May9

What’s In My Skate Bag?

Posted on May 9, 2022 by lifewithlilred

Hello!! As most of you know, I am an avid ice skater and love hitting the rink as often as I can for a lesson with my childhood coach. When I was younger, I can remember how all of the skaters at the rink had the coolest skate bags on wheels to tote their belongings back and forth. Myself, on the other hand, opted for a Betsey Johnson travel bag and I have been using it for close to two decades… Until now, that is!

I had been long overdue for a much needed upgrade and Elite Sports delivered with this gorgeous new sports bag. What do I keep inside it? Let’s find out:

^^^ You can shop my new bag in a variety of colors here!

My Practice Necessities:

Skates (Of course!)
A rag to dry my skates after practice
Hard guards for walking off ice
My favorite travel mug
A snack to eat on the way to the rink

When I go skating, it is typically after work because I hate getting up for early Saturday morning sessions. This means that I need to have a good snack and my travel mug handy to keep my energy up because I’ll have a late dinner afterwards. My “Making A Difference” mug was a surprise gift from the Ohio Department Of Developmental Disabilities and I take it everywhere. It works like a dream and I never have to worry about my hot drinks cooling down or cool drinks warming up lol.

My go to snack on the way to skating are the Belvita breakfast bars. I freaking LOVE these things and I’ll often have one before going to work too. My favorite are the soft baked bars – especially the ones with dark chocolate in it – YUM! It almost makes me feel guilty eating them because they taste like dessert but they provide me with the boost I need for a great skate.

As I mentioned before, it took me the better part of almost twenty years since I upgraded my skate bag and my wipe down rag still hasn’t changed. What can I say, I am a woman of habit! I got what was once a nice towel from the Skater’s Edge (A skate shop in Ohio) from a competition forever ago and it hasn’t left my possession since. Call it nostalgia or whatever you will for holding onto something for so long but it still wipes my skates dry all the same. 😀

Like a majority of the necessities in my skate bag, my hard guards were bought when I got my first pair of skates lol. Hey, if it’s not broken… These are a must have for skaters to protect their blades for pre and post practice as well as all of those bathroom breaks from guzzling water throughout the session!

And, finally, I don’t get to use my new(ish) skates as often as I would like, especially with the craziness of just moving apartments. However, when I do get the chance to get back on the ice, it’s like I never left. I can’t wait for my next practice to break out my new Elite Sports bag! 😀

How long do you tend to hold onto things for? What is in your work out bag? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May8

What’s The Move? Let’s Talk Unpacking!

Posted on May 8, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello everyone! When it comes to mine and Johnny’s move, I think packing has been way easier than the unpacking process. While we have both been steadily chipping away at our endless amount of boxes, it’s so easy to lose motivation since we’re already at our new place! Of course, it is a necessary evil and today we are going to talk about some pro tips for unpacking at your new digs:

Start With The Kitchen/Bathroom:

The first room that I fully unpacked was the kitchen and I am so glad that I did. I enjoy eating out as much as the next person but I don’t like to do it too often. With two take out meals in a row on Saturday and Sunday, I was in desperate need of real food. In fact, just the smell of the pizza we ordered in the fridge made me nauseous.

If you feel similarly, then starting with the kitchen is an absolute must. Or, you could prepare meals that just need to be put in the oven prior to your move so you can have actual food at the ready. The first meal I prepared in my new kitchen was baked ziti and I can’t tell if it was better than normal because I was so over take out or if it actually was just really good!

Unpacking the bathrooms as a priority is a no brainer and I’m about halfway there on that project. This one is a bit of a struggle because, despite now having two full bathrooms, the counter space in each of them is significantly less than my old apartment. It will get there eventually but do make sure you have a bag with your toiletries that you use every day at the ready so you don’t have to go digging for your toothbrush.

Declutter As You Go:

Johnny and I did a significant amount of decluttering before our move and had already taken several bags to Goodwill. Don’t stop there, though! It’s great to declutter before a move but I find it much easier to do it while unpacking. When I was packing up the old place, there wasn’t much of a rhyme or reason to it other than filling up boxes and getting rid of obviously unneeded things.

While unpacking, you get the opportunity to see each item in your new setting and can decide from there if it’s worth the space. With that alone in mind, I was able to fill up two trash bags of donated items just from unpacking my closet. Like many people, Johnny and I moved for the additional space. I want the new apartment to feel as open as possible and that means donating a whole lot more.

Unpack With Projects In Mind:

I find that Johnny and I are much more motivated to unpack with a set goal or project in mind. For example, Johnny decided yesterday that he wanted to prepare our game room closet and that was the first thing he did when he got home from work. It looks great and it is completely done! Whether it’s a big task or small doesn’t matter because it needs to get done eventually, anyways. Just work at a steady pace, keep checking things off of your to do list, and you will be amazed by how much progress you will make.

Don’t Forget Your Boxes:

One thing that’s taking up a lot of space in our new apartment is all of the empty boxes! Make sure to keep breaking them down as you go. This is more of a reminder for myself than anything because I hate that chore! Find the nearest recycling facility to dispose of them properly or it might be worth posting on your social media if anyone else might need them. I was actually able to get rid of all of my boxes from my first move because of Facebook and that was the case this time around too. One of my best girlfriends is moving and almost all of our empty boxes and packing supplies are going to her next week!

I can’t say that I’m having the time of my life unpacking but the end results will be so worth it. I can’t wait to show all of you!

What are some of your unpacking pro tips? What is your least favorite part about moving? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May7

Lil Red’s Moving Pro Tips Pt. 2

Posted on May 7, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello! Johnny and I had our big move last Saturday and it went as smoothly as it could have gone. However, there are definitely some things that I wish were done differently looking back. A few weeks ago, we looked at some pre moving pro tips and today, we are going to focus on the actual move itself. Let’s get to it:

Eat, Drink, & Be Merry:

One of both mine and Johnny’s biggest downfalls of the day was that we didn’t eat enough prior to getting our keys. While Johnny had a snack, I had nothing and I SO wish that I would have made a big breakfast for us. Rather, we chose to sleep in and that was a mistake. Having a good meal before the move seems like a no brainer but it’s honestly an easy thing to bypass when so many other things are happening that day. Do make sure to eat your fill before the move so you can avoid getting lightheaded, which is what happened to me!

And, of course, drink water, water, and more water. If your dishes are already packed up, it will help to have a travel mug handy that you can keep refilling. Even if your move is on a fairly chilly day like mine and Johnny’s, you’ll find yourself sweating very quickly and that fluid needs replenished. Our rule of thumb was to take a water break at least twice an hour to keep ourselves firing on pretty much all cylinders lol.

Move Boxes Accordingly:

Johnny and I moved in one day and our morning was cut short because we could only pick up our keys at ten. Had this been different, I would have been much more proactive about moving the boxes into the room they needed to be in as soon as they left the car. I tried to do this as much as possible but with our time crunch, it was easier to just put boxes into a spare room.

If this is the case for you, that’s totally fine… Just make sure you label the boxes! This is also something that Johnny and I didn’t do and it hasn’t cost us too much grief but it’s enough to be annoying. I packed up almost everything in the apartment so I have a fairly good idea of where things are. The stuff that Johnny packed, however, is a different story!

Ask For Help:

Moving is a big job and outside help is a necessity, whether that be in the form of hiring movers or assembling friends and family. Johnny and I hired Two Men And A Truck for our furniture and we would have been nowhere without them. Hiring movers can be expensive, which is why Johnny and I cut costs by moving everything else by ourselves. We were wishing all day that we had them move all of our boxes too, though!

My mom was also kind enough to come over and help with cleaning tasks so that Johnny and I could focus on getting boxes to the new apartment. This was a HUGE help because all I had to do was sweep up once we cleared out our old place. Then, one of our friends came by later in the evening to help set up some of our furniture and get our mattress on the bed. All of this additional help was much welcomed and so very appreciated especially considering how exhausted Johnny and I were.

If you have the budget to hire movers, then it can save a lot of stress and time too. Especially at the end when you’re tired and those boxes need to be taken to the right rooms! Besides professional movers, a self storage unit can also make things a little easier when moving house, especially if you’re concerned that you won’t have enough space in your new property or don’t want (and need) to exchange one cluttered space for another.

Set A Time Frame:

One thing that Johnny and I did really well when it came to our move was setting a time frame that we wanted to be done by. We both agreed that if we were done by around six, then that would be ideal. The day was a mad dash but we did finish everything by the time we wanted and that was a huge relief. You don’t have to have a set in stone schedule but a general idea of when the task should be done will help you keep your pace up throughout the day.

Despite some hiccups during moving day, I don’t think it could have gone any better with all things considering. I am so happy to be in our new place! 😀

What are some of your moving pro tips? Did anyone help you when you moved? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May6

The Big Move!

Posted on May 6, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello!! Johnny and I moved to our new apartment this past Saturday and, let me tell you, it was an absolute doozy of a day. When I first moved into my apartment by myself, it wasn’t bad at all and I was actually able to unpack my belongings that day. Of course, I didn’t have all that much to move so I was totally unprepared for the task at hand of moving two people’s stuff out!

^^^ YIKES!!!

Johnny and I weren’t able to pick up our apartment keys until ten o’clock on Saturday morning and from then until six or so at night, it was a mad dash. We were moving boxes like our lives depended on it until one or so when our moving team from Two Men And A Truck showed up. I had hired this company last time I moved and they were excellent then and now.

The team consisted of three young men and they were SO funny, kind, and efficient. In under two hours, they had moved all of our furniture from Point A to Point B and it was amazing to watch them work! They were moving all of these heavy pieces of furniture like it was nothing and never missed a beat for some playful banter. There wasn’t much that could be done on mine and Johnny’s end while they worked and it was a welcome break!

Once the movers were done, Johnny and I sprung back into action with another special guest: My mom! With sufficient space cleared out, she helped me with the cleaning process to get the apartment back into tip top shape. I had already done a super deep cleaning and she came to assist with finishing touches as well as cleaning supplies. We were both incredibly thankful for this helping hand and wouldn’t have been able to complete our one day move without her.

After my mom left, Johnny and I made several more trips back and forth to our new digs together. Then, I was able to fully sweep and Swiffer our hardwood surfaces. This was a surprisingly time consuming task because the sweepers weren’t picking up everything. After a couple passes, I had to collect the remaining debris with wet paper towel. My back was killing me by the end of it!

I worked my ass off during moving day but, honestly, it was nothing in comparison to Johnny and I am so appreciative to him for it. Johnny has a van which can hold way more than my little car ever could so he handled the brunt of the moving because I did almost all of the packing. He was also in charge of all of the heavy lifting because I just couldn’t do it.

Between moving instruments and equipment when his band plays and working in a factory, Johnny is used to this type of challenge. Myself, on the other hand? Not so much. I have never participated in a move of this level before and it showed. I was getting dizzy from the trips up and down stairs with bags and boxes in hand and Johnny made me sit down, drink water, and eat something every time this happened. He is an angel among men! ❤

By the time we were all settled in our new place amid a sea of boxes, we were beyond tired but so very proud of our work. It was a long, stressful day but there was nothing like sinking into our bed that first night and falling asleep as soon as our head’s hit the pillow. An air conditioning unit in our bedroom that actually works was also extremely conducive to a good night’s sleep. 😀

As we continue the unpacking process, keep it posted here on lifewithlilred for more on our new place. You will receive a grand tour, decorating projects, and some pro tips to make your move as pain free as possible!

What was the last time you moved like? What is the most difficult part about moving? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May5

Bringing Some Classic Glam To Your Home

Posted on May 5, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Fashion (which includes interior design) is always cyclical and referential. Waves come back time and time again, such as the fervor for everything and anything the 80s that we experienced throughout the 2010s. Lately, it’s both the 50s and the 90s that have been in style and, in particular, their taste for everything glam, ritzy, and with a touch of showbiz. If you’ve been feeling that wave, what can you do to bring it into your home? Try out these ideas:

Add some texture to the walls:

In terms of big home improvements, one of the options you can go for is to make your walls less minimalist and add some texture and depth to them. Wall paneling is a great way to do this rather than having to install new walls. You can enjoy the feel and look of materials like wood, stone, or brick without needing to actually invest in putting up a wall of those materials.

Invest in fabrics and trims:

Glam is more than a look, it’s a sensation you can create through multiple senses, including touch. Look at your furniture and think about the rich looking fabrics and trims you could upgrade. Consider taking them to an upholstery service like Simply Upholstering to give them that sense of tactile comfort and class they need. Of course, using throws and other soft furnishings can help you do much the same.

Find your retro inspo:

If you want to evoke a sense of a certain time, then finding the right visuals, such as the fashion icons of the day, can be a great way to do that. A wall gallery of Marilyn Monroe Milton Greene shots can help you evoke that sense of classic movie star glam that can add the touch of taste and class your space needs. Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly are some great options, too.

Get gilded with it:

We call it the gilded age for a reason, the look of gold and everything that glitters was all over the place. For a lot of people, gold accents can make a home look dated, which is why you need to make sure that you commit, using complementary fabrics and other retro looks to make sure that it looks at home rather than standing out. Gold accents for furniture and fixtures can add some real glam appeal when used well.

Don’t be afraid to make a statement (or three):

Glam is not entirely about excess but, to some degree, it almost always incorporates some of it. Take your largest room and make not one, but two or three focal points. A statement piece, whether it’s a piece of furniture or art on the wall and a vignette of your own making can be the perfect thing to give a level of managed richness and excess to your room.

Anticipating the next trend can help you stay at the top of your game when it comes to your home design. Sometimes, to look forward, you need to look back, and some vintage glam can be the perfect thing to do just that.

Featured Image By: Pexels

May5

Don’t Forget These Essentials For Your First Day At Work

Posted on May 5, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Don’t Forget These Essentials For Your First Day At Work

Is there anything more exciting yet nerve racking than starting a new job? It is important to start as you mean to go on, so having a good first day is crucial for your confidence and the impression you create on others. The last thing you want to do is get to your job and realize that you have forgotten something important. With that in mind, read on to discover the essentials you need for your new job.

Office stationery:

It is highly likely that your office will have its own supplies, but there is no harm in coming prepared. It means you won’t have to ask anyone to point you in the direction of a stapler or some pens. It is a good idea to buy a container so that you can keep all of your stationery organized on your desk. There is no need to go all out and spend too much when starting your new job, but a few basic essentials will come in handy.

Business backpack:

Of course, you are going to need a stylish bag to keep all of your belongings in. A smart business backpack is a good choice. You will have more than enough space for all of your essentials, and different compartments so that you can keep things organized.

Water bottle:

Keeping hydrated throughout the day is so important. If you are lacking hydration, your brain won’t be able to focus properly, and this will result in a sub-par performance on your first day. By having a filled water bottle on your desk, you will instinctively drink without even thinking about it.

Deodorant:

Your first day is bound to be a bit stressful and nerve racking. When feeling stressed, the body responds by sweating. The last thing you want to do is feel uncomfortable and sticky all day long. Take some deodorant in your bag with you.

Hand sanitizer:

We have all had to have at least one Covid test over the past couple of years. Keeping safe and healthy is important, so it makes sense to put some antibacterial hand gel in your bag too.

Lunch:

It is always a good idea to take lunch with you on your first day. You don’t know how your breaks are going to be split up during the day, and you may not have anywhere to buy lunch nearby. Of course, if you do, and your co-workers invite you for lunch, do take them up on it so you can get to know everyone.

Come prepared with these essentials on your first day of work for one less thing to stress about!

Featured Image By: Freestockphotos

May5

Accessory Story: Forgotten Ring Edition

Posted on May 5, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello! I love putting on my engagement ring and wedding band every day because I think that they are the most “me” pieces of jewelry that I own. I didn’t think it was possible to love another piece of bling more so I was blindsided when I found this surprise ring while I was packing for mine and Johnny’s big move:

I have a pink dish chair that has held all of my bras, sports bras, and swimsuits for as long as I can remember. I also have not moved anything from that chair for as long as I can remember. Lol, Johnny caught onto this too because while I was boxing up everything from the chair, I found a velvet gift bag. At first, it felt empty and I almost threw it out. Then, I reached into the bag and discovered this gorgeous pearl ring with amber jewels!

I literally clutched my pearls when the ring was revealed because it was just so cute. It looks like a gemstone bow and I have never seen anything like it. I was so curious where this ring had came from because it was in the most random location. I couldn’t wait for Johnny to get home to question him about the ring’s origins because I thought that it might have been an engagement ring he picked out before ordering the one that I have.

Once Johnny got home, he told me that he also had no idea where he acquired the ring and then we started playing detective. It didn’t come from me so it would have had to have been from Johnny. We both thought that the gift bag’s gold motif was similar to my ring box and packaging from the Etsy shop we got my engagement ring from. Then, concluded that it must have been an extra gift for purchasing the engagement ring.

I asked Johnny how he could have forgotten this and I guess with the excitement of getting engaged it just slipped his mind! He also expertly hid it in a place where we both never look so I don’t think I would have ever found it unless we were moving. I love this bonus ring so much and I am thrilled that it is finally in its rightful possession – mine! ❤

Have you ever found anything unexpected while moving? Where is the best hiding spot at your place? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May4

Best Chocolate EVER!!

Posted on May 4, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello! Whenever Johnny’s amazing Aunt Elaine comes to visit from Boston, she always comes with delicious treats from Phillips Chocolates in tow. For Easter, Johnny and I returned home with a huge haul of chocolates from Aunt Elaine and I just had to share them with all of you. Of course, the chocolate tastes divine but they are so pretty I almost didn’t even want to eat them! Lol, check it out:

My Johnny has a huge sweet tooth. Myself, on the other hand, prefers more savory and I always would rather have more dinner than save room for dessert. All bets are off when it comes to Phillips Chocolate, though, and I seriously think that I could eat an entire box full. They are the most decadent, rich chocolates that I have ever had and, now that our supply is gone, I can’t even begin to tell you how much I miss them. 😦

The box of truffles we got literally made me gasp when I took off the lid. They were so beautiful and before Johnny and I took a piece, I had to take pictures of them. I apologized to Johnny for momentarily standing in the way between him and chocolatey bliss but he told me he would have done the exact same thing. Is he the best blog husband, or what?

The truffles were all chocolate filled and they were melt in your mouth heavenly. My favorite thing from Phillips, however, is the assorted box which features chocolate turtles, caramels, nougat, fruit, nuts, and all of the chocolatey goodness you can imagine. Johnny and I worked our way through our favorites in the box then, when they were gone, we started telling each other to “surprise me”. As long as it wasn’t a fruit one, we were fine with whatever!

If you are looking for a gift for a special occasion, as a thank you, or just because, I can’t recommend Phillips Chocolates enough. Just be sure to order a couple of boxes for yourself too! 😀

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

May3

Accessory Story: Handmade Necklaces Edition

Posted on May 3, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Accessory Story: Handmade Necklaces Edition

Hello! A couple of weeks ago, my niece made my mom and dad the cutest necklaces with Blues Clues pendants on them. I’m not going to lie, Johnny and I were pretty jealous that we didn’t get one too. So, the next time we watched her we asked if she could make us some necklaces and she said yes! They are absolutely adorable and my mind is blown by how much necklace making technology has improved for children. Check it out:

I loved making necklaces when I was little… Until it was time to tie the string together, that is. Without fail, my necklace would end up falling apart and always resulted in frustration. I had to share the necklaces my niece made because 1) How could I not? and 2) The rubbery necklace strand is literally fail proof.

When my niece gifted my parents with their new bling, my dad’s came off and it happened in slow motion when it fell to the floor. I was positive that the beads would be flying off and tears would start to fall. But that wasn’t the case! The end of the necklace strand has two thick posts with one being hollow to attach the sides together. This change in width catches the beads every time for hours of jewelry making fun without the possibility of a masterpiece being ruined.

The amount of options for toys, clothes, TV shows, and everything in between has grown exponentially since I was a kid. These necklace strands are definitely one thing that I wish had been invented in my youth! I can’t wait to rock my new Blues Clues necklace and this improvement to jewelry making will be a fun activity for your little ones come summer break. 🙂

What was your favorite activity as a child? How about your favorite childhood TV show? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May2

Lil Red’s Book Club: Behind The Red Door By Megan Collins Edition

Posted on May 2, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Lil Red’s Book Club: Behind The Red Door By Megan Collins Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! Today, we are going to be discussing a thriller by Megan Collins called Behind The Red Door – without giving any spoilers away, of course. This is the third book in a row that I have read by Collins and it was pretty good. However, I definitely didn’t like it as much as The Family Plot or The Winter Sister.

Before we begin our discussion, I will be placing a trigger warning on Behind The Red Door for general violence and disturbing content. Now, let’s get to it:

Fern has lived a life in which her anxiety will always define her. Her childhood was a lonely and… unique one, which puts in really nicely! Her mother is an artist who would immerse herself in her studio and would stay there for days on end. Her father studies the psychology behind fear and Fern was his subject during a majority of his “experiments”.

During these experiments, Fern’s dad would leave her in unfamiliar places or alone all night and then interview her afterwards to learn about what scared her. She was more of a test subject than a daughter and her whole childhood was spent longing for attention from her parents. Needless to say, this deeply effected her adult life and at thirty-two, she has profound anxiety, reoccurring nightmares, and is constantly scratching at her wrists.

Fern has spent a majority of her adult life avoiding her parents and hometown but she agrees to return to help her dad pack for his upcoming move. The night before Fern leaves, she is settled in front of the TV with her husband watching the evening news. The main headline is a shocking one about a woman who has gone missing named Astrid.

After seeing her picture, Fern can’t shake the feeling that she knows Astrid from somewhere. Her husband isn’t surprised because Astrid made the news twenty years prior for being kidnapped for a month and then returned close to Fern’s hometown. What he doesn’t know, though, is that Astrid’s face has haunted Fern’s nightmares for as long as she can remember.

Fern takes the opportunity of helping her dad pack to try and find the missing woman herself. Twenty years ago, Astrid disappeared without a trace but her newly released memoir reveals that there was a witness. Is Fern the witness that never came forward? And, if so, why can’t she remember meeting Astrid at all? Read Behind The Red Door to find out!

After a couple chapters in of Behind The Red Door, I thought that it wasn’t Collins’ best work. In her other two novels, the characters had their faults but they were, for the most part, very likeable. I felt connections to the people that I was reading about and that just wasn’t the case with Behind The Red Door.

Fern’s father was a nightmare and Fern, herself, wasn’t my favorite leading lady. From the start of this book, you can tell that her anxiety is absolutely crippling and understandably so. However, I was hoping for moments of her strength to shine through and this never happened. About halfway through, I admit that I stopped rooting for her because her character development was so minimal.

As far as the story line goes, it was fine. Now, I know that the books that I like to read have far fetched plots but this one was way too impossible for my liking. This also made it difficult to care for any of the characters because everything about Behind The Red Door was just so unlikely. I will say that the grand reveal was good and I didn’t figure it out, which is always a plus.

Overall, I am going to rate Behind The Red Door with a five out of ten stars. A writer’s work can’t all be winners and this book was a prime example of that. I wouldn’t recommend reading this one but do give The Family Plot or The Winter Sister a try because they were excellent.

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

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