Oct18

New Black & Orange Nails

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New Black & Orange Nails

Hiii! One thing that I am particularly proud of, is that I went from getting my nails done every three weeks like clockwork to every month or, sometimes, a little over a month. Cutting back over one week between fills saves me money and makes getting pampered all the more sweet. With Halloween right around the corner, I had to get a fun, slightly glittery orange as the accent nail on this most recent fill. Check it out:

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Spooky chic is the name of the game for all of October… and year round. But, especially October! So incorporating some jackolantern orange amidst the black nails and red crosses was an absolute must. This fill makes me feel so witchy and cool and my nails will be perfect for diving into a cauldron full of candy for the Halloween trick or treaters!

And, did I mention that at the new salon that I go to, LT Nails, I am saving about twenty-five dollars per fill?! Although I might not be getting the most extreme pampering experience there, that’s a gas tank and Starbucks coffee’s worth of extra cash in my pocket. Not bad at all!

How do you save money when it comes to your pampering routines? Do you do themed nails for particular holidays? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct17

If The Shoe Fits: Sbicca Platforms Edition

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If The Shoe Fits: Sbicca Platforms Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to the last item from my ModCloth Haul, which comes in a brand new edition of If The Shoe Fits! My favorite department to browse through on ModCloth’s website is definitely their shoes. And, if you know when to shop them, you can order yourself a new pair (Or ten) for dirt cheap. The end of summer and spring are prime shopping times in ModCloth’s clearance section, which is the where and when on purchasing these new retro Sbicca beauties. Take a look:

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Whenever I see a platform heel that I love, it’s really hard for me not to buy them. Platforms are my absolute favorite type of shoe to wear, and I am always looking to add to my collection. There is something about the sexy 70’s shape that transforms any outfit and makes my confidence soar sky high. And, these embroidered denim babies do just that, as per ushe!

These Sbicca platforms are probably my most retro looking of the bunch, and I really like that. But, what I like the most, is that they give a strong tip of the cap to 70’s fashion without looking costumey. And, because the denim with tan embroidery and brass studs is neutral, these heels can be worn with anything and still look chic AF.

During my first jaunt in my new Sbicca heels, I wore black skinnies, a mustard yellow cardigan, a navy crop top, and a Panama hat and the compliments were coming nonstop. The denim on my platforms looked amazing with the mustard yellow cardi and everything in my outfit just fell into place along with it. My heels made me feel confident and cool for my entire day of work. But, the constant questioning of where I got my shoes certainly helped, too!

What is your favorite style of shoe? What does your most well loved pair of shoes look like? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct16

ModCloth Haul: Jammin Jumpsuit

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ModCloth Haul: Jammin Jumpsuit

Hellooo! One piece of clothing that I have admired from afar but have never found just the right one of is the jumpsuit. With a petite 5’1 frame, it’s damn near impossible to find one that isn’t made for a six foot tall model and I always end up swallowed in fabric. When it comes to my body type, form fitting is key. Which is why my new Fervour brand jumpsuit works just right. Check it out:

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Aside from the fit of this jumpsuit, which we will talk about momentarily, we must discuss the amazing embroidery! As a lover of the morbid, this rib cage with a sweet red heart is right up my alley. It’s goth and edgy but still manages to look adorable. Hearts make everything cute BUT, it also has POCKETS, which takes it that extra step further into absolutely darling.

As you can see above, the bottom half of this jumpsuit more or less fits like leggings, and they hit perfectly at my ankle. It also has a dipped crotch, which sounds weird, but is comfortable as all living hell. The cute as a buttons on the racer back top make it easy to get the jumpsuit on and off once you undo them, too.

All of the details on this little number make for a purchase that was well worth it, even though it was a bit more expensive than I’m used to paying. But, that’s just what happens sometimes when you really want a jumpsuit in your wardrobe! Easy styling of this Fervour piece also made it desirable. Because your entire outfit is already laid out for you when you’re wearing a jumpsuit, all you need do is throw on a cool pair of sneaks or heels and a moto jacket and hit the road for some spooky fun!

Who else has had difficulty finding a well fitting jumpsuit? Which clothing items and accessories are you willing to spend more money on? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct15

ModCloth Haul: Heart Balloon Kit

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ModCloth Haul: Heart Balloon Kit

Yooooo. The next item in my ModCloth Haul was one that I got on sale and am very happy with! I scored a heart balloon kit that was originally twenty dollars for seven bucks, which I thought was a steal. These darling balloons will be perfect for a Valentine’s Day photo shoot on lifewithlilred and I am totally okay with having them on backstock until then, as opposed to paying a more expensive price once V-Day rolls around. Check it out:

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The kit includes:

  • Six balloons
  • String
  • Three different colors of streamers (White, pink, and red)

Like I said, seven dollars for all of that seemed like such a bargain! I absolutely love cute balloon related photo shoots and, I suppose that I could use these at any time, but it doesn’t get much sweeter than a bouquet of pink heart balloons on Valentine’s Day. This purchase made me feel proud, because planning an article that is four months away means that lifewithlilred will still be alive and kicking until then. I consider each day of writing for my page a success and, although the photo shoot is a ways away, it’s one less thing that I have to worry about. And that, my friends, is the power of planning ahead!

What is your favorite holiday to style looks for? Have you ever done a balloon photo shoot? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct14

ModCloth Haul: Sweet Socks

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ModCloth Haul: Sweet Socks

Hi! Remember when I had that Super Awesome Great Day a few weeks ago and went hard AF at Target? Well… I went hard AF on ModCloth’s website, too. There were a few things that I have just been dying to get, and since I was already on a spending spree, I figured why not! In my haul, I got an absolutely amazing jumpsuit, platforms, a balloon kit for Valentine’s Day blog fun, and these Sweet Socks:

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For the past year, I have been utterly obsessed with finding frilly little socks to wear with my heels. I have had no luck in stores and I was aware that ModCloth had them, but they only offer free shipping with purchases of seventy-five dollars or more and I felt like I would be spending money just to spend it to get free shipping for five dollar socks. So, when there was clothing that I liked enough on MC to buy, trust and believe that these socks were the first things that went into my cart!

There is something so sweet to me about a sexy pair of heels paired with cute as can be socks and I am so looking forward to wearing this combination before the temperatures drop in Ohio. Because it is still hot as the dickens in here, I can finally wear these bad boys with dresses and short shorts to add some sugar to all of that spice! Black and white frills and sunshine daisies adorn my new socks and I am so happy to finally have them after a year long hunt for the perfect pairs!

How do you incorporate Sweet Socks into your outfits? Do you wear matching or mismatched socks? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct13

Feeling Fall OOTD

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Feeling Fall OOTD

Hello everyone and welcome to one of my favorite OOTDs to date! Lil Red loves dressing for fall, this we know. And, to me, my Feeling Fall look embodies the joy that comes with the changing of seasons perfectly. A statement boot and a bold, yet simple, find from TJMaxx created an outfit that was easy peasy to style but looks oh so chic when stomping through the leaves during a blustery fall day. And, also, peep the amazing pictures of yours truly taken by my darling beau! Love themmmmm.

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Who? What? Wear?

When people ask me how I go about styling my outfits, they usually get a response along the lines of “I just throw them together”. And, that’s not a lie. The best outfits come when you don’t think about it, because fashion should be a fun thing – not stressful. That’s why it’s very important to me to completely love every single item that I buy. When your clothing makes you feel confident, you don’t have a second thought when you’re throwing them on. And, that’s why I love this look so much. It was such a cinch to put together, but it looked timeless and fashion forward and you can never go wrong with that.

As gingham is considered the “it” pattern for summer, fall is about all plaid everything. If I could, I would wear this totally cozy and perfectly posh Modena New York poncho all year round. Because I wanted this cool cape to do the talking, I kept things simple underneath with a tighter fitting black sweater. The soft color palette of fifty shades of grey and taupe is just right against the vibrant autumnal colors adorning the trees. And, although this poncho fits closer to the body than most, it still has lots of movement, which beautifully mimics the leaves dancing as the wind blows.

Because the poncho and oversized Argentino Vivo earrings provide such lovely movement, I wanted to keep everything else about this outfit form fitting. As an added bonus, making the top half of your OOTD the focal point makes people more focused on your face, which is a good pro tip if you have any insecurities about your lower half (I know I do!). A looser fitting poncho or sweater also keeps your tummy in check if you didn’t quite get your beach body this year (I know I didn’t!).

Anyways, form fitting. Skinny jeans, as always, were in order. Then, to cap off the look, I wore my absolute favorite thigh high boots by Candies. These sexy little things slinky ink all the way up to just below the middle of my thighs and they make me feel so fabulous that I can hardly stand myself. The heel is high, the fabric is a soft faux suede, and the confidence level is through the roof. These boots hugged against my skinnies just right, which created a lengthening effect and put all eyes on my MUG and way cool cape. Just as I suspected! 😀

This Feeling Fall OOTD can be easily duplicated with your favorite chunky sweater, cardigan, cape, or poncho. The trick is to keep things on your bottom half nice and fitted and, then, you can work that autumn breeze as your cape billows in the wind. Gorgeous, easy, and one hundred percent fall.

How do you style an OOTD that embodies autumn? What is your favorite cold weather accessory? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct12

Bath & Body Works October Freebie

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Bath & Body Works October Freebie

Hi there! Just when I think that Bath & Body Works has finally caught onto my tricks of only coming in to cash in my freebie coupons, they send me another freebie coupon. Lol, it has been a while, but I stopped in earlier this week to pick up my free item, which happened to be really nice. Normally, they only offer a free travel sized shower gel or lotion but, this time, they offered a free hand cream with lots of scents to pick from. Check it out:

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During past trips to B&BW, I have been less than impressed with their packaging. What used to be vibrant and sweet turned minimal and blah, so it was nice to see that they went back to their roots with the imagery on this cream bottle. Perfectly purse sized, this cream is amazing for the on the go gal, especially since cold weather and cracked hands is fast approaching. The scent is delicious, too! Fizzy champagne with the bite of tart apples makes for a delightful autumn scent and also makes me thirsty for a glass of bubbly ASAFP!

What is your favorite fall scent? Which store offers the best freebies? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct11

Target Haul: A New Day + Vital Voices Pleated Skirt

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Target Haul: A New Day + Vital Voices Pleated Skirt

Hello everyone and welcome to my last and, perhaps, favorite purchase from my Target Haul. All throughout my twenty-four years of existence, I can’t say that I was ever really attracted to wearing skirts. Sure, I like them. And, I have a handful of skirts in my closet that I love wearing. But, I don’t think that I’ve ever gone to the store with the intention of finding myself a skirt. That is, until I bought my pleather, pleated BB Dakota midi skirt from TJMaxx.

After this purchase a few months ago… it was fucking on, and I became obsessed with finding more pleated midi numbers because, I hate to toot my own horn, BUT – THEY LOOK AMAZING ON ME! I haven’t had any luck with adding a new addition to my collection since finding my BB Dakota skirt, so imagine how happy I was when I found this one by A New Day + Vital Voices at Target:

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The collaboration between A New Day and Vital Voices is all about celebrating womanhood. The pieces in this collection emphasize the passion, strength, and undeniable power of woman – as their tagline goes – and that made buying this skirt even more attractive. The contoured faces make a modern statement and the sweet pleats provide movement, creating a look that is totally unique and completely cool.

For the perfect “I am woman, hear me roar” OOTD, pair with a graphic tee, slouchy blazer, and a pop of color shoe and enter any room with the presence of a girl not to be fucked with. Stand in your power, and look fabulous while doing so with this amazing collaboration only at Target.

What is your favorite brand that does a lot of good? How do you create an OOTD for when you’re ready to take on the world? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct10

Target Haul: A New Day Kimono

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Target Haul: A New Day Kimono

Howdy! I have never been a fan of kimonos, because it’s difficult for me to find one that doesn’t make me look pregnant! Lol, there’s something about them that just looks like maternity clothing to me, so I avoid them like the plague when I go shopping. So, I definitely wasn’t expecting to purchase one during my extravaganza at Target! Fair warning that this A New Day number doesn’t photograph well, because it’s all black (Shocker!). But, you’ll get the idea! Take a look:

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My major qualm with ninety-nine percent of the kimonos on the market is that they are shaped boxy and then they hit at the waist. For a short girl, this is so not flattering. I always try to find clothes that lengthen me, as opposed to making me look like I lost five inches and gained ten pounds! So, I was instantly attracted to this kimono, because it was longer and more fitted.

My new kimono from Target’s A New Day collection falls all the way down to the middle of my calves and is smocked in the back so it isn’t flowy, like a typical duster kimono. Rather, the gathered fabric lays closely but comfortably on the body so that you are not swallowed whole by what does seem like a lengthy piece of clothing. I have never seen a kimono with this shape before and, if I did, I would have bought them all, because it is the perfect shape for me!

The subtle, embroidered flowers on the silky but muted fabric makes for a sultry look when paired over a long sleeved sweater, skinnies, and heels. This kimono can completely modernize your standard date night outfit and will look edgy and chic when wearing it while out and about. How you style it is up to you, but you will look shamelessly cool no matter what in this A New Day number.

Are you a fan of the kimono? Why or why not? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct9

What Makes Ending An Addiction So Challenging?

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What Makes Ending An Addiction So Challenging?

Recognizing that you have a problem with addiction is the first hurdle that you have to overcome. Once you’ve admitted that you’ve got a problem, it’s time for you to think about quitting. You probably didn’t expect to become addicted when you first experienced an addictive substance or behavior for the first time. However, what started out as fun can quickly become something more serious. There are several different ways in which you can try quitting, but don’t be surprised if your first attempt is a difficult feat. If you’re left wondering why you found it so hard, here are some of the reasons why:

Conflict and Ambivalence

Alcohol, drug addiction, or some other type of addictive behavior that becomes excessive will create conflict in your life. It can be within yourself because you want to change, but also have stronger urges to repeat the addictive behavior. Conflict also occurs with other people because they either want you to quit or join them in the addictive behavior. These conflicts don’t go away, and your expectations only get higher. Ambivalence is the feeling of wanting to continue and wanting to quit at the same time. Professional Interventionists are well versed in all of these different situations and emotions and are there to help you work through them in the healthiest way possible. Battling an addiction is no easy feat and skilled professionals will guide and encourage you.

If you are choosing to go to treatment, you might find that being close to the area that you participate in addictive behaviors can be triggering. Especially if these places have resulted in a lot of conflict. For that reason, some people find it helpful to travel to their treatment center. It could be completing treatment at the Scottsdale Providence Recovery Center in Arizona or simply being a few hours away from your current location. Whatever your selection might be, be sure to tour the facility first so that there are no surprises when you enter treatment. You want to set yourself up for the best chance of success when you are making such an important change.

Tolerance – a Key Symptom of Addiction:

Tolerance, together with withdrawal, are the two processes that resulted in your addiction in the first place. The two are interconnected and, without them, it would be easier to quit. Tolerance is a physical and psychological process. The first time you experience an addictive substance or behavior your tolerance is low and the effect you feel is very strong. The more you repeat the behavior or take a substance, the higher your tolerance is and the more you need to take or do the behavior to get the same effect.

Withdrawal is experienced when you aren’t able to do the addictive behavior. The symptoms can be both physical and psychological. Symptoms might include shaking, feeling unwell, upset stomach, and feeling anxious or depressed. This, in itself, can be a barrier from quitting. Safe forms of detox like this one for adderall detox can be most helpful to fight through the withdrawal symptoms and give you an increased chance of success.

Guilt and Justification:

Guilt about your behavior is a strong motivator to make changes, but it also works against you. You find yourself justifying your behavior, not just to yourself but to other people too. Examples are telling yourself it’s not a problem, saying you’ve already cut down, or using other people or situations to divert attention. Treatment centers including The Recovery Village Indianapolis can help you work through these different emotions when you are ready to take that step.

What Can You Do If You Really Want to Quit?

There are a variety of different types of treatment to help you if you really want to quit. Therapy, for example, helps you sort out and change the thoughts that are keeping you addicted. It’s not going to be an easy or straightforward journey, but the support of a good treatment program will help you move forward and eventually quit. Treatment, whether as an outpatient or an inpatient at a luxury facility such as https://healtreatmentcenters.com/luxury-drug-and-alcohol-addiction-treatment-center/, will make the quitting process much easier, but there are, of course, strategies that you can follow if you want to try to quit your addiction on your own.

Sometimes a break from your addiction might not be up to you, but to the courts. This might be the case if you were driving under the influence of alcohol. A duii program at a treatment center can help fulfill court mandated requirements and provide you with the tools you need for success through therapy, support groups, and interventions.

residential addiction treatment

Overcoming an addiction to drugs, alcohol, or some kind of behavior doesn’t have to feel like the end of the world. Admitting that there is a problem is the first step, followed by withdrawal and detox. The recovery journey doesn’t always end there, and you may need professional support for many years to come.