Liebster Award #9

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Liebster Award #9

Hi everyone and happy Thursday!! Today is an exciting day because lifewithlilred just got nominated for its ninth Liebster Award. I want to thank my kind nominator, Karissa from Karissa Jacksn so much for thinking of lifewithlilred while creating your post! Karissa is absolutely darling and I know that you’ll enjoy her page so do check it out and give it some love! Now, let’s get to the rules:

The Rules:

  • Acknowledge the blogger who nominated you.
  • Answer the 11 questions given by the blogger.
  • Nominate 11 other bloggers.
  • Ask 11 new questions for them to answer.

Q & A:

Where is your favorite hangout spot? I love going to the Cashmere Cricket with my friends. It’s my favorite bar and it has the most amazing martinis!

What reminds you most of your childhood? Uhhh, I don’t know, I never really thought about it.

What is your favorite candy? Anything sour! I love Sour Patch Kids, Warheads, Sour Skittles, and Shockers.

Texting or calling? Why? It really depends. If I’m trying to have an in depth conversation or make plans with someone, then definitely calling. But if it’s just a “whatever” chit chat, then texting it is!

What is your favorite drink? I like water and coffee. My favorite pop is Diet Coke. My favorite alcoholic drink is moscato and the Strawberry Lemon Drop Martinis from the Cashmere Cricket.

If you could live on a different planet, would you do it? Why? Why not?! If it were an actual civilization and not some barren wasteland, then sure!

Are you now, or were you ever afraid to go to the dentist? Yes! I always have been. I hate going to the dentist and the eye doctor because anything to do with teeth or eyes makes me really squeamish. This all stems from my love of horror movies because so many flicks have painful scenes that have to do with teeth or eyes and that just really gets to me. Freaking YUCK.

Do you have any celebrity crushes? Do I ever! Jack White, Marilyn Manson, Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie, Britney Spears, and Gwen Stefani, just to name a few!

Did you decorate your living space? Do you like it? No I didn’t because I’m still at home. But I don’t hate it or anything – it’s home!

City or Suburb? Why? Mmmm…suburb. Cities would just be too much for me and the constant noise and hustle and bustle would be so anxiety provoking, in my opinion.

What’s one piece of advice you would give to your younger self? Not to get so worked up about what other people think.

My Nominees (I’m only doing three):

My Questions For You:

  1. What is your favorite social media platform?
  2. What is your favorite holiday to celebrate?
  3. How do you treat yourself when you need a pick me up?
  4. Do you prefer hot or cold weather?
  5. What do you normally do on a day off?
  6. What is your favorite thing to write about?
  7. Favorite television show?
  8. Something that really annoys you?
  9. No makeup for two weeks or wearing the same outfit for a week?
  10. What is your favorite emoji?
  11. What do you normally order when you’re at a restaurant?

Thank you so much again to Karissa for nominating lifewithlilred for its ninth Liebster Award! How would you answer some of Karissa’s questions for her nominees? How about some of my questions for mine? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Green Day Concert

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Green Day Concert

Hellooo everyone and happy Hump Day! This past Monday, I went to see Green Day at the Blossom Music Center in good ol’ Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Unfortunately, I was (and still am) feeling pretty under the weather, so I can’t say that I enjoyed myself as much as I would have liked to. I would by no means say that Green Day is one of my favorite bands or anything, but I don’t dislike them at all. I actually like them quite a bit, but their concert really just missed the mark for me. Let’s discuss:

I will say that the set list for the Revolution Radio tour was excellent. They focused on some old and new favorites that really took you through the thirty years of Green Day’s existence. Opening with newer heavy hitters like “Know Your Enemy”, “Bang Bang”, and “Revolution Radio” then transitioned seamlessly into older jams like “Holiday”, “Hitchin’ a Ride”, and “Minority”. Like I said, the set list really was good. BUT…

The major BUT(T) is the pure bullshit that happened throughout the show. Literally after EVERY SONG there was at least five minutes of dicking around that ranged from Billie Joe making strange noises into the microphone, encouraging everyone to get “fucking crazy”, or making the audience repeat “hey-oooooo” back at him for the thousandth time.

At the beginning, this was funny and entertaining. But, rest assured, that it got very old, very very quickly. I kept wondering if I would have had a better time if I wasn’t feeling so poorly, but I genuinely don’t think that I would have. The constant silliness of what was happening between the songs was just too much.

All of the bullshitting took away from how wonderful the band sounded live, and that’s sad that I’m just now bringing up how amazing they sounded. Everything about their playing was just perfect, even better than on the albums, really. BUT(T), their live performance turned into well over two hours of tom foolery peppered with good music. It was a shame.

It actually pains me to write such a poor review because I was looking forward to this concert so much. Don’t get me wrong, I have mad respect for Green Day. Thirty years of making music is something that should be celebrated. And maybe what they were doing during their show on Monday would have worked twenty years ago…but, sadly, it fell incredibly short of the high expectations that I had.

Am I glad that I went? I guess. Would I recommend seeing them live? If you’re a hardcore fan, then sure. But I can’t say that I would want to see them play again in the future. Whomp whomp.

So there you have it, my review of the Green Day Concert! Who of my readers are Green Day fans? Have you ever been to a concert that disappointed you? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

PS: Sorry for the lack of pictures! We were quite far away from the stage, so getting a good quality shot was impossible.

Featured Image By: NME

Lil Red’s Dream Dressing Room

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Lil Red’s Dream Dressing Room

Hi everyone and happy Monday!! Any fashionista can agree that having a huge walk in closet would be the dream. What would yours include? A wall dedicated to your shoe collection? Display cases full of accessories? A tech system that matches your outfits for you a la Cher in Clueless? An in home Dressing Room where you could escape and be surrounded by pretty things sounds like just what the doctor ordered to me! And since we’re on the subject, mine would look something like this:

Lil Red’s Dream Dressing Room

The Color Palette:

My dressing room would be my goth queen lair so the obvious color choices for my room would be black, red, and white. I’m thinking deep, midnight black walls, one oxblood accent wall, and bright, white display features to pop against such a dark palette.

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You get the idea!

The Fixtures:

As I said before, crisp white shelving is a must in my walk in closet and each wall would have its own purpose:

Wall 1) I would want an entire wall of cubby holes dedicated to my shoe collection (I have over fifty pairs!), along with a gorgeous white wooden ladder on wheels to reach those high up pumps!

Wall 2) The second wall would house shelving for pieces of clothing that need to be folded on one side and accessories on the other like hats and purses.

Wall 3) Wall number three would feature two sturdy white iron bars for clothes that need hanging like jackets, dresses, skirts, and my black skinny jean collection. The sliding ladder from my shoe wall would also come in handy here, since your girl is only 5’1!

Accent Wall 4) Finally, on my oxblood accent wall, I would want a huge and very well lit full length mirror so that I could evaluate my outfit choices and give it the yay or nay. On both sides of the mirror, I would have glass display cases of jewelry so that I could easily add or take away accessories depending on what the outfit needs.

** And, of course, organization on my walls is extremely important. For shoes, I would display them according to their style and my clothes would be organized by season and color.

The Lighting:

Having excellent lighting in my dressing room is crucial, since the color palette on the walls is so dark. Although I do love the smaller pendant lights from Arhaus, my goth lair calls for a gigantic chandelier! I would want three chandeliers hanging from the ceiling at varying lengths with each individual one being black, white, or red. You can shop Arhaus’s lighting page for your own illuminating inspiration and then check out mine, which looks like this:

Miscellaneous Additions:

If I had my Dream Dressing Room, my friends and I would be spending a lot of time in there, so additional extras are very important. My room would definitely need:

  • A mini fridge stocked with wine and Diet Coke at all times.
  • An excellent sound system.
  • A TV to watch rom-coms with the girls.
  • A gorgeous vanity stocked with makeup and hair styling supplies.

Can you say dream hang out, or?!

Obviously, my walk in closet would have to be huge and my budget would have to be even bigger – but it isn’t called Lil Red’s Dream Dressing Room for nothing! What would be in your dream closet? Am I missing anything in mine? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Giphy

Say Yes To The Guest (Appropriate Wedding Attire)

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Say Yes To The Guest (Appropriate Wedding Attire)

Hello hello everyone and happy Monday! With summer drawing to a close, the familiar crisp rush of autumn air comes swooping in with one thing for certain in store: Fall weddings. The autumn season is such a gorgeous time to host a marriage ceremony that can range from whimsical fall fun to a more dark, romantic approach in the style of your big day. Of course, the wedding is all about the bride and the groom but that doesn’t mean that you should be slacking in the style department as a guest.

Being invited to a wedding is and should be held as an esteemed honor. The new couple likes you enough to want you there on their special day – this is a big deal and should be respected as such. This means that a dowdy dress or suit simply won’t do. Let’s take a look at The Black Tux’s wedding guest style guide and then stick around to chat with Lil Red for some more pro tips:

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^^^ Who knew that there were so many different styles of wedding attire?!

The first thing that we’re going to talk about when it comes to dressing as a wedding guest ties into the guide seen above. It is so SO important as a guest to respect the vibe of the wedding. It shouldn’t have to be said, but it is such an obvious DO to accommodate to the dress code if it’s listed.

If there is no dress code on the invitation, then it is in good taste to dress appropriately for the type of wedding that you are attending. Is it an early afternoon church ceremony? A knee length dress for the ladies and a semi-formal suit for the gents will do. Or are we attending a rustic style wedding with outdoor vows? Remember, it’s autumn and there might be a chill in the air. A smart suit set for the ladies with trousers or a skirt with thick tights underneath is a chic take on outdoor wedding style. For the guys, you can get away with a more casual look, as well, with a nice pair of slacks and a suit jacket or blazer on top.

It is always worth mentioning, again, that the weather is subject to change during fall weddings. Be prepared. Being stuck with the sniffles all day because you failed to bring a cardi or a blazer for over your dress is nobody’s fault but your own, because I’m literally warning you right here. Despite this warning, I just know that it will not be heeded by everyone, which gives the rest of us a chance to score some brownie points. Guys, wear a cardigan under your jacket in case you see a damsel in distress with the shivers. Ladies, if you’re wearing a thicker dress or suit set, offer your extra blazer to a gal in need. You’ll be a wedding hero, trust me.

And, finally, if you’re in doubt about what to wear, just ask! It is so much better to shoot a quick text to the bride or groom and get their opinion instead of showing up to the wedding looking like a straight up goon. That suit or dress that you’ve been feeling wishy washy about wearing might work, after all. But, if that isn’t the case, then do be sure to check out The Black Tux’s suit and tuxedo rentals page for all of your gentlemen attire needs. And, as for us girls, I think that we can swing some wedding guest dress shopping with a trip to the mall or an online shopping sesh – Hello, Modcloth!

With The Black Tux’s style guide and Lil Red’s pro tips, you should have no problem Saying Yes To The Guest (Appropriate Wedding Attire)! What is your favorite part about attending a wedding? How do you style a wedding guest appropriate look for fall? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Giphy

Sunshine Blogger Award #4

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Sunshine Blogger Award #4

Hi everyone and happy Sunday! I am so thrilled that lifewithlilred has been nominated for its fourth Sunshine Blogger Award by my friend, Sarah, at Vintage Tea Rose. Not only does Sarah have the best name on the planet but she also runs a fabulous blog, which all of you should check out ASAP! Now, let’s get on to the rules for this award:

The Rules:

  • Thank the blogger who has nominated you for this award.
  • Answer the 11 questions that the blogger asked you.
  • Nominate 11 new blogs and write 11 new questions for them.
  • List the rules and display the logo of the sunshine blog award in your post.

Q & A:

Do you remember any of your dreams? Can you describe one? I have the absolute craziest dreams. You know how people dream about their teeth falling out? Ever since I started getting my talon nails three years ago, I have a reoccurring dream where I’m digging through dirt with my bare hands and my nails are breaking off in the process. Whenever I wake up, I’m so thankful to see that my claws are all still there!

Do you have any family tradition that you want to carry on? Uhh…None that I can think of haha my family doesn’t really have any special traditions. Then again, we usually all get margarita drunk during one of our birthdays. Yeah, I’ll carry out that tradition, for sure!

Who do you laugh the hardest with and why? My mom!! Omg, I always laugh when I’m with her because we both find the same silly things hysterical so once one of us starts laughing it’s totally contagious! For example, a judge on one of our favorite TV shows laughed really funnily and we re-winded the show so many times to hear it again and we were just crying with laughter! Like I said, it’s silly stuff that we think is funny while other people are like “what is wrong with them?”.

What has been the best piece of advice you have received? “Haters gonna hate”, which was on a wrist band that my best friend gave me for like my fifteenth birthday.

Would you rather never read another book or never watch another film/TV show? I love to read, so I would be okay without TV or movies, I suppose.

You’ve been arrested! What have you most likely done? Ooooh, let’s see…If I ever got arrested, it would probably be for a mishap while I’m really wine drunk, lol AYYYY.

Do you have a personal motto that you live by? What is it? Meh, not really.

Do you have a favorite post that you’ve written? Link to it. Meh, again, not really.

What is one of your pet peeves? When people ask me how I do anything with my talon nails! It’s so freaking annoying. -_-

Name one song that you never get tired of hearing. “Beautiful Day” by U2.

What’s something that your brain tries to make you do but you have to will yourself not to do it? Blow my bank account in one huge shopping spree!! Believe me, I think about it on the daily. It’s my cross to bear, I suppose. 😉

My Nominees (I’m only doing three):

My Questions For You:

  1. What is your favorite candy or sweet treat?
  2. What is a staple piece in your wardrobe?
  3. What is your least favorite color?
  4. Texting or phone calls?
  5. Favorite way to spend a day off?
  6. What was your favorite childhood toy?
  7. What are some of your favorite things about yourself?
  8. Do you have a favorite hobby other than blogging?
  9. If you were a boy do you know what your name would have been?
  10. What is your favorite name for a boy? For a girl?
  11. What is something that you are afraid of?

Thank you so much again to the sweet Sarah of Vintage Tea Rose for lifewithlilred’s fourth Sunshine Blogger Award! How would you answer some of Sarah’s questions for her nominees? How about some of the questions that I asked mine? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Alternative Ways Of Helping People For A Living

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Alternative Ways Of Helping People For A Living

When you picture a career that involves helping people, you usually envision jobs in medicine, law, education, or even management. On one hand, these are very easy industries to get into; you find out what to study, get the relevant experience, and then hope that you’ll soon start making meaningful contributions to society. However, these are just some of the ways that you can lend a hand to your fellow man. Maybe you can see yourself happily employed in one of the aforementioned industries, but if you’re still hoping that there’s another way for you to help people, here are a few suggestions to inspire you:

Life Coach: Life is definitely not a walk in the park. Everyone goes through periods of self-discovery, but there is also a lot of confusion during those periods. We all know what it’s like to not know what you want to do with your life or what job you want. You could help all these confused masses by becoming a life coach. You don’t need to go to a fancy school to get qualified; you can get life coach training from animascoaching.com or any other online accredited course. As a Life Coach, you can help them narrow their focus and help your clients to close the gap between where they are now and where they want to be. There are elements of counseling and behavioral therapy involved, but you don’t need any kind of prior experience to get started.

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One of many ways to help!

Massage Therapist: Looking after people’s health is not just limited to a career in medicine or psychology. More and more people feel increasingly stressed at work or they’re in a lot of pain after they’ve been injured. As a massage therapist, you could help ease some of their tension, help them unwind, and even recommend a few therapies that they could try at home between treatments. The best part for you is that you don’t need to save up hundreds of dollars to get qualified – all you need is a certificate or diploma, and then you can work your way up through a spa. The most important thing that you will teach your clients is that it’s okay to take a break from the world and indulge in some “Me-Time” every once in a while. It will leave them better equipped to continue taking on challenges in their daily life.

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Ahhhhh 🙂

Personal Trainer: Everyone is worried about their health, especially when they’re very aware that they live a mostly sedentary lifestyle. Fortunately, you don’t have to be a doctor to help people get their health back in good condition. Personal trainers can also specialize in diet and nutrition so that they can help their clients completely overhaul their unhealthy lifestyle. There is more than one way to become a personal trainer, so you can choose to enroll in a full time intensive course or get qualified in a part time course so that you don’t have to give up your day job. Seeing your clients get happier, stronger, and healthier, will be a fulfilling way to live your life.

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Oh yeah!

Although being an ER nurse is most admirable, it’s not the only way to help out those around you, as you can see from this post! Happy weekend!

If The Shoe Fits: Guess Edition

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If The Shoe Fits: Guess Edition

Hi everyone and happy weekend! So in Lil Red’s world, summer time is all about the heels. Platforms, wedges, pumps, heeled sneakers and sandals, the works. But when it comes to fall, I say bring on the boots! Thigh high, knee high, ankle booties, riding boots, combat boots, ALL BOOTS EVERYTHING. With fall fast approaching, a recent trip to TJMaxx helped me kick start my excitement for my favorite season with these gorgeous Guess combat boots. Take a look:

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Literally as soon as I saw these boots, I knew that they were coming home with me. When it comes to my boots, especially combat ones, the more punk rock the better. These forty dollar glorious Guess boots have everything that I love in footwear: The color black, badass buckles, and stud detailing. The more that I stared longingly at my boots, the more I fell in deep, passionate love with them. They are perfect.

Besides for being obsessed with everything about my new darlings, I definitely was loving the price, too. To get a pair of really nice combat boots from such a reputable brand like Guess for forty dollars was such a steal, to me. Honestly, a higher price would have made me stop and really think about purchasing them, so the forty dollar price point was perfect for me. Anything higher would have more than likely been a no go but I still felt like I was getting an amazing deal for them. There was no original price tag on my boots but the TJs “Compare at” price was sixty-four dollars, which I have a hard time believing because they look way more expensive than that, in my humble opinion!

But the best part about these shoes is all of the styling possibilities that come with it. I plan on taking my boots to a whole new level of Anarchy Cool with one of my favorite shirts from Zara, seen here, the blackest, skinniest jeans that I can find, a deep red lip, tousled hair, and chunky chain jewelry for a look fresh out of England’s old school punk scene. I CAN’T WAIT.

Like I said, fall is all about the boots, and I can’t wait to ring in the season with my newest pair in this issue of If The Shoe Fits: Guess Edition! What is your favorite style of boots? How do you style combat boots into your fall wardrobe? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Understanding Reverse Mortgages

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Understanding Reverse Mortgages

A reverse mortgage is a way to increase the money that you have during your retirement by accessing part of your home’s value in the form of actual money. You can borrow up to a certain percentage of the value of your home, and you won’t have to pay it back in the same way that you would a regular home loan. The only monthly installments involved will be the ones that the lender pays to you, unless you request to borrow a large amount at once. You can pay back a reverse loan whenever you want, as long as you don’t move away.

As soon as you leave, the lender can exercise their right to call in the loan, and they can also sell the home to get their money. But, as long as you plan to stay in your house for a while, a reverse mortgage can provide a much needed financial boost in times of trouble.

Who qualifies for a reverse mortgage? There are certain requirements in order to qualify for a reverse mortgage. An individual must own their home outright. If there is still a mortgage balance owed, it must be low enough that it can be paid off at closing. The homeowner is still required to pay property taxes and insurance, so they must have the finances to do so. The individual must be at least 62 years old or, if there are multiple owners, the youngest must be at least 62 years old.

When does a reverse mortgage become due? The reverse mortgage becomes due when the homeowner sells the house, moves out of the property, or becomes deceased. If there are multiple owners, the mortgage does not become due as long as at least one of them still remains in the home as a primary residence. Once the reverse mortgage is due, the balance of the loan must be paid back within six months. If you are nearing retirement, for instance, then you may want to think about how else you can pay your mortgage. You will want to find out the latest RIO mortgage rates from the Halifax Building Society, or a similar company, as you decide if this option is feasible or not for you and your family. You never want this to overextend your budget.

What happens with the estate? In the event that the homeowner or owners are deceased, beneficiaries of the estate can choose to place the property for sale. If the estate sells for more than the amount of the reverse mortgage, the proceeds become the property of the beneficiaries. Should the house sell for less than the total amount of the reverse mortgage, the lender must take the loss. The debt cannot be passed along to the heirs of the estate.

The estate beneficiaries may, instead, choose to pay back the reverse mortgage in order to retain ownership of the property. In this event, they must pay back any balance remaining on the mortgage. This can be done either by using financial assets or by refinancing the mortgage.

What if I change my mind? If a senior citizen obtains a reverse mortgage and then reconsiders, they have the option of paying back the loan early. Prior to September of 2012, lenders could charge a penalty for repaying the loan prior to term. Since then, penalties for prepayments are illegal. However, lenders may charge other administrative fees for processing the early discharge of the loan.

Reverse mortgage counseling: Deciding if a reverse mortgage is right for you depends on many factors, and consumers need to understand all of the pros and cons. An impartial reverse mortgage counselor can fully explain exactly what the loan entails. They will also be able to inform you of other mortgage solutions that you can consider. This is a big decision and you must know all of the facts before making your choice. This counseling is mandatory in order to protect consumers. Counseling may be done face-to-face or over the phone. After providing counseling, the counselor must sign an HECM Counseling Certificate and mail a copy to the homeowner. The copy is presented to the lender along with the reverse mortgage application.

Let’s be honest, any type of financing when it comes to your home can be confusing. It is always best to handle your affairs with the utmost care and to consider how each of your options, like a reverse mortgage, fits into your current lifestyle.

Featured Image By: Flickr

If The Shoe Fits: Coconuts By Matisse Edition

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If The Shoe Fits: Coconuts By Matisse Edition

Hi everyone and TGIF! Okay, you guys all know how much Lil Red loves shoes – specifically heels. But two of my latest footwear purchases from TJMaxx sport barely there lifts, which I’m shockingly okay with. The mule shoe is the it thing right now, and I have been on the prowl for the perfect pair since they made their debut late in the spring.

The mule hunt has proven to be extremely difficult. I don’t want them completely flat like a slipper but I also don’t want a huge, chunky heel like a clog. I thought that all hope was lost until a TJs trip last weekend, which resulted in these Coconuts By Matisse baroque beauties:

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Having size six feet truly is a blessing, because the pair seen above was the only one in the entire shoe department and it felt like they were sitting there just waiting for me. My new Matisse mules were stationed on the bottom shelf, tucked into the corner of the size six section looking forlornly for a new owner. Thank god I came along to help out with that!

These beautiful slip ons were the first thing that caught my eye upon entering TJ’s shoe section and as soon as I saw them, I knew that they were “the one”. The stunning pattern? The tiny heel? The pure craftsmanship of the embroidery? The twenty-five dollar price tag? As if my leg didn’t need twisted to buy them before!

The small lift of these mules was the selling point for me when it came down to it. Frankly, if my new babies were totally flat, then I don’t think that they would have been coming home with me. I don’t like flats. I really just despise how they look on me and this mini kitten heel made me feel excited to not be wearing four plus inches high shoes. That’s not just saying something, that’s screaming something.

My Coconuts By Matisse mules are going to be so extraordinarily perfect for fall. The rich jewel tones will add spice to the black skinnies that make up my cold weather wardrobe and will look simply stunning among the fallen leaves on the ground. I’m looking forward to wrapping up the summer by wearing these with shorts during errand days, but will be transitioning them into the autumn season with A-line skirts and sun dresses with thick tights underneath.

There’s no doubt that my marvelous mules will be making a huge statement in my autumn wardrobe and I can’t wait to kick up my mini heels for some fall fun! And for more heelless hootenanny, be sure to tune in for the next edition of If The Shoe Fits where I discuss an edgy new pair of combat boots perfect for a punk night out at the Marilyn Manson concert that I so desperately want to attend!

So there you have it, the latest issue of If The Shoe Fits: Coconuts By Matisse Edition! How do you rock the mule trend? What is your favorite brand of shoes? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Five Satisfying Job Options We Don’t Hear Enough About

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Five Satisfying Job Options We Don’t Hear Enough About

Satisfaction. It’s an important word, which means something different for each of us. For some, it’s getting to the next level on that challenging computer game. For others, it’s saving lives on a daily basis.

In all its forms, satisfaction is valid and important. When it comes down to it, it’s often the thing with which we judge our lives. When we look back on each year, we consider how much we have achieved. When we look back on our lives, many of us wonder how much of an impact our actions have had.

It’s no surprise, then, that many people look for jobs which bring bucket loads of satisfaction. Despite care work not being the best-paid job in the world, many people seek it out. If nothing else, that’s a true testament to how important we consider satisfaction in our lives. For some of us, though, the care industry isn’t the right path. It takes a lot of patience and inner strength to get along in a career like this. As such, it’s not going to suit everyone.

But, not wanting to care for others shouldn’t put an end to your dreams of job satisfaction. In fact, there are plenty of other jobs which can bring just as much joy. We may not hear about them often, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t out there. To give you some idea of your options, we’re going to look at a few here:

Working With Children: What could be more satisfying than having an impact on future generations? While teachers may not get the same credit as, say, doctors, they definitely deserve to. These are the people who are shaping young minds. Many big ideas for the future will be planted in today’s classrooms.

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Cute!

If you don’t fancy the classroom, why not consider social work? Again, you’ll be having an enormous impact on the futures of kids. You’ll get the opportunity to form real bonds with the children you work with. It’s no easy task, though, as you’ll also have to decide when you separate families. To go down this route, you would also need to get the right qualifications. But, with options like online master’s social work courses, there’s no reason why you can’t get going. A job worth caring about is worth working for.

These are by no means the only options when it comes to kids, either. You could also opt for something like youth club supervision or pre-school work. The satisfaction will be there, but you won’t have to return to study to achieve it.

Working With Animals: They say don’t work with children or animals, and we’ve broken both of those rules already. But, if you have a soft spot for four-legged friends, an animal option could be the career for you. In many ways, this is like a care job. If anything, the satisfaction levels could be higher because fewer people consider it.

Again, there are a few different options. At the extreme end of the scale, you could become a vet. Bear in mind, though, that veterinary studies are extensive and will take a long time to complete. As an excellent alternative, you could always work as a veterinary receptionist. You’ll still get the chance to give advice and make a difference, but you don’t need qualifications to do so. If you have a desire to work with animals, search for veterinarian jobs near you to get your career started.

Or, you could opt to work in a rescue center. These jobs are often hard to come by, but making a difference to unwanted animals is about as good as it gets. If you manage to work your way to the top, you’ll be going into some nasty situations. There’s no denying that it can be traumatic, but you’ll be able to remove animals by working with the police. A good way to start would be to volunteer. This in itself will help your quest, and, if they like what they see, big things may follow.

Last, but by no means least, you could work as a conservationist in a zoo. Here, you’ll be working hard to breed and reintroduce animals into the wild. Not only does this help the animals themselves, but also the planet as a whole. Go get ‘em, tiger!

five1I NEED this bunny!!

Get Artsy: How about trying your hand at an artistic pursuit? Artists often get a bad rep and, let’s be honest; it’s one of the hardest careers to make a go in. But, the satisfaction stakes here are high, because many of us measure our overall satisfaction based on the mark we leave. And, nothing’s quite so good at making a mark as art in all of its forms.

Of course, your artistic pursuit can be whatever you want it to be. Have you been songwriting for years in private? Do you have a secret skill with paint that no one’s seen since school? Whatever your strength, it’s time to take it out of the closet. The majority of us have some creative outlet we could put to use and there’s no better time than the present to use it!

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Open A Restaurant: Who would have thought that a restaurant would find its way onto the most satisfying jobs list? We did, which is why it’s here! Owning a restaurant may not be up there with saving lives. But, its place on this list is well deserved and here’s why:

Life is stressful. Work gets on top of us, and there’s rarely a respite. Even when we’re at home, we’re often thinking about what we need to do the next day. It never ends. Unless you don’t head home after work. You get dressed up and go out to eat. Finally, you can enjoy yourself and relax. There’s no worries, no pressures, and best of all, no washing up! If we didn’t have restaurants to escape to, the world would be a much darker place. We joke, but it’s true. Everyone needs an escape and someone needs to create it. Let that person be you by opening up a restaurant.

In a way, the artistic aspect comes into play here, too. Because it’s not just enough to open any old space and serve food. You need to leave your mark by creating a beautiful place to spend time in. You’ll need to get everything right, from the decor to the ambience and the food. Your restaurant could provide a new favorite spot for customers and it is up to you to keep it that way. You will want an excellent, welcoming, and well trained staff as well as making the building accessible to everyone. And, of course, it is important to have the right protection like Vermont Restaurant Insurance (or your local area) should something go wrong. The right insurance can give true peace of mind so be sure to explore your options carefully.

five3And who DOESN’T love eating?!

Reasonable Real Estate: When you think about it, it’s baffling that real-estate doesn’t appear on more satisfying jobs lists. What could be better than knowing you’ve put roofs over people’s heads when they needed them most? You may not be restarting their heart with your bare hands, but you’re ensuring that they have a high quality of life. At least, you could be.

Unlike the other jobs mentioned, the satisfaction involved depends completely on you. If you become a bad landlord, you won’t see the rewards. You won’t be able to rest easy if you’re overcharging or failing to fix issues. In fact, the plan will backfire in a major way. Sure, you’ll make more money. But satisfaction isn’t about money, remember?

Instead, you need to do things right. Offer as reasonable a price as possible so that you give more people a chance to get a place. Make sure that you’re a reliable contact, by answering any queries as soon as humanly possible. And, make sure to pay for repairs the moment they need doing. It’s all simple stuff and that’s all it takes to make real-estate a satisfying option. Give it a go and see where it gets you!

So, there are a few of your options. As you can see, they all have their benefits, even if you wouldn’t have assumed them to be satisfying. And these aren’t the only unexpectedly satisfying careers. You can make a difference in any number of ways if you know how!