Tag Archives: style

Polka Dots, Please OOTD Bloopers

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Polka Dots, Please OOTD Bloopers

Hello everyone and welcome to the blooper reel from my Polka Dots, Please OOTD shoot! Today, we are going to be looking at the bad, the yikes, and the “what was she thinking?” that definitely didn’t make the cut… Until now, that is! For every good picture I take, there are probably ten preceding it that just make me shake my head lol. Let’s take a peek at some of these not so muches:

Something apparently really took me by surprise!

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Lol, this one is so funny to me! When motion shots just don’t work out!

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For obvious reasons, this one didn’t make the cut.

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Always putting my best face forward, obviously!

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Upsy daisy! The classic dismount shots.

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Give me my phoooooone

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I love me a blooper reel at the end of a movie and sometimes they are the funniest parts! That’s kind of how I feel about my blooper posts. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy showing off a fabulous OOTD and pictures as much as the next person. However, you can’t have the good without a bit of the bad and ugly too lol.

When I first started doing OOTD shoots, I would have never dreamed of posting the “yikes” shots. But, finally, my self confidence is in an excellent place and I realized that I had content amidst the shots that ended up in the “delete” section of my phone. These pictures that automatically got trashed are all an important part of the OOTD process so why not share them? Johnny and I get a huge kick out of these behind the scenes pics and I hope you do too!

That about does it for my Polka Dots, Please OOTD but keep checking in for more fun looks from yours truly. I feel a lot more OOTD posts happening soon!

What makes you laugh? What makes you feel confident? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Polka Dots, Please OOTD Bonus Pictures

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Polka Dots, Please OOTD Bonus Pictures

Hello everyone and welcome to some bonus pictures from my Polka Dots, Please OOTD! As you will see in tomorrow’s post, there are way more bloopers from this shoot than there were winners. The lighting was wonky, Johnny and I were insanely full from Easter dinner, and it was a bit chilly so we were more concerned about just getting things done!

In true Ohio fashion, it’s going from snowing and freezing rain this past week to summer level hot so be on the lookout for more OOTD shoots soon! But now, let’s look at a few extra shots that didn’t quite make the first cut:

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Have you ever had one of those days when you look into a mirror and you look even more fabulous than normal? You then think that it’s the perfect opportunity to take some pictures but can’t take a good one to save your own life? That’s kind of what this shoot was like! Despite a full stomach and cold temps, your girl was feeling herself. Then, I scrolled through the final results and I was just like “oh” lol.

No one ever said a blogger’s job was easy and with each passing shot, my commentary in my head was “blooper, blooper, yikes, DAYUM, blooper, etc”. Haha but I promised bonus shots and bonus shots is what you’re all gonna get! The hardest part of OOTD pictures is not taking the pictures themselves but finding the good in them after it’s all said and done. Kind of like finding the needle in the haystack of one hundred selfies that all look the same!

Were these my favorite pictures of all time? Not in the slightest. But, I didn’t have much to work with from this shoot so what can you do? When my confidence was barely above ground level, I would never post pictures that were nothing short of amazing. I don’t consider these bonus pictures to be my best work but that’s okay!

OOTD pics are not always home runs and, sometimes, you end up with a billion pictures that do nothing for you. That was the case with this shoot and I am posting them anyways. No matter how your pics turn out, I encourage you all to get in front of the camera, try it out, and post away. It will help build your confidence, you’ll have some fun, and see that it is still your best self even if the final result might not reflect it. ❀

How do you build your confidence? What are some of your picture taking pro tips? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Polka Dots, Please OOTD

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Polka Dots, Please OOTD

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new OOTD here on lifewithlilred! Today, we’re going to be taking a look at some pics from my look while celebrating Easter with the in laws. And, as always, stay tuned for bonus shots and a plethora of bloopers from the shoot! Johnny and I had a lovely Easter weekend and I hope that all of you did too. πŸ™‚ Now, let’s get to it:

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Who? What? Wear?

Nothing says “celebrate spring” like some polka dots and floral prints! While I would have loved to sport a cute little sundress for Easter, it was frickin freezing and it was gonna be a no from me. Instead, I went with the springiest cold weather option I had, which was my polka dot maxi skirt by Eva Franco. This choice was, obviously, a yes from me!

I remember lusting over my Eva Franco number for months on TJMaxx’s website and snagged it on clearance. It was the steal of a lifetime but I never broke it out as often as I imagined so I’m glad it got its moment in the sun… or lack thereof. This skirt is so festive and fun and the bright dots gave a perfect pop of spring without going the floral route.

As you all know, I am a huge fan of making a skirt and top combo look like a dress. To achieve this and add some extra warmth, I went with my Loft unicorn sweater. This was a Christmas gift from my mom and I love it so much. Also note how the blue stitching matches to the T with the blue polka dots! πŸ˜€

Since navy is a neutral and the skirt and sweater paired so well together, this gave me the opportunity to have some fun with the shoes. I will be the first to admit that these Elle pumps are, easily, the least comfortable pair of shoes that I own. I have some crazy pairs in my collection and none of them bother me except for these pumps.

My Elle pumps pinch, they hurt, and are so uncomfortable to walk in but I will do anything in the name of FASHION. In fact, one time I made the grave mistake of wearing these to the mall and I had to stuff them full of loose Taco Bell receipts from my purse to keep the blisters from getting worse. But, that’s neither here nor there and since I literally was just walking into my in law’s home, it was a risk I was willing to take. I think it paid off!

Finally, for accessories, I topped this OOTD off with my absolute favorite necklace – my grandma’s pearls. Although there was a lot happening in my look, it didn’t feel complete until I put my necklace on. Pearls are so elegant and I believe that they are an ideal neutral when it comes to jewelry. They don’t distract from the overall outfit but enhance and I love how they tied this OOTD together.

Other than the wicked uncomfortable heels that I absolutely refuse to get rid of, I felt like Spring Fling Queen in my Polka Dots, Please OOTD! Now, can actual spring weather happen now or…?

How did you celebrate Easter? What is your favorite gemstone? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Expressing Yourself With Your Style

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Expressing Yourself With Your Style

A good marker of identity is in the choices someone makes when deciding what to look like. Of course, image isn’t everything, in fact it’s only a small part of who we are, and in most circumstances, we are given the cards we’re dealt with. Outside of temporarily wearing certain shoes, for instance, it’s hard to change our height. That’s okay, because you’re more than enough without having to change every single part of you.

Furthermore, there’s no β€œnecessity” here. Self expression through various means is totally voluntary, you can be as simple or complex as you like. The trick is to have fun with it, and to decide what your tastes are. It might be that you love both alternative styles and more default apparel choices, both are totally valid, and can showcase different parts of who you are.

If you feel like expressing who you are anew, then, there are many ways you can make those choices. No matter if you’re in your twenties and feel as though you’re starting to know who you are, or if you’re in your forties and feel like enjoying a tattoo for the first time, consider how to achieve this in the best and healthiest manner, below:

Self Care & Health:

Self care and health is important to consider, but many people forget that this is actually a good way to express yourself. Sure, sometimes you may need to visit an emergency dentist for corrective work, but making sure you properly brush/floss your teeth can help you feel comfortable in beaming ear to ear. The same goes for skin care, which can help you positively glow, and organizing a hair care routine that helps you strengthen it, especially when planning to dye it properly. There’s no better way than investing in yourself with a little TLC and expressing yourself thanks to your newfound confidence.

Body Art & Accessories:

Body art such as piercings and tattoos as well as accessories that truly help you reveal yourself as you are can make such a difference when putting together outfits or showcasing your mood on a given day. From the types of necklace you wear to the cool classy hat you’re trying out, switching it up according to your mood helps you explore fashion and what it means to you, as well as allowing you to grow with confidence going forward.

Styles & Outfits:

Finding your β€œstyle” can be a good way to broadly categorize what you like to wear, but remember that these are warm guidelines and not specific rules. They can help you put outfits together, no matter if you hope to wear more professional clothing in your new job or if you wish to wear nice summer clothes for your vacation. Consider the event, the appropriateness of the place, what will be comfortable, what colors work for you, and what kind of arrangements can help you thrive. A nice balance of all these can grant you the best outlook.

You should also consider the other elements of an outfit when expressing yourself through your style. The first thing to remember is that your comfort is important. Be mindful of designs and colors when selecting an outfit to express who you are. Perhaps you feel good in clothes of a darker, more subtle color pattern. In that case, you can consider clothes made with this green spinach cheerio fabric. Research shows that wearing clothes you love makes you feel confident and boosts your mood and behavior. Be sure to keep these tips in mind when you are trying to showcase who you are through your sense of fashion.

Let your style reflect your amazing self, personality, and confidence and have some fun! That’s what it’s all about. πŸ™‚

Featured Image By: Pexels

Letting Your Personality Shine With Accessories

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Letting Your Personality Shine With Accessories

When it comes to fashion, the old saying “less is more” definitely does not apply. In fact, when it comes to accessories, the more, the merrier! Accessories can help you show off your personality and style and take a basic outfit over the top. Let’s explore this a little more to make your next OOTD a winner:

Accessories can help you express your personality:

When you see someone wearing a piece of jewelry or an article of clothing that you love, it instantly tells you something about that person’s taste and style. By choosing accessories that reflect your own personal taste, you can easily communicate who you are to the world around you. And there’s nothing wrong with expressing yourself! Fashion is all about self-expression and individuality. So go ahead and rock those statement earrings or that bold necklace – we guarantee they’ll get people talking (in a good way)!

Show Off Your Unique Sense of Style:

Take a look at any celebrity or fashion icon – they all have their own signature style that is reflected in the way they dress and accessorize. And you can do the same! Your clothes and accessories are like a blank canvas, and it’s up to you to fill that canvas with your own personal style. Don’t be afraid to experiment until you find a look that represents who you are. Trust us, when you find your signature style, people will start to take notice.

If you’re struggling to create a look that feels uniquely you, that’s okay! Finding your signature style takes time, like all good things. But there are so many ways to get inspired. Try on outfits you wouldn’t normally choose at the store, flip through fashion magazines at the library, or browse social media for ideas from your favorite influencers and celebrities. For example, reading a New celebrity eyewear blog could introduce you to stunning sunglasses that frame your face perfectly and elevate your entire look. Sometimes, all it takes is one statement accessory to spark your fashion creativity and help you define your own signature style!

Make a Statement:

Another great reason to let your personality shine through your accessories is that it allows you to make a statement. Whether you’re going for girly, professional, or showing off your edgy side, there’s no better way to do it than with your clothes and accessories. There are many types of accessories that you can use to make a statement, like Prescription Eyeglasses or even a simple T-Shirt. So if you’re looking for a way to get your voice out there, consider using your accessories as a platform. Who knows – you might just start a fashion trend in the process!

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Photo by Atikh Bana on Unsplash

Turn Heads:

Let’s face it, we all love a little attention now and then. And what better way to get it than by wearing something that shows off your unique sense of style? Whether you’re at a party or just walking down the street, if you’re wearing something that turns heads, you’re guaranteed to feel confident and fabulous. So go ahead and experiment with different looks until you find one that makes you feel like a million bucks!

Feel Confident and Fabulous:

We all know that feeling – when you walk out of the house, and you just know you look good. It’s awesome, isn’t it? By playing with your style, you can easily achieve that feeling of confidence and fabulousness. Even on off days, accessories can be most helpful in providing that extra confidence boost. Tired eyes can be masked by a gorgeous pair of sunglasses or headbands for women can tame a bad hair day. The beauty is that no one will be the wiser and you can go about your day feeling your best. When you feel good about the way you look, it shows! Put on those killer heels or that fantastic piece of jewelry – we promise you’ll love the way you feel.

No OOTD is complete without the right accessories so go for the bold and bright to reflect the spring and summer weather and strut your stuff!

Featured Image By: Amos Bar-Zeev on Unsplash

Spring Skirt Savvy OOTD Bloopers

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Spring Skirt Savvy OOTD Bloopers

Hello everyone and welcome to the blooper reel from my Spring Skirt Savvy OOTD! When Johnny takes my pictures, he will snap away until I’m ready to look at them… and then he’ll still keep taking my picture lol. With the rapid fire picture taking, I am left with what feels like a million shots to sort through and a majority of them do not make the final cut. You can definitely see why:

Johnny is always making me laugh!

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Some mid pose action

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It’s obvious why this shot didn’t make the cut

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AYYY or this one lol

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Feeling a little off balance

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Making sure my top didn’t have any gaps in it was a constant battle and I obviously wasn’t always successful

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Ahhhh I’m a zombie

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This is what I refer to as the “dismount” shot when I’m ready to see my pictures and Johnny is still snapping away

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Probably laughing about Johnny giving me some ridiculous directions

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As you can see, they are not always going to be winners when a blogger is taking OOTD pics lol. The blooper shots from my OOTDs might not be the most flattering but they are part of the process and it makes me and Johnny laugh – and hopefully you too! These are the types of pictures that make me say my mantra of “just a few more” and big ups to my darling blog husband for always obliging! ❀

Where is your favorite spot to take pictures at? What is your picture taking process? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Spring Skirt Savvy OOTD Bonus Pictures

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Spring Skirt Savvy OOTD Bonus Pictures

Howdy everyone and welcome to some bonus pictures from my Spring Skirt Savvy OOTD! Tomorrow, tune in for a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club and then we will be taking a look at the numerous bloopers from my shoot. Thanks to Johnny’s rapid fire picture taking, there was an equal amount of bloopers as there were winners lol. Now, let’s peep the ones that made the cut:

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Although I don’t get to take OOTD pictures as often as I would like, it is still one of my most favorite things to do for lifewithlilred. While I would have loved to go to a more scenic location to shoot for my Spring Skirt Savvy OOTD, the parking lot of my apartment worked just fine! I have actually always wanted to take pictures with my car because it is one of my most prized possessions. And, luckily for me, it rained the night before so the Little Red Love Machine was nice and clean. πŸ˜€

There is nothing that boosts my confidence quite like a good outfit and getting in front of the camera to capture it. When I was younger and America’s Next Top Model was the most popular thing on planet Earth, I always dreamed of being on that show. And, thanks to the ol’ blog, I can make those dreams come true even if it is just in front of my apartment haha.

While I will never work with Vogue level photographers, that’s okay because I have Johnny and that’s even better. He is seriously the best blog husband ever and puts up with my OOTD shoot antics like a champ. “Just a few more” is my mantra when he takes my pictures and he always obliges, which truly warms my cold bitter heart. I am a very lucky gal! ❀

My cure all for when I’m feeling down is getting dolled up and snapping some pics. Even if you are a bit camera shy, I encourage everyone to get their pictures taken when the mood suits. I think you’ll have some fun! πŸ™‚

Do you prefer to take pictures or be in front of the camera? What makes you feel confident? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Spring Skirt Savvy OOTD

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Spring Skirt Savvy OOTD

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new OOTD here on lifewithlilred! This past week, I had an interview for a new job coaching position and had to take advantage of the fact that I was wearing makeup by making Johnny take some pictures… Even if it was just in our apartment’s parking lot lol. Hey, you work with what you’ve got. These pictures combine three of my favorite things: My new hair, my car, and spring skirts! Check it out:

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Who? What? Wear?

  • White Blouse: H&M
  • Floral Skirt: Love On A Hanger, TJMaxx
  • Heels: ModCloth
  • Turquoise Necklace: My brother got me this necklace in New Mexico πŸ™‚
  • Gold Cuff: Aerie
  • Little Red Love Machine: Mazda 2 Hatchback Sport ❀

I have been hinting at a new OOTD for a while and, believe you me, I have wanted to take pictures SO. Bad. However, the weather has been crap for the past couple of weeks here. It has been frigid cold and rainy so not only did I have to take advantage of my painted face during this shoot but the nice weather too! It was bright and sunny, making for the perfect climate for OOTD pictures.

This outfit is a fairly simple one but I think that it is so fabulous to finally welcome the spring weather with. I have been itching to wear my new Love On A Hanger skirt from TJMaxx since I bought it a few weeks ago and was very happy to finally break it out… Even if it was just for twenty minutes worth of picture taking. πŸ˜€

My original thought was to pair this skirt with my favorite white Rachel Zoe tank top because that is what I was wearing the day I tried it on in the fitting room. Although it looked cute, it didn’t pack enough punch so I returned to my closet for something different. I decided to go with a white blouse from H&M, instead. It is old as the dickens but it worked just right when tucked into the skirt.

As you all know, I am very fond of this particular style of skirt. The high waist, short length, and tight fit is so flattering. And, the beauty of these skirts is that if you tuck a shirt into it, it gives the illusion of wearing a dress. The breezy fabric of my H&M blouse offered some movement even while tucked in, which I liked because the canvas like material of the skirt definitely doesn’t provide that!

When it comes to wearing these skirts, constructing the basis of the outfit isn’t as important as the shoes that you choose. Typically, a bold pattern speaks for itself and you don’t have to do much to make it work. However, it’s crucial to pair skirts like this with a shoe that doesn’t have any straps. The high waist mini skirt gives your body such a nice, leggy silhouette and strappy shoes will ruin the length that you created.

The heels that I went with are an Old Faithful from ModCloth. I’m actually pretty sure they are one of my first purchases from that site! The cornflower blue flowers in the heels matched perfectly with those in my skirt, which made both of the patterns work together. Remember, when mixing and matching patterns that you need a like color in both pieces for a cohesive look!

I didn’t want to go overboard with my accessories because I loved how my tattoos looked against a somewhat muted palette. I went with one of my favorite gold cuffs and for a pop of color, I added my turquoise necklace from my brother. This necklace was the ideal length and hit right where my blouse opens up at the collar for a sweet peek a boo of blue.

I cannot wait to wear my Spring Skirt Savvy OOTD for more than twenty minutes and it is a look that you will be seeing more of. Tune in tomorrow to peep my new nails, then it will be on to bonus pictures and bloopers. See you then!

What is your favorite thing about springtime? What is your favorite style of skirt? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Accessory Story: Cynthia Rowley Earrings Edition

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Accessory Story: Cynthia Rowley Earrings Edition

Howdy! The last thing I purchased during my final hurrah before my favorite TJMaxx closes was a really cool pair of earrings by Cynthia Rowley. I had actually seen them before at TJs and liked them a lot but didn’t buy them so I figured it was now or never when I saw them again! Check it out:

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When it comes to my jewelry, simple will simply not do and I love accessorizing with quirky pieces. These earrings definitely fall under that category! I love the design of my new Cynthia Rowley earrings and, of course, the bold red lip in the shape of a heart speaks to me. I have a skirt in a pattern that is almost identical and now I have the earrings to match. πŸ˜€

I cannot wait to break out my new earrings and the skirt you saw yesterday from my mini haul at TJs and I am so happy with my purchases… Just not the circumstance! Since my youth, the TJMaxx that is closing has provided me with many fond memories and lots of fabulous finds. Parting is, truly, such sweet sorrow and, although I am excited for the opening of a new TJMaxx, nothing will ever beat Old Faithful. ❀

Do you have a favorite store that closed? What is your favorite jewelry to accessorize with? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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New Love On A Hanger Skirt

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New Love On A Hanger Skirt

Hello! My all time favorite TJMaxx is closing down to make room for a shiny new one and it was bittersweet during my last shopping trip there. Bitter because I will miss the store terribly and sweet because I got some super cute new goodies! I wasn’t planning on purchasing anything for myself (Which is always how it goes!) but when I found this adorable skirt by Love On A Hanger, I figured it couldn’t hurt to try it on:

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The shape of this skirt is my absolute favorite and I have several of them. Despite this, I always find myself buying more because I love them oh so much. The high rise fit with mini skirt length is so flattering and it makes for the most darling OOTDs come spring and summer. All you need is a crop or tank top, bold platforms, and a floppy hat and you are sure to turn heads!

While I, truthfully, don’t need anymore of these skirts, I justify my obsession by telling myself that I don’t have one in this pattern lol. And, that’s exactly what I told myself when I saw this Love On A Hanger number at TJMaxx. I fell in love with the canvas like material, springy flowers, and all of the OOTD possibilities that came with it.

It might be too cold to wear my new skirt right now but, trust and believe, that I will be busting it out as soon as the temperature rises. I tried my skirt on in the fitting room with a plain white tank top and it looked perfect. Once my pink Marc Fisher platforms are on and some colorful accessories, I will definitely feel like Spring Fling Queen!

In the timeless words of Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada: “Florals…for spring? How…groundbreaking.” But, if it’s not broken then don’t fix it! πŸ˜€

What is your favorite style of skirt? Do you have a piece of clothing that you like to buy in multiple patterns? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah