Tag Archives: essentials

Fashion Staples Everyone Should Own

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Fashion Staples Everyone Should Own

Fashion staples are those timeless pieces that people have found useful to have in their wardrobe over and over again. These are the kind of clothes that let us dress for the occasion, the weather, and for our own sense of comfort and confidence. Here are the fashion staples every person should have in their collection. You never know where you might be invited or what your professional role might require you to wear, and these garments will see you through:

How many simple, casual, and plain tees do you own? One or two? Maybe ten or twenty? If it’s the latter, you can certainly skip this step! But if you’re the kind of person who finds these types of t-shirts boring and useless, you’ll still want to have some in your wardrobe. There will be occasions where you need them, and other tops won’t fit the bill. No matter what your personal preference is, it’s best to have two to three simple and casual tees in your wardrobe. They can be worn to compliment a bold patterned piece or you can elevate them to fit your personal style with accessories.

Additionally, to ensure your t-shirt has the right fit, you can check out these t shirts for some inspiration if you’re taller, as they’re specifically designed for tall men with extra length in the torso and sleeves to ensure a proper fit without riding up or feeling too short. Note the neutral shades that are featured as these will go with anything you pair them with. 

Jeans are wonderfully versatile clothing. You can wear them to most things, including work. However, they’re not always going to be appropriate. Sometimes you will need other sets of bottoms, whether it’s a pair of slacks, some cargo trousers, or capris. Even if you don’t wear trousers of any kind very often, these staples will still need to be on your shelves or hangers. Aside from jeans, make sure you’ve got at least two other types of bottom options in your wardrobe. You can have as many jeans as you like, in as many shades of denim as you fancy! Just leave some room for a few spare pieces you can fall back to when jeans won’t cut it.

A classic blouse or button down shirt and a good blazer are the perfect kind of corporate wear that’s good for turning up to work in. They don’t have to be plain either, if you don’t want them to be. We would recommend having a plain white shirt or blouse hanging up though, just in case you do need a basic like this when you’re first starting a job. As for the blazer, make sure you can comfortably button it and wear it round. Be sure to double check in the mirror how it creases around you as you move. We’ve all been in a scenario where we’ve had a blazer on and needed to lift our arms above our head, only for the lapels to stay there when we bring them back down!

When you own a cocktail dress and/or a suit or two, you’ve always got something quite fancy but not too over the top to wear. Now the next time you’re invited out to a dinner with some co-workers, you won’t have to turn them down simply because you’re not sure what to put on. Cocktail dresses and suits are usually considered to be ‘semi formal’ wear and they’re still sleek and stylish enough for most upmarket events. Indeed, you could even attend award shows and red carpets in these garments! But unless you’ve got the next Oscars firmly booked in your calendar, we recommend reserving them for more professional events and serious occasions.

When you have two sets of each, you’ll have a pair of shoes that will be appropriate no matter where you need to go. And trust us when we say that you cannot operate with just either alone. You need both parts of the shoe world on your side. It’s why you’ll want the smart shoes to be different styles from each other. A set of heels that can go with any outfit, for example, alongside a pair of flatter shoes that wouldn’t look out of place on the office floor. And then we come to the trainers. Unlike the smart shoes, you’ll want these to be the most comfortable, well-shaped trainers you can find. Once you’ve found your soul-pair, buy them in double! You’ll be wearing these more than the smart shoes, so you’re going to need a backup pair just in case.

Finally, no one should have a wardrobe that doesn’t have at least one long coat tucked away to the side. This is your traditional bit of outerwear that’s perfect for dreary and wet days, usually in the autumn, early winter, and sometimes in the spring. A coat like this will usually take the form of a trench coat, but you can go a bit fluffier and fancier here if you like. Whatever your style, there’s going to be a long form coat out there for you! As long as it’s down to your knees at the least, you’ll have a reliable overcoat to pop on for the days when you need a bit of weatherproofing all over but don’t want something too heavy.

With these classic staples in your wardrobe, you will be able to dress to impress for any occasion!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Simple Summer OOTD

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Simple Summer OOTD

Howdy everyone and welcome to a brand new OOTD here on lifewithlilred! Today we are going to take a look at a Simple Summer outfit I wore to cheer on Akron’s beloved minor league baseball team, the Rubberducks. My core four crew and I went to a game in April and had the absolute best time. It was, however, cold AF and we left early because we were all freezing our nads off. This time around was simply perfect. It wasn’t too hot or too cold – just right for a baseball game! I wasn’t trying to pull out the fashion stops for this outing, rather something simple and sweet. My boys and I get rowdy at the games and I wanted to be as comfortable as possible while constantly getting up on my feet and rooting for the home team. 😀 Check it out:

Tank Top: Rachel Zoe, TJMaxx

Jean Shorts: American Eagle Outfitters

Candy Button Platforms: B.A.I.T., Unique Vintage

Hoop Earrings: SugarFix By BaubleBar, Target

Sunglasses: Lucky Brand, TJMaxx

I wouldn’t say that dressing for summer is my time to be lazy, rather my time to be comfortable which results in simpler looks. I’m on a fair bit of medication and almost everything I take increases my susceptibility for heat related illnesses. I have never done great in the heat, but this takes it to the nth degree so I try to wear as little clothes as humanly possible while still being gained entrance to wherever I’m going lol. So, I decided to stick with the classics in this look and what is more classic than a sweet little tank top and jean shorts?!

Being comfy doesn’t have to mean frumpy and I love how form fitting the short and tank top combo was. If I’m going to be wearing basic essentials, I want my curves to be on full display to turn even the simplest pieces into Va Va Voom status. The tank top by Rachel Zoe gets a lot of use during the summertime and for good reason. I’m all about that V-neck, thick straps, and vertical ribbing! The shorts then added a dose of sass factor with their high waist and distressing. With the tank tucked in, it enhanced my silhouette even more to turn these classic staples on their heads.

Next, it was onto shoes and accessories and I knew exactly what I was going to wear. I purchased the darling Candy Button platforms for my Candy Queen Halloween costume last year. They were so fabulous but I was sad that I had to wait until the summertime to wear them again. The baseball game was just the occasion I needed to break them out and It. Was. Awesome. They added such a fun pop of color, were super easy to walk in, and everything I imagined wearing them again would be and so much more! For jewelry, I wanted to let my tattoos do the talking as they were out for god and everyone to see. A sparkly pair of pink, purple, and silver hoops were definitely the move and it allowed for candy cuteness from head to toe!

Did the Rubberducks win the game we attended because of this fit? I think YES! Duck em up!!!!!

What is your ideal temperature for an outdoor outing? How do you stay cool in the summer heat? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Pattern Pop OOTD

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Pattern Pop OOTD

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new OOTD here on lifewithlilred! We have had an incredibly mild November in good ol’ Akron, Ohio and I’m honestly pretty annoyed by it lol. I just want to wear my cold weather clothes consistently without having a heatstroke, damnit! This past weekend after several warm days, the temperature took a slight drop and I was SO excited to break out one of my favorite statement jackets. It was short lived because we have had sixty plus degree days since, but it was great while it lasted! Check it out:

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Snakeskin Print Trench Coat: Stella Luce, TJMaxx

Black Sweater: Shrinking Violet, TJMaxx

Skinny Jeans: 1822 Denim, TJMaxx

Platform Boots: Olivia Miller, TJMaxx

I’m pretty sure the teardrop earrings are from Target!

As you all know, I am a jacket fanatic. While I do have a lot of heavier options that I love, my main preference is a light trench coat or topper jacket. They are very appealing to me from a lazy perspective because they aren’t thick enough to be too warm so you don’t necessarily have to take them off once you reach your destination. Meaning that you could literally wear the worst outfit ever underneath and no one would know! The snakeskin trench by Stella Luce is perfect for this because its warmth factor is that of a slightly thick cardigan making it ideal for all purpose wear. Even if it wasn’t, I wouldn’t want to take it off because it’s such an eye catching statement.

When you have a piece as bold as a full fledged snakeskin print trench coat, the rest of the outfit basically builds itself. Could you imagine pairing this coat with anything other than basic essentials? Me either! It would form a cacophonous outfit rather than a cohesive one. So, I slipped on my go tos for underneath. Black skinnies were a given as well as a black sweater too. The sweater by Shrinking Violet was just what I needed to wear below the trench coat because it is incredibly thin. It works so well for layering purposes and I highly recommend finding simple staples to come in with the assist when you are styling a look featuring a statement item.

Finally, it was time for shoes and accessories. As the trench coat hits below my mid calf, a shoe with a pattern was simply not an option. Once again, we want cohesiveness not cacophony! I chose my platform boots by Olivia Miller to keep the color palette intact and offer a pop outside of the snakeskin pattern with the huge silver chains. With no open real estate for bracelets or necklaces, I put on one of my favorite teardrop pairs of jet black dangly gemstones. They allowed for further elongation of the neck, which was important to play up since minimal skin was shown in this look. With that, I was ready to take on the day!

Since I haven’t been able to dip into my coat collection as much as I would like, I was in love with this Pattern Pop OOTD. There is nothing better than wearing one of your all time favorite things!

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

Classic Summer OOTD

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Classic Summer OOTD

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new OOTD starring my brand new hair! I recently stepped off of the OOTD train for a few weeks due to my crazy life and also tired, but your girl is back and better than ever. Strange how new hair and new nails can do that. 😉 The pics you are about to see were taken after babysitting my nieces. I knew my best gal, Val, was going to want to play outside so I wanted to put together a Classic Summer look that was cute and comfortable for some fun in the sun.

This OOTD features summer staple pieces that almost everyone has in their wardrobe, making it very easy to recreate. Let’s get to it:

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Who? What? Wear?

Tank Top: Rachel Zoe, TJMaxx

Denim Shorts: American Eagle Outfitters

Platform Sandals: ModCloth

Daisy Earrings: Forever 21

The silver bracelet is from American Eagle Outfitters

Styling OOTDs for summertime has taught me a lot about creating looks that are simple yet exciting for being on the go in the heat. This Classic Summer OOTD required minimal think work, but I still love the way it turned out and I felt like a million bucks in it! I had a few things in mind when I began scouring my wardrobe, the first being that I would most definitely be playing outside that afternoon. The second one being that I wanted a neutral palette to make my new hair and tattoos pop.

With these guidelines laid out, the pieces of the puzzle came together and I knew exactly what to do next. To start, I grabbed my white Rachel Zoe tank top. I got this tank in a set of two and they are, easily, the best that I have ever owned. They fit perfectly and hug my body in all of the right places. I love the V neck, which is a unique twist on a classic scoop neck tank. I am also a huge fan of the material, which is so soft and a bit thick – reminiscent of a super thin sweater rather than the rougher fabric of a regular old tank top.

A simple white tank is just begging to be paired with denim shorts. Originally, I tried on a pair of distressed, high waisted shorts from AEO but the fit just wasn’t meshing with the tank top. So, I swapped it out for a mid rise pair and that was much more like it! Yes, the base of this outfit is simple but it was doing everything that I envisioned by making my hair the star of the show. I also felt like Daisy Duke and it really doesn’t get much better than that! 😀

For shoes, I wore a pair of Nikes to run around the yard with Val in. Then, for pictures, I brought one of my favorite pairs of platform sandals from ModCloth. These shoes were SO ideal for this outfit because of the palette. The base of the pattern is orange, which brought cohesion from the top of my head to my toes. The other colors in the pattern are navy and white and that was just right with the other pieces in the outfit. And, note the low ankle strap, which still gave the illusion of length since it didn’t cut my leg line off at the upper ankle.

Next up was accessories and, like the rest of the outfit, I went the minimal route. Anything more would have been fighting against the base that had already been established. For earrings, I chose a super cute pair that looked like daisies. They had a stud shape, but because they were huge, there was still movement and I loved seeing them poking out from underneath my hair. Then, I slipped on a simple silver mini cuff bracelet and my look was complete!

This Classic Summer OOTD used summertime staples Lil Red’s way and it was a look that I felt amazing in. Keep it locked for the blooper reel from this post and lots more summer fashion here on lifewithlilred!

What is one of your summer wardrobe staples? What is the most important thing to you when styling summer looks? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

 

 

Bunny Care Essentials

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Bunny Care Essentials

Hello!! Johnny and I brought our sweet mother and son bunny duo, Melvin and Penelope, home this past November. They are our lil besties and our apartment has so much more joy in it ever since we adopted them into their forever home. The longer that we have had them for, the more amazed I am by the day that rabbits are often given as pets or gifts for children – they are a lot of work and Johnny and I are adults!

Today, I thought I would discuss some Bunny Care Essentials that are 100% necessary for their well being. Bunnies are not just cute balls of fluff to look at through their hutch and require a decent amount of care to keep them happy. Like the following:

Clean Up Crew:

Bunnies are social animals and it is best to have a pair of them. With a pair of bunnies comes double the expenses and double the cleaning up!! We have a designated area in their hutch for their bathroom breaks and both Mel and P are pretty good about using the litter boxes. However, that doesn’t mean that they don’t have accidents! Every morning, it is an absolute must that I clean out their potty area of any soiled bedding and refresh their litter boxes. Bunnies are rather picky and as soon as their litter boxes get nasty, they refuse to go in it. It’s obviously not the most enjoyable chore in the world, but having bunnies means having to clean up after them. And, be warned – bunnies go to the bathroom a lot lol.

Play Time:

Bunnies are energetic AF and they are currently zooming around the apartment as I type this. Yeah, bunnies get the zoomies too! Johnny and I are in the process of bunny proofing a section of our apartment for them to free roam all day every day, but for now, they are in their hutch while we are at work and asleep. Any other time, though, their door is open and they have free reign to go in and out as they please. Throughout the play area, we have a wide variety of Chewy boxes, toys, scratch mats, and hideaways for them to interact with. Despite everything at their disposal, their favorite plaything will always be the Chewy boxes! Playtime is so important to Mel and P’s well being and bunnies should never be confined to their hutch for more than a day.

Care Packages:

I love to online shop for literally anything and Chewy has become the site where I now purchase from the most frequently. Since two bunnies is a standard, that means that their essential items run out fairly quickly. Every month and a half or so, I order more bedding, hay, pellet food, toys, and cleaning spray and it typically totals out to around $100 each time. Johnny and I also visit the grocery store weekly for their fresh veggies and occasional fruit treat. While I love to spoil them constantly with new toys, the rest of the order really isn’t spoiling them at all – it is all needed for them to live their best bunny lives.

Consideration Is Key:

If you think that bunnies are animals that you can instantly snuggle up to, pick up, and coddle then you are wrong. Bunnies are, honestly, a lot like cats and you truly have to let them come to you. Bunnies are also prey animals and it is ingrained in them that they don’t like to be picked up. It took time and patience to gain Mel and P’s trust and they show their affection in their own way. They both love to be brushed and pet and, if I’m lucky, they’ll let me pick them up. You are not going to become trusted by your rabbit immediately and you have to be okay with that. Pushing them out of their comfort zone is only going to terrorize them and will ruin any progress you have made. Slow and steady is key and they will come around in their own time and respecting that is essential.

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Although I knew what I was getting into before Mel and P came home, all of their requirements still came as a bit of a surprise and it’s important for other people considering bunnies as a pet to know them too. I wouldn’t trade one minute of their care for the world, though, and I am the proudest pet parent to two wonderful little gremlins! ❤

What are some care essentials for your pet? What is your pet’s favorite toy? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Chewy Haul

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Chewy Haul

Hello! For Christmas, Johnny’s aunt gifted Mel and Penelope with a Chewy gift card for all of their supplies. It was so thoughtful! With the gift card, I was able to stock up on all of their necessities as well as some new toys and old favorites. As per usual, though, the bunnies are much more interested in playing with the Chewy boxes than anything else lol. Check out what these spoiled pets got as a late Christmas gift:

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The Chewy gift card was, honestly, one of the best gifts of my holiday haul because all of the products seen above were things that were going to need to be bought anyways. While I did spend a little of my own money, the gift card covered almost everything and most of these purchases will last us until March, at least. If that seems quick to you, remember that two bunnies means double everything! Also their favorite activity is to dump their food dish out which is equal parts adorable and annoying lol.

The most important purchases from this haul were definitely their pellet food and bedding. The past four times I have placed an order with Chewy, their food has been unavailable. Then, once my order has been placed, I get an email saying their pellet food is back in stock *eye roll*. Since their food was available during this order, I decided to go big and get three bags to avoid this in the future. I also decided to get two bags of their bedding since I also use it to fill their litter boxes. The bunny litter that I was using was pricey AF and even if I have to change their litter bedding more often, it is still less expensive in the long run.

One final essential from this order was their Timothy hay and then it was onto the toys! The Kaytee Play n’ Chew hideout is one of their favorites and they love to destroy it. Thankfully, it takes them a while to do so and since they are still working on the one they have, this will serve as a backup. The Rosewood play and chew balls are also a Mel and Penelope fave and they can chew through the rope and thin wood ones in a matter of minutes. I also wanted to give them some new options like the Timothy hay lollipops and the hourglass and piece of cake chew toys. The hourglass has been hit or miss so far but they made quick work of one of the lollipops. 😀

Mel and Pen were cool with their mom spending their gift card for them and as far as I know, they are happy with what I picked out! And I am too. 😀

Where do you get your pet supplies from? What is your pet’s favorite toy? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Essentials To Boost 2023 For Your Children

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Essentials To Boost 2023 For Your Children

2023 is on the horizon, and there are a lot of factors that you need to think about when it comes time to try to improve the year for your children. There are loads of things that you can do in the family that will help to make the coming year better and more exciting for your kids, and it’s important to think about the different ways in which you are able to do this.

Being the head of the family these days comes with its fair share of struggles and challenges, and the more you can do to deal with these effectively, the better it will be long-term. There are plenty of things that you have to think about that are going to play a big role in this, and being able to boost the coming year for your kids can play a huge role in making family life better. These are some of the key essentials that you can use to help you achieve this:

Extend the home:

Making positive changes to your property is something that plays a massive role in allowing you to improve the year for your children, as well as giving them more space and comfort. There are a lot of ways in which you can extend your home more effectively, and this is even something you can discuss with your kids in advance as well. Maybe you could turn the attic into a reading nook? Or, perhaps, finish the basement and turn it into the ultimate game room!

Look after finances better:

As a modern family, there are a lot of responsibilities and considerations to make, and one of the biggest things you need to get right as a parent is to make sure you manage money better. With the cost of living crisis beginning, it is essential for a lot of families to look for ways of being able to tighten their purse strings. The more you can do to help you look after your money, and ensure the family is more financially comfortable, the better. There are a lot of different ways in which you can achieve this like focusing on cutting costs, saving money little by little, and making better financial decisions.

Improve family health:

Working on improving family health is absolutely vital and you can do a lot to make sure 2023 gets off on the right track for the family, health-wise. One of the key things that can help you when it comes to achieving this is to swap your family’s diet for something healthier and more nutritious. It is also important to think about some of the best ways of being able to create a healthy family dynamic. This means you need to think about boosting mental health and well-being, and this is something that plays a massive role in helping you work on boosting your family health.

Plan more activities:

One of the best ways of making the most of 2023 is to plan more activities. How about visiting some adventure centres? Weekly family hikes? Cooking a meal all together? Being able to enjoy multiple different activities and keep your children active and engaged gives the opportunity to bond and have lots of fun too!

2023 will be here before we know it and you can make it the best year yet for your family! Spend time together, make improvements where you can, and continue to move forward as a strong family unit.

Featured Image By: Pexels

4 Considerations When Looking After Elderly Parents

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4 Considerations When Looking After Elderly Parents

It can be a difficult task to take care of your retired parents, but with careful planning and execution, it doesn’t have to be. There are four essential things that you need to consider when looking after them: their health, finances, living situation, and their social life. In this blog post, we will go over each of these considerations in detail and provide you with advice on how to manage them best:

Their health:

As your parents age, their health will inevitably decline. It’s important to be proactive about their health and get regular checkups with their doctor. You should also create a list of their medications as well as hospitals and doctors that their insurance covers and keep it in a safe place. In case of an emergency, you or another family member can quickly reference this list and ensure that your parents are getting the care they need. Of course, their needs may change over time, and there may come a time when they are seriously or terminally ill. Should this happen, resources online like Your guide to in-home palliative care can help you be proactive when it comes to managing your parents’ health and needs, whilst still making sure you are caring for yourself.

Their finances:

One of the most challenging conversations with elderly parents is about their financial situation. It can be hard to broach the topic, especially if they are reluctant to discuss it. However, it is vital to be aware of their financial situation for two reasons: 1) you need to know if they can support themselves and 2) you need to be on the lookout for signs of financial elder abuse.

If your parents are struggling financially, they have several options. For example, they may be eligible for government benefits or charity assistance. If they own their home, they may also be able to downsize or take out a reverse mortgage. Unfortunately, as far as financial elder abuse goes, this sadly is an all too real problem and can take form in many ways, so be sure to keep an eye on professionals dealing with your parent’s finances.

Their living situation:

Another important consideration is your parents’ living situation. If they can live independently, that’s great! But if they need some assistance, you’ll need to consider that. If they live in a retirement community, staff who can help with transportation or meals may be there. If they live in their own home, you’ll need to decide if it’s feasible for them to continue doing so. If not, you may need to help them find a new place to live.

Whatever their living situation, you’ll also need to consider how accessible it is. Can they get around safely? Do they have everything they need? Is it safe for them to be there? Speaking of safety, do you recognize the signs and know how to prove nursing home negligence? These are all critical things to consider when looking after your retired parents.

Their social life:

Finally, you’ll need to think about your parents’ social life. As people age, they often become more isolated and lose touch with their friends. Having a good support network and staying connected to the outside world will be especially beneficial to their mental health. There are a few ways you can do this:

  • Encourage them to join social clubs or groups
  • Make sure they see their friends regularly
  • Take them out for outings and activities

These are four essential considerations when looking after your retired parents or loved ones. If you can address these areas, you’ll be doing a great job of taking care of them!

Featured Image By: Andrea Piacquadio

Baby Shower Gift Ideas

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Baby Shower Gift Ideas

Hello!! My sister and brother-in-law will soon be welcoming another sweet little girl into their family and I am so excited!! Their oldest daughter, Valerie, is my BFF and I know that she will be the best big sister. Because they already have SO many clothes, toys, and essentials from when Val was born, Johnny and I were stumped on what to gift them for their newest addition. So, I decided to come up with a list of ideas if any of you are in a similar situation or the expecting family doesn’t have a registry. Let’s get to it:

Gift Cards:

This is the route that Johnny and I took for my sister and brother-in-law and we bought several gift cards for gas stations, Target, and a Visa gift card. Some people say gift cards as a present are thoughtless and I say: FALSE. Gift cards are great because the parents can buy the things that they know they need and won’t have to deal with the hassle of returning unwanted items. Visa gift cards are awesome because the giftee won’t be limited to what store to purchase at. Gas and grocery cards are also sure to be welcome since everything is so freaking expensive now!

Essentials:

I originally asked my sister if we could buy her a supply of wipes, formula, and diapers but she told me she was well stocked already. However, this is another gift that would be sure to please – just make sure you ask what their preferred brands are! A stock pile of baby necessities will help your giftee save money as well as *hopefully* eliminate some late night runs to the store when the last diaper is gone.

Various Clothes Sizes:

Expecting parents are sure to get a ton of clothes in newborn sizes but not be able to use them all with a constantly growing infant. You can help this situation by purchasing clothes in a multitude of sizes from six to nine months and up. Once again, this will save an errand for going to the store and exchanging sizes or finding a new item all together.

If you are looking for something more one of a kind than clothing at a chain store, you can go the online boutique route. How adorable are these personalized baby boy gifts?!

Just Ask:

If the person you are purchasing for doesn’t have a gift registry, just ask them! This is what I did with my sister and all she told me was that she needed a new changing pad. I wasn’t satisfied with just this, though, and purchased gift cards as well. Being able to get someone exactly what they need is a wonderful thing so there is no harm in asking about it.

Nursery Gifts:

If you are looking for something more personal to gift, then you can always go the homemade route to help decorate the nursery. You could paint some sweet baby animals, crochet a stuffed toy, or even knit a little sweater or hat. Not only will it be appreciated now but it will be an amazing keepsake for later! If you are not crafty, you can enlist the help of local artists for the task.

Welcoming a new baby is such an exciting thing for all parties involved and you can shake the stress of the perfect gift with the ideas above!

Do you have a new addition coming to your family soon? What do you like to gift for baby showers? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

What’s In My Skate Bag?

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What’s In My Skate Bag?

Hello!! As most of you know, I am an avid ice skater and love hitting the rink as often as I can for a lesson with my childhood coach. When I was younger, I can remember how all of the skaters at the rink had the coolest skate bags on wheels to tote their belongings back and forth. Myself, on the other hand, opted for a Betsey Johnson travel bag and I have been using it for close to two decades… Until now, that is!

I had been long overdue for a much needed upgrade and Elite Sports delivered with this gorgeous new sports bag. What do I keep inside it? Let’s find out:

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^^^ You can shop my new bag in a variety of colors here!

My Practice Necessities:

  • Skates (Of course!)
  • A rag to dry my skates after practice
  • Hard guards for walking off ice
  • My favorite travel mug
  • A snack to eat on the way to the rink

When I go skating, it is typically after work because I hate getting up for early Saturday morning sessions. This means that I need to have a good snack and my travel mug handy to keep my energy up because I’ll have a late dinner afterwards. My “Making A Difference” mug was a surprise gift from the Ohio Department Of Developmental Disabilities and I take it everywhere. It works like a dream and I never have to worry about my hot drinks cooling down or cool drinks warming up lol.

My go to snack on the way to skating are the Belvita breakfast bars. I freaking LOVE these things and I’ll often have one before going to work too. My favorite are the soft baked bars – especially the ones with dark chocolate in it – YUM! It almost makes me feel guilty eating them because they taste like dessert but they provide me with the boost I need for a great skate.

As I mentioned before, it took me the better part of almost twenty years since I upgraded my skate bag and my wipe down rag still hasn’t changed. What can I say, I am a woman of habit! I got what was once a nice towel from the Skater’s Edge (A skate shop in Ohio) from a competition forever ago and it hasn’t left my possession since. Call it nostalgia or whatever you will for holding onto something for so long but it still wipes my skates dry all the same. 😀

Like a majority of the necessities in my skate bag, my hard guards were bought when I got my first pair of skates lol. Hey, if it’s not broken… These are a must have for skaters to protect their blades for pre and post practice as well as all of those bathroom breaks from guzzling water throughout the session!

And, finally, I don’t get to use my new(ish) skates as often as I would like, especially with the craziness of just moving apartments. However, when I do get the chance to get back on the ice, it’s like I never left. I can’t wait for my next practice to break out my new Elite Sports bag! 😀

How long do you tend to hold onto things for? What is in your work out bag? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah