Tag Archives: style

5 Below Clothing Haul

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5 Below Clothing Haul

Hi! Johnny and I are the Fun Aunt and Uncle and have been looking forward to taking our nieces to see Toy Story 5. Taking them to the movies is one of our favorite things because it’s just pure fun. Loading up on snacks, determining what movies to see next from the previews, and taking in the movie magic altogether. Because I am the most extra aunt on the planet, simply going to see Toy Story 5 isn’t good enough. I have to dress the part and knew just where I needed to go – 5 Below to shop their Toy Story collection. I walked away with Toy Story toys for the girl squad and some treats for me too:

^^^ Lol, it’s not Toy Story themed but I wasn’t going to not get a Sean Paul T-shirt!

The Toy Story collection has been at 5 Below for a while and I kept thinking to myself that I had to buy the adorable Jesse crop top and hoodie but never did. On Monday, I visited the best 5 Below in my neck of the woods to make the purchase and was so disappointed to be too late. They were all sold out! I didn’t have high hopes for the other nearby 5 Below because it’s way smaller and not as good but I was close to it on Tuesday and decided to check it out. It was the definition of a GREAT SUCCESS because they had one left of the crop and hoodie and they were both in my size. Freaking SCORE!!

I honestly can’t get over how cute both the crop and the hoodie are as well as the price. Combined, I spent twenty dollars and you simply can’t beat that. I couldn’t imagine how much a similar item at Disney World would cost! I have several crop tops from 5 Below and I absolutely love the way they fit. The crop will be perfect for this summer and I can’t wait to bust the hoodie out in the fall. Although, I have a confession to make… I haven’t seen Toy Story 3 or 4. *Gasp*. It might seem silly to buy clothing from a franchise that I haven’t seen in its entirety. However, I am the extra aunt and I knew the girls would get such a kick out of it. I think Johnny and I will have to backtrack and watch 3 and 4 after we see 5 just so I can say that I have seen them all. 🙂

And, finally, the Sean Paul T-shirt lol… This shirt geeked me out because me and my sister were literally addicted to his song Temperature when it first came out and we still are. It is our jam! The song we quote, dance along to in the car, and sing at the top of our lungs to. Temperature is our past, present, and future and I wasn’t about to slap the 5 Below gods in the face by not adding this beautiful keepsake to my cart. I am SO excited for my sister to see it!! 😀

As always, 5 Below is the best. Stay tuned for my Toy Story OOTD coming soon!

What is your favorite discount store? What is your favorite Toy Story movie? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Matching Set Magic OOTD Bloopers

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Matching Set Magic OOTD Bloopers

Hello everyone and welcome to the Blooper Reel from my Matching Set Magic OOTD! This little look was created after hightailing it home from my hair appointment just in time to take some pics and head to Blossom Music Center to see The Strokes. Saying that I have wanted to see them for forever seems like such a drastic understatement and I am still on cloud nine from seeing one of my favorite bands live. Johnny and I had such a fabulous time at the show mingling with other concertgoers, dancing, and simply basking in the charged atmosphere at the venue. These pics? Not so fabulous:

When you buy tickets at Blossom you can either sit in the pavilion or stand on the lawn. Pavilion seats just happened to be five or so bucks more expensive so I decided to go for it on the off chance that it rained. It was an excellent choice as our seats were even closer to the stage than I could have hoped for! Not only did we have an outstanding view of the stage but we also enjoyed the company of the dad, his kid, and his kid’s friend that were sitting behind us. Picture two twenty something guys that star in a soap opera by the beach and that is exactly what they looked like. We told them as such and they delighted in the compliment!

As we got to talking, we learned that our new friends were twenty-five and twenty-two and we felt SO old! The Strokes were so popular when Johnny and I were little and I jokingly asked our concert mates if they were alive when the band came out. We all got a chuckle out of it and one of them quipped that people from his generation liked The Strokes too. I was so convinced he was going to call me ma’am! That one would have hurt lol. But, all joking aside, it is such fun to go to a show, meet new people young and old, and just have a laugh in between sets and songs. We couldn’t have asked for a better crew of people around us to rock out at the amazing show with!

No matter where we go, Johnny and I are always making new friends and the best memories. I can’t wait for more Blossom shows this summer!

What is your favorite era of music? Is there anything that makes you feel old? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Matching Set Magic OOTD

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Matching Set Magic OOTD

Hi everyone and welcome to a brand new OOTD here on lifewithlilred! This past Friday was a whirlwind day of awesome. I got my hair done AND I got to see The Strokes at Blossom Music Center with my main squeeze. I couldn’t wait to get home after my hair appointment to put together a cute little outfit, take some pics, and hit the town with Johnny for an amazing concert. The OOTD I put together required zero think work because it was a matching set. All I had to do was put it on, accessorize, and go! We were on a slight time crunch so it couldn’t have worked out better and I spent the evening at the show feeling like a star. Check it out:

Matching Set: Altar’d State

Platforms: Olivia Miller, Walmart

The earrings were purchased on a family vacation to Universal Studios!

This matching set has been worn in a previous OOTD post but I just had to run it back because it is that good! This little lilac loveliness is simply the cutest and screams fun in the sun. That pretty pastel with the sweet as can be daisy pattern is all things sugar with the spice of a bodycon skirt and crop top. It is such a sweet tart vibe and I cannot get enough! This matching set from Altar’d State complimented my new do so perfectly and I like it so much that I will let the overwhelming amount of jesus in the store slide lol. This is one of the only purchases I made at that store for that reason and I ended my shopping at Altar’d State on the hosanna in the highest note. See what I did there?!

Shoes and accessories were all that was needed before I was concert ready and the obvious choice was my lilac platforms by Olivia Miller. I got these for a whopping five bucks at Walmart and am still not over that online shopping victory. Not only were these platforms a match made in heaven with the matching set but they are comfy AF to boot. We had to walk a lot from our car to the concert venue and I didn’t even break a sweat. In fact, I could have kept on going! Finally, I put on some purple lightening bolt earrings to amp up this look for a rock show. With that, I was ready to cross The Strokes off of my concert bucket list after wanting to see them live for so long. Best. Night. EVER! ❤

From the outfit to the post, this Matching Set Magic OOTD was short and sweet. Stay tuned for the Blooper Reel coming soon for the skinny on all of our concert antics!

Are you going to any concerts this summer? Which artists are on your concert bucket list? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Cute In Crochet OOTD

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Cute In Crochet OOTD

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new OOTD here on lifewithlilred! Johnny and I went on a little date night on the Friday after my birthday and had the best time. We bought the new Mario Kart for the Switch 2, hit up the dispensary for some weed treats, and had a delicious dinner out at Boss ChickNBeer. It was so nice to have an extra birthday celebration with my main squeeze and I just had to put together something cute to step out in. This simple summer look was perfect for being out and about in the hot AF weather and is very easy to recreate! Check it out:

Crochet Top: Bozzolo, TJMaxx

Jean Shorts: American Eagle Outfitters

Platforms: Sbicca, ModCloth

The earrings are Lucky Brand and were a gift from my mom!

The cuff bracelets are both from American Eagle Outfitters.

I am one of those people who just doesn’t do well in the heat. I have a very low tolerance for it and the medications that I’m on make hot days feel like I’m in hell lol. For this reason, dressing for summer bores me because I only have one thing on my mind: Staying as cool as humanly possible. This means that what I can wear comfortably in my wardrobe decreases exponentially and I’m basically left with a variety of shorts and crop or tank tops. But, I work with what I’ve got and came up with this look to beat the heat in.

I am a sucker for all things crochet when it comes to tops and selected a cutie crochet crop by Bozzolo. This little number is so sweet, made me sweat minimally (lol), and how adorbs are those wooden buttons going smack dab down the middle?! While the crochet is sweet, this top still serves so much sass and was just right when paired with some AEO short shorts. This combo gave classic summer vibes but still felt so unique with my tattoos out on full display. They really are the best accessories!

Speaking of accessories, with lots of open real estate I slipped on some cuff bracelets as well as one of my favorite pairs of earrings. I just love my turquoise cross Lucky Brand babes and my mom absolutely crushed when she gifted me with them! That pretty dose of blue definitely popped against the creamy shade of the crop top. For shoes, I kept with the blue motif and opted for a darling pair of platforms by Sbicca. That light denim blue with the tan flower embroidery is *chef’s kiss* and tied this look together from head to toe. With that, I was ready to hit the town with my Johnny!

Stay tuned for the Blooper Reel from this look and more fashion fun all summer long. lifewithlilred is the place to be!

How do you do in extreme heat? What are some of your tips for keeping cool? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

New J. McLaughlin Top

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New J. McLaughlin Top

Howdy! This past week I had so much fun shopping till I dropped at TJMaxx with my mom so I could spend some birthday gift cards. I got everything I wanted and then some and there was nothing like a little retail therapy to brighten both of our days! While I was hoping to find a few new pieces of summer clothing, TJs showed me the light and I ended up with a new swing coat and top that will be perfect for fall. Honestly, it makes sense because it was hot AF the week we went shopping and it had me craving fall weather something FIERCE. As always, TJs knew exactly what I needed in my heart of hearts because this J. McLaughlin top is everything AND it was on clearance to boot! Check it out:

I couldn’t believe my good luck when I stumbled upon this little number in the clearance section. It was fifteen dollars, there was only one and it happened to be in my size, and I absolutely loved the nod to all things 70s retro. The pattern and colors on this top scream 70s wallpaper and I am living for it. Who knew that olive green and rosy pink would work together so well?! This top is so comfy, breezy, and light with fabric that almost borders on silky without all of the hassle of caring for silk clothes. It was one of those pieces that I knew would be a winner even without trying it on but, of course, I had to try it on anyways!

As it often happens when I am in the fitting room at TJMaxx, an OOTD vision came to me once this top was on in all of its glory. The 70s inspo of the top reminded me so much of my Makeup Magic OOTD and I can’t wait to do a follow up fit. Especially after getting my hair done this Friday! I plan on rocking this top with my favorite pair of straight leg slacks by Sincerely Jules, a killer pair of denim blue embroidered platforms, and *fingers crossed* a more defined shag hairdo after my hair stylist works her magic. It is going to be SO groovy and I am amped for all of you to see it. Stay tuned! 😀

We might be in the middle of summer but fall clothing will always reign supreme in my world. Big ups to TJMaxx for forever guiding me and nurturing my passion for fashion! ❤

Have you updated your summer wardrobe? Do you have any fun summer plans coming up? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

New Bagatelle Collection Swing Coat

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New Bagatelle Collection Swing Coat

Howdy! This past Wednesday I had a content shoot to attend for my social media management job and then had the rest of the day off. I had a TJMaxx gift card for my birthday burning a hole in my pocket and swooped up my shopping partner in crime mom for an afternoon outing to TJs. It was absolutely fabulous! I walked away with a new pair of shoes that you saw yesterday, a funky 70s inspired top, new skin care, and the gorgeous swing coat that we will be discussing today. Be sure to check out the rest of my haul coming soon! Now, let’s get to the good stuff because I am simply swooning over this Bagatelle Collection coat:

As I browsed through the clothing racks, my heart literally stopped when I landed upon this Bagatelle Collection swing coat. It has been in the high eighties for the past week and the last thing I wanted was to think about wearing a coat! However, I thought about wearing it during my vacation to Italy in the fall and it immediately went into the cart. That soft beige base with the creamy flowers and crosshatching is oh so dreamy, the all white collar pops, and it is nice and light. A perfect coat for the slight chill of early fall! As soon as I tried it on, visions of Italy OOTDs danced in my head and it would have been a slap in the face to the fashion gods if it did not come home with me.

My grand OOTD plan goes a little something like this… A pseudo dress formed from a bubble skirt and chic and silky cami top, a Barbie pink pair of platform heels, and my new Bagatelle Collection swing coat to tie the look together. It just makes me happy to think about an evening in Italy in this outfit and I am pins and needles for this look and setting to come to fruition. Every time I go shopping now, I have Italy outfits in mind. And, every time I think of Italy, I think of shopping lol! I think I’m going to need a much bigger suitcase for our return flight home and have already warned my family to leave space in their bags for my purchases. I can’t wait to share this trip of a lifetime with all of you come October!! ❤

This new swing coat is an amazing addition to my Italy look book and my fall in Ohio look book too lol. Thank you, TJMaxx, for always showing me exactly what I need!

Do you have any upcoming travel plans? What is your dream vacation destination? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

If The Shoe Fits: Adidas Sneakers Edition

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If The Shoe Fits: Adidas Sneakers Edition

Hi!! All of my hiking shoes have gone to the fashion gods in the sky and I was in desperate need of a new pair of tennies to hit the trails in. I decided to rectify this with a quick stop into Famous Footwear and was thoroughly disappointed as literally none of their shoes fit me. All of their size sixes were WAY too big and I walked out of the store empty handed. However, I did have an ace up my sleeve: A TJMaxx gift card from Johnny’s parents for my birthday! I honestly wasn’t expecting to find a new pair of sneakers during a shopping trip with my mom because TJ’s in store selection leaves a lot to be desired. To my pleasant surprise, I ended up with a new pair of Adidas that I really like! And, yes, I’m just as shocked as all of you that this edition of If The Shoe Fits doesn’t involve heels lol. Check it out:

The shoe department in TJMaxx gave me two options: A poppy pair of burgundy sneakers and the subdued but chic Adidas. I’m not going to lie, I was hoping that the burgundy pair would work because they were ten dollars cheaper. However, they were too big and went back on the shelf. The Adidas tennis shoes were my last chance before turning to online shopping and I was a little nervous as I tentatively slipped them on. To my delight, they fit like a glove! A true blue size six which is exactly what I am and exactly what I needed. These sneakers are sturdy, comfortable, and I just know that I’ll be able to walk for miles on the hiking trails or exploring the scenery of Italy during my vacation in the fall.

After trying the Adidas on, I was actually really happy that the burgundy pair didn’t work out. I think these shoes are ultra cool! I love the stone grey color paired with the beige stripes, chocolate brown soles, and the bold black laces. While the burgundy tennies provided a pop of color they might not go with every outfit while the Adidas are a perfect neutral. It has been a loooong time since I shopped for sneakers and it was way more difficult than I thought it would be. After a lot of trial and error, I came out on top and, as always, have TJMaxx to thank for that. I scored these Adidas for forty-five bucks which was a much nicer price than the eighty plus dollar options at Famous Footwear. Remind me why I even bothered with that store in the first place!

I kind of feel like a traitor for doubting the TJMaxx shoe department but I made good with this purchase. Peep more from my shopping haul coming soon!

What is your preferred style of shoe? Are you a sneakerhead? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Home Improvements That Add Comfort, Style, And Convenience

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Home Improvements That Add Comfort, Style, And Convenience

Our homes are so much more than just a place to crash; they’re where our lives unfold. And making that space work better for you doesn’t always mean a huge renovation. Just a few thoughtful, smart upgrades can totally change your home, making it comfier, more practical, and just plain nicer to be in. From simple tech additions to clever design tricks, these improvements can really shake up your daily routine in a good way:

Making your home feel cozy goes beyond just throwing a blanket on the couch. Smart home tech can actually help you set up every room just how you like it. Picture this: Your lights automatically shift through the day, bright and cool in the morning to help you wake up, then warm and dim at night to help you relax. Smart thermostats take it a step further, learning your family’s schedule so the temperature is always perfect, all while saving you money on energy. You can even get automated blinds that open with the sunrise and close for privacy at night, making your home feel like it’s really tuned into your needs.

Bathrooms used to be just for getting clean, but now they’re becoming personal retreats. Modern updates are all about bringing that spa feeling right into your home. Think smart mirrors with adjustable LED lights and anti-fog features, perfect for getting ready on busy mornings. Digital shower controls let you set the exact temperature before you even step in. If you’re thinking about a bigger change, checking out shower remodeling tips can give you tons of ideas for a space that’s both beautiful and super practical. Things like built-in benches, rainfall showerheads, and sleek glass doors can really make the whole room feel luxurious.

A home without clutter is a home without stress, but finding a spot for everything can be tough. Smart storage is all about making the most of every inch you have. Go vertical with shelves that reach the ceiling; it draws your eye up and uses wall space efficiently. Grab some multi-functional furniture, like an ottoman with hidden storage or a coffee table that lifts to hide remotes and magazines. Just thinking about how you use each room can spark clever ideas for organizing your living spaces, helping you cut down on clutter and make your space feel more open and airy.

Some of the smartest home upgrades are the ones you can’t even see. Protecting your home from water damage is very important for its long-term health and your peace of mind. In spots that get a lot of moisture, like bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements, putting in waterproof flooring and wall panels is a smart move. For even more security, you can install smart water leak detectors. These little sensors can sit near appliances like washing machines or under sinks. If they sense any moisture, they’ll immediately ping your phone so you can deal with a small leak before it turns into a huge problem.

A truly smart home works for everyone, no matter their age or how they get around. Adding universal design elements can make your home safer and comfier for both family and guests. This could be something simple, like stylish grab bars in the shower (they come in so many cool finishes now!). Other ideas include putting in a walk-in tub, creating entryways without steps, and using lever-style door handles instead of knobs. Embracing these universal design principles means your home stays a welcoming and practical space for years to come.

Smart upgrades are all about making your daily life better. Whether it’s a cool new gadget or a simple design tweak, these improvements help create a home that’s comfier, more organized, and ready for whatever the future holds!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

If The Shoe Doesn’t Fit?!

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If The Shoe Doesn’t Fit?!

Hello! My brother and I are avid hikers and sadly all of my hiking shoes have bit the dust. In their defense, I only have a handful of shoes that aren’t heels and they were all old as dirt and falling apart when I had to part with them. And, while my new wheelies are technically tennis shoes, they are pretty clunky and not the best for a trek through the woods in. I decided to rectify this by stopping into Famous Footwear during my break at work and expected to be in and out in a matter of minutes. Believe you me, it doesn’t take your girl long to find a perfect pair of shoes! To my complete and utter surprise, that was not the case in the slightest and I am still shooketh!

I think the last time I was in a Famous Footwear was when I was in grade school lol but it was the only option that made sense as TJMaxx’s in store shoe selection leaves a lot to be desired. I rolled into the store on a mission: Find a cute, sturdy pair at forty dollars or less and then I would be on my way. This was far more difficult than I could have imagined! I am so used to discount prices at TJs that my mind was simply blown when I saw full price footwear. Of course, the shoes were brand name like Nike, Vans, and Sketchers, but they were eighty dollars plus! Hard no.

Rather than entertain those options, I started looking at canvas shoes instead which were much more complimentary to my budget. There were several pairs that I liked so I took five boxes or so to the mirror to try them on. I am SO glad I did. My shoe size is a true blue size six and in my head there is no reason why size sixes shouldn’t fit. So tell me why literally none of the sixes at Famous fit me?! Every size six I tried was at least a half a size too big and that went across the Blowfish, Hey Dude, and Jelly Pop brands.

Saying I was frustrated was an understatement. Shoes are my thing lol and this store was giving me so much trouble! Then, I decided to dig deeper by looking at the labels of each brand as they included European sizes. It was just as I suspected. The size sixes I was trying were a thirty-seven in European sizing. When it comes to those size ranges, I am a thirty-six because thirty-seven is a six and a half. Therein lied the problem and there were no five and a half women’s shoes. I even looked in the children’s section before leaving the store with empty hands! Although there was a light up pair that I was really considering…!

In conclusion, shopping for heels is easy peasy. Shopping for sneakers is a shockingly different story. I never thought I would find myself writing a post about If The Shoe Doesn’t Fit but I guess there’s a first time for everything!

What is your favorite brand for tennis shoes? Where can they be purchased at? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

It’s In The Bag: Juicy Couture Duffle Edition

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It’s In The Bag: Juicy Couture Duffle Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of It’s In The Bag! For every gift giving occasion, there is a one thousand percent chance that I will receive a TJMaxx gift card from someone and I was blessed with one from Johnny’s parents for my birthday. As my family is going to Italy in the fall, I planned to purchase a carry on bag for myself with these newly acquired funds. I didn’t tell anyone about this idea and was genuinely shocked when my mom beat me to the punch. She gifted me with the most gorgeous Juicy Couture duffle bag and it is the perfect measurements for a carry on!! I am beyond obsessed so let’s take a moment to ogle my new bag altogether:

As soon as my mom presented me with her present, I knew exactly what it was and I still couldn’t quite believe it. It’s like she read my mind! However, she one upped what I had in my head completely. I was going to get a simple suitcase carry on with my gift cards and didn’t even dream about a duffle bag like this! That raspberry color, the collegiate style patches, those adorable puppy and mini purse accessories?! I was swooning. Part of it was the bag itself, of course, but the other part was the brand. I have loved all things Juicy Couture since I was a teenager but never had anything other than their perfume. This duffle bag made my teenage and thirty-two year old self so happy that I can’t even put it into words lol. 😀

Not only is this bag going to be just right for our Italy vacation but it will also come in so handy as an overnight bag in general. The only overnight bag I have was a freebie from Victoria’s Secret that I got for spending X amount of money over fifteen years ago! The zipper is busted and it looks every bit of its age from all of those years of toting it on vacations and sleepovers. This major upgrade of a birthday gift means that I can finally lay my elderly Vicky’s Secret bag to rest. My only wish is that I had an overnight occasion to break it out for because I’ll be on pins and needles until I can finally use it for Italy!

Big ups to my mind reader mom for the most amazing gift. I absolutely love it!! ❤

What is a brand you love but don’t have anything by? Do you go on overnights often? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah