Tag Archives: summer

Jun17

Summer Skating

Posted on by
Standard
Summer Skating

Greetings! This past year, I have enjoyed firing up my old passion of figure skating by learning how to ice dance. Every other week, I drive up to Lakewood to work with one of my old coaches, who I consider one of the best of the best. He truly is an extraordinaire in all things figure skating and it has been such a pleasure to have him teach me again.

Unfortunately, with summer upon us, all of the hockey camps are in full swing and it drastically changes the times when us figure skaters can do our thing. There were literally no times that I could skate in Lakewood with my coach, Chris, without rearranging my work schedule dramatically, which I really didn’t want to do.

So, I had to come up with Plan B and contacted the coach, whose name is also Sarah, and who taught me literally everything to see if she could squeeze me in. Thankfully, we arranged an early morning ice time for a skate sesh and I worked with her for the first time in close to a decade this past week. And, did I mention that it was at the rink in Kent where I learned how to skate? Talk about nostalgia!

I enjoyed my skate time so much by being at my old rink with my former coach and it felt just like the good old days. I even worked on a few jumps instead of just strictly ice dancing, which I wasn’t expecting, but I’m glad I did! I had such a blast and felt so good afterwards that I just had to call my parents and thank them for all of the years that they supported my sport.

All of the lessons, dresses and skates, and competitions were not cheap. But, they gave me something that I will be able to work hard at and that gives me so much joy for many years to come and I am so thankful for that. It hit me so hard after being at the rink where they would take me for all of those years and I am looking forward to spending my summer ice time there. Thanks again, mom and dad! ❤

What sport did you play when you were younger? Are you still active in it now? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun13

Best Facials To Get In The Summertime

Posted on by
Standard
Best Facials To Get In The Summertime

An investment in your skincare can help you to feel confident about your complexion all year long. However, the heat of summer can bring new challenges to your skin, such as sweat or sunburn. It’s important to find the right facial norfolk va to keep your skin moisturized and healthy all summer long. Here are some of the best facials to get in the summertime:

Microdermabrasion:

This facial uses an exfoliation treatment and gives a light peel that helps your skin grow new tissue as it eliminates dead skin cells. This will give your face a fresh start for summertime, helping to avoid clogged pores from sweat. Microdermabrasion uses micro crystals to lightly peel the skin, which encourages the growth of new tissue. The uppermost layer of the skin is gently removed during the treatment, eliminating any dead skin cells, impurities, or debris. This is a noninvasive procedure, as the process does not use chemicals, needles, or lasers, so patients get beautiful skin rejuvenation with virtually no downtime.

Chemical Peels:

A chemical peel treatment is used for mild to serious cosmetic issues and encourages skin rejuvenation and deep skin resurfacing. This is a mild skin rejuvenation and resurfacing procedure that exfoliates and renews the skin on the face, neck, or hands using carefully-selected chemicals. You can get a treatment in a range of levels, from extremely mild with no downtime, to more extensive that will lead to more significant peeling and a longer recovery time. While chemical peels are great for anti aging, it might not be everyone’s cup of tea. To find more options, simply enter a search for “anti-aging treatments in Columbia, MD” (or your local area) to find the right treatment for you.

Dermaplaning:

This treatment is an advanced way to remove dead skin cells and peach fuzz, which reveals glowing skin immediately after the procedure. Dermaplaning is a popular, safe, and effective way to exfoliate facial skin. An experienced esthetician can use this method to remove dead skin cells and peach fuzz to reveal your natural, smooth skin. Unlike microdermabrasion, dermaplaning involves the gentle use of a sharp scalpel to remove the very top layer of the skin, revealing the rejuvenated skin beneath it.

Treat yourself to a facial today to reveal perfect summer ready skin!

Jun11

How To Keep Mosquitoes Away This Summer

Posted on by
Standard
How To Keep Mosquitoes Away This Summer

Mosquitoes are a nuisance, especially for their whining buzzes and itchy bites during the night. They are also vectors of many diseases, from malaria and yellow fever to zika virus and dengue fever. While it might not be possible to keep mosquitoes away completely, there are a few things that can help you to reduce their numbers. Here are some of the ways you can reduce mosquitoes in your home:

Use natural mosquito repellents:

Mosquitoes have a very sharp sense of smell, which makes them locate human beings with ease. Human beings emit carbon dioxide and other odors that these annoying pests find irresistible. In the same way, there are certain scents that mosquitoes find unappealing. These scents can be used to keep mosquitoes away. Here are some oil scents that can keep the bugs at bay:

  • Peppermint oil
  • Citronella oil
  • Eucalyptus oil

Get rid of stagnant water near your home:

Mosquitoes thrive well in stagnant water by breeding in there to large populations. They will eventually find their way inside your house. You can avoid this by emptying water around your house from containers lying around, garbage bin lids, and flower pots. This will destroy their breeding grounds and significantly reduce their population around your house.

Get a mosquito lamp:

Most people have front and back door lights. These lights attract all kinds of insects, mosquitoes included. They will hang around your door area, ready to rush as soon as you open it. To prevent this, always have a mosquito lamp on your front door which emits a repellent to keep the mosquitoes away.

Keep grass trimmed:

Mosquitoes find overgrown shrubs, weeds, and grass an attractive place to hide during the day. They are usually active at night and will spend most of their day resting in these areas. Keep grass near your house trimmed to avoid giving the pests an extra place to hide.

Set up mosquito traps:

Mosquito traps can be used to keep mosquitoes away when placed on your porch. Make sure that you change the traps regularly to help them remain effective in reducing their population levels.

Make your home Mosquito free:

It is important that you adopt a long term solution to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home. Reduce the breeding grounds around your house and combine the above strategies to help reduce the population of mosquitoes around your home!

Jun8

Summer Makeup: Application Tips For Extreme Heat

Posted on by
Standard
Summer Makeup: Application Tips For Extreme Heat

Hello everyone and welcome to a very special guest post from my friend, Kiki, over at From Vanity To Sanity. Today, Kiki is going to share with us some makeup tips for the hot hot heat, which she knows all about as she lives in Cyprus. But, we can certainly all benefit from it with summer weather officially upon us! And, when you’re done, please make sure to give Kiki’s page some love – I’m sure you’ll all adore it as much as I do. Enjoy!

Summer Makeup: Application Tips For Extreme Heat

Ever since returning to my country, Cyprus, from rainy Manchester in the UK in the peak of summer (end of July) in 2017, I’ve been thinking of writing a blog post about the difficulties of applying makeup in hot weather as this is a daily struggle for me. I never had such issues when I lived in the UK or even when I lived in Greece.

For those not familiar with Cyprus, the small European country in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, summers here are hot and humid with temperatures rising well above 44 degrees Celsius usually in July and August. But, with climate change, recent years are seeing a bigger and bigger extension of these heatwaves in Cyprus with summer weather lasting from the beginning of May to the end of October. Just this year we had a 42+ degrees Celsius day in May! I don’t even dare think what the rest of the summer will be like.

So, when Sarah of lifewithlilred gave a shout out for a collaboration with anyone wanting to write about a summer topic as a guest on her blog, I thought this is it, I HAVE to finally write this post because who likes dripping makeup, right?

makeup1

Wearing makeup for me is very important. Unless I’m going swimming (And, even when I go to the beach, I usually put on an under-eye concealer and tinted sunscreen for minimum coverage.) I like to look good wherever I go. No longer a spring chicken, this unfortunately for me means not just wearing a nice lipstick to brighten up my face. (Oh! To be young again, able to get away with bare skin and just a bright colored lipstick!). I now need the full works: foundation, concealer, mascara, lipstick, and blusher. But, if you’re a makeup addict like me, then you know those products make the bare minimum of a made-up look.

“But heat and humidity are makeup’s enemies. So, what are makeup’s friends in hot weather then? In my case, it’s tissues, sunscreen, face powder, setting spray, blotting paper, and the coolness from a powerful air-conditioner. Without them, applying makeup in extreme hot weather would just be impossible”

First things first, to be able to even start the process of applying makeup in a hot and humid environment, I personally need to be in a cool place. So, I make sure to have the aircon on full blast before I sit in front of my vanity mirror. Then, I dry my face to avoid any wetness from the humid climate using tissue paper and I’m set to go with the following products in step order:

  • Under-eye concealer: As I’ve always had dark circles under my eyes this is an absolute must for me and it’s always my first step.
  • Sunscreen: If I’m not going for a heavy made-up look, I’ll use a 50+ SPF tinted one and skip the foundation. Two good tinted options of mine are LA ROCHE-POSAY’s ANTHELIOS XL and SUN SENSE. I make sure to cover my face well with the sunscreen, especially the bridge of my nose and cheeks which are my features that get the most sun exposure and are prone to sun damage.
  • Foundation: If I’m going for full coverage, then I’ll use a non-tinted sunscreen in the previous step followed by a good foundation. An all-time favorite of mine is the Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation but I recently discovered a good alternative from SHISEIDO, the UV Protective Stick Foundation with 30 SPF. As it’s in stick form it’s very easy to apply and doesn’t need particular blending.
  • Powder: Preferably in loose form, face powder is essential in setting the creamy products applied to the face before potentially adding any others such as blusher, eyeshadow, brow liner, mascara, and lipstick.
  • Setting spray: This is the last step in ensuring the look stays intact. By spraying the face from a distance of about 25 cms you help everything stay put and not melt away when the temperature rises.
  • Blotting paper: Essential to blot out sweat throughout the day and/or night, this product is handy to be kept in your handbag to avoid looking oily when the temperature and, more importantly, the humidity levels rise.

Today, following the above steps but also adding mascara, bronzer, and lip-gloss I created this everyday, natural look (the frizzy stray hairs are testament to the humidity):

Here’s a snapshot of the products I used:

I’d be interested to hear of any other tips for applying and maintaining makeup in extremely hot weather as, frankly, I am finding it a challenge!

Thank you so much again to Kiki for treating us to a guest post here on lifewithlilred! What are your summer time makeup tips? How do you stay cool in the warm weather? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun3

June 2019 Funky Time Jams

Posted on by
Standard
June 2019 Funky Time Jams

Hellooo everyone and welcome to a new month here on lifewithlilred. Summer weather is officially here in Ohio and it has been hot as hell. Now, I don’t know if this is just a Midwestern thing, but we are all about driving with our air conditioning on and the windows down. Which means that you obvi have to be bumping the best tunes for everyone else to hear! Like some of the following:

^^^ And, as always, I have no rights to the songs or videos above!

I have a very short drive to get to one of my clients three times a week, so I play the radio on the way there because there’s no point in plugging in my iPod for a five minute excursion. Normally, I never have anything nice to say about whatever is on the radio but the stations in my neck of the woods, specifically Akron U’s Z88 is playing the JAMS. They always have Throwback Thursday which is a lot of fun and 98.1 WKDD has 90’s weekends which is the best.

There is nothing better than having the oldies but goodies that we all know the words to even if you don’t particularly like the song playing. And, I’d be a liar if I said I didn’t get down with some of the newer stuff, too. Don’t hate, but I’m obsessed with “Old Town Road”, “Sweet But Psycho”, and “Hey Julie”. So much so, that every time I get in my car with the intention of playing the radio I am always saying a silent prayer to hear one of those three songs. It’s whatever! 😀

What are your summer time jams? What is your favorite radio station? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun2

It’s In The Bag: Antik Kraft Edition

Posted on by
Standard
It’s In The Bag: Antik Kraft Edition

Yo yo yo. A trend that I absolutely ADORE come summer time is the bamboo or straw purses. Coming in a variety of shapes, sizes, materials, and patterns, I love the look of these bags and they complete any summer time outfit perfectly. I have spent many a months searching for just the right bag to tack onto my OOTDs and I think I found it with this little Antik Kraft number. Check it out:

ak1ak2ak5ak3ak4

FIRST THINGS FIRST: Don’t mind the big ass box fan in the background because it’s hot as hell in my apartment and I didn’t feel like moving it. SUE ME FOR IT!

ANYWAYS, I love this purse. Lol. I love that it doesn’t look like a picnic basket or a friggen Thanksgiving cornucopia but it still definitely has that woven texture and look that I was going for. The colorful mandala pattern on the front side is to die for and it works so well against the blonde straw base. I also like that the strap is long enough to wear across your chest while still laying nicely against your body. And, the button clasp is a bonus to ensure that the purse isn’t constantly coming open.

Despite mad love for this bag, it isn’t perfect and I’m the first to admit it. It is absolutely too small for my liking and all of my necessities won’t be fitting in it, that’s for sure. But, do I plan on arranging all of them like Tetris in there because I have to try anyways? Abso-freaking-lutely. And, if we’re being honest, I’m not thrilled that this bag will only be used during late spring and summer. Because, come on, no one would use this during the fall and winter!

Lil Red is a woman of practicality, if nothing else, and I know that it might not seem like that to some. However, almost everything that I buy is something that I feel like can be utilized during at least three, if not four seasons. I’d be a liar if I said that it didn’t pain me while I was buying this knowing that it would sit dormant in my wardrobe for over half a year. BUT, it is gorgeous and is basically exactly what I wanted so beggars can’t be choosers and blah, blah, blah.

Do you buy your clothes for seasonal or year round use? What is your ideal summer purse? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun1

If The Shoe Fits: Free People Edition

Posted on by
Standard
If The Shoe Fits: Free People Edition

Hellooo everyone and welcome to the last issue of If The Shoe Fits from my most recent TJMaxx haul. One brand that I always admire from afar is Free People. 1) The brand is expensive. 2) The clothing truly doesn’t look that good on me. But, I love the idea of the brand and I LOVE their shoes. So, whenever I see a FP pair that I like when browsing on TJ’s website, I almost always jump at the opportunity to make a purchase. And, these candy cane red wrap up clogs with a wooden heel were impossible to say no to. Take a looksee:

fpfp2fp1fp3

After the last two black pairs of wedges that I purchased, adding a pop of color into the haul was a must and these were just the right pair to do that with. The blonde wooden heel matched with such a vibrant red makes for a perfect cherries and cream vibe while the distressed studs add that Lil Red touch of edge that I need in my wardrobe. The shape of the shoe is totally sweet but the color combo and embellishment give it some sassafras for an ideal summer staple.

Normally, I don’t care for shoes that wrap, but the lengthy strap is made to go just around your ankles, which I like. Because it’s not going all the way up my calf, I can still wear shorts, skirts, and dresses without feeling like I have snakes coiling up my legs! These Free People clogs are going to be so darling with a floral sundress, straw hat, and oversized tote. A slammin OOTD for walks on the boardwalk or just around your local TJMaxx during a hot summer day! 😉

Which brand name do you admire from afar? What is your favorite color to wear during the summer? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May30

Dining Delights: Enjoy Food With Friends This Summer!

Posted on by
Standard
Dining Delights: Enjoy Food With Friends This Summer!

Summer is a time for making memories. With the nice weather and longer days, we’re all in a happier mood and ready to socialize. And, one of the best ways to get everyone together is with food. Sharing a meal is a great way to connect with your loved ones and it’s tons of fun. Check out the following ideas for food friendly events this summer:

Barbecue:

Everyone loves a good barbecue. So, if you want to get everyone together on a hot day? Fire up the grill! Dust off your old barbecue and contact some propane companies to find the best price on gas. Purchase some meat and vegetables to grill and make burgers, hot dogs, chicken, steaks, ribs, and skewers. If you want to keep the drinks flowing all day, you could mix up a cocktail in a large dispenser along with some fruit slices and herbs and guests can help themselves to the ready mixed drink with no messing around. Have plenty of ice in the freezer that they can pop into their glass so each drink is perfectly chilled.

No master chef is complete without a perfect grill to barbecue on! You will want to explore your options to make sure that the grill you choose has all of the features you are looking for. Some grills are more basic while others have all the bells and whistles. You can browse websites like www.bedsbbq.co.uk to start getting inspiration for your dream grill. Summer will be here before we know it!

Picnic:

If you have friends and family scattered across different places, why not choose a scenic park in a relatively central location to all of you and have a picnic? If everyone brings a selection of different foods, you’ll all have plenty to share. Pinterest has lots of recipe ideas for interesting sandwiches, pastries, salads, and sweet treats so it doesn’t have to be all of the same kind of stuff! It’s a nice way to spend time outdoors and it’s not especially expensive, either. Check out if the place you want to picnic in has car parking charges or entry fees ahead of time for complete convenience.

Afternoon tea:

More fancy than a picnic and something you can do from your own home is an afternoon tea. Decorate your garden table in a pretty tablecloth and some flowers in mason jars and serve finger sandwiches, dainty pastries, cakes on tiered stands, and tea in mismatched china cups. Perfect for a celebration (just add a bottle of champagne or prosecco!) or just a girls afternoon spent together.

Restaurant:

Lots of restaurants are particularly great over the warmer months. Find somewhere that has an outdoor area where you can meet with your friends and enjoy food and drinks. While restaurants and eateries can be expensive, check sites like Groupon for deals to save money and also the website of the venue. Some places will have special offers on certain days. If you’re looking to save money, skip the starters (restaurant mains are so large you really don’t need them anyway!) and pass on the alcohol. You can always enjoy a few drinks at home afterwards which will be way cheaper than buying while you’re out. Stick to water and soft drinks and you’ll save significantly on your bill.

While passing on drinks can save some moolah, breweries and wineries can be such fun to visit, sip, and nosh at. It could even become a tradition to find a new one during each outing or plan a weekend trip based around it. A visit to somewhere like this Beer Hall Denver could offer a lively atmosphere, great food, and a wide selection of brews to enjoy. Explore and find the best options for you and your crew.

For an exciting restaurant experience, you might want to find a spot with entertainment. This could include bar trivia, bands playing, or even sushi and Sumo at a restaurant like Tokyo Nights. Plenty of restaurants also host paint nights, speed dating, and karaoke. This is a chance for you and your friends to break out of the norm and have a blast with something brand new!

Use the tips above to plan a lovely afternoon outing for your friends and family – just make sure they all come on an empty stomach!

Featured Image By: Pexels

May28

New Zac & Rachel Skort

Posted on by
Standard
New Zac & Rachel Skort

Hellooo! As far as I’m concerned, summer is here. And, with each changing of the season, I usually have a big TJMaxx haul to refresh my wardrobe with some fun new pieces. I’m not going to lie, summer is my least favorite season to dress for. It is not like me to just throw on a tank top and shorts and call it a day, which is so easy to do when it’s hot out. So, despite the heat, I still like putting together outfits that make a statement. And, that shouldn’t be hard to do with this new Zac & Rachel skort! Check it out:

skortskort2

Before I purchased my first skort from TJ’s a few months ago, I always associated that type of clothing with childhood. But, I now know that the skort is a-okay for GROWN ASS WOMEN, too! The skort is a wonderful invention because you don’t have to worry about anyone sneaking a peek up your skirt throughout the day and you also don’t have to deal with the shorts riding up into a denim wedgie as if you were wearing shorts. #winning

This Zac & Rachel skort just screams “fun in the sun” to me and I love the pattern of oranges, sunflowers, and polka dots. Such a sweet combination! What’s great about this skort, is that it’s going to look dressed up with a black crop top and some espadrilles thanks to the stark white and flattering fit. Bye bye, basic summer OOTDs and hello to an ensemble that will still help you beat the heat but look oh so chic.

How do you avoid the basic summer OOTD blues? What is one of your summer wardrobe staples? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May25

Fun Activities To Do With Your Kids This Summer

Posted on by
Standard
Fun Activities To Do With Your Kids This Summer

If you are looking for things to do with your kids this summer, then you have come to the right place. Down below, you are going to find a short list of ideas that you can use to fill the time while your little ones are off from school. They don’t have to be anything elaborate as you will see when you keep reading, but just something different and fun to do as a family. Take a look:

Take Them Climbing:

The first thing that we are going to suggest is that you take them climbing. There is going to be some sort of mountain within a few hours drive from you, and this is the perfect thing to do on a sunny day. Just make sure that you are taking a lot of food and drinks with you to avoid anyone feeling weak or tired on your journey. Not only is this something fun that you can do as a family, but it is also great for exercise and getting everyone out and about. Staying indoors can be fun, but every now and then you need something to get you moving and get your blood pumping!

Or, if climbing isn’t really something you want to do, you can find a nice nature trail to follow. There are lots of these dotted around, and you will find some amazing views when you embark on one of these journeys.

fun.png

So cool!

Learn An Instrument:

The next thing that we are going to suggest is that you take up an instrument. This can be fun to do with your children no matter what instrument you choose to do. This could be piano, guitar, or even something as peculiar as the ukulele! If this is something that you want to consider, you can find the Top 12 Easy Ukulele Songs with 4 Chords (C, G, Am, F) online to look at! By doing this, you don’t even have to hire a teacher to help you learn. Instead, you can teach yourselves at home and make it into a fun experience for those days where you just don’t want to leave the comfort of your own home.

Create Something Beautiful:

Finally, have you thought about doing something creative with them? This can be anything from painting with them in the garden to building somewhere for them to play. Obviously, you don’t want them handling sharp tools, that’s for you to do, but they can help with passing you stuff, assembling, and decorating when it’s finished. Projects like this are great because they take up a few days at least, and they make sure everyone has a task to do.

You can also think about getting them to help you out with the gardening and creating a beautiful outdoor space. This might not sound like the most fun idea, but it is something that everyone can be involved in and looks amazing when completed.

We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now have a few good ideas for activities that you can do with your kids this summer!