Tag Archives: valentine’s day

Feb17

LEGO Architecture Paris Skyline Set

Posted on February 17, 2021 by lifewithlilred

Hi! My boyfriend, Johnny, and I love building with LEGO and we have quite the collection of Harry Potter and Star Wars sets. For Valentine’s Day, Johnny and I never really go overboard with gifts for each other and one of the two things that I got him was the Paris skyline LEGO set from their Architecture collection. Paris is, easily, one of the most romantic places in the world and it is somewhere that I would love to go with Johnny.

Given the world’s current conditions, it will be a long time until we make it there so, for now, our own little Paris on our knick knack shelf will suffice! Check it out:

When building with LEGO, Johnny and I have our process down to a science. He handles all of the little pieces and details while I build with the bigger bricks because putting the small ones together are impossible with my nails! As you can see, the Paris Architecture set is completely made up of teeny tiny bricks so Johnny built it in its entirety in a matter of an hour while we talked and listened to music. I was blown away by how quickly he got it done!

Our Paris set is the first one that we have gotten together that is not inspired from a movie and it was the perfect introduction to the LEGO Architecture collection. I am so looking forward to when Johnny and I can travel together because I would love to have a LEGO skyline set of the places that we visit. Each skyline set boasts the most recognizable landmarks in each city. For Paris, this included the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Tour Montparnasse, Grand Palais, Arc de Triomphe, and the Champs-Elysees.

Johnny really enjoyed building this set because it was so different than anything that we already have. I am so happy that my Valentine’s Day gift to him was a success and be sure to keep it posted to see what Johnny surprised me with!

Where would you love to travel to? Which LEGO sets do you have? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb8

Sweet Treats For Valentine’s Day

Posted on February 8, 2021 by lifewithlilred

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Hi! Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and if you are still struggling to come up with some fun ways to celebrate at home, then how about spending an afternoon baking all of the desserts with your SO? Creating confectionery treats together will give you a chance to showcase how well you work as a team and decorating your masterpieces will be a blast. Taste testing them will be even better, though!

If you are lacking inspiration for delicious desserts to try your hand at – fear not! You can extend your date by enjoying a carefully-crafted dessert menu at your favorite restaurant. Who says you can’t eat dessert first?! You might find that delightful treat that you just have to make for yourself! For more ideas on Valentine’s Day sweets, how about trying your hand at making the following?

Chocolate:

Who needs a heart shaped box of chocolate when you can make your own, instead? Two Christmases ago, I made chocolate with my boyfriend’s mom and not only was it tons of fun but the end results were delicious! You can find all kinds of cute chocolate molds, get creative with your color choices, and add on to your pieces of candy with peanut butter, chopped nuts, or shredded coconut. Don’t forget that you can also make chocolate covered pretzels and fruit too. Hello, chocolate covered strawberries!

While chocolate is fun to make, it is also fun to drink too. To add even more chocolate deliciousness to the mix, how about a hot chocolate bar? You can use ceremonial cacao for a rich, bold flavored drink and include all of your favorite toppings. Whipped cream, marshmallows, peppermint bits, and chocolate sprinkles are all excellent options!

Cake Pops:

If you and yours aren’t big chocoholics, you could try your hand at making cake pops, cupcakes, or just a plain old cake for dessert. Investigate over YouTube and Pinterest for some ideas on how to decorate and see who is the Cake Boss in your kitchen! Red Velvet, angel food, and strawberry cakes are ideal for Valentine’s Day and I love a whipped frosting, myself. And, if whatever form of cake you go with is super successful, you can try this idea again on one of your birthdays. Store bought cake, what?

Ice Cream Sundae Bar:

Ice cream sundae bars are ideal for those who have a sweet tooth and aren’t trying to wait around for a cake to bake! Head to the store together and grab what you both need to build the perfect sundae. Fruits, candies, syrups, and whipped cream are all great starters. If you’re looking for a boozy treat, don’t forget that black or blueberry wine is awesome over vanilla bean ice cream! Love the sundae idea but want more of a challenge? You could make your own ice cream! But, it might be good to have a pint of Ben & Jerry’s for back up. 🙂

If you want to try your hand at making your own ice cream, it’s a great idea to find some inspiration first. Check out the flavors at your local ice cream parlors or you can view Banana Daddy for amazing soft serve and sundaes that are sure to please. If each of you are making your own batch, you could each go for a flavor that compliments the other for a swirl treat. There is nothing better than homemade ice cream so save me a scoop!

Lava Cakes:

I am not a huge fan of cake (the texture bothers me) but I do love a chocolate lava cake every once in a blue moon. The rich chocolate and the gooey hot fudge center topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream? Forget about it!! Lots of brands have make your own lava cake kits if making it from scratch seems like a daunting task. Homemade or from a box, you will still experience the joy of baking something delicious with your SO.

Don’t Forget:

To add some atmosphere, whether it be fun or romantic, both of you could create a playlist to listen to while you bake. Be sure to grab champagne or sparkling cider when you are picking up your ingredients too!

What is your favorite dessert? How do you plan on celebrating Valentine’s Day? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan27

At Home Valentine’s Day Date Ideas

Posted on January 27, 2021 by lifewithlilred

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Hi! Valentine’s Day is, hands down, the most romantic day of the year for couples and if we weren’t in the midst of a pandemic, then I’m sure all of the restaurants and cocktail bars would be jam packed full of love birds celebrating. V-Day is going to be different this year, as staying at home is the best option for everyone right now. But, that doesn’t mean that you still can’t have a romantic evening in! Try the following for a fun and totally safe Valentine’s Day from home:

Clear the floor:

If you and your SO love to dance, then clear out a big section of floor space to create your own at home dance floor. Make a playlist with all of your favorite songs and a few ballads, of course, and dance the night away. Don’t forget to light some candles and dim the lights for an even more romantic atmosphere!

Cocktail hour:

On Valentine’s Days past, you and your partner might have enjoyed a cocktail hour at your favorite local bar. So bring the bar home! Get all of the fixings for both of your go to drinks and play bartender for each other. And don’t forget some light snacks so it doesn’t all go straight to your head! Pop on a rom com while you sip your drinks and it will be even better than being at the movie theater!

Plant some flowers:

Who needs a bouquet when you can plant some potted flowers for your house together? Pick out a packet of seeds, a beautiful terracotta pot, and soil and get your hands dirty. Watching your flowers grow together will be a sweet reminder of how your own love blossomed and you will be able to enjoy them for much longer than a bouquet that will wither within the week.

Should you not have a green thumb, a flower delivery is sure to make your partner’s day. Companies like Daily Blooms delivering flowers throughout QLD (or a similar business in your local area) will bring a stunning bouquet straight to your door. You can have it customized with your significant other’s favorite flowers and a pretty vase to display in your home. Once the bouquet begins to wither, you could even press the flowers as a keepsake of your Valentine’s Day together.

Sweet treats:

If you and your partner both have a sweet tooth, then try your hands at making and decorating some delicious desserts. From cookies and chocolates to cake, cupcakes, cake pops, and chocolate covered fruit, you will have plenty of options to pick from. Or, if you want to make a day of it, you can bake a little bit of everything! So sweet and so fun too. 🙂

Dinner dress up:

After you’re done preparing dinner or waiting for your take out to arrive, head to your closet and you can both style an outfit for each other to wear during the meal. This will be really fun if you two have an eye for fashion and you will each get to see what your partner thinks you look best in. And, yes, sweat pants and pajamas are both viable options!

In my opinion, creating your own special memories at home seems even more intimate and romantic than a dinner out. Who needs a traditional Valentine’s Day, anyways? ❤

What are your Valentine’s Day plans? What is your favorite V-Day memory? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan23

Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

Posted on January 23, 2021 by lifewithlilred

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Hello everyone! Valentine’s Day is right around the corner so it’s time to do some shopping for your significant other. Today, we are going to look at some of the classic gifts you can give as well as some more unique ideas to woo your loved one with this Valentine’s Day. All right, love birds, let’s get to it:

LEGO Sets:

Have you guys seen the new botanical LEGO sets?! They are amazing and you could give your SO a LEGO bouquet of flowers to assemble together. How fun is that? LEGO also has some awesome sets of famous city skylines world wide. Perhaps you could pick a romantic city that you’d love to visit together? In my opinion, LEGOs are a two part gift because it’s so exciting to receive a set but it’s even better when you put it together… together! I love building with LEGO with my boyfriend and just one set can have you hooked on a brand new hobby – I know that was the case for me. 🙂

Pictures, Please:

For one of my client’s birthdays, he simply requested a picture frame with a picture of me and him in it. I was so touched by this and it is a gift that you really can’t go wrong with. Frame a picture of you two together and include a letter of why that moment was special to you. Sometimes, it’s the simplest gesture that is the most effective and I, for one, would love a gift like that too.

Lock Down Date Night:

Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is not safe to go with the classic “night on the town” date so create a date night at home, instead. Cook a delicious meal, get all dressed up, and enjoy each other’s company. For activities, you can play games, pop on a rom com, or just reminisce on your relationship while sipping champagne. Johnny and I had a lock down style date for our one year anniversary and it is one of my most loved memories with him, despite just being in our apartment. ❤

Subscription Boxes:

Has your partner always been interested in trying Hello Fresh, Ipsy, or Stitch Fix? Subscription services are one of the gifts that keep on giving and every month will bring a new treat for your SO. This is also a fun gift because it will help break up the monotony of lock down life with something monthly to look forward to. Pick out the perfect box for your partner’s interests and you can keep having Valentine’s Day for several months to come.

At Home Spa Treatments:

After a long year of pandemic problems, maybe you and your SO just want to relax this Valentine’s Day. If that’s the case, why not bring the spa to you? Provide an assortment of products from face masks and body scrubs to deep conditioning hair treatments, nail care kits, and essential oils. Make sure you have big fluffy towels or robes too! Couples that pamper together stay together and you are both going to feel like a million bucks after your spa treatments are complete.

We are going to have to get creative to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year but that’s okay! Enjoy each other’s company and safety at home with the ideas above and have your best V-Day yet. ❤

What are you going to get your SO for Valentine’s Day? What is your favorite Valentine’s Day memory? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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

Feb28

Accessory Story: Bling Bling Earrings Edition

Posted on February 28, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Accessory Story: Bling Bling Earrings Edition

Howdy! During my Valentine’s Day weekend in Marietta with my boyfriend, Johnny, he humored me by letting me shop in a darling boutique called EmLeigh’s and Mama B’s. Despite him looking like the “miserable husbands of Instagram” who fall asleep at the mall while their wives shop, I know he had a good time too. In fact, he’s just as big of an enabler as when I’m shopping with my mom or sister! Haha, such an angel!

I went a little earring crazy during my boutique bonanza but it’s not like I’m going to be able to shop in that store again any time soon so it was totally worth it. You saw my cool cross earrings yesterday and now check out two more super blingy pairs:

While I was checking out, the square pair of earrings with the Mardi Gras chic colors was sitting in a basket marked five dollars. I immediately tossed them in my pile and began taking a closer look at the jewelry in the store after realizing that their selection was going to be just as good as their clothes (Which you’ll begin seeing tomorrow!).

My boyfriend and I both loved the unique square earrings and the cross ones but we both decided that the glittery light pink lightning bolts were a must. At the same time, we said that it was like David Bowie and you’re not going to not purchase something like David Bowie!

I am so enamored with both of these pairs of earrings because of their colors. I definitely don’t own anything in the festive shades of the square pair or the glam rock pink of the lightning bolts. Each pair is going to make an eye popping statement and I’m looking forward to wearing all of the pretty new babes that I added to my jewelry collection. 😀

Do you own anything that reminds you of a celebrity or musician? What is the most unique pair of earrings you own? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb23

Valentine’s Day Bouquet Pt. 2

Posted on February 23, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Hello, everyone! I had a simply magical Valentine’s Day with my boyfriend, Johnny, and I hope that everyone had as wonderful of a day as I did… Whether it be with your spouse or a romcom and a bottle of wine! Johnny’s band, The Outside Voices, was playing a show in Marietta, Ohio on the fifteenth. So, Johnny and I decided to make a long weekend of it and drove there on Valentine’s Afternoon.

We stayed at a beautiful hotel called the Lafayette and we had a delicious dinner. Then, we went back to our room and drank champagne and watched Weird Al music videos for two hours straight. Like I said, it was simply magical.

The following day, we explored Parkersburg, West Virginia and Marietta before The Outside Voices played. Johnny and I spent the day checking out different thrift stores and boutiques and it was a complete blast. Definitely stay tuned for all of the amazing finds I scored from a trendy boutique that is in the process of going online so all of us can shop on there together! 😀

Johnny and I agreed to not go overboard with Valentine’s Day gifts and that was fine by me. Our entire weekend was the greatest gift of all and it was one of the best days of my life. But, being the sweet angel that Johnny is, he surprised me with roses and champagne and that was the cherry on top. Check it out:

When Johnny and I celebrated our big one week (haha), he gave me one single rose and I gave him a pack of hard seltzer water. I have kept that rose in my favorite vase and put the not dead ones in there too for good measure. When will I take them out, save the petals, and clean the vase? The world may never know.

In case you haven’t noticed, I like getting flowers. I guess that stems from (Ba dum chhhhh!) the fact that I have so many vivid recollections since childhood of my dad gifting flowers to my mom. During the summer time when the flowers in our garden were in bloom, there would be a fresh bouquet on the kitchen table every weekend. And, once the flowers wilted come fall, at least once a month my dad would purchase flowers as a “splurge” from the local grocery stores.

We interrupt your normal blog viewing with a conversation that happened between Sarah and her dad two weeks ago:

Me: Dad, I like those flowers. Where did you get them?

Dad: At Aldi’s… I splurged!

We now return to our normally scheduled programming.

Anyways, I know that people always associate getting flowers with love. But, my association literally comes from seeing true love between my parents. And, that’s why a simple bouquet and a bottle of booze (!!!) was the perfect gift for me. ❤

How did you celebrate Valentine’s Day? What do you associate with love? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb20

New Rose & Beige Nails

Posted on February 20, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Hi! I was so happy to get my nails filled before Valentine’s Day with a girly sweet color palette to complete my V-Day date night OOTD. I was also so happy that I had some left over gift cards to my stomping grounds of Elysian Nails from Christmas! 😉 I normally never do nail polish colors in theme with whatever holiday is happening. As a matter of fact, green and red nails on Christmas kind of make me want to gag.

However, Valentine’s Day is when you have to pull out all of the oh so pretty stops so I wanted to go with a traditional hue of pink with a creamy beige twist. Check it out:

For my Valentine’s Day nails, I was inspired by a strawberries and cream theme but didn’t want to go over the top with strawberry jam colored claws. So, I opted for a dusty pink with a soft beige for some femininity peppered into my “scratch your eyes out” talons. I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about this color combo because it was such a far cry from my normal, funky colors. But, every time I look at them, I can’t help thinking how obsessed I am!

I am absolutely in love with how my nails turned out and think that they are delightfully reminiscent of the Strawberries & Cream Cream Savers candy, which were the friggen jam in the early 2000s! Now, if only those would make a come back so that I can snap a picture with a handful of the candy and my matching nails! 😀

How do you feel about holiday themed nails? Which colors should I get next? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb19

Sweet Surprises: Valentine’s Day Bouquet Edition

Posted on February 19, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Sweet Surprises: Valentine’s Day Bouquet Edition

Hi! One of my clients, a freshly turned sixty year old with Down Syndrome has a love for all holidays. He revels in decorating for and celebrating each calendar holiday and Valentine’s Day was no exception. From mid January on, it was all about paper hearts, stickers, and Valentine’s Day themed episodes of his favorite old TV shows.

While shopping at Walmart for the finishing touches on the valentines he was going to mail out, he surprised me with a bouquet of a dozen colorful roses. It was quite possibly the sweetest thing in the world and I just had to share how beautiful they are with all of you:

While browsing through the Valentine’s Day decor at Walmart, my client “ooh-ed” and “ahh-ed” at everything he found appealing. So, I told him to pick out a small treat for me to purchase for him as a little V-Day gift. He selected his items – some more heart decor and a pair of heart shaped glasses and we continued to make our rounds in the store.

Once we came across Walmart’s aisle way of bouquets, without missing a beat, my friend plucked a colorful arrangement and placed it in his cart. “I get these for you” he said and my heart literally melted. I have never met someone with such a joy for each individual holiday and sharing that enthusiasm with all of his loved ones. It’s simply beautiful and all I need do is think about him to get a smile on my face.

As soon as I got home, I grabbed my spooky vases (Also from Walmart!) and began arranging my flowers. I have them proudly displayed on my coffee table and plan on keeping them there even after they have dried out as a sweet reminder of my friend and his joie de vivre. ❤

What is your favorite kind of flower? What were you treated to on Valentine’s Day? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb17

A Little Extra Something

Posted on February 17, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Hello everyone! I had so much fun creating a makeup themed Get Ready With Me post for Valentine’s Day and I hope that all of you have enjoyed my recent photo shoots as much as I have. This post is nothing special, just a few extra pics from my makeup shoot that didn’t quite make the cut but I liked anyways. Check them out:

Once again, I want to thank my friend, Markus, for always taking the most lovely shots for lifewithlilred! You can see more of his work on the following posts here, here, here, and here. Thanks for stopping by! xxx

What has been your favorite lifewithlilred photo shoot? What kind of style would you like to see me shoot next? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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