Tag Archives: shopping

Feb28

Accessory Story: Bling Bling Earrings Edition

Posted on February 28, 2020 by lifewithlilred

Howdy! During my Valentine’s Day weekend in Marietta with my boyfriend, Johnny, he humored me by letting me shop in a darling boutique called EmLeigh’s and Mama B’s. Despite him looking like the “miserable husbands of Instagram” who fall asleep at the mall while their wives shop, I know he had a good time too. In fact, he’s just as big of an enabler as when I’m shopping with my mom or sister! Haha, such an angel!

I went a little earring crazy during my boutique bonanza but it’s not like I’m going to be able to shop in that store again any time soon so it was totally worth it. You saw my cool cross earrings yesterday and now check out two more super blingy pairs:

While I was checking out, the square pair of earrings with the Mardi Gras chic colors was sitting in a basket marked five dollars. I immediately tossed them in my pile and began taking a closer look at the jewelry in the store after realizing that their selection was going to be just as good as their clothes (Which you’ll begin seeing tomorrow!).

My boyfriend and I both loved the unique square earrings and the cross ones but we both decided that the glittery light pink lightning bolts were a must. At the same time, we said that it was like David Bowie and you’re not going to not purchase something like David Bowie!

I am so enamored with both of these pairs of earrings because of their colors. I definitely don’t own anything in the festive shades of the square pair or the glam rock pink of the lightning bolts. Each pair is going to make an eye popping statement and I’m looking forward to wearing all of the pretty new babes that I added to my jewelry collection. 😀

Do you own anything that reminds you of a celebrity or musician? What is the most unique pair of earrings you own? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb27

Accessory Story: Cross To Bear Earrings Edition

Posted on February 27, 2020 by lifewithlilred

Standard

Accessory Story: Cross To Bear Earrings Edition

Hi! While shopping in Marietta during Valentine’s Day weekend, I went a little crazy at a boutique with the adorably Southern name of EmLeigh’s and Mama B’s. This Francesca’s style store is in the process of going completely online so do be sure to check it out because they had the most gorgeous clothes and accessories for insanely good prices. Not only did I get three beautiful new clothing pieces but I ended up with a ton of earrings too, including these lovely cross shaped numbers:

Despite not being religious in the slightest, I have always had a panache for cross shaped accessories. I love rosaries and dangly cross earrings and you can almost always catch me rocking my signature black pair. I am a huge fan of the bling and when I saw my new cross earrings bedazzled in black and white gems I just couldn’t choose which color I wanted… So I got both, lol. Whoops! 😉

I am a firm believer in accessories being able to completely change an outfit, which makes me partial to chunky necklaces and dramatic beads. But, I am particularly fond of earrings because of how they pop against my short-ish, choppy, red hair. I love being able to see the light hit the gemstones or shiny metallic hues and it puts complete focus on your pretty face.

Not only do these earrings make a bold statement but they will look absolutely dazzling come summer time when the sunlight makes the crystals dance. EmLeigh’s and Mama B’s was such a charming little shop and I can’t wait to share the rest of my haul with all of you!

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

Feb25

If The Shoe Fits: Fringe Finds Edition

Posted on February 25, 2020 by lifewithlilred

Standard

Hello! During my Valentine’s Day weekend in Marietta, I did a fair bit of shopping… No surprise there! My boyfriend, Johnny, and I wandered into the Noah’s Arc Thrift Shop in Parkersburg, West Virginia and I found the most fabulous pair of black fringe cowboy boots I have ever seen in my life. And the real miracle? The boots are a size five and a half and I’m a six! Praise be to he. Anyways, take a look at some pics and let’s discuss:

While Johnny and I were browsing and my eyes locked on these bad boys by Dingo, my heart literally stopped. Then, I was filled with the overwhelming disappointment that the boots of my dreams were one half size too small. I had no intention of trying them on, because I figured that they wouldn’t fit. But, Johnny encouraged me to give them a shot anyways and by some divine intervention, they fit… albeit a little tight! 😉

I have never owned a pair of cowboy boots before and never had a desire too because they aren’t my style in the slightest. But, if you throw some black fringe on a shiny black background and a bad ass shape, how do you expect me to refuse?! These are the most punk rock cowboy boots I’ve ever seen and it only seems fitting that they should now belong to me.

Had these shoes been less loved, I highly doubt that they would have been able to fit me comfortably. But, the previous owner obviously wore them a lot because they were nice and broken in. These boots are going to look so fierce with short shorts and peeking out beneath maxi skirts this summer and I am one hundred and fifty percent ready for it!

How do you style cowboy boots? What has been your latest thrift store find? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb22

Dollar Tree Haul

Posted on February 22, 2020 by lifewithlilred

Standard

Hello! If you’re anything like me, then I know you love some discount shopping! The Dollar Tree is my happy place and I always seem to be able to find a little treat or some food for chez moi at a fraction of the price of a normal grocery store. Speaking of going grocery shopping, I only go once every two to three months. Since I live alone, I stock up on everything I need to avoid weekly or even biweekly trips to the grocery.

However, I am in the phase of my extended time not grocery shopping where my cupboards are running a little bare. And by a little, I mean I’ve literally ate spaghetti every day for the past week, lol. Luckily, the Dollar Tree has my back and I was able to pick up all of these goodies for a whole thirteen bucks. Check it out:

Lol, so I know that looks like an excessive amount of the Arizona nachos n’ cheese dip, reminiscent of an adult Lunchable, but it’s actually not enough. These nacho trays are my absolute favorite snack on the planet. The small, circular chips are crisp, the cheese is spicy, and it really is a perfect and highly convenient snack for when I’m at work. And, of course, you need some Sour Skittles to wash it all down. 😉

I am also very partial to the Shells & Cheese kit because you don’t need milk to make it, which is great, because I haven’t had milk in my apartment for months! One of these tiny boxes makes a staggering amount of mac n’ cheese and it ends up feeding me for at least three days. And for a whole dollar, you just can’t beat that.

Finally, I was so pleased with the last sets of fake eyelashes that I purchased from the Dollar Tree that I decided to restock my supply. The last fake lashes I got were long and in funky colors because it was around Halloween when I bought them. They applied like a dream and lasted all night so I’m looking forward to testing out my simple pairs of black lashes on a day where I don’t feel like doing my makeup. Keep tuning in to see how it works out! 😀

What is your favorite discount store to shop at? How often do you go grocery shopping? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb18

Picking The Best Bridesmaid Dress For Your Wedding Party

Posted on February 18, 2020 by lifewithlilred

Standard

Picking The Best Bridesmaid Dress For Your Wedding Party

Hello everyone!! A few months ago, I was asked to be a bridesmaid in my best friend, Lea’s, wedding. I am so excited for her big day in October and this month, we are going to David’s Bridal to do some shopping for the bridesmaid dresses. Ah, the bridesmaid dress. Notorious for making some girls look heinous and others phenomenal. This creates massive eye sores in the photographs and just might make your BFFs bitter for years to come. So, to avoid these complications, here is a quick guide to making sure all of your bridal party looks amazing on your big day:

Universally Flattering Color:

Choosing a universally flattering color for your bridesmaid dresses is probably the most important thing you can do to ensure that all of your ladies are looking fly. Now is not the time to bust out the hot pinks, lime greens, or highlighter yellows. Rather, stick with soft hues, which will make the bridesmaids not have to work hard to pull it off.

Pale pinks are an especially pretty option and is just about as universally flattering as it gets. If you’re having a wedding later in the year and want something a bit darker, navy blue and oxblood are also safe choices to implement!

Universally Flattering Shape:

The next key thing that you can do to keep your bridesmaids looking their best is to use a universally flattering shape for the dress. I promise, your bridesmaids aren’t going to outshine you and you will still look like the HBIC of your girl gang. But, I can also promise that none of the ladies in your girl gang want to be stuck in a dumpy dress all day.

The beauty of your girl gang is that all of them are made up of different shapes and sizes. If you are not having your bridesmaids wear dresses in a different style but same color, then it is imperative that the shape you pick makes each girl feel comfortable. I find that maxi or tea length dresses are especially flattering because those tend to not be skin tight, which is not everyone’s cup of tea! Keep things flowy but elegant for the best results on each bridesmaid’s body.

Different Dress, Same Color:

If you are going this route for your bridesmaids, make sure that you provide a guide line for the lengths you would prefer them in. It’s going to look very awkward in your pictures if there’s one girl in a mini dress among the rest of your bridesmaids in something longer. If you let your expectations be known to your girls, they can still pick out a dress more specific to their body type while being mindful of your vision for your wedding.

Same Dress All Around:

If you want all of your bridesmaids in uniform dresses, that’s your prerogative and neither way is wrong. However, let your bridesmaids have some fun by choosing their own shoes or accessories to wear with the dress. This will keep your bridesmaids feeling spicy without straying from the path of what you have in mind. And, what girl doesn’t love shoe shopping?!

Use the tips above to keep all of your bridesmaids looking like the belle of the ball on your big day!

What is the best bridesmaid dress you have ever worn? How about the worst? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb13

French Rooster Mini Haul

Posted on February 13, 2020 by lifewithlilred

Standard

Hello! One of my clients absolutely loves going to the Harville Flea Market, which is a treasured gem in the somewhat rural area of my neck of the woods. When it’s warm out, the gigantic parking lot is jam packed full of people peddling their goods from antiques and knick knacks to fresh produce and homemade bath and body care. Then, there is an indoor part of the flea market with actual stores set up, including French Rooster, which was added last year.

French Rooster is a cute Francesca’s style boutique with darling clothes, accessories, and trinkets. Despite it being a little too Jesus based for my liking, I ended up with two cami style tops that I am really happy with! Check it out:

Out of all of my wonderful clothes in my wardrobe, I don’t own any cami tops. I find this unfortunate, because they are such a classic staple, but I just could never find any that weren’t plain boring. These camis by Mittoshop both caught my eye because they were sexy with the lace detailing but still oh so sweet thanks to the flowy fabric. I thought that both of these tops would be perfect for Valentine’s Day weekend with my beau and many date nights to come.

Of course, the lace is gorgeous and purchasing the black cami was a no brainer. But, I am particularly fond of the oyster hued top. I love the lace detail down the front and this cami is designed with an extra piece of fabric on the inside middle so that it isn’t too revealing. As a bustier gal, I was worried that these tops would look more raunchy on me than classic but, because they are not skin tight, I can get away with it while still feeling sexy and confident with my body.

I can picture myself tucking the black cami into my Valentine’s Day themed skirt with a sharp blazer over it for date night on Friday. However, I am more looking forward to pairing one of the tops with short shorts, combat boots, my tattoos out in full glory, and frilly socks come summer time for a girly punk OOTD that emulates my style perfectly!

How do you dress for your body type? Where do you cross the line between sexy and sleazy? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb6

Marc’s Accessory Haul

Posted on February 6, 2020 by lifewithlilred

Standard

Hi! An Ohio staple that all of us know and love is a discount grocery store called Marc’s. I pretty much exclusively shop there for my groceries but they are “famous” for their closeout section. You literally never know what you’re going to find in the closeouts. From holiday decor to home wear and clothes the selection varies and sometimes you can find brands from Target, if you’re lucky!

Similar to TJMaxx, every Marc’s location is different and will offer closeouts that you can’t find at another store. When shopping at a different Marc’s than my normal one with a client, I ended up with an accessory haul that cost me a whole five dollars, which I was so excited about! Take a look and let’s discuss:

I have grown increasingly fond of headbands this past year and scored my adorable emerald green bow band for FIFTY CENTS. Is it of the best quality? No. BUT, it looks awesome against my red hair and the bow is just darling for a preppy chic accessory. I also love my little boot bracelet that I plan on doubling as a hair tie for a funky vibe fresh out of the 80s.

What I am most excited about, however, are my new silver and gold necklaces that were two for a dollar. I was enamored with the chain link style material as well as all of the different styling possibilities that come with it. From layering them at different lengths to wearing them as a bracelet, headband, anklet, or hair tie, they make for a quick fix to spruce up any outfit.

There is nothing better than scoring a treat yoself purchase for a steal. I got eight new accessories for five bucks and you really can’t beat that. I’m well aware that the quality may not be as good but, styled correctly, they can end up looking like a million bucks!

What is your favorite discount store? Do you have a store similar to Marc’s in your neck of the woods? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb1

New Moon Who Dis? T-Shirt Dress

Posted on February 1, 2020 by lifewithlilred

Standard

Hi! My boyfriend and I were recently at Hot Topic in the mall so he could pick up some new jeans and I ended up with an adorable little number, myself. Was I expecting to find a new T-shirt dress that I am obsessed with for half off? No, absolutely not. Which made this find so much sweeter that it has left me saying “New me, who dis?” to everyone I come in contact with! Lol, check it out:

Normally, I am not a huge fan of slogan T-shirts but this one was so cute I just couldn’t help myself. I love the funny phrase with all of the phases of the moon, the slouchy oversized fit, and the corset ties at the bottom. After trying it on, I knew that I was going to buy it but when it rang up for twelve dollars I wanted to buy ten more! 😀

I cannot wait for the weather to warm up so I can wear my new dress without tights on underneath because I already have my dream OOTD in mind. I’m thinking this dress, my black thigh high boots, a funky moto jacket, and bold gold jewelry for an All Black Everything ensemble sure to turn heads.

I like how this dress can be styled casually for running errands but I am particularly fond of the urban edge that it invokes with the right accessories. I always have loved the look of a little dress with super tall boots and an oversized tote bag. It creates sexy legs for days, perfect for cat walking to all of your destinations!

How would you style this T-Shirt dress? How do you get “New me, who dis?” level confidence? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan26

Francesca’s Haul

Posted on January 26, 2020 by lifewithlilred

Standard

Hello, hello! To finish out this little Mall Haul series, we are going to discuss a darling Jun & Ivy skirt and a headband that I got for Valentine’s Day from Francesca’s. On lifewithlilred, V-Day always means a fun photo shoot to show ya’ll how to dress girly sweet while still incorporating your personal style on the holiday of romance. And, since I’m in a relationship, I also needed a little something something to sport on my date night with my boyfriend as well as the photo shoot. Here’s a sneak peek of some of what I’ll be wearing compliments of Francesca’s:

When it comes to styling for Valentine’s Day, I always try to incorporate a bit of a rocker edge, because I consider that to be my signature style. So, I was definitely happy to have found a cute and cheeky skirt for V-Day without it being in pink! During my trip to the mall, I didn’t want to go for anything too obvious but the lipstick kisses and red hearts against the black background of my Jun & Ivy skirt sold me.

The best part, though? The shape! This skirt is cinched around the waist with elastic, runs tighter down the thigh, and flounces out at the bottom. The effect? An hourglass silhouette which screams sex appeal while still being oh so sweet thanks to the movement at the bottom. When I first saw this skirt on the hanger, I thought it was a true skater skirt, but it is so much more than that. The unique designing takes it over the edge from just being “cute”, which is what I wanted to avoid.

And, of course, you aren’t complete for a V-Day OOTD without some accessories! To me, nothing beats sporting pearls on Valentine’s Day. They are timeless while still being daring because it takes a lot to pull off such classic simplicity. When I saw my pearl adorned headband, I was in love. I knew that it would tie together the vision that I had in my head while styling for my upcoming photo shoot and date night. But, never mind that, because this headband will be a perfect add on accessory to any look!

How will I incorporate these two new pieces into one slamming OOTD? You’ll just have to wait and see!

How do you style an OOTD for a date night out? How do you describe your personal style? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan25

Bath & Body Works Haul

Posted on January 25, 2020 by lifewithlilred

Standard

Hi! When winter rolls around in Ohio, I like to take my clients to the mall to walk some laps. It’s important to continue exercise and self care even in freezing temperatures! While making our rounds when I was with a client, I noticed that Bath & Body Works was having a winter clearance sale and I knew I just had to get my hands on some goodies before everything was picked over. So, later that night, I ventured to the mall to score some super discounted treats. Check it out:

Okay, let me start off by saying, I know that I purchased A TON of stuff. Sixteen products to be exact. BUT, I paid fifty dollars in total for all of the haul that you see above and you just can’t beat that. I only go grocery shopping once every two to two and a half months and EVERY. TIME. I end up buying body washes and lotion to replenish my dwindling supply. This haul eliminated that for at least a year while giving me scents that I love from a brand that I enjoy.

When I first moved into my apartment, I bought a ton of the foaming hand soap from Bath & Body Works and it is my absolute favorite. They smell amazing and leave my hands feeling clean without being dried out. I was so happy to have purchased some delicious summery scents for half off including my A1 of the Peach Bellini. It is almost as tasty as an actual Margarita… the Margarita Time hand soap be damned!

And, of course, I had to get all things apple for my body wash as it is my go to for shower time or perfume. The Champagne Apple & Honey along with the Winter Candy Apple is a sweet tart treat that will definitely help invigorate me during my morning shower! Is six bottles between the two excessive? Yes. But, hello emergency add on gifts if I ever need. 😀

I am SO pleased with my haul from Bath & Body Works and am already chomping at the bit to finish up the bath and body products I’m using now so I can break out the good stuff. Nothing is better than buying essentials that you actually need and are going to use for a song!

Which store has the best seasonal sales? What is your favorite Bath & Body Works fragrance? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

	lifewithlilred on Bunny Name Game
	Simon on Bunny Name Game
	Simon on 3 Things To Consider When Look…
	lifewithlilred on Bunny Name Game
	Simon on Bunny Name Game