Tag Archives: practice makes perfect

Sep19

Clean Out Crew

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Clean Out Crew

Hello!!! Johnny and I have been living in our bigger apartment for over two years and it has been great. We moved from a one bedroom loft into a three bedroom, one and a half bath space and it is such a gift to have all of the extra room. While we were in the process of moving, we had a huge clean out and were able to clear up a lot of excess clutter. Since then, we haven’t had a good haul away in a while – only added and I can definitely tell. It feels like there is stuff everywhere! On Monday, I began doing a clear out of my belongings and it was kind of difficult at first. However, it got much easier as I went along and followed these steps:

Start Small:

Johnny and I are honestly both pack rats and I had no idea where to even begin. So, I started small and worked my way up to bigger items. For starters, I decided to go with things that indisputably needed to be tossed – old makeup. I had tubes of lipstick that haven’t been used in years and I’m sure were well beyond an expiration date. Yes, it was a baby step but it got me used to the feeling of letting go of items and I was in a more comfortable place for harder decisions.

What Can’t Be Repaired?

After working on smaller odds and ends for a while, I turned my attention to the things that I planned on getting around to repairing and didn’t. The primary culprit was shoes. I have a handful of pairs that needed some semblance of repair done to be able to wear them again. A plethora of time had passed and they had not been taken to the shop down the road. It would have been a ten minute errand to run and I chose not to. With that in mind, the busted shoes went next and it felt good to be rid of them once I thought about it from a more logical perspective.

Unworn (In A While!) Clothing:

By the time I was done in the shoe department, I was on a roll and felt ready to tackle clothing next. The standard rule for getting rid of clothing is “toss if you haven’t worn in X amount of years”. I followed that as best as I could and ended up with a bagful of clothes to be donated. As I dived deeper into drawers, I found items that I didn’t even realize I had kept and into the bag they went. If I didn’t like them enough to remember having them, then I certainly don’t like them enough to wear now!

Sentimental Items:

Over an hour into my clear out, the last thing on the agenda was some sentimental items and I am so glad that I started the process with baby steps. The main thing I knew had to go was some of my old warm up gear from my days as a competitive figure skater. I think back on that time most fondly (For the most part!) and have always just hung onto the clothing from the skating club I was in. At this point, I was able to recognize that all they were doing was taking up space in my drawers and was able to toss them without a second thought. I did, however, hold on to my favorite skating dress and don’t ever plan on letting that go. 🙂

I was very much out of practice when it came to a good old fashioned clean out and it was hard at times. Once I was done, though, I felt so invigorated and can’t wait to go for Round Two this weekend!

How often do you clear out unwanted items? What are some of your pro tips for a haul away? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May17

New Phone Photos

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New Phone Photos

Hi! On April 29th, I proudly accepted a new job as the social media manager for Tim Misny. This is, hands down, the biggest opportunity I have ever had for my online work and I am so incredibly happy that my hard work has paid off in such a major way. While I love working on all aspects of social media, the most fun part of my job (other than my amazing coworkers) is redesigning the Misny Merch. One of my jobs is to freshen the brand up and I think I am going to make a total splash with it. As a fashionista, I never dreamed that I would get to be designing clothes too with my new job and it’s awesome!

Of course, the most important aspect of my job is creating content. However, that is incredibly hard to do when your phone is consistently almost out of storage lol. Between pictures of my nieces, bunnies, Johnny and me, and OOTD shots it’s easy to see why! I was graciously given a brand new iPhone for my work phone and it has been a blast playing around with it. This past weekend, both Johnny and I took our turns snapping pics and videos on the new phone. Unfortunately, the lighting for OOTD shots was abysmal. But, I did get these super cool pics:

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Johnny and I ventured outside after it got done raining for a photography adventure. We spent some time chasing the lighting for some pics of me and there was literally nothing good to show for it. As we continued walking around Timber Top, Johnny pointed out how neat the rain water drops resting on plant leaves looked. I completely agreed and just had to get some pictures. I was blown away by them! The detail and the way the light reflected off of the water looked like a painting and I knew these shots would never be possible on my old phone!

Even though I am doing a lot of what I already do for other social media accounts that I manage for Tim, the novelty has yet to wear off. There are many things that are completely different and it’s so exciting. I truly feel like it is my big break and it makes simply going outside to practice pictures on a new phone feel like a brand new experience. I can’t wait to see where this job takes me next! 😀

How often do you upgrade your phone? How many pictures do you have on your phone? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul6

Watercolor Pansies

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Watercolor Pansies

Hello!! My mom and I really enjoy watercolor painting and it is such a fun and different medium of art to work with. With all of the craziness going on in both of our lives, we haven’t been able to paint as often as we would like. In fact, the last time we painted together was back in March! During that painting session, I tried my hand at pansies and was pretty pleased with the outcome as I had never tried it before.

This past week, we finally got to paint together and I decided to pick up where I left off with pansies. I wasn’t as happy as I was with the ones you’re about to see as the previous effort. However, I hadn’t painted in months and we all have to start (again) somewhere! Check out the image I was trying to pull from and my attempts:

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After sketching out a basic outline for each flower, I began painting the top right pansy. Obviously, it was a bit of a bust and my mistake was being impatient AF. I gave no time for literally anything to sit and the blob flower became a muddled mess. I was feeling frustrated because my previous pansies were not the best but certainly not the worst and this one just sucked lol. So, I had to regroup, take a breath, and remember that patience is a virtue in life and especially with watercolor!

For the following flowers, I tried really hard to take my time and use the paints and water to my advantage. I also channeled the advice from a previous watercolor teacher to use areas of no paint within what you are working on too. The next flower I attempted was the one in the bottom left and I still wasn’t feeling it, but it was getting closer. Then, I had a brain blast and remembered how I did my original pansies!

The first time I painted pansies, I did a rough outline and then started in the middle. I began with the yellow center and line detailing and waited for it to dry. Then, I applied a light wash of paint, blotted it, and moved onto the next color. I used my original method for the middle right pansy and was much happier with how it turned out. There was even some areas of white to accent the red and orange too. That was much more like it and I ended my painting session feeling satisfied with the top left, two middle, and bottom right pansies.

I’d be a liar if I said I wasn’t slightly disappointed with how my pansies turned out. But, I reminded myself that it was a great first go after an over three month long hiatus. After I shook away the blahs, I felt motivated to paint more so I never have to restart my progress again. I can’t wait for my next painting session with my mom!

What helps motivate you after a disappointment? Have you tried any new artistic ventures recently? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct13

Revamp Your Laundry Room

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Revamp Your Laundry Room

The laundry room is, easily, one of the most forgotten rooms in the home even though it serves such an important purpose. Often tucked away in the basement or a “junk room” the washer and dryer tend to go unnoticed and unappreciated despite using it almost every day. But, it doesn’t have to be that way! Turn doing the laundry into your favorite chore with these simple fixes:

Evaluate The Space:

First things first, let’s do a quick check on your appliances. Take a look at your washer and inspect your dryer and avoid potential dangers. All good? Perfect! Now, does your laundry room have the space for some additional shelving and maybe a small table to assist with folding? If so, you are well set! If not, you could designate a different area in your home for folding and placing your freshly laundered clothes. This leads us to our next point…

Shelving Or Cubby Shelves:

Standard shelving units in your laundry room or elsewhere are fantastic. This is ideal for storing your detergent, stain remover, laundry bins, and dryer sheets. However, a cubby shelving unit might be just what you need if you want some extra assistance with the chore. Once the laundry is folded, you could place each piece in the cubby for your partner or children. Then, it is up to them to put it away themselves. Don’t forget that your laundry room can also be used to house shoes with a door fixture or other odds and ends like cleaning supplies!

Add Some Fun:

Time and time again, I hear that doing laundry is a least favorite chore. You can change this, though! There are all kinds of things that you can do to add a touch of fun to your laundry space. Bring in a radio and listen to your favorite songs, add some essential oil to a diffuser and enjoy some aromatherapy, or paint the walls a peppy shade. No one loves doing housework but you can make it tolerable, at the very least!

Hone Your Craft:

Maybe, you don’t like doing the laundry because your folding skills aren’t quite up to snuff. That’s okay! Purchasing folding boards can give you perfectly folded T’s in no time. A clutter free table can also be very helpful. And, if all else fails: Have a lot of clothing hangers handy to just hang things up – no wrinkles required!

Give your washer and dryer the space that they deserve with the tips above. Who knows? You might just love doing laundry yet!

Sep21

5 Tips To Up Your Selfie Game

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5 Tips To Up Your Selfie Game

Posting selfies on your social media is a great way to show your personality and give your followers a closer look at your life. Never fear if you feel like your selfie game isn’t up to snuff because we are going to discuss five simple tips to take your selfies like a pro:

Find the Right Angle:

When taking a selfie, it’s important to find the right angle. If you hold the camera too high, you may end up with a double chin. Too low, and your nose will look bigger than it actually is. The best angle is usually somewhere in between. For a slimming effect, try holding the camera slightly above eye level and tilting your head down. This will also create the illusion of longer lashes. Another tip is to experiment with different poses until you find one that flatters your features. So go ahead and snap away – with a little practice, you’ll take amazing selfies in no time.

Get the Lighting Right:

One of the most important factors in getting a great selfie is lighting. The proper lighting can make all of the difference in accentuating your best features and creating a stunning image. First, try to find a location with natural light. Soft, diffused light is always ideal, so outdoor areas like parks or gardens will work well. Try to position yourself so that the sun is behind you. That way, you won’t end up squinting or with harsh shadows on your face. If you’re indoors, try to find a spot near a window where the light isn’t too harsh. And avoid using flash, as this can often create unflattering shadows. However, you can always experiment with how lighting impacts your photos. Take the time to play around with different lighting setups until you find one that works for your style.

Use Facial Expressions to Convey Emotion:

A good selfie should capture more than just your physical appearance, it should also show off your personality. Use facial expressions and body language to convey emotion in your selfies. Are you feeling happy? Sad? Sarcastic? Playful? Let your followers know what’s happening with you by using facial expressions that match your mood. Moreover, when you smile, make sure it reaches your eyes. That way, you will appear genuinely happy and aren’t taking a selfie for the sake of having a photo.

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Edit Your Photos:

Many people think that they need an expensive camera to take high quality photos. However, the truth is that anyone can take great photos, regardless of their equipment. The key is to know how to edit your photos to improve their quality. With today’s technology, there are many ways to edit photos. For example, photo-editing software can crop out unwanted background elements, adjust the exposure and color balance, or even remove blemishes from your selfies. Filters can also give your photos a particular look or feel.

If you’ll be endorsing a brand, you must take your post-production efforts to a higher level. For example, you agreed to endorse a piece of jewelry in one of your blog posts. Then you will be expected to show it in the best light possible. This might include retouching the image to make it look more polished and professional. But suppose you aren’t sure how to edit specific items. In that case, it may impact the quality of your photos, so it’s always best to leave this task to professionals. You can hire a reputable jewelry retouching service to help you achieve your photos’ desired look. Doing so will not only improve the quality of your photos but also make your blog posts more visually appealing.

Take Lots of Pics and Choose the Best One:

Don’t be afraid to take a ton of selfies until you find one you’re happy with. It’s better to have too many options than too little! You should also try varying angles and poses, so you have more options to work with. And if you’re struggling to get a good photo, ask a friend to take a picture of you. Having someone else take your photo will often lead to better results. They can help you relax and capture a more natural expression.

As with everything, practice makes perfect and the same goes for selfies. After a bit of playing around, you should see a noticeable and more natural improvement in all of your pics!

Sep6

Sports For Beginners: Tips For Success

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Sports For Beginners: Tips For Success

When you’re just starting out in a new sport, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. There is so much to learn and so many ways to improve! How can you make sure that you get the most out of your time and avoid common beginner mistakes? Here are tips for success in any new sport:

Find a coach or mentor:

One of the best ways to improve your skills in any sport is to find a coach or mentor. A good coach will be able to teach you the proper techniques and help you develop a practice routine that works for you. Having someone who can offer feedback and support will make learning any new sport much easier.

Set realistic goals:

When you’re just starting out in a new sport, it’s important to set realistic goals. Don’t expect to be the best player on the team right away – focus on gradually improving your skills and having fun. As you become more experienced, you can start setting higher goals for yourself.

Get in shape:

Many sports require a certain level of fitness, so it’s important to get in shape before you start. Taking some time to build up your stamina and strength will pay off in the long run. Not only will you be able to play better, but you’ll also reduce your risk of injuries. Make use of fitness trainers to help you when starting to exercise.

Recovery is important:

Rest and recovery are essential for any athlete, but they’re especially important for beginners. Make sure to give your body the time it needs to recover after a workout or practice session. Over-training can lead to injuries and burnout, so be sure to listen to your body and take breaks when you need them. Make use of stretching, chiropractic care, and ice baths to speed up your recovery.

Stay hydrated:

Staying hydrated is crucial for all athletes, but it’s especially important in hot weather or when you’re participating in strenuous activity. Be sure to drink plenty of water before, during, and after your workouts. Carry a water bottle with you so that you can stay hydrated when you’re on the go.

Warm up and cool down:

Warming up and cooling down are important for all athletes, but they’re especially important for beginners. Warming up helps to prepare your body for exercise while cooling down helps to reduce the risk of injuries. Make sure to take the time to warm up and cool down properly before and after your workouts.

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^^^ Unsplash Image

Eat healthy:

Eating healthy foods will help you have more energy, recover from workouts more quickly, and avoid injuries. Be sure to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. And don’t forget to stay hydrated!

With a little bit of effort, you’ll be playing like a pro in no time!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

May20

Musical Instruments You Can Learn As An Adult Beginner

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Musical Instruments You Can Learn As An Adult Beginner

Many adults have wanted to be famous musicians at some point in their childhood, fantasizing about selling out concert halls and filling stadiums worldwide. However, not everyone was privileged enough to take music lessons as a child, and many may not be practicing anymore. According to Statista data, just 10.10% of Americans aged 18 to 29 revealed that they had played musical instruments in the last twelve months as of 2018. You can revive your passion for music by learning to play an instrument.

It takes a lot of practice and dedication to become a pro at playing an instrument. You need to be able to put in the time to learn the proper techniques and how to read music. You can start by taking some lessons from a professional or even watching some online tutorials, such as guitar lessons from home. There are also a number of apps that can help you learn different songs. Once you have the basics down, you need to start practicing regularly. As you continue to practice and learn, you will eventually become a pro at playing your chosen instrument. Here are the best and easiest options to consider if you want to learn an instrument:

Harmonica:

The harmonica is an instrument that many people rarely think about. However, it may surprise you to learn that it is the best selling musical instrument globally. This instrument is quite portable, affordable, and easy to learn, making it excellent for beginners. There is no way to sound bad when playing the harmonica since all the notes you play will be in key. It is never too late to learn how to play the harmonica since you can absorb its core concepts in just a few hours. Anyone can play the harmonica, but you will particularly enjoy learning it if you are a fan of folk, blues, and country music.

Piano:

It is estimated that 21 million Americans play the piano, making it one of the most popular musical instruments. The piano is quite versatile, allowing you to play songs in various styles. This classic instrument will boost your coordination since it forces you to play different melodies with both hands. Although this sounds difficult, many experts say that you shouldn’t have much of a problem mastering it if you can type on a computer keyboard.

You will likely find a few piano teachers in your area, given its widespread popularity. However, the internet is an excellent repository of tutorials and video lessons that you can rely on to practice your piano skills if you lack the budget or time for in person lessons, so keep this in mind. You can download music notes here to start practicing and follow in the footsteps of all time greats like David Bowie, Thelonious Monk, and Prince, who were self taught.

Ukulele:

You will undoubtedly see the ukulele in any list of the easiest musical instruments for beginners to learn. It has gained popularity in recent times because it is more straightforward to learn than the guitar. The ukulele has only four strings compared to the guitar’s six, so chords are easier to memorize. It is also smaller than a guitar with a thinner neck, so it is ideal if you have tiny hands. This instrument has a distinct, cheerful sound that can make any song sound fantastic, and many people grasp the basic chords in a few weeks. Also, it is more affordable than a guitar and mastering it puts you in a perfect position to play more difficult songs and even advance to complex string instruments like the violin.

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^^^ Pixabay Image

If you are looking for a new and rewarding hobby, then learning how to play an instrument is the way to go. Remember, all of the greats started out as beginners too!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Nov1

How To Regain Your Confidence To Smile More 

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How To Regain Your Confidence To Smile More 

There are so many reasons to smile in life. From daily affection from your children to having some time to cook up a storm, there are daily occurrences that everyone experiences that should encourage you to smile. Smiling more will maintain a good mood and a positive attitude. Should you dislike your smile or not feel entirely confident when smiling, here is how to regain your confidence and fall back in love with your smile:

Get dental help:

Using dental services can get your smile in top condition so that you feel more confident and happy smiling. You can repair your teeth, transform them to better health, or reshape them so that you like your smile and the overall look of your teeth. Getting help with your teeth will help you achieve your desired outcome as well as the best oral health.

Practice in the mirror:

You might not like your smile because of a quick and unflattering picture. If so, remember that a picture does not always reflect what you look like. You could have been caught off guard yet remember that in your mind and use it as a reason not to smile. If this is the case, then practice smiling more in the mirror. Doing so will help you see how much better you look when you smile. It will also help you practice smiling for photos so that you can see how much nicer you look when you smile for the next pictures you take.

Smile more:

If you often find that you have a grumpy face yet feel happy, why not show off your happiness through smiling? There is no harm in walking around smiling or watching the TV and smiling. Smiling is the best way to feel happy. If you are not in the best mood and want to get out of your slump, then try smiling and notice how much better it makes you feel. You will soon smile more and more and regain your confidence to smile again.

Face the fear:

Everyone has their own unique phobia and if yours is smiling in photos or in public, then face those fears. It is the only way to overcome it. The more you practice smiling in photos and out in public, the more comfortable you will feel doing it. Soon enough, it will come naturally to you to smile in photos and you will look back and realize how far you have come by facing your fears.

Brush as much as you should:

Should you have poor teeth or gum health, it could be the reason that you are avoiding smiling. If so, then make sure to brush your teeth and gums as often as you should (at least twice a day) to maintain good oral health. Better oral health will encourage you to smile more and feel confident in doing so. If you can find time to brush after every meal, then you will be able to achieve optimal oral health.

You are never fully dressed without a smile! Use the tips above and soon you will be flashing your pearly whites all day. 🙂

Featured Image By: Anastasia Gepp from Pixabay

Oct21

One Year Duolingo Streak!

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One Year Duolingo Streak!

Hi! This has been a year of very exciting milestones for yours truly. I recently achieved a 1,000 day streak of writing in a row on lifewithlilred and, today, I have reached one full year of daily practice on Duolingo! Every day, I have been working on my French, Spanish, Italian, Czech, and German and I am amazed at the progress that I have made in all of them. If you can’t tell, I am a woman who thrives with a routine and it is so exciting to see my hard work continue to pay off.

Because I have six years of experience of being taught French in high school and college, it will always be my best language in terms of speaking, reading, and comprehension. Unfortunately, I’m not really sure how speaking my other four languages would go because I haven’t had the opportunity to interact with anyone who speaks them – especially in COVID times because Johnny and I haven’t been able to travel for our honeymoon like we wanted.

That’s not to say that I haven’t noticed big improvements, though. I am always tickled when Johnny and I are watching a TV show or movie and one of my five languages is being spoken. More often than not, I can get the basic gist of what is being said and it makes me feel very proud of myself. Now, the next challenge will be figuring out which language to start learning next!

For the longest time, I have answered the “What would your super power be?” question with being fluent in every language. It has been a time consuming task to achieve this without being bitten by a radioactive spider but learning on Duolingo every day brings me one step closer to that dream. 🙂

Which language should I learn next? Which languages can you speak? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep2

Off Ice Work Out OOTD

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Off Ice Work Out OOTD

Hi! In my youth, I figure skated competitively for about ten years and after calling it quits, I still loved going skating just for fun. Prior to the pandemic, I got back into having regular lessons again with my childhood coach and lived for my weekly skate sessions. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to skate for the past year and a half because of my job as I work with such high risk people.

I am so happy to say that this weekend, I will have my first skating lesson since the start of the pandemic and I can’t wait! To keep myself in skating mode, I have been doing off ice work outs so I don’t lose my edge. This past weekend during my exercise routine, I was able to sport the most amazing pair of shorts I have ever owned by Elite Sports and Born Tough. Take a look at some pics from my Off Ice Work Out OOTD and let’s discuss:

Who? What? Wear?

Working out in my small apartment can be pretty difficult because my husband and I don’t have a lot of free space. To remedy this, I cleared out a corner in my home office so I can continue on with my push up regimen and off ice training. Without the luxury of a home gym, it’s all about working with what I have and, let me tell you, moving my chaise lounge and all of my odds and ends in the office was a work out in itself!

When it comes to figure skating, it isn’t just about training on ice but off ice too. Every week, I try to set aside some time to work on my jumps, spins, and foot work on solid ground. I also really enjoy practicing in my friend’s pool or the one in my apartment community for some added resistance. While this is nowhere near as fun as being on the ice, I am proud of myself for keeping up with this routine and I know it will only help to make me an even better skater.

No work out is complete without the right clothes, of course, and that is why I am so in love with my new shorts by Born Tough. Not only do they look super cool with the visible compression layer but they feel it too as they are so lightweight. Breathable clothing for working out is an absolute must and it is especially important in my apartment because my air conditioning unit in the upstairs loft works minimally, at best. I am definitely looking forward to the cooler weather so I am not working out in my own personal sauna!  

Whether you’re working out at home, in the gym, or on the ice give it your all and put your best face forward. And, as always, put your best outfit forward too with the awesome athletic clothing from Born Tough!

Do you play any sports? What is your work out routine like? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah