Jul31

New Barbie Girl Dress!

Posted on July 31, 2023 by lifewithlilred

Hello!!! With plans to see the Barbie movie, I needed to style a look that served. The only problem? I literally don’t own any pink clothing. None. None whatsoever. I had a TJMaxx shopping date scheduled with Johnny’s mom and if I didn’t find anything there, I reserved myself to wearing my wedding dress to the movie to be Emo Wedding Barbie lol. I was expecting the pink selection at TJMaxx to be picked over to nonexistent and, luckily, that wasn’t the case at all! There were tons of options available and I found a winner with this dress by See You Monday. Check it out:

^^^ Such an artistic shot of the side cutouts haha

When I shop at TJs, I have no agenda and let whatever is there speak to me. This time was different because I had a plan in place and it involved looking for all things pink! It’s not that I don’t like the color pink, but it’s not my first choice for clothing at all. During a normal shopping trip, I would skip pink clothes on the rack and go straight to my preferred All Black Everything. Not in this case, though, and I swarmed to every pink thing I saw like bees to honey.

As I made my rounds, I was impressed with the selection of pink clothes and felt lucky that I made it before all of the Barbie goers picked everything clean. I found a few things that had the potential to work like a pink crop top and skirt and a romper. What I was really pulling for, however, was the See You Monday midi dress that I found. It was the only one in the entire store and the only thing that could have been an issue was the Small size.

When I slipped the dress on in the fitting room, it was a unique experience and it wasn’t just from the color. This dress is probably the most form fitting thing I have tried on aside from a few bodycon skirts in my closet. It felt foreign to wear something so close to the body that hugged every single curve. While this felt kind of weird at first, I began to like what I was seeing upon closer examination. I also found comfort in the fact that if this dress were in a Medium, it wouldn’t have fit just so and felt good about the size I had.

Once I shook off the initial shock of seeing myself in such a polar opposite piece to my preferences, I was feeling my goddamn self. The color was like an explosion against my pasty pale self and tattoos and it begged the question of why I avoided it before. The fit also turned into something that made me a bit uncomfortable into fully confident. This dress fit like a glove and it showed my body off in an entirely different way. It really flattered me and the side cutouts were everything! The placement of them was A+ too because they appeared where a bra typically ends to eliminate any peek a boos.

Without a doubt, this was the dress for me and I cannot wait to get dolled up for the Barbie movie. Keep it locked for this look as well as a review of the movie and more from my TJMaxx haul!

What is a color that you don’t normally wear? What kind of clothes puts you out of your comfort zone? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul30

Brick By Brick OOTD

Posted on July 30, 2023 by lifewithlilred

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Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new OOTD here on lifewithlilred! Today, we are going to take a look at what I wore to the Brick Convention. An event centered around Lego means fun, fun, fun and I wanted an outfit to match. And, yes, the look you are about to see is delightfully reminiscent of my Simply Sassy OOTD – thanks for noticing lol. But, hey, if it’s not broken don’t fix it! Check it out:

Who? What? Wear?

Snakeskin Tie Back Top: Japna, TJMaxx

Paint Splatter Pants: Premise, TJMaxx

Speech Bubble Heels: LFL, TJMaxx

Cuff/Chain Bracelet: Allsaints, TJMaxx

I have no idea where the earrings are from and the other bracelet is from Claire’s!

When I began styling my Brick By Brick OOTD, I had a few things that needed to be accomplished. The look had to be comfortable because we would be doing a lot of walking. And, of course, it had to be cute! I wanted something punchy and exciting to match the joy of Lego and my first thought went to my paint splatter pants by Premise. They gave all of the Jason Pollock vibes and I liked that they had a nod to an art form because Lego builds are art in themselves.

With the selection of the Premise pants, the rest of the OOTD was really easy to style because I don’t own much that would work with them. While patterned pants are a ton of fun, they can also be somewhat of a hindrance. Everything you own isn’t going to go with them as if they were a pair of blue jeans. With minimal options, I went with my snakeskin patterned tie back top by Japna. I was well aware that this was very similar to a previously styled look and I was okay with that, especially because the pattern on pattern gave a nice visual interest boost.

With the base of the outfit quickly settled, it was time for shoes and accessories. For shoes, I chose one of my many LFL speech bubble heels with the sentiments of “Blah, blah, blah”. These electric blue heels have such a wow factor and the cheeky phrase added that touch of playfulness I wanted. Not only did they fit the look, but they were also very comfortable and I could have walked around all day in them. Maybe not on the gravel we had to walk on to get to the convention, but definitely flat surfaces. 😀

Finally, it was time for accessories. To add some movement, I selected dangly earrings with turquoise crosses. I couldn’t tell you where I got them, but I love them lol. It was also a welcome pop of color around my face since the established palette was black and white. Then, I slipped on a few statement bracelets and I was SO ready to get my brick on!

Although I might not be a master at Lego builds, I am a formidable OOTD builder. This look was perfect for the Brick Convention and I know so – I was getting compliments left and right!

What is something that you are good at? What are some of your favorite Lego memories? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul29

Creating An Outdoor Oasis In A Limited Space

Posted on July 29, 2023 by lifewithlilred

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Creating An Outdoor Oasis In A Limited Space

Imagine stepping outside into your small yard, and instead of feeling cramped, you feel transported into an idyllic green retreat. A real escape from everyday stressors awaiting just outside your door. Now that’s what we call an outdoor oasis! Having a small yard may feel like creating any sort of garden retreat is impossible. But don’t despair; we’re here to help make it so. Let’s get started:

Examine Your Space:

First and foremost, let’s get an accurate lay of the land. So get out your tape measure and get crackin’. Don’t get carried away with size. What really counts most is what you do with what you’ve got. Make sure to take note of any quirks or limitations such as an oddly placed tree stump or pesky AC unit when measuring. This will make designing much more straightforward.

Establish Your Goals:

Close your eyes (but keep reading!) and imagine how you’d use your outdoor oasis in an ideal world. Would it be relaxing with an icy lemonade on a bright afternoon or hosting some barbecue festivities with friends? Do you want it full of useful storage barns and sheds? Whatever floats your boat, write it down, and we can get this vision underway!

The Right Elements:

Now that you know what you want and how it will fit into the space, it’s time to put together your outdoor paradise. For something a bit different, think vertical. Vertical gardens, wall hanging, and even trellises all add dimension and make any area appear less dull in an instant. Use every bit of available space efficiently. Soon your yard will transform from drab to fabulous in no time at all.

Optimizing Greenery:

Scatter greenery across your space like confetti. Combine different plants and flowers together for an eye-catching yet relaxing atmosphere. Add plants in a way that optimizes your space. Got a lot of shade? Opt for shade-loving greenery. Don’t want to spend a lot of time caring for plants? Choose a low maintenance garden. There’s no point installing things that won’t thrive.

Creative Storage:

Looking for a place to stash your tools? No worries. Creative storage solutions have got this covered. Build benches with hidden compartments, purchase ottomans with built-in storage, or simply hang shelves creatively to store all that clutter away for good.

Strategic Lighting:

Let there be light! And not just any old light. Imagine starry-night hues from string lights and fairy lights all the way to solar-powered lanterns illuminating your outdoor oasis after sundown! If you’re really looking to create an atmosphere, investing in LED landscape lighting installation can be transformative to your property. Let the lights sparkle like diamonds during every evening stroll and you’ll have a truly magical space.

Design for Comfort:

Comfort reigns supreme here. Grab some luxurious cushions, create an intimate corner with a hammock, or add some swings for added zen-like vibe. And don’t forget about shade when the sun makes its appearances. Keep yourself cool with pergolas or stylish umbrellas.

Your small backyard has now transformed into an incredible outdoor retreat filled with charm and personality. Enjoy it!

Featured Image By: Kanu Jacobson / Pexels

Jul29

Brick Convention Haul

Posted on July 29, 2023 by lifewithlilred

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Hello!!! If you have ever watched Lego Masters, then I am sure you have noticed all of the adorable accessories that the contestants sometimes wear made from Lego. I am extremely partial to the Lego hair bow, myself, and that is what I was hoping that I would find at the Brick Convention. And I did! One of the vendor stands called AbbieDabbles was selling hair bows, earrings, and necklaces made from Lego bricks and I couldn’t say no to the following:

I will be the first to admit, I found my purchases to be insanely overpriced lol. In fact, when Johnny and I took a closer look at them he told me exactly how we could have made them ourselves. Hindsight is 20/20, though, and I love my Brick Convention mementos anyways. When at the Brick Convention, as they say, and I can’t wait to sport all of my new accessories!

The AbbieDabbles booth had hair bows of every color, but I chose black because I pretty much already have every other color in my hair right now. And, as always, black is my favorite color! The earrings were much harder to choose from because they were all so cute! There were so many spooky earrings including ones with little skulls and little bones. The bat ones just had that something extra to them! I also adore the stud leaf earrings with the ladybug on top, which you can see in an upcoming OOTD very soon. 😀

Huge shout out to AbbieDabbles for all of the adorable Lego swag. 12/10 would recommend! We have a jam packed agenda coming up here on lifewithlilred so keep it locked for two new OOTDs, a TJMaxx haul, and my review for the Barbie movie!! ❤

Is there a Brick Convention coming to your neck of the woods? Are you going to go? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul28

Breathwork For Relaxation

Posted on July 28, 2023 by lifewithlilred

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Those in high-stress careers or those who have a lot on their plate probably catch themselves taking a deep breath once in a while. That single deep breath can work wonders, but to keep that little bit of peace and clarity going, learning some breathwork is going to be beneficial. Try the following when you need to chill out:

Why do breathwork?

Breathwork has been shown to stop the body’s stress response as it is happening and to reduce stress levels overall. There are a few accompaniments to breathwork, like ice baths, therapy, meditation, and other stress and trauma management. Breathwork dates back to 2700 BCE and is said to help calm the body, mind, and find some balance. This can be a particularly useful tool when you feel overwhelmed and are prone to anxiety attacks. You could consider using an anxiety tracker app to log anything that is a potential trigger to help identify these overwhelming feelings of stress and anxiety. You can also log anything that helps ground you, such as doing these breathwork techniques.

Can anyone do breathwork?

For the more simple breathwork, it is easy to get started, but it’s a good idea to watch a YouTube video to make sure you have the method correctly in your mind. There are some forms of breathwork that will need to be led by an expert instructor as they have a bigger impact on the body, and those are Holotropic Breathwork and Breath of Fire.

Whistling Lips:

To slow your breathing down even more than just regular box breathing, you can make use of this technique. Just like a regular deep breath, breathe in through your nose, hold it for a moment, pour your lips into the shape you’d use for whistling, and exhale as slowly as possible through that shape. You’re not forcing yourself to whistle, though; instead, just let the air pass through. You’ll need to focus on keeping your lips pursed, so there is a lot of mindfulness in this method. Run this through five times, and you’ll feel much calmer at the end of it.

Lion’s Breath:

The first few times you do this, you might feel a little silly – but it works wonders for relieving tension in your face and chest, and many people do it for a little energizing. Get comfortable, take a deep breath through your nose, and be sure to open up your eyes as wide as possible. Open your mouth, stick out your tongue as far as it will go down towards your chin, and let the breath out with an ‘ahhhhh’ or ‘haaaaa’ sound. As a fun addition, you usually put your eyes focusing on the tip of your nose or up to between your eyebrows. Doing three rounds of this should have you feeling nice and relaxed.

478:

This type of breathwork is something that many people are familiar with, as it is often recommended to those with anxiety and high stress. Focusing on breathing pulls the mind away from the source of the issue, and the breath itself helps to slow the heart rate down to a healthy speed. For the 478 method, you inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7 seconds, and slowly release the breath for 8 seconds. The hard work here comes from the controlled exhale, as it encourages the body to let go of stress.

For those who know that their stress level is high and needs work, here are some other things that can help: Reduce Your Stress With These Hobbies | lifewithlilred.

Featured Image By: Katie Bush on Unsplash

Jul28

Patrick Durham Meet & Greet

Posted on July 28, 2023 by lifewithlilred

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Hello everyone!! The Lego Brick Convention that I attended this past weekend was so great! The displays and shopping with the vendors was fun, but the highlight of the day was meeting a former Lego Masters contestant. Patrick Durham of Team Grandpappies in season three was the piece de resistance of the convention and we couldn’t wait to see him. Johnny and I got a huge kick out of him and his partner, Kerry, during the show and I was on pins and needles to meet a Lego celebrity. Check it out:

After Johnny, my brother, and I made our rounds throughout the first section of the convention, we approached a very long line. We all assumed it was the line to meet Patrick, but it turns out it was formed to get a closer look at the displays. So, we bypassed it completely and went on the prowl to meet the Lego Master. And, we were in luck!! Patrick was literally just standing at his area beyond the line and we only had to wait briefly for our turn at a meet and greet.

Saying Patrick was the nicest person ever is the understatement of the century. He greeted my crew and all of his other fans with such warmth and good humor – it felt like having a chat with your own grandpappy. After exchanging pleasantries and quips, we asked about Kerry and learned sad news. He had passed away from heart complications on June 11th. This was such a disappointing thing to hear and we extended our deepest sympathies. Not only were Patrick and Kerry beloved grandpappies to their own grandchildren, but they were America’s grandpappies too.

We got to spend almost ten minutes with Patrick and after he signed my autograph, we had a photo shoot! Johnny snapped lots of pics and Patrick was SERVING. At one point, he assured Johnny that he wasn’t flirting with me and I let it be known that I was most definitely flirting with him! Lol, we all had a laugh. We were also so flattered when he told me and Johnny we were the coolest looking people he had seen that day. What a guy!

Spending time with Patrick Durham at the Brick Convention was one of my favorite things I have done this year. It was just really cool and it’s always awesome to meet someone on TV and finding out they are exactly how they appear on screen in person. Thanks for the laughs and your time, Patrick. Long live Team Grandpappies! ❤

Have you ever met a celebrity? Who were some of your favorite Lego Master contestants? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul27

Brick Convention 2023

Posted on July 27, 2023 by lifewithlilred

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Hello!! I had a fantastic weekend! On Friday, Johnny and I went to the shooting range and on Saturday, we attended the Brick Convention with my brother. The Brick Convention was an ode to all things Lego and it was an absolute blast! Johnny and I are avid fans of Lego and this event did not disappoint. There were displays, vendors, and even a contestant from Lego Masters. The only not great thing was that the building the convention was held in wasn’t air conditioned. It was hot as bejeezus and even though we had a lot of fun, we were ready to get the hell out of there lol.

Today, we’re going to take a look at some of the awesome displays from the convention. Keep it posted this week for more because we have an OOTD, my convention haul, and meeting Patrick Durham! Let’s get started:

Talk about WOW, right?! Walking through the Brick Convention was like being a kid on Christmas day. It was Lego as far as the eye could see and it was incredible to take it all in. While it was nice to shop around with the many different vendors, the most fun was looking at all of the displays created by such amazing artists. Every single piece begged the question of “how did they do that?!”. Johnny and I love to build Lego sets together and sometimes I have difficulty with that let alone free building masterpieces. It was like being in our own personal episode of Lego Masters!

It was hard to get a close look at some of the builds because the convention center was very crowded. It was basically get in front of the build, snap a picture if you want, and move on. While all of the creations were excellent, I was extremely partial to the art gallery that was set up. There were Lego pictures of Mario and Luigi that moved, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, The Child, and of course the Lego rendition of the Creation of Adam. That was my favorite and my mind is still blown by it. Seriously, how did they do that?!

Despite the fact that we were sweating bullets the entire Brick Convention, I am so happy to have gone. I have never been to an event like that before and it was an experience I’ll always remember. Tune in tomorrow for more about my meeting with the one and only Patrick Durham of Team Grandpappies!!!

Do you like to build Lego? Have you ever been to a similar event before? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul26

How To Achieve Your Weight Loss Goals Sooner

Posted on July 26, 2023 by lifewithlilred

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How To Achieve Your Weight Loss Goals Sooner

Weight loss is not easy for everyone. Some people can find it difficult to commit to lifestyle changes while others find it challenging to adapt to a new food routine. If you are on a mission to supercharge your weight loss goals, look no further. These tips will help you achieve your weight loss and fitness goals sooner, which will help you feel like your best self again:

Use medical support:

Although you might want to pursue and achieve your weight loss goals on your own, sometimes seeking medical support can be the best way for you to achieve your goal sooner. Using medical weight loss solutions can be the answer to increasing your weight loss. Yes, you must still maintain a healthy lifestyle. Yet, with another extra push, you can meet your goals and feel happier within your skin. There are an endless array of tools to help in your journey to better health like weight loss injectables, supplements, and surgeries. When used in tandem with lifestyle and diet changes, the difference it could make will be significant.

As you work towards a healthier weight, it is important to listen to the advice of the doctor who is helping you. Weight loss is a process that needs to be done right and you should seek counsel before you add anything new to your regimen. As such, run it by your doctor if you should buy GLP-1 (or any other supplements) to further assist in your weight loss or if the new exercises you are thinking of adding to your fitness routine are appropriate for you and your goals. This will ensure that you are doing everything in the safest, most healthy way possible.

Choose to eat low-fat foods:

Eating the right foods will guarantee to contribute to faster weight loss. Eating low-fat foods that are also high in fiber will help you feel fuller for longer while helping you consume less fat. If you want to achieve your weight loss goals, then you must eat the right foods in order to contribute to a healthier diet that is lower in calories and saturated fat. Changing your diet can be a really difficult thing and a lifestyle overhaul might feel overwhelming. This is normal and is something that should be discussed with a doctor or therapist, especially if you are having a hard time with cravings. Your doctor will be able to provide other recommendations to assist you like tirzepatide weight loss to help reduce your appetite.

Move more:

One of the most simple ways to achieve your weight loss goal sooner is to move more. If you are currently not doing much physical activity, how do you expect to achieve your weight loss goals in your desired amount of time? Whether you wish to join the gym or pursue workouts from home, maintaining a regular fitness routine will assist with speeding up your weight loss journey. It is a good idea to find an exercise that you enjoy, otherwise, you might slack off and not maintain your routine. This can come with trial and error so try out different exercise routines to find one that you can maintain.

Supplements to assist in weight loss can also give you a boost in energy to further increase your movement. You might notice this increase when you buy tesofensine pills to help with your weight loss journey.

Don’t forget about the high-calorie drinks:

If you enjoy drinking milky coffees, milkshakes, or sugary energy drinks, it is not a good idea to consume many of these if possible when you are committed to a weight loss journey. High-calorie drinks will contribute to your daily calorie intake, which can act as invisible calories, yet be the cause of you experiencing a slow weight loss journey. The best thing to do is to stick to low-calorie drinks and ensure that you keep as hydrated as possible to maintain your quick and healthy weight loss journey.

Using these tips, your weight loss journey will be as healthy and seamless as possible. Having an easy weight loss journey might seem impossible, however, using these tips is more achievable than you think!

Featured Image By: Ketut Subiyanto

Jul26

Date On The Range

Posted on July 26, 2023 by lifewithlilred

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Hello! Johnny and I are still going strong with our weekend date nights and we had a literal blast this past Friday. We went to the shooting range with our downstairs neighbor and it was a hoot! Going to the shooting range is something that Johnny and I have always wanted to do together and just never did. He grew up shooting guns with his dad and I have only been to the range once in my life. We are also avid fans of the short lived competitive shooting show, Top Shot, and wanted to feel like our favorite contestants!

After finding out that our new-ish neighbor and new bestie liked to go to the range when he could, we decided to make an evening of it. We hit up Range USA in Canton, then returned back to my apartment where I cooked dinner. It was such a fun and different night out and you just can’t beat the “Friday date night” promo that Range USA runs. It’s buy one lane get one free! Check it out:

Before I went to the shooting range for the first time, I never saw the appeal of guns. After firing off a few rounds, however, I understood it and it was something that I wanted to do again. If you are in a safe and secure setting, why not? And, I hate to brag, but I did really good that first time and was eager to see if I still retained anything I learned from the pro at the range who taught me!

Once our waivers were signed, targets were purchased, and our safety gear was on, we were ready to go to our lanes. The target selection at Range USA was excellent and Johnny and I chose the shooting gallery one. Yes, because it was delightfully reminiscent of Top Shot challenges lol. Every gun I shot was a new experience and it was really cool – even though the rifle kicked like a mule. I was definitely done after four rounds and Johnny had a sore shoulder the next day.

I was really impressed with Johnny’s performance and mine wasn’t so bad, either! Johnny did so well and hit several bullseyes which was awesome to see. I was a bit disappointed with how I did, but then I remembered that this was only my second time shooting with entirely different guns. When I thought about it that way, I was proud of how I did. While I had lots of shots that weren’t on target whatsoever, I had a lot that were and felt great about them!

We had such a good time at the range that we are going to make it a thing. Every other week, we plan on hitting the range and making use of the date night special. We have even recruited two of our other friends to join our club and, of course, have dinner at my place after. Our Date On The Range was the most unique one we have been on yet and we are still chattering away about the good time that was had by all. 😀

Next weekend, it is my turn to select our date and I can’t wait for it. We are going to go shopping at some adorable boutiques in downtown Cuyahoga Falls and get Olive Garden for dinner. Long live Middle Class Fancy!!

What is your favorite competition show? What is the most unique date you have been on? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul25

Dinner & A Show OOTD Bloopers

Posted on July 25, 2023 by lifewithlilred

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Howdy everyone and welcome to the blooper reel from my Dinner & A Show OOTD! Because of this past year being absolutely INSANE, Johnny and I didn’t get the opportunity to go on many dates. Rather, we opted to staying in and having game nights. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good night in playing board and video games but there is something about a night out that just hits different!

With things thankfully slowing down in Lil Red’s world, going out on actual dates with Johnny is finally happening again. It is something that I missed so much and I relish every second of them. And, naturally, I have to look my absolute best as we continue on with our Date Night Revival:

That face you make when your husband lets you know he has to go to the bathroom for the millionth time

I LOOK GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Everybody in the Applebee’s parking lot say heyyyyyyyy

Taking pictures in the sunshine got me like

Serving sass and DELIVERING

Lol, wtf even?

I hate to get all sappy, but the past few date nights with Johnny have made me school girl giddy. The last date that I can recall going on before Moulin Rouge and Dinner & A Show was seeing Hadestown way back in February! Saying a night out was long overdue is a huge understatement and now that it’s happening, it feels like our first dates all over again. It’s freaking awesome and made such a simple night out feel like a massive event!

For future date nights, we plan on making the ultimate Middle Class Fancy circuit. We’re talking Olive Garden, we’re talking Red Lobster, O’Charley’s, and oh so much more. Johnny and I are not hard to please whatsoever and dining at a five star restaurant has no appeal to us. We want to go to all of the places that are reasonably priced, dress to the nines, and eat like kings. Our dinner at Applebee’s gave us an insatiable craving for the average things in life and I am eagerly anticipating all of the bread sticks at the OG. 😀

No matter where we go or what we do, Johnny and I always have a blast. When you bring the party just by arriving, it turns going to a chain restaurant into an amazing date. Here’s to Middle Class Fancy because it’s the best way to go!

What is your favorite chain restaurant? How do you get your Middle Class Fancy on? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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