Tag Archives: family

Jan2

Make Memories On Your Next Family Vacation

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Make Memories On Your Next Family Vacation

There’s nothing quite like a family vacation. As parents, we only get 18 summers and 18 winter breaks with our children before they grow up and want to do things on their own. These words should stick in the mind of any parent who has so far put off a family vacation because of timing, money, or even the fact that their kids are young and may not remember it. It doesn’t matter if they remember it, because YOU will. As a parent, you’re going to carry every single vacation, haircut, and the first day of school in your heart and mind for the rest of your life. Memories are moments that you can never get back and you should be doing everything possible to make memories with your children.

Below, you’re going to read some of the ways that you can make memories with your children on your next vacation:

Unplug:

Between work, social media, and the massive lack of downtime that parents get, smartphones and tablets are usually the entertainment of choice throughout the day. When you are on vacation, though, it’s time to unplug. Facebook is like an empty refrigerator; you can open it several times, and you still won’t find anything interesting in there! Put the phone away and watch things happen with your eyes, not a screen. You will be amazed at how much more wondrous every outing can be when you don’t feel attached to your devices. Dinners are tastier, sightseeing during a nights of lights shines brighter, and ordinary moments will feel magical.

For a full unplugged vacation, plan for activities sans phone. This could be a vigorous trek of a mountainside, seeing a Broadway show, or even something that would certainly leave your phone waterlogged! Take a dive and enter a search for “best molokini snorkel tour near me” if you’re visiting the beautiful beaches of Hawaii and want to experience an unforgettable undersea adventure.

Take Photos:

Taking lots of pictures of the scenery is nice, but taking photos of the kids and your family all together and having fun is so much nicer! Prepare yourself with a list of 50mm DSLR lenses so that you know the best ones to bring with you when you go, and don’t pose too much. Get the candid pictures when they’re not expecting it, and you capture those raw moments of your children discovering life – it’s exciting, and you’ll be able to hold onto those forever.

If you are hoping for tons of photo ops on your vaca, a guided tour could be the way to go as your escort will be able to show you all of the scenic spots and beloved community staples. If this is something that appeals to you, simply enter a search for “guided tour holidays” and book the trip of your dreams – minimum planning required!

Go With The Flow:

No matter what goes wrong, relax. Take it in, absorb it, and make the best of the situation at hand. You cannot predict freak weather or a delay in your flight. What you can do, though, is make the best of it. Play silly games with the kids. Run around and get some energy moving. Keep everyone calm and happy with snacks and crayons. Just go with it; you’re still going to have those, “remember when…” moments, maybe just not the ones you originally anticipated. Keep in mind that even if you experience travel chaos, there is a light at the end of the tunnel: Your vacation! All of the stress will melt away once you are on your Galapagos islands cruise, at the amusement park of your dreams, or sight seeing in a new country.

Rewind Time:

When was the last time you ran screaming toward the waves on vacation? Or built sandcastles? It’s time to put down the book and go and have some immersive, imaginative fun with the children. They’re going to love every second of you being messy with them, so go and be messy! Those are the memories that you can never get back.

Making memories on vacation is the way that you set up your future. Looking back is never sweeter than when you have a photo album full of your family in the best light possible. Take a moment, breathe it in, and enjoy!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jan2

Warm Fuzzies

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Warm Fuzzies

Hiiii everyone! We interrupt today’s scheduled post on the Huda Beauty Emerald Obsessions palette to report some Warm Fuzzies bestowed onto Lil Red compliments of my beloved mother. As you guys know, I had some major surgery complications this past month and was a hot mess express for basically all of December. I was in a lot of pain and I’m just now feeling like I’m on the mend.

During the first day of my upswing, I spent it watching TV and reading in a big comfy armchair in my living room instead of being cooped up in my bed too groggy to move. My mom was home from work that day and sat on the futon next to me to fold some laundry.

While she was going through the clean clothes, I noticed a new towel that she scored through a JCPenny or Kohl’s Cash coupon FO FREE (A classic mom trick!). I had used that towel a few days ago after struggling through a shower and told her that it was nice and soft and that I liked the color, a dark heather grey. She told me that she liked it too and that I should have it in my bathroom.

When I woke up the next morning, this is what I noticed on my towel rack:

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I am in the worst pain of the day when I wake up and going into my bathroom and seeing the soft towel waiting for me made my misery slightly more tolerable. I was so touched by such a simple gesture and it can really only be described as the Warm Fuzzies. I love sweet little somethings like this so much and, despite hurting so badly, it made me happy. Moms always seem to know just what to do, even in the worst of times and I think my mom knew that one extra warm hug is just what I needed that day. ❤

What is something that gives you the Warm Fuzzies? How do you show kindness in simple ways? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec31

Happy Haulidays: Sister Edition

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Happy Haulidays: Sister Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to the last post of the Haulidays! Today, we will be looking at what my sister, Kristen, gifted me with. Kristen is an amazing gift giver and always seems to pick out the perfect presents, even if it’s never necessarily what I ask for! But, that’s just what sisters do, I guess. 🙂 Take a look at some pics and let’s discuss:

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The Haul:

  • Lush Jelly Bomb in Turtle
  • Lush Bath Bomb in World’s Smallest Disco
  • Huda Beauty palette in Emerald Obsessions
  • Victoria’s Secret Dream Angels bra

Quite the haul, right?! Like some of my other friends, Kristen knows to gift me with Lush products for holidays and birthdays. I love every single item from Lush, but they are treats that I rarely buy for myself, so it always makes for the best gift. And, let’s be honest, what girl doesn’t need a new bra? I only wear the Dream Angels collection from Victoria’s Secret and will opt for black lingerie nine times out of ten, so the bra Kristen picked for me is definitely one that I would buy for myself!

Finally, the Huda Beauty palette in Emerald Obsessions. Long story short, it is GORGEOUS! We will look at it in more detail tomorrow so be prepared for a palette filled with the most stunning metallic golds and greens that you’ve ever seen. Both of which are my favorite eye makeup colors to wear. Each gift that Kristen got for me was a home run, and her thoughtfulness and generosity truly makes her the best sister that a gal could ask for. :*)

What did you get for your holiday haul? What do you like to gift for your siblings? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec30

Happy Haulidays: Brother & Sister In Law Edition

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Happy Haulidays: Brother & Sister In Law Edition

Howdy! For a few days until Christmas Eve, my brother and sister in law flew up from Atlanta, Georgia to be with my family. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to spend as much time with Peter and Megan as I would have liked, because of complications with my wisdom teeth surgery. But, I was still so happy to see them and celebrate all the same! Here’s a look at what they brought Lil Red for the haulidays:

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The Haul:

  • Flat top hat
  • Black lace parasol

Peter and Megan really pulled through on their purchases, because I wanted a parasol BAD this Christmas. It has been an accessory that I’ve felt suits Lil Red for a long time and this black lace one is just perfect. It’s edgy, cool, and going to be oh so extra when shading my pasty pale skin from the sun! And, of course, you can never go wrong with a hat for me, because I love hats of all shapes and sizes. I don’t own any completely flat top styles in my collection, so this new one is a great addition to my hat hoard. Love it!

Did you have family from out of state visiting this holiday? Does a lot of your family live close to you? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec29

Happy Haulidays: Mom & Dad Edition

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Happy Haulidays: Mom & Dad Edition

Hi! In today’s Haulidays post we will be looking at some polar opposite prezzies from my mom and dad. This year, things were a little bit different becauuuuuuse *drum roll please* my dad actually picked a present out for me! Haha, my dad is notorious for the ol’ presents “from mom and dad” trick and I think that he’s always just as surprised to see what my mom picked out as we are. So, it was an extra special touch that I got the perfect daily calendar from my beloved dad! Take a look:

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The Haul:

  • Daily True Crime calendar
  • Betsey Johnson gemstone snake wrap around necklace

My dad knows me all too well, because I couldn’t have asked for a better day by day calendar if I tried. He knows that I am an absolute horror junkie so I guess when he saw these daily factoids about crazy killers, it spoke to him. And, I don’t see why it wouldn’t, with a caption like “wife cannot recall cutting off his penis” on the front! My dad seemed very pleased with his purchase and, as morbid as it is, I’m flattered that this made him think of me. 😀

And, from my mom, came a gorgeous Betsey Johnson snake necklace that I’ve had my eye on from TJMaxx. I have a pretty sizeable collection of snake themed jewelry and I am so happy to be able to add this necklace to it because I freaking love it. It’s just beautiful! The dazzling colors and the slithering surprise of what the necklace actually is shaped as is so me and I cannot wait to break this baby out!

How do your parents buy your Christmas presents? What is one of the most thoughtful gifts you received this hauliday? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec28

Happy Haulidays: Brother In Law Edition

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Happy Haulidays: Brother In Law Edition

Howdy! Today’s Haulidays post is compliments of my sister’s long term boyfriend, Ramon! Ramon is one of my best friends in the world and, even though he and Kristen are expecting a little baby together soon, he still lets me third wheel all the time. What a guy! Not only is Ramon one of my favorite people on the planet, but he is also an excellent gift giver and always knows just what to get for Lil Red. Take a look:

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The Haul:

  • Step Brothers fleece blanket
  • Step Brothers Boats N’ Hoes glass
  • Rainbow glitter shot glass

As I’m sure all of you know by now, Step Brothers is one of my favorite movies of all time. So, it always behooves people (And myself!) to get me themed presents from Will Ferrell’s finest. Ramon hit the nail on the head big time with the huge fleece blanket with front and back images of Brennan Huff and Dale Doback’s smiling faces and I love wrapping myself in it every night. And, nothing is better than enjoying a cold one in a new glass that promotes their hit single, Boats N’ Hoes! Turn up! 😀

What is your favorite movie? Is there a theme for gifts that always work well for you? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec27

Your Checklist To Prepare Your Home For A New Dog

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Your Checklist To Prepare Your Home For A New Dog

Getting a dog and bringing it to your home can be a huge milestone for the entire family. From a new puppy to adopting a dog, there is so much fun and excitement that comes with a new pet for the family. The environment that you bring them home to is so important, though, and the first day that you bring them back is crucial, too. Your dog is going to be full of nerves and excitement, as they are brought into something so different than what they have been used to. So being able to make them as comfortable as possible is key. With all of that in mind, here are some things that you can do to make sure that the transition to getting a new dog goes well:

Prepare All Household Members:

If you have other family members in the home, even if it is just you and your partner, you all need to be prepared for the new arrival. If you have children at home, then it is a good idea to talk to them about what is going to be happening. It is also wise to assign out the expectations of welcoming a new dog into the home, as well. If you expect the children or teenagers to help with walking the dog, then they need to know ahead of time that it is what you expect of them.

Get The Right Equipment:

Before you bring the dog into your home, you need to make sure that you have all of the right equipment in to make things more comfortable for your dog. A dog bed, bedding, bowls, toys, and food is a must, of course. The food can be trial and error with a new dog but starting with something like TreeHousePuppies could be a good idea. Vitamins can be a good for your dog, too.

Puppy-Proof:

All dogs are going to react differently to different things and the new environment that they are going to presented with. But it can be made much simpler by making sure that you have done your bit to puppy-proof the home. It could be simple things like putting houseplants out of reach for your dog or moving things like roach traps out of the way, too. If you don’t want them to go upstairs, then getting gates for the stairs, much like baby gates, is going to be a great idea and using them right from the start is a must to avoid confusion.

Getting a vet for your dog is one of the things you should do once they’re all settled. This can be especially important if you are adopting a dog as you won’t know what the state of their health could be. But most of all, enjoy your time with your new addition to the family!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Dec25

Merry Christmas!!

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Merry Christmas!!

Hellooooo all of my beloved readers and friends and a very Merry Christmas to each and every one of you! I am so happy to be able to celebrate the holiday with my family today and I hope that no matter how you spend your day, you have an amazing time doing so. It has been a hell of a few weeks for Lil Red and Christmas day spent with family, presents, and lots of good cheer is just what the doctor ordered! May all of you have a safe and love filled holiday and I will be back with the latest and greatest tomorrow! Much love. -Sarah

Dec21

Coping With The Stress Of An Unexpected Situation

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Coping With The Stress Of An Unexpected Situation

Studies have shown that most of us feel stressed out at least some of the time in our typical day to day lives. We get stressed about work issues. We worry about our family and our relationships. We panic about financial problems. We’re stressed out by constantly being connected to social media and our emails. We worry that we’re eating too much or not enough of the right things. We know we should be exercising more, but we just can’t find the time. We work long, hard hours, we rarely give ourselves a break and when we do we use it to scroll through Instagram feeling envious of other people’s perfect lives.

That’s when things are going well. Our stress levels often reach their peak when something unexpected happens. Unfortunately, unexpected situations can’t always be avoided. Things break down and need repairing. People lose jobs or get sick. We find ourselves facing legal issues or problems with our children. You can’t prepare for them, but you can learn how to cope with the stress that they bring, allowing you to deal with them better.

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Just breathe!

Research:

When something unexpected happens, it’s the unknown that causes us stress. Not knowing what’s going on, or why, or what will happen next causes undue concern, sleepless nights, and panic. Research your situation, employ the right people to help you, look for a lawyer and real time court reporters if you need to. Learn as much as you can, and don’t be afraid to ask for help understanding if you need it.

Speak to Someone:

You’ve probably heard the saying “a problem shared is a problem halved”. Well, it’s often true. We’re frightened and stressed out because of a lack of knowledge, but we almost talk ourselves into getting more stressed out if we deal with it in our own heads.

Speak to someone about your worries and concerns. This might be a professional that can offer you help or it could just be a close friend. Either one will give you a soundboard to get things off of your chest and offer you advice. Sometimes just vocalizing our problems makes them seem smaller.

Look At Your Options:

We often get stressed out because we feel trapped. Something unexpected happens, and we can’t see a way out. We panic, we focus on the negatives, and all we can see is the worst possible outcome. But, chances are, you have got options. Speaking to someone and learning more about your situation will help you to see them. Don’t be too proud to ask for help from the people that love you. They’ll need your help too one day, and you’d hate to think that they wouldn’t ask for it.

Concentrate On What You Can Change:

We can’t change everything. If something has happened, it’s happened. You can’t change it, and you can’t fix the past. So stop worrying about it. Focus your energies on the future, the things that you can change, and you’ll feel much better.

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Dec20

How To Cope With A Scary Medical Diagnosis

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How To Cope With A Scary Medical Diagnosis

There’s nothing quite like being diagnosed with a serious illness or disease. It’s a situation nightmares are made of. Even if you suspected that something was wrong, this information completely knocks you for six, taking over your entire life in one terrifying and paralyzing moment. It may feel as though time has stopped, but you do need to find a way carry on. To help you cope with this scary news and bring balance back into your life, here are six things that you can do:

Allow Yourself To Feel:

Maintaining a positive attitude can help you to make better choices and improve your quality of life. However, if you’re not feeling particularly positive, you shouldn’t have to fake it. Many people diagnosed with serious illnesses choose to put on a brave face so as to not worry their loved ones. Unfortunately, this can be incredibly overwhelming. It’s much healthier to let yourself feel and not be ashamed of it.

Use The Web Wisely:

Certain conditions most of us already know quite a bit about, but, when you’re diagnosed with something you’ve never heard of, one of the first places you might turn is the internet. Just make sure you use it wisely. As useful of a tool as the web can be, it also contains some wildly inaccurate information. It’s much more sensible to talk to trusted health professionals, instead.

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Avoid The What Ifs:

When we receive a serious diagnosis, our minds instantly jump to the worst case scenario. You should avoid doing the same. As beneficial as some services from hospices may be, you’re not at the point that you need them yet, and actually may never be. You might think that you’re preparing for the future, but all you’re really doing is causing yourself unnecessary stress.

Choose Whom To Tell:

The support of your family and friends is crucial in times like this, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that you should tell everyone you know right away. A loved one who is going to cry or offer unhelpful advice every time you see them is someone you may want to keep this information from, at least until you’ve wrapped your head around it. Only talk to those who will help you.

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Find Those Who Understand:

No one can ever truly understand what you’re going through, but there are plenty of people that can take a good guess. You’re not the only person in the world to be diagnosed with your illness, so, instead of battling it alone, you could consider talking to those who are going through the same thing or have in the past. You can often find these people through support groups and they are sure to offer great advice. For example, someone might have benefited from a medicare patient advocate that helped with billing assistance or another member of the group could have recommendations to soothe symptoms. You are all in it together and a sense of community can be uplifting.

Stick To Your Routine:

Certain illnesses will require treatments that take up large portions of your day. However, when possible, you should try to stick to your usual routine. Some days you will want to lay in bed and ignore the world, and that is okay, but you can’t let this be your life. If you do, your diagnosis will define you. You may choose to cut back on certain things, but many elements can stay the same.

Hearing a scary diagnosis will never be easy, but, hopefully, with these tips, you can cope better through the next few days and weeks.

Featured Image By: Pexels