Tag Archives: akron

Apr12

Flower Power

Posted on April 12, 2019 by lifewithlilred

Hellooo! As I get older, I notice that I am enjoying the winter season less and less. Ohio has a particularly annoying one, because it drags on until god knows when. But, this past week, we have finally began to experience warmer, spring-like temperatures and it has been such a treat. No more bundling up against the cold or snow flurries – just light jacket weather and sunshine. Of course, until it snows again, that is. -_-

But, for now, I will definitely take this turn of events in weather and I can notice how much it has lifted my spirits already. Especially because flowers have began to pop up all over the neighborhood. Some of our daffodils opened up over the weekend and it was a delight to see a sunburst of yellow after months on end of grey, gloomy weather.

I absolutely love flowers of all kinds and there is nothing better than seeing all of them in full bloom. I especially love daffodils, because the bright yellow reminds me of my grandma who was really fond of that color. Catching a glimpse of this little flower patch every time I leave for work puts a smile on my face and I can’t wait for more flowers to spring up soon!

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

Apr7

New Light Pink & Gold Glitter Nails

Posted on April 7, 2019 by lifewithlilred

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Hellooo everyone! This past week, I treated myself to a new set of acrylics. The ones that I had been wearing for over a half a year or so were getting pretty flimsy and it feels so good to have some nice, sturdy new nails again. And, did I mention that they’re pretty?! I went with a springy color palette and am in love with the soft pink and shock of glitter that I chose. Check it out:

I recently painted one of my client’s nails with a pale pink similar to the color that I went with and I was obsessed. So, I decided that that shade definitely had to be used once I was able to get my nails done. Light pink is so lovely for spring and it reminds me of one of my favorite flowers – pink hyacinths! The gold accent nail compliments it nicely, too, and is reminiscent of golden foil wrapped chocolate eggs for Easter. 😀

And, as always, Elysian Nails did a wonderful job with my talons. I honestly can’t believe I ever went to a different salon, because this one is the real deal. Amazing techs, gorgeous set up, and fair prices – it can’t be beat and I am so happy to have finally found a salon that I love!

What color of polish do you have on right now? What is your favorite spring flower? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr3

Moving On Up: Abbey Ann’s Haul

Posted on April 3, 2019 by lifewithlilred

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Hiii everyone! In my neck of the woods in Ohio, there are several thrift stores called Abbey Ann’s. Rather than clothes, though, they sell furniture and unique knick knacks for your home. Going to Abbey Ann’s wasn’t even on my radar until my client’s mom suggested it and I am so glad she did, because I got all of the furniture I needed for my apartment for a whopping four hundred and thirty dollars. This includes the following:

Loveseat
Chair and footstool
Vanity and stool
Full length mirror
Coffee table
Two end tables

Unfortunately, I do not have pictures of the goods right now, because they are all covered up in my garage. But, I will definitely take pictures once they are all set up in my apartment. What I will say for now is, that I was a friggen fool for even considering purchasing all new furniture for my apartment when I got SEVEN things for less than what one new item would probably cost.

People tend to turn their nose up when it comes to thrift and consignment shopping and, I have to admit, I can be one of those people. But, I know a well taken care of item when I see it and all of the pieces that I picked out were of such high quality that I couldn’t pass any of it up. Not only that, but the owner of the Abbey Ann’s that I shopped at cleans all of the furniture up and sands or polishes them to make them look like new. In fact, he had just steam cleaned the loveseat that I bought two days before.

I’m really proud of myself, because after furniture shopping I pretty much have all of the big necessities that I need and I got it all for a price that was a steal. Now, all I have to do is pick up a few more random needs and I will be all set for moving day. That wasn’t so hard, after all! 🙂

Do you have a store similar to Abbey Ann’s in your area? What is the best deal you’ve ever scored at a thrift or consignment shop? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar26

Moving On Up

Posted on March 26, 2019 by lifewithlilred

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Hi! So something very exciting happened this past Friday… I put down a security deposit for an apartment! That’s right, in the middle of April, Lil Red will be leaving the nest and moving into her own space. I picked out a two bedroom loft in the Timbertop apartment community, which just so happens to be down the street from my old neighborhood. It is also where my sister and her family are located.

This spot is perfect, because I didn’t want to move too far away from any of my clients and where I am now is basically a central location between the eight of them. I am so looking forward to decorating my place and furnishing an office where I can get all of my blogging and paperwork done comfortably. In fact, I started the haulathon the day I put my deposit down by going to TJMaxx so you’ll definitely see all of the apartment goods I got in a future post.

These aren’t the best pictures of my new place, as I took them quickly when I was seeing it for the first time. But, still:

Pretty cool, right?!

I am literally in love with my apartment and can’t wait to keep you all updated on the moving process. In the meantime, what are some apartment essentials that I will need? Where is your favorite place to shop in store or online for home products? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb12

Happy Tails Thrift Shop

Posted on February 12, 2019 by lifewithlilred

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Hello! Recently, a really cool thrift shop opened up right down the road from me. It is called Happy Tails and all of the proceeds are given to the Akron Humane Society. My mom enjoys volunteering there on the weekends and I love taking my clients there to shop around and find some good deals. And, I found some good deals too! This past month, I got a four drawer filing cabinet (Which I’ve wanted for forever.) and a pair of retro sunglasses for just under eleven bucks. Check it out:

I am so incredibly happy with my purchases and it’s even better that the money goes to helping our local animals in need. I asked for a filing cabinet for Christmas and, sadly, did not find one under the tree. And, while scoping post holiday sales, a two drawer cabinet was still around forty dollars. I got twice that for ten bucks!

I love the old school locker feel of my new cabinets and I had a blast organizing all of my paperwork in accordion folders so that I no longer have to lug huge binders from home to home. I was able to clear away a ton of clutter to house in my new cabinet and I even left a drawer for my mom to store all of her paperwork in, too. My filing cabinet makes me feel like an adulting champion and there is nothing better than that.

My new sunnies that I got for fifty cents was also a huge success from Happy Tails and I’ve worn them every day since I got them. Within the past year, seventy-five percent of the sunglasses that I’ve owned for years have broke. And, while I’m shopping at Target or TJMaxx, I just can’t justify spending twelve to fifteen bucks on a pair of shades. But, fifty scents for these mini framed, mint green beauties was something that I could definitely swing! I’ve wanted a pair like this for forever, and the funky color makes them unique and so totally fun!

Thrifting can bring tons of amazing steals and when your spendings go to a good cause, it makes it that much more enjoyable. I can’t wait to go shop at Happy Tails again soon. 😀

What is the best thing you’ve found at a thrift store? What are some ways that you shop smart? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan27

Lots Of Snow In Ohio

Posted on January 27, 2019 by lifewithlilred

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Hiiii! This past weekend, my neck of the woods in good ol’ Akron, Ohio got absolutely pummeled with snow. It had myself and my family stuck indoors for three days straight and the roads were so bad that I couldn’t get to work when Monday rolled around. I also couldn’t go to my planned weekend trip to Pittsburgh for some quality cousin time. I was so bummed! In a nutshell, it was insanely boring, freezing, and oh so very, very snowy. Lots of people have been interested in pictures of what this massive snowfall looked like, so I ventured out into the tundra and snapped the following:

^^^ As you can see, the snow was up to my mid thigh – yikes!

For three days in a row, I basically did nothing but hang out, play Candy Crush, watch TLC, and a few LifeTime movies. And, of course, stare out the window and watch all of the snow that we didn’t get throughout the winter fall outside in a matter of a day and a half. It was pretty crazy to see, because my area barely got any snow for the past few months – in fact, we had a lot of days in the forties and fifties. Incredibly mild, to say the least!

Since this RAS (Random Act Of Snowfall), things have pretty much gone back to normal weatherwise in the 330. It is definitely a lot colder than what we’ve been used to, though. But, single digit temperatures have never stopped us Midwesterners yet. 😀 #ope

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

Dec11

Bye Bye, Wisdom Teeth

Posted on December 11, 2018 by lifewithlilred

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Hiiiii! So, this past Friday I got my wisdom teeth removed. I now have four less teeth so, if you don’t recognize me, I completely understand! The oral surgeon also had to take some of my gums from the roof of my mouth and sew it into the bottom of my gum line so that was really tasty, too.

Aside from waking up in loopy-ville, the pain hurting like the dickens, and the fact that my face swelled up to chipmunk proportions, I’d say that I did pretty well! But, the best part, was all of the ice cream that I got to eat. The most delicious being the Chocoholic Peanut Butter Ripple from Handle’s.

Originally, I asked my dad to get me Peppermint Stick but, then, I realized that I really really wanted some chocolate. My dad doesn’t have a cell phone, so I did what any girl in pain (And also on her period! TMI?!) would do. I called Handle’s and asked them to let “the man with a mustache and flannel” know that I changed my mind. The girl on the phone was SO sweet and when my dad returned home with my treat there was an adorable note from the employees at Handle’s wishing me a quick recovery. 12/10 will FOREVER be getting ice cream from there again!

What is your favorite ice cream flavor? How about your favorite local ice cream stand? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug3

Meditation Station

Posted on August 3, 2018 by lifewithlilred

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Hi there! Something that I’ve been enjoying a lot lately is meditation. One of the libraries in my area has been hosting the two founders of a local nonprofit organization Health, Happiness, & Chan to teach meditation classes to the public. I have been going since the spring time, and found it to be really difficult. Dare I say, I even found it to be completely ineffective.

Then, we had a hiatus for a few months until the summer session began. Upon returning to classes, I had a total turn around during our hour together. I was able to complete the entire forty minute process when, before, I couldn’t even finish five minutes. It felt awesome and I left class feeling so uplifted and accomplished.

Unfortunately, but fortunately, one of our two amazing teachers (Both of whom are professors at Akron U.) has accepted a position at Harvard and is no longer with us. But, our other guru, Joanne is simply the best. I have such a strong connection with her and it was such a delight to be welcomed back to class by her with a huge hug.

Joanne has quite possibly the most beautiful voice known to mankind and, after all of us insisting on it for months, she has finally made a YouTube channel! The quality of her first few videos is not the best, but there will certainly be more to come so I wanted to share them with all of you, anyways. Joanne has such a gentle, kind, and nurturing spirit and you can literally feel it just by hearing her speak. So, subscribe and enjoy as she walks you through all different types of meditation!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrsWMFytvD4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DVmQF7dxh4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waBHkueL2O0

Who else practices meditation? What are some of your meditation tips? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul22

Northeast Ohio Rocks Pt. 2

Posted on July 22, 2018 by lifewithlilred

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Howdy everyone and happy Sunday! If you can remember back to a post I made in April, I discussed a really cool local tradition called Northeast Ohio Rocks. The idea is that you paint or Sharpie a rock as you see fit and then hide it somewhere in public where a stranger can find it. Then, you do what you will with your surprise on social media and rehide the rock for the next lucky person to find. It’s such a fun community program and people have had get togethers at their homes or local meeting centers to create more rocks to hide around Northeast Ohio.

At a Green Day concert at Blossom Music Center last year, I found a solar eclipse themed rock hanging around by the entrance. I felt so lucky to have stumbled upon such a beautiful creation and vowed to give the magic back in due time. I thought that it only seemed appropriate to return the rock to the location that I found it at last summer and that moment finally came last week when I saw Marilyn Manson perform at Blossom.

We’ll chit chat about the show tomorrow, but I wanted to follow up on the post that I made in April to let everyone know that I kept my promise to bring the rock back to its original location. I wrote my web address on the back of my Northeast Ohio Rock, so hopefully whoever found it will come to my page to let me know that their surprise was received!

Does your area have a similar program to Northeast Ohio Rocks? Would you ever like to start a local tradition? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr30

Dandelion Days

Posted on April 30, 2018 by lifewithlilred

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Hi everyone and happy Monday! From as early as I can remember, I have always loved dandelions. Apparently, I used to spend countless hours in my youth squatted in the yard and plucking dandelion bouquets for my parents and grandparents. I also had many a temper tantrum when my parents wouldn’t stop the car at random fields to let me go dandelion crazy. But, that’s neither here nor there. And now, twenty years later, I still take delight in seeing the yellow blooms sprouting up in my neighborhood.

A weed and an inconvenience to some has always been viewed as a treasure to me. As soon as the dandelions begin invading the yards and fields in my neck of the woods, I know that spring is here. And, when the tiny yellow petals fall away, a puff of new seeds will come back that are perfect for making a wish on.

While walking through the neighborhood, I saw the perfect little lineup of dandies poking out of one of the driveways, and it brought me so much pleasure that I had to stop and snap a picture.

It doesn’t take much to make me happy, but it sure is hard not to smile at the yellow pops of color scattered throughout the grass. 🙂

What was one of your favorite activities to do as a child? Who else was a fellow dandelion picker? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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