Jan10

Lil Red’s Book Club: An Unwanted Guest By Shari Lapena Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: An Unwanted Guest By Shari Lapena Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! Today, we are going to be discussing a suspense novel by Shari Lapena called An Unwanted Guest – without giving any spoilers away, of course. Before we begin, I will be placing a trigger warning on An Unwanted Guest for general violence. I devoured this book in less than a week and really enjoyed it so let’s get to it:

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Mitchell’s Inn is a quaint mountain lodge that boasts beautiful scenery, lush furnishings, and the piece de resistance of no WiFi. It is the place to be for a romantic getaway or to unwind with friends for a long weekend. With attentive staff, gourmet meals, and an abundance of activities the guests arriving don’t think that anything could possibly go wrong. But, we all know in a thriller that that is never the case!

An Unwanted Guest features a wide array of players all at Mitchell’s for the weekend. However, thanks to a massive snow storm, the inn is fairly empty and devoid of staff other than the owner and his son who live on site. We have Lauren and Ian, Dana and Matthew, best friends Gwen and Riley, Beverly and Henry, Candice, and David. Despite the snow, all of the guests are trying to make the most of their visit. But, things take a dark turn both literally and metaphorically when the power goes out, plunging them into bitter cold and darkness.

The guests wake the following morning disappointed that the power is still out but their troubles are just beginning as Dana’s body is discovered at the foot of the stairs with a nasty head wound. The suspicions point to her fiance, Matthew, as the culprit but the murderer could be any one of them. And, as more bodies are discovered throughout the weekend, it turns into the ultimate whodoneit. 

Tensions are high and dark secrets come to light as each guest tries to plead their case of not guilty. But is it one of them or is someone lurking about Mitchell’s Inn who most definitely isn’t on the guest list? Who is the murderer and who will be left standing? Read An Unwanted Guest to find out!

Upon starting this book, I wasn’t so sure about it. But I am genuinely unsure why because I was hooked about thirty pages in. An Unwanted Guest is a fast paced murder mystery and goes back and forth between each guest every page or so. What would be a somewhat tired plot felt brand new with the addition of the power outage. It added such a spooky vibe to this read because the killer could be right behind any of the guests at any time and they would be none the wiser.

I was very impressed with An Unwanted Guest because, given the amount of people that were narrating, there was bound to be a dud in there somewhere. However, all of the characters added their own unique touches and stories to the mix and I was excited to read each of their takes on the events. The grand reveal was also nothing to sneeze at, either. Although I did figure it out prior to, my jaw still dropped as to the reason why and I think yours will too.

I am going to award An Unwanted Guest with a nine out of ten stars. This is a book that I highly recommend and I plan on reading more from Shari Lapena in the future. If you are a fan of a good old fashioned whodoneit, then this is the book for you.

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

 

 

Jan9

Five Ways To Progress In Your Career 

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Five Ways To Progress In Your Career 

It’s critical to continuously be looking for methods to grow professionally in order to be competitive in today’s employment market and achieve your career goals. Those that invest in their personal and professional growth generally reap the rewards of additional chances for advancement, higher wages, and greater overall job satisfaction.

Here are a few actions that can lead to new experiences and career development:

  • Taking the lead during a sales pitch
  • Pursuing a position in order to obtain information, skills, or experience
  • Using your organization’s time or resources to assist a charity
  • Attending professional training classes to gain new skill sets and qualifications
  • Managing a huge project, which requires more employees or a larger budget

Here are some steps to help you advance in your career:

Establish Clear Expectations For Yourself:

You may build practical steps to assist you to reach your goals by setting detailed, quantifiable targets. Being able to track your progress can also help you stay motivated in the long run. The following are some examples of professional development objectives:

  • Getting a college diploma
  • Obtaining accreditation in the industry
  • Become a member of a professional organization
  • Furthering your education, for example, continuing education for nurses
  • Getting acquainted with new technology
  • Increasing responsibility and tasks

Make A Step-By-Step Plan To Achieve Your Goal:

Break down your goal into a step-by-step action plan once you’ve set it. A career plan can help you achieve your objective by guiding you through a series of planned steps. Be sure to set a plausible time frame for each step to help keep yourself on track.

Be On The Lookout For Fresh Opportunities:

While education is essential for professional development, experience and chances can be equally transforming. Look for opportunities to attend conferences and classes, but also keep an eye out for projects that will stretch you and help you improve your skills. You will discover more about your potential by taking on additional duties.

Talk To A Supervisor About Your Career Objectives:

It’s critical to communicate your career goals to your boss. After all, it’s part of their duty to help you grow into a useful asset within the firm. They will begin to trust you with more duties if they see that you are eager to take on new challenges. Your supervisors can also help you find out about various training opportunities. Ask a coworker in your business if they know of any opportunities to increase your abilities or expertise if you don’t have supervision or work independently.

Keep A Record Of Your Accomplishments:

Though it’s exhilarating to progress, there may be moments when you are frustrated or doubtful. That’s why it’s crucial to keep track of your achievements and evaluate your development regularly. This also ensures that you stick to your goal and helps you to adjust your efforts if development becomes sluggish.

Remember that good things in your career take time and hard work. Use the tips above to help you continue to progress!

Featured Image By: Christin Hume on Unsplash

Jan9

Bath Bomb Blitz: Lush’s Golden Wonder Pt. 2 Edition

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Bath Bomb Blitz: Lush’s Golden Wonder Pt. 2 Edition

Howdy! When it comes to my self care, it is all about pampering myself. Whether it’s a face mask, bubble bath, or getting my hair or nails done, I always feel like a million bucks afterwards. This past Tuesday, I was very eager to return home from work because I had big plans for a hot bath featuring one of the Lush bath bombs that I was gifted with this Christmas.

I used a bath bomb called Golden Wonder, which is actually one that we have discussed before. However, this time around there are much better pictures involved thanks to my newish phone! Let’s get to it:

During my last review of the Golden Wonder bath bomb, I awarded it with eight out of ten stars. But, upon using it again, I am not so sure why because it was definitely not as good as I remember it being. When first using this bath bomb, I was surprised to see a ton of different colors emerge from the gift box like orange, yellow, dark blue, and pink. This time, only a small amount of hot pink came out with no other colors in sight.

This was a bit of a disappointment because bath bombs from Lush always put on the best shows that last several minutes. The Golden Wonder bath bomb missed the mark on this too and fizzed out pretty quickly, leaving the water a murky teal that did not look the most inviting against my ultra 70s mustard yellow bathtub.

Not only do I look forward to the display that a Lush bath bomb puts on but I am also excited for the way the water feels. I don’t know how to describe it other than the bath water feels velvety, leaving my skin feeling so moisturized and nourished. The extra dose of hydration wasn’t there, either, making this bath bomb experience a total dud. Ba dum chhhhh!

After using the Golden Wonder bath bomb again, I am going to give it a five out of ten stars. It was still nice to use, of course, but it just didn’t hold up to my original memory in the slightest. This is one that you can skip on during your next Lush haul.

What is your favorite bath bomb from Lush? Where is your favorite place to shop for bath and body care? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan8

Best Husband Ever!

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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:

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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

Jan7

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

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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.

Water damage is destructive and a massive eye sore and can lead to issues beyond aesthetics like mold. Mold spores thrive in damp, dark spaces and your home should be tested for mold if there is water damage present. Luckily, most water damage restoration companies also specialize in mold damage restoration as well. A company that has expertise in both areas will be very beneficial. To get started, simply enter a search for “Water damage restoration Dayton” (or your local area) to find a trusted team of professionals to take on the job. Be sure to read reviews carefully and seek recommendations from friends and family as well.

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

Jan7

Help Your Child Improve Their Mental Health And Learning Skills

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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. A play break can always be beneficial when a lesson is becoming overwhelming so keep preferred toys handy. As a reward for a job well done, a shopping trip might be in order for something new. Stores like Totally Toys have a wide selection to choose from including plushies, dolls, and games so your kiddo is sure to find a new and exciting treasure. Perhaps they will even want their plushie to sit in on the next lesson!

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.

Jan7

Houndstooth, Honey OOTD Bloopers

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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:

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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

Jan6

Maintain Your Self Confidence With These Tips

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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

Jan6

Houndstooth, Honey OOTD Bonus Pictures

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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:

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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

Jan5

Improving Your Office Space For Increased Productivity  

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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