Friday Favorites

Hello friends!

Happy December 1! Can you believe it?!

It's been a few weeks since I've been on here. We've had lots of family and friends visiting over the last few weeks and this week, I've been working my tail off on Two Dots during any spare time that I have. BUT it's that time of year when Friday Favorites are extra important - it's the season of gifting so I want to be able to help you out in whatever way I can, be it gifts for friends, for yourself, for the guys, for the kids ...

It's a smorgasbord of gift options.

Here we go!

When my mother-in-law asked me what I wanted for Christmas this year, I was brutally honest with her. 

I wanted this Marc Jacobs Natasha Crossbody Bag. And I felt like if I told her I wanted this purse, it would alleviate her having to buy me anything else. Because this would be it! 

So... a month and a few weeks before Christmas, I got this purse! And I'm IN LOVE! 

Once we got rid of Tess's diaper bag and downsized to just a little backpack, I was carrying around my very small (yet very cute) Kate Spade purse... that didn't zip because my wallet was sticking out of it.

Which I thought was sort of an issue. This bag made that a non-issue as well as gave me a little more room to throw a few more things in if I needed to, but not so much room that I was throwing the entire refrigerator in my bag! 

It comes in a smaller one that I also tried... it would have solved the wallet issue, but would have given me no other room for anything besides my wallet. So I went with this classic size and am so happy with it! I use it as a cross body, can still carry Tess in one arm, and am not worried about my wallet getting jacked because it's sticking out of my purse! 

I debated between this color, black and a darker grey. In the end, Matt made the final decision because I literally couldn't decide and would have been happy with any three options! Super happy with it all the way around and am glad to have it in my possession! 

Not sure how your kids feel about the movie Home Alone. But mine (mostly) love it! Sloane is a big fan. Reece was a fan once he realized we wouldn't forget him and fly to Paris without him! 

I was browsing books today at Target to grab for the kids stockings and came across this one - it's cheaper on Amazon at the moment. But how cute is this! The illustrations are so great. And what a fun book to have year-round! 

And in case you missed my Instagram/Facebook post last week, we stopped by the actual 'Home Alone' house and the drove through the area it was filmed in and I was ready to pack up our apartment and move to the suburbs! It's the most picturesque little (expensive) place - I can't wait to go back during the daylight hours! Google Winnetka, Illinois. ;) 

Ask zero questions. Just get this candle ASAP! Have I steered you wrong on seasonal Glade candles yet?! 

I bought these at Target on Thanksgiving night at 11 pm as well as the plug-ins in this scent for the kids rooms. They are amazing!!! 

Overtime I walk in to the Sloane and Reece's rooms, I gladly want to stay and pick up everything/put everything away, rather than walk in and walk back out! ;) 

When Jenna visited Thanksgiving week, I "forced" her to go to DryBar while she was here. DryBar is basically heaven. You go, they wash your hair, they blow dry your hair, they style your hair, and they make it last for days. 

It's true. That is a real place. 

I would go once a week if that was financially possible! And it's honestly, not a bad price. So when you get the chance to go, go! 

They of course have tons of great products that you can snag when you leave, but this shower cap should be the number one thing you leave with - it will help to keep your hair looking great, post shower. I don't know about you all, but I will get into the shower and my hair will be looking workable. I get out of the shower and it's just hanging there, dead as a doornail. 

This shower cap is lined with Terry-cloth to help you keep workable hair as is! 

For that guy in your life who loves to grill... and leave his grill tools outside and scrapes away every time without cleaning anything and is just disgusting. 

Oh wait, did I say that out loud?! :) 

These were on a Facebook ad that popped up one day, I read about them and immediately added to the "Matt Christmas List of 2017". They don't have the wire bristles on the ends which can break off and get in your food (bleh)! So if you have a professional griller in your family, this might be a great gift option! 

And with that gift... I have two deals to tell you about. All next week is Two Dots' annual 5 Days of Deals. Below is a list of the deals for the week: 

These deals are fantastic for those Christmas shopping for the fashion-savvy gals in your life! So take note, add it to the calendar, sticky note your fridge... don't miss out! 

Secondly... Starting today through December 12, I'll be doing the 12 Days of Christmas on my Lips Shop page! A deal a day on LipSense and all SeneGence products. So get ready! And make sure you follow my Facebook page for those deals. 

And after all that, I will be wiped out! So as hopeful as I want to be about returning to regular-scheduled blogging next week, it just might not happen. It might happen the next week... but either way, let's cross fingers life returns to normal soon! ;) 

Have a great weekend! 

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

Etsy Finds of the Week

Welcome to another Thursday everyone! Since we've reached the month of November, the month before December and the holiday season, I feel that it is appropriate to start posting 'Finds' that would be great gifts ideas!

Though I don't know about the rest of you, but it is WAY too warm in Arkansas right now and feels more like August than November, which I'm entirely NOT OK with.

But, I will put on my jolly boots and pretend that it's a crisp Fall day!

Here you go...

Monogrammed Crossbody Fringe Purse
By: Southern Trademark
$35

So this adorable store is actually owned by one of my friends that I worked with when I was at Wichita State! Brittany and her sister started this store and I honestly didn't know what to pick to post because everything in their shop is adorable! 

They have SO many options of items to purchase and everything can be monogrammed! I picked this one because I had seen it before and love the color and the fringe. The fashionista in your life would thank you for this! 

But they have adorable baby quilts that can be monogrammed - I can vouch for these quilts because my girls have the same ones! They have sportswear that can be monogrammed, duffels for men, children's clothing, great bridal party wear... Seriously - endless options! 

Please check out their site - I'm happy to say I can vouch for them without even having to tell you that they have fantastic reviews.

State Cutting Board

By: SS Engraving
$23.95

I don't know about you all, but it is VERY hard to shop for men in my life. Particularly my husband (with the exception of my dad, who loves 'In the Kitchen with David' on QVC so I have a list of cooking utensils he wants for Christmas).

I had seen these cutting boards in a store in Minnesota and loved them, but they were a bit too pricey for my liking.

Then low and behold, I found them on Etsy. And for under $25! And I love them as gifts for guys!

These come in ANY STATE you want as well as many different options, such as Italy, France and Long Island. :) You also have endless options on what you want to be engraved on the board! 

The seller has five-star reviews. If you're curious on shipping time, send them a message! 

 Personalized Monogram Bracelet
By: Oh My Heart Embroidery

$18.41

As I was doing my weekly peruse of Etsy, I found some embroidered necklaces that I thought were really fun and unique (Merri Weather Council), but then I came across this bracelet from a different seller and thought of my Sloane.

Or any young girl who loves jewelry! 

What a cute gift/stocking stuffer to give! It's not too old, but with just the right amount of spunk! 

You pick out the initial, the length of bracelet and the colors for the embroidery!

Seller has great reviews and makes your bracelet personally for you! 

Lots of fun options today as you get started on your holiday shopping! Happy November!

XXOO,

Allyson