Tag Archives: fun

May10

Flowers & Frogs

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Flowers & Frogs

Howdy! The weather in Ohio has been absolutely perfect for hiking and just hanging out in the great outdoors. It is the type of weather where you have the windows open, eat food from the grill, and have bouquets of spring flowers on the table, like these lovely pink and yellow tulips:

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So, the above is the flowers part of this post, because who doesn’t love to see a lovely bouquet sitting on the kitchen table? But, what about the frogs?! Well, since the weather has been awesome, I’ve been able to go on a fair share of hikes this week. They were all great, but my favorite was the one I went on on Sunday at the Nature Realm in good ol’ Fairlawn, Ohio.

The Nature Realm rules. They have paved walking trails and actual hiking trails, along with the most lovely flower and herb garden, ponds full of fish and turtles, and an indoor center where you can watch Ohio wildlife from a window and see cool reptiles in their enclosures. While exploring the flower and herb garden, I was lucky enough to spot two little froggies hanging out among the lily pads in a pond. It was a fun game trying to spot the frogs camouflaged in all of the green, and here they are:

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Ahhhh! They are so cute I can’t even stand it! šŸ˜€

Spring time always teaches me about appreciating the little things – freshly cut flowers from the store, playing I Spy with frogs in a pond, and going for a walk with a light jacket on. It almost makes the drawn out winter worth it! šŸ˜‰

Who else has been enjoying hikes now that the sun is out? What type of wildlife do you have in your area? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May8

Beauty Tag Questions

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Beauty Tag Questions

Hi everyone! A few months ago I filled out a really fun Beauty Tag that I shared with all of you. Recently, my friend Anushka over at Vogue & Vibes tagged me in the same questionnaire to complete. The post was such a blast to do and it had some really good questions in it, so I am going to repost my original Q & A to reintroduce you guys to it and maybe you’ll want to fill it out for yourself! Here it is, and thanks again to Anushka for tagging me!

Q & A:

1. Do you remember your first makeup item?

Itā€™s not exactly a makeup but I had hella LipSmackers chapstick in my youth.

2. Describe your perfect mascara. Have you found one that fits your specifications?

I am obsessed with Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara. Itā€™s the jam.

3. What kind of coverage do you prefer from a foundation?

I donā€™t wear foundation. I never have.

4. Favorite high end brand?

I wouldnā€™t necessarily say I have a favorite, because I donā€™t wear a lot of high end products.

5. What cosmetics brands have you always wanted to try but still havenā€™t?

None that I can think of.

6. Favorite drugstore brand?

NYX!!

7. Do you wear false lashes?

No, Iā€™ve actually never tried them, either. They seem like such a pain to get on!!

8. Is there any kind of makeup you canā€™t leave the house without?

Nope, I feel pretty okay about leaving the house with a fresh face.

9. What is your most cherished beauty product?

My favorite NYX red lipstick.

10. How often do you shop for makeup? Do you like to pick up an item here and there, or get lots of goodies at once?

I pick up things as I need them, so maybe once every few months.

11. Do you have a ā€œbeauty budgetā€ or do you spend freely?

I spend freely. I donā€™t spend money unless Iā€™m comfortable paying for whatever it is, though.

12. Do you utilize coupons, reward cards, and sales when you shop for cosmetics?

HELL YEAH! Iā€™m all about saving money, so I love utilizing anything that can help me do that.

13. What type of product do you buy the most of?

I feel like I purchase skin care more regularly than makeup, so Iā€™m going to say moisturizer.

14. Is there a brand you absolutely canā€™t stand?

Not that I can think of.

15. Do you avoid certain ingredients in cosmetics, like parabens or sulfates?

As long as the product is cruelty free, then Iā€™m good.

16. Do you have a favorite place to shop for makeup?

Target, lol.

17. Do you like trying new skin care products or do you keep a certain routine?

I do have my staple skin care products that I will use for all eternity, but that doesnā€™t mean that I donā€™t like experimenting if I find a good deal or something new that Iā€™d like to try.

18. Favorite bath and body brand?

The Body Shop.

19. If you could only buy from one brand, which brand would you choose?

The Body Shop, for sure. Theyā€™re a one stop shop and I use a lot of their products, anyway.

20. What brand do you think has the best packaging?

Hmmā€¦ I really donā€™t know.

21. Which celebrity always has great makeup?

Itā€™s hard to say, because I donā€™t really pay attention.

22. Do you belong to any online makeup communities?

No.

23. Favorite beauty gurus:

I deeply admire the makeup skills behind the local drag queens in my neck of the woods.

24. Do you like multi-functional products like lip and cheek stains?

No. Iā€™d prefer separate items.

25. Are you clumsy in putting on makeup?

I used to be, but not too much any more. Only if Iā€™m really tired am I clumsy. Today, for example, I accidentally spilled one of my facial oils in a sleepy stupor. I was so pissed!

26. Do you use makeup base/primer for the eyes?

Nope. The less products that I use, the better.

27. How many hair products do you use on a typical day?

I only wash my hair once a month, when Iā€™m redyeing it. I wouldnā€™t even call it washing, because I just condition it with the product that comes in the box kit. So I donā€™t own any shampoo or conditioner. However, when Iā€™m straightening my hair I do use heat protecting spray and styling oil.

28. What do you apply first, concealer or foundation?

Neither, because I donā€™t use them.

29. Would you ever consider taking makeup classes?

Nah.

30. What do you love about makeup?

I love that it showcases the personality behind the person wearing it.

If you think that this questionnaire looks like fun, please feel free to fill it out and let me know so that I can see your answers! Much love. -Sarah

May6

Science Backed Ways To Give The Best Gifts

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Science Backed Ways To Give The Best Gifts

Choosing a gift that the recipient will truly love and appreciate can be no easy feat. Even if you know someone very well, itā€™s so easy to get it wrong and give them a gift that, sure, they’ll pretend to love, but which you just know theyā€™re disappointed in. The good news is, is that it doesnā€™t have to be that way – science has come to the rescue.

Yes, scientists have looked into the art of gift giving and they have come up with some solid rules for giving gifts that will be really appreciated by anyone on any occasion. Read on to find out more:

Know the Person Well:

Okay, so this probably isnā€™t going to help you if youā€™re buying for a mere acquaintance but a psychologist at San Fransisco State University by the name of Ryan Howell says that really knowing the person youā€™re gifting to is the key to getting it right. This makes sense, because if you know that your friend is a fan of the kind of quirky gifts you find at Davson Sales or you know that your aunt loves the dresses at Macy’s, then you’ll be giving a great gift. Even better, it enables you to go with a meaningful gift that is highly personalized to them and is unique – how could they not love that?

Make a Donation:

Although this often seems like a way of wimping out or something that people will pretend to like, but are secretly disappointed about, science says differently. In research conducted by Harvard Business School, it was found that giving to charity makes people happier than buying stuff and giving more makes people happier still, so by making a charity donation in the gifteeā€™s name, you both win.

Handmade:

Buying something brand new from the store can be a good move if you know for sure that the giftee wants whatever it is youā€™re buying, but if you don’t it can be a minefield. Will they like it? Do they already have it? Should I give them the receipt just in case? Luckily, you can easily avoid all of that, because a study conducted by the Journal of Marketing in 2015 found that people like to gift homemade items because they are more unique, thoughtful, and they are often more appreciated. The same is true of family heirlooms which are more valued and, thus, more appreciated even if they are not actually more expensive.

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A craft that you enjoy making is always a good idea!

Give Them an Experience:

Giving people an experience that they will remember forever as gifts, like the ones at If Only, typically, according to science, makes them happier than giving them objects that they may well be bored of in a month or two. So, if youā€™re stuck, think about whether theyā€™d like tickets to the big football game, a skydiving experience, a spa break, or something similarly exciting that fits their personality. Theyā€™ll undoubtedly like it more than chocolates, beer, or flowers.

Even if you weren’t great at science in school, let the experts help you make the best of your gifting with the ideas above!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

May4

May Funky Time Jams

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May Funky Time Jams

Hiii everyone and TGIF! With May finally here (And hopefully warmer weather, too!), it is time to share what I’ve been playing in the Little Red Love Machine as I make my way throughout my day. And, yes, a little Jesus Christ Superstar is definitely thrown in there for good measure. Take a look:

In June, I am lucky enough to be able to see Jack White, AWOLNATION, and Cold War Kids at X Fest in Pennsylvania and I am so excited that I can’t even begin to describe it. So, of course I had to give them a little shout out on this month’s Funky Time Jams. Oh yeah, and Jesus Christ Superstar, lol. Ever since the wonderful live performance of the musical on Easter, I have been OBSESSED. JCSS has always been one of my favorite musicals and my love for it was completely rekindled after that stellar Easter show. So, yes, having one of my favorite songs on here from that musical was a must for this month, too!

What have you been rocking out to recently? What is your favorite musical? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May3

Duolingo Progress

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Duolingo Progress

Howdy! Thanks to everyone’s recommendations to me about the Duolingo app, I have been obsessed for close to two months now. For funsies, I finally completed their French program for an enjoyable review and to sharpen my skills. Although it was tedious, it was well worth the time and effort and it felt good to finish the lessons that I started for a language that I love.

I have now moved onto Duolingo’s Spanish program and have been working on it for the past week or so. Once I complete these lessons, Spanish will be the FOURTH language that I’m familiar with, which is pretty good for an American! I haven’t taken a Spanish course since grade school, which has been over a decade ago, and I am already pleased with the progress that I have made.

My only complaint about the Duolingo app is the new update, where there are now three levels to complete per topic. I wish that they just did more extensive training on the subjects rather than having to go back to each one twice more once you complete level one. Three levels means a really repetitive curriculum, which was confirmed when I tried some of the advanced French levels only to find that it was a lot of the same thing over again.

When people ask me my level of fluency in French, I always reply with “If you transported me to Paris right now, I am sure that I would get along fine”. So, I can’t say that I will complete the additional levels for it. However, if I feel the need, I will certainly go back and give it a go. Spanish, on the other hand, will probably require all three levels of training, as I am completely unfamiliar with the language – despite eight years of it in grade school!!

Which languages are you learning on the Duolingo app? How many languages do you know and how did you learn them? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May2

Unique Gifts For The Person Who Has Everything

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Unique Gifts For The Person Who Has Everything

What do you buy for the person who has everything? Youā€™ll probably spend hours searching the deepest corners of the internet trying to find something, but with the giftee’s birthday fast-approaching this can make it even more stressful. That is why we have listed some top ideas below so that you can put an end to those endless internet searches:

Glow In The Dark Pillows:

Do you have a friend who is always stumbling in drunk and unable to find their bed? Then a glow in the dark pillow could be the solution. Glow in the dark pillows come in a huge range of shapes and sizes, and they look awesome, so if you want to give them something really special and unique then this is certainly the way to go. The best thing about these pillows is that you donā€™t even know that they are glow in the dark until you turn the light off! You can also get cute pillows and gifts too, which work just as well for someone who might not need the glow in the dark aspect as much.

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So cute!

Fun Mugs:

You may have seen funny mugs on the market and you may also think that they look kind of tacky. The best thing about mugs is that there are so many options available and there are some that look awesome. For example, you can get mugs that are shaped like tiki totems and you can also get some that light up, as well. Themed mugs are also great if they have a favorite movie and they are ideal if you can get one that is unlike anything that they have seen before.

Custom T-Shirt:

Does your friend have a favorite slogan, band, or anything else of the sort? Then why not put it on a t-shirt for them! You can easily create your own and this is about as unique as it gets. You can create your own shirt in a couple of minutes and the best thing about this is that you know that they wonā€™t have one already!

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Ā Pixabay Image

Food Gadgets:

Everyone loves food and one way for you to get something for the person who has everything would be for you to buy them a gadget if they love to cook or bake. Or, if they have been to another country and they love the sweets or food there, then you can easily buy them a box of candy online or try cooking their favorite dish for them. Sure, you may pay a ton for postage, but at the end of the day you know that they will love it and it is a great way for you to show that you really care.

With so many options available when choosing a gift, finding the right one has never been easier – even for the friend that has everything!

Apr28

Adorable Cuteness Overload Pt. 2

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Adorable Cuteness Overload Pt. 2

Hiii everyone! So you guys saw my dad’s surprise get well shrine for my mom yesterday – cute, right? Lol, well he added a new member to the sunshine crew and it was so funny that I just had to share it with you all:

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In case you were wondering, yes, that is a cut out head of a monkey sending his well wishes. Wait, what? Haha, I guess we got some magazines from one of the wildlife programs that we donate to, and we got two copies of the monkey edition. Since we had two of a kind, my dad decided that it was okay to cut up the cover to place with the gnome, dog, and flowers.

Naturally, my mom did not want this decapitated monkey picture hanging out on our kitchen table, so my dad retired him to his new location after only one short hour with the sunshine crew:

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I just really can’t even, and it was so funny in the “what the hell” type of way that it only felt necessary to share with each and every one of you. šŸ˜€

Does anyone else have weird mascots hanging out in their home? What is the weirdest thing that you or a friend owns? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr25

4 Rules For Accessorizing In Summer

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4 Rules For Accessorizing In Summer

Accessorizing well is the key to making any outfit amazing, and now that summer is on the way, you need to start thinking about how youā€™re going to elevate your summer outfits. Summer is a time for bold prints and bright colors, but when youā€™ve got that much going on in an outfit, you risk going overboard with your accessories and making it too busy. To stop that from happening, follow these simple rules for accessorizing in the summer:

Pick Sunglasses By Shape:

Sunglasses are an absolute must in the summer and youā€™ll be wearing them with everything so you need to know how to pick them. When it comes to color, you need something fairly neutral that goes with most outfits, but the most important thing to look for is the shape. The rule is, that you pick sunglasses that are the opposite shape of your face. So, if youā€™ve got quite a round face, you can opt for square glasses. If youā€™ve got a fairly angular face, go for a round style. The shape of your eyebrows is important as well and you need to match it with the top frame of the sunglasses. If youā€™ve got arched eyebrows that come out over the top of a square frame, itā€™ll look a little off.

Match Three Points:

Color matching when you accessorize is important, but you shouldnā€™t go overboard. Matching three items in your outfit is a good guideline to follow if you want to create a good balance. Anything less than three and your outfit wonā€™t be complete, and any more than that and you risk making it too messy. So, you could match your shoes, belt, and bag. Or you can match jewelry with your belt and shoes. However you decide to do it, always stick with the rule of three.

Prioritize Comfort:

During the summer, prioritizing comfort to some extent is a must. If you donā€™t, youā€™ll end up boiling hot all day. When youā€™re choosing women’s shoes, go for some sandals that will keep your feet cool. Always avoid dark colors or anything that is tight fitting as well if you want to stay comfortable in the sun. Practicality is important too. Youā€™ll be more likely to be spending the day out of the house when the weather is nice so when youā€™re choosing a handbag, go for something larger that has the space for everything youā€™ll need when youā€™re out and about.

Experiment With Colors:

Summer is the best time to experiment with colors because you can get away with more than you can in a winter outfit. If you tend to go for more plain pastel colors, use your accessories to inject a bit of excitement into an outfit. Floral patterned handbags or large patterned belts all go great with a summer outfit.

When youā€™re accessorizing your summer outfits, always remember to make them practical and, even though you can experiment with colors make sure that youā€™re matching properly for an amazing look.

Featured Image By: Flickr

Apr25

8,000 Followers Jamboree

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8,000 Followers Jamboree

Hi everyone and happy Hump Day! It has been an exciting week here on lifewithlilred, because I’ve finally crossed the 8,000 followers threshold. I have to say, I am so pleased with this progress, because I had a 1,000 follower gain in four short months. That’s huge! My blog is something that brings me so much joy, and to see the fruits of my labor paying off is just a sweet added bonus to the happiness that I get from writing daily.

Thank you so much to every single one of you that has clicked that follow button on my website – I wouldn’t have been able to reach this milestone without you! With such amazing readers and friends, the 2,000 follower gap to 10,000 doesn’t seem that far away at all. Here’s to all of you, with my most sincere thanks!! Much love. -Sarah

Apr23

Gift Giving Advice To Help You “Wow” Your Partner

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Gift Giving Advice To Help You “Wow” Your Partner

If thereā€™s a big occasion coming up for your partner, then you might be worrying about what to get for them. Shopping for gifts can be a stressful experience. However, there are lots of different ways in which you can treat your other half without buying anything in the shops. A gift is simply supposed to show that you care about someone, after all.

Obviously, you donā€™t have to stick to any individual idea; if youā€™re really pampering your significant other on this big occasion, then you could treat them to a combination of the things mentioned in this article (or other ideas you might already have). The following advice will give you some inspiration as to different gifts that could ā€œwowā€ your partner:

Get them a personalized gift:

You canā€™t beat a personalized gift. Whether itā€™s your partnerā€™s birthday or youā€™re just planning ahead for Christmas, a custom-made gift is appropriate for any occasion. It tops anything that you could buy in a store because itā€™s one-of-a-kind. Itā€™s something that you created especially for your significant other. You could give them a memory book, for example. The book could contain photographs, concert tickets, and any other physical reminders of the time that youā€™ve shared together. A personalized gift is a special present thatā€™ll definitely impress your partner.

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Photo albums are great, too!

Spend a romantic day together:

If you canā€™t find anything in the stores to buy for your partner, then maybe you could spend a romantic day together. In fact, thatā€™s probably a better present than anything you could find in the stores. If youā€™re a guy, then you might want to check out this sheer underwear for men to give your significant other a real treat once you get home. Woo wee!

You want to get the right balance of fun and sentimentality on your romantic day together. The important thing is that you enjoy each otherā€™s company and make some new memories. Thatā€™s the best gift you can give to your partner, after all. If you treat them to a day that theyā€™ll never forget, then thatā€™s a permanent present.

Bake them a cake:

Whether itā€™s a birthday, anniversary, or even Christmas, you canā€™t beat a cake on a special occasion. Everybody loves cake. And if they donā€™t, then you could bake them some other special treat. Food of some kind is usually a winner in most peopleā€™s books when it comes to great gifts. There are tons of options such as DIY cake, cupcakes, or even home made chocolate! The point is, that this is usually a winning ā€œrecipeā€ when it comes to gift-giving.

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Yum!

Whatever gift you end up getting for your significant other, remember that the key to success is thoughtfulness. You donā€™t have to spend a fortune. You just have to make it clear that you really thought about what you were buying for them. You know them best, at the end of the day, so a simple gift that suits their interests is usually the best way to go.