Tag Archives: summer

Jul5

Creative Summer Cooking Ideas That Are Simple And Scrumptious

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Creative Summer Cooking Ideas That Are Simple And Scrumptious

As soon as the weather warms up and the days get brighter, we all want to change our eating habits. There’s just something about an increase in heat that makes you want to go for fresher, lighter, and less indulgent food choices. But, at the same time, you still want to be able to enjoy a delicious dinner that’s full of flavor. To find that perfect balance, you’re going to want to get your creative summer cook on.

So where should you start? When you’re busy, you definitely want your summer cooking ideas to be super easy to make. But at the same time, they have to taste good and look like a small slice of summer, too. To give you the ultimate inspiration for your light evening meals and tasty long lunches, here are a few ideas to get your taste buds tingling:

One-Tray Bakes: When you want something super easy, balanced, but incredibly tasty, always turn to a one-tray bake. During the summer months, you want to be outside with your family and not slaving over a hot oven, so the tray bake is perfect for that reason. By throwing all of your ingredients into one tray and baking it all at once, your meal is done. More often than not, you’ll have veggies in the mix, but you can also serve a salad on the side if you’re feeling saucy!

Summer Pasta: For something super filling but also light, you’re going to want to pull together the perfect summer pasta. Pasta is a great ingredient to play around with. Not only can you choose from a range of different styles, but you can mix up your sauces and ingredients to create completely different dishes. For summer, try using fresh shrimp and crunchy veggies to create healthy but delicious meals.

Low Carb Favorites: Sometimes you want a really light meal that is easy to snack on and won’t make you feel bloated in the heat (Which is the literal worst.). Summer is the perfect time to go for low-carb versions of your favorite dishes. Hello, beach body. Craving pizza? Build your ingredients on a tortilla base, instead. If you want fajitas, why not go for lettuce wraps? And if you want tacos (who doesn’t?), fill them with fresh fish and shredded salad for a lighter alternative.

Rainbow Salads: Then, we get to the salads, because a summer menu wouldn’t be complete without a bunch of them! Don’t think about the kind of diet food you’d usually expect, oh no – these salads should be big, bold, bright, and beautiful. Rainbow salads packed with exciting, crunchy, and flavorful veggies are the best. Create your own dressing and serve with a protein source for a colorful and complete meal.

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YUM

Smoked Meats: When you love meats, you want to make sure that they’re packed full of flavor and are served super succulent in the summer. There’s just something about a lighter version of the tastiest meats that screams summer. And when you want to go tender and melt-in-your-mouth, you smoke. You can read the pros and cons of the Brinkmann electric smoker to see if it’s a cooking method that you can work with. If so, throw in your meats and even a few veggies and prepare for a flavor overload.

Mixed Rice: Rice is a great grain that we don’t give enough credit to. It’s always tasty and it’s a super light carb source, too. As a part of your summer meal frenzy, try making a bunch of rice based meals. Stir in your favorite meats, serve with crunchy veggies, and dress with delicious sauces to create some of the most exciting dishes around.

Ultimate Burgers: Summertime is all about the burgers. When you love a good burger, you’ll take one all year round, but there’s nothing like a hot summer day with a burger in hand to make you feel happy (Any food in my hand makes me feel happy!). But don’t just stick to a standard beef patty – pimp them up! There are so many amazing burger recipes here, just take a look. If the chipotle turkey, chicken Caesar, or even the taco burger doesn’t tempt you, you’re not a true burger fan! And if you’re a vegetarian, like me, the veggie burger is a thing!! 😀

Asian Anything: If there’s one kind of cuisine that works the best with summer meals, it’s got to be Asian. Asian cooking is full of those incredibly fresh favors that just work so well when its warm. Whether you decide to whip up a noodle dish or create a crunchy salad, sticking to Asian ingredients and flavors will always serve you well in the summer months.

Garden parties, picnics, and BBQs are essential summer activities. Create the perfect menu with the above ideas, invite your friends, and have yourself a backyard bash!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jun27

Cool Ways To Bring Your Neighborhood Together

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Cool Ways To Bring Your Neighborhood Together

We all want to live in a better neighborhood; it is one of those inherent wants we are all born with. Of course, what makes a better neighborhood is entirely subjective. Some may want a neighborhood that feels safe like they used to feel, where kids can play outside until the sun goes down. Others may say that they want somewhere that does its part for the earth. Everyone is different. Whatever the case, though, creating a better neighborhood is all about coming together as a team to strengthen your community. Awwww. How lovely would that be? :*)

To help you achieve your ambitions of living in a little slice of utopia, we have come up with a list of ways in which you can make your neighborhood a better place to live:

Sharing Is Caring: Sometimes it’s the old cliches that ring truest, and that is certainly the case when it comes to sharing is caring. Why not set up a community that is more geared towards helping one another out. Start up a tool library and a toy library, and, yeah, a book library too. Start a neighborhood vegetable patch where you all chip in and reap the rewards. Not only will these ideas bring you closer with your neighbors, but they’re all fun and helpful!

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So. Many. Tools!!!

Eco-Awesomeness: We all wish that we could be a little greener in our community, but buying solar panels isn’t exactly cheap, although they are getting cheaper. Anyways, to avoid the big overheads, why not pool together and buy solar panels collectively to enjoy a big bulk buy discount. As you can see at oregonlive.com this is a trend that was started by communities in Portland with amazing results.

Emergency Excellence: If you can be prepared for an emergency as a community, you are going to thrive as a community. It could be that you all chip in to buy a couple of automated external defibrillators from foremostequipment.com, or it could go even further and have a full blown emergency network in place. What better way is there to strengthen your community than to have members take on various roles, have certain supplies ready, and be prepared for the worst as a neighborhood.

When shopping for emergency supplies, do your research. For example, if you buy Heartstart FRx AED from AED Leader, is it something that can be used easily? Will you have a few designated neighbors who have been trained on how to use it, or will you all go to a course? AEDs are life-saving pieces of equipment so it should be a discussion you have with all your neighbors (especially with those most vulnerable) and trained emergency staff.

Nice Nights: Building your community starts with doing things together. It could be getting together for a block party, holding storytelling evenings, serving different street foods, getting together for fireworks displays, having the children put on a theater event, and whatever else takes your fancy as a community. Whatever your summer bucket list is made up of, do it as a neighborhood. Have a calendar event that you all do once a month, where everyone knows that the second Saturday is neighborhood night.

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Partayyy

Front Yards: You are never going to bump into your neighbors if you only ever use your backyard. So, instead of this, why not move your normal backyard activities to the front and make yourself more visible and friendly to your neighbors. Sit out on the porch and say hi to everyone that goes past. Make a big jug of lemonade and invite them in. It’s only a slight tweak to your life but it can make a huge difference when it comes to getting to know your neighbors and building a better community.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jun22

Great Ways To Get Your Kids Outdoors This Summer

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Great Ways To Get Your Kids Outdoors This Summer

Summer is upon us, and with it comes great opportunities to spend time outdoors with the family. However, try as you might, you may find it difficult to pries the smartphones from your children’s hands as you try and get them to do something different. When you mention the idea of getting some fresh air, their solution of opening another window is not going to help your cause. But don’t despair! There are some great activities for families to enjoy, and none of them require an internet connection. So while your kids may kick up a fuss initially, it is possible to get them out of the house and into the fresh air. Bribery is entirely optional! 😉

Go For a Family Bike Ride: For some reason, children hate walking almost as much as eating their green vegetables. But suggest a bike ride, and you may see their faces light up. Go somewhere as a family, such as a nearby place of beauty and spend the day on two wheels. While out, there may be the perfect opportunity to point out things of interest, such as different aspects of nature. Don’t make it too educational, but turn it into a fun activity, such as a scavenger hunt. I love those. :*)
Do Something Exciting: The one thing children seem to say more than anything else is “this is boring”. As a parent, you probably want to scream every time you hear them utter those immortal words, but let’s be honest, maybe the activities you have planned for your kids really aren’t that interesting. You might think going for a walk is a good idea but your children certainly won’t.

Look online and find activities near you that are going to give your children new and exciting experiences. Many leisure centers and parks have great summer activities. Giant hamster balls, also known as zorb balls and inflatable zorbing balls are now all the rage. They can be used on land and on the water, but make sure your kids don’t have their lunch before getting in one. There may also be rock climbing activities nearby or water based sports such as canoeing if you live near water. Do your research and plan your day so that boring isn’t an option.

Turn Your Garden Into a Play Area: You don’t need to venture far from home if you have an adequate garden space for your kids to play in. From water games including slip ‘n’ slide mats to giant games of Jenga, there are many things that you can purchase to make your garden a fun place to be. Your children may benefit from one other thing while outdoors. No, we aren’t talking about ice cream, though you really should stock your freezer. You are the important factor in your child’s fun. If you have the capability and the energy, get outside with your kids and have some fun playing with them. Build a den, play tag, or throw a Frisbee around. These are precious moments so make the most of them.

Summer is a time for new adventures and experiences. Brain storm for an evening and help give your kids the best summer ever!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Jun20

Puppy Talk: How To Keep Your Pet Happy This Summer

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Puppy Talk: How To Keep Your Pet Happy This Summer

Have you just adopted a puppy for your family? Would you like to make sure it’s as happy as possible this summer? Then, you just need to use some common sense and the information from this article! Today, we’re going to highlight a foolproof plan for ensuring that your new dog has the best life possible. At the end of the day, canines are simple creatures. In most instances, they just want to feel loved and get your attention. The tips below will help to ensure that you leave no stone unturned when caring for your pet. Just put them into action from today forward, and your furry friend will have everything that he or she needs for a super fun summer:

Make sure they spend a LOT of time outdoors: If you’ve bought a dog, you should have a decent-sized garden. That means that there is no excuse for leaving the animal cooped up in your home. Instead, you should adjust your outdoor space so that it’s suitable for your pet. Specialists from Pet Education say that’s essential. For instance, you’ll need to make sure that there is a shaded area where your pooch can get out of the sun. You have to remember that they are wearing a thick coat all of the time and can’t exactly take it off! So, it’s possible your pet could overheat or become ill if you don’t give them somewhere to hide from the sun. You also need to always have a water bowl outside. There are dripping devices that you can purchase to guarantee that the water never runs out. Handy!

Get them some toys to bust the boredom: All dogs love playing with toys. For that reason, you should head out to your local pet store and get literally every single toy that there is. 😉  You should also check online suppliers, because sometimes you get better deals. Experts from Fast Dogs and similar firms say that you’ll also find a better selection on the internet. There are mechanical toys that can make playing “catch” a little more exciting. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have the time to throw a ball over and over again. Those products will perform the action on your behalf. So, they’re perfect for when you’re having a busy afternoon.

Walk your pooch twice every single day: Walking your dog is one of the most important responsibilities that you have as an owner. You should ask your children to help out as much as possible, too. Your pooch needs as much exercise as possible during its first few years. That is because it will have a lot of energy that needs burning off. You should aim to walk your pup at least twice every day. Do it in the morning before you leave for work, and then again when you return home. If anyone can stop by on their lunch break for a third walk, that’s a bonus. Each time you go out of the house, you should aim to find a route that takes between a half an hour to an hour. A sleepy pup is a happy pup!

Dogs are fantastic pets. However, they have needs just like every other animal on the planet. If you’re going to keep a canine at home, make sure that you provide everything they require. Also, enjoy the summer!

Featured Image By: Flickr

Jun19

Paws For A Moment: 3 Simple Checks For Dog Owners

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Paws For A Moment: 3 Simple Checks For Dog Owners

Everyone wants to make sure that their dogs live the best lives possible. Indeed, that is why we spend a fortune on the best food and veterinary care. However, most owners don’t perform health checks at home. It’s vital that all of us get into the habit of performing these checks during the summer months when our animals spend a lot of time outside romping around and exploring. Failure to do that could mean that you don’t spot issues before they become severe. That could result in your dog suffering from something avoidable. You’re not going to feel like a good owner if that happens. So, pay attention:

Check your dog’s paws every time they come inside: The last thing you want is for your dog to get an infection in their paw. That can happen when the animal stands on something dirty that pierces the skin. In most instances, you will notice that your canine walks with a limp when that happens. That is because the injury can become very painful for the animal and it can make them ill. To ensure that your dog’s paw doesn’t become infected, you need to check them every time your doggo comes into your home. A quick two-minute assessment will put your mind at ease. If there are any injuries, you have to call your vet. Dealing with the issue early could limit the chances of an infection.

Spend time checking your dog’s coat for fleas: Nobody wants their dog to bring fleas and ticks into their home. If that happens, you might end up getting an infestation (Yuck!). That could result in you having to leave your property while the exterminators clean your home. It’s an expensive and disrupting situation that you should always aim to avoid. You can check your dog’s coat using just your eyes and fingers, but there are also specialist combs that you can purchase. Also make sure that you’re keeping the best flea and tick medicine for dogs at home. That way, you can treat any outbreaks before they spread. If you’re unsure of what to buy, just ask your vet.

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 PUPPER!

Take a look at the inside of your dog’s mouth: It’s vital that all dog owners get used to checking the inside of their canine’s mouth. That is because this area is prone to infection and other issues. At the end of the day, your dog doesn’t have opposable thumbs (It would be cool if they did, though!). That means that they use their mouths for almost everything. Common problems include bee and wasp stings, cuts, and bacterial infections. When you get used to looking inside of your dog’s mouth, you will be able to stop any problems early. You will notice when something has changed. Again, if you have any concerns, book an appointment to see a professional. It’s always better safe than sorry.

This summer, remember that dogs are more prone to becoming ill when there is hot weather. So, you’ll need to ensure that your pet always has enough water when they spend time outside. You’ll also have to place extra emphasis on performing the checks mentioned on this page for the next couple of months. LONG LIVE DOGS!!! ❤

Featured Image By: Flickr

Jun13

Buying A Meaningful Gift For Friends Who Have Everything

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Buying A Meaningful Gift For Friends Who Have Everything

There are always some people in our lives that are tricky to mark off of the gift giving list. They have everything that they could possibly need and giving them something isn’t practical, which means that the gift is pretty forgettable – and no one wants that! Here are some gift ideas for the friends that you think have it all for the next present giving occasion that arises:

Summertime: The best gifts for the warmer seasons are something that will come in handy when they go on holiday. It should be something that they will enjoy, whether it be sporting equipment, protective skin care, or travel books for their vaca. This particular gift for the season, has got to be something lightweight, easily storable, able to last for a while, and reusable even if it’s not summer.

Male Gift: Rimless sunglasses are something that he can use and can instantly increase his style points when walking around the beach. The rimless designs were designed for wear near the water and the lack of a rim allows the droplets of water to trickle down and under the lens. This means the vision of the wearer isn’t obscured. On top of this, the polycarbonate material the lenses are made from eliminates the haze or blur as the sunlight squeezes through.

The shield style is more rugged than the rimless and at first glance, you can see why. It normally features thick frames, made for use while engaging in a sporting activity. The lenses are rectangular, although a little contoured around the inner edge near the nose bridge. This style works great for the man with the larger-sized head, as the weight and sleek bulky design will stand a better chance of looking in proportion with his facial features.

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Shades always come in handy!

Female Gift: Having soft, supple skin is something that most women aim for, and that means that constant care and maintenance play a role in their daily routine. Darphin Soleil Plaisir SPF 30 is a luxurious sunscreen that’s the number one go-to product for women who want to take on the sun in a one on one battle. It contains biologically researched skincare ingredients that aren’t normally found in other sunscreens. It protects the skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays and offers oils from India that strengthen and fight the cracking of skin under the hot sun. The product is very beauty-orientated and designed for women who want to get a gorgeous tan on the beach, but not suffer sunburn in the process. It’s lightweight, non-greasy, and doesn’t leave behind embarrassing white marks. It feels and acts like a luxury moisturizer, but lasts long on the surface of the skin while you lounge on the beach.

Experiences Of A Lifetime: If somebody you know isn’t much for the physical gift and doesn’t care for materialistic appliances, go above and beyond such trinkets of monetary value and give them an experience, instead. Book them a thrilling escape that will have their hair standing up on end. Pay for a day out where their family or friends can accompany them on an adventure where their skills will be tested and memories will be pleasantly gained.

Book them a hot air balloon ride, where they’ll float into the atmosphere and see the world from a unique viewpoint. They’ll be as high as the birds with the wind in their hair, and they’ll have the best panoramic view of the landscape that no amount of iPhone accessories could hope to match!

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Tomas Castelazo Image

Whitewater rafting is one of those adventures that will require bravery, physical strength, and ultimate teamwork for the best ride of your life. After strapping on a life jacket, the instructors give the paddlers a demonstration of how to get down the rapids in the fastest time. They’ll learn about the ebbs and flows of the waters they ride on. Possibly the most exhilarating, fast-paced, heart-stopping experience of your life. The water crashes up against the rocks and thunders at and over the boat with the occupants drenched in the cold of the river water. They’ll be a lot of shouts, communicating what side of the boat needs more steering and the line that should be followed down the drops for the quickest and safest route. Whitewater rafting will give you a workout, excite your animal instincts, and test your teamwork, all at the same time.

Food, Glorious Food: If your friend has always rambled on about their favorite cuisine and how they wish that they could have a bag of treats to get them through the working day, you could shop at an ethnic food store. Buy them the treats that they love and, perhaps, reminds them of a dining indulgence that they encountered at a restaurant.

For Japanese cuisine lovers, spicy edamame is a potent little snack that hits the craving for the spices from the land of the rising sun and vegetables with a chewy texture. Coated in a spicy garlic miso, it’s a great low-calorie, healthy snack that’s a splendid mix of peppery spices and pungent garlic. With little fuss and mess, they can enjoy this little snack at the office or wherever they work.

Italian cuisine is known the world over for its delicious antipasti. Fried olives are superb for those with the urge for something a little sour. Olive all’ascolana is green or black olives that have had their pit removed, stuffed with a little chunk of cheese, like Parmigiano-Reggiano, rolled in breadcrumbs and then fried in olive oil.

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YUM!

For lovers of Asian food, Indian cuisine is very popular in the West, and sometimes you just can’t wait until after work to order a takeaway curry. However, there are cold snacks which you must try, such as the samosa. Samosas are a thin pastry with vegetable or meat filling that are fried in sunflower oil. There are vegetarian varieties that have mashed potato with spices and peas as filling. The most popular recipe is the chicken bhuna, which is little shreds of chicken that have been cooked the same way as bhuna curry would be, then stuffed into the pastry which has already been outlined with rice.

It’s Tricky: Sometimes it’s no use; you simply won’t be able to find them something they can use or like. In that case, sometimes just cash in hand would be fine, but that seems a little insincere and tacky. Give them an option of buying their own gift at their favorite store, because there’s more online at Cards2Cash.com than you might think. All manner of gifts are available including some that can help improve the home, cater for the needs of pets, buying a favorite food type in bulk, or allow an individual to go on a general shopping spree. Sometimes it’s best to take the recipient of the gift shopping with you, allow them to pick something out, and make a day of it!

Personalized Jewelry: You’d be surprised how much a personalized gift can mean to someone. It’s a proud torch shining bright, displaying your friendship and how much they mean to you. Buying a piece of jewelry with their name engraved on it is a very bold statement. It’s something that will last for decades and only be relevant to them, specifically. It’s a little piece of the universe that’s theirs, and such a gift will be seen as a symbolic gesture of their importance and the impact that they have on your life.

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Pretty!

For the friend who has it all, gift buying can be a total pain in the you know where, but with this guide, you will be sure to provide a lasting and thoughtful gift to your BFF!

Jun5

Monday Update: Salute To Summer Guest Bloggers Series Conclusion

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Monday Update: Salute To Summer Guest Bloggers Series Conclusion

Helloooo everyone and happy Monday! This past week has brought so many fun posts compliments of my talented blogging darlings for my Salute To Summer guest bloggers series. I had such a blast working with all of my lovely guest bloggers and I want to give them all one last thank you shout out!

Thank you all so much again for making my Salute To Summer guest bloggers series so successful. It was an absolute blast working with all of you either again or for the first time. Each and every one of you is always welcome back on lifewithlilred so don’t hesitate to get in touch – especially when my fall themed series rolls around! ❤

Jun5

Money Management For Summer Fun

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Money Management For Summer Fun

The summer season is unquestionably the greatest time of the year. It offers the opportunity for non-stop fun through a wide array of activities. Sadly, though, those ventures can hit your wallet hard. So, needless to say, finding the right balance between amazing summer adventures and not breaking the bank is essential.

Summer is the perfect time to start generating savings at home because with vacas and day trips, you won’t be there as often. However, you will still be there sometimes, which is why you need to have some entertainment features on hand. You could probably cut down your TV package without noticing the difference, I’m sure there’s countless channels that go unused! Try downloading the Cinemabox movie app for access to the latest films and shows. Not only does it save money, but it also gives you the option to watch from the back yard hammock or on the move.

Speaking of the back yard, that could be one of your greatest assets throughout this part of the year, too. Nothing beats relaxing on the patio with rattan furniture. Whether it’s a relaxed evening with a book or spending family time together in the evening doesn’t matter. Those joys are better than anything offered during the colder months. Best of all, enjoying the garden is virtually free. Your lush back yard could even become your new place for social activities. Invite friends over for a summer BBQ or garden party, and it’ll be far cheaper than heading out to the local bar. And, let’s be honest, this option sounds like a lot more fun!

There are many other ways to save money at home during the summer. This is the ideal opportunity to complete various home upgrade tasks for long-term rewards. Increasing the home insulation will work wonders that will truly pay dividends in the winter. Meanwhile, looking for cheaper energy quotes can help decrease the bills even further. Growing food and generally living a greener life should bring ample rewards, too. Of course, it might be a bit late in the year to start with certain fruits and veggies. But that’s okay! Do your research and learn what types of produce grow best for this time of year and in your area and you’ll be well on your way to delicious summer salads in no time!

You will still inevitably go out on various occasions – it is summer, after all. The key is to make smarter choices. Leave the expensive internal activities for the autumn through spring. The summer months should be filled with hikes, sports, and exploration. I’m sure we’ll all be longing for those opportunities once the weather gets worse.

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Pretty!

Vacations are another crucial part of the summer. Most families have their big trip of the year during this time. Be sure to follow these ideas for a non-budget breaking holiday so that you can score the best deals during your big vaca. Money shouldn’t dictate every decision that you make in life. But maintaining a greater sense of control over your finances will enhance the summer and the rest of your year. If you can generate those savings without sacrificing your enjoyment, then you’re in for a fabulous summer, for sure!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Jun4

Scorching Summer OOTD

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Scorching Summer OOTD

Helloooo everyone and welcome to the grand finale of my Salute To Summer guest bloggers series! This post is brought to you by everyone’s favorite, Nida, of Shopaholic Blogs. Nida was the very first guest blogger that lifewithlilred has ever had, and I love that she is always so willing to participate in all of my series throughout the year. I’m sure that all of you already know, but her page is fantastic so if you haven’t checked it out, then you need to get on it ASAP! Her posts are always witty and wonderful but where Nida shines is in her fabulous OOTDs. Take a look at how she braved the summer heat in UAE for this OOTD:

Scorching Summer OOTD

Hello Loves! 💕

Happy summer to those of you who love it! ️I most certainly am not a summer person but for this post I’ll pretend that I am 😉. Since my blogging BFF, Sarah, (you all know her fondly as lifewithlilred ❣️) asked me to join her guest bloggers in her summer series I knew that I had to brave the heat 🔥and say yes!

So as you all probably know, summer here in the UAE is unlike anywhere else in the world – unless it happens to be a desert 🌵. Temperatures here soar. We are talking way above 110 degrees Fahrenheit! So, needless to say, dressing appropriately in the summer is a must. For me, usually that involves long dresses, skirts, or loose pants. I love incorporating prints into my looks by following a simple rule of combining them with at least one solid piece to avoid looking like a giant walking wallpaper sample 😂.

So here’s presenting Shopaholic Blogs and lifewithlilred’s take on a summer OOTD all the way from sunny UAE 😘.

Outfit details: 

☀️ Top: Old Navy (white is a summer must have)

☀️ Pants: Loft (the print is so perfect for the summer on these pants)

☀️ Scarf: Splash (I love embroidery in any form) (As do I! -Sarah)

☀️ Bag: Mango

☀️ Sandals: Jessica Simpson

☀ ️Watch: Mistura 

Hope you guys enjoy this post and do let us know what you think and how you guys put together your summer looks ☀️!

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^^^ Holy Gorgeous!!
Thank you so much to the charming, lovely, beautiful, talented Nida for her hard work on this post! I love you, darling! Once again, be sure to check out her page at Shopaholic Blogs! A big thanks to all of my Salute To Summer guest bloggers for a job well done and be sure to tune in tomorrow as I wrap things up! What do you wear in unbearably hot weather? Where is the best store to score summer clothes? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah
Jun3

Summer Travels On A Budget

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Summer Travels On A Budget

Hello everyone and welcome to my darling friend, Amy’s, post for my Salute To Summer guest bloggers series. Amy is the author of the blog, An Ambivert Lifestyle, and it is AMAZING so definitely take a look and give it all the love. As you guys know, my life motto is “ballin on a budget” so, naturally, Amy’s post about embracing a travel lifestyle while being smart with your cash speaks to me on a spiritual level. Take a look at Amy’s how to guide on how to make the most of your moolah on your summer vaca:

Summer Travels On A Budget

Traveling isn’t an easy task. Planning and preparing for the trip is one of the most stressful things that you can do to yourself. From working more hours and skipping nights out to save up to unexpected costs before your trip also contributes to this stress. Personally, as a full-time student and a full-time employee, it is extremely hard, but I have a few tricks up my sleeve to traveling on a budget and finding great deals. Being a college student and a frugal spender, I like to explore deals on flights on the internet, books, personal experience, and word of mouth.

Finding Deals on Flights

  • Student Universe – This company provides less expensive flights for students. They work with 80+ airlines to get cheaper flights listed than anywhere else. This site is truly magical. Not only do they provide deals on flights, but they also offer deals on tours, hotels, and group travel. For members, they provide even more deals for special rates.
  • Private Browsing – This is super important! Whenever you are searching for flights, go on “Private Browsing” on whatever internet browser you use. Airline companies pay big money to know what consumers are searching, so if you visited a certain flight over and over again, they increase prices so you can buy faster.
  • Skyscanner – This helps you scan flights of your choosing through all the different airline companies. You can also see prices on different dates, as well, for convenience.
  • Booking flights on Wednesdays! – This is such an easy trick. Almost all of the time, flights will be consistently lower than the rest of the weekdays since they consider this day to have the most amount of seats available, so prices are lowered to fill the planes.
  • Check social medias and your email! – Usually, airline companies will email deals and promo codes for flights for a period of time. These have saved my bacon many times.
  • Get a refund! – No, really! If you purchased a ticket and the fare has dropped since you bought it, call/email them to ask for a refund for the difference. It may not always work, but the fact that it has worked with certain airline companies is amazing! Websites such as Yapta and Orbitz track your purchased flights and let you know. Easy.
  • Champ through several stop flights – It isn’t easy and most of the time it isn’t fun. The majority of the time these stops are red eyes. It sucks, but being able to spend a couple hundred dollars to be able to buy that souvenir for you girlfriend’s cousin’s mom is worth it. Just make sure you pack a couple of books to beat boredom or play online games while you wait. If you are a fan of casino style games, look into some blackout bingo reviews because it’s a fun game to pass the time with.
  • Airfare Errors – This is your best friend. Websites such as AirFare Watchdog and Secret Flying can be used to allow you to beat the system and stalk for mistake fares.

While Traveling Do’s

  • Research ahead of time – If you travel to a foreign land, it’s best that you research where you want to go first instead of winging it. I have spent so much more money than expected when I have winged it.
  • Look up places that do not charge admission – You’d be surprised at how many museums do not charge admission fees throughout the world. I always do this when I go on vacations because it gives you something to do that’s fun, while keeping money in your pocket.
  • Foreign Exchange at your bank – Some people don’t know this but some banks will actually let you exchange currencies right there. Sometimes the rates are cheaper than when you’re traveling and it’s convenient to have the currency of the destination before you even get off of the plane.
  • Carry cash & don’t use your card – Having a fixed amount of cash on you helps BIG time with budgeting on a day-by-day vacation. It helps you not over spend and prevents binging on those miniature Eiffel Towers or flower shaped gelato. Plus, if you use your card, chances are that your bank will charge you an international fee.

Places to Stay Without Breaking the Bank

  • Air BnB – This is already a given, but I love them so much that I had to put them on this list.
  • Hostel World – Hostels are the cheapest way to travel. You get to meet different people traveling that will probably become your international long term friend. Hostel World allows you to look up every single hostel in the area that you’re traveling to. You get to compare between different hostels, prices for a private room and dorms, and amenities. They have a Best Price Guarantee as well, so they will provide the cheapest rates for every hostel.
  • Home To Go – Not too many people know about this page. It’s a very user friendly site where you get to look up Bed and Breakfast type places. They provide last minute deals and discounts up to 75% off for their members for certain places.
  • Tripping – This is a sight that lets you look up vacation rentals, hostels, rooms for rent per night, hotels, etc. Similar to Air Bnb.

Extras

  • Lonely Planet – Unique site that provides travel books and videos about different countries and their activities such as beaches, food and drink, art and culture, and adventure travel. They also provide services such as travel insurance, adventure tours, car rentals, flights, hotels, sightseeing tours, and airport transfers and shuttles. Another perk of this website is that they provide tips, as well.
  • Like A Local – This company is so great! This site allows you to be able to contact locals in the area that you’re traveling to be able to get suggestions, tips, and even ask to meet up. They provide suggestions for tours, food, nightlife, shopping, and sightseeing all at your fingertips. On top of that, you can also pay a local to be your tour guide for CHEAP. I’m going to be traveling to Munich at the end of May and a local posted that they charge 2 euros an hour to be your guide. I’m SHOOK. But it gets better, you are also able to download their phone app and purchase an offline, no internet, and no roaming charges map for $1.99 per city that can also use your GPS to locate where you are. If you’d like to be a guide as well in your home town, you can also sign up with them and be paid!

The most important part of traveling, of course, is that you have fun and enjoy! Only be on your phone to take pictures and make a new friend and take in every opportunity that you can to soak in and appreciate your new surroundings.

Wow! Thank you so much to Amy for such fantastic, invaluable tools to use while traveling on a budget. For more on Amy’s upcoming travels, be sure to check out her blog! How do you ball on a budget? Where are you traveling to this summer? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah