Tag Archives: fun

Oct10

Walgreens Freebie Bag

Posted on October 10, 2017 by lifewithlilred

Hi everyone and happy Tuesday! I’ve been frequenting Walgreens a few times within the past few months because they are the only store in my area that still carries my beloved Vidal Sassoon hair dye. Normally, when I stop in the store, I just take the lot of how ever many boxes of the Runway Red color that they have so that I’ll have a healthy amount on back stock if, god forbid, anything happens to the Vidal Sassoon London Luxe collection.

When I went into the store over the weekend, I was treated to a beauty goodie bag full of amazing coupons and samples just for buying what I was going to purchase, anyway. Not only that, but because I have their reward card, I got five dollars added on to it for my next hair dye purchase. Clearly, I picked the right day to restock my hair dye! Take a look at the spoils of my goodie bag:

When the cashier handed me the bag, it was literally filled to the brim with freebies. I was so curious as to what was in it that I couldn’t wait till I was home to open it, so I sat in my car and was blown away at the contents of the bag, which included:

Crest Whitening Therapy tooth paste
Olay retinal eye cream
CeraVe complexion bar
Aveeno lotion
Jergens lotion
Pocket mirror
FAT stack of coupons
Lotion samples
Whitening strips
3 packets of various shampoos and conditioners
Moisturizer samples
Hair, skin, and nails gummie samples
And more!

I had a blast showing off the contents of my bag at home and dividing up the booty to my family, since there were quite a few things that I don’t use. I’ve never been “anti Walgreens” but this amazing freebie surprise definitely makes me feel more inclined to shop there more often. Now, if only Target and TJMaxx would start giving away goodie bags like this! #wishfulthinking

So there you have it, my Walgreens Freebie Bag! What would you like to try from the goodie bag that I received? Which store gives away the best freebies and coupons? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Walgreens

Oct9

If The Shoe Fits: Betsey Johnson Mules Edition

Posted on October 9, 2017 by lifewithlilred

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If The Shoe Fits: Betsey Johnson Mules Edition

Hi everyone and happy Monday! I hope that all of you had a wonderful and relaxing weekend. So we all have those certain trends that we love to hate/hate to love/yada yada yada. For me, that trend is the mule. Don’t get me wrong, I love the first pair of Matisse mules that I bought and I think that some mules can be totally gorgeous. But, as a heel girl through and through, it’s a rarity that I can put my best feet forward in flats.

Obviously, a heeled mule would be ideal BUT THEY ALL LOOK LIKE CLOGS and I hate those. Lol, it’s not even a mule – it’s a straight up clog. I’ve thought a lot about this style of shoe and realized that what I need is the slipper shape of the top of the mule with a heel tacked onto the back for good measure. Preferably, a heel that’s not made of hard rubber, which makes the shoe look like a pair of clodhoppers if I’ve ever seen them.

I’ve clearly put a lot of energy into imagining the ideal shape for a heeled mule, but have had no luck in finding the pair that was “just right”. So, can you believe my surprise when I found the seemingly perfect pair of Betsey Johnson HEELED MULES while browsing on TJMaxx’s website?! Swoon. Take a look and let’s discuss:

So, yeah. You can see that these babies above are exactly what I wanted. These shoes are literally a mule with a heel thrown on for funsies. These Betsey beauties are just darling. Mules definitely have the potential to look like shoes for the (very fashionable) elderly, but not these. The black and white striped heel in contrast with the vibrant yellow flowers screams whimsical tea party. These mules are youthful, sassy, and perfect for a twenty-something who considers a night on the town to consist of strutting down the aisles of Target and TJMaxx.

The best part of Betsey Johnson clothing and accessories are the adorable surprises that are in the details. The center of the flowers on my mules are actual metal, beaded, and jeweled brooches – not just some lame-o craft store find tacked smack dab in the middle. All of these hidden delights just show how much joy that Betsey has in creating her brand and why she will always be one of my favorite designers.

These shoes were made for everything from ambling through daily errands to a boozy bar crawl with the girls on a Saturday night. Somehow, Betsey Johnson knew that I was in desperate need of mules just like my new pair, so she snapped her fingers and put these on the market. Love, love, freaking LOVE.

So there you have it, the newest issue of If The Shoe Fits: Betsey Johnson Mules Edition! What is a trend that you love to hate? Do you prefer flats or heels? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct8

Liebster Award #12

Posted on October 8, 2017 by lifewithlilred

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Hello everyone and happy Sunday! This past week, lifewithlilred was nominated for its 12th Liebster Award by my sweet friend, Aishwarya, at Eclipsed Words. Aishwarya is an extremely talented blogger and her page is absolutely fantastic so do be sure to check it out and give it some love! Now let’s get on to the rules:

The Rules:

Answer the 11 questions given to you.
Share 11 facts about yourself.
Nominate between 5 to 11 other bloggers.
Ask your nominees 11 questions.

Fun Facts:

I’m pretty much out of fun facts about myself at this point.
I am freaking STARVING as I write this.
I’m currently dog sitting and both pups look like little potatoes with legs. It’s a hoot!
Taco Bell gives my life purpose.
My family jokes that I have a tapeworm because I’m literally always hungry.
My favorite TV shows are Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Naked & Afraid, Botched, and My 600 Lb. Life.
If you ever saw me driving in my car, it would probably look like I’m talking to myself because I listen to French tapes while I’m driving.
I’m already looking forward to eating Thanksgiving food, lolol.
Obviously, food plays a very important roll in my life.
I love to read and just finished a book called Ginny Moon. It was alright.
I am a Diet Coke fiend!!! It’s my absolute favorite pop and I could legit drink it all day.

Q & A:

What are your favorite smells? I love vanilla, apple, and anything citrus-y.

What do you do when you’re stressed? Read, listen to music, watch a movie. Pretty much what everyone else does, lol.

What is your favorite season and why? I LOVE THE FALL. Autumn all day every day. I love the weather, the activities, the leaves changing, and the clothes!

Is there anything you regret from your childhood? I’m not comfortable answering that.

Early bird or night owl? Early bird, for sure. I kid you not, I go to bed at like nine o’clock every night, hahaha.

What is your biggest time-wasting habit? Mmm…This is an obvious one but I can definitely kill some time on Facebook!

What’s one thing you want to master? I want to perfect my French speaking skills. I also want to start learning American Sign Language.

What have you never tried but want to? I would love to be able to travel more. Aside from Canada, I’ve never been out of the United States.

What’s your biggest fear? Too many to list here!

Describe the most precious thing in your room. Lol, also not comfortable answering this one, either.

What do you want the old you to look back on and remember fondly? That I’m a decent person and am kind to whomever I meet. And that I have a wonderful sense of style. Ayyyy.

My Nominees (I’m only doing three):

My Questions For You:

Really good makeup or really good skin care?
Do you have a favorite vacation that you’ve been on?
Is there a certain type of landscape that you prefer (Beach, mountains, etc.)?
What is something that you admire about your best friend?
What was your favorite childhood toy?
Favorite junk food?
Describe a perfect date night.
What is your dream job?
Who is your celebrity crush?
Best concert you ever went to?
Are you going to dress up for Halloween? If so, as what?

Thank you so much again to Aishwarya for lifewithlilred’s twelfth Liebster Award nomination! How would you answer some of the questions that Aishwarya asked her nominees? How about my questions for mine? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct6

Mission: Impossible (Friend To Buy A Gift For!)

Posted on October 6, 2017 by lifewithlilred

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Mission: Impossible (Friend To Buy A Gift For!)

We all have that one person, whether it’s your best friend, a sibling, or significant other, there’s always someone who is just excruciatingly difficult to buy gifts for. With Christmas just around the corner, now comes a return of those anxieties, you want to be a good and thoughtful friend/family member/partner, but you have no idea where to begin. So what is the best way to buy a gift for someone who is impossible to buy for? Let’s try and think outside the (gift) box:

A Gift Card Or A Certificate:

This doesn’t exactly scream “well thought out”, but it’s a worthy compromise if you need to buy something for someone who has either got everything or they just haven’t given any hints. A gift card can seem like a cheap gift, especially since you have to tell them how much is on the card! In this respect, maybe you want to give them a gift card that is in conjunction with a few other gifts, such as a dinner out, movie tickets, or maybe a donation to charity, all wrapped up in a bright envelope.

Who doesn’t love a gift card?!

Buy An Experience:

If you struggle to buy someone a physical gift, why don’t you buy them something that is going to stick in their mind for years to come? An experience is so much more than the typical presents that we buy for everyone. Maybe you want to plan a fun day trip or there’s a concert coming up by one of their favorite bands. At least with an experience, it shows that you put a lot of thought into what they like. And even if you haven’t had the opportunity to put much thought into it, the experience alone is so different from what they normally get as a present, that they will be totally psyched.

I want that trip!

Go For The Practical Option:

While this may not be the most earth-shattering of gifts, if you’ve noticed that their curling tongs have broken recently or their coffee machine is on the fritz, then you can buy them a new and improved model. It’s always difficult with these types of items to pick the best one, but there are sites that you can look at to get some reviews, such as top9rated.com, to get some opinions of the best items on the market. With a practical gift, it shows that you pay attention to them and have made a valiant effort to make life a bit easier for them.

Practical gifts also don’t need to be boring as there are so many different customizable options. You could have a T-shirt made with a picture of your giftee’s favorite band. How about a travel bag with their initials embroidered? If your giftee is your favorite person to go on a coffee date with, they will love this “I wish you lived next door” mug. Whatever you choose, the person receiving the gift will think about you every time they use it!

Pixabay Image

A Subscription Service:

We usually think of a gift as a one-off, but with a subscription service, you can pay for something that they will enjoy the whole year round. Something like netflix.com will always be handy if they travel around a lot and end up getting bored easily. Or maybe they are work out addicts, so you could pay their subscription to the gym for a year. It’s always a nice thing to buy a gift that is part of their lifestyle so that they can think of you every time they use it!

Buying gifts for a loved one should be fun, not stressful. Take some time to sit down, have a think, and figure out the perfect gifts for your BFF/SO/siblings this holiday season.

Oct2

Monday Update: Marilyn Manson Concert Edition

Posted on October 2, 2017 by lifewithlilred

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Monday Update: Marilyn Manson Concert Edition

Hi everyone and happy Monday! This past Friday my sister, Kristen, and I trekked to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (About a two hour drive.) to see Marilyn Manson in concert for his Heaven Upside Down tour at Stage AE. After literal months of anticipation for this show, it was finally the night and the performance definitely didn’t disappoint. ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THAT WE WERE RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE STAGE!! Take a look at some low quality iPod pictures and let’s discuss:

^^^ Lol, I love that last picture. “Ayyy”.

First of all, Stage AE was an absolutely excellent venue. It seemed like no matter where you stood in the crowd, your visibility of the stage was average at a minimum and amazing at the max. Kristen and I began our concert experience with an okay viewing for the opener (Alice Glass, who I’m not even going to talk about because she sucked.), and ended our night in front of the stage.

How, you might ask?

Well, it’s not like the crowd was intensely rowdy throughout the show. Some fights definitely did break out but nothing “major”, and some people just weren’t comfortable with it (understandably) and opted to get away from the vicinity of the mosh pit. So as soon as people left the area for safety purposes, drinks, or what have you, Kristen and I would make our way forward until we had a view of Marilyn Manson at all times during the concert.

And speaking of the concert…

It. was. AMAZING. Manson is nearing fifty years of age, and I told Kristen on our way home that this is probably the best we’re going to see of him since he isn’t getting any younger. There was no on stage self harm, no crazy gimmicks with girls, minimal audience banter, and not even an inkling of violence. This show was everything that his performances weren’t when the band was just starting out, but that doesn’t mean that it wasn’t a lot of fun.

The Heaven Upside Down tour didn’t seem so much of a celebration of his new album of the same name, rather, an ode to some old school Marilyn Manson hits that even people who don’t even like Manson love. We’re talking The Dope Show, Lunchbox, mOBSCENE, This Is The New Shit, No Reflection, Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This), and The Beautiful People.

Marilyn Manson played four songs off of Heaven Upside Down and opened the show with the album opener of Revelation #12. He then peppered KILL4ME, WE KNOW WHERE YOU FUCKING LIVE, and SAY10 into the set list. The rest of the show was filled with Deep Six (I’m disappointed that more songs from The Pale Emperor weren’t played.) and Tourniquet, which is another old love. (Manson then encored with Coma White but, alas, Kristen and I had to make the two hour drive home so that she could work early in the morning.)

^^^ Obviously the set list rocked…

And the performance that came along with it was just as good. The lighting, the different costumes Manson donned, his gorgeous speaking/singing/screaming voice – it all worked so well. I mean, a front row view doesn’t hurt, but it was a damn good show. Fans that were able to see Marilyn Manson in the beginning might think that he is slowing down (Unfortunately, I was a toddler so until time travel is invented, I will never know what his early shows were like first hand.), but, to me, he is just getting started.

Marilyn Manson dragged his last album, The Pale Emperor, through some gritty, rough blues influence and it came as a triumphant, different comeback. Yes, some tracks off of Heaven Upside Down does sound like classic Manson (KILL4ME and WE KNOW WHERE YOU FUCKING LIVE, anyone?) but that doesn’t mean that the whole album will, and I’m looking forward to exploring it in its entirety when it comes out on October 6th.

Marilyn Manson is at a stage of experimentation that is working in his favor – from his art, acting, and playing with new and unique sounds – everything seems to be a success. I expect Heaven Upside Down to reflect these gutsy changes and the fact that he is soon going to be a half a century in age. Friday’s concert brought us some old school fun mixed with new favorites, but it seems like the party is raging on just fine for Manson in a way that’s not only, dare I say, age appropriate, but totally fucking cool.

So there you have it, this week’s Monday Update: Marilyn Manson Concert Edition! What was the last concert that you attended? How do you feel about Marilyn Manson? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct1

Liebster Award #11

Posted on October 1, 2017 by lifewithlilred

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Hi everyone and happy Sunday!! I am so happy to say that lifewithlilred was nominated for its eleventh Liebster Award by my friend, Trix, at The Confessions Of A Cosmetics Addict. Trix’s blog is fairly new but it is already filled with excellent posts so do be sure to check it out. I so enjoy chatting with Trix’s lovely self and I know that all of you will join me in welcoming her to the blogosphere! Now, let’s get on to the award rules: