Category Archives: Holidays

Jun13

Happy Birthday, Best Friend!!

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Happy Birthday, Best Friend!!

Hi!!! Today is a fantastic, wonderful day because it is my fantastic, wonderful best friend’s birthday!! When I started my blog almost twelve years ago, I was looking for a space to create. However, I was primarily looking for friends. I was a very lonely person at the time and the idea of meeting people all around the world was so enticing. The blogosphere heard my plea and blessed me with Kate of Live In The Nautical. Very shortly after my blog began, Kate and I began talking and we literally have never stopped twelve years later. lifewithlilred has done so much good in my life but bringing me my best friend is the best thing that it has or will ever do and I mean that most sincerely.

Although Kate lives in New Hampshire, it always feels like she is right down the street from me. We text each other novels (Johnny calls us Tolkien!) all day every day, FaceTime for hours on end every weekend, and my days just don’t feel complete without her. I fully believe that your best friends should inspire you and Kate inspires me to no end. Her fashion speaks for itself but her intelligence, kindness, bravery, and humor shine. Her laugh is infectious, her smile radiates, and she makes every person she encounters feel seen and heard. That is something that everyone can put on their inspo boards!

To think that our blogs put us together is honestly crazy because it was my wish literally coming true and I’m never not going to be thankful for it. Kate and I bonded instantly about being former figure skaters, being a funeral home family, and being the biggest true crime and reality TV loving fashionistas that I know of. Who knew that somewhere in this great big world, my perfect best friend was waiting for me in New Hampshire?! My Gemini Twin no less!

The universe and the blog gods brought us together and Kate has been with me through thick and thin. Through tears and laughter and every insane thing that life throws our way, Kate has been there. She’s the first person I want to talk to because she just gets it. Kate and I have only met each other once in real life but that is meaningless because I feel like we have known each other for forever. The mold was broken when Kate was made and it is a gift to be a part of her life. She is an absolute star and the best friend a gal could ever ask for. ❤

To my beautiful Gemini Twin:

Happy Birthday!!!!!

I love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jun10

Our Birthaversary Weekend

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Our Birthaversary Weekend

Hi! Johnny and I just celebrated our birthaversary week and it was magical. My main squeeze had his birthday on the first, our fifth wedding anniversary was on the fourth, and my thirty second birthday was this Sunday. We gifted each other with lots of surprises including games for our new Switch 2 (Stay tuned for all things Pokopia soon!) and concert tickets. We will be seeing The Strokes towards the end of the month which I am so excited for and Josh Groban and Billy Idol later in the summer. It’s going to be a hoot! We also had a big party on Saturday to commemorate all of our special occasions and it was just the best.

For the past week and change before our party, Johnny and I were putting in work getting our apartment in tip top shape. We decluttered, dusted, vacuumed, and reorganized like crazy and I couldn’t have been happier with the end results. Our place looked just as good as when we first moved in! Now if only the bunnies would stop shedding… Although that’s never going to happen and all we can do is laugh about the literal dust bunnies our bunnies leave lol. Bless their precious hearts!

Among all of the cleaning, I also spent lots of time cooking up a storm for our guests. I hate to toot my own horn but I made the most divine spinach artichoke dip, pasta salad, and elote. I even dabbled in baking for a change by making peanut butter cheesecake waffle cones. Holy heavenly! After a whirlwind of cooking and cleaning on Saturday, we couldn’t wait for our friends and family to arrive and had the most lovely time. From one in the afternoon to ten thirty at night, the party was in full swing and while it was barrels of fun, it was freaking exhausting! We haven’t had a big bash since our housewarming/birthaversary party several years ago and being the hostess and host with the most wore us both out big time. We were ready to drop once everyone went home!

As we spent the day before my birthday raging, my actual birthday was spent in recovery mode. I played lots of Pokopia, Johnny and I had a laugh by watching The Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent, and then we wrapped the day up with a St. Denis Medical marathon. It was just what we needed after all of that prep work and partying and I even extended my birthday by taking Monday off. I rarely take days off and I reveled in having the apartment to myself, hanging out with the bunnies, and working without a time crunch. Oh yeah, and playing Pokopia too – can’t forget that! 😀

Our Birthaversary Weekend was absolutely fabulous but I think we are all partied out until next year!!

How do you celebrate your birthday? Do you have any special occasions coming up? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun7

Happy Birthday To Me!!

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Happy Birthday To Me!!

Oh hey!!! Guess what?! Today is my thirty-second birthday… AHHHH!! As the old saying goes, another year older another year sexier, amiright? As I traverse my way through my thirties, I have truly come to the realization that age is nothing but a number and I am so excited to see what this year has in store for me. I know I have a fun summer and fall coming up! Lots of concerts including The Strokes, Josh Groban, and Billy Idol as well as a family vacation to Italy. Yeah, thirty-two sounds pretty good to me!

As I reflect on this past year, I have found that it was a great one – primarily because I am back in the social media game and I am so happy about that! Thirty-one blessed me with lots of cool opportunities for both work and play like a fabulous trip to New Orleans with my sister and a big wedding celebration for my cousin. My family, friends, and beloved bunnies are in good health, Johnny and I continue to go strong with our fifth wedding anniversary and life has been good. Who could ask for anything more?!

There are so many things that I’m looking forward to this year and I can’t wait to share it with all of you. Especially celebrating my twelve year blogiversary in August! For close to twelve years, lifewithlilred has been such a special part of my life and it brings me so much joy to sit down at the keyboard every morning and tune you all in to the latest and greatest. I am so appreciative to any and everyone who has stopped by in my little corner of the internet. My hope is that my page is just as much of a safe haven for you as it is for me whether you have been a long term reader or a new friend. My readers are what make lifewithlilred shine and I couldn’t do it without all of you. Here’s to thirty-two and sharing in it all together!

Happy Birthday to me!!!!!!!!

Jun4

Our Fifth Wedding Anniversary

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Our Fifth Wedding Anniversary

Howdy! Today is a fantastic, wonderful day because it is mine and Johnny’s five year wedding anniversary!! Rather, it is the middle part of our birthaversary week with Johnny’s birthday being on the first and mine falling on the seventh. We always joke that it makes it easier to remember everything but we both revel in our week of celebrations and I love how our special dates are arranged! What are the odds that I would fall head over heels with a guy whose birthday is so close to mine?! Let’s take a stroll down memory lane with some of these wedding shots:

Johnny is my main squeeze and has been since the first moment we met. It was truly a case of love at first sight and we have barely been apart since we started dating over six years ago. I wouldn’t want it any other way! To celebrate our birthaversary, we have a full hodge podge of activities planned. A party with friends and family, a big lunch with my family, all of the concerts, and all of the video games too! Our primary prezzies were concert tickets to three shows at Blossom – The Strokes, Josh Groban (lol), and Billy Idol. I am SO excited to extend our festivities throughout the summer with our lineup. We are seeing The Strokes in the next few weeks and I can’t wait! 🙂

I’m genuinely not sure what you are supposed to gift your partner with for different anniversaries but I’m pretty confident it isn’t music and video games. Isn’t it paper and pearls and stuff? But it sure works for us! We recently got a Switch 2 and purchased games for each other as well. The new Mario Kart for Johnny and Pokopia for me. It is basically like Animal Crossing but Pokemon and I have been playing it every day since Johnny got it for me. I am a woman obsessed! Oh – and we also got some really stellar Taco Bell this past weekend as an early celebration and that was just the tops. What can I say? We like what we like!

Five years of marital bliss with my Johnny went by so quickly and I still can’t quite believe my fairy tale. I am the luckiest girl in the world!

How do you celebrate anniversaries? Are you going to a concert soon? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun1

Happy Birthday, Johnny!

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Happy Birthday, Johnny!

Hello everyone! Today is a fantastic, wonderful day because it is my fantastic, wonderful husband’s birthday! My Johnny turns thirty-seven today which kick starts our birthaversary week. His birthday, our fifth wedding anniversary on the fourth, and my birthday on the seventh. I am so excited to celebrate with all of our friends and family! Johnny has been my main squeeze for over six years now and I simply couldn’t imagine going through this thing called life without him. He is my best friend, my pal and confidant, and every second of every day is the best because I’m with him. ❤

Every day when I’m at work, I literally am chomping at the bit to get home to Johnny because I miss him terribly. It is my favorite thing in the world when he opens the door for me, gives me a big hug, and asks me about my day. Then, everything is a-okay because the dream team is back together. Whether we are out on the town or just at home binging our favorite shows, there is nothing better than just being with him, talking, and laughing like crazy. No matter how low I’m feeling, Johnny can always coax a smile out of me and can instantly turn it into belly laughs in a matter of seconds. He is the personification of sunshine and just has that effect on people!

My Johnny is the kindest person I have ever met and it simply radiates. He lights up every room he walks into just by being his charming, goofy self and knows how to make everyone feel special. Especially me! Johnny makes me feel like the most special gal in the world and I am the luckiest gal in the world for it. For more than half a decade, I have never felt more seen or heard than when I am with him and that is the most beautiful gift anyone could ever give. It truly feels like we have been together for forever and, knowing Johnny, I’m sure he would quip back with “it feels like an eternity” before flashing his best smile. I wouldn’t have it any other way. ❤

To my amazing husband and love of my life:

Happy Birthday!!!!!!

I love you so!!!!!!

May17

Happy Birthday, Brother!!

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Happy Birthday, Brother!!

Hi! Today is a fantastic, wonderful day because it is my big brother, Andrew’s, birthday! I am so lucky because Andrew isn’t just my big bro but my best friend. He is my workout buddy, video game partner, and closest confidant. Everything is better when Andrew is around and we just have so much fun together! Whether we are hitting the mini golf course or just driving around, it is always the best time as we chat, joke, and laugh the day away. Johnny, Andrew, and I are the ultimate trio and I can’t wait to make more amazing memories together this summer!

One of the things that I love the most about Andrew is his spirit of adventure. He is always down to try something new or hit the road and explore. It’s such a joy to join him at baseball and hockey games, on hikes, to the zoo, or simply bopping around at our favorite stores. A recent thing that we started attending together is a monthly anime club at the library which is a total blast! We both share a deep love of anime and I only watch what Andrew recommends. His selections have never steered me wrong yet and I am so enjoying My Hero Academia as per his suggestion. 😀

Andrew is one of the kindest people I have ever met and he truly has a heart of gold. No matter how lousy I am feeling about one thing or another, my day instantly gets brighter when I see him. He is always the first person to notice when I get my nails done or am wearing something new. Whenever I have a content shoot for work, he remembers and asks me the next day how it went. He is always thinking of others and loves his friends and family so fiercely. Andrew is the best big brother I could ever ask for and I am so excited to celebrate him on his big day!

Happy Birthday, Andrew!!!!

I love you!!!!!

Apr18

Bunny Pug!!!!

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Bunny Pug!!!!

Hello!! While Halloween will always be my favorite home decor season, Easter is a very close second because I love all things BUNNIES!! I am a proud bunny mom to my precious Melvin and Penelope and I always like to get a few pieces of bunny decor per year to honor their existence. A few weeks ago my mom and I went on a shopping trip to TJMaxx and I just might have found my favorite bunny statue to grace our knick knack shelves yet. I present to you the bunny pug:

^^^ Look at that wittle face!!!

As my mom and I browsed the home decor department, I was so pleased to see that all of the Easter items were marked down significantly. Surprisingly, I didn’t even notice the bunny pug and I’m genuinely not sure how because it’s quite the statement. Thanks to my mom’s eagle eye she pointed it out and it went into the cart immediately. This sweet statue was just six bucks and that is a steal! I thought it was the funniest thing and I knew Johnny would love it too. Especially because it looks like the pug is wearing the pink bunny suit from A Christmas Story – one of our faves!

I was so excited to show Johnny my find when I got home from work and walked through the door with TJs and grocery bags in tow. Then, the unspeakable happened. As I put my shopping down, my bunny pug knocked into one of my curio cabinets and my heart sank. I just knew that something broke and, indeed, one of the ears came clean off. I was SO sad! In a flash, I broke out my emergency super glue in case of a broken acrylic and set to work to fix the whoopsie daisy. Sadly, the glue was not strong enough and my heart sank further. 😦

I am pleased to report that the broken ear surgery was only postponed to the following day compliments of my Johnny. He got some super strength super glue after work and fixed it for me as soon as he got home. When I got back from my shift a half an hour or so later he surprised me with the repaired bunny pug and I was over the moon! It made me so happy and it was so thoughtful of him to see the problem and solve it the very next day. What a guy! ❤

My bunny pug recuperated nicely after his ear surgery and I can’t help but smile every time I see it! 🙂

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

Apr8

Happy Birthday, Sister!!

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Happy Birthday, Sister!!

Hello everyone!! Today is a fantastic, wonderful day because it is my big sister, Kristen’s, birthday! Kristen is my bestie pal and I am still overjoyed at the fact that we got to have so much quality time together in New Orleans this past month. Our mini vacation turned us into teenagers again and it was, honestly, magical. We had slumber parties, sipped on drinks, shared delicious meals, and got to explore a brand new city side by side. Our trip was nonstop laughter and fun and I think it brought us even closer together. It has warmed my heart so much that we have been texting way more often since our return home! Maybe next year we could do another getaway for both of our birthdays but it will be so great to celebrate her here on her big day and every day. ❤

Kristen inspires me to no end and I genuinely don’t understand how she is still standing at the end of each day. She is a proud mom of three precious girls, two cats, and two dogs – I’m exhausted after a few hours at her place and she makes it look so easy. It is anything but and I couldn’t be more proud of her and all she has accomplished. Kristen is one of the strongest people I have ever met and I do not say that lightly. She has endured countless hardships and emerged victorious on the other side to create a beautiful life for herself. She is so steadfast and determined but greets any and all situations with kindness – a further testament to her fortitude.

It is so special to have a big sister as incredible as mine and it’s even better that we’re best friends too. We might not have always acted like it lol but we really are thick as thieves! From childhood to teenage years, I remember wishing that I could be just like her and I’m sure it was easy to get fed up with her constant shadow. Even when we had our tiffs, however, we both knew that I would never be far from under her wings five minutes later. It was so fun to return back to that sisterly bickering but loving every minute of it during our travels and I can’t wait to make more memories together. We have plans for a sister slumber party soon and I can’t wait! ❤

To my best friend and best big sis – Happy Birthday!

I love you, Kristen!!!!! ❤

Apr6

Happy Birthday, Dad!!!

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Happy Birthday, Dad!!!

Hello! Today is a fantastic, wonderful day because it is my dad’s birthday!! As my dad refuses to celebrate birthdays, I gave him his prezzies last week on his unbirthday so he could still enjoy them lol. However, that will never stop me from sending him an extra special birthday shout out on the ol’ blog! My dad is my bestie pal and we have so much fun together. Whether we are doing puzzles, gardening, or playing along to The Price Is Right, there is nothing better than spending time with my dad. He is freaking hilarious and always keeps me in stitches. My dad also keeps himself in stitches as he is prone to laugh attacks which make the matters at hand even funnier. Not to mention how charming and handsome he is to boot! ❤

One of the things that I love about my dad is his spirit of adventure. He is constantly planning experiences for my family like vacations and nights at the theater and is always up for trying something new. For the past year, my dad has been taking guitar lessons from Johnny and he practices every day. I so enjoy being a fly on the wall during their lessons and hearing my dad practice because it’s just cool. Learning the guitar is no easy feat but he is dedicated to it and Johnny and I are both amazed at how much he has improved. No matter what, you should never stop learning and my dad really is a testament to that. It inspires me deeply!

Spending time with my dad is a lesson in good things taking time. It could be nurturing his beautiful garden, working on a difficult puzzle, or hearing him piece together a song. These are all reminders to just keep working at it and plugging away because something great is right around the corner. As a child and, honestly, sometimes as an adult, my MO has been to quit out of frustration. My dad has always been the one to encourage me to give it another try. One more lesson, one more practice, one more go and it worked every time. It worked because my dad was in my corner and that was the most important thing. Everything is better when he’s by my side because he is the best and I will forever be a daddy’s girl. ❤

Happy birthday to my dad!!!!

I love you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mar22

Happy Birthday, Mom!!!

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Happy Birthday, Mom!!!

Hello!!! Today is a fantastic, wonderful day because we have a birthday girl in the house – my fantastic, wonderful mom!! My sweet mom is my little cutiepie lol she is a tiny ball of energy and spending time with her is one of my favorite things in the world. Whether we are shopping, walking our beloved Archie dog, or just sitting at the kitchen table chatting it is literally food for the soul. There’s a saying that as you age you turn more and more into your parents and I am a-okay with that. It is a gift to be anything like my mom!! ❤

My mom is my best friend and when we’re apart, we are sure to be texting or talking on the phone. Every Monday after work I give her a call on my way home and I look forward to that chat every week! I am lucky enough to see my parents several days of the week and live right down the street from them. Honestly, it’s not close enough lol. Whenever we are together, it promises to be a good time and we are always laughing about something. It could be my dad jogging through the house or my mom losing her glasses for the five hundredth time but the laugh attacks are always on the verge of striking!

All joking aside (Which is more often than not!), being around my mom is a masterclass in kindness. Ever since I was little, I can always remember her greeting every person we encountered with a smile and her deep passion for animal rescue. From childhood on, I wanted to be just like my mom and I still do. Her compassionate manner hasn’t faltered once in her life and if that isn’t an amazing role model then I truly don’t know what is. My mom is always who I want to talk to first whether I have good news or bad. She celebrates the good with the utmost pride and helps handle the bad even if we don’t say anything at all. Just being around her is enough because she radiates love and that is the best medicine of all. ❤

To my mom and A1 bestie – I love you more than words can say!

Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!