Tag Archives: boyfriend

Planning The Ultimate Game Night With Your Friends

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Planning The Ultimate Game Night With Your Friends

Hi! The weather in Akron, Ohio is currently snowy and freezing which ultimately makes going out a real drag. Believe me, I love nothing more than being out and about with my boyfriend and friends. However, it’s a hard pass when I need thirteen layers on to stay warm! This cold existence has left all of us stranded in our homes, riddled with the desire to still do something while remaining on the couch the whole time.

Cue: A game night

This past month, I have participated in so many game nights, I have lost track. Am I mad about it? No! Quite the opposite, actually. You know why? Because I prefer something like this to going to the bar any day of the week. In this post, we’re going to discuss the makings of a perfect game night for you and your friends to enjoy:

Location:

The host of the game night should reside in a good central location from all of the guests if they have enough room for such tom foolery. You might not want to be Keeper Of The Games in your studio apartment! Make sure there is enough space for everyone to spread out comfortably and I do mean comfortably because no one wants to sit on a threadbare couch!

Snacks:

Snacks are a crucial part of the game night and the responsibility can be divided up pretty evenly among your group. Everyone could throw in money for pizza, share a snack of their own, or a potluck style meal could be what suits you guys best. Either way, it shouldn’t be up to one person to provide all of the snacks for your evening.

Drinks:

Does your group of friends enjoy drinking? Great. Everyone can bring some beer or a bottle of wine. Does your group of friends not enjoy drinking? Great. Everyone can bring some pop, juice, or you can make mocktails. All I know is, you can’t be snacking on salty treats without something to wash it down with!

Games:

The games for the event is definitely something that should be discussed beforehand amongst your group. Is it a video gaming night? Classic board games? How about a murder mystery night? You could even play games that pay cash so you can fund your next get together! This is all important to know ahead of time so everyone knows what to bring or how they should dress.

Normally, my game nights include a little bit of everything from video games and cards to trivial pursuit and dice. You might even include some Spinni Casino in there if you want to make that part of the experience. You can stick with a theme and alternate weekly or draw different games from a hat. Just make sure that everyone who has a game that they would like to play gets that opportunity at some point.

Game nights are an amazing way to spend time with your friends while saving money that would otherwise be spent at the bar or restaurant. Make your events a weekly or monthly thing and watch your friend group grow even more tight-knit through the bond of good old fashioned fun!

What are your favorite games to play? What are some of your tips for the ultimate game night? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Perfect Valentine’s Day Gifts For Your Boyfriend

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Perfect Valentine’s Day Gifts For Your Boyfriend

Hello! Yesterday, we went over some perfect Valentine’s Day gifts for the special ladies in your life and, now, it’s on to the fellas. I, myself, find Valentine’s Day particularly difficult to shop for when I’m in a relationship. I definitely don’t want to go overboard with presents, as we just finished the holiday season. But, I don’t want to purchase too little, either! It’s a fine balance and today we are going to look over a bunch of different gifts for your man for every budget. Let’s get to it:

The Classics:

Who says guys can’t get chocolate, too?! The classics for the girlfriend is often chocolate, flowers, and a bottle of wine. Give these ideas a masculine twist like a six pack of his favorite beer, chocolate with pieces of bacon in it, and beef jerky bouquets… Yes, they are a thing. Or, you could always go to Five Below and grab one of these hunky chocolate bars that I got for my beau:

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^^^ Lololol.

Dapper Dudes:

Does your man candy enjoy dressing up or have a unique personal style? Go with this and treat him to a new pair of shoes or a goofy T-shirt. Help him accessorize with tie clips, pocket squares, and cuff links for a suave touch to his OOTDs. Any apparel based gifts will make him think of you every time he wears it, which is the whole point! But, if you gift him with a hoodie it is partially yours, of course. 😉

Sports Fan:

If you’re in a relationship with a sports fan, an ultimate gift would be tickets to the next big game. Ballin on a budget? That’s okay! Plan a night in when the next game he’s interested in is on TV. Provide Super Bowl level snacks, cold drinks, and a positive attitude in case his team is losing!

Memorabilia:

My boyfriend is a music connoisseur and we both have an affliction for movies. So, this is always a safe route to go if your partner is the same way. Snag him a cool new band T-shirt, get a coffee mug with his favorite Star Wars character on it, your options are limitless! And remember, nothing beats a good old fashioned night at the movies, which would be a great choice if a flick he’s dying to see is playing.

From The Heart:

Guys appreciate heartfelt gifts just as much as girls and just might be better at not showing it. Frame some of your favorite pictures together, write a poem, or take him to dinner at the restaurant where you had your first date. There is nothing wrong with going the more romantic route and it could be his favorite gift to date.

Experiences:

Experience gifts often go very well for guys and you could go as big or as small as you wish. How about a weekend getaway in a cozy cabin? A winter hike with thermoses of warm spiced cider? Or maybe a trip to a local museum for your history buff? Either way, you will be sharing in a day together and that is the most special part about Valentine’s Day! ❤

And who says guys are hard to shop for with the tips above?!

What do you like to gift your guy for Valentine’s Day? How do you plan on celebrating this year? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Perfect Valentine’s Day Gifts For Your Girlfriend

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Perfect Valentine’s Day Gifts For Your Girlfriend

Hi! Valentine’s Day is getting closer and closer which can serve as a friendly reminder of the love you have for your partner OR that you are truly all alone in this world. 😉 I kid, I kid. Despite having a boyfriend, I think Valentine’s Day is a bunch of garbage and your relationship should be celebrated every day, not just on February 14th.

However, it will be nice to have a special day with my beau and I’m sure that those who are participating in V-Day are looking forward to it too. Frankly, I’d be hyped for Valentine’s Day even if I didn’t have a partner because it gives me the perfect excuse to drink wine and eat chocolate!

Speaking of wine and chocolate, how about we discuss some great gifts for the special lady in your life? And, be sure to tune in tomorrow when we explore some gifts for the fellas. Let’s get to it:

The Classics:

Some will find the gifting of the classics on Valentine’s Day lame or cheesy. However, I would be so amped up to receive sweet gifts like heart-shaped boxes of chocolate, a bouquet of flowers, or a good bottle of vino from my boyfriend. I find that the simplest gifts are the most effective and your ladyfriend will be tickled by the adoring gesture of a timeless variety of gifts.

Pampering, Please:

If you have a hard working, independent woman in your life, a treatment at the spa might be just what the doctor ordered. How about splurging on couples massages? Or a mani/pedi package for your princess? Pop some champagne, relax, and enjoy.

On a budget? No matter! Run a nice, hot bath with rose petals in it, light some candles, and turn on some Barry White. It works every time. 😉

Hopeless Romantic:

If you are overwhelmed with feelings of love for your girlfriend, fiance, or wife and have a way with words, perhaps a poem or a letter would be the perfect gift. Nothing is more swoon worthy than reading all of the reasons why your boyfriend loves you and it is something that you can keep for forever.

Date Night In:

Contrary to popular belief, Valentine’s Day isn’t about fancy dinners and posting your new heart shaped jewelry on Facebook. Rather, it’s about celebrating the bond between you and your partner. If you’re not into the hoopla of V-Day, plan a date night in. Cook a delicious dinner, don’t skimp on the chocolate cake, and play your lady’s favorite movie while enjoying a glass of wine. Beautiful.

Over The Top:

If you have the extra cash burning a hole in your pocket, plan a nice weekend getaway. You don’t have to travel far, two or three hours will do. But, a weekend together in a lovely B&B or hotel to celebrate the holiday is a definite treat. Look into Valentine’s Day suites or packages wherever you are staying for the best deals or a special gift from the location. New York City is a popular option for a getaway as there is just so much to do! You could see a Broadway show, visit museums, or opt for a spot of shopping and bbq in Soho for lunch. Wherever you go, plan at least one special date to truly take your Valentine’s Day over the top.

In this post, we explored different options for every budget to make this Valentine’s Day the best one yet for you and your partner. You’re welcome in advance! 😉 ❤

How are you celebrating V-Day? What are you gifting your loved one with? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

The Ultimate Gift Guide For The Love Of Your Life

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The Ultimate Gift Guide For The Love Of Your Life

You might think that Christmas has only just said goodbye for another year, but you will need to get your gift giving juices flowing again as Valentine’s Day is creeping up on the horizon. If you are in the throes of love, then chances are that you want to show your beloved exactly how much you care on the 14th of February. While those more miserable amongst us might be worried about the commercialization of the day of love, it is still pleasant to make your loved one feel special. Whether you are in a new relationship or whether you have been happily married for decades, take a look at these wonderful gift giving ideas:

Jewelry:

There can’t be many more romantic gifts than jewelry for your loved one. You might choose to go down a relatively traditional route and choose a ring or a necklace for your darling. Or perhaps opal bracelets and their stunningly unique designs might be more up your street. If you are tempted by a piece of jewelry, consider the colors that your beloved adores. White gold is very on trend at the moment as is titanium and rose gold. The more traditional diamonds and yellow gold jewelry items are still as popular as ever. Or, you might want to go the fully customized route for a one of a kind piece of jewelry on a website like Holts Gems. How special to have a necklace or ring that no one else in the world has! For the man in your life, why not consider cufflinks or a tie pin. Just because they might not be a big fan of the bling, something small and classic could make them smile on Valentine’s Day.

Experience Gifts:

If you are tempted to look for something a little more unusual or your loved one is a bit tricky to buy for why not consider a more experiential gift. Think about what your soulmate adores and think about their personality type. If your beloved is an adrenaline junkie, think about purchasing them a bungee jump, a chance to skydive out of a plane at five thousand feet or perhaps a driving experience would be more worthwhile. You could buy them a sand dune drive, a rally drive, or a lap around a track in a Formula 3 race car.

For those individuals who aren’t as thrill seeking, something more relaxing might be better. A spa weekend or a relaxing reiki head massage experience may light your loved one’s face up. Alternatively, you could book a weekend away and treat yourself to a couples holiday to spend some quality time together.

Traditional:

If money is tight or you are looking to save your pennies for a big ticket item, think about making your gift a little smaller. There’s nothing wrong with going down the traditional albeit slightly cheesy route. You could pick up a bunch of roses and a box of chocolates for single figures. The scale of the gift isn’t important, it is the thought behind it. You might even fancy whipping up a home cooked three course romantic meal for your loved one. These gifts are more thoughtful and special. Forget about the grand gestures and opt for the more romantic.

Follow this guide and you can be sure of a romantic and special Valentine’s Day!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Holiday Haul: Boyfriend’s Family Edition

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Holiday Haul: Boyfriend’s Family Edition

Hello everyone! I was so thankful this past year to spend another beautiful holiday with my boyfriend, Johnny’s, family on Christmas Eve. We spent the whole day together opening gifts, playing games, enjoying a delicious meal, and watching their yearly viewing of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. It was such a blast taking part in their family traditions and my time between their house on Christmas Eve and my family’s on Christmas day made it the best holiday yet.

I was just happy to be a part of the day with my boyfriend’s family but I was completely blown away by their generosity. Check it out:

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As you can see, Johnny’s family knows me pretty well already considering I was treated to gift cards to all of my favorite places: TJMaxx, Elysian Nails, Marshalls, and Dunkin’ Donuts. It was so sweet, because Johnny’s aunt gifted both myself and his mom to a gift card to Elysian so we could get mani pedis together. I’m really looking forward to making a date of it with lunch or coffee thrown into the mix for a perfect girls day.

And, of course, you can never go wrong with giving me chocolate and bath and body care as a present, because I can always put all of that to good use! I am also very excited to break out my adult coloring book set. I used to use those all of the time and just fell out of it so it will be nice to get back into it with such lovely pictures and supplies.

Honestly, my boyfriend’s family didn’t have to get me one damn thing but I am so grateful and touched that they did. I can’t wait for more holidays and hang outs with each of them and my life is so much better for having them in it! ❤

Where did you spend your holidays at? What is one of your favorite Christmas movies to watch? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

TJMaxx Haul

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TJMaxx Haul

Hello! My last holiday shopping to accomplish was for my boyfriend’s parents so I hit up TJMaxx during my free time to find something for them. I ended up with a lovely Starbucks gift set for them as well as a little something something for my cousin and some skin care for myself. Check it out:

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There is nothing better than a nice, warm cup of hot chocolate during the winter and when I saw the gift set above I thought it was the perfect present to surprise the rents with. Along with a delicious combo of peppermint and double chocolate hot chocolate, the gift set included two Starbucks logo mugs which will be ideal for their morning coffee as well as the hot cocoa. I don’t know my boyfriend’s parents too well yet but you can’t go wrong with a holiday themed box set so hopefully they like it!

I also gifted my Boston Terrier crazy cousin with a dog shaped cookie jar filled with holiday cookies. He looks oh so dapper in his shades and tie! My cousin, Laura, in Pittsburgh is my go to for microblading and she always does so much for me when I come to visit so it was the least I can do for the next time I pop up. I know her and her boyfriend and their two precious Boston Terriers will love it and TJMaxx always has the cutest themed decor for that specific breed for those interested.

And, finally, I needed a new moisturizer and serum in my life so I went with the SkinLab lift and firm serum and moisturizer combo to keep my mug looking young, fresh, and hydrated all winter long!

My holiday shopping is officially complete and now it’s time to wrap up my presents, get them to their respective owners, and enjoy the rest of my holiday season!

Are you all done holiday shopping? Do you finish your shopping early or last minute? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Introducing: Flat Bret

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Introducing: Flat Bret

Hello, hello! My boyfriend, Johnny, and I have taken a shine to watching Rock Of Love, the dating show for Bret Michaels of Poison that aired on Vh1 forever ago. It originally started out as a joke and our plan was to get drunk and see if any of the girls on the show looked better with beer goggles on. But, then, it turned into something so much more and I became completely hooked.

Much to my boyfriend’s dismay, we are now on season three of Rock Of Love and I know he’s super over it but he watches with me anyways. Talk about true love, amiright? Because of my adoration for this insanely stupid show, Johnny had a brain blast of what to get me for Christmas and just couldn’t wait until the day to give me this special gift:

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Lol, yes, Johnny DID get me a mini cardboard cutout of Bret Michaels. And, yes, we DO plan on taking him out on adventures in “Flat Stanley” style and photographing the results. Flat Bret will accompany us to the bar, to concerts, out to eat, and where ever we see fit because we both think it will be hilarious. Dumb? Kind of. But so, so funny.

I can’t look at my mini cardboard cutout without laughing and I love that my boyfriend thought to get something so ridiculous but so perfect for me. Now, if only Christmas would hurry up and get here so we can give each other the rest of our gifts!!

What is your favorite dating TV show? Do you have a cardboard cutout of anyone? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Life Update

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Life Update

Howdy! It’s been a while since I’ve gave you an update on all of the new and exciting things in Lil Red’s world so I thought that I would take the time to fill you in. Let’s see, the first big news I can share with you is that I have a new nephew! My brother and his wife had their little boy, Patrick, at the beginning of November and we are all so in love with his darling tiny face and wispy blonde hair. Mom, dad, and baby are happy and healthy and I cannot wait to see them when I go to Georgia hopefully in January.

What else? Well, things with my boyfriend, Johnny, are going swimmingly and we loved spending Thanksgiving together with both of our families. We are both looking forward to the rest of the holiday season and I only have a few more weeks of pestering him to let me tell him what I got as his Christmas gift. I can do this, I can do this, I can do this.

Work is also going just swell and it was so nice to have three work days and the weekend off for the Thanksgiving holiday. I have been working my little tail off since the car accident so it was a much needed break and I feel so refreshed. But, is it bad that I’m already jonesing for my days off for Christmas? 😀

My niece, Valerie, and her mom and dad are also doing amazing. She is seriously the light of my life and it’s so fun watching her crawl around and hear her say “dada”. She loves to laugh and play with her toys and her two doggie big brothers and cat big sister. I can’t wait for her first Christmas and Christmas in general… did I mention Christmas?!

Despite the medical issues that I filled you in on yesterday, everything else in Lil Red’s world is, thankfully, awesome. I so appreciate all of your well wishes and I hope that all of you have the happiest holiday season!

What are some of your life updates? How do you celebrate for the holidays? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

And In Conclusion…

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And In Conclusion…

Hello everyone! So I definitely laid some scary news on you all yesterday and I’m sorry for it but, oh my god, it was crazy. One of the things that I pride myself on as a blogger is not sugar coating anything. From my ongoing issues with mental health to everything in between, I try to keep it 100% real with all of you because, if not, then what’s the point?

I am so grateful to have been able to walk out of a severe car crash with the injuries that I had, which seem minor in comparison to breaking a bone, a bleeding cut, or worse. My boyfriend and I are both doing much better now but I’d be a liar if I didn’t say that it didn’t suck on ice. One person’s poor decision when it came to driving effected SIX other cars, people, and families. And, not only that, but he also had another major wreck at his own fault two years prior.

It honestly makes you wonder how that person ended up with his license in the first place, when he only seemed to leave destruction in his path. People could have been killed and, after the wreck, he still seemed unfazed – which is scary. I can only hope that the people in my neck of the woods are spared from having him on the road again and all I can do is urge all of you to be careful when you get behind the wheel. Not just careful for yourself but for all of the others around you, as well.

I always say when I’m in the car with my clients and they ask me if I’m afraid to drive that I’m never worried about my ability to drive, but for everyone else around me. And that definitely rang true the day of the accident. I am completely confident in my boyfriend’s ability to drive but that also didn’t prevent someone from getting into our lane and hitting us head on. So, all I can say is – be aware of your surroundings, wear your seat belts, and always be thankful when you make it to your destination safely.

What is something that you’re afraid of? How did you deal with a car accident if you’ve ever been in one? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Accidents Happen

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Accidents Happen

*Trigger Warning* This post contains details of a car accident and medical trauma.

Helloooo everyone! Those of you who follow me on Facebook will know that yours truly was in a car accident this past month that had me in the hospital. (And, for those of you who don’t follow me on Facebook, make sure you get on it at: Sarah Mushenheim!) It was a really scary, painful experience and I wanted to give you all the 411 on what happened because I have been so blown away by all of the well wishes and all of you deserve to know. So, let’s get to it.

It was a Sunday afternoon circa one PM when my boyfriend and I were driving to pick some things up from his house and then we were going to have a date day. I had just returned from vacation the night before so we hadn’t seen each other for a week and were eager to hang out. Unfortunately, that got cut short, because as we were at an intersection on a twenty-five MPH street, we got hit head on by a driver going at least forty-five.

How did this person end up in the complete wrong lane and effect not just us but SIX cars in total? I’m really not sure, because it happened so quickly. But, I am fairly sure he was trying to get around a person turning left and, in the process, swiped another car and ended up going head first into ours. This left the car that got swiped, our car, and the car of the guy who hit us totaled. And, I’m assuming the other three cars ended up in fender benders or the like from all of the commotion going on on the road.

The heavy blow to our car caused the air bags to go off and, oh my god, the pain was indescribable. Before the accident, I had my feet on the dashboard and when I saw the car coming I instinctively went into fetal position. This caused my skater’s legs to go wham, bam, thank you ma’am right into my chest. I felt like I couldn’t breathe and I just remember screaming bloody murder.

Thankfully, the first responders came quickly and, while we were waiting for them, I had to shimmy my way out of the driver’s side door because the accident prevented my side from opening. I can recall yelling “let me out, let me out” and that was also super scary because I already felt like I couldn’t breathe and then I felt trapped on top of it.

Once the police and ambulances came, everything was a whirlwind. The EMTs began to check me and my boyfriend and we ended up being transported to a local hospital. We were both experiencing pain in our chests and had seat belt burns and various bumps and bruises. I also had a horrible pain in the bottom left corner of my stomach.

When we got to the hospital, we were put in separate rooms and I was asked to give a urine sample. I hobbled my sorry ass into the bathroom and got my shorts and undies down to see that there was blood in them as well as blood in my urine. Once this discovery was made, I had to get a CAT scan done and a pelvic exam which hurt so incredibly badly.

According to the scan, there was an air bubble in my bladder. And, as the day went on, there was still blood in my urine and it was becoming increasingly difficult to pee. So, the decision was made to have me transferred to the ER in Cleveland with a trauma team to try and find out what was going on with my bladder.

By the time I arrived in Cleveland, it was already eight thirty at night and I was exhausted. I was in unbearable pain and, at this point, I couldn’t pass urine at all and was experiencing all the discomfort of an insanely full bladder. Another CAT scan was done as well as a bladder scan and a catheter was put in so that I could finally go to the bathroom. I also had to get an X-ray of my shoulder to make sure I didn’t have any fractures there.

When this was all said and done, it was around two in the morning and I was told that I was going to be admitted to the hospital. A room finally opened up around five AM and all I wanted was to sleep but the constant questions, poking, and prodding made that damn near impossible.

I spent the following day at the hospital being monitored and having different tests done and was able to go home around eight in the evening with my catheter still in. And, lucky for me, I got to have it taken out two days later because it was very uncomfortable and quite painful. Everything looked okay according to the urologist and I just had to keep an eye on the slight bleeding that was still happening.

Thankfully, nothing was majorly wrong other than the pain and the same goes for my boyfriend, as well. We both had to take the week off of work and were happy to return the following Monday. There were a lot of things to be grateful for in this situation. No one involved in the accident got severely hurt. The insurance company of the person responsible took care of everything thanks to the help of the Auto Accident Lawyer on the case. And, most importantly, we were in my boyfriend’s big station wagon. Had we been in the Little Red Love Machine (a tiny hatchback), this would have been an entirely different story.

I am so appreciative to my family, boyfriend, the first responders, and the staff at both hospitals for taking such good care of me. It was a horrible situation to be in, but it could have been a lot worse and I am so thankful that all is well for both me and my boyfriend now. And, thank you to all of you for the concern and get well soons. It didn’t go unnoticed and I love you all! ❤

What are you thankful for? Has anyone had a situation similar to mine? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah