Tag Archives: love

Adorable Cuteness Overload

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Adorable Cuteness Overload

Hi everyone!! So the other morning I wake up and my dad tells me “make sure you take a picture of what I did on the kitchen table”. So, in other words, I heard “make sure you put it on your blog”. Lol, my dad set up a little surprise shrine for my mom, who is going through some intense medical treatment, to wake up to:

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Before even stepping into the kitchen, I could smell the beautiful hyacinths from our front yard. My dad also included lovely daffodil sprigs in his tiny bouquet. Not only did he pick flowers special for my mom, but he upped the ante with a hello from a cute dog and “Dave The Gnome“, who he was gifted with by JANE herself.

I often write about how my mom will surprise me with fashion related gifts like accessories or clothing and it’s always such a delight. So, it was sweet to see my dad muster up a surprise of his own to help start my mom’s day with a smile. To spread the love even more, CHARLES told me to send the picture of his creation to my sister, too. So cute.

Later in the morning, I heard my mom tell my dad how much she liked her surprise and he replied with “Oh, yeah – I made it for Gem”. (My dog. Massive eye roll!!) The Adorable Cuteness Overload was nice while it lasted! 😀

How do you like to surprise your loved ones? What is the best surprise that you have received? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Smile!

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Smile!

Hi everyone! On Friday, I went to visit the Akron Zoo and couldn’t stand the cuteness of one adorable animal in particular – the puffer-fish! I seriously could have stood in front of their little home for hours watching them float around and being simply charmed by their tiny smile. Take a look:

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Cheese!

It was hard not to be totally enamored by this little guy, so much so that I basically bellowed “HE’S SO CUTE” to no one in particular. In fact, I was so busy watching him, that I didn’t even notice the little girl standing beside me who yelled “HE’S SO CUTE” just like the goofy redhead who screamed it seconds before. Of course, I had to acknowledge the little lady with great taste in fish so I turned to her and replied with, “HE IS SO CUTE”!!! It was really something. :’)

If you’re having a down and out Tuesday, just remember that puffer-fish are adorable creatures with a tiny smile and that should brighten your day right up. If your day is going fantastic already, make it even better by remembering this little post. 😀

What is your favorite animal? Which animal smiles do you go gaga over? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Flickr

New Black & Ruby Nails

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New Black & Ruby Nails

Hiii everyone and happy weekend! It has been over a month since my last fill and I was so happy to finally get my claws prettied up on Wednesday. After what seems like a year of not being in the salon chair, my nails are now back to their normal fierce selves and I am looking forward to another month (And then some!) of wear. Check it out:

rubyyy* Featuring my minion socks!!

I am so in love with the color of my accent nail this time around. So much so that I am even considering getting all of my nails painted that color next time *gasp*. This shade is called Red Carpet and it looks like a freaking blood diamond. I love that the red is so deep that it looks like it is mixed with black. It is so glam in a dark way and I feel so badass I can’t hardly stand it.

As always, my nail tech, Steve, did an amazing job shaping and sharpening my talons and he finished in a record time of an hour and a half, which is most impressive. Steve’s thoroughness and attention to detail is so one of a kind and I always feel completely spoiled after I leave his salon!

What color of nail polish are you wearing right now? How often do you go in between getting your nails done? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Last Minute Gifts When You’re In A Bind

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Last Minute Gifts When You’re In A Bind

When life gets ahead of us thanks to a whirlwind schedule, gift purchasing can seem like the last thing on your mind. But, alas, birthdays and holidays still come and go, and gift buying is a necessary part of it. Whether you’re picking something up from a store or online shopping, last minute gift shopping isn’t always a bad thing – as long as you don’t make it glaringly obvious that you did, that is. Check out these tips for when you need to do the last minute gift hustle for your next get together:

Something Fast:

The first option to consider is one which is in place entirely for its speed. Amazon Prime Same Day delivery has started to cover a very wide range of products recently, opening the doors for those with phobias of the outside world to buy things without venturing out. And the best part of these services, is that you will often get your hands on the goods within hours of ordering them. This is perfect for when you have a bit of time at home before you need to present your gift. Of course, when it comes to Amazon, you can often choose to have items gift wrapped, too.

Something Personal:

There are plenty of personal gifts out there which you can give to someone and they will cherish it for a long time. That piece of jewelry or furniture they keep glancing at, for example, could be a great gift, and you don’t have to go and buy it. The odds are that you will own a good range of different items which could inherit heirloom status. Being passed down or across generations, items like these could stay with people you love for hundreds of years, and could even find themselves in the hands of great people down the line.

Avoiding The Physical:

When you’re in a rush, giving something physical may be a mistake. If they live too far away for you to visit, you will have to use the postal service to get their gift to them, and this could be a problem if you’re not careful. Avoiding this is simple, leaving you with loads of great options. For example, subscription services like Spotify, are becoming extremely popular. Giving you access to hundreds of gifts, looking down the digital route can be a great way to avoid missing the big day.

Professional Services:

Companies that are willing to bend over backwards to make you happy can be found everywhere. Professional services, like chocolate making and flower arrangement, are great when you’re looking for gifts for people you love. Companies like Camelback Flowershop have the skills and resources to be able to take and prepare custom orders to be delivered on the same day. Of course, this is based on location, and you will have to find a business close to you. Once you do, though, you will be able to start turning birthdays you miss or forget about into something very special. This sort of gift can be touching when you have it arrive for you.

Something Homemade:

Basing a gift on your hobbies is often a simple matter of putting yourself to work, and will only take a bit of effort once you get into it. Drawing, cooking, singing, and crafts are but a few examples of the choices you have here, giving you a huge range of different gift ideas to choose from. This is something that you will have to dedicate a lot of time to in the short window you have between remembering a birthday and seeing the person who is having it if you want to get it done in time. This will be hard to manage if you have a busy schedule to contend with, but the reaction of your loved one will be so worth it!

Printable Gifts:

If you own a printer, you have the makings for tons of easy gifts which most people will never try. Buying tickets to a musical performance, for example, will often give you the ability to print off the documents from home, rather than having to wait for them to come in the post. Using this sort of gift will give you the chance to choose something personal and well thought out, without having to have the time to spend on making it happen.

Last minute gift shopping can be totally stressful, so use this guide and breeze through your next occasion with ease!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Jolie In Jaase Top

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Jolie In Jaase Top

Hello hello and happy Monday! On my last trip to TJMaxx, I picked up a new top by Australian brand, Jaase, that I am simply obsessed with. It’s fresh, it’s floral, and it’s fabulous. This new zipped crop is completely perfect for spring and I loved it on the hanger, in the dressing room, and on my person because I had to wear it immediately the next day. Take a look:

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Other than black and green, I’m pretty sure that my favorite color to wear is the grey blue that is featured in this little number. I love how the simple white flowers pop against such a muted background. I also love how my complexion and hair pops, as well! This is probably my fifth or sixth top that features the pigeon color palette that I am so very fond of and, yes, I am sure that I will add more to my collection soon!

I love the shape of this top. The tight cropped torso is a snap to apply thanks to the zippered front, and it looks so chic paired with its bubble sleeves that taper into the cinched in finale. This Jaase top is unique, and that is so important to me. The shape of it is so different than anything in my closet and the fifteen dollar price tag doesn’t hurt, either.

Once it gets warm enough to wear shorts with tights, trust and believe that that is what I’ll be pairing my new find with. This Jaase purchase is going to look darling with A-line skirts and will add some flare to my black skinnies when it’s too chilly for shorts and tights. So fun!

What is your favorite color to wear? How would you style this top? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Happy Birthday, Sister!!

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Happy Birthday, Sister!!

Hello everyone and happy Sunday! Today is a wonderful, amazing, happy day because it is my beautiful big sister, Kristen’s, 26th birthday!! Kristen is literally my favorite person on the planet. She is so kind, so sweet, so funny, and so talented and I am lucky enough to be able to call her my sister and best friend. If it were up to me, and probably not to her, we would be doing everything together. So, needless to say, every minute that I get with her is very special.

I have so many fond memories with my sister. From her being my concert partner in crime to family vacations and movies and shopping, if it’s with her, then I enjoy it completely. Even just grabbing our favorite of Taco Bell and watching Netflix makes me beyond happy. Kristen is one of a kind and it makes me proud to brag about how cool she is constantly to anyone that will listen.

My best friend, my sister, and my literal everything turns 26 today. I’ve had 23 years with her and I can’t wait for a million more. Happy birthday, Kristen! ❤

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Happy Birthday, Dad!

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Happy Birthday, Dad!

Hi everyone and TGIF! Today is a special day, because it’s my dad’s birthday!! My dad. The vacation planner extraordinaire, the man with the green thumb, and my favorite guy on the planet. One of my favorite daily activities is annoying my father, and knowing that deep down, despite my constant burping, singing, and dancing around is that he loves me like crazy. And I him, of course.

CHARLES is a really special guy and he has taught me all about enjoying the simple things in life. My dad is an amazing gardener and can seemingly make beautiful plants, flowers, and vegetables appear out of nothing. He also invests in his passion for wildlife watching every day by feeding the neighborhood birds and squirrels in our backyard. Watching my father tend to his craft daily is a constant reminder for me to take a step back and appreciate the beauty that surrounds my home that he created. Like I said, he’s a really special guy.

Although my dad doesn’t read my blog (As far as I know.), it wouldn’t be right to not wish him a happy birthday on lifewithlilred. So happy birthday, dad. I sure do love you! ❤

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Scarf Series: Knitted With Love Edition

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Scarf Series: Knitted With Love Edition

Hi everyone and happy Hump Day! This is a special edition of my Scarf Series, because the one that I’m discussing today is one of a kind. My newest scarf was handmade by my mom! Despite my mom having no artistic talent in regards to drawing or painting, her creativity shines through in a different manner. She is an expert in her craft of bread baking and always uses the phrase “kneaded with love” so Knitted With Love only seemed like an appropriate title for this post. Take a look:

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Literally no one in my family even knew that my mom knows how to knit until last month when she had a stay in the hospital. The lovely JANE decided that she would like to spend some of her time there knitting, so we took a trip to the absolutely darling Harps & Thistles Yarn Emporium to pick out some materials for her to work with.

At first, I was ambivalent about my mom making me a scarf, because I already have so many and my sister specifically said that she wanted one, so I wanted my mom to focus on that, instead. But then, my mom and I laid eyes on the gorgeous mustard yellow tweed yarn that you can see above. It was the perfect shabby chic, collegiate cool palette and my prior sentiments of “you don’t have to make me a scarf if you don’t want to” instantly turned to “can you PLEASE make me a scarf?!”.

While my mom was away, it was always so exciting to get a text or hear her say on video chat that she was working on my scarf. And when she finally returned home, which was amazing in itself, it was made even more special to see the fruits of her labor for her two girls with a rose pink and mustard yellow scarf. It hasn’t been cold enough in Ohio to wear scarves, any more (Which is great!), but I did get to wear my home made scarf one time and I loved every minute of it. I can’t wait to get more use of it next winter!!

What is your favorite craft to do? Did someone teach you how or were you self taught? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Snakeskin, Sister

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Snakeskin, Sister

Hi!! Although I am not the biggest fan of animal prints when it comes to clothing and accessories, I am definitely (faux) snakeskin obsessed. Cheetah, zebra, and whatever other animal prints there are simply fall by the wayside when it comes to snakeskin. To me, snakeskin is the chicest animal print – it tends to be soft and subdued but still has the perfect amount of glam rock edge to it, which sets it apart from in your face cheetah or zebra patterns.

I have never been able to find just the right snakeskin patterned clothing, but I do have a Nine West purse and two pairs of snakeskin booties that I adore. Take a look:

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I think that the best part about snakeskin is that it really is a neutral pattern. The blacks, greys, whites, and taupes blend so effortlessly that it never overpowers the rest of your look. My snakeskin boots are usually my go to’s when I want to spice an outfit up a little while still maintaining a rocker cool vibe.

And, can we talk about one of my favorite purses of all time?! My Nine West bag was a birthday gift from a few years ago and it remains as one of my most frequently used purses. It is perfect for either work or play and is large enough to fit all of my necessities in it without being too big. Sigh, TJMaxx shoots and scores again. :*)

Whether you want a chic pattern to incorporate into your work wardrobe or something more rocker when you’re at play, snakeskin will always be the best way to go!

What is your favorite animal print? How do you incorporate snakeskin into your wardrobe? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Happy Birthday, Mom!!

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Happy Birthday, Mom!!

Hello! Today is a special day, because it is my beautiful, amazing, wonderful mother’s birthday. Saying that my mom is my best friend is a severe understatement. I don’t know what is better than a best friend, but that’s what she is. She is my confidant, my TJMaxx partner in crime, and my viewing buddy for Ellen DeGeneres, The Voice, and America’s Next Top Model.

Although my mom and I love being women on the go, I love being able to just hang out and enjoy our lunch or dinner together when one of us isn’t working. It’s such a treat to sit down and chat while sharing a meal or one of her to die for grilled cheeses on her homemade bread. YUM.

Through simple pleasures and sweet surprises, my mom brings so much joy to my life. I literally can’t look at her without smiling. Every day, my mom teaches me something new about physical and emotional fortitude, kindness, and just taking life one step at a time. Through both good days and bad, JANE radiates positivity wherever she goes, and I think that anyone can take a page out of that book.

To the best mom and friend in the world, we raise our Margarita glasses to you!

Happy Birthday, Mom! ❤

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(And shout out to the man in the blue shirt on the far right who has no relation whatsoever to my family. Best photobomb ever.)

Who else is celebrating a birthday soon? What is one of your best birthday memories? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah