Shopping at Zara

When Lauren were in NYC in March, it was one of my goals to get to Zara while we were there.

I had been in Chicago in February and didn't browse too long, but made my way to the kids department and could have been there for about two hours.

If you have never been to Zara or have never heard of it, the best I can explain it is that it reminds me of H&M, but the quality is a little better, the prices are a little bit more, and the sizing is a little more normal.

Does that help anyone?! :)

Well.. Lauren and I lucked out and there was a Zara very close to our hotel! So our first order of business was going to Zara and finding food upon arrival.

We seemed to make it to Zara but not find food for hours!

And don't worry... we found ANOTHER Zara the next day and went there as well (we were curious if maybe they had different options than the previous Zara store).

I left the store with, I believe, two items for myself and 26 for my children.

Side note: I said (before children) I would not be one of those parents that buys more for their children than for myself.

And I find that notion laughable now (and sad)! For every one thing I buy for myself, I buy 30 for my kids. Major face palm.

Anywho... this top right here is one of the items I bought for myself and I loved it because it was light blue and white pinstripe (also comes in white), the neckline hits me in the right place and the sleeve had embroidery on the cuff - love!

After receiving lots of nice compliments on it, I wanted to make sure I posted the link to it as well as send you in the direction of a few other tops I love on Zara right now!

I love a good denim or chambray top, especially for summer! So I was instantly drawn to this one. It goes easily with shorts... or anything! I love this one with the V-neck and the ruffled sleeve.

I have a weird thing for ruffled sleeves right now.

Well. This top would be so perfect for a fun night out! It's like, "Hey, I'm simple and classic!" Then turn around and BOOM! "I'm still simple and classic with an awesome bow!"

How do you say no to a simple little daisy top and comfy black pants? You can't! Love this with denim shorts as well!

I love this top! It looks super comfy -- and paired with a cute navy skirt like above and some sandals, that's a great little outfit!

This top is one of my favorites! I LOVE this color for summer! And I love how this would be great dressed up with some slim black cropped pants or dressed down with some denim shorts!

And I'm ending with my favorite!

My sister and I are both obsessed with this top from Anthropologie...

So when I came across the one above from Zara, I kind of squealed! It's a little different in terms of the tie-front on the Anthro top vs. the tied back on the Zara version. But I love the colors on it! The Zara top will have to be worn with a barrette of some sort or just a bra if you tie them tight enough. But I love, love, love!


So those are my Zara top finds I wanted to show you! Like I said, prices aren't bad at all and the quality is a thumbs up!

Happy Shopping!

XXOO,
Allyson

Friday Favorites

Friends... I have no words (obviously, I haven't blogged in almost two weeks). Life is insane for the Clark's and I don't anticipate the insane to leave us anytime soon, so I will blog here and there when I can and then hopefully regain some normalcy and get back to regularly scheduled programming here!

BUT ... I am letting my kids scream and run amok today because dammit, I want to get some Friday Favorites out to you all!

SO HERE WE GO!

Last year, one of the bloggers I follow mentioned how this Design Skin Faux Natural Sunless spray tan was the best she had ever used! She said the smell wasn't bad, the color looked natural and it was pretty easy to spray on yourself.

And so I immediately bought it off of Amazon because once March hits in Arkansas, you want to wear shorts. But you have 'March Legs'. Meaning your legs haven't seen the sun in six months so they are scary white!

I used this quite a few times and it gave great color instantly! You do have to be careful that you don't spray too much in one place or have to perfect your aim, but for what I needed it for, it totally worked!

Ladies, I have found your splurge-worthy top!

This Mina Blouse from Anthropologie screams spring to me in these gorgeous colors. I'm sitting here trying to think of who this wouldn't look good on and I can't come up with anyone. So we should all go buy it pronto!

I love the tie in the front, the plaid, the colors. I just love it!

I was lucky enough to find a JCrew Mercantile (same as Factory, but cooler name) store and dropped in.

That's where you saw this picture from:

When I walk in, I usually do a walk-thru to get a first glance at what they have. Then I start back at the front of the store and start picking things up to try. Their customer service is outstanding because they are there immediately after I start picking things up to hold a fitting room for me (😉).

I did alot of picking up and putting back this time, reminding myself I am going to New York City in a few weeks and will want to shop there so I don't need to spend my loot in Wichita, Kansas.

But then I saw this bag. It is gorgeous, friends! It's normally $98 but nothing there is ever NOT on sale so it was 40% off. I did NOT bite the bullet though (please see second paragraph). Yet not buying it is still haunting me! The leather was soft, the bag sits firmly as you see it, and it was a really great size! The only downside was that it didn't have a strap that you could attach... and sometimes we all just need to throw our purses over our shoulders and go.

BUT ... great (and inexpensive) bag if you're hunting!

Somehow, the month of February ZOOMED by and we have landed in March. The month of St. Patrick's Day and FULL of luck, right?! 

That's what I'm going with.

So in honor of St. Patrick, I found these 'Lucky' shirts (available in green and grey) at Brickyard Buffalo for only $12.99. So cute and lightweight/comfy and really cute with a pair of jeans and booties or cute tennis shoes. 

So we all know I sell LipSense (everyone is begrudgingly nodding their heads, I can feel it). Apparently the company that sells LipSense sells more than just lipsticks.

No joke, I really just found this out recently.

And honestly, I didn't care too much. Until I saw the above picture.

This is a picture of my cousin, Melissa, who I started selling LipSense under. This is a before and after picture. Before, she has nothing on her face (which really isn't fair to start off the day looking cute anyway). The after is with four products, all by SeneGence, the company that owns LipSense.

As soon as I saw this picture, I groaned. Because it meant I was going to have to get all of this that she used! Then I sent it to Jenna because I knew she'd need it to. And now I'm showing you all. Because I think you all will want it as well.

It's her super-quick face and it involves four products: Silk Pore Minimizer and Wrinkle Reducer (as a primer), Snow Shadowsense (which is the eye shadow we sell) under her eyes to eliminate the dark circles and brighten up her face (which it totally does), Tinted Moisturizer (in light - it comes in medium as well) and the Natural Concealer (there are a few options of concealers).

That's it. She swipes on some mascara, adds our awesome Bouganvillea Gloss (that alot of you have asked about and signed up to purchase) and she's done. And looks like this. No bronzer, no blush. I mean... I'm sold. Just because of this picture and how it's quick and simple. And anti-aging and wrinkle-reducing (sign me up).

So anything I have posted before in regards to makeup, toss it out the door. I'm getting this stuff and will let you all know so you can get it too. Seriously. Spreading the love, friends!

I literally have a growing list of people wanting to order this gloss. I only ordered four the first time around and had no idea it would go so quickly. Until I tried it on and raved and wore it until my mother-in-law left with the only one I had left to try!

If you are not a lipstick person, you need this gloss. It will not last 4-18 hours like the lipcolor will. But it will last. And keep your lips hydrated as well as give them a really pretty color. I did three layers of this gloss and it was gorgeous! See below.

This picture is with only the Bougainvillea Gloss on! UGH. I need more in my life!

Glosses are $20 so if you wanted to be added to my growing list, just comment or e-mail me (allyson.hills@gmail.com) and I'll get you added. I might end up buying all of the stock to be safe (😂).


But for real.


And there you have it! My Friday Favorites for the first time in a few weeks. Whew! :)

Everyone have a great weekend and we'll see you back here next week (fingers crossed)!

XXOO,
Allyson

Friday Favorites

And we're back! Sorry about last week, friends. It was just "one of those weeks". By the time Friday rolled around, I didn't even KNOW it was Friday!


But let's get going...

I follow Kate Byran on Instagram (@k8_smallthings) - she is a hairstylist turned blogger and I like her 'easy look' - her hair is usually down with some beach waves and her makeup is pretty simple and neutral but she just always looks cute!

She did a 'quick face' video on her Instagram last Thursday of her doing a simple makeup routine and she mentioned all the products she used.

And now I want to try the It Cosmetics CC+Cream. I currently use ShadowBox's BB Cream, which I have liked because I don't want a heavy foundation/cream that looks cakey. I want it to feel light on my skin, but I want it to even out my skin tone.

So they show...

I feel like it's definitely light, but not sure about the rest anymore.


This has a little illumination in it, SPF 50 and anti-aging hydrating serum (yes, please - I'm not getting any younger over here, folks!).

This went on her flawlessly - maybe she has perfect skin, I don't know! But you can find it at Ulta or Sephora for $38. I currently pay $32 on Amazon Prime for mine so... potato, potahto. :) And right now there is a free gift with purchase, so check it out!

Since my friend Abby's wedding (I wonder how many times I have referred back to that event since October... I'm guessing ATLEAST 12 times), I've seemed to be a little more aware of my eyebrows.

I've always had to get them waxed because they are dark and thick. My niece Perry and I will be frequent visitors to the salon to get this procedure done for the rest of her lives as her mother has the LIGHTEST eyebrows you have ever seen... while Perry is me.

But I seem to be more aware now that eyebrows really help frame your face. And just by 'helping them out' a little, it does a world of difference!

You guys know how much I love Elf Cosmetics - I use their concealer, bronzer, mascara, eyelash curler, and now - their eyebrow kit. Because it's $3 and hard to pass up.

But yet again, I found another blogger, Champagne in the Rain, on Instagram (@emilybrunotte) and she was showing a new brow gel that she wanted to try and nowwwwww, I'm wanting it. I need to stop following fashion and style bloggers ASAP.

It's the Boy Brow by Glossier and it's $16. Rather than using the gel above, this is more like a mascara that you sweep on your brows. It comes in four different shades including clear if you like the color of you brow but want to shape it and keep it in place.

Gals, it's all about the brows.

Friends, we have entered the month of February. Which means Spring is not too far away! I officially say it's OK to start breaking out some fun colors (I tend to prefer neutrals in my clothing and my nails through the winter months...).

Let's start with some fun on our nails -- this color is gorgeous! It's called Canyon Coral and I love this shade because it's not a red and it's not an orange! The color will look good on ALL of you! So let's break out some color!

Friends, how do we feel about stripes?

Like... I kind of love stripes. And I have the body type that stripes are not great in. I've got the big chest, short torso -- I feel those are just two big no-no's for stripes.

Atleast horizontal stripes.

I saw this on Anthropologie's website and thought.... "Hmmm... vertical stripes... question mark?!!" This looks so slimming despite the dolman sleeve and I'm digging it! It's screaming "BUY ME AND WEAR ALL SPRING!"

Look no further for the most comfortable, laidback, cool vibes weekend shirt in the history of comfortable from Free People!

It's a henley-style shirt layed over a waffleweave long sleeve tee. Those two tops by themselves are classified as "classic" and "comfy wear" and they just put them together!

It comes in five colors and I loved three of the five, but decided this would work for me better.

GOOD LUCK NOT BUYING IT!

This week, we are going with Coral Reef! This color came in my first batch of stock and my aunt Lori bought it. And I can't WAIT for her to send pictures of it on. It's so pretty! It's probably a little brighter than maybe your every day neutral go-to, but I think everyone should have some lip colors that make you step out of the box. I can promise you, if you pick the right color, people will notice, will compliment and boom, day is made!


And that's it for this week! I love Friday Favorites!

Have a great weekend everyone, see you next week!

XXOO,
Allyson

Anthropologie Gift Guide

1. Brigette Bow Belt | 2. Zinc Letters | 3. Draped Morgan Trench | 4. North Pole Tea Towel |

5. Marie Cabled Pullover | 6. Hoot Owl Socks | 7. Ruffled Henley Top |  

8. Magical Menagerie Purse | 9. Crowned Leaf Measuring Cups | 10. Velvet Shirtdress

Good morning friends and welcome to my first-ever holiday gift guide ... from one store. Hey, it's a start!

I received an email from Anthropologie and decided to take a look. Everything in the sale section is an additional 40 percent off which makes alot of things a really good deal! All of the clothing you see above - minus the Velvet Shirtdress which is a splurge item - is at a fantastic price!

The other items are all under $25 and are some great gift ideas if you are a little mind-boggled on what to get some people!

1. The Brigette Bow Belt is ADORABLE and would be so cute just with some simple black pants and a white top! It comes in three colors and all sizes - extra small through large and on sale for $24!

2. We have SO many of these Zinc Letters around our house! We've hung them on walls, we've put them on the mantle, we've set them on desks. They are cute and a fun easy thing to decorate with and are $18/piece.

3. I LOVED the Draped Morgan Trench! The trench is a super classic piece to have in your closet and I thought the drape was a fun twist! It's only available in a medium at this point and is on sale for $60 (originally at $128)!

4. I'm a tea towel hoarder. I love them and always make them a part of my kitchen decor - if you are at my house and see the ones hanging on the oven - those are not to be used. If only my husband would learn this. Anyway, when I saw the North Pole version, I squeaked - it's SO cute for this time of year and only $20 - such a cute gift idea!

5. The Marie Cabled Pullover was a sweater I saw on another fashion blogger's site and I assumed it would be gone ASAP after she posted it, but luckily for you, it's still available! It comes in two colors and is available in medium, large and extra large for $42!

6. Well... for my Kappa sisters, you know you are swooning over these Hoot Owl Socks. Our 'mascot' if you will is the Owl so anything you can get your hands on that is Owl related but not totally cheesy is a must-have! These cute things are $15.

7. I'm very much wanting this Ruffled Henley Top! The checked pattern and the colors AND the ruffle are calling my name! It's only available in a medium right now and is on sale for $40!

8. We drew names on my mom's side of the family for the kiddos and we drew my sweet cousin Maggie, who is 2. Her wishlist included a purse and I was SOOOO excited to find this one because it's too friggin' adorable (I can see her walking around with it now) and the price was perfect ($15) for our cousin gift exchange. So I bought it. And Maggie will be styling with a unicorn purse this Christmas!

9. I thought these measuring cups and spoons were a really cute gift idea or a great housewarming gift for someone! These are the kinds of measuring cups and spoons that I would be OK leaving out for people to see! :) ($18 for the spoons and $34 for the cups)

10. And last but definitely not least. The splurge item! I couldn't not post this because I had been eyeing it and needing to make sure you all knew how pretty velvet is this time of year! If you have an upcoming party to go to or Christmas Eve mass to dress up for, get yourself some velvet! This dress is just so pretty -- it IS $148 (cringe) but it's one of those pieces that will never leave your wardrobe!


Hope you enjoyed this Anthro Gift Guide -- maybe there is something that you can add to your gift list for yourself or for a friend!

XXOO,
Allyson