Tag Archives: resolutions

Mar5

Girls Night!

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Girls Night!

Hello!! One of my New Year’s Resolutions was making more time for friends and fun and I am doing pretty darn good, if I do say so myself. My goal to achieve this was to have one outing per weekend with friends, family, or Johnny. Aside from a handful of lazy weekends, I have been crushing it and it has helped make my life feel fuller – especially considering that I used to have little to no work/life balance. This weekend, I had a girls night with a friend that I knew from high school but started hanging out with this past year thanks to our mutual bestie. We had a glorious night on the town planned until those plans fell through. Plan B was just as glorious, though!

Originally, my girl and I had grand plans of going to the Cashmere Cricket. Like literally everyone in the greater Akron area, this charming martini bar is our favorite. In fact, it’s where Johnny and I had our first date and celebrated our engagement! The Cashmere Cricket has the best food and drinks and the move was to go there for Pickle Martinis and their heavenly Grilled Cheese Dippers. We had been talking about it ALL week and were counting down the minutes until our food fantasies could come into fruition on Saturday. With a pep in my step, I headed to the bar to score us a booth and the joint was jumping. It was packed to the gills and a table wouldn’t be available for several hours later. Talk about a bummer!

Blessedly, there is always Plan B because the best Mexican restaurant ever, El Meson, is right up the street from the Cashmere Cricket. Like the Cricket, El Meson was hopping and it felt like everyone in our neck of the woods had the exact same plans as us! As luck would have it, we got one of the last tables available and were able to eat, drink, and be merry. This was actually a special occasion because my friend just had her second child and this was her first drink after the fact. It made me feel so good that she wanted to share in that with me. ❤

It was an honor to treat her and we did it up with margs and a surprise shot. Our delightful waiter randomly put shots on our table and we weighed our pros and cons. My MAJOR con was that the last time I took a shot at a bar five years ago I threw up immediately SMH. I have never taken a shot since but, hey, when at El Meson. I am pleased to report that it went down smoothly but 5/10 would probably not do again! Sometimes, Plan B just ends up being even better than what you originally had in mind and I don’t think we would have been getting random shots at the Cashmere Cricket! 😀

Cashmere Cricket will definitely be next on our agenda because we now know we should make reservations lol. I cannot wait for another fabulous Girls Night!

What is your favorite local bar or restaurant? What is a perfect night out for you? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb16

Gym Bunny Update

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Gym Bunny Update

Howdy!! In November of 2024, I began making weekly visits to the gym with my brother. It was the first time I stepped foot in a gym since I was a teenager and, I’m not going to lie, I was pretty nervous. However, my brother wanted to improve his health and I wanted to support him so we became gym buddies. We have been going every week since our first visit and I am crushing one of my New Year’s Resolutions of maintaining that. I look forward to our work out every week and I am so happy that my big bro and I are committed to branching out of our comfort zone together.

My goal for going to the gym isn’t about getting jacked but toned, instead. I can most definitely feel the difference, especially in my upper body. Prior to working out, I had no upper body strength whatsoever and using the machines that targeted those areas felt like torture. But guess what? It got easier every single time. In fact, I have increased my reps to twenty-five on each machine I use and it was so exciting to have that undeniable evidence that I was making progress. The shoulder press still gives me a lot of grief, but I felt really proud of the fact that my reps on the other machines that I used to dread were completed with ease during my last visit.

I never had any interest or desire to go to the gym prior to making this change with my brother and it truly has become a source of fun. We love to see the familiar faces as we make our rounds and it’s encouraging to be in a place where everyone is there to improve themselves. If you are considering going to a gym or if you would rather chop your arm off than step foot in one – just give it a try! If you don’t like it, you don’t like it but it never hurts to try something new. I certainly fell under the “would rather chop my arm off” category and I ended up surprising myself.

As an extremely goal oriented person, the gym has turned into something incredibly appealing to me. I have found that the goals I have been setting are achievable and it feels great to meet and surpass them. The jury is still out on when I will try to increase the amount of weight on the machines. So, my focus remains on steadily upping my reps. My next number I’d like to get to is thirty-five and I know, without a doubt, that I can do it. And that is a beautiful thing!

As soon as the weather warms up in Ohio, we will begin incorporating some laps in the pool into our work out routine. I simply cannot wait but the first order of business will be finding an excellent swim cap to protect my colored hair!

Do you like to go to the gym? How are your New Year’s Resolutions going? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan18

Ladies Lunch

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Ladies Lunch

Hello!! I decided to actually make New Year’s Resolutions this year and I am pleased to report that I have been crushing. So much so, in fact, that I even added a new goal to achieve. My primary focuses are to continue going to the gym, firmly saying “no”, making more time for friends, and taking better care of my teeth. Every weekend since, I have had some type of outing with friends or family and I really do feel better for it. With a crazy demanding work schedule, it almost seemed impossible to make time for fun over the weekend because I was too dog tired. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still tired lol but now I feel like my weekends are a source of pleasure rather than counting down the minutes to my next shift.

This past weekend, my outing was to take my sister, Kristen, and three sweet nieces out for lunch at our favorite Mexican restaurant, El Meson. It is the absolute best and a staple in my neck of the woods. I am always craving El Meson but the hankering was especially fierce as the Mexican restaurant we went to as a family for Christmas did nothing for me. So, I invited my girl squad to a “vanity lunch” so I could squash my cravings and get some quality time in with my four best girls.

Like myself, my girls live for Mexican food so our lunch was the perfect set up to eat, drink, and be merry – and did we ever! My eldest nieces went to town on queso and rice while Kristen and I opted for our usual vegetarian platters. We even toasted with her first drink since having my littlest niece in November and the Margaritas treated us just right! They always do, as did our favorite server who takes care of us every single time we have a lunch or dinner date. Dining at El Meson is forever fantastic, but he makes it that much better.

During the entirety of our Ladies Lunch, I couldn’t stop thinking about how lucky I was. This was my second weekend in a row that I got to spend time with the bestie squad! Prior to making my New Year’s Resolution, I honestly couldn’t tell you if I would have been up to those outings. And, I’m not going to lie, it is taking effort on my part to get myself out the door. However, once the plans are in action, it’s nonstop fun and that is exactly what I need. I even went out to lunch with a friend during my break on Tuesday!! Who am I and where is the normal, never does anything Lil Red?!

Ladies Lunch was a great success and I can’t wait to keep adding more plans to my agenda. It is making my life feel much more full and I am loving it!

What is your favorite local restaurant? What is your favorite kind of outing with friends? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan12

Extra New Year’s Resolution

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Extra New Year’s Resolution

Howdy!! I have never been one for making New Year’s Resolutions, but this year I made three: To keep going to the gym, to be better at saying no, and to make more time for friends. I am pleased to report that I have made good on all of those so far!! I had my first gym visit of 2025, I have been firm in saying no and not taking on more than I can handle, and I have made lots of fun plans for outings with my friends, nieces, and Johnny. I know we’re barely into 2025, but I am really proud of myself because these goals are not just empty words – I am actually doing it!

As I was feeling particularly inspired by my progress, I decided to add a new goal for myself after a trip to the dentist this past Wednesday. In case you don’t know, I had an oral surgery that went terribly wrong. It resulted in a lot of issues, particularly with my gums, and only intensified my fear of the dentist. Since all of that, I have been working diligently at reversing my periodontal disease. In fact, during my last appointment at the dentist, I only needed a regular cleaning rather than a deep gum cleaning. It felt like I was finally getting on the right track and I was thrilled.

At my appointment on Wednesday, I was a bit disappointed as my gum measurements weren’t as good as they were before. I had a decent amount of twos and threes, but way more fours than I remember. My hygienist reassured me that everything was still looking healthy. However, that just wasn’t enough for me and I knew I needed to reevaluate my oral health. Before I headed home, I announced that at my next appointment in May, I am going to have WAY less fours. My hygienist encouraged me and told me she knew I could do it and I can’t let myself or her down.

That night and every day since, I have been paying extra close attention to the technique of my brushing. My findings? I got LAZY after not needing a deep gum cleaning! The difference I felt when I was actually paying attention to brushing my teeth was night and day. This confirmed that I do have the technique down, but I need to make a real effort to fully commit to it. Challenge accepted because I’m crushing my resolutions so far so I know I can do this too!

I am expecting excellent results at my next dentist appointment in May and I think I am well on my way to achieving it. New Year, kind of New Me!!

Did you make any New Year’s Resolutions? How goes your progress? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan1

Happy New Year!!

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Happy New Year!!

Howdy everyone and happy 2025!! It is the first day of a brand new year here on lifewithlilred and it’s hard to believe that this is the eleventh New Year we have all celebrated together. My resolutions are prepped and I don’t know about you, but I am ready to take 2025 on by storm! I have to admit, this last month or so of 2024 sucked on ice and I am really trying to start this year on the right foot. The best way I know how? By being upbeat, positive, and knowing that there are plenty of good things to come in 2025. And, with all of you by my side, I know that to be even more true. ❤

I hope this New Year brings you so much happiness, cherished memories, and success. I cannot wait to see the fun we get into for lifewithlilred’s eleventh year on the blogosphere and I love you all!!

Happy New Year!!!!

Dec26

My New Year’s Resolutions

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My New Year’s Resolutions

Howdy!!! It’s that time of the year, people. When everyone announces all of the New Year’s Resolutions they’re going to break a month later lol. Hey, I am guilty of it too!! Making major changes sounds great until it’s time to implement them! So, rather than make goals that I am not fully committed to, I’m trying something new – To simply keep doing what I already am and improving upon it. Like the following:

Going To The Gym:

I started going to a gym to work out with my brother a little over a month ago and I never thought I would say it but… I freaking LOVE it! At first, I was definitely self conscious going there. I had no idea how to use the machines and on my first visit, kind strangers taught me how without me even asking. After those encounters, it was like any sense of embarrassment faded into nothing and I saw the gym for what it was: A safe space for people to improve upon themselves. The atmosphere, the people, pumping iron – there’s just something about it that clicked. My brother and I try to go to the gym at least once a week and we both plan on keeping up with that. I’m excited for the progress we are going to make and I can’t wait to go back after the holidays!

Being Firm In Answers:

In case you haven’t noticed, I take on a lot in my life and it can be really hard for me to say no to people. This is something that I have been working on for a long time and while I have gotten better, it absolutely still needs improvement. One of my goals is to not only be able to say no but to be firm with that answer. I am extremely guilty of wishy-washy responses because of the people pleaser in me and that’s not a good thing. This is a major focus of mine going into the New Year and it’s going to take some practice, but you can’t have perfection without it. I know that while it might be difficult at first, it will only get easier and I need to push myself to keep with it or I will just continue to be caught in the cycle of pure exhaustion.

Make More Time For Friends:

In complete honesty, by the time the weekend rolls around, it’s hard to make plans with my friends. It’s not because I don’t want to see them but because I am SO tired and SO stressed that I just want to be by myself. However, Johnny and I hosted a dinner party this past weekend and it was kind of a game changer. We all had the best time and it made me realize that I am missing out on a lot because I am not penciling in time to have fun. I’m not going to go crazy with it because I really do value my me time as I don’t get a lot of it during the week. But, a few extra hang outs now and then can’t hurt and I need to work on working up the nerve to plan them, stick with them, and have a great time. Despite getting much needed rest, my weekends always feel wasted and I know this goal will help rectify that.

These are my New Year’s Resolutions and I am sticking to them. In fact, writing them out gave me the push I needed to try even harder with these changes that I know will be good for me!

What are your New Year’s Resolutions? What is something that you are trying to improve? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan15

2024 Blogging Goals

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2024 Blogging Goals

Hello!! We are a few weeks into 2024 and so far so good in my neck of the woods! I can’t remember the last time I made a New Years Resolution, but I do see the merit in setting achievable goals for my blog at the start of each new year. So I guess it’s kind of the same thing? Lol, either way, I always find that setting blog goals keeps me even more motivated to continue sending content into the blogosphere. Last year, I wanted to try and create OOTD posts as often as I could and I think I did a really good job of it! This is something that I definitely want to keep up with as well as the following:

More OOTDs:

My goal last year was to shoot OOTD content each weekend and even though I missed quite a few, I still managed to create more fashion content than ever on lifewithlilred. This was really beneficial to the blog for several reasons. 1) First and foremost, it was a lot of fun. 2) OOTD content gave me two set in stone posts per week for the outfit itself and blooper reel. For someone who publishes daily content, this was a godsend. I will be happy if I can keep up with the pace I established last year so my goal is to keep doing more of the same!

Daily Content:

I have been publishing once a day on lifewithlilred for over four years and it is an amazing achievement! With a streak like that, it is incredibly motivating to keep it up and I simply refuse to break it. Most of the time, it is very easy for me to create posts for my blog. Other times, writer’s block strikes and it can be like pulling teeth! I have two goals this year to help assist in my daily content endeavor and those are: 1) Not to be so hard on myself when I’m feeling uninspired because that just makes writer’s block even worse. 2) To try lots of new things like different experiences, restaurants, and activities to not only enjoy myself but to keep content fresh.

Ten Year Blogiversary Extravaganza:

It will be my ten year blogiversary in September and I am beyond thrilled about it! If anyone were to tell me when I started lifewithlilred that I would still be going strong a decade later, I would have thought it impossible. Yet, here we are and I am so very, very proud. To commemorate this huge achievement, I would love to do a super cute celebratory photo shoot as well as do a few giveaways and contests too. This will be the first time I will be doing something like hosting a contest on my page and I can’t think of a better time to start than a ten year blogiversary. 😀

Interact More:

I have acquired quite a few jobs in the social media field this past year and I feel like I have ignored my newsfeed on WordPress completely. I am not particularly proud of this and it is something that I would like to change. My plan of action will be to spend some time throughout the week exploring new blogs rather than endlessly scrolling through my personal Facebook. The beauty of the blogosphere is making new friends and finding content that inspires you and I definitely need more of that in my life!

Are these goals or New Years Resolutions, who’s to say? But, I plan on sticking with them and I can’t wait to see what 2024 brings for lifewithlilred!

How is 2024 treating you so far? What are some goals for your blog this year? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan1

Happy New Year!!

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Happy New Year!!

Helloooo darlings and Happy New Year!!! It’s 2024, baby and this is a most exciting year indeed. Come September, it will be lifewithlilred’s TEN YEAR blogiversary spectacular!! I have never been one for making New Year’s Resolutions and, honestly, is anyone really? I feel like no one makes them anymore and the ones I have made in the past were broken pretty much immediately lol. However, I am bringing nothing but good vibes into 2024 because there is so much to look forward to!

As you all know, I formed a partnership with one of Ohio’s most well known local celebrities, Tim Misny, this past November. In the New Year, we will be taking our content creating to the next level with lots of fun adventures and I couldn’t be more excited. We have grand plans of podcasts, videos, and merch photo shoots and it is such a thrill for all of my hard work to pay off in such a major way. lifewithlilred has been an almost decade long journey and this is, easily, the coolest thing my blog baby has ever done for me. 😀

From taking on new clients in my work as an Independent Provider as well as some social media management gigs, it’s safe to say I like to keep myself busy. This is a wonderful thing and I love all of my many jobs more than words can say. However, after getting pretty sick on what should have been my holiday vacation, I realized how damaging the “grind don’t stop” lifestyle can be. I guess I do have a resolution to be more lenient with myself when I need to take a break as well as recognizing my own limitations. I am only one person and definitely need to treat myself better as my own employer! The grind should stop sometimes and whether that be taking a long weekend or clearing my schedule for a day, I plan on doing that more this year.

Last year was for lack of better words, a shit show. There was SO much going wrong and I feel like I am finally getting a grasp on normal life again. One constant in my life is my blog and I am so thankful for all of you because I think I would go nuts without lifewithlilred! I hope each and every one of you has a New Year full of smiles, success, and joy. Let’s make 2024 our best year yet and thank you for joining me on another trip around the blogosphere. I love you all. ❤

Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jan17

Achieve Your New Year’s Resolutions With These Solutions

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Achieve Your New Year’s Resolutions With These Solutions

Are you making a New Year’s resolution for a more healthy lifestyle? If so, you’re not alone. Unfortunately, many of these resolutions often fail due to a lack of planning and support. Even when you make the conscious choice to live healthier by implementing simple steps, such as switching your food choices or being more active, these decisions can be tricky to maintain in the long term. In reality, most of us end up unknowingly self-sabotaging because we lack support. Here’s what to do about that and where to find the support you need this year:

Creating a support system:

Creating a support system is key to successfully turning your healthy resolutions into reality. No matter how much we plan and prepare, there will be times when we simply lack the motivation to make healthy choices. This is why having a support system is so important: It helps provide encouragement and accountability to keep us on track. Having a supportive group of friends, family members, or colleagues will give you a group to share in your success and push you to keep improving.

Picking the right insurance:

Having the right insurance coverage is an important part of any health plan. Whether you are trying to make healthy lifestyle changes or just need financial protection, having the right insurance can make a huge difference:

Medical Insurance: Medical insurance is a great way to get access to preventative care like physicals, screenings, and vaccinations. It can also provide financial protection for medical emergencies, helping to ensure that you receive the care you need without breaking the bank. As not all policies are made equal, you want to research the best option for you.

Life Insurance: Life insurance is a way to provide financial security for your loved ones in the event of your death. It can provide funds to pay off debts and provide financial support to those who depend on you. More importantly, it’s part of a long-term health plan involving your family. Unsure about the right policy for you? It’s worth reading about it, starting with these National Life Group reviews for guidance.

Seeking specialist support:

Why do everything alone when you can find guidance from experts? Hiring a personal trainer will help you reach your health and fitness goals this year. Personal trainers offer personalized support and guidance to help keep you motivated and on track with your fitness journey. They provide custom advice and support and can also help you create a fitness program tailored to your individual needs and abilities. A personal trainer is also like your own personal cheerleader. They provide encouragement and love sharing in your success.

Going to the gym and hiring a trainer is a big step and it can be a nerve wracking process, especially if this is something you haven’t done before. If you are feeling wary about going into a gym, personal trainers like Andy Griffiths PT also operate online. This can be an amazing first introduction to working out with a trainer from the comfort of your home. When you are ready to tackle the gym, you can do so with confidence.

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A nutritionist can also be a big help in achieving a healthier lifestyle. Even if you think you already know what a healthy diet looks like, seeing a nutritionist can provide insights on how to add variety and make sure you’re getting the proper nutrients for your specific needs.

Don’t let your New Year’s resolutions die out this January. Seize the opportunity to go further and give yourself a chance for success!

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Jan8

New Year, Same Us

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New Year, Same Us

Hello! One of my favorite things about being married other than annoying Johnny every day for the rest of our lives is the holidays. I am a huge fan of birthdays, holidays, and any occasion that calls for a family get together and being able to double the celebration time with Johnny’s family is such a treat! This past weekend, Johnny and I celebrated our third New Year together and we just had to show out in our best for the handful of people that saw us lol. Check it out:

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As you can see, “act more normal” was clearly not one of our New Year’s resolutions. In fact, we didn’t make any! However, we both have several projects and goals that we’d like to see come into fruition this year. I currently have a rough draft for a children’s book and I am meeting with a potential illustrator in a few weeks. I also would very much like to continue gaining clout with my social media presence and blog. While I am a word gal, Johnny is my music guy and he has plans for a new honky tonk band with two of our musician pals. So, no resolutions per se but lots of exciting things to work towards!

Let’s be real, the past few years have sucked eggs. Since 2020, I have gone into every new year thinking the best and then craziness broke out with the pandemic. This is the first time that I have felt, dare I say, hopeful for a new year ahead of us. It is also nice to kick start 2023 with the major goal of self publishing a book. I have never done anything like that before and I am ready to sink my teeth into a brand new challenge. I also have a very rough draft of a sequel written already and a majority of the writing I did was to the tune of Johnny’s guitar. It’s a match made in heaven. ❤

Maybe I feel a bit better about 2023 because nothing could be worse than the last few months of my 2022 lol. I can’t wait for Johnny and I to have success in these side hustle projects and have my fingers crossed that the curve balls will be kept to a minimum!

What is something that you are looking forward to this year? How did you celebrate the new year? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah