Jan16

Accessory Story: SugarFix By Baublebar Earrings Edition

Posted on by
Standard
Accessory Story: SugarFix By Baublebar Earrings Edition

Hi! I am a firm believer that when you go to stores like Target or TJMaxx, you will be told what you need when you get there. Lol, I can’t tell you the amount of times I’ve went to either location for one or two things and left with a cart full of stuff. For example, I needed roughly two things at Target last week: Toilet paper and champagne. An amazing combination, I know! And, yes, I did get both of those but I also ended up with four new pairs of earrings too. It was an accident I swear!

Check out two of the pairs today and be sure to tune in tomorrow for the next set of two. Here we go:

CE9830A2-435C-4B77-A85E-63E4D2DF3589

My grandma was one of those people who would buy a clothing or accessory item that she liked in multiple colors if they were available. And, I certainly inherited that trait from her! If the colors suit me and the piece is to die for, then I say the more the merrier. When I saw these dangle heart earrings by Baublebar, I knew that it was going to be impossible to choose just one pair, as I have a strong drawing to both red and black. So, without shame, I carefully placed them both in the cart.

I love the girly sweet design of my new earrings and am especially excited to wear the cherry red pair on Valentine’s Day. And, of course, I’ll be sporting the black pair the rest of the time! I also really like the idea of wearing one different color in each ear. Nothing sweetens up a more rocker look than some darling hearts and they were a perfect treat that I definitely didn’t need. 😀

What is your favorite type of accessory? Which store do you end up buying more at than you intended? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan15

January 2020 Funky Time Jams

Posted on by
Standard
January 2020 Funky Time Jams

Howdy! The Roaring 20s are officially among us and, despite a little flu bug I caught, the new year has started out strong. New tattoos, a raise at work, and some exciting happenings coming up on lifewithlilred have me excited to see what 2020 holds for me next. If you’re anything like me, though, you need a soundtrack depending on your mood and January has been full of happy, poppy tunes for me to play as I go about my day. Take a listen:

^^^ And, as always, I have no rights to these songs or videos.

At the end of 2019, I couldn’t turn on the radio without hearing “Roxanne” by Arizona Zervas and I am still not over it, obviously! I listen to it at least once a day because it is so damn catchy and it’s the perfect song to sing along to because of the repetitive lyrics. I drive a lot for my job and nothing breaks up the monotony of being stuck in traffic or driving the same route than a good old fashioned session of karaoke in the Little Red Love Machine!

Roxanne has been my go to to bump in the car or in my apartment but I have also been on the biggest Cobra Starship kick that I’ve had since high school. Don’t ask me why, but for some unknown reason I had the urge to listen to them while I was getting ready for work and that desire has yet to go away. Am I mad about it? Slightly, lol. But, there’s no denying that they had some definite bangers during their run as the scene kid heroes. 😀

What are your favorite songs to play when you’re in a good mood? What is your favorite song to sing along to? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan14

Mean Muggin’ Pt. 2

Posted on by
Standard
Mean Muggin’ Pt. 2

Hello! A simple gift that I really love to receive are coffee mugs. I don’t know why, but I am always so tickled when I am presented with them and I have quite the collection from many years of exchanging during gift giving occasions with my BFF. I enjoy selecting from my mug shelf for the perfect cup to put my morning coffee in and every one reminds me of a special time or person in my life. It always starts my morning off with a smile and this new one will more than likely start my day with a laugh… If I’m not too hungover, that is. 😉 Check it out and you’ll see what I mean:

mugmug2

While shopping at Target with one of my girlfriends so she could spend some Christmas gift cards, I pointed my “hungover” mug out to her because I thought it was hilarious. It was the last one on the shelf and I told her that I loved it. Without even missing a beat, my friend plucked the mug from its spot and placed it in her cart. I was so taken aback, because it was such an unexpected but pleasant surprise and I had to double check with her like a million times to make sure she was okay with the extra purchase.

Not only do I get a kick out of the funny saying on the mug, but I think the pretty flowers against the stark white background are beautiful and the sentiment behind it makes it even better. There is nothing like a sweet and simple gift to turn your day around completely and I am so thankful to my friend for her generosity. I don’t think I’ll ever not feel a warmness in my heart every time I select this mug from the cabinet! ❤

What is a simple gift that you love to receive? What does your favorite coffee mug look like? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan13

Making Learning Fun

Posted on by
Standard
Making Learning Fun

Young kids love to learn. They are like sponges, soaking up any knowledge that they are offered. They are keen to learn and to practice new skills. Then, as they get older, things start to change. They might start to rebel against the idea of learning, avoiding studying, and complain about active learning. They might moan about going to school or hate the idea of sitting down to do their homework. As parents, we’re in a unique position to show them that learning can always be fun. That enjoyment of education isn’t something that gets left behind when school learning becomes more academically focused. Here are some of the things that you could try.

Create Puzzles:

Creating puzzles is a really easy way to learn but also to reinforce knowledge and help with knowledge retention. Use WordMint to create word searches and crosswords around subjects that they are studying or otherwise interested in. Alternatively, let them create puzzles, using their own knowledge, for you to complete. They’ll love being the teacher for a change.

girl-1641215_1920

Pixabay Image

Use Your Imagination:

Very young children learn a lot through pretend play. They learn how a kitchen works by pretending to cook for you. They learn about dinosaurs by pretending to explore a Jurassic world. Not only is imaginative play plain fun but it also provides children with a plethora of benefits in language and cognitive development. Imaginative play can still be a valuable learning tool for older children, but you might want to bring in some tools, such as Lego, to help them to immerse themselves in a pretend world.

Manipulate Objects:

Playing with LEGO, building a fort, or even learning how to use a microscope are all fun ways to encourage learning by doing. Tactile play helps hone children’s social, emotional, and cognitive skills all while having fun! What’s great about these strategies is that they can be applied across various subjects and can be designed in many different ways so your options are limitless!

Read Stories:

Fiction is a great way to learn more about different worlds, times, and ways of life. Find stories set in times or places that they are learning about. Even big blockbuster films about topics of study can be an effective way to learn, as long as you take the time to sort fact from fiction and clue them in.

Make a Mess:

Messy play can be a great way to learn. Experiment with basic chemistry, use play-doh to craft volcanoes or mountain ranges. Paint seas and sea life. Getting messy is such fun, get some supplies, enjoy crafting, creating, and building together. Just try not to get stressed out about the mess!

Talk About What You’ve Seen:

Encourage learning by talking about what you have seen and done. Don’t just build a model or watch a film and then leave it at that. Speak about what you’ve seen or experienced. Encourage your child to ask questions and ask them your own. Spend time researching anything that they want to know more about and enjoy open debate.

Get Outdoors:

Getting outdoors is a great way to learn more about nature and the world around us and inspire conversation. Give them the freedom to explore and let them lead you on a trek through your local parks.

Learning never has to be boring. Use the tips above and watch your child’s interest in education grow!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Jan13

The Balm Cosmetics Nude Beach Swatch In Bootylicious

Posted on by
Standard
The Balm Cosmetics Nude Beach Swatch In Bootylicious

Hello! I recently acquired a new eyeshadow from my sister by The Balm Cosmetics in a shade called “Bootylicious”. So, needless to say, I was intrigued – and I’m sure all of you are too! As ridiculous sounding as it is, Bootylicious is a shade that is right up my alley. I never go too crazy with my eye makeup. In fact, I’m perfectly content with my love for colors in the bronze, brown, and copper family, which is why Bootylicious is perfect for me. And, a little glitter never hurt anyone, either! Check it out:

balm1balmbalm3balm4

^^^ The top heart is the eyeshadow wet and the bottom is applied dry. The first photo has the flash off and the second is with the flash on.

Because I am not the most adventurous when it comes to eye makeup, I rarely buy it when I’m out and about. I have my handful of shades that I’m comfortable with and I stick to them. So, it is always such a treat to get a new hand me down from my sister because I definitely would not have bought it for myself.

Despite never going eyeshadow crazy at Sephora, the warm cinnamon shade that is Bootylicious is actually one that I might have purchased. I love the cute as can be packaging, the hint of sparkle, and the inviting hue. It’s a fair bit darker than any of my copper tones that I normally wear, making it perfect for the winter weather. But, it is not so dark that it isn’t appropriate for spring and summer too.

This eyeshadow applied so easily and it stayed locked in place all day, which is always a relief because there is nothing worse than little dots of eyeshadow falling on your cheeks! My sister hit the nail on the head with this hue for me and I’m surprised she didn’t want it for herself. But, hey, I’ll gladly take it! 😀

What is your makeup style? What is your favorite eyeshadow shade to sport? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan12

The Ultimate Gift Guide For The Love Of Your Life

Posted on by
Standard
The Ultimate Gift Guide For The Love Of Your Life

You might think that Christmas has only just said goodbye for another year, but you will need to get your gift giving juices flowing again as Valentine’s Day is creeping up on the horizon. If you are in the throes of love, then chances are that you want to show your beloved exactly how much you care on the 14th of February. While those more miserable amongst us might be worried about the commercialization of the day of love, it is still pleasant to make your loved one feel special. Whether you are in a new relationship or whether you have been happily married for decades, take a look at these wonderful gift giving ideas:

Jewelry:

There can’t be many more romantic gifts than jewelry for your loved one. You might choose to go down a relatively traditional route and choose a ring or a necklace for your darling. Or perhaps opal bracelets and their stunningly unique designs might be more up your street. If you are tempted by a piece of jewelry, consider the colors that your beloved adores. White gold is very on trend at the moment as is titanium and rose gold. The more traditional diamonds and yellow gold jewelry items are still as popular as ever. Or, you might want to go the fully customized route for a one of a kind piece of jewelry on a website like Holts Gems. How special to have a necklace or ring that no one else in the world has! For the man in your life, why not consider cufflinks or a tie pin. Just because they might not be a big fan of the bling, something small and classic could make them smile on Valentine’s Day.

Experience Gifts:

If you are tempted to look for something a little more unusual or your loved one is a bit tricky to buy for why not consider a more experiential gift. Think about what your soulmate adores and think about their personality type. If your beloved is an adrenaline junkie, think about purchasing them a bungee jump, a chance to skydive out of a plane at five thousand feet or perhaps a driving experience would be more worthwhile. You could buy them a sand dune drive, a rally drive, or a lap around a track in a Formula 3 race car.

For those individuals who aren’t as thrill seeking, something more relaxing might be better. A spa weekend or a relaxing reiki head massage experience may light your loved one’s face up. Alternatively, you could book a weekend away and treat yourself to a couples holiday to spend some quality time together.

Traditional:

If money is tight or you are looking to save your pennies for a big ticket item, think about making your gift a little smaller. There’s nothing wrong with going down the traditional albeit slightly cheesy route. You could pick up a bunch of roses and a box of chocolates for single figures. The scale of the gift isn’t important, it is the thought behind it. You might even fancy whipping up a home cooked three course romantic meal for your loved one. These gifts are more thoughtful and special. Forget about the grand gestures and opt for the more romantic.

Follow this guide and you can be sure of a romantic and special Valentine’s Day!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jan12

Accessory Story: Mia Fiore Necklace Edition

Posted on by
Standard
Accessory Story: Mia Fiore Necklace Edition

Salutations everyone and welcome to the last post from my TJMaxx holiday gift card haul. Despite not having always been a jewelry girl, my penchant for the bling has grown as I’ve gotten older. I used to find simple jewelry as boring and bold jewelry as gaudy. But, now I know that the right accessory can enhance your look from an eight to a ten with the mere choice of a necklace or bracelet. And, yes, I do love the gaudy jewelry now! I am looking forward to spicing up my OOTDs with the unique necklace seen below by Mia Fiore:

mia4mia5mia3mia2mia1

Although I used to turn my nose up at the flashy spectacle of bright yellow gold necklaces, they seem to be all I’ve been buying lately! I absolutely love them. I am a huge fan of a chunky gold chain with an interesting focal point and, when I saw this beauty hanging up (On sale, mind you!), I couldn’t pass it by. The grooved chain links? The over the top color? A historical coin?! Ugh, forget about it. Especially because I pictured it looking oh so cute with the polka dot button down you saw yesterday. 😀

As, yes, how sassy and chic this Mia Fiore piece will be with button downs. But, pair with a shorter length necklace for best results, as this chain has some length to it. Going from work to Happy Hour? Ditch your button down for a white V-neck undershirt, slip on your necklaces and some heels, rinse, repeat. And don’t forget a badass *faux* leather jacket!

How do you take a look from day to night? Do you prefer silver or gold jewelry? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan11

New Ralph Lauren Polka Dot Button Down

Posted on by
Standard
New Ralph Lauren Polka Dot Button Down

Howdy! As I get older, I become less worried about buying trendy clothing as opposed to classic pieces that I will have for forever. While shopping, I look for quality as well as timeless shapes with a little bit of that Lil Rid pizazz to keep it interesting. I am a huge fan of button down tops for that reason, because you can dress them up or down, they fit well, and you can always find them in a fun pattern. Like this Ralph Lauren button down, for example:

rlrl4rl1rl2

I absolutely love this top for a few reasons. The navy blue base with the bright green polka dots definitely makes a statement. And, the fit of it is form fitting without being too tight as to leave spaces in between the buttons. This is definitely a problem for me as a more busty girl and it’s hard to find a button down that I can buy in my actual size as opposed to one larger, making it loose and less flattering. I felt good and downright sexy in my button down because I didn’t have to worry about button bulges or it being too tight over my breasts.

I also am excited about all of the styling possibilities that come with this shirt. Obviously, it is super appropriate for business casual work meetings. But, the real fun will come in styling this top for play. I can see myself wearing this little RL number tucked into shorts during the summer time along with a fun pair of espadrilles and a floppy hat for an OOTD perfect for hitting the outdoor farmers markets with. Don’t forget the big sunglasses!

How do you dress a button down up or down? What are some timeless pieces that you have in your closet? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan10

New Chelsea & Theodore Skirt

Posted on by
Standard
New Chelsea & Theodore Skirt

Howdy! Want to know my favorite thing about going shopping around this time of the year? Besides going shopping, of course! It would have to be because the store is bringing out all of the clothing that didn’t sell throughout the year to make room for the new product that will be coming in hot for spring. Maybe the sizes were too big or too small or maybe they were just really ugly! Either way, it brings out all kinds of unique pieces like the fabulous snakeskin patterned skirt seen below:

skirtskirt1skirt2skirt3

I absolutely LOVE a good snakeskin pattern and I literally gasped when I saw this little Chelsea & Theodore number on the rack at TJMaxx. The harsh black mixed with pale grey and taupe? And those darling buttons going down the middle?! Ugh, forget about it! I knew that I would be purchasing this skirt as soon as I laid eyes on it and I only needed to have it on for about fifteen seconds in the fitting room to confirm it.

This skirt gives off such country western vibes, which will make it a really cool piece to modernize. On New Year’s Eve, I wore my new skirt with knee high boots, a tan topper jacket, and a faux fur collar and felt like the belle of the ball. The compliments were pouring in and I was just feeling my goddamn self. The old school saloon aura of the skirt mixed with the classic jacket and edged up with the faux fur and heeled boots made the OOTD a knockout and is a perfect example of giving a modern flare to vintage appearing clothing.

I am looking forward to creating more fabulous OOTDs with my Chelsea & Theodore skirt. But, I am the most excited for pairing it with a fitted black blazer, a white t-shirt, Mary Jane’s, and a cool backpack for the ultimate Elaine vibes a la Seinfeld. GET OUT!

Is there a TV or movie character whose style you admire? How do you rock an animal print? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan9

How To Start Saving The Planet From Your Home

Posted on by
Standard
How To Start Saving The Planet From Your Home

Our planet is starting to become destroyed and is suffering greatly due to climate change and environmental issues. We are using up our resources and overusing elements of energy that are contributing to the damaging environment. The severe weather conditions across the world are being caused by the damage of the ozone layer and it will only get worse if we don’t collectively try to do better and be better. Little things such as starting to recycle and using our cars less will help very much with this. You could look at the following:

Recycle more:

Look at what is recyclable and do it weekly. It is easy to do and is a huge benefit to the environment as it means that less goes to a landfill and more is going to be remade into exciting and beautiful new products that is friendly to the planet. Recycling glass is also possible and some cities offer roadside collection, but be sure to check with your local councils for the best way to get rid of glass. Not only is recycling good for the planet but it can be good for your wallet too. You can often receive cash in hand from recycling facilities that specialize in Scrap Metal. This is a great thing to keep in mind when you are decluttering your home and garage and is a win/win situation: A healthier planet and a cash reward for your cleaning.

Use less water:

Using less water and power in general is going to help keep bills down and help the planet. As previously mentioned, overusing our resources is never good. You must ensure you have reliable water tanks at home and at your business premises or any water systems used across the board, ensuring you have good Sta-Rite well pumps and filters that mean your system can work effectively. Using less water can be easy; take shorter showers, fewer baths, and don’t use your dishwasher as frequently.

Buy sustainably:

Buying sustainable products is going to massively help the environment. If you buy locally, it’s better for the environment and for your local community to bring money to your hometown as well as buying local which means less gas and energy has been used to bring it to you. It is a great way to really help and, of course, buy recycled materials as much as possible and don’t use plastic or paper bags; buy a tote bag that is reusable and probably much more durable!

Eat less meat:

Not only is this a brilliant way to get a little healthier and lower your risk of heart disease and bowel cancer, but cutting down on red meat helps the planet. The less animals slaughtered, the better it is for the planet by less emissions and keeps a better balance in order. There are lots of amazing alternatives, such as vegetarian sausages, fresh fruit and veg, grains, and smoothie bowls. It doesn’t have to be bland!

You will start to see a better, bigger change in how much money you’re spending during the month on your bills and energy; and saving can really help you to be thrifty with your own finances as well as helping the planet! So there you have it, some quick and simple ways to start saving water and energy from your home or business and contribute to making the world a more sustainable and well working planet, for you and future generations.

Featured Image By: Pixabay