Tag Archives: lifestyle

Apr27

Working From Home With Kids? Follow These Tips!

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Working From Home With Kids? Follow These Tips!

One of the biggest challenges any parent has is trying to work at home with kids in tow. You may struggle to keep them occupied over the summer vacation, but when you are working at home with kids around, there is no one size fits all approach. But here are a few ideas that you may want to get inspiration from:

Don’t Work From Your Couch:

The most important takeaway from Work From Home 101 is that if you really have to sit down on the couch while your kids are running around, you are not going to get anything done! You need to have a space that is purely for work and work alone. When you go there, you need to almost instantly click into work mode.

If you have a spare room, that’s great, but if you need to set up a space in the kitchen or carve out a corner in your bedroom, it has to feel like a working environment. If there’s room for an adjustable desk, set it up with work related paraphernalia so, at the very least, you’ve got the opportunity to focus. When you’ve got a working space you need to communicate this to your children, and when you really have to get things done, they need to know not to bother you. This is not always easy, but this is where the next rule might be worthwhile.

Relaxing Screen Time Rules:

You may be very strict when it comes to screen time but if you have a chunk of time where you know you’ve got to be focused, giving your kids the tablet will help you out here. The great thing is that now there are plenty of apps out there that will help you to keep track of what your kids can and cannot watch, as well as the time limits.

Get Up a Little Earlier:

This is something that many parents swear by, but in order to do this effectively, you’ve got to understand what you need to achieve by the end of the working day. Rather than defining your day based on how many hours you work, look at the tasks you need to complete and which can be broken down into tasks where you need supreme focus or lesser focus. For example, emails may require you to focus in bursts of five minutes or so, but more time intensive tasks may require you to get up before the kids and get this done.

Keep Your Stress Levels Down:

It’s so easy to get frustrated when your children are vying for your attention. But as many people have had to figure out how to do this during the pandemic, they couldn’t wait for kids to go back to school. But the reality is that there are so many more people working from home now, so you need to get the balance right when the kids are home during summer vacation or spring break. You need to remember that it will pass. Because there’s no point in getting hugely frustrated by it as it’s only going to intensify the situation and make it worse.

Working from home with kids can be a huge challenge but it is doable. Follow the tips above to help you get started!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Apr13

How Does Your Diet Lead To Better Health?

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How Does Your Diet Lead To Better Health?

The human body is a fantastic machine with the ability to heal itself when given the correct type of nourishment. Unfortunately, as a society and individuals, we’re increasingly eating foods that aren’t in line with our body’s natural needs. We’re not getting the nourishment we need, which results in a weakened immune system, digestive problems, fatigue, and stress.

Here’s what you need to know to start working on improving your health right now:

What is a healthy diet?

We’re not talking about restrictive diets or eating like a rabbit. A healthy diet is all about eating foods in line with your body’s natural needs, which will help you feel more energized and happier. To get started on that journey, the best thing you can do is remove the bad stuff from your diet. What are the “bad” foods? Foods with high amounts of sugars, animal products, and processed foods.

Understanding Nutrients:

First and foremost, your diet needs to provide you with essential nutrients. These nutrients include protein, calcium, iron, zinc, vitamin D, and magnesium, to name a few. If you’re not getting enough of these vitamins and minerals, it can lead to several problems in your body. Also, it’s essential to understand that every nutrient is necessary for your health in different ways. For example, while vitamin C is vital for immunity, magnesium helps with muscle function and tiredness.

Understanding Macros:

Macrobiotics is all about balance, which can often be defined as a state of harmony between opposing forces, such as yin and yang. It also promotes the consumption of whole grains and other plant based foods while limiting or eliminating meat, dairy, processed food, sugar, and salt.

It’s a great way to start understanding how your diet impacts your health because it’s based on the idea that everything in life is interconnected – plants, animals, and humans. For example, eating an animal product or processed food (which is low on the totem pole) might take away from what you can eat higher up on the totem pole, like plants. That could harm your health because it affects the balance in your body, which could leave you with more inflammation or disease.

Understanding macrobiotics will help you better understand balanced eating and help you work towards a healthier life. Talk to a consultant such as Denny Waxman to make sure you eat the right foods to improve your diet.

How to start improving your diet:

Before you can start improving your diet, you need to know what your diet currently looks like. The easiest way to do this is by keeping a food journal. A food journal is a notebook where you write down everything you eat and drink for at least two weeks. Once you’ve finished that, it’s time to make some changes.

1) Start by eliminating the worst offenders from your diet:

First, identify the most harmful foods in your diet: these are the ones that are high in sugar and processed ingredients. These heavily processed foods can cause more damage than you might have thought. Studies have shown the links between processed foods and brain health including the negative impact it can have on your cognitive function. Remember, what you’re eating is not only feeding your body but your brain too.

2) Add more vegetables into your everyday meals:

The next step is to add more fresh vegetables to your daily meal plan. These vegetables should be colorful and rich in vitamins and minerals – so green leafy veggies like spinach, kale, broccoli, and zucchini are excellent options.

3) Drink enough water:

Finally, make sure you’re drinking enough water every day (aim for eight glasses). This will help flush out toxins from your system and keep things running smoothly inside of you.

After a couple of weeks of a more balanced diet, you will be amazed at how much better you feel. Use the tips above to help you get started today!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Apr1

Creating A Healthy & Active Lifestyle For Your Family

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Creating A Healthy & Active Lifestyle For Your Family

One of the most important things you can do for your family is foster a healthy and active lifestyle. This means making sure that everyone in the family has opportunities to be physically active and eat nutritious foods. It can be tough to make changes in your routine, but you can create healthy habits for your whole family with a bit of effort! In this blog post, we will discuss some tips for getting started:

Make physical activity a priority:

One of the best ways to get your family healthy is to prioritize physical activity. This means setting aside time each day for everyone to be active. You can go for walks, play tag, ride bikes, get active in your Feelnets, or do any other activity that gets everyone moving. If you make being active a regular part of your routine, it will become easier and more fun for your family over time. In addition to scheduled activities, try to be active as a family whenever possible. Take walks after dinner, play in the park, or go swimming. These spontaneous moments of activity will help get everyone moving and have some fun together!

Choose healthy foods:

Another vital part of fostering a healthy and active lifestyle for your family is choosing healthy foods. This means eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. It can be tough to switch to healthier eating habits, but with time and effort, you can do it! One way to make things easier is to plan out your meals ahead of time. This will help you stay on track and ensure you have all of the ingredients you need for nutritious recipes.

Another great way to get your family excited about healthy eating is to involve them in cooking. Let them choose which fruits or vegetables they want to include in a meal or give them their kitchen tasks (such as chopping vegetables). By making healthy eating fun and interactive, you can encourage your family to make healthy choices when it comes to food.

Be a role model:

As parents, it is so important to be a good role model. This means setting a good example for your kids by being active and eating healthy yourself. If you make physical activity and healthy eating a part of your everyday life, your kids will likely follow suit. It’s also essential to be optimistic about being active and healthy. Avoid making comments like “I don’t have time to work out” or “I hate vegetables”. Instead, try to focus on the positives of being active and eating well. For example, say things like “I feel energized after I work out” or “I love how fresh fruits and vegetables make me feel”. By setting a positive example and emphasizing the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, you can help your family live a healthier life.

Getting started with the tips above will make it easier than ever to create lasting healthy habits for your family!

Featured Image By: Alexandr Podvalny

Mar18

Unsatisfied With Your Smile? Braces Could Be Right For You!

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Unsatisfied With Your Smile? Braces Could Be Right For You!

We are not sure about you, but one thing we have noticed a lot more lately is that adults seem to be wearing braces more and more than they used to. And that is awesome! We often have the tendency to assume that braces are purely for children, i.e. to correct your teeth so that they are not crooked later in life. However, this is simply not the case and finding a local orthodontist for your braces and additional care can transform your smile even as an adult.

Braces can help people of all ages, as they can correct a wide range of issues like:

  • Jaw joint disorder
  • Crooked teeth
  • Incorrect jaw position
  • Cross-bites
  • Under-bites
  • Overbites
  • Crowded teeth

There are many different styles of braces to choose from:

If you need braces, you will have plenty of different options to choose from. There is something for everyone. When we think about braces, our minds tend to think about thick, metal bands. However, you can actually get invisible braces these days, which are known as Invisalign. These braces are to be removed whenever you eat, so they work slightly differently. The best thing to do is simply book an appointment with a dentist who will be able to talk you through all of the different options available and give you their professional opinion on the best solution for you.

It is about investing in your future smile:

Braces are all about investing in your future smile. Making changes today can help to make sure that you have a beautiful and healthy smile in the future. Plus, it is important to remember that braces are not only cosmetic. They can also help to prevent headaches, pain, and other dental issues that can occur when you do not rectify the issues you are experiencing at the moment. This is why it is always important to book a dental appointment sooner rather than later.

Finding the best dentist for braces:

Needless to say, you need to choose a dentist with care when it comes to treatments like this. You need someone with years of experience who has provided braces for people time and time before. You can read reviews that have been left by others to make sure the dentist you are considering has a good reputation for the services they provide. Some dentists also have images on their websites so that you can see before and after photos to make sure that the treatment has worked effectively.

If you are unhappy with the condition of your teeth and you think that you would benefit from braces, there is no harm in scheduling an appointment. We know that wearing braces can be intimidating but there really is nothing to worry about. You will look great!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Mar17

6 Simple Steps To Promote Mental Wellness In Daily Life

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6 Simple Steps To Promote Mental Wellness In Daily Life

Nothing in this life is more important than your health, and your mental wellness should be included. Whether you’ve experienced symptoms of poor mental health or not, it is wise to implement habits to protect your frame of mind. A combination of good daily habits and actions to combat symptoms will serve you well. Focus on the six below to get started:

Invest in your looks:

Looking good makes you feel good, even if you don’t consciously realize it. We can’t all look like supermodels, but we can benefit from face masks and products that restore a natural glow. A new hairstyle or outfit can have a positive impact too. Aside from seeing a better reflection in the mirror, you will receive positive reactions from your friends, family, and colleagues.

Stay hydrated:

Nutrition plays a central role in all of our lives, and staying hydrated is the most important factor. Hydration will keep your mind engaged and alert in all daily tasks. Moreover, it is a move that will keep your muscles and organs performing at their peak level. While mastering your eating habits can take a little time, drinking more water should be easy.

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^^^ Pixabay Image

Treat physical discomfort:

Physical pains won’t only cause direct pain and discomfort. They can eat away at your mental health as they restrict you in several aspects of your daily life. Finding the right style of headache & migraine relief, for example, can help you get back to your day far sooner. It removes a great deal of frustration from your life, which will make you a healthier and happier person.

Make time for rest:

While we all want to stay productive, it’s important to let your mind and body relax too. For starters, getting a good night’s sleep will provide the perfect platform to build upon. You can also use yoga & meditation to break up the day and freshen your frame of mind. Losing a few minutes may seem counterproductive, but it will often allow you to achieve more at work and in recreational matters.

Avoid negative people:

Positivity is contagious, but so is negativity. Therefore, surrounding yourself with the right people in life should be considered vital. Taking a step back from people who negatively effect your well being will allow you to focus more of your time on the people who matter most. Their positivity should inspire you to achieve more in daily life too.

Spend more time outside:

We live in a tech-fueled world, and it can take a toll on our mental wellness. While you cannot simply avoid using computers for work and daily tasks, you can at least take a break. From gardening to going for a bike ride, those moments of exploring the great outdoors are great for your mindset. The fresh air is sure to bring a sense of inner peace and tranquillity to your world. Embrace it.

Your mental wellness can be improved upon by taking small, simple steps every day and maintaining them so that you can feel like your best self in all that you do.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Mar10

Health Checks To Add To Your Schedule

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Health Checks To Add To Your Schedule

We all want to take good care of our health and well being. Our bodies and our mind are what we experience the world through and we want to keep them in the best condition possible. But this is often easier said than done. Scheduling conflicts, work, and the like can all make scheduling regular health appointments an inconvenience.

What’s more inconvenient, however, are health issues going unchecked so do be sure to pencil in the following:

Dental Checks:

Booking a dentist appointment is essential once every six months. Use a reliable dental practice with plenty of qualified and professional dentists working for them. During your check up, your Dentist will be able to take a look around your mouth and notice any issues such as cavities, decay, or other dental problems. They can then book you in to resolve these problems if they do exist. If not, they can just pass you on to your hygienist, who will be able to clean your teeth thoroughly for you.

Eye Checks:

You should visit an optometrist once every two years. An eye check can help your optometrist to ensure that your vision is up to scratch and to identify any changes in your vision. They’ll be able to recommend prescriptions to you if you do require help with your vision and educate you in best practices and tell tale signs like cataract symptoms to watch out for. You might realize that you are exhibiting symptoms as soon as you hear your optometrist say it out loud. They can also take some time to look out for common eye health complaints such as glaucoma, cataracts, or even issues like diabetes. Take the time to ask your optometrist any questions concerning you, such as what does laser eye surgery do or how glaucoma may affect your vision. Keep in mind, the earlier problems arise, the easier it is to treat them.

Hearing Checks:

Hearing checks are one of those medical things that often go forgotten about and if you’ve not had it checked recently, then it’s important to do so now. A hearing check might be able to give you clarity on any ear pain or lack of hearing you’ve noticed in recent years. There are plenty of new technologies and engineering within the world of hearing aids now too, including a range of hearing aid styles. Don’t skip on your hearing appointments!

Cervical Screening:

If you have a cervix and are over the age of 25, you will need to attend cervical screening appointments. This process can also be called a “smear test” or a “pap smear”. If you are aged between 25 and 44, you will be asked to attend screening once every three years. If you are aged between 45 and 60, you will be asked to attend once every five years. The process is simple and, while some would describe it as uncomfortable, generally pain free. It helps to identify any abnormal cells in your cervix and could help to identify signs of cervical cancer in their early stages. This could be a life saving check so it really is important to schedule it in.

These are just three appointments to book but, hopefully, they’ll get the ball rolling when it comes to encouraging you to maintain good health practices!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Mar8

3 Tips For Developing New Professional Skills

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3 Tips For Developing New Professional Skills

Largely as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the way that it has deeply disrupted many industries across the professional landscape, a phenomenon that some are calling “The Great Resignation” is currently underway.

Instead of going through the motions in their current jobs or “going with the flow” and sticking to the current trajectories of their careers, many people are now looking for options for developing new professional skills, retraining, and changing jobs or career types outright. Whether you’re interested in getting into mobile applications technology or want to start working in ecological management, here are a few tips for developing new professional skills:

See if your current job is open to offering additional training and certification opportunities:

Many employers will have a budget for training and skill development on their teams and will offer a range of optional courses and qualifications to their employees. Even if your current employer isn’t explicitly advertising these courses, you could go to them and ask whether they would be willing to fund and sponsor you for training that would potentially make you more effective in your role.

The training options that will be on offer within your current job will naturally tend to be things that are related to your current career that your employer deems will make you a better asset for the company. And there will often be some contractual stipulation that you need to stay with the company for a certain number of years after completing the course or else pay the cost back.

Either way, this kind of training can be helpful in enabling you to adjust course in your career, particularly if you’re not in a big rush.

Take online courses and work on them at a consistent time each day:

Today, there are many great online courses to be found, ranging from full-on certificates and online degrees offered by Universities, to more basic certificates and courses in things like the fundamentals of coding or graphic design. Signing up to online courses and spending some time working on them each day at as consistent a time as you can manage can be a great way of quickly acquiring new skills and insights.

Whether you are looking to extend your knowledge or learn something completely new, there is a program online that can fit into the schedule you set. If you are a software testing professional who is looking to progress in their career, for example, the ISTQB test management course could be an excellent thing to have on your resume. Advanced learning shows that you are committed to your job and are always up for learning more, which is what employers love to see.

Work on projects that you’re inexperienced with during your day job or as a side venture:

Some of the best skill development happens or, at least begins, “on the job,” whether at your actual day job or while working on a side business or other project in your own time. Working on project types that you’re relatively inexperienced with but see potential in can be one of the most fruitful and rapid ways of developing your professional skills. It will give you a clearer and more accurate sense of the kinds of topics where further training might be necessary or beneficial.

If you’re unsatisfied with your current job, there is no better time than the present to make changes to a career path that better suits you.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Mar2

One Of Those Mornings

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One Of Those Mornings

Hello! Last week was an insanely busy one for yours truly and when I woke up Friday morning, all I could think was TGIF. Little did I know, it was going to be one of those mornings. You all know the kind, when nothing seems to go right and you’re ready to crawl back into bed before it’s even noon. As I’ve mentioned before, I am a woman of routine and my usual mornings got way bent out of sorts. All I can say is: WOOF. lol

On Friday morning, I had a lot to do between writing and my online job before I made my way to work. I was making good progress and decided to take an anime break before I completed the rest of my assignments. I watched an episode of Black Clover and was halfway through the final episode of the Entertainment District Arc of Demon Slayer when the lights began to flicker.

For a brief moment the power went off but turned back on immediately and I breathed a huge sigh of relief. I went back to watching my show and five minutes later, the power turned off again and this time it was for over an hour! I stuck around at home for another fifteen minutes or so to see if it would turn back on but had no luck so I decided to bring my laptop to my parents’ house before beginning my shift there.

What normally is an under five minute drive to chez parents ended up taking forty minutes because my car was frozen solid:

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Due to Ohio’s crap weather, we had freezing rain and snow Thursday night and it left my car completely encased in ice. Oh, the joys of apartment living and no garage! It took my car about a half hour to thaw out and it was about as boring as watching paint dry lol. When the defroster had finally done its job, I still needed to pop to the gas station so I had enough in my tank for the weekend only to find that it was still frozen shut. SMH!!

When I finally arrived at my parents’ place, I was able to watch the rest of Demon Slayer and finish all of my work with five minutes to spare before clocking in. It was a mad dash, I tell you! Thankfully, the rest of the day went without a hitch because I was totally wiped out – blame it on evil Aunt Flo, I guess.

By the time I got back to my apartment, I seriously didn’t move for the rest of the day and it was SO needed. My Johnny also managed to lift my spirits by teaching me how to play Rummy, which actually ended up being a lot of fun… Probably because I kicked his butt! He also suggested that we play Scrabble, which is my favorite game, and it resulted in a tie. No one was more surprised by this outcome than me because I usually wipe the floor with him. 🙂

One of those mornings turned into a good day at work and an even better evening. But the night was the best because I slept like a dog/rock/log/baby!

What is your favorite game? How do you spend your time after work? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar1

Using Tech To Improve Your Mental Health

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Using Tech To Improve Your Mental Health

Mental health is something that goes overlooked far too often. Throughout the pandemic, everyone’s screen time increased exponentially. Today, we’re going to explore some effective ways that we can use tech to improve mental health:

Entertainment and destressing:

Many of us feel like we need to destress and unwind at the end of a busy day or a stressful week. Technology offers us a host of entertainment options, which can lift our spirits, distract us from stressors, and help us to feel calmer and more relaxed. From interviews with music stars on TV shows like Tavis Smiley PBS and the latest movies to online games, TV box sets, and customized playlists, you can choose from a vast array of platforms, sites, apps, channels, and shows to enjoy your downtime, boost your mood, and chill out.

If you are finding it difficult to destress and unwind, even during a relaxing evening spent watching TV, then you may want to explore the amazing world of cannabis or CBD to enhance your relaxation. While this is not an option for everyone, it can be helpful. You can start by purchasing some CBD gummies or by visiting a well-established online weed dispensary Emeryville, or one more relevant to your location, to discover a strain that’s right for you.

Boosting physical health:

Looking after your body often has benefits for your mind. Mental and physical health are intertwined. More and more people are using tech to improve their health and reduce the risk of illness and disease. Examples include using wearable activity trackers, food diary apps, and devices that monitor sleep quality and duration. Increasing activity levels, eating a healthy, balanced diet, and getting enough sleep can make a huge difference to your psychological well being.

Exercise makes you feel good, it aids sleep and it is also a natural stress buster. A nutritious diet fuels your body, preventing you from experiencing low energy levels and ensuring your body gets all the vitamins and minerals it needs. Sleep is vital for optimal mental health. If you’re tired, you may be irritable, your energy levels will be low, and you may experience mood swings. A lack of sleep can also increase the risk of anxiety, depression, and chronic stress.

Connecting with others:

Socializing and interacting with others is proven to enhance mental health. Human beings are naturally sociable creatures and we enjoy talking to others and spending time with friends and family. Technology has been instrumental in bringing people together and encouraging us to make new friends and stay in touch with family and friends even when we can’t get together in person. Technology can help to prevent isolation and loneliness.

Finding help and advice:

Many people find it hard to talk about mental health and they are reluctant to seek advice. Technology can help those who are struggling to find charities or organizations that provide help and connect with others who have been in the same situation. Using smartphones, tablets, and computers can also make it easy for people who want to reach out to find the relevant support by providing easy access to websites or contact details for doctors, therapists, and organizations that offer free advice. It can also be beneficial to join forums or social media groups to meet people who experience similar problems, particularly if you don’t feel comfortable opening up to people you know.

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Pexels Image

Many of us are making an effort to protect and improve our mental health. Technology plays an increasingly integral role in modern healthcare and it can help to boost and nourish mental health. You can use tech to destress and have fun, connect with others, enhance physical health, and find help and support all from the comfort of your couch!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Feb27

What Have I Been Up To?

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What Have I Been Up To?

Hi! It has been a while since I’ve filled you all in on the comings and goings of my day to day life and, honestly there’s not been too much! The weather in good ol’ Akron, Ohio has been total crap with heavy snow and rain making outdoor activities few and far between. We actually had a close to sixty degree day earlier this week and then the temperature plummeted again, which was such a cruel tease of spring weather!

With both mine and Johnny’s busy work schedules, we spend a majority of the time during the week at home. However, we do try to have an outing every weekend, which is a nice change of pace from a year ago when we legit weren’t doing anything because of the pandemic. We’ll usually go have a drink at a bar or lunch at a restaurant but our best outing was definitely our evening in Cleveland seeing Jesus Christ Superstar. Other than getting married, this was seriously one of the most exciting things that we have done since the start of the pandemic lol.

The time at home is just fine, though, because Johnny and I have a lot of work to do! As I’ve mentioned before, we are trying to move into a three bedroom apartment soon and need to get our place in tip top shape for a walk through. I am so looking forward to the additional space and it will be great when we are watching our little niece. I can’t wait to have her over for sleepovers filled with our favorite Disney movies and dancing while Johnny plays guitar!

When we’re not cleaning and organizing our space, I have spent a lot of time both cooking and reading. Thanks to Pinterest, I have been able to shake up my dinner menu and it has been a lot of fun! I forgot how much I enjoyed cooking until I began trying new recipes instead of the same old favorites time and again. I have also been trying to finish a book per week and am currently working on Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell. Keep it posted for a Lil Red’s Book Club review soon. 😀

Obviously, we don’t lead the most thrilling lives at the moment but I love our happy little bubble no matter what. When the weather changes to more moderate temperatures, our activities will pick up once more. Including going ice skating at least twice a month for me. This January, I stopped attending my lessons because the Omnicron variant was skyrocketing in Ohio. I can’t wait to go back once my evenings aren’t filled with cleaning, cleaning, and more cleaning.

That’s about it in Lil Red’s world right now and, as always, keep it posted for all of the latest and greatest! ❤

What have you been up to? Have you done anything exciting recently? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah