Tag Archives: treat yoself

May10

5 Below Finds

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5 Below Finds

Hello! As you all know, I am freaking obsessed with 5 Below and go there fairly frequently. It’s the perfect spot to pick up treats for my nieces, myself, and honestly anyone when I see something that reminds me of them! The prices are just too good to pass up and I’m genuinely amazed by the quality of everything that I have purchased from there. During one of my last trips, I couldn’t resist a new K-Pop Demon Hunters crop top for myself as well as a Britney Spears T-shirt for my sister. Unfortunately, the shirt didn’t work for her but it SO works for me! Check it out:

The K-Pop Demon Hunters crop featuring Rumi is basically the same K-Pop crop I already have from 5 Below with a different pattern. That was A-okay by me because my other crop top is just the best. It fits like a glove, is soft as can be, and shows off my shape without being too tight. I was so excited to find the Rumi one because I already knew that it was going to work and I loved rocking it on a mini golf outing last weekend. I always have to rep my Huntrix girls and 5 Below is the spot to find all of the K-Pop swag. They are constantly releasing new clothing and I am constantly SO there for it! ❤

And, of course, we have Queen B. My beloved Britney Spears. The sweetest angel in all of the land. My sister and I grew up on Britney Spears and she was and always will be our favorite. There is nothing toxic about this T although it features lyrics from her banger! It is just pure pop amazingness! I am so blessed to add another Britney Spears top to my wardrobe as I only have one other one and it was lonely lol. While I am sad that this top didn’t work out for my sis, I am sort of happy that it wound up with me… I was kicking myself in the butt for not buying two of them so all’s well that ends well. 😀

Need a pick me up? 5 Below. Need to find what you didn’t know you needed to begin with? 5 Below. I love that damn store!!

What is your favorite discount store? Who is your favorite pop princess? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May8

New Bomb Pop Nails

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New Bomb Pop Nails

Hi! This past Tuesday I enjoyed a wonderful pampering session at Elysian Nails that was made even better because my mom joined me! While I got my acrylics filled, she got a mani to get ourselves right before a wedding this weekend. It is going to be so much FUN and I can’t wait to show you my OOTDs! Although one of the colors in my new palette wasn’t exactly what I bargained for, it ended up being a-okay and I am loving the summer vibes that this Bomb Pop motif invokes. Check it out:

As I browsed through my options in the good book of nail polish, I instantly locked in on the pretty and bright sky blue and declared it a winner. To compliment it, I went with what I thought was a fruit punchy pink. However, sometimes the sample acrylic doesn’t always match the real time results. What looked like fruit punch was actually far more red and that was definitely not what I wanted but I guess it was what I needed. When has Lil Red said no to more red?! This color combo is poppy and eye catching and tips a cap to a delightful summer treat. They are certainly going to make a statement against my black and white dresses for the wedding!

Unfortunately, my go to tech had the day off so I wasn’t graced with her presence. My mom and I opted for any tech we could get and the girl who did my fill did a really nice job! It just wasn’t the same, though lol. I am a creature of habit and having someone different do my nails would be like having someone different do my hair. It makes me sad to think about! All of the techs at Elysian Nails are excellent but there is just nothing like catching up with my tech during my monthly fill. We are going to have A LOT to discuss when I come in next month to get my nails in pristine condition for my birthday! 😀

Although I didn’t get to see my nail tech, being with my mom was the absolute best. I love when we can treat ourselves together!

Do you like to get pampered by yourself or with a friend? What is your favorite salon treatment? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr17

New Strawberry And Purple Nails

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New Strawberry And Purple Nails

Hi! This past week couldn’t have gone fast enough because I was in desperate need of a full set STAT. My appointment the week prior had to be rescheduled and my nails were an absolute wreck. They were lifting like the dickens and I had to do everything in my power to not take them off my damn self. Blessedly, I saw the week through because lifted nails are better than no nails at all, amiright?! Thanks to my amazing nail tech, my claws are back in working order and I love how they turned out. Take a looksee:

When I approached the nail polish book, I wasn’t sure which colors to choose. I knew I was over pastels from the month before but didn’t want to transition to zippy and bright summer colors just yet. So, I decided to go for something in between and opted for a sweet strawberry red and purple. These shades pop, for sure, but they still manage to feel spring so it was a perfect compromise. These candy colored hues are darling, fun, and look good enough to eat in a strictly metaphorical sense!

Once my colors were selected, I almost ran towards my nail tech’s station so she could begin working her magic. I had been loosening up my nails to pop off literally all day and was able to get three off before my appointment. I felt so naked! When I am getting a full set, I always get a soak off because I’m a huge baby. However, my acrylics were so loosey goosey that I knew I could handle a pop off and it was as easy as one, two, three. They came off like it was nothing and put me one step closer to having my talons back.

Normally, I schedule my nail appointments during a break in my work day. For full sets I like to go after work on Friday and it is just SO nice. To sit back in my tech’s chair, be pampered, and not worry about a time crunch is a gift. I always enjoy my appointments but it just hits different when you have nowhere else to be but at the salon! In a little over an hour, my nails were back baby and they felt wonderful. So sturdy, pointed to perfection, and ready to wow all April long. GREAT SUCCESS. 😀

I am very much looking forward to my next fill because my mom is coming with to get a mani. Girls day!!

What are your favorite colors for spring? How often do you get your nails done? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar19

New Orleans Souvenirs

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New Orleans Souvenirs

Hello! This past weekend was a great big adventure because my sister, Kristen, and I went to New Orleans! When we got invited to our cousin’s destination wedding there, I was so surprised when Kristen asked if I wanted to go together. I couldn’t let that quality sister time pass me by and we flew into New Orleans on the morning of Friday the thirteenth. This might be considered an unlucky date but it was the luckiest in the world because we had the best time. I can’t wait to tell you all about it! The food, the scenery, the unfortunate cancellation of our flight home. And, of course, ALL of the OOTDs. But, first, let’s talk souvenirs because we shopped till we dropped in the French District:

The French District was a blur of shops, restaurants, music, and lots and lots of bars. We got to explore it a little bit prior to a pre-wedding party on Friday and then got to peruse it fully on Saturday before our cousin’s beautiful wedding. After a delicious meal at The Market Cafe, we got our shop on to purchase goodies for ourselves and family. The only thing I really wanted for myself was a mask and I fell in love with the one I found at a quirky souvenir shop. The mask itself is gorgeous and ornate but what sold me was the amazing plume of feathers. I also couldn’t believe the price at just thirteen dollars! It was a total steal and I cannot wait to display it in the apartment. It is even giving me ideas for future Halloween costumes. 😀 I am so delighted with this purchase and out of every mask we saw, this one just screamed Lil Red the most!

At another souvenir shop, I stumbled upon the fun little New Orleans Voodoo coffin and I knew Johnny would love it for our knick knack shelf. It is the perfect memento for our spooky selves and I also had to get a few more treats for him too. My Johnny was gifted with a great shirt that features a skeleton playing guitar beside the skeleton of a dog and it says “New Orleans Howlin’ Blues”. Just right for the man who brings music everywhere he goes! I also got him a stick of alligator jerky against my better judgement because gross. However, I knew it would be appreciated so up to the cash register it went smh.

The French District also featured a couple of regular shops that seemed horribly out of place. This included a random CVS, an H&M, Urban Outfitters, and Earthbound. We had never been in an Earthbound before as the closest one to us is about an hour away. It was a really cool store and I walked away with a fabulous wrap around snake bracelet. As you all know, I am an avid fan of snakeskin patterned clothing and snake themed jewelry. It is just so edgy and sexy too! The wrap bracelet I got is dynamite and we were at the store at just the right time. The employee told us it got restocked the day before and sells out very quickly. I can’t wait to rock mine in a new OOTD soon so you can see it in all of is glory!

Stick around on lifewithlilred for all of the New Orleans content. This was the trip of a lifetime and I am so happy that I got to share it with my sister. ❤

What is your favorite part of New Orleans? Do you have a vacation coming up? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar7

New Pastel Pink & Peach Nails

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New Pastel Pink & Peach Nails

Howdy! This past Tuesday was the freaking best. In between shifts I got to have ALL of the girl time with my adorable mom. We started our day at Elysian Nails for a fill for me and a mani for her. Then, we enjoyed a spot of shopping at TJMaxx. I got the cutest new top and I can’t wait to show you all! My mom doesn’t get her nails done often but when she does, I always have to joke that she gets the same shade of pale pink or beige every single time. I mean, if it’s not broken don’t fix it lol. The joke is on me, though, because pale pink is where it’s at and I just had to take a note from my mom’s book to welcome pastel shades for spring. Check it out:

Although I typically live in All Black Everything, I loves me a pastel color. However, they wash me out badly so I have zero pastel hued clothing in my wardrobe. That’s okay, though, because I can rock them on my nails! As I consulted the trusty nail polish book, I immediately locked in on the pastel peach and knew I was going with that for sure. The next order of business was finding a color to compliment it. I wasn’t feeling any of the lavender shades which is too bad because that would be pretty too. So, pink it was, and I landed on the softest pastel ballet slipper pink. This combo was giving all things spring flowers, Easter candy, and Jordan almonds and they almost look good enough to eat! 😀

It was SO nice to get pampered with my mom beside me at my happy place. Elysian Nails is one of my beauty sanctuaries and I live for when I can share in it with friends and family. As I gabbed with my nail tech, I couldn’t stop looking over at my mom’s station. She was getting primped with oils, lotion, and a hot towel and was loving every minute of it. Her tech did such an amazing job with the cuticles and shaping the nails that it almost looked like she got a fresh set. We both walked away completely thrilled with the results and our matching pale pink nails. I can’t wait for another trip to Elysian together and who knows – maybe I’ll get her to pick hot pink polish next. ❤

My Tuesday was the pick me up I needed after a super long but fun weekend. There’s nothing like some pampering and shopping with my favorite gal to put the pep back in my step!

What is your favorite form of self care? How often do you get your nails done? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb15

5 Below Clothing Haul

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5 Below Clothing Haul

Howdy! You all know I ball on a budget and absolutely live for 5 Below. As an avid fan of giving myself and gifting others little treats, it is a one stop shop to have some fun and find a perfect pick me up. I wanted to snag some V-Day gifts for my littlest valentines and decided that 5B was the move. Everything at the grocery store was SO expensive – a small box of chocolates and palm sized plush was over twelve dollars so I was delighted to find some small V-Day prezzies for a steal price at 5 Below. I also couldn’t resist a couple of purchases for myself as they just dropped some of the most adorable clothes ever. I considered it a “way to go, me” surprise for starting a new job! Take a look:

Serious question – who doesn’t love Winnie the Pooh?! I know I sure do! As soon as I walked in the store, I saw a spring display being created that was filled with Winnie the Pooh accessories, clothing, and collectables. The darling hoodie and pajama shorts were front and center and it went into my cart without a second thought. The Berry Sweet motif on the hoodie against that pale blue was too sweet to pass up. It was also only fifteen dollars and I don’t think I would find a better price for something like this at any other store. I’m unsure as to if it was meant to be worn with the pajama bottoms but it is way too cute to just wear to bed and I can’t wait to break it out in the spring. Speaking of the pajama bottoms, the uber soft fleece short shorts from 5B can’t be beat. I have a pair in a Halloween pattern and they are my freaking favorites. I always meant to buy another pair or two for bed and was so happy to add the Winnie the Pooh one to my lineup. Once again, the price was just right at seven dollars!

Last but certainly not least in my celebratory haul was a K-Pop Demon Hunters cropped tee. My lil nieces are Huntrix girls through and through and it was so special to watch the movie together. I loved every minute of it! The graphics, the story, and the amazing music all made for such an incredible experience. I live for our dance parties to the soundtrack and I may or may not cry every time I hear “Golden” on the radio. I seriously can’t help myself because I instantly get flooded with the happiest memories and it’s just a beautiful song. I knew my girl squad would get a kick out of seeing their TT in a shirt featuring their favorite gals and cannot wait to show them. Luckily, all three of them know that TT forever has dibs on being Mira. Classic Lil Red lolol. ❤

I got to spoil my nieces and myself during this shopping trip and it was a GREAT SUCCESS. I’ll be so eager to bust out my new hoodie and T as soon as spring hurries up and gets here!

What is your favorite song from K-Pop Demon Hunters? What is one of the best things you have found at 5 Below? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb9

New Valentine’s Day Nails

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New Valentine’s Day Nails

Oh hey! This past Tuesday I enjoyed a wonderful pampering session at Elysian Nails and my fill appointment couldn’t have come a moment too soon. My nails rarely break but the week before my appointment two of them snapped and it was terrible! I’m genuinely unsure as to how it happened because it’s not like I was going rock climbing or doing anything crazy. One of the instances was simply picking up my laptop and the other was when I was putting groceries away. I walked into the salon with my tail between my legs but left with my head held high because my amazing tech made my claws good as new in a pretty Valentine’s Day motif. Check it out:

Nine times out of ten, I walk into Elysian Nails with no set in stone plan for my nail polish colors. Rather, I let the selection speak to me and tell me what I need. This time around, however, I was thinking a chocolate cherry motif for V-Day. Something sophisticated, chic, and different than the usual pink and red. Then, I saw pink and red and couldn’t resist lol! Hey, if the Valentine’s Day palette isn’t broken – don’t fix it. I couldn’t help but swoon over the cherry bomb red and the vivid hot pink and just knew they would pop with an OOTD for mine and Johnny’s V-Day date. I can’t wait to go to a Cupid’s Revenge haunted house together this weekend. I have no idea what it will entail but I know it’s going to be a blast! 😀

As my tech and I chatted away, I had a random moment where I felt so proud. She was new to the nail game when she started a year or so ago and I have been going to her faithfully unless she is booked up. My tech has really improved so much and it was incredibly apparent to me this time around. She was confident and detail oriented while working at a speedy quick pace. In under an hour she had replaced two broken nails, trimmed down my regrowth, created a sturdier base with a thicker application of acrylic, and sharpened my talons to perfection. In fact, I couldn’t believe the time as my nail polish dried and made it back to work with over fifteen minutes to spare. Our appointment was short and sweet and now I have V-Day nails that can’t be beat. I am already looking forward to my next fill to bust out some soft pastel hues for spring. ❤

Stay tuned for my Valentine’s Day OOTD, a haunted house review, and lots more fun coming soon on lifewithlilred!

What are your V-Day plans? Do you have any beauty appointments scheduled prior to? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan22

It’s In The Bag: Antik Kraft Saddlebag Edition

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It’s In The Bag: Antik Kraft Saddlebag Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of It’s In The Bag! I so loved going on a TJMaxx trip with my mom and had grand plans for my Christmas gift cards. 1) A skin care restock. 2) A new piece of Valentine’s Day clothing. 3) A new pair of black skinnies. And 4) A new purse if the gift card could cover it. I am pleased to report that I achieved all of these goals with EXACT CHANGE. Peep this girl math… The amount left over for me to pay was $18.01. As luck would have it, the cash in my purse totaled to eighteen dollars and lots of change for good measure. It was freaking awesome and I just had to share. ANYWHO, let’s take a look at this bag, baby!

I haven’t bought a purse for myself since 2019. Yes, you read that right – seven years of no new purses. However, I never felt the need to buy more because I have so many and always prefer to spend my moolah on clothes and shoes. My tune definitely changed in the past few months, though! During the fall, TJMaxx had a gorgeous black purse that was embossed with skulls. I was obsessed but couldn’t justify the eighty dollar price tag. So, I waited for it to go on sale but someone with great taste snatched it up in the meantime. As much as I wanted it, it was no harm no foul and I vowed to eventually find a purse at a price point I was more comfortable with. I sure did with this little number by Antik Kraft for thirty-five dollars! That was much more like it. 😀

When I made my first round through the purse department, I noticed the same bag by Antik Kraft in a rich camel hue. It was pretty, but I am an All Black Everything girl through and through and thought to myself how much better it would be if it were black lol. As luck would have it, black was the other color option available and it was perfect. The saddlebag shape is just so cool and I do not have a purse in my collection that even remotely mimics that style. The oversized stitching on the strap is everything and the size of the purse in general is ideal. It’s big enough to hold all of my belongings without being so big that I can’t find anything. Despite this purse’s simplicity, it still manages to invoke an edgy vibe and it just had to come home with me. I swapped purses as soon as I got home and feel like a star with it slung over my shoulder!

Although I never ended up with the skull adorned bag of my dreams, this Antik Kraft saddlebag will do just fine. Even better, actually, because the price was right!

How often do you swap out your purses? What is your favorite accessory to shop for? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan9

New Pink & Blue Glitter Nails

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New Pink & Blue Glitter Nails

Hi! I look forward to my break time fills at Elysian Nails every month. There is nothing better than breaking up the work day with a little pampering! This time around, however, I changed things up to a Friday after work so I could squeeze in an appointment before the salon’s holiday break. So well deserved! I always enjoy my time at Elysian but this was especially nice as I could sit back, relax, and not worry about a time crunch. And my nails look fab to boot! Check it out:

I wouldn’t say I’m a huge fan of the blue and pink combo. All I can think of is “baby boy” or “baby girl” lol! I just couldn’t say no to these gorgeous glitter shades, though. As I consulted the nail polish book, these dazzling hues were close by to each other and I couldn’t stop picturing them together. I attempted to try and find alternatives to combine with just pink or blue and failed. These nail polishes were calling to me and I am so glad that I picked up the phone as it was from an unknown number. Bad joke, SMH. No, I’m glad I picked up because I am obsessed! These vivid polishes are popping, it looks like fairy dust, and it’s just FUN. 🙂

As my talons got sharpened and shaped it was lovely to catch up on the holidays with my go to tech. We chatted away about our hauls, family celebrations, and what’s on the horizon for the New Year. This pampering session was a gift literally and metaphorically. When I walked into Elysian Nails, the owner greeted me and handed me a gift card from Johnny’s aunt who couldn’t be there on Christmas. It was such a sweet surprise and felt like an extra dose of holiday magic in 2026! ❤

I am stepping into the New Year with a fresh fill and am feeling fierce. Bring it on!

How has the start of the New Year been for you? What are you looking forward to this month? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec21

Have A Cup Of Cheer

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Have A Cup Of Cheer

Hi! I used to be a massive coffee drinker. However, I lost my taste for it after my last not so great job. What used to be a delightful drink to perk me up was filled with negative associations of pounding coffee back to back and consistently being on the verge of a mental breakdown. So, I just stopped drinking it all together and opted for a crispy AF McDonald’s Diet Coke to wake me up before work. Until recently! The past few weeks in Ohio have been freaking freezing and I just couldn’t bear to drink anything ice cold and I am SO back on my coffee kick. And you know what? It tastes great!

I would never call myself a coffee snob because coffee is just coffee to me. That’s not to say I don’t have my favorite coffee treats, though! Every year I look forward to when Starbucks brings back the Peppermint Mocha because that is my all time fave. I only allow myself one Venti Peppermint Mocha per year because they are so pricey but that one Peppermint Mocha awakened something within me and now I can’t get enough of that hot, caffeinated good stuff!

For the past year my Mondays have started with a Mickey D’s Diet Coke and that tune changed for the winter last Monday. It was eight degrees when I went to work and I needed warmth from the inside out. A hot Caramel Macchiato was the move and it was delicious. What made it even better was the silly Grinch cup that it came in! I loves me a seasonal cup and McDonald’s has definitely taken the cake this year. It was also impossible to feel Grinchy when I was de-thawing. 😀

As much as I love a cup of coffee from Starbucks or MacDo, the gas station is just fine for me too. My very first job was working as an actor at a haunted house. My shifts would end around two or three in the morning and every night before work I would go to the gas station for the biggest coffee they had. I would always mix the French Vanilla with the Caramel Macchiato and it was like heaven in a cup. Sixteen years later, for some reason, I had a hankering for this brew and went to the Circle K up the street so I could take a trip down memory lane. Amazingly, the taste of my classic coffee combo hasn’t changed in almost two decades and it was such a wave of caffeinated nostalgia. Like I said, coffee is coffee no matter where it’s from for me and I think my gas station coffee has been my favorite cold weather treat of all!

My deep dive back into the world of coffee has been excellent. It no longer has negative associations for me – it has simply been having a cup of cheer!

Where is your favorite place to get coffee? What do you usually order? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah