Tag Archives: gifts

Jan8

BFF Holiday Haul

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BFF Holiday Haul

Hello! This past Friday I finally got to celebrate Christmas with my BFF and this hang out was a long time coming. Getting Covid at the beginning of December threw a wrench in our plans and we couldn’t have our annual holiday hang until after the New Year. It was certainly worth the wait though because we had the most wonderful time! We ordered Chinese food, opened gifts, and girl talked the evening away. It was just what the doctor ordered to wrap up a beautiful holiday season. My bestie treated me to so many lovely gifts and I can’t wait for all of you to see the piece de resistance! Check it out:

When it comes to gifts, I absolutely love receiving bath and body care. What can I say, I’m a huge fan of smell goods! My bestie knows this and graced me with some goodies from Bath & Body Works. This included a shower gel of my favorite scent, Champagne Toast, or as Johnny would call it “Champagne & Toast”. I also got a Snickerdoodle candle that makes my apartment smell like a bakery and another of my beloved foaming hand soaps too. I had to laugh when I saw the scent was Pomegranate & Blackberry because this was actually a hand soap that I skipped on when I shopped the Semi-Annual Sale. Not because I didn’t want it but I had too many products in my cart. Lol, I got it after all and she knows me so well!

The next gift I unwrapped was a double gift – a travel jewelry case with the sweetest bunny necklace tucked inside. Perfect for everyone’s favorite bunny mom! I literally clutched my pearls when I saw the little bunny atop a gold moon and I have a feeling I will be wearing it every day. I also know that my travel jewelry case will be getting excellent use too. Johnny and I are going on a BIG trip this year (More on that later) and I now have something to safely store all my bits and baubles. It will be like a hug from my bestie when I take it on our travels. ❤

This post Christmas bash was definitely worth the wait! The best gift, though? My best friend (Of over eighteen years), of course!

How did you celebrate the holidays with your friends? Which of your gifts have you put to use? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan4

Big Blanket Co Robe

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Big Blanket Co Robe

Hello! This Christmas was all about the gift of warmth. I received a brand new heated blanket from my parents to replace my broken one as well as an extra dose of cozy comfort. Johnny’s aunt gifted us with HUGE robes from Big Blanket Co and Johnny and I have basically been living in them since Christmas. It may have taken several minutes to release the robe from its bag (Peep my TikTok for that soon!) but it was so worth it. Once the robe was free was when the real magic began because this baby was full of fun surprises to keep me warm for the rest of the winter. Check it out:

When Johnny and I first opened our Big Blanket Co gift we genuinely thought it was a sleeping bag and were oh so surprised when it ended up being a robe! Johnny got a charcoal grey one and I got purple because I am a queen lol. It has been frigid cold in Ohio with temperatures barely above twenty degrees and I never realized how badly I needed something like this until now. It is the epitome of comfort and is so nice to wear around the apartment. This is especially true during the mornings at chez nous while it warms up after a freezing night. However, it makes me just want to go back to bed! 😀

The Big Blanket Co robes are definitely not the ordinary. It is SO heavy that it almost feels weighted and that extra heft paired with the soft fleece lining makes you want to wrap yourself in it and never leave. What Johnny and I love the most about these robes are the thumb holes! As soon as he realized they were there we were simply delighted by it – probably from our elder emo roots lol. Not only are there thumb holes but there is also a hood and sleeping mask too! This is literally a comforter and robe combined and it is nothing but joyous when we return home from work and put it on for the evening. Highly recommend. 🙂

For my fellow freeze babies out there, have I got a robe for you. This Big Blanket Co robe is everything and more and you will love it!

Do you have a favorite drink to warm you up when you’re cold? How about a go to piece of clothing? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan2

Family Holiday Haul

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Family Holiday Haul

Hi hi! Whenever anyone asks me what I want for Christmas, I never know what to say. Literally all I do throughout the year is spoil and pamper myself so I already have everything I could possibly want lol. This year, however, my tune changed because there actually were a few things I would love to be gifted with. A new electric blanket because mine went kaput as well as baking pans which I have none of. I thought it would be fun for when my nieces come over as they enjoy being helpers when their mom is baking. I asked, I received, and I am so beyond happy with these gifts from my mom and dad:

My blogging bestie gifted me with an electric blanket for Christmas a few years ago. I basically lived in it and looked forward to returning home from work every day to snuggle up. Then, out of the blue, it just stopped working. There was no rhyme or reason for it and it was a sad day, indeed. Although I loved that damn heated blanket more than most people, I never bothered replacing it. It fell under my nice to have but not must have category and was the number one thing I asked for for Christmas. I was absolutely delighted when I opened it!

As for the baking pans, I never bothered getting them because Johnny and I really don’t have a sweet tooth. We might indulge in chocolate or ice cream from time to time but that is about it. I also have always preferred cooking to baking so cake pans and cupcake tins were unnecessary. My nieces just love to help with the ingredients, taste test, and decorate sweet treats, though, and I wanted to have the equipment so they could do the same at my place. Whenever we’re watching our nieces I like to have activities for the day planned and this is one of their favorites. Who knows, maybe I’ll even bake some of the recipes that I have saved and neglected on Facebook lol.

I knew exactly what I wanted this Christmas and was thrilled when my requests were waiting for me under the tree. I can’t wait to break them out!

What is your favorite thing to bake? Did you get everything you wanted this Christmas? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec31

Beautiful Bracelet Gifts

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Beautiful Bracelet Gifts

Hello! My family celebrated Christmas on Sunday and it was the most wonderful time. The only thing that was missing was my brother in law who wasn’t feeling well. We played games, opened tons of prezzies, and had a delicious lasagna for dinner. I had been so looking forward to giving everyone their gifts as I have had them for months at this point lol. What I was especially excited for was a gift for my niece. When she started school last year, I got her best friend bracelets for us to wear. She promptly lost it that day while I have been wearing mine every day since. So, I decided to get us new ones for Christmas. Her and my sister had bracelets on their brains too! Check out these gifts:

My niece requested that we open our gifts to each other at the same time and as luck would have it she selected the tiny gift box with our bestie bracelets first. We cracked up when we saw that we had both gifted each other bracelets! I cannot even explain to you how much this Best Aunt bracelet from my best gal means to me. She picked it out at the Santa Shop at her school and used her own money to buy something perfect for me. My gal completely knocked it out of the park because this gift surpasses perfection. Being an aunt is one of my greatest joys and I am so happy that my nieces and nephew feel that too when we are together.

The next bracelet I received was a gorgeous sentiment for sisters from my big sis. I can’t believe at one point we were mortal enemies when we have been besties for so long! I was so touched by the thoughtfulness of this gift and I adore the colors of those beautiful beads. Between both of our busy schedules it can feel hard for us to make time for each other. This is a physical reminder that we are always together anyways and I felt so loved from it. ❤

It was a jewelry kind of Christmas and I was so there for it. I have a few new bracelets to add to my “wear every day” collection now and they are the best additions!

How did you celebrate the holidays? Did you get a meaningful gift this year? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec30

In Laws Holiday Haul

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In Laws Holiday Haul

Hello! Johnny and I celebrated on Christmas day with his parents and it was so lovely. So much so that we are going to have Little Christmas in January to continue the festivities when his aunt comes to visit. I can’t wait because Christmas just wasn’t the same without her! Our day was full of laughter, amazing food, fun games, and wonderful gifts. Johnny’s family is always so sweet to spoil us and I can’t wait to use all of my prezzies! Check it out:

Yowza! My gift bags and stocking was filled to the brim with the most thoughtful gifts. Johnny’s dad is the king of the practical gift and we had our minds blown by the portable sealing machine. My main squeeze and I are most fond of a salty snack and if our chip bags can be sealed after digging in then life will never be the same. I also deeply appreciated the tiny Lowe’s bucket which my father in law has quite the collection of. It’s so classic him and will have a shining spot to be proudly displayed on our knick knack shelves! ❤

Johnny’s mom, on the other hand, loves to find those unique little somethings that we normally wouldn’t buy for ourselves. I love the gorgeous sketchpad that I received complete with a set of colored pencils so I can craft amateur masterpieces. I have zero talent for art but, hey, it’s exciting to create and Johnny’s mom requested a Lil Red Original to hang up. I’m looking forward to giving it my best shot! Also included was a stunning pair of earrings as well as goodies in my favorite scent from Bath & Body Works – Champagne Toast. Or as Johnny would call it, “Champagne & Toast” lol.

The piece de resistance of our presents has got to be the National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Monopoly board. Johnny’s family has watched this movie on every Christmas day since it came out in 1989 and it is our favorite tradition. It is never not funny and we basically recite the entire movie every time we watch it. This year, we will watch it together with his aunt on Little Christmas because we need her vocals for the “Hey, Santa Claus” song! In lieu of watching the flick, we played Monopoly instead and had a blast. Johnny ran away with it but I am confident we can band together and beat his butt next time!!! 😀

Christmas day with my second family was absolutely fabulous and I can’t wait to do it all again on Little Christmas!

How did you celebrate the holidays? What is your favorite gift that you got? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec28

Work Family Christmas Gift

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Work Family Christmas Gift

Howdy! I love my job of working with people with special needs all of the time. Like literally every single second of my shifts. However, it just hits different around the holidays. Making plans, learning about their traditions, Christmas movies, and just having FUN. It feels so magical to share in the joy of the holiday season together and it means so much to me. One of the families I work with gave me a very unique gift that I wanted to share with all of you. It is something I have never even heard of and I think it is so way cool! Check it out:

When I opened my gift box and found my little Spirit Shaker I admittedly had no idea what it was but I sure liked how it looked. These Spirit Shakers are handmade and one of a kind. No two are alike and that is exactly what I like. Something that no one else has. Then, I read the description card and was even more enthralled. I am not a religious or spiritual person in the slightest but I need all of the help that I can get lol. Positive energy just by shaking this handcrafted masterpiece? I’ll take it! And you know what? I think it works because I think of my work family when I pick it up and smile. 🙂

This Spirit Shaker is so unlike anything I have ever received before and that’s what makes it so special. It touches me that my work fam saw this and it made them think of me. A token that says they want all of the best for me (And I to them!) and I can hold that good intention in the palm of my hand. This is your sign that if you see something that makes you think of a loved one immediately to go for it. It will make the perfect gift. I know I will cherish this one for forever and I can see what my work family was saying through it so clearly! ❤

A shake of my Spirit Shaker a day will keep the negative vibes away. I love having mine displayed on my knick knack shelf and will be using it regularly!

What is the most unique gift you have ever received? Who is your favorite person to shop for gifts for? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec27

Blogging Bestie Holiday Haul

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Blogging Bestie Holiday Haul

Hello!! When lifewithlilred first began in 2014, the blogosphere gods smiled down on me and I mean that most sincerely. I started my blog as a fun and creative space for myself, yes, but I was also hoping to meet new friends and the world said “Have a best one, instead”. Cue Kate of Live In The Nautical! One day shortly after my blog was live, Kate and I started talking and literally have never stopped since lol. We may live states away but in my head she is right across the street and my days feel incomplete without us texting at least a few novels back and forth per day! Kate is my Gemini Twin and, like me, she revels in a gift giving occasion. We live for picking out that perfect something for everyone on our list and she absolutely crushed with these Christmas prezzies:

Talk about a fabulous haul, amiright?! This past month has been so exciting because my Santa Mail from Kate was broken up into three individual packages. I knew they were on the way but didn’t know when they would show up which just added to the anticipation! The first gift that arrived was the Darknight botanical brick set. This was a full stop gift in itself because I am most fond of the Lego Botanical sets but they are something I wouldn’t purchase for myself. I also adore being gifted with flowers and the beauty of this gift is that these will never die! I can’t wait to put it together with Johnny for a coffee table centerpiece. Also that delightfully spooky palette will make a welcome addition to our all year round Halloween decor. 😀

The next gift to be delivered was the pinky red customized Yeti tumbler and it made me clutch my pearls. Kate is, hands down, the most thoughtful person AND gift giver I know and this prezzie is a testament to that. It features my blog’s name on one side and my tagline on the other and it just makes me so happy. I am a huge fan of a good tumbler and this is my all time favorite. The hydration factor is nice but the repping my brand factor is even nicer! This gift arrived in the mail weeks ago but I am still not even close to being over it and I suspect I never will be. ❤

The last gift from my bestie haul was a gorgeous pair of earrings by McChang. Kate knows my style so well and these earrings would definitely have come home with me if I found them while shopping. I have a substantial collection of earrings featuring daggers and now I’m upgraded to a full fledged sword lol. My new earrings are a double dangle which I love and the details of the stacked jewels and burnt orange gems are oh so pretty. So looking forward to breaking these beauties out in a new OOTD!

Thank you to my darling Kate for the most wonderful friendship and wonderful gifts. I love you so!

How did you and your best friend meet? How do you celebrate holidays together? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec22

Let It Snow OOTD Bloopers

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Let It Snow OOTD Bloopers

Hello!! My wonderful hair stylist blessed me with a Christmas miracle by squeezing me in on her birthday for the appointment I had to miss when I had Covid. Honestly it was the best Christmas gift ever and I couldn’t be more thankful to her. Once I got home with my brand new do, I couldn’t wait to venture out into the snow to show it off in an OOTD shoot. It was icy cold but the fashion was oh so hot. These pics? Ehhh… Not so much lol check out the Blooper Reel from my Let It Snow OOTD:

Literally everyone in Ohio when it starts snowing… in the winter

Not sure what caught my attention but I had to put a pause on the pics to take a look see

I’M SEXY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Who’s ready for those classic throwing snow pics?

Good…

Better…

Best lololol

When it comes to gift giving occasions, I am extremely impatient and would prefer to give my giftees their prezzies as soon as they’re purchased. I absolutely love picking out the perfect gifts for everyone on my list and I just want them to have it ASAP. Unfortunately, the old “Can I give you your Christmas gifts now?” works on literally no one. Except for one person – my Johnny! ❤

Since we started dating, I truly can’t recall one Christmas, birthaversary, or Valentine’s Day where we gave each other our gifts the day of. It goes a little something like this: I am a chronically early gift shopper, I ask him regularly if I can give it to him, then he eventually caves. On Thanksgiving week, Johnny finally cracked and I was able to give him his Christmas prezzies – all of the Spinal Tap albums on vinyl. In my defense, however, Johnny technically gave me my gift earlier. All I wanted for Christmas was Little Nightmares III and he got it for me the day it came out in October. The Little Nightmares series is one of my all time favorite games and I simply couldn’t wait until December to receive the latest installment. It looks like Johnny beat me at my own game this year and I’ve never been more proud. 😀

No matter when, it’s always so fun to give and receive gifts… Preferably on the early side though!

Are you patient when it comes to presents? What is on your Christmas wish list? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec16

All’s Well That Ends Well

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All’s Well That Ends Well

Hello! On the Friday of the first week of December Johnny and I tested positive for Covid after an exposure at his work. It was truly the best case scenario because we both felt perfectly fine and spent four days at home vegging out. As much as we love a solid hang session at home, it was a massive bummer. My holiday hair appointment had to be cancelled as well as my Christmas get together with my bestie girl. Johnny, on the other hand, had to miss out on Spamalot at Playhouse Square and was devastated. Naturally we got Covid on the weekend that we were actually doing stuff!

In my extensive tenure (Over twenty years!) of getting my hair done by my stylist, Anna, I cannot recall ever having to cancel an appointment. I was so sad because I really was looking forward to seeing her and having brand new hair for the holidays. I had come to terms with the fact that this was more than likely not going to happen. Even though Anna said that she would see what she could do, I knew the schedule at the salon was jam packed and that was okay. I would get my locks refreshed eventually and it would be glorious. ❤

When I returned back to work on Tuesday, I texted Anna to let her know I was negative and she sent me the most beautiful reply. She asked if I would like to spend her birthday with her at the salon on Saturday morning. Would I ever! You guys, I was so genuinely touched by this that it made me tear up. Anna has been doing my hair since I was seven years old and I am thirty-one now. She is the dearest friend and has literally watched me grow up. I would never expect her to make exceptions for me or overwork herself to squeeze me in before the holidays. The fact that she found a way to make it work was such a gift to me and I can’t wait to celebrate her! (Note – I am typing this the day before my appointment!)

Anna always knows how to make me feel special and this particular instance really took the cake. So, of course, I had to go to TJMaxx and pick out a pretty little something for her big day. It pales in comparison for all she has done for me, though. Anna isn’t just my stylist, she is one of my favorite people in the world. When I’m in her chair, I can tell her anything and have always put her as big sister status in my head. She has the most amazing way of making people feel beautiful inside and out and after my hair appointments I feel like my best self. She brings it out of me and I am so excited to show all of you my new do. 😀

My holiday wish for great hair came true by Anna and I only wish that Johnny could have seen Spamalot for a true All’s Well That Ends Well ending. But, hey, it’s close enough!

How long has your stylist been doing your hair? Did you get your hair done for the holidays? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec15

Homemade Holiday Gifts

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Homemade Holiday Gifts

Howdy everyone and welcome to the last gift guide for the holiday season! Throughout the month we have been discussing gifting options for everyone on your list and today we are going to explore the world of homemade gifts. We are down to the wire for holiday shopping but fear not! These homemade prezzies will not be time consuming to create while still being incredibly thoughtful. Let’s get to it:

Photo Albums:

I gave my niece a photo album of all of our pictures together for her birthday this year and she absolutely loved it. If you have a cache of photos with your bestie, mom, or anyone on your list – use them! A homemade photo album is as easy as printing them out at the drugstore, purchasing an album, and filling the pages. You can keep the album simple with just photos or jazz it up with scrapbooking supplies or little notes about when the picture was taken. However you do it, a photo album is a gift that will always be treasured.

Screen Printing:

Local screen printing shops have a very speedy turnaround meaning that custom clothing, office supplies, or sports gear is just a visit away. Bonus points because you’re supporting small businesses! How about a custom mug with the logo of your giftee’s business? A silly slogan tee for your brother? A jersey with your favorite sports enthusiast’s last name on the back? All of this is possible so if this idea speaks to you, head to the printing shop ASAP to ensure your gift is ready on time!

Terrarium/Fairy Garden:

If there is a nature lover on your list, you could make them their own terrarium or fairy garden. Small plants and succulents and potting soil will be available at a store like Lowe’s and the rest can more than likely all be purchased from a craft store. You can go classic with a terrarium filled with pretty pebbles or pond stones or go creative with a fairy garden filled with tiny details and hidden surprises. This gift combines the great outdoors with unique home decor for a one of a kind gift.

Goodie Jars:

Mason jars tied with pretty ribbon and filled with the ingredients to make cookies, soup, or bread is a gift that can be made in an afternoon after a trip to the grocery store. Tasty, thoughtful, practical, and so super easy – this is a perfect last minute homemade gift. If you want to add more to this prezzie, you could include a gift card to a local bakery so your giftee can enjoy a freshly made baguette with their soup. Or perhaps you can give a cookie sheet or bread pan along with the ingredients so your giftee can continue creating bakery magic.

Graphic Design:

If you are gifted in the art of graphic design, then gift it! Maybe you will make business cards for your cousin? Draw up that tattoo that your partner really wants? If you have giftees in a band you could design posters for their next show! If you don’t have the time to design for everyone on your list, that’s a-okay! You can schedule a lunch to sit down and discuss what they would like and the visions they have. Amazing art never goes out of style and your giftees will have something that no one else in the world will have. That’s way cool!

Homemade gifts don’t need to be a month long project. These ideas are as easy as a trip to the store!

Are you skilled in any mediums of art? What is the best homemade gift you have ever received? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah