Tag Archives: haul

Jun17

Happy Birthday To Me Haul: Blogging BFF Edition

Posted on June 17, 2020 by lifewithlilred

Hello!!! Lifewithlilred has come a long way since its start in September 2014 – almost six years ago. Like all blogs, it began small and modest but, somehow, over half a decade later, lifewithlilred is being read in over one hundred and ninety countries. Wow! Despite my page constantly changing and evolving, there are some things that have remained a constant in my blogging life and that something is actually a very special someone… My blogging BFF, Kate, from Live In The Nautical.

Kate and I became fast friends almost immediately after lifewithlilred began and we remain so until this day. From visiting her in New York City to our FaceTime dates and birthday and Christmas gift exchanges, we always make time for each other even while in separate states. We are hoping for a reunion post COVID but, in the meantime, we had the best time catching up and swapping prezzies for our Gemini Twin June birthdays.

Now, normally, every gift I receive is my favorite. But, this treasure from Kate is actually my favorite. Check it out:

For my twenty-sixth, Kate gifted me with the most beautiful reminder of all of the hard work that I have put into my page every day for the past six years. She also gave me a beautiful reminder to never lose my car keys with an adorable lil red fob! My plaque is proudly displayed on my curio cabinet filled with all of my most special knick knacks and my fob is eagerly awaiting for my boyfriend to put my keys on. I’d do it myself but talon nails, lol.

After twenty-five, I can’t say I am thrilled to continue tacking another year on. But with such amazing friends and lovely low key celebrations, I guess twenty-six isn’t so bad. And, I have the friendship with Kate that I hold so dear and all of my sweet family, friends, and boyfriend to thank for that. ❤

How long have you been blogging for? Do you have a blogging BFF of your own? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun16

Happy Birthday To Me Haul: BFF Edition

Posted on June 16, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Hello! Last Monday, I loved having my BFF of over ten years, Lea, over for a little birthday celebration. White Claw was drank and after four long hours of much needed catching up, we finally retired for the evening. It has felt like forever since I have seen Lea – probably since before the restaurants all closed in mid March. But, in true BFF fashion, we never miss a beat once we are reunited after time apart.

After over a decade of gifting each other for birthdays and Christmas, Lea and I have definitely began to recycle our ideas… Which is just fine by us because who doesn’t love wine, bath and body care, and candles?! Lol, check it out:

For my twenty-sixth, Lea treated me to a bottle of rose and wine stopper, a super delicious smelling salt soak, face mask, and bath bomb – AKA all of my favorite things. There is nothing quite like taking a bath using goodies that you would have never bought for yourself. This is why I love getting bath bombs! I freaking love them but they are also not something on my radar to buy when I like getting shoes so much. 😀

Lea provided me with all of the makings for a relaxing evening in and I plan on using my new treats ASAP. There will also be plenty of product reviews coming up so keep it posted. ❤

What is your favorite thing to be gifted with? How do you spoil your friends on special occasions? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun15

Happy Birthday To Me Haul: Work Fam Edition

Posted on June 15, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Happy Birthday To Me Haul: Work Fam Edition

Hello! June seventh was my twenty-sixth birthday and, in true Lil Red fashion, it has been drawn out a few days with individual hang outs with friends and family. I also end up celebrating with the families who I work with and have ended up becoming a part of in the past three years of doing my job. One of my client’s families always ends up super spoiling me and I received the following this past week:

As soon as I walked into work on Monday, “Happy Birthday” was sung and gifts were handed to me at an alarming rate. Each one I opened seemed to be more lovely than the next and “this is way too generous” was the catchphrase of the opening session. This was matched by each member of my work family assuring me that “you’re worth it” every single time.

Becoming a member of three different families wasn’t exactly what I was setting out to do when I began providing care for people with special needs. But, sometimes things just happen like that and, now, celebrations seem to happen constantly. Whether it be a holiday or a member of my “pseudo family’s” birthday, I am always a part of it and it feels good!

There is truly nothing better than walking into work Monday through Friday and stepping into a family environment. It has also been such a godsend during all of the craziness of COVID to have so many extra people to talk to! Work families are so important and I am so thankful for all of mine. ❤

Do you consider the people at your job a family? Are you an unofficial member of someone else’s fam? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun11

Happy Birthday To Me Haul: Boyfriend’s Fam Edition

Posted on June 11, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Happy Birthday To Me Haul: Boyfriend’s Fam Edition

Hello!!! My boyfriend, Johnny, and I have worked out a pretty good schedule on celebrating special occasions between both of our families. So, on Johnny’s birthday we headed to his parents’ house for lunch and on my birthday weekend we went to my mom and dad’s for pizza. I am so thankful that I have a wonderful relationship with Johnny’s parents and feel just as happy that he gets along so well with my family, too.

Visiting with Johnny’s mom and dad is always such a treat because they are the absolute sweetest people and we can have a great time just sitting on the couch and talking. For Johnny’s birthday, we received their barely used air fryer, which was amazing because we were literally just about to buy one. They also sent the following for my birthday:

^^^ Lol, never mind our mess on the coffee table!! We’ve been building with LEGO like crazy!

Johnny’s mom and dad sent me over a beautiful, colorful bouquet and a variety pack of gourmet popcorn. Receiving flowers is one of my favorite things – blame it on years of being gifted with them through theater and figure skating. I love the multicolored roses because they are unique and different just like me. And, sampling each popcorn flavor with my boyfriend during movie night was delicious… Especially the spicy sriracha flavor! 😀

Am I thrilled about now being 26? Not particularly. But, being the birthday girl to so many people who love me makes up for it. ❤

What is your favorite popcorn flavor? What is one of your favorite gifts to receive? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun10

Happy Birthday To Me Haul: Brother & Fam Edition

Posted on June 10, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Happy Birthday To Me Haul: Brother & Fam Edition

Hello! Lil Red’s 26th birthday has came and went and it was as to be expected during a global pandemic, lol. Of course, family time was amazing and it was so much fun to celebrate both mine and my boyfriend’s birthday within such close vicinity to each other (His is June 1st and mine is the 7th).

I always believe that it’s nice to receive gifts, but it’s especially nice when I haven’t been “shopping shopping” in over three months! So, needless to say, I was very excited when this little haul arrived from my brother, sister-in-law, and nephew in the mail:

For my birthday, I was gifted with a new mocha and coffee bean body scrub, a Taco Bell gift card (ayyy), and an escape room game to play at home. The scrub by Tree Hut smells absolutely delicious and I am obsessed with their bath and body care products so it was such a perfect treat.

The gifts from my brother and his family also provided Johnny and I with a quarantine date night. Seeing if we can escape from a secret lab sounds like a fun and different way to spend the evening and when have I ever said no to Taco Bell?! I have always wanted to visit a real life escape room because I’m an avid fan of the computer games. Unfortunately, an actual excursion to an escape room won’t happen soon but an interactive at home version is a close second! ❤

Have you ever been to an escape room? What was your experience like? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May29

Bath & Body Works Online Haul

Posted on May 29, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Hi! During the coronavirus pandemic, the foaming hand soap from Bath & Body Works has been a godsend. They leave my hands feeling so clean without being stripped of moisture in any way. And, when you’re washing your hands way more frequently than usual, you have no idea how nice it is to have a soap that won’t turn your hands into bright red lobster claws!

I began purchasing B&BW soaps when I moved into my apartment last year and have not looked back since. My boyfriend, Johnny, loves them too and I love being in charge of which scents we pick out! Like all of these ones, when we had to restock online:

Which Scents?

Sunwashed Citrus
Peach Bellini
Shell Yeah (Peach Passionfruit)
Stay Pawsitive (Iced Vanilla Cookie)
Pineapple Mango
Pomegranate Lemonade

Bath & Body Works was running a six for twenty-four dollar promotion on their hand soaps and you just can’t beat that. Of course, shopping online for scents is hard so I just went with what sounded good to me. I had to grab another Peach Bellini because it’s my favorite but I decided to get all new scents for the other five choices.

I absolutely love the adorable marketing on the Shell Yeah and Stay Pawsitive bottles and they both smell awesome. The Iced Vanilla Cookie one smells so much like the real thing that you just want to eat it, lol. I also am a huge fan of tropical/citrus scents, as is my boyfriend, so the Pineapple Mango and Sunwashed Citrus were easy choices to make.

The only scent that I am not thrilled with is the Pomegranate Lemonade. The lemonade part isn’t noticeable and the pomegranate portion is so overpowering and it just smells… Not great. Very old lady-ish, actually, so I definitely won’t be getting it again. But, five out of six ain’t bad and having clean, smooth hands makes one disappointment one hundred and fifty percent worth it!

What is your favorite Bath & Body Works scent? How do you keep your hands from drying out after a lot of washes? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May14

Amazon Skin Care Haul

Posted on May 14, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Hello! If I knew the last time that I went to TJMaxx was the last time, I would have bought out their entire skin care selection. But, hindsight is 20/20 as the saying goes. A few weeks ago, I ran completely out of my selection of moisturizers and serums and was running dangerously low on everything else. As the other saying goes… There’s a first time for everything.

Normally, I would go to TJMaxx’s website to order some more skin care but they are not shipping out currently. So, I turned to Amazon and bought all of my necessities in bulk so that running out never happens again. Check out my haul:

The Haul:

2 Garnier micellar waters with a free travel size bottle
3 SkinLab Lift & Firm moisturizers
2 Azure Lux Rose Gold serums
1 Azure Lux 24K Gold serum
2 SkinLab Lift & Firm eye gels
1 SkinLab Hydrate & Replenish hydra eye cream

I know, I know… It’s a lot. But, now I won’t have to worry about replenishing my hoard for a good long while and I feel great about that. What I don’t feel so great about? How much more expensive these products were on Amazon than they normally are at TJs! For example, I paid about eleven dollars for each moisturizer on Amazon when I normally pay six at TJMaxx. That hurt.

You know what else hurts, though? Your skin literally aching to be moisturized after a few days of going without! That was really rough, especially since I’ve been following a strict skin care regimen since I was at least fifteen. I am so thankful that Amazon had brands that I was familiar with so that I didn’t have to spend money on products I potentially might not like. It might have cost a bit more but it was worth every penny.

I would never be a toilet paper hoarder but I have been a proud beauty care hoarder for years now and it is nice to finally have my stockpile sitting pretty again. 😀

What are some beauty products that you stockpile? Which products have you been having a hard time finding in stores? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr29

April 2020 Finishes Pt. 1

Posted on April 29, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Hello! Being inside for a majority of the day minus going to work means that I have had ample time to use up a lot of the items in my bath and body and skin care stock pile. I have been taking plenty of bubble baths and am generally not wearing makeup during the day, so I now perform a skin care routine at night making my products go by even quicker.

So quick, in fact, that I had to break my April 2020 Finishes up into two parts because, yeah, there were that many empties. Tune in tomorrow for the next batch of finishes and let’s get started with Part One:

Would I Use Again?

Bath & Body Works Pink Prosecco lotion: YES
Bath & Body Works hand soap: YES
Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water: YES
Bath & Body Works Winter Candy Apple shower gel: YES

Why/Why Not?

B&BW Lotion: During Bath & Body Work’s last major sale this past winter, I stocked up on all of my favorite shower gels, hand soaps, and lotion. I got each product for a fraction of the cost and it was definitely easy to just keep throwing stuff into my little basket, lol. During my haul, I purchased a few tubes of the Pink Prosecco lotion and I love it. The smell is just divine, like fresh and sweet sparkling pink champagne – my favorite! It also leaves my skin so insanely soft and smooth it’s unreal. I got three full body uses from one tube of lotion.

B&BW Hand Soap: The hand soaps from B&BW have become a staple in my apartment ever since my first shopping trip for supplies last year before I moved in. The foaming formula means a little bit goes a long way and I have a bottle faithfully posted up by my bathroom and kitchen sink. While we are all, hopefully, washing our hands more often during the coronavirus panic, this is the soap for you. It leaves my hands feeling so clean without drying them out and the Peach Bellini is my absolute favorite scent. Margarita Time isn’t half bad, either! 😉

Garnier Micellar Water: As usual, a skin care staple in Lil Red’s world. It took me at least three months to finish the bigger bottle.

B&BW Shower Gel: Anything apple scented is my favorite, so during my B&BW haul it was necessary to get all of the Winter Candy Apple shower gels! It takes me over one month to finish one bottle because it lathers like no other. Every morning, my showers are filled with luxurious sweet/tart apple bubbles and it doesn’t get much better than that!

Part One of my April 2020 Finishes focused on all things bath and body care so be sure to stop by tomorrow while we discuss the skin care portion! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

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

Mar4

TJMaxx Skin Care Haul

Posted on March 4, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Hi! Post Christmas, I had a huge skin care haul at TJMaxx, thanks to the numerous gift cards I received from my family and friends. I bought myself a three month supply of all of the skin care that I need in my daily routine and, now that March is officially upon us, my stock pile has run dry. So, I had to snag a few moisturizers and serums to maintain my regimen:

The Haul:

2 SkinLab Lift & Firm Moisturizers
Valjean Labs Revive Day Serum
Provence Beauty Ferulic Acid Day Serum

While shopping skin care this time around, I wasn’t so worried about finding moisturizers as I was with finding serums. I am obsessed with the SkinLab products and TJMaxx always has a healthy supply of their moisturizers, so I was able to grab two more of the Lift & Firm formula, which is what I have been hooked on.

Unfortunately, SkinLab’s Lift & Firm Serum was a bust because the one fluid ounce size had nowhere near the longevity that I look for in a product. I was using up one bottle in three weeks and, for seven dollars a pop, I am not okay with that. So, I went for a few new serums, instead.

Whenever I see a Vitamin C formula for a serum, I tend to gravitate towards it because radiant skin is important to me. I have used a different Provence Beauty serum before and was really pleased with it so I decided to give one of their other formulas a shot. Valjean Labs isn’t a brand I’m familiar with but, it reminded me of my niece’s name which is Valerie Jane so it can’t be all that bad, right?! 😉

Once again, TJMaxx answered all of my skin care needs and I can’t wait to work old and potentially new favorites into my routine!

What is your favorite skin care brand? What is important for you when it comes to skin care? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar3

Hot Topic Hair Accessory Haul

Posted on March 3, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Hi! It is no secret that I love hair accessories. From cute clips and scrunchies to barrettes and headbands, there is nothing better to add a healthy dose of adorable to your OOTDs. I, personally, am at a crossroads with my hair as I am torn between growing it out or just chopping it off, yet again. So, while I make this decision, I have been addicted to buying hair accessories to keep me in love with my hair even though I am not thrilled with it.

While shopping a sale at a Hot Topic near me that is closing, I couldn’t say no to some darling Disney inspired hair bling to spice up my do. And, hopefully, they will keep me feeling confident until I can *finally* make it to the hair salon on Friday. Check it out:

I have loved the idea of hair chopsticks for forever but never saw any in a store until my shopping trip over the weekend. There is something so elegant but insanely trendy about hair sticks and, although I’ll be sporting bedazzled feathers, my mind always goes to a boss babe in the office throwing her hair into a bun and sticking pencils into it. Too. Cute. I have been wearing my hair up more often now that it’s getting longer and I can definitely see myself popping these babies in next time I’m too lazy to do my hair… Which is often. -___-

I have ALSO always loved the idea of hair cuffs like the Maleficent inspired raven one seen above. Once upon a time, I used to have two cuffs in blue and brown with a lovely, earthy pattern on them. Of course, I have no idea where they are now but, I have been on the hunt for something similar since delving into the hair accessory worm hole. I am so obsessed with the one I found because it is the edgy update that I’ve been waiting for since the cuffs I had in grade school. And, what’s wrong with wanting to channel your inner Angelina Jolie as Maleficent? Case in point.

The amethyst hair fork was kind of an impulse purchase. I can honestly say that I have no clue how to style my hair with it but the directions say to tuck a ponytail into it or something and that could be cute?! I’m sure I’ll figure it out but, if not, that’s what YouTube tutorials are for, amiright? 😀

There is nothing like some fun new hair accessories to shake the countdown to your hair cut blues and I think these pretty goodies from Hot Topic definitely did the trick!

Where do you like to shop for hair accessories? Does anyone know how to use a hair fork?! I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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