Tag Archives: tgif

Creative Storage Ideas For Tiny Homes

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Creative Storage Ideas For Tiny Homes

If you have a pretty small home or apartment, then the struggle to find enough space to store things around the home, really is real. But if you’re not quite ready to throw the majority of your things away (Who is?!), then you need to know some awesome hacks for maximizing the storage space. Here are some ways to make the most of the space in a small home:

Floor To Ceiling Storage:

When there isn’t much storage, you want to make sure that you’re using the most of the space you’ve got. So for things like bookshelves or kitchen units, make sure that they go from floor to ceiling. You don’t want any wasted space left at the top of the kitchen cabinets, for instance.

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Floor to ceiling storage is a must.

Create Outdoor Space:

If you have the ability to add space outdoors but don’t have the budget for an extension, then something like a wraparound porch could be a good idea. It is pretty simple to construct, it adds floor space, it won’t cost too much to arrange, and is a great hang out spot for friends and family.

Use Garage Space:

If you’re lucky enough to have a garage, then you need to make sure that you’re using it wisely. If you use it for your car, do you really need to be? Could you make better use of it by using it as an additional room in the home or for storage? It might need some changes to it, through the help of garage door services, for example. But once it is secure and has everything that you need in it, it can be a really invaluable space. Man cave or she shed, anyone?

Embrace Open Plan Living:

To help a home feel larger and more spacious than it is, then some walls are going to need to come down. When rooms are small and walls are thick, it can make the home look darker and much smaller. So it could be time to opt for a kitchen diner or kitchen and living space. Just check what walls can be knocked down before you take the sledgehammer and angsty feels to it!

Use Under the Stairs Space:

The space left under the stairs can be pretty huge (Except for Harry Potter!). But because it is a little awkward, it can often just get left to hang some coats and that’s about it. But if you plan carefully, you can get some shelving and storage under there, for sure. Using every space you have is so important – even the little nooks and crannies!

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LOVE THIS!!

Get Creative With Mirrors:

Mirrors are a great way to help a room look brighter and larger, so make sure that you get creative with the use of them around your home. Aim for at least one per room and the space will feel and look much brighter, lighter, and airy.

Use Room Dividers:

If you’re not quite ready to go open plan, then you could at least think about getting room dividers instead of walls. They could be glass partitions, curtains, or even large sliding doors so that you can open up the whole space if you want to (But you don’t have to have it that way all the time.).

Sweet and small homes are amazing – but your storage might not be! Use the tips above to open up your space and make the most of it!

Featured Image By: Flickr

October Bath & Body Works Freebie

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October Bath & Body Works Freebie

Hi everyone and TGIF! Another month brings another Bath & Body Works freebie to add to my body care hoard. I’ve grown pretty fond of using my coupon for a free travel sized product to get a shower gel mini as of late. They are perfect (obviously) for overnight trips and vacations but they are also nice for when you feel like switching things up from your normal full sized body washes. Take a look at my mini shower gel steal and let’s discuss:

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Lol. Yeah. I did get Japanese Cherry Blossom. Despite this scent reminding me of my grade school’s locker room at gym class, I just couldn’t help myself from grabbing it. This soft and pretty but not too sweet floral fragrance spoke to me for some reason and I just couldn’t resist the bright red coloring of the shower gel!

I normally select my freebies with gift giving in mind, because they make for perfect present add ons. However, this shower gel is all for me. It would be sinful for anyone but Lil Red to use it, after all. 😉

So there you have it, my October Bath & Body Works Freebie. What is a scent that you love to hate? Which B&BW fragrances are your faves? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mission: Impossible (Friend To Buy A Gift For!)

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Mission: Impossible (Friend To Buy A Gift For!)

We all have that one person, whether it’s your best friend, a sibling, or significant other, there’s always someone who is just excruciatingly difficult to buy gifts for. With Christmas just around the corner, now comes a return of those anxieties, you want to be a good and thoughtful friend/family member/partner, but you have no idea where to begin. So what is the best way to buy a gift for someone who is impossible to buy for? Let’s try and think outside the (gift) box:

A Gift Card Or A Certificate:

This doesn’t exactly scream “well thought out”, but it’s a worthy compromise if you need to buy something for someone who has either got everything or they just haven’t given any hints. A gift card can seem like a cheap gift, especially since you have to tell them how much is on the card! In this respect, maybe you want to give them a gift card that is in conjunction with a few other gifts, such as a dinner out, movie tickets, or maybe a donation to charity, all wrapped up in a bright envelope.

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Who doesn’t love a gift card?!

Buy An Experience:

If you struggle to buy someone a physical gift, why don’t you buy them something that is going to stick in their mind for years to come? An experience is so much more than the typical presents that we buy for everyone. Maybe you want to plan a fun day trip or there’s a concert coming up by one of their favorite bands. At least with an experience, it shows that you put a lot of thought into what they like. And even if you haven’t had the opportunity to put much thought into it, the experience alone is so different from what they normally get as a present, that they will be totally psyched.

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 I want that trip!

Go For The Practical Option:

While this may not be the most earth-shattering of gifts, if you’ve noticed that their curling tongs have broken recently or their coffee machine is on the fritz, then you can buy them a new and improved model. It’s always difficult with these types of items to pick the best one, but there are sites that you can look at to get some reviews, such as top9rated.com, to get some opinions of the best items on the market. With a practical gift, it shows that you pay attention to them and have made a valiant effort to make life a bit easier for them.

Practical gifts also don’t need to be boring as there are so many different customizable options. You could have a T-shirt made with a picture of your giftee’s favorite band. How about a travel bag with their initials embroidered? If your giftee is your favorite person to go on a coffee date with, they will love this “I wish you lived next door” mug. Whatever you choose, the person receiving the gift will think about you every time they use it!

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 Pixabay Image

A Subscription Service:

We usually think of a gift as a one-off, but with a subscription service, you can pay for something that they will enjoy the whole year round. Something like netflix.com will always be handy if they travel around a lot and end up getting bored easily. Or maybe they are work out addicts, so you could pay their subscription to the gym for a year. It’s always a nice thing to buy a gift that is part of their lifestyle so that they can think of you every time they use it!

Buying gifts for a loved one should be fun, not stressful. Take some time to sit down, have a think, and figure out the perfect gifts for your BFF/SO/siblings this holiday season.

If The Shoe Fits: Baroque Bamboo Edition

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If The Shoe Fits: Baroque Bamboo Edition

Hi everyone and TGIF! As we progress deeper into fall, my love affair with TJMaxx intensifies. I’ve seemed to have amazing luck both in store and online for the past few months, and normally this never happens. We can all relate to times when we’ve walked into a TJs or Marshall’s and exited with nothing to show for it. I can’t say that I’m mad about my shopping success, because it’s great for my wardrobe but bad for my bank account! Meh… I just try not to think about it. 😉 Anyways, take a look at my new Bamboo brand heeled booties and let’s discuss:

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Normally, I try not to follow trends too closely as they’re happening, but there has been quite a few statement looks that I’ve been loving this fall and the baroque style is obviously one of them. Baroque has been very in this season and that is definitely reflected in these black booties with the “look at me” metallic gold filigree.

TBH, I can’t say that I was totally in love with my new Bamboo booties when I was ordering them. BUT, my mom really liked them and that clearly talked me into it. And now that the boots have made their arrival, I am so glad that she gave me the extra push to get them! I love clothes and accessories that make a statement and these babies just scream “I AM A SASSY GODDESS” while sporting them. And that is a hell of a statement. 😉

Obviously, I love the pattern of these shoes but I really love the shape of them, as well. They wear more like a platform heel than just a normal old blocked one because of the sharp upward arch. And if there’s one thing that this little mamma jamma loves, it’s a platform heel. The shape of these Bamboo babes combined with the golden filigree has a really regal feel to them, which is something that I have never associated with any of the clothes or shoes in my vast collection. And, I gotta tell ya, feeling like royalty is an amazing change of pace!!

I could name off a bunch of different styles of clothing that I’m looking forward to wearing these boots with. But, honestly, I’m most excited to pair these with a really sharp pair of black skinny jeans to create a sleek silhouette. I then plan on finishing the look with a more grungy piece in my wardrobe, like my Anarchy In The UK button down from Zara. The punk rock vibes on top will create an edgy and cool contrast with the regal feels from the shoes. And, of course, the gold filigree will look fabulous with the army green button down! I. CAN’T. WAIT!

So there you have it, the latest issue of If The Shoe Fits: Baroque Bamboo Edition! What is your favorite trend to sport this fall? How would you style these bootie babes? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

September 2017 Finishes

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September 2017 Finishes

Hellooo everyone and TGIF. Holy moly – can you believe that it’s already the end of September?! Time is completely flying by, and the end of another month means that it’s time to talk shop on all of the beauty products that I finished up during September’s thirty day run. Take a looksee and let’s discuss:

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Would I Use Again?

  • Softsoap Sweet Honeysuckle & Orange Peel shower gel: YES
  • CPR Heat Protecting spray: YES
  • St. Ives Pink Lemon & Mandarin Orange scrub: YES
  • The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost: YES
  • The Body Shop Vitamin E moisturizer: YES

Why/Why Not?

Softsoap Body Wash: I loooove me my Softsoap body washes. They lather so well, smell amazing, and are a wonderful value. The Sweet Honeysuckle & Orange Peel scent is definitely my favorite, though. I love citrus scents and this gel is so bright and invigorating, even when it’s combined with the soft, floral sweetness of honeysuckle. It took me about a month to finish this gel. However, as I was not the only one using it while I was on vaca for a week earlier this month, it would have lasted longer.

CPR Spray: I won this from a giveaway (Woohoo!) and I really enjoyed using it. I flat iron my hair almost every day, so a good heat protecting spray is a must. This CPR protector worked very well in not only saving my hair from damage, but leaving it shiny and sleek because it’s infused with argon oil. I don’t remember exactly what this product smelled like, but I know that it was good or I wouldn’t have been putting it in my hair! It took me about three or so months of daily use to finish this protecting spray.

St. Ives Scrub: I love all of the different scrubs that St. Ives has to offer, but the Pink Lemon & Mandarin Orange is my favorite, aside from the Apricot one! Facial scrubs are a must in my skin care arsenal and this one definitely did its job well. Not only did the sweet/tart scent smell fantastic, but it left my skin completely glowing after every use. The moderate amount of grit that this scrub offers helped buff away all of my imperfections and my skin looked and felt totally radiant. It took me one month of daily use to finish this scrub.

TBS Skin Boost: You guys already know how much I love this product, so nothing needs said here! It took me about two and a half months to finish my Skin Boost.

TBS Moisturizer: You guys also already know how much I love this product, so nothing needs said here, either! It took me one month to finish this moisturizer.

September gave me a perfect month of product empties, because I would use all of them again in a heartbeat. There was nothing about any of the products listed above that I didn’t like and I feel like each one gave me the most bang for my buck and tons of beauty benefits, to boot!

So there you have it, my September 2017 Finishes! Which products did you finish up this month? Have you used any of my empties before? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Woot Woot!

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Woot Woot!

Hey everyone and happy Friday!! It’s a big friggen FIESTA up in here because guess what I did yesterday?! YES, I did eat Taco Bell. BUT that’s not all…

I PURCHASED MY GREYHOUND BUS TICKET TO SEE KATE FROM ANKHOR YOU IN OCTOBER!!!!!!!!!!!

The Bloggers Conference is officially on AF and I’m so excited I can hardly contain myself. Because I ball on a budget, I am saving over one hundred dollars by enduring the nine hour bus ride to Manhattan from Cleveland instead of flying. Of course flying is more convenient and obviously less time consuming but I now have one hundred dollars more for New York shopping money, instead! I’ll take it!

Lil Red has never been to NYC before so, needless to say, I am very excited. Kate and I are about to be two bad mamma jammas taking the city by storm. By storm, I tell ya! We have SO MANY ACTIVITIES planned as well as tons of photo shoots so keep your eyes peeled for many a collaborative post by yours truly and Ankhor You!

And, of course, I am still looking for Halloween themed guest posts for while I am away, so if you are interested in being on lifewithlilred and you can have a post ready by October 10th, then please email me at: sarah.mush6794@gmail.com 🙂

What are some must see sights in New York? What themes should Kate and I do for some Bloggers Conference 2017 photo shoots? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Giphy

Excessive But Enriched: Having A High Quality Of Life When You’re Too Busy

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Excessive But Enriched: Having A High Quality Of Life When You’re Too Busy

Many guides are making the rounds about living life to the fullest or having that perfect work/life balance. But, the fact of the matter is, that this is incredibly difficult for the vast majority of us. Especially when you think about parents who have more than one child and have things like family commitments in addition to working, it’s bound to have a major impact. There’s a lot of stress that can make an effect on their ability to live a proper life that has meaning, aside from their children. So, how can we all live a rich and fulfilling life when we are so busy all of the time? Here’s how:

Make Health Your Top Priority:

Even though we can work excessive hours and not feel like we have time to ourselves and our loved ones, if we address the mental and physical health aspects of our lives, it means we are better equipped to deal with these overarching stresses in our lives. It is such a cliché, but you are what you eat, and also people seldom make the connection between a bad diet and low mood. It’s best to think of your body like a car, you wouldn’t put the wrong fuel in your car, so why should you put the wrong fuel in your body? You may not even realize you have an intolerance of some sort, and there are plenty of online blood tests you can order to check if there’s anything you have a deficiency in. By getting your health back on an even keel, physically and mentally, it leaves you with more energy, which leaves you better prepared to make the most of what little time you have left during your week.

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Working out is a great stress reliever!

Leave Work Behind When You Leave The Office:

Even the busiest CEOs who work over 70 hours a week will tell you the importance of compartmentalizing your life in this respect. It’s easy for the mental baggage we take with us after we leave the office to hang around us and loom large in our minds, even if we’re not consciously thinking about it. Have a look at the Instagram of Chris Pivik, an entrepreneur with the busiest of careers. He still manages to get out and see the world despite his career. And the entrepreneur to end all entrepreneurs, Tony Robbins, will tell you about the value of a vacation to make lasting memories with your loved ones.

It’s these things that will replenish your emotional well being and leave you with a better outlook on the world. And, granted, a lot of us don’t take many vacations due to time constraints or lack of finances, but many businesses now are hot on the notion of flexi time, and this is something that you should take advantage of. It doesn’t do anybody any favors to get engrossed in your work outside of the office, especially if you have loved ones you rarely get to see. In this instance, it may be worth looking for a different career, one that leaves you feeling more fulfilled, so when you do go home, you have the satisfaction of feeling like you have achieved something throughout the course of your day.

The way to live an enriched life is not completely about tackling your work/life balance, but in feeling that you have a sense of emotional freedom. This is the key to you living a rich life when there are so many every day world pressures to get you down.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Essential Tips For College Seniors

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Essential Tips For College Seniors

While everyone is talking about the basic checklist for your first year in college, they seem to forget that we need it even more by our final year. The first-year students always seem to have their first year on campus soundly figured out. The rest of us, on the other hand, face a turbulent time of final exams and the prospects of unemployment.

College seniors need good advice now more than ever, so here it is; your go-to-guide for acing your final year in college, graduating with grace, and increasing your chances on the job market:

Finish Strong:

Some of us have the untimely habit of starting off with great energy before slacking off as we approach the finish line. The final year of college is no exception to this, and those who manage to keep their motivation up may be able to graduate with excellent grades – or at least mediocre ones.

While you may be focusing on the job market at the moment and thinking more about the future than the present, in general, you need to manage the balancing act of keeping one foot on both sides. Check out forbes.com, as well, for some tips on landing your dream job.

Sure, it’s vital that you research the market and figure out the kind of company that you’d like to work for. BUT – college isn’t over yet. Keep the good habits up, focus on achieving, and remember that you don’t have to plan every detail of your future quite yet.

Plan A Little:

At some point, it will inevitably strike you that you’re done with college in nine or ten months. What now? Depending on your field of study, the final year is usually laid out for you to land a relevant job as soon as possible. Take advantage of the offers and guidance on campus, attend those seminars, and work on expanding your network. When graduation is over with, you’ll be happy to have as many contacts as possible.

Feeling slightly stressed about the future is perfectly normal, by the way, so remember that you’re not alone in all of this. We’re all wondering where to go next and questioning yourself too much will only make you feel overwhelmed and unable to focus on your studies.

When the “what now” sinks in after graduation, remember how far you’ve come. Display your diploma proudly as a constant reminder and don’t forget to protect this important document. Whether you frame it or display it in a Jostens diploma cover, the last thing you want is for it to get damaged after working so hard!

Remember To Breathe:

If you forget to take care of yourself this year, you’re not going to perform as well as you had hoped. An amount of exams, assignments, questions from family members on what your next plan is, and whether or not you’re going to marry your SO after graduation, will lead to stress. This again leads to sleepless nights, binge-eating, and hiding from the world with Netflix and your pajamas, wishing you were just out of high school again when everyone expected you to mess up.

It’s alright; we all have it like this, and the best thing that you can do is to keep balance. Wake up at the same time every morning, keep a healthy lifestyle, and swap out that old mattress once and for all by having a look at mattress.review. It will help you through those sleepless nights so that you can wake up refreshed and ready to tackle the next exam.

You don’t have to have it all figured out by graduation, and it’s impossible to say what your life will look like in a few years. Maybe you get married, move to another country, or decide to raise a bunch of children rather than focusing on your career – it’s nothing to worry about right now. Think about your exams, plan for success, and the rest will come as it should.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Happy Three Year Blogiversary, lifewithlilred!

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Happy Three Year Blogiversary, lifewithlilred!

Hi everyone and TGIF! Today is a very exciting day because it’s lifewithlilred’s three year Blogiversary! Three years ago to the day (Or yesterday, actually, lol – you can never be sure!), my blog baby was conceived. And now, three years later, lifewithlilred continues to go strong with readers in over one hundred and seventy different countries. Wow!

Lifewithlilred came into being when I made the decision to go to college. I needed a change from feeling like I was going nowhere, thanks to spending four years working retail in the mall (Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but it was my time to go.). During my time selling clothing, I began growing what is now the black abyss that is my wardrobe and my peers and strangers, alike, agreed that I was fashionable and somewhat funny. At least once per week, I was told that if I began a blog, that I would have a reader in the person making the suggestion.

After enough positive prodding from the general public, I rolled my eyes and said, “fine”. I was making big and exciting changes in my life, so I figured “what’s one more?”. Thus, lifewithlilred was born. My blog name sprouted from the nickname, “Lil Red”, that was lovingly given to me by one of my favorite coworkers. And, Lil Red, obviously sprouted from my trademark red hair and red lipstick. Lifewithlilred just rolled off the tongue, so it stuck.

In my three years on the blogosphere, I have made so many amazing friends and wrote for companies that I admired from afar, like Adore Me and Warby Parker. My writing skills have improved a thousand fold, thanks to trying to post daily, and my confidence has skyrocketed from putting myself out there in the public eye. Lifewithlilred gives me a place where I feel like I am being heard, which is something that I used to want so desperately when I was feeling at my lowest. My blog truly feels like my little slice of internet paradise, and I am so proud of building that for myself and my readers.

Speaking of my readers! Here’s to all of you. Although I would love lifewithlilred even if I was the only person reading it, it would be a pretty lonely place without all of my friends and fans tuning in. To those of you who have been on my page since the beginning, thank you for your endless support. And to those of you who just discovered lifewithlilred, welcome aboard and I so hope that you will stick with me as my page continues to grow.

Thank you to everyone reading this. Thank you to anyone who has so graciously given my page a like, follow, comment, and the time of day. Lifewithlilred would be nothing without all of you!

Happy Three Year Blogiversary, lifewithlilred!!! ❤

What inspired you to start blogging? How long have you been on the blogosphere for? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Clean Eats, Fast Feets

Assembling A Grooming Kit For The Man In Your Life

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Assembling A Grooming Kit For The Man In Your Life

There’s no denying that women get the best stuff when it comes to beauty. We get the clothes, shoes, and accessories. And, to top it all, we get the beauty products. While more men are admitting to using moisturizer, it’s still not the norm. And, male makeup is even less so. While we get to luxuriate in lipsticks and explore with eyeliner, men get funny looks if they put so much as a splash of foundation on. It’s a shame.

A more intense grooming routine might not be on your guy’s radar. But there’s no better time than the present to introduce them to one! If you feel bad your man doesn’t have a beauty kit to match yours, it might be time to treat him to one of his own. Of course, you need to specify to his needs, so why not focus on shaving? If he’s seen this as a purely practical part of life thus far, he’s sure to appreciate a little added luxury to his routine. Here are a few ways that you can provide it:

A New Razor: Start by stocking up on new razors. He may already have one that is functional – but, functional won’t cut it. Instead, get him the best choice possible by looking at reviews like the ones on iwantashaver.com. During your research, look out for options that have something special. Perhaps they’re tailored for comfort or have a few extra clip ons. Either way, you want something that stands apart from what he’s already got to add that extra sense of luxury.

Beard Oil: Recent years have seen a significant boost to beard oil sales. These wonderful smelling oils give any beard a much-needed shimmer. Encourage your man to add on to his morning routine by buying him a kit with a few different oils. This is an added touch of pampering, which he’ll surely grow to love!

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Fancy stuff!

Shaving Cream: As with the razor, your man probably has shaving cream already. But, any old option isn’t going to help him enjoy shaving sessions. Instead, look into some more upmarket options. Something scented with a smell he adores is sure to go down well. Find a scent that’s invigorating for his morning routine to dissipate any grumpiness before that first cup of coffee!

Brushes: Of course, that cream won’t do any good if he has no way to apply it. He could always us his fingers, but it’s hardly the best way to a winning beauty routine. Instead, it’s worth buying him a set of shaving brushes. If you don’t fancy a whole set, you could choose a top-quality standalone which will provide the same experience.

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I want one of those for me! 😀

Somewhere To Keep It All: Us women keep our makeup in bags or vanity cases. But, men more often than not shove their shaving stuff wherever it fits. Stop that habit by buying him a bag of his own, like this one at www.sleepypandapieces.com. Not only is this more practical, but it ensures that his beauty routine will feel like more of an event. Just like you, he’ll have to get his kit out before he can get ready each morning!

Everyone needs a little pampering in their lives and it’s easy to forget that guys do, too. Surprise him with a shaving kit just in time for the end of No Shave November for extra brownie points for days!

Featured Image By: Maxpixel