Tag Archives: fun

Jan23

Valentine’s Day Gifts For Him

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Valentine’s Day Gifts For Him

Okay! Yesterday, we talked about some amazing V-Day gift ideas for her. But, now it’s time to hear it for the boys. I’ve noticed throughout the years that some guys are incredibly easy to shop for, while others are damn near impossible. So no matter what difficulty level your boyfriend is on the gifting scale, there are sure to be some ideas that you can work with below. Let’s get to it:

First Of All:

The first thing that I mentioned yesterday was that a card is a necessity in a Valentine’s Day gift for a girlfriend. And, coincidentally, the same goes for your man candy. Guys like romance, too! They might just not be as outward and vocal about it. What do you love about your boyfrand? What makes him different from literally every single guy on the planet? Write it out! Underneath all of the fart jokes and actual farting, there is a sensitive ball of mush in your boyfriend and a card can be just the way to tap into that.

funny-valentines-shrek

Definitely not this one!! ^^^

Dapper Dudes:

Does your guy love to get suited up, duded up, and fancy free every chance he can get? Accessories can be a great way to go, then. Enhance the fance with pocket squares, tie clips, cuff links, watches (Wrist or pocket!), and ties. All of these things will take his ensemble to the next level and it will add your personal touch to each of his looks. This is an incredibly thoughtful way to go, especially if your man has a passion for fashion.

Another way to spoil your dapper man is with some pampering. This could be booking a couples massage session or even using a mobile barber in New York or your local area. You can bring the salon to him, and he’ll get a fresh cut just in time for a romantic evening out!

Give Him Some Sugar:

My best friend and I have made chocolate truffles together and it was so much fun and totally delicious. Reach out to your girls and plan an evening to set up bake shop. Sweet treats always go down well and it’s even better when they’re hand made just for him. Throw on a rom-com, pour the wine, and enjoy a bake night with your friends. And, yes, you can taste test! 😀

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^ I promise this chocolate was more delicious than it looks!

Gamer Guys:

A favorite way to pass time for a lot of guys is spent by playing video games. If this sounds like your significant other, get competitive with him and take him out for a night of gaming fun. So many bars now feature arcade games, new and old school, to enjoy and that can be an amazing way to spend an evening. If no bars around you have the arcade game option, Dave & Buster’s or other similar establishments work just as well.

Hone In On Hobbies:

Many a man really enjoys experience gifts rather than sentimental trinkets. So what are some of your boyfriend’s hobbies? Does he love music? Is he a fan of trying different beers when he can? Maybe he loves to cook? Take what your guy enjoys and turn it into a date night. He’ll be shocked that you remembered and touched that you want to share his interests with him.

Still Need Some More Options?

  • Treating your S/O to dinner and a movie is a nice surprise, especially if he doesn’t pick the restaurant or flick very often.
  • If your guy has a beard or is picky about his hair, a trip to the barber to get duded up is a great option. Definitely include his favorite products and beard balm!
  • Couple’s massages, anyone?
  • Does your boyfriend work out? Paying for a few months of his gym membership is sure to please!

And Remember:

As I said yesterday, it’s not about spending money but making memories! There are so many ways to spoil your boothang rotten without breaking the bank. Ball out if you want to, but creating a unique experience for your guy is what Valentine’s Day is all about! Make your day fun or make it romantic, but most importantly – make it special.

What are some of your gift ideas for him for V-Day? Does anyone have Valentine’s Day plans already? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Tumblr

Jan22

Valentine’s Day Gifts For Her

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Valentine’s Day Gifts For Her

Bonjour! Valentine’s Day is slowly creeping up and just thinking about all of the people that are shopping for their significant other the day before the holiday is enough to give me anxiety. So, I decided to start the V-Day festivities early on lifewithlilred by doing a gift guide for her today and for him tomorrow.

Of course, flowers and chocolates are a great way to go and I would love to get that. But, if you’re on the hunt for something a bit more unique, try some of these ideas:

First Of All:

Okay guys and gals, a cute card is so necessary for your V-Day haul for your S/O. You may find it cheesy, but 99% of the population will find it sweet as can be. Write a heartfelt letter to your partner and don’t skimp on the romance. We’re talking the moment you knew you were in love, your first date memories, or a list of reasons why you love and admire your special someone. This is a great thing to do any time, but definitely pull out all of the stops this Valentine’s Day, which can be done with something as simple as writing a letter.

nemo.jpg

Maybe not that one. ^^^

Gift An Experience:

The weather in February can still be pretty sketchy depending on where you live. But, the great thing about concerts is that, for the most part, they are usually indoors! Who is your honey’s favorite band or singer? AKA who do they constantly annoy you with by playing in the car?! A concert is a great date and you can even make a day of it by exploring the area where the venue is and don’t forget the pre-show dinner or drinks!

Pampering Party:

Everyone loves to pamper themselves in some way shape or form and a sultry V-Day surprise could involve an evening of luxury for your S/O. You can never go wrong with gifting bath and body care products and do be sure to throw in a few candles to light for good measure, as most specialty bath and body stores carry them. And guess what else they typically carry? MASSAGE OIL! Quick… Cue the slow jams:

(As always, I have no rights to this video!)

Ahhhh…. That’s the stuff. So, as I was saying:

Run some bath water and let your BOO (Because I don’t say bae!) pick from an assortment of bath bombs to use. Rose petals and bath oil is just as good, too! Have an array of lotions set out for afterwards and the massage oil handy to give a nice………..

FOOT RUB. 😉

Wine And Paint Night:

Many local establishments and bars host wine and paint nights and they are an absolute ball. Most places will even offer a special picture to paint for Valentine’s Day. This is a fresh and fun take on just going out to dinner and it offers a chance for both of you to show off your creative sides or unlock a talent that you didn’t even know was there.

Still Need Some More Options?

  • Mani/Pedis always go down well
  • A shopping trip to their most loved store
  • Cooking dinner (Don’t forget the wine or champagne!)
  • Taking a ballroom dance class
  • Paint your own pottery places are fun
  • Going to a museum (Art or history buffs will love that!)

And Remember…

The most important thing is doing something thoughtful for your loved one. Being showered with presents is nice, and anyone will agree to that. But, creating a happy and special memory is even better. And, keep in mind, that it is NEVER about how much money you spend, either! Ball on a budget or blow it out of the water, but at the end of the day spending a small fortune doesn’t guarantee a wonderful time.

What are some of your Valentine’s Day date ideas? What is one of your happiest V-Day memories? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan19

Walgreens Haul

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Walgreens Haul

Hi!! So a couple of days ago I got an email saying that Walgreens was doing a freebie bag similar to the one I got previously with a twenty dollar online purchase. I needed to buy more hair dye, anyways, and Walgreens is the only place that carries my beloved Vidal Sassoon shade, so I figured why not. I purchased four boxes of dye to last me until May and got this awesome freebie bag along with it (On top of free shipping and two dollars off from my rewards card!). Check it out:

walg2walg1

There was an amazing amount of goodies in my bag including:

  • Coupons
  • Vitamin/Probiotic samples
  • Lotion/Moisturizer samples
  • Colgate Optic White tooth paste
  • Two Aquaphor lotion sprays
  • CeraVe moisturizer
  • Clean & Clear cleanser
  • Aveeno cleanser
  • CeraVe lotion
  • Gold Bond lotion
  • Pantene volumizing foam
  • La Roche Posay healing balm

It was such fun going through my bag and picking out the items that I wanted and then sharing the wealth with my family for the products that I was not interested in. I spent a grand total of forty dollars for my dye and got so much more in return along with it. I freaking love these Walgreens grab bags and I hope that they are doing another one the next time that I need to restock my hair dye!

Which stores give the best freebies? Are there any beauty products that you stock pile? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Walgreens

Jan18

Bath Bomb Blitz: Xmas Gift Pt. 2 Edition

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Bath Bomb Blitz: Xmas Gift Pt. 2 Edition

Howdy! Today we are going to talk about the other bath bomb that my BFF gifted me for Christmas. It was a lovely purple and pink one with a Jasmine Rose scent. Although I am not big on either fragrance, this bath bomb was super pleasant to use and I LOVED the color that it made the bath water. And the dried rose petals were definitely a luxurious added bonus! Take a look and let’s discuss:

roserose1rose3rose4rose5rose6

Even though the Cran Orange bath bomb from yesterday’s post was fun, I think that I like the Jasmine Rose one better. I didn’t get any hints of Jasmine at all when I put the bath bomb in the water, it just gave off this soft floral scent that was really pretty. Speaking of pretty, the lavender hue that my water turned into looked so gorgeous and I loved seeing the rose petals and pink glitter swirling around. It made me feel so lux and pampered!

I officially have no more bath bombs to use and now I am craving going to Lush something fierce! Taking baths is one of my favorite ways to relax and bath bombs just add to the R&R in the best way possible. I never thought that I would find myself wanting to go to Lush so badly, but here we are now, and some of their bath bombs sound like the perfect way to treat myself. 😀

What is your favorite Lush product? How do you make your bath time luxurious? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan17

Bath Bomb Blitz: Xmas Gift Edition

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Bath Bomb Blitz: Xmas Gift Edition

This is Bath Bomb Blitz, this is Bath Bomb Blitz, lalala – sung to the tune of Ballroom Blitz, anyone? No? Lol, didn’t think so. Anyways, my BFF got me some homemade bath bombs from a craft show for Christmas, which I was very excited about because I haven’t used one in a while. I’ve used some really good homemade bath bombs before and some really bad ones, so I was a bit ambivalent about what I was getting into, but ended up being pleasantly surprised. Take a look and let’s discuss:

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First of all, the Cran Orange scent was delicious. As soon as I popped the bath bomb in the water, you got an instant waft of orange-y goodness. And I do love me my citrus scents! And, although the water looks pretty murky in the pictures, it was actually a really pretty medium-peach color and that was fun to soak in. Not to mention the red glitter as an added visual bonus!

This was by far the best homemade bath bomb that I’ve used before. Did it fizz as long as a bath bomb from Lush? No. But it lasted for at least a minute, which is pretty good for a homemade treat. The fragrance used was nice and strong and the soft color of the water made me feel so relaxed. Am I the biggest fan of glitter? No. Cleaning it up afterwards is a pain in the behind. But the red and orange combination looked so pretty that I didn’t even mind it! 😀

Who likes to home make bath and body care products? Does anyone have a favorite recipe that they use? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan16

New Black & Magenta Nails

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New Black & Magenta Nails

Hi hi hi everyone! My last fill was a fun one, because my mom joined in on the festivities!! My mom enjoys a manicure every now and again so my sister got her a gift card to the salon that I go to for Christmas. Getting your nails done is a pampering, albeit a little boring, process so it was definitely nice to be able to wave at my mom when we happened to look at each other during our time at the salon. For this fill, I chose a magenta color as my accent nail and I love it! Take a look:

neww2

I thought that the accent nail color was so pretty that it didn’t even need glitter on it to make it pop. I love how the purple undertones shine through when it catches the light and it has an almost hologram-y finish that I am obsessed with. And, this time around, my nail tech didn’t put the gel top coat on my phalanges like last time so I am completely satisfied with my fill.

I’ve been going at least four and a half weeks between fills now and I’m really happy with that. My bank account is definitely thanking me for not going every three weeks like clockwork anymore! I’m all for treating myself, but ballin on a budget it important to me, so I’m proud that I was able to accommodate my pampering sessions to that lifestyle choice! 😀

What color of nail polish do you have on right now? Are you a gel, shellac, or normal polish type of gal? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan15

Bath & Body Works Semi Annual Sale Mini Haul

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Bath & Body Works Semi Annual Sale Mini Haul

Bonjour! Back in the day, I can’t say that I was a huge Bath & Body Works fan, but as the years go on, I find myself eating my words. I stopped into a B&BW the other day, because I noticed that their semi annual sale was on, which is when they bring back their old school favorites – which happen to be some of my favorites! It was actually pretty fun to go into the store and rummage through the huge bins of product that were all marked fifty to seventy-five percent off. And it was even more fun to score three fragrance mists for the price of one. Take a look:

perfume

It should be no surprise that there’s two Champagne Apple & Honey sprays in my mini haul since all apple everything is my favorite. I really like this scent, because it still has the tart bite of a crisp apple but there is definitely some dry, fizzy sweetness added to it thanks to the champagne and a dollop of honey. Can we pop some bubbly now, or?

And, after all of these years, WHO NEVER TOLD ME THAT PEARBERRY SMELLS AMAZING?!?! I lucked out and snagged the last body spray of it and I am so happy, because I freaking love it. It seriously smells like biting into a fresh, juicy pear and all the while there is a huge bowl of strawberries and blackberries to snack on, too. I am always more partial to the fruity fragrances and Pearberry is the perfect summery scent to brighten up a snowy winter day.

I am super happy that I stopped into Bath & Body Works to shop their semi annual sale and I am looking forward to their SA sale in the summer time to hopefully stock up on more Pearberry spray! What is your favorite old school B&BW scent? Who else shopped the SA sale? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan13

Scarf Series: Wet Seal Edition

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Scarf Series: Wet Seal Edition

Ooooooh, Wet Seal. Who remembers that store? When I was a teenager, I could always get down with Wet Seal, Charlotte Rousse, and Aeropostale. Now, as a twenty-something  fashionista by trade, I cringe at the names of all of those stores – how times have changed! But, all of those stores catered to a teenager’s budget and tastes and, for that, they served their purpose well. Especially when my absolute FAVORITE cold weather scarf is from Wet Seal.

….Wait, what?

Isn’t that crazy? Lol, check it out and maybe you’ll see why:

ss1ss3

I think that I was fifteen or so when I bought this scarf, and I’m fairly confident that it was about fifteen bucks from Wet Seal. I vividly remember going shopping with a friend with the twenty dollars that my dad gave me tucked safely in my pocket (“Don’t spend it all in one place!”). We visited store after store and nothing spoke to me, that is, until I saw this magnificent highlighter pink scarf with…

What is that?? SKULLS?!

Ohhh yes. Lil Red loves and loved* her skulls. Even back in the day (Almost a decade, but that’s neither here nor there!), did I love all skulls everything and this scarf was a MUST. I remember being So. Freaking. Excited. about this Wet Seal find and wore it as often as I could. The colors, the fringe, the patterns – it really was true love. So, extra special shout out to my dad, because I know that my fifteen year old self would have been PISSED if I didn’t have any dough to buy it!

I honestly don’t think that I will ever get rid of this scarf and, although I have other cold weather scarves, this one always seems to be the one that I gravitate towards. And, because I sport an all black everything ensemble most days, this scarf pops like a florescent beacon when its worn. A beacon that says, “Not everything that I bought as a teenager was completely awful, AND HERE’S THE PROOF!!” You know, something like that.

What was one of your major fashion faux pas as a teen? Do you still own any clothing or accessories from when you were a teenager? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan12

What It Takes To Take The Perfect Instagram Photo

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What It Takes To Take The Perfect Instagram Photo

If you’re all about spreading the love online and sharing your lifestyle with carefully chosen friends and followers, it’s likely that you’ve been trying to launch your Instagram profile already. Instagram offers a new perspective on social media content, as it’s a purely visual platform. In other words, it’s you’ve got something to share, show it instead of writing it. For anybody who believes that a picture can speak a thousand words, it’s the ideal place to build up a successful presence. Here are some tips on how to make that possible:

Social media is a platform of inspiration:

The main obstacle that you’re going to face when trying to develop your Instagram presence is yourself. Indeed, there is a constant and valuable discussion on whether social media enhances or hinders your life. The truth is somewhere in between. An engaging Instagram presence can be a form of lifestyle motivation or inspiration if the profile displays quality photos. However, you need to stay focused on your message and not lose yourself in the depth of a connection string or confuse a number of followers with your personal value.

Be patient and build a stunning feed:

Once you’ve got your head around the philosophical debate about social media and social value, it’s crucial to build your feed. Unless you’re especially lucky, you won’t gather a lot of attention with your first picture. Therefore you need to build your feed with 15 to 20 of your best images first. If you’re looking for a stunning visual, you may want to check this backdrop store to find the perfect backdrop for your portraits and fashion snaps. There’s nothing better to give your photos a professional finish. You will need to create a comfortable posting schedule, either weekly or twice a week, to accumulate visuals and build up a presence.

When getting your Insta up and running, your username is just as important as your feed itself. You want your name to reflect your brand so skip on the generic and use something unique to you. Of course, this can be easier said than done! If you are struggling to create the perfect username, try out this username generator Instagram for help. It’s also free! 😀

While patience is a virtue when it comes to anything social media, it can be a bit disheartening when things move at a slower pace. If you are craving the likes and communication, you can buy IG likes or pay to be featured on other people’s platforms. This can give your page a nice boost, especially if you are just starting out.

Embrace new stylish trends:

Instagram is a world of images. What this means is that only the best and most stylish images can get noticed. Don’t waste any more time and learn about the latest photo trends to create dazzling portraits. The color palette for this year gravitates around rosy, peachy, and golden tones, so make sure to update your makeup and wardrobe to create on-trend photos. If you work with a camera instead of a smartphone, you can be playful with the light presence to create a delicate mood around the main character.

insta1

Oh snap!

Don’t click and post:

Finally, a winning Instagram presence is not measured by the number of photos you share, but by their quality. Take the time to develop your style and to find an angle you like. If, like Tilly and the Buttons, you prefer pastel colors, you need to create a decor that will reflect your palette. This can take a lot of time but, ultimately only the most stunning images get noticed. So it’s worth working on your visual personality before posting!

Becoming an Instagram sensation doesn’t happen overnight. Thankfully, it’s a fun process that enables you to define and perfect your online brand and style. You are what they see, so make every flash count!

Featured Image By: PXhere

Jan9

Awesome Blogger Award #1

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Awesome Blogger Award #1

Helloooo! My darling friend from Girl With The Paw Print Tattoo recently nominated lifewithlilred for its first Awesome Blogger Award! Not only am I obsessed with the name of this blog, as it derives from one of my favorite series of books, but I am also in love with how open and honest its author is. It takes a brave person to put their lives out there with the goal of helping others, and I am constantly impressed by the content on GWTPPT. Do be sure to check it out! Now, let’s get on to the rules:

The Rules:

  • Thank the person who nominated you
  • Tag it under #awesomebloggeraward in the Reader
  • Answer the questions your nominator gave you
  • Nominate at least 5 awesome bloggers
  • Give your nominees 10 new questions to answer
  • Let your nominees know that they’ve been nominated

Q & A:

What do you hope to achieve in 2018? I hope to continue making progress in therapy and working hard in all of my jobs and on my blog.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? In a lovely apartment or home with a bunny and two dogs.

What is one thing you cannot live without? Coffee, Diet Coke, my family, and friends. Not in that order!

What is your favorite movie and why? I love V For Vendetta and Pan’s Labyrinth because I love the stories, directors, and actors in each film.

If you could go back in time to any era, where would you go and why? The 1980’s! It seems like so much fun and I am a huge fan of the music from that era.

What is your favorite candle scent? All vanilla everything.

What was the most recent thing you got excited about? Seeing amazing fireworks while ringing in the new year.

What are topics that appeal to you the most on the blogging community? Beauty, fashion, and mental health.

Did you accomplish any goals you had for last year? This is bad, but I never really make goals for myself. I am proud of getting myself started in therapy, though.

If you had one million dollars, what would you do and why? Find a home for every dog on the planet!

My Nominees (I’m only doing three):

My Questions For You:

  1. How did you celebrate during the past holiday season?
  2. What was your favorite gift that you received?
  3. What was your favorite gift that you gave?
  4. What is winter weather like in your neck of the woods?
  5. How do you spend your time when it’s too cold to brave the outdoors?
  6. What are you looking forward to in the new year?
  7. What is something that makes you proud?
  8. What was the last TV series you binged on?
  9. What was the last movie that you saw in theaters?
  10. How do you treat yourself?

Thank you so much again to the Girl With The Paw Print Tattoo for lifewithlilred’s first Awesome Blogger Award nomination! How would you answer some of my nominator’s questions? 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