Nov16

Londontown Pampering Party

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Londontown Pampering Party

Hi! This past week, I treated my mom to a pampering party with some amazing products by Londontown. My sweet mother, JANE, tested out the Nourishing Cuticle Oil and Restorative Nail Cream and fell in love with the Londontown brand as much as I have. Of course, I would have liked to use these products myself, but they wouldn’t have been much good over top of my talons! But, it was even more fun letting my mom get the royal treatment because we always revel in the chance to play beauty shop. 🙂 Take a look at some pics and let’s discuss:

Nourishing Cuticle Oil:

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Restorative Nail Cream:

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^^^ Peep my claws in Londontown’s Buckingham Blue and Electric Avenue!

My mom is the literal queen of surprising her loved ones with beautiful gifts that catch her eye when she’s out and about. So, whenever I have a chance to give back to her, I jump on it. On a day when I finished work early, I headed over to chez mom and dad, enjoyed a Chinese dinner, and prepped the station for an impromptu beauty salon.

First, I soaked my mom’s nails in warm water. Then, I applied the Nourishing Cuticle Oil, rubbed it in, and let it sit for a while before I pushed her cuticles back. The oil made the cuticles much more pliable and it was so easy to remove all of the overgrown parts once they were nice and soft. After using the Nourishing Cuticle Oil, my mom had actual nails again that looked long and healthy.

The pampering had only just begun, though, because it was now time to top if off with the Restorative Nail Cream, which is what we are both the most excited about. This product is absolutely INCREDIBLE! Let’s start with the fact that it smells so good – the light as air, fresh cotton scent was just right with the rich, super hydrating cream.

And, most importantly, the non greasy formula left my mom’s nails and the surrounding areas smooth as silk. It also made her nails so insanely shiny which was a vast improvement to the dull hue that they were before. There was a noticeable difference after just one use and we are both looking forward to seeing her nails look better over time with continued use of the Restorative Nail Cream.

The Londontown Pampering Party that I had with my mom was a huge success. It was such a blast being able to spend time with her and it felt so good to let her be the one to get treated for a change. We can both attest to Londontown’s fabulous products and highly recommend the Nourishing Cuticle Oil and Restorative Nail Cream for your pampering pleasure!

How do you care for your nails? What is your favorite Londontown product? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov15

Bath & Body Works Holiday Haul

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Bath & Body Works Holiday Haul

Hello! Some of my favorite go to gifts to give are candles and bath and body care. These are things that your friends and family might not splurge on for themselves so they are always sure to please. And, who doesn’t like a little pampering?! To get some of the presents that I needed to purchase for the holidays out of the way, I hit up Bath & Body Works and got some delicious smelling stocking stuffers for all of my favorite lady friends. Check it out:

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It is always exciting to see all of the holiday themed decor and scents available in store. Bath & Body Works is completely filled with wall to wall holiday scented goodies, which made coming to a decision a difficult task. But, I am really happy with the products that I purchased.

I am not too wild about the super sweet holiday scents like snickerdoodle and hot chocolate and I despise the spicy fragrances like cinnamon and nutmeg. The Frosted Cranberry candles, Winter Candy Apple hand soap, and Fresh Sparkling Snow lotions and shower gel all smell appropriate for the holidays without being overpowering. They are also scents that you could get away with using after December 25th, which made them the perfect candidates to purchase.

Some might say that the candle and bath and body care route is an overdone one. BUT I SAY DIFFERENT! Probably because I would love to receive these gifts, myself. I know for a fact that all of the products above will go over well and, although B&BW can be a bit pricey, they were worth every penny. I am slowly but surely checking all of my giftees off the list and am eager to be completely done hopefully come December! 😀

How far along are you in your holiday shopping? What is your favorite holiday scent? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov14

Lil Red’s Holiday Shopping Pro Tips

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Lil Red’s Holiday Shopping Pro Tips

Helloooo! There are some who holiday shop in the summer, there are those who wait until the last minute, and there might be a group of you who is getting their shopping done now, like myself. No matter what your shopping style, purchasing gifts for your loved ones can be a big task. No one wants to give a dud of a gift and this can be a huge stresser if you have someone on your list who’s difficult to shop for.

Lucky for all of you, Lil Red is an absolute pro at holiday shopping and I’m here to break down some of my favorite tips to make your experience much easier. Check it out:

Listen Up:

When trying to get inspired with gift ideas, I make an extra effort to put my listening ears on. For example, I purchased a gift for my mom this year because she flat out said in conversation that she would like this specific thing. Done. If you’re struggling for ideas, spark up a chat with the person you’re shopping for, because the answer might come a lot easier than you think. Discuss favorite things, favorite previous gifts or experiences, and the like and you should have a firm idea of what to purchase by the end of it.

Make A List:

I know that I put this suggestion in my shopping tips every year but that’s because it’s important. Keeping organized while completing your shopping is key because a jumbled mess just means extra stress. Write down everyone who you need to buy for, list some ideas of what you would like to gift them, and cross them off once the task is complete. This will also help you when you are making your rounds in store and online because it will give you a better idea of where to purchase what and you won’t end up back at the same place a million more times.

There’s No Shame In Gift Cards:

I always used to think that gift cards were a cop out but I have grown quite fond of purchasing them for gift giving occasions. Whether it be a ten dollar Starbucks gift card along with other goodies or treating the giftee to a night out for dinner and a movie – gift cards can go a long way. Gift cards are a great add on or full gift and it makes your shopping experience a lot easier if you are coming up short for ideas.

Give An Experience:

What do you give to the person who has it all? How about an experience! Take your favorite sports nut to a game. What about a spa day for your mom? Or take your favorite body modified blogger to the tattoo shop for the afternoon! Haha, either way, gifting experiences is a sure fire way to please even the most difficult person to shop for and you will both have happy memories to cherish afterwards.

And Remember…

Yes, holiday shopping can be stressful. But, it should be fun too! Being able to treat your loved ones to something special is a beautiful thing. Remember that, and your shopping experience will start feeling a whole lot better.

What are some of your tips and tricks for holiday shopping? Who is done with their shopping already? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov13

New Lime Green & Navy Nails

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New Lime Green & Navy Nails

Helloooo everyone! I spent a much needed Saturday morning at the salon after an even earlier morning at the skating rink getting my talons fixed up. It was so nice to sit back and relax after a work out that dragged me out of bed at 6:30 (Wah, wah, wah!) and now my claws are all ready for a Thanksgiving extravaganza with the most non-Thanksgiving colors imaginable – but that’s neither here nor there.

I brought my own polishes to Elysian Nails this time around because I had some new shades from Londontown that I have been dying to try out. I used Electric Avenue and Buckingham Blue and the final result is gorgeous. Check it out:

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Londontown is an amazing one stop shop for all of your nail care needs that features a vegan and 9-free formula. Their polishes offer gel like wear, a flawless application, and dries faster than any nail polish I’ve ever used before. I absolutely love all of my Londontown polishes but I think that this navy and funky green combination takes the cake. My nail tech was just as obsessed with the super rich and ultra glossy hues as I was and bringing in such a high end feeling polish made my experience even more posh.

If you have a nail crazy person in your life or you are one, yourself (Like me!), then Londontown is definitely the place to be for all of your holiday shopping needs. With the best nail and cuticle treatments and a wide array of stunning colors to choose from, your stockings will be stuffed with the most lux goodies on the market. Happy shopping!

What color of polish do you have on? What is your favorite funky color to rock? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov12

November 2019 Funky Time Jams

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November 2019 Funky Time Jams

Howdy! We are moving right along in November and the holiday season will be officially upon us in the blink of an eye! The weather is cooling down, the Christmas shopping has begun, and some of you might already be thinking about your New Year’s Resolutions. November is undoubtedly a busy month full of the hustle and bustle of family gatherings and plenty of cooking. It can also be a bit of a stressful time if that really isn’t your thing, so allow these fiery, fiery jams to keep you sane in the midst of it all!

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

So, I don’t know if any of you have seen this hilarious video of Bill Hader dancing but it has become quite the thing on social media and people have began playing a wide variety of music over the video. From Smash Mouth and Michael Jackson to Lil Nas X and Britney Spears, the joy of the video is that his dancing literally goes with any song. This includes “Don’t Trust Me” by 3OH!3 and ever since bearing witness to it, I have been on the biggest kick of their music a la freshman year of high school 2008. It amazes me that I still know all of the lyrics to their songs and it definitely makes my crazy amount of driving for work much more tolerable!

Also, do be sure to check out the video at the top for “Stoned & Lonely” by my boyfriend’s band The Outside Voices. Shooting this music video was an absolute HOOT so see if you can spot your favorite Lil Red hanging out and give their page some love. ❤

What is your favorite viral video? Are you looking forward to the upcoming holiday season? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov11

Holiday Shopping: Sequence Edition

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Holiday Shopping: Sequence Edition

Hello!! One thing that I really like to gift to people during the holidays is board games. I love me a good board game, myself, and I love that it promotes family fun and spending time together without being glued to your phone. This past year, I have grown particularly fond of a board game called Sequence. I played it with a client’s family and I have been hooked ever since. I have already given it as a gift to my big bro for his birthday and I definitely plan on passing it along to my loved ones this holiday season. Check it out:

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Image From The Spruce

Sequence is a game of strategy and a little bit of luck thrown in for good measure. The basic gist is that each player or team takes turns placing a chip on the board that coincides with a card in their hand. The goal is to get five of your chips in a row, like Bingo. But, if you have a one eyed Jack, you can replace an opponent’s chip with one of yours and a two eyed Jack is a wild card. As I’m sure you’ve guessed already, the player or team with the most sequences wins.

I enjoy playing this game so much and it’s just as fun playing it with one other person as it is on teams. It’s a simple game to learn, which will make it the perfect choice for when you’re having a get together or just killing some time during a rainy afternoon. You can’t beat the thirteen dollar price tag on Amazon and it will make a great stocking stuffer or a gift under the tree for someone on your shopping list!

What is your favorite board game? Have you ever played Sequence before? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov10

Dollar Tree Fake Eyelash Success!

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Dollar Tree Fake Eyelash Success!

Helloooo everyone! During a recent Dollar Tree haul, I was totally enamored with their Halloween fake eyelashes and bought a set in every color that they had. Now, mind you, I have never applied fake eyelashes in my life and it could have either gone really good or really freaking bad. Quality is also always a concern when you shop beauty at the Dollar Tree and I didn’t want to have to worry about the lashes coming off all day.

Purchasing the eyelashes was a gamble, to say the least, but taking the risk reaped a huge reward because they were wildly successful! Check it out:

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For Halloween, my boyfriend’s band The Outside Voices were playing at a local venue in downtown Akron called Musica. All of the members of the band dressed up as rock legends and you can peep Johnny’s lil Angus Young get up! This means that not dressing up was not an option so your girl got to bust out the Sexy Raggedy Anne costume that I’ve literally had since high school. *Praise be to he that it still fits!*

As soon as I saw the red fake eyelashes at the Dollar Tree, I thought that it would be the perfect addition to my makeup look and bought the lot of them. The morning of the concert, I decided that I would just apply the lashes then because I was working from home and I would have time to fix them if they were an epic failure.

I’d be a liar if I said that I wasn’t nervous – applying fake lashes has always seemed like a difficult feat to me and I don’t have the most steady hand. But, I put the lash glue along the lid line and gave it my best shot. And, hey, it worked! Not only were my red glitter lashes a hit, but they stayed on all day and night and are still in tact if I want to use them again.

As you all know, I had a disappointing experience with a Dollar Tree bath bomb so I wasn’t expecting much. This made the huge success of my lashes even more pleasantly surprising and it made me so happy that I bought a set in each color. Now, if only I can figure out an occasion to wear them again. New Year’s Eve party, anyone?

What did you dress up as for Halloween? How do you rock fake lashes? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov9

Five Ways To Make Your First Apartment Feel Like Home

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Five Ways To Make Your First Apartment Feel Like Home

It’s one of the most exciting milestones of adult life: moving into your first apartment. Heading out on your own is a great chance to go shopping for fun decorative items and really make a space your own. After all the stress of hunting down a place or trying to find new condos for sale, it’s a chance to get creative and enjoy your new space. Once you’ve navigated the stress of moving day and hauled in that last cardboard box, how do you go about making the place your own? Start with some of the following:

Start With A Deep Clean:

The first step to reclaiming any space is to give it a deep clean. Even if your apartment is brand new it will have been standing empty for a while, gathering dust. Wipe down all of the surfaces with disinfectant, thoroughly mop the floors or vacuum, clean the oven, and scrub the bath or shower to create that fresh start.

Repaint To Add Character:

Repainting is a quick and cost effective way to make a space your own. It immediately changes the feel of your space and adds some personality. Remember to opt for a tester pot before diving straight in, as colors can look very different in different lights and spaces. Neutral shades give a timeless, classic feel while vibrant shades make a statement. Do some research on color psychology to understand how you want your home to feel.

Sort Out Your Storage:

A harmonious home is a well organized one, and that’s easy when you have a place for everything. Invest in some clever storage solutions – freestanding shelving units are a great way to both store and display favorite items and can go with you if you ever move. Opting for sofas and beds with inbuilt storage is also a great idea – you can’t tell it’s there, but it gives a lot of capacity. A stylish storage ottoman can provide extra seating or act as an informal coffee table but it also lets you hide away items that don’t quite have a home yet.

Design A Great Lighting Scheme:

A great lighting scheme can transform the look and feel of your apartment, but most people don’t pay it enough attention. Think about the lighting requirements you have in each space – from bright LED strip lighting or spotlights in task focused areas like the kitchen or the bathroom, to lighting that creates cozy, more intimate spaces, like a beautiful floor lamp. You could also use statement pendant lights to really define a space and add a lot of drama and character.

Add Your Sentimental Items:

That collection of vintage china, the knitted throw passed down as a family heirloom, or those treasured photographs make your new space your own by giving them a great display. You may have artworks you’ve collected over time or a collection that you want to show off – these are the touches that will really make an apartment feel like yours.

With the tips above, your new apartment will feel like you’ve been there for forever and will turn it into home sweet home!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Nov9

Holiday Shopping Head Start: Baby Niece Edition

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Holiday Shopping Head Start: Baby Niece Edition

Hi! We are on a fast track to the holiday season and it is definitely that time of the year where I like to start getting my Christmas shopping in order. I always prefer to get my shopping done in November so that when December rolls around, all I have to do is sit back, relax, and be thankful that I beat the crazy rushes in the stores and ordered gifts online with ample time for them to arrive.

This year, there is a new addition in the family to shop for – my baby niece, Valerie Jane. Val was born in the beginning of March and she is the apple of everyone’s eye. This includes her two pups at home, Tydus and Winston! Valerie loves her big brothers and animals in general so when I saw this darling Fisher-Price Bounce and Spin Puppy at Walmart, I just had to get it for her. Check it out:

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^^^ And, as always, I have no rights to this video!

Valerie is a very active little lady and, nine times out of ten, you can find her crawling about and playing with her toys. I thought that the bounce and spin puppy combined the best of both worlds for her – her very own doggy friend to ride on as well as something that is very physical to help wear her out for nap time! This puppy dog teaches all kinds of cool stuff like numbers, colors, and letters and it also sings songs while improving the baby’s balance. At fifty bucks, I thought that it was a steal and it will be something that Val can enjoy for a long time.

Will baby V remember her puppy from her auntie when she’s older? Probably not. But, I will certainly remember watching her play on it and I cannot wait for her first Christmas! :*)

Are you an early or last minute holiday shopper? What do you like to gift for babies or children? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov8

Fall Is In The Air OOTD

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Fall Is In The Air OOTD

Hi! Today, I would like to present a very special OOTD article with pictures compliments of my dear friend, Markus, who has graced lifewithlilred in two previous posts. With autumn in full swing in good ol’ Ohio, we decided that it was high time to hit up Hinkley Park and have some fall fun by exploring the beautiful grounds and having a photo shoot adventure. Working with Markus is always a blast and he gives me exactly what I’m looking for every time.

With this look, I wanted to create a classic fall outfit that is perfect for wandering around the last few farmer’s markets of the season or taking a stroll downtown with the fallen leaves and branches crunching beneath your feet. This look seen below is quite simple but the bold chartreuse sweater with the stark white contrast creates a statement and an outfit that will be easy for all of you to replicate. Take a look:

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Who? What? Wear?

What I love the most about styling outfits for fall is all of the possibilities that come with it. From creating visual interest through layering as well as all of the cute cold weather accessories, my closet literally runneth over with options to keep myself warm and chic all fall long. To some, layering is a scary feat but practice makes perfect and when done right, it takes a fairly simple look into a head turning ensemble. Now, let Lil Red get you right.

The key to good layering comes with a close evaluation of two things. 1) The heaviness of the piece. And 2) The material that it is made out of. You never want to layer two items of equal thickness with each other, because it makes for a very bulky silhouette. Rather, you take something with contrasting levels of warmth to keep yourself from looking like a marshmallow.

For example, the Cynthia Rowley sweater that I chose is of medium heaviness. It is definitely thicker but I wouldn’t call it a chunky sweater because it still provides some degree of a shape. Knowing this, I opted for a thinner jacket to tie the look together. The tan Lucky Brand topper jacket paired marvelously with the bold hue of my sweater and it was fitted enough that any slouchiness on the bottom layer was camouflaged. It was also an optimal coat to use because, while it was quite chilly the morning of the shoot, it warmed up as the sun came out and it was easy to slip off once it became unnecessary.

Another important thing to remember when layering is the material of the pieces you are going to use. You don’t want to wear the same material for each layering piece because that will also lead to a heavy look that isn’t the most flattering. It is better to create texture with your look so, instead of pairing a coat with a sweatshirt style fabric over my sweater, I opted for the sleek faux fur topper jacket. The slinky material over the sturdier fabric of the sweater gave me a lovely shape, provided visual interest, and kept me warm just through effective layering.

One final word about layering is to not forget about your bottom half to prevent looking too top heavy. I always prefer a skinny jean, anyways, but it is definitely the way to go when layering. You also want to sport a killer pair of shoes (Flaming platforms, perhaps?!) so that your look doesn’t just stop at your top half. You want your entire OOTD to be cohesive and that’s sometimes easy to forget when you’re focused on layering!

I love my Fall Is In The Air OOTD and styling your own Lil Red inspired look will be a snap. Choose your favorite bold sweater, a thinner jacket on top, your skinniest pair of jeans, and an awesome pair of chunky boots and you’re all set!

What are some of your tips and tricks when it comes to layering? How do you rock a statement sweater? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah