Tag Archives: finale

Sep4

New Rachel Zoe Sweater

Posted on by
Standard
New Rachel Zoe Sweater

Hello and welcome to the last new purchase from my TJMaxx Haul! When I go shopping, I usually know instantly if a piece of clothing is going to work for me just by looking at it. I am a seasoned pro, after all, and I am well versed in the styles, shapes, and colors that work best for my body type, hair color, and complexion. This little number by Rachel Zoe is a prime example of that and I fell in love as soon as I saw it:

image_67223041(1)image_67192065image_67171073

Similarly to my new DKNY sweater that you saw yesterday, I gasped when I saw this Rachel Zoe sweater. The shape is almost identical to my favorite chartreuse sweater by Cynthia Rowley and I haven’t found anything like it since buying it three years ago. I am living for the mock turtle neck, form fitting but not too tight fit, and diamond block pattern. The ultra soft material and all of the fun styling potentials are the cherry on top!

Thanks to my sixth sense when it comes to clothing, all I had to do was slip this sweater on and off for a second or two to know that it was a must have. And, within that time, visions of fabulous fall OOTDs began to swirl inside my head. I can’t wait to sport my new sweater with skinny jeans, brown ankle boots, and my Peter Grimm hat. It will be the perfect look for a leisurely autumn hike. I also love the idea of pairing it over top of a maxi dress or skirt for something more dressed up. This sweater screams “fall” and I am so there for it. 😀

Autumn is amazing for many reasons – cooler weather, leaves changing colors, Halloween and, oh yeah – the clothes. Keep it posted here on lifewithlilred for all of the fall OOTDs coming soon!

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

Advertisement
May29

Altar’d State Haul Finale

Posted on by
Standard
Altar’d State Haul Finale

Hello everyone and welcome to the finale of my Altar’d State Haul! Today, we are going to wrap things up by talking about a lovely black and white floral print summer dress. This is a purchase I am particularly proud of because, normally, I wouldn’t have even bothered trying this dress on. Take a look at some pics and read on to find out more:

The first thing that I noticed when I saw this dress on display after how much I liked it, of course, was that a bra would be incredibly visible. As a bustier gal, a bra is absolutely necessary for me to feel comfortable but it would ruin the silhouette of the crossback straps and the plunging V of the back of the dress. As mentioned above, I would usually acknowledge how cute a dress like this is on previous shopping trips and then move on to something I could wear a bra in. So imagine my surprise when I took this dress from the rack to try it on in Altar’d State.

Chalk it up to my quickly upcoming wedding (!!!!!!) but my self confidence has been sky high lately and it feels awesome because of how much I have struggled with it in the past. So, instead of feeling disappointed when I saw this dress because I used to think I “couldn’t” wear it, I tried it on anyways. I thought to myself that I could make it work, especially with the adhesive strapless bras that I got for my wedding and almost jumped for joy in the fitting room once I had it on and loved it so much.

It could be the novelty of trying something so new to me but I think that this dress is just the most. The uneven hem is so charming and flowy and it reminds me of fairies. The pattern is also so beautiful to me and it feels like there’s a surprise on the dress everywhere you look from the peekaboo keyhole on the back to the crossback straps. I hate to toot my own horn but I was feeling my DAMN self in it.

I felt amazing in my new dress and even better about the fact that I took a risk and tried something different. This is the first time I have ever considered an option other than my standard, supportive bra when buying something and I know it has to do with my very improved self image. I can’t wait to go shopping again so I can try more new shapes and styles that I didn’t think were possible for me to wear before! ❤

How do you take fashion risks? What makes you feel confident? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

 

Dec1

Dancing With The Stars Finale

Posted on by
Standard
Dancing With The Stars Finale

Hellooo everyone! I got roped back into Dancing With The Stars this season because one of my favorite figure skaters and personalities, Johnny Weir, was competing. I was looking forward to him taking the Mirror Ball trophy the entire season to redeem himself from his not so hot competitive skating circuit – especially his lackluster Olympic efforts.

Unfortunately, Johnny and my other favorite – the adorable Disney channel star, Skai Jackson, both got eliminated in the semi-finals which left Nelly, Nev Schulman, Kaitlyn Bristowe, and Justina Machado competing to take the cake. To be honest, I would have been fine with anyone BUT Kaitlyn Bristowe winning so, naturally, she won. -_-

Due to a lack of cable TV in my apartment, I have been watching DWTS once it airs on Hulu, usually on Tuesday or Wednesday night. However, when I showed up to work at my family home Tuesday morning, I couldn’t stand the anticipation and had my parents tell me the winner. Y’all know I hate surprises!

After finding out that Kaitlyn had won, I didn’t have much of a desire to even watch the finale but I knew that Derek Hough was dancing and I really wanted to see that. I also watched the freestyle dances of Nev, Nelly, and Justina. In my opinion, Nev’s Broadway-esque dance to “Singing In The Rain” stole the show and it was exciting to behold because I have never seen anything like it on DWTS before.

Of course, no one beats Derek Hough and his performance was the major highlight of my finale viewing. That and the fact that my Johnny watched all of the dances with me and that was really nice because I had a rough week and it was fun to see him have his mind blown by Derek’s moves!

The entirety of the season, I didn’t care for the champion, Kaitlyn Bristowe, at all. I thought that she lacked the personality of a lot of the other competitors and it showed in her performances. There is no denying that she’s a great dancer but she just didn’t move me (ba dum chh) in any way shape or form.

I don’t plan on watching DWTS again unless there’s someone I really like competing. I did have a lot of fun watching this season, though, and it was nice to have something both creative and lighthearted to tune in to. Also, call me when Tyra Banks is no longer the hostess THANKS!

How did you feel about the DWTS finale? Who was your favorite couple this season? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct27

NC Photography

Posted on by
Standard
NC Photography

Howdy and welcome to the weekend! Thank you all so much for letting me dish about my family vacation to Hendersonville, North Carolina this past week. It has been so nice to relive such wonderful memories, even though they just happened, and I am already itching to travel off to somewhere new! Ah yes, the travel bug is strong since I took two trips this month but, for now, all I can do is reminisce with some final photos from vacation taken by my father who planned the entire trip! Take a look:

 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

For as long as I can remember, my dad has always found joy in planning family vacations. From Florida and Vermont to New Hampshire and North Carolina, my dad loves conducting research and will spend at least a year planning for a big summer or fall trip. It is simply the best and we are so thankful that he spends such extensive time making sure that our vacation is perfect. And, it really is a win win, because my dad enjoys it so much and we just get to sit back and experience the spoils. This year’s vacation was one of the best that we have had in a long time and I am so appreciative to my dad and family for making it all possible!

Where was your last family vaca? Where is your dream travel destination? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May29

100+ Beauty Tag Finale

Posted on by
Standard
100+ Beauty Tag Finale

Hello! Today is the grand finale for the 100+ Beauty Tag as I answer the remaining twenty or so questions left! If you choose to complete the questionnaire, do tag me in your post or comment it to me so that I can see all of your answers. 🙂

Which cream or moisturizer is your favorite? The Vitamin E moisturizer by The Body Shop, and I also like their Vitamin C one a lot, too.

How many times do you use a moisturizer? Just once in the morning. I really should start taking my makeup off and using a night cream, though.

Have you ever tried using natural beauty products? Oh yes, that’s the best way to go.

Which natural beauty product is your favorite? Literally anything from The Body Shop.

Which fashion magazine do you read for styling and beauty tips? I’m not a huge magazine reader, because all of the fashion magazines feature clothing that is so unattainable price wise. And I have all of the beauty tips that I need right there, thanks to all of the amazing beauty bloggers on WordPress!

Which three beauty tips would you recommend? 1) Invest in a lipstick that makes you feel awesome. 2) Style your makeup and clothing in a way that makes YOU feel good. And 3) Try to make a statement with every look that you create.

Do you believe in using anti-ageing creams? Sure. I’m not at that point yet, but I would definitely use them later on down the line.

Do you choose your foundation according to your undertone color? I don’t wear foundation – but isn’t that what you’re supposed to do?

Skincare or makeup? Which is more important? SKIN CARE. You need a clean slate to apply your makeup on and that can only be achieved with good skin care.

What makeup tools do you use while applying makeup? Q-tips, lol.

Which makeup tool is always in your handbag? None.

What was the worst color that you dyed your hair? Black. I used to want the jet black, almost blue hair so badly and my hair just never took to it. It always looked dull and dusty after a few weeks and it was so disappointing.

What is your favorite eyeshadow color? Bronze, gold, and green.

A heavy makeup look or a natural one? I like somewhere in between.

Do you use a pencil eyeliner or liquid? A pencil. I do not have the steady hand for a liquid liner!

What is your experience with pigment eyeshadows? Lol, what is a pigment eyeshadow?

What is your favorite contrast color for eye shades? I love when my hazel eyes choose to be green for the day and I use a purple-ish eye pencil or shadow. It really makes my eyes pop!

Suggest a thing that makeup lovers should never miss? A good sale! 😀

All Done!!

How would you answer some of the above questions? Do you have any other beauty questions for me? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

 

Feb20

Blog Post Ideas For When You’re Out Of Blog Post Ideas Finale

Posted on by
Standard
Blog Post Ideas For When You’re Out Of Blog Post Ideas Finale

Howdy! I decided to make my Blog Post Ideas For When You’re Out Of Blog Post Ideas post a series, so today we are going to wrap things up with the grand finale! Writer’s block and blogs with no content will be a thing of the past, because after this post yours truly will have provided FIFTEEN prompts to help get you started. We will conclude with these ideas:

You could write about…

Your Pets:

Who doesn’t love animals? Whether it be your dog or cat or maybe you have more exotic pets like a snake or parrot, animal posts are always fun. I, myself, have written about my two beloved rescue pups, Gem and Ollie, many a time. You could share pictures of your furry, feathery, or scaly friends, which is sure to bring a smile to your reader’s faces. Or you could write about the rescue organization that you adopted your forever friend from. No matter how you go about it, pet posts are sure to please!

Your Job:

Being in the working force is something that almost all of us are familiar with. No matter if it’s the dream job or a dead end deal that you’re ready to move on from, chances are that your readers can relate. Of course, don’t spill details that you’re not comfortable with like your coworker’s names or the company that you’re employed by. But, do share humorous work stories like that time that your boss had toilet paper stuck to his or her shoe or when you accidentally asked for “one sex” instead of “one sec” while getting out your resume in a job interview. Or, perhaps you just need to vent about a bad day on the job. We all get it, so share away.

Your BFF:

With #friendshipgoals always being a relevant trending topic, why not write about your bestie? Maybe you have been best friends with your number one for over a decade, like mine. Or you might have met your A1 in an unconventional way. Your readers will be inspired by your loyalty to your ride or die AND your best friend will love being featured on your page – it’s a win/win. With friendship in mind, you could also write about tips for making new friends, which is especially beneficial to those that are shy or have some social anxiety. So, take a seat at your laptop and spread the friendship love!

Your Dreams:

What was the craziest/scariest/funniest/weirdest dream that you’ve ever had? Do you wake up with feelings of “wtf?” every morning from your vivid dreams during your snoozefest? Then, creating a dream log on your blog might be a great and interesting way to create content. We share our crazy dreams with people sometimes as soon as we wake up, so why not do the same on your page? Or, if you forget your dreams pretty easily, then you could always write about your daydreams, instead. A shopping spree or a trip to Europe, anyone?

Food & Drinks:

We all have to eat and drink, it’s a fact of life. And, because of that, us lucky bloggers will always have something to write about. Are you an adventurous eater? Or maybe you are a bit picky and are trying to branch out some more. Perhaps you love to host dinner parties. A meal brings people together in every walk of life, so food related posts can really help to bring a sense of community to your page. Share your favorite recipes, tell us your cooking disasters, and dish on your kitchen hacks that will make cooking and cleanup afterwards easier. Us foodies want to know!

I hope that this brainstorming series was beneficial to all of my blogging friends that tune into lifewithlilred. Thank you for checking it out! Which ideas are you going to incorporate into your blog? How do you go about creating content on your page? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug13

Face Mask Festivities: The Body Shop’s Honey & Oat Edition

Posted on by
Standard
Face Mask Festivities: The Body Shop’s Honey & Oat Edition

Helloooo everyone and welcome to the final post in my Face Mask Festivities mini series! Today, we’re going to discuss one of my all time favorite masks – The Body Shop’s Honey & Oat. This mask literally smells good enough to eat and it leaves your skin looking peaches and cream perfection. What’s not to love? Take a looksee and let’s talk more:

honeyy1honeyy3honeyy2honeyy4honeyy5

When I think of face masks, The Body Shop’s Honey & Oat is the first thing that comes to mind. This mask is my favorite because it’s so gentle. This is a bit contradictory because I usually tend to go for the more rough masks and exfoliaters because I like to feel it really working. But, I don’t know, when I think face masks I’m thinking about being at a spa and relaxing and the creamy texture of this mask just takes me there.

Not only does this mask feel amazing with its whipped consistency mixed with sudsy oats but the smell is simply to die for. You need only open the lid to catch a whiff of freshly made oatmeal combined with cream and a heaping dollop of honey. It really takes everything in my power to not take a finger full and give it a try. So imagine having to sit with this mask on for ten whole minutes when all you want to do is eat it! IT HURTS SO GOOD.

The best part about The Body Shop’s Honey & Oat mask, though? 1) It is SO easy to wash off. There are some masks that you really have to scrub to get off, but not this one. This mask seems to completely melt away as soon as warm water hits it, which makes for an even more lush experience since you don’t have to claw at your skin to get it off. And 2) Because of said easiness to wash off and the creamy texture of the mask, you’re left with a clean tub, instead of one that’s coated with mask residue. I’ll take it!

Doing this mini series was a lot of fun and, in my opinion, I saved the best for last. I do like the Lush and Charcoal mask from The Body Shop that I featured earlier in the week. However, the game changer with the Honey & Oat mask is the way your face feels after using it. When I washed this mask off, my skin felt nourished. It felt supple and soft rather than tight and dehydrated. The glow that radiated from me was from a mask that worked on my skin from the inside, rather than scrubbing at the surface to remove imperfections. This mask made me feel beautiful and it made me feel like I cared for myself while using it, and you really can’t beat that!

So there you have it, the finale to my Face Mask Festivities mini series with The Body Shop’s Honey & Oat mask! Out of the three masks that I wrote about, which one would you like to try? What do you look for in a face mask? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun5

Monday Update: Salute To Summer Guest Bloggers Series Conclusion

Posted on by
Standard
Monday Update: Salute To Summer Guest Bloggers Series Conclusion

Helloooo everyone and happy Monday! This past week has brought so many fun posts compliments of my talented blogging darlings for my Salute To Summer guest bloggers series. I had such a blast working with all of my lovely guest bloggers and I want to give them all one last thank you shout out!

Thank you all so much again for making my Salute To Summer guest bloggers series so successful. It was an absolute blast working with all of you either again or for the first time. Each and every one of you is always welcome back on lifewithlilred so don’t hesitate to get in touch – especially when my fall themed series rolls around! ❤

Sep13

Fall Guest Bloggers Series Conclusion

Posted on by
Standard
Fall Guest Bloggers Series Conclusion

Hello everyone! Sarah here to bring this fall guest bloggers series to a close. I want to thank all of my fantastic friends who contributed an article to the series. This week full of fall fun on lifewithlilred was a huge success because of you! Thank you for sharing with the world all of your tips, tricks, and secrets to keep us looking and feeling fabulous this fall. All of my guest bloggers featured in this series will always have a home on lifewithlilred if they so choose so I’m sure you will be seeing more from them in the future!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Much love. -Sarah