Tag Archives: love

Accessory Story: Houndstooth, Honey Edition

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Accessory Story: Houndstooth, Honey Edition

Hi everyone and welcome to a brand new and very fun edition of Accessory Story! This post is really special to me because it is compliments of the newest business venture of one of my dearest, darling blogging BFFs, Angela. You might recognize her name as she is the creator of my signature scent, Ruby Tulip, which will be coming soon to lifewithlilred. When Miss Angela isn’t busy mixing up amazing bath and body care goodies, she is dedicated to getting us ladies divafied on her new online jewelry boutique.

Angela’s jewelry website boasts gorgeous jewelry for a totally reasonable price. Not only are the accessories not going to break your bank BUT you also get free shipping with the purchase of one of her jewelry sets! It’s such an amazing deal and her shipping is extremely reliable. All of my jewelry from the Houndstooth Elephant Necklace Set arrived safely tucked in beaucoup bubblewrap and the most darling cosmetic case that looked EXACTLY what Ipsy would send in their monthly makeup subscription.

Seen below are a few quick pics of yours truly sporting my accessories from Angie’s Jewelry Boutique:

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What I love about the jewelry from Angie’s Jewelry Boutique is that it’s fun and flashy without being too much. All of the pieces on her website look amazing worn as a set but they also work so well individually. I’m not a jewelry set girl, myself. I prefer to mix and match pieces as I go along and I am super excited to incorporate the accessories from my Houndstooth Elephant Necklace Set into my every day outfits.

It’s hard to pick a favorite from my new set but I freaking love the rhinestoned orb ring. Huge statement rings are a major component of my accessory arsenal so I can’t wait to wear it and add some edgy glam to my outfits. And, of course, the ring looks fabulous with my talons! ❤

But what about the elephant adorned necklace and bracelet, you ask? Well, the necklace is going to be perfect for spicing up a T-shirt and jeans or a work ensemble while giving a little safari touch of adventure to the day. And as for the bracelet, I absolutely love charm ones and my favorite way to wear them is paired with some plainer, non-bangle bracelets to make the adorable elephants and houndstooth baubles pop. Throw this little beauty on to show off smooth summer ready arms or wear over a long sleeved shirt for those chilly March days ahead.

No matter how you style your set from Angie’s Jewelry Boutique, you are sure to end up with a sassy chic new look every time. Now, get to shopping! And remember, the shipping is free with every set purchase!

So there you have it, the latest issue of Accessory Story: Houndstooth, Honey Edition! What is your favorite piece of animal themed jewelry? What is your favorite set on Angie’s Jewelry Boutique? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

 

It’s In The Bag – Embroidered Beauty Edition

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It’s In The Bag – Embroidered Beauty Edition

Hi everyone and welcome to a new edition of It’s In The Bag! It’s been a while since I purchased a new purse and it hasn’t exactly been a priority of mine to get a new one until my latest online buy. My newest bag is from Imoshion and all of their products are made from PETA approved vegan materials which is very important to me. My Embroidered Beauty purse was unintentionally introduced to me by my mom who was showing me an outfit that she thought was cute in Redbook magazine. The outfit was fine but my eyes went straight to the accessories. A gorgeous dusty teal, floral embroidered, fringed purse better known as Imoshion’s Bertie style bag. Take a look:

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^^^ SO. PRETTY!

Like all things in my wardrobe from clothing and shoes to accessories is that when I see something, I know right away if I like it or not. If I don’t like the item, I won’t even give it a second glance. However, if it falls into the like category, there’s a ninety-nine percent chance that the heels, hat, or bangle bracelets are going home with me. This beautiful bag definitely fell into the more than like category because I freaking loved it.

What sold me initially on the bag was actually the color. I have another purse that is a similar shade to my Bertie bag and it is one of my favorites. You would be amazed at how difficult it is to find a purse in that hue so when I first saw it, I was instantly drawn to it. The amazing embroidery, fringe, and somewhat bucket style shape was just a nice afterthought. The fifty dollar price tag was also something that I considered really reasonable and the free shipping was a great added bonus.

It took a little over a week for my bag to arrive all the way from LA to little old Akron, Ohio and the anticipation was freaking killing me! So, needless to say, when my package from Imoshion arrived yesterday, I was over the moon. I was really impressed with the care that they took to pack the bag safely in the box. It was kept inside a laundry style bag and tucked inside hot pink tissue paper and bubble wrap which made me happy. There’s nothing that I hate more than when a company does a poor job on shipping their products so Imoshion definitely gets an A+ in that regard.

So the shipping was great but the beautiful bag that was hidden beneath the paper and bubble wrap was simply divine. The quality of the purse was so high and it was just beautiful to look at. The suede was soft, the embroidered flowers were vibrant, and the teal shade of the bag was even more amazing in person. As soon as I walked in the door with the package, I was already dumping out everything in the purse that I was using to transfer into my new bag. I am SO excited to have such a stunning accessory hanging from my hip and I am prepared to recommend the Imoshion website to everyone who compliments it. I would without a doubt shop with them again and their Bertie bag is truly the beginning of a beautiful friendship!

So there you have it, the latest issue of It’s In The Bag: Embroidered Beauty Edition! What is your favorite store to shop at for accessories? What does your favorite purse look like? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

New Hello Kitty Pink & Black Nails

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New Hello Kitty Pink & Black Nails

Hii everyone and happy Thursday! I just returned from a lovely afternoon at the salon because homegirl needed a fill. After going to a different salon to get my set of acrylics on, I returned to home base and went back to my normal salon for the fill. I don’t know, I just wasn’t feeling the other one. 1) The lady was scary. 2) She hurt my nails like a mother. 3) They charged five dollars extra for long nails, which is annoying. It felt good to be back in familiar territory and I think that my nails turned out really nice! I went with the light glittery pink from OPI’s Hello Kitty collection and, of course, BLACK! Take a look but bear in mind that pictures really don’t do them justice:

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Not only was it nice to see all of my favorite nail techies again but it was also fabulous to get my middle finger crosses back! I missed them!! If you recall from last time, I was too scared to ask the lady who did my set for it. Yikes! I do miss my former nail tech, Vinny, terribly but good ol’ Steve did a bang up job so my tried and true salon is where I will stay forever and ever, amen. ❤

What color of nail polish are you currently wearing? What is your favorite color of polish to wear? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Spring Surprise

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Spring Surprise

Hiiiii! This morning as I was leaving the house, I caught a little pretty something out of the corner of my eye while I was in the car. Among all of the brown leaves and dry grass, a little yellow crocus was popping out to say an early spring hello. I didn’t have time to snap a quick pic then but as I was taking the dogs out this afternoon I just had to take one! It was so cute and wittle and it made me so happy to see! Take a look:

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After kind of a blah few days, it was so nice to see a tiny pop of color as a Spring Surprise and a preview of hopefully some lovely blooms to come. There’s nothing like a brave little crocus showing off its petals to brighten your day and get you hyped for warmer weather, all floral everything, and a new spring season here on lifewithlilred!

Happy Tuesday!

Hats Off: Nicole Marciano Edition

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Hats Off: Nicole Marciano Edition

Hiii everyone and happy weekend! I hope all of you are having a wonderful and relaxing Sunday! Yesterday, a quick stop to TJMaxx got me a super cute new floppy hat by Nicole Marciano for a whopping four dollars. Thanks to a ten dollar off coupon compliments of their credit card, I was able to snag this little beauty which I am SO stoked to sport this summer. Take a look:

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^^^ So. Fun!

I have quite a large hat collection due to a love that I developed from my grandma who had over one hundred of them! I love, love, love floppy hats but all of mine are either felt or wool which is fine for fall, winter, and the spring but not so much for summer. I’ve wanted a big, floppy, straw style hat for a while now but never managed to find one that I liked enough to purchase. They were all either too big, too small, too blah, or the shape wasn’t to my liking. Seriously, some of the floppy hats that I’ve encountered were HUGE which would result in the hat to droop in an unflattering sad elephant ear style that was just…no.

But, I absolutely LOVE this little Nicole Marciano number. It’s big without being gigantic, the shape that the hat takes when it’s actually on is quite attractive, and the “bonjour” detailing was just too darling to pass up. And for four dollars?! Hello! This hat is going to be so charming with a little sun dress, chunky wedges, and “don’t look at me” sunglasses for a glam but fun summer time look. It will provide me with the perfect shade and a touch of Paris chic for a day of shopping at my favorite outdoor mall, a trip to the zoo, or simply reading the latest issue of Cosmo on my deck. Just thinking of it makes me more than ready for summer!

Hats Off, indeed, to this cute as can be Nicole Marciano piece! What is your must have accessory for spring or summer? Who else has a hat collection of their own? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Accessory Story: Sparkling Snakes Edition

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Accessory Story: Sparkling Snakes Edition

Hellooo everyone and happy Hump Day! I hope all of you are having a wonderful week so far and are looking forward to an exciting weekend ahead. When it comes to fashion, Lil Red loves it all. Beauty, makeup, clothes, shoes, purses, hats, and of course – jewelry. I have quite a staggering jewelry collection that I am just now beginning to appreciate. I’ve grown to love layering necklaces, throwing rings on multiple fingers, and stacking bracelets and bangles on my arms. This Accessory Story is an ode to two of my personal favorite pieces – my Sparkling Snake arm cuffs. Take a look:

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One of these bracelets is Betsey Johnson and one of these pieces is from the gift shop at the Akron Zoo. Can you guess which is which? Lol, don’t worry – I’ll tell you! The gold snake with the pink toned gems is a Betsey Johnson cuff that my mom gave me a few Christmases ago and the blue gem snake is from the zoo (which sounds so weird saying!). I am an avid lover of all of the fun, quirky, sassiness that is Betsey Johnson so my mom was spot on in gifting me with this cuff. I actually think she might have gotten me the bracelet from the zoo, as well, as a birthday present. So shout out to my beloved mama AGAIN!

When it comes to jewelry, I don’t do subtle and soft. I want loud, in your face pieces that really make a statement. And, honestly, what better way is there to make a cool, glam rock impression than a couple of gem stoned snakes coiled around your arm? I normally like to wear one snake for each arm and love breaking them out in the summer time when they can be fully appreciated thanks to tanks, tees, and crop tops. Not only that, but in the intense summer sun, you can only imagine how gorgeously these cuffs glisten!

So, how did my mom land on gifting me with snake themed bracelets? Do I like snakes? Not particularly. I don’t dislike any animal but it’s not like I’m going to go out of my way to get a pet snake any time soon! And also – HOW DO THEY PEE?! I wish that I could say that jokingly but I REALLY WANT TO KNOW!! But I digress. I actually think I pointed out the zoo snake bracelet to my mom and told her how much I liked it. Then, it must have been the same year that she gifted me with the Betsey Johnson one at Christmas because she had to have remembered how much I liked my birthday prezzie. Oh, mom! What a darling, perfect gal! ❤

So there you have it, my latest Accessory Story: Sparkling Snakes Edition! Does anyone else own any animal themed jewelry? Where is the strangest place that you have ever bought jewelry from? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Getting Off To The Best Start With Your Pup

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Getting Off To The Best Start With Your Pup

Welcoming a new dog into the home should be and is a joyous occasion. Then, the honeymoon period quickly starts sharing room with the realization of the demands that a pet brings with them. Whether you’re a new owner or this is your first new dog in a while, it’s important to get a refresher on how to turn them from little strangers to a family member in no time:

Make Sure You’re Ready For Them: It’s vital that you take your responsibilities as a dog owner as seriously as possible. They have needs and they look solely to you to help them fulfill them. You have to know what those needs are before they come in the home. Who is going to feed them, walk them, and play with them? Do you have the budget to take care of all the costs in food, bedding, and vet visits? We don’t want to put anyone off getting a dog. However, if your family isn’t ready for them, then you should reconsider for the sake of the animal and the family.

Welcome Them In The Home: Having a space for the dog is important. You need to think about how much space they’re going to take when sleeping and make sure that you get a bedding area that’s both big and comfortable enough. You also have to know that dogs, young pups especially, are going to try to get into just about anything. For that reason, pet-proofing the home is vital. You need to make sure that no food or dangerous little odds and ends are in reach of them. You should also make sure that your houseplants are not poisonous to your new pet.

Get Up To Date On Their Health: Finding a good veterinary surgeon as soon as possible has to be on the agenda. Not only because you want someone who you can go to in an emergency but you also need the sources that can keep you up to date on all the essentials of keeping the pup healthy. Their immunizations, regular pest control treatments, getting them microchipped, and so on. Keep a schedule of those essential visits and don’t be afraid to ask the vet for any advice that you might need.

Don’t forget regular cleanings for their teeth and nail trimming too. Your vet will have the best veterinary dental equipment to be able to treat any major issues or can recommend you to a great groomer for maintenance visits.

Train Your Pup: It’s just as essential that you make sure your dog is becoming the kind of family dog that you want. Early habits like potty training and chewing on things aren’t the only habits that you should be concerned about. Many people neglect to get their dog properly socialized, which means that they can bark, jump up, and even display aggressive behavior to new people and animals alike. One of the habits that the humans in the relationship need to make sure that they don’t get into is feeding the dog scraps. Doing that too often can make it so that the dog’s palate doesn’t quite enjoy dog food the same way and instead they spend their free time looking for even more treats. It might be endearing, but when they’re constantly trying to jump up to your dinner plate, it can get old very fast.

Taking care of a whole new creature brings with it plenty of challenges. But do it right and you’ll end up with one of the most loyal friends your family could have! <333

Totes Adorbs Featured Image By: Pixabay

Gift Ideas For The Sports Lover In Your Life

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Gift Ideas For The Sports Lover In Your Life

Ahh, we all have a sports mad man or woman in our lives. But as much as we cherish their impact on us, they can often be the hardest person to buy a present for. You know that celebrating their passion is the perfect foundation for finding a great gift. Unfortunately, narrowing it down from there can feel like a minefield. So how can you give yourself a sporting chance of finding the ideal solution? Try these ideas on for size:

Enhance Their Playing Experience: There’s no doubt that playing at least one sport offers huge benefits to our lives. Your sport-loving friend or relative appreciates this more than most and is always seen with a bat or ball in their hand. So why not embrace their activities by increasing their fun? This could mean buying a new pair of shoes, football, or virtually any accessory. Even if it’s a fitness watch to help them record data regarding their activities, those additions will brighten their time on the field. From their perspective, that’s the greatest gift ever.

Celebrate Their Love Of A Team: As well as playing sports, your gift receiver is probably a fanatical supporter of their favorite team. Buying tickets to a game or a stadium tour is a great way to provide an unforgettable experience. Moreover, you can use this as an opportunity to show an interest in their passion by attending the event also. Let’s face it; you’ll probably enjoy it, too, even if it’s just from seeing the happiness of your giftee.

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Woooo!

Make Memories With Memorabilia: It’s hard to explain the strength of the emotions gained from sports to an outsider, but let’s just say it’s massive. This is often a love that follows us throughout our lives and that’s why we idolize those on field heroes. From the gift giver’s perspective, this is the ideal opportunity to shine. Signed memorabilia from their favorite star, such as from Domonique Rodgers NC State, is something that they’ll cherish forever. Or you could use a personalized bobblehead to immortalize the receiver as a sports star. Either way, those products are a guaranteed way to brighten up the home for many years to come.

Think About The Home Arena: Does the sports enthusiast in your life constantly watch ESPN? If the answer is yes, create an even greater viewing experience and the presence of your gift will be felt every single day. The possibilities will be dictated by where they watch it. However, the additions could include a projector, new seating, or a beer fridge. Whatever option you go for, a better place to entertain friends when watching the game will not go unappreciated.

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^^^ Excellent idea

Subscriptions: Your sports-loving friend or relative wants to feel closer to the action. Whether it’s a magazine subscription, an online streaming service, or points for their video games doesn’t matter. Buying a present that strengthens the relationship with their favorite sport can only be positive. Best of all, many of those presents are recurring monthly ideas. The recipient gets a regular reminder of the gesture while your payment for the gift will be staggered across an extended period. Even if you don’t particularly like sports yourself, that surely makes you a gift giving champion.

The world of sports is a vast one but once your gift giving ideas are narrowed down, the end result will always be a touchdown!

Featured Image By: Google Images

Clichés Can’t Be Wrong: What Pet Should You Get?

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When it comes to choosing a pet, not everyone has a clear idea of which companion to choose. Indeed, there is a big difference between a cat and a dog, but there is an even bigger difference between owning a parrot or owning a pug, so the choice of your pet companion is a serious one. Choosing the wrong pet for your personality might not only result in unhappy social issues on your end, but you are also risking the happiness of an innocent animal. So, while there isn’t an exact guide on the best pet for your lifestyle, there are some common personality traits among pet owners that can help you to find out whether you are more of a fish fan or a cat lady.

You Love A Small And Lively Home – Rabbit: Around a third of all rabbit owners tend to describe themselves as creative and geek chic homeowners. But what unites all rabbit owners is the desire of a lively home at very little cost. They want to have the excitement of a pet peacefully hopping under the sofa without having to develop an authority figure to control their furry friend. The other advantage is the low investment of rabbit food as this is mostly odorless and easy to manage. So if you fancy a ball of fluff without concession or the problems of a dependent pet that relies on you for playful times, a rabbit is what you need!

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SO. CUTE.

You Fear Long-Term Commitments – Hamster: For those who want a pet but don’t want to invest too many years of their lives with an animal, you should be looking at small animals such as mice, hamsters, rats, and other rodents. Their life expectancy rarely goes beyond two years, which is very short in the realm of pets, but they have all the fun of a bigger animal. They are very intelligent, too, so be prepared for them to escape from their cages! At this subject, you should have a look at the cage reviews at Love Your Pet to find the ideal cage for your rodent. Rodents are very playful and affectionate once they get to know you: Most people even let them roam free at home!

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Wittle baby!!

You Are A Solitary Type – Cat: While cats are by definition the animals of the old single lady, in truth, they are a little more than an option against loneliness. Cats are independent animals who can develop very strong bonds with their owners. It’s not uncommon for cats to lick their owner’s hair as a way to show affection. They have some gross habits, too, as they bring back dead animals as a gift. But if you stick with cats, they are loyal, loving, and fun but they tend to dislike meeting new people. A cat is the ideal companion if you don’t like going out or if you are involved in a small social circle.

You Love Going Out And Exercising Outdoors – Dog: If you are keen to go out and make new friends, you have more of a dog personality. Most dogs love the company of people and while they are loyal and protective of their family – or of the family of their owners – they are always happy to meet new people and make new friends. Most dogs enjoy running and playing outside, so it’s best to have at least a medium sized back yard if you are planning to get a dog. You can also choose to exercise with your dog to keep both of you healthy.

Dogs will require training to be obedient and behave safely outside of the house, but this is something that you can easily achieve with the right puppy school. And, remember that a dog can be prone to making messes in the house so you will want to take a look at Golyath and ensure that you are well stocked with your sanitizing wipes and distilled water to keep your home sanitary. This is so important for animals and humans alike!

You Are A Creative Soul – Parrot: Parrots are incredibly bright and playful. It’s not uncommon for parrots to play with other animal species and many parrot owners have seen their friends throwing a ball at a dog just like a human being would do – admittedly with a little less strength than a person, it’s a bird after all. Parrots are happier in a household where they can interact with everyone and everything and where they can learn. Parrot owners tend to be on the creative side. Writers, designers, artists, and much more. It is said that parrots and their owners keep learning from each other throughout their lives.

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🙂

You Prefer Peaceful Aesthetics – Fish/Reptile: If you are not keen on the company, but you want something nice to look at, you should be looking at a fish or reptile as a pet. Aquarium pets tend to keep a peaceful atmosphere in the house, as they stay in their glassed box until you take them out. You can decorate their tanks as you wish and the water is sure to have a calming effect.

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Lol, omg!

How To Incorporate Your Love Of Beauty Into Your Career

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How To Incorporate Your Love Of Beauty Into Your Career

These days, makeup is becoming a hotter and hotter trend every day. From contouring to strobing and knowing which shade of Kylie’s liquid lipsticks is which and whether or not they’re better than Colourpop, we really have our work cut out to know what exactly is going down in the world of beauty. But if it comes naturally to you, if you spend hours on YouTube looking at the latest beauty gurus before learning to perfect your own cut creases, then a career in makeup and beauty might just be for you. Here are some ideas to help get you started:

Retail: If you love talking to people and you really know your stuff about makeup, then you could consider working in retail. From high end specialist beauty stores to department store beauty counters, you can find a perfect match for you whether you love drugstore brands or you refuse to touch your face with a beauty blender that isn’t the ‘official’ one. A lot of people who work in beauty retail spend their time recommending products to others, so it’s important that you really know your stuff about what primers work for which skin types and how to boost people’s confidence.

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 Lil Red loved working beauty retail!

Treatments: Working in a salon is perfect for people who love talking to their customers and befriending them – not only will this improve both of your days but it’ll also help you to get plenty of repeat business! Make sure that you’re well trained in whatever beauty area you want to focus on, whether that’s styling hair or giving a waxing course a go. It’s important to be fully qualified in all areas if you work at a beauty salon, particularly if you want to charge good prices and have people continue to return for some pampering.

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Ahhhhh 🙂

Makeup Artists: If you’ve been married, been to prom, or any other sort of special day, then you’ll know just how valuable the skills of makeup artists are. Makeup artists are able to pick out people’s best features and emphasize them to make them look like an even more gorgeous, airbrushed version of themselves. Make sure that you’ve trained and that you’ve practiced on plenty of people other than yourself to get a full range of looks in your portfolio and set up a site that looks fully professional, along with making business cards to hand out at networking events to get the word out about your craft.

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Pexels Image

Special Effects: If you’ve always had a flair for the dramatic, then special effects makeup might be for you. Some people spend time perfecting their highlight, but people who are into special effects have probably spent way more time making themselves up to look like various celebrities and attaching zips to their faces for grotesque Halloween looks. Practice by yourself at home to start with – buy books and watch tutorials on how to create the perfect wound or bruise effect. Then, start investing in special products that will help you build up your skills. Finally, enlist some very forgiving friends who don’t mind walking around looking as though they’re horribly scarred for you to practice on!

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Love!

Featured Image By: Pexels