Feb1

Be My Valentine OOTD

Posted on by
Standard
Be My Valentine OOTD

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new OOTD here on lifewithlilred! Valentine’s Day is right around the corner so I thought that I would put together a little date night inspiration for your viewing pleasure. This year for V-Day, Johnny and I are attending Hadestown at Playhouse Square which will be delightfully reminiscent of last year’s date to Jesus Christ Superstar. I’m very excited and can’t wait to spend a night on the town with my main squeeze! While I plan on heavily showing out for Playhouse Square, here is a sweet and simple V-Day look to help get your outfit planning wheels turning:

From Day:

image_50355713

To Night:

image_50383873(2)image_50392321(4)image_50371329(1)image_50413313(2)image_50395649(1)image_50372097(1)

Who? What? Wear?

I try to create a new OOTD post every weekend and as I began thinking about what I might like to wear, I remembered that Valentine’s Day is approaching. This was both a shock and great news for me because a V-Day fit drastically narrowed down my wardrobe options, making this outfit a piece of cake (or chocolate!) to style. When I think about Valentine’s Day outfits, the first word that comes to mind is always “sweet”. I’m talking delicate details, silky materials, and frilly touches that make for a perfectly girly OOTD and I tried to incorporate all of that into this look.

For my Be My Valentine OOTD, I already had my Jun & Ivy skirt from Francesca’s on deck. It is one of the few pieces of holiday themed clothing that I have in my wardrobe making it both the obvious and one of the only choices lol. This skirt touches on everything that I want for Valentine’s Day clothing. I love the just above the knee length to show some leg without being too revealing. The way it flutters out on the edges is also one of those “frilly touches” that I was talking about to enhance adorableness. And, of course, you can’t go wrong with the hearts and kisses pattern which truly speaks to my Lil Red heart.

I wanted to give the illusion of wearing a dress with a tucked in top and chose one of my favorite silky camis in a gorgeous oyster shell hue. This mittoshop number is one of my favorites and the lace detailing is to die for. What is a V-Day OOTD without some lace to it, amiright? I also really like the sheen of the material to add some flare and brighten things up on top. I would classify the color of this cami as a neutral, which is why it paired with the skirt without a hitch. Remember, two neutrals together always makes a right – or however that saying goes!

With the base of my outfit sorted, it was time to accessorize. Sometimes, things just click when I’m building an outfit and the remainder came to me quickly. The red Kenneth Cole heels were a must and note the cute detailing around the buckle. So fun! Normally, I wouldn’t pair these heels with socks for fear of breaking up the leg line. But, I was showing a fair amount of skin on top as well so I gave it the go ahead and still felt like I was walking tall. You’re also not going to not wear ruffly socks on Valentine’s Day – it’s all about the frilly touches, after all. 😀

For jewelry, I first tried out a dangly pair of pearl earrings because I think pearls are a classic V-Day staple. The earrings weren’t doing anything for me, though, so I switched them out for a smaller pair. This worked much better as I felt the super dangly ones made things look crowded around my face. Then, I turned my attention to a necklace and chose my grandma’s pearls, instead. This is one of my favorite necklaces and its length was just right. It hit perfectly between the tattoos by my collarbones!

One final note on this look is that you might have noticed my red bra straps were slightly showing and this was intentional! This is me, personally, but I don’t like it when my bra straps are visible. However, I thought the peek a boo of the red worked well and was really cute. With that, my outfit was complete for taking pictures in, at least, because I changed into comfy clothes ASAP afterwards!

What are your Valentine’s Day plans? Do you own any holiday themed clothing? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

 

Jan31

Lush’s Bubba Lugosi Bubble Bar Review

Posted on by
Standard
Lush’s Bubba Lugosi Bubble Bar Review

Hello! After an insanely long week, I couldn’t wait to sink into a nice, hot bath on Friday evening. It was my motivation since waking up on Monday because I was very eager to use the last of my Christmas Lush haul from my bestie! The final remainder of my gifts was a bubble bar from their Halloween collection called…wait for it… the BUBBA LUGOSI. I had never used a bubble bar from Lush before so I was excited to try it! Although I much prefer a bath bomb, the bubble bar was still a fun-ish product to further enhance bath time bliss. Check it out:

image_50415105(1)image_50354433image_50385921(2)image_50383105

First of all, let’s address how freaking adorable the Bubba Lugosi bubble bar is lol. My heart literally melted when I saw it for the first time and I think that’s why I held onto it for so long – it was too cute to use! After mentally preparing for over a month to part with this precious bubble bar, I was finally ready to let go. Was I disappointed with this product? No. But, I think I hyped it up in my head for so long that it wasn’t what I expected.

I placed the Bubba Lugosi under the running water once my tub was about halfway full. I was hoping for huge, fluffy bubbles as soon as it hit the water and was greeted by a steady stream of not so big bubbles, instead. As the water continued to run, the bubbles spread out evenly across the tub but it wasn’t mind blowing in any way. In fact, I’ve had better bubbles from just using my shower gel.

Another thing that didn’t wow me was how the color of the water changed as the bubble bar broke down. Normally, this would please me immensely. However, the water went from crystal clear to a murky purplish red and it ended up looking swampy rather than soothing. I don’t know about all of you, but the last thing that I want to feel like is the Creature From The Black Lagoon when I am trying to get my bath time mermaid on!

While the presentation was lacking severely for the Bubba Lugosi, I will say that it left my skin feeling very soft and nourished. For this reason, I was satisfied because I love being able to shave and not have to slather myself in lotion afterwards! I am going to rate this bubble bar with a three out of ten stars. I am glad that I used it and will be sticking with the bath bombs from Lush from now on!

What are your thoughts on the Lush bubble bars? What is your favorite Lush product? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan30

How To Keep Your Aging Loved One Happy & Healthy

Posted on by
Standard
How To Keep Your Aging Loved One Happy & Healthy

When it comes to aging loved ones, they tend to be the ones that face the most loneliness. It’s quite sad, but there is something that you can do about it. More specifically, there are ways that you can keep your aging loved one happy and healthy throughout the rest of their life. It’s not nearly as challenging as you may think so here is everything you need to know:

Encourage physical activities:

If your aging loved one is not getting adequate exercise, you should encourage them to be more active. Exercise helps strengthen muscles, improves balance, and helps reduce the risk of diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. It also promotes healthy aging. Many seniors are afraid of exercising, but they need to stay active to protect their health, as any cardiac surgeon will tell you. Encourage your senior loved one to keep up with their physical activity by showing them the benefits of doing so.

While physical wellness is often associated with exercise it also includes what’s happening inside your body too. There are a wealth of anti aging products to help restore your body’s natural function. Those offered by https://www.rebelpeptides.com/ are a great place to start. Just be sure to consult your doctor before adding any new supplements to your routine.

Set boundaries around your caregiving relationship:

It can be challenging having to take care of your aging loved ones and it is important to set boundaries. This can sometimes be easier said than done! Some people find it difficult to say no to their parents. They may feel guilty and want to say yes to everything. The most important thing to remember when setting boundaries is to be clear. You do not want to be perceived as being a doormat or rude. Instead, be thoughtful and respectful. If you want to ensure your aging loved ones are happy and doing well, then you need to know it starts with you and how you feel. Boundaries will help keep both parties happy.

Encourage meaningful conversations:

Having those heart-to-heart conversations means a lot. Seniors’ minds are often a source of wisdom and experience. Sharing memories can be a fun and uplifting way to connect with them. You can ask them how they’re feeling or even try to take a trip down memory lane with them. Overall, it’s just so important to engage in these sorts of conversations; they’re very powerful and can help combat loneliness.

Make them feel safe:

Using the latest upgrades to home safety, such as personal medical alarm technology and sensors to detect falls, can give seniors the peace of mind they deserve. Other less obvious solutions include installing an intelligent alarm system, putting a lock on the front door, and removing items in the home that could be considered hazardous. If they’re living in a nursing home, you’re going to want to ensure that they’re staying safe there too. In cases like this, inform them of a nearby  Nursing Home Abuse Center for additional help.

Remember that there’s no top-end age limit for when they should go into a residential community with more connections to their peers, so looking through 55 and older communities could be the best way to help them feel more satisfied in their comfortable living arrangements. This might feel like a step backwards for your loved one and their independence but it can really be a wonderful thing. These communities are just that – a community that can nurture new friendships, passions, and mental and physical wellness. When you research quality home like options, you will find all kinds of amenities like gyms, hobby classes, beauty salons, and so much more to create a meaningful and comfortable experience.

Find a hobby or activity that they may enjoy:

Some common hobbies for seniors include bird watching, art, music, or even genealogy. These activities can provide a relaxing way for your senior to connect with the outdoors and enjoy nature. You can also consider joining a book club. The books in a book club can range from serious to light-hearted, but the club’s goal is to bring people together to discuss a topic. Another idea for a new hobby for your senior is to look online. Many online gaming communities and websites exist to offer people a wide variety of games and activities. There are also a number of apps available to help you get started.

Form a care team:

A family member like yourself may need extra help taking care of an aging parent or loved one. You shouldn’t do it all alone, which is why you need to have a care team. The best way to find a good fit is to talk to your family. You want to know what your aging parent’s wants and needs are. Your own goals are also important. This includes keeping your loved one safe and comfortable and providing emotional support. If you have the means, you can even hire a financial planner to protect your loved one’s assets, as this tends to be needed too.

If the next step in your loved one’s care is moving to an assisted living facility or having staff come to the home, another excellent resource is enlisting the help of Senior Living Experts. They will be able to help narrow down options according to the best fit for your loved one so all that is left to do is make a decision. This can be especially beneficial if you are struggling to keep your head above water or feeling overwhelmed with choices. Overall, a care team and a large support system will definitely help out your aging loved one.

Help keep your loved one safe and happy with the tips above and continue to nurture your relationship every day!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Jan30

Oven Pizza Success!!!!

Posted on by
Standard
Oven Pizza Success!!!!

Hello!! At chez moi, my refrigerator and cupboards were almost completely bare and a curbside order was most definitely in order. When picking up groceries, I always schedule it for when Johnny is getting home from work. Then, he brings the groceries in and I put them away. Our process runs like a fine tuned machine! This past time, however, my day finished earlier than expected so I got my order ahead of time and carried the entire haul up to our second floor apartment and put it away all by my lonesome. After all of that hard work, the last thing I felt like was cooking! But, hey – that’s what oven pizzas are for amiright? And, after the massive failure of the last Red Baron pizza we tried, things really turned around with this pie:

image_50456577(7)image_50734849(3)

Lol, I know that I said yesterday that lifewithlilred is not going to become a pizza review blog and I still stand by that… After this post! I just had to share this GREAT SUCCESS with all of you. 🙂 Have you ever noticed how even the simplest meals can taste amazing if you are hungry or tired enough? Because that was definitely where I was at when digging into the Red Baron Brick Oven cheese pizza and it was so satisfying both on an emotional level and in the taste department.

The crust of this pizza was way thinner than the previous Red Baron catastrophe and it was a welcome change of pace. The sauce was sweet, the cheese was poured with a heavy hand, and it was the friggen bomb. Johnny and I have had this pizza several times before but I never appreciated its majesty so fully and completely until now. Was I dog tired and hadn’t ate since breakfast? Yes. Did this affect the way the pizza tasted? Probably. Am I going to buy it again to experience it through fresh eyes? Abso-freaking-lutely!

In my youth, my dad was the king of oven pizzas and fostered my love of mine and Johnny’s go to lazy day meal as an adult. With friends like the Red Baron and Digiorno, who needs enemies? Or however that saying goes!

How often do you grocery shop? What do you make when you don’t feel like cooking? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan29

Worst Oven Pizza Ever!

Posted on by
Standard
Worst Oven Pizza Ever!

Hello! Johnny and I consider ourselves to be oven pizza connoisseurs. It is my go to when I don’t feel like cooking and it is Johnny’s favorite thing to make so that he feels like he’s cooking lol! I recently saw a commercial for a Digiorno pizza that had the entire crust (not just the edges) stuffed with cheese and it really blew my mind. I told Johnny about it and he decided to investigate when he ran some errands. Unfortunately, the pizza was only available in pepperoni and that wouldn’t do for my vegetarian self. So, Johnny purchased the Digiorno for him and this for me:

image_50454273(3)image_50433025(2)

I don’t know if you guys are familiar with the show Community but there was a character named Leonard who was a senior citizen and attending the community college. He had a vlog in which he reviewed different oven pizzas and would declare it to be “a buy” if he liked it. Lol, while lifewithlilred is not turning into a pizza blog any time soon, I just had to get my Leonard on one time for the one time because the Red Baron pizza Johnny got for me sucked on ice!

When my sweet husband returned from his shopping, he was so proud of himself for the substitution of the Red Baron Fully Loaded Five Cheese Pizza. And, I have to admit, it looked awesome and I couldn’t wait to pop it into the oven. After it was cooked, it was still looking good with all of that glorious cheese. Then, I had to cut it and it ended up being a very difficult feat. I kid you not, this pizza was literally all crust. *Face palm*

Once I freed some slices and plated it up, I lost most of my original zest for testing this pizza out. And, I don’t blame myself one bit because it was the worst. The crust was so thick that it tasted like eating a brick with a thin layer of sauce and cheese on top. I had to douse it in Ranch dressing to soften it up – it was that bad. The Red Baron truly missed the mark with this one and I couldn’t even bring myself to eat the leftovers, which is something I pride myself on. If only the crust were stuffed with cheese like Johnny’s pizza because he was living his best life with his!

lifewithlilred is all about giving honest reviews on products and I guess that goes for pizza too! Haha, I just felt obligated to warn all of my oven pizza fans out there about this epic failure before buying it. You’ll thank me later when you are enjoying an oven pie with a normal sized crust!

What is your favorite brand of oven pizza? What do you make (Or order!) when you don’t feel like cooking? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan28

The Effects Of Humidity On Your Hair

Posted on by
Standard
The Effects Of Humidity On Your Hair

Everyone has heard the hair horror stories of someone stepping outside, and the humidity immediately makes their hair frizzy, limp, and unmanageable. But why do some people seem to shrug off the effects of humidity while others are left with a wild mane? Whether you have straight, wavy, curly, or kinky-coils hair, humidity can affect everyone differently:

Causes of Humidity Hair Damage:

The science behind humidity and hair is actually simple. Humidity occurs when moisture in the air combines with heat, resulting in a damp environment. When this happens, the hydrogen bonds that hold your hair together are weakened by the water molecules in the air – thus changing or damaging your hairstyle.

Effects of Humidity on Different Hair Types:

Humidity affects different hair types in different ways. This is because of differences in structure and texture. Here’s how humidity affects each type of hair:

Straight Hair:

Straight-haired folks tend to be the luckiest when it comes to humidity. Since your strands are already fairly smooth and don’t curl easily, you usually don’t have too much trouble when the weather gets humid. Your strands may puff up more than usual on particularly muggy days, though.

Wavy Hair:

If you have wavy hair, chances are you’re not too keen on humid weather, either. Wavy tresses tend to get weighed down by moisture in the air. When this happens, they become flat and limp instead of having their usual body and volume.

hair12

Curly Hair:

It’s no surprise that curly-haired folks have the most issues when it comes to humidity. Curls are naturally more prone to frizziness, and when you add moisture into the mix, they can become a giant, unmanageable fluff ball.

Kinky-Coily Hair:

Kinky-coily tresses are made up of tightly coiled curls and struggle even more with moisture in the air than other curls! When kinky-coily strands get wet (from rain or sweat), they become extremely heavy and hard to manage due to their tightly wound structure; this added weight can cause the curls to unravel if not dealt with properly.

Ways to Protect Your Hair from Humidity:

Humidity can be a real challenge when it comes to styling your hair, but there are some things that you can do to help protect your locks from the effects of moisture in the air. Here are a few tips:

Condition your hair: Conditioner helps add weight and density to your strands, which can help protect them from humidity. Use an anti-frizz conditioner that contains natural oils to keep your hair hydrated and moisturized, such as argon, jojoba, or coconut oil.

Use a leave-in conditioner: A leave-in conditioner helps seal the hair cuticle and lock in moisture to keep your locks hydrated and protected from humidity. Look for one that contains glycerin, which acts as a humectant to draw moisture into the hair shaft.

Style with products: Use styling products to help weigh down your hair and keep it from puffing up in humid weather. Look for products that contain beeswax or fatty alcohols to add weight to your tresses and protect them from humidity.

Avoid heat styling tools: Heat styling tools can cause damage to your hair, and they can also make it more susceptible to humidity. Avoid using heated tools such as curling irons, flat irons, and blow dryers in humid weather.

Tame your tresses with the tips above and enjoy great hair in any type of weather!

Jan28

January 2023 Finishes

Posted on by
Standard
January 2023 Finishes

Hello everyone and welcome to the first beauty finishes post of the new year! I used up a lot of new to me products this past month and also got a lot more to try out from TJMaxx thanks to my Christmas gift cards. 😀 My beauty hoard runneth over! We have much to discuss from our empties roundup for January so let’s get to it:

image_50461185(4)image_50441985(3)

Would I Use Again?

Why/Why Not?

SpaScriptions Scrub: I started using the SpaScriptions Hyaluronic Acid + Sugar Scrub at the beginning of November and it took me until the end of January to finish it. At five dollars for the bottle, it was a great value and you only needed a small amount for full coverage on the face and neck. I liked this scrub because it was gentle enough to use every day. It was really creamy in texture with only the slightest touch of exfoliant and it smelled as sweet as candy. My skin felt well hydrated and looked radiant after every use and it is a perfect scrub for the cold winter months.

SpaLife Serum: It took me about six weeks to finish the SpaLife Hyaluronic Pearl Serum and I was unimpressed by it. The pink hyaluronic pearls were pretty and that was pretty much all that this serum had going for it. The SpaLife serum was quite runny in texture and I never noticed a difference one way or the other in how my skin looked or felt. While I love a longer lasting product, this serum missed the mark completely and I definitely wouldn’t use it again.

Elf Sleep Mask: I was so excited about the Elf Dope Dreams Sleeping Mask when I got it because sleeping masks are my fave. Using them is literally the easiest way to achieve great skin because all you have to do is go to bed! It took me about three weeks of every other day use to finish the Elf mask and I thought that it was a massive dud. I was expecting ultra soft and hydrated skin every morning when I woke up and that was never the case. In fact, my skin felt better after returning to my normal nightly skin care routine.

Clinique Eye Cream: My aunt gave me a makeup bag full of Clinique skin care samples and I couldn’t wait to test them out because I have never used Clinique products before. The moisturizer and serum that I tried didn’t blow me away but I actually really liked the Smart Clinical Repair Eye Cream. It took me two weeks of twice daily use to complete the tester jar and a little of the product went a long way. After each use, I noticed that the skin around my eyes looked so much better and brighter. This eye cream helped diminish my designer bags and I definitely didn’t look as tired as I felt! If I got this eye cream for a good deal, I would probably buy it. However, I still wouldn’t pay a full price tag for it so it is a “maybe” for me.

SkinLab Moisturizer: I like the SkinLab brand and purchased the Hydra Moisturizer during a past TJs haul. I was expecting a good experience with this moisturizer because I am familiar with the brand and that, unfortunately, wasn’t the case. It took me three weeks of twice daily use to finish the jar because a lot of moisturizer was required to fully cover the face and neck. For value’s sake alone, I wouldn’t buy this moisturizer again. It also did nothing for my skin to improve its appearance or feel so this is a big fat no from me!

Although there were a fair amount of duds in this month of empties, there were several winners too. Whether I would buy the product again or not, it’s always fun to pamper myself and my skin felt surprisingly well taken care of regardless of the chill and snow!

Which products did you use up this month? What are your thoughts on any of the above products if you have used them before? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan27

Help Your Aging Parents Stay Healthy With These Tips

Posted on by
Standard
Help Your Aging Parents Stay Healthy With These Tips

As parents age, they may need more help with daily activities and health care. To ensure good health for aging parents, several options must be considered. From diet and exercise to mental health, here are five tips to help you support your aging parents as they transition into this new stage of their lives:

Pay Attention To Diet & Nutrition:

Eating a balanced diet is essential at any age, especially during the senior years. Eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help maintain energy levels and improve overall health. Reducing sugar intake and limiting red meat consumption are also essential, as these can increase cholesterol levels. Additionally, make sure your parents are taking any necessary vitamins or supplements that would benefit their health. If cost is an issue, many stores offer discounted vitamins specifically tailored to seniors’ needs. Sometimes, you might notice that the appetite of your loved one has decreased significantly. This can be very difficult so take the time to look at these tips for boosting appetite in older adults to get them back on track in a healthy way.

Encourage Them To Exercise:

Regular exercise plays an essential role in maintaining physical health for older adults. Exercise helps strengthen muscles and bones, improves endurance, boosts immunity, and increases the production of endorphins, which can positively affect mood. Be sure to consult with a doctor before beginning any new exercises or activities as there are some that may not be appropriate depending on your parent’s current state of health or mobility level.

Nurture Good Mental Health & Socialization:

Seniors often experience feelings of isolation due to reduced mobility or social outlets. It’s essential that they still feel connected to family members and friends and stay engaged in activities that bring them joy, such as reading books or watching movies online with family members who live far away! Check in regularly with your parents about how they’re feeling – not just physically but mentally and look out for signs of depression, such as changes in sleep patterns or lack of motivation which may require professional assistance from a counselor or therapist, if needed.

Another way to improve mental health and foster more socialization can come from some extra help. Home health care services also includes companion care and can get your loved one out and about when you aren’t able. A reliable caretaker can also give you some much needed down time. To begin researching different services, simply enter a search for “home health care agencies in philadelphia pa” (or your local area). You will be amazed by what a helping hand can do!

Consider A Nursing Home:

It’s important to talk openly with your parents about their senior professional care support preferences and discuss if a nursing home would be beneficial for them. Nursing homes can provide professional medical care, companionship, and help with activities of daily living that they may not be able to do on their own. Make sure you thoroughly research the facility before making any decisions, as some may not have the best reputation or offer adequate medical care to seniors. You don’t want to have to contact a Nursing Home Justice Center after discovering your parents are victims of nursing home abuse.

Safety Management:

As people age, their risk for falls increases due to weakened muscles and/or reduced vision. Safety measures should be put into place in order to prevent falls from occurring inside the home, such as adding grab bars in the bathroom or installing motion sensor lights throughout hallways/stairs if possible. Establishing a contact list of family members or close friends who can be called in case of an emergency is also recommended. Alternatively, you can consider investing in a medical alert system that will allow your parents access to 24-hour medical assistance if needed.

Aging is not easy, and your parents may need support to maintain their physical and mental health. Keep these five tips in mind as you help them navigate this new life stage!

Featured Image By: Yan Krukau

Jan27

Take The Compliment

Posted on by
Standard
Take The Compliment

Hello! One thing that I have always struggled with is receiving compliments and I’m sure that I am not the only one who has similar sentiments. When I was at my lowest, I genuinely couldn’t understand why anyone would want to compliment me and all it did was make me paranoid and even more miserable. It’s hard accepting compliments when you don’t feel worthy of getting them in the first place! It’s also so easy to deflect a compliment and just turn it around to the other person, instead. IE: “You look great”. “No, you look great”.

For several years, I was never able to simply say “thank you” for a compliment and it took a lot of mental health work on my part to get to that point. After coming to terms with my own problems and gaining some self esteem, I realized that I have improved tenfold in my compliment accepting abilities. It actually didn’t really click until I saw these two pictures taken at Playhouse Square this past weekend:

image_50456321(4)image_50755329(4)

^^^ When snapping some pics before seeing Beetlejuice, someone told me they liked my outfit mid-pose and the second picture is of me being ecstatic about it!

As I was scrolling through photos of my night on the town, these two pictures really stuck out to me. As I sat and mused, I wondered what the second picture would have looked like if I was back to my depression days. Chances are, I wouldn’t have had a huge smile – rather, a look of confusion as if someone was trying to play a joke. Recognizing that and being able to see it so plainly in front of me made me feel proud of my own personal growths.

lifewithlilred played a big role in helping me muster up some confidence about myself in general and my appearance. Through OOTDs, I was able to develop my sense of style and writing about my issues in early posts assisted in sorting out my emotions and learning from them. And, while saying “thank you” for a compliment online isn’t the same as in real life, it was a great first start. Having people comment specifically on my page was a turning point and I was able to see the compliments for what they really were – something nice.

As I began testing my new skills in public, it began getting easier and easier to say “thank you” to the point where I didn’t even have to think about it anymore. I also loved how much more genuine it felt to give a person an actual compliment back instead of just replying with an Uno Reverse card lol.  It wasn’t until seeing the pictures above that I put some thought into it and saw what a major improvement has been made. 🙂

If you can relate to this post, my best advice is to Take The Compliment when you receive one. It might be really hard at first but just saying “thank you” is a small step in making some big changes!

What is something that you struggle with? Is it hard for you to accept compliments? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan26

A Night At The Theater Pt. 5 OOTD

Posted on by
Standard
A Night At The Theater Pt. 5 OOTD

Hello!! My sister, Kristen, and I saw Beetlejuice at Playhouse Square this past Saturday and you know your girl had to show out for it! Unfortunately, there are not too many pictures from this look because this was Kristen’s first go at taking OOTD shots and she did alright for a first timer haha it’s just me being picky. 🙂 For this outfit, I wanted to create a modern night on the town look inspired by Beetlejuice’s iconic black and white striped duds. I think I succeeded:

image_50433281(2)image_50414593(7)image_50407169(4)

Who? What? Wear?

For the very first time in my life, I was happy that Johnny didn’t attend an event with me because I could borrow his black and white striped skinny jeans! And, let me just say, it is so great to have a husband whose clothes I can wear. 😀 I absolutely needed Johnny’s emo kid essential from Hot Topic for my Beetlejuice 2.0 look and I am thrilled with what I came up with. In fact, when I returned home from the theater, our friend who was over called me “Bougiejuice” and it was exactly what I was going for. ❤

Since the pants for this OOTD were already set in stone, all I had to do was build the remainder of the outfit and it was actually really easy. A few days before the show, I spent some time before bed piecing together my look and I knew that I wanted to incorporate a blazer and faux fur. To keep things simple beneath the blazer, I wore my tie back Japna top. The silky material added some texture and, although you can’t see it well, it has a snakeskin pattern which felt perfect to wear when attending a horror/comedy show.

For the blazer, I went with my Goodwill’s best that costed me four dollars and is from Express. Yes, I have worn this on a recent OOTD but all of my other black blazers are somewhat faded and that wouldn’t do! I love the inky black color of this blazer and it is just what I needed for my retelling of Beetlejuice’s suit. It made me feel chic as opposed to being in a costume and it was the cherry on top when I added the green faux fur collar. The collar tipped the cap to Beetlejuice’s green mop and it made the look go from standard to special instantly.

Once the base of my outfit was settled, it was time to accessorize. I wore my dangle dagger earrings to give some length back to my neck since it was mostly covered. I also chose one of my favorite rosary necklaces that was a gift from my mom to fill in the blank space of the blazer’s V-neck. The delicate chain and small beads were dainty enough to enhance rather than take away from the rest of the look and it was an ideal add-on.

Finally, it was time for heels and I knew exactly what I wanted to wear – the pumps from my wedding! These heels were a pain in the ass to acquire but they are the coolest. The vertebrae backing on the heel brought a touch of the macabre to the OOTD, which was a must for seeing Beetlejuice in. Trust and believe that I wore my slippers while driving, though, which was a genius move on my part. 😀

I felt like a celebrity in my Night At The Theater OOTD and it made me proud to receive so many compliments on it. It always feels good when an outfit comes together as planned and I think I gave Beetlejuice a run for his money!

Do you have a celebrity style icon? Do you plan outfits in advance or make them up on the fly? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah