May21

Prepare For Summer With These Awesome Style Choices

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Prepare For Summer With These Awesome Style Choices

While lock down may not have fully ended just yet, that doesn’t mean that it’s not time to start getting ready for the summer season. Specifically, we’re thinking about your new style options and there are definitely some trends here that are worth considering. Let’s take a look at some of the ways that you can look incredible when the sun begins to emerge:

The Right Shades:

Yes, you can start by thinking about which sunglasses you are going to wear to the beach this year. This is an easy place to begin and it’s worth noting that not every pair of sunglasses is going to suit every person. The style of sunglasses that are right for you is always going to depend on both of your eyes and the shape of your face. Some people are more suited for aviator-style shades while others will be better off with cats-eye glasses. It’s entirely up to you, of course, but a big trend this year is the wooden arms of the shades. Typically made from bamboo, these will stand out beautifully and make quite the impression.

New Jewelry And Piercings:

You can be a little bolder with your style this season and, instead, opt for some new piercings. A popular choice this year is going to be the constellation ear piercing. These look incredible and you can find out more from Urban Body Jewelry. Alternatively, nose piercings are another popular choice worth checking out this year. Studs are definitely on-trend and you’re going to see these a lot this summer with new season looks.

A Fresh Hairstyle:

A lot of people are currently wondering what their style should be when they emerge from lock down. Remember, a lot of offices are not reopening which means that employees have a chance to think big with their style. That means that many people are being a little bolder with their hair dye choices. If you’ve always dreamed about trying out a radical new color for your hair, then now could be a perfect time. Be aware that some color choices are going to make your eyes pop beautifully. Particularly when you get the makeup just right to go with the option that you choose.

From neon pink to a gorgeous silver, there are an abundant array of possibilities for you to consider. You could also match this with a brand new cut too. Is now the time to try a pixie cut? It definitely could be!

Metallic Leather:

Finally, if you’re looking to reinvent your wardrobe this summer season, then you might want to visit a retro clothing store. If you look at fashion blogs, you’ll see that metallic leather is back on-trend. You’re going to see a lot of people this season looking as though they are heading to an 80’s themed rave and we think you’ll agree, it’s about time.

We hope you have fun trying some of these trends and ideas yourself to look fresh and fun all summer long!

Featured Image By: Pexels

May21

What To Ask Yourself Before You Emigrate

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What To Ask Yourself Before You Emigrate

Ah, to move abroad. Some people have the nerve to do it, while others prefer to stay in their hometown. Both decisions are absolutely fine, but if emigrating elsewhere is your biggest itch to scratch, then you have a lot of decisions to make. It’s not just about where you go, but why. There are also plenty of questions you should ask yourself, which are detailed below.

Emigrating to a new country is not a small thing to do; it’s huge. There is so much that you should be getting on with and it’s important that you get these decisions right the first time. So, with that in mind, let’s take a look at those questions you should be asking before you jump into emigrating:

Where?

The big one. Where do you want to go? Where is your heart calling you to? The location you want to live in really does matter, as you will find that the further you go, the more it costs. Location counts when you want quotes from local moving services, for your travel time and tickets and when it comes to finding work. You could want to go to the remotest place in the world but there wouldn’t be any way for you to work and you’d struggle. So, get your destination right and the rest should fall into place.

Where isn’t just limited to where in the world but where you will be staying. Will you be rooming with relatives? Staying in a hotel until you get on your feet? Or are you using services like HousingAnywhere to have an apartment or flat ready for you as soon as your plane lands? It’s all well and good to want to move abroad but this is one of the most critical aspects in making your move successful. Do not overestimate what you really have in savings because you will find yourself in a bind quicker than you would think without affordable lodging.

Why?

What is pushing this move for you? There’s always a reason, whether it’s simply that you want to, or you have better job prospects. This is a big move, so you want to seek out things that make sense for you. Some people want to move purely for sunshine more than they want rain – and that’s okay! The key is to know your “why”.

Can You Speak The Language?

Most people tend to emigrate to places that speak the same way that they do, but not everyone thinks the same. Choose to start learning the language for the country you want to move to if you don’t know it and you’ll be set once you arrive. This is a big deal; learning the language will help!

Who?

Who is going with you? A big thing is to work out who will be traveling with you as you will need to financially plan for their visas and plane tickets, too. Make sure that you have support around you: emigrating is a huge deal and the more people that you have backing your corner, the more help you’ll have with packing once the time comes!

When?

So, when do you want this whole thing to happen? Are you planning for the long term or are you wanting to make an immediate change? Your future’s in your hands and you should give yourself time to make this happen. You may need to gain extra qualifications or spend some time saving your money. Either way, you need to make sure you have a plan mapped out in your mind for a big move.

Moving to a different country is an exciting adventure. Use the tips above to plan for the best new location for you!

Featured Image By: Pexels

May21

Lil Red’s Book Club: Mike Omer’s In The Darkness Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: Mike Omer’s In The Darkness Edition

Hello and welcome to the latest edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! Before the libraries closed in Ohio, I was lucky enough to have visited one a week or so prior and was able to get two books. One, was Doctor Sleep by Stephen King and the other was called In The Darkness by Mike Omer. Before we begin discussing In The Darkness, I must warn those who might be triggered that this book revolves around the FBI catching sexually deviant serial killers.

Whew! Now that we have that out of the way, let’s get to it without discussing any spoilers:

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In The Darkness follows FBI profiler, Doctor Zoe Bentley, and her partner, Special Agent Tatum Gray, who are sent to San Angelo, Texas on a case that could escalate. The situation? A video stream of a young woman being buried alive, posted from an account only known as Schrodinger and titled “Experiment Number One”.

Doctor Bentley specializes in serial killers and spent her childhood living next door to one. Now, she makes it her livelihood to help the FBI track them down. But, how can you track someone down based on video footage shot in a seemingly random location? And, is finding the potential future victims in the small amount of time before they die even possible?

In The Darkness covers a whirlwind case which begs all of the typical questions of who can be trusted, is sketchy, a red herring, and the serial killer, of course! This detective mystery kept me guessing until the very last page and I can’t wait to read more of Zoe Bentley’s adventures in Mike Omer’s collection.

What I loved about this book, is that it literally read like Law & Order SVU, a show that my boyfriend and I are obsessed with. It was fast paced, the main characters were all flawed but extremely likeable, and the story felt so crazy that it just might happen. Indeed, this book is not for the faint of heart but is one I recommend for those who enjoy a high pressure cat and mouse game between the good of the police force and the evil of the killer on the run.

I am going to rate Mike Omer’s “In The Darkness” with a seven out of ten stars. The story line was interesting and intricate and I was rooting for Zoe and Tatum the entire time. The writing, at times, left a little to be desired. But, other than that, no complaints!

Which book are you currently reading? What is your favorite genre to read? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May20

Cotton Candy Grapes: YUM

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Cotton Candy Grapes: YUM

Hello! Everyone has a different taste when it comes to their preferred snacks. Some have a sweet tooth and others enjoy the salty and savory. I, myself, love my salty snacks and don’t eat sweets very often. However, a certain time comes around every month that leaves me craving ALL of the sugary goodness. The worst part? I never have anything to satisfy the cravings in my apartment! Until now. Allow me to introduce the cotton candy grape:

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I don’t know if any of you have heard of cotton candy grapes or if they are an Ohio thing. But, every summer when the farmers markets begin opening, my Facebook newsfeed is flooded with customers raving about this cotton candy flavored fruit. I have always been interested in trying these because, despite lacking a sweet tooth, I love cotton candy… Go figure, lol. Unfortunately, I have never seen them at the grocery store before…

Until my last grocery shopping trip, that is! For Mother’s Day, I went to Giant Eagle to get flowers and decided that I might as well restock my cabinets while I’m there too. Giant Eagle has a much wider selection than my normal stomping grounds of Marc’s but they are definitely more expensive, which is why I don’t shop there often.

Although I felt like I was splurging on all of my Giant Eagle purchases, it was hard to say no to things that I’ve never even seen before. Like my grapes, for example. I couldn’t believe it when the cotton candy grapes were just casually sitting in their fruit department and put the bag into my cart with cat like reflexes, eager to go home and try them.

And, let me tell you, these grapes did not disappoint. Popping one into your mouth is the equivalent of taking a tiny bite of cotton candy and it’s delicious. And it is a WAY better option than eating an entire box of chocolate while Aunt Flo visits for the week! 😀

Do you have a favorite food that not many people have heard of? What are some foods that are unique to your area? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May19

Renewing Your Style This Spring

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Renewing Your Style This Spring

Whether it’s through new makeup or an overhaul of your wardrobe, everyone needs to renew and revitalize their style from time to time. If you think the time is right for you to make some changes and shake up how you style yourself, we’ve got some tips and ideas that might help you achieve the outcomes you’re looking for. Of course, your style should be unique to you, but here are some of the options you might want to consider:

Find Suitable Sources of Inspiration:

If you think the time is right to make a change, the first step is to find some sources of inspiration for your new look and where you want to take your style. Browse some blogs and look to influencers or celebrities who rock the kind of style you’re interested in. There’s a plethora of images out there for you to scour and take inspiration from, so this shouldn’t be a problem.

Try a Minimal Color Palette:

When one of your aims is to revamp your wardrobe, you can achieve this by doing something different with the color palette. You should try to keep it simple and reduced to begin with because this will limit you and provide your approach to fashion and the process of developing a new style to become a little more focused. So try it out for yourself.

Find a New Go-To Lipstick:

One of the most important items you’ll own as a woman with regards to style and fashion is that one lipstick that you can always call upon when you need to add something new to your look. You should shop matte lipstick and find a new one that fits with the new style that you’re looking to create for yourself. It could be just what you need right now.

Aim for Quality Over Quantity:

When it comes to improving your approach to style, you should always aim for the ethos of quality over quantity. Anyone who’s hoarded fashion items and ended up with an incredibly bloated wardrobe knows that having lots of clothes doesn’t make dressing yourself each day any easier. It makes it more difficult and you become overwhelmed by lots of underwhelming options.

Invest in Some New Shoes:

One of the most important things to buy for yourself when you’re looking to renew your style is a pair of shoes that can be used in all kinds of different scenarios. They should be flexible and versatile and make you feel at ease and confident when you’re wearing them. It’s always a good place to start. *Just make sure you can walk in them easily! 😀

Every now and then, you need to take a step back and see if the time is right to do something new with your style. A fresh look can transform your entire being and put a new spring in your step. There are lots of ways of making this happen, and the ideas above should help you get started.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

May19

Have Some More Writing Prompts!

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Have Some More Writing Prompts!

Hey! Has the coronavirus quarantine put a cramp in your blog’s style? Ugh, I get it because SAME. The coronavirus has put a cramp in my literal style because my life revolves around comfort clothes right now and I thought I would never live to see the day for that to happen. Lol, it also makes creating daily content for my page exceedingly difficult.

More so than I imagined, actually, and I felt like I was really in a slump. It was a hard adjustment to find inspiration in the walls of my apartment but I think that I am just about there and I want all of you to be too. I recently offered some writing prompts on lifewithlilred and I’m here today to help the writer’s block even further with the following:

  • Have you taken any interesting online classes while quarantined?
  • Do you ever feel like you were born in the wrong decade? Which era do you most relate to?
  • Do you know anyone local making face masks? It’s always nice to drop their info!
  • Speaking of, supporting all of your favorite local businesses and artists with online nods is a great way to help your community!
  • Are there any foods that you absolutely refuse to try?
  • Have you been managing to have any fun while quarantined? How?
  • Did you have any blog posts that got put on hold until it’s safe to achieve? What were they like?
  • How about any other exciting events or trips that got cancelled? It’s okay to be upset about it. (I still have yet to meet my six month old nephew, which sucks!)
  • How have you been staying in touch with your friends? Scheduled happy hours or trivia nights, perhaps?

I am looking forward to going out and doing the things that I enjoy safely. Unfortunately, I don’t know when that will be. But, in the meantime, it’s so nice to have lifewithlilred to keep me occupied and I love being able to interact with all of you so keep those comments coming. Happy writing! Much love. -Sarah

May18

5 Top Tips To Help You Stay Safe On The Road

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5 Top Tips To Help You Stay Safe On The Road

Whether you’ve just passed your driving test or you’ve been driving for several years, it’s vital that you stay as safe as possible when on the road. Driving is something that you should take very seriously. Therefore, you should make sure that you’re not doing anything that will risk either your safety or the safety of those around you.

So to ensure that you’re on the right path (or road!), here are the five top tips that you can use while driving:

Avoid Any Distractions:

When in control of your vehicle, you need to make sure that your full attention is on the road. It’s good to turn the radio down (or off), try not to get distracted when you have passengers with you, and to avoid texting while driving, etc.

You don’t want to find yourself in an accident because you were distracted while driving. There are so many implications that could come from this, from physical injuries that prevent you from secure employment to life-threatening conditions. So make sure that you avoid these from the get-go.

Check the Weather:

Before you head out on the road, it’s a good idea to check the local weather report. Rain and snow can cause dangerous driving conditions. So being prepared is vital in these situations. If you have to go out, you need to do it carefully – but if it’s not essential, it might be worth staying at home.

Keep Your Vehicle Maintained:

Another top tip is to make sure that your vehicle is maintained throughout the year. This isn’t just meant in the sense that you should check your oil and fuel regularly (an essential thing to do if you use it every day – for example, if you’re a delivery driver), but that you take it to a local repair shop if you notice anything wrong with it. Driving when there is a problem with it will only be hazardous and end in disaster.

Don’t Rush Yourself:

You should never feel pressured while driving – you must feel calm and collected. If you feel rushed, you might be tempted to speed or your mind won’t be fully focused – two things that can be very dangerous. Give yourself plenty of time when you’re driving anywhere so you don’t get last minute road rage.

Be in the Right Frame of Mind:

Following on from the above, it’s vital that you’re in the right frame of mind when you’re heading out on a drive. For example, if you’re upset or angry for any reason, it might not be the best idea to go on a long drive. Similarly, if you’re under the influence or hungover, you’ll be putting yourself in danger by getting in the vehicle. The latter is also illegal – so avoid doing this.

Finally, it could be a great idea to get extra help if you find yourself wracked with nerves whenever you get behind the wheel of your car. It could benefit you to take some additional driving lessons to get yourself more comfortable and secure. If this sounds like a good route for you to take, simply enter a search for “driving lessons Newcastle” (or your local area) to schedule some time slots. Additionally, talking to a therapist can also be helpful in easing driving anxiety. These efforts will make the road safer for you and every car passing by.

So, there you go! These are five top tips that will help you to stay safe while on the road, as well as those around you or riding in your car. Buckle up and hit the road!

Featured Image By: Cleyton Ewerton from Pexels

May18

Get To Know Me In Quarantine

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Get To Know Me In Quarantine

Hello! It has been a good long while since lifewithlilred began. Therefore, it has been a good long while since I laid down some fun facts on you about yours truly. I figured, there’s no better time than the present… Especially when coming up with daily content amidst a stay at home order is way harder than I thought it would be! Read on to find out more about your favorite lil red haired, pierced, tattooed blogger:

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^^^ Normal me VS stay at home order me, lol!

All about me:

  1. My name is Sarah Mushenheim and, come September, lifewithlilred will be six years old!
  2. I love to figure skate, shop, read, go to concerts, and hang out with my boyfriend, friends, and family.
  3. I am an aunt to an adorable little girl named Valerie and a handsome little boy named Patrick.
  4. I am self employed as an independent provider for people with special needs. August will be my three year anniversary and I love my job!
  5. I have lost count of how many tattoos I have but I can’t wait to get more!
  6. My first post quarantine treats will definitely be getting my hair, nails, and some tattoos done. Oh you fancy, huh?!
  7. Learning new languages is one of my favorite hobbies. I speak English and French and am currently practicing American Sign Language, Czech, German, Spanish, and Italian. I plan on giving Portuguese a shot next.
  8. I write every morning. Literally every morning. And, on a random day where I can’t squeeze a post in before work makes me feel very off!
  9. My boyfriend, Johnny, and I have been playing hella Animal Crossing so if you play, come check out our island. 😀
  10. My family has two dogs, both of which are extremely precious and rescued. We have a little Terrier mix named Ollie and a goofy Golden Retriever puppy named Archie. ❤

Now you know a little more about me and I would love to hear from you! What are some fun facts about yourself? Or some of your favorite things? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May17

Low Budget Choices To Boost The Price Of Your Property

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Low Budget Choices To Boost The Price Of Your Property

If you’re looking for ways to boost the price of your property, but you’re currently working on a tight budget, then you might be finding the task particularly difficult. However, this doesn’t have to be the case, and you can actually find some low budget choices that will help you boost the price quite nicely. If you want to know more about what these options are, keep reading down below:

A Fresh Coat Of Paint:

Imagine if you walk into a home and see that the paint is peeling all over the place or that there are marks across the walls that are easily visible. If you’re trying to increase the price of your property, then this just isn’t going to help, which means that a new coat of paint is in order. Head to your local home depot store, and you will find a whole range of colors for you to choose from. You can go with the same kind that you had last time or you can change it up seeing as now is your chance. But, if you’re going to make a change, then you’ve got to be conscious of the other furniture in the room so that you don’t end up clashing.

Fun With Flooring:

Or, how about altering the flooring of your property? Rather than upgrading the flooring completely, you can think about adding something to it. This is always going to depend on the type of flooring that you have because you’ll need to make choices like Modular Vs. Epoxy Flooring. Epoxy flooring is ideal for concrete floors and will provide a glass of water aesthetic sure to dazzle. If you DIY this job, you’ll spend no more than $100. Sounds like a steal!

Let There Be Light:

Alternatively, you might want to think about changing the lighting in your home. There are lots of possibilities here. For instance, you can think about adding some new light fixtures to your property. Light fixtures can be surprisingly cheap and will easily fit into a standard home renovation budget. You can also find a lot of different styles so you should be able to achieve a wide range of different possibilities with your home redesign.

Lighting also has practical benefits if you are selling the home. With the right lighting fixtures, you will be able to avoid shadow in the room. Shadows will always make the room look significantly smaller and this will make a buyer think twice about investing in your property. Or, you could go tech-heavy with this choice. Get color changing bulbs controlled by a smart system integrated into your property. The tech is more than affordable now and will definitely impress a potential buyer.

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Ballin on a budget

We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see some of the low budget choices to boost the price of your property. Have fun and try to work some of these changes into your spring cleaning!

Featured Image By: Pexels

May17

If The Shoe Fits: Forever 21 Wedge Loafers Edition

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If The Shoe Fits: Forever 21 Wedge Loafers Edition

Hello! One of the last treats I purchased for myself during my recent online shopping extravaganza is a fabulous pair of embellished wedge loafers from Forever 21. The brand: Chase + Chloe. The price: Below thirty bucks. The style: Can’t be beat! Check out my new funky pair of footwear and let’s discuss:

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When I don’t feel like spending a fortune on crazy shoes from Dolls Kill, I usually turn to Forever 21 to satisfy my urge for shoes that have a little more oomph to them. While browsing through F21’s selection this time around, I wasn’t too impressed. But, when my eyes locked on these Chase + Chloe loafers, my heart skipped a beat. It was literally one of those “That’s what I’m talking about!” moments and into the cart it went.

I was really looking forward to my new kicks arriving in the mail and, even though I love them, I was riddled with disappointment as soon as I opened the box. Yes, the shoes are fabulous. However, as soon as I took one of them out of the box, one of the studs fell off immediately. You can actually see where it is in the picture of the back of the shoe.

Of course, things like this are to be expected with embellished shoes no matter how much it sucks and once I got over my initial “whomp whomp” I was able to appreciate how cool these shoes are. Everything about these shoes is a statement from the bold black and white palette to the rock n’ roll studs and stars. I can’t wait to bust these bad boys out and I am sure that they will be a crowd pleaser… Minus a stud or two. 😉

Where do you get your most fun shoes at? How would you style these loafers? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah