Tag Archives: enjoy

Jul29

Comfort Food

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Comfort Food

Hellooo everyone! When I’m in the mood for it, I love to cook. But, that is something that I really haven’t done in a while, opting for quick hunger fixes like sandwiches, eggs, cereal, and mac n cheese (of course!). I’ve wanted to make some more fulfilling meals for a while now but haven’t felt up to it. However, the bad bitch is back (lol) and I spent Sunday morning cooking up a pasta salad that will feed me for the week as well as some carrots with a butter glaze and rosemary. Check it out:

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When I go grocery shopping, I try to buy a lot of fresh veggies to eat with hummus as a snack. It’s important to me not to be wasteful so I really do try to eat absolutely everything that I buy before hitting the grocery again. In my fridge, I had a bag of baby carrots and some lovely little cherry tomatoes that had been sitting there for a while so I decided to make some simple culinary magic happen with the ingredients that I had in my fridge and pantry.

I enjoyed my cooking time so much because I feel like I haven’t made a substantial meal since moving into my apartment and it felt good to create something delicious for myself. Self care includes eating good food and I’m hoping that my mental health will improve while I work my way through the pot of pasta salad that I made all by myself.

Here is the makeshift recipe I created for the salad if you’d like to try it out for yourself. I know I’m partial to it because I made it but it is such a nice, light pasta salad perfect for summer!

  • 1 box bowtie pasta
  • 2 small jars of artichoke, pour it all in (liquid included!)
  • 1 container cherry tomatoes
  • Large chunks of mozzarella cheese
  • Parmesan cheese sprinkled over top
  • Seasoned with: Salt, pepper, basil, parsley, and oregano

And, for the carrots, I cooked them up, let them cook some more in butter, and then seasoned with salt, pepper, and rosemary.

I hope you enjoy my hodge podge pasta salad as much as I did and feel free to add your own twist onto it! 😀

What is your favorite dish to cook? What kind of food do you love to eat in the summer time? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul20

Groovy Movies: Crawl Edition

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Groovy Movies: Crawl Edition

Howdy! This past week, I took one of my clients to see a new creature horror movie called Crawl. Normally, I am not big on the flicks with giant animals terrorizing people, but this one was highly entertaining, super suspenseful, short and sweet, and the actors weren’t half bad, either. Take a look at the trailer and then read on to find out my rating for this new release:

^^^ And, as always, I have no rights to this video.

Long story short, a hella hurricane is happening in Florida and when swim star, Hayley, has heard nothing from her dad, she ventures to their old home to investigate. He is nowhere to be found inside of the house but the family dog, Sugar, leads her to the crawl space beneath, which she begrudgingly goes into.

After some searching in the claustrophobic bottom layer of the house, Hayley finds her dad severely injured with an alligator bite to the shoulder and leg compliments of the one that entered the premises through a flooded drain pipe. And, to make matters worse, there’s not one but two of them. And, to make matters worse AGAIN, the crawl space is beginning to fill with water thanks to the major hurricane happening. So, their options are to drown or figure a way out despite the massive gators making home there…

And save the dog, of course.

Like I said earlier, these types of movies are normally not my cup of tea. But, I thought that Crawl was an absolute HOOT. It was a really fun watch and the suspense was nonstop thanks to a combination of things like the close quarters of the crawl space, the flood waters steadily rising, and oh yeah – the big ass alligators. I also liked how this movie was relatively short at an hour and a half because it moved quickly and made the anticipation of the flood waters rising feel even more desperate.

Hayley and her dad were also both very likeable and I found myself rooting for them and their safety the entire movie. So, whenever a setback would happen or a plan didn’t work, it definitely felt like a major blow. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this movie and I would give it a seven out of ten. It was a great summer flick to see in theaters and I would for sure recommend it!

Who else has seen Crawl? What were your thoughts on it? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: AMC Theaters

Jul11

Activities To Help You Unwind After Your Wedding Day

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Activities To Help You Unwind After Your Wedding Day

Weddings are truly busy and stressful, considering what the couple has to go through just to make sure that one special day goes smoothly. But after all that is done and the vows have been accepted, you as a couple deserve to have your own time and moments together to enjoy the finer things in life as husband and wife. Sure, there’s the mandatory honeymoon, but there’s much more you can do that will surely help your mind and body recover from all the stress and strain of wedding preparations:

Relax and Unwind:

It goes without saying that you need to rest your body first since you have a whole life ahead of you. All that time and effort looking for suppliers and managing the event to make sure that it all goes well can give you a lot of stress. After the wedding is your opportunity to enjoy your well-deserved relaxation time.

There are many possibilities on what you can do, such as get a facial treatment in Manila, go to a beach or resort, or go enjoy the beauty of nature by hiking or mountain climbing. These will surely help you to relax and enjoy quality time with your new spouse.

Reap the Benefits:

One of the things that you’ll get from your wedding is gifts and lots of them. These presents are oftentimes given to help the bride and groom with their start on married life. Home appliances are common choices and are very helpful because you won’t need to go shopping for them.

Some people also gift their newly married friends and relatives with discount vouchers or tickets for them to use on a cruise or a fancy restaurant. Don’t hesitate to use them, especially if they have expiration dates. These presents are meant for you to enjoy and use to your advantage as the married life will present you with new challenges every single day.

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Go on Get-Togethers:

You’ve only just accomplished a monumental event in your life that was full of hectic plans and schedules, so you may think that it’s best not to go out for a while. However, your family and friends are still part of your life, and you’ll need all the help you can get from them. The occasional get-together will be good for letting them know how well you’re doing after the nuptials as well as strengthen the bond between in-laws. You can do it either at home or in places such as restaurants or hotels.

Living the married life will surely put a lot on your plate, may it be good or bad. But what’s important is for you to focus on what’s positive and expect to face the bad times together with your partner. Your relationship doesn’t end once the wedding day is over; instead, it’s the start of a lifelong journey with the best partner in life you’ll ever have. So, take the time to relish that moment and unwind!

Jul4

July 2019 Funky Time Jams

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July 2019 Funky Time Jams

Helloooo everyone and welcome to a fabulous new month here on lifewithlilred! Besides from my birthday, June was a real pisser of a month thanks to cutting ties with my boyfriend. So, all girl power anthems and songs that are just pure fun to get myself back to singing in the car was the name of the game. And, here we are in July feeling oh so much better! Take a listen:

^^^ And, as always, I have no rights to these songs or videos.

Whenever I’m feeling sad, it’s so important for me to not wallow in it because then all I want to do is get back into bad habits. And, that’s the last thing I want to do. So, if that means singing at the top of my lungs to Barbie Girl in my car needs to happen, then so be it. I drive so much for my job, which either gives myself time to think and be sad or have a singalong and start smiling again.

I’m proud of myself, because I chose the latter, and the songs above helped me to perk up big time. Truth Hurts by Lizzo has been my go to feel good song as of late. It just makes me feel happy – I love her confidence and her voice and as soon as it comes on the radio I can feel my mood improving. Definitely a song I can play on repeat and not grow tired of – which makes it a winner!

What are your go to songs to play when you’re feeling sad? How do you improve your mood during a rough day? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun26

Bath Bomb Blitz: Lush’s Marshmallow World Edition

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Bath Bomb Blitz: Lush’s Marshmallow World Edition

Hi! To conclude my work week this past Friday, I enjoyed a glass of wine, a bath with a Lush bath bomb, and the sixth installment of Saw as I am marathoning the movies. Last week was filled with break up bullshit and I was left feeling pretty down and out, so it was so nice to be able to have an evening just for me filled with things that I like to keep my mind occupied.

I got to use up the last of my bath bomb birthday treats from the darling Kate at Live In The Nautical and I think that I saved the best for last! Marshmallow World was an absolute delight and it certainly offered a jolly good show in my mustard yellow bathtub fresh out of the 1970s, lol. Take a looksee:

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What I really like is when bath bombs have a lot of movement to them and Marshmallow World definitely had that. As soon as I dropped it in the tub, it began shooting all over the place leaving swirling paths of pink and cream in its tracks. And, as the bath bomb got closer to fizzing out, it cracked in half and made the yellow incorporated in it look like two shooting stars. I loved it!

The soft pink, lavender, pale yellow, and cream made for a dreamy palette and the bath water felt rich and moisturizing. It felt so good to take a long soak in the tub, because the colors were really calming. For the first time in all of last week, I actually felt relaxed and somewhat okay and that was a treat in itself.

I would give Marshmallow World an eight out of ten. It was fun to watch, it made me happy to use, and it gave me the R&R that I so desperately needed. This bath bomb would make an awesome gift and I couldn’t imagine anyone not liking it!

How do you unwind after a hard day? Which bath and body products do you use to help you relax? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun21

Bath Bomb Blitz: Lush’s Goldrush Edition

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Bath Bomb Blitz: Lush’s Goldrush Edition

Hellooo everyone! This past week, I enjoyed taking a soak with a bath bomb from Lush called Goldrush. Giving the ultimate mermaid experience with gorgeous turquoise water and glitter for dayz, this bath bomb was a definite hit. Take a look at some pics and let’s discuss:

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Although Goldrush was small, it was a mighty little bath bomb. The blue power ball was really pigmented, which I was so happy about. Sometimes the smaller bath bombs just tint the water and that’s always disappointing. About halfway through the bomb fizzing out, the glitter started coming from the core and it just didn’t stop! It made for a bath that was perfectly lux and oh so pampering.

Goldrush was a very solid bath bomb overall and it would be a great one to gift to someone or just for yourself! I give it a 7.5 out of 10.

Do you prefer bath bombs or bubble bath? What is your favorite color for your bath water? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

PS: Special thanks to Kate from Live In The Nautical for this treat! ❤

PPS: Sorry this post is a bit lackluster – I am writing it with a horrible hangover. #justbeinghonest #whoops

Jun18

Galaxy Wine Glass Craft

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Galaxy Wine Glass Craft

Howdy! I end up at one of the many local libraries with my clients several times per month, because there are always fun activities being held that are completely free to the public. From crafts and record clubs to murder mystery games and movie nights, there is a program suited for everyone’s interests. This past week, I took one of my clients to a craft activity at the library where we painted our own galaxy themed wine glasses. Here are the results for mine:

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Needless to say, ours definitely didn’t turn out like the amazing examples seen above. But, it was sure fun, nonetheless. The library provided everything for this event and all I had to do was register myself and my client and show up. The librarian purchased the wine glasses from the Dollar Tree and the acrylic paints and brushes from Michael’s for a budget friendly craft.

The glasses were pre-painted by the librarian so that we were just able to decorate and she said that there were three coats of black paint on the glass. We then used outer space inspired colors like blues, purples, and reds to create our own little galaxy. The glasses can be baked in the oven to preserve the paint if you intend on drinking out of it. But, do remember to put the glass in the oven as soon as you turn it on so it gradually gets used to the heat and doesn’t shatter!

I plan on using my glass strictly for decor. It’s not perfect, by any means. But, my client and I had a blast making them and it was a craft that can easily be replicated at home if anyone is interested in giving it a try. 🙂

How do you get crafty? What kind of programs are held at your local library? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun11

Four Fantastic Reasons To Take Up Crafting

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Four Fantastic Reasons To Take Up Crafting

If you’re in the market for a relaxing activity that promises endless hours of fun and satisfaction, you should definitely consider crafting. Why? If the four reasons below don’t convince you, trying your hand at something crafty certainly will. Next time you’ve got some time on your hands, do yourself a favor and give crafting a try:

Curiosity:

One thing that defines all crafty folk is curiosity. You get a kick out of working out how to go about creating something out of its component parts, and it’s not just the intellectual knowledge you hunger for, but the experience. If you’re naturally curious, crafting offers endless opportunities to discover new processes, get your head around intricate designs, and get to grips with different materials. Whether you’re into embroidery or woodwork, once you get started, you’ll discover an endless world of complexity to uncover for yourself.

Be a Gifting Goddess:

Everyone has that friend who reliably produces the most jaw-dropping gifts, which they then reveal were made by hand! With a little crafting expertise, you can be a gifting goddess too. No matter what area of crafting you’re into, chances are you’ll be able to whip up a gift for someone special. If you’re into knitting, woolen gifts always go down as a treat (even the once cringe-worthy Christmas jumper is having a revival these days!). Or, if you’re a baker or cook, why not gift a batch of homemade cookies or a tasty jar of preserves? If you’re new to your craft and are not quite up for full-on gift production, consider other crafty ways to personalize your shop-bought gifts. You could make your own cards, or invest in a punch board and create your own personalized gift bags.

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Photo by Kaboompics .com from Pexels

Crafters Are Forever Young:

Who says old dogs can’t learn new tricks? Research has consistently demonstrated that taking up new habits can have a positive impact on the sharpness and adaptability of your mind. Learning new things creates brand-new neural pathways, which work against the natural deterioration of the brain that comes with age. While it doesn’t matter what new things you do, crafts are a great choice because you’re unlikely to get bored with an endless array of new techniques and skills waiting to be mastered.

New Communities:

While crafting can be a rewarding solitary activity, crafters should be aware of the danger of becoming reclusive. If you’re looking for ways to get out there more, getting into a new craft will open up new worlds for you, socially. Learning from others is the best excuse to meet people, and a quick glance online will give you a sense of the local crafting communities available. Even if there are no craft events coming up, you’ll find a thriving online community sharing tips and inspiration, so there’s no need to feel alone. Crafters can be a shy tribe but remember: there are no strangers out there… only friends you haven’t met yet.

Whatever your reasons for taking up crafting, don’t forget the most important benefit of all: crafting simply makes you feel good! Who cares how good your results are. What matters is that you’re enjoying yourself. 🙂

Featured Image By: Jasmin Schreiber on Unsplash

Jun4

Lil Red Loves: Ma Edition

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Lil Red Loves: Ma Edition

Helloo! This past week, I took one of my clients to see Ma. She is my scary movie girl and we always go to the latest showings together at the theaters. It’s a blast! Ever since seeing the trailer for Ma for the past few months, we have been looking forward to going. And, it definitely didn’t disappoint. We both left the theater speechless aside from agreeing that we both loved it.

^^^ And, as always, I have no rights to this video.

Boasting an all star cast of Octavia Spencer, Juliette Lewis, Allison Janney, and Missi Pyle along with the main young actors who all did a bang up job, Ma was filled with shockers from start to finish. Ma tells the story of a lonely middle aged woman with a traumatic past who finds her niche with a group of teens after buying them booze at a convenience store. But, what originally seems innocent enough takes a dark turn into obsession really quickly.

Is Ma just on the hunt for friends or on the trail for revenge? Full of jaw dropping horror gags and a shocking, heartbreaking grand reveal, Ma is definitely worth the watch. It wasn’t so much blood and guts horror as it was stomach churning unfortunate-ness and suspense. So, if you’re up for a night at the movies seeing a flick that was outrageously cringe worthy but a whole lot of fun with the dark humor peppered in, then get your tickets for Ma ASAP!

What is the last movie you saw in theaters? What were your thoughts on Ma? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Ma Movie

May30

Dining Delights: Enjoy Food With Friends This Summer!

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Dining Delights: Enjoy Food With Friends This Summer!

Summer is a time for making memories. With the nice weather and longer days, we’re all in a happier mood and ready to socialize. And, one of the best ways to get everyone together is with food. Sharing a meal is a great way to connect with your loved ones and it’s tons of fun. Check out the following ideas for food friendly events this summer:

Barbecue:

Everyone loves a good barbecue. So, if you want to get everyone together on a hot day? Fire up the grill! Dust off your old barbecue and contact some propane companies to find the best price on gas. Purchase some meat and vegetables to grill and make burgers, hot dogs, chicken, steaks, ribs, and skewers. If you want to keep the drinks flowing all day, you could mix up a cocktail in a large dispenser along with some fruit slices and herbs and guests can help themselves to the ready mixed drink with no messing around. Have plenty of ice in the freezer that they can pop into their glass so each drink is perfectly chilled.

No master chef is complete without a perfect grill to barbecue on! You will want to explore your options to make sure that the grill you choose has all of the features you are looking for. Some grills are more basic while others have all the bells and whistles. You can browse websites like www.bedsbbq.co.uk to start getting inspiration for your dream grill. Summer will be here before we know it!

Picnic:

If you have friends and family scattered across different places, why not choose a scenic park in a relatively central location to all of you and have a picnic? If everyone brings a selection of different foods, you’ll all have plenty to share. Pinterest has lots of recipe ideas for interesting sandwiches, pastries, salads, and sweet treats so it doesn’t have to be all of the same kind of stuff! It’s a nice way to spend time outdoors and it’s not especially expensive, either. Check out if the place you want to picnic in has car parking charges or entry fees ahead of time for complete convenience.

Afternoon tea:

More fancy than a picnic and something you can do from your own home is an afternoon tea. Decorate your garden table in a pretty tablecloth and some flowers in mason jars and serve finger sandwiches, dainty pastries, cakes on tiered stands, and tea in mismatched china cups. Perfect for a celebration (just add a bottle of champagne or prosecco!) or just a girls afternoon spent together.

Restaurant:

Lots of restaurants are particularly great over the warmer months. Find somewhere that has an outdoor area where you can meet with your friends and enjoy food and drinks. While restaurants and eateries can be expensive, check sites like Groupon for deals to save money and also the website of the venue. Some places will have special offers on certain days. If you’re looking to save money, skip the starters (restaurant mains are so large you really don’t need them anyway!) and pass on the alcohol. You can always enjoy a few drinks at home afterwards which will be way cheaper than buying while you’re out. Stick to water and soft drinks and you’ll save significantly on your bill.

While passing on drinks can save some moolah, breweries and wineries can be such fun to visit, sip, and nosh at. It could even become a tradition to find a new one during each outing or plan a weekend trip based around it. A visit to somewhere like this Beer Hall Denver could offer a lively atmosphere, great food, and a wide selection of brews to enjoy. Explore and find the best options for you and your crew.

For an exciting restaurant experience, you might want to find a spot with entertainment. This could include bar trivia, bands playing, or even sushi and Sumo at a restaurant like Tokyo Nights. Plenty of restaurants also host paint nights, speed dating, and karaoke. This is a chance for you and your friends to break out of the norm and have a blast with something brand new!

Use the tips above to plan a lovely afternoon outing for your friends and family – just make sure they all come on an empty stomach!

Featured Image By: Pexels