Jan5

4 Tips For Finding A New Apartment Fast   

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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

Jan5

Houndstooth, Honey OOTD

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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

Jan4

Paranormal Activity Pt. 6

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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

Jan3

How Your Location Affects Your Home Design   

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How Your Location Affects Your Home Design   

Many things can influence your design choices when you decorate your home, or even when you renovate or build a home from scratch. One of the things that might affect your home design is your location, which can have an impact on your choices for both practical and aesthetic reasons. You may need to consider the local environment and weather when designing your home, among other things. Your location can affect your home design in several ways, whether consciously or through having a less direct impact on your choices.

If you’re thinking about how to build, renovate, or decorate your home, you might want to consider some of these things:

Design in Keeping with Local Style:

Designing your home so that it’s in keeping with other homes in the area is something that may or may not concern you. For some people, it’s an essential thing to think about, especially if there are any local ordinances or you’re part of a homeowners association that might set rules for what your home should look like. Others might not be so concerned with fitting in and making their home look like others in the neighborhood. But the preferred local style can help to inspire you.

Of course, if you are considering new construction homes in Las Cruces (or your local area), the appearance of your home’s exterior is predetermined. This isn’t a bad thing, though, because you can add your own style into the popular local appearance. That is part of the fun of being a homeowner! Grow gorgeous rose bushes for a pop of color. Have your kiddos paint flower pots and planters. Perhaps you will add twinkling fairy lights on your front porch. Don’t think of homes like this as lacking style, but an opportunity to make it your own.

Being Prepared for Weather Events and Natural Disasters:

Your home’s location can influence design in very practical ways too. If you live in an area that experiences storms, hurricanes, earthquakes, or flooding, it’s important that your home is protected. This can lead to you searching for hurricane windows near me, hurricane shutters, pumps for your basement, strong guttering systems, and other essentials to protect you and your home. Of course, these things can affect what your home looks like and how it’s constructed. However, they don’t have to prevent you from making stylish choices.

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^^^ Pixabay Image

Be Influenced By the Environment:

The environment surrounding your home might influence your design choices, whether consciously or not. You can use the colors and textures of the world that surrounds you when making decisions for the design of your home. You can also find that the local environment affects your home design in terms of what natural resources are available or which plants grow best in the local soil and climate. If you want to use your local environment for inspiration, it could help you to choose the right color scheme for your decor.

Using Locally Produced Goods:

Using locally produced goods for your home can be a great way to incorporate elements of your location into your home design. For example, you can look for furniture that has been crafted in the local area or choose art and home accessories that have been created by local artists. This will not only give your home more of a local flavor and connect it to the region, but it will also mean that you are supporting local businesses and your local economy.

Let your home’s location influence and help inspire your design for the best looking home on the block!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Jan3

6 DIY Gift Ideas Your Mom Will Love

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6 DIY Gift Ideas Your Mom Will Love

When it comes to our moms, sometimes the DIY route is the best way to go for gift giving occassions. It’s unique, personalized, and allows your gift to stand out from the rest. There’s nothing like a homemade present to show how much you care. From making her favorite dessert (or breakfast) to painting an old frame with some new family photos, these DIY gift ideas will have any mother feeling loved:

Make a personalized gift with her favorite things:

The best gift you can give your mom is a personalized present tailored just for her. Make sure to include all of her favorite things. This could be anything from accessories, food, or clothes and it will make the perfect way of showing how much she means to you.

Cozy Accessories:

DIY clothing is an excellent gift this winter season. Whether it’s something as simple as a blanket scarf or going all out with some matching gloves for extra warmth, she will appreciate the effort that went into making these handcrafted gifts. You can also gift her with patterned wrap dresses since they’re practical and stylish enough that she can wear them for casual events or vacation trips.

DIY a flower arrangement:

Motherhood has always been synonymous with springtime and flowers as they both represent life and fertility. Flowers also represent beauty and grace, things we associate with our own mothers. Here are some simple tips on how you can easily arrange flowers for your mom:

The flowers should be fresh and fragrant with colors that represent your mom and coordinate well with her house. Choose what type of container size works best: vases, bowls, or pots and fill them accordingly so they don’t overflow when watering them. Use either potting soil/manure mix which is rich in nutrients because these types can hold more moisture than just sand. And, don’t forget to pair them with her favorite chocolates!

Create a photo collage:

Moms have a special place in their hearts for memories they’ve made with the family over the years. Creating a photo collage is an excellent way to make sure that she knows how much she means to you. She will surely love this gift. Buy a photo album or make one yourself and choose photos that would make her recall all of the happy times you’ve spent together.

Make a scrapbook:

Scrapbooking is a great hobby and makes a thoughtful gift, too. Write down some of your favorite memories together and create something that will last forever, turning it into a keepsake for both you and even for future generations of your family.

Homemade cookies, brownies, or other sweets:

If you’re looking for the perfect gift, look no further than these delicious treats. Cookies and other sweet treats are excellent gifts for your mom if she has a sweet tooth. For starters, try this vegan chocolate chip cookie recipe:

Servings: 10

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup white sugar
  • ¾ cups dark brown sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ cup coconut oil (refined, melted)
  • ¼ cup almond milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups flour
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • 4 oz vegan chocolate chunks or chips
  • 4 oz vegan dark chocolate

Instructions:

  1. Whisk together the sugars, salt, and coconut oil in a large bowl
  2. Pour in the non-dairy milk and vanilla, and whisk until the batter is smooth and all sugar has dissolved
  3. Sift in the baking soda and the flour
  4. Mix with a spatula
  5. Pour in the chocolate chunks
  6. Put the dough in the freezer for at least 30 minutes
  7. Preheat oven to 180C or 350F
  8. Scoop the dough into cookie bits using a spoon or ice cream scoop and put it onto a baking sheet until golden brown.

There are so many ways to DIY a present for mom that she’ll love, but the best ones will be personal and from the heart like the ideas above!

Jan3

Happy Haulidays: Husband’s Family Edition

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Happy Haulidays: Husband’s Family Edition

Hello! Due to the high rates of COVID in Ohio, Johnny and I have had to have late Christmas celebrations with our families. This is why you haven’t seen any OOTDs or Hauliday posts recently but keep your eyes peeled because they are still going to happen! This past week, we celebrated with Johnny’s family and one of his aunts who is just wonderful and it was such a great time.

Living during a pandemic is insanely difficult but especially during the holidays as Johnny and I want to protect our vulnerable populations as much as we can. We haven’t seen his family as much as we would like so it was so nice to be able to share a meal, catch up, and open presents. Johnny’s family so generously gifted me with the following:

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Hanging out with Johnny’s family after so much time apart was the best gift of all, of course, but I am so appreciative of everything that they treated us to. I love my cobweb earrings the best of all and I am tickled by the gift from Johnny’s dad of the flashlight/screw driver/whistle/everything else lol. It is such a dad gift and I am obsessed – even if I don’t quite know how to use it. 😀

I am also very touched by the ornament from his mom made for caregivers, although we all had a laugh about how we couldn’t read the sweet sentiments that were on it. Johnny and I have been diligently working through our holiday chocolate – my favorite being the chocolate covered chips. I have never tried one before and it is the perfect combination of sweet and salty. I could seriously eat twenty bags of them!

The piece de resistance of our holiday haul had to be the new air fryer for the both of us. We meant to buy a new one after we got married as ours was on the fritz but we just never got around to it. It finally went kaput a few months ago so we were thrilled with the new appliance. We have been air frying literally everything and have missed it so much. The novelty of air fried food never wears off. 🙂

Although we didn’t keep up with our Miller family tradition of watching Christmas Vacation together, it was still an amazing celebration. I am so thankful to have two beautiful families to join in the holidays with and have my fingers crossed that we can celebrate next Christmas on time altogether! ❤

How did you celebrate the holidays this year? What is your favorite gift in your holiday haul? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan2

Awesome Apartment Ideas To Improve Your Space

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Awesome Apartment Ideas To Improve Your Space

It can be challenging to find time for yourself between work, school, and trying to keep up with friends and family. And when you finally find some free time, there is always something else that needs attention at home! Today, we are going to look at some quick and simple fixes to improve your apartment space so you can spend your free time on you and you alone. Let’s get to it:

Upgrade Your Furniture:

One of the easiest ways to make your apartment feel new is upgrading your furniture. This can be as simple as buying a new couch or bed or it can be more complex, like installing built-in shelving or cabinets. By upgrading your furniture, you’ll not only make your home look nicer, but you’ll also have added storage and seating options.

Create a Functional Space:

If you’re short on living space, you can create a functional space. This could be anything from setting up a home office to creating an extra storage area. By utilizing every square foot of your apartment, you’ll be able to keep your home more organized and make it feel larger.

Decorate Your Exterior:

The exterior of your home is just as important as the interior. One way to spruce up your apartment is by adding a new mailbox, painting the front door a bright color if you’re allowed, and planting flowers in planters on either side of the entrance. Adding these components to the exterior will provide curb appeal and make your apartment feel brighter with homey touches.

Don’t forget functional ways to improve your exterior space too. This could be adding fairy lights to brighten up the porch at night, creating a wildlife window, or some fun doormats. If opting for the latter, you will want to look for waterproof doormats for the outdoors that will provide a pop of color as well as somewhere to clean off dirty shoes before coming inside.

Add Greenery:

Adding greenery to your home is a great way to improve the air quality and reduce stress levels. Not only that, but plants can also get used to decorate your house. Some easy to maintain plants perfect for apartments include spider plants, aloe vera, and bamboo palms.

Hang Up More Mirrors:

Mirrors have a way of making any space feel larger. So by hanging up more mirrors in your apartment, you’ll be able to reflect light and create the illusion of more space. Not only will this make your home look nicer, but it will also help to brighten up any dark corners.

Install Track Lighting:

If you’re looking for a way to instantly improve the look of your apartment, installing track lighting is equally a great option. Track lighting can be used to highlight specific areas in your home or to provide general illumination. Plus, it’s a relatively easy DIY project that you can do with minimal tools and skills.

Refresh Your Decor:

One of the easiest ways to give your apartment a fresh look is by changing your decor. This can be as simple as repainting a wall or adding new throw pillows. By changing your decor regularly, you’ll be able to keep your home looking new and stylish. Updated art installations are also a great way to change things up. Perhaps with these cool High-Quality Metal Prints- Expertly Crafted, a smart canvas display, or photography wall to showcase your favorite memories.

When you implement these awesome apartment ideas, you’ll be able to quickly refresh your space for a more relaxing and enjoyable home experience.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jan2

New & Improved Beauty Hoard

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New & Improved Beauty Hoard

Hello! Saying that mine and Johnny’s refrigerator/pantry situation was getting cluttered was a severe understatement. So, I took it upon myself during winter break to rectify this. But, I didn’t stop there and I cleared enough pantry space to incorporate my beauty hoard into it. Originally, my stock pile was just a big Amazon box filled with products. Now, it looks like this:

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From Bath & Body Works freebies to semi annual sale hauls, I don’t think I realized just how much I had in my hoard until seeing it all set out in front of me. I knew that I was a product pack rat prior to but damn lol. Sifting through my stock pile was very enlightening, to say the least, and I also found the face masks that I thought I misplaced and an extra bottle of Tree Of Life serum. 😀

My new stock pile set up is something that I am very pleased with and it will also help me save some money. Normally, when I am restocking supplies, I just get a little bit of everything regardless of if I actually need it or not. Now, I can see clearly what I need to buy more of and what I can hold off on. For example, I always seem to be buying more micellar water but it turns out I have four bottles of it!

Not only is this new set up handy but it is also very visually pleasing to me. It’s like my own little beauty shop right in my pantry. Now that I have my hoard all nice and organized, I can’t believe it was ever stowed away like it was. GREAT SUCCESS!

This was a little project but it made a big difference and I vow to never do my hoard the disservice of an Amazon box again. 😀

What is in your beauty hoard? Where do you stow your stock pile? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan1

Happy New Year!!

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Happy New Year!!

Howdy everyone and Happy New Year! We are officially in 2022, which means a whole new year of opportunity and, of course, fun on lifewithlilred. 😀 I am so excited to be rolling out another three hundred and sixty-five days of daily blogging and have my fingers crossed that 2022 won’t be as much of a dumpster fire as the past two years. Here’s to hoping, anyways!

In this new year, my wish is for everyone to find comfort in better days ahead. We are living through a pandemic and it is scary on a good day. I wish for safety and good health for all and that we can revel in the happy moments of 2022.

While I also wish that the passing of time would slow down (I’ll be twenty-eight this year!), I am so thankful that I get to spend time with each and every one of you every day. May 2022 bring us good fortune, great successes, and a slightly less anxiety provoking time!

Happy 2022! ❤

What are your New Year’s resolutions (I, as always, have none!)? What are you wishing for in the new year? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec31

What To Consider When Installing A Water Fountain In Your Yard

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What To Consider When Installing A Water Fountain In Your Yard

When looking for ways to make the front yard more beautiful, many people might consider adding a water fountain. Usually made of stone or metal, these fountains are available in different shapes and sizes. Not only will they add something nice to look at to your yard, but they have several benefits that will help you in the long run.

Although the costs of installing a fountain can be steep upfront, it is generally affordable afterwards. The only costs will be in the initial fountain purchase and in water expenses over time to maintain it, which in most cases, is extremely minimal.

Of course, there are considerations to take into account before spending your hard-earned money. For one, you’ll want to make sure there is an electrical outlet nearby or that you can put one in. You also want to make sure the area surrounding the fountain is level and free of any rocks, plants, or hard materials. Here are some things that you should consider when purchasing a fountain for your front yard:

What are the benefits of having a water fountain?

One of the benefits of a fountain is that it can help keep mosquitoes and other pests away. Mosquitoes breed in moist areas, such as ponds or streams. If you fill your water fountain with mosquito-repelling plants, then you’ll help reduce the number of mosquitoes around your yard without having to use any harmful chemicals.

Another benefit to a water fountain is that it will contribute to the beauty of your front yard. Adding a water fountain to your yard can be as simple as finding one that fits in with the natural landscape and features of your yard. But you could also go all out and have a custom-made fountain designed for your yard specifically.

Where should you put the water fountain?

Now that you know why a water fountain might be a good idea for your front yard, you should consider where to put it. You want to make sure that it’s properly situated against your home or another object to avoid having the water spray right onto the side of your house or into someone’s yard. You also want a spot with good visibility so everyone can enjoy it.

If there isn’t a space for your fountain that inspires you, you can always create one. Hardscaping with paving can form a spot that will tie the aesthetic together rather than the fountain looking randomly placed. Professionals like sanantoniopavers.com or an expert in your local area can help you realize this vision to make your backyard the place to be.

How much does it cost to install a water fountain?

Depending on the size and style of the fountain, you might pay anywhere from $100 to $5,000 for it. Keep in mind that if you want something custom made or made of rare materials, then you’ll probably end up paying more than you would if you went with something more generic.

You’ll also have to pay for labor unless you’re installing it yourself. Aside from the people you’ll be paying to install the fountain, you might want to hire paving contractors to install pavers around the area. This way, your fountain won’t scratch up the lawn, and you’ll also be able to add a nice touch by having lights added underneath.

How long will it take to install a water fountain?

The installation time for a water fountain can vary depending on what kind you get and whether you have it installed professionally or by yourself. If you have hired professionals, they’ll usually be able to install your fountain in one day. However, if you’re installing it yourself, it will probably take several days to complete the installation process.

There are many benefits to adding a water fountain in your front yard. Not only do they look beautiful and keep pests away, but they also make soothing sounds to replace the noise of cars and kids playing. What a wonderful way to relax!