Tag Archives: lil red’s art gallery

Super Sweet Birthday Gifts

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Super Sweet Birthday Gifts

Hello!! My birthday was on June 7th and I have been having the best time celebrating! This past week, I enjoyed two more b-day extravaganzas: A delicious family lunch and a sleepover with my two darling nieces. Since last year, my eldest niece has decided that a slumber party is a perfect birthday gift and it has become our tradition. This was also the first time that her younger sister has joined the crafting/movies/ice cream sundae jamboree and we all had a blast. It was exhausting, but a hoot! As soon as my nieces arrived for our party, they came barreling in with the sweetest prezzies for their favorite aunt. Check it out:

For my big day, I was presented with the most gorgeous wall art and earrings I have ever seen. They were already amazing gifts, but what really took the cake was that my oldest niece helped select the embroidery and picked out the earrings all by herself. Like the slumber party, she thought they were “perfect” for TT and she was so right! Anytime the girls have something just for me is special and I was so touched that my niece wanted to have a hand in shopping for my gifts. It turned a gesture that was lovely to begin with into something that I am always going to treasure.

Can we talk about how pretty these two prezzies are?! Johnny and I have an extensive collection of wall art and I am especially partial to anything embroidered. In fact, if I saw the wall art I was gifted with during a shopping trip, I would have definitely bought it! I love the thick stitches of the flowers and greenery and the huge, over the top gold frame. I can’t wait for Johnny to find an empty space to hang it up! And, of course, we can’t forget the birthday bling with the earrings. This dazzling dangly pair has so much movement, personality, and all of the glitz and glam to ring in my thirty-first year. I was beyond excited to wear them to my family lunch and my niece was just as proud to see them displayed as I was to wear them! ❤

I am the luckiest gal in the world for having the best party with my nieces, which would have been a gift enough. I feel so totally and completely spoiled!

Who is your favorite person to shop for? Do you have any celebrations coming up? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

New Wall Art Masterpiece

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New Wall Art Masterpiece

Hello!! Johnny’s aunt was in town for a visit this past week and it was an absolute delight. She is just so fun and funny and we love spending time with her!! Johnny’s aunt is incredibly gifted in the art of cross stitching and we proudly have one of her works she made for me displayed on our art wall:

^^^ How awesome is that?! They remind me of my wedding heels!!

As you could imagine, I was simply blown away by this work of art that includes my two favorite things: Shoes and spooky! 😀 I was also simply blown away by the newest creation Johnny’s aunt gifted me with to add to my shoe art collection:

^^^ Once again, how awesome is that?!

Wayyyy back in my youth, I used to love to cross stitch and actually completed several projects that I was most proud of. Then, I fell out of it and couldn’t even imagine trying to thread a needle with my talons now! I also couldn’t even imagine making anything as beautiful as what Johnny’s aunt made because it is so perfectly crafted that it’s hard to believe it was done by hand. To have not one but two of these creations that were made just for me on display is a gift every time I look at them. The colors, attention to detail, and pure whimsy of the pattern are mesmerizing and I feel like the luckiest gal in the world to have been thought of in such a loving, artistic, creative way. ❤

To have someone make something for you, whether it be art or a delicious meal is a true act of love and I feel it literally pouring out of my new decor. It was the most amazing surprise!

What is your favorite kind of art to create? Where do you like to display your artwork? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Lil Red’s Art Gallery: Timber Top Hall Of Fame Edition

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Lil Red’s Art Gallery: Timber Top Hall Of Fame Edition

Hello! Johnny and I live in the Timber Top apartment community and it has truly left a lot to be desired this past year. Someone passed away on the property due to carbon monoxide poisoning, an apartment complex caught on fire, and inclement weather has left us with no heat or power for days. Due to all of these utter failures from the management company the property is under, TTop received a not so glowing review in the Akron Beacon Journal this past December. Johnny’s dad saved it for us and I have been saving it until we can get it framed.

This past week, I came home to a fabulous surprise… Johnny found a perfect frame for the article! I can’t wait to hang it up:

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At Johnny’s work, they were getting rid of lots of random odds and ends for spring cleaning and the employees were allowed to take anything home that they wanted. Johnny was late in the game to receive the memo so it was pretty slim pickings by the time he got around to scavenging lol. That’s okay, though, because he walked away with exactly what we needed to display our lack of pride in the property management company. The thrown together wood frame fully embodies our haphazard labyrinth of old, wooden apartment complexes to the T and I am obsessed! 😀

It has been an insanely crappy week in Lil Red’s world and this was just one of the many surprises that I returned home to after being gone almost all day every day. Johnny took it upon himself to give the apartment some much needed spring cleaning one day. The next, he went to Walmart and got storage bins for all of our bunny supplies, which I have wanted for forever. And the following day, the piece de resistance of our new wall art. No matter how sad or run down I was feeling, Johnny always made sure that I would have a smile on my face as soon as I got home. It definitely worked! He is simply the best. ❤

Johnny gave me the job of finding just the right spot in our apartment for our Timber Top Hall Of Fame picture and it is a challenge that I can’t wait to take on. This was a five month in the making idea and it couldn’t have turned out any better, thanks to my sweet husband!

What was the worst apartment you ever lived in? Have you gotten any amazing surprises recently? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Giving Your Living Room A Mini Makeover

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Giving Your Living Room A Mini Makeover

Considering that we have all spent the majority of this past year in our living rooms, I think we all deserve to give it a mini makeover! If you are as sick of your living room as I am at this point, then a mini makeover could be just what you need to brighten the space as we continue on through the COVID-19 pandemic. Mini makeovers are also great because we are not talking huge renovations here, rather, small improvements to make your space better. Try utilizing some of the following tips as you spruce up your living room:

Choose A Statement Piece:

Is your couch losing its stuffing? How about a wobbly coffee table? Or perhaps your favorite recliner’s cushions have sunken in? No matter the case, visit Modern Sense Furniture to find exactly what you need and make it a statement in your room. One new piece of furniture can instantly transform a space and it also might give you the inspiration to base your room around it if you are interested in making a bigger change. Remember, when choosing a statement piece, you not only want it to be unique and visually appealing but you still want it to function properly. Who wants to sit on a cool couch if it is really uncomfortable?

Make Your Space Cozy:

The living room is where we go to unwind after a long day in the home office, so fill it with things that are comforting to you. Whether it be a plush rug beneath your feet, candles, thick curtains, or pillows and soft throw blankets – treat yourself to a few new items that will soothe you. You can even turn your quest for comfort into a new hobby through candle making, knitting, or crochet. Just make sure your living room isn’t too comfy during the day if you like to work from home on the couch. We don’t want you falling asleep on the job!

Create An Accent Wall:

Accent walls are a relatively cheap and very effective way to make a room feel like new again. Just a few painted accent walls in my parent’s home completely changed each room’s atmosphere. Accent walls can not only be created with paint but can be achieved with decor or even interesting floating shelving. If you choose to make an accent wall with pieces of art or framed photographs, the trick is for it not to appear cluttered. Go with paintings or pictures with color palettes that compliment each other. A hectic display with clashing colors is definitely not conducive to your relaxation!

Once you finish your mini quick fixes in the living room, don’t stop there! Small, simple steps can be achieved room by room to transform your home without any major renovations.

Goodwill Amazing WTF Find

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Goodwill Amazing WTF Find

Hello! One of my clients absolutely loves old school VHS movies and we end up frequenting one Goodwill or another weekly. From clothing to decor for my apartment, I usually end up finding a little something for myself or my boyfriend during these shopping trips, too. Thrifting is like a modern day treasure hunt and, I think I hit the mother load this past week, if I do say so myself. Lol, check it out:

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While my friend browsed her preferred movie section, I perused through the records and ended up walking towards the wall art. I didn’t really plan on looking through it because I still have quite a few pictures that still need hung up in my apartment. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I just happened to see Dr. Evil from the Austin Powers franchise and said “Wait… what?”

Upon taking a closer look, I happened to see that the poster of Austin Powers In Goldmember was signed by Mike Myers, Seth Green, and Verne Troyer offering his “best wishes”. It was in that moment that I realized I had hit the jackpot. Goldmember just so happens to be my personal and my family’s favorite Austin Powers movie and I just knew everyone would be as excited about it as I was…

AND THEY WERE!!!

For four dollars, I purchased the most randomly wonderful come up I’ve ever had in my life. The entire time I was thinking “wtf?” to myself because no one in their right mind would be giving something so fantastic away. But, hey, one man’s trash and whatever.

I, for one, am THRILLED with this Goodwill find and it is definitely the best thing I’ve come across yet. You would have to pry this poster out of my cold dead hands so, although I can’t comprehend dropping something like this off at the local Goodwill, I am so glad someone did! 😀

Do you have any celebrity autographs? What has been your favorite “wtf” thrifting find? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Lil Red’s Art Gallery: Accent Wall Edition

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Lil Red’s Art Gallery: Accent Wall Edition

Hi! Ever since moving into my apartment this past year, I have wanted to do something with the wall alongside my staircase. I pictured a wonderful accent wall with artwork of all different shapes and sizes and decided to go for it… Several months later! Haha, when I first moved in, I bought tons of framed art pieces from Goodwill and a few other locations and they have since been laying in a pile underneath my staircase.

Whomp whomp.

But, thanks to a new record player in my apartment from my boyfriend (which all of you will see later), the under the stairs space needed cleared and it was about damn time to get some of those pictures hung. So, Johnny and I went to Walmart, purchased some Command strips, and I spent some of an afternoon off creating the following:

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I am so pleased with how my art wall is starting to take form and there is still much work to be done because those aren’t all of the pictures that I have. However, I am not so pleased with the holding power of the Command strips because the embroidered peacock beneath my “Welcome” sign fell within one hour of hanging it.

And, to make matters worse, simply tapping my Welcome sign when trying to rehang the embroidery made that one fall, too! I was able to get that picture rehung but, sadly, the Command strips were already so worn out on the embroidery that I had to put it back in its nook under the stairs with a broken frame, no less.

Despite how happy I am with the outcome so far, I don’t think I would use the Command strips again to hang the rest of my pictures. I am also pretty nervous for the ones on the wall to fall and cause even more damage! We’ll see how the remaining pieces fair and if they can hold on for longer than a day but, I think I’ll be using the old fashioned way of a hammer and nails in the future. BOOOO.

Do you have an accent wall in your home? What is it like? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Lil Red’s Art Gallery: This Is Halloween Edition

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Lil Red’s Art Gallery: This Is Halloween Edition

Howdy! So, while shopping at Walmart with a client, I went a bit too hard in the Halloween department and picked out some new wall art and knick knacks for the apartment. What can I say, I just couldn’t help myself! It may be mid September but, in my humble opinion, spooky season is officially among us and I couldn’t be more excited if I tried! And, although I still have none of the paintings that I got compliments of Goodwill in my apartment, I couldn’t say no to these beauties. Check it out:

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It shouldn’t come as a surprise that as soon as I saw the skeleton pop out picture, it went right into my cart. And, it was a wonderful surprise to me to find the ghoulishly gorgeous butterflies behind the skeleton one. So, into the cart it went. These pictures combine creepy with pretty (My own personal aesthetic!) and I am deeply looking forward to eventually getting them hung up in my apartment.

Normally, I am not one to fill my living space with all Halloween everything and I liked that these pictures were a little dark and disturbing without a giant Frankenstein being plastered on it. However, I guess if it was done in the style of the pictures above, it could be kind of cool! 😉

What is your favorite holiday to decorate for? Which stores have the best Halloween decor? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Lil Red’s Art Gallery: Final Few Edition

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Lil Red’s Art Gallery: Final Few Edition

Howdy! For the final viewing of Lil Red’s Art Gallery, we are going to take a look at two of the biggest pictures and one of the smallest ones that I purchased from Goodwill. The two large ones honestly have me stumped on why I bought them other than the fact that I just thought they looked cool. The poster sized images feature wild berries and plants of Alaska, a state which I have literally no ties to. But, I don’t know, the colors were unique and I liked that it looked like something out of a textbook so into the cart it went! Take a closer look:

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And, as for the other little painting that I purchased, I loved what the women were wearing more than anything. The flowing dresses, huge sun hat, parasol in hand – I wish that us ladies still dressed like that! The colors in the painting also spoke to me. I like how soft the palette is and how it almost looks like it’s going to rain. You can also see the signs of a heavy wind from the ribbons adorning their ensemble blowing about. And, of course, this picture also reminds me of something that would be in the funeral home too, so there’s that! #funeralhomechic

What is your favorite art museum to visit? Who is your favorite artist? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Lil Red’s Art Gallery: Favorites Edition

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Lil Red’s Art Gallery: Favorites Edition

Hi everyone! So, when my grandma sold her funeral home in Cleveland and opted to live closer to family (like mine) in Akron, obviously, a lot of the furniture and decor couldn’t come with. So, when my grandma downsized, she brought only her favorites. One of which included a painting of a girl looking forlorn while wearing a huge sun hat and holding a bouquet of flowers displayed in an ornate gold frame.

I can recall one of my cousins wondering out loud why, out of all of the gorgeous art work in the funeral home, this picture was chosen. And, sadly, I never asked this question for myself. However, it is now hanging in my family home. The painting of the little boy holding a bunch of flowers seen below reminds me of the picture that my grandma apparently loved a lot so I consider it my version of that!

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My mom commented on my little boy blue giving off serious Little Prince vibes and I can definitely see it! I don’t know what it is about this picture but, as soon as I saw it, I fell in love. It’s such a sweet image to me and it makes me happy to think of the little girl or boy he’s going to give his flowers to. Or, maybe, he’s about to run into his mom’s arms and surprise her with it. It just makes me smile and I hope to some day hang up my grandma’s painting side by side with it.

And, of course, the Asian inspired embroidered cloth was a must, too. The colors, the subject, the craftsmanship – WOOF, I love this picture so much. The bamboo style frame is a nice touch and my only hope is that the words on there are something really random like “swimming pool” or “blow torch” and no one will know any better. But, if you do have any idea of what those characters are, let a Lil Red know!

If you could only bring a few things from your belongings to a new place, what would you take? Which of your belongings holds a lot of significance to you? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Lil Red’s Art Gallery: Floral Galore Edition

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Lil Red’s Art Gallery: Floral Galore Edition

Hello hello! During the initial process of getting everything squared away for my apartment, I was a nervous wreck. But, the more I shopped, the more excited I felt about my big move. Retail therapy at its finest! I had the most fun shopping for my larger pieces of furniture and it felt good to check all of the big purchases off of my list. The extra stuff like things from the wall art seen below to hand soap were just the cherry on top of the moving sundae!

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Now, normally I am not a huge floral girl when it comes to wall art. But, the pictures above spoke to me for some reason and for eight dollars total at Goodwill, I figured “why not?”. Since we established that my decor style is apparently funeral home chic, these pictures will fit right in! I love the lace on the rose picture and the more ornate frame on the smaller one. I feel like someone loved these pictures a lot or maybe they belonged to one of their loved ones and I like feeling like I’ve given both of them a beautiful new home to be showcased in. :*)

Are you a floral decor fan or nah? What is your favorite thing to shop for when it comes to home goods? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah