Tag Archives: style

Jul10

White Hot OOTD Pt. 3

Posted on July 10, 2022 by lifewithlilred

Hello everyone and welcome to the last of my White Hot OOTD shoot before we move on to the lols of the blooper reel! Prior to taking these pictures with Johnny, we had no idea of the beauty surrounding our new apartment. Although we still live in the same community, the scenery at our new place is vastly different to the old one. We used to be in a cluster of different complexes and are now nestled in the woods with greenery everywhere and a creek running through the property.

The last location we shot at is actually really cool because it’s a rock wall that makes up the base of our new complex:

To wrap up this photo series, I thought that we would talk a little bit about accessorizing. Knowing how to accessorize is just as much of an art as any other aspect of fashion because it is a delicate dance. Too much jewelry can take away from a great outfit and too little makes it feel like it’s missing something. You, truly, need that “just right” medium for optimum success and I think this OOTD achieved that.

There are a few key rules to follow when accessorizing that will help you put the cherry on top of any look:

Fill Negative Space:

Blank spaces on an OOTD are where accessories come into play, which you can see on my OOTD. Are you wearing a tank top? How about adding a jangling stack of bangles? Or, maybe you’re rocking a hot pair of short shorts – try an anklet or some bejeweled Gladiator sandals! Scooping neckline? Add a necklace of an appropriate length to fill the space!

Creating visual interest with an outfit means that you are making the eyes of whomever is looking at you dance. So, instead of just a brief up and down glance, they are looking here, there, and everywhere at all of the little touches you added to your look. Properly placed accessories is what helps to achieve this.

Consider Your Clothing:

This seems like an obvious tip but it needs to be said. Accessories thrive on a more neutral palette, which is why I limited mine to the top half of this OOTD. A bold patterned piece of clothing is an accessory in and of itself so you don’t want to weigh it down with unnecessary jewelry.

Let’s think about a white tank top again – this is grounds to spice things up with a lengthier pendant necklace. But what if you’re wearing a bright floral top? A short length silver or gold chain necklace or sweet stud earrings will work perfectly. Remember, accessories are meant to enhance – not take away from your overall OOTD.

As a heavily tattooed and pierced woman with some crazy cool hair, I have had to reconsider how I accessorize as my body mod collection grows. All of my modifications are my accessories so I am even more mindful of the jewelry that I wear in my OOTDs. The tips above work wonders for me and I know for a fact that they will for you too!

What is your favorite type of accessory? Do you have a piece of jewelry that you wear every day? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul9

White Hot OOTD Pt. 2

Posted on July 9, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello everyone and welcome to part two from my White Hot OOTD! After finally getting my hair done, I wanted to take all of the pictures and my sweet blog husband delivered. I had SO many great options and locations to pick from that I couldn’t cram it all into one post. Rather, we will be doing four! Tomorrow, you can tune in to see my final set of pictures and don’t forget to check out the blooper reel the following day. 😀

As promised, we will be discussing the art of mixing and matching patterns in this post so peep some brand new pics and let’s get to it:

Mixing and matching patterns might seem like a daunting challenge when it comes to assembling an OOTD. It is not as difficult as you think, however, as long as you follow some simple rules:

Start Small:

If you have never mixed and matched patterns before, then the best place to start is through your accessories. I recommend a handbag and shoes as your introduction. This way, you will still have a strong neutral base (which we will talk about more) to assist you. Some examples you could try would be a floral embroidered bag with a floral patterned shoe. This works because it’s a like pattern. Or, you could do a black and white polka dot bag with a black and white snake skin shoe – this works because it’s a like color palette.

Assembling An Outfit:

Once you have had some practice with accessories, you can move onto incorporating mixing and matching into your clothes. This Goddess Style OOTD by yours truly is a really good example of mix and match. Just remember to follow these tips:

Have One Neutral Piece:

Before diving into the deep end with a whole mix and match outfit, it helps to have a strong neutral piece in your OOTD. Black, white, taupe, and navy are all good places to start. Note in my White Hot OOTD that my tank top acted as the neutral to make the mix and match skirt and shoes pop. With one neutral piece in your outfit, it limits the pieces you can mix and match and makes the process less overwhelming.

Create Space Between Mix & Match Pieces:

Having one mix and match piece on top of the other is fairly advanced and it really does require the perfect pieces of clothing to make the outfit cohesive. This is why creating space between your M&M pieces will help you out when you are a beginner. In my White Hot OOTD, it wouldn’t have mattered so much if my shoes and skirt weren’t a one hundred percent match in color or pattern. The skirt gave me negative space between each piece and that assisted in its cohesiveness. You can try this out with a patterned top and shoe!

Color Coordination:

It is so crucial in mix and match OOTDs to have a like color linking your different patterns. For example, this orange patterned Zac & Rachel skort paired with my floral Scotch & Soda blazer. Looking at these pieces individually, you would think that it wouldn’t work together. But, that is far from the case! Each component has orange, black, and green which links the patterns into something that works in tandem. Remember, it is easier to mix and match patterns when each piece heavily features a similar color.

Be Mindful Of Pattern Sizes:

Let’s use the skort and blazer as an example again. What do you notice about each one? If you answered that the oranges are bold and the flowers are delicate, then you are spot on! It is so important to be mindful of pattern sizes and boldness when mixing and matching. You do not want two super bold or dainty patterns right on top of the other because it makes it difficult to differentiate the two. Go for opposites in terms of pattern size or boldness in your choices to really make your mix and match pop.

When you first begin mixing and matching – try and try again because clothes are meant to be tried on and played with! Remember these tips and you will be a pro in no time. ❤

Do you have any questions about mixing and matching? Do you have any pro tips of your own for M&M styling? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul8

White Hot OOTD

Posted on July 8, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello!! Your girl has been feeling herself with her brand new red and white hair and I just had to have Johnny snap some pics before we went to see his parents this past Monday. Of course, by some pictures I mean like five hundred thousand but who’s counting?! Johnny and I explored lots of different areas near our new apartment and were surprised to find a path that led right down to the creek that runs through the property.

We took pictures at three different spots within a five minute walk of our place. Because there are so many options from each location, I thought that I would share my White Hot OOTD in sections starting with some greenery behind our apartment:

^^^ Did you notice the cool shadows that the leaves made?!

Who? What? Wear?

White tank top: Rachel Zoe, TJMaxx
Floral skirt: Sienna Sky, TJMaxx
Embroidered heels: Sbicca, ModCloth

As you all know, I am not a huge fan of dressing for summer but I think that I am starting to find my groove with the “less is more” mentality. Although I love layering and implementing different cold weather accessories come fall time, I have accepted that this isn’t the case in the summer and that’s okay. In the summer, as long as the outfit is cute, you feel comfortable in the heat, and are confident, then I think it qualifies as a perfect OOTD. And I felt all three of these things in this look!

While this White Hot OOTD is fairly simple, it still packs a punch and it is something that I would definitely wear again. I had been eager to wear my new Sienna Sky skirt from a recent TJMaxx haul and because of its bold pattern and sweet flounciness, I only wanted to wear things that complimented it as the focal point. To achieve this, I tucked in my Rachel Zoe tank as an obvious choice and kept accessories minimal with a small necklace and a couple of bracelets.

For the shoes, I went with my embroidered Sbicca heels from ModCloth and these worked well for many different reasons. 1) It had a lower strap that buckled at the heel. This gave me a long leg line that would have been cut short with a heel that had an ankle strap. You all know how much of a stickler I am for that!

And 2) Despite a different floral pattern on the shoe than what’s on the skirt, it still looked cohesive because of similar colors. The Sienna Sky skirt features a very light cornflower blue and the blue base of the heels is just a bit darker than the skirt’s flowers. Tomorrow, we will discuss mixing and matching patterns in more detail but always remember to look for the like colors to make this styling technique work.

I am so loving this OOTD and I can’t wait to share more pictures and styling tips with all of you this week. Tune in tomorrow so I can show you the creek and talk mixing and matching! ❤

What is your favorite season to dress for? What is your favorite pattern to wear? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul7

Interested In Modeling? Try These Tips!

Posted on July 7, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Modeling is a competitive yet exciting industry that can be very rewarding both financially and emotionally. It’s no wonder that many young people aspire to become models. However, the process of becoming a model is not as simple as it may seem. There are certain things you need to do to increase your chances of success. This guide will show you how to become a model, from the very beginning stages to the point where you’re ready to start your career. If you’re serious about becoming a model, read on to find out what you need to do:

Research the Industry:

The first step to becoming a model is to educate yourself about the industry. Learn as much as you can about different types of modeling, the requirements, and what it takes to be successful. Additionally, talking to people who are already in the industry can be very helpful. They can give you insight into what the industry is like and what you need to do to succeed.

Decide What Type of Modeling You Want to Do:

Before you start your modeling career, you need to decide what kind of modeling you want to do. There are many types of modeling, from high fashion runway modeling to commercial print work. Each type of modeling has its own requirements and guidelines. Do some research and find out which type of modeling interests you the most. Once you know what kind of modeling you want to do, you can start taking the necessary steps to make your dream a reality.

Get Your Portfolio Ready:

A strong portfolio is one of the most important things you need as a model. Your portfolio is a collection of your best photos that show off your unique look and modeling skills. It’s important to have a variety of photos in your portfolio that showcase different looks and styles.

Product portrait photography is a great way to add variety to your portfolio and show off your modeling skills. Hire a professional photographer to take some high quality photos of you. Make sure to wear a variety of clothing and do different poses so that your portfolio is diverse.

Start Applying to Modeling Agencies:

Now that you have an idea of the kind of modeling you want to do, it’s time to start applying to agencies. This is where things can start to get a bit overwhelming because there are a lot of modeling agencies out there. The best way to narrow down your options is to research the different agencies and find the ones that specialize in the type of modeling you want to do.

For example, if you want to do high fashion runway modeling, look for agencies that represent models who have done this kind of work in the past. Once you have a list of potential agencies, you can start reaching out and applying to them.

Attend Casting Calls and Go-Sees:

If you’re lucky enough to get called in for an audition or “go-see,” congrats! This means that the agency is interested in you and wants to see if you’re a good fit for their modeling roster. Casting calls and go-sees can be nerve wracking, but try to relax and be yourself. The agency representatives are just trying to get to know you and see if you’re a good fit for their agency.

Sign with a Modeling Agency:

After attending a few casting calls and go-sees, you may be lucky enough to get signed with a modeling agency. This is a huge accomplishment and it’s the first step to starting your professional modeling career. Now that you’re signed with an agency, you’ll start getting booked for jobs. Your agency will help you with all of the details, from finding the right gigs to negotiating your pay.

Start Building Your Brand:

As a model, you are your own brand. This means that it’s important to start thinking about how you want to be perceived by the industry and the public. Do some soul searching and figure out what kind of image you want to project. Start producing content that is consistent with your personal brand as soon as you have one. This could be anything from starting a blog or YouTube channel to posting photos on social media.

These are just a few things you need to do to become a model. Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg and there’s a lot more to learn about the industry. But if you’re serious about becoming a model, these tips will help you get started on the right foot. The most important thing is to be authentic and stay true to yourself!

Jun22

Advice For A Fantastic Mid-Year “Tune Up”

Posted on June 22, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Advice For A Fantastic Mid-Year “Tune Up”

Any driver knows that from time to time, a full vehicle inspection is required. So, if we can do this with our vehicles, why can’t we do it with ourselves too? Sometimes, we might need the ‘tune-up’ that we give to our possessions. But surely you are the most valuable ‘possession’ you have in the first place! So, what plans can we make in order to optimize our approach here? In this post, we’ll discuss all of that and more:

See Your Dentist:

It’s quite amazing how fresh we feel after a visit to the dentist. A local dental clinic can help assess the entirety of your dental environment and make any recommendations that may be important. They can help clean your teeth, attend to any pain or problem areas you might have, and unlock your natural smile in the best possible way. For many this may seem like a pedestrian task, but regular visits can help you prevent long term dental issues that you may have otherwise had.

Take A Fitness ‘Inventory’:

It sounds quite sanctimonious to suggest you should sit down and consider how healthy you are. But the truth is, that it is a good thing to figure out where you are health wise and think about what you’ll do to better yourself. You also have to consider what you could actually do, not what you just think you should. This might involve losing that last couple of pounds, walking more in the mornings, or simply getting more vitamin D. It might mean trying to restore your flexibility after an injury you sustained. Your fitness inventory doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s to be right for you.

Update Your Style:

Updating your style is always a great thing! Otherwise, we can feel outdated and like we’re behind everyone else. This doesn’t mean you have to dress in the latest fashions, but it’s certainly health to consider the condition of your clothes and to improve them – to opt for a few fixtures like a nice winter coat or even having that watch repaired finally. A tuneup means being able to present yourself to the world with a renewed sense of confidence and appreciation. An approach like this can help you with that through and through.

With this advice, you’re certain to generate the best mid-year tuneup, ready for the best of summer and the onset of the colder seasons. 2022 is already halfway over, if you can believe it, so make the most of it!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jun17

Accessory Story: New SJ Pearl Obsidian Necklace

Posted on June 17, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Accessory Story: New SJ Pearl Obsidian Necklace

Hello! Last Monday, I had a very successful shopping trip at TJMaxx with a new friend. I got all kinds of cute stuff with my birthday gift cards, including a new SJ Pearl necklace that I love so much. Part of the novelty of shopping at TJMaxx that never gets old is being introduced to new brands that you haven’t heard of before. I purchased two SJ Pearl necklaces almost three years ago from TJs and still find myself looking for more every time I go.

On Monday, my prayers were finally answered and there were several new SJ Pearl necklaces on the jewelry counter. I knew the brand as soon as I saw it from aisles away and couldn’t reach the display fast enough. There were three different designs to choose from and, honestly, I wish that I bought them all lol. Here is what I went with:

Despite having a huge jewelry collection, I always seem to gravitate towards my SJ Pearl necklaces to spice up an OOTD. They are, easily, some of my favorite pieces that I own and they add a unique touch to the most simple of outfits. I love the reassuring weight of them around my neck as they are fairly heavy because of being made with precious stones. Obsidian is used for protection and, maybe it’s just in my head, but I do feel more at peace just knowing that it’s on.

My other SJ Pearl necklaces are shorter in length, although they can be adjusted. So, I was very excited to find my new one that is longer. It is such a stunning design and I can’t wait to wear the jet black beads against cream colored blouses to add a major pop of visual interest. Also, if anyone knows more about the image on it, then please fill me in because I couldn’t find it when scouring Google.

My new necklace is the last thing from my TJMaxx haul and it was definitely one of the better trips that I have had recently. Once a maxxinista, always a maxxinista!!

What is your favorite jewelry brand? Where do you go to discover new brands? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun14

New Sienna Sky Skirt

Posted on June 14, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello!! During my last shopping trip at TJMaxx with a new friend, I had a fantastic haul filled with lots of new goodies. No new tops (No surprises there!), but some other accessories and the fabulous new skirt that we will be discussing today to shake up my summer wardrobe. It was love at first sight with this Sienna Sky skirt and I cannot wait to wear it!

Unlike many, I am not a huge fan of summertime. I despise really hot weather and I have always found dressing for summer to be a bore. In the fall, you have the option to truly build outfits through layering and that is so not the case for summer unless you want to burn up! I can only wear so many shorts and top combinations, which is why I was thrilled to find a new skirt to add some variety.

This little Sienna Sky number brought me back to high school when skirts that were similar were all the rage. Now, I much prefer a more structured skirt style so I am excited to add some flounce back into my OOTDs. The shape of this skirt with the front ruffle is darling but what sold me is the colors. The bright yellow, orange, and blue just screams fun in the sun and will allow me to have some more fun with summer dressing too. 😀

Because of the bold pattern on this skirt, all one needs for a perfect summer OOTD is a plain white tank, lots of bangle bracelets, and cork or wicker wedges. An outfit like that is ideal for a date day, a stroll through the farmers market, or drinks on the patio. And, it sure beats shorts and a T-shirt… Maybe dressing for summer isn’t so bad after all!

What is your favorite season to dress for? How would you style this skirt? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun11

Accessory Story: Larioseta Scarf Edition

Posted on June 11, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Accessory Story: Larioseta Scarf Edition

Hello!! I had many a birthday gift card for TJMaxx burning a hole in my pocket and I was so happy to go shopping with a new friend to spend them. We had the best time and each had a haul worth blogging about! As always, I wanted to be able to find some new tops. And, as always, that was a total bust lol. However, I did find lots of other goodies starting with this gorgeous silk scarf by Larioseta:

From necklaces and purses to shoes and scarves, I love accessories. I am a huge fan of scarves and have several in my collection but none as good enough to eat looking as my new Larioseta one! I saw this darling donut patterned scarf from aisles away and just had to hurry over to snag it because it was the only one there. It reminded me so much of my favorite Popsicle print silk scarf by BCBG and I had to have it. Clearly, I have a fondness for dessert print accessories!

Silk scarves are a fabulous way to spruce up a summer outfit whether tied at the neck, worn as a headband, or even wrapped around the straps of a purse. I plan on letting my sweet tooth do the talking by tying it at the neck with a simple white tank top and my go to American Eagle shorts. While cozy scarves should be saved for the fall, silk scarves are a perfect summer option for a touch of retro cuteness that won’t leave you burning up. 😀

Keep it posted here on lifewithlilred for more on my TJMaxx birthday gift card haul and a huge thank you to everyone for the generous gifts!! ❤

What is your favorite place to receive a gift card for? 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

Jun3

Pantspalooza: Premise Pt. 2 Edition

Posted on June 3, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello everyone and welcome to the last purchase from my TJMaxx Haul! During this shopping trip, I got two new tops and bottoms for my summer wardrobe. And, thanks to my upcoming birthday, I can’t wait to go back because I already have some gift cards burning a hole in my pocket! Today, we are going to wrap things up by talking about another pair of pantaloons by Premise. Yes, they’re also kind of old lady. And, yes, it is in the best way ever like the other pair! Check it out:

When shopping at TJMaxx, my mom and I usually make two rounds throughout the store before we check out. This gives us the opportunity to try things on, narrow down our options, and go back in for more lol. My paint splatter pants by Premise were tried on during our second go in the fitting room because the other pair I knew that I was buying worked so well:

As you all know, I really am not one for patterned pants but these ones just hit different. The fit of them is, truly, perfect for my body type and when that is the case with a piece of clothing, it never hurts to buy it in multiple patterns! I am so glad that I did because I definitely plan on wearing these all summer long. I also love the fact that I can because, despite their length, these pants are nice and cool. Also, white clothing is ideal for beating the heat with!

Although both of these Premise pants are the exact same in terms of its structure, the patterns are so different that I didn’t feel bad about it. I like them equally but the paint splatter one speaks to my personal style a bit more. In the summer, all I’ll need is a black tank or crop top and I am good to go. But, come fall, I can’t wait to punk them out with a moto jacket and combat boots. The material is also thick enough that I can wear a pair of tights underneath them and it won’t show through if the weather is chilly.

For mine and Johnny’s housewarming/birthaversary party, I wore the white and blue pair of Premise pants and they were a huge hit. I can’t wait to break out the paint splatter pair next! 😀

Do you own anything in multiple colors or patterns? What kind of fit for clothing compliments your body best? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun2

Pantspalooza: Premise Edition

Posted on June 2, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello!! My mom and I had an excellent shopping trip together at the new TJMaxx in our area and it was so much fun. It had been a while since our last TJs excursion and I am already ready to go back with her! While I didn’t walk away with as many tops as I would have liked, which was my main goal, I did find some really cool pants by Premise. Check it out:

^^^ Originally $68 and I got it for $17 – you can’t beat that. 😀

I will be the first to admit that these pants are kind of old ladyish but in the Best. Way. Ever. and I am obsessed. I am in love with the fine China/old school cookware pattern, the slimming shape, and how freaking comfy they are. These pants are incredibly lightweight, making them an ideal option for summer. The material is also thick enough that darker colored panties won’t show through, which is another huge win because that’s basically all I own.

When my new pantaloons caught my eye, it was love at first sight but I honestly didn’t think they would end up working. I like the idea of patterned pants but I don’t like them on me, which is why I opt for my black skinnies nine times out of ten. However, I just couldn’t say no to them – especially when paired with my new Love On A Hanger top:

Had the Premise pants not fit so well, they would have been a definite no go because if you’re going for a pattern that bold, then the fit better be on point. And, it was. These pants hit perfectly at my ankle, hugged my curves without being tight, and was high waisted without hitting my boobs lol. In other words, they were just right and the pattern was enhanced rather than distracting.

These are a far cry from anything that I would normally wear and it feels good to take what I would consider a fashion risk. If you are shopping in store and see something that you like but don’t think it would work for you: TRY IT ON. That’s what the fitting rooms are there for and who knows? You might walk away with your new favorite purchase!

What is your favorite pattern to wear? How would you style these pants? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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