Category Archives: Fashion

Jeans & A T OOTD

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Jeans & A T OOTD

Hello and welcome to a brand new OOTD here on lifewithlilred! After getting my hair done and having a wildly successful Fall Haul, I just had to take pictures this past weekend. I wanted to check out this new hiking trail nearby with my husband/photographer but we couldn’t find it to save our own lives. So, Johnny and I settled for taking pictures at Taco Bell instead lol. As we all know, T-Bell is my absolute favorite so this was just fine by me! Check it out:

Who? What? Wear?

When it comes to my OOTDs, the more extravagant the better. However, there’s some days where you just have to throw on jeans and a T and go. This outfit is one of the most minimal looks I have featured on my page but it packs a punch thanks to the accessories, super distressed jeans, and pops of color. It was a perfect look for running errands with Johnny because we always try and show out even if we are just making a Target run!

To add some interest to a simple jeans and T look, it is all about the accessories. I didn’t want to overpower the black and white palette that I had going so I relied on the extras in my OOTD to give small but effective pops of color. I started by putting on my platform heels which added a fun surprise with the flames on the heels. It also helped create the illusion of length as it blended seamlessly with my jeans.

I went with my Union Jack shades and purse to give a pattern to my OOTD without being overwhelming to the muted palette. These accessories provided visual interest that enhanced the look because the colors weren’t too bright and minimal enough that it didn’t put all of the focus on one piece of the outfit. To complete the look, I put on my favorite bracelet from Claire’s that has a chain which connects to a ring and walked out the door feeling my damn self.

By the end of my styling session, I felt like a million bucks and had an outfit that I was in love with even though it is a far cry from my norm. For some people, stepping out of their comfort zone means wearing a more bold piece. For me, it means toning things down and my Jeans & A T OOTD definitely did that! The accessories tied this look together but, let’s be honest, the outfit was already made with Britney Spears on my T-shirt. ❤

Tune in tomorrow for bonus pictures from this look as well as the funny story behind winding up at Taco Bell for a photo shoot! 😀

Who is your favorite pop star? How do you step out of your comfort zone in your outfits? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Clothing Staples For Your Wardrobe

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Clothing Staples For Your Wardrobe

Creating the perfect wardrobe for you is something that takes time. Unless you’re a celebrity, literally no one is buying an entire closet full of clothes in one shopping trip! Today, we are going to explore three different components of day to day life and the clothing you need to make it work:

Work:

Clothing that is appropriate for work is completely dependent on where you work, of course!

  • If you work at an animal shelter, clothing that moves well and is comfortable is the way to go like stretch jeans, leggings, and light long sleeved tops.
  • If you work at a restaurant or a grocery store and are in and out of the freezer constantly, a cozy cardigan should help the cause just fine. (And, if your freezer system at work is on the fritz, consider walk-in fridge repair for businesses to assist!)
  • In an office setting, you might want to opt for smart, professional clothing like blazers, slacks, blouses, or pencil skirts. Don’t forget a sharp pair of oxfords or kitten heels to complete the look!

Think about where you work and plan accordingly. Is the temperature comfortable or can it get a little warm or chilly? What are your coworkers wearing? Is there a dress code? This will all help you make the right decision on work appropriate attire.

Play:

You might not have much of a choice in what you can wear for work but play attire is a totally different story! Clothing for running errands, hanging out with friends, or a date should be all about what makes you feel confident. These are going to be key pieces in your play wardrobe’s arsenal:

  • A great pair of jeans is a definite must. A great pair of jeans with big pockets is even better! Skinny, boot cut, flare, or high waisted – a pair of jeans can be dressed up or down for whatever the occasion. Knowing your measurements can be a huge help when it comes to shopping for bottoms and can save you many a back and forth trip from the fitting rooms.
  • Statement jackets can turn an ordinary outfit into something special. Moto jackets with patches are always fun and edgy while a classic trench coat is a timeless piece. From sophisticated in a peacoat or sassy in a faux fur number, throwing on a jacket is an ideal option when you don’t feel like styling a look!
  • No matter if your style is simple or total fashionista, everyone should have at least one bold “look at me” top in their wardrobe. This is the perfect opportunity to play with patterns, bright colors, and unique shapes. If you are uncomfortable with something so loud on top, a patterned skirt is a great way to dip your toes in the water.

Leisure:

We can be so focused on work or play clothing that we tend to forget about pieces that are made purely for comfort like these cozy co-ord sets. I am definitely guilty of this and my life changed for the better when I allowed myself to purchase pajamas and sweatpants! 😀

  • Leggings and sweats are the best for lounging at home, working out, or even going out and about in a sporty chic look. Leggings will also come in handy when it’s cold because they can easily be worn under your jeans. If you like to work out outside, be sure to invest in some hi vis jackets for your safety.
  • Wrapping yourself up in a snuggly, chunky cardigan is so comforting on a brisk day or when you’re curled up on the couch. Accessorize with a cup of tea to complete the look!
  • Cute pajama sets feel so luxurious, especially if it is something that you normally wouldn’t buy. Treat yourself to some new PJs and a matching robe and hit the hay like royalty.

Complete every aspect of your day in style with the tips above!

Fall Haul: Stella Luce Snake Print Trench Coat Edition

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Fall Haul: Stella Luce Snake Print Trench Coat Edition

Howdy and welcome to the final edition of my Fall Haul from TJMaxx! Today, we are going to be discussing an amazing snake print trench style coat by Stella Luce and I am obsessed. Johnny and I are both extremely partial to animal print clothing and he loves anything cheetah print while I am fond of all things snakeskin. I fell in love with this trench coat as soon as I saw it hanging on an end cap and I cannot wait for the weather to cool down so I can wear it all of the time! Check it out:

Between my husband and I, we have snake patterned clothing and shoes in a variety of colors including blue, grey, red, white, and brown. The majority of my snake print pieces in my wardrobe are shoes and purses so I was very excited to find a coat in my most beloved pattern. While cheetah print is fun, snakeskin is oh so sophisticated and sexy and I always find myself drawn to it time and time again.

Johnny and I have been looking forward to fall since it ended last year because it is our favorite season to dress for. We love sweaters, boots, and coats and if we could we would be dressing for fall all year round. This Stella Luce number is going to be a staple for my fall wardrobe and it will be perfect for work or play. I can picture myself throwing this on and heading to work in the morning or dressing it up for a date day with Johnny.

I live for styling unique outfits and because this coat is such a bold piece, it really doesn’t need much. Skinny jeans, a light long sleeved shirt, heeled boots, and a floppy hat paired with this coat will elevate simple pieces into an OOTD worth blogging about. And, as soon as the cold weather hits: Don’t mind if I do! 😀

What is your favorite animal print? What are you looking forward to this fall? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Fall Haul: T-Shirt Time Edition

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Fall Haul: T-Shirt Time Edition

Hi! I wouldn’t say that I wear T-shirts super often but ever since Johnny and I purchased matching Impractical Jokers Ts, I have been much more willing to incorporate them into my wardrobe. During our shopping trip to TJMaxx, I found two T-shirts that I absolutely could not pass up and I’m sure you can all see why:

Step Brothers is, hands down, my favorite comedy movie EVER and I can’t go a day without quoting it at some point. When Johnny and I were browsing through the men’s section at TJs, this Catalina Wine Mixer T went into my hands as soon as I saw it. This T-shirt speaks to me on nothing short of a spiritual level and I am proud to represent Dale and Brennan! I also cannot wait to snuggle up in my Step Brothers blanket while wearing it:

When I am not sporting my Catalina Wine Mixer T, it will be all about Queen B! Britney Spears has been both mine and my sister’s favorite pop star since we were little. Like many, our hearts broke over the abuse that she suffered under her conservatorship and we want nothing but the best for her. Britney has inspired my sis and I our entire lives and the oversized T I purchased is a tip of my cap to her excellence, talent, and character. We love you, Britney, and have been rooting for you then, now, and always! ❤

Be sure to tune in tomorrow for the last of my Fall Haul and keep it posted for an OOTD to introduce some of my purchases as well as my brand new hairdo!

Who is your favorite pop star? What is your favorite comedy movie? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Fall Haul: For The Lols Hoodie Edition

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Fall Haul: For The Lols Hoodie Edition

Hi!! Johnny and I had to laugh at my Fall Haul from TJMaxx because it was a combination of purchases a teenage boy and a fashionista would make. My haul included lots of amazing business casual and cool weather clothing as well as a few oversized T-shirts (Which you will see tomorrow) and this hilarious hoodie from the men’s section a la The Office. Check it out:

FIRST THINGS FIRST: I will never forgive Netflix for no longer having The Office and Parks & Recreation on their lineup. Johnny and I would watch The Office literally every night before going to bed and we miss it terribly! We also refuse to get the NBC streaming service because we already have way too many. SMH.

SECOND THINGS SECOND: I freaking love this hoodie, lol. As soon as Johnny pointed it out to me, I just had to have it because it is so funny to me. While this is definitely not a hoodie that I can sport at work, it is one that I will be wearing at every opportunity I get. I am usually not one for “silly” purchases as I would rather spend my money on other things but how could I say no to Michael Scott? And, yes, that is what she said!

I bought this hoodie in a men’s small and it fits great as it is slightly longer than being cropped. It will be perfect with my new high waisted jeans from American Eagle and it is So. Freaking. Comfy. Whether wearing it while running errands or lounging about at home, I plan on living in it this fall. I also have a feeling that my Johnny will be borrowing it too! ❤

What is your preferred streaming service? What is your favorite episode of The Office? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Fall Haul: Banana Republic Top Edition

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Fall Haul: Banana Republic Top Edition

Hi! The change of the seasons is prime time to go shopping to give your wardrobe an update. Upgrading your wardrobe for the different weather ahead doesn’t have to mean buying a closet full of clothing, rather, just a handful of pieces to make your old things feel new again. For my Fall Haul from TJMaxx, I had two upgrades in mind: Both my fall and business casual clothes.

Today, we will be discussing a Banana Republic spaghetti strap top. While it isn’t ideal for cold weather in any way shape or form, it will be perfect underneath a cardigan when I’m at work! Check it out:

This past trip to TJMaxx was my first time shopping there with Johnny and it was nothing short of an absolute delight. He is an angel for sitting patiently while I tried clothes on and gave a fashion show…. again, and again, and again lol! After a few trips to the fitting room, I wasn’t completely satisfied with what I had picked out in terms of work appropriate clothing. Luckily, I found this floral patterned Banana Republic top while making my final rounds throughout the store. 😀

Although this cami style top will be the best for play during spring and summer, it will serve me well underneath one of my emerald green or mustard yellow cardigans at work. I have never owned anything by Banana Republic before and I considered this top a steal for just ten dollars! I love the shape because it is fun and flirty without being too revealing. My favorite part, though, is the colors. The primary colors of red, yellow, and blue with sweet pops of pink and green against the white background make for the prettiest palette!

Tops like this are great for creating a unique outfit because there are so many different colors to play with. You could match your cardigan to one of the flower colors as mentioned before. OR you could sport a bold pair of shoes to make the colors pop. Red or yellow heeled booties, anyone? Love it!

Have you had a Fall Haul recently? What did you get? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

 

Fall Haul: Ruby Moon Cardigan Edition

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Fall Haul: Ruby Moon Cardigan Edition

Hi! This past weekend I had a trip to my favorite place in the world (TJMaxx) with my favorite guy in the world (Johnny) and it was the best!! This was my first TJMaxx trip with my husband and it was a great success for me and him too. I walked away with lots of new fall and business casual clothes and Johnny got three new Halloween themed button downs. They are awesome! Let’s get started with my Fall Haul by checking out this cheetah print cardigan by Ruby Moon:

For my new job, I work at an actual center and wanted to branch out with more business casual clothes that are still a lot of fun. Both Johnny and I love animal print and when I saw this cardi, I knew right away that it was going to be a keeper. Printed cardigans are a great way to spice up your work wardrobe and I think that I will be living in this one because I am always freezing at the center!

Despite its length, this Ruby Moon cardigan still has a really flattering fit as it is tighter in the arms and torso. As someone who is barely over five foot one, this is important because it is not chunky enough to be overwhelming and offers some shape to it. I can picture myself wearing it for work or play and I like that because I want my clothing to be worn everywhere and not just on the job.

Dressing for fall is all about layering and cardigans or flannels are the best way to accomplish that. Fall outfits are my absolute favorite and I can’t wait to wear this cardi with my new skinny jeans, a basic cami top, and heeled ankle booties! 😀

How do you upgrade your wardrobe during the season change? How do you dress for work? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

 

Jean Queen

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Jean Queen

Hi! This past weekend, Johnny and I had a super cute day date to the mall because I needed new jeans in a bad way. While I am partial to clothes shopping at TJMaxx, the jeans and shorts from American Eagle are simply the best so heading to Summit Mall was the move.

I love AEO for their pants selection because they tend to always have a regular rise option, which is ideal for me because I am not a fan of high waisted anything. Naturally, this time they didn’t have one regular rise pair of jeans so I had to step out of my comfort zone with a “super high rise” skinny:

Now, you might find yourselves asking why I went with a super high rise pair if I hate high waisted so much and, honestly, I didn’t even plan on trying these on. I’m glad I gave them a shot, though, because they weren’t that bad. The rise on AEO’s super high rise hit about an inch below my belly button and I can live with that. Anything higher would have been a definite no go because it is not the most flattering style on me.

Mine and Johnny’s motto is that you can never have enough black skinny jeans and that is literally all we wear! I went with a nondistressed pair, which will be great for work. But, I am most excited for the distressed pair I purchased with rips all the way up to the mid thigh. Shockingly enough, I can’t say that I have ever owned a distressed pair of jeans before because I have never found an option that I liked enough. I have a feeling that I will be wearing them all of the time… In fact, I have them on right now! 😀

Super high or regular rise, American Eagle is the most when it comes to jeans. They also had some fabulous fall clothes for all of you back to school shoppers out there!

What is your preferred jean rise? Which store has the best jean selection? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

1,000 Post Countdown Giveaway

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1,000 Post Countdown Giveaway

Hello!! I am thirty-six days away from a 1,000 day streak of writing on lifewithlilred and I cannot begin to tell all of you how excited I am! There will be a giveaway once I have achieved my 1,000 streak status but I thought I would offer a bonus one too. This giveaway will be limited to the United States, however, the grand finale giveaway will be world wide.

If you all recall, I had an extremely unfortunate online shopping experience with Wildly Untamed Boutique when it came to ordering shoes for my wedding. Because of their ridiculous return policy, I was not able to return a pair of heels that I ordered which didn’t fit to a United States location. I would have spent hundreds returning them to China, which was more than I originally spent to begin with.

The heels that didn’t fit have been sitting untouched in my apartment since they arrived in May and while I could try selling them, I would prefer for them to go to a fellow fashionista, instead. So, if you are a shoe lover and are a size six and a half, then I have got a giveaway for you! Check it out:

6DFEBD2B-1A91-4842-ABF1-FE8F7F66488EFA2DA815-F067-455C-8B28-8BED0BDE05FBDF181D06-E340-46B5-8F55-E488BB922E84FEBDF187-75F4-4C50-B814-7A580F0B8E37

Giveaway Rules:

  1. Follow lifewithlilred
  2. Like this post
  3. Share this post to your blog
  4. Bonus entry if you share this to your social media
  5. Leave me a comment letting me know you completed the first three or all four tasks! And, as mentioned before, you must be a United States resident.

Despite the not so great experience I had with purchasing my wedding shoes off of Wildly Untamed Boutique, there is no denying that these heels are gorgeous. This giveaway will close out after one week so get those entries in ASAP. Best of luck! ❤

What is your favorite store to shop for shoes at? What does your favorite pair of shoes look like? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

 

Flower Power OOTD

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Flower Power OOTD

Hello! One of my favorite hang outs in July was when mine and Johnny’s friend, Shannon, stayed with us for a weekend. Shannon is an excellent photographer and made the trip from Marietta to photograph Johnny’s band, The Outside Voices, when they played at Musica in Akron. He was also kind enough to snap some shots of yours truly after the show was over! Take a look at some exclusive pics from my Flower Power OOTD:

Who? What? Wear?

My Flower Power OOTD was one that I felt insanely confident in and it feels so good to get all done up and go out with my husband after a long year and change indoors. When Johnny plays shows inside or out in the summertime, it is usually really hot so I like to sport something that is both cool and comfortable while still being cute, of course! This look featured all of the three Cs to the T and I had myself a little superstar moment being photographed at the concert venue.

What I love about this OOTD is its testament to my Summer Wardrobe Refresh. I stand firm in saying that you only need a few new pieces with each season change to keep your wardrobe looking and feeling new. My Flower Power outfit is a perfect example of this because while the skirt is brand new, the top and shoes are both at least six or more years old! Just one new piece in this OOTD had two over half a decade old items feeling like I was wearing them for the first time because they were styled in such a different way.

Another thing that I really enjoy about the Flower Power look is the monochrome palette. No abrupt pops of color in the black and white clothing meant for a long, lean silhouette and I felt ten feet tall rather than five foot one! While no one appreciates a good pop of color more than Lil Red, a minimal color palette like the one seen above can be just as effective.

Something I always mention in OOTD posts is styling a look that makes the eyes dance. This can be achieved by playing with color and accessories. In the Flower Power outfit’s case, however, it came from showing some skin in just the right places. From the peep toe heels to the peek a boo top, this look had enough going on so that one main area wasn’t the focal point of the entire outfit. I like to think people’s eyes were doing the Tango when I stepped out in my Flower Power OOTD!

What is the oldest item you have in your wardrobe? How do you refresh your wardrobe with the season changes? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah