Tag Archives: fall clothing

Nov29

Cardi Party OOTD

Posted on November 29, 2022 by lifewithlilred

Hey! This past week, Johnny and I celebrated Thanksgiving three times a lady and it was absolutely wonderful. We had the best time enjoying the company of both of our families and are still recovering from the food coma. Because of three Thanksgivings, I had to show out three times with holiday OOTDs and my Lil Red heart is so happy. With the craziness of the past month, it has been hard to find time to create fashion content and it feels great to get back at it again! Without further ado, here is my Cardi Party OOTD that I wore to Thxgiving with Johnny’s family:

Who? What? Wear?

Cardigan: Lucky Brand, TJMaxx
Button Down Top: Rachel Zoe, TJMaxx
Skinny Jeans: American Eagle Outfitters
Wedge Heel Combat Boots: BCBG, TJMaxx
Jade Necklace: SJ Pearl, TJMaxx

When it comes to Thanksgiving looks, it’s easy to prioritize comfort over style and why wouldn’t you? This is a holiday that is literally hanging out with your family and eating lol. But, what if I told you that you could have both style and comfort? *Gasp* My Cardi Party OOTD was not only crazy comfortable even after eating a big meal but it captured the cozy style that a Thanksgiving look is all about.

For Thanksgiving at Johnny’s parents, I had a cardigan in mind because the weather allowed it. We had a lovely fifty or so degree day and a cardigan is an ideal option for slipping on if you feel chilly or taking off when you’ve got the food sweats. I decided to go with my Lucky Brand cardigan from TJMaxx for its breezy shape and gorgeous color palette. The burnt shades are so celebratory of fall and I loved the unique pairing of these hues with a soft heather grey.

I wanted the colors of the cardigan to be the main feature of this outfit and it allowed me to make snap decisions to tie the rest of the look together. The Rachel Zoe button down of a coin grey hue was a no brainer to wear underneath the cardigan since it complimented the heather grey. Without being tucked in, this top is quite flowy. However, I always wear it tucked because it looks super cute and it also was what I needed so as not to pair two billowy pieces on top of the other.

As you all know, it is a rarity for both myself and my husband to not be in black skinny jeans so we won’t spend time on that regard lol. So, we will move right onto shoes and jewelry. The great thing about fall colors is that they all tend to compliment each other perfectly and that gives you the option to mix and match. This applies to both the famed jewel tone fall colors and duller shades alike, which made the fern heeled combat boots work so well. The grey undertones of the shoes also tied into the pieces on top for complete cohesion.

Finally, I wrapped up this OOTD with one of my favorite necklaces by SJ Pearl. I have several pieces by the brand but I often find myself reaching for the jade beads. I love the reassuring weight and the cool color. The pretty hue allowed me to fill the negative space on top without taking away from the rest of the outfit because it worked with the color palette that I had created. It also added some funky flare to an OOTD that was fairly simple, which you know I live for!

Tune in tomorrow for the final OOTD from my Thanksgiving look book featuring a very special guest. Then, it will be onto November finishes, a new Lil Red’s Book Club, and the blooper reel from these looks. Keep it posted!

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

Oct17

Must Have Fall Wardrobe Staples

Posted on October 17, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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For many, myself included, fall is the most beloved season of all. The weather, holidays, activities, and changing leaves make for a beautiful and fun time of the year. And, oh yeah, the fashion isn’t bad either! Fall fashion is a blast and provides an opportunity for a killer OOTD every time you walk out the door. Layering pieces and cold weather accessories are all must haves in a solid fall wardrobe arsenal. Here are a few that will keep you OOTD ready all season long:

Statement Jacket:

When it comes to fall clothing, priority number one should be a fantastic statement jacket. A good coat or jacket can turn the most basic outfit into something blog worthy by simply slipping it on. There is a coat for every style and occasion and it is one of my favorite pieces to indulge in when shopping. Feeling edgy? Try a moto jacket! Classically cute? A topper jacket or trench coat is your new best friend. Comfy cozy? A soft cardigan jacket will be perfect for wrapping yourself in.

For layering purposes, remember to follow this golden rule: You never want to layer two bulky or tight articles of clothing on top of each other. If you have a looser fitting coat, a thick sweater underneath is fine. On the other hand, a tight fitting moto jacket should be paired with a thinner top or sweater underneath to keep the proportions of the outfit in check.

Boots, Baby:

Put your summer sandals and wedges away because boot season is in full swing! Like a good jacket, a bold pair of shoes can instantly transform an outfit. Look for heeled boots to wear during an outing and some cool combat boots to sport during a fall hike. To add some extra visual interest, you can try patterns like snakeskin, cheetah print, or floral. Hardware embellished boots with chains or studs are also sure to be a hit!

Cold Weather Accessories:

There are three must have cold weather accessories to not only keep you nice and warm but oh so fashionable: Scarves, hats, and gloves. These pieces will help tie your fall OOTDs together and are a great way to spice up your wardrobe without breaking the bank. When it comes to these accessories, the possibilities are endless! Do you want mittens or fingerless gloves? An infinity scarf or a pashmina? How about a floppy or cloche hat? Regardless of what you choose, you will be toasty and always ready for a photo op.

Cardigans/Sweaters:

For maximum comfort, warmth, and style, a gorgeous cardigan or sweater is the way to go! You can keep things simple with a plain one in fall hues like burnt orange, mustard yellow, and forest green. Or you can take things to the next level with patterns like polka dots, Halloween themes, or thick stripes. For many a fall OOTD, comfy cozy is the name of the game. Snap a pic in your fall sweater or cardi with a Pumpkin Spice Latte in hand and you just broke Instagram!

It doesn’t take much to revamp your fall wardrobe – just a few of the pieces above will suffice. Now, go werk those fall fits and hit the apple orchard!

What is your favorite piece of fall clothing? How do you upgrade your wardrobe as the seasons change? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct15

Pumpkin Patch Party OOTD Bonus Pics

Posted on October 15, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello!! We are back to our regularly scheduled programming of some bonus pics from my Pumpkin Patch Party OOTD! Johnny and I had such a blast during our date day at Heritage Farms and I love the baby pumpkins that we picked out so very much. We can’t wait to take our nieces there to share in the fall fun with hay rides and a huge children’s section decked out with games and crafts. Although, I don’t know if I’ll be able to put together an OOTD as good as this one:

This past week, it was like a flip switched in Ohio and my neck of the woods truly began feeling like fall. Seemingly overnight, the leaves began to change colors and the temperatures dropped to the pleasant chill of an autumn day. I can’t even fathom a guess at the amount of times that I have said “look at that tree” already lol. Say what you will about Ohio but, come fall time, my state delivers with postcard worthy beauty.

Heritage Farms is located near Peninsula, Ohio and this area is filled with Metro Parks, bike trails, orchards, and the most delicious ice cream on planet Earth. It was such a lovely drive to get there, as we went through the Cuyahoga Valley and passed many a good tree. I thought that I had been in fall mode since September but this OOTD and an afternoon at the pumpkin patch made me think otherwise!

Although I have a lot of unique clothing in my wardrobe, I try to achieve balance through classic styles so that I can wear everything for forever. Each piece in this Pumpkin Patch Party OOTD is something that I can picture wearing now or when I’m forty. At twenty-eight, I often forget that I am technically a “grown up”. However, this fit made me feel like woman, hear me roar. This is, arguably, the most grown up OOTD that I have ever wore and it definitely took me out of my comfort zone. But, I achieved my goal of a classic fall outfit and what better place to wear it than to a classic fall activity like going to a pumpkin patch?!

There are so many different ways to expand your fashion horizons in the fall and I can’t wait to keep exploring them with all of you. Tune in tomorrow for bloopers from this shoot! We will also be revisiting my A Night At The Theater OOTD series next week after a date night at Playhouse Square this weekend. See you then!

When does it start feeling like fall to you? What is your favorite thing about fall fashion? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct9

Simply Spooky OOTD Bloopers

Posted on October 9, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello everyone and welcome to the blooper reel of my Simply Spooky OOTD! These pictures were taken during a lovely date night at Sarah’s Vineyard with my main squeeze. Johnny and I had a wonderful time and I love that we are making a habit of weekend dates. It has also been so nice of my blog husband to make a habit of taking weekend OOTD pics too. What a guy!! Check out the bloopers from this look:

Future hand model? I think YES!

The cover of my opera album called “Vineyards”

An overwhelming enthusiasm for fashion

I LOOK GREAT!!!!!

Just kicking my feet back and chillin

I’m pretty sure this is when Johnny told me our food would probably be ready soon lol

YIKES!!

So glad that Johnny captures everything, including my attempt of taking my jacket off

Jacket is off! Let’s take some more pictures!

Johnny has been taking my OOTD pictures for the better part of three years and I think that we have mastered the song and dance of the process. What originally started out as a somewhat awkward and time consuming feat has been perfected. These photo shoots take less than ten minutes which is a huge improvement from back in the day when it was a twenty or so minute ordeal. Talk about progress, baby!

I am so appreciative to Johnny for always helping his girl out and his rapid fire picture taking is what makes these blooper segments even possible. He also gets a huge kick out of the “bad” pictures! Every time I show him one I love, he’ll tell me “I know, I was there!” But every yikes shot makes him bust a gut lol. The give and take of marriage!!

The blooper reel is a blast for your favorite husband and wife OOTD duo and I hope that it is just as much fun for all of you. Keep it posted here on lifewithlilred for lots more fall fabulousness!

Does your significant other help with your blog at all? Who usually takes your pictures? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct2

A Day At The Zoo OOTD

Posted on October 2, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello!! Last weekend, I was surprised with a text from my sister asking if I’d like to join her and my nieces at the Akron Zoo. Spending time with Kristen, Val Gal, and Raya is the absolute best so I jumped at the opportunity. It was also free admission for Community Day and you can’t beat that! We had a wonderful afternoon exploring the zoo and I had a blast spoiling my best girls with lots of treats. Of course, I couldn’t step out without showing out so I put together this little OOTD:

Who? What? Wear?

Houndstooth Vest: Sincerely Jules, TJMaxx
New Moon, Who Dis? Dress: Hot Topic
Black Sweater: Shrinking Violet, TJMaxx
Gemstone Fishnets: Urban Outfitters
Hardware Embellished Loafers: Chase + Chloe, Forever 21
I have no idea where I got the apple clasp belt from lol

My sister and nieces always look darling so ol’ TT had to match their energy! I purchased the Sincerely Jules vest during my last TJMaxx haul and had been dying to break it out. I think that it is such a fun and unique piece and is perfect for some fall outings. When I am building outfits, I tend to select one focal point item and continue on from there. Once you have a staple picked out, it is much easier to style a look around it, which was definitely the case with my vest.

For this OOTD, I chose to keep the color palette minimal with surprise pops of color, which I thought added a cool retro touch to the vest. Originally, I had my New Moon, Who Dis? T-shirt dress on under the vest but I was afraid that it might be too cold for bare arms. To rectify this, I simply added my Shrinking Violet sweater on underneath the dress and I am glad that I did – it was a beautiful but very brisk day!

As a side note, remember that when you are layering items, you have to be careful with the fit of the clothes. For example, the T-shirt dress was loose while the sweater was tighter fitting and that made it an ideal layering combination. Two form fitting pieces or two looser ones just doesn’t have the same effect so go for opposites in fit and you will be a layering master.

ANYWHO, with the base of my outfit settled, it was time to accessorize. My vest has a menswear fit and the dress didn’t offer a distinct shape so the obvious choice was to add a belt. Surprisingly, I only have one belt in my clothing collection and it worked just fine. The quirky apple clasp is so cheeky and cute while, most importantly, accentuating my waistline.

Tights were also a must and I went with my favorite Urban Outfitters fishnets. These gemstone tights are simply the best and I get compliments on them whenever I wear them. I also liked that they showed a bit of skin since the rest of my body was covered up. To continue with the embellished theme, I chose my Chase + Chloe loafers. The jewels on the tights flowed seamlessly into the studs and spikes on the shoes while also enhancing a more color blocked look.

I haven’t received so many compliments on an outfit in a while and your girl was feeling her damn self. As a whole, this OOTD is bold and screams “look at me”. But that’s not all there is to it. The closer you look, the more you see all of the unique touches that are essential to my personal style. From the corset style laces at the bottom of the dress to being able to see my tattoos through the fishnets, there was visual interest everywhere. Remember, you always want to make the eyes of whomever is looking at you dance and this OOTD achieved that to the T.

My Day At The Zoo was just what I needed to lift my spirits and how could it not? It’s a wonder what good company and good fashion can do for the soul! ❤

How would you describe your personal style? Whose style do you admire? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep22

New Sincerely Jules Vest

Posted on September 22, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello!! This past Saturday was absolutely FABULOUS. It was seriously the best day that I have had in over a month and it was just wonderful. To start, Johnny took some new OOTD pictures for me (Check it out soon!). Afterwards we went on a crawl of all of my favorite places. We went to my happy place of TJMaxx and then to my other happy place of El Meson for Mexican food. Once lunch was over, we spent a lovely afternoon at my parents’ house and then back to our apartment for an evening of video games. Like I said, it was the best.

Johnny and I went to TJMaxx with the purpose of checking out their Halloween decorations. As always, I couldn’t go to my own personal Disney Land without buying a little something for myself too lol. The store was overflowing with gorgeous fall clothes and they were all speaking to me. Out of hunger and knowing that Johnny wasn’t going to last long during a morning shopping session, I walked away with a darling houndstooth vest by Sincerely Jules. It’s SO cute and was convenient because I didn’t have to try it on in the fitting room lol check it out:

Dressing for fall is such fun for me because I get to layer up with all of my favorite things – sweaters, cardigans, flannels, and jackets. Why stop at just one piece when you can layer?! I was ecstatic when I saw this Sincerely Jules number because I don’t have anything like it in my wardrobe and, yes, it is a perfect layering piece! Of course, it will be great over top of my plethora of black sweaters but can you imagine it over a jewel tone like cobalt blue? Beautiful!

What I like about this vest the most is its shape. Normally, vests for women taper sharply inwards underneath the breasts and that is not flattering for my body type at all. My new Sincerely Jules vest, however, has a more straight fit to it and invokes all of the menswear vibes, which I am so there for. It has some extra wiggle room to it that provides a bit of movement and will be able to be worn comfortably over a thicker top.

I cannot wait to style this vest for a future OOTD post and I already have so many ideas. To keep with a menswear theme, I plan on raiding Johnny’s wardrobe because he has the best button downs. A more masculine fit on top begs for some sexy heels on the bottom so I might just have to break out my wedding heels one time for the one time. Stay tuned on lifewithlilred to see the completed look!

What is your favorite layering piece? What is your favorite season to shop for? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep18

New Hair, Who Dis? OOTD Bloopers

Posted on September 18, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello everyone and welcome to the blooper reel from my New Hair, Who Dis? OOTD! I have had such a blast creating the bloopers for several of my past OOTDs and it is a relatively new segment on lifewithlilred. I have turned into a firm believer of sharing the entire photo taking process of an influencer because for every awesome shot there are probably twenty bad ones! The blooper reel is a true testament to that:

Johnny was cracking me up with an incredibly bad Alex Jones impression

I swear to drunk, I’m not god lol

My face when I see a dog walking by!! It was amazing!

I LOOK GREAT!!!!!!

Not sure what this stank face is for lol

Showing off some Dancing With The Stars worthy moves

Not sure what this stank face is for, either…

I have no idea what is happening…

If you’re new to the OOTD picture world and a majority of your shots look like the above, that is okay! I remember some of my first OOTD shoots and I was like “yikes” when looking through them afterwards. Practice really does make perfect, though, and you will get more comfortable the more you get in front of the camera.

I used to think that practicing my posing and facial expressions in the mirror was something only contestants on America’s Next Top Model did – but it really does work! Before every shoot, I spend some time in front of my full length mirror practicing different angles, movements, and expressions. With my little study session beforehand, I can take everything that is still fresh in my mind and apply it to my pictures. That’s how I end up with something like these and not any of the above lol:

That does it for my New Hair, Who Dis? OOTD and I hope that all of you enjoyed it as much as I did. Tune in tomorrow for my eight year Blogiversary stroll down memory lane. We will also be discussing new recipes and more OOTDs later this week. Year nine of lifewithlilred is starting off with a bang!

How do you practice before getting in front of the camera? What are some of your modeling pro tips? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep9

Autumn Awesome OOTD Pt. 3

Posted on September 9, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello everyone and welcome to the last set of photos from my Autumn Awesome OOTD before we move on to the blooper reel! I had a ball styling this look and exploring a new to me metro park with Johnny. I definitely want to go back in proper hiking attire to enjoy the trails because this outfit had me sweating bullets in the fifteen minutes it took to take all of my pictures! My OOTD was, admittedly, not the best for hiking but it was the best for a fabulous fall look:

^^^ The mural was painted by Matt Miller @mtmilo .

I have many favorite things about blogging but high in the ranks is doing OOTD posts. The process is just so satisfying to me and I love seeing something that I had in my head come to life. Planning the outfit, finding the perfect location, taking pictures with my husband, and seeing the results is all such a blast. It also makes it difficult to select only a handful of pictures, which is why several of my recent OOTDs have been a series!

I very much enjoy taking pictures of others and, obviously, having my picture taken too. I consider it to be an excellent practice in self confidence and I can tell how much mine has improved in terms of my OOTD shoots over the years. I’d be a liar if I said that I didn’t use to feel silly having pictures taken of me. Now, I feel like a model when I’m being photographed and try to do photo shoots for the blog with Johnny as often as I can. 😀

Blogging can be hard work but nine times out of ten it feels like play. I appreciate everyone who tunes in to share in the fun with me ❤ . Keep it posted for bloopers from my Autumn Awesome OOTD after a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club!

Do you prefer to be behind or in front of the camera? What helps you improve your self confidence? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep8

Autumn Awesome OOTD Pt. 2

Posted on September 8, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Howdy and welcome to some bonus pics from my Autumn Awesome OOTD! There is something about the arrival of fall that just feels exciting. One primary reason for me is that I despise summer weather lol. I love when the shift of hot AF to comfortable AF happens and I can wrap myself up in all of my cozy fall clothes! I think I will be living in my new Rachel Zoe sweater all autumn long:

^^^ Note the Peter Grimm hat worn on my back instead of my head and don’t note my roots too much!!

As I mentioned yesterday, the weather still fell under the category of “hot AF” during this photo shoot despite my fall ready outfit. I was sweating by the time Johnny and I were ready to leave and put on a pair of shorts and T-shirt as soon as we got home lol. The long awaited temperature change, clearly, hadn’t happened yet but I was very much mentally in fall mode!

During the summertime, I could truly care less about what I’m wearing and if my hair and makeup is done. I already know that I’ll be sweating profusely so what’s the point?! Johnny and I are cold weather creatures and would much rather spend our time in the AC than out and about! When fall arrives, however, it’s like a flip switches and all we want is to be outside doing all of the things. It’s when we thrive. 😀

There is nothing better than taking a hike, visiting a craft fair, or the pumpkin patch and being comfortable while doing so. My summer long hibernation ends and that means that I have to show out no matter the activity or occasion. My wardrobe skews heavily towards fall clothing and I need to seize every opportunity I can to break out all of my favorite pieces. Yet another reason why I freaking LOVE fall.

I don’t know about all of you, but this is the time of year for me when I begin thinking about all of the cold weather holidays. I am daydreaming of Halloween, Thanksgiving dinner, and Christmas. In fact, I have already began my shopping! Fall brings about all kinds of amazing changes and I am ready to live my best life all autumn long. And also my best dressed life too!

What is your favorite type of weather? Have you started any holiday shopping already? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep7

Autumn Awesome OOTD

Posted on September 7, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new OOTD here on lifewithlilred! As far as I’m concerned, it becomes fall as soon as it turns September and it is my favorite time of the year. Crisp weather, all of the autumn activities, Halloween, and, of course, the clothes! Nothing pleases me more than the arrival of cozy sweaters, cardigans, and coats in stores and I have a recent haul from TJMaxx to show for it. This Autumn Awesome OOTD features one of my new purchases:

^^^ The mural was painted by Lizzi Aronhalt.

Who? What? Wear?

Sweater: Rachel Zoe, TJMaxx
Distressed Jeans: American Eagle Outfitters
Hat: Peter Grimm, TJMaxx
Heeled Boots: Olivia Miller, TJMaxx
The rings are from Target

When trying on my new Rachel Zoe sweater at TJMaxx, my mind was swarming with OOTD possibilities and this look is the first one that flashed before my eyes. It just feels like the perfect fall outfit and I love it oh so much. I can definitely picture myself at the pumpkin patch, apple picking, or on a hay ride while wearing this OOTD and that means I accomplished my goal of an ideal fall fit!

It’s easy when we think of fall to associate it with deep burgundy and jewel tone colors and that’s fine. However, I think people often forget about the softer tones that look stunning come autumn too. The dove grey, camel, and periwinkle palette of my sweater is a unique take on fall colors and I like that it’s not your typical oxblood or plum.

When I first purchased my sweater, I thought that the diamond patterned stitching throughout it was black. It’s actually a chocolate brown, which would make it so cute with some brown velvet skinny jeans. But, I didn’t have any so I just went with my favorite AEO black skinnies. You would really have to look closely to notice the small color difference so it was good enough for me.

With the base of the outfit settled, it was time for accessories and I knew exactly what I needed thanks to my fitting room vision. There is nothing better than a cool pair of boots in the fall and I chose my Olivia Millers with the chunky chain embellishment. I love clothes and accessories with a little extra something to it and these boots added some flare to a relatively simple outfit. They were also a steal at only twenty dollars and you can’t beat that!

Of course, no fall outfit is complete without a cute hat and my camel one by Peter Grimm was the winner. It matched perfectly with the sweater and I am obsessed with the toggle strap, allowing you to wear the hat on your head or on your back when you tighten it (You can see pics featuring the latter option tomorrow!). Hats are, easily, one of my favorite accessories and are also the easiest fix when you need your hair done – which I do desperately lol.

I wrapped up my accessorizing with some rings from Target to add some extra bling. They are, honestly, old as dirt but I still love them! I didn’t want to add a necklace as the hat strap acted as a pseudo one. I also didn’t want anything to take away from the pattern on the sweater. Always remember that less is more when it comes to finishing touches on an outfit!

With an Autumn Awesome OOTD ready to go, Johnny and I headed to a nearby metro park to snap some shots. It was a beautiful location and you can see more of it all of this week in some bonus pics and bloopers. I also just want to say that I changed into a shorts and T-shirt immediately after taking these pictures because it was hot AF out lol. Mentally, I was feeling very fall, though! 😀

What is your favorite cold weather accessory? What is fall weather like in your neck of the woods? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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