Tag Archives: 2019

May4

May 2019 Funky Time Jams

Posted on by
Standard
May 2019 Funky Time Jams

Greetings and welcome to another fabulous month here on lifewithlilred! During the past few weeks of working with my newest client, I have been introduced to a ton of new music because he is all about the oldies but goodies. So, we have been listening to a lot of good stuff ranging from the 40’s to the 70’s. All of this music is just pure fun and I can’t get enough of it. Here are a few of my favorites:

^^^ And, as always, I have no rights to these songs or videos!

In this day and age where most songs on the radio are about sex, drugs, violence, or a combination of the three, it’s nice to listen to something more innocent. All of the songs above are such feel good anthems and I get genuinely happy when I listen to them. Singing along to the tunes with my darling client certainly helps the happiness cause, too! I find myself playing the songs above constantly throughout the day now and, no matter how stressed or busy I am, it manages to lift my mood and put a smile on my face. I feel like that’s what these songs are all about!

What are some of your feel good anthems? What is your favorite era of music? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May2

Trends To Try This Summer

Posted on by
Standard
Trends To Try This Summer

2019’s Spring/Summer trends are all about female empowerment. Whether it’s bright, neon colors, chic biker shorts, or retro tie-dye, big name designers and high street brands have been sure to use their platforms to inspire, motivate, and champion women.

Longer skirts, fluid shapes, and comfortable tailoring were key elements of Givenchy’s, Burberry’s, and Valentino’s collections, with Loewe and The Row also showcasing flattering cuts and relaxed outerwear options. With an added emphasis on empowerment, designers are giving control back to the women wearing their clothes. S/S 2019 trends are adaptable, comfortable, and confidence-boosting, which means they’re a realistic option for everyone.

A wide selection of trends ensures great variety on the high street, so take a look at our top picks and choose which trends you’ll be trying this summer:

Beige is back:

Featured by Dior, Givenchy, and Max Mara, amongst others, beige is making a big comeback this season. If you think beige is boring, think again. Laying different shades, using different fabrics and incorporating pink-hued pastel beiges is a great way to stay on trend this summer.

Create a soft, feminine look with pink-toned beige in silk or tulle, or go for a more utilitarian, authoritarian style with a deeper beige, bordering on khaki. Teamed with Alias Mae boots or Dr Martens from Platypus shoes, it’s easy to create a unique, powerful style with this year’s top color.

Top Handle Bags:

Easy to carry and more functional than ever, top handle bags are bound to be a big hit this summer. The sheer number of variations in style, fabric, and texture ensure that you can find the perfect top handle bag for work, formal wear, or a simple day at the beach. Try a top handled leather piece for a city chic look or a woven bag for an easy-going, relaxed style.

trend1

Peep that purse!

Neon is in:

Loud, vibrant colors are a hit this summer and you can incorporate neon into any outfit effortlessly. While the current trend of 80’s glitz and glam gives you the perfect opportunity to rock a solid block neon dress, there are subtler ways of making a statement if the all over neon look is a little too much. Layer a thin neon sweater with a chic black blazer to keep on trend at work or opt for a neon dress in a soft fabric like lace to create the perfect evening outfit.

Get sporty:

Known as athleisure, sports-inspired chic is all over the place this summer. Cycling shorts may be the must-have item, but if you’re not sure you can get away with Lycra bicycle shorts at work, incorporate the latest sea, skate, and surf styles with shell tops, anklets, and a pair of sunnies. Team with a midi skirt and flats at work or opt for relaxed tie-dye if you’re off-duty.

Animal prints:

Leopard print has caught our eye again and many of this year’s must-have pieces feature this classic print. From full-length print dresses and button-down shirts to utility boots and handbags, leopard and python are the big animal prints for this season. Available in a variety of colors, they can be paired with an array of other pieces to create a classic, yet up-to-date, stylish look. Easy to incorporate into any outfit and suitable for any occasion, use animal prints to showcase your style and you can’t go wrong.

trend

Pexels Image

Make the most of this year’s trends:

Using the latest fashions and staying on trend is a great way to feel in control, stylish, and sophisticated. With great pieces available from designers and high street retailers, there’s bound to be a few new additions to your wardrobe this year for your chicest summer yet!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Apr30

Home Decor Tricks To Help You Relax In 2019

Posted on by
Standard
Home Decor Tricks To Help You Relax In 2019

Whether you want to do a major overhaul of your home or just a simple design update, these easy and practical decor ideas are perfect this 2019 to add a relaxing esthetic to your space:

Add Natural Elements:

In today’s world, we’re constantly facing our computers and mobile devices so it would be nice to come home to a place with naturally relaxing elements. Even if you regularly take a walk in nature, it’s always good to have a touch of green around you. You can add houseplants and flowers in your urban home to incorporate nature and art pieces that feature the great outdoors or animals. Additionally, be sure to browse for decorative accessories that have earthy touches and are made up of soothing, natural colors like taupe, chocolate, and green. Wood furniture is also a great idea to make your home feel like an escape from our tech-obsessed world.

Use Furniture as Functional Decorations:

Speaking of furniture, it’s always smart and practical to choose pieces that can also serve as home decor. It’s a great way to save space and also make your home more interesting both for you and your guests. Pick a bookshelf with a material that complements your wall and flooring. Wood almost always goes well with anything but you can be more creative with modern-themed homes.

One of the best things you can add to your home this year is a mini wine fridge which can go in your kitchen, dining area, or your living room. Some wine coolers can be installed as part of an entire counter and some can stand alone and still add quite a statement in the room. You can keep your favorite wine bottles chilled at perfect conditions so you can offer them to your guests or have a glass yourself anytime you feel like it. Feeling relaxed now?

Reinvent Your Walls:

If you’re bored with your surroundings, adding some life into your walls can always make things more interesting. You can place a large-scale art piece in one area like an oversized painting or photograph. It can be a black and white photo if you want to be minimalist in your design or a vibrant abstract piece to energize the room. In other areas, you can also create a gallery wall, filled with photos from places you’ve traveled or interesting people you’ve met. Showcase a fabric on top of your bed’s headboard. This can be a tapestry or wall hanging with patterns which can add a sense of softness into the space.

Of course, wall art isn’t the only way to reinvent your walls. How about using books?! If you are interested in learning how to create a dark academia home the best place to start is with books. This could be with floating shelves, built in shelves, or shelving units that vary in height and size. A dark academia home is the ultimate in comfort as it invokes the feeling of cozying up in a leather armchair with a good book. Search for unique colors and binding for your books to add pops of visual interest for the best results.

Maximize Lighting:

Adding mirrors around your home is an old trick that works all of the time. It adds the effect of a larger space because the mirrors reflect light and spread it across the room. Another way to add more natural light is to open your windows or choose light curtains. Maximizing natural light in your home has a general positive effect both in your mind and body. It helps you relax easily and it also conditions your body to get to sleep when the sun goes down.

These are just a few cool decor tricks that you can do to make your home a more suitable place for rest and relaxation. So kick back and unwind in your newly decorated relaxation station!

Apr29

April 2019 Finishes

Posted on by
Standard
April 2019 Finishes

Hi! Another fun filled month has passed by on lifewithlilred with a lot of exciting stuff that has happened – namely my big move into my apartment. I thank all of you for being so supportive and offering me advice and encouragement, it has been so appreciated! I really have the best readers in the world. And, with the end of another month comes our usual empties post, so it’s time to go over the measly amount of beauty products that I finished up in April. Take a look and let’s discuss:

april

Would I Use Again?

  • Travel size lotions: MAYBE
  • The Body Shop Nutriganics eye cream: YES

Why/Why Not?

Mini Lotions: In my bath and body care hoard, I have an obscene amount of lotions that have been gifted to me or were freebies including the two above by CeraVe and Eufora. Both of these lotions absorbed quickly without being greasy and, because the CeraVe one was for babies, it was especially gentle which was nice after shaving. I wouldn’t go out of my way to by either of them again but I would use them if given the option.

TBS Eye Cream: We all know that I love me my Nutriganics eye cream and, sadly, it has been discontinued by The Body Shop. I am so upset about this because I’ve been using this cream for what feels like the past decade and the one that I bought from TJMaxx by Lanoline just isn’t cutting it. The Nutriganics eye cream was seriously the best. It was so gentle on the sensitive skin around the eyes but it was effective and sat well under makeup. I wish I could buy a ton in bulk so that I can continue my skin care journey with it, but it looks like that isn’t going to happen. Le sigh. 😦

April was a very underwhelming month for finishes and saying goodbye to an old beauty product companion is never easy. So, here’s to hoping for some fun products to discuss in May that won’t be discontinued in the near future! 😉

Which eye cream do you recommend? What is one of your favorite products that has been discontinued? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr4

April 2019 Funky Time Jams

Posted on by
Standard
April 2019 Funky Time Jams

Hiiii everyone! When I am making my schedule for work, I prefer to work two or three really long days so that I can have a few laid back ones during the work week. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love my schedule and am going to keep it that way. But, the eleven plus hour days can get exhausting. So, when I am driving from client to client, I use my time in the car with my music to refresh myself. And, that is what this month’s Funky Time Jams are all about – the songs that help me keep going during a long day:

^^^ And, as always, I have no rights to these songs or videos.

When I’m driving and I’m kind of tired, my soundtrack is all about music that I can sing along to. I turn the volume up and I put my air on and I just sing at the top of my lungs and it always manages to get me bright eyed and bushy tailed for the next person that I’m working with. That’s why all of the songs above are more fun ones than my normal all emo everything. Of course, if I’m having a bad day, then it is absolutely all emo everything, though lol.

All of the songs above are ones that I know by heart and they instantly make me dance and I end up feeling so rejuvenated afterwards. But, it’s definitely not hard to feel that way after playing a little Pharrell or Duran Duran! Eighties music is another must to help perk me up and my car dance parties are honestly what keeps me sane sometimes during my super busy weeks. The power of music!

What do you like to play to help get you through a long day? What kind of music do you listen to to get you in a fun mood? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar27

March 2019 Finishes

Posted on by
Standard
March 2019 Finishes

Hiiii! With yet another month of 2019 drawing to a close, it is time to discuss the beauty finishes that I had for March. This month, I finished up a lot of travel sized products, as well as a new and old favorite. Sadly, the new favorite is from TJMaxx and I don’t know if I will ever see it again. So, if any of you have some intel on where I can get it, please leave me a comment! Take a look and let’s discuss:

march

Would I Use Again?

Why/Why Not?

IGK Leave In Conditioner: I sampled this product from a Sephora Play! box that I got over the summer and, within the week or so of using it, I realized that I couldn’t live without it. The Mistress balm by IGK leaves my hair feeling nourished and healthy while looking so shiny and I use it every single day. It sinks completely into your hair, which makes it feel touchable and easy to manage without any stickiness. And, one tube lasted me about six months, making the twenty-nine dollar price tag well worth it.

Evoluderm Micellar Water: I never understood the big deal that French people made over micellar water, until I tried French micellar water. This product by Evoluderm was simply life changing! It somehow felt thicker than the water I normally use by Garnier, if that makes any sense. But, it hydrated my skin so well and it made for such easy makeup removal without scrubbing. The month that I had with this micellar water was not long enough so if anyone knows where I can get more, then PLEASE let me know!

Essano Micellar Water: I was out of micellar water after my Evoluderm success and my dear sweet mother picked this travel sized bottle up for me at TJMaxx, as it was the only micellar water they had. It definitely wasn’t as good as the previous product but it was okay. It took me a little over two weeks to finish the bottle.

Travel Size Lotion: As per ushe, I enjoyed my B&BW lotions and the random Hempz freebie that I had, too. I got a full body and a half use out of each bottle and all of them were so nice to put on post leg shaving. I wasn’t too fond of the B&BW scents of Magic In The Air and Marshmallow Pumpkin Latte, but the Hempz Pomegranate smelled really good. 😀

Danielle LaRoche Moisturizer: This product took me over a month to finish and I liked it a lot. I am a fan of any skin care with gold in it, which made the Danielle LaRoche moisturizer an obvious choice when I was picking it out. I would use it again in a heartbeat, because it was really moisturizing without being too heavy and it sat well under my makeup. It smelled so rich and creamy, too, which I love!

March was a very successful month for all of my finishes and I would happily use all of them again. It felt good to clear out some clutter by finishing up my travel sized products and I love when I can finish up something that I’ve been using for a while, like my IGK hair balm. 10/10 would recommend all of these products.

Have you used any of the beauty care items seen above? What were your thoughts on them? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar2

March 2019 Funky Time Jams

Posted on by
Standard
March 2019 Funky Time Jams

Hiii everyone and welcome to March! My recent drive to Pittsburgh provided me with the most rando playlist, because I definitely listened to Broadway musicals for most of it. Lol, to some this is lame and to others it is totally brilliant! For me, it made the drive so much quicker and it provided me with a lot of entertainment considering I had to be both the male and female lead, supporting characters, AND the chorus! So, trust and believe the Funky Time Jams this month will be peppered with a little Broadway flare. Check it out:

(And, as always, I do not own any of the rights to these songs or videos!)

Okay, so I often get asked why Jesus Christ Superstar and Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat are on my iPod because I’m not religious at all. And, I honestly have no idea. But, what I do know, is that the music in those musicals are catchy AF and we also watched them basically every year at my Catholic grade school. So, I guess I got a permanent ear worm from that. I could listen to the soundtrack or watch any filmed version of those shows and enjoy myself, so they were a must on my drive to Pittsburgh. And, how can you not love Sweeney Todd?!

I have also been listening to a buttload of The Cure since they announced an upcoming tour, which I would LOVE to go see. Breathing the same air as Robert Smith would probably make my chronic depression go away, so it needs to happen!

And, finally, I watched Burlesque with one of my clients a few weeks ago for the first time and I thought it was so good! Christina Aguilera is definitely one of my favorite female singers, so it was easy to get down with a movie revolving around her. I also saw the second Lego movie with another one of my clients and anyone who says that Everything Is Awesome isn’t a banger is a stone cold liar.

And, finally finally, Black & Yellow needs no further explanation after a Pittsburgh Partayyyy! Turn up, turn up, turn up!!!!!

What is your favorite Broadway musical? Who do you have on your road trip playlist? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb26

February 2019 Finishes

Posted on by
Standard
February 2019 Finishes

Hi! The itty bitty baby month of February is nearing an end, so it’s time to chit chat about the products that yours truly used up this month. There were quite a few good ones in my February finishes that I would happily use again. One in particular, was a serum that has been getting a lot of attention on my page so I take it that all of you liked it, too! Take a look at my empties and let’s discuss:

febbb

Would I Use Again?

Why/Why Not?

LPM Shower Creme: I found a half used bottle of this Orange Blossom scented shower creme in my stock pile, so I figured that I would use it up. Obviously, it was pretty disappointing, because I definitely wouldn’t use it again. Shower cremes are supposed to be moisturizing and this one dried my skin out so badly. It didn’t lather well and I had to use a lot to feel clean. The one thing that I was most looking forward to was the Orange Blossom scent, because it sounded so lovely. And, unfortunately, this product didn’t really smell like anything. Whomp whompppp.

TBS Face Mask: The Honey & Oat face mask from The Body Shop is one of my favorites. Its creamy texture is so nourishing, but the flakes of oats give it some exfoliating power. This combination helps get all of the dead skin and gunk off of your face but it leaves it absolutely glowing with peaches and cream perfection. I also got over ten uses out of one container, which is a great value.

B&BW Lotion: Ahhhhh, the Golden Pear & Brown Sugar scent is SO yummy! The warmth of the brown sugar paired with the softest hint of a juicy pear made this a lotion that I actually wanted to put on, which rarely happens. I got a one and a half full body use out of the travel size and I would love to have this scent in a full sized bottle, for sure.

Azure Lux Serum: I have had SO many people coming to my page to check this serum out and I hope that all of you liked it as much as I did, because I friggen LOVED it! This serum had gold flakes in it and it left my skin so radiant that I just want to take a bath in it… That’s how much I enjoyed it. It also took me at least three months to finish it. Now, if only I could find some more!

Garnier Cleanser: I got this mini micellar foaming cleanser FO FREE with a bottle of Garnier micellar water and it was okay. It did an okay job of removing my makeup and it felt okay and it was a very average cleanser. It didn’t foam very well, though, which is too bad considering that’s in the name of the cleanser and I loves me a foaming cleanser. This mini size took me about a week and a half to finish, which is pretty good. I definitely wouldn’t use it again unless I got it for free.

My February finishes were a mixed bag, but that’s okay, because the ones I liked were ones I liked a lot, which makes up for it! Now, hopefully I can find some more Azure Lux serum at TJMaxx soon…

Which products did you use up this month? What were your thoughts on any of the above products if you’ve used them before? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb14

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Posted on by
Standard
Happy Valentine’s Day!

Hiiii everyone and Happy Valentine’s Day! Unfortunately, I have no cute OOTD for this post, because I suffered from Canttakeagoodpicturetosavemylife-neosis. It’s a rare disorder when you look cute but just can’t seem to take a good picture to save your life, as the name clearly states. So, instead, I will just be wishing all of the love birds a very happy day celebrating their relationship. ❤

What will I be doing, you ask? Oh, nothing. Nothing at all. When you’re chronically single, Valentine’s Day is just another day and I will be working, working. I won’t even get to treat myself to a nice soak with a bath bomb from Lush, because I’ll be working late. But, hey, single on Valentine’s Day means that I won’t have to share my chocolate with anyone else, so here I am always looking on the bright side! 😀

No matter how you spend your day, in a relationship or not, just remember that Lil Red has love for all of her readers. And, at the end of the day, that’s the love that really matters. 😉

Funny-Valentines-Day-Cards-Tumblr-Harry-Potter-09

How are you spending V-Day? What has been your favorite Valentine’s Day celebration? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb8

Wig Hair Trends For 2019

Posted on by
Standard
Wig Hair Trends For 2019

Going bald is no longer the only option for women with alopecia and other conditions. With the plethora of options available for wigs, women can enjoy the latest beauty trends with all of the flair of their hair-growing sisters. Here are some of the latest trends of wigs for women in 2019:

Glossy Hair:

Moving from Instagram to the mainstream populace, glossy hair is a super shiny finish on hair. Wigs are easy to style, clean, and care for. This trend is easy to do with the wigs for women with alopecia Chicago. Use on a new one or one you already own.

Blunt Bobs:

The blunt bob is back thanks to celebrities such as Karlie Kloss and Kendall Jenner. Wig companies are matching the style of the shorter version of the mid-length boyfriend bob for a sassy and chic look.

Big Hair:

Bring back not the big hair of the ‘80s but the pumped-up volume of the ‘60s. Style long or medium length with a round brush and blow dryer to achieve maximum lift at the roots. A simple style to achieve with your wig.

Long Layers:

Long layers seem to always be in fashion. Longer layers are available for you to capitalize on the flowing locks of your dreams. Available in super straight or multi-layered, long hair is now a mainstay in the wig industry.

Lovely Lilac:

Lilac is the trendy new color in hair. Many wig companies are offering bolder and brighter colors to match the mainstream hair industry. Whether you go pastel or jewel toned, this hair packs a punch!

Grey Hair:

Grey is growing in popularity and not just among older women. The age-inclusive color has been used as a highlight, wash, and in stripes for various effects. You can be any age to take advantage of the classically cool color.

Wig manufacturers work hard to match the latest styles and trends. If you’re looking to update, buy a new one, or it’s your first purchase, then follow these latest hair trends for inspiration!