Tag Archives: haul

May30

American Eagle Outfitters Haul

Posted on May 30, 2021 by lifewithlilred

Hi!! When I went to Summit Mall a week or so ago for the first time in at least two years, I made the most of it with a huge haul from Altar’d State. I also needed new shorts in a bad way and there is only one store that I can trust will have what I am looking for every time: American Eagle Outfitters. But Sarah, it’s about to be summertime! Every store is selling shorts. Be that as it may, I am not a fan of high waisted shorts and AEO is one of the few stores I know of that still sells classic midrise shorts.

As always, AEO delivered and I found two new pairs of shorts that fit just how I like as well as a multi pack set of earrings for my wedding! Check it out:

I have exactly two high waisted pairs of jeans in my wardrobe and, believe you me, I was very surprised by those purchases! However, high rise shorts just do not work on my body type. I have muscular thighs, a butt, and hips with a small waist so what fits over my bottom half is HUGE on my waistline and leaves a lot to be desired in the fit department. Therefore, midrise shorts will always be the move for me.

I was so happy to find two pairs of excellent quality shorts at American Eagle that I know will last me for a good long while because I only had one pair of shorts before this shopping trip! My midrise AEO shorts fit me like a glove without being too tight and it’s nice to have a little variety between the black shorts and distressed dark denim. Both pairs will go with literally anything this summer which takes any guesswork out of styling so that I can get out and go for mine and Johnny’s next adventures!

Originally, I only planned on purchasing shorts at AEO – until I got to the cash register that is. At the cash wrap, I noticed their jewelry display and remembered that I needed some smaller earrings for my wedding. When I buy earrings, I only go for flashy dangly pairs so there was a definite lacking of no fuss earrings at my place! I like that the multi pack that I purchased had options in both silver and gold and I am excited to mix and match until I find the perfect combination for the big day.

It felt so good to do some actual shopping at Summit Mall as opposed to browsing online and I am incredibly happy with everything that I bought. Here’s to successful shopping trips to all!

What is your preferred rise for jeans and shorts? Do you prefer dangle or stud earrings? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May29

Altar’d State Haul Finale

Posted on May 29, 2021 by lifewithlilred

Standard

Hello everyone and welcome to the finale of my Altar’d State Haul! Today, we are going to wrap things up by talking about a lovely black and white floral print summer dress. This is a purchase I am particularly proud of because, normally, I wouldn’t have even bothered trying this dress on. Take a look at some pics and read on to find out more:

The first thing that I noticed when I saw this dress on display after how much I liked it, of course, was that a bra would be incredibly visible. As a bustier gal, a bra is absolutely necessary for me to feel comfortable but it would ruin the silhouette of the crossback straps and the plunging V of the back of the dress. As mentioned above, I would usually acknowledge how cute a dress like this is on previous shopping trips and then move on to something I could wear a bra in. So imagine my surprise when I took this dress from the rack to try it on in Altar’d State.

Chalk it up to my quickly upcoming wedding (!!!!!!) but my self confidence has been sky high lately and it feels awesome because of how much I have struggled with it in the past. So, instead of feeling disappointed when I saw this dress because I used to think I “couldn’t” wear it, I tried it on anyways. I thought to myself that I could make it work, especially with the adhesive strapless bras that I got for my wedding and almost jumped for joy in the fitting room once I had it on and loved it so much.

It could be the novelty of trying something so new to me but I think that this dress is just the most. The uneven hem is so charming and flowy and it reminds me of fairies. The pattern is also so beautiful to me and it feels like there’s a surprise on the dress everywhere you look from the peekaboo keyhole on the back to the crossback straps. I hate to toot my own horn but I was feeling my DAMN self in it.

I felt amazing in my new dress and even better about the fact that I took a risk and tried something different. This is the first time I have ever considered an option other than my standard, supportive bra when buying something and I know it has to do with my very improved self image. I can’t wait to go shopping again so I can try more new shapes and styles that I didn’t think were possible for me to wear before! ❤

How do you take fashion risks? What makes you feel confident? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May28

Altar’d State Haul

Posted on May 28, 2021 by lifewithlilred

Standard

Hello everyone! Tomorrow we will be wrapping up my Altar’d State Haul with a gorgeous black and white summer dress. And, today, we are going to be taking a look at a mini skirt of the same color palette that might look familiar to you because I got it in lavender too! Let’s get to it:

If you recall, I purchased a matching top for a paired set with the lavender skirt but, unfortunately, there was no crop top to be found for my white skirt. There was also no size small, either, so I opted for a medium instead. While it doesn’t fit as snugly as the small one in lavender, which makes it a true bodycon skirt, the medium still fits me comfortably with a little extra flounce to it. The additional wiggle room will make layering with the white skirt much easier come cooler weather with a tucked in shirt and tights.

Like all of the ladies in my family, when I find something I like that has multiple colors available, I tend to buy a few of them. It’s nice to have options in a piece that you already know you love, which is why I just had to buy my white floral skirt too! I know I am going to have such fun styling this skirt and it will be a totally different experience from the lavender one because of the size difference and not having an option for a matching top.

Sadly, I couldn’t find the top for a pair set in white on Altar’d State’s website but, for now, a black crop top, jean jacket, and a sweet pair of summer wedges will work just fine!

How do you keep your clothes looking brand new? Do you like to buy different colors in a much loved piece? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May27

Altar’d State Haul

Posted on May 27, 2021 by lifewithlilred

Standard

Hello everyone!! During my first trip to Summit Mall in a good two years, I had a wildly successful clothing haul at a new to me store called Altar’d State. I am seriously so obsessed with all of my purchases and I have been very eager to show all of you. I am just slightly more eager to wear all of them out and about! In Altar’d State, I tried on clothes that I never pictured myself wearing before. The kerchief top that you are about to see is, perhaps, the farthest stretch from something that I would normally wear and I felt proud of myself for even trying it on. The best part? I fell in love with the top immediately! Check it out:

While browsing in Altar’d State, I noticed a dress in the gingham and floral pattern of my new top and wasn’t crazy about it because it was just too much. I really wasn’t expecting to want to try the kerchief top on when I saw it tucked away on a hanging rack but I thought that it would be nice and cool in the summer and I loved the tie back. I don’t get to show off the tattoos on my back very often and I knew this top would display all of them nicely so I added it to my try on pile.

Originally, I didn’t have high hopes for my new top because I feared that I would be too exposed in it, especially as I have a larger bust. I was truly surprised when I liked it so much but there are so many reasons why this top works so well. Let’s start with the front of the shirt and its fit. The length of the material in the front actually shows no part of your stomach to leave a little something to the imagination! I was worried that the fabric might cling in an unflattering way but it hugged my body without feeling tight and that made me feel really comfortable, even as a bustier gal.

Another fear that I had, despite wanting to display my tattoos on my back, is if the tie back would leave me feeling too bare. However, the ties are long enough that you can make a nice, big bow which covered up the middle of my back almost completely, only leaving the top and bottom of my back exposed. After realizing everything that my kerchief top had working for it, all of my worries dissipated and I knew that it was coming home with me.

Like I said, I was proud of myself for even giving this top a try and the confidence boost that it gave me in the fitting room is how all clothing should make you feel. I loved the way that I looked in my top and it was exciting to have something so different work so perfectly. I couldn’t wait to get home to show it to Johnny and I am itching to wear my purchase during our next date day!

What is a piece of clothing that makes you feel confident? How are you upgrading your summer wardrobe? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May26

Altar’d State Haul

Posted on May 26, 2021 by lifewithlilred

Standard

Hi!! I had to run to Summit Mall this past week to pick up a few odds and ends, which was my first visit to the mall since before the pandemic. I finally upped my summer wardrobe game and I would say my outing was hugely successful – primarily in the new(ish) store, Altar’d State. I really had no intention of stopping in the store, but the window displays were just so cute that I had to pop in and see what I could find.

The question is, what didn’t I find? I walked out of Altar’d State with a new dress, two tops, and two skirts and I have every intention of shopping there again. If not in store, then definitely online as I now know my sizes there. I can’t wait to show all of you the purchases from my haul and there is no better place to start than with my favorite find. Let’s get to it:

Upon entering Altar’d State, the first thing that I noticed was this adorable lavender skirt and top set and I just had to try it on. I am usually not one for matching sets but this one spoke to me and I thought it would be so sweet whether paired or mixed and matched this summer. Originally, I only tried the skirt on because I wasn’t sure about the color but as soon as I slipped it on, I had to ask one of the darling employees to bring me the top too because I fell in love immediately.

What I like the most about this matching set is that, despite it being form fitting, it manages to not look overly sexy because of the pastel hue and floral pattern. The skirt also sat high enough on my waist that not a lot of stomach could be seen even with the cropped top. This made me feel completely comfortable as only my arms and legs from the knee down were exposed and I have never felt more like Cher from Clueless than in the dressing room of Altar’d State!

I know for a fact that this set will be one of my go to summer outfits and it felt awesome to try and buy something that I had never worn anything like before. As soon as I left the mall, I called my sister asking when she can go back to Summit Mall with me because I could have stayed there shopping all day. I have been looking forward to shopping for so long throughout the pandemic and being able to treat myself to lots of pretty new clothes made the long wait one hundred and fifty percent worth it. ❤

What are your summer wardrobe must haves? How do you rock a paired set outfit? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr9

Bath & Body Works Haul

Posted on April 9, 2021 by lifewithlilred

Standard

Hi! Ever since moving into my apartment, I have been all about the foaming hand soaps from Bath & Body Works and, clearly, still am to this day because Johnny and I just ordered twelve new bottles, lol. A week or so before Easter, I pulled up B&BW’s website as our soap supply was running low and they had so many seasonal scents marked down that it only made sense to stock up. Needless to say, we should be pretty well set for a while! Haha, check it out:

Would I Buy Again?

Raspberry Tangerine: YES
Hip Hop Hooray (Sprinkled donut): YES!!!
Pineapple Mango: YES
Sweet Apple: YES
Mango Mai Tai: YES
Let’s Get Eggcited (Sunny blue skies): NO
Blueberry Lemonade: YES
Peach Bellini: YES
Beautiful Day (Daisies, peonies, apple): YES
Be You (Sweet sugar sprinkles): NO
Bee Positive (Strawberry lemon): NO
Warm Vanilla Sugar: YES

Overall, I am super pleased with my haul and three duds out of twelve isn’t bad at all – especially considering you can’t smell the products when online shopping! My top three favorites would have to be Hip Hop Hooray, Sweet Apple, and my go to of Peach Bellini. That one never gets old! As for the ones I wouldn’t purchase again, both Be You and Bee Positive are sickeningly sweet while Let’s Get Eggcited doesn’t really smell like anything to me.

As you all know, I have a bit of a gripe with the fact that you can’t combine freebie coupons with any type of deal or markdown when online shopping with B&BW. Especially because I had a coupon during this past order! So, while running a few errands, I made my first in store visit to Bath & Body Works since January of last year. I chose a travel size shower gel in Gingham as my free item and I love its fresh laundry scent!

Although bath and body care from The Body Shop will forever be my favorite, you just can’t beat the price, special offers, and convenience of Bath & Body Works. I always enjoy trying out all of B&BW’s different scents and their products have become a staple in my stockpile. Is it bad that I’m already looking forward to when I’ll need more hand soap again, say, over a year from now?!

What is your favorite Bath & Body Works scent? What is a bath and body care staple for you? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar24

Fun & (Board) Games

Posted on March 24, 2021 by lifewithlilred

Standard

Hello! Johnny and I spent this past winter hibernating with our video games and streaming services and while we will never tire of playing Diablo III together, we both agreed it would be nice to have more variety. While we love video gaming, we both enjoy playing board games, classic card games, and Magic The Gathering too. In total, we have five different video game systems so we were never hurting in that department. However, we were definitely lacking when it comes to board games. Until Johnny made some surprise purchases a few weeks ago, that is.

The day before Johnny proposed, he was running some errands and ended up at Off The Wagon – a toy store in Kent. There, he got us three new board games as well as a fourth one from Walmart and we have played at least one round of something every day since. Check it out:

^^^ Johnny bought Horrified, Scrabble, and Seinfeld Clue from Off The Wagon and Betrayal At House On The Hill from Walmart.

My fiance is, hands down, the most thoughtful person I have ever met and his board game haul is another shining example of that. We had been talking about doing some board game shopping a few days before he made his purchases and I was delighted when he showed me his buys because, had I been there, I probably would have bought the exact same things.

Scrabble was a must because we both love word games (I will always like playing Scrabble with my mom best, though!). Seinfeld Clue was another obvious choice because that is our favorite show and we are in stitches every time we try to figure out whodoneit. We need three players for Betrayal At House On The Hill so we have yet to play but it looks like a lot of fun! Which brings us to Johnny’s last pick and, easily, our favorite of the lot: Horrified.

Horrified is an adventure cooperative game with the purpose of saving a town from classic movie monsters like Dracula, The Invisible Man, and Frankenstein and his Bride. You and your teammates work together to solve puzzles, save villagers, and slay monsters while avoiding getting attacked yourself. At first, Johnny and I were a bit intimidated by Horrified because it seemed awfully complicated. However, it was way less complex than we originally thought and got the hang of it really quickly.

We both have never played anything like Horrified before and it is so much fun that we have already began looking for similar games. Johnny and I are both huge horror fans and going face to face with characters like The Wolfman and Mummy is exciting. Horrified will never be played the same way twice and sometimes we win and sometimes we lose. No matter the outcome, we are always glad to have played and I highly recommend it!

Wanna play Horrified too? Shop with my Like To Know link: https://rstyle.me/+lsmDlYXzRvabGV3ZDjSg3w

What is your favorite board game? Do you have any cooperative game recommendations for me? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar17

Amazon Skin Care Haul

Posted on March 17, 2021 by lifewithlilred

Standard

Hello! Pre-pandemic, I would just go to TJMaxx whenever I needed to restock my beauty supplies. For the past year, however, I’ve just been placing orders on Amazon every couple of months for my moisturizers, serums, and eye cream. Believe you me, there is nothing I miss more than browsing the aisles of TJMaxx and finding all of the things that I didn’t know I needed but limiting my exposure to COVID-19 whenever I can will always be more important.

I had come to the bottom of the barrel of my beauty stockpile so there were a lot of products that needed replacing. I also wanted to start some birthday shopping for my dad and sister! As always, Amazon came through and I have a huge skin care haul to show for it. Check it out:

During my last Amazon haul, I tried the Neutrogena Hydro Boost moisturizer and Eclat Vitamin C serum for the first time and enjoyed using them so much that I just had to buy more. My skin looked brighter and more radiant after only one use of the Vitamin C serum and I definitely have noticed a difference in the smoothness of my skin compliments of the moisturizer. The Hydro Boost by Neutrogena is a bit pricey so I decided to get a two pack of the Garnier Moisture Rescue gel moisturizer too to help cut the cost. Both of these moisturizers have a light gel texture making them perfect for summer.

As far as eye cream goes, I was looking for something a bit cheaper than The Body Shop’s Vitamin E cream or my usual SkinLab Lift & Firm gel. They both run for around twenty dollars on Amazon while I used to get them for around seven at TJMaxx. I purchased the Elf Holy Hydration! eye cream for under seven bucks a jar and it had great reviews on Amazon so I am hoping I will like it too… Considering I got three of them lol!

Nothing is better to me than actually going shopping but I’d be a liar if I said that I didn’t love online shopping too! Whether it’s a birthday present for a loved one or just restocking my skin care hoard, it’s fun to get packages in the mail and I am looking forward to incorporating my purchases into my daily beauty routine.

What is your favorite skin care brand? How often do you resupply your beauty stock pile? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb5

Eclat Vitamin C Serum Review

Posted on February 5, 2021 by lifewithlilred

Standard

Hey! Before my last skin care haul, I decided to look up the best recommended products for people in their late twenties. The resounding themes of the articles I read through included adding a Vitamin C serum as well as hyaluronic acid into your skin care regimen. For the hyaluronic acid, I ended up purchasing the Hydro Boost moisturizer from Neutrogena. As for the Vitamin C serum, I went with a well rated (five stars) and very cheap (six dollars) serum by Eclat. And, I will be damned if it isn’t the best, most inexpensive serum I have ever used. Let’s discuss:

From every aspect, this Eclat Vitamin C serum rocks. First of all, it smells divine – just like freshly squeezed oranges and being able to use it first thing in the morning is invigorating. A little of this product also goes a long way because a dropper and a half full is more than enough to completely cover your face and neck. These are both important factors to me when it comes to a skin care product because I simply cannot use something that doesn’t smell good to me and having to use a lot of it to make it feel effective is definitely not the best bang for your buck.

The best thing about the Eclat Vitamin C serum, though? I am being one hundred percent truthful when I say that I noticed a difference in my skin after just one use. I had an extremely busy week at work and I was on my period so, needless to say, I was absolutely exhausted. And, when I get that tired my skin starts to look really dull. I used this serum for the first time during one of my melt into the couch tired days last week and my skin instantly looked more radiant and bright. It was amazing to me that I looked well rested when I didn’t feel it in the slightest.

I was curious to see if this product would keep seeming effective to me once I wasn’t so worn out and I was happy to find that it still lived up to the hype I built for it in my head. My skin just has this glow to it that certainly wasn’t there before with the Azure Lux serums that I have been using regularly for the past two or so years. I am beyond thrilled with the Eclat Vitamin C serum and highly recommend it because after one use I already knew that I would buy it again! GREAT SUCCESS!

What is one of your must have skin care products? Do you use any age specific products? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan22

Amazon Skin Care Haul

Posted on January 22, 2021 by lifewithlilred

Standard

Hello! Pre-COVID, whenever I needed new skin care, I would go on a shopping trip to TJMaxx with my mom for serums, moisturizers, eye creams, and all of the other goodies that I didn’t know I needed. Now, for the past ten months, I have had to resort to shopping with Amazon when I am running low on my products. Believe you me, I don’t love this because their prices seem exorbitant since I am still so used to TJMaxx prices but, thankfully, I had a thirty dollar Amazon gift card from InboxDollars to soften the blow. Check out my haul:

Before I began my shopping, I decided to look up skin care that is good for people in their mid twenties and a Vitamin C serum as well as hyaluronic acid both showed up on almost every article I browsed through. I decided to go with the Vitamin C serum by Eclat because it got great reviews and was only six dollars! It has been a while since I used a Vitamin C serum, so I purchased two back up bottles of the Azure Lux Sparkling Oil Serum just in case I didn’t like the new one by Eclat.

Hyaluronic acid’s job is to keep your skin tissue well hydrated and the best way to get more of it is through a serum or moisturizer. To work this ingredient into my skin care routine, I ordered myself the Hydro Boost Water Gel moisturizer by Neutrogena. The back of the box boasts that hyaluronic acid will moisturize with “up to 1,000 times its weight in water, resulting in more supple and smooth skin”. I am excited to try this moisturizer out and I thought the price of fourteen dollars was pretty good – especially since my usual SkinLab products are now twenty dollars on Amazon. -_-

The last thing I needed was some eye cream and, since I had been mindful of the prices of my other purchases, I decided to treat myself with a Vitamin E eye cream from The Body Shop. It has been years since I used this eye cream but I still remember it as one of my favorites because it was so moisturizing and effective on my under eye circles. I have also been obsessed with TBS products again since my Holiday Haul from my brother and his family! Despite its almost twenty dollar price, this eye cream will last me several months and I can’t wait to use it again.

Thanks to my gift card from InboxDollars, I cut my total in half and only ended up spending thirty dollars altogether for my necessities. I haven’t had a skin care haul that cheap since my TJMaxx days so I feel like I made out like a bandit. Great success!

Where do you purchase your skin care from? What are the essential ingredients in your skin care routine? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

	lifewithlilred on Bunny Name Game
	Simon on Bunny Name Game
	Simon on 3 Things To Consider When Look…
	lifewithlilred on Bunny Name Game
	Simon on Bunny Name Game