Tag Archives: fun

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:

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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

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.

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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

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

Happy New Year!!

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Happy New Year!!

Hellooooo everyone and welcome to 2018! Here’s to hoping that this is your best year yet, that you keep up with your resolutions, and that you accomplish great things in the new year. Enjoy your celebrations and thanks for sticking around with lifewithlilred! Much love. -Sarah

The Christmas Tag

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The Christmas Tag

Hi everyone! I recently got nominated for The Christmas Tag by my darling friend, Vera, over at Love Live Laugh. Being an avid lover of the holiday season, I just had to participate! The rules state to nominate other bloggers, but I say feel free to join in the tag if you choose to spread the fun! Take a look at the rules and let’s discuss:

The Rules:

  • Copy this post
  • Answer the questions
  • Nominate 5 bloggers or more

Q & A:

What’s your best Christmas memory? I love watching my loved ones open their presents. It seriously never gets old!

Your favorite sweet treat? Peppermint Mocha drinks from Starbucks and a well made White Russian.

White Christmas or on the beach? Christmas at my house with no snow!!

Family or out for a wild party? Family. A million times family!

Are you cooking or not? Oh yes, I love to cook – especially during the holidays.

Thank you so much again to Vera for nominating me for The Christmas Tag! If you would like to participate, no nomination is needed. Have fun and happy holidays! Much love. -Sarah

Christmas Surprise Pt. 3

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Christmas Surprise Pt. 3

Hey! For as long as I can remember, my BFF Lea and I have exchanged presents for Christmas. Earlier this week, we had our annual best friend jamboree, where we gave each other our prezzies, drank wine, and had hella girl talk all while lounging on my basement futon. It was a blast! Lea and I love to shop for each other, and this year, she knocked it out of the park with my gifts. Take a look:

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The Haul:

  • A bottle of wine (Already used!)
  • An elephant tealight holder
  • A minion ornament!!!
  • Bath and body goodies (Bath salts, lotion, and a scrub)

Lea knows me all too well, because I seriously loved everything that was in my gift bag. Wine is a must, and we shared the bottle together during our afternoon hangout (“It’s five o’clock somewhere”!). I love knick knacks so the gorgeous elephant candle holder and minion ornament were perfect. And, what girl doesn’t love bath and body products?! I’m always looking to add to my B&B care hoard, so it was great to put some extra goodies in my stash.

Even if Lea and I hang out once a month or once a week, depending on our schedules, we always pick up right where we left off. She really is the best friend a girl could ask for and we will be going on ten years of BFFhood in the new year. I LOVE HER SO MUCH!!!! :*)

How do you and your BFF celebrate the holidays? Is your best friend easy or hard to shop for? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

3 Thoughts Everyone Has On Christmas Day

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3 Thoughts Everyone Has On Christmas Day

The big day is nearly upon us, a day that many of us have been counting down to for the last three months. Some of us have even been counting down for the past 12 months, such is our joy of Christmas and the festive fun and celebrations that it brings. Christmas is inherently unifying, and despite celebrating in many different ways, we can all find ourselves thinking surprisingly similar thoughts on Christmas Day itself. Which of these do you recognize?

“Can I sleep more?”

Christmas Day, without exception, makes everyone feel exhausted — even if you hadn’t done much. A quick pre-dinner nap is an essential… and an after-dinner one, too, if you can sneak it. It’s undeniable; for most of us, Christmas is about two things: sleeping and celebrating.

“I can’t possibly eat anything more.”

This is then usually followed by: “oh yes, turns out I can”. Christmas Day is a day of gluttony, the one day of the year where it’s possible to just kick back and relax. The word “calorie” doesn’t even enter our vocabulary. So we’re merry as can be, our stomachs are full, and then someone offers us a slice of chocolate orange and suddenly we find our appetite again.

“When are we watching a movie?”

What would Christmas Day be without a festive movie or two? It’s the perfect way to unwind after a big meal, so make sure you plan what you’re sitting down to. Do you prefer to stick to an old favorite or would you opt for this fantasy movie idea?


Infographic Design By Sunny

Monday Update: Christmas Excitement Edition

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Monday Update: Christmas Excitement Edition

Hey everyone and happy Monday! As of today, there are only SEVEN DAYS left till Christmas! That’s one week and that’s one very happy Sarah!

SEVEN DAYS OMGGGGGGG!!!

It’s so crazy, because it feels like Thanksgiving just happened and now Christmas is a single digits amount away? Where in the world has the time gone?! That’s okay, though, because I don’t know about you guys – but I’m ready for a cozy morning with my family opening presents and cooking a great big dinner.

I’ve always loved Christmas. The food, the gifts, the family time. I am so lucky to say that all of my holiday memories have been fond and happy. And, despite a lot of setbacks this year, I know that the big day next week is going to be filled with tons of good cheer and fun.

As you guys know, I completed all of my shopping very early this year, because it was a possibility that a loved one was not going to be home in the holidays. So, I’ve been sitting with boxes full of prezzies in my room, ticking off the days till the 25th like a madwoman! I love buying and presenting my family and friends with presents and all I’ve wanted to do since mid-November is to shove gifts into everyone’s hands and make them open it! But, self control has gotten the best of me, and there will be presents (That have been waiting over a month to be opened!) under the tree for all!

Although the family Christmas tree has been up all year, the Christmas Excitement is so real! How do you celebrate during the holiday season? What is on your holiday wish list? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Holiday Q & A

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Holiday Q & A

Hi everyone and happy holiday season! Today, I thought that it would be fun to do a little Holiday Q & A to get in the spirit of Christmas. Feel free to copy these questions onto your page and answer them to share in the festivities!

What is on your Christmas wish list? Shoes, shoes, shoes, Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara, shoes, some facial scrubs, and a few more pairs of shoes.

What is winter weather like in your area? In Akron, Ohio it’s pretty snowy at the moment. But, earlier in the month we had obscenely warm weather for December.

Favorite holiday treat? Peppermint Mocha drinks from Starbucks! I always treat myself to one or two during the holiday season.

Are you easy or hard to shop for? I get told that I am both. For people that know me really well, I’m sure they would say that I’m easy to shop for. But acquaintances would probably say I’m more difficult, because of my distinctive style and personality.

Favorite holiday movie? I don’t really have one, actually. Although, my family normally watches Step Brothers during the holiday season at some point or another lolol.

Do you prefer a White Christmas? I don’t really care… hahaha I guess not though. I don’t like the snow all that much.

Favorite cold weather activity? Going ice skating at my favorite outdoor rink in Akron!

Favorite holiday memory? I love watching people open their presents from me – it never gets old!

So there you have it, my Holiday Q & A! How would you answer some of my questions? What are some of your own holiday themed Q & A’s? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oh, Christmas Tree

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Oh, Christmas Tree

Hello everyone and happy holiday season! My family is…eccentric to say the least. We have our quirks and distinctive personalities and I’m confident that people would pay to hear our daily banter. One of our infamous “parlor tricks” is leaving our Christmas tree up for just a little bit longer every year. First it was March, then June, then July…you get the drift. And now, our tree has just been up all year because, apparently, we like it too much to take it down. Take a look:

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My family, especially my father, loves ornaments. On vacations, I normally treat my dad to a new one as a special surprise from our travel destination. Our tree is filled to the brim with lights and baubles and it has become such a statement piece in our home that no one really questions it anymore.

Not only has our tree been up for a year now, but we decided to decorate it for the different holidays, as you can see by our Easter bunnies and eggs that are still up. We revel in our ornaments from organizations that we donate to, and we can’t pass up a good bargain. For example, the speaker that you see by the figure skater ornament (Compliments of when I competed in New York!), is attached to a four dollar strand of Rudolph themed ornaments that sing holiday carols. We were all pretty pleased with that one!

The never taken down tree in our living room has truly become a Mushenheim staple and I think that it’s hilarious. Much like a collector of coins or stamps, we take pride in our ornament collection and have it proudly displayed for the world to see…all year round. Lololol. #ohchristmastree

What is one of the quirks that you and your family share? What is the longest that you left your Christmas tree up? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah