Tag Archives: shopping

Dec24

Tiny Treat Yoself: New Headband Edition

Posted on by
Standard
Tiny Treat Yoself: New Headband Edition

Hellooo everyone! There is nothing better than purchasing a little pick me up from time to time and that rings true from when I *shockingly* only snagged one thing during my last trip to TJMaxx with my mom. The new headband that I got was only four dollars making that my least expensive TJs excursion to date! Let’s all honor this achievement with a brief round of applause…..

Thank you.

Anyways, I always love tiny wardrobe updates that can transform one of your outfits without breaking the bank. And, with super 70s vibes, this headband will make for a fun retro addition to my OOTDs. Check it out:

D0282907-A840-4442-9202-2EB4D05498CA74B81A92-AB65-48ED-BFED-6E95EDF1EDD45C9EA6C7-1DA4-4878-A68D-3B3EADE5B9D2

I have become a huge fan of hair accessories this past year. From cute clips and barrettes to headbands and ribbons, I love the unique pop that perks up my do for the day. As soon as I saw my latest TJs purchase, I knew that I was going to need it. The deep gem toned palette along with the swirling pattern and knot on top makes it just right for a salute to the 70s.

This headband will be the perfect addition to an OOTD of a mini A-line skirt, tight sweater, cable knit stockings, and smart oxfords for a modern take on a retro style. I have already gotten so many compliments on my tiny treat and it is a great option for a lazy hair day when I don’t feel like straightening it. It instantly enhances all of my features because of the flattering colors and I go from “blah” to “BAM” in mere seconds!

Despite not having a major haul like usual when I shop at TJs, I was so satisfied with this purchase – which proves the power of a Tiny Treat Yoself. 😀

What is your favorite goodie to buy when you need a pick me up? How would you rock this headband? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec23

If The Shoe Fits: Sugar Thrillz Platforms Edition

Posted on by
Standard
If The Shoe Fits: Sugar Thrillz Platforms Edition

Hello! I have had my eye on the shoes that we will be discussing today from Dolls Kill for months now and I couldn’t pass up buying them during their Black Friday sale. These pink plaid, heart embellished beauties are so Cher a la Clueless and I am nothing short of obsessed. Am I a pink girl normally? Hell no. But these Sugar Thrillz platforms were way too sweet to not purchase. Take a look:

sugarsugar1sugar3sugar2

As all of you well know by now, my personal style is far from “cutesy” and much more on the edgy rocker spectrum. So, what drew me to these cute as a button heels? I honestly couldn’t tell you – I just like them! The Clueless vibes just spoke to me and I loved the retro shape along with the heart chain links. They are so adorable but they also have the school girl sex appeal circa Britney Spears’ “Baby One More Time”  that made for a perfect combination of sweet and sassy.

I cannot wait to pair my new Sugar Thrillz platforms with skater skirts and cable knit tights. But, I am most looking forward to wearing them with my yellow plaid skinnies from Target and red plaid blazer from Goodwill for an All Plaid Everything look that will be super funky and unique. To me, fashion is all about pushing the envelope and what could be more cool than fifty shades of plaid?! The answer is nothing, of course! 😀

What is your favorite style of shoe? How do you incorporate plaid into your OOTDs? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec21

If The Shoe Fits: Go Speed Racer Platforms Edition

Posted on by
Standard
If The Shoe Fits: Go Speed Racer Platforms Edition

Hellooo! I went a little shoe crazy on Dolls Kill during Black Friday but I am so not complaining. I normally have a few big shoe hauls per year and when I can get a bunch of pairs that I like for a great price, I don’t mind the splurge quite so much. The platforms seen below are different, to say the least, but that’s why I needed them! They’re fun, unique, and perfect to wear to a NASCAR event, if you’re in to that sort of thing, lol. Check it out:

gogo1go2go3

I was really looking forward to getting all of my shoes in the mail but I was pretty excited for this particular pair. I am always drawn to buying things that I’ve never seen anyone else wear before and these ones totally qualify under that category. I love the huge buckles, the checkered flag heel, and the lightning bolt pops of yellow. They are attention grabbing and quirky and I just like them!

I cannot wait for the warm weather to wear these open platforms and they will be so fun to sport with a loose fitting shirt and short shorts. The Go Speed Racers are also ideal for the “athletic chic” style that has become popular within the past few years. Throw these on with your favorite pair of leggings, an oversized hoodie, and a messy bun and you’re all set with a cool and trendy look for whatever the day has in store for you… Even if it’s not going to the gym. 😉

Where do you find the craziest shoes at? How would you rock these NASCAR inspired platforms? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec20

If The Shoe Fits: Devilishly Good Platforms Edition

Posted on by
Standard
If The Shoe Fits: Devilishly Good Platforms Edition

Hi! When Black Friday rolled around I just couldn’t resist checking out Dolls Kill to do some “window shopping”. Naturally, I picked out five pairs of shoes that I wanted REAL bad and told my boyfriend to “save me from myself” when he came home. So, he proceeded to shut my laptop and my wallet breathed a sigh of relief.

PLOT TWIST

Fast forward to a few hours later when Johnny and I were at a party and I told him I still wanted the shoes that I couldn’t stop thinking about. His sweet self remembered every shoe I wanted and found them on his phone so I could order them from our friend’s living room. Did I bag myself a winner or what?! Check these pretty babes out and let’s discuss:

dkdk1dk2dk3

Dolls Kill specializes in funky, unique, and sometimes downright crazy footwear and I think these 666 inspired platforms fit that description perfectly. These heels were from their Halloween collection and I fell so in love with the cheeky design and flamboyant glitter. And, to think that I almost didn’t get them?! I know, I’m shocked by it, myself, because that really is so unlike me!

I have honestly never seen shoes like these before and I don’t think anyone else has either because they were the talk of the night at the Friendsgiving event that Johnny and I went to. Literally every single person in the room paid me a compliment on them and you know I was just feeling my damn self! I have a very special place in my heart for every shoe I own but I think these might be my new favorite. 20/10 would recommend buying a pair. 😀

Did you do any Black Friday or Cyber Monday shopping? What kind of deals did you score? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec19

Gorgeous Gifts For The Girls In Your Life

Posted on by
Standard
Gorgeous Gifts For The Girls In Your Life

Gift giving is an excellent way to show love and appreciation to those that are important in your life, especially at Christmas time. Of course, for the genuinely special loved ones such as the female friends in your life, pre-bought gift sets just aren’t going to cut it! Instead, you will want something more thoughtful and personal. Fortunately, we’ve given this matter some thought and came up with some suggestions. The best of which you can read below:

Flowers:

Flowers aren’t just for romantic couples. In fact, they have traditionally been given as a token of affection of friendship for hundreds of years. Something that makes them an excellent choice for a gift that shows the girls in your life how much you care. There are several options to consider when gifting flowers too, like having an elaborate display delivered to a friend’s work or bringing a single bloom when you visit their home.

You may even wish to get deeper into the language of flowers if you’d like to convey even more meaning. For example, as you can see from the post at thelanguageofflowers.com a bouquet of yellow roses is a way to express friendship, while sunflowers demonstrate loyalty and longevity.

Jewelry:

Another popular gift for the ladies is jewelry. Of course, you do not have to spend a fortune to find a piece that your friends will love. In fact, you will find that there are numerous sites online that provide personalized pieces of jewelry at a reasonable price. You can then use a guide like the one at rogersandhollands.com to select a birthstone or engraving that can be customized to your choice. Thus giving you the perfect opportunity not just to get something beautiful, but to get a gift that is meaningful and lasting, as well.

Something personalized to their interests:

One of the best ways you can show your friends how much you care for them is to choose them a gift that is based on their own interests and passions. The good news here, is that if you know what their hobbies or interests are, you can use the gift guides at sites like allthestuff.com to find a present that suits them down to a T.

Something customized:

Finally, if you are looking for a gift that is a lot more personal than something you can buy off the shelf, why not go for a custom item? There is a vast range of products to choose from that can be monogrammed or customized, including clothes, ornaments, purses, and even photo books and calendars.

That is not the only way to customize items, either. Actually, there are now some makers that specialize in creating art that includes images and words representing the recipient’s most favorite things. This being an option that means the person you gift it to will get a great decoration for their home. While at the same time will be shown how well you know them and how much their friendship means to you.

Show all of your favorite ladies how much you value their presence with the gifts above!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Dec18

Amazon Haul

Posted on by
Standard
Amazon Haul

Helloooo everyone! Thanks to my hella holiday shopping on Amazon, I racked up big points on my credit card so I could do MORE shopping on Amazon. I figured that I would stock up on some of my favorite skin care products that I essentially got all of for half off thanks to my extra shopping money from the Amazon rewards program. I think I should be all set for a long time! Check it out:

amazon

The Haul:

My skin care routine is fairly simple: Give me a good face wash, micellar water, serum, moisturizer, and eye cream and I am all set. I am not picky when it comes to my products but, once I find a brand that I like, I usually stick with it. So, grabbing some extra bottles of the Garnier micellar water for my toner and makeup remover was a must. I also just had to snag some Destiny Boutique goodies because they are hands down the best charcoal products I have ever used.

I was a bit disappointed that Amazon didn’t carry the Wonder Therapy coffee cream scrub that I love to use when I’m shaving, so I had to try something new. The Tree Hut scrub received high marks in its Amazon reviews and the scent sounded delicious so into the cart it went. I was excited to receive this product in the mail because I was eager to take a whiff of the Lemon Blueberry Tart and it smells divine! It’s sweet without being too sweet and the lemon adds that zingy freshness which will be a perfect pick me up. I can’t wait to try it!

What are some of your go to skin care products? What is your favorite scent for bath and body care? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec16

Thrifting With Zip

Posted on by
Standard
Thrifting With Zip

Howdy! As you all know, I have grown very fond of secondhand shopping this past year and am all about the Goodwill. This love for thrifting developed while shopping for my apartment and now I cannot resist the urge to check out the local thrifts to see what treasures I can find.

So, when another beautiful blogger, pen named Zip, contacted me about her amazing thrift store finds, I couldn’t say no to featuring them on my page. Let’s take a look and, as always, if you’re interested in guest posting on lifewithlilred, shoot me an email at: sarah.mush6794@gmail.com!

Thrifting With Zip

1.) Snake Skin Short Jacket: The thing I love most about this jacket would be the snakelike design and the dark edgy look it gives off. I would probably pair this with a simple all black casual look with some high fall boots.
*Lil Red approves and recommends sporting a deep red or purple lipstick for the ultimate vampy cool look!
2.) Black & White Marble Blazer: Hence the name I picked out on this fashion find, lol. It was eye-catching the moment I saw it, and the best part is that I got this gem for free from a local thrift shop. I guess it’s true when they say that the best finds in life are free! Anyways, I really love this blazer and the old-school 90’s vibe it gives me. Plus, its a diverse fashion piece which I can wear in many ways. And, did I mention it has pockets?!
3.) Multicolor Sweater Dress: This was probably my favorite thrift find this year! The colors really make your eyes pop and it’s such a bold statement. It’s also reversible, so I can wear it both sides, which is pretty cool. Personally, I LOVE the colored side and the “look at me” vibes it gives off. I would wear this dress with some bad-ass, suede thigh high boots.

About The Author: I am Oprah “Zip” Bradford, but I’m known to most by my pen name Zip. I am just a normal ole gal from the small town of Covington, Louisiana. I am the author of ten books, a full time blogger, the creator of the empowerment platforms OprahZipBradford.com, The Come-Up, and the upcoming book “The Single Woman’s Plug”. I also created the hashtag #ZipPost on Facebook which spreads my empowerment messages around the world.

Contact Zip At:

Thanks again to Zip for guest posting on lifewithlilred! What is your favorite secondhand store? What is your favorite treasure you’ve found thrifting? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec15

Small Dollar Tree Haul

Posted on by
Standard
Small Dollar Tree Haul

Howdy! I end up at the Dollar Tree at least once a week when I’m with my clients and it is definitely hard to not pick up a few treats for myself while I’m there! It’s so nice to snag some little pick me ups for a whole one dollar because it’s not like you broke your bank for it if it ends up being a disappointment of a product. This past trip to the good ol’ DT provided me with a new movie to pop in during a free night as well as some adorable hair products that I hope will work well! Check it out:

borat

My boyfriend and I are notorious for quoting all of our favorite movies and shows like a broken record much to some people’s annoyance but mostly their delight! And, Borat just so happens to be one of those flicks so I was so happy to pick it up for only a dollar. Are some parts of that movie in poor taste? Absolutely. But, it’s overall pretty funny so it will be a good choice to pop in during my lazy Sundays with my beau.

I also purchased two containers each of both purple and pink hair glitter. I was sporting my tinsel fairy hair for a while but, unfortunately, almost all of the strands fell out while I was dying my locks a few weeks ago. I was disappointed because I won’t be going to the salon for a while so I’m hoping that the glitter gel will help tide me over until I can get my tinsel back. Be on the lookout for a product review post once I get around to using it!

What is one of your most quoted shows or movies? What did you get during your last discount shopping haul? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec2

Trail Blazers: Jones New York Blazer Dress

Posted on by
Standard
Trail Blazers: Jones New York Blazer Dress

Hello everyone! It’s no secret that Lil Red loves the Goodwill – a spark which has burned brightly since doing a majority of my apartment shopping there when I moved in. Similar to TJMaxx, shopping secondhand feels like a treasure hunt. You literally never know what you’re going to find. Sometimes the shopping trip is fruitless and other times you walk out with a bagful of things you didn’t know you needed until you laid eyes on it.

For example, the last time I was at Goodwill, this amazing Jones New York dusty pink blazer dress was just hanging out on one of the end caps and it was instant love. With vintage vibes and a color I rarely wear, this purchase felt exciting and I am so looking forward to sporting it this holiday season. Take a look:

jny2jny1

The very cool thing about this little number, aside from the fact that it looks fresh out of the 1950s, is the options that it comes with. Yes, it could be worn as a dress, which I plan on doing for at least one holiday get together. But, it also can be thrown on as a trench style coat, which will look particularly becoming in the spring. Buying pieces that can be worn a multitude of ways helps the garment continue to feel exciting with every use and it always makes me feel like I’m getting a lot of bang for my buck.

I spent a whopping five dollars on this dress and I’m sure that the original price tag was at least twenty times that. And, that’s the beauty of secondhand shopping. For five dollars I got to treat myself with an old piece of clothing that feels brand new to me and there is really nothing better than that!

What has been one of your favorite secondhand finds? How do you shop secondhand? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov24

Lil Red’s Black Friday Shopping Pro Tips

Posted on by
Standard
Lil Red’s Black Friday Shopping Pro Tips

Howdy!! In a mere handful of days it will be my favorite holiday of Thanksgiving because FOOD… and family, of course. 😉 And, with Thanksgiving just around the corner means that Black Friday will be coming in hot on its heels. I, personally, have never gone Black Friday shopping before because I suffered through five years of working on the day during my time in retail.

It’s no surprise that I have no desire to be within twenty feet of a mall on Black Friday. But, Lil Red lives and breathes shopping so allow me to grace you with these pro tips for a successful Black Friday haul:

Be Nice:

Although this has nothing to do with scoring the best deals, it has everything to do with being the best person. Please, please, PLEASE be kind to your retail and restaurant workers on Black Friday and every day. Those who have never worked a Black Friday before honestly have no idea how stressful it is and a rude customer can be enough to completely ruin someone on the biggest shopping day of the year.

Say please and thank you, try not to leave destruction in your wake as you shop, and be mindful of the other shoppers. And, always remember, you literally just spent the day prior celebrating all you have to be thankful for so if you don’t get what you wanted, there’s no need to punch someone in the face about it. Je-sus!

Do Your Research:

Now, having said all of that, the first step to a successful Black Friday is to do some research. It’s a mixed bag of which stores reveal their deals before the day and which don’t, so try investigating by either calling the store or going online. This will help you to decide the best order in which to shop. If there’s a hot deal going on right at midnight for something you have your eye on, then twenty-five percent off at your favorite store can wait.

Often times, stores repeat the deals that they had in year’s past so also bear that in mind when you are making your preparations.

Make A List:

Once you have a general idea of where to go and when, it’s time to make a list of what you would like to purchase. I know I always mention list making – but, damnit, it’s helpful! If you have specific things in mind that you want to buy on Black Friday, you cannot hit the stores willy nilly. It’s important to coordinate your wants with the deals happening so that you can create the best course of action for the order of stores you want to visit.

Time Is Of The Essence:

So you have a plan of what you want, the deals happening, and where you want to go. But, the thing is, so does everyone else. It’s all in the timing when it comes to Black Friday shopping. If you are shopping for specifics, you can’t spend too much time in one store or you might jeopardize getting the other things you want. Get in, grab your item, check out, and head to your next location. Then, once your shopping is complete, feel free to revisit anywhere else you want to spend more time in.

However, if you are going shopping just for the fun of it, take all of the time in the world. But, remember, if you do shop at a leisurely pace, a lot of the stores will be pretty picked over by the time you get there.

Know When To Say When:

Black Friday shopping is awesome for nabbing a big electronic for a song or doing your Christmas shopping. But, don’t be crazy about it. If you find yourself spending way too much money or shoving other people to get to the next place or hot item, then you’ve probably had enough Black Friday. Go home, take a chill pill, and try again on Cyber Monday when you’re not in the general public. 😉

Speaking Of Cyber Monday…

If you’re not keen on the craziness that is Black Friday, Cyber Monday is just days away and you can enjoy the deals from the comfort of your own home. Just remember to do your research prior. This might involve signing up for emails, which could notify you of the deals ahead of time (The same goes for regular Black Friday shopping!).

Get ready, get set, and shop with Lil Red’s Black Friday Shopping Pro Tips!

Have you been Black Friday shopping? Do you have any crazy stories from working or shopping a Black Friday? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah