Tag Archives: proud

Jul26

Dominating Duolingo

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Dominating Duolingo

Hi! Whenever I am asked the question of what super power I would like to have, my answer remains the same: To be fluent in every language in the world. Learning languages is one of my favorite hobbies and I think that would just be the coolest to be able to communicate with anyone in their native tongue. Accommodating people is so important to me and I can’t think of a better way to do so. That’s why I love learning on Duolingo so much! In fact, I just reached a three thousand day streak which translates to over eight years of daily language learning. Great success!

My primary focus on Duolingo has always been French and then I began adding other languages to my arsenal. I have been working hard on my Italian to be able to have casual conversations during my upcoming vacation. I even began learning Japanese about a half a year ago should my brother and I ever go on our dream vaca to Japan together! Over the years, I have started learning languages and dropped them. This isn’t for a lack of wanting to learn them but because I refuse to pay for Duolingo Plus and don’t have the amount of health to work on anything beyond four languages. This, I know for a fact because I just added Spanish back into the mix again.

When I started using Duo almost a decade ago, I got pretty far in the Spanish course and made it to level four. Then, other languages piqued my interest and took its place. However, I still know a lot of key words and basic phrases and recently got to put that knowledge to use. A few weeks or so ago at the gas station there was a man speaking Spanish to the employee who couldn’t understand him. I did and was able to help with his purchases and it felt SO good. Just having that beginner knowledge allowed me to assist someone else and that was my super power coming to fruition. So, I started relearning Spanish again in the hope of more interactions just like that.

Every morning I start my day by practicing French, Italian, Spanish, and Japanese and it brings me so much joy. I love learning new things and being able to take the time to improve my passion one lesson at a time. I might never be fluent in every language in the entire world and that’s okay. Because simply knowing a handful of words or phrases can open up entire worlds too and my gas station experience proved that. I am Duolingo’s number one fan and I encourage all of you to start learning a new language for free too. You will surprise yourself and have a lot of fun!

Huge shout out to Duolingo. I may never pay for your Plus membership but I still love you all the same lol!

Which languages do you speak? What are you learning on Duolingo? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul12

New Wool Buddies!

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New Wool Buddies!

Hi! My mom recently read a book in which a character created wool felted animals and it intrigued her enough to purchase a kit and try it for herself. This was in May or so and since then she has been making “wool buddies” left and right – she even gifted me with a bumblebee that I requested and I love it so much! I am beyond proud of my mom for taking a leap and trying something brand new because the hardest part is always working up the nerve to start. My mom claims to not be crafty but I say: FALSE! Every time she makes a new wool buddy, I can see her improvement and it is so exciting to watch her get better and better in real time. I am pleased to showcase her three latest creations – meet Baby Shark, Frog With Flower, and Bluebird:

I’m going to be completely honest with you… I have literally no idea what wool felting is but my mom sure seems to know a thing or two about it! She has been happily making the animals requested by her kids and grandchildren and it is so special to have a homemade gift made with love by her. My bumblebee is proudly displayed on my knick knack shelf and it’s impossible not to smile every time I buzz by it. It’s like getting a hug from her even when I’m at home! The first few wool buddies she made were, admittedly by her, questionable and that’s okay because you have to start somewhere. However, you can definitely tell exactly what the last several she has made are and that is a huge step in the right direction.

I have been posting my mom’s wool buddies on my TikTok (Please follow me!) because I genuinely think it is the coolest. I am so pleased to report that other people think so too! There have been lots of encouraging comments and I always delight in telling her the latest updates to affirm her craft even more. No matter your age, there truly is something to be said about having the courage to try something new knowing that the first attempts will not be great. I have said it before and I will continue to say it again, I am so crazy proud of my mom and seriously cannot wait to see what wool felted magic she makes next! ❤

To my without a doubt crafty mom – keep at it! You are doing wonderfully!!!

What is your favorite thing to craft? Have you tried a new hobby recently? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun19

WOOL BUDDY!!!!

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WOOL BUDDY!!!!

Hello!! My mom recently read a book in which one of the characters enjoyed wool felting. She was intrigued by this craft and decided to order a starter kit so she could try her hand at it. The kit that she got provided the materials and instructions for six beginner wool felt animals to make and she has steadily been working her way through them. She made a frog, penguin, owl, and fox and I can definitely see her improvement with each attempt. In fact, I think the bumblebee that she just made me is her best one yet!

Let’s be honest and call a spade a spade here… The eyes on my bee are, admittedly, a tad wonky lol. BUT, I think the body looks great and it’s perfectly obvious that this is supposed to be a bee whereas some of my mom’s earlier work was left up to interpretation! Regardless of the outcome of her wool felting, I am genuinely proud of my mom for trying something new! Starting anything from scratch as a beginner can be a daunting task and is sure to feel overwhelming. However, my mom has been practicing and even if it isn’t perfect yet, she is still having fun doing it. That’s the most important thing!

Whether it’s my dad’s biweekly guitar lessons with Johnny or my mom giving wool felting a go, I think it’s an awesome testament to keep trying new things no matter your age. All you have to do is start! There is nothing wrong with being a beginner because that means you are stepping out of your comfort zone and learning something new. And it’s exciting to see the progress! My dad practices guitar daily and my mom makes a new wool buddy per week. I would say that both of their skills have improved tenfold and I love seeing their hard work pay off. Being a beginner means you have the opportunity to keep getting better and both of my parents most certainly have. Yay for them! ❤

I cannot wait to see the next Wool Buddy my mom creates. The last one in her kit is a shark and she is a bit worried about making the teeth but I know she can do it!!

Have you tried a new hobby recently? How often do you participate in your favorite hobby? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May4

Yay For 30K!

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Yay For 30K!

Hello and hurray!! Way back in March of last year, I threw caution to the wind and decided to make a TikTok. I had just left a crappy job and had some time to kill so I figured why not? As you all know, I am a word girl through and through and video content was quite a big jump for me. And, honestly? I freaking HATED it at first! However, after a few weeks I realized that TikTok is kind of fun and have been dedicated to posting daily content since I started my profile. For over a year now, I have been posting silly little videos and I am pleased to report that I just reached the 30K like landmark!

When I made my TikTok, I had no intention of going viral or becoming an influenster. It was made purely with the thought of being an extension of the content that is already posted on my blog. Just a little extra insight into Lil Red’s world in short and sweet clips. Do my videos have a crazy amount of views? Hard no. Do I have a ton of followers? Also no. But am I proud of trying something new and sticking to it? Absolutely! Video content is WAY out of my comfort zone and it still feels weird to me. So, this 30K milestone really did feel like a pat on the back for giving it a go and having some laughs along the way.

When it comes to my blog, creating daily content feels like second nature because I have done it for so long. It has truly been an exercise in always looking out for the little things that make life special. With that mindset, making video content and maintaining a streak just feels good. TikTok really has become part of my daily routine and even if it’s not blowing up, it’s still there and that’s all I can ask for. It’s another corner of the internet carved out by yours truly with a lot of care. Somewhere that my creativity shines and if people like it, that’s nice!! 30K likes is even nicer, though! 😀

If you feel the urge, give me a follow on TikTok @lilred6794 . I can’t wait to see you there! ❤

What is your favorite social media platform? How do you feel about creating video content? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb23

Hurray For 27K!

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Hurray For 27K!

Howdy! Way back in March of 2025, I saw myself out of a crappy job and had a bit of free time to kill before booking myself up again with clients. I enjoyed some much needed downtime and while I was shooting some content at home, I decided to go ahead and make a TikTok too. As you all know, I am a word girl through and through and pivoting to video content was a big leap for me. Like when I started my blog, my main priority with TikTok was having some fun being creative. And you know what? It has been fun! For almost a year now I have been posting daily content on my TikTok too and I’m really proud of that effort because it still seems like a polar opposite world to writing on the ol’ blog. I am also incredibly pleased with the results as I just crossed the threshold to twenty-seven thousand likes!

If you have ever found yourself thinking “Wow, I wish I had more Lil Red in my life”, then I would so love it if you followed me on TikTok. Even if you have never had that thought, I would so love it if you followed me on TikTok! It’s a goofy little corner of the internet with my daily antics, bonus OOTD content, and delightful cameos that include Johnny, my parents, and Archie the family dog. My bunny babies, Melvin and Penelope, never sit still enough to bask in their cuteness! There’s no rhyme or reason to what I post and I refuse to follow trending content. Rather, I post what I like and the fact that I have 27K likes to show for it is crazy to me! 😀

I am so close to thirty thousand likes that I can taste it. To some, that might not seem like a lot. To me, it is a huge validation. My TikTok really is just a for funsies page and the fact that I am having a blast and have some likes to show for it is a major feather in my cap. Do I expect to be a major TikTok influencer? Absolutely not and that is a-okay! My reward has been far greater. It has given me even more confidence in my content creating ability and it feels good to carve out another space that is just for me. A space to explore a different medium of creating, give exclusive looks that you don’t see on the blog, and hopefully put a smile on someone’s face. This 27K might as well be twenty-seven million and I am so excited to continue with my daily content streak. ❤

When you are sick of doom scrolling, take a breather on my TikTok. I can’t wait to see you there!! 🙂

What if your favorite social media platform? What is your favorite medium of content? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb3

New Year’s Resolutions Follow Up

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New Year’s Resolutions Follow Up

Hi! I like to make New Year’s Resolutions every year. They are never anything major, just small goals that I know I can achieve. So, rather, I like to make New Year’s Small Goals every year lol. We are a month into 2026 and I’m pleased to report that my goals have been going swimmingly. I might not meet each of the four tasks I set for myself every day, but I am definitely doing better than I did before and I’ll take it! Baby steps, baby. Let’s follow up and see where I’m at:

Replace Screen Time:

This is probably the most difficult Resolution I have because it’s all too easy to put on a show after work or scroll endlessly on my phone. Especially when the weather is freezing cold! I’m more lenient on myself for evening screen time but I think I have made some big improvements in the morning. Normally if I’m all done working in the AM and have time to kill, I’ll put the TV on and watch until I have to leave for my in person job. Now I’m spending more time scheduling posts far in advance on lifewithlilred, creating content for TikTok, and reading as much as I can of whatever book I’m tackling. It has made my mornings feel much more productive to do something I enjoy like content creating as opposed to just being done once my tasks are done. I might not be as committed to replacing my evening screen time but I think this is a good trade off. 🙂

Keep Moving:

When the weather is warm you can almost always catch me outside walking and hiking with my clients. It’s my favorite form of exercise and there is nothing like enjoying the great outdoors and feeling the sunshine on your face. Of course, being outside is a lot harder to do in single degree temps but I am making an effort. Even when it’s REALLY cold out, I am still bundling up to walk the family dog around the block. I have also been consistently going to the gym with my brother to put in some laps on the track. It isn’t the home workouts I intended on but that’s okay! I was able to modify my go to work out despite the weather and I feel great about that because it’s a lot more than I would normally do in the winter.

Mental Boost:

Engaging in more positive self talk was one of my goals and I think this is the one I’m doing the best at and I can tell! I have always had a hard time speaking kindly to myself and am my toughest critic by far. So, when negative thoughts begin to form I have been trying my best to redirect it. Rather than lament about going to work, I turn it around to that I’m going to have an excellent day. Or, perhaps something nice might happen and instead of questioning the motive or my worthiness, I shift it to “why not me?”. Thinking things that allow me to smile has made my work days go by quicker and I feel like I am enjoying myself way more than normal. A simple change of phrase has been most helpful and I am working hard to focus on maintaining more positive self talk. Soon, it will be second nature!

A New Job?!

I had a job interview in the middle of January and guess what?! Your girl is back in the social media management game and I could not be happier! I am so excited to be partnering with a local business and can’t wait to see what kind of fun we create together. We are still in the preliminary stages at the moment but be sure to keep checking in soon so you can take a look at the pages I’ll be revamping. Hurray!

After examining my New Year’s Resolutions closer, I can see that I’m doing a much better job than I thought and I can’t wait to keep improving more!

How are your New Year’s Resolutions going? Is there a small goal you are working towards? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan5

Best Ice Skating Session EVER

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Best Ice Skating Session EVER

Hello! I was a competitive figure skater for close to a decade and it was a (mostly) wonderful experience. I haven’t gone skating as frequently as I would like in my adulthood but I think that is going to change very soon. Ever since I learned I was going to be an aunt to my first niece six years ago, I have dreamed of taking her skating. My niece told me that she would like to start learning when she was eight but then she changed it to six after talking about it. Yay because this past weekend we went skating for the first time together and it was nothing short of magical. Also my dad chauffeured us and that made it extra special too. Let’s discuss:

We visited the indoor rink in Canton, Center Ice, for our skate date and the open skate was buzzing with people enjoying their holiday vacation. This did not deter my niece from wanting to give it a shot and I was incredibly proud of her for being so brave. It can be intimidating to try something new when there are a lot of people around and I love that she just went for it. With the provided walkers to help beginner skaters at the rink, we made our way to the ice and my cold bitter heart began to swell like the Grinch.

During our first lap or two around, my niece worked on the old March, March, Glide and really got a feel for being on the ice and moving her feet. Then, she would take a quick break and sit with my dad while they watched me bust out some jumps and spins for the one time. After a few minutes I would ask if she wants to join me and we would go back to the ice together. About twenty minutes in, she even asked me if I would just skate around her and the walker so I could guide her through traffic jams if needed and she could DIY. Her confidence on the ice from start to finish raised infinitely and one lap around turned into two turned into three. It was absolutely amazing.

Not only was it a dream come true to skate with my niece for the first time, but it was pinch myself worthy to have my dad there too. My dad took me to almost every one of my skating practices. My mom would handle all of my competitions because my dad was too nervous to watch lol. It was the perfect tradeoff and I always loved that. I know that my dad being there for his granddaughter’s first “practice” was something he was looking forward to too. My dad introduced me to the joy of skating and now he got to watch me do the same for one of the little ones in our family. It was a full circle moment and I will cherish it forever.

I cannot wait to hit the rink up with my niece again if she would like to. If not, that’s okay! After this skate, I want to make an effort to go at least once a month and that seems like a great extra New Year’s Resolution!

Did you play any sports when you were a kid? Do you still play it now? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov18

TikTok Love

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TikTok Love

Howdy! As you all know, I am a word girl through and through. I don’t really like scrolling through videos or pictures and have always preferred Facebook as my primary social media. However, way back at the end of March, I decided to make a TikTok. I had just left a work situation that, for lack of better words, sucked ass. I was in a weird kind of limbo but what I wanted most of all was to focus on my own content again. Not anyone else’s – just me, myself, and I. And you know what? It felt good!

Prior to making my TikTok, I rarely made videos of myself and was busy making videos for other people. I was deeply ambivalent at first but after a few days, I definitely saw the appeal. It’s just pure fun! My blog baby will always be my A1 but I loved the idea of making video content that coincides with what you read on lifewithlilred. It’s like an extra sneak peek into my world and I have found myself enjoying making OOTD videos just as much as shooting them in picture form. I have also been having a blast just making videos that I think look cool or are funny. It might not be to anyone else, but it is to me.

I went into my TikTok with no intentions of following trends. No expectations of getting paid or becoming TikTok famous. I went into it with the intentions of trying something new. The last new thing I tried in terms of work sucked and that’s because it wasn’t on my own terms. My TikTok was totally different because I had the final say and I still relish in that feeling every time I click post. It really does feel amazing to do something for you with zero expectations. Just to enjoy yourself. It sounds silly, but my blog and TikTok really are my favorite forms of self care. Outside of shopping, and getting my hair and nails done – obvi lol!

As I have literally zero expectations with my TikTok, every new like and follow feels like a huge win. Every notification is a victory and it feels like a pat on the back. I am immensely proud of my 2,640 followers and 24K likes. Like my blog, my TikTok is an extension of me. Something I made all on my own. I started both pages on a total whim and the fact that I still make daily content after all this time tells you everything you need to know. I just love to create!

If you are in the mood for more Lil Red, have I got a deal for you! Follow me on TikTok for more from your favorite lil blogger. Every single follow means the world!

Are you on TikTok? What is your handle? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov14

Best Husband Ever!

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Best Husband Ever!

Hello! My darling husband, Johnny, really is a blog husband to the T. He has been taking OOTD pictures (And now TikTok videos!) since our second date over six years ago. Every single shot you have seen on lifewithlilred is compliments of him and words can’t even describe how appreciative I am for it! When the weekend rolls around we shoot one or two outfits and it takes well under ten minutes to do so. Although the sessions are speedy, Johnny always does his running joke… He will him and haw under his breath, say something along the lines of “oh my god”, and proceed to be my photographer while grinning at his cleverness. It has been this way for forever and I could not picture our shoots without him going through his little routine!

Although he puts on his hilarious act, I know so very well how proud Johnny is of me. 1) He tells me so all the time. And 2) He tells literally everyone. This past weekend we had one of our best friends, Cliff, over to watch the Rock Hall induction ceremony. I went to bed after an hour or so and as soon as I went upstairs, I could hear Johnny telling Cliff a story about me. I recognized it immediately as when Spinal Tap shared my OOTD video on TikTok from when we had our date night to see the sequel. Johnny claims that this is the coolest thing that has ever happened and I have to agree! Since that share, Johnny has made it a point to tell every single one of our friends when we see them and it makes me so unbelievably happy. ❤

My Johnny isn’t just a blog husband because he helps me with my content. He is a blog husband because he talks it up every chance he can get. It’s actually really funny because Johnny doesn’t read my blog as he is already living it lol. Despite that, he hypes it up so much and that is true love! He verbalizes and puts into action his pride in my side profession and it means the world. Johnny will even give me suggestions for posts and outfits that I hadn’t thought of and I love that lifewithlilred has given us both a space to be creative.

Johnny’s work hosted a Halloween costume contest and when we both returned home he dove right into a story about it. A group of his coworkers asked him to take a picture and he shifted into blog photographer mode. Thanks to my teachings, he knows how to work angles baby and his coworkers couldn’t believe how well the pictures turned out. He told them it was all because of me and his weekend photography gig. I have a feeling he is going to be the go to guy to snap pics at the next work function!

I am the luckiest girl in the world and Johnny’s help on my blog makes me feel so special. He makes me feel so special and I just love my main squeeze! ❤

Does anyone help you with your blog or social media? What do you appreciate about your partner? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct1

Polka Premiere

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Polka Premiere

Hello! My Johnny and I absolutely LOVE Polka music and are lucky enough to be dear friends with the singer and accordionist from the Chardon Polka Band, Jake. For those of you who are not hip, the Chardon Polka Band is one of the best touring Polka parties all across America. Johnny used to play shows with them way back in the day and I have known them through work for the past decade. It is so exciting to watch them live out their Polka dreams and we just adore them!

The Chardon Polka Band has a phenomenal show that airs nationally on PBS called The World According To Polka and its third season premiere was this past Friday. Over one year ago, Jake contacted us asking if Johnny might play some tunes on their very first episode that revolves around trains. We were thrilled and took a drive to a historic village in Burton, Ohio to record his part of the episode. Take a look and be sure to peep my TikTok for some snippets:

As it has been a phat minute since then we honestly kind of forgot about it lol. Until we received an email inviting us to the season premiere party at the PBS station in Kent, Ohio. The festivities were this past Thursday and it was a blast!! Johnny and I went out for a celebratory dinner at a super cool restaurant down the road from the station called Mike’s Place. We enjoyed every bite of our meals and rolled into the shindig both stuffed with food AND feelings!

At the party, we got to mingle with all of our friends from the Chardon Polka Band, PBS employees, musicians, and diehard Polka enthusiasts. There were pretzels and pierogies, dancers, and Dyngus Day Festival character actors and the station was radiating with pure joy. After we got settled into the auditorium, it was time for the show to begin. It started with some clips of all of the great work that PBS does in our local community and then Jake took the stage to speak about what the Chardon Polka Band has been up to and presented a larger than life trailer of The World According To Polka. We were then treated to a viewing of the first episode of their new music education show on PBS and the season premiere of The World According To Polka with my Johnny.

The Polka Train episode was so wonderful from start to finish. The Chardon Polka Band visited several train related locations in Northeast Ohio. This included a model train museum, a one eighth scale train ride in a Metro Park, the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, and the last stop in Burton where we filmed. Seeing Johnny on screen was simply amazing and I was so incredibly proud of him. He gave extensive knowledge to the two songs they were performing together and why the train motif was so popular in music upon its invention. Johnny played guitar and sang in both songs and when each of them were over the whole audience went wild. Everyone sitting by us acted like they were sitting by a celebrity and it was just so freaking cool! ❤

Being able to take part in this season premiere party was such a gift. The Chardon Polka Band does so much good everywhere they go and we are so thankful that Johnny got to share in that. Be sure to tune into The World According To Polka every Friday on PBS and give the Chardon Polka Band a listen. You will love them as much as we do!

Has something exciting happened to you recently? What is your favorite show on PBS? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah