Nov7

Hot Jams For A Cold Day

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Hot Jams For A Cold Day

Hi everyone and happy Tuesday! As all of you know, I have a deep love for my iPod and my beloved music collection. Recently, I solidified this passion by purchasing a hot pink 128 gig iPod so that I never have to worry about running out of memory space ever again. I’ve been so happy to add new music onto my iPod after a long hiatus of not doing so because of the memory issue. I even treated my mom to my old iPod so that she can rock out to all of her funky time favorites. And, best believe that I’m rocking out to all of my funky time favorites, too! Check it out:

As you can see, I’ve been really feeling Marilyn Manson lately, but then again – when am I not? His two most recent albums, The Pale Emperor and Heaven Upside Down, are so fantastic to me and although I do love old school Manson, his new music has me swooning. And, I know I’m a little late to the party, but I am so enjoying Glass Animal’s most recent album, How To Be A Human Being. We’ll blame that on not having enough memory on my iPod.

I have had the pleasure of seeing both Marilyn Manson and Glass Animals in concert, so any chance that I get to binge listen to either or is one that I take gladly. It’s nice to listen to a band that you have seen live before, because you get to relive the concert in your head every time you hear them in your car or while you’re getting ready for the day. So, if you happen to be around me and are sick of hearing my main man Marilyn Manson or one of my fave bands, Glass Animals, THEN SORRY NOT SORRY, because I don’t think that my binge listening fix will be ending any time soon!!

So there you have it, some Hot Jams For A Cold Day! Which artists are you loving right now? Who should I add to my must listen list? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

PS: As always, I have no rights to any of the songs or videos seen above.

Nov6

Monday Update: Netflix Game On Point Edition

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Monday Update: Netflix Game On Point Edition

Hi everyone and happy Monday! Okay, so I have been Netflix and chilling with myself a lot lately. It has been cold and damp in Ohio this past week, which is the type of weather that makes me want to curl up in a blanket burrito and emerge brand new in the spring. But, since this isn’t an option, movie marathons have been a total must once I’m finished with work for the day.

As all of you know, I am a horror movie junkie and October brought an amazing list of scary movies to the Netflix lineup. Saw one through seven, Hostel, Silent Hill, the list goes on. This past week on my day off, I treated myself to a Saw movie marathon and Taco Bell and it was honestly one of the best days ever. I am so looking forward to seeing the new Jigsaw movie hopefully soon, too!

I have also been really feeling Rob Zombie movies as of late, so the Halloween season gave me an excuse to watch 31, The Devil’s Rejects, and the Lords of Salem. Are all of the aforementioned movies for everyone? Absolutely not. But, to me, there is nothing better than snuggling up on a grey day with not much to do and binge watching the hours away.

Not only is a veg out session fun and good for the soul but the process of selecting movies is enjoyable too. Recommendations from friends, reviews from websites like hellhorror.com, or streaming services like Shudder are all beneficial in finding must watch scary movies. However, when I’m not feeling like doing a ton of research for a flick, I just like to scroll through at random and watch what I land on. It can be hit or miss but it keeps things interesting!

Halloween and the amazing seventh season of American Horror Story have put me in the spooky spirit, especially since I didn’t get to celebrate until this weekend by going to a haunted house! My upcoming Netflix lineup includes rewatching the first season of Slasher and then watching the newly released second season. And, of course, breaking up the gore fest with I Love You, Man and other silly comedies is definitely in order!

So there you have it, this week’s Monday Update: Netflix Game On Point Edition! What is on your Netflix watch list? What other horror movies/TV shows do I need to see? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov5

Feeling Blah

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Feeling Blah

Hi everyone and happy Sunday! Is it just me or are any of you guys feeling totally blah lately? I recently started going to therapy at the beginning of October and it has had me in quite a tizzy. That, on top of the changing weather, the darkness that falls in the early evening, and the stressers of daily life has left me feeling completely lackluster.

Now, I get it, life isn’t always sunshine, puppies, and rainbows (I wish!) – but that doesn’t mean that having the blues doesn’t freaking suck! Everything in Lil Red’s world at the moment has just been that step below average. So the not good but closer to bad doldrums have hit me like a ton of bricks. And once those feelings make camp in your head, it’s so hard to shake them.

I try not to be a complainer and god knows I try to just grin and bear it, but boy is it exhausting. I have found solace in Netflix and chilling with myself in between my work schedule but I think that I have become wayyy too comfortable just sinking into the couch and trying to forget my worries in a binge watching session.

So how does one peel themselves off of their futon and start taking life by the horns again? Shit, I don’t know! That’s why I’m asking you guys! Lol, but seriously I need to take a deep breath, get up, and just go. Yes, it’s easier to lose myself in a Saw movie marathon but it would be better to do things that are good for me to clear some of the fog in my head. But, man is it hard sometimes!

What do you do to ease some of the blahs in your brain? How do you get yourself going again after a stint with depression? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Pinterest

Nov4

Travel Sizes: Little But Fierce

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Travel Sizes: Little But Fierce

Hi everyone and welcome to the weekend! Because of my Manhattan travels last month for AnkhorRed’s Bloggers Conference, I was finally able to break out one of my many travel sized shower gels from Bath & Body Works, compliments of my freebie coupons. I have to say, I’m nothing short of impressed. Take a look and let’s discuss:

“Though she be but little, she is fierce!” – William Shakespeare

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Do you want to know how long it took to finish this three fluid ounce sized B&BW shower gel? ALMOST THREE WEEKS!!!! Three entire weeks of using a mini shower gel, says the girl who can finish a full sized body wash in a month flat? Yeah, you heard right.

BUT HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?!

I’ve been racking my brains trying to figure out how this could be and I only have two solutions that makes sense. With a normal sized shower gel, I was so convinced that it would never run out that I would use way more than what was necessary. And, also, I really really like taking bubble baths. And when you combine these two factors, it just leads to using the body wash in excess, which causes me to use it up way faster than the average Joe.

HOW WASN’T THE SHOWER GEL FINISHED IN THREE DAYS?!

I’ve been racking my brains trying to figure out how this could be and I only have one solution that makes sense. I honestly just think that I wanted to see how long I could make this itty bitty travel sized gel last. I was able to see clearly how much body wash that I had left, thanks to the clear packaging, and every day that I went without finishing it, I tried to see if I could tack on another. And, the Bath & Body Works gel lathers really nicely, so I still felt squeaky clean without having to use an excess amount.

Using this travel sized product was an extremely eye opening experiment about just how much shower gel I was actually using and how much is truly necessary to use every day. With all of this newfound knowledge in mind, I can’t wait to see how long I can make a full sized SoftSoap or Suave shower gel bottle last!

Travel Sizes have definitely proven to be Little But Fierce in the most amazing way possible, because it’s going to mean saving money on bath and body products in the years to come. Who else has had a similar experience with an abnormally long lasting travel size product? What are your must have products in travel sizes while you’re on vacation? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov3

Maintaining Good Auditory Health? Sounds Good To Us!

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Maintaining Good Auditory Health? Sounds Good To Us!

There are certain things in life that we can easily begin to take for granted. Our auditory health can be one of them. Think about how much you actually use your sense of sound on a day to day basis. It’s in action 24/7. From the moment you wake up, it’s present, alerting you to your morning alarm, helping you to do simple tasks like crossing the street, and helping to warn you of approaching danger.

We use it to converse, listen to our favorite songs, and even bask in tranquility when we get a break from the clatters and bangs of all sorts of happenings. Your hearing is even in action while you sleep, picking up on the most minute, unexpected noises and helping your body to jump back into action if need be. So, it’s important to take care of your hearing at all costs. Here are a few ways to help maintain the best levels of auditory health possible throughout your lifetime:

Ear Checks:

We are all used to going for regular eye checks. But when’s the last time that you went for a hearing check? Most people neglect these kinds of appointments. It’s recommended that as soon as you experience any change in your hearing capabilities, you find an audiologist. These professionals will be able to conduct tests and exams to identify the source of any problems that you are experiencing. Having diagnosed the cause of changes in hearing ability, they will then be able to recommend the best course of treatment. This may include fitting a hearing aid, if necessary.

Eating Well:

It may sound odd to say that your diet can affect your hearing. But what makes your ears different than any other part of our body? We know the food groups that are good for maintaining strong bones, a healthy heart, and good eyesight. So we should be equally familiar with the proper diet for good auditory health. The first thing that you should aim to incorporate into your diet is magnesium. This can help to protect you if you are exposed to high levels of noise by acting as a protective barrier to the hair cells in your ears. Second on the list: potassium. Potassium serves to regulate the fluid that naturally resides in your inner ear. If these levels drop, you can experience hearing loss. So keep potassium levels sufficient. A third thing to incorporate into your diet should be folic acid. This helps to generate new cell growth throughout your body in general, which further serves to help with the renewal of cells in your inner ear. Crazy, right?!

Say Goodbye To Q-Tips:

We know how tempting it can be to use Q-Tips for the purpose of cleaning your ears. But the warnings on the box have good reason. You should never insert a Q-tip into your ear, as you may press too far and damage your eardrum. A certain amount of earwax is healthy, anyways. A normal amount of earwax helps to keep bacteria and small bugs out of the ear canal. Excess amounts should generally dispose of itself, naturally leaving your ear canal, spurred on by the chewing motion of your jaw as you consume food. If you find that you do have excess wax, simply enter a search for “ear cleaning aberdeen” (or your local area). The practitioner you choose will be able to syringe the excess out professionally. You will be amazed at the difference it makes once this buildup has been removed.

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Bye bye!

Avoid Excessively Loud Noise:

Nowadays, we are exposed to louder noises than ever before on a regular basis. Earphones mean that we can listen to music on the go. However, many of us turn up the volume so high that it can have permanent effects on our listening capabilities. We attend concerts, shows, and festivals, where volumes may be louder than recommended. Then there are things like trains passing us by as we stand on platforms, sound systems in clubs and bars, and chanting in crowds at sports games.

When possible, avoid excessively loud noise. However, if you know that you are going to find yourself in a situation where your hearing could be damaged, take a pair of noise-canceling headphones or earplugs. These will help to minimize the detrimental effects of all of the noise that surrounds you. This is especially important if you work in an industry or environment where you are exposed to large decibels on a regular basis.

By following these simple steps, you will ensure that you have the best auditory health possible. They are simple to stick to, so there’s no excuse not to!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Nov3

Looking For A House? Savvy Tips For Your Search

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Looking For A House? Savvy Tips For Your Search

House hunting is probably one of the most exciting and important things that you will ever do. You are looking for a place that you will be investing lots of time and money in, as well as living in, so you are definitely going to want it to be one hundred percent right. That means you have to be savvy and up to speed when looking for your new property. Whether you are house hunting solo or working with a trusted Realtor, read on to find out all you need to know about being a smart home hunter and finding the place of your dreams:

Be ready to move financially:

One thing that savvy house hunters do to speed the process up and make it less stressful is to make sure that they are ready to move financially before they start looking. That means that they have their deposit saved, they have their mortgage approved provisionally, or they have their previous house sold. This also means no going to open houses unless you are truly in a position to make a move if you like it. Otherwise, you risk finding your perfect home and not being able to do anything about it. Then, you will experience the heart break of having to watch as someone else waltzes in and takes it out from under your nose.

Having your finances in order is essential, because as soon as you see a home that you like, you can swoop in and make an offer. This makes the process a lot quicker for you, and it also stops other people from getting there first.

Know your budget and what you can get for it:

Next, savvy home hunters are well aware of their budget before they start looking and they are able to adhere to it. Sure, it can be fun to look at places that stretch the budget, especially if they have everything on your wish list, but the fun will stop once you realize that there is no way that you can move forward with the purchase.

Having said this, some folks do anyways and then get stuck with a property that they cannot comfortably afford. This means that they risk a reduction in the quality of their life and possibly foreclosure if they get too far behind. Obviously, neither of these situations are ideal.

The key question that you need to ask yourself is whether what you want and what you can afford actually tally up. It’s easy to get into a situation where we think that we should have a huge home with all sorts of amazing additions, especially since we see them on TV all of the time. However, back in the real world, your budget may just not stretch to that, so as a smart home hunter, you need to have a serious reality check before you even start to actively look for homes.

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#ballinonabudget

Consider all of the options:

Savvy home hunters are particularly clever when it comes to exploring all of the options available to them. That means that they look at houses, apartments, and bungalows before making their final decision. It also means that they consider better value options such as resale hdb instead of new builds, micro houses, or even houseboats. Remember for a smart house hunter, the main goal is for the property to meet their needs and be within budget, and if a more alternative option does this, then it shouldn’t be ruled out as a contender.

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A big house may seem appealing, but remember the cost!

Decide on a location:

The importance of location when buying a property is well known, and another strategy that savvy home hunters use is to know exactly which locations they want and then stick to it.

To be able to do this yourself you will need to do your research first. A good way to go about this is to write down a list of attributes that you want the area to have. These may include being picturesque, modern, city central, near to good schools, and the like. Then, use this list as a guide when looking at possible locations. However, while using the list, you must always remember to cross-reference this with whether the types of properties available there fit in with what you need and your budget.

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Keys, please!

With the tips above in mind, you will be a savvy home hunter in no time! Make your list, check your budget, and hit the market for your dream home!

Featured Image By: Flickr

Nov3

Four Legged Friend Friday

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Four Legged Friend Friday

Hey everyone and TGIF! With Halloween now behind us, I had to dedicate one last post to some spooky fun on lifewithlilred until next year. My two beloved rescue pups, Gem and Ollie, got a little more than they bargained for this Halloween when my mom and I decided that dressing them up as Despicable Me minions was the way to go for our neighborhood’s trick or treat:

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As you can see, Ollie doesn’t seem to care too much about his new side job as one of Gru’s pill shaped sidekicks.

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Gem, on the other hand, couldn’t wait to get out of her costume immediately!

I hate to say that I was laughing at poor Gem’s expense, but oh my goodness – I could not stop laughing. Despite how cute she looked in her minion garb, nothing was cute about her STINK EYES that she gave to literally every single member of my family as we tried to snap some pictures. Gem is a really emotive dog facially and her death stare, as seen above, says that she was not too pleased about her costume.

Even though Gem was a total diva while we prepared her Halloween wardrobe, she definitely perked up once the trick or treaters started arriving at the door. Gem and Ollie enjoyed all of the attention and were happy to have made all of the little kids laugh. But, best believe, that they were happiest of all once their minion costumes came off and were retired to the closet until next year!

My Four Legged Friends were an obvious hit this Halloween and they sure are cute – costumes or not! Did you dress up your pets this Halloween? What should Gem and Ollie be next year? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov2

Have Some Pictures! AnkhorRed’s First Annual Bloggers Conference Edition

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Have Some Pictures! AnkhorRed’s First Annual Bloggers Conference Edition

Hi everyone and welcome to some photo spam of yours truly compliments of my trip to Manhattan, New York for AnkhorRed’s Bloggers Conference with Kate from Ankhor You. I have to admit, I am usually not one for taking pictures. I was once before, but not so much anymore. We can blame that on my self esteem that seems to dwindle lower every day. BUT ENOUGH ABOUT THAT, because I can finally shower you guys with all of the pics of me and we’ll call it square for the next year or so. Cool? Cool! Take a look:

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^^^ Special thanks to my expert iPhone photographer, Kate, for taking such lovely pictures!!! ❤

Where have you traveled to this year? Which locations are on your travel bucket list? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov1

Paperwork Priorities: Travel Admin To Take Care Of In Advance

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Paperwork Priorities: Travel Admin To Take Care Of In Advance

When you’re looking to travel, it’s sometimes easy to believe that you can just book a flight and head out. Okay, so technically, you can do that – but it’s not always the best way to go about things. Making sure that all bases are covered is important. If you’re a stickler for organization, then this is something that you’re definitely going to want to plan for in advance. However, it’s not always easy to know what pieces of paperwork you should be filling out.

If you want to make sure that you can enjoy your trip safely and responsibly, then there are certain pieces of admin that you should focus on. Both for planning the trip and enjoying it while you’re there, here are some key things that you should take care of well before your departure:

Apply For Any Visas:

As soon as your trip is booked, you should definitely look into the visa requirements. Of course, not every trip that you go on will need a visa, but if you are leaving the country, then it’s best to read up on the visa issuing details as early as possible. Then, if you do need a visa, you will have plenty of time to get your application in and secure your visa before you leave.

Get Travel Insurance:

Next, you should think about securing your travel insurance. Whenever you do any kind of travel, it’s essential that you have the right insurance. That way, should your trip get cancelled, you lose any luggage, or have an accident, you’re covered. This is a form of admin that you can iron out early on. By getting your coverage in early, you’ll have one less thing to do closer to your travel date. Speaking of lost luggage, it might be a good idea to use an AirTag to keep track of your belongings. Just be sure to research things like how long do airtags last, how to pair the device, etc so you don’t run into a glitch during your travels.

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Don’t forget your map and sunglasses!

Check On Health Insurance:

Another key thing to check out is the kind of health coverage that you need. If you’re traveling nationally, then you should be fine with the coverage that you have. But you will need to check if you’re covered abroad. Sometimes, your travel insurance will cover you. But it’s something that you do need to look into, and perhaps purchase if necessary, before you leave. Don’t just assume that you are covered, because we all know the old saying about assuming. Take the time to call your current provider or even shop around with different ones like MinnesotaCare Health Insurance Providers (or a similar company in your local area). Your provider should be well versed on the ins and outs of health coverage during travel so you can enjoy your vacation worry free.

Get Your Pet’s Paperwork:

If you’re taking your pet with you, you’re also going to need to get their affairs in order. If necessary, you should get your legit ESA registration confirmed as soon as possible. Remember to also bring any medications, special foods, and treats that your four legged friend might need, as well.

Get Your Shots:

You’re also going to want to think about the shots that you might need, too. Again, if you are staying in the country, then you may not need to do this. But if you’re traveling internationally, then you’re going to want to check up on any vaccinations that you may need. You can find all of the information that you need online for this, and you can also check with your doctor if you want to make sure that your shots are up to date.

pw2Planning makes perfect!

Order Foreign Currency:

Once all of your paperwork is a go, you’re also going to want to put your order for foreign currency in. Depending on where you’re going, you may even be able to pick this up from your bank just by heading in. If not, you can simply place your order and pick it up when it’s ready.

Prepare Your Travel Information:

As you’re finishing up, think about how you’re going to store all of your newly acquired info, should something happen. You can actually store your travel information safety online, should you need to access backup documents. From your passport to flight details, you’re able to keep copies of all of your important travel information in case you lose anything.

Arrange Transportation: 

Getting to and from the airport can be extremely stressful. There tends to be a lot of traffic and you may experience those pre and post flight jitters. Not to mention, if you transport yourself you will have to pay parking fees and those can get pricey. Enlisting the help of family or friends or arranging a heathrow chauffeur service (or your local area) is strongly advised. It will save you stress, save you money, and ensure that you arrive safely should you have any nerves.

Fill Out Your Pre-Flight Information:

Your final step is something that you can only do close to your actual travel date. Some airlines will want you to fill out your pre-flight information online. This not only saves you time when you get to the airport, but it can be a legal requirement, too. When you do book your trip, make a note of when you can do this and be sure to get your information in as soon as you can.

Traveling is a blast, but traveling with the peace of mind that all of your affairs are in order is even better. Get organized, get ready, and have the trip of your life!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Nov1

October 2017 Finishes

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October 2017 Finishes

Hi everyone and happy November! Today we are going to kick off the month with a look back on my beauty empties from October. It feels like it was just yesterday! To me, October felt like it dragged on for an eternity. And, to make matters worse, it was a really shitty month for yours truly in general. Needless to say, I’m excited to be rid of all of these products that I finished up last month and am looking forward to hopefully brighter times ahead. Take a look at my October empties and let’s discuss:

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Would I Use Again?

  • St. Ives Blackhead Clearing Green Tea Scrub: YES
  • Bath & Body Works Pretty As A Peach lotion: YES
  • The Body Shop Nutriganics eye cream: YES
  • Lush Don’t Look At Me face mask: MAYBE
  • IT Cosmetics Secret Sauce moisturizer: NO

Why/Why Not?

St. Ives Scrub: As you guys know, I have a problem with blackheads around my nose piercings. Is it a huge issue? No. But would I prefer them gone? Of course. I can’t say that the Green Tea scrub by St. Ives is my favorite one out of their selection. However, I wouldn’t say no to using this again if it were bought for me during my birthday/holiday skin care restock or if it were on sale.

My main issue with this scrub is that it just isn’t gritty enough to completely clear away blackheads. It does get some of them, I’ll give it that. But, for the majority of the pesky pen marks on my nose, you can see that the black tip is gone but the skin where it was is still raised, which shows that the problem is still lurking underneath the surface. I will say that my skin does feel and look nice after using this scrub but the purpose of eliminating blackheads is far from achieved. It took me a month and a half to finish using this scrub.

B&BW Lotion: We all know by now that peach is one of my favorite fragrances when it comes to bath and body care. We also all know that I really like this lotion a lot so no further explanation is needed, lol. It took me about six or seven full body uses to finish this product.

TBS Eye Cream: Obviously, I used up some old favorites in October, because everyone knows by now that this is my eye cream of choice. The Body Shop’s Nutriganics eye cream keeps any premature wrinkling of the sensitive skin around my eyes at bay. However, I do wish that this eye cream did more to help out with dark under eye circles. We can’t always get what we want, though, and for the value of this eye cream (I got it on sale for about eleven dollars.) and the fact that it lasts me around five months definitely keeps me from complaining too much!

Lush Face Mask: The Don’t Look At Me face mask is the first skin care product from Lush that I ever used and, although I enjoyed it, I don’t think that I would ever make the forty-five minute trip to the nearest Lush again to purchase it. If this mask or any other Lush product were given to me as a gift, I would be all over it. But, in my opinion, the trip out to Lush just isn’t worth the reward. Despite not making a special trip out to buy this mask again, you can see in my Face Mask Festivities post that it did make my skin look radiant and, although the mask was cold when you first apply it, it was quite pleasant to use. I was able to get seven or so uses from the Don’t Look At Me mask.

IT Cosmetics Moisturizer: I got this sample sized moisturizer for free while doing some early holiday shopping online at Sephora. This mini IT Cosmetics Secret Sauce moisturizer gave me five uses, which really isn’t enough to tell if it did anything or not. I can’t say that I was really impressed with it either way, though, and would rather just ball on a budget with my drugstore/sale price TBS moisturizers.

As I mentioned above, I am so happy to be rid of all of these products – even the ones that I liked. October sucked for Lil Red so it will be nice to have some happier memories associated with the bath and body and skin care goodies that I use up in November.

So there you have it, my October 2017 Finishes! Have you used any of the above products before? What are your thoughts on them? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah