Tag Archives: merry christmas

Holiday Haul: Boyfriend’s Family Edition

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Holiday Haul: Boyfriend’s Family Edition

Hello everyone! I was so thankful this past year to spend another beautiful holiday with my boyfriend, Johnny’s, family on Christmas Eve. We spent the whole day together opening gifts, playing games, enjoying a delicious meal, and watching their yearly viewing of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. It was such a blast taking part in their family traditions and my time between their house on Christmas Eve and my family’s on Christmas day made it the best holiday yet.

I was just happy to be a part of the day with my boyfriend’s family but I was completely blown away by their generosity. Check it out:

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As you can see, Johnny’s family knows me pretty well already considering I was treated to gift cards to all of my favorite places: TJMaxx, Elysian Nails, Marshalls, and Dunkin’ Donuts. It was so sweet, because Johnny’s aunt gifted both myself and his mom to a gift card to Elysian so we could get mani pedis together. I’m really looking forward to making a date of it with lunch or coffee thrown into the mix for a perfect girls day.

And, of course, you can never go wrong with giving me chocolate and bath and body care as a present, because I can always put all of that to good use! I am also very excited to break out my adult coloring book set. I used to use those all of the time and just fell out of it so it will be nice to get back into it with such lovely pictures and supplies.

Honestly, my boyfriend’s family didn’t have to get me one damn thing but I am so grateful and touched that they did. I can’t wait for more holidays and hang outs with each of them and my life is so much better for having them in it! ❤

Where did you spend your holidays at? What is one of your favorite Christmas movies to watch? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Holiday Haul: Sweet Friends Edition

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Holiday Haul: Sweet Friends Edition

Hello hello! This Christmas, I was so touched to receive some lovely gifts from two of my dear friends. One of which is my neighbor, Alice, at my family home who has been one of my besties for years now. What started out as me dog sitting her pups has turned into weekly coffee dates and hang outs and I treasure our time together so much.

Another was from my skating coach, Sarah, who I’ve known since I was at least eight years old. I love our weekly skating seshes and am so happy to have her in my life again since I rekindled my passion for figure skating. Check it out:

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Alice provided the prezzies on the left and she truly does know me so well because she got me all of my favorite things: Anything dog related, candles, and gift cards to Starbucks and TJMaxx! Alice and I always spoil each other during gift giving occasions and I definitely view her as a second mom while she sees me as the daughter she never had as a mom of three boys! We had such a lovely morning of coffee and chit chat during our gift exchange and I feel so incredibly lucky to have her as one of my best friends.

My skating coach, Sarah, gifted me with an adorable pencil pouch filled with goodies to utilize in my skating binder, which she writes notes in during our practices. It included chapstick and tons of great office supplies that will come in handy on and off the rink! I was so tickled by this thoughtful gift because it’s something that I will be putting to good use and I have already made quite a dent in the delicious sugar plum scented lip chap!

I am so thankful for having such sweet friends to share holiday cheer with and am blessed to have two wonderful women looking out for me. ❤

Do you have a second mom in your life? Have you rekindled an old passion recently? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Holiday Haul: Light Of My Life Edition

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Holiday Haul: Light Of My Life Edition

Hi! One of my clients that I work with is an older man with Down Syndrome and I always call him the “light of my life” because it’s the honest to god truth. This fellow has me wrapped around his little finger and everyone knows it! We have so much fun together and it really is nothing short of a delight to be his provider.

My friend has been looking forward to Christmas for months and months now. In fact, I think he started looking forward to this year’s Christmas the day after last year’s Christmas. In preparation for the big day, we decorated the tree and have played nonstop Christmas movies and music. It absolutely tickles me to see his love for this time of the year and he is the epitome of what the holiday season is all about.

During my last day of work before a holiday break, we had our gift exchange and I was surprised with all of the following:

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^^^ Note that the bottle of wine was from his brother!

I had to have a silent laugh when I opened my presents because I’m pretty sure that my client just gives people stuff that’s in his room for Christmas. And, that’s what made it so unbelievably perfect. My friend knows that I have no holiday decorations at my home and I’m sure that’s why he gave me my little Precious Moments penguin that is seriously the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.

But, can we please talk about my caricature?! I am so excited to hang it up on my wall because I am all about having quirky things at chez moi and it just might be one of my favorite gifts that I’ve ever received. It was obvious how much thought he put into picking out his presents for me and they are going to be treasured for forever. ❤

What do you gift your work friends with? What was your favorite gift that you got this holiday season? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Merry Christmas!!

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Merry Christmas!!

Hello everyone and a very Merry Christmas to all of you! No matter how you celebrate in the holiday season, I hope that it has been a happy time full of warmth, love, family, and friends. I have been looking forward to Christmas day for a long time now and I’m sure everyone else on my gift list has been too, so that I can quit badgering them to let me announce what I bought for them!! But, the time is finally here and I can’t wait to see everyone’s reactions to their presents.

Last Christmas, I was recovering from a horrible surgery gone wrong and couldn’t enjoy anything about the day. I was in an insane amount of pain and I may or may not have shit my pants while everyone was eating Christmas dinner… but that’s a story for another time. THE POINT IS, that this year I get to actually be mentally and physically present for one of my favorite days with my beautiful family and boyfriend and I am going to revel in every minute of it.

I am so thankful to be well enough to have a great day and my Christmas wish is that the same goes for all of you on your celebrated holidays or Christmas. As always, thank you for your continued love and support and happy holidays to all! Much love. -Sarah

Holiday Card Call To Action

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Holiday Card Call To Action

Hello! While scrolling through Facebook the other day, I stumbled upon a news article that someone posted about a Wisconsin man, Gene Weittenhiller, who is currently dying of cancer. In this article it explained the hardship and that his last Christmas wish is to receive a ton of Christmas cards. You can read the full article here if you would like more details.

Gene is a father, grandfather, and loving husband and his story touched me. So, the following day, I sent out a Christmas card myself to Prairie Du Sac, Wisconsin in the hopes that it would give him a little holiday cheer from Akron, Ohio. But, how wonderful would it be if he received cards from all over the world? Cue the lifewithlilred platform!

If you would like to send off a card to Mr. Weittenhiller, you can do so to this address to give him his best holiday yet:

Gene Weittenhiller

410 20th St.

Prairie du Sac, WI 53578

I hope that all of my darling readers can take some time out of their day to spread some happiness to a family who is in such desperate need of it. My heart goes out to the Weittenhillers and my wish is that their mailbox is overflowing with holiday cards daily. ❤

Who is sending out a Christmas card to Gene? Where in the world are you located? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

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It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Hello everyone! With annoying annoyances and the stresses of being a working adult, I just haven’t felt too much into the holiday spirit as of late. Of course, I’m excited for giving and receiving presents as well as quality family time but I haven’t felt that happy go lucky mood that comes with Christmas approaching. However, that all changed this past week when I enjoyed decorating the Christmas tree at one of my client’s homes. Check out our handy work:

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This particular client of mine is the literal light of my life. He is an older man with Down Syndrome and he is the physical embodiment of joy. It’s honestly hard not to get excited over small things that delight him and his smile and laugh are absolutely contagious. My friend loves the holidays and has been talking about us decorating the Christmas tree together since June, at least.

So, once I arrived at his house, we got to work. As the lights of the tree changed color we decorated with everything from bulbs and stars to tiny nativity scenes and birds. We played the Christmas music that he loves so dearly and took pleasure in the simple joy that comes with hanging a bauble in the perfect spot.

We decorated the tree for an hour or so and then sat back to admire our work and I have never felt more in the holiday spirit then I did right then and there. If that’s not the true meaning of Christmas, then I don’t know what is. ❤

How do you get in the holiday spirit? What is your favorite piece of holiday decor? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Happy Haulidays: Sister Edition

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Happy Haulidays: Sister Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to the last post of the Haulidays! Today, we will be looking at what my sister, Kristen, gifted me with. Kristen is an amazing gift giver and always seems to pick out the perfect presents, even if it’s never necessarily what I ask for! But, that’s just what sisters do, I guess. 🙂 Take a look at some pics and let’s discuss:

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The Haul:

  • Lush Jelly Bomb in Turtle
  • Lush Bath Bomb in World’s Smallest Disco
  • Huda Beauty palette in Emerald Obsessions
  • Victoria’s Secret Dream Angels bra

Quite the haul, right?! Like some of my other friends, Kristen knows to gift me with Lush products for holidays and birthdays. I love every single item from Lush, but they are treats that I rarely buy for myself, so it always makes for the best gift. And, let’s be honest, what girl doesn’t need a new bra? I only wear the Dream Angels collection from Victoria’s Secret and will opt for black lingerie nine times out of ten, so the bra Kristen picked for me is definitely one that I would buy for myself!

Finally, the Huda Beauty palette in Emerald Obsessions. Long story short, it is GORGEOUS! We will look at it in more detail tomorrow so be prepared for a palette filled with the most stunning metallic golds and greens that you’ve ever seen. Both of which are my favorite eye makeup colors to wear. Each gift that Kristen got for me was a home run, and her thoughtfulness and generosity truly makes her the best sister that a gal could ask for. :*)

What did you get for your holiday haul? What do you like to gift for your siblings? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Happy Haulidays: Brother & Sister In Law Edition

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Happy Haulidays: Brother & Sister In Law Edition

Howdy! For a few days until Christmas Eve, my brother and sister in law flew up from Atlanta, Georgia to be with my family. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to spend as much time with Peter and Megan as I would have liked, because of complications with my wisdom teeth surgery. But, I was still so happy to see them and celebrate all the same! Here’s a look at what they brought Lil Red for the haulidays:

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The Haul:

  • Flat top hat
  • Black lace parasol

Peter and Megan really pulled through on their purchases, because I wanted a parasol BAD this Christmas. It has been an accessory that I’ve felt suits Lil Red for a long time and this black lace one is just perfect. It’s edgy, cool, and going to be oh so extra when shading my pasty pale skin from the sun! And, of course, you can never go wrong with a hat for me, because I love hats of all shapes and sizes. I don’t own any completely flat top styles in my collection, so this new one is a great addition to my hat hoard. Love it!

Did you have family from out of state visiting this holiday? Does a lot of your family live close to you? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Happy Haulidays: Brother In Law Edition

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Happy Haulidays: Brother In Law Edition

Howdy! Today’s Haulidays post is compliments of my sister’s long term boyfriend, Ramon! Ramon is one of my best friends in the world and, even though he and Kristen are expecting a little baby together soon, he still lets me third wheel all the time. What a guy! Not only is Ramon one of my favorite people on the planet, but he is also an excellent gift giver and always knows just what to get for Lil Red. Take a look:

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The Haul:

  • Step Brothers fleece blanket
  • Step Brothers Boats N’ Hoes glass
  • Rainbow glitter shot glass

As I’m sure all of you know by now, Step Brothers is one of my favorite movies of all time. So, it always behooves people (And myself!) to get me themed presents from Will Ferrell’s finest. Ramon hit the nail on the head big time with the huge fleece blanket with front and back images of Brennan Huff and Dale Doback’s smiling faces and I love wrapping myself in it every night. And, nothing is better than enjoying a cold one in a new glass that promotes their hit single, Boats N’ Hoes! Turn up! 😀

What is your favorite movie? Is there a theme for gifts that always work well for you? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Merry Christmas!!

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Merry Christmas!!

Hellooooo all of my beloved readers and friends and a very Merry Christmas to each and every one of you! I am so happy to be able to celebrate the holiday with my family today and I hope that no matter how you spend your day, you have an amazing time doing so. It has been a hell of a few weeks for Lil Red and Christmas day spent with family, presents, and lots of good cheer is just what the doctor ordered! May all of you have a safe and love filled holiday and I will be back with the latest and greatest tomorrow! Much love. -Sarah