Tag Archives: gifts

Dec30

Holiday Haul: Light Of My Life Edition

Posted on December 30, 2019 by lifewithlilred

Hi! One of my clients that I work with is an older man with Down Syndrome and I always call him the “light of my life” because it’s the honest to god truth. This fellow has me wrapped around his little finger and everyone knows it! We have so much fun together and it really is nothing short of a delight to be his provider.

My friend has been looking forward to Christmas for months and months now. In fact, I think he started looking forward to this year’s Christmas the day after last year’s Christmas. In preparation for the big day, we decorated the tree and have played nonstop Christmas movies and music. It absolutely tickles me to see his love for this time of the year and he is the epitome of what the holiday season is all about.

During my last day of work before a holiday break, we had our gift exchange and I was surprised with all of the following:

^^^ Note that the bottle of wine was from his brother!

I had to have a silent laugh when I opened my presents because I’m pretty sure that my client just gives people stuff that’s in his room for Christmas. And, that’s what made it so unbelievably perfect. My friend knows that I have no holiday decorations at my home and I’m sure that’s why he gave me my little Precious Moments penguin that is seriously the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.

But, can we please talk about my caricature?! I am so excited to hang it up on my wall because I am all about having quirky things at chez moi and it just might be one of my favorite gifts that I’ve ever received. It was obvious how much thought he put into picking out his presents for me and they are going to be treasured for forever. ❤

What do you gift your work friends with? What was your favorite gift that you got this holiday season? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec26

Bath Bomb Blitz: Lush’s Golden Wonder Edition

Posted on December 26, 2019 by lifewithlilred

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Bath Bomb Blitz: Lush’s Golden Wonder Edition

Hello! I was so excited for my weekly bath time extravaganza this past week because I got to use part of my Christmas gift from the darling Kate of Live In The Nautical. Kate knows my affinity for Lush products and always treats me with bath and body care goodies during gift giving occasions. For Christmas, I was presented with the Golden Wonder holiday themed bath bomb and it was a sparkling, shimmering delight! Check it out:

The first thing I noticed about the Golden Wonder bath bomb was the glitter! Just touching it left bright gold fairy dust on my hands and this made me so happy because the sparkly bath bombs put me in a mermaid state of mind, despite being in freezing cold Ohio! I was imagining a tub full of liquid gold during my first glance at Golden Wonder but it was so much better than that.

As soon as the bath bomb hit the water, it exploded with bursts of gold and green. Shortly after, the gift box shape broke in two and out came shooting stars of yellow, orange, pink, and blue. But the best part? The tiny jelly stars that were peppered throughout the water that gave ultimate hydration once rubbed on your skin.

I love when bath bombs put on a show and Golden Wonder definitely didn’t disappoint. I was mesmerized by the assortment of colors, the movement of the bath bomb, the swirling glitter, and the rich blue hue that my bath water ultimately ended up as. After watching the bath bomb fizz away, it was so nice to sink into the warm water and I ended my bath time feeling like a million bucks. Thanks, Kate!

I would absolutely recommend the Golden Wonder bath bomb and will rate it with an eight out of ten. It was festive for the season and being surprised when the box broke open and the colors came rushing out made for an exciting bath bomb show. 😀

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

Dec22

Happy Haulidays: Blogging BFF Edition

Posted on December 22, 2019 by lifewithlilred

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Helloooo! Lil Red had a terrific day on Monday compliments of the United States Postal Service. I received the rest of my shoes from Dolls Kill AND a surprise Christmas present from the beautiful Kate of Live In The Nautical. I was so excited to see something from my Gemini twin and blogging soul sister, especially after a fantastic hour and a half FaceTime session the week before. :*)

Kate is an amazing gift giver and I was so blown away by the gorgeous bracelet by Emerson Victoria that it literally made me gasp when I saw it. And, a Golden Wonder bath bomb from Lush doesn’t hurt, either! Check it out:

When it comes to gift giving, Kate always seems to know what you need before you do. I had no idea that a wrap around bracelet with silver skulls peppered in was my latest obsession until I’ve worn it every day since Monday! Whether it be a cute piece of home decor or a Harry Potter themed bracelet, Kate will manage to find something that is so personal to you because, like the wonderful friend that she is, she listens and pays attention to things like your favorite pattern or if you prefer gold or silver jewelry (Or black, in my case!).

I am incredibly thankful to have had Kate in my life for the past several years now and I’m so happy to have shared another holiday with her. Despite being in different states, we still can send each other holiday cheer and text nonstop, as per usual, and that is so special to me. I feel proud to have Kate as one of my dearest friends and am looking forward to another Blogger’s Conference hopefully in 2020! ❤

Who is your Blogging BFF? Have you ever met any of your blogging friends in real life? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec19

Gorgeous Gifts For The Girls In Your Life

Posted on December 19, 2019 by lifewithlilred

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Gorgeous Gifts For The Girls In Your Life

Gift giving is an excellent way to show love and appreciation to those that are important in your life, especially at Christmas time. Of course, for the genuinely special loved ones such as the female friends in your life, pre-bought gift sets just aren’t going to cut it! Instead, you will want something more thoughtful and personal. Fortunately, we’ve given this matter some thought and came up with some suggestions. The best of which you can read below:

Flowers:

Flowers aren’t just for romantic couples. In fact, they have traditionally been given as a token of affection of friendship for hundreds of years. Something that makes them an excellent choice for a gift that shows the girls in your life how much you care. There are several options to consider when gifting flowers too, like having an elaborate display delivered to a friend’s work or bringing a single bloom when you visit their home.

You may even wish to get deeper into the language of flowers if you’d like to convey even more meaning. For example, as you can see from the post at thelanguageofflowers.com a bouquet of yellow roses is a way to express friendship, while sunflowers demonstrate loyalty and longevity.

Jewelry:

Another popular gift for the ladies is jewelry. Of course, you do not have to spend a fortune to find a piece that your friends will love. In fact, you will find that there are numerous sites online that provide personalized pieces of jewelry at a reasonable price. You can then use a guide like the one at rogersandhollands.com to select a birthstone or engraving that can be customized to your choice. Thus giving you the perfect opportunity not just to get something beautiful, but to get a gift that is meaningful and lasting, as well.

Something personalized to their interests:

One of the best ways you can show your friends how much you care for them is to choose them a gift that is based on their own interests and passions. The good news here, is that if you know what their hobbies or interests are, you can use the gift guides at sites like allthestuff.com to find a present that suits them down to a T.

Something customized:

Finally, if you are looking for a gift that is a lot more personal than something you can buy off the shelf, why not go for a custom item? There is a vast range of products to choose from that can be monogrammed or customized, including clothes, ornaments, purses, and even photo books and calendars.

That is not the only way to customize items, either. Actually, there are now some makers that specialize in creating art that includes images and words representing the recipient’s most favorite things. This being an option that means the person you gift it to will get a great decoration for their home. While at the same time will be shown how well you know them and how much their friendship means to you.

Show all of your favorite ladies how much you value their presence with the gifts above!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Dec19

BFF Holiday Haul

Posted on December 19, 2019 by lifewithlilred

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Hellooo! This past weekend, my best friend, Lea, came over for a holiday hang out. Gifts were exchanged, champagne was poured, and a fun time was had by all! I absolutely love gift giving occasions with Lea because we always seem to buy each other the same style of gifts. We both live for wine, candles, and bath and body care and that’s usually what makes up both of our holiday hauls. But we are definitely okay with that! Check out what my BFF gifted me with:

Lea always picks me out the cutest little knick knacks that are awesome for my apartment. You can see a lot of the decor that I’ve received from her throughout the years scattered around my place and it never ceases to make me smile. I adore my new wine themed magnets that are already displayed on my fridge and the “classy bitch” glass is my new favorite!

I’m looking forward to having a pampering night complete with my new candle, a glass (or bottle) of the moscato, and the aromatherapy bubble bath to give me the perfect night’s sleep. Lea and I had the best time girl talking the night away, popping bubbly, and just enjoying each other’s company. I am so thankful to have her as my BFF and can’t wait to begin wedding festivities as one of her bridesmaids. :)))

What do you like to gift your best friends with? How do you have the ultimate girl’s night in? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec17

Wow Them With Your Wedding Favors

Posted on December 17, 2019 by lifewithlilred

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Planning your wedding gives you the perfect opportunity to create an exciting and personal event. When you’re choosing the venue, flowers, entertainment, and favors, for example, you’ll want each element to represent you and your new spouse.

With so many things to consider in the lead up to the big day, it’s easy to forget about some details. However, it can be the smaller things that really make an impression on your guests. Wedding favors are a great way to show your appreciation to your guests and to give them something that will remind them of the day in the future.

While some people stick to tried and tested favors, there are plenty of other options available. If you want to do something different on your special day, take a look at these top ideas for creative and original wedding favors:

Donuts:

Everyone loves a sweet treat, so donuts are always a crowd-pleaser. With frosting to match your decor or personalized icing, you can commemorate your day with a fun, edible snack. As many people travel a long distance to attend weddings, they’ll be thrilled with something they can tuck into the next morning, especially if they’ve got a sore head from partying a little too hard!

Seeds:

Giving guests a packet of seeds to take home is a stunningly simple idea yet one that’s memorable and personal. Choose something that’s easy to grow, so that even your guests who aren’t experienced gardeners can watch their plants thrive. Similarly, choosing something which can flourish in a pot will ensure guests who live in apartments or who don’t have gardens can take part in the fun too. You can even request that guests send you a quick snap of their shrubs or flowers on your anniversary and enjoy the fact that your guests have a forever reminder of your happy day.

Candy:

Choosing candy as your wedding favor can be a great way to impress your guests. With personalized candy wrappers, you can create a gift that will keep you in their minds. As candies stay fresh for far longer than most other sweet treats, you know that guests will be enjoying them for a long time to come. What’s more, candy is easy to transport and won’t take up too much space, which is great for those who traveled to your wedding.

So cute!

Flowers:

If you’re using flowers to decorate your wedding venue, why not use them as wedding favors too? Giving guests a small vase or a miniature pail and inviting them to help themselves to the centerpieces is the perfect way to combine a gift they can cherish forever and a special memento from your big day.

With the right favors, you can commemorate your special day and show your guests just how much you appreciate their support. While the options are endless, you’ll find a variety of personalized and meaningful favors to suit any budget and any style of wedding.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Dec14

TJMaxx Haul

Posted on December 14, 2019 by lifewithlilred

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Hello! My last holiday shopping to accomplish was for my boyfriend’s parents so I hit up TJMaxx during my free time to find something for them. I ended up with a lovely Starbucks gift set for them as well as a little something something for my cousin and some skin care for myself. Check it out:

There is nothing better than a nice, warm cup of hot chocolate during the winter and when I saw the gift set above I thought it was the perfect present to surprise the rents with. Along with a delicious combo of peppermint and double chocolate hot chocolate, the gift set included two Starbucks logo mugs which will be ideal for their morning coffee as well as the hot cocoa. I don’t know my boyfriend’s parents too well yet but you can’t go wrong with a holiday themed box set so hopefully they like it!

I also gifted my Boston Terrier crazy cousin with a dog shaped cookie jar filled with holiday cookies. He looks oh so dapper in his shades and tie! My cousin, Laura, in Pittsburgh is my go to for microblading and she always does so much for me when I come to visit so it was the least I can do for the next time I pop up. I know her and her boyfriend and their two precious Boston Terriers will love it and TJMaxx always has the cutest themed decor for that specific breed for those interested.

And, finally, I needed a new moisturizer and serum in my life so I went with the SkinLab lift and firm serum and moisturizer combo to keep my mug looking young, fresh, and hydrated all winter long!

My holiday shopping is officially complete and now it’s time to wrap up my presents, get them to their respective owners, and enjoy the rest of my holiday season!

Are you all done holiday shopping? Do you finish your shopping early or last minute? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec11

Introducing: Flat Bret

Posted on December 11, 2019 by lifewithlilred

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Hello, hello! My boyfriend, Johnny, and I have taken a shine to watching Rock Of Love, the dating show for Bret Michaels of Poison that aired on Vh1 forever ago. It originally started out as a joke and our plan was to get drunk and see if any of the girls on the show looked better with beer goggles on. But, then, it turned into something so much more and I became completely hooked.

Much to my boyfriend’s dismay, we are now on season three of Rock Of Love and I know he’s super over it but he watches with me anyways. Talk about true love, amiright? Because of my adoration for this insanely stupid show, Johnny had a brain blast of what to get me for Christmas and just couldn’t wait until the day to give me this special gift:

Lol, yes, Johnny DID get me a mini cardboard cutout of Bret Michaels. And, yes, we DO plan on taking him out on adventures in “Flat Stanley” style and photographing the results. Flat Bret will accompany us to the bar, to concerts, out to eat, and where ever we see fit because we both think it will be hilarious. Dumb? Kind of. But so, so funny.

I can’t look at my mini cardboard cutout without laughing and I love that my boyfriend thought to get something so ridiculous but so perfect for me. Now, if only Christmas would hurry up and get here so we can give each other the rest of our gifts!!

What is your favorite dating TV show? Do you have a cardboard cutout of anyone? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec10

Outstanding Ornaments

Posted on December 10, 2019 by lifewithlilred

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Howdy! An obvious but always effective Christmas gift is presenting some ornaments for your giftee’s tree. I usually use ornaments as an add on gift but they are also super handy when you just need a little something for your work colleagues or a Secret Santa. For my client’s families this year, I went with a chocolate assortment and some darling ornaments that I snagged from Target and Amazon. Check it out:

I got the Bicycle Santa ornaments from Target and the felt Christmas characters from Amazon and I’m really happy with all of them! The felt ornaments came in a pack of eight with two of each little friend, which is perfect for mix and matching. With a pretty hefty list of people to shop for, I always am looking for cost effective but quality pieces and you can never go wrong with some holiday decor. What’s more, it will make your giftee think of you every time they hang your ornament on the tree. 🙂

How do you get the most bang for your buck with your holiday shopping? What are your favorite add on gifts? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec9

Wrapping Paper Palooza

Posted on December 9, 2019 by lifewithlilred

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Hello, all! I absolutely love Christmas shopping but wrapping presents? Eh… Not so much. Let me start off by saying that I start out strong for the first few gifts and then it all goes downward in a tragic spiral pretty quickly. HOWEVER, I did purchase some wrapping paper recently from the Dollar Tree that has made the process a lot easier. It doesn’t take much to blow my mind and this simple trick on the paper did. Check it out:

The super cool thing about this wrapping paper is that on the inside of it are lines that you can cut on to make sure you’re making an even slice! This may seem like a little thing but for someone who got a poor score on their scissor skills in kindergarten, it’s a big deal! I was so tickled by this discovery and it seriously did make wrapping my presents go a lot more smoothly.

The Dollar Tree literally never ceases to amaze me because I got five tubes of really nice wrapping paper for five whole dollars. The images are cute, the paper is thick, and it offered a handy hack for the scissor challenged people in society. Like I said, little thing: big, BIG difference!

What are some of your present wrapping pro tips? How far along are you in the holiday shopping process? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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