Tag Archives: weekend

13 Reasons Why I’m Happy Challenge

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13 Reasons Why I’m Happy Challenge

Hey everyone and happy weekend! So my friend Charlie girl over at CharlieeStar tagged me in the 13 Reasons Why I’m Happy Challenge and I love these little awards and tags posts so I figured why not. Charlie is going to be featured during my Salute To Summer guest bloggers series so be on the look out for her! But until then, make sure to check out her wonderful blog! Okay, here we go. 13 Reasons Why I’m Happy in no particular order:

  1. I’m waiting for my pot of coffee to cool down to make some iced coffee and I’m really excited about it because I got a new creamer to try last night.
  2. I just walked my two rescue dogs, Gem and Ollie, with my mom and the weather in Ohio is actually acceptable to walk in, as it’s been raining here ALL WEEK.
  3. I’m talking to this really cute guy who’s coming up from North Carolina at the end of the month for my birthday.
  4. My mental health is finally in check, so that’s nice.
  5. There’s a Taco Bell within a mile of my home so that’s a blessing.
  6. I graduated college in December and I’m still happy about that!!
  7. I have a handful of really good friends who I love dearly. Quality over quantity and whatever.
  8. My family, obvs.
  9. All of the wonderful friends that I’ve made through lifewithlilred. I always get so happy every time I think about that!
  10. Bubble baths, face masks, and moscato.
  11. My background as a competitive figure skater has given me some rock solid legs and a sturdy gait that keeps me away from spine surgeons, which is also a blessing haha.
  12. Whenever I’m writing my talon nails click away on the keyboard and I love that.
  13. My personal style. I have a closet full of beautiful clothes, shoes, and accessories. Wonderful makeup, bright red hair, long acrylic nails, piercings, and tattoos and I love it all.

Well that was fun! I thought that this list would be a bit harder to make but I actually feel like I could have kept going, which is a pleasant surprise. I’m not going to tag anyone in this because it’s more up to you if you want to participate in the 13 Reasons Why I’m Happy Challenge, but it was most enjoyable!

Thanks again to my Charlie girl for the tag, you’re a doll! What makes you happy? What bums you out? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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

Weekend Reader Q & A! (Yayayay!)

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Weekend Reader Q & A! (Yayayay!)

Hiii everyone and happy weekend! I had so much fun with my Friday Q & A here on lifewithlilred. I love it when my readers have the opportunity to get to know me a little bit better BUT, more importantly, I love getting to know you guys better even more! That’s why this post is going to be all about you. Below will be a list of questions and you can choose to answer as many or as little as you want in the comment section. Or, you could even make your own post to respond to my questions if you’re feeling saucy! Alright, let’s do this:

Lil Red’s Reader Q & A:

  1. Where are you located?
  2. How did you come up with the name for your blog?
  3. What was your favorite childhood toy?
  4. What qualities do you look for in a friend?
  5. Favorite band?
  6. Do you have any weird or hidden talents?
  7. One celebrity that you can’t stand?
  8. Someone you admire?
  9. Favorite restaurant?
  10. Alcoholic or normal beverage of choice?
  11. Summer plans?
  12. Would you rather wear the same outfit for a month or the same shoes for a year?
  13. Favorite way to spend free time?
  14. Coffee or tea?
  15. Best date you’ve ever been on?
  16. How about the worst?
  17. Favorite season?
  18. Biggest guilty pleasure?
  19. Something that you love?
  20. Something that you hate?

Sorry for asking all them questions but hey it could be super fun and I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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

What You Need To Make Your Home Entertainment Ready This Summer

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What You Need To Make Your Home Entertainment Ready This Summer

With summer approaching, fashions will start to change. Looking good is important all year round, but once the weather starts to become warmer and you spend more time in the park or basking in the sunshine outside of a bar, you will need to think about the perfect summer outfit. Your winter coats and cozy sweaters will be there waiting for you in the fall, but in the meantime, your look will have to change. As everyone knows, being stylish takes a lot of time and attention, but it is worth it. Carefully choosing what you wear is important because you want to make a good impression but as April cedes to May, and May acquiesces to June, you may also be thinking about hosting a garden party.

Having your friends over and just relaxing really is the best part of the season (except perhaps going on vacation). However, if you are going to be a good host, you will need to make sure that everything is perfect. There is a lot of think about. Do you have enough food for everyone? The best advice is to get more than you think you’ll need. After all, you can enjoy it on your own once all the guests have gone home. You also need to ensure that you’ve got enough for everyone to drink. Most guests will be good enough to bring something themselves, whether it is a bottle of wine or something a bit stronger, but there is nothing that lets a party down quite as much as not having enough alcohol!

You also need to make sure that your home is ready for guests, too. Tidying up is one thing, but if you want your house to make as good of an impression as you do, you should consider fixing it up a little. There is still time before summer starts in earnest and the convenient thing about home improvements is that they last for the rest of the year. Here are a few ideas about things that you can do to make your home perfect this summer:

First impressions are crucial. It is estimated that when you go for a job interview you have just six minutes to impress your prospective employer. When you are meeting someone for the first time in a casual social situation, you have just seven seconds before your interlocutor has made up their mind. When someone sees where you live for the first time, it is no different. That is why you should try to improve how your house looks from the street. You could hire Local Roofers to give your place a better look or think about getting new windows (both of which, incidentally, can help you save money and energy). If you do not have the time to start major work on your house, you could clean your driveway and outer exterior with a high-pressure washer. You will be amazed once you start at just how clean things used to look, and can look again.

If you are hosting a garden party, your guests will probably not spend that much time in your house, so all you have to worry about is that it is clean and tidy. The bathroom, in particular, should be spotless because people will use it at one point or another. However, your focus should be on your garden. Mowing your lawn and dealing with any pesky weeds is the first thing to do, but then you should think about investing in some garden furniture. Standing for an entire afternoon or evening is no one’s idea of fun and sitting on the ground may not appeal to everyone. And, you can use it too on those long summer nights when there is nothing better than reading a book outside while perched on some comfortable bench cushions and relaxing.

An outdoor party will require a shady space to hang out at with a cold drink when the sun gets too hot. You could have a few patio tables with umbrellas set up, invest in sun setters, or go with something very practical like portable event gazebos. Pop up gazebos can create a welcome oasis from the sun so your guests are comfortable all day long. This is a much more affordable option than renovating your outdoor space to create shade and can be taken down easily after the party.

A good barbecue is another essential item. If the food that you cook (whether it is hot dogs and burgers or roasted vegetables) is not great, that is what your guests will go away remembering. If you do not have a good sound system, your party will be doomed before it even begins. You could play something from inside and open your windows, but a much better option is to get outdoor equipment. It can be rather expensive, but if you want to create the perfect atmosphere, there is no better way of doing it.

Finally, while everyone wants to be outside during the summer sometimes the weather just doesn’t want to behave. It might be storming or way too hot to be outside comfortably. If the party moves inside, be sure there is enough entertainment to keep guests engaged. A business like Audio Video Excellence in Arizona (Or a similar one in your local area) can upgrade your home with smart technology. This is ideal for audio and home theater systems so that your guests can continue to enjoy rocking tunes or settle in for a movie after playing patio games outdoors.

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Ayyyyy

The only thing that you need to do now is relax and enjoy yourself. You may think that having loads of people over and entertaining them could be stressful but the secret is that if you let your hair down and have some fun, your guests probably will, too.

Featured Image By: Pexels

TJMaxx Mini Haul

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TJMaxx Mini Haul

Hi everyone and happy Sunday! I hope all of you are having a super fab weekend. So Friday was a wonderful, but boozy time, and your girl spent yesterday nursing a hangover from HELL. Seriously, I was completely miserable and spent a majority of the day in bed watching a Catfish marathon. But, despite feeling like total ass, I ponied up and went with my mom to Home Goods and TJMaxx in the evening so she could pick up a few things and make some returns. And, honestly, when have I ever said no to going to TJMaxx?!

My beloved mom and I haven’t been out shopping together in a while and even though I felt like I got ran over by stampeding elephants, we still had a lot of fun! We browsed around Home Goods, which I’ve grown increasingly more fond of with every trip and ended up with some delightful new home goods. 😉 The TJMaxx trip was awesome, though, because we were in a fancier area than our normal location so it was a nice little change of pace. Take a look at my mini haul and let’s discuss:

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The Haul:

  • The Body Shop Oat & Honey mask
  • Yes To Coconut souffle moisturizer
  • Olive green baseball cap (brand unknown!)

The Price: About twenty bucks total

I am always so, so happy when I can find really good skin care products at TJs on the cheap. I have been absolutely loving face masks as of late so finding a TBS one for FIVE DOLLARS was such a treat! I have used the Oat & Honey mask before and it was nice but nothing that I would ever pay full price for so it was definitely a pleasant surprise to be able to snag it for a price that you couldn’t get at TBS even if it was on sale.

Not only did I get a new mask to add to my collection but I also got a moisturizer that I freaking LOVE! My mom got me the Yes To Coconut souffle moisturizer for my birthday or Christmas, I forget which, and it was so fabulous. Normally, I’m not a huge coconut fan but this moisturizer smells so good to me. It’s definitely coconutty but it also has that rich, creamy scent and texture that I love so very much. And did I mention that it works wonderfully, to boot?! This moisturizer absorbs so quickly, sits well under makeup, and leaves your complexion looking like peaches and cream perfection. So, needless to say, I was thrilled to be able to get my Yes To Coconut moisturizer for a TJMaxx price!

And, finally, my new baseball cap!! I am such a fan of hats. I wouldn’t say that they’re my favorite accessory but they are definitely high on the list. Floppy hats, beanies, baseball caps, Panama hats, sun hats, cold weather wool hats – I love them all. I have two boxes full of hats in my closet thanks to an appreciation that stemmed from my darling grandma who had over one hundred and fifty hats!

But, one style of hat that I have been meaning to give more love to as of late is the baseball cap. I loves me a good ball cap but I always have difficulty finding ones that work in terms of color with my hair. With my bright red locks I want anything that I put on my head to compliment, rather than clash. That’s why I was so attracted to this shiny, olive green cap for ten dolla holla at TJs.

Green, no matter what shade, is a color that always looks good on me. Thanks to red hair and pasty pale skin, fifty shades of green is a color that I know that I can turn to and I will look my best. My new hat just made everything pop. My eyes looked bright, my skin glowed, and my hair (even though I really need to dye it) looked fantastic. And you KNOW that this hat was a winner if I felt that I looked good even with a hangover!! Everything about this hat worked AND it didn’t make me look like Ashton Kutcher so, obviously, this little baby was going home with me!

Even though this was a small haul, I ended up with two skin care products and a hat that I totally love and only paid a whopping twenty bucks for. Sounds like a steal to me!

So there you have it, my TJMaxx Mini Haul! Who else has a deep love for TJMaxx? What is your favorite accessory to rock? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

The Things I Wish I’d Known Before Starting College

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The Things I Wish I’d Known Before Starting College

If you are going to be starting college in the fall, then you need to be prepared. There are so many fun things to look forward to, as well as busy times when the exams are on and you’re cramming super late into the night. One thing that anyone will tell you is that the time flies by so quickly. Four years and then you’re out into the ‘real’ world and onto the career path of your choice. So it is important to embrace that time and make the most of it. Here are some of the top things to take into consideration before starting college:

You’ll Never (EVER) Regret Staying In To Study: It can be tempting to just want to go out all of the time. There might be parties everywhere, movie nights, or sports games. But you can’t constantly go out, especially if you’re aiming for top grades (which you should be!). But the thing is, the parties are just parties. There will always be parties or events going on. But you do only get one shot at the test or exam. So if you feel like you should be studying, then you won’t regret it. Work hard, and then you can play even harder after you ace that test.

College Isn’t High School: In high school, people can be quite catty and mean. But you know what, when you hit the ripe old age of college age, it seems that people tend to care less about material stuff or appearances. It doesn’t matter how cool your new bag is or if you’ve got the latest laptop. No one will really care. You’re all there for the same purpose, and that is to get your college education. So you can make an effort with things like that or not. Don’t stress over it!

Work To Pay Off Your Loan: If you are going to college and are needing a loan to do so, then one of the biggest pieces of advice is to get a part-time job when you study. If you are able to take out the smallest loan possible and able to work as you study, it will help tremendously. No one wants to graduate with a load of debt hanging around their neck, right? Otherwise, you’ll need to look for things like debt consolidation for student loans when you finish. They can help as you start out on your career path. But they’re definitely not ideal.

Take Care of Your Health: Getting sick without your parents there to take care of you is the worst (for real). So take care of your health as much as you can. Taking a vitamin supplement is a good idea, as well as keeping hydrated with water. The latter also helps with hangovers, so there is another reason to drink plenty of water! Get rest, eat well, and do some exercise. Your body (and mind) will thank you for it. Especially when mom isn’t there to cook you chicken noodle soup!

College is an exciting time but it can also be an overwhelming wake up call. Be prepared for the twists and turns that your time at uni can take, and all will be well when you’re on your way to graduation! 🙂

Featured Image By: Flickr

Bath & Body Works April Freebie

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Bath & Body Works April Freebie

Hi everyone and happy Sunday! I hope that all of you are having a wonderful and relaxing weekend. This Friday, I ran into Bath & Body Works to collect my April Freebie and I am not very jazzed about it. I originally had a Sweet Pea shower gel picked out but apparently you could only use the coupon for lotion. Beggars can’t be choosers and I wasn’t in the mood to hunt down a good scent so I just grabbed something and ended up with Hello Beautiful. I thought the name was cute and the packaging was pretty so I thought “why not”. But, unfortunately, I think I should have taken the .3 seconds it takes to smell a product because I discovered that I hated it upon my arrival home! Take a look:

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A Lil Red Fun Fact is that I just don’t do floral fragrances. Like, ever. And I really should have examined the packaging closer to put two and two together that something with a flower on it is going to be floral scented, lol SMH! Hello Beautiful is just too heavy for my liking since I am all about fruity, flirty, fun fragrances. Bath & Body Work’s website describes Hello Beautiful as a: “perfect blend of white gardenia, jasmine petals, and magnolia blossom”. And guess what? I hate all three of these things!

Thank gawd this is just a travel size and I can probs pawn it off to someone or another for a gift giving occasion! And next time I grab a freebie, I will be much more attentive to what I’m picking out! #SHAMEFUL

What is one scent that you simply can’t stand? Are you a floral or fruity fan? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

New, Fabulous, Super Cute Nails!

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New, Fabulous, Super Cute Nails!

Helloooooooo everyone and happy weekend! This Thursday I got my nails done and holy moley am I obsessed. Seriously, this just might be my favorite fill of all time. Because I always opt for black on all of my talons but two accent nails, I try to make those two nails extra fun. Errr… I pick out the polish and my nail tech, Steve, does a brilliant job of making them look extra fun. Like my previous nail tech, Vinny, Steve spoils me rotten. I’ve been going to Steve’s salon (he is the owner) for the better part of two years so he always makes sure to spend lots of time making my nails look fierce. Take a look at his latest creation:

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^^^ LOVE!!

For my accent nail this time around, I knew that I wanted it to be red but I also didn’t want it to be plain. After spending some time at the polish rack while Steve was at lunch, I found this super great top coat that has glitter and confetti hearts and stars in it and I was sold. It was admittedly kind of a pain in the butt for it to be applied because if it wasn’t done right, the confetti would just clump together. But Steve made sure that I had an accent nail with expertly placed hearts all over it. What a guy!!

Every three weeks I go to Empress Nails to get my talons fixed up and I am never disappointed. I have no problem shelling out about twenty-five bucks a month to get my nails looking right, all while having an hour or two to myself to relax. My acrylics are my ultimate TREAT YOSELF accessory, but they make me happy and their gorgeous appearance is always well worth the price!

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So there you have it, my New, Fabulous, Super Cute Nails! How do you treat yoself when it comes to getting pampered? What color of nail polish do you have on right now? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Happy Easter!!

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Happy Easter!!

Hi everyone and happy weekend! I would like to take a minute to wish a very Happy Easter to those who celebrate and a very happy Sunday to those that don’t! No matter how you spend your day, I hope that everyone has a wonderful time with their family, friends, pets, or just hanging out solo dolo. Alright. That’s my spiel! Have a great day, everyone! Much love. -Sarah