Tag Archives: family

Warm Up With These Indoor Winter Activities

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Warm Up With These Indoor Winter Activities

Hello! I love the way the snow makes everything look like a holiday greeting card… and that’s about it lol. Driving in it is for the birds and as someone who is constantly cold, I can do without the extra dose of brrrrrr. So, needless to say, I like to enjoy my winter activities from the great indoors! If you feel similarly, try out these ideas all from the comfort of being wrapped in your favorite blanket:

Present Wrapping Party:

I absolutely LOVE shopping for holiday gifts but wrapping them? Not so much! Of course, it is a necessary evil and making it more fun can make it, dare I say, pleasant? Invite your friends over for a present wrapping marathon complete with hot cocoa and holiday movies. You can even have a gift swap at the end as a little reward for a job well done.

All Aboard:

In my neck of the woods, the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad offers all kinds of fun winter activities and you can peep the falling snow without being stuck in it! For the little ones, they offer the Polar Express and for adults, there tends to be a beer or wine tasting event as you ride the train. If there is something similar in your area, it could be a fun way to shake things up for a unique winter memory.

Craft Competitions:

There are so many winter baubles and trinkets that you can craft and you can up the ante by turning it into a competition. How about a gingerbread house bake off? Creating your own candles with festive scents? Or decorating ornaments for your tree or mantel? The prize could simply be bragging rights or a small gift to commemorate their victory.

Santa Hat Movie Viewing:

If you’re looking for a boozy time with friends or drinking a lot of hot chocolate, then have I got a game for you! Whether it’s a holiday movie or not, put a Santa hat on the corner of the TV and when any character ends up “wearing” it, take a drink. I promise that it will make the Hallmark movie marathon way more bearable! πŸ˜€

Winter Game Night:

Game nights are always fun and, this time, you can put a holiday twist on it. Try charades with famous holiday movie scenes to act out. Or, go around in a circle and each person will have to say the next word of a Christmas carol. Pin the ornaments on the tree? A holiday edition of Never Have I Ever? You could even make a photo booth set up for goofy holiday pictures… The possibilities are endless! Don’t forget a hot chocolate bar or trail mix station for your guests!

Don’t let it snow on your parade with the ideas above and stay comfy cozy all while achieving the ultimate holiday spirit! πŸ˜€

PS: Spread the joy by putting a “buy in” to each event you host by having your guests bring a canned good to donate to a local shelter. ❀

What is your favorite winter activity? What puts you in the holiday spirit? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Faux Fur Fabulous OOTD Bonus Pictures

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Faux Fur Fabulous OOTD Bonus Pictures

Hello everyone and welcome to some bonus pictures from my Faux Fur Fabulous OOTD! These pictures were taken when Johnny and I celebrated our six month wedding anniversary and it was such a wonderful day. Take a look at my bonus shots including one hilarious blooper and let’s discuss what we did to make our day special:

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Can you guess which one the blooper is lol?! Like any good blog husband, Johnny takes So. Many. Pictures. in rapid fire succession and this includes the dismounts, awkward shots, and pictures that I didn’t even know he was taking!

To start off our day, Johnny and I met up with my parents and our niece in downtown Cuyahoga Falls for a puppy parade. While we got the time wrong on the parade itself (whomp whomp), we still got to see tons of dogs dressed up in their holiday best. We had so much fun pet watching and petting all of these adorable pups and it was truly dog heaven.

In the indoor area set up, the pooches could get their picture taken with Santa and owners could shop with local vendors for stocking stuffers for their pets. Our niece was able to meet Santa and by that I mean she just stood there in stunned silence haha. She eventually warmed up enough to give him a high five, though! πŸ™‚

After the outing with our family, Johnny and I enjoyed a big lunch at Barrio where you can build your own tacos. Barrio is one of my favorite eateries and they have the best margaritas I have ever had. We got tacos for now and tacos for later and I am already itching to go back. πŸ˜€

When we were done eating, we checked out Off The Wagon and got a new board game to add to our vast collection. Then, we went to the Zephyr for a drink before heading home. Once we were back at the home front, an evening of video games and music commenced and it was an absolute blast. If our half year wedding anniversary was this good, I can’t imagine what our full year anniversary will be like!

No matter the occasion, Johnny and I always have the best time together and our date day was no exception. He is the best husband ever! ❀

What is your favorite restaurant? How does your community celebrate the holidays? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Thinking Of Getting A Dog? Here’s How To Make The Adoption More Practical

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Thinking Of Getting A Dog? Here’s How To Make The Adoption More Practical

Are you thinking about adopting a pet into your family? Perhaps you’ve had your eyes set on getting a dog for a long time or maybe your children are interested in helping to adopt a dog. Whatever the case is, bringing a dog into your family can be surprisingly difficult, time-consuming, and also impractical depending on where and how you live. So in this post, we’re going to be discussing a few tips to help you make adopting a dog much easier”

Are you ready to train your dog?

First, remember that you need to commit a lot of time to puppy training and other training tasks if you want your dog to behave and learn from you. If you don’t think that you have enough time for something like that, then it’s usually best to consider a different kind of hobby. Raising a dog and providing for it can be really hard, especially if you can’t provide them with attention on a regular basis.

Do some research on various dog breeds:

You may also want to do a little research on various dog breeds to help you choose which one to pick from. Dog breeds vary a lot in their personalities and also their physical looks. This is especially important if you want a dog that stays smaller or grows up to be a big boy or girl.

Is your home suitable for a dog?

You’ll also want to start preparing your home for a dog, especially if they’re rather big. Dogs can easily knock things over and you really don’t want them to be running around when you have a lot of things on the floor. Clean up your home and make sure you’ve installed various kinds of devices to hide cables and to keep your dog safe from harm.

Get to know your local vet ASAP:

Every pet owner has a duty to get to know their local vet. This is an important step in keeping your dog as healthy as it can be. Your vet will be able to provide you with ample information for recommended foods, keeping their shots up to date, and training tips too.

Do you have enough space in your home for a dog?

Finally, don’t forget that you need to prepare enough space in your home for your dog. You need to think about where your dog should sleep at night, but you also need to consider that your dogs need a bit of space to roam around. If you don’t have a large open area in your home or even access to a local park for your dog to explore, then you might want to reconsider adopting a dog. Just remember that it’s a lot of work and takes more space and sacrifice than you might imagine.

Dogs are a forever part of your family so consider all of the above before you sign the adoption papers!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Where To Start When Planning A Home Renovation

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Where To Start When Planning A Home Renovation

Whether you’re planning on prepping your home for winter or updating your home to make it bigger and more comfortable for you and your family, you know you can’t just pull out a drill and get started. A home renovation is a substantial project that demands plenty of care and planning. If you don’t know every step of the process, you might end up realizing that it won’t work right now. So, before you pull on your safety goggles, here is some advice for where to start when planning a renovation at home:

Decide Which Room Is Most Important:

Before you do anything, you should get an idea about which room requires the most attention. Many people begin with the room they use the most, which research shows is the kitchen, but this can also cause disruptions that make it impossible to use the room at all.

Other common rooms to start in are the living room, bathroom, and your bedroom, especially as you can usually make adjustments to the living situation while they are under renovation. A bathroom remodel with pros like mattbakercontracting.com (or a similar company in your local area) can be far more budget friendly than a kitchen remodel and is always appealing to potential buyers if you put your home on the market. However, you might consider these rooms perfect already, so it’s best to focus on anywhere that isn’t up to the same standard.

If you are already satisfied with the major components of your home, you could turn unused space into living areas. This is an incredibly common renovation for those that have an attic or basement and is an appealing one. A renovation to these spaces will not only boost your property value but allow you the freedom to turn these areas into whatever you please. It could be a home office, an entertainment room, or a guest room. If you would like to renovate your attic or basement, hold a family meeting to decide the best use of your new space.

Consider the Total Cost (And How You’ll Pay):

It’s no secret that a home renovation costs a lot of money, especially if you want it done right the first time. So, consider how much it will cost and how you will pay for it before you get on the phone with contractors or materials suppliers. Don’t forget to factor in additional costs as well like if you need to stay in a hotel while the renovation is completed or you need to make use of storage units and dumpster rentals. Dumpsters are a must for any home renovation so be sure to enter a search for “denver dumpster” (or your local area) to schedule your rental. It will help the clean up process so much!

Anyone who has done a renovation before will tell you that it will always cost more than your budget, so make allowances for this. Once you have decided which room needs the renovation the most, you can get an inspector to visit and check for any issues so you can budget accurately.

When your budget is established, consider the different ways to pay for the work, whether you want to take out a loan or pay everything upfront.

Decide Between DIY or Contractors:

The final step is to consider whether you will do it yourself or bring in professional contractors. Although DIY can save money in the short term, it could cost you more later as inexperienced DIYers can make mistakes that require repairs. There are also some parts of the home where contractors are essential. If you’re working with electricity, gas, or water, professional services like Panda Kitchen & Bath Expo are more reliable than attempting the work yourself.

It’s best to do your research and decide what jobs are feasible to complete yourself and what you will need a professional to assist with. Upgrading your living spaces can be a huge task, and one you may not be able to do completely solo. It takes a lot of time and dedication to take on a renovation, and when you employ contractors like those at ClearcutBuilders, this can take a significant amount of stress off managing every detail yourself. These professionals will also have experience and expertise in certain jobs that require access to resources and tools, ensuring a smoother project outcome.

A home renovation is a fantastic way to make your home safer and accommodate a growing family. It can take a lot of time and hard work, but as long as you remember these important factors, you will have no trouble planning a renovation that you will love.

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Flight Of Fancy OOTD Bonus Pictures

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Flight Of Fancy OOTD Bonus Pictures

Hello everyone and welcome to some bonus pictures from yesterday’s Flight Of Fancy OOTD! That Saturday was such a fun day of playing model with my husband, having a libation at our favorite bar, and enjoying a community holiday activity with my family. It was the perfect day immersed in holiday spirit and I loved every minute of it! Let’s get to it:

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Over the past several years, downtown Cuyahoga Falls has transformed itself into a happening little place. Prior to the renovations, this area had more closed down shops and restaurants than open. Now, every storefront is practically filled with unique eateries, boutiques, and novelty shops. Not to mention all of the amazing holiday activities and festivals that are hosted there throughout the year.

This past Saturday, downtown Cuyahoga Falls opened up its outdoor skating rink and had a Santa parade, fireworks, and tree lighting ceremony to celebrate. Johnny and I met up with my parents and niece for the festivities and had an absolute blast. Our niece got to see her TT skate for the first time and she also got to see Santa riding on a firetruck through the streets.

Not only was the area beautifully decorated for the holidays but it was also snowing which made for a scene fresh out of a Hallmark movie. There was music playing, people dancing in the streets, and an indoor area to warm up, sip hot chocolate, and have the little ones write their letters to Santa. So much fun! πŸ˜€

A wonderful time was had by all this past weekend and I am so appreciative to my hometown for hosting such awesome events to bring the community together. ❀

How does your neck of the woods get in the holiday spirit? Is there a similar area to downtown Cuyahoga Falls where you live? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Hello everyone and Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!! This has been a year full of exciting things for yours truly including getting married, achieving a 1,000 day writing streak, and being fully vaccinated with a booster shot included. I am so thankful for all of this and, as always, I am so thankful for all of you – my dear readers and friends. ❀

Without your unending support, lifewithlilred would not be going strong for seven plus years and I love being with all of you on my blogging and life journey. While I feel lucky for this every day, days like Thanksgiving make me feel extra sentimental about it and I can’t express my gratitude enough.

I will keep this post short and sweet so you can go back to enjoying your Thanksgiving day. I just wanted to say that I love you all and hope you have the most joyous time with family and friends! ❀

How are you celebrating Thanksgiving? 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

Sweet Surprises: C&C California Earrings Edition

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Sweet Surprises: C&C California Earrings Edition

Hi! One thing that I always look forward to during my work week is seeing my sister, Kristen, and her family. If our schedules allow, we try to see each other every week for a hang session and dinner. It’s so much fun to share good food and the best company together with my sis and little niece. It is also a time when we like to swap our no longer wanted clothes, makeup, skin care, and accessories.

This past hang out, Kristen gave me these darling earrings by C&C California and I am genuinely unsure as to why she didn’t want them because I think they are the cutest! Check it out:

I love these earrings but, despite that, they are a pair that I would never buy for myself because I much prefer longer, dangly earrings with my short hair. Although these are not my preferred style, I love the colors of the hanging tassels along with the blingy gold and I think that they will look charming with my red, pink, and violet hair because the colors match perfectly! πŸ˜€

I am thinking of breaking these C&C California earrings out for Thanksgiving dinner if they look good with my outfit. However, if it were up to my little niece, she would be the one wearing them even though her ears aren’t pierced lol! She graciously let her TT hold onto them for safe keeping but I told her that as soon as she’s old enough to have her ears pierced she can have them back. ❀

Sweet Surprises or no, hanging out with my favorites is the best gift in itself and I am the luckiest sister and aunt in the whole world!

How old were you when you had your ears pierced? What style of earrings do you prefer to wear? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

3 Ideas To Get Your Kids Interested In Nature

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3 Ideas To Get Your Kids Interested In Nature

By now, you have no doubt heard of the great mental health benefits of getting outside. But, while you might love the outdoors, your kids may still be on the fence. After all, it’s always more comfortable to sit inside, especially when the temperatures plummet. This won’t do them any favors, though, so it is important to try and get them more interested in nature. If you’re not sure where to begin, here are three ideas to help:

Show Them How Fun It Can Be:

Many kids will associate being outdoors with walking and walking far. There’s some truth to this, but it’s not the walk that makes nature fun, it’s seeing everything along the way. However, when they’re young, kids may not notice or care about this. All they see is a lot of green and brown.

You can change this attitude by considering the different ways to make nature walks enjoyable for kids, such as scavenger hunts, identifying different plants, animals, or bugs, or playing I Spy along the way. If possible, look for a trail that has a play area at the end, as this will give them something to look forward to, as long as they aren’t too tired by the time you arrive.

Bring Nature Indoors:

If your kids don’t appreciate nature as much as you’d like them to, how about bringing nature indoors? This is especially useful if you live somewhere cold and wet, making it difficult to get outside too often.

The benefits of houseplants can make them more appreciative of nature, and as you add more to your collection, they might become even more interested. You might get to the point where they want to help water them, care for them, and give them enough sunlight so they can thrive. It can be tricky to see plants grow outside, but having them inside allows your kids to see the entire lifespan.

Encourage Their Education:

While there might not be much in the school curriculum, you can still speak with their teacher and ask what they are doing to encourage a love of the outdoors in their students.

Depending on what they say, there is a range of resources they can use, including succulent classroom decor by Miss Jacobs that could be a small but inspiring module for your kids and their classmates. As it covers science, it can easily apply to a lesson, even if it’s something done to make up some time once all other lessons are finished.

As much as some people do not enjoy being outside, it’s fair to say that the majority of people can always find something to love about it. Whether it’s the positivity they feel after a long hike or the stunning views that they wouldn’t get from sitting on the sofa, your kids could experience the same shift, and soon, you won’t be able to keep them indoors at all

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Creating A Perfect Nursery

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Creating A Perfect Nursery

Once you have a child, you will spend the rest of your life doing what is best for them. The home decor and layout is one area where this certainly rings true. This mindset will be present in virtually every part of the home, including the backyard. Thankfully, many of the rooms only need minor adjustments until your child is up on their feet. For now, though, the main goal is to master the nursery. Here are some simple steps to help you do it in style:

Build around the bed:

The clue is in the title, the bedroom is a room that is primarily a place to sleep. While your son or daughter will spend the first few months in your room, they will soon outgrow the Moses basket. Finding a suitable crib at Foryourlittleone establishes a solid platform to build upon. It is the most important item in the bedroom or nursery. When you get this aspect right, it should provide guidance for all other elements. A baby will spend anywhere up to fourteen hours of the day sleeping so you want their crib to be just right!

Get a nursing chair:

Whether it’s an armchair, a rocking chair, or a small sofa is up to you. One way or another, though, you will benefit from having a seat for the night feeds or when your child wakes up in the night. Moving your tot too far may increase their alertness and make it harder for them to drift back to sleep. So, it is a purchase that will deliver benefits for parents and children alike.

When the nursing chair aesthetically matches the cot or the other room surroundings, it becomes a big part of the decor. In later years, it can move to the office or living room.

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Pixabay Image

Focus on warmth:

Maintaining a comfortable atmosphere for your child is vital for promoting healthy sleep. Aside from checking your central heating, you will want to ensure that the flooring choices are suitable. Experts at a Carpetwarehouse can help you find the thick solution that will keep the warmth in while also boosting the looks. The right choice of window coverings should avoid unnecessary heat loss too.

Conversely, you’ll need to keep the room cool in the summer. A good aircon system should be supported by big windows and/or an uncluttered design.

Have space:

Uncluttered designs aren’t only useful for maintaining a good temperature. It also provides your child with a place to play. Even when introducing them to tummy time, enjoying these activities in the bedroom can boost their bond with it. As they get older, there needs to be enough room for playing with toys and games. Many parents are surprised by the amount of storage that’s required as their child reaches their toddler years. Planning ahead with shelving and storage solutions is highly advised.

Keep your newborn comfy as can be in their nursery with the tips above!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Thanksgiving Checklist

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Thanksgiving Checklist

Hi! Thanksgiving is in one short week… Are you ready for it? Today, we’re going to check out a checklist to make sure that everything is in order for the big day. I, myself, have been fantasizing about Thanksgiving food since last Thanksgiving so I am very excited! Let’s get to it so your holiday meal with your loved ones happens without a hitch:

Prepare Your Menu:

Before going grocery shopping, it is important to prepare your menu in accordance to how many people will be at your meal and any dietary needs that they might have. For example, in my family there are three vegetarians so we never skimp on the side dishes! Doing a menu prep will also ensure that you are not cooking way too much or too little. Although, popping in an oven pizza if you haven’t cooked enough food isn’t the worst thing that could happen… I really like oven pizza lol.

Go Grocery Shopping:

Once your menu is in order, it is never too early to hit the grocery store so what you need isn’t sold out. Now would be a great time to get your turkey or ham, stuffing mixes, potatoes, cranberry sauce, beverages, and other cooking essentials like oil, flour, and milk. Veggies like green beans for the much debated green bean casserole (which I freaking LOVE) should be purchased a few days before Thanksgiving for ultimate freshness.

Clean Up:

If you are hosting Thanksgiving dinner at your house, then a deep clean is definitely in order – especially if you’re like my family who puts literally everything on the dining room table! Clean up the dining room, kitchen, bathrooms, and the living room so you have a comfortable space to relax after gorging yourselves. While everyone might be too full to play games after dinner, a movie screening in the living room will be much appreciated while you digest. I, personally, am hoping that my family continues with the tradition of watching Step Brothers after our Thanksgiving meal!

Early Food Prep:

There is plenty of food preparations that can be done before Thanksgiving day to make your cooking extravaganza easier on yourself. It is also an essential task for the perfect turkey. A day or two before Thanksgiving, you can work on cutting veggies and fruits if you’re having pie for dessert, baking rolls if you’re going the homemade route, and measuring all of the spices and seasonings you’ll need for each dish into a zip lock baggie. Anything that you can do beforehand will have you thanking yourself on Thanksgiving day since it will lighten your work load.

Get Your Outfit Ready:

I think it is so funny that people get super dressed up for Thanksgiving even though they are just hanging out at home but it is part of the tradition so a great outfit is in order. Plan out your OOTD ahead of time so you’re not left with the horrible feeling of having “nothing to wear” come Thanksgiving day. I already have a few ideas in mind so be on the lookout for an OOTD post of me straight stunting at the home front! πŸ˜€

Ease some of the stress that the Thanksgiving holiday can bring with the check list above so you can fully enjoy your day with family and friends. ❀

What is your favorite Thanksgiving food? Does your family have any Thanksgiving traditions? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah