Tag Archives: experience

Oct12

Johnny On The Big Screen

Posted on October 12, 2024 by lifewithlilred

Hello!!! My Johnny is an exceptionally talented musician and this past Monday was fabulous because I got to see him in action for something really cool. Johnny’s first band was called Johnny and The Apple Stompers and they played bluegrass music. One of the bands that they would play with over a decade ago was the Chardon Polka Band. The CPB absolutely rules and they have become a cult phenomenon – not just in Ohio but all over the country. One of their most recent ventures is a show on PBS called The World According To Polka and Johnny got to play for one of their future episodes that revolves around trains. It was the best, most fun experience and I was so happy I was able to share in it with my main squeeze. Check it out:

After I finished working on Monday morning, Johnny and I made the hour drive to Burton, Ohio to film in one of their historic villages. We met up with Jake, the lead singer and accordion player for Chardon Polka Band, Bob on washboard, and Jeff on fiddle and banjo, as well as a team from PBS. Of course, we were so excited for the opportunity but the best of all was seeing Jake. It had been literal years since either of us have seen him and he is pure joy incarnate. After catching up, the musicians began their practice sessions for Johnny’s song selections of “Freight Train” and “Waiting For A Train”. I was most surprised because I had no idea that Johnny was going to sing them along with playing his guitar!!

It wasn’t long before all of the players made adjustments and got in their groove together. Then, it was time for the cameras to roll! Within three takes of each song, they were golden and I was legit glowing with pride. I am so used to shooting content at events like this and being able to sit back and enjoy the magic in front of me was such a welcome change of pace. Once each song was shot to their liking, we took a brief break to explore the grounds around Burton. It was so scenic and beautiful, as you can see, and we made friends with a really nice cow. 🙂 Afterwards, Johnny did some interviews for the show to showcase his vast musical knowledge as well as his sharp as a tack wit. He did beyond amazing and I can’t wait to see the end result.

Unfortunately, Johnny’s feature on The World According To Polka will not be aired until the fall of 2025. Until then, we will look back on the day fondly because it was an excellent one. I am the proudest wife!!! ❤

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

Oct9

Weed Boutique

Posted on October 9, 2024 by lifewithlilred

Standard

Hello!! Not a ton of cool stuff happens in Ohio. In 2023, however, a legalization for recreational marijuana use passed and that was pretty damn cool lol. Since then, dispensaries have popped up all around the greater Akron area – one of which being a mere fifteen minutes from Johnny and me. I have never visited a dispensary before and that changed this past Saturday when we made a trip to curaleaf. It was definitely not what I expected!!

^^^ Lol at the copy of Shrek that was on a display shelf!

I’m not sure what I thought curaleaf was going to be like. Was it going to be a hazy hangout like local head shops? Was it going to be set up like you were in a lab? I had no clue because I had no experience to base it off of! Upon my entry, it was a bit of a shock – you basically walked into an office where IDs were checked. Then, the doors opened into the store itself and it really was like walking into a Weed Boutique. curaleaf was smartly decorated with lush plants, brightly hued marketing, and no product. Rather than browsing through the store, iPads were set up and you would shop from there, place an order, and receive your purchase at the checkout counter.

Honestly, looking through the online catalogue was overwhelming. There were SO many different options for however you prefer your cannabis and all of them sounded good lol. We opted for gummies and a vape cartridge that were extremely reasonable in price. The staff was also most knowledgeable for any questions we might have had while we shopped and we were in and out in about twenty minutes. After exiting the sterile environment of the store, it felt really weird to be deposited back into a rundown plaza. The weirdest of all, though, was that we literally just left a store to purchase cannabis products – that certainly was novel!!

This outing was a brand new experience to me and curaleaf made it a great one. I have a for sure feeling that we will be back!

How do you like to relax? Are there any dispensaries near you? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep2

Alice Cooper Concert

Posted on September 2, 2024 by lifewithlilred

Standard

Howdy! Last Wednesday was one of the best nights ever because Johnny and I got to see Alice Cooper at Blossom Music Center. It was the most fantastic time and we both still can’t believe that we actually got to see him live. It always feels a bit surreal to see an artist you love in real life but this concert definitely hit different. We have talked about it every day since! Even though we were seated at the back of the pavilion, we had a pretty good view of the stage. I took tons of pictures and videos and just had to share some of them with all of you! Check it out:

As you can see, this was quite the production indeed! I have never been to a concert that felt like I was watching live theater too but that’s Alice Cooper for you! Every new song played was like a set change and it was so cool to see the stage transform before our eyes. There were amazing lights, projections, props, snakes, and sets which is such a far cry from any other concert I’ve seen before as the production value is limited to what can be done with lighting. Our favorite part has got to be when a giant Frankenstein lumbered about the stage during Feed My Frankenstein. We also loved when Alice Cooper entered the stage on a parade float for Elected. What really took the cake, though, was seeing a tried and true staple at an Alice Cooper concert: When his wife dressed as Marie Antoinette “beheaded” her husband on a guillotine!

The set list included lots of fan favorites including No More Mr. Nice Guy, Hey Stoopid, Snakebite (Complete with snake!), Go To Hell, and Poison. As I suspected, the show ended with a huge blow out production of School’s Out. It also included parts of Pink Floyd’s Another Brick in the Wall Pt. 2, which was a nice touch. During School’s Out, there was confetti everywhere and the biggest balloons I had ever seen going haywire. When the balloons got close to the stage, Alice Cooper would pop them with his cane and more confetti went flying. My only disappointment about the set list was that Black Widow in its entirety wasn’t played. However, the intro was performed and we got to see a projection of Vincent Price so that was the tops. 🙂

This was, easily, one of the best shows Johnny and I have been to and we are elated to have checked Alice Cooper off of our concert bucket list. If he is coming to your neck of the woods, it is a must go!

What is your favorite Alice Cooper song? Are you going to any concerts soon? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep1

Best Date Night EVER!!!!

Posted on September 1, 2024 by lifewithlilred

Standard

Hello!! This past Wednesday was the absolute best because Johnny and I had a night on the town. We literally never do anything during the work week because of our demanding schedules. However, sometimes exceptions need to be made and that came in the form of an Alice Cooper concert at Blossom Music Center. This is the second concert I have attended there in the past month and I am so happy that Johnny and I were able to make this date night work. This show was our very first concert together! I will post tons of pics tomorrow, but would love to discuss our experience today. Let’s get to it:

Johnny and I are HUGE Alice Cooper fans and when we learned that he was performing at a venue ten minutes away from our apartment, we just had to go. We spent all of Wednesday willing the day to go by faster so we could get our Alice on and made our way to the venue around 5:30. The show started at six and the opening act, Ministry, was already playing by the time we got there. This was no harm no foul because we didn’t care at all lol. As the opener played, Johnny and I purchased drinks and had to make a pit stop so he could use the little rock star’s room. This ended up being an awesome detour, indeed!

While Johnny was in the facilities, I sat at a picnic bench with a mom and her daughter who was my age. We got to chatting and Didn’t. Stop. Chatting. Johnny and I spent the majority of our time getting to know our new friends who were freaking hilarious. In fact, we were so deep in our conversations and belly laughs that we didn’t even realize the second performer, Rob Zombie, had taken the stage. I genuinely thought music was just being played through the speakers. I have to admit, I was a bit disappointed not to have watched Rob Zombie’s set because I have never seen him live before. I had the opportunity to at another show but left before he went on. In a way, though, this was also no harm no foul. I can’t imagine the set was anything to write home about considering we had no idea it was even happening lolol.

As we continued with our newfound comradery, Alice Cooper finally began his performance. We said quick goodbyes and are very much looking forward to hanging out with them again. Johnny and I hauled ass to our seats in the pavilion and were treated to the show of a lifetime. Alice Cooper’s set was honestly like watching a horror movie unfold onstage. We were well aware of his usual tricks and gimmicks but to see them live before our very eyes was pure magic. He sounded amazing, the band was phenomenal, and the production value was equivalent to watching theater. A complete and total dream come true.

Alice Cooper played for roughly an hour and my only regret was that the show wasn’t longer! The concert ended with a rousing performance of School’s Out and it was so celebratory and fun. After the song ended, Johnny and I started making our long trek back to the car. We knew that if an encore was performed that we would still be able to hear it as we walked and we were not trying to be stuck in traffic for hours on end to get home. It took about twenty minutes to get back to the Little Red Love Machine and there was no encore to be heard. Once we were safely settled in my whip, we saw a massive throng of concert goers making their way to their cars too. We were well ahead in that race and got out of the venue and home within ten minutes flat. That’s what I’m talking about!

Johnny and I are still pinching ourselves that we actually saw Alice Cooper live and I can’t wait to share more from the show tomorrow. Stay tuned!

Who would you like to see in concert? What was the best concert you attended? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug5

Fun Date Day Ideas

Posted on August 5, 2024 by lifewithlilred

Standard

Hello!! One of my favorite things in the world is to go on Date Days with Johnny. I think dating your partner is so important no matter how long you’ve been together. Johnny and I have been an item for almost five years and I still get those first date vibes whenever we step out on the town. At least a few times per month, we make it a point to go on a date with each other. It could be for a drink at our favorite bar, going to see a show, or just walking through the outdoor shopping center in Cuyahoga Falls. Whatever we do, it is always the best because we’re together having fun and enjoying each other’s company. Want to pencil in a date day with your significant other? Here are some ideas:

Antiquing/Thrifting:

When Johnny and I first started dating, we would often hit up the thrift store. This was especially entertaining because Johnny was playing in a band at that time and we would try and find the most flashy pieces for him to wear on stage. We also went antiquing on a recent date day and it was a hoot. The beauty of thrift and antique stores is that you literally have no idea what you are going to find. It could be something hilarious or something you didn’t know you needed until now. And, as a bonus, whatever you purchase can serve as a wonderful memento of your time together.

Picnic In The Park:

In Ohio, you have to take advantage of the nice weather because you never know when it’s going to completely change on you lol. One delightful way that we enjoy a beautiful day is a picnic and walk in the park. We will grab some to go sandwiches from Subway or Mr. Zub’s, post up at a park bench, then walk off our meal! Date days can be as lavish or laid back as you want and an outing at the park won’t break your bank but will still be incredibly sweet. It’s always nice to get active with your SO and maybe you will end up making a weekly hike part of your schedule!

New Experiences:

Going on dates is all about trying new things. Be adventurous! Check out that museum you’ve been dying to go to, sign up for a cooking class, take some ballroom dancing lessons. Turn your “I wishes” into “I wills” and see where the day takes you. Perhaps you could each write some ideas down for new locations, eateries, and activities and draw from a hat each date day. There’s a chance that you won’t like whatever was chosen and that’s okay. The most important thing is that you shared a new experience together and that creates lasting memories.

Road Trip:

Maybe you’re bored with the same old, same old in your neck of the woods. So go for a drive! Choose a maximum amount of time you would like to travel for and make stops along the way. Visit quaint diners, quirky shops, and scenic areas for lots of pictures. It’s amazing the places you can find when you venture away from your own backyard. Create a playlist for your drive, get ALL of the snacks from the gas station, and see where you end up. You might just stumble upon your new favorite place.

A Day In:

Sometimes, going out is just as fun as staying in! I absolutely love the nights when Johnny and I play board and video games, listen to music, and chat the evening away. Cook a meal together, indulge in some self care, do a craft, and just chill. You will surely find that this time with no other distractions than each other is even better than dining at a five star restaurant. If you are turning your day into something special, it will be no matter what you do!

Johnny and I had a lovely Date Day this past weekend and I can’t wait to tell you all about it. Stay tuned!!

What was the best date you have ever been on? How about the worst? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May17

New Phone Photos

Posted on May 17, 2024 by lifewithlilred

Standard

Hi! On April 29th, I proudly accepted a new job as the social media manager for Tim Misny. This is, hands down, the biggest opportunity I have ever had for my online work and I am so incredibly happy that my hard work has paid off in such a major way. While I love working on all aspects of social media, the most fun part of my job (other than my amazing coworkers) is redesigning the Misny Merch. One of my jobs is to freshen the brand up and I think I am going to make a total splash with it. As a fashionista, I never dreamed that I would get to be designing clothes too with my new job and it’s awesome!

Of course, the most important aspect of my job is creating content. However, that is incredibly hard to do when your phone is consistently almost out of storage lol. Between pictures of my nieces, bunnies, Johnny and me, and OOTD shots it’s easy to see why! I was graciously given a brand new iPhone for my work phone and it has been a blast playing around with it. This past weekend, both Johnny and I took our turns snapping pics and videos on the new phone. Unfortunately, the lighting for OOTD shots was abysmal. But, I did get these super cool pics:

Johnny and I ventured outside after it got done raining for a photography adventure. We spent some time chasing the lighting for some pics of me and there was literally nothing good to show for it. As we continued walking around Timber Top, Johnny pointed out how neat the rain water drops resting on plant leaves looked. I completely agreed and just had to get some pictures. I was blown away by them! The detail and the way the light reflected off of the water looked like a painting and I knew these shots would never be possible on my old phone!

Even though I am doing a lot of what I already do for other social media accounts that I manage for Tim, the novelty has yet to wear off. There are many things that are completely different and it’s so exciting. I truly feel like it is my big break and it makes simply going outside to practice pictures on a new phone feel like a brand new experience. I can’t wait to see where this job takes me next! 😀

How often do you upgrade your phone? How many pictures do you have on your phone? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May14

Summer Fun For The Kiddos

Posted on May 14, 2024 by lifewithlilred

Standard

Hello!! As an adult, summer has definitely lost its luster. What I wouldn’t give for a whole three months off of work! However, ever since Johnny and I became an aunt and uncle, our summers have come back in a big way. There is absolutely nothing better than soaking up the sun with our sweet nieces. I also love that they love my favorite summertime activities from my youth – blowing bubbles and picking dandelions! If you are looking for some ways to give your kids the best summer ever, I have a few ideas in mind. Let’s check them out:

Camps Of All Kinds:

When I was little and as a teenager, I attended several summer camps for art and theater. It was such fun to meet new friends who enjoyed something that I did and it also gave me a sense of routine, which can be hard in the summer. One of my greatest joys is that my oldest niece has developed a taste for the theater and she will be attending some camps for that when school is out. No matter what your child is interested in, there is sure to be a camp for it!

While summer camps are a hoot, there is no denying that they can be expensive. However, there are ways to work around that! I would highly recommend taking a look at the different programs that your local libraries and Metro Parks are offering. Ninety-nine percent of the time, these activities are going to be free unless you have to chip in a bit for crafting supplies or what have you. Your local playgrounds might also have play groups that take field trips, do art, go swimming, and explore so that is also worth researching further.

All Of The Art:

As soon as school was out when I was a kid, my mom would take me and my siblings to the craft store. She would let us pick out different projects that would keep us occupied on rainy days and it was always such a treat. Of course, art supplies don’t just have to be bought at stores. Maybe you will go pick wildflowers together and make a gorgeous bouquet. Or how about a scavenger hunt? You could use whatever was found to make an awesome nature collage. There is art everywhere if you know where to look for it!

So Snacky:

In the summer, snack time is basically all the time lol. This can be a great learning experience for your kids! Every week, you could go on Pinterest together, find recipes for easy and healthy snacks, and pick up the ingredients at the store. Then, you can prep them once you are home. By the end of the summer, your child could have an arsenal of tasty snacks that they can make independently. This will teach them the merits of healthy eating, kitchen skills and safety, and will allow them to experience new food they might not have tried before.

Backyard Camping:

Often times, the most fun can be had in your own backyard. You can turn your home into the hub for your kiddos and their friends by making a backyard campground. They will be delighted by a pitched tent, projector screen for movies, and making smores over a fire pit. Backyard camping can be like a getaway for your kids and they can go all out with it. Perhaps they will like to make banners and posters, prepare trail mix, and plan activities to make it feel even more real!

The name of the game in the summer is keeping the kiddos occupied with fun and new experiences. They will have a blast with any of the above!

What was your favorite summertime activity? Do you have any big plans this summer? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr12

Total Solar Eclipse

Posted on April 12, 2024 by lifewithlilred

Standard

Hello! The solar eclipse this past Monday has been the buzz in Akron, Ohio for months because we just so happened to be in the path of totality. For once, something cool was happening here and everyone was SO excited for it and for good reason. The Total Solar Eclipse was one of the most amazing things I have ever experienced and Ohio delivered. I mentioned earlier that we were fearing a cloudy day and, thankfully, that wasn’t the case whatsoever. We had the most perfect, sunny weather for the ultimate view of the big show and it was truly spectacular.

These pictures I took are not the best and they do not do justice to the solar eclipse at all. But, I did the best I could with limited visibility lol! Check it out:

There were countless eclipse festivals that Johnny and I could have attended on Monday, but we opted to stay home and watch it with our downstairs neighbor from the porch. I’m so glad we did because we were delighted by what we saw when we walked out the door. It seemed like every single person in our apartment community was outside watching too and it was such fun to be all together and cheering as the sun and moon performed. Even if we did go to a festival, I highly doubt we would have had a better view because ours was crystal clear and mainly unobstructed.

The total eclipse happened around 3:15 and Johnny and I were able to go outside as soon as we finished up with work at 2:45. During that time, the moon was moving and grooving closer to the sun and rapid progress was being made every time we looked up. This was neat to see, but the magic happened when totality was reached. During that four minute window, everything went completely dark. Street lights came on and the temperature dropped ten degrees. You could feel it immediately! It was such a surreal feeling to experience nighttime in the middle of the day and I think everyone was simply blown away. I sure was!

Minutes after the total eclipse, we were back to a typical afternoon level of sun and warmth. However, the feeling of witnessing a once in a lifetime phenomenon remained. Johnny and I are still not over it and why should we be? It was beautiful. ❤

Did you watch the solar eclipse? What is something cool that you experienced in nature? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar23

Face Mask Festivities: Rejuvenating Tea Tree Sheet Mask By GlamUp Edition

Posted on March 23, 2024 by lifewithlilred

Standard

Face Mask Festivities: Rejuvenating Tea Tree Sheet Mask By GlamUp Edition

Hello! I spent the first week of March being sick AF and other than being sick, it was awesome lol. I worked from home, I watched endless TV, and enjoyed a bit of pampering with face masks too. It honestly felt like a mini vacation… minus the being sick part! As I was recuperating, I found myself growing rather fond of sheet masks even though I still think they are annoying. So, I decided to add a weekly face mask to my routine to bring back sick staycation vibes and have a little midweek treat. This past Wednesday, I used a Rejuvenating Tea Tree sheet mask by GlamUp and I actually really liked it! Check it out:

I LOOK GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have a handful of GlamUp masks left to use and I went with the tea tree one simply for scent related purposes. I love a minty scent and thought this mask would feel brisk and refreshing. After work, I applied the mask, startled Johnny, and settled in for twenty minutes to let it sit. As per ushie, the sheet mask didn’t fit well in the slightest and I was constantly rearranging it. Despite all of the fidgeting, this mask felt SO nice on and, for once, I felt confident I would have good results from it.

As the mask set, I felt perked up by the bold mint scent and the pleasant, cooling sensation. The sheet mask was drenched with serum and I liked that I could literally feel it soaking in. To me, the experience of having a face mask on is just as important as the results and, in that regard, the tea tree mask was already the best GlamUp one I have used so far. After the twenty minutes was up, I removed the mask and was greeted by a fresh looking appearance and smooth to the touch skin. What I liked best of all, though, was that my skin was tingling from the time I took it off to when I went to bed. Now, that is what I’m talking about!

I am going to rate the Rejuvenating Tea Tree mask with an eight out of ten stars. I would happily use it again thanks to the excellent experience and satisfying results. Not too shabby for a sheet mask!!

Do you have any weekly pampering routines? What is your favorite brand of face masks? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar13

Paint Night

Posted on March 13, 2024 by lifewithlilred

Standard

Hello!!! I don’t know about all of you, but I had a great weekend!! After spending an entire week being sick AF, I rallied hard and it couldn’t have came a moment too soon because I had big plans. On Friday, I attended a paint night with my brother and on Saturday, Johnny and I took our birthday girl niece out for a treat day. It felt so good to have some fun after feeling like death warmed over and I enjoyed every minute of it. Check out what I created at paint night:

On Friday evening, my brother Andrew and I went to the Solon Rec Center for a paint class hosted by the wonderful Melinda of So So Artsy. This is the second time Andrew and I have been to one of her events and she is just the best. Melinda owns a paint and sip studio, but she also teaches classes at community centers. Of course, this was a no sip class but that doesn’t mean that Melinda didn’t bring the party anyways. She has the brightest personality, is hilarious, and made our experience a million times better.

For our canvas art, we were painting cardinals and began with the background. For the top half, we mixed blue with the smallest touch of white and did the reverse for the bottom. To keep things moving full steam ahead, we blow dried the wet paint and began the next part. Step two was making the branch and the bird and we started that by making our outlines with chalk. I was surprised by how easy Melinda made the process for the bird’s outline. All we did was make a big set of parenthesis for the body, a small set for the head, and drew the tail by making a number eleven branching out at the bottom.

Once the outlines were complete, it was time to paint again. For our branches, we used brown with a hint of red and black and for the birds we used red and black. Before I knew it, all of the canvases were filled with sweet red birds perched on their branches. The last thing to do was add some more to the background. Melinda’s example used snow, but I was feeling inspired by cherry blossoms and used red and white instead. Once again, Melinda showed us a quick fix for painting the snow or, in my case, flower petals: Load up your brush with paint, place it flat on the canvas, and twist the brush to make a circle. Afterwards, we blow dried the canvases again and were on our way home with two freshly painted masterpieces!

Andrew and I had an absolute blast at Paint Night and I am looking forward to going to another class with him soon. I wonder what we’ll create next! ❤

Have you been to a paint night before? What did you paint? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

	lifewithlilred on Spirit Christmas Haul
	oliveunicorn on Spirit Christmas Haul
	Simon on Thxgiving OOTD Bloopers
	lifewithlilred on Thxgiving OOTD Bloopers
	Simon on Thxgiving OOTD Bloopers