Tag Archives: new

Fed Up With Car Failures? It Could Be Time To Upgrade!

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Fed Up With Car Failures? It Could Be Time To Upgrade!

Our cars really are our ticket to independence, and having your own vehicle gives you the ability to go where you want, when you want. If you’ve been driving for a while your car probably feels like an extension of you, and so when things go wrong it can spell disaster. If your car is giving you trouble and it’s reaching the end of it’s life, here are some things to consider:

Reasons For Upgrading:

There are plenty of reasons why a newer car is a good investment. First of all, if you’re considering scrapping your car it’s likely to be because it’s unreliable. Newer cars are generally more reliable, as all of the parts are less worn. Plus, it’s easier and cheaper to find the parts to replace them if they go wrong, too. In more recent years pollution and car emissions have become a hot topic, and car manufacturers have taken this on board. This means newer cars tend to be more environmentally friendly – not just through electric or hybrid models, either. New cars also have better safety features, so if you are unlucky enough to be involved in a crash, you massively improve your chances of surviving or, at least, avoiding serious injury.

Choosing Your Next Car:

There are many factors to consider when you’re buying your next vehicle. You should never just rush into it and choose something based solely on price or looks. When shopping for a new car, make a list of “must haves” and “nice to haves” for your new vehicle with safety being paramount. Keep in mind that extra features in a car will have an impact on the price and that might not be within your budget so be reasonable and practical. This could include more cost effective upgrades like Private Number Plates to personalize your car or a subscription to satellite radio. The most important thing is that you have a safe vehicle to get from Point A to Point B.

Keep an open mind as you consider different options for your car as they might not check every box you have. Then, you can utilize sites like autoeasy.com/cars to give you options for cars that fit most of your preferences. It will help simplify the process because, let’s be honest, car shopping can be really frustrating sometimes! Of course, you should run some quotes through comparison sites to check out how much insurance will cost and if it’s affordable for you. If you have a very specific model in mind you might struggle finding one local, but luckily companies like Shiply do vehicle delivery. This is useful as you don’t need to travel or sort out insurance costs for driving it back, you can sort everything from the comfort of your own home, instead. And who doesn’t love online shopping?

As you consider your next car, it’s beneficial to research any common problems that that specific vehicle might have as well as a solution to the issue. Then, you will have the knowledge and a shop ready to go should your car need repairs. For example, you could enter a search for “volkswagen t-roc air conditioning service” (or the issue for your car) to find a body shop that specializes in that repair. It’s always a good idea to have a local shop on standby!

How To Get Rid Of The Old Model:

If your car is an older model, and either something major goes wrong or a few things all go at once, you can find yourself in the position where the costs of the parts and labor can be more than what the car is worth. In this case, it makes the most sense to scrap your car for cash or find a car yard that does trade ins, and then put the money towards a newer vehicle. If your car is particularly well maintained or a rare model, you could even sell it and make some good money, as collectors will be prepared to put in the cost of parts.

If it’s long past its best you could have it scrapped – just make sure that you choose a licenced car scrapyard. This prevents the vehicle from being unlawfully sold, where it could potentially end up in criminal activity while still registered to you!

A new car makes an excellent gift to yourself this holiday season – especially if you are in desperate need of a new one. Hit those holiday sales and drive away in your dream car!

Elf Touch Of Pink Lipstick

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Elf Touch Of Pink Lipstick

Hey everyone and happy Hump Day! Last week, my sister asked if she could borrow one of my lipsticks and I found a shade that I had totally forgotten to write about in my collection. This Touch Of Pink lipstick actually came with my Nude Rose Gold Palette that I had wrote about a while back ago, so that was a great deal.

BUT WAIT!

I thought you only wore red lipstick!

Good call! Of course, I prefer my bright red lipstick any day of the week. BUT, if I’m in a rush or just don’t feel like painting on my red pout, I normally opt for a nude shade, instead. Nude lipsticks are great when you’re on the go, because any application mistakes aren’t as noticeable – while reds are glaringly obvious! So now that we have this settled, take a look at Elf’s Touch Of Pink lipstick and let’s discuss:

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Whomever named this lipstick really hit the nail on the head, because from the swatch seen above, there really is just a Touch Of Pink in this shade. To me, the color looks more dusty peach, with just the slightest pinch of rose added in for a fresh new take on a nude lip. You will never ever catch me in a Barbie shade pink lip, but I can definitely handle the slightest rosey coloring in this Elf lipstick, for sure!

This lipstick is always a safe bet for work, but for play – best believe that it’s still all about the red lip for yours truly! What is your go to shade of lipstick? Which brand has the best lippie? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Why It’s Never Too Late To Learn How To Play An Instrument

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Why It’s Never Too Late To Learn How To Play An Instrument

“I should have learned to play the guitar, should’ve learned to play them drums”, so sang Dire Straits in 1985. While a total lack of musical knowledge or awareness hasn’t been an impediment to many people working in the music industry today, many of us regret either not having learned or abandoning the learning of a musical instrument. Today, we’ll look at why it’s never too late to pick up an instrument, the pedagogic and psychological benefits, as well as looking over some great instruments for neophyte musicians. Learning a musical instrument is more than just a fun hobby, it’s a valuable skill that has numerous cerebral benefits as well as being a cool trick to bust out a parties!

It’s literally never too late:

Virtually everyone benefits from some sort of creative outlet and while we’re all just sort of expected to find the right one in our teens or early twenties, many of us don’t find the right mode of self-expression until they get into middle or even old age. There are few subsets of people for whom the dexterity and mental faculties to play an instrument are prohibitive. If, for example, your arthritic hands make playing the guitar or piano problematic you may benefit just as much from learning the harmonica or the panpipes.

Getting over the learning curve:

The landfills are littered with guitars that were discarded because their owners deemed it “too hard”. Most of them were impatient children or teenagers (We all knew someone at school who quit their guitar lessons because they didn’t become a virtuoso within a month.). As an adult, you may surprise yourself with how well you navigate the learning curve. While your older mind may be set in its ways, you will have learned the value in persistence elsewhere in life.

For most instruments, unlocking the fundamentals is a huge step in smoothing out the steep learning curve. In guitar playing, for example, much of your musical vocabulary is formed by mastering the ‘barre chords’ – moveable chords. When one has the measure of these, they can play any minor or major chord from a good root position. It takes time to master, but it unlocks so much of the instrument’s potential when you do. When this obstacle is hurdled, a player has the inside scoop in learning to cover their favorite music and even learning to write their own.

Cerebral and psychological benefits:

When playing (or even listening) to music, multiple areas of the brain become active. Musicians may look calm and composed but there are firework displays in their neurons. Processing music is actually an incredibly complex mental process, giving our brains a great workout that most of the time we’re not even aware of. It keeps our brains young and aids cognitive dexterity.

Finding the right instrument:

Hopefully, you’ve been moved to consider taking up a musical instrument, but you may wonder which are the best or most accessible ‘starter instruments’. String instruments such as guitar, violin, piano, cello, and bass are fairly accessible for new learners, as are the flute and clarinet. The saxophone presents a slightly steeper learning curve but it’s so ubiquitous in so many forms of music, that learning to master it opens up a lot of doors. Once you have met the basics, it will be exciting to experiment with your sound and additional equipment. For example, you might want to buy premium guitar accessories like pedals to introduce a whole new style to your playing.

There’s no such thing as the wrong instrument. Even learning an instrument that you don’t stick with tends to be a gateway to learning more. And isn’t it always fun to try new things?!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Faux Fur Fabulous – Replacing The One That Got Away

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Faux Fur Fabulous – Replacing The One That Got Away

Hi everyone and TGIF! If you remember from a post wayyyy at the beginning of September, I revealed my “one that got away” piece of clothing that came in a beautiful black and purple faux fur vest. Many moons ago, when Lil Red had no confidence, I purchased a real stunner of a faux fur vest from TJMaxx. Too nervous at what people might think and feeling like there was no way that I could pull it off, I returned the vest a day later. BIG MISTAKE. Because now, I would do anything to have it back. But, I did come pretty darn close to finding a good replacement. Check it out:

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I got this Romeo & Juliet Couture faux fur vest from TJMaxx for about twenty-four dollars. You can’t tell very well in the picture, but the jet black of the vest is mixed in with an inky midnight blue for a striking, night sky palette. What I loved about my original vest, was that the purple color was deep and blended seamlessly with its black base, and I feel like my newbie captures that perfectly. I love that the blue in this new vest is dark enough that the colors feel cohesive, but bright enough so that when it catches the light you can see the break up in the palette.

My blue ombre vest that was purchased in September is a lot of fun, and I love styling it. However, we all know that Lil Red is an all black everything girl at heart, so this vest was an absolute must. I like that this Romeo & Juliet Couture piece is more sleek than the other one that I have in my closet, because it gives me different styling options. I love my shaggy ombre vest, but I really like how this new one lays nice and close to my body for a slinky ink look against the fall and winter cold.

Now that I have a replacement to my one that got away vest, I feel at peace knowing that Sarah 2.0 finally has the confidence to pull off what the old me couldn’t. Is it exactly the same as old faithful? No. But, it’s close enough and makes a cool and edgy update to what was lost all of those years ago.

So there you have it, this Friday’s post: Faux Fur Fabulous – Replacing The One That Got Away! Do you have a one that got away clothing story? How do you style faux fur vests? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Beautiful Stories, Beautiful Button Down

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Beautiful Stories, Beautiful Button Down

Hey everyone and happy Thursday! One thing that Lil Red loves is all embroidered everything. From fun sew on patches to elaborate floral designs and patterned backs, I’m obsessed with all of it. Embroidery takes a basic piece to an over the top fashion statement. Not only that, but it’s an easily accessible trend, as it is so popular right now, and you don’t have to pay an arm and a leg for it. My shopping trip to TJMaxx last weekend allowed me to open my closet (And heart!) to a new button down by Beautiful Stories that I am completely swooning over. Take a look and let’s discuss:

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The first thing that I thought when I saw this twenty buck beauty was that I totally needed it. And second, I thought about how much is reminds me of one of my favorite army green button down tops from Zara with a similar “look at me” motif on the back. This shirt is so magnificent to me and what I love the most about it is that every copy of this shirt that was made is a little bit different due to the embroidery and dyes of the string. This button down is literally one of a kind, and I was sold the moment that I laid eyes on it.

The color palette of this top is so striking. I love that the army green base color has a more grey undertone to it, giving it a unique shade that makes my red hair and pale skin pop. The peach, bronze, white, silver, and yellow hues of the patterns on the back all work so well in a collaborative tapestry that makes for a grand reveal every time it catches someone’s eye. Not only is the back divine, but I loved how they added a little something something to the front of the top on the pockets and the patches in the bottom left corner. Sometimes I find that a beautiful back makes for a boring front, which is so not the case on this button down!

I cannot wait to incorporate this statement piece into my wardrobe year round, but especially now during the fall and winter. Because jackets are now becoming a necessity with the drop in temperature, showcasing this button down once my jacket is removed will feel like a huge unveiling every single time. This Beautiful Stories top has it all, and with such gorgeous detailing, who even needs jewelry while wearing it?!

So there you have it, my brand new Beautiful Stories, Beautiful Button Down! How do you feel about tops and jackets with a heavily detailed back? What is your favorite trend to sport this season? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

If The Shoe Fits: Reaction By Kenneth Cole Edition

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If The Shoe Fits: Reaction By Kenneth Cole Edition

Hi everyone and happy Hump Day! This past weekend I had a lot of fun hanging out with my mom and sister, Kristen. On Saturday night we enjoyed a ladies night out at a Mexican restaurant (Yum!) and on Sunday afternoon we went shopping all together at the “fancier” TJMaxx in Fairlawn, Ohio that my sister works by. Of course, I love my home base TJs that I live closer to, but it’s fun to go to a different one, especially when it has a better collection of more high end designers.

Kristen rarely goes shopping with my mom and I, so it was really exciting when she asked if we would come with her while she did some browsing before work. My sister’s opinion means a lot to me, and it’s always such a high compliment when she likes something that I’m wearing because we have such different tastes in personal style. That’s why when she expressed such a positive opinion of these new twenty-four buck beauties, I couldn’t say no! Take a looksee:

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Although my nickname is Lil Red, I rarely wear any clothing/accessories/shoes that rings true to my namesake. In fact, I don’t own one pair of red shoes (Shocking, I know!), so when I saw these retro inspired brick red Kenneth Cole heels, I had to give them a try. These shoes spoke to me on a spiritual level. The faux suede, the fringe, the buckle, the clothed heel, and the COLOR! And the twenty-four dollar price tag with a “compare at” price of fifty was a price that I was more than comfortable paying.

These shoes looked great with the outfit that I was wearing when I tried them on. I was wearing a pair of tights underneath shorts along with a flannel and a moto jacket on top. Not only were they a hit with my sister, but the two older ladies that were perusing the shoe department were also swooning over them. Everything that I purchase is because I love it but, I have to admit, it is always nice to receive compliments on something as soon as you try it on!

Although these heels made a great addition to a more edgy, street style outfit, I am more looking forward to wearing them for work. I think that the shape and style of my new shoe collection addition is very chic and professional, but the color and the fringe still makes it young and fun for a twenty-something on the go. These will add a sweet pop of color to my work wardrobe and will also be a funky way to complete an OOTD on the weekends. And hey, it only seems right that Lil Red finally has a piece of red anything in her closet!

So there you have it, the newest issue of If The Shoe Fits: Reaction By Kenneth Cole Edition! How would you style these shoes? What is your favorite pop of color to incorporate into your outfits? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Hi-Tech Your House Out

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Hi-Tech Your House Out

 

Technology is every where and is used for almost every thing. A trip to the shops? You take the car or other transport. In the stores themselves you can see aisles full of the latest gizmos and gadgets. So why let your home fall behind in the times? There’s so much cool technology out there that it would be silly to not deck your home out with it. There’s not just the tech for showing off, but there’s also the ones that will actually aid you and save you a lot of money in the long run. Let’s have a look at what you can put in each room to help you get the most bang for your buck in your home:

Kitchen:

Let’s start with something that’s going to aid you in the long run. A dehumidifier. You may not realise it, but whenever you cook and the room gets a little steamy, opening the windows doesn’t stop it from sticking to the walls to begin with. If you’re one of those people that chooses not to open the windows, then chances are that over time you’re going to get a build up of mold somewhere. A dehumidifier is perfect for preventing this. They don’t cost that much, and it could save you a lot of money from preventing an unneeded mold issue.

Living Room:

This is the center of the house, so why not have the best tech in it? Whether you’re having a cozy night in or family and friends round, use it as the room to wow them with the biggest most beautiful television that you can find. The way that TV tech has advanced in the last two years is incredible. Look into getting yourself a large, preferably 50-60 inch curved 3D TV. As big of a mouthful as it may be, the picture quality it’ll give you is insane. Try and get a 4K one and you’ll be blown away. Your kids will absolutely love the 3D element, and it’ll definitely amaze any guests that you have over. Yes, it may be pricey, but a TV lasts a long while, so it is definitely a worth while investment. Couple it with a surround sound system and it will really give that cinema quality to any film you’re watching.

Another essential piece of tech, for both the summer and the winter months, is a dual heating and cooling system, also known as an HVAC. During the colder months that are approaching, you can use it to keep your home nice and toasty. Come the summer months, reverse it and it’ll be an excellent cooling system. They are more efficient and easier to control than normal heating, and the fact that it can heat and cool is so handy. Look for HVAC contractors that can install it for you. You’ll be loving your lounge before you know it!

Bedroom:

The bedroom is the place where you retreat to escape the madness of the day. So put some tech in there that’s going to make life that little bit easier. Take the Amazon Echo for example. Yes, it can be used anywhere in the house, but it has some neat features to help you out. Simply say “Alexa, set an alarm for eight AM”. Pretty lazy right? But we live in a lazy generation, so finding a few shortcuts along the way can only help! You can also ask it about traffic on your route to work whilst you’re getting ready, this gadget finds out everything for you. So utilise it!

The Dyson Eye can be used anywhere in the house, but it is wonderful for your bedroom quarters. It’s basically a little robotic hoover that’ll go around on its own vacuuming areas. This is perfect for the bedroom, as it’s usually the room with the smallest amount of walking space. This little robot buddy will prevent constant bashes into the wall with your clunky old vacuum!

Technology is changing daily and can only make your home even more amazing. Do your research and find out which gizmos will work best for you!!

Featured Image By: Flickr 

New Black & Champagne Glitter Nails

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New Black & Champagne Glitter Nails

Hi everyone and happy Thursday! After ten looooong months of having the same set of acrylics on, I finally got new nails this week. I haven’t had a chance to add my gemstone crosses to the middle fingers because I have absolutely no clue where the super glue stash is in my home. But, I do LOVE the champagne pink accent nails against the harsh black on my new set so take a look and let’s discuss:

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Instead of going to my normal salon hang out of Empress Nails to get this set done, I was sort of a traitor and went to LT Nails, instead, which is also close by to my living quarters. Don’t get me wrong, I freaking LOVE my nail tech, Steve. However, he has never put on a set of my acrylics before and I needed to go to someone that I could trust (Not saying that I don’t trust him, but filling nails and applying them is very different.).

I went to Anne at LT Nails all the way back in January to get my last set on and I was long overdue for new nails. I noticed during the last fill that I got that my nails were insanely yellow and because they were so brittle, they were cracking and breaking nonstop. It was miserable. Although it took ten months to finally get new nails, I remembered what a great job was done over at LT and scheduled an appointment at the salon with Anne.

In one hour and fifteen minutes, Anne was able to soak off my old set and apply, shape, and polish my new nails. She worked quickly and efficiently and it was definitely a job well done. One thing that Anne did differently than my Empress Nails techies was that she shaped the nail before the acrylic even went on. This made the shape more sharp and precise and definitely saved a lot of time, as well. The nails are not as long as I would like, but they never are when I get a new set so I am looking forward to them growing out!

I will be getting my nails painted black until the day that I die, but I am so obsessed with the bubbly champagne pink accent nails. Lil Red loves nothing more than sweet colors against punk rock black so this accent nail choice is no exception. The color is as pretty as a New Year’s Eve party dress and I love the bronze and silver glitter against the muted blush pink. I would definitely get another color combination like this again for the holiday season and it is easily one of my favorites that I’ve had in a long time.

So there you have it, my New Black & Champagne Glitter Nails! What accent nail color should I get next? What color of nail polish are you wearing right now? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

If The Shoe Fits: Betsey Johnson Mules Edition

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If The Shoe Fits: Betsey Johnson Mules Edition

Hi everyone and happy Monday! I hope that all of you had a wonderful and relaxing weekend. So we all have those certain trends that we love to hate/hate to love/yada yada yada. For me, that trend is the mule. Don’t get me wrong, I love the first pair of Matisse mules that I bought and I think that some mules can be totally gorgeous. But, as a heel girl through and through, it’s a rarity that I can put my best feet forward in flats.

Obviously, a heeled mule would be ideal BUT THEY ALL LOOK LIKE CLOGS and I hate those. Lol, it’s not even a mule – it’s a straight up clog. I’ve thought a lot about this style of shoe and realized that what I need is the slipper shape of the top of the mule with a heel tacked onto the back for good measure. Preferably, a heel that’s not made of hard rubber, which makes the shoe look like a pair of clodhoppers if I’ve ever seen them.

I’ve clearly put a lot of energy into imagining the ideal shape for a heeled mule, but have had no luck in finding the pair that was “just right”. So, can you believe my surprise when I found the seemingly perfect pair of Betsey Johnson HEELED MULES while browsing on TJMaxx’s website?! Swoon. Take a look and let’s discuss:

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So, yeah. You can see that these babies above are exactly what I wanted. These shoes are literally a mule with a heel thrown on for funsies. These Betsey beauties are just darling. Mules definitely have the potential to look like shoes for the (very fashionable) elderly, but not these. The black and white striped heel in contrast with the vibrant yellow flowers screams whimsical tea party. These mules are youthful, sassy, and perfect for a twenty-something who considers a night on the town to consist of strutting down the aisles of Target and TJMaxx.

The best part of Betsey Johnson clothing and accessories are the adorable surprises that are in the details. The center of the flowers on my mules are actual metal, beaded, and jeweled brooches – not just some lame-o craft store find tacked smack dab in the middle. All of these hidden delights just show how much joy that Betsey has in creating her brand and why she will always be one of my favorite designers.

These shoes were made for everything from ambling through daily errands to a boozy bar crawl with the girls on a Saturday night. Somehow, Betsey Johnson knew that I was in desperate need of mules just like my new pair, so she snapped her fingers and put these on the market. Love, love, freaking LOVE.

So there you have it, the newest issue of If The Shoe Fits: Betsey Johnson Mules Edition! What is a trend that you love to hate? Do you prefer flats or heels? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

If The Shoe Fits: Betsey Johnson Booties Edition

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If The Shoe Fits: Betsey Johnson Booties Edition

Hi everyone and happy Hump Day! If there’s one brand that I love and one designer that I admire, it’s Betsey Johnson. A trained eye can recognize a Betsey piece without even thinking about it, and I love that the brand’s vivacious designer was able to create a name for herself and a look that’s so uniquely her own that nothing really compares.

I admire Betsey apparel, bags, and accessories from afar because they are too expensive for my taste. But when TJMaxx has the random jewelry or purse from her collection, it is such a treat! While my mom and I were doing some online shoe shopping on TJMaxx’s amazing website, I was so surprised to find a lot of Betsey shoes, because they literally never have them. It was a must to order a few pairs, including these gorgeous new booties. Take a look:

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My mom pointed out while I was trying my new booties on yesterday that they are not as edgy as my normal studded, buckled, crazy boots that I tend to go for. And that’s okay! I really try not to limit myself to one style (Although, I do have obvious favorites.), so going girly every once in a while can be a lot of fun!

What I love the most about these quirky little beauties is the vibrancy of the embroidered flowers. The black base color is dull enough that each pretty petal and shade completely pops. My favorite is the yellow and white pansy placed throughout the shoe – it’s so sweet and bright!

Each individual color in the flowers from the deep red rose, forest green leaves, and lush lavender is going to make styling these booties such a blast. It’s going to be fun to pick a color in the patterns and match it up to a top, jacket, or hat for a colorful and cohesive look. I actually tried these on with my favorite shirt dress from Zara the other day that also features embroidered flowers and it looked so divine. I can definitely see myself wearing that shirt dress, tights, my Betsey booties, and a trench coat as a sweet as can be fall look!

Betsey Johnson’s brand is just pure fun and I am so happy to have finally gotten my hands on something from her that isn’t just accessories. It’s going to be an interesting change of pace to go girly with my new boots, but I’m ready for it!

So there you have it, the latest issue of If The Shoe Fits: Betsey Johnson Booties Edition! Which brands do you admire from afar? How would you style my new kicks? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah