Tag Archives: apartment

Oct1

Mini Halloween Haul

Posted on October 1, 2022 by lifewithlilred

Hello! It is spooky season all year long in mine and Johnny’s world and the decor in our apartment reflects this. We love all things horror and true crime and Halloween is the happiest time of the year for us. Now that we are settled comfortably in our new apartment, we really wanted to upgrade our spooky decor since we have so much more additional space.

After a wildly successful haul at Marc’s, a discount store in my neck of the woods, I was itching to go back. I got all kinds of cool Halloween goodies and the best part was seeing the same items I purchased at Walgreen’s for triple the cost. The haul below costed me a whole ten bucks at Marc’s and from the Akron Zoo when I went with my nieces and sister. You can peep the OOTD from our outing tomorrow! Now, let’s take a look-see at my new Halloween treats – no tricks necessary!

^^^ The little ghost and pumpkin are from the zoo, the rest is from Marc’s.

My Johnny has a huge collection of Halloween themed socks and he actually just bought a ton more from TJMaxx when we went last week. I was so proud! I’d be a liar if I said that I wasn’t a tad jealous so I was so happy to find some socks of my own at Marc’s. They are also the same brand of the Frankenstein socks that Johnny surprised me with last year and that I’m currently wearing right now! While my collection will never achieve Johnny level, it’s a pretty good start. 😀

The skull candles were a whopping two for a dollar and I am obsessed with them. 1) Talk about a STEAL and 2) they will be perfect for our scary movie marathons every weekend! The piece de resistance of my haul, however, is the skeleton hand candle holder. This costed me two dollars and I couldn’t believe my good luck. It reminded me so much of this year’s Bath & Body Works Halloween line and probably would have been selling for twenty or more bucks from there. Talk about an amazing find!

And, finally, who knew you could find some Halloween cuteness at the zoo?! At the Akron Zoo, you have to exit through the gift shop and it’s a total money trap lol. I love spoiling my nieces with a new stuffed animal every time we go, though, so what can ya do except buy a treat for yourself too! Every year, Johnny and I work on instilling a love of Halloween in our oldest niece, Val. It’s definitely working and she picked out the pumpkin for herself. She also plays with the decorations on our spooky shelf whenever she comes over. Proud aunt and uncle alert!! ❤

Not bad for a ten dollar haul, right? Mine and Johnny’s apartment is filling up nicely with Halloween decor and it is what we have always wanted. A local discount store with the coolest spooky treats is really helping the cause!

What is your favorite discount store? Do you have your Halloween decorations out yet? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep20

Fun Ways To Personalize Your Home

Posted on September 20, 2022 by lifewithlilred

Standard

If you do not want your home to be like every other one on the block, then there are lots of things you can do to make it more interesting than the average home in your neighborhood. Have some fun with these ideas that people will be sure to take notice of:

Paint the exterior doors:

Painting the exterior doors in a unique color is a good way to really put your stamp on your property and show the world that you are unique. A fuchsia door or an orange porch might not be the norm, but if it’s what you love, then why not go for it?! It will be worth it if it makes you smile and is something that your neighbors will take joy in too.

Create a mosaic:

One of the more unusual things you can do to personalize your home is to create a mosaic either on a wall or floor indoors or to the exterior of your property. You can buy ready made mosaic wall art or make your own and it is a great way to tell your own personal story in an artistic way that is likely to add value to your property too. Decorative and unique, it will look great, add meaning, and impress potential future buyers all in one fell swoop.

Make your own soft furnishings:

A fun way to personalize your property is by making your own soft furnishings such as cushions, quilts, and blankets. Having things that you have made yourself in your home is a really good way of making it feel more like yours. If you are looking for something really special, then why not use transfers to put your own photographs onto cushions and throws? It’s a unique way to display them, and will ensure that no one else has the same decor as you.

^^^ Pexels Image

Use washi tape:

Washi tape is basically decorative tape that comes in a wide range of colors and patterns. It can be used to decorate your home in a cute, non-permanent way, and because there are so many designs available, it is an easy way of making your home more personal to you. For example, if you love floral designs, you can line your shelves with poppy print washi tape or if you love gold, you can create gild frames around light switches and other fixtures. It will also only cost you a few dollars to do so!

Buy your favorite flowers:

Buying your favorite flowers, whether they be roses, geraniums, or lilies, and displaying them in every room of your home is an easy and uplifting way to make your property more personal to you. Nothing is better than the scent of fresh cut flowers in your home!

Personalizing your property is a fun way to make it more your own, stand out more, and adds value to potential buyers, so why not try out some of the ideas above today?

Featured Image By: Pexels

Sep14

Marc’s Halloween Haul

Posted on September 14, 2022 by lifewithlilred

Standard

Hello! In my neck of the woods, there is a discount store called Marc’s that offers everything from food and clothing to toys and home goods. This past week, they also had a ton of Halloween goodies that I just had to snag for the apartment. Everything was SO cute and also way cheaper than anything you would find at TJMaxx and Walmart. Take a look:

It is Halloween year round in mine and Johnny’s home and our decor includes skeletons, pumpkins, ghosts, ghouls, and a Jason Voorhees cardboard cutout lol. Our neighbor gave us this life size likeness and it still freaks me out sometimes! I have taken it upon myself to freshen up our Halloween stock pile this year and just couldn’t say no to the above purchases – especially considering I got all of them for under twenty-five dollars. 😀

I am particularly partial to the glittery hanging skeleton with the bow tie and Johnny loves the skeleton and scepter statue. Our niece, Valerie, always wants to play with our ghost figurines when she comes over so I think she will be a huge fan of the “BOO” ghost statue! As soon as I brought this haul home, it was like a kid in a candy store and Johnny added them to our spooky shelves throughout the apartment. SO. Precious!

While chain stores might have a bigger selection of Halloween goodies, don’t write off the discount stores. I have never seen anything like my purchases at Marc’s elsewhere so you are sure to find some very unique pieces if you know where to look. Now, is it Halloween yet?!

Where is your favorite place to shop for seasonal decor? How do you decorate for Halloween? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep7

Start Better Home Maintenance With These Ideas

Posted on September 7, 2022 by lifewithlilred

Standard

Start Better Home Maintenance With These Ideas

We all love our homes. At the end of the day, this is the space where you’re going to find yourself spending most of your time. Outside of the average eight hour work day, most people will spend hours in their home. It’s not surprising that you’re going to want the space to be nice! Of course, this is going to take some hard work and effort. This is where home maintenance comes into play. Home maintenance can ensure that your property is always in full working order and the best condition possible. Here are some areas of focus you might want to get started with:

Deep Cleaning:

Sure, you probably have a chores schedule that you stick to. Vacuuming. Sweeping and mopping. Wiping down work surfaces. Cleaning the toilet. But you do need to remember to carry out some deep cleaning every once in a while too. Deep cleaning tackles the areas that don’t get too much TLC on a regular basis. Over time, they can develop dirt and other issues that need to be addressed. There are all sorts of deep cleaning tasks that you can take into consideration, ranging from carpet cleaning to cleaning the oven or sinks.

If you’re struggling to keep up with this, companies like Seattle Green Cleaning Fairy, and others in the industry can help you. They can deep clean your home for you when you need, helping you to stay on top of things, and feel better about your home. Just ensure that you research before you hire!

Repair Jobs:

Are there any repair jobs that need to be carried out around your house? The majority of us have one or two that we keep putting off and avoiding. This is illogical, though. You may not want to spend the money on necessary repairs right now but they’ll need to be done at some point and sooner is always better than later. Issues left unattended simply tend to worsen. They can become more expensive to fix as time goes on or they can begin to negatively impact other areas of your home, which will need to be repaired in turn too. The most convenient and cost effective approach is to always tackle repair jobs as quickly as possible.

Animal Control:

Having mice, rats, or other animals in your personal space can be very problematic. They could bite, they would cause a mess, and they can be particularly dangerous for children and pets. This is where you need to practice some animal control. Make sure that you don’t leave uncovered and unpackaged food lying around. Limit access to your home, making sure to shut unattended windows or to have shutters fitted. This can all help. In cases where creatures can’t be easily dealt with, such as termites, you may need to call pest control.

Exteriors:

When was the last time you paid any attention to the exterior of your home? This is often one of the most neglected parts of any living space, despite being subject to the elements on a constant basis. Take some time to survey your home and decide what needs to be done. This could be clearing your gutters, repainting a gate or fence, or power washing your patios. Take a full look around and decide what needs to be done to bring everything up to scratch.

Storage:

It’s a good idea to go through a decluttering process every few months. All of us are guilty of picking up items that we don’t actually have much use for or like that much. Every so often, you should remove these from your life. You can sell, donate, or recycle them to reduce your environmental impact. Once you only have the belongings you plan to keep, it’s time to look into some storage solutions. Browse options that not only function well but also fit your home’s aesthetic too.

Home maintenance takes a lot of time, thought, and effort. But once you’ve spent some time focusing on and implementing it, you should begin to reap the benefits pretty quickly!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Sep5

Getting Motivated To Move House

Posted on September 5, 2022 by lifewithlilred

Standard

Don’t like your home? Keep talking about moving, but never do it? Many of us put off moving for years. Now could be the time to finally take the plunge and consider moving to a home where you feel happier. Below are a few tips to help motivate you to move:

Prioritize your mental/physical health:

If a home is bad for your mental or physical health, this is a sure sign that you need to move. For example, if you feel unsafe, if you are being kept awake by noise, or if you are struggling to get up and down stairs to your home, these could all be good reasons to move.

Sometimes problems can be solved without moving. For example, you may be able to secure your property to make you feel safer, reduce neighbor noise levels by stopping by and having a conversation, or install a stair lift to a staircase. However, these may not always be viable options, in which case you need to move to prevent further damage to your mental or physical health.

Realize there may never be a right time:

Some people put off moving because there never seems to be a right time to make the move. However, sometimes you have to accept that there may never be a right time. While it’s true that you need to be able to dedicate a lot of time and energy to the moving process, you need to realize that there may always be other events to work around. While it can be stressful preparing for a move and also preparing for a new child, starting a new job, or handling a family loss, many people manage it – and you’ll feel much better once it’s done.

Get the right professional help:

Because moving can be such a monumental task, it can often be worth hiring professional help. If you’re planning on selling your home, you could enlist the help of agents or selling directly to a home buying company. If you need help with decluttering, there are skip hire companies and professional declutterers you can use. There are companies that can help tidy and stage your home. And, of course, professional movers too. To save some extra money with a team of movers, you might want to consider moving as much as you can on your own and leaving heavy items like furniture to the team. To begin finding quotes, simply enter a search for “movers in Odessa” (or your local area) and see how they can save time and reduce the hassle. These services mean spending extra money, but it could take away the stress, which can be a big turn off when it comes to moving.

Know when to accept financial loss:

Many homeowners will put off moving because they haven’t built up enough equity and are worried that the money made from selling their home won’t cover the expense of moving costs. Others even find that their home has lost value over time and stay put. Meanwhile, many renters will stay to the end of a contract to avoid having to pay penalties.

While in many cases it’s worth avoiding these financial losses, there may be times when it’s better to accept them. A good example is when your health or safety is at stake – it’s not worth sticking it out in a home that is potentially dangerous to live in. Similarly, if you’re spending huge amounts of money on repairs or on bills, you could find that you actually save money in the long run by moving.

It’s hard to find motivation for such a huge task like moving but, once you do, there will be no stopping you from moving into your dream home!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Aug30

TJMaxx Mini Halloween Haul

Posted on August 30, 2022 by lifewithlilred

Standard

Hello! In terms of shopping, I think that right now is the most wonderful time of the year. I love when fall clothing starts making a comeback and, of course, all of the Halloween goodies! This past week, I couldn’t help indulging in the former and the latter during some much needed retail therapy. I went to TJMaxx at just the right time when they started putting out their Halloween decor and walked away with the following:

Johnny and I keep our spooky decorations up all year round so I was excited to get some new additions for our little slice of Halloween heaven. I freaking LOVE the snow globe featuring a skull and striking snake. The best thing about it, of course, is the little bats floating around in lieu of glitter. It is just so cute and looks great on one of the shelves in our book nook. It was also the only one in the store. 😀

I also just had to get two new plates by Royal Stafford with his and hers skulls on it. When I saw these on display, I literally clutched my pearls because I have several plates from this brand already. I purchased them almost three years ago and have never seen anything like it at TJMaxx since so I felt lucky to find more to add to my collection. They are way too pretty to use for its intended purpose of eating off of but I like having them just to have them lol.

Halloween is in my home all of the time but is officially in the air in stores and I am so there for it. Johnny and I plan on having a Halloween shopping crawl soon for more decor and I can’t wait!

What is your favorite holiday to shop for? Which stores have the best holiday decor? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug10

How To Lower Your Home’s Dust Levels

Posted on August 10, 2022 by lifewithlilred

Standard

Dust is a significant problem in many people’s homes. It seems like no matter how much time you spend cleaning and dusting, it is never enough and the dust never stays away for long. This can be a problem because not only does it look unsightly, but if you suffer from allergies, dust can cause you to feel less than your best! Thankfully, there are a number of things you can do to lower your home’s dust levels once and for all:

Make sure you have door mats:

Door mats are a simple solution that helps to prevent various debris from being tracked into your home. If your guests wipe their feet before entering, they will not bring in dust and dirt that can cause problems in your house. It really is that simple.

Install new windows and doors:

If your windows and door are older, then talking to a replacement windows and door company about installing a new set that fits more snugly could be a good move. The tighter the seal in your windows and doors, the less likely it is that various debris, including pollen and pollution from outdoors will get inside your home where it can turn into dust and cause your allergies to flare.

Wash sheets every week:

A lot of dust in the home comes from our own skin. Our bed sheets and pillows are a prime location for this dead skin to accumulate and turn into dust, while also providing dust mites with a nice meal. Hot washing your sheets and pillowcases at least once a week is a good way to keep dust at bay.

Wash pets regularly:

Pets can also cause a lot of dust with their skin and dander, so washing them and grooming them at least once a month will help to lower dust levels in your home. Vacuuming daily when you have pets is also essential if you are serious about keeping things dust free.

Get rid of carpets:

Carpets and rugs may look cozy but they are a breeding sport for dust and bacteria. When you walk on carpets, whether in shoes or barefoot, you will deposit, dirt, skin, and other debris into the fabric, which is very difficult to move without lots of regular vacuuming and dusting. On the other hand, hardwood floors and tiles can be wiped clean in seconds, removing all of the accumulated dust quickly.

Invest in an air purifier:

An air purifier is a simple device that is able to filter dust and pollution particles out of the air. Having one in as many rooms of your home as you can will make the problem much less significant.

As you can see, it is possible to lower the dust levels in your home significantly, to the point where you will not notice it nearly as much, nor will you need to spend as much time removing it!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jul29

Make Your Home More Comfortable With These Improvements

Posted on July 29, 2022 by lifewithlilred

Standard

Make Your Home More Comfortable With These Improvements

After a while, your home could use a little upgrade in the comfort department. As time goes on things get old and need repair or something new comes out that you know you have to have. If you feel your home needs a boost in comfort, here are a few ideas to get you started:

Get a New Couch:

Couches are the ultimate in comfort. You are going to want to sit on them, sleep on them, lay on them, and have guests stay on them. After a while, they can lose their high level of comfort. Do yourself a favor and get a new couch.

You can visit stores like Ashley Home Furniture or any other affordable furniture store and find an amazing couch that is fluffy, soft, and reclines. Newer couches come with zero gravity reclining to take the pressure off of your back and make you feel as relaxed as possible.

Get Central Air and Heating:

A great way to up the comfort level of your home is to get central air and heating. This eliminates having to have wall or window units that only heat and cool certain rooms. With a central air system, you can evenly heat and cool your entire home.

A reputable company like Eggert Cooling and Heating knows exactly what your home needs to be at the perfect temperature at all times. It’s affordable and one of the best things you can do for your home.

Repaint Your Rooms:

Changing up the color of your rooms can really set a comfortable mood. Choosing soothing colors matched with the right color furniture will put you at ease while you are watching TV, going to sleep, or sitting in your favorite spot to read or relax.

Visit your local paint store and choose colors that speak to you and are universally regarded as soothing like some grays, browns, or blues. Let all parts of your home set the tone that will make you and your guests feel nice and cozy.

Improve Your Lighting:

When you can set the room with the right lighting, comfort will abound. The first thing to do is put your lights on dimmers. Dimmers will give you full control over the strength of the light and you can set it to be at the perfect level so you will feel chill at all times. Next, pick the right kind of lighting for your room. Some people enjoy indirect recessed lighting, while others choose to work with lamps or track lighting. Whatever your choice, the right lighting will set the right mood.

There are several other things you can do from blankets to carpeting and window treatments that will help set a great vibe in your home. As you improve upon one thing, you will discover something else that you can do and before long your entire home will be the epitome of comfort!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jul18

Top 2022 Home Decor Trends

Posted on July 18, 2022 by lifewithlilred

Standard

Do you want to upgrade your home or give it a new look, but you’re not sure where to begin? When you want to make a change in your home, it can be overwhelming with the plethora of options that you can choose from. This can turn what should be a fun and exciting project to embark on into a stressful one. It shouldn’t have to be that way!

To help you on your journey to create an improved space, you may wish to learn the top home decor trends in 2022. This can help you see what is popular right now and hopefully spark some inspiration while you design your rooms. It can be great fun to experiment with new furniture choices and color palettes that you may not have thought of before. The fun thing about trends is that they introduce you to new ideas and concepts. Here are some of the most popular decor trends you should know about:

Patterns:

While 2019 to 2021 took you in the direction of neutral color palettes, it looks like 2022 is taking you in the opposite direction with bold and unique patterns. People seem to be embracing large and bold prints on their wallpaper and furniture while contrasting this with a more subtle flooring installation such as vinyl. The most popular patterns being used are animals print.

Vintage:

Decor from the 70s and 80s is quickly coming back into style and there appear to be no limits. From the bright, neon colors to the chunky furniture, it is all making a comeback. Elements from the 70s and 80s are a great way to add pops of color and visual interest into any room and can be adapted to suit your personal color preferences. You can even opt for additional features such as neon signs, brass shelves, tropical prints, rounded accessories, and much more.

3D Art:

Perhaps as a result of spending more time inside from the COVID-19 pandemic, people are pushing toward adding more life into their homes. 3D art is an excellent way to make your home unique and turn the heads of your guests. Whether it is sea shells or portraits that pop out from their frames, they are both stunning and whimsical additions to your home. They can bring your walls to life and add character to a bare room.

Smart Storage:

The increase of remote working has changed the way that people live and use their homes. Many rooms have been adapted into multi functional spaces so that they can do more at home. This is a great way to make the most of your space. This is anything from home offices, home gyms, libraries, nurseries, craft rooms, and much more. For a multi functional space to work, you will need smart storage solutions. These are custom designed storage spaces, such as cupboards, that keep your space free from clutter and able to adapt for multiple uses.

If you’re not sure what upgrades to make to your home, follow these top decor trends of 2022 to help you spark some inspiration. Happy decorating!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jul10

White Hot OOTD Pt. 3

Posted on July 10, 2022 by lifewithlilred

Standard

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:

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

	oliveunicorn on Labubu Or Lafufu?!
	lifewithlilred on Labubu Or Lafufu?!
	oliveunicorn on Labubu Or Lafufu?!
	lifewithlilred on Bath & Body Works February…
	Dear Quiet on Bath & Body Works February…