Tag Archives: fun

Dec8

December 2018 Funky Time Jams

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December 2018 Funky Time Jams

Hello! We are already a week into December and Christmas is literally right around the corner. So crazy! We’re blazing through this month, so it’s time to discuss some fiery jams to match. I participate in a vinyl record club at one of my local libraries and it is my turn to pick the album come January. I had great success with The Pale Emperor by Marilyn Manson so it is important to me to keep the streak going. So, this month has been about listening through some of my favorite albums on my iPod to make sure that I make the best decision. So far, I’ve been selecting through albums with some of the following songs:

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

So many choices!! At first, I was really leaning towards Arcade Fire’s Funeral or Apologies To The Queen Mary by Wolf Parade. But, then I began playing around with other options and got distracted from my original choices. As of now, I am probably going to go with Decemberunderground by AFI. That album features songs that had radio success for them like Miss Murder and Love Like Winter, so some if it might be familiar to my record club friends, which is always a good thing. Plus, I had the pleasure of seeing AFI in concert for my birthday last year, which will make for good conversation. I think that I have my mind made up, but we all know that that’s subject to change within an hour!

Which album would you play for a vinyl record club? What are some of your absolute favorite albums? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec4

Newsflash!

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Newsflash!

Helloooo everyone! We interrupt your scheduled programming of Urban Decay palette swatches with a very important Newsflash. Becauuuuuse GUESS WHAT?! Some very exciting things are happening in Lil Red’s world and I wanted to share it with all of you first. So, let’s get started!

For those of you who don’t know, I used to be very big into theater and acting in plays. Then, when college began as well as the blog, I just kind of fell out of it. I haven’t done a show in about four years but, I’d be a liar if I said that I didn’t miss it. In fact, a month or so ago, I was chit chatting at work and talking about how if an acting opportunity came up, that I’d love to do it.

Well, the cosmic gods answered this seemingly meaningless conversation because, about a week ago I got a Facebook message from an old theater friend inviting me to act in one of her shows. The play is called the Parish Chronicles and it was written by her. The role that she offered me was one of the female leads and, coincidentally, I read that part for her about five years ago when we were just having some fun performing other people’s scripts.

I was so flattered and happy and then had an “oh shit” moment when I realized how demanding it would be to do a show. I already couldn’t make the scheduled rehearsal times but, that was solved when they offered special times just for me to be able to make it. And, then, I thought how the two weeks that the play runs would really put a damper on my work life as I work most evenings.

I was so beside myself because, as excited as I was to be offered this part, it would really shake my work schedule up. I asked my friend for a few days to think it over and, after some deliberation, I accepted the part the following day. How often does a leading role just fall into someone’s lap? They are making a rehearsal schedule just for me and I work hard enough that a minimal few work weeks when the show runs won’t be an issue, either.

I felt so good when I started ice skating again and I know that getting back into theater is going to be an amazing thing for me, too. And, you know what the best part is? When I participated in theater and figure skating during my teenage years and early twenties, I was so depressed and miserable that I didn’t even enjoy it. Frankly, I didn’t want to get out of bed unless it was to cut, make myself throw up, or get drunk. So, of course I didn’t fully get to experience the joys of skating and theater no matter how much I wanted to.

Now, since I’m in a better place in my life, I am ready to finally revel in the fun, excitement, and craft of acting as well as continue on with my skating. I feel proud that I’m letting myself get back into my once loved hobbies instead of falling into the trap of not doing it because I haven’t in so long. Being on the ice again was just like riding a bike and I know that acting will be the same way. I feel happy and I can’t wait to dive into this new adventure!

Do you have any exciting news to share? Who else has been bit by the acting bug? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov30

Get More Involved In Your Local Community

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Get More Involved In Your Local Community

Whether you have recently moved into a new area or you are just keen to try and improve your current sociability, you will find that it is a great idea to try and get more involved in your local community whenever possible. Getting more involved is often merely a matter of doing more and getting out there as a way to have some fun, do good, and meet new friends. In this post, we are going to take a look at some of the activities in particular you might want to consider if you are going to try and get more involved in your local community. Consider some of the following and you’ll be surprised at the difference that it makes:

Play Sports:

Playing sports is an activity that is offered in almost every community. The sport that you choose to play is up to you, but it might prove especially expedient if you go for one that is strongly team-focused, so that you can meet many more people. You will find that sports such as softball and baseball and so on are especially good for this. If there are no such groups out there, grab some softball lineup cards, find a place to play, and start one!

Take An Evening Class:

If there is some skill or ability that you have always wanted to have, you might want to consider taking some kind of evening class, instead. You are bound to be able to find some in your local area, and hopefully a few that spike your personal interest. The benefit of this, is that if you go and learn about something that interests you, you are bound to meet a number of like-minded people and, in doing so, you will find that you will soon become a real part of the community. This is one of the surest and swiftest ways to build up a strong network of friends, so it’s definitely worth considering. Take an evening class at your local university or college, and you will be able to get much more involved in your community in no time.

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Always invite your new friends to coffee!

Volunteer:

One of the more wholesome ways to get more involved in your local community is to volunteer somewhere. If you look around, you are sure to find opportunities for this, as there always are. Soup kitchens, church programs, the Special Olympics, and animal shelters are all great places to start. Doing good feels good and you will meet plenty of new people (Or pets!) as a result.

Getting involved in your community is a fun way to fill up your free time and, with the new friends that you make, you will be the talk of the town in no time!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Nov20

New Almost Famous Skort

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New Almost Famous Skort

Yo! As we all know, Lil Red has been on PANTS PATROL and I am honestly so happy about it. There’s a few things that I hate shopping for and they go as follows: Bikinis, bras, and PANTS, PANTS, PANTS. Pants are a pain in the ass to shop for and they always have been. Your girl suffers from the figure skater booty and thighs but a tiny waist, which makes getting a pair of pantelones that actually fit well really difficult. The same goes for shorts. Literally anything that you can wear on your bottom half that you have to put both legs through. Lol, so that’s why I was thrilled to snag this adorable Almost Famous skort seen below:

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Hopelessly out of season, I know. But, I just couldn’t help buying this cute as a button skort on TJMaxx’s website. I only own one other pair of shorts, so this actually was a really necessary purchase for when summer rolls around. I thought that this little number would make a really sweet addition to my summer wardrobe, because they are so different than your basic booty shorts, which will definitely add that Lil Red flare to any outfit, even if it’s just paired with a T-shirt or crop top.

Of course, I’m looking forward to wearing this in the summer but, I also plan on incorporating it into my spring wardrobe with some sweater tights underneath. The material of my new skort is nice and thick so it will do just fine. Then, I will pair it with a blazer on top and some cute little booties for a cool look for work or play. Love it!

Which type of clothing do you struggle shopping for? How would you style this skort? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov18

New Eva Franco Maxi Skirt

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New Eva Franco Maxi Skirt

Helloooo! It’s funny how your fashion sense continues to develop year after year. For example, when I was 23, I wore skirts on very rare occasions. And, here we are now one year later, and I can’t stop buying skirts to save my own life. My New Eva Franco Maxi Skirt is one that I have had my eyes on for a while but, I couldn’t justify paying fifty dollars for it. So, imagine how happy I was when I snagged it on clearance for twenty bucks! Take a look and let’s discuss:

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Where do I even begin when it comes to expressing my adoration for this skirt? Should I start with the charming color palette of candy colored embroidery against navy blue? Or how about the whimsical layer of the gauzy fabric flowing against the actual skirt? This Eva Franco piece is total fairground fun and I love every minute of it.

The beauty of this skirt, aside from how darn pretty it is, is the styling opportunities that come with it. I consider navy to be a neutral, so you could pair this with almost any color on top and you would create a stellar outfit. I can’t wait to pair this with a hot pink crop top in the spring and summer for an adorably bright look. But, I can also see this skirt worn during the winter with a pair of thick tights underneath and a warm moto jacket to add some colorful delight to the bleak outdoor weather.

My new Eva Franco skirt makes me smile when I look at it and getting it for a bargain price makes the purchase just as sweet as the pastel polka dots adorning it. Love, love, love!

How would you style this skirt? How has your style developed over time? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov10

Holiday Gifts That Always Win

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Holiday Gifts That Always Win

Howdy! The holiday season is here, and there is no doubt about it. And, with this festive season, comes family gatherings, lots of food, and holiday shopping. I, personally, love holiday shopping. But, then again, I love any kind of shopping! And, if you’re like me, then you will want to complete your purchases nice and early this month. Or, perhaps, you like to wait until the last minute and hit the stores on Christmas Eve! No matter how you do it, the present ideas below are always sure to please:

Comfort Items:

Male or female, every person loves comfort gifts. Whether it’s a huge cozy blanket, slippers, or new flannel pajamas, you really can’t go wrong with this option. If you’re shopping for a man’s man, grab a fleece throw with his favorite sports team on it. Or get your best girlfriends a pajama set and a bottle of wine for your next movie night in. These types of gifts are also a great choice, because they are something that your giftee will actually use and they will be sure to think about you every time!

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Ingredient Jars:

A gift idea that I love but, have actually never made, are ingredient jars. You know, the mason or cookie jars that are filled with the fixings to make a delicious pot of soup or tray of sugar cookies. These are fun gifts, because they are activity based but, the giftee really doesn’t have to do anything other than follow the instructions on how to make the recipe. You can go all out and decorate the jar into a reusable masterpiece, too! Or, you can get a set of holiday mugs filled with the goods to make a perfect cup of hot chocolate – a definite hit around the office.

Hobby Based Gifts:

The bread and butter of my holiday shopping are hobby based gifts. When you are preparing your shopping list, think long and hard about the interests of your giftees and plan accordingly. Is she an amateur photographer? Sweet, because Polaroid cameras are making a total comeback. Does he love to garden? Some packets of seeds and some new gear for around the yard will do just fine. World’s biggest football fan? Check out these team jerseys from SoccerLord for them to root on their favorite team! Gifts that tend to the person’s hobbies are a great way to go, because you know that they will be well used and they will help to take the giftee’s passions further, which is a gift all in itself.

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Smell Goods:

Alright, let’s be honest here. Lotion, candles, body wash and all of that jazz are the most basic but effective gifts that you can give to someone. Girls love it and, hey, guys love to be pampered, too! But, just because this gift is given constantly, doesn’t mean that it has to be the same old same old. Create a gift basket for a bath time delight with bath bombs from Lush, bath salts, body butter, and bubble bath for the ultimate package for relaxation. Or, gift your guy with a fancy shmancy shaving kit to spruce his self care routine up. And, if you are unsure if which scents to go for, always go with something neutral like Shea or Cocoa butter, which is sure to be well liked by anyone.

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Home Decor:

The option of home decor is a really nice one to go with, because it’s going to be used year round or every year during the holiday season. Pick up some beautiful picture frames with some of your favorite photos of you and the giftee. Or, you could even craft a holiday wreath to hang on the door. Ornaments for the tree are also a hit, too! From centerpieces and vases to knick knacks and outdoor decor (Solar lanterns or wind chimes, perhaps?), decorative gifts are a crowd pleaser, because it’s something that the giftee might not necessarily buy for themselves. I love those types of presents!

Hopefully these gift ideas will put you on the right path to some successful holiday shopping. And, if you’re still having trouble, always remember that homemade gifts are an excellent and well received way to go, too!

What is your favorite type of gift to give? Who is the most difficult person on your list to shop for? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov2

Hats Off: Peter Grimm Edition

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Hats Off: Peter Grimm Edition

Yo! Aside from shoes, which we all know are one of Lil Red’s major vices, I am definitely a hat girl. This gene was single handedly passed down from my grandma (my mom’s mom), who owned over one hundred hats. I began my own collection when I was fifteen or so with a deep purple cloche number, and it has expanded from there. In fact, quite a few of the hats in my collection are from my beloved grandma, so I know that she’s happy up in heaven that this love for her favorite accessory was passed down to one of her granddaughters. So, I’m positive that she’ll be pleased with my latest headwear purchase – I know I am! Take a look:

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I scored this Peter Grimm beauty from TJMaxx for seventeen bucks and, when I looked on the website for Peter Grimm, it was sixty! It was a total steal for such a cool hat, especially since I don’t own any in the camel coloring. I don’t know why I used to associate tan with being boring, because the color of this hat made my red locks POP. So, major shout out to Mister Peter Grimm for helping me to adjust that major character flaw.

What I love about this hat, is that it’s safari inspired with the faux suede rope and adjustable toggle, but it looks so damn chic because it’s attached to a somewhat bowler style hat instead of a traditional safari one. I can picture this Peter Grimm number with a cargo jumpsuit or romper, obviously. But, because it’s so neutral, it can be worn with literally anything to add some unexpected spice to an outfit. For example, I can totally see myself pairing it with my Fervour skeleton jumpsuit just because for a look that’s quirky cool – my specialty!

Who else is a hat lover? What is your favorite style of hat? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct31

Happy Halloween!

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Happy Halloween!

Greetings everyone and a very Happy Halloween to all of you! I hope that all of you who celebrate enjoy a day of tricks and treats and, to those of you who don’t partake in the festivities, have a great normal day! Here is a friendly reminder of my angry dog in her minion costume last year wishing everyone a wonderful day:

halloweenn

Gem says…

Happy Halloween!!

Oct24

Carl Sandburg Home

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Carl Sandburg Home

Hi! During my family vacation, we visited the incomparable Carl Sandburg Home. Although we didn’t go inside the house itself, exploring the gorgeous property and playing with goats (Yes, goats!) was more than good enough for us! During our time at the Carl Sandburg estate, we learned a lot about the great American poet and, even though I wasn’t familiar with his work before, this might have been my favorite part of our trip. Take a look at some pics and let’s discuss:

 

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So, how did I get up close and personal enough with a field full of goats to be able to take a selfie with one of them, you might ask? Well, these goats are direct descendants from the ones that Carl’s wife, Lilian, raised until her passing. All of the goats are handled by humans as soon as they’re born, so they’re incredibly friendly and love having visitors. Each goat has his or her own name, which you can see on their collars, and they are all so tame that you can approach and handle them without any fuss. It. Was. AMAZING!

And, of course, the property was spectacular, too. The foliage was beautiful, the walking trail was pleasant to stroll through, and all of the homes on the estate for Sandburg’s family looked so quaint and charming. We spent a good few hours at the Carl Sandburg Home and I honestly would have been happy spending an entire day there! The scenery and especially the goats stole the show and I would love to go back. 12/10 Would recommend visiting if you are in the area.

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

Oct23

Sky Top Apple Orchard

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Sky Top Apple Orchard

Howdy! When my family vacations in North Carolina, we always go apple picking. This time around, we visited Sky Top orchard. And an appropriate name it is, indeed, because it’s at the very top of a mountain! Unfortunately, we came at a bad time, because a huge school field trip was just finishing up, so the trees were pretty much picked clean. But, we still managed to get a basket full of delicious Pink Lady, Cameo, Honey Crisp, and Fuji apples. Take a look at some pics and let’s discuss:

 

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Although I had a lot of fun at the orchard with my family and the caterpillar friend I made along the way, I preferred other orchards that we visited over Sky Top. Because of the mountainous terrain, exploring the massive property was anything but pleasant. The hills were incredibly steep and the orchard didn’t seem to be very well maintained. Along every row of apple trees, the ground was completely littered with rotten fruit and flies, bees, and ants were swarming all over. I absolutely understand that an orchard isn’t going to be totally pristine, but you literally couldn’t step anywhere without a rotten apple squishing beneath your feet and bugs flying on and around you. Gross.

Having said all of that, their market area was really cute and clean. And, an entire bucket of apples to pick was only twenty dollars, which was a great value. It was nice to visit a different orchard in North Carolina but, next time that we go, I hope that we stick to Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard, which was scenic (without being mountainous) and well maintained outdoors and in their market.

Who else loves going apple picking in the fall? What is your favorite type of apple? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah