Tag Archives: summer

Summer’s Coming! Health Tips To Prioritize

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Summer’s Coming! Health Tips To Prioritize

Now that spring has seen it’s last few days and summer is finally on its way, it’s time to talk about health. Our health matters differ from winter to summer. When the months warm up, we have certain things that we need to prioritize over others. With the sun coming out in full force and the days lasting longer, we can often focus on having fun over looking after ourselves. But, with these key areas, all you have to do is take precautionary steps now, and your health will be covered all summer long:

Protect Your Skin: When we’re exposed to the sun, our skin can suffer. So, it’s important to take a few precautionary measures before you head out for the day. Along with trying to avoid being in direct sunlight during the hottest hours of the day, you should aim to take breaks in the shade as much as possible. When your skin is exposed to the sun, regardless of how cloudy it may seem, you need to make sure that you wear sunscreen. That way, you’re protected from harmful rays and have a better chance of staying safe and sun burn free.

If you find yourself craving summer heat, but don’t want to risk burning, a trip to the sauna can help scratch that itch. There are distinctive benefits to a traditional sauna experience and one that uses infrared sauna light therapy. Explore both options to find the setting that is right for you!

Tackle Those Allergies: Having allergies can be hard during the summer months. Whether you’re suffering from a blocked nose, itchy eyes, or painful sinuses, the sooner you work on tackling your allergies, the better you will feel. Sometimes, taking a mild antihistamine is all you need. However, if you’re still suffering, then you might want to think about speaking to your doctor about the alternative options you may have, like natural remedies or surgery.

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Pretty!

Prioritize Hydration: As the weather gets warmer, we’re more likely to suffer from dehydration. What you would drink in winter may need to be increased for summer, because we tend to sweat a lot more. So if you drank four glasses of water a day on average in the winter, you might need to make that six for the summer. But everybody is different, so what ‘hydrated’ means to you might be too much or little for somebody else. Some great tips on staying hydrated can be found here in case you feel like you need an extra H2O boost.

Control Circulation: Poor circulation can happen for many different reasons, but when the weather warms up the effects can worsen. Whether you experience numbness in your legs, pain, or even a high level of fatigue, it’s time to take back control of your circulation. You may need to seek advice from your doctor, but you will often find that when you buy compression socks, you can not only promote good circulation again but ease the pain.

Get Active: Exercise is important for a balanced lifestyle. But when it comes to summer, stepping up your activity levels could not only improve your well-being, but give you more energy, too. Now that the sun is shining more, it’s time to get outside because cold winter days are no longer an excuse! Walk rather than drive and head out to enjoy nature parks around your area. Not only will you feel better for it, but you’ll also look it, too.

Summer is a time for fun, sun, and some much needed R&R. When you’re in the best health that you can be, the care free summer vibes will only be intensified!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Wanted: Salute To Summer Guest Bloggers

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Wanted: Salute To Summer Guest Bloggers

FYI!! 🙂

lifewithlilred's avatarlifewithlilred

Hiiii everyone and TGIF! With summer somewhat on the horizon (although, let’s be real – it’s still a healthy distance away!), I thought that it would be the perfect time to get the ball rolling on lifewithlilred’s upcoming Salute To Summer guest bloggers series. I’ll be the first to admit that I am so not a summer fan. I hate being hot. I hate wearing shorts (which is why a majority of my summer is spent in my signature black skinnies!). I hate water related activities. And, did I mention that I HATE being hot?!

Obviously, I’m a spring and fall kind of gal. But, that doesn’t mean that summer should be put on the back burner on the ol’ blog! Especially considering that a majority of my friends are huge summer fans – the most important one being my big sister. And, if nothing else, I have a summer…

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Still Wanted: Salute To Summer Guest Bloggers

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Still Wanted: Salute To Summer Guest Bloggers

Helloooo everyone! For those of you who didn’t see my initial wanted ad for summer guest bloggers, this is for you! I am still looking for guest bloggers to feature in my Salute To Summer series and would love to have every single one of you on my page. This series will be exploring all things summer fun, from vacas, warm weather fashion, MOTDs, delicious summer drinks and picnic food, and the best hang outs in your area.

My Salute To Summer guest bloggers series is going to be a total blast and if you are interested in contributing, please shoot me an email at: sarah.mush6794@gmail.com !!

THANKS!!! 😉

What You Need To Make Your Home Entertainment Ready This Summer

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What You Need To Make Your Home Entertainment Ready This Summer

With summer approaching, fashions will start to change. Looking good is important all year round, but once the weather starts to become warmer and you spend more time in the park or basking in the sunshine outside of a bar, you will need to think about the perfect summer outfit. Your winter coats and cozy sweaters will be there waiting for you in the fall, but in the meantime, your look will have to change. As everyone knows, being stylish takes a lot of time and attention, but it is worth it. Carefully choosing what you wear is important because you want to make a good impression but as April cedes to May, and May acquiesces to June, you may also be thinking about hosting a garden party.

Having your friends over and just relaxing really is the best part of the season (except perhaps going on vacation). However, if you are going to be a good host, you will need to make sure that everything is perfect. There is a lot of think about. Do you have enough food for everyone? The best advice is to get more than you think you’ll need. After all, you can enjoy it on your own once all the guests have gone home. You also need to ensure that you’ve got enough for everyone to drink. Most guests will be good enough to bring something themselves, whether it is a bottle of wine or something a bit stronger, but there is nothing that lets a party down quite as much as not having enough alcohol!

You also need to make sure that your home is ready for guests, too. Tidying up is one thing, but if you want your house to make as good of an impression as you do, you should consider fixing it up a little. There is still time before summer starts in earnest and the convenient thing about home improvements is that they last for the rest of the year. Here are a few ideas about things that you can do to make your home perfect this summer:

First impressions are crucial. It is estimated that when you go for a job interview you have just six minutes to impress your prospective employer. When you are meeting someone for the first time in a casual social situation, you have just seven seconds before your interlocutor has made up their mind. When someone sees where you live for the first time, it is no different. That is why you should try to improve how your house looks from the street. You could hire Local Roofers to give your place a better look or think about getting new windows (both of which, incidentally, can help you save money and energy). If you do not have the time to start major work on your house, you could clean your driveway and outer exterior with a high-pressure washer. You will be amazed once you start at just how clean things used to look, and can look again.

If you are hosting a garden party, your guests will probably not spend that much time in your house, so all you have to worry about is that it is clean and tidy. The bathroom, in particular, should be spotless because people will use it at one point or another. However, your focus should be on your garden. Mowing your lawn and dealing with any pesky weeds is the first thing to do, but then you should think about investing in some garden furniture. Standing for an entire afternoon or evening is no one’s idea of fun and sitting on the ground may not appeal to everyone. And, you can use it too on those long summer nights when there is nothing better than reading a book outside while perched on some comfortable bench cushions and relaxing.

An outdoor party will require a shady space to hang out at with a cold drink when the sun gets too hot. You could have a few patio tables with umbrellas set up, invest in sun setters, or go with something very practical like portable event gazebos. Pop up gazebos can create a welcome oasis from the sun so your guests are comfortable all day long. This is a much more affordable option than renovating your outdoor space to create shade and can be taken down easily after the party.

A good barbecue is another essential item. If the food that you cook (whether it is hot dogs and burgers or roasted vegetables) is not great, that is what your guests will go away remembering. If you do not have a good sound system, your party will be doomed before it even begins. You could play something from inside and open your windows, but a much better option is to get outdoor equipment. It can be rather expensive, but if you want to create the perfect atmosphere, there is no better way of doing it.

Finally, while everyone wants to be outside during the summer sometimes the weather just doesn’t want to behave. It might be storming or way too hot to be outside comfortably. If the party moves inside, be sure there is enough entertainment to keep guests engaged. A business like Audio Video Excellence in Arizona (Or a similar one in your local area) can upgrade your home with smart technology. This is ideal for audio and home theater systems so that your guests can continue to enjoy rocking tunes or settle in for a movie after playing patio games outdoors.

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Ayyyyy

The only thing that you need to do now is relax and enjoy yourself. You may think that having loads of people over and entertaining them could be stressful but the secret is that if you let your hair down and have some fun, your guests probably will, too.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Wanted: Salute To Summer Guest Bloggers

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Wanted: Salute To Summer Guest Bloggers

Hiiii everyone and TGIF! With summer somewhat on the horizon (although, let’s be real – it’s still a healthy distance away!), I thought that it would be the perfect time to get the ball rolling on lifewithlilred’s upcoming Salute To Summer guest bloggers series. I’ll be the first to admit that I am so not a summer fan. I hate being hot. I hate wearing shorts (which is why a majority of my summer is spent in my signature black skinnies!). I hate water related activities. And, did I mention that I HATE being hot?!

Obviously, I’m a spring and fall kind of gal. But, that doesn’t mean that summer should be put on the back burner on the ol’ blog! Especially considering that a majority of my friends are huge summer fans – the most important one being my big sister. And, if nothing else, I have a summer birthday (June 7th!) so that is definitely a cause for some summer celebration!

I want the Salute To Summer guest bloggers series to showcase all of the fun that this obnoxiously hot, upcoming season has to offer. And, who knows, maybe my guest bloggers might just end up changing my mind on being a summer hater! For this series, we are talking summer vacas, lazy afternoons day drinking by the pool, and the best warm weather hangouts in your area. And, of course, I won’t say no to summer themed OOTDs and MOTDs, either!

If you are interested in participating in lifewithlilred’s Salute To Summer guest bloggers series, shoot me an email with your ideas at: sarah.mush6794@gmail.com !!!

Have a fabulous weekend! ❤

How To Create A Trendy & Unique Summer Look

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How To Create A Trendy & Unique Summer Look

The spring/summer fashion has already hit the high-street shops with an abundance of bright colors, florals, mix & match patterns, peekaboo fabrics, stripes, the 1980s and 1990s revivals, and minimalist cuts. But, there’s a big gap between embracing new trends and being yourself. More often than not, embracing a new fashion trend can end up making you look like everyone else. As nice as it can be to blend in, you probably would like to feel more unique in your style than like everyone else. The main thing with fashion is to develop your style while remaining trendy. And as it is often the case in the fashion world, less is more when you are creating your trendy summer look. Here are three ideas to create your style with a minimum of effort this season:

The Low-Key Summer Fashion

For a start, embracing the summer fashion doesn’t mean that you need to change your wardrobe and buy all new everything. Working with a few smart summer accessories, from the platform shoes – making their big comeback after we last saw them in the Spice Girls era – to mismatched earrings, you can easily create a dead on trend outfit without needing to change your actual clothes. This season, the accessories are dramatic and eye catching. With the return of the embroidery patterns, for example, on denim jackets, sweaters, and jeans, it’s no doubt that an embroidered handbag can turn your summer shorts and tee into a fashion statement.

The Bold And Bright New Summer Me

It’s never easy to fully ignore the seasonal trends, though. But, even if you love to revamp your wardrobe, it can be a little tricky to choose to embrace all of the summer trends at once. So, if you are keen to renew your wardrobe, one item at a time, take your pick among the iconic summer styles – florals, stripes, peekaboo, mix & match patterns, bright colors, 1980s revivals, and post-minimalism. As a rule of the thumb, a floral ensemble or a bright piece of clothing would seem to be the best choice. All you need is to embrace one trend with one quality fashion statement – if you are looking for affordable quality fashion, check discounts and vouchers on DontPayFull.com. Make sure to pick brands that you can trust, as you don’t want to be struggling with bleeding patterns and colors in the first wash (such a nightmare!).

The Playful Vintage Fashionista

Last, but not least, if you are falling in love with the 1980s and 1990s revival style, the easiest way to embrace it is to look in second-hand and vintage shops to find original pieces from the era. Pinterest.com has an inspirational board about low-key vintage fashion, which can be helpful to find the kind of cuts and shapes that would suit you. Real vintage is unique, and it is, by far, the best that you can do to follow the golden 80s and 90s look. Now, get to thrifting!

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^^^ Lol.

Featured Image By: Flickr

The Countdown To Summer – Look Fab on Your Next Vacation!

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The Countdown To Summer – Look Fab on Your Next Vacation!

A vacation is a chance to get away from it all – a week or two of fun, sunshine, and great food. When it comes to your annual trip, it’s nice to know that you look your best and are feeling as confident as possible. Not only will you look great in your pictures but you won’t be held back by insecurity. Here are a few things that you can do on the run up to your vacation to ensure that you look the best ever this summer:

Figure: Getting your body into shape is a great way to give you confidence. Eating right and exercising will not only sculpt your figure and allow your clothes to fit better, but you’ll feel fitter and healthier too. If your vacation is going to involve a lot of walking, then this is especially good, because you don’t want to be struggling and lagging behind when your fitness isn’t up to scratch. Focus on a clean, balanced diet. Plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and protein from lean meat and/or non- meat sources should all give your body everything it needs.

For exercise you could hit the gym or find an activity that you enjoy that requires a lot of movement. Whether it’s running, swimming, a sport, or just working out at home – anything that gets your body moving will tone muscles, burn calories, work your cardiovascular system, and shape your physique so anything goes!

If you find you have stubborn areas of fat that don’t respond to diet or exercise, liposuction could be an option. This isn’t a weight loss technique, though, it’s generally performed on people who are already a healthy weight who want to shape their body rather than decrease in mass. There is nothing wrong with considering plastic surgery to improve yourself but you just need to be so careful about who is performing the surgery. Seek recommendations from friends and family and look into several different options after searching “Best Liposuction Surgeon Houston” (or your local area). It can be very helpful to schedule consultations with a few different surgeons so you find the best fit for yourself and your needs.

Teeth: Want a gorgeous set of pearly white teeth to set off your holiday tan? Teeth whitening trays from the dentist take around six weeks or you can have laser teeth whitening in around an hour. Both of these treatments can lift the color of the teeth many shades and have a dramatic effect on the way you look and smile!

Hair: As the saying goes, ‘your hair is the ballgown you never take off’. Shiny, happy hair is the best accessory that you can own. In the weeks and months leading up to your vacation, you could give it some extra TLC. Use deep conditioning masks and oils to replenish and repair dry or damaged hair. Visit a hairdresser to have the split ends removed and have a fresh new color applied. It’s a fantastic way to give you confidence. If there are going to be nights during your trip where you want to dress up and look your best, clip in extensions are also a good option. It might be a little warm to wear them during the day, but they can add instant glamour for an evening outing. They add both length and thickness and look great either straight, curled, or in an updo.

Hair Removal: No one wants to deal with stubble or constant shaving while they’re away. Since holiday clothes and swimwear tends to show a lot of flesh, chances are you want to be as smooth as possible – for as long as possible! Going to the salon for a waxing treatment before you jet off will leave you hair-free for a number of weeks. For a longer lasting alternative, electrolysis and laser hair removal are effective.

Shellac Nails: Unlike regular nail polish, Shellac lasts for around two weeks. Meaning you get a chip-free manicure without the hassle of having to repaint your nails while you’re away. Most salons offer this and it’s cheaper than gel or acrylic nails.

Ready, get set, get pampered, and enjoy your vaca!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Things To Fix Ahead of Summer

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Things To Fix Ahead of Summer

Summer is such an amazing season. The weather gets warmer, people get happier, things are generally a lot more relaxing and laid back. There’s not a lot to grumble about – unless you haven’t made the preparations to enjoy this time of the year as much as you could have done. The more dormant months that make up winter into spring are the ones that need to be utilized in order to get everything ready and raring to go to make this year a summer to remember!

In The Garden: There’s a lot in the back yard that we put to good use in the summer months. Things like barbecues, furniture, and the garden in general all need a good seeing to before the warmer weather hits. Ideally, barbecues should be stored inside a place like a shed or garden room in order to prevent rusting or at the least have a cover on them to protect them from the colder weather that the winter months throws at them.

If you haven’t done this, now is the time to get out the wire brushes and go to town on cleaning it down and making it safe for further use. Furniture, especially if wooden, needs to have a lick of weatherproof paint to keep it in excellent condition for the next couple of months. While plants and grass tend to get out of control once the sun starts to beat down on them, there is a time when they are dormant and more manageable. Getting on top of the garden before the garden gets on top of you is definitely the way to go!

Now is also a great time to start planning and budgeting for any projects you would like to complete in your garden. Perhaps you would like to improve your landscaping or even install a bocce ball court. You could also start researching a fixture like garden rooms. They can be transformed into an area for entertainment, a home gym, or simply having a dry place to watch the rain and snow fall.

In The House: We all know that summer, in the majority of cases, means warmer weather. This means that we need to make plans for getting ourselves cooler and back to a normal body temperature again. It is so easy to overheat without realizing it, and the chances of dehydrating yourself are greater during this period of the year. If you know that your air conditioning was giving up the ghost at the end of last year, consider getting an ac repair service done to get it back to good working order. Ensure that everything that keeps things cool is working, like your fridge and freezer. The last thing you want is for either of these things to fail in weather that the food is more likely to turn bad in. And it would be a shame for all of those delicious popsicles to melt into a sticky juice!

In The Car: Unsurprisingly, most car failures happen in extreme weathers of either hot or cold. Making sure that you are carrying a spare bottle of water around with you, should your car start to overheat, can be a lifesaver if you’re stuck out on the road without a service station nearby. Make sure that you pack extra snacks and water for yourself, too, just in case the worst happens. The last thing that you want is to be stranded with your tummy rumbling – especially in the heat! #myworstnightmare

Featured Image By: Pexels

Hats Off: Nicole Marciano Edition

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Hats Off: Nicole Marciano Edition

Hiii everyone and happy weekend! I hope all of you are having a wonderful and relaxing Sunday! Yesterday, a quick stop to TJMaxx got me a super cute new floppy hat by Nicole Marciano for a whopping four dollars. Thanks to a ten dollar off coupon compliments of their credit card, I was able to snag this little beauty which I am SO stoked to sport this summer. Take a look:

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^^^ So. Fun!

I have quite a large hat collection due to a love that I developed from my grandma who had over one hundred of them! I love, love, love floppy hats but all of mine are either felt or wool which is fine for fall, winter, and the spring but not so much for summer. I’ve wanted a big, floppy, straw style hat for a while now but never managed to find one that I liked enough to purchase. They were all either too big, too small, too blah, or the shape wasn’t to my liking. Seriously, some of the floppy hats that I’ve encountered were HUGE which would result in the hat to droop in an unflattering sad elephant ear style that was just…no.

But, I absolutely LOVE this little Nicole Marciano number. It’s big without being gigantic, the shape that the hat takes when it’s actually on is quite attractive, and the “bonjour” detailing was just too darling to pass up. And for four dollars?! Hello! This hat is going to be so charming with a little sun dress, chunky wedges, and “don’t look at me” sunglasses for a glam but fun summer time look. It will provide me with the perfect shade and a touch of Paris chic for a day of shopping at my favorite outdoor mall, a trip to the zoo, or simply reading the latest issue of Cosmo on my deck. Just thinking of it makes me more than ready for summer!

Hats Off, indeed, to this cute as can be Nicole Marciano piece! What is your must have accessory for spring or summer? Who else has a hat collection of their own? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Accessory Story: Sparkling Snakes Edition

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Accessory Story: Sparkling Snakes Edition

Hellooo everyone and happy Hump Day! I hope all of you are having a wonderful week so far and are looking forward to an exciting weekend ahead. When it comes to fashion, Lil Red loves it all. Beauty, makeup, clothes, shoes, purses, hats, and of course – jewelry. I have quite a staggering jewelry collection that I am just now beginning to appreciate. I’ve grown to love layering necklaces, throwing rings on multiple fingers, and stacking bracelets and bangles on my arms. This Accessory Story is an ode to two of my personal favorite pieces – my Sparkling Snake arm cuffs. Take a look:

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One of these bracelets is Betsey Johnson and one of these pieces is from the gift shop at the Akron Zoo. Can you guess which is which? Lol, don’t worry – I’ll tell you! The gold snake with the pink toned gems is a Betsey Johnson cuff that my mom gave me a few Christmases ago and the blue gem snake is from the zoo (which sounds so weird saying!). I am an avid lover of all of the fun, quirky, sassiness that is Betsey Johnson so my mom was spot on in gifting me with this cuff. I actually think she might have gotten me the bracelet from the zoo, as well, as a birthday present. So shout out to my beloved mama AGAIN!

When it comes to jewelry, I don’t do subtle and soft. I want loud, in your face pieces that really make a statement. And, honestly, what better way is there to make a cool, glam rock impression than a couple of gem stoned snakes coiled around your arm? I normally like to wear one snake for each arm and love breaking them out in the summer time when they can be fully appreciated thanks to tanks, tees, and crop tops. Not only that, but in the intense summer sun, you can only imagine how gorgeously these cuffs glisten!

So, how did my mom land on gifting me with snake themed bracelets? Do I like snakes? Not particularly. I don’t dislike any animal but it’s not like I’m going to go out of my way to get a pet snake any time soon! And also – HOW DO THEY PEE?! I wish that I could say that jokingly but I REALLY WANT TO KNOW!! But I digress. I actually think I pointed out the zoo snake bracelet to my mom and told her how much I liked it. Then, it must have been the same year that she gifted me with the Betsey Johnson one at Christmas because she had to have remembered how much I liked my birthday prezzie. Oh, mom! What a darling, perfect gal! ❤

So there you have it, my latest Accessory Story: Sparkling Snakes Edition! Does anyone else own any animal themed jewelry? Where is the strangest place that you have ever bought jewelry from? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah