Tag Archives: february

Feb20

Valentine’s Day Celebration

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Valentine’s Day Celebration

Hello! On Valentine’s Day this past Sunday, Johnny and I didn’t do too much of anything because there really isn’t much to do! But that’s A-okay with me since we both still had a great day. Our Sundays have always been what we call “Lazy Sunday” and, as you can guess, we just stay in our pajamas all day and catch up on all of our TV shows or watch a couple of movies. This particular Lazy Sunday which Valentine’s Day happened to fall on was relaxing, as per usual, and a huge treat for me because Johnny got us Taco Bell for lunch which is literally all I wanted since we had already given each other our gifts the week before.

We spent our Valentine’s Day watching the new Saturday Night Live, King Of The Hill, Demon Slayer, and Mad Max: Fury Road at Johnny’s request. We were both so full from lunch that I don’t think we would have done anything even if it was safe to do so! Mad Max was pretty good, despite it just being a two hour long car chase (lol), and Johnny thought it was the funniest thing every time I would yell or gasp about an explosion or close calls with the main characters. I couldn’t help it – Even though it was definitely not my kind of movie, it was still intense AF!

Prior to mine and Johnny’s lazy day, I also got to see my parents, brother, and my lil niece who they were babysitting. I had such a wonderful time making masterpieces with dot markers with Valerie and have her handy work proudly displayed on my fridge. We also had a blast dancing to our favorite songs from Moana, spinning around on our bums on the kitchen floor, and practicing colors and animal noises. My Valentine’s Day wouldn’t be complete without seeing my Val Gal, after all. ❤

Last year’s Valentine’s Day when Johnny and I spent a weekend in Marietta, Ohio while Johnny’s band played a show was, obviously, a lot more exciting. But, despite the circumstances this year, we both still had an awesome day gorging ourselves and getting to know all of our streaming services even better, haha. Any time spent with him is my favorite thing whether it be watching his band play live or just watching an action movie on the couch. Lazy Valentine’s Day was, in our opinion, still a huge success and I am so thankful for every holiday that we celebrate together!

How did you spend Valentine’s Day? What is a typical Sunday like for you? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb8

Sweet Treats For Valentine’s Day

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Sweet Treats For Valentine’s Day

Hi! Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and if you are still struggling to come up with some fun ways to celebrate at home, then how about spending an afternoon baking all of the desserts with your SO? Creating confectionery treats together will give you a chance to showcase how well you work as a team and decorating your masterpieces will be a blast. Taste testing them will be even better, though!

If you are lacking inspiration for delicious desserts to try your hand at – fear not! You can extend your date by enjoying a carefully-crafted dessert menu at your favorite restaurant. Who says you can’t eat dessert first?! You might find that delightful treat that you just have to make for yourself! For more ideas on Valentine’s Day sweets, how about trying your hand at making the following?

Chocolate:

Who needs a heart shaped box of chocolate when you can make your own, instead? Two Christmases ago, I made chocolate with my boyfriend’s mom and not only was it tons of fun but the end results were delicious! You can find all kinds of cute chocolate molds, get creative with your color choices, and add on to your pieces of candy with peanut butter, chopped nuts, or shredded coconut. Don’t forget that you can also make chocolate covered pretzels and fruit too. Hello, chocolate covered strawberries!

While chocolate is fun to make, it is also fun to drink too. To add even more chocolate deliciousness to the mix, how about a hot chocolate bar? You can use ceremonial cacao for a rich, bold flavored drink and include all of your favorite toppings. Whipped cream, marshmallows, peppermint bits, and chocolate sprinkles are all excellent options! 

Cake Pops:

If you and yours aren’t big chocoholics, you could try your hand at making cake pops, cupcakes, or just a plain old cake for dessert. Investigate over YouTube and Pinterest for some ideas on how to decorate and see who is the Cake Boss in your kitchen! Red Velvet, angel food, and strawberry cakes are ideal for Valentine’s Day and I love a whipped frosting, myself. And, if whatever form of cake you go with is super successful, you can try this idea again on one of your birthdays. Store bought cake, what?

Ice Cream Sundae Bar:

Ice cream sundae bars are ideal for those who have a sweet tooth and aren’t trying to wait around for a cake to bake! Head to the store together and grab what you both need to build the perfect sundae. Fruits, candies, syrups, and whipped cream are all great starters. If you’re looking for a boozy treat, don’t forget that black or blueberry wine is awesome over vanilla bean ice cream! Love the sundae idea but want more of a challenge? You could make your own ice cream! But, it might be good to have a pint of Ben & Jerry’s for back up. 🙂

If you want to try your hand at making your own ice cream, it’s a great idea to find some inspiration first. Check out the flavors at your local ice cream parlors or you can view Banana Daddy for amazing soft serve and sundaes that are sure to please. If each of you are making your own batch, you could each go for a flavor that compliments the other for a swirl treat. There is nothing better than homemade ice cream so save me a scoop!

Lava Cakes:

I am not a huge fan of cake (the texture bothers me) but I do love a chocolate lava cake every once in a blue moon. The rich chocolate and the gooey hot fudge center topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream? Forget about it!! Lots of brands have make your own lava cake kits if making it from scratch seems like a daunting task. Homemade or from a box, you will still experience the joy of baking something delicious with your SO.

Don’t Forget:

To add some atmosphere, whether it be fun or romantic, both of you could create a playlist to listen to while you bake. Be sure to grab champagne or sparkling cider when you are picking up your ingredients too!

What is your favorite dessert? How do you plan on celebrating Valentine’s Day? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb1

Have Some Writing Prompts!

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Have Some Writing Prompts!

Hello everyone and happy February! Can you believe that we are already one month into 2021? I, personally, am having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that we are quickly approaching the one year mark of when the bars, restaurants, and salons first shut down in Ohio on March 19th, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Time really seems to be flying and dragging on at the exact same time.

This pandemic has done us writers literally no favors and I understand how hard it is to come up with daily content better than anyone. And, as we approach the one year anniversary (worst anniversary ever) of the coronavirus, writing can seem even more daunting as this limbo we are all stuck in feels never ending. If you are struggling to come up with content on your page, fear not! Lil Red is here to help with some writing prompts and I can’t wait to see what all of you come up with:

  • How have you adjusted to life during a pandemic?
  • What has been your favorite memory during the past year?
  • Valentine’s Day is almost here! Do you have any ideas for at home dates and gifts?
  • The pandemic has put many big events on hold. Did you miss out on any concerts or plays?
  • It’s never too early to start your spring cleaning! Any tips on the best ways to deep clean your place?
  • How has your personal style changed since the pandemic?
  • Working from home? What are the pros and cons, in your opinion?
  • Do any of your friends run a small business? Now is the time to support them by giving a shout out on your page!
  • What is the most binge worthy series you watched during the pandemic?
  • What is the most unputdownable book you’ve read this past year?
  • Where do you turn for inspiration when you are writing?
  • Describe a typical day in your pandemic life.

Believe it or not, this post is as much for me as it is for all of you because I will be using some of these prompts, myself! If you plan on using any of the above, let me know so I can check your post out. 🙂 Happy writing!

What do you do when you have writer’s block? What are you most looking forward to post pandemic? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan27

At Home Valentine’s Day Date Ideas

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At Home Valentine’s Day Date Ideas

Hi! Valentine’s Day is, hands down, the most romantic day of the year for couples and if we weren’t in the midst of a pandemic, then I’m sure all of the restaurants and cocktail bars would be jam packed full of love birds celebrating. V-Day is going to be different this year, as staying at home is the best option for everyone right now. But, that doesn’t mean that you still can’t have a romantic evening in! Try the following for a fun and totally safe Valentine’s Day from home:

Clear the floor:

If you and your SO love to dance, then clear out a big section of floor space to create your own at home dance floor. Make a playlist with all of your favorite songs and a few ballads, of course, and dance the night away. Don’t forget to light some candles and dim the lights for an even more romantic atmosphere!

Cocktail hour:

On Valentine’s Days past, you and your partner might have enjoyed a cocktail hour at your favorite local bar. So bring the bar home! Get all of the fixings for both of your go to drinks and play bartender for each other. And don’t forget some light snacks so it doesn’t all go straight to your head! Pop on a rom com while you sip your drinks and it will be even better than being at the movie theater!

Plant some flowers:

Who needs a bouquet when you can plant some potted flowers for your house together? Pick out a packet of seeds, a beautiful terracotta pot, and soil and get your hands dirty. Watching your flowers grow together will be a sweet reminder of how your own love blossomed and you will be able to enjoy them for much longer than a bouquet that will wither within the week.

Should you not have a green thumb, a flower delivery is sure to make your partner’s day. Companies like Daily Blooms delivering flowers throughout QLD (or a similar business in your local area) will bring a stunning bouquet straight to your door. You can have it customized with your significant other’s favorite flowers and a pretty vase to display in your home. Once the bouquet begins to wither, you could even press the flowers as a keepsake of your Valentine’s Day together. 

Sweet treats:

If you and your partner both have a sweet tooth, then try your hands at making and decorating some delicious desserts. From cookies and chocolates to cake, cupcakes, cake pops, and chocolate covered fruit, you will have plenty of options to pick from. Or, if you want to make a day of it, you can bake a little bit of everything! So sweet and so fun too. 🙂

Dinner dress up:

After you’re done preparing dinner or waiting for your take out to arrive, head to your closet and you can both style an outfit for each other to wear during the meal. This will be really fun if you two have an eye for fashion and you will each get to see what your partner thinks you look best in. And, yes, sweat pants and pajamas are both viable options!

In my opinion, creating your own special memories at home seems even more intimate and romantic than a dinner out. Who needs a traditional Valentine’s Day, anyways? ❤

What are your Valentine’s Day plans? What is your favorite V-Day memory? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan23

Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

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Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

Hello everyone! Valentine’s Day is right around the corner so it’s time to do some shopping for your significant other. Today, we are going to look at some of the classic gifts you can give as well as some more unique ideas to woo your loved one with this Valentine’s Day. All right, love birds, let’s get to it:

LEGO Sets:

Have you guys seen the new botanical LEGO sets?! They are amazing and you could give your SO a LEGO bouquet of flowers to assemble together. How fun is that? LEGO also has some awesome sets of famous city skylines world wide. Perhaps you could pick a romantic city that you’d love to visit together? In my opinion, LEGOs are a two part gift because it’s so exciting to receive a set but it’s even better when you put it together… together! I love building with LEGO with my boyfriend and just one set can have you hooked on a brand new hobby – I know that was the case for me. 🙂

Pictures, Please:

For one of my client’s birthdays, he simply requested a picture frame with a picture of me and him in it. I was so touched by this and it is a gift that you really can’t go wrong with. Frame a picture of you two together and include a letter of why that moment was special to you. Sometimes, it’s the simplest gesture that is the most effective and I, for one, would love a gift like that too.

Lock Down Date Night:

Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is not safe to go with the classic “night on the town” date so create a date night at home, instead. Cook a delicious meal, get all dressed up, and enjoy each other’s company. For activities, you can play games, pop on a rom com, or just reminisce on your relationship while sipping champagne. Johnny and I had a lock down style date for our one year anniversary and it is one of my most loved memories with him, despite just being in our apartment. ❤

Subscription Boxes:

Has your partner always been interested in trying Hello Fresh, Ipsy, or Stitch Fix? Subscription services are one of the gifts that keep on giving and every month will bring a new treat for your SO. This is also a fun gift because it will help break up the monotony of lock down life with something monthly to look forward to. Pick out the perfect box for your partner’s interests and you can keep having Valentine’s Day for several months to come.

At Home Spa Treatments:

After a long year of pandemic problems, maybe you and your SO just want to relax this Valentine’s Day. If that’s the case, why not bring the spa to you? Provide an assortment of products from face masks and body scrubs to deep conditioning hair treatments, nail care kits, and essential oils. Make sure you have big fluffy towels or robes too! Couples that pamper together stay together and you are both going to feel like a million bucks after your spa treatments are complete.

We are going to have to get creative to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year but that’s okay! Enjoy each other’s company and safety at home with the ideas above and have your best V-Day yet. ❤

What are you going to get your SO for Valentine’s Day? What is your favorite Valentine’s Day memory? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb26

February 2020 Finishes

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February 2020 Finishes

Hi! After what seemed like five months of January, we are already at the end of our second month of the new year. I blinked and February was over but so much fun stuff happened this month! I had a wonderful Valentine’s Day weekend with my boyfriend, I was in a music video (More to come later!), and enjoyed some great practices at the skating rink. I’m already looking forward to what March has in store but, first, let’s check out my February finishes:

feb

Would I Use Again:

Why/Why Not?

TBS Treatment: I absolutely LOVE the Tea Tree Pore Minimiser by The Body Shop. This wonder product not only helps shrinks pores but leaves my skin with the most perfect matte finish, which gives me flawless skin with no makeup. The Pore Minimiser has always been one of my favorites by TBS and I was so stoked when I found it at TJMaxx. One tube lasted me about one and a half months and I am hoping that there are more available to purchase next time I go to TJs!

SkinLab Serum: The more I use this serum, the less crazy I am about it. This probably stems from the fact that I only get about three weeks of usage from one bottle. As someone who balls on a budget, I hope for a little more longevity out of a product, especially one that’s seven bucks a pop! I don’t think that I would buy this serum again unless I had no other options and am excited to try out something new once I finish up my last bottle of Lift & Firm.

SkinLab Moisturizer: Despite not being crazy about the serum, I love the Lift & Firm moisturizer by SkinLab. It takes me at least one month to finish the jar and I am really enjoying this cream while it’s still cold out because it’s a bit heavier. Although the consistency is thicker than what I normally use, this moisturizer absorbs quickly, sits well under makeup, and I highly recommend it.

Not too many empties this month, but I just have a feeling that there will be a ton in March so get ready for it!

Which products did you use up this month? What is your favorite serum? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb24

Bath & Body Works February 2020 Freebie

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Bath & Body Works February 2020 Freebie

Hello! I used to get hella coupons for freebies from Bath & Body Works but then got cut off when they realized I was not buying anything each time! Lol, but after a few recent hauls at B&BW, I am finally back on their mailing list and received my first coupon in ages at the beginning of February. This is great, because who doesn’t like free lotion or shower gel?! Especially when it’s champagne scented! Check it out:

It’s no secret that Lil Red loves her bubbly, so this travel sized lotion in Champagne Toast was the obvious choice. I really like this scent because of how light and fruity it smells. You can easily detect the hints of strawberries and nectarines underneath the fizzy sweet champagne bubbles. I am so glad that they went this route instead of something overly musky because that’s just a future headache waiting to happen… Which would be a hard no from me.

Champagne Toast is a lovely scent for late spring and summer time. Perfect for sharing drinks with your friends during a warm evening spent on the patio of your favorite bar, this crisp scent will have you craving all of the fruity cocktails or a filled to the brim glass of champagne!

What is your favorite drink or cocktail? What is your favorite warm weather fragrance? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb23

Valentine’s Day Bouquet Pt. 2

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Valentine’s Day Bouquet Pt. 2

Hello, everyone! I had a simply magical Valentine’s Day with my boyfriend, Johnny, and I hope that everyone had as wonderful of a day as I did… Whether it be with your spouse or a romcom and a bottle of wine! Johnny’s band, The Outside Voices, was playing a show in Marietta, Ohio on the fifteenth. So, Johnny and I decided to make a long weekend of it and drove there on Valentine’s Afternoon.

We stayed at a beautiful hotel called the Lafayette and we had a delicious dinner. Then, we went back to our room and drank champagne and watched Weird Al music videos for two hours straight. Like I said, it was simply magical.

The following day, we explored Parkersburg, West Virginia and Marietta before The Outside Voices played. Johnny and I spent the day checking out different thrift stores and boutiques and it was a complete blast. Definitely stay tuned for all of the amazing finds I scored from a trendy boutique that is in the process of going online so all of us can shop on there together! 😀

Johnny and I agreed to not go overboard with Valentine’s Day gifts and that was fine by me. Our entire weekend was the greatest gift of all and it was one of the best days of my life. But, being the sweet angel that Johnny is, he surprised me with roses and champagne and that was the cherry on top. Check it out:

vdayvday1vday2vday3

When Johnny and I celebrated our big one week (haha), he gave me one single rose and I gave him a pack of hard seltzer water. I have kept that rose in my favorite vase and put the not dead ones in there too for good measure. When will I take them out, save the petals, and clean the vase? The world may never know.

In case you haven’t noticed, I like getting flowers. I guess that stems from (Ba dum chhhhh!) the fact that I have so many vivid recollections since childhood of my dad gifting flowers to my mom. During the summer time when the flowers in our garden were in bloom, there would be a fresh bouquet on the kitchen table every weekend. And, once the flowers wilted come fall, at least once a month my dad would purchase flowers as a “splurge” from the local grocery stores.

We interrupt your normal blog viewing with a conversation that happened between Sarah and her dad two weeks ago:

Me: Dad, I like those flowers. Where did you get them?

Dad: At Aldi’s… I splurged!

We now return to our normally scheduled programming.

Anyways, I know that people always associate getting flowers with love. But, my association literally comes from seeing true love between my parents. And, that’s why a simple bouquet and a bottle of booze (!!!) was the perfect gift for me. ❤

How did you celebrate Valentine’s Day? What do you associate with love? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb19

Sweet Surprises: Valentine’s Day Bouquet Edition

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Sweet Surprises: Valentine’s Day Bouquet Edition

Hi! One of my clients, a freshly turned sixty year old with Down Syndrome has a love for all holidays. He revels in decorating for and celebrating each calendar holiday and Valentine’s Day was no exception. From mid January on, it was all about paper hearts, stickers, and Valentine’s Day themed episodes of his favorite old TV shows.

While shopping at Walmart for the finishing touches on the valentines he was going to mail out, he surprised me with a bouquet of a dozen colorful roses. It was quite possibly the sweetest thing in the world and I just had to share how beautiful they are with all of  you:

valval1val2

While browsing through the Valentine’s Day decor at Walmart, my client “ooh-ed” and “ahh-ed” at everything he found appealing. So, I told him to pick out a small treat for me to purchase for him as a little V-Day gift. He selected his items – some more heart decor and a pair of heart shaped glasses and we continued to make our rounds in the store.

Once we came across Walmart’s aisle way of bouquets, without missing a beat, my friend plucked a colorful arrangement and placed it in his cart. “I get these for you” he said and my heart literally melted. I have never met someone with such a joy for each individual holiday and sharing that enthusiasm with all of his loved ones. It’s simply beautiful and all I need do is think about him to get a smile on my face.

As soon as I got home, I grabbed my spooky vases (Also from Walmart!) and began arranging my flowers. I have them proudly displayed on my coffee table and plan on keeping them there even after they have dried out as a sweet reminder of my friend and his joie de vivre. ❤

What is your favorite kind of flower? What were you treated to on Valentine’s Day? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb12

February 2020 Funky Time Jams

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February 2020 Funky Time Jams

Howdy! We are flying through February and are already onto our second Funky Time Jams post of 2020. Crazy! January lasted forever and February has felt like a whirlwind of work, appointments, and all Super Bowl everything. I, myself, was a huge fan of the half time show and have been on a bigger Shakira kick than usual and have found myself revisiting all of JLo’s classics, too. Let’s get to it:

^^^ And, as always, I have no rights to these songs or videos!!

This month, blackbear’s “Hot Girl Bummer” has been my absolute number one Funky Time Jam. I heard it a few weeks ago on my way to work and it was stuck in my head all day but then I forgot about it. Then, as luck would have it, it showed up on my YouTube playlist and I must have listened to it at least one hundred times by now. It’s so different than the normal pop or rap hits that I’ve heard because of its electronic beat and I am one hundred and fifty percent there for it.

Now, as I mentioned before, I thought the Super Bowl half time show was an amazing success. Normally, not a day goes by where I don’t think about Shakira at least once (lol), so imagine that constant loop going on in my head all day every day post Super Bowl!

Of course, I was thrilled when she began performing Hips Don’t Lie because I’ve always loved that song. And it makes it even more fun to hear it now because when I’m ice dancing the Cha Cha I always skate to it. Hips Don’t Lie and the Cha Cha ice dance music happen to have the same beats per minute and nothing makes me feel more saucy than skating to Shakira. Everyone should try it some time. 😀

What did you think about the Super Bowl half time show? Which song have you been playing on repeat? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah