Tag Archives: haul

Aug8

Bath & Body Works August Freebies

Posted on August 8, 2022 by lifewithlilred

Hello!! I had lots of coupons from Bath & Body Works including twenty percent off a purchase as well as a free full sized product and wallflower. I went in planning on just getting a free shower gel because I don’t use their wall plugins. However, I changed my mind about that very quickly when I saw that their Halloween line was already available! The twenty percent off definitely came in handy lol.

Today, we’ll be chatting about the freebies because they are a delight. You can also peep a sneak peek at the full haul which we’ll be discussing in detail tomorrow! Let’s get to it:

I haven’t been in Bath & Body Works in ages as I do my hand soap shopping online and my beauty care hoard is still well stocked. I planned on using my freebie coupon for another Gingham Love shower gel because it is my current favorite. There were so many new to me scents available, though, that I decided to live a little and try something new!

For my shower gel, I went with Summer Melody and it is so lovely. With fragrance notes of golden honeydew and bronzed vanilla, it smells just like a freshly made fruit salad. Oddly enough, I hate honeydew and always pick it out of my fruit salads but that’s beside the point because apparently I love the way it smells! This is going to be a perfect shower gel to use during the dark days of winter when we could all use an extra dose of sunshine.

The wallflower that I chose is the first one I have ever owned and I can’t think of a better option than Vampire Blood from the Halloween line. I used this fragrance last year in hand sanitizer form and it is still one of my faves. Vampire Blood features strawberry, plum, and jasmine and it is such a bold, rich scent. Normally, I am not a huge fan of floral scents like jasmine but the fragrance notes of it are minimal. It is the ideal spooky scent to use with my new Halloween plugs!

I cannot wait for all of you to see the rest of my haul tomorrow because the light up plugs have a spooky surprise. See you then!

What holiday line from Bath & Body Works is your favorite? What is your go to B&BW scent? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul25

TJMaxx Haul: Skin Care Edition

Posted on July 25, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello everyone and welcome to the last of my TJMaxx Haul! Today, we are going to be discussing some brand new skin care and then it’s onto bigger and better things. Keep it posted for a new OOTD and a few watercolor paintings by yours truly. They aren’t museum worthy but I’m pretty proud of them! Now, let’s get to it:

The main reason for this haul in the first place was to get some skin care with my birthday gift card from my sister. Cut to two hours later and I had a cart full of goodies! As the old saying goes, you don’t go to TJMaxx for what you need… It tells you what you need lol at least that’s what I say, anyways. 😀

Although I was looking for some eye cream and cleansers, I was happy to walk away with a new serum (which I can always use) and two micellar waters by Evoluderm. I have been obsessed with this product since I tried it out over three years ago and just have to grab a bottle or two whenever its available at TJs. It is, hands down, the best micellar water I have ever used and makes everything else pale in comparison.

I am a faithful user of micellar water both morning and night and love the way the Evoluderm makes my skin feel. While the Garnier micellar water is great at removing makeup, it never made my skin feel nourished. The Evoluderm is the polar opposite and not only leaves my skin feeling squeaky clean but hydrated and well protected. I can’t recommend it enough if you are on the hunt for a micellar water or if the Garnier brand just isn’t cutting it anymore!

There you have it, a fabulous haul for the ages at TJMaxx in its completion. Is it bad that I’m already daydreaming about a fall haul?!

What is your favorite skin care brand? Where do you like to shop skin care? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul24

TJMaxx Haul: Zara Top Edition

Posted on July 24, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello everyone and welcome to my favorite and final piece of clothing from my TJMaxx haul! The past several shopping trips that I’ve been on were not fruitful in my need for more tops in the slightest. This time around, however, I walked away with three different tops that I am so in love with. It was a GREAT SUCCESS and I now feel content with the top department of my wardrobe. Let’s check out this fabulous little number by Zara to wrap things up:

As I mentioned in my pro tips for shopping at TJMaxx, I utilize a two rounds throughout the store method. There is just too much to see in one go and I often find some of my favorite things the second time around. Like this Zara top, for example. Maybe someone was standing in front of it on round one because I can’t believe I didn’t notice the huge sheer puff sleeves on my first trip! It was also the only one like it in the entire store. 😀

In terms of shirt sizes, I am a solid small or medium and this top was an extra small. Like my new Nicole Miller pants, I was thinking “please fit” when trying it on because I liked it so much! Thanks to a side zipper, button up back, and the fact that Zara clothing runs bigger, I was in luck. This top fit perfectly and I love how the tighter fitting bodice makes the puff sleeves seem even larger than life.

I have grand plans for this newest addition and I cannot wait to shoot some amazing autumn OOTDs with it! Pair it with a little navy skirt? Yes, please! I would also really like to find a good pair of navy or red slacks to go with it. I know, it’s shocking to me too that I’m branching away from my standard black skinny jeans lol. Now, all I’ll need is a killer pair of white platform loafers and we’re in business!

Tomorrow, tune in for the skin care portion of my haul and it will be onto a brand new OOTD and July finishes. See you then!

How would you style this top? What are some pieces that you would like to have in your wardrobe? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul23

TJMaxx Haul: Zara Dress Edition

Posted on July 23, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello everyone!! Welcome back to more from my TJMaxx Haul after a brief pause for a Lil Red’s Book Club discussion. Today, we are going to be chatting about a dress from Zara which I am so happy with but just a *smidge* disappointed by. I saw the same dress in a 1970s style pattern during my birthday gift card haul and it was fabulous but too small. I scoured the dress selection this time around hoping to find it in a bigger size and found it in this pattern, instead:

I don’t shop Zara often because the closest one is at a mall about forty-five minutes away from me. So, I am always excited when I see the brand at TJMaxx! My new dress is a great consolation prize for the one that could have been and, on the bright side, it fits lol. I could have gotten away with the original in a small but it was short enough that I would have had to been adjusting myself the entire time and that’s never a good look!

Although this pattern kind of looks like Saint Patrick’s Day, I am stoked about it because I love to wear green. I used to wear it often when my hair was all red and have fell off of it a bit when I began experimenting with different Pulp Riot colors. However, come September, I am going back to full fireball hair with red, yellow, and orange and this dress will compliment that change perfectly. 😀

This little Zara number is an ideal spring or early fall dress with its long sleeves and lower thigh length. The material is also light enough that you could probably get away with it during a chilly summer night. Since the pattern is so bold, I plan on letting it speak for itself with a pair of simple black heels and some minimal silver jewelry. A pattern is an accessory in itself so this dress doesn’t need much to make a gorgeous OOTD with!

Tune back into lifewithlilred tomorrow for the final (and my favorite) piece from my TJMaxx haul and, afterwards, we will move onto my skin care purchases. See you then! ❤

Do you like to buy the same piece of clothing in multiple patterns or colors? What color compliments you the best? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul21

TJMaxx Haul: Nicole Miller Pants Edition

Posted on July 21, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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TJMaxx Haul: Nicole Miller Pants Edition

Hello everyone and thanks for stopping by on lifewithlilred! Yesterday, we took a look at a new crop top that I got to wear with a pair of Nicole Miller floral print pants. And, today, we are going to be discussing said pants! There was only one pair of these bad boys in the entire store and I fell in love with them instantly. In fact, I was thinking to myself “please fit” before I tried them on lol. Obviously, they did so let’s get to it:

Patterned pants are a relatively new phenomenon to me because I much prefer my old standby of black skinny jeans. That’s not to say that I don’t like the idea of a good pair of patterned pants, though, and I just never found the right pair for me. Thanks to some recent TJMaxx hauls, I was able to explore this side of clothing that I never got the chance to before and I am so there for it! Now, the main concern is finding things to wear on top lol and we’ll discuss some pro tips for that shortly.

These Nicole Miller pants are, honestly, everything that I have ever wanted in a patterned pair of pants and MORE. When I saw them hanging up, I couldn’t believe my good luck and would have been so disappointed if they didn’t fit so thank god for an elastic waistband! I adore the jogger shape, watercolor style flowers, and the adorable back pockets. 😀

Looking back on my experiences with trying on patterned pants and instantly vetoing them, I now realize what I was doing wrong. Every pair that I liked even a little got put back because I had nothing at home to compliment it. Rather than finding something that would work with it, I just said no and that was my mistake. As you all know from yesterday’s post, I made my second round in TJMaxx specifically to find a shirt to go with these pants and had GREAT SUCCESS. This is what shopping and building outfits is all about!

Other than my new Rebellion Again top, I genuinely don’t have anything else at home to wear with this purchase. However, that doesn’t mean that I don’t have ideas! There are so many different colors that I can pull from the pattern to assist me the next time I go shopping. I hope to find a dusty rose or yellow cami to wear on top and tying it all together with a tighter fitting jean jacket. I can’t wait. 😀

I like to fancy myself as an excellent outfit builder and this Nicole Miller number taught me something that I never considered before. TJMaxx continues to surprise me and soothe my soul every time! ❤

Are you a fan of patterned pants? Why or why not? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul20

TJMaxx Haul: Rebellion Again Crochet Crop Top Edition

Posted on July 20, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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TJMaxx Haul: Rebellion Again Crochet Crop Top Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to the next item up for discussion from my most recent TJMaxx Haul! It is amazing what a little retail therapy can do to lift my spirits so who needs regular therapy anyways? …. Me and probably everyone, actually, but I digress! Today, we are going to be talking about a darling crochet crop top by Rebellion Again that I found during my second round throughout the store. Let’s get to it:

In my TJMaxx Shopping Pro Tips post, I talked about the importance of making two rounds in the store. This is essential if you feel like you missed something or you need another piece to build an outfit with something you plan on purchasing. The second example was the case for this top because I found a gorgeous pair of Nicole Miller floral print pants and had nothing to wear with it.

I decided that I wanted a cream colored top to pair with the earthy grey base of the pants and found it in this Rebellion Again crop. It was exactly what I had in mind and knew that it would work perfectly before even trying it on. I loved the floral crochet pattern, the scalloped edging on the bottom, and the tank style straps to hide away bra straps. It looks fabulous with the pants that you will see tomorrow!

Not only is this top ideal for what I needed but it also makes for an amazing summer top in general. As you all know, my wardrobe was severely lacking in that regard and my haul helped remedy this massive problem. This top will be adorable paired with shorts or high rise jeans. I also have visions of wearing it over the top of a dress or a tighter fitting long sleeved top come fall for some layering fun. 😀

Stay tuned into lifewithlilred for more from my TJMaxx Haul as well as a new Lil Red’s Book Club post coming very soon!

What is your favorite neutral 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

Jul19

TJMaxx Haul: Solitaire Top Edition

Posted on July 19, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello!! After a simply awful week and change, your girl needed some retail therapy so, naturally, I went to TJMaxx to ease the pain lol. It was just what I needed and I FINALLY found some new tops, which I am thrilled about because I was having no luck in that regard for a while. Today, we are going to start off my latest haul by checking out a gorgeous new top by Solitaire in a perfectly persimmon hue. Let’s get to it:

As I was making my rounds at TJs, I spotted this top on one of the display racks and knew instantly that it was going to be a winner. I was in love with the unique color and I have nothing even close to it in my wardrobe, which made it even better. The shape of this top is what really sold me, though. The exaggerated puff sleeves paired with the bold collar and tighter fitting middle is divine. And don’t even get me started on the sweet buttons and floral embroidery! This top is *chef’s kiss* perfection.

When I first saw this top, it instantly made me think of Halloween since I am an elder emo and I’m always thinking about it. I cannot wait to style it with the happiest season of all in mind and already have lots of ideas. In fact, it will be featured soon in a new OOTD so keep it posted for that. But *spoiler alert* I’m thinking my black Almost Famous skort, Adora hat, and Kenneth Cole heels for a super fun color blocked look. I’m swooning just thinking about it!

There is nothing like a good shopping trip to put some pep back in my step. Tune in all of this week for more from this amazing haul!

Has anyone else had some retail therapy recently? What did you find? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul18

TJMaxx Shopping Pro Tips

Posted on July 18, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello!! I often get asked my secrets for my numerous successful shopping hauls at TJMaxx. So, I decided to share them today before we start diving into my new purchases tomorrow! I will be the first to admit that shopping at stores like TJs, Ross, Burlington, or anything similar can sometimes be hit or miss. That’s okay, though! Walking away empty handed makes the GREAT SUCCESS of a good haul even sweeter. Just remember the following:

Go Without A Specific Purchase In Mind:

If you go to a store like TJMaxx looking for one specific style or item, chances are that you are going to be disappointed. When you are looking for one thing and one thing only, it really limits your opportunity to explore for something different. In this case, the best plan is no plan so go in with an open mind and see what catches your eye.

Give Yourself Time:

I refuse to go to TJMaxx when I’m on a time crunch because then I wouldn’t be able to go through each department with a discerning eye. When I’m on a shopping trip, I will make one round throughout the store, try clothes on, and then make a second trip back to certain areas. It’s honestly amazing what you miss the first time around and I found two gorgeous items in my haul that I didn’t even notice on my second trip.

The two trip method is also especially effective because it gives you the opportunity to build outfits with the pieces you plan to purchase. For example, I found an amazing pair of floral pants but had no top at home to wear with it. Then, I was able to narrow down a style and color palette that might work on top and found just what I needed. This past shopping trip took me about two hours and I enjoyed and needed every minute of it for optimum success.

Try & Try Again:

There are some pieces on the racks at TJs that I would simply never wear and that’s fine. However, if there is an item that you are on the fence about – try it on anyways! Not everything is going to be a winner but you’d be amazed at the things that are so give yourself a chance to find out. The whole point of stores like TJMaxx is finding purchases that you never would have found elsewhere so have fun with it and explore all of your options.

During the pandemic, it was hard to take risks with shopping when buying everything online was the norm. Take advantage of the fitting rooms being open and try styles, colors, and shapes that you would usually pass on. Your winners will open up whole new worlds of possibilities and will help develop your personal style even more.

I follow these three simple rules every time I go shopping at TJMaxx and always walk away satisfied even if I haven’t bought anything. Keep them in mind and you will be a Maxxinista in no time! Be sure to tune in tomorrow to discuss my favorite haul in forever! ❤

What is your favorite discount store to shop at? What are some of your shopping pro tips? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul14

Michael’s Haul

Posted on July 14, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello! My mom, sister, and I recently took a really fun watercolor painting class taught by the fabulous Ana-Joel of Falcon Grove Studio. We had the best time and our teacher’s kind words, wisdom, and talent inspired both my mom and I to give watercolor painting a try in our free time. I was so proud of my mom when she sent me pictures of what she had painted already!

This past weekend, Johnny and I did some errands and went to Michael’s so I could get some painting supplies. He also picked up a few things to trick out his banjo with and it’s looking really good!

While I haven’t painted anything yet, I definitely plan on it this week and already have lots of ideas brewing in my head. Of course, it probably won’t look as good as I am picturing it but practice makes perfect and I’m excited! Prior to taking the painting class, I had never done anything like it before and I know that it will feel good to express myself through a different medium because you all know that I am a word girl at heart.

Ana-Joel was an amazing teacher and I think that it speaks volumes that she motivated at least two of her students to continue painting in their own time. She was so encouraging and it was really moving to see how she celebrated our efforts because it should be celebrated! Ana-Joel said that all art is special because it’s our bodies dancing and creating something new. I loved that and it made me feel inspired to try something new rather than stressed out about not being the best at it.

Every day when Johnny gets home from work, he has taken to building small metal models and I plan on joining him and painting. It’s going to be fun to be able to create things together because he is so musically inclined and I… am not lol. I can’t wait to show all of you what I come up with!

What kind of art do you like to make? What is your favorite medium to work with? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul1

Bath & Body Works Hand Soap Haul

Posted on July 1, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello!! Ever since moving into my first apartment, the Bath & Body Works Foaming Hand Soaps have been a must have for me. Both Johnny and I love the fun scents and how they leave your hands feeling squeaky clean and hydrated. In our bigger apartment, we have two bathrooms and the kitchen that need hand soap and have just replenished our supply. I look forward to my hand soap hauls every time and here is what I think of the new scents I ordered online:

Would I Buy Again?

Rainbow Cereal: NO
Pineapple Mango: YES
Sea Salt & Lime: MAYBE
Love You Cherry Much: NO!!!!!!!!
Boardwalk Vanilla Cone: YES
Cucumber Melon: YES

Note: These hand soaps were purchased on the cheap thanks to B&BW’s Semi-Annual Sale so some of them might not be available all of the time.

Why/Why Not?

Rainbow Cereal: When I order my hand soaps online, I don’t think so much about what the scent will actually smell like and look at the names I like, instead. Lol, I have now learned the error of my ways after this haul and don’t know why I didn’t put two and two together that Rainbow Cereal would smell just like Fruity Pebbles… This would be fine if it was just that BUT it smells like Fruity Pebbles that has been sitting in a bowl of milk for a half hour. Bleh!

Pineapple Mango: Johnny loves tropical scents and that made Pineapple Mango an obvious choice and a good one at that. It smells exactly like you think it would with no surprises and makes a safe bet for an online order. It is also a perfect summertime scent!

Sea Salt & Lime: This hand soap smells just like a Margarita without the tequila, if that makes sense? Lol, I have had issues before with some of B&BW’s wine scented products because they smell more like straight up booze than bath and body care. The Sea Salt & Lime is an exception to this and I like it well enough but probably wouldn’t buy it again.

Love You Cherry Much: Once again, I definitely should have thought more about what this hand soap would actually smell like before I added it to my cart… It smells one hundred million percent like Robitussin and is, easily, the worst hand soap purchase that I have ever made. Nine times out of ten, I find cherry scented anything to smell like cough syrup but its description of “red cherry, fresh citrus, and frosted berries” made me think otherwise. Don’t let this fool you because I promise that it will not smell as good as you think it will!

Boardwalk Vanilla Cone: This is a scent that I have purchased before so I knew that it would be a winner. It smells like fresh vanilla ice cream drizzled in caramel on a waffle cone and I am so there for it! 😀

Cucumber Melon: Cucumber Melon is such a classic scent and it will be perfect in my kitchen. This isn’t a scent that I could picture myself using as a shower gel or fragrance spray but I think that it will be great to help neutralize things after I add seven hundred more cloves of garlic than necessary when I’m cooking!

Despite some major duds, Johnny and I will be well set for hand soap for a while and I am happy about that. Use these epic failures as a cautionary warning for your next online order!

What is your favorite scent? What is a scent that you can’t stand? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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