Tag Archives: unique

Target Haul: A New Day Kimono

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Target Haul: A New Day Kimono

Howdy! I have never been a fan of kimonos, because it’s difficult for me to find one that doesn’t make me look pregnant! Lol, there’s something about them that just looks like maternity clothing to me, so I avoid them like the plague when I go shopping. So, I definitely wasn’t expecting to purchase one during my extravaganza at Target! Fair warning that this A New Day number doesn’t photograph well, because it’s all black (Shocker!). But, you’ll get the idea! Take a look:

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My major qualm with ninety-nine percent of the kimonos on the market is that they are shaped boxy and then they hit at the waist. For a short girl, this is so not flattering. I always try to find clothes that lengthen me, as opposed to making me look like I lost five inches and gained ten pounds! So, I was instantly attracted to this kimono, because it was longer and more fitted.

My new kimono from Target’s A New Day collection falls all the way down to the middle of my calves and is smocked in the back so it isn’t flowy, like a typical duster kimono. Rather, the gathered fabric lays closely but comfortably on the body so that you are not swallowed whole by what does seem like a lengthy piece of clothing. I have never seen a kimono with this shape before and, if I did, I would have bought them all, because it is the perfect shape for me!

The subtle, embroidered flowers on the silky but muted fabric makes for a sultry look when paired over a long sleeved sweater, skinnies, and heels. This kimono can completely modernize your standard date night outfit and will look edgy and chic when wearing it while out and about. How you style it is up to you, but you will look shamelessly cool no matter what in this A New Day number.

Are you a fan of the kimono? Why or why not? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Unique Differences In U.S. Military Weddings

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Unique Differences In U.S. Military Weddings

Each of us is dreaming and planning of how to make our special day stand out and worth remembering for everyone. But, sometimes, it’s easier said than done. However, if you are serving in the military, you are an ex-Army officer, or you’re a cadet in the Academy, you are entitled to have a wedding ceremony in a military fashion. Military weddings in the States are different than the typical civil weddings in many ways.

Although they proved to be very hard to organize and plan due to the uncertainty and dynamics of living the military life, there is a big chance that everyone present at the wedding will remember it for all of those little things that are applicable only to these types of weddings. In this article, we’ll give you a number of brief examples of all of the traditions related to military-themed weddings:

Dress Code:

If you’re in the military and you decide to marry your beloved, you will be expected to wear your unit’s uniform, along with all of the medals or ribbons that you might have. And, as there will probably be lots of other military members (most commonly, the best man), they are also expected to wear their Army suits.

In cases when the bride is the one serving her country, there is a tradition that calls for a bride wearing military boots under her beautiful wedding dress. Apart from that, when attending a military-themed wedding, all attendees should wear formal attire if they’re not members of the military.

Arch From the Drawn Swords:

The feeling of walking down the aisle and saying that fateful ‘’yes’’ is even better when you know that there will be a memorable moment after that where you and your beloved will march down the arch made of drawn swords and sabres. Truly a sight to behold and relatable only to military weddings.

Army Insignia:

To spice things up even more and make everyone feel like part of the Army tradition, couples can also opt for engraving custom insignia on challenge coins and presenting a coin to each guest. Professional yet affordable coins can be made by Embleholics on your big day.

It’s also worth noting here that military couples do enjoy some benefits in the form of numerous discounts when it comes to finding a professional makeup artist for the wedding or acquiring pearl wedding rings.

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Unsplash Image

Getting Married on Base:

Military bases of operation usually provide everything for the wedding ceremony and the reception that comes after that. You won’t have a chance of attending a wedding ceremony on base if you are invited to a civilian wedding!

There are many other things that we didn’t mention in this article, but we will leave the rest for you to imagine (although we are pretty sure that you already know of many things that should be added to our little list here). The bottom line, is that military weddings are truly different than other weddings. They never fail to create unforgettable memories and experiences for everyone.

Featured Image By: Unsplash

English Factory Tennis Dress

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English Factory Tennis Dress

Hello!! My favorite thing about TJMaxx, other than their amazing prices, is that it gives you access to brands that you’ve never heard of or brands that are a bit out of your budget. Both of these go for the brand English Factory, which I discovered during an online shopping stint on TJ’s website. Upon inspection of English Factory’s own page, I saw that there was really nothing on there that I would be comfortable paying for, because all of their items were upwards of one hundred dollars. But, thirty five dollars for the beautiful, albeit a tad wrinkly dress seen below? I can swing that! Take a look:

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Before we go any further – yes, this dress has been ironed since these pictures have been taken! Lol!

I haven’t had much luck recently when it comes to finding some cute new dresses. And, with summer officially here, I was getting pretty desperate to find a lightweight dress or two to wear for work or play. And then, this English Factory beauty comes along and knocks me off of my feet. As soon as I saw this online, I loved it and I was completely confident that it would look awesome on me. And, obviously I was right. So much so, that out of the seven or eight items that I ordered, this dress is the only thing that I kept.

I love the quirky retro brickabrack detailing on this little number. It looks so sailor girl chic against the crisp, white cotton and I’ve never seen anything that looks like it before. The shape is also extremely flattering on me. The more structured top that turns into a flouncy skirt gives a unique silhouette – very different than every single piece of clothing in my wardrobe. And, the best thing about this dress, is that there is a slip built into the skirt so that your underwears don’t show through. Freaking SCORE.

My new English Factory dress doesn’t need much when it comes to styling an OOTD. A fun pair of platforms and one of my new Foley + Corinna purses are all I need to create a statement look!

How would you style this dress? What are some of your favorite, lesser known brands? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

How To Set Up A Band

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How To Set Up A Band

When you want to play some awesome tunes but don’t have anyone to jam with, there is but one solution: set up your own band. Though this might sound a bit nerve-wracking if you’ve never done it before, it is just the same as making new friends. The first thing you need to do is figure out the answers to the questions below and then you should go Online at Vampr to find the best people for your new group:

What kind of music do you like?

You probably already have a good idea of the kind of music you like, but you also need to think about what you want to play. Musical people often have wide tastes that can lead in all kinds of directions, so settling on one sound can be really difficult. Think back to what you like to play when you are on your own. Do you have a more folksy vibe? Is rock your thing? Do you like to write your own music or are you strictly covers only? Answering these questions will help to decide the kind of people that you want to attract.

Put together a track list of the things you like most and the styles you want to base your own music on to give potential band members an idea of what you are about. This can be any and all music so don’t be afraid to do the obvious stuff as well as the more off the wall things you enjoy.

Which Instruments Do You Need?

Next up: instruments. There are plenty of 2 guitars, 1 bass, drums types of bands but there is a lot to be said for branching out a little. How about adding a horn section? What about switching between instruments or experimenting with electronics? If you are looking to develop a unique sound, you might really be after musicians who can play multiple instruments so that you can all switch about to create something never heard before. This is the way that lots of famous bands work and create something new and different.

Where are You Based?

The final question might not be musical but is very important, nonetheless. If you are based in a garage somewhere, you need to think about how many people can realistically get in to practice. Plus, you need to make sure that you aren’t recruiting people who will have to drive for ages to get to each rehearsal. However enthusiastic they are now, they might not be after a long week of work in the depths of winter!

Similarly, if you want to gig at a cool underground nightclub with a tiny stage, a group of nine might sound great but just won’t fit. It’s not very rock and roll, but thinking about the logistics now will save you a lot of bother in the future when you start playing together.

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Unique Gifts For The Person Who Has Everything

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Unique Gifts For The Person Who Has Everything

What do you buy for the person who has everything? You’ll probably spend hours searching the deepest corners of the internet trying to find something, but with the giftee’s birthday fast-approaching this can make it even more stressful. That is why we have listed some top ideas below so that you can put an end to those endless internet searches:

Glow In The Dark Pillows:

Do you have a friend who is always stumbling in drunk and unable to find their bed? Then a glow in the dark pillow could be the solution. Glow in the dark pillows come in a huge range of shapes and sizes, and they look awesome, so if you want to give them something really special and unique then this is certainly the way to go. The best thing about these pillows is that you don’t even know that they are glow in the dark until you turn the light off! You can also get cute pillows and gifts too, which work just as well for someone who might not need the glow in the dark aspect as much.

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So cute!

Fun Mugs:

You may have seen funny mugs on the market and you may also think that they look kind of tacky. The best thing about mugs is that there are so many options available and there are some that look awesome. For example, you can get mugs that are shaped like tiki totems and you can also get some that light up, as well. Themed mugs are also great if they have a favorite movie and they are ideal if you can get one that is unlike anything that they have seen before.

Custom T-Shirt:

Does your friend have a favorite slogan, band, or anything else of the sort? Then why not put it on a t-shirt for them! You can easily create your own and this is about as unique as it gets. You can create your own shirt in a couple of minutes and the best thing about this is that you know that they won’t have one already!

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 Pixabay Image

Food Gadgets:

Everyone loves food and one way for you to get something for the person who has everything would be for you to buy them a gadget if they love to cook or bake. Or, if they have been to another country and they love the sweets or food there, then you can easily buy them a box of candy online or try cooking their favorite dish for them. Sure, you may pay a ton for postage, but at the end of the day you know that they will love it and it is a great way for you to show that you really care.

With so many options available when choosing a gift, finding the right one has never been easier – even for the friend that has everything!

The Fashion Statement That’s Out Of The Ordinary

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The Fashion Statement That’s Out Of The Ordinary

Fashion is on every lip and in every shop. Consequently, as a fashionista, you know the two magic words that can get you noticed and send plenty of positive trendy waves your way: Fashion Statement. The only problem with fashion statements, is that it needs to be an extension of yourself through the means of fashion without becoming abusive, shocking, or political. In other words, you can’t exactly be wearing a print out of your favorite congressman and call it a fashion statement; it would be a political opinion, and it can expose you to unnecessary painful repercussions once in the street.

Additionally, the statement is about making your outfit work, which means you need to think in terms of accessorizing or finding the right item to wear, instead of openly sharing your opinion about a specific matter with others. In fact, when you think about it, a fashion statement that doesn’t look like anything else is far from being a piece of cake!

The problem with fashion statements:

Do you know where most people go to find the perfect fashion statement? They turn to magazines, fashion bloggers, and, naturally, high street shops. As a result, everyone’s favorite fashion statement pieces are the same. How can you make a real statement if you look like everyone else? Additionally, one could also ask how a mass-produced piece can be the best personality piece for your wardrobe. In short, belts, earrings, clutch bags, hats, and shoes, while they are often the ideal accessories for your outfit, may not work as a unique, stylish item when everyone buys from the same shop. You need to be a little more creative, and that’s a good thing. Making your fashion statement meaningful by making it more personal is hardly a challenge for a fashionista with a sharp sense of style.

Make it vintage and personal:

If you have a love for old clothes, you can transform an outfit by pairing it with a true vintage item. If you know a few good addresses for vintage fashion, you can make sure to add a nice handbag from the 1950s or even some of the 1970s platform Cuban shoes that everyone wants. However, if you’re worried about wearing something that might require more care than modern fashion pieces, you can make your own vintage tee with SE Apparel. You can wear a fake 1970s vintage top with a picture of your parents’ wedding on it, for instance, or with a logo from the time – as logos are back in trend.

DIY:

If you’re particularly crafty, or if you know someone who is, you can definitely transform your style by wearing a hand-knitted scarf or a cute crochet beanie. The most adventurous can even sew their own clothes. There are plenty of simple patterns for beginners that can take you through the art of making your skirt or your dress in a few hours’ time. Nothing says personal statement as much as handmade clothes! Perhaps you might not be skilled with crafting your own clothes but are an excellent artist. This is great too! You could print your own graphic tees using your design for something totally one of a kind. You might even turn this into a side hustle so everyone can enjoy your creativity.

If DIY is not your thing, you can still incorporate aspects inspired by it into your outfits. Go for sweet embroidered pieces, chunky knitwear, beaded jewelry, or you can even buy odd socks with a homemade flare or fun patterns. No DIY skills required!

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Creating your own clothes is the ultimate DIY!

Fashion statements don’t work if they just make you look like anybody else. You have to be creative to showcase your style with original items – and, most importantly, have some fun!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Jolie In Jaase Top

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Jolie In Jaase Top

Hello hello and happy Monday! On my last trip to TJMaxx, I picked up a new top by Australian brand, Jaase, that I am simply obsessed with. It’s fresh, it’s floral, and it’s fabulous. This new zipped crop is completely perfect for spring and I loved it on the hanger, in the dressing room, and on my person because I had to wear it immediately the next day. Take a look:

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Other than black and green, I’m pretty sure that my favorite color to wear is the grey blue that is featured in this little number. I love how the simple white flowers pop against such a muted background. I also love how my complexion and hair pops, as well! This is probably my fifth or sixth top that features the pigeon color palette that I am so very fond of and, yes, I am sure that I will add more to my collection soon!

I love the shape of this top. The tight cropped torso is a snap to apply thanks to the zippered front, and it looks so chic paired with its bubble sleeves that taper into the cinched in finale. This Jaase top is unique, and that is so important to me. The shape of it is so different than anything in my closet and the fifteen dollar price tag doesn’t hurt, either.

Once it gets warm enough to wear shorts with tights, trust and believe that that is what I’ll be pairing my new find with. This Jaase purchase is going to look darling with A-line skirts and will add some flare to my black skinnies when it’s too chilly for shorts and tights. So fun!

What is your favorite color to wear? How would you style this top? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

New Love Notes Cropped Button Down

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New Love Notes Cropped Button Down

Heyyyyyyy. One style of top that I have grown increasingly fond of as of late is the button down. I LOVE them and have began to accumulate quite the collection. And, my love grows even more specific, because I always seem to be drawn to blue, vertical striped button downs – like this cropped cutie by Love Notes seen below:

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  • TJMaxx Price: $13

I really freaking like this shirt and, yes, it does look fabulous underneath the sleeveless hoodie that I wrote about yesterday! This top reminds me a lot of clothing from Zara and getting it for a fraction of what it would have costed there makes it an even sweeter buy. My new Love Notes lovely shows what looks like geese in different stages of flight and it’s just a cool pattern to have over the blue stripes.

Not only is the pattern of this top unique, but so is the style of it because it’s cropped. I am so looking forward to pairing this with black shorts this summer and maybe even during the spring with tights underneath for a quirky fun look. Everything about this top is a score for me and you definitely can’t beat a thirteen dollar price tag!

What is your favorite style of top? Who else is an avid fan of the button down? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Creating A Signature Look For Yourself

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Creating A Signature Look For Yourself

In a world where people follow the say-so of magazines, celebrities, and other forms of media when it comes to our appearance, it’s always refreshing to see someone taking on their own approach to their style. Be this person! Stand out from the crowd and create your own signature look. Here are just a couple of areas to focus on:

Hair

Hair can create a signature look that is solely associated with you. Think of Marilyn Monroe’s blonde bob, Dita Von Teese’s jet black 40’s curls, or Miley Cyrus’s slicked back outgrown pixie cut. If you’re not quite ready to reach for the clippers or bright and bold hair dyes, you can ease yourself into more unique looks with styles like ombre. Ombre is a two or more tone look that’s achieved with balayage (which is French for “sweep”). It involves sweeping bleach through different small triangle sections of the hair and leaving the bleach to take for different amounts of time. This helps your hair to subtly alter from areas of lighter shades to areas of darker shades. The majority of people opting for ombre tend to opt for darker roots, slowly and discreetly becoming lighter towards the ends.

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Love top knots!

Clothes

With the rise of street fashion, it’s extremely difficult to curate a personal look that seemingly endless numbers of other people aren’t already wearing at the same time. Think of all of the rails of the same item piled back in big name brand chains. These are going to be bought, there are more in the stockroom, there are even more in other chains, and whole piles of the product are waiting in storehouses to be bought by people online. When you buy the piece you’re looking at, you become one of potentially thousands who are going to have the exact same item. Not only does this make you meld into the background, but it can create awkward situations like turning up at social events or parties in the exact same outfit as somebody else.

The problem with this? It conjures up comparisons between you and the other person, setting off the beginnings of endless “who wore it better?” conversations. Besides this, surely you want to be an individual! Many people think that the only way to do this is to purchase expensive custom or designer pieces that others generally can’t afford. But this isn’t necessarily true. Even just a plain T-shirt can turn into something special with a punchy pattern or a cool slogan. You can check out these Chummy Tees reviews so you can start elevating basic staples to fit your style. As you can see, there are various ways to put together an astounding and truly unique wardrobe. Here are just a few to consider:

Shop Vintage

Vintage stores and outlets are a great place to start when it comes to creating a unique style for yourself. Vintage clothes date from the 1990s and the years before. They tend to be one-off pieces, as the others produced at the same time have been disposed of, recycled, or are no longer in good enough condition to wear. This means that you are extremely unlikely to see anyone else with the same piece as you. But don’t just pick up any old item. There’s a thin line between quirky chic and items that you would likely see an elderly relative wearing.

Do a little research of the different eras and get to know desirable vintage labels to look out for. If the sixties cater well to your tastes, look out for St. Michael’s, Aquascutum, and Biba originals. If the seventies are more your thing, search for Levi bell bottoms and old-school graphic tees. Remember to check the quality of everything that you like the look of and try things on before purchasing. Vintage stores rarely offer refunds or exchanges, so you will want to be sure that they fit and have fully functioning zips and no missing buttons or moth holes before paying.

Upcycling

Upcycling is slowly but surely becoming a more common activity. It is a simple process where you transform items that you already own. You can upcycle all sorts of things: furniture, accessories, and (most exciting of all) your wardrobe. You can turn jeans into shorts for the hot summer months, pillowcases into cute beach tote bags, or perhaps just jazz up a jacket with pins and patches. Whatever you decide to do, upcycling puts your personal touch to your clothing. While someone else might have the same base item, yours will almost certainly stand apart from it.

DIY

If you find that you enjoy upcycling, you might want to try out something a little more complex, but even more rewarding: making your own clothes from scratch. This gives you a lot more freedom over your garments, as you can choose the exact design, fabric, and fit. Start out with simple patterns and follow online tutorials and advice pieces. It may take a little time before you start producing things that you want to wear, but practice makes perfect and developing this brilliant life skill is definitely worth the effort.

Altering your look may take a little time, effort, and planning. However, it’s better to get started sooner rather than later. This will allow you to see positive changes and results as soon as possible!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Valentine’s Day Gifts For Her

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Valentine’s Day Gifts For Her

Bonjour! Valentine’s Day is slowly creeping up and just thinking about all of the people that are shopping for their significant other the day before the holiday is enough to give me anxiety. So, I decided to start the V-Day festivities early on lifewithlilred by doing a gift guide for her today and for him tomorrow.

Of course, flowers and chocolates are a great way to go and I would love to get that. But, if you’re on the hunt for something a bit more unique, try some of these ideas:

First Of All:

Okay guys and gals, a cute card is so necessary for your V-Day haul for your S/O. You may find it cheesy, but 99% of the population will find it sweet as can be. Write a heartfelt letter to your partner and don’t skimp on the romance. We’re talking the moment you knew you were in love, your first date memories, or a list of reasons why you love and admire your special someone. This is a great thing to do any time, but definitely pull out all of the stops this Valentine’s Day, which can be done with something as simple as writing a letter.

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Maybe not that one. ^^^

Gift An Experience:

The weather in February can still be pretty sketchy depending on where you live. But, the great thing about concerts is that, for the most part, they are usually indoors! Who is your honey’s favorite band or singer? AKA who do they constantly annoy you with by playing in the car?! A concert is a great date and you can even make a day of it by exploring the area where the venue is and don’t forget the pre-show dinner or drinks!

Pampering Party:

Everyone loves to pamper themselves in some way shape or form and a sultry V-Day surprise could involve an evening of luxury for your S/O. You can never go wrong with gifting bath and body care products and do be sure to throw in a few candles to light for good measure, as most specialty bath and body stores carry them. And guess what else they typically carry? MASSAGE OIL! Quick… Cue the slow jams:

(As always, I have no rights to this video!)

Ahhhh…. That’s the stuff. So, as I was saying:

Run some bath water and let your BOO (Because I don’t say bae!) pick from an assortment of bath bombs to use. Rose petals and bath oil is just as good, too! Have an array of lotions set out for afterwards and the massage oil handy to give a nice………..

FOOT RUB. 😉

Wine And Paint Night:

Many local establishments and bars host wine and paint nights and they are an absolute ball. Most places will even offer a special picture to paint for Valentine’s Day. This is a fresh and fun take on just going out to dinner and it offers a chance for both of you to show off your creative sides or unlock a talent that you didn’t even know was there.

Still Need Some More Options?

  • Mani/Pedis always go down well
  • A shopping trip to their most loved store
  • Cooking dinner (Don’t forget the wine or champagne!)
  • Taking a ballroom dance class
  • Paint your own pottery places are fun
  • Going to a museum (Art or history buffs will love that!)

And Remember…

The most important thing is doing something thoughtful for your loved one. Being showered with presents is nice, and anyone will agree to that. But, creating a happy and special memory is even better. And, keep in mind, that it is NEVER about how much money you spend, either! Ball on a budget or blow it out of the water, but at the end of the day spending a small fortune doesn’t guarantee a wonderful time.

What are some of your Valentine’s Day date ideas? What is one of your happiest V-Day memories? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah