Tag Archives: fun

Galaxy Wine Glass Craft

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Galaxy Wine Glass Craft

Howdy! I end up at one of the many local libraries with my clients several times per month, because there are always fun activities being held that are completely free to the public. From crafts and record clubs to murder mystery games and movie nights, there is a program suited for everyone’s interests. This past week, I took one of my clients to a craft activity at the library where we painted our own galaxy themed wine glasses. Here are the results for mine:

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Needless to say, ours definitely didn’t turn out like the amazing examples seen above. But, it was sure fun, nonetheless. The library provided everything for this event and all I had to do was register myself and my client and show up. The librarian purchased the wine glasses from the Dollar Tree and the acrylic paints and brushes from Michael’s for a budget friendly craft.

The glasses were pre-painted by the librarian so that we were just able to decorate and she said that there were three coats of black paint on the glass. We then used outer space inspired colors like blues, purples, and reds to create our own little galaxy. The glasses can be baked in the oven to preserve the paint if you intend on drinking out of it. But, do remember to put the glass in the oven as soon as you turn it on so it gradually gets used to the heat and doesn’t shatter!

I plan on using my glass strictly for decor. It’s not perfect, by any means. But, my client and I had a blast making them and it was a craft that can easily be replicated at home if anyone is interested in giving it a try. 🙂

How do you get crafty? What kind of programs are held at your local library? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Birthday Fun!

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Birthday Fun!

Hellooooo!! My June 7th birthday came and went and I am now twenty-five years of age. How about that! I had a wonderful birthday weekend and the celebrations are not over, as I have belated tom foolery scheduled with some of my girlfriends. During my birthday weekend, I enjoyed eleven hours of being tattooed, a subpar Mexican dinner with my family, and a lovely hang out with my boyfriend. Despite the Margaritas being weak AF and my dinner being cold, it was a definite success!

I received many beautiful gifts from everyone who celebrated with me. But, what I’m most excited about is the tickets that I got from my parents to see The Raconteurs at Stage AE in Pittsburgh this August. This will be my second time seeing Jack White in the past two years and they are playing at one of my favorite venues so, needless to say, I am beyond excited. 😀 #bestgiftever

Although I am not thrilled about being twenty-five, I had a great time quietly celebrating my birthday and thank you to everyone for the well wishes, which made my day even more special! ❤

How did you celebrate your birthday this year? How did you celebrate your twenty-fifth birthday? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Alternatives To Running: Cardio Workouts That You Can Do Indoors

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Alternatives To Running: Cardio Workouts That You Can Do Indoors

Running is undoubtedly the cardio workout of choice for most people and it’s for a good reason: Running at a six-mile per hour pace lets you burn up to 557 calories an hour, while jogging lets you burn up to 398 calories an hour. It is also a form of stress relief for some, especially outdoors when the weather is pleasant. It becomes tricky to stick to a regular running routine during the rainy months, so it is always best to consider workout alternatives that you can do indoors. Here are some cardio workouts that burn as many calories as running:

Jump rope:

There’s a reason why jump rope is essential in boxing training: It enhances footwork, strengthens your shoulders, improves your coordination, and stimulates sprinting. Also, it lets you burn 500 calories in just 30 minutes. To make the most of this indoor workout, do intervals of fast and slow jumps. Or you can jump as fast as you can for a minute then rest for 20-30 seconds.

Boxing:

This improves your strength, speed, agility, hand-eye coordination, endurance, and power while getting you in great shape. It combines the muscle building advantages of strength training with the calorie burn of a cardio workout, so it helps you get a full body experience. It also enables you to achieve better body composition. Thus, you don’t just lose weight; you build muscle as well and get a toned, fit body as a bonus. It burns about 600 calories an hour and, even if you’re not sparring or throwing punches with boxing gloves, you still burn fat through the other components, such as jump rope, shadow boxing, and calisthenics.

Zumba:

Dance exercises have gained popularity in recent years not only because they are an effective cardio workout but also because they are fun. Going to a Zumba class, for example, is like going to a dance party. It combines fast and slow rhythms that tone and sculpt the body, adapted from aerobic principles to help you tone your muscles and improve cardiovascular health. It is often done to the beat of Latin dance music. An hour of Zumba lets you burn between 350 and 650 calories per hour depending on the intensity.

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Swimming:

If sweating is not your thing, then you should consider swimming to burn calories. It is a total body workout that lets you strengthen your body even if you are treading water. Fighting gravity makes your muscles work extra hard to keep you afloat. To make the most out of this workout, make sure to do a few laps using different strokes, then have a water-treading interval. A minute of fast swimming can burn up to 14 calories, so doing it for an hour lets you burn as much as 840 calories.

No swimming pool? Most residential buildings and sports hubs near Eastwood City have pools you can use for free! Perhaps you would like something more permanent if you are serious about swimming. One option you could consider is getting a temporary pool you can erect when the weather’s nice. A pool in the backyard is most people’s dream, after all! However, if you’re looking for something that’s not only much bigger but can also add value to your property, then you can research in-ground pool builders near you on sites like https://pinnaclepoolsandspas.com/pool-builders/ to get your project started.

If you are considering an in-ground pool installation, be sure to choose a reputable and well reviewed company. There is a lot more work that goes into having a pool than you might have thought! A good rule of thumb is to call several different companies with the questions you might have. Do they offer cleaning services? Do they specialize in saltwater pool conversion? If so, are they offering sound advice for issues like corrosion that may arise? The expertise of the company you choose is so important as you will want to fully enjoy your investment.

When you’re using swimming as a work out, always remember safety. It can be exhausting exercise so pay attention to how you’re feeling throughout your swim. Outdoor pools should also have fencing around them to protect those using the pool area. Whether it’s a residential or commercial pool, if the pool or fences are new, they’ll need someone like these pool fence inspectors melbourne to come and check things out and, if things aren’t quite as they should be, advise on what needs to be done in order to bring them up to the necessary standard.

The rain should never keep you from staying on track with your fitness goals. With these workouts, you can stay in shape regardless of the weather.

Four Fantastic Reasons To Take Up Crafting

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Four Fantastic Reasons To Take Up Crafting

If you’re in the market for a relaxing activity that promises endless hours of fun and satisfaction, you should definitely consider crafting. Why? If the four reasons below don’t convince you, trying your hand at something crafty certainly will. Next time you’ve got some time on your hands, do yourself a favor and give crafting a try:

Curiosity:

One thing that defines all crafty folk is curiosity. You get a kick out of working out how to go about creating something out of its component parts, and it’s not just the intellectual knowledge you hunger for, but the experience. If you’re naturally curious, crafting offers endless opportunities to discover new processes, get your head around intricate designs, and get to grips with different materials. Whether you’re into embroidery or woodwork, once you get started, you’ll discover an endless world of complexity to uncover for yourself.

Be a Gifting Goddess:

Everyone has that friend who reliably produces the most jaw-dropping gifts, which they then reveal were made by hand! With a little crafting expertise, you can be a gifting goddess too. No matter what area of crafting you’re into, chances are you’ll be able to whip up a gift for someone special. If you’re into knitting, woolen gifts always go down as a treat (even the once cringe-worthy Christmas jumper is having a revival these days!). Or, if you’re a baker or cook, why not gift a batch of homemade cookies or a tasty jar of preserves? If you’re new to your craft and are not quite up for full-on gift production, consider other crafty ways to personalize your shop-bought gifts. You could make your own cards, or invest in a punch board and create your own personalized gift bags.

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Photo by Kaboompics .com from Pexels

Crafters Are Forever Young:

Who says old dogs can’t learn new tricks? Research has consistently demonstrated that taking up new habits can have a positive impact on the sharpness and adaptability of your mind. Learning new things creates brand-new neural pathways, which work against the natural deterioration of the brain that comes with age. While it doesn’t matter what new things you do, crafts are a great choice because you’re unlikely to get bored with an endless array of new techniques and skills waiting to be mastered.

New Communities:

While crafting can be a rewarding solitary activity, crafters should be aware of the danger of becoming reclusive. If you’re looking for ways to get out there more, getting into a new craft will open up new worlds for you, socially. Learning from others is the best excuse to meet people, and a quick glance online will give you a sense of the local crafting communities available. Even if there are no craft events coming up, you’ll find a thriving online community sharing tips and inspiration, so there’s no need to feel alone. Crafters can be a shy tribe but remember: there are no strangers out there… only friends you haven’t met yet.

Whatever your reasons for taking up crafting, don’t forget the most important benefit of all: crafting simply makes you feel good! Who cares how good your results are. What matters is that you’re enjoying yourself. 🙂

Featured Image By: Jasmin Schreiber on Unsplash

Lil Red Loves: Ma Edition

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Lil Red Loves: Ma Edition

Helloo! This past week, I took one of my clients to see Ma. She is my scary movie girl and we always go to the latest showings together at the theaters. It’s a blast! Ever since seeing the trailer for Ma for the past few months, we have been looking forward to going. And, it definitely didn’t disappoint. We both left the theater speechless aside from agreeing that we both loved it.

^^^ And, as always, I have no rights to this video.

Boasting an all star cast of Octavia Spencer, Juliette Lewis, Allison Janney, and Missi Pyle along with the main young actors who all did a bang up job, Ma was filled with shockers from start to finish. Ma tells the story of a lonely middle aged woman with a traumatic past who finds her niche with a group of teens after buying them booze at a convenience store. But, what originally seems innocent enough takes a dark turn into obsession really quickly.

Is Ma just on the hunt for friends or on the trail for revenge? Full of jaw dropping horror gags and a shocking, heartbreaking grand reveal, Ma is definitely worth the watch. It wasn’t so much blood and guts horror as it was stomach churning unfortunate-ness and suspense. So, if you’re up for a night at the movies seeing a flick that was outrageously cringe worthy but a whole lot of fun with the dark humor peppered in, then get your tickets for Ma ASAP!

What is the last movie you saw in theaters? What were your thoughts on Ma? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Ma Movie

June 2019 Funky Time Jams

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June 2019 Funky Time Jams

Hellooo everyone and welcome to a new month here on lifewithlilred. Summer weather is officially here in Ohio and it has been hot as hell. Now, I don’t know if this is just a Midwestern thing, but we are all about driving with our air conditioning on and the windows down. Which means that you obvi have to be bumping the best tunes for everyone else to hear! Like some of the following:

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

I have a very short drive to get to one of my clients three times a week, so I play the radio on the way there because there’s no point in plugging in my iPod for a five minute excursion. Normally, I never have anything nice to say about whatever is on the radio but the stations in my neck of the woods, specifically Akron U’s Z88 is playing the JAMS. They always have Throwback Thursday which is a lot of fun and 98.1 WKDD has 90’s weekends which is the best.

There is nothing better than having the oldies but goodies that we all know the words to even if you don’t particularly like the song playing. And, I’d be a liar if I said I didn’t get down with some of the newer stuff, too. Don’t hate, but I’m obsessed with “Old Town Road”, “Sweet But Psycho”, and “Hey Julie”. So much so, that every time I get in my car with the intention of playing the radio I am always saying a silent prayer to hear one of those three songs. It’s whatever! 😀

What are your summer time jams? What is your favorite radio station? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dining Delights: Enjoy Food With Friends This Summer!

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Dining Delights: Enjoy Food With Friends This Summer!

Summer is a time for making memories. With the nice weather and longer days, we’re all in a happier mood and ready to socialize. And, one of the best ways to get everyone together is with food. Sharing a meal is a great way to connect with your loved ones and it’s tons of fun. Check out the following ideas for food friendly events this summer:

Barbecue:

Everyone loves a good barbecue. So, if you want to get everyone together on a hot day? Fire up the grill! Dust off your old barbecue and contact some propane companies to find the best price on gas. Purchase some meat and vegetables to grill and make burgers, hot dogs, chicken, steaks, ribs, and skewers. If you want to keep the drinks flowing all day, you could mix up a cocktail in a large dispenser along with some fruit slices and herbs and guests can help themselves to the ready mixed drink with no messing around. Have plenty of ice in the freezer that they can pop into their glass so each drink is perfectly chilled.

No master chef is complete without a perfect grill to barbecue on! You will want to explore your options to make sure that the grill you choose has all of the features you are looking for. Some grills are more basic while others have all the bells and whistles. You can browse websites like www.bedsbbq.co.uk to start getting inspiration for your dream grill. Summer will be here before we know it!

Picnic:

If you have friends and family scattered across different places, why not choose a scenic park in a relatively central location to all of you and have a picnic? If everyone brings a selection of different foods, you’ll all have plenty to share. Pinterest has lots of recipe ideas for interesting sandwiches, pastries, salads, and sweet treats so it doesn’t have to be all of the same kind of stuff! It’s a nice way to spend time outdoors and it’s not especially expensive, either. Check out if the place you want to picnic in has car parking charges or entry fees ahead of time for complete convenience.

Afternoon tea:

More fancy than a picnic and something you can do from your own home is an afternoon tea. Decorate your garden table in a pretty tablecloth and some flowers in mason jars and serve finger sandwiches, dainty pastries, cakes on tiered stands, and tea in mismatched china cups. Perfect for a celebration (just add a bottle of champagne or prosecco!) or just a girls afternoon spent together.

Restaurant:

Lots of restaurants are particularly great over the warmer months. Find somewhere that has an outdoor area where you can meet with your friends and enjoy food and drinks. While restaurants and eateries can be expensive, check sites like Groupon for deals to save money and also the website of the venue. Some places will have special offers on certain days. If you’re looking to save money, skip the starters (restaurant mains are so large you really don’t need them anyway!) and pass on the alcohol. You can always enjoy a few drinks at home afterwards which will be way cheaper than buying while you’re out. Stick to water and soft drinks and you’ll save significantly on your bill.

While passing on drinks can save some moolah, breweries and wineries can be such fun to visit, sip, and nosh at. It could even become a tradition to find a new one during each outing or plan a weekend trip based around it. A visit to somewhere like this Beer Hall Denver could offer a lively atmosphere, great food, and a wide selection of brews to enjoy. Explore and find the best options for you and your crew.

For an exciting restaurant experience, you might want to find a spot with entertainment. This could include bar trivia, bands playing, or even sushi and Sumo at a restaurant like Tokyo Nights. Plenty of restaurants also host paint nights, speed dating, and karaoke. This is a chance for you and your friends to break out of the norm and have a blast with something brand new!

Use the tips above to plan a lovely afternoon outing for your friends and family – just make sure they all come on an empty stomach!

Featured Image By: Pexels

New Zac & Rachel Skort

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New Zac & Rachel Skort

Hellooo! As far as I’m concerned, summer is here. And, with each changing of the season, I usually have a big TJMaxx haul to refresh my wardrobe with some fun new pieces. I’m not going to lie, summer is my least favorite season to dress for. It is not like me to just throw on a tank top and shorts and call it a day, which is so easy to do when it’s hot out. So, despite the heat, I still like putting together outfits that make a statement. And, that shouldn’t be hard to do with this new Zac & Rachel skort! Check it out:

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Before I purchased my first skort from TJ’s a few months ago, I always associated that type of clothing with childhood. But, I now know that the skort is a-okay for GROWN ASS WOMEN, too! The skort is a wonderful invention because you don’t have to worry about anyone sneaking a peek up your skirt throughout the day and you also don’t have to deal with the shorts riding up into a denim wedgie as if you were wearing shorts. #winning

This Zac & Rachel skort just screams “fun in the sun” to me and I love the pattern of oranges, sunflowers, and polka dots. Such a sweet combination! What’s great about this skort, is that it’s going to look dressed up with a black crop top and some espadrilles thanks to the stark white and flattering fit. Bye bye, basic summer OOTDs and hello to an ensemble that will still help you beat the heat but look oh so chic.

How do you avoid the basic summer OOTD blues? What is one of your summer wardrobe staples? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Fun Activities To Do With Your Kids This Summer

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Fun Activities To Do With Your Kids This Summer

If you are looking for things to do with your kids this summer, then you have come to the right place. Down below, you are going to find a short list of ideas that you can use to fill the time while your little ones are off from school. They don’t have to be anything elaborate as you will see when you keep reading, but just something different and fun to do as a family. Take a look:

Take Them Climbing:

The first thing that we are going to suggest is that you take them climbing. There is going to be some sort of mountain within a few hours drive from you, and this is the perfect thing to do on a sunny day. Just make sure that you are taking a lot of food and drinks with you to avoid anyone feeling weak or tired on your journey. Not only is this something fun that you can do as a family, but it is also great for exercise and getting everyone out and about. Staying indoors can be fun, but every now and then you need something to get you moving and get your blood pumping!

Or, if climbing isn’t really something you want to do, you can find a nice nature trail to follow. There are lots of these dotted around, and you will find some amazing views when you embark on one of these journeys.

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So cool!

Learn An Instrument:

The next thing that we are going to suggest is that you take up an instrument. This can be fun to do with your children no matter what instrument you choose to do. This could be piano, guitar, or even something as peculiar as the ukulele! If this is something that you want to consider, you can find the Top 12 Easy Ukulele Songs with 4 Chords (C, G, Am, F) online to look at! By doing this, you don’t even have to hire a teacher to help you learn. Instead, you can teach yourselves at home and make it into a fun experience for those days where you just don’t want to leave the comfort of your own home.

Create Something Beautiful:

Finally, have you thought about doing something creative with them? This can be anything from painting with them in the garden to building somewhere for them to play. Obviously, you don’t want them handling sharp tools, that’s for you to do, but they can help with passing you stuff, assembling, and decorating when it’s finished. Projects like this are great because they take up a few days at least, and they make sure everyone has a task to do.

You can also think about getting them to help you out with the gardening and creating a beautiful outdoor space. This might not sound like the most fun idea, but it is something that everyone can be involved in and looks amazing when completed.

We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now have a few good ideas for activities that you can do with your kids this summer!

 

Psychic Experience

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Psychic Experience

Hiiii! Over the weekend, my boyfriend and I thought that it would be fun to go see a psychic. He has been to one before and I never have so we made a little afternoon of it. After searching for “the best psychics in Cleveland” for what felt like forever, we landed on a woman named Faye who had pretty solid reviews. Of course, all of the reviews for each place were a mixed bag with some people saying it was a scam and others claiming that it was the best reading of their life.

For cheapness’s sake, we decided to both do a palm reading and went on our merry way to meet Faye, who has a small business in downtown Cleveland. Her shop was very tiny with a sitting area in the front and an office style room in the back where she did her readings. As soon as we walked in, she decided that I would go first so I went back while my boyfriend waited up front.

I don’t know about you, but I definitely believe in the other wordly and spiritual powers. I do feel like Faye had it, but I also know when someone is just trying to upsell you and that’s exactly what she did to both me and my MAN. It was basically a case of “I can tell you more but you have to come back”. *Massive eye roll*

However, what she did tell me during the brief ten minute reading was all correct. She started off with the basic “you had a difficult childhood/teenage years blah, blah, blah” which I feel like isn’t that hard to tell by looking at me, lol. But, then she continued with being able to tell that I worked in the care profession, recently moved out, and had two specific people in my family that I worry about the most – which is all accurate. She also didn’t know my name so it’s not like she Facebooked me or read my blog beforehand.

I do wish that we could have talked longer, because I feel like she was holding back on everything that she told me so that she could pull the “but wait, there’s more” card. But, it was a really cool experience for what it was and it was even better that my boyfriend came up with such a unique date idea. Six out of ten, would go to Faye again. Twelve out of ten, would recommend this date to others!

Have you ever been to a psychic? What are your thoughts in favor or against practices like that? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah