Best Husband Ever!

Standard
Best Husband Ever!

Hi! It wouldn’t be an OOTD shoot for me and Johnny without me insisting that I take some pictures of him as well as a few (or a lot) of selfies with me. As always, Johnny is a great sport despite forever making silly faces when we take pictures together! He is truly the best husband/blog husband ever and I am so thankful to him for everything he does for the old ball and chain (AKA me lol).

Here are some of my favorite shots of him during my Houndstooth, Honey shoot:

image_50419457(1)image_50438145(3)image_50418177(1)image_50734593image_50740737image_50435329

From our date days to video game nights or just sitting around watching our programs, any time spent with Johnny is the best. And, it has been that way since our first date. I love getting dressed up with him to go out and about and am always impressed with his own panache for fashion. Whether we’re running errands or spending time with our families, we both consider it an occasion worth getting dolled up for and I freaking love it.

I am so excited to see what 2022 has in store for us and even if it sucks just as much as last year, at least we are together for it! We can’t wait to celebrate our first year of being married and three years of being together as well as planning weekend trips for a change of scenery. In fact, we have a little trip coming up soon so keep it posted to read all about it and, of course, see some OOTD pics!

How would you describe your personal style? What is something that you admire about your partner or best friend? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

The Most Common Damages You’ll Find In A Fixer Upper   

Standard
The Most Common Damages You’ll Find In A Fixer Upper   

Have you just bought your first property? Or maybe you’re about to begin your own house flipping business? Well, there’s a very good chance that you’re going to start with a ‘fixer upper’ in either of these scenarios. You offset the price discount of the property with the amount of work it needs, and you can even get specialized mortgages to help with the repair work – what could be better for your budget?

However, it’s important to note that fixer upper properties often need more work than you realize. All sorts of damage can be found within these structures and knowing what you’re looking at is crucial. This post is here to help you identify some of these issues:

Problems with the Wiring:

Wiring problems are very common in fixer uppers. Wires may be chewed through and potentially even sparking without your knowledge. If you can smell a musty and/or ‘fishy’ smell within the property, it could be a sign. You’re going to need to rip them out to be sure it’s safe, so your best bet is to simply replace as much of the electricals as you can.

Signs of Water Damage:

Because the house has likely sat for a long time completely unprotected, water is sure to have made its way in, whether from a burst pipe nearby or the weather. The signs of water damage could be extensive, and you may have to call in a professional Water Damage Restoration team to take care of the problem for you. Signs of water damage tend to include dark spots, flaking or bubbling paint/wallpaper, and random puddles throughout the property.

Holes in the Roof:

Roofing on a fixer upper is usually touch and go. As such, you should think about getting a proper, stabilized ladder out and checking what’s going on up there. Similarly, if there’s an attic space within the house, be sure to investigate it as well. If you can see right through to the outside, there’s clearly an issue! You may also feel very cold when you’re in the house, hear tiles slipping during your renovation efforts, and even notice leaks coming from the upstairs ceiling.

Faulty Plumbing:

Finally, the amount of burst and broken pipes to be found in a fixer upper can be shocking! Make sure you go around each room, specifically the kitchen and bathroom(s) and pay special attention to how the pipes are laid out. If they’re just rusting, you can save the pipe itself just fine. However, you may have to pull out cupboards, sinks, and the toilet to be double sure about the state of the plumbing in total.

If you own a fixer upper, be prepared for a lot of work in your future to get your house to livable standards!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Help Your Child Improve Their Mental Health And Learning Skills

Standard
Help Your Child Improve Their Mental Health And Learning Skills

Some school age children are very interested in schoolwork, and they’re constantly striving to be the best. While other school age children might not like schoolwork at all, and it comes as a huge challenge for them. What’s going on here?

The reason for this is that school age children have different feelings about schoolwork. Some of these include: how much time is spent learning, what type of information is being given, their level of self-confidence, and whether they feel comfortable in the environment they’re learning in. Here are some ways to help your child improve if they are struggling with their school work:

Children Learn in Different Ways:

It’s important to understand that children learn differently and at different speeds. Not every child’s brain works the same or learns best in the same way. You may have heard of the ‘right-brained’ and ‘left-brained’ people out there – everyone uses both sides of the brain to an extent, but often one side is dominant over the other.

It is common for people to favor either the left side (logical, analytical) or the right side (creative, imaginative) because of school, family, or cultural influences. Do you know what this means for your child when they are learning? If they’re right-brained, they probably respond better to visual information. They might be more interested in books than in flashcards. If your child is left-brained, they may be better with auditory information.

Enrolling your child in a school with a British curriculum may help them do schoolwork, especially if their teachers are more hands-on. But helping your child to learn in the ways that they need to is still important, so here are some methods on how you can do that:

Method #1 Play “Catch-up”:

If you know that your child is playing catch up with their learning, it’s important to give them the time to focus on what they are doing. This will allow them to succeed, and you mustn’t distract them too much.

It’s possible that their schoolwork isn’t meeting the same standards as others in their age group due to a lack of self-confidence, which is understandable. If they are not confident enough to approach schoolwork with confidence, how can you expect them to do a good job?

That’s why you should spend more time watching the subtle differences in your child’s behavior and mannerisms to see if they’re showing a lack of interest in school or they seem less confident than normal. Sometimes there are underlying causes that have been affecting learning without being noticed.

Method #2 Make Time for Quiet:

School age children must have time and space to be quiet. This is a great way to think and get peaceful, creative ideas into their heads. If school age children don’t have enough time for this, then schoolwork will seem even more of a burden than it already does. During this time, you should make sure that they’re not exposed to screens and loud noises as they can be a distraction.

Method #3 Take Breaks from Schoolwork:

Taking the occasional break is a great way to keep school age children productive. If you let them have time away from schoolwork, they’ll return feeling refreshed and ready to go. Incorporate snack times or play a game together to give some much needed time off.

Method #4 Create an Environment for Learning:

The environment where school-age children learn can affect how well they retain schoolwork. If they feel comfortable and happy in the environment that they are learning in, then schoolwork will be more enjoyable for them. There are many ways to create this type of atmosphere at home. Make the schoolwork space look special with posters on the wall or some tidy student desks. Be sure to have excellent lighting too.

When children are learning, it’s important to keep in mind that they have different preferences for how information is presented. If your child has been struggling with schoolwork lately, then look at these methods to help them learn better and more efficiently.

Houndstooth, Honey OOTD Bloopers

Standard
Houndstooth, Honey OOTD Bloopers

Hello! Thanks to Johnny’s new method of continuous picture taking when helping me with my OOTD pics, I have a wide variety of options to choose from when creating my posts. The good, the bad, and the bloopers. Even when I’m telling him that we are done for the round of pics, he will still take them until my phone is in my hands!

Contrary to popular belief, a blogger’s camera feed is not just perfectly timed shots but a mixture of great, not quite, and definitely not. If you’re like me, you love a blooper feed during the credits at the end of a movie so, rather than delete these “whoops” shots, I thought that I would share them with all of you! Here goes the blooper takes from my Houndstooth, Honey OOTD:

image_50460673(2)image_50439681image_50416385(1)image_50423553image_50439937image_50430209image_50434561(1)image_50460673(1)image_50428161(2)image_50457601(1)image_50445313image_50427137(1)

After taking OOTD pics, I am always eager to start scrolling through the endless amounts of shots that Johnny has taken. And, more often than not, I am showing him the bloopers as opposed to my favorites and laughing about them. To add to the humor, all of the pictures on my phone are taken “live” so you can usually see me cracking up and mouthing “oh my god, Johnny” when I realize he’s still clicking away.

When Johnny and I got engaged, he disguised his intentions as helping me out with my OOTDS and every photography adventure we have taken since reminds me of that. Not only is it sentimental for the both of us when we do OOTD shoots together but it is always so much fun. His vast improvement in composition is nothing to sneeze at, either!

Johnny is the best blog husband in the world and I am so thankful to him for being willing to snap some pics – or hundreds of yours truly. The best, the worst, or the bloopers, all of the pictures are special to me because of the time we have spent together. ❤

Who takes your pictures for your blog? Where is your favorite place to take pictures at? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Maintain Your Self Confidence With These Tips

Standard
Maintain Your Self Confidence With These Tips

Your self confidence is something that can always be improved on. Even the most confident people still have days where they falter! What confidence requires is taking a direct effort towards affirming yourself, towards expressing who you are, and in finding inspiration where you deem it most necessary. In this new year, it could be a wonderful time to work on building that confidence up and maintaining it. Here are some tips to help with that:

Confidence Helps Us Take Risks:

Confidence helps us take risks and be okay with the potential for failure. It can help us head out and make us want to try new things, or a new challenge. Taking risks can help us build confidence. Think of how an agoraphobic, under careful therapeutic maintenance, will help manage their condition by taking small steps outside, steps that can often be seen as thoroughly worrying and risky in their mental space at the time. Once they come back, that exposure makes them realize that actually, their acceptance of the perceived risk has helped them grow, just a little, and a crack in their struggle is found. Could this principle apply to parts of your life?

Confidence Helps Us Care For Ourselves:

Confidence allows us to understand that taking care of number one isn’t so bad. It’s not narcissistic to do this, because the more you care for yourself, the more you can care for others. This means going out and visiting a local dentist to have that problem seen to, making your exercise regimen more solidified, or learning when you need to take a day off to help recuperate your mental health. Confidence can help inspire us to look after ourselves as necessary.

When You Realize Your Worth, Confidence Builds:

A good way to build confidence is to watch yourself. Most of us are our biggest critics, because we see everything behind the scenes, including when we lose our temper, when we’re mean, or too proud. Yet often, we forget to look at when we’re kind or supportive of another, when we want to think about our hopes and dreams, when we sacrifice ourselves to care for someone we love. When you watch yourself in this way, you realize that you’re not that bad at all. Perhaps you have something worth keeping. Maybe, if you were just a bit more sure of yourself, you’d be able to spread that good even further. If more people realized that, the world would be a better place. It’s okay to start with you.

With this advice, we hope that your confidence continues to bloom and maintains its blossoms year round in 2022.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Houndstooth, Honey OOTD Bonus Pictures

Standard
Houndstooth, Honey OOTD Bonus Pictures

Hello everyone and welcome to some bonus pics from my Houndstooth, Honey OOTD! My Johnny is the ultimate blog husband who has improved leaps and bounds in taking pictures of yours truly. Originally, he would take five or so pictures at a time, then consult me. It worked, but it turned our photo shoots into a time consuming effort.

Now, he takes a million pictures at once, providing me with tons of options to pick from. This has slashed the amount of time for OOTD pics considerably and, in total, it takes about ten minutes to get things done. However, it takes me a lot of time to sort through all of the shots afterwards! That’s more than okay, though, because it gives me ample pics to share with all of you!

Today, we are going to look at some bonus pics from my shoot and tomorrow you can peep all of the blooper shots that Johnny captures. Let’s get to it:

image_50461441(1)image_50435073(1)image_50448129(1)image_50738945image_50399489(1)image_50422017(1)image_50416897(1)

As mentioned yesterday, Johnny and I walked through Lock 3 in downtown Akron to take these pictures. Lock 3 is an Akron staple that boasts concerts, fireworks, and food festivals in the summertime and a skating rink and holiday market come winter. It is surrounded by fabulous eateries and bars and is the place to be during any time of the year for a fun outing.

Lock 3 is an amazing place for the community to come together and it features lots of cool sights to see. Of course, there is a lock, wonderful landscaping in the summer, and an industrial vibe from the brick apartments, towering fire escapes, and murals painted on the walls. It definitely makes for an awesome setting to take pictures at!

Akron isn’t just where it all began for our hometown hero of Lebron James – it is so much more than that. Small businesses, the Akron Civic Theater, Lock 3, and all of the amazing people who live there make our city so special. Not to mention our beautiful library and Akron Art Museum. A hop, skip, and a jump and you are in the middle of an exciting place to be and I loved spending time in the A-K-Rowdy with my husband! ❤

Who are some of your hometown heroes? Do you have an area similar to Lock 3 in your neck of the woods? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Improving Your Office Space For Increased Productivity  

Standard
Improving Your Office Space For Increased Productivity  

The office is where you and your workers accomplish the tasks necessary to keep your business running smoothly. It doesn’t matter what kind of business you own, making your office a pleasant place to work is essential. There are a variety of reasons why people suffer in the workplace around the world, many of which lead to poor performance and the risk of losing their jobs. It is within your power as a business owner to prevent this from happening, so here are some simple suggestions for making your office a better place to work for you and your staff:

Install air conditioning:

Working in a hot, stuffy workplace with no air circulation is one of the most miserable experiences a person could have. It has the potential to make people irritable as well as more prone to making errors. Installing air conditioning will allow you and your employees to operate in a comfortable, well-ventilated environment at all times.

In this day and age, an air conditioning unit is not prohibitively expensive, but it may make a significant difference in the way you and your employees function on a daily basis. Installing air conditioning in your office will provide a welcome breath of fresh air. Just make sure to use a reputable national hvac company when it comes to your air conditioning needs so your system can work in the most efficient way possible.

Remove any distractions:

There’s nothing worse than trying to work while being constantly distracted by your surroundings and even if you’ve done everything you can to keep your office free of distractions, it’s likely that noise from outside will find its way in and disrupt work. This could be construction outside of the building or the constant dripping of a leaky roof. Should the latter be a problem in your office, you will want to find a local Commercial roofing company to take on the job as soon as possible before it gets worse.

Indeed, a leaky roof can cause a lot of distractions and it could be a sign of a bigger issue if the roof of your building is old. Consistent leaks might warrant a replacement and an excellent option to consider would be the installation of fabric reinforced roofing. Fabric reinforced roofing is a cost effective and environmentally friendly method. Not only is it lower in cost and quicker to install but it also is incredibly durable and offers exceptional waterproofing capabilities. This is certainly something that should be thought about if you are in need of a new roof.

You can also consider using aluminum windows to ensure that as much noise as possible is kept out of your office. They are not only fantastic for soundproofing, but they are also environmentally friendly and extremely durable in all types of weather. Fortunately, there are many various types of windows available with aluminum frames, so you’re sure to find one that meets your requirements for your office building.

Should you not want to DIY your soundproofing, there are countless professionals to take on the task for you. Simply enter a search for “Soundproofing Australia” (or your local area) to find a trustworthy and well reviewed team. You will be amazed at the difference in your productivity once you are free from noisy distractions interrupting your work flow.

Keep things as simple as possible:

It can be extremely difficult to work when there is a lot going on visually around you. Make sure your walls are painted in a light and airy color to avoid migraines and provide opportunity for the lighting to bounce. Plants are a wonderful idea to have around the office because they improve the air quality and can quickly make workers feel happier. Maintaining a minimalist office environment will result in a more productive working environment and a greater likelihood of growing your business.

Have refreshments available:

If you want to make your office a more pleasant place to work, provide easy access to refreshments so your employees can periodically recharge before coming back to work! Making these small modifications can help you enhance productivity in your office, which will ultimately lead to a more successful company.

Have a place to unwind:

Having a designated area for employees to spend their breaks or some downtown between conference calls can make a huge difference for moral. You could spruce up your break room with some comfortable chairs to relax in and enjoy a cup of coffee. Or, you could take things to the next level by having a custom roof hatch installed. These hatches will safely allow roof access for your employees to get some fresh air and sunshine on a nice day. A little time outside during the work day can provide a great second wind for the rest of the shift!

While going to work might not be the most fun thing in the world, the experience can be improved upon with simple steps like the ones mentioned above!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

4 Tips For Finding A New Apartment Fast   

Standard
4 Tips For Finding A New Apartment Fast   

If you need to find a new place to live as soon as possible, you might be feeling a little overwhelmed. Perhaps your lease has been suddenly terminated or your living conditions were not sustainable. Maybe you’ve just left it until the last minute to start looking and now the clock is ticking.

Whatever your reasons, it’s important not to panic. If you are committed to finding a new apartment and put the time in, then you could be sitting happily in your new living space in no time at all. To help you find your new home right away, here are four tips for rapid apartment hunting:

Set your budget:

How much can you realistically afford to spend on your rent? Work out your maximum weekly and monthly expenditure, taking into account additional costs like bills and groceries, and you’ll have a clear idea of your budget. This way, when you are looking for apartments you can avoid wasting time by quickly ruling out those that are too expensive (or indeed way too cheap). Usually you can negotiate with the real estate agent to knock the price down, but if you are in a hurry then don’t bank on being able to do this successfully.

Your budget must also include cost of travel and shipping especially if you are planning on moving across states or abroad. A job opportunity might have you searching for “apartments for sale in dubai” or a loft in London. Maybe you just want to make a major change. Whatever the reason, plan your budget as exactly as you can with wiggle room to spare. A poorly planned budget can have a very negative effect like not being able to pay bills on time or have cash to spare for food and necessities.

Use your free time:

If you work all week, it can be hard to find the time in your busy schedule to look for apartments and visit them in person so you need to use your time wisely. Get up earlier and Google “apartments near me” before work, and try to schedule viewings during your lunch break or straight after work. It may be energy draining and stressful but cramming your schedule to the brim will maximize your chances of finding something soon.

Get your documents in order:

Once you have found an apartment and made an offer, you still have to wait until all of your documentation has been processed. Your new landlord is likely to require references so don’t wait until the last minute to get in touch. Contact your people immediately and ask them to write you a reference in advance. You will probably also need to show your landlord identification, bank statements, or letters of employment so bring copies of everything with you to the viewing so your landlord can get them processed quicker.

Take a short term view:

If you are getting really desperate to find somewhere and time is running out, you may just need to settle for the best option currently available. This might mean you end up with a lengthy commute, a rundown apartment, or a rent beyond your budget but this doesn’t have to be permanent. Plenty of places offer short term lets of three months or potentially less, so this could be a good option to keep you going and give you more time to search for something that meets your requirements.

You might have to spend a lot of time and energy looking for your new apartment, but this hard work will pay off. Just be patient and prepared and before long you’ll be feeling right at home!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Houndstooth, Honey OOTD

Standard
Houndstooth, Honey OOTD

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new OOTD here on lifewithlilred! This is a look that I put together for a little date day that Johnny and I had on New Year’s Eve. We walked around Lock 3 in downtown Akron for a photography adventure. Then, we hung out with our niece, picked up some champagne at the grocery store, and played video games and listened to oldies music all night to ring in the new year. It was a blast!

Here are some pics from our stroll around Akron and do be sure to keep it posted for bonus and blooper shots! Check it out:

Who? What? Wear?

One of my all time favorite chick flicks is, easily, The Devil Wears Prada. I saw it in theaters when it came out with my mom, sister, and grandma and it is one of my most treasured memories. I’ll never forget walking out of the theater together and laughing and talking about all of the fabulous fashion. This OOTD is actually inspired by one of the looks that Anne Hathaway wore in her transformation montage where she is sporting a white peacoat and newsboy cap. I think my grandma would have loved it!

It has been quite warm, despite it being winter time, so I haven’t been able to wear all of my beloved coats in my collection as much as I would like. So, needless to say, I was very excited to finally be able to bust out my Vince Camuto blazer, which is one of my absolute faves. I love the houndstooth pattern, the swing style shape, and the faux fur cuffs on the sleeves.

When styling this outfit, I wanted to highlight the blazer through accessories because it really didn’t need much in terms of clothing. This statement maker speaks for itself. I went with my newsboy cap to mix and match patterns, which worked because they were both of a similar color palette. For a fun pop of color in the somewhat muted scheme I was working with, I chose my little red booties to add some length and visual interest.

With these added accessories, my OOTD was fine but it felt like it was still missing something. To rectify this, I added my St. Tropez faux fur collar which is one of my favorite TJMaxx finds. I love it so much and it adds a unique touch to any look. I almost bypassed this option thinking it would be “too much” but it ended up being just right. When I wasn’t wearing the collar, I slung it through the strap of my mustard yellow purse or wore it draped over my shoulder. It incorporated the additional texture that made my OOTD feel complete.

I channeled my inner Anne Hathaway post transformation in The Devil Wears Prada and I felt like a star in my Houndstooth, Honey OOTD. This look made me feel confident and I was so proud of what I had styled. Although I wasn’t walking through the bustling streets of New York City, it was even better to be strolling through Akron with my darling husband. Be sure to tune in tomorrow for more on this look!

What is your favorite chick flick? What was your favorite outfit in The Devil Wears Prada? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Paranormal Activity Pt. 6

Standard
Paranormal Activity Pt. 6

Hello!!! Ever since I moved into my apartment almost three years ago, I have been convinced that it is haunted. From misplaced footsteps and shadows on the wall to a levitating piece of paper and So. Much. Broken. Glass. there has been many instances that can’t be explained at chez moi.

I let whatever spirit that’s here know that it was okay if he hung out but to please not hurt me any more. My poor feet were tired of being cut by glass shards! It seemed to work and it has been a while since any paranormal activity has happened. But, that changed earlier this week.

When Johnny and I were unwinding with some episodes of Superstore, I went downstairs to go to the bathroom. I walked near my sofa and my socks were soaking wet. I turned the lights on and I saw a HUGE pool of water going all the way to my kitchen table. At first, I thought Johnny spilled something but I thought it to be unlikely that he dropped at least four gallons of water on our apartment floor.

I began looking for any type of explanation for this mini flood and came up short. There was absolutely no water near our dishwasher so I know it didn’t come from that. All of our faucets were turned off, no pipes were leaking, none of our vases of flowers fell, and there was no leaks anywhere on the ceiling. It was the strangest thing!

It took four bath towels to clean up the tidal wave that took place in my living room and I am still stumped as to how it got there. Every explanation that could have caused it was immediately debunked. I’m just thankful that I wasn’t in a rush to get to the bathroom because I could have slipped and fell. I guess spilled water is better than shards of broken glass in my foot, though.

Every time long stretches with no paranormal activity happen, I often think my “ghostie” does something to let me know that he’s still around. He made himself loud and clear this time!

Have you ever witnessed any paranormal activity? Do you have any ideas as to what could have caused this mystery spill? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah