Tag Archives: fashion

Holiday Haul: Gift To Myself Edition

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Holiday Haul: Gift To Myself Edition

Hello! It would not be the holiday season without purchasing a little post Christmas prezzie for myself so, armed with gift cards to TJMaxx so generously gifted to me, I began to online shop. Well… I actually wouldn’t call this “shopping” because, for once, I knew exactly what I wanted when I went on TJ’s website instead of searching for what I didn’t know I needed.

I have had my eye on a beautiful skull adorned cashmere sweater by 360 Cashmere for the past several months now but it was too expensive for me to justify buying it. Then, as a Christmas miracle, it got marked down and I said “I think I can swing that”! My new sweater is totally me and I am so happy with my purchase. Merry late Christmas to myself! Check it out:

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The first time I saw this sweater all of those months ago, I fell in love. I absolutely adore skull prints on clothing, which just goes to show that some people never outgrow their emo phase lol. I have also never owned anything cashmere before and the mere idea of wearing it felt luxurious. I was so eager to finally try this sweater on and I felt just as posh and cozy as I imagined – if not MORE!

My skull sweater is as soft as puppy fur and it doesn’t feel too hot, either, which is something that I was worried about. The oversized shape also allows the fabric to breathe for maximum comfort. Despite loving the style of slouchy sweaters, I actually can’t say that I own one and not for lack of trying. I have never found one that was just right until now, I suppose. 🙂

From the charcoal grey palette to a V neck line that isn’t plunging and my favorite pattern, this sweater checks all of my boxes. I can’t wait to wear it with jet black super skinny jeans and tall boots but I can also picture myself pairing it with a long skirt, similar to my OOTD this past Christmas. Now, if only things were safe so I could break this bad boy out for a game night with Johnny and our friends.

My holiday haul ended with a special gift from me to me and I know that I will get great use of it. I’m also proud of myself for waiting for my sweater to get marked down because it showed self restraint that I didn’t know I was capable of, haha!

Did you treat yourself to anything this past holiday season? What is your favorite gift that you received in your holiday haul? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

If The Slipper Fits: Minnetonka Edition

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If The Slipper Fits: Minnetonka Edition

Hello! My adorable mom was a sneaky Santa, as she presented me with a “decoy” (As she called it) shoe box this Christmas before gifting me with the L’Artiste sandals that I had been drooling over. What was in my decoy box, you might ask? An oh so comfy pair of moccasin style slippers by Minnetonka! I’m not going to lie, I was a bit disappointed when I opened my slippers and they weren’t the sandals. But, after testing them out once I got home, I have practically lived in them and I can’t help but smile at my mom’s little prank every time I put them on. Lol, check it out:

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When I was a teenager, I got a pair of Minnetonka moccasins that I still own to this day. I can’t seem to throw them out, even though they are riddled with holes now because I would wear them literally all the time. But, with these new slippers, I definitely might be more inclined to pitch my waterlogged old faithfuls since I now have an upgrade. Despite them being house shoes, they still have a thick rubber sole so I know I can have them on when walking to take the trash out or going to the gas station drive thru.

I was a bit worried that the faux fur lining in the moccasins might be too warm for me but they are just right – especially in my cold apartment! I love my slippers because I have never owned a pair in my life and they are something that I wouldn’t have bought for myself. My mom is basically the cutest person ever and I just adore the fact that she knew exactly what my reaction would be when I opened my Minnetonkas but gifted them to me anyways because she also knew that I was going to warm up to them immediately. The Sneaky Santa award most definitely goes to her! ❤

Have you ever received a decoy gift? What was the decoy prezzie covering up? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

If The Shoe Fits: L’Artiste Sandals Edition

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If The Shoe Fits: L’Artiste Sandals Edition

Howdy!! My parents, AKA Santa, were so generous this Christmas and treated me to a gorgeous pair of mini wedged sandals by L’Artiste that I have been drooling over ever since I saw them on ModCloth. It was the last present that I opened and they clearly were saving one of the best for last! Check out these pretty new babies and let’s discuss:

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Now, the heels on these sandals are, admittedly, pretty low for Lil Red but I am more than willing to sacrifice a few inches of height for them. I mean, just look at the patterns, colors, and details! As soon as I saw my new sandals on ModCloth, I was blown away by how beautiful they are. I love the contrast between the jet black base, the stark white stitches, and the shocking oil pastel style colors on the floral patterns. The chunky buckle adds a touch of edge and I feel like I would be the belle of the farmer’s market in them!

I am so looking forward to sporting my sandals come late spring and summer because they are going to be absolutely charming with sun dresses and shorts. And, even though I could walk for forever in twenty inch heels, the smaller wedge will be a nice break while browsing outdoor shopping centers. Can all of the winter snow melt now, or? 🙂

My parents know how much I love my shoe collection and I am so happy to add these beauties to it. I felt so spoiled this Christmas and am so thankful for all of the wonderful gifts I received. I am also extremely thankful that Santa knows that I’m a size six! ❤

How would you style these sandals? Do you have a collection of anything? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Holiday Haul: Lillianne Robe Edition

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Holiday Haul: Lillianne Robe Edition

Hellooo everyone and happy 2021! Santa was very good to Lil Red this year and one of my favorite gifts that I received is easily a vampire fang adorned robe by Lillianne from my mom and dad. I have never owned a robe before and as soon as I saw the little number seen below on ModCloth, I had to have it. I’m also not going to lie… I am very jealous of how comfy Johnny always looks lounging in his cheetah print robe! Lol, take a look at some pics and let’s discuss:

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Now that I think of it, it is kind of crazy that I have never owned a robe considering I have at least one of everything else in the fashion department! I guess I was just waiting for the right one to come along and my Lillianne robe spoke to me. If you are a Lil Red super fan, you will notice that the pattern on this robe is almost identical to one of my tattoos on my shoulder and I was so tickled when that was the first thing that Johnny said about it. 🙂

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^^^ Don’t mind the face mask, you can just see my tattoo really well in this pic!

I have basically lived in this robe since Christmas day and my only regret is that I can’t wear it all the time because it is SO. Damn. Comfy. The fabric is nice and soft and it provides an extra layer of warmth without feeling too hot. I love the soft blush color paired with the punchy red and black and the embroidered “Bite me” on the back makes it the perfect robe for me. Not to mention it has really deep pockets to either warm my hands with or put a bunch of snacks in. 😀

My parents knocked it out of the park with this gift and if you see me roaming around Akron, Ohio in my new robe, then just know that I succumbed to the comfort and to mind your business lol!

What is your favorite gift that you received this holiday season? How did you celebrate the holidays? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Star Bright Holiday OOTD

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Star Bright Holiday OOTD

Hi!! Despite my namesake, Lil Red has never been one for wearing red (Or green!) on Christmas day. It has been months since I got myself all dressed up because COVID and I wanted to show out when we safely celebrated the holidays at chez parents. So, I put together my own unique holiday look and, I’m not going to lie, your girl was feeling her damn self. So much so that I just had to have my mom snap a few (Or fifty) pics so I could share my OOTD with all of you. Check it out:

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Who? What? Wear?

First things first, please ignore my roots in these pictures! Lol, I can’t get my hair done until January 22nd and it is driving me CRAZY! Second things second, I absolutely love my holiday OOTD. I felt completely posh and there is something to be said for outfits that you feel beautiful in without showing a lot of skin. This is also an outfit that I can picture myself wearing again – not just on a holiday.

My Chaser sweater with the gold embroidered stars added a festive touch without going overboard and the creamy coloring is oh so lux. Paired with a pleated skirt with lots of movement and the unique pattern of silhouetted faces added the quirkiness while my snakeskin platforms gave a healthy dose of glam. And who says black and brown don’t go together?! I have heard time and time again that you should never pair a black bottom with brown shoes but when has Lil Red ever followed the rules of fashion? I thought it looked great!

Not only did I get to break out some new clothes but I also wanted to wear all of the accessories that I have treated myself to. I am in love with the earrings that Johnny got me for Christmas and I can’t get enough of my Allsaints cuff. My niece was enamored by my glittering heart Meredith Leigh necklace and it was special to me too because Johnny had to help me take it on and off because the clasp does not work well with my talons and it was a really sweet moment. ❤

I received compliments all day from my family about my outfit and it made me feel awesome. Like I said, it’s been a while since I “threw some paint on the old barn” and I was bursting with self confidence and holiday spirit, lol. Christmas with my family was the absolute best and I can’t wait to rock another killer OOTD next year!

How do you dress up for the holidays? What is a fashion rule that you love to break? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Accessory Story: Allsaints Bracelet Edition

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Accessory Story: Allsaints Bracelet Edition

Hi!! There is nothing that Lil Red loves more than a treat from me to me and, with the stress of the pandemic, I like to treat myself to a new little something once a month or so. I had a few odds and ends that I needed to order from TJMaxx and to get myself past the free shipping threshold, I ordered a very cute and unique bracelet by Allsaints. It took a while for my order to ship but it was well worth the wait because I am in love! Check it out:

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^^^ Peep that original seventy-eight dollar price tag! I got this bracelet for twenty-five. Score!!

When I first saw this burnished gold bracelet, it literally made me clutch my pearls. From the mini cuff fit to the super punk rock nail and chain detailing, I just thought this bracelet was amazing. I love classic pieces with an extra bit of edge to them and my new Allsaints cuff is a perfect example of that. It also came with a really nice matte black pouch to house the bracelet in but I don’t think I’ll be using it very often because I plan on wearing it all the time!

Nothing makes me happier than new accessories or clothing from an expensive brand for a reasonable price, which is why I love shopping with TJMaxx so much. When I saw the original price tag for my bracelet, you could have knocked me over with a feather – which made this purchase even more exciting! My first order of business will definitely be breaking out this bracelet on Christmas day. I can’t wait! 🙂

How do you like to treat yourself? What is your favorite brand or store to shop with? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Accessory Story: Meredith Leigh Necklace Edition

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Accessory Story: Meredith Leigh Necklace Edition

Hello! I don’t know about all of you, but COVID-19 has put me in the most “treat yoself” mood possible. Johnny and I literally never go out, we rarely order take out and have saved so much money that when I feel the urge to online shop I always can find a way to justify it.

Despite treating myself to all of the pretty new things like shoes and clothes, at the end of the day, it’s not like anyone is going to see me in them until a semblance of our social lives comes back. So, I decided I wanted to have something lovely and delicate to wear just for me. Especially since my normal fashionista OOTDs has slowly turned into leggings and a hoodie lol.

I thought that this Meredith Leigh necklace would be perfect to have on at work. Similar to the thrill some might find in wearing sexy lingerie and just knowing it’s on, I love having this simple but stunning piece of jewelry around my neck. Check it out:

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As soon as I saw this necklace while browsing on TJMaxx’s website, it instantly reminded me of my mom who loves hearts. The delicate gold chain with a small opal heart is a far cry from the normal chunky jewelry that I gravitate towards but it was exactly what I wanted.

The eighteen inch chain allows the heart to fall right between my collarbones and it looks so flattering in the blank space between the tattoos on my chest seen below:

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Of course, I can’t wait to show off my Meredith Leigh necklace when I have an actual reason to get dressed up. But, for now, having it under a hoodie or sweater to shield me from the Ohio cold is just right for me. It is a reminder of how things can still be beautiful despite all of the unideal situations we are currently faced with. Seeing the sparkling heart makes me smile and knowing it’s there and feeling it on my skin is a small comfort throughout such difficult times.

Do you have something pretty that is just for you? How has your style changed since COVID? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

If The Shoe Fits: Nine West Kitten Heels Edition

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If The Shoe Fits: Nine West Kitten Heels Edition

Howdy and welcome to another new edition of If The Shoe Fits! Today, we are going to be talking about the most darling pair of kitten heels by Nine West. I have had my eye on these adorable mini pumps for at least a year on TJMaxx’s online store. However, every time I want to order them they never have my size. After what seemed like an eternity of sold out size sixes, I finally snagged a pair and I couldn’t be happier so take a look at some pics and let’s discuss:

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As you all know, I live for a chunky platform or wedge heel. I actually don’t care for stilettos on me so a kitten heel is the closest I will get to it! I think kitten heels are the perfect combination of sweet and sassy and these Nine Wests are a total testament to that. The sleek jet black adds the oomph while the rhinestone wrap around the ankle adds that little bit of sugar. Is that sweet and sassy or what?

I feel like these kitten heels would look amazing on anyone and they also come in a charming shade of blush pink. Easy to dress up or down, the mini pumps would look stunning with a shimmering New Year’s Eve party dress. They would also be just as flattering with a pair of skinny jeans and a sharp blazer for an evening drink with the girls… Post-COVID, of course.

I am ecstatic to finally add my Nine Wests into my always growing shoe collection because I have waited so long to order them! And, I actually only own one other pair of kitten heels so now my lonely solo pair has a companion. For forty dollars, these babies are a steal and I wouldn’t wait too long if you want to grab a pair for yourself!

What is your favorite shape for a heel? How do you take a look from day to night? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

If The Shoe Fits: Vince Camuto Platforms Edition

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If The Shoe Fits: Vince Camuto Platforms Edition

Hellooo! I am extremely close to finishing my Christmas shopping with only a handful of people left to buy for. And, after all of that shopping for other people, I decided that I needed a treat too. I had a TJMaxx ten dollar certificate burning a hole in my pocket so I went online and ordered a few pretty little somethings for myself. Like these amazing snakeskin pattern platforms by Vince Camuto:

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I have had my eye on these bad boys for a while but I just couldn’t justify their eighty dollar price tag. So, trust and believe when I saw them marked down to forty dollars, they went straight into the cart! I was very excited for these platforms to arrive because snakeskin is my absolute favorite animal print and I don’t own any shoes that are even remotely similar.

I ripped the TJMaxx package open with the gusto of a child on Christmas and, I’m not going to lie, I was a little disappointed when I saw the platforms in real life. On the picture featured on TJMaxx’s website, the sepia and caramel tones looked straight up mustard yellow. What came in the mail was a really far cry from the image shown but I still love them just the same!

Despite the initial “well damn”, there is no denying that these platforms are freaking beautiful and they were a literal perfect fit when I slipped them on. Not only are these Vinny C’s comfortable as all get out but they are sturdy, well made, and super chic. I expected nothing less, of course, as Vince Camuto is one of my favorite brands when it comes to shoes and clothing.

I can’t say when I am going to be able to wear my new shoes as date nights and hang outs outside of the apartment with Johnny are nonexistent, thanks to COVID. But, I can say that when I am finally able to bust them out, my outfit is going to be fierce! Could you imagine these paired with a cozy sweater dress and thick tights? Sigh. A girl can dream, right?!

How far along are you on your holiday shopping? What was the last purchase you treated yourself to? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

The Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide For Her This Christmas

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December is nearly here, which means Christmas is nearly here! Have you got your tree up yet? I know a lot of people that get their decorations out right after Thanksgiving. It is such a fun time of year, full of good food, laughter, family, and gifts. The latter can be a little stressful, though. Buying gifts can be tricky when you’re not sure what on earth they would like. We all know that one person that seems to be impossible to shop for, right? But you don’t need to look any further; I have the ultimate Christmas gift guide for you right here. Whether it is your grandma, mom, sister, daughter, or a friend, I have plenty of ideas for you. So grab a coffee and have a read through these suggestions. I hope that this is really useful for you!

For the Home: There are lots of great gifts that you can get for people to have in their home. It helps if you have been in their home and seen their style, though. But some gifts that work well for everyone are things like scented candles. I don’t think I know of anyone what wouldn’t enjoy getting these as a gift. Choose some seasonal scents and they can fill their home with the lovely scent of cinnamon and clove, for example. If you know that they already have quite a lot of scented candles, you could choose to get them some candle accessories. Candle holders, votive holders, or trays are a great idea. For larger jar candles, you can even get little ‘lampshades’ to put on top of them. It makes them look really cute and cozy, so perfect for a gift at this time of year.

Other things for the home could be throws and pillows. I think little items like this add such a touch of luxury to the home. They are also things that people might not necessarily buy for themselves. Thick, chunky knit throws are stylish at the moment and perfect for winter. If you are on a tight budget, you could even knit one. There are a lot of tutorials online of how to make one. And because they are so chunky, you don’t even need to use knitting needles most of the time. It will be an extra nice gift to give when it is a homemade one!

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 Love!

Storage Accessories: One of my favorite gift giving methods is getting a cute basket and filling it with goodies. You can make it as big or as small as you’d like so it works really well for all budgets. Grab a storage accessory that can be used after the gifts are emptied and get creative. To keep it cheaper, you could make some treats for them. How about some homemade jam or jelly? You could make some cookies to put in there, as well as some truffles or even oil infusions. Just go with what the recipient loves and you can make it specific to them. Another thing that I love about giving a little goodie basket as a gift is that you can make it completely unique for the recipient. If you’re short on time or your budget is a little more elaborate, then you could add in some wine or a bottle of chocolate liquor. Hello, spiked holiday hot chocolate!

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I would love that gift set!

Clothing Accessories: Another gift idea that I utilize often are clothing accessories. They aren’t as full on as a piece of clothing so it is easier to get it right. As long as you know their general style, it can be easy to pick something out for them. It could be a scarf or pashmina, for example. You can buy them in all sorts of colors and patterns these days so you can find something to suit every taste. You could even think about getting them a hat and scarf combo, too. Bobble hats are on trend for this winter so that could be a cute idea. If you are buying a gift for someone that is going through chemotherapy or suffers from hair loss, then a hat could be perfect for them – especially with such frigid weather. You could even look somewhere like Hats with Heart for lots of different styles.

Other accessories that I think work well for gifts are pieces of jewelry like necklaces and bracelets. The reason I haven’t mentioned rings is that you need to know someone’s ring size for that. Necklaces, earrings, and bracelets are generally all a ‘one size fits all’ type of thing so you will never have a problem with them not fitting. You could choose some chunkier style costume jewelry if that is more their thing or go for a classic piece or silver or gold jewelry. Just check on their style and the color of jewelry that they already wear. If they have a lot of gold rings, then they’d most likely want a gold one to match, rather than silver.

Technology: As much as I’m sure a few of us would like to buy our sisters or moms a brand new Macbook, we can’t all afford to do so. There are some options for technology and gadgets, though, for all budgets. A tablet or e-reader will still be on the expensive side, but cheaper than a computer. If you know someone that already has something like a Kindle, then you could get them a gift card to be able to download and read some new books. My boyfriend gifted me with a Kindle for our anniversary and I LOVE it! It is great for playing games, watching Netflix, and browsing the web from the comfort of a plush arm chair.

Otherwise, I think getting some accessories for their existing tech is a fun idea. There are lots of phone covers, laptop skins, or tablet covers that you can buy. So have a look out for what you think might be their style. Your grandma or mom might like a custom cover, with photos of the kids or grandkids on it, for example, which makes that gift a little bit more special and thoughtful. Personalized gifts can take a little longer to make and have them delivered so it is worth looking into something like that now. We are so close to Christmas once December comes around.

Headphones are also always a good idea, especially if you have a family member or friend that commutes or goes to the gym regularly. You can get wireless headphones now too, so they are a funky and modern gift.

Homemade Coupons: This works well if you still live with the person you are giving the gift to so a sister, daughter or mom, for example. You could put together a coupon booklet, full of things specific to them. Then they can redeem them throughout the year. It could be full of things like ‘good for one trip to the mall with me’ or ‘good for one back massage,’ as examples. If it was for your mom or grandma, it could be for a trip out for afternoon tea, or a night off from the kids, for instance. It could even be some more fun things like having breakfast for dinner on their chosen day or having a ‘treat pass’ which they can cash in for something like Starbucks or their favorite candy. The great thing is that you can make it completely personal. It is also an awesome budget gift idea which is perfect for when things are a little bit tight. It is sweet and thoughtful too, so your recipient will love it as it will mean much more than a store-bought gift.

Kitchen Gadgets: We all know a foodie, right? So there are several options that you can get for them to make their life in the kitchen easier. It could be something like a spiralizer or a julienne peeler. Then they can make zoodles or courgetti to their heart’s content. A juicer is also a gift that will be super useful to a foodie friend. That, a blender, mini food processor, or stick blender are all good ideas, too. As a treat, something like a waffle iron or crepe pan would make an awesome gift (hopefully, one that you’d get to reap the rewards of)! Bakeware is also always a fabulous idea. How about some colorful silicone bakeware that is so on trend these days?

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Bathroom Treats: We all shower or take a bath (I hope!) so we would all make use of things like shower gel, shampoo, and bubble bath soap. You could get a little bathroom set for them, full of all things like lotion, perfume, bath bombs, or bath gel. It isn’t necessarily the most creative gift ever but it is a gift that will definitely be utilized and appreciated. You could choose more luxurious brands than they would choose for themselves, which then makes the gift a little fancier. Another gift idea could be something like an electric toothbrush. This would work well with a niece or daughter, especially if it was one of their favorite characters on the toothbrush.

Who has finished their holiday shopping already? Who is the most difficult person in your family or group of friends to shop for? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah