and they are happily married and moving to their dream home in a quaint col-de-sac. Can they afford it? Barely. Are the kids thrilled about moving in the middle of the school year? Hard no. But all Millie has ever wanted is a quiet, normal life and she finally has it. As the family gets settled into their new digs, Millie can’t help but think how incredibly lucky she is – minus the minor sense of dread after meeting her new neighbors, of course.
In the col-de-sac, there are two homes next to Millie’s. One belongs to a woman named Janice and her son, Spencer. Janice is the neighborhood busy body who is stern and rarely has a kind word for anyone. She spends her days at home and you can almost always catch her looking out of her window. We also have Suzette and Jonathan Lowell. They are youngish, very wealthy, and might be a good fit together. Millie can’t tell, though, because Suzette cannot take her eyes and hands off of Enzo.
The days go by in suburbia and Millie notices a lot of changes. 1) She is constantly hearing scratching sounds in the middle of the night. 2) Enzo seems to be spending a lot of time with Suzette. And 3) Her son, Nico, is showing some alarming shifts in his normal, happy go lucky demeanor. After breaking the Lowell’s window with a baseball, Millie hoped that Nico would learn some responsibility by doing chores at their home to pay for the damage. Nico doesn’t improve but only worsens by getting into fistfights and withdrawing from his family.
Millie has so much on her mind between her son’s deteriorating mental health and her growing confidence that Enzo is cheating on her. He is working in Suzette’s yard almost every day, she saw him talking to her outside at ten at night, Enzo returned home in the early morning hours smelling like her perfume, and Suzette all but undresses him with her eyes every chance she can get. Millie has had enough. She marches across the lawn to confront Suzette and enters the home when she doesn’t get an answer. She doesn’t see Suzette, but a body on the ground and lots of blood. Not again. Who has met their demise? And whodoneit in the most shocking reveal of the series? Read The Housemaid Is Watching to find out!
I understand why The Housemaid Is Watching might have been a miss for some fans of the series. It is very different than the setting and general plot that we have grown used to. However, that is why I liked it so much! In fact, after completing the second book, I found myself hoping that the third one would throw a curveball and it delivered. While I loved plucky young Millie in her vigilante glory days, it was a welcome change of pace to see where she ended up well after the fact. I suppose I would have liked to know a bit more about the in between from then and now, but it was still a fully cohesive read.
What I liked the best about The Housemaid Is Watching was the grand reveal. I did get some parts of it right but not all of it and I literally couldn’t believe my eyes! I wouldn’t say it shocked me as much as the reveal in The Housemaid’s Secret because I had no idea what was going on in that one. That doesn’t mean it wasn’t still really good, though. And, finally, another great part about this book is the reintroduction of a few characters that you will totally not see coming, tying the series together in a perfect little bow.
Overall, I am going to rate The Housemaid Is Watching with a ten out of ten stars. It was my favorite of the series so it deserves the highest recommendation!
What did you think about The Housemaid series? What do you think about the movie casting? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah
Hello to you and welcome to Part Two of my Valentine’s Day OOTD Builder! To be perfectly honest, I feel like I am cheating on TJMaxx by buying an entire outfit from Target lol. As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, it has been literal years since I purchased clothes from there. In fact, I dug through the archives of lifewithlilred to find an exact amount of time and the last thing I bought was a cardigan over three years ago. And, when you look at it like that, I suppose I was well overdue for a Target Run! Check out the rest of the base for my V-Day date night fit:
Target really did make it all too easy to create a one stop shop for a Valentine’s Day ensemble. Directly behind the lipstick print cami on the rack was this divine bubble skirt, which is also by A New Day. At this point, I threw my hands up and said “F it” lol. If I was already going to get the top, I might as well try on the skirt too! Actually, I clutched my pearls over this skirt because I have always wanted one in this style. Bubble skirts are so fantastically whimsical and gives me all of the anime vibes. They are just too sweet, provides eye catching movement, and looks so much more interesting than a standard skater, A-line, or bodycon skirt. As you all know, my MO when it comes to buying new clothes is to get pieces that I don’t own anything like already so this skirt was as good as mine.
This top and skirt were made for each other and if I was more familiar with the way clothes from Target fit, I wouldn’t have even tried them on. I was that confident that they would be perfect and my suspicions were proven spot on. Once both items were on in the fitting room, I was so enamored that I wanted to wear them out of the store. I felt like a star without wearing makeup and sporting major hat hair from the beanie I had on! The silhouette of the top tucked into the skirt was like nothing I had worn before and it was so interesting to see myself in a way that I wasn’t used to. The top fit close to my body and the skirt ballooned out like a blossoming flower. It made me feel like a ballerina and had me wishing that mine and Johnny’s date night was happening that very evening!
Keep it locked for a brand new edition of If The Shoe Fits to see my V-Day OOTD in all of its glory. All I can say is, I’m obsessed!
What is important to you about the clothes you buy? What are your Valentine’s Day plans? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah
Hello!! Johnny and I are celebrating Valentine’s Day by seeing our favorite musical, Hadestown, at EJ Thomas Hall in Akron. Saying we are beyond excited is an understatement!! I had no intention of buying a brand new outfit for the occasion – shocking I know. While my intentions were good, I did not hold up on them whatsoever lol. During a recent Target Run, the siren song of darling new clothes was too strong and I ended up purchasing a completed OOTD for our date night. This was actually really surprising to me because I fell out of clothes shopping at Target years ago as I was never impressed with their selection. My V-Day look has me thinking that maybe it wouldn’t hurt to do Target Runs more frequently! Check out Part One for my OOTD – a gorgeous cami top by A New Day:
While I was at Target, I wasn’t even looking at the clothes. I simply walked by the women’s department en route to what I needed to get and stopped short lol. As I strolled along, I locked in on this adorable cami and knew I had to try it on. I absolutely love silky and sweet tops like this for date nights. They are sexy without being too much and has so much potential to style multiple different looks with it. And, of course, Lil Red can’t say no to a print of bright red lipstick kisses! I am dead serious when I say that I was going to buy this top only and then style my outfit with clothes that I already have. Until I saw the perfect thing to pair it with on the same rack, which you will all see tomorrow!
But, I digress – let’s talk about styling options. 😀 With a top like this, you can pair it with just about anything and it’s going to look good as black is a neutral and there isn’t anything special about the way it fits. It isn’t too tight or overly flowy, making it ideal for tucking into skirts, wearing it underneath a blazer, or even with blue jeans and a cozy cardigan. Can you imagine this cami with sassy shorts and platform heels in the summer? Forget about it! Even though the print is traditional for Valentine’s Day, it is really something that can be worn any time of the year and that is so, totally sweet. ❤
My V-Day OOTD Builder is one third complete. Stay tuned for the remaining pieces and a killer OOTD post to show off the end result!
Do you like to shop for clothes at Target? What did you get on your last Target Run? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah
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