Tag Archives: flowers

May17

May Flowers

Posted on May 17, 2023 by lifewithlilred

Hello! This past week when I got to my parents’ house after work, I found my dad in the backyard preparing his raised planters for spring flowers. It was a gorgeous day outside and it was going to rain that night, making for the perfect conditions to plant. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to bask in the sunshine and spend some quality time with my dad and even though I was dog tired, I offered my assistance which he happily accepted. We spent a glorious hour or so together creating beauty and I am so pleased with our handiwork. Check it out:

Ever since I can remember, my dad has been an avid gardener and all spring, summer, and fall long you can catch him outside tending to the yard. During the warm months, we enjoy the bounty of his vegetable garden and the bouquets he makes weekly for my mom. Not only does he have two green thumbs, but he is also a very gifted flower arranger and his bouquets are stunning. Last year, his veggie garden went into overdrive with hauls so big we simply didn’t know what to do with everything. So, he decided flowers were the way to go this summer since all of our lives are crazy at this current juncture.

When I was younger, I loved to help in the garden and as I grew up, I tried to help as much as I could with planting and upkeep. It had been a while since I gardened and I forgot how much fun it was! Seriously, all of it was a blast from donning ridiculous gardening gloves, handling the delicate flowers, and cleaning up the dirt that got on us with the garden hose. And, of course, doing it all side by side with my dad. For the past few months, the time we have spent together is almost always driving to the Cleveland Clinic, so it was SO awesome to be able to do something with him for the joy of it.

Our garden day was the first time I had spent a considerable amount of time outside in so long. It only recently got nice out in Ohio and the previous weather had been absolute garbage. Being outside, soaking up the sun, and making something grow was just what I needed. Once we returned inside, I wanted to go back out again to plant more and I found myself thinking that I would like more house plants when I got to my apartment. I might just have a green thumb yet!

My dad has now started to plan his garden projects with my help in mind and I am more than up for the task. In fact, we will be planting flower seeds later this week. I can’t wait! 🙂

What is your favorite outdoor activity? What do you and your parents do to spend quality time together? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr3

Finally, Flowers!

Posted on April 3, 2023 by lifewithlilred

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Hello!! Spring and autumn are the seasons when your favorite Lil Red blogger thrives. I live for not too hot/not too cold weather as I don’t do well in extreme summer temps and I am a huge freeze baby come winter! While I love the weather that comes with spring and fall, I love the way the world looks even more; Blooming flowers and trees coming back to life and leaves changing colors and Halloween decor. While driving this past week, I have noticed lots of pretty spring flowers popping up. And, finally on Friday, flowers were in my parents’ yard too. It made me so happy!

After a winter that felt like an eternity due to crap weather and a massive amount of stress, these past few days of true springtime have hit different and in the best way. Although it has been technically spring on the calendar, I don’t consider it to be spring until the weather and the outside world reflects it. Seeing the sun and feeling its warmth, brisk winds, and new life growing all around has been so invigorating and healing. While everything still isn’t awesome in my world, it makes it a bit easier to go about the day with a newfound pep in my step.

I look forward to seeing flowers in my parents’ yard every year because it is a perfect reminder of better times ahead. It’s hard not to smile and feel hopeful when tiny blooms and bursts of color are making their way onto the scene. It is also a great time to reflect on how flowers grow. Despite heavy rainfalls, grey days, and unstable temperatures, flowers still grow and turn into something beautiful when they open up towards the sun. It’s a great metaphor to help myself remember that when things absolutely suck, there is still going to be a light at the end of the tunnel. ❤

I have been waiting for springtime basically since winter began and all I have to say is: Bring it on. Here’s to warm days, birds chirping, and flowers blooming everywhere!

What is your favorite flower? What is your favorite part about the spring? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar20

Watercolor Flowers

Posted on March 20, 2023 by lifewithlilred

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Hello! My mom, sister, and I learned the joys of watercolor painting after taking a class together last July. It was so much fun and it inspired my mom and I to take it up as a hobby. I even treated all of us to an at home class last month as an early birthday gift for my mom! During our at home class, our wonderful teacher conducted a painting session on roses and I am so proud of my mom for her dedication to practicing watercolor in her downtime. This past week, I was finally able to paint with her during a visit and decided to see what I could remember of painting roses. I also tried my hand at pansies! Check it out:

I like to fancy myself as a creative person in terms of writing, fashion, and figure skating. However, I have never considered myself an artistic person until trying watercolor painting; I can barely draw a stick figure! Quitting my day job for a career in painting is not in my future, but I feel proud of myself whenever I paint anything and it doesn’t turn out awful. At the end of the day, I am trying something new and enjoying myself and that’s the most important thing.

A month had gone by since learning how to paint roses and while I definitely need a refresher, I felt pretty good about the two I made on the first page. The red one is my favorite! In fact, I was having so much fun painting with my mom that I wanted to try something completely new: Pansies. Pansies are one of my favorite flowers and they always remind me of my grandma, who would tend to beautiful window boxes filled with them. The variety of colors and delicate petals speak to me and I know that spring has officially sprung when I start to see them at stores!

To start, I tried to paint a pansy from memory and that didn’t go too hot. A reference picture was a must and I found some great drawings of pansies that were most helpful for my next attempts. Although none of the paintings I tried on the second page look perfectly pansy, I could kind of see it. I also felt like I got a decent grasp on what must be done to improve for next time and that’s good enough for me! I am especially pleased with the one in the top right as well as the flower directly below it. While I love taking watercolor classes, it was an extra feather in my cap to try something brand new all by myself!

I can’t wait to paint again with my mom and am looking forward to giving pansies another go. Practice makes perfect, amiright?!

What is your favorite medium of art to work with? In what ways are you creative or artistic? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan18

Feeling Flowery OOTD

Posted on January 18, 2023 by lifewithlilred

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Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new OOTD here on lifewithlilred! I wanted to get one more outfit in before my hair changes again so Johnny and I took pictures this past weekend. And, if the location looks familiar: It should! We went to the same brick wall (That is also a bathroom at a local park lol) featured in my It’s Not Just A Phase OOTD. Hey, you’ve got to work with what you’ve got sometimes! Check it out:

Who? What? Wear?

Zip Up Top: Jaase, TJMaxx
Black Skinny Jeans: American Eagle Outfitters
Flower Headband: Claire’s
Thigh High Boots: Candie’s, Kohl’s

I don’t know about all of you but I am So. Freaking. Sick. of dressing for winter. Don’t get me wrong, I love cold weather clothing and accessories. However, I am bored with wearing skinny jeans constantly! I miss skirts and dresses so very much and while I have a passion for fashion, I am just not passionate enough to brave the cold with bare legs lol. It was less than thirty degrees out when we took these pictures and I was freezing my nads off in what I had on!

Winter essentially eliminates your options other than pants and that bores me. Therefore, bold patterns and colors are a must during the cold months to incorporate some excitement back into your fits. Because my pants were already chosen for me thanks to the weather, I decided to go with my Jaase zip up top on top. This little number is an oldie but goodie from TJMaxx and I think it is so cool. The unique shape and puff sleeves paired with the white flowers against a cornflower blue base creates a top that I have never seen anything like before. Granted, it’s definitely not warm enough to be worn on its own but it makes for an amazing option during the spring.

I view patterns as an accessory in themselves and didn’t want to bog down a top as loud as the Jaase one with too many extras. The day of taking these pictures, my hair didn’t want to cooperate at all so a headband was in order. Luckily, I had just the one in mind from Claire’s. The blue of the headband is almost an identical match to the top and I liked the pop of red in the embroidery. The headband also bumped up the back of my hair to add some volume and more visual interest to the look.

For earrings, I chose a pair that Johnny’s mom got me that you can’t see too well. They are a small dangly pair of steel blue rectangles with copper flowers and were right on target with the floral theme that I was working with. Since I already had the headband on, I didn’t want earrings that were too big or blingy and these added a little touch of movement without looking cluttered around my face.

Finally, it was time for shoes and I went with my thigh high boots by Candie’s. These are, quite possibly, one of my favorite boots in my entire collection. They are so sleek and sexy and guarantee mile long legs. They blend in perfectly with my black skinnies to give a boost in height without breaking up the silhouette of the outfit. Since the focal point of this look was the Jaase top, I didn’t want to take away from it with bolder heels so the Candie’s pair was just what I needed to complete the look!

When it comes to adding some spice to outfits during the winter, you need to get creative. You could consider transforming your clothing items into stunning pieces made possible by the art of embroidery. Delicate stitches and intricate designs can elevate the beauty of any attire. From elegant dresses to classic blouses, the possibilities are endless. Imagine a dainty lace collar adorned with blooming flowers or a bold statement jacket embroidered with intricate patterns. Floriani, known for its high-quality embroidery threads, adds a touch of excellence to each stitch, ensuring the final result is nothing short of breathtaking. Embrace the charm of the past while adding a personal touch with the magic of embroidery.

Although this isn’t one of my most exciting looks, I still really like this Feeling Flowery OOTD. Keep it posted for bloopers from this fit as well as new outfits coming soon with brand new hair!

What is your favorite season to dress for? How do you spice up cold weather outfits? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep8

4 Ways To Improve Your Garden Right Now

Posted on September 8, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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A lot of people have the idea that gardens are only for the summer, but your home should be beautiful throughout all times of the year. If you are looking for ways to make improvements to your garden or yard, then look no further. We’ll discuss some ideas to get you started in this post:

Put up a fence:

If you’re going to enjoy your garden more, a little privacy can go a long way. Many gardens have short fences or old fences that make them look worn down. While there’s nothing wrong with a little wear and tear, it’s good to make sure you’re happy with what you’ve got. If you would like to install a new fence, you can start by looking into this Flawless Post Hole website. Having some privacy makes it much easier to feel at home in your own garden, and it’s a great way to start things off.

Take better care of your plants:

If gardening isn’t your thing, then the chances are that it looks pretty baron. Flowers are generally going to have a hard time growing healthily if you don’t water them enough or take proper care of them. A flourishing garden needs an attentive gardener to take care of it, which is where the effort comes in. Learning to take better care of what you have, as well as looking into more plants for your garden is important if you want a beautiful environment to spend time in.

Consider a greenhouse:

If gardening is something you’ve always wanted to give a try, and are looking for more things to fill your garden with – a greenhouse is perfect. Greenhouses take up quite a bit of space, but if you invest in the right one, it can really add to the scene. Your greenhouse will provide you with a safe and weatherproof atmosphere to tend to your plants. No matter what you want to grow, you’ll know that they’re safe inside the greenhouse. They’re a gardener’s best friend and are great for growing plants that would usually have a hard time in your climate.

Install a pond:

Inviting nature into your garden can be quite difficult, but a pond can be a good place to start. So long as you’re willing to maintain it, your pond can be home to fish, frogs, and other wildlife that enjoys being near water. You might find that installing a pond attracts all kinds of wildlife to your garden. You’ll have to make sure to clean it and keep your fish fed if you don’t want it to stagnate, though.

Turn your backyard into a paradise with the tips above and you will enjoy spending time in your garden all year round!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Aug23

How To Change Your Garden Layout In 8 Easy Steps

Posted on August 23, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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How To Change Your Garden Layout In 8 Easy Steps

Your garden is your own little piece of paradise. It’s a place where you can relax and enjoy the outdoors, surrounded by beautiful plants and flowers. But after a while, you may start to feel like your garden is a bit lackluster. If you’re looking for a change, there’s no need to wait until springtime to do it. With a little planning, you can easily change up your garden layout in just a few easy steps:

1. Decide what you want to change:

The first step in changing your garden layout is deciding what exactly you want to change. Do you want to add more color? Or are you looking for a more functional space? Once you know what you want to achieve, you can start planning your new layout. Consider Dumpster Rental to get rid of any debris you may accumulate.

2. Sketch out your ideas:

Once you have a general idea of what you want to do, it’s time to start sketching out your ideas. Get a piece of paper and a pencil and start drawing. Don’t worry about getting everything perfect – this is just for planning purposes. Once you have a basic idea of your new layout, you can start refining it.

3. Choose your plants:

One of the most important aspects of any garden is the plants. Carefully choose the types of plants that you want to include in your garden. Consider things like sunlight and water needs, as well as their growth habits. You’ll also want to think about how the plants will look when they’re in bloom.

4. Place your plants:

After you’ve chosen your plants, it’s time to start placing them in your new garden layout. Again, sketching things out first can be helpful. Once you have a general idea of where you want to put each plant, you can start digging holes and planting them. If you have pets, remember to keep in mind that they may want to rearrange your plants after you’ve placed them!

5. Add some mulch:

Mulch is a great way to add nutrients to your soil and help your plants retain moisture. It can also give your garden a polished look. When you’re adding mulch, be sure to use a layer that’s two or three inches thick.

6. Water regularly:

One of the most important things you can do for your garden is to water it regularly. Depending on the type of plants you have, you may need to water daily or just a few times a week. Be sure to check the soil before watering to make sure it’s not already moist.

7. Fertilize as needed:

Fertilizing your garden is important to help your plants stay healthy and thrive. However, you don’t want to overdo it. Apply fertilizer according to the package directions and be sure not to use more than recommended.

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8. Enjoy your new garden:

After you’ve finished all of these steps, sit back and enjoy your new garden layout. With a little bit of planning and effort, you can easily transform your space into something you’re proud of.

Changing your garden layout is a great way to give your space a fresh look. By following these eight easy steps, you can achieve the results you want in no time. So what are you waiting for? Get started on your new garden today!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Jul27

A Stroll In The Garden OOTD

Posted on July 27, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello everyone!! After a most fruitful TJMaxx haul, I was so ready to take all of the pictures with my new duds. I also had the perfect setting in mind – my dad’s garden! Come summer, it is absolutely glorious and filled with delicious veggies and stunning blooms. There is nothing better than taking a leisurely stroll and taking in all of the beauty or running around with my niece on the lush lawn…. And taking pictures, of course! Check it out:

Who? What? Wear?

Crochet top: Rebellion Again, TJMaxx
Floral pants: Nicole Miller, TJMaxx
Embroidered heel platforms: Bamboo, TJMaxx

This is an OOTD that I love very much and I think it is just so fun and unique. I have nothing like the Rebellion Again top or Nicole Miller pants in my vast wardrobe, which made it an exciting look to wear since it’s far from the norm. I felt so lucky during my haul because there was only one pair of the pants in the store and doubly lucky because I found the perfect top to go with it!

What I like about this outfit is that the styling spoke for itself. It was also planned well ahead of time in the TJMaxx dressing room so not a lot of thought went into it the day I took pictures. Each piece felt like an accessory in its own way – the embroidered heels of the platforms, bold floral pattern on the pants, and intricate crochet work on the top. So, it really didn’t need much in terms of actual jewelry and I kept it simple with a few of my favorite bangle bracelets.

Normally, I like to start from the top down when building an outfit. In this case, however, I started from the middle with the pants. While I could have pulled from a color in the floral pattern for the top, I decided that I wanted to go with a neutral to really make it pop. The cream Rebellion Again tank was the ideal choice and it was exactly what I had pictured. I thought it looked fabulous against the grey/blue base of the pants and the floral crochet pattern complimented them so well too.

For shoes, my Bamboo platforms were an obvious choice. The denim color is a neutral too and it meshed seamlessly with the blue undertones in the base of the pants. The floral embroidery on the heel also tied together with the same motif in the other pieces of this outfit. Not to mention that it has cream, pale blue, and yellow flowers featured on the heel so it matched even better than I originally thought.

My Stroll In The Garden OOTD is going to be such a delightful look for a date day exploring downtown Cuyahoga Falls or a botanical garden. Now, the trick is going to be to find more tops to go with the pants lol. I guess I’ll need another shopping trip soon! 😀

What is your favorite flower? What do you love about summertime? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

PS: Tune in tomorrow for bonus pictures from this shoot!

Jun16

Birthday Bouquet

Posted on June 16, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello! After a glorious month and a half or so with a lighter work schedule, I am back into the swing of things and have taken on two new families in the past month. The down time was much needed so I could pack up the old apartment and unpack in our new one because Johnny was working SO much overtime. Not to mention that a break was just what I needed for my own mental health.

For the first time in years last week, I worked on my birthday. Of course, I could have taken the day off but I was so eager to start with one of my new families that I couldn’t stand to wait one more day! This was a really cool change of pace for me and it felt good to be excited for work days. On Tuesday, I was surprised by receiving a gorgeous bouquet and birthday donuts from my new family. It was the nicest thing!!

^^^ Lol, I didn’t have a vase so I had to resort to using a water bottle SMH!

I don’t know about you, but I love to get flowers. They are such a lovely way to let someone know that you were thinking of them. I can’t help but to smile every time that I look at my birthday bouquet and the flowers still look as beautiful as the day I brought them home. The “vase” might not do the bouquet justice but, hey, you work with what you’ve got!

I learned the merit of receiving flowers from an early age. My dad always makes my mom the prettiest wildflower bouquets from his garden and will expertly arrange store bought flowers during the cold months. Seeing his arrangements on the kitchen table never failed to make me happy and it added the perfect touch of sunshine to the day.

I was so touched by this kind gesture from my new family and will have that reminder every day now. Because you all know that I love me some dried flowers too! ❤

What is your favorite flower? How do you show a loved one that you care? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun14

New Sienna Sky Skirt

Posted on June 14, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello!! During my last shopping trip at TJMaxx with a new friend, I had a fantastic haul filled with lots of new goodies. No new tops (No surprises there!), but some other accessories and the fabulous new skirt that we will be discussing today to shake up my summer wardrobe. It was love at first sight with this Sienna Sky skirt and I cannot wait to wear it!

Unlike many, I am not a huge fan of summertime. I despise really hot weather and I have always found dressing for summer to be a bore. In the fall, you have the option to truly build outfits through layering and that is so not the case for summer unless you want to burn up! I can only wear so many shorts and top combinations, which is why I was thrilled to find a new skirt to add some variety.

This little Sienna Sky number brought me back to high school when skirts that were similar were all the rage. Now, I much prefer a more structured skirt style so I am excited to add some flounce back into my OOTDs. The shape of this skirt with the front ruffle is darling but what sold me is the colors. The bright yellow, orange, and blue just screams fun in the sun and will allow me to have some more fun with summer dressing too. 😀

Because of the bold pattern on this skirt, all one needs for a perfect summer OOTD is a plain white tank, lots of bangle bracelets, and cork or wicker wedges. An outfit like that is ideal for a date day, a stroll through the farmers market, or drinks on the patio. And, it sure beats shorts and a T-shirt… Maybe dressing for summer isn’t so bad after all!

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

May30

New Gaze Mesh Crop Top

Posted on May 30, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hey! During my shopping at the new TJMaxx in the area, I made a purchase that I actually didn’t intend on making at all. However, the more that I had the top on in the fitting room, the more I wanted it and it ended up coming home with me. Mainly because it gave me ultimate Jules vibes from Euphoria! Check out my new mesh crop top by Gaze:

While my mom and I were making our second round throughout the store, I grabbed this top to try on with a pair of white bottoms. It is a far cry from something that I would normally wear but I just needed something to go with the pants! I really liked the pattern and the material but I was worried that the mesh would be super see through and I’m just not comfortable with that. It is also a much shorter crop than what I prefer, making it an instant no go in my head.

When I was in the fitting room, I was surprised that you could barely see my bra even with the mesh thanks to the background being black and only the pattern being white. It also fit just right with the high waisted pants I had on, making it much less revealing than what I had originally envisioned. And, oh yeah, it was SO comfy that I genuinely felt disappointed when I had to take it off and put my hoodie back on.

Prior to this shopping trip, I had recently finished binging Euphoria and it reminded me so much of the fashion in the show. I can’t wait to pair it with my favorite black pair of shorts from American Eagle or with my sweet skort by Almost Famous to give a dress like illusion. Pair with some killer platforms, rinse, repeat for a perfectly summer look that will help keep me perfectly cool even in all black. My emo kid dream come true! ❤

While I love a good online shopping sesh, there is nothing like some in store shopping to play around with different styles. This top by Gaze would have been an automatic no had I seen it online but trying it on in person was a totally different story. I can’t wait to incorporate it into my summer wardrobe… with maybe a few more tops for good measure!

What is something that you purchased that you originally thought you wouldn’t like? Do you prefer in store or online shopping? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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