Tag Archives: pro tips

Oct20

Why Finding The Time To Clean Your Home Properly Isn’t Really That Hard

Posted on October 20, 2016 by lifewithlilred

Do you ever feel like no matter what you do, nothing will ever be perfectly clean in your home? Or how about not having enough time to get everything nice and sparkly? If so, here are some tips to help you tidy up!

Why Finding The Time To Clean Your Home Properly Isn’t Really That Hard:

Cleaning is one of those jobs that never seem finished. It doesn’t matter how many times you do it, there is always something else that could be done. It can be hard to find the time in our lives to clean up to our own standards. But a clean and tidy environment is something everyone needs for a healthy and happy home. So how can we find time to clean even when we are busy working, raising our families, and having a life? Read on to find out:

10 Minutes: If there is a cleaning or organizational job that is getting to you and you just keep putting it off, why not try the 10-minute approach. It is so surprising how much you can get done in 10 minutes if you focus totally on the task in hand. You might even finish that job that looked like it could have taken you the better part of half an hour! But even if you don’t, once you have got started it is much more likely that you will keep on with the job. This is because you can see the progress that you made.

Even if you just can’t bear to do any more at that time, don’t worry. You have had a go and you can come back and do another 10 minutes later when you are feeling ready. This works particularly well if you have a large space to clean or if you have a cupboard full of junk that you need to clear out.

Automate: An important time-saving trick when cleaning is to automate as many jobs as possible. Using a dishwasher is an easy way to get those dishes from last night’s dinner party clean. Picking a certain time to load the dishwasher during the day is also a great idea, so you are not constantly washing up as you go along. Another clever way of automating a part of the cleaning is to get a robot hoover. They whizz around your home in the day when you are at work, hoovering up any dust and debris. Then your floors are kept clean and clear daily, all without you having to lift a finger. You can click here for info on robot hoovers.

Assign & Reward: Something that can help families of all shapes and sizes find enough time to keep the house clean is to assign some chores to the kids. Not only does this teach them a sense of responsibility but it also helps them feel that they are doing their part to contribute to the family.You may decide that they have to complete a certain number of chores to receive their weekly allowance. This will help them organize their own time and also show them the value of money as they have to earn it, instead of just being given it.

Routine: An additional time-saving tip for busy parents is to have a cleaning routine like this one here. Routines are used by professional cleaners to ensure that every aspect of the room that they are working on is clean and tidy to a sparkling standard. It can also help you keep focused and organized when doing the cleaning as you won’t get distracted by other tasks that are not on the list.

What is your least favorite chore to do? How about your favorite? (Mine is Swiffering!!) I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Oct19

Keeping Your Heart Healthy: 11 Unmissable Tips To Ensure The Beat Stays On Track!

Posted on October 19, 2016 by lifewithlilred

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Keeping Your Heart Healthy: 11 Unmissable Tips To Ensure The Beat Stays On Track!

Everything we do in our life can affect our heart. Whether it’s eating a pizza at dinner time or going to bed late, it could damage our heart health! Therefore, it’s so important to consider how your life choices are affecting your ticker. After all, our heart is our lifeline and we need to be careful with our decisions in life so that we don’t end up with heart disease or an irregular heartbeat. Here are 11 unmissable tips on keeping your heart healthy to ensure the beat stays ticking away for a long time!

Avoid Smoking Regularly: A lot of people know the impact on their lungs when they smoke on a regular basis. After all, smoking is often linked to lung cancer. But they don’t realize the impact it can have on your heart. Tobacco and nicotine contain chemicals which harm your blood vessels and heart. It can cause your arteries to narrow, causing a decrease in blood flow. And as this feature says, cigarette smoke interferes with oxygen, so your heart has to supply additional oxygen to compensate. The stress to your heart can lead to a heart attack. Therefore, to help maintain a healthy heart, you need to avoid smoking on a regular basis. You can talk to your doctor about nicotine patches or gum which will help you to quit. Or you may want to switch to e-cigarettes instead to cut out the tobacco from your habit.

Maintain a Healthy Weight: Being overweight causes many problems for your heart. For one thing, it puts more pressure on the heart which can result in serious cardiac issues. As your heart is working harder to push blood through your body, it can cause angina or even a heart attack. As well as this, being overweight can lead to coronary heart disease as plaque builds up inside the arteries that serve the heart. And if you are not a healthy weight, you are more likely to have high blood pressure.

Therefore, to keep a healthy heart, you need to make sure you maintain a healthy weight. Cut back on your food portions and make sure you are exercising every day. You should also talk to your doctor who can advise you on the best ways to cut back on your weight. They might send you to a nutritionist who can help you learn what foods are best for you to consume. Remember you should not go on a fad diet; it’s about making healthy changes to your diet that you can commit to in the long run.

If you are struggling with your weight, it is so important to commit to regular doctor’s visits and screenings to better pinpoint the problems that could be forming. Cardiovascular screenings can provide better insight into any heart issues and how they are progressing. Even if you are working on losing weight, you should still get one as you might already have the beginning stages of heart disease. To get started, simply enter a search for “advanced cardiovascular screening near Chicago” (or your local area). Be proactive with these appointments and your health to prevent any heart problems from getting worse.

Cut Back on Your Drinking: We all love a couple of drinks on a night out – it’s one of the best ways to let our hair down and relax with friends. But if you start consuming more than one or two drinks a day, it will affect your health. For one thing, it can damage your liver over time and lead to you needing a replacement. It can also fuel mental health disorders such as depression. And you may not realize that it can damage your heart. It contributes to high blood pressure, which can lead to heart attacks.

Having more than three alcoholic drinks a day can increase your risk of atrial fibrillation (Afib). It is the most common abnormal heart rhythm. If you think you are suffering from an irregular heartbeat, you should see your doctor who may refer you to afib treatment locations. But to prevent all of these issues from occurring, you need to make sure you cut back on your drinking. Stick to the recommended daily intake of one drink a day to ensure your heart stays healthy. After all, you can still have a great night out without becoming intoxicated.

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Laugh at Least Once Every Day: Have you laughed at least once today? A surprising number of people don’t manage to have a giggle during the daytime. But laughing is good for your heart health. Research has suggested that it can lower your stress hormones and raise your good cholesterol. Try and make an effort to laugh today! Spend some time with your friends and family. Or you can watch some funny videos or movies to help you giggle. Having a laugh will help your heart to function correctly.

Exercise Every Day: So many people are not moving around enough in the day. They go to work where they sit at their desk and then they head home to sit in front of the television. But if you are doing this, it will affect your heart. It is important to do some form of cardio for half an hour every day to improve your heart health. Head for a run around the block or attend a dance class to get your heart thumping. You could even get a treadmill for home so you can always work out no matter the weather. As an added bonus, you can still watch TV while you do so if that is your favorite way to unwind after work!

Remember to add some strength training into your daily workout to help boost the organ. If you struggle at first, build up the amount of exercise you do every day slowly. You will be surprised how much healthier you will feel if you exercise every day!

Get Enough Sleep at Night: You might be surprised to know that your sleeping pattern could affect your heart. If you are not getting a good night’s sleep, you are at higher risk of heart disease. Sleep deprivation can affect your blood pressure and cause inflammation to your arteries. Every night, try to ensure that you have more than seven hours of sleep. Head to bed earlier at night and get into a strict routine. Also, avoid having caffeine and heavy foods before you head to bed. Getting enough sleep will help keep your ticker working.

Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables: A bad diet could cause your heart to not function properly. For one thing, a bad diet can lead to you becoming overweight, which puts an incredible strain on your heart. And not only that, but a diet full of high-fat and sugary foods can raise blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Both of these contribute to heart disease. A change in your diet that includes plenty of fruits and veggies is incredibly beneficial. Blueberries and strawberries are both great at keeping your heart healthy. And consuming tomatoes can reduce high blood pressure. Here is a full list of foods which can reduce your risk of a heart attack.

Avoid Stress in Your Life: It’s so easy to feel stressed in your daily life. After all, your work and personal life can both lead to you suffering from feelings of anxiety. But we do need to keep our stress levels down because too much worry can lead to angina. And feeling stressed can increase your blood pressure levels. Try to find ways to reduce the stress in your life. It might be that you take up a hobby such as yoga or even reading which both can make you calmer. Also, you should find ways to cut out the stress in your life. Whether it’s removing a person from your life or changing jobs, it could help your heart health in the long run.

Check Your Blood Sugar and Blood Pressure Regularly: A lot of people avoid going to the doctors for as long as possible. But if you want to keep your ticker healthy, you need to go for blood pressure and blood sugar checks. These two conditions are silent so you may not experience problems with your heart until it’s too late.

Make sure you go and get tested regularly so you can make changes in your life if necessary. If further care is needed, your doctor will be able to recommend you to a cardiologist or the Cardiovascular Group for more specialized care. Listen to your body and if something feels off, make an appointment right away. Should further care be necessary, rest assured that you will be in the most capable hands. Something like an ECG might have you feeling scared and that is normal. However, with advancements in technology happening every day like The Neural Cloud’s MaxYield Product, you can be sure that the analysis will be accurate to best determine next steps.

Get Intimate With Your Partner: You might be surprised about this one! Getting intimate with your partner is not only good for your relationship, but it’s excellent for your heart! It can lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart disease. As this research found, people who had less sexual activity had higher rates of heart disease! So it’s time to get under the sheets for some fun with your partner!

CUTE!

Keep Your Teeth in Good Order: Forgetting to brush your teeth is surprisingly easy to do. Whether it be rushing to get ready for work or being in a hurry to catch some Z’s, we often forget to clean our pearly whites. But having good oral hygiene can help to keep your heart in good working order. It’s been found that gum disease can increase your risk of getting heart disease. To avoid this, make sure you are brushing your teeth at least twice a day and use mouthwash to remove any bacteria from your gums. That way, you can ensure you have great teeth while keeping your heart happy!

Even if you are young, it’s so important to ensure your heart is working efficiently now. It will stop you having issues when you are older!

Oct18

Destiny Boutique Charcoal Face Bar

Posted on October 18, 2016 by lifewithlilred

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Helloooo everyone! I have been fond of charcoal based skin care products ever since I used one of Biore’s charcoal cleansers. We all have our woes about our skin and mine is having the literal worst blackheads around my five nose piercings. With the piercings and along with the fact that I am constantly touching my nose and readjusting them, it can be easy to see how pesky blackheads have made their home base on my nostrils. BUT I have been using a new beauty bar that I have a lot of faith in that I just have to tell you guys about. Check out my new bar from Destiny Boutique and then let’s discuss:

As much as I love Biore products, I do think that they are a bit pricey and I do not always have a coupon handy to cut back the cost. Therefore, I am always on the lookout for an effective but inexpensive charcoal product and I believe to have found it in this beauty bar. I have become a big fan of using bar soap for my face with complexion bars and my body with soap from Appalachian Naturals. I think that they are so economical and long lasting that you just can’t go wrong with them. That’s why I was SO happy to have found this bar laying around in the beauty aisle of TJMaxx for a whole six bucks. Score!

As soon as I saw the bar, I just had to try it and this past week of using it has left me very pleased with my purchase. First of all, let’s talk about the size of this thing! I was so surprised to see how big it was when I took it out of the package. My last complexion bar lasted me about four months and was about half of this size so I am sure that I will have this bar for close to a year! Honestly, with this size I would have been more than okay spending more than six dollars on it so I really do think this was a steal.

Second of all, this bar is fantastically effective. Within the week, I have noticed a HUGE decrease in my blackhead count on both of my nostrils and they really seem to be staying away as opposed to working their way back. My skin also looks bright and healthy and feels smooth as can be. Not only is it proving to be a powerful blackhead fighter but its scent is so invigorating! This bar smells like peppermint which is one of my favorite skin/body care scents. It smells so good and fresh and I instantly feel more awake as soon as it hits my nostrils. This extra scent boost pick me up is perfect for my five thirty mornings to get to class on time!

I am looking forward to many more uses with my new Destiny Boutique Charcoal Face Bar. So far it has been working some skin care magic and I cannot recommend it enough! What is your must have skin care product? What are some of your skin care woes? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct18

How To Create An Amazing Den In Your Home

Posted on October 18, 2016 by lifewithlilred

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Everyone needs a great getaway spot in their home. Whether it be for hunkering down and studying for the next big exam or a place to chillax and binge on America’s Next Top Model – an at home hideaway is a must. This article will provide you with some pointers to making your den (or man or ladies cave!) perfect.

How To Create An Amazing Den In Your Home:

As kids, who didn’t love building a fort with chairs and blankets and creating the ultimate hideaway? It was even better if you could decorate it with fairy lights and take in secret snacks too! But just because we’re grown-ups doesn’t mean we don’t still crave that little luxury hideaway where we can go and relax. And if you’ve got kids, even better. Why not create a den room where all of the family can chill? If you have a spare room that’s just being filled with clutter, why not convert the space into a family-friendly den? Below are some ideas on how to get started.

Think About The Space: If you’re using a spare room to make your luxury den, it’s probably smaller than your living room. First, take some time to think about how to use the space. Ask yourself what is important to you and the family? If it’s a place where you want to host movie nights and go to watch TV, then make that your focal point. If you would rather create a den that is made for reading and writing, then think about incorporating good lighting and storage for lots of books and notepads. Perhaps your den is going to be a playroom for young and old. If so, then consider investing in some drawers and cupboards so you can keep board games and card games organized and tidy.

Make It Cozy: A den is all about creating an environment that induces relaxation and fun. Invest in luxury throws and blankets so people can get down and cozy. A couple of oversized Sack Daddy’s will also give the space a laid back ‘den vibe’. Take a look here at www.sackdaddy.com/pages/cozy-sac to discover how these awesome extra large loungers will make your den the ultimate space for relaxation and respite. Bean bag chairs are also great for the kids, too!

If your den is going to predominantly be a reading room, then make sure you have bright overhead lighting. But if it’s strictly for hunkering down for movie nights, ensure that you have lights on a dimmer switch or the soft glow of side lamps. Fairy lights will add extra ambiance and create a magical feel. If you’ve got kids make them feel grown up by investing in a mini fridge where you can keep water and juices that they can get when they are with their friends. And if it’s adults only, you can chill your Champagne in here before settling down for a Saturday night movie! A den should be decadent but cozy. Somewhere you can kick off your shoes, put your PJ’s on, and totally unwind!

Décor Of the Den: If you’re making a family den, let everyone get involved in the decorating. Let the kids be in charge of one of the walls. This could include allowing them to paint the wall in their favorite color. Or perhaps adding oversized wall decor stickers of their favorite animals. Check out Amazon have some great ones right here: www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=wall+decor+stickers. Choose a color theme that exudes relaxation. Soft grays or warm shades of red will work well. Let everyone pitch in with decorating the room and make it a place where everyone will want to snuggle down for the evening.

I am absolutely obsessed with Despicable Me and my boyfriend got me minion wall stickers for my birthday! They are so cute and add the perfect touch of fun to my room. The stickers were surprisingly easy to apply and look as good as new after months of being on my walls.

What would be in your dream den? If you have a den or decked out basement in your house, what do you use it primarily for? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Pixaby

Oct17

Don’t Feel Glum – Pick Yourself Up With These Happiness Tips

Posted on October 17, 2016 by lifewithlilred

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Hello everyone and happy Monday! I know better than anyone what it is like to feel down in the dumps. Having struggled with depression from at least twelve years old (I am 22 now), I get it. It sucks and it can be exhausting to even try to improve. But, hopefully with these pro tips, you can shrug off some of the sorrow or at the very least, shake off the Monday Blues! Let’s discuss:

Don’t Feel Glum – Pick Yourself Up With These Happiness Tips:

There are some things in your life that will get you down. Maybe you had a bad day (or month!!) at work or end up coming out of a long-term relationship. Whatever the reason, it is definitely easy to let it get the best of you. But, despite the struggle, all of these rough patches are part of life and what makes it…Well, life. However, when you are going through a difficult time, it can be tricky to remember all of this. You may feel like you will never be happy again. But that isn’t the case at all!

There are certain things that you can do to improve your mood when you are feeling down. No matter how your sadness manifests, you can still try to make the best out of your day. And all of these small things that help make you happy for a short while will eventually help you out of the rough patch that you are facing. So are you ready to cheer up? Here are some important happiness tips that may help:

Remember, There Is A Light: There is always a light at the end of the tunnel. And you need to remember that. Knowing that there will be an end to this difficult time will help you get through it. Just because you are feeling down in the dumps now doesn’t mean you still will be in the future. Keeping focused on getting out of this current situation and improving your moods will help you overcome everything. I know, it’s easier said than done!

Smile!

Get Support From Loved Ones: None of your friends and family members will ever want to see you sad and upset. (If they do, they are not your friends!) They will want to support you through whatever you are going through. And it is important that you use them as a great source of support and love. Even if you only use them as a shoulder to cry on! These are the people who know you best and will have a good idea of what it will take to make you happy again. Your friends will be able to cheer you up instantly and will want to spend plenty of time with you to take your mind off of things. So, next time you are feeling upset or lonely, give a close friend or relative a call. They will be able to help put a smile back on your face, which is a great look! 🙂

Stay Healthy: If you are having a hard time emotionally, it is important to keep on top of your physical health. Otherwise, you could also end up physically suffering. Many people tend to rely on comfort eating when they are feeling depressed. It is crucial not to do this, as you could experience an increase in your weight, which could lead to health conditions and possibly feeling worse emotionally. Be sure to keep up with your usual exercise schedule. Physical activity is a great way to release endorphins into your bloodstream. These are hormones created by the body, which it uses as natural painkillers. They can also give your mood a little boost. So next time you are feeling slightly down, hit the gym to get sweaty but ultimately happier!

YUM

Get Help If You Need It: There are times when your emotions can be too much to deal with. If you ever feel like you are unable to continue living your life as normal during a difficult time, you should seek professional help. There are many professional counselors and therapists who will be able to talk to you about your problems. During your chats, they will help you work through your issues. When you are talking to a professional about your problem, you can be sure that the discussion will be completely confidential. They will also be able to refer you to a doctor if they feel that you might benefit from medication. Not only that, though. But many mental health professionals will also inform you of life changes that you can make to improve your moods and emotions.

Stop Relying On Substances: Some people find that alcohol and drugs can help numb the emotional pain that they are feeling. However, it is important not to rely on these substances to pin up your moods. This is very dangerous behavior as it can result in an addiction and can also be very harmful to your health. If you feel like your use of alcohol or illegal substances is spiraling out of control, you can always get help by finding a local non 12 step treatment.

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Set Small Goals For Yourself: You shouldn’t expect yourself to feel down one day and then completely back to normal the next. Getting better and feeling happier will take a lot of work. It can also be a very long and drawn-out process. As the journey back to happiness can be a long one, it can often be easy to think that you are never going to beat your sadness.

One way in which you can motivate yourself is to set up small goals. Even though it may not take much to meet them, these small successes can help motivate you and keep you going. These goals can be anything at all. Maybe you want to finish a book a week. Or go a week without sleeping through your alarm clock. By setting yourself goals, you will also be able to see your progress. And this can help you keep going to achieve happiness again.

Beautiful!

Stop Dwelling: Once your happiness levels are back to “normal”, it is important to make sure that you don’t end up at a lowest of the low point again. One of the best ways to never feel down again is to stop dwelling when something goes wrong. Instead, learn from your mistakes and failures and use them to motivate your successes. If you focus on the thing upsetting you, you will find that you may slip into bad habits again. Instead, try to keep optimistic about life. This will help you to lead a happier life and even more occasions to flash those pearly whites. 🙂

Feeling glum? It’s normal. But if you are struggling and are dedicated to improving, all of the above points can put you on the road to a happy life again! What is one of your go to methods to shaking away the blues? What is one thing that makes you happy? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Pexels

Oct11

5 Reasons Why It Pays To Live Somewhere Sunny

Posted on October 11, 2016 by lifewithlilred

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Did you know that being in a warm, sunny place can improve your mood? Put a smile on your face, get some Vitamin D in your life, and contemplate on more reasons why a sunny location can really pay off:

5 Reasons Why It Pays To Live Somewhere Sunny:

We all know it’s true that many people enjoy living in colder parts of the world. The idea of spending a lot of time in the snow and enjoying skiing is a happy one for lots of us! The thing is, those of us that live in sunnier climates often lead healthier and better lives! Here are the reasons why:

You’ll be at your happiest: The idea of building snowmen outdoors or sitting by warm fire inside might sound fun to some of us. But, when temperatures drop well below freezing for months at a time, that fun soon wears off. Sunshine is a proven way to help our body temperatures get more well regulated. Plus, the sun provides us with much-needed Vitamin D to stay healthy. And it’s obvious you will feel happiest when you’re not shivering all the time!

You’ll enjoy your job more: Because happiness levels get boosted by the sun, you’ll have a better quality of life. That also rings true for where you work. Why? You’re less likely to end up working in an unhappy environment!

You can drive a convertible: Fed up of driving a car that hasn’t even got a sunroof? Imagine if you could drive around with the wind flowing through your hair? Well, if you lived somewhere sunny, you could enjoy the benefits of convertible ownership year round!

You won’t need to use a dryer at home: If you’ve got a large family in tow, that usually means spending a lot of time washing and drying clothes! The advantage of living somewhere sunny is that you can dry your clothes for free outdoors. Now there’s no need to buy a dryer and you can keep your electricity costs down too, as a result!

You can power your house for free: Last, but not least, when you live in a sunny area you can convert the sun’s energy into electricity! Take a look at America’s top ten solar cities to see the places that benefit the most from solar power below:

Infographic By: Semper Solaris San Diego

Oct11

Amazing DIY Tips Every Homeowner Needs To Know

Posted on October 11, 2016 by lifewithlilred

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Here’s a fun little post for all of my DIY-ers, Pinterest royalty, and crafting gods! As for me? I’ll stick to my handyman! 😉

Amazing DIY Tips Every Homeowner Needs To Know:

As a homeowner, you may have considered doing the odd couple of DIY projects. Even if you aren’t a very crafty person, you may have been swayed to dabble with some DIY just because it can be a major money saver! The world is your oyster in the world of DIY. You could simply fix some old furniture that needs repairing. Or you might have bought some shelves that need putting up. Once you get super confident in your DIY skills, you may even start to make your own furniture! However you want to use DIY in your home, here are some tips that can help you do a great job every time!

Invest In Top Quality Equipment: If you want to do a really good job in all of your DIY projects and tasks, you will need excellent equipment. This means that you might have to pay a bit more to get the best tools out there in the shops. It may be slightly expensive, but it will certainly be worth it! The better quality tools and equipment will also last for a lot longer compared to cheaper ones. Not sure which tools are the best to buy? See here for great benchtop bandsaw reviews. You’ll find plenty more reviews for other tools online.

Keep Your Old CDs: You may just stream your music online these days but that isn’t an excuse to throw out all of your old CDs. In fact, you should keep them and use them in your home decorating. You can break up the CDs themselves and create cool murals with them. These funky murals can be used throughout your home but will look especially good in a room that gets a lot of attention as a great conversation starter. Got a whole load of old CDs? Repurpose them as some dumbbells to use in your workouts! 😉

Sketch Out Plans: No matter what your latest DIY project may be, you should always sketch out a brief plan. This can help you envisage the finished result or product. The sketch doesn’t have to be too detailed or artistic. Just as long as it gives you a clear idea of how you plan on using all the materials. If you are simply redecorating a room, sketching can come in handy, too. This will give you a chance to carefully consider the use of space and lighting so neither affects your design too much.

Hang At The Right Height: Do you have some photographs or paintings that you want to hang on your walls? Then you need to make sure that these are hung at the right height. Otherwise, they might look odd compared to the rest of your decor. Ideally, the center of each piece needs to be at eye level. This is usually around sixty inches above the ground. If the ceilings in a room are particularly high, you can afford to hang your artworks slightly higher.

DIY should never be too tasking. And all of these tips should make it even easier! You may never have to hire a handyman to do your household jobs again!

Where are all of my DIY fans at? What was the latest thing that you have crafted? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image Photo Provided By: Pexels

Oct10

“Why Can’t I Quit You?” – Mistakes You’re Making When You Try To Break Bad Habits

Posted on October 10, 2016 by lifewithlilred

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I feel like everyone has at least one or more bad habits. If you say you don’t you are probably a liar! From binging on three gallons of ice cream in bed to smoking a pack a day, we all do things that we are not necessarily proud of. But, if you are at a point in your life that you would like to quit some of these behaviors, here are some tips for you:

“Why Can’t I Quit You?” – Mistakes You’re Making When You Try To Break Bad Habits:

It’s somewhat comforting to know that we all have bad habits. None of us are perfect people, floating through life unencumbered by the things that might sway us from our perfect course. They are those little things we do that our friends might have once brought up, polite as can be, before telling us to knock it off! We know about them, yet we do them anyway.

It’s unlikely that you don’t know that some of these habits can be an issue. Most of us are acutely aware of our failings, even if we try to ignore them. We even go as far as to seek to justify them and explain that it’s okay that we do X because we don’t do Y. If we try to stop them, we come up against a roadblock.

With the time for New Year’s Resolutions creeping up on us at a frightening pace, try and do something differently this time. Rather than just stopping something because you know you need to, find out the obstacles in your way. That way, you can be prepared when the Facebook New Year’s posts clog up your newsfeed!

You’re Not Just Giving Up A Habit – You’re Gaining A New One: This sounds a little bit worrying, but it’s actually helpful so long as the substitute is a healthier one. Take the biggest, baddest habit of them all: smoking. When you stop smoking, you lose the time and energy you would have previously spent smoking. You now have a vacuum of time, and succeeding at quitting is going to be about finding a new habit to fill the gap. It’s the same for a simple thing like biting your nails. You do that when you’re stressed, right? So what are you going to do when you’re stressed now?

You have to find a habit to replace the one that you’re losing. For example, smokers may turn to vaping and nail biters buy stress balls. Places like Shoreditch Vape will give you a fresh start away from tobacco and can make it easier to ease into quitting. If you are buying a vape to help transition into quitting smoking, it is important to stick with that goal so you don’t end up going back to smoking again. Making sure that you use vape products that are actually enjoyable rather than a plain substitute for cigarettes can make a big difference. It is for this reason that choosing a brand that sets the standard for excellence in the world of vaping isn’t just a matter of taste and it can actually help to fight your addiction by helping you to forget the positive association you had with smoking and replace this instead with high quality vaping products.

One of the best ways to help cease your smoking habit is with nicotine free vapes. It will still provide you with the physical act of smoking sans the harmful additives. HealthVape’s Caffeine Vape could be an excellent alternative that comes in a variety of flavors with a formula blend of caffeine, Vitamin B12, and L-Theanine. If you are considering a nicotine free vape, read the customer reviews so you can choose the one that gave people the most success.

You Don’t Understand Physical Addiction: Few of us do something because we don’t like it; we have our habits as they meet our emotional needs. They make us feel better and when they do that, we get a rush of a chemical called dopamine into our brains. This chemical is linked with feelings of joy and happiness. So when we break our habits, the dopamine goes away. We don’t like that.

You may associate physical addiction with the likes of heroin and nicotine, but it applies to pretty much anything. Deny your brain its daily rush of dopamine and its not going to be happy about it. So when you’re struggling in the early phases, give yourself a break. You’ve got to retrain your brain chemistry.

You Don’t Give It Time: Most of us want to shed our bad habits and be done with them ASAP, but it doesn’t work like that. Research at University College London concluded it takes us 66 days to adopt a new habit – which is what you’re doing – as routine. So give yourself time and don’t try and rush it. Anything else and there’s a risk of expecting too much and suffering the subsequent disappointment when you fail.

Creating healthy habits and new routines can be very difficult if you are staying in the place where your addiction festers. If you are binge drinking a lot in your own home, for example, that can be a particularly tough habit to break. Should this be the case for you, you might want to consider a Drug & alcohol addiction treatment in Texas (Or anywhere you fancy!) to get a fresh start away from your usual stresses and triggers. A change in location is a simple idea but it really can be effective in creating good habits and coping skills.

I am the first to admit that I have bad habits. But the right knowledge, tools, and willingness to change can make breaking your bad habit a little more easy. What is one of your worst habits? Have you ever broken a bad habit before? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image Photo Provided By: Flickr

Oct1

Stay Warm This Winter With These Toasty Decor Tips

Posted on October 1, 2016 by lifewithlilred

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Stay Warm This Winter With These Toasty Decor Tips

I am one of those people who are always always cold. So if you are anything like me, then I am sure that you will find this post useful to help keep you nice and warm this winter:

The cold weather will soon be upon us! How are you planning on staying warm at home this winter? Of course, you will always have your heating system available to heat your rooms. But did you know that there are also some other useful decor ideas that can help you stay toasty through the winter. And, no, I’m not just going to tell you to put on an extra jumper and woolly hat! Here are some of the best tips that you should take advantage of to make sure you don’t feel the chill this winter:

Thermal Drapes: Did you know that thermal drapes are a thing? They are a lot thicker and heavier than regular ones. But that doesn’t mean they have to be gray and unattractive. Quite the contrary! You will find that you can find them in a variety of colors and patterns. If you hang them on all of your windows, you will prevent any drafts from cooling down your home. They also help to insulate your rooms and prevent hot air from escaping through the windows. And that will save you a lot on energy bills!

Gas Fireplaces: There are some appliances that you can add to your home to help support the central heating system. For example, gas fireplaces. If you ever feel too cold, even with your heating on, just turn on the fireplace. And if it is ever a bit chilly, but not cold enough to turn on your entire home’s central heating, use the fireplace. What’s more, you can now get a double sided fireplace that can heat two rooms at once.

Get Some Throws: Throws are a great addition to any family living room. They are inexpensive and will add gorgeous bursts of color to your sofas and armchairs. Plus you don’t have to take them away once spring is here and the weather starts to warm up. Simply leave them on the backs of your chairs and sofa. But they are especially great in the winter. Once you start to feel a little chilly, grab a throw and snuggle up into it! It’ll be a great way to get cozy during a movie night!

Scented Candles: Now that autumn is here, the nights will start to get longer and darker. It can be very depressing when you come home to a dark house after a busy day in the office! Thankfully, there is an easy way to brighten things up. Just add some candles to your living room! This is a quick and cheap way to create an atmospheric room. For an extra cozy touch, use scented candles and fill your rooms with autumnal aromas.

Use Festive Decorations Wisely: There are a number of Christmas decorations that can help you seal up gaps and prevent drafts. Buy a Christmas doorjamb that can compliment all of your other decorations. Not only will your door be draft-free, but your home will look exceptionally Christmassy!

Winter is coming! But you don’t have to suffer; especially now you have these toasty decor tips.

Featured Image From: www.pexels.com

I hope everyone is having a fabulous start to their weekend! How do you keep nice and toasty during the cool weather? What is your favorite fall or winter candle scent? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr24

Black Leather Jacket OOTD

Posted on April 24, 2016 by lifewithlilred

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Hi everyone and welcome to a very special post here on lifewithlilred thanks to the fabulous Tara from venuslaughing. When Tara initially approached me for the possibility of guest blogging I was a little ambivalent because I still was unsure of how I wanted to go about doing guest posts on my page. However, after looking over her AMAZING blog, I just couldn’t say no. Tara is so creative, talented, and just lovely as can be and I am so incredibly lucky to have her on my page. I asked Tara if she could create some OOTDs involving a Black Leather Jacket (or pleather which is what I prefer!) and her post and photos blew me away. So without further ado, here is Tara’s guest post created special for my lifewithlilred readers. Enjoy:

Hello! Today I am thrilled to get to share with you one of my favorite wardrobe essentials that can be worn any season: the black leather jacket. I have been drooling over leather jackets for the past two years. Finally, my budget has allowed for this fantasy to become a reality! After a couple hours of careful perusing, I found an Etsy shop in California called The Industry that had a style I loved: vintage 1980s, black, short length, with patina and fringe! I’m so happy this treasure now lives in my closet.

Leather jackets communicate being secure in your own skin, marching to the beat of your own drum, and being in tune with your wildish nature. Also, wearing animal skin is a reminder of our primal connection to the earth itself, which modern society tends to be so out of synch with! And of course, buying vintage/used leather is smart for eco-sustainable and ethical reasons.

A leather jacket can pair with so many things! Here are a few of my favorite looks:

A Pop Of Color:

The inspiration for this look came from a beautiful bag my mom surprised me with one day, purchased at a local fair trade store called Just Creations. I had this idea to do my hair up in a kind of Bridget Bardot-esque look. The leopard booties (ASOS) might be too much, but they’re fun! Cut your mesh tights into socks and roll your skinny jeans over them for this look!

Romantic:

The inspiration for the romantic look was this floral summer dress, AKA the “Nashville dress”. It reminds me of a trip my sister and I took to Nashville once to try busking on the street (we made a whopping nine dollars!). Also, a beautiful book called Paris Street Style by Isabelle Thomas and Frederique Veysset, given to me for Christmas by my sister. It has a selection on leather jackets and dresses!

Tips & Pics:

Mix it with something frilly, lacey, floral, romantic, or soft.
Pair it with white.
Bring a pop of color to it with earrings or shoes.
Put your hair in an updo to soften the look (Pro Tip: Use hair powder!).
Wear a bright colored lipstick.
And remember, above all else, have fun! The best fashion breaks rules. Do what feels good!

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Thank you so much to the beautiful Tara for such a wonderful guest post! Once again, please be sure to check out her page at venuslaughing! What is your favorite look that Tara created? How would you style a Black Leather Jacket OOTD? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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