Tag Archives: candles

Jun25

Candle Corner

Posted on June 25, 2024 by lifewithlilred

Hello!! I have had a banner birthday month and have been enjoying all of the spoils from my big day. In fact, this past weekend I went on an online shopathon with the gift cards that I received and that was a blast. There is nothing better than some guilt free hauls… But, then again, when have I ever suffered from buyer’s remorse after any purchases?! Lol, the answer is never! Another thing I did this weekend was set up my Candle Corner with gifts from my two besties. While I love candles, I never buy them for myself so they are always the perfect gift. It was so nice to cozy up on the couch with Degrassi and these fabulously spooky flames:

My darling Gemini Twin, Kate of Live In The Nautical, and my BFF since freshman year of high school, Lea, always know exactly what to get for yours truly. Among other amazingly thoughtful gifts, Lea got me my middle finger candle and Kate gifted me with the skull and You A Spooky Bitch candles from a Halloween gift set. Needless to say, I am obsessed! Candles are great, yes, but they are even better when they are themed around my happiest time of the year. And, of course, they match beautifully with mine and Johnny’s Halloween all year round home decor. 😀

Like I said, I never go out of my way to buy candles for myself. That extra cash goes right into my shoe fund lol. However, I think I can dip into that fund for a few candles after this past weekend because I am going to be sad when my gifts burn out! I had a super lazy weekend and it was so soothing to just be able to veg out with my flickering flames around me. It is a rarity for me to even have candles to burn and it felt like such a luxury. I liked it very much and it set the ideal atmosphere to snuggle up with my favorite teen drama and chill after a long work week. Restocking my candle corner soon appears to be a resounding absolute must!

A middle finger, a skull, and a spooky bitch candle – who could ask for anything more?! I loved being able to use my birthday prezzies this weekend and my candles took the cake!

Where is your favorite place to buy candles? What is your favorite scent for candles? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun20

BFF Birthday Gift

Posted on June 20, 2024 by lifewithlilred

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Howdy!! I had a fantastic weekend and it was great from start to finish because my BFF, Lea, came over on Friday for my birthday hang out. We spent the evening catching up and girl talking away and it was just what the doctor ordered. Lea and I both have insanely busy schedules so we don’t get to get together as often as we would like and I missed her terribly! As with the best of best friends, however, her and I pick up as if we just saw each other the day before. That’s what sixteen plus years of BFFhood gets you and it’s a beautiful thing! As are these lovely prezzies that I was surprised with:

For my dirty thirtieth birthday, Lea gifted me with a darling cartoon rendering of us on my wedding day and a simply fabulous middle finger candle lol. When Johnny and I got married, we had a very small ceremony and Lea was the only person I invited outside of my immediate family. I considered both her and my big sister to be my co maids of honor. My big day was even better because Lea was a part of it and she selected one of our favorite pictures together as the inspiration for my gift. I clocked this immediately and it gave me ALL of the feels. So much so that I almost shed a tear. It is the most perfect gift and Johnny surprised me the following day by hanging it up while I was out running errands. I smile every time I look at it. ❤

And, of course, both of my besties know that spooky gifts are the way to my heart and I cannot get over my middle finger candle. In fact, this prezzie was spot on because I have recently become obsessed with candles compliments of my other bestie’s birthday gifts to me. Lea is most fond of shopping at craft shows so I have a feeling she bought this a while ago and was saving it for my b-day. She is so thoughtful like that and is just like me – I am the queen of shopping early for gift giving occasions! I haven’t had the chance to burn this candle yet, but I am really looking forward to it. It’s going to look cool AF! 😀

I had the best time having a low key birthday get together with my bestie and I can’t wait to celebrate her big day later this summer. I am the luckiest gal in the world to have a BFF like Lea and that is always the greatest gift I could ever ask for!

How long have you been friends with your best friend? What kind of gifts do you like to give? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May31

Blogging Bestie Birthday Gift

Posted on May 31, 2024 by lifewithlilred

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Hello darlings!!! This past weekend, I received the most fabulous box of birthday greetings from my blogging bestie, Kate, of Live In The Nautical. Kate and I became fast friends when lifewithlilred came into existence almost a decade ago and my life simply wouldn’t be the same without her. She is the absolute best friend a gal could ask for and even though we are in opposite states, I always feel like she is right next door when we are texting or FaceTiming. For my Dirty Thirty, Kate spoiled me with my favorite thing – spooky surprises from Brightside Organics! Check it out:

Kate and I are Gemini twins and our June birthdays are only six days apart. Just like me and Johnny! This is a time of year that we revel in and it is so much fun to celebrate each other together – even more than we already do every day lol. Our siren call when gifts are on the way is “you’ve got mail” and it is most exciting. Kate is one of my all time favorite people to shop for and she shares the same sentiments about me. I always know that her gifts are going to be on point for her horror loving BFF and this gift was no exception.

For my birthday, Kate treated me to all kinds of enticing products from Brightside Organics. Body butter, soaps, candles, and a bonus surprise. The skull candle doubles as a lidded glass. I was wondering why a plastic straw was included in the gift box and then it all made sense lol. I love the tombstone shaped bar soaps and they smell exactly like a crisp autumn day. The scent is called Magical Brew and is the same for the skull candle and body butter. My You A Spooky Bitch (And proud of it!) candle is of a lovely lavender and sage and it will be perfect to burn while winding down at the end of the day. I also thought it was such a cool touch that a little vial of matchsticks were included.

Because I get so much free product from Bath & Body Works, bath and body care is never on my agenda to buy for myself. And, while I like the idea of having candles in my apartment, I never replenish them once they have burned out. Regardless, Kate knows that I love stuff like this and makes it a point to make sure I get some for my big day. We both are all for the pampering route of self care and I always look forward to seeing which products she enjoys for herself that I would like by default. What can I say, her and I are insanely similar and, as per usual, this gift set knocked it out of the park!

I can’t wait to test out all of my new goodies and begin browsing for gifts for Kate’s upcoming birthday too. I am so lucky to have a BFF like her! ❤

What is your favorite thing to be gifted with? Are you and your BFF really similar to each other? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug18

Poison Apple Candle By MZ Candles Review

Posted on August 18, 2023 by lifewithlilred

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Poison Apple Candle By MZ Candles Review

Hello! If Johnny and I could have, we would have bought ALL of the things from the Punk Rock Flea Market. We both decided, however, that we would limit ourselves to the cash we brought and I am pleased to report we made good on that with some to spare too! Johnny and I held true to our plan by sticking to our “sweet spot” price range of five to fifteen dollars per purchase. One of which included this super cool Poison Apple candle by MZ Candles for just five bucks:

I used to really enjoy burning candles when I first moved into my apartment and pretty much stopped all together. Our old place was so hot that I didn’t need another reminder of it from a dancing flame. Our new digs maintain a much cooler temperature, however, so I couldn’t help but stop at the MZ Candles booth. Merideth Z had candles galore in various sizes, colors, and scents. As always, I am an apple gal and my mind was already made up when I saw the five dollar Poison Apple candle.

The Poison Apple scent smelled exactly like the caramel apple suckers that I love so very much. Also, how cute is the wax skull?! I was expecting a decent amount of fragrance once this candle was lit and, sadly, it wasn’t the case. In fact, I couldn’t smell anything at all as it burned. This was a bit of a bummer, but it didn’t take away from how pleasant it was to have a candle lit during a nonstop rainy afternoon and evening. I also loved how the red skull and green wax melted together into a glittery pool!

Even though I was not blown away from MZ Candles in the scent department, I have been lighting it every day once I’m home from work. There is something so comforting about it and I think I will treat myself to a candle from Bath & Body Works soon!

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

Jan20

Paranormal Activity Pt. 3

Posted on January 20, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Hi! So as all of you know, I have experienced some paranormal activity in my apartment. The major occurrences happened when I first moved in and the last activity before the most recent one took place about a month ago. This spooky situation came about on Friday the tenth around two in the afternoon and it had me SHOOK. So, let’s discuss:

I always have the afternoons off on Friday and some of the days are spent running around doing errands while others involve curling up with a good book and a cup of coffee. This Friday afternoon happened to be one of those days, so I lit my candles, got myself comfortable, and cracked open one of my comic books.

All was going well and I was enjoying my time relaxing when a piece of paper I had on my coffee table FLOATED ON TOP OF ONE OF THE CANDLES. This paper was sitting on top of a board game that was about a foot and a half away from my candles and when I adjusted my head I saw the paper in the air.

Luckily for me, the piece of paper landed on a candle that was burnt down enough that the flame wasn’t going to touch it. But, the candle that it did fall on was about six inches away from a brand new Yankee Candle that I got for Christmas whose two wicks were burning close to the top. Yikes!

Needless to say, I freaked out and phoned my parents who know about the haunting situation in my apartment and they freaked out too. Lol, it was such a crazy thing to have witnessed and I still get goosebumps when I think about it. There was just no way that that paper floating could have happened on its own. It had also been sitting there for months and a situation even remotely similar has never happened.

I have come to associate my “friend” in my apartment with being a man. When I first moved in, I always seemed to hear heavy footsteps at night coming from the office in my top floor apartment. In fact, I used to have to go downstairs to make sure there was no one there.

There is also a mirror in my loft bedroom with a skylight shining directly on it. And, at night when the light from the outdoors is coming in, the shadowy shape that forms behind the mirror looks like a poor silhouette of a man to me. Believe you me, nothing makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up like when I see that at bedtime.

The paranormal activity I had in my apartment in December seemed to be a friendly one but this last occurrence was anything but. I think it will be a good long while before I light my candles again!

What did you do to deal with paranormal activity if you’ve ever experienced any? Does anyone have any advice for me? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec23

How To Make Your Home Feel Like Christmas

Posted on December 23, 2019 by lifewithlilred

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How To Make Your Home Feel Like Christmas

It’s winter, the days are shorter, and the feeling of wanting to stay inside and watch movies is getting stronger by the minute. Not to worry, most of us have had the winter blues at some point. Christmas is an excellent opportunity to get into the festive spirit, decorate your home, and invite friends and family over to enjoy the holidays with you. Here’s how to make your home feel like Christmas for your celebrations:

Make it smell nice:

Having Kindred Fires scented candles around the house can do wonders for getting you into the festive spirit. Feel free to change candles throughout the week, and try pine-scented candles as well as clove and cinnamon. Along with candles, if you have a real Christmas tree, the natural smell of pine will go beautifully with other Christmasy scents. Feel free to make your own candles if you’re feeling particularly adventurous!

Make warming recipes:

A delicious way to dine this Christmas is to create wholesome dishes that will keep you warm this winter. While you may want to save yourself for the big day, the Christmas period is a time for indulging so don’t feel bad for having a few extra treats. Recipes that taste particularly good when it’s cold include soups, stews, and roasted vegetables. Traditional recipes and comfort food can be enjoyed in abundance during this time. Try to cook this recipe for homemade chicken and drop dumplings, a delicious recipe that is both seasonal and harks back to grandma’s cooking.

Light it up:

Placing lights around your house will automatically give it a Christmas feeling. Keep the lighting warm and low, with soft lamps and candles rather than overhead lighting. Outdoor lights will go wonderfully in your backyard, especially when the sun has set and you look outside your window in the evening. There are many kinds of lights that you can go for, but consider using energy-saving lights, as the cost of lighting decorations and electric lights over Christmas can be very expensive.

Set up treats around your home:

Setting up bowls or jars around the house filled with Christmas goodies is a nice way to enjoy some sweet treats while also functioning as decoration. Cute ideas include filling these bowls or jars with candy canes, chocolate coins, and marshmallows. Having these treats on hand is great when you’re making hot chocolate, as you can grab a couple of marshmallows or chocolate pieces to add on top.

Blankets, throws, and cushions:

Staying cozy at home with a blanket and a cup of hot chocolate or mulled cider automatically makes me feel Christmasy. Having blankets and throws on your couch adds a nice winter feel, especially if you are lucky enough to have a natural fire. Thick knit blankets and woolen cushion covers are both comfy and fashionable additions to your interior design.

Spending time with loved ones is the best way to enjoy Christmas. After all, that’s what the season is all about. How ever you choose to enjoy the winter period, keep it festive with the tips above!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Nov15

Bath & Body Works Holiday Haul

Posted on November 15, 2019 by lifewithlilred

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Hello! Some of my favorite go to gifts to give are candles and bath and body care. These are things that your friends and family might not splurge on for themselves so they are always sure to please. And, who doesn’t like a little pampering?! To get some of the presents that I needed to purchase for the holidays out of the way, I hit up Bath & Body Works and got some delicious smelling stocking stuffers for all of my favorite lady friends. Check it out:

It is always exciting to see all of the holiday themed decor and scents available in store. Bath & Body Works is completely filled with wall to wall holiday scented goodies, which made coming to a decision a difficult task. But, I am really happy with the products that I purchased.

I am not too wild about the super sweet holiday scents like snickerdoodle and hot chocolate and I despise the spicy fragrances like cinnamon and nutmeg. The Frosted Cranberry candles, Winter Candy Apple hand soap, and Fresh Sparkling Snow lotions and shower gel all smell appropriate for the holidays without being overpowering. They are also scents that you could get away with using after December 25th, which made them the perfect candidates to purchase.

Some might say that the candle and bath and body care route is an overdone one. BUT I SAY DIFFERENT! Probably because I would love to receive these gifts, myself. I know for a fact that all of the products above will go over well and, although B&BW can be a bit pricey, they were worth every penny. I am slowly but surely checking all of my giftees off the list and am eager to be completely done hopefully come December! 😀

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

Aug18

Fall Is In The Air

Posted on August 18, 2019 by lifewithlilred

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Okayyyy okay, so fall technically isn’t in the air yet but that doesn’t mean that my apartment can’t smell like it! Because my dumbass thought that burning cigarettes out into some of my candles was a good idea, I needed to restock because none of them will light now. But, lucky for me, Michael’s was having a three for ten dollar deal for their fall scented candles. And, at six dollars apiece originally, I just couldn’t pass that deal up! Check it out:

I never quite understood people’s obsession with candles until moving into my apartment. And, now, I can definitely see why because the first thing I do when I get home from work in the evening or have a free afternoon is light one up. There is just something about the soft glow of the flame, the delicious scents, and the general atmosphere that is so relaxing when combined with your quiet time reading a book or watching a movie.

I always thought that giving a candle as a gift was kind of basic but OMG would I love to get all of the candles as prezzies now. But, until gift giving season is upon us, these fall scented delights from Michael’s will do just fine. I like all three fragrances that I picked out but the Butterscotch Spice is divine and I’m looking forward to having it lit on my coffee table as a scary movie plays and the crisp autumn wind howls outside.

What is your favorite fall scent? What is one of your favorite “basic” presents to receive? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr15

Moving On Up: Family Dollar Haul

Posted on April 15, 2019 by lifewithlilred

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Hiya! The discount stores during my shopping hauls for moving have been my most frequented. And, my neck of the woods has a ton of them. Lol, us Akronites are partial to our Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, Dollar General, and Five Below. 😀 But, for good reason. I was able to knock off some items from my “to buy” list for a fraction of what I would have paid at Target or even TJMaxx, ready for when the movers come. Take a looksee:

As I’ve mentioned in a few of my previous posts, the lighting in my apartment sucks on ice. It is really dark in there with not a ton of windows so I’ve been on the prowl for different lamps to brighten things up. I paid twenty bucks for the two lamps seen above, which will be perfect for my office and my bedside table. I also purchased four jumbo candles for five dollars apiece to create a nice glow that will smell really good! Especially the watermelon one – yum!!

And, finally, my storage bench. I have always loved these, but I have not been able to find just the right one so I was really happy to have snagged this one at Family Dollar. I got it for thirty-five dollars, which I consider a steal. I love the fabric and the shiny silver design and the inside storage is actually very deep so I’ll be able to fit a lot my things in there that I can’t quite find a place for. A successful haul, indeed. 😀

What is your favorite discount store? How do you create good lighting? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov4

Dollar Tree Deals

Posted on November 4, 2018 by lifewithlilred

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Hi! We all know that Lil Red loves to shop but, the trick is, is that I am all about the discount stores to save copious amounts of cash while I partake in my favorite hobby. In today’s post, it’s all about the Washingtons, because I began my Christmas shopping early at the Dollar Tree and got six fairly decent sized candles for a dollar apiece. Check it out:

The beauty of discount stores, aside from the immense amount of savings from shopping there, is that no one is the wiser when they receive their presents. I plan on attaching sets of three of the above candles with a festive bow as part of gifts for friends and family and, for all they know, I could have gotten them at Target. Not only is the size of the candles relatively big for a dollar deal but, they smell amazing, too! The Pineapple Upside Down Cake is my favorite and I know that it will be a hit for my giftees. 🙂

What is your favorite discount store? Who has started their holiday shopping already? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Gephardt Daily

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