Hi everyone and happy weekend! I would like to take a minute to wish a very Happy Easter to those who celebrate and a very happy Sunday to those that don’t! No matter how you spend your day, I hope that everyone has a wonderful time with their family, friends, pets, or just hanging out solo dolo. Alright. That’s my spiel! Have a great day, everyone! Much love. -Sarah
Hi everyone and TGIF! Yesterday was a HELLUVA day because someone t-boned the Little Red Love Machine, making this my second accident in four months that I’ve been in that was far from my fault. With twenty-five hundred dollars worth of damage to my car thanks to someone disregarding a stop sign, I was left feeling stressed, depressed, well dressed, and pissed off! BUT, thanks to a boozy BFF evening and carrying out a long time friendship tradition, I was left feeling infinitely better.
My best friend, Lea, and I are going on about ten years of friendship and in high school we began a tradition of coloring Easter eggs together every year. Last night just so happened to be our egg dying eggstravaganza, which was so needed after my car trauma earlier in the day. We had a dozen blown out eggs, two bottles of wine, and excellent company considering that Lea’s family is basically like my second family.
We created some crazy cool tie-dye eggs, which we learned how to do from a Facebook video that Lea’s mom showed us. Take a look at our finished product and then I’ll tell you how it’s done:
Caution: Your hands will get messy!
You Will Need:
How To Guide:
Lea and I had SO much fun creating our shaving cream colored eggs. We had lots of wine, lots of laughs, and we will definitely remember this year’s eggstravaganza for many years to come! Of course, a best friend hangout wouldn’t be complete without some pictures so here we are looking mighty cute! Also featuring her twin brother, BILL!
^^^ I LOVE US! And the second picture is one of my favorite ones ever, even though Lea doesn’t like it! Her brother was making us laugh when he was taking our pictures and obviously Lea was holding it together better than me!
So there you have it, Sarah & Lea’s Eggcelent Adventure! Who has traditions with their best friends? What is your preferred egg dying method? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah
Okay, so if you’re following me on Facebook, then I’m sure you have seen some of my posts regarding Man At Oil Change Place – AKA, Don. This guy is awesome. He’s so funny and kind and his first words to me were “you could scratch my back from across the street with those nails” because of my long ass talons, lol. Not only is he someone who makes killing time at the auto body shop enjoyable, but he is also my windshield wiper guardian angel because he gave me free windshield wipers after I told him that my torn and old as dirt wipers were okay. He had them installed without me knowing and it was only when I was driving home in the rain that I realized what he did (and you better believe I called him to thank him!).
Anyways, my dad just got off the phone with the shop to schedule an oil change for my mom and apparently he spoke with Don. Their conversation went as follows:
And I’m not sure why but as soon as my dad told me about this, I started to cry. The thing is, is that this man who works at the shop has literally only seen me looking a hot mess. The three times that I’ve been in the shop have been no makeup days and I essentially look like I’ve just rolled out of bed. So, to me, this means that this employee genuinely enjoys my company and conversation rather than just the way I look.
I know it sounds cocky, but sometimes I feel like the only reason why people even give me the time of day is because of my outer appearance. Sometimes, I feel like no one ever cares to get to know the actual person behind the red hair, red lips, talon nails, and piercings. So, to have someone compliment my father on who his daughter is as a person and not an object felt really good because that’s something that just never happens.
Don took what little information he knows about my life, job, etc. and pieced together that I was somebody worth getting to know even though he has never seen me looking dolled up before. He used our witty banter and chats that had nothing to do with anything, like trading in the waiting room Keurig for a margarita machine as grounds for reason that I’m an okay person. Like I said, this rarely happens and, for once, somebody gave me the time of day without any alterations to my outer appearance and they liked what they saw. I can’t get over how good this made me feel and all I want to do is drive to the shop and hug the guy and he would probably have no idea how happy his remarks made me feel.
Yes, it’s a little thing, but Don remembered me enough to point out to my dad that he has a cool daughter. And after the week that I’ve been having, I really really needed that. So, here’s to you, Don. Can’t wait to see you next time the Little Red Love Machine needs some work done! I LOVE YOU!
Has anyone ever had their day turned around by a kind word? What would you say to the person who helped make you feel better? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah
Walk down any grocery store aisle designated for cleaning products and you will see an array so vast it’s impossible to know where to begin as try to tackle your spring cleaning. Do you want to degrease? Descale? De…whatevertheotheroneis? It just goes on and on; every single product promising to make your home better. Shinier. Sparklier.
The idea that you can skip this entire aisle and reduce your cleaning products and tools into four items might sound outlandish. How can it be possible to clean an entire house with just four products? If that’s the case, then why do all the other ones exist? The main reason is because the four you need can’t be trademarked. They can’t be profited from. So there’s pretty much no reason for companies to produce them and market them as aggressively as they do their own concoctions; not when you could buy generic versions of the big four for a fraction of the price.
Oh – did that not get mentioned? Yes, these products are nice and cheap – so it’s probably time to tell you what they are:
Star of Every Show: Bicarbonate of Soda (AKA Baking Powder)
Bicarb is the Holy Grail of cleaning products. It can be used for so many purposes that you’ll find yourself panicking when you don’t have a scoop of it on hand and are faced with a room that needs cleaning.
Its uses include (but are definitely not limited to):
Acid Speaking: White Vinegar
White vinegar doesn’t taste great so it’s unlikely that you’ll find it in your cupboard, but it’s worth investing in as a cleaning product alone. Check out its uses:
Clothed Wonder: Microfiber Cloths
If the pros at Saltaire House Cleaning and even Martha Stewart speak well of microfiber, you know that you’re onto a winner. Microfiber is a revolutionary cloth fiber structure that traps and whisks away dirt in a way conventional cloths just can’t. The best thing about it is that you don’t need to use a product with it – plain old water will produce the same effects.
Bleach Bliss: Hydrogen Peroxide
While hydrogen peroxide is best known for hair bleaching, it has many uses around the home. The one that it’s best at is bleaching all of those white items in your home that have a tendency to turn gray, such as:
Use it heavily diluted and always build up the strength as you go, rather than going full throttle out of the gate. You’ll be amazed at how a little of this product goes a long way.
Ready, get set, save money, and spring clean!
Featured Image By: Congerdesign
Helloooo everyone and welcome to a super exciting Hump Day post here on lifewithlilred! After over two years of my blog being a thing, I have yet to do a giveaway and I think that that is an absolute shame. BUT, there’s no better time than the present, and with the recent launch of my fragrance, Ruby Tulip, now seems like a perfect time for a giveaway! So, take a look at what one lucky reader is going to win and then check out the rules for your entry:
The Prize:
Unfortunately, this giveaway is limited to US residents only, but here is how you can enter:
Lifewithlilred’s FIRST GIVEAWAY will conclude this upcoming Monday, April 17th! Yayayayay! Much love. -Sarah
Home appliances can cost a lot of money. If you are on a budget, then it can be a major blow to have to replace or repair one of your frequently used appliances. By taking good care of the appliances that you already have, you can extend their lifespan and avoid having to pay out for new ones. Here are some top tips for keeping your home appliances in good working order for the year:
Refrigerator Maintenance: Almost every home has a refrigerator in it, and you’d be pretty stuck without it, so it is a good idea to keep it well maintained. A good refrigerator can last you up to twenty years if you look after it properly, and you don’t need to do much maintenance on them. The coolant inside the fridge will never need replacing, you just simply need to vacuum the coils on the back of the fridge. A lot of new models these days come with a dust cover to stop anything from getting into the back, so you won’t need to do much maintenance at all.
Be on the lookout for water build up in the tray at the bottom of the fridge, which can cause mold. This can be easily stopped by emptying and cleaning out the tray once in awhile. If your fridge does end up breaking, it is cheaper to get it repaired than to buy a new one. Click here to find repair services in your area. But, if you do end up getting a new fridge, then you need to make sure that you properly prepare it before using it. It needs to be left for twenty four hours before being switched on otherwise the coolant will not settle properly.
HVAC Maintenance: It is so important to get your HCAC system checked out by a professional twice a year. Once before the weather begins to heat up as well as when winter is on the horizon. They will be able to give you the all clear or fix any issues that are malfunctioning. HVAC systems that are not working properly can bring your family at risk should a gas leak occur. You can learn more about what to do in this situation so you can seek help out immediately.
Stove Maintenance: There are many different types of stoves, and most of them tend to be electric but a lot of people are opting for gas these days. If you want to make your stove last, then you need to give it proper, regular cleaning. Your oven may have a self cleaning option but this will use a lot of electricity and are not always as effective as putting some serious elbow grease into your cleaning. Cleaning it just after using is the best way to maintain your oven.
Washing Machine Maintenance: An older washing machine that is not properly looked after can be prone to leaks. This can be very damaging to your home and leave you with an expensive bill. Luckily, Washing Machine Repair services can help to ensure that this doesn’t happen. Most leaks come from the pipe in the back of the machine, so it is best to use a threaded pipe. Avoid over tightening it because this can cause the washer to crack and the washing machine to leak.
Putting too many clothes in at once will also damage the motor in your machine, and putting too much detergent in can cause clogging. Make sure that you measure the correct amount each time to keep your machine running longer. And, if you live in an area with hard water, then it is worth running some vinegar through the machine every so often to stop limescale from building up.
And if you’re taking care of your washing machine, don’t forget your tumble dryer either. It’s a good idea to get a professional to handle your dryer vent cleaning at the same time, and in that way, all your laundry items are in the best condition.
Hiii everyone and happy Tuesday! I hope everyone is having a fabulous week so far. So, if there’s one thing that a Lil Red loves, it’s her coffee! I’m a caffeine fiend, so a smooth, strong, hot cup of coffee is a must for me when I am working, lounging, doing nothing, and doing everything. I am a hot, black coffee drinker through and through and I will be a monkey’s uncle before I succumb to putting cream or sugar in my cup. But, when the warm weather hits, which has happened this past week in Ohio, my tastes change to absolutely craving a good cup of iced coffee.
One of my favorite things to treat myself with is an iced coffee from Starbucks. A venti iced coffee with cream and vanilla, to be exact! “But wait! I thought you don’t believe in cream in your coffee!” You might say? I DON’T. But, iced coffee is a totally different story. I hate iced, black coffee more than anything and I just need that little splash of cream to turn the beverage into a drinkable delight. So, yeah.
Anyways, it’s a rare occasion that I get Starbucks now that I don’t work at the mall, so I always really enjoy it when I get it. But as you all know, I am constantly balling on a budget and it’s not like I love spending three dollars for a drink that I could totally make at home. So, make it at home I did. I have been making my own iced coffee every day for the past week and it has been an absolutely delicious experience. My coffee concoction has tasted great every time, and not shelling out the dough for basically the exact same thing at Starbucks has been a freaking blessing, lol.
An iced coffee recipe may seem self explanatory, but mine has turned out really freaking good so I’m going to share it on here, anyways:
If you aren’t hip to the Coffee Mate Natural Bliss creamer collection, then you need to get on it ASAP. It is the purest, richest vanilla creamer that I have ever tasted and it literally will transform your iced coffee. I do not say this lightly, because it makes my coffee creation taste one million times better than what I used to get at Starbucks. AND it costed like two dollars for a bottle, which is awesome!
My iced coffee revelation may seem like a simple thing, because it really is pretty simple. BUT, I am so excited that I’ve made myself something that 1) saves money and 2) doesn’t sacrifice the taste, just in time for the warm summer weather ahead! GO ME!!
So there you have it, my Iced Coffee Obsession! Who else makes their own coffee creations at home? What is your caffeine beverage of choice? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah
If you love to play music, you probably started out playing covers of songs, whether you took part in lessons or got into the world of musicianship on a self-taught basis. Of course, if you find yourself wanting something more and you’re ready to start creating original tracks, then it can be hard to take the plunge in terms of putting pen to paper. While there are no ‘rules’ in terms of writing music, as creativity can’t be forced, there are ways in which you can hone in on your talents and start to create something original. Here are some pieces of advice to help you make a mark in the music world as a songwriter rather than a cover artist:
When it comes to creating your own songs, writing something with a catchy melody and meaningful lyrics is only one part of the equation. In fact, being a musician with a beautiful singing voice and instrumental talent who performs well is also only a small part of the equation. You need to understand the recording and production process involved with creating music if you want your original tracks to really make their mark on listeners, and this involves more than simply turning on a mic and pressing ‘record’.
You need to ensure that the quality of the instruments being used and everything involved with the song has been honed to perfection, as it’s easy to capture every sound in a live environment, but not quite so much in a recorded environment. You might want to look into sites such as Box Tiger Music for help with choosing guitars or pianos based on reviews. It’s important that you strive to sound as good, if not better, than the top musicians in the industry before you’re anywhere near that status. That’s how you make it.
Perhaps you understand the technicalities of music, but you just don’t feel creative or professional. While many big labels in the industry are full of songwriters and producers who have spent years learning how to create hit songs through observing what works, many musicians with a deep passion for the art of creating music want to ‘make it’ in a more organic way. If you’re much the same, then writing a catchy song which starts to turn heads and brings you attention in the music industry shouldn’t ever become a mechanical process. Instead of thinking about the simplistic chord progressions behind the biggest hits in history, you should just start jamming and see what happens.
We all have the power to be creative. Whether you’re in a band or operating on a solo basis, just hit ‘record’, start messing around with your guitar, piano, voice, or whichever instrument you play, and see what happens. When you listen back to your five or ten minute jamming session later, you’ll likely hate a lot of it. However, there’s every chance that you’ll hear a gem in the form of a musical nugget which will really inspire you to form a fully-fledged song out of what was originally nothing more than a small riff or chord progression. Play around and see what happens, super star!
Featured Image By: Pexels
Picking your major is probably one of the most important decisions that you will make in your younger years because it will have a huge impact on your future career choices when you graduate. However, approximately 20-50 percent of freshmen start their first year in college not knowing what they want to do, which is why we’ve put together these top tips for picking the perfect major:
Think About Your Interests: Whether you’re still in High School and you’re wondering what you want to do with the rest of your life or you’re a parent looking to apply for this scholarship, so that you can improve your career prospects and provide for your family, the first step in choosing your major should be thinking about your interests. After all, most of us would rather do something that we love for the rest of our lives and it is much easier to study and engage with a subject when you genuinely enjoy it.
What Are You Good At? Of course, it also makes a lot of sense to reflect on the things that you’re good at. If you love art, but you really have no aptitude for creating it, you might be better off looking at the skills that you do have, such as a knack for solving math problems or programming computers. That being said, if you truly dream of being an artist, there’s nothing wrong with following your dreams, provided that you know what you are getting yourself into!
Look into Future Career Prospects: This is something that older students tend to be better at, perhaps because they have more life experience, but it is important for students of all ages to think about the courses that they are taking and what kind of jobs it could realistically lead them to. If you want to make lots of money, majoring in a sought after skill such as engineering, law, or medicine will probably serve you better than a degree in communications or art history. But, if you want to work in the media or become the curator of an art gallery, they’ll be great! It’s all about working out what you want, what skills are likely to be sought after in the future, and which major will best help you to get where you want to be after you graduate.
Take an Introductory Course: If you have a few ideas for a major, but you’re not sure, one of the best ways to work out if a course is going to be the right fit is by taking an introductory course. Most colleges will allow you to try out a major by enrolling in one or more such courses, and many will even give you credit towards your education if you do enroll. This is probably the best way of working out what you do and don’t enjoy and whether you can handle a course or not.
The above tips should help you to work out which major is the perfect fit for you, but if you’re still struggling, make an appointment with an advisor, who will be able to talk you through your options and help you make the right choice for you, whatever that may be.
Featured Image By: Flickr
A vacation is a chance to get away from it all – a week or two of fun, sunshine, and great food. When it comes to your annual trip, it’s nice to know that you look your best and are feeling as confident as possible. Not only will you look great in your pictures but you won’t be held back by insecurity. Here are a few things that you can do on the run up to your vacation to ensure that you look the best ever this summer:
Figure: Getting your body into shape is a great way to give you confidence. Eating right and exercising will not only sculpt your figure and allow your clothes to fit better, but you’ll feel fitter and healthier too. If your vacation is going to involve a lot of walking, then this is especially good, because you don’t want to be struggling and lagging behind when your fitness isn’t up to scratch. Focus on a clean, balanced diet. Plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and protein from lean meat and/or non- meat sources should all give your body everything it needs.
For exercise you could hit the gym or find an activity that you enjoy that requires a lot of movement. Whether it’s running, swimming, a sport, or just working out at home – anything that gets your body moving will tone muscles, burn calories, work your cardiovascular system, and shape your physique so anything goes!
If you find you have stubborn areas of fat that don’t respond to diet or exercise, liposuction could be an option. This isn’t a weight loss technique, though, it’s generally performed on people who are already a healthy weight who want to shape their body rather than decrease in mass. There is nothing wrong with considering plastic surgery to improve yourself but you just need to be so careful about who is performing the surgery. Seek recommendations from friends and family and look into several different options after searching “Best Liposuction Surgeon Houston” (or your local area). It can be very helpful to schedule consultations with a few different surgeons so you find the best fit for yourself and your needs.
Teeth: Want a gorgeous set of pearly white teeth to set off your holiday tan? Teeth whitening trays from the dentist take around six weeks or you can have laser teeth whitening in around an hour. Both of these treatments can lift the color of the teeth many shades and have a dramatic effect on the way you look and smile!
Hair: As the saying goes, ‘your hair is the ballgown you never take off’. Shiny, happy hair is the best accessory that you can own. In the weeks and months leading up to your vacation, you could give it some extra TLC. Use deep conditioning masks and oils to replenish and repair dry or damaged hair. Visit a hairdresser to have the split ends removed and have a fresh new color applied. It’s a fantastic way to give you confidence. If there are going to be nights during your trip where you want to dress up and look your best, clip in extensions are also a good option. It might be a little warm to wear them during the day, but they can add instant glamour for an evening outing. They add both length and thickness and look great either straight, curled, or in an updo.
Hair Removal: No one wants to deal with stubble or constant shaving while they’re away. Since holiday clothes and swimwear tends to show a lot of flesh, chances are you want to be as smooth as possible – for as long as possible! Going to the salon for a waxing treatment before you jet off will leave you hair-free for a number of weeks. For a longer lasting alternative, electrolysis and laser hair removal are effective.
Shellac Nails: Unlike regular nail polish, Shellac lasts for around two weeks. Meaning you get a chip-free manicure without the hassle of having to repaint your nails while you’re away. Most salons offer this and it’s cheaper than gel or acrylic nails.
Ready, get set, get pampered, and enjoy your vaca!
Featured Image By: Pexels
