Jan7

Lil Red’s Book Club: The Best Of Friends By Lucinda Berry Edition

Posted on January 7, 2021 by lifewithlilred

Hello everyone and welcome to a new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! After finishing the extremely wordy and fairly lengthy The Sleeping Nymph, I was ready for something short and sweet and I definitely got that with the two hundred and seventy page The Best Of Friends. While Johnny played his video games, I devoured this book in a handful of days and, although it wasn’t my absolute favorite thing I’ve read, I still enjoyed it and would happily read more by the author, Lucinda Berry. So, without giving any spoilers away, let’s discuss:

Kendra, Lindsey, and Dani spent their childhood imagining the fairy tale adult life. Great husbands, children who could play together, and their best friendships flourishing into old age. Lucky for them, they all got exactly what they wanted. However, picture perfect families and friendships tend to be anything but that in a psychological thriller and The Best Of Friends is a true testament to that. And, when an alcohol and drug fueled incident between Kendra, Lindsey, and Dani’s teenage sons leaves one of them dead, the other comatose, and the last one too traumatized to speak, their picture perfect world begins to disintegrate around them.

The Best Of Friends is written in alternating chapters between the three mothers who are each handling their grief in their own ways on top of the stress of a police investigation of what happened to their boys. Not to mention that some of their relationships with their husbands are hanging on by a thread. Dark secrets from their past and present comes to life as each mother tries to do what they can to make sense of what they thought was a horrible accident. Or was it murder? Read The Best Of Friends to find out!

I can guarantee you that if you read this book, you will fly through it just as quickly as I did. I love books with alternating narrators and, with each chapter being roughly four pages or less, I would knock out forty to fifty pages in one sitting and not even notice it. In fact, I wish it was longer! The Best Of Friends was a riveting whodoneit and, despite being able to work out some of the plot twists on my own, I still did not see the grand reveal coming.

This story line felt like something out of Law & Order and I was so there for it. I will be the first to admit that The Best Of Friends was not the most well written book – or maybe it just felt that way after the highly detailed Sleeping Nymph that I finished previously. Regardless, it was the palette cleanser I needed and I am going to rate it with: seven out of ten stars for the exciting story line, shocking grand reveal, and the fact that I couldn’t put it down if you paid me. I would definitely recommend The Best Of Friends.

What was the last book that you finished? 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

Jan6

Holiday Haul: Boyfriend’s Family Edition

Posted on January 6, 2021 by lifewithlilred

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Holiday Haul: Boyfriend’s Family Edition

Hello! The day after Christmas, Johnny and I visited his parents and it was so nice. Due to COVID, I have not seen them in forever and I was really happy to safely spend time with them. We opened gifts, caught up, and watched National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation as per their family tradition. I feel lucky that this was my second viewing with them and I can’t wait for many more. Johnny and I were gifted with such beautiful presents and I am so tickled that they even got me a stocking for their mantel! Check it out:

^^^ The adorable “Our First Pandemic” ornament is from Johnny! 🙂

I love all of the gifts from Johnny’s parents so much and I love that many of them are from local businesses in our area even more. The unique earrings came from a local boutique as well as the bar soap and delicious smelling Gingerbread Caramel lotion, which was from Hope Soap. They have a store in downtown Cuyahoga Falls and I have always wanted to check it out so I’m really eager to try their products. And, don’t even get me started on the popcorn from Amaize because it is the BEST. Johnny and I were gifted with a huge sampler of their different flavors last year on our birthdays and we made very quick work of it!

Johnny’s parents also gave us several different ornaments, which was so thoughtful because despite not having a Christmas tree in our apartment this year, we will definitely want one for next Christmas when we are in a bigger place. It will be so much fun to collect ornaments for our own tree and we already have a nice start! I particularly love the middle ornament in the picture above – it is so pretty. 🙂

Being able to spend time with Johnny’s family was the best gift of all. I miss them so and I can’t wait until things are significantly less crazy so we can see them more often. ❤

Do you have an ornament collection? What is your favorite ornament or holiday decoration? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan5

Feel Good Sports Movies To Lift Your Spirits

Posted on January 5, 2021 by lifewithlilred

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Feel Good Sports Movies To Lift Your Spirits

Feel-good sports movies are the ultimate pick me up when you’re feeling a little deflated. Tales of team spirit, fighting back from adversity, and overcoming odds have been a staple of cinema for decades. Here are some of the most uplifting sports movies to seek out on your streaming accounts:

A League Of Their Own (1992):

During World War II, baseball was shut down as men went off to fight in the war. In its place arose the first women’s only league. A League Of Their Own is part comedy, part feminist statement, and all sports movie. Featuring an all star cast with Gina Davis, Lori Petty, Madonna, and Tom Hanks.

Rudy (1993):

One of the sports movie classics. Based on the true story of Daniel ‘Rudy’ Ruettiger who dreamed of playing football for Notre Dame even though he did not have the grades, the money, or the physical stature to play. Against the football betting odds, he works tirelessly to turn his dreams into reality.

With a very young Sean Astin in the main role, Rudy will tug at your heartstrings and put you through the emotional wringer from beginning to end, but it is well worth it. This was named as one of the top 25 sports movies of all time.

Dodgeball – A True Underdog Story (2004):

Dodge, duck, dip, dive, and dodge. Dodgeball is an out and out comedy that sees the ragtag team from Average Joe’s Gym compete against Ben Stiller’s super athletes from Globo Gym in order to stop Stiller’s character from bulldozing their beloved gym to the ground. It’s over the top and absolutely hilarious.

Mighty Ducks (1992):

Emilio Estevez plays Gordon Bombay, a lawyer forced to do community service by coaching the local kid’s ice hockey team, The Mighty Ducks. He gets to face some of his childhood demons from when he used to play while trying to whip a bunch of less than talented kids into a team. It’s a great film for the whole family and you probably have fond memories of it from when you were a kid.

Cool Runnings (1993):

John Candy plays the coach of the first Jamaican bobsleigh team as they head to compete in the 1988 winter Olympics. All the odds are against them, but the Jamaican team brings their own brand of happiness and style to the chilly climate. This move is guaranteed to make you smile.

The Blind Side (2009):

Another movie based on a true story, which just goes to show that there’s nothing more interesting than real life. Sandra Bullock bagged an Oscar for Best Actress as Leigh Anne Tuohy, whose family adopts Michael, a homeless African-American student. With their support, he begins to improve his grades and become a world-class football player. Heartwarming stuff.

Field Of Dreams (1989):

When a farmer (Kevin Costner), hears a voice whispering “if you build it, they will come”, he builds a full-size baseball diamond in his cornfield despite the protests of his friends and the locals. From then on, the ghosts of baseball’s greatest players begin to come out and play on the diamond.

Major League (1989):

A ruthless baseball team owner wants to move the Cleveland Indians to Miami, so she puts together the worst team she can find so that they will lose all of their games. Soon though, the players find out what she’s up to and begin to start winning just to derail her plans. Starring Charlie Sheen, Wesley Snipes, Tom Berenger, and Dennis Haysbert, Major League is a classic feel-good sports film with lots of laughs.

This was a tough list to put together, as there are so many great movies out there. The eighties and nineties, in particular, were golden periods for sports films. It’s a movie genre that never loses its popularity and continues to inspire us to this day.

Featured Image By: JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash

Jan5

How You Can Be Kind To Yourself In 2021

Posted on January 5, 2021 by lifewithlilred

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If there is one good thing about a new year, it’s that it gives you a clean slate to try something new. For some people, this is kicking bad habits. For others, it’s being more in-tune with their friends and family. This is all well and good but it’s also important to remember to be kind to yourself in 2021 too. We all know how tough the previous year was, and while there are still reverberations from 2020, it’s still possible to put yourself first for the new year:

Keep a journal:

Keeping a journal is not just a great tool to keep track of your days, it can also help you reflect and work through any problems you encounter throughout the year. This will give you the chance to recognize how insignificant such problems were, even if they seemed too much to handle at the time. A journal will also help you see how much you have grown throughout the year and give you something to look back on fondly. Ideally, you want to write in your journal every day so your memories don’t fade.

Try something new:

Humans are not designed to stand still, but many people will get to a point where they don’t explore anything new. There’s nothing wrong with being comfortable, but it can mean that you get dissatisfied with life. This is why it’s always useful to try something new, whether you want to try something you’ve always wanted, like running a marathon or losing weight, or even doing something that you’ve never done before. This could be rock climbing, dyeing your hair a different color, or testing out foods that you have never had.

Make new friends:

It’s tricky to make new friends as an adult. Everyone seems too busy, and they have so many responsibilities that it feels impossible to find the time to hang out with someone else. However, the potential for new friends is out there. You just need to know where to look. If you’re trying new hobbies, look for online communities who can advise you on whether a Shimano Tyrnos conventional reel is the right fishing tool or whether a sub-five minute kilometer is something to celebrate, which it is, by the way!

Spend more time with yourself:

One of the most effective ways to be kinder to yourself this year is to spend more time with yourself. It’s nice to hang out with friends and family, but you also need the chance to recharge and do what you want to do. It’s important to get comfortable in your own company, so put your feet up, pick out your favorite book, and relax. You’ll find that you enjoy your own company much more than you expected.

Be kind:

Some people will spend all of their time trying to be kind to others and forget about being kind to themselves. However, it is impossible to fill others’ cups when yours is empty. So, don’t be afraid to give yourself some time to recharge and be kinder to yourself. Once you feel one hundred percent, you can start thinking about helping others, too.

2021 can’t be as bad as 2020, right? Use the tips above to help you start this new year on the right foot!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Jan5

Holiday Haul: Sister & Family Edition

Posted on January 5, 2021 by lifewithlilred

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Hello!! My sister, Kristen, her SO, Ramon, and sweet daughter, Valerie, are my best friends and I love being their fourth wheel more than anything. Being able to share so many holidays with Kristen and Ramon and now their daughter is always going to be special to me and this past Christmas was no exception. Miss Val made out like an adorable little bandit this Christmas and she was even able to unwrap some of her own gifts this year! Her “TT” had quite the haul herself, though, and I am so excited about the gifts I received from Val and her amazing parents. Check it out:

Kristen texted me earlier in December asking me what I would like for Christmas and I told her that some new face masks to try out would be much appreciated. She took this idea and ran with it, gifting me two face masks by Formula 10.0.6. I am eager to test both masks out – particularly the self-warming clay mask. I used to get a self-warming mask from The Body Shop back in the day and it was one of my favorites. Speaking of favorites, I also got an awesome GUDETAMA lip balm and he is my favorite, lazy egg in the whole world. Don’t believe me? Check out my Facebook posts where I am constantly replying to people with Gudetama themed stickers! 😀

When my sister texted me, I didn’t tell her that I would really like a new pair of Express leggings too but she knows me well enough to have gotten me a pair, anyways. Kristen gifted me with leggings from Express last year and they are simply the best. I am so happy to have another pair because I wear my old ones literally all the time and, although they are still in great condition, it will be nice to have the option to alternate.

Pre-COVID, going to my favorite bars with Johnny and Kristen was always a treat and nine times out of ten, you could catch me drinking a Moscow Mule. I love them! And, with new copper mugs from Kristen and her fam, I’ll be able to make them at home with my go to recipe and not have to put them in coffee mugs like usual, lol. Great success!

Now, you might be wondering why in the heck Kristen gave the game of Guess Who? to me and Johnny and I’ll tell you why. A few months ago, we were all at chez parents and Kristen happened to bring her copy of the game over. We had many rousing rounds with my brother, Andrew, and it was a hoot. I also love the much more culturally diverse update of Guess Who? too! I think Johnny and I will get a kick out of playing it when we are stuck in the doldrums of feeling like there is “nothing” to do. 🙂

Kristen and her family were so generous this Christmas and I really am touched because these gifts are absolutely perfect for me. My sister knows me like the back of her hand and knew that the majority of what she gave me were things that I would like but never buy for myself and that, in itself, is the best gift of all. ❤

Which store has the best leggings? How do you make drinks from the bar at home? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan4

5 Ways To Instantly Refresh Your Home

Posted on January 4, 2021 by lifewithlilred

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Even the best-designed house can become tired and worn looking without some maintenance now and then. Taking time to refresh the look of your home can help you fall in love with it all over again and give it a new lease of life. Here are five simple ways to help refresh the look of your home without breaking the bank:

Paint Touch Ups:

The daily wear and tear of life can be hard on your interior walls, especially if you have children or pets. Walls can easily become scuffed or scratched and the paint can suddenly look less appealing. Touching up paint does not mean to redo the whole wall. If you have paint leftover from a decoration, keep it in storage and when the wall inevitably becomes marked, use the paint to cover it up and make the wall feel brand new again. If you don’t have the right color paint for a wall, use a magic eraser. The erasers work by dissolving the paint slightly allowing you to use the surrounding paint to cover up the scuff. If the scuff or scratch is small, then an eraser can easily deal with them.

Should you want to do a total overhaul of the paint in one room of your home or all of them, that is just as well. Talk about a makeover! Of course, this is going to be a big task and you might want to leave it to the professionals instead of taking the DIY route. If you do not have the time, skills, or desire to DIY then simply enter a search for “Best Painters in San Ramon” (or your local area). Not only will they take on the job but they can give you advice about the best colors to improve the appearance of your home.

Replace Old Carpet:

If your carpet has been stained or threadbare, then it can make the whole room feel very worn out. Investing in high-quality flooring can make a room feel fresh without the need to completely redecorate. Millennium Hardwood Flooring is excellent if you want a high-quality finish installed by experts. Replacing carpet with hardwood can restore a room’s elegant feel and give it a classical, homely atmosphere. You will stand and walk on it every day, so good quality flooring is worth investing in.

Reposition The Furniture:

If your furniture has always had the same configuration since you moved in, then consider what other options you may have for laying out a room. In large rooms, bringing furniture away from the walls can help them feel cozier and zone off spaces. Smaller rooms can be made to feel bigger by bringing furniture away from the center of a room and allowing for a natural flow from one door to the next. Remember that furniture can always quickly be changed back, so have fun. Try out a new position and if you don’t like it, then rearrange it back to the way it was or go for something new again. You might discover a new configuration you would never have thought would work.

Exterior Painting:

If you don’t get the spark of joy you long for when you arrive home after a hard day’s work, then consider an exterior paint job. Painting your house different shades or even highlighting features like window sills and door frames can help give your home a new lease on life. Remember that external paint needs more protection. Buy paint suited to your walls such as masonry or specialist wood paint.

If you are looking for a major exterior change, you can always paint your fence! Choose a color that compliments your home. For example, a forest green fence would look stunning if you have a navy blue house. You will want to invest in some Eco friendly wood paint for this project to help better protect your fence from the elements and provide long lasting, rich color.

Declutter:

Finally, remember the easiest way to refresh your home is to declutter. It is easy for our homes to become filled with bits and pieces that we no longer need. Take time to clear out your cupboards every season. Decluttering frequently makes the task less onerous and allows you to enjoy your space free from mess.

If your home is still feeling cramped even after a good declutter session, you might want to consider the furniture in your home. Huge pieces of furniture take up valuable real estate in the space and limits your freedom to move around. If you are doing a furniture overhaul, services provided by companies like Dump Runners furniture disposal (or a similar one in your local area) can take care of the heavy lifting and disposal for you. Then, you can find furniture that is more suitable to your home.

Due to the pandemic, all of this extra time at home makes you notice the changes your place might need even more. Use your time well and refresh your house with the tips above!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jan4

Holiday Haul: Big Brother & Family Edition

Posted on January 4, 2021 by lifewithlilred

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Holiday Haul: Big Brother & Family Edition

Helloooo! This past Christmas was awesome, but it would have been perfect if my brother, Peter, and his wife, Megan, and their little boy could have been with us too, as they live out of state. Peter, Megan, and their adorable son sent me and my family the most lovely gifts and I am always so happy when we can FaceTime with each other or chat via phone call and text. I can’t wait to be able to see them in person again but opening their gifts felt like a special hug from each of them and I am so in love with all of my prezzies for spa treatments right in my apartment. Check it out:

I absolutely love the timeless fashion of Ralph Lauren clothing and I feel so spoiled to now have a RL robe that is just as (If not more!) comfortable than it looks. Complete with the RLL monogram and oozing all of the cozy vibes, I want to wrap myself in it whenever I even think about it! My new robe will be great during cold nights in my apartment but it will be even better when I am pampering myself with all of my new goodies from The Body Shop.

I live for products from The Body Shop and being gifted with all of these sets is such a treat because they are something that I wouldn’t buy for myself. Their body butters are so luxurious and each one smells amazing. I am looking forward to kissing my dry winter skin goodbye with my set of five mini butters – I’m particularly excited about the Almond Milk & Honey one because it’s my favorite. 😀

I also received a super cute makeup bag filled with mini sizes of TBS top sellers and am so glad that a Vitamin E moisturizer was included because it is simply the best. Finally, I will be able to take my spa treatments over the top with the Himalayan Charcoal Skin Purifying Kit. I have never used the Purifying Clay Wash so that will be fun to try and scrub in with the charcoal infused buffer. Their Himalayan Charcoal face mask is also, hands down, one of my favorites and I can always count on it to not only remove nasty blackheads but make my skin glow.

An evening in my robe with a face mask on and a steaming cup of tea is the epitome of a pampering party to me and I am beyond happy with these beautiful gifts. Thanks again! ❤

How do you do spa treatments at home? What is luxurious to you? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan3

If The Slipper Fits: Minnetonka Edition

Posted on January 3, 2021 by lifewithlilred

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Hello! My adorable mom was a sneaky Santa, as she presented me with a “decoy” (As she called it) shoe box this Christmas before gifting me with the L’Artiste sandals that I had been drooling over. What was in my decoy box, you might ask? An oh so comfy pair of moccasin style slippers by Minnetonka! I’m not going to lie, I was a bit disappointed when I opened my slippers and they weren’t the sandals. But, after testing them out once I got home, I have practically lived in them and I can’t help but smile at my mom’s little prank every time I put them on. Lol, check it out:

When I was a teenager, I got a pair of Minnetonka moccasins that I still own to this day. I can’t seem to throw them out, even though they are riddled with holes now because I would wear them literally all the time. But, with these new slippers, I definitely might be more inclined to pitch my waterlogged old faithfuls since I now have an upgrade. Despite them being house shoes, they still have a thick rubber sole so I know I can have them on when walking to take the trash out or going to the gas station drive thru.

I was a bit worried that the faux fur lining in the moccasins might be too warm for me but they are just right – especially in my cold apartment! I love my slippers because I have never owned a pair in my life and they are something that I wouldn’t have bought for myself. My mom is basically the cutest person ever and I just adore the fact that she knew exactly what my reaction would be when I opened my Minnetonkas but gifted them to me anyways because she also knew that I was going to warm up to them immediately. The Sneaky Santa award most definitely goes to her! ❤

Have you ever received a decoy gift? What was the decoy prezzie covering up? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan2

If The Shoe Fits: L’Artiste Sandals Edition

Posted on January 2, 2021 by lifewithlilred

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If The Shoe Fits: L’Artiste Sandals Edition

Howdy!! My parents, AKA Santa, were so generous this Christmas and treated me to a gorgeous pair of mini wedged sandals by L’Artiste that I have been drooling over ever since I saw them on ModCloth. It was the last present that I opened and they clearly were saving one of the best for last! Check out these pretty new babies and let’s discuss:

Now, the heels on these sandals are, admittedly, pretty low for Lil Red but I am more than willing to sacrifice a few inches of height for them. I mean, just look at the patterns, colors, and details! As soon as I saw my new sandals on ModCloth, I was blown away by how beautiful they are. I love the contrast between the jet black base, the stark white stitches, and the shocking oil pastel style colors on the floral patterns. The chunky buckle adds a touch of edge and I feel like I would be the belle of the farmer’s market in them!

I am so looking forward to sporting my sandals come late spring and summer because they are going to be absolutely charming with sun dresses and shorts. And, even though I could walk for forever in twenty inch heels, the smaller wedge will be a nice break while browsing outdoor shopping centers. Can all of the winter snow melt now, or? 🙂

My parents know how much I love my shoe collection and I am so happy to add these beauties to it. I felt so spoiled this Christmas and am so thankful for all of the wonderful gifts I received. I am also extremely thankful that Santa knows that I’m a size six! ❤

How would you style these sandals? Do you have a collection of anything? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan1

Holiday Haul: Lillianne Robe Edition

Posted on January 1, 2021 by lifewithlilred

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Hellooo everyone and happy 2021! Santa was very good to Lil Red this year and one of my favorite gifts that I received is easily a vampire fang adorned robe by Lillianne from my mom and dad. I have never owned a robe before and as soon as I saw the little number seen below on ModCloth, I had to have it. I’m also not going to lie… I am very jealous of how comfy Johnny always looks lounging in his cheetah print robe! Lol, take a look at some pics and let’s discuss:

Now that I think of it, it is kind of crazy that I have never owned a robe considering I have at least one of everything else in the fashion department! I guess I was just waiting for the right one to come along and my Lillianne robe spoke to me. If you are a Lil Red super fan, you will notice that the pattern on this robe is almost identical to one of my tattoos on my shoulder and I was so tickled when that was the first thing that Johnny said about it. 🙂

^^^ Don’t mind the face mask, you can just see my tattoo really well in this pic!

I have basically lived in this robe since Christmas day and my only regret is that I can’t wear it all the time because it is SO. Damn. Comfy. The fabric is nice and soft and it provides an extra layer of warmth without feeling too hot. I love the soft blush color paired with the punchy red and black and the embroidered “Bite me” on the back makes it the perfect robe for me. Not to mention it has really deep pockets to either warm my hands with or put a bunch of snacks in. 😀

My parents knocked it out of the park with this gift and if you see me roaming around Akron, Ohio in my new robe, then just know that I succumbed to the comfort and to mind your business lol!

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

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