Photo Shoot Fun

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Photo Shoot Fun

Hi hi! As I sit in *my* apartment – my apartment! Ahh! I have been able to review the pictures that my friend, Markus, took of me a few weeks ago while enjoying my first cup of coffee from my handy dandy Keurig machine compliments of my mom and dad. You might remember my Life On The Edge OOTD from a couple of weeks ago that featured pictures from the shoot and now I have more to share with you. And, be sure to tune in tomorrow for even more shots of yours truly! Check it out:

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A few of these pictures were taken for Markus’s photography project at Tri-C, which just so happens to be my alma mater. And, then, he was kind enough to take some shots of me specifically for lifewithlilred. For the project, he had to shoot three different looks. One for a business, an emotional one, and one for beauty. And, he had to use lighting to express each one. I’m sure you can guess which ones were for the business style pictures! I’m actually really happy about those, because I’d like to make a webpage at some point for my work as a provider so they will be perfect for that endeavor.

I am so in love with the more blog related photos (And all of them, for that matter!). I especially like the one with the really dark red background because it reminds me so much of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, which is one of my favorite series. The photos with the lighter pink background are just pure bubblegum fun and I had a blast creating these outfits and hanging out with Markus for the afternoon to get them done! Stop by for more tomorrow! 😀

What is your favorite hobby? How do you make time to practice your craft? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Welcome To My Crib: Home Office Edition

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Welcome To My Crib: Home Office Edition

Hi, MTV, and welcome to my crib! For the most part, my apartment is pretty much completely furnished and decorated minus my home office. So, I was hoping that my darlings with an eye for decor could help me out with figuring out what to do with this space.

For now, it has been so nice doing my paperwork for my big girl job and writing at my own desk instead of the dining room table at home! But, it will definitely feel better once the room has a deliberate design as opposed to a spare one with a desk in it. Lol, you’ll see. Check it out:

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Two great things about my office is the gigantic storage closet as well as the door that leads to my back balcony. I honestly don’t even have enough stuff to fill all of the storage options in my apartment and here I was before worrying that I wouldn’t have enough space! Anywho, as you can see, the office is a work in progress. I plan on taking some time off in May to completely finish my apartment so I’m hoping I’ll get some inspiration to get this space looking as good as the rest of chez moi. Help your girl out!

What would you do with this room to make it more home office ready? How is your office decorated at your place? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Simple Techniques For Improving Your Mindset

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Simple Techniques For Improving Your Mindset

Whether it’s trying to find success in your business, get a promotion at work, or improve your relationship, one of the most important aspects to changing anything in a positive way is by improving your mindset. But, this is not always as easy as it sounds because most people have been conditioned to have a negative mindset, so it’s something that will take daily work on a consistent basis and a lot of the same stuff over and over to finally change.

However, it’s completely worth it, and one of the best things you’ll ever do for yourself. In this post, we’re going to share with you some simple techniques for improving your mindset:

Journal:

When most people think of journaling, they think of teenage girls writing in their diary about their latest crush at school. But, true journaling is nothing like this at all, and can be one of the most effective ways to really create change in your life. The great thing about journaling, is that there isn’t just one way of doing it. So, if you’re thinking that you don’t know how to journal properly, then there really is no proper way – it’s simply about writing down the things you feel and even the things you’d like to believe about your life until you actually start to believe them. Journaling can be a very healing thing, so if you’re looking to improve your mindset, then this is something you should try.

Upgrade your circle:

It’s been said that you become the average of the five people who you spend the most time with, and if you look at most people, you’ll see that this is true. While this certainly doesn’t mean that you should go cutting family and friends out of your life, it just means that you should be careful of the company you keep, because their mindset will become yours and if you’re constantly around people who are complaining, who seem to be constant victims, and never move forward in life, then don’t be too surprised when the same things become true for you.

Feed your mind:

Improving your mindset takes work and it’s work that needs to be done consistently. It is important to make sure that you’re feeding your mind with positivity and things you want to be surrounded with instead of getting sucked into negativity and drama – especially on places like social media where you only see negative things. Follow people and read things that inspire and lift you up instead of making you feel like everything is rubbish all of the time.

Avoid the media:

The mainstream media today is one of the biggest sources of negativity in the world, so if you really want to improve your mindset, then this is something to be avoided. This doesn’t mean to bury your head in the sand and pretend like bad stuff doesn’t happen. But, instead of listening to everything bad that’s happening, look for the good that happens, because there’s plenty of it, it just doesn’t make for good headlines or news reports.

Improving your mindset will improve all aspects of your life, so get started on changing yours today!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Mad Lib Hilarity

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Mad Lib Hilarity

Hiii everyone! A few days ago at work, I was filling mad libs out with my client, her sister, and her seven year old niece and it was honestly the funniest thing of my life. And, because one of the pages that we filled out was blog related, I had to share it with all of you. Enjoy!

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Lololol, I really just can’t. Us girls were laughing our little behinds off but the one that we especially lost it on was “Aunt B shaped earrings”. That is what my client’s nieces affectionately call her so when the kiddo suggested that as the noun we were dying! On another note, mad libs are a great way to teach children new words, grammar, and parts of sentences so if you’re looking for a fun way for your kids to learn something new, then give it a try.

Thanks for stopping by, Sarah.com fans! 😉

What is something funny that happened to you today? How do you make teaching something new more fun? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Welcome To My Crib: Living Room Edition

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Welcome To My Crib: Living Room Edition

Hello, MTV, and welcome to my crib. Today, we are going to take a closer look at my living room and bonus points to anyone who can name the movie that’s playing on my TV in the pictures! My living room is actually my favorite space in my apartment and you guys will also get to see the furniture that I got for a song at a secondhand store called Abbey Ann’s. I wasn’t able to take pics when I got the furniture because it was all stored up in the garage and I am in love! Take a look:

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The couch, floral chair, coffee table, and the two end tables pushed together to form the TV stand are thanks to Abbey Ann’s and I think that they are all perfect. I love how the colors of each piece compliment each other and look so nice against the light hardwood flooring. It was a lot of fun putting this space together and once this part of the unpacking process was complete, the rest was relatively easy.

I love being able to display my collection of books and movies and also peep that Step Brothers blanket! I have also been enjoying watching my movies on the hand me down TV from my sister until I figure out which streaming service that I will be going with. My living room feels cozy but still chic and cool and I adore it. I can’t wait to have people over to share a drink and a chat on my loveseat and to show off all of my hard work, of course!

How is your living room decorated? Where did you do your furniture shopping at for your home? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Welcome To My Crib: Walk In Closet Edition

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Welcome To My Crib: Walk In Closet Edition

Hello, MTV, and welcome to my crib! Your girl is all moved in and obviously the first thing that I wanted to show all of you in my new apartment is my GIGANTIC walk in closet. Perfect for a fashion blogger/shoe and clothing addict. Honestly, this closet is what sold me on the entire apartment and I am so in love I can’t hardly stand it. Check it out:

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There she is – ain’t she a beaut?! Setting up my closet was so much fun because it was like living my dream. I have always wanted a huge closet where I could proudly display all of my apparel and I finally have it. I had the movers take all of my shoe shelving from my old bedroom up into my closet and, although there was a hanging rod in there, I set up another hanging rack that I purchased from Target, because just one will never do. And, apparently two won’t do, either, because I have another extra one just in case!

Behind my clothes and shoe collection is extra storage, which will be nice, because I can put all of the random things that don’t have a home there. For now, it’s just shoe boxes but that might change for later! My closet is truly the piece de resistance of my apartment and I am so happy to be able to show all of you. :))) Tune in tomorrow for another tour of chez moi! xx

What is your closet like? How do you keep your closet organized? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Moving Update

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Moving Update

Hi everyone! I have been super busy with the big move but I just wanted to let all of you know that it’s going swimmingly so far! I cannot wait to give you guys a virtual tour of my apartment once it’s to my liking and show you my new digs. In the meantime while I am unpacking my brains out: What are some of your tips to help a move go smoothly? What was your first apartment like? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Moving On Up: The Big Day!

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Moving On Up: The Big Day!

Helloooo! After much preparation, shopping, and spending for my move into chez moi, the big day is finally here!! The movers have been hired, all of my stuff is packed, and I am ready to go. 😀 There are what feels like tons of boxes and furniture seen below to get from Point A to Point B but it is going to feel so good once everything is where it needs to be and in working order. So good, that I won’t even mind unpacking all of this:

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WOOF.

All of you have been here for the hauls, the excitement, and my nerves about moving and I want to thank you for it. I can’t wait to show everyone how my apartment looks once I’m all settled in! ❤

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

Moving On Up: Groovy Movies Haul

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Moving On Up: Groovy Movies Haul

Greetings! I am an avid movie fan and am always trying to expand my DVD collection. Especially because I refuse to get expensive cable while being in my apartment and I have yet to decide which entertainment streaming service I want to go with. So, until I figure that out, it will be nice to have things to watch or something to just pop in for background noise.

Target is usually my go to destination for new movies because they have an excellent five dollar selection – and you’re not going to not buy something for just five bucks! I also managed to get some movies FO FREE at one of my local libraries with a small donation so that was really nice, too. Check it out:

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Those who know me will know that I am a huge fan of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo series. I loved the books and the Swedish films are to die for. I was not the biggest fan of the American version but, it was there, so I figured why not. My mind was also blown by seeing Get Out at Target available for just FIVE BUCKS so I obviously needed that. And, for some comic relief, I love all things Melissa McCarthy and Jason Bateman so Identity Thief was a total must, as well.

A lot of the libraries in my neck of the woods are doing their spring cleaning and many of them have shelves full of free books, movies, and book tapes to select. So, it was nice to grab a few for a little donation even though the ones that I picked out are not my favorite. But, if I need a good cry, I’m glad that I now have Nebraska to help out with that! 😀

What is your favorite movie? What is your favorite form of entertainment? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Six Improvements To Make In Your Home

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Six Improvements To Make In Your Home

If you’ve lived in your home for a while, it can sometimes get a little boring having the same furniture and features that you’ve had for years. With general wear and tear, there are improvements that you might look to make when you have the budget and time to do it. So with that in mind, here are six improvements to make to your home:

Reinvent A Room:

Depending on how many rooms are in your property, you may have one or two spaces that are empty or are currently a storage space for extra bits and pieces that don’t have a home. This might be a great opportunity to reinvent a room and turn it into something that could be useful. When clearing out the room, try to declutter as much as possible. Then, look at the size of the space and figure out what might work well. Perhaps a walk in wardrobe or maybe a mini cinema room!

Improve Outdoor Space:

Outdoor space, unless you consider yourself a keen gardener, will often get ignored. It might be that the garden is too high maintenance or you’ve not invested any time or attention into doing it up. No one wants to spend their time in a space that might be messy or ugly to look at. So if you’re looking for ideas to improve your outdoor space, here are a few suggestions:

Be Bold With Color – When it comes to your garden, you can go crazy with color. The brighter the colors, the more appealing the space will look to you and your guests. Also, having a variety of plants and flowers will attract more wildlife.

Install A Pond – A pond is another feature that attracts wildlife and it also feels like you’re giving your outdoor area some extra luxury. When making a pond, make sure to dig the right size and in an area that is easily visible. Make sure the base of the pond and the sides are well sealed before filling it in with water. Add a variety of fish friends, too!

Add Levels And Different Materials – Adding levels and using different materials is what gives your garden space that wow factor. It’ll make your guests think that you’ve really put some effort into the space. Think about using more than just grass, perhaps marble, stones, and bark. Add decking for levels and hire patios builders to help with the more complex work.

Update Your Bathroom:

The bathroom can end up becoming a little dated, especially if you haven’t done anything since you moved. If you can’t renovate the bathroom fully, then start with the smaller items and work your way up. Tiling and painting can help dramatically transform it and adding new taps, a more modern toilet, and a rainfall shower can be the slightly bigger buys later on down the line. Make sure that the room is well ventilated and that you accessorize it with soft furnishings that match the theme of your bathroom.

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Rearrange The Furniture:

Improvements don’t need to cost a thing, you can simply rearrange the furniture. When you first moved into your property, you will have likely put everything where you first thought it could go. Now is an opportunity to change up the space a little and rearranging the furniture can make a big improvement without spending any money. Start on each room individually and try changing the position of the biggest piece of furniture. If that’s not possible, then look at moving the smaller pieces of furniture and seeing if that makes any difference. To finish it off, replace or update your soft furnishings, and it’ll feel like stepping into a new room.

Renovate Your Kitchen:

Kitchen renovations are sometimes necessary as it’s one of the most used places in your home. Therefore, the wear and tear will be clear on most of your appliances, particularly your everyday essentials like the kettle and oven. Kitchen cabinets are also the first things to fall off their hinges. Kitchen renovations are expensive but well worth the investment. It might also be financially beneficial to get it done if it needs doing as it can add value to your property if you sell it at any point in the future. Even if you start with replacing or painting the cabinets, that’ll make a difference. To begin your kitchen renovation, simply enter a search for “Queens kitchen renovations” (or your local area). The professionals you choose will be able to work with your vision while using their own expertise for an end result that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Insulate Your Property:

Insulation is important to your property, especially during the colder months. Overall, it helps to keep the heat in and the cold out. This can also save you a lot of money further down the line as you’re likely to save on energy because of it. So, to insulate your property, make sure your windows are either double or triple glazed. Insulate them with heavier blinds or curtains. Darker colors are going to attract sunlight which should, in turn, make your rooms a lot warmer. Insulation doesn’t need to be expensive as there’s a range of materials that are available at different costs. Try insulating your walls if possible and the loft space. If you have the DIY skills, you can always try it yourself, but it might be handy getting in a professional to do it.

Adding improvements to your home can help your space feel brand new, like when you first moved in. Change things up and see the difference for yourself!

Featured Image By: Pexels