Tag Archives: fun

Jun30

The Many Virtues Of The Rose Gold Makeup Look

Posted on by
Standard
The Many Virtues Of The Rose Gold Makeup Look

If you’re shopping around for a new look, then we think we’ve found it. Well, actually, we didn’t find it – it’s been around for a while and has been especially used by makeup artists, but it’s finally come across our radar and now we’re ready to share with the world. We’re talking about rose gold makeup, which you can find just about everywhere: on the red carpet, the high street, in the clubs…everywhere ritzy and glamorous, that is. And that’s not all: this makeup is for everyone. That’s right: this makeup is transcending looks, financial status, job. Uniting the world with makeup…we like that idea!

The Virtues:

If you’ve never used rose gold makeup before, then don’t worry: we’re pretty confident that there will be a perfect match for you. In fact, this is one of its main benefits. It’s flattering, warm, romantic, and perhaps, best of all, it’s different. Far from traditional, it’ll make you stand out at any event where you rock this look. It also isn’t too much of any one color. It’s not too gold, not silver. It’s the Goldilocks of the makeup world, essentially and it’s fabulous, darling.

In Style:

If Pinterest is anything to go by, (And why it shouldn’t it be?!), then rose gold makeup is the style that everybody is clamoring for at the moment. Searches for this style of makeup has been up 190% over the last year. If you want to be part of a new wave of makeup that’ll shake up dance floors and events across the world this summer, it’s time to check out the best makeup tutorials and join all of the others who have fallen in love with this makeup style.

Celebrity Use:

Okay, we all know that it’s not the Average Joe on the street who can really send a makeup popularity soaring: it’s the celebrities on the red carpet. These superhumans, who usually look like a million dollars at the worst of times, take it to a new level when they hit the red carpet in their rose gold best. Of course, these celebrities don’t do the makeup themselves: they get their makeup artists to do it. Armed with RCMA makeup, they make their famous clients look their absolute best when they’re in front of the cameras. And with the right makeup in your bag, you can have the celebrity look, too.

A Face For Everyone:

Another reason for the ever increasing popularity of rose gold makeup is that it suits all face shapes. Whatever style your face happens to be, you’ll be able to play around with rose gold makeup styles and find the look that’s right for you. So perfect!

Getting The Best:

Of course, when it comes to makeup, it pays to do some research as to which products are worth investing in. You’ll want to make sure that you’re getting makeup that will look great when it’s applied to your face. If you buy the right products, then it’ll all come to your individual skills. You don’t have to go at it alone, however: check out some of the best beauty blogs and get a helping hand when it comes to getting the look that’s right for you.

How To Wear:

There are many ways to wear the rose gold makeup look. What will you choose? You can add a subtle but striking dash to your eyelids, let your lips do all of the talking by adding a rose gold lipstick to your lips, or give yourself a metallic glow by adding the color to the cheeks. This is one of the best things about the style: it’s versatile. You could go for the same color three days in a row but, if they were applied to different parts of the face, you’d have three completely different, though equally classy, looks.

Going Further:

It’s not just in makeup bags that rose gold is taking over. You can also change your look by having a rose gold hairstyle. There have been plenty of celebrities adopting this look in recent times, including Lady Gaga, Rita Ora, and Kate Hudson. That’s a pretty impressive list of beauties who thought it was the look worth going for!

Conclusion:

Clearly, with infinite virtues, celebrity endorsements, and quality makeup products available, it looks like the rose gold style is here to stay for the foreseeable future. Start playing around now and join the movement, you beautiful metallic GODDESS!!!!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jun28

Movie Maven: A Lil Red Guide To Film Festival Etiquette

Posted on by
Standard
Movie Maven: A Lil Red Guide To Film Festival Etiquette

Hello everyone and happy Hump Day! Summer brings about a variety of activities that some people spend the whole year looking forward to. Vacations, concerts, baseball games, and film festivals. I am sure that most of you already know that I am an avid movie lover. Of course, my favorite genre is horror by far but I love it all. Psychological thrillers, foreign films, comedies, rom-coms, the occasional Western, action, documentaries – you name it. The world of film is an all inclusive, creative, free for all with something for everyone, which is what makes it so beautiful.

Asking me about my favorite films always results in a five minute babble of my “I could watch this every day and not get bored” flicks. Every movie that you watch has the potential to become your new favorite and that’s what makes going out to the cinema, renting from the RedBox, and attending film festivals so exciting. You are twenty minutes in previews away with entering a new world for an hour or two. And even if the flick was the worst thing ever, you still got to eat popcorn and candy for the duration of the film. It’s a win/win for everyone.

A night at the movies is fun – but could you imagine a day at a film festival? A day devoted entirely to the up and coming films for the year? Talk about heaven! And another cool part about attending a film festival? The traveling! July 19th through the 22nd is the Anthem Film Festival in Las Vegas. And the movies that are seen in Vegas are sure to not stay there for long! Be sure to check out Vegas.com for the best hotel and flight packages for your stay and then let’s talk some film festival pro tips:

Be A Social Butterfly!

You already have one thing in common with literally every single person at the festival – a love for film. This sounds like the perfect icebreaker to me! Chat it up with anyone and everyone after the credits have rolled because you never know who you’re going to meet. From directors and actors to behind the scenes workers and industry professionals, a film festival is the best place to network if you are interested in any aspect of the vast world of cinema. Get your business cards ready and spread your wings, you beautiful and capable butterfly.

Dress To Impress:

You know how I said that you never know who you’re going to meet at a film festival? If not, let me repeat it: YOU NEVER KNOW WHO YOU’RE GOING TO MEET AT A FILM FESTIVAL!!! Dressing to impress is absolutely crucial for this reason. During the day, you can get away with a comfy cool look – an oversized button down, skinny jeans, and ankle booties are a great start. And don’t forget to bring a cardi for those chilly showing rooms!

The evening is a different story, though. Let your night time look transform you just as if you were walking the red carpet at a major premiere (Okay, maybe not that extreme, but you get the point!). Wear your best LBD and a killer pair of heels and then top it off with a bold red lip and a bejeweled clutch. And remember, it’s all about confidence and class with a heaping helping of personality when you’re strutting your stuff in your evening attire, honey.

Take Notes:

Having a notepad and a pen on you is a must. Keeping track of the films that you saw during your whirlwind of a day is vastly important when it comes to networking and the post film Q & A sessions. Write down your likes and dislikes, questions that you had throughout the screening, and important themes that you picked up on during the movie. All of your thoughts will make excellent conversation starters at the refreshment stand or while hanging around for the next film to start. Not only that, but surely you will want to remember such an exciting day, anyways, and jotting down notes throughout your experience is a great way to keep your memories fresh.

Tearjerker Tissues:

Alright, let’s get one thing straight: Literally no one wants to hear you with the sniffles after ugly crying when the handsome lead bites the dust, Linda. Do us all a favor and bring a travel tissue packet. THANKS!! (This goes for everyone – not just Linda!!)

A Good Attitude:

Are you going to love every film that you see? No. But raving negativity after the film ends is certainly frowned upon in such an esteemed setting. Differing opinions are fine, but voice your love or distaste appropriately. The movie that you hated could be the favorite film of the person sitting beside you. An appreciation for film in general and the time, money, and talent that’s involved in that world goes a long way during your chats in line at the ladies, the refreshment booth, or the post film Q & A. Remember that you’re in a professional environment and showing respect is always going to be a do as you go about your day at the festival.
If you’ve never attended a film festival before, the Anthem Film Festival in Las Vegas is a great place to start! What are your film festival do’s and don’ts? What are a few of your favorite flicks? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah
Featured Image By: JoeyBLS Photography
Jun28

3 Lessons Every New Photographer Will Learn In Time

Posted on by
Standard
3 Lessons Every New Photographer Will Learn In Time

Photography is a hobby that’s easy to pick up, but difficult to master. Most people enter the world of photography as a fun side activity, but quickly begin to get immersed once they realize the creative potential and open-to-interpretation nature of it. Some might be drawn to emotional black and white photography or have interest in the more technical side of things like bold color photos and how and when was it invented.

Whatever your interest, photography is a brilliant hobby because if you begin by using the right Sony camera, it will train you to see the world in your daily life. The smallest details will present themselves to you with wonder, and you’ll notice that your creative ability is bolstered throughout other means of expression, too. Drawing or painting a landscape is a beautiful feat when you have countless hours photographing nature packed away in the back of your memories.

Photography trains people for the better. If you’re looking to potentially delve into picking up photography as a hobby, you might not understand how it will change you. For the most part, you can expect:

An Appreciation For The Environment: While traversing the plains, exploring abandoned buildings, climbing sky-high towers to witness beautiful skylines, or simply private events that usually go unnoticed, you’ll develop a much keener eye to observe the gorgeous world around you. Not only that, but you’ll become proactive within it, always considering what visual beauty can be captured around the next corner.

It’s rare for a hobby to help instill in you a sense of adventure, but photography can do that to no end. In fact, comically, it can work to your detriment. When out with a friend, you might insist on taking the road less traveled to get to your destination, and this is something a non-photographer might not understand as easily. However, they surely will once you show them the final photo results.

photooo2

Click!

You’ll Develop Perfectionist Tendencies: Photography is an art that demands a creative touch. You don’t need to adhere to the ‘tried and tested’ methods of composing shots well, such as using the rule of thirds or figuring out where the light travels to best guide the eye of a future viewer. However, perfectionist tendencies do develop after a period of photographing. You might find yourself waiting until 2 AM to catch that perfect shade of moonlight over a town statue that you respect. This can bleed over into all aspects of your life. Your creativity will certainly be boosted as well as your attention to detail.

Your Digital Media Fluency Will Increase: To best develop photographs in the modern day, using an SLR camera will require that you have some form of electronic storage capacity. To upload the photos, using apps like Instagram might work well for you, but you’ll need to learn how to correctly size and maybe edit the photo in a program like Photoshop or Gimp to best squeeze the most value out of every snap you take.

No matter who you are, no one will look at the world in the same way as you. Photography is a natural extension of your worldview and it’s up to you to get out there and capture it.

Featured Image By: Flickr

Jun27

Bath Bomb Blitz

Posted on by
Standard
Bath Bomb Blitz

Hi everyone and happy Tuesday. Okay, so Lil Red Fun Fact: Before Saturday, I never have used a bath bomb. “But Sarah, how is that possible,” you might ask? Because nowhere near me sells them, that’s why!! The closest Lush to yours truly is about 45 minutes away and I’m not going to drive all the way out there for some bath products. But, believe me ladies, I see you with your bath bomb posts and I’d be a liar if I didn’t say that I was jealous AF. That’s why I was SO excited when TJMaxx had bath bombs available in their beauty section like THIS ONE:

As you all know, I am obsessed with all things charcoal. Body washes, facial cleansers, scrubs, masks, I love it all. I don’t have “problem” skin, which is what most people associate charcoal products with. BUT feeling squeaky clean is really important to me as a beauty enthusiast and a pretty hardcore germophobe, and nothing makes me feel that way quite like charcoal goodies. That’s why I was really excited when I saw this here charcoal bath bomb by Aromafields because I didn’t even know that that was a thing! But everything is a thing so I guess a charcoal infused bath bomb isn’t as crazy as it sounds!! Okay, whatever, I know I’m rambling so just look at the water, will ya?

#allblackeverything

Okay, if you’re not a long term emo kid like myself, you might be slightly disturbed by my pitch black bath water. But, rest assured, I had the time of my life. Splish splash, Lil Red was taking a bath and it was AMAZING. The water smelled minty cool and easing myself into a tub filled to the brim with black water is the stuff straight out of my emo fantasies. So, yeah, this bath bomb was totes worth the four buck price tag.

Literal tiny beads of charcoal floated in the water that you could scoop up with your hands and rub on your skin. It was seriously like having a face mask for your whole body. My skin felt tingly and cleansed. AND taking a soak in my bathtub filled with black water that looked like the perfect setting for an AFI music video was simply magical, to say the least. :*)

My ONLY complaint about this Aromafields bath bomb was that it was a real pain in my kiester to clean up once the water drained. There was a charcoal film covering the entire bath tub that I legit had to scrub to remove. It wasn’t a “let me wipe the tub really quick” affair but more like a “I need elbow grease that only a carnival strong man can provide” to remove this stain. Your girl put in work, honey. And a word to the wise is to use a towel that you aren’t fond of while cleaning your tub because mine looked like I took it to the underside of my WHIP when I was through. And something tells me that the belly of the Little Red Love Machine would STILL have given me a cleaner towel than the bath bomb residue did. SMH!!!!

This was my first bath bomb experience, so I have nothing else to base my judgements off of, but I really enjoyed myself! I’m excited to try the chocolate scented bath bomb as seen in my featured image photo next and will be sure to let all of you know how it goes! Where do you get your bath bombs from? Is Lush worth the hype? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun27

Cool Ways To Bring Your Neighborhood Together

Posted on by
Standard
Cool Ways To Bring Your Neighborhood Together

We all want to live in a better neighborhood; it is one of those inherent wants we are all born with. Of course, what makes a better neighborhood is entirely subjective. Some may want a neighborhood that feels safe like they used to feel, where kids can play outside until the sun goes down. Others may say that they want somewhere that does its part for the earth. Everyone is different. Whatever the case, though, creating a better neighborhood is all about coming together as a team to strengthen your community. Awwww. How lovely would that be? :*)

To help you achieve your ambitions of living in a little slice of utopia, we have come up with a list of ways in which you can make your neighborhood a better place to live:

Sharing Is Caring: Sometimes it’s the old cliches that ring truest, and that is certainly the case when it comes to sharing is caring. Why not set up a community that is more geared towards helping one another out. Start up a tool library and a toy library, and, yeah, a book library too. Start a neighborhood vegetable patch where you all chip in and reap the rewards. Not only will these ideas bring you closer with your neighbors, but they’re all fun and helpful!

hood1

So. Many. Tools!!!

Eco-Awesomeness: We all wish that we could be a little greener in our community, but buying solar panels isn’t exactly cheap, although they are getting cheaper. Anyways, to avoid the big overheads, why not pool together and buy solar panels collectively to enjoy a big bulk buy discount. As you can see at oregonlive.com this is a trend that was started by communities in Portland with amazing results.

Emergency Excellence: If you can be prepared for an emergency as a community, you are going to thrive as a community. It could be that you all chip in to buy a couple of automated external defibrillators from foremostequipment.com, or it could go even further and have a full blown emergency network in place. What better way is there to strengthen your community than to have members take on various roles, have certain supplies ready, and be prepared for the worst as a neighborhood.

When shopping for emergency supplies, do your research. For example, if you buy Heartstart FRx AED from AED Leader, is it something that can be used easily? Will you have a few designated neighbors who have been trained on how to use it, or will you all go to a course? AEDs are life-saving pieces of equipment so it should be a discussion you have with all your neighbors (especially with those most vulnerable) and trained emergency staff.

Nice Nights: Building your community starts with doing things together. It could be getting together for a block party, holding storytelling evenings, serving different street foods, getting together for fireworks displays, having the children put on a theater event, and whatever else takes your fancy as a community. Whatever your summer bucket list is made up of, do it as a neighborhood. Have a calendar event that you all do once a month, where everyone knows that the second Saturday is neighborhood night.

hood2

Partayyy

Front Yards: You are never going to bump into your neighbors if you only ever use your backyard. So, instead of this, why not move your normal backyard activities to the front and make yourself more visible and friendly to your neighbors. Sit out on the porch and say hi to everyone that goes past. Make a big jug of lemonade and invite them in. It’s only a slight tweak to your life but it can make a huge difference when it comes to getting to know your neighbors and building a better community.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jun26

Monday Update: TJMaxx Haul Edition

Posted on by
Standard
Monday Update: TJMaxx Haul Edition

Hi everyone and happy Monday!! I hope that everyone had a super fun and fabulous weekend! So these past few days, I was a little naughty and went way too hard at TJMaxx. As you guys know, that store is my number one fave. It seems like I never fail to find something that I love there. Whether it be new shoes, beauty products, clothes, or purses, TJ’s always treats me just right! This week, we’ll take an in depth look at my haul (Because, believe me, there’s a lot!) starting with this sassy little skirt that I got for a whole EIGHT DOLLARS. Check it out:

skirtskirt1

This fun jean skirt is Buffalo by David Bitton brand and the original price tag had it marked at seventy dollars. And once again, I GOT IT FOR EIGHT! I’ve been on the hunt for a cute jean dress or skirt for a while now but have never found anything that spoke to me on a spiritual level. This skirt is flattering, flirty, and totally fabulous and my only regret is that I didn’t find it sooner.

I love that this dark denim skirt features a zipper down the front instead of the normal buttons that have been littering the stores lately. The fit and flare shape is just right in providing a curve hugging silhouette while still offering a light touch of girly sweetness from the flared bottom. The golden stitching throughout the skirt also adds some extra pizzazz, which makes this little number feel fresh out of the 70’s. Freaking obsessed.

There is nothing better than purchasing a darling new piece to add to your wardrobe for under ten dollars. And knowing that I saved sixty-two smackers on this skirt makes the find even sweeter. I can’t wait to pair this high waisted number with crop tops, tucked in button downs, and a jean jacket for a sassy update on the Denim Tuxedo. And, of course, platform heels with this retro baby is a must!

So there you have it, this week’s Monday Update: TJMaxx Haul Edition! Spend your week here at lifewithlilred while I talk beauty and fashion compliments of my favorite store! Who else is totally TJ’s obsessed? What is your favorite store to shop at? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun23

Adulting Essentials

Posted on by
Standard
Adulting Essentials
Hello everyone and TGIF! I hope all of you are having a fabulous day so far and have a bright and exciting weekend to look forward to. If there’s one thing that I know as a twenty-something, it’s that I constantly feel under-prepared. Everything up until the late teens and early twenties was great, right? A la-di-da world where the only thing that you needed to worry about was what to wear to school and your hours at your weekend job. Fast forward to the ripe age of 23. Freshly graduated from college, moving out of your dorm to your own apartment, and (sort of) ready to take on the world. This is basically what your teenage self has been dreaming about since forever. So why does it feel so stressful?!

The life of a twenty-something is a bumbling and haphazard mess 90% of the time. Job hunting, grad school, moving out of chez mom and dad. You’re stretched thin in all directions and all you want is some literal direction in your so called life. As the baby of the family, I’ve watched three older siblings do the growing up thing. And now, as the 23 year old baby of the family, I guess I have to do the whole growing up thing myself. Gross.

So what comes with growing up? A big girl job, your own place, squeezing some time in for fun between binge eating or binge studying – that all sounds about right. For a big girl job you’re armed with your education or experience. For having some fun, you have your high school or college BFFs to schedule a GNO with. But your own place? A place that you need to pay rent for, furnish, AND do your own laundry in? Well, you’re gonna need a few things:

1) Stationary: From calendars and notebooks to highlighters, agendas, fountain pens, and business cards, stationary supplies are a total must. You know how the life of a twenty-something is a bumbling, haphazard mess 90% of the time? That, my dear readers, is what the planner is for. The calendar, the to do list, the agenda – whatever you call it, is a twenty-something essential. Doctors appointments? Job interview? Date night with the SO? Drinks with the girls? Yeah, there’s a planner for that. Hang your calendar with pride wherever you can see it and take a stab at sitting down with a glass of wine and organizing your week. You will be amazed at how your days will open up once you begin utilizing the free space that you have in between work till four and cardio at 7 on Monday and Wednesday.

2) The Perfect Mattress: The first thing that my sister did when she moved into her own apartment was buy herself a queen sized bed. Okay, girl. I see you. Now, I don’t usually say this, but she had the right idea. There is nothing better than tucking into bed with a good book and Enya on your iPod after a long day. Get comfy cozy in your boyfriend’s shirt, throw on an overnight face mask, and snuggle up on your new mattress compliments of Casper. Breathable, lush, plush, springy, and supportive, you’ll be traveling to the land of nod in no time as soon as you get curled up on the mattress of your dreams. Just make sure to put mattress shopping with Casper on your to do list before dozing off tonight! 😉

3) Business Casual Wardrobe: This isn’t necessarily an apartment essential as much as it is a life essential. I think that it is so important for twenty-somethings to begin investing in business casual wardrobe staples. Whether your ideal job setting is laid back or totally formal, you still need something to wear to the interview, right? Start supplying your closet with sharp, chic pieces that scream “boss lady” as soon as you walk in the door. I’m talking pencil skirts, crisp button downs, trench coats, blazers, cardigans, and a smart pair of trousers.

When I began shopping for my job with the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (which is about as business cashe as it gets), I gradually began making an effort to instill a more professional feel into my wardrobe. I hit up stores like Loft and Express for clothes that were unquestionably cute, but still looked put together and work place appropriate. Look for simple, well tailored pieces and let your accessories or a funky patterned cardi showcase your personality. There is no rule stating that business casual means boring!

4) Culinary Cool: One of the things that comes with moving out is not having a delicious meal prepped for you every day by the rents. I, personally, am a firm believer that everyone should have a basic understanding of cooking and finding your way around a kitchen. Unfortunately, not everyone shares this mindset with me, so cooking on your own might be a rude awakening to burnt pizzas or blowing a fortune on takeout every night.

BUT IT’S OKAY!! I promise. I absolutely love cooking and baking and my golden rule is that if you can read, you can cook. Go to the library or bookstore, snag some cook books (even if it is Making Eggs For Dummies!), and practice. Hit up your local Aldi’s or Save A Lot for ingredients, follow the directions, and you’ll have a meal that you made all by yourself in no time. I swear that it is not as daunting as it might seem and, within time, you might find yourself actually enjoying your meal preparations in your kitchen.

But, of course, you can’t cook without the proper tools. You don’t need to go overboard, but do invest in some quality but not too costly gear to help you out. Spatulas, measuring spoons and cups, mixing bowls, and a sheet pan for your pizza rolls will go a long way. And, like any well stocked arsenal, it doesn’t become that way over night. Pick up odds and ends for your kitchen every so often when you’re out and about and you’ll have all of the necessities before you know it.

5) TREAT YOSELF: Adulting can sometimes really suck. Like a lot. Believe me, I get it. Full time job, college, bills? It’s like a whirlwind of misery. That is why I am all about incorporating a TREAT YOSELF attitude into my adult lifestyle. Seriously. Get out, have some fun, and let the destressing begin. This can range from going out to get your nails done after a long week in the office to buying that sassy dress from Target because it hugged your curves in all of the right places. Do things that make you feel good (within reason). Buy things that make you feel good (within your budget), and you’ll find yourself breezing through adulthood like the boss lady that you are. YOU GO, GIRL!
treatyoself_main01
Adulting can be unquestionably overwhelming, but you’ll be just fine with the right Essentials! What are your adulting must haves? How do you destress after a long day of being a grown up? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah
Featured Image By: ZootScoop
Jun22

AFI Concert!!

Posted on by
Standard
AFI Concert!!

Hiii everyone and happy Thursday!! So Tuesday night was my 23rd birthday outing with my sister and it was a blast. Kristen treated me to tickets to see my favorite band, AFI, in concert at my favorite venue, the House Of Blues, in Cleveland. For the past three months since I knew that AFI was coming to my neck of the woods, I have had many an emo girl fantasy about this concert. Seriously – you guys have no idea how much I love them, so Kristen hit the nail on the head with this birthday gift!

afi1

Sissy! ❤

Despite a horrific drive to Cleveland, the night was a great big blasty blast. And by horrific drive I mean that literally every single traffic light in downtown Cleveland wasn’t working so it was an all out free for all on the road. It was straight up anarchy and it was absolutely terrifying. SO after locating a parking garage, a lot of deep breathing, and not thinking about the movie montage of your life that flashes before your eyes when you’re scared, we made our way to some actual fun.

The most wonderful thing about the House Of Blues is the opportunity that comes with seeing shows there. The venue is so open (yet intimate), that it’s really easy to plant yourself in prime position right in front of the stage. Kristen and I found ourselves with the best view at the end of the front row and it was magical, to say the least. Every show that I’ve been to at the HOB has provided me with a spectacular view of the stage and Tuesday night was no exception (Thank gawd!).

Now, I’m going to keep it real with you guys: I genuinely have no clue who opened the show. Lol, I was having myself a drink and a really good time so I wasn’t even paying attention. For once, the people standing by us were insanely cool so Kristen and I were chatting it up with them and it was so unexpectedly fun. Do I regret not listening to or even noticing the opening bands? Not really, lol. And from what I did hear I wasn’t impressed anyways so I can’t say that I was missing out on too much! 😉

Fast forward to when AFI came on stage and I got to see the man that I’ve been crushing on since I was nine years old in the flesh right in front of me. Guys. When I laid eyes on Davey Havok, I lost my shit – to put it mildly. 1) He’s drop dead gorgeous. 2) He’s drop dead talented. What a voice. What a performer. WHAT A MAN.

^^^ Unfortunately, the pics that I managed to snap aren’t the best and I can’t upload videos on to my posts so you’ll just have to take my word for how amazing AFI is live.

So there was a positive and negative to seeing my favorite band perform. The positive? AFI put on a hell of a show. They performed with so much energy that you could literally feel it radiating off of them and they sounded sublime. They sounded like angels that were singing sweet nothings into my ear and, in this instance, that was an actual thing. I got to hear Davey Havok sing, scream, and belt it out in that fluctuating low to high voice that is so uniquely his own. Talk about dying and going to heaven.

The show was fast paced, super emo, and so incredibly cool. So the negative? Idk, it felt a bit impersonal? Like, the songs kept coming one after the other and as much as I love me some Davey, I feel like he didn’t really care to build a rapport with the crowd. We were all showing the band the love and the whole show just seemed rushed. Not only that, but it felt like they weren’t on stage for all that long. Granted, this might just be me being greedy and wanting them to play all night, BUT STILL. I hate to say this, but after the encore was over and the show was officially done, the first words that Kristen and I shared with each other was “is that it?”. Whomp whomp.

BUT THE POSITIVE, THOUGH?! I got to hear my favorite band perform my favorite song at my favorite venue with my favorite person. I got to hear AFI play Silver And Cold. I got to hear the song that my nine year old self specifically bought the album Sing The Sorrow for. The first album I ever bought with my own money, as a matter of fact. That song has always been one of my all time favorites, not just by AFI, but in general. And I got to hear it live. What even. (Insert the part where I talk about how my inner emo kid felt an abundance of pure and complete joy. That happened.)

Forget about any negativity in this post because even with all things considered, Tuesday June 20th was one of the best nights of my life. There’s something so special about being able to see your favorite band perform right in front of your eyes and I got to experience that. Thank you so much to my amazing big sister for making that possible. I LOVE YOU, KRISTEN!! ❤

So there you have it, the AFI Concert! What shows are you going to this summer? What is your favorite concert that you’ve been to? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun22

Great Ways To Get Your Kids Outdoors This Summer

Posted on by
Standard
Great Ways To Get Your Kids Outdoors This Summer

Summer is upon us, and with it comes great opportunities to spend time outdoors with the family. However, try as you might, you may find it difficult to pries the smartphones from your children’s hands as you try and get them to do something different. When you mention the idea of getting some fresh air, their solution of opening another window is not going to help your cause. But don’t despair! There are some great activities for families to enjoy, and none of them require an internet connection. So while your kids may kick up a fuss initially, it is possible to get them out of the house and into the fresh air. Bribery is entirely optional! 😉

Go For a Family Bike Ride: For some reason, children hate walking almost as much as eating their green vegetables. But suggest a bike ride, and you may see their faces light up. Go somewhere as a family, such as a nearby place of beauty and spend the day on two wheels. While out, there may be the perfect opportunity to point out things of interest, such as different aspects of nature. Don’t make it too educational, but turn it into a fun activity, such as a scavenger hunt. I love those. :*)
Do Something Exciting: The one thing children seem to say more than anything else is “this is boring”. As a parent, you probably want to scream every time you hear them utter those immortal words, but let’s be honest, maybe the activities you have planned for your kids really aren’t that interesting. You might think going for a walk is a good idea but your children certainly won’t.

Look online and find activities near you that are going to give your children new and exciting experiences. Many leisure centers and parks have great summer activities. Giant hamster balls, also known as zorb balls and inflatable zorbing balls are now all the rage. They can be used on land and on the water, but make sure your kids don’t have their lunch before getting in one. There may also be rock climbing activities nearby or water based sports such as canoeing if you live near water. Do your research and plan your day so that boring isn’t an option.

Turn Your Garden Into a Play Area: You don’t need to venture far from home if you have an adequate garden space for your kids to play in. From water games including slip ‘n’ slide mats to giant games of Jenga, there are many things that you can purchase to make your garden a fun place to be. Your children may benefit from one other thing while outdoors. No, we aren’t talking about ice cream, though you really should stock your freezer. You are the important factor in your child’s fun. If you have the capability and the energy, get outside with your kids and have some fun playing with them. Build a den, play tag, or throw a Frisbee around. These are precious moments so make the most of them.

Summer is a time for new adventures and experiences. Brain storm for an evening and help give your kids the best summer ever!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Jun20

Girly Gifts That Are Always A Hit

Posted on by
Standard
Girly Gifts That Are Always A Hit

Girls are not hard to buy for (At least, I’m not!). This is a fact for 90% of the female population, especially as the gift market is so full of ideas! We ladies aren’t afraid to be vocal about what we want, either, which makes it so much easier to buy for anniversaries, birthdays, and Christmas time. Because, let’s be real, you’ve only been gushing about that new Michael Kors bag since forever.

From vintage clothes and housewares to a ring with a 1 carat diamond from the Diamond Registry, every girl out there has an idea of what she wants. You don’t even have to be overly girly to enjoy the girly gifts! Bubble bars, bath bombs, and lotions are in favor with every girl out there. But if you’re stuck for gift ideas for the woman in your life, why not check out our suggestions below?

Jewelry: Okay, so we’re not talking the key pieces like pearls or diamonds, but the costume jewelry that isn’t overly expensive and can be bought in a variety so that their outfits can pop. Think layered chains, dangly earrings, and jeweled bangles going up the arm. There are so many choices out there in a variety of colors, which means that there’s literally no way that you can go wrong.

Cosmetics: The lady in your life may absolutely love makeup and cosmetics, but did you know that for the Eighties fans, there are cosmetics that glows in the dark? Check it out here and see what cosmetics you could gift for those quirky Eighties disco nights. If not, a Sephora gift card always goes over well! 😉

Smell Goods: The stores in the high street are over saturated with gift packs of soaps, shampoos, and bath bombs. These are an easy gift that never go badly because bath bombs are the literal bomb.com! To get glittery bath bombs or bubble baths that make the skin smell and feel gorgeous as a gift is fantastic!

girly1NEED!

Shoes: There isn’t a girl in the world that doesn’t love a beautiful pair of shoes. Whether it’s sparkly heels or cool Converse, gifting shoes is always a winner. You could go for slippers and even pretty gladiator sandals like these ones – as long as it’s footwear and in her size, shoes are sure to be an A+ prezzie.

Sunglasses: Holidays are coming up and sunglasses like these gorgeous Lennon sunglasses by Modekungen are setting trends all over the catwalk. Let your lady feel like a model and gift these for her as she lounges by the pool or commutes to work. Stunner shades in the summer are a total no brainer!

Experience: Sometimes the best girly gift that you can give is a spa day or a manicure that is all paid for. There are people who say that gifting experiences is impersonal, but actually it is more personal than a chosen gift. Experiences show that you know the person you’re buying for and that you understand what they would love the most. Choosing a gift experience can be difficult given the range to pick from, but once you have handed over that pampering spa day or manicure/pedicure combo gift, you will be known as a perfect gifter, for sure.

girly2Pampering Partyyy

Gifting for girls is getting easier by the day and whether she’s into tech or makeup, there’s something for everyone on the market. Be choosy with gifts and feel that happy glow when you see a well-received present from your favorite gal!

Featured Image By: Pixabay