Oct22

Face Mask Festivities: Freeman Manuka Honey & Tea Tree Oil Deep Clearing Clay Mask & Cleanser Edition

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Face Mask Festivities: Freeman Manuka Honey & Tea Tree Oil Deep Clearing Clay Mask & Cleanser Edition

Hi! At least every weekend I try to use a new face mask as a pampering treat after a long week. I am currently using up a pack of six Freeman masks I got from Amazon and, unfortunately, the first two I tried were total duds. It definitely made me ambivalent to try the other masks but I am happy to have had some success because it turns out the third try is a charm!

I loved the Deep Clearing mask I used with Manuka Honey and Tea Tree Oil so take a look at some pics and let’s discuss:

I’ll be honest, I was a little wary of the honey and tea tree combination because I thought it would smell nasty. However, my first impression when I opened the packet was just how good it smelled! It was seriously like oats and honey and it made the rich and creamy texture feel that much more lush and nourishing. The mask was also really easy to apply, despite its thickness, and that is always a bonus because I hate having a struggle to even put the mask on.

I left this mask/cleanser on for about seven minutes and was curious to see how it would wash off. Like the application, the mask was a piece of cake to remove because it doubled as a cleanser too. As I washed it off, it was kind of foamy which helped take the mask off in its entirety without harsh scrubbing – it was really nice!

Yes, the mask application and removal process was the best out of the three Freeman masks I have tried… But how did it leave my skin feeling? The answer is: EXCELLENT! My skin felt so soft, my pores felt like they got a deep clean, and my skin tone looked perfectly even. I legit couldn’t stop rubbing my cheek because it was baby’s bottom smooth. 😀

I would absolutely recommend the Freeman Deep Clearing Manuka Honey & Tea Tree Oil Mask/Cleanser. I haven’t used a mask that left my skin feeling so nourished in a long time and I would be happy to use it again!

Which brand has the best face masks? How do you pamper yourself? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct21

Sweet Surprises: Best Boyfriend Ever Edition

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Sweet Surprises: Best Boyfriend Ever Edition

Hello! So, last Thursday, I had quite possibly one of the worst work days of my life. I can’t go into more detail than that but it was emotionally charged and very sad for me. Despite being so upset, I knew Johnny had kind of a bum week too so I decided to pick him up some fast food from one of his favorite places in the area I was in. I texted him that I had his dinner and not to make anything for himself and he replied back that he actually had a surprise for me, as well.

Naturally, the word “surprise” put a tiny pep back in my step and I was eager to get home to see what Johnny was talking about. When I walked into our apartment, I laughed out loud because I saw this hanging from our rafter:

Originally, I thought the ghostie was the surprise but Johnny told me that it was for him to take to work to decorate his space with. This is a ghost that he definitely won’t need a boo buddy or ghost camera for! Then, he handed me this adorable sugar skull coffee mug:

I absolutely love being gifted with coffee mugs because it makes me think of whoever gave it to me whenever I use it. I have so many cute mugs from my best friend and the ones that aren’t in my kitchen cabinet house little knick knacks and baubles throughout my apartment. Johnny hit the nail on the head with this pick me up and, somehow, we both knew that each of us would need one that day.

My new coffee mug is deliciously Day Of The Dead and I plan on keeping it out all of the time because it always makes me smile when I see it. My Johnny really is the best boyfriend ever and my day got a whole lot brighter as soon as I got home.

For the rest of the night, we watched The Haunting Of Bly Manor and Seinfeld and laughed every time the ghost decoration spooked me when I saw it in my peripheral. I am so thankful to have him because he turned my awful day into a wonderful evening and all I had to do was open the door to our place. ❤

Has anyone given you a Sweet Surprise recently? How do you unwind after a bad day? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct20

Got A Pest Problem? Here’s What To Do

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Got A Pest Problem? Here’s What To Do

Nobody wants to have a pest issue in their home but, somehow, it seems to happen to everyone at some point during their life. You could have a mouse or rat infestation, a wasp nest, or an ant problem – but whatever kind of pest you have, it’s important to take the necessary steps to get rid of them. Even those of us who love animals and don’t want to harm them have to take action against an infestation in our own homes. Unfortunately, rodents carry diseases which are unhygienic and dangerous for us. Plus, they’ll give you a fright if you see one scurrying around in the night!

So what are your options for pest control? Here are some ways to combat a pest issue in your home:

Natural Means Of Extermination:

Natural pest control consists of a number of different actions you can take. If you aren’t a fan of harmful chemicals or poison being put down to kill the pests, you can try other means of pest control which are more natural and ethical. These could include:

  • A cat or terrier dog: This might sound like a laughable suggestion, but rescuing a cat or small dog is a great natural means of controlling mice and rats. Cats will hunt naturally and are savage when it comes to killing their prey, while terrier dogs are genetically programmed to run after small furry creatures in their space – and kill when they catch them. This is a means of ‘natural’ pest control because the dog and cat is living out its natural instincts, while the pests aren’t being killed using chemicals.
  • Sustainable pest control: This would involve hiring a sustainable pest control company who specializes in non-toxic means of exterminating pests.

Hiring A Pest Control Company:

If you have an issue that goes beyond a mouse problem, you might need to consider hiring a traditional Pest Control company to deal with it. Spider, cockroach, or wasp infestations can be dangerous for yourself, your children, and your pets and require more than just a few mousetraps to get the job done. You will want to do your research before hiring a professional company. Look for companies that are well reviewed and have experience with the pest your dealing with. Typing “Roanoke pest control companies” in the search bar or whatever area you’re in will help narrow down your search considerably.

Remember that pests will vary depending upon where you live and not every pest control company will be well versed in dealing with them. For example, if you live in a particularly hot climate, you might want to consider a company like Responsible Pest & Scorpion Control (or something similar in your local area) as they are capable of dealing with the dreaded, climate specific pests like scorpions.

Pest control companies use a range of techniques which will aim to minimize the effect on your home and routine, while maximizing the effectiveness of extermination. These can include:

  • Using poison to kill the population of pests.
  • Using deterrent chemicals, such as strong smelling oils like peppermint oil.
  • Using humane means to trap the pests. This will especially be the case if you have a problem caused by bigger animals and require Squirrel Removal or something similar. 
  • Filling in the cracks in your home using a special foam which is impossible for mice and rats to chew.
  • Advising on other home habits such as cleaning, avoiding piles of garden waste, removing spider webs on a regular basis, and avoiding leaving food out which tempts pests. Heavy cleaning is an especially important step in bed bug treatment options so be prepared to put the work in.

Clean Your Home Top To Bottom:

While you are waiting for pest control to sort the problem, there are still things you can do. Clean your home from top to bottom, leaving no crumbs or other little things for pests to nibble at. It is a crucial step for a multitude of pests and is especially important for bed bug prevention. This will ensure you reduce the chances of pests coming into your home and causing further disturbance.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Oct20

Liebster Award #20

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Liebster Award #20

Hi! A few days ago I was nominated by one of my dear friends, Sheryl, of Sheryl’s Light for lifewithlilred’s twentieth Liebster Award! You might remember her guest posting on my blog, which is how we became fast friends. Now, it seems like we are always chatting in some way over Facebook or our blogs! Sheryl is an absolute joy and I am so lucky to have her in my “circle”. Do be sure to give her blog some love, too! Here are the rules for the Liebster Award:

The Rules:

  • Thank the blogger who nominated you.
  • Answer the 11 questions the blogger asked you.
  • Nominate 11 bloggers.
  • Ask your nominees 11 questions.
  • Notify your 11 nominees.

Q & A:

What is your favorite childhood memory? Other than all of the wonderful vacations we would go on I would probably have to say watching the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics with my dad. That was the year Sarah Hughes won the gold for America in figure skating. My dad asked if that was something I would like to try and, of course, I said yes. The rest is history because, after that, he signed me up for ice skating lessons and I fell in love. I still am in love with the sport to this day, eighteen years later. ❤

Why did you start blogging? For fun! My blog is like my online journal and all of the amazing friends I’ve met along the way are the most wonderful bonus!

Who is your favorite actor? I love Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie.

What is your favorite holiday? Thanksgiving! Lol, I was literally just telling my client I can’t wait for Thanksgiving because all I want to do is eat food… Thanksgiving food is one of my faves!

If you could go anywhere all expenses paid, where would you go? Definitely to France so I could put my French speaking skills to good use.

What is your favorite music? I like all kinds of music. Everything from indie and alternative to rock and emo all the way to gangster rap, opera, and musicals. You never know what you’ll end up listening to if you’re ever a passenger in my car!

What is your favorite food to eat? I love all kinds of food and am always willing to try something new as long as it’s vegetarian. I’d have to say that Indian food is one of my top faves, though.

What positives have come out of the coronavirus for you? Johnny and I have saved so much money from no longer going to bars, restaurants, movies, etc. so that rocks!

What would you tell your teenage self in a letter? That things will get much better.

If you could turn back time where would you go? Back to before Donald Trump was president, lol.

My Nominees (I’m only doing three):

My Questions For You:

  1. Which shows have you bingewatched compliments of COVID?
  2. How do you safely go out right now?
  3. What is your favorite place to get take out from?
  4. What is fall weather like in your neck of the woods?
  5. What are COVID precautions like where you live?
  6. What is the last book you read?
  7. Last movie you saw in theaters?
  8. What do you love the most about blogging?
  9. What do you admire about your best friend?
  10. Do you have a celebrity crush? Who?
  11. How early do you start your holiday season shopping?

Thank you so much again to Sheryl for the Liebster Award nomination! How would you answer some of Sheryl’s questions for her nominees? How about some of my questions for mine? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct19

New Hair Selfies

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New Hair Selfies

Hi! A little under two months ago, my hair stylist transformed my hair into a candy apple red and dandelion yellow delight. I am so obsessed with how it turned out and I have never gotten so many compliments on my hair before in my life. I realize that I have not uploaded some decent selfies of my new do and, while my sister and I road tripped to Pittsburgh, I was finally able to snap some because she was driving! Lol, check it out:

^^^ Lol!!! ❤

Now, I realize that two months is a long time to go without taking selfies but, believe you me, I have an explanation: COVID-19. Haha, Johnny and I don’t go anywhere and my clients and I rarely go out when I am working so I haven’t really had the need or desire to get full on “ready” AKA makeup, hair, and a cute outfit.

A road trip with my sister seemed like the perfect opportunity to go all out and, as luck would have it, it was kind of overcast when we were driving which is perfect selfie conditions! Kristen was laughing because she says I always take selfies in her car and it’s true, lol, I never seem to be the passenger in a car so when I am, I have to seize the opportunity!

I think that these new pics show off my hair perfectly and I also am so pleased with the adorable Cynthia Rowley sweater I got during my TJMaxx Fall Haul. Kristen and I had a great day and I can’t wait till we can go back to Pittsburgh in December for our microblading touch ups so I can go “all out” when I get ready again. 😀

Do you do your makeup less now because of COVID? How often do you take selfies? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct18

La Marie Brow Club Update

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La Marie Brow Club Update

Hello!!! Just about two years ago, I had my first microblading appointment at my cousin, Laura’s, studio in Pittsburgh called La Marie Brow Club. At the time, she was renting out the back of a tattoo studio to do her amazing work. Now, for the past year, she owns her own shop with multiple artists working there who specialize in permanent makeup.

Over the weekend, my sister and I went on a road trip so Laura could work her microblading magic on Kristen. Not only does my sister look fabulous but Laura’s new shop is so awesome I just had to share it with all of you! Kristen and I are both already itching to go back for our touch up appointments in December. 🙂

Check it out:

Laura’s last studio was the size of just one of her new microblading rooms in the new shop so this is a major upgrade for her and I am so proud. La Marie Brow Club is closed on Sundays and Laura opened up special for us so we could hang out and Kristen could get her brows done. We had the best time having hours on end of girl talk and pampering and it was so fun to catch up because the last time we saw Laura was on March 19th AKA when all of the bars and restaurants in Ohio closed.

After Kristen’s appointment, we all headed to Laura’s parents for a social distanced take out dinner and then we made our way home to flat Ohio from hilly Pittsburgh. As always, I can’t recommend Laura’s services enough and if you are in the area it is a must to get microbladed by the best!

My touch up appointment in December will be my third time getting microbladed and I seriously cannot wait for round three and road trip round two with Kristen. It was a great day! ❤

Do you have any permanent makeup done? Would you ever get microbladed? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct17

Face Mask Festivities: Freeman Glacier Water & Pink Peony Hydrating Gel Cream Mask Edition

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Face Mask Festivities: Freeman Glacier Water & Pink Peony Hydrating Gel Cream Mask Edition

Hello! During one of my previous Amazon hauls, I ordered a set of six new face masks from Freeman. Unfortunately, the first one I tried was a dud and this gel cream mask just didn’t do anything for me, either. Take a look at some pics and let’s discuss:

When I decided to use this gel cream mask, I thought it sounded so refreshing that it would have to be good. I love gel masks because of their bouncy texture and the glacier water/pink peony combo seemed like it would just add to the enjoyment. So, I prepped my bath water and applied my face mask for an evening of pampering.

As I squeezed the mask into my hand, it reminded me so much of one of my favorite gel masks from The Body Shop and I was taken with the pale blue color it was tinted. The gel cream dried fairly quickly and, as per the instructions, I left it on all night.

The following morning, I was eager to wash my face and see how my skin felt as I had the mask on for well over ten hours at that point. Sadly, I noticed no difference to my skin. In fact, after I got out of the shower my skin felt tight and was practically begging me for my moisturizing routine.

I have never used a gel mask that did this little for me before and I was honestly shocked. With some of my favorite gel masks, it left my skin looking so radiant and feeling hella moisturized but, obviously, all of them can’t be winners. -_-

I definitely wouldn’t recommend this face mask and, as of now, I am striking out on my Freeman haul. Here’s to hoping the next few will be better so keep it posted for more Face Mask Festivities coming soon!

Which face masks would you not recommend? Do you have a favorite gel cream mask? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct16

Lil Red’s Book Club: The Hunting Party By Lucy Foley Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: The Hunting Party By Lucy Foley Edition

Howdy and welcome to a new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! Today, we are going to be talking about a book called The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley, without giving any spoilers away, of course. Now, this author might sound familiar to you because I actually just finished up another book of hers a few weeks ago. While I enjoyed the last book I read of Lucy Foley’s well enough, The Hunting Party missed the mark severely.

Read on to find out more and find out what star rating this book ends up with:

It’s a New Year’s bash and anyone who is anyone in the posh “inner circle” will be there. A group of the closest friends who, for the most part, all met during their university years at Oxford. Every New Year, couples Giles and Samira, Julian and Miranda, Mark and Emma, Nick and Bo, and odd one out Katie embarks on a mini vacation to celebrate.

They end up somewhere different each time, as it’s always up to a different person to plan it, and this year they find themselves in the Scottish Highlands. Scenic and beautiful, yes, but extremely remote and with a startling lack of WiFi. Each respective couple has their own tiny cabin on the resort but their primary hang out is the rustic chic Lodge with plush rugs and couches, mounted deer heads, and oh yeah… It’s made entirely of glass.

For the most part, this all sounds relatively nice. However, as the booze is poured, celebratory pills are popped, and a downfall of snow threatens to keep them barricaded all of their dark secrets and rivalries begin to bubble to the surface. The Hunting Party covers their entire New Year’s excursion from the moment they board the train to the ghastly murder that concludes their trip. Anyone and everyone is a suspect and it’s up to you to find out who if you read The Hunting Party.

Similarly to Foley’s last book, The Hunting Party is told in an interweaving tale between beautiful Miranda, homely Emma, quiet Katie, as well as the gamekeeper of the property named Doug, and the property manager called Heather. Similarly to Ruth Ware’s In A Dark, Dark Wood, this book revolves around a celebratory weekend gone awry in a remote location in a house made of glass.

Because of both of these identical nods to books that I have already read, it felt really impossible to enjoy this book. It almost felt like I was reading a combination of Ruth Ware and Lucy Foley instead of individual books from each author. Not to mention the fact that I didn’t particularly care for any of the characters. None of them were incredibly relatable in terms of their personalities, professions, and backstory and I never felt like I was getting “in” to the book. Rather, just speed reading to finish it up.

Perhaps, all of these other issues would be less damning had the grand reveal been amazing. Unfortunately, that fell flat too. I figured it out extremely early and every Red Herring introduced was debunked so quickly that there were no real “twists and turns” throughout the book.

I honestly can’t say that I would recommend The Hunting Party to any of you and have to rate it with a zero out of ten stars. The plot was tired and used before, the characters felt like caricatures instead of real people, and the grand reveal was so simple I think that a fifth grader could figure it out. It is not worth your time and definitely wasn’t worth mine. WHOMP WHOMP.

Have you read any lackluster books lately? Do you have a recommendation for what I should read next? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct15

It’s A Walk In The Park

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It’s A Walk In The Park

Hello! A super nice thing about October other than all Halloween everything is that Johnny has every Friday off. I, on the other hand, always have Fridays off so it has been really fun having an extra day to spend with him on our weekends. Although we are always okay with staying at home with our video games and streaming services, we decided to have a little field trip this past Friday.

Johnny and I loaded into his mini van and went for a drive through the Cuyahoga Valley. We admired the changing leaves while enjoying the pleasant temperatures of an autumn day, all set to the tunes of Dire Straits which Johnny deemed appropriate driving music. Sadly, he passed on my offer to play some Cardi B but that’s neither here nor there.

Regardless of what our soundtrack was, it was exciting to be doing something with my boyfriend other than sitting in the apartment. He had just gotten his hair done and looked SO fine and driving around and talking and laughing had me falling in love all over again. :*)

We stopped off at one of the hiking trails before heading home and took an excursion around Indigo Lake. We explored train tracks and Johnny proved to be an excellent stone skipper. I proved to be… Anyways, it was a hoot. To be out in the public of nature together was refreshing for both of us because we don’t venture out often now, as safety is our primary concern.

Johnny and I were both kitted out in our fall Sunday’s Best but, as always, it was back in our comfy clothes as soon as we returned home. We settled in for an evening of weird comedies like Tim & Eric’s Bedtime Stories and The Mighty Boosh and it was a great day. ❤

If you’re feeling cooped up from being at home a lot now, don’t discount the benefits of spending some time outdoors. I think you’ll be glad you did. 🙂

How do you safely go out right now? Where is your favorite place to go hiking? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct14

October 2020 Funky Time Jams

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October 2020 Funky Time Jams

Hi! One of the big things that my clients and I do together now that we don’t really go anywhere is listen to music. I swear, we are constantly having concerts starring each other and honestly can make an afternoon of it. Sometimes I’m dancing the YMCA and other times I’m spitting bars to Cardi B! Lol, my job is never boring and it’s impossible to hear the following songs without thinking of the people I work with:

^^^ As always, I have no rights to these songs or videos!

This is such a random compilation of songs but each set of three are usually the first songs that come to mind when I think of a specific client. I really get a tour of different styles of music each week, going from girl power anthems to golden oldies all the way to rap and, yes, Marilyn Manson. (I got one of my guys hooked on him!)

Impromptu dance parties, sing alongs, and at home concerts have become primary sources of entertainment when I’m at work and my clients have a blast every time. In some way shape or form, I’m pretty sure we’ve developed some kind of hand movement routine or different melodies to all of my client’s top picks. We even make music videos of us singing our favorite songs together!

Coming up with enticing activities to do at home is the name of my work game now. Whether that be dancing the Hokey Pokey or the Electric Slide in someone’s kitchen to going for a drive with the windows down and music blasting, my brain is always working overtime to help my clients stay safe while still enjoying themselves. I love having “our songs” with each person I work with and nothing warms my heart more than when one of them hears a tune and says “this is our jam”. ❤

Is there a song that reminds you of someone whenever you hear it? What is your favorite song to dance to? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah