Jul19

Greetings From The Rainbow Bridge

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Greetings From The Rainbow Bridge

Hi! There is a special place in heaven called the Rainbow Bridge where all of our beloved pets go when they pass. It is a beautiful place where the weather is warm, treats are plentiful, and the playing and romping amongst our sweet companions never ends. I know that all of my family’s fallen angel dogs are enjoying their time making new friends and spending joyous days in the sun while they eagerly await the time when we are reunited again.

And, I know for a fact that my family’s beloved Golden Retriever, Gem, who passed away on July 11th is having a ball. Here’s how I know:

While driving to one of my client’s houses the day after Gem crossed the Rainbow Bridge, I was behind a license plate with her name right on it: GEM and then some numbers. Shortly after, I was behind another car with a bumper sticker that read: “Paws and enjoy life”. Which is quite the coincidence considering all of our pets are buried at a cemetery called Paws Awhile.

I just know that this was my sweet girl saying hello to me and that she was safe, happy, and no longer suffering. My mom and dad also got a similar greeting from her when they drove past a bumper sticker the day of Gem’s passing with the slogan “Golden Retrievers make me happy”. And, later on in the day at the grocery store, my dad was rung out by a young man named Rusty which just so happens to be the name of the Golden we had before Gem. So, it’s safe to say that she has already met her brother.

My family and I are heartbroken by the loss of our Gem but we are so happy to know that she’s okay and I have a feeling she’ll be popping by frequently to check in on us. It’s not the same as petting her soft fur and getting a great big doggie kiss from her but, it will do until we meet again. ❤

Do you have any stories similar to mine about a beloved pet or person that has passed? What kind of pets do you have at home? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul18

One More Angel In Heaven

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One More Angel In Heaven

Hello, everyone. It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of one of my family’s sweet doggie angels, Gem. After a brave fight with cancer, Gem had a peaceful passing on July 11th. We are absolutely heartbroken and miss our darling girl so much. However, we are so thankful that she graced us with seven weeks of extra time with her after she recovered from being at her worst. That was truly a gift and I think she knew that we all needed it.

Gem was one of the sweetest, most empathetic dogs I have ever met. She was always by my mom’s side when she was having her own fight with cancer and she seemed to know when I needed her badly, too. I will never forget a time a year or two ago when I was working at the computer while crying hysterically and Gem kept nudging my arm until I pet her and was looking at her, instead of focusing on what was upsetting me.

It has been so difficult going to work at home and not being greeted by Gem at the door but we know that she is up in Doggie Heaven playing with her brothers and sisters who passed before her. And, I’m sure she is up there making friends with all of your parted angels, too. ❤

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Jul17

LGBT Parenting: Issues, Biases, And Solutions

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LGBT Parenting: Issues, Biases, And Solutions

LGBT parenting is no different from that of heterosexual parents. That is, except for the prejudice that they are subjected to from different sectors of society. Biases on sexual orientation that separates them from the rest can be so significant that it can hinder them from bearing children or becoming adoptive parents. LGBT issues can mar discussions in a way that denies an otherwise capable and qualified individual to custody and parental rights.

How LGBT people can become parents:

Adoption is not the only way LGBT people can become parents and raise a child as their own. A couple can apply for and qualify as foster parents. Other ways to assume parenting roles include surrogacy, kinship care, from becoming a donor for insemination, and by raising a child from a heterosexual union in the past. If you are considering a third-party reproductive journey, experts like those at Ally Escrow Management can help you every step of the way and can ease a lot of stress. While this is an exciting journey, it can be a daunting one and you will want the right team in your corner.

A gay or lesbian person may want to be a parent as a single individual. The stresses and complications of single parenthood may be expected and should be dealt with accordingly. Couples may be thinking about exploring these options on how they can have children together.

Hurdles along the way:

Members of the LGBT community may be allowed shared parenting duties from a custody agreement between the birth parents. These days, LGBT adults are consulting with divorce lawyers in Albuquerque and family law practitioners to learn about their rights, and to determine how to overcome hurdles preventing them from raising a family of their own. There are many variables to consider, and members of the LGBT community should consider carefully the potential issues that may arise if they embrace the role of parenting a child.

If you have a shared custody arrangement, it is important to turn to reputable sources of information amidst the pandemic and read a few of their recent reports on seeing children who do not live with you all of the time to help keep everyone healthy.

Relevant issues associated with raising children:

The biases associated with preconceived gender roles can mark the experience of children growing up in an LGBT household. Parents who are members of the LGBT community want their children to be happy and healthy. Unfortunately, pervading beliefs circulate, and children who are otherwise living in harmony at home may encounter prejudice elsewhere. Contrary to popular belief, children being raised by LGBT parents do not experience sexual identity issues.

These children undergo expected patterns and are no different from children of similar age raised by heterosexual parents. Some studies reveal clearly that children in same-sex households do not necessarily suffer gender identity confusion. Also, gender-role behaviors observed in children with LGBT parents are still within convention and conformity by typical limits.

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LGBT parenting in America:

In the United States, the number of LGBT couples raising children has increased in the past two years. Raising a child together is a dream of couples who have pledged their lives to each other. Without a progressive point of view, and due to a lack of acceptance, members of the LGBT community who have the potential to become great parents miss out.

There are no significant differences between heterosexual couples and same-sex couples who have chosen to become parents. A child would grow up to be healthy in mind and body if he or she grows up in a supportive, loving, and nurturing environment.

Jul16

Areas Of Your Life You Can Always Work On Improving

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Areas Of Your Life You Can Always Work On Improving

If you are keen to try and live the very best life you can, there are many things that you might want to consider in order to make sure that you do just that. In essence, you need to think about improving a number of areas of your life all at once, or at least in order, so that you can know that you are doing everything in your power to make that success much more likely. You can start with some of the following:

Your Career:

For many people, their career is just about the most important thing in their life. Chances are, it is the part of your life that you put the most effort into and spend the most time on, so you want to know that you are doing it right. Most of us would like to be at a higher stage in our careers at all times, as that is the nature of it. And while this is a noble thing to try and aim for, you can be sure that there is also much to be gained from trying to enjoy where you are presently, and how far you have already come, as well as trying to advance further. Finding the balance between these two things is likely to be difficult, but it’s something that you should try for if you want to be as happy with your career as you can be.

If you want to advance your career, then there are a number of ways in which you can do so. You will always find that it is beneficial to go back to school and get some higher education. Being more educated will mean that you are more qualified for higher roles and promotions, and that you can get the job you want – if it is something that requires a specific qualification first. One of the most important decisions here is what course to take, which depends on what you are hoping to do. It might be that you are thinking of getting into nursing, in which case a nursing degree from Regis College could be the way to go. Or you might want to become a business manager, and feel that you could benefit from a degree in business management. Whatever you do, make sure that you get an appropriate qualification, and that you trust the institution you are getting it from.

Doing that will ensure that you improve your career in the long run and ultimately earn more money, but it will also mean that you gain more knowledge, which is also a huge benefit in your life. There are other ways to boost your career too, and you might want to think about asking for a raise if you are want to improve the financial side of things. That can be frightening to many people, but it is the kind of thing that you are going to have to do if you want to get the results. Of course, you will find it a lot easier to ask for a raise if you have a great deal of personal confidence – something else that you might want to work on in your life.

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Confidence:

Most of us probably feel that we could do with a little more confidence in our lives. If you want to try and boost your own confidence levels, there are many ways in which you can do so. Sometimes the only big difference you need to make is a basic change of your mentality. It might be that you assume that you are not a confident person, and that you just can’t be more confident. But the fact is that it is not fixed, and any of us can build as much confidence as we like over a period of time if we want to.

In general, the one basic way that you boost your confidence is by stepping outside of your comfort zone. This process of constantly living at your edge is something that will make an enormous difference over time, and you should find that you are able to see some great improvements in your confidence by living this way. You can also think about trying other short-term solutions for when you just need to feel more confident in the moment. For instance, you could try a power pose: this is where you stand with legs at hip width, arms on your hips, head up, and smile. It is proven that doing this for merely a few minutes can make you feel much more confident, and the people around you will notice too.

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Relationships:

Just as confidence building is all about working on the relationship with yourself, so too you will find that it is a good idea to be working on your relationships with other people. The better and happier your relationships with other people are, the more likely it is that you will lead a happy and contented life, and that you will have many great times ahead of you. So what can you do to ensure that you are working on your relationships in a way that will make a positive impact?

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Life is all about going with the flow and working to climb the ladder in all aspects of your life. Use the tips above to help get you going in a more positive direction!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jul16

If The Shoe Fits: Y.R.U British Invasion Platforms

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If The Shoe Fits: Y.R.U British Invasion Platforms

Hellooo everyone and welcome to the piece de resistance of my Dolls Kill haul! I have been on the hunt for a pair of Union Jack platforms for at least a year now and every pair that I would like to purchase always seems to be sold out or wayyy more than I’m willing to spend. But, finally, I found the pair of my dreams thanks to Dolls Kill and Y.R.U and I am now here to share it with all of Y.O.U! Take a look:

Flash Off *clap, clap*

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Flash On *clap, clap*

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Out of all of the wonderful styles of shoes in the whole wide world, platforms have always been my favorite. Whether they are boot or strap style, I love them dearly and have literally no problem buying any pair that tickles my fancy… obviously, lol. BUT, I really am just pleased as punch about these It Brit babies because after a whole year of scouring Poshmark, EBay, Amazon, and every boutique from A to Z I was able to conclude the search with a successful hunt.

So glam rock and oh so Ginger Spice, my Y.R.U. platforms needed to happen in the worst way and all I want to do is wear them constantly! For some girls, confidence can be found in a brand spanking new pair of stilettos and that is how platforms feel for me. The added height, the perfectly punk rock feel, and the flow from the chunkier shoe to my muscular skating legs helps to create a look that fits seamlessly with my style and body type. They just make me feel good and that’s what clothing and accessories are meant to do because, if they don’t, then what’s the point?

Despite my excitement to wear my new platforms, I plan on breaking them out once it’s black jean weather again. Summer is the time for my strappy platforms to shine and these boot style ones would definitely get my feet really hot really fast. But, when the time comes these babies will be popping against faux fur, peacoats, and all of the moto jackets to give a nod to all of my dear friends from across the pond. Cheers!

What is your favorite style of shoe? How would you style these platforms? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul15

Printed T-shirts And The Military

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Printed T-shirts And The Military

The simple T-shirt, genderless and worn by all, hasn’t changed much since the late 19th Century when it was introduced as an undergarment. Or has it? Today’s T-shirts are basically the same with one exception: They’ve become a vehicle for promoting and advertising anything and everything under the sun. Corporate-branded T-shirts, pop culture and celebrity fan T-shirts, concert and event T-shirts, military unit and veteran T-shirts, protest and social cause T-shirts, and self-image T-shirts are commonplace throughout the world.

The Beginning of Printed T-shirts:

One of the first instances of printed T-shirts occurred in 1942 when Life magazine featured an Air Corps Gunnery School T-shirt on its cover. But the idea of putting words and images on T-shirts did not get real until the 1960s when printed T-shirts became a popular means of self-expression. Marketers picked up on this trend, and, as they say, the rest is history.

Military T-shirts:

Marketers weren’t the only ones who saw the value of printed T-shirts. Today, thousands of military-related messages appear on T-shirts, both in and out of uniform. The military realized the convenience of T-shirts early on. In 1905, the U.S. Navy adopted the T-shirt as part of its uniform. Other services followed, and by the end of World War II, T-shirts were required to be worn under the uniform by all military branches.

Many service members continued the habit of wearing T-shirts upon returning home after the war. Military veterans began wearing them as casual outerwear as they had done while serving overseas. Up until that time, T-shirts weren’t considered an appropriate garments to wear in public.

The T-shirt owes much of its popularity to the military, and military printed T-shirts are popular with the young and old. Their printed messages normally promote unit cohesiveness and recognition; honor a certain group, such as veterans and POW/MIAs, and display pride and patriotism.

The more you know!

Jul15

If The Shoe Fits: Cape Robbin Blazin’ Glory Boots Edition

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If The Shoe Fits: Cape Robbin Blazin’ Glory Boots Edition

Hiiii everyone! I promised two new editions of If The Shoe Fits yesterday and, as always, Lil Red delivers. During my first shopping experience with Dolls Kill, I ordered beaucoup de hair clips and two new pairs of shoes – some funky boots and an even funkier pair of platforms a la Austin Powers that you will see tomorrow. Be sure to tune in for that and, now, check out these Lil Red Must Haves while blasting this song:

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

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These absolutely insane Cape Robbin blazin’ glory boots showed up on my adds on Facebook and, damnit, I caved. For forty bucks I couldn’t say no because they had me feeling some type of way TO THE MAX. Part Sonic The Hedgehog, Wonder Woman, and firefighter my new boots combine all things fiery cool but, sadly, do not help me run to the fridge any faster than usual. #buzzkill

Despite that grave disappointment, I could not be happier with this flamin’ hot pair of boots. Actually… that’s a lie, because I could. I assumed that these would be a more combat boot style meaning that they would have a zipper and wouldn’t be straight up rubber. But, assume makes an ass of U and ME and I was kind of like “what?” when I opened the box.

HOWEVER, after the initial shock of the difference of what I was expecting versus what I got, I was still really happy with my purchase. I don’t own any rain boots so these will do nicely for inclement weather purposes and good weather purposes, all the same! I have never seen a pair of shoes like my new Cape Robbin ones before, except for maybe in a cartoon or something. So, needless to say, I am so looking forward to breaking them out.

From splashing in rain puddles, trudging through the snow, or just being worn on a nice day, these boots add instant spice to any look. I’m honestly not sure what I plan on wearing these with because they are pretty random. But, with it still being hot, hot, hot here in Ohio with TONS of rain, these will be perfect paired with knee highs and shorts for a combo that will definitely make me the coolest kid on the block. 😎

How would you style these boots? Where do you score the wackiest pairs of shoes? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul14

Clip Clip Hurray!

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Clip Clip Hurray!

Helloooo! I recently discovered the alt clothing site, Dolls Kill, and that is both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because I had an amazing shoe and accessory haul recently. But, a curse that I didn’t know about the website sooner! Also a blessing because not knowing about the site has certainly saved me money throughout the years. But, a curse too, because the good lord knows I know about it now and all of you will too! Oh what a tangled web we weave.

Did you get all that? lol!

Anywhooo, I have become OBSESSED with hair clips these past few weeks. And, I know exactly what did it. I don’t know if ya’ll have seen this picture of Aubrey Plaza at the premiere for Child’s Play but peep those barrette babies:

LA Premiere of "Child's Play", Los Angeles, USA - 19 Jun 2019

So. Cute.

I saw this picture on Facebook and was instantly in love with the hair clip paying homage to horror films. And, in the comments one of the people said that the website, Dolls Kill, had similar barrettes. So, naturally, I had to cruise on over to the site because Lil Red never says no to online shopping!

Not only did I buy two new gorgeous pairs of shoes, which you guys will see this week on “If The Shoe Fits”, but I also got ALL the hair clips. Take a look:

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Now that my hair is finally getting longer, I just want to play with it! But, unfortunately for me, I suck eggs at doing my hair if I’m not straightening it. So, that’s where these darling new clips come in. Literally all you have to do is is pull back your hair Aubrey Plaza style, clip, and repeat for a cool and edgy look that’s so simple even I can do it.

I will admit, that the clips I purchased looked a whole lot bigger on Dolls Kill’s website than they do in real life and that was disappointing. But these sassy little babies still pack a punch and I’m excited to use them. I can’t say that I would purchase hair accessories from their site again because the difference in size was so great. However, their footwear rocks and I would definitely shop Dolls Kill again for more shoes that I don’t need, for sure.

Who has shopped Dolls Kill before and what were your thoughts? Where can you buy the cutest hair accessories? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul13

Let’s Be Friends!

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Let’s Be Friends!

Hello!! Now, I know a lot of my fellow blogging friends have multiple social media pages but that is just not for Lil Red. I have a slide up LG phone and I like to keep things pretty old school. This means no Twitter, Instagram, or SnapChat because when I’m on the go, I don’t have internet access unless I can connect to it with my iPod touch (Which is primarily used for my music and picture taking purposes).

HOWEVER, I do have a Facebook that I am pretty active on and I encourage all of you to friend me on there at: Sarah Mushenheim. You guys will get sneak previews of photo shoots and pics before it becomes an OOTD post on here and memes… lots and lots of memes! Shoot me a friend request and make sure you send me a message so I know that you are one of my blog readers and enjoy the ridiculousness that is my FB profile!

What is your favorite form of social media? How do you stay relevant on the social media sphere? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul12

Three Ways For New Musicians To Get More Exposure

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Three Ways For New Musicians To Get More Exposure

When you tell people that you want to be a professional musician, a lot of them will probably say that it’s never going to happen. The music industry is so competitive and only a tiny fraction of people that dream of being musicians actually make it, but why shouldn’t you be one of them? You could be, as long as you’re willing to put the work in.

There are a lot of different things that you need to do if you want to break into the music industry but one of the first, and most important steps, is exposure. If you’re going to make it, you need people to hear your music (and love it) so you can start building a bit of a following, that’s how you’re going to get yourself noticed by a record label. Getting that exposure is tough, especially when you’re up against a lot of competition, but there are ways to do it. These are the best ways for new musicians to get exposure for their music:

Focus On Gigging:

There are now more ways than ever to get your music out there and we’ll come onto those later, but for now, you need to focus on the old fashioned way; get out there and play for people. When you’re first starting out and you’ve got a few songs, you need to start playing as many gigs as possible. You’ll get people to hear your music and hopefully, start to build a bit of a fan base in the local area. You’re not likely to get booked for gigs if nobody has heard of you so open mic nights are the best place to start. They’re always running so do a quick search for open mic near me and start playing. You’ll get to play one or two songs and hopefully, if people like you, then you might be able to start booking more regular gigs.

The next step, is to get some support slots playing with more popular local bands. This is a great way to get your music heard by fans of your genre and if you play well, they’ll become fans of yours too.

Soundcloud:

Soundcloud is one of the best places to put your recordings so people can discover them. It’s also important that you have music online so if people come to your gigs and like you, they can download some of your songs to listen to and share with their friends. There’s a lot of stuff on Soundcloud so you need to do things to make yourself stand out. Obviously writing good songs is the most important thing but you should also ensure that you have good production values, as well.

Social Media:

Social media is the best way to promote pretty much anything these days and music is no exception. Start a dedicated musician page where you can post links to all of your new tracks when they go up on Soundcloud. You can also promote any gigs that you’re doing so you can get a bigger crowd to the venue. Look at other bands and artists on social media to see how they promote themselves, their gigs, and new music. For example, established bands, such as SWMRS with drummer Joey Armstrong have long been using social media to promote themselves successfully.

These are the three best ways to promote your music when you’re first starting out and they should help you to build a following in your local area!

Featured Image By: Pixabay