Tag Archives: new clothes

New Patrons Of Peace Trapeze Pants

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New Patrons Of Peace Trapeze Pants

Hello!!! As I have mentioned with every OOTD that I have created this summer, I really dislike dressing for summer. Cool and comfortable options are so limited and I am sick and tired of rotating a handful of shorts, skirts, and dresses as the days go by. During my TJMaxx birthday gift card shopping spree, I was hoping to find a new dress or skirt to add to the mix but didn’t find jack. I did, however, find a pair of amazing trapeze pants by Patrons Of Peace that are absolutely perfect for summertime wear. Take a look:

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I am a huge fan of trapeze pants, but have never found a pair that are right for me. I am barely over 5’1 and every pair that I have tried on before was overwhelming in width, length, or both. I found the Patrons Of Peace pair in the juniors’ department and was a bit ambivalent about adding them to my try on pile. I was in love with the bold pattern in a gorgeous array of colors, but I figured that they would be too long like usual. However, I put them into my cart anyways because I was already trying a swimsuit on (which you saw yesterday) and that had the potential of not working too.

In the fitting room, I was shocked and amazed by how well these pants worked. They were, unsurprisingly, a bit long in length but that’s an easy fix with a pair of platforms. Despite that, they were most flattering and that had everything to do with how these pants laid. Although the fabric is really breezy and billowy, it laid so closely to my body and the movement only came when I was moving too. I felt so good in these and had OOTD ideas swarming through my head as soon as they were on. Killer heels, a tight crop or tank top, and hair tossed up in a chic bun? Yes, yes, and YES!

I have been so bored with my summer wardrobe and my new trapeze pants are going to shake things up for sure. I like to think that I am very adventurous when it comes to my clothes, but my new swimsuit and pants took me out of my comfort zone and I can’t wait to rock them!

Have you updated your summer wardrobe? What did you get? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Simple Ways To Make Your Clothes Last Longer

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Simple Ways To Make Your Clothes Last Longer

Are you constantly replacing clothes? Or maybe your clothes aren’t looking as good as when you bought them? By learning to extend the life of your clothing, you could save yourself a lot of money. Below are a few tricks to make your clothing last longer:

Invest in high quality clothes:

Cheaper clothing typically isn’t built to last. After only a few months of regular wear with fast fashion purchases, you can expect shoes to have worn soles, sunglasses to scratch, bras to become loose, tights to rip, and sweaters to dethread. Paying a little more for higher quality clothing is often worthwhile as these items will last longer. You may be paying more upfront, but you won’t have to replace them as often – they could last many years without getting damaged. Of course, this doesn’t mean that all of your clothes should be high-end designer items. Being prepared to spend $10 extra may be all it takes to improve the longevity of your clothes. You can often find reviews from customers online by entering a search for “Chummy Tees Review” (or the specific brand you are looking for). Take the time to read through them before making a purchase to ensure that other people are satisfied with the quality of the clothing.

Stick to timeless fashion pieces:

Another reason some of us regularly replace clothing is because we buy into fads. Such clothing can end up quickly going out of fashion. Instead of following fast fashion trends, try to stick to timeless fashion pieces. These are items of clothing that stayed trendy for decades. Prime examples include trench coats, blazers, little black dresses, blue denim jeans, black leather jackets, button down tops, black pumps, and ballet shoes.

Learn how to sew:

Sewing is a useful skill that can extend the life of many different clothing items. It can help you to sew buttons back on, repair broken seams, or even tighten clothing that has become too loose. You can learn to sew using a needle and thread or you can buy yourself a sewing machine. If you choose the latter, make sure to take the time to shop for high quality sewing machines. You’ll find many tutorials online teaching you how to sew clothes.

Follow washing instructions:

Many clothes end up getting destroyed in the washing machine because people do not read the washing instructions. For example, it can be important to consider the heat setting – heavy items like jeans should always be washed on a high heat setting, while stretchy items like yoga pants should be washed on a low heat setting. You may also want to avoid washing delicate items on a fast spin setting.

In most cases, you can find washing instructions on the label. Alternatively, you can find instructions online. Try to learn the best washing machine settings for each item so that you can separate them accordingly.

Hand wash delicate clothes:

Some delicate items like sequined dresses, silk blouses, lingerie, and cashmere sweaters can get easily damaged in a washing machine no matter what setting you choose. Hand washing these items is the best way to prevent damage. Yes, hand washing is more time-consuming, but it could help to save you money on replacing clothes. It’s also likely to use less water and energy, saving you some money on your utility bills.

Air dry clothes in summer:

Tumble dryers can also contribute to clothing damage. The heat combined with the tumbling motion can cause items to unravel or tear. To prevent this, consider air drying your clothes in the summer. If you’re not allowed to use a washing line in your neighborhood, consider simply using a laundry rack indoors. If it’s a hot day, the clothes should dry in a few hours. You’ll not only save money by reducing clothing damage, but you’ll also save money by using less energy.

When you know the ways to make your clothing last, you can keep that brand new feel all of the time!

Featured Image By: Pexels

New Sincerely Jules Pants

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New Sincerely Jules Pants

Hello everyone!! During my Christmas gift card extravaganza jubilee jamboree at TJMaxx, I didn’t have too much luck in the clothing department. This is, admittedly, a weird time to shop for because you never know if you’re going to get hot or cold in late April and May. It definitely reflected on the racks of clothing with tons of winter items on clearance and random warm weather pieces interspersed throughout. In this mixed bag, I ended up with an amazing new jumpsuit by Japna as well as some pantaloons by Sincerely Jules. They are very simple, but I am obsessed:

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Does anyone remember the paper bag pants trend that was super popular a few years ago? You know, the high waisted pants with a gathered waist, slim cut leg and made from really rigid material? I do! I loved those freaking pants and ended up trying a pair on every time I went shopping, but never made the purchase. They looked like garbage on me lol. The shape of them did not compliment my body at all and the gathered waist always made me look ten pounds heavier no matter how many pairs I tried on.

What I needed was something similar, but with tons of modifications haha so different? Basically, whatever I was looking for, I found it in the Sincerely Jules slacks. At first glance, these pants are kind of boring. However, the retro straight leg fit paired with a more defined waist had the possibility of working so I tried them on and am so glad I did! These pants fit perfectly and felt so good as soon as they were on. The material was soft, they hit right below the ankle, and as a bonus – I looked my actual size and finally got the ultra long leg line I was imagining with the paper bag pants. Also, how cute are those cuffs?!

Once I had these pantaloons on, I realized that they were not boring at all because there are so many exciting styling options that come with it, be it for work or play. These slacks would be darling with a tucked in button down and loafers for a day at the office. My work wardrobe consists of lounge clothes, though, so I will be styling them with play, play, play in mind! One of the things that I want to do this summer is visit the botanical gardens in Cleveland and I have just the outfit in mind for it. You will see it soon enough, but spoiler alert these pants will definitely be featured!

Although both of my clothing purchases from TJs were fifty shades of beige, that’s okay! I can’t wait to wear them and just thinking about the outfits that I can build makes me feel very colorful! 😀

What is your favorite neutral color to wear? Do you like to buy pieces that can double for work and play? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

New Japna Jumpsuit

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New Japna Jumpsuit

Hello!! Last Tuesday, I enjoyed some much needed retail therapy and had a blast finally spending my Christmas gift cards from TJMaxx. I mainly needed odds and ends like birthday gifts and skin care, but I did manage to find two new pieces of spring clothing that I am loving. Today, we are going to take a closer look at an amazing jumpsuit I found by Japna – the last one on the rack! 😀 Let’s get to it:

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I have been a huge fan of the jumpsuit theory for forever. However, in practice as a shorter gal, it has always left me disappointed. At barely over 5’1, ninety-nine percent of the jumpsuits that I have tried left me swimming in them. The other one percent featured other no go’s like random cutouts or a plunging neckline, which does nothing for me either. I had all but given up on finding a jumpsuit that would suit me best, but patience is virtue because this one by Japna is perfect.

What first drew me to this jumpsuit when I saw it was the color. While I often rock bold shades, this piece was bold enough in its shape alone and the crisp linen hue wouldn’t battle against all of my tattoos but enhance them. I also was liking the bustier style top with the gathered back because that style tends to agree with me. On the rack, this jumpsuit had everything that I was looking for, but the true test would come in the fitting room. This could be the best jumpsuit in the world and that would mean nothing if the length was dragging a foot below my feet!

As you probably already guessed because I purchased this jumpsuit, the length was not an issue whatsoever. In bare feet, it fell right at the ground and that is nothing that a killer pair of platforms can’t fix! The shape on my body was also exactly what I was hoping for. The more form fitting top against the breezy pants still offered definition, which is very important because it established a silhouette without having to resort to a belt at the waist.

Another major bonus of this jumpsuit is the extra slip of fabric falling from the waist to the lower thigh, respectively. This was great because I have tried on several jumpsuits that didn’t offer that and the visible panty lines were out of control. I was actually pretty worried about this before I tried it on because you could potentially see undies under the light colored fabric. Happily, this was not a problem and my new jumpsuit checked off every single one of my requirements. It’s like it was made for me!

I cannot wait to wear this fun little number ASAP and I think that it will be one of my staples this spring and summer. I love the ease of this jumpsuit because you basically just have to slip it on and go. Pair with platforms and a huge floppy hat and you have yourself an OOTD, baby! Keep it posted for more from my TJMaxx Haul tomorrow! 🙂

How do you feel about jumpsuits? What is a style of clothing that you love but haven’t had any luck finding? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

New Anne Klein Blazer

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New Anne Klein Blazer

Hello everyone! Today, we are going to wrap up my TJMaxx Haul posts by discussing a gorgeous new plaid blazer by Anne Klein. I always feel lucky with my findings at TJs but even more so this last shopping trip. Almost every piece of clothing that I found was the only one left in the store and I got them for a steal of a price. The blazer seen below, for example, had an original price tag of one hundred and thirty and I got it for one hundred dollars less! Check it out:

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Going to TJMaxx is like a fashion treasure hunt and you never know what you are going to find. I didn’t expect to end up with so much beautiful clothes this last trip around but here we are now lol. When I saw this Anne Klein blazer, it was love at first sight. The crisp shape paired with traditional red plaid hues was so divine and the stark white stitching gave such an eye catching pop. As if I wasn’t swooning already but the awesome price sent me head over heels. ❤

As soon as I tried this blazer on, so many different styling options began to swirl in my head. In fact, when I was shooting my It’s Not Just A Phase OOTD, I originally had a plaid on plaid scheme in mind by pairing my Wild Fable skinnies with a red plaid blazer from the Goodwill. While the yellow and red plaid motif worked well, the blazer was too bulky and didn’t have the structure that I wanted to achieve the silhouette that I was going for. It bummed me out a little because I knew that it could look really cool and it just didn’t lol. I sure wish I had my new Anne Klein blazer a few weeks ago during that shoot because it would have worked perfectly for the punk rock tuxedo I had envisioned!

This blazer will allow me to restyle my It’s Not Just A Phase OOTD with my initial plan AND MORE. As you can imagine, it would look stunning with some black distressed skinnies and huge platform boots. It will also add a nice dose of rock to flowing maxi skirts and sweet dresses. Or how about paired with a pleated mini skirt for the ultimate preppy bad girl look?! Now, If only I had a pleated mini skirt… 😀

After a whirlwind of Christmas shopping these past few months, Lil Red needed a gift too! I played Santa for myself with all kinds of beauty and fashion goodies and I cannot wait to put all of them to good use, starting with lots of brand new OOTDs. Keep it posted!

Have you bought anything for yourself while holiday shopping? What are you gifting yourself with this holiday season? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

 

New Philosophy Sweater

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New Philosophy Sweater

Hello! While I love to get pampered with my monthly fill and trips to the hair salon, my favorite form of spoiling myself is with some good old fashioned retail therapy. This past week, I did just that at TJMaxx after tricking myself into thinking I was only going to go there to pick up some more skin care. I knew that that was a bust as soon as I walked into the store and couldn’t help myself from at least taking a peek at the clothing selection. And, here we are now three jackets and one sweater later lol. But hey, I figured I deserved a treat too after just completing my Christmas shopping! Check out the first item from my TJMaxx Haul – a gorgeous little striped sweater by Philosophy:

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I have to admit, my winter fashion game during the work week is totally different than what you see in my cold weather OOTDs. Besides two or three short shifts with other clients, I am mainly working at my parents’ home Monday through Friday and I can tell. I basically only wear hoodies to work! Part of it is the cold and the other part is sheer laziness/lack of desire on my part lol. For these past few months, fashion has been far from my mind because things have been hectically awful in Lil Red’s world. However, a recent upswing has put myself back in the mood for actually getting dressed for work and I was happy to find some new clothes to reflect that. Of course, there is nothing wrong with dressing casually for work or literally whenever, but I do feel my best when I put at least some effort into my appearance and I was severely neglecting that.

I wasn’t planning on going clothing crazy at TJs but when I saw this darling sweater by Philosophy, I was already too far gone to turn back! My first thought was that it would be perfect to wear for work and would still be something comfortable to wear without being lounge ware. I loved the bold, colorful stripes against the black base and the poppy colors bring a smile to my face, especially considering the dreary and grey December weather.

The fit of this sweater is also VERY NICE and it has just a touch of additional wiggle room, which I like. It is form fitting enough without being too tight and this was appealing to me because the clothing racks seemed to be swimming with oversized options. This Philosophy sweater hit right at the waistline of my jeans but was by no means cropped and it was really flattering. I mean, obviously, lol I wouldn’t have bought it if that weren’t the case! 😀

Although my mental health is still not the best at this moment in time, your girl is still trucking. My new twenty dollar sweater (Total steal!) made me feel encouraged to put my fashion armor back on and bring some Lil Red style back into the work week. I consider this money well spent!

How do you know when you’re in a rut? What helps you get through it? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

 

 

New Sincerely Jules Vest

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New Sincerely Jules Vest

Hello!! This past Saturday was absolutely FABULOUS. It was seriously the best day that I have had in over a month and it was just wonderful. To start, Johnny took some new OOTD pictures for me (Check it out soon!). Afterwards we went on a crawl of all of my favorite places. We went to my happy place of TJMaxx and then to my other happy place of El Meson for Mexican food. Once lunch was over, we spent a lovely afternoon at my parents’ house and then back to our apartment for an evening of video games. Like I said, it was the best.

Johnny and I went to TJMaxx with the purpose of checking out their Halloween decorations. As always, I couldn’t go to my own personal Disney Land without buying a little something for myself too lol. The store was overflowing with gorgeous fall clothes and they were all speaking to me. Out of hunger and knowing that Johnny wasn’t going to last long during a morning shopping session, I walked away with a darling houndstooth vest by Sincerely Jules. It’s SO cute and was convenient because I didn’t have to try it on in the fitting room lol check it out:

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Dressing for fall is such fun for me because I get to layer up with all of my favorite things – sweaters, cardigans, flannels, and jackets. Why stop at just one piece when you can layer?! I was ecstatic when I saw this Sincerely Jules number because I don’t have anything like it in my wardrobe and, yes, it is a perfect layering piece! Of course, it will be great over top of my plethora of black sweaters but can you imagine it over a jewel tone like cobalt blue? Beautiful!

What I like about this vest the most is its shape. Normally, vests for women taper sharply inwards underneath the breasts and that is not flattering for my body type at all. My new Sincerely Jules vest, however, has a more straight fit to it and invokes all of the menswear vibes, which I am so there for. It has some extra wiggle room to it that provides a bit of movement and will be able to be worn comfortably over a thicker top.

I cannot wait to style this vest for a future OOTD post and I already have so many ideas. To keep with a menswear theme, I plan on raiding Johnny’s wardrobe because he has the best button downs. A more masculine fit on top begs for some sexy heels on the bottom so I might just have to break out my wedding heels one time for the one time. Stay tuned on lifewithlilred to see the completed look!

What is your favorite layering piece? What is your favorite season to shop for? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

 

New Rachel Zoe Sweater

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New Rachel Zoe Sweater

Hello and welcome to the last new purchase from my TJMaxx Haul! When I go shopping, I usually know instantly if a piece of clothing is going to work for me just by looking at it. I am a seasoned pro, after all, and I am well versed in the styles, shapes, and colors that work best for my body type, hair color, and complexion. This little number by Rachel Zoe is a prime example of that and I fell in love as soon as I saw it:

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Similarly to my new DKNY sweater that you saw yesterday, I gasped when I saw this Rachel Zoe sweater. The shape is almost identical to my favorite chartreuse sweater by Cynthia Rowley and I haven’t found anything like it since buying it three years ago. I am living for the mock turtle neck, form fitting but not too tight fit, and diamond block pattern. The ultra soft material and all of the fun styling potentials are the cherry on top!

Thanks to my sixth sense when it comes to clothing, all I had to do was slip this sweater on and off for a second or two to know that it was a must have. And, within that time, visions of fabulous fall OOTDs began to swirl inside my head. I can’t wait to sport my new sweater with skinny jeans, brown ankle boots, and my Peter Grimm hat. It will be the perfect look for a leisurely autumn hike. I also love the idea of pairing it over top of a maxi dress or skirt for something more dressed up. This sweater screams “fall” and I am so there for it. 😀

Autumn is amazing for many reasons – cooler weather, leaves changing colors, Halloween and, oh yeah – the clothes. Keep it posted here on lifewithlilred for all of the fall OOTDs coming soon!

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

New DKNY Sweater

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New DKNY Sweater

Howdy! What was supposed to be some light shopping at TJMaxx turned into a full blown haul because fall clothes are back in stores, baby! While I had fun styling all kinds of summer looks, I am beyond ready for the crisp days of autumn. Oh yeah, and literally all of the sweaters, cardigans, coats, and cold weather accessories too. With the greatest season of all at the forefront of my mind, I just couldn’t say no to this darling DKNY sweater:

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^^^ Originally seventy dollars and I got it for thirty. NICE!

When I first saw this sweater, I literally clutched my pearls because it features what is, apparently, my new favorite trend: Sheer sleeves. This little DKNY number reminded me of my new Zara top that I got last haul and I knew that it would be a winner. As a heavily tattooed lady, it is always sad for all of them to get covered up come cold weather. Sheer sleeves allow for the tattoos on my arms to still be seen and I am so there for it. It’s seriously the perfect fix for the seasonal problem of forgetting what tattoos I even have until it gets warm out again lol.

Of course, my new sweater will look amazing with black super skinny jeans and ankle boots. Throwing on a huge floppy hat with it is also a definite must. I also have visions of pairing this sweater with a sweet skater skirt, cableknit tights, and a fun pair of heels. I think that it will be an awesome look for date night or family holiday gatherings.

I love refreshing my wardrobe with a few new pieces as the seasons change to keep things interesting. I consider this DKNY sweater and the Rachel Zoe one that you will see tomorrow as ideal additions to my fall clothes. I can’t wait to wear them!

What is your favorite season to shop for? What is your favorite thing about fall? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

TJMaxx Haul: Zara Top Edition

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TJMaxx Haul: Zara Top Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to my favorite and final piece of clothing from my TJMaxx haul! The past several shopping trips that I’ve been on were not fruitful in my need for more tops in the slightest. This time around, however, I walked away with three different tops that I am so in love with. It was a GREAT SUCCESS and I now feel content with the top department of my wardrobe. Let’s check out this fabulous little number by Zara to wrap things up:

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As I mentioned in my pro tips for shopping at TJMaxx, I utilize a two rounds throughout the store method. There is just too much to see in one go and I often find some of my favorite things the second time around. Like this Zara top, for example. Maybe someone was standing in front of it on round one because I can’t believe I didn’t notice the huge sheer puff sleeves on my first trip! It was also the only one like it in the entire store. 😀

In terms of shirt sizes, I am a solid small or medium and this top was an extra small. Like my new Nicole Miller pants, I was thinking “please fit” when trying it on because I liked it so much! Thanks to a side zipper, button up back, and the fact that Zara clothing runs bigger, I was in luck. This top fit perfectly and I love how the tighter fitting bodice makes the puff sleeves seem even larger than life.

I have grand plans for this newest addition and I cannot wait to shoot some amazing autumn OOTDs with it! Pair it with a little navy skirt? Yes, please! I would also really like to find a good pair of navy or red slacks to go with it. I know, it’s shocking to me too that I’m branching away from my standard black skinny jeans lol. Now, all I’ll need is a killer pair of white platform loafers and we’re in business!

Tomorrow, tune in for the skin care portion of my haul and it will be onto a brand new OOTD and July finishes. See you then!

How would you style this top? What are some pieces that you would like to have in your wardrobe? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah