Sep16

Skin Care Surprise

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Skin Care Surprise

Hi everyone and happy weekend! One thing that I am passionate about in the world of beauty is really good skin care products. I love my staple serums and moisturizers from The Body Shop, but I am always willing to try out new, cruelty free products if the opportunity presents itself.

I have grown increasingly more impressed with the beauty section of TJMaxx during every shopping trip that I make there. Every single time, there seems to be new brands of makeup, skin care, and bath and body care products to try out. And, the fact that they have the bath and body goodies from The Body Shop for a fraction of the in store price is a definite plus, too!

I was running low on my staple skin care products of my Vitamin E moisturizer and Vitamin C Skin Boost from TBS, so I thought that I would try to find something new from TJMaxx. Unfortunately, there is no longer a Body Shop close by to me, as the one near my home closed down. Because I was too low on my supplies to order online, I ended up with these two products from TJs, instead. Take a look:

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  • Dermapeutics Vitamin C Serum – $8 (Originally $45!!)
  • Spa Cosmetics Vitamin C Day Cream – $6

Skin care that offers an extra boost of radiance is very important to me when it comes to protecting my pasty pale complexion. It’s very easy for pale skin to take on an almost pallid and dull appearance when it’s not cared for properly – and that is so not the look that I’m going for! To prevent this from happening, what better method to use than some skin care products chock full of Vitamin C?!

I swear by my Vitamin C Skin Boost from The Body Shop, but I have to admit that I am looking forward to trying this new serum by Dermapeutics out. After a closer look at the box, I saw that this serum was originally FORTY-FIVE DOLLARS!! That’s crazy! I’ve never used a skin care product before that I would consider overly expensive, so it will be exciting to see what an almost fifty dollar serum feels like and if it differs greatly from what I normally use.

As for moisturizers, I’m not exactly married to the Vitamin E one from TBS, although it definitely might seem that way. Honestly, it doesn’t matter that much to me what kind of moisturizer I’m using, because my skin type is extremely normal. I usually just stock up on my Vitamin E if TBS has a good deal on it, though, because it’s easier than searching out a new moisturizer every time that I need more. Am I excited to try my new Spa Cosmetics moisturizer? Sure – it’s always fun to try something new. Do I care all that much, though? Not really, lol.

No matter how I feel about my new products either way, it will definitely be a Skin Care Surprise! I’ll be sure to report back on the products once they’re all finished up in my monthly empties post. Which skin care products do you swear by? Where do you usually shop at for skin care? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep15

Excessive But Enriched: Having A High Quality Of Life When You’re Too Busy

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Excessive But Enriched: Having A High Quality Of Life When You’re Too Busy

Many guides are making the rounds about living life to the fullest or having that perfect work/life balance. But, the fact of the matter is, that this is incredibly difficult for the vast majority of us. Especially when you think about parents who have more than one child and have things like family commitments in addition to working, it’s bound to have a major impact. There’s a lot of stress that can make an effect on their ability to live a proper life that has meaning, aside from their children. So, how can we all live a rich and fulfilling life when we are so busy all of the time? Here’s how:

Make Health Your Top Priority:

Even though we can work excessive hours and not feel like we have time to ourselves and our loved ones, if we address the mental and physical health aspects of our lives, it means we are better equipped to deal with these overarching stresses in our lives. It is such a cliché, but you are what you eat, and also people seldom make the connection between a bad diet and low mood. It’s best to think of your body like a car, you wouldn’t put the wrong fuel in your car, so why should you put the wrong fuel in your body? You may not even realize you have an intolerance of some sort, and there are plenty of online blood tests you can order to check if there’s anything you have a deficiency in. By getting your health back on an even keel, physically and mentally, it leaves you with more energy, which leaves you better prepared to make the most of what little time you have left during your week.

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Working out is a great stress reliever!

Leave Work Behind When You Leave The Office:

Even the busiest CEOs who work over 70 hours a week will tell you the importance of compartmentalizing your life in this respect. It’s easy for the mental baggage we take with us after we leave the office to hang around us and loom large in our minds, even if we’re not consciously thinking about it. Have a look at the Instagram of Chris Pivik, an entrepreneur with the busiest of careers. He still manages to get out and see the world despite his career. And the entrepreneur to end all entrepreneurs, Tony Robbins, will tell you about the value of a vacation to make lasting memories with your loved ones.

It’s these things that will replenish your emotional well being and leave you with a better outlook on the world. And, granted, a lot of us don’t take many vacations due to time constraints or lack of finances, but many businesses now are hot on the notion of flexi time, and this is something that you should take advantage of. It doesn’t do anybody any favors to get engrossed in your work outside of the office, especially if you have loved ones you rarely get to see. In this instance, it may be worth looking for a different career, one that leaves you feeling more fulfilled, so when you do go home, you have the satisfaction of feeling like you have achieved something throughout the course of your day.

The way to live an enriched life is not completely about tackling your work/life balance, but in feeling that you have a sense of emotional freedom. This is the key to you living a rich life when there are so many every day world pressures to get you down.

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Sep15

Essential Tips For College Seniors

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Essential Tips For College Seniors

While everyone is talking about the basic checklist for your first year in college, they seem to forget that we need it even more by our final year. The first-year students always seem to have their first year on campus soundly figured out. The rest of us, on the other hand, face a turbulent time of final exams and the prospects of unemployment.

College seniors need good advice now more than ever, so here it is; your go-to-guide for acing your final year in college, graduating with grace, and increasing your chances on the job market:

Finish Strong:

Some of us have the untimely habit of starting off with great energy before slacking off as we approach the finish line. The final year of college is no exception to this, and those who manage to keep their motivation up may be able to graduate with excellent grades – or at least mediocre ones.

While you may be focusing on the job market at the moment and thinking more about the future than the present, in general, you need to manage the balancing act of keeping one foot on both sides. Check out forbes.com, as well, for some tips on landing your dream job.

Sure, it’s vital that you research the market and figure out the kind of company that you’d like to work for. BUT – college isn’t over yet. Keep the good habits up, focus on achieving, and remember that you don’t have to plan every detail of your future quite yet.

Plan A Little:

At some point, it will inevitably strike you that you’re done with college in nine or ten months. What now? Depending on your field of study, the final year is usually laid out for you to land a relevant job as soon as possible. Take advantage of the offers and guidance on campus, attend those seminars, and work on expanding your network. When graduation is over with, you’ll be happy to have as many contacts as possible.

Feeling slightly stressed about the future is perfectly normal, by the way, so remember that you’re not alone in all of this. We’re all wondering where to go next and questioning yourself too much will only make you feel overwhelmed and unable to focus on your studies.

When the “what now” sinks in after graduation, remember how far you’ve come. Display your diploma proudly as a constant reminder and don’t forget to protect this important document. Whether you frame it or display it in a Jostens diploma cover, the last thing you want is for it to get damaged after working so hard!

Remember To Breathe:

If you forget to take care of yourself this year, you’re not going to perform as well as you had hoped. An amount of exams, assignments, questions from family members on what your next plan is, and whether or not you’re going to marry your SO after graduation, will lead to stress. This again leads to sleepless nights, binge-eating, and hiding from the world with Netflix and your pajamas, wishing you were just out of high school again when everyone expected you to mess up.

It’s alright; we all have it like this, and the best thing that you can do is to keep balance. Wake up at the same time every morning, keep a healthy lifestyle, and swap out that old mattress once and for all by having a look at mattress.review. It will help you through those sleepless nights so that you can wake up refreshed and ready to tackle the next exam.

You don’t have to have it all figured out by graduation, and it’s impossible to say what your life will look like in a few years. Maybe you get married, move to another country, or decide to raise a bunch of children rather than focusing on your career – it’s nothing to worry about right now. Think about your exams, plan for success, and the rest will come as it should.

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Sep15

Happy Three Year Blogiversary, lifewithlilred!

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Happy Three Year Blogiversary, lifewithlilred!

Hi everyone and TGIF! Today is a very exciting day because it’s lifewithlilred’s three year Blogiversary! Three years ago to the day (Or yesterday, actually, lol – you can never be sure!), my blog baby was conceived. And now, three years later, lifewithlilred continues to go strong with readers in over one hundred and seventy different countries. Wow!

Lifewithlilred came into being when I made the decision to go to college. I needed a change from feeling like I was going nowhere, thanks to spending four years working retail in the mall (Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but it was my time to go.). During my time selling clothing, I began growing what is now the black abyss that is my wardrobe and my peers and strangers, alike, agreed that I was fashionable and somewhat funny. At least once per week, I was told that if I began a blog, that I would have a reader in the person making the suggestion.

After enough positive prodding from the general public, I rolled my eyes and said, “fine”. I was making big and exciting changes in my life, so I figured “what’s one more?”. Thus, lifewithlilred was born. My blog name sprouted from the nickname, “Lil Red”, that was lovingly given to me by one of my favorite coworkers. And, Lil Red, obviously sprouted from my trademark red hair and red lipstick. Lifewithlilred just rolled off the tongue, so it stuck.

In my three years on the blogosphere, I have made so many amazing friends and wrote for companies that I admired from afar, like Adore Me and Warby Parker. My writing skills have improved a thousand fold, thanks to trying to post daily, and my confidence has skyrocketed from putting myself out there in the public eye. Lifewithlilred gives me a place where I feel like I am being heard, which is something that I used to want so desperately when I was feeling at my lowest. My blog truly feels like my little slice of internet paradise, and I am so proud of building that for myself and my readers.

Speaking of my readers! Here’s to all of you. Although I would love lifewithlilred even if I was the only person reading it, it would be a pretty lonely place without all of my friends and fans tuning in. To those of you who have been on my page since the beginning, thank you for your endless support. And to those of you who just discovered lifewithlilred, welcome aboard and I so hope that you will stick with me as my page continues to grow.

Thank you to everyone reading this. Thank you to anyone who has so graciously given my page a like, follow, comment, and the time of day. Lifewithlilred would be nothing without all of you!

Happy Three Year Blogiversary, lifewithlilred!!! ❤

What inspired you to start blogging? How long have you been on the blogosphere for? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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Sep14

Faux Fur Fabulous

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Faux Fur Fabulous

Hello everyone and happy Thursday! Once upon a time, I bought a faux fur vest from TJMaxx three years ago. I actually think that it was right before I started college in 2014. It was deep purple, black, and freaking amazing…And I returned it. I had high hopes of strutting around campus with my new statement making vest, but I didn’t have the confidence to pull it off. I was too nervous in my decision to begin school and leave a world of working retail behind, and didn’t want to stand out more than I already thought I did in my head.

Bad. Decision. Horrible decision. See, this is why I don’t return anything anymore, lol. I still think about that vest, the outfits that could have been, and the confidence that I have now to be able to wear it and feel fierce in it. SMH. Ever since remembering my fallen faux fur vest, I have been on the hunt to find a replacement for a wardrobe staple that my clothing collection lacks.

Unfortunately, I have never been able to find a worthy replica to replace my grave mistake of a returned vest. The midnight sky colored fabulousness has never been seen of again and, of course, it’s difficult to find faux fur vests in any other time but the fall. During a recent trip to TJMaxx, I found a gorgeous, unique blue ombre vest that I really like. BUT, rest assured, that it will never come close to my “one that got away”. Take a look:

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This Thread & Supply brand vest was the only one of its kind that I saw at TJMaxx and, lucky for me, it was in my size (Obviously!)! Blue is a color that I don’t wear very often, although I do have a bit of navy in my wardrobe color palette. However, I loved the cream to midnight blue hues in this vest and it was like nothing that I have ever seen before, which is a major selling point for me, as you all know!

I’m really eager to put this piece to use in my wardrobe because I’ve never owned a faux fur vest before (Aside from the one that I owned for one day, lol.). Of course, you can go the classic route of wearing a faux fur vest with a great pair of skinnies and ankle booties. But, I’m more looking forward to styling this vest with maxi dresses and skirts, as well as mini and midi dresses with thick tights for the fall season.

Despite being forever in mourning for my vest that could have been but never was, I’m happy with this Thread & Supply purchase. The unexpected color palette puts a fun twist on a classic piece, and it will be exciting to experiment with styling something that I’ve never worn before. BUT, I already know that if I find the right black faux fur vest or one in a different, funky color, that it will more than likely be coming home with me, as well!

Vests are a great item to invest in for wearing year round. This one will surely be making an appearance in my looks next summer for a sassy, glam OOTD with short shorts and platform heels. The possibilities are truly endless when it comes to adding a chic, rocker vibe to any outfit with a faux fur vest and I’m so happy to finally be able to have one to play with! 😀

So there you have it, a little touch of Faux Fur Fabulous! Do you have a similar story to a piece of clothing like my “one that got away” vest? How do you incorporate a faux fur vest into your outfits? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep13

Meaningful Career Ideas For Those Who Care

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Meaningful Career Ideas For Those Who Care

Do you ever feel like you want to give something back to society? If so, you are in excellent company. While many people are driven to forge careers in helping people from an early age, others often take a while to come to a decision. There are plenty of stories of incredibly successful people who trade in their career to contribute more to society, and if that sounds like something you would like to do, then there are a multitude of options. The big question is – which meaningful career will mean a lot to you?

Sure, you could become a doctor, attorney, or professor in any field you like. But if you are making the decision to change careers mid-life, you have to bear in mind that it could be difficult to make such a leap, due to the financial implications – and your own personal responsibilities. So, let’s take a look at some of the other options available to anyone who wants to make a switch and start helping others out:

Teacher:

Preparing the nation’s youth for a healthy and prosperous life is a vital role, yet one that is often pilloried. However, don’t believe the expression ‘those that can do, those that can’t teach’ – nothing could be further from the truth. Teachers are pivotal to the success of this country and watching your students grow and become young adults is a highly rewarding career. If you have experience and life skills or have excelled in your field, why not think about becoming a certified teacher and helping large groups of kids achieve great things? Since the pandemic, teaching can be done online too. Perhaps you might like to Teach English Online for a few hours a day from the comfort of your home. It would be an excellent way to get a feel for if this is something you would like to do on a full time basis.

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Pexels Image

School Counselor:

On the subject of schools, teaching isn’t the only role that can make a difference to people’s lives. School counselors are becoming an important part of the education system, and it’s a well-paid role that will allow you to help students overcome their problems. Personal development and education is such an important part of growing up for kids, yet the sad truth is that many of them struggle. Whether it’s due to problems at home, behavioral issues, or any other matter is irrelevant – but as a school counselor, you will be responsible for helping those kids to make the best of their abilities while working on the things that trouble them.

Medical Assistant:

Let’s move on to health care. It’s an incredibly safe career to get involved in, given that it is entirely recession proof – everyone will always need treatment for illness or, in the case of medical assistants, ambulatory or emergency services. On your medical assistant training, you will learn how to work with patients under the direction of a physician in a setting similar to an emergency room. You will complete paperwork for patients, do things like administer medication, check vital signs, and assist in minor surgeries. In short, you will assisting in emergency services in the vast majority of cases – it’s a highly important role.

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And you’ll learn how to work that thing!!

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN):

A Licensed Practical Nurse’s role is similar to that of a medical assistant, but there are a few key differences. There’s plenty of additional info out there that describes these subtleties, but mainly, you will work under the direction of a Health Care Provider or a Nurse. Just as a medical assistant, you will help with medication and checking vital signs, but you’ll also be responsible for personal hygiene and providing ongoing care to patients. The key difference, however, is the setting that you will work in – most LPNs work in clinics rather than emergency rooms.

Therapist:

There is a therapy for any illness, condition, or injury, so your choice of options here is vast. For those interested in psychology and the mind, becoming a CBT professional could be an attractive option, where you will coach people through their problems by changing the way they think. A counselor or therapist for mental health is also a great option. This could be a private practice or in a hospital or recovery center that features Knightsbridge Mental Health Furniture for each patient’s comfort. For those more interested in treating injuries or other physical conditions, why not consider a physical therapist role? There’s speech therapy to consider, too, where you will be helping people overcome vocal problems. If you prefer working with people long-term, on a one-to-one basis, a therapeutic career could be an ideal choice.

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Don’t forget about massage therapists!

Paralegal:

Finally, paralegals are vital to the legal profession, yet remain mostly anonymous. No, you won’t get the stardom and hotshot status of being a prosecuting or defending lawyer – but you will be integral to their success. A paralegal’s role involves supporting lawyers behind the scenes, researching evidence and statements, and ensuring that paperwork is up to date for each case. It’s a field with plenty of prospects, too, and some paralegals even decide to resume their studies and become attorneys.

There is a vast world of caring careers out there, and the above list is just scratching the surface. Do your research, study hard, and end up with the career of your dreams!

Sep13

Cardi Party: Dream On, Kid

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Cardi Party: Dream On, Kid

Hey everyone and happy Hump Day! One brand that I’ve always really liked but never explored to an extent is American Eagle Outfitters. I like their classic style, muted colors, and the fact that their clothes can definitely be viewed as appropriate for a twenty something. Despite an appreciation for the brand, their clothes are just way too expensive for my taste.

Don’t get me wrong, my frugality doesn’t exclude the knowledge that you get what you pay for. But my frugality DOES include the fact that, often times, you can find amazing brands elsewhere for a fraction of the cost. This is why I am a tried and true Maxxinista. TJMaxx is a store that I shopped at from a very young age. I can remember browsing the aisles hand in hand with my mom or grandma when I was little and thinking that it was the most fantastic place on earth – and I still do!

TJMaxx allows me to live out my rich girl fantasy by providing me with brands for purchase that I would never buy in my wildest dreams for full price. TJs dwindles down the cost of clothing, shoes, and accessories to a price that I’m fully comfortable paying. When people ask me where I get my clothes, it makes me proud to say that I get a majority of it from TJMaxx, which proves that I look sharp at a budget price. Check out my latest purchase, which happens to be an American Eagle Outfitters cardi at a TJ’s discount, and let’s discuss:

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It has been a long, long time since I stepped foot in a mall. And when I do, it’s rarely for myself, but for gift shopping during the holiday season. But, even then, I still prefer to do my shopping elsewhere. However, when I do find myself in the mall, I like to take my time, look around, guffaw at costly price tags, and take note of the things I like for when I do my bargain shopping later.

This adorable, prep school style AEO cardi cost me THIRTEEN DOLLARS, and I know for a fact that it would have been at least fifty had I bought it at the mall. Somehow, this made my new cardigan appear even cuter to me! It has been a good, long while since I bought myself a new cardi – probably back in 2014, actually, when I was still working at PacSun and got a nice employee discount.

I love the cardigans that I do have because they’re older, but I can’t help feeling like everyone and their brother will have the cardigans that are in store right now. And if there’s one thing that I hate, it’s feeling like a million other people have what I’m buying. This is why I usually shy away from purchasing a cardigan, but go for something like a cool jacket or comfy chic sweaters, instead.

However, this AEO cardigan was too cute to pass up. It features my three favorite colors – black, red, and white and it’s SO comfy. I normally don’t dress for comfort, but there’s nothing better than wrapping yourself up in a nice, cozy cardigan to combat the autumn chill. And, of course, the “Keep On Dreamin'” embroidered back made me smile.

If you must know, I was totally “sadness shopping” after a rough day full of questioning myself and just not feeling good in my skin. The sweet, inspirational surprise on the back of this cardi made me happy and it felt like a message from the shopping gods telling me that I’m going to be okay. You can’t beat finding something totally adorable, affordable, and confidence boosting on a really blah day. Needless to say, it was a total TJMaxx cardi party!

So there you have it, my recent Cardi Party: Dream On, Kid! What is a purchase that you made recently that made you smile? How do you ball on a budget? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Taqplayer

Sep12

Falling For Food! Season & Serve Style Dinner Party

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Falling For Food! Season & Serve Style Dinner Party

Hello everyone and happy Tuesday! I have a really special treat for all of you today, compliments of the absolutely amazing Melissa of Season & Serve. Melissa reached out to me in mid August with the idea of creating an incredible fall themed dinner party menu just for my readers. Food is something that I am extremely passionate about. I am a vegetarian who loves cooking, baking, and of course – EATING!! Obviously, Melissa offered me a pitch that I couldn’t pass up and a menu, recipes, and pics that are going to make you drool buckets.

Melissa has kindly linked to all of her recipes in this post, so if you are interested in learning more about her dishes or making it for yourself, then do check it out! Now, take a look at an absolutely delicious guest post:

Falling For Food! Season & Serve Style Dinner Party

Out of all the four seasons, fall is definitely my favorite. Not only do I enjoy wearing my cozy sweaters in the cooler temperatures, drinking Pumpkin Spice Lattes, and watching the leaves turn a rainbow of colors, I love it because of all the delicious, seasonal foods that come along with it. Fall harvests bring us countless varieties of apples, squash, brussel sprouts, carrots, and parsnips…the list goes on…all from which we can make hearty and comforting foods. And what better way to enjoy these delicious seasonal foods than with a celebratory fall dinner party?!

When you think about it, fall is the perfect season to entertain at home. It’s not too hot, meaning that you can have your stove and oven going all day and you won’t be dying of heat in the kitchen, and it’s not too cold, meaning that outdoor entertaining is still possible. Whenever weather permits, I like to serve fun fall-inspired cocktails outside early in the evening so that my guests can enjoy the crisp fall air before it gets too cold. Once the temperature drops or the sun sets, they really enjoy coming inside and warming up by the fireplace, and maybe with another cocktail before dinner.

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Speaking of cocktails, I chose to serve one of my favorite fall cocktails for this dinner party, Whiskey & Spice Apple Cider. This cocktail will warm you from the inside out and totally get you into that fall mood. I also like to have a little snack to go along with the cocktail, just so your guests don’t get too tipsy before dinner. One really great idea that I recycle over and over again for parties is a cheeseboard. Because, really, who doesn’t like cheese?! I serve a traditional soft goat cheese, an aged cheddar, hearty Gouda, and powerful blue cheese along with whole-grain or seed crackers, nuts, dates, and red grapes to give it a fall twist. Plus, cheese is extremely portable, allowing your guests to move outdoors to enjoy the fall colors and back indoors again as they mingle.

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When your guests decide to move back inside, I like to bring the outdoor feeling with them, and my main avenue for doing so is through my table setting. The table setting really sets the mood for the party, and for fall I like to keep it relatively rustic and casual. I used a tan linen table runner down the center of my table as my base (This one happened to have pumpkins embroidered on both ends – so fall!) and I continue to build from there. I used some tree branches that still had healthy, plump, green leaves down the middle and added in some bright red and lime green Honey Crisp apples to make it pop (these happened to look the best at the farmer’s market that day). I dotted a few tea lights throughout the leaves and apples to add some sparkle and then anchored the table with a short emerald green vase filled with coffee beans and a tea candle. Of course, you can fill the vase with flowers, grasses, or anything that looks pretty to you!

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As for serving ware, I always think that simple is best. Plain large white plates for the main course, with smaller appetizer white plates placed on top, and an elegant trade show table runner is all you need. I added in my every day cutlery, silver forks and knives, to keep it simple but I went for some statement wine glasses. These wine glasses have been one of my greatest purchases to date. I am in love with the gold rims and the fact that they are stemless makes it even better – it’s so in style right now! I also added a personal touch to each table setting by writing my guests names on some extra leaves using a gold marker. It’s the little touches that make your guests feel warm and fuzzy inside!

Now, let’s get to the star of the dinner party, the main dish(es)! While there is a meat component to this fall dinner party, I also designed the menu keeping vegetarians in mind. For the appetizer, I chose to serve a simple Arugula Salad topped with sliced grapes, Parmesan cheese shavings and Maple Spice Candied Pecans. The salad dressing is very simple and is made from olive oil, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper. With those tasty candied pecans, you definitely want to keep the dressing minimal. This recipe can be enjoyed by both your omnivore and herbivore friends. For vegans, simply omit the Parmesan cheese and add more grapes and pecans!

I also chose to serve a white wine with this salad, particularly a Gewurztraminer as it has a slightly sweeter flavor. This one is from one of my favorite wineries in Summerland, British Columbia – Dirty Laundry.

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For the main dish, I have two variations – both of which will make your appetite skyrocket. The first is for the meat-eaters, with my recipe for Red-Wine Braised Beef. While this dish looks complicated, it is actually extremely easy, relatively affordable, and looks incredibly elegant when plated (an entertaining trifecta for hosts!). For the Red Wine Braised Beef, simply brown the meat and vegetables, add the red wine, beef stock, and seasonings to the pot and bake in the oven for 4 hours. The slow baking process will tenderize this cheap, tough cut of meat (blade roast) so much that you can cut the meat with a butter knife. You can even do this the night before and simply reheat the meat before serving. How easy is that?!

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For vegetarians, I have a great substitute: Braised Mushrooms with White Wine and Garlic. I clearly have a braising theme going on here, but braised mushrooms are delicious and very satisfying! In this recipe, I use fresh oyster, trumpet, and cremini mushrooms and saute them in a mixture of olive oil and garlic until browned. I then add the white wine and butter, and cook them on the stove top for 5 minutes, or until the wine has reduced down a bit and then serve immediately. I mean, I eat meat and I know that Red Wine Braised Beef is delicious, but I would totally go for this, and vegans would too (minus the butter)!

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I chose to serve a red wine along with both of these recipes since I was looking for a more robust and bold flavor – it is fall, after all! I chose a Cabernet-Merlot mix for its spice and currant notes and for a slightly dry finish. I really enjoy this Cabernet Merlot from Sandhill Estate Vineyard in Oliver, British Columbia. This is definitely going to be my go-to wine for the season. ❤

Finally, for the grand finale, I present my Apple Coffee Cake with Maple Glaze. This is actually my mom’s recipe, but it is so good and so perfect for fall that I had to make it myself. The batter is very simple to make and the cake always comes out incredibly moist due to the sliced apples inside and on top of the cake. Again, you can make this a day in advance BUT if you make it the morning or afternoon of the dinner party, your home will smell absolutely amazing. I like to serve this with coffee (hence why it’s a coffee cake) or tea. No dessert wine here!

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After this big, comforting, delicious meal, your guests will be completely satisfied and will be in a cheerful fall mood. And, of course, while these are just my tips for throwing a fall dinner party, just know that when you mix good people and good food together, you are guaranteed to have a successful dinner party – no matter what the season.

Have a happy fall, everyone! And thank you to Sarah for letting me guest blog for you!

Yum, yum, FREAKING YUM. Thank you infinitely to the author of Season & Serve, Melissa, for creating such a beautiful bounty for my readers. I want in on her next dinner party, and you guys can be, too! Melissa will be back on lifewithlilred in October with a how to guide for a spooky fun Halloween themed party. What would you like to see Melissa cook next? Would you consider yourself a picky eater? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep11

Are You Ready To Start Expressing Yourself?

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Are You Ready To Start Expressing Yourself?

One thing that a lot of people struggle with is that they don’t feel as though they’re able to project much about who they are to the world as a whole. You might be the most interesting, creative, and exciting person on the planet and yet you still feel as though you blend into the background when you’re around other people. Sure, not everyone wants to be the center of attention, but it can be tough when it feels like people aren’t getting to see the real you.

However, that doesn’t mean that you’re stuck with that kind of situation for the rest of your life! Being able to express yourself isn’t all that difficult, you just need to know how to go about it, and feel comfortable enough to let the real you shine through no matter what. Here are a few simple things that you can do to get started on really showing the world what you’re made of:

Change Up Your Look: Not everyone is going to be obsessed with fashion, and that’s okay! But the way that you present yourself can have a huge impact on the way the world sees you and can be a wonderful opportunity for you to express yourself. Different styles say different things, and it’s cool to be able to share something about yourself with everyone that you walk past. And of course, no one feels the same every day so why not change up your look constantly?!

Many people will look completely different on a day to day basis, whether that’s through clothes, makeup, or even wigs. That might sound a bit drastic but it can be a lot of fun, and it’s worth trying at least a couple of times. When it comes to wigs, try CelebWigs for a bunch of different styles to see how you can express yourself. Of course, if you’re not looking to make that much of an entrance wherever you go, sticking to a style that you love and reflects who you are is just as good!

express

Who doesn’t love a good makeover?!

Be Proud Of The Things You Love: We all have things that we’re passionate about, but a lot of the time we don’t want to express those things to other people because we’re worried about how they will judge them. This is where the idea of a “guilty pleasure” comes from. The truth, is that you should never have a guilty pleasure. If you love something, then that doesn’t impact anyone else’s life, so why shouldn’t you be proud of it? Whether it’s a type of music, TV, book, or anything else, wearing your passions on your sleeve can be a great way to express yourself to the world. And hey, you might even find that someone else feels the same way and you can strike up a new friendship.

Be Confident In Who You Are: One of the hardest things in the world is being confident in who you are. The media and the world around us work very hard to tell us that we’re not good enough. That we’re too fat, thin, short, tall, old, or young. All of these things mean that many of us are walking around on a day to day basis feeling as though we can’t be confident in who we are. But the world’s not going to change unless we change. So, no matter who you are, it’s important to be proud of it and never let the world tell you that there’s something wrong with that.

Change Your Environment: Of course, sometimes those kinds of feelings don’t come from inside yourself but from a toxic environment. Having friends who don’t appreciate who you are or people around you who try to make you feel bad for the way that you express yourself can make life very difficult and lonely for a lot of people. If that’s the case, then there’s nothing wrong with ending those friendships and changing your environment to something more loving and supportive. You would be amazed what a change of scenery can do for your self love and confidence.

Now, none of this is trying to tell you that you should try and be some kind of bold, brash person if that’s not who you are deep down. You should never try to be anyone else. The point is simply to be able to embrace what makes you a unique individual and to avoid hiding that from the world, because everyone deserves to see the real you shine.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Sep11

Bath & Body Works September Freebie

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Bath & Body Works September Freebie

Hi everyone and happy Monday! I hope that all of you had a fabulous and relaxing weekend. While running errands this past week, I had to stop into Bath & Body Works to grab my freebie for the month of September. I knew that I wanted to get a mini shower gel because I had sent my not so baby anymore baby cousin off to college last month with a few from my hoard among other gifts. A restock was definitely needed, so I ended up with a shower gel from B&BW’s scent, Endless Weekend. Take a look:

weekend

I have so many travel sized goodies from B&BW in my freebie hoard that it’s hard to keep track of all of the scents. Now, I just pick whatever I think looks the prettiest in the bottle or the label and go with that. I loved the pale blue color of this gel and who doesn’t want an Endless Weekend?!

I actually am just now taking a whiff of this body wash, because I didn’t bother in the store and it smells like total fun in the sun. It seriously smells like an ocean breeze passing through a giant fruit salad made of pineapples and raspberries with an edible flower garnish. I always prefer fruity scents, so I’m definitely happy that I randomly grabbed one that I like instead of something super musky or flowery. But hey, the unloved scents are great gifts for other people! Mwahaha. :*)

So there you have it, my Bath & Body Works September Freebie! What is your favorite scent from B&BW? Who is excited for all of the fall fragrances in stores now? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah