Tag Archives: weather

Summer Skin Care

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Summer Skin Care
Hi everyone and welcome to my darling friend, Carlie’s, post for my Salute To Summer guest bloggers series! Carlie is one of my favorite gals on the planet and I’m lucky enough to be able to FaceTime with her pretty frequently. Be sure to check out Carlie’s blog at Bombshell and give it some love! I am sure that you will enjoy her pinup princess antics just as much as I do. Now, on to Carlie’s post that will teach you how to keep your skin healthy and glowing this summer:

Summer Skin Care

It’s that time of the year again, SUMMER TIME! So when one of my truly wonderful girlfriends, Sarah (lifewithlilred), asked me to be a guest blogger for her summer series, I was all for it. For my Salute To Summer blog post, I am going to talk about how to prevent your skin from getting sun burned and damaged in the hot sun. Here are some tips to help you and your skin enjoy the summer all of the better:

1. SUNSCREEN: This should be a no brainer, but you can’t believe how many people, especially where I live in Southern California, don’t bother to wear sunscreen. Not only do a lot of them opt for lounging in the sun unprotected, but they also do tanning beds (which I refuse to ever try) and spray on tans. Sunscreen is a god send for not just my fair skin but for my girl, Sarah, who has such a gorgeous porcelain skin tone, herself!

As far as sunscreens go, I prefer a SPORTS Cream with an SPF around 50, (you can never be too careful!). They last longer and the Sports ones are waterproof. Spray sunscreens are great, too, especially when you don’t have anyone to apply sunscreen on your back! Despite how convenient spray sunscreens are, just be aware that you do have to reapply them more often than Sports waterproof sun screen.

2. MAKEUP FOR SUMMER: If you feel like you need to wear makeup while on the beach, vacation, or lounging by the pool, first of all, DON’T wear a lot of makeup. It’s not a good look. I recommend a waterproof mascara, a lip stain, and also the brand, BARE MINERALS! I have talked about Bare Minerals since it first hit the market about ten or eleven years ago when they only had the Bare Minerals store – unlike now, where you can get it at many department stores. Bare Minerals is a great makeup brand, which originally had a powdered foundation, a cheek color, and a mineral veil (which gives an air brushed finished to your foundation.). The best thing about Bare Minerals, is that they all have SPF sunscreen in them without looking greasy.
I, of course, love the MATTE coverage foundation and mineral veil. Bare Minerals now has many different products, like delicate colored shadows and formulas. But, for me, I’m old-school and like the original powdered products. Another Bare Minerals bonus, besides the sunscreen in it, is that if you find your skin really dry during the warm months, they actually make hydrating foundations and powders. Plus, the coverage is fantastic. I recommend this brand for sunscreen on the face. You can even layer the foundations over a delicate swipe of regular sunscreen, let it sit for a minute, and then apply the sunscreen powdered foundation.
3. SUMMER ACCESSORIES: Whether you are at the beach or the pool, summer accessories are a must. Bring a big umbrella to cover your beautiful skin if you’re lounging on a bench with music or a good book. A big floppy hat and oversized sunglasses can also never hurt when it comes to covering up your precious skin. Oh, and of course, don’t walk out of the house without a cover up over your bathing suit!
XOXO Carlie

Thank you so much again to the gorgeous Carlie for walking us through some Summer Skin Care tips! How do you step up your skin care game in the summer? What is your preferred sunscreen brand? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Summer Bucket List Ideas

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Summer Bucket List Ideas

Hi everyone and welcome to day two of my Salute To Summer guest bloggers series thanks to the darling Charlotte of CharlieeStar. Charlotte is one of the most sweet as can be girls that I have had the pleasure of working with and her blog is a real treat! She is just starting out in the blogging world, so please make sure to check out her page and give it some love! In this post, Charlotte is going to provide us with some super fun Summer Bucket List Ideas, so take a look and enjoy:

Summer Bucket List Ideas

Hey guys,

After reading that Sarah (lifewithlilred) was looking for summer guest writers, I jumped at the opportunity! So before I get into my post I’d like to say a thank you to Sarah for letting me appear on here! Anyways, who am I? Well I’m Charlotte from CharlieeStar. I’m a UK blogger focusing on lifestyle, beauty, and relationship posts! Seeing as summer is just around the corner, I thought that I’d do a post on potential Summer Bucket List Ideas. Basically, these are the things that I think I would like to do this summer and I thought that you might be able to take some inspiration from them, too! I think I’ve done enough rambling now so let’s get into this!

Beach BBQs:

Luckily for me (or unluckily depending on how you look at it), I live about 15 minutes away from the beach. This means, that in the summer I have a pretty obvious area to hang out. But don’t be fooled, the beach is always mobbed by tourists. This is why the first thing on my bucket list takes place in the evening. BBQs on the beach sound so basic, but they’re such a great way to hang out with your friends and enjoy the warmer summer evenings. By the evening, the gathering tourists will be heading back inland for dinner or whatever it is that tourists do. Meaning the beach is quiet and the world feels like yours. There’s no limit to this just being a beach activity though! If you don’t live near a beach, then you could hold the BBQ in a nearby field or even in your back garden.

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Catch Up On Some Reading:

I love reading but never seem to have enough time for it! That’s why this summer I want to take some time to read. I’ll be publishing a ‘What’s on my summer reading list’ over on my blog so please feel free to follow me and look out for that if you are interested!

Star Gaze (With Haydn):

My boyfriend (Haydn) and I are a long distance couple so we don’t have endless amounts of time together, but a peaceful night under the stars together listening to music and eating snacks sounds perfect to me. If you’re not in a relationship, you could totally do this with your close friends, your dog, or even just you. Although, if like me you do live in the UK, you’ll probably need to take some blankets so you don’t get hypothermia.

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Enjoy The Area:

This probably sounds really old person like, but I want to make better use of the area I live in. I love going for walks or riding my bike, so this summer I want to do more walks around local rivers and in the countryside or take my bike out. Even on days where my friends are busy, I still want to motivate myself to actually do something with my days. Contrary to popular belief, you can have too much Netflix – trust me!

Work On My Blog:

Of course, one of the main things that I love doing is blogging! I started in January as a way to do something more productive with my spare time. I haven’t grown a ton (as I’m writing this I have just over 100 followers), but I’d really like to. Over the summer, I’ll hardly have any school work so I want to use some of my free time to learn about how to be a better blogger! (If you’ve got any tips please let me know! You can comment down below or message me on Instagram @charliestarblogs) If you haven’t got a hobby or want to put more time/effort into the ones that you do have, summer is the perfect time to work on them.

Movie Marathon:

I know that I just stated how much I love being outdoors, but I’m a ‘homely’ kinda girl at heart and a movie marathon is likely the only marathon I’ll ever complete! Either with my girls or on my own, I want to put my pajamas on, snuggle under a duvet, and binge watch a good series (TV or movies). Does this count as something to go on a bucket list? I think so!

Feel Body Confident:

This is one that I thought a lot about before putting it onto my list. I mean, it’s not something that you can do for fun in the summer but it is something that I want to feel? IDK. This summer, I want to stop worrying that my boobs are too small to wear some of the cute crop tops out there or that my back acne is gross so I shouldn’t wear low backed tops. I want to wear the clothing that I think looks cute and feel confident doing it! After all, we’re all beautiful in our own way and someone will always love the flaws that you hate.

Thank you guys for reading my little list. I think I broke a lot of the bucket list rules but that’s okay, we’ll just roll with it. These are all of the things that I want to do/achieve but what about you guys? Let me know in the comments below! Once again thanks to Sarah for letting me appear here on lifewithlilred!

*Pretend my sign off is cool*,

Charliestar xoxo

Blog: CharlieeStar

Instagram: @charliestarblogs

Thank you so much again to Charlotte for sharing her Summer Bucket List Ideas with us! What are your summer goals? How do you plan on spending your summer? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

What DO I Wear?! Beach Chic Edition

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What DO I Wear?! Beach Chic Edition

Helloooo everyone and welcome to the very first post of my Salute To Summer guest bloggers series compliments of the darling, sweet, talented, gorgeous K.M. of Ankhor You. K.M. is a dear blogging friend of mine who I absolutely adore and it would BEHOOVE all of you to go check out her page because I can promise you that you will love her just as much (but definitely not more) as me. K.M. is a mermaid princess and she is going to teach all of you a thing or two about Beach Chic attire. Check it out and enjoy:

What DO I Wear?! Beach Chic Edition

“I look my best when I’m totally free, on holiday, walking on the beach.” Rosamund Pike

When Sarah mentioned that she was doing a summer series with guest bloggers, I knew right away that I not only wanted to take part, and was incredibly honored she wanted me to, but I had a pretty good idea of what I was going to write. Summer is my jam, especially if it includes anything to do with the ocean. If I could live in a bungalow by the beach and write the rest of my life, I would be one happy mermaid. #Lifegoals

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Summer time isn’t just my happy place, but it’s my favorite kind of fashion. Maxi dresses, beach cover ups, flip-flops, skirts, bare legs – I love it all. All year, I wait for when I am finally able to shed the heavy coats and toss my espadrilles aside while letting my feet play in the sand. At this point, I wouldn’t say love but more like borderline obsessed.

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Summer Fun:

With the warmer weather comes endless activities from sea glass hunting, visiting light houses, to taking a schooner out on the ocean. And, of course, lounging in the sand catching rays is a must. While many of these activities can be considered casual, your style does not have to be. Nope, beach wear can be classy and chic, transitioning from a day in the sun to a night out on the boardwalk. Of course you want to be the epitome of a fashionista. After all…Pictures!

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Summer Trends:

Keeping with the unofficial Summer anthem of “let’s show some skin”, the trends aren’t just an emphasis of off the shoulders and cut outs, but bralettes and cropped tops littered the racks and runways this season. It is summer after all, and we want to be cool in our looks and our body temperature!

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// Sunglasses: Tory Burch // Shirt: Anthropologie // Skirt: White House Black Market // Shoes: DSW // Necklace: Seamilligan Designs // Cuff: Light House Studio Designs // Clutch: Alaina Marie, Bait Bags // 

It can be daunting wearing just a bralette, after all how many of us have Giselle Bundchens abs? Be honest. But, stores like Anthropologie are offering a variety of cropped tops and bralettes, from barely there to just a hint of peek-a-boo skin.

Added to that, high waisted skirts and pants have made a comeback in a big way, pairing well with the “let’s just wear half a shirt” shirt. It also gives us the option of showing a little less skin if we so choose.

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The Look:

I found this billowy cropped blouse at Anthropologie and the rest is history, especially when this blonde saw that it came in navy. Move aside black, navy is the IT color for blondes. While it might seem a tad naughty librarian, this shirt is incredibly versatile and pairs well over a camisole, if you want to be trendy, but demure. Tied and fitted at the waist, the kimono like sleeves offer another glance of skin when the arms are raised in the classic “touchdown” stance.

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Having planned a day of fun with my mer-twin at Eastern Promenade in Maine, I knew no amount of donuts or frappucinos were going to stop me from rocking this shirt. (You go girl!! -Sarah)

Channeling the high waisted trend, I opted for a white embroidered skirt from White House Black Market. Shorter then I normally go for, it was flirty and fun, perfect for a debut in the sun. Because of the wide elastic band, I could wear it higher up or lower depending on how much skin I wanted to show, or how many mimosas I had slung back at brunch. (AYYYY – also from Sarah)

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Accessories Perfect For a Mermaid:

The navy and white created a blank canvas to accessorize however the mood struck. I could go ultra glam or keep it nautical. I decided on the latter, choosing jewelry and accessories that had ocean ties.

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I wanted to rock my favorite tassel necklace by SeaMilligan Designs made from blue safety sea-glass. I then added a cuff made out of a lobster gauge from Lighthouse Designs. Rounding out the nautical accessories and to hold my things and maybe any sea glass I found, I grabbed my bait bag clutch by Alaina Marie. And, finally, for shoes I chose my lace espadrilles, that I could easily take off so that I could dip my feet into the (chilly!) water.

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The Finished Look:

All in all it was a trendy, yet Beach Chic look, that I could show off both on and off the sand. It is also an outfit that I could throw over a swimsuit or wear for a night out on the boardwalk. Much like most of the items that I buy and style, the options are endless for this look, as well as the individual pieces.

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Thank you SO MUCH again to the lovely sea princess, K.M., from Ankhor You for starting out my Salute To Summer guest bloggers series with a Beach Chic bang! How do you style a beach ready look? What are some of your beach essentials? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Monday Update: Salute To Summer Guest Bloggers Series Lineup

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Monday Update: Salute To Summer Guest Bloggers Series Lineup

Hello everyone and happy Monday! This week is a fun one because tomorrow is the beginning of my Salute To Summer guest bloggers series! With the change of the seasons, I love inviting my fellow bloggers to join me on my page to celebrate their favorite parts of that time of year. It’s a joy to see the tips, fashion, beauty, and hang outs from all over the world, thanks to the wonderful ladies that bravely volunteer to write an article for lifewithlilred. Chit chatting over email with all of my girls always makes my day and each of them have come up with a wonderful and unique article to share with all of you. So let’s get to the lineup:

Salute To Summer Guest Bloggers:

As you can see, I have a fabulous lineup in place for this guest bloggers series and I cannot wait for it to start tomorrow with a gorgeous OOTD compliments of K.M.! Thank you to all of my amazing guest bloggers for participating in my Salute To Summer series – I so loved working with all of you. And, of course, you are welcome back on lifewithlilred any time!

What is your favorite part of summer? What is the summer weather like in your neck of the woods? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Bollywood Style Target Haul

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Bollywood Style Target Haul

Hi everyone and happy Hump Day! I had a shockingly really nice day yesterday – I got a lot of work done and managed to squeeze in a Target shopping trip, which instantly turned the day from pleasant to fantastic! Oh, Target. The store notorious for people going there to get one thing and leaving with a cart full of so called “necessities”. AKA, my life every time I walk through those sliding doors.

I don’t think people realize just how much Target has improved in this past decade because honestly, their clothing and accessories used to suck eggs. But now, I can’t remember the last time I went into Target without trying something on in the dressing room or modeling a new pair of shades in their accessory shop. But hey, it could be worse. I could be going into Target and leaving with nothing! 😉

For the most part, I’ve been really impressed with Target’s summer line of clothing and yesterday was no exception. I was taken aback by the taste of Bollywood style that some of the pieces invoked and as soon as I saw them, they were basically as good as mine. I absolutely ADORE Bollywood inspired clothing. The jewel tones, the fine attention to detail, the flow, and flare. UGH. I love it all. Take a look at my latest indulgences and let’s discuss:

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As you guys know, ten out of ten times, I’m going to prefer black clothing. But, when I venture into color, jewel tones are where it’s at. My pasty pale complexion is such a blessing because it allows me to wear the deep, dazzling colors that I love. Emerald green, cobalt, mustard yellow, shocking magenta, and deep shades of wine. My skin tone turns into a blinding fifty shades of pale and enhances the color of the clothing tenfold. That is why I was so attracted to my new maxi dress and bralette top.

I’ve been on the prowl for a maxi dress since the weather began to warm up because I don’t own one. I have some fun high low dresses but no straight up, down to the floor maxis. I’ve tried on a few and some were nice but none of them spoke to me on a spiritual level. Then, I found this mustard yellow gown yesterday and yes, it moved me.

Mustard yellow is my color. Granted, it hasn’t always been that way, though. Before I began dying my hair red and was still wearing my hair in its natural shade of medium brown, mustard yellow looked ghastly on me. It was so sad because I wanted it to look good on me so badly but it was just very blah. Fast forward to when I became a red headed vixen (ayyy!) and it became all mustard yellow everything. Many people have told me that mustard yellow really is a red head’s best color and they are so right. I have never met a red head, real or fake, that that color hasn’t looked good on. It truly is an anomaly how simply changing your hair color can open up a whole new clothing color palette to you, but I am so not complaining. #blessed

In summary, this dress is fabulous. The way the fabric crimps, the silhouette, the color, the detailing in the bodice, the emphasized waist line. Holy moly. I love when I see pieces of clothing that I just know will look good on me and that’s how I felt about both of my new purchases. Sometimes, I find that maxi dresses can really overpower a petite gal, such as myself. But not this one. The way that it was designed with the slit down the bottom middle, the embellished bust, and the detailing on the waist line was genius because it broke the dress up. It turned what could have been a dress that looked like a potato sack into a gown with a distinctive top and bottom, which makes the eye dance around because there’s more to look at than a floor length window curtain. #greatsuccess

And, lord god have mercy, don’t even get me started on my new bralette. I love, love, love, love, LOVE this top. Crop tops are my number one BFF in my wardrobe when it comes to showing off my tattoo arsenal because five of my six are on my side and back. And best believe with my latest tattoo addition, that I’ve been wanting all of the crop tops to show it off!

This top is just stunning. The muted magenta color, the embroidery, the mirror decal embellishments. Omg. Just pure, modern, Bollywood fun. The best thing about this bralette is the possibilities that come with styling it. You could wear it with a:

  • Maxi skirt
  • High waisted/normal shorts
  • Jeans
  • Harem pants
  • Underneath a blazer/cardigan

I mean, seriously, the possibilities are endless. I feel like I am going to have so much fun incorporating this top into my outfits and I already have so many ideas in mind! When my MAN comes up at the end of the month for my birthday, I plan on wearing this with black shorts, my black, oversized boyfriend blazer, and my olive green platform heels for a sexy cool summer look. Dress to impress much?

Target hit the nail on the head with these pieces and I am so happy to have them in my collection as we head into the summer months ahead. My wardrobe is not the most accommodating to summer clothing because I thrive when I’m styling things for the cooler fall, winter, and early spring. It’s going to be fun to try something new and go into summer not feeling like I don’t have anything to wear!

So there you have it, my Bollywood Style Target Haul! How do you style a bralette into your outfits? What style of dress do you prefer for summer (maxi, mini, midi?)? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Summer Fun Checklist

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Summer Fun Checklist

It may not always seem like it, but the time of year that it is can make a huge difference in a person’s life. Winter and autumn can be difficult sometimes because of things like seasonal effective disorder. How early the sun rises and sets is enough to have an effect on people’s moods (I know it does for me!). As another example, people look at the New Year as something of a new start, and it is a time when they try to grasp that opportunity.

Summer is no different. If you are in college, especially, the break from the academic year represents an opportunity to improve yourself (or simply to bask in laziness for a few weeks). That may mean that you go traveling and experience the wonders of another culture or you may decide, instead, to stay closer to home and participate in some volunteering or work experience to better prepare you for your post-graduation job search. For people who work, it is a chance to go on holiday. However, you may just want to stay at home and relax. For some people, the perfect summer day is taking a book to a local park and sitting under a tree until it gets too dark to read.

If you are thinking of making the most of the summer this year, you will need to start preparing now since it is so nearly upon us. Here are five things that you need to make sure of before you set off on whatever plans that you’ve made:

  1. If you are hoping to leave the country, you should book your flights exactly eighteen weeks before you intend to travel. Research has shown that airline websites offer the cheapest prices at those times. Otherwise, you need to check that your passport is still valid. And do not forget your visa! There is nothing worse than getting somewhere only to be sent back again right away.
  2. Depending on where you’re going, you will need to make sure that your wardrobe matches. If you are heading to some tropical paradise, you’ll need a bikini or swimming trunks. Do not forget your sunglasses and the most important thing of all: sun tan lotion. Nothing ruins a vacation quite like a nasty sunburn.
  3. Personal grooming is crucial, too. If you are looking for the best razor for the bikini area, you need to make sure that you get one with which you are comfortable. Otherwise, you should remember that in different climates you will need to have products for your hair and skin. If you are not used to hot weather all year round, you may quickly find that your lips crack or your skin becomes a little dry. Thinking ahead and packing precautionary lotions or ointments is the smartest thing to do when you’re jetsetting to a new place.
  4. You should always take a book with you just in case for surprise waits before appointments or lunch dates, but it is never more important than when you are on holiday. They are not called ‘beach reads’ for nothing!
  5. No one forgets a camera anymore since they do not forget their phone but to get the best pictures, you should think about a camera with film. It costs more but the photos are better. Also, why not take a notebook along so that you can better remember the holiday when you get back?

Nothing makes pre-vacation planning easier than a good old fashioned checklist. Make yours, check it twice, and you’re off!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Summer’s Coming! Health Tips To Prioritize

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Summer’s Coming! Health Tips To Prioritize

Now that spring has seen it’s last few days and summer is finally on its way, it’s time to talk about health. Our health matters differ from winter to summer. When the months warm up, we have certain things that we need to prioritize over others. With the sun coming out in full force and the days lasting longer, we can often focus on having fun over looking after ourselves. But, with these key areas, all you have to do is take precautionary steps now, and your health will be covered all summer long:

Protect Your Skin: When we’re exposed to the sun, our skin can suffer. So, it’s important to take a few precautionary measures before you head out for the day. Along with trying to avoid being in direct sunlight during the hottest hours of the day, you should aim to take breaks in the shade as much as possible. When your skin is exposed to the sun, regardless of how cloudy it may seem, you need to make sure that you wear sunscreen. That way, you’re protected from harmful rays and have a better chance of staying safe and sun burn free.

If you find yourself craving summer heat, but don’t want to risk burning, a trip to the sauna can help scratch that itch. There are distinctive benefits to a traditional sauna experience and one that uses infrared sauna light therapy. Explore both options to find the setting that is right for you!

Tackle Those Allergies: Having allergies can be hard during the summer months. Whether you’re suffering from a blocked nose, itchy eyes, or painful sinuses, the sooner you work on tackling your allergies, the better you will feel. Sometimes, taking a mild antihistamine is all you need. However, if you’re still suffering, then you might want to think about speaking to your doctor about the alternative options you may have, like natural remedies or surgery.

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Pretty!

Prioritize Hydration: As the weather gets warmer, we’re more likely to suffer from dehydration. What you would drink in winter may need to be increased for summer, because we tend to sweat a lot more. So if you drank four glasses of water a day on average in the winter, you might need to make that six for the summer. But everybody is different, so what ‘hydrated’ means to you might be too much or little for somebody else. Some great tips on staying hydrated can be found here in case you feel like you need an extra H2O boost.

Control Circulation: Poor circulation can happen for many different reasons, but when the weather warms up the effects can worsen. Whether you experience numbness in your legs, pain, or even a high level of fatigue, it’s time to take back control of your circulation. You may need to seek advice from your doctor, but you will often find that when you buy compression socks, you can not only promote good circulation again but ease the pain.

Get Active: Exercise is important for a balanced lifestyle. But when it comes to summer, stepping up your activity levels could not only improve your well-being, but give you more energy, too. Now that the sun is shining more, it’s time to get outside because cold winter days are no longer an excuse! Walk rather than drive and head out to enjoy nature parks around your area. Not only will you feel better for it, but you’ll also look it, too.

Summer is a time for fun, sun, and some much needed R&R. When you’re in the best health that you can be, the care free summer vibes will only be intensified!

Featured Image By: Pexels

8 Stylish Ways to Beach up Your Home

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8 Stylish Ways to Beach up Your Home

Hi everyone and happy weekend! This post is compliments of my darling friend and design guru, the lovely Miss Chloe Taylor. Thanks again, Chloe girl! ❤

8 Stylish Ways to Beach up Your Home

It was the year 2003 when the world fell in love with the amazing beach house from the movie “Something’s Gotta Give” with Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton. The Hamptons house Keaton’s character lives in was everything anyone could wish for from a beach house – light shades of blue, warm whites, soapstone counter tops, an amazing pool, and a fabulous view of the waterfront. However, not all of us can enjoy the benefit of having a shore near our homes, but that doesn’t mean that we should be deprived of laid-back coastal decor. If you are interested in “beaching up” your home, here are a few ways to do it:

Start With the First Impression:

If you want to turn your landlocked home into a beach-like heaven, you should start from the very entrance. Painting the facade in light grey or white (or a combination of the two) should do the trick. Then, you can enhance the vibe with a pastel blue front door and lush green plants on the sides of the entrance.

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Choose a Beachy Color Palette for the Interior:

Once you enter your little sea shore kingdom, you’ll want the interior to match what’s outside and enhance that light summer vacation feeling even more. To achieve that, go with colors like white, light shades of blue, beige, pastels, and light grey.

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Let the Light In:

If you want to show those wonderful colors in their truest light, you’ll have to use precisely that – light. Shine some natural light by leaving the windows bare, or using sheer or linen curtains. Also, especially in the kitchen, you can use bamboo or woven shades.

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Use Rattan and Sea Grass:

Rattan furniture is an instant way to transform an ordinary room into a traditional looking beach house. The living room and the dining room are the best places to introduce such pieces, but you can also use them outdoors to connect the two environments. A sea grass rug in the living room will amplify the summer lightness of the beach decor.

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Cover up:

If you’re a little short on cash and don’t feel like buying new furniture, that’s alright. You can always slipcover the pieces that you already own and bring that special lighthearted feeling to the room. Linen and cotton duck cloth are perfect fabrics for this task.

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Stripe it up:

Don’t you think that after all of these light colors, that it’s about time to add some drama to the whole picture? We have the perfect thing for you: sailor stripes. It is the perfect pattern to implement on an area rug (just like in “Something’s Gotta Give”), accent wallpaper, or an armchair/sofa slipcover.

Sea-Loving Artwork and Accessories:

Now it’s time to sprinkle your home with just a bit of fairy dust. And by fairy dust, we obviously mean some accessories associated with the seaside. Collect some beach treasures like sea stars, rocks, sand dollars, pieces of coral, and driftwood. You can display them independently, cluster them in a bowl, or use them to encrust a chandelier or a mirror.

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Don’t Have a Shore? Make One!

Who needs the sea when you have your pool? It just needs a few upgrades to get close enough to beach-indulgence. And since the waterfront is your main inspiration, this is the very place where you should splurge on outdoor designer furniture (stylish pool lounges sound like a great idea!). Plant some shrubs and bushes around the pool (palm trees are also an option) and add some tiki umbrellas. Pour yourself a margarita and enjoy.

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If there could be one term that would easily replace “a dream home” it would definitely be “a beach home”. Unfortunately, we aren’t all blessed with a Hamptons house (or even better, a Caribbean estate), but we can do our best to introduce just a bit of the sea breeze, sparkly shells, and sunny days into our lives. There’s no shame in being a beachy-keen dreamer!

^^^ Thanks again to my Chloe girl for a beach-tastic post! This was perfect, considering it’s been raining ALL WEEK in Ohio! Are you a beach fan? If not, what type of land/climate do you prefer? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Wanted: Salute To Summer Guest Bloggers

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Wanted: Salute To Summer Guest Bloggers

FYI!! 🙂

lifewithlilred's avatarlifewithlilred

Hiiii everyone and TGIF! With summer somewhat on the horizon (although, let’s be real – it’s still a healthy distance away!), I thought that it would be the perfect time to get the ball rolling on lifewithlilred’s upcoming Salute To Summer guest bloggers series. I’ll be the first to admit that I am so not a summer fan. I hate being hot. I hate wearing shorts (which is why a majority of my summer is spent in my signature black skinnies!). I hate water related activities. And, did I mention that I HATE being hot?!

Obviously, I’m a spring and fall kind of gal. But, that doesn’t mean that summer should be put on the back burner on the ol’ blog! Especially considering that a majority of my friends are huge summer fans – the most important one being my big sister. And, if nothing else, I have a summer…

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Still Wanted: Salute To Summer Guest Bloggers

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Still Wanted: Salute To Summer Guest Bloggers

Helloooo everyone! For those of you who didn’t see my initial wanted ad for summer guest bloggers, this is for you! I am still looking for guest bloggers to feature in my Salute To Summer series and would love to have every single one of you on my page. This series will be exploring all things summer fun, from vacas, warm weather fashion, MOTDs, delicious summer drinks and picnic food, and the best hang outs in your area.

My Salute To Summer guest bloggers series is going to be a total blast and if you are interested in contributing, please shoot me an email at: sarah.mush6794@gmail.com !!

THANKS!!! 😉