Tag Archives: love

Jul21

Zara Haul: Black & White, Alright Edition

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Zara Haul: Black & White, Alright Edition

Hi everyone and welcome to the conclusion to my Zara Haul series featuring a twenty dollar button down dress with to die for details! I’m unsure of the original price for my dress because there was no tag on the item but I’m assuming that it’s starting price was around seventy or so dollars, because that’s the Zara way. The button down dress is an item that I took for granted until I realized that I flipping love them, so now I have to make up for lost time and BUY ALL THE BUTTON DOWNS! Take a look at this new beauty and let’s discuss:

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White is a color that I don’t wear very frequently, just because I find it very anxiety provoking. Hello, future coffee stains. But, I always do enjoy a crisp, white piece of clothing when the perfect one comes a knockin. I simply love this dress, so having to be extra careful with eating, makeup, etc. while wearing it is totally worth it. The sleek fabric, kimono-esque style, blossoming pattern, and daring details all make this dress worthy of being in my expansive wardrobe.

The button down dress is a classic piece of clothing. It’s something that looks good on every body type and can really be worn for any occasion depending on how you style it. The button down dress offers timeless beauty to all who wear it and I am ashamed that it has taken me so long to appreciate that. The few button down dresses that I own are some of my favorites, so it’s definitely nice to be able to find one that I think is so well suited to me to add to the collection.

From the lace up detailing on the side to the barbell shaped cuff links on the sleeves, this dress is full of surprises. Probably the biggest surprise being that white actually looks good on me! As a very pale gal, white is something that I tend to unconsciously shy away from because of the fear that it will wash me out (And also stains, lol.), but it’s actually quite the contrary. By some divine miracle, the color white manages to enhance and exaggerate my skin and hair color even more, creating a stunning effect – especially while wearing red lipstick!

Of course, I’m looking forward to wearing this as an actual dress but I’m more excited to pair this with some black super skinny jeans and a nice pair of stilettos for an edgy, office chic look. Throw a blazer or a moto jacket over top of it and you’re all set with a look that can be easily suitable for day or night!

So there you have it, the conclusion to my Zara Haul: Black & White, Alright Edition! What was your favorite item from my haul? Who else is getting some serious summer shopping in? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul20

Zara Haul: Anarchy In The UK Edition

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Zara Haul: Anarchy In The UK Edition

Helloooo one and all and welcome to some more Zara goodness compliments of going way too hard at the mall last weekend! I have two more fabulous pieces of clothing to share with you guys today and tomorrow to conclude my series of buying literally all of the things. We explored my love of army green yesterday and now we’re going to revisit that same love in this here shirt dress a la GI Jane. Take a look:

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I’m sure that after seeing the back of this badass button down, the title for this post makes a bit more sense!

One thing that I really am a fan of when it comes to clothing is random images and ironic/edgy/silly slogans. Obviously, this wayyy oversized shirt dress sports a pretty edgy nod to all things anarchy cool and I am nothing short of obsessed. The old school London punk scene gives me life, and I can so picture this shirt being worn by a filthy, pierced up, punked out boy or girl. Paying tribute to a music and lifestyle scene that speaks to me through my appearance and clothing is something that I never pass up the opportunity on, so clearly, this button down was a must buy.

The length of this trench coat/shirt/dress is what sold me on this purchase, asides from the color and the rule breaker adorned back. I love, love, love long pieces of clothing so the fact that this piece goes down to my mid-calves was a definite game changer. People typically think that us short girls (I’m 5’1) can’t wear long/oversized items but that’s not true. You just have to know how to style them and give yourself length in other ways. Which brings me to the next segment on how to wear this bad boy, because the options really are limitless:

  • Over a pair of shorts and a crop top or bralette with a pair of combat boots or oxfords
  • As an actual dress with a huge belted middle and chunky heels
  • Over skin tight leather jeans/leggings
  • As an overcoat on top of a frilly frock

And bear in mind that accessories are key:

  • Oversized gold jewelry
  • A fistful of rings (preferably ones that you wear on two fingers to give the illusion of fashionable brass knuckles)
  • Frilly socks sticking out of your oxfords/heels/combat boots
  • Black nails
  • Gigantic hobo bag
  • A bold attitude

Best believe that I’ll be having a blast incorporating this new statement piece into my outfits! 😀

So there you have it, the next wardrobe addition of my Zara Haul: Anarchy In The UK Edition! What do your clothes say about you? 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

P.S.: The last mark down price visible on the tag before my purchase price of forty dollars was seventy dollars. I am not sure of the original price.

Jul19

Zara Haul: Shake Your Pom Poms Edition

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Zara Haul: Shake Your Pom Poms Edition

Hello everyone and happy Hump Day! Welcome to the halfway mark of the week and to another wardrobe addition from my recent Zara Haul! If there’s one color that Lil Red loves (other than black), it’s green. Army green, emerald green, lime green, forest green – I’m a fan of all of it. Thanks to my pasty pale skin and bright red hair, the color green seems to exaggerate those features in the best way possible. Thanks to Zara’s amazing sale and a ton of army green a go go options to pick from, I ended up with two oversized GI Jane button downs, starting with this one:

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I’m going to be honest with you guys: I hate the pom pom trend. Abso-freaking-lutely hate it. There’s something about such an obvious crafting supplies item on clothes that just doesn’t do it for me. However, this shirt is a totally different story. In case you all haven’t noticed by now, I love obnoxious, statement pieces. To me, nothing screams that more than a huge, baroque pattern on the back of a shirt that’s adorned with beaded rosettes. Lol, hello bold, look at me button down!

I like how unexpected that these pom pom growths on the back of this shirt are. Haha, like why? Frankly, this top is an awful idea in the best way possible and I love everything about it. The shape of the shirt, the way that all of the colors on the back look with my skin and hair, all of the styling possibilities that come with it. I dunno, I just like it.

I’m really looking forward to incorporating this piece into my fall wardrobe because I feel like it’s such a crisp, autumn day button down. Pairing this over a maxi skirt or dress on the warmer fall days before the weather takes a cold turn sounds like just what the doctor ordered. And I so can’t wait to get all matchy matchy and wear this shirt with my army green platforms compliments of ModCloth for a cadet cool look.

So there you have it, another nail in the coffin from my Zara Haul! My Pom Poms have indeed been shook with this shirt (lol), but make sure you tune in tomorrow to see my next army green a go go top in my Anarchy In The UK Edition. What is your favorite color to wear? How do you incorporate craft store cool into your looks? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

P.S.: The most recent mark down price on this shirt was seventy dollars and I got it for thirty. I don’t know how much my button down was originally before it got marked down, though.

Jul18

Zara Haul: Moto Madness Edition

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Zara Haul: Moto Madness Edition

Yeah, I know what you guys are thinking after reading the title. “Sarah, you have like three moto jackets already. Do you really need more?” THE ANSWER IS YES, YES I DO!!! Zara motorcycle jackets make me feel some type of way in the best way ever. I would never, ever buy one of them for full price because they range from about one hundred and fifty dollars plus. But forty dollars for my new jacket? I can swing that. Take a look:

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I am a punk rocker at heart. I love the music, the scene, and especially the style. Badass clothing speaks to me on a spiritual level so you can see why this jacket was a must buy for me. The last marked down price on this moto baby before forty dollars was one hundred and thirty. Knowing what an amazing deal it was and how much I loved this jacket after trying it on helped me justify the buy. I am a total jacket junkie and not adding this piece of pure badassery to my collection would have truly broken my heart. And we can’t have that!

The studs? The sleek black? The removable hood? The Zippers? The pockets? The weighted yet fitted shape? Hello! This jacket is perfect. The moto jackets that I have before adding this one to my hoard are moto in shape but more fashion in style. This Zara piece, to me, is a “true” motorcycle jacket and I couldn’t be more obsessed with it if I tried.

I’ve mentioned before that I prefer shopping in store at Zara rather than online and the sizing in this jacket is a prime example of why. I am 90% of the time an extra small in Zara’s tops, blouses, and dresses and the remaining 10% of the time, a small. However, I purchased this jacket in a medium. The small fit, but layering with it would have been impossible so medium was the way to go for when fall and winter hit. But, had I followed my normal clothing size shopping online at Zara, the exchanging and reordering of this jacket would have been a big fat pain in the booty-boo.

Saying that I’m so excited to incorporate this jacket into my outfits is the understatement of the century because I have a feeling that I’m going to be wearing it constantly. Over dresses? Check. Maxi skirts? Sure. Moto jacket/short shorts combo that I’ve grown increasingly fond of? You know it. Skinny jeans and ankle booties? Obvs. Hello, new statement jacket. I love you.

So there you have it, the next part in my Zara Haul series: Moto Madness Edition! Who else is a jacket junkie? What is your favorite piece of cold weather clothing? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul17

Monday Update: Zara Haul Edition

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Monday Update: Zara Haul Edition

Guys. I did something bad……

I spent way too much money at Zara yesterday. But before you all sharpen the pitchforks and yell at me for giving in to my shopping addiction – LET ME EXPLAIN!!! My mom, sister, and I had a GAO (Girls’ Afternoon Out) and ventured out to Beachwood Mall, which is about a thirty-five minute trek for us. This mall is freaking amazing. It’s home to Zara, Lush, a HUGE Forever 21, H&M, Saks, Nordstrom, and the list goes on. So, not only were we in exotic new territory that we never get to go to, BUT Zara was having an incredible sale. You can’t not stock up at your favorite store when you don’t get to go very often, right? RIGHT?!

And stock up, I did. This week will be dedicated to my gorgeous new wardrobe additions compliments of my all on sale Zara Haul. We’ll start with the newest update to my business casual attire with this darling little number seen below:

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Zara button downs give me life and, coincidentally, quirky button downs make up a majority of my business cashe collection. So, obviously, I HAD TO BUY IT!! I snagged this lady bug beauty for twenty bucks. I’m not sure of the original price on this shirt, but the last button down I purchased from Zara was fifty smackers, so I consider this a steal!

This oversized button down is wonderful because it’s versatile. It’s long enough to be worn as a dress with a thick pair of tights underneath and a belted middle or over top of super skinny jeans tucked or untucked for a whimsical work look. I love wearing my other Zara button down as a dress, especially in this summer heat. However, both of these tops look totally darling tucked into pants or a skirt, as well.

Accessories are key when it comes to styling a business casual ensemble, so opt for a chunky necklace, a statement ring or two, and some killer heels to make you queen of the office!

This week on lifewithlilred will be an ode to all things Zara, starting with my Monday Update: Zara Haul Edition! Tune in tomorrow to see another one of my on sale snags. What is your favorite store to shop at? Who else goes a bit credit card happy when their favorite store is far away? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

P.S.: I bought some goodies at Lush for the first time so be on the lookout for some Bath Bomb Blitz posts in the future! 😀

Jul13

Backyard Beauty

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Backyard Beauty

Hello everyone and happy Thursday!! As you all know, I don’t care for summer in the slightest. And by that I mean that I friggen hate it. But the one thing that I actually do like about it (Other than my birthday!), is my glorious backyard. Saying that my beloved father has a green thumb is a severe understatement. Over the years, he has nurtured our back as well as front yards into an outdoor garden fit for a king. This year’s bounty has been particularly beautiful and I just had to share some pictures with all of you. It brightens my day whenever I see the fruits of my dad’s hard work and I’m sure that all of the lovely flowers seen below will do the same for you!

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What are your likes and dislikes about summer? What is your favorite flower? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul12

Hump Day Jams

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Hump Day Jams

Helloooo everyone and happy Hump Day! We’re halfway through the week and so close to the glorious weekend so it only seems appropriate to provide some jams to get us stoked for dumb old Thursday and Friday! As you guys know, I’ve been trying to update my iTunes after quite a few years of neglect and I am having such a blast rocking out to some new and old favorites. Here’s what I’ve been listening to as of late and bear in mind that I have no rights to these songs or videos!

Lol, obvs it’s a pretty random compilation that I’ve been playing but when isn’t it?! I’ve been in love with finding songs that I can literally play on repeat and enjoy myself as much the tenth time listening to it as I do the first. All of these songs do that for me, particularly Left Alone by Flume & Chet Faker, which I have no problem playing on repeat while I’m getting ready for the day in the morning EVERY MORNING. If you listen to one of these suggested songs by yours truly, make sure it’s that one!

So there you have it, my Hump Day Jams! What are your current music favorites? What are some of your play on repeat for the rest of eternity jams? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul9

New Black & Red Nails

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New Black & Red Nails

Hi everyone and happy Sunday!! This past Thursday I treated myself to a princess afternoon of getting my nails filled and indulging in HELLA Taco Bell afterwards. To make the outing even better, my beloved ex nail tech, VINNY, was helping out at the salon in my current nail tech, STEVE’S, absence. It was just like old times, and my nails turned out completely gorgeous as per ushe! Take a look and let’s discuss:

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No matter who does my nails between Steve or Vinny, they always turn out magnificent. It always seems that my talons do the talking no matter where I go. I have to admit that it does get a bit annoying being literally constantly asked how I do anything with my claws, but I guess that’s just a small price to pay for my favorite accessory. I will say that just because someone can’t imagine their life with something, whether it be long nails, piercings, tattoos, out there hair, etc. doesn’t mean that that goes for everyone else. I couldn’t imagine my life without any of the above examples and I’m willing to broadcast that to anyone who questions it – which I encounter at least twice daily!!

What color do you have on your nails right now? What is something that makes you unique that people question? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul8

Bath & Body Works July Freebie

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Bath & Body Works July Freebie

Hi everyone and happy weekend!! I hope that all of you are up to lots of fun and excitement today! So, just when I thought that Bath & Body Works was over sending me freebie coupons, I finally got one in the mail this week. It had been a PHAT minute since I received anything and I figured that I finally got blacklisted for never buying anything and only cashing in on my coupons. Haha, smh. Despite this retail faux pas on my part (Because I’d totally be annoyed at me.), I was not, in fact, blacklisted so I got to add on to my B&BW freebie arsenal, once again. Check it out:

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Because I have literally more lotion than is humanly necessary in my hoard, I’ve taken to snagging travel sized shower gels, instead, when I get my coupons. I am very fond of using these goodies as add ons to gifts, so tying a lotion to its shower gel counterpart with ribbon makes a great ten dollar extra that I didn’t pay a dime for. I absolutely love the Love & Sunshine fragrance, which offers soft hints of daisies mixed with strawberry lemonade for a scent that’s a perfect combination of sweet and tart. I like it so much, that I just might have to keep this one for myself!

What is your favorite Bath & Body Works scent? Which store offers the best coupons? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul5

New Earrings Surprise

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New Earrings Surprise

Hi everyone and happy Hump Day! I hope that all of you are having a fabulous week so far. So this past weekend my mom surprised me and my sister with new matching earrings and they are SO pretty. She got my new little beauties from Target and I was pleasantly surprised because they are pretty hit or miss with their jewelry selection, in my most humble opinion. My mom hit the nail on the head with these dangling darlings so take a look and let’s discuss:

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^^^ Love.

It’s nice to know that my mom didn’t break the bank with these eight buck beauties for me and my sister. But, it’s even nicer to know that she saw these and thought of us enough to actually buy them. Little gifts and surprises like my new earrings make me so happy because everyone likes to be thought of every once in a while. To come home to my mom saying that she bought something special just for me automatically gave me the warm fuzzies. And I’m even warmer AND fuzzier considering that I’m beyond obsessed with my terrestrial themed earrings! :*)

I LOVE YOU, MOM!!!!!!!! ❤

So there you have it, my New Earrings Surprise compliments of my darling mama! What is your favorite gift that someone has given you? How do you like to surprise your loved ones? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah