Tag Archives: obsessed

Apr3

If The Shoe Fits: Bamboo/Cape Robbin Edition

Posted on by
Standard
If The Shoe Fits: Bamboo/Cape Robbin Edition

Hi everyone and happy Monday! I hope everyone had a wonderful and relaxing weekend. As all of you know by now, your girl loves shoes. With a collection of over fifty pairs, my affection for footwear knows no ends and I am always on the hunt for unique pairs to add to my shoe museum. That’s why I freaking LOVE TJMaxx’s online shoe department. Last week, my mom and I did a little online shopping and ended up with some really cute new heels, boots, and flats. All of our purchases were so unique and fun and they were shoes that they didn’t have in any stores near us so it felt like we were getting something that no one else would have, which I love! Check out my latest shoe haul and let’s discuss:

shoes10shoes11shoes14shoes12shoes13

The Haul:

  • Bamboo patch work platforms (As seen in the picture of me with a Target dress!)
  • Cape Robbin embellished booties

My current shoe obsessed at the moment is platform heels. I love that this funky 80s and 90s style is making a hardcore comeback and am really keen on finding more unique platforms to add to my collection. I currently have two adorable pairs that I got for a song on ModCloth but two is not enough – obviously! That’s why when I saw such a darling pair of patched denim platforms for a whole twenty-five bucks, I just had to buy them.

What I love the most about my Bamboo platforms, aside from the shape, is the denim material! I have a pair of denim booties, also from TJs, that I love so I was really hyped to add another pair of shoes in that fabric to my museum. The beautiful floral patch work on the heels was just a nice added bonus because I feel like I would have bought the shoes with or without it. Although these platforms look intimidating, they are super comfortable! I was able to strut through the streets of downtown Cleveland over the weekend while sporting these babies and didn’t even break a sweat. The power of the platform!

As you can see from the pic of yours truly, I styled these shoes with a super 70s style frock and absolutely loved the look. I felt so retro and fierce and I thought that the dark denim heels complimented the mustard yellow dress perfectly. I am looking forward to pairing these platforms with more dresses, definitely, as well as with maxi skirts for a cool but chic summer time OOTD.

Another style of shoes that I love is the ankle bootie. I have had a lot of luck with TJs in expanding my bootie collection and they certainly did me right with my new powder blue Cape Robbin boots. I. Freaking. LOVE. These. Shoes. Most of my bootie collection comes in various shades of black so these powder blue powerhouses were a much welcomed change of pace.

I love everything about these babies – The shape, color, studs, stitching, and the cool as hell chain that goes under the heel. *Mwah* C’est magnifique! My only minor problem with these boots is that they don’t have a zipper to make getting them on easier so putting the shoes on with my long ass talons is a bit of a pain in the derriere but that’s a small price to pay if the shoe fits!

I just know that these Cape Robbin baby blues are going to be a wardrobe staple this summer. They are going to look so fierce with a little pair of black short shorts and a flannel for outdoor warm weather adventures. I can’t wait to add a touch of mod thanks to the power blue color to all of my looks while still keeping things very edgy compliments of the gorgeous details. The studs and stitching are completely fab, but I am so in love with the heel chain that I really just can’t even. I’ve never seen anything like it before and now I wish that all of my shoes had that!

If you haven’t hit up TJMaxx’s online store, then you need to get on that pronto. They have such fantastic finds that I don’t think I would ever see in store and I can’t wait to continue to grow my shoe collection with their fabulous selection!

So there you have it, the latest issue of If The Shoe Fits: Bamboo/Cape Robbin Edition! What is your favorite style of shoe? What is your must have footwear for spring and summer? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar31

New Purple & Black Nails

Posted on by
Standard
New Purple & Black Nails

Hi everyone and TGIF! Yesterday was super fabulous because when I went to get my beloved talons filled, I was pleasantly surprised to see VINNY at the salon. For those of you who don’t know, Vinny was my former nail tech who unfortunately works at a salon that is over an hour away now. Sweet Vinny was helping out for the day and although he couldn’t do my nails, he took me out to a delicious, boozy dinner after he was done at the salon. It was basically the best day of my life and I was so happy to finally be able to spend some much needed quality time with one of my favorite people on the planet.

Despite Vinny not taking care of my nails, they still look fabulous – compliments of STEVE! I am freaking obsessed with the OPI shimmery purple shade for my accent nail and legit can’t stop looking at my freshly filled claws. Check it out:

nails5

I’ve grown increasingly fond of all things sparkly as of late for my accent nail and can’t get enough of my latest color choice. I pointed out to Steve how this OPI shade doesn’t look like it just has a teaspoon of glitter thrown into it, which I liked. He then explained to me that OPI uses ground up crystals in their polish to give it that gorgeous shimmer and I think that that’s the coolest thing ever! I definitely plan on using more of their OPI shades in the future so that my accent nails can achieve that extra touch of glitz that isn’t obnoxious.

Super special shout out to my favorite nail techies, Vinny, Steve, and the darling Tina (Steve’s wife)! I freaking love you guys! ❤

I hope everyone has a fabulous Friday and a super fun weekend. What accent nail color should I get next? What color of polish do you have on currently? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar26

Angie’s Bath & Body Purchases

Posted on by
Standard
Angie’s Bath & Body Purchases

Hi everyone and happy Sunday! Yesterday, a special delivery came (super quickly!) in the mail – some wonderful treat yoself goodies from Angie’s Bath & Body. Angela, a dear friend who custom created Ruby Tulip is the boss lady behind her Etsy shop which boasts amazing home made bath and body care supplies like sugar scrubs, body butters, fragrances, and bath salts. I needed to purchase the finished product of Ruby Tulip for a giveaway here on lifewithlilred coming up next month so I figured that it was the perfect time to also buy a sugar scrub since they’re my fave and I’ve wanted to buy one for forever! Take a look:

ruby3.jpeg

Not only did I get my Peaches & Cream sugar scrub and Ruby Tulip but Angela also treated me to a sample of her goat’s milk lotion that she’s currently working on. SPOILER ALERT: All three smell divine! As soon as I opened the package, which arrived in ONE DAY flat, I could smell the sweet Peaches & Cream scrub which was just as good as biting into an ice cold creamsicle – my favorite frozen treat. I cannot wait to use my new sugar scrub as an exfoliant before shaving my leggies to create a closer shave, silky smooth skin, and a good enough to eat scent. And can we talk about the totes adorbs little spoon that she added to dollop the scrub out with?! SO. CUTE!

The rose petals that Angela added into the Ruby Tulip bottle was a beautiful touch and will be going to a lucky reader come April! I am so excited for lifewithlilred’s first giveaway and for the new lotion that Angela is working on. I tested out the goat’s milk lotion yesterday upon its arrival and it smelled so creamy and absorbed instantly, which is a must for me when it comes to lotions and body butters. I just know that that product is going to be another major seller on her Etsy page!

If you haven’t checked out Angie’s Bath & Body yet, then I urge you to get on it ASAP and treat yoself to some new body care goodies. You won’t be disappointed! What is your favorite bath and body care item to treat yoself with? What is your favorite lotion or perfume scent? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar22

Beauty And The Beast Review

Posted on by
Standard
Beauty And The Beast Review

Hiii everyone and happy Hump Day! Yesterday night was a fun one because my older sister, Kristen, treated me and my mom to a night at the movies to see Beauty And The Beast for my mom’s birthday. I have to admit, I was semi ambivalent because I had heard some amazing reviews, some horrible reviews, but mostly very average reviews about the film. But the remake of Beauty And The Beast made me eat my words five minutes in because I absolutely LOVED it. It wasn’t just me, though. My mom, sister, and what felt like the entire audience seemed to be in agreement that this film was really special. Let’s discuss:

What I loved about this remake was that they stayed true to the original cartoon and then enhanced it appropriately. With these improvements, we gained further insight into the backstory of Belle, the Beast, and the castle’s inhabitants. Some people on my Facebook newsfeed deemed these additions “pointless” but I thought that they were brilliant. Why would a classic film be remade at all if there were no changes made to it? If it was a literal live action play by play of the cartoon, I would rather watch the original any day.

Now, let’s all be honest with ourselves here. We all know that that was not Emma Watson singing. The autotune was strong for her – so strong that it sounded exactly like the singing in the cartoon version. I ain’t mad at it. Only a little! Another teeeeny tiny bone that I have to pick is that the British accents seemed incredibly out of place because they are in France, after all. I would have loved to have had the entire film done with really good French accents, but we can’t always get what we want. And, finally: WHY WAS BELLE’S SKIRT TUCKED IN ON ONE SIDE?! IT DROVE ME FREAKING CRAZYYYYY!

Okay. I’m glad I got that off my chest.

But really, though. It was a hell of a remake. It really was. And that’s saying something coming from me because Beauty And The Beast is easily one of my favorite Disney movies. I laughed, I cried, and I enjoyed myself immensely. The cast was so strong and complimented each other so well, which made each scene in the movie flow perfectly. I wanted more. I was honestly sad when it was over! The little tastes of the retelling of such a beautiful tale left me ravenous and if a sequel were for some reason announced I would probably cry from happiness.

It’s crazy, because when you’re a kid, you don’t really think about how intense Disney films are. It’s only when you’re older that you can look at the film and be like “wow, that’s kind of fucked up”. I mean, there’s an entire song in Beauty And The Beast dedicated to killing the Beast. And don’t even get me started on the turmoil that Maurice goes through upon returning to the village after Belle stays as the captive. Of course, the cartoons are sad. But there was something about seeing this remake after not having seen the original in so long that made me weep like a baby. The characters were so easy to connect to so all you wanted was the very best for them. And for Gaston to jump off of a freaking cliff!!

Speaking of, I loved, loved, loved to hate Gaston with every ounce of my being! He was so bad and so good and I was so pleased with the “Gaston” number in the bar because that’s weirdly my favorite song. And, I thought Monsieur LeFou was perfect. The combination of Gaston’s meatheaded nature and LeFou’s sass for days was definitely a fun twist. And LeFou is obviously better at seeing the good (or lack thereof!) in people for crushing on a total asshole!

All in all, I’m rating this movie with a ten to the ten, ten, ten. Despite me being nitpicky, I had a fantastic time at the movies last night and would happily go see Beauty And The Beast for a second time!

(And, as always, I have no rights to this trailer or featured image.)

So there you have it, my Beauty And The Beast Review! What did everyone else think of this movie? Which Disney flick do you hope is remade next? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Disney UK

Mar20

Loft Haul

Posted on by
Standard
Loft Haul

Hiii everyone and happy Monday! I hope that all of you had a fabulous and relaxing weekend. My Saturday was spent getting my shop on at Loft and scoring an amazing haul for a seriously amazing deal. If there’s one place that I know that I can turn to for totally profesh but super fun business casual attire, it’s Loft. And let me tell you, my work wardrobe was in definite need of a pick me up. The beauty of the clothing at Loft is that their clothes can really be dressed up or down depending on what you need to use them for. I love that my Loft clothes can double for work or play and that you can get great deals if you know how to shop their sales. Check out my latest haul and then I’ll reveal the price for all five items that you won’t believe! Take a look:

loftylofty1lofty2lofty4lofty3

The Haul:

  • Two shirts both originally priced at $54.95
  • One pair of jeans originally priced at $69.95
  • Two pairs of sunglasses originally priced at $24.50

I Paid: About $80

So how did I do it? This is all compliments of my mom, actually. Thanks to beaucoup Loft Cash, percentage off promotions, and fifteen dolla holla sunglasses, she was able to dwindle down a staggering price to something much more reasonable. My mom started shopping Loft a couple of years ago and I have always been so impressed with the clothes that she has purchased. Like I mentioned earlier, they really are the perfect work or play wardrobe staples. The clothes fall in that amazing “youthful but not trying to be young” category, which means that women of any age can pull off their clothing and still look great.

It’s not like I’m a super avid Loft shopper but when I do spend time in their store, I always seem to manage to find some really nice stuff. Their jeans, for example, are the best thing that has ever happened to the bottom half of my body so whenever I can get a good deal on their black skinnies, I always have to indulge. The frayed ends of my latest black skinny purchase (because we all know that it’s all I wear!) were a fun little detail and I’m hoping to take a razor blade to the knees if I’m feeling crafty enough. I don’t own any ripped denim but I really like the idea of it, so if anyone is a savvy pants ripper and has any tips for me, please send them my way!

And, of course, I freaking LOVE my new tops. In the pictures, they might look like your standard T, but they are actually made out of one hundred percent polyester so it feels silky and looks sleek as opposed to the regular old cotton T. These tops have an adorable eyelet detail on the back and the colors in each of them are my favorite. Green and yellow are two colors that happen to look really good on me, thanks to my pasty pale skin tone and vibrant red hair. As soon as I put these tops on, they just felt and looked SO good and if they had any additional shirts in different patterns I probably would have bought them, too!

Both of these tops will be great for when I’m out and about at work or paired under a moto jacket for errands or drinks with friends. I love the kimono feel of the yellow top and the deep green paired with the brighter teal details really had me feeling some type of way! It’s going to be really fun to create new looks for my day to day work and play wear for an outfit that’s business cashe or a young twenty-something on the go (generally going to Taco Bell).

Finally, I am obsessed with my new sunnies! I haven’t bought new sunglasses in forever because now I usually just opt for my Chanel shades from my nail tech, Vinny. But these new ones are SO fabulous and I got each of them for seven bucks, so it really doesn’t get much better than that! The solid black frames scream Miu Miu to me and the duel colored tortoise shell and navy sunnies are so unbearably chic. Both of these sunglasses are shaped in styles that I don’t already have in my sunnies arsenal so it will be nice to throw on a fresh new pair of shades before I hit the road in the Little Red Love Machine!

Obviously, Loft was really good to me this weekend and my closet so thanks me for it! I am super happy with my latest Loft Haul and am ready to welcome spring with some shiny new wardrobe additions. Who else is a major Loft fan? How are you upgrading your wardrobe for spring? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar18

Ruby Tulip Launch!!

Posted on by
Gallery

This gallery contains 3 photos.

Originally posted on lifewithlilred:
Hello everyone and happy Tuesday! This is a very exciting day because lifewithlilred’s very first signature scent is here in the form of Ruby Tulip, a roll on fragrance oil. Ruby Tulip was created by the unbelievably talented scentstress of Angie’s Bath & Body – a dear friend, Angela. Her and…

Mar10

It’s In The Bag – Embroidered Beauty Edition

Posted on by
Standard
It’s In The Bag – Embroidered Beauty Edition

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

bertiebertie1bertie2

^^^ SO. PRETTY!

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

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

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

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

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

Mar9

New Hello Kitty Pink & Black Nails

Posted on by
Standard
New Hello Kitty Pink & Black Nails

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

pink

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

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

Mar6

My Unhealthy Obsession With Social Media!? Likes & Dislikes

Posted on by
Standard
My Unhealthy Obsession With Social Media!? Likes & Dislikes
Hi everyone and happy Monday! I hope all of you are having a wonderful start to your week and are not suffering from the Monday blahs too much! If there’s one thing that’s important to me, it’s featuring guest bloggers on my page. I want lifewithlilred to be a place for everyone. Whether it be via random articles or a full on guest bloggers series, if someone feels so inclined to want to be on my page, who am I to deny them that?
The article below is written by a young lady who’s new to the blogging world, Janicia. Please be sure to check out her page and give it some love and encouragement because even the most experienced bloggers were new once, too!

My Unhealthy Obsession With Social Media!? Likes & Dislikes

There is this constant battle and argument on whether social media has enhanced our lives or totally hindered our mental state. The question is. Where do you stand? Are you that person who is constantly switched on to the latest celebrity gossip and social media trends? Or are you someone that has the capability to put their phone down without having FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)? Unfortunately, I fall under the FOMO side of things!
The unfortunate truth is that social media isn’t all glitz and glam. The divide between reality and fiction is often blurred. There is another universe within our devises which exists and it’s kind of scary! We’ve been given an illusion, a distorted vision of what is true and what is false. Why is it, that we always chose to follow people who portray a perfect life? Is it because we’re envious or is it a form of encouragement? Perhaps they are just GOALS. As soon as we come across an attractive picture or person, the first thing we do is stalk their page and one hour later we’ve traveled ten accounts too deep! Are you lost? Or do you follow my gist? It gets to a point where you’ve pretty much found your future husband, met your in-laws, his relatives, and his two best friends John and Matthew! We’ve all been, there, right? Right? (I totes have…multiple times! -Sarah)
There comes a point, after having seen so many pictures of perfection on various profiles, that we begin to analyze our own lives and current situations. “How did they acquire all this success”, we ask. “She looks amazing! I wonder how much it would cost to get that body sculpture”. Don’t tell me you haven’t thought about it! It is a new phenomenon in our society, especially in the entertainment industry, where women are paying for the perfect body. If you had the money, time, and energy to do so, wouldn’t you do it too?
That said, social media has narrowed the borders of our vast world significantly. You’re now able to connect with people all over the world who have similar interests as yourself, which is fantastic! All you do is click follow and you are friends…well, virtual friends! You now have access to private and intimate images and videos of people you would never have seen otherwise. If you are an entrepreneur, you have direct contact and access to your target audience by sending out tweets, Instagram pics, and Facebook posts to the world at no cost of your own. The uses of social media are endless, it is how you exploit it that will either hinder or better your agenda.
I, like most, will continue to spend 50% of my day glued to my phone, computer screen, or tablet while surfing on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and my favorite: Google! The struggle continues and hopefully one day we (and I!) can find a healthy balance. A happy medium that gives us the opportunity to spend a lot more time away from our screens and more time living and enjoying our actual lives!

^^^ Thank you so much to Janicia for her insightful and humorous guest post! Who suffers from FOMO without being glued to their smart phone? How has social media impacted your life? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Interested in guest blogging for lifewithlilred? Shoot me an email at: sarah.mush6794@gmail.com! ❤

Mar1

Accessory Story: Sparkling Snakes Edition

Posted on by
Standard
Accessory Story: Sparkling Snakes Edition

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

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

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

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

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

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