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

Pinteresting

Happy Thursday friends! Decided to go with some Pinterest action today for your Thursday dose of Tess and Elm. And as always, if you want to find all of these pins and past pins, look no further than right here!

 I got a pressure cooker for Christmas which means I have been pressure cooking and slow cooking like crazy lately! I needed to have a meal for our weekly Stacey/Clark dinner and I found this SUPER easy roast recipe and then made mashed potatoes in my pressure cooker (that took six minutes to make) and BOOM! Easy and delicious meal!

I love looking for simple ways to make an outfit just a smidge cuter. And I was browsing Pinterest for specific ideas on how to wear my new Buffalo Check Shirt Jacket from JCrew Factory, I came across this adorable outfit. The jeans I have, the shirt I have, I have many plaid scarves. Now to invest in a camel blazer and I'm good to go!

As Matt and I are house-hunting in Chicago, we are coming to the realization that we might have to make some (major) updates to our future house. Because it seems that everything in our price range was built in the 1960s. And the insides look like it came straight from the 1960s.

So now I'm hunting for inexpensive ways to update rooms.

And then I found a ship-lapped bathroom wall. Damn you, Fixer Upper! I love this! 

Speaking of Pressure Cooker (also known as an Instant Pot if you were really confused like I was), here are a good chunk of recipes to help you into your pressure cooker glory days!

We took my dad to our very favorite Italian restaurant in Bentonville for his birthday (Tavola for you locals) and we ordered the Farm Board as an appetizer (otherwise known as a cheese tray).

HOLY COW! It was awesome -- it wasn't huge like this one, but it was the perfect size for five adults. And inspired me to try this on my own. When we have people over. Which is never.

So maybe just for Matt and I... but a great idea for an "adult party"!


Yay for Pinterest and Yay for Thursdays! Finish the week strong, friends!

XXOO,
Allyson