Happy Housewarming Gifts

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Happy Housewarming Gifts

Hello!! It isn’t even our housewarming/birthaversary party yet and Johnny and I have already been gifted with so many amazing things from our loved ones. Some of our favorite gifts so far have definitely come from Johnny’s Aunt Eileen and her husband, who I had the pleasure of meeting for the first time a few weeks ago at Johnny’s concert. They so generously sent us all of these goodies and we have been making great use of them since:

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My Johnny is a HUGE history buff and enjoys his free time by watching documentaries, listening to podcasts, and reading up on his favorite subject. He is a wealth of knowledge and is always teaching me something new. So, he was especially excited by the BenShot glasses with a bullet in it! Aunt Eileen got us four of these glasses and Johnny has made sure that he has drank from every single one lol. Saying that we have a TON of glasses is an understatement and these are, easily, the coolest ones we have.

Aunt Eileen also gifted us with a video game themed clock and beer themed wall art (Two of our favorite things!) that Johnny hung up in our game room. It was just what we needed too since a majority of our wall art was used on the art wall. They are both perfect pieces of decor for our game room and now all we need is batteries to make them work… and a new Rolling Stones neon light which I accidentally broke. WHOOPS!

Johnny and I are so appreciative of everyone’s generosity as we celebrate our big move, wedding anniversary, and birthdays. Many thanks again to Aunt Eileen for the super thoughtful and very us gifts – we love them and you! ❤

What is your home decor style like? Do you have any exciting events to celebrate coming up? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Happy Early Birthday To Me!!

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Happy Early Birthday To Me!!

Hello! I am one of those people who simply cannot wait to give and receive presents for special occasions. I am probably the most impatient person when it comes to that! When Johnny and I first started dating, he was pretty good about waiting until a holiday or birthday for gift exchanges. However, over time, he has adopted my early bird method and gifted me with an early birthday prezzie this past weekend:

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Lol, the answer is: Yes, my husband did buy me a sword cane for my birthday – it is exactly what I wanted! As you guys know, I am extra enough to be carrying around parasols, wrapping myself in faux fur, and wouldn’t be caught dead in the summer without a huge sunhat and sunglasses. A sword cane is yet another thing to be added to this arsenal of extraness and I am SO there for it.

At least once a year, Johnny and I have a Harry Potter movie marathon and this present was inspired by Lucius Malfoy’s cane wand. I remember vividly saying that I loved it when watching The Chamber Of Secrets and Johnny filed it away in his mental rolidex for a gift giving occasion. And, as always, he did really good because my cane is incredibly similar to a one Mr. Malfoy’s.

Johnny, apparently, was just as enamored by this purchase as I was because he accidentally ordered two! Instead of canceling the order, he decided to keep it for himself and we have definitely already had fake sword fights at the apartment. Fear not – the blade is less sharp than a butter knife but we both had a blast getting our imaginary Aragorn on!

As you might know, Johnny’s birthday is on June 1st, our wedding anniversary is June 4th, and my birthday is June 7th. We refer to this as our “birthaversary” and it’s such a monumental week that we can’t help but celebrate early… Especially considering that Johnny has known his gift for the past month – an immersive Sleepy Hollow cocktail event. We can’t wait! 😀

Are you an impatient gift giver like me? How do you like to celebrate special occasions? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

 

Top Tips To Start Your Day Off Right

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Top Tips To Start Your Day Off Right

Are you a morning person or do you find it impossible to feel energized and motivated until at least 10 AM? Getting the morning off to a good start sets the tone for the rest of the day. If you struggle to get up or you feel like you rarely start the day with energy and enthusiasm, here are some simple tips to help you make positive changes:

Establish a sleep routine:

Most people don’t want to jump out of bed as soon as their alarm goes off because they are tired, and staying under the covers is a much more appealing option. If you experience tiredness in the mornings, it’s a good idea to review your sleep routine. You might not be getting enough sleep or your body clock may be out of kilter. Try to establish a routine, which involves setting a time to go to sleep and get up in the morning. Stick to those times as much as possible to enable your body clock to adjust and ensure that you get the rest you need.

Stretch:

Stretching is a brilliant way to make your body feel more alive and get your mind ready for the day ahead. Take five or ten minutes to stretch your body, do a yoga session, or enjoy benefits from Surya Namaskar sun salutations. Stretching is beneficial for your joints and muscles, it increases flexibility and suppleness,  reduces stress, and makes you feel calmer and more focused. The beauty of daily stretching is that you can do it whenever and wherever you like. You can follow workouts or guided sessions or simply do your favorite stretches when you wake up, you have a break at work, or there are a few minutes to spare after dropping the kids off at school.

Eat a healthy, balanced breakfast:

Most of us are familiar with the old adage, ‘breakfast is the most important meal of the day’. Eating breakfast fires up your digestive system and it can help to raise energy levels and prevent you from experiencing hunger and a lack of energy and motivation later in the day. Try to opt for nutritious foods and meals such as wholemeal toast with poached eggs or avocado, oatmeal, whole grain cereals, omelets, and fruit and natural yogurt. Foods that release energy slowly will help you stay fuller for longer. If you need some caffeine along with your breakfast to get the day going, you could try a VALR Nitrogen-Infused Energy Drink. You will always feel like you woke up on the right side of the bed!

Get organized the night before:

Stress and anxiety can make it difficult to sleep. If you know you’ve got an important meeting the next day, you won’t have time to go out and buy lunch, or you need to look sharp, get organized the night before. Make a wrap, salad, or sandwich to take with you, decide what you’re going to wear, pack your bag, and take half an hour before you go to bed to de-stress and relax. Run a bath, read a book, watch TV, listen to music, or meditate. Avoid checking emails, scrolling through social media, or doing anything that will stress you out or stimulate your mind late at night.

Some people jump out of bed in the morning ready to attack the day, but for many, it’s a struggle to get motivated. If you find it hard to approach the day with energy and vigor, use these simple tips to get every day off to the best possible start!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Surprise Sweater

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Surprise Sweater

Hey! My Johnny is a huge fan of podcasts and loves to listen to them while driving, hanging out at home, and at work. His absolute favorite is the Last Podcast On The Left, which discusses true crime, gruesome history, and all things horrifying in a humorous way. I, personally, don’t have the attention span for podcasts, however, when Johnny and I are taking a road trip or working on unpacking we usually listen to Last Podcast together.

We have a lot of gear from the LPOTL crew including stickers, books, coffee mugs, and my new sweater that Johnny got me from their online store:

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^^^ We love the elbow patch pentagrams!

A few weeks ago, Johnny and I were having our game night and he decided he wanted to see what was new at the Last Podcast On The Left shop. During his browsing, he pointed out the Hail Yourself cropped sweater and I instantly fell in love with it. I told him as such and without a second thought, he put it in the cart and ordered it for me. He also picked out a few goodies for himself!

We have been eagerly awaiting for our shipment and I couldn’t wait to get home and check it out when he told me that it had arrived. My new sweater is even better in person and I love the fuzzy lettering and oversized shape. In fact, I am wearing it as I type this and it is SO. Freaking. Comfy. It is also perfect for the weather today because it is pretty chilly out.

My Johnny and I love to spoil each other and it is because we both are really listening to each other when we talk. Just yesterday, for example, we were watching Impractical Jokers and Johnny said he loved one of the shirts that Murr was wearing. I looked it up, found it, and have it ready to order as a little treat. This is a constant thing for us and it is such a sweet pick me up to look forward to when one of us says that we have a surprise for each other.

Speaking of surprises and our active listening, my birthday present from Johnny is a prime example of it and you can peep that on tomorrow’s post. Hail yourself!

What is your favorite podcast? What is your favorite merch store to shop? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Completed Art Wall!

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Completed Art Wall!

Hello! At mine and Johnny’s old apartment, I had a vision of an art wall going up the staircase. It never fully came to fruition because I ran out of Command strips, never bothered to get more, and didn’t want to put nails in the wall to hang things up with. Fast forward into our new digs and I began the art wall project once more with the full intention of completing it. And, I am pleased to say that it is finally done with Johnny’s help! It only took about three and a half years but, hey, better late than never:

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Johnny and I have been working hard in the new apartment to prepare for our housewarming/birthaversary party and have been diligently checking things off of our to do list. Completing the art wall was a huge win because it cleared up lots of space where all of the pictures you see above were just sitting there. In fact, this masterpiece allowed us to fully move the furniture we wanted to put in the game room, making us about eighty percent done with our unpacking.

I was so tickled that Johnny helped me finish this project that I started and I could not have done it without him. It also went by much quicker than when I was trying to hang everything up by myself! Johnny was my handy helper and he basically did everything, which was very nice for me. All I did was come up with the layout I wanted and he did the rest. What a guy!

I am beyond thrilled with how our art wall turned out and it is exactly what I had pictured in my head. I catch myself admiring our effort constantly when I’m at home and I am so happy to have our art collection on display. Thanks to Goodwill hauls, crafting nights with my bestie, and the pieces that Johnny contributed, we have a wide assortment for all of our guests to see. My personal favorite? The autographed picture of Randy and Mr. Lahey from Trailer Park Boys! Can you find it?

What kind of art work do you have hanging up at home? What is your favorite thing on my art wall? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Double Dose Of OOTDs

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Double Dose Of OOTDs

Hello! The last time that mine and Johnny’s darling friend, Shannon, came to visit, he took some amazing JCPenney style portraits of us. Johnny and I love them so much and can’t wait to get them printed and framed! Shannon also took some gorgeous glamour shots of yours truly that I am very excited to share with all of you:

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Who? What? Wear?

Shannon is one of our dearest friends and is so talented at his craft. He has taken pictures at so many shows that Johnny has played and he always makes time to take some shots of me too! Shannon, unfortunately, lives in Marietta and that is just not close enough for mine and Johnny’s liking so it is always a treat when he comes to stay with us. And, when he did, he essentially brought an entire photo studio in a duffel bag.

Shannon had a plethora of different backgrounds, equipment, and ingenious hacks for us to play with. For example, the foil like back drop that he shot my pictures with is just a table cloth that he got from The Dollar Store! Like I said, ingenious and they are, easily, some of my favorite pictures of me.

For that ultra glam background, we wanted a more mod style look and I thought that my Victoria Beckham dress was the perfect solution. It is so classic and it wouldn’t be competing with the shining lights back drop, which was ideal. I got this dress SO long ago and have only worn it a handful of times and I have no idea why it isn’t in my regular outfit rotation. I love the Alice In Wonderland inspo with the White Rabbit on the collar and it adds such a sweet quirky touch to a basic Little Black Dress.

The next background we tried was a sheath of red suede and we decided to go for a more laid back look to compliment it. For that outfit, I wanted to invoke the vibes that I’d like to look like when I’m blogging away. Although, in all reality, I am definitely always just writing in my pajamas but that’s neither here nor there lol.

Like my Victoria Beckham dress, I wanted to go with a classic outfit along with some cozy touches because these pictures were taken way back in January. I went with my skull sweater by 360 Cashmere that I adore paired with my favorite distressed pair of skinnies. The sweater is oversized and baggy, so it needed the form fitting jeans on bottom to balance things out. Then, I chose my Chase + Chloe loafers, which I thought looked charming against the deep red back drop. Also, peep the hardware on those babies!

These pictures boast two very different looks and I am absolutely loving them. Many thanks again to Shannon for always making me look good and for being the best friend that Johnny and I could have! We love you! ❤

How would you describe your personal style? What is your favorite classic piece of clothing? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

 

Turning Your Art Hobby Into A Side Hustle

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Turning Your Art Hobby Into A Side Hustle

So you’re looking for a side hustle, and you love art. Or, perhaps, you need to find ways to inject more creativity into your life while also bringing in some money. If either of those statements rings true, then maybe an arts and crafts side hustle could give you the creative outlet you’re looking for while also helping you create a financial plan for the future. Here are five ways that you can turn your passion into a cash cow side hustle:

Create And Sell Digital Art:

This is one of the most straightforward arts and crafts side hustles to start. You don’t need to buy any fancy equipment to create digital art, and you can sell it online to clients from anywhere in the world. In fact, there are tons of digital art marketplaces out there, including Etsy, Zazzle, and Society6. You can also take your digital art a step further by creating video tutorials that show your clients how they can use their new products. This not only allows you to get some extra content out there but also gives your clients added value.

Turn Your Art Into Home Decor:

If you create more traditional art, you can still sell it to customers as home decor. Frame Your Art allows you to list your art pieces for sale online and each frame comes with a free print of your art. You can also partner with local shops that sell home decor to display your framed art in their stores or sell your art on Amazon through the Merch by Amazon program. The catch is that you’ll have to print it yourself (or outsource it to a company), box it, and ship it out to customers. But if you have the time, this is a great way to instantly create passive income from your art.

If you make art yourself, stock up on supplies from King’s printmaking supplies and get to creating. It’s an easy way to turn your hobby into a side hustle.

Start An Etsy Store:

Art is a great way to keep yourself busy. It can also make you money and Etsy has become a go-to marketplace for handmade goods. There are plenty of ways for artists to sell their artwork and crafts to the public. However, if you want to start an Etsy store as a side hustle, make sure that you’re abiding by the company’s guidelines.

If you’re a creative person, chances are you have plenty of ideas for new products to sell. You can either create your own designs or source items from other designers. No matter what, you’ll need to make sure that your product is high quality. People tend to be very selective when purchasing handmade items. Take the time to do things right so you don’t have to worry about returns or poor reviews on your page. Doing things right also means having the right equipment for your craft. For example, you will want an excellent mug press if you are creating customized mugs for your customers as well as proper packaging to avoid breaks.

Create Handmade Jewelry:

If you love to make jewelry but don’t want to sell your creations online, you can still make money with them as a side hustle. You can turn your jewelry-making hobby into a profit-making business by hosting small craft fairs in your neighborhood. Just make sure that you have permission to sell goods on public property.

In addition to craft fairs, you can also sell your goods online through marketplaces like Etsy, Amazon Handmade, and ArtFire. Keep in mind that this side hustle is more than just creating jewelry. You’ll need to set up your booth or display, attend events, and promote your business. You can also sell your jewelry at local shops. This allows you to get more visibility for your products, and you may even be able to negotiate a percentage of the sales.

Open A Print Shop:

Are you a Photoshop pro? If so, you can use your skills to create all sorts of designs for clients. Many companies outsource their printing to individuals who have the necessary software and knowledge to create the perfect design. You can find these jobs on sites like Upwork and PeoplePerHour. There are also online print shops that allow you to design customizable products such as T-shirts, posters, tote bags, and more. First, you’ll need to have a medium to sell your product at like a website or vendor fair booth. Then, you can upload your art on a website like dtftransfersnow.com to heat transfer your designs on cool stickers or summer ready tank tops. You usually have the option to use a template as well. Once you have everything up and running, all you have to do is wait for customers to order your products.

If you have a passion for arts and crafts and are looking for some extra cash, a side hustle will be just right for you. How cool will it be to see other people enjoying your one of a kind pieces?!

Featured Image By: Jess Bailey Designs via Pexels

Matching Pablo Cruise Shirts!!

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Matching Pablo Cruise Shirts!!

Hello!! Johnny and I have a couple of movies that we watch at least three times per month and Superbad and Step Brothers are definitely on that list. In fact, we honestly can’t have a conversation without peppering in our favorite movie quotes. The last time that we watched Step Brothers, we both decided that we wanted the Pablo Cruise raglan shirt that Brennan wears in the movie. So, we got it!

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^^^ Step Brothers picture from From The Movie, where you can get yours!

We watched Step Brothers before Johnny’s final show with The Outside Voices a few weekends ago and, as always, had a laugh attack during the entire viewing. Then, we proceeded to listen to Pablo Cruise for the rest of the day as we had never heard them before and had to have the knowledge to back our new shirts up with. We both pictured 1970’s yacht rock when we thought of Pablo Cruise and we weren’t wrong but it was oh so right.

Johnny and I listened to banger after banger by Pablo Cruise and even insisted that the sound tech played them while we were hanging out before the show. Everyone agreed that Pablo Cruise did not have to hit that hard but they did that for us. Stay with me on this, but it is the perfect music to listen to in a hot tub and I think that everyone was there mentally after just one song lol.

My husband and I have several matching T-shirts and I always say that it’s so we don’t get lost. Our newest addition to this growing collection is, hands down, my favorite though! We were so excited when they arrived in the mail and we both wore them to work the following day. And, good news, we didn’t get lost!

Moral of the story: If you are as big of a Step Brothers fan as me and Johnny, give Pablo Cruise a listen, buy the shirt, and join us as twinsies! 😀

What is your favorite funny movie? What band do you think is good hot tub music? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Lil Red’s Book Club: Secret Admirer By Patricia MacDonald Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: Secret Admirer By Patricia MacDonald Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! It has been a while since our last book club post because Johnny and I have been so busy with the move. It took me way longer than usual to finish Secret Admirer by Patricia MacDonald but I’m ready to discuss it today – without giving any spoilers away, of course! Before we begin, I will be putting a trigger warning on Secret Admirer for general violence and disturbing content. Now, let’s get to it:

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Laura and her husband, Jimmy, have it all. A beautiful son named Michael, a successful art gallery, and a loving relationship ready to last a lifetime. Unfortunately, their plans for a prosperous life together are cut short on New Year’s Eve when tragedy strikes – Jimmy has been murdered in his own bed by a supposed burglar. Laura was left with superficial wounds and Michael was unharmed but the trauma of such a great loss has turned their world upside down… Especially because everyone thinks that Laura committed the murder.

Laura claims that a figure dressed in all black attacked her and her husband but no such person has been found. It also is suspicious to law enforcement and everyone in the tight knit community that Laura was essentially left unharmed. Granted, she also makes herself seem even more suspect when she begins a whirlwind romance with Ian Turner and gets married to him almost immediately. Were they the ones plotting Jimmy’s death all along?

As Jimmy’s case grows cold and Laura and Ian seeming more and more likely to have been the perpetrators, new information needs to surface and quickly. Unfortunately, the new lead does nothing to help the new couple. In fact, it’s even more damning because whomever killed Jimmy could have been a contract killer. Will Laura spend the rest of her life behind bars? And, if she didn’t have a part to play in her husband’s death, then who did? Read Secret Admirer to find out!

Overall, I thought that Secret Admirer was pretty good. However, it was a slow boil of a read with things only getting really interesting about a half of the way through. While I did like that I didn’t figure out the main plot twist, it didn’t blow me away by any means and I would have preferred if the book ended differently. Not bad, but definitely not my favorite.

Secret Admirer boasted a long list of characters, but I didn’t particularly care for any of them. I did like Laura and Jimmy’s friend, Gary, a lot but that was about it. Of course, I was rooting for Laura and her family to come out on top but, like the book itself, they weren’t my favorite characters that I have read about.

I am going to rate Secret Admirer with a five out of ten stars. An average rating for an average book. I’m glad that I finally finished it but I think it’s one that you can all skip on.

What are you currently reading? What should I read next? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Best Snack EVER!!

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Best Snack EVER!!

Hello!! A couple of weeks ago, Johnny began purchasing this little bag of deliciousness from the gas station and we are OBSESSED:

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The first day that Johnny bought the Snak Club Tajin seasoned peanuts, he almost ate the whole bag at work. However, he is a thoughtful angel and saved some for me to try when I got home and it was, truly, love at first bite (Seriously, how sweet is he?). I just had to share this with all of you because it has become our new go to snack and one bag never feels like enough!

A couple of years ago, I tried the Mango Outshine popsicles that were seasoned with Tajin and they were a massive disappointment. The melting fruit juice flavored with the chili lime seasoning did nothing for me and I threw away the entire box after a few bites. The peanuts with a Tajin cracker shell are an entirely different story, though, and it is always painful to throw away a finished bag lol.

This peanut snack is filling and has just the right amount of kick to it to keep things interesting. You have the Lil Red Guarantee that you will not be able to eat just one and I can’t recommend them enough. In fact, I have a bag of them sitting right by my computer as I type this… I think I’ll have one (or ten) now! 😀

What is your favorite snack? Do you prefer sweet or savory treats? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah