Tag Archives: lifestyle

May19

Crunch Time!

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Crunch Time!

Hello! The countdown for my wedding is on and I definitely feel like I am in crunch time now. And, mind you, this is just for a super small ceremony – I couldn’t imagine the stress that soon to be married people feel for a big wedding! Thankfully, if there’s one thing that Lil Red loves to do, it’s plan and Johnny and I are constantly checking things off of our wedding to do list. In fact, I was able to cross three things off in just one day.

This past week, I got halfway through with removing all of the horrible and heinous disk sequins from my wedding dress. It is a night and day improvement with just having the top half completely sequin free and it is so worth the painstaking, time consuming effort. Later that afternoon, Johnny and I went to the courthouse to get our marriage license application sorted so that is all good to go which is very exciting!

After going to the courthouse, I treated myself to brand new jewelry for the four studs in my nose at Lucid Body Piercing. I never change the jewelry in my nose so my crystal studs were looking incredibly dingy and that just won’t do for my wedding day. The professionals at Lucid were able to hook me up with slightly bigger studs with a disk backing, which means a little more bling and no more screw posts forever getting tangled. 😀

Once my jewelry was selected, the owner of the studio, Alex, put them all in for free and it was such an amazing experience because he is so skilled and knowledgeable. We had many a laugh while he swapped my studs out and when we weren’t chit chatting, he thoroughly explained what he was doing which made me feel so comfortable. After my wedding, I am playing around with going back to the shop for a potential new nose piercing. Just being in a piercing studio to have jewelry changed out was enough to have the body mod bug come back biting!

Mine and Johnny’s wedding check list is winding down and soon, we will have nothing left to do but wait for our big day. I have really enjoyed doing the wedding preparations with my fiance and I can’t wait to get married! ❤

What helps you stay organized? Are there any new piercings or tattoos in your future? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May18

Radio Silence

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Radio Silence

Hello! For the past year or so, my radio in the Little Red Love Machine would do this adorable thing while I’m driving and stop working. Lol, I used to joke that the ghost from my apartment had made his way into my car because it would always start working again after a day or so. While super annoying, I was never too bothered by it because I knew it would turn on the next time I ran over a bump in the road.

Your girl doesn’t know anything about cars but I knew that there was definitely some type of issue and, unfortunately, my radio stopped working altogether about two months ago. I drive a lot for my job and this has meant no more Top 40 singalongs, CDs, or using the aux cord for my iPod. The only thing I can do is play my iPod at full volume and continue recycling the exact same songs that I have been listening to since I was fourteen! Haha.

Normally, it’s a good thing when you don’t hear any noises from your car because that means everything is in working order. However, radio silence is a whole different ball game – especially for me. I work for myself and provide care for people with special needs. My time in the car with my music while driving between clients or returning home from work allows me to decompress from the stresses of the day and it is very hard being without.

“Then why haven’t you gotten your radio fixed, Sarah?” I was just getting to that! Between paying taxes, repairs for my car in April, and purchases for my wedding I can’t justify another charge to my bills. But trust and believe that my car radio will be fixed sooner rather than later and the Little Red Love Machine will return to her former glory in no time!

What is your go to driving music? Do you have a name for your car? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May17

3 Tips For Buying Gifts In A New Relationship

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3 Tips For Buying Gifts In A New Relationship

You’re in a new relationship and things are going well even though you haven’t been together for long. But then, disaster strikes. Their birthday or a holiday is coming up and you have no idea what to get them. You don’t know them that well yet and it’s tough to work out how much you spend or how romantic you should be with your gifts. Buying gifts in a new relationship is difficult and it can lead to some awkward situations if you miss the mark. But if you follow these rules, you should be able to find the perfect gift:

Talk About Gifts:

Communication is key in relationships, especially when things are new and you are still learning about each other. Before buying gifts for the first time, ask them about it so you can both set expectations. Do they like big gifts or are they happy with something small? Should you set a price limit on gifts? What kind of things do they normally like? Asking these questions means that everybody is on the same page and there are no awkward situations where one person spends way more than the other or you make a big fuss when they don’t like gifts.

Speaking of communication, really pay attention to your partner’s hobbies or when they mention something they would love. For example, if your significant other is an avid golfer, new gloves and golf balls would be very well received. Or maybe there is a movie coming out that they are dying to see? Gift a date night!

Don’t Go Too Romantic:

Some people have a tendency to go for over the top romantic gifts early on in relationships. They want to demonstrate to the person that they really like them and they are invested in the relationship. However, this isn’t always the best way to go because it can put a lot of pressure on that person. It might make them worry that things are moving too fast or that they are less invested than you. So, it’s best to avoid anything too romantic and over the top in the early stages. Look for funny t-shirts for sale rather than a big stuffed bear with a heart. Picking something like a funny t-shirt shows them that you understand their sense of humor and their interests, which demonstrates that you care without putting too much pressure on. Or, you can give a gift that taps into their favorite fandom, which shows that you really are listening to their likes and dislikes. A Game of Thrones fan would love a dark sister sword while a Harry Potter fan would be over the moon with their own wand – no over the top romance required!

Don’t Leave It To The Last Minute:

When buying gifts in a new relationship, it’s important to show that you care and you put thought into your gift. If you come up with something at the last minute, that suggests that you are not invested in the relationship and are not putting effort in. If you do find yourself in a bind, this list of last minute gifts can help you find something good. However, you should try to avoid this situation and start thinking of gift ideas early. Pay attention to your partner and start listing things they are interested in or things that they talked about buying. Other than hobbies, it’s also a good idea to remember certain scents or flavors that your partner loves. A gift like bath and body care or fragrance gift sets could be very well received if you know just what they like! The whole process will be far less stressful if you start early and have plenty of ideas.

Buying gifts in a new relationship can be difficult and you might worry that you gifted the wrong thing. But if you follow these rules, you will be able to make the best choice!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

May11

Summertime Q & A

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Summertime Q & A

Hi! In Akron, Ohio it has been nonstop rain day after day and I am so over it! The grey, chilly days have left me yearning for summertime weather and fun – especially after my family enjoyed a beautiful preview of what could be when we all went to the zoo together two weekends ago. To put myself into a sunny state of mind as the rain pours down on my apartment skylight, I decided to do a little summertime Q & A so let’s get to it:

What is your ideal weather in the summer? Although I am really looking forward to summertime, I absolutely hate super hot weather. In Lil Red’s perfect world, it would be seventy or so degrees and sunny all season long with a couple of eighty degree days peppered in for swimming.

What are you most looking forward to this summer? My wedding, of course! And Johnny and I share June birthdays exactly one week apart from each other so it’s fun to have combined celebrations for our big days. While there are, obviously, major events that I am looking forward to, I also can’t wait to be more active in the community again now that Johnny and I are both fully vaccinated. His band will begin playing their first outdoor shows in well over a year, which is so exciting!

Where is your dream summer vacation destination? As mentioned before, really hot weather is not my bag at all so a location where it’s a bit cooler would be ideal for me. I would skip the sandy beaches and head for New England. I loved the mild temperatures and the scenic terrain when my family visited Vermont and New Hampshire in my youth.

You won a contest to select three headliners for a music festival. Who are you picking? Well, my whole family was supposed to see the Rolling Stones last year so they would definitely be on the list so Johnny could finally see them live. Then, I would pick Cardi B to keep the party going followed by AFI so we could all have a good cry afterwards.

Do you have a summertime wardrobe staple? Can we all just agree that shaving our legs constantly is such a hassle? Lol, that’s why I love maxi skirts and dresses during the warm weather! They are cute, cool, and cover up my legs when I am too lazy to shave. 😀

Favorite warm weather outdoor activities? Let’s see, I enjoy going for hikes. I like farmers markets and outdoor shopping centers. Zoos and swimming are also always fun. One of the things I love the best during the warm weather is playing outside with my niece with bubbles and sidewalk chalk. There are also a lot of wonderful parks in my area for her to explore too!

Favorite summer memory? One of the best family vacations that we ever took was, easily, Universal Studios in Florida and I often think back to that trip and how much fun we had. I would love to go back!!

How would you answer any of the above questions? Do you have any exciting plans this summer? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May10

Smile!

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Smile!

Hi!! Johnny and I have a lot to smile about and I am so excited for all of our upcoming adventures. We recently got fully vaccinated with the Moderna vaccine and are looking forward to a much more active summer than last year! We also recently got engaged and have really been enjoying planning our nuptials. Our wedding will be short, sweet, and small so the ceremony didn’t need much thought but our outfits most definitely did! We have even begun making plans for our honeymoon, hopefully, next year. 😀

Getting vaccinated has lifted our cloud of constant anxiety significantly and while we will always err on the side of caution, it has felt so good to do things we never would have considered at the start of the pandemic. For example, when my brother and his family came to visit from Georgia, we all went to the zoo and ate at a restaurant. That was mine and Johnny’s first big outing since March nineteenth of last year and it was a blast. Spending time in public with my whole family is what I have been waiting for for so long and not experiencing crippling fear the whole time was the cherry on top!

Returning to some semblance of normal has felt like coming home after a long vacation. What never will be normal, however, is my fiance’s process when it comes to taking selfies with me! Lol, I swear getting a regular, smiling picture with Johnny can be like pulling teeth but it always makes me laugh until we snap just the right pic:

^^^ He loves me! 😀

Every day with Johnny is the best day and I feel so thankful for all of the wonderful things we have to smile about. ❤

What are you looking forward to this summer? What can always make you smile? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May9

Is It Worth It? Let Me Work Out Pt. 2

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Is It Worth It? Let Me Work Out Pt. 2

Hi! Last month, I posted about how I began doing a small daily work out to strengthen my upper body and thought I would do a follow up on my gains. When it comes to upper body strength, let’s just say that it would qualify under “needs improvement” my entire life because I have little to none, lol. This was further exasperated by the nerve damage in my arms from a car accident that Johnny and I were in in September of 2019 which left me hospitalized with an injury to my cervical spine.

I have never been overly concerned with working out as I mentioned in my original post and I’m not sure what inspired me to start but I am glad that I did. In April, I began doing twenty-five push ups and arm circles every day. At first, the push ups were a bit much but I am proud to say that I can now do fifty in a row! I doubled where I started from and I feel awesome about that.

While I can’t say that I notice any physical differences in my upper body, my arms feel stronger. On a normal work day, my arms are completely aching by the time I go to bed because of the nerve damage. It can be incredibly painful and on a day when I am typing a lot, my arms are sometimes out of commission by the afternoon. Since starting my daily work out, I have noticed that the nerve pain in my arms has gone down considerably and I am really thankful for that. I also feel like I have so much more energy in the evening now because I am not struggling through intense pain to complete any tasks.

After Johnny and I got our second COVID vaccine, we were both hit hard by the side effects and I took a break from my work outs as I recovered. However, trust and believe that as soon as I felt better, I began my routine again. I am looking forward to seeing and feeling more gains in my upper body strength and I am proud of what I have accomplished already! 😀

What are some good upper body work outs? What is your favorite form of exercise? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr29

Planning An Eco-Friendly Funeral

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Planning An Eco-Friendly Funeral

It’s becoming increasingly common for people to plan their own funerals. With the price of events like this skyrocketing in recent times, it makes sense that people don’t want to burden their loved ones with a huge bill. Whether you’re going through a funeral care company or want to plan the whole thing yourself, making sure that your final send-off is good for the environment is a great way to approach an issue like this. To help you get started, this post will be exploring some of the key areas that you will need to consider:

The Location:

The location you choose for your funeral is very important, with many people wanting this ceremony to take place somewhere meaningful to them. Whether you choose the town you grew up in or the city you lived in for most of your life, it always makes sense that the location you pick won’t force your guests to make massive journeys. Having a funeral local to most of your guests is likely to be nice and easy, as most people’s fondest memories are in the areas where their friends and family are.

Burial Vs. Cremation:

Many people like the idea of being buried, though this option isn’t as environmentally friendly as cremation. While coffins and bodies can break down over time, this can take many years and this process isn’t always good for the ground when there are a lot of people buried close to one another. This method also takes a lot of space.

Cremation can be a much better option, with the ashes that are leftover being good for the ground if you bury them properly. Cremation urns tend to be more affordable than proper coffins, too. A nice thing about cremation is that you can also have a ceremony spreading the ashes at a favorite place of the deceased. Looking into the cremation cost could be a good step when considering the budget in your funeral planning.

Funerals are more expensive than you might have imagined, especially if there is going to be a large turnout. As cremation is the more cost effective option, you could use some of the monies saved to make a donation to your loved one’s favorite charity or organization. Take the time to research affordable cremation options near you and be sure to let everyone involved vocalize their opinion and come to the best decision for your family together.

Not only is cremation the more eco-friendly approach, but it offers a way to keep your loved one close to you. Whether this be with cremation diamonds or an urn as simple or ornate as you choose, this can provide great comfort. The choice is, ultimately, up to the family but it is something to be considered.

The Donations:

People will almost certainly want to make donations to a cause that you support when you pass away. This gives everyone one last chance to honor your memory, all without having to go over the top. Choosing charities or initiatives that do things like planting trees can be a great way to leave a positive mark on the world once you’ve gone. People will be very eager to donate to causes like this.

The Transport:

Finally, it’s time to think about how you will be transported to your funeral. Hearses are generally used for this, and this is definitely the best option if you want to avoid any difficult organization. There are more and more funeral companies offering electric hearses, and this can help make your funeral transport a little better for the planet.

While it can feel morbid to focus on something like this, many people find that planning their funeral is a big weight off of their shoulders. This will get more important as you get older, as this event will draw closer and closer. This isn’t something to worry about, though; everyone has to go through this process and you’re certainly not alone!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Apr27

Easing Anxiety & Taking Back Control Of Your Mind

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Easing Anxiety & Taking Back Control Of Your Mind

The past year has been incredibly stressful for most people throughout the world. The demands of everyday life can take their toll at the best of times, but a global pandemic can be enough to push people over the edge. It can feel near enough impossible to avoid the crippling sense of anxiety that can take over.

The times when we feel the most anxiety is when we feel as though things are out of our control – and the past 15 months have felt a lot like that. One of the only ways to overcome anxiety is to do what we can to make sure we can focus on the things we can control to make our lives a little easier. Here are some of them:

Stop Putting Things Off:

Some things that we have to deal with in life are unavoidable. Bills need paying, as does the rent, and toothaches can only go so long before booking an appointment with family-friendly dentists when the pain can impact on getting things done. People are often guilty of putting things off out of fear. The dentist is a good example. Not for having an appointment with the physician themselves, but for the fear of the pain that may occur during the appointment.

However, most know that once the appointment is done, treatment takes place so that they can live a relatively pain-free existence. Continuously putting things off will not only make anxiety worse, but it may also be detrimental to health. Untreated dental pain can cause some pretty severe health implications in addition to potential tooth loss so the answer is to stop putting things off that feel scary or uncomfortable. In many situations, the issue will only get worse as time goes on.

Stop Being Angry and Not Doing Anything About it:

Social media and the news is a great tool for making people feel irrationally angry. They can also make people feel hopeless, too. While feeling angry about a situation is not a bad thing, if not followed up by action then there’s little point to it at all.

If a worldwide issue is making somebody feel angry, then there are always things that they could be done in an attempt to make things seem a little better. Know that bigger issues can be helped by a few people making little changes. Climate change is one of them. Start by making small steps to reuse items and to recycle the things that can be and know that it is part of your contribution. Decrease water usage, eat less meat, and walk when possible are also always good choices.

Social media can make people feel resentment, inadequacy, and all kinds of FOMO. The same rule applies – unfollow the folks who contribute to feelings of not being enough. Time on Facebook should be entertaining, not another thing that upsets you.

The most important thing to focus on during continuing feelings of uncertainty is to be thankful for the things that bring comfort, joy, and peace. There is so much in this world that is beyond anybody’s control, so it is important to focus on the things that can be in order to create a better life.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Apr15

COVID Precautions I’ll Be Keeping

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COVID Precautions I’ll Be Keeping

Hello! We are all eager for the COVID-19 pandemic to be over and done with and while there is a huge light at the end of the tunnel, we still have a ways to go. It is exciting to think of what our lives will be like after the pandemic but it is important to not throw caution to the wind and act haphazardly with the health of yourself and those around you. I, for one, plan on keeping these precautions in place post pandemic:

Masking Up:

Thinking back to pre-pandemic times, it’s hard to understand why you wouldn’t wear a face mask if you aren’t feeling well and need to be out in public. I have always been good about staying home if I am feeling under the weather but I will continue to be keeping face masks handy in case I need to go to the doctor or the pharmacy. I also plan on wearing face masks even after the mandate is lifted in crowded areas like grocery stores and shopping centers. You can just never be too safe after living through a global pandemic!

Testing Frequently:

There was a point when it was SO difficult to get an at home COVID test but that is no longer the case. Grocery stores and pharmacies are in constant supply and you can order them for free through the USPS. This is such a blessing, especially considering how often I test myself for my job and those I love who are imunocompromised. You can also always look up covid testing near me if your access to an at home kit is limited. So many resources are now available and we should all take advantage of them.

Social Distancing:

I don’t know about you guys but I actually love the social distancing in public. I value my personal space and it has been nice to not have people all up in my business while running errands. Protecting my personal bubble while I am out and about will continue to be a priority for me because it really has made me feel so much more comfortable while in public.

Contact Free Grocery Shopping:

A few months ago, Johnny and I began doing contact free grocery shopping to help limit our exposure and have both agreed that we could never go back to doing in store shopping again. At our local grocery store, Giant Eagle, the curbside grocery pickup is free and incredibly convenient. Our shopping gets delivered right to the car by an employee and it has completely changed our grocery game. The curbside pickup has been an option at Giant Eagle even before the pandemic began and we will definitely keep on making the most of it.

Mental Health Breaks:

Working in the care field during a pandemic has easily been one of the most difficult things that I have ever had to do and my mental health was really suffering. I have to take care of myself, first and foremost, before I can adequately provide care for others and began being more lenient with myself about taking a day off every once in a while. My mental health breaks allowed me to chill out in the safety of my home and regroup and I would return back to work feeling refreshed and capable.

Post-pandemic, I am going to be much better about listening to my body and what it needs and if that means a day off to get myself together, then that is okay. It is really hard for me to take time away from my clients because I miss them so much even if it is just one day but occasional mental health breaks will allow for me to be the best provider I can for them and it is well worth it.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been insane, for lack of a better word. However, it taught me a lot of best practices that I plan on using long term to better protect myself, loved ones, and strangers. ❤

Which COVID precautions do you plan on keeping? What are you most looking forward to post pandemic? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr11

Back To School: My Reoccurring Dream

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Back To School: My Reoccurring Dream

Hey! I have reoccurring dreams fairly frequently and if it isn’t dreaming that I’m back to working retail or in a play and have forgotten all of my lines, then I am dreaming about going back to school. In fact, I just had the dream last night and it never fails to freak me out as soon as I wake up. Not because it’s “scary” by any means but it feels so real that I wake up really thinking that I never took a class that was essential for me to graduate!

The dream always starts out with me in the counselor’s office at Cuyahoga Community College and he or she is explaining to me that there were a few classes in grade and high school that I didn’t take and, technically, never graduated from either of them. Then, with a flash, I am back at my grade school and retaking classes and tests like my life depends on it. It’s so wild!

Last night, the dream ended with me completing grade school because I was kind of waking up. Sometimes, however, the dream will end with me finishing the high school classes too. It’s basically the dream equivalent of Adam Sandler’s “Billy Madison” but not anywhere near as fun lol. No matter how the dream ends, trust and believe that I always wake up with a start! I dream really vividly and, as soon as I am waking up, I feel like I need to rush to get ready for school.

I have been having the same reoccurring dreams for literal years and each of them have never really changed. Clearly, that doesn’t mean that I don’t feel shocked every time they happen, though! Whether they are reoccurring or a one time thing, dreams can be so crazy and I am curious about everyone else’s so feel free to answer the following prompts:

What is the craziest, scariest, or funniest dream that you have ever had? Do you have any reoccurring dreams? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah