Tag Archives: shopping

Aug2

In Summer, We Wear Black OOTD

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In Summer, We Wear Black OOTD

Howdy! Something I really miss doing while I continue to keep my distance amidst the coronavirus pandemic is having photo shoots for lifewithlilred. I loved doing my makeup, styling the perfect outfit, and feeling like America’s Next Top Model for the day. This past month, I felt comfortable enough to schedule a social distance photo shoot with my usual photographer. But, unfortunately, he had to cancel due to a COVID case at his work (All has since been resolved!).

After that, I decided that I would have my mom take my pictures for me over the weekend – just like she used to when lifewithlilred first started! Now, sweet JANE has no photography experience at all but, unlike my dad, she knows how to take pictures on my iPod. This makes it very easy for me because I can set up the shot, have her stand exactly where I want her to, and she can snap away.

After ten or so shots, I usually take a look at what we have, evaluate what I liked and didn’t like, and then continue the process until I’m satisfied. JANE was a rock star, as per ushe, and I was very happy with the following shots for this All Black Everything OOTD:

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Who? What? Wear?

Nine times out of ten in the summertime, you can find me posted up in my normal uniform of all black. Ten times out of ten, you will hear me complaining about how hot it is. Be that as it may, I never “outgrew” my emo phase. It has turned into a lifestyle at this point so I can’t just stop dressing in a way that I’m almost always prepared for a funeral for a little thing like the sun, lol. Besides, the feathery fake lashes I was rocking were enough of a neon pop to make up for the, otherwise, bleak color palette.

I have become a huge fan of fake eyelashes lately and when I saw the funky pair I’m sporting in the pics while online shopping Sephora, I couldn’t pass them up. I knew that I wanted them to make a major statement in my pictures because they are so unique, so my all black OOTD only enhanced it. It also made the beautiful flowers in my dad’s garden pop, which was another goal I had in mind when preparing this shoot.

When it comes to my personal style, I love having a lot of essential pieces that have an extra something to them. The skort is such a fun take on traditional shorts and they also give the illusion of a romper when styled properly (Which is great for me because I look awful in real rompers!). With a playsuit vibe in mind, I opted for one of my favorite tops to wear tucked in and the end result was an, in my opinion, more modern take on an actual romper or shorts and T-shirt combo.

After the initial outfit was styled, it was all about accessories. I chose one of my smaller brimmed hats for this shoot because I didn’t want a huge floppy one taking away from the eyelashes. Wearing Johnny’s sunglasses was another easy choice because they’re relatively plain and it definitely popped nicely against the black.

Bat wing embellished platforms helped complete this chic goth in the sun OOTD. In fact, I know they did because one of the neighborhood kids said they looked vampire-y. Great success! And, finally, I am extra enough to carry a parasol. Enough said.

I am not exaggerating when I say to you all that I felt like a million bucks in these pictures. It was a hot day but my outfit kept me nice and cool and I felt freaking sexy in it. Lol, since coronavirus, I have not put the most effort into my personal appearance and it felt amazing to both feel and look good. I definitely spammed Facebook with pictures of myself but, damn, I couldn’t help it! Your girl was feeling herself!!

This wasn’t exactly the fancy shmancy photo shoot that I had in mind but it was easily one of my favorites. I loved being able to spend time with my mom and I got a HUGE boost of self-confidence. Some new content on the blog is nothing to sneeze at, either. 😉 Keep it posted for more pics this week!

When do you feel confident? Which color do you wear the most often? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul30

Feeling Blue? Get In The Christmas Spirit Early!

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Feeling Blue? Get In The Christmas Spirit Early!

Christmas will be here before we know it. It’s scary how quick this whole year has gone and everything that has happened. But with recent events it is understandable that many of our minds just naturally wander to Christmas and some of the brighter times we have in the future. Chase the Christmas spirit by getting organized early. You won’t believe how less stressful Christmas time can be when you don’t leave things to the last minute. With that in mind, here are some top tips to get ready for the festive season ahead:

Create lists:

Writing up a list can save you a lot of hassle and time. It’s a way of downloading all those ideas you have in your mind and having them safe somewhere for you to refer back to. List what you need to do, who you need to buy for, gift ideas, and budgets. Check things off as you go along and you’ll be holiday season ready in no time.

What about the Christmas budget?

The sooner you start thinking about Christmas might be the moment you start to panic about the financial side of things. Many people save up throughout the year, but others may find that that they need some extra help around the holiday season. This is when looking at ways to finance the Christmas period could be useful. Many then use the following months to start planning and paying things back off.

Plan a party:

Planning a Christmas party filled with gifts, games, good food, and beautiful decor could be just what you need to give yourself something to look forward to and keep you busy. You will have a guest list to prep, a menu made according to food sensitivities of your guests, games and a playlist to perfect, and of course you will need a venue to host at. The venue is something you will want to book well ahead of time before it gets filled for the holiday season. To get started, simply enter a search for “Christmas party venues Brisbane” (or your local area) to find an amazing location in your budget. It will make the decor aspect of your party much easier to visualize when you have your venue already selected.

Get those holiday cards written:

With all of the writing and sending off of Christmas cards in time for the actual day, it might be best to get them out of the way now. The same can be said for if you decide to throw a Christmas party or gathering. One of the biggest jobs is getting those party invitations sent out to your guests. Again, give yourself plenty of time to do this and consider having them printed to save on time.

Start bulk buying the food:

We know that Christmas is a time of eating and drinking with friends and family. While you can’t stock up on the fresh stuff, you can begin to buy in the food and drink that will last. This helps spread the cost of Christmas over a few weeks instead of feeling the pinch in one big food bill.

Buy gifts when you see them:

If you are out shopping and you are suddenly inspired for a gift idea, get it there and then. You will either forget it or regret it if you don’t purchase it. Buying gifts early can not only help spread the cost but it also gets you super organized. You may want to look at the gifts for the day and also any stocking fillers, things such as Christmas sweaters and shirts could be a good option to buy now and websites like UglyChristmasSweater.com have a great selection.

Start wrapping early:

Finally, when you buy a gift wrap it up and put it away. The last thing you want is a huge pile of gifts to wrap all at once. You will feel so much better knowing this job is done and you are prepared for the big day ahead.

Let’s hope these top tips will assist in getting you organized for the Christmas season and help improve your current 2020 blahs!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Jul21

Huge Bath & Body Works Online Haul

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Huge Bath & Body Works Online Haul

Hello! One thing that I have always enjoyed doing is shopping the semi annual sales at Bath & Body Works. Never would I ever buy their products full price but when they are slashing them fifty to seventy-five percent off, why wouldn’t you stock up?! Not only did I snag some early birthday gifts for my bestie but I also was able to score some shower gels for me as well as a huge supply of foaming hand soap to get myself and Johnny through another few months of quarantine. Check it out:

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If you aren’t hip to the glory of the foaming hand soaps from B&BW, then I highly suggest you hit up their sales and buy a few for yourself. They are easily the best hand soaps I have ever used. First of all, they smell fabulous. Second, a tiny pump of it goes a really long way. And, finally, they leave my hands feeling completely clean, totally moisturized, and smelling awesome.

Before, I was always okay with just buying drugstore brands for my shower gel and hand soap needs and would tut at the original expensive B&BW prices. But, when I discovered their semi annual sale, my life changed for the better. Over dramatic, yes. Lol, but it’s true. I love having a huge supply of smell goods in my apartment and my stock pile is guilt free because I paid a fraction of what the original cost would be.

Although it is the most fun to shop the sale in stores, I was still excited to fire up my laptop and check it out online. There is a potential for me to not like some of the scents because I couldn’t give it a whiff test but those products can easily be passed on to someone else or saved for a rainy day when I realize my hoard is ready for a restock!

I was happy to still shop B&BW’s sale in an nontraditional way and, now, I will patiently wait for their post winter price cuts so I can do it all over again! 😀

What is your favorite semi annual sale to shop? How do you save money on brand name shopping? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul20

My Quarantine Beauty Routine

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My Quarantine Beauty Routine

Hi! Living in a lock down state has definitely put a damper on my beauty routine. In fact, I can probably count on under ten fingers the amount of times I’ve put a full face of makeup on since March nineteenth. Sure, it’s nice to be feeling myself after I beat my face but, at the end of the day, it’s not like Johnny and I do anything so what’s the point?

Every once in a while I’ll put some mascara and blush on but, for the most part, my face has been au natural. Because of that, I have really just been enjoying doing face masks on my already blank face in the evening. I have also incorporated a night time skin care routine into my beauty regimen. I used to not have one, as I never took my makeup off before bed. But, now, I always apply my serum, eye cream, and moisturizer before bed too.

Although I miss doing my makeup, I like sleeping in before work more! Lol, what I really miss is shopping. I’m not comfortable making my rounds in a store like TJMaxx or Target yet. And, when I find some cute, in season clothes online I realize that no one will probably see me in it till next year so what’s the point? I mainly have just been ordering my skin care online and extra hand soaps from Bath & Body Works when I need it.

On the bright side, this lack of shopping and applying makeup has saved me money. The lack of going out to restaurants and bars and doing my eating (And drinking!) at home also saves me money. So, when the fateful day comes that I can finally have a TJ’s shopping trip without having a panic attack, I know the haul that will be purchased will be totally guilt free. Score!

What do you miss doing most while in quarantine? How have your normal routines been affected? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul19

Things I’m Missing

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Things I’m Missing

Hello! Johnny and I have been living in a lock down style state since March 19th when the restaurants and bars in Ohio closed down. Since then, the only things I have left my apartment for other than work has been the grocery store, gas station, and my monthly nail appointment. And, on occasion, we might have a friend over for a drink through serious social distancing in my living room.

Despite being constantly surrounded at home by “entertainment” like the TV, streaming services, video games, books, and board games there are definitely some activities in the community that all of the America’s Next Top Model marathons in the world couldn’t replace. I eagerly await going to all of the following once it is safe to do so:

TJMaxx:

Lol, of course TJ’s was going to be the first on my list! You guys have no idea the amount of TJMaxx related memes that I have been sent by people who have genuinely been thinking of me during this pandemic for that reason alone! I miss going on my monthly shopping trips to TJMaxx with my mom more than anything but we have all been picking and choosing what we do very carefully. For example, my monthly “treat” outing is visiting the nail salon where I feel most comfortable. I know I wouldn’t feel safe in a store full of people so online shopping has been the move for months now.

But, trust and believe that as soon as I feel one hundred and fifty million percent okay, TJ’s will be the first place I visit. I have plenty of birthday gift cards burning a hole in my pocket and I intend on using them on a gigantic haul. It’s always nice to have something to look forward to, haha. 🙂

Restaurants/Bars:

It’s not like Johnny and I went out a ton pre-coronavirus but we would usually go to the bar or out to eat maybe once a week or so. These outings were the best last summer when we could have drinks on all of the outdoor patios in Kent. It was just such a nice way to spend an hour or two after work and I miss being able to unwind with our friends.

Most of all, however, I miss going to the bars where the band my boyfriend is in, The Outside Voices, would play. Going to their shows over the weekend was always something we really looked forward to and I know it has been so hard on him to not be doing anything musical. In fact, I think he misses performing just as much as I miss shopping at TJMaxx and that’s really saying something.

Guilt Free Hang Outs:

I have been able to Skype with and social distance hang out with a few of my friends on occasion. Of course, it’s always nice to see them whether that be on the laptop screen or at the opposite end of the room. But what I really miss is being able to hug them and interact more closely. For example, when Lea usually comes over we like to curl up on the couch and drink wine. Not so much anymore, lol.

I miss all of the little things that I never thought much of before. Big hugs goodbye, sitting on the same couch, or venturing out for random adventures – just for starters. A lot of thought goes into doing just about anything now and I miss the spontaneity that comes with guilt free hang outs with all of my besties.

What are the activities that you’re missing the most right now? Do you have a safe “treat” outing that you participate in? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun19

Huge Sephora Haul

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Huge Sephora Haul

Hello! I don’t shop in store with Sephora often, unless I plan on purchasing new makeup. Normally, I just get everything I already know I like online because they have amazing freebie deals and free shipping with a fifty dollar purchase… Which, let’s be honest, is not hard to do!

This past online order, I really needed more of my favorite hair product: IGK’s Mistress Hair Balm and I also was in the mood to order some treats. So, I decided to scour their sale section and ended up with some darling new fake eyelashes, a face mask, a butt mask (lol!), and a whole lot of freebies. Check it out:

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Okay, let’s start out by addressing the elephant in the room: THE BUTT MASK. I did not go on Sephora’s website specifically to buy this! I was literally one dollar away from free shipping and didn’t want to make a huge purchase, so I bought the mask on sale for four bucks to get me over the limit. I’d be a liar if I said I wasn’t curious and obviously I’m looking forward to using it. Since when is there a beauty product just for the booty boo?!

Anyways, I planned out this purchase to get the maximum amount of freebies, as you can see. Not only did I get my birthday freebie by Milk Makeup but I also got eleven additional samples with a twenty-five dollar purchase and two extra ones just for online shopping. It was a great deal and I have been enjoying testing out all of the high end skin care I got samples of.

It has already been established that I’m looking forward to trying my face AND butt mask but I think I am the most excited about my new eyelashes. The Museum Of Ice Cream and Sephora collab introduced the world to the most adorable, feather adorned fake eyelashes I have ever seen. Of course, there’s nowhere to flaunt them now but once I get my hair done it’s photo shoot time so be on the lookout to see a super funky and cool MOTD!

How do you get the best deals when shopping Sephora? Which beauty products do you love to treat yourself to? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun3

Making Your Home A More Comfortable Space

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Making Your Home A More Comfortable Space

Our homes serve so many functions. They provide us with shelter from the elements and warmth. They provide us with somewhere to bathe and eat and with a space to keep our belongings. They are our safe havens and keep us secure. But it’s important to make sure that your home is as comfortable of a space as possible. If you’re going to spend a whole lot of time here, you’re going to want to be able to kick back and relax. The good news is that with a little time, effort, and smart financial investment, you can make almost any home a comfortable and enjoyable space to spend time in. Here are a few ideas that you might like to consider:

Invest In a Good Quality Mattress:

Sleep is essential to your health and well being. There’s a good reason that it’s recommended the average adult gets between seven and eight hours’ worth a night. Sleep gives your body a chance to relax and recuperate and can help with memory retention. Sleep deprivation can make you uncomfortable and can make day to day life extremely difficult and drawn out. There are many factors that play into sleep quality, but mattress quality can be one of them. It’s recommended that you change your mattress once every eight years – used mattresses collect dirt and dust and can provide less support after a few years.

Get Air Conditioning:

Air conditioning can make your house a lot more comfortable during the summer months when the temperature rises and becomes stifling. Sure, it’s an investment that not every home has. But it’s a luxury that can really make a difference and will be worth it! Research different units and determine which will be best for your home setting. You may want to consider air conditioning repair if you have an old unit that has been out of use for a while.

Have Plenty of Seating:

If you’re going to accommodate guests from time to time, it’s important to have enough seating for everyone. A sofa is an essential, but you can buy complementary seating too. A chaise lounge or an armchair can make all of the difference rather than having to sit on the floor or stand when others are over. It’s a good idea to try different styles out in store before buying them so that they are up to your comfort level standards.

Improve Air Quality:

If your home is particularly humid, it can quickly get uncomfortable. A good quality dehumidifier can help with this. Air quality can also be improved by having plenty of houseplants around. Just make sure to opt for types that don’t have too much pollen, as this can worsen any existing allergies. And, always check that the plants you choose are safe for any children or pets you may have.

These are just a few steps you can take to make your home more comfortable, since we’re all spending a lot more time in our dwellings amid COVID-19!

Featured Image By: Pexels

May29

Bath & Body Works Online Haul

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Bath & Body Works Online Haul

Hi! During the coronavirus pandemic, the foaming hand soap from Bath & Body Works has been a godsend. They leave my hands feeling so clean without being stripped of moisture in any way. And, when you’re washing your hands way more frequently than usual, you have no idea how nice it is to have a soap that won’t turn your hands into bright red lobster claws!

I began purchasing B&BW soaps when I moved into my apartment last year and have not looked back since. My boyfriend, Johnny, loves them too and I love being in charge of which scents we pick out! Like all of these ones, when we had to restock online:

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Which Scents?

  • Sunwashed Citrus
  • Peach Bellini
  • Shell Yeah (Peach Passionfruit)
  • Stay Pawsitive (Iced Vanilla Cookie)
  • Pineapple Mango
  • Pomegranate Lemonade

Bath & Body Works was running a six for twenty-four dollar promotion on their hand soaps and you just can’t beat that. Of course, shopping online for scents is hard so I just went with what sounded good to me. I had to grab another Peach Bellini because it’s my favorite but I decided to get all new scents for the other five choices.

I absolutely love the adorable marketing on the Shell Yeah and Stay Pawsitive bottles and they both smell awesome. The Iced Vanilla Cookie one smells so much like the real thing that you just want to eat it, lol. I also am a huge fan of tropical/citrus scents, as is my boyfriend, so the Pineapple Mango and Sunwashed Citrus were easy choices to make.

The only scent that I am not thrilled with is the Pomegranate Lemonade. The lemonade part isn’t noticeable and the pomegranate portion is so overpowering and it just smells… Not great. Very old lady-ish, actually, so I definitely won’t be getting it again. But, five out of six ain’t bad and having clean, smooth hands makes one disappointment one hundred and fifty percent worth it!

What is your favorite Bath & Body Works scent? How do you keep your hands from drying out after a lot of washes? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May21

Prepare For Summer With These Awesome Style Choices

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Prepare For Summer With These Awesome Style Choices

While lock down may not have fully ended just yet, that doesn’t mean that it’s not time to start getting ready for the summer season. Specifically, we’re thinking about your new style options and there are definitely some trends here that are worth considering. Let’s take a look at some of the ways that you can look incredible when the sun begins to emerge:

The Right Shades:

Yes, you can start by thinking about which sunglasses you are going to wear to the beach this year. This is an easy place to begin and it’s worth noting that not every pair of sunglasses is going to suit every person. The style of sunglasses that are right for you is always going to depend on both of your eyes and the shape of your face. Some people are more suited for aviator-style shades while others will be better off with cats-eye glasses. It’s entirely up to you, of course, but a big trend this year is the wooden arms of the shades. Typically made from bamboo, these will stand out beautifully and make quite the impression.

New Jewelry And Piercings:

You can be a little bolder with your style this season and, instead, opt for some new piercings. A popular choice this year is going to be the constellation ear piercing. These look incredible and you can find out more from Urban Body Jewelry. Alternatively, nose piercings are another popular choice worth checking out this year. Studs are definitely on-trend and you’re going to see these a lot this summer with new season looks.

A Fresh Hairstyle:

A lot of people are currently wondering what their style should be when they emerge from lock down. Remember, a lot of offices are not reopening which means that employees have a chance to think big with their style. That means that many people are being a little bolder with their hair dye choices. If you’ve always dreamed about trying out a radical new color for your hair, then now could be a perfect time. Be aware that some color choices are going to make your eyes pop beautifully. Particularly when you get the makeup just right to go with the option that you choose.

From neon pink to a gorgeous silver, there are an abundant array of possibilities for you to consider. You could also match this with a brand new cut too. Is now the time to try a pixie cut? It definitely could be!

Metallic Leather:

Finally, if you’re looking to reinvent your wardrobe this summer season, then you might want to visit a retro clothing store. If you look at fashion blogs, you’ll see that metallic leather is back on-trend. You’re going to see a lot of people this season looking as though they are heading to an 80’s themed rave and we think you’ll agree, it’s about time.

We hope you have fun trying some of these trends and ideas yourself to look fresh and fun all summer long!

Featured Image By: Pexels

May19

Renewing Your Style This Spring

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Renewing Your Style This Spring

Whether it’s through new makeup or an overhaul of your wardrobe, everyone needs to renew and revitalize their style from time to time. If you think the time is right for you to make some changes and shake up how you style yourself, we’ve got some tips and ideas that might help you achieve the outcomes you’re looking for. Of course, your style should be unique to you, but here are some of the options you might want to consider:

Find Suitable Sources of Inspiration:

If you think the time is right to make a change, the first step is to find some sources of inspiration for your new look and where you want to take your style. Browse some blogs and look to influencers or celebrities who rock the kind of style you’re interested in. There’s a plethora of images out there for you to scour and take inspiration from, so this shouldn’t be a problem.

Try a Minimal Color Palette:

When one of your aims is to revamp your wardrobe, you can achieve this by doing something different with the color palette. You should try to keep it simple and reduced to begin with because this will limit you and provide your approach to fashion and the process of developing a new style to become a little more focused. So try it out for yourself.

Find a New Go-To Lipstick:

One of the most important items you’ll own as a woman with regards to style and fashion is that one lipstick that you can always call upon when you need to add something new to your look. You should shop matte lipstick and find a new one that fits with the new style that you’re looking to create for yourself. It could be just what you need right now.

Aim for Quality Over Quantity:

When it comes to improving your approach to style, you should always aim for the ethos of quality over quantity. Anyone who’s hoarded fashion items and ended up with an incredibly bloated wardrobe knows that having lots of clothes doesn’t make dressing yourself each day any easier. It makes it more difficult and you become overwhelmed by lots of underwhelming options.

Invest in Some New Shoes:

One of the most important things to buy for yourself when you’re looking to renew your style is a pair of shoes that can be used in all kinds of different scenarios. They should be flexible and versatile and make you feel at ease and confident when you’re wearing them. It’s always a good place to start. *Just make sure you can walk in them easily! 😀

Every now and then, you need to take a step back and see if the time is right to do something new with your style. A fresh look can transform your entire being and put a new spring in your step. There are lots of ways of making this happen, and the ideas above should help you get started.

Featured Image By: Pixabay