Tag Archives: green

4 Simple Ways To Make Your Home Greener

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4 Simple Ways To Make Your Home Greener

From the brands that we buy to our home cleaning routines; most of us value the idea of making green choices. When it comes to shopping for your home ware and utilities, there are plenty of ways to go eco-friendly. For those looking for a few pointers, these four simple solutions could help you on your way (and maybe you’ll save a few dollars too)!

Research your materials:

When shopping for home ware, whether cushions, rugs, or teacups; we often choose based on aesthetics and color scheme. Of course, these factors are important, yet it’s also important to prioritize the right materials. Items made of hemp, for example, are considered an excellent sustainable choice. Hemp does not require pesticides to grow and only needs a small amount of water. What’s more, hemp can absorb C02 during the growth process. Bamboo is another great choice to look out for when shopping for home ware items. Bamboo also requires no fertilizer; it grows quickly and can easily self-regenerate. Materials like jute or seagrass are also excellent sustainable materials to look out for when you are decorating your home.

Save water:

Using less water around the home can make a huge amount of difference to both your green practices and your bill. For example, water-saving shower heads allow you to use less water when showering. There are two types of water-saving shower heads; aerating and non-aerating. Aerating shower heads push the water through smaller holes and provide increased pressure. Non-aerating shower heads combine a restricted water flow with air.

To save money, it’s worth checking out a few different water providers to see if you can make any savings. While you’re at it, ensure that you know what Action to Take Before and After Discovering a Water Leak or Flooding. Staying clued up when it comes to water can help you to go green, save cash, and keep your home safe.

Start composting:

Compost refers to various organic substances, from fruit and vegetables to grass clippings or twigs. When you mix these things together, you’ll have an excellent natural fertilizer to enrich the soil in your garden. Great composting is essential if you want to grow nice fruits and vegetables without using any chemical-based fertilizers. You’ll be going greener by reducing your food waste and creating a space to grow natural foods from the earth. At the same time, you’ll be reducing food waste which goes to the landfill. When organic food waste goes there, the conditions are not right for it to break down properly. Due to this, a buildup of methane gas occurs which pollutes our air.

Zero waste:

When it comes to the home, there are plenty of ways to use less and waste less. First, when you need to make purchases, try second-hand stores before you opt for buying new. As well as this, try planning your meals out in advance to minimize the chance of food waste. There are plenty of zero-waste grocery stores out there which have entirely removed the need for packaging. Getting into a green routine is an ongoing project; so don’t worry if you can’t make every change overnight.

Follow the tips above and do your share in helping to protect our environment by going green!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Trail Blazers: Kasper Pt. 2 Edition

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Trail Blazers: Kasper Pt. 2 Edition

Howdy! I honestly can’t think of a time when shopping has made me feel bad. Lol, I know such a shopaholic – but seriously. When I’m happy, I shop. When I’m sad, I shop. When I’m indifferent, I shop. But, hey, there’s a lot worse things that I could be doing and at least everything in my Trail Blazers series was from a Goodwill in North Carolina so it definitely didn’t break the bank!

I will admit, that I was not in my normal happy go lucky state of mind during this particular shopping trip. However, purchasing four blazers for twenty bucks in total perked me right up! Lol, check it out:

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Now, I am well aware that this olive green cheetah print number by Kasper is super old ladyish. Believe you me, I am the first to admit it. But, I just feel like I can do something cool with it especially because the color is divine. Because fifty shades of green is so flattering on me, it took the old lady element out of this jacket and turned it into a piece that’s quirky and unique compliments of the velvet animal print and slouchy fit.

If I wear this blazer before my boyfriend gets to it for a concert with his band, the plan is to keep things really young and fresh. So, I’m thinking of pairing it with shorts with tights underneath, a sweet crop top, and all of the chunky gold jewelry. And, of course, a cool pair of boots!

When shopping secondhand, it’s easy to just search for the things that are more suitable to your age and bypass all of the other options. Unfortunately, this means that you’re turning up your nose to eighty percent of what’s in the store. When thrifting, you have to use your imagination to turn something seemingly “not your style” into a new wardrobe staple. I felt like I could do that with this Kasper blazer and I’m looking forward to seeing how it works. 😀

Which sections do you love to shop in at your local thrift stores? How do you get creative while secondhand shopping? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Fall Haul: Cynthia Rowley Sweater

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Fall Haul: Cynthia Rowley Sweater

Greetings! One of my favorite things about fall clothing is getting to break out knitwear again. From cozy cardigans to slouchy sweaters or a hand-knitted scarf, there is nothing better than being wrapped in something warm against the brisk autumn air. I am a huge lover of knitwear because, despite it being so damn comfortable, it always manages looking chic and appropriate for the season. And, the last thing that Lil Red does is dress for comfort, so being enveloped in something so soft and plush is an added bonus.

During my seasonal shopping haul at TJMaxx, I came across the tennis ball green Cynthia Rowley sweater seen below and thought that it was the ugliest thing that I’ve seen in my life. So, obviously, I had to try it on. And, surprising at it was, I fell in love with it as soon as I popped my head out of the turtleneck. Check it out:

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From the color green that looks like it belongs on the walls of a home back in the 60s to the crisp white squares adorning the sweater, this little number screams mod. Give me a Twiggy vibe and I am all in and this sweater definitely does that for me. What draws me to the clothes and accessories that I purchase is if I’ve never seen anything like it before and that is why I was so attracted to this sweater, even if it did look heinous on the rolling rack.

Before even trying my new Cynthia Rowley sweater on, I had a good feeling about it. Fifty shades of green is very flattering on me and I wasn’t expecting anything different from the chartreuse fabric. And, just one look in the fitting room mirror of the color against my red hair had me sold and infinite visions of styling possibilities washed over me.

I am so looking forward to creating a collegiate cool OOTD to shoot in the campus library of one of the nearby universities in my neck of the woods. School is back in session and I plan on schooling everyone in fall style by pairing this sweater with a smart pair of trousers or an A-line skirt with thick tights and a heeled oxford shoe. Mix in some tweed and a silk scarf around your neck and you’re bound to get an A in OOTD 101!

What is an “ugly” piece of clothing or color that you love? How do you style a back to school look? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Fall Haul: Camo Velvet Heart Top

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Fall Haul: Camo Velvet Heart Top

Hello!! One print that I happen to like a lot but don’t own any of is camouflage. I’ve always loved the idea of finding a great pair of camo skinnies or a jacket but I just have never found the one that works for me. So, when I came across this little button up number by Velvet Heart during my TJMaxx Fall Haul, I had to give it a try. And, despite my mom and sister not loving it, it came home with me and I am very much looking forward to sporting it during the last days of summer and throughout the fall. Check it out:

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To me, the camo print is so edgy despite it being quite utilitarian and I like that because it means I have lots of options when styling it. While the warm weather is still among us, I plan on just wearing this top tucked into jean shorts with my Peter Grimm strapped hat for a safari chic OOTD. But, when the temperatures drop, I can totally layer it over a tight fitting sweater for extra warmth while sacrificing none of the cuteness.

Camo makes a statement, but it doesn’t completely make the outfit. And, nothing will look better with the deep green palette of my new button down then some… you guessed it: CHUNKY GOLD JEWELRY! More specifically, my cheetah embellished gold chain from yesterday’s post. It will fit snugly beneath the collar with the cheetah popping out of the green leaves just like in its natural jungle habitat. Pair it with some chic black ankle boots and skinny jeans and you’re ready for a look that will turn heads despite the camo’s purpose of blending in. Now, that’s an outfit!

What are some of your favorite patterns? How do you style camouflage? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Bath Bomb Blitz: Unknown From Lush Edition

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Bath Bomb Blitz: Unknown From Lush Edition

Howdy! I have made many wonderful friends thanks to lifewithlilred but there’s one lovely lady who holds a very special place in my heart and that’s Kate from Live In The Nautical. A fiery, intelligent beauty with a passion for travel and style, Kate is literally the coolest and it has been such a joy to be her friend. No matter if we talk every day or if it’s been a month, we always seem to pick up right where we left off, which I think is a major testament to our friendship.

Everything about Kate is amazing but her thoughtfulness is what I love the most about her. It always seems like she just knows when I need a little pick me up. For example, when I was in absolute agony from my surgery in December, I receive a Christmas present from her in the mail. And, recently, when we were very close to putting our dog down, a birthday prezzie from my Gemini Twin shows up. Talk about blogging BFF telepathy!

Kate knows that goodies from Lush are the way to my heart and I always feel so spoiled when I get to enjoy a bath bomb from there because I don’t use their products often at all. Recently, I used the little number seen below who’s name I am not sure of because it wasn’t on the website. So, we’ll just go with “Unknown” for now, lol. Check it out:

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Aside from my bath tub at my apartment having a mind of its own and draining whenever it feels like, Unknown was a very pleasant bath bomb experience. It didn’t have much of a smell but it put on a jolly good show of shamrock green and white spirals. It also took a long time to fizz out – at least five minutes, which is always a plus.

When Unknown first started fizzing, I thought it was going to be a jelly bomb because of the thicker green bubble stuff happening. But, that wasn’t the case, which was a little disappointing because I do love me a good jelly bomb. Despite that, I still felt insanely hydrated upon exiting the tub once I finished shaving and I think that’s my favorite part. I always put lotion on post shave but I probably don’t even need to when using the ultra moisturizing Lush bath bombs!

Overall, I’d rate Unknown with a five out of ten. It wasn’t my favorite but it certainly wasn’t the worst, either, and I wouldn’t be mad about using it again.

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

Accessory Story: Argentino Vivo Hoops Edition

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Accessory Story: Argentino Vivo Hoops Edition

Hiii! One of my favorite accessories is easily my gigantic gold hoop earrings by Argentino Vivo. They are so sassy and fun and I wear them literally all of the time. So, when I saw a pair of green hoops by Argentino Vivo while online shopping at TJMaxx, I had to jump at the opportunity to make them mine. I am so glad I did! Take a look:

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Green, especially the deeper shades like that of my new earrings, is one of my favorite colors to wear. It pairs so nicely with my red hair, hazel eyes, and pale complexion and I try to wear it often. Not as often as black… but often! I love, love, LOVE these earrings even though they are not as big as my other pair, but that’s okay. The color makes up for it and it is going to look so cool right against all of the things that pop with the green assist.

I firmly believe that every girl should own a good pair of hoop earrings. Big, small, silver, or blue – it doesn’t matter. The variety you can pick from will make sure you are getting a pair that is just right for you. I am so happy to have found another pair that I like so much and now, no surprises here, I just want more!!

These will definitely not be the last pair of hoops that I will be purchasing and it will only be of the Argentino Vivo brand in the future. The earrings are of such high quality and the TJMaxx price is just right for a #treatyoself purchase. Sold!

What is your favorite accessory? How about your favorite style of earrings? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Green With Envy Japna Top

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Green With Envy Japna Top

Hi everyone and happy weekend! After shopping beauty during my last TJMaxx haul, it was all about trying to find a pretty new top to wear for Fourth Of July festivities. Out of the buttload of looks that I tried on, I finally settled on this gorgeous deep green peek a boo top by Japna. Take a look:

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I. Freaking. LOVE this little number. From the forest green color and the black and white vertical stripes to the flutter sleeves and peek a boo back – this top is totally perfect. And, how cute is the above the booty bow that tightens and loosens the shirt? The answer is: VERY. 😀

Fifty shades of green is my absolute favorite color to wear. It looks amazing with my pale skin and red hair and it definitely is one of my go to colors that isn’t black. I also am a huge fan of the little skin surprise on the back to show off all of my tattoos. The flutter sleeves add a touch of sweet to the sex appeal of this crop top and the overall look is very flattering. And, you can’t beat a thirteen dollar price tag!

What is your favorite color to wear? How would you style this top? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Naked Cosmetics Mother Nature Swatch

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Naked Cosmetics Mother Nature Swatch

Howdy! The best part about having a beauty guru for a sister is that I get all of her reject makeup products that she doesn’t want anymore. Last week, she bestowed me with a Naked Cosmetics eyeshadow called Mother Nature, and after doing the swatch both wet and dry, I can totally see why! Take a look and let’s discuss:

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^^^ The first heart is dry, the second is wet.

So when I originally looked at this eyeshadow, I didn’t really realize that there was a dark, glittery green sprinkled into the bronzey-brown color. It was actually until I took a wet swatch and a picture of the container with the flash on that I was able to see the green. Imagine my surprise when I did! I thought that this shade was just going to be another brown shadow to add to my collection, but I was so wrong. The green is a really fun surprise and it’s so cool that you can wear one eyeshadow two different ways depending on if it’s wet or dry.

I actually have yet to wear this Naked Cosmetics color because I’ve been sick but, when I do, I plan on wearing it wet as an eyeliner. The dry, brown color is just too light for my liking and there is nothing like a green eyeliner to make hazel eyes pop! I’m really excited to try it out! 😀

What is the most flattering eyeshadow/liner color for your eyes? Which other eyeshadows look totally different when wet or dry? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Collar Coolness: Modena Edition

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Collar Coolness: Modena Edition

Heyoooo. So last weekend at TJMaxx I got the literal coolest faux fur collars that I am totally obsessed with. When I was in New York for the Bloggers Conference with Kate from Ankhor You, we went to Anthropologie to do some browsing. In the store, they had an emerald green faux fur collar that I loved, but the price was something that I hated. However, I vowed to find a similar item for a much more reasonable price and I did in this fifteen dollar Modena collar (Holler!). Take a look and let’s discuss:

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^^^ Looooove.

I am so happy with this TJMaxx find that I really can’t even. I love wearing my clothes in different ways and this detached collar allows me to do that with literally any top, jacket, cardigan, or dress that I own. I simply just have to put it around my shoulders and then BOOM I have a seemingly brand new item – just add faux fur!

When I was at TJs, I tried this collar on with the moto jacket seen above and it looked so cute that I just had to use it for my example photo. This combination is actually one of my favorites, because the collar looks like it was made for the jacket. I love all shades of green when it comes to my clothing and accessories and this piece is no exception. The funky dark green looks amazing against my red hair and pale skin and it always seems to make those features pop even more – which is a total plus!

I am always trying to find new and innovative ways to style my clothes and this Modena faux fur collar just made that a whole lot easier. Some of my older wardrobe pieces are going to feel brand new again and I can’t wait to begin working my new collar into my outfits.

BUT WAIT!

THERE’S MORE!

Because I totally got another collar in a luscious mauvey grey by St. Tropez and it is also fabulous, so do tune in tomorrow for that! How would you style this chic green collar? How do you incorporate faux fur into your wardrobe? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah