Hello! My twenty-seventh birthday was on June seventh and was also three days after I got married! Needless to say, it was an amazing few days and I thought I’d share a bit of my birthday haul today while I wait for more wedding pictures from the photographer. The anticipation is seriously killing me and I just want to see all of them!! There are still a plethora of wedding posts to come so keep it posted for the inside scoop on my big day. Now, check these prezzies out:
You can’t go wrong with gifting me gift cards for special occasions and I was so thankful to receive an astounding amount of Taco Bell and TJMaxx gift cards. Those who know me best know that those are my two favorite places in the world so I am looking forward to lots of shopping and spicy potato tacos in my future. While gift cards always go over well with me, it’s fun to have presents to open too and I love my gifts from my in laws and bestie, Kate.
Johnny’s parents gave me the bath and body care goodies, which is one of my favorite kinds of presents. There’s nothing better than adding to the ol’ stock pile and I also didn’t even know shower gel pouches existed so that’s pretty cool! The mini wine bottle and hilarious decor came from my darling BFF Kate of Live In The Nautical and, as per ushe, she knocked it out of the park.
Kate is one of my absolute favorite people in the world and her friendship means so much to me. She is also a fellow June birthday girl and blogger so be sure to check out her page and give her some belated b-day love!! And thank you again to everyone who made my birthday so special. ❤
What is in your beauty stock pile? What is one of your favorite presents that you have received? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah
Hello everyone and happy birthday to me!! It’s my twenty-seventh birthday and within the past week I got married and celebrated my husband’s birthday on the first. Needless to say, it has been the best week ever!! Today also marks the sixth year that I have celebrated my birthday with all of my dear readers and that isn’t anything to sneeze at, either. For the past six plus years, I have so enjoyed getting to know each and every one of you and it is such a joy to share a slice of my life with all of my readers and friends.
From sharing in my excitement, random musings, disappointments, and holidays together, you guys have been through it all with me and that is incredibly special. Here’s to six more years of birthday celebrations on lifewithlilred and tomorrow, it will be time to talk wedding! See you then. ❤
Hello!! Today is a happy wonderful day because it is my darling fiance, Johnny’s, birthday! Johnny and I have very close birthdays to each other with his being June first and mine on the seventh and it is such fun to have joined birthday celebrations with him. With our birthdays and upcoming wedding, I think we will be celebrating all month long and I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.
Johnny is, truly, one of the best things to ever happen to me and I cannot wait to be his wife. Everything is just so easy with Johnny and I always feel like my best self around him. My life has felt so complete ever since our first date and every day with him is my favorite day because it feels like a brand new adventure. My Johnny is the most talented, funny, handsome (Wa wa woo we wa!) man on the planet and I still get butterflies every time he looks at me.
While I will never tire of our fabulous date days together, my favorite times with Johnny are when we’re just having a night in in our apartment. Our go to option is playing video games together and the laughter is nonstop the entire time. Then, if I’m lucky, Johnny will get out his guitar and play and sing for me. From private concerts and sing alongs to oldies but goodies and the Family Matters theme song, I could listen to him play all day.
I cannot recall ever being this happy before and I have Johnny to thank for that. I am over the moon to be his bride and to love (And slightly annoy!) him every day for the rest of our lives! 😀
Hi! If you know Lil Red, then you will know that I simply cannot wait to give people their presents for gift giving occasions. My fiance, Johnny, on the other hand prefers to open gifts until the day of the birthday or holiday or at least get fairly close. So, imagine my surprise when Johnny wanted to give me my birthday presents super early. Our birthdays are one week apart from each other in June and this was an excellent development for me because I had been dying to give him his gifts!
Earlier in May, Johnny gifted me with an amazing standing makeup holder for all of my bits and baubles. And, this past week, he gave me my main gift… the original Paper Mario for the Nintendo 64!
For our one year anniversary, Johnny got me Paper Mario: The Origami King for the Nintendo Switch and this past Valentine’s Day, he gifted me with Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door for the GameCube. Can you tell what one of my favorite video games is? To complete my collection, I needed the Paper Mario for the N64 and I also need the one for the Nintendo 3DS. With my early birthday prezzie, I am one step closer to having all of the Paper Mario games and I am eager to give my new (old) one a try as I have never played it.
Time and time again, I am blown away by Johnny’s thoughtfulness more than anything on gift giving occasions. Whenever we give each other presents, it always seems to be exactly what we both wanted. This shows me that we are actually listening to each other when we talk and that is the best gift of all. Johnny is such fun to shop for and he received some Legend Of Zelda Amiibos as well as a blazer from his favorite website, Phix, for his birthday. Nothing was better than seeing the look on his face when he opened them and I can’t wait for a lifetime of birthdays and holidays with him. ❤
What is your favorite video game? Who is your favorite person to shop for? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah
Hello!!!! This past weekend was an awesome one because I went to my first movie in theaters since 2019! I went to see Demon Slayer The Movie: Mugen Train with my brother, Andrew, and brother in law, Ramon, for part of Andrew’s birthday celebrations and it was absolutely amazing! Andrew introduced me to the anime, Demon Slayer, during the pandemic and I have been dying for more ever since finishing season one. So, you can only imagine my excitement when Mugen Train was set to come out in theaters, showing the in between of seasons one and two.
After much planning around busy schedules, we were finally able to see the Demon Slayer movie at a local Cinemark and it was so wonderful being back in a movie theater after so long. I was able to order our tickets online and once your purchase is made, it blocks anyone from buying seats next to you and it made me feel really comfortable and I appreciated all of their excellent COVID precautions. I also really appreciated the nachos from the snack bar! 😀
Now, without giving any spoilers away, let’s talk about this flick:
^^^ And, as always, I have no rights to this video!
Demon Slayer The Movie: Mugen Train begins where season one left off with Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke boarding the Mugen Train. Along with Tanjiro’s demon sister, Nezuko, safely in tow in her travel box, of course. Many passengers have disappeared on the train, which can only point to demon activity. So, the boys are instructed to meet up with the Fire Hashira, MISTER RENGOKU, and defeat the demon that is causing so much catastrophe. They are in for a long, hard fight because while incredibly badass, Enmu who is Lower Rank One of the Twelve Kizuki, uses some pretty insane Blood Demon Art that puts her opponents to sleep.
Not only do you get to explore the train and its surroundings outside with our heroes but you also get a glimpse into their dreams as well, thanks to the sleep induced by Enmu. The dreams of Mister Rengoku, Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke gives you a better understanding of their past and shows you their deepest desires. The only catch is that once you are asleep, you can’t wake up!
Once Tanjiro figures out how to get himself out of the dreaming world, it is ON and the action that follows is nonstop until the movie is over because another member of the Twelve Kizuki shows up for good measure. Will the Demon Slayers be able to stop Enmu in her tracks on the train? Are they getting closer to finally defeating Kibutsuji? And just how many people are going to die in this process? See Demon Slayer The Movie: Mugen Train to find out!
The Demon Slayer movie was an incredible ride and I didn’t want it to end, even though it was just about two hours long. It was so jam packed with action and information that it could have gone on for another two hours and I would have been happy. The movie gave you such a sense of claustrophobic urgency because they were limited to the interior of the train full of passengers for a while and fatalities seemed eminent. Once the fighting started on the train top, all of my tension was released and all I could feel was adrenaline as I rooted for the Demon Slayers. Like I said, it was quite a ride.
The story line of Mugen Train was excellent but the beautiful animation is what really drove it home for me. The colors, scenery, and sometimes hilarious facial expressions are so visually appealing and it was nothing short of a delight to watch. In fact, my favorite part of the movie was Enmu of the Twelve Kizuki because she was amazing to look at and I felt disappointed every time a scene with her in it ended. I loved her menswear inspired outfit, facial markings, hair, and her walking hand with a mouth and eye of its own. Her Blood Demon Art of gifting people with sweet dreams or endless nightmares was also very cool.
Demon Slayer The Movie: Mugen Train is a must see for anime fans and I am sure it will blow you away, as it did for me. I am awarding this movie with the prestigious ten out of ten star rating and I cannot wait for season two to be released!
What is your favorite anime? What is the last movie that you saw in theaters? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah
You’re in a new relationship and things are going well even though you haven’t been together for long. But then, disaster strikes. Their birthday or a holiday is coming up and you have no idea what to get them. You don’t know them that well yet and it’s tough to work out how much you spend or how romantic you should be with your gifts. Buying gifts in a new relationship is difficult and it can lead to some awkward situations if you miss the mark. But if you follow these rules, you should be able to find the perfect gift:
Talk About Gifts:
Communication is key in relationships, especially when things are new and you are still learning about each other. Before buying gifts for the first time, ask them about it so you can both set expectations. Do they like big gifts or are they happy with something small? Should you set a price limit on gifts? What kind of things do they normally like? Asking these questions means that everybody is on the same page and there are no awkward situations where one person spends way more than the other or you make a big fuss when they don’t like gifts.
Speaking of communication, really pay attention to your partner’s hobbies or when they mention something they would love. For example, if your significant other is an avid golfer, new gloves and golf balls would be very well received. Or maybe there is a movie coming out that they are dying to see? Gift a date night!
Don’t Go Too Romantic:
Some people have a tendency to go for over the top romantic gifts early on in relationships. They want to demonstrate to the person that they really like them and they are invested in the relationship. However, this isn’t always the best way to go because it can put a lot of pressure on that person. It might make them worry that things are moving too fast or that they are less invested than you. So, it’s best to avoid anything too romantic and over the top in the early stages. Look for funny t-shirts for sale rather than a big stuffed bear with a heart. Picking something like a funny t-shirt shows them that you understand their sense of humor and their interests, which demonstrates that you care without putting too much pressure on. Or, you can give a gift that taps into their favorite fandom, which shows that you really are listening to their likes and dislikes. A Game of Thrones fan would love a dark sister sword while a Harry Potter fan would be over the moon with their own wand – no over the top romance required!
Don’t Leave It To The Last Minute:
When buying gifts in a new relationship, it’s important to show that you care and you put thought into your gift. If you come up with something at the last minute, that suggests that you are not invested in the relationship and are not putting effort in. If you do find yourself in a bind, this list of last minute gifts can help you find something good. However, you should try to avoid this situation and start thinking of gift ideas early. Pay attention to your partner and start listing things they are interested in or things that they talked about buying. Other than hobbies, it’s also a good idea to remember certain scents or flavors that your partner loves. A gift like bath and body care or fragrance gift sets could be very well received if you know just what they like! The whole process will be far less stressful if you start early and have plenty of ideas.
Buying gifts in a new relationship can be difficult and you might worry that you gifted the wrong thing. But if you follow these rules, you will be able to make the best choice!
Hi! In Akron, Ohio it has been nonstop rain day after day and I am so over it! The grey, chilly days have left me yearning for summertime weather and fun – especially after my family enjoyed a beautiful preview of what could be when we all went to the zoo together two weekends ago. To put myself into a sunny state of mind as the rain pours down on my apartment skylight, I decided to do a little summertime Q & A so let’s get to it:
What is your ideal weather in the summer? Although I am really looking forward to summertime, I absolutely hate super hot weather. In Lil Red’s perfect world, it would be seventy or so degrees and sunny all season long with a couple of eighty degree days peppered in for swimming.
What are you most looking forward to this summer? My wedding, of course! And Johnny and I share June birthdays exactly one week apart from each other so it’s fun to have combined celebrations for our big days. While there are, obviously, major events that I am looking forward to, I also can’t wait to be more active in the community again now that Johnny and I are both fully vaccinated. His band will begin playing their first outdoor shows in well over a year, which is so exciting!
Where is your dream summer vacation destination? As mentioned before, really hot weather is not my bag at all so a location where it’s a bit cooler would be ideal for me. I would skip the sandy beaches and head for New England. I loved the mild temperatures and the scenic terrain when my family visited Vermont and New Hampshire in my youth.
You won a contest to select three headliners for a music festival. Who are you picking? Well, my whole family was supposed to see the Rolling Stones last year so they would definitely be on the list so Johnny could finally see them live. Then, I would pick Cardi B to keep the party going followed by AFI so we could all have a good cry afterwards.
Do you have a summertime wardrobe staple? Can we all just agree that shaving our legs constantly is such a hassle? Lol, that’s why I love maxi skirts and dresses during the warm weather! They are cute, cool, and cover up my legs when I am too lazy to shave. 😀
Favorite warm weather outdoor activities? Let’s see, I enjoy going for hikes. I like farmers markets and outdoor shopping centers. Zoos and swimming are also always fun. One of the things I love the best during the warm weather is playing outside with my niece with bubbles and sidewalk chalk. There are also a lot of wonderful parks in my area for her to explore too!
Favorite summer memory? One of the best family vacations that we ever took was, easily, Universal Studios in Florida and I often think back to that trip and how much fun we had. I would love to go back!!
How would you answer any of the above questions? Do you have any exciting plans this summer? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah
Hello! When it comes to gift giving occasions, I always can’t wait to give my giftee their presents and am notorious for buying gifts way ahead of schedule. Johnny’s birthday gift, for example, was purchased four months before his actual birthday! I’d be a liar if I said I wasn’t constantly asking people to give their gifts early and Johnny is, normally, pretty good about waiting till the day of the occasion. This past week, however, was a totally different story.
Unbeknownst to Johnny, I had arrived home before him after work and errands and was there when he walked in the door with a huge gift wrapped box. Because I had already seen my early birthday gift, he agreed that we could open presents a month and a half prior to our birthdays and I was gifted with the following:
For one of my early birthday gifts, Johnny got me a huge standing makeup holder for all of my must haves that are maybe always cluttering the bathroom! Not only will it be perfect for all of my lipsticks and glosses that I feel like I am misplacing constantly but it will also provide a safe space for my makeup brushes, eyeshadows, and highlighters which I have had to replace before from water damage.
This gift was so thoughtful because Johnny told me he remembered how much I liked it while he was browsing through additional storage options for our apartment. I had, honestly, forgotten about it and love my new makeup holder so much because it is something that I wouldn’t buy for myself. Rather, I’d probably end up buying more makeup lol!
If there’s one thing Lil Red loves, it’s organizing and I really enjoyed arranging my jewelry boxes and wall hangers just so for easy access to all of my favorite accessories. I expect that my makeup holder will be no different and am looking forward to setting it up to my liking. I also think I am going to end up finding tons of products that I forgot I even had so it will kind of be like shopping in my own apartment. 😀
After mine and Johnny’s super early gift exchange, we played video games and listened to records for hours and it was the best month and a half early birthday celebration ever! I can’t wait for more festivities with my fiance on our actual birthdays in June. ❤
How do you keep your makeup or accessories organized? How early do you like to shop for gift giving occasions? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah
Hello!! The birthdays in my family just keep coming because today is my beautiful sister, Kristen’s, big day! My sister is my absolute best friend and I cannot even put into words how proud I am of her. She is a legit wonder woman and I am constantly amazed by her motherhood journey. Her and my brother in law’s daughter, Valerie, is a huge light for me and I have seriously never met a happier, more loved little girl in my life.
Not only is Kristen an incredible mom to her daughter but she is a pet parent and advocate, as well. She has two dogs and two cats and her newest passion is fostering senior dogs from One Of A Kind Pets, the shelter that she works at. Her empathy and love truly knows no bounds and she is so dedicated to giving the best life to the animals who haven’t had it easy. In fact, her most recent senior foster named Baby just got adopted into her Furever Home!
Kristen inspires everyone that she meets – myself especially. As my big sister, I have looked up to her my whole life and that is still the case to this day as twenty-somethings. A sister is a built in best friend and Kristen is always there for me whether I need a laugh, girl time, or to vent. Everything we do together is like an adventure to me – whether it be going to concerts, Taco Bell dates, or taking her daughter to the park to play. I am, honestly, the luckiest girl in the world to be able to not only call her my big sis but my BFF.
Hello! As soon as March hits, it becomes a birthday extravaganza in my family. By June 7th, we will have celebrated seven birthdays and each one is extremely special. In fact, today is a very happy wonderful day because it is my dad’s birthday! I am a huge daddy’s girl and can always count on my dad when I need a laugh, advice, or some good company. CHARLES is a man of many talents and I feel so lucky to have spent my life enjoying his beautiful gardens, incredible vacations, and infamous laugh attacks.
Despite my dad’s injury this past month of a broken arm and dislocated shoulder, he still takes care of his animal friends outside every day by filling their feeders. My dad’s appreciation for the outdoors has instilled a “stop and smell the roses” attitude in me and whenever I see spring flowers or hear birdsong, I always think about him and smile.
I love watching my dad be a grandpa to my niece and nephew and, even as an adult, I can still come to him with all of my problems knowing that he will help me. My dad inspires me, humors me, and encourages me and I simply cannot wait for him to walk me down the aisle when Johnny and I get married. I am so proud to be his daughter and it is an honor for him to be proud of me too. ❤
lifewithlilred 