Feb14

Your First Day On A New Job

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The first day of a new job can be a mixture of feeling terrified and excited. You are usually excited to get your teeth into your new role and prove yourself to your new colleagues. However, it can be pretty terrifying to be the only new person in a group of workers that have all know each other for ages! Luckily there are a few ways to make your first day go as smoothly as possible. Just read on to find out what they are:

Be Punctual: Whatever you do on the first day of your new job, make sure that you are punctual. Not only do you want to make a good impression and look keen, but you also don’t need the stress of rushing and wondering whether you are going to make it on time or not. Do a trial run of the journey at that time in the morning so you know exactly how it will go, and make sure you leave extra early for your first day. You don’t always have to leave at that time once you are established in your role but it can really help reduce your stress levels in the beginning.

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Tick tock!

Make Conversation: Something else that can be really helpful to do on the first day of work is to talk to as many people as possible. This is easier for some than others. Introverted folks will especially have a hard time with this. But do a little prep work to help you beforehand. Research topics for conversation in the news or the internet. Or pick out certain aspects of the company to talk about, like a major event that is coming up or their social club.

Remember, too, that if you have had a career change, that it’s best not to go on too much about your old job, the positives or the negatives. In fact, it’s better to be more interested in the role that you are doing now.

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Chatty Kathy!

Take a Packed Lunch: A great idea for your first day is to take a packed lunch with you. This is because you probably don’t know what the lunch facilities will be like there, or if you’ll even get a proper lunch break on the first day, as you may be super busy learning the ropes. It is super useful to have something with you that you can nibble on if you get hungry. Then, if you do get asked out to lunch with your colleges, you can just leave your pack up in the car. No harm done!

It’s Only Your First Day: The last thing you need to remember on the first day of your new job is that it’s just your first day! Most people won’t be asked to do anything too drastic unless you are in the military or medical fields. Instead, your employer will be expecting you to take a little time to get settled in, so use this to your advantage. Also, don’t stress too much if you don’t make any lasting connections with colleges straight away. These things take time and usually develop naturally if you are patient.

Feb13

Single On Valentine’s Day? Same.

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Single On Valentine’s Day? Same.

Hellooo everyone and happy almost Valentine’s Day! For some, Valentine’s Day is the best thing ever. A whole day to celebrate what a cute relationship you’re in with presents, dinner, and drinks? Woof. Sign me up! But for us Single Sarahs (and Sallys!), V-Day can kind of suck, am I right? A whole day dedicated to reminding you that you’re forever alone and the only touch you’ll be experiencing is your hand on a glass of wine? Woof. Can we just not and say we did?

But hey, instead of focusing on the fact that we’re single, sad, and suppressing emotions, let’s make Valentine’s Day tolerable, at the very least. V-Day is the day for us singletons to unite in our misery and encourage each other to drink heavily, finish that gallon of ice cream, and watch A Walk To Remember for the seventieth time. There ain’t no shame in our game, so let’s get to it:

First Things First: Get the vino. Head to your local gas station or grocery in your jammies and snag a bottle (or two!) of your favorite booze. You deserve it! After the wine is safely in your shopping basket, gather any other V-Day survival supplies that you might need. We’re talking ice cream, chocolates, and industrial size boxes of tissues – the works!

Next Off: Get yourself home and let the festivities begin. Crack a bottle and pop in your favorite chick flick. One of my personal favorites is Legally Blonde, but any girl power or romance movie will do! Bottoms up!

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After The Movie: Once your movie is over, you might be feeling even worse than before considering every classic chick flick ends with the girl wrapped around her handsome hunk of a man. That’s okay. Embrace your emotions of solitude, phone a friend, cry a little, hold your head in your hands and scream, and move on to the next activity.

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Cheer Up: Once you get all of the tears, snot, and screams out of your system, take a swig of wine or your favorite soft drink and repeat the process. Maybe this time you could even branch out of your movie comfort zone and watch an action packed adventure flick to get your mind off of cute movie couples that you aren’t a part of.

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Still Upset?

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Just Remember…

That you’re single every other day of the year, that your prince or princess charming is probably creeping on your social media pages as we speak, and that I still love you! ❤

And Also Remember…

That this post was made in good humor, always drink in moderation (!!!), and to stay off of Facebook for the day if seeing pictures of happy couples will upset you! 😉

If you’re Single On Valentine’s Day, it’s okay because I am too and will be available on social media, my comments section, and email for those who need a Lil Red pep talk! How do you feel about Valentine’s Day? Are you celebrating with your significant other or riding solo? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb12

Red Carpet Ready

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Hello everyone and happy Sunday! Tonight is the Grammy’s and you know what that means: a gathering of beautiful celebrities to celebrate sub par music! If you guys keep up to date on my Facebook page, you will know that I think the Grammy’s are kind of a joke. They didn’t always used to be that way to me, but over the years it just seems to have evolved into an award show for Top 40 hits that does little to celebrate the artists that are out there making music constantly without radio recognition. But, that’s just me. And despite not being the Grammy’s number one fan, I LOVE me a red carpet event because fashion.

Ahh, the red carpet. The glitz, the glamour, the style. I love it all. From ball gowns to barely there dresses, menswear and did he/she really just wear that? It all speaks to me. I have always been inspired by the fashion sense of some of my favorite celebrities so when I get to see them parade around on the red carpet right before my very eyes…AKA on the TV screen…it is such fun for me. Red carpet events give me a televised look book into what is hot this year and what is…ehhh – not so much.

The Grammy’s are an especially fun night in fashion because it is more down to earth than, say, the Oscars. Female celebrities will be seen breaking out the mini dresses and bright colors while the men can sport a more casual look and get away with it. In all honesty? After the red carpet, I usually turn the Grammy’s off. I know – shame on me. It’s just not my thing. However, you can catch me going gaga over the Oscars and Golden Globes anytime!

Anyways, after seeing all of the different clothes, styles, and choices that the red carpet brings, I am always left wondering how I would dress if I was given the opportunity to strut my stuff for the paparazzi. Well…for starters, I would need a gorgeous guy with his arm around my waist. Cue Jack White, please.

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(Image 1 from Mind Equals Blown. Image 2 from Music Of Business.)

Everyone who knows me knows that Jack White is my absolute dream man. I have his lyrics tattooed on my back, I have all of his albums from all of his bands and solo work, and I have loved him since childhood. Everything about him from his talent to staggering good looks is just perfect to me and it only makes sense to have a Grammy winner accompany me to the show!

A few things that I love about Mr. White are his strong opinions on everything from politics to The Black Keys. He knows himself well enough to be vocal about his likes and dislikes and, to me, that is so sexy. I have also really enjoyed watching his style develop over the years into what is now a very sharp and tailored red carpet persona. After the release of his 2014 album, Lazaretto (which also happens to be the song that I have lyrics tattooed from), you can see White venture away from his normal all black ensemble by incorporating patterned blazers into his look. One of which made its debut in the music video for Lazaretto.

So, how would I style my dream man, Jack White, for a night on the red carpet? It would look a little something like this:

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(Image 1 from Third Man Records. Image 2 from Most Stylish. Both blazers from Ali Express.)

When styling Jack White’s look, I was really inspired by both his album cover for Lazaretto as well as the music video for the song. I loved the deep teal suit that he sports on the album and thought that the Dolce & Gabbana suit seen above was a perfect match. However, I would have him ditch the top half of the suit for a black button down and one of the blazers (preferably the black and white one) in the pictures. This look would blend the worlds of the Lazaretto album cover and music video to a cool and cohesive red carpet look and I think that he would look just divine. All he needs to do is throw on one of his signature hats and he’s good to go!

It’s not like I picture Jack White in his underthings frequently (yeah right)…but what about his underthings? I would make sure that Mr. White is wearing the right undershirt as well as tightie whities (I had to) to prevent any red carpet mishaps. The last thing I want is my date picking at uncomfortable underoos all night! #embarassing So I would put my man in only the finest from Tommy John. Jack (since we’re on a first name basis) would be kept cool and comfortable in the Cool Cotton High V-Neck as well as the Second Skin Titanium Trunk seen below:

Now that I don’t have to worry about my date’s shirt untucking on the red carpet, what should I wear? Well, I’ve never been a glitzy, gown, glitter, and shimmer girl so you would be seeing me strutting down the runway in something menswear inspired. One of my all time favorite red carpet looks is from the 2015 Screen Actor’s Guild Awards a la Emma Stone. And I also love another Emma, as in Watson’s, take on menswear style so I would hope that I could find a happy marriage between the following looks:

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(Image 1 from US Magazine. Image 2 from Celebitchy)

Alright, you know what? I lied. Just give me Emma Stone’s outfit, please. It’s perfection. Just red carpet perfection that would be perfect for Lil Red. It is SO elegant, chic, sexy, and menswear and I really just can’t even. But…It’s missing something. A wacky pair of heels, methinks. So you would be seeing me on the runway in something like these blade runner babies because Lil Red doesn’t play it safe:

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(Shoes designed by Peter Popps.)

Now that Jack White and I are happily styled, happily dating and soon to be married, and very happily making out during the Grammy’s, all I have left for this post is a promo code for you lovelies! Ladies if you’re looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day prezzie for your man. And gentlemen, if you’re looking for the perfect look to don on Valentine’s Day for your special someone, look no further than Tommy John. All of your underthings necessities are covered with this 20% off your order promo code seen below. Now get to shopping!

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So there you have it, my Red Carpet Ready styling tips for when I have some daydreaming to do! Who do you think is going to win big at the Grammy’s tonight? Who is your red carpet dream date? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb11

5 Gadgets That Can Make Your Life Easier

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Hi everyone and happy weekend! This post is compliments of my friend, Amelia, from thetrustcompass. In a world full of gizmos and gadgets, this article is dedicated to helping you pick out the best new toys possible to make your day to day life a total breeze. Check out Amelia’s author bio and then read on for the latest in the technology that you need ASAP:

Hello, Amelia here from thetrustcompass.com! I am a technology expert and have experience writing for several websites. When it comes to anything technology related, Thetrustcompass is your one stop destination. It has useful posts on a wide range of topics and detailed reviews of products related to technology, outdoor games, and health to help buyers make informed choices and spend their money wisely.

5 Gadgets That Can Make Your Life Easier

Today, more than ever, we are highly dependent on tech gadgets to help us run our life, and luckily, more and more smart products are doing just that. They connect to our phone, so we can operate them remotely, which gives us more time to focus on chores that need winding, or grab a few more minutes of rest and recuperation.

But do all gadgets truly uncomplicate our lives? Yes, cutting-edge phones and 4K TVs are worth drooling over, but are very heavy on the wallet, too. A fitness tracker might help us live healthier, but being constantly nagged by a device isn’t very zen. A drone might aid in capturing some beautiful angles, but only if you’re adept at not crashing it. A smartphone might let you communicate with anyone in the world, but too much social media can be pervasive and pesky. State-of-the-art VR kits and the best 3D pens are taking innovation to a new level, but a good gadget should not only be solving the problem, but also making life easier.

The best tech devices are ones that make some part of our day easier, whether it’s getting ready for work, cooking a meal, sticking to our walks, or just catching the morning news. There are devices that make all of this possible with no more effort on our part than setting up an accompanying app. Below, we’ve rounded up a few gadgets that can add to our day, but don’t demand much in return and none of them will wind up being ‘another thing to worry about’.

1 – Amazon Echo Dot

The Amazon Echo Dot is a hands-free, Bluetooth speaker that can be operated with voice commands. The Dot can be synced with your wireless router and all of your smart devices including Nest and Samsung SmartThings, as well as other wirelessly controlled lights, fans, and sprinklers. You can tell the Dot to “play my music” to stream Prime Music, Spotify, or IHeartRadio through the device, your headphones, or Bluetooth speakers. The Dot will tell you how bad the traffic is, what weather can be expected, and list movie show timings. You can ask the Dot to tell you headlines from sources like NPR, CNN, Bloomberg, and Discovery News while you’re getting dressed, so that you know the latest buzz before you leave the door in the morning. These features help make everyday tasks a little easier. Tring! That’s your Dot reminding you to take that cake out of the oven- it works as an alarm clock, too.

2 – The Universal Switch

With dozens of tech gadgets buzzing in our instant environment, what if we had one super ‘switch of all switches’ that could turn on or off all electrical activity in a second, at our will, and without us getting off the couch?  Enter The Belkin WeMo Insight Switch! This Switch is a standard plug, but on steroids! It plugs into an existing AC outlet, connects to your WiFi network, and then lets you turn on or off whatever is plugged into the outlets, through its app- a lamp, fan, space heater, or what have you. If you suspect a device is using too much energy, you could have it automatically shut down once it hits a certain cost for the day. It even works with Amazon Echo, which is super convenient.

3 – Power Bank

Picture these scenarios: You’re hiking on top of a mountain, taking panoramic shots of the scenic sights, and as you reach the summit, your phone decides it’s time to play dead. Or you’re trying to drive with your phone’s GPS app, and your phone decides to leave you hanging. Chances are, you’ve probably been in a situation where your phone has died at the most inopportune time. That’s why, a portable battery charger, or Power Bank is something that you should definitely invest into. It gives you the freedom and power to power up to three dead devices while you’re out and about and not near a power source. These power banks are small and super-easy to carry. The next time your phone dies before you can call that cab home, you know what you have to do.

4 – Tile

If you’re forgetful or have too many gizmos to keep track of, the Tile Mate is made for you. This little gadget is designed to loop onto or attach to, well, just about anything else you own. Once attached, the tracker sends location data to an app on your phone. If you don’t know where you put your keys, you can send the Tile Mate command to ring. The diminutive Bluetooth tracker can talk with (and remotely ring) your phone from over 100 feet away, telling you exactly where you left your particular item. If you’re worried you might lose something valuable, throw a Tile on it.

5 – Google Chromecast

The Google Chromecast is one of the best ways to use your regular TV as a smart device. The small, circular device plugs into an HDMI port on your television. Once there and connected to your Wireless internet, it can stream a heady range of entertainment apps, such as Netflix, Go, Hulu, and HBO. Just plug it in, pair it with your phone, tap your app’s Cast button, and enjoy. The $35 price-sticker doesn’t hurt, either. If you’ve ever wanted to smarten up your speakers, the Chromecast Audio is just as simple to use. Chromecast comes with thousands of apps and more than 30 million songs and radio stations. Better yet, it includes a mirroring feature so you can beam what’s on your Android phone to the TV.

Get yourself equipped with these smart gadgets and make your life a walk in the park!

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^^^ Thank you again to Amelia for updating my readers on the latest and greatest technology that’s on the market! What is one gadget that you can’t live without? Do you think you could handle a day without your smartphone? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb10

Elegance Meets Minimalism – Scandinavian Inspired Interior Design

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Elegance Meets Minimalism – Scandinavian Inspired Interior Design

Hi everyone and TGIF! Today, I have a special guest post written by the queen of home decor, Chloe, for all of us. Miss Chloe has been featured on lifewithlilred quite a few times before so let’s give her a warm welcome back and get to it:

Elegance Meets Minimalism – Scandinavian Inspired Interior Design

What better way to introduce some chic minimalism into your own home than taking inspiration from Scandinavian interior design trends? An elegant, clutter-free yet unique and cozy home can be easily achieved with some tweaks here and there. It’s important that you adopt a minimalist way of thinking, so that the Scandi style can truly enrich your personal environment. If you’re not sure how to go about these intricate design changes, keep on reading:

1. White As Snow

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Love that chair!

Clean white walls and floors are one of the main features of minimalist Scandinavian style. The brightness and pureness of white perfectly resembles Scandinavian’s cool and chic atmosphere. What’s more, white makes any space look visually bigger, which creates a perfect canvas for your furniture and pieces of room decor.

Of course, you can introduce other colors through accessories, but make sure that they too fuse the natural vibe of Scandinavian style into a livable space.

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 Coolness in the kitchen

2. Sleek Lighting

You have several options when it comes to proper lighting solutions that will only accentuate the elegance of your interior. You can opt for statement chandeliers with sleek lines yet bold forms. On the other hand, you can also play with several ceiling lamps in smaller sizes that can change the look of your room depending on their position. When it comes to Scandinavian-inspired interior design, it’s essential that you make the most out of natural sunlight. But, since artificial light is still a must, try to opt for bright white bulbs that don’t put strain on the eyes.

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Tres Chic

3. Go Easy On Decor

The minimalist approach suggests a complete absence of clutter. Still, this doesn’t mean that your home should look plain or lack personality. In order to add a touch of elegance, go for contemporary modern details such as metallic frames, fruit bowls, plant pots, and candles. Of course, you can add your own twist to these accessories and play with more white, or opt for matching wooden frames, bowls, pots, and furniture.

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Minimalist with a twist

Since Scandi style is all about natural minimalism, you can also introduce stone as one of the accent materials for your accessories. When it comes to wall decor, it’s recommended that you keep things as simple as possible. Some people enjoy leaving their walls completely bare, but you can also add some extra texture and warmth with inspiring pieces of art that match the overall theme. The best way to tone down the coolness of such an environment is definitely the use of rugs and cushions, and these can act as a perfect pop of color. Still, make sure that the hues are not too bold and vibrant.

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Accessorize those walls

4. Functional Furniture & Layout

The elegance and minimalism of Scandinavian style are not only for the show. As you invest your time in redesigning your home, you should keep in mind both the form and functionality of your furniture. Depending on the room’s size, you can efficiently choose the pieces of furniture that you get a lot of use from.

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Sharp lines and neutral hues

Clean lines yet bold forms make for a perfect combo when it comes to fusing elegance and minimalism, since the furniture will act as an accessory on its own without losing its functionality. You shouldn’t sacrifice your comfort – quite the opposite. Therefore, it’s recommended that you rearrange your sofas, chairs, tables, and other odds and ends so that you have complete freedom of movement. Of course, you don’t have to stick with an ordinary layout. As long as you feel cozy, you can play with different positions until you find the most artistic yet pleasant arrangement.

5. Don’t Overlook Anything

True elegance means perfect harmony. In that respect, you shouldn’t neglect any area of your home. Usually, people put most of their efforts into the decor and design of their kitchen, living room, and bedroom, yet lose the interest when it comes to hallways and bathrooms. This is one of the biggest mistakes that you can make if you really value a minimal approach and Scandinavian-inspired style.

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TEDDY!!

Hallways can be transformed into cozy entrance areas with the help of greenery and warm rugs. On the other hand, perfect designer bathrooms can be achieved with white tiles, minimalist product arrangement, and some plants. A big sleek mirror would look great in both small and big bathrooms, as well. If you plan to invest more of your time and money in this intimate area of your home, stand-alone tubs will make a great final touch to your elegantly minimal design.

Before you start any major work, make sure to get rid of the clutter first. Go through everything you own and assess just how often you use or wear something. Do you enjoy all of your accessories and do they all really make an important part of your decor? Once the unnecessary things are out of the way, you’ll find it a lot easier to introduce Scandinavian design style fused with your individuality.

^^^ Thank you so much to Chloe for teaching us all about the minimalist chic Scandinavian home decor style! It’s always a pleasure to have you on lifewithlilred. Is your home decor style minimalist or eclectic? Do you prefer neutral hues or bold and bright colors? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Feb10

Give Your Bathroom Some Sparkle

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Give Your Bathroom Some Sparkle

When you have a big family, the house can tend to get messy, over-run and the household chores can seem like a never ending list which just gets bigger and bigger with every hour. The bathroom is one of the most used and frequented rooms in a house, with everyone using the toilet, needing to shower or take a bath, and clean their teeth in the morning and night. A Sunday evening can be a frantic time in the bathroom. The children need to be washed before school starts on Monday, parents want to either take a quick shower or relax in the bath before the work week begins again – and this can leave the bathroom is disarray and needing some desperate TLC.

If your bathroom could do with some touch ups, a little tidy up, or a makeover, there is no need to break the bank by purchasing expensive additions. In the end, these will get used just as much and you may find yourself buying the same expensive product or additions time and time again. There are measures that you can take to ensure that your bathroom looks and feels welcoming and tidy by simply taking the time to put energy into it, doing your shopping in different places, and researching.

When it comes to the toilet, a supermarket brand bathroom cleaner (preferably anti-bacterial) will do the job just the same as bigger, more expensive brand names. If it’s a spray product, all you have to do is squirt it a few times over and into the rim and over the toilet seat. Then wait 30 seconds and wipe clean with some paper towel. You should also ensure that the toilet flush handle is sprayed, too, as this can be a breeding ground for bacteria.

Always, after spraying, put some bleach (again, supermarket brand but ensure it is thick bleach) down the toilet to eliminate germs. If you have a problem with your toilet, and it tends to cause blockages, then ask friends for advice first – the chances are they will say, “I know a good plumber near me who can sort that for you,” and you may even get a discount after being referred by a friend.

If your bathroom needs a bit of a revamp, visit discount shops and invest in bright fake flowers, candle holders, tealights, or even some quirky, funny prints that you can frame and put on the walls. Instead of buying expensive odor eliminators, simply leave the window open for a few hours every day, when you’re in the house, of course!

When it comes to the bath, limescale and dirt can build up quickly. Try running hot water and leave it in the bath for 10 minutes, without any cold water added to it. Once the water is released, use a limescale cream and rub it over the bath. Then leave it on for 10-15 minutes and wipe clean with a clean rag or paper towel and watch that bathtub sparkle!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Feb9

Accessory Story: All Gold Everything Edition

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Accessory Story: All Gold Everything Edition

I treasure all of the moments that I shared with my late grandma equally but one thing that I particularly remember about her is her sense of style. My grandma (like me) loved to shop. She loved looking her best and she always wore outfits that were simple but elegant. I remember one time, we went to her favorite store, Talbots, and I helped her pick out a brand new winter wardrobe. Once the bill was tallied all she could do was laugh and say “I went hog wild!”

No outfit is complete without the right accessories, though, and this is something that my grandma was an expert in. She had the most divine jewelry and I kid you not, over one hundred hats!! I have such fond memories of playing dress up in grandma’s closet and jewelry box as a child while she played the piano or baked a delicious meal or sweet treats. After my grandma’s passing, a lot of her pieces of jewelry went to myself, my sister, and my mom (her daughter). Quite a few of her hats and floral maxi skirts also ended up in my collection, as well.

I have to say, I’m not the biggest accessory girl in the world. I literally wear the same earrings and necklace every day. But I am getting more adventurous with accessorizing my outfits after I looked at all of my necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings and realized that all of them were essentially going to waste. That was when I decided to add one of my grandma’s necklaces to an outfit that I was wearing and it became my new favorite:

About a week ago, my outfit consisted of my new Forever 21 cheetah print jersey, Nasty Gal patched moto jacket, Loft velvet black skinny jeans, a backwards baseball cap, and a killer pair of heels. But, it felt like I was missing something. I was trying to go for an urban chic look that day and all I could think about was how fabulous a big, chunky, gold necklace would be to complete the look. Then, I remembered that I already had one!

I snagged the drop dead gorgeous necklace seen above from my dresser and as soon as it was on, it instantly transformed the outfit. I wasn’t just trying to emulate an urban chic vibe, I was urban chic and it felt amazing. It’s funny to think that such a cool, almost tough girl feeling came from a necklace that belonged to my grandma (as seen in the featured image photo), who was the most sweet as pie, beautiful woman that I know. But hey, I think that she would be proud that I was wearing her jewelry in a way that helped enhance my personal style and was thinking of her the entire time that it was around my neck.

Since last week, I think I’ve worn my new favorite outfit at least three times and I still love it just as much as the first time that I wore it. I can’t wait to begin utilizing all of the wonderful accessories that I have from my grandma and the ones that I have accumulated over the years. I am so excited to see which piece of jewelry will transform one of my outfits next and am looking forward to sharing it with all of you!

These silly pictures of me and my sister are from my brother’s rehearsal dinner from his wedding but they give you an idea of what the necklace looks like on:

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So there you have it, my first Accessory Story: All Gold Everything Edition! What is your favorite accessory that you own? What is your favorite kind of accessory to wear? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb9

Bath & Body Works February Freebies

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Bath & Body Works February Freebies

Hi everyone and happy Thursday! Bath & Body Works is back on track with their freebies after taking December off and I couldn’t be happier. This month, I switched things up and went with shower gel instead of lotion since I already have like ten travel sized lotions that accumulated over the months. I went with shower gel because when I make my way to Europe hopefully within the year, it will be nice to have travel approved body washes that I didn’t have to pay a dime for. Hey, every little bit helps!

The shower gels will also be a nice addition to add on to gifts to friends and family when their birthdays come around. Adding in a few mini lotions with their shower gel counterparts brings an extra ten or more dollar value to the prezzie without having to break out the plastic or cold hard cash. That’s such a win in my book! Seriously, nothing is better than having a stock pile of beauty items to turn to when you feel like a gift is kind of blah because of either lack of funds or inspiration. What girl doesn’t love a few extra bath and body care goodies to add to her collection?!

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Today, I got two travel sized shower gels in Beautiful Day and Pretty As A Peach. Both of these scents are equally delicious but that’s not what I want to talk about in this post. Instead, I want to discuss the possibility of doing a giveaway on lifewithlilred soon – the very first one, as a matter of fact! February is all about my Think Spring guest bloggers series but come March, a giveaway with a little bouquet of four or five travel sized lotions or gels could be lots of fun! Like I said, what girl doesn’t love a few extra bath and body care goodies to add to her collection?!

So there you have it, my Bath & Body Works February Freebies! How does everyone feel about a giveaway? Which scents do you think I should include? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb9

Going Local: Enjoying Where You Live

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Going Local: Enjoying Where You Live

We are probably all a little guilty of spending too much time in our homes or venturing far away when we want to enjoy a little social time. It’s crazy to think that we choose to live somewhere because we love a location and then spend a majority of our time enjoying other places, instead!

Getting to know your area is great fun and brilliant for increasing your social circle, support unit, and even living a healthier lifestyle both physically and mentally. A great place to start is getting online and researching the history and culture of your home town and surrounding area. What is it famous for? Did any celebrities live here? What are the restaurants like? Getting an understanding through research can help introduce you to things you didn’t even know existed right on your doorstep.

The best way to understand a place, though, is to get involved with the community. You will probably have a local church, shop, or park with a variety of events happening and it is here that you will meet the experts on local knowledge. Getting out and meeting other parents will help you find out what activities you have within walking distance of your front door, it will also help your children and gives you the chance to spend quality time with your friends. Heading to the local bar is great for adults who want to know more about the services in the areas. Most small towns love to advertise other small businesses and will have attended all kinds of networking events with the owners. So get to chatting and find out what is on offer!

Taking long trips to the larger supermarkets is pretty time consuming. You can use the internet to find out what shops you have in your area. From seeking out a local green grocer to sticking donuts near me in your search engine, you’ll be surprised what you can buy locally to save you time and support local companies. Of course you will also have restaurants near you, too. The internet has loads of review sites to let you share feedback with other customers, although the best way to find out what the local buzz is is to hit the streets and eat. Try everything, one person’s bad experience may not reflect your own. Plus, you have the added benefit of not needing to drive, so you can enjoy a couple of drinks with your dinner!

Your local services such as the police and fire station are good things to know and if you have young children, they can offer a fun day visit. What kid doesn’t enjoy putting on a fire hat and watching people slide down poles? It’s also likely that you have some form of library even if it is a mobile library. Make the most of these services and support them where ever you can. More customers means better demand and you will see your area staying alive with shops and activities. If you lose them, then property values will decrease and your dream home may not be worth as much as you need it to be!

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Feb9

The Lowdown On Recovering From A Major Health Scare

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The Lowdown On Recovering From A Major Health Scare

When serious illness hits, it can knock some of us out completely with shock. Many of us realize just how much we took our health for granted before we became ill, if it does end up happening to us. This is something a lot of people beat themselves up about, but really, it is just human nature – when everything is going well we take it all in stride, but as soon as something goes wrong it can put our whole world into free fall. The months or years which you deal with your illness can be very challenging and may even bring about some particularly dark times.

But what a lot of people are not prepared for is the period of recovery afterwards. Once you’ve been given the all clear, you may find that a lot of people expect you to simply be back to normal straight away. In reality, however, that is rarely the case. Most people go through all sorts of physical and emotional changes as they are recovering from serious illness, so it’s important that you know what to be prepared for.

Coming to Terms With The After-Effects: No one who has gone through a major health problem simply springs back to their old self minutes after being told that they are on the mend. Chances are, you will still have some physical signs of the illness on your body, which serve as a constant reminder and, in some cases, can prevent you from going about your daily business. This could be a large scar from the surgery you had, or maybe you are still suffering from joint damage or even the loss of a limb. Learning to live with any of these things doesn’t just happen overnight, and you are best off seeking the help of a professional – you can read about Dr. Allison for an idea of the kind of aid you may require.

Getting Back Into Normal Life: Going through a major health scare or trauma can easily change your perspective on many things. You may be more aware than ever of how short life is and it may spur you into taking the plunge into something drastic such as a round the world trip or a complete change of career. But initially, it’s all just about getting back into normal life – so living alone/with friends again and not having your life revolve around the illness.

Seeking Support From Friends: In those first few months after hospital discharge, you may find yourself leaning on friends and family more than you ever thought you would before. Being ill can be a lonely time, as everyone needs to still go about their own daily business regardless of whether you are sick or not. So, relish the chance to rekindle some old relationships when your time is your own again. Explain to your friends that you are still adjusting to ‘normal life’ again and that it may take you awhile to get back into the swing of things. But, by surrounding yourself with positive people, you will find that the whole thing is a lot easier for you.

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The best ships are friendships! 😀

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