May7

Monday Update: Therapy Edition

Posted on by
Standard
Monday Update: Therapy Edition

Hi everyone and welcome to another week here on lifewithlilred! As many of you have shown an interest in my therapy journey, here is an update. Meh, it’s going so so. I feel like I have hit the metaphorical wall where nothing seems helpful and I’m running out of things to talk about. And, I’m getting frustrated with rehashing the same shit just worded differently all of the time.

I’ve actually been playing around with the idea of not going after the few appointments left that I have scheduled. But, I feel like that’s a bad idea. Maybe once every two weeks would be a bit better. I don’t know, it’s just becoming more of an annoyance than anything, and I feel like I’m getting even more pissed off by my weekly visits.

Obviously, there’s still a bunch of stuff in the ol’ mental health department that I need to work on, but I just feel kind of burnt out. Like I’m so micro-focused on it that it’s making me even more depressed, anxious, and just all around angry. I feel like I need a break. I guess that will just be something to chat about during this week’s session, amIright?!

Who else has felt similarly to the above during their time in therapy? How did you deal with it? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May6

Science Backed Ways To Give The Best Gifts

Posted on by
Standard
Science Backed Ways To Give The Best Gifts

Choosing a gift that the recipient will truly love and appreciate can be no easy feat. Even if you know someone very well, it’s so easy to get it wrong and give them a gift that, sure, they’ll pretend to love, but which you just know they’re disappointed in. The good news is, is that it doesn’t have to be that way – science has come to the rescue.

Yes, scientists have looked into the art of gift giving and they have come up with some solid rules for giving gifts that will be really appreciated by anyone on any occasion. Read on to find out more:

Know the Person Well:

Okay, so this probably isn’t going to help you if you’re buying for a mere acquaintance but a psychologist at San Fransisco State University by the name of Ryan Howell says that really knowing the person you’re gifting to is the key to getting it right. This makes sense, because if you know that your friend is a fan of the kind of quirky gifts you find at Davson Sales or you know that your aunt loves the dresses at Macy’s, then you’ll be giving a great gift. Even better, it enables you to go with a meaningful gift that is highly personalized to them and is unique – how could they not love that?

Make a Donation:

Although this often seems like a way of wimping out or something that people will pretend to like, but are secretly disappointed about, science says differently. In research conducted by Harvard Business School, it was found that giving to charity makes people happier than buying stuff and giving more makes people happier still, so by making a charity donation in the giftee’s name, you both win.

Handmade:

Buying something brand new from the store can be a good move if you know for sure that the giftee wants whatever it is you’re buying, but if you don’t it can be a minefield. Will they like it? Do they already have it? Should I give them the receipt just in case? Luckily, you can easily avoid all of that, because a study conducted by the Journal of Marketing in 2015 found that people like to gift homemade items because they are more unique, thoughtful, and they are often more appreciated. The same is true of family heirlooms which are more valued and, thus, more appreciated even if they are not actually more expensive.

present1

A craft that you enjoy making is always a good idea!

Give Them an Experience:

Giving people an experience that they will remember forever as gifts, like the ones at If Only, typically, according to science, makes them happier than giving them objects that they may well be bored of in a month or two. So, if you’re stuck, think about whether they’d like tickets to the big football game, a skydiving experience, a spa break, or something similarly exciting that fits their personality. They’ll undoubtedly like it more than chocolates, beer, or flowers.

Even if you weren’t great at science in school, let the experts help you make the best of your gifting with the ideas above!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

May6

The Busy Girl’s Organization Guide

Posted on by
Standard
The Busy Girl’s Organization Guide

Heyyy! We live in a world where everyone is super busy and on the go constantly. With phones ringing in your ear, emails to answer, and appointments to get to, it can sure seem hard to balance it all. Believe me, I get it. As a woman on the go myself, I would be nowhere without the organization techniques that I have used throughout the years to keep me on track. And, now, I’m here to share them with you! Check it out:

Invest In A Desk Calendar:

With my work appointments growing by the month, a normal wall calendar just wasn’t cutting it anymore. I needed something that was nice and big so that I could fit my daily tasks into each day comfortably on paper. Now, not only do I have plenty of room for work scheduling, but I am able to really see how much time I have left in the day to work with for the side hustle or drinks with friends. Whereas, with a wall calendar, your space is so cramped that you can’t see any free time at all. I paid seven bucks for a large desk calendar at Target, and I scoff at the fact that I used to use anything smaller.

Free-Printable-January-2018-Desk-Calendar.jpg

This would do nicely!

Color Coordinate:

The best part about a big desk calendar, though? THAT YOU CAN COLOR COORDINATE!! I have had a blast assigning a highlighter color to the person that I’m meeting with and using colored pencils to add in anything extra that I need reminders of. It makes planning your week or month a little more bright and fun, and sometimes you really need that extra boost to make your work schedule less stressful.

highlight.JPG

That’s what I’m talking about!

Take Notes:

I am constantly taking notes throughout the day. Whether I come up with a new blog post idea in my head or hear about a new restaurant that I want to try, god knows that I will forget it minutes later. You can definitely carry around a notepad for such findings, but I prefer to just send texts to myself so that I always have my little reminders handy in text message form for when I need it again.

Have Backup Plans:

One of the worst things is having a meeting or an outing with friends cancelled and feeling like your time for the day is just going to be wasted. So, it’s always nice to have a Plan B. This could range from just having some you time and going for a walk or trying out the new restaurant that you text reminded yourself about. It’s good to have something to fall back on if you have something scheduled with a flaky friend or you have a work appointment that isn’t mandatory.

Take A Break:

It might seem like the best thing ever to spread yourself too thin during the work week and on the weekends. Extra moolah, potential for raises or promotions – I totally get it. But, don’t forget to schedule in some time to take a break, too. Going nonstop is a great way to fatten your wallet, but you also get very burned out in the process. Schedule a pedicure during your lunch break or dedicate your Sunday to finishing the book on your bedside table. Just make sure that you’re working in some R&R somewhere!

sleepppp

On the go lifestyles are the norm, now. But with some top notch organization skills, you can make the most of your time whether it’s for work or play!

May5

Feeling Blahhhhhhhh

Posted on by
Standard
Feeling Blahhhhhhhh

Hiii everyone and happy weekend! Ugh, I don’t know about any of you guys, but I have been feeling so blah lately. I am in the process of getting over a flu/cold thingie that lingered on with me for a week and am now just trying to get myself back up to snuff. I had hot and cold flashes, a sore throat, a cold from hell, body aches, and – to top it off – I was on my period for part of it! Could it get any worse?!

During this agonizing week, I had a really hard time keeping up with my 10,000 steps per day walking regimen because I was so weak. And, now, after a week of feeling sluggish with some movement here and there when I was up to it, I am left feeling so blah about everything. The way my body looks, how I’m still feeling the effects of the sniffles from this blasted cold, and my severe lack of energy. Could it get any worse?!

I know that these feelings will pass, and I have been trying really hard to get myself back on track with my walking. But, I am having a hard time shaking away the post sickness blues, even with the lovely weather that Ohio is finally having. It’s been a lot of going through the motions for the past week, and feeling self conscious the entire time, so I am definitely looking forward to feeling back to normal soon so that I can start enjoying my days again.

Has anyone else been dealing with the blahs lately? How do you combat the post sickness blues? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May4

May Funky Time Jams

Posted on by
Standard
May Funky Time Jams

Hiii everyone and TGIF! With May finally here (And hopefully warmer weather, too!), it is time to share what I’ve been playing in the Little Red Love Machine as I make my way throughout my day. And, yes, a little Jesus Christ Superstar is definitely thrown in there for good measure. Take a look:

In June, I am lucky enough to be able to see Jack White, AWOLNATION, and Cold War Kids at X Fest in Pennsylvania and I am so excited that I can’t even begin to describe it. So, of course I had to give them a little shout out on this month’s Funky Time Jams. Oh yeah, and Jesus Christ Superstar, lol. Ever since the wonderful live performance of the musical on Easter, I have been OBSESSED. JCSS has always been one of my favorite musicals and my love for it was completely rekindled after that stellar Easter show. So, yes, having one of my favorite songs on here from that musical was a must for this month, too!

What have you been rocking out to recently? What is your favorite musical? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May3

Interior Disasters

Posted on by
Standard
Interior Disasters

Home interiors should never be a disaster, but they often can be a disaster. More often than not things go wrong, when they do we panic, spend a lot of money, and maybe even shed a tear or two. It’s just one of the many things about owning a home that can quickly become expensive. Right from the get go you’re spending money on furnishing, decorating, improvements, etc. So, rather than letting all of this money go down the drain, we’ve got some common interior disasters and how you can try and fix them as quickly and as cheaply as possible:

Plumbing Disasters:

Plumbing disasters are the worst. From something so simple as the water not draining as fast as you would like to in the bathroom sink, to a full on blockage in one of the main drains that could cause havoc in your home. Sometimes it can even lead to a flood, and that really is the last thing that you want. If you’re struggling with a major blockage and you’re not sure of the exact location or cause, get in touch with professionals such as Drain Boss. They’re the people you need for the job.

If you attempt to try this yourself you could cause further damage, move the blockage deeper down the drain, or cause the full on flood disaster. If it’s something little, like the bathroom sink not draining quick enough, you might just need to use a bag of limescale cleaner. If that doesn’t work, cover the overflow hole, grab a plumber, run the tap, and push hard down on the plug hole. You should hear a few gurgling sounds and the blockage will come free.

Pest Disasters:

This can be one of the scariest problems for a lot of people. There are a few types of pests that we can get in our homes, the first being one of the biggest bugaboos for many. Spiders. Spiders are going to be in your home no matter what, but if you’ve got a nest in your home, you’re in big trouble. A nest is usually found in the loft, and it will look like a big cobweb with black dots in it. Whatever you do, don’t touch it. Whilst they won’t be poisonous, there will potentially be hundreds of them. Call in an exterminator ASAP to deal with your problem!

Decor Disasters:

This is probably the most frustrating for a lot of people due to how noticeable it is. Decor disasters, however, are a lot easier to fix. Maybe the last time you wallpapered you did a rubbish job and it has started to peel away, then all you need to do is give it another go! Steam the walls to get the paper off, and follow a detailed tutorial on how to do it perfectly. If you’re worried it’ll go wrong again, all you need to do is get in a professional for the day to do it for you.

All of the problems above can cause a lot of stress for homeowners. And, if there is any shadow of doubt, always call in a professional before you do anything!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

May3

Duolingo Progress

Posted on by
Standard
Duolingo Progress

Howdy! Thanks to everyone’s recommendations to me about the Duolingo app, I have been obsessed for close to two months now. For funsies, I finally completed their French program for an enjoyable review and to sharpen my skills. Although it was tedious, it was well worth the time and effort and it felt good to finish the lessons that I started for a language that I love.

I have now moved onto Duolingo’s Spanish program and have been working on it for the past week or so. Once I complete these lessons, Spanish will be the FOURTH language that I’m familiar with, which is pretty good for an American! I haven’t taken a Spanish course since grade school, which has been over a decade ago, and I am already pleased with the progress that I have made.

My only complaint about the Duolingo app is the new update, where there are now three levels to complete per topic. I wish that they just did more extensive training on the subjects rather than having to go back to each one twice more once you complete level one. Three levels means a really repetitive curriculum, which was confirmed when I tried some of the advanced French levels only to find that it was a lot of the same thing over again.

When people ask me my level of fluency in French, I always reply with “If you transported me to Paris right now, I am sure that I would get along fine”. So, I can’t say that I will complete the additional levels for it. However, if I feel the need, I will certainly go back and give it a go. Spanish, on the other hand, will probably require all three levels of training, as I am completely unfamiliar with the language – despite eight years of it in grade school!!

Which languages are you learning on the Duolingo app? How many languages do you know and how did you learn them? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May2

How To Set Up A Band

Posted on by
Standard
How To Set Up A Band

When you want to play some awesome tunes but don’t have anyone to jam with, there is but one solution: set up your own band. Though this might sound a bit nerve-wracking if you’ve never done it before, it is just the same as making new friends. The first thing you need to do is figure out the answers to the questions below and then you should go Online at Vampr to find the best people for your new group:

What kind of music do you like?

You probably already have a good idea of the kind of music you like, but you also need to think about what you want to play. Musical people often have wide tastes that can lead in all kinds of directions, so settling on one sound can be really difficult. Think back to what you like to play when you are on your own. Do you have a more folksy vibe? Is rock your thing? Do you like to write your own music or are you strictly covers only? Answering these questions will help to decide the kind of people that you want to attract.

Put together a track list of the things you like most and the styles you want to base your own music on to give potential band members an idea of what you are about. This can be any and all music so don’t be afraid to do the obvious stuff as well as the more off the wall things you enjoy.

Which Instruments Do You Need?

Next up: instruments. There are plenty of 2 guitars, 1 bass, drums types of bands but there is a lot to be said for branching out a little. How about adding a horn section? What about switching between instruments or experimenting with electronics? If you are looking to develop a unique sound, you might really be after musicians who can play multiple instruments so that you can all switch about to create something never heard before. This is the way that lots of famous bands work and create something new and different.

Where are You Based?

The final question might not be musical but is very important, nonetheless. If you are based in a garage somewhere, you need to think about how many people can realistically get in to practice. Plus, you need to make sure that you aren’t recruiting people who will have to drive for ages to get to each rehearsal. However enthusiastic they are now, they might not be after a long week of work in the depths of winter!

Similarly, if you want to gig at a cool underground nightclub with a tiny stage, a group of nine might sound great but just won’t fit. It’s not very rock and roll, but thinking about the logistics now will save you a lot of bother in the future when you start playing together.

Featured Image By: Unsplash

May2

Unique Gifts For The Person Who Has Everything

Posted on by
Standard
Unique Gifts For The Person Who Has Everything

What do you buy for the person who has everything? You’ll probably spend hours searching the deepest corners of the internet trying to find something, but with the giftee’s birthday fast-approaching this can make it even more stressful. That is why we have listed some top ideas below so that you can put an end to those endless internet searches:

Glow In The Dark Pillows:

Do you have a friend who is always stumbling in drunk and unable to find their bed? Then a glow in the dark pillow could be the solution. Glow in the dark pillows come in a huge range of shapes and sizes, and they look awesome, so if you want to give them something really special and unique then this is certainly the way to go. The best thing about these pillows is that you don’t even know that they are glow in the dark until you turn the light off! You can also get cute pillows and gifts too, which work just as well for someone who might not need the glow in the dark aspect as much.

uniquee.png

So cute!

Fun Mugs:

You may have seen funny mugs on the market and you may also think that they look kind of tacky. The best thing about mugs is that there are so many options available and there are some that look awesome. For example, you can get mugs that are shaped like tiki totems and you can also get some that light up, as well. Themed mugs are also great if they have a favorite movie and they are ideal if you can get one that is unlike anything that they have seen before.

Custom T-Shirt:

Does your friend have a favorite slogan, band, or anything else of the sort? Then why not put it on a t-shirt for them! You can easily create your own and this is about as unique as it gets. You can create your own shirt in a couple of minutes and the best thing about this is that you know that they won’t have one already!

uniquee1.png

 Pixabay Image

Food Gadgets:

Everyone loves food and one way for you to get something for the person who has everything would be for you to buy them a gadget if they love to cook or bake. Or, if they have been to another country and they love the sweets or food there, then you can easily buy them a box of candy online or try cooking their favorite dish for them. Sure, you may pay a ton for postage, but at the end of the day you know that they will love it and it is a great way for you to show that you really care.

With so many options available when choosing a gift, finding the right one has never been easier – even for the friend that has everything!

May2

Relationship Survival Tips For Moving In Together

Posted on by
Standard
Relationship Survival Tips For Moving In Together

So, you’ve been together for a few years, know each other inside and out, and have decided to move in together. You are both very much in love with one another, so this is going to be a walk in the park, right? Well, unfortunately, that isn’t always the case. In fact, some couples find that moving in together can be a huge strain on their relationship, even if they have been seeing each other for years.

But you shouldn’t let that put you off of moving in together, because there are certain things that you can do that can help ease the strain. Here are some tips that will make the move go as smoothly as possible:

Look For A New Place:

You will have to decide whether you move into one of your own flats or if you choose to look for a completely new place altogether. Sometimes, it makes more financial sense for your partner to move in with you or for you to move into their apartment. However, if you can afford to, you should think about looking for a new place where you can both make a fresh start together. That way, you can both start from scratch again, and one of you won’t feel like you are trying to settle into someone else’s home, which can sometimes be uncomfortable.

Buy A Mattress Together:

When it comes to buying new furniture for your shared place, it’s often not necessary for you to do it together. However, you should always go mattress shopping together so that you find one that suits the both of you. That’s because mattresses come in all different styles and are made with different materials. Some types might not be suited to your body and could cause you to develop back and neck pain. So, shop for a mattress together so that you both have the chance to find one that suits you both.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BiRQsHYFP9S/

Respect Each Other’s Decor Choices:

If you decide to redecorate your new place, you will need to respect each other’s interior design and decor choices. If you both have similar tastes, then this shouldn’t be too much of a problem. However, if you have contrasting styles, you should both be prepared to make sacrifices. For instance, your partner might not like a rug that you had in your old flat, so you will be better off buying a new one that you both like rather than bringing your old one with you.

Make Time For Yourself:

Just because you live together now, it doesn’t mean that you have to spend all of your time together. In fact, that could get quite suffocating, and could easily add to some tension and resentment. So, be sure that both of you make time for yourself. You can, for example, spend one night a week out with your friends. This gives you both some breathing space and won’t make it feel like you are on top of each other all of the time.

Moving in with your significant other is an exciting time. Make sure that you don’t let minor frustrations take away from that!

Featured Image By: Pixabay