Nov10

Sweet Surprises: Husband’s Haul Edition

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Sweet Surprises: Husband’s Haul Edition

Hello! This past weekend, Johnny and my brother visited a Comicon event that was happening right down the street from us at a banquet center. Like the last time that they went to a similar event this past summer, both guys walked away with a ton of awesome purchases from the vendors that were set up. By the time I returned home after their outing, Johnny was already out for the evening. But, he told me the amount of goodies he set up throughout the apartment and it was like a scavenger hunt to find them all! Check it out:

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As I wandered around the apartment trying to find all of Johnny’s purchases, I couldn’t quite believe it – everything was just so cool! I also loved that he knew exactly what I would have bought for myself if I had been able to come because I would have been all over that Sam Minifig from Trick ‘R Treat. The Link Minifig that Johnny got for himself also looks fantastic next to our collection of Legend Of Zelda amiibos. And, of course, our Funko Pop collection continues to grow with figures from our favorite holiday flick, Jingle All The Way. Now, I just need to get my hands on a Turbo Man Funko! 😀

What really blew my mind from Johnny’s haul was the perler bead art of R2D2 and Duck Hunt. Perler beads were something that I constantly played with when I was little and I hadn’t really thought about them until seeing our new wall art. The Duck Hunt one is so clever and I wish that I came up with the idea myself! In fact, I kind of want to try some perler bead kits in my free time – although it might be kind of difficult with my talon nails lol smh.

The most noticeable change in our apartment’s decor is, obviously, the huge horror movie icon prints that Johnny got from the hosts of Transylvania Tonight. All of these were painted by “Drac” and both him and “Countess Carita” signed the print of one of their advertisement shots. From what Johnny told me, they both definitely seem like our kind of people and I can’t get over how spectacular each print is. As soon as I saw them hanging up thanks to Johnny’s handiwork, I literally clutched my pearls!

I am so proud of my Johnny’s Comicon haul and I wish that I could have joined in the fun with him and my brother. However, it’s probably a good thing that I had other plans because our whole apartment would be overrun with purchases!

Have you ever been to a Comicon before? What is your favorite horror movie? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov9

SpaScriptions Hyaluronic Acid + Sugar Scrub Review

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SpaScriptions Hyaluronic Acid + Sugar Scrub Review

Hello! I have been sitting on some new skin care from TJMaxx and have finally had the chance to use a Hyaluronic Acid + Sugar scrub by SpaScriptions that I bought in September. I have been using it every morning for about a month now and it is, easily, one of the best scrubs that I have ever used. My only regret is that there was only one of them at TJs because I would have happily bought ten of them! If you are looking for a gentle scrub to help ease dry skin this winter, then this is the one for you. Let’s discuss:

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^^^ This product is Leaping Bunny certified.

I had two first impressions when it came to the SpaScriptions scrub (Try saying that five times fast!): 1) The color was so pretty – like lavender pixie dust and 2) It smelled just like candy. These are small things but it enhances the experience every time I use it and the sugary scent is a nice perk me up in the morning! A little of this product also goes such a long way because it lathers up like crazy into a foam, making it so easy to work into your skin. The amount that you can see squeezed onto my hand is all you need for your face and neck, making for a great value. After one month of daily use, I have barely finished half of the bottle.

What I like the most about this scrub, other than out well it works, is the texture of it. It’s more like a cream cleanser with a bit of extra grit from the sugar rather than a full on scrub. With cold winter days drawing ever closer, it is the perfect option for removing dead or dry skin without drying your face out even more. Every time I use this scrub, my skin feels so soft and looks simply radiant. Saying these past few months have been tiring for me is a severe understatement but my skin never looks it!

The SpaScriptions Hyaluronic Acid + Sugar scrub is one that I would most definitely use again. It checks all of my boxes of being cruelty free, an excellent value at just five bucks, and fully effective. I think that you will like it, too, if you give it a shot!

How often do you restock your skin care? Where is your favorite place to shop skin care? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov8

Focusing On Creating A Healthy Diet

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Focusing On Creating A Healthy Diet

As the new year draws closer, many of us are already turning our minds to resolutions. We want to make positive changes in our lives that help us to be healthier and happier. But why wait until January to put these into place? Sure, the festive season may be approaching and we may indulge in a few unhealthy habits. But it’s better to lead a healthy lifestyle the majority of the time with a few slip ups here and there than to lead a downright unhealthy lifestyle for the next couple of months. One area that many of us end up focusing on is diet. We all need to eat a healthy, balanced diet to provide our bodies with the fuel they need to thrive. But where should you start with this venture? Here are a few suggestions that can help on this journey:

Consider Your Goals:

First, ask yourself why you’re setting yourself this goal. Have you noticed that your diet lacks certain elements and you want to fill those gaps? Have you been feeling run down or out of energy? Are you experiencing obesity and want to return to a healthier weight? The goal of your challenge will alter how you approach it. If you feel that you are experiencing health problems as a direct cause of your diet, consult your doctor before getting started. They may be able to make recommendations, such as target daily calorie counts or carry out tests that could find that the issue isn’t your diet at all. For example, if you’re drained and tired, you may be experiencing a B12 deficiency because your body can’t absorb B12 naturally. You might find that bloatedness is due to lactose intolerance and you need to cut dairy out. Alternatively, they may be able to recommend specialist treatment for obesity such as bariatric professionals.

Five a Day:

A good place to start is ensuring that you get your five a day. There’s a good reason that five portions of fruit and vegetables are recommended. Many of us fail to achieve this, but we need a variety of fruit and vegetables to give our bodies the vitamins and nutrients it requires. Make sure your portions are as varied as possible. Your plates and snacks should be colorful.

Cut Out Junk:

Way too many of us eat way too much junk food. Ideally, you should avoid junk food on a regular basis. These types of food – fast food, takeaways, junk snacks – are often packed with excess sugar and salt. They also tend to have high levels of saturated fat. Try meal planning and meal prepping to get yourself into a better habit of eating freshly prepared foods at home.

Stay Hydrated:

Of course, you need to stay hydrated too. Make sure to drink roughly eight glasses of water a day. You should also try to eat plenty of water rich foods, such as melons, berries, cucumber, and celery

Eating well is a habit that you will need to form, so stick with it over time and you’ll quickly find you’re doing it without even having to focus on it!

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Nov8

Aivituvin Rabbit Hutch Review

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Aivituvin Rabbit Hutch Review

Hello!! Before welcoming my sweet bunny babies, Mel and Penelope, into our home, the thing that I had the most difficulty with was selecting a hutch. It seemed like every single rabbit hutch that I saw online had some great reviews, while others commented with glaring issues. After a lot of back and forth between several hutches, I finally settled on one by Aivituvin and I have no complaints so far. I don’t think Mel and Penelope do, either! Check it out:

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^^^ Don’t mind their mess lol the bunnies are always flinging their bedding!

What attracted me the most to this hutch, other than it being freaking adorable was its size. This hutch was, easily, one of the biggest ones available on Amazon and it was also a fair price minus the expensive shipping rate. While Johnny and I have the bunnies out in the morning and most of the evening, I wanted something big enough for them to be comfortable and have their own spaces. Mel loves hiding out in the top portion of the hutch and you can usually find Penelope chilling directly beneath him on the first floor. When they are not out of their hutch, Johnny and I can hear them running amuck constantly and I am thrilled that they are able to do that. Both bunnies are especially partial to going up and down the bridge too. 🙂

Of course, not all hutches are going to please every single owner and pet and there were some reviews that definitely made me nervous. For example, lots of people said that their bunnies were chewing the hutch up and, luckily, Mel and Penelope have not shown any interest in doing that at all. I have several chew toys and other toys to keep them occupied in the hutch that they play with a lot and I almost wonder if some of the bunnies were chewing at their cage out of sheer boredom.

The only complaint that I do agree with from some of the reviewers is how the bedding gets stuck in the cracks of the pull out trays. Johnny and I experienced this the first time we cleaned the cage and it made it really difficult to pull them out to clean. This is more of an annoyance than anything, though, and we were still able to fully clean the cage. It just took a little extra time and innovation to be able to remove the soiled bedding from the hard to reach areas.

Overall, I am very happy with the Aivituvin hutch and I know that Mel and Penelope are too. It took Johnny less than an hour to assemble and it is sturdy and spacious. If you are considering this hutch, I say go for it – I think your fur babies are going to love it!

What kind of hutch do you have for your rabbits? What are some of your small pet’s favorite toys? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov7

The Comprehensive Guide To Dressing As A Sports Coach

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The Comprehensive Guide To Dressing As A Sports Coach

When you think of a sports coach, what do you picture them wearing? If you said a hoodie and sweatpants, you’re not alone. However, there are other clothing options available to coaches that can help them look professional and put together. This post will discuss the different types of clothing for different occasions and provide you with a list of clothes to avoid:

Everyday Clothing for Coaches:

For everyday wear, coaches can opt for a polo shirt and khakis. This is a comfortable and professional look that can be worn both inside and outside of the gym. If it’s cold outside, coaches can layer their polo with a quarter-zip pullover or a sweater. If it is very hot outside, coaches can wear sun-protective arm sleeves to keep their skin from getting sunburned. For information on arm sleeves, read more here.

Clothing for Games and Practices:

When it comes to game days and practices, coaches need to be able to move around easily. For this reason, many coaches choose to wear athletic clothing such as track pants, thick strapped tank tops, or shorts. In addition, coaches should make sure that their clothing is clean and free of any holes or rips.

Dressing for Meetings and Presentations:

When participating in meetings or giving presentations, coaches should dress in business casual attire. This means wearing dress pants or a skirt with a collared shirt or blouse. Coaches may also want to consider wearing a jacket or sweater to complete the look.

What to Avoid Wearing as a Coach:

There are certain clothing items that coaches should avoid wearing, regardless of the occasion:

Clothing with profanity or offensive language:

It’s important for coaches to avoid wearing any clothing with profanity or offensive language. This type of clothing can certainly cause offense, especially if you are coaching a youth team.

Clothing that is too tight:

Tight fitting clothes are not breathable and will definitely be uncomfortable during practice or a game. Wear clothes that are easy to move around in so you can be fully efficient as a coach.

Flip flops:

Flip flops are not appropriate footwear for coaches. This is because they are not supportive and can be dangerous if you are walking or running. That’s an injury just waiting to happen! Athletic shoes are always the best as a rule of thumb.

Appropriate work attire varies from job to job. By following these guidelines, coaches can maintain a professional appearance and focus on what’s important – helping their team succeed!

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Nov7

Pet Parent Lyfe

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Pet Parent Lyfe

Hello! It has been one week since Johnny and I brought home our sweet lionhead bunnies, Penelope and Mel, and pet parent lyfe has been treating us fantastically so far. When it was just me and my husband at home, our apartment felt complete. However, now that we have two little fur babies scampering around, our apartment feels so much fuller and a whole lot more adorable:

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Johnny and I both grew up in animal loving households and our families always had pet dogs. I also had a guinea pig and parakeets way back when too. We have been without a pet of our own for several years and I think we were both taken aback by how awesome it has been since the bunnies have been home. Johnny and I both marvel at the fact that we have these little babies greeting us when we wake up in the morning and come home from work. It is also a hoot to hear them running around at night when we are trying to sleep. I have fallen into the habit of saying “settle down, kids” every time it’s bedtime and they are playing away!

The best part of our days now that we have Penelope and Mel is, easily, when we take them out of their hutch, which we do several times throughout the day. Whether it’s just to give them a cuddle or have them frolic in their playpen, it is so nice to have these tangible little bitties that depend on us. Johnny is also very pleased that he now has an audience whenever he plays the banjo! While Miss Penelope is super chill, Mel is constantly on the go and has a love for nibbling on anything and everything – including mine and Johnny’s booties when we’re in the playpen lol… he crazy. 😀

Every morning, I wake up genuinely excited to rush downstairs and begin their morning care routine. This includes fresh water, food, veggies, bedding, and a quick jaunt in the playpen before I leave for work. Johnny, on the other hand, is always eager to get home to our lil buddies in the early afternoon and takes them out immediately to play. Then, when I get home a little later, we have them out for the evening. It is an absolute blast!

With all of the stress and craziness currently happening for me, it is so comforting to have Penelope and Mel. We both can’t picture our apartment without them and it has only been one short week. Pet Parent Lyfe is suiting us very well, indeed, and Penelope and Mel are already more loved than words can say! ❤

Do you have a pet? What is your favorite thing about being a pet parent? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov6

Introducing: Mel & Penelope!

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Introducing: Mel & Penelope!

Hello!! After a lot of preparations, purchases, and research, Johnny and I finally welcomed home our sweet bunnies this past Tuesday. We adopted this mother and son duo named Penelope and Mel from a couple whose adopted bunny had a surprise litter. We are completely obsessed with our furry little children and it has been so much fun having the bonded pair raising a ruckus in our apartment. Check out these sweet angels – the white and brown one is Penelope and the little black one is her son, Mel:

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^^^ Lol, Penelope looks like such a loaf in that last one!

I have wanted pet rabbits for as long as I can remember and vowed to myself that I would get a pair when I moved into my old apartment. This never came to be, however, for a plethora of reasons. For example, there was a definite lack of space at chez moi as well as the fact that the temperature inside was always either stifling hot or unbearably cold. This was uncomfortable for a human let alone animals. And, after Johnny and all of his stuff moved in with me, there was officially no space to be found.

Fast forward to getting settled in our new apartment this past May and the possibility of having a pet was finally a real thing. We now have plenty of space, a functional AC unit, and a great heating system too. After spending some time enjoying our new digs together, I couldn’t think of any reason to not begin the search for a pair of bonded rabbits.

The work was slow going for a while and I, honestly, didn’t even have any supplies but was looking on PetFinder anyways lol. Then, my butt got kicked into high gear when my brother-in-law tagged me in a Facebook post that his neighbor made about looking for homes for their rabbits. I replied and that day, I had Penelope and Mel on hold for me and a hutch and endless Chewy orders on the way. All Johnny and I had to do was wait for everything to ship and get the hutch built. 😀

It felt like a lifetime of waiting until the scheduled date to pick our babies up and they are just as wonderful as we imagined. Penelope is a timid little thing and loves to be held. Her son, on the other hand, is so frisky and just wants to play, play, play! It is such a novelty to spend time in the evening with our pets rather than in front of the TV and we can’t get enough. Every morning, I can’t wait to take them out to play before I go to work and we both look forward to coming home in the afternoon to have them out for the evening. It is everything we ever wanted AND MORE! ❤

Going from petless to pet owners in under two weeks has been a whirlwind but we are so thankful to officially be bunny parents. Keep it posted on lifewithlilred for all of the Penelope and Mel cuteness!

Have you ever had pet rabbits? What are some of your best care tips? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov5

Johnny For A Day OOTD Bloopers

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Johnny For A Day OOTD Bloopers

Hello everyone and welcome to the blooper reel from my Johnny For A Day OOTD! This Halloween costume was so much fun to style, shoot, and wear. It was a blast to channel my inner Johnny and I have found myself wondering how he would style a costume dressed as me because he doesn’t have the luxury of fitting into my clothes lol. I loved so many of the shots from this OOTD that it had to be broken up into parts. As always, however, some of the shots were definitely of the “yikes” variety and includes the following:

I LOOK GREAT!!!!

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Don’t mind me, just struttin my stuff

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I had no idea that I could even make this face but we learn something new every day!

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Just here looking like I tied one on before passing out trick-or-treat candy

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This picture is terrifying

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Wandering off on an adventure to create the perfect shot…

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Nailed it, obviously lol

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About to attempt to hoist myself back up lol

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Stumbling on my way to get my phone haha smh

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There was nothing scary about my costume but some of these pictures completely make up for that! My original plan was to dress up as an undead bride but there were two glaring issues. 1) I had no costume makeup and most importantly 2) I didn’t feel like shaving my legs lol this is my time to hibernate! Bored with all of my costumes, dressing up as Johnny seemed like the most logical choice and I am so glad that I went for it. In fact, I could totally picture myself wearing this outfit or something similar again!

As with the spirit of trick-or-treating, some of the pics from this shoot were a treat. The ones above were a real trick, though, especially since I thought I was working it haha. That’s the fun of the blooper reel and I hope you enjoyed this costume series as much as I did making it! ❤

How was your Halloween? Are you in Christmas mode already? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov4

Johnny For A Day OOTD Bonus Pics

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Johnny For A Day OOTD Bonus Pics

Hello everyone!! Johnny and I had a blast passing out candy to trick-or-treaters this past Saturday and were so impressed by the adorable and sometimes hilarious costumes we saw. Our favorites were an inflatable chicken and a little girl dressed up as Audrey Hepburn. And, I hate to toot my own horn BUT my costume was one of my favorites too lol. I dressed up as my husband for Halloween and I am still basking in the success of it. This look also had me feeling like a billion bucks so now I know how Johnny feels every day! Check out some bonus pics from my Johnny For A Day OOTD:

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OOTD posts are my absolute favorite thing to create for lifewithlilred for a plethora of reasons. I love everything about it from styling the look to selecting the perfect location and fancying myself as an America’s Next Top Model contestant when Johnny takes my pictures. Whenever Johnny is snapping away, I don’t have specific inspiration in my mind in terms of the poses I do and I think that’s why this shoot was so successful. I had concert Johnny in mind with every shot!

Seeing my husband play music always blows my mind but it just hits different when he’s playing a live show. He is constantly moving around the stage, doing crazy back bends, squats, and the cutest little foot kicks lol. For this shoot, I tried to embody some of Johnny’s signature moves with a fashion twist and I am so proud of how the end result turned out. I knew that these pictures were 150% Johnny but it felt awesome to have our friends and those that know him best confirm it too. ❤

My Johnny For A Day OOTD is one of my favorite looks that I have styled for lifewithlilred and I already can’t wait to create some more. Keep it posted tomorrow to wrap up this look with the blooper reel!

What is your favorite Halloween candy? What has been one of your favorite Halloween costumes that you saw this year? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov3

3 Ways To Make Cooking More Exciting

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3 Ways To Make Cooking More Exciting

Everyone loves indulging in delicious meals that have been prepared with passion. But not everybody loves cooking these meals. According to a study, nearly 90% of people hate cooking. While eating out might be a solution for most people, it’s not the healthiest option and can increase your expenses. Spending time in the kitchen is a great way to use that space in your home, explore your culinary skills and creativity, and eat healthier meals. Sometimes, you cannot avoid cooking, but if you want to turn it around from a boring and time-consuming chore to a fun activity, here are some ways to do so:

Play some music while cooking:

Playing some of your favorite songs and playlists is a great way to liven up your ambience and make your kitchen more exciting. Cooking can be stressful sometimes, especially after spending a long day at work or school. However, creating a fun cooking environment can make the experience a breeze and boost your mood. You can create a fun cooking playlist with all of your favorite songs. It’s even more enjoyable if you have a portable speaker that you can place in a safe area of your kitchen. You can easily turn your time in the kitchen into a party.

Try new recipes:

Even if you enjoy cooking, it can get very boring, especially when your menu consists of the same recipes. Although you might master making those meals, you will likely lose interest in preparing and eating them. So, why not make your cooking more adventurous by including new recipes? Trying out new recipes is a great way to break your routine and challenge yourself. But don’t be so hard on yourself when you make mistakes. It could take some time before you master any new recipe.

You can also switch things up in your regular menu by switching out some ingredients and giving it a new taste. This can include using different herbs and spices. Seasoning your meals for a more exciting taste calls for a bit of creativity so don’t be afraid to color outside the lines. Explore a variety of different options like cumin seeds, herb medleys, rubs for meats, or even growing your own fresh herbs. Your new favorite dish could be as simple as making alterations to an old recipe.

These extra additions can be a bit pricey so try finding stores that will give you the best bang for your buck. For example, if you’re in the market for saffron, then you could search online for “1 gram saffron price in dubai” (or your local area) to score the best price. You can also check out new recipes by checking out blogs, watching cooking shows, buying a new recipe book, or following a recipe page on social media.

Use quality kitchenware:

Another way to elevate your cooking experience is by using quality kitchen products. When you cook with the right utensils, it saves you a lot of time in the kitchen, which can be especially useful if you have a busy schedule. Using quality kitchen products can also improve the taste of your meals. If you are on the market for new kitchenware, websites like kanika’s kitchen can be a great place to browse as they feature critique-tested products. New cookware can help you create some of the most beautiful food presentations if you are concerned with appearance. You must also ensure that any leftovers are properly stored, using the correct storage containers to maintain their freshness. Brands like OXO have amazing containers and other utensils that make cooking and storing food a snap.

Cooking might not be your favorite household task, but it is vital, especially if you want to better manage your finances and health. These tips should help you enjoy the entire process of cooking and make the experience a fun one!

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