Blogger Recognition Award #5

Standard
Blogger Recognition Award #5

Hi everyone and happy Monday! Today has been off to a great start, as it began with seeing a comment that lifewithlilred was nominated for its fifth Blogger Recognition Award. Thank you so much to my friend, Stephanie, over at Stephanie Grace for the nomination! Please be sure to go check out her page and give it some love! Now, let’s get on to the rules for this award:

The Rules:

  • Thank the blogger who nominated you and link to their blog.
  • Write a post to show your award.
  • Give a brief story of how your blog started.
  • Give two pieces of advice to new bloggers.
  • Select 15 other bloggers that you want to give this award to and comment on each blog to let them know with a link to your award post.

Because lifewithlilred has been nominated for this post before, I am going to go straight to naming my nominees. But, if you are interested, you can see my original post for my first Blogger Recognition Award with all of my advice here!

My Nominees (I’m only doing three):

Thank you so much again to Stephanie for my nomination and do make sure to take a look at her blog! How was everyone’s weekend? Who has been on a summer vacation already? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Expert Roundup: Hair Dyeing For Beginners

Standard
Expert Roundup: Hair Dyeing For Beginners

Hi everyone and happy weekend!! I am so proud to announce my participation in Perfect Hair Guide’s Expert Roundup to give pro tips on Hair Dyeing For Beginners. I am no cosmetologist, beauty guru, or stylist – but I have been coloring my hair since I was at least fourteen (I’m 23 now!). I used to get my beloved red locks spruced up at the salon, but upon realizing how much money I could save with my favorite box color, I made the switch to dyeing my own hair at home.

Thanks to Vidal Sassoon’s Runway Red dye from their London Luxe collection, I turned a monthly eighty dollar bill at the salon into a ten dollar purchase, saving me time and money. It always makes me feel so good when people compliment my hair and ask me for my secrets to maintaining such a vibrant color. The look of shock that I get when I tell them that I dye it myself never gets old, either!

It was such a joy to be able to share some of my tips when it comes to hair dyeing and maintenance with the world wide web, which you can see below:

blurbb

^^^ KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!!!

For more amazing advice when it comes to dyeing your hair, please be sure to give Perfect Hair Guide’s Expert Roundup a looksee! What are some of your hair dyeing pro tips? What color is your hair currently? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

July 2017 Finishes

Standard
July 2017 Finishes

Hi everyone and TGIF! My goodness, the months are just flying by, which brings us to another wrap up post for all of the beauty goodies that I used during July. This month brought to an end some products that I’ve been using for what seems like forever as well as some short lived lotions that were still enjoyable, just the same. Take a look at my July Finishes and let’s discuss:

2017f.jpeg

Would I Use Again?

  • Bath & Body Works Beach Nights lotion: YES
  • The Body Shop Satsuma Body Puree: YES
  • Destiny Boutique Charcoal face wash: YES
  • The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost: YES
  • The Body Shop Amazonian Acai Energizing Radiance Mask: NO
  • Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara: YES

Why/Why Not?

B&BW Lotion: You guys all know that I love me some Bath & Body Works so, of course, this lotion was no exception. I got this full sized lotion as a freebie months ago and just now got around to using it and am so glad that I did! The Beach Nights scent smells amazing!! It literally smells like vanilla mixed in with the crisp sea breeze scent of the ocean and marshmallows roasted over a big bonfire. It’s absolutely delicious. A fair warning, though, – the lotion is quite pungent. I never wear lotion unless it’s at night, but even if I were a day time wearer, this would be my last choice to use. It took me about six full body uses to finish this product.

TBS Body Puree: I looooooove all things Satsuma from The Body Shop. To me, it is the most divine citrus scent on the market and I am always so happy when I can snag some of its energizing deliciousness. I would never buy The Body Shop bath and body care products from there because the prices are absurd, but when TJMaxx is stocked with their items, it’s hard not to indulge! I got this lotion for four bucks and it was such a wonderful treat. The Body Purees are so much lighter than a normal lotion – it feels like using a lush, aquatic gel and it feels so nice on the skin. The Purees also absorb almost instantly, which is another amazing touch! It took me about seven full body uses to finish this product.

Destiny Boutique Face Wash: Destiny Boutique is a brand that I discovered through TJMaxx that I freaking love. I am obsessed with all things charcoal and loved using their charcoal face bar so much that it seemed silly to not buy their cleanser. This face wash was well worth the ten dollar price tag as it took me OVER FIVE MONTHS to finish it. Every day, this cleanser left my skin feeling fresh, clean, and blackhead free – which is a fantastic way to feel! I’m so happy that I have another one of these washes in my hoard for another five months of beauty bliss!

TBS Skin Boost: I don’t need to explain my love for this product anymore, you guys already know all about it! It took me over two and a half months of daily use to finish my Vitamin C Skin Boost from The Body Shop.

TBS Face Mask: I really enjoy using face masks but, unfortunately, this Amazonian Acai Energizing Radiance Mask from The Body Shop really missed the mark. In its title, this mask has everything that I look for when selecting a product – something invigorating that provides bright radiance to the skin. This mask did none of that and my skin was left looking and feeling no different after about a month and a half of using it two times per week. The product smelled lovely, but it was far from effective. Whomp whomp.

Too Faced Mascara: I rarely write about makeup finishes during my monthly empties posts, but this mascara is a different story. Too Faced’s Better Than Sex mascara has been a complete game changer to my makeup routine. My sister got me hooked on the stuff and after using this mascara for close to FOUR MONTHS, I had to get more to feed my addiction!

This mascara is AMAZING. It does for my lashes what using multiple different tubes of mascara during my routine couldn’t even come close to doing. Better Than Sex gives you gorgeous fanned out, jet black, lush, plush lashes that stay in place but still feel soft to the touch. There is literally nothing better and I am so willing to shell out the twenty-three dollar price tag for a mascara that does what the classic drug store brands can’t. It’s worth every penny and then some.

Besides for my face mask from The Body Shop, July was a very successful month for my finishes. I am so happy with the empties that I did like and would happily purchase them again in a heart beat!

So there you have it, my July 2017 Finishes! Which beauty products did you finish up for the month? Has anyone used any of my empties before? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

It’s In The Bag: Glorious Gudetama Edition

Standard
It’s In The Bag: Glorious Gudetama Edition

Hello everyone and happy Thursday! So all over the blogosphere I’ve seen posts about this month’s Ipsy bag featuring a special little egg named Gudetama. Long story short, I’m obsessed. I’m not that big of a makeup girl so I’m not subscribed to Ipsy, but lucky for me, my older sister is! As soon as I saw the picture of the bag for the month, I made it clear to Kristen that I desperately wanted it. She wasn’t particularly blown away by the design (lol), so she happily passed it on to me! YES! Take a look:

gudetamagudetama1gudetama2

Everything about this pouch speaks to me on a spiritual level. The out there design, the “meh” zipper, the colors, Gudetama’s cute little fanny! It’s just perfect. Lol, I am so excited to transplant all of my little odds and ends from purse to pouch. Chapsticks that I never use, lighters, hand sanitizers, the whole nine yards. Who better to be the guardian of all of my random baubles than the laziest egg in the whole world?! I LOVE YOU, GUDETAMA! ❤

And a very special thank you to my beloved sister, Kristen, for parting with this sweet angel. :*) ❤

So there you have it, the newest issue of It’s In The Bag (Or, rather, It’s In The Pouch!): Glorious Gudetama Edition! Who of my readers are Ipsy subscribers? How did you feel about this month’s bag? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Deviant Art

Bathroom Upgrades That Will Help Sell Your House

Standard
Bathroom Upgrades That Will Help Sell Your House

If you are in the process of selling your home, you will probably be exploring the possibility of making a few upgrades. This is an effective way to ensure that your house sells quickly and at the price which you are asking. One of the rooms that you should definitely place a lot of attention on is your bathroom. THE THRONE ROOM! Here are some suggestions on how to make your salle de bain the best ever:

Add an ottoman or stool: By adding a stunning piece of decor that is also functional, you create the ultimate private hotel suite look. Why not put a stool beside the bathtub? You can add a potted plant, candle, or some hand towels to complete the look. Another option is to go for a long ottoman or a marble side table. Nothing says “luxury” like a gorgeous piece of furniture to drape your clothes on!

Buy a new toilet: Let’s face it, who really wants to use a toilet that countless other people have been using for many years? NO ONE. Upgrading your toilet can make your bathroom look new, and it will create a good impression on anyone that is interested in buying your home. Toto Toilets are good because they offer quality, as well as a versatile style selection. But we suggest playing it safe – not many people are going to want a bright red toilet!

Change your counter tops: A lot of people assume that changing their counter tops is going to be an expensive job. However, it is something that you can do yourself. DIY faux marble counter tops will cost you less than $100, yet they will look like they have cost a small fortune. This is a great way to give your bathroom a glam update without breaking the bank.

Flower frenzy: It is amazing how much of a difference that some fresh flowers can make. Fresh plants and flowers will make your bathroom come alive, adding instant texture and color. Plus, they improve the air quality in the room, making it much more welcoming when your viewers look around. There are many different styles of plants and flowers to choose from, but lush purple orchids work especially well in bathrooms.

Stick with neutrals: If you are going to invest in new cabinets, upgrade your tiles, or repaint your walls, it is always wise to stick with a neutral palette for these elements. This will appeal to buyers, because they want to imagine living there, which can be hard to do if you choose a vibrant color that is not suited to their taste. If you do want to add some color to the room, it is best to do it via the likes of accessories and towels.

Clean thoroughly: Last but not least, the importance of cleaning thoroughly should not be understated. Giving your bathroom a quick wipe over will not suffice. You need to ensure that every inch of the room is spotless – even the corners that you don’t think your home viewers will see. A sparkling bathroom gives the impression that your home has been well loved and maintained during your time there.

Bathrooms are where luxury and smart decor is key. Use the tips above to make your home fly off of the market in no time!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Bath Bomb Blitz: Intergalactic Planetary Edition

Standard
Bath Bomb Blitz: Intergalactic Planetary Edition

Helloooo everyone and happy Hump Day! Last night, I treated myself to using the other bath bomb that I got during my Lush shopping trip a few weekends ago. Other than the “DAD” one that I purchased (lolol), I also went with the galaxy bath bomb. I’ve seen many a post about this little wonder product so I just had to give it a go to see if it looks as cool in real life as it does on my laptop screen. SPOILER ALERT: It did! Take a look:

ip1ip2ip3ip4ip6ip5ip7ip8ip9

To me, the Lush bath bombs don’t smell a lot like anything – but that’s okay! These products are still a lot of fun. As soon as I dropped the galaxy bomb in the water, it changed almost instantly. The deep indigo, pink, green, and white began swirling about my tub so quickly and didn’t fizz out for at least fifteen minutes. As much as I loved my DAD bomb for humor’s sake, this one definitely took the cake!

Another pretty surprise was the glitter, that you can kind of see above in the second to last photo. The bright white glitter scattered throughout the water looked like little mini spiral galaxies in a dark night sky and it was so cool to see. As soon as the water was ready, I turned off the main lights in my bathroom, eased myself into the tub, and spent my evening floating around in outer space.

Like my DAD bath bomb, this galaxy one left my skin feeling so supple and hydrated. I was also pleasantly surprised to find that the dark blue water didn’t stain my tub, which was definitely a nice bonus! I’m a bit sad that I have no more bath bombs from Lush to play with, so I guess that’s what my Christmas wish list is for! Hey, it’s only five or so months away, right?! 😉

So there you have it, the newest issue of Bath Bomb Blitz: Intergalactic Planetary Edition! What is your favorite bath and body care product? How do you like to pamper yourself? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

9 Simple Self Care Changes That Make A Big Impact

Standard
9 Simple Self Care Changes That Make A Big Impact

Having a soothing evening of self care is something that everyone enjoys. A little bit of TLC can make a world of difference with how you feel. Here are some of the best ways to relax and refresh your mind and body:

A long, hot bath: This time may be difficult to achieve if you have young children, but if you do get the chance to have a long soak in the tub, then snap it up. Light some candles, switch the main light off, pour yourself a glass of your favorite drink, and dollop a large amount of bubble bath into the tub. Let the hot water and amazing aromas take you away from the stresses of life for a little while.

Another great thing to do when taking a bath, is adding some pink Himalayan salt to your water. It has incredible health benefits, especially in the realms of skin care. You’ll come out feeling relaxed and your skin will feel super soft thanks to the exfoliating properties of the salt.

nine

 Those nails!

Face masks: Another great way to treat your skin is to slap on a face mask, cut some slices of cucumber, and relax for ten or so minutes. Your skin will feel refreshed and supple and hopefully the cucumbers will have eliminated those tired bags from under your eyes.

One downside of face masks, is that the first few times that you use them, you may break out in acne. This is your body expelling the dirt underneath your skin. Always remember to make sure that you’re using a mask that is safe for your face. Check out beautyproductwarnings.com for the best advice on skin care and products.

Meditation is a fabulous way of unwinding from your day. Put some relaxing music on, sit comfortably, and breathe deeply. With each exhale of air, push out any worries or complications that you’ve had that day. Once you feel calm and relaxed, you can continue to enjoy the rest of your evening.

Similar to meditation, hypnosis can also work wonders with relieving stress. You simply pop some headphones in and listen. Make sure that you’re comfortable and let the recording take you away. Hypnosis can be great for people with anxiety or people who struggle to sleep. Michael Sealey’s YouTube account is a fantastic example of the hypnosis that you might want to look for.

nine1

 R&R

Time to yourself: Having a small amount of time to yourself is underrated. You may adore your partner and children but taking some time to just be yourself is incredible for the mind. Letting it all hang out (ayyy!) on the sofa in front of the TV is all some people need to rejuvenate.

Foot spa: You might not have a fancy foot spa at home, but there are other ways that you can treat your feet for next to no cost at all. Get yourself a bucket and fill it just under halfway with warm water (the heat you would use for a bath). Be sure to add some bubbles and maybe a drop of lavender oil into the water. Sit yourself down with a book or while watching TV and pop your feet into the bucket. You will feel relaxed almost instantly. Be sure to hit the pumice stone and lotion after!

Manis & Pedis are another great way of treating yourself. You don’t necessarily have to do this at home, either. Take yourself to your favorite salon and enjoy some pampering. Plus, with the amount of wonderful designs that you can choose for your nails these days, you will walk away looking absolutely fabulous.

Dye your hair: Doing this can make you feel like a whole new person. Your hair will look shiny and full of life again and you can even cover up those evil greys(!). Be careful not to over-dye your hair, though, as this can be very damaging to your scalp and locks. Be sure to also get regular trims if you dye your hair as split ends are easily formed.

nine3

 Pamper party!

Have a beauty evening with your girls: Invite the girls over for some drinks and giggles and ask them to bring their makeup bags. You can gossip and put the world to rights while doing each other’s makeup. It’s a great way of relaxing and afterwards, you will be ready to hit the town!

One thing to remember with using makeup is to not ruin your skin by caking it unnecessarily. Take a look at the best way to apply foundation and the routine you should adopt before applying it.

Spend alone time with your SO: It’s likely that you’ve both had a mega hectic day and have barely seen each other. Take the time at least once a week to cook a meal together and sit at the table with no distractions. Talking through your day or week with your loved one can relieve stress and anxiety, and it will also stop any distancing between you as a couple. Grab some wine and make it romantic. There’s nothing wrong with keeping the spark alive in your relationship, even if you’ve been together for many years.

nine4

#datenight

We all have to work hard in life to get what we want, but we also need to take care of ourselves in the process. Take time at least once a week to do one of these things and you will start to notice the difference in how you feel. Also, pampering and self-care will not only make you feel better, but look better too. It’s a win-win situation!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Time For A Fresh Start? Here’s How!

Standard
Time For A Fresh Start? Here’s How!

There are infinite reasons in life as to why you might need a fresh start. A new job that you want to be a brand new person for, a big move coming up, or anything that dramatically changes your life. When that time comes, making some alterations in your life might be necessary to get the full fresh start effect. If you’re ready to commit to feeling like a whole new person, follow these steps:

Have A Declutter Session:

Having too many possessions is never a good way to go when trying to get a fresh start. That means that it’s time to go through your wardrobe, the most cluttered place in most people’s houses. Get rid of the pieces that you haven’t worn in months (and probably never will again) and try to keep as few items as you will need. The idea is only to have pieces that go together, which will save you a lot of time when picking outfits! Having fewer clothes also helps you to have a tidier mind, perfect for a brand new you. As a bonus, you get to donate your unwanted items to charity.

We will talk more about a thorough cleaning in the next section, but decluttering is the first step in that process. This is especially important if you have done your research for residential cleaning services in San Antonio (or your local area) and are scheduling a cleaning. You do not want someone cleaning around your clutter for two main reasons. 1) You will not achieve a true deep clean. And 2) You will not get as much bang for your buck.

fresh

 #declutter

Clean The House:

Another thing that you can do for a fresh start is to have a massive clean out of your house. Now is the time when you would want to get in a house cleaning service so that you can get a thorough job done. When you are surrounded by a clean and organized house, it will feel like a brand new space. It makes room for you to add new decorations, pictures, and anything else that you think would be good for your new beginning. Just try to keep it very clean for as long as you possibly can!

fresh1

Cleanliness is godliness!

Out With The Negative:

If you have some people in your life who you feel anxious or unhappy around, you might need to change that. To have a fresh start, you need to let go of any people who aren’t enriching your life. You only want to be surrounded by individuals who add to the enjoyment of your life, without taking any away. Any relationship shouldn’t be a lot of hard work with little reward. This doesn’t mean that you need to cut all of your friends out straight away. Just try to see the people who make you happy more; it doesn’t have to happen in a horrible manner.

Focus On Yourself:

The most important thing that you can do is look after yourself during your new beginning. Spend a good few days being kind to yourself. Eat healthily and exercise a lot. Make a meal plan for yourself and try not to cheat! Get some movement in, even if that is just walking home from work or taking the long walk to the shops. If you do this, you’ll feel the best that you possibly can in yourself, allowing you to have the most amazing fresh start ever. You deserve it!

fresh3

Pexels Image

No matter how you choose to create your fresh start, be good to yourself and the rest will follow suit!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Pajama Party: My Calvins Edition

Standard
Pajama Party: My Calvins Edition

Hiii everyone and happy Tuesday! A brand that I admire from afar but would never purchase for myself is Calvin Klein. The chic, all American designs, the crisp and put together approach to their styling – I just love it. Unfortunately, my ballin on a budget lifestyle doesn’t allow for such designer spending – but that doesn’t mean that I can’t snag some darling CK sleep shorties at TJMaxx for a fraction of the cost! Take a look and let’s discuss:

ckck2ck1

The original price tag on the above short set was SEVENTY-TWO DOLLARS and I snagged them both for a phat twenty bucks! I absolutely love, love, love sleepwear. Nighties, pajama sets, sleep T’s, and shorts – I’m a huge fan. These Calvin Klein boxer style shorties are completely perfect for beating the summer heat with a huge T-shirt while lounging around before bed.

I’ve had my new shorties for a whole two days and am already so obsessed that I had to check the TJs website to see if they have them in any other colors. These sleep shorts are SO comfortable, breathable, and totally freaking adorable! And it does feel nice wearing Calvin Klein anything, even if it is just to bed! You can’t beat paying twenty dollars for a short set that costed over seventy smackers, that’s for sure. Another added bonus, is constantly thinking about Kate McKinnon’s glorious mock Calvin Klein ad on Saturday Night Live as Justin Bieber. #DYING

(And as always, I have no rights to this video!)

I might not be able to sport Calvin Klein on the daily, but at least I can break out my branded shorties every Pajama Party chance I get! How do you rock designer brands on a budget? What are some high end designers that you lust after? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

Standard
Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

When it comes to beauty, nothing is permanent and it’s important to remember that. Girls grow up and want to emulate their favorite pop stars, TV princesses, and movie queens and, as such, we copy every out-there look. Whether it’s a spray tan as dark as hardwood or a nose ring to copy the latest DJ, experimentation is part of growing up as a young person. That need to find out who you are comes with a territory and sometimes that territory means donning blue hair with green streaks. Don’t laugh, though, the mermaid look is very much in, and you only have to look here to see it!

Sometimes, even after that experimental teen phase passes, a change is needed. There are so many ways that you can make a change to your look; clothes and makeup being just two of them. Some of the changes can come with regret, but as we’ve already said, nothing is permanent. Piercings can be removed and the holes close up. Wardrobes can be reshuffled. Hair can be dyed back to a more ordinary color. Even tattoos inked into the skin can be sorted with several visits to a tattoo removal service. Beauty isn’t always cheap, and reversing that beauty isn’t, either. However, it is available to you and you don’t have to stay looking one way or another just because of a little ink or hair dye!

When it comes to changing part of your look, it comes with a shift in your life. So many self-help books tell you not to go for a big, dramatic change when stressful situations arise, but change is the way that so many people cleanse. Strip it all back and start again with a clean palette, that sort of thing. There are so many ways that you can change your appearance and reflect a different part of your personality. For example, someone who loves the meaning of tattoos and certain designs are more likely to cover themselves in tributes to areas of their lives that they never want to forget. Of course, these can be removed down the line, but that’s why it’s said never to get a tattoo unless you are 100% sure!

changee2Pretty!!

Those who enjoy the look of piercings are different to those who like to streak their hair with frosted blonde. The change that is made with a piercing can be reversed but more often than not, is preferably permanent. You can experiment with clip on piercings before going for the real thing, so you can see what it looks like. Ears are the usual place to pierce but those who want to be more out there and different go for noses, septum, lip, and even cheeks! Making a change in your appearance is never a bad thing, but you need to be sure that you want to make a change before you go for it. Understand your reasons behind the change and make sure that you feel comfortable with it.

Change is good for the soul and sometimes after tragedy or excitement strikes, a new update to your appearance is just what the doctor ordered!

Featured Image By: Wikimedia