Tag Archives: travel

Dec18

Christmas Decor Sight Seeing Fun

Posted on December 18, 2020 by lifewithlilred

Hello!! Downtown Cuyahoga Falls is referred to as the Riverfront because it is directly along the Cuyahoga River. In the past several years, lots of upgrades have been made to bring small businesses back to this area and now it is booming with restaurants, specialty shops, and cute boutiques. This year, to help bring some holiday spirit into our neck of the woods, there will be free parking all along the Riverfront to help encourage people to shop locally. What’s more, local schools and organizations decorated each parking meter with a Christmas theme!

This past week, my brother and I went to check out the handiwork and creativity of our amazing community and it was a blast! I so enjoyed ogling at the masterpieces, discussing which ones we liked best, and seeing all of the masked up shoppers toting their parcels. These were some of my favorite decorated meters:

As you can see, we have many talented holiday enthusiasts in the 330 and each parking meter was awesome in its own way. I am particularly fond of the Cousin Eddie meter from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, myself. However, I think the Mr. Grinch created by the owners of Harps & Thistles (A specialty shop for all of your knitting and crocheting needs) took the cake. I also love the tire snowman made by the Kiwanis Club Of Cuyahoga Falls. What a cute idea!

Despite this holiday season being so different than last year’s, I felt more in the Christmas spirit than ever after checking out the decor in downtown Cuyahoga Falls. Happy holidays to all!

How does your community celebrate the holidays? Do you have an area like downtown CFalls in your neck of the woods? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec4

Productive & Rewarding Activities To Do As A Family

Posted on December 4, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Productive & Rewarding Activities To Do As A Family

As a parent, you’ll want to do all you can to make your child’s (or children’s) quality of life the best it can be. This means you’ll have to put in work in various areas. Educating them is obviously high on the list of priorities. Keeping them healthy mentally, physically, and socially is also important, of course. You also must make sure that their minds are being stimulated every single day in a positive sense, too. Part of being a parent is helping your child to view life in an optimistic and positive light. There is very little point to life if we’re not enjoying every single day!

Your job is to raise them properly and ensure that they have every advantage going into their adulthood when they’re entirely responsible for their own life. No matter how old your kids are, they are never too old to do things together as a family. Here are some activities that you can do with your family that will be educational, productive, rewarding, and fun:

Family work outs and exercise:

Working out as a family is a great way of bonding as well as staying fit and healthy. It’s often tedious and grueling when you have to work out on your own – especially during the cold, dark, and gloomy days. Getting your gang to tag along with you can be so rewarding. Not only will you all enjoy it, but you’re teaching your entire family about the kinds of things they need to be doing in order to feel better mentally and physically. They could also pick up all kinds of sporting hobbies – which is, of course, an added bonus.

Extra curricular schooling:

Some kids may not like the idea of learning things when they’re away from school. Others, however, may find something they genuinely love and they may want to delve into it even further. The practice of learning from home has become a lot more popular due to the pandemic, but that doesn’t mean it has to stop once life gets back on track again. One thing’s for certain; you’ll have a much smarter child on your hands than if you don’t bother with it!

Work on the house:

Nobody’s expecting you to behave like professional remodeling companies, of course. Even though that would be AMAZING if you could replicate that stuff! Doing some DIY and conjuring up little projects would be fun a place to start. You’ll get productive tasks done while teaching the kids (and yourself) all kinds of new, useful skills.

Travel to new places regularly:

Doing the same kinds of things over and over again, even if you find them quite entertaining, will end up being boring. You won’t stimulate your brain anywhere near as much as perhaps you should. Visiting new areas of the world definitely would. Even new areas in your home country need exploring! You’ll learn so much and your confidence would grow a lot. Plus, there are plenty of awesome memories to be made when traveling with your family!

Enjoy quality time all together with the ideas above for an even stronger family unit in the future.

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Nov19

Arranging An Unforgettable Birthday For Your SO

Posted on November 19, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Arranging An Unforgettable Birthday For Your SO

We’ve all been having a tough year and most of us are looking forward to things getting back to normal, now that there’s some hope on the horizon. If your SO has played a big role in helping you get through the obstacle course that the previous year has been, then it’s only right that you want to give them the big birthday bash they deserve. If things are safe enough to really enjoy the day with a bang by the time the big day rolls around, here are some tips on how to do it:

A wake up to remember:

There really are few things as heartwarming as getting breakfast in bed or waking up to find a little gift lying beside you on the pillow. You can make their morning truly special with even the smallest gestures to show that, yes, you do remember what day it is and you want to celebrate it as soon as possible. It doesn’t have to be a huge spread. However, one thing you don’t want to do is to wake up your SO just so you can give them the birthday morning you have planned. Get things ready for when they usually wake up and then wait for them to start to stir. Otherwise, you shouldn’t be surprised if they start off grumpy.

Pamper them silly:

Some people don’t like spa-like stuff, but you might be surprised how well some people can take to it if they have never felt it before. Whether it’s going for a full spa treatment, spending some time at the sauna together, or even just preparing an extra lush bath for them at home. If you’re feeling more romantically inclined, then you might think to arrange for a couple’s massage. If your SO has been working extra hard as of late to keep things going smoothly, then letting them take the edge off is the perfect way to acknowledge that and to make it clear that you care about their well being amongst all of this.

Arrange a big night on the town:

If it has been an extra-long while since you have both been able to go out and to enjoy the nightlife, then it might be the perfect time to think about taking them out with your shared group of friends to really live it up. You can order some table service to make sure your loved one really feels like a VIP, then go dancing, partying, and getting into some trouble with one another. Of course, not a great option if your loved one is more of a homebody who likes their creature comforts, but a lot of us have been just waiting for the opportunity to kick things off. For a more low key option, brunch is always fun if a night on the town isn’t your giftee’s cup of tea. Charming spots like Greenroom are most welcoming for a boozy, birthday breakfast. Arrive ahead of time with balloons and decorations to make your meal even better!

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The big party:

Sure, it might be the traditional idea, but for some people, the big birthday party really works. If it’s a particularly big birthday, such as the 21st, the 30th, or any of the other multiples of ten, it’s often expected that a little extra bit of fuss is made over a person. If it’s a special birthday, you can also get their loved ones such as friends and family involved in making it a really big event. However, if your SO has said that they genuinely don’t enjoy parties in the past and they have meant it, don’t assume that they do really love parties deep down. That simply is not the case for most people who say that.

Make it a time to appreciate them:

Not every way of celebrating their birthday has to be some big thing. Instead, you can just as easily leave little touches throughout the day that show them how much you care about them. For instance, one great gift could be a jar of love notes that they can open up throughout the day and beyond to see reasons that you love them, are grateful for them, memories you share with them, or even the occasional blue message if you want to take things into the boudoir. You can make things even more fun and leave these messages with little bonus gifts (like their favorite candy) in places they’re likely to look throughout the day.

Sentimental gifts always go over well and there is a range of options beyond love notes. A beautiful bouquet of flowers, for example, is a lovely way to brighten your partner’s day. Or, perhaps, surprising them with wall art of the moon phase on your birthday or each of your birthdays for a personalized display in your home.

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Go somewhere together:

This isn’t necessarily an idea that’s exclusive from those above. However, if you’re able to travel, then it might be a great idea to combine one of the ideas above with the chance to enjoy getting away from familiar locations. A great romantic city break could be just what you need so that you can both feel like you’re being treated to something special on the big day. You can order food, enjoy hotel facilities, and take the time to explore something new together. It’s a great way to create brand new memories and a lot of us have really been missing the chance to explore outside of our own neighborhoods for the past several months.

Share an experience:

Sharing an experience together is always a great idea for a way to celebrate your SO’s big day. How about a day at the aquarium? An amusement park? Or, perhaps, a couple’s massage at the spa? If your partner is an adrenaline junkie, you could try your hand at skydiving, bungee jumping, or a ride for two in a Supermarine Spitfire. The rides provided by https://www.spitfires.com/ will leave both of you on the edge of your seat!

There is no particular event, expenditure, or organization that can make your SO’s birthday special. What is most important is that you think about what they would love and you do what you can to make it a reality. That’s the surest way to make them feel special!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Oct18

La Marie Brow Club Update

Posted on October 18, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Hello!!! Just about two years ago, I had my first microblading appointment at my cousin, Laura’s, studio in Pittsburgh called La Marie Brow Club. At the time, she was renting out the back of a tattoo studio to do her amazing work. Now, for the past year, she owns her own shop with multiple artists working there who specialize in permanent makeup.

Over the weekend, my sister and I went on a road trip so Laura could work her microblading magic on Kristen. Not only does my sister look fabulous but Laura’s new shop is so awesome I just had to share it with all of you! Kristen and I are both already itching to go back for our touch up appointments in December. 🙂

Check it out:

Laura’s last studio was the size of just one of her new microblading rooms in the new shop so this is a major upgrade for her and I am so proud. La Marie Brow Club is closed on Sundays and Laura opened up special for us so we could hang out and Kristen could get her brows done. We had the best time having hours on end of girl talk and pampering and it was so fun to catch up because the last time we saw Laura was on March 19th AKA when all of the bars and restaurants in Ohio closed.

After Kristen’s appointment, we all headed to Laura’s parents for a social distanced take out dinner and then we made our way home to flat Ohio from hilly Pittsburgh. As always, I can’t recommend Laura’s services enough and if you are in the area it is a must to get microbladed by the best!

My touch up appointment in December will be my third time getting microbladed and I seriously cannot wait for round three and road trip round two with Kristen. It was a great day! ❤

Do you have any permanent makeup done? Would you ever get microbladed? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul3

Family Staycation

Posted on July 3, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Helloooo! This past week, Johnny and I drove to Lexington, Kentucky for a Mushenheim family vacation. I had been looking forward to this trip for a long time and it certainly did not disappoint. Now, normally, you guys are used to hearing about a traditional Mushenheim family vaca with jam packed activities and amazing restaurants every day. However, we are in a very nontraditional time right now and precautions were taken to keep everyone safe during our trip.

We honestly didn’t do too much. We had some great carry out meals and visited a gorgeous horse farm where social distancing was easy. Everyone also came prepared with face masks and hand sanitizer for grocery store errands or an activity. Despite this being the most lax family vaca ever, it was AWESOME!

For four days, Johnny and I got to stay in a lovely house with central air and not a care in the world. But wait! It keeps getting better becauuuuse… For the first time in a very long time, my entire family was all together. We had four whole days of quality time with my parents, siblings, their partners, and our little niece and nephew.

Getting to Lexington was a five hour drive – a perfect amount for a getaway staycation. I so enjoyed the time shared with everyone and I know my parents were both happy as a clam the whole trip. It’s not every day all of their adult children, grandchildren, and children-in-laws can be together, after all! ❤

What is your dream vacation? What is your favorite thing about your own location? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May21

What To Ask Yourself Before You Emigrate

Posted on May 21, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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What To Ask Yourself Before You Emigrate

Ah, to move abroad. Some people have the nerve to do it, while others prefer to stay in their hometown. Both decisions are absolutely fine, but if emigrating elsewhere is your biggest itch to scratch, then you have a lot of decisions to make. It’s not just about where you go, but why. There are also plenty of questions you should ask yourself, which are detailed below.

Emigrating to a new country is not a small thing to do; it’s huge. There is so much that you should be getting on with and it’s important that you get these decisions right the first time. So, with that in mind, let’s take a look at those questions you should be asking before you jump into emigrating:

Where?

The big one. Where do you want to go? Where is your heart calling you to? The location you want to live in really does matter, as you will find that the further you go, the more it costs. Location counts when you want quotes from local moving services, for your travel time and tickets and when it comes to finding work. You could want to go to the remotest place in the world but there wouldn’t be any way for you to work and you’d struggle. So, get your destination right and the rest should fall into place.

Where isn’t just limited to where in the world but where you will be staying. Will you be rooming with relatives? Staying in a hotel until you get on your feet? Or are you using services like HousingAnywhere to have an apartment or flat ready for you as soon as your plane lands? It’s all well and good to want to move abroad but this is one of the most critical aspects in making your move successful. Do not overestimate what you really have in savings because you will find yourself in a bind quicker than you would think without affordable lodging.

Why?

What is pushing this move for you? There’s always a reason, whether it’s simply that you want to, or you have better job prospects. This is a big move, so you want to seek out things that make sense for you. Some people want to move purely for sunshine more than they want rain – and that’s okay! The key is to know your “why”.

Can You Speak The Language?

Most people tend to emigrate to places that speak the same way that they do, but not everyone thinks the same. Choose to start learning the language for the country you want to move to if you don’t know it and you’ll be set once you arrive. This is a big deal; learning the language will help!

Who?

Who is going with you? A big thing is to work out who will be traveling with you as you will need to financially plan for their visas and plane tickets, too. Make sure that you have support around you: emigrating is a huge deal and the more people that you have backing your corner, the more help you’ll have with packing once the time comes!

When?

So, when do you want this whole thing to happen? Are you planning for the long term or are you wanting to make an immediate change? Your future’s in your hands and you should give yourself time to make this happen. You may need to gain extra qualifications or spend some time saving your money. Either way, you need to make sure you have a plan mapped out in your mind for a big move.

Moving to a different country is an exciting adventure. Use the tips above to plan for the best new location for you!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Mar2

New Lisa & Lucy Zip Up Top

Posted on March 2, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Howdy! My last item from my haul at EmLeigh’s and Mama B’s during my Valentine’s Day weekend in Marietta is a fairly simple black top by Lisa & Lucy. Now, normally, simple isn’t really my thing. I love pieces that pop and make an immediate statement and my new top does do that but in a more elegant, high fashion way, which is what sold me. Take a look and let’s discuss:

I’m not really sure what word to use to describe this top other than a top but it definitely fits like a more structured poncho. Underneath the sleek black line of velvet down the middle is a zipper that allows you to wear it as an actual top or you could wear it open with a cute crop or long sleeved sweater on underneath.

I love the severity of this Lisa & Lucy number because I can totally imagine it on the headmistress of a posh school but I can also see it being worn on the runway. While trying my new top on in the store, I wore it open with a silky cami on underneath. Although I thought this piece looked stunning zipped up, I liked how you could see my figure with it unzipped because the thicker material somewhat camouflages that.

I am a huge fan of layering pieces that you can throw on to immediately spice up an outfit and that’s why my new top came home with me. This Lisa & Lucy pseudo poncho takes a basic skinny jeans and T-shirt OOTD and turns it into a look you could sport for evening drinks with your friends. It also adds an air of high fashion when paired over a dress or skirt, which I am really looking forward to rocking!

How would you style this shirt? How would you describe your personal style? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar1

New Umgee USA Poncho

Posted on March 1, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Hi! A very cool part of shopping at EmLeigh’s and Mama B’s in Marietta, Ohio was that it also had a few racks of consignment clothing along with their selection of brand new items. It was in the consignment rack that my eyes locked on a stunning denim blue and cream colored poncho by Umgee USA. Normally, something like that wouldn’t be my immediate choice to try on, but I was so enamored by the macrame style detailing that I just had to give it a shot. And, I’m glad I did because it obviously ended up coming home with me! Check it out:

Everything about my new poncho is so unique and that’s why I am itching to wear it once the spring weather hits. From the paisley pattern and fringe at the bottom to the macrame detailing on the collar and sleeves, this poncho screams all things 1970s. And, as an avid fan of That 70’s Show and all of the amazing fashion in it, I was beyond excited to welcome it into my wardrobe.

I cannot wait to pair this poncho with sweet denim shorts as soon as the warm weather strikes. I also think that it would look absolutely charming with an A-line mini skirt and some platform heels. No matter how I style my Umgee USA poncho, I know that it will make a statement… A bold statement that only costed me FIVE BUCKS! You just can’t beat that!

Do you have a favorite consignment shop in your area? Which decade of fashion most inspires you? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb27

Accessory Story: Cross To Bear Earrings Edition

Posted on February 27, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Accessory Story: Cross To Bear Earrings Edition

Hi! While shopping in Marietta during Valentine’s Day weekend, I went a little crazy at a boutique with the adorably Southern name of EmLeigh’s and Mama B’s. This Francesca’s style store is in the process of going completely online so do be sure to check it out because they had the most gorgeous clothes and accessories for insanely good prices. Not only did I get three beautiful new clothing pieces but I ended up with a ton of earrings too, including these lovely cross shaped numbers:

Despite not being religious in the slightest, I have always had a panache for cross shaped accessories. I love rosaries and dangly cross earrings and you can almost always catch me rocking my signature black pair. I am a huge fan of the bling and when I saw my new cross earrings bedazzled in black and white gems I just couldn’t choose which color I wanted… So I got both, lol. Whoops! 😉

I am a firm believer in accessories being able to completely change an outfit, which makes me partial to chunky necklaces and dramatic beads. But, I am particularly fond of earrings because of how they pop against my short-ish, choppy, red hair. I love being able to see the light hit the gemstones or shiny metallic hues and it puts complete focus on your pretty face.

Not only do these earrings make a bold statement but they will look absolutely dazzling come summer time when the sunlight makes the crystals dance. EmLeigh’s and Mama B’s was such a charming little shop and I can’t wait to share the rest of my haul with all of you!

What is your favorite boutique? What is your favorite kind of accessory? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct13

A Few Vacation Pics

Posted on October 13, 2019 by lifewithlilred

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Hellooo! I didn’t take too many pictures during my recent family vacation to Asheville, North Carolina but, of course, I took a selfie or two and had my dad snap a few as well. My dad is a great photographer and usually does the majority of the picture taking when we’re on vacation. And, I was so busy enjoying my damn self that I guess I just forgot! Anyways, take a looksee:

^^^ These pics were all taken at Altapass Orchard.

Now, you might find yourself wondering who that handsome man is in the last person and that is the one and only BILL CARSON. He is the owner and face behind the Altapass Orchard on the Blue Ridge Parkway and he is an absolute delight. The orchard in itself is gorgeous but the real fun happened shortly after we got there and a country trio began to play music in their gift shop.

In the gift shop was a stack of bumper stickers boasting the phrase “Honk if you survived a dance with Bill Carson” and I thought it was hilarious. I had no idea who he was at the time but I did know I wanted that bumper sticker for my car desperately. So, as luck would have it, Bill just so happened to be at the gift shop with his wife to enjoy the music and cut a rug on the dance floor.

And, dance we did. Bill and I shared a lovely hoedown to the country music and it was a complete blast. After our dance, my dad bought me the bumper sticker that I had my eyes on because I earned it, damnit. My family had a riveting chat with Bill afterwards about his life story as a NASA engineer and how his sister and himself came in possession of the Altapass Orchard.

Long story short, Bill’s sister purchased the land which developers were very interested in to build along the Blue Ridge Parkway. This was a massive “no no” though and the Carson family refused their offers to buy it. They have since had the land recognized by the National Parks of North Carolina so that it can never be built on and have its vast beauty appreciated forever.

Bill Carson was a joy and I loved learning his story and the hard work that was put in to keeping the Altapass Orchard afloat during the past five years of insufficient crops thanks to climate change. The orchard serves not just as that but as a sort of clubhouse where local music is played and anyone can get up and dance. And, if they’re lucky, they can survive a dance with local celebrity Bill Carson too!

Are there any local celebrities in your neck of the woods? What is your favorite fall activity? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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