Tag Archives: review

Sep1

August 2026 Finishes

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August 2026 Finishes

Howdy y’all and happy September!! Even though it’s ninety degrees here (Yuck!) it is officially fall in my head because every day that passes is another day closer to Halloween. I am SO beyond excited to start shopping for mine and Johnny’s Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett costumes and can’t wait to share them with all of you. This is a couples costume that I have always wanted to do and I am thrilled that it’s finally coming to fruition! Before I get too ahead of myself with spooky season plans, let’s take a step back to yesterday and discuss my beauty finishes for August. There were only two but they are definitely worth chatting about! Take a look:

Would I Use Again?

ValJean Labs Radiant Glow Face Scrub: YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Supergoop! Triple Prep Moisturizer: NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why/Why Not?

ValJean Labs Scrub: I am an avid fan of ValJean Labs products and have yet to find one that I haven’t enjoyed. My favorite, however, has to be the Radiant Glow Scrub! This is easily the most gentle but effective scrub I have ever used and even Johnny uses it from time to time and loves it. The Radiant Glow scrub is cream based and hydrates deeply while the grit removes dry skin and imperfections like blackheads. Some scrubs leave your skin feeling scraped bare after using it and that is so not the case with the Radiant Glow. I used it every day for about two and a half months and exited the shower with skin that looked bright and felt soft as can be. Highly recommend and I will always purchase it if it’s available at TJMaxx!

Supergoop! Moisturizer: I bought the Supergoop! Triple Prep Moisturizer for a TJMaxx price and am so glad for it because it is in the forty to fifty dollar range at Ulta or Sephora. I couldn’t imagine how mad I would be if I spent the full fifty bucks on the most lackluster moisturizer ever! The only thing the Supergoop! had going for it is that it was incredibly long lasting and it took me two months of twice daily use to finish the jar.

In that two months, there was nothing about this moisturizer that I liked and I was so happy to be done with it. The Triple Prep Moisturizer did not sit well on my skin whatsoever and it basically peeled off. It was miserable to be actually sweating and sweating moisturizer all at once during the hot summer months and it drove me insane. Of course, I had to see it through but I would NEVER get this product again even at a marked down price. This is one that can totally be skipped on!

My August Empties were 50/50 with one dud and one star and all I have to say is – it is SO nice to be using a moisturizer I actually like now! 😀

Which products did you use up in August? What are your thoughts on any of the above products if you have used them before? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug31

Bath & Body Works Hand Soap Haul

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Bath & Body Works Hand Soap Haul

Hi! I had a delightful day this past Tuesday as my breaks from work included a coffee date with one of my girlfriends and some shopping! I lucked out at TJMaxx with a couple of gorgeous pieces for my upcoming trip to Italy and I am SO excited to show all of you. I got the funkiest matching set as well as a new top and my current happy place in my head is picturing me walking through the streets of Italy wearing them! Not only did I score big at TJs but I also needed to pop into Bath & Body Works for a reup on my beloved foaming hand soap. These fall scents are seriously out of this world and it is, easily, my favorite autumn collection yet! Check it out:

Green Pear & Apple: I absolutely loves me an apple scent and pear too and this fragrance is the most delicious combo of two of my favorites! The notes on Green Pear & Apple feature “fresh sliced pear, green apple, and cherry blossoms”. In other words, do you know what a pear smells like? Do you know what an apple smells like? Can you picture them both together? Lol, that is this scent in a nutshell and I am living for it!

Wild Blackberry Jam: In case you haven’t noticed, I am a fruity fragrance kind of gal and really enjoy a deep berry scent making Wild Blackberry Jam an obvious choice. With notes of “countryside blackberry, velvet fig, and amber woods” this scent is freshly crushed blackberries with the crisp scent of fall leaves for good measure. This scent is deep and rich but still smells sweet as opposed to musky with the notes of amber woods. B&BW’s fall collection seems to be a perfect pairing of classic fall scents with a fruity twist and it’s like it was made for me. 😀

Honey Wildflower: I am typically not a floral fragrance fan but Honey Wildflower is oh so nice and suspiciously smells a lot like B&BW’s classic Sweet Pea line. So much so that I’m like ninety-nine percent convinced that it’s just Sweet Pea with a different label lol. Honey Wildflower’s scent story includes “crisp pear, fresh wildflowers, and sweet honey”. I can definitely smell the juicy pear and the soft honey minimizes the wildflower scent significantly. If you are iffy on floral fragrances too then Honey Wildflower is just right and smells more fruity over flowery.

Whipped Honey & Vanilla: While I love fruit scents, vanilla fragrances are my all time favorite and Whipped Honey & Vanilla is a total dream. You can’t go wrong with classic vanilla but these notes of “honey drizzle, blossoming neroli, and whipped vanilla bean” are giving it a run for its money. Whipped Honey & Vanilla is so soft and light and almost smells like a shortbread cookie. It’s a fairly muted fragrance but one whiff has left me wanting more, more, more!

Pumpkin Apple: Although fall is my favorite time of the year, I am not big on classic fall fragrances. I don’t like pumpkin and cinnamon seriously makes me feel nauseous. Pumpkin Apple is as close to a true fall fragrance as I can muster and has a scent story of “red delicious apples, fall pumpkins, and clove buds”. To me, Pumpkin Apple smells like mulled cider and while it is nice for a one time use, I wouldn’t get it again. It just didn’t feel right not getting it because it’s such a fall staple scent!

I am incredibly happy with this hand soap haul and cannot recommend B&BW’s new fall line enough. You will want to dive right into it like a pile of leaves!

What is your favorite fall scent? Do you change which scents you use with the seasons? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug28

Lil Red’s Book Club: Ambush By Colleen Coble Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: Ambush By Colleen Coble Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we are going to be discussing a sort of thriller, sort of romance, sort of religious (Yuck!) book by Colleen Coble called Ambush. Had I known that Coble was known for Christian literature, I would have vetoed it from the jump. However, I was too far into the book to abandon it and saw it through. Ambush was a below average read that appears to be the first part of a series. Will I read the next one when it comes out? The jury is still out but let’s discuss anyways! Before we begin, I will be placing a trigger warning on Ambush for sexual violence, graphic crime scene descriptions, and general violence. Now, let’s get to it:

Paradise has had a tough go in life. After losing both of her parents she was bounced from foster home to foster home, each one being worse than the last. The only high point in those years was her relationship with Blake which came to a crashing halt when his attempt to help her failed. The two high school sweethearts never spoke again afterwards but Paradise’s past is about to catch up to her fifteen years later. Since her and Blake’s falling out, she went on to become a vet specializing in wild and exotic animals. Although she loves her job, an almost deadly attack by a big cat has left her broken and she takes the first opportunity she is offered to get her groove back. She will now be the vet at The Sanctuary.

The Sanctuary is exactly what it sounds like – a place for wild animals that were injured to roam, heal, and live the rest of their lives under expert care. It would be perfect minus the fact that Blake’s mother is the owner of The Sanctuary and he has returned in the wake of tragedy after the suspicious death of his father. Tensions are, indeed, high at The Sanctuary as the two former flames meet again but it is softened by Blake’s two younger brothers and his caring mom, Jenna. Paradise’s world at The Sanctuary revolves around caring for the animals and avoiding Blake at all costs. Soon, her avoidance of the man she has held a grudge against for so long will be the least important thing on her mind.

Since Paradise began her job, strange things have been happening at The Sanctuary and the surrounding properties. A body was found at a nearby ranch and angry activists have targeted The Sanctuary, committing break ins, arson, and shootings. The detective on the case feels no sympathy for Blake and his family and makes it clear that Blake and Jenna are his prime suspects in the murder at the ranch. With no help to be found for The Sanctuary from the police, the team decides to investigate themselves and that includes Paradise. As her and Blake work together to solve their own mysteries, they continue to grow closer and closer. If a flame is rekindling, it must wait until The Sanctuary’s problems are solved and Blake and his mom are in the clear. Will Paradise finally have the happy ending that she so needs and deserves? Read Ambush to find out!

In theory, Ambush offered a little bit of everything I like in a book. A juicy mystery, old love blossoming, and crooked cops. In practice, it was just very okay. My main qualm had nothing to do with the religious aspect of Ambush but had everything to do with the writing. Throughout the book, Colleen Coble made the decision to regurgitate the exact same phrases, words, and descriptions that had already been used several times over. It was verbatim and it drove me absolutely bonkers because lazy writing is the one thing I won’t stand for. There were countless times when it felt like I was rereading the same pages over again and it got to the point that it was laughable.

So the writing wasn’t great but what about the characters? Meh lol. Paradise as a leading lady was neither here nor there for me as she was extremely milquetoast. The personality factor was definitely lacking and she often read as bland and bored. Blake and his family, on the other hand, was too perfect and it was so unrealistic. I’m sure one would argue that god was on their side as they were ultra religious. What I mean by too perfect is that in the midst of all of this violence at The Sanctuary, no one got angry. Lives could have been lost and not one voice was ever raised. I don’t know about all of you, but I would be PISSED if I ended up being almost mauled by hyenas! Once again, I chalk this up to lazy writing to not even bother hinting at conflict within themselves and Ambush often read as a first draft as opposed to a published book.

Overall, I am going to rate Ambush with a two and a half out of ten stars. This is one that can certainly be skipped on but I’d be a liar if I said I don’t want to find out what happens in the next book!

What are you currently reading? What should I read next? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug25

Groovy Movies: The End Of Oak Street Edition

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Groovy Movies: The End Of Oak Street Edition

Hello! This past week I enjoyed seeing one of this summer’s most fun popcorn flicks called The End Of Oak Street starring the incomparable Anne Hathaway. This is a very good year for my girl and I loved seeing her in The Devil Wears Prada 2 and The Odyssey. She will also be in Verity coming out in November, I believe, which I do plan on seeing just because it’s her even though I hated the book with a passion lol. But I digress. The End Of Oak Street was a wild ride that moved rapidly with nonstop thrills, the occasional jump scare, and dinosaurs galore. Honestly, Jurassic World who? The End Of Oak Street was the fresh take on dinosaurs that we all needed and left the latest installment of Jurassic World in the dust! Let’s discuss in a spoiler free setting, as per ushe:

^^^ As always, I have no rights to this video!

The year is 1982, it’s summertime and the living is easy. Kind of. Denise, her husband Greg, children Audrey and Brian, and family dog Starbuck live in a picture perfect suburban neighborhood. Families barbecue, children play together, and you can always count on a neighbor for help. Behind closed doors, however, Denise and Greg’s marriage is strained and their kids are constantly hearing them bicker. Denise goes through the motions while her husband works odd jobs and delivers pizza and when everyone is asleep, she heads to the basement to work on a book she is writing in secret.

Denise’s elderly neighbor is editing her book and after wrapping up their session requests her help. A strange plant grew out of nowhere in her yard and they each have no idea what it could be. Denise snaps a picture on her Polaroid camera, uproots the plant, and heads to the library to investigate. To her surprise, the librarian tells her this plant has been extinct since the time that dinosaurs roamed the Earth. The following night, a huge storm takes place with bright lights flashing that definitely doesn’t look like lightening. The power in the neighborhood goes out and Denise’s family hits the hay in the hopes that the storm has passed and the power will be on when they wake up.

That is not the case and what’s worse, Starbuck is nowhere to be found in their backyard. Greg and Denise decide to look for the dog together while the kids hold tight and step into an unfamiliar new world. Their neighborhood has turned into Jurassic Park overnight! The landscape has changed to lush greenery, mountainous terrains, and huge lakes and dinosaurs wander in search of something tasty to eat. Within minutes, the street devolves into chaos with families trying to escape, many of them not making it beyond their own front door.

Greg and Denise book it back to their kids and begin the process of boarding up their home. But they can’t stay there indefinitely and need a plan to get themselves back to 1982. Their daughter, Audrey, suggests that they could have entered a portal to go back in time and that could have been the bright light they saw during the storm. The trick is for that light to appear again, find it, and avoid the dinosaurs at all costs. Will this family learn to work together and make it home alive? Or will they be stuck on Oak Street forever? Watch the movie to find out!

If you are looking for a short and sweet action packed movie, then you can stop your search. The End Of Oak Street has you covered! This flick clocked in at one hour and forty minutes and after the brief introduction to the family and neighborhood every scene was more insane than the next. The threat of the dinosaurs was so palpable I found myself holding my breath as they wreaked havoc creating close calls that were centimeters away from disaster. Not only were the dinos fearsome but they were so well designed and it was such a nice change of pace to see these creatures in a movie other than Jurassic Park.

The only thing I really didn’t care for in The End Of Oak Street was the son, Brian, who was just whiny and annoying the whole time. My beloved Anne Hathaway made up for it in spades, though! It was wild to see her wielding a gun and being a total badass because I’m so used to her girl next door roles. As she always does, she played the part so well and my eyes were never not on her even when dinosaurs were mauling her neighbors lol. If you are an Anne Hathaway fan like me, this is a must see. Even if you’re not, this is a must see because this was one of the most exciting action movies I have seen in ages!

Overall, I am going to rate The End Of Oak Street with a nine out of ten stars. If Brian wasn’t so cringy it would have been a perfect ten!

Have you seen The End Of Oak Street? What did you think about it? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug8

Rad At Rad Air

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Rad At Rad Air

Hi! A few weeks ago my car broke down in a major way and I knew exactly where I was going to have it towed to be worked on: Rad Air, of course! I am blessed to have a fantastic auto shop literally right down the street from my apartment and have been taking my car there for years. I admit, it can be intimidating for me to take my car in for repairs because I legit know nothing about cars lol. However, in all of my time going there I never once felt out of my league. Rather, I felt welcomed by the genuine hospitality of the employees and forever have full confidence in their excellent work and more than fair prices. It really is a gift to be able to take your car to a shop that you trust completely!

All of my experiences at Rad Air have been 12/10 but this past repair really took the cake. My car is an older model and parts had to be ordered which took a bit longer than expected. That was no matter, though, because they gave me a loaner car free of charge. As my parents only have one vehicle, I would have had to miss work without the loaner and that was SO appreciated since I am self employed. I got to drive myself everywhere I needed to be in a fancy Ford Fusion and although I missed my car terribly, I very much enjoyed the sun roof and functioning radio. My radio went kaput a year ago so having some tunes instead of dead silence for a few days was a thrill lol.

While my car was being tended to, I was kindly updated by the staff on its progress and couldn’t wait to pick my baby up! I even scored a sweet deal on the cost thanks to a seventy-five dollar off coupon which helped a lot. 😀 When I was finally behind the wheel of the Little Red Love Machine, I honestly couldn’t believe it. My almost fifteen year old car was running as if it was brand new. In fact, driving it home reminded me of the day I drove it home during a huge snow storm in 2014 when I purchased it. It was all sunshine this time! 🙂

As soon as I got home, I just had to give my go to shop a little shout out on Facebook and was absolutely tickled by their reply. Rad Air really is the only place I would take my Little Red Love Machine!

The moral of this story? That good work never goes unappreciated by me and to always shop around until you find a place that you are comfortable taking your car to. Rad Air for life!! ❤

Where do you take your car for repairs? How long have you had your car? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug6

Groovy Movies: The Odyssey Edition

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Groovy Movies: The Odyssey Edition

Hi! This past weekend I enjoyed a fabulous viewing of the latest blockbuster, The Odyssey. I went into it not really knowing what to expect and, I admit, I was a bit ambivalent. Primarily because the almost three hour run time is daunting and I was worried I was going to have to go to the bathroom the whole time lol. I am pleased to report that I didn’t need a potty break once and that this lengthy flick simply breezed by. By the time it was over, it was like no time had passed at all and I was genuinely sad that it was done. It was SO good and I wanted more!! Before we begin our spoiler free discussion, I will be placing a trigger warning on The Odyssey for animal cruelty. You ready? Let’s go!

^^^ As always, I have no rights to this video!

Odysseus, King of Ithaca, led the Trojan War and it is now time to make his way home to his wife and son, Penelope and Telemachus. It will be no easy feat to make his way back to his kingdom but he has his soldiers who are loyal and his love for his family to guide him home. And then… It all goes to Hades in a hand basket and for twenty years, everyone believes King Odysseus to be dead. In that time, Penelope is being courted to take up a new king but her heart only yearns for her husband. She confesses her fear of attacks on her kingdom to her son and Telemachus decides to go on his own adventure to locate his father.

Through interweaving story lines, we see Telemachus’s quest as well as what went so horribly wrong through Odysseus’s memories. On his journey home from war, he and his crew don’t just face the elements of hellacious storms and a lack of wind to sail, but mythical creatures that block their paths. They have run ins with a cyclops, Circe the witch, and sirens. One by one, his faithful soldiers are being killed off until it is only Odysseus left.

After years of travel, Odysseus falls under the care of Calypso who is a nymph and becomes infatuated with him. Rather than help him return home, she drugs him with an amnesia inducing flower. She denies Athena’s request to bring Odysseus home but does encourage him to remember what brought him to her in the first place. This could not come at a moment too soon as tensions raise in his kingdom for Penelope to select a new king. It is time for Odysseus to reign once more if he can make it back to Ithaca. Will he survive to return as husband, father, and king? Watch The Odyssey to find out!

I have no comments on The Odyssey but to sing its praises. The star studded cast was top tier and everyone was acting their hearts out. The cinematography? Moving. The scenery? Awe inspiring. The pacing? Chef’s kiss. Three hour movies can feel like they are dragging but The Odyssey plowed forward at such a rapid pace. The timing that Christopher Nolan created was spot on. Lulls in the story were instantly replaced by nonstop action and I was fully engrossed the entire time. In fact, it felt very similarly to watching a Lord Of The Rings movie, which was a delightful hit right in the nostalgia.

Christopher Nolan is a visionary and he guided his cast and crew with such care. The Odyssey is a HUGE story to tackle and everything about this movie felt so perfectly in place. I could tell that he put his heart and soul into making this movie and I could literally feel the tenderness with each passing scene. My favorite parts outside of all of the incredible performances was the cyclops and the visit to Circe’s island. Those parts were freaking crazy and I absolutely loved the way the cyclops looked. Honestly, I loved everything about this movie and would be more than happy to see it again. This is a flick that is a must see in theaters!!

I am going to award The Odyssey with the coveted ten out of ten stars. I seriously cannot recommend it enough and expect big things from it in the upcoming awards season!

What did you think about The Odyssey? What is your favorite lengthy movie? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug5

Lil Red’s Book Club: It Could Have Been Her By Lisa Jewell Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: It Could Have Been Her By Lisa Jewell Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we will be discussing Lisa Jewell’s newest thriller called It Could Have Been Her. I am an avid fan of Lisa Jewell and thoroughly enjoyed the talk she did through the library systems last year. It was so cool to see one of my favorite authors on the computer screen answering questions from readers and talking about her writing process and upcoming projects. I was super excited to read her latest book and it did not disappoint. It Could Have Been Her was a wild ride! Before we begin our chat, I will be placing a big fat trigger warning for child abuse, domestic abuse, sexual violence, and highly disturbing content. You ready? Let’s get to it!

Twice divorced Jane is in her mid fifties and lives a solitary life in her family’s crumbling estate located in the middle of nowhere. She doesn’t have much in the way of human company but she loves her four dogs more than life itself. As her and her pups take their daily walk, they come across a small white dog that Jane has never seen before. She takes him to the vet and learns from his microchip that the dog’s name is Hugo and lives in London. How did this little dog get all the way to her property? Although she would like to keep Hugo, she makes the trip to return him to his owner and is shocked by where he lives. In a home that will forever be seared into her memory as what could have been her final resting place when she was twenty-nine years old.

The man who answers the door is named Stuart Tucker and he is dodgy but appreciative that his dog is back. Shortly after Jane drops Hugo off, she receives a call from the vet who heard something strange from Jane’s closest neighbor. Hugo was with a girl who was renting a spare room in her house. She has left all of her belongings and is nowhere to be found. This piques Jane’s interest as she fancies herself an amateur sleuth and wants to crack the case. What happened to the girl who rented the room under the name Rose White?

Stuart Tucker is a keeper of secrets. He lives with his partner, Jessamine as well as her daughter Daisy and mother named Annie. Jessamine spent her childhood in a house of horrors and her life revolves around when she can have her next drink. Stuart dotes on Daisy because no one else will and waits on Annie as if he were a butler. All the while, he takes the verbal and physical abuse of Jessamine as she is prone to fits of rage. He knows something terrible happened in this house but does his best to avoid thinking about it. If he does, he might just run away for good even if that means leaving Daisy all alone.

Tucker knows that Jane is poking around with her detective work and his family’s downfall might be coming sooner than he thinks. And Jane doesn’t think, she knows that she is getting close to finding answers. Rose is somehow connected to the house that lives in her nightmares. If Jane finds her, she can come to terms with her own trauma and move on with her life. But will Jane really want to learn the answers to the questions that have lived rent free in her mind for over two decades? Read It Could Have Been Her to find out!

Let me just get this part out of the way: There were some parts of It Could Have Been Her that were really difficult to read. In fact, this is one of the most disturbing thrillers I have read in recent memory and I do not say that lightly. Having said that, this book was really REALLY good and might just be Lisa Jewell’s darkest novel yet. The plot of this book twisted and turned at a rapid pace and the beauty of it was that every twist made perfect sense. This was a delight after reading My Husband’s Wife where every reveal was meant to shock as opposed to moving the story forward. Lisa Jewell weaved a tale of inter generational trauma that infected everyone it touched and it was up to the characters in the story to pick up the broken pieces the best way they knew how.

For all of the macabre in It Could Have Been Her, it was balanced out by our lovely heroine Jane. This woman was an absolute joy with her quick wit, her loves for dogs, and the blinding pride she feels for all of her stepchildren. She was truly the bright light that this book needed as Jewell guided us through the depths of human depravity. Throughout the book, I could see her confidence grow and her world expand and it was exciting to read about her whole new lease on life. Because for her to move forward, she needs to confront her past. This is no easy feat for anyone and it will be impossible for you to not root for her every step of the way if you read this book!

Overall, I am going to rate It Could Have Been Her with an eight out of ten stars. This was exactly what I needed after reading the massive dud of My Husband’s Wife and further solidifies Lisa Jewell as one of my go to authors. Just read at your own discretion!

Who is your favorite author? Have you read any good thrillers recently? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug2

Lil Red’s Book Club: My Husband’s Wife By Alice Feeney Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: My Husband’s Wife By Alice Feeney Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we are going to be discussing one of Alice Feeney’s newest books called My Husband’s Wife. When I began reading this book, I was most intrigued. Then, my tune changed drastically close to halfway through. I am telling you right here right now that My Husband’s Wife was the most far fetched garbage I have ever read lol and I encourage all of you to not waste your time on it. But, hey, that’s what these reviews are all about – for you to enjoy a book too or find something better! Before we begin, I will be placing a trigger warning on My Husband’s Wife for suicide, child abuse, cancer, and graphic crime scene descriptions. Let’s do this thing:

Eden and her husband Harrison have just moved to the famous Spyglass house in Hope Falls with the hopes of a fresh start. Harrison will continue to travel back to London as his business is booming and Eden will spend her time painting. In fact, she even has an exhibition at a gallery this very night. To clear her mind before the big event, she goes for a run and returns to Spyglass to shower, don a pretty dress, and show the world her art. She inserts her key into the lock and it doesn’t turn. Did Harrison change the locks while she was out? After pounding on the door, a woman answers and she looks a lot like Eden and Harrison is treating this mystery woman like his own wife. But Eden is Eden so who in the world is she?

Olivia Bird AKA Birdy lives a life of solitude and prefers the company of her dog, Sunday, to almost all people. Birdy is also harboring a secret. Her body is riddled with tumors and she does not have long to live. Before she passes, there are loose ends to tie in Hope Falls as her grandma left Spyglass to her in her will. Bird visits the home once before putting it on the market and it is quickly purchased by Eden and Harrison. Her task is done but her life’s trajectory will soon call her back to Hope Falls, a place that she only vaguely remembers from her childhood.

Hope Falls is one of the safest places to live and the small town only has one police officer named Carter. A promotion to become head detective hangs over his head but it is snatched up by a more decorated person on the force. Their arrival couldn’t have come at a better time as a body has washed up on the shore and it looks a lot like Eden. The real or fake one is yet to be determined as the body is badly disfigured. Whoever this person is, there is a murder to solve and every new piece of information leaves the officers even more confused. Was the death of the unidentified person a case of suicide? Or was it part of a sinister plot to both bury and avenge the past? *Don’t* read My Husband’s Wife to find out!

My Husband’s Wife started out with a bang. The changed locks, an identity crisis, the the introduction of the elusive Olivia Bird. I was loving it as I worked my way through the first one hundred and twenty pages or so and then this book took a drastic turn and not in a good way. The relative simplicity of the plot that was being established began to turn so convoluted and each discovery in the investigation seemed more unlikely than the next. Now, don’t get me wrong. I completely understand that the thrillers I enjoy reading are far fetched but My Husband’s Wife was just too much. Each passing plot twist upped the ante in ridiculousness that it was almost humorous if it wasn’t all so dumb lol.

The sad thing about this book is that it did start out so strong and I had a fondness for Olivia Bird. She was truly the only saving grace in My Husband’s Wife with her cool attitude, dry wit, and sleeves of tattoos. I really did like reading about her but that wasn’t enough to salvage this utter train wreck. As you all know, I fancy myself an amateur detective and revel in figuring out grand reveals. It’s a game I play every time I read but My Husband’s Wife was so lackluster that I didn’t even care to try. And that’s really saying something!!

I am going to bestow zero out of ten stars upon My Husband’s Wife. If you are looking for a twisty thriller, check out Freida McFadden’s latest books because this one is SO not it!

What is your favorite thriller? What are your thoughts on My Husband’s Wife? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug1

July 2026 Finishes

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July 2026 Finishes

Hello everyone and happy August! Also wait what? It’s August?! This summer is going by fast and I am not mad about it whatsoever. This summer has been hellacious and I am so ready to be wrapped up in the chilly comfort of fall. Before we dive into a new month, let’s time travel to one day ago because we must discuss my beauty finishes! I dropped the ball when I forgot about my June empties and took note of the mental note to not do that again lol. There are several good products in the mix for July so let’s take a look:

Would I Use Again?

Evoluderm Micellar Water: ALWAYS

Precision Beauty Glow Up Vitamin C Serum: YES

Gold Bond Healing Lotion: MAYBE

Bath & Body Works Champagne Toast Shower Gel: YES

Why/Why Not?

Precision Beauty Serum: I am a big fan of the Precision Beauty serums and have yet to find one that I didn’t like. The Glow Up Vitamin C serum, however, is my favorite. It takes me about five weeks of twice daily use to finish the bottle and I am impressed by it every day. This serum is rather thick and a little of it goes a very long way as just a smidgen packs a huge punch. The Glow Up formula leaves my skin bright and radiant even when I am feeling neither bright nor radiant lol. I am always amazed at how well rested and alert I look even when the hot days of summer screws up my sleeping schedule. Highly recommend if you are on the market for a new serum!

Gold Bond Lotion: Johnny purchased this bottle of lotion for applying on our tattoos that we got in April. It was the most fun day where myself, Johnny, and his aunt all got some ink! Truthfully, I don’t feel one way or another about this lotion but would use it again if it ended up at chez moi. I am extremely partial to my beloved Bath & Body Works lotion and rarely stray from it. BUT I used up the Gold Bond for one reason only: It has been hot AF and while I love the B&BW scents it was just too much in the heat. Sweating profusely to the aroma of a fruity or sweet fragrance is not my idea of a good time and it overwhelms me which is why I appreciated the scent free Gold Bond formula. Don’t get me wrong, it worked very well and left my skin feeling hydrated and nourished. But I am excited to get back to my favorite scents as summer draws to a close!

A Little Note: You all already know my love for Champagne Toast and my Evoluderm micellar water. I just wanted to mention that the mega bottle of Evoluderm lasts almost three months with twice daily use and it is such an awesome value. Definitely a steal if you find it at TJs. 🙂

Out with the old and in with the new! Keep tuning in on lifewithlilred as we tackle this new month together. Yay for it being almost fall!

What cools you off in extreme heat? Do you do well in really hot weather? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul30

Groovy Movies: Hadestown: The Musical Edition

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Groovy Movies: Hadestown: The Musical Edition

Hi! Over three years ago Johnny and I saw Hadestown at Playhouse Square and it will forever be one of my favorite memories. This show was a light in an otherwise very dark period of my life and it moved me so deeply. The music, the story, everything about it we loved and Johnny and I still talk about our night at the theater like it was yesterday. I was incredibly excited to learn that the live recording with the original primary cast at the Lyric Theater in London was coming to theaters and just had to go. I have had it marked in my calendar for months for a date night! We went this Friday at the Cinemark with my dad as a surprise guest and had the absolute best time. I am so glad he got to share in the magic of Hadestown with us!

^^^ As always, I have no rights to this video!

Hadestown tells the love story of Hades and Persephone and Orpheus and Eurydice set to the tune of jazz, gospel, and blues. It is breathtaking, heart breaking, and one million percent awe inspiring. It was such a delight to see those who originated the characters that I adore so much perform and I have been waiting for it for a long time. Don’t get me wrong, I love the cast recording. However, it is so crisp and pure that it almost sounds like a Disney album and I wanted that grit that only comes from a live performance. Hadestown: The Musical is a must see for anyone that feels the same way and it was so refreshing to hear the music like it was meant to be heard.

I know this is going to ruffle some feathers but Johnny and I wholeheartedly agree that the cast we saw at Playhouse Square was better than this one. It’s just a true statement because they were lol. Our Orpheus had a much stronger falsetto. Our Hermes commanded the show in true vaudeville fashion. Our Eurydice and Persephone had far more oomph. And, don’t even get me started on our brooding Hades because holy WOW. And, listen, that’s not to say that the OG cast isn’t wonderful too and maybe my sentiments would be different had I been in the audience for one of their shows. My expectations from our cast are just too high that anything else seems less than.

All of this sounds like I’m bashing the OGs but I’m simply stating my opinion and that also includes how much we enjoyed the live recording anyways. It really was fabulous and I was elated that my dad came with us because what he did the following day will tell you everything you need to know… I met up with my parents and nieces for an outing to the local library for a tea party and when I got there my dad proudly showed me the cast recording CD in his hands to check out. He had the biggest smile on his face and thanked me and Johnny again for our fun night on the town. And it sure was! Amazing music, amazing company, and an amazing experience to have altogether. ❤

I am going to award Hadestown: The Musical with the coveted ten out of ten stars. If you are a theater enthusiast then you are not going to want to miss this limited showing. RUN don’t walk!!!

What are your thoughts on Hadestown? What is your favorite musical? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah