Tag Archives: fashion

Jul20

TJMaxx Haul: Rebellion Again Crochet Crop Top Edition

Posted on July 20, 2022 by lifewithlilred

Hello everyone and welcome to the next item up for discussion from my most recent TJMaxx Haul! It is amazing what a little retail therapy can do to lift my spirits so who needs regular therapy anyways? …. Me and probably everyone, actually, but I digress! Today, we are going to be talking about a darling crochet crop top by Rebellion Again that I found during my second round throughout the store. Let’s get to it:

In my TJMaxx Shopping Pro Tips post, I talked about the importance of making two rounds in the store. This is essential if you feel like you missed something or you need another piece to build an outfit with something you plan on purchasing. The second example was the case for this top because I found a gorgeous pair of Nicole Miller floral print pants and had nothing to wear with it.

I decided that I wanted a cream colored top to pair with the earthy grey base of the pants and found it in this Rebellion Again crop. It was exactly what I had in mind and knew that it would work perfectly before even trying it on. I loved the floral crochet pattern, the scalloped edging on the bottom, and the tank style straps to hide away bra straps. It looks fabulous with the pants that you will see tomorrow!

Not only is this top ideal for what I needed but it also makes for an amazing summer top in general. As you all know, my wardrobe was severely lacking in that regard and my haul helped remedy this massive problem. This top will be adorable paired with shorts or high rise jeans. I also have visions of wearing it over the top of a dress or a tighter fitting long sleeved top come fall for some layering fun. 😀

Stay tuned into lifewithlilred for more from my TJMaxx Haul as well as a new Lil Red’s Book Club post coming very soon!

What is your favorite neutral color to wear? How would you style this top? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul19

TJMaxx Haul: Solitaire Top Edition

Posted on July 19, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello!! After a simply awful week and change, your girl needed some retail therapy so, naturally, I went to TJMaxx to ease the pain lol. It was just what I needed and I FINALLY found some new tops, which I am thrilled about because I was having no luck in that regard for a while. Today, we are going to start off my latest haul by checking out a gorgeous new top by Solitaire in a perfectly persimmon hue. Let’s get to it:

As I was making my rounds at TJs, I spotted this top on one of the display racks and knew instantly that it was going to be a winner. I was in love with the unique color and I have nothing even close to it in my wardrobe, which made it even better. The shape of this top is what really sold me, though. The exaggerated puff sleeves paired with the bold collar and tighter fitting middle is divine. And don’t even get me started on the sweet buttons and floral embroidery! This top is *chef’s kiss* perfection.

When I first saw this top, it instantly made me think of Halloween since I am an elder emo and I’m always thinking about it. I cannot wait to style it with the happiest season of all in mind and already have lots of ideas. In fact, it will be featured soon in a new OOTD so keep it posted for that. But *spoiler alert* I’m thinking my black Almost Famous skort, Adora hat, and Kenneth Cole heels for a super fun color blocked look. I’m swooning just thinking about it!

There is nothing like a good shopping trip to put some pep back in my step. Tune in all of this week for more from this amazing haul!

Has anyone else had some retail therapy recently? What did you find? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul18

TJMaxx Shopping Pro Tips

Posted on July 18, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello!! I often get asked my secrets for my numerous successful shopping hauls at TJMaxx. So, I decided to share them today before we start diving into my new purchases tomorrow! I will be the first to admit that shopping at stores like TJs, Ross, Burlington, or anything similar can sometimes be hit or miss. That’s okay, though! Walking away empty handed makes the GREAT SUCCESS of a good haul even sweeter. Just remember the following:

Go Without A Specific Purchase In Mind:

If you go to a store like TJMaxx looking for one specific style or item, chances are that you are going to be disappointed. When you are looking for one thing and one thing only, it really limits your opportunity to explore for something different. In this case, the best plan is no plan so go in with an open mind and see what catches your eye.

Give Yourself Time:

I refuse to go to TJMaxx when I’m on a time crunch because then I wouldn’t be able to go through each department with a discerning eye. When I’m on a shopping trip, I will make one round throughout the store, try clothes on, and then make a second trip back to certain areas. It’s honestly amazing what you miss the first time around and I found two gorgeous items in my haul that I didn’t even notice on my second trip.

The two trip method is also especially effective because it gives you the opportunity to build outfits with the pieces you plan to purchase. For example, I found an amazing pair of floral pants but had no top at home to wear with it. Then, I was able to narrow down a style and color palette that might work on top and found just what I needed. This past shopping trip took me about two hours and I enjoyed and needed every minute of it for optimum success.

Try & Try Again:

There are some pieces on the racks at TJs that I would simply never wear and that’s fine. However, if there is an item that you are on the fence about – try it on anyways! Not everything is going to be a winner but you’d be amazed at the things that are so give yourself a chance to find out. The whole point of stores like TJMaxx is finding purchases that you never would have found elsewhere so have fun with it and explore all of your options.

During the pandemic, it was hard to take risks with shopping when buying everything online was the norm. Take advantage of the fitting rooms being open and try styles, colors, and shapes that you would usually pass on. Your winners will open up whole new worlds of possibilities and will help develop your personal style even more.

I follow these three simple rules every time I go shopping at TJMaxx and always walk away satisfied even if I haven’t bought anything. Keep them in mind and you will be a Maxxinista in no time! Be sure to tune in tomorrow to discuss my favorite haul in forever! ❤

What is your favorite discount store to shop at? What are some of your shopping pro tips? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul11

White Hot OOTD Bloopers

Posted on July 11, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello and welcome to the final segment of my White Hot OOTD – the blooper reel! When Johnny takes my pictures, he snaps away to make sure I have lots of options to pick from. These photos range from the good, the bad, and the yikes but that’s okay because it’s all part of the photo shoot process. Any influencer will tell you so! Take a look at some of the yikes that definitely didn’t make the cut… Until now that is!

A brief pause when I felt a cobweb on me. Yuck!

A classic dismount shot:

Smelling fresh to death.

Party people say ayyyy. Party people say ohhhhh.

Almost took a tragic tumble when I lost my footing! 😮

Oh, hiiiiiiii!

Epic failure of a hair flip picture lol.

Wait for it….

Nailed it!

When I first started doing OOTD shoots, I would delete the bad pictures immediately and never gave it a second thought. Now, I do the polar opposite. Bad pictures teach us what not to do the next time around and, if nothing else, they provide me and Johnny with a good laugh. I hope this blooper reel does the same for you! 😀

Do you like getting your picture taken? What do you like to take pictures of? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul10

White Hot OOTD Pt. 3

Posted on July 10, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello everyone and welcome to the last of my White Hot OOTD shoot before we move on to the lols of the blooper reel! Prior to taking these pictures with Johnny, we had no idea of the beauty surrounding our new apartment. Although we still live in the same community, the scenery at our new place is vastly different to the old one. We used to be in a cluster of different complexes and are now nestled in the woods with greenery everywhere and a creek running through the property.

The last location we shot at is actually really cool because it’s a rock wall that makes up the base of our new complex:

To wrap up this photo series, I thought that we would talk a little bit about accessorizing. Knowing how to accessorize is just as much of an art as any other aspect of fashion because it is a delicate dance. Too much jewelry can take away from a great outfit and too little makes it feel like it’s missing something. You, truly, need that “just right” medium for optimum success and I think this OOTD achieved that.

There are a few key rules to follow when accessorizing that will help you put the cherry on top of any look:

Fill Negative Space:

Blank spaces on an OOTD are where accessories come into play, which you can see on my OOTD. Are you wearing a tank top? How about adding a jangling stack of bangles? Or, maybe you’re rocking a hot pair of short shorts – try an anklet or some bejeweled Gladiator sandals! Scooping neckline? Add a necklace of an appropriate length to fill the space!

Creating visual interest with an outfit means that you are making the eyes of whomever is looking at you dance. So, instead of just a brief up and down glance, they are looking here, there, and everywhere at all of the little touches you added to your look. Properly placed accessories is what helps to achieve this.

Consider Your Clothing:

This seems like an obvious tip but it needs to be said. Accessories thrive on a more neutral palette, which is why I limited mine to the top half of this OOTD. A bold patterned piece of clothing is an accessory in and of itself so you don’t want to weigh it down with unnecessary jewelry.

Let’s think about a white tank top again – this is grounds to spice things up with a lengthier pendant necklace. But what if you’re wearing a bright floral top? A short length silver or gold chain necklace or sweet stud earrings will work perfectly. Remember, accessories are meant to enhance – not take away from your overall OOTD.

As a heavily tattooed and pierced woman with some crazy cool hair, I have had to reconsider how I accessorize as my body mod collection grows. All of my modifications are my accessories so I am even more mindful of the jewelry that I wear in my OOTDs. The tips above work wonders for me and I know for a fact that they will for you too!

What is your favorite type of accessory? Do you have a piece of jewelry that you wear every day? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul9

White Hot OOTD Pt. 2

Posted on July 9, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello everyone and welcome to part two from my White Hot OOTD! After finally getting my hair done, I wanted to take all of the pictures and my sweet blog husband delivered. I had SO many great options and locations to pick from that I couldn’t cram it all into one post. Rather, we will be doing four! Tomorrow, you can tune in to see my final set of pictures and don’t forget to check out the blooper reel the following day. 😀

As promised, we will be discussing the art of mixing and matching patterns in this post so peep some brand new pics and let’s get to it:

Mixing and matching patterns might seem like a daunting challenge when it comes to assembling an OOTD. It is not as difficult as you think, however, as long as you follow some simple rules:

Start Small:

If you have never mixed and matched patterns before, then the best place to start is through your accessories. I recommend a handbag and shoes as your introduction. This way, you will still have a strong neutral base (which we will talk about more) to assist you. Some examples you could try would be a floral embroidered bag with a floral patterned shoe. This works because it’s a like pattern. Or, you could do a black and white polka dot bag with a black and white snake skin shoe – this works because it’s a like color palette.

Assembling An Outfit:

Once you have had some practice with accessories, you can move onto incorporating mixing and matching into your clothes. This Goddess Style OOTD by yours truly is a really good example of mix and match. Just remember to follow these tips:

Have One Neutral Piece:

Before diving into the deep end with a whole mix and match outfit, it helps to have a strong neutral piece in your OOTD. Black, white, taupe, and navy are all good places to start. Note in my White Hot OOTD that my tank top acted as the neutral to make the mix and match skirt and shoes pop. With one neutral piece in your outfit, it limits the pieces you can mix and match and makes the process less overwhelming.

Create Space Between Mix & Match Pieces:

Having one mix and match piece on top of the other is fairly advanced and it really does require the perfect pieces of clothing to make the outfit cohesive. This is why creating space between your M&M pieces will help you out when you are a beginner. In my White Hot OOTD, it wouldn’t have mattered so much if my shoes and skirt weren’t a one hundred percent match in color or pattern. The skirt gave me negative space between each piece and that assisted in its cohesiveness. You can try this out with a patterned top and shoe!

Color Coordination:

It is so crucial in mix and match OOTDs to have a like color linking your different patterns. For example, this orange patterned Zac & Rachel skort paired with my floral Scotch & Soda blazer. Looking at these pieces individually, you would think that it wouldn’t work together. But, that is far from the case! Each component has orange, black, and green which links the patterns into something that works in tandem. Remember, it is easier to mix and match patterns when each piece heavily features a similar color.

Be Mindful Of Pattern Sizes:

Let’s use the skort and blazer as an example again. What do you notice about each one? If you answered that the oranges are bold and the flowers are delicate, then you are spot on! It is so important to be mindful of pattern sizes and boldness when mixing and matching. You do not want two super bold or dainty patterns right on top of the other because it makes it difficult to differentiate the two. Go for opposites in terms of pattern size or boldness in your choices to really make your mix and match pop.

When you first begin mixing and matching – try and try again because clothes are meant to be tried on and played with! Remember these tips and you will be a pro in no time. ❤

Do you have any questions about mixing and matching? Do you have any pro tips of your own for M&M styling? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul8

White Hot OOTD

Posted on July 8, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello!! Your girl has been feeling herself with her brand new red and white hair and I just had to have Johnny snap some pics before we went to see his parents this past Monday. Of course, by some pictures I mean like five hundred thousand but who’s counting?! Johnny and I explored lots of different areas near our new apartment and were surprised to find a path that led right down to the creek that runs through the property.

We took pictures at three different spots within a five minute walk of our place. Because there are so many options from each location, I thought that I would share my White Hot OOTD in sections starting with some greenery behind our apartment:

^^^ Did you notice the cool shadows that the leaves made?!

Who? What? Wear?

White tank top: Rachel Zoe, TJMaxx
Floral skirt: Sienna Sky, TJMaxx
Embroidered heels: Sbicca, ModCloth

As you all know, I am not a huge fan of dressing for summer but I think that I am starting to find my groove with the “less is more” mentality. Although I love layering and implementing different cold weather accessories come fall time, I have accepted that this isn’t the case in the summer and that’s okay. In the summer, as long as the outfit is cute, you feel comfortable in the heat, and are confident, then I think it qualifies as a perfect OOTD. And I felt all three of these things in this look!

While this White Hot OOTD is fairly simple, it still packs a punch and it is something that I would definitely wear again. I had been eager to wear my new Sienna Sky skirt from a recent TJMaxx haul and because of its bold pattern and sweet flounciness, I only wanted to wear things that complimented it as the focal point. To achieve this, I tucked in my Rachel Zoe tank as an obvious choice and kept accessories minimal with a small necklace and a couple of bracelets.

For the shoes, I went with my embroidered Sbicca heels from ModCloth and these worked well for many different reasons. 1) It had a lower strap that buckled at the heel. This gave me a long leg line that would have been cut short with a heel that had an ankle strap. You all know how much of a stickler I am for that!

And 2) Despite a different floral pattern on the shoe than what’s on the skirt, it still looked cohesive because of similar colors. The Sienna Sky skirt features a very light cornflower blue and the blue base of the heels is just a bit darker than the skirt’s flowers. Tomorrow, we will discuss mixing and matching patterns in more detail but always remember to look for the like colors to make this styling technique work.

I am so loving this OOTD and I can’t wait to share more pictures and styling tips with all of you this week. Tune in tomorrow so I can show you the creek and talk mixing and matching! ❤

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

Jul7

Interested In Modeling? Try These Tips!

Posted on July 7, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Modeling is a competitive yet exciting industry that can be very rewarding both financially and emotionally. It’s no wonder that many young people aspire to become models. However, the process of becoming a model is not as simple as it may seem. There are certain things you need to do to increase your chances of success. This guide will show you how to become a model, from the very beginning stages to the point where you’re ready to start your career. If you’re serious about becoming a model, read on to find out what you need to do:

Research the Industry:

The first step to becoming a model is to educate yourself about the industry. Learn as much as you can about different types of modeling, the requirements, and what it takes to be successful. Additionally, talking to people who are already in the industry can be very helpful. They can give you insight into what the industry is like and what you need to do to succeed.

Decide What Type of Modeling You Want to Do:

Before you start your modeling career, you need to decide what kind of modeling you want to do. There are many types of modeling, from high fashion runway modeling to commercial print work. Each type of modeling has its own requirements and guidelines. Do some research and find out which type of modeling interests you the most. Once you know what kind of modeling you want to do, you can start taking the necessary steps to make your dream a reality.

Get Your Portfolio Ready:

A strong portfolio is one of the most important things you need as a model. Your portfolio is a collection of your best photos that show off your unique look and modeling skills. It’s important to have a variety of photos in your portfolio that showcase different looks and styles.

Product portrait photography is a great way to add variety to your portfolio and show off your modeling skills. Hire a professional photographer to take some high quality photos of you. Make sure to wear a variety of clothing and do different poses so that your portfolio is diverse.

Start Applying to Modeling Agencies:

Now that you have an idea of the kind of modeling you want to do, it’s time to start applying to agencies. This is where things can start to get a bit overwhelming because there are a lot of modeling agencies out there. The best way to narrow down your options is to research the different agencies and find the ones that specialize in the type of modeling you want to do.

For example, if you want to do high fashion runway modeling, look for agencies that represent models who have done this kind of work in the past. Once you have a list of potential agencies, you can start reaching out and applying to them.

Attend Casting Calls and Go-Sees:

If you’re lucky enough to get called in for an audition or “go-see,” congrats! This means that the agency is interested in you and wants to see if you’re a good fit for their modeling roster. Casting calls and go-sees can be nerve wracking, but try to relax and be yourself. The agency representatives are just trying to get to know you and see if you’re a good fit for their agency.

Sign with a Modeling Agency:

After attending a few casting calls and go-sees, you may be lucky enough to get signed with a modeling agency. This is a huge accomplishment and it’s the first step to starting your professional modeling career. Now that you’re signed with an agency, you’ll start getting booked for jobs. Your agency will help you with all of the details, from finding the right gigs to negotiating your pay.

Start Building Your Brand:

As a model, you are your own brand. This means that it’s important to start thinking about how you want to be perceived by the industry and the public. Do some soul searching and figure out what kind of image you want to project. Start producing content that is consistent with your personal brand as soon as you have one. This could be anything from starting a blog or YouTube channel to posting photos on social media.

These are just a few things you need to do to become a model. Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg and there’s a lot more to learn about the industry. But if you’re serious about becoming a model, these tips will help you get started on the right foot. The most important thing is to be authentic and stay true to yourself!

Jun22

Advice For A Fantastic Mid-Year “Tune Up”

Posted on June 22, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Advice For A Fantastic Mid-Year “Tune Up”

Any driver knows that from time to time, a full vehicle inspection is required. So, if we can do this with our vehicles, why can’t we do it with ourselves too? Sometimes, we might need the ‘tune-up’ that we give to our possessions. But surely you are the most valuable ‘possession’ you have in the first place! So, what plans can we make in order to optimize our approach here? In this post, we’ll discuss all of that and more:

See Your Dentist:

It’s quite amazing how fresh we feel after a visit to the dentist. A local dental clinic can help assess the entirety of your dental environment and make any recommendations that may be important. They can help clean your teeth, attend to any pain or problem areas you might have, and unlock your natural smile in the best possible way. For many this may seem like a pedestrian task, but regular visits can help you prevent long term dental issues that you may have otherwise had.

Take A Fitness ‘Inventory’:

It sounds quite sanctimonious to suggest you should sit down and consider how healthy you are. But the truth is, that it is a good thing to figure out where you are health wise and think about what you’ll do to better yourself. You also have to consider what you could actually do, not what you just think you should. This might involve losing that last couple of pounds, walking more in the mornings, or simply getting more vitamin D. It might mean trying to restore your flexibility after an injury you sustained. Your fitness inventory doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s to be right for you.

Update Your Style:

Updating your style is always a great thing! Otherwise, we can feel outdated and like we’re behind everyone else. This doesn’t mean you have to dress in the latest fashions, but it’s certainly health to consider the condition of your clothes and to improve them – to opt for a few fixtures like a nice winter coat or even having that watch repaired finally. A tuneup means being able to present yourself to the world with a renewed sense of confidence and appreciation. An approach like this can help you with that through and through.

With this advice, you’re certain to generate the best mid-year tuneup, ready for the best of summer and the onset of the colder seasons. 2022 is already halfway over, if you can believe it, so make the most of it!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jun22

Final Birthday Hurrah

Posted on June 22, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello! Unfortunately, I didn’t get to celebrate my birthday on the day of with my sister and her family due to a bout with COVID. Once they were ten days out, however, we had a wonderful late birthday outing together. I was treated by Kristen, Ramon, and my darling niece Valerie to a delicious dinner at my favorite restaurant, the Saffron Patch. It is the most divine Indian food that I have ever had and I savored every bite. I was also gifted with a TJMaxx gift card (Bless!), a sticker adorned card compliments of Val, and this gorgeous Betsey Johnson necklace:

Betsey Johnson has always been one of my favorite brands and I love her quirky, bright designs. There is nothing like a Betsey accessory to add a fun pop to any OOTD and I have several of her purses, shoes, and jewelry. When I opened up the box containing my new necklace, I couldn’t believe my eyes… I had actually just been drooling over it during my last shopping trip at TJMaxx. Talk about sister telepathy, right? 😀

I am obsessed with this necklace and it is so different from all of my other Betsey accessories – most of them have skulls and snakes as the focal point lol! The sweet gem stoned hearts are SO. Freaking. Cute. and remind me of the plastic star and heart jewelry of my youth (In the best way possible!). Another amazing thing about this necklace is that you can put it on over your head without undoing the clasp. We all know that that is a difficult task for me with my claws!

My new necklace is perfect for adding candy dream colors to a neutral base and I can’t wait to see it shine against white, black, and grey. I had a great time celebrating my birthday with three of my favorite people in the whole world and my festivities ended on the best note possible. ❤

What is your favorite accessory brand? How would you style this necklace? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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