Aug5

Making New Friends As An Adult

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Making New Friends As An Adult

Hey everyone and happy Sunday! As I make my way deeper into my twenty somethings, I find that I have had an increasingly difficult time making new friends. I work for myself, I’m no longer forced to be around anyone because I’m not in school, and, sometimes, talking to new people can be down right scary! Although Lil Red might seem like a confident gal, I still have issues with social anxiety. And, racing thoughts of whether an attempt at small talk will be a hit or miss can leave even the most confident in a tizzy.

But, then, I started utilizing the “what have I got to lose” mindset. The literal worst that can happen is that someone gives you the old “let’s get coffee sometime” and you never do. But, if you’re successful, you could have a brand new friend to get to know and spend time with.

I’ve began putting myself out there more and more lately and, I’ve got to say, it feels great! I’ve been attending different clubs of my interests at the local libraries and have even suggested a hang out with my favorite barista at Starbucks – and it worked! I have also been trying hard to maintain wonderful relationships with my old friends, because a phone works two ways.

I want to continue spending my free time in a meaningful way, and putting forth a better effort to make new friends has definitely helped me achieve this goal. Within just a few months, I feel like my anxiety in unfamiliar situations or speaking with a stranger while out and about has decreased significantly.

I started out small, by striking up a Facebook conversation with the people that I admired from afar and worked my way up from there. And, now, I have a plethora of both new and old friends that I would feel comfortable initiating a hang out with. I’m proud of myself for setting this goal and sticking to it, because meeting new people can be hard. But, once I got over the initial scare factor, it turned out to be an exciting adventure in my life and I’m looking forward to continuing to meet more new potential friends!

Making new friends as an adult can be challenging, but there are ways to make the process easier. One of the best things you can do is look for opportunities to meet new people. This could mean joining a club, taking a class, or even going to concerts like a Ravehub – anything that gets you out of your comfort zone and interacting with others. Another great tip is to be open and friendly when meeting new people. Smile, strike up conversations, and be yourself! People are more likely to want to be friends with someone confident and easy to talk to.

Does anyone else experience difficulty making new friends in adulthood? What are some of your tips for putting yourself out there? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug3

Meditation Station

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Meditation Station

Hi there! Something that I’ve been enjoying a lot lately is meditation. One of the libraries in my area has been hosting the two founders of a local nonprofit organization Health, Happiness, & Chan to teach meditation classes to the public. I have been going since the spring time, and found it to be really difficult. Dare I say, I even found it to be completely ineffective.

Then, we had a hiatus for a few months until the summer session began. Upon returning to classes, I had a total turn around during our hour together. I was able to complete the entire forty minute process when, before, I couldn’t even finish five minutes. It felt awesome and I left class feeling so uplifted and accomplished.

Unfortunately, but fortunately, one of our two amazing teachers (Both of whom are professors at Akron U.) has accepted a position at Harvard and is no longer with us. But, our other guru, Joanne is simply the best. I have such a strong connection with her and it was such a delight to be welcomed back to class by her with a huge hug.

Joanne has quite possibly the most beautiful voice known to mankind and, after all of us insisting on it for months, she has finally made a YouTube channel! The quality of her first few videos is not the best, but there will certainly be more to come so I wanted to share them with all of you, anyways. Joanne has such a gentle, kind, and nurturing spirit and you can literally feel it just by hearing her speak. So, subscribe and enjoy as she walks you through all different types of meditation!

Who else practices meditation? What are some of your meditation tips? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug2

August Funky Time Jams

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August Funky Time Jams

Helloooo! I don’t know about you, but when I really like a band, I listen to them a lot. While getting ready in the morning, while driving, while working, I will beat that horse into the ground like nobody’s business. But, as enjoyable as it is, it can get boring. This is why I like to turn the almost 9,000 songs in my collection on shuffle every once in a blue moon to freshen my interests up. This puts me back in touch with long forgotten favorites and it introduces me to songs that I didn’t even know I had on my iPod to begin with.

This month’s music is a hodge podge of good stuff so take a listen and enjoy:

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

Like I said above, a hodge podge of greatness!! I mentioned yesterday that I have been on a huge Madonna kick lately, and I meant every word of it. I’ve had Madonna on my iPod for forever, but never really listened to her. Then, one day, I had a hankering to hear Die Another Day, and the rest is history. And, can we please talk about how amazing the new Greta Van Fleet song is?! I am so in love with this gaggle of guys and have been simply obsessed with their glam appearance and pure rock n’ roll vibes. Keep up the fab work, boys!

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

Aug1

How To Throw The Ultimate Wedding For Your Guests

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How To Throw The Ultimate Wedding For Your Guests

Weddings are a two-way street, and not just between the bride and groom. They are a balance of your own personal enjoyment and that of your guests. For that reason, many couples aim to make their special day one of the largest parties possible.

Ensuring that everyone has a good time is easier said than done, though, especially with the number of guests in attendance. What your best friend since college and your parents find entertaining are vastly different, right? So, how can you keep your roughly 50 to 250 guests happy over the course of several hours?

Believe it or not, there are a few simple ways to make your big day an event to remember in the minds of your guests. Check out these top wedding and reception tips that are sure to make your event a smash hit:

Comfort Is Key:

Nothing ruins a fun time like being uncomfortable. Summer weddings are notorious for sweat inducing heat and annoying bugs, while winter celebrations are often more about fighting off the cold. It’s impossible to enjoy a cocktail or dessert bar in either situation, let alone trying to deal with those uncomfortable conditions for hours on end.

Consider the conditions your guests will be subject to, then plan accordingly. If heat is the issue, you might want to serve ice cold glasses of lemonade. If the cold will be a concern, then hot chocolate might be in order. Picking the right bridesmaids dresses for either occasion is another essential factor. You can check here for summer and winter designs. Other considerations could be a basket of flip flops near the dance floor for tired feet, mints in the restrooms, or a sewing kit handy for emergencies.

Comfort doesn’t just apply to weather conditions but the venue itself. Is it large enough for all of your guests? Are there several bathroom facilities? Is it climate controlled? These are all excellent questions to consider as you ponder different venue options like an art museum, banquet center, or Pylewell Park (or something similar in your local area). The wrong venue for your wedding will certainly have an effect on both yourself and your guests so choose wisely.

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Destination Wedding:

If you really want to make guests happy, how about a destination wedding? Who doesn’t love a mini vacation paired with a celebration?! Of course, a destination wedding will mean putting your faith in people you aren’t meeting face to face for preparations. Wherever you choose to have your wedding, research your options carefully and opt for video chat as often as you can while communicating. You might find that popular destinations often have planners and professionals specific to the location like this Normanton Church wedding photographer. The people you pick to hire that are the most familiar with that particular place will often ensure the success of your wedding and comfort of guests too.

Avoid Stagnation:

Sitting around waiting for the next part of the main event can quickly kill the mood, not to mention highlight those uncomfortable factors mentioned above. Work with your planner to make sure that things happen in a timely fashion, to keep the day moving along. That includes the ceremony, meals, dancing, and when the bar opens. Speaking of wedding planners, enlisting the help of one could be a game changer. To begin finding the right person to make your day even more special, simply enter a search for “Puerto Vallarta Wedding Planner” (or your local area) and have your ideas ready to brainstorm together.

The Dance Floor:

Speaking of dancing, the idea is to get everyone on the dance floor ASAP. Take your time during your ceremony, but move things along quickly from there. Make sure everyone is fed and has a few drinks in them, then have your first dance and open up the floor. A grooving dance floor is the perfect opportunity for your photography and videography team to capture everyone having a blast together. Then, you can send the photos and videos to your guests afterwards as a keepsake. To begin researching the videography aspect of your wedding, simply enter a search for “Wedding Videographer in Miami” (or your local area). You could watch your wedding video together every anniversary!

The Food:

Quality food is great, but the key to happy guests outside of alcohol is having enough food for everyone. Outside of the main courses, you’ll want to have some sort of catering that allows guests to grab something to eat as they’re walking around.

Since neither food nor alcohol are cheap, many couples have turned to crowdfunding to help foot the bill. While most sites market themselves with a slogan like, “We will help your ideal honeymoon happen,” they’re also a great place to help pay for some of your wedding expenses.

Having guests chip in on the costs of both weddings and honeymoons in lieu of a gift is an excellent way to make them events to remember. While the idea might sound strange from a traditional standpoint, it happens to be trending in the wedding world.

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Everyone wants their big day to be something guests will remember for years to come. By following the advice above, you can do just that. These few key factors are all it takes to wow your guests and throw the wedding of your dreams.

Aug1

Liebster Award #18

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Liebster Award #18

Hi everyone and happy Hump Day! Today, we are going to have some fun going over lifewithlilred’s eighteenth Liebster Award, which I was so kindly nominated for by my friend, Beth, over at World Of Beth. This beautiful gal runs a lovely page filled with stories of delicious food and amazing travel along with some really good notes on health and wellness. Beth’s page is a treat, so do be sure to check it out ASAFP! Now, let’s get on to the rules for this award:

The Rules:

  • Acknowledge the blog that gave it to you and display the award.
  • Answer the 11 questions that the blogger gives you.
  • Give 11 random facts about yourself.
  • Nominate 11 blogs and notify them of their nomination.
  • Give these blogs 11 questions to answer.

Q & A:

Who is your favorite Disney character? The Little Mermaid. 🙂

If you could find out one mystery what would it be? I have no idea!

What is your favorite type of cake? All vanilla everything and I love cheesecake.

If you were Prime Minister what rule would you make? No comment. Spoken like a true person who doesn’t talk politics on their page, lol. :’D

What is your most prized possession? My pearls from my grandma.

Who is your favorite fictional character? Harry Potter!

If there were only two seasons which ones would you pick? Fall and spring. Both are not too hot and not too cold, which is ideal for me.

Do you think we are the only ones to exist in the universe? Nope. The universe is huge and there are many locations left on earth and in space that have yet to be explored. Who’s to say that there might not be some different form of life in our uncharted territories and galaxies?

What are your main goals right now? To settle into my new apartment comfortably.

If you could meet any famous person dead or alive who would it be? Marilyn Manson.

Sweet or Savory? Ooooooh…. Savory, I think!

Fun Facts:

  1. Since everyone seemed shocked when I revealed my height a few posts ago: Yes, I am only 5’1!
  2. I am always down to eat Taco Bell, Chipotle, or Moe’s.
  3. The last movie I saw in theaters was Jurassic World last month. It was pretty good!
  4. I hate the summer time and I can’t wait for fall weather to begin.
  5. I have been on a HUGE Madonna kick lately and I have no idea where this stemmed from.
  6. I have a slight addiction to shopping at TJMaxx, which I blame on my mom and grandma, because we always used to go there when I was little.
  7. Wine spritzers have been my drink of choice lately. So light and summery!
  8. I love taking baths and pampering myself. I can’t wait to go to Lush hopefully sooner than later so that I can restock all of my favorite goodies.
  9. I feel like I eat more pasta than what’s normal for the average human. Lol, carbs are my weakness.
  10. I usually spend my Sundays wearing no makeup and catching up on blogging or my shows on TLC. Guess which one I’m doing right now? 😉
  11. My favorite summer treat is Honey flavored ice cream from Country Maid in Ohio. It is so delicious and sweet and I want to eat it constantly!

My Nominees (I’m only doing three):

My Questions For You:

  1. What is your favorite thing that you have done this summer?
  2. What is your favorite type of weather?
  3. Who is a celebrity that you can’t stand?
  4. What is one of your guilty pleasures?
  5. Do you take pictures on your phone or with a camera?
  6. What is your favorite form of social media?
  7. Other than blogging, what is your preferred hobby?
  8. What was the last series that you binge watched?
  9. What book is on your night stand right now?
  10. Describe a perfect day out.
  11. What is your favorite flower?

Many thanks again to Beth for lifewithlilred’s eighteenth Liebster Award nomination! How would you answer some of the questions that Beth had for her nominees? How about some of my questions for mine? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul31

Nurturing Your Inspiration Is A Vital Requirement

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Nurturing Your Inspiration Is A Vital Requirement

Nurturing your inspiration is a vital requirement if you hope to continually enjoy your best creative self from year to year. Remember that creativity is a fire to be kindled, not a pool that continually refills no matter how you encourage it. Many people think that reading books, watching movies or television, and even playing story-driven video games are simply efforts in pure recreation. However, are they really? Consider what you are doing during this time. You are intellectually absorbing a story, emotionally feeling through the methods the medium is using to present its ideas to you, as well as serving as a way of connecting with narratives that may not be present in your life.

This is why stories and recreational entertainment will always be a powerful tool for inspiration. For example, no good writer has ever managed to write an amazing book without being skilled in the art of reading or understanding the narrative elements that help a book come to full fruition. Every painter can list their favorite paintings. Even some of the best stories known are inspired projects. For all of the incredible writing and extremely polished narrative arcs of the Harry Potter series, even JK Rowling herself has credited the New Testament and Joseph Campell’s ‘The Hero’s Journey’ as helping her formulate the basis of her efforts.

It’s likely that you understand the need for inspiration. But how can you find it in the world around you? Are there methods of helping you attain this without difficulty, or do you need to work at it in order to kindle your levels? Well, not entirely. Consider the following:

Live Theater:

Live theater offers the power of presenting us a story in a dramatized fashion and, as such, can be tremendously useful to see the full visceral and creative power of a story. In order to make the most of this experience, you need to stay present, and also know what to look for in the first place. Heading to the theatre can be an absolutely essential experience for many people, but not enough people head to the shows that aren’t mainstream. The theatre can completely transfix you in thought, show you a story with more intimacy than a movie or TV series ever could, and inspire you with the creative beauty and excellence of actors and dramatists in their prime.

Go to a hit show, like Sleep No More in order to feel sustained, or find your favorite theatre practitioner and decide to view many different plays in their style. Some of the best shows, such as Sleep No More, are adaptions of some of the most famous plays of all time, such as Shakespeare’s Macbeth. There are reasons stories such as these have survived for hundreds of years, and they deserve your attention. This historical performance and memorable peak that is presented to you can really inspire you. How could it not? Heading outside of your comfort zone and to a show like this could be the first bedrock of inspiration you consider applying to your life.

Biographies:

Literature can teach us many things. It can serve as a means of not only shaping the world around us by depending on it artistically but can help us learn the lessons of a period, become intimate with a setting, or understand human nature through both fictional and real-life vessels documented with beautiful language. If you rarely read, you are sorely missing out.

However, instead of insisting that you read Tolstoy or Dostoyevsky in order to feel inspired, sometimes nurturing your own motivation and creative interest on a personal level can be best achieved by reading the biographies of those who you most respect. From people who have managed to turn challenges into beacons of positivity such as Michael J. Fox, or historical figures that spearheaded a movement such as Mary Wollstonecraft, biographies have the power to help us feel and think as a person who we admire.

You might find biographies that inspire you to work out, help you through an injury, or to help you manage loss. Remember that you are human too, so connecting to others through this personal yet private experience can help kindle your inspiration.

Personal Achievements:

Of course, finding inspiration needn’t come from others. Sometimes, you should look to yourself for this. Remember, it’s likely that you are much more amazing than you think and have completed many great achievements that your modesty will not allow you to celebrate. Remember your best self, because this is who you are underneath everything. Understanding this and reminding you of it can help you bring that side of you out more often, and can generally help you feel more comfortable using that side of you to conduct most matters of your life. If you make this effort, you are sure to experience inspiration.

With these tips, you are sure to feel fueled and nourished from day to day as a more inspired individual.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jul31

See Ya, July

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See Ya, July

Hello everyone! Today is the last day of another wonderful month here on lifewithlilred and I just wanted to thank all of you for spending it with me. I also wanted to give all of you the heads up that a fall themed guest bloggers series is coming up soon. YOU KNOW WHY?! Well, obviously because I love all autumn everything. AND, because I’ll need some extra help around the blog when I move into my apartment at the end of August or early September!!

This is all very exciting and it also means that we’re going to be delving deeper into home decor and how to create your dream space on a budget! Here’s to another fun, fashion, and beauty filled month on lifewithlilred, and I’ll see you all in August! Much love. -Sarah

Jul30

If The Shoe Fits: Free People Edition

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If The Shoe Fits: Free People Edition

Hellooo everyone and welcome to another wonderful week here on lifewithlilred! Today, we are going to discuss a new pair of kicks from a brand that I have admired from afar for many a year now – that being: Free People. Oh, Free People. So boho. So chic. So fun. SO. FREAKING. EXPENSIVE!!!! Trust and believe that if I didn’t get these shoes at TJMaxx, then buying them would be completely out of the question. Honestly, the TJ’s price was steep for me. BUT, these cute boots were too fabulous to pass up on and I can’t have a guilty conscience weighing me down. Check it out:

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Aside from being a total label whore about finally owning something by Free People, there is a lot that I love about these wedges. And, by a lot, I mean: EVERYTHING. The off white color, the chunky, platform-esque heel, the sparkly pale pink laces. Ugh, they’re perfect.<3

These Free People bootie boots are like a high fashion version of Timberland’s, which is a lot better than it sounds, I promise! Because, seriously, the styling potential for these knows no bounds and, if done properly, they can be an all four seasons pair of shoes. I love the idea of stomping around in the leaves with these bad boys during the fall, but I can totally picture myself avoiding puddles in them during a rainy spring day. And, the neutral off white allows you to rock them with anything and everything while still looking fashion forward. Sweet!

Do I plan on purchasing Free People clothing and shoes from TJMaxx constantly? No, definitely not. But, am I happy to have gotten my new boots to upgrade my fall footwear? Definitely! 😀

What is a brand that you admire from afar? How would you style these boots? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul29

More New Clothes!

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More New Clothes!

Howdy! Right about now marks the time when I love to shop, because fall clothes are beginning to be introduced in stores. And, as we all know, fall is Lil Red’s season. The clothes, the weather, the activities, the clothes – I love it all! But, most importantly, I love the clothes! Fall fashion is the jam. From cozy sweaters and cute boots to layering all the things, my fashion sense truly shines in autumn.

To help kick start my fall wardrobe, some online shopping at TJMaxx was a must, and I was able to welcome these pretty little numbers home. Check it out:

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  • Faux Leather Skirt by BB Dakota: $20
  • Rust Colored Sweater by Lush: $10

The midi skirt is an article of clothing that I have admired from afar for a long time. Because of my 5’1 stature, most midi skirts end up looking maxi on me, until this BB Dakota one came along. I. Love. It. So. Much. It fits at my natural waist instead of on my hips, so the extra length doesn’t go down my legs but, rather, up my torso to make for a real midi skirt instead of a maxi. And the faux leather floral material? Forget about it.

This skirt is going to look amazing with a pair of heeled booties, a tucked in black sweater, and a denim jacket over the top if it’s a bit chilly out. I am so excited to finally be able to style my first midi skirt and am looking forward to hopefully finding more midis that I can actually wear as a midi in the future!

And, we can’t forget about the ten dolla holla sweater by Lush! This top is so totally comfy and the colors are so totally perfect for fall AND for me. Rust orange is one of my favorite colors to wear, because it’s deep enough that it doesn’t clash against my bright red hair. Instead, it plays up with my pasty pale skin tone and creates a really nice look overall.

You really can’t beat a brand new sweater for ten dollars and I am psyched to wear it already. This is a perfect lazy fall day top, because all you need do is pair it with a good pair of skinnies and boots and go. Love it!

What is your favorite season to dress for? How would you style the above clothing? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul28

Making Big Purchases Possible Even If You Are In Debt

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Making Big Purchases Possible Even If You Are In Debt

In late 2017, Americans had an all-time high outstanding debt total of $13.1 trillion. Experts also estimate that “student loan balances soared by 146%” in the last 10 years, and that roughly 80% of Americans are in debt. If you are one of the millions of people who find themselves under a mountain of student loan, credit card, or personal loan debt, you’re not alone. As a result of the level of debt that most individuals carry, many are delaying the process of making big life purchases (e.g. homes, cars). However, there are many instances in which big purchases are not completely avoidable.

Need to make a big purchase while in debt? Explore three expert strategies to make your goals a reality:

Figure out where your money is going:

Having a large amount of debt doesn’t mean that you can’t make big purchases. Although you have to be more strategic in your approach, there is almost always a way to find the funds you need. The first (and most crucial) step that you should take, is to find out where your money is going. In other words, it’s time to create a budget (if you haven’t done so already). One study recently revealed that “only 41% of Americans use a budget.” While many people see a budget as something that is restrictive, it will actually show you how much money you have leftover after paying your bills. This enables you to know how much money you have to put aside toward your big purchase.

Make a savings plan (if possible):

The best strategy for making a big purchase while in debt is to not add more of it. Rather than applying for another credit card or loan right away, see what you can do to save up for the item that you need. Since you’ve already made a budget, you should know exactly how much you can set aside each week. If your finances and timing allow, create a savings goal and an estimated date for when you plan to reasonably reach that milestone. Depending on the urgency of the big purchase you’ll be making, see how long you can go without in order to avoid further debt.

Quickly clean up your credit if you will need financing:

Need to make a big purchase right away? Whether you have to find a replacement car or appliance, you may not be able to pay off all of your existing debt before going into more debt. What should you do if this is the case? Prior to making the purchase, do whatever you can to quickly clean up your credit. Experts recommend paying down your revolving credit balances as much as possible, looking for and disputing any errors on your credit report, and continuing to make all payments on time. Any boost to your credit score (and reduction of your current debt) will give you the best chance of getting approved for a new loan, and for receiving a low interest rate.

Although it can seem daunting, making a big purchase while in debt is possible. Utilizing the tips listed above will help you reduce the impact to your current financial situation, and assist you in achieving your goal.

Featured Image By: Unsplash