Tag Archives: comfy

Jan14

Penguin Pajama Party: Isaac Mizrahi Edition

Posted on by
Standard
Penguin Pajama Party: Isaac Mizrahi Edition

Hola! One of my favorite things to treat myself to is pajamas. They are fairly cheap, they’re cute, comfy, and make going to bed even more fun than it already is. TJMaxx always has a wonderful selection of PJs to hit the hay in, including this darling pair of sleep bottoms that I got for TEN BUCKS! Take a look:

pajama1pajama2

One of my favorite animals (Besides for peacocks, dogs, and bunnies!) is the penguin. They are so cute and look so cuddly and I love the way that their little bodies waddle when they walk. So, of course, I had to get these PJ bottoms when I saw them, because nothing is more precious than penguins dressed up in winter accessories!

I love the soft taupe of the background color and I am especially partial to the little guy in the second picture in the bottom left corner who is decked out in a green hat and red scarf. His wittle flippers are out and he looks like he’s having a ball. The penguins in glasses are also pretty adorable, too. They all are! 😀

What is your favorite animal? Who else is an avid pajama lover? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct22

Nipping At Your Nose: Don’t Let The Cold Weather Damage Your Skin!

Posted on by
Standard
Nipping At Your Nose: Don’t Let The Cold Weather Damage Your Skin!

Whether it’s something that you’re happy about or not, there’s no denying that summer is well and truly over and we’re already rushing headlong into those chilly winter months. For some people, this is what they’ve been waiting for all year long. And for others, it’s time to slog through miserable weather until spring finally rolls back around. Either way, there’s one thing that everyone needs to keep in mind: the cold weather can be a real nightmare for your skin. You might have been used to the summertime leaving your skin clear and glowing, but the cold weather can undo all of that if you’re not careful. Here are a few things that you can do to prevent that from happening, even as the weather gets colder and colder:

Find The Right Products:

The kinds of skin products that you use during the summer are often going to be fundamentally different to the ones that you use when it gets colder. In fact, other than sunscreen, you probably will find that you need to put a lot less product on your skin during the warmer periods. However, cold weather can dry out your skin seriously fast, causing all kinds of problems. Check out this page with ranking and reviews of the best retinol creams to see if you can find the best possible options for your skin. Everyone’s skin is different, and you want to make sure that you find something that is properly suited to you.

Dress Warmly:

Even if you’re a big fan of the winter, no one likes being cold, and your skin is no exception. By wrapping up warm, you’re going to make life much easier for your skin. The important thing is to keep your core warm. If you can do that, then your body can focus on keeping your hands, feet, and face at a somewhat comfortable temperature. This is especially important since your face is the only part of your body that is pretty much always exposed to the elements no matter what.

Get Enough Sun:

Of course, the temperature isn’t the only reason that a lot of people’s skin tends to suffer during the winter months. The other reason is simply that they don’t go outside nearly as much. After all, why would you? A walk in the park is a lot less appealing when you end up with frost forming in your eyebrows! However, staying inside all winter can lead you to not getting enough vitamin D. Not only can this have a serious impact on your skin but it can affect your overall health, as well. Make sure that you still take the opportunity to get out into the sun, even if it’s not exactly sunbathing weather. On the coldest, wettest, and most dreary days, you can also try out some light therapy within your warm and dry house. Red light therapy is particularly good for Vitamin D; have a read through of some Platinum Therapy Lights reviews to see how you can get this set up.

No matter what your opinion of the winter is, nothing will change its arrival, so the best thing to do is embrace it. Get your cozy sweaters on, make yourself a cup of cocoa, and curl up by the fire. And even if you really hate it, just remember that spring will be here before you know it!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Oct19

Tiny Living: 3 Home Hacks To Maximize Your Space

Posted on by
Standard
Tiny Living: 3 Home Hacks To Maximize Your Space

There is something genuinely cozy about living in a small apartment – particularly if you live alone! The silence of a big house and its constant shrieks and sighs can’t compare with the snug as a bug in a rug feeling of knowing what’s going on in each and every room; having only one of them makes it a lot more manageable.

Small living can also be frustrating, crowded, and downright messy sometimes, but let’s try not to focus on that! Here are a couple of helpful tips on how to keep it neat and cozy at all times, so that you don’t have to dream about greener pastures quite yet:

#1 Store Things Higher Up:

The more you have on your floor, the more cluttered it will look. You need the little floor space you have, and the apartment will look so much bigger when you manage to keep it as open as possible. Think about those lofted bedroom sets we used to love as children and make use of the same principle. By elevating your sleeping area the same way, you’ll be able to use the floor underneath to create a small dining space, for example, or a reading corner. Maximizing every aspect of space in your small living quarters will increase the overall functionality of your tiny but well loved one bedroom apartment.

#2 Clear Out The Clutter:

Clear away anything that can be stored neatly away somewhere and forgotten about. That countryside kitchen style with all of your utensils and mugs on display isn’t really suitable for tiny apartments, although the look in itself is quite charming. Choose a few knick knacks and place them in the spotlight – the rest needs to go elsewhere.

Pack away all of your summer clothes from your wardrobe, for example, to make room for all of your cold weather layers, and buy a good shoe cabinet so that your snowy boots won’t make a mess of the floor. A cabinet provides you with more surface space, by the way, so you can place some of your ornaments on it if you’ve run out of options and do not have enough shoes to fill it completely. (I would never have that problem!!)

#3 Consider Matryoshkas:

If you want to live in your little home for a long while, it’s a good idea to invest in furniture that is purposely designed to make small living a lot easier. They might cost a bit extra, but you’ll literally be able to buy an all-in-one furniture set that extends into a bed, bookshelf, corner couch, dining table, and even a wardrobe – all of this from one single piece of furniture.

Seems too good to be true? Check it out for yourself and weep tears of joy at the thought of all of the space that you’ll finally be able to use. The same principle is found in simpler versions, as well, in case you don’t need a full dining area and a bed at the same time; opt for a couch that folds into a bed instead and you’ve already saved yourself some space.

Also consider using blinds rather than curtains for your windows to avoid wearing your tiny space down with heavy fabrics and choose glass rather than wood when looking at coffee tables. Light and airy are key terms when you want to maximize your living space and this mindset should extend to all of your pieces of decor.

That studio apartment won’t seem so bad after all once all of the clutter is gone and you’re able to breathe again – it’s at least super quick to clean, if nothing else! 😀

Featured Image By: Pexels

Sep17

Pajama Party: My Calvins Pt. 3 Edition

Posted on by
Standard
Pajama Party: My Calvins Pt. 3 Edition

Hi everyone and happy Sunday! I hope that all of you are having a wonderful and relaxing weekend. As you guys know, one of my major guilty pleasure purchases is pajamas. To me, there is absolutely nothing more luxurious than taking a nice, long bubble bath, snuggling up in some darling PJs, and crawling into bed. It’s a cheap evening in, but it always leaves me going to bed feeling like a million bucks.

There is really no better time for cozy pajama purchasing than the present, because the fall chill has definitely hit Ohio. With that in mind and the whopping twenty dollar price tag from TJMaxx, it was hard to say no to this Calvin Klein shorts and Henley sleep set. Take a look:

ckkk

^^^ Peep that perfectly folded top! Compliments of four years of retail work, baby!

So a shorts and thermal set seems pretty counterproductive for a crisp fall evening, right? WRONG. This set is actually perfect for me, because one of my favorite things in the world is sleeping underneath a mountain of blankets but having the ceiling fan on and the windows wide open. This long sleeved shirt and short set is basically the clothing equivalent of that feeling and it is So. Freaking. Comfy!!!

My pajama collection is admittedly hitting maximum capacity, but one more Calvin Klein set never hurt anyone! Seriously, next time I’m at TJs, remind me not to step foot in the pajama department, because this always happens. Lol, I can’t say that I’m all that mad about it, though! 😉

So there you have it, another Pajama Party: My Calvins Pt. 2 Edition style! What are some of your guilty pleasure purchases? Who else is an avid lover of pajamas? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep13

Cardi Party: Dream On, Kid

Posted on by
Standard
Cardi Party: Dream On, Kid

Hey everyone and happy Hump Day! One brand that I’ve always really liked but never explored to an extent is American Eagle Outfitters. I like their classic style, muted colors, and the fact that their clothes can definitely be viewed as appropriate for a twenty something. Despite an appreciation for the brand, their clothes are just way too expensive for my taste.

Don’t get me wrong, my frugality doesn’t exclude the knowledge that you get what you pay for. But my frugality DOES include the fact that, often times, you can find amazing brands elsewhere for a fraction of the cost. This is why I am a tried and true Maxxinista. TJMaxx is a store that I shopped at from a very young age. I can remember browsing the aisles hand in hand with my mom or grandma when I was little and thinking that it was the most fantastic place on earth – and I still do!

TJMaxx allows me to live out my rich girl fantasy by providing me with brands for purchase that I would never buy in my wildest dreams for full price. TJs dwindles down the cost of clothing, shoes, and accessories to a price that I’m fully comfortable paying. When people ask me where I get my clothes, it makes me proud to say that I get a majority of it from TJMaxx, which proves that I look sharp at a budget price. Check out my latest purchase, which happens to be an American Eagle Outfitters cardi at a TJ’s discount, and let’s discuss:

dreamon2dreamon3dreamon4dreamon5

It has been a long, long time since I stepped foot in a mall. And when I do, it’s rarely for myself, but for gift shopping during the holiday season. But, even then, I still prefer to do my shopping elsewhere. However, when I do find myself in the mall, I like to take my time, look around, guffaw at costly price tags, and take note of the things I like for when I do my bargain shopping later.

This adorable, prep school style AEO cardi cost me THIRTEEN DOLLARS, and I know for a fact that it would have been at least fifty had I bought it at the mall. Somehow, this made my new cardigan appear even cuter to me! It has been a good, long while since I bought myself a new cardi – probably back in 2014, actually, when I was still working at PacSun and got a nice employee discount.

I love the cardigans that I do have because they’re older, but I can’t help feeling like everyone and their brother will have the cardigans that are in store right now. And if there’s one thing that I hate, it’s feeling like a million other people have what I’m buying. This is why I usually shy away from purchasing a cardigan, but go for something like a cool jacket or comfy chic sweaters, instead.

However, this AEO cardigan was too cute to pass up. It features my three favorite colors – black, red, and white and it’s SO comfy. I normally don’t dress for comfort, but there’s nothing better than wrapping yourself up in a nice, cozy cardigan to combat the autumn chill. And, of course, the “Keep On Dreamin'” embroidered back made me smile.

If you must know, I was totally “sadness shopping” after a rough day full of questioning myself and just not feeling good in my skin. The sweet, inspirational surprise on the back of this cardi made me happy and it felt like a message from the shopping gods telling me that I’m going to be okay. You can’t beat finding something totally adorable, affordable, and confidence boosting on a really blah day. Needless to say, it was a total TJMaxx cardi party!

So there you have it, my recent Cardi Party: Dream On, Kid! What is a purchase that you made recently that made you smile? How do you ball on a budget? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Taqplayer

Aug30

A Tale Of Two Scarves

Posted on by
Standard
A Tale Of Two Scarves

Hi everyone and welcome to an ode to one of the it staples in every girl’s fall wardrobe – scarves! This piece is written by my friend, Embery, over at Cozy And Sage and I just know that all of you are going to love it. Please be sure to check out Embery’s blog for more if you enjoyed her post for my Falling For Fall series! Take a look:

A Tale Of Two Scarves

Scarves have always reminded me of fall. The cool crispness of the air and the snuggly warmth of a well-worn stole under my chin as I sip a warm caffeinated beverage and watch the autumn breeze play with the falling leaves is my ultimate pastime. Scarves work just as well for me in the office as they do out on the town. I always feel like I (hopefully) look not only a bit more sophisticated, but perhaps also a bit more prepared for the day enveloped in a proper scarf.

Every scarf that I own seems to have some sort of narrative attached to it, a little snippet of my life that is evoked every time I pull it from my closet. These are two of them:

 The Paris Scarf

My scarf obsession was born on an overseas trip to Paris almost a decade ago now. This burgundy and green darling emerged from the hustle and bustle of the shopping scene along the Seine as my very first scarf purchase. Desperately attempting to fit into Parisienne life, I purchased several stoles while I was there and wore them with gusto about the city during that September. In many ways, my very intentional nod to French fashion paid off, and I was often accepted as a local, initially. Of course, my obvious accent and my clearly American quirks gave me away almost immediately after I opened my mouth, but I found the people there to be quite forgiving. At least I felt more French draped in my new acquisition.

This “Paris” scarf, as my husband and I now refer to it, has accompanied me to many days at work, as well as countless trips to local coffee houses in pursuit of something (or anything) containing pumpkin and nutmeg. Whenever I wear it, I am reminded of those chilly fall days in Paris, seeking out coffee and Cȏtes du Rhȏne. This particular scarf is a polyester blend, I believe (although it did not come with a tag) and wears lightly, yet quite warmly, perfect for the cooler months. I generally wear it looped around my neck twice, sometimes twisted just a little, and then add a simple knot.

The Professional Look

My next scarf investment came years later from Macy’s at a time when I had finished school and was just becoming comfortable in my career. After years of studying and working in the trenches as an intern, I was finally beginning to grasp what being a professional meant. Rather than toiling away, working based off of other’s scientific decisions, I was at last making my own. After surviving the gauntlet of my internship, I was consequently being seen as an expert in my own right, rather than a lackey. To this day, I feel more scholarly and a little more erudite (optimistically, I realize) when I adorn myself with this piece.

Although the color is not particularly fall-ish, this scarf wears much too warmly for spring and is definitely a cold weather staple for me, as most of my wardrobe gravitates towards blues, browns, and black. This is an infinity style-scarf from Calvin Klein and is 100% acrylic. This one layers beautifully over light sweaters as well as long sleeve t-shirts. At times, this scarf can feel a bit bulky and occasionally I will use a pin or broach to keep it closer to the body and prevent it from interfering with my favorite fall beverage. I like to wear this one a bit twisted, as well, as it tends to keep the look slightly crisper and cleaner.

These scarves are still in my rotation, and every autumn when I pull them from their summer sleeping area, I am reminded vividly of these times in my life. Every scarf of mine bears a story, and these have been two of them. I hope you have enjoyed my post and thanks so much to Sarah for the opportunity to share it here! (You’re welcome! -Sarah)

Stay cozy! 🙂

Many thanks to Embery of Cozy And Sage for sharing her Tale Of Two Scarves with us! How do you style scarves into your outfit? What color is your favorite scarf? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug16

Pajama Party: My Calvins Pt. 2 Edition

Posted on by
Standard
Pajama Party: My Calvins Pt. 2 Edition

Hi everyone and happy Hump Day!! I would by no means say that I care deeply about designer clothing and accessories. A majority of my shopping is done at Target, TJMaxx, and Forever 21 and I’m extremely okay with that. However, we all have our favorite high end designers that we love to ogle over. Myself, for example? I love Michael Kors shoes. I adore Kate Spade and Betsey Johnson accessories. And, I also can’t get enough of Calvin Klein everything!

I would never ever pay full price for any of the designer goods that I listed above, but I definitely am inclined to make a purchase if I see any of their duds at TJMaxx. I’ve gotten gorgeous Michael Kors booties, darling Betsey Johnson jewelry, and sweet Kate Spade accessories for a fraction of their original price tag. However, my past two times at TJs has resulted in Calvin Klein sleepwear that I’m simply obsessed with, including these new pajama pants that I purchased this weekend:

ck3

  • Original Price: $42
  • TJMaxx Price: $15

I genuinely love pajamas and I’ve accumulated a collection this year that I am very happy with. To me, there is nothing better than slipping into a sweet nightie or a cozy flannel top and pants set and crawling into bed. It’s such a simple pleasure but, to me, it feels luxurious and I am all about a ballin on a budget life of luxury. And to think that up until now I was literally just sleeping in unwanted, god knows how old t-shirts!

I was so excited about these pajama pants because I had recently purchased the matching pair of boxers, which I love! They also had a nightie in this pattern that I shied away from because I didn’t much care for the shape. These pajama bottoms look cool and comfortable and I can’t wait to wear them during a chilly fall night while tucked under a million blankets.

What I love the most about these sleep pants is the feeling of “treating myself” that I got when I made the purchase. You would be a fool to spend over forty bucks on a pair of pajama bottoms. But fifteen? I can swing that! I get to hit the hay in one of my favorite designer’s sleepwear and it feels kind of naughty and absurd. But the fact that I got it for an amazing price makes the feeling of almost foolishness that comes with the territory of sleeping in designer duds totally guilt free and a whole lot of fun.

treatyoself_main01

So there you have it, Lil Red’s Pajama Party: My Calvins Pt. 2 Edition! How do you treat yourself? Who is your favorite high end designer? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul25

Pajama Party: My Calvins Edition

Posted on by
Standard
Pajama Party: My Calvins Edition

Hiii everyone and happy Tuesday! A brand that I admire from afar but would never purchase for myself is Calvin Klein. The chic, all American designs, the crisp and put together approach to their styling – I just love it. Unfortunately, my ballin on a budget lifestyle doesn’t allow for such designer spending – but that doesn’t mean that I can’t snag some darling CK sleep shorties at TJMaxx for a fraction of the cost! Take a look and let’s discuss:

ckck2ck1

The original price tag on the above short set was SEVENTY-TWO DOLLARS and I snagged them both for a phat twenty bucks! I absolutely love, love, love sleepwear. Nighties, pajama sets, sleep T’s, and shorts – I’m a huge fan. These Calvin Klein boxer style shorties are completely perfect for beating the summer heat with a huge T-shirt while lounging around before bed.

I’ve had my new shorties for a whole two days and am already so obsessed that I had to check the TJs website to see if they have them in any other colors. These sleep shorts are SO comfortable, breathable, and totally freaking adorable! And it does feel nice wearing Calvin Klein anything, even if it is just to bed! You can’t beat paying twenty dollars for a short set that costed over seventy smackers, that’s for sure. Another added bonus, is constantly thinking about Kate McKinnon’s glorious mock Calvin Klein ad on Saturday Night Live as Justin Bieber. #DYING

(And as always, I have no rights to this video!)

I might not be able to sport Calvin Klein on the daily, but at least I can break out my branded shorties every Pajama Party chance I get! How do you rock designer brands on a budget? What are some high end designers that you lust after? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May1

Dream On! Advice To Send You To Sleep

Posted on by
Standard
Dream On! Advice To Send You To Sleep

It is amazing the difference that a good night’s sleep can make to your physical and mental well-being. Unfortunately, in today’s fast paced world, this is something that is becoming more and more elusive for many of us. In between jobs, hobbies, time with friends, and family commitments, getting your eight hours a night is something that can easily seem like it is just out of reach. Getting yourself into good nightly habits can really make all of the difference when it comes to drifting off. Here are a few techniques that you can try out to help you get the sleep that your body and mind is craving:

Stay on a Sleep Schedule: Getting your body to adapt to a sleep schedule can make a huge difference when it comes to nodding off quickly. Try to keep to your schedule as much as possible on weekends, holidays, and days off as well. This consistency plays a big part in reinforcing a strong sleep-wake cycle. You should establish a nightly routine that helps your body become naturally ready for sleep. Whether this involves yoga, meditation, or reading a chapter of a book, find an activity that works well for you and stick to it.

Watch What You Eat and Drink: Going to bed when you are either hungry or full can make it much more difficult to fall asleep. Try to eat a good meal at least a couple of hours before you go to bed so that you are comfortable. Also, try and limit how much you drink so that you don’t disrupt your sleep by having to get up and use the restroom. You should also try to avoid nicotine, caffeine, and alcohol, which can all disrupt the quality of your sleep.

Create a Comfortable Sleeping Environment: For most people, a room that is cool, dark, and quiet is the best kind of sleeping environment. Light blankets and a couple of fans is the best way to keep cool during the summer months. If you find that too much light it seeping into your room at night, you could try a blackout blind. As for quiet, try sleeping with earplugs in to block out any background noise (like your partner’s obnoxious TV shows!). If you are looking for comfortable bedding, Plumeria Bay specializes in a range of items. Keeping your sheets fresh and clean can help you drift off into a perfectly comfortable la la land.

dreamon1

La la la la la la la la SHEETS OF EGYPTIAN COTTON!!

Manage Your Stress Levels: If you find that you have too much on your mind, this can make it much more difficult to fall asleep at night. Try to set some time aside every day to reduce your stress levels. Focusing your mind on a hobby, physical activity, or breathing exercises can help to take your mind off of what is causing you anxiety. Another activity that has been found to have results is writing down what is on your mind before you go to bed. You will be able to deal with these things the next day rather than worrying about them at night when you can’t do anything about evil coworkers or the following day’s to do list.

Follow these tips, catch some Z’s, and dream on!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Apr7

Making Your Home Comfortable Doesn’t Need To Break The Bank!

Posted on by
Standard

When people think about a really comfortable home, they often assume that it’s the kind of thing that can only be achieved through spending large amounts of money. That to get the most comfortable, relaxing, luxurious atmosphere possible, you need to fork out the kind of cash that most of us would usually prefer to spend on things like food and paying off bills.

Of course, that’s completely ridiculous! In fact, the idea that you have to pay out the nose to do anything to your home is something that a lot of people really need to get past. Aside from big projects like extensions or knocking down walls, there are creative, thrifty, DIY solutions for pretty much anything in your home. So here are a few simple, easy, and cheap ways to make your home as comfortable as possible without breaking the bank:

Get Creative With Light: It’s strange that people tend to forget about the importance of lighting since the way that you light your home can make a lot of difference to the way that it feels overall. A poorly lit home can feel far smaller and more cramped than it really is whereas using too much cold light has a tendency to make things feel a little clinical and impersonal. Natural light is always your best bet for creating a warm, comfortable atmosphere but when the sun goes down why not think about things like trailing fairy lights along the walls or mixing and matching different lamps throughout a room? There’s no real limit to how creative you can get with light so just experiment and see what works for you.

comfort

Love fairy lights!

Beat The Heat With A Portable A/C: There’s nothing worse that being unable to stay cool on a really hot day. A lot of the time the solution is to simply get outside in the fresh air and find some shade, but sometimes you’re either stuck in the house, or it’s simply too hot to expose yourself to the sunshine. When that happens, it’s important to try and keep the temperature in your home as low as possible. Things like fans are good but they often just move the air around. A portable A/C is a great, affordable way of making a room instantly more comfortable. There are plenty of portable A/C units for pretty much any budget that you can find at CoolAndPortable.com. This isn’t something that you’ll want to use all of the time, but you’ll be grateful for it when you’re stuck at home, sweating like a pig!

There’s No Such Thing As Too Many Cushions: Seriously. This one pretty much explains itself! People might try to tell you that there is such a thing as too many cushions, but they’re wrong, and they don’t know what they’re talking about. Cushions can turn even the plainest room into somewhere pleasant and cozy. They can make sofas and beds more luxurious and they can make even the hardest chairs more comfortable. Seriously, just get cushions, as many as you can. You’ll never have enough. Ever.

comfort1

SO. Comfy!!

Use Your Other Senses, Too: When people talk about improving your home they almost always just talk about them in terms of one sense: sight. But, it’s important to remember that you experience your home with more than just that one sense. Your sense of smell is a major factor in how it feels to enter any room. Why not get some nice smells floating around the house? Of course, the best way to do that is with some plants and flowers, but there are plenty of scented plugins that can make your home smell fresh and inviting. Switch it up every so often, too, because it’s incredibly easy to end up getting so used to a particular smell that you simply fail to notice it anymore. By changing it up every now and then, you’ll be able to step into your home and be greeted by a pleasant fresh scent every time.

There are dozens, maybe even hundreds, of different ways to make your home feel more comfortable, inviting, and luxurious but hopefully this list has shown that it’s possible to create the kind of home that you’ll never want to leave without having to empty your savings account. Of course, if you want to do something a little more drastic then you’re probably going to have to pay for it, but it’s important to know that there are other options available to you for a quick but effective spruce up of your home!