Author Archives: lifewithlilred

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About lifewithlilred

Just your average gal blogging an average blog!

Elton John Brunch

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Elton John Brunch

Hello!! This past Sunday, Johnny and I enjoyed a highly entertaining day at an Elton John Brunch with his mom for a belated Mother’s Day gift. This event took place at the Music Box Supper Club, which is located in The Flats in Cleveland. While the venue hosts regular bands from time to time, they are known for having tribute performances and it is an absolute blast. We haven’t been to the Music Box Supper Club since seeing a Bruce Springsteen tribute band called Swamps of Jersey years ago. That was a total hoot so we all knew we were in for some fun at our brunch outing. Check it out:

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I think myself, Johnny, and my beloved mother-in-law will say that the brunch portion of our time at the Music Box Supper Club left a lot to be desired. However, the mimosas were A-okay and our Elton John for the afternoon was spectacular. Tommy Lee Thompson from Akron (Represent!) was a brilliant combination of old and new Elton and he had the entire audience singing, dancing, laughing, and smiling from ear to ear. He had cheeky quips, could tickle the keyboard keys like nobody’s business, and the unmistakable Elton John voice to match. We were seated facing his back during the show, but this was actually a good thing. We could see everything he was doing on the keyboard perfectly and it was mind blowing!

For the hour and a half performance, Tommy Lee Thompson performed several classic Elton John hits. He also spent some time playing Billy Joel, The Monkees, and Carole King. Although these songs were good, I think we were all happy when he went back to Elton John. It was the Elton John Brunch, after all! Johnny and I were elated that he opened the show with The Bitch Is Back because it is our jam. And, as always, we got very sentimental when he performed Your Song. Our sweet niece did her flower girl thing to Your Song when we got married and it holds the most special place in our hearts. You could tell that everyone in the audience had some time of connection to the songs being played and it was so nice to be part of a crowd full of people having the literal best Sunday ever. ❤

We had a banner time celebrating Johnny’s mom at the Elton John Brunch and have grand plans for more visits to the Music Box Supper Club this summer. They have a stellar tribute band lineup and we are SO there for it!

What is the best tribute band you have seen? What is your favorite Elton John song? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May 2024 Finishes

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May 2024 Finishes

Hellooo darlings! We are nearing the end of May and that means that it is time to discuss my beauty empties for the month. It also means three more things: Johnny’s birthday, our wedding anniversary, and my birthday are fast approaching. AKA our birthaversary! Needless to say, it is a banner time to be me and Johnny – even if I am turning the Dirty Thirty lol sigh. Aging is a part of life and yada, yada, yada but here’s to hoping that products like these will help me maintain my youthful glow! Check it out:

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Would I Use Again?

Evoluderm Micellar Water: YES

Bath & Body Works Poppy Body Cream: YES

Trader Joe’s Berry Lip Mask: MAYBE

GlobalBeautyCare Retinol & Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer: YES!!

Why/Why Not?

We already know I love me my micellar water and B&BW body cream so let’s move on to…

Trader Joe’s Lip Mask: In my perfect world, there would be a Trader Joe’s right down the street from me. Unfortunately, that is not the case and the closest one is about forty minutes from chez nous. While I simply refuse to make the drive, my parents will go there from time to time and picked the Berry Lip Mask out for me as a little Valentine’s Day treat. It took me over three months of nightly use to finish the jar and I enjoyed using it. However, I was ready for it to be over if that makes sense? Although I liked how smooth this mask made my lips, it didn’t do much else. If my parents were to get it for me again, I would use it happily. I definitely wouldn’t go forty minutes out of my way to get it myself, though!

GlobalBeautyCare Moisturizer: If you read my recent review for this Retinol and Hyaluronic Acid moisturizer, you will know that I freaking loved it. If you didn’t read my recent review: I freaking loved this moisturizer lol. This was, hands down, the best and most effective moisturizer that I have used in a long time. I noticed a significant difference in the fine lines that I have some concern about and it was amazing to get those results in one month of twice daily use. I also liked how gentle this moisturizer was even though it had retinol because it has caused irritation to my skin in the past. I was disappointed that TJMaxx didn’t have any more GlobalBeautyCare during my last haul (See yesterday’s post), but I will absolutely buy it if I see it again.

And, with that, my May Finishes are complete. I can’t wait to start using products from my last skin care haul and am keeping my fingers crossed that it will contain another diamond in the rough like the GlobalBeautyCare moisturizer!

Which products did you use up this month? What are your thoughts on any of the above products if you have used them before? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

TJMaxx Skin Care Haul

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TJMaxx Skin Care Haul

Hello! This past Tuesday, my mom and I enjoyed a fabulous shopping trip at TJMaxx. TJs is our happy place and, although I like to go by myself, it is SO much better with my mom. These shopping outings have been a tradition since I was little (What can I say, I’ve always loved popping tags lol) and I don’t plan on breaking it ever! My main priority at TJs was restocking my skin care hoard because it was getting quite bare. Nothing pleases me more than a skin care haul because I love testing out new products and I got exactly what I wanted. Check it out:

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When I am shopping skin care, I like to get a three month supply for my moisturizer, serum, and eye cream. While that may seem a bit impractical, it is one of my money saving techniques. Trust and believe I could go to TJs monthly to restock my skin care, but I would most definitely end up buying more than that! My requirements for which products I pick are pretty simple, they must be non animal tested and they have to have at least one ingredient that I am partial to like hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C, retinol, or collagen. Last time I had a big skin care haul, it was difficult to reach those parameters because the shelves were pretty depleted. This time around, it was smooth sailing and it was awesome!

For my selection, I was able to find some new to me brands like IZMO, AllAboutSkin, Skin Assistant, and Purifect. I am particularly interested in trying the Purifect serum because the packaging is ridiculous and it spoke to me. I already tested out the IZMO lip mask and it is so very nice! I also scored some new to me products from familiar brands like Provence Beauty, Clean Beauty, and Vital Beauty. I guess I am drawn to brands with Beauty in the name lol. In total, this haul costed less than sixty dollars and you just can’t beat that. I don’t even want to know what the grand total would be if I paid full price and, as a full fledged maxxinista, I never have to. 😀

Tune in tomorrow for more skin care as we discuss my May empties and be on the look out for reviews for some of these products coming soon!

What is your favorite skin care brand? Where do you get the best deals on skin care? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

New Industry Republic Clothing Sweater Vest

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New Industry Republic Clothing Sweater Vest

Hello!! Who all remembers the store Charlotte Russe? Talk about a throwback, right?! When I was a teenager, that store was my jam and my absolute favorite thing I ever got was a sweater vest. It was tight fitting, cobalt blue, and had black houndstooth print. It was SO cute and nobody could tell me nothin when I had it on. Since then, I have tried on several similar sweater vests (Try saying that five times fast!) and none of them ever did anything for me. There was always just something off about them, whether it be fit, shape, or pattern. Until now, that is! Check out this fab new Industry Republic Clothing sweater vest that I got during my last TJMaxx shopping trip:

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I purchased my vest for twenty dollars and it was originally sixty-eight. SCORE!

While perusing the clothing department, I saw a whole lot of nothing lol. This was quite the rarity because I can usually find something that is worth trying on. The racks of clothing were all featuring loud summer prints, awkward fits, and the dreaded tie in the front of shirts that I detest. Then, I locked eyes with my new sweater vest on an end cap and knew I could work with it. Although it didn’t have bold colors or patterns, it was remarkably similar in fit to my old A1 vest from Charlotte Russe and that was good enough for me. After some more shopping, I found the tennis skirt that you saw in yesterday’s post and we were back in business!

This sweater vest is just too cute. I love the creamy color, the flower details, and the soft knit. I was a bit fearful that this vest would be too warm for summertime, but it was actually nice and light. It can also double as a cold weather piece if you wear a tight fitting sweater underneath. When paired with the Kyodan tennis skirt, it was magic and made for such a flirty and fun OOTD. I had been hoping to find a new outfit for the next Misnyland picnic and I got exactly that. I am also so happy to find some new pieces to shake up my summer wardrobe because, as you know, it is my least favorite season to dress for. Maybe these fresh new finds will make me change my mind. 🙂

Although I have never played tennis, I can’t wait to wear my on the court with a fashion twist inspired outfit. Both the skirt and vests were awesome finds!

What was your favorite store to shop at as a teenager? What is your favorite store to shop at now? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

New Kyodan Tennis Skirt

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New Kyodan Tennis Skirt

Howdy! This past Tuesday, I spent a lovely time during my break with my mom doing what we do best: Shopping! We hit up TJMaxx for anything and everything and it was so much fun. I was on the hunt for new skin care because it was just about time to restock my supplies. I also was hoping to find a new outfit to wear to the next picnic Tim Misny is hosting in June. I am SO bored with everything in my closet and I wanted something new to show out in because it is the first picnic I’ll be working as Tim’s social media manager. As I browsed the clothing department, I was coming up blank. Then, I saw a pretty little skirt on display and knew I could work with it! Check it out:

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This skirt only costed seventeen dollars as opposed to the original forty-two. Score!!

I was instantly drawn to this skirt by Kyodan because I love a skater skirt and the pleats and elastic waistband offered a fresh take on a classic. And, of course, you know I love all black everything! This skirt is so flirty, flouncy, and sweet and I couldn’t have found it at a better time. I had added a crocheted sweater vest to my cart (See tomorrow’s post!), but was just going to put it away because I had nothing to pair it with. As always, TJs pulls through in the clutch for me when I need it most. #blessed

In the fitting room, I expected to just slip the skirt on and my mind was blown when I discovered that it had shorts underneath the fabric. I suppose if I looked at the brand of the skirt, which is clearly for athletes, I would have put two and two together but, alas lol. This made the Kyodan skirt even better because I knew that I will be moving around a lot when I wear it at the upcoming picnic. This provides the insurance that no one will see anything unsightly if a breeze picks up or what have you. And, to add to the victory, the skirt looked fabulous with the top I picked out! 😀

I found this skirt right in the nick of time because I was about to have to return to work empty handed. I felt so lucky when I went into the fitting room with only two things and they both worked perfectly. I can’t wait to wear it!

What is your favorite brand for athletic clothes? Do you have any fun events coming up? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Bowling Bonanza

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Bowling Bonanza

Hello!! On Sunday, I did the impossible. What is it? I went bowling with fake nails! Lol, granted, I employed the rolling/throwing technique to protect the talons but I still think it counts! For my brother’s birthday, we want bowling at Clutch Lanes, a cool little bowling alley down the street. It was the perfect atmosphere for a party and they had phenomenal pizza, which I feel like you can’t say about many bowling allies. This was the first time I had gone bowling in close to a decade and even though I wasn’t bowling properly and getting hella gutter balls, it was still a blast!

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Bowling is one of those things that Johnny has suggested before and I had no interest in. It definitely takes me back to the dreaded years of middle school when the classes would go bowling before summer break. I always hated it lol and the last time I went bowling was on a date with an awful person. Needless to say, bowling is never high on my list of potential weekend activities. Until now, that is. I guess you just have to go bowling with the right people because that made all of the difference!

For close to two hours, Johnny, Andrew, and I dominated the lanes. Well, Johnny and Andrew did really good and I was humbled by my score of 27 on game one. I am pleased to report that I improved during our time and had a high score of 51. Not too bad for someone who is basically just throwing the bowling ball lol. Regardless of if we did well on our turns, we celebrated hard. Victory dances, cheering, whooping – the whole nine yards. And, whenever a strike or spare was scored we celebrated harder. If this is what bowling is, I deeply regret waiting this long to try it again.

During our time at the bowling alley, we all decided that this is going to be our new thing. The way Johnny and I see it, there is no other sport that encourages you to eat and drink booze while playing! Our plan is to start doing monthly or bimonthly trips to the bowling alley with Andrew and our bestie Cliff to form an informal friendship league. Maybe we’ll even shoot some content for a fake bowling documentary we made up called “Ballz: A Bowling Story”. We have several ideas for this and I think it would be hilarious if we turned it into a web series. We’ll see what happens. 😀

Not going to lie, I was sore AF the following day after hurling a bowling ball for two hours straight. But, it was so worth it and fun and I can’t wait to go again!

What is your favorite sport to play with friends? Do you go bowling often? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

iPhone 15 Pro Max Camera Problems

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iPhone 15 Pro Max Camera Problems

Hello!! It has been a few weeks since we have had a new OOTD and I am sure you’re all wondering why. I recently upgraded from the iPhone 12 to the iPhone 15 Pro Max for work. My old phone is currently at storage capacity so I have been using my new phone to shoot content as it was intended. Unfortunately, I am having some major issues with the camera – I kid you not that my pictures look infinitely better on my iPhone 12 than on the brand new one. I have noticed a lot of people online complaining about similar issues so I thought I would put my two cents in too!

iPhone 12

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iPhone 15 Pro Max

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What I liked the most about my old phone is that no matter the lighting or the setting, the pictures I took on them always turned out crisp and clear. While I have shot a few cool pictures and the awesome pics of Constellations at their first show (See yesterday’s post), I have been overall very unimpressed with the quality of everything else. I notice that all of the pictures seem kind of blurry, grainy, and the colors appear muddled. It is such a 180 from what I am used to and it has been most frustrating trying to figure it out.

I have combed through different “help” pages looking for solutions to this problem. I have done every single thing suggested and nothing has worked. Johnny and I have shot from all angles and all lighting for just regular old pictures and they still look busted. My next step, of course, will be calling for support to see if this can be fixed or if I will need a new phone altogether. I wanted to write this post to say that you are not losing your mind if you just can’t seem to take a good picture on this phone. I pride myself on taking “good” pictures and I haven’t had a single one taken on the new phone that’s usable. I am not sure what Apple was thinking because this is most definitely a downgrade and this phone was advertised specifically for its camera. SMH!

Trust and believe that I have been attempting to shoot outfits – you just aren’t seeing them right now lol. I can’t wait to get this issue sorted out so I can go back to one of my favorite segments on lifewithlilred!

Do you have any troubleshooting tips for me? What do you think about the iPhone 15 Pro Max? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Constellations Show

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Constellations Show

Hello!!! Johnny and I had an incredibly busy weekend, but it was such a fun one. On Friday, our sweet niece had her preschool graduation. Saturday was the first show for Constellations, a metalcore band that I do social media management for. And on Sunday we celebrated my brother’s birthday. The show on Saturday was an absolute blast and I have been looking forward to it for a long time. This was the first time I got to meet all of the band members in person. The guys and gal of the Constellations crew were all exactly how I imagined them to be – a total delight. Not to mention they tore their first set up!

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Constellations had their first show at Mahall’s, which is about forty-five minutes away from us in Lakewood. Mahall’s was such a cool venue that featured the concert space, a bar and restaurant, and a vintage bowling alley on the lower level. Before the show, Johnny and I enjoyed drinks at the bar, taking pictures, and mingling with the band and other concertgoers. Everyone was decked out in their emo/goth/metal best and we loved to see it! Constellations was the first opener for Until I Wake and that was great because Johnny and I can’t hang like we used to lol. They took the stage around six fifteen and…

It was INCREDIBLE!!! Right from the jump with their first single, RIP, they were completely in their bag. Between the music, their stage presence, and the vibey deep red and indigo lighting, Johnny and I were blown away. It was so very cool to finally see what the band is capable of and the joy that was radiating off of them when they were doing their thing. The guitarists, Chandler and Heather, went into the crowd with their instruments and the audience just went nuts. Max on bass gave the band a thumping heartbeat. Mike on drums was so effortless in his performance and our vocalist and screamer, Tre, led the show like a seasoned pro. Needless to say, I was beyond proud!

To Johnny’s delight, we helped the band load up their van after the performance (He missed it!) and got to hang out before it was time to make our way home. We sang Constellations praises the whole way back and can’t wait for the next show!

Who is your favorite local band? What is your favorite music venue? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

GlobalBeautyCare Retinol & Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer Review

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GlobalBeautyCare Retinol & Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer Review

Hello!! On June 7th, I am turning the dirty thirty. I definitely don’t feel my age, but I was born in 1994 so you can’t argue with that. I take that back – sometimes I feel my age. I feel like I’m at the point where I injure myself from sleeping weird and have to grunt every time I hoist myself up from the couch! One other thing that I clocked, which is perhaps the worst of all, is the start of some fine lines on my face. We are our own worst critic so what is a glaring issue to me is more than likely unnoticeable to most. That doesn’t mean that I don’t want to fix it, though! Which brings us to this moisturizer review:

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Normally when I shop skin care at TJMaxx, I go for anything with Vitamin C or hyaluronic acid. They have both been staples in my beauty routine for years and really agree with my skin. However, the needs of your skin change and I began experimenting with products that have retinol in recent skin care hauls. I can’t say that I was overly impressed with any of the moisturizers I sampled and was okay with that. The world of retinol is a totally new ballgame for me. Then, the retinol and hyaluronic acid moisturizer by GlobalBeautyCare scored a home run in the clutch.

My past experiences with retinol moisturizers was either underwhelming or far too potent for what my skin needed. The GlobalBeautyCare moisturizer was the true definition of “just right”. I used this product twice daily for a month and never felt any discomfort. It felt like using a regular old moisturizer. This wasn’t just a regular old moisturizer, though! I can, without a doubt, say that I noticed visible results from using it. Results so good that I consider this moisturizer to be Botox in a jar. The area that I was particularly concerned about was the fine lines around my mouth. By the time the jar was empty, I could tell that my skin looked plumper and the lines seemed to smooth themselves out. I was amazed by this because it’s not every day that you find a product that is that effective. I was so sad when I finished this moisturizer and am keeping my fingers crossed that I can find it at TJs again!

12/10 highly recommend the retinol and hyaluronic acid moisturizer by GlobalBeautyCare – especially if you are in my age range. This is a perfect introduction to retinol products and your skin will thank you!

How old are you turning this year? Do you feel your age? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

8 Ways To Make Your Home Look More Expensive

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8 Ways To Make Your Home Look More Expensive

Every homeowner wants their property to look the best it can possibly be. When it comes to making a great first impression on your visitors, you may want to opt for trends that showcase your home in the best light and make it look super high end. Adding expensive-looking touches to your home that don’t break the bank could be one of the best design choices you make. Whether you’re planning an entire home renovation, or you want to make just a handful of tweaks, here are eight ways to make your home look opulent and expensive:

New Windows:

Getting new windows installed is sure to give your property an instant lift. Looking into window options will show you just how many styles there are to choose from. You may also want to look into residential and commercial window tinting if you’re not quite ready to upgrade your windows altogether. Window tinting can provide you with the look and privacy of etched glass without the additional expense. This is a great way to make your home look more expensive using a simple and affordable technique.

Don’t forget that your windows will need blinds and curtains to complete the look. Curtains are a great way to add color and texture into a room and can be swapped out seasonally or as often as you choose. Blinds will further enhance your newly installed or tinted windows and provide natural lighting. To get inspiration, simply enter a search for “Window Blinds Nottingham” (or your local area) to schedule a consultation with a professional team. You will be able to discuss the expensive look you are hoping to achieve to really make your house pop.

Add A New Kitchen:

Another option that you’ve got is to add a new kitchen. This screams expensive, purely because it is expensive to get a new kitchen. You can do it on a budget by making some simple swaps like cupboard fronts, or you could get in touch with a kitchen remodeling company, find out how much it will cost, and go from there.

Fresh Flowers:

There is nothing quite like bright fresh flowers to bring a touch of glamor to your home. Don’t wait for somebody to buy you a bouquet of beautiful blooms, you can treat yourself to a new set every week, simply because you and your home deserve it. You can change up the color scheme depending on the season or your mood. Either way, your fresh flowers will be a stunning addition to your home, and it will make everything appear much more high end.

Luxurious Lighting:

The power of lighting should never be underestimated, especially when it comes to creating an expensive and beautiful looking home. The only way you can choose the right types of lighting for your home is by going to look around your local stores and seeing which ones appeal to you the most. Choosing the right lamp shades and lighting fixtures can completely transform the way your home looks in its entirety.

If you are working with an interior designer, then they will be the first to tell you that excellent lighting is essential. Especially if you are allowing for a lot of natural light to be let into your home. An interior designer not only designs your rooms but creates a lighting plan as well which is so helpful if you have no idea where to begin! Researching interior design companies like Haus Interior Design Calgary (or a similar one in your local area) is a great way to start finding the team that will transform your home. Look closely at the completed projects on websites so you have a solid idea of their quality of work.

Minimal Clutter:

Getting rid of as much excess clutter as possible is a simple way to create a sense of lavishness in your home. If you want your home to appear more expensive, you need to throw away any unnecessary items that are cluttering up your beautiful space. This will give you more scope to decorate in unique ways and find more interesting places to highlight.

More Mirrors and Wall Art:

If you have ever walked through a grand home or estate before, you will notice that there are always pieces of artwork and mirrors on the walls. Adding more decor to your walls can help you to inject some of your personal style into your home, and it’s a great way to boost its overall appeal. With mirrors and wall art, there are so many different amazing styles for you to explore. Depending on the look and feel that you’re going for, you may find that certain types of frames or color schemes work better with your home interiors.

Wooden Flooring:

There are so many advantages that go hand in hand with getting wooden flooring installed in your home. First of all, wooden flooring is timeless and will never go out of style. Second, it’s very easy to make wooden flooring look expensive too. As long as you keep it clean and in good condition, wooden flooring will instantly give your home a sense of class.

Patterns and Textures:

Experimenting with a variety of patterns and textures when decorating your home is a brilliant way to add a layer of luxury. From rugs to curtains, you can use patterns and textures to enhance the interior decor of your home and make it a more lavish place to live.

Creating a fresh, stylish and expensive looking home is much easier than you think, especially when you have so many ideas to work with. All of these ideas will work with all sorts of different homes and will help you to feel proud of your property in every single way!