Tag Archives: shopping

Dec5

Guest Star OOTD Bloopers

Posted on December 5, 2022 by lifewithlilred

Hello everyone and welcome to the third and final blooper reel from my Thanksgiving OOTDs! Today, we’ll be looking at the craziness from my Guest Star OOTD and it is one of my favorite photo series that has been created for lifewithlilred. The outfit was, of course, on point but it was the best because my darling niece, Valerie, wanted in on the photography fun too! Val makes me proud every day but this just hit different – especially considering that there was a point when she refused to have her picture taken. Look at her now, stealing the show!

Just TT being and looking crazy

TIMBERRRRRRR

Lol, Val holding on for dear life

This picture cracks me up!!

She’s coming in hot and…..

Nails it!!

Valerie is my lil bestie and everything is infinitely more fun (And tiring!) when she’s around. Every day that I get to spend with her is special and whenever I’m feeling down, all I need to do is think of the funny things that she says and does and it never fails to make me smile! She is my partner in crime for Taco Bell and Mexican food dates, story hours, slumber parties, and now OOTDs! I truly think we have a future influencer on our hands and that time might be coming sooner than later – she puts her own outfits together every day! #proudestTTever

Every moment from mine and Johnny’s three day Thanksgiving extravaganza was awesome but having Val be a Guest Star was one of my favorite parts. Being an aunt and uncle is such an exciting adventure for us and I cannot wait to celebrate Christmas with our sweet nieces and nephew. Only a few more weeks!! ❤

What is one of your cherished holiday memories? What puts you in the holiday spirit? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec4

Cardi Party OOTD Bloopers

Posted on December 4, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello everyone and welcome to the blooper reel from my Cardi Party OOTD! With three Thanksgivings in a row, Johnny and I were exhausted for basically the entire week afterwards. It was well worth it, though, because we had an amazing time with our families! Thanksgiving was the perfect occasion to get back into fashion forward posts on lifewithlilred and I was ecstatic because I missed it oh so very much. Of course, there are sure to be some unflattering pictures among the hundreds that Johnny takes and I took it upon myself to share them with all of you. Check out the bloopers from my Cardi Party look:

I LOOK GREAT!!!!

Hoisting myself up from this handy little bench that Johnny and his dad made

Startled by some type of bird activity going on

Something STANK and I’m pretty sure it’s this picture

The classic wife look of mild amusement and disbelief every time your husband says something uncouth

Starting to peter out halfway through Thanksgiving round two

Looking like a straight up donkey after Johnny said something funny

High five very nice!!

Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful, amiright?! Lol but seriously… A while back ago I saw this post on Facebook about a mom who will happily take pictures when her kids hold up a camera no matter what she looks like. Rather than refuse to get her picture taken, she’ll smile. And, instead of vetoing the more than likely unflattering picture upon seeing it she would say something like “I look awesome” or “I love my smile”. The blooper reels from my OOTD posts kind of follow that same concept as well as poking some good old fashioned fun at myself and it is a segment on my page that I am really proud of.

My sister claims that I take way too many pictures (As does Johnny as you can see!) but I just can’t help myself. No matter if it’s a “good” or “bad” picture, it’s important to me to have all of those special moments to look back on later and smile. Showcasing these yikes OOTD shots is something that I would have never done during earlier lifewithlilred times. However, I think displaying these shots for the world to see shows my growth as a person and I hope it encourages others to do the same. Is it really a “bad” shot if it makes someone laugh or feel comfortable with any of their perceived flaws? I think not! 😀

Keep it posted tomorrow for bloopers from my third and final Thanksgiving OOTD and then it is onto more fun here on lifewithlilred. See you then!

Are you a constant photo taker at family events? How many pictures do you have on your phone? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec1

Guest Star OOTD

Posted on December 1, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello everyone and welcome to the final OOTD from my Thanksgiving look book! Mine and Johnny’s three day celebration gave us great company, food, and fashion – we had an absolute blast! It felt so good to get my OOTD on after a long time without and the photo series below is one of my favorites. Not because of the outfit but because it features my sweet niece, Valerie, as the guest star!

There was a point when Val Gal simply refused to have her picture taken. However, she has been all about it ever since her baby sister was born and I am SO there for it! When I let her know that TT and Uncle Johnny were going to take some pictures outside, she jumped at the opportunity to come with and I have never been more proud. Check it out:

^^^ So. Many. Pictures! But I love them all So. Much!

Who? What? Wear?

Forest Green Top: Loft
Skater Skirt: Rue 21
Knee Highs: Target
Color Block Heels: Lulu Hun, ModCloth
Headband: TJMaxx

When styling this OOTD, I knew it was similar to the one I wore last Thanksgiving but I didn’t realize how similar until I looked at the post lol. Hey, if it’s not broken don’t fix it, amiright? Of course I am, because I love this look and small differences really did make a huge difference! Just like last year, I had my hand me down skater skirt from Rue 21 in mind because it’s cute, classy, and very easy to style. In fact, I had the entire outfit planned out in my head prior to getting dressed. Is that because of a semi-repeat outfit? Who’s to say? lol 😀

To pair with the skater skirt, I went with a beautiful forest green and sky blue detailed silky top from Loft. This was one of my first “business casual” purchases when I was still in college and I still love it. It is also a testament to how long clothing can last if you take good care of it! For this portion of the outfit, I liked how the deep navy in the skirt and the darker base color of the top paired against each other. Also note the mix and match of textures going on between the two pieces to add some visual interest.

But wait! There’s more!

Take a look at the argyle pattern of the socks. See what I did there?! It is almost a perfect match to the skirt and top and I thought that it was the tops. With a strong base of very similar colors, it allowed me to have some fun with the shoes and headband by choosing colors that compliment. As always, if you need help with mixing and matching colors, then a color wheel is a fantastic tool to assist you!

For the shoes, I chose a darling heeled Oxford by Lulu Hun. The Merlot hue was what I was really after because the caramel portion didn’t matter too much as it was a neutral. These heels were an obvious option to go with because you can see that the green, blue, and red/purple are all side by side on the color wheel. It really is as easy as that.

All that was left to do was incorporate an accessory and I decided on a headband for a top of the head to tip of the toes look. As you can see, it featured a lot of colors that were already used in this OOTD. I also tend to not go with a necklace over top of a patterned shirt because that can get very busy very quickly. And, just like that, my outfit was complete!

Although this Guest Star OOTD is really similar to last Thanksgiving, I still love it all the same. And can we please talk about how amazing my little guest star did? Future fellow influencer in the family? I think YES!!

What is your favorite OOTD from my Thanksgiving look book? What is the oldest piece of clothing that you have in your wardrobe? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov30

How To Treat Yourself To The Ultimate Makeover

Posted on November 30, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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How To Treat Yourself To The Ultimate Makeover

We all deserve to treat ourselves every once in a while, and what better way to do that than with a makeover? Whether you’re looking for a new hairstyle, wardrobe, or skin care routine, there are endless ways to pamper yourself and feel like a new person. Let’s check out some tips on how you can treat yourself to the ultimate makeover:

Pick a Style Icon:

The first step to any makeover is finding some inspiration. Research your favorite celebrities or style bloggers and find someone whose look you’d like to emulate. Once you have your style icon in mind, you’ll have a better idea of the changes you want to make. Are you still trying to figure out where to start? Pinterest is always a great place to look for fashion inspo.

Update Your Hairstyle:

One of the easiest ways to change your look is by updating your hairstyle. If you’re feeling bold, why not try a brand new color? On the other hand, if you’re not ready for such a drastic change, ask your stylist for a cut that will complement your face shape. You’d be surprised by how much of a difference the right hair cut can make.

Invest in Some New Clothes:

Next up on our list is clothes. If your style needs an update, it’s time to hit the stores (or the internet) and find new pieces that speak to you. But beware – one of the pitfalls of shopping for a new wardrobe is spending too much money on clothes you’ll never wear. To avoid this trap, stick to buying items that can be mixed and matched with pieces you already own. This way, you’ll get the most bang for your buck and your closet will thank you for it!

Treat Your Skin Right:

Remember your skin! After all, what’s the point of having a killer outfit if your skin doesn’t look its best? If you need help figuring out where to start when it comes to skin care, try using products with natural ingredients or consulting with a dermatologist. And remember – just like with clothes, it’s crucial not to overspend on skin care products that might not work for you. Instead, start small and gradually add new products as needed.

Invest In Your Smile:

Finally, don’t forget to invest in your smile. A great way to instantly boost your confidence is by visiting a cosmetic dentist and having them whiten, straighten, or even reshape your teeth. With the right Cosmetic Dentist, you can have a brand new smile in no time and you’ll be amazed at how much of a difference it can make in your confidence.

Go ahead and permit yourself to splurge – it’s close enough to the new year to invest in yourself for a new you. And just in time for the holidays to wow your friends and family!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Nov29

Cardi Party OOTD

Posted on November 29, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hey! This past week, Johnny and I celebrated Thanksgiving three times a lady and it was absolutely wonderful. We had the best time enjoying the company of both of our families and are still recovering from the food coma. Because of three Thanksgivings, I had to show out three times with holiday OOTDs and my Lil Red heart is so happy. With the craziness of the past month, it has been hard to find time to create fashion content and it feels great to get back at it again! Without further ado, here is my Cardi Party OOTD that I wore to Thxgiving with Johnny’s family:

Who? What? Wear?

Cardigan: Lucky Brand, TJMaxx
Button Down Top: Rachel Zoe, TJMaxx
Skinny Jeans: American Eagle Outfitters
Wedge Heel Combat Boots: BCBG, TJMaxx
Jade Necklace: SJ Pearl, TJMaxx

When it comes to Thanksgiving looks, it’s easy to prioritize comfort over style and why wouldn’t you? This is a holiday that is literally hanging out with your family and eating lol. But, what if I told you that you could have both style and comfort? *Gasp* My Cardi Party OOTD was not only crazy comfortable even after eating a big meal but it captured the cozy style that a Thanksgiving look is all about.

For Thanksgiving at Johnny’s parents, I had a cardigan in mind because the weather allowed it. We had a lovely fifty or so degree day and a cardigan is an ideal option for slipping on if you feel chilly or taking off when you’ve got the food sweats. I decided to go with my Lucky Brand cardigan from TJMaxx for its breezy shape and gorgeous color palette. The burnt shades are so celebratory of fall and I loved the unique pairing of these hues with a soft heather grey.

I wanted the colors of the cardigan to be the main feature of this outfit and it allowed me to make snap decisions to tie the rest of the look together. The Rachel Zoe button down of a coin grey hue was a no brainer to wear underneath the cardigan since it complimented the heather grey. Without being tucked in, this top is quite flowy. However, I always wear it tucked because it looks super cute and it also was what I needed so as not to pair two billowy pieces on top of the other.

As you all know, it is a rarity for both myself and my husband to not be in black skinny jeans so we won’t spend time on that regard lol. So, we will move right onto shoes and jewelry. The great thing about fall colors is that they all tend to compliment each other perfectly and that gives you the option to mix and match. This applies to both the famed jewel tone fall colors and duller shades alike, which made the fern heeled combat boots work so well. The grey undertones of the shoes also tied into the pieces on top for complete cohesion.

Finally, I wrapped up this OOTD with one of my favorite necklaces by SJ Pearl. I have several pieces by the brand but I often find myself reaching for the jade beads. I love the reassuring weight and the cool color. The pretty hue allowed me to fill the negative space on top without taking away from the rest of the outfit because it worked with the color palette that I had created. It also added some funky flare to an OOTD that was fairly simple, which you know I live for!

Tune in tomorrow for the final OOTD from my Thanksgiving look book featuring a very special guest. Then, it will be onto November finishes, a new Lil Red’s Book Club, and the blooper reel from these looks. Keep it posted!

What is your favorite fall color? What are you thankful for? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov28

Comfy Cozy Thxgiving OOTD

Posted on November 28, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello everyone!! Thanks to celebrating Thanksgiving three separate times this past week, I have three brand spanking new OOTDs to share. Thanksgiving humors me so much because everyone gets dressed to the nines to just sit and eat but, hey, that’s my kind of holiday! For my Thanksgiving look book, I wanted to put together outfits that were cute (Of course!) but comfortable enough to lounge in when you feel like your stomach is about to burst lol.

This first OOTD was from actual Thanksgiving when Johnny and I went to my mom and dad’s and just chilled. It was a wonderful day filled with the best company and this is what I put together:

Who? What? Wear?

Cream Patchwork Sweater: Monteau, TJMaxx
Snakeskin Jeans: Wit & Wisdom, TJMaxx
Lace Up Wedge Boots: Free People, TJMaxx
Dark Green Hoop Earrings: Argentino Vivo, TJMaxx

In my humble opinion, there are few things that invoke comfy cozy more to me than a soft, chunky sweater. Not only is it great to snuggle up in but it also gives you some wiggle room after having a big meal! With that in mind, I went shopping in my closet to see what I could find and decided on my patchwork sweater by Monteau. I probably wouldn’t have selected it if I was cooking that day because we just ordered Bob Evans for dinner and it would have been a shame to stain it! However, this was perfect for the lazy day we shared watching Lego Masters, catching up, and vegging out.

With a top picked out, it was time to move downward in the outfit to the pants department. This part was a no brainer and I went with one of my favorite jeans in one of my favorite patterns – my Wit & Wisdom snakeskin skinnies. I am a huge fan of snakeskin in any color palette and these jeans paired just right with my sweater thanks to the grey, taupe, and cream pattern. Not only was it a match made in heaven but these jeans also feature an elastic waistband, which definitely assisted in providing maximum comfort on Thanksgiving day.

The base of this outfit was quite simple so once it was assembled, accessories were the final step. It took me a minute to decide on which shoes I wanted to wear but once I put my Free People boots on, I couldn’t believe I didn’t go with them from the jump. These are one of my favorite pairs of winter boots and they remind me of putting on ice skates every time I wear them! Although each shade of cream in this look is slightly different, it was all close enough for it to be completely cohesive and I loved how it tied together from top to bottom.

Finally, for a pop of color since this look was almost fully made of neutral pieces, I chose my dark green Argentino Vivo hoops. Argentino Vivo hoop earrings are the absolute best and while I love my huge gold ones, I think I might be a bit more partial to my green pair. Of course, for no other reason than because they pop amazingly against my hair! ❤

This Comfy Cozy Thxgiving OOTD was just what I pictured for a laid back Thanksgiving day. No muss or fuss, just pure comfort and some wiggle room to boot! Keep it posted here on lifewithlilred for more from my Thanksgiving look book!

How was your Thanksgiving? What is your favorite holiday to put an outfit together for? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov23

Black Friday Shopping Pro Tips

Posted on November 23, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello!! I can hardly believe that it is Thanksgiving this week and, of course, with Thanksgiving comes Black Friday. I have actually never shopped during Black Friday before. However, I worked retail for about five years and have five insane Black Fridays under my belt to show for it. During this time, I acquired a lot of pro tips for a successful Black Friday so keep these in mind when you set out for your day of shopping:

Check The Store Hours:

This might seem like a no brainer but it needs to be said since so many stores have updated their Thanksgiving/Black Friday hours in the past few years. A lot of places are no longer open during Thanksgiving evening and that is a wonderful thing. But, you will need to know the store opening and closing times to go about planning your day. This way, you can stagger your shopping and pencil in driving/waiting time if, for example, Target opens at midnight on Friday and Best Buy opens at two AM.

Have A Plan A, B, & C:

A ton of people are very serious Black Friday shoppers and the chances are high that you won’t walk away with everything on your shopping list. This is why it is a MUST to have a plan B and C in place for the items you want that are no longer available. It will also save you the time and frustration of scrambling on the spot to find something else.

Maximize Efficiency:

If you have never shopped or worked Black Friday, you can only imagine how crazy it really is. Jam packed stores, frazzled employees, and picked over inventory are all things that can slow your shopping down. If you know that you are going to need help from an employee, you can help them too! Have pictures of what you want pulled up on your phone or printed out so you can get an immediate yes or no on if it’s still available and where it would be in the store.

Fuel Up/Hydrate:

Crowded stores will get incredibly stuffy really quickly all over top of the fast paced atmosphere of the day. I don’t think I have to spell it out for you why a fall or other medical emergency is dangerous on Black Friday! For that reason, it is so important to make sure you have ate and are properly hydrated. Keep water bottles on hand and snacks in the car and do make sure you make a reservation at a restaurant if you plan on eating out so you know you will have a table.

Just So You Know:

So many people think that once Saturday rolls around, the Black Friday deals are simply over and that is not the case. SO many stores continue to offer Black Friday prices and promotions for several days after the fact. While Black Saturday doesn’t have the same ring as Black Friday, you are more than likely still going to receive a deal. Speaking of deals, remember that you might not be able to use coupons or rewards perks on top of a Black Friday deal so do your research to see which option will save you the most money.

Finally…

This is the time of the year when stores are hiring seasonal workers and a lot of them might not have much retail experience. In fact, Black Friday was one of my first shifts at fifteen and a half. Please keep this in mind and keep your cool because the day is already stressful enough for an employee without getting yelled at by angry customers too. If you think you could do a better job, then put on a name tag and get to work! 🙂

Shop smart on Black Friday with the tips above so you can walk away with something for everyone on your list… And maybe something for yourself too! 😀

Have you ever shopped or worked on Black Friday before? What was your experience like? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov11

Crunch Time Holiday Shopping Tips

Posted on November 11, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello!! I have a huge amount of people on my holiday gift list and I began doing my shopping around the end of August. Because I always allow myself an early start for Christmas present purchasing, I consider now to be my “crunch time” moment – even if we’re not even halfway through November! I consider it a GREAT SUCCESS when all of my shopping is done by early December and I am well on my way to achieving it. To help me out in the fourth quarter, I have been utilizing these tips:

Stop, Look, and Listen:

The information you can get from your giftees simply by listening to them is amazing. For example, my dad volunteered to me the other day that one of his bird baths broke when we were watching his bird feeders from the window. BOOM, that’s one gift down. If gift info isn’t being given freely, you can ask prompting questions or tell stories to get more intel without being super obvious. For example: “Do you ever feel like everything in your house isn’t working?” This could give you a whole litany of things needed from a busted coffee pot to hiring a maid service for the day. Sometimes, it takes some good old fashioned detective work to figure out the perfect present!

Gift Cards Galore:

I have never understood why people call gift cards a “thoughtless” gift because nine out of ten people (Including myself!) freaking love them. Gift cards are great because you can buy exactly what you want and still think of the person who gave you the card. Not to mention that gift card purchases can be beneficial to you too. At my grocery store, Giant Eagle, they have every gift card under the sun available and it gives me rewards points towards my next grocery order. This is all the better if you buy your gift cards during a double or triple point day.

Survey Sites:

I have been a faithful user of the survey site InboxDollars for years. The work is slow going but every couple of months, I get a ten dollar Amazon gift card for my trouble. While this isn’t a huge win, every little bit helps and I always put those earnings towards gift shopping. If you are running low on holiday shopping cash, a couple of days doing surveys or whatever the website is offering like playing games or watching videos can give you a helping hand.

Homemade Gifts:

My favorite gifts of all are homemade ones and there are so many options that are probably cheaper than what you planned on purchasing. I, personally, love receiving Mason jars that are filled with the ingredients to make cookies or soup. Or, if you’re skilled in the kitchen, you could make a tray of holiday treats for your giftees. Paintings, crocheted or knitted accessories, or services like shoveling snow from the driveway won’t cost you anything but your time and will be very well received.

Shop Wisely:

While it can be tempting to wait until Black Friday deals to shop, it can also be a double edged sword. Yes, you might be paying less but what you really want for someone might not be available anymore. This is all up to your discretion but do so wisely. You want to give yourself ample time for presents to be shipped to you as well as time to make an exchange if the item is damaged or not what you wanted. If you have deals on your mind, it might be helpful to use the Honey or Capital One shopping apps so you know that you are always getting the best price for your purchase.

In my world, the Christmas countdown is on and I am SO ready to be done shopping lol. These are the tips that I have been using and it works for me so, hopefully, they will work for all of you too. Happy shopping!

Are you a last minute or early holiday shopper? What homemade gifts do you like to give? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov5

Johnny For A Day OOTD Bloopers

Posted on November 5, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello everyone and welcome to the blooper reel from my Johnny For A Day OOTD! This Halloween costume was so much fun to style, shoot, and wear. It was a blast to channel my inner Johnny and I have found myself wondering how he would style a costume dressed as me because he doesn’t have the luxury of fitting into my clothes lol. I loved so many of the shots from this OOTD that it had to be broken up into parts. As always, however, some of the shots were definitely of the “yikes” variety and includes the following:

I LOOK GREAT!!!!

Don’t mind me, just struttin my stuff

I had no idea that I could even make this face but we learn something new every day!

Just here looking like I tied one on before passing out trick-or-treat candy

This picture is terrifying

Wandering off on an adventure to create the perfect shot…

Nailed it, obviously lol

About to attempt to hoist myself back up lol

Stumbling on my way to get my phone haha smh

There was nothing scary about my costume but some of these pictures completely make up for that! My original plan was to dress up as an undead bride but there were two glaring issues. 1) I had no costume makeup and most importantly 2) I didn’t feel like shaving my legs lol this is my time to hibernate! Bored with all of my costumes, dressing up as Johnny seemed like the most logical choice and I am so glad that I went for it. In fact, I could totally picture myself wearing this outfit or something similar again!

As with the spirit of trick-or-treating, some of the pics from this shoot were a treat. The ones above were a real trick, though, especially since I thought I was working it haha. That’s the fun of the blooper reel and I hope you enjoyed this costume series as much as I did making it! ❤

How was your Halloween? Are you in Christmas mode already? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov4

Johnny For A Day OOTD Bonus Pics

Posted on November 4, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello everyone!! Johnny and I had a blast passing out candy to trick-or-treaters this past Saturday and were so impressed by the adorable and sometimes hilarious costumes we saw. Our favorites were an inflatable chicken and a little girl dressed up as Audrey Hepburn. And, I hate to toot my own horn BUT my costume was one of my favorites too lol. I dressed up as my husband for Halloween and I am still basking in the success of it. This look also had me feeling like a billion bucks so now I know how Johnny feels every day! Check out some bonus pics from my Johnny For A Day OOTD:

OOTD posts are my absolute favorite thing to create for lifewithlilred for a plethora of reasons. I love everything about it from styling the look to selecting the perfect location and fancying myself as an America’s Next Top Model contestant when Johnny takes my pictures. Whenever Johnny is snapping away, I don’t have specific inspiration in my mind in terms of the poses I do and I think that’s why this shoot was so successful. I had concert Johnny in mind with every shot!

Seeing my husband play music always blows my mind but it just hits different when he’s playing a live show. He is constantly moving around the stage, doing crazy back bends, squats, and the cutest little foot kicks lol. For this shoot, I tried to embody some of Johnny’s signature moves with a fashion twist and I am so proud of how the end result turned out. I knew that these pictures were 150% Johnny but it felt awesome to have our friends and those that know him best confirm it too. ❤

My Johnny For A Day OOTD is one of my favorite looks that I have styled for lifewithlilred and I already can’t wait to create some more. Keep it posted tomorrow to wrap up this look with the blooper reel!

What is your favorite Halloween candy? What has been one of your favorite Halloween costumes that you saw this year? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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