Apr11

Home Improvement Ideas To Try Next

Posted on by
Standard
Home Improvement Ideas To Try Next

The use of social media DIY accounts is addictive, and many of us have wished to begin DIY home improvement tasks. Some DIY projects are successful, while others are not. However, enhancing your home is something we should all focus on at some time in our lives because it is our foundation; elements like security and decor should be updated on a regular basis. Here are a few suggestions to add to your next project to do list to make your home look even better:

Wall Paneling:

Wall paneling is a cost-effective technique to add luxury to a room. This is something that you can accomplish yourself pretty easily, but it is also something that skilled decorators can achieve in no time. It’s a small thing, but it makes a great difference. Providing paneling to your walls before painting them offers an air of sophistication to the space while also adding a lot of character. It’s not expensive because it’s only a few pieces of wood that you adhere to the wall and then paint over. It gives the room personality and serves as a wonderful conversation starter when visitors arrive.

New Windows:

New windows can provide your home with an instant face lift and is an excellent way to boost your curb appeal. Turn outdated, weather worn windows into something special by experimenting with funky shapes or even trying a stained glass fixture. For a more posh, exclusive aesthetic you might want to consider a double glazing installation. This can also help increase your privacy, which is especially appealing if your home has a lot of windows. Not only is double glazing a good investment for looks and privacy but it also has practical purposes too. If you live in an especially busy area, double glazed windows can help with noise reduction. You will be so happy with this upgrade when the sounds from the city aren’t keeping you up at night.

Roof Renovations:

The most crucial element of your home is the roof, yet many homeowners are unsure how to pay for it. Fortunately, there are credit options available for many types of roofs and budgets. Roof financing is a great way to make sure your roof is doing what it needs to if you are on a budget. It’s critical that it looks amazing while still performing its functions, like insulating the home to keep heat from escaping during the colder months.

Having a beautiful roof not only looks fantastic, but also prevents problems that might occur from not having a decent roof in place. If you don’t have a proper roof, it might lead to leaks and mold growth, which can be hazardous to human health. To find an expert to help with your roof renovations, type in a search for “roofing contractor in San Marcos, TX” (or your local area) and choose a highly recommended pro.

A Surprise Room:

Let’s face it, we’re all a little envious when a secret room comes out of nowhere in a movie. It’s not difficult to incorporate into your home if you have a good handyman or professional on hand. Make a secret hideaway room or a Narnia style playroom for your kids if you have a spare room that isn’t used often or is only being used for storage. One of the simplest ways to accomplish this is to replace the door with a disguised hinged bookcase. As a result, it will open like a door, but when shut, it will resemble a bookshelf, and no one will have a clue. How cool is that?!

Whenever you’re planning your next home renovation projects, consider these ideas to make your house the ultimate place to be!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Apr11

Make Moving Easier With These Tips

Posted on by
Standard
Make Moving Easier With These Tips

Are you moving house soon? If so, you’re probably wondering how you’re going to manage it! Moving can seem like a daunting task, but it can be a lot easier with a bit of organization and preparation than you think. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips on making your move as smooth and stress free as possible. Let’s get started:

Organize and Declutter:

One of the first things you should do when preparing to move is to have a good declutter. This will make packing easier, but it will also save you money on moving costs. If you don’t need it, get rid of it! Have a garage sale, donate items to charity, or sell them online. This will also allow you to get rid of any unwanted furniture or appliances that you don’t want to take with you.

Start Packing Early:

Don’t leave packing until the last minute! Instead, start packing up non-essential items a few weeks in advance. This will make the process a lot less daunting and will help to keep you organized. Make sure to label all of your boxes to know where everything is going. This will set you up for a stress free move and give you time to do more research on places to explore in your new location. You can simply look up “best things to do in Huntsville AL” or wherever you are moving to so you can find the must see attractions in your new city.

Hire a Professional Moving Company:

If you want to make your move as easy as possible, hire a professional moving company. They will handle all of the heavy lifting and transport your belongings safely to your new home. This will take a lot of the stress out of moving. A majority of moving companies offer packing services too, which can also be a huge help in eliminating the stress of moving. This is an especially good option to consider if you have a lot of precious or breakable items. To find a trusted company, simply enter a search for “local movers in Buffalo, NY” (or in your area) and don’t leave scheduling till the last minute.

Use a Portable Moving Container:

If you’re not hiring a professional moving company, you may consider using a portable moving container. This is an excellent option if you’re on a budget or have a lot of belongings. You can pack up your container at your own pace and then deliver it to your new home.

Pack Your Essentials Separately:

When you’re packing for your move, pack a separate bag or box of essential items that you will need on the first day in your new home. This should include toiletries, clothes, bedding, and kitchen supplies. This will make it easier to find everything you need when you first arrive at your new house. It’ll also stop the experts giving you help with moving home packing all your underwear and other essentials into boxes that might not make it to the house until a while after you do!

Notify Important Contacts Of Your Move In Advance:

Notify your bank, doctor, and other important contacts of when you’re moving in advance. This will ensure that you don’t have any disruptions to your service.

Change Your Address:

Don’t forget to change your address at the post office! You can do this online or in person so you can continue to receive your mail at your new address.

Packing Hacks:

  • Use old newspapers or bubble wrap to protect your belongings when packing.
  • Put heavy items in small boxes and lighter items in larger boxes.
  • Fill up any empty spaces in your boxes with clothes or towels to prevent them from moving around during transport.

Following these tips will help to make your move as easy and painless as possible. Moving house doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. With a bit of planning and preparation, it can be a breeze! Happy moving!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Apr11

Lil Red’s Book Club: The Ditch By Herman Koch Edition

Posted on by
Standard
Lil Red’s Book Club: The Ditch By Herman Koch Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! Today, we are going to be discussing Herman Koch’s newest novel called The Ditch – without giving any spoilers away, of course. Before we begin, I will be putting a trigger warning on The Ditch as part of the story line deals with suicide. Now, let’s get to it:

image_67513601

Robert Walter is the mayor of Amsterdam and he is incredibly popular. He is considered the “people’s mayor” and wears his emotions in plain view. Robert lives a charmed life with his wife and daughter, Sylvia and Diana, and enjoys spending time with his elderly parents who are both in their nineties. The majority of Robert’s day is spent tending to his duties as mayor until his thoughts begin to spiral after a New Year’s bash.

At the party, Robert notices his wife tossing her head back and laughing at something one of his aldermen has said. His eyes also can’t help but laser focus on the fact that this man is touching Sylvia’s arm too. In an instant, the thought that Sylvia is cheating on him begins to wriggle its way into every moment of the day and Robert finds himself viewing everything that his wife says and does differently.

As a politician and family man, there are so many things that Robert should be concerned about – his aging parents, his daughter and her first boyfriend, and the fact that a major scandal from his past could soon be making headlines. Sylvia’s infidelity could be real or it could very well all be in his head. Either way, this notion has marked the beginning of the end of Robert’s career. So, what happens next? Read The Ditch to find out!

I am a HUGE fan of Herman Koch and his book, The Dinner, is nothing short of an iconic read. I was very excited to read his latest novel and, unfortunately, it fell incredibly short. In fact, I rarely do this but I had to look up other people’s reviews of it to see if I was missing something. I had read this book rapidly (partially in the hopes that it would get better) so this was a possibility. However, it seems that many readers had my same sentiments.

The first one hundred and fifty or so pages of The Ditch were pretty good and it focused solely on Sylvia’s possible infidelity. Then, it began branching off into a bunch of different story lines – some of which that had nothing to do with anything. The main example of this would have to be Robert’s best friend, Bernhard. There was a point in the back story where he was relevant. But, in present day, he was simply there and would burst into these monologues about his Stephen Hawking-esque theories and it was painful to read.

Another qualm that I had with The Ditch was that the names of Sylvia, Diana, and Bernhard were all aliases. We never learned Sylvia’s nationality, which would have been nice to know because her and Robert met in her native country. I was hopeful that more would be revealed as the book went on but nothing came to light, which was so annoying to me.

Normally, I love Herman Koch’s writing style but The Ditch missed the mark. It, honestly, read like a VCR manual and I couldn’t wait to be done with it. The writing was bland, none of the characters were particularly likeable, and the vagueness of the plot did no favors, either. With only one hundred pages left, I almost considered not finishing it and that’s really saying something.

I am going to rate The Ditch with a one out of ten stars. If you are a fan of Koch’s past works, don’t bother with this one because it will only leave you disappointed. You can most definitely skip on The Ditch!

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

Apr10

Bath & Body Works April Freebie

Posted on by
Standard
Bath & Body Works April Freebie

Howdy! Literally two days after I cashed in my freebie coupon in March at Bath & Body Works for a travel size shower gel, I got another freebie coupon in the mail. I’m not going to not use it so I went back again, albeit a bit awkwardly, to get another travel size of the Gingham Love body wash. It smells so good and I am obsessed!

image_67167489(1)

When I walked into B&BW the second time around, I was silently praying that the same employees who were there the last time would have the day off. Lol, don’t get me wrong, I love the Bath & Body Works products but there is nothing that I needed to buy. I don’t know if this is just my B&BW but the salespeople there are pretty intense and I can always feel their disappointment when I tell them I’m just grabbing a free item!

During my second rendezvous, I knew exactly what I needed and declined a million offers for help so I could get in and get out. As I mentioned in my last freebie post, Gingham Love is the best thing to happen to me in a while and, although I could have picked another scent, why mess with perfection? I also don’t know if it’s a seasonal or all of the time scent so it only makes sense to stock up. 😀

If you get the Bath & Body Works coupons in the mail go grab a Gingham Love shower gel today. And, do your best to not buy items you don’t need no matter how insistent the salespeople are. They’ll get you every time!!

What is your favorite B&BW scent? Do you like when salespeople help you or would you rather be left alone? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr9

What To Look For When Hiring A Fitness Trainer

Posted on by
Standard
What To Look For When Hiring A Fitness Trainer

Are you still keeping up with your New Years Resolution of getting in shape? A fitness trainer can definitely be beneficial for achieving your fitness goals and helping you to be your best self. There are a few things to keep in mind when hiring a fitness trainer to make sure you’re getting the most out of your sessions:

Location is important:

One of the first things you’ll want to consider when hiring a fitness trainer is their location. You’ll want to find someone who is close enough to you that getting to and from your sessions is convenient. This will help you stick to your plan and not have any excuses for skipping out on a workout. You need to also keep in mind that you’ll be spending a lot of time at the gym or studio so you should feel comfortable there.

Their credentials:

When you’re looking for a fitness trainer, you need to make sure they have the proper credentials. These will differ depending on where you live but in general, you should look for someone who is certified by a reputable organization. There are continuing education units for trainers which ensure that they are up to date on the latest fitness information. This is important because the science of fitness is always changing and you want to make sure your trainer is using the most effective techniques to help you in your journey.

Their personality:

The personality of your fitness trainer is also important. You’ll be spending a lot of time with this person so you need to make sure you mesh well. They should be someone who is encouraging and motivating, but also realistic. You don’t want a trainer who is always pushing you to your limits without achieving results or making you feel bad about yourself in the process. Find someone who makes working out fun and something you look forward to instead of dreading.

kettlebell-g14ede6a0a_1920

Their methods:

Your trainer should be using techniques that are proven to be effective and tailored to your specific goals. They should also be using a variety of methods to keep you engaged in your workouts and help you see results. Before hiring a trainer, try to ask questions like “What is your work style?” or “How do you develop workout plans?” to get a feel for their methods.

Their prices:

The rates of fitness trainers can vary greatly, so you’ll want to find someone who fits within your budget. However, you should also be aware that the cheapest option is not always the best. You’ll want to find someone who offers value for the price and isn’t just in it for the money. Many trainers offer discounts for packages or if you commit to a certain number of sessions, so be sure to ask about these options.

Their availability:

You’ll want to find someone who can work with your schedule and is available when you need them. If you’re only available for early morning or late night sessions, make sure they can accommodate you. You should also find out how long they usually work with each client and if there are any cancellation policies.

Their experience:

Last but not least, you’ll want to consider the experience of your trainer. You want someone who has been in the business for a while and has worked with a variety of clients. They should also have experience with clients who have similar goals or fall within the same age bracket. A Personal trainer for seniors specifically might not be a good match for someone in their mid-twenties. This will help them better understand your needs and how to best help you achieve your fitness goals or link you up with someone who might be a better fit.

These are all important factors that will help you find the best possible trainer for you. Now that you have the right trainer to help you, it is time to put in the effort and work to achieve your fitness goals!

Apr9

Here I Am!

Posted on by
Standard
Here I Am!

Hello everyone! It has been a minute since a new OOTD post because your girl needs her hair done! Thankfully, that problem will be solved soon and I can’t wait to show you all some perfectly spring OOTDs ASAP. In the meantime, here are some pics of yours truly and some of my favorite people to tide you over until then:

image_50413313image_50419713image_50427393(2)image_50403841(3)image_50424065(1)image_50414081

^^^ Can you spy one of my new tattoos?! 🙂

This past Sunday, we celebrated our darling niece’s third birthday a bit late because the weather has been wet and cold here. What was originally a party at a park turned into a get together at my sister and her partner’s house and, of course, Johnny and I had to step out in our best. This also meant all of the car selfies as well as pictures of me and Johnny when he refuses to just smile for the camera! *Massive eye roll* lol.

Our Val Gal’s party was a great success and it was so nice to see old friends and meet new ones. Johnny also finally got to meet some of my extended family who I haven’t seen in forever, which was awesome. We were surrounded by good company, good food, and lots of love and it’s safe to say that three year old Val knows how to throw a rager! 😀

Be sure to keep it posted on lifewithlilred for brand new OOTDs, book club reviews, Johnny’s unsmiling face, and all of the usual shenanigans this month. ❤

What do you like to do when your family gets together? Are you a smiling or silly face making selfie taker? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr8

Happy Birthday, Sister!!

Posted on by
Standard
Happy Birthday, Sister!!

Hello everyone! Today is a happy wonderful day because it is my big sister, Kristen’s, birthday! Beginning in March until June, it is a whirlwind of birthdays in my family. It starts with my niece, then my mom, dad, sister, brother, and in June Johnny and I celebrate our birthdays and wedding anniversary, then it wraps up with my blogging bestie. It is such a fun time full of presents, get togethers, and dinners and I can’t wait to celebrate Kristen’s big day together!

image_50427393(2)deer1

Kristen is the best sister and friend a gal could ever ask for and I am so lucky to be related to her! She is an amazing mom, dog and cat mom, and human being and every time hanging out with her is the best time. I love our trips to Taco Bell, getting ice cream, and adventures at the park with her darling daughter. I can’t wait for summertime so we can all go swimming at my apartment complex again. And, yes, having Johnny pick us up TBell once we’re done at the pool. 🙂

My sister is so kind and it really shows in her parenting and love for caring for rescue animals. Her two cats and three dogs have all been given a second lease on life because of her. As little sis, I’m sure there are plenty of instances of me driving Kristen crazy, especially when I constantly send her Bitmojis but I just can’t help myself lol. I miss her as soon as either of us go home and I am always asking her if Johnny and I can live with her family! 😀

Sisters are built in best friends and I hit the jackpot with mine. ❤

I love you, Kristen!!!

Happy Birthday!!!!!

Apr7

Moving Abroad? Make Sure To Do The Following!

Posted on by
Standard
Moving Abroad? Make Sure To Do The Following!

Moving abroad can be an exciting new adventure that you are ready to embark on. When you are there, it will be worth it and you will have an amazing time. However, to ensure you enjoy your time abroad, whether you are looking to move away for a few months or permanently, there are several important things that you need to have in place because the process can get pretty complicated. If you can get organized and sort these documents in advance, you can relax knowing that you have a smooth journey ahead.

To help you get started, here are some vital things that you need in place before your move:

Research the country:

You should always start by researching the country that you are moving to. This is because rules and regulations can be very different so you should never assume that you know everything. The best and most reliable source of information can be found at the embassy or consulate. They will be able to advise on the rules in the country, the documentation you need to complete before traveling, the documentation you need on you to travel, and much more.

Important documentation:

You will need a range of documents to be able to travel and live abroad. You should have these ready to go in a folder for protection before you intend to travel. You should also make copies of all of your documents and take a picture on your phone, in case you lose them. Some official documents can take a few weeks to arrive if you have to request them, so make sure you do this step well in advance to avoid disappointment. Some of these documents include:

  • Passport
  • Driving license
  • Birth certificate
  • Proof of citizenship
  • Insurance policies
  • Proof of residence
  • Vaccination record
  • Medical record

Finances:

Of course, your finances will need to be in order before your move. The best way to do this is to research the cost of living in the country that you are moving to. For example, if you live in New York and are moving to Dubai, you may find that living is much cheaper. Not only do you need money for living expenses, such as food and commuting, but you will also need to consider your accommodation and utilities. If you are moving to Dubai, there are plenty of apartments for rent in Palm Jumeirah that are affordable and located in a great spot. You will need to research the prices for apartments before you travel. You should also consider insurance policies that will protect your money if you lose it, as well as your belongings. The last thing you want is to pay to replace your items if the worst happens!

And, don’t forget that selling your home before you move will give you some extra cushion as you start your new life abroad. Should your move be required for a job or family emergency, you might not have the time for your house to sit on the market. If this is the case, consider entering a search for “cash home buyers Houston” (or your local area). This method will allow you to walk away with cash in hand much more quickly and knock something major off of your to do list.

Make sure you consider everything you need before you move abroad and do it with enough time to spare. You may wish to use this information and create a checklist so that you don’t miss anything important!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Apr7

Lil Red’s Book Club: Breach By Kelly Sokol Edition

Posted on by
Standard
Lil Red’s Book Club: Breach By Kelly Sokol Edition

Hi everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! Today, we are going to be discussing a novel called Breach by Kelly Sokol – without giving any spoilers away, of course. Breach was a far cry from the usual thrillers that I am so partial to and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Before we begin, I am going to be placing a trigger warning on Breach. One of the main characters is suffering from PTSD from his time in the Navy and there are also references to miscarriages and abortion.

Now, let’s get to it and peep that amazing cover art:

image_67209729

Marleigh is a hard working twenty-two year old who is desperate to create a good life for herself. She came from a difficult home life and is now working three jobs while taking night classes to give herself a bright future. Her most important job is taking care of her grandpa’s boxing gym and trying to keep it afloat. Marleigh’s “Pops” is suffering from dementia and was the only person in her life who ever looked out for her.

While manning the front desk at the gym and studying for school, a handsome stranger named Jace walks in. And, in that instant, Marleigh’s life will change forever. Jace is an EOD specialist with a similarly sad past and a whirlwind romance begins before he is deployed again. Marleigh didn’t know it was possible to love someone so much until their relationship and, for once, her life is good.

In the short amount of time that Marleigh and Jace have been together, they got married and pregnant. Jace would be deployed, he would return home, Marleigh would get pregnant again, rinse and repeat. For a while, things are good and Jace would come home as his normal self. However, with each passing deployment, his mood worsens and not even Marleigh or their three boys brings him happiness.

Not only does Jace struggle with civilian life but he is also hitting the bottle more and more regularly. Between sleepless nights, tracking her husband down at the bar, and being a boy mom of three, Marleigh is simply exhausted. It has gotten to the point where she hardly recognizes the man that she fell in love with and her boys seem afraid of their father.

Marleigh thinks back on her and Jace’s promise to each other to always be there no matter what. She is desperate to save her family but one tragic accident starts a rapid downward spiral. How will Marleigh survive this latest blow? Will she still end up with the life that she dreamed of? Read Breach to find out!

Like I said at the start of this post, I was taken by surprise by how much I liked Breach. I read it in three sittings and was, honestly, sad when it was over. I got so wrapped up in the story line, the romance (The love scenes are steamy!), and rooting for Marleigh to come out on top every step of the way.

I was so impressed by Marleigh as a main character and her work ethic reminded me of me. I definitely remember working three jobs before I graduated college and it was exhausting. I loved her dedication to her Pops, husband, and children. She was tough but caring, talented, and a survivor. My heart ached when her fairy tale romance began disintegrating because she deserved the best of the best.

Breach isn’t a true story but the plot of an enlisted special operator and his wife is all too real for so many people. In fact, I think that’s why I enjoyed it so much. Don’t get me wrong, I love my thrillers and an unstable narrator – you all know that. However, the plots of those books are so far fetched that it wouldn’t happen in real life. Breach felt one hundred percent real and it had me hooked from start to finish.

I am going to award Breach with a seven and a half out of ten stars. As you all know, I am a stickler for typos but I only reduced the score by half a star this time around. With a book as good as Breach, I was feeling generous! I highly recommend this read.

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

Apr6

Happy Birthday, Dad!!!

Posted on by
Standard
Happy Birthday, Dad!!!

Hello everyone! Today is a happy wonderful day because it’s my dad’s birthday!! Although he hates celebrating his big day – I sure don’t and it will always be blog worthy in my world. ❤ My dad is the best, funniest, kindest man on the planet and he sure is handsome too. He deserves to be celebrated every day and I am so lucky to be his daughter!

image_50427137(3)image_67230465image_50440193

My dad is a gardening expert, a friend to all of the little woodland animals, and is a vacation planning extraordinaire. He is always cracking a joke and I am constantly in stitches in his company. One of my favorites has to be before I got married and informed him that I just had one last appointment to get my tattoos touched up before the big day. Without missing a beat, he replied with “How about getting some of them removed?” Lol, what a card!

I love my dad’s relationship with my mom and he is such a doting father and grandpa too. Whenever my parents are out shopping, he is constantly on the lookout for new toys and books for my niece! It is so sweet to watch them together. I truly couldn’t ask for a better dad and even though he’s probably annoyed at this post, I think he’ll secretly like it anyways. ❤ 😀

I love you, Dad!

Happy Birthday!!!!!!!