Happy Birthday, Best Friend!

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Happy Birthday, Best Friend!

Hello!!!!!! Today is a fantastic, wonderful day because it is my best friend, Kate’s, birthday! Kate of Live In The Nautical is my sweet angel Gemini Twin and it is our happiest time of the year. The blog gods and stars and whatever else truly aligned when I started lifewithlilred because they brought me an instant BFF. Comment and blog collabs quickly turned into texting nonstop and FaceTime dates and nothing has changed in almost a decade. Wait… pretend you didn’t read that last part because we both turned twenty-five this year! 😉

Kate is such a firecracker and a force to be reckoned with. She gives so much, does everything at 150%, and asks for nothing in return. She reminds me so much of me and with all of our similarities from our upbringing and hobbies to current struggles, we really were destined to be best friends. Whether we need a laugh or a vent sesh, we both know who to go to and it is nothing short of an honor to be that person for Kate.

Even though Kate and I are in completely different states, it always feels like she could be right next door whenever we talk. We have probably texted each other a Stephen King length novel in our years of twinship! Johnny now knows without even having to ask who I’m texting when I’m feverishly typing away and always pauses whatever we are watching until my novella is complete lol. What can I say, we just have a lot to say to each other!

My life is SO much better because Kate is a part of it and anyone who has the pleasure of meeting her will say the exact same thing. Her personality and the way she chooses her words can connect with perfect strangers and I know that firsthand! I am the luckiest gal in the world to call Kate my best friend and she deserves to be celebrated every second of every minute of every day. And, even more so on her birthday!!!

Happy Birthday, Gemini Twin! I love you!!!!! ❤

Feeling Overwhelmed? What Has Helped Me

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Feeling Overwhelmed? What Has Helped Me

Hello! Saying that my life has been overwhelming for the past almost year is the understatement of the century. I have a loved one in poor health and have essentially become a duel citizen between Akron and the Cleveland Clinic. On top of that, I work three jobs, try my best to maintain some semblance of a social life (occasionally!), pepper in self care when I can, and keep my apartment in check. It is a lot!

At times, the stress was really getting to me and I was feeling so low. It took a decent amount of time for me to find healthy ways to ease my mind even a little bit and that has been most helpful. If you are in a highly stressful point in your life, these are the things that have been working for me and they might help you too. Let’s get to it:

Have a good cry:

There has always been a misconception that crying is a sign of weakness. However, I think it is such a sign of strength. To be able to release your tension and blubber (lol) and sob until you have nothing left can be so healing. I have always found comfort in a good cry and feel it even more so right now. Yes, I still feel sad after a cry sesh, but I also feel an ease in the out of control, overwhelming emotions. I honestly cry several times per week and for my situation, it is a healthy and powerful release.

Talk it out:

One of the biggest mistakes that I have made throughout my entire life was bottling emotions and letting things fester. This is a massive no no! I thought that I knew the people who I could turn to in my life for assistance and a vent session, but they have proven to be less than helpful. So, I had to find a new support system (outside of Johnny and immediate family).

This came in the form of one of my aunts and an uncle. Although I had been estranged from them for a significant amount of time, they have become one of my greatest assets during this hardship. I talk to them each at least once per week and it feels so good to say everything I need to someone who is ready and willing to hear it. They have really rallied around me and I take a lot of comfort in knowing that they are always just a phone call away. (And, yes, I will be attending therapy sessions as soon as things slow down and already have counselors in mind!)

Ask for help:

Like I said, I thought I knew who would be helpful in my immediate family and that just wasn’t the case. So, I simply refused to ask for help period and found a sense of pride in everything that I was undertaking. I still feel proud of myself for what I have done and continue to do for my family, but I have also gotten a lot better at asking for what I need. I was feeling really alone and, as it happens, I unknowingly did have a support system where all I needed to do was ask when I needed assistance. This has helped ease my burden so much mentally and it sounds like such an obvious thing to say to ask for help. But, I think we all forget this sometimes and it’s good to have a reminder.

Leisure time:

Once I return home from my day, I am simply done with my phone unless it’s absolutely necessary to pick up a call or answer a text. This has helped SO much and squashed the feelings of being constantly “on call”. Now, during my leisure time with Johnny, I can enjoy it more fully and that has been great. We have so much fun playing video games together, watching our favorite shows, playing with the bunnies, and just sitting on our balcony and talking. I miss Johnny so much when I am away during the day and not having my phone as an extra appendage makes our leisure time even better.

Sleep well:

It can be hard to get good sleep when everything seems to be falling apart, but it is so important to at least try. Even when I know that I won’t get to sleep early due to racing thoughts, I try to let my body rest as much as I can and veg out. I have also become much more forgiving of myself when I need extra sleep. I have always suffered from night terrors, but they have become AWFUL with the stress that I am under. After a rough night, I allow myself to sleep in a bit and I never fault myself for it because I can get through the day better rested.

All of the things above seem like no brainers, but it’s helpful to be reminded. And, because they are no brainers, they will be easy for you to implement too! Best of luck. ❤

What helps you in an overwhelming situation? Who is in your support system? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

New Orange & Purple Glitter Nails

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New Orange & Purple Glitter Nails

Hello! For my 29th birthday, I got SO pampered by spending Wednesday at The Shear Shop getting my hair did and Thursday morning at Elysian Nails for a fill. I was so excited for both appointments and they were just what I needed to get Lil Red’s groove back! Both my hair and nails were in desperate need of improvement. I hadn’t gotten my hair done in SIX months and my nails were looking really jank with two broken tips. In fact, I broke one in my sleep during a night terror, which was really sucky to say the least lol.

Thankfully, my darling Mary at Elysian Nails got me right with a super speedy fill and repairs and I am obsessed with the end result! Check it out:

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With a rainbow of colors in my hair, I needed fun nails to match and wanted bright, summery shades. I loved the glitter top coat that we used on a few of my nails last fill and knew that I wanted to use it again, but on what?! At the nail polish wall, I was instantly drawn to the pretty, jammy purple you see above and thought that it would look perfect with orange. So, I selected a neon hue for all of the Bird of Paradise vibes and headed off to Mary’s station so she could work her magic.

The past few times I have gotten my nails done, my schedule has been drastically different than usual. Normally, I opt for an early afternoon time to fully enjoy the pampering after work. However, I have needed first thing in the morning appointments to get to work on time and go to the Cleveland Clinic afterwards. Mary knows this, and has delivered with an under an hour fill every time and it is SO appreciated.

Despite the speed Mary works at, we still manage to catch up on everything going on with each other, girl talk, and gab about anime. During our chatter, she doesn’t miss a beat and my nails turn out amazing every single time. She knows exactly what I like and I barely pay attention to the process because I know that my hands are in the best hands. I am in love with how my talons turned out from the shape and sharpness to the adorable polish combination. As always, she turned my outgrown, broken ass nails into a work of art!

After this appointment, I will be back on my normal work schedule and will be able to have a fill without feeling rushed. I can’t wait, but even on time crunch appointments, I always leave Elysian Nails feeling like a million bucks thanks to my go to girl!

What are your favorite summer colors? What color of nail polish are you currently rocking? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

New Hair Sneak Peek

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New Hair Sneak Peek

Hello!! For my 29th birthday, I spent a glorious day at The Shear Shop getting my hair done by my stylist, the amazing Anna. Normally, I go about twelve weeks in between appointments with my go to girl, but that was far from the case this time around. Due to personal reasons, it had been SIX MONTHS since getting my hair done. Needless to say, I couldn’t freaking wait to get my mop taken care of because it was looking REALLY rough. I told Anna when I first sat down at her station that she could literally do anything to my hair and it would be an improvement!

With a half a year of the same hair, I was ready for a big change with the inspiration of my favorite flavor of ice cream, Superman, in mind. Saying that Anna delivered is the understatement of the century. Other than my wedding hair, this is my favorite thing she has ever done and that is really saying something because she has been my stylist for over two decades!

Today, you can peep a sneak peek at my new do and then, keep it locked here on lifewithlilred for a brand new OOTD to show off my locks and new nails! Check it out:

How It Started:

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^^^ Lol, we had some fun with this Troll Doll inspired style! I LOOK GREAT!!!

How It’s Going:

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^^^ ALL smiles!!! And featuring my new fave shirt!

When I have an appointment at The Shear Shop, it is truly an all day affair. Good things take time and this look took over five hours to create. That is fine by me! Spending time with Anna and my other Shear Shop gals is such a joy and, while bleach and color sets, I can work online or read. Our day began with a whole lot of bleach to lift my roots and the red and pink that was currently residing in my hair. After the bleach sat for about twenty minutes, we washed it out but weren’t completely satisfied with the results. So, we did round two, which got my hair to a place that was ready to accept all of the new colors after fifteen more minutes.

Once the bleach was washed out, it was time for the fun part of applying Pulp Riot’s Pyro to my roots, Satire on my bangs and crown, Fireball for the remainder, and Powder to frame my face. The end result was Troll Doll Chic and, as always, we couldn’t get enough of the delicious Sweet Tart scent of the Pulp Riot dye! After Anna expertly applied the color to the desired areas, I settled in my chair to work because it had to sit for forty-five minutes.

By the time the timer rang, I was ready to jump out of my seat because I couldn’t wait to see what it looked like! And, no, I never mind those ice cold water washes – it was actually really invigorating because I was getting tired. Pampering is hard work! At first glance, everything was perfect. BUT, upon closer inspection, the blue pulled a lot of green tones and we weren’t happy with that at all. That was a quick fix, though, and Anna applied more Powder mixed with a royal blue to cover it up and had it sit for another fifteen minutes.

After the final rinse, we were thrilled with what we were seeing and we even got a surprise bonus: Purple! Because the red at the tips of my hair didn’t fully pull, it blended with the blue to create a peacock array of colors. It definitely wasn’t what we set out to do but, hey, I’m SO not mad about a free color and it turned my hair into a rainbow! 😀

The last thing to do was flat iron my hair and put the finishing touches on my cut. The end result? Perfection. I felt absolutely amazing and I still do! I feel awesome and there is nothing better than looking in the mirror and being blown away by what you see. And, yes, I have been doing that a lot! Thank you to my brilliant genius Anna for getting Lil Red’s groove back. I wouldn’t be me without you! ❤

How long have you been going to your hair stylist? What is your favorite form of self care? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

 

A Guide For Building A Healthy Food Business

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A Guide For Building A Healthy Food Business

Are you someone who is passionate about healthy food and wants to turn that passion into a successful business? Starting your healthy food business or from scratch may seem daunting, especially if you don’t know where to begin. But fear not, because we have got you covered with this step-by-step guide to help you launch your healthy food business.

Starting a business requires hard work, dedication, and patience. However, once you get the ball rolling, it can be a rewarding experience that allows you to turn your passion for healthy eating into a thriving business:

Define Your Business Plan and Target Audience:

The first step in starting any business is to define your target audience and create a solid business plan. Your business plan should include a unique value proposition, your target audience, and your goals for the business. When it comes to healthy food, you need to be specific about the type of food you will offer, whether it be vegan, gluten-free, organic, or something else. Understanding your target audience will help you decide what healthy food offerings will succeed.

Creating a cohesive business plan that defines both short and long term goals is so important for achieving success. However, it can be a huge undertaking. Software programs like this ERP for the food and beverage industry can be most beneficial in helping you manage and execute your plan accordingly. Using technology like this can boost efficiency and give you the peace of mind that everything is running as it should.

Get the Equipment You Need:

The equipment you need for your healthy food business will depend on the types of food that you plan to sell. You will need essential kitchen equipment like refrigerators, ovens, stoves, and specialized equipment for processing and preparing healthy food products. Don’t forget that you will also need to be well stocked with supplies you need for cleaning too like Commercial Disinfectants, floor cleaners, and sanitizers. Make sure to research the equipment and products required for your specific food niche.

Set Up Your Business Legally:

It’s essential to set up your healthy food business legally and obtain the necessary licenses and permits. Setting up your business correctly will protect you from potential legal issues down the road and give your customers the peace of mind that your products are safe and trustworthy.

Register Your Business Name:

Once you have chosen a legal structure, your next step should be registering your business name. This process usually involves checking your desired name, filing the appropriate paperwork with your state government, and paying a registration fee. Make sure to choose a name that is unique, memorable, and easy to spell, and do a trademark search to ensure that it is not already taken. Whether you are creating a vegetarian restaurant or financing a pub, you will want a name that sticks with people so don’t be overhasty with your decision.

Obtain the Necessary Licenses and Permits:

You must obtain licenses and permits to legally operate a healthy food business. These can vary by state and locality, but they may include a food service establishment permit, a retail food store license, a seller’s permit, and a food handler’s permit. You may also need to comply with specific regulations related to food safety, nutrition labeling, and sales tax collection.

Create Your Branding Strategy:

Your branding strategy is a set of guidelines that define your brand’s personality, values, and visuals. It includes your logo, color palette, tone of voice, and tagline. Your branding strategy should be consistent across all of your marketing and advertising materials to boost brand recognition. Start by identifying your target audience, researching your competitors, and defining what sets your brand apart. This is the perfect opportunity to explore promotional products which can help spread the word and keep your business on the minds of your customers. These products could be T-shirts, water bottles, or more unique items like a magic 8 ball for my company. Try printing on a variety of different promotional items and see what is the most popular for your clientele.

Develop Your Marketing Strategy:

Your marketing strategy promotes your products and services to your target audience. With the rise of social media, visual content has become more critical than ever. That’s where commercial food photography services come in. From capturing mouth-watering images of your delectable dishes to showcasing your brand’s unique story, professional food photography can take your marketing efforts to the next level. By portraying your business in the best possible light, you can attract a loyal customer base and stand out in a crowded market.

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Plan Your Advertising Strategy:

Your advertising strategy is about reaching your target audience through paid media channels like Facebook, Google Ads, and print and online publications. Choosing the proper advertising channels to effectively reach your target audience and design ads that capture their attention and resonate with their needs and wants is essential.

Starting your own healthy food business from scratch is an exciting and rewarding journey. With these steps, you’ll be on your way towards building a successful healthy food business!

Many Thanks!!!!!!!!

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Many Thanks!!!!!!!!

Hello everyone!!!! Wednesday was my 29th birthday and I spent the day at The Shear Shop getting my mop taken care of and it was the best. I haven’t had my hair done since the beginning of the year due to the craziness in my life and it was a MUCH needed and deserved treat. I also got my nails done on Thursday morning so look out because your girl is feeling her damn self! Keep it locked with your favorite Lil Red blogger to see my transformation coming soon in a new OOTD post!

Finally taking the time for me was just what the doctor ordered. And, I wanted to take the time to thank everyone who reached out with birthday wishes! My phone, blog, Instagram, Facebook, and email was blowing up with notifications from all of my darling family, friends, and readers and it meant the world. I have been struggle bussing hard lately and the fact that so many people took the time out of their day to think about me was overwhelming in the most wonderful way. ❤

Although Johnny and I won’t be having a big birthaversary party this year, there are still some fun plans happening and I’m really looking forward to them! I can’t wait to hit the pool with my nieces next week and have a slumber party with my bestie, Lea, in her brand new house. Johnny and I will also STILL be playing hella Diablo IV and will be penciling in a lunch or dinner date too. Hey, it’s not just a birthday but a birth month! 😀

It has been hard to feel special recently with all of my current hardships and I can’t thank everyone enough for helping me feel that way on my big day! It means more to me than all of you will ever know. ❤

What do you like to do to celebrate your birthday? Do you celebrate all birth month long? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Musings From A Hospital

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Musings From A Hospital

Hello!!!! My darling best friend/Gemini Twin, Kate, of Live In The Nautical and I have so many similar things about us that it’s honestly insane. We both come from funeral home families, we are both former figure skaters, have the same birth month, and share a passion for fashion, musicals, and movie magic. The one thing that I desperately hoped we would not share twinship in is a loved one being in poor health, but here we are.

From the hospital, we have been texting nonstop about the similarities from the Cleveland Clinic and her stomping grounds in North Conway and I guess we are twinsies in that way too. Obviously, we are both incredibly grateful for the wonderful care our loved ones are receiving, these are just the petty things that make us laugh during a tough time. I am genuinely curious – has anyone noticed some of these things in the hospitals in your neck of the woods or is it just us?

Really Crappy Art:

Okay, I will be the first to admit that the Cleveland Clinic has some awesome art installations. Having said that, there is some art hanging throughout the hospital that is not the best. I hate to be judgy but some of it looks like my four year old niece could have made it and the art in the outer ICU was arguably the worst. The art in the other areas of the hospital, I get it. BUT, you would think they would show out a bit in the ICU when people are going through the literal worst time of their lives! SMH.

Really Uncomfortable Chairs:

Ah, yes. Hospital chairs – SO uncomfortable!! From the rooms in the hospital to the waiting rooms and family areas scattered throughout the floors, the chairs are not great. Are we expecting a plush armchair? No, even though that would be awesome lol. BUT, the lack of padding on all of them makes it so hard to get settled – especially when you are posted up there for a while. Also, all of the wall length benches tend to have dividers on them, like the evil tactics used to keep homeless people from sleeping. So, long story short, any hope of giving your poor back a break is simply out of the question. SMH.

Really Lackluster Vending Machine Selection:

Lol, okay, I get it. We are in a hospital and junk food isn’t going to be pushed in vending machines. BUT, come on!!! Sometimes, you just need that comforting sugar rush or salty snack and they are nowhere to be found!! The vending machine selection in the family room in the ICU was one of the saddest displays I have ever seen. It was basically trail mix, Almond Joys, York Peppermint Patties, chapstick, and bottled water. Major shout out to my diabetic dad because he now keeps a candy stash on him for that reason and it comes in handy. What can I say, we love a Hershey and Heath bar! SMH.

Really Amazing Staff:

Like I said above, Kate and I were cracking up from the little things that are so similar in the hospitals states away from each other that we are spending a lot of time at. We aren’t Gemini Twins for nothing! BUT, the staff at both of the hospitals are just fantastic and the gratitude we feel is unmatched. Every time I visit the Cleveland Clinic, I joke that I’m the mayor because I can’t walk anywhere without running into someone who has helped my family in some way shape or form. That sense of community puts me at some semblance of ease even at the most stressful times, as does knowing my loved one is in the best hands. The Cleveland Clinic staff has done more for my family than words can say and almost every single one of them holds a very special place in my heart. Not SMH at all! ❤

The next step in mine and Kate’s twinship is for the people we love so much to be in perfect health and we are both eagerly anticipating that day. Until then, her and I will continue to support each other endlessly and, yes, be a bit petty with our musings! 🙂

Can anyone relate to the sentiments above? Do you have an unofficial twin in your life? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Top Tips For Maintaining A Youthful Glow

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Top Tips For Maintaining A Youthful Glow

While there is beauty in growing older and wiser, many people are worried about the changes that getting older introduces to their appearance. For example, a recent study found that “28% of millennial women under 25 regularly worry about how aging takes a toll on their skin.” Getting a few wrinkles as we age is natural and often a sign of a life well-lived. But, there are specific steps you can take to reduce or prevent them.

With that in mind, here are some top tips that you can use to maintain a youthful glow and ensure that you always feel confident when you look in the mirror:

Drink plenty of water:

Drinking plenty of water (ideally 6-8 glasses a day) is one of the easiest ways to take care of your skin and prevent wrinkles. This is because good hydration can help to ‘plump’ skin cells, leaving your skin smooth and blemish free. However, as you grow older, “it is tougher for your body to retain water, so by inputting more water into your system, you are helping your body and your skin stay hydrated.” Dehydration can also lead to other skincare complaints, leaving your skin looking dull, dry, or tired.

Exercise regularly:

Believe it or not,  exercise can make you look younger. Regular exercise can help improve your blood circulation, which in turn, can help to keep your skin looking its best. By improving blood circulation, you ensure that your skin cells receive all of the necessary oxygen and nutrients to thrive and to remove toxins. It can also boost your body’s production of collagen, a protein which helps your skin maintain its natural elasticity.

Look into cosmetic surgery:

Cosmetic surgeries, such as mini-facelifts, can also be a great way to fall back in love with your reflection. This is because they are designed to help turn back the clock by addressing issues such as loose or sagging skin and excess soft tissue. It is so important to find a specialist surgeon with plenty of experience in the area. This way, you know you are working with someone you can trust. To find out more, click here.

If you are considering cosmetic surgery, more power to you! It’s a great idea to schedule a few different consultations with surgeons in your area to find the best fit for you. Take the time to research the websites of local surgeons like drbaker.com and pay close attention to patient testimonials. If you don’t feel one hundred percent confident in your selection, keep shopping around until you do. Your health and safety depend on it.

Be consistent with your skincare routine:

Developing a skincare routine is one of the easiest ways to care for your skin – but it’s crucial that you are consistent in your approach. You cannot expect to use a product once and immediately see the benefits. You must hold yourself accountable for completing your routine every morning and evening. In order to make this possible, try to keep your routine as simple as possible. You don’t need a million different products or tools – especially as this would require you to spend hours by the mirror!

An effective skincare routine usually follows these steps:

  1. Cleansing: Cleansers can remove dirt, oil, and other impurities from the surface of your skin.
  2. Toning: Toners help to tighten pores and can also balance your skin’s PH level.
  3. Moisturizing: Moisturizers nourish and hydrate your skin.
  4. SPF: SPF products help to protect your skin from the sun, even on cloudy days.

Get plenty of sleep:

While it may not always be possible to get a great night’s sleep, having a consistent sleep routine can also help protect your natural, youthful glow. As we sleep, our body (and, by extension, our skin) repairs itself. As a result, as you’re dreaming away, your body is producing more collagen to help maintain skin elasticity while also flushing away harmful toxins. The less sleep you get, the less your skin is healing and the more issues you may deal with as a result.

Always wear SPF:

As mentioned above, SPF products should always be incorporated into your skincare routine, even on days when the sun might not be shining. This is because photoaging (or sun damage) is one of the key causes of wrinkles. Exposure to UVA and UVB rays from the sun breaks down collagen and elastin fibers in the outer layers of your skin, which are otherwise responsible for ensuring your skin remains smooth and firm. The more damage they sustain, the more likely it is that you will deal with wrinkles and other signs of premature aging.

The steps above are simple ways to keep your skin looking its best, no matter your age!

Featured Image By: Amanda Dalbjörn on Unsplash

Happy 29th Birthday To Me!!

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Happy 29th Birthday To Me!!

Hello!!!! Break out the fanfare, parades, and marching band because it is your favorite Lil Red blogger’s 29th birthday!! Johnny and I have been enjoying a low key birthaversary celebration starting this past weekend because the world gave us a gift: The release of Diablo IV! We have been LOVING it, even though it’s basically the same as all of the other installments in the Diablo series. But, hey, if it’s not broken then don’t fix it! 😀

Although I am not too fond of growing older, I have high hopes for 29 because 28 lightweight sucked lol. And by lightweight, I mean majorly. I had two good months after I turned 28 and that was pretty much it due to some devastating circumstances in my family. Honestly, it’s hard to believe I’m only 29 when I have felt 50 for the past almost year. And, yes, my aching back can confirm. *Face palm*

I have a few birthday wishes this year and the biggest, most important one is that my loved one in the hospital is blessed with perfect health. And, of course, I am wishing the best for my Johnny, family, friends, and darling readers. My final wish for 29 is one for me… I wish that I have more than two good months and for my online work to go even better than it already is because that is a major high point in my life. I know you aren’t supposed to say your wishes, but sometimes putting them out into the universe is the best thing you can do to make them come true!

Happy Birthday To Me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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BFF Birthday Haul

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BFF Birthday Haul

Hello!! It is birthaversary week for myself and my darling Johnny and it is also Gemini season, baby! Not only is this a special time of the year for me and my main squeeze, but it is also a month long celebration with my Gemini Twin and best friend in the entire world, Kate. Kate is the fantastic author of Live In The Nautical and we became fast friends almost a decade ago when lifewithlilred first began. We share almost week apart June birthdays and, although I am not very into astrology, we both definitely live up to our Gemini status!

Every year for birthdays and Christmas, Kate spoils me rotten and she truly outdid herself this year. Both of us share a passion for musicals and she hooked me up with all of the swag from one of my all time favorites – Sweeney Todd. Check it out:

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This haul was more like a giftathon because every other day for the past week, I received another package in the mail from my bestie. Every time I got a call from my dad saying that another package arrived, I would rush over to my parents, who live not even five minutes away to pick it up. It was so exciting because I would text Kate immediately after opening a gift and couldn’t believe it when she told me that there was more!

I am loving my new coffee mug to add to my huge collection and the soft and comfy as can be T. The true piece de resistance, however, was the cutting board fresh from Mrs. Lovett’s Pie Shoppe. I actually really wanted a new cutting board for my birthday, which Kate didn’t know and just shows how strong our bestie telepathy is! She knows me so well. ❤

Every day since Kate and I met, I am so thankful to the blogosphere for bringing us both together in a perfect instance of cosmic fate. We basically skipped the line to best friend status and my days feel SO weird if we haven’t texted at least once! Kate is such a shiny, bright light in my life and has and always will be a complete godsend – especially during this current rough patch that I am going through. Her constant care and support never fail to make me smile no matter how bad I am feeling and I am the luckiest gal in the world to be able to call someone like her my best friend. ❤

Thank you to my BFF and Gemini Twin for the amazing gifts, love, and years of beautiful friendship. Here’s to living all year round like it is Gemini season – you know both of your favorite bloggers will be! ❤

What is your favorite musical? Have you met any friends through the blogosphere? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah