Jun11

Some Wedding Prezzies

Posted on by
Standard
Some Wedding Prezzies

Hello!! Johnny and I have been simply blown away by the generosity of our friends and family for our nuptials and are so thankful to all of them! I do have a couple of ultimate presents that I just had to share on lifewithlilred from two of the people who know me best – my older sister, Kristen, and my BFF, Lea. Both Lea and Kristen gifted me with the most thoughtful prezzies I think I have ever received and will forever be cherished by me. Take a look at some wedding and present pics and let’s discuss:

It is no secret that one of my all time favorite TV shows is My 600 Lb. Life and Doctor Nowzaradan is my hero and best friend in my head. I have literally been obsessed with that show since the very beginning and enjoy seeing the success of the patients. My sister, Kristen, knows this better than anyone and I was in complete stitches when I opened the Dr. Now key chain from her. Not only is the sentiment touching but it’s absolutely hilarious too and I am thrilled to get to see it every day on my car keys when I go to work. 😀

Another gift that really moved me was from my bestie of thirteen plus years, Lea. For my wedding/birthday gift, Lea got me a customized hanger for my wedding dress and I almost cried when I opened it! I didn’t even know that something like what she got me existed and am tickled to have the perfect hanger that I didn’t know I needed for my perfect dress. She also knew that nothing is complete without a touch of red from the ribbon!

I am so thankful to have been able to spend my wedding day with both of my ride or dies and those memories as well as my presents will always be treasured. ❤

What is your favorite TV show? Have you ever received a customized gift? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun10

Working On Your Wellness: Tips To Make Your Health A Priority

Posted on by
Standard
Working On Your Wellness: Tips To Make Your Health A Priority

Your mental and physical health should always be your top priority. Wellness is such a popular issue these days that it seems like everyone is discussing it. It’s important to make self-care a habit. We recognize that it is not that simple! With your career, family, house chores, friends, and so on, you may feel anxious and overwhelmed at times.

The majority of individuals are aware of the necessity of maintaining good health. However, the same folks make a variety of excuses and justifications for why they don’t have more time to pay attention to their health and do things like eat healthily, exercise, have their eyesight checked, and visit the dentist. They forget about how they feel, whether they prioritize work or other commitments. The good news is that you can put your health first while still performing effectively at work. It isn’t necessary to choose between the two. As a result, we’ve compiled a list to help you to prioritize your health and wellness.

Consider how you use your time:

People’s most common reason for not enjoying their life is that they do not have enough time. But the issue is that you are unaware of how you spend your time. Are you making the most of it? Is there anything you can do differently? Something that has the potential to make you happy? So, think outside the box. Maybe you’re stuck for business ideas since you haven’t discovered the appropriate place to unwind.

Have you tried going to the gym first thing in the morning? According to experts, this is a terrific method for allowing your mind to dwell on work while your body concentrates on health. Take a little break and go for a walk. Take a deep breath of the fresh outdoor air. You’ll feel amazing later on and you’ll probably be a lot more creative and productive. Work may be postponed, but your health cannot.

Make sure you get enough sleep:

Sleep costs nothing, but it is vital to living a healthy and happy life. Not getting enough sleep in the short term makes you feel drowsy and unproductive for a day or two; not getting enough sleep in the longer term can lead to a weakened immune system, which in turn leaves you vulnerable to illness and disease.

A good sleep routine is essential. Try to go to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time every morning. Switch off the screens an hour or so before you head to bed and avoid drinking caffeine late in the day to help you drift off into a deep, restorative, and peaceful sleep.

As the old saying goes, ‘you can’t pour from an empty jug’. Make sure you fill yours up!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Jun10

Handy Skills In Life We Really Oughta Know!

Posted on by
Standard
Handy Skills In Life We Really Oughta Know!

There are a lot of skills in life our parents had in spades, but we don’t have in the slightest! There are many essential skills that every human should have because these days there is a higher likelihood of emergencies in the home and outside than our parents ever had to contend with! So, here are a few things that everybody should know:

How to Turn Off the Water:

A burst pipe in your property is one of the worst things that can happen. You may be living in a rental or your own home, but would you know what to do if there was flooding? The first thing to do is to turn off the water at the mains!

Change a Tire:

If you are in the middle of nowhere and get a flat while on a trip, you need to learn how to change a tire. Changing a tire is not difficult, and can only take a couple of minutes. It’s also worth knowing how to jump-start a car.

Know How to Manage Your Personal Finances:

Financial management is something that a lot of people lack, but learning how to create a budget, saving money, and learning to invest in the right things in life will reap dividends in the long run. So many people are in debt these days, and learning how to manage your finances properly can make a significant difference to your quality of life.

Know How to Read a Map:

These days, we rely so much on Google Maps that if we were without our phones, we would be lost, literally and figuratively! If you ever find yourself lost and your GPS fails on you, do you know how to find the north star and which way is east or west?

Know the Basics of Repairing a Car:

This can save us a lot of money over time! Learning how to fix the basics in our car and keeping it maintained by topping up the oil and the water can make our car go much longer before it needs to head to the repair shop.

Know How to Sew:

Skills like sewing a button onto a coat is going to be a lifesaver, especially as it’s something that happens all too regularly. The basic sewing skills are easy enough to pick up but there are plenty of other benefits to sewing, such as teaching focus and building your confidence.

Knowing How to Be in Your Own Company:

We all rely on the internet and social media to be our friends, but if we took the opportunity to learn to thrive in our own company we would learn so much about ourselves. We shouldn’t rely on others to entertain ourselves. When we start to look after ourselves we display signs of resilience.

While you may be able to look after your health well enough how many of these do you really know how to do? No better time than the present to learn!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jun10

Amazing Ways To Cook The Best Steaks

Posted on by
Standard
Amazing Ways To Cook The Best Steaks

If you like steak, it is a given that you have your favorite way to cook them and ask any steak lover, and you may get a different answer. Nevertheless, treating every steak the same would be a foolish disservice. So, let’s look at a few of the ways you can cook steak:

Grill:

Specifically charcoal grilled thin steaks. With meat prices rising, it’s good to know how to cook thin steaks. Grilling steak is quick, simple, and hard to mess up after a short period of learning. All you need is a grill (gas or charcoal), steaks, salt, pepper, and oil.

Start the grill and let it get nice and hot; oil and season the steaks on both sides, and when the grill is good to go, throw the steaks on and leave them alone for 3-5 minutes a side depending on how red you like them. Once the time is up, remove the steaks, leave them to rest covered in foil, and then serve.

Sous Vide:

Sous Vide involves vacuum sealing your steak, cooking it for nearly an hour in temperature-controlled water, then finishing it off with a sear. This may sound like a strange method, but it leads to the most evenly cooked and potentially best tasting steaks out there! There is a very sensory experience with cooking with Sous Vide, you get the aromatic smokey smell of steak getting cooked on high heat, and the end results are exceptional.

Pan Fry:

Pan frying steak is not dissimilar to grilling, except you don’t need to go outside. Like the grill, make sure your pan is hot. A cast-iron pan or a similar heavy-bottomed skillet works best because they hold more heat. You may want to oil your steak, or you may wish to simply salt and pepper the steak and then drop a lump of butter in the pan. A meat splash guard is good for keeping the ventilation going. Otherwise, your kitchen will be covered in grease spots. Not ideal when you want to enjoy your meal!

Sear Roasting:

Sear-roasting involves pre-heating both your oven and a cast-iron skillet at upwards of 500 Fahrenheit. When both the skillet and oven are piping hot, you put an oiled or buttered steak in the skillet, sear it on both sides and then slip it into the oven to finish cooking.

By searing first and then finishing in the oven, sear roasting causes fewer problems than pan-frying and broiling. However, this method is less accurate than grilling or sous vide, where you bring a steak more or less precisely to temperature.

Steak Tartare:

This method is quite overlooked, probably because, at first glance, it does not require any preparation at all, which is a myth. Steak Tartare is a popular dish in France and is overlooked since it is raw. Steak Tartare is not only odd for the lack of heat involved in its preparations, but it is also chopped up before serving!

Its preparation usually involves the assembly of ingredients, but there are also crucial steps to ensure food safety. It is important to locate a fresh cut of good meat as the meat will not be exposed to heat on the outside, where most of the bacteria are. Proper steak tartare starts out life as a decent steak; this recipe suggests eye of round, which is then chilled in the freezer and diced up immediately before serving.

Become the host with the most at your next gathering with the tips above!

Featured Image By: Gonzalo Guzman on Pexels

Jun10

5 Turn-Offs To Watch Out For When Buying A House

Posted on by
Standard
5 Turn-Offs To Watch Out For When Buying A House

Buying a home is a milestone everyone hopes to achieve in their lives. Identifying and purchasing the house can be very difficult and having a visual of your perfect house will give you a good starting point during your search. If you choose to use an agent, you will probably have an easier time presenting your expectations to the agent and only waiting for a call for a house viewing. Hiring a realtor can save you a lot of time and energy so it’s something worth looking into. To find one, simply enter a search for “tampa realtor” or your local area to help make this process easier.

Searching the house by yourself can be pretty cumbersome. The research, house visits, and lengthy processes can take a toll on you; it can lead you to settle for much less than you deserve. It is essential to be adept at critical warning signs that might help you assess the house’s condition so there are no surprises when you move in:

A Rugged Backyard and Garage:

If you are fortunate enough to get a house with a vast backyard and a garage, you need to check out their condition. See if you can put any additional structures for your use within the compound. If you prefer having additional storage or relaxing places, you should analyze and consult the experts on sheds near me to help you decide how you can set up your backyard. A beautiful shed will enhance the quality and appearance of your backyard.

The garage should also be in good condition to ensure your safety and security. Investigate the locks and doors to make sure everything is in working order.

Cramped Attic:

Most attics are usually rustic and quite cramped. Check out the walls and floors to figure out how you can utilize them in your home. There is so much potential in having a spacious attic and it could become the ultimate hang out in your new home! These tips for buying a home include thinking long term and a renovated attic would be a great upgrade as you build your future in your new place. It could serve as an office if you have the opportunity to work from home or even a bedroom to welcome a new addition.

Poor Quality on The Walls and Floors:

The walls and floors of a house will give you a heads up on the house’s condition; it is easy to distinguish a well-maintained house from a poorly maintained house from the walls. Peeled-off wall color or mold is usually not a good sign.

However much the owner may want to mask the actual condition through painting and varnishing, the cracks will always give away the actual house status. If you are unsure of how to identify faults in a house, bring along an expert who will point out any issues.

Leaking Roof:

The roof is usually among the forgotten elements in a house visit. You will most likely concentrate on the interior rather than the exterior but the roofing condition can come back to bite you if you are not keen on them. Analyze if the roof will need any repair or replacement lest you encounter leaking roofs after you have moved in.

Unserviced Mechanical and Electrical Systems:

A house typically runs on various mechanical and electrical systems. The plumbing system of the house needs a thorough inspection by a plumber. A flawed plumbing system discovered after moving in will ruin the new home excitement really quickly! You should also check on the electrical wiring and connections before you make your decision. All of these check ups should be done by trusted experts to ensure that your home functions properly. Aardvark Electric – electrical installation has a great team of professionals to get the job done safely. It can be dangerous for yourself and your wallet to do anything in terms of plumbing or electric that you aren’t fully qualified for.

If the house you are looking into is a real fixer upper in terms of mechanical, electric, and structure it could prove to be too much of an undertaking and financially draining. Rather than fully renovate a property, it might be worth looking into other options instead. For example, newly built homes offer modern amenities and the assurance that it is safe to live in. You can start browsing listings be entering a search for “custom home builder boerne” (or your local area) to find custom built communities to settle in. No time consuming renovations required!

Finding a perfect house is a near-impossible job. There are some acceptable faults but having these five elements is a definite turn-off for the house and you shouldn’t settle.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jun10

Our Wedding Day

Posted on by
Standard
Our Wedding Day

Hi! Johnny and I got married on Friday, June 4th and it was the most fantastic, wonderful day in the whole world. For our wedding, we had a very small late afternoon ceremony in our friend’s backyard with immediate family and one best friend each. Then, after having pictures taken our little wedding party went to mine and Johnny’s favorite bar, the Zephyr, for celebratory drinks.

It was a magical whirlwind of a day and both Johnny and I were going nonstop until it was time for our ceremony. Needless to say, we were exhausted for the rest of the weekend but that’s a small price to pay for the best day of your entire life! Take a look at a few sneak peeks of our wedding pics and let’s chat more:

Despite such a small wedding, there was still much to do for Johnny and I to prepare and we couldn’t have done it without the help of our family and friends. Johnny’s best man was gracious enough to allow us to host our wedding in his backyard and he helped my husband get everything ready before it was time for me to walk down the aisle. Another dear friend of Johnny’s officiated our marriage and he did a simply beautiful job and we were so touched by his heartfelt and thoughtful sentiments. And, of course, both of our families pitched in wherever they could too!

It was so special to us to have a majority of our families there and our ride or die besties. Lea and her husband came to celebrate with us and I am so lucky to have had her with me for every major milestone in our past thirteen years of best friendship. One of the biggest treats was having mine and Johnny’s little niece, Valerie, as our flower girl or should I say Taco Bell sauce packet girl. Lol, as I’ve mentioned since my engagement, our wedding was going to be nontraditional! Rather than flower petals, Val threw Taco Bell sauce packets which was a fine tip of the cap to one of my favorite places on planet Earth.

Our ceremony was short and sweet – it was over in about five minutes. However, everything that we wanted to say was said with our own vows and our ordained minister gave such a moving introduction and that truly said it all. Our mini after party was a totally different story, though, considering we were out for hours! We all had a blast at the bar after the ceremony and it was such fun for us to let our hair down together and clink our drinks in celebration.

It’s safe to say that I will be reliving mine and Johnny’s perfect day constantly and I am very excited to see more pictures! If you are too, keep tuning in for more on my wedding here on lifewithlilred! ❤

What was your wedding like? What would be included in your dream wedding? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun9

3 Things You Should Do To Take Care Of Yourself Today

Posted on by
Standard
3 Things You Should Do To Take Care Of Yourself Today

Whether you want it to or not, time keeps moving forward. Why not embrace it instead of dread the march? By achieving a proactive mindset, you can care for your body and mind to stay healthy and age with grace. Here are three proactive steps you can make today to better care for yourself:

Make An Appointment With Your Healthcare Provider:

Everyone looks into a mirror multiple times each day. As you do, you will notice changes in your face and body, and perhaps things that you may want to change. One thing that many people hone in on are their eyes. If you observe that one or both of your eyelids are drooping, make an appointment with your healthcare provider to discuss your options. They may diagnose you with ptosis, which is the medical term for drooping eyelids. Your provider can prescribe FDA-approved ptosis eyedrops to treat the drooping eyelid. Any further treatment or issues can be brought up at this visit.

Be sure to add any other issues to the visit to maximize efficiency. Have your annual physical, well-check, and mole check at the same time. Talk with your provider about any aches or pains you are experiencing. Go over all medications and vitamins to determine efficacy and potential interactions. This is a great opportunity to ensure you are receiving the proper dosages. As time passes, your body will change. Keep your provider up-to-date on anything you need.

Another important thing to discuss with your provider is any cosmetic procedures you might be interested in. This could be something small like lip filler or a more major surgery like blepharoplasty houston (or your local area). Your GP can assist in recommending top surgeons so you can get a head start on finding the best fit for you.

Check In With Your Mental Health Professional:

After living through different stages of the pandemic, you have likely experienced some sense of helplessness, isolation, or frustration. You may have lost your job or even your home. Differing outlooks on politics and science have led family relations and friendships to areas of strain. Whether any of these topics impacted your life or not, taking care of your mental health is an imperative step towards overall well-being.

Contact your insurance company regarding available mental health providers in your area. Another option is telehealth or virtual visits. Insurance may cover these or you can find licensed professionals online that offer reasonable fees. Do your due diligence and research before you engage to ensure you are getting the best services for your needs.

Meditation is a useful tool in the practice of mental health self-care. Here is a relaxing ten minute video to enjoy:

Create Or Maintain An Exercise Routine:

No matter what your current stage in life, exercise will benefit your general health. (Always consult with a healthcare provider before beginning any new exercise program or if you have any concerns.) You can start slowly with leisurely walks and then build up to more intense sessions. If you like strenuous workouts, consider signing up for a local 5K and begin training. You can get personal bonus points by finding a run that benefits a charity that you support. If you enjoy human interaction and as gyms reopen, sign up or reactivate your membership. Another option for you if you appreciate alone time is to sign up for a fitness streaming service to get fit in your own home.

Pexels Image

Take time out of your busy schedule to take care of your body and mind. The steps you take will benefit you both now and in the future.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jun9

Happy Wedding To Us!

Posted on by
Standard
Happy Wedding To Us!

Hello!!! My wedding weekend was absolutely amazing and I am so thankful to my family and friends for making it so special. Something that I really enjoyed were my trips to the Shear Shop the day before and of my wedding to get my hair looking right by my wonderful stylist, Anna. It was SO nice to spend an entire afternoon hanging out with her while she redid my color and to have her work her magic for my wedding day.

Anna has been doing my hair for nineteen years and is such a dear friend to me. In fact, as soon as I leave the salon I am already itching to go back! She is truly a master of her craft and I wouldn’t want anyone but her doing my hair for my big day. Being in Anna’s company was the most beautiful gift of all but I am completely in love with her wedding gift to me and Johnny. Check it out:

^^^ How cool is that?!

Johnny and I are your basic mid twenties and thirty something emo couple and Anna’s gift speaks to us on a spiritual level. We live for all black everything, the dark, and slightly macabre so our skeleton trinket box was perfect for us. She really does know me so well! I plan on putting the hair charms that she used for my wedding do in it first and foremost. ❤

Tune in tomorrow for more on my wedding!!

Do you have a trinket box? What do you keep in it? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun8

Wedding Nails

Posted on by
Standard
Wedding Nails

Hello! Including the day of my Friday wedding, I took two additional days off to get pampered before my big day and it was fabulous, darling! On Wednesday, my favorite nail tech at Elysian Nails came in just for me to do my full set and pedicure and it was a wonderful afternoon of girl talk and relaxation. This was also the third pedicure I have ever gotten in my life so that was such a treat. My last pedi was five years ago when I graduated college and I chose red on my toes then and now. Red on my acrylics was a must too, of course! Check it out:

Elysian Nails is always posting pictures of all of the employees’ amazing nail creations on their Facebook page and that is where I got the inspiration for my wedding nails. A picture was posted of a deep burgundy acrylic set with white rhinestones lining the cuticle and I loved that it offered a little bling without being too much or distracting. As you can see, I went with a brighter red and black rhinestones for my interpretation and I am obsessed with the end result. I also really like how the bling looks more like studs, giving an edgy and industrial vibe.

Not only did I enjoy my first pedicure in half a decade at the salon but I also opted for gel nails for the second time in my life. My nail tech recommended gel polish to help the rhinestones hold better and she knows best so I went for it and I fear she might have created a monster! It was awesome to have the polish dry so quickly and my nails still look as shiny as they did the day I got them done. I have heard from countless people that once you go gel you never go back to regular polish and I can definitely see why!

My visit to Elysian Nails was the perfect way to kick start my wedding weekend and I am very thankful to my tech for taking time out of her day off to get my nails looking right. I can’t wait for my next fill so I can share all of the details of my wedding with my friends at the salon. ❤

Do you prefer manis or pedis? How do you like to pamper yourself? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun7

Happy Birthday To Me!

Posted on by
Standard
Happy Birthday To Me!

Hello everyone and happy birthday to me!! It’s my twenty-seventh birthday and within the past week I got married and celebrated my husband’s birthday on the first. Needless to say, it has been the best week ever!! Today also marks the sixth year that I have celebrated my birthday with all of my dear readers and that isn’t anything to sneeze at, either. For the past six plus years, I have so enjoyed getting to know each and every one of you and it is such a joy to share a slice of my life with all of my readers and friends.

From sharing in my excitement, random musings, disappointments, and holidays together, you guys have been through it all with me and that is incredibly special. Here’s to six more years of birthday celebrations on lifewithlilred and tomorrow, it will be time to talk wedding! See you then. ❤

Happy Birthday To Me!! ❤