Tag Archives: simple

Easy Halloween Wreath

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Easy Halloween Wreath

Hello! I love hosting guest bloggers on lifewithlilred, especially during the change of the seasons. It is so much fun to see how my friends and readers from all over the world welcome and celebrate different seasons and the holidays that come with it. I was SO excited to see this past week that one of my darling friends, Rachael, the mastermind behind the fabulous blog, And Fierce, responded to my guest bloggers call to action. She is so fantastic so do give her page some love! Today, we are going to check out an Easy Halloween Wreath that she created and check back in tomorrow for her recipe for pumpkin milkshakes. Yum! Let’s get to it:

Easy Halloween Wreath

Compliments of Rachael from And Fierce

As a Halloween lover, it is extremely hard not to buy everything in the store right when I see it. I think I speak for everyone when I say, it is easier to throw something in your cart and buy it than it is to curate something yourself. I made Winter’s first two Halloween costumes and this year I bought hers. I could’ve made it but I didn’t really have the patience for it this year.

So somehow I’ve had the time to make two Halloween wreaths??

Okay, so, what happened was, I had been slowly putting together sticks from our yard to make this wreath that I kind of came up with in my head. I was feeling myself because of how it turned out. I put in all the time to do it all and plan it out. But I guess it wasn’t as sturdy as I thought. It didn’t take long until it fell off the door. At that point, it was an easy fix. I laid it on the floor in the kitchen to fix later. But I waited too long, because Winter decided that she needed to walk through that area that no one ever walks through. So needless to say, the whole thing was trash at that point. I did take a few things from it to use again.

Here is what the first one looked like…

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I do like the new one better though. It just feels a bit more lively for the season. I just love orange and black for Halloween too!

You could totally make this in a couple hours, if you are uninterrupted… *ahem* kids.

Supplies

12 inch Wreath Wire

2 spools of 6 inch Tulle, 25 yards (1 black, 1 orange)*

Felt Bat

Fake Black Peonies

Hot Glue Gun & Glue Sticks

Fishing Wire

Ribbon

Instructions:

First thing you want to do is get your tulle ready and cut. I just used the wire wreath as a guide and cut about 12 inch pieces. I cut the whole roll of each and used almost the whole spool.

Next, start adding the tulle to the wreath wire. I took a section of tulle and folded it the long way and then folded it again to loop it on the wire.

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Notice the direction I did the tulle. I added it from the inside out, if that makes sense. This way it stayed better and it made it lay nice and flat.

I kept it simple by adding evenly to each section just so I didn’t get ahead of myself and have to go back and fix sections.

I then started to get into a groove and this is how I patterned the pieces to try and keep it all even.

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After I continued and made each section the same, I went back and added tulle pieces where I felt it needed it. Or if you feel like you want yours to be fuller, go ahead and add more. *Also depending on how full you want it to look, you may need more tulle.

Once I got it looking how I wanted, I hot glued the leaves of the peonies. Then I added on the peonies. Next, I looped the fishing wire to add the bat to hang in the middle of the wreath. I also eyeballed the length and used hot glue and cut any excess.

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I then took my ribbon and looped it through the top of the wreath, on the first wire. I just tied a tight knot and cut any excess.

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I am obsessed! As you can see, I did copy my original wreath with the same feel, but this one is the mic drop. It’s so pretty and I’m so happy I have it hanging on my door!!

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How amazing is that wreath?! Rachael absolutely rocked it! For more from this lovely guest blogger, give Rachael a follow on Instagram: @kavebabe, check out her blog, and visit lifewithlilred tomorrow for her pumpkin milkshake recipe. Thanks again, boo! ❤

Do you like to make your own seasonal decorations? What is your favorite holiday to decorate for? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

YAS In Yellow OOTD

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YAS In Yellow OOTD

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new OOTD here on lifewithlilred! Even though it has been hot as BEJEEZUS for the past several days, I have been in a complete fall state of mind thanks to my new hair. During last week’s OOTD, I created an outfit to fully compliment my new do and I loved how it turned out so much that I wanted to go that route again. I also want to take all of the opportunities I can to wear dresses without tights before the weather gets too cold! Take a look at this look and let’s discuss:

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Who? What? Wear?

Yellow Floral Dress: Xhilaration, Target

Denim Platforms: Bamboo, TJMaxx

Double Strand Earrings: I think these are from Target?

Can we all just talk about how great dresses are for a minute? They are one of those pieces where literally all you have to do is throw it on and you have an outfit. Also, bonus points if the dress has pockets like the one I’m wearing in this OOTD! It feels so weird to not see a huge list of clothing and accessories under Who? What? Wear? but I simply didn’t need anything more than what I had. That’s the power of a patterned dress because the last thing a bold print needs it to be bogged down with anything extra.

After rocking a navy blue dress last week, I decided to show attention to another color in my hair – Pulp Riot’s Satire. This yellow shade is my absolute favorite and it feels perfect for the last days of summertime and the approaching fall season. I mentioned in the Fabulously Fall OOTD that I thought the dress I was wearing shrank but, alas, it wasn’t the one I had on. It was actually the Target dress I have on in this shoot lol.

After assessing my options, I decided to try the lovely yellow frock to see if it was as badly shrunk as I remember it being. Happily, that wasn’t the case even with platforms on so we were in business! I love this dress so much and I have yet to find anything similar to it in stores. This dress is old as dirt, but it still feels brand new – especially since I just didn’t wear it for years straight lol. Of course, the color is great but there is so much more to this little number than that. The bell sleeves, for example? Darling! The burnished gold buttons down the front? Adorable! Flowy A-line skirt? Too cute! This dress is a statement in itself and when you break down why, it makes sense to style the rest of the look minimally.

For shoes, I went with my denim embroidered platforms by Bamboo. Although there were no perfect color matches to the shoes in the dress, that was okay! Denim is a neutral – this is why you can pair anything with blue jeans and it’s going to look good every time. These heels added fantastic length without making the dress too short and they are also comfy as can be. I could walk for miles in them… I think, anyways. 😀

All that was left to do for this look was accessorize and with the patterned dress, I didn’t need much of anything other than earrings and rings. However, there is more to keeping things minimal than just the pattern of the dress. Notice the neckline, for instance. It’s almost nonexistent and there are already tie down strings so you can tie it with a bow if you want. Would it be smart from a styling standpoint to put a necklace there anyways? No! Same with the sleeves of this dress. Sure, you could wear bracelets but I would rather the focal point be on the gorgeous bell sleeves!

Styling killer OOTDs is all about common sense and if you are struggling to create something, it helps to look at your clothing objectively. You can then see what parts of the outfit needs built up and what parts you can leave alone. This YAS In Yellow OOTD was all about minimal styling because the dress required it to be. When you can establish how and why you need to style specific pieces, you’re outfit building game will improve tenfold!

What is your favorite thing to shop for at Target? What is something you struggle with when styling OOTDs? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Fabulously Fall OOTD

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Fabulously Fall OOTD

Hello!!! Your girl has been feeling her damn self since getting my hair done and I couldn’t wait to show off my new do with a brand new OOTD. My freshly dyed red, yellow, and navy hair is such a lux color palette and feels so Fabulously Fall. I have been waiting for my favorite season since summer began and I wanted to create a look that welcomes fall and perfectly compliments my hair. I hate to toot my own horn, but I think I knocked it out of the park! Check it out:

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Who? What? Wear?

Button Down Dress: Forever 21

Heeled Oxfords: Lulu Hun, ModCloth

The accessories are all from Target I think!

As you can see, this was a very simple OOTD to style with such a minimal amount of pieces. Sometimes, simple is best and I felt radiant in this look because it achieved my goal of complimenting my hair so well. It took me quite a while to figure out what I wanted to wear because I had originally eliminated the Forever 21 dress I was wearing as an option. I had a vague memory of washing it and it shrinking in length and after that I never wore it again. I’m glad I decided to try it on anyways because the length was fine and I think I was thinking of a different dress lol. SMH!

The Forever 21 button down dress was everything I needed to make a cohesive look between clothing and hair. With navy as the base and the floral pattern featuring deeper shades of red and yellow, it was like this dress was made for me getting my hair done! I love the way this dress fits because it’s form fitting without being tight. The bow at the waist allows for an hourglass shape and it made me feel SO confident. Some button down dresses can be really boxy and that wasn’t the case with this one in the slightest.

Next on the agenda was shoes and that was an easy choice. To keep with the theme of fall colors, I went with my plum and caramel heeled oxfords by Lulu Hun. These are my sexy librarian heels and I am so there for it! Although the shoes aren’t a perfect match to anything in the dress or my hair, they still worked because they complimented the color palette I established. They are also just right in height because anything taller would have made the dress a bit too short for my liking. Maybe it did shrink a little…

Finally, it was time for accessories to tie everything together. Since the bold floral pattern acted as an accessory in itself, I kept things simple in my selection. For earrings, I went with a pair of burnished gold dangly crosses. I thought they looked lovely against the navy in my hair! Then, I threw on a few statement rings and was ready to go. Also, how cute is that double finger feather? It’s one of my faves!

My Fabulously Fall OOTD is one of my favorite looks that I have styled in a while. I felt like an autumn goddess and I can’t wait to continue exploring rich jewel toned clothing to match my hair. Keep it posted for the blooper reel tomorrow!

What is your favorite jewel tone? Are you as excited for fall as I am? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Creating An Outdoor Oasis In A Limited Space

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Creating An Outdoor Oasis In A Limited Space

Imagine stepping outside into your small yard, and instead of feeling cramped, you feel transported into an idyllic green retreat. A real escape from everyday stressors awaiting just outside your door. Now that’s what we call an outdoor oasis! Having a small yard may feel like creating any sort of garden retreat is impossible. But don’t despair; we’re here to help make it so. Let’s get started:

Examine Your Space:

First and foremost, let’s get an accurate lay of the land. So get out your tape measure and get crackin’. Don’t get carried away with size. What really counts most is what you do with what you’ve got. Make sure to take note of any quirks or limitations such as an oddly placed tree stump or pesky AC unit when measuring. This will make designing much more straightforward.

Establish Your Goals:

Close your eyes (but keep reading!) and imagine how you’d use your outdoor oasis in an ideal world. Would it be relaxing with an icy lemonade on a bright afternoon or hosting some barbecue festivities with friends? Do you want it full of useful storage barns and sheds? Whatever floats your boat, write it down, and we can get this vision underway!

The Right Elements:

Now that you know what you want and how it will fit into the space, it’s time to put together your outdoor paradise. For something a bit different, think vertical. Vertical gardens, wall hanging, and even trellises all add dimension and make any area appear less dull in an instant. Use every bit of available space efficiently. Soon your yard will transform from drab to fabulous in no time at all.

Optimizing Greenery:

Scatter greenery across your space like confetti. Combine different plants and flowers together for an eye-catching yet relaxing atmosphere. Add plants in a way that optimizes your space. Got a lot of shade? Opt for shade-loving greenery. Don’t want to spend a lot of time caring for plants? Choose a low maintenance garden. There’s no point installing things that won’t thrive.

Creative Storage:

Looking for a place to stash your tools? No worries. Creative storage solutions have got this covered. Build benches with hidden compartments, purchase ottomans with built-in storage, or simply hang shelves creatively to store all that clutter away for good.

Strategic Lighting:

Let there be light! And not just any old light. Imagine starry-night hues from string lights and fairy lights all the way to solar-powered lanterns illuminating your outdoor oasis after sundown! If you’re really looking to create an atmosphere, investing in LED landscape lighting installation can be transformative to your property. Let the lights sparkle like diamonds during every evening stroll and you’ll have a truly magical space.

Design for Comfort:

Comfort reigns supreme here. Grab some luxurious cushions, create an intimate corner with a hammock, or add some swings for added zen-like vibe. And don’t forget about shade when the sun makes its appearances. Keep yourself cool with pergolas or stylish umbrellas.

Your small backyard has now transformed into an incredible outdoor retreat filled with charm and personality. Enjoy it!

Featured Image By: Kanu Jacobson / Pexels

Homemade Rose Oil

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Homemade Rose Oil

Hello!!!! Way back in the day, I used to really enjoy making homemade bath and body care like scrubs, shower gels, and lip balms. It has been SO long since I have done that but it was always a blast! This past week, I decided to revisit one of my old hobbies by making some rose oil with petals from a gorgeous bouquet at my mom and dad’s house. It was insanely easy and, even though I wasn’t too fond of the smell, it was an amazing addition to my bubble bath. No thanks to the bath fizzy from Bath & Body Works that you all read about yesterday! Let’s get to it:

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Step By Step:

I made my rose oil by following directions from a surprising source – an article posted by HGTV! Directions for making rose water were also included and I might try that next with the remaining flowers from the bouquet I used. A rose oil concoction went a little something like this:

Step One: Tear or shred your petals. For mine, I took several at a time and tore them in half.

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Step Two: Pour a cup of oil into a jar with the petals. Jojoba and grapeseed oil were recommended, but I didn’t have any. However, they mentioned that olive oil would work well too so that is what I used.

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Step Three: Bring a few inches of water to a raging boil and remove from heat. Place your jar of oil and petals in afterwards until the water cools.

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Step Four: Place your jar in front of a sunny window and let it sit for 24 hours.

Step Five: The next day, remove your petals from the jar and squeeze out all of the oil you can from them. To do this, I started pouring the oil with the lid slightly on into another jar. Once a majority of the oil was removed, I used a spoon to press the petals and store the excess.

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Easy peasy, right?! Making homemade rose oil was a quick and fun project and I was really pleased with the results. I poured some of my rose oil in the bath tub and it was so lux and lovely. Yes, it was a freaking pain to clean up the oil slick tub after my soak. BUT my skin felt fantastic and it still does several days later. I have noticed a huge difference in the softness of my skin and it feels nourished and healthy. I can’t wait to use it again during my next bath time self care sesh!

Concocting your own rose oil is a wonderful way to bring a second life to roses from your garden or a bouquet. Once again, you can view the directions that I followed here. Tune in tomorrow on lifewithlilred for more flowery vibes as we take a look at my first watercolor painting I have done in a minute!

What is your favorite flower? Do you like to make any crafts or bath and body care with flowers? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Woke Up On The Wrong Side Of The Bed? Try This!

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Woke Up On The Wrong Side Of The Bed? Try This!

Waking up on the wrong side of the bed is something that happens to everybody. No matter how well you slept or how much you have prepared for the day, sometimes you just have to accept that it is “one of those days”. On the other hand, you could always try and turn things around and make yourself feel better almost instantly.

Turning your day from a negative into a positive is completely possible, but only if you’re willing to give it a try. Being in a good mood regularly will not only help you to maintain your youthful glow, but it will also give you a better chance of a successful day. Here are a handful of speedy mood boosters to get you going again:

Feel-Good Music:

There is no better cure for a bad mood than blasting some feel good music loud and proud. Whether you’re turning up the volume on your home speakers or you’re putting in your earphones during your commute to work, there are so many ways to get music into your system. Choose your favorite artist or song that will get you going for the day such as Class Clown by Tiana Green or some classic 90’s pop from back in the day. As soon as you hear some music, you will start to feel happy in an instant.

Energizing Food:

There are certain foods that can make you feel good as soon as you digest them, so this is what you need to reach for when you’re feeling blue in the morning. A banana, crunchy granola, or a berry smoothie are all ideal ways to put a spring back into your step.

Exercise:

Getting your body moving is a great way to boost your mood when you’re not feeling the best. Doing a form of exercise that makes you happy will release a whole load of endorphins that will keep you on cloud nine for the rest of the day. Whether you’re trying out yoga, running, weight lifting, cycling, swimming, or dancing, there are so many ways to try exercise without feeling as though it’s a huge chore; having fun is the most important thing!

Hug Someone You Love:

Hugging someone you love can have numerous health benefits, and one includes feeling good about yourself and happier in general. If you wake up feeling less than great, now is the perfect time to grab the one you love and enjoy a warm embrace together!

Having these ideas in your back pocket whenever your day gets off to a rocky start is the best way to move forward and seize the day no matter what!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Simple Ways To Make Your Clothes Last Longer

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Simple Ways To Make Your Clothes Last Longer

Are you constantly replacing clothes? Or maybe your clothes aren’t looking as good as when you bought them? By learning to extend the life of your clothing, you could save yourself a lot of money. Below are a few tricks to make your clothing last longer:

Invest in high quality clothes:

Cheaper clothing typically isn’t built to last. After only a few months of regular wear with fast fashion purchases, you can expect shoes to have worn soles, sunglasses to scratch, bras to become loose, tights to rip, and sweaters to dethread. Paying a little more for higher quality clothing is often worthwhile as these items will last longer. You may be paying more upfront, but you won’t have to replace them as often – they could last many years without getting damaged. Of course, this doesn’t mean that all of your clothes should be high-end designer items. Being prepared to spend $10 extra may be all it takes to improve the longevity of your clothes. You can often find reviews from customers online by entering a search for “Chummy Tees Review” (or the specific brand you are looking for). Take the time to read through them before making a purchase to ensure that other people are satisfied with the quality of the clothing.

Stick to timeless fashion pieces:

Another reason some of us regularly replace clothing is because we buy into fads. Such clothing can end up quickly going out of fashion. Instead of following fast fashion trends, try to stick to timeless fashion pieces. These are items of clothing that stayed trendy for decades. Prime examples include trench coats, blazers, little black dresses, blue denim jeans, black leather jackets, button down tops, black pumps, and ballet shoes.

Learn how to sew:

Sewing is a useful skill that can extend the life of many different clothing items. It can help you to sew buttons back on, repair broken seams, or even tighten clothing that has become too loose. You can learn to sew using a needle and thread or you can buy yourself a sewing machine. If you choose the latter, make sure to take the time to shop for high quality sewing machines. You’ll find many tutorials online teaching you how to sew clothes.

Follow washing instructions:

Many clothes end up getting destroyed in the washing machine because people do not read the washing instructions. For example, it can be important to consider the heat setting – heavy items like jeans should always be washed on a high heat setting, while stretchy items like yoga pants should be washed on a low heat setting. You may also want to avoid washing delicate items on a fast spin setting.

In most cases, you can find washing instructions on the label. Alternatively, you can find instructions online. Try to learn the best washing machine settings for each item so that you can separate them accordingly.

Hand wash delicate clothes:

Some delicate items like sequined dresses, silk blouses, lingerie, and cashmere sweaters can get easily damaged in a washing machine no matter what setting you choose. Hand washing these items is the best way to prevent damage. Yes, hand washing is more time-consuming, but it could help to save you money on replacing clothes. It’s also likely to use less water and energy, saving you some money on your utility bills.

Air dry clothes in summer:

Tumble dryers can also contribute to clothing damage. The heat combined with the tumbling motion can cause items to unravel or tear. To prevent this, consider air drying your clothes in the summer. If you’re not allowed to use a washing line in your neighborhood, consider simply using a laundry rack indoors. If it’s a hot day, the clothes should dry in a few hours. You’ll not only save money by reducing clothing damage, but you’ll also save money by using less energy.

When you know the ways to make your clothing last, you can keep that brand new feel all of the time!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Maximizing Your Child’s Health And Well-Being

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Maximizing Your Child’s Health And Well-Being

It isn’t just essential to keep an eye on your child’s health in the winter; you must take good care of them and do your best to maintain and maximize their health throughout the year. Any season or thing can cause a child to feel unwell. Here are some tips to maximize your child’s health and well-being:

Seek immediate care if they are very unwell:

When a child is really unwell, it is essential to seek help so you can discover what the issue is and resolve their symptoms. Attaining pediatric urgent care will give you immediate support and find a solution to their health issue. A pediatric expert means that your child is in good hands and will feel healthy and well again as soon as possible.

Maintain routine healthcare appointments:

Maintaining routine healthcare appointments is an absolute must. A routine checkup can discover any underlying health issues. If there is an underlying problem, you can find a solution to improve their health. Plus, attending routine appointments will minimize their fear of healthcare practices, encouraging them to attend every time and stay in check with their health.

Help them enjoy school:

Children spend a lot of their time at school so it’s important to know they are enjoying this time. If they aren’t, it can impact your child’s happiness and well-being. When you acknowledge they are not having a good time, whether it be due to friend issues or learning difficulties, it’s a good idea to step in and help. If they are having issues with friends, you can speak to parents and children to find a resolution. If they are having trouble with their learning, you can seek tutors or provide home support to help them develop educational skills and confidence. In time, they will feel more comfortable with education and enjoy their time at school.

Get active:

Another way to optimize the health and well-being of your child is to help them be more active. Being active aids growth and cognitive skills. The more active they are, the more confident they can feel pursuing various activities. For example, taking them on hikes or asking them to help you with gardening will improve their nature skills and help them spend more time outside. More movement and activity will encourage their growth and keep them as happy and as healthy as possible.

Encourage healthy meals:

Educating your child about food and allowing them to get involved with cooking is really beneficial, especially if your child is a picky eater. Allowing them to help you cook will help them feel more responsible and in control of what they are eating, which could encourage them to try new foods. For instance, asking them to help you prepare the vegetables will help them understand where they come from, their nutritional value, and maybe influence them to eat more.

Speak to them about your problems:

If your child is fairly quiet and never speaks to you about their problems, they will never be able to seek support and help. If this is the case, it can be a good idea to speak to them about your own problems to show that it’s okay to open up and share bad experiences. If they are experiencing bullying, finding school difficult, or want to pursue a passion but do not know how speaking to you can help them find an answer.

All of the above are simple steps that you can take today to make sure your child is their happiest, healthiest self!

Featured Image By: Johannes Plenio

Classic Summer OOTD

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Classic Summer OOTD

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new OOTD starring my brand new hair! I recently stepped off of the OOTD train for a few weeks due to my crazy life and also tired, but your girl is back and better than ever. Strange how new hair and new nails can do that. 😉 The pics you are about to see were taken after babysitting my nieces. I knew my best gal, Val, was going to want to play outside so I wanted to put together a Classic Summer look that was cute and comfortable for some fun in the sun.

This OOTD features summer staple pieces that almost everyone has in their wardrobe, making it very easy to recreate. Let’s get to it:

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Who? What? Wear?

Tank Top: Rachel Zoe, TJMaxx

Denim Shorts: American Eagle Outfitters

Platform Sandals: ModCloth

Daisy Earrings: Forever 21

The silver bracelet is from American Eagle Outfitters

Styling OOTDs for summertime has taught me a lot about creating looks that are simple yet exciting for being on the go in the heat. This Classic Summer OOTD required minimal think work, but I still love the way it turned out and I felt like a million bucks in it! I had a few things in mind when I began scouring my wardrobe, the first being that I would most definitely be playing outside that afternoon. The second one being that I wanted a neutral palette to make my new hair and tattoos pop.

With these guidelines laid out, the pieces of the puzzle came together and I knew exactly what to do next. To start, I grabbed my white Rachel Zoe tank top. I got this tank in a set of two and they are, easily, the best that I have ever owned. They fit perfectly and hug my body in all of the right places. I love the V neck, which is a unique twist on a classic scoop neck tank. I am also a huge fan of the material, which is so soft and a bit thick – reminiscent of a super thin sweater rather than the rougher fabric of a regular old tank top.

A simple white tank is just begging to be paired with denim shorts. Originally, I tried on a pair of distressed, high waisted shorts from AEO but the fit just wasn’t meshing with the tank top. So, I swapped it out for a mid rise pair and that was much more like it! Yes, the base of this outfit is simple but it was doing everything that I envisioned by making my hair the star of the show. I also felt like Daisy Duke and it really doesn’t get much better than that! 😀

For shoes, I wore a pair of Nikes to run around the yard with Val in. Then, for pictures, I brought one of my favorite pairs of platform sandals from ModCloth. These shoes were SO ideal for this outfit because of the palette. The base of the pattern is orange, which brought cohesion from the top of my head to my toes. The other colors in the pattern are navy and white and that was just right with the other pieces in the outfit. And, note the low ankle strap, which still gave the illusion of length since it didn’t cut my leg line off at the upper ankle.

Next up was accessories and, like the rest of the outfit, I went the minimal route. Anything more would have been fighting against the base that had already been established. For earrings, I chose a super cute pair that looked like daisies. They had a stud shape, but because they were huge, there was still movement and I loved seeing them poking out from underneath my hair. Then, I slipped on a simple silver mini cuff bracelet and my look was complete!

This Classic Summer OOTD used summertime staples Lil Red’s way and it was a look that I felt amazing in. Keep it locked for the blooper reel from this post and lots more summer fashion here on lifewithlilred!

What is one of your summer wardrobe staples? What is the most important thing to you when styling summer looks? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

 

 

Top Tips For Maintaining A Youthful Glow

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Top Tips For Maintaining A Youthful Glow

While there is beauty in growing older and wiser, many people are worried about the changes that getting older introduces to their appearance. For example, a recent study found that “28% of millennial women under 25 regularly worry about how aging takes a toll on their skin.” Getting a few wrinkles as we age is natural and often a sign of a life well-lived. But, there are specific steps you can take to reduce or prevent them.

With that in mind, here are some top tips that you can use to maintain a youthful glow and ensure that you always feel confident when you look in the mirror:

Drink plenty of water:

Drinking plenty of water (ideally 6-8 glasses a day) is one of the easiest ways to take care of your skin and prevent wrinkles. This is because good hydration can help to ‘plump’ skin cells, leaving your skin smooth and blemish free. However, as you grow older, “it is tougher for your body to retain water, so by inputting more water into your system, you are helping your body and your skin stay hydrated.” Dehydration can also lead to other skincare complaints, leaving your skin looking dull, dry, or tired.

Exercise regularly:

Believe it or not,  exercise can make you look younger. Regular exercise can help improve your blood circulation, which in turn, can help to keep your skin looking its best. By improving blood circulation, you ensure that your skin cells receive all of the necessary oxygen and nutrients to thrive and to remove toxins. It can also boost your body’s production of collagen, a protein which helps your skin maintain its natural elasticity.

Look into cosmetic surgery:

Cosmetic surgeries, such as mini-facelifts, can also be a great way to fall back in love with your reflection. This is because they are designed to help turn back the clock by addressing issues such as loose or sagging skin and excess soft tissue. It is so important to find a specialist surgeon with plenty of experience in the area. This way, you know you are working with someone you can trust. To find out more, click here.

If you are considering cosmetic surgery, more power to you! It’s a great idea to schedule a few different consultations with surgeons in your area to find the best fit for you. Take the time to research the websites of local surgeons like drbaker.com and pay close attention to patient testimonials. If you don’t feel one hundred percent confident in your selection, keep shopping around until you do. Your health and safety depend on it.

Be consistent with your skincare routine:

Developing a skincare routine is one of the easiest ways to care for your skin – but it’s crucial that you are consistent in your approach. You cannot expect to use a product once and immediately see the benefits. You must hold yourself accountable for completing your routine every morning and evening. In order to make this possible, try to keep your routine as simple as possible. You don’t need a million different products or tools – especially as this would require you to spend hours by the mirror!

An effective skincare routine usually follows these steps:

  1. Cleansing: Cleansers can remove dirt, oil, and other impurities from the surface of your skin.
  2. Toning: Toners help to tighten pores and can also balance your skin’s PH level.
  3. Moisturizing: Moisturizers nourish and hydrate your skin.
  4. SPF: SPF products help to protect your skin from the sun, even on cloudy days.

Get plenty of sleep:

While it may not always be possible to get a great night’s sleep, having a consistent sleep routine can also help protect your natural, youthful glow. As we sleep, our body (and, by extension, our skin) repairs itself. As a result, as you’re dreaming away, your body is producing more collagen to help maintain skin elasticity while also flushing away harmful toxins. The less sleep you get, the less your skin is healing and the more issues you may deal with as a result.

Always wear SPF:

As mentioned above, SPF products should always be incorporated into your skincare routine, even on days when the sun might not be shining. This is because photoaging (or sun damage) is one of the key causes of wrinkles. Exposure to UVA and UVB rays from the sun breaks down collagen and elastin fibers in the outer layers of your skin, which are otherwise responsible for ensuring your skin remains smooth and firm. The more damage they sustain, the more likely it is that you will deal with wrinkles and other signs of premature aging.

The steps above are simple ways to keep your skin looking its best, no matter your age!

Featured Image By: Amanda Dalbjörn on Unsplash