Tag Archives: autumn

Oct8

Fall Flannels OOTD

Posted on October 8, 2024 by lifewithlilred

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new OOTD here on lifewithlilred!! This past Saturday, I enjoyed a wonderful lunch with one of my girlfriends and ran a few errands with Johnny afterwards. It was a chill day and perfectly matched my laid back mood because it had been a really long week. In fact, “chill” also meant the weather because it has finally started to cool down in my neck of the woods! To accommodate my low key disposition and the shift in the weather, I decided to break out a fall staple: The flannel. No fashion blog is complete without at least one flannel OOTD come autumn and I chose this weekend to partake. Take a look:

Who? What? Wear?

Red Flannel: This was a Christmas gift from my sister and it’s from Express

Skinny Jeans: 1822 Denim, TJMaxx

Heeled Combat Boots: Forever 21

Cheetah Bling Necklace: Natasha, TJMaxx

Stud Earrings: American Eagle Outfitters

The beanie was a gift from a stupid ex-boyfriend lolol

I began building this fit by browsing through the flannel department in my boutique. I have a ton of oversize flannels that I prefer to tie around my waist rather than actually wear. More fitted flannels were what I required and that limited my choices significantly as I only had three. Rather than the black or white options, Lil Red went with red! This gifted Express flannel was just what I needed – a nice, bright color and a fit that I could button up without looking like I was drowning in fabric.

Black skinny jeans were a given to pair with the flannel. I could imagine it would have looked cute with blue jeans but you all know I would never be caught dead in a pair of traditional denim! So, that brings us onto shoes and accessories. I didn’t have any intention of wearing a beanie with this outfit. However, my hair just did not want to behave itself. It was one of those days where no matter what I did, I wasn’t happy with it. Probably because I am itching for my hair appointment at the end of the month! Because of this major annoyance, a beanie it was and I opted for one with the phrase “Bad Hair Day” and truer words have never been printed for the current situation. I received this from an ex for Christmas and, normally, I would never keep anything from someone I hate. This beanie is something I couldn’t toss because I like it so much and it has gotten me out of many bad hair days past lol.

Once my hair problem was solved, it was time to complete the look. For the remainder of my accessories, I put on one of my favorite chunky gold necklaces by Natasha. It features a blinged out big cat of some kind and it made such a statement splash smack dab in the middle of the flannel. I kept things simple with earrings and added a small pair of gold studs so nothing would clash with the focal point necklace. Finally, I put on a pair of stark white heeled combat boots. I loved how the crisp color popped against the red and black of the outfit’s base. With that, I was ready to go!!

Johnny told me this look was very Alanis Morissette and I couldn’t agree more. I certainly felt like a grunge queen while wearing it!

What is your favorite fall wardrobe staple? Which celebrity style do you admire? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct7

Halloween Fun

Posted on October 7, 2024 by lifewithlilred

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Hello!! Last year was a pretty rough time for yours truly and although Johnny and I always revel in the Halloween season, we didn’t do a whole lot of anything. I am pleased to report that this year, we are back on our BS in a major way and I love that for us! We have grand plans for this beloved time for the both of us and I can’t wait to complete everything on our Halloween checklist:

Haunted House:

Johnny and I started dating in September of 2019 – mere months before the Covid-19 pandemic. That Halloween was the only time that we went to a haunted house together and I just won’t stand for it. There is an absolutely fantastic haunted house about a half hour or so away from us. It’s called the Factory of Terror and it is one of the largest indoor haunted attractions in the country. This is the haunted house we went to when we first started dating! However, it will be nothing like what we saw during our outing. The cool thing about the Factory of Terror is that they change all five of their haunted houses every year into something unrecognizable to prior visits. I can’t wait to see what it looks like this year!

Something you might not know about me is that my first job was working as an actor at a haunted house called Carnival of Horrors. I know every single trick in the book, yet all that knowledge goes out the window as soon as I go to haunted houses. Much to Johnny’s amusement, I become the prime target for the actors because I get got every time lol. I’m sure it will be the same thing this time around but, hey, that’s the fun of a haunted house. 😀

Pumpkin Patch:

One of my all time favorite Date Days with Johnny was when we visited a local pumpkin patch. We got the cutest tiny pumpkins, took the cutest pictures, and enjoyed a yummy meal afterwards. We also never did this again so we are adding it to the agenda! While we don’t have a yard to decorate due to apartment life, we need a little something and no porch is complete without a few pumpkins. Johnny also takes great pleasure in throwing them at trees so we’ll grab a couple of extra ones for that purpose lol.

Trick or Treat:

Last year, Johnny and I made a bonfire and passed out candy with my parents at their house. It was SO much fun to see all of the kids in their costumes parading throughout the neighborhood and we definitely plan on doing that again. We also will be joining our nieces for their Trick or Treat outing and are looking forward to it so much. We are keeping our fingers crossed that our nieces will share the loot with their Fun Aunt and Uncle! 😀

Costumes:

Johnny and I have never done matching costumes and we are going for it this year. We are going to have Candyland inspired costumes with Johnny being Lord Licorice and me being a Candy Queen. I am so excited for it! In fact, we already have our costumes for next year picked out too: Alice Cooper and Cold Ethyl. The hilarious thing about both of these costumes for Johnny is that he literally already has everything he needs in his own wardrobe. Does that mean he’ll go halfsies with me on the costumes I have to buy? #fingerscrossed

31 in 31:

Finally, Johnny and I are VERY committed to completing the 31 scary movies in 31 days challenge this year. We haven’t missed a day yet and it has been great. We have been working our way through Johnny’s silly slashers and my atmospheric picks in alternation. And, of course, wearing our matching spooky pajamas and noshing on movie theater treats. I look forward to what we are going to watch every day upon our return home and it is such a nice change of pace from our usual post-work screenings of SVU!

All aboard the Halloween Fun express because we are living it up this spooky season!

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

Sep21

Fall Family Fun

Posted on September 21, 2024 by lifewithlilred

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Hello!! I am a fall girl through and through. The weather, the fashion, the holidays – it is just the best! Fall is when your favorite elder emo couple thrives because we do not do well in the hot weather whatsoever. Johnny and I both get burned to a crisp and I always end up feeling nauseous from being in the heat too long (medication side effects). As soon as that brisk weather hits, we are ready for all of the activities and it’s even more fun with our families and sweet nieces in tow. Here are some of the outings I hope to have as well as some other ideas too:

Apple Picking:

Apple picking is SO obvious but it needs to be said as it is quite possibly my favorite autumn activity. It truly is a fall staple and there are so many gorgeous orchards in my neck of the woods. Apple picking is such a wholesome outing and there is nothing better than taking a leisurely stroll amongst the trees. If the orchards in your area are similar to mine, there are also sure to be lots of kid friendly attractions too – hay rides, petting zoos, crafts, games, etc. These extra bonuses will make for a day that your whole family, young and old, can enjoy together.

Glass Blowing:

There are several glass blowing studios nearby to me and it is something that I have always wanted to try! Now, especially, because I have seen countless ads on Facebook from said studios offering classes for glass blown pumpkins. While this isn’t an ideal activity for younger kiddos, it would be great for teens or a date night. Johnny and I already have countless pumpkin related Halloween decor but nothing handmade by us so I would love to get a class scheduled and learn something new.

Movie Night:

Johnny and I try to watch as many scary movies as humanly possible during spooky season and we both really look forward to it. Movie nights are simple, yes, but they can be as extra as you wish. You could set up twinkling orange and purple lights and a blanket fort and make all of the treats! A caramel apple station with a variety of topping options will be sure to please. You can also find recipes for mocktails that will look like a bubbling brew and serve them in potion bottles for the full effect. Revisit Disney channel movie classics for younger kiddos or cool claymation flicks like Coraline or Paranorman for your teens!

Decorate:

Mine and Johnny’s main qualm with apartment living is that we don’t have a yard to decorate for Halloween, so please decorate in our honor. This is something that the whole family can pitch in on. Littles could make paper chains, paper bag owls, and paint pictures for the indoors. Older helpers can work outside to create Halloween magic! Set a budget per person, visit local discount stores, and see what you can come up with. Who knows, your house just might be the best decorated one on the block.

Scavenger Hunt:

Speaking of decorations, if your neighborhood or surrounding areas boasts well decorated homes – turn it into a scavenger hunt. Make a list of what you are looking for, grab some travel mugs of hot apple cider, and hit the road to see what you can see. And play the Monster Mash on repeat, obvi! This is the perfect activity for when you just feel like getting out of the house on a chilly night. After your drive, take a superlative style vote for best decorated, scariest, and silliest. You also might get some inspiration for your own home’s decor!

Johnny and I have emerged from our coffins and are ready to enjoy a fun and full fall together and with our families. It really is the happiest time of the year!

What is your favorite fall activity? What are you dressing up as for Halloween? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep5

New Burnt Orange & Gold Glitter Nails

Posted on September 5, 2024 by lifewithlilred

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Howdy!! My break time fill at Elysian Nails is my monthly treat and I always look forward to it. My nail tech and I have this process down to a science and by the time my nails are semi dry, I am able to get to my next shift with a few minutes to spare. Although I love an after work fill, I love going home after work more so it really does work out perfectly. Despite the super speedy session, I always leave the salon feeling as pampered as if I spent hours there. Going back to work with fresh new claws tends to have that effect! Check it out:

After a stint of ninety plus degree days in good old Akron, Ohio it has blessedly began to feel like fall. The temperatures have been in the seventies and low eighties and even though that’s still warm, the significant drop feels breezy. I am living for it because I have been waiting for fall since it ended last year lol. With crisp days, crunchy leaves, and Halloween heavily on my mind, I wanted to do an autumn hued motif for my nails. There was an ample selection at the nail polish wall that matched my fall aesthetic and all of them had their merits. My first pick was the lovely burnt orange with some shimmer to it. Then, I went for a glittery gold for a dose of bling and to accentuate the shimmer in the orange even more. The end result? Fall leaves with a boost of sparkle!

Normally when I get a fill, there is almost always a repair that needs done for a lift or break. I am pleased to report that this time around, my nails were in top notch condition minus the regrowth. This was an anomaly that my tech and I both noted and we agreed that she must have worked some magic during my last fill. She always does, but it definitely hit different! Because the time consuming task of repairs wasn’t necessary, I was in and out in record time. I even was able to let my nails fully dry at the salon and that rarely happens! I am keeping my fingers crossed that this fill will be just as successful and knowing my tech, I am sure it will be. 😀

I have been feeling so fall and I now have the nails to match. I just have to smile every time I see the sparkly splendor of my new talons!

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

Oct26

Flannels For Fall OOTD Bloopers

Posted on October 26, 2023 by lifewithlilred

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Hellooo everyone and welcome to the blooper reel from my Flannels For Fall OOTD! This outfit was super simple to style, but it felt so fabulously fall and fresh with a black and white color palette. I loved it and it was the perfect outfit to find the perfect tree to pose under. However, that was easier said than done! Let’s take a look at some of the shots that definitely didn’t make the first cut and we’ll discuss that further:

Looking like I’m about to cry but I swear I was having a good time!

What are these… LEAVES?!

When your husband has got you like

I LOOK GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There’s nothing funny about this shot but I think the cigarette earring looks hilarious lol

A surprise cameo by Johnny in the bottom corner

A big surprise cameo by Johnny in the entirety of the picture!

In the good ol A-K-Rowdy, it is peak fall time and it is absolutely splendid. The temperatures are cool, but not unbearable and the trees are spectacular this year. I can’t recall the changing of last year’s leaves to be as pretty even though I’m sure it was. This year, however, it feels like everywhere I turn there are bright red, orange, and yellow leaves adorning every tree. It is gorgeous and are you really a fashion blogger if you don’t take pictures underneath a tree? I think not!

Despite all of the beautiful trees surrounding us, it was actually rather difficult to find just the right one. Most of the trees around Timber Top were almost empty already and smaller, colorful trees in my parents’ neighborhood were all on someone’s property. While I am not above knocking on someone’s door to ask to borrow their tree, I wasn’t in the mood lol. This left minimal options and we decided to use a tall, red leafed tree as our backdrop. The only issue? You could only see the trunk! The tree was tall AF and I was nowhere near close to any of the branches. On the bright side, there were plenty of red leaves on the ground so at least all of you got the point. 😀

When it comes to picture backdrops, I take what I can get. And if it’s not exactly what I want, then who cares? At least my outfit is fire! 🙂

Are the trees changing colors in your neck of the woods? What is your favorite leaf color? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct25

Flannels For Fall OOTD

Posted on October 25, 2023 by lifewithlilred

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Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new OOTD here on lifewithlilred! After the excitement of seeing The Wiz last last weekend, Johnny and I spent a lazy weekend together and it was just what we needed. I feel so much more rested after a few days of vegging out! With nothing on our agenda other than hanging out with family, I decided to style a look that was cool but oh so comfy with my new Lucky Brand flannel. I love how it turned out and it was warm enough to beat the fall chill in the air! Check it out and peep all of those Lil Red leaves:

Who? What? Wear?

Flannel: Lucky Brand, TJMaxx

Skinny Jeans: American Eagle Outfitters

Heeled Combat Boots: Forever 21

Cigarette Earrings: Punk N Junk

The hat was a gift from an ex’s family and I like it too much to throw it out lol

Flannels are such an amazing piece of clothing because they look good on everyone and are a staple that is synonymous with fall. As soon as the weather turns cool, it’s all flannels everywhere and I’m so not mad about it. So much so, that I bought the flannel you see above due to a mere accident. During my last TJs shopping trip, I needed a shirt to try on with a jacket, grabbed the first one I saw, and it just so happened to be said flannel. I wouldn’t have got it if it weren’t so darn cute but, obviously, that wasn’t the case!

I was excited to style this flannel and thought it would be fun to create a black and white ensemble to play off of its pattern. With this in mind, black skinny jeans were the go to choice and also my only choice anyways lol. I don’t own one single pair of blue jeans! While I enjoy wearing all of the beautiful jewel tones of fall, it felt nice to go back to my emo roots with the muted palette I was establishing. As soon as the base of this look was settled, I could definitely picture my teenage self rocking it haha.

Shoes and accessories were next and since this outfit essentially built itself, this was an easy decision. I knew I wanted to wear my “Bad Hair Day” beanie and went with my stark white heeled combat boots from Forever 21. I liked this for several reasons. Of course, it worked with the color palette. However, I loved how the hat and boots were the reverse of each other. The hat was black with white text and the shoes were white with black laces and heels. This really tied the look together and made it flow seamlessly from top to bottom.

Finally, it was jewelry time. I kept things minimal for jewelry because I didn’t want unnecessary bling muddling up the crispness of the outfit’s palette. I toyed around with a collar length necklace, but it wasn’t doing anything for me. So, I decided to wear a pair of statement earrings with a lot of length. I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty sure earrings that look like cigarettes definitely make a statement! 😀

As always, fall is my favorite season to dress for and I am loving my Flannels For Fall OOTD. This look gave a nod to so many different autumn essentials and is one that I will most certainly be wearing again!

What is your favorite fall staple? What warms you up on a chilly day? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct19

New Happily Grey Topper Jacket

Posted on October 19, 2023 by lifewithlilred

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Hello!!! This past Tuesday, I had an afternoon off and decided to do a little holiday shopping at TJMaxx. However, I am in the phase of my early Christmas shopping where I need a treat too and it turned into a shopping trip for me! Lol, when I got home with TJs bags in tow I told Johnny that “I did some shopping for XYZ” to which he said “And…?” My reply: “…And a little something for me too”. Haha, he knows me so well! But, obviously, I just couldn’t say no to this gorgeous topper jacket by Happily Grey:

I am a huge fan of topper jackets and I clutched my pearls when I saw this number by Happily Grey. Johnny and I love the 70s era of fashion and this jacket gave me all of those vibes. It was one of those pieces that I just knew was going home with me and I considered it a steal at just thirty dollars! I have a feeling that I will be rocking my find all fall and winter long. I own maybe two or so full on “winter jackets”, but I much prefer a topper instead. I like that it gives you the option of layering and that I’m not sweating bullets as soon as I get into a car with the heat on!

I was drawn to my new Happily Grey topper for many reasons, the first of which being the colors. Burnished gold is one of my favorite hues and the cream filigree detailing looked so rich and lux against it. I also live for a faux fur collar, which just added to the expensive aesthetic that this topper gave. The length was lovely too, hitting at the mid calf and I could already picture wearing it with my knee high winter boots. Pair it with cable knit tights and a knee length skirt or dress? Yes, please. 😀

I am so happy with this TJMaxx purchase and I already put it to great use. You can peep that soon in an upcoming OOTD that I created for seeing The Wiz at Playhouse Square. If you are in need of new cold weather duds, hit up TJs ASAP because it is all there for the taking. PS – their holiday decor is out too!

What is your preferred style of winter coat? Does your winter wardrobe need a refresh? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct9

Crochet For Days OOTD

Posted on October 9, 2023 by lifewithlilred

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Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new OOTD here on lifewithlilred! It has been a minute since I shot an outfit because COVID and I am a little late to posting these pics because there was a lot of updates to discuss. But, I’m back at it baby and you can expect more fall looks regularly on my page. While I love my Crochet For Days OOTD, this was a classic case of “looking good, but can’t take a good picture to save my life”. Lol, these were taken the weekend before I went back to work and I still was experiencing fatigue something fierce. I was left with minimal pictures that I actually liked and an endless amount of bloopers SMH. They can’t all be winners, though, and that’s okay! Let’s get to it:

Who? What? Wear?

Crochet Sweater: Debut, TJMaxx

The jeans are Johnny’s and are from Hot Topic

Platform Loafers: ModCloth

The earrings are a hand me down from my sister and are from Francesca’s

Ever since buying my Debut crochet sweater from TJMaxx, I have been really eager to wear it. It was purchased at the end of July, however, and it has just been too hot in my neck of the woods to break it out. With the temperature in Akron shifting into fall mode, I was finally able to style a look based around it. What I love about this sweater other than everything is the shape. It’s baggy without being oversized and it’s perfect for cozying up or stepping out in. And, of course, the mishmash of colors used is nothing short of a delight!

To play off of the shape of the sweater, I decided to wear a pair of Johnny’s jeans instead of my own. I don’t own any boyfriend fit jeans so I went with husband fit lol. While I could have easily worn this sweater with skinny jeans, I wanted to embrace the bagginess of the sweater by wearing looser fitting denim. Not only were Johnny’s jeans insanely comfy, but they emphasized the relaxed vibe that I wanted to invoke. This is not the first time I have worn my husband’s jeans and it definitely won’t be the last. 😀

With the base of the outfit sorted, it was time for shoes and accessories. Since my clothes weren’t form fitting, adding height was essential to keep from being overwhelmed in the fabric. I went with my platform loafers from ModCloth for the assist. They are old as dirt, but they still serve me well and were a laid back option to keep things cohesive. And, with not much real estate available for jewelry, I chose a simple pair of flower dangle earrings and called it a look!

Despite not having much photo evidence of my Crochet For Days OOTD, it still turned out great. It gave me all of the comfy cozy vibes for fall and is a fit that I plan on rocking again. Stay tuned tomorrow for the blooper reel!

What is something that frustrates you about taking pictures? Can you relate to not being able to take a good pic even when you’re looking your best? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct6

New Mocha & Oxblood Nails

Posted on October 6, 2023 by lifewithlilred

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Howdy!! When Johnny and I had COVID, I had a nail appointment that needed to be cancelled. The last thing I wanted was to make all of the fabulous techs and patrons of my favorite salon sick! As I lounged about doing a whole lot of nothing, the promise of a fill was the treat I needed to look forward to. My nails were so grown out and it was driving me nuts! This past Tuesday, I couldn’t wait to hit the salon after a quick shift at work and Shelley slayed on these Mocha & Oxblood nails:

I was feeling very uninspired the past few fills in terms of nail polish colors. Summer was winding down, but it wasn’t quite fall and it was hard to determine what I wanted to go with. Not this time, though! On Monday evening, I went out to a delicious Mexican dinner with my bestie, Lea. She had on the most lovely beige polish and that was all of the inspo I needed. This is not the first time that I have done a variation of nude and red polish, but it hits just right every time. It feels so chic for fall and I am living for that oxblood polish – it is gorgeous!

When I have a first thing in the morning appointment at Elysian Nails, I am SO fine with the fill taking longer because my work won’t start until later. In the middle of the day, however, I want a super speedy session so I can get back to whatever else is on my agenda for the day. Shelley is synonymous with super speedy fills and she knocked mine out in forty minutes. As always, it is most impressive and she completely rocked it. In under an hour, my grown out talons were a distant memory and I left the salon feeling like a million bucks. This is the first fill I have been excited about in a while and the color combo has me feeling like a fall queen.

Some pampering was exactly what I needed for a post COVID pick me up and your girl is officially back to feeling herself. It’s amazing what a mere hour at the salon can do!

What are your favorite fall colors? What color of nail polish do you have on? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct5

Quick & Easy Pumpkin Milkshake Recipe

Posted on October 5, 2023 by lifewithlilred

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Howdy! The transition into fall is the perfect time to host guest bloggers on lifewithlilred. It is such fun to be inspired by the autumn traditions and joys of dear friends and readers and it adds that extra touch of (pumpkin) spice to my page. Speaking of pumpkins, today, we will be checking out a pumpkin milkshake recipe by Rachael from And Fierce. I have never tried a pumpkin milkshake before, but with a recipe that sounds this yummy, I think I’ll be giving it a shot! Take a look:

Quick & Easy Pumpkin Milkshake Recipe

Compliments of Rachael from And Fierce

One of our local restaurants we like to hit up at the end of their season will have a pumpkin milkshake. Earlier this month, I kept saying we have to go the last day and get one. We ran out of time and never went. After that, I decided I would make my own at home.

Simple and real ingredients but the result is perfection! So let’s go!!

Ingredients:

15 oz can of pure pumpkin

10-12 oz of vanilla ice cream (if you want more feel free to add more)

1/2 cup of milk

1/2 inch nob of fresh ginger, peeled and grated

2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie seasoning

Salted caramel sauce

Real whipped cream

Directions:

Add your pumpkin, vanilla ice cream, peeled and grated ginger, milk, and pumpkin pie seasoning into a blender and mix it up.

Once blended, get a cup and squirt caramel on the sides of the inside of the cup. Squirt or dollop your real whipped cream and add more caramel sauce to the top.

Yeilds: Roughly 32 ounces

As you can see I split mine into three 16 ounce cups to share between myself, Atticus, and Winter.

These really hit the spot and are completely kid approved! I’m sure we will make these again!

Many thanks again to Rachael for sharing her gorgeous Halloween Wreath and Pumpkin Milkshake Recipe here on lifewithlilred. For more from this amazing blogger, check out her page and give her a follow on Instagram @kavebabe !!

What is your favorite fall flavor? Are you team pumpkin spice or apple? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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