Tag Archives: shopping

Apr23

Polka Dots, Please OOTD

Posted on April 23, 2022 by lifewithlilred

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new OOTD here on lifewithlilred! Today, we’re going to be taking a look at some pics from my look while celebrating Easter with the in laws. And, as always, stay tuned for bonus shots and a plethora of bloopers from the shoot! Johnny and I had a lovely Easter weekend and I hope that all of you did too. 🙂 Now, let’s get to it:

Who? What? Wear?

Unicorn Sweater: Loft
Polka Dot Skirt: Eva Franco, TJMaxx
Floral Pumps: Elle, Kohl’s
The pearl necklace was my grandma’s

Nothing says “celebrate spring” like some polka dots and floral prints! While I would have loved to sport a cute little sundress for Easter, it was frickin freezing and it was gonna be a no from me. Instead, I went with the springiest cold weather option I had, which was my polka dot maxi skirt by Eva Franco. This choice was, obviously, a yes from me!

I remember lusting over my Eva Franco number for months on TJMaxx’s website and snagged it on clearance. It was the steal of a lifetime but I never broke it out as often as I imagined so I’m glad it got its moment in the sun… or lack thereof. This skirt is so festive and fun and the bright dots gave a perfect pop of spring without going the floral route.

As you all know, I am a huge fan of making a skirt and top combo look like a dress. To achieve this and add some extra warmth, I went with my Loft unicorn sweater. This was a Christmas gift from my mom and I love it so much. Also note how the blue stitching matches to the T with the blue polka dots! 😀

Since navy is a neutral and the skirt and sweater paired so well together, this gave me the opportunity to have some fun with the shoes. I will be the first to admit that these Elle pumps are, easily, the least comfortable pair of shoes that I own. I have some crazy pairs in my collection and none of them bother me except for these pumps.

My Elle pumps pinch, they hurt, and are so uncomfortable to walk in but I will do anything in the name of FASHION. In fact, one time I made the grave mistake of wearing these to the mall and I had to stuff them full of loose Taco Bell receipts from my purse to keep the blisters from getting worse. But, that’s neither here nor there and since I literally was just walking into my in law’s home, it was a risk I was willing to take. I think it paid off!

Finally, for accessories, I topped this OOTD off with my absolute favorite necklace – my grandma’s pearls. Although there was a lot happening in my look, it didn’t feel complete until I put my necklace on. Pearls are so elegant and I believe that they are an ideal neutral when it comes to jewelry. They don’t distract from the overall outfit but enhance and I love how they tied this OOTD together.

Other than the wicked uncomfortable heels that I absolutely refuse to get rid of, I felt like Spring Fling Queen in my Polka Dots, Please OOTD! Now, can actual spring weather happen now or…?

How did you celebrate Easter? What is your favorite gemstone? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr22

Expressing Yourself With Your Style

Posted on April 22, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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A good marker of identity is in the choices someone makes when deciding what to look like. Of course, image isn’t everything, in fact it’s only a small part of who we are, and in most circumstances, we are given the cards we’re dealt with. Outside of temporarily wearing certain shoes, for instance, it’s hard to change our height. That’s okay, because you’re more than enough without having to change every single part of you.

Furthermore, there’s no “necessity” here. Self expression through various means is totally voluntary, you can be as simple or complex as you like. The trick is to have fun with it, and to decide what your tastes are. It might be that you love both alternative styles and more default apparel choices, both are totally valid, and can showcase different parts of who you are.

If you feel like expressing who you are anew, then, there are many ways you can make those choices. No matter if you’re in your twenties and feel as though you’re starting to know who you are, or if you’re in your forties and feel like enjoying a tattoo for the first time, consider how to achieve this in the best and healthiest manner, below:

Self Care & Health:

Self care and health is important to consider, but many people forget that this is actually a good way to express yourself. Sure, sometimes you may need to visit an emergency dentist for corrective work, but making sure you properly brush/floss your teeth can help you feel comfortable in beaming ear to ear. The same goes for skin care, which can help you positively glow, and organizing a hair care routine that helps you strengthen it, especially when planning to dye it properly. There’s no better way than investing in yourself with a little TLC and expressing yourself thanks to your newfound confidence.

Body Art & Accessories:

Body art such as piercings and tattoos as well as accessories that truly help you reveal yourself as you are can make such a difference when putting together outfits or showcasing your mood on a given day. From the types of necklace you wear to the cool classy hat you’re trying out, switching it up according to your mood helps you explore fashion and what it means to you, as well as allowing you to grow with confidence going forward.

Styles & Outfits:

Finding your “style” can be a good way to broadly categorize what you like to wear, but remember that these are warm guidelines and not specific rules. They can help you put outfits together, no matter if you hope to wear more professional clothing in your new job or if you wish to wear nice summer clothes for your vacation. Consider the event, the appropriateness of the place, what will be comfortable, what colors work for you, and what kind of arrangements can help you thrive. A nice balance of all these can grant you the best outlook.

You should also consider the other elements of an outfit when expressing yourself through your style. The first thing to remember is that your comfort is important. Be mindful of designs and colors when selecting an outfit to express who you are. Perhaps you feel good in clothes of a darker, more subtle color pattern. In that case, you can consider clothes made with this green spinach cheerio fabric. Research shows that wearing clothes you love makes you feel confident and boosts your mood and behavior. Be sure to keep these tips in mind when you are trying to showcase who you are through your sense of fashion.

Let your style reflect your amazing self, personality, and confidence and have some fun! That’s what it’s all about. 🙂

Featured Image By: Pexels

Apr21

Letting Your Personality Shine With Accessories

Posted on April 21, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Letting Your Personality Shine With Accessories

When it comes to fashion, the old saying “less is more” definitely does not apply. In fact, when it comes to accessories, the more, the merrier! Accessories can help you show off your personality and style and take a basic outfit over the top. Let’s explore this a little more to make your next OOTD a winner:

Accessories can help you express your personality:

When you see someone wearing a piece of jewelry or an article of clothing that you love, it instantly tells you something about that person’s taste and style. By choosing accessories that reflect your own personal taste, you can easily communicate who you are to the world around you. And there’s nothing wrong with expressing yourself! Fashion is all about self-expression and individuality. So go ahead and rock those statement earrings or that bold necklace – we guarantee they’ll get people talking (in a good way)!

Show Off Your Unique Sense of Style:

Take a look at any celebrity or fashion icon – they all have their own signature style that is reflected in the way they dress and accessorize. And you can do the same! Your clothes and accessories are like a blank canvas, and it’s up to you to fill that canvas with your own personal style. Don’t be afraid to experiment until you find a look that represents who you are. Trust us, when you find your signature style, people will start to take notice.

If you’re struggling to create a look that feels uniquely you, that’s okay! Finding your signature style takes time, like all good things. But there are so many ways to get inspired. Try on outfits you wouldn’t normally choose at the store, flip through fashion magazines at the library, or browse social media for ideas from your favorite influencers and celebrities. For example, reading a New celebrity eyewear blog could introduce you to stunning sunglasses that frame your face perfectly and elevate your entire look. Sometimes, all it takes is one statement accessory to spark your fashion creativity and help you define your own signature style!

Make a Statement:

Another great reason to let your personality shine through your accessories is that it allows you to make a statement. Whether you’re going for girly, professional, or showing off your edgy side, there’s no better way to do it than with your clothes and accessories. There are many types of accessories that you can use to make a statement, like Prescription Eyeglasses or even a simple T-Shirt. So if you’re looking for a way to get your voice out there, consider using your accessories as a platform. Who knows – you might just start a fashion trend in the process!

Photo by Atikh Bana on Unsplash

Turn Heads:

Let’s face it, we all love a little attention now and then. And what better way to get it than by wearing something that shows off your unique sense of style? Whether you’re at a party or just walking down the street, if you’re wearing something that turns heads, you’re guaranteed to feel confident and fabulous. So go ahead and experiment with different looks until you find one that makes you feel like a million bucks!

Feel Confident and Fabulous:

We all know that feeling – when you walk out of the house, and you just know you look good. It’s awesome, isn’t it? By playing with your style, you can easily achieve that feeling of confidence and fabulousness. Even on off days, accessories can be most helpful in providing that extra confidence boost. Tired eyes can be masked by a gorgeous pair of sunglasses or headbands for women can tame a bad hair day. The beauty is that no one will be the wiser and you can go about your day feeling your best. When you feel good about the way you look, it shows! Put on those killer heels or that fantastic piece of jewelry – we promise you’ll love the way you feel.

No OOTD is complete without the right accessories so go for the bold and bright to reflect the spring and summer weather and strut your stuff!

Featured Image By: Amos Bar-Zeev on Unsplash

Apr21

Spring Skirt Savvy OOTD Bloopers

Posted on April 21, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello everyone and welcome to the blooper reel from my Spring Skirt Savvy OOTD! When Johnny takes my pictures, he will snap away until I’m ready to look at them… and then he’ll still keep taking my picture lol. With the rapid fire picture taking, I am left with what feels like a million shots to sort through and a majority of them do not make the final cut. You can definitely see why:

Johnny is always making me laugh!

Some mid pose action

It’s obvious why this shot didn’t make the cut

AYYY or this one lol

Feeling a little off balance

Making sure my top didn’t have any gaps in it was a constant battle and I obviously wasn’t always successful

Ahhhh I’m a zombie

This is what I refer to as the “dismount” shot when I’m ready to see my pictures and Johnny is still snapping away

Probably laughing about Johnny giving me some ridiculous directions

As you can see, they are not always going to be winners when a blogger is taking OOTD pics lol. The blooper shots from my OOTDs might not be the most flattering but they are part of the process and it makes me and Johnny laugh – and hopefully you too! These are the types of pictures that make me say my mantra of “just a few more” and big ups to my darling blog husband for always obliging! ❤

Where is your favorite spot to take pictures at? What is your picture taking process? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr19

Spring Skirt Savvy OOTD Bonus Pictures

Posted on April 19, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Howdy everyone and welcome to some bonus pictures from my Spring Skirt Savvy OOTD! Tomorrow, tune in for a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club and then we will be taking a look at the numerous bloopers from my shoot. Thanks to Johnny’s rapid fire picture taking, there was an equal amount of bloopers as there were winners lol. Now, let’s peep the ones that made the cut:

Although I don’t get to take OOTD pictures as often as I would like, it is still one of my most favorite things to do for lifewithlilred. While I would have loved to go to a more scenic location to shoot for my Spring Skirt Savvy OOTD, the parking lot of my apartment worked just fine! I have actually always wanted to take pictures with my car because it is one of my most prized possessions. And, luckily for me, it rained the night before so the Little Red Love Machine was nice and clean. 😀

There is nothing that boosts my confidence quite like a good outfit and getting in front of the camera to capture it. When I was younger and America’s Next Top Model was the most popular thing on planet Earth, I always dreamed of being on that show. And, thanks to the ol’ blog, I can make those dreams come true even if it is just in front of my apartment haha.

While I will never work with Vogue level photographers, that’s okay because I have Johnny and that’s even better. He is seriously the best blog husband ever and puts up with my OOTD shoot antics like a champ. “Just a few more” is my mantra when he takes my pictures and he always obliges, which truly warms my cold bitter heart. I am a very lucky gal! ❤

My cure all for when I’m feeling down is getting dolled up and snapping some pics. Even if you are a bit camera shy, I encourage everyone to get their pictures taken when the mood suits. I think you’ll have some fun! 🙂

Do you prefer to take pictures or be in front of the camera? What makes you feel confident? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr17

Spring Skirt Savvy OOTD

Posted on April 17, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new OOTD here on lifewithlilred! This past week, I had an interview for a new job coaching position and had to take advantage of the fact that I was wearing makeup by making Johnny take some pictures… Even if it was just in our apartment’s parking lot lol. Hey, you work with what you’ve got. These pictures combine three of my favorite things: My new hair, my car, and spring skirts! Check it out:

Who? What? Wear?

White Blouse: H&M
Floral Skirt: Love On A Hanger, TJMaxx
Heels: ModCloth
Turquoise Necklace: My brother got me this necklace in New Mexico 🙂
Gold Cuff: Aerie
Little Red Love Machine: Mazda 2 Hatchback Sport ❤

I have been hinting at a new OOTD for a while and, believe you me, I have wanted to take pictures SO. Bad. However, the weather has been crap for the past couple of weeks here. It has been frigid cold and rainy so not only did I have to take advantage of my painted face during this shoot but the nice weather too! It was bright and sunny, making for the perfect climate for OOTD pictures.

This outfit is a fairly simple one but I think that it is so fabulous to finally welcome the spring weather with. I have been itching to wear my new Love On A Hanger skirt from TJMaxx since I bought it a few weeks ago and was very happy to finally break it out… Even if it was just for twenty minutes worth of picture taking. 😀

My original thought was to pair this skirt with my favorite white Rachel Zoe tank top because that is what I was wearing the day I tried it on in the fitting room. Although it looked cute, it didn’t pack enough punch so I returned to my closet for something different. I decided to go with a white blouse from H&M, instead. It is old as the dickens but it worked just right when tucked into the skirt.

As you all know, I am very fond of this particular style of skirt. The high waist, short length, and tight fit is so flattering. And, the beauty of these skirts is that if you tuck a shirt into it, it gives the illusion of wearing a dress. The breezy fabric of my H&M blouse offered some movement even while tucked in, which I liked because the canvas like material of the skirt definitely doesn’t provide that!

When it comes to wearing these skirts, constructing the basis of the outfit isn’t as important as the shoes that you choose. Typically, a bold pattern speaks for itself and you don’t have to do much to make it work. However, it’s crucial to pair skirts like this with a shoe that doesn’t have any straps. The high waist mini skirt gives your body such a nice, leggy silhouette and strappy shoes will ruin the length that you created.

The heels that I went with are an Old Faithful from ModCloth. I’m actually pretty sure they are one of my first purchases from that site! The cornflower blue flowers in the heels matched perfectly with those in my skirt, which made both of the patterns work together. Remember, when mixing and matching patterns that you need a like color in both pieces for a cohesive look!

I didn’t want to go overboard with my accessories because I loved how my tattoos looked against a somewhat muted palette. I went with one of my favorite gold cuffs and for a pop of color, I added my turquoise necklace from my brother. This necklace was the ideal length and hit right where my blouse opens up at the collar for a sweet peek a boo of blue.

I cannot wait to wear my Spring Skirt Savvy OOTD for more than twenty minutes and it is a look that you will be seeing more of. Tune in tomorrow to peep my new nails, then it will be on to bonus pictures and bloopers. See you then!

What is your favorite thing about springtime? What is your favorite style of skirt? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar30

Accessory Story: Cynthia Rowley Earrings Edition

Posted on March 30, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Accessory Story: Cynthia Rowley Earrings Edition

Howdy! The last thing I purchased during my final hurrah before my favorite TJMaxx closes was a really cool pair of earrings by Cynthia Rowley. I had actually seen them before at TJs and liked them a lot but didn’t buy them so I figured it was now or never when I saw them again! Check it out:

When it comes to my jewelry, simple will simply not do and I love accessorizing with quirky pieces. These earrings definitely fall under that category! I love the design of my new Cynthia Rowley earrings and, of course, the bold red lip in the shape of a heart speaks to me. I have a skirt in a pattern that is almost identical and now I have the earrings to match. 😀

I cannot wait to break out my new earrings and the skirt you saw yesterday from my mini haul at TJs and I am so happy with my purchases… Just not the circumstance! Since my youth, the TJMaxx that is closing has provided me with many fond memories and lots of fabulous finds. Parting is, truly, such sweet sorrow and, although I am excited for the opening of a new TJMaxx, nothing will ever beat Old Faithful. ❤

Do you have a favorite store that closed? What is your favorite jewelry to accessorize with? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar29

New Love On A Hanger Skirt

Posted on March 29, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello! My all time favorite TJMaxx is closing down to make room for a shiny new one and it was bittersweet during my last shopping trip there. Bitter because I will miss the store terribly and sweet because I got some super cute new goodies! I wasn’t planning on purchasing anything for myself (Which is always how it goes!) but when I found this adorable skirt by Love On A Hanger, I figured it couldn’t hurt to try it on:

The shape of this skirt is my absolute favorite and I have several of them. Despite this, I always find myself buying more because I love them oh so much. The high rise fit with mini skirt length is so flattering and it makes for the most darling OOTDs come spring and summer. All you need is a crop or tank top, bold platforms, and a floppy hat and you are sure to turn heads!

While I, truthfully, don’t need anymore of these skirts, I justify my obsession by telling myself that I don’t have one in this pattern lol. And, that’s exactly what I told myself when I saw this Love On A Hanger number at TJMaxx. I fell in love with the canvas like material, springy flowers, and all of the OOTD possibilities that came with it.

It might be too cold to wear my new skirt right now but, trust and believe, that I will be busting it out as soon as the temperature rises. I tried my skirt on in the fitting room with a plain white tank top and it looked perfect. Once my pink Marc Fisher platforms are on and some colorful accessories, I will definitely feel like Spring Fling Queen!

In the timeless words of Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada: “Florals…for spring? How…groundbreaking.” But, if it’s not broken then don’t fix it! 😀

What is your favorite style of skirt? Do you have a piece of clothing that you like to buy in multiple patterns? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar28

A Night At The Theater Pt. 2 OOTD

Posted on March 28, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new OOTD here on lifewithlilred! My last Night At The Theater OOTD was from about a month ago when Johnny and I went to see Jesus Christ Superstar. This time around, we are going to be taking a look at my look from when I went to see Pretty Woman: The Musical with my mom. We had the best time getting all dolled up together and having a night on the town and I love the outfit that I came up with:

Who? What? Wear?

Jean Jacket: Ci Sono, TJMaxx
Cami Top: Mittoshop, French Rooster
Floral Pants: One By Chapter One, TJMaxx (As seen on yesterday’s post!)
Pink Platforms: Marc Fisher, TJMaxx
Necklace: SJ Pearl, TJMaxx

I bought my new floral jogger pants the day before my night at the theater and knew that I definitely wanted to wear them to see Pretty Woman. After such a long winter, the flower print inspired me to create a spring style OOTD and my joggers provided the perfect base for it. This OOTD was actually super easy to create because I had one piece of the look already figured out and my options for tops and accessories was limited to what would work well with the pattern.

For my top, I went with my oyster shell colored flowy cami by Mittoshop. I wore it tucked into my bottoms and I thought that it looked lovely. The color of this top is so elegant and the lace detailing on the front added such a girly touch for a girls night out. Originally, I had on a black tank top but it bored me and I am so glad that I changed it up.

Since it was a chilly night, a jacket was a necessity and I wasn’t sure what to wear. I played around with a couple of different black blazers but the sleek shapes didn’t pair well with the flowy vibes of this look. After some trial and error, I settled on my Ci Sono jean jacket which is an oldie but goodie from a past TJMaxx Haul.

Once the jean jacket was on, I don’t know why I didn’t go with it in the first place! Jean jackets scream “spring” to me and it looked just right with the rest of my outfit. While I love a crisp, tighter fitting jean jacket, my Ci Sono one is a bit baggy without being completely over sized and complimented the style of the rest of the outfit rather than hindering it.

Finally, it was time for accessories and I knew just what shoes that I wanted to wear. I have been dying to break out my Barbie pink Marc Fisher platforms since I got them this winter and they were everything that I wanted them to be AND MORE. These platforms were made to be worn with my OOTD and the added height was much needed. I wouldn’t have bought my new joggers if they were too too long but they are pants that definitely need to be worn with heels.

For jewelry, I chose my SJ pearl necklace in a gorgeous pale blue. Although I love flashy, bright jewelry, my outfit was such a muted palette and my necklace had to follow suit. The length of this necklace highlighted the lace detailing on my top and I think it tied the whole look together perfectly.

My Night At The Theater Pt. 2 OOTD is one that I can picture myself wearing all spring long. Two pretty women seeing Pretty Woman: The Musical required a fabulous outfit and I think that I delivered!

How do you dress for spring? 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

Mar27

One By Chapter One Jogger Pants

Posted on March 27, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello! I had a few dollars on a TJMaxx gift card left from Christmas and I wanted to make a quick trip before work to buy some add on prezzies for my sister’s birthday. Little did I know before entering the store that my beloved TJMaxx in Chapel Hill was closing down because a new one is opening in Stow. While I’m excited for the shiny new TJs to open, I will miss the Chapel Hill one dearly and have many a fond memory of shopping there with my mom and sister.

Most of the store was already pretty picked over when I went and I wasn’t able to find anything that I liked for my sister. However, I did find some stuff that I liked for me! Check it out:

^^^ These joggers look so bad hanging up lol.

Tomorrow, you can peep these One By Chapter One joggers in a brand new OOTD but I thought that we would discuss them first! I have wanted pants like these for forever and when I saw them hanging up on the rack, I didn’t expect to like them as much as I did when I tried them on. I love the idea of printed bottoms but I have never found just the right pair. Some patterns are too loud, others make me look bottom heavy, and most of them wouldn’t go with anything else that I own.

I liked these joggers when I saw them hanging up because they were more like slacks than your traditional pair of joggers and I had an abundance of tops that would work with them. When I tried them on, I was sold by how comfortable they were and how well they fit. My new joggers are a straight leg fit and they have a bit of bagginess to them without looking like parachute pants!

The pattern against the pewter grey background is bold without being too much and provides lots of options for what can be worn on top. For my OOTD, I went with an oyster shell colored cami but you could wear burgundy, light pink, taupe, or black on top and get away with it. When it comes to patterned bottoms, you might only have one or two pieces in your wardrobe to make it a cohesive look. Thankfully, I have plenty of choices to wear with these pants and I wouldn’t have bought them if that wasn’t the case. I am so happy with them! 😀

Be sure to tune back in tomorrow for a new OOTD featuring these joggers and then we will move on to two more purchases from my TJMaxx trip. See you then! ❤

What is your favorite pattern to wear? How would you style these joggers? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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