Current Favorites

It is no secret that one of my most favorite things to do is shop for Dollie's wardrobe. It's just too much fun to dress that girl. I am sure most parents can relate to this in some way- Once you have a child you buy more for them that you do yourself. The 2014 Holiday season was quickly approaching and it was time that I splurged on myself for the first time in a long time. 

Over the past year I have come across some truly amazing shops with one of a kind items. Items that you won't find in your general department stores; items that are handmade and customized; items that are made with passion and purpose. I love spending my money (or I guess I should say Bodie's money) on stuff like that...stuff with hard work and meaning behind it. So that's where 95% of our Christmas shopping was done- online, shopping small. I am so pleased with the goodies that I purchased I just had to share them with you, along with a nice little discount for yourself of course. 

So, without further ado, I bring you...

Website: www.teddycosmetics.com

Instagram: @teddycosmetics

 When I was living in San Diego I met the super sweet and amazingly beautiful Tracy, creator and owner of Teddy Cosmetics. I had come across her Color Balms before, just through various instagram accounts/fans, so it was really exciting when I found out she was the one behind the brand. She told me about all the hard work, research, and time she spent in her kitchen literally mixing and making these balms to fit exactly what she had envisioned. You guys, they are amazing. They are so soft and moisturizing thanks to the Cocoa butter, Coconut oil, Shea butter, and Vitamin E in them. I'll be honest... I think I own one tube of lipstick that never gets used. It's kind of intimidating to me for some reason. It feels like a commitment or something, I don't know. But these balms are the perfect fit between a lipstick and a chapstick. They come in 4 dreamy shades. I have 3: Pink Slip, Berry Bombshell, and Honey. I use Berry Bombshell the most, nearly every day. Which is crazy because it was the most dramatic (in my opinion) and I wasn't sure if I would use it. What I love about it is how you can build up the color to be as subtle or dramatic as you want. I suppose it just goes with more of my winter wardrobe than the other colors. I use Pink Slip a lot too, and probably will more in the spring and summer. It's seriously the cutest most perfect pop of pink. Honey is a great color as well, and I sometimes like to double it up with the other colors! To get an idea of what the colors look like on, make sure to visit the instagram account (above) to view lots of photos! 

If you are needing something new in the lip color department make sure to try these out! 

If you aren't persuaded enough already then here is an exclusive Dash of Dollie discount code for 20% off to use toward your purchase! 

CODE: Dollie 

Good through Monday!

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Website: www.humblehilo.com

Instagram: @humblehilo
PC: Humble Hilo

Another crazy good find thanks to living in San Diego! Although they are growing like crazy and becoming very well-known so I think it would have been a matter of time before I found them anyway. But my friend Andrea, (owner of Tubby Todd Bath Co.-- see my review for that a few posts back) told me about this company because I was drooling over her bag the instant I saw it. She knows the owner of Humble Hilo really well I guess and has seen what they do to make it all happen. There really isn't much to talk about here guys, I mean just look at their bags! To die for! But what's even cooler than the beautiful bags is the meaning and work behind them. (By the way, they don't just offer bags, but apparel and home decor as well!)

Humble Hilo employs and empowers women in Guatemala who make one of a kind designs by hand that can take months to complete. When you make a purchase from Humble Hilo you are given 3 additional options for a portion of your money to go to: 

1. Infant and Child Nutrition

2. Education

3. Micro Finance for Women

I love knowing that a portion of the money I spent for my beautiful bag not only employed a woman but also provided nutrition for a child. Please visit their website (above) and learn more about this incredible company. 

 There are different sizes of bags to fit your needs. Mine is a medium, and I am currently using it as a diaper bag! I paid double the price for a Kate Spade diaper bag a few months back and I wish I would have known about this company so I could have bought two for the price of my other one! I get compliments on my bag every where I go. I love it! I hope you will grab one for yourself, I mean, you deserve it, lady! 

And here is an exclusive Dash of Dollie discount code for 10% off to help you along with your purchase:

CODE: DASH10

Good through Monday!

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Website: www.theshineproject.storenvy.com 

Instagram: @theshineproject

I came across The Shine Project by way of Instagram. I had been wanting some of their Threads pieces for so long. I am so glad that I finally made a purchase! I could not be happier and plan to add more to my collection. 

After following The Shine Project on instagram for quite some time, I had the opportunity to meet Ashley, the founder. I went to a Queen Bee Market in Oceanside just before leaving and was able to snag the stone necklace. I only regretted not buying more. You know those times when you don't end up buying something and you just can't get it off your mind? This was one of those times. So a couple weeks later I got online and purchased my personalized "faith" stamped bar necklace along with my stack of bracelets. They are such great quality and so beautiful.  

The Shine Project employs inner city youth to make the pieces that you see on the website. These youth are then able to use that money to help pay for college. If you go to their website (above), and please do, you can watch videos and learn more about the impact they are making in the lives of these youth. It's incredible and it will touch your heart. 

Just a few words directly from their website "Threads is a cause driven business that changes the future of at risk youth....by employing them, we instill values of self reliance and hard work. They are paid fair wages for the bracelets they make, and in turn are able to pay their way through school..."

Go ahead and treat yourself, or someone you love, to some Threads by The Shine Project. The pieces are beautiful and it's for a great cause! You won't be disappointed!

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Instagram: @gulushthreads 

Okay, so I guess this was really for Dollie than it was me. I just had to share it with you. It seriously is so perfect in every way and everything I hoped it would be. For those of you on Instagram, you've seen those loop giveaways, right? Well I won a credit to Gulush Threads through one of those loops back in the fall. I was going to just have Kristen embroider something that she already had listed on her website, but then I started thinking about how special it would be to have something customized for Dollie to have as a keep-sake that she could pass on to her daughter some day, and so on. I started searching for quotes, ideas, and color schemes. What Kristen and I ended up with was this amazing piece. I asked to have a personalized note to Dollie included and she was so sweet to attach a small piece of fabric with a special note to Dollie that reads: 

"You are the best part of me, Dollie! Love Mom 2014."
The piece is detachable as well. So sweet.

Let me just tell you that I opened this on Christmas morning, and although I already knew what it would be like, it still took my breath away. As I read it aloud to family there wasn't a dry eye in the room. These pictures were actually taken and posted by her on her instagram feed and I just had to use them...she captured the detail so well. I can't even imagine how long it must have taken her. I did end up paying more for this custom order, and I am so glad that I did! Worth every penny! I think she may be listing this design as a regular on her site in the future. You can see more of Kristen's work on her website (above). I believe her shop is currently closed for the time being, but keep checking in! You can see lots of her work on her instagram account, too. 

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Now that you have been introduced to some amazing new goodies, go grab yourself an early Valentines Day present! Or at least hint to your significant other what you want!
Don't forget to take advantage of the offered discount codes, too!