Dec5

Feet Treat

Posted on by
Standard
Feet Treat

Hey everyone and happy Tuesday! Last year for Christmas, my BFF treated me to some fun products to pamper my feetsies with. It’s sad but true that I’m just getting around to using it, but that doesn’t mean that I like it any less! These footsie fabulous goodies from Perfectly Posh are SO delightful to use, and my DOGS (AKA feet!) have never been the same. Let’s discuss:

posh

The appropriately named Warm Your Sole and Schwanky & Soft products by Perfectly Posh are amazing. I like to put a dollop of both on my hands and mix it up to get the best of both worlds on my feet. And, of course, covering them with socks afterwards is a must for the best hydrating effects.

The Warm Your Sole balm is SO nice! It’s basically like The Body Shop’s clay warming mask but for your feet, because it literally gets warm. Having freshly heated tootsies in my freezing home is a blessing in disguise, but when my feet get smooth and soft in the process – it’s a downright miracle.

Meanwhile, the Schwanky & Soft product is more like a scrub. It has the texture of a lotion but with some extra grit thrown in to help remove dry and dead skin. This is great for me, because my heels get unbearably dry during the winter. And no one, especially me, likes cracked feet!

Having the combination of the warming balm and scrub working their wonders on my feetsies feels so lush, because I rarely pay attention to them. I don’t get pedicures and, until now, I’ve never really used lotion on my feet before. After using these products for a few days, I find that downright shocking – especially considering that I’m constantly shoving my feet into heels every day! Even after I finish these products, I want to continue caring for my feet more as an extra addition to my pampering parties. How can I not?!

Although it’s taken me close to a year to start using these Perfectly Posh products, I am so enjoying it and it’s definitely a Feet Treat! How do you treat your tootsies? Do you prefer manicures or pedicures? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec4

Fashion Forward Fido

Posted on by
Standard
Fashion Forward Fido

Howdy! This is a guest post written by my friend, Mat, over at WileyPup.com. Mat and I both share a love for man’s best friend and his post is going to teach you how to give your pooch all of the pampering it so deserves. Take a look:

Fashion Forward Fido

Not everyone associates dogs with style…but you may find that a little investment in your furry friend’s looks goes a long way to complimenting your own personal style and adding a whole new level to your four legged friendship!

Great Grooming: Like basic hygiene for people, great grooming is the bedrock of a good look for pooches. If you decide to groom from home, be sure you have the right gear:

Clippers – If you have a canine with long growing hair like a Poodle or Maltese, then you may be spending lots of money at the groomer. If you invest in quality clippers and a little time to learn trimming basics, you could get the job done at home and reap big savings.

Nail Grinder – A good look must include a manicure! If you have had trouble keeping up with your pup’s claws using a traditional nail clipper, give a grinder a try. They are easy to use and unlike the scissor style nail trimmers, you won’t nip the quick. Ouch! Plus, you get a perfectly rounded edge rather than a sharp nail tip. Pretty and practical!

Dog Bath Tub – If you have a petite pet, you might be lucky enough to be able to give your little buddy a bath in the sink. If not, you are probably used to bending over and fussing with trying to give a bath in the tub. Invest in an elevated dog bath to take the chore out of this necessary grooming activity.

DIY Couture: If you are crafty, your dog is a blank canvas waiting for you to create a couture masterpiece! Think of your pooch as an opportunity to showcase some accessories that highlight your own personal style.

Sewing – There are tons of great fashion ideas for pups that involve very basic sewing skills. Whether you want boho-chic, hipster, or high fashion, a new look is just a trip to the fabric store and a few stitches away. Pinterest is a great starting place for inspiration!

Knitting – Regardless of your knitting skills, you can find fantastic patterns for your furry friend in any size. If you want to go simple, try a doggy muffler (AKA The Snood). It is as simple as knitting a tube in your favorite colors that slips over your dog’s head. Want to really showcase some knits and pearls? Try a cabled sweater custom made just for your buddy.

muffler.jpg

D’awe!

Upcycled – One of the biggest trends in DIY fashion of any kind is the huge potential to repurpose the fabrics and notions from worn or outdated clothing. You will be surprised at how easy it is to craft a custom sweater or jacket from some simple modifications to clothing that you are already done with.

Doggy Decor: Our canine friends can add some clutter to our indoor spaces. If you like a more finished look to your home, there is plenty of opportunity to create a dog friendly interior design that fits your decor style. Here are some ideas to get your creative juices flowing:

Feeding Station – Rather than kicking around loose dog bowls on the floor, consider building or buying a feeding station that is a custom fit for your kitchen decor. Bonus: Getting your pup’s food off of the floor has potential health benefits like preventing bloat and irritation of the esophagus.

doggoo.jpg

So cute!

Custom Crates – If your furry friend is crate trained, then you may have one of those unsightly metal wire crates in one of the corners of your house. Consider making a design upgrade with a custom cloth cover to match your decor. Or, if it is in your budget, check out the latest crates designed to look and function as furniture for a completely finished look. Etsy has some great examples if you are looking for something handmade.

Upcycled Dog Bed – The dog beds available at most large pet shops tend to look tattered and worn within a few months. Even at their best, they don’t add much to the ambiance of a room. However, there are great ideas that require few skills and tools to build a simple bed frame to create a neat and tidy look in any style. Think suitcases, dresser drawers, or end tables for a quick and easy transformation of your canine’s sleeping quarters.

Have Fun! We hope this article has given you some bright ideas for updating your doggy style. Make sure to keep it low pressure and high fashion. Your pooch will appreciate the extra attention and compliments they get on being a Fashion Forward Fido!

ffff2

Author Bio: Mat Coulton has worked with dogs for just under a decade and is the founder of WileyPup.com, a doggy lover’s website that provides great tips and advice for pet parents everywhere.

Thanks, Mat! ❤

Dec4

NYX Pure Red Matte Lippie Swatch

Posted on by
Standard
NYX Pure Red Matte Lippie Swatch

HELLOOOO everyone and happy Monday! I constantly get asked what shade of lipstick I wear for my signature red pout and I’m actually really surprised that I never posted about it until now. I guess I wanted to keep it my little secret, but today I’m going to share the wealth by talking about NYX’s Pure Red matte lipstick. Take a look and let’s discuss:

red6red8red7mee3meeeeeee3meeemeeeeeee1lilreddselfieeee1

^^^ OH LOOK – A bunch of pictures of me sporting Pure Red!

I started wearing this NYX matte wonder shade about three years ago, and I have never looked back a day in my life. Throughout the years, I have tried other red colors, but truly nothing beats Pure Red. And what an accurate name it is. Talk about a “Pure” firetruck, stop sign, Crayola crayon red pout. It’s exactly what I wanted…and more. :*)

While searching for a signature shade of red, a few things were a must for me:

  1. It had to be matte. Homegirl doesn’t mess with anything glossy.
  2. It couldn’t be too red. I don’t want to look like a vampire/goth girl – Even though, let’s be honest, I totally am.
  3. It couldn’t be not red enough. Other shades are too orangey and that equals me looking like a clown. Not cute.

With all of these essential guidelines to Lil Red’s Perfect Red Lip, you could only imagine my difficulty in finding the perfect shade…and that’s when NYX came along. I had actually never heard of the brand until the grocery store that I go to started carrying it and, let me tell you, I initially went crazy. They had a sale to introduce the brand, and I bought FIVE lipsticks, Pure Red being one of them.

One by one, each lipstick that I chose sucked in one way or another but it was Pure Red that stuck. It had everything that I wanted in the above list and the matte was just fantastic. This lippie Does. Not. Budge!! This is important, because 1) I really like to eat. And 2) I friggen hate reapplying lipstick. Every single thing about this lipstick was right on the money, and it became my staple shade instantly.

Along with my red hair, NYX’s Pure Red lipstick gave me my namesake of Lil Red. It will always be my favorite shade and I will always opt to wear it over any other brand. And at about seven bucks a tube, you really can’t beat that! From date nights and special occasions to a shopping trip to the mall, this shade covers it all, and you will rarely see me on a night out without it. Thank you, NYX. ❤

Do you have a signature lipstick shade? How do you rock a red pout? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

graduationpic1urban1brit35brit20conference1

^^^ Guess what lippie shade I have on! 😉

Dec3

NYX Liquid Suede Stone Fox Swatch

Posted on by
Standard
NYX Liquid Suede Stone Fox Swatch

Helloooo everyone and happy Sunday! I hope that all of you are having a lovely weekend full of fun, friends, and family. Today, I thought that we would talk about a lipstick that I have no genuine idea why I bought, but I figured it would be beneficial to someone out there to see the swatch for. We’re talking NYX’s Liquid Suede lipstick in Stone Fox. Take a looksee and let’s discuss:

nyx2nyx1nyx4nyx3

First of all, I love NYX products. My all time favorite shade of red lippie is NYX and I will be sure to write about it later, because it is divine. This shade for me, though? Not so much. I was stoked when the Liquid Suede line came out, because it offered an array of different jewel toned shades that all looked gorgeous. It also featured the color seen above, Stone Fox.

The Liquid Suede line came out at just the right time, because that’s when jewel tones and black/grey lipstick was becoming extremely popular. I had seen dark grey and black lippie shades all over the blogosphere, and I really wanted to give it a try. I am an emo kid at heart, and the idea of wearing a dark, almost costume style lip and have it be seen as fashion forward instead of weird was exhilarating to me.

Unfortunately, the exhilaration of the prospect of a charcoal lip was short lived. I tried this shade on at home and it looked like SHIT on me. Seriously, it looked like I smeared car grease all over my mouth and it was anything but fashion forward. It’s a damn shame, because all of the girls that I have seen rocking this trend look stunning. So, why not me? Well, there’s a few reasons:

  • This color looked a lot “much” with my face full of piercings.
  • This color looked abysmal when paired with my bright red hair.
  • And, at the end of the day, your girl was just not meant for charcoal lips.

Whomp, whomp.

In a desperate attempt to get this lippie off once I realized that it looked like I ate paint, I applied a lavender shade of chapstick over top of it, because this product doesn’t budge once it dries. Shockingly, the Stone Fox mixed with the lavender looked like a really pretty, smokey lilac and I loved it. BUT, ain’t nobody got time for that and despite liking the concocted color, it just wasn’t for me. That story was just an idea for the girls interested in giving this shade a go. YOU’RE WELCOME! :*)

I do like trying new lipstick colors but, true to my namesake, Lil Red will always love red lipstick the best! How do you feel about black and jewel toned lipstick? Could you pull off charcoal colored lips? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec2

Face Mask Festivities: St. Ives Oatmeal Scrub & Mask

Posted on by
Standard
Face Mask Festivities: St. Ives Oatmeal Scrub & Mask

Helloooo everyone and welcome to the last post in my Face Mask Festivities mini series! Today, we are going to talk about a brand that I love oh so very much – St. Ives. I use St. Ives products every day, whether it be a scrub or body wash, and I always thoroughly enjoy using their skin care and bath and body goodies. The Oatmeal scrub that I’m currently using just so happens to double as a face mask, so I thought that I would finally use a beloved product in a brand new way. Take a look and let’s discuss:

stives1stivesstives2

I was curious to see how this mask would work, because I’ve used it as a scrub countless times but never really bothered to try it differently. I love this St. Ives product as a scrub, but not so much as a mask. The mask instructions read to leave it on for five to seven minutes and I genuinely don’t know how that’s possible. Within about three minutes, this mask felt tight, tight, tight on my face and had already hardened from its dampened form. As you can see by my “after” pic, it left my skin quite irritated and I had to use a heavy moisturizer to get my skin feeling hydrated again.

I will say that this mask smells absolutely delicious. I am a sucker for oatmeal scented products, and this one is no exception. There’s something about the rich, creamy scents that just get me. It makes my skin feel nourished and well taken care of and I really love that. Now, if only this mask made me feel that way, because it left my skin parched for moisture rather than lush and lovely.

The entire time that I had this mask on, although it was short lived, I was thinking about how much I would rather be using The Body Shop’s Honey & Oat Mask, instead. From now on, this St. Ives product is going to stick to its uses as a scrub, because that is where this skin care treat shines.

So there you have it, the last post for this round’s Face Mask Festivities: St. Ives Oatmeal Scrub & Mask Edition! Which mask from this series would you like to try? What are your thoughts on this mask if you have ever used it before? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Cision

Dec1

Why You Should Encourage Your Kids To Study Abroad

Posted on by
Standard
Why You Should Encourage Your Kids To Study Abroad

There are lots of reasons parents should encourage their children to study abroad. This article will offer an insight into the situation and help to identify all of the benefits. Hopefully, this post will answer your questions and highlight all the reasons your loved ones should travel for their education:

Learning about a new culture:

One of the best things about studying abroad is that your kids will experience a new culture first hand. This should help to turn them into well-rounded individuals with empathy for alternative ways of life. It could even encourage your child to adopt parts of the culture themselves.

Meeting a varied group of friends:

It’s vital that everyone has a varied group of friends if they want to understand the world with a better perception. Studying abroad could help to knock down some of the barriers that might prevent your loved one from following things that happen around the world while ignoring propaganda.

Getting a better level of education:

There is no getting away from the fact that some universities and colleges in foreign countries perform better than those at home. So, by sending your kids abroad; you could ensure that they get the best education possible.

Now that you know about some of the main reasons why you should encourage your kids to study abroad; it’s time to research schools and universities in some of the most popular locations. Put a plan in place as early as possible because there are many things to consider when putting your child on a plane to a new country.


Designed by spotahome

Dec1

Liebster Award #13

Posted on by
Standard
Liebster Award #13

Hello everyone and TGIF! Lifewithlilred was recently nominated for its thirteenth Liebster Award compliments of the darling Victoria of Tashnee.V.Mavee. Victoria runs a delightful blog ranging from beauty and lifestyle to men’s fashion. Her page is a real treat, so do be sure to check it out and give it lots of love! Now, let’s get on to the award rules:

The Rules:

  • Post the instructions for accepting the award and passing it on.
  • Create a new blog post on your page thanking the person that nominated you, link to their blog, and put in a graphic of the award.
  • Answer the questions that were provided, and then share some facts about yourself.
  • Create a new set of your own questions for others to answer.
  • Nominate ten others and share your blog post with them so they can accept their award!

Fun Facts:

  1. I just started teaching myself American Sign Language with books from the library and I love it. Once I get a good understanding of signing, I will be trilingual.
  2. I would like to start learning Italian or Spanish once I am done with ASL.
  3. Learning new languages in my twenties is difficult, but it’s rewarding and gives your brain an amazing work out!

Q & A:

Besides blogging what do you do? I work with people with special needs and I coach figure skating for the Special Olympics.

If you could be President of your country for one day, what would you change in your country and why? Uhhh…Can I change the president, please?

Name three people who inspire you when it comes to blogging? My family, my friends, and myself.

Why did you start blogging? Enough people told me to!

Name your favorite gospel music: No comment. Lol, I am an Atheist so no gospel music for me.

My Nominees (I’m only doing three):

My Questions For You:

  1. Coffee or tea?
  2. Wine or beer?
  3. Sweet or sour?
  4. Cold weather or warm?
  5. Favorite holiday memory?

Thank you so much to Victoria for lifewithlilred’s lucky thirteenth Liebster Award nomination! How would you answer some of Victoria’s questions for me? How about some of my questions for my nominees? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov30

When Eclectic = Frugal

Posted on by
Standard
When Eclectic = Frugal

Having an eclectic taste has been a fashionable choice for a while. It means that you don’t just go into one store, buy everything there, and have a perfectly matching house and wardrobe. Instead, you have found things that really speak to your personality and created an interior with a most interesting dynamic.

But sometimes, what eclectic means is frugal.

You didn’t shop at just one store because you know where the better deals lie. You are willing to trawl through flea markets to find a vintage sofa half price and you know that inheriting things from your parents and grandparents is the best way to fill any home.

Need a bit of help to get started? Here’s what you do:

Set A Budget & Save:

When you’re trying to get along on very little money, setting budgets for yourself is the best way to manage your finances. Not only will you see just how hard you have to work for each thing, you will also be able to set a realistic time frame to get what you want. If you can take on odd jobs here and there or find ways to make extra income, you will certainly benefit and get your want list faster.

Make a list of all of the things that you need and want in your house. This should include everything from the necessaries like a sofa to the more decorative, like mirrors or cool TV stands. Put a rough estimate on how much you would like to spend on each thing, then put them in order of priority. So, if you have nothing to sit on, the sofa will come at the top, if you already have a sofa that will do, it goes at the bottom. Now you can see how much you need to earn and save and can gradually tick things off of the list.

Make Do & Mend:

To bring the price of your list down, you should look for opportunities to make do with the things you have. Mending a sofa could be cheaper than buying a new one, so have a look at what you’ve got and see what you can do with it. This attitude is also really helpful in charity shops and flea markets that sell second hand furniture. If you think that something is salvageable, you could get a really good bargain on it. When you are in the habit of making the most of what you’ve got, buying new just won’t have the same charm.

Upcycling AKA Recycling:

Staying on the sofa theme, upcycling is often a really good way to make something old and worn new and beautiful. At the very heart of the eclectic style is the idea that you can reupholster any classic sofa in a vibrant modern fabric and achieve a completely new and beautiful look.

You should also be on the lookout for things that you can use in other ways, too. You would be surprised at the things you can make use of to great effect. Have you ever thought of using colanders as a set of bath shelves? No? Here’s how you can make that happen!

Eclectic is cool and is a great way to ball on a budget. Let your personal style shine through with quirky choices and turn your home into a charming space in no time.

Featured Image By: Flickr

Nov30

Face Mask Festivities: The Body Shop’s Vitamin E Sleeping Mask Edition

Posted on by
Standard
Face Mask Festivities: The Body Shop’s Vitamin E Sleeping Mask Edition

Hi everyone and Happy Thursday! Today, we’re going to talk about The Body Shop’s Vitamin E Sink-In Moisture Sleeping Mask. Out of all of the wonderful skin care lines that The Body Shop offers, Vitamin E is definitely my favorite. I love the rich, creamy texture, the rich, creamy smell, and the peaches and cream perfection effect that it has on my skin. Take a look at some pics and let’s discuss:

fmf5fmf7

In the picture above, I had just put on the Vitamin E mask after using the British Rose mask that we chatted about yesterday. My skin felt very tight and dry after using the British Rose mask and the Vitamin E one took care of that in an instant. Within just a few minutes, the rosiness in my cheeks was gone and my skin felt supple and hydrated. Thank gawd, because nothing is worse than dry skin during the winter!

In the intro paragraph, I mentioned how much I love the smell of all of the Vitamin E products and that rings so true with this mask. As soon as you open the jar, it smells like opening a fresh carton of heavy cream and it’s so lush and dreamy. The pillowy soft texture is also another lovely added bonus. As soon as this mask hits the skin, it sinks in and provides instant moisturizing protection. Talk about a tall drink of water for your face!

I always love going to bed with this mask on, because I know that when I wake up my skin will be picture perfect and so soft to the touch. The six dollar price tag from TJMaxx also doesn’t hurt when you want gorgeous skin but are ballin on a budget! I highly recommend this mask and am looking forward to many more uses of it.

So there you have it, another issue of Face Mask Festivities: The Body Shop’s Vitamin E Sleeping Mask Edition! What is your favorite skin care line from The Body Shop? What are your thoughts on this mask if you have used it before? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov29

Are You Cut Out For A Career In The Medical Field?

Posted on by
Standard
Are You Cut Out For A Career In The Medical Field?

These days, if you cast your eye around for in-demand careers, it’s likely you’ll find plenty in the medical field. By ‘medical field’ we’re talking about all of the different careers and jobs in hospitals and other places of work related to medicine. So, that’s already a pretty broad stretch of jobs!

The reason they’re so in-demand is that people always need medical assistance. The population is getting older and older, which means more people are in hospitals and getting medical treatment. Therefore, healthcare institutions need all hands on deck, and they’re constantly looking for new employees.

Immediately, this might strike you as a great career move. After all, one of the hardest things in life is trying to find a job when there aren’t many available. Within this field there are plenty of jobs going, whether you are looking to build a new medical practice or join an existing team, there’s every chance that you’ll find work easily. However, things aren’t quite that simple in the medical field. These types of jobs possess certain challenges that you might not be cut out for. So, before you start aligning your career path, answer these questions to see if you’re a good fit for a medical job:

Do you like working long and unpredictable shifts?

Doctors, nurses, surgeons, consultants, and any other medical professional will not have a typical working life. They don’t always get the classic 9-5 shifts every single day. More often than not, particularly when working in a hospital, the shift patterns are sporadic. You could be in for some hours in the early morning or late at night, and this could completely change the next day/week. If you want to pursue a medical career, you need to enjoy this element of unpredictability. But, if you’re someone that loves a strict schedule and wants to work 9-5 Monday-Friday, then this is definitely not the right career move for you.

Are you prepared to study…a lot?

If your answer is a resounding yes, then this is the right career path for you, and it could be time to start looking for those open residency positions. With some careers in some industries, you can get away without studying much or having a lot of educational qualifications. Here, it’s the complete opposite. Take a look at your standard hospital and you’ll find that every single job requires a degree or qualifications of some sort. Nurses need to undergo RN courses to qualify for work, doctors have to study medical degrees, and so on.

Then, you have further studying to advance your medical career. A nurse can study a 100% online RN to BSN program while they work, to gain more qualifications to be able to perform more jobs. A doctor can go back to university and train to become a surgeon or specialist doctor, and so on. No matter which way you turn, education is at the forefront of your medical career. So, if you’re not prepared to study, don’t even think about it.

school

Ready to hit the books?

Can you cope well with pressure?

This is a simple yes or no answer question. If the answer is yes, then you may fare well in this line of work. If the answer is no, well, you might want to look at a different career path. Every type of medical job will be conducted under immense pressure. You may have strict time constraints, which means that you’re rushing around in an emergency situation. Or, you have certain rules and things that you need to pay very close attention to, for the patient’s safety, meaning you’re under even more pressure. If you’re the type of person that thrives under pressure, then you might have found the ideal career option.

Are you able to handle stress?

Similarly, are you able to handle intense periods of stress? Everyone gets stressed, it’s just part of life. However, there’s no denying that some people cope better than others. For anyone out there that knows how to handle and manage stress by meditating or finding ways to relax, then you’ll survive a career in the medical field. It’s no secret that working in medicine is extremely stressful. It goes back to the point about pressure. Being under intense pressure day after day is bound to cause stress. But, if you can manage it, then go for it!

Are you a people person?

If you’ve gone through all of the previous questions and still think that you’re cut out for a job in the medical field, then this is your final test; are you a people person? Do you like talking to other people and being around other people? Is this something you’re confident at doing, or do you always shy away from others? Naturally, working as a medical professional, all of your daily tasks will involve interactions with other humans. You’ll work as part of a team and need to be good at working with others. But, most importantly, you need to be excellent at talking to patients – which can sometimes be more difficult than you think!

medd4

Are you a team player?

If you answered yes to all five questions, then woohoo! A career in the medical field could possibly be for you. If you are interested in the medical field, or even public health in general, then you may be interested in this public health education degree. It’s a big decision to make, but you should always make sure to follow your interests when it comes down to it. Don’t let the downsides of a field push you away from your passions.

Featured Image By: Pixabay