Category Archives: Fashion

Oct11

Target Haul: A New Day + Vital Voices Pleated Skirt

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Target Haul: A New Day + Vital Voices Pleated Skirt

Hello everyone and welcome to my last and, perhaps, favorite purchase from my Target Haul. All throughout my twenty-four years of existence, I can’t say that I was ever really attracted to wearing skirts. Sure, I like them. And, I have a handful of skirts in my closet that I love wearing. But, I don’t think that I’ve ever gone to the store with the intention of finding myself a skirt. That is, until I bought my pleather, pleated BB Dakota midi skirt from TJMaxx.

After this purchase a few months ago… it was fucking on, and I became obsessed with finding more pleated midi numbers because, I hate to toot my own horn, BUT – THEY LOOK AMAZING ON ME! I haven’t had any luck with adding a new addition to my collection since finding my BB Dakota skirt, so imagine how happy I was when I found this one by A New Day + Vital Voices at Target:

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The collaboration between A New Day and Vital Voices is all about celebrating womanhood. The pieces in this collection emphasize the passion, strength, and undeniable power of woman – as their tagline goes – and that made buying this skirt even more attractive. The contoured faces make a modern statement and the sweet pleats provide movement, creating a look that is totally unique and completely cool.

For the perfect “I am woman, hear me roar” OOTD, pair with a graphic tee, slouchy blazer, and a pop of color shoe and enter any room with the presence of a girl not to be fucked with. Stand in your power, and look fabulous while doing so with this amazing collaboration only at Target.

What is your favorite brand that does a lot of good? How do you create an OOTD for when you’re ready to take on the world? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct10

Target Haul: A New Day Kimono

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Target Haul: A New Day Kimono

Howdy! I have never been a fan of kimonos, because it’s difficult for me to find one that doesn’t make me look pregnant! Lol, there’s something about them that just looks like maternity clothing to me, so I avoid them like the plague when I go shopping. So, I definitely wasn’t expecting to purchase one during my extravaganza at Target! Fair warning that this A New Day number doesn’t photograph well, because it’s all black (Shocker!). But, you’ll get the idea! Take a look:

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My major qualm with ninety-nine percent of the kimonos on the market is that they are shaped boxy and then they hit at the waist. For a short girl, this is so not flattering. I always try to find clothes that lengthen me, as opposed to making me look like I lost five inches and gained ten pounds! So, I was instantly attracted to this kimono, because it was longer and more fitted.

My new kimono from Target’s A New Day collection falls all the way down to the middle of my calves and is smocked in the back so it isn’t flowy, like a typical duster kimono. Rather, the gathered fabric lays closely but comfortably on the body so that you are not swallowed whole by what does seem like a lengthy piece of clothing. I have never seen a kimono with this shape before and, if I did, I would have bought them all, because it is the perfect shape for me!

The subtle, embroidered flowers on the silky but muted fabric makes for a sultry look when paired over a long sleeved sweater, skinnies, and heels. This kimono can completely modernize your standard date night outfit and will look edgy and chic when wearing it while out and about. How you style it is up to you, but you will look shamelessly cool no matter what in this A New Day number.

Are you a fan of the kimono? Why or why not? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct9

Target Haul: Zoe + Liv Hoodie

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Target Haul: Zoe + Liv Hoodie

Yooooooo. I’ve never seen a store that’s more on point when it comes to holiday clothing than Target. As soon as the appropriate season strikes, it seems like Target accommodates with Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, etc. themed clothes ASAFP. For example, they started carrying Halloween ready T’s, leggings, and accessories mid September.

By the time I got to shopping at Target last week, their Halloween gear was pretty picked over, so I felt lucky that I was able to snag this really fun hoodie by Zoe + Liv that also happened to be the last in stock! Check it out:

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Normally, I am not a fan of holiday themed clothing. But, what Lil Red is a fan of is all things spooky when it comes to my every day attire. I love skulls, bones, crosses, and ghoulishly good fashion so it’s no wonder why I simply adore this rockin’ skeletal hand hoodie! This little Zoe + Liv number isn’t just perfect for Halloween, but for literally every day of the year in Lil Red’s world and I have already worn in multiple times since purchasing.

I love that this comfortable hoodie doesn’t sacrifice any cuteness and it is such a fun top to wear while out and about or just lounging at home. In Ohio, we’re at the stage of fall where it’s chilly in the morning and evening but pretty warm in the afternoon. This hoodie is light enough that you can wear it during the sunny portion of the day and layers well under a jacket during the blustery mornings and nights. Cute, comfy, appropriate year round, and just twenty bucks – this hoodie was impossible to say no to!

What are your Halloween plans? What has been your favorite costume that you’ve worn during the spooky season? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct8

Target Haul: Wild Fable Plaid Jeans

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Target Haul: Wild Fable Plaid Jeans

Hi everyone and happy Monday! I hope that all of you had a wonderful weekend! I’m sure that many of us can agree that shopping for pants is a major pain in the ass. Every pun intended. I have a few problems with finding jeans that I love and can either list them alphabetically or numerically so take your pick! Lol but some of my issues include:

  1. I hate high waisted jeans and shorts more than literally anything.
  2. I only wear black on my bottom half, because anything else makes me look fat. I swear it’s true!
  3. Because of muscular figure skater thighs and booty, patterned bottoms also make me look fat. I swear it’s true!

Bearing all three of these issues in mind, you can see why finding pants might be problematic for Lil Red. So, imagine my surprise when I fell in love with a pair of jeans with *gasp* a pattern! Take a look:

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I’ve always loved plaid pants, and have been looking for a pair for months now. But, problems with the fit and pattern always seemed to stand in the way of me finding the perfect pair. Until these Wild Fable brand wonders came along, that is. These jeans fit exactly how I like – skinny and with a normal rise so that nothing is riding up into my crotch all day! That eliminated one of my major issues right there.

These skinnies also eradicated number two and three on my list because, 1) They are technically black and 2) The pattern is flattering. Although horizontal striping might not be the best thing when you have some extra curves up top or below, the bold vertical stripes in the plaid is the primary focus, so the horizontal lines might as well not even exist. The vertical stripes make me look long and lean instead of short and squat, which is never a good thing on my tiny 5’1 frame.

I cannot wait to pair these jeans with my favorite platform boots from Forever 21 and my Nasty Gal moto jacket for a wicked cool punk rock look this fall. These pants are edgy without even trying to be, so all you need do is layer on your best anarchy chic pieces to create a look that the Sex Pistols would be proud of!

What are some of your issues when shopping for pants? Which store offers the best bottoms for your body? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct7

Target Haul: A New Day Mustard Yellow Cardigan

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Target Haul: A New Day Mustard Yellow Cardigan

Hi! As you can tell from yesterday’s post, mama went a little bit crazy at Target. But, that’s just my cross to bear, I suppose, and each thing I got was well worth it. One of my favorite things that I got was a cardigan by the relatively new Target brand, A New Day. It also happens to be in my favorite color, other than black, MUSTARD YELLOW! Take a look and let’s discuss:

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Mustard yellow is a color that every red head should have in his or her arsenal. There is nothing that makes your red locks pop quite like this color and I wear it as often as I can. Therefore, this gorgeous hued cardigan was an absolute must. I love that it’s long, but not too long. Don’t get me wrong, I love a duster cardi as much as the next fashionista, but there’s something about a cardigan that hits just below the waist that is so flattering on every figure.

Cardigans of all levels of heaviness are appropriate and amazing for fall in their own right, but I much prefer a lighter one over something super chunky. This A New Day number offers the option to layer, which is my preferred autumn style. I also adore the sweet, fine ribbed detail and the double dots traveling down the back of the cardi.

This sweater will instantly transform any autumn OOTD from “oh” to “oh yeah” in a matter of seconds. Button up a thin flannel, throw this little number on over it, pair with black or dark rinse skinnies, and complete the look with your favorite boots. Rinse. Repeat.

What is your favorite fall color? How would you style this cardigan? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct6

Super Awesome Great Day

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Super Awesome Great Day

Hellllooo everyone and happy weekend! This past Tuesday was one of the best days off that I’ve had in a good long while. To start my morning, I had a work review for one of my jobs and passed with high flying colors. Then, to celebrate, my mom and I went to Target so that I could shop to my heart’s content. Upon returning home, I shopped to my heart’s content on ModCloth – I’m so bad! And, to top it off, we ordered take out from one of my favorite restaurants, Aladdin’s, as a hurrah to cap off a great day.

I have been working a lot lately, and it felt so good to have all of that hard work verified by an excellent review. It was also really nice to spend the rest of the day with my mom, because I’ve been working a lot! We had a blast shopping together and you can check out my haul below and, then, we will go over my new fall pieces individually for the next few days!

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My haul from Target brought me a lot of autumn essentials. Funky jeans, a midi skirt, a kimono, a cardigan, and hoodie that, for the most part, can all be mixed and matched really well! Fall clothes will always be Lil Red’s jam and Target did exceedingly well this year in providing high quality and unique pieces for its shoppers. Be sure to tune in tomorrow as we discuss one of these pretty little numbers in detail!

What is your favorite season to dress for? Describe one of the best days that you’ve had recently. I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep30

Fall Finesse OOTD

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Fall Finesse OOTD

Hi everyone and happy Sunday! Today, we are going to discuss a fall OOTD post to help set the mood for the upcoming spooktacular month of October. My friend, Carlie, who I’m sure you remember from guest posts on my page has also created an autumn outfit so do be sure to head over to Bombshell and check hers out, too! The pictures below were taken by my boyfriend, which is always so much fun, so take a look and let’s get to it:

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Who? What? Wear?

During the fall, there’s nothing better than an All Black Everything OOTD to set some witchy vibes for the day. Once you create your base with a pair of black skinnies or joggers and a black sweater, tee, or jacket, it’s all about the accessories. Because of a mundane palette, you can choose pieces that really pop to decorate your look with. You can always add a pop of color accessory to break up the monotoned look, or you can stick with equally bleak but chic pieces, which is what I did.

To start accessorizing, I began with the main focal point in my look, which is the Printed Village scarf. This lovely little number shows the various stages of the moon in waxing and waning in striking silver, and it instantly added dimension to my OOTD. The best part about this scarf, is that it’s really long and wide so it can be worn in a variety of ways. For this particular look, I wore it as a shawl. But, I have worn it before as a skirt, Parisian style, and as a plain old scarf so it definitely offers a lot of variety!

And, of course, the glistening silver moons wouldn’t be complete without some gold thrown into the mix. I chose to combine the cool metallic colors by wearing my Baroque patterned Bamboo healed booties, which just so happens to be one of my favorites! Some might think that wearing silver and gold together is a no no. And, they are absolutely right if they’re paired with a multitude of other colors. But, when worn with just one other color, the end result is amazing. The shimmering shades danced so beautifully together in the light and, instead of the “don’t look at me” vibe that all black can give off, all eyes will definitely be on you.

To finish styling my outfit, it was time to add some jewelry. To keep with the spooky chic motif, I added in some Halloween appropriate rings like the spread winged owl and the turquoise cross that attached to a bracelet with a skull on it. Then, I went for some of my favorite jewelry in my arsenal for around my neck – my rosaries. I have three in my collection and I love them all equally. They vary in color and length and, when worn together, the effect is effortlessly cool and will complete any look perfectly.

What I like about this Fall Finesse OOTD is that it started out really simple and, then, it was taken to a whole new level by pairing it with the right accessories. Creating visual break up with the jewelry, shoes, scarves, and whatever else you see fit takes a look from zero to one hundred real quick and, the beauty of accessories, is that you can use them as sparingly or as boldly as you like. My look can be easily replicated, but never completely the same, thanks to unique accessories adding their own special flavor to each OOTD!

How would you accessorize an all black everything outfit? How do you express yourself through accessories? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep20

New Modena New York Hooded Poncho

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New Modena New York Hooded Poncho

Helloooooo! During my last long overdue shopping trip to TJMaxx, I didn’t have a lot of luck in the clothing department. Buying new pants will always and forever be the death of me! But, I did manage to find a gorgeous new piece for fall and winter and I am completely obsessed with it. Allow me to introduce my new hooded poncho by Modena New York:

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As we all know by now, fall clothing is my jam. But, can we take a minute to talk about fall accessories?! Scarves, fingerless gloves, hats, boot socks, and ponchos, please! I fell in love with this grey plaid number the moment that I laid eyes on it. The fringed edges, the golden buckle against the chocolate faux leather, the darling hood. WOOF.

This poncho looks so effortlessly chic thrown on over a long sleeved solid colored sweater. Wear it with a pair of skinnies and thigh high boots and you are ready to strut through the streets with the leaves crunching beneath your feet in no time. Top off the look with a huge floppy hat, but be careful that it doesn’t blow away in the autumn breeze!

What is your favorite fall accessory? How would you style this poncho? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep18

The Five Hottest Trends To Wear This Winter

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The Five Hottest Trends To Wear This Winter

Does your winter wardrobe need some sprucing up? If so, here are five bold ideas to inject some fun and vivacity into your outfits this upcoming season:

Animal print:

It’s definitely a daring thing to try if you’re new to it, but animal print is all the rage this winter. Head to any high street store and you’ll see it adorning everything from coats to trousers – and when paired with the right colors and cuts, it works strikingly well, making for a particularly vibrant outfit in the dreary winter months.

Try a leopard print coat or some snakeskin trousers for an impactful look which will giving you warmth this winter. Pair the designs with simple colors and garments in order to create an outfit with an animalistic statement piece to create a pop of flavor without looking costumey.

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^^^ Too cute!

Two coats instead of one:

Why settle for one coat when you can have two? To some, this might sound like a crazy trend – but with layers coming to the forefront of fashion this season, you’ll be seeing many people layering a big, thick coat on top of a lighter one. It adds a unique flair to an outfit that also doubles up as extra warmth.

Seen on the runways this year, this trend is now translating to high street fashion – expect to see layers everywhere in the biggest shops. Opt for a thin, light coat underneath a bigger, bolder overcoat for a winter staple with a warm twist.

All brown everything:

Gone are the typical blacks and greys so often seen in winter fashion. Instead, the 70s are calling with browns adorning many of the shops this season. It’s been an underrated color in clothing for many years, and it’s finally taking the spotlight once again – it’s a neutral color that provides a bit more pizazz than the monochrome alternatives.

Brown coats are a common choice this season, but why not go for something a bit different? Boots, trousers, and accessories are a great way to introduce a new color into your winter wardrobe.

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^^^ A camel scarf is a great place to start!

80s influences:

Expect to see strong eighties influences in winter fashion this year. It’s being embraced with partywear in particular, with foils and bodycon dresses making waves in stores. Understated is out – instead, making a bold impact is to be expected at parties and celebrations over the festive period.

Partying like it’s 1989 will be the norm this winter, with mini dresses, sequins, silk, and velvet being brought out front and center. Don’t be modest with your outfit for any big occasion – making a bold, eighties-esque statement is recommended.

Plaid, please:

It has never truly gone away, but plaid is coming back as a popular design choice for clothing this winter. Putting a quirky spin on traditional winter garments, expect to see it on trousers, jumpers, coats, and accessories. If you’re looking for something more left-field, pair some plaid slacks with sneakers for a smart casual look that is sure to impress.

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^^^ How Lil Red does plaid this winter!

These hot trends will keep you nice and warm during the chilly winter months ahead – no space heater required!

Sep12

Sugar & Spice OOTD

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Sugar & Spice OOTD

Hello everyone and welcome to a new OOTD post here on lifewithlilred! Today, we are going to talk about how to style a Sugar & Spice look that combines all things edgy with a little bit of sweetness to it. This post is also very special, because my boyfriend took all of these pictures! I have so much fun creating camera ready looks and taking pictures with my MAN, and it makes for an amazing date – no credit cards or cash required! Take a look:

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Who? What? Wear?

Whenever I am styling an outfit, I normally always go the edgy route with it. It’s rare that you will see me in something purely girly, like a dress without a moto jacket over top of it! But, combining Sugar & Spice gives you a look with dimension and a lot of visual break up to make one’s eyes dance when they look at you. It also keeps an outfit looking like me, which is of utmost importance.

To start with this look, I went with one of my favorite tops from Kohl’s. This Rock & Republic number has literally been sitting, untouched in my closet for years and I have finally realized its glory after all of this time. I love the crosses, jewels, and safety pins adorning it and the touch of glitter on the sleeves and around the bottom adds some unexpected sweetness. With a top that’s relatively busy, you don’t need anything for your bottoms except a pair of solid colored shorts or jeans. So, I went with my Hollister short shorts from TJ’s to continue with the black motif on top.

Now, for some sugar. To add some visual interest to this OOTD, I paired a gorgeous pair of Bonetti Giordano knee highs with one of my favorite pairs of heels. Because everything in my outfit is neutral, the bright floral colors on the knee highs didn’t look costumey and flowed really well with the ensemble. I loved how the heather grey socks looked against the cream Juicy Couture heels, and it all counterbalanced the black top and shorts for a striking but cohesive overall look.

And, finally, we need accessories to complete the OOTD. I chose to use one of my favorite purses from Charming Charlie’s as the statement accessory and then kept everything else pretty simple. With a loud British flag with studs outlining it, you don’t need much more! So, I opted for a big pair of Loft sunnies attached to a belt loop and my long gold chain earrings along with a pair with black crosses at the end of each chain. Any more accessories than that would have felt like too much for this look, especially with the bleak color palette. When in doubt, always go for the less is more option!

I really enjoyed styling and wearing this outfit. It made me feel so confident, and you can’t ask for more than that when creating a killer OOTD!

How would you style a Sugar & Spice look? What are some of your go to accessories? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah