Oct12

Heritage Farms Date Day

Posted on October 12, 2022 by lifewithlilred

Hello!! This past Saturday, Johnny and I had a lovely date day/OOTD shoot at the Heritage Farms pumpkin patch. Because, let’s be real, are you really a fashion blogger if you don’t take pictures at a pumpkin patch during spooky season?! The answer is: NO! We even got surprised by a super sweet woman who insisted on taking our pictures after yelling “POWER COUPLE ALERT” lol. Check it out:

^^^ You can peep this OOTD tomorrow!!

Heritage Farms is a beautiful property that hosts all kinds of different events year round. There are farmers markets in the summer, pumpkin patches in the fall, and a Christmas tree farm come winter. The pumpkin patch was SO perfect and was decked out with something for everyone. There were food trucks, pumpkins of every shape and size, and a children’s area featuring games and hay rides. I can’t wait to take my nieces!! 😀

We couldn’t have asked for better weather for our date day and what started out really chilly turned into a sunny and warm fall afternoon. It felt wonderful to walk around and breathe in that fresh fall air and see all of the other families having such a great time. Nothing warms mine and Johnny’s hearts more than seeing other people basking in the glory of Halloween time. ❤

After selecting two baby pumpkins apiece, we started to get hungry and continued our date at a bar called The Basement. I had never been before even though it’s right down the street from our apartment and the food was, shockingly, insanely good. We returned home with very full bellies and I treated Johnny to some pampering by dyeing his hair. Then, it was time for Magic The Gathering and video games to wrap up a fantastic day.

Ever since Johnny and I began doing our combined date and OOTD shoot on Saturdays, I have been such a happy camper. It gives me something to look forward to every week and it is so much fun to explore all kinds of different places in the greater Akron area with my main squeeze. I can’t wait to figure out where we’ll go next week!

What does your ideal date consist of? What is your favorite fall activity? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct11

Face Mask Festivities: Freeman Rejuvenating Cucumber & Pink Salt Clay Mask Edition

Posted on October 11, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Face Mask Festivities: Freeman Rejuvenating Cucumber & Pink Salt Clay Mask Edition

Hello!! Friday is usually Johnny’s big night out and my big night in. During my evening with the apartment to myself, I love to play Paper Mario and Animal Crossing and watch all of the shows that Johnny refuses to watch with me (IE: Hoarders!). As I was getting settled, I realized that it had been a long while since I used a face mask so I decided to do a little pampering:

For my spa night, I used the Freeman Rejuvenating Cucumber & Pink Salt Clay Mask and it was pretty good. My first impression was how nice it smelled – just like freshly cut cucumbers, which was really refreshing. The pale blue color was also very pleasing too! The directions for this mask said to remove after seven to ten minutes so I applied the mask and waited…

When I’m using a face mask, I try to leave it on for as long as I can. However, that was so not the case with this mask. It dried very quickly and by the five minute mark it was already hardened considerably but not unpleasantly. Fast forward to minute seven and my skin was begging me to take it off. I experienced a mild burning sensation and it was like heaven when I began removing it.

Although it wasn’t the most pampered I’ve ever felt during my face mask time, I was still impressed with the results. The exfoliating pink salt worked well and my skin felt smooth and looked nourished. It was super drying, though, and I actually had to apply my nighttime skin care routine twice because of how thirsty my skin was. It was all good after that extra moisturizing boost!

I liked this mask well enough but I don’t think that I would use it again. If I were to try it one more time, I would definitely remove it at five minutes, which I would recommend if you try it too!

How do you like to spend a night in? What is your favorite face mask? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct10

Libraries Rock!

Posted on October 10, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello! I have had the absolute pleasure of taking my sweet niece, Val Gal, to a couple of story times at one of the many local libraries in our area. It is seriously the cutest thing on planet Earth and I love having some extra TT time! During story hour, the kids listen to stories (Obviously lol), sing songs, learn dances, and do a craft themed around their topic for the day. The teacher also peppers in tips for the parents or family to help improve language skills. I have never been to a library story hour before taking Val and I was SO impressed by the librarians running the program.

When I first started my job as an Independent Provider for people with special needs, I was working strictly in the evenings. Prior to this, I used to think that libraries were just for using the computers and getting books. However, they are so much more than that, which I learned from taking my clients to the numerous programs held at the libraries.

Every month, I would scour the Events pages for the libraries in the greater Akron area for programs my clients would enjoy. And, every time, I was blown away with what was being offered. We would attend vinyl record clubs, movie nights, crafts, an escape room, and even a murder mystery night! The best part? Everything was always free!

Libraries in my area offer everything from computer courses and sign language classes to cooking clubs and concerts. And, I’m sure that the libraries in your neck of the woods probably have a lot of similar experiences for your community. These places are, truly, a gift and I wanted to shine a light on it. Not only can you expand your knowledge but you can make friends in the process too. This is very evident every time Val meets a new pal at her story times. 🙂

If you are looking for activities to do with your children or with a group of friends as the weather gets colder, then head to your local library. You never know what amazing things you will find!

Have you ever attended any library programs before? What were they? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct9

Simply Spooky OOTD Bloopers

Posted on October 9, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello everyone and welcome to the blooper reel of my Simply Spooky OOTD! These pictures were taken during a lovely date night at Sarah’s Vineyard with my main squeeze. Johnny and I had a wonderful time and I love that we are making a habit of weekend dates. It has also been so nice of my blog husband to make a habit of taking weekend OOTD pics too. What a guy!! Check out the bloopers from this look:

Future hand model? I think YES!

The cover of my opera album called “Vineyards”

An overwhelming enthusiasm for fashion

I LOOK GREAT!!!!!

Just kicking my feet back and chillin

I’m pretty sure this is when Johnny told me our food would probably be ready soon lol

YIKES!!

So glad that Johnny captures everything, including my attempt of taking my jacket off

Jacket is off! Let’s take some more pictures!

Johnny has been taking my OOTD pictures for the better part of three years and I think that we have mastered the song and dance of the process. What originally started out as a somewhat awkward and time consuming feat has been perfected. These photo shoots take less than ten minutes which is a huge improvement from back in the day when it was a twenty or so minute ordeal. Talk about progress, baby!

I am so appreciative to Johnny for always helping his girl out and his rapid fire picture taking is what makes these blooper segments even possible. He also gets a huge kick out of the “bad” pictures! Every time I show him one I love, he’ll tell me “I know, I was there!” But every yikes shot makes him bust a gut lol. The give and take of marriage!!

The blooper reel is a blast for your favorite husband and wife OOTD duo and I hope that it is just as much fun for all of you. Keep it posted here on lifewithlilred for lots more fall fabulousness!

Does your significant other help with your blog at all? Who usually takes your pictures? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct8

Top Tips For Renovating Your House On a Budget

Posted on October 8, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Top Tips For Renovating Your House On a Budget

Research reveals that home remodeling searches have more than doubled, especially between 2020 and 2021. Renovating your home can be exciting, but it also requires a lot of planning to make it successful. One major challenge during house renovations is how to make changes while staying within budget. Let’s explore some ideas of how to achieve your renovation goals while being budget friendly:

Have a plan:

One of the most crucial things you’ll need to do to keep renovation costs low is to have a well thought out strategy and follow it as closely as possible. It’s best to draw up a budget before you start renovating to give you an idea of the items you need to prioritize. Doing this will also guide you in comparing prices before you buy any materials for the renovations so you can identify the ones that work best for you. If your budget is stretched thin, you can choose to do the renovations gradually instead of doing everything at once.

Planning will also help you set realistic timelines to achieve your renovation plans. It will also help you prepare for unforeseen circumstances that may delay your project, such as unavailability of materials, longer time to finish a particular aspect of the renovations, and so on.

Research:

Researching is necessary for the renovation of your home. It will inform your decision on the items you need for your project. Conducting thorough research will also help you know if you’ll need to bring any professionals on board to assist you and identify the best options available. If you’re in or around the Putnam County area and need to replace some doors and windows in your home, you can start preparing for it by researching here.

Get creative with your exterior:

You can think about adding a few touches to your exterior to make it more inviting without breaking the bank. You can do this by repainting your door or replacing the doorknobs and hinges. You may also consider exploring colors that complement your home’s interior for maximum effect. Small changes can make a world of difference!

^^^ Pexels Image

Explore DIY tricks:

Home renovations can provide the perfect opportunity to test your DIY skills. To save money, you can consider performing less demanding tasks yourself, like painting the walls. Apart from that, doing the work yourself gives you the chance to be hands on in making your renovation dream a reality, leading to a sense of fulfillment. So, why not challenge yourself and identify which aspects of the renovation you can do? Remember to be safety conscious by wearing the right safety gear and reading instructions to prevent injuries.

The above tips will make your renovations as rewarding as possible without taking a huge toll on your finances. Enjoy your dream home!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Oct8

Clinique Love Pop Lipstick Swatch

Posted on October 8, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello!! This past week, we had a day full of visitors at chez parents. My aunt dropped by and she bequeathed some makeup and skin care samples for my sister and I to enjoy. As luck would have it, Kristen and my nieces came over shortly after and I divided up the loot. Skin care for me and makeup for Kristen. Of course, I had to ask her if I could swatch the Clinique Love Pop lipstick before she could take it home lol check it out:

While I was snapping some pics of this new lippie, my Val Gal came up to me and asked why I was taking pictures of lipstick. Haha! I explained to her that her TT’s job is sometimes showing off products so people can decide if they want to buy it or not. She seemed to get it and was happy to get a story read to her as I finished up. 😀

The Love Pop color is the perfect raspberry hue and it is oh so pretty. However, it is not the shade for me. With really vibrant hair, I have to be careful of the lip color that I choose to avoid looking clown like. As much as it pains me to admit it, I am no longer a red lipstick girl and muted nudes are my new go to’s.

BUT, if my hair situation was different, I would be so rocking this lippie! It is such a lovely shade for fall and will look stunning against autumn blue skies and the changing leaves. The Love Pop color features deep pink undertones with the smallest touch of purple and will be great with a jewel toned top to reflect all of the rich colors that fall is known for.

If you are on the prowl for a raspberry tart pout, then Love Pop is the hue for you. Myself, on the other hand, loves the Bare Pop and just might have to give it a try!

What is your favorite lipstick? Did you buy new makeup if you made a drastic change to your hair? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct7

So Luxe: Hotel Vibes In Your Own Home

Posted on October 7, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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There are a lot of reasons why you might want to make your home look more like a hotel. Hotels have this feeling of luxury and comfort, which is likely to be something that you would appreciate in your home too. So if you’re wondering how to make this a reality for your home, how are you going to achieve that? Let’s find out:

Deep Clean All Surfaces:

One thing that hotels do a lot is thoroughly deep clean every surface that you can see, as well as those you can’t. This requires hard work and constant diligence, but it is the kind of thing that you should think about doing if you are going to make your home more hotel-like. There are many surfaces that you need to think about here, including all of the counters and tabletops, and these should definitely be cleaned on a regular basis if possible. You should also make sure to get some professional carpet cleaning carried out occasionally and consider doing the same for all the upholstery too.

^^^ Pexels Image

Upgrade Your Lighting:

For your home to be more like a hotel, you will want to opt for show-stopping lighting which is at once sophisticated and elegant, as that is going to produce the right vibe every time. You should also consider some soft and gentle lighting for focal areas in rooms, as you might find in hotel rooms. This lends a certain calmness to rooms that are all about relaxing. Good lighting can really make a world of difference.

Use Symmetry:

If you look at the room layouts of many of the best hotels, you will notice that there is often a definite symmetry to them. This doesn’t have to be an absolute rule all of the time. However, if you do make some use of symmetry in a clever way, you are going to find that your home looks a lot more like a hotel and much more interesting and stylish for it too.

There is also something to be said for a little tasteful asymmetry, and if you can marry these two together in the right way you might be surprised at how much it can work. You can achieve both of these ends by simply moving furniture around or remodeling a room if you are keen to make a huge difference.

^^^ Pexels Image

Be Wary Of Clutter:

A hotel would not have any clutter whatsoever so it might be time for an overhaul of unneeded items in your home. This is especially great to do during changes in the season to give your home a breath of freshness. Make use of clever storage options for things that can’t be parted with and donate and recycle the rest. And, do try to keep the clutter from returning!

The Bed:

Finally, remember that the most important thing of all for a hotel is the bed. The more comfortable and luxurious this is, the better. Treat yourself to a good quality bed frame and mattress. Don’t forget some great linen, throw pillows, and plush blankets too. This alone is going to make your home a lot more luxurious in no time at all.

Who needs a five star hotel when you can have a five star home, instead? No room key required!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Oct7

Simply Spooky OOTD Bonus Pics

Posted on October 7, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello everyone and welcome to some bonus pics from my Simply Spooky OOTD! This outfit was worn during a date night at Sarah’s Vineyard with Johnny and it was a HOOT. Not only was it a lovely outing but it was nice to get done up and tear ourselves away from our scary movie marathons for a spell! The spooky spirit remained with us, however, with my jack-o-lantern sweater and Johnny’s spiderweb one:

With my new hair, I feel like the queen of October and I have been looking forward to the happiest time of the year since last Halloween. After the dreadfully hot days of summer, there is truly nothing better to me than a brisk fall day when you can throw on a jacket that you don’t need to instantly take off! From the fashion and decor to all of the scary movies and autumn activities, this is truly the time when Johnny and I thrive.

There are a few fall outings that I am dying to do so maybe I’ll need another spooky sweater or two for all of the following:

Pumpkin Patch:

Are you really a basic ass lover of fall if you don’t go to a pumpkin patch and take pictures? The answer is a resounding NO! We have so many beautiful pumpkin patches/apple orchards nearby and I would love to frequent a few – especially when live music and hay rides are offered over the weekends! Plus, a trip to the pumpkin patch means making jack-o-lanterns later so talk about a win/win!

Movie Nights:

Despite mine and Johnny’s constant stream of horror movies at home, it’s even more fun to share with friends! We are excited to host movie nights with some of our besties to enjoy the season and slashers all together. I can’t wait to scour Pinterest for cute ideas for spooky treats and apple cider cocktails for the whole crew. 😀

Afternoon Hikes:

There are an infinite amount of Metro Parks in my neck of the woods and you would be crazy not to explore them during the fall. It is absolutely glorious when the leaves change colors! Although I don’t think Johnny and I will complete the rounds of the annual Fall Hiking Spree, it will be nice to work up an appetite with an afternoon hike before a dinner date.

Community Activities:

Over the weekend, there are tons of local community events in the good ol’ 330. From movie screenings at the Riverfront to Boo At The Zoo and fall festivals, it is all such a blast. Last year, I took my Val Gal to trick-or-treat in downtown Cuyahoga Falls and it was simply the best. Johnny and I are also eager to assist my parents with trick-or-treat this year in their neighborhood. Fire pit and the Monster Mash on repeat, anyone?!

With all of the outings of fall and an OOTD for every occasion, I am ready to have some fun this October. Who’s with me?!

What are your favorite fall activities? What seasonal events are going on in your area? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct6

Simply Spooky OOTD

Posted on October 6, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello! For mine and Johnny’s date night at Sarah’s Vineyard, I had grand plans of showing out in a mix and match plaid OOTD. However, your girl was TIRED so I went with a much more low key fit that was still super cute. Johnny was wearing his spiderweb Halloween sweater and I decided to vibe off of him with a spooky sweater of my own:

Who? What? Wear?

Jack-o-Lantern Sweater: TJMaxx, Better/Together
Embellished Moto Jacket: Zara
Black Skinny Jeans: American Eagle Outfitters
Snakeskin Heeled Boots: Qupid, TJMaxx
Spiderweb Earrings: These were a gift from Johnny’s parents!
Claw Rings: Spirit Halloween

One of my favorite things about going on dates with Johnny is our fashion! It’s safe to say that we look a lot different than most people we encounter when we’re out together and it’s fun when they are LIVING for it. We got so many compliments on our Halloween themed attire and I always appreciate the confidence boost and will send a compliment right back. ❤

During our vineyard date, it was fairly cold and overcast and I was so glad that I chose to wear my Better/Together sweater. The past few times I’ve worn it, it has just been to watch scary movies at home with Johnny and it is the most comfortable thing that I have ever owned. Having it on while there was a brisk autumn chill was like being wrapped in a blanket and it was so freaking pleasing lol.

Black skinnies were the obvious choice with my sweater and while the base of this outfit is simple, it shines from the finishing touches. It was much too cold for the sweater alone and I knew just the fix for that – my Zara moto jacket! There is nothing like wearing a moto jacket for the first time of the season and this one is my favorite. The studs, grey hood, and pockets really spice up the standard shape and I loved how the orange sweater popped beneath it.

For shoes, I decided on my snakeskin heeled boots by Qupid, which were a Christmas gift forever ago from my sister. I love anything snakeskin patterned anytime of the year but it is such a perfect print for the Halloween season. There is something so sexy and a bit spooky about it! I love these boots and the cylindrical shape of the heel is really cool. The stark white base of the pattern is also a unique take on snakeskin, which added a fun quirky touch.

Finally, it was time to accessorize and I have no shortage of Halloween themed jewelry to choose from. Johnny’s parents did REAL good with gifting me the spiderweb earrings last Christmas and busting those out was a must. I also added my claw rings on both of my middle fingers for a nice howdy-doo! I got these rings for my Halloween costume last year and I think they are the tops. Yes, they are a massive pain to wear because they always want to fall off but that doesn’t take away from how awesome they are!

Was this the date night OOTD I originally planned on? Hard no. But, this Simply Spooky fit is too cute not to share anyways. Get your creepy on with inspo from this look for all of your Halloween activities and keep it posted for bonus pics and bloopers to come!

What is your favorite Halloween activity? What is your favorite spooky piece of clothing or accessory? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct5

Sarah’s Vineyard Date Night

Posted on October 5, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello!! The fall is when Johnny and I thrive and we have been making the most out of the lovely weather through weekend date days. This typically involves taking OOTD pictures, running an errand or two, and then going out for a late lunch or dinner. It is the best! This weekend, we decided to go to Sarah’s Vineyard for dinner and it was delightful and delicious! Check it out:

There is nothing like some quality time with my main squeeze to lift my spirits and we had a blast at Sarah’s Vineyard. It is a beautiful property and we both haven’t been in years. Also, whenever I have gone with my friends, it’s strictly for the wine and not the food lol! I was so excited because everyone in my neck of the woods raves about the vineyard’s wood fire pizzas and I couldn’t wait to have a slice or ten. 😀

I don’t know about you guys but whenever Johnny and I go out to eat, I look at the menu hours in advance. This gives me ample time to decide what I want because it can be overwhelming to choose from a menu I haven’t experienced yet. It didn’t take me long to know what I wanted from my pre-screening and everything was just as good as I imagined it to be.

For wine, Johnny went with the not too sweet Sweet Elisa, which kind of tasted like church wine but was still pretty tasty. We also got to make use of the vineyard’s bottling service since Johnny haphazardly ordered a full carafe SMH! I was disappointed that my favorite, their white sangria, wasn’t available so I chose the sweetest option, Golden Solstice. It was light, refreshing and much better than my usual Barefoot!

Normally when we go out to a restaurant, we never order appetizers. However, I just couldn’t say no to the Artichoke & Asiago dip. Sign me up for anything that involves artichoke and cheese because I love it oh so much. I’m glad I tried it out and it was SO yummy but I wouldn’t order it again next time. I hate to be the one to complain about prices but I thought ten dollars was steep for the tiniest bowl ever of the dip. Hey, sometimes you just have to live a little. 😀

As our main dish, I got the Margherita pizza and Johnny got the Pepperoni & Banana Pepper. In fact, he’s currently eating his leftovers for breakfast as I write this! Johnny really liked his pizza and I was happy overall with mine. It actually tasted much better the next day. The garlic oil sauce and toppings on mine were so light that my pizza just tasted kind of doughy. Next time we go, I plan on just doing a cheese pizza with a couple of veggies on top and I think that I’ll like that much better.

Johnny and I had such a great time at Sarah’s Vineyard and we are eager to go back – especially since it’s close to our apartment. The vineyard has such a charming, cozy atmosphere and it really is the perfect date night setting!

Where was the last place you went on a date? What is your favorite restaurant? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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