Author Archives: lifewithlilred

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About lifewithlilred

Just your average gal blogging an average blog!
Dec15

Gym Vibes

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Gym Vibes

Hello!! I am one of those people who never really understood the appeal of going to the gym. I was a competitive figure skater back in the day, which is very much a solo sport. And, in my adulthood, I love the solitude provided by hikes and walks. With that in mind, you can see why being in a roomful of other people working out might not be something I would enjoy very much. However, my sentiments have changed entirely. This past month, I started working out with my brother at the Natatorium in Cuyahoga Falls and I have been freaking LOVING it!

My brother has been working really hard to improve his health and we have been visiting the gym at least once a week after he had a tutorial on learning the machines. I wouldn’t say I was chomping at the bit to join him at first, but I was happy to be supportive and the weather has been crap so it’s not like we could hike or walk outdoors anyways. I have to admit, I was extremely intimidated during our first visit. Everyone looked like they knew what they were doing and I so didn’t lol.

As I made my way to the machines I wanted to work on, I felt like I was sticking out like a sore thumb. But, hey, if I was in a gym then I might as well make the most of it. I floundered my way through several machines and some very nice exercise enthusiasts showed me how to use the ones I was struggling with. Internally, I was kind of frazzled but it ended up being the perfect way to break the ice. After that initial self consciousness was gone, I was ready to rock!

At this point, I am pleased to report that both my brother and I are 1) Accurately using each machine and 2) Enjoying it. We start each work out session by power walking a mile on the track. Afterwards, we complete our machine circuit which gives a fantastic, full body work out. Thanks to my extensive tenure as a figure skater, my legs have always been really muscular. The arm and torso exercises are the real killer because I literally have no upper body strength lol. Although that portion of the work out is difficult for me and I’m screaming profanities in my head the whole time, I love knowing that it will get easier eventually. And, when that happens, you are all invited to the gun show! 😀

My brother and I aren’t the only ones who have been going to the gym because Johnny is too! He has been going to the one at his work every morning so look out because we’re all going to be super buff soon!

What is your favorite kind of exercise? Do you like going to the gym? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec14

New Magenta & Gold Glitter Nails

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New Magenta & Gold Glitter Nails

Hello!! Last week, Johnny and I came down with a little forty-eight hour bug that knocked us out. I have to admit, it was freaking awesome having a few sick days. What sucked was having to cancel my standing nail appointment! You all know my talons are my pride and joys so I had to be feeling pretty awful to not get them back to perfection. I was extremely worried that my tech wouldn’t be able to fit me in her schedule because Elysian Nails is absolutely slammed this time of year. Thankfully, she was able to squeeze me in at a random time to get my nails looking right for the holidays. #blessed Check it out:

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I am so not a holiday nail girl and you will never catch me sporting seasonal designs. I think they’re nice for a while, but I can’t commit to a month’s worth of it in between fills. As I pondered what to do about this moral quandary for my color combination, my mind went to gold. I am a huge fan of All Gold Everything (The color AND the Trinidad James song) and knew I could work with that. Gold is ideal for the holidays for my preferences because it’s festive but not in your face about it. For the other color? I had no idea! All I knew was that the magenta glitter polish was calling my name and it was a done deal. Christmasy? Not really. On point with my personal style? Totally.

As per ushie, my amazing nail tech hooked it up and it was so desperately needed considering it had been five weeks since my last fill. Despite how jank they were, my girl breezed through the fill like it was nothing. In fact, she got done so quickly that I actually had time to let my nails dry before running off to my next shift. It. Was. Great. lol. We both agreed that while these are not holiday nails in the slightest, we are legit obsessed with the color combo anyways. That glitter magenta is just fabulous!

My Christmas miracle was my tech being able to fit me into her insane schedule and for that I am thankful. Here’s to no cancelled fills in the New Year!

What color of nail polish are you rocking? Do you like getting seasonal designs? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec13

Seasonal Friendly Reminders

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Seasonal Friendly Reminders

Howdy!! The holiday season is a joyous time, but there is no denying that is can be highly stressful – especially for those who struggle to feel merry and bright around this time of year. I thought it would be a good idea to discuss some Seasonal Friendly Reminders today to help enhance the holidays for everyone – holly jolly or not. Let’s take a look at a few different ways to do so:

Holiday Shop Kindly:

From someone who had an extensive tenure working retail, believe me when I say that holidays can bring out the absolute worst in people. In fact, a vast majority of the most terrible encounters I ever had with customers happened during the holidays. Look, we all get it. The stores are crowded, what you want might not be available, a seasonal employee might make a mistake – but it’s never EVER a reason to be mean to someone. Practice patience and if you can’t, stick to online shopping instead of ruining someone’s day.

It’s Okay To Feel Sad:

There is a preconceived notion that this is the happiest time of the year and that it’s impossible to feel sad during the holidays. FALSE. This can actually be the hardest time of the year for those who have lost a loved one, battle with their mental health, or are suffering from an illness. Or it could be none of the above. Regardless, it is okay to feel sad and if you know someone who might be struggling, comfort them. Comments like “You can’t be sad, it’s Christmas” are not helpful because holidays don’t dictate someone’s happiness. Be there, lend an ear, and choose your words carefully – it could be exactly what that person needs!

No Comment:

Changing is part of what makes us human and we change all of the time whether we realize it or not. Some changes are more obvious than others – new tattoos, piercings, a hair cut, growing your hair, or losing/gaining weight. If whatever change you see in someone is not your personal cup of tea, Do. Not. Comment. On. It. Let’s repeat that: No comment is the best comment! Some of these changes could be a result of trauma or an illness and unless information is volunteered, the best rule of thumb is to please bite your tongue. 🙂

And Remember…

You truly have the power to make or break someone’s day so use it wisely. When all else fails, just be kind. Give a smile, a pleasant word, hold the door open for someone – small gestures like these could turn a bad day into something more tolerable. This really can be a sensitive time of the year so be sensitive of that. Spreading holiday cheer doesn’t have to be a huge production and Random Acts of Kindness do the job just fine!

Honestly, these are all good things to remember no matter the time of the year but it just hits different during the holidays!

Have you worked a seasonal job before? Have you ever had a bad holiday experience? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec12

Best Pizza Ever

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Best Pizza Ever

Hello!! My Mondays have turned into kind of a hectic day because I spend them as a personal assistant to Tim Misny at his estate called Misnyland. When we aren’t shooting content, joking with each other, making culinary delights, and laughing hysterically, I am bopping around here, there, and everywhere. Despite it being a long day, it’s a really fun day and by the time I make my hour drive home, I am famished. And that’s after having a delicious lunch that we always carefully prepare a menu for!

This last Monday, I had an especially long day for an evening content shoot and I told Johnny I would text him when I was about to leave. I was tired and, of course, hungry and he replied with the most beautiful message I have ever read: “I made an oven pizza for when you get back”. And, like a siren song, it guided me home. It might not seem like much but it truly was the best pizza ever:

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When I was little, my mom would typically get home later in the evening. She worked in Cleveland, primarily, and during traffic time the forty-five minute drive could turn into over an hour. Without fail, my dad would always have something ready for her to have for dinner when she got home. Whether it was oven pizza, spaghetti, or anything else easy, my mom would always say “I don’t know if this tastes so good because it’s good or because I’m hungry”. I know I’m using the word “always” a lot but I always thought it was the sweetest thing!

On Monday, it honestly felt like deja vu while I was chowing down on my oven pizza. It seriously tasted SO good and I found myself repeating the same sentiments that my mom used to say. I felt so lucky because my husband did the exact same thing that my dad would do which charmed me so much. And that’s not even mentioning the fact that he cleaned up the whole bottom floor of our apartment too. Johnny knew I had a way longer than usual day and did everything he could so that I could sink in a chair and relax as soon as I got home. It was so appreciated and he is just the best. ❤

I didn’t think it was humanly possible, but my schedule has turned even more crazy recently. I am so thankful to my main squeeze for holding down the fort until things slow down hopefully after the holidays!!

What is your favorite easy dinner? Has someone done something recently that you really appreciated? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec11

Community Fun

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Community Fun

Hello!! Listen, I’ll be the first to admit that there are downsides to living in Ohio. It’s basically just corn lol. However, I love my life here and still wouldn’t change it for a thing. One of the best parts about the greater Akron area is the true sense of community we have and it’s greater amplified by all of the fun events hosted throughout the city. Concerts, food truck festivals, vendor fairs, you name it and chances are we have done something similar in our neck of the woods!

A particularly fantastic community gathering spot is the Quirk Cultural Center in Cuyahoga Falls. At the Quirk, they offer workshops for people of all ages. From tiny tots to seniors, there is something for everyone there. In fact, I used to take pottery classes there for several years in my youth and have enjoyed watercolor painting classes in my adulthood. And, this past weekend, I took my nieces there for a special crafting workshop so they could make Christmas presents for their parents.

All I knew for the craft class was that we were going to paint mugs and the girls were so excited. I was too because any time with them is the best time! Even though it was a simple activity, our hosts at the Quirk did such a phenomenal job of making it special. When we walked into the space, we were greeted by a huge Christmas tree, holiday inflatables, festive music, and a hot chocolate and cookie station. The greatest surprise was how neat the mugs to be painted were. There was a snowman, a reindeer, Santa, and a mug with Santa’s belt going around the middle. They seriously looked like something you could paint at All Fired Up and it only costed ten dollars per person to participate.

The girls and I had SO much fun and my eldest niece did a banner job painting the mug herself and my younger niece, who is two, did the best she could lol. Either way, I knew they both knew that they were making something for their parents and they were so happy to have a gift for them that they made all by themselves! There were so many families at the event and it was a joy to get in the holiday spirit all together. I hope that they will be doing more paint parties soon because it was a hit for both the adults and kiddos!

A wonderful time was had by all at our pseudo All Fired Up workshop and I am definitely feeling merrier and brighter for it!

What kind of events does your community put on? Have you ever taken a crafting workshop before? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec10

Thanksgiving Pt. 1 OOTD Bloopers

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Thanksgiving Pt. 1 OOTD Bloopers

Howdy ya’ll and welcome to the Blooper Reel from my Thanksgiving Pt. 1 OOTD! Johnny and I had a joyous two day celebration with our families and then we hibernated into a food coma for the rest of the weekend. It. Was. Awesome. lol! I never really feel too Christmasy until after Thanksgiving and now that it has come and passed, I am SO ready for it! Yes, I am very excited for the food but there is nothing better than Christmas with my nieces and nephews. 🙂 Let’s check out these bloopers and discuss a hairy situation:

Just trying to get myself together

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I swear to drunk I’m not god

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Hell yeah for Thanksgiving!!!

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CLEARLY really excited to go eat 😀

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Lmao what is this face?!

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TFYM when dinner is served

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Happy holidays to all!!!

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Okay, I am genuinely curious. For those that shave their legs, armpits, etc – do you remember a point in your life when it felt like the end of the world when you missed a rogue patch of hair while shaving? I sure do and I was convinced everyone could tell! As time went on, of course, I cared less and less. And, now that the warm days of summer are long gone, I just don’t care at all lol. I have always hated shaving and it’s cold AF so no one will be any wiser to the hairy situation under my clothes, so I stopped bothering once fall hit. And, yes, I am SO aware that getting back to silky smooth will be a massive chore once the warm weather comes around!

When we were celebrating with Johnny’s family, it was So. Damn. Hot. in their house. The cardigan I had on was doing me no favors and all I wanted to do was take it off. Then, I remembered how hairy my armpits were and decided otherwise. The evening went on, until there came a point in the festivities when I was literally dying of heatstroke and I made the choice to take the cardigan off. Honestly, I was kind of self conscious because of my armpit hair and blessedly it seemed like no one noticed or cared. As I sat there stewing, my anxiety alleviated as I reminded myself that it’s just hair lol. There’s no rule stating you have to shave so it makes no difference how you maintain it.

The moral of the story? Your body, your hair! The evening did not come to a grinding halt as soon as I removed my cardigan so do whatever TF you want!

How often do you shave? Have you ever had a situation similar to mine? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec9

Thanksgiving Pt. 2 OOTD

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Thanksgiving Pt. 2 OOTD

Hello everyone and welcome to my Thanksgiving OOTD from my family celebration! Before we begin, if it looks like I am sweaty in these pictures, it’s because I was lol. I had literally JUST gotten done cooking five or so minutes prior to taking them and let’s just say it was really steamy in the kitchen!! The sweater I was wearing probably didn’t help matters, but all was well once the house started cooling down. 🙂 Check it out:

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Who? What? Wear?

Polka Dot Sweater: Lucky Brand

Skinny Jeans: 1822 Denim, TJMaxx

Snakeskin Pattern Boots: Vince Camuto, TJMaxx

The earrings were purchased forever ago at PacSun!

When celebrating with Johnny’s family, they handle all of the cooking and all I need to do is sit back and enjoy. At my family’s home, I love being able to prepare dinner with my mom so I didn’t want to wear any clothes that I was worried about ruining but, of course, still looked cute. Because I didn’t learn from being WAY too hot in the cardigan I wore to Chez Miller’s the day before, I decided a sweater was the way to go at my mom and dad’s. Makes sense, right? 😀

As I browsed through my sweaters, I wasn’t really sure what to choose. I had several that I would be devastated if they got stained and a lot of light colored options which wouldn’t work either. Then, I remembered my polka dot sweater by Lucky Brand and we were in business. The reasoning behind it, other than being absolutely adorable? It’s basically just a prettier color of Thanksgiving food lol. I managed to avoid cooking without any spills but I truly believe that if I did, it wouldn’t have been that noticeable!

Black skinnies were the way to go since the sweater already featured a bold, fun pattern. So, it was onto shoes and accessories. For shoes, I went with one of my favorite pairs of heeled boots by Vince Camuto. As you all know, I am a fan of anything snakeskin and the unique combination of chocolate brown and black fit so well with the look. The black skinnies blended perfectly and the brown was a nice pairing with the mustard yellow sweater. I didn’t want to be bothered with necklaces or bracelets while cooking so I popped on a lovely pair of antique-vibe studs with roses on them and was ready to create some culinary delight!

I didn’t break a sweat while putting this look together but I certainly did while getting dinner together. Keep it locked for the Blooper Reel coming soon!!

Who prepares holiday dinners at your celebrations? What is your go to dish to bring to a get together? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec8

Best Job Ever!

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Best Job Ever!

Hello!! I have been working with people with special needs for a decade now and I simply could not imagine doing anything different. Don’t get me wrong, I love working on the blog and social media but my work community feels like home and it is a beautiful thing. Being able to help and work with so many amazing families is a gift and I don’t take it lightly. One of my greatest joys this year has been being reunited with my VERY FIRST client and her family. It has been like stepping into a time capsule from when I first started out and it feels like I never left. During our last session, my client presented me with this sweet gift and I will treasure it for forever:

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My client and I spent a snowy day inside completing household chores together. About halfway through, she said “Oh! I almost forgot. I wanted you to have this because you have always been there for me and I’m so happy you are able to work with me again”. Then, she handed me the little angel and I almost cried – not just because it was incredibly thoughtful, but because I feel the exact same way. I was ecstatic when her parents reached out to me and it feels so good to be back. It really is a high point of my week.

I love my job even on the most difficult days and it’s moments like these that always makes me eager for my next shift. I have received countless drawings, works of art, cards, and trinkets from my clients over my extensive tenure and I have kept them all. I have enjoyed my time with every family I have worked with and displaying these gifts where I can see them around my apartment is a constant reminder of that. I felt like the luckiest girl in the world as I placed my angel on my knick knack shelf directly across from my computer station. I see it every time I look up and I smile Every. Single. Time.

My work never feels like work because I am genuinely excited every time I hop into the car and venture to one of my clients. Here’s to ten more years in the best field EVER!

What do you love about your job? What would you change about your job? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec7

Thanksgiving Pt. 1 OOTD

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Thanksgiving Pt. 1 OOTD

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new OOTD here on lifewithlilred! For Thanksgiving, Johnny and I had a two part celebration. We went to see his family on Wednesday and went to mine on Thursday. The food coma was intense, but it was so nice to be all together and we had the best time. At Chez Miller, we did what we always do – eat, chit chat, and play a game afterwards. Since I knew it wasn’t going to be a super active visit, I wanted to wear something to be cute and comfy in. Check it out:

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Who? What? Wear?

Cardigan: O’Neill, PacSun

Cami Top: mittoshop, French Rooster

Skinny Jeans: 1822 Denim, TJMaxx

Heeled Boots: Free People, TJMaxx

The earrings are Lucky Brand!

When I think of comfy and cute, my mind always gravitates towards cardigans. They are soft, cozy, and are so perfect for just wrapping yourself in them like a cocoon. I have quite a collection of cardigans so I started this look by browsing in that department. Out of all of my different options, I decided to go with the oldest one in the bunch. The O’Neill cardigan was purchased at PacSun over FOURTEEN YEARS AGO when I ended my first stint as a seasonal worker. It has always been one of my favorite purchases from my extensive tenure there and I simply can’t part with it. I love the colors and the fit and, although it is a well loved cardigan, I still think it looks great!

With my cardi selected, the rest of the outfit pretty much built itself. The O’Neill cardigan is incredibly warm – so much so that I had to take it off at dinner lol. With that in mind, something light underneath was the way to go and I selected a black cami by mittoshop. And, with such a bold pattern on the cardigan, all that was needed was my go to black skinny jeans to form the base of the outfit.

Next on the agenda was shoes and accessories. For jewelry, I opted for a dangly pair of turquoise teardrops and that was just right. Between the pattern and the huge collar of the cardi, anything more would have been too much. Then, I chose one of my favorite pairs of heeled boots by Free People. They please me so much because they remind me of lacing up ice skates whenever I put them on! The creamy hue of the boot and pink laces added a fun color pop to the mix and I was ready to sit around the house looking awesome lol.

Thanksgiving Pt. 1 was a wonderful day and I can’t wait to show you more from the rest of our celebrations. Keep it posted!

What is your go to comfy cute item in your wardrobe? What is your favorite holiday food? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec6

Last Minute Gift Ideas

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Last Minute Gift Ideas

Hello!! I have to admit, I did not complete my holiday shopping as early as I usually do this year. However, I am pleased to report that I will officially be DONE once I pick up a gift card at my nail salon on Tuesday. It feels so good to have gifts for everyone in my big family out of the way and I have been working on wrapping a few gifts at a time whenever I feel like it lol. We are officially in the holiday home stretch and if you are just starting your shopping now, then: 1) You are giving ME anxiety! And 2) I am here to help with these last minute options. Let’s get to it:

Food & Drink:

You truly can never go wrong with a food and drink style gift and it is something I implement every year. For the families I work with, I always go with some type of gift basket like chocolate, popcorn, or cookie kits and they are very well received. In fact, this year, I scored a wonderful deal for customized chocolate tins from Ghirardelli that I am really excited about. Most stores offer a great array of gift baskets, wine or beer samplers, or cooking and baking kits so go for it!

Gift Cards:

SO many people say that gift cards are a thoughtless gift and I say FALSE. If you do feel that way, though, you can absolutely put some thought into gift cards! Treat your giftee to a gift card to a movie theater and a favorite restaurant. BOOM. Instant date night. Have a giftee that drives a lot (Like me!)? They will surely want some help filling their tank! Shopping for a shopaholic? Now they can go wild at their go to stores. Yes, it’s one of the most easy ways to complete your shopping. But, it will be a gift that’s truly appreciated and that’s alright in my book!

Pet Supplies:

As a bunny mom, I can honestly say that I am THRILLED whenever I get a Chewy gift card or supplies for my gremlins as a gift. If you have some proud pet parents on your list, this could be a fantastic way to go. As a bonus, it will give them some extra scratch to spend on post holiday sales! If you don’t know what kind of supplies are necessary for your giftee’s pet, just ask. It’s another added bonus because it eliminates a chore for them too.

Photo Albums:

If you’re looking for a more sentimental option, photo albums or framed pictures are perfect – especially if you are the designated picture taker in your family (Like me!). This is a gift that I give at least one of every year because it’s just so easy and it’s really thoughtful. You could do an album of your kiddos for the grandparents, framed pics of you and your bestie on a fun day out, or even canvas prints. Websites like Shutterfly are always running great promotions so this is a gift that could be completed right from your computer!

Stocking Stuffers:

There is literally no rule stating that a gift has to be big or expensive. All that matters is the thought!! Stocking stuffers are excellent if you are strapped for time, ideas, or cash. Think candles and lotion, shaving kits or hot sauce, socks, hats, bath bombs – I could go on for forever. A small item or two and a big smile on your face is really all you need and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. ❤

If you have finished your holiday shopping: Kudos! If not, I hope these ideas help!

Are you good at wrapping gifts? What are your holiday plans? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah