Tag Archives: inspiration

V-Day Bratz Doll OOTD

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V-Day Bratz Doll OOTD

Hello! Last weekend I got all dolled up to see Stereophonic at Playhouse Square with my main squeeze. Although the show sucked eggs, the OOTD was on point! Speaking of dolled up, I was very inspired by Bratz dolls when I styled this look. Bratz were my favorite dolls to play with when I was little and their trendy fashion inspired me then and now. I told Johnny about my outfit inspo and he said he was feeling Sabrina Carpenter over Bratz to which I replied “same thing”. It’s so true! Take a look at this Bratz/Sabrina Carpenter fit and let’s discuss:

Heart Sweater: Very Truly Yours, TJMaxx

Tennis Skirt: Kyodan, TJMaxx

Platforms: Sugar Thrillz, Dolls Kill

The brooch earrings were purchased forever ago from PacSun!

I purchased the absolutely darling Very Truly Yours sweater during my last shopping trip at TJMaxx. It was the first thing I saw when I walked into the store and I had a vision of an outfit a la That’s So Raven. In my head, I pictured the look you see above to the T and I just had to have that sweater to see it through. I was hoping to find a Valentine’s Day piece of clothing to wear to my Playhouse Square outing and what I found was pure candy hearts perfection. This sweater is so soft, sweet as can be, and is chock full of adorable details. I love the argyle diamonds, the piping on the collar, and those heart shaped buttons! My new sweater felt very Chloe from the Bratz collection and I definitely see where Johnny was coming from on the Sabrina Carpenter front. She is Chloe to the T!

I paired my sweater with a sassy little tennis skirt by Kyodan. While this is an athletic brand, they serve fashion while serving tennis and I can’t get enough of their skorts. They provide flounce sans any fear of a wardrobe malfunction and it was a gift that kept on giving as we hiked our way up to the balcony at the theater lol. I adore a pleated skirt as they are so girly and it kept with the ultra feminine vibes of the sweater. Although I was freezing my nads off even with the knee high socks, it was so worth it. 😀

Finally, it was onto shoes and accessories. For shoes, I opted for a gorgeous pair of platforms by Sugar Thrillz. The baby pink of the heels was an excellent match to the sweater while the pop of plaid added some funky fun. And, of course, the heart accents going across the shoe added to the Valentine’s Day flare. In the earrings department, I went for a pair of brooch style studs with a red rose in the middle. Roses are a classic V-Day gift and I said “make it fashion”! With that, I was off to see a terrible show with my honey as an early Love Day date. ❤

Is it Bratz or Sabrina Carpenter? I say both. I love my dolls and my beloved Miss Carpenter just as much as I love this look!

What is your favorite Sabrina Carpenter song? Which Bratz doll was your favorite? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Very Truly Yours Valentine’s Day Sweater

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Very Truly Yours Valentine’s Day Sweater

Hello! I have a nice long break between shifts on Tuesdays. During that time, I like to read or work on the computer. If I have nothing to do, I use that time to shop because I am right in a plaza with a TJMaxx. It’s a gift. Speaking of gifts, my mom joined me this past Tuesday on a shopping trip and we had the best time! I had Christmas gift cards and TJMaxx rewards burning a hole in my pocket and I planned on restocking the skin care I needed and purchasing treats for myself with the remainder. I did exactly that and ended up with this gorgeous little number for Valentine’s Day by Very Truly Yours. Check it out:

As soon as we walked into TJs, this sweater was the first thing I saw and it was love at first sight. It is just the sweetest! The baby pink color, the argyle style diamonds, white embroidered hearts, and heart buttons put me in Valentine’s Day heaven. This sweater fits snugly without being tight, is soft as can be, and literally gave me heart eyes! Although V-Day is a while away, I plan on busting it out this weekend as Johnny and I are going on a date to Playhouse Square to see Stereophonic. Hey, it’s never too early to give some Valentine’s Day OOTD inspo on the ol’ blog!

Even before trying this sweater on, visions of what I could wear with it swirled through my head at a rapid pace. What I decided on is a Bratz doll inspired look that I am so excited for all of you to see. I’m thinking a white pleated mini skirt, thigh high tights, and a funky pair of pink platforms. Bratz doll style is all about girly clothes with a sassy twist and I hate to toot my own horn but I think this outfit is going to fit that to the T. Keep it posted on lifewithlilred for a review of the show and exclusive OOTD pics. Can’t wait? Follow me on TikTok for an early peek at an outfit video coming soon. ❤

I had such a fabulous time shopping with my mom and had a great haul to boot. Lots more fashion fun is on the way!

What is a perfect Valentine’s Day date for you? Were you a Barbie or Bratz girl? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

My New Year’s Resolutions

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My New Year’s Resolutions

Howdy! 2026 is right around the corner? Are you ready for a brand new year? Have you made your resolutions and are they actually ones that you can keep? I have never been one to set extreme goals for the new year. Rather, I turn to small achievable tasks that are easy to keep while still making positive changes. What’s the point of a New Year’s Resolution if you’re going to bail out after one month! Here are my little goals for 2026 and maybe they will help inspire you too:

The past few months I have felt like I have been on my phone constantly and I don’t like it! Whether it is scrolling aimlessly on Facebook, playing on apps, or shooting off texts I have turned into a phoneaholic and now that I recognize it – I can do something about it! I plan on replacing at least some of my screen time with reading a chapter or two of a book instead. Rather than participate in brain rot, I can tuck into a good book and share even more Lil Red’s Book Clubs. Talk about a win/win and a simple but effective resolution!

It is SO easy to get home from work, sit down on the couch, and not move until bedtime. Especially in the frigid winter months! This has been my MO and I think it could benefit from some changes. I have no plans on sacrificing my TV time but modifying it because who says you have to watch it sitting down? Completing a small workout or even just walking in place while your shows play can boost your health and mood, increase your energy, and provide a better night’s sleep. This is a particularly positive improvement for me as I love to hike when it’s warm out but hibernate all winter long. Even fifteen or so minutes of movement after work can make a big difference and I can do it from the comfort and warmth of my home!

I am my toughest critic and I have always been that way. I find it difficult to speak to myself positively even when I know I am doing great and that is no way to live. Engaging in kind self talk is a goal that I really have to put my mind to literally and metaphorically because I’m just not used to it. However, I do need to pat myself on the back more often and that starts now. Instead of focusing on every little thing I might have done wrong, I need to remind myself that I did the best I could and that is good enough.

I am potentially starting a new job in January and will obvi be filling all of you in on that as soon as I can. My biggest goal? To absolutely CRUSH it!! I have felt the desire for change for a while now and a fateful email opened up the potential for it. Just the thought of a brand new adventure is exciting and I am keeping my fingers and toes crossed. A new job is a totally different change of pace and all I can do is put my best foot forward and rock it. Hey, that sounds like positive self talk to me!

These New Year’s Resolutions may not seem like much but they are to me. These goals are meaningful because I know I need to work on them and I know that I will succeed! 🙂

Do you have any resolutions for 2026? What is a positive change you made recently? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Spirit Christmas Haul

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Spirit Christmas Haul

Hello! This past week I took a trip to Spirit Christmas and had a complete blast. Spirit Christmas is basically Spirit Halloween… But Christmas lol and the setup is the same. As soon as you walk in, you are greeted by a walk through of motion activated decor and there is also an area filled to the brim with inflatable lawn decor. And, oh yeah, beaucoup holiday themed T-shirts, costumes, ugly sweaters, stockings, and ornaments. For my holiday OOTD, I had a vision of a Sabrina Carpenter inspired ensemble. The sweater vest below is for my “naughty” OOTD and the T-shirt is for the “nice” version! Check it out:

Prior to visiting Spirit Christmas I was browsing on a few online stores for a holiday OOTD. However, I didn’t make any purchases as I had never bought from them before and wasn’t sure of how the clothes would fit. The last thing I wanted to do was to make last minute returns and exchanges so I decided shopping in store was the best way to go. Although Spirit Christmas had a handful of pre-assembled costumes, they were a bit too basic for my liking. Luckily, they had stand alone options too so I pieced together my OOTD and I am loving it!

The first thing I clocked was the Christmas tree inspired mini skirt and I knew I could work with that. It is just so festive and FUN with that sparkling tinsel and disco ball style ornaments. I cannot wait to twirl and swirl in it and am happy to have it as I have literally no holiday season themed clothing. I think this skirt is the best place to start! The next order of business was finding a top to pair it with. I bypassed the ugly sweaters because they were upwards of seventy dollars and that was way too expensive to justify. That was no matter because who needs an ugly sweater when you have a Step Brothers T-shirt and sweater vest? 😀

In the T-shirt department, I snatched the Step Brothers T as soon as I saw it. It’s literally perfect lol. Step Brothers is one of my all time favorite movies and I all but have it memorized. Nothing says Season’s Greetings like Dale and Brennan sending their well wishes for an activity filled Christmas and it was just what I needed for my “nice” OOTD. For the “naughty” portion, I simply could not say no to the “Santa’s Favorite Ho” sweater vest because LOLOLOL. This little number is so sassy and downright hilarious and it’s going to look amazing with the mini skirt. It’s a Sabrina Carpenter style OOTD Lil Red’s way to the T and I couldn’t ask for anything more. ❤

I cannot wait to show off my naughty and nice OOTDs so stay tuned all holiday season long on lifewithlilred for more fashion fun!

Are you dressing up in a costume for the holidays? Did you get a new outfit to celebrate in? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feed The Birds

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Feed The Birds

Hello! For as long as I can remember, my dad has had a fondness for filling the bird feeders in our yard every morning. Rain, snow, sleet, or hail he is out there being a modern day Saint Francis and is essentially the Postal Service of bird feeding. We all have a morning routine and this is his and I think it is truly awesome. My dad loves nature and takes time every day to appreciate and nurture it and that is something that we can all learn from. To take the time out of your day to do an activity you really enjoy. Once the bird feeders have been filled, we simply sit back and enjoy my dad’s good deed because nature puts on a show afterwards!

Before my dad has even stepped foot inside after his morning routine is complete, a full fledged feeding frenzy follows and we can see it all perfectly. My dad has expertly placed the feeders so we have a view of them from the windows and we love to bird watch together. Not only does my dad care for these birds but he knows so much about them too. He is always teaching me the names of unfamiliar ones and tailors the bird food options specific to the native birds in the area as well as the ones that have visited briefly and he would like to see again. It’s fascinating to listen to as we gaze out of the nature window in awe.

It’s exciting to see the guests that come to the feeders but my favorite has always been the Cardinal. My mom always says that when you see a red bird, then it’s a good day and I think of that sentiment every time I see one. And, although I am not a fan of winter, there is nothing better than seeing a beautiful Cardinal against the freshly fallen snow. We have also recently had several species of Woodpeckers stop by and they are so striking too! There have been at least three different kinds and my dad has told me all of the names before but I may or may not have forgotten. That’s okay, though, because I know my dad will bring me back up to speed the next time we take a peek through the nature window together. ❤

No matter the weather, my dad’s happiest place to be is in the yard tending to his plants and wildlife friends. He is best wildlife warrior around!

What is your favorite outdoor activity? Do you have bird feeders in your yard? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Fashion Holiday Gifts

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Fashion Holiday Gifts

Howdy! I am pleased to report that my holiday shopping is donezo! I made excellent use of Black Friday sales for my remaining giftees and I am so excited to pop on one of my comfort shows and wrap everything up. For those who still have some holiday shopping to get done, fear not! We’ll be having gift guides leading up to the big days to give you some inspiration. Let’s venture into the world of fashion. Whether you have a giftee who is a full fledged fashionista or keeps their style simple, these gifts will always go over well:

New PJs are an excellent option for wearing to bed or just lounging about the house. In the cold winter months, people want to feel cozy and curling up in some soft pajamas is the best way to do it! Regardless of if a set of PJs are your giftee’s thing, they are certainly going to use it and can break up the pieces as they choose. 5 Below has an amazing selection of pajamas for fifteen dollars and you can often find sets at TJMaxx for around twenty. Jammies are something people rarely buy for themselves as sweatpants and old T’s make an equally viable option so this gift would feel like a real treat. I know I would love it because thanks to 5 Below I have become pajama obsessed!

Let me say something controversial but so brave: Winter is cold lol. How many times have you not bundled up and instantly regretted it after two minutes? Too many to count on my end! Lovely hats, scarves, and gloves can not only provide an added boost of warmth but gives the opportunity to shake up outfits too. If you’re unsure of which colors to choose, opt for something neutral like cream, tan, or black. That way the accessory can be paired with anything and will still work beautifully.

Who doesn’t love a touch of bling? For the fellas you could go for cuff links, tie clips, watches, or chains. Delicate, meaningful jewelry always makes a great gift for the ladies. I am especially partial to best friends bracelets as well as mother related jewelry for my mom, sister, and mother-in-law. When you put some genuine thought into a jewelry gift, it will turn into not just an accessory but a treasure. Find pieces that speak to your giftee’s style and your own relationship and I just know they will love it!

Did I mention that winter is cold?! Plush throw blankets, fuzzy socks, slippers, mug and drink koozies, or even weighted stuffed animals are all fabulous options to curl up on the couch with and watch your favorite holiday flick. For items like blankets or koozies you could go the customized route with a local vendor. There is also never a shortage of fuzzy socks or slippers in store to choose from. Cozy gifts are fun because they often fall under someone’s “nice to have” but not necessary category when they are making purchases. Even if your giftee is a blanket fiend like me, they will simply say the more the merrier. 😀

Do you know someone whose wardrobe constantly runneth over? Anyone with jewelry and earrings scattered around like breadcrumbs (Me!)? Or perhaps a giftee who could use some extra help organizing? Come in with the assist! Jewelry boxes, shelves or hanging organizers, and plastic bins to keep seasonal clothes safe are practical and can transform a cluttered room. You can double gift by lending a hand during the installation and organizing the space so their clothes and accessories get the treatment they deserve.

The options above are a practical look at fashion gifts. You know your giftee best and when you find that perfect item that speaks to their style, you will definitely know!

What is your favorite type of present to gift? What is a fashion gift you would love to receive? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Crafty Halloween Home Decor

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Crafty Halloween Home Decor

Hello! It is no secret that Johnny and I live for Halloween decor and our apartment is decorated for the happiest season of all all year round. At work, my Johnny is definitely the elder emo of the bunch and his work station is decorated with Halloween goodies too. Earlier this week, he sent me a picture of a craft that one of his coworkers made just for us. We were so genuinely surprised at how thoughtful this was and have it proudly displayed in our living room. I am absolutely in love with it and wanted to share it because it’s something that could be easily replicated. It can also be made to fit the upcoming holiday season too. Check it out:

Johnny and I were aware that his coworker makes crafts like this bottle nightlight and never expected to have her make one for us. It honestly came as a shock and we are just so appreciative for it because it’s so totally us! His coworker claims to not be crafty but we most certainly say otherwise. There are countless fun little details to this display. The spider, skeleton beads, and eyeball flowers took a simple craft into something really special. The bottle of Witches Brew set the tone and it bloomed from there!

A craft like this would make a fabulous gift and I can picture it perfectly for the holiday season. Start with a bottle of sparkling grape juice, Christmas ale, or a seasonal wine and add some twinkling fairy lights. For the flowers, I’m thinking poinsettias with sprigs of holly and a spray of glitter or fake snow. Then, it could be decorated with tiny ornaments, icicles, peppermints, or snowflakes. Any holiday staple that speaks to you! There is nothing better than a homemade gift and this is a great route to draw inspiration from. ❤

This Halloween craft was the perfect treat – no tricks involved. What a kind, generous, and wicked cool gesture! ❤

Have you made any crafts recently? How did it turn out? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Holiday Shopping For The Kiddos

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Holiday Shopping For The Kiddos

Hello! Johnny and I are the fun aunt and uncle to five amazing kiddos and it’s always so exciting to celebrate the holiday season together. I am pleased to report that I have put a decent dent in my Christmas shopping and like to think of myself as an excellent gift giver. However, with several holidays as an aunt under my belt, even I admit that I need some inspiration now and then for children’s gifts. There are seemingly endless options of adorable things and it can be hard to narrow it down! Let’s explore a few ideas to get that gift inspo flowing for the littles in your life:

Honestly, one of the best things you can do is simply ask the parents lol. This might sound lazy but it’s so true and you can be sure that you are getting exactly what is needed and wanted. It could be clothing in a certain size, a particular toy they have their eye on, or a couple packs of supplies like diapers and wipes. The last thing parents need is more clutter like yet another package of play food or making trips to return or exchange presents. If you are unsure – just ask!

Speaking of clutter, the resounding theme I have heard this year from my parent friends is wanting gifts of experience for their children. This is a fabulous way to make memories and have cherished quality time. It could be a trip to the zoo or aquarium, purchasing lessons for swimming or theater, or tickets to a movie or live show. Several beloved children’s programs like Paw Patrol, The Wiggles, and Gabby’s Dollhouse have theater performances that super fan kiddos will love. Lots of local theaters also have performances of The Grinch, Elf, and Rudolph which could be tons of fun too to get into the holiday spirit.

If your littles are anything like mine, they love to get artsy! Arts and crafts gifts are great and can give parents a welcome reprieve while their kids work on their own projects. It could be big coloring or sticker books, figurines to paint, packs of model clay or kinetic sand, jewelry making kits, or retro fuzzy posters to spend an afternoon coloring. If you want to combine art with a gift of experience, how about a trip to a pottery studio like Color Me Mine or All Fired Up? Then you can enjoy creating together and eagerly await to pick up your masterpieces after they have been glazed.

Of course, Lego is an incredibly popular toy but it is also incredibly expensive! There are some loopholes though. 😀 If you have a 5 Below near you, check it out. The one that I shop at has several Lego Creator and even Technic sets on the cheap. I was really surprised to find them and got a handful of kits for a song as one of my gifts for my nephew. 5 Below also has pseudo Lego kits for Strawberry Shortcake, Hello Kitty, and candy like Hershey’s and Reese’s. This can give a taste for building without breaking the bank.

And, finally, there is a store in my neck of the woods called The Exchange. It is a buy/sell/trade shop for video games, movies, records, and memorabilia and oftentimes they have used Lego sets there. If you have a similar store in your vicinity, it doesn’t hurt to stop by. Mine currently has a lot of the Wicked sets there for close to half off. Why pay more when you can pay less?!

If your little has been longing for a pet of their own and it isn’t possible, there are SO many cute animal care toys on the market. My eldest niece, for example, would love pet bunnies because of my Melvin and Penelope. Who can blame her? They’re the cutest! Last year for Christmas, I got her a Little Live Pets set for bunnies and she absolutely loved it. These toys come with a mama animal and babies to birth. It also includes clothes to dress them up in, play food to feed them, and bedding to make their hutch cozy. These toys make noises and are super interactive. It could be the perfect introduction to caring for a pet of their own some day! *Note: PLEASE don’t gift real animals for the holidays. They are family, not a present to be returned.*

It feels like October is flying by and the holidays are just around the corner. Stay tuned for more inspo guides from your girl all holiday season long!

Are you an early or last minute holiday shopper? Who is the most difficult person to shop for on your list? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Back On The Ice!

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Back On The Ice!

Hello!! My childhood sport of choice was competitive figure skating and I stopped when I was about sixteen years old. After that, I would skate just for fun and coach for the Special Olympics a few years later. Prior to the pandemic starting, I thought it would be cool to try ice dancing and take lessons again and did just that. Cue pandemic, what felt like an indefinite hiatus, then I was back. Until I wasn’t lol. I had an extremely off putting encounter with a male coach and it instantly sucked all of the joy out of being on the ice again. So, I hung up my skates and never went since. Until this weekend!! Check it out and peep the videos on my TikTok @lilred6794 :

A month or so ago, I noticed one of my friends on social media had recently got back into skating after some time off too. I knew who she was but she skated in a different club than me and was a few years younger than me in high school. However, her decision to skate again inspired me and I thought that it couldn’t hurt to shoot her a message to see if she wanted to go together sometime. The answer was a resounding YES, we scheduled a skate date, and were both so eager to hit the ice together this past weekend.

I arrived at the rink a bit earlier than my friend so I started the open skate session solo. And omg I was feeling good as soon as my blades touched the ice. The open skate was blessedly not crowded at all so I basically had free reign to do anything and everything. I did a few warm up laps and like no time had passed at all, I was back to spins, jumps, and footwork. What’s that old saying about riding a bike? Granted, what I was doing wasn’t perfect and I felt straight up drunk after spinning but I was sure proud of everything that I could still do!

By the time I was nice and warmed up, my friend was ready to get her skate on too. I told Johnny it was like the equivalent of going hiking with a friend. We skated around, talked like we had known each other for years even though we just met, and just had fun skating for the joy of it. It was such a wonderful experience to skate with no pressure whatsoever and to encourage each other to keep trying all of our long lost tricks. Before I knew it, the hour and a half long session was over and we exited the rink exhausted but exhilarated. We are going to try and skate at least once a month and I am already chomping at the bit for our next skate date!

The moral of the story is to NEVER let anyone take the fun and joy out of something you love to do. I am so thankful to have found a friend that gave me the motivation to get back on the ice after swearing off of it and am still riding the high of how proud I feel of both of us!

What is your favorite sport to play? Which sports did you play when you were little? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

New Hair, Who Dis?

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New Hair, Who Dis?

Hello!! This past Friday I enjoyed a wonderful day at The Shear Shop so my stylist, Anna, could get my hair right. I had been looking forward to this since I booked the appointment because I couldn’t wait to start experimenting with lighter colors again for spring. Anna selected brand new Pulp Riot colors just for me and created a masterpiece that we lovingly named “Rainbow Ice”. It reminded us so much of the signature shaved ice from the ice cream truck! Take a look:

^^^ Pulp Riot colors are Blue Muse, Lemon, Pyro, and Desert Sky!

The last time Anna did my hair, we were enamored by the end results after bleach was applied. My hair turned into a mermaid palette of yellow, orange, blue, and teal. We wanted to invoke those same summer vibes but in a cleaned up version and that served as our inspiration for this look. To start, Anna bleached my hair twice. Once to lighten up my roots and twice to strip the rest of the hair. As per ushe, we loved how my locks looked post bleach and briefly contemplated just leaving it like that. However, temptation for new Pulp Riot colors won as soon as Anna showed me my options!

For our Rainbow Ice palette, Anna chose Blue Muse, Lemon, Pyro, and Desert Sky. The wild card factor was also considered because my hair truly has a mind of its own. We never have any idea of the way my hair is going to pull colors and what the fresh dye is going to do on top of old colors that didn’t get bleached out all of the way. In that regard, there is some risk because there is an element of the unknown. However, this risk payed off big time and my hair did exactly what we wanted it to.

To start, Anna painted my bangs and top roots with Pyro because it blends so nicely with my real hair color. Then, she applied Desert Sky with a hint of Lemon at the bottom for the top half of my hair. Finally, it was time to bring on the blue and Blue Muse was painted onto the rest. All that was left to do was wait fifty minutes for the color to set and I damn near ran to my ice cold water wash. I was on pins and needles to see what was going on under all of that foil!

After my ice bath, I was in love immediately. Then, Anna cut my hair into a pseudo shag, styled it, turned my chair to the mirror, and I was head over heels. This Rainbow Ice palette is pure magic! From the Pyro, pretty peachy pink of Desert Sky, and Lemon on top with the Blue Muse on the bottom, it looked like a literal sunset over the ocean. We also were crazy about how the Blue Muse pulled. It wasn’t completely true to the color it should have been, which is a bright electric blue. We were fully aware of the possibility of Blue Muse looking more teal from the bleach and remaining navy blue in my hair and were so not mad about it. In fact, I couldn’t picture anything different because this new spring hair is everything. ❤

Huge shout out to my amazing Anna because this isn’t just dyed hair – this is art!!!!!

Are you changing your hair for spring and summer? How often do you get your hair done? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah