Tag Archives: fun

Beauty Tag #2

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Beauty Tag #2

Helloooo! This weekend, lifewithlilred was nominated for its second Beauty Tag by my sweet friend, Claudia, over at New Life – Fresh You. I love Claudia’s page and I’m sure that all of you will too, so do be sure to check it out! Here we go:

Q & A:

1. Do you remember your first makeup item?

It’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. It’s the jam.

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

I don’t wear foundation. I never have.

4. Favorite high end brand?

I wouldn’t necessarily say I have a favorite, because I don’t wear a lot of high end products.

5. What cosmetics brands have you always wanted to try but still haven’t?

None that I can think of.

6. Favorite drugstore brand?

NYX!!

7. Do you wear false lashes?

No, I’ve actually never tried them, either. They seem like such a pain to get on!!

8. Is there any kind of makeup you can’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 “beauty budget” or do you spend freely?

I spend freely. I don’t spend money unless I’m comfortable paying for whatever it is, though.

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

HELL YEAH! I’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 I’m going to say moisturizer.

14. Is there a brand you absolutely can’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 I’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 doesn’t mean that I don’t like experimenting if I find a good deal or something new that I’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. They’re a one stop shop and I use a lot of their products, anyway.

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

Hmm… I really don’t know.

21. Which celebrity always has great makeup?

It’s hard to say, because I don’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. I’d prefer separate items.

25. Are you clumsy in putting on makeup?

I used to be, but not too much any more. Only if I’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 I’m redyeing it. I wouldn’t even call it washing, because I just condition it with the product that comes in the box kit. So I don’t own any shampoo or conditioner. However, when I’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 don’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.

My Nominees (I’m only doing three):

Thank you so much again to Claudia for my Beauty Tag nomination – this was so fun! How would you answer some of these questions? Which beauty products could you never live without? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Liebster Award #16

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Liebster Award #16

Hello everyone!! Lifewithlilred was recently nominated for its sixteenth Liebster Award by my sweet friends, Soumi and Mukulesh, the darling husband and wife duo of MuMi’s Fun Life. Their blog is such a delight and is filled with a wide array of topics that are sure to please everyone. Thank you so much, love birds!! ❤ Now, let’s get on to the rules for the award:

The Rules:

  • Create a post in your blog about this Award and spread the news.
  • Acknowledge the person who nominated you in the same post. Also let the person know your opinion about his/her own blog.
  • Answer the questions given to you by the person who nominated you.
  • Choose at least 5 (maximum 10) bloggers whom you enjoy reading and want to nominate.
  • Create 10 questions for your nominees to answer.
  • Notify your nominees that you nominated them. Also paste your post link in the notification so that they can follow the required steps.

Q & A:

What do you think is the most important quality a blogger should have? I think that bloggers should be personable and have a good sense of humor.

If you can choose only one person and one essential item to travel the world, what will you choose? My sister and my wallet.

Which do you prefer – a self planned trip or a travel package of a tour operator? Why? A little bit of both. It’s fun to do things on your own and be spontaneous but having a set in stone plan is nice, too.

What do you think is the most versatile vegetable which you can use in any dish? Onions and garlic. You can never have too much garlic! Vampires beware!!

What do you think is more important to enhance your beauty – a good fashion sense or good makeup skills? Good fashion sense – I think that it showcases ones personality more.

What inspires you more – a biography of a great person or a heart warming fiction? I’m more fond of fiction. I haven’t read too many biographies.

What do you think is more important to you as a blogger – satisfaction of a creator/appreciation from your readers? Satisfaction as a creator, definitely. I take a lot of pride in my work and it feels good. Appreciation from my readers is just an amazing added bonus!

What do you prefer more on a special occasion – fine dining at a luxurious restaurant or a candle lit dinner at home? Why? Both are nice! It’s fun to get glammed up and go out on the town, but it’s just as great cooking at home with your family.

If you win the lottery some day what will you choose – fulfill your own dream or help any of your loved ones fulfill his/her dream? You can only choose one not both. Oh dang… I’d say, help a loved one because my family definitely has a vested interest in wanting all dogs to have a good home so it would be like my dream, too!

Which one do you think is an absolutely essential home decor – small live pot plants or photo collage frames? We have a lot of potted plants at home so yes, I think greenery is a must.

My Nominees (I’m only doing three):

My Questions For You:

  1. What is the weather like in your neck of the woods today?
  2. What has been your favorite part of 2018 so far?
  3. Who is one of your role models?
  4. What is the last movie that you saw in theaters?
  5. What are some of the qualities that you look for in a friend?
  6. Last book that you read?
  7. What is one of your guilty pleasures?
  8. Favorite sweet treat?
  9. Favorite store to shop at?
  10. What was your favorite childhood toy?

Thank you so much again to Soumi and Mukulesh of MuMi’s Fun Life for the nomination! I loved answering your questions! How would you answer some of my nominator’s questions for me? How about some of my questions for my nominees? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

February Jams

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February Jams

Howdy! Did you know that singing in the car or shower is a great stress reliever? That’s what my therapist told me and, damnit, it’s true. Nothing makes me feel better than playing my music really loud in the car and singing along with my favorite songs. Including some of the following:

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

This month, I had to give credit where credit is due because Justin Timberlake’s halftime show at the Super Bowl was just to die for. No one can deny how much talent that that man has and his nod to Prince was a much appreciated touch during his performance. I also have fallen back in love again with Sufjan Stevens, thanks to his song “Tonya Harding”, which was perfect to listen to after seeing I, Tonya which was absolutely fabulous.

And, of course, I had to celebrate some new tunes by the love of my life, Jack White, from his upcoming album Boarding House Reach. What a guy, what a guy, what a heck of a guy! ❤

What have you been listening to this month? How did you feel about the Super Bowl halftime show? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Happy Valentine’s Day!!

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Happy Valentine’s Day!!

Helloooo everyone and Happy Valentine’s Day! I just wanted to write a quick post to tell everyone to enjoy their day no matter how they spend it. For some people, V-Day sucks. For others, it’s the most awaited day of the year. So whether you’re with your significant other, best friends, or riding solo – try to make today your best day yet! After all, it’s just like any other day, except slightly more romantic.

Regardless of how you go about your day today, just remember that you are all my Valentines and I freaking love all of you!!

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How are you spending Valentine’s Day today? What is your best or worst V-Day memory? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

New Love Notes Cropped Button Down

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New Love Notes Cropped Button Down

Heyyyyyyy. One style of top that I have grown increasingly fond of as of late is the button down. I LOVE them and have began to accumulate quite the collection. And, my love grows even more specific, because I always seem to be drawn to blue, vertical striped button downs – like this cropped cutie by Love Notes seen below:

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  • TJMaxx Price: $13

I really freaking like this shirt and, yes, it does look fabulous underneath the sleeveless hoodie that I wrote about yesterday! This top reminds me a lot of clothing from Zara and getting it for a fraction of what it would have costed there makes it an even sweeter buy. My new Love Notes lovely shows what looks like geese in different stages of flight and it’s just a cool pattern to have over the blue stripes.

Not only is the pattern of this top unique, but so is the style of it because it’s cropped. I am so looking forward to pairing this with black shorts this summer and maybe even during the spring with tights underneath for a quirky fun look. Everything about this top is a score for me and you definitely can’t beat a thirteen dollar price tag!

What is your favorite style of top? Who else is an avid fan of the button down? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

New Kyodan Sleeveless Hoodie

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New Kyodan Sleeveless Hoodie

Hello! I had a really lovely Saturday this past weekend. My mom, sister, and I went out to lunch and then we went shopping at TJMaxx and HomeGoods. We had a lot of fun and it proved to be a fruitful trip to TJs. For the past month or so, I have been trying to incorporate some more tops into my wardrobe and I finally have had some success. The second top can be seen tomorrow. But, for now, check out this New Kyodan Sleeveless Hoodie that I am obsessed with:

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  • Original Price: $42
  • TJMaxx Price: $20

Athletic apparel that can double as normal clothing is very in as of late. And it’s sure hard to escape seeing all of the work out garb when New Year’s Resolutions are still being pushed in stores. I have wanted a tank top hoodie for a while now, but haven’t been able to find just the right one.

I normally don’t go for anything too plain while shopping but, in this instance, that was exactly what I needed. I wanted the sleeveless hoodie to layer well over different tops and that wouldn’t happen if it was a loud pattern or color. I always prefer black clothing and, in this case, I super preferred black clothing because this half priced Kyodan tank hoodie is perfect.

I am so excited to be able to throw this over a tank, crop top, or T-shirt. But, I am really looking forward to pairing this over classic button downs or long sleeved shirts for a comfy cool look that is still work appropriate. I like that this hoodie doesn’t look like I’m about to go for a work out while wearing it, but I definitely could if I wanted to! Either way, it is sure to look just sporting wherever I go. See what I did there?! 😉

How would you style a tank hoodie? How do you mix athletic gear into your every day outfits? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

The TMI Tag

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The TMI Tag

Hi hi hi! This past weekend my friend, Claudia, over at New Life Fresh You nominated lifewithlilred for The TMI Tag. I have never been nominated for this one, and it’s basically a huge Q & A so it should be a lot of fun. I had a blast reading all of Claudia’s answers and her blog is such a gem so do be sure to check it out! Now, let’s get on to the rules for the tag.

The Rules:

  • You can participate if you want, if not, you can totally decline it.
  • Mention the person who tagged you.
  • Answer the questions from below.
  • Let the person you tagged know by commenting on their page.

Q & A:

What are you currently wearing? Black skinny jeans and a grey and teal Diamond Supply hoodie from my PacSun days.

Have you ever been in love? Yes.

Did you ever have a terrible breakup? Yes.

How old are you? 23

How tall are you? 5’1 1/4″ (The quarter counts!)

How much do you weigh? 120 pounds give or take.

Do you have any piercings? Yep. I’ve had over thirty in my life time but now I only have my bellybutton, two on my ears, my septum, and two studs on each nostril. I would love to get a facial dermal or my lip pierced again!

Do you have any tattoos? Yes, I have five and am planning on getting three more this month.

What’s your favorite drink? Moscato and Diet Coke.

What’s your favorite song? Beautiful Day by U2 – lyrics from that song was the first tattoo that I got the day that I turned eighteen.

What’s your zodiac sign? Gemini.

How long does it take you to shower? Fifteen to twenty minutes – I like long showers.

What’s your favorite show? Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, My 600 Lb. Life, and Jeopardy.

What’s your favorite band? I love U2, anything with Jack White, Marilyn Manson, Glass Animals, Arcade Fire, and Wolf Parade.

Something you really miss? College! I loved school.

Where do you go when you are sad? My bedroom to snuggle up with my Kindle and watch Netflix.

How long does it take you to get ready in the morning? Including my shower, I would say a solid hour.

Have you ever been in a physical fight? Nope.

What turns you on? Physically, I am all about really tall guys. Tattoos and piercings are a plus. And kindness and intelligence is a must.

What turns you off? I’m keeping Claudia’s answer of ignorance and disrespect, for sure.

Quality you look for in a partner? Smart, funny, goal oriented, kind, charismatic.

What’s your favorite color? Black.

Loud music or soft? Loud.

Favorite quote? Eh, I don’t really have one.

Favorite actor? I have been on a huge Hugo Weaving kick lately.

Do you have any fears? What are they? No comment.

What’s the last thing that made you cry? Definitely shed a tear over the movie The Shape Of Water. It was fabulous.

Meaning behind your blog name? Lil Red has been my nickname for five or so years thanks to my signature red hair and lipstick and lifewithlilred just flows really nicely.

Last time you said you loved someone? Before going to bed last night to my parents. 🙂

Last book you read? Honestly, I forget. I used to read every night before bed, but then I started teaching myself American Sign Language and that’s usually what I practice every night before falling asleep.

The book you’re currently reading? ASL For Dummies, lololol.

Last show you watched? Jeopardy.

Last place you were My bedroom.

Last sport you played? Figure skating.

Who’s the last person you talked to? My mom.

The last song you sang? Lunchbox by Marilyn Manson.

Favorite chat up line? What is that? lol.

Do you have a crush? Marilyn Manson, all day every day. I love him SO SO SO much.

The relationship between you and the person you last texted? My sister.

Favorite food? Anything vegetarian. I love to eat. But I especially love Indian food and Taco Bell.

Place you want to visit? France.

Last time you were insulted? I don’t really know. I don’t get genuinely insulted too easily, but I do get annoyed pretty frequently, haha.

Favorite flavor of candy? Sour!

What instrument do you play? None! I wish I could play the guitar, though.

Favorite piece of jewelry? Long, dangly earrings.

Last time you hung out with someone? I had a wine night with my friends over the weekend.

My Nominees (I’m only doing three):

Thank you so much to Claudia for nominating lifewithlilred for the TMI Tag! It was a ton of fun making this post. How would you answer some of the questions in the tag? What are things that you consider to be TMI? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Single On Valentine’s Day? It’s Okay!

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Single On Valentine’s Day? It’s Okay!

Hola! It’s easy for all the single ladies to get stressed with Valentine’s Day right around the corner. I get that and I am here to tell you that it is okay! Yours truly has spent plenty of Valentine’s Days by myself with a bottle of wine or going credit card crazy with online shopping. So, like I said, I get it.

Valentine’s Day can seem like it’s a couples only holiday but, damn it, that’s just not true. Hello, Galentine’s Day, ironic singles parties, and taking the day to treat yourself like the queen that you are. So let’s get some tunes going while we discuss some ideas on how to keep the single goddesses out of the Valentine’s Day funk:

(And, as per ushe, I have no rights to this song or video!)

First things first:

Just because you’re single on Valentine’s Day doesn’t make you any less desirable, beautiful, or fabulous. It just means that your special someone hasn’t made a cameo in your life yet and that’s okay!! I think that you’re all the most wonderful women alive and that’s all that really matters, anyways.

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😉 😉 😉

Second of all:

Valentine’s Day is just another day of the year. Truly. You are just more aware of it because couples are constantly posting on social media to showcase their true love. If you don’t want to see it, go off the grid for the day and come back tomorrow when Facebook is back to puppy videos and conspiracy theory rants.

And, finally:

It’s okay to spend your Valentine’s Day alone! Sometimes it can be just what you need to recharge your batteries and start the day shiny and new. You can even do some of the following:

Have a spa day:

Who doesn’t love being pampered? Go get your hair done, get a manicure, or just stay at home and take a nice, hot bubble bath. Light some candles, throw in a bath bomb, and pour yourself a glass of your favorite drink. Bath time is relaxing, fun (I think so, anyways!), and just plain luxurious. Taking good care of yourself will make you feel good. And nothing is better than lotioning up and putting on your favorite pair of PJs afterwards! 😀

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You can even use a charcoal bath bomb if you’re in a love bites type of mood!

Hang with the girls:

Nothing is more fun than gossiping, watching movies, and sharing chocolate and wine with your best friends. Invite your single and ready to mingle friends over for a slumber party and your relationship woes will be forgotten instantly. Have each friend bring her favorite rom-com, a bottle of wine, chocolate, or snacks and enjoy a potluck style partay with your besties. Boyfriend, who?

Treat Yoself:

Whether it be ordering your favorite takeout, buying a new pair of shoes, or finally finishing the book that you’ve been reading, do be sure to treat yoself on Valentine’s Day. One of my all time favorite Valentine’s Days that I spent single was going to TJMaxx and having a shopping spree. It’s honestly one of the best times to go shopping because everything seems to be on sale as stores are trying to purge themselves of anything winter so that they can welcome spring product. Physically buying a present for yourself is a great pick me up, but you don’t have to go crazy. A sweet Alex & Ani bracelet or a new CD will do just fine.

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Do something new:

A great way to shake off the blues of a lackluster day is to try something new. Hit up a zumba class at the gym, see if you have a green thumb and work with some potted plants, or even just experiment with a new makeup color or hair style. New things are exciting and are sure to brighten your mood. Valentine’s Day is only a problematic day if you allow it to be. Do something to get yourself out of a slump and V-Day will be a breeze. It will be just like any other day, if you will. 😉

Valentine’s Day as a single lady can be awesome or it can be completely miserable. It all depends on what you choose to do with it. But an awesome day sounds a bit more appealing, yes? Use this handy guide and have a ball!

How are you spending Valentine’s Day? What was your favorite V-Day like? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Fesdove

Creating A Signature Look For Yourself

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Creating A Signature Look For Yourself

In a world where people follow the say-so of magazines, celebrities, and other forms of media when it comes to our appearance, it’s always refreshing to see someone taking on their own approach to their style. Be this person! Stand out from the crowd and create your own signature look. Here are just a couple of areas to focus on:

Hair

Hair can create a signature look that is solely associated with you. Think of Marilyn Monroe’s blonde bob, Dita Von Teese’s jet black 40’s curls, or Miley Cyrus’s slicked back outgrown pixie cut. If you’re not quite ready to reach for the clippers or bright and bold hair dyes, you can ease yourself into more unique looks with styles like ombre. Ombre is a two or more tone look that’s achieved with balayage (which is French for “sweep”). It involves sweeping bleach through different small triangle sections of the hair and leaving the bleach to take for different amounts of time. This helps your hair to subtly alter from areas of lighter shades to areas of darker shades. The majority of people opting for ombre tend to opt for darker roots, slowly and discreetly becoming lighter towards the ends.

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Love top knots!

Clothes

With the rise of street fashion, it’s extremely difficult to curate a personal look that seemingly endless numbers of other people aren’t already wearing at the same time. Think of all of the rails of the same item piled back in big name brand chains. These are going to be bought, there are more in the stockroom, there are even more in other chains, and whole piles of the product are waiting in storehouses to be bought by people online. When you buy the piece you’re looking at, you become one of potentially thousands who are going to have the exact same item. Not only does this make you meld into the background, but it can create awkward situations like turning up at social events or parties in the exact same outfit as somebody else.

The problem with this? It conjures up comparisons between you and the other person, setting off the beginnings of endless “who wore it better?” conversations. Besides this, surely you want to be an individual! Many people think that the only way to do this is to purchase expensive custom or designer pieces that others generally can’t afford. But this isn’t necessarily true. Even just a plain T-shirt can turn into something special with a punchy pattern or a cool slogan. You can check out these Chummy Tees reviews so you can start elevating basic staples to fit your style. As you can see, there are various ways to put together an astounding and truly unique wardrobe. Here are just a few to consider:

Shop Vintage

Vintage stores and outlets are a great place to start when it comes to creating a unique style for yourself. Vintage clothes date from the 1990s and the years before. They tend to be one-off pieces, as the others produced at the same time have been disposed of, recycled, or are no longer in good enough condition to wear. This means that you are extremely unlikely to see anyone else with the same piece as you. But don’t just pick up any old item. There’s a thin line between quirky chic and items that you would likely see an elderly relative wearing.

Do a little research of the different eras and get to know desirable vintage labels to look out for. If the sixties cater well to your tastes, look out for St. Michael’s, Aquascutum, and Biba originals. If the seventies are more your thing, search for Levi bell bottoms and old-school graphic tees. Remember to check the quality of everything that you like the look of and try things on before purchasing. Vintage stores rarely offer refunds or exchanges, so you will want to be sure that they fit and have fully functioning zips and no missing buttons or moth holes before paying.

Upcycling

Upcycling is slowly but surely becoming a more common activity. It is a simple process where you transform items that you already own. You can upcycle all sorts of things: furniture, accessories, and (most exciting of all) your wardrobe. You can turn jeans into shorts for the hot summer months, pillowcases into cute beach tote bags, or perhaps just jazz up a jacket with pins and patches. Whatever you decide to do, upcycling puts your personal touch to your clothing. While someone else might have the same base item, yours will almost certainly stand apart from it.

DIY

If you find that you enjoy upcycling, you might want to try out something a little more complex, but even more rewarding: making your own clothes from scratch. This gives you a lot more freedom over your garments, as you can choose the exact design, fabric, and fit. Start out with simple patterns and follow online tutorials and advice pieces. It may take a little time before you start producing things that you want to wear, but practice makes perfect and developing this brilliant life skill is definitely worth the effort.

Altering your look may take a little time, effort, and planning. However, it’s better to get started sooner rather than later. This will allow you to see positive changes and results as soon as possible!

Featured Image By: Pexels

If The Shoe Fits: Qupid Platforms Edition

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If The Shoe Fits: Qupid Platforms Edition

Howdy! One of my favorite styles of shoes is easily the platform heel. The height, the chunky heel, the retro vibe – they just look so sexy and summery to me. During the warmer weather, I live in my platform collection and during the spring and fall, I love pairing them with gorgeous knee highs for some extra warmth. Needless to say, I am missing my 70s throwback babes something fierce this winter!

I have had really awesome success with the brand Qupid while online shoe shopping with TJMaxx and am so excited to break out these Barbie platforms this spring:

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These platforms are SO darling to me and they make me really happy to look at. Although I am not the biggest floral girl in the world, I just couldn’t say no to these shoes. They remind me of something that my Barbie or Bratz dolls would have worn back in the day, and I just couldn’t deny myself that nostalgia. I think every little girl has wished that she could have the clothes that her fashion dolls have. I definitely did! So it’s pretty fun to have the adult size version of my early 2000s fashion doll faves.

I seriously can’t wait to wear these Qupid babies. Of course, they will look beautiful in the spring with tights and little dresses. However, I’m more excited to break them out during the summer time with short shorts and maxi skirts to strut about town in. Platforms add the perfect amount of funky flare to any look and these new heels make an amazing and sure to be well loved addition to my collection!

Which style of shoe is your favorite? How would you style these floral fun platforms? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah