Tag Archives: accessories

Sep28

Summer In Fall OOTD

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Summer In Fall OOTD

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new OOTD here on lifewithlilred!! In early fall, you never know what kind of weather you are going to get. Is it going to be summer hot or hoodie weather? Who knows?! On this particular day that I took pictures, it was hot AF so I decided to do one final hurrah for summertime. Now, bring on the brisk days of fall, baby! Check it out:

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Who? What? Wear?

This past summer, I learned to love warm weather fashion a little more. Although it will never be my favorite season to dress for, I admit that it does have its merits lol. I just love more elaborate fall outfits so the simplicity of clothing to keep you cool in the summertime bores me. That is why fun additional pieces like kimonos, earthy wedges, and quirky jewelry are a must for my summer apparel, as you can see in this OOTD.

I already had the Rebellion Again kimono in mind and I thought that its gauzy fabric in my favorite hue of mustard yellow was an ideal summer piece to welcome the fall. It is such a versatile option and would make a fabulous cover up over a bathing suit or look charming over top of a dress at a summer wedding… Which I definitely wore last year when mine and Johnny’s friends tied the knot!

Pairing my kimono with the Banana Republic cami top was a no brainer as you can see from the colors in its pattern. While the yellow flowers weren’t a perfect match, it was close enough. The blue flowers, however, popped just right against the distressed jean shorts, which you can really see when the kimono is off. I found this top when I was going through my “I have no tops” phase and love its sweet pattern and silky fabric. It was also a total steal at just twelve bucks for a Banana Republic top. Freaking SCORE! 😀

The styling of this outfit really did speak for itself as I prepped in my wardrobe office and it’s always great when a cute fit requires minimal think work. My lace up wedges of unknown origin was just right to tie the outfit together. I’m actually just noticing this now but the earthy tones of the canvas also work in tandem with the olive green flowers in the top. NICE.

Guys, I love these damn shoes so much it’s not even funny. They were one of my first pairs of wedges and my massive shoe collection went haywire after that! Unfortunately, I pushed them too hard in this OOTD. After getting back in the car, I saw a huge tear from the canvas to the woven heel and I was SO sad. Despite their unwearable condition, I refuse to part with them for sentimental purposes. But, what a way to glorify them for forever with one last killer OOTD! But, I digress…

After the shoes (RIP) were selected, it was time to accessorize. I went with my go to bangle bracelets that I adore. They are even more special because all of them were gifted to me from my mom and sister. For earrings, I chose my dangle feather pair that was a hand me down from my sis. Do you remember when feather earrings were all the rage and then they just weren’t? Lol, they, obviously, still are for me and looked so pretty against the creamy base of the cami top.

Let’s be real, it has been fall in my head since late August but I just had to send summer off with a bang with my Summer In Fall OOTD. Keep it posted here on lifewithlilred for lots more fall fun, fits, and fabulousness! ❤

What is a trend that you can think of that was wildly popular then wasn’t? What is fall weather like where you live? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

 

Sep16

New Hair, Who Dis? OOTD

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New Hair, Who Dis? OOTD

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new OOTD compliments of my brand new hair! I am loving my new look so much and couldn’t wait to take pictures this past weekend to show it off. Johnny and I visited a covered bridge in the Cuyahoga Valley to take these pics and, it’s safe to say that we got a ton of weird looks when walking the short trail to the bridge lol. I don’t know why, considering I was in my walking shoes! Check it out:

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Who? What? Wear?

After my most recent haul from TJMaxx, I knew that I wanted my DKNY sweater featured in my next OOTD. I love it so very much and sheer sleeve sweaters are, easily, my favorite new trend. It is the perfect compromise to not seeing my tattoos pretty much all fall and winter long and it’s unique too. I have never seen anything like it before until late July and I wish I had five hundred more sweaters with the sheer sleeve style!

With the top already pre-selected, putting together the rest of the outfit was a no brainer. For this OOTD, I wanted to play with different textures to add some spice to an almost All Black Everything look. The Seven Jeans were an obvious choice because they are coated and provided some extra shine. It played off so nicely with the knit base of the sweater and the billowy pinstriped sleeves.

Can we also just talk about how amazing Seven Jeans are in general? There is a reason why Fergie mentions them in the timeless classic, “My Humps” by the Black Eyed Peas. These jeans fit just right and hug my curves without being too tight. You also know how much I love anything snakeskin patterned so this was a fabulous TJMaxx find!

Moving on lol, it was time for shoes and accessories. To continue on with the almost all black palette and keeping texture in mind, I went with my Forever 21 platforms. These are one of my favorite pairs of shoes that I have ever owned! After several years of wearing them, they are not as shiny as they were originally. This is fine, though, and the matte base added another texture twist against the coated jeans.

Finally, it was time for some bling, baby! I have a huge collection of chunky gold jewelry and wanted to stay in that realm because it was going to look awesome against my new hair. To play it up even more, I wanted a chain that was shorter in length to make it really pop. After a few no-gos, I tried the cheetah Natasha necklace and knew that it was the one. It also tied together the flames in the shoes to the rest of the outfit.

This OOTD is a great example of a monochrome look done right. When you are working with just one color, it is so important to use texture to your advantage to add visual interest. You are not going to get it, otherwise, with say a green jacket and dress set. You should also try to incorporate some additional detail to the outfit through cleverly placed accessories with a pop of color. This way, the eyes of whomever you see will still be dancing despite a look with a minimal color palette.

Be sure to tune in this week for bonus pics and bloopers from my New Hair, Who Dis? OOTD! We will also be celebrating my eight year blogiversary a few days late so keep it posted for that! ❤

How do you rock a monochrome look? What is your new favorite trend? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

 

 

Aug27

Date Night OOTD

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Date Night OOTD

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new OOTD here on lifewithlilred! This past Friday, Johnny and I had a date night at Buca Di Beppo and it was an absolute delight. I have never been there before and Johnny promised me a bowl of fettuccine Alfredo as big as my head and I received nothing less. Despite the food coma afterwards, it was a fabulous night and I just had to show out in my dinner date best:

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^^^ Lol, I really like that last picture for some reason!

Who? What? Wear?

I purchased my Zara dress during the last TJMaxx Haul that I had and I have been dying to break it out. Date night is the perfect occasion to wear a pretty little something and I loved how I felt in it. This dress was form fitting without being clingy and also hit slightly above knee length, which eliminated any awkward adjusting throughout the date. We all have that one dress that we adore but is just a hair too short or tight!

Because the pattern of the dress was so bold, it really didn’t need much styling magic so I chose simple things to enhance it. The first order of business was shoes and it took me a minute before settling on my platform loafers. They are actually falling apart but I refuse to part with them!

Regardless of their current state, the loafers were the best option to go with because of the length and style of the dress. The long sleeves and almost knee length cut left a lot of me covered up so it was important to give my legs all of the extension that I could. I did try a few pairs of platforms with ankle straps but, despite the additional height, the strap still broke apart the leg line and made me look short. The platform loafers solved that problem and gave a lovely silhouette without any interruptions.

For accessories, I knew exactly which necklace I wanted to use and went with my grandma’s chunky gold pendant necklace. It hits at just the right length to tuck under the collar of a dress or top and still leave the pendant showing. I love green and gold together and it also complimented the gold hoop embellishments on my purse perfectly!

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With all of the current craziness in my life, a date night with my Johnny was just what I needed for a pick me up. We ate like kings and we looked like royalty!

Where is your favorite date night spot? What do you like to wear for nights out? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul10

White Hot OOTD Pt. 3

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White Hot OOTD Pt. 3

Hello everyone and welcome to the last of my White Hot OOTD shoot before we move on to the lols of the blooper reel! Prior to taking these pictures with Johnny, we had no idea of the beauty surrounding our new apartment. Although we still live in the same community, the scenery at our new place is vastly different to the old one. We used to be in a cluster of different complexes and are now nestled in the woods with greenery everywhere and a creek running through the property.

The last location we shot at is actually really cool because it’s a rock wall that makes up the base of our new complex:

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To wrap up this photo series, I thought that we would talk a little bit about accessorizing. Knowing how to accessorize is just as much of an art as any other aspect of fashion because it is a delicate dance. Too much jewelry can take away from a great outfit and too little makes it feel like it’s missing something. You, truly, need that “just right” medium for optimum success and I think this OOTD achieved that.

There are a few key rules to follow when accessorizing that will help you put the cherry on top of any look:

Fill Negative Space:

Blank spaces on an OOTD are where accessories come into play, which you can see on my OOTD. Are you wearing a tank top? How about adding a jangling stack of bangles? Or, maybe you’re rocking a hot pair of short shorts – try an anklet or some bejeweled Gladiator sandals! Scooping neckline? Add a necklace of an appropriate length to fill the space!

Creating visual interest with an outfit means that you are making the eyes of whomever is looking at you dance. So, instead of just a brief up and down glance, they are looking here, there, and everywhere at all of the little touches you added to your look. Properly placed accessories is what helps to achieve this.

Consider Your Clothing:

This seems like an obvious tip but it needs to be said. Accessories thrive on a more neutral palette, which is why I limited mine to the top half of this OOTD. A bold patterned piece of clothing is an accessory in and of itself so you don’t want to weigh it down with unnecessary jewelry.

Let’s think about a white tank top again – this is grounds to spice things up with a lengthier pendant necklace. But what if you’re wearing a bright floral top? A short length silver or gold chain necklace or sweet stud earrings will work perfectly. Remember, accessories are meant to enhance – not take away from your overall OOTD.

As a heavily tattooed and pierced woman with some crazy cool hair, I have had to reconsider how I accessorize as my body mod collection grows. All of my modifications are my accessories so I am even more mindful of the jewelry that I wear in my OOTDs. The tips above work wonders for me and I know for a fact that they will for you too!

What is your favorite type of accessory? Do you have a piece of jewelry that you wear every day? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun17

Accessory Story: New SJ Pearl Obsidian Necklace

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Accessory Story: New SJ Pearl Obsidian Necklace

Hello! Last Monday, I had a very successful shopping trip at TJMaxx with a new friend. I got all kinds of cute stuff with my birthday gift cards, including a new SJ Pearl necklace that I love so much. Part of the novelty of shopping at TJMaxx that never gets old is being introduced to new brands that you haven’t heard of before. I purchased two SJ Pearl necklaces almost three years ago from TJs and still find myself looking for more every time I go.

On Monday, my prayers were finally answered and there were several new SJ Pearl necklaces on the jewelry counter. I knew the brand as soon as I saw it from aisles away and couldn’t reach the display fast enough. There were three different designs to choose from and, honestly, I wish that I bought them all lol. Here is what I went with:

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Despite having a huge jewelry collection, I always seem to gravitate towards my SJ Pearl necklaces to spice up an OOTD. They are, easily, some of my favorite pieces that I own and they add a unique touch to the most simple of outfits. I love the reassuring weight of them around my neck as they are fairly heavy because of being made with precious stones. Obsidian is used for protection and, maybe it’s just in my head, but I do feel more at peace just knowing that it’s on.

My other SJ Pearl necklaces are shorter in length, although they can be adjusted. So, I was very excited to find my new one that is longer. It is such a stunning design and I can’t wait to wear the jet black beads against cream colored blouses to add a major pop of visual interest. Also, if anyone knows more about the image on it, then please fill me in because I couldn’t find it when scouring Google.

My new necklace is the last thing from my TJMaxx haul and it was definitely one of the better trips that I have had recently. Once a maxxinista, always a maxxinista!!

What is your favorite jewelry brand? Where do you go to discover new brands? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun11

Accessory Story: Larioseta Scarf Edition

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Accessory Story: Larioseta Scarf Edition

Hello!! I had many a birthday gift card for TJMaxx burning a hole in my pocket and I was so happy to go shopping with a new friend to spend them. We had the best time and each had a haul worth blogging about! As always, I wanted to be able to find some new tops. And, as always, that was a total bust lol. However, I did find lots of other goodies starting with this gorgeous silk scarf by Larioseta:

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From necklaces and purses to shoes and scarves, I love accessories. I am a huge fan of scarves and have several in my collection but none as good enough to eat looking as my new Larioseta one! I saw this darling donut patterned scarf from aisles away and just had to hurry over to snag it because it was the only one there. It reminded me so much of my favorite Popsicle print silk scarf by BCBG and I had to have it. Clearly, I have a fondness for dessert print accessories!

Silk scarves are a fabulous way to spruce up a summer outfit whether tied at the neck, worn as a headband, or even wrapped around the straps of a purse. I plan on letting my sweet tooth do the talking by tying it at the neck with a simple white tank top and my go to American Eagle shorts. While cozy scarves should be saved for the fall, silk scarves are a perfect summer option for a touch of retro cuteness that won’t leave you burning up. 😀

Keep it posted here on lifewithlilred for more on my TJMaxx birthday gift card haul and a huge thank you to everyone for the generous gifts!! ❤

What is your favorite place to receive a gift card for? What is your favorite kind of accessory? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May5

Accessory Story: Forgotten Ring Edition

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Accessory Story: Forgotten Ring Edition

Hello! I love putting on my engagement ring and wedding band every day because I think that they are the most “me” pieces of jewelry that I own. I didn’t think it was possible to love another piece of bling more so I was blindsided when I found this surprise ring while I was packing for mine and Johnny’s big move:

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I have a pink dish chair that has held all of my bras, sports bras, and swimsuits for as long as I can remember. I also have not moved anything from that chair for as long as I can remember. Lol, Johnny caught onto this too because while I was boxing up everything from the chair, I found a velvet gift bag. At first, it felt empty and I almost threw it out. Then, I reached into the bag and discovered this gorgeous pearl ring with amber jewels!

I literally clutched my pearls when the ring was revealed because it was just so cute. It looks like a gemstone bow and I have never seen anything like it. I was so curious where this ring had came from because it was in the most random location. I couldn’t wait for Johnny to get home to question him about the ring’s origins because I thought that it might have been an engagement ring he picked out before ordering the one that I have.

Once Johnny got home, he told me that he also had no idea where he acquired the ring and then we started playing detective. It didn’t come from me so it would have had to have been from Johnny. We both thought that the gift bag’s gold motif was similar to my ring box and packaging from the Etsy shop we got my engagement ring from. Then, concluded that it must have been an extra gift for purchasing the engagement ring.

I asked Johnny how he could have forgotten this and I guess with the excitement of getting engaged it just slipped his mind! He also expertly hid it in a place where we both never look so I don’t think I would have ever found it unless we were moving. I love this bonus ring so much and I am thrilled that it is finally in its rightful possession – mine! ❤

Have you ever found anything unexpected while moving? Where is the best hiding spot at your place? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May3

Accessory Story: Handmade Necklaces Edition

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Accessory Story: Handmade Necklaces Edition

Hello! A couple of weeks ago, my niece made my mom and dad the cutest necklaces with Blues Clues pendants on them. I’m not going to lie, Johnny and I were pretty jealous that we didn’t get one too. So, the next time we watched her we asked if she could make us some necklaces and she said yes! They are absolutely adorable and my mind is blown by how much necklace making technology has improved for children. Check it out:

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I loved making necklaces when I was little… Until it was time to tie the string together, that is. Without fail, my necklace would end up falling apart and always resulted in frustration. I had to share the necklaces my niece made because 1) How could I not? and 2) The rubbery necklace strand is literally fail proof.

When my niece gifted my parents with their new bling, my dad’s came off and it happened in slow motion when it fell to the floor. I was positive that the beads would be flying off and tears would start to fall. But that wasn’t the case! The end of the necklace strand has two thick posts with one being hollow to attach the sides together. This change in width catches the beads every time for hours of jewelry making fun without the possibility of a masterpiece being ruined.

The amount of options for toys, clothes, TV shows, and everything in between has grown exponentially since I was a kid. These necklace strands are definitely one thing that I wish had been invented in my youth! I can’t wait to rock my new Blues Clues necklace and this improvement to jewelry making will be a fun activity for your little ones come summer break. 🙂

What was your favorite activity as a child? How about your favorite childhood TV show? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr28

Summer In Spring OOTD

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Summer In Spring OOTD

Hello!! Ohio basically experienced all four seasons this past week but ended on a high note with summer like weather over the weekend. It went from snowing and freezing rain to low eighties and sunny, making for the perfect weather for some OOTD pictures! It felt so good to shed the chilly day layers and step out with Johnny in some shorts and a cute little top! Check it out:

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Who? What? Wear?

  • Tie Back Top: Japna, TJMaxx
  • Shorts: American Eagle Outfitters
  • Shawl: This was my grandma’s ❤
  • Wedges: Charles By Charles David, TJMaxx
  • Blue Snake Cuff: I got this at the zoo lol
  • Pink Snake Cuff: Betsey Johnson, TJMaxx
  • Hair Accessory: Hot Topic
  • Tooth Necklace: This is from Revival, a store no longer open in Akron
  • Parasol: PatCatan’s

For these pictures, Johnny and I headed to the Riverfront in Downtown Cuyahoga Falls. We were most economical because we snapped these shots while we were waiting for our takeout order of Mexican food! I probably only wore this outfit for about an hour in total before we went back home, put on comfy clothes, and watched Lord Of The Rings but it was so worth it!

This past week, my mom gave me the shawl that belonged to my grandma that she found while spring cleaning. I love it so much and knew that I wanted to wear it to take some pictures in, so wear it I did. I already had my Japna top in mind that I had been dying to break out since purchasing this winter and the shawl complimented it wonderfully. The two mixed textures provided lots of visual interest which gave this fairly simple outfit something special.

When it comes to shorts, I only wear those from American Eagle Outfitters. They are the absolute best and I was so excited to wear them for the first time since last summer. There’s something about the first warm weather outfit of the year that hits different, ya know? The AEO shorts are so comfortable and fit well without being suction cupped to your legs and they are ideal for a hot day.

With the base of the outfit sorted out, it was time to accessorize! My Charles By Charles David wedges are a favorite of mine come warm weather. I have pretty much worn them into the ground but I don’t care! These wedges go with everything and I could seriously walk all day in them without breaking my stride. I also like the mule shape which helps keep the line of my legs nice and long.

Since this outfit featured a little top and shorts, I wanted to fill out some of the empty spaces with jewelry. You can’t really tell in these pictures but my top has a muted snakeskin print so I kept with that theme by adding my jeweled snake cuffs. I am obsessed with bracelets like this and the blingy gemstones look gorgeous in sunlight! For another pop of color, I chose my tooth necklace from Revival because its length was just right and hits slightly above where my top starts to dip.

And, of course, I am that girl who is extra enough to carry a parasol with me! Part of it is for the fashion but it is also somewhat of a necessity. Everyone jokes that Johnny and I are vampires and it’s very true in the regards that we both burn horribly in the sun. You can almost always find me come summertime with a floppy hat on or a parasol in hand to provide some much needed extra shade!

I will forever be partial to dressing for the fall than to summer but I am loving this Summer In Spring OOTD. A couple of well placed accessories can go a long way in taking a basic outfit into something worth blogging about!

What is your favorite type of weather? What is your favorite season to dress for? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr22

Expressing Yourself With Your Style

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Expressing Yourself With Your Style

A good marker of identity is in the choices someone makes when deciding what to look like. Of course, image isn’t everything, in fact it’s only a small part of who we are, and in most circumstances, we are given the cards we’re dealt with. Outside of temporarily wearing certain shoes, for instance, it’s hard to change our height. That’s okay, because you’re more than enough without having to change every single part of you.

Furthermore, there’s no “necessity” here. Self expression through various means is totally voluntary, you can be as simple or complex as you like. The trick is to have fun with it, and to decide what your tastes are. It might be that you love both alternative styles and more default apparel choices, both are totally valid, and can showcase different parts of who you are.

If you feel like expressing who you are anew, then, there are many ways you can make those choices. No matter if you’re in your twenties and feel as though you’re starting to know who you are, or if you’re in your forties and feel like enjoying a tattoo for the first time, consider how to achieve this in the best and healthiest manner, below:

Self Care & Health:

Self care and health is important to consider, but many people forget that this is actually a good way to express yourself. Sure, sometimes you may need to visit an emergency dentist for corrective work, but making sure you properly brush/floss your teeth can help you feel comfortable in beaming ear to ear. The same goes for skin care, which can help you positively glow, and organizing a hair care routine that helps you strengthen it, especially when planning to dye it properly. There’s no better way than investing in yourself with a little TLC and expressing yourself thanks to your newfound confidence.

Body Art & Accessories:

Body art such as piercings and tattoos as well as accessories that truly help you reveal yourself as you are can make such a difference when putting together outfits or showcasing your mood on a given day. From the types of necklace you wear to the cool classy hat you’re trying out, switching it up according to your mood helps you explore fashion and what it means to you, as well as allowing you to grow with confidence going forward.

Styles & Outfits:

Finding your “style” can be a good way to broadly categorize what you like to wear, but remember that these are warm guidelines and not specific rules. They can help you put outfits together, no matter if you hope to wear more professional clothing in your new job or if you wish to wear nice summer clothes for your vacation. Consider the event, the appropriateness of the place, what will be comfortable, what colors work for you, and what kind of arrangements can help you thrive. A nice balance of all these can grant you the best outlook.

You should also consider the other elements of an outfit when expressing yourself through your style. The first thing to remember is that your comfort is important. Be mindful of designs and colors when selecting an outfit to express who you are. Perhaps you feel good in clothes of a darker, more subtle color pattern. In that case, you can consider clothes made with this green spinach cheerio fabric. Research shows that wearing clothes you love makes you feel confident and boosts your mood and behavior. Be sure to keep these tips in mind when you are trying to showcase who you are through your sense of fashion.

Let your style reflect your amazing self, personality, and confidence and have some fun! That’s what it’s all about. 🙂

Featured Image By: Pexels