Tag Archives: treat yoself

Sep6

New Mauve & Eggplant Nails

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New Mauve & Eggplant Nails

Hello! This past Tuesday was nonstop between content filming, a doctor appointment, and shifts with clients but you all know I still needed to make time to get my nails done! It was the most welcome reprieve in the middle of the chaos of the day and I was in heaven as soon as I sat down at my nail tech’s station. Even if you don’t have time for a full on nail appointment, it is so important to take a beat during a crazy day to recharge a little! And recharge, I did. I returned to work feeling like I just chugged a few coffees thanks to my break and fresh new nails! Take a look:

My sister and mom both look amazing in purple, mauve, and dusty pink. Myself, on the other hand? Not so much. I think I might have one lavender cardigan in my wardrobe and that is about it. Although I am not a fan of purple clothing on me, I do like pops of purple in my hair and nails. I am especially partial to deep purples like eggplant come fall and that is the color that immediately stood out to me in the nail polish book I was browsing. It might not be fall yet but it is never too early to manifest it with rich jewel tones! To compliment the eggplant, I selected a pretty mauve hue for a mix that isn’t quite fall but was good enough for me. When in doubt, just select a lighter version of the color you are already working with!

Pampering is my favorite form of self care and I enjoy every monthly trip I make to Elysian Nails. This time hit different, though. I had already had such a full day prior to my appointment and it felt so good to just sit lol. I literally could feel the previous shifts melt away as my nail tech and I chatted and was genuinely excited to return back to work with a newfound pep in my step. This was a straight forward fill with no repairs needed (Pat on the back for me!) but a first did happen for myself and my nail tech. As she applied my top coat, it went on really filmy and it seriously looked like fog on my nails. My tech would wipe it off, reapply, and it still happened so she deduced that the glossy top coat got cross contaminated with a matte one. This was not the most riveting story but there is, indeed, a first time for everything lol!

I’m getting my hair done next week and between that and my fill I’ll be acting brand new. Look out!!

How do you spend your breaks at work? Do you like to get seasonally themed nails? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug27

Pajama Party OOTD

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Pajama Party OOTD

Hello! It has been SO much fun seeing Halloween goodies in store and I say the earlier the better. In fact, it should be all year round! Halloween is, indeed, my favorite time to shop for home decor and scary cute clothes and 5 Below is one of my go to spots. There is nothing better than scoring little treats on the cheap! I am an avid fan of 5 Below’s pajamas and I couldn’t say no to two adorable sets during my first spooky shopping spree. They are the comfiest, softest PJs to snuggle up in and I have a feeling I’ll be living in them this fall. Check it out:

Who? What? Wear?

Pajama Sets: 5 Below

Candy Corn Plushie: TJMaxx

The Gengar plushie was a surprise from Johnny! ❤

I never used to buy pajamas because I always prefer to spend my money on clothes and shoes lol. However, 5 Below offers sets for under fifteen dollars and that is a deal that I would be hard pressed to find even at TJMaxx. I have purchased several pairs of pajamas from 5 Below and have quite the collection now. But, in my defense, I had a lot of time to make up for because my pajamas used to just consist of a few sad pairs of sweatpants and random T-shirts! While all of the PJs at 5B are uber cute, I think these Halloween themed ones take the cake!

Seriously, how darling are those little costumed bears doing their spooky best? And those teeny tiny ghosts?! Forget about it! Both of these pairs were hanging up at the front of 5B and I clocked them as soon as I walked in. They immediately went into my cart because I just knew they were going to sell out quickly. I was so right! The following week after buying them I ended up back at 5 Below with a client and there were no more sets of these pajamas in sight. I got them at the perfect time and feel like such a lucky duck. I can’t wait to curl up and watch scary movies and Supernatural in them all October long. 🙂

My plushies were my plus one to my pajama party and made for excellent company. Stay tuned for the Blooper Reel and stay comfy cozy!

What do you like to wear to bed? Is your wardrobe lacking any specific type of clothing? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug19

5 Below Clothing Haul

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5 Below Clothing Haul

Hi!! October is my Halloween happy time but spooky season has come to stores early and it absolutely tickles me. It is so fun to see Halloween decor galore in store (I like to rhyme!) in August! While I love seeing what’s good at TJMaxx, I am always especially excited for the Halloween drop at 5 Below. Gasp! Don’t tell TJs lol but it is really nice to get spooky little somethings without feeling like I’m breaking the bank and 5 Below scratches that itch. I have had many a Halloween haul there and recently had a frighteningly good score with new PJs and a fabulous T shirt for Johnny! Check it out:

I am an avid fan of 5 Below pajamas and have an ever growing collection of their sweet and cheap lounge wear. Their PJs come in the most adorable patterns, are uber soft and comfortable, and buying a set is fourteen dollars in total. It’s such a steal! As soon as I saw their two newest Halloween PJ additions with the bears in costume and tiny ghosts, they were as good as mine and I was SO eager to bust them out. I donned my ghosts and pumpkins this weekend and they were perfect to spend some lazy days in post surgery. These PJs actually remind me a lot of the Aerie line from American Eagle as I used to covet their pricey comfortable apparel and the fourteen buck price sure beats fifty dollars for a pair of pajamas! I am in trouble if 5 Below drops more Halloween patterns in this set because I’m going to want them all!! 😀

And, of course, I couldn’t leave 5B without a little treat for Johnny too! Every spooky season 5 Below drops the most fabulous horror graphic Ts. They are seriously Hot Topic level in both style and quality and Johnny loves the Michael Myers one I got him last year. I legit gasped when I saw a Texas Chainsaw Massacre T last week because holy WOW is this shirt cool. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is my all time favorite horror movie and, although Halloween takes the cake for Johnny, it is high up on the list for him too. This movie poster print is everything and Johnny put it on as soon as I gave it to him. It made me so happy! There are a few more that I have my eye on for the next time I end up in 5 Below’s loving embrace because there is nothing better than getting a shirt that would have costed twenty-five smackers at the mall for five. Great success!

Ghosts, teddy bears, and Leatherface – Oh my! This 5 Below Clothing Haul gave sweet with a side of scary. Stay tuned for Pajama Party OOTDs coming soon!

What is your favorite classic horror movie? Do you have your Halloween costume planned already? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug11

TJMaxx Skin Care Haul

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TJMaxx Skin Care Haul

Hi! This past Tuesday I went to TJMaxx on my break as I needed a skin care restock and wanted to browse for upcoming birthday gifts for a couple of my bestie girls. I had great success on both counts and actually ran into one of my bestie girls! While I was perusing the skin care, I sensed a presence beside me who seemed to follow me in step. I felt like I was blocking whomever from their shopping and felt SO awkward and it kept happening. Finally, I turned to the person to apologize and it ended up being my BFF of eighteen years, Lea!! Omg did we have a laugh and after we parted ways I texted her with “you scare me :(” lol because she really did! It made my TJs trip even more magical and I walked away with the following skin care goodies:

For my skin care I was on the market for a new moisturizer, serums, an eye cream, and a scrub. And, of course, I never say no to my go to micellar water if it is available! Selecting a moisturizer was an incredibly easy choice because I actually purchased the same Goodness moisturizer a few months ago, am using it now, and am absolutely LOVING it. The Goodness Every Morning Moisturizer is really rich despite its thinner texture and feels like clouds when I apply it. It is ultra hydrating and leaves my skin feeling soft as can be and looking refreshed. The last moisturizer I used was a total dud and the Goodness brand was a total breath of fresh air the first time I used it. I will happily continue buying it as long as it’s available!

As far as my preferred serums go, TJMaxx always seems to have Glow Elixir and Precision Beauty in stock and I am a fan of them both. Like the Goodness moisturizer, it was a no brainer decision to pick up a few in my tried and true Collagen + Vitamin C formula for a dose of radiance in my beauty routine. A scrub was also needed as I had just finished up one of my favorites by ValJean Labs. In fact, I used it up this very morning. I really enjoy their products and was hoping to find the same scrub to use again. The shelves were bare in that regard but I did find a ValJean Labs eye serum that I am looking forward to trying! I opted for a Vitamin C & Turmeric scrub by Skin 2.0 which is a brand I have never used before. I’ll get my introduction tomorrow so stay tuned for a review coming soon. 😀

Prezzies, skin care, and a bestie sighting – oh my! This TJMaxx trip had it all and I can’t wait to use the new to me products and gift my beloveds with what I found for them! ❤

Do you like to shop alone or with someone? What are your go to skin care brands? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug9

New Goosebumps Green & Sky Blue Nails

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New Goosebumps Green & Sky Blue Nails

Howdy! This past Tuesday I enjoyed a phenomenal fill on my break from work and it was just the best. TMI, but I started my period SO hard so to be able to take an hour and zone out to HGTV while I was pampered gave me a renewed pep in my step for the rest of the day. There is nothing like a fresh fill to get me feeling myself even when I am feeling miserable! I don’t know about all of you but I am more than ready for fall. In fact, I have been since last fall lol. Before the hopefully chilly days of September, I had to do one more hurrah for summer with brightly hued nails. Then it is onto the deep lush shades of autumn! Check it out:

As I perused my nail polish options, the neon green caught my eye and I went from there. My first thought was to pair it with orange but I already used that color during my last fill. Then, I thought about a lemon lime motif but already did that too! As I mentally vetoed all of my ideas I was left with a massive question mark until I saw the pretty sky blue and I was back in business, baby. These colors are summer sky and freshly mowed grass which is truly what I see. Other people had different opinions, though!

When my nail tech was done shaping and sharpening my acrylics to perfection, she painted on the green and described it as Goosebumps Green. She was not wrong and it gave me a hankering for Halloween something FIERCE! I think I’ll have to revisit this shade come spooky season regardless of just using it recently! Goosebumps was definitely on my mind and then it shifted to something totally different when I saw my brother. He said that it looked like a globe and now I can’t unsee it because it really does lol. All these nails need is a little airplane and map markings and they would make for the cutest travel theme. Summer sky and freshly mowed grass turned into a Goosebumps globe and I can’t say I’m mad at it! ❤

The most wonderful time of the year is soon to be upon us and I am SO excited to ring in a new season of fall fashion and fun here on lifewithlilred. Keep it posted!

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

Jul11

New Neon Orange & Blue Nails

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New Neon Orange & Blue Nails

Howdy! On Tuesday I had a lovely time at Elysian Nails on my break from work for a much needed fill. I was so ready to ditch the glitter from last time and move onto bright, poppy summer colors! The salon is my sanctuary and it was really nice to be able to have some reprieve from the not so great week that Johnny and I were having. While my fill didn’t take away my bummed out-ness, at least I could be sad with flawless nails. And, I can’t help but smile a little every time I look at this beach vibes palette. Check it out:

Ever since I got my hair done, I have had orange and blue on the brain as my stylist and I already have grand plans for my next appointment: Copper orange and denim blue, baby! It is going to be SO fab and while I am in love with my latest hair improvement, I am chomping at the bit to get back to the Shear Shop. Orange and blue is truly a match made in heaven and just screams fun in the sun. The colors I chose were side by side in the nail polish book and for good reason – they belong together! This combo serves a rave at the beach aesthetic with the neon hues that are so bright you need shades. I feel like I revisit this palette every summer and I have yet to grow tired of it. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it and whatever! 😀

Pampering is and will always be my favorite form of self care and my break time stint at the salon allowed me to regroup after some bad news. It was a chance to have pleasant conversations with my tech and the salon crew, watch some HGTV, and turn my mind off for a bit while my hands were in the most capable hands. Although I do enjoy an evening nail appointment from time to time, I love that I have a set in stone block between shifts on Tuesday where I can just do me. To return back to the daily grind with a fresh fill never fails to put some pep back in my step. Especially because when I get to my next shift, it goes without saying that everyone goes gaga over the end results. This appointment was when I needed it most and for that, I am thankful. #blessed

If you are feeling low, please remember to carve out some time for your preferred form of self care. It really can help center yourself for whatever lies ahead! ❤

How do you like to improve your mood? Does your self care take place at home or somewhere like a salon or gym? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun6

New Glitter Teal And Rose Nails

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New Glitter Teal And Rose Nails

Howdy! This past Tuesday I enjoyed a wonderful fill at Elysian Nails to get my talons right for mine and Johnny’s birthaversary party. No event is complete without getting these claws fresh to death! I was so excited for this appointment because my go to girl wasn’t available during my last fill. The tech who did it did an excellent job but it just wasn’t the same! I couldn’t wait to chat away about all of our updates and hot goss while being primped and pampered during my break at work. I got back to my shift feeling like a billion bucks! Check out these pretty little babies with an ultra unique color combo:

It is very rare that I go to the salon with a set in stone plan for my nail polish. I just like to browse my options and select whatever speaks to me. Since we had plans for a birthaversary bash, I knew I wanted glitter and that was about it lol. While perusing the nail polish book I fell in love with the gorgeous, glittery dusty rose and knew we were in business. But what to pair it with? A row or two down from the rose was a funky glitter teal and I decided to go for it to make a pseudo watermelon motif. Part fruity inspo, part mermaid this duo was everything. It was an unlikely pairing, for sure, but I love the results and I literally can’t stop looking at them!

As us gals gabbed away, I was seriously so impressed by my tech. She had improved so much and I just had to sing her praises. Her speed was legit off the charts and she wrapped up my fill in forty-five minutes flat. The stiletto shaping was also divine and extra pointy which I really appreciated! I could tell that she had been working really hard to perfect her craft and it made me proud AND inspired. It was a much needed reminder that there is always room for improvement no matter how long you have been doing something. Her gains definitely made me want to work harder, keep putting my best foot forward, and continue to learn more. ❤

This fill was absolutely fabulous and I already can’t wait to get back in my tech’s chair for my July appointment. There is nothing better than being in my salon happy place!

Do you get your nails done often? What is your preferred nail shape? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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