Tag Archives: love

Apr10

Dresses, Shoes, & Veils – Oh My!

Posted on April 10, 2021 by lifewithlilred

Hello! When it comes to planning our wedding, Johnny and I are basically all done and will work on preparations for a reception when it is safer to have a party (By the way, Office Anything has awesome reception desks that you can decorate to your liking to welcome guests at your next party!). Like I said in previous posts, we are having a very small ceremony so we really don’t have too much to plan for! That doesn’t mean that we aren’t taking our wardrobe incredibly seriously, though.

While I am still waiting for my dress that I ordered to get here, Johnny’s wedding clothes have already arrived and his look is perfect. Because this is a nontraditional wedding in every sense of the word, Johnny and I both know what each other will be wearing. In fact, we helped each other pick everything out and he was so sweet to always sit by me and give his opinions on the endless pages of veils, shoes, and dresses that I had pulled up. We not only assisted in what we would be wearing but our rings too. For a nontraditional couple, we obviously couldn’t do with basic rings. We went the custom route with each other’s help and you can find a one of a kind ring for you with a simple search of “custom wedding rings melbourne” or for your local area.

Like any bride to be, I’d be a liar if I said that I wasn’t a little worried about what I will be wearing. However, with Johnny’s help, I feel so confident that everything I ordered will look great and I truly believe that because of his reassurance. When it comes to any type of clothing, Johnny and I have very specific tastes and we each know right away whether we like something or not. We are also excellent at shopping for each other so it’s hard to second guess something that I found that we both think would be ideal for our big day.

I loved being able to online wedding shop with my fiance as well as show our findings to my mom for her opinions too! I am really looking forward to all of my pieces arriving so I can see the vision that we came up with come to life and be one step closer to getting married. ❤

Where did you shop for your wedding? What were your wedding colors? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr8

Happy Birthday, Sister!!

Posted on April 8, 2021 by lifewithlilred

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Hello!! The birthdays in my family just keep coming because today is my beautiful sister, Kristen’s, big day! My sister is my absolute best friend and I cannot even put into words how proud I am of her. She is a legit wonder woman and I am constantly amazed by her motherhood journey. Her and my brother in law’s daughter, Valerie, is a huge light for me and I have seriously never met a happier, more loved little girl in my life.

Not only is Kristen an incredible mom to her daughter but she is a pet parent and advocate, as well. She has two dogs and two cats and her newest passion is fostering senior dogs from One Of A Kind Pets, the shelter that she works at. Her empathy and love truly knows no bounds and she is so dedicated to giving the best life to the animals who haven’t had it easy. In fact, her most recent senior foster named Baby just got adopted into her Furever Home!

Kristen inspires everyone that she meets – myself especially. As my big sister, I have looked up to her my whole life and that is still the case to this day as twenty-somethings. A sister is a built in best friend and Kristen is always there for me whether I need a laugh, girl time, or to vent. Everything we do together is like an adventure to me – whether it be going to concerts, Taco Bell dates, or taking her daughter to the park to play. I am, honestly, the luckiest girl in the world to be able to not only call her my big sis but my BFF.

Happy Birthday, Kristen!!

I love you!!!!!!!!! ❤

Apr6

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Posted on April 6, 2021 by lifewithlilred

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Hello! As soon as March hits, it becomes a birthday extravaganza in my family. By June 7th, we will have celebrated seven birthdays and each one is extremely special. In fact, today is a very happy wonderful day because it is my dad’s birthday! I am a huge daddy’s girl and can always count on my dad when I need a laugh, advice, or some good company. CHARLES is a man of many talents and I feel so lucky to have spent my life enjoying his beautiful gardens, incredible vacations, and infamous laugh attacks.

Despite my dad’s injury this past month of a broken arm and dislocated shoulder, he still takes care of his animal friends outside every day by filling their feeders. My dad’s appreciation for the outdoors has instilled a “stop and smell the roses” attitude in me and whenever I see spring flowers or hear birdsong, I always think about him and smile.

I love watching my dad be a grandpa to my niece and nephew and, even as an adult, I can still come to him with all of my problems knowing that he will help me. My dad inspires me, humors me, and encourages me and I simply cannot wait for him to walk me down the aisle when Johnny and I get married. I am so proud to be his daughter and it is an honor for him to be proud of me too. ❤

Happy Birthday, Dad!!

I love you!!!! ❤

Apr5

A Super Happy Day

Posted on April 5, 2021 by lifewithlilred

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Hi! This is a very exciting time for Lil Red because of my upcoming wedding. Johnny and I are going to be having a very small ceremony with only immediate family but that doesn’t mean that we still don’t have a lot to do. While there are a bunch of odds and ends to tend to, our primary concern was what we were going to wear! Lol, as soon as we announced our engagement, the resounding theme of so many of our friends was how excited they were to see our weddingwear and, judging by what Johnny and I selected, I think we are going to deliver!

This past Monday, my mom went with me to a local tailor to get my measurements for the dress that I planned on ordering. Despite it being a literal less than five minute visit at the shop, I was still very excited to have that time with my mom because there will be no huge wedding to plan. I never really dreamed of a big wedding, rather, I was more looking forward to the time I would spend with my mom during the preparations.

To get my measurements, I was actually wearing one of my mom’s tops because I only had a hoodie on that day and wanted the numbers to be precise. While waiting for her to arrive in the parking lot, I just had to snap a few selfies, even with no makeup, because I was feeling so happy! I can definitely tell in these pictures:

Once I returned home from my outing with my mom and Johnny got home from work, we both ordered our weddingwear and I can’t wait for both of our outfits to arrive. I can’t tell you guys anything about it because the looks are a surprise but, just know, it will be far from traditional! I wouldn’t want it any other way. ❤

What did you wear for your wedding? What was your ceremony/reception like? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr2

Dry Ice Drinks

Posted on April 2, 2021 by lifewithlilred

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Hi! This past Saturday, Johnny and I had a little date day and it was so much fun! We visited a few local specialty game shops to add to our growing board game collection, had drinks in our own section of the patio at the Cashmere Cricket, and then returned home and sat on our balcony while Johnny played guitar and sang. It was an absolute blast and actually reminded me so much of our engagement day. In fact, I asked Johnny when we were walking to the patio of the Cricket if we were going to get engaged again!

The Cashmere Cricket is, in my opinion, the best bar in my neck of the woods. It is my absolute favorite and is where Johnny and I had our first date and also where we went to celebrate after we got engaged. When our post proposal drinks arrived, we were shocked and amazed because they were bubbling and smoking like a potion and we learned that on Saturdays, the Cricket makes their drinks with dry ice in them.

Needless to say, we were very excited for “Dry Ice Saturday” as the bartender called it and it was so nice to enjoy the beautiful spring weather during a safe outing with my fiance! Check out our Dry Ice Drinks and tell me that isn’t the coolest thing you’ve ever seen:

Now, normally, I am not one to post about alcohol but I just had to showcase this specialty from the Cashmere Cricket because it is so unique. Johnny had a drink called The Roosevelt while I got my second favorite cocktail called Lavender Fizz. My ultimate favorite will always be their Strawberry Lemon Drop martini, though! Our drinks were absolutely delicious and, although the prices are a bit steep there, it is well worth it for the quality of the beverages, the excellent service, pleasant atmosphere, and COVID safety standards. Not to mention that on Saturdays, your drinks will put on a show lol.

When I think about how I would plan a day for a visiting friend who has never been to Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio it goes as follows: Mani/pedis at Elysian Nails, shopping at TJMaxx, Taco Bell for dinner, and ending with cocktails at the Cashmere Cricket. That sounds like the perfect day to me and I stand by this statement even more after mine and Johnny’s past two outings on the Cricket patio. All of the bartenders were so sweet to remember our engagement and it was fun to show them my newly resized ring that was practically falling off two weeks ago!

Dry Ice Saturday was another huge success and I honestly had butterflies being there with Johnny again. Johnny and I were at the Cashmere Cricket on two of the happiest days of my life and it is always going to be special to us. If you are ever in the area, I cannot recommend this cool little bar enough – I think you’ll be just as smitten with it as I am.

What is your favorite local bar or restaurant like? Where is a special place for you and your significant other? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar30

A Sunshiney Day

Posted on March 30, 2021 by lifewithlilred

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Hi! I had a random day off this past week and it just so happened to be on the most glorious spring day with weather in the seventies. The only thing on my agenda other than writing was dropping off some laundry to my sister and, instead of going to her house, she suggested we meet at the park so my niece, Valerie, could play. This sounded like the perfect plan to me and I was counting down the hours until our meeting because I knew it would be fun!

In the greater Akron area in Ohio, there are countless places to enjoy the weather when it’s nice out like Metro Parks for hiking, lakes for swimming, and playgrounds for the little ones. My sister, Kristen, and I actually ended up taking Val Gal to one of the parks that we used to play at all the time when we were kids and it hit right in the nostalgia. With Valerie and Kristen’s senior foster dog, Baby, in tow we spent over an hour at the park running around, swinging, sliding, and teeter-tottering.

Being an aunt is one of the best things that has ever happened to me and I treasure any time that I get to spend with my lil niece. I love watching my sister be the amazing mom that I knew she would be and we are both constantly in stitches together over Val and her “goofball” ways, as Kristen always says.

Just one hour in the park and sunshine with my sis, Val, and Baby put me in the best mood and it was such an awesome way to welcome the beautiful weather. Whenever I am feeling blue, I always remember that Val can say “Hi, TT” to me now and it instantly makes everything better. My sister and her daughter are my number one BFFs (And my mom, of course!) and I am so lucky to have them and am so thankful for the wonderful time we spent together at the park! ❤

How do you enjoy the outdoors in your area? What was your favorite thing on the playground when you were little? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar25

4 Things Your Dog Needs Beyond Food And Water

Posted on March 25, 2021 by lifewithlilred

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4 Things Your Dog Needs Beyond Food And Water

If you are a proud dog parent, you know how special these furry creatures are. Dogs are integral parts of their families. They bring so much joy, comfort, and companionship. With that in mind, you want to give them the best care possible to make them as happy as they make you – each and every day.

Safe Space:

When your dog spends time outside, it is vital to their well-being to have a safe place for them to sleep. Colorbond Dog Kennels are a quality and effective solution for your dog’s housing needs. These kennels are designed for longevity. The durable construction is raised off the ground to protect pets from fleas, parasites, snakes, roaming wildlife, and other unsecured dogs. Your dog needs to have a safe place to relax too! The kennel will also be their go-to location during the day if they feel tired or are looking for a quiet respite from the activity around your home. It is a place just for them.

Toys:

Yes, your dog really does need toys. However, they do not need to be fancy to be fun and effective. Dog toys do more than clutter up your floor. They keep your dog busy and entertained. Dog toys prevent your furry companion from finding your favorite shoes or even the baseboards and using them to scratch the chewing itch. Dogs are comforted and calmed by the act of chewing on things, and they keep them happy. You can find dog toys at many stores or try your hand at making them yourself for a DIY project.

Here is a fun tutorial on how to make upcycled dog toys from old t-shirts:

Exercise:

Just like people, some dog breeds require more exercise than others. And, just like people, exercise allows dogs to relieve stress through physical activity. When your dog is worn out physically, they are less likely to become destructive and chew or dig due to boredom or pent-up energy that is waiting to be released. As an added benefit, exercise is a chance to bond with your dog and take some time out of your everyday responsibilities for yourself, as well.

Love:

At the end of every day, if you look back at what your canine family member has wanted from you, it is basic needs and, overwhelmingly, it is love. Your dog wants to be with you. They long for a belly rub or scratch behind the ears with a “good boy/girl” thrown in for good measure. They deserve all of the love and in ample amounts!

So sweet!

Your best friend deserves the best. Beyond caring for their basic needs, give them a safe space with shelter to retreat to and relax. Dogs do not need much; their basic needs are easy to meet. They just want some love, care, and of course – you!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Mar25

Engagement Ring Reveal

Posted on March 25, 2021 by lifewithlilred

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Hello! My engagement ring was too big when Johnny proposed so I took it to Jared’s first thing the following Monday morning. In the meantime before my appointment at the jewelry store, we tied the ear strap from a disposable mask around the ring to keep it from falling off lol. I was not able to pick up my ring until Friday and it was such a long few days without it – especially considering I had just gotten it!

Come Friday morning, I arrived at Jared’s as soon as they opened to pick up my ring and they did an absolutely fabulous job resizing it. It fits so well but is still easy to take on and off, which is great because I don’t shower or sleep in it. I knew that my ring was the one for me at first glance and I am so happy to officially have it back in my possession. And now, the grand reveal:

^^^ The ring is a carved fresh water pearl on a sterling silver band.

Johnny and I are a fashion forward punk rock couple and we wanted unique rings without having to spend a small fortune and that is what we got. His boasts a red coffin with skeletons holding it and I think our rings look awesome together. They are completely perfect for us and I am constantly admiring them both throughout the day. Whether other people like them or not, we are always being told “I haven’t seen anything like it before” – which is exactly what we were going for!

When it comes to my fashion sense, I love pieces that are edgy while still being pretty and my ring showcases that beautifully. The band and skeleton hands are so delicate while the carved skull pearl makes a bold statement and I have never been so smitten with a piece of jewelry before. Both mine and Johnny’s rings have such a strong personality and I can’t imagine us having anything different.

Whenever I look at my ring, I am brought back to Johnny’s proposal and feel even more in love and it really doesn’t get any better than that. ❤

What does your engagement ring look like? What is your favorite type of jewelry to wear? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar22

Happy Birthday, Mom!!!!

Posted on March 22, 2021 by lifewithlilred

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Hi everyone! Today is a happy, wonderful day because it is my amazing mom’s birthday! My mom is my best friend in the whole world and I love spending time with her. She is my partner in crime for everything and we are both really looking forward to her “mother of the bride” status when Johnny and I get married. I am already having so much fun planning out the preparations in my head that her and I can do together.

I treasure every minute I have with my mom and always think back on our pre-pandemic TJMaxx shopping trips fondly as well as the countless hours spent in the kitchen talking, cooking, or playing Scrabble. When something exciting happens, my mom is the first person I want to call and she is always there to comfort me on the not so good days too. Some days when I see her, it just doesn’t feel long enough and we both love to laugh when we end up on the phone with each other an hour later. 🙂

My mom is my hero and I admire her to no end. She is the most caring, strong, resilient, beautiful person I have ever known and I am so lucky to be her daughter. I love you so much, mom!

Happy Birthday!!!! ❤

Mar21

Engagement OOTDs

Posted on March 21, 2021 by lifewithlilred

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Hi! Johnny proposed to me during a couples lifewithlilred photo shoot for my Reimagine Your Wardrobe series and it was absolutely perfect. You read about all of the details of the proposal yesterday and, today, we are going to talk about our spring sweater weather OOTDs. I have wanted to style and photograph Johnny for a while now and, while I didn’t put his look together, I am so proud of how well he did in front of the camera! This was not his first rodeo when it comes to being photographed but he took my direction so well and I think our pictures turned out great. Check it out:

Who? What? Wear? Hers:

Cropped Sweater: Forever 21
Skort: Almost Famous, TJMaxx
Rhinestone Fishnets: Urban Outfitters
Daisy Wedge Mules: B.A.I.T., ModCloth
Lightning Bolt Earrings: EmLeigh’s and Mama B’s

Who? What? Wear? His:

Zebra Striped Sweater: Straight To Hell
Leather Jacket: Straight To Hell
Jeans: Hot Topic
Sunglasses: These are mine and are from Forever 21 – he misplaced his 🙂
Boots: We are both not sure lol!

I love both men and women’s fashion equally and I think that Johnny has amazing personal style that actually closely mimics mine. We are both not afraid to take risks when it comes to our outfits and we like to have fun with what we wear. I have been so excited for his debut on my blog and, during our photo shoot before he proposed, he told me that that was what he was nervous about. Like I said yesterday, I really had no idea he was going to pop the question!

The day of our engagement, Johnny got ready before me so it was easy to style an OOTD around what he was already wearing. Johnny loves online shopping with Phix and Straight To Hell and he had just purchased his sweater and jacket within the past few months. My fiance is fond of animal patterns and, while we both agree that the sweater is a little itchy, he still likes it all the same – a tank top or T-shirt underneath is definitely necessary, though.

As soon as I saw that Johnny was sporting his new sweater, my mind instantly went to my rainbow cropped sweater from Forever 21. I have had it for years now and, honestly, haven’t worn it for a year or so and I thought it would be perfect for my Reimagine Your Wardrobe series. It also made me feel like Rainbow Brite when I had it on which is a huge bonus.

Since Johnny had black skinny jeans covered already, I decided to pair the sweater with my Almost Famous skort which you might remember from my In Summer, We Wear Black OOTD. I can’t say that I wore this skort too often when I first bought it but, now, I want to wear it all of the time because it is so versatile. When paired with a tucked in cami or even the sweater in my pictures, it looks like a mini dress and it is a unique substitute to regular old jean shorts in the summer.

Once I had the base of my outfit down, it was time to accessorize. I was going for a “muted rainbow” vibe to compliment and pop against Johnny’s almost All Black Everything OOTD. My Urban Outfitters tights were an obvious choice to me because it was a bit chilly out and I don’t get to wear them too often. They are also just so darn fun except for when the rhinestones get caught in the fishnets!

For shoes, I was originally going to wear a pair of wedged white loafers but they looked too chunky so I went with my yellow mules, instead. I adore these little wedges that I got for a steal on ModCloth and they helped achieve the silhouette I wanted and added a super sweet pop of color. Finally, I just had to break out my pink glitter lightning bolt earrings that Johnny and I got on our Valentine’s Day date last year. I can’t say that I have worn them too much, either, but I’m glad I did because, like the skort, I think I will be wearing my lightning earrings constantly.

I really love how mine and Johnny’s outfits look together and it is so special to me to have these pictures because they document the entire hour before we got engaged. I see a lot of couples OOTDs happening in lifewithlilred’s future and I am so ecstatic to have my Johnny help me out. ❤

How would you describe your personal style? How about your partner’s style? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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