Tag Archives: new

Apr27

TJMaxx Skin Care Haul

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TJMaxx Skin Care Haul

Hey! Whenever I am gifted with TJMaxx gift cards, I always like to do a full restock on my skin care. While new clothes and shoes are fun, skin care is something that I’m always going to need and buy and I’d rather get it for free! I take my beauty hoard in my bathroom cupboard very seriously and consider myself stocked up when I have: Three moisturizers, three eye creams, three serums, three cleansers, and three micellar waters. Noticing a theme? I have found that a three to four month supply works well for me so I don’t have to shop for skin care monthly. To get myself back in the comfort zone of my hoard because I was running dangerously low on everything, I bought all of the following with the glory of gift cards:

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I have loved skin and bath and body care since I was a teenager. It has always been my favorite form of self care and I have had a solid skin care routine since I was about fifteen. After all of this time, I can still count on my morning routine to invigorate me and my nighttime routine to help soothe myself before bed. Lil Red is, first and foremost, a creature of habit and with that in mind, it only makes sense that I keep a constant supply of products handy!

To begin my restock, I started with moisturizers. I have used the Vitamin C one before but I have never tried any products by Honest or Happy Dance so I decided to add both to my cart. I can’t wait to try the Honest Dew You melting balm because the name itself had me sold – it just felt lux to me and I had to have it! The CBD infused moisturizer was a bit pricey at ten dollars, but it sounded so nice that I couldn’t resist! I wasn’t particularly fond of the CBD serum that I tried a year or so ago, but I have high hopes for this cream by Happy Dance… See what I did there? 😉

Next, it was onto serum and eye cream. I only needed one more serum to get me back to a full supply and chose another Honest product for that. I am excited to try the moisturizer and serum by Honest as I have always been interested in the brand and this is the first time I ever saw it at TJMaxx! In the eye cream department, I went with two brightening formulas by Simple and 40 Carrots. Like Honest, these were both brands that I was familiar with and never tried because they were not available at TJs. This was my lucky day of shopping because I had been using the same handful of brands for a while and was ready to switch things up!

Finally, I needed a few cleansers and wanted something light and invigorating for warm weather. I couldn’t say no to the adorable, poppy packaging of the My Beauty Spot and Clinical Works face wash and I also selected the Hydro Boost cleanser by Neutrogena. I am eager to try out the pink coconut cleanser first because it looks like summertime and I am hoping it feels that way too! However, this will be the last time I use any Neutrogena products as I was disappointed and surprised to learn that they aren’t entirely cruelty free. Every other product in this post is Leaping Bunny certified!

My beauty haul at TJMaxx concluded with more of my favorite micellar water and those stretchy gelly hair ties that I have been dying to try! I have more shoes than I can count and one hair tie to my name so that was a definite must lol. Keep it posted for brand new OOTDs coming soon this week!

What is your favorite cruelty free brand? Which brands have you stopped using that aren’t Leaping Bunny certified? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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Feb9

Clinique All About Clean Facial Soap Review

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Clinique All About Clean Facial Soap Review

Hello! My aunt generously gifted me with an adorable makeup bag filled with skin care samples by Clinique. I was pretty excited to try all of these goodies out because I have used makeup by Clinique before but never their skin care. The samples I tested out were a serum, moisturizer, and eye cream and I can’t say that I was overly impressed with any of them. However, I just started using the All About Clean Facial Soap by Clinique a few days ago and I am loving it! Let’s discuss:

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I have used several ultra gentle cleansers in the past and was disappointed by literally every single one. None of them ever lathered well or did anything to make my skin feel cleaner or more nourished in any way shape or form. When I saw the Clinique face wash, I assumed it was going to be another similar situation thanks to the word “mild”. I wasn’t expecting much when I used the facial soap for the first time and ended up being very pleasantly surprised.

Every morning for the past couple of days, I have been using a quarter size dollop of the Clinique cleanser and it is So. Freaking. Nice. It is unscented, which I don’t feel one way or the other about but, most importantly, it lathers like a dream. When using this product for the first time, I couldn’t believe all of the soapy bubbles that formed as I was washing my face. Although the facial soap didn’t make my skin feel moisturized, it made it feel so incredibly clean and that was very refreshing.

The asking price for a full bottle of the Clinique All About Clean Facial Soap is around twenty-four dollars. I would never pay full price for it but this is actually one product that I would consider paying a bit more for at TJMaxx. The Clinique cleanser is definitely not the move to use during the winter because it doesn’t moisturize. BUT, I think that it would be a perfect product to use during the summertime and will be keeping my eyes peeled to see if I can find it on the cheap.

If you are comfortable with the full price and are looking for a milder cleanser, you will love the All About Clean Facial Soap by Clinique. This would also be a good product to start dabbling in skin care with if you do not have a set routine already. I will be upset when I am done with my travel size tester!

Do you like Clinique skin care? How does your skin care routine change with the seasons? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul25

TJMaxx Haul: Skin Care Edition

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TJMaxx Haul: Skin Care Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to the last of my TJMaxx Haul! Today, we are going to be discussing some brand new skin care and then it’s onto bigger and better things. Keep it posted for a new OOTD and a few watercolor paintings by yours truly. They aren’t museum worthy but I’m pretty proud of them! Now, let’s get to it:

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The main reason for this haul in the first place was to get some skin care with my birthday gift card from my sister. Cut to two hours later and I had a cart full of goodies! As the old saying goes, you don’t go to TJMaxx for what you need… It tells you what you need lol at least that’s what I say, anyways. 😀

Although I was looking for some eye cream and cleansers, I was happy to walk away with a new serum (which I can always use) and two micellar waters by Evoluderm. I have been obsessed with this product since I tried it out over three years ago and just have to grab a bottle or two whenever its available at TJs. It is, hands down, the best micellar water I have ever used and makes everything else pale in comparison.

I am a faithful user of micellar water both morning and night and love the way the Evoluderm makes my skin feel. While the Garnier micellar water is great at removing makeup, it never made my skin feel nourished. The Evoluderm is the polar opposite and not only leaves my skin feeling squeaky clean but hydrated and well protected. I can’t recommend it enough if you are on the hunt for a micellar water or if the Garnier brand just isn’t cutting it anymore!

There you have it, a fabulous haul for the ages at TJMaxx in its completion. Is it bad that I’m already daydreaming about a fall haul?!

What is your favorite skin care brand? Where do you like to shop skin care? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun7

What To Watch When You’re Bored Of Netflix

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What To Watch When You’re Bored Of Netflix

Finding it tough to find something to watch these days? We’ve all been there. You’ve binged your favorites in two days, and now you’ve got the big black hole of Netflix where you’ve either seen everything or nothing appeals. You can waste a lot of time flicking between menus and never really watching anything!

So what can you do instead? The good news is that there’s a whole wide world out there of film and TV to watch. Who knows, you might even discover some hidden gems! Ready to dive in? It’s time to step away from Netflix and try the following:

Go to the movies:

While not particularly innovative, going to the movies can feel like a rare treat in the post-pandemic world. With most new movies making their way on-demand either instantly or in a matter of weeks, a lot of people take to watching them at home. But while watching movies at home is convenient, there’s still something magical about watching them on the big screen.

Take a look at the most anticipated movies of 2022 and book your tickets to see something at the theater. Dinner and a show, anyone?

Discover TV and movies from overseas:

What’s great about platforms like Netflix is that they help you discover shows you never heard of before. Great TV shows and movies are produced all over the world, and there are a lot of platforms where you can find some incredible new content. If you’re into anime, you can get access to a range of content at https://clearvpn.com/blog/entertainment/best-anime-torrent-sites/, and perhaps fall in love with a whole new genre. Or if you prefer reality shows, you can find the new series of Biggest Liar in Ghana to get your fix. It’s fun to check out what’s popular across different countries and find some new shows that appeal to you.

Rewatch childhood favorites:

If you can’t find something new to watch, then why not discover some old favorites instead? Revisiting some of your top shows and movies from when you were a kid is a great way to reminiscence and even share your nostalgia with others. From classic Disney to the shows you watched on Nickelodeon, it’s time to go back in time and give your old faves another watch.

Explore other on-demand platforms:

There’s a lot more to on-demand than simply watching Netflix. There are a lot of streaming services out there to choose from, including Amazon, Disney, and HBO – all with a lot of content to help you make some new discoveries. Most on-demand services come with free trials, giving you the perfect excuse to try something new!

While Netflix is home to some incredible shows and movies, it’s nice to branch out once in a while to keep your viewing fresh. When it is time to return to Netflix, there are some fantastic hacks to upgrade your evenings that will help you get the most from your chill time. Happy watching!

Featured Image By: Unsplash under Creative Commons

Jun2

Pantspalooza: Premise Edition

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Pantspalooza: Premise Edition

Hello!! My mom and I had an excellent shopping trip together at the new TJMaxx in our area and it was so much fun. It had been a while since our last TJs excursion and I am already ready to go back with her! While I didn’t walk away with as many tops as I would have liked, which was my main goal, I did find some really cool pants by Premise. Check it out:

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^^^ Originally $68 and I got it for $17 – you can’t beat that. 😀

I will be the first to admit that these pants are kind of old ladyish but in the Best. Way. Ever. and I am obsessed. I am in love with the fine China/old school cookware pattern, the slimming shape, and how freaking comfy they are. These pants are incredibly lightweight, making them an ideal option for summer. The material is also thick enough that darker colored panties won’t show through, which is another huge win because that’s basically all I own.

When my new pantaloons caught my eye, it was love at first sight but I honestly didn’t think they would end up working. I like the idea of patterned pants but I don’t like them on me, which is why I opt for my black skinnies nine times out of ten. However, I just couldn’t say no to them – especially when paired with my new Love On A Hanger top:

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Had the Premise pants not fit so well, they would have been a definite no go because if you’re going for a pattern that bold, then the fit better be on point. And, it was. These pants hit perfectly at my ankle, hugged my curves without being tight, and was high waisted without hitting my boobs lol. In other words, they were just right and the pattern was enhanced rather than distracting.

These are a far cry from anything that I would normally wear and it feels good to take what I would consider a fashion risk. If you are shopping in store and see something that you like but don’t think it would work for you: TRY IT ON. That’s what the fitting rooms are there for and who knows? You might walk away with your new favorite purchase!

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

May6

The Big Move!

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The Big Move!

Hello!! Johnny and I moved to our new apartment this past Saturday and, let me tell you, it was an absolute doozy of a day. When I first moved into my apartment by myself, it wasn’t bad at all and I was actually able to unpack my belongings that day. Of course, I didn’t have all that much to move so I was totally unprepared for the task at hand of moving two people’s stuff out!

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^^^ YIKES!!!

Johnny and I weren’t able to pick up our apartment keys until ten o’clock on Saturday morning and from then until six or so at night, it was a mad dash. We were moving boxes like our lives depended on it until one or so when our moving team from Two Men And A Truck showed up. I had hired this company last time I moved and they were excellent then and now.

The team consisted of three young men and they were SO funny, kind, and efficient. In under two hours, they had moved all of our furniture from Point A to Point B and it was amazing to watch them work! They were moving all of these heavy pieces of furniture like it was nothing and never missed a beat for some playful banter. There wasn’t much that could be done on mine and Johnny’s end while they worked and it was a welcome break!

Once the movers were done, Johnny and I sprung back into action with another special guest: My mom! With sufficient space cleared out, she helped me with the cleaning process to get the apartment back into tip top shape. I had already done a super deep cleaning and she came to assist with finishing touches as well as cleaning supplies. We were both incredibly thankful for this helping hand and wouldn’t have been able to complete our one day move without her.

After my mom left, Johnny and I made several more trips back and forth to our new digs together. Then, I was able to fully sweep and Swiffer our hardwood surfaces. This was a surprisingly time consuming task because the sweepers weren’t picking up everything. After a couple passes, I had to collect the remaining debris with wet paper towel. My back was killing me by the end of it!

I worked my ass off during moving day but, honestly, it was nothing in comparison to Johnny and I am so appreciative to him for it. Johnny has a van which can hold way more than my little car ever could so he handled the brunt of the moving because I did almost all of the packing. He was also in charge of all of the heavy lifting because I just couldn’t do it.

Between moving instruments and equipment when his band plays and working in a factory, Johnny is used to this type of challenge. Myself, on the other hand? Not so much. I have never participated in a move of this level before and it showed. I was getting dizzy from the trips up and down stairs with bags and boxes in hand and Johnny made me sit down, drink water, and eat something every time this happened. He is an angel among men! ❤

By the time we were all settled in our new place amid a sea of boxes, we were beyond tired but so very proud of our work. It was a long, stressful day but there was nothing like sinking into our bed that first night and falling asleep as soon as our head’s hit the pillow. An air conditioning unit in our bedroom that actually works was also extremely conducive to a good night’s sleep. 😀

As we continue the unpacking process, keep it posted here on lifewithlilred for more on our new place. You will receive a grand tour, decorating projects, and some pro tips to make your move as pain free as possible!

What was the last time you moved like? What is the most difficult part about moving? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr22

Dinner Time!

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Dinner Time!

Hello! Something that brings me great joy is cooking and I love making delicious meals for Johnny and our friends and family. This past week, my sister and niece joined us for dinner and it was an absolute delight. I texted her a list of options that I could make and she chose lemon pasta. I was excited because I have had that saved on my Pinterest for forever and really wanted to make it!

I prepared the pasta dish with garlic bread and salad and it was a raging success. I also made air fried Oreos for dessert. These pictures are actually of leftovers because I was so hungry I forgot to snap some pics when it was fresh lol:

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You can view the entire recipe for lemon pasta at Contentedness Cooking!

The lemon pasta was an ultra easy and super tasty dish that I most definitely plan on making again. It is nice and light and will make for a perfect meal on a warm spring or summer day. It also tasted great leftover too and was even more lemony after it had time to sit.

When cooking a new recipe, I tend to follow it pretty closely. Then, I add my own variations if I like it enough to make again. The only thing I did differently when making the lemon pasta was use way more garlic than what was called for because we all know that three cloves is simply not enough! The taste of this dish was so yummy but we all agreed that it could use something extra. The next time I make it, I plan on adding the following:

  • Feta cheese
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Spinach
  • Fresh parsley
  • Pine nuts

Any type of pasta is my favorite food and this recipe is one that will be enjoyed by anyone who shares my sentiments. It is really good as is but if the recipe looks a little too bland for you, adding extra veggies or herbs will help to kick things up a notch (In the eternal words of Emeril Lagasse)!

Have you tried any new recipes lately? How did they turn out? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

 

Apr18

New Holographic Lavender & Cornflower Blue Nails

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New Holographic Lavender & Cornflower Blue Nails

Hello everyone!!! With insanely grown out nails and a broken one, I was in dire need of a trip to Elysian Nails to get my claws looking right. Between my upcoming move, changes in my job, and some annoyances with the nerve issues in my arms, I have been really stressed out. I was so happy to be able to find shelter from the storm at Elysian and left feeling much better than when I walked in! Check out these new beauties:

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When I was considering nail polish options for my talons, I was feeling inspired by the beautiful hyacinths in my parent’s front yard. I have always loved their fragrant scent and pretty shades of pink, blue, and white. The bouquets my dad arranges with hyacinths in them are also magnificent! I decided to go with a glittery cornflower (Or hyacinth!) blue as well as a holographic lavender.

If the lavender color looks familiar, it should! I had my nails painted this shade a couple of months ago and I didn’t even realize it until my nail tech pointed it out. I couldn’t believe that she remembered and I didn’t considering she has countless other clients every day! She is the sweetest and it was so nice to girl talk, complain, and laugh for an hour with her.

I am loving the color combination that I picked out and think that these nails are perfect for spring. These colors are a bit muted but the shimmer and glitter adds a little something extra and are stunning when they catch in the light. There’s nothing like a new hair do and some freshly filled acrylics to get your girl feeling just right again. ❤

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

PS: Be sure to tune in tomorrow for Spring Skirt Savvy OOTD bonus pictures! 🙂

Apr17

Spring Skirt Savvy OOTD

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Spring Skirt Savvy OOTD

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new OOTD here on lifewithlilred! This past week, I had an interview for a new job coaching position and had to take advantage of the fact that I was wearing makeup by making Johnny take some pictures… Even if it was just in our apartment’s parking lot lol. Hey, you work with what you’ve got. These pictures combine three of my favorite things: My new hair, my car, and spring skirts! Check it out:

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Who? What? Wear?

  • White Blouse: H&M
  • Floral Skirt: Love On A Hanger, TJMaxx
  • Heels: ModCloth
  • Turquoise Necklace: My brother got me this necklace in New Mexico 🙂
  • Gold Cuff: Aerie
  • Little Red Love Machine: Mazda 2 Hatchback Sport ❤

I have been hinting at a new OOTD for a while and, believe you me, I have wanted to take pictures SO. Bad. However, the weather has been crap for the past couple of weeks here. It has been frigid cold and rainy so not only did I have to take advantage of my painted face during this shoot but the nice weather too! It was bright and sunny, making for the perfect climate for OOTD pictures.

This outfit is a fairly simple one but I think that it is so fabulous to finally welcome the spring weather with. I have been itching to wear my new Love On A Hanger skirt from TJMaxx since I bought it a few weeks ago and was very happy to finally break it out… Even if it was just for twenty minutes worth of picture taking. 😀

My original thought was to pair this skirt with my favorite white Rachel Zoe tank top because that is what I was wearing the day I tried it on in the fitting room. Although it looked cute, it didn’t pack enough punch so I returned to my closet for something different. I decided to go with a white blouse from H&M, instead. It is old as the dickens but it worked just right when tucked into the skirt.

As you all know, I am very fond of this particular style of skirt. The high waist, short length, and tight fit is so flattering. And, the beauty of these skirts is that if you tuck a shirt into it, it gives the illusion of wearing a dress. The breezy fabric of my H&M blouse offered some movement even while tucked in, which I liked because the canvas like material of the skirt definitely doesn’t provide that!

When it comes to wearing these skirts, constructing the basis of the outfit isn’t as important as the shoes that you choose. Typically, a bold pattern speaks for itself and you don’t have to do much to make it work. However, it’s crucial to pair skirts like this with a shoe that doesn’t have any straps. The high waist mini skirt gives your body such a nice, leggy silhouette and strappy shoes will ruin the length that you created.

The heels that I went with are an Old Faithful from ModCloth. I’m actually pretty sure they are one of my first purchases from that site! The cornflower blue flowers in the heels matched perfectly with those in my skirt, which made both of the patterns work together. Remember, when mixing and matching patterns that you need a like color in both pieces for a cohesive look!

I didn’t want to go overboard with my accessories because I loved how my tattoos looked against a somewhat muted palette. I went with one of my favorite gold cuffs and for a pop of color, I added my turquoise necklace from my brother. This necklace was the ideal length and hit right where my blouse opens up at the collar for a sweet peek a boo of blue.

I cannot wait to wear my Spring Skirt Savvy OOTD for more than twenty minutes and it is a look that you will be seeing more of. Tune in tomorrow to peep my new nails, then it will be on to bonus pictures and bloopers. See you then!

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

Apr5

New Tattoos!

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New Tattoos!

Hello everyone! As promised, today we’re going to peep a couple of the new tattoos I got during my last tap out session with my amazing tattoo artist and friend, Emily. Tap out sessions are eight hours straight of getting tattooed and I can’t wait to go back in mid April to get the rest of the things that we didn’t have time for done. 😀

It has been a fat minute since my last tap out because of COVID and also just winter in general. It’s not like anyone was going to see my new work so I held off. However, after Johnny got one of his hands tattooed and a couple of his fingers, I had to follow suit because I was so jealous lol. During my session I got my palms touched up as well as tattoos on my hands and fingers and I am loving it! Check it out:

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I have wanted to get my hands and fingers tattooed for so long but always held off because I had so many other pieces to complete. After getting them done, I don’t know what I was waiting for because I am obsessed! They are so cute and really tie together my almost covered arms and shoulders. I also never say no to a touch up for my palms because they always need it – even if it is a bit unpleasant.

For my fingers, I have had “princess” in mind for forever because that’s what my name means in Hebrew. It took me a little longer to decide on what I wanted on my hands but I have always liked gemstone tattoos so decided to go from there. I went with an adorable heart surrounded by pearls on one and a diamond on the other. I am very partial to the pearl border and actually have that on two tattoos on my thighs.

As far as the pain level goes for these new tattoos, I am the wrong person to ask. I have an incredibly high pain tolerance so tattoos have never hurt me to get done. I will say, however, that the diamond was the most annoying of all of them. There was so much detail and by the time Emily was almost done my hand was SO swollen. It looked like a million bee stings!

While my hand tattoos are not complete yet because Emily needs to go in with more white once they are healed, it is an amazing start. I couldn’t ask for anything better!

Do you have any tattoos? Which one is your favorite? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah