Alyson’s Current Favorites // March 2019

Hey friends! Happy third month of 2019… crazy to say that, right? This year is flying by… we are off on Spring break right now, a welcome reprieve if you saw the insanity happening at my house this weekend on Instagram with the great toad plague of 2019. If you didn’t, consider yourself spared! It’s been intense around here.

We have been preparing for some travel and I’m getting into some spring updates here, too, so excited to share with you some current favorites, reads, foods, etc. The meme above is so accurate… between Target, Trader Joe’s and who knows where else, I definitely have had a walk of shame, retail style, recently. So, let’s dive into what I’m loving this month.

Current Favorites:

Trader Joe’s Trek Mix

I briefly mentioned this Trek Mix in last week’s blog post about tips for being healthier and stronger, however it honestly deserves its own mention. I eat more protein than fiber, love chocolate, love a crunch and need portion control. Enter this trail mix! It’s only almonds, cashews and chocolate (i.e. no extra sugars from raisins, craisins, etc), and it’s so super satisfying and filling so I’m not snacking a hot second later. I eat a pack almost every afternoon!

The Ordinary — skincare for (much) less.

The Ordinary is a brand that’s gotten a lot of attention since it launched a few years ago; it features cool, minimalistic style bottles with research-backed, active-ingredient products… all at impressively affordable prices around $7-15 each, a major contrast to most in the industry.

It’s now available at Sephora and after major waits, you can finally get your hands on it. I’ve only started testing it out last week so I don’t have a lot yet to report but I’m personally SO excited about its availability — you’ll notice ingredients like salicylic acid, retinoid, lactic acid, hyaluronic oil, argon oil, etc that we’ve likely all been guilty of spending lots on. I’m currently testing this, this and this though you can check out and compare all of the products based on your current skin needs.

When Life Gives You Lululemons

For a fun beach/spring break/ mindless/juicy read, definitely get your hands on When Life Gives You Lululemons. From the author of Devil Wears Prada, Emily Charlton — previously first chair — returns as a high-powered image consultant who has to temporarily leave life in LA for life in the east coast burbs. Watch as she works to stay current, while getting the real scoop of what happens in Grenwich.

For more soul / motivation nurturing, definitely get your hands on Rachel Hollis’ new book, Girl, Stop Apologizing (or first read Girl, Wash Your Face).

Revlon blow dryer (& my current fav hair tools!) — here

So people are pretty fanatical about this two-in-one Revlon dry and styling tool so I bought it a few months ago — maybe during a sale at the holidays? I don’t remember but I candidly didn’t love it so I never shared it. I didn’t get the hype… UNTIL, I saw someone in some FB group post a YouTube video about how to best use it… and I get it now. Why is this tool incredible? If you have no patience and suck at getting volume and style to your hair (my hand is raised), this thing helps you dry your hair fast and give it that salon blow out look. So what was I doing wrong? I started with wet hair — I think if you think of it solely as a blow dryer it doesn’t work as well for many. Now, I quickly get my hair about half-way dry with a regular blow dryer (I know an extra step, but ultimately it’s faster and better looking… I swear), and then switch to this and blow it out with a round motion in a few sections. It’s really fast and the results are impressive!

I go over it quickly with a flat iron (don’t overdo it, and try to follow the shape you’ve created instead of straightening straight down). My flat iron recently gave out after years and years so I got this hair iron on Amazon and have been super happy… plus it’s rose gold. 😉 And, for those asking, this is the curling iron I live for. I saved in my Insta stories highlights how I use it — it makes curling SO much easier and faster, and trust me, my hair skills are a C-.

Treasure & Bond: The only wedges you need

I wore the heck out of these wedges last year and you’re already seeing me in them again — they’re the only wedge I wore the entire time in Punta Cana, and I’m wearing them in this post, too. I have the camel, and I’m likely going to purchase the white pair… they’re just such a great basic, are super flattering, and comfortable. Target now makes a look for less — and budget wise they’re a great purchase, however I have seen them on and think they look a little “heavier” than the Treasure & Bond. If you will wear them constantly like me, I’d opt for the better quality, otherwise… Tarjay all the way.

Must watch: I’m Sorry (plus another new 22 min show)

Forever ago I mentioned I’m Sorry but if you haven’t watched it yet please do yourself a favor and catch up ASAP. It’s about everyday life of a couple and their five year old kid that’s hysterical, slightly crude and very relatable (school drop-offs, friend dynamics, humorous couple talk)… Adam and I have found ourselves crying laughing it’s SO funny. The show’s writer and star, Andrea Savage, makes me so insanely happy…. We’d definitely be besties in real life.

And, not as funny but a fun quick show for anyone — especially mamas — watch the Netflix original, Workin’ Moms. It’s another super fast, funny and truthful show (returning to work, breast milk, post-partum, relationships, etc) that’s only 22 minutes and easy to crank through.

New collab: Jungalow at Target (here)

If you need to update some of your travel accessories, this collection by popular boho chic blogger, Justine Blackeney of the Jungalow, is so freaking cute. I have packing cubes otherwise I would have totally gotten these, but I couldn’t resist this cute little travel bottle bag that’s honestly just a really cute under $8 pouch. There’s also really fun luggage and other accessories.

Loving this current favorites feature? Take a look here for more of my style favorites!