black and white

Level Up Monday Mornings

Monday mornings are the worst. It’s no secret I’m always late, always. 9/10 its because I don’t know what I want to wear and Monday’s seem to be the toughest. Mondays are also setting the pace for the week, and seem to always include a meeting or two or three… so I need to dress for success!

Outfit Ambition With A Blouse and Ankle Pants

My go-to items for when I need to look legit are Express blouses paired with some ankle pants. It always looks polished and professional while still being on trend and fun. When I can’t figure out what I want to wear and, as always, running late, this dynamic duo is what I always reach for as my work OOTD. No matter what the activity is that day, or what spring weather throws at me, this duo is functional!

Express Blouse and Ankle Pants

Stripes work as a neutral for me, I tend to pair them with my basics to my colors. I love this Express Striped Strappy Cross Front Large Button-Cuff Blouse. I also have an Express Portofino Shirt in this same pattern, as well as an off-the shoulder version. I can not “express” how much they level up my Monday morning’s get ready sesh.

Avon Sparkling Statement Hoops And A Fun Clear Bag!

For spring I LOVE pairing my ankle pants with pumps! I’m wearing the Columnist ankle pants, which are the best fit for me, and mark pumps (old), but I’m loving these Elastic Cross Strap Snakeskin Print Heels! Finished off with a statement hoop earring (Avon) and a clear bag for a fun desk to dinner look (mark., old – try the Express Yellow Trim Event Bag for the same look.)

Stripes are totally a neutral!

Express has always been my go-to for work wear, they outfit ambition. Level up your Monday mornings with an Express blouse, I promise you, it will be a go-to! You can use my ring code 8482 to get 15% off your order at Express.com (exclusions apply)

From Desk To Dinner – and everything in-between!

Style Secret: I wear an Express Bra Cami under everything… all day every day.

#Expresslife

Pamper Yourself A Box

Spring into the new season with the super cute C9 A Box, Pamper Yourself! It has some of our favorite skin care go-tos you’ll love for this warm-weather season! Plus, an exclusive necklace and all contained in the prettiest of spring-time boxes!

Bandit LOVES the new A Box!

Get Pampered: One full-size and two try-it-size skin care essentials, plus an A Box exclusive necklace ($43 value)!

A $43 Value! Only $10 with a $40 Purchase!

Anew Purifying Clay Mask: 1.7 oz.
Anew Hydra Fusion Gel Cream: .5 oz.
New Clean Rich Cleansing Foam: 1 oz.
A Box Exclusive Constant Love Pendant Necklace: goldtone

Bandit is digging this EXCLUSIVE necklace!

Word on the Pamper Yourself A Box: The A Boxes this year have really stepped it up a notch, and this one is no exemption. The pretty exclusive pendant marries perfectly with the iconic Avon jewelry just released. Everything in this box are pure favorites! I LOVE the rich cleansing foam cleanser especially used with the facial brush (Avon Anew Clean Cleansing Brush). The Purifying Clay Mask is my go-to for detoxifying. A travel size Hydra Fusion is just want I need to add to the makeup bag for mid day refreshes and upcoming travel! This one definitely holds its value for only $10 with a $40 purchase at http://www.youravon.com/aliciahessinger

Perfectly Packaged To Gift or Get!

This would also make a GREAT Mother’s Day gift. Could gift it alone, or along with some flowers or pair it with some of the adorable Mother’s Day gif tables at the eBoutique. You could easily hit your $40 order add this on and give Mom a gift worth much more. Or even for Easter baskets for older girls, or if you give Easter gifts to your family members. I also love this for a bridal shower gift. Seriously this A Box is one to grab up and stash because it really works for a lot of occasions and the packaging is too cute!

Bandit Says “Shop Online at http://www.youravon.com/aliciahessinger”

What To Wear: Flirting With Spring

It’s still winter. It still feels like winter. It still looks like winter. I’m over winter, and ready to flirt with spring. Which means I need wear-now styles with wear-later trends. Luckily I recruited Linda to help us flirt with spring with some appropriate long sleeved spring dress styles!

Alicia’s Look:

Lemony Fresh in the Avon Jenny Dress

I’m flirting with fresh spring colors and cutouts. I’m a lover of all things lemon so I knew I needed this lemon dress with split sleeves and keyhole detail, the Avon Jenny Dress. It’s so bright and cheery even on a gray and dreary day. I belted the dress and bloused it over the belt to give it a better shape for my body. Of course I had to add the Avon Sunny Days Strap Watch for that extra punch. My earrings are also lemons but from last year, but you can get the similar look with these! Because it is still winter, I needed to layer this dress with tights and boots, but not your typical black, but with navy! What I also love about these tights are how comfortable they are, these Avon 2 pack Opaque Tights come 1 navy 1 black. Perfect!

Navy Winter Accessories

Running away from Winter like….

Linda’s Look:

Avon Betty Dress

Linda’s flirting with spring prints and details. Linda took advantage of those sunny days and went with bare legs and pumps. Nothing flirts with spring more than a fresh dress and bare legs. The fun black and white print on this Avon Betty Dress works in every season. The sleeve detail of piping and cutouts gives it a little extra flirty peek while still being easy to wear. Plus, an easy to wear dress that’s a 1 and done kind of style is what we all need. Pop on your favorite spring lip color and DONE!

Feeling spring with sunny days and bare legs!

Lip of The Day: On Alicia Avon Glimmersticks Liner in Au Natural with Avon True Color Nourishing Lipstick in Peony Blue and on Lina Avon True Color Lip Glow Lip Gloss in Grandeur. All lip products are still on sale during the Lipmania event, 5 for $20! (see more here) Get ready to flirt with spring by switching up to a spring lip color.

Lip Of The Day: Avon Glimmersticks Liner in Au Natural with Avon True Color Nourishing Lipstick in Peony Blush

You can shop both Linda’s and I’s look and our lip colors at http://www.youravon.com/aliciahessinger

Pop Of Color

Pop of Color

I am a HUGE fan of black and white. I’m a bigger fan of adding a pop of color to black and white. Easiest way to do this? JEWELRY! It’s affordable, fun, versatile and can instantly change a whole look.

Avon Luxe Look of Turquoise Necklace, Earrings and Ring

Jewelry really is the easiest way to add a pop of color. Now that we are getting into the warmer months I gravitate toward turquoise. This Avon Luxe Look of Turquoise Necklace, Earrings and Ring are the perfect set to add a pop of color to my black and white.

Avon Alana Printed Dress – Palm Chic Collection

This easy to wear black and white dress is part of the upcoming Avon Palm Chic fashion capsule colleciton launching next week. The Alana Printed Dress is one of those go-to simple summer pieces you need to add a pop of color to for versatility.

Pop of Color with Turquoise

Easy To Wear

I have to say these Luxe Look of Turquoise are one of those pieces that looks SO much better in real life. It is one of the newest options from Avon in a line of colorful jewelry that are just enough to update your look and add a pop of color. Additionally, they are on sale at buy 2 get 1 50% off, so you can get a little set like this for less. You can shop the new jewelry pieces at http://www.youravon.com/aliciahessinger and be sure to take advantage of the sale, it’s rare!

Luxe Look of Turquoise

Luxe Look of Turquoise Detailed View

It’s also versatile! I wore this set a whole different way by wrapping it around twice. I was able to spice up my neutrals just with a pretty turquoise jewelry set.

Versatility with your jewelry!

Shop the eBoutique!

Valentine’s Outfit Idea That’s Not A Dress

Valentine’s Outfit That’s Not A Dress

This year Valentine’s Day falls on a Wednesday. So if you have plans on the actual day, then most likely you’ll be going to work first, so a date night dress probably isn’t the best option on a cold February day. For a Valentine’s Day outfit that’s not a dress, try a pair of statement pants! I’m personally loving the Avon Ashley Wide Leg Pant.

Ashley Wide Leg Pants

These wide leg pinstripe pants are kinda perfect for a date night. They’re a little take notice, flatter the figure and a lot of comfortable. You can easily style them for work with a simple white turtleneck (Avon Sloan Turtleneck in White). If you wanted something a little more for date night try a black lace blouse or put a corset over your turtleneck which is really trendy right now. Even pairing a slinky cami with a cardigan would be great for a day to night look.

Statement Wide Leg

Date Night Pants

Dress up your look for Valentine’s Day with some date night jewelry! This ravishing red collection from Avon looks way more spendy than it is! I like how classy it looks but yet sparkly and fun for a date. I’m wearing the drop earrings, necklace, tennis bracelet also layered with this super cute XOXO pave bracelet. I just LOVE the jewelry offerings this year from Avon. They did the cutest pieces that add just the right amount of fun.

Avon Ravishing Red Collection

I love a good work tote and this reversible one from Coach fits my work needs perfectly. I also like it for a Valentine’s Day work look because its my 3rd wedding anniversary present, the year of leather.

Pinstripes, Arm Party and a killer Tote

Ravishing Red Drop Earrings Really Stand Out!

You can shop the entire Valentine’s Day collection at http://www.youravon.com/aliciahessinger. For my pants and turtleneck you’ll have to backorder. To do that, at the top right click “Product #”, scroll to the bottom of the page and where it has the search option type in “ashley wide leg pant” or “sloan turtleneck” and select campaign 3. Your available size options should pop up. Select the one you want then add to cart. If you have any trouble please reach out to me and I can assist.

Valentine’s Day Look

Eau What Fun! mark. Mod

Eau What Fun! Mark. Mod Limited Edition Holiday Collection

London calling! Channel an era of short skirts, extra-long lashes and graphic black-and-white prints with the new mark. Mod Limited Edition Holiday Collection! Not only does it have me all sorts of inspired (see here) I actually find this collection smashing! The collection includes a namesake fragrance, a matching body lotion and a coordinating eye pallet.

Fragrance, Lotion and Eye Pallet

Word on mark. Mod Eau De Parfume: Introducing mark. MOD EDP Spray, a 2017 holiday exclusive. Swinging medley of rose and capucine florals spiked with a spicy nutmeg allure.

mark. Mod Eau De Parfume

NOTES
• Top Note: swinging medley of rose
• Middle Note: capucine florals
• Bottom Note: spicy nutmeg allure

Word Of Alicia: I would call this scent clean and masculine, and I absolutely adore it! It is something completely different than anything else in my fragrance wardrobe. The first time I sampled it I was like eh… then I used it and really got to explore the notes and how they layer. OBSESSED. Plus it lasts all day, and then some! Much longer than most mark. fragrances. This one smells way more expensive than $30 would suggest. It also has a really good retro feel to fit the mod theme.

Word on mark. Mod Body Lotion: This creamy, extra-rich companion lotion leaves skin feeling soft, silky and eau so MOD. mark. MOD is a swinging medley of rose and capucine florals spiked with a spicy nutmeg allure. 6.7 fl. oz.

mark. Mod Body Lotion

BENEFITS
• Provides moisturization
• Has a creamy texture
• Absorbs quickly
• Leaves skin feeling soft and silky
• Lightweight
• Non-sticky and non-greasy

Word Of Alicia: Free with the purchase of the fragrance… sold! Layering this with the fragrance really lasted into the next day, used alone still gave me a lot of scent. Its a good weight too, not too heavy not to light. I personally liked that it lasted, and was free, so win win!

Word on mark. Mod Pop Eyeshadow Pallet: Pop goes the shadow. An exclusive limited edition eyeshadow palette with 12 all new shades! Get muted brights when applied dry and even bolder hues when swept on wet.

mark. Mod Pop Eyeshadow Pallet

BENEFITS
• Exclusive palette with 12 new shades
• Features a mix of matte and shimmer finishes
• Can be applied dry or wet for extra pop
• Dual-ended applicator included
• Black and white compact that matches the MOD fragrance

12 Shades To Mix and Match

TO USE
Apply wet or dry with dual-ended applicator that is included in the palette. Brush on and blend. Apply wet for extra intensity.

12 Shades in Full Sun

In Shade

Word Of Alicia: Let me just say that this is my new go-to pallet! Besides having super cute packaging this pallet is the perfect size, portable and thin. The pans are a really good size too, so a good amount of product with the 12 different shade options. These shades are a really unique offering for holiday too… this is one you can use on the day to day and still get party looks for the season. (check back for tomorrow’s look using it!). I loved this pallet so much I made a swatch video of it so you can really see how wearable the shades are. Very buildable as you can see during the swatches but also really long lasting. If you liked the mark. On The Dot Pastels this will be a good replacement. After doing some pinning on all things mod I really saw how all these shades are quite retro and very much of the mod movement, but wear very modern. 100% satisfied.

mark. Mod Pop Swatches

You can shop the mark. Mod Limited Edition collection at www.youravon.com/aliciahessinger along with the other mark. holiday releases that coordinate perfectly with this collection. I love the bell sleeve dress for a little retro feel but with a modern take. Be sure to add your A Box for only $10 too!

Beauty of Gold A Box (product #758-980) ONLY $10 with a $40 order

Trending Tuesday: #mod

What sparked my obsession… mark. Mod

If the world of alicia was the internet then #mod would totally be trending. I’ve always been a fan of all things 60’s, the British invasion, Austin Powers and the mod movement. What totally has me obsessing over this retro trend is the newest release of the mark. Mod limited edition holiday collection! It’s black and white optical prints, styling in the current magalog, and graphic feels has me inspired:

For more inspiration check out my mod mood board on Pinterest! Get inspired by the mark. Mod collection at http://www.youravon.com/aliciahessinger

What Is a Boot Skirt and Why You Need One

What is a boot skirt and why do you need one?

What is a boot skirt? Basically a skirt you wear with boots, if that wasn’t obvious. But let me tell you why you need one. They typically are more A-line so that means more flattering. They usually are of a thicker material like wool blends, stiff cotton, etc, which means perfect for the fall and winter. You usually have two options, shorter and midi. Both are cut at a length that shows off the boots but also works with proportions. A shorter skirt will be cut a few inches above the knee but not a mini, and is the most versatile with what boots work with it. I found the perfect boot skirt with the mark. Peek of Pleats Skirt.

mark. Peek of Pleats Skirt

Perfect Boot Skirt For Fall

The mark. Peek of Pleats skirt is the perfect shorter version. It has that flattering a-line shape in a nice wool blend. What makes this one stand out is its peek of chiffon pleats and wrap detailing. Pleats are a huge trend for fall and the wrap draws the eye in making it even more flattering.

Peak of chiffon

Flattering A Line Cut

You can wear a boot skirt with everything from blouses to sweaters. I paired this black mark. Peek of Pleats skirt with a striped ruffle sleeve sweater from White House Black Market. I tucked it in but you could easily wear it untucked as well.

Pair it with a ruffle sleeve sweater!

What’s a boot skirt with out a killer pair of boots! This season mod, white and ankle cut boots are huge trends which I accomplished with this pair from Shoedazzle. However boot skirts are also designed to wear with tall boots, so bust out your favorite pair to wear with this skirt.

These boots were made for boot skirts!

Completely my look I’m wearing the mark. Tough It Out necklace, a doctor’s bag from Brooks Brothers and a bright plum lip with Avon True Color Bold Lipstick in Power Plum.

mark. Tough It Out Necklace

Sweater and Skirt Full Look For Fall

You can shop my look at http://www.youravon.com/aliciahessinger along with all the new fall arrivals. The skirt alone would qualify you for the current A Box! $10 for all the fall/winter moisture you need! (see more here)

Shop This Boot Skirt Look at http://www.youravon.com/aliciahessinger

5 Products $10 at http://www.youravon.com/aliciahessinger

Going Graphic: mark. Change Your Stripes Dress

Yesterday’s black and white obsession is real yo. Wear and share Wednesday goes graphic today with the mark. Change Your Stripes dress. With a simple printed dress you really don’t need much to make a statement. Easy to wear, easy to see why this is my go to look this month:

mark. Change Your Stripes Dress

The mark. Change Your Stripes dress is a statement piece all on it’s own with its alternate stripes in different thickness, graphic hemline and easy to wear midi length and sleeveless styling. For a spring dress, it is a really, really light jersey material which means, it works well layered with a jacket or sweater or on it’s own come summer. We lucked out with some warm temps this spring so I’ve been able to wear it as is.

Asymmetrical Midi Dress For Spring

What I love about stripes is how much you’re able to treat them like a neutral. I easily was able to pair this dress with a pair of statement heels and a statement bag. The mark. By Any Stretch Pumps have to be my absolute purchase by far in the last year or so. They’re so comfortable and just look at them, they’re gorgeous!

mark. By Any Stretch Pump

I’ve also been having a major blue moment. Besides being one of the colors of the year, blue is my favorite color so this pale blue bag from Christian Siriano for Payless was a good choice for me. Plus, it pairs perfectly with black and white!

Kicking Up My Heels For Blue Accessories

I’m also loving this look paired with a mauve purple lip with the mark. All Butter Now Lip Treat in Mauvelous. A little unexpected for a spring color but works really well and the formula is so hydrating. Paired it with a graphic winged eye for a makeup look to match my graphic outfit!

mark. All Butter Now In Mauvelous

mark. Bar None Necklace

To finish off the accessories, there’s nothing more perfect than this howlite necklace from mark, the Bar None Necklace. Graphic in shape but small in size to add the perfect punch paired with a hematite bracelet and my black and white houndstooh Michael Kors watch that I’m obsessed with!

Obsessories.

Graphic In Black and White and Blue

For spring I’m super glad I added this dress into my wardrobe. It’s super comfortable, flattering and easy to wear. Stripes are a pattern you can wear like a neutral and look great with this statement heel I can’t get enough of. You can shop the look at my eboutique and be sure to use promo code 2in1 for a FREE convertible tote that would pair PERFECTLY with this look. Sidenote: you can always see the latest discounts and promos for http://www.youravon.com/aliciahessinger under the SHOP tab here on word of alicia.

Trending Tuesday: #blackandwhite

If the world of alicia was the internet then #blackandwhite would totally be trending. I’m currently crushing on all things black and white. Black and white were my wedding colors, what my nephew thought was my “uniform”, and the easiest color scheme to incorporate into your life. As much as it is a classic it is totally trendy this spring too! Here’s what I’m loving:

Merimekko For Target:

marimekko for target finds

The latest designer collaboration, Merimekko for Target just launched last week and I’m smitten over the black and white patterns this collab included. If I had an unlimited budget all those outdoor patio pieces (umbrella, rug, hammock, pouf, etc) would be mine! Because I don’t, I only ended up getting the placemats and a scarf in the black and white (and a cover up not in black and white). I love these collaborations because it gives an affordable way to own a little Merimekko. My local stores still have a ton so it’s not too late to shop it (unlike past collabs, Lilly I’m talking to you) and the bathing suits are really really cute too!

B&W from Marimekko For Target

Paprika Print Scarf and Avon Lipstick in Chocolate Rose

Howlite:

mark. Bar None Necklace

Howlite is a gemstone that’s white with black/grey veins through it and right now its the IT stone in jewelry. I love that it resembles marble and goes with everything. I picked up the mark. Bar None Necklace and have been wearing it non-stop. It’s such a unique shape and design that actually goes with just about everything I put on. The matching earrings are on my wish list as are these pieces from White House Black Market .

bar none earrings

Going Graphic:

Flatlay: New Arrivals From mark.

I think what sparked up my B&W obsession again is the newest mark. magalog. The new arrivals are basically all mix and match b&w with graphic elements. I love the graphic hemlines and black and white stripes on the mark. Change Your Stripes dress and the stark contrast the mark. White About Now Waistcoat achieves over black with its statement making proportions. I love the whole eye candy these new arrivals achieve in the graphic photo shoot. Definitely enough inspiration to last the season.

mark. Mag 5 – a Graphic Novel

For more black and white inspiration check out my B&W pinterest board! What black and white pieces do you gravitate to? Did you hunt down your favorite pieces from this Marimekko for Target collab!? You can shop the mark. new arrivals at my eboutique and right now get this day to night convertible bag FREE with a $60 order. BONUS it goes PERECT with this black and white trend!

Shop Now: http://www.youravon.com/aliciahessinger