Tag Archives: tjmaxx

Jun9

Fresh & Flouncy OOTD

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Fresh & Flouncy OOTD

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new OOTD here on lifewithlilred! We had an absolutely crap spring in good ol’ Akron, Ohio. It was cold, grey, and it felt like it was always raining. Until the sun came out! For the past few weeks we have been enjoying the most gorgeous weather and I have been living for the moderate seventy degree temps. All I want to do is be outside all of the time now! My cravings have been satisfied with lots of walks and hikes and a lovely outdoor birthday party for one of Johnny’s coworkers this past weekend. This is what I wore to celebrate:

Who? What? Wear?

Striped Top: Japna, TJMaxx

Tennis Skort: Kyodan, TJMaxx

Heeled Mules: Betsey Johnson, TJMaxx

I have no idea where I got the daisy earrings lol

After being bundled up in jeans and hoodies all spring, it has been delicious to break out shorts, skirts, and dresses. I am normally not a huge fan of dressing for summer but I can’t get enough of it now as the weather didn’t give me the opportunity to don my spring favorites. I love pretty, flowy blouses in the spring and decided to start there when styling this OOTD with an emerald green striped blouse by Japna. This top is so breezy and just screams spring and summer. I love how the navy and white stripes pop against the green and the bell sleeves that dance in the wind, offering the most feminine fluttering movement.

As this top featured stark white stripes, there was no better skirt to pair it with than my Kyodan tennis skort. Talk about a perfect combination! I love the preppy vibes that this skort provides sans hitting the tennis court lol. Rather than serve there, I’ll serve fashion instead! Also, major shout out to the skort because it is one of the best pieces of clothing that doesn’t get enough credit. There is nothing like the comfort of not having to worry about my underoos showing when the wind picks up and for that, I am thankful. #blessed

Finally, it was onto shoes and accessories. This OOTD had a pattern on top but a neutral piece on the bottom, which meant that I could have some fun with shoes. I chose a darling pair of heeled mules by Betsey Johnson because if her clothes and accessories aren’t fashion fun then I truly don’t know what is! How cute is that black and white heel and bright yellow flowers?! For earrings, I kept with the flower motif with a pair of daisy stud earrings and was ready to partay!

Stay tuned for the Blooper Reel from my Fresh & Flouncy OOTD coming soon! ❤

What is your favorite season? What are your summer wardrobe must haves? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun3

ValJean Labs Deep Cleansing Foaming Cleanser Review

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ValJean Labs Deep Cleansing Foaming Cleanser Review

Howdy!! I am an avid fan of the skin care brand, ValJean Labs, and have really enjoyed their Radiant Glow Scrub and Hydrate Foaming Cleanser. Their products are so gentle but effective, super long lasting, and cruelty free. During my last skin care haul at TJMaxx, I purchased the Deep Cleansing foaming cleanser with salicylic acid and tea tree and have been using it for the past two weeks or so. It is such a refreshing pick me up every morning and I have been loving the results! Let’s discuss:

The Deep Cleansing foaming cleanser by ValJean Labs is fabulousness in a bottle. I seriously can’t even begin to describe to you how invigorating it is! It’s like an icy cool blast but not in a harsh way – more like in a “Hey! Wake up!” kind of way lol. This bubbly, sudsy cleanser leaves my skin tingling and I can still feel that little buzz hours after my morning shower. Although the key ingredients of salicylic acid and tea tree are known to dry skin out, it has not had that effect on me in the slightest. My skin still feels so well nourished and it has beat my blackheads to boot!

This cleanser also features a scrub brush which is an especially nice touch. I have never seen that offered on a face wash before whether it be high end products at Sephora or bargain shopping at TJMaxx. I got this cleanser for six dollars and it feels like such a steal! After washing my face with my hands, I like to take the time to use the scrub brush and it’s just like getting a mini facial. The bristles are quite soft and I love knowing that it’s getting to all of the nooks and crannies that you won’t get from a regular hand wash. I’ll definitely be keeping the scrub brush even after this cleanser is complete for further use. 😀

If you are on the hunt for a new cleanser, I highly recommend anything by ValJean Labs! This Deep Cleansing face wash will be perfect for washing away the grime and sweat from summer days!

What is your favorite skin care brand? Are you loyal to one brand or do you use anything? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May30

The Devil Wears This OOTD

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The Devil Wears This OOTD

Howdy y’all and welcome to another brand new OOTD for the week here on lifewithlilred! This past weekend I enjoyed a wonderful outing to see The Devil Wears Prada 2 with my mom and sister as a belated Mother’s Day treat. I had been so looking forward to this get together and we were all chomping at the bit to see the sequel of one of our favorite movies. It definitely didn’t disappoint! I couldn’t see a movie about fashion without serving a little look myself. The Devil may Wear Prada but she also wears this:

Who? What? Wear?

Floral Top: Loft

Bubble Skirt: A New Day, Target

Word Bubble Heels: LFL, TJMaxx

I think the stained glass earrings are from Target!

I began styling this outfit with a skirt and top in mind and gravitated towards my A New Day bubble skirt first. I simply adore the pure whimsy of a bubble skirt and am so happy to finally have one in my wardrobe! It is just so different than any other skirt I own and the volume it offers speaks for itself. This bubble skirt is bouncy, flirty, and is as much fun to style as it is to wear. Although it’s certainly not high fashion like the clothes rocked in TDWP, I still feel like a model in it and that’s what fashion is all about!

With my skirt selected, I moved onto tops and went with a throwback from Loft. This shirt was purchased way back in 2017 when I started my first big girl job and needed business casual clothing to wear. My take on business casual? Classic shapes with eye catching designs! This silky tee is perfect under a smart blazer or as a standalone piece. That bright yellow color is everything and the pretty flowers simply pop. Especially when paired with a neutral like the black bubble skirt. 😀

Finally, it was onto shoes and accessories. For shoes, I opted for a funky pair of word bubble heels by LFL. I guess I was in a bubbly mood! These heels are so sassy and also feature a catchphrase from one of my favorite flicks – Clueless. What can I say, I love a fashion driven chick flick! In the accessories department I selected a gorgeous pair of flower shaped earrings that feature stained glass style gems. The blue, yellow, and green were just right with the top! With that, I was ready to hit the theater for our premiere viewing of The Devil Wears Prada 2!

Was this the most practical outfit to wear to go see a movie in? Not especially. Will I wear anything in the name of fashion? Absolutely!

What is your favorite chick flick? What is your favorite line from The Devil Wears Prada? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May29

Sporty Spice OOTD

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Sporty Spice OOTD

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new OOTD here on lifewithlilred! As a child I coveted wheelie shoes so badly and I’m pleased to report that I got them as an almost thirty-two year old lol. SCORE! I had been so eager to break them out and I’ve got to say, rollerskating is way harder than I anticipated. As a former figure skater, I thought I would have had a slight leg up but that was not the case whatsoever. But practice makes perfect and I can’t wait to continue taking my wheelies for a spin and improving. Big ups to anyone who roller skates well because your girl is impressed! At least I looked cute in my valiant attempt to skate…

Who? What? Wear?

Sports Bra: This was purchased forever ago from Target

Jean Shorts: American Eagle Outfitters

Hoop Earrings: Argentino Vivo, TJMaxx

Wheelie Shoes: ANEFUN, Amazon

Good ol’ Akron, Ohio has finally been treated to warm weather after an entire spring of chilly and rainy days. It has been absolutely delicious to go outside and see the sun rather than it constantly feeling like it is six o’clock in the evening! Since it has been so nice, I was able to sport a sassy little something to take my wheelies to the streets. I don’t have much in my wardrobe in terms of athletic wear but I figured a sports bra and shorts would do just fine.

Speaking of not having a lot of athletic wear, this is literally the only sports bra I own but it has served me well to hit the gym or ice skate in. I definitely had to take the padding out and I still like to wear an actual bra underneath it but your girl needs the extra support! So I guess this sports bra is more like a crop top instead lol. And what pairs better with a crop top than a cute little pair of jean shorts?! As always, the shorts from American Eagle Outfitters are the bomb and I live in them all summer long. They fit like a glove, are so comfy, and this reminds me that I could probably benefit from another pair or two!

Finally, it was onto shoes and accessories. Of course, pictured are my ANEFUN wheelie babes that I love oh so much. They are just so funky and cool and I appreciate their extra height even without the wheels down. Sans wheels they look like platform sneakers and that really speaks to my constantly wearing heels heart. For accessories, I went with a supersized pair of hoop earrings by Argentino Vivo to add some movement once the rollerskating portion of the photo shoot began. The movement provided by the earrings was top tier. The movement of me in skates? … Not so much! SMH.

Be sure to peep my TikTok for action videos of me trying to skate. Maybe by the end of summer I’ll actually be able to keep myself upright in them! #goals

Do you like rollerskating? What is your favorite summertime activity? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May28

May 2026 Finishes

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May 2026 Finishes

Howdy!! It’s about to be a wrap for May which means mine and Johnny’s birthaversary season is right on the horizon! We are SO excited to celebrate both of our birthdays and fifth wedding anniversary at the beginning of June and are going to host a party at chez nous. It should be a hoot and also Gemini crew say whatttttt! Before all of the big plans for June, we have to tie the month of May up in a pretty little bow by discussing my beauty finishes. There are A LOT of good ones in this batch and I am keeping my fingers crossed that I can find my new favorite moisturizer of all time again at TJMaxx. Let’s get to it:

Would I Use Again?

Clinical Works Vitamin C + Tea Tree Foaming Facial Cleanser: YES

Bath & Body Works Twisted Peppermint Body Lotion: YES

Bath & Body Works Champagne Toast Shower Gel: YES

Vital Beauty Brightening Eye Cream: MAYBE

Glow Hub Nourish & Hydrate Gel Moisturizer: YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why/Why Not?

Clinical Works Cleanser: I used up my last cleanser in mid January and finished the Clinical Works one a few days ago – making it an excellent value with daily use! This Vitamin C + Tea Tree foaming cleanser was where it’s at. It was so fresh and invigorating that it left my skin tingling as the foamy bubbles wiped away all of the grime from the day before. Two healthy pumps of this product was all that was needed for a full cleanse of the face and neck and it left my skin bright and blemish free. Although I don’t get pimples, I get blackheads around my nose and this cleanser made them a thing of the past. Highly recommend if you are looking for a new one!

Vital Beauty Eye Cream: I am especially partial to Vital Beauty’s Cooling Eye Gel and have been using it for the past several years. However, I decided to change it up when I saw the Brightening Eye Cream at TJMaxx and had been using it for the past two months and change with twice daily use. It was a nice enough eye cream but it just didn’t have that same blast of coolness that I have come to know and love with the eye gel. I also didn’t notice any major differences in radiance or fine lines so the Brightening Eye Cream didn’t exactly wow me. If it was the only available option at TJs then I would get it again but I’ll be sticking to the eye gel from now on.

Glow Hub Moisturizer: The peach scented gel moisturizer by Glow Hub was a complete and total dream product and I would more than happily use it again. It took about a month and a half of twice daily use to finish the jar and I saw fabulous results. My skin was simply glowing with each use and was left baby soft. It absorbed quickly, sat well under makeup, and a small dollop of the gel went such a long way for full face and neck coverage. Also, did I mention that it’s peach scented?! Such a delightful pick me up morning and night! This is one of the best moisturizers I have ever used and I know you will love it too. Definitely grab a jar or two (or ten) if you see it!

Despite one minor dud, this was a solid month of beauty finishes. Now, bring on the birthaversary!!!

Which products did you use up this month? What are your thoughts on any of the above products if you have used them before? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May25

Daisy Darling OOTD

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Daisy Darling OOTD

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new OOTD here on lifewithlilred! This past Sunday we enjoyed a wonderful day out celebrating my brother’s birthday and it was so much fun! We started our adventure by mini golfing at Fun n’ Stuff and then wrapped up the festivities with a delicious Middle Class Fancy meal at Applebees. We really lucked out with the weather because rain was on the forecast and it ended up being a bright sunshiny day – just what I needed to break out a sassy little OOTD! Check it out:

Who? What? Wear?

Daisy Crop Top: This was purchased forever ago at PacSun!

Jean Shorts: American Eagle Outfitters

Candy Button Platforms: B.A.I.T., Unique Vintage

Cherry Earrings: Anthropologie, TJMaxx

Spring is one of my favorite seasons and, unfortunately, it has been total crap in good ol’ Akron, Ohio. This spring has been cold, rainy, and grey and it basically feels like five o’clock in the evening all day. It was so exciting to be blessed with some warm weather so I could finally wear something other than jeans and a hoodie when I’m out and about! It was eighty degrees during our outing and my mind immediately went to a crop top and shorts to enjoy the weather before it changed for the worse. And, in classic Ohio fashion, it did a few days later lol SMH.

The crop top I chose was an ancient relic from my days at PacSun and it has to be around fifteen years old at this point. Do I care? Hard no! This delightful daisy crop is not only nostalgic but one of my favorites and I don’t think I’ll ever get rid of it. That punchy pink color is the sweetest and I mean, do we need to say anything more about the daisy boobs? That speaks for itself! All that was left to do was put on a pair of my go to AEO jean shorts and then it was onto shoes and accessories…

For my shoes I went with a fabulous pair of platforms by B.A.I.T. that were actually purchased for my Candy Queen Halloween costume. How adorable is that candy button motif?! Buying these heels was a total win/win because it was perfect for my costume and also perfect for spring and summertime use. They are oh so comfy and I had no problem strutting about for an afternoon on the mini golf circuit! Last on the agenda was accessories and since my tattoos were doing the talking, I kept it simple with a pair of simply charming cherry earrings. They provided an extra pop of girly cuteness and were the best little treat from TJMaxx at just ten dollars. With that, I was ready to score a hole in one!

Stay tuned for the Blooper Reel from my Daisy Darling OOTD and lots more fashion fun here on lifewithlilred! ❤

What is spring weather like in your neck of the woods? What is your favorite warm weather activity? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May18

Dressed To The Nines Pt. 2 OOTD

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Dressed To The Nines Pt. 2 OOTD

Hello everyone and welcome to Part Two of my Dressed To The Nines OOTDs from my cousin’s wedding weekend! Johnny and I had the most amazing time celebrating with my family and we so loved getting dressed up for such a special occasion. After my cousin’s wedding ceremony, we made a quick pit stop at the Hotel Indigo to rest and change into our reception outfits. I was very inspired by Audrey Hepburn a la Breakfast At Tiffany’s when I styled this look and am obsessed with how it turned out. I have been so excited to show you all because I think this is one of my best OOTDs yet! Check it out:

Who? What? Wear?

Dress: Lark + Grey, Ross

Gloves: These belonged to Johnny’s grandma!

Platforms: Mark Fisher, TJMaxx

I think the earrings are from Target!

As you recall from my OOTD post for the wedding ceremony, the dress code for the festivities was Creative Formal. This twelve dollar Lark + Grey dress from Ross fit under that category perfectly! While I feel terrible about cheating on my beloved TJMaxx, I just couldn’t help myself because this dress is everything. It is flirty, frilly, and oh so much fun. That fitted tank going into a cascading skirt of polka dot ruffles is so gorgeous and it moved like a dream. I couldn’t get over how it swirled and twirled when I hit the dance floor and it was received wonderfully by all of the wedding guests. I felt like a star!

All that was left to do with this dress was go straight to shoes and accessories. When I tried my dress on, I already knew exactly how I wanted to style it and did just that. I went for my Barbie pink pair of Mark Fisher platforms which played into the girly sweet vibes but also set the stage for the piece de resistance: A beautiful pair of sheer pink vintage gloves that belonged to Johnny’s grandma. I adore the length of these gloves and they added a touch of old Hollywood aesthetic to such a modern dress. Last but not least was a pair of strand of pearls earrings to further solidify the Audrey Hepburn inspiration with her favorite gem. Pearls are my ultimate fave too – Twinning!!

This OOTD was Audrey Hepburn Lil Red’s way and I am still swooning over the end results. What’s that old saying again? Steal from the best and make it your own!

Who is your celebrity style icon? What is your favorite Audrey Hepburn movie? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May9

Floral Fierce OOTD Bloopers

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Floral Fierce OOTD Bloopers

Hello everyone and welcome to the Blooper Reel from my Floral Fierce OOTD! TGIF, amiright?! I have been counting down to the end of the week since the beginning of the week lol. I just couldn’t help it because I am beyond excited for my cousin’s wedding weekend. Johnny and I simply come alive at a wedding and I just know we are all going to have a blast with my family. I can’t wait to dress to the nines, drink champagne, and dance the night away… Then tell you all about it next week! Let’s get this weekend eve started with some fun by poking some fun at these yikes shots:

Flashing a cheeky grin and looking beaver bella lol

Just having a laugh!! 😀

Here’s squinting at you, kid

My signature Squidward face

JOHNNY IS AWESOME AT TAKING PICTURES!!!!

Flamingo fierce

I am so BEAUTIFUL!!!

I have never really thought about bugs or pests before. I like butterflies, moths, ladybugs, lightening bugs, caterpillars and… that’s about it lol. However, I have been doing some content creating for a pest control company as of late and now it’s literally ALL I can think about! Thanks to this gig, I have developed quite an understanding for different Northeast Ohio pests, where they might be found, and warning signs of infestation. I really enjoy taking walks around the neighborhood and going on hikes and it has now turned into a demonstration of my newfound knowledge. I am constantly pointing things out to whoever is joining me on the trek!

Standing water from a storm? BOOM – mosquitoes. Tall grass in an unmaintained lawn? BOOM – ticks. Sodden mulch or rotted wood chips? BOOM – carpenter ants and termites lol. It’s a gift that I can’t freaking turn off to save my own life! I am one of those people who gets itchy just thinking about bugs. This was exasperated by a carpenter ant infestation in my old apartment. I woke up one night to one crawling on me and haven’t been the same since. Despite this little phobia, I do think it’s getting better because I am learning so much about these crawly creatures. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like I want them in my home or on my skin but I guess they’re not so bad… maybe? As long as they stay the frick away from me! 😀

Every walk I have been on since starting this job has put my pest knowledge to the test. Hey, it’s always great to learn something new!

What kind of pests are in your neck of the woods? What is your favorite bug? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May7

Floral Fierce OOTD

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Floral Fierce OOTD

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new OOTD here on lifewithlilred! It has been such a joy to break out warm weather clothing again and I have been having a blast styling spring OOTDs. While I love dressing for fall the best, spring is a very close second! Give me all of the light jackets and sweaters, skirts, and dresses!! I am obsessed with how this Floral Fierce look turned out and was excited to sport a new top compliments of my last TJMaxx trip. This outfit turned out exactly how I pictured it in the fitting room and that is always a feather in my cap! Check it out:

Who? What? Wear?

Embroidered Blouse: Democracy, TJMaxx

Bodycon Skirt: Originality, Dry Goods

Lace Up Heels: BCBG, TJMaxx

Face Silhouette Earrings: Cynthia Rowley, TJMaxx

Outside of black and red, I am extremely partial to the color yellow because it was my grandma’s favorite and it always reminds me of her. As soon as my eyes locked on the pretty, flax yellow blouse by Democracy when I was at TJs, it was like an instant hug from her and it instantly went into the cart! This lovely little number is decked out in sweet surprises from the embroidered flowers and scooped neck to the ruffle sleeves and delicate oyster hued buttons. The material is oh so soft and light and it just feels perfect for spring!

As per my OOTD vision in the TJMaxx dressing room, I paired my blouse with a bodycon skirt by Originality. I am very fond of a good bodycon skirt and this is, hands down, one of my faves. It fits like a glove and I love the funky 70s colors in the flower power pattern. With the blouse tucked in, a pseudo dress was formed and these two pieces together are magic. The yellow of the blouse closely mimics some of the flowers in the skirt for a fully cohesive combination. I felt like the star of a garden party, or my apartment complex at least, when I was rocking it lol.

In the shoes department, I opted for a darling pair of lace up heels by BCBG. These saddle brown heels were a neutral which is exactly what I needed for this look as there were already a lot of colors and patterns. They also provided the length for mile long legs which is a must with a bodycon skirt! For accessories, I kept things minimal for the same reason as the neutral shoes. There was a lot going on! I went for an ultra cool pair of face silhouette earrings by Cynthia Rowley for a pop of bling and with that, I was ready to go!

This Floral Fierce OOTD is one of my favorite spring looks yet. Stay tuned for more fashion fun here on lifewithlilred!

What color makes you think of a loved one? What is your favorite spring staple? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May2

Skort & Sweet OOTD

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Skort & Sweet OOTD

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new OOTD here on lifewithlilred! Today we’re going to take a look at the fun little look I created to get some new tattoos with Johnny’s aunt. We had the most fabulous time in the studio with my tattoo artist and had a delicious meal afterwards. I think we are all chomping at the bit to get back into my artist’s chair. Johnny and I are definitely feeling the itch because one tiny tattoo apiece just wasn’t enough! Maybe I’ll have to wear another Skort & Sweet OOTD the next time too. 😀 Check it out:

Who? What? Wear?

Sweater: Lush, TJMaxx

Tennis Skort: Kyodan, TJMaxx

Heels: White Mountain, TJMaxx

Necklace: This was purchased from a vendor fair in Atlanta from an artist named John Deveer

I think the earrings are from Target?!

For this OOTD, I started from the bottom in the skort/skirt department of my wardrobe. As the weather has warmed up, I have been so enjoying wearing skirts and dresses sans tights and wanted to take advantage of the warm day we had on our outing. I opted for one of my all time favorites – a pleated tennis skort by Kyodan. I absolutely love it! The sheer pleating over the shapewear shorts adds a pop of sex appeal along with the most charming movement. It is flouncy, oh so fun, and as a bonus – you don’t even have to wear it to play tennis lol! 🙂

While it was nice outside, it can sometimes get chilly in a tattoo shop so I went for a thin sweater by Lush on top. This sweater was just right as it is slightly thicker than a T-shirt material which provided a bit of extra warmth without feeling like I was overheating. Although the palette of this little number looks more like autumn, I like it year round all the same because fall colors are my forever fave. I adored the way that the pleating from the skirt poked out beneath the oversize sweater and it made for a really unique silhouette.

Finally, it was onto shoes and accessories. For shoes, I went with a darling pair of heeled Mary Janes by White Mountain. The chocolate colored heel was ideal with the fall hues of the sweater and those stud details are the cutest. These heels are comfy AF and I could walk for miles in style with them! In the accessories department, I chose a gorgeous handmade necklace by John Deveer and it blended into the outfit seamlessly. I slipped on a pair of amber gemstone earrings and then it was off to get some ink!

Stay tuned for the Blooper Reel from my Skort & Sweet OOTD and lots more fashion fun on lifewithlilred! ❤

Do you have any handmade jewelry? What is the comfiest pair of heels you own? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah