Jul26

Writer’s Block? Have Some Quarantine Writing Prompts!

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Writer’s Block? Have Some Quarantine Writing Prompts!

Hello! Depending on where you live in this great big universe, you might have been or currently are living in a state of quarantine. As for me, I have been in a lock down lifestyle since March 19th in Akron, Ohio. Other than leaving the house to go to work as an “essential” employee, I probably go out two times a month for groceries and appointments.

Maintaining a blog in normal times is hard work. However, maintaining a blog in a time of quarantine is a whole different ball game. I, myself, have had a difficult time coming up with daily content and sometimes it feels impossible to come up with a blog post for the day.

Back in early 2020, I could find inspiration to write about anything from a quick trip to TJMaxx or an adventure outing with friends. Fast forward over half a year later and the most exciting thing I have to tell you guys is when I get a new LEGO set. Lol, so I understand better than anyone what it means to have writer’s block right now and there is no shame in it!

If you are coming up with question marks for your page, try writing about the following:

  1. Have you picked up any new hobbies or perfected an old skill in quarantine?
  2. What have you been binge watching lately?
  3. How many books have you finished? Which one was your favorite?
  4. How has your garden or potted plants been growing?
  5. What has been the most difficult part about being in quarantine?
  6. What has been the best part about being in quarantine?
  7. Have you cooked or baked anything new?
  8. How has your beauty routine changed since being in quarantine?
  9. How has your work or day to day life been affected by the coronavirus?
  10. What are you most looking forward to doing post quarantine?

We are all having a hard enough time right now so don’t let your blog be another thing that stresses you out. And, if you’re curious how to become a better editor, follow the link to perfect your post. Use the prompts above and tag me in it so I can read it, too! 🙂

Much love. -Sarah

Jul24

Harry Potter Great Hall LEGO Set

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Harry Potter Great Hall LEGO Set

Hello! While in quarantine, Johnny and I have been enjoying putting together LEGO sets including ones from Harry Potter and Star Wars. Johnny bought me the Hogwarts Clock Tower set for my birthday and we had such fun assembling it that I went ahead and bought the Great Hall set a few weeks later. Although the bigger sets are a bit pricey, they are worth every penny in the hours of entertainment that Johnny and I get out of them.

We stretched the Great Hall set out over the course of a weekend while Harry Potter movies, Impractical Jokers, or The Office played on TV. After at least five solid hours of building our Great Hall was finally complete. The best part? Attaching it to the Clock Tower, of course! Check it out:

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While the Clock Tower set is specifically from the Yule Ball scene in The Goblet Of Fire, our Great Hall set combines imagery from both the first and second films. Don’t believe me? We have Professor Quirrell and the basilisk to prove it! Our sets are, technically, not the most cohesive right now but our two sets combined look AWESOME… From the outside, at least.

In comparison to the Clock Tower set, the Great Hall had a lot more pieces which made it a much more intricate and time consuming build. All the while, it was insanely hot in our apartment so spreading it out over a few days was definitely the move. As always, Johnny and I have a great system when it comes to our LEGO construction. He takes care of all of the detail work, which is impossible for me to do with my nails. I, on the other hand, handle a lot of the big pieces and everyone wins!

Johnny and I like to buy a new LEGO set every few months and I am already looking forward to my next Harry Potter purchases. What’s on deck? For starters, the Whomping Willow set! Then, I would love to add the Astronomy Tower, Hagrid’s Hut, and the Quidditch Pitch. Hey, it’s Harry Potter so I have to dream big! 🙂

What has been keeping you entertained in quarantine? Who else enjoys building with LEGO? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul23

5 Ways To Be An Eco-Friendly Pet Owner

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5 Ways To Be An Eco-Friendly Pet Owner

The choices you make for your pets can affect the environment in the same way as the choices you make for yourselves. It’s important to try to reduce your pet’s carbon paw print whenever possible. This might not always be an easy task and their health and happiness should always come first. There are, however, several ways you can be a more eco-friendly pet owner:

Adopt a pet:

By adopting a pet from a shelter rather than buying one, you could end up saving two lives. You’ll be giving a home to an animal that needs one, and also freeing up space in the shelter for another stray or abandoned pet. It’s a more ethical choice to adopt a pet from a shelter.

Be responsible about the type of pet you adopt. If you want a dog but only live in a small home, then it’s best to go for dogs for small spaces. If you get a larger dog, then remember to take it for walks once or twice a day as it will need regular exercise.

One additional way to ensure your pet’s safety while staying environmentally conscious is by installing an invisible dog fence. This system creates a secure, boundary-defined space for your dog to roam freely without the need for traditional fencing that can disrupt natural habitats or require resource-heavy materials to build. Modern invisible fence systems are energy-efficient, low-maintenance, and designed to work with your yard’s layout, meaning you can keep your dog safe without compromising the surrounding landscape. They also reduce the risk of pets wandering into unsafe areas, which helps protect both your animal and local wildlife. For eco-minded owners, an invisible fence is a thoughtful choice that blends pet welfare with environmental respect. It allows you to avoid the chemicals and upkeep associated with some physical fence materials, while also providing your dog with the freedom to explore. Choosing such a solution supports a balanced lifestyle for your pet, keeps them close to home, and aligns with sustainable living practices.

Sustainable pet food:

There are several ways to make pet food more sustainable. You could try to make your own dog food, it’s actually a lot easier than it sounds. Speak to your veterinarian about the dietary needs of your pet. Certain animals might need more specialist food that you can only buy.

If you’re buying pet food, check out the best brands for healthy and sustainable products. There are several brands that aim to reduce their environmental impact by limiting shipping, emissions, and GMOs.

Recycled toys:

Some animals such as dogs and cats can really go through toys. These will probably end up in a landfill. It’s better to go for recycled toys or toys made from natural, biodegradable materials. These toys are much better for the environment in the long run.

There are also some great brands that sell eco-friendly toys. These toys are made from durable recycled plastic. You can also find recycled leashes and other accessories. These can even be made from earth-friendly fabric like hemp and other certified recycled materials.

Non-toxic shampoo:

Use organic and natural shampoos for your pet’s bath time. You can find plenty of organic pet products online and they’re not very expensive. Look at the label and see if it’s free of dyes and parabens, as it will be better for your pet’s fur. Not only are non-toxic shampoos gentler on your pet’s skin, but they’re also better for the environment. There will be fewer nasty chemicals running down the drain as a result.

Clean up waste:

You can get a hold of recycled eco-friendly cat litter from big brands such as Purina. This is made from old newspapers. If your dog or other animals do their business outside, then clean it up. It can actually be damaging to the environment to leave it. When cleaning up after your pet, use bags made from plant-based or recycled materials and throw it out immediately.

We can all do our part to help the environment and now your pet can be included with the tips above!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Jul23

Face Mask Festivities: Celavi Honey Sheet Mask Edition

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Face Mask Festivities: Celavi Honey Sheet Mask Edition

Hello! Within the past week or so, I had a great big skin care haul from Amazon. I purchased all of my necessities for the next three months and I also ordered a set of sheet face masks by Celavi. I received two of the six different kinds of masks in the set, totaling twelve masks for a little over ten dollars. I considered it a steal and the comments on Amazon from previous buyers was encouraging. So, I added it to my cart.

This past weekend, I finally got around to using one of the new sheet masks, opting for the Honey option because whose skin doesn’t need to be cleansed and moisturized? Lol, take a look at some pics and let’s discuss:

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When I use a face mask, I never apply it with the thought that it’s going to have a massive affect on my skin. In fact, this is what probably keeps me from being disappointed with some of the duds that I’ve used. Rather, I like to think that I got to spend twenty minutes with a mask on being pampered and that’s how I’m going to think of my time spent using this Celavi mask.

Did I notice a huge or even minor difference in my skin after twenty minutes with this super saturated mask on? Not particularly. Don’t get me wrong, my skin did feel slightly more moisturized. But my skin care routine makes my skin feel insanely hydrated so, in that regard, it didn’t do all that much.

My skin definitely didn’t have that fresh “ahhhh” feeling after removing the mask. I can also confidently say that if I didn’t have one more of the Celavi Honey sheet masks in my hoard, I would not be using it again. But, like I said, no hard feelings and I still enjoyed myself. I took a leap of faith on some cheap masks and they can’t all be winners!

Have you used any beauty duds recently? Do you have a favorite sheet mask? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul22

Lil Red’s Book Club: The Girls In The Garden By Lisa Jewell Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: The Girls In The Garden By Lisa Jewell Edition

Hi! As the old saying goes: “when in quarantine, do as those in quarantine do”, which is just Greek for I’ve been reading a lot. Lol, I’ve been devouring books left and right and have been loving every minute that gives my brain a break from the America’s Next Top Model marathons. The most recent book I finished was called The Girls In The Garden by Lisa Jewell. It was… Okay I guess?

Without giving any spoilers away, let’s discuss. But, please be warned that there is some subject matter in The Girls In The Garden that could be very triggering. Now, let’s get to it:

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Virginia Park may seem like the perfect, picturesque place to raise a family. Quaint flats, a communal park that stretches close to three acres, and tons of children running about. However, the situation that brought young mother Clare and her two daughters Pip and Grace into the neighborhood was anything but picture perfect.

Clare, who is estranged from her husband, is weak and vulnerable upon their arrival. This, in turn, leaves her twelve year old daughter, Grace, and eleven year old daughter, Pip, free to explore the park and get acquainted with the other kids. Handsome Dylan, frigid Tyler, and the eccentric sisters Willow, Catkin, and Fern. The parents of the three sisters, Adele and Leo, are essentially the “cool parents” and their house is constantly full of kids running in and out.

As the preteens and teenagers hang about the park, cliques begin to form and catty attitudes cause a palpable tension. All the while, the children’s parents aren’t doing much better, shielding dark secrets of their own that span from their childhood. Long buried memories begin to reveal themselves ranging from pervy old men to affairs and, oh yeah, murder.

One fateful summer night, the present mimicked the past after a young, pretty girl is found bloody, unconscious and uncovered in the park. So similar to the death of another young, pretty girl in the park decades prior. Who is responsible for the past and present attacks? And will history try to repeat itself once more? Read The Girls In The Garden to find out more!

Okay, so I know what you guys are thinking: A whodoneit with intertwining stories and secrets. How did Sarah not like it? Believe you me, all of that is very fair and I did enjoy certain aspects of the story line. However, there were a lot of parts that made me just plain uncomfortable to read. This includes some insanely inappropriate displays of affection between a freshly turned thirteen year old girl and her boyfriend.

After that part went down, I really didn’t care what happened next in the book because I just didn’t care anymore. It was such a stomach churning thing and it literally made me feel disgusting after reading it. It’s really too bad too because if the author wasn’t so focused on being “edgy”, she would have had a hell of a book on her hands. Although, I did see the ending coming.

Had a crucial part of this book not made me nauseous, I would have rated The Girls In The Garden much higher. But, that is not the case. So, for the first time in history, Lil Red will be awarding no stars out of ten stars. I really didn’t care for the direction this book took towards the end and I couldn’t look past it. Not sorry about it and I definitely wouldn’t recommend this for your next book club meeting!

Which book is currently on your night stand? Do you have any reading recommendations for me? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul21

4 Things To Consider If You’re Thinking About Going Back To School

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4 Things To Consider If You’re Thinking About Going Back To School

Are you thinking of going back to school? Although it’s a very exciting endeavor, it’s also very daunting – especially if you’ve been out of education for several years. You need to make sure that you’re prepared for what’s coming your way. No matter the reason behind the decision – whether it’s to follow your interests or boost your career, you’ll want to research thoroughly into it beforehand.

Throughout the research process, it’s likely that you’ll have several main considerations about furthering your education, which might include the following:

What You’ll Specialize in:

What are you interested in studying? If you’re doing it as a way of enhancing your career, chances are this will be a subject that’s related to the job you’re doing now. For example, if you’re a lawyer, you might want to specialize in a particular type of law – like brain injury law, commercial law, or family law.

However, if you’re looking for something new that you’ve never done before, the selection process might be a bit trickier. This is why it’s a good idea to look at various colleges/universities/training programs, comparing and contrasting them based on what they include and what career you could get into in the future from completing it.

The Cost:

Unfortunately, studying doesn’t come cheaply. And with some universities across the country costing up to $70,000, it might feel out of reach. Before applying to further education, it’s important to look at how much it costs and whether there are any finance options available to you. This way, you’ll know that you can afford to take it on – without unbearable student debts in the future. As you explore different higher education websites, you might notice handy features like university AI chatbots – use them! They will be able to direct you to links, services, and people to help you better explore financial options for your education.

Online VS In Person:

Do you want to study online or in-person? This is a top consideration that will help to shape your final decision. This choice will depend on how you want your studying to fit around your lifestyle. For example, if you work part-time or full-time, online studying is likely to be the best choice for you as you can work on assignments in the evenings or on the weekend.

If you’re looking to focus full-time on studying and only take on some part-time work to help cover your monthly costs, in-person studying at the university or college may be more suitable.

Should You Gain Work Experience Instead?

Is there a way that you can gain work experience? Even though further education will give you another degree, diploma, or other accreditation, for some roles, work experience is preferred. Also, if you want to get an insight into that career but don’t want the cost or ties to a course, then perhaps trying to get work experience is the better option. Through taking on an internship or placement, you’ll be able to see whether that type of career is right for you while showcasing to future employers your dedication to the profession.

Don’t forget that there are also online courses that are quick to complete while teaching you new skills in your current field. For example, if you work in finance, you might want to learn from an expert in financial modelling. This course can teach you a host of new things that you can take back to the current company you work for. This, in turn, could lead to a promotion or open the door to other career options. There are plenty of different ways to learn outside of enrolling in school so be sure to consider anything and everything available.

These are four of the top things to consider if you’re thinking of going back to school. At the end of the day, of course, the decision is up to you. But by looking at the above and researching into the course and prospects it will offer you, you’ll be able to determine the best route to follow.

Featured Image By: Moose Photos from Pexels

Jul21

Huge Bath & Body Works Online Haul

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Huge Bath & Body Works Online Haul

Hello! One thing that I have always enjoyed doing is shopping the semi annual sales at Bath & Body Works. Never would I ever buy their products full price but when they are slashing them fifty to seventy-five percent off, why wouldn’t you stock up?! Not only did I snag some early birthday gifts for my bestie but I also was able to score some shower gels for me as well as a huge supply of foaming hand soap to get myself and Johnny through another few months of quarantine. Check it out:

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If you aren’t hip to the glory of the foaming hand soaps from B&BW, then I highly suggest you hit up their sales and buy a few for yourself. They are easily the best hand soaps I have ever used. First of all, they smell fabulous. Second, a tiny pump of it goes a really long way. And, finally, they leave my hands feeling completely clean, totally moisturized, and smelling awesome.

Before, I was always okay with just buying drugstore brands for my shower gel and hand soap needs and would tut at the original expensive B&BW prices. But, when I discovered their semi annual sale, my life changed for the better. Over dramatic, yes. Lol, but it’s true. I love having a huge supply of smell goods in my apartment and my stock pile is guilt free because I paid a fraction of what the original cost would be.

Although it is the most fun to shop the sale in stores, I was still excited to fire up my laptop and check it out online. There is a potential for me to not like some of the scents because I couldn’t give it a whiff test but those products can easily be passed on to someone else or saved for a rainy day when I realize my hoard is ready for a restock!

I was happy to still shop B&BW’s sale in an nontraditional way and, now, I will patiently wait for their post winter price cuts so I can do it all over again! 😀

What is your favorite semi annual sale to shop? How do you save money on brand name shopping? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul20

3 Simple Ideas To Inspire Your Bedroom Renovations

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3 Simple Ideas To Inspire Your Bedroom Renovations

If you are keen to spend some of the time that you are forced to spend indoors during the coronavirus crisis in a productive way, why not embark on some home renovations? While your living spaces might already be looking stylish and on-trend, think about moving upstairs and focusing on your bedroom. This should be a room that exudes relaxation, tranquillity, and calm. This is the space of your home where you rest your weary bones and strive to achieve unbroken sleep every night. If you are keen to have a go at flexing your interior design muscles in your bedroom, take a look at these three ideas:

Color:

The color palette that you choose for your bedroom needs to be relatively mooted. This doesn’t mean that you can’t inject areas of brighter or bolder hues, but the walls of your room should be relatively bland. White, cream, or pastel shades are more conducive to restful spaces. If you are more of a bold tone lover, think about using the fabrics, throws, and cushions to add texture and pattern in your space. Try and choose a theme of colors. If you like warmth, white, yellows, and reds could be inspirational. If you love natural tones, greens, oranges, and chocolate browns can be ideal. Whip up some local artwork or family photographs and personalize the space alongside your relaxing color palette to make your bedroom cozy and customized.

Storage:

Some bedrooms are blessed with amazing floor space meaning that you can easily install some fitted wardrobes and a couple of chest of drawers alongside a rocking chair and bedside tables. Storage never becomes an issue and your clothing can be housed with ease. However, if your bedroom is an unusual shape or it’s a little small, you need to think outside the box to maximize storage and stop your room from feeling cramped. Go for something more bespoke for the space. You may worry about what’s the average price of a custom closet, but there are easy ways to keep costs down. Go for minimal compartments, less extravagant materials and finishes, and forego the glazed door options. A custom closet will look incredible and it will keep your clothes, shoes, and knick-knacks safe.

Flooring:

Some of us are lucky enough to have original wooden floorboards if we live in period properties. If you have oak flooring, get it sanded and waxed and lay a lovely large rug on top to protect your feet and maintain a cozy feel. If you want to emulate this look but don’t have the authentic features, go for a cheaper man made laminate that utilizes a walnut, oak, or birch veneer. These look fantastic and are easy to fit with a tongue and groove system. If you prefer carpet and a plush softness underfoot, get a decent underlay and a long pile twist to give you that luxurious feel.

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Love the chandelier!

Revolutionizing your bedroom should be fun. Use these inspiring ideas and enjoy giving your bedroom a makeover!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jul20

My Quarantine Beauty Routine

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My Quarantine Beauty Routine

Hi! Living in a lock down state has definitely put a damper on my beauty routine. In fact, I can probably count on under ten fingers the amount of times I’ve put a full face of makeup on since March nineteenth. Sure, it’s nice to be feeling myself after I beat my face but, at the end of the day, it’s not like Johnny and I do anything so what’s the point?

Every once in a while I’ll put some mascara and blush on but, for the most part, my face has been au natural. Because of that, I have really just been enjoying doing face masks on my already blank face in the evening. I have also incorporated a night time skin care routine into my beauty regimen. I used to not have one, as I never took my makeup off before bed. But, now, I always apply my serum, eye cream, and moisturizer before bed too.

Although I miss doing my makeup, I like sleeping in before work more! Lol, what I really miss is shopping. I’m not comfortable making my rounds in a store like TJMaxx or Target yet. And, when I find some cute, in season clothes online I realize that no one will probably see me in it till next year so what’s the point? I mainly have just been ordering my skin care online and extra hand soaps from Bath & Body Works when I need it.

On the bright side, this lack of shopping and applying makeup has saved me money. The lack of going out to restaurants and bars and doing my eating (And drinking!) at home also saves me money. So, when the fateful day comes that I can finally have a TJ’s shopping trip without having a panic attack, I know the haul that will be purchased will be totally guilt free. Score!

What do you miss doing most while in quarantine? How have your normal routines been affected? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah