Tag Archives: television

Monday Update: Netflix Game On Point Edition

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Monday Update: Netflix Game On Point Edition

Hi everyone and happy Monday! Okay, so I have been Netflix and chilling with myself a lot lately. It has been cold and damp in Ohio this past week, which is the type of weather that makes me want to curl up in a blanket burrito and emerge brand new in the spring. But, since this isn’t an option, movie marathons have been a total must once I’m finished with work for the day.

As all of you know, I am a horror movie junkie and October brought an amazing list of scary movies to the Netflix lineup. Saw one through seven, Hostel, Silent Hill, the list goes on. This past week on my day off, I treated myself to a Saw movie marathon and Taco Bell and it was honestly one of the best days ever. I am so looking forward to seeing the new Jigsaw movie hopefully soon, too!

I have also been really feeling Rob Zombie movies as of late, so the Halloween season gave me an excuse to watch 31, The Devil’s Rejects, and the Lords of Salem. Are all of the aforementioned movies for everyone? Absolutely not. But, to me, there is nothing better than snuggling up on a grey day with not much to do and binge watching the hours away.

Not only is a veg out session fun and good for the soul but the process of selecting movies is enjoyable too. Recommendations from friends, reviews from websites like hellhorror.com, or streaming services like Shudder are all beneficial in finding must watch scary movies. However, when I’m not feeling like doing a ton of research for a flick, I just like to scroll through at random and watch what I land on. It can be hit or miss but it keeps things interesting!

Halloween and the amazing seventh season of American Horror Story have put me in the spooky spirit, especially since I didn’t get to celebrate until this weekend by going to a haunted house! My upcoming Netflix lineup includes rewatching the first season of Slasher and then watching the newly released second season. And, of course, breaking up the gore fest with I Love You, Man and other silly comedies is definitely in order!

So there you have it, this week’s Monday Update: Netflix Game On Point Edition! What is on your Netflix watch list? What other horror movies/TV shows do I need to see? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

9 Simple Self Care Changes That Make A Big Impact

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9 Simple Self Care Changes That Make A Big Impact

Having a soothing evening of self care is something that everyone enjoys. A little bit of TLC can make a world of difference with how you feel. Here are some of the best ways to relax and refresh your mind and body:

A long, hot bath: This time may be difficult to achieve if you have young children, but if you do get the chance to have a long soak in the tub, then snap it up. Light some candles, switch the main light off, pour yourself a glass of your favorite drink, and dollop a large amount of bubble bath into the tub. Let the hot water and amazing aromas take you away from the stresses of life for a little while.

Another great thing to do when taking a bath, is adding some pink Himalayan salt to your water. It has incredible health benefits, especially in the realms of skin care. You’ll come out feeling relaxed and your skin will feel super soft thanks to the exfoliating properties of the salt.

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 Those nails!

Face masks: Another great way to treat your skin is to slap on a face mask, cut some slices of cucumber, and relax for ten or so minutes. Your skin will feel refreshed and supple and hopefully the cucumbers will have eliminated those tired bags from under your eyes.

One downside of face masks, is that the first few times that you use them, you may break out in acne. This is your body expelling the dirt underneath your skin. Always remember to make sure that you’re using a mask that is safe for your face. Check out beautyproductwarnings.com for the best advice on skin care and products.

Meditation is a fabulous way of unwinding from your day. Put some relaxing music on, sit comfortably, and breathe deeply. With each exhale of air, push out any worries or complications that you’ve had that day. Once you feel calm and relaxed, you can continue to enjoy the rest of your evening.

Similar to meditation, hypnosis can also work wonders with relieving stress. You simply pop some headphones in and listen. Make sure that you’re comfortable and let the recording take you away. Hypnosis can be great for people with anxiety or people who struggle to sleep. Michael Sealey’s YouTube account is a fantastic example of the hypnosis that you might want to look for.

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 R&R

Time to yourself: Having a small amount of time to yourself is underrated. You may adore your partner and children but taking some time to just be yourself is incredible for the mind. Letting it all hang out (ayyy!) on the sofa in front of the TV is all some people need to rejuvenate.

Foot spa: You might not have a fancy foot spa at home, but there are other ways that you can treat your feet for next to no cost at all. Get yourself a bucket and fill it just under halfway with warm water (the heat you would use for a bath). Be sure to add some bubbles and maybe a drop of lavender oil into the water. Sit yourself down with a book or while watching TV and pop your feet into the bucket. You will feel relaxed almost instantly. Be sure to hit the pumice stone and lotion after!

Manis & Pedis are another great way of treating yourself. You don’t necessarily have to do this at home, either. Take yourself to your favorite salon and enjoy some pampering. Plus, with the amount of wonderful designs that you can choose for your nails these days, you will walk away looking absolutely fabulous.

Dye your hair: Doing this can make you feel like a whole new person. Your hair will look shiny and full of life again and you can even cover up those evil greys(!). Be careful not to over-dye your hair, though, as this can be very damaging to your scalp and locks. Be sure to also get regular trims if you dye your hair as split ends are easily formed.

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 Pamper party!

Have a beauty evening with your girls: Invite the girls over for some drinks and giggles and ask them to bring their makeup bags. You can gossip and put the world to rights while doing each other’s makeup. It’s a great way of relaxing and afterwards, you will be ready to hit the town!

One thing to remember with using makeup is to not ruin your skin by caking it unnecessarily. Take a look at the best way to apply foundation and the routine you should adopt before applying it.

Spend alone time with your SO: It’s likely that you’ve both had a mega hectic day and have barely seen each other. Take the time at least once a week to cook a meal together and sit at the table with no distractions. Talking through your day or week with your loved one can relieve stress and anxiety, and it will also stop any distancing between you as a couple. Grab some wine and make it romantic. There’s nothing wrong with keeping the spark alive in your relationship, even if you’ve been together for many years.

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#datenight

We all have to work hard in life to get what we want, but we also need to take care of ourselves in the process. Take time at least once a week to do one of these things and you will start to notice the difference in how you feel. Also, pampering and self-care will not only make you feel better, but look better too. It’s a win-win situation!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Keeping Yourself Entertained On Vaca

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Keeping Yourself Entertained On Vaca

Are you one of the lucky ones heading abroad on your vacation this year? Whether you’re on the road, in a hotel, or on a cruise, there can be moments, particularly after a long day of exploring, when all you want is to settle down and relax. An evening in the hotel with Netflix or a good book can be just what the doctor ordered after you’ve been on your feet all day sightseeing. But staying entertained and ensuring that you don’t run out of things to do while you’re abroad isn’t quite so easy as when you’re at home. Here are just a few ways that you can make sure that, even in your downtime, you’re fully fighting the boredom blahs:

Don’t Rely On Books: If you love to get a jump on your summer reading list while on vaca, books can become far too cumbersome. Whether you read while you travel, relax by the pool, or just as you go through life, it might be time to invest in a bit of a technological helper. Rather than packing a book a day into your luggage, a Kindle is a cheap, lightweight, and easily transportable alternative. With literally millions of books to choose from, all accessible online, you’ll never be caught short without a book again.

Keep Some Entertainment Downloaded: Sometimes WiFi is obscenely slow, and sometimes *gasp* you just can’t connect at all. The worst thing in these situations is to have no backup plan. Keeping a few shows downloaded onto whatever device you’re using can be a real lifesaver in moments of boredom. Netflix has options to download now, as do many other video hosting sites. And be sure to double check that your Spotify Premium account is up to date before you set off so that you can still access all of your favorite music, even when WiFi isn’t an option.

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Pixabay Image

Netflix Is Your BFF: When you need some reassuring familiarity and an evening to yourself, it’s all about Netflix. Whether you’re entertaining young ones or just chilling on your own, being able to get a few of your favorite shows online is essential. While Netflix, ordinarily, won’t work abroad, using a VPN enables you to bypass that. Check out securethoughts to find out exactly how to do it. Then, all of your favorite shows are just a button-push away.

Portable Chargers Are Everything: We rely so heavily on electronic devices in this day and age, from smartphones to laptops and tablets to Kindles, that it’s not surprising that portable charging devices are growing in popularity. When you’re in an airport or hotel room, chances are that you’ll have access to power, but when you’re on the road, public transport, or walking around the city, it could be a bit more tricky. Keep a fully charged portable power supply in your handbag all of the time, and you’ll never find yourself caught with the power out again.

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Is your device fully charged??

Traveling the world doesn’t mean that you don’t want a few moments of R&R every now and then, and if they take the form of your favorite books or TV shows, it’s always best to be prepared. Happy traveling!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Netflix Suggestions?!

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Netflix Suggestions?!

Hihihi everyone and happy Thursday! So the last time I Netflixed, I watched American Crime Story: The People VS OJ Simpson and it was so. damn. good. The acting was sublime, the real life plot was insane, and the length of the show was just right. But, as always upon finishing a show, I have no idea what to watch next.

I reached out to the world of Facebook to see what other people recommend and was left with over eighty comments of TV shows to sift through. Yikes! BUT, I realized that I never reached out to the blogging world, whose opinions are surely to be a bit more diverse considering the vast, world wide locations of such an amazing community. So before the suggestions come rolling in, let me bring you up to speed on the shows that I have watched. (I am also always up for movie suggestions, too! Particularly foreign films, but even more specifically: French ones, please!)

Shows I Have Watched:

  • Orange Is The New Black (multiple times.)
  • Wentworth (hella multiple times.)
  • American Horror Story (all seasons.)
  • Dexter
  • Slasher
  • Fargo
  • Breaking Bad
  • Parks & Recreation
  • American Crime Story: The People VS OJ Simpson (most recently.)
  • Making A Murderer
  • Locked Up: Women Behind Bars (clearly I like prison shows!)

^^^ Annnd I think that that’s about it!

ANYWHO, I am open to any and all recommendations and suggestions. But my personal preference leans more towards drama and horror based shows than comedies or dramadies, which should be obvious from my list!

What is your favorite series on Netflix? Which series should I watch next? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

The 411 On Fixer-Upper Properties

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The 411 On Fixer-Upper Properties

Thanks to all of those fabulous DIY shows on TV that take old wrecks of houses and turn them into incredible homes, you may be considering investing in a property that’s a fixer upper if you’re thinking of buying a house. These shows have made the concept of investing in a fixer-upper home seem incredibly interesting and a great way to cut costs, too, but the truth is, that’s not always the case.

You see, it depends on the property that you pick and how much work it needs done to it. Pick the wrong property, and it can mean spending a lot of money on it without getting any financial rewards in return, such as a high property value. Now, don’t get us wrong, there’s nothing wrong with investing in a fixer-upper property, you just need to be clear about what it actually involves, that’s all. With that in mind, below are a few things you should know before investing in a fixer-upper property:

You Need to Know What You’re Doing: First things first, when it comes to investing in a fixer-upper property, you need to know what you’re getting yourself into. You need to ask yourself, do you really have the time, money, and patience for a fixer upper property? Fixer upper properties can take a lot of time, effort, and money to turn into livable spaces and it’s important to realize that. Yes, a fixer-upper can be a great project to work on, but it’s important not to make the mistake of underestimating just how much work it will be.

You Won’t Be Able to Do It Alone: Unless you’re a highly skilled contractor who specializes in all parts of construction, the chances are that you’re not going to be able to do it alone. So as well as putting money aside for materials, repairs, and updates, you will need to put funds aside for any help that you will need. This can include a plumber to fix any broken pipes and a roofer to deal with the roofing and gutters. Before hiring a contractor of any type, make sure to check their credentials and get a quote so that you know how much to expect in terms of charges. You can ask family and friends for recommendations, or additionally, a quick online search for “Electrician in Ohatchee, AL” or whichever service and location you need will connect you with the right professional for the job.

They Have the Potential to Be Beautiful: When it comes to fixer upper properties, it’s important to realize that they have the potential to be really beautiful places, just like you see on TV shows like Grand Designs. The fantastic thing about a fixer upper property is that you can pretty much start again and create a home that’s whatever you want it to be. Whether you want a home that’s wonderfully eco-friendly or that has a unique design, you can make that happen with a fixer upper property because it’s yours to shape however you like.

Fixer upper properties can be a great option when it comes to finding a new home; they can give you the ability to shape your home to be just as you always imagined it would be. However, it’s important to realize that there’s a lot more to taking on a fixer-upper property than meets the eye as well as what’s seen on TV, and you need to be prepared for that.

Featured Image By: Flickr

Got The X Factor? Tips On How To Break Into The Music Industry

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Got The X Factor? Tips On How To Break Into The Music Industry

Got The X Factor? Tips On How To Break Into The Music Industry:

Love it or loathe it, The X Factor is back on our TV screens, which means just one thing; it’s the first signs of winter! Well, actually it means a few other things too. Namely, some great talent mixed with some dodgy talent. And the raging debate of whether The X Factor is a credible show to be on if you’re serious about singing. Whichever side of the fence you sit on, if you read entertainment news, it’s going to be hard to escape The X Factor for the next couple of months. So, if you are interested in a professional music career, I’ve compiled a list of tips to help you on your way to getting a break. And better still, none of them include having to sing in front of Simon Cowell.

Know The Business: In the old days, you could just be a talented singer or musician and if you got on a record label, the company would do the rest for you. Since LP’s went out the window and new technology took over, this just isn’t the case anymore. These days you have to prove yourself as an artist before a record label will consider signing you. This means getting to know the business inside and out. Set up your own gigs at local venues, write your own songs, promote yourself across all online platforms and canvas the area with cheap business flyers uk (or your local area), and prove that you can produce an income from your music.

Create An Online Presence: One affordable way of marketing yourself and your music is to create an online presence. You can do this through YouTube or by setting up your own website. It is a crowded market, so you’ll also have to use social media, paid advertising, and SEO to make an impact. The best way to do this is to set up a professional website. There are many software packages out there that will enable you to do this in a relatively cheap way that still maintains a sleek and skilled look. 

Record and Create Your Own CD’s: If you’re performing in local pubs and venues, you will want to sell some of your merch. This is a great marketing opportunity. Invest in some time in a recording studio and you’re already setting yourself apart from the competition. Companies such as Nationwide Disc allow you to create stylish sleeves, wallets, and digipacks which will give you the competitive edge. These are ideal for handing out as promotions and selling at gigs. Investing in a professional photographer for a couple of hours will guarantee you get some stylish shots that you can use as artwork for your covers.

Get Your Music On Spotify: You don’t have to be a signed musician to get your music on Spotify, Apple Music or Amazon. In fact, they really like independent artists. Spotify has over 280+ million active monthly users so it’s one of the best marketing tools that you can implement. You can employ the services of a music distribution company to help get your music on Spotify, Amazon, and iTunes. If you are serious about becoming an artist, you’ll need to put in a lot of hard work. You’ll also need to be motivated and dedicated, not just to your talent but to the extra promotions that goes into making your music heard across the globe.

Where are all of my songbirds at? Feel free to provide the links to your work and Youtube channels in the comment section below! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image Provided By: Unsplash.com

American Horror Story Airing Of Grievances

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American Horror Story Airing Of Grievances

Hey everyone and happy weekend! This week, the teasers for American Horror Story season six have began to surface, leaving everyone to wonder just what the theme is going to be. This usually would be a time when I would start to get very excited for just what lies in store for AHS, but unfortunately, I just can’t get on board for this upcoming season. Take a look at the teaser trailer and then let’s discuss:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVmwv58XBOs

If you recall from my posts about last season, AHS: Hotel, I had to quit watching after episode seven or so. I just couldn’t take it. I thought Coven was bad but last season really really sucked with a capital S and a capital UCKED. From the very first episode I could pick out what the problem was and a lot of people will probably disagree with me but that’s okay. My number one issue with AHS: Hotel was…Lady Gaga.

That’s right. I said it. I genuinely believe in my heart of hearts that Lady Gaga was the worst thing to happen to AHS so the fact that she is coming back for an encore in season six instantly turns me off to the show already. Unpopular opinion? Probably – but let me explain!

The major issue with having someone like Lady Gaga cast as the lead is that every. single. scene. has to revolve around her. I just couldn’t take it anymore in Hotel. I was sick of her soft core sex scenes, her dull performance, and the fact that she was now the queen bee of the show when she wasn’t doing much of anything.

Lady Gaga single handedly took away the ensemble effort of what made American Horror Story so special in the first place. When every character was committing to the story in a way that did not directly revolve around one character *cough cough* is when the show was something amazing. But when you take away the ensemble effort, you just end up with a program that isn’t even worth watching.

I feel like every scene was directed in a way that would make all of Gaga’s “little monsters” stick around to watch more and this resulted in a season that was campy, trashy, and an all around hot mess. I stand firmly in my beliefs that 1) The show is nothing without Jessica Lange. 2) They should have went with an unknown to become the new AHS queen bee. 3) OR if seniority and talent were an actual thing being considered, Sarah Paulson should have became the female lead.

So, am I going to tune in to the new season of American Horror Story? Yes, I will because I am curious and because I want lifewithlilred to maintain its status as a one stop shop for all things AHS. Am I thrilled about it? Absolutely not. After this rant, how could I be?! But as always, rest assured that when the new season airs, you can always find the latest AHS scoop here on lifewithlilred!

So there you have it, my American Horror Story Airing Of Grievances! Who has any ideas on what season six’s theme is going to be? Does anyone feel similarly to what I described in this post? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

An Open Letter To DWTS

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An Open Letter To DWTS

I admit it. I freaking LOVE Dancing With The Stars. As often as I can, I’ll tune in for my “Middle Aged Monday” routine of watching the program. So far, I’ve loved season 22 and have been enamored by the hunky Nyle DiMarco who showcases an amazing talent for ballroom dancing and just so happens to be hearing impaired. His challenge leaves the judges and sometimes myself included wondering just how in the hell he can express such gorgeous musicality without being able to hear one note of the songs being played. Despite this incredible talent that Nyle possesses, I’ve been utterly disappointed by the interactions seen throughout the show between Nyle and cast mates. There is an apparent lack of person first speaking and complete disrespect…Most surprisingly from his partner, Peta Murgatroyd. Allow me to explain:

Throughout the season, I’ve noticed Peta’s continuous instinct to talk over Nyle as if he can’t answer for himself when being spoken to by the judges or hostess, Erin Andrews. This instinct to jump the gun and open her mouth before Nyle can even begin to start answering in ASL comes across as pushy and disrespectful. I was also completely disturbed by the ease of which she referred to her partner as “the deaf guy” on this Monday’s show. As soon as those words escaped from her mouth, my jaw dropped to the ground.

Excuse me? The deaf guy? You mean your partner? I couldn’t believe that she had the audacity to refer to her partner and supposed friend in such a degrading way simply based on if he can hear or not. I was also kind of disgusted by the fact that she said this while speaking alone to the cameras because that just leaves you to wonder if Nyle even knows that he’s being referred to in such a demeaning matter.

One of the first rules that you learn when you’re working with people with a challenge of any kind is to utilize “person first speaking”. IE: Not “the blind person” but “the person who has a visual impairment”. By referring to Nyle as “the deaf guy” was essentially letting the world know that she only sees her partner as being defined by his disability. Not by his personality, his staggering good looks (wink!), or his ability as a dancer.

I commend Peta for her hard work on teaching Nyle how to ballroom dance and her excellent choreography. However, all of her accomplishments as his partner is being dragged through the mud by her blatant insensitivity which is showcased in her constant need to speak over him and by degrading her so called friend. Before Dancing With The Stars chooses to bring on another celebrity with any kind of disability I suggest some major sensitivity training for all parties involved on the show. I’m honestly baffled that nothing has been done yet with such obvious cases this season and DWTS is definitely losing the respect of an avid fan.

Sick Day

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Sick Day

Hello everyone and happy Hump Day! I hope all of you are having a great week so far. Unfortunately, I’ve been feeling pretty under the weather since Saturday. My mom had a killer cold last week which she passed on to me and it hit me with full force. Stuffed up nose, body aches, cough, fever, no appetite – you name the symptom and chances are I’m feeling it. I’ve been running on a diet of Powerade since Monday and I have to say, I’m pretty friggen miserable. The only good thing about my killer cold stint is the Sick Day that I had with my boyfriend, Kyle, on Monday. Let’s discuss:

Let me start off by saying that I usually despise super sappy “I love my boyfriend” or “look what my significant other did for me” posts. I kid you not, there’s a girl on my Facebook newsfeed who literally posts about how much she loves her boyfriend and blah, blah, blah at least five times a day – it drives me absolutely freaking crazy. I will never be the girl who goes overboard with boyfriend posts but this one is SO necessary. Especially considering Kyle risked the possibility of getting sick himself just to take care of little old me.

Monday has always been me and Kyle’s day together and apparently not even the worst cold of all time can change that. Kyle showed up at my house around three bearing candy, tea from Teavana, brownies from his work, and a movie rental of Crimson Peak. He also showed up with knowledge from articles that he Googled on “how to take care of your sick girlfriend without getting sick yourself”. Lol, he seriously thought of everything!

After Kyle unloaded the bag of goodies that he brought for me, we headed into my basement to have a Curb Your Enthusiasm marathon. We were armed with a wad of tissues, a bag full of Sour Patch Kids, Starbursts, and Skittles, as well as the rules of: 1) Refrain from breathing on Kyle and 2) NO KISSES. We deemed the sign of affection “mouth kissin” thanks to me being silly and constantly asking him for a kiss anyways. Kyle tucked me in on the futon and we began our TV marathon which we decided to do in the afternoon so we could watch our movie in the evening.

As soon as we were done with Larry David for the day, we took a break so that I could get something to drink and refill my tissue stash. Kyle came upstairs with me toting my trash can full of tissues to empty which I thought was the sweetest thing ever. It was also one of the suggestions that he found in his research to empty the trash can often. Once we got everything we needed we headed back into the basement to start the movie.

Crimson Peak was a movie that Kyle and I planned on seeing in theaters but we never got around to it. It finally came out on video and I’ve been eager to see it so I was so happy when Kyle rented it for me. Unfortunately, the movie was severely disappointing so I’m glad we didn’t bother seeing it when it first came out. Even though the movie sucked, it was still fun to be able to watch it together!

By the time the movie was done, I was exhausted so we decided to start bringing my Sick Day to an end. We concluded our day by watching Malcolm in the Middle on the computer which is what we usually do before bed when we’re at his house. Kyle then tucked me in under my seven blankets (I like to be really warm when I sleep!) and hit the road. Even though I felt like death, it was sure a perfect end to an awesome day.

I can’t get over how sweet Kyle was to take care of his poor sick girlfriend. He filled my day that shouldn’t have been very fun with so much joy and at some points I even forgot how sick I was feeling. A tell tale sign that Doctor Boyfriend did a great job. Thank you so much for taking such good care of me, babe! I love you!! ❤

I think it’s safe to say that I had one of the best Sick Days in the world thanks to Kyle! As I write this, I’m still feeling pretty shitty but I’m feeling better than yesterday so that’s a plus! Has anyone battled a tough cold or flu recently? What are some remedies that you swear by to feel better? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Almost There!

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Almost There!

Howdy! As you guys know, I’m itching to get to the 5,000 friend mark on Facebook. Thanks to all of your help, I only need: 133 more friend requests!!!! I am so close I can taste it so I’m sending out the Lil Red signal again for friend requests since I’m in the home stretch! Here are the links to my pages:

Any friend requests, likes on my page for lifewithlilred, or BOTH would be so greatly appreciated! While you’re on my personal Facebook page, please make sure you give the articles that I post a click because it helps me get paid! And as always, if you’re interested in signing up for Twistfire Media so you can get paid to use social media, you can email me at: sarah.mush6794@gmail.com!

ONE MORE THING:

I know that I have some Seinfeld fans on here so I need your help! My film professor and I both share an undying love for the greatest sitcom ever created and he emailed me today with a survey that he made. The survey asks you to pick which one of Jerry’s girlfriends is your favorite and it literally takes ten seconds. To take the survey, click here! My favorite is Jane from “The Stall”. I don’t have a square to spare. I can’t spare a square…

Thank you guys all so much from the bottom of my little black heart for all of your help and support! It does not go unrecognized and it means so much to me!! Who did you pick as your favorite girlfriend in the survey? How many Facebook friends do you have? I wanna hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah