Category Archives: Travel

May23

Keeping Yourself Entertained On Vaca

Posted on May 23, 2017 by lifewithlilred

Are you one of the lucky ones heading abroad on your vacation this year? Whether you’re on the road, in a hotel, or on a cruise, there can be moments, particularly after a long day of exploring, when all you want is to settle down and relax. An evening in the hotel with Netflix or a good book can be just what the doctor ordered after you’ve been on your feet all day sightseeing. But staying entertained and ensuring that you don’t run out of things to do while you’re abroad isn’t quite so easy as when you’re at home. Here are just a few ways that you can make sure that, even in your downtime, you’re fully fighting the boredom blahs:

Don’t Rely On Books: If you love to get a jump on your summer reading list while on vaca, books can become far too cumbersome. Whether you read while you travel, relax by the pool, or just as you go through life, it might be time to invest in a bit of a technological helper. Rather than packing a book a day into your luggage, a Kindle is a cheap, lightweight, and easily transportable alternative. With literally millions of books to choose from, all accessible online, you’ll never be caught short without a book again.

Keep Some Entertainment Downloaded: Sometimes WiFi is obscenely slow, and sometimes *gasp* you just can’t connect at all. The worst thing in these situations is to have no backup plan. Keeping a few shows downloaded onto whatever device you’re using can be a real lifesaver in moments of boredom. Netflix has options to download now, as do many other video hosting sites. And be sure to double check that your Spotify Premium account is up to date before you set off so that you can still access all of your favorite music, even when WiFi isn’t an option.

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Netflix Is Your BFF: When you need some reassuring familiarity and an evening to yourself, it’s all about Netflix. Whether you’re entertaining young ones or just chilling on your own, being able to get a few of your favorite shows online is essential. While Netflix, ordinarily, won’t work abroad, using a VPN enables you to bypass that. Check out securethoughts to find out exactly how to do it. Then, all of your favorite shows are just a button-push away.

Portable Chargers Are Everything: We rely so heavily on electronic devices in this day and age, from smartphones to laptops and tablets to Kindles, that it’s not surprising that portable charging devices are growing in popularity. When you’re in an airport or hotel room, chances are that you’ll have access to power, but when you’re on the road, public transport, or walking around the city, it could be a bit more tricky. Keep a fully charged portable power supply in your handbag all of the time, and you’ll never find yourself caught with the power out again.

Is your device fully charged??

Traveling the world doesn’t mean that you don’t want a few moments of R&R every now and then, and if they take the form of your favorite books or TV shows, it’s always best to be prepared. Happy traveling!

Featured Image By: Pexels

May18

Summer Fun Checklist

Posted on May 18, 2017 by lifewithlilred

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It may not always seem like it, but the time of year that it is can make a huge difference in a person’s life. Winter and autumn can be difficult sometimes because of things like seasonal effective disorder. How early the sun rises and sets is enough to have an effect on people’s moods (I know it does for me!). As another example, people look at the New Year as something of a new start, and it is a time when they try to grasp that opportunity.

Summer is no different. If you are in college, especially, the break from the academic year represents an opportunity to improve yourself (or simply to bask in laziness for a few weeks). That may mean that you go traveling and experience the wonders of another culture or you may decide, instead, to stay closer to home and participate in some volunteering or work experience to better prepare you for your post-graduation job search. For people who work, it is a chance to go on holiday. However, you may just want to stay at home and relax. For some people, the perfect summer day is taking a book to a local park and sitting under a tree until it gets too dark to read.

If you are thinking of making the most of the summer this year, you will need to start preparing now since it is so nearly upon us. Here are five things that you need to make sure of before you set off on whatever plans that you’ve made:

If you are hoping to leave the country, you should book your flights exactly eighteen weeks before you intend to travel. Research has shown that airline websites offer the cheapest prices at those times. Otherwise, you need to check that your passport is still valid. And do not forget your visa! There is nothing worse than getting somewhere only to be sent back again right away.
Depending on where you’re going, you will need to make sure that your wardrobe matches. If you are heading to some tropical paradise, you’ll need a bikini or swimming trunks. Do not forget your sunglasses and the most important thing of all: sun tan lotion. Nothing ruins a vacation quite like a nasty sunburn.
Personal grooming is crucial, too. If you are looking for the best razor for the bikini area, you need to make sure that you get one with which you are comfortable. Otherwise, you should remember that in different climates you will need to have products for your hair and skin. If you are not used to hot weather all year round, you may quickly find that your lips crack or your skin becomes a little dry. Thinking ahead and packing precautionary lotions or ointments is the smartest thing to do when you’re jetsetting to a new place.
You should always take a book with you just in case for surprise waits before appointments or lunch dates, but it is never more important than when you are on holiday. They are not called ‘beach reads’ for nothing!
No one forgets a camera anymore since they do not forget their phone but to get the best pictures, you should think about a camera with film. It costs more but the photos are better. Also, why not take a notebook along so that you can better remember the holiday when you get back?

Nothing makes pre-vacation planning easier than a good old fashioned checklist. Make yours, check it twice, and you’re off!

Featured Image By: Pexels

May5

Wanted: Salute To Summer Guest Bloggers

Posted on May 5, 2017 by lifewithlilred

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FYI!! 🙂

lifewithlilred

Hiiii everyone and TGIF! With summer somewhat on the horizon (although, let’s be real – it’s still a healthy distance away!), I thought that it would be the perfect time to get the ball rolling on lifewithlilred’s upcoming Salute To Summer guest bloggers series. I’ll be the first to admit that I am so not a summer fan. I hate being hot. I hate wearing shorts (which is why a majority of my summer is spent in my signature black skinnies!). I hate water related activities. And, did I mention that I HATE being hot?!

Obviously, I’m a spring and fall kind of gal. But, that doesn’t mean that summer should be put on the back burner on the ol’ blog! Especially considering that a majority of my friends are huge summer fans – the most important one being my big sister. And, if nothing else, I have a summer…

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Apr28

Wanted: Salute To Summer Guest Bloggers

Posted on April 28, 2017 by lifewithlilred

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I want the Salute To Summer guest bloggers series to showcase all of the fun that this obnoxiously hot, upcoming season has to offer. And, who knows, maybe my guest bloggers might just end up changing my mind on being a summer hater! For this series, we are talking summer vacas, lazy afternoons day drinking by the pool, and the best warm weather hangouts in your area. And, of course, I won’t say no to summer themed OOTDs and MOTDs, either!

If you are interested in participating in lifewithlilred’s Salute To Summer guest bloggers series, shoot me an email with your ideas at: sarah.mush6794@gmail.com !!!

Have a fabulous weekend! ❤

Jan25

Mia Toro Luggage

Posted on January 25, 2017 by lifewithlilred

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Hiii everyone and happy Hump Day! So this past weekend my mom and I went on a quick trip to TJMaxx just to get out of the house for a little bit. To be frank, the store was not looking all that great because of the transition from cold to warm weather clothing and the end of season clearance sales. But, despite this, I was still able to walk away with two things that I simply love. This includes the gorgeous Mia Toro Paris themed luggage seen below which will be absolutely perfect for my future trip to Europe. Take a look:

I have had my eye on this darling rolling luggage for literal months now but never much cared to by it because it was priced at a steep one hundred smackers. And after about a month or so of the luggage being at the store, it was gone. In my head, I thought that that was that and I would just have to settle for something less cute once my European travels are a go. It turns out that, four months later, I was wrong.

My mom was actually the one who spotted the Mia Toro baggage sitting among all of the other travel accessories, so a major shout out to her! And, even better, the price was slashed to fifty-six bucks, which I thought was totally reasonable. To put it lightly, I was completely TICKLED that some way, some how my beautiful luggage found its way back to me and at a fraction of the cost, to boot!

Needless to say, the luggage was coming home with me and my mom was kind enough to treat me to it since it was originally supposed to be one of my Christmas presents before it vanished into thin air. I think that this rolling suitcase is the most precious thing on the planet and I love absolutely everything about it. The size, colors, and pattern – *muah* c’est magnifique!

Nothing will be better than rolling into the airport with my Mia Toro Paris themed luggage in tow as Lil Red goes Europe! Love. Love. Freaking LOVE. It truly was my lucky day during that trip to TJs because I was also able to snag my FAVORITE skin care item – the Destiny Boutique Charcoal Face Bar.

If you ever encounter this beauty bar, then I really encourage you to get it. I have been using the same bar since the middle of OCTOBER and it is still going strong!! My skin has never looked better thanks to the cleansing power of charcoal and because of the bar’s gigantic size, I’m sure that I’ll still be working on the same one for another few months. I’m so happy to have found another one to put in back stock and at six bucks per bar, I consider it a super steal! GREAT SUCCESS!!

Obviously, I’m beyond obsessed with my Mia Toro Luggage and can’t believe how lucky I got during my last trip to TJMaxx! What is your favorite score from TJs? What are some must see locations in Europe that I should check out? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan23

If Your Future Isn’t Too Clear, Why Not Consider Taking a Gap Year?

Posted on January 23, 2017 by lifewithlilred

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If Your Future Isn’t Too Clear, Why Not Consider Taking a Gap Year?

Taking a gap year before or after college tends to be quite a European thing that I want in on. But more and more of us over here are choosing to take a gap year before we study. Take Malia Obama, for instance. She has planned to take a year out before she starts her freshman year at Harvard. So if you think that it sounds like a good idea to you, then you probably don’t need any more convincing. But if you are not sure, here are a few ways that taking a year out will benefit you:

You’ll Do Well at College: A lot of people think that it will be hard to get back to school after taking some time out. But in fact, reports from colleges have shown that students that take a gap year have a higher grade point average than those who don’t. So it won’t be as hard to get back to hitting the books as you might think. If you go straight from high school to college, it could be the first time that you’ve been away from home. So because of that, your grades might not be as high as they could be. But after a gap year exploring the world, you’ve already been away from home and got the partying out of your system, so to speak.

You’ll Explore With No Other Obligations: When you go exploring on a gap year right out of high school, you will be doing so at the prime age. After college, you might have debt to pay off. Any longer after college you might have a commitment like a mortgage or children, which makes it harder to just get up and go. If you do want to see some more of the world, then taking a gap year is the best time to do it.

Wooooo!

You’ll Experience New Cultures and People: One of the benefits of travel is that you get to experience new cultures. It benefits people massively to be able to travel and see how other people live. You can do this by staying with local people through programs for gap years and by looking for things like Homestay accommodation. Then you get to see things in a much more authentic way, rather than through a hostel or hotel. You’ll get to experience the foods that people have on a daily basis, as well as how things work over there with schools or religion, for example.

You’ll Learn Life Skills: It isn’t just a big party when you are on a year out. You will look for ways to work or volunteer so that you can make the most of the country that you are in. You can also learn life skills like budgeting, cooking, cleaning, and navigating your way through foreign transport systems or driving on the other side of the road. All of which give you life experience that will prepare you for the new stage of your life in college.

Featured Image By: Flickr

Jan19

Need To Shed Some Extra Weight? Here’s How To Beat The Baggage Allowance!

Posted on January 19, 2017 by lifewithlilred

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Need To Shed Some Extra Weight? Here’s How To Beat The Baggage Allowance!

So you’re going on vacation. It’s an exciting time right? Ah, yes, there is the stress to think about. There are flights to book, hotels to secure, and activities to plan. Not to mention the dreaded packing! If you’re going away this year, you might want to travel light. Baggage allowance is always getting less and less. Plus, having a heavy bag to drag around is never fun! If the idea of traveling light gets you weak at the knees, you’ve come to the right place. This guide should give you an idea of how to pack light without doing yourself out of your must have essentials!

Clothes: Clothes take up a large part of any suitcase. As you’re going to be away from your wardrobe, the temptation is to take more than you need. You want those outfits just in case, right? Wrong. Don’t pack more than you need. The key is to take outfits that can work for many occasions. Instead of packing an outfit for each day, pack a capsule wardrobe. That way, you can mix and match the same outfits to give yourself a whole new look! For a week’s trip, you shouldn’t need any more than three outfits for the day, and three for the night. Don’t look so shocked! It’s entirely achievable if you do it right.

Don’t forget that quality of the clothing that you’re packing matters. Vacations often include a fair amount of activity so you want outfits that are comfortable while still looking nice. Basic essentials can be a great way to go as they can be accessorized to create a statement. If you are shopping for cute tees, be sure to see if other people who purchased the brand are satisfied. You can research by entering a search for something like “Chummy Tees customer feedback“. If the reviews are excellent, it is a perfect option for vacation wear.

Don’t Take the Library: Vacation is the perfect time to catch up on your reading. Who doesn’t love the idea of lounging by the pool and getting lost in a whole other world? Even so, books are weighty. Take those hefty hardbacks out of your bag straight away. The best thing you can do for your holiday reading is to take a Kindle along. They’re easy to transport, and come with the bonus that you can buy a book while you’re away without hassle! You could even find out about the best free books on Kindle and save yourself some money!

Buy Essentials When You Get There: Bear in mind that there will be shops where you’re heading. Well, unless you’re going to the middle of nowhere! For the most part, all towns have a store that at least sells the basics. Leave behind those heavy shampoo bottles. You’re sure to be able to find suntan lotion there, too, so don’t worry about that, either! These are substantial additions to your baggage that you could do without. Buy them once you get there, and leave them behind for the next person when you leave! Check, too, to see whether your hotel provides hairdryers. If yes, you can leave yours at home.

Leave Room: You may be working towards a baggage allowance, but it’s important to leave yourself space for the flight back. We all like to spend a little money during our vacations. Don’t leave yourself unable to take back your new purchases! Too often, we have to leave behind something that we love because we don’t have room! Take your vacation purchases into consideration when you’re packing and save yourself the worry or the heart-wrenching separation from one of your favorite things.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Nov24

Keep Yourself Fit & Healthy On Vacation By Following These Top Tips

Posted on November 24, 2016 by lifewithlilred

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If you are someone who loves to travel, you’ll know that it’s all in the preparation. Many of us spend days or even weeks planning even the most finite details of our trips – everything from landmarks we’re going to visit to places we plan to eat at. This can really benefit our trip, as if we go away with a plan of sorts, we are more likely to get the absolute most out of our holiday.

But there is one aspect of traveling that is arguably the most important but one that most of us tend to bypass in the planning stages. This is our personal health and the prospect of injury or illness overseas. Of course, plenty of us still get health insurance that covers us abroad. But more often than not, we are on a limited plan – and some of us don’t even bother at all. If you are leaving your home country to travel overseas, here are some ways in which you can ensure that your health is still a top priority.

Learn Important Phrases: If the country you are going to speaks a language that is different than your own, you’ve probably already learned the basics: hello, please and thank you, among other things. However, it can also be really worth your while to learn other phrases that have to do with healthcare. Being able to ask where the nearest emergency room is is something that’s invaluable should you get into any kind of trouble.

Or, if you have a pre-existing condition that could potentially flare up, it is best to know how to explain this to locals. If you don’t feel confident enough to speak the language out loud, why not get a medical identification card made up? This card should be written in the local language, so speak to a professional translator. It should detail your blood type, plus any illnesses you have and any medication you are taking.

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Have a Doctor on Speed Dial: If you become concerned that you are getting unwell on vacation but don’t think it is serious enough to go to the local hospital yet, it can be worth contacting a doctor native to you. You can now download an Online Doctor App where you will be able to chat with a medical professional from wherever you are in the world. Often, it will only be a minor issue that you needn’t worry about. But it can always be helpful to get a second opinion, even if it’s just to put your mind at rest.

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Be Careful When Drinking the Local Water: There are some countries where it is advised that tourists do not drink the local tap water. More often than not, it doesn’t mean that the water is dirty. It just means that it is so different from what the tourists may drink at home that it could cause their bodies to react adversely. The local people’s bodies, on the other hand, have got used to it and are therefore able to cope. If you are in any doubt over whether the water at your destination is safe to drink, always buy bottled water instead.

Drink up!

What are some of your tips for traveling abroad? What do you recommend for people who have health concerns? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct11

5 Reasons Why It Pays To Live Somewhere Sunny

Posted on October 11, 2016 by lifewithlilred

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Did you know that being in a warm, sunny place can improve your mood? Put a smile on your face, get some Vitamin D in your life, and contemplate on more reasons why a sunny location can really pay off:

5 Reasons Why It Pays To Live Somewhere Sunny:

We all know it’s true that many people enjoy living in colder parts of the world. The idea of spending a lot of time in the snow and enjoying skiing is a happy one for lots of us! The thing is, those of us that live in sunnier climates often lead healthier and better lives! Here are the reasons why:

You’ll be at your happiest: The idea of building snowmen outdoors or sitting by warm fire inside might sound fun to some of us. But, when temperatures drop well below freezing for months at a time, that fun soon wears off. Sunshine is a proven way to help our body temperatures get more well regulated. Plus, the sun provides us with much-needed Vitamin D to stay healthy. And it’s obvious you will feel happiest when you’re not shivering all the time!

You’ll enjoy your job more: Because happiness levels get boosted by the sun, you’ll have a better quality of life. That also rings true for where you work. Why? You’re less likely to end up working in an unhappy environment!

You can drive a convertible: Fed up of driving a car that hasn’t even got a sunroof? Imagine if you could drive around with the wind flowing through your hair? Well, if you lived somewhere sunny, you could enjoy the benefits of convertible ownership year round!

You won’t need to use a dryer at home: If you’ve got a large family in tow, that usually means spending a lot of time washing and drying clothes! The advantage of living somewhere sunny is that you can dry your clothes for free outdoors. Now there’s no need to buy a dryer and you can keep your electricity costs down too, as a result!

You can power your house for free: Last, but not least, when you live in a sunny area you can convert the sun’s energy into electricity! Take a look at America’s top ten solar cities to see the places that benefit the most from solar power below:

Infographic By: Semper Solaris San Diego

Oct11

Vacation Purchases

Posted on October 11, 2016 by lifewithlilred

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Hello everyone and happy Tuesday! I have regrettably been home from the beautiful Asheville, North Carolina for about a week now but with some fab purchases made during my vaca, it makes transporting my mind back to the fun I had just a little bit easier. I stocked up on one of my favorite beauty products as well as added some super cute new accessories to the mix so take a look and let’s discuss:

The Haul:

Appalachian Naturals Complexion Bar
Two fringe bandanas from Francesca’s

Beauty Bar: When I was in Asheville in June, my mom and I must have spent at least an hour in Appalachian Naturals which boasts a wide assortment of handmade beauty products. We still have a ton of body bars left but I was in need of another one of their complexion bars. I began using my first bar in June and I am still not done with it yet, which just shows you how long lasting their products are. This beauty bar is one of the best things that has ever happened to my skin and leaves it feeling (and looking!) like a million bucks. I can’t recommend the products of Appalachian Naturals enough and urge all of you to check out all of their amazing goodies on their website!

Bandanas: One of my favorite accessories are bandanas. I love wearing them with flannels, jackets, T’s, dresses, – basically any clothing item that you can imagine. I think that they are so fun and edgy and they add just the perfect amount of grungy cool to any look. My family went shopping at the outlet malls while in NC both times and a Francesca’s had opened shortly after we left in June. Shopping in the relatively new store was a lot of fun and when both my mom and I saw my two new bandanas, we instantly knew that they were mine.

Of course, the black one was a must for me and I’m actually wearing it right now with a black sweater and a camouflage trench coat from Urban Outfitters. But, at buy one get one half off, I figured I might as well indulge in other style as well. I don’t own a white bandana because I never really cared to but I really like my new one! What made me love it so much is that not only does it have cloth fringe but it also has metal chains hanging from it, too. I had never seen anything like these new additions to my wardrobe and I am having such fun incorporating them into my OOTDs. My new bandanas instantly transform any outfit and I am so pleased with my Francesca’s purchases.

I didn’t return from my vaca with a huge haul of goodies but I could not be happier with the items that I took home. They are the perfect little mementos from my trip and I look forward to getting great use out of all three items.

So there you have it, my Vacation Purchases! What has been your most recent treat yoself item? What is your favorite local store to shop at? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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