Gift Guide For The Women In Your Life | Best Gifts For Women

Now that you’ve settled on a few gifts for your friends or family members (and hopefully yourself too), it’s time to focus on the women in your life. Sure, we know this can be super stressful but don’t worry, we did all the hard work for you. We’ve got a great lineup of gifts for the women in your life, whether it’s your significant other, sister, mother, or just friends. Don’t forget to check out our Men’s Gift Guide too.

Here are our picks for the best gifts for the women in your life!

 

Silk Pillowcase – $85

Trust me, she will thank you. When you sleep on silk vs cotton, you no longer will get those sleep creases on your face which contribute to wrinkles, plus silk pillowcases are much kinder on her hair will offer more protection from split ends and breakage. As a bonus companion gift, we really like this Silk Eyemask ($50) because it’s super comfortable, kind on the skin and great for travel!

 

Ultra-Slim Lightweight Charger – $29

An awesome gift we’ve mentioned before, this small, handy charger is perfect for the person who’s constantly running on low battery (aka, everyone!).

 

Skylar Beauty Products

Ashley highly recommends all the beauty products from our friends at Skylar as gifts for the women in your life. They’re all hypoallergenic, non-toxic, and free of parabens and chemicals, making them great for any skin type and beauty routine. They have a range of sets perfect for gifting including the Best of Body gift box with body lotion and wash, as well as a hand cream. It features Ashley’s favorite ocean-inspired scent called Isle.

Other easy gifts options are their Scent Experience, a sample of all 6 of their amazing fragrances, along with a gift card for a full-size version of whichever scent she ends up loving, and the Scent Club Gift Subscriptions, which fit any budget and are great if the woman you’re buying it for likes to try different scents. They have 3, 6 and 12-month options.

Plus, just for our readers and viewers, you can get 20% off your purchase with code JOLLY20 at check out. Plus, you’ll get a free Arrow rollie when you spend $80 or more (auto-applied, no code needed). Get your shopping done soon, this free gift offer ends on 12/9!

 

Instant Film Camera – $99

Everyone loves an instant film camera and she’ll definitely be sure to use this as soon as she unwraps it. We love the rose gold or graphite color options. These are awesome for parties and events too!

 

Essential Oil Diffuser – $22

One of those must-have items she never knew she needed, these aromatherapy diffusers fill the home with amazing scents of all types.

 

L.L. Bean Fleece Robe – $79

A super-soft, super-cozy robe, need we say more? We both have these and they’re a morning staple in our house most days.

 

Portable Bluetooth Speaker – $35

Super handy at home or while traveling, we love this version because it’s really affordable, waterproof and durable. The perfect stocking stuffer for anyone.

 

Capri Blue Volcano Jar Candle – $30

Never underestimate the power of a great candle as a gift.  This one is a tried and true option and we guarantee she’ll love it.

 

Nars lipstick pencil duo – $20

Don’t be intimidated by buying makeup for her, this one is a no-fail option. Nars is a great brand and this subtle color duo will look great on any woman, no matter what her beauty routine is or what type of skin tone she has.

 

Gold Hoop Earrings – $150

Classic, timeless, and beautiful, a chic pair of gold earrings from one of Ashley’s favorite women’s brands are always a stylish gift, no matter what accessories she typically wears.

10 Ways You’re Killing Your Style | Men’s Style Mistakes

Once you’ve got the basics of style down, it’s important to focus on those little things that can make or break your personal style and everyday look. Something as simple as a little mistake can totally throw off your look or ruin otherwise good style choices. Oftentimes its something as simple as how you present a particular choice. No matter what it is, focusing on the proper details and nailing those can save you from potential disaster.  Some of these mistakes might be obvious but some you may not even know you are doing!

So, here are 10 ways you may be killing your style!

 

Being Overly Self-Conscious

Trying too hard can be as bad as not trying at all. Wearing trendy items that aren’t you or not wearing things that make you feel comfortable and confident are quick ways to ruin your overall style. People notice how you feel and if you’re feeling good about what you’re wearing and looking good, it will stand out.

 

Wearing Clothing That Doesn’t Work for your body type

Working with your body type is a huge part of getting well-fitting clothing. Choosing items that will flatter and fit well is crucial. Some easy items to avoid are henley shirts if you’re not fit or muscular, Chelsea boots if you’re a bigger guy, and classic straight-legged jeans if you’re a thinner guy. Check out all of our Fit Guides for tips about different body types and how things should fit.

 

Over-accessorizing

Yikes, this can go wrong so easily, over-accessorizing can be a huge problem. Johnny Depp, you are not. Go easy on rings, bracelets, and other flashy items and go for more subtle, refined accessories to show some personality or flair. Stick with 1 or 2 items max, like a pocket square and a watch.

 

Wearing too much cologne

A little goes a long way, and there’s nothing worse than smelling someone from 5 feet away. Nobody (especially women) wants that. If you can smell yourself, it’s too much.

 

Not paying attention to the details

Again, the little things matter, so take care to focus on them. Things like not lint rolling your clothing (especially dark shirts, suits, and jackets), wearing wrinkled clothing (just get our recommended steamer), and not tucking in your shoelaces really matter with your overall look.

Speaking of tucking in shoelaces (something Ashley is always super focused on as a stylist), our friends at Straight Laces have an ingenious shoelace set up that creates a clean, tucked look and basically turns all your shoes into slip on’s.  It’s such a smart, useful product and we’re using them on all our shoes personally and with Ashley’s clients. Seriously, they’re that good. Just for our readers and viewers, we’ve got a deal for 40% off 3 or more laces! Shop here and use code AshWeston40.

 

Not dressing your age

We’ve discussed how to dress well in your 40’s before and a big part of it is embracing your age and wearing items that are classy and age-appropriate.

 

Wearing dirty, old shoes

Hopefully, this goes without saying, but a bad pair of shoes can absolutely ruin your entire look. Keep them in good condition and shined up.

 

Not Grooming Regularly

Overgrown hair, beards, and fingernails are no bueno. Make sure you’re taking proper care of your grooming and putting your best foot forward.  Especially important in professional environments. We’ve got a ton of tips in all of our grooming guides.

 

Not taking care of your skin

Just like your grooming, proper skin care is an important part of your overall routine. It doesn’t have to be fancy or complicated but you should find a morning routine and an evening routine that works for you. Focus on moisturizing, good shaving techniques, and using the right products.

 

Wearing faded, ripped or pilled items

When items are faded (especially shirts, pants and sweaters), it’s time to send them off to the donation bin and get some replacements. If your sweaters are pilled, you just need to get a sweater shaver (we like this one best) to remove the little balls and get it back in good shape.

10 Best Gifts For Men | Men’s Gift Guide 2019

It’s officially holiday time and there’s no doubt you’re going to need to find some cool, useful gifts for your friends and family. While you’re at it, you should probably pick out something nice for yourself too right? We see a ton of products all the time so we thought we’d do the hard work for you and pick out some of our absolute favorite items to make your shopping that much easier this year. Add these to your list and we guarantee great results and a ton of happy recipients. Need a few more ideas? Check out our Gift Guides from years past.

Here are our picks the 10 best gifts for men! Happy Holidays!

 

LEATHERMAN KEYCHAIN – $35

Super handy and will always be useful when you least expect it, we gift these to everyone in our lives. It’s small, affordable, and packs a ton of utility into a small package. They come in a range of colors too.

 

Dad Fanny Pack – $10

Whether you need a good, affordable silly gift for a white elephant gift exchange or just want to gift friends and family with something funny, this is a great option.

 

Vitamix Blender – $400

The absolute Rolls Royce of blenders, this item is a staple item in our lives and we use it a ton. It’s great for everything from smoothies to soups to “Nice Cream” (frozen banana ice cream). Not cheap, but it’s absolutely worth every penny.

 

Pour-Over Coffee Brewing Set for One – $69

Good coffee gear is absolutely essential and this handy, single-cup brewer is an awesome gift for all the coffee snobs in your life. Once they ditch the garbage Keurig brewer and try a fresh cup from a pour-over there’s no going back, we promise. We’re also big fans of the Aeropress brewer for more of an espresso-style cup.

 

Manscaped Lawnmower 2.0 Trimmer

It goes without saying that proper grooming is hugely important and that goes for body hair and your hair downstairs. Speaking for the women in the world, Ashley can’t recommend this trimmer enough for keeping your package area tidy and neat. Trust us, it’s that important.  The Lawnmower 2.0 trimmer is super handy and makes grooming everywhere a breeze. It’s waterproof and has a powerful 6,000 RPM motor with SkinSafe™ Technology so you’ll never experience any nicks or snags. They even guarantee it and will give you your money back if you’re not happy. 

We’ve got an awesome deal from Manscaped and you can get 20% OFF plus Free Shipping, and 2 free gifts with code WESTON at Manscaped.com! The Perfect Package 2.0 kit features the Lawnmower 2.0 trimmer, a refreshing crop reviver toner, crop preserver deodorant, and a comfy pair of boxer briefs. Pick up your kit here, it’s perfect for friends, family, or yourself!

 

Bose Noise-Canceling Headphones – $400

We’ve discussed how important these are before and this new model from Bose is even better. An absolute must for anyone who travels a lot, this new version even has a toggle switch that adjusts the noise-cancelling levels for a custom feel. Another item that’s pricey but worth every penny.

 

Ultra-Slim Lightweight Charger – $29

Speaking of handy travel accessories, this small charger is a life-saver if you’re like most of us who and constantly teetering on low battery. The perfect affordable stocking stuffer!

 

Custom Family Portrait Illustration – $20 and up

Both thoughtful and clever, this gift allows you to create a custom illustration based on a photo. Awesome for a thoughtful or funny gift.

 

Zojirushi Stainless Thermos Mug – $27

Another one of our absolute favorite EDC items we have recommended before, this mug is incredible. You won’t believe how warm or cold it keeps your go-to beverages. It’s available in multiple colors and sizes too.

 

Itunes Store or Google Play Store Gift Cards – $10 and up

Cash can feel impersonal and something as simple as an Itunes or Google Play gift card is a way better option. No matter what the situation is, the recipient is always going to love this one.

 

 

$50 & Under Items That Are Totally Worth It

Sure, we know, $50 may not be a lot, but these days it can go a long way if you’re spending it wisely! In the past we’ve down a few of our go-to essential items that make our lives easier, from apps to entertainment, but what about those must-have tools and services that we can’t live without?

Well, we’re going to give you 10 items that we think are not only worth $50 but will have a huge impact on your life well beyond something fairly inexpensive.

 

1.Leatherman Keychain – $35

We love this handy little number from Leatherman, it’s truly a lifesaver. And while it may not seem like much, you will be blown away by how often you use the super useful combination of tools. One of Dorian’s go-to EDC items.

 

2. Minimal Hard Shell Phone Case – $12

You spent some good money on a great new phone so give it the protection it deserves with a case that’s not only protected but also slim and stylish. Looking for a few more options? Check out our phone case rundown.

 

3. Paperkarma $12-$20 Per Year

An insanely useful service that helps you get rid of obnoxious, unwanted junk mail. Simply download the app, take a few pictures of junk mail as it comes in and you’re good to go. Not only is it easy to use it saves you time, money and help cut down on unwanted paper waste for the environment. Win-win-win.

 

4. Herschel Charlie Wallet – $30

We’re big fans of Herschel’s goods and we reviewed another one of their options in our Best Wallets of 2019 article. This card case is perfect for those who like a slim, pared-down vibe. It’s a great bang for your buck and the leather is very nice. They’ve got a ton of great color options too.

 

5. Zojirushi Thermos – $26

This sleekly designed water bottle/thermos might as well be magic because it keeps your drinks cold or hot for what seems like forever. It comes in 3 different sizes and a bunch of great colors.

 

6. External Phone/Laptop Battery – $46

If you’ve ever known the sweet agony of having your phone or computer die at the wrong moment when traveling or working away from home you know how valuable one of these babies can be. Light and portable, one of two of these is money very well spent.

Picks:

Anker 1

Anker 2

Anker 3

 

7. Vintage Casio Digital Watch – $34

From a style perspective, we love the vintage vibe of these classic digital watches. They’re super affordable and add a great throwback-inspired vibe to your style. You can slap on a perlon strap to add a different look too.

Casio 1

Casio 2

Strap Options

 

8. Slow cooker – $30 – $50

While there is a serious debate in our house as to which slow cooker is best, there’s no debate about how awesome and practical both of our favorite slow cookers are. Drop in some ingredients and some flavorful items, hit the dial or button and you’re good to go. An absolute must for any busy guy who still wants to eat well and healthy.

Ashley’s Favorite: Crock Pot

Dorian’s Favorite: Instapot

 

9. Betterment – No Fees

A great new option for financial services, we love Betterment’s free checking and savings accounts. They both have zero fees and the savings account has one of the highest interest rates anywhere at 2.39%. So, essentially you get paid every month to keep your money in your savings account. Investment and retirement have an annual fee of 0.25% per year on your retirement balance, but since you’re getting paid in your savings account, it will likely cost you nothing.

Sign Up For Betterment Here

 

10. Incase Backpack – $49.95

Yup, we’re huge fans of Incase.  We’ve featured their backpacks and briefcases previously because we absolutely adore their clean, minimal design, functional features, and great price. This version in particular, at $50 is an absolute steal and one of the very best affordable backpacks out there. It comes in a range of colors but our favorites are the light grey and dark grey.

Welcome To Our Studio and Office!

We previously gave you a tour of our new home and now it’s time to give you a sneak peek inside AWxInc HQ! Our studio/office is where Ashley has fittings for all of her clients, where we run our business, and create all of our videos for you! 

Welcome to our Studio and Office, enjoy the tour!

Head to squarespace.com/awxinc to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. Thanks to our friends at Squarespace for sponsoring this video!

Ashley’s recommended steamers:

Stand Up Steamer

Portable Steamer

Our video camera:

Panasonic 

Our Favorite Podcasts? / Best Podcasts 2019

Just like a ton of you out there, we love a great podcast.  Whether we’re in the car, cleaning the house, or just taking some time to ourselves, they’re a great way to learn, be entertained, and get motivated.  Recently a viewer asked us what some of our favorite podcasts were so we thought we’d share some of our go-tos, for entertainment, business, and more.

In this episode of 2 Minute Tuesday we’re running down a list of our favorite podcasts and why we love them so much!

 

Dorian’s Favorite Podcasts

Dorian loves a mix of history, business, current events, and entertainment in his podcast diet.  Here are some of his favorites.

Conan Needs A Friend

A hilarious and insightful interview pod hosted by Conan O’Brien and featuring great guests like Dana Carvey, Bill Hader, Jimmy Kimmel, and more.

The Rewatchables

Part of The Ringer’s awesome podcast network, The Rewatchables recaps classic action, comedy, and thriller movies in a really funny way.  if you’ve ever found yourself on the couch on Saturday or Sunday afternoon watching movies like Step Brothers, Bloodsport, Top Gun, and really wanted to discuss how perfect these movies are, this is the pod for you.

Revisionist History

A great deep dive into notable historical and current events but with a unique perspective, this educational and entertaining show is hosted by Malcolm Gladwell, the brilliant mind behind such classic books as “The Tipping Point“, “Blink” and “Outliers“.

The Daily

Dorian loves the mix of important news stories and outstanding news stories from The New York Times editorial team.

Slow Burn

Dorian has mentioned his love for history, and in particular, presidential history and this killer series has seasons on The Watergate scandal and the Clinton/Lewinsky affair.  We’re definitely excited about Season 3, which will cover the murders of Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G.

Economist: The Intelligence

Another current events podcast, this time from The Economist, it offers excellent business coverage as well.

Revolutions

Another podcast for you history nerds out there, this one focuses on some of the most important and, well, revolutionary revolutions in history.

Seincast

Dorian’s love of Seinfeld is deep and strong, so obviously he’s going to be into this hilarious podcast.

Batman – The Animated Podcast

An offshoot of the awesome animated series (definitely not for kids), this serialized podcast is super entertaining and a must for all comic book fans.

 

Ashley’s Favorite Podcasts

Ashley loves true crime, technology, and some interesting non-fiction in her podcast menu.  Here are her go-to’s.

Reply All

Not so much a technology podcast, rather, it’s more about human stories with bits of tech, social media, and communication within it. We also love the great rapport between the two hosts.

Criminal

Ashley is a huge true crime fan, so this one is right in our wheelhouse.  Sure, it’s probably obvious that this one is about crime and criminals, but the stories are crazy and out-of-the-ordinary in a really entertaining way. Guaranteed to blow your mind!

Couples Therapy

A podcast with Casey Neistat and his wife, Candice, this podcast is pretty raw, unfiltered and a really interesting look into their relationship (and all relationships, really).

How and When Should Men Wear A Tie?

Ties are a fundamental accessory in a man’s essential wardrobe, they can add personality, elegance, and formality to many types of looks, no matter what your personal style is. Rules about style and formality, in both work and social settings, are changing so quickly that it can be tough to know when you should and shouldn’t wear a tie.

So, in this episode of 2 Minute Tuesday we’re discussing when and how men should wear a tie! For a full breakdown on our favorite ties and specific tips, make sure you check out our tie article!

 

With What?

A key thing to remember about ties starts with what you should be wearing them with. Dressier looks like suits and sport coats are definitely options you can and should wear a tie with. For more of a hybrid look, try wearing a tie with a bomber jacket, it can give your casual look a cool dressy vibe. One word of warning though, you don’t want to wear just a tie on its own without a jacket, it just doesn’t look right.

 

With What Types of Dress Codes?

When to wear a tie can also be determined by the dress code or how formal your place of work happens to be. Dress codes like “Formal”, “Cocktail Attire” or “Cocktail Party” often call for a suit and a tie. Business casual tends to lean slightly more casual but a tie can be appropriate given the right scenario. One tip we love, try a knit tie in those less-dressy situations, they’re not as dressy as a silk tie and will give your look a cool vibe.

If you aren’t totally sure about dress codes, ultimately you want to go with the crowd and let that dictate when a tie is appropriate. Always being stylish and a bit more dressed up is a great thing most of the time. But, you don’t want to be significantly overdressing for occasions or workplaces that don’t call for it. It can seem like you’re trying too hard or attempting to stand out, and not in a good way.