Tag Archives: holidays

Happy Birthday, Kristen!!

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Happy Birthday, Kristen!!

Hello! We are ringing in another Mushenheim family birthday because today is my big sister, Kristen’s, big day. My sister is my best friend in the whole world and it is my life’s greatest achievement to be the designated fourth wheel to Kristen, her boyfriend, and their little girl named Valerie. Kristen is celebrating her “one year and one day” of motherhood and she is amazing at it. But today, it is all about her!

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I know I just used the word “amazing” to describe Kristen but I’m going to use it again. She is AMAZING! She is the most loving mother and it is the best feeling in the world to watch her playing and cuddling with her sweet daughter. Kristen is my BFF but Valerie is definitely a close runner up! Her compassion knows no bounds and when she’s not caring for the dogs and cats at the animal shelter she works at or tending to her daughter and two dogs and two cats, she is never too busy to participate in family time or help a friend (Or sister!) in need.

When I was younger, I used to get somewhat annoyed when people told me Kristen and I looked alike but now I consider it the highest compliment. My sister is the epitome of beautiful inside and out and it makes me so proud to be her little sis. I wish we weren’t under lock down so we could properly celebrate Kristen’s day but I can’t wait to spoil her with a candle lit Taco Bell dinner once this all blows over. 😉

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KRISTEN!

I LOVE YOU! ❤

Fun & Fresh Gift Ideas For Men

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Fun & Fresh Gift Ideas For Men

It’s not always easy to buy gifts for men. In fact, it can be really difficult and even more so now that we are unable to go shopping for gifts. So if you want to buy some unique and interesting gifts this year, take a little look at this mini guide to see what could work for your next birthday purchase for a special guy in your life:

Gadgets, gadgets, gadgets:

Most men love gadgets and at any time of the year too! A lot of companies launch new products at this time of year and there are usually special offers at certain times of the year. There are so many different types of gadget on offer, and this can make it tough to decide what to buy. You can buy everything from virtual reality gaming headsets to self-stirring mugs. Think about what your partner or your brother has already got and what kinds of gadgets would entertain them or make their life easier. You could go for something practical if they like specific things to do with DIY or art for example or if they just love playing with toy cars and helicopters!

Clothing and accessories:

Buying clothing isn’t a necessity at the moment but it will be again at some point and although this doesn’t sound like the most original idea, it can have a twist put on it. Why not add a personal touch to one of their fashion accessories? Nowadays, you can customize everything from trainers and football boots to caps and this may really impress some of the men in your family. If this idea sounds appealing, do some research online. You could add their name or a special date, for example to remember their anniversary or other occasion.

Sporting gifts:

If you live with a sports fan, the options are endless. Indulge their passion with a stadium tour, match tickets, or a private lesson. Buy books, DVDs, or novelty golf balls as stocking fillers. Research signed shirts or retro football online. If you’re married to a gym bunny, read up on the best wearable gadgets or order a personalized gym bag. There are gifts out there to suit every budget and for lovers of every sport – you could certainly look at tested paddles too so when the time comes to enjoy some Pickleball, they’re prepared!

Manly hampers? Sounds fun enough!

If you’re searching for unique presents for him, look no further than a bespoke manly hamper. You can order a hamper online or buy your basket and fill it with ingredients yourself, depending on what they like. Maybe they love Thai food, so you could make a Thai themed hamper! This is a great idea for friends and relatives who love to eat and drink.

Popular items include alcohol miniatures, chocolates, cheese, nuts, and more. If you make your own, you can put all of your loved one’s favorite things inside which will impress them and show that you know them too. You can add shower and shave gel, candles, soap, and beard oil if you don’t want to go down the food route. The options are really endless and it’s time to start thinking outside the box!

Use the ideas above to help get you inspired for gifting the guy in your life with the best present ever!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Happy Birthday, Dad!!

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Happy Birthday, Dad!!

Hello! March through May is a stretch of the year where birthdays are plentiful in my family. It starts with my niece’s birthday at the beginning of March then goes to my mom, dad, sister, and brother ending in mid May. Today, we are on birthday number three in my family, which belongs to my dear old dad. Despite him despising birthdays, I can’t not give him a shout out on lifewithlilred so here it goes:

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Ever since I was little, I can remember my dad’s lament that birthdays are “another year closer to the grave” and he still feels that way today. Lol so, needless to say, his birthday is filled with begrudgingly opening presents and accepting birthday wishes. The best part, though? I think we can all tell that he secretly enjoys himself and that makes the obnoxiously huge birthday hugs I give him even more fun. 😀

Although we all love pushing my dad’s birthday buttons, it really is a special day. My dad is one of my favorite people on the planet. He is so funny – like so unbelievably funny. The humor is then amplified by his infamous and infectious “laugh attacks” which is the cherry on top of whatever my family was joking about.

What I love the most about my dad, though? He is such a thoughtful man and it always makes me so happy when my boyfriend gifts me with flowers or cooks dinner for me because my dad is constantly doing stuff like that for my mom. He provided me with the best guidelines of how I should be treated in a relationship and I am so thankful for that.

When I had a really early class in college and had to drive an hour to get there, my dad would always get up and make coffee for me so I could have it during my commute. That’s the kind of guy my dad is. Sweet gestures and kind words from my father will forever be treasured by me and he is a man who deserves to be celebrated… Even though he hates his birthday. 😉

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD!!

I LOVE YOU! ❤

Happy Birthday, Mom!!!

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Happy Birthday, Mom!!!

Hello! Today is a happy, special, wonderful day because it is my mom’s birthday! My mom is my best friend and, although she deserves to be celebrated all day every day on and off the blog, I always look forward to bragging about her for her annual birthday post! With two new grandchildren being born in 2019, my mom had an exciting year and I can only hope that 2020 will continue to offer the best of all of life’s sweet surprises to her. Now, let’s take a look at this beauty:

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Jane is a loving mother and grandmother and she is also a bona fide, badass, cancer survivor. We are so thankful for her remission status and, whenever I am struggling with something, I always remember the positive outlook my mom kept during that difficult time and it instantly makes things easier. No matter what curveball has been thrown at my mom, her shine never manages to dull. In fact, it radiates even more strongly and I think everyone can learn from that.

My mom is amazing and she has this beautiful gift that makes everyone around her feel amazing too. It’s hard not to when we’re together, considering you can literally feel the pride that she has for her family, grandchildren, and dogs! My mom is proud of me but I am even more proud to be her daughter and I will always aspire to be half of the woman that she is someday.

I LOVE YOU, MOM! ❤

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Giving Gifts To Be Cherished

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Giving Gifts To Be Cherished

Almost anything could constitute as a ‘gift’. That being said, we all know that gifting is a complex and often nuanced art. For instance, purchasing someone a new car, while amazing, does not necessarily make it better via expensive than something perfectly tailored to the person in question, thought of carefully, used as a means to illustrate a beautiful point. The gift’s worth is defined in presence of the particular giftee and gifter,  no matter the particulars.

Yet sometimes it can be that you hope to give a gift that will leave an excellent and positive mark upon the recipient, ensuring that they not only appreciate your generosity, but that they can return to the memory of said item as a truly beautiful thing to appreciate. To help you achieve that, we have some of the following advice:

Experiences:

It’s hard to shed the impression a wonderful experience can leave someone. Each of us only has a set amount of time on this Earth, and so spending that time within an experience that helps us learn, grow, and feel grateful can be truly fantastic. It might be that you bring a family member along for a cruise or that you head on a road trip with your friend to explore the best of what your coastline has to offer. What matters is spending time with those you most love and appreciate, as this generates memories all by itself.

Indulgences & Treats:

A small indulgence can make for a phenomenal gift, because not only are you giving them a wonderfully handcrafted treat from Eastern Standard Provisions, but you are granting them the chance to indulge in a treat they most enjoy. This also serves as the best approach to gifting, because it matters, and it provides them with that sense of comfort they may have been missing thus far. Small indulgences are not small, they are an example of the little things that make life worth living and plenty enjoyable.

A Particular Craft:

Crafting something yourself is perhaps one of the most interesting and satisfying measures you can enjoy. However, gifting said craft to someone you love or appreciate is a cherry on the cake. Don’t think this needs to be some otherwordly example of the craft makers art in order to be assured in this. Giving someone a small clay pot from a pottery course you took, a bouquet of flowers you have arranged yourself, a small knitted jumper for a nephew or niece, or even just a painting you have applied yourself to can all be wonderful. Don’t think that because you may not have spent hundreds acquiring said item that it’s worthless. Quite the contrary, it will have soul.

With this advice, you can leave your signature mark on what you gift your loved ones with in the future.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Valentine’s Day Bouquet Pt. 2

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Valentine’s Day Bouquet Pt. 2

Hello, everyone! I had a simply magical Valentine’s Day with my boyfriend, Johnny, and I hope that everyone had as wonderful of a day as I did… Whether it be with your spouse or a romcom and a bottle of wine! Johnny’s band, The Outside Voices, was playing a show in Marietta, Ohio on the fifteenth. So, Johnny and I decided to make a long weekend of it and drove there on Valentine’s Afternoon.

We stayed at a beautiful hotel called the Lafayette and we had a delicious dinner. Then, we went back to our room and drank champagne and watched Weird Al music videos for two hours straight. Like I said, it was simply magical.

The following day, we explored Parkersburg, West Virginia and Marietta before The Outside Voices played. Johnny and I spent the day checking out different thrift stores and boutiques and it was a complete blast. Definitely stay tuned for all of the amazing finds I scored from a trendy boutique that is in the process of going online so all of us can shop on there together! 😀

Johnny and I agreed to not go overboard with Valentine’s Day gifts and that was fine by me. Our entire weekend was the greatest gift of all and it was one of the best days of my life. But, being the sweet angel that Johnny is, he surprised me with roses and champagne and that was the cherry on top. Check it out:

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When Johnny and I celebrated our big one week (haha), he gave me one single rose and I gave him a pack of hard seltzer water. I have kept that rose in my favorite vase and put the not dead ones in there too for good measure. When will I take them out, save the petals, and clean the vase? The world may never know.

In case you haven’t noticed, I like getting flowers. I guess that stems from (Ba dum chhhhh!) the fact that I have so many vivid recollections since childhood of my dad gifting flowers to my mom. During the summer time when the flowers in our garden were in bloom, there would be a fresh bouquet on the kitchen table every weekend. And, once the flowers wilted come fall, at least once a month my dad would purchase flowers as a “splurge” from the local grocery stores.

We interrupt your normal blog viewing with a conversation that happened between Sarah and her dad two weeks ago:

Me: Dad, I like those flowers. Where did you get them?

Dad: At Aldi’s… I splurged!

We now return to our normally scheduled programming.

Anyways, I know that people always associate getting flowers with love. But, my association literally comes from seeing true love between my parents. And, that’s why a simple bouquet and a bottle of booze (!!!) was the perfect gift for me. ❤

How did you celebrate Valentine’s Day? What do you associate with love? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

New Rose & Beige Nails

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New Rose & Beige Nails

Hi! I was so happy to get my nails filled before Valentine’s Day with a girly sweet color palette to complete my V-Day date night OOTD. I was also so happy that I had some left over gift cards to my stomping grounds of Elysian Nails from Christmas! 😉 I normally never do nail polish colors in theme with whatever holiday is happening. As a matter of fact, green and red nails on Christmas kind of make me want to gag.

However, Valentine’s Day is when you have to pull out all of the oh so pretty stops so I wanted to go with a traditional hue of pink with a creamy beige twist. Check it out:

For my Valentine’s Day nails, I was inspired by a strawberries and cream theme but didn’t want to go over the top with strawberry jam colored claws. So, I opted for a dusty pink with a soft beige for some femininity peppered into my “scratch your eyes out” talons. I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about this color combo because it was such a far cry from my normal, funky colors. But, every time I look at them, I can’t help thinking how obsessed I am!

I am absolutely in love with how my nails turned out and think that they are delightfully reminiscent of the Strawberries & Cream Cream Savers candy, which were the friggen jam in the early 2000s! Now, if only those would make a come back so that I can snap a picture with a handful of the candy and my matching nails! 😀

How do you feel about holiday themed nails? Which colors should I get next? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sweet Surprises: Valentine’s Day Bouquet Edition

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Sweet Surprises: Valentine’s Day Bouquet Edition

Hi! One of my clients, a freshly turned sixty year old with Down Syndrome has a love for all holidays. He revels in decorating for and celebrating each calendar holiday and Valentine’s Day was no exception. From mid January on, it was all about paper hearts, stickers, and Valentine’s Day themed episodes of his favorite old TV shows.

While shopping at Walmart for the finishing touches on the valentines he was going to mail out, he surprised me with a bouquet of a dozen colorful roses. It was quite possibly the sweetest thing in the world and I just had to share how beautiful they are with all of  you:

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While browsing through the Valentine’s Day decor at Walmart, my client “ooh-ed” and “ahh-ed” at everything he found appealing. So, I told him to pick out a small treat for me to purchase for him as a little V-Day gift. He selected his items – some more heart decor and a pair of heart shaped glasses and we continued to make our rounds in the store.

Once we came across Walmart’s aisle way of bouquets, without missing a beat, my friend plucked a colorful arrangement and placed it in his cart. “I get these for you” he said and my heart literally melted. I have never met someone with such a joy for each individual holiday and sharing that enthusiasm with all of his loved ones. It’s simply beautiful and all I need do is think about him to get a smile on my face.

As soon as I got home, I grabbed my spooky vases (Also from Walmart!) and began arranging my flowers. I have them proudly displayed on my coffee table and plan on keeping them there even after they have dried out as a sweet reminder of my friend and his joie de vivre. ❤

What is your favorite kind of flower? What were you treated to on Valentine’s Day? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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Happy Valentine’s Day!

Hello all and Happy Valentine’s Day! For some of us, Valentine’s Day means a romantic date night with your significant other. And, for others, it means a hot date with your couch, pajamas, a box of chocolate, seven bottles of wine, and a chick flick marathon. However you spend your day, Lil Red has got you covered.

We previously discussed the perfect Valentine’s Day makeup for your Valentine’s night out. But, today, it’s all about kicking back and having fun. I absolutely adore coming up with V-Day themed posts and, this year, I wanted to celebrate the two polar opposite styles that are traditionally associated with the day of love. We already got glammed up together and now it’s time to pop a few (or ten) pieces of chocolate and belt out “Love Hurts” like our lives depend on it. Let’s get to it:

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Who? What? Wear?

Featuring: Mini Bret Michaels cardboard cutout!

Does anyone remember that scene in Legally Blonde when Elle gets dumped and she’s laying in bed eating chocolate? With smeared mascara and crocodile tears she hurls her heart shaped box at the chick flick on her TV and screams “LIAR” at the man professing his love. Yes? No? Either way, that was definitely the vibe I was going for in this shoot minus the heartbreak and running mascara, of course!

Yes, this post is about poking fun at the cliches of a Valentine’s Day spent alone but it also is about celebrating it! I, for one, enjoy my own company more than I enjoy being around most people. I had a blast creating the concepts for my V-Day extravaganza on lifewithlilred and I wanted to pass that along to all of you.

Many a Valentine’s Day has come and passed, some with a significant other and some without. And, if you happen to be without this year, so what?! I have always lived my solo dolo Valentine’s Days as the ultimate “treat yoself” occasion of the year. Whether that be going on a shopping spree, getting mani/pedis, or lounging in the comfort of your own home and ordering takeout – A solo V-Day doesn’t have to be a bad thing if you don’t let it.

Let it be known that if I weren’t in an amazing relationship right now, the pictures above are a pretty solid representation of how I would be spending my day. It’s actually a pretty solid representation of how I’d like to spend every day. Riding solo on V-Day? Take some notes from my photo shoot, pop in the Devil Wears Prada, sit back, and enjoy!

How do you plan on treating yourself for Valentine’s Day? What is your favorite chick flick? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Get Ready With Me: Valentine’s Day Edition

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Get Ready With Me: Valentine’s Day Edition

Hello everyone! Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, which means we definitely need to talk makeup. Of course, the outfit is important too. But, bringing that girly sweetness to your face will tie the whole look together for a romantic date night with your significant other. There are a few key things that make for a successful Valentine’s Day makeup and I am going to share them with all of you today. Check it out:

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Accessories:

When I think of a perfect date night look, the first thing that comes to mind is a sassy pout, huge eyelashes, and glowing skin. These are the three things that we will be covering so let’s get to it:

Sassy Pout:

Now, normally, I say wear whatever shade of lipstick that you want. However, we are talking Valentine’s Day and it is all about the red and pink. Nothing screams girly sweet more than a pretty pink lipstick in seashell, salmon, or a shocking hot hue. And nothing screams edgy classic more than a bold red lip.

Whichever shade you choose, tie it into your outfit somehow. For example, the skirt that I plan on wearing has red hearts and lipstick kisses on it, which matches my lippie perfectly. Rocking pink pearls or jewelry? Slick on a similar hue for a look that is oh so cohesive and oh so cute!

Huge Eyelashes:

I don’t know about all of you, but I still flirt so hard with my boyfriend as if it were our first date. And, perhaps the most flirty makeup staple of all is huge eyelashes. Don’t go too overboard with the rest of your eye makeup and opt for longer than life lashes that you can bat to your beau across the dinner table.

I prefer Too Faced’s Better Than Sex mascara myself, because just one application gives you five times more length than any drugstore brand I’ve ever used. But, whatever your mascara preference is, apply liberally and be sure to comb through your lashes after each use to avoid clumping. Nothing ruins flirtatiously looking up through your lashes like huge clumps!

Glowing Skin:

As far as blush goes, I am wearing a few different shades of pink blended together in the pictures above. I would suggest going this route for an added touch of baby doll adorable. But, for the ultimate glowing skin, we need a highlighter! Whether you’re eating dinner by candlelight or sipping on cocktails in a lounge, when the soft lighting hits the highlighter on your face, magic happens.

I absolutely love Sephora’s Golden Hour highlighter in Dusk. At first glance, it just looks light pink. But, it has golden sparkle mixed into it for a shimmer straight out of a fairy tale. Hello, glowing skin! Everyone has their own techniques for where to apply highlighter and I always hit the following areas when completing my MOTD:

  • From the hairline to the end of my nose
  • The apples of my cheeks
  • My chin
  • From the top of my cheeks downwards
  • From the far corners of my eyes arching over my brows

When applied in the places above, no lighting is bad lighting for me because every angle has been covered. Dust on as little or as much as you want depending on how bold you feel like going. I usually just put one application on each area but it will call for more or less depending on where you’re going for your date night!

So, there you have it! I had such fun taking these pictures and concocting the perfect tips and tricks to beat your face like a pro this Valentine’s Day. Now, get out there and celebrate your love! 😀

PS: Don’t forget these must haves in your purse for your big Valentine’s Day date!

Valentine’s Day Purse Essentials:

You’re probably only going to be carrying a small purse on Valentine’s Day, so you need to make the most of it. Your cell, coin purse, and keys are obvious essentials. If you’ve put on your make up properly, you shouldn’t need to reapply it during the evening. This means you should be able to get away with just taking along a lipstick.

You can get lipstick cases with mirrors in them. This can be handy for topping up without either having to carry an extra mirror or use up the battery on your phone. If you’re planning on taking a lot of photos with your phone, think about carrying an external battery. You can get ones small enough to pop into a clutch. You can also get selfie lights to put on your phone. These can give you lots of light where you need it without using up your phone battery and they’re nicer to use than a regular camera flash.

If your purse is big enough, you can pop in some folding slippers in case you want to lose the shoes later. If it’s not, at least put in a couple of invisible blister plasters, just to be on the safe side. On that note, if you’re looking for love but don’t have a regular date, make sure you have some condoms. You don’t want to spoil the romance by having to order STD testing.

How are you celebrating Valentine’s Day? Do you have an outfit or makeup look in mind? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah