Tag Archives: tgif

Nov11

They’re Baaaack

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They’re Baaaack

Hi everyone and TGIF! Okay, so this week’s Monday Update involved me freaking out because I broke one of my natural nails that I have been trying so freaking hard to grow out in lieu of getting acrylics. Well, two days after that, another nail broke so I said “fuck it” and went to get my claw babies back on Thursday. After about a year of being talon-free, it felt so good being back in the trusted and true hands of my beloved nail tech, Vinny.

As I mentioned before, asides from dying my hair, getting my nails done is my absolute favorite way to pamper myself. I love being able to sit back, relax, and let Vinny work his magic and make my nails look pretty. One of the things that I love the most about long nails is how they make my hands look. Naturally, my hands are quite small and stumpy but lengthy nails make my hands look elongated and beautiful. When I had to cut my natural nails after two of them broke, I was so sad to see my hands shrink down to their bitty size right before my eyes. But now, everything is as it should be and having janky nails is one less thing for me to worry about. Take a look:

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The other main reason that I wanted to get my nails done was for my graduation which is coming up on December 15th. I told myself that if I can’t get my natural nails how I like them, then I would treat myself to my acrylics and I am so glad that I did! I do wish that they were a little bit longer but they will do for now and Vinny said he’ll take care of it when I get them filled – he’s such a gem! :*)

Now my graduation ceremony beauty check list for looking fab as I strut across the stage looks something like this:

  • Get nails filled.
  • Dye hair.
  • Get a hair cut.
  • Put together a graduation ceremony worthy outfit!

I am so happy to have my nails back but it has been a doozey of a twenty-four hours while I get used to living my life with talons again! So far, everything is going just fine minus a small scare with my car door. Other than that things are A-okay – especially now that I can put my babies to work on my laptop keyboard again! LOVE IT! ❤

I hope everyone has a super fun and relaxing weekend! What kind of outfit do you think I should wear for graduation? Who else has a passion for long nails? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov4

The Mixed Emotions Of Moving House

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The Mixed Emotions Of Moving House

It is important to take a compassionate approach when moving to a new home. It’s not the easiest thing to do. In fact, it is well known as one of the most difficult and stressful things you can go through – and that’s even when you are looking forward to your new home! So how can we deal with your own emotions, as well as those of our nearest and dearest during the moving process? Read on to find out.

Stress: No matter what else you are feeling about your impending move, stress is likely to be featured on your radar somewhere. With all of the packing, cleaning, and organizing to be done, very few of us get away from it stress-free.

So how can we effectively manage our stress during a move and stop the process from being worse than it needs to be? First of all, it’s essential to be organized. Chucking things in bin liners the morning of the move is going to do nothing for your stress levels. Same with getting to your new home and having no clue where your mugs and coffee are. And spending three hours looking for your duvet before you can get into bed is not going to keep you calm. You need to know where everything is and how to get to it. Create check lists, label boxes clearly, and keep your boxes organized by what room they belong in to help keep yourself more organized.

The actual process of lugging boxes and transporting them can be exhausting and stressful, too. Especially when you have the major task of unpacking them all at the other end to look forward to. To help with this, you could employ professional furniture removalists. They can take the brunt of the heavy lifting while you conserve your energy for the trials ahead.

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Pixabay Image

Sadness: It is not surprising that when moving, a lot of us can experience sadness. It can be hard to move out of a property that holds a lot of sentimental memories for us. It can be equally as difficult to take the plunge and move further away from loved ones and friends. Especially if you have built an amazing relationship with them over the years.

It can help to have a going away party so you can say goodbye to everyone in a formal way. This gives a sense of closure and celebration in moving onto the new and shows that you care as well as will stay in touch after the move.

Excitement: One of the most major emotions that a lot of people feel when moving is excitement. It can be thrilling to move to a new property and decorate it just they way you want. You might also get excited about making a fresh start, meeting new neighbours and friends, and sampling all that your new town or city has to offer.

It’s important to not get carried away, though. Doing too much when you first move can bring about exhaustion and additional stress. This is not the best way to start your new life. Also while you want to get going at putting down some roots, it’s often better to let friendships develop naturally over time.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Oct28

Ways To Wrap Your Mind Around New Technology

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Ways To Wrap Your Mind Around New Technology

Technology is at the center of everything. With new developments happening every day, it can sometimes feel as though gadgets are taking over. But when things are advancing so fast, how can we keep up? As soon as you get the hang of one new gizmo, there’s another one to get to grips with. There’s no denying that technology has made a lot of things easier, but what do you do when you can’t get the hang of it? There’s no stopping the pace of technology but you can at least take steps to help you get to grip with things a little faster.

Instructional Videos: Presumably, the computer is one thing you are comfortable with. You found this blog post, after all! It may seem crazy to use one form of technology to help with another, but it’s a good tip. A computer can help you with an abundance of things. There is a wealth of information on the internet so it would be silly not to use it. Watching videos is a fantastic way to get the hang of new technology. There are videos on just about anything. Whether you’re struggling with a phone, a camera, or a microphone, there’s sure to be a video showing you how to use it. These videos are fantastic because they’re easy to follow and you can see the steps to take. You don’t have to worry about understanding instructions when you can watch (and rewatch!) somebody show you how.

Product Reviews: If you’re struggling with knowing which product is the right match, reviews could be a great help. It’s worth checking out thesmartcave. They have some fantastic product reviews that are sure to help you navigate the technological minefield. From phones to thermostats, they’ve got you covered. Reviews are excellent at laying out in simple terms what features a product has to offer. You don’t want all the fancy lingo and sales pitches. You just want an easy to understand lowdown of what a product can do! That’s exactly what reviews offer you.

Ask The Kids: This might sound strange, but it works! Kids are growing up in this technological age where there’s a new gadget for them to play with every week. And what’s more, they’re picking them all up extremely quickly. Kids approach technology in an entirely fearless way. Even better, they are fantastic at using it. If there’s something you’re struggling with and you know some technically minded kids, then don’t be afraid to ask for their help. A kid who started using a smartphone before they started walking will be able to set up your new Sat Nav with ease.

The trick is not to let technology overwhelm you. Even if the instruction manual makes no sense, don’t let yourself get disheartened. There is always an easier way. Use old technology to help you understand new technology. Alternatively, use those who have grown up using these confusing gadgets. Either way, persevere. With a little effort, you’ll be a technological whizz in no time!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Oct28

Want To Look Gorgeous For Your Christmas Party? Start Preparing Today!

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Want To Look Gorgeous For Your Christmas Party? Start Preparing Today!

With the holiday season right around the corner, it is important to look your best. Work parties, family get togethers, bumping into everyone and their brother at the store – it is a time when it might seem like all eyes are on you. It may only be the end of October, but these tips will help you prep for looking your best this holiday season and all year round. Take a look.

Want To Look Gorgeous For Your Christmas Party? Start Preparing Today!

Work Christmas parties are often the highlight of the year and an occasion many people look forward to. It’s a chance for you and your work colleagues to let your hair down and enjoy yourselves after a stressful year. It’s also the perfect excuse to get dressed up and look your absolute best. While you understandably want to have fun, Christmas parties can help your career. If you stand out, network with others and impress your boss, you may have a promotion in your sights. So to give you the confidence to do this effectively, you need to feel good about your appearance.

Even though it might seem premature, there are things that you can do now to help you look gorgeous in time for your work party. Take a look at these tips to help you get prepared well in advance.

Get Style Inspiration: One of the benefits of getting ready for your Christmas party now is that you have plenty of time to find the perfect outfit. But before you hit the shops, you need to get some holiday style inspiration. To help you get started, talk to your boss and colleagues about the type of affair that the party will be. This will ensure that you choose an outfit that makes a statement while also being suitable for the activity. For instance, if you are going out for drinks at a local bar, a ball gown might not be appropriate.

So whether it’s a casual meal or a big holiday ball, you can start getting inspired by potential outfit ideas now. You can go on http://www.pinterest.com/ and look at fashion magazines and blogs. Social media is another resource you can use. You can also try on outfits at your favorite stores and boutiques to see how they look and make you feel. This can give you a clear idea of what suits you and what doesn’t. Don’t forget to look at possible accessories and shoes to accompany your outfit too!

Getting inspired before you start shopping can be extremely beneficial. It helps you find possible outfits that will suit your body type and colors that suit your skin tone. Knowing what kind of outfit you want to buy can simplify your shopping process and make it less stressful. You can also start planning how you want your hair and makeup to look. Don’t forget accessories too! Any holiday look isn’t complete without a touch of bling from paradigm jewelry. All of this information can make choosing a fabulous outfit for your Christmas party as easy as possible.

Whiten Your Teeth: A bright, white smile can make you seem more friendly and approachable to others. This is ideal if you plan to network and introduce yourself to others at your Christmas party. It can also make you feel more confident about your appearance which can make you feel amazing. So if you want to enhance your smile in time for your Christmas party, you need to whitening your teeth now. It can take weeks and multiple whitening sessions to get the results you want. This is why it’s always best to do this sooner rather than waiting till later.

The majority of dental surgeries now offer teeth whitening services to their patients. So contact your dentist to make an appointment. Alternatively, you can whiten your teeth by yourself at home. There are a number of kits you can buy that use either strips or mouth guards. These kits are easy to use and can give you excellent results but some are better than others. See http://TeethWhiteningAtHomeTips.com/ to find out which whitening strips are the most effective. It will be hard for you to stop smiling throughout the party when your teeth look so clean and bright.

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Smile!

Make an Appointment at Your Salon: As soon as the countdown to Christmas starts, hair and beauty salons will be overwhelmed with appointments. Remember that thousands of other people will be attending Christmas parties and want to look their best, too. To ensure that your hair looks beautiful for your party, you need to book an appointment at your salon now. This will ensure that you can have a consultation with your hairdresser beforehand to try out different hair styling ideas. You can also have your hair dyed, cut, and blow dried so it looks as fresh as possible for your party.

If you are unable to get an appointment for a consultation or cut at your hair salon, don’t panic. You can hire a mobile hairdresser to visit you at your home instead. But again make sure you make an appointment quickly as they too will get booked up.

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Pixabay Image

Start a New Skin Care Regime: When you are self-conscious of your skin, it can stop you from being confident and carefree. This is not how you want to feel when you celebrate the holidays. Instead of letting this continue, start a new skin care regime instead. This can help you get fresh and clear skin that makes you feel unstoppable. Makeup application can also be improved with clearer skin. It will go on more smoothly and stay in place longer. You also won’t have to wear as much because you won’t have blemishes or pimples to cover up.

It’s advantageous to start this regime as soon as you can to give your skin time to heal and adjust. Otherwise, you may not get the results you desire. There are countless products you can try to get glowing skin. But it’s vital that you create a regime with products that suit your skin type for the best results. Visit http://www.webmd.com/beauty/ or talk to beauty specialists to discover what your skin type is.

As part of your new regime, also get into the habit of cleaning your makeup brushes each week. Dirt, sweat, and old makeup can linger on your brushes and clog your pores. So using clean and hygienic brushes can benefit your skin significantly.

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 Pixabay Image

Even though your Christmas party might be not be happening just yet, these preparations will ensure that you look gorgeous no matter what. The more you do in advance, the less stressful the getting ready process will be. So rather than leaving it till the last minute, start preparing for your Christmas party today. You won’t regret it!

What is your perfect holiday party look? What is your winter skin care regime? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Oct14

Weekend Photo Shoot

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Weekend Photo Shoot

Hi everyone and TGIF! This weekend, I will be doing a photo shoot with my fabulous friend, Britta, who I had the pleasure of working with a few months ago. As an exchange of services, I will be conducting an interview with her so she can tell my readers and her clients all about the rebranding of her business. It should be a lot of fun and I am so excited to sport some fall fashion because it is my absolute favorite.

BUT, I need your help! I am looking for recommendations on outfits that I should wear. To help a sister out, please feel free to browse my Facebook page and pictures and tell me what in my wardrobe I should wear for a fresh fall look. You can also peruse through the “Fashion” tab on my blog to see some of my latest purchases that might not be showcased in a Facebook picture just yet. So take a look and I can’t wait to hear what you guys come up with! Much love. -Sarah

Oct7

Bath & Body Works October Freebies

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Bath & Body Works October Freebies

Hellooo everyone and TGIF! While I was in Asheville, North Carolina this week, I just had to take advantage of doing some shopping. I had three freebie coupons from Bath & Body Works burning a hole in my pocket and was eager to cash them in. I was also pretty happy to be able to walk into a new B&BW and not get judged too hard for just grabbing the free items and leaving! I’m pretty sure the B&BW that I frequent is super over me by now! I stocked up on three of their fall fragrances and now I’m here to rank them according to which ones I liked best. Take a look:

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  1. Champagne Apple & Honey: If you guys are familiar with my blog, it should come as no surprise that this scent was my favorite! As you know, I am obsessed with apple fragrances and this one is just divine! Bubbly and sweet champagne mixed with a tart, crisp apple and just the smallest splash of honey. This scent combines all of the bite of an apple plucked fresh from the orchard with the girly and fresh scent of sparkling champagne. Cheers!
  2. Golden Pear & Brown Sugar: This scent was nice! I was a bit worried that it would be too sweet of a scent which I don’t care for at all but I was pleasantly mistaken. The soft crunch of a juicy pear blended beautifully with the semi sweet scent of brown sugar. I liked how light this fragrance was because it’s easy for anything with “sugar” in the title to be too sweet to the point that it’s overpowering.
  3. Marshmallow Pumpkin Latte: Speaking of too sweet – this scent just didn’t do it for me. The marshmallow scent in this lotion is actually more like vanilla, which is something that I usually love. Unfortunately, the not so subtle sweetness of the vanilla created something that just smelled off when combined with the frothy pumpkin latte. Had this scent incorporated a bit more PSL style spiciness into it, I think it could have been salvaged but this one is definitely not for me!

Overall, I was really pleased with all of the fall Bath & Body Works fragrances. Despite not caring for the Marshmallow Pumpkin Latte scent, it will make a great add on gift for Christmas presents! And for those of you who live for the B&BW holiday scents, you better hit the mall pronto because they are already available in stores and online!

So there you have it, my Bath & Body Works October Freebies! Has anyone done some bath and body care shopping recently? What did you get? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep30

Reader Map Update

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Reader Map Update

Hi everyone and TGIF! As you guys know, I love keeping track of all of the fantastic readers that I have in over ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY FIVE different countries via a world map and push pins in my room. I haven’t posted an updated picture of my map in a while so I figured that there was no better time than the present since I broke the one hundred and sixty barrier. Take a look! And also enjoy my featured image photo which is a picture of my boyfriend’s dog, Karma! I love her big ol’ puppy smile SO much! :)))

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^^^ Hurray! Hurray!

I am so very thankful for all of my fabulous readers located from all of the different ends of the earth and I feel so proud every time I look at my reader map. It used to hang on display in my room but unfortunately, the wire that runs across the back of the board snapped months ago and both my dad and I have yet to address it. Every time it gets brought up, the classic phrase “I’ll do it later” comes up but rest assured that it is propped up on a very special place on my floor. 😉

I hope everyone is having a great day so far! Stay tuned for some new posts coming from my vacation cabin in North Carolina! What is everyone up to this weekend? Any big plans? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep16

Hats Off

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Hats Off

Hi everyone and TGIF! The next few posts on lifewithlilred are going to be all about my fall fashion haul that took place last weekend. I thought we would start from the top by discussing two gorgeous new hats that I can’t wait to top off my looks with this fall! Take a look:

Hat Haul:

  • Black Calvin Klein bobby hat: TJMaxx, $16
  • Mustard Yellow turban: Forever 21, $7

TJMaxx: While shopping at TJMaxx with my mom to find some new fall staples, my eyes locked in on my gorgeous new CK hat and I knew that I had to have it. I have never owned anything Calvin Klein before and at sixteen dollars, I thought the hat was a steal. The fit of the hat screams London Chic and the chain accent on the front is a great edgy detail to complete the look. I am planning a European trip for the spring of 2017 and I can totally picture myself ambling about the streets of London in this darling bobby style hat.

Forever 21: One of my favorite things to do when I have some spare time during the day is online shopping! I love browsing the pages of my favorite stores and drawing inspiration for spicing up my wardrobe. On Forever 21’s website I saw quite a few turbans that I was obsessed with so on Monday, my boyfriend and I went to the mall to check them out. Even though he told me that shopping in F21 with me was what purgatory must be like, he did treat me to this pretty crocheted, mustard yellow turban! Mustard yellow is one of my favorite colors to wear and this turban looks perfect against my bright red hair and pale skin. Shout out to my boyfriend for braving Forever 21 with me for this fabulous new addition to my fall accessories! ❤

So there you have it, my latest fall accessories haul in Hats Off! What fall accessories are you most looking forward to wearing? Who else loves sporting hats of all shapes and sizes during the cool weather? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep9

One Top, Five Fall Looks

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One Top, Five Fall Looks

Hi everyone and welcome to Miss Danielle’s OOTD post for my fall guest bloggers series! Danielle from Ride The Waves is going to teach us how to style five gorgeous fall looks with one simple top. This post takes the hassle out of getting ready and will have you on your way to being a fall fashionista in no time. Take a look and TGIF:

One Top, Five Fall Looks:

These looks feature an off white neutral top that can be worn five different ways to achieve five very unique fall looks. The looks go from casual to semi formal. Something for a day at the park, a nice dinner, and a night of dancing. Mix and match without the hassle of piles and piles of clothing…which later leads to a very messy room. (I know from personal experience!) Have fun with your fall looks – it’ll be here before we know it!

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^^^ Thank you so much again to the beautiful Danielle for showing us some fabulous looks for the fall. Once again, please check out her blog at Ride The Waves! What is your favorite outfit that Danielle created? Which look can you see yourself sporting this fall? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep2

Hello, It’s Me

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Hello, It’s Me

Hi everyone and TGIF! Welcome to the month of September here on lifewithlilred! My first week of the fall semester went as good as it can get but I am so looking forward to the three day Labor Day weekend! With summer coming to a close, I had to squeeze in wearing as many dresses as I can sans tights before the cold weather begins. Because I was feeling pretty, witty, and gay I enlisted the help of my lovely mother to take some new pictures of yours truly. I feel like I haven’t posted some Lil Red pics on here in a while so it was long overdue! Check them out and have an awesome weekend! Also, be on the look out for my fall guest bloggers series that premieres this week. The posts are amazing and I am so excited! Much love. -Sarah

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